Pelagic larvae of benthic invertebrates of the Vostok Bay,peter the great bay,Sea of Japan: Composition,phenology, and population dynamics

For the first time, year round and long-term seasonal research on the composition, phenology, and population dynamics of pelagic larvae of bottom invertebrates were conducted in the Vostok Bay of the Sea of Japan. Larvae of 98 taxa of various ranks were found. The larvae of bivalves and polychaetes were the most diverse. The larvae of bottom invertebrates occurred in plankton year-round. Their density was at its minimum in January (less than 100 ind./m³), and its maximum from June to November (more than 1000 ind./m³). The larvae of polychaetes dominated in the autumn and winter seasons, whereas bivalve and gastropod larvae dominated in the spring and summer seasons. It was shown that the proportion of pollution tolerant meroplankton larvae of the Polydora and Pseudopolydora genera was high in the Vostok Bay, and could indirectly indicate increasing anthropogenic pressure in the area.     

Use of parasite and genetic markers in delineating populations of winter flounder from the central and south‐west Scotian Shelf and north‐east Gulf of Maine

Discriminant function analyses of infection parameters of parasitic helminths revealed that abundances of seven helminth species contributed significantly to the delineation of four host populations of winter flounder Pleuronectes americanus from the central and south‐west Scotian Shelf and the north‐east Gulf of Maine (NAFO subdivision 4WX‐5Z). These were adult digeneans, Derogenes varicus , Genolinea laticauda , Steganoderma formosum and Steringophorus furciger , metacercariae of the digenean, Stephanostomum baccatum , and larval nematodes, Anisakis simplex and Hysterothylacium aduncum . The correct classification rate was 84% overall, with Georges Bank (5Z) and Sable Island Bank (4W) winter flounder being the most accurately classified samples at 98 and 88%, respectively. Winter flounder from south‐west Nova Scotia (4X), an inshore sample from St Marys Bay and offshore fish from Browns Bank, had the lowest rates of correct classification (76 and 71%, respectively) due, primarily, to cross‐misclassification between the two samples. Winter pairwise comparisons of four microsatellite markers identified significant genetic differences between all populations sampled with the Georges Bank population being the most genetically distinct overall, and St Marys Bay and Browns Bank fish being the least dissimilar.     

Persistent spatial and temporal abundance patterns for the late-stage copepodites of Centropages typicus (Copepoda: Calanoida) in the US Northeast continental shelf ecosystem

The annual cycle of abundance and the monthly distributions of the copepod Centropages typicus are described for US Northeast Continental Shelf waters from samples collected on broadscale plankton surveys during 1977-87. High numbers of the copepod were captured throughout the region during the autumn months in weak south-north and onshore-offshore abundance gradients. The highest individual station densities were found near the mouth of the major estuaries and the heaviest broad-scale concentrations were usually located where bottom depth ranged from 20 to 39 m. Numbers declined throughout the ecosystem after winter arrived, less so in the southern half of the region where C.typicus abundance remained high year round in nearshore and midshelf waters between New York City and Chesapeake Bay. The copepod's abundance fell to much lower levels further north in the Georges Bank and Gulf of Maine subareas, and disappeared entirely from shelf waters in the northernmost offshore region until summer. Interannual abundance variability was substantial, but no long-term trend was detected. Analyses of samples collected from 1988 to 1996 on Georges Bank during early autumn indicate that abundance levels of C.typicus have been high here in the 1990s, completely recovered from low density values measured there in 1986 and 1987. Temperature and food availability were found to be the key factors that determine the copepod's distribution and annual abundance cycle. Mean abundance was high throughout the ecosystem where surface temperature was >9C and in regions where annual mean chlorophyll levels exceeded 1 mg m^-3. The copepod's abundance appeared to be independent from variation in water column salinity.      

Seasonal changes in phagocytic capacity and superoxide anion production of blood phagocytes from tench (Tinca tinca,L.)

