Studies of glucosidase activities from surface sediments in mangrove swamp

Four transects including sixteen stations were established in the Fugong mangrove (117°54′-117°55′E, 24°22′-24°24′N) of the Jiulong River Estuary, Fujian, China. Besides geochemical characterization and estimation of bacterial abundances, the distribution of α- and β-glucosidase activity was studied to explore the degradation of carbohydrates which can be expected to occur in high quantities in mangrove systems. The distribution pattern of microbial α-glucosidase and β-glucosidase activities was investigated using a fluorogenic model substrate (FMS) technique in order to allow better understanding of in situ enzyme activities, as well as their relation to bacterial biomass, metabolic activity and environmental factors in mangrove sediments. The results showed that the enzyme activities of α-glucosidase (10.83~100.86 µmol g^- 1 h^- 1) and β-glucosidase (39.60~222.75 µmol g^- 1 h^- 1) varied among the different stations, and the enzyme activities of β-glucosidase were higher than those of α-glucosidase at all stations. The extracellular enzyme activities were positively related to organic C, organic matter and bacterial abundance. In addition, the use of the FMS technique to measure extracellular enzyme activities of mangrove sediments could help us to evaluate their catabolic behavior in situ and so lead to a better understanding of the bacterial role in material cycle of mangrove swamp ecosystems.     

乐清湾红树林和光滩大型底栖动物群落比较研究

2004年5月,对浙江乐清西门岛的人工红树林及周边滩涂进行大型底栖动物调查,共发现大型底栖动物18种,隶属6门7纲15科;主要是软体动物,节肢动物和环节动物.底上生活类群(groupofsurface,GS)种类数少于底内生活类群(group of surface below,GSB)种类数.通过在红树林、幼红树林和光滩三种生境的调查发现,幼红树林群落结构组成介于红树林和光滩之间,三种生境的大型底栖动物密度分别为452ind·m^-2,310ind·m^-2,620ind·m^-2,生物量分别为40.53g·m^-2,44.80g·m^-2和42.75g·m^-2.红树林区底栖动物的优势种为可口革囊星虫Phascolosoma esculenta和难解不等蛤Enigmonia aenigmatica.三种生境中,红树林的生物多样性和均匀度最高,优势度最小,造成这个现象的原因可能与红树林生境的复杂化有关.     

基于GIS与RS的漳江口红树林湿地生态系统健康评价

以漳江口红树林湿地为研究对象,选取2005、2011、2015及2017年Google Earth影像为基础数据源,基于土地覆盖数据构建红树林湿地生态系统健康评价指标体系,结合压力-状态-响应(PSR)模型及生态系统健康指数,探究红树林湿地生态系统健康状况的时空分异特征及影响因素.结果表明:(1) 2005-2017年漳江口红树林湿地生态系统健康状况呈恶化趋势,健康等级由亚健康转变为一般,其中压力、响应健康状况大幅下降,状态健康状况略微改善;(2) 2005-2017年研究区各子区域间健康状况存在明显差异,前阶段(2005-2011年)健康指数从大到小依次为西部>中部>东部>北部>南部,后阶段(2015-2017年)健康指数从大到小依次为东部>中部>西部>北部>南部;(3)海平面上升、互花米草入侵、水产养殖池与网箱养殖扩增及海堤建设等是研究区湿地生态系统健康恶化的主要原因,同时保护区的建设及多种保护措施的实施对湿地生态系统健康维持具有积极作用.     

福建洛阳江口红树林湿地大型底栖动物多样性及季节变化

基于2013-2014年福建洛阳江口红树林湿地的周年调查资料, 研究了该湿地大型底栖动物的物种多样性现状、季节变化以及红树林恢复对底栖动物群落的影响。本次调查共鉴定大型底栖动物7门78种, 环节动物和节肢动物种类最为丰富, 节肢动物对总生物量贡献最大, 短拟沼螺(Assiminea brevicula)为本区第一优势种。林区底栖动物的密度和生物量明显低于光滩, 部分优势种仅在林区出现, 此外, 林区群落与光滩有显著差异。本区底栖动物的密度高值出现在冬、春季, 生物量高值出现在春、夏季, 群落结构季节变化明显。本区底栖动物种类组成特点反映出洛阳江口红树林处在年轻期, 群落的季节变化可能跟优势种的繁殖特点有关。研究结果也表明红树林植被会影响底栖动物群落结构, 林区群落已然不同于光滩, 与2009年调查结果相比, 林区底栖动物密度虽明显下降, 但褶痕拟相手蟹(Parasesarma plicata)数量增加, 是优势种之一。洛阳江口红树林和光滩支撑着不同的生物组成, 因此, 红树林恢复应当保持栖息地的多样性/异质性。     

