The air filled cavities of paranasal sinuses are thought by some to appear opportunistically in spatial ''gaps'' within the craniofacial complex. Anthropoid primates provide excellent natural experiments for testing this model, since not all species possess a full complement of paranasal sinuses. In this study, two genera of monkeys (Saguinus and Cebuella) which form maxillary sinuses (MS) as adults were compared to squirrel monkeys (Saimiri spp.), in which a MS does not form. Using microCT and histomorphometric methods, the spatial position of paranasal spaces was assessed and size of the adjacent dental sacs was measured. In Saguinus, secondary pneumatization is underway perinatally, and the sinus extends alongside deciduous premolars (dp). The MS overlaps all permanent molars in the adult. In Saimiri, the homologous space (maxillary recess) extends no farther posterior than the first deciduous premolar at birth and extends no farther than the last premolar in the adult. Differences in dental size and position may account for this finding. For example, Saimiri has significantly larger relative dp volumes, and enlarged orbits, which encroach on the internasal space to a greater degree when compared to Saguinus. These factors limit space for posterior expansion of the maxillary recess. These findings support the hypothesis that secondary pneumatization is a novel, opportunistic growth mechanism that removes ''unneeded'' bone. Moreover, paranasal spaces occur in association with semiautonomous skeletal elements that border more than one functional matrix, and the spatial dynamics of these units can act as a constraint on pneumatic expansion of paranasal spaces. Anat Rec,

The Harderian gland is a poorly understood anterior ocular gland that occurs in most terrestrial vertebrates. Numerous extraorbital functions have been ascribed to the Harderian gland, principally based on its association with the nasolacrimal duct. Few studies have centered on archosaurs and the majority of those available focused solely on the Harderian gland of birds. Little is known about the lacrimal apparatus of the crocodilians. We examined the lacrimal apparatus of several specimens of Alligator mississippiensis anatomically, histologically, and histochemically and studied the embryogenesis of this system. The nasolacrimal duct possesses a distal secretory area, which is more convoluted than that of typical mammals or lepidosaurs. The alligator Harderian gland possesses a unique combination of characteristics found in lepidosaurs, birds, and mammals. Like that of both mammals and lepidosaurs, it is a large, tuboloacinar gland that appears to secrete both mucoprotein and lipids. However, the presence of blood vessels and immune cells is reminiscent of that of the avian Harderian gland. The immunogenesis of the alligator Harderian gland appears to be tied to the development of the vascular system. The presence of a distinct palpebral gland in the anterior aspect of the ventral eyelid is a feature unique to alligators. Based on position, this gland does not appear to be homologous to the anterior lacrimal gland of lepidosaurs. Lymphatic aggregations were also found in the palpebral gland. The presence of interstitial immune cells in the orbital glands of alligators suggests that the alligator lacrimal apparatus, like that of birds, may play a role in the head-associated lymphatic tissue system.

Bone cell distribution patterns in perinatal nonhuman primates resemble those described for the prenatal human Pmx, suggesting that differences among species relate to magnitude rather than the pattern of osteogenesis.

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The fisheries system of the US Virgin Islands (USVI) provided the opportunity to examine decision‐making and to advise comparable fisheries throughout the tropics; it is well studied, thoroughly managed, and small in economic impact. To assess (multilevel modelling), evaluate (historical baselines and comparison of size frequency distributions), and explain (regression) the fisheries status synoptically, indicators of life history, ecological, and fishery traits were applied to a 26 year long and 104 species large port biosampling database. The fishery consists of stable, truncated, and overfished populations of exclusively K‐selected fish species. In particular, 45 (46.9%) of 96 species show significant but not biologically meaningful trends in mean standardized length of fish caught during a period of 30 years. Yet, 93 (90.2%) of 103 species are subject to persistent growth and/or recruitment overfishing. Also, both biological and economic overfishing are positively, significantly, and largely related with the K‐selected nature of these species. The results are corroborated by available contextual studies that demonstrate in synthesis the buffering effect of fisheries management. This employs various monitoring, regulatory, and enhancement tools to face its major challenges of data collection and quality improvement, local and regional environmental degradation from multiple anthropogenic and natural stressors, and non‐compliance. Yet, there have been increasing trends in human population size, fishing effort, and total commercial landings, decreasing trends in the catch per unit of effort, changes in the relative composition of the catch during the last 40 years, and collapsed or on the verge of collapse fished species since the 1970s have not yet recovered. The USVI fisheries system would benefit from redesigning regulation of input and output controls and upgrading the environmental baseline using the ecosystem‐based management approach.