The organization of macroinvertebrate communities in the major tributaries of the LaTrobe River, Victoria, Australia

SUMMARY.

• 1 Seventeen sites were each sampled six times over 2 years for macroinvertebrates. A range of physicochemical variables was also measured to determine which factors were related to the distribution of species.
• 2 Numerical classification of the faunal data indicated that four groups of sites or communities were distinguishable: lowland sites; sandy upland sites; cobble upland sites from the northern catchment; cobble upland sites from the southern catchment.
• 3 Multiple discriminant analysis and multiple regression analysis demonstrated that particle size of the sediment, concentration of dissolved ions and altitude were the physicochemical features that were most strongly associated with changes in the faunal distribution.
• 4 Abundances of shredders and predators did not vary between the site groups while those of scrapers, gatherers and filterers did: scrapers were most abundant at cobble sites while gatherers and filterers were least abundant on sand and increased in abundance downstream. The distribution of the feeding groups showed some similarity with that predicted by the River Continuum Concept, but the fact that the shredders did not decrease in abundance downstream was a notable difference.
• 5 Abundance of the total fauna at a site was inversely related to the amount of benthic organic matter. This feature is contrary to the pattern usually reported from rivers in the northern hemisphere.

     

A stressed stream ecosystem: macroinvertebrate community integrity and microbial trophic response

A year-long study of a second-order stream in Southwestern Virginia was carried out from 1979–80. One of the objectives of the study was to evaluate the effects of sewage and electroplating plant effluent stress on the trophic response of aquatic invertebrate assemblages and microbial communities in the stream. Quantitative benthic samples were collected periodically at three reference stations and four stressed stations below the outfalls. Invertebrates were counted, identified taxonomically, and classified into functional groups based on their feeding strategies. Ash-free dry weights were obtained for each functional group by date and station, and the number and density of different taxa were calculated as well. Reference stations had diverse invertebrate assemblages; scrapers were well represented and all functional groups were present in reasonably equivalent proportions. Stressed stations were dominated by collector gatherers and filterers to the virtual exclusion of scrapers. The trophic status of the microbial community was determined by suspending artificial substrates in the stream for 1-week periods. The community that colonized the substrates was assayed for ATP and chlorophyll a, and an autotrophy index (AI) was calculated using these values. The autotrophic component of the microbial community was greatest at the reference stations, and the community became primarily heterotrophic below the outfalls. The AI correlated well with the proportion of scrapers. Aquatic invertebrate assemblages and microbial communities responded to stress by changing their trophic structure to fit best the available energy sources. Where heterotrophic microbes dominated, gathering and filtering invertebrates utilized the abundant organic matter. In areas where a mainly autotrophic microbial community existed, scrapers, gatherers, and filterers were all present in balanced proportions.     

Duplex sonography of arteriovenous fistula in chronic hemodialysis patients

Duplex sonography was used to assess functional features of arteriovenous fistula (AVF) for hemodialysis (HD). Internal diameter (ID), resistance index (RI) and blood flow (BF) velocity in feeding artery and in vein ofAVF, and venous BF volume were analyzed with purpose to determine the normal values. Presumed normal BF velocities are those of clinically well functioning shunts, allowing BF through HD lines of minimally 250 ml/min. Study included 66 nondiabetic HDpatients (30 women, 36 men), mean age 52-13 years, treated by HD for median 61 (4-252) months. Measurements in 47patients with clinically well functioning AVF were as followed: mean arterial ID 5.2 +/- 1.4 mm, median arterial RI 0.3 (0.3-0.9), median arterial BF velocity 1.5 (0.6-3.6) m/s, mean venous ID 7.6 +/- 2.2 mm, median venous RI 0.3 (0.3-0.9), mean venous BF velocity 1.6 +/- 0.7 m/s, and median venous BF volume 530 (120-1890) ml/min. Patients with poor functioning AVF had significantly less arterial ID, higher arterial RI, less venous ID, less venous BF velocity and volume. Duplex sonography findings obtained for clinically estimated well functioning shunt should be considered as normal Doppler values. Blood vessels' morphologic features depend upon age, and older patients have more pronounced changes.     

