Using stable isotope analysis to study the diet of Gilchristella aestuaria larvae: preliminary insights into the foodwebs of six South African estuaries

South African estuarine systems are becoming increasingly altered by anthropogenic and environmental factors, but the consequences of such changes for these systems are still not fully understood. The most common approach for evaluating the ecological status of aquatic systems is studying their associated foodwebs. Due to their high abundance and important ecological role, the larvae of estuarine round herring Gilchristella aestuaria (Gilchrist, 1913) are key candidates for examining the foodweb structure and function of southern African estuaries. The foodwebs and trophic interactions of G. aestuaria larvae in six estuaries in South Africa were compared using larvae sampled in November 2013 and analysed using δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N and Bayesian isotopic mixing models. The main prey type for G. aestuaria larvae in all estuaries was zooplankton. We found a high similarity among the Kariega, Gamtoos, Great Fish and Sundays estuaries in terms of consumers and potential sources for both δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N signatures. Significant differences were found in δ¹³C values among marine-dominated estuaries, such as the Kromme Estuary, and the more freshwater-dominated systems. In addition, in the Kromme Estuary particulate organic matter was very important in the diet of G. aestuaria larvae. Our results suggest that both food availability and physical environmental parameters strongly affect the diet and condition of G. aestuaria and, consequently, the entire foodweb in the system.     

Community structure of bacterioplankton and its relationship with environmental factors in the upper reaches of the Heihe River in Qinghai Plateau

Planktonic microorganisms play a key role in the biogeochemical processes of the aquatic system, and they may be affected by many factors. High-throughput sequencing technology was used in this study to investigate and study the bacterioplankton community of water bodies in the upper reaches of the Heihe River Basin in Qinghai Plateau. Results showed that Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes and Actinobacteria are the predominant phyla in this river section, while the main genera are Thiomonas, Acidibacillus, Acidocella, Rhodanobacter, Acidithiobacter and Gallionella, which are autochthonous in the acid-mine drainage. Additionally, total nitrogen, total phosphorus, permanganate index and pH are significantly correlated with the bacterioplankton abundance and are the main limiting factors for the spatial distribution of the bacterioplankton. PICRUSt inferred that the mainstream microbial assemblages had a higher abundance of KOs belong to metabolism of terpenoids and polyketides, while the tributary had higher abundance of KOs belong to the immune system. The relationship between bacterioplankton community composition and environmental factors in the Heihe River basin was discussed for the first time in this study, which provides a theoretical basis for the healthy, orderly development of the water environment in the Heihe River Basin.     

Primary productivity of the upper reaches of a South African estuary (Swartvlei)

Primary productivity, using the ¹⁴C technique was measured in the expanded lake-like upper reaches of a South African estuary during 1972. Maximal assimilation per unit volume ranged between 5.0 and 13.1 mg C m^?3 h^?1 and areal productivity ranged between 13.1 and 36.9 mg C m^?2 h^?1. For most of the period the euphotic zone (level of 1% of surface light) extended to only 4.5 m. The poor light conditions in the estuary were due to the heavy content of humic material and suspended detrital matter. Light, therefore, was a major factor limiting primary productivity. The PO₄-P concentration reached an undetectable level following a large diatom increase and nutrient limitation may have occurred. The phytoplankton population of the upper reaches of Swartvlei was dominated by nannoplanktonic (< 60 μm) diatoms and dinoflagellates. The ecological advantages that these small organisms might have in an environment such as Swartvlei are discussed.     

环境因素对黑水滩河上游河段潜流层大型无脊椎动物群落的影响

在黑水滩河上游河段选取5个断面调查了潜流层大型无脊椎动物及其生境特征,研究微观尺度环境因素对潜流层大型无脊椎动物群落组成及分布的影响。结果表明:调查河段共发现大型无脊椎动物29种,其中水生昆虫种类最多;各断面大型无脊椎动物的密度、生物量和丰富度均随着潜流层深度的增加而降低;潜流层沉积物的中值粒径、垂向水力梯度和垂向渗透系数是影响大型无脊椎动物组成和分布的主要因素,其中最重要的是中值粒径。潜流层无脊椎动物群落变化也可能受到食物源和生物之间相互作用等因素的影响,所有这些因素共同形成了一个复杂的自然过滤系统,控制着潜流层无脊椎动物的群落结构和空间分布。     

