Substrate selection and seasonal variation in densities of invertebrates in stream pools of a tropical river

Spatial distribution and seasonal variation in densities of the invertebrates were investigated for a year in three stream pools of a South Indian river. The effects of season, substrate type and water depth on the distribution were analyzed. Substrate type and season influenced the invertebrate distribution the most. Leaf packs harboured most of the organisms followed by macro-algal substrate and sand. The lowest densities were observed on rocky substrates and in the water column. Rocky substrates in shallow water supported higher densities of total invertebrates than deeper areas. Chironomid larvae dominated all benthic substrates throughout the year. Of the 19 invertebrate taxa studied, 6 showed no seasonality in densities, and most of the rest showed their highest densities in the pre-monsoon period and lowest in the SW monsoon or post-monsoon periods. However, in two of the three pools, the densities of total invertebrates were highest during the post-monsoon period with secondary peaks in the pre-monsoon period.     

Qualitative and quantitative structure,diversity and fluctuations in abundance of zooplankton in Lake Xolotlán (Managua)

The qualitative and quantitative structure of the zooplankton community was studied in 11 localities of Lake Xolotlan (Managua). Twelve rotifers, 4 cladoceran and 5 copepods species were identified. Community diversity (Shannon-Wienerindex) is low,viz. 0,83–2.20. At all times, copepods were the most abundant group. Rotifer densities were higher in zones influenced by rivers and organic pollution. Cladocerans were permanently present in low densities. Climatic events (rainfalls and dry periods) determined population fluctuations of the main zooplankton groups.     

Diatoms as indicators: The influences of experimental nitrogen enrichment on diatom assemblages in sub-Arctic streams

Indices using diatoms are widely used to assess water quality, but are usually constructed from field correlations and not tested through rigorous experimentation. We tested experimentally the performance of the Sørensen and the Shannon indices, and the trophic diatom index (TDI). Nitrogen was naturally limiting in the eight remote sub-Arctic streams used and we measured the effects of experimental nitrogen enrichment on diatom assemblages. Diatom densities increased significantly in the enriched reaches but there was no significant difference in invertebrate density between control and treatment reaches. Grazing effects were thus controlled for. Diversity within streams (Shannon index) was significantly reduced by nutrient addition but the Sørensen index did not change. The trophic diatom index (TDI), which is presumed to reflect nutrient concentration, was not influenced by nutrient addition and generally the values were low in both control and treatment reaches. Densities of the diatom genera Achnanthes and Gomphonema increased significantly with enrichment while those of Nitzschia and Fragilaria decreased significantly. Less abundant diatom species, which collectively constituted around 40% in relative abundance in the control reaches, were around 15–18% in treatment reaches. Growth forms were altered by the nutrients. Diatoms attached by mucilage pads were more abundant in treated reaches compared with control reaches. Motile diatoms became scarcer. The size of diatom species was unaffected by nutrient enrichment. This study showed that it is important to test experimentally indices that are developed for particular habitats before using them elsewhere.     

Using Malmquist Indices to evaluate environmental impacts of alternative land development scenarios

The degree to which regions can produce desirable socioeconomic and environmental outcomes while consuming fewer resources and producing fewer undesirable outcomes can be viewed as measure of productivity. Economists have frequently used Malmquist Indices to evaluate intertemporal productivity changes of economic entities, such as firms and countries. We use Malmquist Indices to evaluate the predicted environmental performance of the rapidly growing Charlotte, NC, metropolitan area under alternative future land use scenarios. These scenarios project population, urban development, and environmental impacts from the base year 2000 to the year 2030 within the region's 184 watersheds. The first scenario is based on a continuation of current growth trends and patterns (“Business as Usual” or BAU). The second scenario uses compact “smart growth” development (“Compact Centers” or CC). We use data envelopment analysis (DEA) to estimate Malmquist Indices, which in this case, combine multiple variables into a single indicator that measures the relative impact of different development patterns on the consumption of natural resources. The results predict that the CC scenario maintains the region's current productivity, while the BAU scenario results in lower productivity. As watersheds in the study area are about the same size, weighting the results by area makes little difference. Watershed populations, however, vary greatly, and our results predict that watersheds with higher population densities also have higher Malmquist Index efficiencies. The model also predicts that low population watersheds will benefit more from the CC scenario. While the application of these analytical techniques in this case study is limited in scope, the results demonstrate that the Malmquist Index is a potentially powerful tool for interdisciplinary environmental impact analysis     

