黄渤海甲壳类的分类多样性

为了解黄渤海甲壳类的分类多样性特征, 我们统计了2010-2015年中国水产科学研究院黄海水产研究所调查捕获的黄渤海甲壳类(软甲纲: 十足目与口足目)物种名录。结合历史文献, 进一步系统整理得到黄渤海甲壳类物种总名录。基于这2个名录, 应用分类阶元包含指数(the inclusion index at taxonomic level, TINCL_i)、平均分类差异指数(average taxonomic distinctness index, Δ⁺)和分类差异变异指数(variation in taxonomic distinctness index, Λ⁺)研究了其分类多样性特征。结果显示: 2010-2015年调查名录中, 甲壳类共93种, 隶属于2目39科66属, 其中10种为新分布种; 对虾科、藻虾科、长臂虾科、梭子蟹科和弓蟹科的物种数最多, 合计占总物种数的38.71%; TINCL_i分别为1.41种/属和2.38种/科; Δ⁺和Λ⁺分别为50.25和35.20。总名录中, 甲壳类共228种, 隶属于2目53科123属, 其中藻虾科、豆蟹科、对虾科、弓蟹科和鼓虾科的物种数最多, 合计占总物种数的30.70%; TINCL_i分别为1.85种/属和4.30种/科, Δ⁺和Λ⁺分别为50.18和30.87。对虾科的相对丰富度指数(the relative richness index, R_r)最高(100), 其次是梭子蟹科(71.43)和长臂虾科(62.50), 豆蟹科最低(6.25)。黄渤海甲壳类的平均分类差异指数(Δ⁺)明显小于鱼类(P < 0.05)。2010-2015年调查的Δ⁺计算值高于理论值, 且在理论值的95%置信区间内, 说明黄渤海甲壳类群落正处在中等程度的干扰中。     

山西油松林分类学多样性

基于物种分类系统关系的分类学多样性不仅能反映群落内物种分类学之间的差异,而且可以间接反映生态系统或群落是否处于退化阶段。与传统的物种多样性指数相比,分类学多样性指数对不同的取样方法和大小具有较强的稳健性。以山西油松林为研究对象,在山西省范围内选取113个样地进行植被调查,并结合历史资料和相关文献整理了植物名录,野外共记录植物357种,隶属于3门4纲36目71科227属。植物科内属、种的组成差异较大,其中含属、种最多的科是菊科,分别为31属和50种,含种最多的属为蒿属(Artemisia 11种)。选取平均分类学差异指数(Δ~+)和分类学差异变异指数(Λ~+)作为度量群落分类学多样性的指标,同时分析了分类学多样性指数与环境因子的关系,研究结果表明:113个样地的Δ~+值大都位于Δ~+理论平均值上方(89.5%);Λ~+值都位于Λ~+理论平均值上方,这表明山西油松林物种组成的亲缘关系较远,分属不同的分类单元;群落内物种分类单元的均匀度较差,即物种主要集中在几个大的分类单元内,如菊科、蔷薇科、豆科和禾本科等。对分类学多样性指数影响最大的是群落结构因子(胸径、乔木密度和群落物种数),其次是微地形因子(坡向和坡位)。土壤全氮和有机碳与Δ~+呈极显著正相关(P0.01)。宏观地形因子(纬度和海拔)与Δ~+和Λ~+相关性不显著(P0.05)。通过对山西油松林物种的Δ~+和Λ~+研究表明,山西油松林大多处于平稳的成长阶段,物种组成相对稳定,存在一定的物种分类学差异,但主要集中几个大的分类单元。     

