Zooplankton distribution and dynamics in a temperate shallow estuary

The spatial, temporal and tidal dynamics of the zooplanktonic community of the Mondego estuary was studied from January 2003 to 2004. The monthly sampling procedure included the measurement of hydrological parameters (salinity, temperature, Secchi transparency, chlorophyll a and nutrients) and the collection of zooplankton with a Bongo net of 335 μm mesh size. Zooplankton composition, distribution, density, biomass and diversity were determined. The principal component analysis (PCA) revealed the existence of a spatial gradient with the upstream sampling stations, associated to high values of nutrients, in opposition to the downstream stations characterized by higher salinity and transparency values. The Copepoda was the main dominant group and Acartia tonsa revealed to be the more abundant taxon. The spatial and temporal dynamics of zooplanktonic communities analysed by non-metric MDS showed the existence of four assemblages of species-sites, reflecting differences in zooplankton composition between both branches of the estuary. The results suggest that abundance, biomass and diversity of the zooplanktonic community are strongly influenced by the hydrological circulation pattern and by direct or indirect human impacts that occur in each branch. The northern branch is dominated by the river flow suffering from regular dredging activities and the southern branch is dominated by tidal circulation suffering from an ongoing eutrophication process.     

The broad-scale distribution of five jellyfish species across a temperate coastal environment

Jellyfish (medusae) are sometimes the most noticeable and abundant members of coastal planktonic communities, yet ironically, this high conspicuousness is not reflected in our overall understanding of their spatial distributions across large expanses of water. Here, we set out to elucidate the spatial (and temporal) patterns for five jellyfish species (Phylum Cnidaria, Orders Rhizostomeae and Semaeostomeae) across the Irish & Celtic Seas, an extensive shelf-sea area at Europe’s northwesterly margin encompassing several thousand square kilometers. Data were gathered using two independent methods: (1) surface-counts of jellyfish from ships of opportunity, and (2) regular shoreline surveys for stranding events over three consecutive years. Jellyfish species displayed distinct species-specific distributions, with an apparent segregation of some species. Furthermore, a different species composition was noticeable between the northern and southern parts of the study area. Most importantly, our data suggests that jellyfish distributions broadly reflect the major hydrographic regimes (and associated physical discontinuities) of the study area, with mixed water masses possibly acting as a trophic barrier or non-favourable environment for the successful growth and reproduction of jellyfish species. Handling Editor: K. Martens     

Factors affecting fish diversity on a temperate reef

Synopsis Subtidal studies of fish stocks conducted along a rock breakwater in Southern California reveal a rich and diverse fauna with elements from cool and warm temperate regions. More than 100 species have been observed with half of these resident. Only a single large, permanently territorial species occurs on the reef though many small, often cryptic species defend home and/or reproductive sites. Many of the larger, mobile species orient to temperature stratification and a portion of the diversity can be allied to the ecotonal effect of stable stratification. Both large predators and herbivores are rare; the majority of the species are micropredators, grazing on sedentary or benthic microinvertebrates.Reproduction is keyed to spring-summer seasons, generally with pelagic eggs, embryos and larvae. The live-bearing resident embiotocids show the least fluctuation in numbers while many oviparous species have shown major changes in annual success during the study period. Although the success of individual species varies, the diversity and total abundance of fishes has remained relatively stable for the reef community as a whole. This stability cannot be considered to reflect an equilibrium community and in fact the structure of the community has changed significantly during the five year study.     

Factors affecting the distribution and abundance of an unpigmented heterotrophic alga Prototheca richardsi

1. Numbers of the contramensal alga Prototheca richardsi were high in spring in two ponds used for breeding by anuran amphibians, but lower at other times of year and undetectable in two ponds not used by anurans. 2. Prototheca richardsi became abundant in the silt of eight experimental ponds which contained tadpoles, but remained undetectable in four otherwise identical ponds lacking tadpoles. 3. Prototheca richardsi numbers in laboratory microcosms remained stable for many days in sterile tap water, but declined with a half-life of about 6 days in pond water at 20°C. 4. Further studies with microcosms using antibiotics and electron microscopy indicated that mortality of P. richardsi was caused primarily by pathogenic bacteria.     

