The combined effects of chlorine and ammonia on litter breakdown in outdoor experimental streams

The response of Potamogeton crispus L. breakdown to controlled doses of different levels of chlorine and chlorine + ammonia was investigated over two years in outdoor experimental streams. In 1985, downstream riffles of 2 streams were dosed (observed in-stream concentrations) at ca. 10 μg/L Total Residual Chlorine (TRC), one stream at 64 μg/L TRC and one stream at 230 μg/L TRC. Two control streams were not dosed and the upstream riffles of each stream served as within stream controls. In 1986, the downstream riffle of one stream was dosed at 70 μg/L TRC and a second stream was dosed at 200 μg/L TRC. Four streams were also dosed with 2.5 mg/L NH₃-N: one stream with no chlorine, one stream with ca. 10 μg/L TRC, one with 56 μg/L TRC, and one with 150 μg/L TRC. A seventh stream was dosed for 2 h at 2000 μg/L TRC and 2.5 mg/L ammonia and then allowed to recover (recovery stream). Each year, litter decomposition (degree day k values) was measured during two 35 day trials (Jun–Jul and Aug–Sep). In 1985, when streams were dosed with chlorine alone, decomposition was significantly reduced with the high (230 μg/L TRC) chlorine dose. Downstream decomposition was 27% (Jun–Jul) and 59% (Aug–Sep) of the upstream (control) rate. No other chlorine effects were found during this period. In Jun–Jul 1986, there was significantly lower decomposition in the downstream dosed sites of the 200 μg/L TRC alone stream, the 146 μg/L TRC + ammonia stream and the recovery stream; downstream decay rates were (respectively) 56%, 42% and 64% of the upstream control sites. No other up-down pairs were different in July 1986. In Aug–Sep, all three streams with chlorine + ammonia (6, 56 and 146 μg/L TRC + 2,5 mg/L ammonia) and the 70 μg/L TRC alone stream had significantly lower decomposition rates in the downstream dosed sites. For these streams, downstream decay rates ranged from 46% (high chlorine + ammonia) to 73% (low chlorine + ammonia) of the upstream control rates. No other up-down pairs were different during this trial. Up and downstream sites of the stream dosed with 2.5 mg/L ammonia alone were nearly identical for both trials (< 3% difference). These results indicate that TRC at less than 250 μg/L can significantly reduce litter decomposition and strongly suggest that addition of ammonia to chlorinated water can increase the toxic effect of chlorine. currently at the Department of Fisheries and Wildlife currently at the Department of Fisheries and Wildlife     

Different Patterns of Changes in the Dry Season Diameter at Breast Height of Dominant and Evergreen Tree Species in a Mature Subtropical Forest in South China

Information on changes in diameter at breast height （DBH） is important for net primary production （NPP） estimates, timing of forest inventory, and forest management. In the present study, patterns of DBH change were measured under field conditions during the dry season for three dominant and native tree species in a monsoon evergreen broad-leaved forest in the Dinghushan Biosphere Reserve. For each tree species, different patterns of DBH change were observed. In the case of the fast-growing tree species Castanopsis chinensis Hance, large diurnal fluctuations occur, with a peak DBH in the early morning （around 05：00 h） that decreases to a minimum by about 14：00 h. Both Schima superba Gardn. et Chemp and Cryptocarya chinensis （Hance） Hemsh exhibited less diurnal swelling and shrinkage. Diurnal fluctuations for these species were observed on a few occasions over the period of observation. Graphical comparisons and statistical analysis of changes in DBH with meteorological variables indicate that for different trees, the different changes in DBH observed responded to different meteorological variables. Large stem changes were found to occur for Ca. chinensis trees that were associated with variations in solar radiation. However, both S. superba and Cr. chinensis were found to be less sensitive to solar radiation. Changes in the DBH of these two species were found to be controlled mainly by soil temperature and soil moisture. During the later dry season, with a lower soil temperature and soil moisture, all three tree species stopped growing and only negligible shrinkage, expansion, or fluctuation occurred, suggesting that the optimum time to measure tree growth in the Dinghushan Biosphere Reserve is the later dry season.     