山西华北落叶松林分类学多样性

以山西华北落叶松林为研究对象,调查了40个样地,共记录了219种植物,隶属于3门5纲34目49科145属。山西华北落叶松林下的物种组成和分类单元比较丰富,但主要以几个大的分类单元为主;在目的水平上集中于蔷薇目和桔梗目,在科水平上集中于菊科、蔷薇科、毛茛科。植物科内种、属组成差异较大。应用平均分类差异指数Δ+与分类差异变异指数Λ+对山西华北落叶松群落进行了分类学多样性分析,结果表明:40个样地的Δ+值大部分位于理论平均值曲线之上,说明山西华北落叶松林物种分类多样性较大,物种间的亲缘关系较远;所有样地的Λ+值均位于Λ+值的理论平均值曲线之上,表明山西华北落叶松林物种分类等级的均匀度较差,低于平均理论均匀度。平均分类差异指数Δ+与环境因子中的经度、坡度、坡位、海拔和种数相关性显著(P0.05),与纬度和坡向相关性不显著(P0.05);分类差异变异指数Λ+与海拔、经度、坡度和种数相关性显著(P0.05),与纬度、坡向和坡位相关性不显著。     

庞泉沟自然保护区植物群落分类学多样性

为了研究庞泉沟自然保护区植物群落分类学多样性及其与环境因子间的关系,收集了33块样地的植物群落数据及样地环境信息,计算了分类差异变异指数(Λ⁺)和平均分类差异指数(Δ⁺),分析了Λ⁺和Δ⁺与环境因子的相关性.结果表明: Λ⁺和Δ⁺的平均值分别为270和76.5;Λ⁺与海拔和坡向均呈显著负相关;Δ⁺与纬度呈显著正相关,与坡向呈显著负相关.从33个样地在置信漏斗的位置来看,庞泉沟自然保护区植物群落有较高的分类学多样性,主要原因是保护区建立30多年来,生态环境和植物资源得到有效保护,人类活动干扰影响轻微.
     

福建三都澳游泳动物种类组成及群落结构稳定性

利用2012-2013年三都澳渔业资源的定置张网调查资料, 应用物种多样性指数、数量生物量比较曲线(ABC曲线)及鱼类分类多样性指数等方法分析三都澳游泳动物种类组成特征和群落结构的稳定性。调查中共出现游泳动物195种, 隶属于17目64科125属, 其中鱼类143种, 甲壳类47种, 头足类5种。大黄鱼(Larimichthys crocea)在三都澳4个航次的调查中都是最主要的优势种类, 其他优势种类还包括叫姑鱼(Johnius belengerii)、白姑鱼(Argyrosomus argentatus)、虾虎鱼类和一些甲壳类。大黄鱼多为养殖群体, 其他优势种类的共同特征是个体小, 繁殖周期短, 生物量季节或年际间波动剧烈。物种多样性分析表明, 三都澳游泳动物群落平均Shannon-Wiener多样性指数为2.61, 9、10月高, 1、5月低。ABC曲线分析表明, 4次调查中群落结构存在明显的变化, 繁殖群体的补充、个体生长、捕捞、伏季休渔等是影响群落结构稳定性的因素。本次研究表明, 大黄鱼生物量的比例与Shannon-Wiener多样性指数呈极显著负相关(P < 0.01, R = -0.890), 与种类数呈显著负相关(P < 0.05, R = -0.563)。结合近年来的调查数据, 统计得到三都澳的现存鱼类约224种, 其平均分类差异指数(△⁺)为59.5, 分类差异变异指数(∧⁺)为260.8。相对于中国沿海其他海域, 三都澳鱼类群落分类学范围较小, 且群落间的分类地位关系极不均匀, 群落抗干扰的能力较差。     

湖北四湖泊营养类型与轮虫群落的关系

对湖北梁子湖水系不同营养类型(中营养型、富营养型)4个湖泊中轮虫的群落结构和物种多样性进行了周年研究,分析比较了不同营养类型湖泊的轮虫种类组成、分布、优势种组成、密度、生物量和多样性指数。结果表明：轮虫的种类数、物种多样性与营养水平呈负相关关系,轮虫密度大体上随营养水平提高而增大,富营养化引起轮虫空间异质性降低,受污染湖泊与非污染湖泊轮虫种类数、寡污性种类数及分布差异尤为明显。用多样性指数评价湖泊营养状态与TLIc方法一致。     

