Some new and interesting ecological observations on desmids from the Province of Vojvodina (Northern Serbia)

A detailed qualitative investigation of the desmid community in the territory of the Province of Vojvodina (Northern Serbia, part of the Pannonian Plain) revealed a surprisingly high number of desmid taxa. Although most of the desmids were marked as rare, according to the results of physico-chemical analyses of water samples, several taxa were frequently recorded in habitats that are generally deemed unsuitable for desmids. The ecological characteristics of 18 desmid taxa, some of which known as acidophilic and/or oligotrophic, are briefly discussed. The unexpected presence of many desmid taxa is explained by assuming that their tolerance threshold to various physico-chemical parameters has changed considerably. Presented at the International Symposium Biology and Taxonomy of Green Algae V, Smolenice, June 26–29, 2007, Slovakia.     

Desmids in mountain lakes of the subpolar Urals

The species composition of desmids was studied in eight mountain lakes of the Kozhim and Malyi Patok River basins in the “Yugyd Va” National Park (subpolar Urals, Russia). A total of 98 desmid taxa representing 13 genera belonging to 4 families were identified. Geographical and ecological analyses showed that the desmid flora is typical, with a predominance of cosmopolitan species, planktic-benthic forms, acidophilic and pH indifferent species, and halophobic to salinity indifferent species. The investigated lakes can be classified as pristine and in good ecological condition on the basis of their hydrochemical and algal biodiversity characteristics. Presented at the International Symposium Biology and Taxonomy of Green Algae V, Smolenice, June 26–29, 2007, Slovakia.     

Using body mass dynamics to examine long-term habitat shifts of arctic-molting geese: evidence for ecological change

From 1976 onward, molting brant geese (Branta bernicla) within the Teshekpuk Lake Special Area, Alaska, shifted from inland, freshwater lakes toward coastal wetlands. Two hypotheses explained this redistribution: (1) ecological change: redistribution of molting brant reflects improvements in coastal foraging habitats, which have undergone a succession toward salt-tolerant plants due to increased coastal erosion and saltwater intrusion as induced by climate change or (2) interspecific competition: greater white-fronted geese (Anser albifrons) populations increased 12-fold at inland lakes, limiting food availability and forcing brant into coastal habitats. Both hypotheses presume that brant redistributions were driven by food availability; thus, body mass dynamics may provide insight into the relevance of these hypotheses. We compared body mass dynamics of molting brant across decades (1978, 1987–1992, 2005–2007) and, during 2005–2007, across habitats (coastal vs. inland). Brant lost body mass during molt in all three decades. At inland habitats, rates of mass loss progressively decreased by decade despite the increased number of greater white-fronted geese. These results do not support an interspecific competition hypothesis, instead suggesting that ecological change enhanced foraging habitats for brant. During 2005–2007, rates of mass loss did not vary by habitat. Thus, while habitats have improved from earlier decades, our results cannot distinguish between ecological changes at inland versus coastal habitats. However, we speculate that coastal forage quality has improved beyond that of inland habitats and that the body mass benefits of these higher quality foods are offset by the disproportionate number of brant now molting coastally.     

Diversity and ecology of desmids of peat bogs in the Jizerské hory Mts

The present study focuses on diversity and ecological preferences of desmids in peat bogs in the Jizerské hory Mts (Czech Republic). Altogether 76 desmid algae taxa have been recorded at 18 sites of the study area during our investigation in 2003–2006. Taxa Actinotaenium crassiusculum (De Bary) Teiling, Hyalotheca dissiliens var. tatrica Racib., Staurastrum avicula var. subarcuatum (Wolle) West & G. S. West, S. borgeanum Schmidle, S. simonyi var. semicirculare Coesel, Staurodesmus extensus var. isthmosus (Heimerl) Coesel, S. extensus var. vulgaris (Eichler & Racib.) Croasdale and S. spencerianus (Mask.) Teiling are new for the Czech Republic. In addition, several rare and remarkable taxa were also encountered. The species richness was relatively high in comparison to similar localities in the Czech Republic. Desmid distribution was influenced by pH and conductivity. Presented at the International Symposium Biology and Taxonomy of Green Algae V, Smolenice, June 26–29, 2007, Slovakia.     

