Effects of salinity on metabolism and life history characteristics of Daphnia magna

In the Baltic Sea area, the cladoceran Daphnia magna is commonly found in brackish water rockpools and it has been suggested that salinity is one of the niche dimensions that affects the distribution of the species. The salinity tolerance of D. magna was studied both in physiological and life history experiments. The experimental salinities were freshwater, 4S and 8S. The highest respiration and ammonium excretion rates were measured in the freshwater treatment with decreasing respiration and ammonium excretion rates at higher salinities. The lowest O/N ratio (oxygen consumption to ammonium excretion), describing the metabolic status of an organism, was obtained at 8S, although the only significant differences were detected when comparing to 4S treatments. Individual growth rate, reproductive output and population growth rate were highest at 4S. At 8S growth and reproduction were reduced as compared to freshwater and 4S. The life history parameters in the performed experiments indicated higher fitness (expressed as r) as well as more favourable conditions for growth and reproduction at 4S, whereas the O/N ratio was more difficult to interpret and, in this case, gave a less clear picture of the salinity influence.     

Erbrütung der Eier von Dorsch(Gadus morhua), Flunder(Pleuronectes flesus) und Scholle(Pleuronectes platessa) unter kombinierten Temperatur- und Salzgehaltsbedingungen

Zusammenfassung 1. Die Eier von Dorsch (Gadus morhua L.), Flunder (Pleuronectes flesus L.) und Scholle (Pleuronectes platessa L.) der westlichen Ostsee wurden unter kombinierten Salzgehalts-Temperaturbedingungen (0°–16° C, 7–42 S) erbrütet. Es wurde untersucht, inwieweit die Embryonalentwicklung durch das Zusammenwirken von Temperatur und Salzgehalt beeinflußt wird.2. Die optimalen Temperatur- und Salzgehaltsbereiche für die Erbrütung von Dorsch, Flunder und Scholle wurden festgestellt. Für den Dorsch konnten drei Versuche mit unterschiedlichem Material durchgeführt werden. Die optimalen Temperaturund Salzgehaltskombinationen für die Erbrütung von Dorscheiern betrugen: (a) 6°–8° C bei 25–30 S, (b) 4° C bei 20–33 S und (c) 4°–6° C bei 33 S. Für die Flundereier wurde als optimale Temperatur-Salzgehaltskombination 4° C und 33 S gefunden. Die untersuchten Scholleneier entwickelten sich bei 6° C und 20 S am besten.3. In nicht-optimalen Temperatur- und Salzgehaltsbereichen war ein Absinken der Überlebensrate und verstärktes Auftreten morphologischer Anomalien an Embryonen und Larven zu verzeichnen. Als charakteristische Schädigungen traten Verkrümmungen der caudalen Körperregion auf. Larven, die in schwach salzigem Wasser gehalten wurden (20 und 15 S), litten an Dottersackquellung, was bei den Flunderlarven zu Kieferdeformationen führte.4. Als wahrscheinliche Ursache für die Verkrümmungen und Verwachsungen des Schwanzes wurde ein durch extreme Temperaturen allgemein gestörtes Zusammenwirken der Enzyme diskutiert.5. Die Wirkung hoher und niedriger Salzgehalte wurde in der Diskussion auf eine Störung im embryonalen Stoffwechsel zurückgeführt, die durch Änderung im Ionenmilieu der Zelle hervorgerufen wird.6. Mit zunehmender Aussüßung des Erbrütungswassers konnte bei allen untersuchten Eiern Entwicklungsverlangsamung beobachtet werden. Bei hohen Erbrütungstemperaturen wurden die Unterschiede in der Entwicklungsgeschwindigkeit geringer.7. Der für die Erbrütung optimale Salzgehalt änderte sich in Abhängigkeit von der Inkubationstemperatur. Ebenfalls war die optimale Erbrütungstemperatur in Abhängigkeit vom Salzgehalt des Erbrütungsmediums veränderlich. Extrem niedrige Salzgehalte (15 und 20 S) wurden im Bereich der Optimaltemperaturen oder bei niedrigen Temperaturen besser ertragen.8. Bei allen drei untersuchten Fischarten wurde das Auftreten von Brackwasserrassen in der Ostsee erörtert und für wahrscheinlich gehalten.