Microalgae biofuels: A critical review of issues, problems and the way forward

Culturing of microalgae as an alternative feedstock for biofuel production has received a lot of attention in recent years due to their fast growth rate and ability to accumulate high quantity of lipid and carbohydrate inside their cells for biodiesel and bioethanol production, respectively. In addition, this superior feedstock offers several environmental benefits, such as effective land utilization, CO(2) sequestration, self-purification if coupled with wastewater treatment and does not trigger food versus fuel feud. Despite having all these 'theoretical' advantages, review on problems and issues related to energy balance in microalgae biofuel are not clearly addressed until now. Base on the maturity of current technology, the true potential of microalgae biofuel towards energy security and its feasibility for commercialization are still questionable. Thus, this review is aimed to depict the practical problems that are facing the microalgae biofuel industry, covering upstream to downstream activities by accessing the latest research reports and critical data analysis. Apart from that, several interlink solutions to the problems will be suggested with the purpose to bring current microalgae biofuel research into a new dimension and consequently, to revolutionize the entire microalgae biofuel industry towards long-term sustainability.     

Pantropical trends in mangrove above-ground biomass and annual litterfall

A major paradigm in biosphere ecology is that organic production, carbon turnover and, perhaps, species diversity are highest at tropical latitudes, and decrease toward higher latitudes. To examine these trends in the pantropical mangrove forest vegetation type, we collated and analysed data on above-ground biomass and annual litterfall for these communities. Regressions of biomass and litterfall data show significant relationships with height of the vegetation and latitude. It is suggested that height and latitude are causally related to biomass, while the relationship with litterfall reflects the specific growing conditions at the respective study sites. Comparison of mangrove and upland forest litterfall data shows similar trends with latitude but indicates that mangrove litterfall is higher than upland forest litterfall. The regression equations allow the litterfall/biomass ratio to be simulated, and this suggests that the patterns of organic matter partitioning differ according to latitude.     

四种红树植物根际土壤微生物Ⅰ型和Ⅱ型PKS基因的检测与多样性分析

[目的]探究红树林土壤中聚酮合酶(Polyketide synthase,PKS)基因的多样性和新颖性.[方法]用Ⅰ型和Ⅱ型PKS基因酮基合成酶(Ketosynthase,KS)域的简并引物对海南清澜港红树林海莲、黄槿、银叶、老鼠簕4种红树根际土壤样品中DNA进行PCR扩增,之后利用PCR-限制性酶切片段多样性(PCR-RFLP)和测序分析法对Ⅰ型和Ⅱ型PKS基因的多样性进行探讨.[结果]对得到的72条Ⅰ型PKS基因的酮基合成酶(Ketosynthase,KS)域DNA序列进行PCR-RFLP分析,共得到51个可操作分类单元(Operational taxonomic unit,OTUs),其中37个OTUs为单克隆产生,没有明显的优势OTU.选取了26个代表不同OTU的克隆进行测序分析,这些序列与GenBank中已知序列的最大相似率均未超过85％. KS域氨基酸序列的系统发育分析显示,所得KS域来源广泛,包括蓝细菌门(Cyanobacteria)、变形杆菌门(Proteobacteria)、厚壁菌门(Firmicutes)、放线菌门(Actinobacteria)和一些未可培养细菌;对55条PKSⅡ基因KS域DNA序列的PCR-RFLP分析后共得到25个OTUs,有两个明显的优势OTUs,代表的克隆子数所占比例超过10％.[结论]PCR-RFLP分析表明红树林根际土壤中存在着丰富多样的Ⅰ型和Ⅱ型PKS基因,且前者多样性更高;低的序列相似度表明所获得的PKSⅠ基因KS域序列独特;系统发育分析表明得到的PKSⅠ基因来源广泛.     

