Beluga (disambiguation)

The word Beluga has several meanings.
- For the whale, see Beluga.
- For the airplane, see Airbus Beluga.
- For the fish from whose roe is sold as Beluga caviar, see Beluga sturgeon.

Beluga

:This article refers to the whale, beluga. For other meanings, see Beluga (disambiguation). For other meanings of the name White Whale (a synonym), see White Whale (disambiguation).
The Beluga Whale or White Whale (Delphinapterus leucas) is an Arctic and sub-arctic species of cetacean. This marine mammal is commonly referred to simply as the Beluga - the word derives from the Russian beloye meaning white.

Taxonomy and evolution

The Beluga was first described by Peter Simon Pallas in 1776. It is a member of the Monodontidae taxonomic family alongside the Narwhal. The Irrawaddy Dolphin was also once considered to be in the same family though recent genetic evidence suggests otherwise. The earliest known genetic ancestor of the Beluga is the now-extinct Denebola brachycephala from the late Miocene period. A single fossil has been found on the Baja California peninsula, indicating that the family once thrived in warmer waters. The fossil record also indicates that in comparatively recent times the Beluga's range has varied with that of the ice pack – expanded during ice ages and contracting when the ice retreats.

Naming

The Red List of Threatened Species gives both Beluga and White Whale as common names, though the former is now more popular. The whale is also colloquially known as the "Sea Canary" on account of the high-pitched squeaks, squeals and whistles.

Physical description

This gregarious whale can be up to 5m (16 ft) long, larger than all but the largest dolphins but smaller than most other toothed whales. Males are generally larger than the female - males can weigh 1.5 tons and females about one ton. Newly-born Beluga are about 1.5m long and weigh 80kg. This whale is unmistakable when adult: it is all white and has a dorsal ridge rather than a fin. The head is also unlike that of any other cetacean - its melon is extremely bulbous and even malleable. The beluga is able to change the shape of its melon by blowing air around its sinuses. Again unlike many whales, the vertebrae in the neck are not fused together, allowing the animal flexibility to turn its head laterally. The absence of the dorsal fin is reflected in the genus name of the species - apterus is the Latin for "finless". The evolutionary preference for a dorsal ridge in favor of a fin is believed by scientists to be adaption to under-ice conditions, or possibly as a way of preserving heat. The body of the Beluga is rotund, particularly when well-fed, which tapers smoothly to both the head and tail. The tail fin grows and become increasingly ornately curved as the animal ages. The flippers are broad and short - making them almost square-shaped. Males become sexually mature at eight years, females at five. Females give birth to a single calf in the spring after a gestation period of fifteen months. Young Belugas are uniformly dark grey in colour. The grey steadily lightens as they grow up - reaching their distinctive pure white colour by the age of seven in females and nine in males. The nursing periods is about two years. The mating process is not properly understood. Mating certainly does occur during the winter or early spring, when the animals are still in their winter grounds or have begun their migration. However mating does occur at other times too; leaving open the possiblity of delayed implantation. Belugas live for up to forty years.

Distribution

delayed implantation The Beluga moves in Arctic and sub-Arctic waters ranging from 50° N to 80° N. There is also an isolated population which travels in the St. Lawrence River estuary and the Saguenay River, around the village of Tadoussac, Quebec. In the spring beluga move to their summer grounds, bays, estuaries and other shallow inlets. These summer sites are detached from one another and a mother will usually return to the same site year after year. As their summer homes become clogged with ice during autumn, beluga move away for winter. Most travel in the direction of the advancing ice-pack and stay close to the edge of it for the winter months. Others stay under the iced area - surviving by finding ice leads and polynyas (patches of open water in the ice) in which they can surface to breathe. Beluga may also find pockets of air trapped under the ice. The remarkable ability of the beluga to find the thin slithers of open water where the dense ice pack may cover more than 95% of the sea surface is still a source of mystery and great interest to scientists. It is clear that the echo-location capabilities of the Beluga are highly adapted to the peculiar acoustics of the sub-ice sea and it has been suggested that Beluga can sense open water through echo-location.