Geographical and typological changes in fish guilds of South African estuaries

A comparative analysis of fish estuary association guilds was undertaken on some 190 South African estuaries. This pioneering study spanned three zoogeographic regions and included three broad estuarine types. The guild compositions of the estuaries were compared based on an importance value, incorporating taxonomic composition, numerical abundance and relative biomass. Multivariate analyses included both inter‐regional (zoogeographic) and intra‐regional (estuarine typology) comparisons. The major estuary‐associated guilds (estuarine species and marine migrant species) were important in all estuary types within all biogeographic regions. Significant differences both between regions and between estuary types within regions, however, were recorded. Cool–temperate estuaries were generally dominated by migratory species (estuarine migrants and marine migrant opportunists) while the importance of species dependent on estuaries (estuarine residents and estuarine‐dependent marine migrants) was higher in warm–temperate and subtropical regions. The significance of estuarine nursery areas, particularly in regions where estuaries are few in number, is highlighted. In terms of typology, migratory species assumed a greater importance in predominantly open systems, while freshwater and estuarine‐resident species were more important in predominantly closed systems. Predominantly closed estuaries, however, were also important for marine migrant species, which further highlights the significance of these systems as nursery areas for fishes.     

Annual cycles in the African stonechat Saxicola torquata axillaris and their relationship to environmental factors

Seasonal changes in gonadal size, body weight, male song and the plasma titres of luteinizing hormone (LH), oestradiol and testosterone were investigated in a free-living population of African stonechats, Suxicola torquata axillaris , on Menengai Crater, Nakuru, Kenya. These were compared with the occurrence of nesting and moult in the population and a number of seasonally changing environmental factors including photoperiod, insect abundance and rain. Annual cycles in these stonechats appears to be regulated by endogenous events which are responsive to environmental factors on a seasonal basis. The dry season may play an important rôle in the synchronization of the population by inhibiting nesting in birds otherwise capable of reproductive activity. Rain is postulated as a time-giving cue for moult and gonadal regression. The possibility of photoperiodic changes at the equator acting as seasonal time-giving cues remains open.     

塔里木河上游典型荒漠植物叶片性状及其与土壤因子的关系

为了了解塔里木河上游地区荒漠植物叶片的功能性状及其对不同生境的生态适应性,以花花柴(Karelinia caspica)和骆驼刺(Alhagi sparsifolia)两种典型荒漠植物为研究对象,分析沙地和盐碱地等不同生境下两种荒漠植物叶片的结构性状和化学性状,并结合冗余分析探讨了其与土壤因子的关系。结果表明:(1)研究区花花柴、骆驼刺两种荒漠植物的叶厚度(LT)、叶面积(LA)、比叶面积(SLA)及叶组织密度(LTD)等结构性状在不同物种之间存在显著差异(P<0.05),而叶片有机碳(LOC)、氮(LN)、磷(LP)含量等化学性状在不同生境之间存在显著差异(P<0.05),其平均值分别为417.67g/kg、15.14g/kg及1.12g/kg,低于全球植物叶片平均水平。(2)在沙地和盐碱地等不同生境下两种荒漠植物叶片LA、SLA及LTD等均呈极显著负相关(P<0.01),LA和N/P是两种生境下植物叶片性状中综合排名前三的共同指标因子。(3)冗余分析结果表明,土壤因子中的土壤含水量(SWC)、土壤有机碳(SOC)和土壤氮(SN)对荒漠植物叶片性状变异起到了较好的解释。本研究表明不同荒漠植物在长期进化过程中形成了相对稳定的叶片结构性状特征,而叶片化学性状对生境土壤因子的变化则较为敏感。     