Effect of hydropower peaking flow fluctuations on community structure and feeding guilds of invertebrates colonizing artificial substrates in a large impounded river

Artificial substrates were used to monitor the invertebrate communities below a power peaking impoundment and a flow re-regulating impoundment on the Missouri River on northeastern Nebraska, USA. Invertebrate communities on shallow samplers subjected to exposure from diel fluctuations in flow averaged 3 taxa per sampler and 91 organisms per square meter. In the absence of diel fluctuations, number of taxa per sampler increased to 12 and mean densities increased to 743 per square meter. Fluctuating discharges had no significant effect on numbers of taxa or densities on continually submerged artificial substrates. However, greater numbers of taxa and total densities were observed on deep (107 cm) versus shallow (30 cm) samplers below both impoundments.Polycentropodidae (Trichoptera), Chironomidae (Diptera) and Oligochaeta were observed to tolerate diel fluctuations and exposure below Fort Randall Dam while Hydropsychidae (Trichoptera) and Heptageniidae (Ephemeroptera) were extremely intolerant.Collector-gatherers and predator-engulfers were the predominant functional groups colonizing samplers below both impoundments. Higher numbers of collector-gatherers, collector-filterers and scrapers were observed from samplers in the absence of diel flow fluctuations.This study corroborates results from a number of other investigations, separated in space and time. Examined collectively, these studies provide the framework for understanding power peaking as a stress to benthic stream communities.     

Biodiversity of Zoobenthos in the Coastal Zone of the South Coast of Crimea (Laspi Bay Area)

Based on data of a1996 benthos survey, the structure of soft bottom zoobenthos of Laspi Bay (South Coast of Crimea, the Black Sea) was examined. One hundred thirty-one species of macrozoobenthos, including 44 molluscan species, 43 annelids, 31 crustaceans and 13 species representing other groups, were recorded. Two biocenoses were distinguished: Chamelea gallina and Mytilus galloprovincialis within the depths 5–52 m. The first biocenosis was presented by two biocenosic complexes. Their structure was characterized using Shannon, Simpson, and Pielou indices. The representativeness of the basic taxonomic groups of the benthos was analyzed. The conclusion of the high species abundance of benthos in Laspi Bay was made. There were recorded changes in structure of the biocenoses, which were manifested in the development of sestonophage filterers (first of all, the mollusc Chamelea gallina) with increasing organic pollution of the coastal water areas of Black sea.     

Growth differences between the Atlantic salmon parr,Salmo salar,of nursery brooks and natal rivers in the River Teno watercourse in northern Finland

Synopsis A comparison was done between growth in Atlantic salmon,Salmo salar, parr from natal rivers and small tributaries in the subarctic River Teno watercourse in northern Finland (70° N, 28° E). Salmon do not spawn in these tributaries but juveniles enter the brooks from their spawning rivers. Parr from these brooks (age groups 1 + and 2 +) were larger, so were their recorded annual growth increments, than those caught simultaneously in the River Teno. First year growth was also better in brook parr, although both groups had spent their first year in the main river. The brook water temperature was lower than that in the main rivers through-out the growing season. On the other hand, drifting food resources were more abundant in brooks. It has been suggested that better growth and a longer residence in fresh water result in the larger smolts being produced in the brooks relative to the main river. Differences in habitat selection and subsequent differences in the smolt age and size of fish from the same place of origin reflect the distinct life histories of the salmon in the River Teno.     

Longitudinal Distribution of the Functional Feeding Groups of Aquatic Insects in Streams of the Brazilian Cerrado Savanna

We demonstrate that the distribution of the functional feeding groups of aquatic insects is related to hierarchical patch dynamics. Patches are sites with unique environmental and functional characteristics that are discontinuously distributed in time and space within a lotic system. This distribution predicts that the occurrence of species will be based predominantly on their environmental requirements. We sampled three streams within the same drainage basin in the Brazilian Cerrado savanna, focusing on waterfalls and associated habitats (upstream, downstream), representing different functional zones. We collected 2,636 specimens representing six functional feeding groups (FFGs): brushers, collector–gatherers, collector–filterers, shredders, predators, and scrapers. The frequency of occurrence of these groups varied significantly among environments. This variation appeared to be related to the distinct characteristics of the different habitat patches, which led us to infer that the hierarchical patch dynamics model can best explain the distribution of functional feeding groups in minor lotic environments, such as waterfalls.     

