Features of Temporal Differentiation of the Chum Salmon Oncorhynchus ketaof the Anadyr Bay Region at Different Abundance Levels

The temporal heterogeneity of chum salmon stock of the Anadyr Bay region was investigated on the basis of a set of discrete external morphological features and fluctuating asymmetry level of some meristic structures. Differentiation of Anadyr Bay chum salmon during the spawning run was found to be associated with the abundance level of spawning stock in a particular year. Sharply pronounced temporal heterogeneity, based on the investigated characteristics, in the area near the river mouth can be considered as an indicator of the subsequent deficiency of spawners on the spawning grounds of rivers in the Anadyr Bay region.     

SUMMER DIVING BEHAVIOR OF MALE WALRUSES IN BRISTOL BAY, ALASKA

Pacific walruses ( Odobenus rosmarus divergens ) make trips from ice or land haul-out sites to forage for benthic prey. We describe dive and trip characteristics from time-depth-recorder data collected over a one-month period during summer from four male Pacific walruses in Bristol Bay, Alaska. Dives were classified into four types. Shallow (4 m), short (2.7 min), square-shaped dives accounted for 11% of trip time, and many were probably associated with traveling. Shallow (2 m) and very short (0.5 min) dives composed only 1% of trip time. Deep (41 m), long (7.2 min), square-shaped dives accounted for 46% of trip time and were undoubtedly associated with benthic foraging. V-shaped dives ranged widely in depth, were of moderate duration (4.7 min), and composed 3% of trip time. These dives may have been associated with navigation or exploration of the seafloor for potential prey habitat. Surface intervals between dives were similar among dive types, and generally lasted 1–2 min. Total foraging time was strongly correlated with trip duration and there was no apparent diel pattern of diving in any dive type among animals. We found no correlation between dive duration and postdive surface interval within dive types, suggesting that diving occurred within aerobic dive limits. Trip duration varied considerably within and among walruses (0.3–9.4 d), and there was evidence that some of the very short trips were unrelated to foraging. Overall, walruses were in the water for 76.6% of the time, of which 60.3% was spent diving.     

Mercury contamination and stable isotopes reveal variability in foraging ecology of generalist California gulls

Environmental contaminants are a concern for animal health, but contaminant exposure can also be used as a tracer of foraging ecology. In particular, mercury (Hg) concentrations are highly variable among aquatic and terrestrial food webs as a result of habitat- and site-specific biogeochemical processes that produce the bioaccumulative form, methylmercury (MeHg). We used stable isotopes and total Hg (THg) concentrations of a generalist consumer, the California gull (Larus californicus), to examine foraging ecology and illustrate the utility of using Hg contamination as an ecological tracer under certain conditions. We identified four main foraging clusters of gulls during pre-breeding and breeding, using a traditional approach based on light stable isotopes. The foraging cluster with the highest δ¹⁵N and δ³⁴S values in gulls (cluster 4) had mean blood THg concentrations 614% (pre-breeding) and 250% (breeding) higher than gulls with the lowest isotope values (cluster 1). Using a traditional approach of stable-isotope mixing models, we showed that breeding birds with a higher proportion of garbage in their diet (cluster 2: 63–82% garbage) corresponded to lower THg concentrations and lower δ¹⁵N and δ³⁴S values. In contrast, gull clusters with higher THg concentrations, which were more enriched in ¹⁵N and ³⁴S isotopes, consumed a higher proportion of more natural, estuarine prey. δ³⁴S values, which change markedly across the terrestrial to marine habitat gradient, were positively correlated with blood THg concentrations in gulls. The linkage we observed between stable isotopes and THg concentrations suggests that Hg contamination can be used as an additional tool for understanding animal foraging across coastal habitat gradients.     

Morphological indices and otolith microstructure of Atlantic croaker,Micropogonias undulatus,as indicators of habitat quality along an estuarine pollution gradient

Synopsis Atlantic croaker, Micropogonias undulatus, sampled from a transect along a pollution gradient show a trend of declining growth and physical condition. This trend is apparent in the mean size of 0-group croaker, in their recent growth rate measured by marginal otolith increment widths, in longer term growth rate as indicated by relative otolith weights, and in general physical condition as measured by an index of condition of the caudal fin. We suggest that these measures are indicators of stress associated with environmental conditions. Because croaker from different positions along the pollution gradient were distinguishable, it appears that they remain for extended periods within areas of degraded environmental quality.     