Factors affecting localized abundance and distribution of lesser mealworm in earth-floor broiler houses in subtropical Australia

Factors that influence the localized abundance and distribution of lesser mealworm, Alphitobius diaperinus (Panzer), in litter of two compacted earth-floor broiler houses in subtropical Australia were studied using various experimental manipulations. Numbers of lesser mealworms substantially increased inside caged areas and under uncaged empty feed pans placed in open areas of the houses. These populations were found to be localized and independent of chicken-feed, manure, and high beetle populations that normally occur under existing feed pans. Substantial horizontal movement of larvae to under feed pans was recorded. Placing metal barriers around these pans significantly restricted this movement. In almost all treatments, lesser mealworms typically peaked in numbers during the middle of the flock time. This temporal pattern of abundance also was observed under pans within barriers, where relatively low insect numbers occurred, but it was not observed in uncaged open areas (where chickens had complete access). It is likely that larvae do not establish in open areas, but fluctuate in numbers as they either move to refuges away from chickens or suffer high rates of mortality. In these refuges, larvae peak in numbers and then leave the litter environment to pupate in the earth floor before the end of the flock time. This behavior might be exploited for management of lesser mealworm by targeting applications of control agents.     

Vertical distribution and abundance of mesoplanktonic medusae and siphonophores from the Weddell Sea,Antarctica

The composition, abundance and vertical distribution of mesoplanktonic cnidarians collected along a transect across the Weddell Sea have been analysed. The transect was characterized by a thermocline, approximately between 200 and 100 m, which deepened significantly towards the shelf edges. In total, 10 species of medusae and 18 species of siphonophores were identified. The most abundant medusae were Pantachogon scotti (up to 11,671 specimens/1,000 m³) and Arctapodema ampla (up to 960 specimens/1000 m³). The most abundant siphonophores were Muggiaea bargmannae (up to 1,172 nectophores/1,000 m³) and Dimophyes arctica (up to 230 nectophores/1,000 m³). Five assemblages of planktonic cnidarians were distinguished: (a) epipelagic species located in and above the thermocline; (b) epi- and upper mesopelagic species located in, above and just below the thermocline; (c) epi- and mesopelagic species located in and below the thermocline; (d) mesopelagic species; (e) lower mesopelagic species. Differences in the depth distribution of the various species gave rise to a clear partitioning of the mesoplanktonic cnidarian population throughout the water column. This vertical partitioning was related to the existence of a thermocline, the structure of the water column and the vertical distribution of prey.     

Inter- and intra-specific differences in euryhalinity determine the spatial distribution of mysids in a temperate European estuary

Mysids are an important component of estuarine hyperbenthos and a major prey item in the food web of many estuaries. Understanding the abiotic and biotic mechanisms determining mysid distributions is therefore important to comprehend the general processes structuring estuarine communities. We carried out field surveys and exposure-survival experiments for three species of mysids, Neomysis integer Leach Mesopodopsis slabberi van Beneden and Rhopalophthalmus tartessicus Vilas-Fernandez, Drake and Sorbe, to link salinity tolerances of different sex and life stages (adults and juveniles) to their spatial distributions within the Guadalquivir estuary, SW Spain. Despite being euryhaline, the three species of mysids were unevenly distributed along the saline gradient, with salinity being the environmental variable which best explained structure changes in the estuarine mysid assemblage. R. tartessicus remained confined to the outer and more marine part of the estuary and showed a higher temporal variation in its salinity-related distribution (position within the salinity gradient). M. slabberi and N. integer displayed wider estuarine distributions but remained associated with intermediate and low salinities, respectively. We found considerable inter- and intra-specific differences in tolerance to sudden salinity changes: N. integer, and juveniles of M. slabberi and R. tartessicus, showed a high tolerance to sudden salinity changes, whereas adults of M. slabberi and R. tartessicus were only tolerant to salinities close to their isosmotic points. For the less euryhaline species M. slabberi and R. tartessicus acclimation to unfavourable salinities decreased survival after exposure to sudden salinity changes. Both location and strength of the salinity gradient were important factors in determining spatial distribution, either directly to avoid osmotic stress and mortality risk (R. tartessicus and M. slabberi) or indirectly to reduce inter-specific mysid competition (N. integer). We suggest inter- and intra-specific euryhalinity differences determine the spatial distribution of mysids and the specific strategies they use to maintain this spatial structure in a highly variable environment.     

