The horizontal distribution of plankton in a deep, oligotrophic lake—Loch Ness, Scotland

1. The horizontal distribution of plankton in Loch Ness, a deep, oligotrophic lake with a simple trench morphometry, was studied on three occasions in 1993. Samples were collected from ten stations spaced along the length of the loch and the abundance of algae, bacteria, protozoa, rotifers and crustacean zooplankton was determined. 2. Horizontal variability was found to be greatest for the metazoan zooplankton and for the algae, especially two cryptomonad flagellates. Bacteria and heterotrophic protozoa showed relatively little horizontal variability. The degree of horizontal variability was not sufficient seriously to affect studies of the seasonality of plankton abundance conducted from a single sampling station. 3. Gradients of plankton distribution along the length of the loch were dependent on the recent wind history. The direction of the gradient could readily reverse with a shift in wind direction. These results indicate that the horizontal distribution of plankton in Loch Ness is more dependent on wind-induced water circulation patterns than on differential growth of plankton in water masses of differing chemistry.     

The food and feeding habits of young perch, Perca fluviatilis, in Windermere

SUMMARY. The food of 0+ perch, Perca fluviatilis L. has been investigated in Windermere, the largest lake in the English Lake District. Whole guts and stomachs from 800 fish were investigated during four 24-h periods between June and September in 1975 and in 1976. Ciliates, algae, rotifers and cyclopoid nauplii constituted the first food of larval perch in Windermere. Vertical samples were taken from the zooplankton, at the same time and in the same location where the fish were sampled, and the concentration of the different food organisms studied. Electivity of the different food organisms was studied from lvlev's index, which showed positive electivity, or selection for some organisms, e.g. Bosmina obtusirostris (Sars.) and copepods (both cyclopoid and calanoid), and negative for others such as Daphnia hyalina var. galeata (Sars.), Leptodora kindti (Focke) and Bythotrephes longimanus (Leydig). In studying predatorprey relationships, Daphnia hyalina was chosen as the 'standard prey', being the most abundant of all food organisms in the diet of young perch, also because its maximum body-depth (carapace width (mm)) was among the largest of the cladocera and copepods in Windermere. Comparison of the maximum carapace width of Daphnia eaten with that of the plankton revealed that smaller specimens were taken by juvenile perch in July, but they tended to select larger organisms during August and September.     

Isolation of Aeromonas salmonicida in association with purple-pigmented bacteria in sediment from a Scottish loch

Aeromonas salmonicida was recovered in close association with an unidentified purple-pigmented organism, which was isolated from sediment in a Scottish loch during November (1997) and February (1998). However, there has not been any evidence of A. salmonicida infections, specifically furunculosis, associated with the fish in this loch.     

Vertical migration of Chaoborus flavicans in a Scottish loch

The pattern of diel vertical migration of Chaoborus flavicans larvae in a shallow Scottish loch varies according to the instar and, in third and fourth instars, according to the season. The planktonic phase of the migration is not exclusively concerned with predation, the larvae feeding at least equally actively in the benthos. Although there is no conclusive evidence as to the role of vertical migration in Chaoborus flavicans, it has some of the characteristics of an epideictic display. Upward and downward locomotion can be induced experimentally in a plankton wheel by manipulating light intensity alone. However, the responses are complex and there is a great deal of individual variation, suggesting that additional factors are involved.     

The effect of different fish communities on the cladoceran plankton assemblages of the Kis-Balaton Reservoir,Hungary

In 1995 the authors studied the effect of differentfish communities on the structure of the cladoceranplankton in a shallow hypertrophic lake. After a fishkill of 1991, different fish communities developedin the Kazetta and the outer area of the Kis-Balatonreservoir. In the outer area of the reservoir, thedensities of plankton feeding fish species wereconsiderably higher than in the Kazetta. Thesedifferences induced changes in the structure anddynamics of the cladoceran plankton. The biomass ofsmall-bodied cladocerans (mainly Bosmina longispina)was higher and the biomass of the large-bodiedcladocerans (D. hyalina, D. magna) was lower in thewestern and eastern part of Kis-Balaton reservoir thanin the Kazetta. A peak in cladoceran biomass in theKis-Balaton reservoir was observed during the summer,close or during a bloom of filamentous cyanobacteria,whereas in the Kazetta a peak was observed during thespring, before the bloom of cyanobacteria. The adultfemales of D. hyalina were larger and produced moreeggs in the Kazetta than in the outer area of thereservoir.     

