Reproductive biology and recruitment in an amphidromous prawn Macrobrachium australe in Reunion Island

Macrobrachium australe is a widespread, medium‐sized amphidromous prawn which like many other species within this genus is exploited by fisheries. As such, they are vulnerable to overexploitation as well as to environmental modifications that impact connectivity between spawning and rearing habitats. An informed understanding of reproductive biology is essential for a responsible management of stocks in species with such a complex life circle. This study reports the results of a 1‐year investigation of the reproductive biology of M. australe in the Langevin River, Reunion Island, southwest Indian Ocean. Males attained a larger size than females. The smallest ovigerous female recorded during the study was 36 mm, and females >42 mm in length were ≥50% more likely to be ovigerous. Although reproduction occurred throughout the year, there was an increase in the reproductive activity from November to May. The highest rates of ovigerous females were observed from December to March, corresponding to elevated water temperatures and, to a lesser extent, elevated river flow. Recruitment mainly occurred in the months after high female reproductive activity (January to April).     

Intra-lake heterogeneity of sedimentary cladoceran (Crustacea) assemblages forced by local hydrology

Intra-lake variation of fossil Cladocera (Crustacea) assemblages in 31 surface sediment samples in Lake Pieni-Kauro and River Saavanjoki, eastern Finland, was examined with an objective to identify habitat specificity of Cladocera in relation to local hydrology-related environmental factors. The surface sediment assemblages showed high levels of heterogeneity, mainly as to water depth and lentic–lotic gradients in the lake–river complex. This was evident from the principal component analysis which indicated a major trend from shallow to deep samples and a secondary trend from lentic to lotic samples, and from redundancy analysis (RDA), which recognized water depth and river flow as the most important environmental variables in explaining cladoceran variability within the dataset. According to the RDA and generalized linear models, Daphnia spp., Bosmina (Eubosmina), and Alona quadrangularis showed association with deep water localities, whereas Bosmina longirostris and Alona affinis preferred littoral habitats. Acroperus harpae and Chydorus sphaericus s.l. appeared to favor lotic habitats. The results propose that littoral taxa are primarily deposited postmortem or after molting close to their shallow water habitats, while planktonic cladocerans accumulate principally in deepwater locations. Accordingly, it appears that in heterogeneous basins intra-lake surface sediment samples integrate locally living fauna that is driven by local hydrology-related factors, such as water depth, sediment properties, macrophytes, and river flow and coupling biotic interactions.     

Ecomorphological variation in shell shape of the freshwater turtle Pseudemys concinna inhabiting different aquatic flow regimes

Populations of species that inhabit a range of environments frequently display divergent morphologies that correlate with differences in ecological parameters. The velocity of water flow (i.e., flow velocity) is a critical feature of aquatic environments that has been shown to influence morphology in a broad range of taxa. The focus of this study was to evaluate the relationship between flow velocity and shell morphology for males and females of the semi-aquatic freshwater turtle Pseudemys concinna. For both sexes, the carapace and plastron show significant morphological differences between habitats characterized by slow-flowing (i.e., lentic) and fast-flowing (i.e., lotic) water. In general, the most prominent pattern for both sexes is that the shells of individuals from lotic habitats are more streamlined (small height-to-length ratio) than the shells of individuals from lentic habitats. Of the two shell components (carapace and plastron), the carapace shows greater divergence between habitats, particularly for males. These results are consistent with adaptations to flow velocity, and suggest that variation in shape may be more constrained in females. I also provide empirical evidence for an adaptive benefit of the observed shape change (i.e., drag reduction) and a brief comment on the relative roles of genetic divergence and phenotypic plasticity in generating shape differences observed in this species.     

