Effects of herbivory and the season of disturbance on algal succession in a tropical intertidal shore,Phuket, Thailand

The effects of herbivory and the season of disturbance on species composition and algal succession were experimentally tested at a tropical intertidal shore, Phuket Island, Thailand. Dead coral patches were cleared of all organisms during both the dry and rainy seasons in order to study the effects of season on algal succession and cages were set up to exclude fish herbivory. Algal succession in this intertidal habitat showed a simple pattern and took a year from the early Ulva paradoxa C. Agardh stage to the late Polysiphonia sphaerocarpa Børgesen stage. The abundance of algae during succession was under the influence of seasonal change. U. paradoxa reproduced and recruited throughout the year. Caging effects did not apparently influence algal abundance, perhaps because resident herbivorous damselfishes excluded other herbivores from their territories and maintained their algal “farms”. Unexpectedly, the percent cover of Ulva in the caged plots was lower than in uncaged plots. This pattern may indicate that caging excluded damselfishes only, but allowed small herbivores that consumed substantial amounts of soft filamentous algae in the cages.     

Observations on the occurrence of Allocreadium fasciatusi in Aplocheilus melastigma

Allocreadium fasciatusi is a common trematode occurring in the intestine of the fish Aplocheilus melastigma . The distribution of this fluke inside the fish host has been studied for a period of one year. The fluke occurred throughout the year, the incidence ranged from 20 to 88, and the number of parasites per infected host varied from 1 to 58. The fluke exhibited a seasonal cycle of occurrence with a peak both in incidence and intensity in the month of September. For the rest of the year the population remained constant and there was a balance between recruitment and loss from the trematode populations. The maturation cycle of A. fasciatusi also followed a seasonal pattern. Although the flukes were recruited in all the months, the peak invasion occurred in September. The large numbers of immature flukes received during this month became gravid by January. The availability of infective larvae was considered to be important in influencing the seasonal cycles.
The incidence and intensity of infection were found to be independent of the size of the fish but female fish were noted to be the more heavily infected.     

Feeding of the stone sculpin Paracottus knerii (Cottidae) in the littoral of southern Baikal

The food spectrum and seasonal dynamics of feeding of the stone sculpin Paracottus knerii in the littoral of southern Baikal is investigated. Altogether, 29 species of invertebrates are recorded. All year round, the bulk of food, similarly to other areas of the lake, consisted of amphipods; other groups of zoobenthos were represented insignificantly. The significance of particular amphipod species in the food of fish depended on their ecological and morphofunctional traits. The seasonal changes in the species composition and the ratio of food items in the food depended on life cycles of fish and on the migrations of zoobenthic organisms.     

Timing and size of blooms of the ctenophore Mnemiopsis leidyi in relation to temperature in Narragansett Bay, RI

The ctenophore Mnemiopsis leidyi is at the northern extreme of its geographic range in Narragansett Bay, an estuary on the northeast coast of the United States. Blooms have typically been observed in late summer and fall according to records from 1950 to 1979. We document an expansion of the seasonal range of this important planktonic predator to include springtime blooms during the 1980s and 1990s. This shift to an earlier seasonal maximum is associated with increasing water temperature in Narragansett Bay. Temperatures in spring have risen, on average, 2 °C from 1950 to 1999 with warm years being associated with the positive phase of the North Atlantic Oscillation. During 1999, M. leidyi appeared earlier in spring and was more abundant than during any previous year for which records are available. Changes in the seasonal pattern and abundance of this predator are likely to have important effects on planktonic ecosystem dynamics of Narragansett Bay. These include reduction of zooplankton abundance in spring followed by increases in size and frequency of summer phytoplankton blooms. Earlier blooms of M. leidyi may also reduce survival of eggs and larvae of fish because, as in 1999, they coincide with the period of peak spawning.     