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Rearing the eggs of cod(Gadus morhua), flounder(Pleuronectes flesus) and plaice(Pleuronectes platessa) under combined temperature and salinity conditions

Eggs of Baltic cod (Gadus morhua L.), flounder (Pleuronectes flesus L.) and plaice (Pleuronectes platessa L.) have been reared under combined temperature and salinity conditions (0°–16° C, 7–42 S). Combined temperature and salinity influences on embryonic development were investigated. Optimum temperatures for the rearing of cod eggs range from 4° to 8° C, and optimum salinities from 20 to 33 S. Flounder eggs develop best at 4° C and in 33 S, and plaice eggs at 6° C and in 20 S. Suboptimum conditions result in lower percentages of larval hatching and survival, and increased morphological anomalies such as curvature of tail and body. Low salinities (20 and 15 S) cause swollen yolk sacs which, in experiments with flounder eggs, lead to jaw deformities. Rearing at low salinity decreases speed of development. Optimum salinity varies as a function of incubation temperature and influences variations in optimum rearing temperature. Extremely low salinities (20 and 15 S) are tolerated best at optimum or lower temperatures. From the results of these experiments it can be concluded that brackish water races of these fishes are likely to exist in the Baltic Sea.

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Diese Arbeit wurde als Dissertation unter der Leitung von Herrn Prof. Dr.K. Lillelund am Institut für Hydrobiologie und Fischereiwissenschaft der Universität Hamburg angefertigt. Für die Drucklegung wurde die Arbeit geringfügig gekürzt und in ihrem Wortlaut abgeändert.     

Stable isotope and radiocarbon compositions of methane emitted from tropical rice paddies and swamps in Southern Thailand

Stable isotopes (¹³C, D) and radiocarbon weremeasured in methane bubbles emitted from rice paddies and swamps in southernThailand. Methane emitted from the Thai rice paddies was enriched in¹³C (mean ¹³C; –51.5 ±7.1 and–56.5 ± 4.6 for mineral soil and peat soil paddies,respectively)relative to the reported mean value of methane from temperate rice paddies(– 63 ± 5). Large seasonal variation was observed in¹³C(32) in the rice paddies, whereas variationinD was much more smaller (20), indicating that variation in¹³C is due mainly to changes in methane production pathways.Values of ¹³C were lower in swamps (–66.1 ±5.1)than in rice paddies. The calculated contribution of acetate fermentation from¹³C value was greater in rice paddies (mineral soils:62–81%, peat soils: 57–73%) than in swamps (27–42%). Din methane from Thai rice paddies (–324± 7 (n=46)) isrelativelyhigher than those from 14 stations in Japanese rice paddies ranging from–362 ± 5 (Mito: n=2) to –322 ± 8(Okinawa: n=3), due tohigher D in floodwaters. ¹⁴C content in methane produced fromThai rice paddies (127±1 pMC) show higher ¹⁴Cactivity compared with previous work in paddy fields and those from Thai swamps(110±2 pMC).     

The Use of the [13C]/[12C] Ratio for the Assay of the Microbial Oxidation of Hydrocarbons

The study deals with a comparative analysis of the relative abundances of the carbon isotopes ¹²C and ¹³C in the metabolites and biomass of the Burkholderia sp. BS3702 and Pseudomonas putida BS202-p strains capable of utilizing aliphatic (n-hexadecane) and aromatic (naphthalene) hydrocarbons as sources of carbon and energy. The isotope compositions of the carbon dioxide, biomass, and exometabolites produced during the growth of Burkholderia sp. BS3702 on n-hexadecane (¹³C = –44.6 ± 0.2) were characterized by the values of ¹³C_{CO 2} = –50.2 ± 0.4, ¹³C_biom = –46.6 ± 0.4, and ¹³C_exo = –41.5 ± 0.4, respectively. The isotope compositions of the carbon dioxide, biomass, and exometabolites produced during the growth of the same bacterial strain on naphthalene (¹³C = –21 ± 0.4) were characterized by the isotope effects ¹³C_{CO 2} = –24.1 ± 0.4, ¹³C_biom = –19.2 ± 0.4, and ¹³C_exo = –19.1 ± 0.4, respectively. The possibility of using the isotope composition of metabolic carbon dioxide for the rapid monitoring of the microbial degradation of petroleum hydrocarbons in the environment is discussed.     

