The taxonomy, morphology and distribution of species of Scinaia Biv.–Bern. (Nemaliales, Rhodophyta) in north–western Europe

Re–examination of herbarium material and new collections of species of Scinaia in north–western Europe shows that the distributions of Scinaia forcellata Biv.–Bern. and S. turgida Chemin have been wrongly assessed in recent literature. S. forcellata ssp. forcellata is found on southern and western coasts of the British Isles north to Co. Clare, Ireland and on Channel coasts east to Boulogne. S. turgida , on the other hand, is found on southern and western coasts of the British Isles north to Shetland and on Channel coasts east to Roscoff. A new subspecies, S. forcellata ssp. scandinavica ssp. nov., is proposed for material previously referred to S. forcellata ssp. forcellata from Denmark, Helgoland, Sweden and possibly Norway. Specimens of a small Scinaia species collected off the Aran Islands, western Ireland are provisionally referred to S. complanata (F. S. Collins) Cotton pending the collection of further material.     

Molecular Phylogenetic Positions of Two New Marine Gregarines (Apicomplexa)—Paralecudina anankea n. sp. and Lecudina caspera n. sp.—from the Intestine of Lumbrineris inflata (Polychaeta) Show Patterns of Co‐evolution

Gregarine apicomplexans are unicellular parasites commonly found in the intestines and coeloms of invertebrate hosts. Traits associated with the conspicuous feeding stage of gregarines, known as the trophozoite, have been used in combination with molecular phylogenetic data for species delimitation and the reconstruction of evolutionary history. Trophozoite morphology alone is often inadequate for inferring phylogenetic relationships and delimiting species due to frequent cases of high intraspecific variation combined with relatively low interspecific variation. The current study combined morphological data with small subunit (SSU) rDNA sequences to describe and establish two novel marine gregarine species isolated from the intestine of a polychaete host Lumbrineris inflata collected in British Columbia (Canada): Paralecudina anankea n. sp. and Lecudina caspera n. sp. The sister species to the host is Lumbrineris japonica, which can be found on the opposite side of the Pacific Ocean (Japan) and contains two different species of gregarine parasites: Paralecudina polymorpha and Lecudina longissima. Molecular phylogenetic analyses placed P. anankea n. sp. as the sister species to P. polymorpha and L. caspera n. sp. as the sister species to L. longissima. This phylogenetic pattern demonstrates a co‐evolutionary history whereby speciation of the host (Lumbrineris) corresponds with simultaneous speciation of the two different lineages of intestinal gregarines (Paralecudina and Lecudina).     

An analysis of sightings of Cetacea in British waters

An analysis is carried out of all documented sightings of cetaceans in British waters between 1950–1975, received by the Cetacean Group. Two major problems which must be taken into account in such an analysis are difficulties of specific identification and bias from uneven coverage.
The results show that porpoises are present in coastal waters for much of the year. The pattern of movements for this species is rather confused. Most dolphin species show peak numbers in summer, earliest in the north of Britain and later further south. Risso's dolphins may enter British waters rather earlier in spring than other species. Killer whales occur off the west coast of Britain and Ireland mainly between June-September. Pilot whales are seen in North Britain at most times of the year but otherwise enter British waters along the west coast in spring. Bottle-nosed whales and the larger whale species, including the Rorquals, are found only on the north and west coasts in summer and early autumn. For all species, herd size increases at the same time as increase in the numbers of sightings reported. Different species have different herd sizes with the largest occurring amongst porpoise and all dolphin species except Risso's dolphin, and the smallest amongst the large whale species. Herds may be accompanied by young individuals in spring-late summer, depending on the species.     