Meteorological factors affecting the diversity of airborne algae in an urban atmosphere

Aeroalgal sampling of Varanasi City, India, was done using a Tilak Rotorod sampler and exposing agarised Bold basal medium Petri plates during March 2003 to February 2005. Amongst the 34 airborne algal genera recorded, cyanobacteria dominated the aero-algal flora, followed by green algae and diatoms. The generic diversity of airborne algae as well as the constituting groups exhibited seasonal variation. The most favored period for the appearance of cyanobacteria in the air was summer, while winter favored green algae. Presence of diatoms was almost uniform throughout the year. The presence of algal particles in the air depended upon the abundance and dynamics of algal source and their release and dispersal in the atmosphere. Best model selection with Akaike information criteria indicated temperature, relative humidity, rainfall, wind velocity as the most important climatic factors determining algal diversity. These factors exert their effect both directly by influencing entrainment and dispersal of algae from the source, and indirectly by regulating the dynamics of the possible algal source (soil, water, plant body, wall and roof of the building) by supporting or inhibiting the algal growth. In a closed environment and at low altitude sampling site characteristic is also an important factor. Open area near to the countryside had maximal aero-algal diversity.     

Effects of cooling water discharge on the structure and dynamics of epilithic algal communities in the northern Baltic

The Forsmark Biotest Basin is a shallow coastal ecosystem that receives brackish cooling-water discharge from a nuclear power plant. The effects of the discharge on epilithic algal communities were investigated by analysing samples taken every third week throughout one year at 11 sites differentially affected by temperature and/or flow rate enhancement. Community variation was summarized in a canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) of species abundances as a function of site and date. The temperature increase favoured blue-green algae at the expense of red and brown algae. Blue-green algae were however abundant in summer in stagnant water, whether heated or not, and some red and brown algae became abundant in winter in heated sites with flowing water. Green algae and diatoms increased in biomass in the heated sites, but not in relative cover-abundance. The absence of ice and snow cover at sites with heated and/or flowing water caused autumn species to persist into winter, because of the higher light intensity (compared with natural conditions) and the absence of the mechanical abrasion by ice. The thermal discharge lowered species diversity (Shannon-Weaver index) both in summer and winter at sites with flowing water, but not at sites with quiescent or stagnant water. CCA showed alternate periods of stability and rapid change within the seasonal cycle. Individual species were placed according to their optimum; red and brown algae in winter/spring, green algae in spring/summer, blue-green algae in summer, and diatoms at various times. Exceptions to this pattern were species endo- or epiphytic on species of a different group. Analysis of the effects of temperature, flow rate and ice cover on the seasonal pattern of particular species showed that different species respond in individualistic ways to different combinations of these environmental variables.     

西江下游浮游植物群落周年变化模式

西江肇庆段是珠江干流汇入珠三角河网水域的咽喉通道,对2009年该江段的浮游植物群落组成及变化进行系统阐析.调查期间共发现浮游植物7门,245种(包括变种、变型),其中硅藻和绿藻是浮游植物群落组成的最主要类群,分别占总种数的42.44％和34.69％,其次是裸藻和蓝藻.PCA分析结果显示,浮游植物各类群的种类丰富度和生物量的周年变化趋势主要受水温和径流量的影响.浮游植物种类丰富度的周年变化呈现明显的高温季节高,低温季节低的特征,除因大多数藻类物种直接喜好高温之外,径流量的增大有助于真浮游绿藻种类的外源注入及半浮游和偶然性浮游硅藻种类的增加.浮游植物生物量的周年变化呈现明显的双峰型,峰值分别出现在8月和11月.然而8月份第1个高峰出现之前,生物量波动不大,尽管水温的升高有助于生物量的增加,但是径流量增大所带来的稀释作用掩盖了水温上升对浮游植物生长的促进作用.真浮游植物生物量的变化趋势和数值与总浮游植物极其接近,主要得益于真浮游硅藻物种颗粒直链藻在总种群中的绝对优势地位.综上,水温升高对浮游植物种类丰富度和生物量的增长均有促进,径流量的增大虽然有助于种类丰富度的增加,但不利于生物量的增加.     

