Cyclomorphosis in Keratella tropica (Apstein) of Lake Asejire,Nigeria

Of one thousand, one hundred and four (1104), Keratella tropica collected with a 55 m mesh plankton net from the surface of Lake Asejire from February 1974 to February 1976 lorica length and width, and the lengths of the posterior spines were measured.Lake Asejire K. tropica are among the smallest in Africa. Variations in the patterns of spine length development were independent of season as individuals without left posterior spines and with relatively long left and right posterior spines occurred as commonly in the rainy as in the dry season months.Correlations between K. tropica dimensions and thirty environmental factors underscore the importance of physical environmental factors and point to biological and genetic factors as determinants of the patterns of cyclomorphosis in K. tropica.     

Effects of thermal effluents from the Bergum power station on the phytoplankton in the Bergumermeer

Summary The Bergum power station (600 MW) of the Friesian Provincial Electricity Board is situated at the northern shore of the Lake Bergum. The lake has a mean depth of 1.3 m and a surface area of 4.4 km². Its northern half is separated by a break-water into an intake area in the north-west and a discharge area in the north-east.The Lake Bergum is connected with other water bodies in the northern provinces of the Netherlands by four canals. The whole yaer various amounts of water enter Lake Bergum mainly from the western canal (Prinses Margrietkanaal) and to a lesser extent from the southern canal (De Lits). In wet seasons lake water flows off, mainly after passing the power station, to the northern canal (De Zwemmer); then the heated water (22 m³.sec_–1) does not enter the discharge area of the lake. When evapo-transpiration exceeds precipitation lake water flows off mainly to the eastern canal (Kolonelsdiep). In these relatively dry periods most of the heated water returns to the lake in the discharge area.We found that the mean increase in water temperature effected by the condensors of the power station was ca. 5°C; the maximum increase was 7.5°C. On average about 25% of the whole lake had a noticable higher (1°C) temperature than the intake water, only 6.5% was about 2°C above ambient temperatures.For about 3.5 years (1974–Sept. 1978) water samples for analysis of the chlorophyll concentrations of the different areas within the lake and the surrounding canals were taken every week during the growing season, and fortnightly during the winter period. The chlorophyll concentrations of the intake water were about 5% higher than those of the discharge water leaving the power station. Near the mouth of the northern canal in the discharge area still small, but significant lower chlorophyll concentrations were found. The southern half of the lake, in which practically no elevated water temperatures were found, had significant higher chlorophyll concentrations (10–15%) than the intake area. Water entering the lake from the western canal had significant (10–15%) lower chlorophyll concentrations than the intake area of the lake. Probably, relatively chlorophyll-poor canal water and chlorophyll-rich water from the southern lake area mix in the intake area. While the water passes the power station the chlorophyll concentrations decrease. In the discharge area of the lake the chlorophyll concentrations of the discharge water gradually increase again to values equal to those of the intake area.During the last 2 years of the research period oxygen production and consumption experiments were conducted almost every month. In each experiment light and dark botties containing intake and discharge water were suspended in water with both water temperatures. The light intensities during the incubation periods (2–3 hours) were chosen according to maximum production values. The incubations were started within one hour and/or one day after sampling. Directly after sampling gross productivity of the intake water incubated at discharge temperatures was about 1.5 times as high as at intake temperatures. The gross productivity of the discharge water was always somewhat lower than the gross productivity of the intake water incubated at corresponding temperatures. After one day this inhibiting effect of passage through the power station had increased, even when the discharge water had been cooled down to intake temperatures immediately after sampling.The oxygen consumption of the discharge water incubated at discharge temperatures as well as at intake temperatures was about 1.3 times the oxygen consumption of the intake water at intake temperatures. After one day the discharge water, which had stayed at discharge temperatures, consumed 1.6–1.7 times as much as the intake water incubated at intake temperatures. The oxygen consumption of the discharge water which had been cooled down to intake temperatures directly after sampling, was after one day still 1.3 times the oxygen consumption of the intake water at intake temperatures.This research was financially supported by the Ministerie van Volksgezondheld en Millieuhygiëne (Ministry of Public Health and the Environment). An extensive report (in Dutch) will be published this year.     

