Selected abstracts 189

same. order of magnitude and correlates well with the amplitude of the flow fluctuations. -from Author

937-,/00014 E.ff.ec~ of enhancin[~ pontoons on abun- dance of fish: initial experimenm in estuaries C. A. Hair & J. D. Bell, Bulletin of Marine Science, 51(1), 1992, pp 30-36. The physical complexity of the undersides of pontoons was enhanced by adding 7m 2 units made up of artificial seagrass leaves. Abundances of fish from these pontoons were compared with those from normal pontoons. At Port Hacking, New South Wales, the total number of fish, number of species and number of recently settled fish were significantly higher on enhanced pontoons than on unenhanced pontoons during December, but not October. The number of recently settled fish on pontoons was tow compared to simultaneous settlement of fish in nearby natural habitat. Possible reasons were the position of pun- toons in the water column their movement in relation to tides and currents, and shading. -from Authors

93Z/00015 Trying to save the natterjack toad - a case study in amphibian conservation T. Beebee, British Wildlife, 3(3), 1992, pp 137-145. Bufo calamita in Britain is discussed in the light of world- wide declines of amphibian species, beginning with its biology, and habitat preferences. A historical perspective is given, documenting examples of the natterjack's decline from the end of the 19th century. More detailed scientific recording provides information f rom 1963 onwards and shows rapid losses, particularly from lowland heath sites in the south and east. The present stronghold is in coastal dunes of the NW English coast. Losses can be attributed in virtually all cases to direct destruction of habitat. Substan- tial research programmes during the 1980s have identified problems of pond acidification and competitive inferiority, which are discussed before assessing the English Nature recovery programme. -J.W.Cooper

93Z/00016 The effect of rearing experience on subse- quent behavioural traits in Hawaiian geese Branta sandvicensis: implications for the recovery programme A. P. Marshall & J. M. Black, Bird Conservation International, 2(2), 1992, pp 131-147. The risk of the nene becoming extinct has been minimized by the release of over 2000 captive-reared geese, but the population (now at 500) is yet to achieve a self-sustaining status. Most birds released have been reared in gosling- only groups, thus missing out on the opportunity to learn social and feeding skills from adults. The authors raised 42 goslings under four conditions: a gosling group not exposed to adults, a gosling group exposed to adults from 16 days onward, three groups in view of 'foster' adults for 14 days, and four groups reared continuously by parents. Parent-reared birds were dominant to and more vigilant than goslings raised without parents or goslings reared in sight of adults. Parent-reared birds also integrated into the adult flock sooner than other goslings. Growth rate and final body size were not afffected by rearing regime. Managers should provide goslings with as much 'parental' experience as possible m order to equip them with appropriate skills to cope once released in the wild.

-from Authors

93Z/00017 Raptor conservation in Veracruz, Mexico J.E. Martinez-Gomez, Journal of Raptor Research, 26(3), 1992, pp 184-188. Because 67 raptor species arc found in Veracruz, and because the most northern high evergreen ralnforest of the continent is located in this Mexican State, a major conser- vation effort in this region is warranted. -from Author

93Z/00018 The effect of man-made platforms on osprey reproduction at Loon Lake, Saskatchewan C . S . Houston & F. Scott, Journal of Raptor Research, 26(3), 1992, pp 152-158. Since 1975 the authors have banded 277 nestling Pandion haliaetus at 138 successful nests near Loon Lake. There vere 137 failed nesting attempts, in total yielding a pro- uction of 277 young from 275 attempts (1.0 young per

active nest). Since 1986, over half (37 of 64) of successful

nests have been on man-made platforms. Pairs on plat- forms had a success rate of 62 .9~ and raised 2.1 young per successful nest, compared with a sucxeu rate of 45.9% and 2.0 young per successful nest in osprey-built n~.ts m trees. Banding returns are discussed. -from Aumors

93Z/00019 Status and distribution of white-winged black tit Proems nucbaF~ in Kachchh, Gujarat, India S. A. Hussaln, S. Asad Akhtar & J. K. Tiwari, Bird Conservation Imerm~tional, 2(2), 1992, pp 115-122. Parus nuclmlis is an endemic Indian species threatened by the destruction of its Acacia scrub forest habitat. Historical and recent unpublished records are combined to provide a new assessment of its disjunct range. The species urgently needs measures to preserve its habitat, and particularly its nest trees. -from Authors

93Z/00020 The Ethiopian wolf an endangered endemic canid D. Gottelli & C. Sillero-Zubiri, Oryx, 26(4), 1992, pp 205-214. Today perhaps only 500 individuals survive, making Canis simensis the world's rarest and probably most endangered canid. Its range has already been reduced and it is threatened by fu~dler loss of habitat to high-altitude sub- sistence agriculture and overgrazing by livestock. Today it survives in only six locations, with the largest and prob- ably only genetically viable population being found m the Bale Mountains National Park. The most immediate threats for the survival of Ethiopian wolves are disease, domestic dogs and humanpersecutiun. Improved management in Bale and Simien Mountains National Parks and the estab- lishment of a captive-breeding programme are urgently needed. -from Authors

93Z/00021 Feasibility of translocating panthers into northern Florida R. C. Belden & B. W. Hagedom, Journal of Wildlife Management, 57(2), 1993, pp 388-397. Seven mountain lions Fells concolor stanleyana captured in W Texas were released in northern Florida and used as surrogates for evaluating the feasibility of translocating Florida panthers F.c. coryi. The lions established overlap- ping home ranges, killed large prey at a predicted fre- quency, and settled into routine movement and feeding pat- terns before the hunting season. However, during the hunt- ing season the lions either were killed, or they abandoned their home ranges. Subsequent wanderings into urban areas and livestock operations necessitated the early remo- val of study animals. The authors cannot recommended introduction of Florida panthers into N Florida at this time, but recommend further study of techniques for establ~hing viable populations that are compatible with the expanding human population. -from Authors

93Z/00022 The conservation of marine mammals in Scottish waters P. M. Thompson, Proceedings - Royal Society of Edinburgh, Section B, 100, 1992, pp 123-140. Reviews current information on the distribution, abun- dance and population dynamics of seals and cetaceans in Scott~h waters, then outlines the nature and likely extent of threats to these species from human impacts such as incidental killing, disturbance, pollution. Conservation and management objectives for Scott~h marine mammal popu- lations are discussed, particularly in relation to interna- tional treaties which require the UK to provide adequate protection measures. -from Author

93Z/00023 Calving success of woodland caribou exposed to low-level jet fighter overflights F .H. Harrington & A. M. Veitch, Arctic, 45(3), 1992, pp 213-218. Effects on Rangifer tarandus caribou of low-level military jet training at Goose Bay (Labrador) were studied. A calf survival index, the number of survey periods (maximum-4) that a cow was accompanied by a calf, was negatively correlated with the female's exposure to low-level jet over- flights during the calving and immediate post-calving period and again during the period of insect harassment during summer. No significant relationship between calf