Changes in structure of savanna woodlands in northern Botswana following the impacts of elephants and fire

Fluctuations in densities of woody plant species were monitored in plots within three northern Botswana woodland types subjected to elephant damage and burning. Woodlands dominated by Baikiaea plurijuga and Colophospermum mopane sustained significant changes occurring on an annual basis, whereas Acacia erioloba plots maintained a typical structure. The structure of A. erioloba woodlands appeared to be influenced by factors other than elephants and the occurrence of fire. Woodlands dominated by C. mopane plants were subjected to obtrusive elephant damage, although the densities of tall trees remained largely unchanged. The effects of fire were most prominent in B. plurijuga woodlands. Tree densities declined consistently and plants of lower height classes, such as shrubs and seedlings increased in densities in areas subjected to a high occurrence of fire.     

Synthetic taxonomy of Rosa races using ACT-STATIS

Fifteen Rosa cultivated races were described by means of phenotypic frequencies (11 tables). Two groups of correlated contingency tables were identified by ACT-STATIS (Analyse Conjointe de Tableaux-Structuration de Tableaux à Trois Indices de la Statistique) interstructure analysis. Three data sets appeared to be independent from the others. Typologies of races were obtained after ACT-STATIS compromise analyses for the two groups of correlated tables, and after Principal Component Analyses for the independent data sets. Each typology was original and variously influenced by genealogical structure, mutation or artificial selection pressures. A weighted synthesis was attempted in order to build a taxonomy of races taking into account these diversity factors. The good agreement between the resulting classification and the assumptions about the history of Rosa domestication advocated for a wider utilization of ACT-STATIS and RV coefficient when the relationships between individuals or populations have to be studied on the basis of their similarities.     

Effects of satiation on feeding and swimming behaviour of planktivores

Hunger affects the feeding and swimming behaviour in fish. After 36 h of food deprivation, the feeding and swimming behaviour of Pseudorasbora parva (Cyprinidae) was studied under different prey densities (0.5, 1, 2, 5, 10 and 25 of Daphnia pulex per liter). The initial feeding rates showed marked variations in relation to prey availability. Under high prey densities, the initial feeding rate of fish was higher and subsequently decreased faster, when compared to those feeding under low prey densities. At higher prey densities, two factors were involved: that of higher prey encounter rates and also the attainment of food satiation at a faster rate. Across all prey densities, the feeding rates of fish reached a plateau after satiation. The swimming speed of fish was found to be negatively related to the prey density and a significant change in swimming speed was noted as being directly related to the level of satiation. It was found that the increasing satiation level greatly influenced the handling time and reactive volume of predator, which finally caused reduced feeding rates.     

The dynamics and regulation of small rodent populations in the woodland ecosystems of Killarney, Ireland

Populations of Wood mice Apodemus sylvaticus and Bank voles Clelhrionomys glareolus were studied by mark-recapture techniques in five different woodlands but concentrated on an oak Quercus petraea wood and a yew Taxus baccata wood, where food supply was also investigated. Much of the yew wood was on limestone pavement which was greatly creviced thus providing static and quantifiable cover. Indices of the intensity with which food was being searched for were obtained on all areas by seed-removal experiments.
Trappability varied within the populations and seasonally, being highest in summer. Unusually high densities of mice were recorded in the yew wood but not elsewhere; vole densities were always low. There was an inverse relationship between range length and density: mean range length in the yew wood was exceptionally low. Males generally ranged further than females, voles further than mice. Females outnumbered males in the oak wood, where cover was minimal, when the population was low. In the two areas with most cover, males outnumbered females. In a further area, where numbers were initially exceedingly low, the population consisted entirely of males for almost a year. Sexes differed in habitat preference but numbers, especially of males, were significantly correlated with cover. Voles usually bred for shorter periods than mice. Overwinter breeding and increased overwinter survival followed good seed years. Individuals recruited when food was plentiful lived longest. In seed-removal experiments rate of removal increased with shortage of natural seed.
Food and intraspecific aggression were the probable major factors in regulating population size, of mice at least. Cover probably modifies intrinsic mechanisms by reducing numbers of encounters between individuals.     