Use of15N/14N rations to evaluate the food source of the mysid,Neomysis intermedia Czerniawsky,in a eutrophic lake in Japan

The stable isotope ratios of nitrogen were measured in the mysid,Neomysis intermedia, together with various biogenic materials in a eutrophic lake, Lake Kasumigaura, in Japan throughout a year of 1984/85. The mysid, particulate organic matter (POM, mostly phytoplankton), and zooplankton showed a clear seasonal change in ¹⁵N with high values in spring and fall, but the surface bottom mud did not. A year to year variation as well as seasonal change in ¹⁵N was found in the mysid. The annual averages of ¹⁵N of each material collected in 1984/85 are as follows: surface bottom mud, 6.3 (range: 5.7–6.9); POM, 7.9 (5.8–11.8); large sized mysid, 11.6 (7.7–14.3); zooplankton, 12.5 (10.0–16.4); prawn, 13.2 (9.9–15.4); goby, 15.1 (13.8–16.7). The degree of¹⁵N enrichment by the mysid was determined as 3.2 by the laboratory rearing experiments. The apparent parallel relationship between the POM and the mysid in the temporal patterns of ¹⁵N with about 3 difference suggests the POM (mostly phytoplankton) as a possible food source ofN. intermedia in this lake through the year.     

Analysis of primary food sources and trophic relationships of aquatic animals in a mangrove-fringed estuary,Khung Krabaen Bay (Thailand) using dual stable isotope techniques

Stable carbon (¹³C) and nitrogen (¹⁵N) isotopes were used to elucidate primary food sources and trophic relationships of organisms in Khung Krabaen Bay and adjacent offshore waters. The three separate sampling sites were mangroves, inner bay and offshore. The ¹³C values of mangrove leaves were –28.2 to –29.4, seagrass –10.5, macroalgae –14.9 to –18.2, plankton –20.0 to –21.8, benthic detritus –15.1 to –26.3, invertebrates –16.5 to –26.0, and fishes –13.4 to –26.3. The ¹⁵N values of mangrove leaves were 4.3 to 5.7, seagrass 4.3, macroalgae 2.2 to 4.4, plankton 5.7 to 6.4 , benthic detritus 5.1 to 5.3, invertebrates 7.2 to 12.2 , and fishes 6.3 to 15.9. The primary producers had distinct ¹³C values. The ¹³C values of animals collected from mangroves were more negative than those of animals collected far from shore. The primary carbon sources that support food webs clearly depended on location. The contribution of mangroves to food webs was confined only to mangroves, but a mixture of macroalgae and plankton was a major carbon source for organisms in the inner bay area. Offshore organisms clearly derived their carbon through the planktonic food web. The ¹⁵N values of consumers were enriched by 3–4 relative to their diets. The ¹⁵N data suggests that some of aquatic animals had capacity to change their feeding habits according to places and availability of foods and as a result, individuals of the same species could be assigned to different trophic levels at different places.     

Salinity-temperature tolerance of two closely related triclad species,Dugesia lugubris and D. polychroa (Turbellaria), in relation to their distribution in The Netherlands

The tolerance of adult specimens of Dugesia lugubris and D. polychroa for 13 different chlorinities ranging from 15.0–3.8 and for two temperatures, viz. 4 and 23 °C, was tested.At chlorinities of 7.5 and lower, the survival time of both species was considerably longer than at higher chlorinities (a few hours at 7.5, one to several days at 6.6 and lower concentrations). It is assumed that this is determined by the osmoregulatory capacity of the planarians.It was found that at low chlorinities combined with a high temperature D. polychroa survived longer than D. lugubris, while at the same chlorinities the opposite was true for a low temperature. The effect of temperature on survival at low chlorinities was more drastic for D. lugubris than for D. polychroa.The results correlate with data on the distribution of both species in The Netherlands. Outside areas with an average chlorinity below 2 the two species were rarely found.     