广东湛江湾优势真菌群落结构及其与理化因子的关系

通过对2010年1月9日采自广东湛江湾的海水样品中真菌的分离培养和鉴定,发现第一优势属为枝孢属,包括球枝孢、枝状枝孢、芋枝孢、极细枝孢、尖孢枝孢、收窄枝孢、夏生枝孢7个种;第二优势属为青霉属,包括疣孢青霉、灰黄青霉、菌核青霉、嗜松青霉、棘孢青霉、简青霉6个种;第三优势属为侧齿霉属,仅白色侧齿霉一个种;第四优势属为曲霉属,包括土曲霉、棘孢曲霉、黄曲霉、烟曲霉4个种。从真菌种类的优势度来看,球枝孢为该海域第一优势种(7.97%),白色侧齿霉为第二优势种(3.60%),枝状枝孢为第三优势种(3.29%),疣孢青霉为第四优势种(3.04%)。鉴定出的收窄枝孢为中国新记录种。通过对菌株数量与理化因子的相关性分析发现,在19个站位的表层真菌数量与无机磷和硅酸盐呈显著正相关(P0.05);表层侧齿霉属和曲霉属与总有机碳呈极显著正相关(P0.01),曲霉属与p H呈极显著负相关(P0.01),侧齿霉属与p H呈显著负相关(P0.05),曲霉属与盐度呈显著负相关(P0.05)。底层真菌数量与悬浮物呈极显著正相关(P0.01),与总有机碳呈显著正相关(P0.05),与p H呈显著负相关(P0.05);底层枝孢属与悬浮物呈极显著正相关(P0.01),侧齿霉属与溶解氧和总有机碳呈显著正相关(P0.05),曲霉属与总有机碳呈显著正相关(P0.05)。海水温度、油污和海水深度与真菌数量的相关性不明显。     

Variability in condition and growth of Atlantic cod larvae and juveniles reared in mesocosms: environmental and maternal effects

Standard length, dry mass and RNA : DNA ratio measurements of 3876 Atlantic cod Gadus morhua larvae and juveniles from 26 families of recruit (fish during their first year of spawning) and repeat spawners (fish which were in their subsequent spawning season) reared in two mesocosms (2500 and 4400 m³) under semi-natural conditions were analysed over a period of 10 weeks using microsatellites. Larvae from recruit spawners were significantly longer and heavier at hatch and throughout the 10 weeks. RNA : DNA ratios from recruit spawner offspring were only significantly higher at week 1. The smaller (2500 m³) mesocosm was characterized by low plankton density during the transition from endogenous to exogenous feeding followed by a higher density during the metamorphosis period (weeks 4 and 5), with the reverse pattern evident in the 4400 m³ mesocosm. Patterns of larval growth followed patterns of zooplankton density. Significant differences in RNA : DNA ratios between the mesocosms at all comparable sampling dates were found and within each mesocosm individual fish exhibited a wide range of growth and condition responses under the same environmental conditions. RNA : DNA ratios as a function of size differed in the amount of variability between mesocosms, indicating that the higher food density led to a higher proportion of well-conditioned larvae in the first 3 weeks. Food availability probably has a major role in determining offspring growth and condition, with limited effects due to maternal effects in cases where the broodstock females are approximately of similar size and condition.     

Effect of environmental and nutritional factors on growth and azaspiracid production of the dinoflagellate Azadinium spinosum

Azadinium spinosum, a small dinoflagellate isolated from the North Sea, is a producer of azaspiracids (AZAs), a group of biotoxins associated with human illness following ingestion of contaminated shellfish. Using batch and continuous cultures of A. spinosum, the present study investigated the effects of different environmental and nutritional factors (salinity, temperature, photon flux density, aeration, culture media, nitrogen sources, phosphate source, and N/P ratios) on growth, maximum cell concentration, and AZA cell quota.Azadinium spinosum grew in a wide range of conditions; from 10 ̊C to 26 ̊C and salinities from 30 to 40, under irradiances ranging from 50 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹ to 250 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹, with or without aeration. Growth and maximum cell concentration were highest at a salinity of 35, at temperatures between 18 ̊C and 22 ̊C, and with aeration. Concerning AZA cell quota, the most significant effect was observed at low temperature; the AZA cell quota was more than 20 times higher at 10 ̊C (220 fg cell⁻¹) than at temperatures between 18 ̊C and 26 ̊C. A. spinosum grew on all media tested with only slight differences in growth rate and AZA cell quota. In continuous culture, lowering the concentration of nutrients (0.5 strength of a modified K-medium) in the inflow improved AZA cell quota whereas higher concentration (doubling the normal strength of K-medium) improved maximal cell concentration. A. spinosum grew on different sources of nitrogen tested (nitrate, urea, ammonium) with almost no effect on toxin cell quota and growth, except that adding ammonium caused a decrease in growth.These first experiments on Azadinium spinosum increased our knowledge on factors affecting its growth and toxin production; furthermore, these results allowed and improved particularly A. spinosum production in pilot scale photobioreactors for AZA isolation.     