Seasonal variations in the ex vivo phagocytic function of blood cells from tench, including ingestion capacity of inert particles and its destruction (microbicide capacity) assessed by measurement of superoxide anion production, were studied. Tench were maintained under natural conditions throughout the year, and the different assays of samples taken during each season were initially performed in vitro at 22°C and the results compared. Subsequently, assays were performed at the same temperature as that of the water ponds in which the fish were kept (“seasonal temperature”: 12°C in winter, 22°C in spring and autumn and 30°C in summer) and the results compared seasonally. The results at 22°C showed that phagocytic capacity was greatest in spring and summer and lowest in winter. However, when phagocytic capacity was measured at seasonal temperature, highest values appeared in winter and lowest in summer and autumn. Nitroblue tetrazolium reduction by tench phagocytes after phagocytosing latex beads demonstrated a similar seasonal behaviour at both 22°C in each season and at seasonal temperature. The highest values appeared in summer, which suggests a better microbicide capacity in this season. The results obtained in this study suggest that for a correct interpretation of ex vivo phagocytic capacity of fish through the year it is necessary to use the same assay temperature as that of the water in which the fish is kept.     

Seasonal variation of pelagic invertebrate larvae in the shallow antarctic waters of Admiralty Bay (King George Island)

Recent studies have revealed increasing numbers of benthic invertebrate species producing pelagic larvae in Antarctic waters. This paper investigates temporal changes in larval abundance in shallow areas of Admiralty Bay. Plankton was collected from December to May of 2000/2001 and 2001/2002. Air and water temperature and solar radiation were significantly higher during the second year, characterising three seasonal periods early summer, late summer and early winter. Mean meroplankton abundance was 160 and 1,548 in d.100 m⁻³ for the first and second years, respectively. Mollusc veligers were dominant in both years. Analysis of variance showed that in 2001 veligers were present in the early winter and in 2002 they were synchronous with the late summer phytoplankton bloom; polychaetes and trochophors were concentrated in the early winter, while echinoderms and nemerteans were abundant in early summer. These results showed the importance of seasonality (i.e. a combination of air and water temperature, solar radiation and food supply) to the reproductive events of an Antarctic coastal nearshore environment.     

珠江口伶仃洋海域底层游泳动物的季节变化

珠江口伶仃洋海域是渔业资源的重要栖息地,近年来由于人类活动的加剧导致生态环境质量下降。为进一步了解栖息环境恶化对渔业资源的影响,于2009年8月至2010年4月采用底拖网在珠江口伶仃洋海域进行了游泳动物4个季节的调查。共鉴定游泳动物92种,其中鱼类54种,甲壳类32种和头足类6种。游泳动物种数夏季最高,为52种,春季最低,仅35种,春、夏季和冬、春季种类季节更替显著。优势种组成较为稳定,以日本蟳(Charybdis japonica)、黑斑口虾蛄(Oratosquilla kempi)和棘头梅童鱼(Collichthys lucidus)为主要优势种,其中日本蟳为全年优势种,平均尾数密度占总密度的8.07%～26.22%。游泳动物资源密度和尾数密度季节变化趋势一致,均为夏季最高,秋季和春季次之,冬季最低。珠江口伶仃洋海域温度和盐度有明显的季节变化,夏季和秋季温度较高,盐度较低,冬季和春季温度较低,而盐度较高。温度是伶仃洋海域游泳动物种类和数量季节变化的主要因子。与历史资料比较,珠江口主要经济鱼、虾类出现小型化趋势。     

Stock and parental effects on embryonic and early larval development of winter flounder Pseudopleuronectes americanus (Walbaum)

A hierarchical breeding design was used to determine if winter flounder Pseudopleuronectes americanus embryos and yolk-sac larvae sired by Georges Bank males developed and grew larger than fish sired by Passamaquoddy Bay males, and to examine parental contributions to variations in fertilization success, time to 50% hatch, hatch success and larval morphological development. Significant stock effects were detected for time to hatch and larval development. Eggs fertilized by Passamaquoddy Bay males reached 50% hatch significantly earlier than eggs fertilized by Georges Bank males. Larvae sired by Georges Bank males were significantly larger during larval development for four of the six traits measured at 12 days post-hatch: head depth, jaw length, myotome height and body area. Embryo and larval development were strongly influenced by maternal contributions; there were significant maternal variance components for the majority of the variables measured. Paternal variance components were significant for fertilization success, time to hatch, larval jaw length and larval head depth, however, they acted principally through parental interactions. This information has important implications for the long-term sustainable development of winter flounder for aquaculture purposes as well as for understanding winter flounder genetic variation in the wild.     