Worker laying in leafcutter ant Acromyrmex subterraneus brunneus （Formicidae, Attini）

We studied the process of offspring production in queenless colonies of Acromyrmex subterraneus brunneus, and particularly evaluated the ovary development of workers as a function of their age. For this, subcolonies were set up and evaluated at different periods of isolation from the queen （2, 4 and 6 months）, besides individually labeled age groups. The subcolonies were assessed according to offspring production and ovaries containing oocytes or not. The evaluations showed worker oviposition and development of males originating from worker-laid eggs. At 2 months＇ absence of the queen, eggs and larvae were found, with eggs in a higher proportion than larvae. After 4 months, the proportion of eggs had reduced while larvae had increased, and a pupa was found in one subcolony. At 6 months, besides a higher share of larvae, one pupa and one adult male were found. Dissection of workers revealed ovaries containing oocytes during the periods of evaluation. Only a group of medium-sized and large workers, 23.3%, 20.9% and 37.5% of the population from each period assessed in queenless subcolonies respectively, presented developed oocytes in the ovary. The same was observed in colonies with a queen, with 17.6%, 19.6% and 7.8% of the group of dissected workers from each time period, respectively. With respect to worker age, we observed by dissection of the ovary, that the greatest percentage of individuals with ovarioles containing oocytes occurred at 45 days （6 weeks） up to 90 days （12 weeks）. These results probably are associated with the workers reproduction and the laying of trophic and reproductive eggs in colonies with and without a queen; these eggs have distinct functions in each situation.     

Comparative Studies on the Allelopathic Effects of Ulva pertusa Kjellml, Corllina pilulifera Postl et Ruprl, and Sargassum thunbergii mertl O. Kuntze on Skeletonema costatum （Grev.）Cleve

In the present study, we evaluated the allelopathic effects of three macroalgae, namely Ulva pertusa Kjellml, Corallina pilufifera Postl et Ruprl, and Sargassum thunbergii Mertl O. Kuntze, on the growth of the microalga Skeletonema costaturn （Grev.） Creve using culture systems in which the algae coexisted. The effects of the macroalgal culture medium filtrate on S. costatum were also investigated. Moreover, isolated co-culture systems were built to confirm the existence of allelochemicals and preclude growth inhibition by direct contact. The coexistence assay data demonstrated that the growth of S. costaturn was strongly inhibited when fresh tissues, dry powder and aqueous extracts were used; the allelochemicals were lethal to S. costatum at relatively higher concentrations. The effects of the macroalgal culture medium filtrate on the microalga showed both species specificity and complexity. The inhibitory effect of fresh macroalgal tissue and culture medium filtrate on the microalga was due to the alleochemicals released by the macroalgae. The results of the present study show that the allelopathic effects of macroalgae on the microalga are complex. The present study could shed light onto the basis of the interaction between macro- and microalgae.     

Seed Dynamics in Relation to Gaps in a Tropical Montane Rainforest of Hainan Island, South China： （I） Seed Rain

Seed dynamics is an important part of stand dynamics in forest ecosystems. In this paper, 26 gaps were randomly selected to study the influence of gaps on the spatial and temporal patterns of seed rains in a tropical montane rainforest of Hainan Island, South China. Three zones for each gap, including outside gap zone （Non-gap）, transitional gap zone （EG-CG）, and central gap zone （CG）, were designed, and fourseed traps （each lm x lm in size） were placed in each zone. Seed rains were collected by these traps every 10 days from June 2001 to May 2002. Seed rain varied greatly with season and generally exhibited a pattern of unimodal change during the study period： seed abundance and species richness were both greater in the wet season than in the dry season. Gaps significantly influenced the temporal patterns of both species richness and density of seed rains. Gaps had no significant influences on the spatial distribution patterns of seed rain species richness, but significantly affected the spatial distribution pattern of seed rain densities. Among the three different zones of gaps, the outside gap zone generally received more seeds inputs than the two other gap zones.     

