Non-random distribution of macromolecules as driving forces for phenotypic variation

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Larval fish distribution,growth and feeding in Patagonian fjords: potential effects of freshwater discharge

In fjord systems, freshwater inputs occur by ice melting and river discharge, affecting seawater salinity along fjord and adjacent waters, and potentially the ecology of early life stages of marine fish occurring in the area. During austral spring 2008, a bio-oceanographic cruise was carried out in southern Chile between 47°00′ and 50°09′S, an area influenced by Baker River discharge and ice melting of Northern and Southern Ice Fields, the largest glaciers from Patagonia. Surface salinity and temperature ranged from 1.22 to 32.80, and from 8.11 to 10.68°C, respectively. Larval lightfish Maurolicus parvipinnis (Sternoptychidae) and Falkland sprat Sprattus fuegensis (Clupeidae) were the dominant species, with abundances of 2.2–39.9 larvae 10 m⁻² and 3.4–77.1 larvae 10 m⁻², respectively. Postflexion stages of both species were collected mainly in surface density fronts. Otolith-based growth analyses estimated linear growth rates of 0.136 mm day⁻¹ for M. parvipinnis of 4.1–15.1 mm, and 0.448 mm day⁻¹ for S. fuegensis of 5.4–20.5 mm. Recent Otolith Growth Index (ROGI), based on the residual analysis of the relationship between increment width of outermost five microincrements and otolith radius, indicates that larval M. parvipinnis collected in low salinity waters showed a reduction of its recent growth rate compared those collected in saltier waters. Also, ROGI was positively correlated with salinity of the water column for larval M. parvipinnis. Gut content analysis showed that large larvae collected near sources of freshwater had lower number of prey in its guts and preyed on different items than fish larvae collected in saltier waters. Therefore, freshwater inputs from rivers and glaciers from Patagonia affected horizontal distribution, recent growth and feeding of larval fish in fjords and channels of southern Chile.     

Interactions between herbivorous fish guilds and their influence on algal succession on a coastal coral reef

Herbivory is an important mechanism affecting algal succession, particularly on coral reefs where the relationship between algae and corals is largely controlled by herbivores. However, different functional groups of herbivores may have contrasting effects on succession, which may explain different trajectories of coral reef recovery after disturbance. Here, the effects of different herbivore groups (roving herbivores = foragers and territorial damselfish = farmers) were isolated by a multi-factorial experiment carried out on a coastal coral reef with high macroalgal cover, high farmer densities and relatively low forager abundance. The effects of foragers and farmers were distinguished by monitoring algal succession on settlement tiles placed inside and outside exclusion cages, with orthogonal treatments established inside and outside damselfish territories (with appropriate cage controls). Within 12 months, algal assemblages on ungrazed tiles inside exclusion cages proceeded rapidly from fine filamentous turfs, to corticated algae, to tough erect (e.g. Amphiroa spp.) and foliose (e.g. Peyssonnellidae) calcified algae. Farmers had a dramatic impact on succession, essentially arresting the development of the algal community at a point where it was dominated by palatable filamentous algae of the genus Polysiphonia. Fleshy macroalgae such as Sargassum spp. were excluded from farmer territories. In contrast, foragers did not suppress fleshy macroalgae, but rather, appeared to decelerate succession and promote a relatively diverse assemblage. In contrast to forager-dominated reefs, farmer territories did not appear to function solely as forager exclusion areas or promote algal diversity as a result of intermediate grazing pressure. The relatively strong effects of farmers observed here may represent a future scenario for coral reefs that are increasingly subject to overfishing of large grazing fishes.     

