The composition,structure, and distribution of benthic ostracod fauna (Ostracoda,Myodocopa) in Antarctic waters

The benthic fauna of ostracods of the order Myodocopida of Antarctic waters is characterized by high diversity, relative species abundance, and a complicated taxonomic and ecological structure, with a simplified biogeographical structure. This fauna, which is distinguished by a high level of endemicity, although at a low taxonomic rank, includes a great share of deep-sea and subtidal elements. Ostracod populations of High and Low-Antarctic subzones differ qualitatively and quantitatively. A distinct impoverishment of fauna is observed in the region of the Antarctic divergence compared to the more northern areas. The number of species increases with depth to reach its maximum in the lower subtidal zone and on the upper continental slope at depths of 200–500 m. The number of species decreases with increasing depth. Myodocopida have not been yet found in the Antarctic waters deeper than 5000 m.     

Distribution et écologie des associations d’ostracodes récents de l’estuaire de Tahadart (Maroc Nord-Occidental)

Forty-five ostracod species were identified for the first time in the Tahadart estuary (NW Morocco). They can be grouped into five different ecological assemblages, which characterise four estuarine ecozones. A first ecozone occurs in temporary waters located between the tidal channels of the inner estuary and it is characterised by ostracod species typical of fresh to brackish waters. In the main estuary area, the ostracod fauna is dominated by clearly euryhaline species that account for nearly 70% of the entire fauna. The relative abundance of the different assemblages allows us to subdivide the estuarine environment along a longitudinal profile into mouth, outer and inner estuary. The estuary's mouth displays the highest values of marine euhaline, phytal and periphytal as well as ubiquitous species and the lowest values of very euryhaline species; the latter are the only species present in the inner estuary. The outer estuary exhibits intermediate percentages of the different ecological assemblages. This distribution, characterized by the absence of limnic species, points to the influence of marine waters in an open estuary with a low fresh water input. In the estuary's mouth, as well as in the outer estuary, where the slikke and schorre are well developed, the distance to the emersion line is underlined by the lower occurrence of marine and ubiquitous species and the higher occurrence of the very euryhaline ones. The Tahadart estuary displays a moderate to high ostracod diversity with distinct differences among the ecological zones. The stress of this environment is highlighted by the low diversity characteristics of extreme environments, alike in the inner estuary and in some areas located far from the emersion level. The relative position with respect to the emersion line, as well as the presence of gross detritic sediments and vegetation, appear to be of importance for the good development of the ostracods.     

Distribution and taxonomy of shallow marine Ostracods from Northern Socotra Island (Indian Ocean) - Yemen

Forty-seven species belonging to 30 genera of ostracods have been identified from Recent shallow marine sediments collected along the northern coastline of the island of Socotra (Indian Ocean). The systematics and distribution of these ostracods are discussed. Three genera, Loxoconcha, Bosasella, and Xestoleberis are found to have high species diversity. The species Loxoconcha ghardaqensis, Moosella striata are best documented in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden while Kotoracythere inconspicua and Triebelina sertata were found to be the most widespread species. The fauna shows a close affinity to other ostracod assemblages of the Indo-Pacific region, East African coast and Red Sea.     

Vertical Distribution of Pelagic Ostracods (Ostracoda,Halocyprinidae) in the Australian–New Zealand Sector of the Southern Ocean

Samples of plankton from the Australian–New Zealand sector of the Southern Ocean have been examined. A species list of pelagic fauna of ostracods is presented including latitudes and depths for Antarctic and Subantarctic water structures and the neighboring subtropical regions. The vertical distribution of ostracods is studied in the waters of the Subantarctic and Antarctic.     