Behaviour

Beluga are highly sociable creatures. They move in close-knit pods which commonly contain animals of the same gender and age. Groups of males may number in the hundreds. Mothers with calves generally mix in slightly smaller groups. When pods aggregate in estuaries they may number in the thousands. This can represent a significant proportion of the entire Beluga population and is the time when they are most vulnerable to hunting. These are slow-swimming mammals which feed mainly on fish. They also eat cephalopods (squid, octopus) and crustaceans (crab, shrimp). Foraging on the seabed typically takes place at depths of up to 1,000 feet, but they can dive at least twice this depth. Beluga exhibit a wide range of vocalisations including clicks, squeaks, whistles, squarks and a bell-like clang. One noted researcher in the field likens a noisy Beluga pod to the string section of an orchestra tuning up before a concert. Researchers have recorded 50 distinct sounds; most in the range of 0.1 to 12 kHz. Their main natural predators are polar bears, especially when the whales become encircled and trapped by ice. The Bears club the trapped whale with a paw and then drag it on ice for a feast. Beluga are easily small enough to also be a target for an orca.

Population and human interaction

orca The global population of Beluga today stands at about 100,000. Although this number is much greater than that of other cetaceans, it is much smaller than historical populations before decades of over-hunting. There are estimated to be 40,000 individuals in the Beaufort Sea, 25,000 in Hudson Bay, 18,000 in the Bering Sea and 28,000 in the Canadian High Arctic. The population in the St. Lawrence estuary is estimated to be around [http://www.wdcs.org/dan/publishing.nsf/allweb/1B8A4EB4B9FA1BBF80256D11004B2EA2 1000]. Because of their predictable migration pattern and high concentrations, Beluga have been hunted by indigenious Arctic peoples for centuries. In many areas a pattern of hunting, believed to be sustainable, continues to this day. However in other areas, such as the Cook Inlet, Ungava Bay and off west Greenland previous commercial catches (now banned under the general moratorium on whaling) left the populations in great peril. Although not formally allowed, indigenious whaling continues in these areas too, and it is thought the populations may never recover. These areas are the subject of intensive dialogue between Inuit communities and national governments aiming to create a sustainable hunt and are the reason that the Beluga has been listed as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species since 1994. Because beluga congregrate in river estuaries, human-caused pollution is proving to be a significant danger to their health. Incidents of cancer have been reported to be rising in the St. Lawrence River pollution. The bodies of the Belugas resident in this area contain so many contaminants that their carcasses are treated as toxic waste. It is not known what the long-term effects of this pollution will be on the affected populations. Indirect human disturbance may also be a threat to the species. While some populations have come to tolerate small boats, others have been known to actively try to avoid ships. Whale-watching Beluga has become a huge and booming activity in the St. Lawrence and Churchill River areas. Belugas were amongst the first whale species to be brought into captivity. The first Beluga was shown at Barnum's Museum in New York in 1861. Today it remains one of the few whale species kept at aquariums and sea life parks across North America, Europe and Japan. Their popularity there with visitors reflects their attractive colour, and their range of facial expressions. Whilst most dolphin "smiles" are fixed, the extra movement afforded by their unfused cervical vertebrae allows a greater range of expression. Most beluga found in aquariums are caught in the wild, though in-captivity breeding programmes have enjoyed some success. Both the United States Navy and the navy of the former Soviet Union have used beluga in anti-mining operations in Arctic waters.

References

- National Audubon Guide to Marine Mammals of the World, Reeves, Stewart, Clapham and Powell. Random House. ISBN 0375411410.
- Beluga Whale by Gregory M. O'Corry-Crowe in Encyclopedia of Marine Mammals (pp 95-99). Perrin, Wursig and Thewissen eds. Academic Press. ISBN 0125513402.