山西平陆黄河湿地植物分类学多样性

传统的物种多样性通常使用物种数量指标α和β等多样性指数进行测度,由于其对取样和样本大小有依赖关系且极其敏感,因此取样方法的不同会对多样性的结果产生显著影响。分类学多样性方法基于分类学系统关系测量物种多样性,弥补了传统方法的不足,同时面对各种变量和不受控制的取样具有稳健性,同时也考虑了集合的分类学均匀度。不仅能反映植物群落多样性,还能间接反映环境与扰动间的关系,用于识别生态系统或生境是否处于退化阶段。为了探究平陆黄河湿地的物种多样性,检验分类学多样性方法在植物生态学方面的应用,选取了16个样地进行植物调查,并结合历史资料整理了种子植物名录,结果表明平陆黄河湿地共有植物368种,隶属于36目67科213属。含种最多的科为菊科和禾本科,分别为54种和45种。应用平均分类学差异指数(Δ+)和分类学差异变异指数(Λ+)研究了各样地的植物物种多样性:Δ+和Λ+的理论平均值分别为74.24和480;位于三门峡大坝上游和下游的样地和不同群落类型的分类学多样性均没有显著差异(P0.05)。受人类干扰较大的车村和鳖干平均分类学差异指数值显著较低,Δ+分别为62.28和67.41,位于95%的置信漏斗外;而水分条件较好且人为干扰较少的南沟渡口和三湾湖平均分类学差异指数值最高为分别81.30和79.94。车村的分类差异变异指数值最高为814.44,其物种在不同分类阶元分布最不均一,涧北的分类差异变异指数值最低为423.31,其物种分布相对较均一。传统的多样性方法难以全面的反映某个区域的物种组成、分布和多样性,此外分类学多样性的高低与物种数量的多少没有一定的相关关系,Δ+与S、Λ+与S的相关关系分别为-0.257和-0.187(P0.05)。耕作、生态旅游、日常活动等人为干扰因素可能是造成平陆黄河湿地分类学多样性降低及物种在不同分类等级间分布不均匀的主要原因。     

青藏高原4类典型水化学特征湖泊的细菌多样性差异及影响因素

青藏高原分布着我国最密集的极端环境湖泊群, 湖泊类型和水化学特征多样, 而不同类型湖泊的细菌群落组成与多样性差异的系统研究相对较少。本文以青藏高原4类典型水化学特征湖泊(即氯化物型、MgSO₄亚型、Na₂SO₄亚型、碳酸盐型)为研究对象, 借助Illumina测序16S rRNA基因(V₃‒V₄区)分析细菌多样性、群落组成差异及其优势属与环境因素的制约关系。结果表明: MgSO₄亚型与氯化物型湖泊多属于超盐环境, 而大多数Na₂SO₄亚型与碳酸盐型湖泊属于咸水、微咸水或淡水环境。4类湖泊获得分类地位明确的细菌共计45门81纲1,148属(52,031个OTUs), 细菌Shannon指数为碳酸盐型(5.27 ± 0.57) > Na₂SO₄亚型(4.96 ± 0.51) > 氯化物型(4.12 ± 0.80) > MgSO₄亚型(3.64 ± 1.04)。优势细菌门是变形菌门、厚壁菌门和拟杆菌门。变形菌门的相对多度总体较高, 优势纲是γ-、α-和β-变形菌纲; 厚壁菌门多分布于MgSO₄亚型和氯化物型湖泊, 优势纲是芽孢杆菌纲; 拟杆菌门主要分布于碳酸盐型和Na₂SO₄亚型湖泊, 优势纲是黄杆菌纲。全部氯化物型和少数MgSO₄亚型湖泊的细菌组成相似, 优势属是假单胞菌属(Pseudomonas)、乳球菌属(Lactococcus)和不动杆菌属(Acinetobacter), 其聚集分布与总盐度、主要离子(Mg²⁺、Cl^-、Na⁺与K⁺)和温度相关; MgSO₄亚型湖泊独有的常见属是芽孢杆菌属(Bacillus)、气单胞菌属(Aeromonas)、大洋芽孢杆菌属(Oceanobacillus)等, 其聚集分布与SO₄ ^2-浓度正相关; Na₂SO₄亚型与碳酸盐型湖泊的细菌组成相似, 优势属是水弯曲菌属(Aquiflexum)、海仙菌属(Haliea)与苍黄杆菌属(Luteolibacter), 其聚集分布与HCO₃ ^-浓度、pH值和海拔高度呈显著正相关。与世界上其他湖泊组/群相比, 青藏高原湖泊具有独特的细菌优势属和常见属, 不同类型湖泊的细菌群落组成存在显著差异, 可能与水化学类型或地理位置有关。     