Effects of newly planted hedges on ground-beetle diversity (Coleoptera, Carabidae) in an agricultural landscape

The diversity of ground-beetle communities (Coleoptera. Carabidae) was studied to assess the short-term impact of new hedges planted in an intensive agro-ecosystem. Hedges represent a new and undisturbed habitat for those polyphagous predators and may provide increased prey availability. Carabids were sampled with pitfall traps in a hedge and an adjacent cultivated field during the whole activity period of these insects to assess the effect of distance from the hedge on species diversity. Fenced pitfall traps were also used to estimate absolute population densities. Several diversity indices were calculated at various sampling levels (total area, distance treatment, trap). Kendall's coefficient of rank correlation between communities at adjacent distances showed that the greatest changes in species relative abundances occurred close to the hedge. Indices of species richness, dominance concentration, equitability and Fisher's a all indicated a significant decrease in species diversity with increasing distance from the hedge. These trends are explained by two complementary factors. First, the number of species decreased significantly with distance from the centre of the hedge. Second, the various species had different spatial patterns of total capture and absolute density. Four groups of species can thus be distinguished: species restricted to the hedge, species preferring the hedge, species preferring the crop, and species unaffected by the hedge. The respective roles of small-scale abiotic changes in habitat structure and differences in prey availability are discussed.     

干旱和CO2浓度升高对干旱区春小麦气孔密度及分布的影响

 通过对不同土壤水分状况、不同CO2浓度条件下春小麦叶片气孔的观测结果表明：干旱和CO2浓度升高不仅影响叶片气孔密度,而且也影响其分布。随干旱程度的加剧,气孔密度有明显的上升趋势,气孔在叶片上的分布趋向均匀;随CO2浓度的升高,气孔密度有明显的下降趋势,其分布也趋向均匀。水分状况和CO2浓度相同时,气孔密度及分布受不同温度的影响。     

Suppressive interactions between mutations located in the two nucleotide binding domains of CFTR

The S1235R locus in CFTR was studied in combination with alleles found at the M470V and G628R loci. While R628 caused a maturational defect, R1235 did not. The impact of R1235 was found to be influenced by the alleles present at the G628R and M470V loci. At the single channel level, R1235-V (R1235 on a V470 background) was characterized by an open probability significantly higher than V470-wildtype CFTR. M470, which on its own increases CFTR chloride transport activity when compared to V470-wildtype CFTR, suppressed the activity of R1235 in such a way that a protein with an open probability not significantly different from V470-wildtype CFTR was obtained. While R628-V CFTR had similar current densities as V470-wildtype CFTR in Xenopus laevis oocytes, R1235-V resulted in current densities that were more than twofold higher than those of V470-wildtype CFTR. However, the current densities generated by R1235/R628-V (R1235 and R628 on a V470 background) CFTR were significant lower than R1235-V or R628-V CFTR.     

Damage and economic injury levels of eriophyid and tetranychid mites on grapes in Czechoslovakia

The relationships between population densities ofCalepitrimerus vitis (Nalepa),Colomerus vitis (Pagenstecher) andTetranychus urticae (Koch), and grape weight and sugar content were studied during 3-year-long trials. In the case ofCalepitrimerus vitis, the influence of population density on leaf area, length of spring shoots and number of grapes in the following year was studied. Significant relationships between population densities of bothCalepitrimerus vitis andT. urticae in late summer and grape weight were determined. The sugar content of the grapes was markedly less influenced by mite infestation. The negative effect ofColomerus vitis on grape weight was not confirmed. Significant relationships for crop-protection decisions are presented.     