Otolith growth and age estimation in the European hake

The internal sulcal rings in Merluccius merluccius otoliths cannot be considered as annuli. In the absence of a strong seasonal Zeitgeber, hake otoliths in the Mediterranean did not lay down an interpretable ring pattern that would be useful for age determination. A total of 484 sagittal otoliths from specimens ranging between 6 and 94 cm L T was studied in monthly samples from the Gulf of Lions in 1989–1990. Transverse, burnt otolith sections was analysed with an image analysis system using enhanced and filtered images and using a fast Fourier transform (FFT) function to avoid subjectivity in ring interpretation. The otolith radius-fish length relationship showed allometric growth and sexual dimorphism. The ring pattern was consistent for the sulcal rings in both sexes. Changes in the marginal increment showed the formation of multiple sulcal rings, of both environmental and physiological origin. The ring pattern depended on the sex and sexual activity.     

Intertidal distribution of infauna in a central California lagoon: the role of seasonal blooms of macroalgae

This study examined the roles of seasonal blooms of green algae, Ulva expansa (Setchell) Setchell et Gardner, and biotic disturbance by burrowing ghost shrimp, Callianassa gigas Dana, and foraging rays, on the intertidal distributions of a phoronid, Phoronopsis viridis Hilton, and a tellinid bivalve, Macoma nasuta (Conrad). Algal removal experiments in 1984 and 1986 demonstrated that heavy seasonal algal cover in the lower zone significantly reduced the abundances of both Phoronopsis and Macoma. Growth of Macoma transplanted into the algal zone was significantly lower in plots with algal cover than in plots regularly cleared of algae. Algal cover did not significantly affect early recruitment of either Phoronopsis or Macoma. Neither ghost shrimp nor rays appeared to reduce the abundances of phoronids or clams, although ray disturbance did result in a significant increase in the proportion of phoronids regenerating dorsal body parts. These results indicate that seasonal algal blooms are capable of producing discrete patterns of infaunal distribution in intertidal sedimentary habitats.     

Mechanisms responsible for the development of periphyton community structure during seasonal succession: the role of interspecies competition and plankton sedimentation

The development of periphyton community structure by exchange of organisms between substratum and water column (noninteractive mechanism) and by interspecific competition for surface (interactive mechanism) was studied during seasonal succession in Akulovsky water supply channel (the Upper Volga basin). The influence of exchange was assumed by similarity between the species composition of plankton and periphyton. At early stages of succession when the diatoms dominated in periphyton the community was formed mainly by phytoplankton sedimentation, while the competition for substratum didn't result in decrease of species diversity because the poor competitors were partly displaced by new colonists from the water column. Later when the green filamentous algae abundantly developed in periphyton, their numbers were probably controlled by factors not related to exchange of propagules. At the same time, the species structure of secondary periphyton cover developing on the thallus of filamentous algae depended mainly on the plankton sedimentation. At the last stages of seasonal succession when periphyton was represented by colonies of cyanobacteria and diatoms closely covering the substratum, the exchange of organisms between substratum and water column was not so important as interspecific competition for surface. As one could suppose, increase in biomass in this period resulted in the decrease of specificity as it was predicted by hypothesis of interactive community. In such a way, both mechanisms (interactive and noninteractive ones) took part in development of periphyton structure. Their relative influence changed in the course of seasonal succession.     

