Modeling Daphnia population dynamics and demography under natural conditions

Various approaches to modeling the population dynamics and demography of Daphnia have been published. These methods range from the simple egg-ratio method, to mathematically complex models based on partial differential equations and numerically complex individual-based Daphnia population models. The usefulness of these models in unraveling the population dynamics and demography of Daphnia under natural conditions is discussed. Next to this, an extended version of an existing individual-based Daphnia model is documented (Cladosim) and its application to a typical field data set collected in 1995 in Lake Volkerak is shown. To answer the question which factor was limiting Daphnia numbers during the course of the season food level and temperature in the model were varied and results were compared with those obtained for the observed food level and temperature. These analysis showed that in April temperature was limiting while during May–July and September–October food was limiting. In August neither temperature nor food was limiting. Analysis with a set of size-selective mortality scenarios showed that on average the Daphnia population in Lake Volkerak experienced a mild positive size-selective mortality during the year that was analyzed. Birth rates derived with the detailed individual-based model were compared with those derived with the much simpler egg-ratio method. For the conditions as observed in Lake Volkerak in 1995, both methods gave very comparable results, despite sampling intervals of up to four weeks. The same holds under the environmental scenarios. Using the size-selective mortality scenarios it could be shown, however, that under strong mortality of the smaller daphnids, the egg-ratio method severely underestimates the birth rate. The vices and virtues of the new model and potential extensions are discussed.     

The distributions and effects of nutrients in the sediments of a shallow eutrophic Chinese lake

The temporal and spatial distribution of total nitrogen and total phosphate in the sediments of a shallow eutrophic Chinese lake (Lake Chao), and their relationships with the physical and chemical features of sediments, and their effects on the lake water quality and trophic state, are presented in this paper. The following results were obtained: (1) higher concentration of Tot-N and Tot-P in the sediments occurred in the summer and the autumn seasons; (2) higher annual average Tot-N and Tot-P concentrations were observed in the sediments near the various river mouths and in the western part of the lake; (3) Tot-N and Tot-P concentration in the lake sediments generally increased with increase in lake sediment Eh, pH, and Al₂O₃, and declined with decrease in lake sediment size diameters and SiO₂; and, (4) correlations were observed in both the temporal and spatial distributions between the trophic state, Tot-N and Tot-P concentration in the lake water, and the Tot-N and Tot-P concentration found in the lake sediments.     

Biological diversity of the Yala Swamp lakes, with special emphasis on fish species composition, in relation to changes in the Lake Victoria Basin (Kenya): threats and conservation measures

During the second half of the last century, the Lake Victoria ecosystem has undergone drastic ecological changes. Most notable has been the decline in the populations of many endemic cichlid fishes. The lake has lost nearly 200 haplochromines and one tilapiine, Oreochromis esculentus. The above changes have been attributed to effects of species stocking and, in particular, from predation pressure by the introduced Nile perch, Lates niloticus. Other factors that have led to the decline of the endemic species include intensive non-selective fishing, extreme changes in the drainage basin, increased eutrophication, and the invasion of the lake by the water hyacinth, Eichhornia crassipes. However, the remnants of some species that had disappeared from Lake Victoria occur abundantly in the Yala Swamp lakes (Kanyaboli, Sare and Namboyo). This paper discusses the biodiversity of the swamp and the three lakes and gives suggestions for their conservation.     

浙江千岛湖浮游动物群落多样性研究

1999年1～12月对浙江千岛湖浮游动物的群落结构,包括密度多样性和生物量多样性进行了 系统研究。轮虫类的多样性指数最高,并且当湖泊在一定的营养水平范围内（贫营养型向中 营养型过渡）时,轮虫的密度多样性与湖泊的营养水平呈现相同的变化趋势。以时间和空间 为参照,对千岛湖两种浮游动物多样性指数与群落因素之间进行了相关分析,得到相关关系 如下：月变化密度多样性＝-0.922+4.521×密度均匀度,n=12, r=0.872, p<0.001;生物量多样性=1.99-0.348×透明生物量,n=12, r=-0.868, p<0.01;水平变化密度多样性＝2.35+0.008×种类数, n=10, r=0.672, p<0.05;生物量多样性=2.88-1.739×生物量优势度, n=10, r=-0.826, p<0.01。     