Spatial and temporal variation in the diet of a predaceous stonefly (Plecoptera: Perlodidae)

SUMMARY. 1. Spatial and temporal variation in the diet of the univoltine predatory stonefly, Kogotus nonus , was studied over 3 years in a small Alberta stream to determine whether the relative abundance of prey types in the diet of Kogotus reflected relative prey densities in the stream and whether the variation in absolute feeding rate was related to either prey or predator density.
2. The seasonal shift from sole utilization of Orthocladiinae to inclusion of Baetis in the diet could not be attributed to seasonal changes in prey density, but was probably related to predator size and ability to handle very active prey. Most of the spatial variation in diet could be related to differences in background prey densities, but very high densities of Baetis caused the predator to specialize on this prey.
3. Feeding rate on Baetis . as assessed by per capita gut contents, showed a seasonal shift from a positive correlation with Baetis density in winter to a negative relationship with predator density in spring. This suggested that feeding by small Kogotus is a function of prey density. while feeding by later instars is influenced by between predator interactions such as interference.     

Light as an Energy Source in Continuous Cultures of Bacteriorhodopsin-Containing Halobacteria

The role of light as an energy source for slightly aereated cultures of halobacteria was studied, using continuous cultures with low nutrient concentrations and a low oxygen supply. A series of experiments were carried out with non-illuminated and differently illuminated cultures and with different oxygen transfer rates. Under low oxygen availability, light proved to be a decisively important energy source that allowed the populations to reach higher growth rates and much higher population densities. Oxygen influenced the growth over only a minimal level, below which neither the illuminated nor the dark cultures were affected by the oxygen transfer rate. From these results, it appears that the bacteriorhodopsin-mediated energy supply could have a very important role for the ecology of halobacteria in their microaerophilic habitats. In the illuminated cultures, cells that originated purple colonies on plates appeared. These cells, which could be bacteriorhodopsin-constitutive mutants, are now being studied.     

Typology of shallow lakes of the Salado River basin (Argentina), based on phytoplankton communities

The phytoplankton communities of eleven shallow lakes from Buenos Aires Province, Argentina, were studied seasonally from 1987 to 1989. Several physical and chemical properties were measured in each lake (pH, temperature, dissolved oxygen, transparency, nutrients), in order to interpret the structural and dynamic traits of the phytoplankton community.Important differences between the lakes studied were put in evidence by means of multivariate techniques (Cluster Analysis and PCA). The shallow lakes densely populated by macrophytes hosted lowest phytoplanktonic densities, with average values ranging from 690 to 16500 algae ml^–1. High species diversities were observed in these lakes (4.0–4.8). Lakes less colonized by macrophytes had higher phytoplankton densities. In some of them important blooms of Cyanophyceae were recorded, with between 60 000 and 179 000 algae ml^–1, and concomitant low diversities.The results of this investigation support the hypothesis that the phytoplankton community is strongly influenced by the macrophytes, by direct competition and/or by competition from periphytic algae associated with higher plants.     

Linking ocean conditions to year class strength of the invasive European green crab, Carcinus maenas

Once a non-native species arrives and survives in an area, its long-term persistence depends on its recruitment success. If conditions are not favorable for recruitment it will ultimately disappear. The European green crab (Carcinus maenas) has a 6 year life span and has persisted at low densities in Oregon and Washington coastal estuaries for the past 12 years. We show here that after the arrival of the strong founding year class of 1998, significant self-recruitment to the Oregon and Washington populations occurred only in 2003, 2005 and 2006. Warm winter water temperatures, high Pacific Decadal Oscillation and Multivariate ENSO (El Niño Southern Oscillation) Indices in March, late spring transitions and weak southward shelf currents in March and April are all correlated with the these strong year classes. Cold winter water temperatures, low Pacific Decadal Oscillation Indices, early spring transitions and strong southward (and offshore) currents in March and April are linked to year class failure. Right now, green crabs are still too rare to exert a measurable effect on the native benthic community and on shellfish culture in Oregon and Washington. However, if their numbers were to increase, we would be able to predict the arrival of strong year classes from ocean conditions and alert managers and shellfish growers of possible increases in predation pressure from this invader.     