Impact of habitat diversification on arthropod communities： A study in the fields of Chinese cabbage, Brassica chinensis

Field trials were carried out from June to August in 2004 at Wuyishan （Wuyi Mountains）, Fujian province, China, to determine the effects of habitat diversification on arthropod communities. Two Chinese cabbage, Brassica chinensis, field 1 （F1） and field 2 （F2） surrounded by diverse vegetable cultivars were selected, while a monoculture of Chinese cabbage served as the control field （CK）. The results showed that： （i） when comparing insect abundance of each order between different habitats, significantly higher numbers of lepidopterous insects （39.76% from the each order） and lower densities of Hymenoptera （19.82%） were found in CK than in F1 and F2; （ii） compared with CK, F1 and F2 had a lower percentage of species richness and an abundance of herbivorous insects, but increased richness, abundance and biodiversity of predatory insects; （iii） no differences were observed in neutral insects＇ guild between different fields; and （iv） the dominant species for each guild depends on the habitat types and sampling dates. This study suggests that intercropping could conceivably be used in these habitats to increase the population of natural predators, thus achieving desirable and ecologically friendly results in vegetable fields.     

Binding of Cry δ-endotoxins to brush border membrane vesicles of Helicoverpa armigera and Helicoverpa punctigera （Lepidoptera： Noctuidae）

The relatively low susceptibility ofHelicoverpa armigera to CrylAc, its history of resistance to chemical insecticides and the seasonal decline in expression of CrylAc in transgenic cotton necessitated the development of cotton expressing two insecticidal proteins to provide sustainable control of this multinational pest. To manage the resistance issue, it was essential that the second insecticidal protein have a significantly different mode of action to CrylAc. A common feature of resistance to CrylA proteins in several species as well as H. armigera has been a change in the binding site. A study of binding sites for some Cry proteins in the brush border membrane vesicles （BBMV） ofH. armigera and Helicoverpa punctigera was undertaken. The binding affinity for CrylAc was higher than for CrylAb, matching their relative toxicities, and CrylAc and CrylAb were found to share at least one binding site in both I-1. armigera and I-1. punctigera. However Cry2Aa did not compete with CrylAc for binding and so could be used in transgenic cotton in combination with CrylAc to control H. armigera and manage resistance. Variation in the susceptibilities of three different H. armigera strains to CrylAc correlated with the parameter Bmax/Kcom.     

川金丝猴尿液中睾酮水平的季节性变化

The sichuan snub-nosed monkey(Rhinopithecus roxellanae),a spccics on the First Category State Key Protection List,is an endangered species endemic to China.This paper examines seasonal changes in urinary testosterone(T) levels in this species.Urine samples were collected by injectors from the cement floor of the monkey‘s enclosures in the early morning ,then stored in a freezer at -24℃.Urinary testosterone(T),was detected with radioimmunoassay (RIA) after being extracted by dichloromethane.The results show that the levels of urinary T varied widely over time and displayed seasonal variation that corresponded exactly with the monkey‘‘‘‘s sexual behavior.The mean value of T was 0.576-2.359ng/mgCr in the nonreproductive season and 36.483-47.889ng/mgCr in the reproductive season.The latter was 14.84-83.14 times as high as that in the nonreproductive season.Peak T values in the nonreproductive and in reproductive season were 0.82-10.60ng/mgCr and 237.841-326.231ng/mgCr respectively.Peak values in the reproductive season were 30.78-290.05 times that of the nonreproductive season.This seasonal change in T levels may be the main factor determining seasonal differences in sexual motivation.copulation and conception rate in these monkcys.In addition.co-habitation with females in the breeding season produces a sharp increase in t level in male monkcys;there is a causal relationship between sexual activity and T secretion [Acta Zoologica Sinica 49(3):393-398,2003]。     

Seasonal changes on two different spatial scales： response of aquatic invertebrates to water body and microhabitat