白洋淀原生动物群落多样性变化与水质关系研究

报道了大型浅水型湖泊原生动物群落变化与富营养化关系的研究,通过对华北平原最大淡水湖-河北白洋淀两个湖区9个采样站的初步调查,共鉴定出77种原生动物,其中43种为该湖首次记录：利用PFU原生动物群落结构和功能方法快速（两次实验的群集速度均为1d时间）监测了不同湖区的水质状况,水质分析及原生动物定性和定量调查结果表明,湖区Ⅰ（安州至枣林庄5个采样点）水体的污染程度明显大于湖区Ⅱ（圈头至端村4个采样站）,通过与20世纪50年代的调查资料比较,较好地反映了白洋淀富营养化的发展趋势。     

扁担塘螺类生产力的研究Ⅱ、纹沼螺的周年生产量

采用四种方法对扁担塘纹沼螺的周年生产量进行了测算,结果表明,四种方法得到的生产量吻合极好。生产量的去壳干重和带壳湿重分别是体长频度法,178.07mg     

武汉东湖不同湖区底泥总磷含量及变化的研究

以武汉东湖为对象,研究了1998.03—1999.02期间不同营养水平湖区底泥中(0—5cm,5—10cm)总磷的含量及季节动态。6个站平均总磷含量为1.15mg/g,同80年代初相比,Ⅰ、Ⅱ站底泥中总磷含量分别增高1.42倍和1.03倍。受污水排放影响较重的0站磷含量高达2.78mg/g,而受污水排放影响较小的Ⅳ、Ⅴ站仅分别为0.52mg/g和0.50mg/g。东湖底泥中磷年平均含量与湖水中磷年平均浓度相关系数极高(r=0.997,n=5,p＜0.02)。通过对不同湖泊的底泥磷含量、水柱磷含量和外源负荷的比较和相关分析可以看出,水柱中磷含量较高,磷负荷较大的湖泊底泥中磷含量也高。可以预测,即使东湖的外源负荷得以控制,巨大的底泥磷内源负荷将会继续对东湖水质构成威胁。     

Microsatellite data reveals weak population substructuring in Copadichromis sp.'virginalis kajose', a demersal cichlid from Lake Malawi, Africa

Small but significant differences were found in allele frequencies among five populations (overall F _ST estimate (θ)=0·004, P=0·006; overall R _ST estimate (RHO)=0·019, P <0·00001) of the demersal cichlid Copadichromis sp.'virginalis kajose', collected from five locations in Lake Malawi. Pairwise F _ST estimates revealed significant differences between the most southerly population (Cape Maclear), and the three most northerly populations (Mbamba Bay, Metangula and Chilola). Pairwise R _ST estimates also revealed significant differences between some populations, but no geographical pattern was discernible. There was no evidence of isolation by distance using either the shortest straight-line distance between samples, or the distance around the shoreline following a 50 m depth contour. F _ST estimates were considerably lower than found in previous studies on the mbuna (rock-dwelling species), but higher than those found in a study of three pelagic cichlid species from Lake Malawi. Substructuring in C. sp.'virginalis kajose' appears to be on a similar scale to the Atlantic cod.     

Sperm size of African cichlids in relation to sperm competition

We compared pairs of closely related taxa of cichlid fishesfrom Lake Tanganyika to examine the relationship between spermsize and the presumed intensity of sperm competition. In contrastto previous reports of relatively short sperm in polygamousfishes across a variety of taxa, we found that polygamous cichlidshad significantly longer sperm than their closest monogamousrelatives. In addition, sperm length was significantly relatedto relative testis size (controlling for body size and phylogeny).The site of fertilization may also be correlated with spermlength, as species that fertilize in the female's buccal cavityhad significantly shorter sperm than those that fertilizedeggs on the substrate. Assuming that relatively large testesand polygamous mating are indicative of more intense sperm competition, these results indicate that sperm length is related to the intensityof sperm competition in this clade of cichlids, as has beenfound previously in insects, birds, and mammals.     

A Synoptic Ecopath model of biomass flows during two different static ecological situations in Lake Nakuru (Kenya)

Trophic relationships inside the Lake Nakuru ecosystem during two different phases are described by using the ECOPATH model. This allows a partial explanation of the ecological changes observed in the lake and to show that this apparently unstable ecosystem is characterized by constant transfer efficiencies within the existing trophic levels.