鄱阳湖不同水文期浮游生物群落结构特征和影响因素及水质评价

为阐明鄱阳湖不同水文期浮游生物群落结构特征及其影响因素,研究于2017年8月(丰水期)和12月(枯水期)在鄱阳湖湖区典型水域设置5个采样点进行浮游生物采样调查。研究期间共鉴定浮游植物8门75属186种,丰水期与枯水期均以硅藻门和绿藻门为主。共鉴定浮游动物4类76种,丰水期与枯水期均以原生动物和轮虫为主。方差分析显示:浮游植物密度与生物量在不同水文期之间的差异均为极显著(P<0.01),浮游动物丰水期密度高于枯水期,但无显著差异(P>0.05),浮游动物生物量(P<0.05)在不同水文期差异显著。冗余分析(RDA)显示:丰水期透明度和浮游生物呈显著负相关关系,电导率和浮游生物呈显著正相关。透明度、电导率与营养盐是影响丰水期浮游生物群落结构的主要环境因素,枯水期水温和溶解氧是驱动鄱阳湖浮游生物群落生态分布的主要环境因素。基于Shannon-Wiener(H′)、Margalef(d)和Pielou(J)等生物多样性指数的水质评价结果表明:鄱阳湖研究区域水质状态处于寡污-中污之间。研究揭示了2个水文期对通江湖泊浮游生物的影响:季节变化不改变湖泊浮游生物的物种组成及优势种,但...     

Duration of inundation and change in physical and chemical characteristics of small temporary pans in South Africa

The day-to-day fluctuations in water depth, water temperature, dissolved oxygen concentration, pH, conductivity and turbidity of six pans at Bain's Vlei, South Africa, were monitored during five successive inundations from September 1988 to April 1989. Mean duration of inundations was 13.9 days, daytime water temperatures ranged from 10.5 °C–33.1 °C, dissolved oxygen ranged from 30% to 142% saturation and conductivity ranged from 43–2630 µ S cm^–1. F-test multivariate analysis indicated that physical and chemical characteristics of all pans were similar during the first inundation but differed significantly during the subsequent inundations. The aquatic pan environment is ephemeral, fluctuating and unpredictable. The biological community should consequently feature adaptations to these conditions.     

Temperature and oxygen in an Everglades alligator pond

The Everglades is a large subtropical marsh ecosystem. Ponds, maintained through the activity of alligators, are abundant and ecologically important components of this system. Temperature in a 18 x 12 m study pond was controlled primarily by ambient air temperature, with significant temporal lags because of thermal resistance caused by plant growth. Temperature changed seasonally being 10° to 15°C lower in summer than winter. Diurnal temperatures fluctuated 7°C in summer and 4°C in winter. Maximum temperature exceeded 34°C. Dissolved oxygen fluctuated between 50 to 85% saturation in winter to supersaturation in summer. During the dry season water levels fell and oxygen fluctuated markedly, for example from 4 to 200% saturation within a diurnal cycle.The relation of water temperature to air temperature was similar to other reported ponds but continued fluctuation in winter differed from some results from other ponds. The distinct seasonality has important effects on biological components. Fluctuation of dissolved oxygen can result from high animal density and plankton in the dry season and can lead to massive mortality of aquatic animals. The physio-chemical conditions of Everglades alligator ponds are controlled by a combination of seasonal temperature and insolation, water level changes and biologic factors such as fish density, bird predation and alligator activity.     

Effects of ambient Lake Mohave temperatures on development,oxygen consumption,and hatching success of the razorback sucker

Synopsis Spawning of razorback suckers,Xyrauchen texanus, in Lake Mohave occurred from 10–22°C and larvae were collected at water temperatures from 10–15°C in 1982 and 1983. In the laboratory, hatching success was similar from 12–20°C, but reduced hatching success was found at 10°C while none hatched a 8°C. Development rate and oxygen consumption were positively related to incubation temperature. Direct effects of ambient Lake Mohave water temperatures on hatching success of razorback sucker embryos are considered minimal. Historical spawning temperatures for the species are hypothesized based upon successful incubation temperatures and comparison to the white sucker,Catostomus commersoni.     

