Mobile epiphytic invertebrates inhabiting the brown macroalga, Desmarestia chordalis, under the coastal fast ice of Lützow-Holm Bay, East Antarctica

The species composition of mobile epiphytic animals inhabiting the brown alga, Desmarestia chordalis Hooker and Harvey, in Lützow-Holm Bay, East Antarctica, was investigated. A total of 797 individual invertebrates in 22 taxa were collected from 3 clumps of algae. The assemblage was dominated by two amphipod crustaceans, Prostebbingia sp. and Haplocheira plumosa Stebbing, which composed 70.3% of the total number of individuals, followed by a gastropod species, Skenella paludinoides (Smith). The species composition differs from those found in previous studies conducted in Prydz Bay and Ross Sea, suggesting the existence of various types of epifaunal communities along the East-Antarctic coast.     

Distribution,biomass and production of Gracilaria in Lüderitz Bay,Namibia

The extent and biomass of the Gracilaria beds in the Lüderitz Bay area, Namibia were surveyed in winter and summer. The beds covered most of the suitable sediments available (grain size 106–212 μm) and did not occur in water shallower than 1 m or deeper than 11 m. Total surface area, most of which occurred in the Bay system, changed very little from winter to summer but biomass increased by 3.5 fold. In winter, total Gracilaria biomass was 200 t and 650 t and in summer, 150 t and 2850 t respectively in the Lagoon and Bay. Maximum biomass occurred at 3–4 m in the Lagoon and 5–6 m in the Bay in both winter and summer. Gracilaria beach cast data from 1987 to 1991 for the area were analysed for seasonality and, depending on the specific site, correlated with swell, southerly wind velocity and sea temperature. Beach cast in the Lagoon system is a more continuous process than in the Bay, where beach casts at most sites follow an annual pattern. Wind driven currents and chop were the most important causative parameters of beach cast in the Lagoon whereas the depth at which the plants were growing and swell were more important in the Bay system. The two systems viz. Lagoon and Bay are independent of one another with very little or no exchange of Gracilaria between them. This was evidenced by the similar percentage each contributes to the total beach cast and the similar pattern of beach cast from year to year. The decrease in total beach cast from 1989 to the end of the study period was attributed to a trend towards increasing swell height and low sea temperatures in 1991.     

Changes in Adélie penguin breeding populations in Lützow-Holm Bay, Antarctica, in relation to sea-ice conditions

The Adélie penguin, Pygoscelis adeliae, an important component of the Antarctic marine ecosystem, is closely associated with sea ice. Using data collected by Japanese Antarctic Research Expeditions since the 1960s, we examined trends in breeding populations of this species around Lützow-Holm Bay. Ten colonies ranging in size from 10 to 2,500 individuals were counted along the Soya Coast. Populations fluctuated synchronously, and overall increased at most colonies, except for two: one located deep inside the bay and another where human disturbance was substantial. Populations tended to increase during, or after, periods of sparse sea ice in summer, a condition that occurred once every decade. An increase in population size also occurred 5 years after a winter of extensive sea ice and after a winter of especially reduced sea ice.     

Spatial distributions and population dynamics of two salp species, Ihlea racovitzai and Salpa thompsoni, in the waters north of Lützow-Holm Bay (East Antarctica) during austral summers of 2005 and 2006