Species-richness patterns of vascular plants along seven altitudinal transects in Norway

Altitudinal richness patterns were investigated along altitudinal gradients located in northern Norway (two transects) and along a west–east gradient in southern Norway (five transects). The transects were sampled for vascular plant species richness using a uniform sampling method. Each transect consisted of 38–48 5×5 m sample plots regularly spaced from sea level or valley bottom to a local mountain top. In five transects species richness peaked at mid-altitudes, whereas in the two northern transects species richness decreased with altitude. The observations were qualitatively evaluated in relation to the influence of the area of the species pool, hard boundaries, temperature and precipitation, and mass effect. The observed patterns cannot be fully accounted for by any of these factors. However, the altitude of the peak in species richness was above the forest-limit for all the humped relationships, which may suggest that species richness above the forest-limit might be enhanced by a mass effect from forest taxa. The two monotonic relationships found in the north may be caused by the relatively low number of alpine species at these sites. The monotonic pattern may result from a decrease in "forest species" towards the mountain tops.     

Massive settlements of the Pacific oyster, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Crassostrea gigas</Emphasis>, in Scandinavia

The Pacific oyster (Crassostrea gigas) is an important aquaculture species world-wide. Due to its wide environmental tolerance and high growth rate, it has also become a successful invader in many areas, leading to major ecosystem changes. Low water temperatures were previously believed to restrict the establishment of Pacific oysters in Scandinavia. However, recent surveys reveal that the Pacific oyster is now established in many areas in Scandinavia. We present data on the current distribution, abundance and age-structure in Denmark, Sweden and Norway. The biomass of oysters in the Danish Wadden Sea increased from 1,056 to 6,264 tonnes between 2005 and 2007. Massive settlements were observed along the Swedish west coast in 2007, with densities >400 oysters per m⁻². In Norway, populations are established on the southern coast, and specimens have been found as far north as 60°N. The potential impacts and probable causes of this recent large-scale establishment are discussed.     

Glacial survival or late glacial colonization? Phylogeography of the root vole (Microtus oeconomus) in north‐west Norway

Aim It has been proposed that the root vole subspecies, Microtus oeconomus finmarchicus, survived the last glacial period on islands on the north‐west coast of Norway. The Norwegian island of Andøya may have constituted the only site with permanent ice‐free conditions. Geological surveys and fossil finds from Andøya demonstrate that survival throughout the last glacial maximum was probably possible for some plants and animals. In this study we aim to infer the recent evolutionary history of Norwegian root vole populations and to evaluate the glacial survival hypothesis. Methods DNA sequence variation in the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene was studied in 46 root voles from 19 localities. Location Northern Fennoscandia and north‐west Russia with a focus on islands on the north‐west coast of Norway. Results The phylogeographical analyses revealed two North European phylogroups labelled ‘Andøya’ and ‘Fennoscandia’. The Andøya phylogroup contained root voles from the Norwegian islands of Andøya, Ringvassøya and Reinøya and two localities in north‐west Russia. The Fennoscandian phylogroup encompassed root voles from the three Norwegian islands of Kvaløya, Håkøya and Arnøya and the remaining specimens from Norway, northern Sweden and Finland. Nucleotide diversity within the Andøya and Fennoscandian phylogroups was similar, ranging from 0.5% to 0.7%. Main conclusions Both our genetic data and previously published morphological data are consistent with in situ glacial survival of root voles on Andøya during the last glacial maximum. However, the level of genetic diversity observed in the extant island populations, the past periods of severe climatic conditions on Andøya and the ecology of the root vole are somewhat difficult to reconcile with this model. A biogeographical scenario involving late glacial recolonization along the northern coasts of Russia and Norway therefore represents a viable alternative. Our results demonstrate that complex recolonization and extinction histories can generate intricate phylogeographical patterns and relatively high levels of genetic variation in northern populations.     