Autotrophic carbon sources for heterotrophic bacterioplankton in a floodplain lake of central Amazon

The relative contribution of autotrophic carbon sources (aquatic macrophytes, flooded forest, phytoplankton) for heterotrophic bacterioplankton was evaluated in a floodplain lake of the Central Amazon. Stable carbon isotopes (¹³C) were used as tracers. Values of ¹³C of different autotrophic sources were compared to those of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and those of bacterially produced CO₂.The percentage of carbon derived from C₄ macrophytes for bacterially produced CO₂ was the highest, on average 89%. The average ¹³C value of CO₂ from bacterial respiration was –18.5 ± 3.3. Considering a fractionation of CO₂ of 3 by bacterial respiration, ¹³C value was –15.5, near C₄ macrophyte ¹³C value (–13.1).The average value of total DOC ¹³C was –26.8 ± 2.4. The percentage of C₄ macrophytes carbon for total DOC was on average 17%. Considering that bacteria consume mainly carbon from macrophytes, the dominance of C₃ plants for total DOC probably reflects a faster consumption of the former source, rather than a major contribution of the latter source.Heterotrophic bacterioplankton in the floodplain may be an important link in the aquatic food web, transferring the carbon from C₄ macrophytes to the consumers.     

Distribution and abundance of littoral benthic fauna in Canadian prairie saline lakes

The littoral benthos of 18 lakes in Alberta and Saskatchewan ranging in salinity from 3 to 126 (g1^–1 TDS) were investigated twice, in the spring and in the summer of 1986. Multiple Ekman dredge samples were taken at water depths of about 0.5, 1.0 and 2 metres in each transect. Two to three transects were used in each lake according to its estimated limnological diversity for a total of 114 stations. A total of 76 species was present varying from 29–31 species in the three lakes of lowest salinity (means of 3.1–5.55) to only 2 species in lakes exceeding 100. Species richness decreased rapidly in salinities greater than 15.Biomass maximum mean of 10.91 g m^–2 dry weight (maximum 63.0 g m^–2) occurred in culturally eutrophic Humboldt Lake (3.1) but one third as great in other low salinity lakes. However, biomass again increased to about 4.5 gm^–2 in two lakes of 15 As the salinity increased still further biomass declined steadily until a minimum of 0.0212 g m^–2 was recorded in most saline Aroma Lake (mean 119). Summer biomass (11 lakes) was greater than spring biomass (4 lakes) because some groups such as amphipods, corixids and ostracods became more abundant in summer. Wet weight biomass averaged 15.8 of dry weight biomass.Seasonality (spring or summer), sediment texture and organic matter content, water depth, pH, salinity (TDS) and the presence of aquatic plants ( plant cover) were considered in the matrix involving species dry weight biomass at each of 117 stations. TWINSPAN classification of the samples yielded a dendrogram with 18 indicator species. Successive dichotomies divided these indicator species into four main lake groups based on salinity, i.e., Group I: 3–10 (Gammarus, Glyptotendipes I, Chironomus cf. plumosus), Group II: 10–38%. (Hyalella, Enallagma,Bezzia), Group III: 38–63 (Hygrotus salinarius, Cricotopus ornatus), Group IV: >63 (Dolichopodidae, Ephydra hians). Each of these main groups was subdivided into smaller groups of lakes based on factors such as pH, seasonality (spring or summer species dominance), organic matter and plant cover. Depth of samples played no apparent role.     

