Global climate patterns explain range-wide synchronicity in survival of a migratory seabird

To predict the impact of climate change over the whole species distribution range, comparison of adult survival variations over large spatial scale is of primary concern for long-lived species populations that are particularly susceptible to decline if adult survival is reduced. In this study, we estimated and compared adult survival rates between 1989 and 1997 of six populations of Cory's shearwater ( Calonectris diomedea ) spread across 4600 km using capture–recapture models. We showed that mean annual adult survival rates are different among populations along a longitudinal gradient and between sexes. Variation in adult survival is synchronized among populations, with three distinct groups: (1) both females and males of Corsica, Tremiti, and Selvagem (annual survival range 0.88–0.96); (2) both females and males of Frioul and females from Crete (0.82–0.92); and (3) both females and males of Malta and males from Crete (0.74–0.88). The total variation accounted for by the common pattern of variation is on average 71%, suggesting strong environmental forcing. At least 61% of the variation in survival is explained by the Southern Oscillation Index fluctuations. We suggested that Atlantic hurricanes and storms during La Niña years may increase adult mortality for Cory's shearwater during winter months. For long-lived seabird species, variation in adult survival is buffered against environmental variability, although extreme climate conditions such as storms significantly affect adult survival. The effect of climate at large spatial scales on adult survival during the nonbreeding period may lead to synchronization of variation in adult survival over the species' range and has large effects on the meta-population trends. One can thus worry about the future of such long-lived seabirds species under the predictions of higher frequency of extreme large-scale climatic events.     

Effects of an experimental drought on the functioning of a cacao agroforestry system,Sulawesi, Indonesia

Agroforestry systems may play a critical role in reducing the vulnerability of farmers' livelihood to droughts as tree‐based systems provide several mechanisms that can mitigate the impacts from extreme weather events. Here, we use a replicated throughfall reduction experiment to study the drought response of a cacao/Gliricidia stand over a 13‐month period. Soil water content was successfully reduced down to a soil depth of at least 2.5 m. Contrary to our expectations we measured only relatively small nonsignificant changes in cacao (?11%) and Gliricidia (?12%) sap flux densities, cacao leaf litterfall (+8%), Gliricidia leaf litterfall (?2%), soil carbon dioxide efflux (?14%), and cacao yield (?10%) during roof closure. However, cacao bean yield in roof plots was substantially lower (?45%) compared with control plots during the main harvest following the period when soil water content was lowest. This indicates that cacao bean yield was more sensitive to drought than other ecosystem functions. We found evidence in this agroforest that there is complementary use of soil water resources through vertical partitioning of water uptake between cacao and Gliricidia. This, in combination with acclimation may have helped cacao trees to cope with the induced drought. Cacao agroforests may thus play an important role as a drought‐tolerant land use in those (sub‐) tropical regions where the frequency and severity of droughts is projected to increase.     

INÄQUIVALVER SCHALENBAU BEI CRANIA ANOMALA

As a result of attachment over its entire surface, the ventral valve of the brachiopod Crania anomala (Müiller) differs from the dorsal valve not only in growth form, time sequence of calcification, and distribution of endopuncta, but also (withoutap-parent functional reason) in ultrastructure. The secondary layer of the dorsal valve grows together from flat crystals (up to 5μ. diameter) showing screw-like dislocations. The same layer of the ventral valve is formed later and has an irregular structure. Spiral crystals are not secreted in the ventral valve until the adult growth-stage is attained. The periostracum and primary layer are developed in both valves in a normal fashion. Fossil representatives, in which the ventral valve is partly or completely free, show the same ultrastructure in both valves.
Infolge ganzflächiger Anheftung weicht die Ventralklappe von Crania anomala (Müller) nicht nur in Wuchsform, zeitlichem Ablauf der Kalzifikation und Verteilung der Endopuncta von der Dorsalklappe ab, sondern ohne erkennbare funktionelle Gründe auch in der Ultrastruktur. Während die Sekundärschicht in der Dorsalklappe aus spezifischen, bis 5μ. Großen Kristallen mit Schrauben-versetzungen zusammenwächst, wird sie in der Ventralklappe verzögert und mit regelloser Struktur angelegt. Erst in adulten Wachstumsstadien können auch in der Ventralklappe spiralige Kristalle abgeschieden werden. Periostrakum und Primärschicht sind bei C. anomala normal entwickelt. Fossile Anpassungstypen der Craniacea, deren Ventralklappen nur punktförmig oder überhaupt nicht zementiert sind, zeigen in beiden Klappen dieselbe Ultrastruktur.     

Strong genetic differentiation and postglacial origin of populations in the marine midge Clunio marinus (Chironomidae,Diptera)

The marine midge Clunio marinus (Chironomidae, Diptera) is characterized by a one‐dimensional distribution along the European Atlantic coast, where its lunar and circadian emergence rhythms are genetically adapted to the local tidal regimes, resulting in a series of ‘temporal races’. Clunio marinus is restricted to rocky coasts and thus the temporal races occur in different rocky patches. We studied 10 populations of Clunio marinus from five different regions, spanning the major rocky mainland coasts from Spain to Norway, using amplified fragment length polymorphisms (AFLP), microsatellites and mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I (COI) sequences. Star‐like patterns of COI haplotypes within regions indicate postglacial colonization. A high degree of shared polymorphisms in AFLP markers suggests colonization from a single source, implying postglacial evolution of timing adaptations in relation to the local tidal regime. In contrast, no COI haplotypes are shared among regions. We hypothesize that different levels of differentiation of nuclear vs. mitochondrial markers in the source region were carried forward during postglacial expansion. Despite the recent origin of populations, all markers reveal distinct genetic differentiation between rocky coasts on a scale of 650–1150 km. Differentiation between rocky coasts is not correlated to timing adaptations, suggesting that geographic isolation is prevalent between rocky coasts and that this facilitated the evolution of local timing adaptations. At the same time there is little genetic differentiation within rocky coasts on a scale of 2–6 km; leaving open the possibility that within rocky coasts with large variation in tidal regimes, temporal adaptations evolved in the face of gene flow.     

Laser-Interferometric Re-examination of Rapid Conductance of Excitation in Mimosa pudica

The correlation between electrical excitation and turgor changesin plants has been investigated with a novel combination ofan electrometer and a laser-interferometer. With a resolutionof about 10 nm, no significant correlation could be detectedbetween the passage of action potentials and physical movementin the excitation conducting stem of Mimosa pudica. Apart frommarginal observations, the results render an hydraulic conductanceof excitation unlikely; they rather confirm the primary roleof electrical events in rapid conductance of excitation in higherplants. Key words: Laser-interferometer, turgor movement, action potential, osmotic relations