山西地区高脂微藻的分离筛选

分别从山西省汾河流域、运城盐湖等水体采集水样,使用微挑法、平板涂布法对其中的微藻进行了分离纯化,并对分离得到的29株微藻和购买的3株微藻,进行了高脂藻株的筛选。结果表明：采用干重法对32株微藻的生长量进行测定,其干重介于48.9～422.2 mg/L之间;采用氯仿甲醇法对32株微藻的总脂含量进行测定,其总脂含量介于5.4%DW～30.1%DW之间;采用尼罗红荧光染色法对32株微藻的中性脂相对含量进行测定,其单位体积的荧光值介于4.1～181.5之间。综合评价藻株的总脂产率,最终筛选到山西省NY017盐生杜氏藻（Dunaliella salina）、NY023线形菱形藻（Nitzschia linearis）以及NY025谷皮菱形藻（Nitzschia palea）为高脂藻株,油脂产率分别为3.25、3.03、2.11 mg.L-1.d-1,具有生产生物柴油的潜力。     

不同类型海桑-秋茄人工林地上生物量及营养元素积累与分布

海桑(6年生)与秋茄(11年生)人工混交林和海桑、秋茄人工纯林共3种类型(类型Ⅰ、Ⅱ、Ⅲ)地上总生物量分别为38.530、20.012和29.405t·hm^-2,其中类型Ⅰ乔木层占41.0%,灌木层占59.0%,类型Ⅱ乔木层占93.3%,灌木层占6.7%,类型Ⅲ灌木层占100%;生物量年均净积累量分别为4.701、3.380和2.673t·hm^-2·a-1.3种类型10种营养元素总积累量差异明显,分别为765.570、343.925、555.886kg·hm^-2,其中类型Ⅰ乔木层占41.8%,灌木层占58.2%,类型Ⅱ乔木层占92.3%,灌木层占7.7%,类型Ⅲ灌木层占100%;生产单位净积累干物质对营养元素吸收量及营养元素归还率因林分类型各异,类型Ⅰ、Ⅱ、Ⅲ每生产1t净积累干物质净吸收10种营养元素的总量分别为39.860、36.834和18.904kg,而营养元素归还率则分别为61.3%、40.4%和72.2%.     

广西北部湾茅尾海红树林生境放线菌分离培养基的比较

【背景】红树林生境拥有丰富的微生物资源,分离获得更多的纯培养放线菌为新型抗生素的发现提供菌种资源。【目的】使用新型放线菌分离培养基,发掘广西北部湾茅尾海红树林生境放线菌资源,评估新型放线菌分离培养基分离效果。【方法】设计出新型放线菌分离培养基——椰子汁-海藻糖培养基,对广西北部湾茅尾海红树林根际土壤和红树林根皮放线菌进行分离。基于分子生物学鉴定方法,对获得的纯培养放线菌进行多样性分析。【结果】从红树林根际土壤样品中分离获得65株放线菌,分布在5个目10个科15个属,使用YIM171培养基分离到7个属,MA培养基分离到5个属,椰子汁-海藻糖培养基分离到11个属,其中包括4株潜在新种;从红树林根皮样品中分离获得19株放线菌,分布在4个目7个科10个属,使用YIM171和椰子汁-海藻糖培养基分别分离到7个属,包括4株潜在新种;使用椰子汁-海藻糖培养基在红树林生境两类样品中获得3株潜在新种。【结论】广西北部湾茅尾海红树林根际土壤和根皮中放线菌多样性丰富,使用椰子汁-海藻糖培养基分离放线菌效果较佳,可用作放线菌的分离培养基。     

Aluminium concentration in the biomass of native species of the Morichals (swamp palm community) at the Orinoco Llanos,Venezuela

Aluminium concentration was analyzed in roots, stems and leaves of species growing in morichals with extreme flooded acid soils, deficient in K, Ca, Mg and P. Mean aluminium saturation was 73%. Results seem to indicate that species depending on seasonal changes in the Al concentration of plant compartments, could be grouped into “perennial aluminium accumulators”, “late aluminium accumulators” and “threshold aluminium accumulators”.     