Information on the sequences of generations and reproductive states of salps in the Southern Ocean is essential for an improved understanding of salp population growth, although changes in distribution patterns of two species of salps, Salpa thompsoni and Ihlea racovitzai, in the Southern Ocean have the potential to alter the Southern Ocean ecosystem. We used stratified, quantitative sampling from the surface to 2,000 m depth with an RMT 8 net in January of 2005 and 2006 to determine the distribution and population structure of salps in the north of Lützow-Holm Bay, East Antarctica. Ihlea racovitzai occurred in both 2005 and 2006, but S. thompsoni was found only in 2005. Ihlea racovitzai occurred abundantly along the ice edge where Antarctic Winter Water was well developed, whereas S. thompsoni was more abundant at northern stations affected by warm Modified Circumpolar Deep Water. Small solitary stages of I. racovitzai dominated in 2005, but they had declined significantly by 2006. The S. thompsoni population was composed of small immature aggregates and mature solitary stages, suggesting that the solitary stages were reproducing. We did not find mature aggregate and immature solitary stages in the present study and thus suggested that S. thompsoni was unable to complete its life cycle in the north of Lützow-Holm Bay because of failure of sexual reproduction in the aggregate stage. The S. thompsoni population was therefore probably transported to our study area by advection.     

Biological characteristics of euphausiids preyed upon by Adélie penguins in relation to sea-ice conditions in Lützow-Holm Bay,Antarctica

We examined the biological characteristics of euphausiids found in the stomachs of Adélie penguins in relation to sea-ice conditions in Lützow-Holm Bay over three seasons. Euphausiids, especially Euphausia superba, proved to be a staple food for Adélie penguins irrespective of the ice condition. Body length and maturity-stage compositions of euphausiids were different among seasons, probably reflecting sea-ice condition in summer. The mean body length decreased and maturity regressed during each season in E. superba, which was partly attributable to the selective feeding on large, mature female krill by Adélie penguins. The 1995/1996 year class of E. superba, which was spawned when the sea ice was most developed, was strong and conspicuous in the 1996/1997 and 1997/1998 seasons. This vigor indicates that sea ice provided females with good spawning conditions and larvae with good growth and survival rates.     

Foraging behavior of Adélie penguins during incubation period in Lützow-Holm Bay

The diving behavior of Adélie penguins Pygoscelis adeliae was investigated using time–depth recorders during the incubation period in the fast sea-ice area of Lützow-Holm Bay, Antarctica. Dive profiles and activity/time allocation suggested that penguins were obligated to walk on the fast-ice for 90–100 km until a polynya, which they used as an access to the pack-ice zone. Dive depth did not differ between males and females, though males’ dive duration was longer than that of females. Dive depth was slightly shallower and dive duration was shorter during the incubation than during the chick-rearing phase. Birds dove throughout the day, although less frequently around midnight, and there was no clear diel change in dive depth. This daily dive pattern during incubation period was similar to that previously observed during the chick-rearing period in a fast sea-ice area, but differed from that observed in sea-ice-free area. Variations in diving behavior resulted from different environmental conditions, such as foraging area with different sea-ice condition, as well as from different life history strategies.     

Characteristics of shell microstructure and growth analysis of the Antarctic bivalve <Emphasis Type="Italic">Laternula elliptica</Emphasis> from Lützow-Holm Bay,Antarctica

Growth performance of the Antarctic bivalve Laternula elliptica was examined both by shell microstructural observation and by applying a fluorescent substance, tetracycline, as a shell growth marker. The shell was composed of two calcareous layers: the thick outer layer was homogeneous or granular in structure and the thin inner layer was nacreous. The architecture of Antarctic L. elliptica was different from that of temperate L. marilina, and the ratio of thickness between the outer and inner layers appeared to be different. The growth rate of the nacreous layer was analyzed to be very low. High correlations were found between the major axis of chondrophore and both shell length and shell dry weight, respectively. It is suggested that the chondrophore is an appropriate growth indicator, and combining the information of growth increments with the fluorescent method may be useful in estimating the bivalve growth performance in the Antarctic sea.     