On the physical limnology of Georgian Bay

Georgian Bay comprises the easternmost part of the Michigan-Huron water system and extensive data were collected here in 1974 by the Canada Centre For Inland Waters. Fifty-one stations were monitored between April and December of 1974; the time series recordings of currents and temperature at 10 locations, meteorological recordings at two buoys, and water level recordings from temporary gauges were carried out. Minimum surface temperature of 0 °C persists for one month commencing in late February and maximum surface temperatures occurred in early August (19 °C). The annual heat income for Georgian Bay was estimated to be 43 700 cal · cm^–2. The exchange at Main Channel has a significant influence on water residence and flushing times in Georgian Bay which determines its trophic status.     

Production and chlorophyll concentration of epipelic and epilithic algae in fertilized and nonfertilized subarctic lakes

The production and chlorophyll concentration of epipelic and epilithic algae was measured during four years (1972–1975) in two shallow, Swedish subarctic lakes. One lake (Lake Hymenjaure) was fertilized with phosphorus or a combination of phosphorus and nitrogen while the other (Lake Stugsjön) served as a reference. The benthic algae in both lakes were dominated by Cyanophyceae of the same species during the whole investigation. The chlorophyll concentration of epipelic and epilithic algae was 100 and 20 mg·m^–2 respectively and fairly constant during the season. In 1974–1975 there was a significant increase in chlorophyll concentration of the benthic algae in Lake Hymenjaure, probably as a response to the poorer light climate in the lake due to a large phytoplankton development. The annual benthic production was 3.4–7.2 gC·m^–2 and it was not enhanced by the fertilization. Compared to the other primary producers (phytoplankton and macrophytes) the benthic algae constituted 70–83% of the total production in Lake Stugsjön. In Lake Hymenjaure, however, the importance of the benthic algae decreased from 50 to 22% of the total due to the great increase in phytoplankton production induced by the lake fertilization.     

Effect of incubation temperature on green sturgeon embryos, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Acipenser medirostris</Emphasis>

Regulation of river flow and the amount of winter rainfall are the major factors affecting the water temperature of the spawning grounds, for green sturgeon in the Klamath River. During the primary spawning period of green sturgeon, mid-April to June, the water temperature may vary from 8 to 21°C. To estimate the potential implications of this modified thermal regime, we examined the survival and development in three progeny groups of green sturgeon embryos from zygote to hatch, at constant incubation temperatures (11–26°C). Temperatures 23–26°C affected cleavage and gastrulation and all died before hatch. Temperatures 17.5–22°C were suboptimal as an increasing number of embryos developed abnormally and hatching success decreased at 20.5–22°C, although the tolerance to these temperatures varied between progenies. The lower temperature limit was not evident from this study, although hatching rate decreased at 11°C and hatched embryos were shorter, compared to 14°C. The mean total length of hatched embryos decreased with increasing temperature, although their wet and dry weight remained relatively constant. We concluded that temperatures 17–18°C may be the upper limit of the thermal optima for green sturgeon embryos, and that the river thermal regime during dry years may affect green sturgeon reproduction.     

Artificial Regulation of Water Level and Its Effect on Aquatic Macrophyte Distribution in Taihu Lake