Factors affecting the distribution and abundance of Cloeon and Caenis (Ephemeroptera) larvae in a tropical impounded river, Nigeria

Impoundment of rivers affects the mayfly (Ephemeroptera) fauna inhabiting such water bodies, especially with respect to their distribution and abundance. A two‐year study of the mayfly fauna and some of the physicochemical parameters of the Opa stream–reservoir revealed that there are two mayfly genera inhabiting it, Cloeon and Caenis. The number of Cloeon larvae collected was 10,930 while the number of Caenis larvae was 450. It was observed that although both genera occurred at all the sampling stations, their numbers were reduced in the stream below the dam due to increased water current velocity. There were significant differences in the abundance of Cloeon among the stations, but none for Caenis. Submerged aquatic plants and water current velocity were found to be the major factors responsible for the significant differences. There were significant correlations between the number of Cloeon larvae and pH as well as between dissolved oxygen concentration and Caenis. These findings are discussed with reference to inter‐specific differences in patterns of response to environmental parameters. A species‐specific approach is suggested for studies on the strategies that enable mayfly species maintain their populations in stressed and unstable aquatic ecosystems.     

Factors affecting soil fauna feeding activity in a fragmented lowland temperate deciduous woodland

British temperate broadleaf woodlands have been widely fragmented since the advent of modern agriculture and development. As a result, a higher proportion of woodland area is now subject to edge effects which can alter the efficiency of ecosystem functions. These areas are particularly sensitive to drought. Decomposition of detritus and nutrient cycling are driven by soil microbe and fauna coactivity. The bait lamina assay was used to assess soil fauna trophic activity in the upper soil horizons at five sites in Wytham Woods, Oxfordshire: two edge, two intermediate and one core site. Faunal trophic activity was highest in the core of the woodland, and lowest at the edge, which was correlated with a decreasing soil moisture gradient. The efficiency of the assay was tested using four different bait flavours: standardised, ash (Fraxinus excelsior L.), oak (Quercus robur L.), and sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus L.). The standardised bait proved the most efficient flavour in terms of feeding activity. This study suggests that decomposition and nutrient cycling may be compromised in many of the UK's small, fragmented woodlands in the event of drought or climate change.     

Zooplankton and ichthyoplankton communities in a temperate estuary: spatial and temporal patterns

Zooplankton and ichthyoplankton assemblages were studied fromJanuary 2003 to June 2004 in a temperate shallow estuary (Mondegoestuary, Portugal). Monthly sampling was performed at five stationsat high and low tides, with subsurface tows with 335 and 500µm mesh Bongo nets. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) showeda significant effect (P < 0.05) of the mesh size of the neton the abundance of main zooplankton groups. On average, theabundance of the 500 µm taxocenosis was 67 and 102 timeslower than the 335 µm taxocenosis at high and low tidesrespectively, especially in the south arm. More than 80 specieswere identified in the zooplankton samples. The upper reachesof northern arm are dominated by freshwater crustacean mesozooplanktonlike Acanthocyclops robustus and Diaptomus spp. and the cladoceransDaphnia, Ceriodaphnia and Bosmina, often being codominant. Inthe southern arm, the resident estuarine copepod Acartia tonsawas dominant, eventually being the most abundant taxon. Marinereaches of estuary are usually dominated by the marine calanoidcopepods Acartia clausi and Temora longicornis and the siphonophoresMuggiaea atlantica. Concerning the ichthyoplankton, this wasdominated by the larvae of estuarine resident species, mainlyPomatoschistus sp., and eggs of Engraulis encrasicolus. Theabundance of Pomatoschistus sp. larvae was positively correlatedwith water temperature. Statistical analysis (canonical correspondenceanalysis) used to determine the spatiotemporal structure ofthe zooplankton assemblages and its correlation with environmentalvariables showed that salinity and temperature were the mainfactors influencing the distribution of zooplankton. The resultsobtained also showed that abundance was strongly influencedby the hydrological circulation pattern and direct or indirecthuman impacts that occur in each arm of the estuary. This article was presented at Plankton Symposium III, held atFiguera da Foz, portugal, between 17 and 20 March 2005, underthe auspices of the University of Coimbra and the Universityof Aveiro, and coordinated by Mário Jorge Pereira andUlisses M. Azeiteiro.     