Life history features of some macroinvertebrates in a French Polynesian stream

The invertebrate fauna of the Opunohu River catchment in Moorea, French Polynesia, studied 1988–1989, was numerically dominated by four species of neritid snails, one species of thiarid snail, two species of atyid shrimp, two species of palaemonid shrimp, and ten species of coenagrionid, chironomid, and simuliid insect larvae. Numbers of egg capsules of neritid snails were higher in riffles (maximum x density > 10,000/m² surface area) than pools, were highest in riffles in September and pools in August, and were lowest in both habitats in March and December. The snail Neritina canalis Lamarck and the shrimp Atyoida pilipes Newport, Caridina weberi DeMan, Macrobrachium lar Fabricius, and Macrobrachium australe Guerin‐Menévílle are diadromous: they enter freshwater as juveniles and migrate upstream; their larval offspring return to the ocean for growth and development. Ovigerous females of A. pilipes and M. lar were mainly found in austral fall; ovigerous females of C. weberi and M. australe were found in both austral fall and spring. Ovigerous females were the largest individuals of each shrimp species collected. Mean size of N. canalis, A. pilipes, C. weberi, and M. lar was generally larger in upstream than downstream reaches; no such difference was found for the non‐diadromous thiarid snail Melanoides tuberculata Müller. Coenagrionid, chironomid, and simuliid insect larvae have multiple cohort populations but at least one simuliid species occurs as a single cohort. Downstream habitat alteration may strongly influence the distribution of diadromous species.     

Complete Mitochondrial DNA Sequences of the Decapod Crustaceans Pseudocarcinus gigas (Menippidae) and Macrobrachium rosenbergii (Palaemonidae)

The complete mitochondrial DNA sequence was determined for the Australian giant crab Pseudocarcinns gigas (Crustacea: Decapoda: Menippidae) and the giant freshwater shrimp Macrobrachium rosenbergii (Crustacea: Decapoda: Palaemonidae). The Pse gigas and Mrosenbergii mitochondrial genomes are circular molecules, 15,515 and 15,772 bp in length, respectively, and have the same gene composition as found in other metazoans. The gene arrangement of M. rosenbergii corresponds with that of the presumed ancestral arthropod gene order, represented by Limulus polyphemus, except for the position of the tRNA^Leu(UUR) gene. The Pse. gigas gene arrangement corresponds exactly with that reported for another brachyuran, Portunus trituberculatus, and differs from the M. rosenbergii gene order by only the position of the tRNA^His gene. Given the relative positions of intergenic nonoding nucleotides, the “duplication/random loss” model appears to be the most plausible mechanism for the translocation of this gene. These data represent the first caridean and only the second brachyuran complete mtDNA sequences, and a source of information that will facilitate surveys of intraspecific variation within these commercially important decapod species.     

Populations and production of bacteria in the plankton of two shallow lakes

The troglobitic amphipod crustacean Crangonyx antennatus populates two distinct habitats in southern Appalachian caves, mud-bottom pools and gravel-bottom streams. An investigation was conducted to determine if stream populations possess behavioral adaptations to lotic conditions. Observations on the thigmotactic behavior of C. antennatus were made seasonally in six Lee Co., Virginia caves, three containing pool habitats and three with stream habitats. Stream-dwelling amphipods were found to exhibit more cryptic behavior than those inhabiting pools under natural conditions and when disturbed. Artificial stream experiments indicate that stream-dwelling C. antennatus are better adapted behaviorally to lotic conditions than pool-dwelling amphipods.     

Latitudinal variation of diversity in European freshwater animals is not concordant across habitat types

Aim   We analysed the variation of species richness in the European freshwater fauna across latitude. In particular, we compared latitudinal patterns in species richness and β-diversity among species adapted to different habitat types.
Location   Europe.
Methods   We compiled data on occurrence for 14,020 animal species across 25 pre-defined biogeographical regions of European freshwaters from the Limnofauna Europaea . Furthermore, we extracted information on the habitat preferences of species. We assigned species to three habitat types: species adapted to groundwater, lotic (running water) and lentic (standing water) habitats. We analysed latitudinal patterns of species richness, the proportion of lentic species and β-diversity.
Results   Only lentic species showed a significant species–area relationship. We found a monotonic decline of species richness with latitude for groundwater and lotic habitats, but a hump-shaped relationship for lentic habitats. The proportion of lentic species increased from southern to northern latitudes. β-Diversity declined from groundwater to lentic habitats and from southern to northern latitudes.
Main conclusions   The differences in the latitudinal variation of species richness among species adapted to different habitat types are in part due to differences in the propensity for dispersal. Since lentic habitats are less persistent than lotic or groundwater habitats, lentic species evolved more efficient strategies for dispersal. The dispersal propensity of lentic species facilitated the recolonization of central Europe after the last glaciation. Overall, we stress the importance of considering the history of regions and lineages as well as the ecological traits of species for understanding patterns of biodiversity.     