Trophodynamic linkage between river runoff and coastal fishery yield elucidated by stable isotope data in the Gulf of Lions (NW Mediterranean)

The link between climate-driven river runoff and sole fishery yields observed in the Gulf of Lions (NW Mediterranean) was analysed using carbon- and nitrogen stable isotopes along the flatfish food webs. Off the Rhone River, the main terrestrial (river POM) and marine (seawater POM) sources of carbon differed in ¹³C (–26.11 and –22.36, respectively). Surface sediment and suspended POM in plume water exhibited low ¹³C (–24.38 and –24.70, respectively) that differed more from the seawater POM than from river POM, demonstrating the dominance of terrestrial material in those carbon pools. Benthic invertebrates showed a wide range in ¹⁵N (mean 4.30 to 9.77) and ¹³C (mean –23.81 to –18.47), suggesting different trophic levels, diets and organic sources. Among the macroinvertebrates, the surface (mean ¹³C –23.71) and subsurface (mean ¹³C –23.81) deposit-feeding polychaetes were particularly ¹³C depleted, indicating that their carbon was mainly derived from terrestrial material. In flatfish, ¹⁵N (mean 9.42 to 10.93) and ¹³C (mean –19.95 to –17.69) varied among species, indicating differences in food source and terrestrial POM use. A significant negative correlation was observed between the percentage by weight of polychaetes in the diet and the ¹³C of flatfish white muscle. Solea solea (the main polychaete feeder) had the lowest mean ¹³C, Arnoglossus laterna and Buglossidium luteum (crustacean, mollusc and polychaete feeders) had intermediate values, and Solea impar (mollusc feeder) and Citharus linguatula (crustacean and fish feeder) exhibited the highest ¹³C. Two different benthic food webs were thus identified off the Rhone River, one based on marine planktonic carbon and the other on the terrestrial POM carried by the river. Deposit-feeding polychaetes were responsible for the main transfer of terrestrial POM to upper trophic levels, linking sole population dynamics to river runoff fluctuations.     

Water uptake and transport in lianas and co-occurring trees of a seasonally dry tropical forest

Water uptake and transport were studied in eight liana species in a seasonally dry tropical forest on Barro Colorado Island, Panama. Stable hydrogen isotope composition (D) of xylem and soil water, soil volumetric water content (_v), and basal sap flow were measured during the 1997 and 1998 dry seasons. Sap flow of several neighboring trees was measured to assess differences between lianas and trees in magnitudes and patterns of daily sap flow. Little seasonal change in _v was observed at 90–120 cm depth in both years. Mean soil water D during the dry season was –19 at 0–30 cm, –34 at 30–60 cm, and –50 at 90–120 cm. Average values of xylem D among the liana species ranged from –28 to –44 during the middle of the dry season, suggesting that water uptake was restricted to intermediate soil layers (30–60 cm). By the end of the dry season, all species exhibited more negative xylem D values (–41 to –62), suggesting that they shifted to deeper water sources. Maximum sap flux density in co-occurring lianas and trees were comparable at similar stem diameter (DBH). Furthermore, lianas and trees conformed to the same linear relationship between daily sap flow and DBH. Our observations that lianas tap shallow sources of soil water at the beginning of the dry season and that sap flow is similar in lianas and trees of equivalent stem diameter do not support the common assumptions that lianas rely primarily on deep soil water and that they have higher rates of sap flow than co-occurring trees of similar stem size.     

Comparative studies on cellular resistance of bivalves from marine and brackish waters

Summary 1. The cellular resistance of representatives from four euryhaline poikilosmotic bivalves caught in Büsum (North Sea, 30 S), Kieler Förde (Belt Sea, 15 S), and Tvärminne (Gulf of Finland, 6 S) has been tested. All experiments were performed in October.2. According to their cellular salinity rangesMacoma baltica andMytilus edulis are more euryhaline thanMya arenaria andCardium edule.3. The cellular heat resistance decreases in specimens from the North Sea in the following order:Cardium, Mya, Macoma, Mytilus. Among the representatives collected near Tvärminne,Macoma has the highest heat resistance.4. The cellular freezing resistance in specimens from the North Sea is highest inMytilus. The bivalves of the Gulf of Finland practically lack resistance to freezing.5. In localities of decreased salinity the cellular resistance of these bivalves to a dilution of the external medium is somewhat increased, but simultaneously the cellular resistance to other environmental factors, such as heat, freezing and high salinity, decreases unspecifically.