The Tidal Genus Echiniscoides and Its Variability, with Erection of Echiniscoididae fam.n. (Tardigrada)1

The family Echiniscoididae, comprising Anisonyches Pollock, 1975 and Echiniscoides is erected. Members of the latter genus were found in barnacles collected from the coasts of the USA, Greenland, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, France and Spain. From this material and from available museum specimens it can be concluded that two species of Echiniscoides exist. E. hoepneri sp.n. is parasitic in Balanus balanoides in W Greenland. E. sigismundi (M. Schultze, 1865) is a complex of small species mainly distinguished by its co-variation of cutic-ular and claw features. E. sigismundi groenlandicus subsp.n. appeared from the coasts of the USA, Greenland and Norway. For E. sigismundi s.str. we were forced to establish a neotype typical of the findings from S Norway to N France, thus including the traditional finding places of this species. Less widely distributed are perhaps E. s. galliensis subsp.n. (N France), E. s. hispaniensis subsp.n. (N Spain, the Atlantic coast) and E. s. mediterranicus subsp.n. (the Mediterranean coast of N Spain). E. s. polynesiensis Renaud-Mornant, 1976 is recorded from Melbourne (Australia) and against the background of the other subspecies an amended diagnosis is presented. Key characters are provided and besides an analysis of the variation of taxonomic characters, a brief account of the biology and ecology of the members of Echiniscoides is given.     

Norwegian house mice (Mus musculus musculus/domesticus): distributions, routes of colonization and patterns of hybridization

We investigated the distributions and routes of colonization of two commensal subspecies of house mouse in Norway: Mus musculus domesticus and M. m. musculus. Five nuclear markers (Abpa, D11 cenB2, Btk, SMCY and Zfy2) and a morphological feature (tail length) were used to differentiate the two subspecies and assess their distributions, and mitochondrial (mt) D‐loop sequences helped to elucidate their colonization history. M. m. domesticus is the more widespread of the two subspecies, occupying the western and southern coast of Norway, while M. m. musculus is found along Norway’s southeastern coast and east from there to Sweden. Two sections of the hybrid zone between the two subspecies were localized in Norway. However, hybrid forms also occur well away from that hybrid zone, the most prevalent of which are mice with a M. m. musculus‐type Y chromosome and an otherwise M. m. domesticus genome. MtDNA D‐loop sequences of the mice revealed a complex phylogeography within M. m. domesticus, reflecting passive human transport to Norway, probably during the Viking period. M. m. musculus may have colonized earlier. If so, that leaves open the possibility that M. m. domesticus replaced M. m. musculus from much of Norway, with the widely distributed hybrids a relict of this process. Overall, the effects of hybridization are evident in house mice throughout Norway.     

Biochemical genetic variation in populations of Larus argentatus and Larus fuscus in northwestern Europe

The techniques of biochemical population genetics were used to examine the relationships between two apparently closely related species and their component subspecies which form the Larus argentatus/fuscus species complex in northwest Europe. The systematics and taxonomy of these populations in this part of the circum-polar ring are complex and it was thought that this type of analysis might clarify the taxonomic relationships. Samples were obtained from breeding colonies along a transect from northern France (47°N), through Britain to arctic Norway (70°N), with additional samples from the Camargue on the Mediterranean coast (42°N). Twenty-one enzyme systems were examined using starch gel electrophoresis. No interspecific differences were found and only one locus (glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase) was polymorphic. There were no allelic differences within geographical groups of populations, although there were some differences between some of the subspecies. The low levels of heterozygosity ( H = 0.0081 and H = 0.0031) are considered to arise from a combination of two factors: the low levels of heterozygosity which appear to be characteristic of birds and population effects. Furthermore, no interspecific differences were detected ( I = 0.999) indicating the morphological changes rather than changes at structural gene loci may have been more important in speciation.     

