Global diversity of inland water cnidarians

Global diversity of inland water cnidarians is low, containing <40 species belonging to phylogenetically distinct groups representing independent invasion events: the common and cosmopolitan hydras (12–15 species); the sporadically occurring freshwater medusae (6–16 sp.); the Cordylophorinae (2 sp.); the parasitic Polypodium (1 sp.); the medusae occurring in saline lakes (4 sp.). Freshwater cnidarians inhabit nearly all types of freshwater on all continents (except Antarctica), but only a few species have cosmopolitan distributions. Due to uncertainty in species knowledge, fine scale regions of endemicity are not yet clear. Guest editors: E. V. Balian, C. Lévêque, H. Segers & K. Martens Freshwater Animal Diversity Assessment     

Phylogeny of Paramysis (Crustacea: Mysida) and the origin of Ponto-Caspian endemic diversity: resolving power from nuclear protein-coding genes

The Ponto-Caspian (Black and Caspian seas) brackish-water fauna represents a special case of the endemic diversification in world's ancient lakes; it also involves a hotspot of continental diversity in the predominantly marine mysid crustaceans. We explored the origins and history of the mysid diversification in a phylogenetic analysis of some 20 endemic Ponto-Caspian species mainly of the genus Paramysis and their marine congeners, using sequences of two nuclear protein-coding genes, two nuclear rRNA genes, the mitochondrial COI gene and morphological data. A nearly completely resolved phylogeny was recovered, with no indication of rapid diversification bursts. Deep divergences were found among the main endemic clades, attesting to a long independent faunal history in the continental Paratethys waters. The current marine Paramysis species make a monophyletic cluster secondarily derived from the continental Paratethyan (Ponto-Caspian) Paramysis ancestors. The good phylogenetic resolution was mainly due to the two nuclear protein-coding genes, opsin and EPRS, here for the first time applied to peracarid systematics. In contrast, 'conventional' mtDNA and nuclear rRNA genes provided poor topological resolution and weak congruence of divergence rates. The two nuclear protein-coding genes had more congruent rates of evolution, and were about 10-15 times slower than the mitochondrial COI gene.     

Differential response of invasive malacostracan species to lake level fluctuations

The water level of Lake Balaton (a large, shallow lake) was extremely low in 2003, after a dry period of several years. Due to the intensive precipitation in 2004, a regeneration period commenced. Stones of the littoral zone were sampled near the water surface and from the lake bottom four times in both years at four sampling stations. Malacostraca in the encrustation of the stones were represented by Ponto-Caspian immigrants: the invasive amphipods Chelicorophium curvispinum and Dikerogammarus spp. (D. haemobaphes and D. villosus), the mysid Limnomysis benedeni and the isopod Jaera istri. The amphipods dominated in both years. Species of the amphipod genus Dikerogammarus were relatively less abundant than the amphipod C. curvispinum in the regeneration period as compared to the drought period of 2003. Maximal density of Malacostraca (ind. m⁻² stone surface) was 69,953 in 2003 and 82,465 in 2004. Vertical stratification of animal numbers and specific taxa occurred in May 2003 and throughout the year in 2004, with some exceptions. Many more Malacostraca individuals were recorded at the lake bottom than near the water surface. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi: ) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Morphological Differentiation Between Geographically Separated Populations of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Neomysis integer</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Mesopodopsis slabberi</Emphasis> (Crustacea,Mysida)