珠江口伶仃洋中华白海豚栖息地利用对海岸线等变迁的响应

沿岸鲸豚类栖息地易受人类活动的干扰，导致其分布和核心栖息地发生变化。珠江口-漠阳江口中华白海豚种群是目前所知全球范围内最大的种群，其中伶仃洋水域是其重要的栖息地。近年来，珠江口伶仃洋周边城市发展带来的人类活动增加，白海豚的生存压力日益增大，分析伶仃洋中华白海豚对栖息地环境变化的响应，研究对应的保护策略显得非常迫切。以多源陆地资源卫星Landsat为数据源，通过影像分析近43年珠江口伶仃洋围填海造成的海域流失，结合近20年来采用截线抽样法收集的海豚观测数据，运用含障碍核插值（Kernel interpolation with barriers）方法，分析白海豚的分布及核心栖息地的变化。结果显示：1986-2015年期间，研究区域内流失的海域面积为344.08km²；目击分布离人工海岸线的平均距离大于自然海岸线的平均距离，目击分布到自然海岸线和人工海岸线的平均距离均在减小，表明过去20年白海豚的栖息地使用选择发生了一些变化，被迫适应人类活动的干扰；1997-2016年白海豚的分布范围呈现先增加后减小，白海豚栖息地使用的重心偏向伶仃洋东部水域，核心栖息地趋向主航道和无人海岛附近水域萎缩，可能是海豚因海域食物资源减少而迫不得已的选择。不同时期，珠江口中华白海豚国家级自然保护区所覆盖的核心栖息地比例呈递减趋势，占比由79.9%下降到49.4%，当前有必要对保护区范围和功能区作出一些优化调整，以适应栖息地使用的变化格局。     

Method for the appraisal of anthropogenic disturbance of macrozoobenthic communities of soft substrata

A method for quantitative appraisal of disturbances of macrobenthic communities of soft substrata caused by anthropogenic pollution is proposed. This method is based on the establishment of the dependence of various parameters characterizing the abundance and structure of communities (biomass, population density, number of species, Shannon-Weaver and Pielou indices, etc.) on the level of total contamination of bottom sediments. Using the percentage of deviation of abundance parameters and ecological indices from the norm (the initial horizontal segment of model curves), as well as ERL _q and ERM _q values, which limit the area of progressive degradation of bottom communities (an almost linear drop in abundance and structure characters), is suggested as a numerical characteristic of such deformations. Mapping of aqueous areas on the basis of these characteristics enabled us to obtain a synoptic view of the extent and spatial scale of anthropogenic impacts. An example of the application of this method for assessment of the state of benthic communities in the Peter the Great Bay (Sea of Japan) is shown for the end of the 1980s. The method is verified on the basis of comparison with the results obtained by standard methods of appraisal of the ecological status of macrozoobenthic communities.     

Recovery of the Chesapeake Bay Bald Eagle Nesting Population

Abstract We conducted annual aerial surveys throughout the tidal reach of the Chesapeake Bay, USA, between 1977 and 2001 to estimate population size and reproductive performance for bald eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus). The population increased exponentially from 73 to 601 pairs with an average doubling time of 8.2 years. Annual population increase was highly variable and exhibited no indication of any systematic decline. A total of 7,590 chicks were produced from 5,685 breeding attempts during this period. The population has exhibited tremendous forward momentum such that >50% of young produced over the 25-year period were produced in the last 6 years. Rapid population growth may reflect the combined benefits of eliminating persistent biocides and active territory management. Reproductive rate along with associated success rate and average brood size increased throughout the study period. Average reproductive rate (chicks/breeding attempt) increased from 0.82 during the first 5 years of the survey to 1.50 during the last 5 years. Average success rate increased from 54.4% to >80.0% during the same time periods. The overall population will likely reach saturation within the next decade. The availability of undeveloped waterfront property has become the dominant limiting factor for bald eagles in the Chesapeake Bay. Maintaining the eagle population in the face of a rapidly expanding human population will continue to be the greatest challenge faced by wildlife biologists.     