Patterns of jellyfish abundance in the North Atlantic

A number of explanations have been advanced to account for the increased frequency and intensity at which jellyfish (pelagic cnidarians and ctenophores) blooms are being observed, most of which have been locally directed. Here, we investigate seasonal and inter-annual patterns in abundance and distribution of jellyfish in the North Atlantic Ocean to determine if there have been any system-wide changes over the period 1946–2005, by analysing records of the presence of coelenterates from the Continuous Plankton Recorder (CPR) survey. Peaks in jellyfish abundance are strongly seasonal in both oceanic and shelf areas: oceanic populations have a mid-year peak that is more closely related to peaks in phyto- and zooplankton, whilst the later peak of shelf populations mirrors changes in SST and reflects processes of advection and aggregation. There have been large amplitude cycles in the abundance of oceanic and shelf jellyfish (although not synchronous) over the last 60 years, with a pronounced synchronous increase in abundance in both areas over the last 10 years. Inter-annual variations in jellyfish abundance in oceanic areas are related to zooplankton abundance and temperature changes, but not to the North Atlantic Oscillation or to a chlorophyll index. The long-term inter-annual abundance of jellyfish on the shelf could not be explained by any environmental variables investigated. As multi-decadal cycles and more recent increase in jellyfish were obvious in both oceanic and shelf areas, we conclude that these are likely to reflect an underlying climatic signal (and bottom-up control) rather than any change in fishing pressure (top-down control). Our results also highlight the role of the CPR data in investigating long-term changes in jellyfish, and suggest that the cnidarians sampled by the CPR are more likely to be holoplanktic hydrozoans and not the much larger meroplanktic scyphozoans as has been suggested previously. Guest editors: K. A. Pitt & J. E. Purcell Jellyfish Blooms: Causes, Consequences, and Recent Advances     

An evaluation of acoustic and video methods to estimate the abundance and vertical distribution of jellyfish

Four non-invasive methods (three acoustic and one video) werecompared to estimate the abundance and vertical distributionof scyphomedusae, using the locally abundant coronate speciesPeriphylla periphylla in Lurefjorden, north of Bergen, Norway,as the test organism. The acoustic methods included single-targetquantification by, respectively, a hull-mounted 38 kHz split-beamecho sounder and a 675 kHz scanning sonar mounted on a remotelyoperated vehicle (ROV). Data from acoustic backscattering providedestimates of abundance and changes in the vertical positionof scattering (= aggregation) layers. Vertical migration wasalso studied by acoustic target tracking, following single individualsas they ascended in the afternoon. The ROV-mounted scanningsonar missed an unidentified part in the lower size distributionof the target population. Vertical video profiles, conductedduring ROV dives, provided the most detailed information onabundance and distribution, although uncertainties remainedregarding the size distribution in the population.     