北京市环境污染水平和经济增长关系的计量模型

选取1992-2008年北京市主要环境污染物排放量作为北京市的环境污染水平表征指标,以人均GDP表示经济发展水平,通过分析北京市主要环境污染物的排放量与人均GDP之间的关系并建立计量模型,以此探究北京市的经济发展对与环境质量的影响.研究表明,北京市1992-2008年的人均GDP和主要污染物排放量之间的关系可以用EKC曲线进行描述,而且目前的北京部分污染物如工业废水、工业COD、石油类、工业烟尘等的排放量随着人均GDP的增加呈显著下降的趋势,表明现在主要污染物的排放量均已越过拐点,北京市进入经济与环境协调发展的阶段.分析其因为,主要得益于研究时段内北京市产业结构大力调整、环境污染治理投资增加和严格的环境管理政策等多项措施的综合实施.基于过去的经验分析,北京市在发展经济的同时,应该进一步深化调整产业结构,减少工业生产污染物排放并加强环境政策的制定和实施力度,才能保证经济进一步发展的同时使环境得到持续改善.     

Effects of environmental factors on survival, growth, and production of American shad larvae

Episodic increases in temperature of 5°C above 20° C, over 48 h or declines in pH of 1·0 unit from pH 7·0 reduced survival of yolk-sac and feeding-stage larvae of American shad Alosa sapidissima . Over 16 days all measures of survival, growth, and production were more favourable at each higher temperature in the 15–25° C range. More favourable responses were also obtained at the higher prey level (500 v . 50 Artemia nauplii l^-1) and at the higher pH (7·5 v . 6·5). Combinations of high temperature and high prey levels, at pH 7·5, led to highest larval production. Little growth or production occurred at 15° C, regardless of pH or prey level. The effect of pH was strong with respect to survival, but weak with respect to growth. In attempts to restore American shad populations by larval stocking, release times and sites can be critical to optimize survival and eventual returns. Releases of larvae potentially will be most effective when made at temperatures >20° C, pH>7·0, and prey levels >50 1^-1. These conditions are most likely to occur in Maryland tributaries of Chesapeake Bay between mid-May and early June.     

黑河河岸植被与环境因子间的相互作用

2009-2010年,对黑河流域河岸植被分季节进行了详细调查,并实地测定各样点环境因子数据,采用PC-ORD和Canoco软件对数据进行分类排序与环境因子的指示种分析:(1)黑河河岸带植被分为4个植被型和6个群系,位于黑河上游的高山苔草+矮嵩草群系植被种类和数量最为丰富,草本层盖度最大,也是唯一没有乔木分布的群系;金露梅+沙棘+膜荚黄芪+针茅群系是灌木层密度和盖度最大的群系,草本植物种类相对较丰富;位于湿地的沙枣+水柏枝+芦苇+香蒲群系,土壤养分含量最高;(2)影响黑河河岸带植被分布的主要环境因子是海拔、降水、温度、土壤有机质、含水率以及全氮含量,其中,海拔、降水和温度为最重要的影响因子,土壤影响因子中土壤含水率>有机质>全氮,而全磷和速效氮没有显著影响;(3)在黑河河岸带共有20种植物是环境因子指示种,柽柳和苦豆子是温度、降水指示种,胡杨对海拔和降水有很强的指示作用,草本植物中没有土壤含水率和海拔指示种,而在乔灌木中没有土壤有机质指示种,这为气候、土壤条件的变化提供了很好的参考价值。     

Effects of delayed first feeding on the nutritional condition and mortality of California halibut larvae

The effect of the timing of first feeding (3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 days post‐hatch, dph) on laboratory‐reared California halibut Paralichthys californicus larvae was evaluated by means of morphologic, morphometric and histological criteria. Larvae began to feed exogenously at 3 dph (2·7 ± 0·01 mm standard length, L _S) at 18° C. Eye pigmentation, rather than mouth opening was the most distinctive trait of California halibut larvae at first feeding. Larval growth was significantly affected by the time of first exogenous feeding. At notochord flexion (21 dph), the L _S of larvae fed for the first time at 3 dph was significantly larger (5·1 ± 0·1 mm) than that of those fed at 4 and 5 dph (4·9 ± 0·1 mm), although the latter fish had a more uniform size distribution. The point of no return was reached at 7 dph. Survival of larvae initially fed at 3, 4 and 5 dph was similar (58·4–60%), while no larvae were able to survive when food was offered for the first time between 6 and 8 dph. Food deprivation resulted in a progressive deterioration of the larval digestive system and atrophy of skeletal muscle fibres. Significant changes in the anterior and posterior enterocyte height were detected after 2 days of food deprivation. Similarly, tail height: L _S and trunk length: L _S ratios were the most sensitive morphometric indices to detect the effect of fasting on larval condition. Present results show that a combination of morphometric and histological variables can be used to evaluate the nutritional condition of California halibut larvae.     