A seasonal and ecological study of the phytoplankton of Loch Lomond

The seasonal succession of phytoplankton in Loch Lomond has been studied both quantitatively and from observations on net plankton. From a qualitative investigation of net phytoplankton Loch Lomond may be described as diatom-desmid in nature although from the quantitative studies the general domination of the population by diatoms becomes clear. During the vernal phytoplankton increase diatoms contributed more than 90% of the population throughout the loch. The bulk of the phytoplankton production occurred in the southern region, where the standing crop was considerably greater throughout the year than in other regions of the loch.Patterns of seasonal succession are described for all species which make an important contribution to the productivity of the loch and the observed successions related to measured physical and chemical changes in the water. Explanations are put forward to account for the absence of a second (autumnal) pulse ofMelosira in Loch Lomond. The appearance ofAnabaena circinalis is a possible indication of the changing trophic status of the southern region of the loch.     

Temporal and spatial relationships in the movements of loch dwelling brown trout, Salmo trutta L., recorded by ultrasonic tracking for 24 hours

Ultrasonic telemetry was used to record simultaneously, over one complete April day, the movements of four adult brown trout, Salmo trutta , which were residents of a shallow Scottish loch. The daily movements were generally along linear tracks. The home ranges are described as standard and 95% confidence ellipses. The area of standard ellipses ranged from 330 to 633 m² while 95% confidence ellipses were larger, ranging from 513 to 979 m². The distances separating individuals, which ranged from 1 to 70 m, were greatest during peaks of activity. Although there was considerable spatial overlap of individual home ranges, the trout were not within visual range for most of the tracking period. Close encounters (proximity <2.5m) occurred most frequently and lasted longest at night. It is concluded, from this study, that brown trout in small productive lochs are solitary but may hold temporary station within widely overlapping home ranges.     

A comparative assessment of temporal variation in diet of powan, Coregonus lavaretus (L.), from Loch Lomond and Loch Eck, Scotland, U.K.

Stomach contents of powan caught throughout the year from Loch Lomond and Loch Eck were examined. Adult powan in Loch Lomond fed mainly on planktonic Cladocera, switching to benthic food during December-April. Bosmina coregoni was the principal planktonic food with Daphnia hyalina an important late summer and autumn prey. Loch Eck powan fed throughout the year on chironomid larvae and Pisidium spp. from the benthos and ingested large amounts of non-food material. Mean dry weights of food in stomachs were correlated with water temperature in Loch Lomond but not in Loch Eck and were higher in powan from Loch Eck over most of the year.     

广东沿海与粤北山区中小型水库浮游生物群落比较分析

于丰水期和枯水期对广东山区水库(赤石迳水库)、沿海水库(大水桥、赤沙水库)三个水库的湖泊区和河流区进行研究,分析水质和浮游生物群落结构。三个水库之间的浮游生物群落均有所区别,地理位置和地形不同而引起的温度差异以及外源性营养盐输入是造成浮游生物种类和数量差异的主要原因。沿海水库不分层,而山区水库丰水期温跃层明显。各水库的氮磷比均较高,chl.a水平主要受磷限制,沿海水库则多喜暖性的种类,如裸藻、隐藻、沙居剑水蚤等,山区水库发现较多喜冷性浮游生物,如金藻、透明溞等,丰水期的甲藻丰度也相对高于枯水期。     

Mesozooplankton assemblage and first record of Paracartia grani Sars G.O., 1904 (Copepoda: Calanoida) in the Western harbour of Genova (Ligurian Sea).

Harbours are characterized by high pollutant charge and by the occurrence of well adapted and resistant species. This paper reports the results of an annual plankton survey (May 1997-June 1998) carried out in the western harbour of Genova (Ligurian Sea) and in its mouth. Plankton samples were collected by horizontal trawls using a WP2 net. Copepods were the bulk of plankton in almost all samples. Eight copepod species were recognized: Paracalanus parvus and Acartia clausi were the most abundant. The first record of Paracartia grani in the harbour of Genova is here reported; this species, which is known to occur in polluted harbour waters of the Mediterranean Sea and was found in semi-confined Mediterranean and Atlantic coastal areas, was dominant during October 1997. Also Clausocalanus spp., Centropages typicus, Oithona helgolandica, Oithona nana, Farranula spp., Eurytemora spp., Isias clavipes and Lucicutia spp. were frequently sampled. Among other zooplankters, cladocerans, ostracods and tunicates occurred frequently, while cnidarians, mysids and chaetognaths showed low densities. These results show the occurrence of a well defined harbour plankton and point out the differences between harbour and neritic plankton of the Gulf of Genova.     