Seasonal patterns of food availability: influences on the reproductive output and body condition of the herbivorous crab Grapsus albolineatus

 Rocky shores in Hong Kong experience marked seasonal differences in climate resulting in seasonal changes in macroalgal assemblages. The tropical rocky shore crab, Grapsus albolineatus, feeds selectively on filamentous algae through the year but the abundance of these algae and foliose algae is greatly reduced during the summer when encrusting algae dominate the shores and the crab’s diet. This switch in diet may have implications for the reproductive output of this crab. Standing crop of algae varied greatly through the year, peaking in March and April, when the nutritional quality of the algae was also highest. On the shore, available algal protein and energy were both lowest in July. The crab selected an algal diet rich in nutrients than that available to it on the shore for all months of the year except September to December for protein, and July and August for energy. The input of animal matter considerably increased the protein content of the diet, but made little difference to the energy content. Growth and body condition were greatest during March and June, coinciding with the peak in algal biomass. Storage of nutrients in the hepatopancreas of G. albolineatus commenced in November, coinciding with the increase in biomass and quality of algae on the shores, and then, peaking in May and June, these nutrients were utilised by the reproductive organs during the reproductive season which ran from April to November. The middle of the reproductive season coincided with the period when the standing crop of algae on the shore was at its lowest levels and poorest quality. Cycles of growth, reproduction and storage in G. albolineatus appear to be directly influenced by seasonal patterns of algal food availability. Nutrient storage in the hepatopancreas, during periods when food is nutritionally rich and is most abundant, does not guarantee reproductive success of the crab, but appears to be a prerequisite. Selection of an optimal diet (energy- and protein-rich) in a seasonal environment by ingesting abundant nutrient-rich algal species and the opportunistic consumption of animal matter strongly influences growth and reproductive output of G. albolineatus. Received: 18 March 1996 / Accepted: 17 July 1996     

Some ecological effects of artificial circulation on the phytoplankton

Studies were carried out in Lake Mutek (Mazurian Lakeland) on the effect of artificial aeration and destratification upon quantitative changes in the phytoplankton. These studies were carried out from 1977 until 1983. Two different methods of aeration were used. Low intensity mixing resulted initially in a two-fold, and later on in a four-fold increase of the phytoplankton biomass. Increase of phytoplankton biomass during lake aeration was due to the development of Ceratium hirudinella. Use of a highly effective air-compressor caused an inhibition of algal development, so that biomass dropped to levels noted in the control year. It was found that the effect of aeration depended on the ratio between lake area and effectiveness of the aerator. Only intensive mixing of the water masses resulted in an inhibition of the development of algae. The effect of artificial destratification was also reflected in changes of the species structure, seasonal succession of the algae, and physiological state of the phytoplankton. Artificial circulation stimulated development of algae characterized by relatively high specific weight, i.e. most of all of Pyrrophyta, Bacillariophyceae and some species of Chlorophyta. Various aspects were discussed of the use of direct aeration as a technical method of lake restoration.     

The upstream migratory behaviour of salmonids in the River Frome, Dorset

Data on the migratory behaviour of salmonids were collected at a gauging weir by means of a restivity fish-counter which triggered a motor-driven 35 mm still camera to provide photographic records of passing fish. A clear bimodal seasonal pattern of movement was observed in three consecutive years with peaks during June–August and October–December. Daily variations in the rate of movement could not be correlated with changes in discharge or temperature. Salmonids tended to move at discharges lower than those generally available. This contrasts with other published work and was attributed to the more equitable flow-pattern of chalk rivers. There was no optimal temperature associated with movements. Some evidence suggested that the largest fish moved earlier in the year but this was not marked. In clear water most movement occurred during the hours of darkness but during floods, when the river was turbid, the diurnal pattern tended to be reversed with greatest movement during the hours of daylight. Most fish negotiated the weir close to the bottom, well below mean velocity, and took a central path through the flume. Although analysis of upstream migratory behaviour was hindered by the lack of data on the numbers of fish available below the counting point it was concluded that the basic pattern of migration is established by time (season). Changes in discharge, light intensity and other parameters may then play a secondary role in modifying the details of the pattern but attention is drawn to records of movements in regulated flows where a remarkably constant pattern is shown from year to year.     