山东近海鱼类群落分类多样性

根据相关文献整理了山东近海鱼类名录,并根据1998—2009年山东近海鱼类调查名录,应用平均分类差异指数(Δ+)和分类差异变异指数(Λ+)研究了鱼类分类学多样性特征。结果表明,山东近海鱼类名录包括2纲28目91科169属225种,1998年调查仅2纲11目41科58属62种,2006年调查为1纲13目41科71属78种,2009年调查为1纲9目32科55属62种。1998年—2009年调查鱼类种类远远低于鱼类名录记录的种数,分类阶元包含指数较低,平均每属包含1.1种。根据山东近海鱼类名录计算鱼类平均分类差异指数为66.1,分类差异变异指数为141.7;1998—2009年历次调查鱼类平均分类差异指数在60.9—62.7之间,分类差异变异指数在65.4—92.3之间。将1998—2009年历次调查鱼类群落分类多样性指数计算值叠加到山东近海鱼类总名录的95%置信漏斗曲线图,结果表明大部分调查值在置信漏斗曲线之外,目前山东近海鱼类分类多样性已大幅下降。     

黄河中游湿地植物分类学多样性研究

在黄河中游湿地自禹门口至汾河入河口之间设置了13个样地进行植物调查,并将植物物种系统分类学中的分类学差异性指数应用到研究区域物种多样性的测度中。结果显示,样地内共记录植物75种,隶属于2门3纲18目23科61属;按所含物种数的多少统计,在门水平上主要分布在被子植物门(73种),在纲水平上主要分布在双子叶植物纲(57种),在科水平上主要集中在豆科(Leguminosae,11种)、菊科(Compositae,14种)和禾本科(Gramineae,11种),在属水平上主要集中在藜属(Chenopodium,3种)、胡枝子属(Lespedeza,3种)、蒿属(Artemisia,3种)和香蒲属(Typha,3种);一年或两年生植物最多,地上芽植物、地面芽植物和地下芽植物次之的生活型谱特征总体上反映了黄河中游湿地夏季高温多雨、冬季寒冷干旱的气候特征。用平均分类学差异指数(Δ~+)和分类学差异变异指数(Λ~+)对13个样地植物分类学多样性特征的分析表明,Δ~+和Λ~+的理论平均值分别为84.25和425.43;运用双变量分析法将Δ~+和Λ~+进行组合分析,发现汾河入河口样地(S12)的期望值较小,河津市汾河25号坝样地(S8)、闸西侧样地(S9)和万荣县西范控导工程西侧样地(S10)的期望值较大,说明样地S12的物种分类学多样性较大且物种分布较为均一,样地S8、S9、S10则与之相反。Pearson检验结果显示,平均分类学差异指数(Δ~+)、分类学差异变异指数(Λ~+)与Shannon-Wiener指数、Pielou指数、Simpson指数、Patrick指数间均无稳定的相关关系(P0.05)。     

Estimation of minimum area requirement of river‐connected lakes for fish diversity conservation in the Yangtze River floodplain