The large Branchiopoda (Crustacea) from temporary habitats of the Drakensberg region,South Africa

The Drakensberg forms part of the Escarpment which separates the coastal plain from the inland plateau in southern Africa. This mountain range runs for about 400 km along the KwaZulu-Natal/Lesotho border and into the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. Altitude ranges from 1500 to 3000 masl. Rock pools and tarns are the main type of temporary pool habitat in the Drakensberg. 90 different habitats were sampled over a four-year period and various physical and chemical characteristics of these pools are presented. Large branchiopods occurred in 26 of these habitats. Five Branchipodopsis and two Streptocephalus species composed the anostracan fauna, while Triops granarius was collected only from the summit of the Escarpment at one locality. Four genera of Spinicaudata are represented in the Drakensberg but the current state of the taxonomy of this group does not allow identification to species level. Absence of large branchiopods from a high percentage of temporary habitats could be attributed to predation or many pools may not be sufficiently ephemeral. Most pools were inhabited by a single species of large branchiopod. This could be a result of low levels of food resources in pools, as indicated by extremely low conductivities. Restricted food resources could also be the limiting factor in the distribution of Streptocephalus and Triops which are only found in pools with higher conductivities. Four of the five Branchipodopsis species are endemic to the Drakensberg pools. These habitats are also inhabited by a high diversity of ostracods and other micro-crustaceans. Most of the KwaZulu-Natal Drakensberg falls within conservation areas but the Lesotho and Free State localities could be threatened by future development.     

Silurian reef-dwelling pentamerid brachiopods, Wisconsin and Illinois, USA

Eight species of pentamerid brachiopods, assigned toApopentamerus, Capelliniella, Kirkidium, Lissocoelina, Rhipidium, Supertrilobus andStenopentamerus, occur in stromatoporoid-coral reefs of the Silurian (Wenlockian) Racine Formation, Wisconsin and Illinois, USA. One new taxon,Rhipidium kuglitschi n.sp., is described. In contrast to level-bottom communities, where single pentamerid species occur in great numbers over large areas, pentamerids were generally rare members of the Racine reef fauna, and most species have localized distributions. An increase in diversity from one pentamerid species in the north to six species in the south correlates with a southward increase in reef size. Four morphologic groups of pentamerid species differed in the shape of the mantle cavity, which suggests different dynamics of suspension-feeding. Where two or more species are present in single reefs, co-occurrence of these groups represents a partitioning of the pentamerid niche. The relatively high diversity, local distributions, and morphologic distinctions among the Racine pentamerid fauna represent an evolutionary radiation and functional specialization of pentamerids in Wenlock reefs.     

土壤动物多样性的地理分布及其生态功能研究进展

土壤动物多样性地理分布及其生态功能研究已成为地学和生态学等领域共同关注的科学前沿。本文在介绍相关研究最新进展的基础上, 讨论已有研究的局限性或不确定性, 展望未来研究的重点方向。近10年来, 代表性土壤动物类群的全球分布研究取得突破性进展; 国内土壤动物研究的尺度和采样区域也有明显拓展, 尤其在蚯蚓和线虫相关研究上取得了系列成果。结果表明, 土壤动物多样性随纬度的变化模式主要有两种, 即在低纬度的热带最高或在中纬度的温带最高; 而土壤动物多度与多样性可能同步变化、无明显关系、截然不同甚至相反; 降水、植物生产力和土壤有机质是土壤动物分布格局的关键驱动力, 但它们的影响力因土壤动物类群不同而异。土壤动物具有改善土壤物理结构、促进养分循环和有机碳稳定、提高作物健康水平等多重功能; 土壤动物的多功能性评估方兴未艾, 但仍面临诸多挑战。简单分析土壤动物随经纬度等的变化规律存在较大局限性, 考虑在基于地质-生态历史及“经纬度-海拔-离海岸距离”等构建的多维时空框架内, 探究土壤动物分布特征及其驱动力。土壤动物分布格局对其潜在的生态功能有关键影响, 但是目前对土壤动物分布格局的预测和模拟仍主要依靠经验模型; 代谢生态学等理论在土壤动物群落研究中的应用值得关注。探究分类多样性的冗余机制, 突出功能多样性, 可以将生物多样性与生态功能更好地联系起来; 同时, 需要在特定条件和时空下, 从整个土壤食物网及其与植物的联系中理解土壤动物多样性与多功能性的联系。建议未来关注两个研究方向: (1)量化人类活动和气候变化给土壤动物多样性和生态功能带来的巨大不确定性; (2)完善土壤动物群落特征预测的理论框架和开展土壤动物群落的精准调控, 综合评价其多功能性, 进而将土壤动物与人类福祉更紧密地联系起来。     

Shell size and shape in Madeiran land snails: do niches remain unfilled?