泾河沿岸景观格局梯度变化及驱动力分析

以MODIS影像数据为基础,利用Fragstats为工具,对泾河主干沿岸做10 km缓冲区(Buffer) ,从景观水平和类型水平上,分析河岸带景观格局的梯度变化,同时对产生这种梯度变化的驱动力进行分析。结果表明泾河自上游而下,景观水平上的景观指数有3种不同的变化类型:(1)上升型(2 )下降型(3)无明显趋势,表现出斑块数量、丰富度、连接度的递增,形状指数、分维数和斑块大小的递减;类型水平上以农田、草地和农草交错类为主,这3种类型的景观指数表现突出,具有明显的峰值。景观格局的梯度变化受到温度、降水、土壤等影响,同时,人为干扰也是不可忽视的重要因素,经济发展,人口增加使景观类型及其分布格局发生巨大的变化。景观格局的数量化对生态系统评估、监测起重要的作用。     

Effect of freshwater discharge, intrusions of coastal water, and bathymetry on zooplankton distribution in a Norwegian fjord system

Freshwater discharge from a hydroelectric power plant had astrong impact on plankton transport and distribution withinthe fjord system. Most zooplankters submerged beneath the outgoingbrackish current, and subsequent advection by the compensationcurrent caused high concentrations near the power plant outlet.Currents driven by wind-induced changes in the density fieldin the adjacent coastal waters dominated transport between thefjord system and Outer regions. Normal plankton advection ratesappeared to be on the same order of magnitude as local zooplanktongrowth within the fairly enclosed system. However, during strong,short-term intrusions of coastal water, plankton compositionand distribution changed markedly in the course of a few days.The bathymetry seemed to be decisive for the distribution ofAcartia, which was recurrently found in highest numbers at theshallowest sampling location.     

The distribution of vascular plant species and guilds in space and time along a desert gradient

Abstract. We studied distribution patterns of vascular plant species and environmental variables for three years along a permanent transect traversing a closed-drainage watershed in the northern Chihuahuan Desert of south-central New Mexico, USA. The transect extended for 2.7 km from a basin floor playa (1310 m elevation, fine-textured soil), across a piedmont slope, and onto the base of a granitic mountain (1410 m elevation, coarse-textured soil). The gradients in elevation and soils across our transect, along with variable seasonal rainfall, downslope redistribution of water and organic matter, and soil texture-related variation in infiltration, water holding capacity, and moisture release characteristics, interact to generate a complex spatial and temporal gradient of available soil water and nitrogen. We grouped plant species into guilds according to growth form and photo synthetic pathway type. These guilds are spatially and temporally differentiated along the transect such that particular groups utilize particular seasonal phases or spatial regions of the gradient. We identified six distinct plant communities along the transect. C₄ perennial grasses dominated the mesic/high nitrogen portion of the gradient, which occurred at the highest (upper piedmont grassland, dominated by Bouteloua eriopoda) and lowest (playa, dominated by Panicum obtusum) elevations along the transect. C₃ shrubs were dominant in the xeric/low nitrogen portion of the gradient located near the middle of the transect (bajada shrubland, dominated by Larrea tridentata). C₃ shrubs also dominated a narrow zone of vegetation located adjacent to the playa (playa fringe, dominated by Prosopisglandulosa). C₄ perennial grasses, C₃ subshrubs, and C₃ and C₄ perennial forbs and annuals were co-dominant in the intermediate locations along the gradient, which occurred below (mixed basin slopes) and above (lower piedmont grassland) the bajada shrubland. Life-form distribution patterns at the small scale of our study reflect some of the patterning that occurs at larger scales in response to climate gradients. The distributions of some species and guilds along the transect are apparently modified by competitive interactions.     

Disturbance,fish, and variation in the predatory insect guild of coastal streams

Species distributions, and thus the composition of communities, are determined by many interacting biotic and abiotic factors. We analyzed the variation in composition of the invertebrate predator guild across eight small, steep coastal streams in eastern Canada, in relation to variation in several broad categories of environmental variables: disturbance-related physical characteristics, top-down effects (fish), and bottom-up effects (prey composition and productivity-related physical/chemical variables). Similarity in composition (relative and absolute abundances of the 19 species belonging to the Rhyacophilidae, Perlodidae, and Chloroperlidae) declined significantly with distance. Streams that were most similar in predator composition were also most similar in physical factors related to disturbance, but were not more similar in prey abundance/composition or in environmental factors associated with productivity (chemistry, canopy cover, and riparian forest type). Similarity in the relative abundance of species within the Rhyacophilidae was linked to variation in the presence/abundance of brook trout. These results suggest that the invertebrate predator guilds of these small coastal streams are structured first and foremost by factors associated with the magnitude and variability of the flow regime, and second by response to top-down factors (predation by brook trout). There was no evidence that bottom-up effects altered the composition or abundance of the predator guild. Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users. Handling editor: Sonja Stendera     