Seasonal Synechococcus and Thaumarchaeal population dynamics examined with high resolution with remote in situ instrumentation

Monterey Bay, CA is an Eastern boundary upwelling system that is nitrogen limited much of the year. In order to resolve population dynamics of microorganisms important for nutrient cycling in this region, we deployed the Environmental Sample Processor with quantitative PCR assays targeting both ribosomal RNA genes and functional genes for subclades of cyanobacteria (Synechococcus) and ammonia-oxidizing Archaea (Thaumarchaeota) populations. Results showed a strong correlation between Thaumarchaea abundances and nitrate during the spring upwelling but not the fall sampling period. In relatively stratified fall waters, the Thaumarchaeota community reached higher numbers than in the spring, and an unexpected positive correlation with chlorophyll concentration was observed. Further, we detected drops in Synechococcus abundance that occurred on short (that is, daily) time scales. Upwelling intensity and blooms of eukaryotic phytoplankton strongly influenced Synechococcus distributions in the spring and fall, revealing what appear to be the environmental limitations of Synechococcus populations in this region. Each of these findings has implications for Monterey Bay biogeochemistry. High-resolution sampling provides a better-resolved framework within which to observe changes in the plankton community. We conclude that controls on these ecosystems change on smaller scales than are routinely assessed, and that more predictable trends will be uncovered if they are evaluated within seasonal (monthly), rather than on annual or interannual scales.     

钦州湾秋季和春季浮游动物分布特征及影响因素

为了解钦州湾浮游动物群落的时空分布特征及与主要环境因子的关系,于2014年10月和2015年3月进行了秋季和春季两航次的调查。结果表明:该海湾的浮游动物群落有明显的季节变化。秋季共鉴定出12类87种,其中优势种有太平洋纺锤水蚤(Acartia pacifica)、肥胖三角溞(Evadne tergestina)、亨生莹虾(Lucifer hanseni)、百陶箭虫(Sagitta bedoti)和长尾类幼虫(Macrura larvae);春季共鉴定出11类48种,优势种为中华哲水蚤(Calanus sinicus)和太平洋纺锤水蚤;秋季浮游动物的平均丰度、生物量和多样性指数(528.92个/m~3、110.60 mg/m~3和2.22)均高于春季(48.30个/m~3、61.10 mg/m~3和1.70)。空间分布上,钦州湾外湾浮游动物丰度、生物量和多样性指数的平均值皆高于内湾。多维尺度分析表明,秋季内湾群落相似性较高,春季外湾浮游动物群落相似性较高。相关性分析表明盐度与营养盐是影响钦州湾浮游动物分布的主要环境因子。与2011—2012年数据相比,钦州湾浮游动物群落结构已趋于单一化和小型化,以致生物量明显下降。这一现象主要与钦州湾海水富营养化以及大面积高密度牡蛎养殖有密切的关系。     

崂山湾人工鱼礁区星康吉鳗摄食生态及食物网结构

根据2015年4月至2017年1月于崂山湾人工鱼礁区地笼网和延绳钓捕获的279尾星康吉鳗样本,从胃含物组成、食性类型、摄食等级、营养生态位和营养级等方面对其摄食生态进行研究,同时结合海区许氏平鲉、大泷六线鱼、斑头鱼、褐菖鲉、花鲈等9种鱼类的胃含物分析结果,构建人工鱼礁区鱼类关键种的简化食物网模型.食性研究结果表明:星康吉鳗共摄食7类30余种饵料,虾类是其最主要的饵料类群,其次为鱼类和头足类,大泷六线鱼、方氏云鳚、鹰爪虾、玉筋鱼和日本鼓虾等是其优势饵料.星康吉鳗的饵料生物组成随肛长和季节发生显著变化.四季均以鱼类和虾类为主,春季胃含物中包括头足类,秋季包括头足类和蟹类,冬季亦有蟹类出现.肛长≤120 mm的星康吉鳗主要摄食鱼卵和鹰爪虾,120~130 mm肛长组主要摄食玉筋鱼和日本鼓虾,肛长>130 mm的星康吉鳗主要摄食大泷六线鱼和方氏云鳚.其摄食强度也随季节和肛长而变化,空胃率的季节性差异显著,平均胃饱满系数的季节性差异不显著,不同肛长组的空胃率和平均胃饱满系数均不存在显著差异.人工鱼礁区简化食物网结构显示:鱼类关键种的营养级均在3级以上,星康吉鳗的营养级为4.636,处于海区食物网的最顶端.虾类、蟹类、端足类和软体动物等是鱼类关键种的主要饵料,甲壳类、方氏云鳚、大泷六线鱼和玉筋鱼是高营养级鱼类花鲈和星康吉鳗的主要饵料.