Knowledge about the spatial and temporal scales of both habitat use and the functional significance of different adaptations is essential for an understanding of the population dynamics of invertebrate assemblages. This fundamental knowledge is not only interesting from an academic point of view, but is sorely lacking and needed in the field of restoration ecology. Many species are threatened due to degradation. Knowing what environmental conditions are needed dtLring the life cycle of these species is important in the design of restoration measures which aim to lift existing bottlenecks for threatened species. To assess the relative importance of water type and microhabitat in structuring the invertebrate assemblage during different seasons, invertebrates were sampled in three water bodies differing in trophic level and acidity. Different parts within a water body （microhabitats） were sampled separately and each water body was sampled in all four seasons. Results show that water body is an important factor structuring the invertebrate assemblage early in the season, whereas microhabitat became more important later in the season. Structural complexity of microhabitats was related to the type of locomotion employed by invertebrates. Seasonal differences could be related to population dynamics （reproduction, mortality）. Moreover, fluctuations in resource availability were expected to differ between the water bodies, with highest fluctuations in the eutrophic water body and with fluctuations becoming less predictable later in the season. This was confirmed by the data： species synchronization to pulses in food availability was strongest in the eutrophic water body. Moreover, synchronization was strongest in summer, while in autumn waters were invaded by dispersive species. Based on these results a synthesis is presented on the functioning of the different waters during the different seasons.     

Growing season ecosystem respirations and associated component fluxes in two alpine meadows on the Tibetan Plateau

From 30 June to 24 September in 2003 ecosystem respiration （Re） in two alpine meadows on the Tibetan Plateau were measured using static chamber- and gas chromatography- （GC） based techniques. Simultaneously, plant removal treatments were set to partition Re into plant autotrophic respiration （Ra） and microbial heterotrophic respiration （Rh）. Results indicated that Re had clear diurnal and seasonal variation patterns in both of the meadows. The seasonal variability of Re at both meadow sites was caused mainly by changes in Ra, rather than Rh. Moreover, atthe Kobresia humilis meadow site （K_site）, Ra and Rh accounted for 54% and 46% of Re, respectively. While at the Potentilla fruticosa scrub meadow （P_site）, the counterparts accounted for 61% and 39%, respectively. T test showed that there was significant difference in Re rates between the two meadows （t = 2.387, P = 0.022）. However, no significant difference was found in Rh rates, whereas a significant difference was observed in Ra rates between the two meadows. Thus, the difference in Re rate between the two meadows was mainly attributed to plant autotrophic respirations. During the growing season, the two meadows showed relatively low Q10 values, suggesting that Re, especially Rh was not sensitive to temperature variation in the growing season. Additionally, Re and Rh at the K_site, as well as Rh at the Psite was negatively correlated with soil moisture, indicating that soil moisture would also play an important role in respirations.     

Effect of Seasonality on Distribution of Macroalgae in a Stream System (Xin'an Spring)in Shanxi Province, North China

A survey of the seasonal distribution of macroalgae in a stream system in Shanxi Province, north China,was undertaken from July 2004 to April 2005. The relative abundance and percentage cover of macroalgae,and several environmental factors were monitored along a 20-m stretch at each of four sites, at intervals of approximately three months (one sampling per season). Several stream conditions were relatively constant over the sampling period (pH, maximum width and maximum depth), whereas others exhibited a distinct seasonal pattern (water temperature and specific conductance), and some fluctuated with no discernable seasonal pattern (current velocity and dissolved oxygen). Forty-two species of macroalgae were found, with a predominance of Chlorophyta (26 species, 61.9%). Rhodophyta and Charophyta represented the smallest proportion (1 species each, 2.38%). Six macroalgae species were the most widespread,occurring in all four sampling sites. Twelve species were found at only one site each. In terms of seasonality,eight species occurred throughout the year, whereas 16 species were found in only one season each. The macroalgal community at Xin'an Spring was species rich relative to other streams. Species richness per sampling site was negatively correlated with pH. Principal component analysis revealed that no single variable had much influence on the macroalgal seasonal dynamics. We calculated Sorensen similarity indices to compare our study with other continent-wide surveys of stream macroalgae, but the similarity indices were all very low. This study also shows that macroalgae in different locations have significant reproductive isolation.     