The Occurrence and Pathogenicity of Cylindrocarpon, Cylindrocladium and Fusarium on Calluna vulgaris and Erica spp. in England and Scotland

Cylindrocarpon, Cylindrocladium and Fusarium spp. were often isolated from the woody roots, stem-base and lower foliage of diseased container-grown Calluna vulgaris and Erica spp. plants collected from English and Scottish nurseries. The highest isolation frequencies were obtained for Cylindrocarpon destructans, Cylindrocladium scoparium, Cylindrocladium ilicicola. Fusarium tricinctum, Fusarium avenaceum and Fusarium sporotrichioides . Isolations of these fungi were made more frequently from diseased plants that were at least 1-year-old. The percentage incidence of Cylindrocarpon, Cylindrocladium and Fusarium spp. did not differ between Scottish and English nurseries. Cylindrocarpon destructans. Cylindrocladium ilicicola and C. scoparium were more pathogenic to rooted C. vulgaris cuttings than F. tricinctum. F. avenaceum or F. sporotrichioides in laboratory and glasshouse tests. The high isolation frequency of Cylindrocarpon. Cylindrocladium and Fusarium spp., and their pathogenicity in tests, suggests that these fungi are involved in root, stem-base and lower foliage diseases in crops of C. vulgaris and Erica spp. The importance of these findings for the integrated control of diseases on ericaceous plant nurseries is discussed.     

Distribution of potentially pathogenic bacteria as free living and plankton associated in a marine coastal zone

AIMS: To determine the abundance of faecal and nonfaecal bacteria related to human and animal health, as free living or associated with small (>64 microm) and large (>200 microm) plankton, samples were collected monthly from the coastal zone at Messina (Italy). METHODS AND RESULTS: Different enrichment and selective cultural methods were used to determine the abundance of bacteria in sea water and plankton. The bacteria were more frequently isolated from water and large plankton than from small plankton. Vibrio and Aeromonas spp. showed different distribution patterns in water and plankton. Faecal indicators were always present in water and the large size class plankton samples. Enterococci associated with large plankton were more abundant than E. coli in the winter. Vibrio species distributions were different in water and plankton samples. Among arcobacters only A. butzleri was isolated from water and plankton samples. Campylobacter spp. was always absent in small plankton and more frequent in large plankton than in water. CONCLUSIONS: The colonization of zooplankton by potentially pathogenic bacteria is a widespread phenomenon. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The presence of potentially pathogenic bacteria in sea water and associated with plankton can have ecological and epidemiological implications.     

武汉东湖透明溞和隆线溞一亚种的种群变动和生产量

本文报道了1980—1982年东湖二种优势枝角类:透明溞(Daphnia hyalina)和隆线溞一亚种(Daphnia carinata ssp.)的种群变动和生产量的研究结果。分析了影响种群变动和生产量的生态因子。尽管这二种枝角类在一年中有一段共存时间,但高峰期从来是错开的。一般来说,透明溞的高峰期出现在春季或冬季;而隆线溞一亚种则出现在夏季或秋季源沓ㄋ蘑蛘纠此?1980—1982年透明溞的种群密度的年平均值为28.43(17.59—38.50)个/升;隆线溞一亚种为4.64(3.79—5.31)个/升。种群的瞬时出生率(b),;通常大于瞬时增长率(r);瞬时死亡率(d)与b的季节变动在大多数情况下是一致的。透明溞的年平均生物量为0.218(0.163—0.315)毫克干重/升,生产量为9.181(4.877—13.428)毫克干重/升·年,P/B系数为42.38(27.76—56.70)。隆线溞一亚种的年平均生物量为0.046(0.039—0.060)毫克干重/升,生产量为3.417(2.752—3.829)毫克干重/升·年,P/B系数为77.04(61.24—99.74)。       

Impacts of acidification on brown trout Salmo trutta populations and the contribution of stocking to population recovery and genetic diversity