Morphological variation was examined in Neomysis integer and Mesopodopsis slabberi, two abundant, low dispersal mysid species (Crustacea, Mysida) along the European coasts. Both species dominate the hyperbenthic communities in the northeast Atlantic, and M. slabberi is also widely distributed in the Mediterranean and Black Sea. Three populations of these species were sampled throughout their distribution range; samples of N. integer were collected in the northeast Atlantic Eems-Dollard, Gironde and Guadalquivir estuaries; in the case of M. slabberi, mysids were sampled in two northeast Atlantic estuaries (Eems-Dollard and Guadalquivir) and one Mediterranean site (Ebro Delta). A total of 12 morphometric and 2 meristic characters were measured from 30–64 mysids per sample. Multivariate analysis showed clear morphometric differences between populations of both species. The morphological differentiation within M. slabberi was highly concordant with the available genetic data from mitochondrial loci, pointing to a large divergence between the Atlantic and Mediterranean populations. However, due to some overlap of individuals between the different populations, the present morphometric analysis does not suffice to assign the different populations to a separate (sub)species status. In the case of N. integer, the morphometric patterns showed a divergence of the Gironde population. Differentiation of populations within this mysid, as in M. slabberi, were mainly related to eye and telson morphology. Potential interactions of the mysid morphology and environmental conditions are discussed.     

Biogeographic zonation of the Black Sea and Caspian Sea basin based on Mysid fauna (Crustacea: Mysidacea)

A biogeographic analysis of the Black Sea and Caspian Sea basin and adjacent Aegean Sea and the Sea of Marmara was conducted based on the distribution of 55 mysid species. The Black and Caspian Sea basin proper is inhabited by 35 mysid species belonging to 12 genera, among them 26 species and 3 genera are endemic to the region. Ponto-Caspian and Caspian species are predominant. The explored areas were included into two provinces of the Mediterranean subrealm of the East-Atlantic Subtropical realm and three provinces of the Ponto-Caspian realm.     

Global diversity of amphipods (Amphipoda; Crustacea) in freshwater

Amphipods are brooding peracaridan crustaceans whose young undergo direct development, with no independent larval dispersal stage. Most species are epibenthic, benthic, or subterranean. There are some 1,870 amphipod species and subspecies recognized from fresh or inland waters worldwide at the end of 2005. This accounts for 20% of the total known amphipod diversity. The actual diversity may still be several-fold. Amphipods are most abundant in cool and temperate environments; they are particularly diversified in subterranean environments and in running waters (fragmented habitats), and in temperate ancient lakes, but are notably rare in the tropics. Of the described freshwater taxa 70% are Palearctic, 13% Nearctic, 7% Neotropical, 6% Australasian and 3% Afrotropical. Approximately 45% of the taxa are subterranean; subterranean diversity is highest in the karst landscapes of Central and Southern Europe (e.g., Niphargidae), North America (Crangonyctidae), and Australia (Paramelitidae). The majority of Palearctic epigean amphipods are in the superfamily Gammaroidea, whereas talitroid amphipods (Hyalella) account for all Neotropic and much of the Nearctic epigean fauna. Major concentrations of endemic species diversity occur in Southern Europe, Lake Baikal, the Ponto-Caspian basin, Southern Australia (including Tasmania), and the south-eastern USA. Endemic family diversity is similarly centered in the Western Palearctic and Lake Baikal. Freshwater amphipods are greatly polyphyletic, continental invasions have taken place repeatedly in different time frames and regions of the world. In the recent decades, human mediated invasions of Ponto-Caspian amphipods have had great impacts on European fluvial ecosystems. Guest editors: E. V. Balian, C. Lévêque, H. Segers and K. Martens Freshwater Animal Diversity Assessment     

Preliminary results of an experimental study of the effects of mysid predation on estuarine zooplankton community structure

In a shallow estuarine system near Beaufort, North Carolina, a period of high winter abundance of the mysidsMysidopsis bigelowi andNeomysis americana was associated with a change in zooplankton species composition, from dominance byAcartia tonsa to dominance byCentropages spp. andSaphirella sp. Both mysids feed onA. tonsa at higher rates than the other copepods. Experiments were carried out in 600–1 000 liter enclosures, in which the initial mysid density was manipulated and the effects on the enclosed copepod community were monitored. Mysid predation had a significant effect on copepod densities. The effects of mysid predation on species composition appeared to depend on the relationship between their prey preferences and the dominant copepod species present in the communities. Under conditions favoring dominance byA. tonsa, the preferred prey species, the results suggested that mysid predation may reduce dominance and increase diversity. But when the less preferredCentropages was dominant, mysid predation had no effect on species composition.     