Aquatic plants–based risk model for assessment of ecological safety of rivers

In order to ensure the ecological safety in river beds, each project affecting it must be subjected to an evaluation in terms of its implementation results on the river habitats. Technical activities in the river beds can cause irreversible changes in their biocenosis. However, due to the lack of a method that allows us to predict these changes, the decisions made by designers and contractors can be evaluated only after completing the investment. Therefore, it is necessary to elaborate a method to evaluate the environmental safety in regulated and maintenanced rivers. This article presents a model that allows us to predict the changes in vascular aquatic plant communities, which result from technical interference in the river bed. The model was elaborated based on the results of the study performed in 2007–2011 in natural and transformed lowland watercourses from Lower Silesia area (Poland). It takes into account the elements of the watercourse bed ecosystem, which significantly affect the magnitude of the changes in plant communities. Based on this model, it is possible to evaluate the level of ecological risk associated with the execution of maintenance and regulatory works.     

Study of the distribution of mustelids over the Southern Urals using noninvasive methods

Noninvasive methods (interviews, feces collection, DNA analysis, and trail camera traps) allowed us to identify the most widespread mustelid species and assess the pattern of their distribution over the territory of the region. Two mustelid species—the American mink and common marten—are predominant in the Southern Urals. In summer and autumn, the American mink prefers brooks emptying into large rivers, whereas the common marten is more frequently met along banks of forest brooks and rivers with channel widths not exceeding 3 m. Whereas in usual conditions we observe spatial segregation between different mustelid species, extreme situations force mustelids to form multispecies communities on the banks of water bodies, where a mutual avoidance is reached by the temporal segregation strategy of circadian activity.     

Abundance patterns of filter-feeding Caddisflies (Trichoptera : Hydropsychidae) and seston in a Montana (U.S.A.) lake outlet

The abundance patterns of four species of net-spinning caddisflies (Trichoptera : Hydropsychidae) were studied in a Montana (U.S.A.) lake outlet stream. Total Hydropsychidae reached very high densities (X > 1400 / 0.2 m²) near the lake outfall but declined precipitously downstream. Abundance patterns generally agree with a published model of filter-feeder / seston interactions in lake outlets. Larval densities were greater on moss-covered substrates and one species occupied habitats of lower water velocity compared to other species. Seston concentrations increased downstream contrary to expectation. Nutrient quality of seston may be important in predicting abundance of stream filter-feeders.     

Theoretical habitat templets, species traits, and species richness: Trichoptera in the Upper Rhône River and its floodplain

• 1 For Trichoptera occurring in two sites of the Upper Rhône River (France) we examine: (i) relationships among species traits; (ii) habitat utilization of Trichoptera species; (iii) the relationship between species traits and habitat utilization; (iv) trends of species traits in the framework of spatial–temporal habitat variability to test predictions of the habitat templet concept; and (v) trends of species richness in the framework of spatial–temporal habitat variability to test predictions of the patch dynamics concept.
• 2 Of the sixteen species traits selected, twelve have high correlation ratios for the seventy-five species used in this analysis; these traits are related to behavioural, morphological, or physiological aspects. Traits related to reproduction or life cycle have lower correlation ratios.
• 3 An ordination by species traits separates the five main families into three groups: (i) Hydropsychidae and Polycentropodidae; (ii) Hydroptilidae; and (iii) Leptoceridae and Limnephilidae. An ordination of the habitat utilization of the species in ten habitats indicates that the Hydropsychidae occur preferentially in the main channel, Hydroptilidae, Polycentropodidae, and Limnephilidae occur in backwaters or oxbow lakes, and the Leptoceridae are ubiquitous.
• 4 The Hydropsychidae exhibit a relationship between species traits and habitat utilization, i.e. they use similar habitat types with similar species traits. The species traits of the other four families are similar but their habitat utilization is quite different.
• 5 The Hydropsychidae occur in lowest spatial–temporal variability habitats and Limnephilidae in the highest. Therefore, net spinners and filterers are characteristic of habitats with a low spatial–temporal variability, whereas shredders and case makers using plant material are characteristic of habitats with high spatial–temporal variability. The trends in species traits show little agreement with trends predicted from the river habitat templet.
• 6 Trends of species richness in the framework of spatial and temporal variability do not follow the predictions of the patch dynamics concept because richness is similar in all superficial habitats. This implies that each habitat, in spite of large differences in their spatial and temporal variability, offers Trichoptera a similar but limited number of ecological niches.