The distribution of shell heights and diameters in the mainly endemic Madeiran land snail fauna shows the bimodal pattern of high- and low-spired shells found in many other faunas. Field and laboratory studies show that shell shape is associated with the angle of substrate on which the snails crawl; as elsewhere, tall spired species use vertical surfaces or burrow in soft material. Flattened species predominate on horizontal surfaces, while globular species are less specific in their preferences. Detailed comparisons with the fauna of N.W. Europe show that the proportion of high-spired species in the Madeiran fauna is low, and large high-spired species associated with vertical surfaces are very few in number despite an apparent abundance of suitable habitats. Amongst low-spired species, one family, the Helicidae, dominates the Madeiran fauna. While the overall distribution of size in these species is much as in Europe, Madeiran helicids extend into smaller size classes than do those in Europe, and they appear to fill a gap in the scatter created by the absence of other families.
Non-endemic species, other than those strictly associated with man-made environments, are generally small in size. In the upper scatter, their size distribution parallels that of endemics, but in the lower scatter they constitute the whole of the smallest size classes.
The role of interspecific competition in determining these distributions is discussed. The range of helicid sizes is compatible with a relaxation of competition or predator pressure relative to other areas, but in the upper scatter there appear to be gaps in the range of size and shape expected despite a long period in which the fauna could evolve. This could indicate the existence of adaptive troughs blocking, or delaying, radiation over the full spectrum of size and shape.     

Mammals of Borneo – small size on a large island

Aim Island mammals have featured prominently in models of the evolution of body size. Most of these models examine size evolution across a wide range of islands in order to test which island characteristics influence evolutionary pathways. Here, we examine the mammalian fauna of a single island, Borneo, where previous work has detected that some mammal species have evolved a relatively small size. We test whether Borneo is characterized by smaller mammals than adjacent areas, and examine possible causes for the different trajectories of size evolution between different Bornean species. Location Sundaland: Borneo, Sumatra, Java and the Malay/Thai Peninsula. Methods We compared the mammalian body size frequency distributions in the four areas to examine whether the large mammal fauna of Borneo is more depauperate than elsewhere. We measured specimens belonging to 54 mammal species that are shared between Borneo and any of the other areas in order to determine whether there is an intraspecific tendency for Bornean mammals to evolve small body size. Using data on diet, body size and geographical ranges we examine factors that are thought to influence body size. Results Borneo has fewer large mammals than the other areas, but this is not statistically significant. Large Bornean mammals are significantly smaller than their conspecifics in the other regions, while there are no differences between the body sizes of mammals on Sumatra, Java and the Malay/Thai Peninsula. The finding that large mammals show the greatest size difference between Borneo and elsewhere contrasts with some models of size evolution on islands of different areas. Diet does not correlate with the degree of size reduction. Sunda region endemics show a weaker tendency to be small on Borneo than do widespread species. Main conclusions We suggest that soil quality may drive size evolution by affecting primary productivity. On Borneo, where soils are generally poor in nutrients, this may both limit biomass and cause mammals to be reduced in body size. We hypothesize that widespread species respond to low resource abundance by reducing in size, while endemic elements of the fauna have had longer to adjust to local conditions by altering their behaviour, physiology and/or ecology, and are thus similar in size across the region.     