External links

- [http://www.jparsons.net/whale/ Baby Beluga Whale Photos] Category:Cetaceans ja:ベルーガ

Fish

Conodonta
Hyperoartia
:Petromyzontidae (lampreys)
Pteraspidomorphi (early jawless fish)
Thelodonti
Anaspida
Cephalaspidomorphi (early jawless fish)
:Galeaspida
:Pituriaspida
:Osteostraci
Gnathostomata (jawed vertebrates)
:Placodermi
:Chondrichthyes (cartilaginous fish)
:Acanthodii
:Osteichthyes (bony fish)
::Actinopterygii (ray-finned fish)
::Sarcopterygii (lobe-finned fish)
:::Actinistia (coelacanths)
:::Dipnoi (lungfish)
A fish is a poikilothermic (cold-blooded) water-dwelling vertebrate with gills. There are over 27,000 species of fish, making them the most diverse group of vertebrates. Taxonomically, fish are a paraphyletic group whose exact relationships are much debated; a common division is into the jawless fish (class Agnatha, 75 species including lampreys and hagfish), the cartilaginous fish (class Chondrichthyes, 800 species including sharks and rays), with the remainder classed as bony fish (class Osteichthyes). Fish come in different sizes, from the 14m (45 ft) whale shark to a 7 mm (just over 1/4 of an inch) long stout infantfish. Many types of aquatic animals named "fish", such as jellyfish and cuttlefish, are not true fish. Other sea dwelling creatures, like dolphins, are actually mammals. Certain species of fish maintain elevated body temperatures to varying degrees. Endothermic teleosts (bony fishes) are all in the suborder Scombroidei and include the billfishes, tunas, and one species of "primitive" mackerel (Gasterochisma melampus). All sharks in the family Lamnidae – shortfin mako, long fin mako, white, porbeagle, and salmon shark – are known to have the capacity for endothermy, and evidence suggests the trait exists in family Alopiidae (thresher sharks). The degree of endothermy varies from the billfish, which warm only their eyes and brain, to bluefin tuna and porbeagle sharks who maintain body temperatures elevated in excess of 20 °C above ambient water temperatures. See also gigantothermy. Endothermy, though metabolically costly, is thought to provide advantages such as increased contractile force of muscles, higher rates of central nervous system processing, and higher rates of digestion.

Fish ecology

Fish can be found in almost all large bodies of water in either salt, brackish, or fresh water, at depths ranging from just below the surface to several thousand meters. However, hyper-saline lakes like the Great Salt Lake do not support fishes. Some species of fish have been specially bred to be kept and displayed in an aquarium, and can survive in the home environment. Catching fish for the purpose of food or sport is known as fishing. The annual yield from all fisheries worldwide is about 100 million tonnes. Overfishing is a threat to many species of fish. On May 15 2003, the journal Nature reported that all large oceanic fish species worldwide had been so systematically over caught that fewer than 10% of 1950 levels remained. [http://www.globeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20030514.wfish1405/BNStory/National/] Particularly imperiled were sharks, Atlantic cod, Bluefin tuna, and Pacific sardines. The authors recommended immediate, drastic cutbacks in fish catches and reservation of ocean habitats worldwide.

Note on usage: "fish" vs. "fishes"

"Fishes" is the proper English plural form of "fish" that biologists use when speaking about two or more fish species, as in "There are over 25,000 fishes in the world" (meaning that there are over 25,000 fish species in the world). When speaking of two or more individual fish organisms, then the word "fish" is used, as in "There are several million fish of the species Gadus morhua" (meaning that G. morhua comprises several million individuals). To see both in action, consider the statement "There are twelve fish in this aquarium, representing five fishes" (meaning that the aquarium contains twelve individuals, some of the same species and some of different species, for a total of five species). The usage of the two words is similar to that of the words "people" and "peoples".