Population biology of the metacercariae of Centrocestus formosanus (Trematoda: Heterophyidae) on the gills of Aplocheilus panchax

The population biology of metacercariae of Centrocestus formosanus (Nishigori, 1924) on the gills of the larvivorous fish, Aplocheilus panchax (Hamilton) was investigated based on data from examination of monthly samples of fish collected from a stream at Visakhapatnam during the period December 1983 to April 1986. The seasonal dynamics, dispersion pattern and long-term changes were studied. No seasonality in prevalence and density of infection with metacercariae was observed. The recruitment of metacercariae occurred throughout the year. An increase in density of infection with increase in size of the fish was noted. Possible reasons for the observed distribution are discussed. The frequency distribution of the metacercariae followed the negative binomial at different times of the year. The data indicated an increase in degree of overdispersion with increase in size offish except for a slight drop in the largest size class. Long-term changes in the abundance of metacercariae are given and a decline in parasite population abundance is noted.     

Estimation of soil algal biomass in salinized irrigation land: a comparison of culture dilution and chlorophyll a extraction methods

Two representative methods for quantitative estimation of soil algae, the culture dilution method and chlorophyll a extraction, were compared using soil samples collected from irrigation land in the flood plain of the River Ili, Kazakhstan, where the distribution of soil algae had been studied in the previous year. The estimate by the culture dilution method was almost the same as in the previous year, except for one site, which was enclosed by shrubs of sakusaul, Haloxylon aphyllum (Minkw.) Iljin. The important role of wind in transport of airborne algal cells was pointed out. There was a significant correlation (p<0.001) between the logarithm of the number of colonies by the culture dilution method andthe logarithm of the concentration of chlorophyll a, when data from all samples were analyzed. However, no significant correlation was observed with the data of cropland sites alone. Furthermore, the seasonal variations of both values at each site did not necessarily agree with each other. One reason for the inconsistency may have been the over estimation of chlorophyll a caused by inclusion of litter from vascular plants. Other reasons may relate to differences between the methodologies. The density of soil algae estimated by culture dilution reflects the algal biomass in a certain previous period of time. Therefore, it is suggested that the method is suitable for spatial, but not for seasonal studies. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Effects of life history variation on size and growth in stream-dwelling Atlantic salmon

A large size variation amongst life histories for stream-dwelling Atlantic salmon Salmo salar was found and the relative effect of life histories on size varied over time. As early as December (age 0+ years), fish that later smolted at age 2+ years were significantly larger than fish that did not smolt at age 2+ years. In contrast, there were no mass differences at age 0+ years between fish that would mature or not at age 1+ years (October). The mass differences between smolts and non-smolts persisted until smolting, and differences between mature and immature fish first appeared in May (age 1+ years). Following September (age 1+ years), there was also a significant interaction between smolting and maturity. Previously mature and immature age 2+ year smolts were not significantly different in size, but immature age 2+ year non-smolts were much lighter than mature age 2+ year non-smolts. Based on mass differences, the apparent 'decision' to smolt occurred c . 5 months before (winter, age 0+ years) the decision to mature (late spring, age 1+ years). In addition to strong seasonal growth variation, sizes of freshwater Atlantic salmon were largely structured by the complex interaction between smolt-age and maturity.     

Why do juvenile fish utilise mangrove habitats?

Three hypotheses to discern the strong positive association between juvenile fish and mangrove habitat were tested with field and laboratory experiments. Artificial mangrove structure in the field attracted slightly more juvenile fish than areas without structure. Artificial structure left to accumulate fouling algae attracted four-times the total number of juvenile fish than areas without structure or areas with clean structure. Community composition of fish attracted to structure with fouling algae was different when compared with areas with no structure or clean structure; five species were attracted by structure with fouling algae whilst two species were associated with structure regardless of fouling algae. Algae were linked to increased food availability and it is suggested that this is an important selection criteria for some species. Other species were apparently attracted to structure for different reasons, and provision of shelter appears to be important. Predation pressure influenced habitat choice in small juvenile fish in laboratory experiments. In the absence of predators, small juveniles of four out of five species avoided shelter but when predators were introduced all species actively sought shelter. Large fish were apparently less vulnerable to predators and did not seek shelter when predators were added to their tank. Feeding rate was increased in the mangrove habitat for small and medium-sized fish compared with seagrass beds and mudflats indicating increased food availability or foraging efficiency within this habitat. Larger fish fed more effectively on the mudflats with an increased feeding rate in this habitat compared with adjacent habitats. The most important aspect of the mangrove habitat for small juvenile fish is the complex structure that provides maximum food availability and minimises the incidence of predation. As fish grow a shift in habitat from mangroves to mudflat is a response to changes in diet, foraging efficiency and vulnerability to predators.     