Comparative Characterization of Laminarinases from the Filamentous Marine Fungi Chaetomium Indicum Corda and Trichoderma Aureviride Rifai

Marine filamentous fungi (103 strains) isolated from various marine habitats were studied for their ability to produce extracellular O-glycosylhydrolases. Cultural filtrates of these strains were shown to contain a series of glycanases (laminarinases, amylases, cellulases, pustulanases) and glycosidases (β-glucosidases, N-acetyl-β-glucosaminidases, β-galactosidases, α-mannosidases).Two species of marine fungi from different habitats were chosen for isolation of laminarinases and detailed study on enzyme properties. The fungus Chaetomium indicum associated with the alga Fucus evanescens C. Agardh was collected near the Kuril Islands, and T. aureviride was sampled from bottom deposits of South China Sea. Properties of extracellular laminarinases were similar: temperature optimums (40–45 ^∘C), molecular masses (54–56 kDa), K _m (0.1–0.3 mg ml⁻¹). Temperature stability of laminarinase of C. indicum was significantly higher than those from T. aureveride. It is shown that these enzymes are specific to β-1,3-bonds in glucans, release predominantly glucose from laminaran and do not catalyze reaction of transglycosylation. Accoding to these data enzymes are exo-1,3-β-D-glucan-glucanohydrolases (EC 3.2.1.58). Inhibitor analysis demonstrated the significant role of tryptophan and tyrosine residues in the catalytic activity of enzymes. Molecules of T. aureviride laminarinase contained the functionally important thiol group.     

An unusual cyanobacterium from saline thermal waters with relatives from unexpected habitats

Cyanobacteria that grow above seawater salinity at temperatures above 45°C have rarely been studied. Cyanobacteria of this type of thermo-halophilic extremophile were isolated from siliceous crusts at 40–45°C in a geothermal seawater lagoon in southwest Iceland. Iceland Clone 2e, a Leptolyngbya morphotype, was selected for further study. This culture grew only at 45–50°C, in medium ranging from 28 to 94 g L⁻¹ TDS, It showed 3 doublings 24 h⁻¹ under continuous illumination. This rate at 54°C was somewhat reduced, and death occurred at 58°C. A comparison of the 16S rDNA sequence with all others in the NCBI database revealed 2 related Leptolyngbya isolates from a Greenland hot spring (13–16 g L⁻¹ TDS). Three other similar sequences were from Leptolyngbya isolates from dry, endolithic habitats in Yellowstone National Park. All 6 formed a phylogenetic clade, suggesting common ancestry. These strains shared many similarities to Iceland Clone 2e with respect to temperature and salinity ranges and optima. Two endolithic Leptolyngbya isolates, grown previously at 23°C in freshwater medium, grew well at 50°C but only in saline medium. This study shows that limited genotypic similarity may reveal some salient phenotypic similarities, even when the related cyanobacteria are from vastly different and remote habitats.     

Green algae as a structural element of phytoperiphyton communities in streams of NW Russia

Observations were made on the development and distribution of phytoperiphyton communities in 66 lake-river systems in NW Russia from Lake Ladoga to the Barents Sea. In total, 130 genera and 648 species were identified from different substrates, belonging to Cyanophyta (19.1%), Bacillariophyta (59.6%), Chlorophyta (18.7%), and algae from other orders (2.6%). In all streams diatoms dominated by species richness, but they were surpassed by green algae in terms of biomass. The green algae ranged from small planktonic forms to large filamentous species and produced easily visible algal communities. Among the planktonic forms the desmids were the most diverse group. They occurred in attached communities of all rivers and, while never abundant, were widespread. The attached community’s biomass was dominated by green algae. Among these, the filamentous algae Mougeotia sp., Oedogonium sp., Zygnema sp., Spirogyra sp. and Ulothrix zonata exhibited mass development in streams. Their distribution was patchy in the basin, with a total cover varying from less than 1% to 90% of the stream bottom. In some river stretches the diversity and predominance of green algae could be due, in part, to poorly developed riparian canopies. The term periphyton adopted here follows the definition of Odum (1971): “Assemblages which include both plant and animal organisms growing attached to submerged objects”. The prefix phyto- is added to indicate that of the whole biocoenoses only phototrophs are considered in this study. Presented at the International Symposium Biology and Taxonomy of Green Algae V, Smolenice, June 26–29, 2007, Slovakia.     

Distribution of chlorophytic phytoplankton in Northern Thailand

The distribution of phytoplankton was investigated in standing water bodies such as reservoirs, ponds and marshes. Thirty sampling sites in Northern Thailand were studied during 1998–2005. The water quality could be classified as oligotrophic-mesotrophic to eutrophic status. Twelve families, 51 genera and 181 species of chlorophytic phytoplankton were found. The dominant genera were Staurastrum spp., Cosmarium spp., Scenedesmus spp. and Pediastrum spp. The distribution of these species was mainly affected by the water quality. Presented at the International Symposium Biology and Taxonomy of Green Algae V, Smolenice, June 26–29, 2007, Slovakia.     