Seasonality of macroalgae and epilithic diatoms in spring-fed streams in Texas, USA

A seasonal study of two spring-fed stream systems in south-central Texas was undertaken over a 15-month period from June 1996 to September 1997. Relative abundance of the epilithic diatom flora, percent cover of macroalgae, and several physical and chemical conditions were monitored in one 20-m stretch in each of the streams at approximately two-month intervals. Six additional spring-fed stream segments were sampled in May 1996 for macroalgae and measured for the same conditions, in order to determine how representative the macroalgal floras of the study sites were of south-central and western Texas. Conditions in the two stream segments were relatively constant over the 15 months, except for maximum depth; this finding is similar those reported for other spring-fed systems worldwide. Sixty-eight diatom taxa and nine macroalgae taxa were identified from the San Marcos River, which compares to 46 diatom taxa and six macroalgae taxa from the Comal River. Several diatom and macroalgae species were significantly correlated to stream conditions (e.g. Dichotomosiphon tuberosus and Hildenbrandia angolensis with daylength, and Amphora pediculus with maximum depth). Twenty-one macroalgal taxa were identified from the six additional spring-fed steam segments. Conditions in these streams were very similar to those measured in the San Marcos River and Comal River, except that they had a higher average pH _x= 8.1 versus _x= 7.6). The epilithic diatom flora of the San Marcos River and the Comal River contains many of the diatom and some macroalgal taxa commonly reported from springs globally. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Seasonality and distribution of epilithic diatoms,macroalgae and macrophytes in a spring-fed stream system in Ontario,Canada

A study of the epilithic diatom, macroalgal and macrophyte communities from a spring-fed stream in Ontario, Canada was undertaken from September 1996 to July 1997. The relative abundance of the epilithic diatom flora, percent cover of macroalgal and macrophyte taxa, and several physical and chemical stream conditions were monitored along a 20-m stretch at each of four sites, approximately every 2 months. Several stream conditions were relatively constant over the sampling period (pH, maximum width and maximum depth), while others exhibited a distinct seasonal pattern (water temperature, specific conductance and daylength) and some fluctuated strongly with no discernable seasonal pattern (turbidity, current velocity). A total of 124 taxa were identified from the four sites, including 79 epilithic diatoms, three macroalgal diatom species (large gelatinous masses), one cyanobacterium, two red algae, eight green algae, one chrysophyte alga, one tribophyte alga, three mosses, three horsetails and 23 angiosperm taxa. Species richness was positively correlated to stream channel maximum width and depth, indicating that the total number of species tends to increase in a downstream direction. Distribution of several diatom and macroalgal species was significantly correlated to stream conditions (e.g. Gomphonema parvulum and Phormidium subfuscum with current velocity); however, the vast majority of species did not display seasonal variation in abundance that could be explained by changes in stream conditions. Many of the taxa identified from Blue Springs Creek are common elsewhere in North America.     

烟台养马岛潮间带大型海藻分布特征及环境影响因素

2010年4月—2011年3月对烟台养马岛潮间带大型海藻进行了逐月调查.在养马岛潮间带共设置了A、B两个点,对大型海藻物种组成、生物量以及与环境变化的关系进行了研究.结果表明: 调查区域共有大型海藻35种,其中红藻24种,占总数的68.6%;绿藻6种,占总数的17.1%;褐藻5种,占总数的14.3%.夏季优势种以褐藻和绿藻为主,秋、冬、春季优势种以红藻和褐藻为主,鼠尾藻在各季节中均为优势种.大型海藻生物量呈现夏季高、冬季低的特点,生物量最高值出现在6月,A、B采样点大型海藻生物量最小值分别出现在1月和11月,具有温带海域藻类变化特点.温度、营养盐和pH对大型海藻生物量有显著影响.
     