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Vergleichende Untersuchungen über zelluläre Resistenz bei Muscheln aus Meer- und Brackwasser

Kurzfassung An vier euryhalinen poikilosmotischen Muschelarten aus Büsum (Nord-seeküste, 30 S), der Kieler Förde Beltsee, 15 S) und Tvärminne (Finnischer Meerbusen, 6 S), wurden zur gleichen Jahreszeit (Herbst) vergleichende Untersuchungen über die zellulären Resistenzgrenzen durchgeführt. Auf Grund ihrer zellulären Salzgehaltsbereiche sindMacoma baltica undMytilus edulis euryhaliner alsMya arenaria undCardium edule. Die zelluläre Hitzeresistenz nimmt bei den Individuen aus der Nordsee in der Reihenfolge:Cardium, Mya, Macoma, Mytilus ab. Bei Exemplaren aus Tvärminne ist die zelluläre Hitzeresistenz vonMacoma am größten. Die zelluläre Gefrierresistenz ist unter den Muscheln aus der Nordsee am größten, fehlt dagegen praktisch bei den Tieren aus dem Finnischen Meerbusen. Bei verringertem Salzgehalt des Fundortwassers ist die zelluläre Resistenz der untersuchten Muscheln gegenüber Verdünnung des Außenmediums jeweils etwas erhöht, gleichzeitig nimmt die zelluläre Resistenz gegenüuber anderen Außenfaktoren wie Hitze, Frost und hohen Salzkonzentrationen unspezifisch ab.

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Dedicated to Professor Dr.Friedrich Krüger on his 65^th birthday, August 18, 1967.     

Effects of Desalination and the Detergent Sodium Dodecylsulphate on the Early Development of the Sand Dollar Scaphechinus mirabilis

We studied the effects of reduced water salinity on early ontogenesis in the sea urchin Scapechinus mirabilis. It is shown that the lower limit of salinity tolerance for the embryos and larvae is the salinity of 28. Under the mutual effects of desalination and sodium dodecylsulphate (SDS), an addition of 0.1 mg/l of the detergent to water with a salinity of 28 caused disturbances in the development of the larvae, starting from the stage of blastula. Desalination of the water down to 22 with the presence of SDS exerts significant effects already at the stage of fertilization. The mass death of embryos (73%) was observed at the stage of the first cleavage. The increase in the concentration of SDS up to 1 mg/l in water with a salinity of 28 to 22 caused an increase in the percentage of abnormal embryos and larvae from 40 up to 100%.     

Stable isotope ratio as a tracer of mangrove carbon in Malaysian ecosystems

Summary The ratio of stable carbon isotopes (¹³C) in plants and animals from Malaysian mangrove swamps, coastal inlets, and offshore waters was determined. Vascular plants of the swamps were isotopically distinct ( x±s.d.=-27.1±1.2) from plankton (-21.0±0.3) and other algae (-18.7±2.2). Animals from the swamps (-20.9±4.1) and inlets (-19.8±2.5) had a wide range of isotope ratios (-28.6 to-15.4), indicating consumption of both mangrove and algal carbon. Several commercially important species of bivalves, shrimp, crabs, and fish obtained carbon from mangrove trees. Mangrove carbon was carried offshore as detritus and was isotopically distinguishable in suspended particulate matter and sediments. Animals collected from 2 to 18 km offshore, however, showed no isotopic evidence of mangrove carbon assimilation, with ratios (-16.5±1.1, range-19.1 to-13.1) virtually identical to those reported for similar animals from other plankton-based ecosystems. Within groups of animals, isotope ratios reflected intergencric and interspecific differences in feeding and trophic position. In particular, there was a trend to less negative ratios with increasing trophic level.     