Sequences of colonization,diversity, biomass,and productivity of macroinvertebrates on artificial substrates in a freshwater canal

The sequence of colonization, species diversity (% MathType!MTEF!2!1!+-% feaafiart1ev1aaatCvAUfeBSjuyZL2yd9gzLbvyNv2CaerbuLwBLn% hiov2DGi1BTfMBaeXatLxBI9gBaerbd9wDYLwzYbItLDharqqtubsr% 4rNCHbGeaGqiVu0Je9sqqrpepC0xbbL8F4rqqrFfpeea0xe9Lq-Jc9% vqaqpepm0xbba9pwe9Q8fs0-yqaqpepae9pg0FirpepeKkFr0xfr-x% fr-xb9adbaqaaeGaciGaaiaabeqaamaabaabaaGcbaWaa0aaaeaaca% qGKbaaaaaa!36E5!\[\overline {\text{d}} \]), biomass, and productivity of macroinvertebrates on artificial substrates was determined in a relatively constant environment freshwater canal. Three substrates were removed weekly during a 16 week test period. Community structure of benthic macroinvertebrates was determined at the onset and end of the test period and compared with substrate community structure. Calopsectra sp. was the dominant early colonizing organism; Dicrotendipes sp. and Dicrotendipes modestus were also abundant. In late collections other chironomids, ephemeropterans, gastropods, oligochaetes, amphipods, and trichopterans occurred. Trichopterans were generally dominant in numbers and biomass in later collections. A total of 104 were collected on the substrates.Collection diversity (% MathType!MTEF!2!1!+-% feaafiart1ev1aaatCvAUfeBSjuyZL2yd9gzLbvyNv2CaerbuLwBLn% hiov2DGi1BTfMBaeXatLxBI9gBaerbd9wDYLwzYbItLDharqqtubsr% 4rNCHbGeaGqiVu0Je9sqqrpepC0xbbL8F4rqqrFfpeea0xe9Lq-Jc9% vqaqpepm0xbba9pwe9Q8fs0-yqaqpepae9pg0FirpepeKkFr0xfr-x% fr-xb9adbaqaaeGaciGaaiaabeqaamaabaabaaGcbaWaa0aaaeaaca% qGKbaaaaaa!36E5!\[\overline {\text{d}} \]) began at 3.42 (week 1), decreased to 2.72 in the third week, and then continually increased for the remainder of the test period to 4.43. Cumulative diversity had a similar trend, decreasing from 3.42 (week 1) to 3.06 in the fourth week, and then increasing to 4.05. Neither collection % MathType!MTEF!2!1!+-% feaafiart1ev1aaatCvAUfeBSjuyZL2yd9gzLbvyNv2CaerbuLwBLn% hiov2DGi1BTfMBaeXatLxBI9gBaerbd9wDYLwzYbItLDharqqtubsr% 4rNCHbGeaGqiVu0Je9sqqrpepC0xbbL8F4rqqrFfpeea0xe9Lq-Jc9% vqaqpepm0xbba9pwe9Q8fs0-yqaqpepae9pg0FirpepeKkFr0xfr-x% fr-xb9adbaqaaeGaciGaaiaabeqaamaabaabaaGcbaWaa0aaaeaaca% qGKbaaaaaa!36E5!\[\overline {\text{d}} \] or cumulative % MathType!MTEF!2!1!+-% feaafiart1ev1aaatCvAUfeBSjuyZL2yd9gzLbvyNv2CaerbuLwBLn% hiov2DGi1BTfMBaeXatLxBI9gBaerbd9wDYLwzYbItLDharqqtubsr% 4rNCHbGeaGqiVu0Je9sqqrpepC0xbbL8F4rqqrFfpeea0xe9Lq-Jc9% vqaqpepm0xbba9pwe9Q8fs0-yqaqpepae9pg0FirpepeKkFr0xfr-x% fr-xb9adbaqaaeGaciGaaiaabeqaamaabaabaaGcbaWaa0aaaeaaca% qGKbaaaaaa!36E5!\[\overline {\text{d}} \] reached an asymptote in the 16 week period.Collection biomass began at 0.0867 g/0.26 m² for week one and was 1.0575 g/0.26 m² at the end of the test period. Biomass increased linearly for seven weeks, fluctuated widely until week 14, then increased sharply for the remainder of the test period. Productivity ranged from –3.42 g/m²/wk in the eighth week to 5.10 g/m²/wk in the last collection. Biomass and productivity were greatly affected by the presences or absences of a relatively few large organisms.One hundred two taxa were collected from the benthic samples, 34 not being present on the substrates. Limodrilus hoffmeisteri was the dominant benthic organism, while Calopsectra sp. and Polypedilum sp. were also abundant. The February benthic diversity % MathType!MTEF!2!1!+-% feaafiart1ev1aaatCvAUfeBSjuyZL2yd9gzLbvyNv2CaerbuLwBLn% hiov2DGi1BTfMBaeXatLxBI9gBaerbd9wDYLwzYbItLDharqqtubsr% 4rNCHbGeaGqiVu0Je9sqqrpepC0xbbL8F4rqqrFfpeea0xe9Lq-Jc9% vqaqpepm0xbba9pwe9Q8fs0-yqaqpepae9pg0FirpepeKkFr0xfr-x% fr-xb9adbaqaaeGaciGaaiaabeqaamaabaabaaGcbaWaa0aaaeaaca% qGKbaaaaaa!36E5!\[\overline {\text{d}} \] was 4.54 and the June % MathType!MTEF!2!1!+-% feaafiart1ev1aaatCvAUfeBSjuyZL2yd9gzLbvyNv2CaerbuLwBLn% hiov2DGi1BTfMBaeXatLxBI9gBaerbd9wDYLwzYbItLDharqqtubsr% 4rNCHbGeaGqiVu0Je9sqqrpepC0xbbL8F4rqqrFfpeea0xe9Lq-Jc9% vqaqpepm0xbba9pwe9Q8fs0-yqaqpepae9pg0FirpepeKkFr0xfr-x% fr-xb9adbaqaaeGaciGaaiaabeqaamaabaabaaGcbaWaa0aaaeaaca% qGKbaaaaaa!36E5!\[\overline {\text{d}} \] was 4.05.     

