Community Structure of Archaea in the Water Column above Gas Hydrates in the Gulf of Mexico

Microorganisms play fundamental roles in the ecosystem of the Gulf of Mexico (GOM), yet their vertical distributions along the depth continuum of water column are not well known. In this study, we presented the 16S rDNA sequences and lipid profiles in the context of water chemistry to characterize the archaeal community structure above a gas hydrate mound (MC 118) in GOM. Our results showed that all archaeal sequences were related to unknown species of Crenarchaeota or Euryarchaeota. Phylogenetically, group II –β Euryarchaeota dominated the surface water and mid-depth (400-m) water (74% and 58% of total archaeal species, respectively) whereas the marine group I-γ Crenarchaeota dominated the bottom (869 m) water (61% of total archaeal species). Estimates of the Shannon index showed the highest diversity of planktonic Archaea at the 400 m depth. Glycerol dialkyl glycerol tetraether (GDGT) lipids were detected from the 400- and 869-m depths only and characterized by relatively high abundances of GDGT-5 (crenarchaeol) and GDGT-0. Our studies suggested a possible zonation of archaeal community in the water column, which did not seem to be affected by the possible venting of hydrocarbons from the hydrate location in GOM.     

Periodicity of extinction and recolonization of the West Indian topshell Cittarium pica in the Quaternary of Bermuda (Gastropoda: Trochoidea)

Hermit‐crab transported shells of the West Indian top shell Cittarium pica occur in numerous terrestrial fossil deposits on Bermuda, which is the most remote outpost of this Caribbean species. Cittarium is so far known only from deposits of interglacial ages corresponding to marine isotope stages (MIS) 11, 9, 5e, and 1 (Holocene). In at least the cases of MIS 11 and 5e, Cittarium appears at the very beginning of the interglacial. The species is definitely absent from well‐stratified cave deposits of the last glacial (MIS 4–2). It is hypothesized that colder sea‐surface temperatures (SSTs) during glacial periods caused Cittarium to be extirpated on Bermuda, and that it has made at least four independent colonizations of the island in the past 400 000 years. Because of the limited larval life of Cittarium, the window for colonization may be a very narrow period at the onset of interglacials when the SST has risen sufficiently to make Bermuda habitable but the velocity of the Gulf Stream is still sufficiently rapid to transport viable larvae from the Bahamas. © 2013 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2013, 110 , 235–243.     

Maritime Delimitation and Fishery Cooperation in the Tonkin Gulf

In June 2004 China and Vietnam ratified both a maritime boundary agreement for the Tonkin Gulf (Beibu Gulf) and a fisheries cooperation agreement for the Gulf. These agreements end years of negotiation and debate regarding the rights of the respective states to the ocean areas and resources in the Gulf.     

REACTION OF FIN WHALES BALAENOPTERA PHYSALUS TO AN EARTHQUAKE

ABSTRACT

Whales living within seismically active regions are subject to intense disturbances from strong sounds produced by earthquakes that can kill or injure individuals. Nishimura & Clark (1993) relate the possible effects of underwater earthquake noise levels in marine mammals, adducing that T-phase source signal level (10- to 30- Hz range) can exceed 200 dB re: 1 μPa at 1 m, for a magnitude 4–5 earthquake, sounds audible to fin whales which produce low frequency sounds of 16–20/25–44 Hz over 0.5–1s, typically of 183 dB re: 1 μPa at 1 m. Here we present the response of a fin whale to a 5.5 Richter scale earthquake that took place on 22 February 2005, in the Gulf of California. The whale covered 13 km in 26 min (mean speed = 30.2 km/h). We deduce that the sound heard by this whale might have triggered the costly energy expenditure of high speed swimming as a seismic-escape response. These observations support the hypothesis of Richardson et al. (1995) that cetaceans may flee from loud sounds before they are injured, when exposed to noise in excess of 140 dB re: 1 μPa 1 m.     

北部湾近海珊瑚礁区系沉积物抗菌活性放线菌类群

通过对大肠埃希菌和枯草芽胞杆菌抗菌活性初步筛选,从北部湾近海珊瑚礁区5个沉积物样品中成功分离得到51株具有不同抗菌活性的放线菌,其中9株具有较强抗菌能力。根据这9株放线菌的菌落和孢子形态,可确定它们都属于链霉菌属。 RAPD-PCR分析表明这9株放线菌为6种不同类型,16S rDNA序列和系统发生树分析表明,9株放线菌可划分到4个大的类群6种不同类型,且结果显示RAPD-PCR聚类分析与16S rDNA序列聚类分析的结果具有较大的一致性。生理生化鉴定结果表明,分离株与亲缘关系最近的放线菌模式菌株的生理生化特征均存在差异,这说明分离株为放线菌新种的可能性比较大。这6种放线菌具有较为广谱的抑菌活性,并且抑菌活性均存在一定的差异,说明其可能分泌出多种结构功能不同的活性次生代谢产物。研究结果表明,广西北部湾近海珊瑚礁区系沉积物蕴藏着丰富的可供药物开发的放线菌资源。     

Population estimates of the breeding birds of the Tinhosas islands (Gulf of Guinea), the only major seabird colony of the eastern tropical Atlantic