山西省辛安泉泉域三种泉溪大型藻类植物附生藻类的研究

对三种泉溪大型藻类(脆弱刚毛藻, 弧形串珠藻和普生轮藻)藻体上附生藻类的种类、分布及环境因子与寄主本身对其的影响进行了研究。2004 年7 月至2005 年4 月在山西省辛安泉泉域采集三种大型藻类植物(每个季节采集一次)。研究结果表明, 三种大型藻类藻体上的附生藻类种类数不同, 普生轮藻上的附生藻类有49 种, 脆弱刚毛藻上37 种, 弧形串珠藻上6 种, 其中硅藻门种类数最多。这说明寄主本身结构的复杂程度在一定意义上会影响附生藻类的种类数及多样性。就季节变化而言, 三种大型藻类藻体上的附生藻类也表现出了明显的季节性,大致趋势为: 春季>秋季>夏季>冬季, 同时, 灰关联分析结果也表明, 环境因子在一定程度上对附生藻类也有影响, 最关键的影响因子是流速、水深和电导。这说明影响大型藻类植物藻体上附生藻类的影响因素是多方面的, 不仅有寄主本身, 同时流速、水深和电导这三种环境因子也起到了很关键的作用。       

Do SASS5 scores vary with season in the South African highveld? A case study on the Skeerpoort River,North West province,South Africa

Macroinvertebrate assemblages can vary with season as a result of changing environmental conditions and phenology of individual species. The objective of this study was to determine whether results from the South African Scoring System version 5 (SASS5) are affected by season. The standard SASS5 protocol was used to sample three sites on the Skeerpoort River, South Africa, in autumn, winter and spring 2013, and summer 2014. At each site, stream morphology was characterised and physico-chemical variables were measured. Two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to compare SASS indices in relation to site and season, and a one-way ANOVA was used to test the effect of season using both current and historical data. Macroinvertebrate assemblage similarity of sites was determined using non-metric multidimensional scaling ordination, followed by analysis of similarity. Whilst macroinvertebrate assemblages differed between seasons and sites, there was no seasonal variation in the values of SASS indices, but they did differ between sites. SASS5 appears to be robust to seasonal variation in macroinvertebrate assemblage and seems suitable for use throughout the year in a perennial river draining the South African highveld region.     

Parasite fauna of native and non‐native populations of Neogobius melanostomus (Pallas, 1814) (Gobiidae) in the longitudinal profile of the Danube River

Parasite fauna of round goby Neogobius melanostomus (Pallas, 1814) in the Danube River was investigated in both its native range (two sites in the Bulgarian stretch of the Danube) and non‐native range of distribution (Croatian, Slovak and Austrian stretches) during 2005 and 2006. The aim was to identify possible changes in parasite communities associated with the introduction of a host into the new environment. A total of 29 metazoan parasite species were found to parasitize round goby in the Danube River; twelve of these parasite species were found in both the native and non‐native range of distribution. Introduction of a novel parasite species to the non‐native range via the round goby was not found. Eight parasite species occurred only in the native range and nine species only in the non‐native range of the round goby distribution. Losses of native parasite species in non‐native round goby populations and/or acquiring of novel parasite species in a new environment were not significant. Thirteen parasite taxa were recorded for the first time in round gobies. Three parasite taxa (Diplostomum spp., Pomphorhynchus laevis and Raphidascaris acus) were found in high prevalence and abundance at each sampling site in both the native and non‐native range. Parasite species diversity was assessed for each sampling site and season using three diversity indices (the Shannon, Simpson and Equitability indices), with the highest same‐season values found in a non‐native site in Slovakia (1.38, 0.69 and 0.60, respectively) and the lowest in a native site in Bulgaria (0.28, 0.12 and 0.14, respectively). Species diversity was higher in both non‐native round goby populations (Slovak and Austrian) compared to native Bulgarian populations. However, diversity indices values varied among almost all sampling sites.     

Scales of spatiotemporal variability in macroinvertebrate abundance and diversity in monsoonal streams: detecting environmental change