Distribution and ecology of campylobacters in coastal plain streams (Georgia, United States of America)

Campylobacter is the leading cause of bacterium-associated diarrhea in the United States and most developed countries. While this disease is considered a food-borne disease, many clinical cases cannot be linked to a food source. In rural and agrarian areas environmental transmission may be an important factor contributing to case loads. Here we investigated the waterborne prevalence of campylobacters in a mixed-use rural watershed in the coastal plain of southern Georgia (United States). Six sites representing various degrees of agricultural and human influence were surveyed biweekly to monthly for 1 year for the presence of culturable thermophilic campylobacters and other measures of water quality. Campylobacters were frequently present in agriculture- and sewage-impacted stretches of streams. The mean campylobacter counts and overall prevalence were highest downstream from a wastewater treatment plant that handled both human and poultry slaughterhouse waste (相似文献   

Pattern and process in the distribution of North American freshwater fish

Published species lists were analysed to determine the contributions of dispersal, habitat preference, river channel size, body size, and glacial history to large‐scale patterns in freshwater fish species richness in North America, north of central Mexico. Total species richness declines to the north and west but the pattern for endemics differs from that of widespread species. Mississippi Basin regions are more species rich than more isolated, coastal, regions. Richness declines more rapidly with increasing latitude in riverine specialist than in habitat generalist species. Levels of endemism are greatest in species found in small‐ to medium‐sized river channels. The strong Rapoport effect, more marked in migratory than resident species, is correlated with habitat preference, channel size, and glacial history. Body size increases with latitude, largely as a result of a trend from small resident to large migrant species. In unglaciated regions, ancestral species survived in large habitats because these are longer‐lived, more extensive, less isolated and more stable than headwaters, permitting larger populations and lower extinction levels. Reduced levels of gene flow in small, peripheral, channels isolated by larger downstream habitats have resulted in the production of many, small range, small‐bodied species. The latitudinal richness gradient is a consequence of speciation and extinction events in unglaciated faunas and an increasing domination of faunas by generalist, large bodied, large channel, recolonizing species in more northern regions. © 2010 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2010, 100 , 46–61.     

Species richness of mussel assemblages and trait guilds in relation to environment and fish diversity in streams of Illinois,the USA

Hydrobiologia - Fish hosts are critical for freshwater mussels. However, correlation between mussel and fish species richness (SR) is variable. Here, we examine how the environment affects this...     

Total phosphorus inference models and indices for coastal plain streams based on benthic diatom assemblages from artificial substrates

We investigated the potential for using diatoms to monitor and assess nutrient enrichment in coastal plain streams using weighted-averaging inference models and diatom trophic indices. Samples were collected from low-gradient, clay- to sand-bottom streams in New Jersey (NJ), USA, using artificial substrates (diatometers). Multivariate analysis showed that conductivity was overall the most important explanatory variable. Total phosphorus (TP) explained a significant proportion of the variation in diatom species composition. There was statistical justification for development of inference models for TP but not for total nitrogen (TN). We developed and tested models for inferring TP using weighted-averaging (WA) and weighted-averaging partial least squares (WA-PLS) regression and calibration techniques. We also created a diatom TP index by rescaling the inferred TP values. WA-PLS provided the best model (n = 38), which showed moderate predictive ability (r _boot² = 0.43; RMSEP_boot = 0.30 log₁₀ μg l⁻¹ TP); it performed best at lower TP concentrations and tended to underestimate values above 100 μg l⁻¹. The TP index performed well; it assigned the majority of the index scores to the correct nutrient category. TP models and indices developed for the Coastal Plain had lower predictive ability than those developed for northern NJ and streams in other comparable geographic regions of the US. This lower performance can be attributed primarily to a data gap in the TP gradient in the calibration dataset (lack of sites with TP concentrations between 240 and 560 μg l⁻¹), and a smaller number of samples. We conclude that diatom-based TP inference models and artificial substrate sampling are useful for assessing and monitoring nutrient enrichment in coastal plain streams. Given the worldwide distribution of streams similar to those in this study, these tools should be widely applicable. Handling editor: D. Ryder     