Management of water levels for flood control, water quality, and water safety purposes has become a priority for many lakes worldwide. However, the effects of water level management on the distribution and composition of aquatic vegetation has received little attention. Relevant studies have used either limited short-term or discrete long-term data and thus are either narrowly applicable or easily confounded by the effects of other environmental factors. We developed classification tree models using ground surveys combined with 52 remotely sensed images (15–30 m resolution) to map the distributions of two groups of aquatic vegetation in Taihu Lake, China from 1989–2010. Type 1 vegetation included emergent, floating, and floating-leaf plants, whereas Type 2 consisted of submerged vegetation. We sought to identify both inter- and intra-annual dynamics of water level and corresponding dynamics in the aquatic vegetation. Water levels in the ten-year period from 2000–2010 were 0.06–0.21 m lower from July to September (wet season) and 0.22–0.27 m higher from December to March (dry season) than in the 1989–1999 period. Average intra-annual variation (CV_a) decreased from 10.21% in 1989–1999 to 5.41% in 2000–2010. The areas of both Type 1 and Type 2 vegetation increased substantially in 2000–2010 relative to 1989–1999. Neither annual average water level nor CV_a influenced aquatic vegetation area, but water level from January to March had significant positive and negative correlations, respectively, with areas of Type 1 and Type 2 vegetation. Our findings revealed problems with the current management of water levels in Taihu Lake. To restore Taihu Lake to its original state of submerged vegetation dominance, water levels in the dry season should be lowered to better approximate natural conditions and reinstate the high variability (i.e., greater extremes) that was present historically.     

Species composition and seasonal abundance of zooplankton in two Ethiopian Rift Valley lakes — Lakes Abiata and Langano

The composition and annual cycle of the zooplankton of two Ethiopian Rift Valley soda lakes is described. Lake Langano has a conductivity of 1 400 to 1800 µS cm^–1 and a permanent mineral turbidity. Lake Abiata is more concentrated (conductivity 19 000 to 23 000 µS cm^–1) and more alkaline but less turbid; it is characterised by dense phytoplankton blooms, mainly cyanophytes.The zooplankton assemblage is typically tropical, with relatively few species of Cladocera and Copepoda. There was a marked difference in zooplankton between the two lakes, Lake Abiata showing much higher concentrations and greater wet season/ dry season differences. The species composition was also different. Lake Abiata lacked Cladocera, and calanoid copepods occurred only during the wet season with lower conductivities. These two phenomena were attributed to high sodium bicarbonate concentration and to dense cyanophyte blooms. Eleven species of rotifers occurred in Lake Abiata, including six Brachionus spp. but B. rubens was the only rotifer found in Lake Langano. The seasonal variation of the zooplankton is discussed in relation to seasonal fluctuations in conductivity and Chl a concentration.     

Diel and seasonal physico-chemical fluctuations in a small natural West African lake

SUMMARY. 1. The waters of Opi Lake were very dilute (15–24 μS cm⁻¹at 25°C) and somewhat acid (pH 6.0–6.5), probably a result of the highly leached lateritic soils in its small drainage basin.
2. Annual minimum water temperatures were recorded during the early dry season, not during the rainy season as has been observed in most other West African water bodies. This was attributed to the influence of the Harmattan winds on the lake and the absence of pronounced rainy season flooding, as might occur in reservoirs.
3. A diel cycle of daytime thermal stratification and complete or near-complete night-time destratification occurred throughout the year.
4. During the dry season, when prevailing winds were strong and lake depth shallow, night-time destratification was accompanied by deep circulation. In the rainy season, when prevailing winds were weak and lake depth was greatest, deep vertical circulation apparently did not take place, as evidenced by anoxia in near-bottom waters. This is the reverse of the pattern seen in many tropical lakes.     

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.     

Development of sweating ability in winter- and summer-born Friesian calves aged 1 to 6 weeks

Sweating rate, rectal and skin temperatures and respiration rate were measured at weekly intervals from 7 days of age (for 4 weeks in Experiment 1; 6 weeks in Experiment 2) in winter- and summer-born Friesian calves exposed to a temperature of 39°C dry bulb and 32°C wet bulb in a climate chamber. Four calves were studied in each season in both experiments. In Experiment 1, ambient temperatures were from 3° to 9°C higher in early summer than in late winter. During each 39°C exposure, sweating rate increased from basal levels of 40–90 to plateau levels of 120–300 g/m² per h after 90–120 min. The increase in sweating rate with age was most pronounced in winter-born calves, but summer-born calves had higher values at 1 week of age (167±52.4 vs 94.4±30.1 g/m² per h). Seasonal differences in ambient temperature were greater in Experiment 2 (11° to 17°C). In this case summer-born calves had higher sweating rates at each age (plateau values of 220–320 g/m² per h), and showed a more rapid increase in sweating rate during each 39°C exposure than winter-born calves (plateau values of 100–250 g/m² per h). The results demonstrate major changes in sweating competence during the first 4–6 weeks of life in Friesian calves, a quite pronounced effect of season (ambient temperature) on the levels of sweating achieved, and indicate that low sweating rates in newborn calves are a contributing factor in deaths due to hyperthermia in semi-arid grazing areas.     