Fish as food

Fishes are an important source of food in many cultures. Other water-dwelling animals such as mollusks, crustaceans, and shellfish are often called "fish" when used as food. For more details, see Fish (food). Fish (food)

External links

- [http://www.70south.com/resources/animals/marine/antarcticfish 70South - information on Antarctic fish]
- [http://www.aworldoffish.com A World of Fish] Species information and fish care
- [http://www.fishbase.org Fish database] (FishBase)
- Join Ray Mullet in the [http://www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/nof/fish/ Fish Olympics]!
- Project for children - [http://marine.rutgers.edu/~kils/BASS/mobile/INDEX.HTM build a fish mobile with a behavior]
- [http://www.aquatichouse.com Fish Keeping]
- [http://www.aquaticcommunity.com Site with one of the largest fish databases in the world]
- [http://reelinthefish.net/interviews/jameskoliver.html Reelinthefish.net | Interview with Dr James K. Oliver, Reefbase Scientist]
- [http://fishy.us Fishy.Us]Articles & Particles
- [http://hardrockforums.com/forums Saltwater & Freshwater Forums]
- [http://www.fishfriend.com/ Your Fish Tank's Friend]
- [http://find-a-seafood-recipe.com/ Fish and Seafood Recipes]Cooking With Fish
- [http://www.easyreefer.com/ Reef aquarium community and learning center]
- [http://www.fiberi.de German Educator in Fisheries, Specialist in Fancy Goldfish and Fishhealth, with Forum and large Picture-Gallery]
- [http://www.freeonlinegames.com/play/3019.html]Interesting fish game.
- [http://www.sushifaq.com The Sushi FAQ - (the alt.food.sushi Usenet group FAQ) at SushiFAQ.com]
- [http://sushiotaku.blogspot.com/ The Sushi Otaku Blog] Category:Fisheries science Category:Seafood zh-min-nan:Hî ko:물고기 ms:Ikan ja:魚類 simple:Fish th:ปลา

Roe

:For the U.S. legal case, see Roe v. Wade. for other uses, see Roe (disambiguation) Roe (disambiguation) Roe is the fully ripe egg masses of fish and certain marine invertebrates, such as sea urchins and shrimp. As a seafood it is used both as a cooked ingredient in many dishes and as a raw ingredient. Caviar is the name for sturgeon roe consumed as a delicacy.
Roe's use around the world

Japan
A variety of roe types are used in Japanese cuisine, including the following which are used raw in sushi:
- Ikura (いくら) - Salmon roe. Large reddish-orange individual spheres. Since salmon eggs are also used as bait, first-time sushi eaters who have experience fishing may be intimidated.
- Kazunoko (数の子/鯑) - Herring roe, yellow or pinkish, having a firm, rubbery texture and appearance, usually pickled. The roe is in a single cohesive mass and so looks like a piece of fish.
- Masago (まさご) - small eggs of the Capelin, orange in color
- Mentaiko (明太子)　salted pollack or cod roe, spiced with powdered Chinese red pepper called togarashi (唐辛子). Surrounded by a thin, elastic membrane, mentaiko is usually pink to dark red.
- Tarako (鱈子) - Salted cod roe, often grilled.
- Tobiko (飛び子) - Flying-fish roe, very crunchy. Similar in appearance to masago, but deeper red.
- Uni (うに, 海栗, 海胆, 雲丹) - sea urchin roe, soft and melting. Color is an indication of quality and can range from orange to pale yellow.
Denmark
Lumpfish (stenbider) roe is used extensively in Danish cuisine, on top of halved or sliced hard-boiled eggs, on top of mounds of shrimp, or in combination with other fish or seafood. Another commonly eaten roe is that from the cod (torsk).
Greece
Taramasalata is a well-known Greek dish. It consists of roe with lemon juice, bread crumbs, onions, garlic, and olive oil, and eaten as a dip.
West Bengal and Bangladesh
Roe from the Hilsa fish is considered a superb delicacy in West Bengal and Bangladesh. The roe is usually deep-fried, although other preparations such as Mashed roe (the roe crushed along with oil, onion & pepper) or curry of roe could also be found. Among the tribal populace, deeply-roasted roe in open fire (much like marshmallows) is a delicacy. However, the fish which carries roe becomes less tasty compared to the others. In this region, the roe of Rohu is also considered a delicacy and is eaten as fried or also as a stuffing within fried pointed gourd to make Potoler dolma. Category:Seafood