Systematics and evolution of ruminal species of the genus Prevotella

Bacterial species of the genusPrevotella represent a numerically dominant microbial population in the rumen of cattle. They belong to the phylogenetic divisionCytophaga-Flexibacter-Bacteroides (CFB) which is a large group of ecologically diverse bacteria with only a few shared traits. The phylogenetic descent from a common ancestor seems to be unquestionable, however, as judged from the small subunit ribosomal RNA analysis. Only 4 ruminalPrevotella species have been described to date, even though the sequence analysis of directly retrieved 16S rRNA genes indicates a large genetic diversity within this group of rumen bacteria. The closest relatives of ruminalPrevotella spp. are not surprisingly other species of the genusPrevotella, typically inhabiting the gastrointestinal tract, oral cavity and genital areas of other animals and man. The previous phylogenetic analysis showed that species of the genusPrevotella can be split into two groups or superclusters, the “ruminal” and the “non-ruminal prevotellas”. One of 4 currently described ruminalPrevotella spp.,i.e. P. albensis, has been placed outside the supercluster containing ruminalPrevotella spp. and within the supercluster containing the non-ruminalPrevotella spp. However, the number of available small subunit rRNA sequences from this species represents only a fraction of all known ruminalPrevotella sequences.     

Tracing recent invasions of the Ponto-Caspian mysid shrimp Hemimysis anomala across Europe and to North America with mitochondrial DNA

The mysid crustacean Hemimysis anomala ('bloody-red shrimp') is one of the most recent participants in the invasion of European inland waters by Ponto-Caspian species. Recently the species also became established in England and the Laurentian Great Lakes of North America. Using information from mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I (COI) gene sequences, we traced the invasion pathways of H. anomala ; the inferences were enabled by the observed phylogeographical subdivision among the source area populations in the estuaries of the Ponto-Caspian basin. The data distinguish two routes to northern and western Europe used by distinct lineages. One route has been to and through the Baltic Sea and further to the Rhine delta, probably from a population intentionally introduced to a Lithuanian water reservoir from the lower Dnieper River (NW Black Sea area) in 1960. The other lineage is derived from the Danube delta and has spread across the continent up the Danube River and further through the Main–Danube canal down to the Rhine River delta. Only the Danube lineage was found in England and in North America. The two lineages appear to have met secondarily and are now found intermixed at several sites in NW Europe, including the Rhine and waters linked with the man-made Mittellandkanal that interconnects the Rhine and Baltic drainage systems.     

Community Assembly of Biological Soil Crusts of Different Successional Stages in a Temperate Sand Ecosystem, as Assessed by Direct Determination and Enrichment Techniques