Seasonality of occurrence and recruitment of Arctic marine benthic invertebrate larvae in relation to environmental variables

The Arctic system is one of the regions most influenced by ongoing global climate change, but there are still critical gaps in our knowledge regarding a substantial number of biological processes. This is especially true for processes taking place during the Arctic winter but also for seasonal processes, such as the dynamics of intra-annual meroplankton occurrence. Here, we report on a 1-year study of meroplankton seasonal variability from a fjordic system in the Arctic Archipelago of Svalbard. The study combines an examination of phytoplankton, zooplankton, and hard bottom benthic settlement with measurements of environmental parameters (e.g., water temperature, particulate organic matter, and dissolved organic carbon). Samples were taken on a bi-weekly or monthly basis, and a total of 11 taxa representing six phyla of meroplankton were recorded over a 1-year period from January to December 2007. The occurrence of benthic larvae varied between the seasons, reaching a maximum in both abundance and taxon richness in late spring through early summer. Meroplanktonic larvae were absent in winter. However, settlement of benthic organisms was also recorded during the winter months (February and March), which indicates individual trade-offs related to timing of reproduction and competition. In addition, it suggests that these larvae are not relying on higher summer nutrient concentrations, but instead are dependent on alternative food sources. In parallel with meroplankton abundance, all other measured parameters, both biological (e.g., phyto- and zooplankton abundance and diversity) and physical (e.g., particulate organic matter), exhibited seasonal variability with peaks in the warmer months of the year.     

Evolution saisonniere du zooplancton dans trois sites peu profonds de Thau,une lagune Nord-Mediterraneenne

A monthly zooplankton survey has been conducted from March 1982 to March 1983 at three shallow stations of Thau, a northern-mediterranean lagoon. These stations differ by their distance from the entry of sea-water in the lagoon. Parameters such as pH, temperature, dissolved oxygen, conductivity and turbidity have been measured simultaneously with the sampling in the same water layer. The zooplankton collected corresponds to species usually found in marine neritic communities. In the spring, species richness is maximum. During the summer, meroplankton forms dominant populations in the communities. Autumn is marked by a reduction of the number of species and of the abundance in both components, holoplankton and meroplankton. Few species are present in the winter holoplankton while meroplankton disappears practically from the samples. The sites under observation are subjected to unpredictable changes, in water movement as well as in the organization of the zooplankton communities. These modifications are strongly influenced by weather conditions.     

Seasonal variation of chromophore composition in the eye of the Japanese dace, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Tribolodon hakonensis</Emphasis>

The relationship between seasonal variation and the effect of several different environmental factors on chromophore composition was investigated in the eye of the Japanese dace, Tribolodon hakonensis which lives either in rivers or in the sea. Eyes obtained from river and sea populations had both retinal (A1) and 3,4-didehydroretinal (A2) all through the year but the ratio of these chromophores showed seasonal variation the relative amount of A2 was higher in winter and lower in summer. Besides seasonal variation, A2 showed marked differences depending on habitat: the highest proportion of A2 was 67% in January and the lowest 13% in July, in the river population, whereas in the sea population the highest and the lowest values were only 30 and 6%, respectively, during the same months. The seasonal variation in gonadosomatic index showed no correlation to variations in A2 proportion, and the maximum difference in water temperature between summer and winter was ca. 15°C for both habitats. Because spectral conditions at the locations of capture of both river and sea populations were similar, we conclude that Japanese dace eyes are affected by exogenous factors related to differences between freshwater and seawater environments.     