Short term spatial — temporal distribution patterns of zooplankton in Admiralty Bay (Antarctica)

The present work analyses the abundance and species composition of mesozooplankton in relation to different patterns of wind speed and tides in Admiralty Bay. The plankton was sampled on 12, 13 and 15 March 1989 with a 385 m mesh size conical-cylindrical net by R.V. Barão de Teffé. In Martel Inlet, the zooplankton standing stock reached 25,223 individuals 100 m^–3 during the high tide. Under north-west winds, the abundance of the dominant species Ctenocalanus citer and Fritillaria borealis followed the tidal cycle. Weak south-west winds promoted the input of plankton even during low tide. Throughout the Bay, the highest densities of plankton (446–2,899 individuals 100 m^–3) were observed in surface waters flowing towards the Bransfield Strait. Surface waters flowing through the Bay and the inlets showed different species composition to surface waters flowing towards the Bransfield Strait.     

Distribution and abundance of Indo‐Pacific humpback dolphins in Leizhou Bay,China

Abstract

The Indo‐Pacific humpback dolphin (Sousa chinensis) is under severe threat in Chinese waters. Only four small populations of this dolphin are known to survive in the East China Sea and South China Sea. We conducted exploratory surveys from June to September 2005, and found a population of humpback dolphins in Leizhou Bay. Thirty‐eight individuals were identified and catalogued, of which 26 were photographed and re‐identified on more than one occasion, and nine were sighted on five or more occasions each. Our preliminary estimate of the size of the Leizhou population is about 237 individuals, second only to the Pearl River estuary population. We suggest that Leizhou Bay has the potential to serve as a “humpback dolphin sanctuary” in Chinese waters.     

Distribution of surnames and identities in the Cimbro-Mòcheno communities of Italy

The surnames of populations of the municipalities with Cimbro and Mòcheno origins are compared with each other and with other municipalities of the neighbourhood. This study starts from the supposition that a community of surnames shares a common cultural origin, maintained by reciprocal mobility. The analysis has been carried out by using estimates of the similarities between populations, the topological representations obtained by them and the spatial autocorrelation. On the whole, this research shows no evidence of peculiar distinctions between the populations that share Cimbro and Mòcheno origins compared to the neighbouring ones. Moreover, there is not any evident process of undifferentiated diffusion along all the directions. On the contrary, it is emphasized that belonging to the same geographic region and to the same administrative subdivision mostly influences the similarity between populations. The exception is the Cimbro municipality of Luserna, which presents a peculiar structure of surnames different from other municipalities of the same territory.     

Cumulative solar irradiance and potential large-scale sea ice algae distribution off East Antarctica (30°E–150°E)

We present a computational model of the large-scale cumulative light exposure of sea ice in the Southern Ocean off East Antarctica (30°E–150°E). The model uses remotely sensed or modelled sea ice concentration, snow depth over sea ice, and solar irradiance data, and tracks sea ice motion over the season of interest in order to calculate the cumulative exposure of the ice field to photosynthetically active radiation (PAR). Light is the limiting factor to sea ice algal growth over winter and early spring, and so the results have implications for the estimation of algal biomass in East Antarctica. The model results indicate that highly light-exposed ice is restricted to within a few degrees of the coast in the eastern part of the study region, but extends much further north in the 30°E–100°E sector. The relative influences of sea ice motion, solar flux, and snow depth variations on interannual variations in model predictions were evaluated. The model estimates of cumulative PAR were found to correlate with satellite estimates of subsequent open-water chlorophyll-a concentration, consistent with the notion that sea ice algae can provide inocula for phytoplankton blooms.     

Pelagic fish distribution and ontogenetic vertical migration in common mesopelagic species off Lützow-Holm Bay (Indian Ocean sector,Southern Ocean) during austral summer

The horizontal and vertical distributions of fish were examined off Lützow-Holm Bay in the Indian Ocean sector of the Southern Ocean during midnight sun in January 2005. Fish were sampled from six discrete depth layers (0–2,000 m). The most abundant fish in layers from the surface to 200 m were larval stages of Electrona antarctica and Notolepis coatsi. In layers from 200 to 2,000 m, fish assemblages were relatively uniform among all stations and were dominated by E. antarctica (juvenile–subadult), Cyclothone microdon, and Bathylagus antarcticus. Cluster analysis revealed three epipelagic communities related to water temperature and salinity. An ontogenetic habitat shift to deeper layers was apparent for E. antarctica, N. coatsi, and B. antarcticus. Preferences for warm waters were observed in E. antarctica (larvae) and N. coatsi (preflexion to flexion larvae), although they were distributed across a broad range of temperature and salinity in epipelagic zones.     