Desmids from the Auvergne (France)

An investigation has been made into the present occurrence and distribution of desmids in the French Auvergne. 27 samples from different habitats revealed the presence of 280 taxa belonging to 251 species, of which 120 had not previously been recorded from this region.The number of taxa per sample varied from 2 to 118; especially the samples from mesotrophic lakes were very rich in desmid species. An annotated list with corresponding figures of the recognized taxa is presented, and previous reports relating to desmids from the study-area are discussed.     

Habitat use and dispersal characteristic by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Stethophyma grossum</Emphasis>: the role of habitat isolation and stable habitat conditions towards low dispersal

Species in a highly fragmented environment, such as the intensively used agricultural landscapes of Europe, are expected to be in danger of extinction. We hypothesize according to Kisdi’s theory (Am Nat 159:579–596, 2002) that species in fragmented landscapes with isolated habitats in general tend to possess low dispersal. In order to verify this hypothesis we studied the movement patterns of Stethophyma grossum, a hygrophilous species of wetlands, by mark–release–recapture techniques in a landscape with scattered suitable habitats over 3 years. The study focused on the major population in this landscape (site #1) as dispersal behaviour was assumed to be greatest. Actually, marked individuals of S. grossum were never found in any further suitable habitats in close vicinity to site #1. Despite that the peatland meadow of study site #1 was all over covered with homogenous vegetation only 6% (1.8 ha) of the whole area (30 ha) were occupied by S. grossum. The mean recapture rate over 3 years amounted to 39% with no significant differences between males and females. Both covered little distances within their mean range size of 1.8 ha; the median distances were 36.91 m for males and 26.65 m for females. We confirm the hypothesis that sub-populations of species in longstanding naturally isolated habitats, which habitat conditions have been stable; evolved low dispersal with little movements which are routine movements to find mating partners or food.     

Why some tits store food and others do not: evaluation of ecological factors

Paridae are among the bird families benefiting from food storing. However, not all its members hoard food. Our objective was to clarify the role of ecological factors in occurrence of food storing. We reviewed the data on major ecological characteristics of the Paridae species and analysed their association with the presence/absence of food storing. Our statistical model revealed that geography (distribution in North America) and taxonomy (genus Poecile) are better predictors of food storing than any of the studied ecological traits. Nevertheless, food-storing Poecile species inhabit mixed or coniferous woodlands with seasonal richness of food, while non-storing species tend to prefer edge and open habitats, where alternative food sources are available. Sociality and territoriality outside breeding season coincides with food storing. The analysis performed within the Baeolophus–Lophophanes–Periparus–Poecile clade with ancestral food storing revealed no factor except continental climate that would explain the persistence of food storing. The phylogenetic analysis of ancestral states of the studied characters allowed us to propose a possible scenario for the emergence of food storing in Paridae. (1) Food storing is not ancestral in Paridae and appeared only once in the common ancestor of the Baeolophus–Lophophanes–Periparus–Poecile group. (2) According to estimation of molecular clock in Paridae, food storing appeared before their radiation in North America.     

Can pellet counts be used to accurately describe winter habitat selection by moose <Emphasis Type="Italic">Alces alces</Emphasis>?

Pellet counts have been used to measure habitat selection of a variety of ungulate species often under the assumption that this method gives an unbiased sample of the true distribution of the species among habitats. The validity of this method has been questioned and comparisons with other methods have sometimes showed divergent results. We tested the validity of pellet group distribution as a tool for habitat selection studies by comparing the distribution of moose pellet groups in four different forest age categories (forest age <30, 31–60, 61–90, >90 years) and mire with GPS positions from collared moose (Alces alces). Sample plots (n = 531) were cleaned from pellet during the fall 2007 and the number of new pellet groups were counted in spring 2008, thus resulting in a defined period of accumulation. In addition, pellet groups were counted in paired, uncleaned, control plots. GPS data from 15 collared moose monitored during the same period were used for comparison with habitat composition and distribution of pellet groups. Both the distribution of pellet groups and GPS positions differed significantly from the habitat composition within the study area. Young forest stands (<30 years) were significantly more used than both forests >30 years and mire. The selection by moose, as calculated by Manly’s alpha, showed identical ranking among habitat classes for cleaned sample plots and GPS data whereas uncleaned plots showed a shifted rank order for two of the habitat classes. We conclude that pellet group counts can be used to accurately predict habitat use for moose during winter.     