In temperate regions, biological soil crusts (BSCs: complex communities of cyanobacteria, eukaryotic algae, bryophytes, and lichens) are not well investigated regarding community structure and diversity. Furthermore, studies on succession are rare. For that reason, the community assembly of crusts representing two successional stages (initial, 5 years old; and stable, >20 years old) were analyzed in an inland sand ecosystem in Germany in a plot-based approach (2 × 18 plots, each 20 × 20 cm). Two different methods were used to record the cyanobacteria and eukaryotic algae in these communities comprehensively: determination directly out of the soil and enrichment culture techniques. Additionally, lichens, bryophytes, and phanerogams were determined. We examine four hypotheses: (1) A combination of direct determination and enrichment culture technique is necessary to detect cyanobacteria and eukaryotic algae comprehensively. In total, 45 species of cyanobacteria and eukaryotic algae were detected in the study area with both techniques, including 26 eukaryotic algae and 19 cyanobacteria species. With both determination techniques, 22 identical taxa were detected (11 eukaryotic algae and 11 cyanobacteria). Thirteen taxa were only found by direct determination, and ten taxa were only found in enrichment cultures. Hence, the hypothesis is supported. Additionally, five lichen species (three genera), five bryophyte species (five genera), and 24 vascular plant species occurred. (2) There is a clear difference between the floristic structure of initial and stable crusts. The different successional stages are clearly separated by detrended correspondence analysis, showing a distinct structure of the community assembly in each stage. In the initial crusts, Klebsormidium flaccidum, Klebsormidium cf. klebsii, and Stichococcus bacillaris were important indicator species, whereas the stable crusts are especially characterized by Tortella inclinata. (3) The biodiversity of BSC taxa and vascular plant species increases from initial to stable BSCs. There are significantly higher genera and species numbers of cyanobacteria and eukaryotic algae in initial BSCs. Stable BSCs are characterized by significantly higher species numbers of bryophytes and vascular plant species. The results show that, in the investigated temperate region, the often-assumed increase of biodiversity in the course of succession is clearly taxa-dependent. Both successional stages of BSCs are diversity “hot spots” with about 29 species of all taxa per 20 × 20 cm plot. (4) Nitrogen and chlorophyll a concentrations increase in the course of succession. The chlorophyll a content of the crusts (cyanobacteria, eukaryotic algae, bryophyte protonemata) is highly variable across the studied samples, with no significant differences between initial and stable BSCs; nor were ecologically significant differences in soil nutrient contents observed. According to our results, we cannot confirm this hypothesis; the age difference between our two stages is probably not big enough to show such an increase. Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Invasion phylogeography of the Ponto-Caspian crustacean Limnomysis benedeni dispersing across Europe

Aim  Limnomysis benedeni Czerniavsky, 1882 is a mysid crustacean native to the Ponto-Caspian (Black and Caspian Sea) rivers and estuaries, and has recently spread across Europe through intentional and unintentional introductions. We explored the structuring of genetic variation in native and non-native populations with an aim to trace the sources of the invasions, and to infer whether the spread has occurred through a single or multiple invasion waves.
Location  Native estuaries in the Ponto-Caspian basin (Volga, Don, Dnieper, Dniester, Danube) and the recently colonized range along the Danube–Rhine river systems and Lithuania.
Methods  A fragment of the mitochondrial COI gene was sequenced to assess genetic affinities and diversity in native and recently established populations.
Results  The genetic diversity in the native regions is organized into several strongly diverged haplotype groups or lineages, partly allopatric, partly sympatric. All these lineages have also spread beyond the native range. Even the recent rapid dispersal across Europe along the Danube–Rhine system towards the North Sea basin involved several lineages from the Danube delta sector. The structuring of genetic diversity among invaded sites suggests multiple invasion events to the Danube–Rhine drainage. This contrasts with data from some other Ponto-Caspian species, where a single haplotype seems to have occupied most invaded areas. There is no evidence that intentionally stocked reservoirs in the Baltic Sea basin would have contributed to further unintentional spread of L. benedeni.
Main conclusions  Limnomysis benedeni is spreading across Europe using the southern invasion corridor. The invasion most likely involved several waves from differentiated sources in the native Danube delta area.     

Understanding diversity in coral-algal symbiosis: a cluster-based approach to interpreting fine-scale genetic variation in the genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Symbiodinium</Emphasis>

