Population dynamics of two small pelagic fish in the central-south area off Chile: delayed density-dependence and biological interaction

It is widely believed that environmental variability is the main cause for fluctuations in commercially exploited small pelagic fish populations around the world. Nevertheless, density-dependent factors also can drive population dynamics. In this paper, we analyzed thirteen years of a relative abundance index of two clupeoids fish populations coexisting in the central-south area off Chile, namely the common sardine, Strangomera bentincki, and anchovy, Engraulis ringens. We applied the classical diagnostic tools of time series analysis to the observed time-series. Also, the realized per capita population growth rate was studied with the aim of detecting the feedback structure that is characterizing the population dynamics of the two species. The analysis suggests that population fluctuations of the two species have an important density-dependent component, displaying first-order (direct density-dependent) and second-order (delayed density-dependent) simultaneously. The density-dependent component explained 70.5 and 55.6 % of the realized per capita population growth rate of common sardine and anchovy, respectively. The deterministic skeleton model showed an asymptotic convergence to equilibrium density. In presence of a stochastic environment, fluctuations were reproduced for the species showing a component of fluctuation with a period of 4 year. The intrinsic dynamics of each species is typical of interacting species resulting from trophic interactions. It is postulated that the second-order dynamics of S. bentincki and E. ringens in central-south Chile, may be the result from interactions with a specialist predator (the fishing fleet), interacting with exogenous environmental factors.     

The impacts of invasive Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) on the fisheries in the main rivers of Guangdong Province,China

Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) is one of the most widespread invasive fish species, and this species has successfully established populations in the major rivers of Guangdong Province, China. Field surveys and manipulative experiments were conducted to assess the impacts of Nile tilapia on fisheries. We determined that the increase of Nile tilapia in these rivers not only affects the CPUE (catch-per-unit-per-effort) of the fish community and native fish species but also reduces the income of fishermen. In the manipulative experiments, we observed that the growth of native mud carp decreased in the presence of Nile tilapia. Our results suggest that the invasion of Nile tilapia negatively affected the fishery economy and native fish species, and suitable control measurements should be taken.     

福建冬青属二新种

本文描述了发现于福建的冬青科冬青属2新种——泰宁冬青Ilex tainingensis G. S. He和南平冬青I. nanpingensis G. S. He，并分别说明两者与其他近缘种的区别要点。泰宁冬青与太平山冬青I. sugerokii Maxim.的区别在于前种小枝被毛，无棱槽，叶片宽卵圆形，花淡紫色，分核表面具细条纹，背后中部有一凹槽。南平冬青与拟榕叶冬青I. subficoidea S. Y. Hu区别在于前种果为椭圆形，较大，表面光滑无腺点，果梗长于1 cm，每分核上端有2尖角，均可以区别。     

山西省异爪蝗属二新种（直翅目：网翅蝗科）

本文记述在晋南地区采到的异爪蝗属二新种,黑条异爪蝗Euchorthippus nigiliineatus sp.nov.及曲线异爪蝗Eochorthippus sinucarinatus sp.nov.     

斑纹小贻贝(Mytella strigata)基础生物学与生物入侵

生物入侵是继栖息地破坏之后，全球生物多样性丧失的第二大驱动因素。近年来，原产于南美洲地区的斑纹小贻贝（Mytella strigata）在印度-西太平洋海区被陆续报道，而我国台湾、广东、海南、福建、广西等省份同样发现斑纹小贻贝，且其已经建立可自我维持的种群。但是，作为一种新型入侵生物，斑纹小贻贝尚未引起国内海洋管理部门和科研人员足够重视，亟待查明其在我国沿海的分布现状、扩散趋势和生态影响等，为斑纹小贻贝的检测、监测、防控和管理提供科学依据。综述了斑纹小贻贝的基础生物学特征和全球生物入侵现状，发现国内的斑纹小贻贝源于南美洲加勒比海地区，于2014年左右通过船舶压舱水或船体生物污损的形式侵入我国南方沿海并迅速扩散。此外，斑纹小贻贝在我国的生物入侵处于"引进-传播"阶段，即将大规模扩繁，因此亟需开展应急清除行动。     

Effect of nutrient level on competition intensity in the field for three coexisting grass species

A field experiment encompassing both neighbour- and nutrient-manipulations was conducted in a nutrient-impoverished old-field habitat to investigate how the intensity of plant competition was affected by soil nutrient level. Three perennial grasses were used as target species: Agropyron repens, Poa pratensis and Phleum pratense. Neighbour manipulations involved the removal (through herbicide application) of all neighbouring vegetation within a 20 cm or 40 cm radius around target plants. Target performance was measured under five levels of added nutrients (N-P-K) in both the neighbour-removal plots and in non-removal (control) plots. Both neighbour and nutrient manipulations had a highly significant effect on both biomass and tiller production but the interaction between these treatments was generally insignificant. Below-ground/above-ground biomass quotient was affected only by neighbour manipulations and was greatest in the control plots (with no neighbours removed) for all three species. The suppressive effect of neighbours was not markedly affected by nutrient level. However, yield suppression showed a significant decreasing trend with increasing nutrient level for biomass production in Agropyron and an increasing trend for tiller production in Phleum. For Poa, there was no trend in the intensity of competition across nutrient level. The results suggest that the general intensity of competition within this community neither increases nor decreases with increasing nutrient level. Rather, coexisting species appear to respond individually in terms of the intensity of competition that they experience. These results conflict with predictions from the triangular C-S-R model of plant strategies. However, they are consistent with a recently modified ‘habitat templet’ model for vegetation.     

Striking difference in response to expanding brood parasites by birds in western and eastern Beringia

Two species of obligate brood‐parasitic Cuculus cuckoos are expanding their ranges in Beringia. Both now breed on the Asian side, close to the Bering Strait, and are found in Alaska during the breeding season. From May to July 2017, we used painted 3D‐printed model eggs of two cuckoo host‐races breeding in northeastern Siberia to test behavioral responses of native songbirds on both sides of the Bering Strait, with particular attention to species that are known cuckoo hosts in their Siberian range. Each host nest was tested after the second egg was laid and, if possible, again 4 days later with a model of a different type. Although our Siberian study site was also outside the known breeding ranges of the cuckoos, we found that Siberian birds had strong anti‐parasite responses, with 14 of 22 models rejected. In contrast, birds in Alaska had virtually no detectable anti‐parasite behaviors, with only one of 96 models rejected; the rejecters were Red‐throated Pipits (Anthus cervinus). Such differences suggest that the cuckoos might successfully parasitize naïve hosts and become established in North America whether or not their historic host species are widely available.