Spatial patterns in the abundance and distribution of parasites of freshwater fish

It is not yet known whether the abundance and distribution of freshwater fish parasites form spatial patterns. Here, Rita Hartvigsen and Odd Halvorsen review the main approaches to the study of spatial patterns of these parasites, and propose an alternative approach based on meta-population theory and landscape ecology.     

The response of fish size and species diversity to environmental gradients in two Neotropical coastal streams

Hydrobiologia - This study investigated the effects of environmental variation on fish diversity patterns in two coastal streams in northwestern Ecuador. Specifically, we examined the role of...     

Species composition and distribution of the freshwater fish fauna of Southern Vietnam

Two hundred and fifty-five fish species occurring in freshwaters in the South of Vietnam are listed. Their geographical distribution is briefly discussed.     

Species-area relationship and environmental predictors of fish communities in coastal freshwater wetlands of southern Brazil

In the Neotropics where fragmentation is common, environmental factors structuring fish communities are poorly known. In this study two hypotheses were tested in 13 coastal wetlands of southern Brazil: 1) physical features (such as wetland area, habitat diversity, water depth and temperature, and water and sediment chemistry) are important determinants of richness, density and composition of fish assemblages; and 2) species richness and composition of fish assemblages differ between wetlands with different hydroperiods (i.e. permanent versus intermittent). A total of 1,597 individuals distributed among 20 species were collected. Richness was positively associated with wetland area and water depth and it was negatively associated with water conductivity. The species-area power function explained 27.3% of the variation in richness. Fish richness was similar between permanent and intermittent wetlands. The density was negatively associated with water depth and temperature, and it was positively correlated with water nitrate concentration. The first three axes from the CCA accounted for 55.5% of total variation in fish composition. The most important variables related to fish composition were percentage of sediment organic matter, phosphorus concentration, habitat diversity and water depth. Composition of fish species changed among permanent and intermittent wetlands. Understanding the environmental factors that shape and maintain the biodiversity in these ecosystems is essential to develop conservation and management programs of wetlands in this region, where more than 90% of wetland systems have already been lost due to anthropogenic activities.     

Diversity and vertical distribution of magnetotactic bacteria along chemical gradients in freshwater microcosms

The vertical distribution of magnetotactic bacteria along various physico-chemical gradients in freshwater microcosms was analyzed by a combined approach of viable cell counts, 16S rRNA gene analysis, microsensor profiling and biogeochemical methods. The occurrence of magnetotactic bacteria was restricted to a narrow sediment layer overlapping or closely below the maximum oxygen and nitrate penetration depth. Different species showed different preferences within vertical gradients, but the largest proportion (63-98%) of magnetotactic bacteria was detected within the suboxic zone. In one microcosm the community of magnetotactic bacteria was dominated by one species of a coccoid Alphaproteobacterium, as detected by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis in sediment horizons from 1 to 10 mm depth. Maximum numbers of magnetotactic bacteria were up to 1.5 x 10(7) cells/cm3, which corresponded to 1% of the total cell number in the upper sediment layer. The occurrence of magnetotactic bacteria coincided with the availability of significant amounts (6-60 microM) of soluble Fe(II), and in one sample with hydrogen sulfide (up to 40 microM). Although various trends were clearly observed, a strict correlation between the distribution of magnetotactic bacteria and individual geochemical parameters was absent. This is discussed in terms of metabolic adaptation of various strains of magnetotactic bacteria to stratified sediments and diversity of the magnetotactic bacterial communities.     