Beta diversity and latitude in North American mammals: testing the hypothesis of covariation

Several hypotheses attempt to explain the latitudinal gradient of species diversity, but some basic aspects of the pattern remain insufficiently explored, including the effect of scales and the role of beta diversity. To explore such components of the latitudinal gradient, we tested the hypothesis of covariation, which states that the gradient of species diversity should show the same pattern regardless of the scale of analysis. The hypothesis implies that there should be no gradients of beta diversity, of regional range size within regions, and of the slope of the species-area curve. For the fauna of North American mammals, we found contrasting results for bats and non-volant species. We could reject the hypothesis of covariation for non-volant mammals, for which the number of species increases towards lower latitudes, but at different rates depending on the scale. Also, for this group, beta diversity is higher at lower latitudes, the regional range size within regions is smaller at lower latitudes, and z, the slope of the species-area relationship is higher at lower latitudes. Contrarily bats did not show significant deviations from the predictions of the hypothesis of covariation: at two different scales, species richness shows similar trends of increase at lower latitudes, and no gradient can be demonstrated for beta diversity, for regional range size, or for the slopes of the species-area curve. Our results show that the higher diversity of non-volant mammals in tropical areas of North America is a consequence of the increase in beta diversity and not of higher diversity at smaller scales. In contrast, the diversity of bats at both scales is higher at lower latitudes. These contrasting patterns suggest different causes for the latitudinal gradient of species diversity in the two groups that are ultimately determined by differences in the patterns of geographic distribution of the species.     

Radiation,diversity and environmental expansion of Early Ordovician ostracods: a view from the Southern Hemisphere

Tremadocian–Floian siliciclastic successions in the Argentine Cordillera Oriental are of great interest for the study of early ostracod radiation. Four genera and five species of ostracods have so far been documented in the basin from the Early–Late Tremadocian (Tr2). This contrasts with occurrences from other palaeocontinental areas, where typically only one species is described. Patterns of environmental distribution and ecological approaches of ostracod assemblages were analysed on the basis of richness, Fisher's alpha diversity, relative abundance and occupancy. Ecological patterns remained stable throughout the studied interval, mostly with one genus notably dominant over the others. At the regional scale, dominant taxa occur at a relatively large number of sites, which display high occupancy. The literature data on carbonate successions from the Baltoscandian basin show a similar pattern, with a single taxon dominant over the others in local assemblages and wide regional distribution of these dominants. This ecological pattern would therefore have persisted at least until the Dapingian, independently of the sedimentary regime. Ostracods were already present along the onshore–offshore gradient during the initial stages of radiation, showing a strong preference for deep subtidal settings during Tr2 and then spreading to shallower environments in Tr3 and to deeper ones in the Floian (Fl2–Fl3). A compilation of ostracod diversity data from several regions shows a remarkable increase during the Darriwilian. Based on the regions studied herein, this rise in diversity is decoupled from the environmental expansion of ostracods, as they were already recorded along the onshore–offshore profile early in their history on both siliciclastic and carbonate shelves. The Argentine Cordillera Oriental could be considered as a cradle of diversity, with an important role in the subsequent radiation of the group.     

Dispersal and speciation of skinks among archipelagos in the tropical Pacific Ocean

Summary We examined the potential effects of geography on the distribution and speciation of skinks on tropical Pacific archipelagos. The entire tropical Pacific skink fauna was divided into continental (found also in continental areas), Pacific (endemic to the study area but found within more than one archipelago) and endemic (found within only one archipelago) species categories. The number and proportion of skinks within each species category were determined for each of the 27 archipelagos in the study area. Nine geographic variables reflecting archipelago size, isolation and elevation were estimated for each archipelago. Principal components analysis was used to reduce the nine variables to three uncorrelated composite variables that were interpreted as representing archipelago size, isolation and elevation. Numbers and proportions of skinks in each category within an archipelago were related to the composite geographic variables using multiple linear regression analysis. Archipelago size and isolation were important predictors of both skink diversity and endemism. Results were then compared to diversity and endemism of birds within the study area. Skinks showed an archipelago-wide level of endemism similar to that of birds. On an archipelago by archipelago basis, however, large differences between birds and skinks were evident. In particular, the New Caledonia skink fauna was much more endemic than that of birds. The bird faunas of Hawaii and the Marquesas were nearly completely endemic, while no endemic skinks occurred in these two archipelagos. These differences presumably reflect the relative dispersal powers of skinks and birds and, consequently, rates of colonization and speciation. Differences may also be due partly to morphological conservatism among isolated skink populations and the occurrence of cryptic species that have not yet been identified as separate species. The discovery of such cryptic species, however, is unlikely to increase the endemic skink fauna of Hawaii and other distant archipelagos to a level commensurate with that of birds. Differences in endemism between skinks and birds may also be due to unknown local ecological interactions.     