Aim Hydrological disconnection of floodplains from rivers is among the top factors threatening river‐floodplain ecosystems. To keep enough floodplain area is of great importance to biodiversity conservation. In the Yangtze River floodplain, most lakes were disconnected from the mainstream by dams in 1950–1970s. By analysing fish diversity data, we aim at determining the effects of river‐lake disconnection on fish diversity, at estimating the minimum protected area of river‐connected lakes and at proposing a holistic strategy for fish conservation in the mid‐lower reaches of the river. Location The Yangtze River floodplain, China. Methods We collected recorded data of fish diversity of 30 Yangtze floodplain lakes. Species–area relationships were analysed and compared between river‐connected and river‐disconnected lakes. Cumulative species–area models were constructed to estimate the minimum protected area of river‐connected lakes. Results River‐lake disconnection reduced fish diversity of Yangtze lakes by 38.1%, so that the river‐connected lakes play an important role in maintaining the floodplain biodiversity. The minimum protected area of river‐connected lakes was estimated to be 14,400 km². Therefore, we should not only protect the existent connected lakes of 5500 km², but also reconnect disconnected lakes of at least 8900 km² in the Yangtze basin. Main conclusions Species–area relationships are of importance in reserve design. We suggest that cumulative species–area model might be more suitable for ecosystems with high connectivity among regions such as floodplains. As the Yangtze River floodplain is an integrative ecosystem, we suggest establishing a holistic nature reserve in the mid‐lower basin for effective conservation of biodiversity.     

THE YANGTZE RIVER-FLOODPLAIN ECOSYSTEM: MULTIPLE THREATS AND HOLISTIC CONSERVATION北大核心CSCD

The Yangtze (Changjiang) river-floodplain is one of the most important ecosystems in China and the world, but is seriously threatened by multiple stresses. Thus, it is crucial and urgent to rehabilitate and conserve the river-floodplain. This paper reviews ecological studies conducted on the Yangtze river-floodplain, and presents suggestions for conservation and rehabilitation. First, basic concepts and research advances of riverscape and hydrological connectivity are introduced. Second, the history and current status of the Yangtze River system are summarized. Before 23 Ma, the Yangtze River cut through the Three Gorges, forming the river much like the modern one. Numerous rivers, streams, lakes (the total area 15770 km2 at present) and wetlands are distributed in the mid-lower Yangtze river-flood-plain. Such a river-lake complex ecosystem holds a unique and diverse biota, and is the most important fishery area of China. Third, main threats to the Yangtze river-floodplain ecosystem are identified, i.e., a) habitat loss, including river channelization, sharp shrinkage of lake area (ca. 10000 km2 since the 1950s), degradation of lakeshore zones and sand over-mining; b) alternations of hydrological regimes, including construction of ca. 47000 reservoirs and disconnection of most lakes from the mainstem; c) water pollution, including eutrophication, heavy metals, organic pollutants and microplastic; d) overexploitation of biological resources, including overfishing and intensive pen culture. Fourth, effects of river-lake disconnection on lake ecosystems are summarized. It was found that a) disconnection is one of the main causes of lake eutrophication; b) species diversity, biomass, production of macrophytes and macrobenthos reach maxima at some levels of intermediate river connectivity; c) disconnection greatly reduces fish species richness of each habitat guild, and natural fish larvae is severely depleted; d) disconnection simplifies macroinvertebrate food web structure, and trophic basis is more heavily relied on detritus in disconnected lakes. Last, conservation strategies are proposed. Since the Yangtze river-floodplain is a huge integrated system, the biodiversity conservation must be conducted on the whole basin scale. By establishing species-area models of fishes, the minimum protected area of Yangtze-connected lakes is estimated to be ca. 14400 km2. It means that at least 8900 km2 of disconnected lakes should be reconnected with the Yangtze mainstem, and ecohydrological operation of dams and sluices is the feasible approach. Based upon our studies on environmental flow requirements, the following measures are suggested: a) lower water levels during spring to improve germination of macrophytes, and control rising rates of water levels during spring-summer to ensure development of macrophytes; b) open sluice gates to restore migration routes for juveniles migrating into lakes during April-September, and for adults migrating back to the Yangtze mainstem during November-December. © 2019, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved.     