Reef corals associate with an extraordinary diversity of dinoflagellate endosymbionts (genus Symbiodinium), and this diversity has become critical to understanding how corals respond to environmental changes. A popular molecular marker for Symbiodinium diversity, the Internal Transcribed Spacer-2 (ITS-2) region of ribosomal DNA, has revealed hundreds of distinct variants that are generally interpreted as representing different species, even though many have not been systematically tested for functional or ecological differentiation. Many of these variants are only minimally divergent from one another (1 bp or less), and others occupy basal nodes of traditional species phylogenies (“living ancestors”), indicating that some Symbiodinium ITS-2 diversity may represent intraspecific sequence variation. This hypothesis was tested for Symbiodinium clades A–D (the dominant symbionts of reef corals) through the construction of statistical parsimony networks of ITS-2 sequence diversity, and identification of clusters of closely related sequences within these networks. Initial assessments indicated that ecological differentiation exists between, but not within, these clusters. This approach, although imperfect in its ability to identify species boundaries in all cases, nevertheless dramatically reduces “species” diversity in Symbiodinium (from ~175 to 35). This testable alternative hypothesis indicates that, in Symbiodinium, “species” consist of clusters of closely related ITS-2 sequences diverging from ancestral variants that are typically ecologically dominant. A cluster-based view of Symbiodinium ITS-2 diversity improves our ability to: (1) construct well-supported symbiont phylogenies; (2) establish functional niches for symbiont species; and (3) understand flexibility and specificity within coral-algal symbioses. This cluster-based approach can ultimately be integrated with emerging population-level datasets (microsatellites and microsatellite flanking regions) to improve understanding of species diversity in Symbiodinium. Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users. Communicated by Biology Editor Dr Ruth Gates     

Ant- and termite-eating in Australian mammals and lizards: a comparison

Abstract Relative abundance is one factor that influences selection of prey by insectivorous mammals and lizards. Ants and termites are extremely abundant over most of inland Australia. Their patterns of abundance are also broadly similar across climatic gradients, being most and least abundant in seasonally arid (tropic and sub-tropic) and temperate mesic regions, respectively. All else being equal (e. g. mechanisms of prey defence, palat-ability, availability), animals that eat many termites should also eat many (adult) ants. The present study asks three questions: (i) What is the diversity of specialized ant-eaters (>50% volume)?; (ii) Does specialization vary with climate?; and (iii) Are ants and termites eaten in broadly similar proportions (using an earlier study on termites). Of the mammals, only the echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatus) in mesic regions, and probably the marsupial mole (Notoryctes typhlops) in the arid zone and the striped possum (Dactylopsila trivirgata) in mesic regions are ant-specialized. Ant-specialization in mammals shows no pattern with regard to climate. Of the lizards, only four agamid lizards are ant-specialized: Moloch horridus (arid, semi-arid), Ctenophorus fordi (arid, semi-arid), Ctenophorus isolepis (arid) and Ctenophorus maculatus (arid). Specialization on ants by lizards is greatest in the arid zone (4 spp.); no lizard species were found to be ant-specialists in mesic regions. In the arid and semi-arid zone, two mammals each specialize on termites and one on ants; in mesic regions, two mammals specialize on ants and one on termites. Specialized insectivorous mammals thus demonstrate no marked preference for either termites or ants. Lizards, in contrast, are markedly termite-specialized (4 ant-specialist spp., 16 termite-specialist spp.), and specialization is greatest in the arid zone (16 spp.). Greater specialization on termites than on (adult) ants in lizards is explained with reference to differences in prey defence and palatability between ants and termites. Consumption of ant brood (eggs, larvae, pupae) appears to be associated with a fossorial foraging mode (the marsupial mole N. typhlops; spp. of Aprasia lizards; spp. of blindsnakes Ramphotyphlops).     

Invasions of alien amphipods (Amphipoda: Gammaridea) in aquatic ecosystems of North-Western Russia: pathways and consequences

Since the middle of the 20th century, six species of Ponto-Caspian amphipods (Chaetogammarus ischnus, C. warpachowskyi, Chelicorophium curvispinum, Dikerogammarus haemobaphes, Obesogammarus crassus, Pontogammarus robustoides), one Baikalian amphipod Gmelinoides fasciatus and one amphipod of Atlantic origin Gammarus tigrinus have expanded in Russia and adjacent regions. A wide variety of human mediated vectors such as deliberate and accidental introductions, natural migration via constructed inland waterways and high rates of spread, survival and reproduction in these species have facilitated rapid dispersal and successful establishment of these alien species. Causes of successful establishment of these invaders and potential consequences of the invasions including extinctions of native species in rivers, lakes and estuaries of north-western Russia are discussed.     