Anthropogenic acidification in SW-Scotland, from the early 19th Century onwards, led to the extinction of several loch (lake) brown trout (Salmo trutta) populations and substantial reductions in numbers in many others. Higher altitude populations with no stocking influence, which are isolated above natural and artificial barriers and subjected to the greatest effect of acidification, exhibited the least intrapopulation genetic diversity (34% of the allelic richness of the populations accessible to anadromous S. trutta). These, however, were characterised by the greatest interpopulation divergence (highest pairwise D_EST 0.61 and F_ST 0.53 in contemporary samples) based on 16 microsatellite loci and are among the most differentiated S. trutta populations in NW-Europe. Five lochs above impassable waterfalls, where S. trutta were thought to be extinct, are documented as having been stocked in the late 1980s or 1990s. All five lochs now support self-sustaining S. trutta populations; three as a direct result of restoration stocking and two adjoining lochs largely arising from a small remnant wild population in one, but with some stocking input. The genetically unique Loch Grannoch S. trutta, which has been shown to have a heritable increased tolerance to acid conditions, was successfully used as a donor stock to restore populations in two acidic lochs. Loch Fleet S. trutta, which were re-established from four separate donor sources in the late 1980s, showed differential contribution from these ancestors and a higher genetic diversity than all 17 natural loch populations examined in the area. Genetically distinct inlet and outlet spawning S. trutta populations were found in this loch. Three genetically distinct sympatric populations of S. trutta were identified in Loch Grannoch, most likely representing recruitment from the three main spawning rivers. A distinct genetic signature of Loch Leven S. trutta, the progenitor of many Scottish farm strains, facilitated detection of stocking with these strains. One artificially created loch was shown to have a population genetically very similar to Loch Leven S. trutta. In spite of recorded historical supplemental stocking with Loch Leven derived farm strains, much of the indigenous S. trutta genetic diversity in the area remains intact, aside from the effects of acidification induced bottlenecks. Overall genetic diversity and extant populations have been increased by allochthonous stocking.     

基于16S rDNA和COⅠ基因序列探讨四种溞类的系统关系和分类地位

为了检验已记录的4个溞属种类（(隆线溞Daphnia carinata、透明溞D. hyalina、蚤状溞D. pulex和大型溞D. magna）的系统分类, 用试剂盒法分别提取4种溞类的基因组DNA。利用特异性引物, 通过PCR扩增了4种溞属种类的16S rDNA和COⅠ基因部分序列, 并与来自GenBank中每个种类相似度较高的同种序列进行分析。结果表明, 基于16S rDNA和COⅠ基因, 4个溞属种类的平均种间相似度分别为85.56%和80.67%, 碱基中A+T含量均明显高于G+C含量。基于COⅠ基因, 巢湖隆线溞与来自GenBank上的拟同形溞（(Daphnia similoides AB549199）)相似度为99%, 分歧度为0.4%0.9%。就16S rDNA和COⅠ基因而言, 巢湖透明溞更接近于盔形溞（Daphnia galeata）。基于16S rDNA和COⅠ基因构建的NJ树和贝叶斯树, 两者的主要分枝基本一致。结果暗示, 巢湖隆线溞与拟同形溞为一个种, 透明溞应属于盔形溞。由于缺乏核基因的研究, 有关巢湖溞属的分类地位还需进行更深入的探讨。       

Detection of Arcobacter spp. in the coastal environment of the Mediterranean Sea

The occurrence of Arcobacter spp. was studied in seawater and plankton samples collected from the Straits of Messina, Italy, during an annual period of observation by using cultural and molecular techniques. A PCR assay with three pairs of primers targeting the 16S and 23S rRNA genes was used for detection and identification of Arcobacter butzleri, Arcobacter cryaerophilus, and Arcobacter skirrowii in cultures and environmental samples. Only one of the Arcobacter species, A. butzleri, was isolated from seawater and plankton samples. With some samples the A. butzleri PCR assay gave amplified products when cultures were negative. A. cryaerophilus and A. skirrowii were never detected by culture on selective agar plates; they were detected only by PCR performed directly with environmental samples. Collectively, our data suggest that culturable and nonculturable forms of Arcobacter are present in marine environments. The assay was useful for detecting Arcobacter spp. both as free forms and intimately associated with plankton. This is the first report showing both direct isolation of A. butzleri and the presence of nonculturable Arcobacter spp. in the coastal environment of the Mediterranean Sea.     

The Relationship Between Spatial Distribution and Diet of Arctic Charr, Salvelinus Alpinus, In Loch Ness, U.K.

