Kernel oils of jatropha (Jatropha curcas) and da’ok (Calophyllum inophyllum) obtained in Guam were characterized for physio-chemical properties as potential biodiesels including calorific content, iodine value, peroxide value, saponification value, acid value, and moisture content. Jatropha oil had lower acid value, peroxide value and moisture content than da’ok crude oil. Additional pre-treatment of da’ok crude oil was necessary to prevent potential problems when converting to biodiesel. Crude oils of two species were converted to biodiesel using a supercritical methanol method. The composition of fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) indicated that both crude oils and converted biodiesel of jatropha and da’ok contained palmitate (C16:0) with the range of 11.8-16.8% by weight, stearate (C18:0) with 6.5-8.6%, oleate (C18:1) with 40.5-52.6%, and linoleate (C18:2) with 22.0- 34.2%. Based on FAMEs, the cetane number was determined for jatropha and da’ok biodiesel as 52.7 and 54.1, respectively, indicating that both kernel oils were good source of feedstock to produce high quality biodiesel.

 

Fallen, senescent leaves of tree heliotrope (Heliotropium foertherianum), a ubiquitous shoreline tree from the Indian Ocean, tropical Asia, Australia, and the western and central Pacific, are a novel food item for green turtles (Chelonia mydas) in Hawaiʻi. Leaves were collected in two seasons and analyzed for proximate nutrients, including dry matter, ash, crude fat, crude protein, carbon:nitrogen (C:N) ratio, gross energy, as well as dietary fibers (ADF and NDF), lignin, and total phenol content. The senescent leaves showed a high C:N ratio, and measurable phenolic compounds, but were low in protein (x = 5.5%) and fat (x = 2.2%) based on dry weight. Gross energy averaged >4500 Kcal/kg ash-free dry weight; therefore, H. foertherianum could provide more calories than other marine food sources for Hawaiian green turtles. Green turtles elsewhere within the broad geographic range of tree heliotrope’s distribution may also consume senescent leaves that fall into coastal waters.

The distribution limits of North Pacific loggerhead turtles, Caretta caretta, within the Sea of Japan are unknown, but are suspected to be linked to a decrease in winter sea surface temperature. Immature loggerheads in the Sea of Japan are thought to follow the prevailing current via a southern route, or to leave from the north with extensions of the warm current, or are unable to leave when winter approaches. Here, we investigated the migrations of 30 immature captive-reared turtles of 26.5 to 75.2 cm SCL at 2–6 years of age released off the central Sea of Japan in summer of 2011 using satellite telemetry to ascertain 1) the seasonal movements of immature loggerheads and 2) their behavior in the subarctic zone. Nineteen turtles successfully left the Sea of Japan, mainly via the Soya Straittraveling into the North Pacific; however, eleven did not leave and may have died due to stranding during the winter. Their excursion paths were similar to migrations of wild turtles. The presence of exit routes suggests that immature loggerheads entering the Sea of Japan can disperse successfully and contribute to the North Pacific subpopulation. During the summer of 2011, the turtles that left the Sea of Japan experienced water temperatures that were relatively wide ranging and lower than turtles that stayed in Sea of Japan. The sea surface temperatures (SSTs) experienced by the turtles that left the Sea of Japan were significantly different from those of the time percent temperatures (TPTs) (range: 17–35 °C vs. 5–35 °C, mode: 23–25 °C vs. 10–15 °C). The relatively lower TPTs may be due to their active diving behaviors. In contrast, the SSTs and TPTs (range: 10–35 °C, mode: 21–23 °C) experienced by the turtles that stayed in the Sea of Japan were almost identical. Success in leaving the Sea of Japan could be related to a higher frequency of dives, although further research is required to confirm this.

We recorded observations of a Narcissus Flycatcher (Ficedula narcissina) and a Chestnut-winged Cuckoo (Clamator coromandus) on Guam, the southernmost and largest of the Mariana Islands. The flycatcher was seen once, on 23 October 2017, while the cuckoo was observed on seven occasions from 5 to 28 December 2017. Both species were found at night, during Brown Treesnake (Boiga irregularis) searches in the northern part of the island. These are the first records of the species for Guam and the Mariana Islands.