胶州湾大型底栖动物的物种多样性现状

自1998年2月－1999年11月对胶州湾的10个站进行了大型底栖动物分布状况调查,目的在于为进一步的胶州湾生物多样性变化及其保护研究,为胶州湾底栖生物资源的合理开发和持续利用提供科学依据和积累资料。初步分析结果显示,两年内各站春季和秋季的物种多样性指数偏低,冬季和夏季的指数较高,物种均匀度指数夏季最高,春季最低,物种丰富度指数以夏季最高,春季和冬季略同,秋季最低。1999年各站出现的底栖动物种数明显高于1998年,差异显著,生物多样性平均指数较1998年有所下降。     

胶州湾西部海域大型底栖动物多样性的研究

为了揭示胶州湾最近几年底栖动物多样性的变化, 作者于2003年9月到2004年9月在胶洲湾西部海域5个测站每2个月1次共进行了7个航次采样, 以种类组成、生物量和栖息密度为基础, 对大型底栖动物多样性进行了分析。使用PRIMER软件计算得到以下变量: 群落的物种数(S)、丰富度(D)、Shannon-Wiener物种多样性指数(H')和均匀度指数(J')。结果表明: 位于大沽河口的D站和水道中央的S站的多样性最低; 养殖区内外站位的多样性差异显著; 丰度/生物量曲线表明, 养殖区内的底栖动物群落已经受到了一定程度的扰动。群落物种数(S)和丰富度(D)的季节性变化明显, 春季和秋季较低, 夏季和冬季较高。分析菲律宾蛤仔(Ruditapes philippinarum)增养殖区的站位(D)发现, 多样性指数和丰富度与次级生产力有着负相关的关系。物种多样性指数和丰度/生物量曲线的分析显示, 该研究海域处于一个轻度人为扰动的状态。     

Seasonal fluctuation of zooplankton populations in lower Delaware Bay

Quantitative zooplankton samples were obtained monthly or bi-monthly 15 times from June 1974 to May 1975 at three stations in lower Delaware Bay. Two 12-hour cruises were also conducted at one of the stations.Arthropods dominated the samples in terms of number of species and number of individuals. The number of zooplankton from surface samples ranged from 58/m³ in August to 21,092/ m³ in June, while bottom samples varied from 259/m³ in August to 30,395/ m³ in October. In general, larger concentrations of individuals were found in bottom samples.Only on three occasions did meroplankton exceed the holoplankton, and these occurred at the shallow water stations. Meroplankton comprised a larger percentage of the bottom samples than surface samples. Zoeae of Neopanope sayi and Uca sp. contributed mainly to the large proportion of meroplankton in July 1974, veligers of Mytilus edulis in January 1975, and nauplii of Balanus sp. in May 1975.Copepods were the largest component of the population throughout most of the year. At all stations and depths, Arctica tonsa dominated most of the summer samples. In the spring of 1975, A. tonsa was replaced by Centropages hamatus, Temora longicornis, and Pseudocalanus minutus.During the 12-hour cruises there were higher numbers of individuals in the bottom waters in the day with migration to surface waters in the afternoon and evening. Based on cluster analysis, five time-related assemblages were discerned: June, July–August, September–November, December, January–May. Comparison of Delaware Bay zooplankton with other estuarine systems indicated that the densities obtained locally were most similar to those reported in the York River, Virginia.     