Methane emissions from fen,bog and swamp peatlands in Quebec

A static chamber technique was used weekly from spring thaw to winter freezing to measure methane emissions from 10 sites representing subarctic fens and temperate swamps and bogs. Rates of < 200 mg CH₄ m^–2 d^–1 were recorded in subarctic fens: within-site emissions were primarily controlled by the evolution of the peat thermal regime, though significant releases during spring thaw were recorded at some sites. Between subarctic fens, topography and water table elevation were important controls on methane emissions, with the general sequence: pool = horizontal fen> string. Emission rates from the 2 swamp sites were lower (< 20 mg CH₄ m^–2 d^–1 ), except during the spring thaw and when the sites were saturated. The low water table ( < 80 cm depth) in abnormally dry years reduced emission rates; rates were also low from a swamp site which had been drained and cleared of vegetation for horticulture. Methane emission rates were also low (< 5 mg CH₄ m^–2 d^–1) from 2 ombrotrophic bog sites. Laboratory measurements of rates of methane production under anaerobic conditions and methane consumption under aerobic conditions revealed that production rates were generally highest in the surface layers (0 to 2.5 cm depth); production was high in the fens and very low in the bogs. The swamp samples were able to produce methane under anaerobic conditions, but were also able to consume methane under aerobic conditions. Annual methane emission rates are estimated to be 1 to 10 g CH₄ m^–2 from the fens, 1 to 4 g CH4 m^–2 from the swamps and <0.2 g CH₄ m^–2 from the bogs and drained swamp.     

Key factors controlling the size, biomass, and sprouting of Japanese alder swamp forest in Kushiro Mire, Hokkaido, Japan

The interrelation among size, biomass, and sprouting of alder trees was studied to extract the most important hydrochemistrical factors controlling the growth of alder forest in Kushiro Mire, northern Japan. The gradient was mostly explained by chemical variables such as pH, ash content, and P₂O₅, which showed strong positive correlation with each other, and secondarily by fluctuation of the water table (WL, i.e., water level range). These variables are more important than other hydrochemical ones, because neutral and turbid flood water replaces acidic mire water and conveys fine sediment with adsorbed phosphorus, which in turn could regulate the pH and amount of phosphorus. Also, the number of sprouts showed negative correlation mainly with tree size and redox potential (Eh), which suggested a flooded environment. Because of this, the size of alder was suppressed by hydrochemical variables; however, alder individuals producing new sprouts were maintained. We conclude that variation in size, biomass, and sprouting of alder was mainly controlled by acidity and phosphorus availability, and was significantly influenced by water fluctuation.     