Firefly distribution and abundance on mangrove vegetation assemblages in Sepetang estuary,Peninsular Malaysia

Pteroptyx fireflies are commonly reported to congregate in large numbers in mangroves. Not much is known about the relationships between firefly distribution and abundance with specific mangrove vegetation assemblages. We conducted a study to investigate the vegetation assemblages that structure the distribution and abundance of Pteroptyx tener in Peninsular Malaysia. The distribution and abundance of fireflies were assessed along an 8 km stretch of mangroves in Sepetang estuary using visual assessment. Statistical analysis was carried out to test the correlation between length of display section and percentage cover of P. tener colonies and the relationship between percentage cover of fireflies with different vegetation assemblages. Five distinct vegetation assemblages were identified comprising different combination of four mangrove species. It was found that shorter display sections had higher percentage cover of P. tener colonies. In addition, vegetation assemblage which consisting of mainly Sonneratia caseolaris and Nypa fruticans was the most preferred type. The results of this study point to the necessity to consider not only a single mangrove species but the entire vegetation assemblage for firefly conservation.     

Factors affecting wild boar abundance across an environmental gradient in Spain

The recent Europe-wide increase in wild boarSus scrofa, Linnaeus, 1758 abundance is undoubtedly due to many different factors, the relative importance of which differs from region to region. In Aragón (northeastern Spain), wild boar enlarged its distribution area eight times in the 1990s as compared with the century before, occupying the whole region. We studied wild boar abundance along an environmental gradient in Aragón to determine which factors are most responsible for its variation. Relative abundance of wild boars was estimated by catch-effort methods in 134 hunting estates (sampling units) for 5 consecutive hunting seasons. To characterise the environmental conditions, we quantified landscape composition and structure, topographical factors and climatic factors. Hunting pressure indices were also calculated for our sampling units. The average wild boar catch per hunting activity and per 100 km² ranged from 0.72 to 16.31. Our results suggest thatwild boar abundances are affected by landscape structure, mainly by landscape diversity. In addition, lowland arid agrosystems (characterized by high temperatures and open juniper woodlands with little food availability) constrain the abundance of wild boar populations in spite of their wide plasticity to colonize new habitats.     

Factors determining the abundance and distribution of rodents in a shrub-steppe ecosystem: the role of shrubs

Summary This study addressed the relative importances of shrub resources on a rodent community in a sagebrush dominated shrub-steppe ecosystem in southwestern Wyoming. Direct effects of shrubs (i.e., providing rodents with food and cover) were assessed by removing shrubs from a 1.25 ha study plot and monitoring both rodent populations and their food resources. Shrub architecture and shrub-related food resources were found to be unimportant to deermice (Peromyscus maniculatus), Great Basin pocket mice (Perognathus parvus) northern grasshopper mice (Onychomys leucogaster) and Uinta ground squirrels (Spermophilus armatus), as shrub removal caused no significant changes in population sizes, sex ratios or age structure. Least chipmunks (Eutamias minimus) responded to shrub removal by leaving the plot and moving into adjacent shrubland. The montane vole (Microtus montanus) population showed a slight increase following shrub removal. Shrub removal did not alter the abundance of major rodent food resources on the plot (percent cover of herbaceous vegetation, soil seed reserves and ground-dwelling arthropods). Micrometeorological data suggested that shrubs did not significantly ameliorate a nocturnal rodent's micro-climate, but may have affected diurnal rodents' thermal loading rates by removing shade. While shrub architecture and food resources do not directly affect most of the rodents in this shrub-steppe ecosystem, shrubs may be important to rodents in a long-term time frame. Shrubs provide safe sites for germination and growth of herbaceous vegetation, thereby enhancing the diversity of the potential rodent food resources.     