Canopy characteristics of the brown alga Sargassum muticum (Fucales,Phaeophyta) in Lake Grevelingen,southwest Netherlands

The present distribution of the invasive brown alga Sargassum muticum in the southwest Netherlands is updated. Populations of the alga were found to remain at their 1985 level in Lake Grevelingen, with a small eastward expansion into the Eastern Scheldt estuary. A new population for the brackish, non-tidal Lake Veere is reported. Within Lake Grevelingen S. muticum forms a persistent, extensive canopy of 100% cover (4,442.5 ± 525.6 g fresh wt m^–2, 640.3 ± 75.8 g dry wt m^–2) that has a marked effect upon the penetration of photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) (reduced by 97% at 0.1 m). Surface sea water temperatures can be elevated by 2.7 °C above water not associated with a Sargassum canopy; furthermore, the dense canopy shades and hence reduces water temperatures below 0.1 m depth. Productivity studies indicate that assimilation occurs in the upper levels of the canopy (57.09 µg C mg dry wt^–1 m^–2 at a mean PAR rate of 106.7 J cm^–2 h^–1). Self-shading and a resultant decrease in the rate of assimilation was evident below the canopy.     

枯水期鄱阳湖子湖轮虫休眠卵空间分布特征

为了研究枯水期鄱阳湖子湖泊轮虫休眠卵空间分布的差异, 于2015年1月份, 在鄱阳湖南矶山湿地自然保护区的南深湖和白沙湖2个子湖泊进行取样调查。研究发现, 不同生境类型中轮虫休眠卵的密度具有显著差异(P<0.05), 轮虫休眠卵的分布具有明显的梯度性, 在洲滩植被区、泥滩区和积水区中轮虫休眠卵的密度逐渐减少。南深湖植被区中轮虫休眠卵的密度最高, 为(3.34±1.28) ind./cm3, 茭白中密度高达5.45 ind./cm3。不同水生植被生境中轮虫休眠卵的密度趋势为: 挺水植物>洲滩植物>浮叶植物>沉水植物。不同水深区轮虫休眠卵的分布不具有明确的规律性。此外, 研究还发现轮虫休眠卵的密度与底泥的软硬程度具有一定相关性, 泥质越软, 轮虫休眠卵的密度越低。     

Partial arousals from hibernation in hedgehogs in outdoor hibernacula

Summary Thermal properties of hibernacula and sequences of arousals have been studied in four adult hedgehogs for seven months starting in October. Departures and entries to the nesting chamber were continuously monitored together with ambient temperature and the temperature in the hibernacula.During the two first months of the experimental period nest departures were intermittently recorded, predominantly in the two females which also occasionally foraged. The longest periods spent continuously in the hibernaculum ranged from 129 to 178 days. The natural hibernation season for Danish hedgehogs was found to comprise the six months from October onwards when there is little shelter where hedgehogs normally roam.Ambient temperatures recorded were —11 to +13° C being subzero for half the total time measured. The nest temperatures generally were higher, and above 0° C during 78–99% of total time, most commonly ranging from 0° to 4° C and thus reflecting deep hibernation.Between December and May spontaneous increases in nest temperatures amounting to 7–26° C (average 18° C) and bringing these temperatures to 10–29.5° C were recorded in 58 cases. Fiftyfour arousals did not involve departure from the hibernaculum (partial arousals). In the remaining cases (full arousals) the preceding rewarming lasted 4 1/2–6 1/2 h and nest departures amounted to 10,2 and 5 min in one female hedgehog and 90 min in another.The hedgehogs showed 12–18 arousals, the mean duration of which was 34–44 h. The high energy expenditure associated with arousals however, was found to last on average 21 h during each arousal. It is hypothesized that the body temperature during arousals chiefly was below 35–37° C.The time between arousals was 3–15 days. Periods in hibernation averaged 7–8 days in the females and 9–10 days in the heavier males, being generally longest in January-February. Neither arousals nor re-entries into deep hibernation occurred at any particular time of the day. It is suggested that for undisturbed hedgehogs arousals are induced and controlled by endogenous factors. In conclusion it is stressed that future studies on hibernation should recognize the importance of individual variability in the response pattern and focus interest on the endogenous factors which govern this important process.     