中国红树林生态系统主要害虫种类、 防控现状及成灾原因

红树林湿地是中国东南沿海的关键生态系统之一。近年来, 我国红树林陆续出现多种害虫种群暴发成灾的现象, 使红树林湿地的可持续利用面临严重挑战。本文归纳了近20年来中国红树林生态系统的主要害虫种类, 危害较严重的有海榄雌瘤斑螟Acrobasis sp., 毛颚小卷蛾Lasiognatha cellifera, 丽绿刺蛾Latoia lepida, 白囊袋蛾Chalioides kondonis, 蜡彩袋蛾Chalia larminati和小袋蛾Acanthopsyche subferalbata等; 对红树林虫害的防控现状进行总结, 目前开展的防控工作主要以生物农药、 昆虫生长调节剂、 昆虫天敌等生物防治方法为主, 结合灯光诱杀等物理防治手段的运用, 对暴发期的害虫种群可以取得较好的控制效果; 并从红树林生态系统健康水平和昆虫群落多样性等方面对害虫种群的成灾原因进行初步探讨; 最终提出以虫害可持续控制为目标的红树林生态系统生境调控策略, 以期为提高红树林湿地虫害管理水平以及促进红树林的可持续发展提供重要的理论参考和科学指导。     

Structure, above-ground biomass and dynamics of mangrove ecosystems: new data from French Guiana

The article presents new results on the structure and the above-ground biomass of the various population types of mangroves in French Guiana. Nine mangrove stands were studied, each composed of three to ten adjoining plots with areas that varied depending on the density of the populations. Structural parameters and indices were calculated. Individuals representative of the three groups of taxa present were felled:Avicennia germinans (L) Stearn, Rhizophora spp., and Laguncularia racemosa (L) Gaertn. The trunks, branches and leaves were sorted and weighed separately. The biomass was obtained by determining the allometric relationships, the general equation selected being of the type y = a _o x ^a1, where the diameter (x) is the predictive variable. The total above-ground biomass varied from 31 t ha⁻¹ for the pioneer stages to 315 t ha⁻¹ for mature coastal mangroves, but with large variations depending on the structural characteristics at each site. The results place the Guianese mangroves among those with high biomass, although lower than those reported for Asia. Based on the relationships between structural parameters and standing biomass, in particular with the use of the “self-thinning rule”, population dynamics models are proposed. Received: 16 August 1996 / Accepted 17 January 1998     

Standing crop and aboveground biomass partitioning of a dwarf mangrove forest in Taylor River Slough,Florida

The structure and standing crop biomass of a dwarf mangrove forest, located in the salinity transition zone ofTaylor River Slough in the Everglades National Park, were studied. Although the four mangrove species reported for Florida occurred at the study site, dwarf Rhizophora mangle trees dominated the forest. The structural characteristics of the mangrove forest were relatively simple: tree height varied from 0.9 to 1.2 meters, and tree density ranged from 7062 to 23 778 stems ha^–1. An allometric relationship was developed to estimate leaf, branch, prop root, and total aboveground biomass of dwarf Rhizophora mangle trees. Total aboveground biomass and their components were best estimated as a power function of the crown area times number of prop roots as an independent variable (Y = B × X^–0.5083). The allometric equation for each tree component was highly significant (p<0.0001), with all r² values greater than 0.90. The allometric relationship was used to estimate total aboveground biomass that ranged from 7.9 to 23.2 ton ha^–1. Rhizophora mangle contributed 85% of total standing crop biomass. Conocarpus erectus, Laguncularia racemosa, and Avicennia germinans contributed the remaining biomass. Average aboveground biomass allocation was 69% for prop roots, 25% for stem and branches, and 6% for leaves. This aboveground biomass partitioning pattern, which gives a major role to prop roots that have the potential to produce an extensive root system, may be an important biological strategy in response to low phosphorus availability and relatively reduced soils that characterize mangrove forests in South Florida.     