Overgrazing of Kelp Beds Along the Coast of Norway

The aim of this study was to better understand the down-grazing of kelp beds by sea urchins (Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis) along the coast of Norway. Barren grounds were first observed in sheltered areas along the coast of the counties of Trø ndelag, Nordland and Troms in 1974. In the 1980s, the barren grounds spread to areas more heavily exposed to waves. In the 1990s, the kelp beds were re-established in some localities in southern Trø ndelag, initially in wave-exposed areas. In the northernmost parts of Norway, i.e. the counties of Troms and Finnmark, the barren ground areas may still be increasing. Crabs (Cancer pagurus) and common eiders are the most common predators on urchins. Predation on sea urchins in kelp beds is probably not among the factors that limit the sea urchin populations. Along the coast of Nordland and further north, sea urchins are infected by nematodes, resulting in a low, but significant increase in their mortality. No re-growth of kelp beds has been found in the most infected areas. In the late 1960s and the early 1970s, a high occurrence of echinoderm larvae was observed in deeper waters. This was a period with cold water, which may have caused high recruitment of sea urchins. The bet-hedging life strategy of sea urchins may account for the sudden increase in the size of the populations. In the present paper I propose the hypothesis that higher individual growth rates and higher mortality rates in the south than in the north may explain the decrease in the populations, which may in turn account for the re-growth of kelp in the southern areas.     

New distributional and molecular information call into question the systematic position of the West Asian Viola sintenisii (Violaceae)

The west Asian Viola sintenisii W.Becker, described from temperate woodlands of northern Iran and south-western Turkmenistan on the Caspian coast, was long considered a vicariant geographical subspecies of the mainly south European V. alba Besser. The new findings of V. sintenisii in four geographically separated stations in north-eastern Azerbaijan significantly expands its range of distribution. These occurrences are within the range of V. alba ssp. alba . Here the two taxa frequently co-occur but remain distinct and V. sintenisii is therefore justified at species level. It is likely that the two species are also sympatric in the Hyrcanian region, a range previously attributed uniquely to the latter. Viola sintenisii seems to be fairly common in the eastern parts of the Great Caucasus, but there are reasons to suggest that it has there been misinterpreted as V. suavis . The chromosome number of V. sintenisii , 2 n  = 20, is reported here for the first time.  © 2005 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2005, 147 , 91–98.     

Role of black alder (Alnus glutinosa) in vegetation dynamics in West Norway

In Norway black alder (Alnus glutinosa) has an 'optimal' area along the western coast where it acts as a pioneer species in secondary successions on Calluna and grass heaths, pastures, formerly cultivated land and in hydroseres. Black alder is dominant or co–dominant with birch in oligotrophic grazing forests, most of which belong to the ass. Corno suecicae–Betuletum where black alder seems to be able to survive for a long time. It is also found in a variety of other woodland communities, some of which are stable Alnetea glutinosae or Alno–Padion communities. Others are successional stages towards meso– or eutrophic deciduous forests. The new Alnetea glutinosae ass. Carici nigrae–Alnetum glutinosae is described. The ecology of black alder in West Norway is compared to its ecology in other areas, especially on the British Isles. The humid climate and recent changes in agricultural practice are the main reasons for the present abundance of black alder in West Norway.     

Long‐range movement by Hector's dolphins provides potential genetic enhancement for critically endangered Maui's dolphin

For endangered populations with low genetic diversity, low levels of immigration could lead to genetic rescue, reducing the risk of inbreeding depression and enhancing chances of long‐term species survival. Our genetic monitoring of Maui's dolphins revealed the first contemporary dispersal of their sister subspecies, Hector's dolphin, from New Zealand's South Island into the Maui's dolphin distribution along ~300 km of the North Island's northwest coast. From 2010 to 2012, 44 individuals were sampled within the Maui's dolphin distribution, four of which were genetically identified as Hector's dolphins (two living females, one dead female, one dead male). We also report two Hector's dolphins (one dead female neonate, one living male) sampled along the North Island's southwest coast, outside the presumed range of either subspecies. Together, these records demonstrate long‐distance dispersal by Hector's dolphins (≥400 km) and the possibility of an unsampled Hector's dolphin population along the southwest coast of the North Island. Although two living Hector's dolphins were found in association with Maui's dolphins, there is currently no evidence of interbreeding between the subspecies. These results highlight the value of genetic monitoring for subspecies lacking distinctive physical appearances as such discoveries are not detected by other means, but have important conservation implications.     