1. We quantified spatial and temporal variability in benthic macroinvertebrate species richness, diversity and abundance in six unpolluted streams in monsoonal Hong Kong at different scales using a nested sampling design. The spatial scales were regions, stream sites and stream sections within sites; temporal scales were years (1997–99), seasons (dry versus wet seasons) and days within seasons. 2. Spatiotemporal variability in total abundance and species richness was greater during the wet season, especially at small scales, and tended to obscure site‐ and region‐scale differences, which were more conspicuous during the dry season. Total abundance and richness were greater in the dry season, reflecting the effects of spate‐induced disturbance during the wet season. Species diversity showed little variation at the seasonal scale, but variability at the site scale was apparent during both seasons. 3. Despite marked variations in monsoonal rainfall, inter‐year differences in macroinvertebrate richness and abundance at the site scale during the wet season were minor. Inter‐year differences were only evident during the dry season when streams were at base flow and biotic interactions may structure assemblages. 4. Small‐scale patchiness within riffles was the dominant spatial scale of variation in macroinvertebrate richness, total abundance and densities of common species, although site or region was important for some species. The proportion of total variance contributed by small‐scale spatial variability increased during the dry season, whereas temporal variability associated with days was greater during the wet season. 5. The observed patterns of spatiotemporal variation have implications for detection of environmental change or biomonitoring using macroinvertebrate indicators in streams in monsoonal regions. Sampling should be confined to the dry season or, in cases where more resources are available, make use of data from both dry and wet seasons. Sampling in more than one dry season is required to avoid the potentially confounding effects of inter‐year variation, although variability at that scale was relatively small.     

Distribution of stream macroalgae in the northwest region of São Paulo State,southeastern Brazil

Forty-four stream segments were sampled from May to October in 1992 and 1993 in the northwest region of São Paulo State, southeastern Brazil (19°45–21°25S, 49°05–51°30S). Thirty-six macroalgal subgeneric taxa were found and Chlorophyta was the dominant algal group (47% species), followed by Cyanophyta (33.5%), Rhodophyta (14%) and Chrysophyta (5.5%). The most widespread species wereStigeoclonium helveticum (25% sites),Batrachospermum delicatulum andCompsopogon coeruleus (20.5%). Distribution was patchy, with species number per sampling site ranging from 0 to six (3.1 ± 1.7) and correlated positively with species abundance. Species cover ranged from 0 to 61% of the stream bottom (19.1 ± 19.7%). Most sites (57%) were dominated by one or two macroalgae species. No significant difference was found between the frequency distribution of variables measured for streams and for total macroalgae, but the most widespread species differed for most parameters and occurred over wider ranges of environmental conditions. Mean species number and abundance were close to values found in distinct regions or biomes of North America. Higher conductance and lower oxygen values, as well as rocky substrata, generally constituted the most favourable combination of conditions for the development of macroalgae in the region. The pattern of strong dominance of few species was considered to be typical for stream macroalgal communities in general.     

Seasonal variation in the composition of fish assemblages in small Amazonian forest streams: evidence for predictable changes

1. The effects of seasonal inundation on the biology of fishes on floodplains of large Amazonian rivers are well studied. However, the small seasonal changes in headwater streams are generally considered to have little effect on fish assemblages. 2. In this study, we analysed seasonal changes in the species composition and abundance of fish in small Amazonian forest streams. We sampled fish with hand and seine nets in headwater streams in a 10 000 ha terra‐firme forest reserve near Manaus, Brazil. Each stream was surveyed at the end of the 2005 dry season, at the beginning of the 2006 rainy season and at the beginning of the 2006 dry season, by means of a standardized sampling effort. 3. The numbers of individuals and species caught were higher in the dry season, but rarefaction analyses indicated that greater species numbers could have been due simply to the larger number of individuals caught. 4. Between the dry and rainy season, the direction of changes in species composition in multivariate space varied among sites, especially for quantitative (abundance) data. However, the observed variation among sites was the less than expected if the directions of change were random. 5. Fish assemblages in the second dry season were more similar to those in the previous dry season than expected if changes in species composition among seasons were random. This indicates that a general seasonal pattern in fish assemblages can be detected, despite the existence of some erratic site‐specific changes. 6. Most of the species that showed large seasonal variations in density occupy temporary ponds during the rainy season, when much of the valley is inundated and pond networks form adjacent to streams. Short‐duration lateral migrations to these ponds may play an important role in the seasonal fish‐assemblage dynamics in Amazonian headwater streams. 7. Our results contrast with previous studies on small Amazonian streams, which have found little seasonal change in fish assemblages, and highlight the importance of the abundance of common species as an indicator of general fish assemblage structure in biological monitoring programmes.