Effects of short-term storage of gametes on fertilization of Pacific herring eggs

A method is described whereby arrays of samples ofClupea pallasi eggs may be stored during their preparation. The high fertilization potential retained by the eggs during short-term storage allows them to be fertilized synchronously when sample preparation is complete. A variation of the dry method of storage retained maximum fertilization potential (80–85%) of the eggs for about 1 hr, and of milt dilution (18 with 17 S sea water), about 7 hr. Following dry storage, eggs fertilized in salinities of 0–45 showed maximum rates of fertilization in salinities of 10–20, and fertilization rates 50% in salinities of 4.5–42. Salinities of fertilization influenced egg diameter, median hatching time, and larval length at hatching in egg samples transferred 21/2 hr after fertilization to an incubation salinity of 17 at 7°C. Fertilization rates were higher (90–95%) for eggs stored in 17 S at 7°C prior to fertilization. Under such wet storage conditions, maximum fertilization pontential was retained for about 2 hr. Highest fertilization rates (95–96%) were obtained for eggs stored and fertilized in salinities of 12–15. For the species and the area of origin considered (British Columbia), wet storage of eggs should result in maximum fertilization when the eggs are stored at 4°C for a period not greater than 2 hr prior to fertilization in the 12–15 S storage medium.Prepared under the auspices of the Canadian-German Scientific and Technical Cooperation Agreement.     

Acclimation of the Sea Cucumber Apostichopus japonicus to Decreased Salinity at the Blastula and Gastrula Stages: Its Effect on the Desalination Resistance of Larvae at Subsequent Stages of Development

Apostichopus (= Stichopus) japonicus blastulae and gastrulae were acclimated for 18 h to salinities of 32 (control), 24 and 22 (the lower limit of the range of tolerance), and 20 (below the range of tolerance). Acclimation to 20 resulted in the appearance of teratic larvae, most of which subsequently died. Acclimation to 24, 22, and 20 led to a shift in the range of tolerance of the larvae at further stages of development. With a decrease in salinity, acclimated larvae developed more successfully than unacclimated larvae. Acclimated larvae attained the pentactula stage and settled at a salinity range of 32–20; unacclimated larvae, at 32–22. At different stages of development, acclimated larvae survived greater decreases in salinity than unacclimated larvae. The acclimation effects could be traced up to metamorphosis and settling, i.e., two weeks after the end of the acclimation process.     

Diversity,metabolic types and δ13C carbon isotope ratios in the grass flora of Namibia in relation to growth form,precipitation and habitat conditions

The grass flora of Namibia (374 species in 110 genera) shows surprisingly little variation in ¹³C values along a rainfall gradient (50–600 mm) and in different habitat conditions. However, there are significant differences in the ¹³C values between the metabolic types of the C4 photosynthetic pathway. NADP-ME-type C4 species exhibit the highest ¹³C values (–11.7 ) and occur mainly in regions with high rainfall. NAD-ME-type C4 species have significantly lower ¹³C values (–13.4 ) and dominate in the most arid part of the precipitation regime. PCK-type C4 species play an intermediate role (–12.5 ) and reach a maximum abundance in areas of intermediate precipitation. This pattern is also evident in genera containing species of different metabolic types. Within the same genus NAD species reach more negative ¹³C values than PCK species and ¹³C values decreased with rainfall. Also in Aristida, with NADP-ME-type photosynthesis, ¹³C values decreased from –11 in the inland region (600 mm precipitation) to –15 near the coast (150 mm precipitation), which is a change in discrimination which is otherwise associated by a change in metabolism. The exceptional C3 species Eragrostis walteri and Panicum heterostachyum are coastal species experiencing 50 mm precipitation only. Many of the rare species and monotypic genera grow in moist habitats rather than in the desert, and they are not different in their carbon isotope ratios from the more common flora. The role of species diversity with respect to habitat occupation and carbon metabolism is discussed.     