Global distribution,entry routes,mechanisms and consequences of invasive freshwater fish

Biological invasion is now considered one of the three major environmental issues worldwide. Freshwater fish invasion becomes more serious with globalization of the world economy. We reviewed the current status of global freshwater fish invasions and discussed the definitions, distributions, introduction pathways, mechanisms, ecological and economic impacts, and risk assessments of freshwater fish invasions. Non-native fish are mainly introduced through food aquaculture (51%), as ornamental fish (21%), or for sport fishing (12%) and fisheries (7%). The number of introduced fish has reached 624 species, doubled the number found thirty years ago. Successful invasions may bring many negative ecological consequences, such as predation, hybridization, structure and function alteration of local freshwater ecosystems, as well as diseases transmission. However, it also brings positive biological and economic values. The number of fish invasion studies has increased eight times over the last 20 years, with studies mainly focusing on biology and the biological impact of invasive fish species. Risk assessments of freshwater fish invasions were studied over the last 10 years, and fish invasiveness screening models have been applied in countries of five continents. The number of non-native freshwater fish in China totaled 439. However, research papers on freshwater fish invasions in China was only 3.7% of the global total, and these researches were mainly on the distribution and biology of invasive fish species, and very few studies included risk assessments. Therefore, we suggest investigating the history, distribution, and mechanisms of invasive species at the national level, evaluating both the positive and negative effects of freshwater fish invasions, and also reinforcing studies of risk assessments in China.     

Geomorphological disturbance affects ecological driving forces and plant turnover along an altitudinal stress gradient on alpine slopes

The altitudinal gradient is considered as a stress gradient for plant species because the development and fitness of plant communities tend to decrease as a result of the extreme environmental conditions present at high elevations. Abiotic factors are predicted to be the primary filter for species assemblage in high alpine areas, influencing biotic interactions through both competition for resources and positive interactions among species. We hypothesised that the relative importance of the ecological driving forces that affect the biotic interactions within plant communities changes along an elevation gradient on alpine debris slopes. We used multiple gradient analyses of 180 vegetation plots along an altitudinal range from ~1,600 to 2,600 m and single 100 m-bands in the Adamello-Presanella Group (Central Alps) to investigate our hypothesis; we measured multiple environmental variables related to different ecological driving forces. Our results illustrate that resource limitations at higher elevations affect not only the shift from competition to facilitation among species. A geomorphological disturbance regime along alpine slopes favours the resilience of the high-altitude species within topographic/geomorphological traps. An understanding of the ecological driving forces and positive interactions as a function of altitude may clarify the mechanisms underlying plant responses to present and future environmental changes.     

Spider family composition and species richness patterns in two savannah habitats along the eastern coastal plain of Africa

The spider faunas of two savannah reserves along the eastern coastal plain of Africa are compared. Species richness was higher in the tropical area, with 493 species (54 families) from Mkomazi Game Reserve, Tanzania. Species richness was also high in the subtropics, with a total of 431 species (46 families) recorded from Ndumo Game Reserve, South Africa. Spider community structure was remarkably similar in the two reserves, with Salticidae, Gnaphosidae, Thomisidae, Theridiidae and Araneidae the most species‐rich families in both reserves. Eleven of the fourteen most species rich families were the same. A similar proportion of families were represented by singleton and doubleton species. A genus‐ and species‐level comparison of ten spider families indicates that while there is considerable overlap in the generic composition of the reserves (Sorensen’s Quotient of similarity: all >0.650 except Linyphiidae, 0.166; Corinnidae, 0.500) there is little overlap between the species occurring in the two sites (0.000–0.571), which was particularly evident in the more species‐rich families. A comparison of diversity of 57 families in each reserve with the spider biodiversity in the two sub‐regions suggests that local biodiversity is largely determined by regional biogeographical influences rather than local ecological factors.