Stocking Rate Estimations of Tilapia mossambica Fingerlings for some Inland Reservoirs of Sri Lanka

The Morphoedaphic Indices for several Sri Lanka inland water bodies (mostly ancient man-made reservoirs) were calculated using conductivity and depth data. The relationship between Morphoedaphic Index MEI and the annual catch of fish C was found to be . Using this equation, the annual potential yields were calculated. The stocking densities of Tilapia fingerlings needed to be stocked were then estimated taking into consideration the natural recruitment of fingerlings from the already existing stocks of reproducing Tilapia.     

Exposure to Whole Body Vibration Impairs the Functional Activity of the Energy Producing System in Rabbit Myocardium

Biophysics - Indices of the patterns of energy metabolism in the rabbit myocardium were studied after vertical whole body vibration with an amplitude of 0.5 mm at frequencies of 8 and 44 Hz...     

Seasonal capacity of attached and detached vineyard roots to support grape phylloxera (Homoptera: Phylloxeridae)

Field experiments were conducted to evaluate population densities and survival, developmental rate, and fecundity of grape phylloxera, Daktulosphaira vitifoliae (Fitch), as influenced by root attachment or detachment from mature, field-grown, Vitis vinifera L. grapevines through the growing season. Experiments were performed using artificial infestations of California biotype A grape phylloxera. Thirty-day bioassays on attached- and detached-roots were repeated monthly from May to September in 1997 (cultivar 'Carignane') and April to September in 1998 (cultivar 'Thompson Seedless'). The bioassays showed that attached roots had lower population densities than detached roots in all months of both years. Densities varied by month, tending to be higher in spring than in summer. Of the population parameters studied, survival was most influenced by attachment condition, being higher on detached than on attached roots by up to 25-fold. These results imply the importance of vine-related mortality factors to grape phylloxera population density. Influence of root attachment condition on developmental rate and fecundity was not uniform across bioassay months for either year; however, in the four out of 21 assays where there was a significant difference it favored detached roots by twofold. Fruit harvest resulted in higher survival in the July assay but not for assays in August and September; however, neither developmental rate nor fecundity was affected by harvest in any ofthe assays. We conclude that mortality rather than nutritional factors are most limiting for field populations on susceptible vines. This work suggests that detachment of roots as occurs with root girdling by root pathogens may increase grape phylloxera populations on infested, susceptible vines. These results imply that excised root bioassays over-estimate grape phylloxera virulence and underestimate rootstock resistance.     

Density‐mediated indirect interactions alter host foraging behaviour of parasitoids without altering foraging efficiency

1. Foraging decisions of parasitoids are influenced by host density via density‐mediated indirect interactions. However, in the parasitoid's environment, non‐suitable herbivores are also present. These non‐hosts also occur in different densities, which can affect a parasitoid's foraging behaviour. 2. The influence of non‐host densities can be expressed during the first phase of the foraging process, when parasitoids use plant volatiles to locate plants infested by their host. They may also play a role during the second phase, when parasitoids use infochemicals from the host and plant to locate, recognise and accept the host. 3. By using laboratory and field setups, it was studied whether the density of non‐host herbivores influences these two phases of the foraging behaviour of the parasitoid Cotesia glomerata as well as the parasitoid's efficiency to find its host, Pieris brassicae caterpillars. 4. The findings show that a high non‐host density, regardless of the species used, negatively affected parasitoid preference for host‐infested plants, but that the behaviour on the plant and the total host‐finding efficiency of the parasitoids were not influenced by non‐host density. 5. These results are discussed in the context of density‐mediated indirect interactions.