Oxygen isotope fractionation during respiration for different temperatures ofT. utilis andE. coli K12

Summary The temperature dependence of the oxygen isotope fractionation factor during respiration has been examined for two different microorganisms, namelyTorulopsis utilis andEscherichia coli K12 representing a yeast and a bacterium, respectively. The investigation covered a temperature range of 18° C, that is from 16° C to 34° C forT. utilis and from 19° C to 37° C forE. coli K12. Within this temperature range the fractionation factor ofT. utilis increases by 0.18; an insignificant change ( _{10° C} = 0.063;r = 0.067), whereas withE. coli K 12 an increase of 1.12; has been observed ( _{10° C} = 0.6;r = 0.55).     

Bestimmung abnorm hoher Salzgehalte in seewasserähnlichen Salzlösungen

Zusammenfassung 1. Die im normalen Seewasser recht konstante Ionenrelation kann bei niederen, vor allem aber bei extrem hohen Salzgehalten erheblich gestört sein. Daher ist in diesen Bereichen die Bestimmung der einzelnen Komponenten wünschenswert. Die Bezeichnung S ist bei sehr großen Salzmengen nur bedingt vertretbar, und übertrieben genaue Angaben sind daher wenig sinnvoll. Deshalb ist für viele Belange ein einfaches Meßverfahren hinreichend.2. Es wird eine Methode beschrieben, mit deren Hilfe hohe Salzgehalte durch Auswiegen des Inhalts einer Knudsen-Pipette bestimmt werden können. Die Auswertung erfolgt mit Hilfe von Nomogrammen. Die Genauigkeit der Methode dürfte bei ±1 liegen.3. Die durchgeführten Dichtemessungen erlauben, bei Gültigkeit der Cl/S-Relation g Cl/l auf S mit einer Genauigkeit von ±0,1 umzurechnen.

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Determination of abnormally high salinities in salt solutions similar to seawater

In the open sea the proportion between the different ions is rather constant with the exception of some elements influenced in their amount and distribution by biological activities (P, N, etc.). This relative constancy is modified if sea-water is diluted near the shores by river water, or concentrated by evaporation, especially in lower latitudes (e. g., Mediterranean, Red Sea). Abnormalities are also found in small isolated bodies of water near the shore. In all these instances the quantitative relation between the different ions is no longer constant; in most cases, calcium shows the first and most pronounced aberrations. It is desirable, therefore, to determine the individual components in such waters, not only its total salinity. In some cases, however, it may be of interest to measure high salinities as such, especially in biological studies. This paper describes a simple method for the determination of salinities between 50 and 275 via density measurements. The volume of the water sample is then determined by means of a 50 cm³-Knudsen pipette, its temperature measured, and the sample transferred into a clean, dry glass stoppered bottle. Thereafter the pipetted water is weighed and the value (similar to the well known _t) calculated: TANOIn this formula, and t°C give the resulting salinity. This rather complicated procedure is simplified by the use of nomograms (at the end of this paper). The accuracy is not much better than ±1 . In situations in which it may be assumed that the Cl/S ratio is practically identical with that in normal sea-water, S can be calculated from the value g Cl/l; in this case the accuracy is ±0.1 .

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Herrn Professor Dr.Friedrich Krüger zum 65. Geburtstag am 18. August 1967 in Verehrung gewidmet.     

Estuarine and mangrove systems and the nursery concept: which is which? The case of the Sine Saloum system (Senegal)

The mangrove system of Sine Saloum in Senegal is characterized by the lack of permanent river flow, in the context of the Sahelian drought which began in the 70s. The main environmental consequence is that Sine Saloum has become a so called reversed estuary with salinity increasing upstream and reaching 100 and more, with a mean salinity between 45–50. A threeyear survey of the juvenile fish community was undertaken with the aim of verifying whether or not this environment is still suitable as a nursery area for exploited fish populations. The main sampling gear used were small fykenets in addition to gill nets and a limited rotenone sampling. One of the six mangrove stations included in the survey exhibited a relatively high species diversity. This station is the only one where salinity may reach levels as low as 25 at the end of the rainy season, although salinity is much higher in the upstream region near this station. Such a low salinity is likely due to an underground freshwater connection or underwater springs. These observations highlight the relative importance of estuaries and mangroves in the nursery function.