Spatio‐temporal variability in reproductive ecology of sand flathead,Platycephalus bassensis,in three Tasmanian inshore habitats: potential implications for management

Temporal and spatial variability in gonad development, duration of spawning period, and size/age at maturity were investigated in sand flathead, Platycephalus bassensis. A 3‐year study (2001–2003) revealed that variation in gonad weight with somatic weight was a function of an interaction between season and study location (Coles Bay, Georges Bay, and Tamar River estuary). Highest gonad weight was recorded in Coles Bay in early summer, which in comparison to Georges Bay, was approximately 50% higher and occurred 3 months later. Tamar River mature individuals were reproductively inactive during the spawning season. The proportion of mature individuals at different stages of maturity differed significantly among the three locations across all times. Coles Bay individuals were reproductively active from October to March, while in Georges Bay females with hydrated oocytes were seen in September but were absent from the population by November. Interannual variation in initiation and duration of spawning activity was evident in each location. Apart from male size at maturity, for both sexes the size and age at maturity (L₅₀) was higher in Georges Bay compared to Coles Bay. The results emphasize the necessity of temporal and spatial management based on population differences in reproductive ecology.     

You are what you eat, whenever or wherever you eat it: an integrative analysis of fish food habits in Canadian and U.S.A. waters

The degree to which fish diet differs by season and area, particularly over broad scales, was examined for the first time in temperate, contiguous north-west Atlantic Ocean waters by comparing food habit data for 10 species of fishes collected concurrently during the spring and autumn surveys in the U.S.A. (Gulf of Maine proper and Georges Bank) and in the summer survey in Canada (western Scotian Shelf and Bay of Fundy). For most species, there was a general concurrence among the three seasons and four areas: summer diets had the same dominant prey items as spring and autumn diets. Although a suite of multivariate analyses did elucidate some differences in specific proportions of the diet for these species across seasons and areas, the main prey did not substantially change for most of these species. These results suggest that there are (1) minimal differences in diet across season for these species at these taxonomic resolutions, (2) there are minimal differences in diet geographically for these species and (3) differences across species, as expected, are important. Many fisheries ecosystem and multispecies models are dependent on food habit data, where resolving seasonal and spatial differences in diet remains an important consideration; however, the present work implies that amalgamated estimates of diet from seasonal surveys may be a reasonable approach when no finer seasonal resolution exists, as long as due diligence is exercised.     

基于红外相机技术对佛坪国家级自然保护区大熊猫季节性空间分布与活动模式的研究

2015年1月至2017年12月,在陕西佛坪国家级自然保护区海拔1 200～2 500 m的57条大熊猫(Ailuropodamelanoleuca)活动频繁的巡护样线上,布设130台红外相机。累计红外相机有效工作日100 685 d,共拍摄到大熊猫有效独立照片1 831张。将红外相机拍摄的有效照片和相机工作日依据不同竹种类型及保护站归类,对大熊猫季节性空间分布与活动模式进行研究。结果表明:(1)大熊猫春季活动最为频繁,在巴山木竹(Bashania fargesii)林和秦岭箭竹(Fargesia qinlingensis)林中相对多度分别是2.89和3.72;其次是冬季,在巴山木竹林和秦岭箭竹林中的相对多度分别是2.95和2.74。3月份是其活动高峰,巴山木竹林和秦岭箭竹林中的相对多度指数都是最高;11、12和1月份,大熊猫在巴山木竹林中相对多度指数高于秦岭箭竹林;2至10月份,大熊猫在秦岭箭竹林中的相对多度指数都要高于巴山木竹林。(2)大熊猫在佛坪保护区各个保护站均有分布,且存在季节性空间分布差异。三官庙和西河保护站全年的12个月都能够捕获到大熊猫的身影,是大熊猫分布相对多度最高的...     

The summer distribution of net plankton dinoflagellates and their relation to water movements in the NE Atlantic Ocean, west of Ireland

A grid of 28 stations on the continental shelf and slope regionwest of Ireland, which included the Porcupine Bank and the PorcupineSea Bight, was sampled for net phytoplankton in the summer (Juneand July) of 1995. Armoured dinoflagellates were recorded onboth a relative abundance and presence/absence basis. Resultsshowed good agreement with the physical circulation of the region,based on an analysis of seasonal current meter data from theupper 500 m of the water column. The distributions of some dinoflagellatespecies, known to have either a mainly oceanic or warm temperatedistribution, indicated the existence of two separate slopecurrents in the region, one along the Irish Shelf with a sourcein the Bay of Biscay, and the other along the western slopeof the Porcupine Bank fed by the North Atlantic Current waters.The data presented here support the idea that, in summer atleast, the slope current west of Ireland is not entirely coherentin the upper layers of the water column.     