The primary production of phytoplankton in the restored Maltañski Reservoir in Poland

Patterns in composition, abundance and diversity of the annelid fauna (Polychaeta and Oligochaeta) in 22 sandy beaches in Iceland were explored. The effect of exposure on annelid distribution was studied. A total of 5651 annelids were recorded from 160 core samples. Oligochaetes (chiefly Tubificidae) dominated the annelid assemblage whereas polychaetes represented a minor fraction. Polychaetes were relatively more abundant in exposed than in sheltered beaches, contrary to oligochaetes. Meiofaunal polychaete species were also more abundant in exposed than in sheltered beaches. Southwest beaches seemed more diverse in annelid species than northern ones. Annelid diversity did not differ between sheltered and exposed sites, but higher diversity was attained in fine sands at sheltered areas. Cluster analysis revealed large differences between beaches in the annelid community composition. The general patterns found suggest that beach exposure is a major factor conditioning macro- and meiofaunal polychaete and oligochaete distribution along the Icelandic coast.     

Early Jurassic shell beds from marginal marine environments in southern Mendoza, Argentina

External estuarine facies in Late Sinemurian beds from the base of the Puesto Araya Formation in the Atuel river region, Mendoza Province, Argentina, contain concentrations of a new species of Cardinioides (a shallow burrowing suspension-feeding Pachycardiidae bivalve) and a low diversity benthic fauna. These bivalves appear in tidal inlet facies of a wave-dominated estuary (environment similar to lagoon-barrier island systems), forming bioclastic lags at the channel bases. The taphonomic attributes (such as shell articulation, degree of fragmentation and abrasion, bioclast size, orientation) change from North to South, from monospecific concentrations of nearly complete large Cardinioides shells with low degree of fragmentation and abrasion, through beds with smaller Cardinioides shells associated with a few bivalves from marine environments, to only isolated fragmented specimens associated with a fully marine biota including not only other bivalves but also brachiopods and ammonoids. This, together with different palaeoecologic, sedimentologic and stratigraphic attributes at the studied localities are evidence of southwards changing environmental conditions from marginal marine (brackish) to fully marine on the eastern margin of the Neuquén basin at that time. From detailed analysis of taphonomic features, size distribution of shells, and the associated fauna at the different localities, the new species is regarded as a brackish water endemic, possibly a low salinity euryhaline species, which inhabited well oxygenated waters. Salinity, turbulence levels and food supply were the main limiting factors in the distribution of the species.     

高原鼢鼠干扰下高寒草甸大型土壤动物多样性对环境因子的响应

为研究高寒草甸大型土壤动物群落组成和分布对环境因子的响应,选取祁连山东段的甘肃省天祝县高原鼢鼠典型分布区域,以鼠丘密度代表干扰强度设置4个干扰区。调查各干扰区植被群落特征、土壤理化性质、大型土壤动物类群组成及其数量,采用约束性排序方法分析环境因子对大型土壤动物类群组成和分布的影响。结果表明：高原鼢鼠干扰下高寒草甸大型土壤动物优势类群为瓦娄蜗牛科、象甲科和短角亚目幼虫;极重度干扰区大型土壤动物类群的丰度、丰富度、Shannon指数显著高于重度干扰区（P<0.05）;多元回归分析表明大型土壤动物类群丰度、丰富度和Shannon指数与土壤温度呈显著负相关（P<0.05）,丰富度与土壤含水量呈显著负相关（P<0.05）,丰度与土壤紧实度呈显著负相关（P<0.05）,丰富度和Shannon指数与植物Shannon指数呈显著负相关（P<0.05）;冗余分析和偏冗余分析表明,土壤温度、紧实度和含水量是影响高寒草甸大型土壤动物类群组成和分布的主要环境因子。     

