Diversity of the primary groups of contemporary Indo-West Pacific coral reef organisms, including mantis shrimps (stomatopod crustaceans), peaks in the Indo-Australian Archipelago (IAA), reaches a lower peak in East Africa and Madagascar [Indian Ocean continental (IOC)], and declines in the central Indian Ocean (IO) and Central Pacific (CP). Percent endemism in stomatopods (highest in the IAA, high in the IOC, lower in regions adjacent to centers, and moderate in the CP) correlates positively with species diversity (this varies with scale) and inversely with species body size. Because it constrains reproductive traits and dispersal, body size is a reliable indicator of speciation and extinction potential in reef stomatopods and probably most marine organisms. Assemblages are dominated by small-sized species in the IAA and IOC. Both speciation and extinction likely are high, resulting in especially high endemism (small ranges reflect both originating and disappearing species) in these regions. Rates of speciation exceed extinction, yielding centers of diversity (especially in the IAA). Dispersal slows speciation and extinction in areas adjacent to these centers. Body size declines toward the CP, especially in atoll environments. Here the wheels of speciation and extinction again spin rapidly but in the opposite direction (extinction > speciation), yielding low diversity and moderate endemism. We conclude that life histories, dispersal, and speciation/extinction dynamics are primary agents that mold patterns of diversity and endemism. Historical factors, currents, productivity, and species diversity itself (through ecological interactions) also influence these patterns, in some cases by altering body size.hot spots ͉ stomatopod ͉ life history ͉ geographic range ͉ body size B eing repositories of ancient phyla as well as more recent specialized taxa, coral reefs are among the most spectacular, productive, diverse (per unit area), and threatened ecosystems on earth. Organisms they house provide a critical source of protein for people in many tropical countries, and reefs themselves protect human populations from storm and wave damage. Coral reefs provide aesthetic beauty (and the bioeroded sand on beaches) for tourism-an increasingly important economic resource for developing tropical countries. However, tourism and other uses of reefs must be carefully managed to be of sustainable economic benefit. A fundamental value of coral reefs is that they provide an aesthetic, intellectual, educational, and cultural heritage for present and future generations.Threats to global coral reefs, however, are severe and well documented (1-9). Overexploitation has been identified as an especially serious problem, but other threats include coastal development and sedimentation, pollution, global warming, disease, and ocean acidification. The Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network reports that 20% of global coral reefs already have been degraded beyond recovery, an additional 24% are under imminent threat of collapse, and a further 26% ...

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We observed territorial Purple-throated Caribs (Eulampis jugularis) on three Heliconia morphs (H. caribaea and the red-green and green morphs of H. bihai) on the island of St. Lucia, West Indies, to examine how calculated costs and benefits compared with observed patterns of Heliconia use. Across the three years of our study, H. caribaea territories defended by Purple-throated Carib males were significantly smaller in area and had higher densities of flowers than red-green H. bihai territories, and both kinds of Heliconia territories defended by males were smaller and had higher densities of flowers than the green H. bihai territory maintained by a female. In the period (0630 to 1400 hours) during which birds maintained territories, total maintenance costs were more than met by energy obtained from territories, but only 2 of 13 territories provided sufficient nectar to meet birds' energy requirements for 24 h. Birds supplemented their energy intake from Heliconia territories by foraging at flowers in the rainforest canopy, and the percentage of time a territorial bird spent foraging in the canopy was inversely correlated with energy production on its Heliconia territory. The smaller territory areas and higher flower densities of H. caribaea territories lowered males' foraging time and energy costs per flower on H. caribaea as compared with red-green H. bihai territories, theoretically allowing them to meet their energy demands in less time and at lower cost. Males' estimated foraging time and energy costs were greatest at the green morph of H. bihai; compared with females, they would save a higher proportion of time and energy by foraging at H. caribaea and the red-green morph of H. bihai. That asymmetry between males and females in relative gains from foraging at each of the three Heliconia morphs may further reinforce resource partitioning between them, in addition to differences in size and fighting abilities. Economía de Forrajeo y Territorialidad en la Especie Sexualmente Dimórfica Eulampis jugularis en Tres Formas de Heliconia

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Abdominal pain frequently represents a diagnostic challenge in the acute setting. In pregnant patients, the gravid abdomen and concern for ionizing radiation exposure further limit evaluation. If undiagnosed, appendicitis may cause disastrous consequences for the mother and fetus. We present the case of a pregnant female who was admitted for right lower quadrant abdominal pain. Advanced imaging of the abdomen and pelvis was interpreted to be either indeterminate or normal and a diagnosis of acute appendicitis was made on purely clinical grounds. This patient’s management and a literature review of diagnostic techniques for acute appendicitis during pregnancy are discussed.