     

Treatment of diabetic polyneuropathy with the antioxidant thioctic acid (alpha-lipoic acid): a two year multicenter randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial (ALADIN II). Alpha Lipoic Acid in Diabetic Neuropathy.

Short-term trials with the antioxidant thioctic acid (TA) appear to improve neuropathic symptoms in diabetic patients, but the long-term response remains to be established. Therefore, Type 1 and Type 2 diabetic patients with symptomatic polyneuropathy were randomly assigned to three treatment regimens: (1) 2 x 600(mg of TA (TA 1200), (2) 600)mg of TA plus placebo (PLA) (TA 600) or (3) placebo and placebo (PLA). A trometamol salt solution of TA of 1200 or 600 mg or PLA was intravenously administered once daily for five consecutive days before enrolling the patients in the oral treatment phase. The study was prospective, PLA-controlled, randomized, double-blind and conducted for two years. Severity of diabetic neuropathy was assessed by the Neuropathy Disability Score (NDS) and electrophysiological attributes of the sural (sensory nerve conduction velocity (SNCV), sensory nerve action potential (SNAP)) and the tibial (motor nerve conduction velocity (MNCV), motor nerve distal latency (MNDL)) nerve. Statistical analysis was performed after independent reviewers excluded all patients with highly variable data allowing a final analysis of 65 patients (TA 1200: n = 18, TA 600: n = 27; PLA: n = 20). At baseline no significant differences were noted between the groups regarding the demographic variables and peripheral nerve function parameters for these 65 patients. Statistically significant changes after 24 months between TA and PLA were observed (mean +/- SD) for sural SNCV: +3.8 +/- 4.2 m/s in TA 1200, +3.0+/-3.0m/s in TA 600, -0.1+/-4.8m/s in PLA (p < 0.05 for TA 1200 and TA 600 vs. PLA); sural SNAP: +0.6+/-2.5 microV in TA 1200, +0.3+/-1.4 microV in TA 600, -0.7 +/- 1.5 microV in PLA (p = 0.076 for TA 1200 vs. PLA and p < 0.05 for TA 600 vs. PLA), and in tibial MNCV: +/- 1.2 +/- 3.8 m/s in TA 1200, -0.3 +/- 5.2 m/s in TA 600, 1.5 +/- 2.9 m/s in PLA (p < 0.05 for TA 1200 vs. PLA). No significant differences between the groups after 24 months were noted regarding the tibial MNDL and the NDS. We conclude that in a subgroup of patients after exclusion of patients with excessive test variability throughout the trial, TA appeared to have a beneficial effect on several attributes of nerve conduction.     

First-year benthic recovery of a headwater stream following a 3-year insecticide-induced disturbance

1. A headwater stream (C54) was treated seasonally (twelve times from December 1985 to October 1988) with the insecticide methoxychlor for 3 years, resulting in 72 and 75% reductions of insect abundances and biomass, respectively. Following treatment, monthly benthic abundances and biomass were measured in the treated stream and a nearby reference stream (C55) in order to assess recovery. Seasonal average abundances and biomass were calculated from samples taken from December 1988—December 1989, the first post-treatment year of C54. 2. Non-insect abundances and biomass were higher in the recovering stream during the winter + spring and summer periods, but were similar to the reference stream by autumn. Abundances and biomass of collector-filterers, scrapers, and shredders were all lower in the recovering stream during winter + spring; however filterers and scrapers were similar to reference stream values by the end of the recovery year. No distinct differences were seen between collector-gatherers and predators throughout the year. 3. Univoltine and multivoltine taxa, along with treatment-resistant taxa, were the most important contributors to recovery of C54. Taxa with longer generation times, life histories which were more vulnerable to riming of treatments, and/or poor dispersal abilities were poorly represented during first-year recovery. 4. Abundance data alone were not sufficient for a complete analysis of recovery. Biomass estimates reflected differences in taxonomic composition and developmental stages between streams after 1 year of recovery.     