Thermal relations of dwarf caiman, Paleosuchus palpebrosus, in a hillside stream: Evidence for an unusual thermal niche among crocodilians

Body temperatures of 13 Paleosuchus palpebrosus, 7 males and 6 females, were monitored by radio-telemetry during cold periods (dry season) and warm periods (wet and dry seasons) in a stream draining into the Brazilian Pantanal. The mass of the caimans varied from 2.5 to 20.0 kg, and snout–vent length from 47.5 to 95.0 cm. Mean monthly body temperature was 21.6 °C, and varied from 20.1 to 25.6 °C throughout the year. Body temperature was correlated with air and water temperature but did not differ between males and females. Unlike all other crocodilians investigated in detail to date, the caimans did not show evidence of attempts to obtain higher body temperatures when ambient temperatures were low, and had low and generally constant temperatures in relation to the surrounding air and water throughout the year. The caimans remained in burrows during cold periods in the dry season, which may explain why they did not seek higher temperatures. Tolerance of relatively low and constant body temperatures may be a key adaptation of species of Paleosuchus, allowing them to occupy environments inhospitable to other crocodilians.     

High surface temperatures of trees and pine litter in the winter and their biological importance

Measurements in The Netherlands show that in the winter (Dec.–March) solar radiation measured perpendicular to the solar beam can be quite strong. Consequently, high surface temperatures can occur on suitably exposed, dark surfaces of low thermal conductivity. In December, the surface temperature on the bark of old pine trees was found to be up to 28°C above the ambient air temperature. In February, the excess temperatures of pine bark reached as high as 37°C. The temperatures of steeply south-exposed pine litter were even somewhat higher. South-exposed edges of pinewoods and similar situations are especially favourable due to the wind shelter and extra radiation gain they provide. In February, ants were found to bask in clusters attaining temperatures of as much as 20°C above that of ambient air. Basking vipers attained excess temperatures of 25°C.     

Currents in the Lizard Island region of the Great Barrier Reef Lagoon and their relevance to potential movements of larvae

Current data were collected at 3 stations in the Great Barrier Reef Lagoon of Australia between Lizard Island and Carter Reef, an outer ribbon reef, (approximately 14°S) over a 2 year period. During the southeast Trade wind season (March–September), net circulation at all stations was to the northwest, parallel to the coast and reefs, with little cross-shelf movement. This motion was periodic at about 20 days and highly coherent with the wind. During the non-Trade wind season (October–February) the net circulation depended on the variable wind regime and exhibited frequent current reversals and cross-shelf motion. Tidal currents were superimposed on the net circulation and were mainly cross-shelf but with a tidal excursion of only about 5 km on a flood tide. Tidal currents close to Carter Reef were not cross-shelf but remained parallel to the reef, suggesting that the major tidal flux is through the reef passages. Net circulation close to Carter Reef was not coherent with net circulation at the stations in more open waters, during both Trade and non-Trade seasons. Current speeds were typically 10–30 cm s^-1. Passive plankters entering the water from Carter Reef are therefore likely to remain close to the outer ribbon reefs and be moved parallel to them. Based on the above, we predict that in the Trade wind season, passive plankters would be advected further from their point of origin than during the non-Trade wind season, but there would be more cross-shelf advection during the latter.