鄱阳湖鱼类多样性的时空变化特征研究

研究基于2010年4月、7月和2018年8月、2019年5月在鄱阳湖9个区域的鱼类多样性调查数据,分析鱼类物种多样性、功能多样性和分类差异指数的时空变化以及其与环境之间的关系,了解鄱阳湖近十年来鱼类群落多样性的时空变化特征。结果显示, 2010年和2018—2019年分别调查到鱼类74种和93种,群落结构差异显著(P<0.05),差异贡献率最高的物种为短颌鲚、似鳊、鲫、光泽黄颡鱼和鲤;水温、总悬浮物和叶绿素等环境因素具有显著的年际和季节差异(P<0.05)。与2010年相比, 2018—2019年鱼类物种多样性和功能多样性指数有一定增加,分类差异指数没有显著变化。分类差异指数的随机检验显示(Randomization test),与2010年相比, 2018—2019年位于95%概率置信范围下方的区域增加。水温、总悬浮物和叶绿素等环境因素对物种多样性、功能多样性和分类差异指数有显著的影响(P<0.05)。结果表明,近十年来,鄱阳湖鱼类群落结构发生明显改变,但是小型鱼类依旧是优势种,鱼类群落小型化明显,主要原因可能是过度捕捞的影响。同时,鄱阳湖的人类活动干扰增大,鄱阳县...     

Taxonomic diversity as complementary information to assess plant species diversity in secondary vegetation and primary tropical deciduous forest

Question: Species diversity is commonly expressed as the number of species present in an area, but this unique value assumes that all species contribute equally to the area's biodiversity. Can taxonomic diversity be used as a complementary measure for species richness in order to assess plant biodiversity in remnants of primary forest and patches of secondary vegetation? Location: Veracruz, Mexico. Methods: Using data from six sampling transects of each vegetation type in an elevation gradient (400‐900 m a.s.l.), we compare the point, mean and cumulative floristic diversity of primary forest and secondary vegetation in a tropical deciduous landscape, using species richness and two measures of taxonomic diversity: average taxonomic distinctness (Δ+) and variation in taxonomic distinctness (Λ+). We performed a randomization test to detect differences in the observed taxonomic diversity, from the expected values derived from the species pool of each vegetation type. Results: We found that the species of secondary vegetation are more closely related at low taxonomic levels (lower Δ+ value) than the species of primary forest remnants. Also, in secondary vegetation the distribution of species is uneven among the taxonomic levels and units (high Λ+ value). These patterns are consistent for point, mean and cumulative taxonomic diversity. Families Asteraceae, Euphorbiaceae, Fabaceae and Poaceae are over‐represented, while families Bromeliaceae, Cactaceae, Orchidaceae and Pteridaceae are under‐represented in secondary vegetation. Conclusions: Although in a previous paper we concluded that secondary vegetation is more alpha‐diverse than primary forest (in terms of both cumulative and mean species richness), and beta‐diversity between vegetation types is notoriously high, we now provide a wider view by highlighting the importance of taxonomic diversity in primary forest remnants. Our data indicate that to measure biodiversity accurately, we should seek to capture its different facets. This will allow us to make conservation recommendations based on a broader view, and not on a single dimension.     

Taxonomic distinctness indices for discriminating patterns in freshwater rotifer assemblages

Taxonomic distinctness indices measure the taxonomic relatedness among species and have been used for environmental assessment to detect disturbed habitats. This is the first application of the Average Taxonomic Distinctness (Δ⁺) and Variance in Taxonomic Distinctness (Λ⁺) indices to the presence/absence data of rotifer communities to examine their sensitiveness in discriminating perturbed environments. The 26 Greek lakes studied spanned a wide range of morphological and physical–chemical characteristics. Δ⁺ was significantly correlated (P < 0.05) with maximum depth, salinity and trophic state, while Λ⁺ was correlated only with salinity. The index Δ⁺ identified lakes characterized by periods of increased salinity. Communities in these lakes were less diverse, consisting of more closely related species as seen by the reduced number of families than other lakes with similar species richness. Lakes identified by Λ⁺ had a higher community distinctness than expected due to the overrepresentation of the family Brachionidae; they were also characterized by periods of water-level fluctuations. Both indices were unaffected by sampling effort in terms of number of species and sampling visits; whereas Shannon diversity index (H′) was correlated to species number. Also, based on the randomization test, the taxonomic distinctness indices differentiated lakes anthropogenically disturbed based on the expected patterns of diversity of the area.