Macroinvertebrate community structure and altitudinal changes in the upper reaches of a warm temperate southern African river

1. The Buffalo River rises 1200m above sea level, drops 600m in the first 7km, and a further 100m in the next 30 river kilometres. Macroinvertebrates were sampled, and environmental variables measured monthly in 1987, at four sites along this part of the river. 2. Flow at the headwater site (1120m a.s.l., 1 km from the source) was seasonal, though pools remained and subterranean flow was continuous. Twelve macroinvertebrate taxa were found exclusively at this site, where conductivity, pH and nutrient concentrations were low. 3. Flow at the foothill site (530m a.s.l., 7km from the source) was perennial. The invertebrate community, although distinct from that at downstream sites, lacked the unique taxa of the headwater site. Conductivity, pH and nutrient concentrations were higher. 4. The two sites downstream of the foothills (450m a.s.l., 18km from the source, and 410m a.s.l., 31 km from the source), had similar invertebrate communities. Conductivity, pH and nutrient concentrations were higher than at the upper sites. 5. Community structure changed most between the headwater and foothill sites. This paralleled changes in river steepness rather than changes in measured physicochemical variables.     

A comparison of the macrobenthic faunas of permanently open and temporarily open/closed South African estuaries

Thirteen estuaries in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa, were broadly categorised according to size and salinity distribution and were assigned to one of the following categories: permanently open estuaries having a strong salinity gradient between mouth and upper estuary, freshwater-deprived permanently open estuaries, medium-sized temporarily open/closed estuaries, and small, temporarily open/closed estuaries. The macrobenthos collected during surveys was then compared in terms of the following parameters: species composition, salinity, sediment mud content, density of macrobenthic animals, Hill's N0 (species richness), and Hill's N1 (diversity). Mud content was found to be the most important environmental variable responsible for biotic patterns found, and sites were consequently assigned to either a sand zone fauna, or a mud zone fauna. Both types of fauna are present in all estuaries sampled, with upper sites of river dominated estuaries having an additional oligohaline fauna, and freshwater-deprived estuaries providing habitat for many marine species. Small, temporarily open/closed estuaries have the highest macrobenthic density, whereas N0 and N1 are highest in freshwater-deprived permanently open systems. River-dominated permanently open estuaries tend to have lower macrobenthic densities, species richness, and diversities compared to estuaries in the other categories. No seasonal differences in these ecological indices were found within any of the estuarine categories.     

长江上游南溪段饵料生物资源初步调查

南溪江段地处长江上游,与金沙江相接,在长江上游河流生态上占有重要的地位,因此研究其饵料资源状况,对深入探讨长江上游水域生态、水生生物区系、群落组成和鱼类资源变化都有重要的科学价值和实际意义。过去未见有系统的调查研究,我们于1998～2000年按“内陆水域渔业自然资源调查规范”的方法,在这一江段设5个调查点（图1）,对饵料生物进行了调查,获得了大量的资料,现将结果整理简报如下。     

An analysis of the genetic relationship between udder health and udder conformation traits in South African Jersey cows

A multi-trait animal model was used to estimate genetic parameters among lactation somatic cell score (SCS) and udder-type traits in South African Jersey cattle, through restricted maximum likelihood (REML) procedures. Data comprised records on 18 321 Jersey cows in 470 herds, collected through the National Milk Recording Scheme from 1996 to 2002. Average SCS in the first three lactations (SCS1, SCS2 and SCS3) were considered as different traits and the udder-type traits were fore udder attachment (FUA), rear udder height (RUH), rear udder width (RUW), udder cleft (UC), udder depth (UD), fore teat placement (FTP), rear teat placement (RTP) and fore teat length (FTL). Heritability estimates for the respective lactation SCS were 0.07 ± 0.01, 0.11 ± 0.01 and 0.11 ± 0.02. Udder-type traits had heritability estimates ranging from 0.14 ± 0.01 for UD to 0.30 ± 0.02 for FTL. Genetic correlations between SCS and udder-type traits ranged from -0.003 ± 0.07 between FUA and SCS3 to -0.50 ± 0.07 between UD and SCS3. Slow genetic progress is expected when selection is applied independently on SCS and udder-type traits, due to the generally low heritabilities. Tightly attached shallow udders with narrowly placed rear teats are associated with low SCS in the Jersey population.