Relationship between mass transfer coefficient and liquid flow velocity in heterogenous biofilms using microelectrodes and confocal microscopy

The relationship between local mass transfer coefficient and fluid velocity in heterogenous biofilms was investigated by combining microelectrodes and confocal scanning laser microscopy (CSLM). The biofilms were grown for up to 7 days and consisted of cell clusters separated by interstitial channels. Mass transfer coefficient depth profiles were measured at specific locations in the cell clusters and channels at average flow velocities of 2.3 and 4.0 cm/s. Liquid flow velocity profiles were measured in the same locations using a particle tracking technique. The velocity profiles showed that flow in the open channel was laminar. There was no flow at the top surface of the biofilm cell clusters but the mass transfer coefficient was 0.01 cm/s. At the same depth in a biofilm channel, the flow velocity was 0.3 cm/s and the mass transfer coefficient was 0.017 cm/s. The mass transfer coefficient profiles in the channels were not influenced by the surrounding cell clusters. Local flow velocities were correlated with local mass transfer coefficients using a semi-theoretical mass transfer equation. The relationship between the Sherwood number (Sh,) the Reynolds number (Re,) and the Schmidt number (Sc) was found using the experimental data to find the dimensionless empirical constants (n1, n2, and m) in the equation Sh = n(1) + n(2)Re(m) Sc(1/3). The values of the constants ranged from 1.45 to 2.0 for n(1), 0.22 to 0.28 for n(2), and 0.21 to 0.60 for m. These values were similar to literature values for mass transfer in porous media. The Sherwood number for the entire flow cell was 10 when the bulk flow velocity was 2.3 cm/s and 11 when the bulk flow velocity was 4.0 cm/s. (c) 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Biotechnol Bioeng 56: 681-688, 1997.     

泥河湾盆地中部东坡旧石器时代早期遗址的发现

东坡遗址发现于泥河湾盆地中部的泥河湾层, 东距虎头梁村约800m。该遗址于2001年试掘了4㎡, 出土石制品32件和少量破碎的动物化石。石制品以小型为主; 类型包括石核、石片、工具、断块等, 以石片和断块居多。石制品原料采自遗址附近的砾石层, 主要有流纹岩、石英闪长岩、燧石、石英和板岩等, 以流纹岩和石英闪长岩居多。经ESR方法测定, 遗址的年代为321±15ka BP, 属于旧石器时代早期偏晚。该遗址是泥河湾盆地中部地区首次发现的旧石器早期文化遗址, 具有重要的科研价值。     

Amonabactin, a novel tryptophan- or phenylalanine-containing phenolate siderophore in Aeromonas hydrophila.

Aeromonas hydrophila 495A2 excreted two forms of amonabactin, a new phenolate siderophore composed of 2,3-dihydroxybenzoic acid, lysine, glycine, and either tryptophan (amonabactin T) or phenylalanine (amonabactin P). Supplementing cultures with L-tryptophan (0.3 mM) caused exclusive synthesis of amonabactin T, whereas supplements of L-phenylalanine (0.3 to 30 mM) gave predominant production of amonabactin P. The two forms of amonabactin were separately purified by a combination of production and polyamide column chromatographic methods. Both forms were biologically active, stimulating growth in iron-deficient medium of an amonabactin-negative mutant. Of 43 additional siderophore-producing isolates of the Aeromonas species that were tested, 76% (19 of 25) of the A. hydrophila isolates were amonabactin positive, whereas only 19% (3 of 16) of the A. sobria isolates and all (3 of 3) of the A. caviae isolates produced amonabactin, suggesting a predominant synthesis of amonabactin in certain Aeromonas species.     