     

Measuring ecosystem degradation through half a century of fish species introductions and extirpations in a large isolated lake

The introduction of exotic species and the extirpation of native species that occurred during the past two centuries have strongly modified the structure of most plant and animal assemblages across the globe. Such a biotic change is particularly marked in isolated environments such as islands or isolated lakes. Most studies reported drastic changes between before and after human disturbances, but the dynamics of change in assemblage structure through the invasion and extirpation processes are rarely reported. Here we measured the aquatic ecosystem degradation through exotic species introduction and native species extirpation experienced by Lake Erhai (China) during the last 50 years using structural, functional and taxonomic distinctness biodiversity indices. Structural diversity (species richness) did not varied monotonically along the temporal gradient, due to an opposite trend between exotic species increase and a concomitant decline of native species richness. Functional diversity displayed unclear ascending trends driven by the introduction of exotic species having distinct functional traits than natives. Taxonomic distinctness indices exhibited an increase of the average taxonomic distinctness (Δ⁺), but a decrease of the variation in taxonomic distinctness (Λ⁺) through time. Structural, functional and distinctness indices providing complementary information on ecosystem degradation, we here proposed a new multifaceted degradation index integrating these three facets of biodiversity. Such an index provided an accurate representation of the faunistic changes experienced by Lake Erhai and might constitute a comprehensive way to measure ecosystem degradation through exotic fish species introductions and native fish species extirpations.     

Linking ecology with parasite diversity in Neotropical fishes

A comparative analysis was performed to seek large-scale patterns in the relationships between a set of fish species traits (body size, type of environment, trophic level, schooling behaviour, depth range, mean habitat temperature, geographical range, ability to enter brackish waters and capability of migration) and the diversity of their metazoan parasite assemblages among 651 Neotropical fish species. Two measurements of parasite diversity are used: the species richness and the taxonomic distinctness of a fish's parasite assemblage, including all metazoan parasites, ectoparasites only, or endoparasites only. The results showed that, on this scale, the average taxonomic distinctness of parasite assemblages was clearly more sensitive to the influence of host traits than parasite species richness. Differences in the taxonomic diversification of the parasite assemblages of different fish species were mainly related to the fish's environment (higher values in benthic–demersal species), trophic level (positive correlation with increasing level), temperature (positive correlation with temperature in marine ectoparasites, negative in endoparasites; positive for all groups of parasites in freshwater fishes) and oceanic distribution (higher values in fish species from the Pacific Ocean than those of the Atlantic). The results suggest that, among Neotropical fish species, only certain key host traits have influenced the processes causing the taxonomic diversification of parasite assemblages.     

Seasonal variations in macrobenthic taxonomic diversity and the application of taxonomic distinctness indices in Bohai Bay,northern China

Taxonomic diversity indices have a number of desirable properties as indicators in the assessment of environmental quality, and have become an important measure in biodiversity studies. Macrobenthic taxonomic variations were studied in Bohai Bay, northern China, an area under threat from rapid human development. Four seasonal cruise datasets were collected between 2006 and 2007. Environmental conditions exhibited large fluctuations due to human development; nitrogen and phosphorus were the main environmental stressors. A total of 97 macrofauna taxa were identified belonging to 88 genera, 72 families, 36 orders, 14 classes, and nine phyla. Analysis of similarity indicated that there were significant assemblage differences across sampling stations as well as seasons. Four taxonomic indices, taxonomic diversity (Δ), taxonomic distinctness (Δ*), average taxonomic distinctness (Δ⁺), and variation in taxonomic distinctness (Λ⁺) were calculated using abundance data. Among the stations and seasons, there were greater variations in both Δ and Λ⁺ than in Δ* and Δ⁺. The funnel plot of Δ⁺ could identify disturbed stations to some extent, but was not always a strong indicator of disturbance. The Δ⁺ performance was better in autumn than in spring, but could not identify a disturbed station in autumn due to a low number of species. The efficiency of taxonomic distinctness may depend on taxa or the pollution indicators. Taxonomic distinctness indices can be effective at assessing environmental degradation when correctly applied; however, they are unsuitable for directly assessing environmental quality in a new area prior to efficiency testing.     