A new species of the ghost shrimp genus Neocallichirus Sakai, 1988 (Decapoda: Axiidea: Callianassidae) from the southwestern Atlantic

ABSTRACT

A new species of ghost shrimp, Neocallichirus pinheiroi, is described based on specimens collected in subtidal habitats of Saquaira beach, northeastern coast of Brazil. This new species resembles N. lemaitrei Manning, 1993, but differs from it primarily in having a third maxilliped propodus expanded ventrally, and in the case of males, a large subtriangular tooth on the cutting edge of the major cheliped dactylus. Diagnostic features of the new species include: (i) frontal margin of carapace with rounded lateral projections not exceeding rostrum distal margin, (ii) third maxilliped carpus with row of sclerotized setae on median internal surface, (iii) minor cheliped with cutting edge of dactylus microscopically pectinate, (iv) endopod of male second pleopod with appendices interna and masculina. This is the seventh described species of the genus Neocallichirus from the western Atlantic and the fourth report of this genus in Brazil. A key for identification of western Atlantic species belonging to the genus is provided.     

The importance of biogeographical history and extant environmental conditions as drivers of freshwater decapod distribution in southern South America

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Ecological interactions in Aedes species on Reunion Island

Two invasive, container‐breeding mosquito species, Aedes aegypti (Stegomyia aegypti) and Aedes albopictus (Stegomyia albopicta) (Diptera: Culicidae), have different distribution patterns on Reunion Island. Aedes albopictus occurs in all areas and Ae. aegypti colonizes only some restricted areas already occupied by Ae. albopictus. This study investigates the abiotic and biotic ecological mechanisms that determine the distribution of Aedes species on Reunion Island. Life history traits (duration of immature stages, survivorship, fecundity, estimated finite rate of increase) in Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus were compared at different temperatures. These fitness measures were characterized in both species in response to competitive interactions among larvae. Aedes aegypti was drastically affected by temperature, performing well only at around 25 °C, at which it achieved its highest survivorship and greatest estimated rate of increase. The narrow distribution of this species in the field on Reunion Island may thus relate to its poor ability to cope with unfavourable temperatures. Aedes aegypti was also more negatively affected by high population densities and to some extent by interactions with Ae. albopictus, particularly in the context of limited food supplies. Aedes albopictus exhibited better population performance across a range of environmental conditions. Its ecological plasticity and its superior competitive ability relative to its congener may further enhance its invasion success on Reunion Island.     

Hansenomysis anaramosae n. sp., a new suprabenthic mysid (Crustacea: Mysidacea: Petalophthalmidae) from the Bellingshausen Sea (Southern Ocean)

A new petalophthalmid mysid, Hansenomysis anaramosae n. sp., is described from specimens sampled with a suprabenthic sled in the Bellingshausen Sea (Southern Ocean). Hansenomysis anaramosae is clearly distinguishable from its closest congener, H. angusticauda Tattersall, by the carapace sculpturing, the rostrum produced into a spine-like process, the shape and armature of the antennal scale, eyeplate, and telson. This new species is the fourth Hansenomysis species described from the Southern Ocean. A key to these Antarctic species is presented.     

The Genus Prosopistoma from China,with Descriptions of Two New Species (Ephemeroptera: Prosopistomatidae)

Two mayfly species Prosopistoma trispinum sp.n. and P. unicolor sp.n. collected from southwestern China are described as new to science, their main diagnostic larval characters are illustrated. The larvae of P. trispinum sp. n. can be differentiated by the large number of mandibular bristles, fewer spines on the inner margins of fore tibiae and mesonotal color pattern. The larva of P. unicolor sp. n. can be distinguished by its uniform reddish brown mesothoracic carapace which has no median ridge, and by more tiny serrated foretibial bristles. New distributional records for P. annamense Soldán et Braasch in China are first provided. The habitats of Chinese Prosopistomatidae show they can live in lotic water from stream to large river.     