城镇化对钱塘江中游支流水质和底栖动物群落结构的影响

于2010年4月调查了浙江省钱塘江中游流域受不同城镇化强度影响的59条1～3级支流的水体理化、底栖动物群落及所在流域的土地利用,分析作为流域城镇化强度指标的不渗水地表面积比(PIA)与溪流水质和生物群落的关系.Spearman秩相关分析表明,TN、NH4+-N、PO43--P、TP、CODMn、电导率、水面宽、水深、细沙淤泥比(％)与PIA呈显著正相关,与林地(％)呈显著负相关.底栖动物指标与PIA的拟合曲线表明它们之间存在显著的非线性关系.其中总分类单元数、Shannon多样性指数、丰富度指数、EPT(％)及捕食者(％)、撕食者(％)、滤食者(％)、刮食者(％)与PIA呈显著负相关,与林地(％)呈显著正相关,但BI指数、集食者(％)、耐污类群(％)、寡毛纲(％)与PIA呈显著正相关.表明研究区域内随着城镇化强度的提高,城镇溪流表现出高氮、磷营养盐水平、物理生境退化、敏感底栖动物物种消失、耐污物种个体数量急剧上升等城镇溪流退化的共性现象.     

Left ventricular diastolic filling in young persons with type 1 diabetes mellitus

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of diabetes mellitus on left ventricular function. Using Doppler echocardiography we examined a group of 49 young (20-32 years old) persons with type 1 diabetes mellitus and a group of healthy age-matched men and evaluated the parameters of diastolic filling of the left ventricle (LV). We found significant differences in peak velocity of early filling of the left ventricle ((70.07+/-10.84 vers. 78.2+/-10.59 cm.s(-1), p+/-0. 01), peak velocity of late diastolic filling of LV (A = 47.74+/-11.6 vers. 43.15+/-7.48 cm.s(-1), p < or = 0.027), ratio E/A (1.53+/-0.4 vers. 1.84+/-0.33), time velocity integral of peak E (TVIE = 0.083+/-0.014 vers. 0.1+/-0.022 m, p < or = 0.001), time velocity integral of peak A (TVIA = 0.039+/-0.011 vers. 0.037+/-0.012 m, p < or = 0.3), ratio TVIE/TVIA (2.3+/-0.73 vers. 2.9+/-0.9, p < or = 0.001), time E (204.4+/-31.59 vers. 198.4+/-19.09 ms, p < or = 0.27), time A (126.9 < or = 23.0 vers. 113.5+/-15.59 ms, p < or = 0.002), time E/time A (1.64+/-0.3 vers. 1.76+/-0.22, p < or = 0.039) and duration of isovolumic relaxation period (IVRT = 88.2+/-10.8 vers. 71.13+/-8.4 ms, p < or = 0.0001). Despite significant differences all the results were in the range of values for the healthy population. However in detailed analysis we found that the values measured in young (20-32 years old) persons with type 1 diabetes mellitus corresponded with diastolic parameters of healthy men of the age of 50 years and more. Thus, diabetes mellitus can influence the relaxation properties of the left ventricle.     

大头金蝇的飞行能力

通过飞行磨测定和扩散观察,研究大头金蝇Chrysomya megacephala(Fabricius)的飞行能力。结果表明:雌、雄虫的平均飞行距离、平均最大飞行速度、平均飞行时间间没有显著的差异。大头金蝇的平均飞行距离25℃时达最高,为4·4783km,之后随着温度的进一步增高而逐渐下降;平均飞行时间20℃时最大,为1·2262h;最大飞行速度25℃最大,为1·2210m/s。50%,60%,70%和80%相对湿度的平均飞行距离有显著差异,分别为5·7475,0·7913,0·3850和0·7575km;50%RH的平均飞行时间最长为2·7868h,平均最大飞行速度中80%RH最高,为2·0792m/s。在塑料大棚(长30m)释放大头金蝇呈扇形扩散,最快速度0·3m/s,从一端扩散到塑料大棚的另一端所需时间平均为(2·52±0·63)min,最长需要3·08min,表现出大头金蝇有较强的飞行能力。