Ecology and management of moorland pools: balancing acidification and eutrophication

Moorland pools originally are shallow, often hydrologically isolated, soft-water bodies, with a low productivity. Some thousands of moorland pools originated from the late Pleistocene onwards in the heathland landscape in The Netherlands and adjacent areas, where soils have a poor buffering capacity. As the pools are largely fed by atmospheric precipitation, they are very vulnerable to changes in the environment, e.g. eutrophication and acidification. Moorland pools are exposed to very high rates of wet atmospheric deposition: 44–50 mmol m⁻² yr⁻¹ sulphate and 84–103 mmol m ⁻² yr⁻¹ ammonium. Mass budgets indicate that 20–70% of the input of sulphate by precipitation is reduced, 40–100% of the ammonium input escapes to the air or sediments, apparently due to nitrification, and 90–100% of incoming nitrate disappears. The production of alkalinity ranges from 12 to 52 meq m⁻² yr⁻¹. The efficiency of these processes augments with pH-values of surface water increasing from 4.1 to 5.4. The accumulation of reduced sulphur compounds in the sediments is a threat in extremely dry summers, when desiccation causes oxydation of these compounds, resulting in very low pH-values (≤ 3.7). Acidification by acid atmospheric deposition and eutrophication by agricultural acidification are the main threats to the moorland pool ecosystems and affect the species composition of assemblages of aquatic macrophytes, desmids, diatoms, macrofauna, fishes and amphibians, as has been shown by comparison of old and recent records on their distribution and paleolimnological methods. Afforestation exacerbates acidification and also reduces wind dynamics. Particularly the decrease of isoetids and desmids by both processes indicate the biological impoverishment of the pools. Reductions of (potential) acid atmospheric deposition to less than 40 mmol m⁻² yr and of ammonia to less than 30 mmol m⁻² yr are necessary for recovery of the moorland pools. Methods for the addition of buffering material to a number of moorland pools, to counteract acidification until these deposition rates have lowered sufficiently, are given, as well as other methods for restoring the biological quality of moorland pools.     

Tropical phytoplankton taxa in Aquitaine lakes (France)

In the last decades, numerous exotic species of microalgae have been found in the continental waters of Europe. In three natural shallow lakes located in the southwest of France, several planktonic species typically encountered in tropical areas were observed during 2006 and 2007. The most representative taxa were Planktolyngbya microspira Kom. & Cronb. P. circumcreta (G. S. West) Anagn. & Kom., Cyanodictyon tropicale Senna, Delazari & Sant’Anna and Staurastrum excavatum var. planctonicum Krieg. These species had so far only been reported from African lakes and other tropical areas, but in this study they accounted for up to 58 and 12% of the total abundance and biomass, respectively, during spring and summer. Some of these lakes were studied in the 1970s and only exotic desmids were reported; but at that time, the three cited cyanobacteria were not described yet. Waterfowl are considered as the main dispersers because they migrate over long distances, transporting algae on the feet and feathers or in the digestive tract. In fact, the Aquitaine Region is one of the main bird migration corridors in Europe. Survival of cyanobacteria, diatoms and desmids carried by birds could be possible due to resting stages, sheaths investments or vegetative cells. In addition, global warming may have contributed to the success of these tropical species in temperate lakes. Indeed, minimal temperatures have increased significantly in the Aquitaine region over the last 30 years and could have played a key role in algal survival through winter.     

Responses of nematode communities to different land uses in an aquic brown soil

An analysis of the seasonal and vertical distribution of soil nematode communities under three contrasting land uses, i.e., cropland, abandoned cropland and woodland was conducted in an aquic brown soil. The results showed that different land-use types affected the spatiotemporal distribution of soil nematodes and their dominant genera, and different dominant genera showed different responses to land use. In the abandoned cropland and woodland, most dominant genera were present in the 0–20 cm layers and Chiloplacus was mainly distributed in the 5–30 cm layers, while in the cropland, Pratylenchus exhibited an even distribution from the 0–5 cm to the 40–50 cm depth. Soil environmental parameters under different land use could influence soil nematodes; soil porosity, total organic C, total N and the C/N ratio could positively influence the abundance of some dominant genera. Faunal profiles revealed that environmental stability and the homeostasis in the abandoned cropland and woodland lead to higher levels of community structure, and the soil food web tends to succeed to maturity. Nematode faunal analyses are a useful indicator for interpreting the stress and/or nutrient conditions under different land uses. __________ Translated from Biodiversity Science, 2007, 15(2): 172–179 [译自:生物多样性]     