Phylogeography and systematics of zebra mussels and related species

The genus Dreissena includes two widespread and aggressive aquatic invaders, the zebra mussel, Dreissena polymorpha, and the quagga mussel, Dreissena bugensis. This genus evolved in the Ponto-Caspian Sea basin, characterized by dynamic instability over multiple timescales and a unique evolutionary environment that may predispose to invasiveness. The objectives of this study were to gain insights into the demographic history of Dreissena species in their endemic range, to reconstruct intraspecific phylogeographic relationships among populations, and to clarify systematics of the genus, using DNA sequences from the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I (COI) gene. We found four deeply diverged clades within this genus, with a basal split that approximately coincided with the Cretaceous-Tertiary boundary. Divergence events within the four base clades were much more recent, corresponding to geographically disjunct sets of populations, which might represent species complexes. Across all taxa, populations of Dreissena shared a common pattern of genetic signatures indicating historical population bottlenecks and expansions. Haplotype diversity was relatively low in Ponto-Caspian drainages relative to more stable tectonic lakes in Greece, Macedonia, and Turkey. The phylogeographic and demographic patterns in the endemic range of Dreissena might have resulted from vicariance events, habitat instability, and the high fecundity and passive dispersal of these organisms.     

The foreguts of the primitive families of the Mysida (Crustacea, Peracarida): a transitional link between those of the Lophogastrida (Crustacea, Mysidacea) and the most evolved Mysida

De Jong-Moreau, L. and Casanova, J.-P. 2001. The foreguts of the primitive families of the Mysida (Crustacea, Peracarida): a transitional link between those of the Lophogastrida (Crustacea, Mysidacea) and the most evolved Mysida. — Acta Zoologica (Stockholm) 82 : 137–147
The morphology of the foregut, which is a good indicator of phylogenetic relationships, has been studied within the two suborders of the Mysidacea. Special attention has been focused on rare species belonging to the Lophogastrida and the three primitive families of the Mysida, i.e. Stygiomysidae, Lepidomysidae and Petalophthalmidae. It appears that the foregut of Gnathophausia gracilis (Lophogastrida) is the most primitive in the Mysidacea, and that in the Petalophthalmidae the foregut exhibits transitional stages between that of the Lophogastrida and of the evolved Mysidae. Moreover, in the four families of Mysida, ancestral characteristics of the foregut remain, thus strengthening the hypothesis of the unity of this order.     

Global diversity of cumaceans &; tanaidaceans (Crustacea: Cumacea &; Tanaidacea) in freshwater

Cumacea and Tanaidacea are marginal groups in continental waters. Although many euryhaline species from both groups are found in estuaries and coastal lagoons, most occur only temporarily in non-marine habitats, appearing unable to form stable populations there. A total of 21 genuinely non-marine cumaceans are known, mostly concentrated in the Ponto-Caspian region, and only four tanaids have been reported from non-marine environments. Most non-marine cumaceans (19 species) belong in the Pseudocumatidae and appear restricted to the Caspian Sea (with salinity up to 13‰) and its peripheral fluvial basins, including the northern, lower salinity zones of the Black Sea (Sea of Azov). There are nine Ponto-Caspian genera, all endemic to the region. Only two other taxa (in the family Nannastacidae) occur in areas free of any marine–water influence, in river basins in North and South America. Both seem able to survive in waters of raised salinity of the lower reaches of these fluvial systems; but neither has been recorded in full salinity marine environments. The only non-marine tanaidacean thus far known lives in a slightly brackish inland spring in Northern Australia. The genus includes a second species, from a brackish-water lake at the Bismarck Archipelago, tentatively included here as non-marine also. Two additional species of tanaidaceans have been reported from non-marine habitats but both also occur in the sea. Guest editors: E. V. Balian, C. Lévêque, H. Segers & K. Martens Freshwater Animal Diversity Assessment     