Chaetal arrangement and chaetogenesis of hooded hooks in Lumbrineris (Scoletoma) fragilis and Lumbrineris tetraura (Eunicida,Annelida)

As the structure and arrangement of chaetae are highly specific for annelid species and higher taxonomic entities, we assume that rather conservative information guarantees formation of specific chaetae. Each chaeta of an annelid is formed within an ectodermal invagination, and the modulation of the apical microvilli pattern of the basalmost cell of this invagination determines the structure of the chaeta. Any hypothesis of the homology of chaetae could thus be tested by examining the process of chaetal formation. Investigations into the ultrastructure and formation of hooded hooks in different capitellids and spionids revealed that these chaetae can be homologized. The hood of each of their hooded hooks is formed by elongation of two rings of microvilli peripheral to the chaetal anlage, which give rise to the inner and outer layers of the hood. The hood layers are well separated and surround an empty space. Superficially similar hooded hooks are described for certain Eunicida. Presently available cladistic analyses suggest that the hooded hooks of eunicidans evolved independently of those in Capitellidae and Spionidae. Compared with the latter two families, we therefore expected to find differences in chaetogenesis of the hooded hooks in the eunicids Lumbrineris (Scoletoma) fragilis and Lumbrineris tetraura (Lumbrineridae). This was the case. In these eunicidans, the hood was formed by the bisected apical wall of the chaetoblast right after the mid‐apical section of the chaeta had been sunk deeply into the chaetoblast during its formation. The apical wall generated a brush of microvilli that preformed the hood. Because the microvilli of the hood showed some accelerated differentiation, they soon merged with those of the slowly growing setal shaft to form the broad manubrium of the hooded hook in lumbrinerids. Our study confirms the predicted differences in chaetogenesis of the superficially similar hooded hooks of capitellids and spionids compared with those of eunicids.     

湖北薯蓣属植物资源

湖北薯蓣属植物有１４种,３变种,１亚种,属于块茎组的有７种,２变种,均含多量淀粉,不含薯蓣皂甙元。属于根状茎组的有７种,１变种,１亚种,除含淀粉外,都含有一定量的薯蓣皂甙元,其中盾叶薯蓣的含量最高,平均含量为３％,且其含量随生长环境而变化,由南向北呈递增趋势,盾叶薯蓣在湖北主要分布在宜昌地区,襄樊,神农架和郧阳地区,蕴藏量约３．５万吨。     

REPORT OF A NEW INVASIVE ALGA IN THE ATLANTIC UNITED STATES: “HETEROSIPHONIA” JAPONICA IN RHODE ISLAND1

Recent collections of tetrasporangiate “Heterosiphonia” japonica Yendo from Watch Hill to Point Judith, Rhode Island, represent the first report of this nonnative alga in the western Atlantic. Native to the Pacific Ocean, this species was unintentionally introduced into European waters by 1984 and has subsequently invaded the eastern Atlantic Ocean widely from France to Norway and south into the Mediterranean Sea. Thus far, all western Atlantic collections of this species are confined to the outer coast of Rhode Island, and at present are not found in Narragansett Bay or in Long Island Sound along the Connecticut coast. Molecular and morphological studies confirm the identity of this newly introduced invasive species.     

Eccentricity in the clypeasteroid echinoid Dendraster: environmental significance and application in Pliocene paleoecology

Stanton, Robert J., Jr., Dodd, J. Robert & Alexander, Richard R. 1979 01 15: Eccentricity in the clypeasteroid echinoid Dendraster: environmental significance and application in Pliocene paleoecology. Lethaia . Vol. 12, pp. 75–87. Oslo. ISSN 0024–1164.
The echinoid Dendraster lives in the northwest Pacific in environments ranging from open exposed coast to protected embayment. Water energy and the abundance and quality of food along this environmental gradient are correlated with test size and eccentricity of the apical area, so that larger and more eccentric specimens occur on the open coast than in bays. Study of Dendraster in Pliocene strata of the Coalinga California region indicates that these morphologic characteristics provide valuable information for paleoenvironmental reconstruction. Lateral and temporal environmental gradients within a broad Pliocene embayment and the location and size of the bay entrance can be determined on the basis of Dendraster eccentricity and size. Several species and subspecies of Dendraster in the Pliocene of the Coalinga region, described largely by differences in eccentricity, are probably not valid taxa but are merely ecophenotypic expressions of the laterally and temporally variable environment.     