Latitudinal and elevational patterns of phylogenetic structure in forest communities in China’s mountains

Science China Life Sciences - The phylogenetic structure incorporates both ecological and evolutionary processes to explain assembly of a local community. The “phylogenetic niche...     

Occurrence of cyclopoid copepods and faecal material in the Halley Bay region,Antarctica, during January–February 1991

Faecal material and cyclopoid copepods were collected during the expedition ANT IX/3, in the Halley Bay area (Weddell Sea, Antarctica), between January and February 1991. Faecal material comprised pellets produced by krill, copepods, ostracods and appendicularians. Cyclopoid copepods were represented by two genera, Oithona and Oncaea. In the Halley Bay area, higher concentrations of krill faecal material (420.9 mm³ m^–2) and chl.-a (39.3 mg m^–2) were found within the upper 200 m of the water column of the polynya than in ice-covered open-ocean areas (58.2 mm³m^–2 and 25.5 mg m^–2, respectively). At an ice-drift station, high concentrations of krill faecal strings under fest-ice were found. In addition, similarities between diatom assemblages in the pack-ice algae and krill faecal strings contents suggest an active utilization of ice-algae by krill populations. Sedimented material collected at 50 m depth by a sediment trap was dominated by krill faecal strings. Contents of small oval pellets (of probable cyclopoid copepod origin) resemble those of krill faecal pellets suggesting that coprophagy was involved. This suggestion is supported by: (1) The small quantity of food particles (other than krill faecal matter) available in the water column (< 0.3 g chl.-al^–1). (2) The negative in situ correlation between krill faecal strings and cyclopoid copepods. (3) The structure of cyclopoid copepod buccal appendages, which are more adapted for raptorial feeding.     

Distribution and change patterns of free IAA, ABP 1 and PM H⁺-ATPase during ovary and ovule development of Nicotiana tabacum L

Auxin plays key roles in flower induction, embryogenesis, seed formation and seedling development, but little is known about whether auxin regulates the development of ovaries and ovules before pollination. In the present report, we measured the content of free indole-3-acetic (IAA) in ovaries of Nicotiana tabacum L., and localized free IAA, auxin binding protein 1 (ABP1) and plasma membrane (PM) H⁺-ATPase in the ovaries and ovules. The level of free IAA in the developmental ovaries increased gradually from the stages of ovular primordium to the functional megaspore, but slightly decreased when the embryo sacs formed. Immunoenzyme labeling clearly showed that both IAA and ABP1 were distributed in the ovules, the edge of the placenta, vascular tissues and the ovary wall, while PM H⁺-ATPase was mainly localized in the ovules. By using immunogold labeling, the subcellular distributions of IAA, ABP1 and PM H⁺-ATPase in the ovules were also shown. The results suggest that IAA, ABP1 and PM H⁺-ATPase may play roles in the ovary and ovule initiation, formation and differentiation.     

Distribution of micro- (Fe,Zn, Cu,and Mn) and risk (Al,As, Cr,Ni, Pb,and Cd) elements in the organs of Rumex alpinus L. in the Alps and Krkonoše Mountains

Plant and Soil - Rumex alpinus is a native plant in the mountains of Europe whose distribution has partly been affected by its utilization as a vegetable and medicinal herb. The distribution of...     