High abundance of Crenarchaeota in a temperate acidic forest soil

The objective of the study was to elucidate the depth distribution and community composition of Archaea in a temperate acidic forest soil. Numbers of Archaea and Bacteria were measured in the upper 18 cm of the soil, and soil cores were sampled on two separate occasions using quantitative PCR targeting 16S rRNA genes. Maximum numbers of Archaea were 0.6-3.8 x 10(8) 16S rRNA genes per gram of dry soil. Numbers of Bacteria were generally higher, but Archaea always accounted for a high percentage of the total gene numbers (12-38%). The archaeal community structure was analysed by the construction of clone libraries and by terminal restriction length polymorphism (T-RFLP) using the same Archaea-specific primers. With the reverse primer labelled, T-RFLP analysis led to the detection of four T-RFs. Three had lengths of 83, 185 and 218 bp and corresponded to uncultured Crenarchaeota. One (447 bp) was assigned to Thermoplasmales. Labelling of the forward primer allowed further separation of the T-RF into Crenarchaeota Group I.1c and Group I.1b, and indicated that Crenarchaeota of the Group I.1c were the predominant 16S rRNA genotype (相似文献   

Growth, development and temporal variation in the onset of six Chironex fleckeri medusae seasons: a contribution to understanding jellyfish ecology

Despite the worldwide distribution, toxicity and commercial, industrial and medical impacts jellyfish present, many aspects of their ecology remain poorly understood. Quantified here are important ecological parameters of Chironex fleckeri medusae, contributing not only to the understanding of an understudied taxon, the cubozoa, but also to the broader understanding of jellyfish ecology. C. fleckeri medusae were collected across seven seasons (1999, 2000, 2003, 2005-07 and 2010), with growth rates, temporal variation in the medusae season onset and differences in population structure between estuarine and coastal habitats quantified. With a mean of 2 September ± 2 d (mean ± 95% confidence limits), the earliest date of metamorphosis was temporally constrained between seasons, varying by only 7 d (30 August to 5 September). Juvenile medusae appeared to be added over an extended period, suggesting polyp metamorphosis was an ongoing process once it commenced. At a maximum of 3 ± 0.2 mm d(-1) IPD, medusae growth to an asymptotic size of ~190 mm IPD was rapid, yet, with the oldest medusae estimated to be ~78 d in age, medusae did not appear to accumulate along the coastline. Furthermore, a greater proportion of juveniles were observed along the coastline, with estuarine populations typified by larger medusae. With key aspects of C. fleckeri's ecology now quantified, medusae season management protocols can be further developed.     

Factors affecting tissue distribution of heavy metals

Metal distribution in an organism at any one time is a resultant of many extrinsic and intrinsic factors. Improved analytic methodology has made it feasible to obtain highly sensitive determinations for many metals in a single sample. Thus, it is now feasible to examine patterns of metal distribution. We report on a study of the effect of age on metal patterns in the common tern,Sterna hirundo, a fisheating seabird. We contrast the levels of nine metals in the liver of adult and young terns and compared these with levels in tern eggs. Unlike many previous studies, adults did not have significantly higher levels of metals, although for most metals, levels in eggs were significantly lower than liver levels of young and adults. The intermetal correlations showed more significant positive correlations for adults and eggs than for chicks, the latter showing instead a correlational chaos, probably reflecting the immaturity of their physiologic defense mechanisms and the absence of dynamic equilibrium.     

Factors affecting the distribution of dorcas gazelle

The dorcas gazelle Gazella dorcas was very common and widespread in Tunisia. Nowadays, only some small isolated populations still survive in the desert areas of the southern part of the country. Factors affecting the distribution of this species in Tunisia have never been investigated despite the importance of such investigations for elaborating long-term conservation plans for the remaining wild populations. Using data on gazelle occurrence and on a set of habitat and human variables collected in south-eastern Tunisia, we aimed to identify the factors affecting gazelle distribution in this area. In particular, we investigated the relevance of habitat versus human factors for gazelle occurrence probability. As predicted, we found that human variables were the most relevant factors shaping the distribution patterns of gazelles in the studied area. Gazelles tended to avoid areas where agricultural development has occurred but did not seem to be disturbed by livestock. Overall, our results suggest that the occurrence probability of dorcas gazelle in southern Tunisia was mainly dependent on human presence and land use, rather than habitat characteristics. The recent intensification of agriculture in the more remote areas of southern Tunisia may thus constitute a serious threat to the conservation of this endangered species.