马氏沼虾蚤状幼体发育特征及其与罗氏沼虾幼体的形态差异

马氏沼虾(Macrobrachium malcolmsonii)的幼体从孵化到变态为幼虾要经过多次蜕皮,每次蜕皮均伴随形态及附肢特征的改变。采用显微观测摄像法对马氏沼虾Z1-Z12各期幼体样本30尾进行了观察,测量结果表明Z2与Z1在复眼上存在较大差异,Z3与Z2、Z4与Z5的主要分期特征均位于尾节上,Z6的腹部出现腹足萌芽,Z7与Z8的形态差异在于第一触角内鞭和外鞭的附肢变化,判别Z9-Z12的主要分期依据为步足、腹足和额角形态。因此通过观察Z1-Z12幼体第1触角上的内鞭和外鞭,第2触角上的触角鞭和触角片,头胸甲上的额角、背刺、复眼和第1、2对步足,腹部的附肢、尾节和尾扇等形态变化,及测定各期幼体附肢的分节数和刚毛数等可量性状上的差异,可为马氏沼虾蚤状幼体分期提供生物学依据;此外还对马氏沼虾与罗氏沼虾幼体的形态差异进行了比较,通过测定幼体触角鞭的分节数量,为两种沼虾幼体之间的鉴别提供参考数据。       

Ontogenetic changes in the carapace shape of the non-marine ostracod Eucypris virens (Jurine)

Developmental changes in carapace form (size+shape) during ontogeny have been explored in Eucypris virens (Crustacea, Ostracoda) using elliptic Fourier analysis. Clones from different geographic localities raised under controlled constant conditions (temperature and photoperiod) were used to characterize developmental pathways in the species. A larger data set including field populations and laboratory populations cultured under a range of environmental conditions were used to infer influence of environmental factors on carapace shape changes during ontogeny. Size changes between consecutive juvenile stages support empirical laws describing the doubling of ostracod volume at each moult. Ontogenetic changes point out the remarkable influence of environmental conditions on carapace shape.     

Habitat use and potential interactions between the house mouse and lesser white-toothed shrew on an island undergoing habitat restoration

To forecast the potential impact of plant community and dry-stone wall restoration on an insular population of the lesser white-toothed shrewCrocidura suaveolens Pallas, 1811, shrew and house mouseMus musculus Linnaeus, 1758 abundances were assessed in 3 anthropogenic habitats on Béniguet Island, Brittany, France, by a standardised annual trapping system checked yearly for 9 years and in 6 “natural” habitats by trap-lines. The standardised trapping system showed that abundances of both species fluctuated synchronously for nine years, suggesting that interactions between the species had little impact if any on abundances. Mice were trapped in all habitats, but shrews only in “stone” habitats except for rare occurrences in one damp depression. Ruderal habitat was rarely used by either species. Data suggest that on Béniguet Island: (1)M. musculus is associated with anthropogenic habitats but is not as strictly tied to them as at nearby continental sites; (2)C. suaveolens is synanthropic, as has been reported in continental northern France; (3) shingle beaches and seashore food resources are particularly important forC. suaveolens; (4) the relationship betweenC. suaveolens andM. musculus could not be determined by the experiments and, if it exists at all, appears to be more competitive than predatory. Grassland restoration is unlikely to affect shrew populations. Dry-stone wall restoration may temporarily affect shrews but should ultimately benefit them.     

Population structure of the melon fly, Bactrocera cucurbitae, in Reunion Island

The melon fly, Bactrocera cucurbitae (Coquillett) (Diptera: Tephritidae) is an agricultural pest of major significance worldwide that primarily attacks cucurbit crops. In Reunion Island, it represents the main tephritid pest on cucurbits. In this paper, we provide a genetic characterization of populations of B. cucurbitae from Reunion Island and investigate their geographical origin using ten microsatellite loci at two mitochondrial gene fragments. Microsatellites reveal the occurrence of three different genetic clusters of B. cucurbitae in Reunion Island, all clearly distinguishable from their African and Asian relatives. These three clusters are sympatric and show no signs of recent bottlenecks. Levels of gene flow among clusters are relatively high, yet gene flow also occurs with populations from the African continent and, to a lesser extent, from Asia. The B. cucurbitae clusters show distinct distributions across eastern and western locations in Reunion Island (but not at different altitudes or between wild and cultivated host plants or between sampling periods), and their abundance is also correlated with the average amount of rainfall. Microsatellite and sequence analyses suggest Africa as the most probable source area for populations of B. cucurbitae in Reunion Island.     