The Tinhosas islands, in São Tomé e Príncipe, host the most important seabird breeding colony in the Gulf of Guinea, but information on its conservation status was hitherto unpublished or anecdotal, the last assessment having been performed in 1997. A two-day expedition to the Tinhosas islands was undertaken to estimate the status of breeding seabirds in 2013. Four of the five seabird species known to breed in São Tomé e Príncipe, namely Brown Booby Sula leucogaster, Sooty Tern Onychoprion fuscatus, Brown Noddy Anous stolidus and Black Noddy Anous minutus, occur on the Tinhosas. A decrease of 80% in Brown Booby numbers, possibly due to occasional exploitation, and a 30% increase in Sooty Tern and Black Noddy numbers, were found compared to 1997 data although survey methods differed. Breeding of Brown Noddy and Madeiran Storm-petrel Hydrobates castro remains unconfirmed. Our estimates confirmed that BirdLife International Important Bird and Biodiversity Area criteria are met for at least one species, the Sooty Tern. The islands are not legally protected, nonetheless, apart from moderate levels of disturbance by fishermen who land on Tinhosa Grande, no alien species were seen, and no immediate threats to the Tinhosas colony were detected. Multiple visits within and between years are recommended, to census breeders, monitor threats and establish breeding phenologies.     

Observations on Syracosphaera rhombica sp. nov.

A spherical coccosphere and two collapsed coccospheres composed of monomorphic rhombic coccoliths were encountered in 2005 in the Java upwelling system of the SE Indian Ocean, while a further two specimens with elongate coccospheres were recently found in the Gulf of Mexico. All of the specimens were collected from the lower photic zone (75–160 m). The coccoliths possess a proximal flange, a slightly flared wall with a serrated distal margin, and a relatively plain central area structure comprised only of overlapping laths. The taxon appears to be an undescribed species of the Syracosphaera nodosa group, so we describe it herein as Syracosphaera rhombica sp. nov.     

Rapid development of a restored oyster reef facilitates habitat provision for estuarine fauna

Oyster reef restoration has become a principal strategy for ameliorating the loss of natural Crassostrea virginica populations and increasing habitat provision. In 2014, a large‐scale, high‐relief, 23‐ha subtidal C. virginica reef was restored at the historically productive Half Moon Reef in Matagorda Bay, TX, using concrete and limestone substrates. Encrusting and motile fauna were sampled seasonally until 17 months postrestoration at the restored reef and at adjacent unrestored sites. Restored oysters developed rapidly and were most abundant 3 months postrestoration, with subsequent declines possibly due to interacting effects of larval settlement success on new substrate versus post‐settlement mortality due to competitors and predators. Oyster densities were 2× higher than in a restored oyster population in Chesapeake Bay that was reported to be the largest reestablished metapopulation of native oysters in the world. Resident fauna on the restored reef were 62% more diverse, had 433% greater biomass, and comprised a distinct faunal community compared to unrestored sites. The presence of three‐dimensional habitat was the most important factor determining resident faunal community composition, indicating that substrate limitation is a major hindrance for oyster reef community success in Texas and other parts of the Gulf of Mexico. There were only minor differences in density, biomass, and diversity of associated fauna located adjacent (13 m) versus distant (150 m) to the restored reef. The two substrate types compared had little influence on oyster recruitment or faunal habitat provision. Results support the use of reef restoration as a productive means to rebuild habitat and facilitate faunal enhancement.     

多源空间数据整合视角下的城市开发强度研究

城市开发强度能直观表征人类活动强度,对指导城市规划与管理、促进城市可持续发展具有重要价值。采用社会-经济-生态系统耦合视角构建城市开发强度的多维测度体系,整合多源空间数据,测度了杭州市主城及3个副城的开发强度并揭示了其空间分布特征。结果表明,杭州城市开发强度由主城向副城呈波动降低,高强度开发过度集中于主城,主城的功能疏散有待加强;各副城开发强度不一,江南城与主城呈现跨江融合,临平城、下沙城空间上较为独立;各开发维度中,建筑强度、功能强度及效益强度热点区分布基本一致,环境响应高强度区则集聚于主副城交界处,表现出空间异质性。多维测度体系可较好表征城市开发强度,对城市规划及精细化管理具有一定的应用价值。     

Tiger cowrie Cypraea tigris feeds on coral-competing sponge Rhabdastrella globostellata in an Acropora dominated reef of Gulf of Mannar,India

Gulf of Mannar (GoM) in the southeast coast of India is known for its coral reefs and reef-associated biodiversity. Corals in GoM were affected to a significant extent by climate change-driven coral bleaching in 2016, and are currently recovering. After the bleaching mortality that corals suffered, the competition for space between corals and sponges is obvious in GoM. Rhabdastrella globostellata is a common marine sponge found overgrowing live coral colonies of the patch reefs in GoM at Pattinamaruthoor in March 2019. Underwater assessment of the reef revealed that 60.06% live coral cover was dominated by Acropora corals (81.91%). Among the acroporans 8.23% of colonies were found overgrown by R. globostellata. During the night dives the tiger cowrie Cypraea tigris was observed to feed on R. globostellata. From this observation the present study infers that C. tigris helps the corals fight these sponges, and concludes that tiger cowries should be protected and promoted to tackle climate change implications.