Distribution and uptake of glycine,glutamate and γ-aminobutyric acid in the vagal nuclei and eight other regions of the rat medulla oblongata

In order to study the central neurochemical control of the vagus nerve, the contents of glycine, GABA, glutamate and five other amino acids have been measured in ten anatomically distinct regions of the rat medulla oblongata. Additionally, the high affinity uptake of glycine, GABA, glutamate, and leucine were measured in the same ten medullary regions. The data support published evidence for glutamatergic and GABAergic transmission in the nucleus of the tractus solitarius (NTS), and glycinergic inhibition in the hypoglossal nucleus. The data also lead to the suggestion that GABA and glutamate may be taken up into glial cells which exist along fiber tracts.     

Diversity,Abundance, and Spatial Distribution of Ammonia-Oxidizing β-Proteobacteria in Sediments from Changjiang Estuary and Its Adjacent Area in East China Sea

Changjiang Estuary, the largest estuary in China, encompasses a wide range of nutrient loading and trophic levels from the rivers to the sea, providing an ideal natural environment to explore relationships between functional diversity, physical/chemical complexity, and ecosystem function. In this study, molecular biological techniques were used to analyze the community structure and diversity of ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB) in the sediments of Changjiang Estuary and its adjacent waters in East China Sea. The amoA gene (encoding ammonia monooxygenase subunit A) libraries analysis revealed extensive diversity within the β-Proteobacteria group of AOB, which were grouped into Nitrosospira-like and Nitrosomonas-like lineages. The majority of amoA gene sequences fell within Nitrosospira-like clade, and only a few sequences were clustered with the Nitrosomonas-like clade, indicating that Nitrosospira-like lineage may be more adaptable than Nitrosomonas-like lineage in this area. Multivariate statistical analysis indicated that the spatial distribution of the sedimentary β-Proteobacterial amoA genotype assemblages correlated significantly with nitrate, nitrite, and salinity. The vertical profile of amoA gene copies in gravity cores showed that intense sediment resuspension led to a deeper mixing layer. The horizontal distribution pattern of amoA gene copies was nearly correlated with the clayey mud belt in Changjiang Estuary and its adjacent area in East China Sea, where higher β-Proteobacteria phylogenetic diversity was observed. Meanwhile, those areas with high amoA copies in the surface sediments nearly matched those with low concentrations of dissolved oxygen and ammonium in the bottom water.     

Methylation patterns in 5＇ terminal regions of pluripotency-related genes in bovine in vitro fertilized and cloned embryos

In order to investigate DNA methylation profiles of five pluripotency-related genes (Oct4, Sox2, Nanog, Rex1 and Fgf4) during bovine maternal to zygotic transition (MZT) in both in vitro fertilized (IVF) and nuclear transfer (NT) embryos, sodium bisulfite sequencing method was used to detect DNA methylation levels, accompanied by the statistical analysis of embryo developmental rates. The results showed that Oct4, Nanog, Rex1 and Fgf4 were respectively demethylated by 25.22% (P < 0.01), 3.84% (P > 0.05), 31.82% (P < 0.01) and 10% (P > 0.05) while Sox2 retained unmethylation during MZT in IVF embryos. By contrast, Oct4 and Rex1 respectively underwent demethylation by 23.04% (P < 0.01) and 6.02% (P > 0.05), and, reversely, Sox2, Nanog and Fgf4 respectively experienced remethylation by 0.84% (P > 0.05), 5.39% (P > 0.05) and 5.46% (P > 0.05) during MZT in NT embryos. Interestingly, the CpG 14 site of Sox2 was specifically methylated in both 8-cell and morula NT embryos. In addition, the development of blastocysts between IVF and NT embryos showed no significant difference. DNA methylation analysis showed that only Oct4 and Sox2 underwent the correct methylation reprogramming process, which may be responsible for the development of blastocysts of NT embryos to a certain extent. In conclusion, the five genes respectively experienced demethylation to different extents and incomplete DNA methylation reprogramming during bovine MZT in both IVF and NT embryos, suggesting that they may be used as indicators for bovine embryo developmental competence.