Carayonovus n. gen. from Reunion Island – aberrant new genus of Anthocoridae or representative of a new family (Heteroptera: Cimicoidea)?

Carayonovus insignis n. gen., n. sp., a remarkable new genus and species of Heteroptera, is described from Reunion Island. It is tentatively placed in the family Anthocoridae (Cimicoidea), but because of its remarkable sexual dimorphism and possession of characters not normally associated with this family or even with Cimicoidea, the genus is discussed in terms of the validity or otherwise of including it in these taxa. Its habitat preference is also examined.     

The genus Argulus (Crustacea: Branchiura) in Africa: two new species,A. fryeri and A. gracilis,the previously undescribed male of A. brachypeltis Fryer and the identity of the male described as A. ambloplites Wilson

Two new species of Argulus Müller, 1785 (Crustacea: Branchiura) are described from Africa. A. fryeri n. sp., parasitic on an unknown fish species collected from Lake Turkana, Kenya, is characterised by: deep antero-lateral depressions which delimit a pronounced frontal region; robust, square second maxillae ornamented with numerous small, simple scales; and the shape of the respiratory areas. The most distinctive features of A. gracilis n. sp., parasitic on Auchenoglanis occidentalis var. tanganicanus collected from Lake Tanganyika, are the anterior spines on the first antennae and the shape of the respiratory areas. A. brachypeltis Fryer, previously known only from the female, is characterised by: a narrow, elongate body with foreshortened carapace lobes; small, slender terminal spines on the first antennae; and short terminal segments on the second maxillae with minute claws. The identity of the male described as A. ambloplites Wilson is discussed and renamed A. confusus nom. nov.     

Getting in shape: habitat‐based morphological divergence for two sympatric fishes

Freshwater fishes often show large amounts of body shape variation across divergent habitats and, in most cases, the observed differences have been attributed to the environmental pressures of living in lentic or lotic habitats. Previous studies have suggested a distinct set characters and morphological features for species occupying each habitat under the steady–unsteady swimming performance model. We tested this model and assessed body shape variation using geometric morphometrics for two widespread fishes, Goodea atripinnis (Goodeidae) and Chirostoma jordani (Atherinopsidae), inhabiting lentic and lotic habitats across the Mesa Central of Mexico. These species were previously shown to display little genetic variation across their respective ranges. Our body shape analyses reveal morphometric differentiation along the same axes for both species in each habitat. Both possess a deeper body shape in lentic habitats and a more streamlined body in lotic habitats, although the degree of divergence between habitats was less for C. jordani. Differences in the position of the mouth differed between habitats as well, with both species possessing a more superior mouth in lentic habitats. These recovered patterns are generally consistent with the steady–unsteady swimming model and highlight the significance of environmental forces in driving parallel body shape differences of organisms in divergent habitats. © 2014 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2014, 114 , 152–162.     

High genetic variation in resting‐stage production in a metapopulation: Is there evidence for local adaptation?

Local adaptation is a key process for the maintenance of genetic diversity and population diversification. A better understanding of the mechanisms that allow (or prevent) local adaptation constitutes a key in apprehending how and at what spatial scale it occurs. The production of resting stages is found in many taxa and reflects an adaptation to outlast adverse environmental conditions. Daphnia magna (Crustacea) can alternate between asexual and sexual reproduction, the latter being linked to dormancy, as resting stages can only be produced sexually. In this species, on a continental scale, resting‐stage production is locally adapted—that is, it is induced when the photoperiod indicates the imminence of habitat deterioration. Here, we aimed to explore whether selection is strong enough to maintain local adaptation at a scale of a few kilometers. We assessed life‐history traits of 64 D. magna clones originating from 11 populations of a metapopulation with permanent and intermittent pool habitats. We found large within‐ and between‐population variation for all dormancy‐related traits, but no evidence for the hypothesized higher resting‐stage production in animals from intermittent habitats. We discuss how gene flow, founder events, or other forms of selection might interfere with the process of local adaptation.