The reproductive cycle, condition and feeding in Barbus liberiensis, a tropical stream-dwelling cyprinid

This investigation examines the biology of Barbus liberiensis , a small cyprinid living in the forest streams of Sierra Leone and Liberia, in relation to seasonal changes in the environment. The population studied showed a single discrete breeding season coinciding with the early part of the rains. Maturing fish previously marked moved upstream at this time. The pattern of gonad development is analysed and the relationship of fecundity to body size is defined numerically. The total and somatic (i.e. excluding gonad weights) condition of the fishes, relative to the length/weight data in September-November when the gonads are resting, reach a peak at spawning time for both mature males and females and for immature fish. The pattern of condition during a year differs in the two sexes.
B. liberiensis consumes a wide variety of foods but relies largely on insects and higher plant fragments. Debris from the forest canopy is an important source of nutriment. The fish feed, during the daytime and possibly at night, throughout the year. Experiments to determine the rate at which food passes through the gut are described and show that food passage is rapid.
The seasonal cycles in condition and reproduction are discussed in relation to cycles in some other tropical and temperate riverine fishes.     

香溪河流域一条一级支流河岸林凋落物季节动态

对神农架南坡的一条一级支流河岸林的凋落物进行了一年的连续收集研究。结果表明：凋落物干重年输入量为438．72g／m^2,其中树叶凋落物是凋落物的主要成分,占整个凋落物年产量的84％。凋落物的输入明显存在季节性的时间格局。凋落物在秋季的产量占全年产量的75％,春季占6．2％,夏季占13．6％,冬季为5．5％。凋落物组成中,树叶和花果的产量显示出季节变化的趋势;枝条的产量并未显示出明显的季节趋势。在秋季,树叶的产量占全年树叶总量的83％;枝条最高值出现于秋季,产量占全年总员的29％;花果在整个凋落物中所占比重分小,最高值出现在夏季,占年产量的63％。着生藻类的密度月际间的变化较大,存在着显著的差异。最大值与最小值的出现月份与凋落物最大、最低值的出现月份相同。通过统计分析表明,着生藻类的密度变化与凋落物和树叶凋落物的动态具有明显的相关性。     

Temporal Patterns in Bacterial Communities in Three Temperate Lakes of Different Trophic Status

Despite considerable attention in recent years, the composition and dynamics of lake bacterial communities over annual time scales are poorly understood. This study used automated ribosomal intergenic spacer analysis (ARISA) to explore the patterns of change in lake bacterial communities in three temperate lakes over 2 consecutive years. The study lakes included a humic lake, an oligotrophic lake, and a eutrophic lake, and the epilimnetic bacterial communities were sampled every 2 weeks. The patterns of change in bacterial communities indicated that seasonal forces were important in structuring the behavior of the bacterial communities in each lake. All three lakes had relatively stable community composition in spring and fall, but summer changes were dramatic. Summertime variability was often characterized by recurrent drops in bacterial diversity. Specific ARISA fragments derived from these lakes were not constant among lakes or from year to year, and those fragments that did recur in lakes in different years did not exhibit the same seasonal pattern of recurrence. Nonetheless, seasonal patterns observed in 2000 were fairly successful predictors of the rate of change in bacterial communities and in the degree of autocorrelation of bacterial communities in 2001. Thus, seasonal forces may be important structuring elements of these systems as a whole even if they are uncoupled from the dynamics of the individual system components.