Patterns in freshwater diatom taxonomic distinctness along an eutrophication gradient

1. A variety of species richness measures have been used to assess the effects of environmental degradation on biodiversity. Such measures can be highly influenced by sample size, sampling effort, habitat type or complexity, however, and typically do not show monotonic responses to human impact. In addition to being independent of the degree of sampling effort involved in data acquisition, effective measures of biodiversity should reflect the degree of taxonomical relatedness among species within ecological assemblages and provide a basis for understanding observed diversity for a particular habitat type. Taxonomic diversity or distinctness indices emphasize the average taxonomic relatedness (i.e. degree of taxonomical closeness) between species in a community. 2. Eutrophication of freshwater ecosystems, mainly due to the increased availability of nutrients, notably phosphorus, has become a major environmental problem. Two measures of taxonomic distinctness (Average Taxonomic Distinctness and Variation in Taxonomic Distinctness) were applied to surface sediment diatoms from 45 lakes across the island of Ireland to examine whether taxonomic distinctness and nutrient enrichment were significantly related at a regional scale. The lakes span a range of concentrations of epilimnic total phosphorus (TP) and were grouped into six different types, based on depth and alkalinity levels, and three different categories according to trophic state (ultra‐oligotrophic and oligotrophic; mesotrophic; and eutrophic and hyper‐eutrophic). 3. The taxonomic distinctness measures revealed significant differences among lakes in the three different classes of trophic state, with nutrient‐rich lakes generally more taxonomically diverse than nutrient‐poor lakes. This implies that enrichment of oligotrophic lakes does not necessarily lead to a reduction in taxonomic diversity, at least as expressed by the indices used here. Furthermore, taxonomic distinctness was highly variable across the six different lake types regardless of nutrient level. 4. Results indicate that habitat availability and physical structure within the study lakes also exert a strong influence on the pattern of taxonomic diversity. Overall the results highlight problems with the use of taxonomic diversity measures for detecting impacts of freshwater eutrophication based on diatom assemblages.     

Can taxonomic distinctness assess anthropogenic impacts in inland waters? A case study from a Mediterranean river basin

1. It is increasingly recognised that adequate measures of biodiversity should include information on the ‘relatedness’ of species within ecological assemblages, or the phylogenetic levels at which diversity is expressed. Taxonomic distinctness measures provide a series of indices to achieve this, which are independent of sample size. Taxonomic distinctness has been employed widely in marine systems, where it has been suggested that this index can provide a reliable measure of anthropogenic impact. 2. We tested the behaviour of three related taxonomic distinctiveness indices (Average Taxonomic Distinctness, Δ⁺; Variation in Taxonomic Distinctness, Λ⁺; and Total Taxonomic Distinctness, sΔ⁺) in relation to putative levels of anthropogenic impact in inland waters and their potential utility in environmental monitoring, using an extensive data set for aquatic beetles from the south‐east of the Iberian Peninsula. 3. Taxonomic distinctness measures were not able to identify human disturbance effects and there were no clear relationships between these new biodiversity measures and the disturbance level recorded at individual localities. Furthermore, the taxonomic distinctness measures used were apparently less sensitive to the effects of anthropogenic impact than other diversity metrics, such as species richness and rarity. 4. We conclude that taxonomic distinctness indices may not always perform as well as other metrics in the assessment of environmental quality. In addition, taxonomic distinctness measure should be interpreted with caution, as their performance and ability to detect anthropogenic disturbance may depend on the phylogenetic structure of sampled taxa within a region, and their evolutionary and ecological history.