越冬和复苏时期太湖水体蓝藻群落结构的时空变化

为研究太湖蓝藻在越冬与复苏时期群落结构的时空变化规律,于2008年11月,2009年2月,2009年4月,在太湖富营养化较严重的湖区选取8个采样点 (梅梁湾、竺山湾、贡湖湾、大浦、西太湖、南太湖、湖心和湖湾交汇处),分3层采水样,过滤并提取样品DNA经PCR扩增蓝藻16S rDNA序列,采用T-RFLP(末端标记的限制性酶切片段长度多样性)技术分析蓝藻群落结构和多样性变化。共得到87个不同的T-RFs(末端限制性酶切片段),表明太湖蓝藻具有丰富的基因多样性。T-RF相对丰度和聚类分析结果表明,太湖蓝藻群落结构在垂直空间上相似性较高,相似度 > 50%;在水平空间,与Microcystis spp.对应的信号峰在8个采样点均为最强峰(相对丰度为17.7% 47.5%)。竺山湾蓝藻多样性最低,西太湖最高,但其余采样点间蓝藻群落和Shannon多样性指数没有显著差异(P>0.05)。Microcystis相对丰度与Shannon多样性指数呈显著负相关(皮尔逊相关系数为-0.958)。在时间尺度上,相似性分析(Analysis of similarity,ANOSIM)结果显示太湖蓝藻群落结构存在极显著差异( P<0.01) 。春季复苏时蓝藻多样性最高,秋季衰亡时最低。聚类分析表明样品聚成两大特征类群,秋季衰亡时样品独自聚为1支,而春季复苏期和冬季越冬期样品彼此混杂。     

Seasonal changes in the cardiorespiratory responses to hypercarbia and temperature in the bullfrog, Rana catesbeiana

We assessed the seasonal variations in the effects of hypercarbia (3 or 5% inspired CO2) on cardiorespiratory responses in the bullfrog Rana catesbeiana at different temperatures (10, 20 and 30 degrees C). We measured breathing frequency, blood gases, acid-base status, hematocrit, heart rate, blood pressure and oxygen consumption. At 20 and 30 degrees C, the rate of oxygen consumption had a tendency to be lowest during winter and highest during summer. Hypercarbia-induced changes in breathing frequency were proportional to body temperature during summer and spring, but not during winter (20 and 30 degrees C). Moreover, during winter, the effects of CO2 on breathing frequency at 30 degrees C were smaller than during summer and spring. These facts indicate a decreased ventilatory sensitivity during winter. PaO2 and pHa showed no significant change during the year, but PaCO2 was almost twice as high during winter than in summer and spring, indicating increased plasma bicarbonate levels. The hematocrit values showed no significant changes induced by temperature, hypercarbia or season, indicating that the oxygen carrying capacity of blood is kept constant throughout the year. Decreased body temperature was accompanied by a reduction in heart rate during all four seasons, and a reduction in blood pressure during summer and spring. Blood pressure was higher during winter than during any other seasons whereas no seasonal change was observed in heart rate. This may indicate that peripheral resistance and/or stroke volume may be elevated during this season. Taken together, these results suggest that the decreased ventilatory sensitivity to hypercarbia during winter occurs while cardiovascular parameters are kept constant.     

Seasonal changes in blood testosterone in the Giara horse

The blood testosterone changes in three Giara stallions, average age 8 years old and average weight 183 Kgs, were checked weekly for a year using a radioimmunological method. The horses showed a highly seasonal hormonal activity concentrated in the first half of the year (winter and spring). In the second half of the year (summer and fall) the stallions showed low levels of testosterone. The highest level of the androgen hormone occurred in April, the lowest in October. The absolute levels of this hormone agreed substantially with the relative literature.