Beluga caviar

Beluga caviar consists of the roe (or eggs) of the Beluga sturgeon found only in the Caspian Sea. This fish is currently considered to be endangered, causing the United States Fish and Wildlife Service to ban the importation of Beluga caviar.[http://www.mosnews.com/money/2005/11/01/caviarban.shtml] Beluga is also the most expensive of caviars. The Beluga sturgeon can take up to 20 years to reach maturity. The fish harvested for caviar are often nearly 2000 pounds. The eggs themselves are the largest of the commonly used roes, and range in color from light blue to black, with the lighter colors coming from older fish, and being the highest valued. Any additions by producers diminish the value of the roe, and the caviar usually reaches the market without any additions or processing whatsoever. Most people also find a good bit of acidity and/or sweetness in the flavor as well. As with most caviars, Beluga is usually handled with a spoon made of mother of pearl, bone, or other non-metallic material, as metal utensils tend to impart an unwelcome metallic taste to the delicate and expensive roe. This caviar, as with most others is traditionally served in a variety of ways, including hollowed and cooked new potatoes, or on toast points or a blini. These are served with either sour cream or crème fraîche. Additional serving options are minced onion or minced hard boiled egg whites. The higher grade caviars, including Beluga, usually need very little embellishment. Category:Seafood

Beluga sturgeon

:For other uses of the term "beluga", see Beluga (disambiguation).
The beluga (Huso huso) is a species of anadromous fish in the sturgeon family (Acipenseridae) of order Acipenseriformes. It is found primarily in the Caspian and Black Sea basins, and occasionally in the Adriatic Sea. Heavily fished for the female's valuable roe—known as beluga caviar—the beluga is a large (maximum 500 cm TL), slow-growing and late-maturing fish. The species' numbers have been greatly reduced by overfishing, prompting many governments to enact restrictions on its trade. IUCN classifies the beluga as Endangered. It is a protected species listed in appendix III of the Bern Convention and its trade is restricted under CITES appendix II. The Mediterranean population is strongly protected under appendix II of the Bern Convention, prohibiting any intentional killing of these fish. The United States Fish and Wildlife Service has banned imports of beluga caviar and other beluga products from the Caspian Sea since October 7, 2005.

References

- [http://conventions.coe.int/treaty/FR/Treaties/Html/104-2.htm Annex II of the Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats]. Revised 1 March 2002.
-
- Category:Endangered species Category:Sturgeons

Glen Lyn, Virginia

Glen Lyn is a town located in Giles County, Virginia, at the confluence of the East and New Rivers. As of the 2000 census, the town had a total population of 151.

Geography

2000 Glen Lyn is located at 37°22'23" North, 80°51'39" West (37.373080, -80.860906). According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 1.9 km² (0.7 mi²). 1.7 km² (0.6 mi²) of it is land and 0.2 km² (0.1 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 10.96% water.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there are 151 people, 57 households, and 38 families residing in the town. The population density is 89.7/km² (233.1/mi²). There are 62 housing units at an average density of 36.8/km² (95.7/mi²). The racial makeup of the town is 100.00% White, 0.00% African American, 0.00% Native American, 0.00% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 0.00% from other races, and 0.00% from two or more races. 0.66% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race. There are 57 households out of which 36.8% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.4% are married couples living together, 12.3% have a female householder with no husband present, and 31.6% are non-families. 29.8% of all households are made up of individuals and 15.8% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.65 and the average family size is 3.36. In the town the population is spread out with 27.8% under the age of 18, 11.3% from 18 to 24, 28.5% from 25 to 44, 15.9% from 45 to 64, and 16.6% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 35 years. For every 100 females there are 93.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 78.7 males. The median income for a household in the town is $28,750, and the median income for a family is $38,250. Males have a median income of $22,813 versus $18,750 for females. The per capita income for the town is $12,706. 17.7% of the population and 10.8% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 31.7% of those under the age of 18 and 7.7% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.

External links

Category:Giles County, Virginia Category:Towns in Virginia

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