Structure and distribution of pelagic ostracods (Ostracoda: Myodocopa) in the Arctic Ocean

The study of the pelagic ostracod fauna of the Arctic Ocean based on materials collected by numerous Russian expeditions (1929–1993) and data from the literature showed the extreme poorness of the Arctic pelagic ostracod fauna, its mainly North Atlantic genesis and complete isolation from the Pacific fauna. Maximum ostracod abundance was observed in the epipelagic zone, and the greatest species diversity occurred in the relatively warm deep Atlantic layer throughout the year. To the north, east, and west of Franz Josef Land and Spitsbergen, the number of species and abundance indices of pelagic ostracods were decreased. In superficial water layers of the Central Arctic, maximum ostracod density and biomass were recorded in June and September. The best bioindicator of warm Atlantic water in the Arctic basin is Obtusoecia obtusata; and of cold polar water in the North Atlantic, Boroecia maxima.     

长白山北坡土壤动物群落物种共有度的海拔梯度变化

群落间各生活型土壤动物科及所有土壤动物科的共有度,一定程度上反映了群落间的相关性及沿环境梯度的物种替代关系。应用梯度格局法在长白山北坡海拔550～2650m地段,每隔100m海拔高度设置一块样地,共计22块样地,并应用Jaccard指数,对各海拔不同土壤动物群落间物种共有度的海拔梯度变化进行了分析。结果表明,不同海拔土壤动物群落间物种的共有度,无论以哪一生活层的土壤动物科来表达,基本都以与其最相邻的群落间为最高,群落间物种共有度峰值与谷点反映了群落类型随海拔具有间断性变化。线虫、甲螨、弹尾等各生活型土壤动物的共有度以及所有土壤动物科的共有度,均随着海拔差的增加呈下降趋势,但并非与植被情况完全吻合。     

云南毛翅目昆虫区系研究

云南已知毛翅目昆虫２４科７７属３２１种,含云南特有种１５２种。其中东洋界分布成分占８３％,东洋－古北界东部共布成分占９％,东洋－古北界西部共布、东洋－非洲界共布和广布成分所占比例均小于４％。云南毛翅目在我国的分布以西南型（４４％）、华南型（２１％）和西南－华南共布型（９％）为主,其次为向东扩散的西南－华南－华中（５％）和华南－华中（４％）共布型。云南与毗邻省四川的毛翅目区系关系最密切,其次是西藏和     

The biogeography of land snails in the islands of the Gulf of Guinea

Data on land snail diversity in the Gulf of Guinea islands is presented and the biogeography of the Gulf of Guinea fauna is discussed with reference to island snail faunas in the other areas of the world. Although the land snail faunas of the four islands clearly have west and central African affinities, speciation events following rare colonizations have led to high rates of endemism at the species and generic levels. The influence of island size, altitude, isolation and other factors on the development of the land snail faunas is discussed. The effect of land use changes on the land snail fauna over the last 150 years is evaluated. Current threats include recent changes in agricultural practice leading to the destruction of snail habitats in both forest and plantation areas. The potential threat posed by introduced species is also discussed. The Gulf of Guinea snail faunas appear to be in relatively good health in comparison to many other island snail faunas. However, the uniqueness of the faunas makes it imperative that further ecological and taxonomic research is undertaken both to understand the processes by which they developed and to evaluate the current status of many species in terms of distribution and threats.     

The species composition and distribution of ostracods (Crustacea,Ostracoda) in rockpools on islands in the Kandalaksha Bay of the White Sea

A total of 15 species of ostracods of 7 genera and 3 families of the suborder Podocopa Sars have been recorded in rockpools of the Kandalaksha Bay in the White Sea. Among them, Potamocypris pallida Alm is a new species for the fauna of Russia. Data on species composition and the dominant complex and ecological features of ostracods which inhabit waters of rockpools are presented.