Chloroplast microsatellite markers for the mangrove tree species Bruguiera gymnorrhiza, Kandelia candel, and Rhizophora stylosa, and cross-amplification in other mangrove species

Chloroplast microsatellite (cpSSR) markers were developed for three ecologically and economically important tree species in the mangrove family, Rhizophoraceae: Bruguiera gymnorrhiza, Kandelia candel, and Rhizophora stylosa. Noncoding regions of chloroplast DNA (cpDNA) from each species were separately amplified using universal chloroplast primers. Six, two, and three polymorphic cpSSR loci in B. gymnorrhiza, K. candel, and R. stylosa, respectively, were developed from amplified noncoding cpDNA regions. Characterization of 216, 156, and 253 individuals of B. gymnorrhiza, K. candel, and R. stylosa, respectively, collected from different natural mangrove populations (B. gymnorrhiza, 9; K. candel, 7; R. stylosa, 9) on Iriomote Island in Japan showed that these loci provide cpSSR markers with polymorphisms ranging from two to four alleles per locus and gene diversity between 0.027 and 0.480. These cpSSR markers will be useful for analyzing the maternal lineage distributions and population genetic structures of the three species. Several of these markers may also be useful in similar studies of other mangrove species.     

Global biodiversity and biogeography of mangrove crabs: Temperature,the key driver of latitudinal gradients of species richness

Mangroves are ideal habitat for a variety of marine species especially brachyuran crabs as the dominant macrofauna. However, the global distribution, endemicity, and latitudinal gradients of species richness in mangrove crabs remains poorly understood. Here, we assessed whether species richness of mangrove crabs decreases towards the higher latitudes and tested the importance of environmental factors such as Sea Surface Temperature (SST) in creating the latitudinal gradients in species richness of mangrove crabs. A total of 8262 distribution records of 481 species belonging to six families of mangrove crabs including Camptandriidae, Dotillidae, Macrophthalmidae, Ocypodidae, Sesarmidae, and Oziidae were extracted from open-access databases or collected by the authors, quality controlled, cleaned, and analyzed. Species richness was plotted against 5° latitudinal bands in relation to environmental factors. The R software and ArcGIS 10.6.1 were used to analyze the species latitudinal range and richness as well as to map the distribution of mangrove forest, endemic species, species geographical distribution records, and biogeographic regions. The Indo-West Pacific showed the highest species richness of mangrove crabs where more than 65% of species were found in the Indian Ocean and along the western Pacific Ocean. Our results showed that there are 11 significantly different biogeographic regions of mangrove crabs. The highest endemicity rate was observed in the NW Pacific Ocean (29%). Latitudinal patterns of species richness in Macrophthalmidae, Ocypodidae, and Sesarmidae showed an increasing trend from the poles toward the intermediate latitudes including one dip near the equator. However, latitudinal gradients in Camptandriidae, Dotillidae, and Oziidae were unimodal increasing from the higher latitudes towards the equator. Species richness per 5° latitudinal bands significantly increased following mean SST mean (°C), calcite, euphotic depth (m), and mangrove area (km²) across all latitudes, and tide average within each hemisphere. Species richness significantly decreased with dissolved O₂ (ml l⁻¹) and nitrate (μmol l⁻¹) over all latitudes and in the southern hemisphere. The climax of global latitudinal species richness for some mangrove was observed along latitudes 20° N and 15°–25° S, not at the equator. This can suggest that temperature is probably the key driver of latitudinal gradients of mangrove crabs’ species richness. Species richness and mangrove area were also highly correlated.     

Size structure and distribution of Ovassiminea brevicula (Gastropoda) in a Thai mangrove swamp

Ovassiminea brevicula (Pfeiffer) (Assimineidae: Gastropoda) was oneof the most abundant and representative benthic invertebrates in the SamutSongkhram mangrove swamp, Thailand. It lived mainly in the mangrove forest with high average densities ranging from 44 to 340 snails·m^-2and abundant in the sites where much litter, dead branches and seedlingswere present. Average shell length in the mature forest ranged from 4.73to 5.74 mm (range: 2.26–8.30 mm) and size structures showeddifferent patterns among the stations. In the seaward mudflat, O. breviculaappeared immediately after the saplings of Avicennia alba Blume1826 were planted. Thereafter, its densities increased with the growth of A. alba trees, probably due to provision of favourable microhabitats underthe canopies. In the mudflat with only small saplings and outside the canopyof the young forest 2 years after planting, mean shell lengths were 3.45 and3.19 mm respectively. Under the canopy of the young forest, however,mean shell length was 4.34 mm with a few larger snails. Three cohortswere separated for snail populations in the mature forest and larval recruitmentseemed to occur from February to May.