THE SEASONAL DISTRIBUTION,ABUNDANCE AND DIVERSITY OF DESMIDS (CHLOROPHYTA) IN A SOFTWATER,NORTH TEMPERATE STREAM1

Suspended and benthic algal communities from a mildly acidic, third-order Rhode Island stream were examined to determine the seasonal distribution, abundance and diversity of the lotic desmids. Within a one-year sampling period, 148 species and 202 subspecific taxa of desmids were identified, representing 23 genera. Species of Cosmarium and Closterium accounted for approximately 70% of the desmids present, and were the most diverse and abundant taxa during all seasons except spring, when Hyalotheca dissiliens was the dominant desmid species. Average abundance and species richness generally were greatest during summer for both suspended and benthic desmids. Most desmids occurred in benthic habitats, and were randomly distributed among substrata. Average seasonal abundance was 7.4 × 10⁴ cells·g^?1 dry wt substratum, among 13 types of substrata. Highest desmid abundance was measured among substrata with intricate morphologies, such as Fontinalis spp., which was associated with 1.2 × 10⁶ desmid cells·g^?1 dry wt substratum, or 1.7 × 10³ cells·cm^?2 substratum. Cell division was observed for 70 desmid taxa, and average seasonal reproduction (based on cell numbers) among all substrata ranged from 4% in winter to 20% during summer. In addition, sexually produced zygospores were found occasionally for H. dissiliens. Desmids were distributed among most substrata examined in this stream, with abundance comparable to reported estimates from softwater lakes and acid bogs. In contrast to established dogma, lotic desmids are not incidental drift organisms, but rather comprise a viable and persistent component of the stream periphyton.     

Freezing and desiccation injury resistance in the filamentous green alga Klebsormidium from the Antarctic, Arctic and Slovakia

The freezing and desiccation tolerance of 12 Klebsormidium strains, isolated from various habitats (aeroterrestrial, terrestrial, and hydro-terrestrial) from distinct geographical regions (Antarctic — South Shetlands, King George Island, Arctic — Ellesmere Island, Svalbard, Central Europe — Slovakia) were studied. Each strain was exposed to several freezing (−4°C, −40°C, −196°C) and desiccation (+4°C and + 20°C) regimes, simulating both natural and semi-natural freeze-thaw and desiccation cycles. The level of resistance (or the survival capacity) was evaluated by chlorophyll a content, viability, and chlorophyll fluorescence evaluations. No statistical differences (Kruskal-Wallis tests) between strains originating from different regions were observed. All strains tested were highly resistant to both freezing and desiccation injuries. Freezing down to −196°C was the most harmful regime for all studied strains. Freezing at −4°C did not influence the survival of studied strains. Further, freezing down to −40°C (at a speed of 4°C/min) was not fatal for most of the strains. RDA analysis showed that certain Antarctic and Arctic strains did not survive desiccation at +4°C; however, freezing at −40°C, as well as desiccation at +20°C was not fatal to them. On the other hand, other strains from the Antarctic, the Arctic, and Central Europe (Slovakia) survived desiccation at temperatures of +4°C, and freezing down to −40°C. It appears that species of Klebsormidium which occupy an environment where both seasonal and diurnal variations of water availability prevail, are well adapted to freezing and desiccation injuries. Freezing and desiccation tolerance is not species-specific nor is the resilience only found in polar strains as it is also a feature of temperate strains. Presented at the International Symposium Biology and Taxonomy of Green Algae V, Smolenice, June 26–29, 2007, Slovakia. This paper is dedicated to the memory of the late Dr. Bohuslav Fott (1908–1976), Professor of Botany at the Charles University in Prague, to mark the centenary of his birth.     

Investigating foraging utilization distribution of female New Zealand sea lions, Auckland Islands

Detrimental interactions between marine mammals and fisheries are increasing worldwide. The ability to manage these interactions requires the knowledge of where and how interactions occur and the effects they have on species. Many pinnipeds are central place foraging colonial breeders who are restricted in foraging range during breeding. Here, we use a utilization distribution approach to examine the foraging habitats of lactating New Zealand (NZ) sea lions (Phocarctos hookeri) from Dundas and Enderby Islands, Auckland Islands. Annually, the NZ sea lions which breed on these two islands produce 83% of this Nationally Critical species’ pups. Satellite transmitters were attached to 55 females during 2001–2007. Data showed that NZ sea lions utilize the entire Auckland Island shelf with partial habitat partitioning between females from the two breeding islands. This habitat partitioning results in differing degrees of overlap with fisheries and therefore possible differing fishery-related impacts on breeding areas.