Calcareous sponges of the genera Clathrina and Guancha (Calcinea, Calcarea, Porifera) of Norway (north-east Atlantic) with the description of five new species

The taxonomy and distribution of 11 species of calcareous sponges of the subclass Calcinea from the Norwegian coast are reviewed. The Norwegian Calcinea represents a mixture of southern boreal/boreal and boreoarctic species, and the calcinean sponge fauna of northern Norway has strong similarities to the Greenlandic and the White Sea/Barents Sea sponge faunas. Most Norwegian Calcinea have their main distribution between 20 and 100 m depth, although some species are found only in the shallow sublittoral or from sublittoral to abyssal depths. Six species were previously reported in the area: Clathrina coriacea (Montagu, 1818), Clathrina cribrata Rapp et al ., 2001, Clathrina nanseni (Breitfuss, 1896), Clathrina septentrionalis Rapp et al ., 2001, Guancha blanca Miklucho-Maclay, 1868 and Guancha lacunosa (Johnston, 1842). Five species are new to science: Clathrina corallicola , Clathrina jorunnae , Guancha arnesenae , Guancha camura , and Guancha pellucida spp. nov. A key to the known Norwegian Calcinea is provided.  © 2006 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society , 2006, 147 , 331–365.     

Pleistocene glaciation events shape genetic structure across the range of the American lobster, Homarus americanus

A north/south discontinuity along the northeastern coast of North America in the genetic structure of the American lobster ( Homarus americanus ) was detected using a suite of 13 microsatellite loci assessed using spatial analyses. Population genetic data laid over existing data on physiographic changes and sea-surface temperatures were used to reconstruct the Pleistocene distribution of this species. A postglacial northern-edge colonization model best explains the relative genetic homogeneity of the northern region compared to the southern region centred in the Gulf of Maine. Population genetic analyses identified significant structure (range of standardized theta 0–0.02) but no significant evidence for isolation by distance. The novel application of spatial genetic analyses to a marine species allowed us to interpret these results by providing a greater insight into the evolutionary factors responsible for shaping the genetic structure of this species throughout is natural range.     

Breeding latitude and timing of spring migration in songbirds crossing the Gulf of Mexico

Each spring, millions of songbirds migrate across the Gulf of Mexico on their way to breeding sites in North America. Data from radar and migration monitoring stations have revealed broad patterns in the spatial and temporal course of trans-Gulf migration. Unfortunately, we have limited information on where these birds have previously spent the winter and where they are migrating to breed. Here we measure stable-hydrogen isotopes in feathers (δD_f) to infer the breeding latitude of five species of songbirds – hooded warblers Wilsonia citrina , American redstarts Setophaga ruticilla , black-and-white warblers Mniotilta varia , ovenbirds Seiurus aurocapilla , and northern waterthrushes S. noveboracensis – that were captured at a stopover site along the coast of southwestern Louisiana in spring 2004. Values of δD_f across all species ranged from −163 to −35‰ (n=212), and within most species the range was consistent with the latitudinal extent of known breeding sites in central and eastern North America. Individuals that arrived first along the northern Gulf coast had δD_f values indicative of southerly breeding sites in hooded warblers, American redstarts, black-and-white warblers, and ovenbirds, but no relationship was found between passage timing and δD_f for northern waterthrushes. Our findings suggest that spring passage is often timed to coincide with the emergence of suitable conditions on breeding areas, with southern breeding birds migrating first.