DISTRIBUTION OF KRANZ SYNDROME AMONG ASTERACEAE

A broad survey of the Asteraceae, involving visual characters, was undertaken to ascertain the occurrence of possible Kranz-type (C₄) plants. One hundred and seven taxa representing 51 genera were examined by mass spectrometry for their ¹³C/¹²C ratios in dried leaf tissue. Species possessing the high ¹³C/¹²C ratio typical of the Kranz syndrome were found in genera belonging to the following tribes: Heliantheae (subtribe Coreopsideae)—Chrysanthellum (4 spp.), Eryngiophyllum (1 sp.), Glossocardia (1 sp.), Glossogyne (1 sp.), Isostigma (5 spp.); Tageteae—Pectis (21 spp.); and Helenieae—Flaveria (4 spp.). The only genus to possess both C₃ and C₄ species was Flaveria in which all but four species appear to possess a C₃-type metabolism. When appropriate, the phyletic input of these data is discussed.     

Predatory disturbance and prey species diversity: the case of gray whale (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Eschrichtius robustus</Emphasis>) foraging on a multi-species mysid (family <Emphasis Type="Italic">Mysidae</Emphasis>) community

Why competitive exclusion does not limit the number of coexisting plankton species is a persistent question for community ecology. One explanation, the intermediate disturbance hypothesis (IDH), proposes that elevated species diversity is a product of moderate levels of disturbance that allow the subsequent invasion of less competitive species. Here, we assess the shifts in species diversity in a mysid (Mysidae Dana, 1850) zooplankton community, where at least 10 species have, over the last 15 years, have come to comprise the primary prey base of summer resident gray whales (Eschrictius robustus Lilljeborg, 1861) in Clayoquot Sound, British Columbia. We evaluate trends in the community structure of mysids (species dominance, diversity, and richness) across mysid habitat in the study area during the gray whale foraging season (May–September) for the period 1996 and 2008. Mysid species composition varies among years and diversity has increased as whales shifted their predatory focus from benthic amphipods (Ampeliscidae Costa, 1857) to mysids, near our starting point in 1996. Holmesimysis sculpta Tattersall, 1933 was the dominant species in early years; however, in 2007, the dominance shifted to Neomysis rayi Murdoch, 1885. The habitat restrictions and life history attributes of local populations of coastal mysids leave them vulnerable to the cumulative impacts of increased predation pressure by gray whales. This case study presents a unique examination implicating predation as an agent of disturbance capable of altering the species structure of a local prey community.     

Effect of Forest Fragmentation on Tick Infestations of Birds and Tick Infection Rates by Rickettsia in the Atlantic Forest of Brazil

Habitat loss and modifications affect biodiversity, potentially contributing to outbreaks of infectious diseases. We evaluated if the patch sizeinfragmented areas of Atlantic Forest in southeastern Brazil influences the diversity of forest birds and consequently the prevalence of ticks on birds and the rickettsial infection of these ticks. During 2 years, we collected ticks from birds in 12 sites: four small forest patches (80–140 ha), four large ones (480–1,850 ha), and four forest control areas within the much larger Morro do Diabo State Park (~36,000 ha). A total of 1,725 birds were captured (81 species, 24 families), from which 223 birds were infested by 2,339 ticks of the genus Amblyomma, mostly by the species A. nodosum. Bird diversity and richness were higher in larger than smaller forest fragments. The prevalence of ticks on birds was inversely correlated with bird diversity and richness. Among 174 A. nodosum tested for rickettsial infection by polymerase chain reaction, 51 were found to be infected by Rickettsia bellii or Rickettsia parkeri. However, tick infection rates by Rickettsia spp. were not statistically different between forest patch sizes. The higher prevalence of ticks on birds in degraded patches might be caused by a dominance of a few generalist bird species in small patches, allowing an easier transmission of parasites among individuals. It could also be related to more favorable microclimatic conditions for the free-living stages of A. nodosum in smaller forest fragments.The higher burden of ticks on birds in smaller forest fragments is an important secondary effect of habitat fragmentation, possibly increasing the likelihood of Rickettsia contagion.