The pelagic fish community of Loch Ness, U.K., is dominated by Arctic charr, Salvelinus alpinus. Previous studies have shown that the distribution of zooplankton along the south-west to north-east axis of this elongate loch is very dynamic and determined largely by prevailing winds, but Arctic charr are consistently more abundant in the southern half of the loch. In July 1993, the diet compositions of 161 Arctic charr from 53 to 330mm in length were determined and related to their spatial distribution and those of microcrustacean zooplankton and pelagic chironomid larvae and pupae. Diets were dominated by chironomid larvae, with chironomid pupae, Bythotrephes longimanus, Bosmina coregoni and Daphnia hyalina also frequently taken. Over the whole study period, B. longimanus were more important in the diet of fish from the northern half of the loch, while chironomid larvae were more important for fish from the southern half. As a result, per capita prey weight of fish from the south was greater than that of fish from the north. However, wind-induced changes in the distribution of zooplankton along the loch were accompanied by a change in the diet composition of Arctic charr from the south.     

Spectral intensity in some Scottish freshwater lochs

In the course of investigations on the ecology of submerged aquatic macrophytes a narrow-bandwidth spectroradiometer has been used to measure underwater spectral intensity (390–750 nm) in a series of lochs approaching the extremes in optical and chemical properties of Scottish fresh waters. Cosine response and immersion-effect properties of the collector were determined in the laboratory with a colUmated hght source. Diffuse attenuation coefficients, Ee, ranged from 0·55 in Loch Croispol, a calcareous loch, to 2·9 in Loch Leven, a lowland eutrophic loch. Underwater spectral intensity (1 m) relative to subsurface values show a proportional increase in short-wave radiation in the blue-green water of Loch Croispol, while the converse is true of the peaty brown water of Loch Uanagan. Attenuation coefficients were derived over 25 nm wavebands in Lochs Croispol, Leven and Uanagan. The water in the latter two lochs is optically similar although Leven is rich in phytopiankton and has an extinction peak at 675 nm. Uanagan represents the brown-water type of loch most common in Scotland. Loch Croispol has attenuation coefficients for shorter wave-lengths at least ten times lower than the other two lochs and only approaches their values at 750 nm. Croispol resembles Crater Lake, Oregon. The colour range at the maximum colonizable depths by rooted macrophytes of brown (Uanagan 4 m) to blue-green (Croispol 6 m) water is equivalent to 196·0 and 230·6 kJ/Einstein (48·2 and 55·6 kcal/Einstein). Red/far-red ratios even in plankton-rich water (Leven) were at least three times the value for sunlight (1·3) and within the total photic zone reached three-figure proportions. Possible implications for light-sensitive seeds of aquatic species and for morphogenesis and zonation are discussed.     

Morphology, phylogeny and biology of Gliocephalis hyalina, a biotrophic contact mycoparasite of Fusarium species

Gliocephalis hyalina, a rarely seen microfungus with a morphology similar to the hyphomycete genus Aspergillus but with slimy conidia was found in a mixed microbial culture from soybean roots. This species has been reported sporadically since 1899, each time in association with other fungi or bacteria. Gliocephalis hyalina has not been maintained in monoxenic culture and requires other fungi to grow. Light and scanning electron microcope studies indicate that it is a biotrophic contact parasite of Fusarium species. The fungus may penetrate the cells but has no apparent deleterious effect on the growth or plant pathogenicity of its host. Phylogenetic analyses of partial nuclear small subunit rDNA sequences place G. hyalina near the Laboulbeniales, an order of obligate insect parasitic microfungi, and the related mycelial genus Pyxidiophora. Gliocephalis hyalina is mycoparasitic along with many Pyxidiophora species. These discoveries suggest that some "unculturable" microorganisms or "cryptic DNA" recovered from environmental DNA samples might represent obligate biotrophs that could be cultured and studied with simple techniques.     

Changes in aquatic macrophyte communities in Loch Leven: evidence of recovery from eutrophication?

This article assesses changes in the macrophyte community of Loch Leven over a period of 100 years. Evidence is presented that shows that these changes are associated with eutrophication and with subsequent recovery from eutrophication when anthropogenic nutrient inputs to the loch were reduced. This study uses macrophyte survey data from 1905, 1966, 1972, 1975, 1986, 1993, 1999 and 2008. In each of the four most modern surveys, the loch was divided into 19 sectors, each with at least one transect ranging from the shallowest to the deepest occurrence of macrophytes. From these data, a range of indicators of recovery were derived at the whole lake scale: the relative abundance of taxa, taxon richness and evenness. All of these metrics showed an improvement since 1972. Species richness, measured at the scales of survey sector and individual samples, also appeared to have increased in recent years. All of these measures, coupled with ordination of the presence/absence composition data from all survey years, indicate that the macrophyte community in the loch is recovering towards the state that was recorded in 1905.