Patterns of seasonal and yearly mass variation in West African tropical savannah birds

Birds in the northern hemisphere usually increase mass reserves in response to seasonal low temperatures and shorter day length that increase foraging unpredictability and so starvation risk. In the lowland tropics, relatively low temperatures and short day lengths are absent and so the risk of starvation may be reduced, leading to much smaller seasonal effects on mass. Nevertheless, other factors such as high temperatures and water and food availability may vary greatly between tropical wet and dry seasons, leading to variable starvation risk and seasonal mass effects. Using data collected from 47 species of birds caught over a 10‐year period in a tropical savannah region in West Africa we tested for seasonal variation in mass in response to a predictable, strongly seasonal tropical climate. Many species (91%) showed seasonal variation in mass, and this was often in a clear annual pattern that was constant across the years. Many species (89%) varied their mass in response to seasonally predictable rainfall. Annual variation in mass was also important (45% of species). Relatively few species (13%) had a seasonal pattern of mass variation that varied between years. Feeding guild or migratory status was not found to affect seasonal or annual mass variation. Seasonal mass change was on average 8.1% across the 21 species with a very large sample size and was comparable with both northern and southern temperate species. Our study showed that biologically significant consistent seasonal mass variation is common in tropical savannah bird species, and this is most likely in response to changing resource availability brought about by seasonal rainfall and the interrupted foraging response due to the constraints of breeding.     

A review of vertebrate community composition in seasonal forest pools of the northeastern United States

Seasonally-flooded wetlands occur throughout the world and provide important foraging, resting, and breeding habitat for a broad array of organisms. This review summarizes our current understanding of vertebrate community composition at seasonal forest pools in the northeastern United States. These wetlands typically have hydroperiods that range from temporarily flooded to intermittently exposed, which reduces densities of many potential predators (e.g., fish). Current research has shown that pool hydroperiod, canopy closure, vegetation structure within pools, presence of potential predators, and landscape structure surrounding pools are the key factors determining vertebrate diversity at seasonal forest pools. Of 25 species of amphibians in the region, frogs (10 of 12 species) are more likely to breed in seasonal forest pools than salamanders (6 of 13 species). Seven of 10 amphibian species that breed in seasonal forest pools are state-listed as threatened or endangered. Among 27 species of reptiles, 3 of 15 species of snakes, and 6 of 12 species of turtles utilize seasonal pools during at least one stage of their annual cycle. Seasonal forest pools are important foraging and basking habitat for three species of turtles listed as threatened or endangered. Compared to other vertebrate taxa, most species of mammals are habitat generalists, with 50 of 63 mammal species potentially foraging at seasonal pools during part of their annual cycle. Chiroptera (bats; all 9 species) are believed to actively forage at seasonal pools and some Insectivora, particularly Sorex palustris Richardson and S. fumeus (Miller) and Condylura cristata (L.), are detected regularly at seasonal pools. Breeding birds are less likely to utilize seasonal pools than other vertebrate taxa, although 92 of 233 species might forage or breed near seasonal pools. Several species of Anatidae, Rallidae, and some Passeriformes use seasonally flooded pools. All vertebrates that use seasonal forest pools use other habitats during some stage in their life cycle; thus gaining a clear understanding of their habitat requirements is critical to their long-term persistence.     

西双版纳热带季节雨林植物种类多样性的一种研究方法

一、方法1.样地的选择样地分别选取热带干性季节雨林的典型代表——以箭毒木(Antiaris toxicaria)、龙果(Pouteria grandifolia)为标志的群落,以千果榄仁(Terminalia myriocarpa)、番龙眼     

Interannual variability in species composition explained as seasonally entrained chaos

The species composition of plankton, insect and annual plant communities may vary markedly from year to year. Such interannual variability is usually thought to be driven by year-to-year variation in weather conditions. Here we examine an alternative explanation. We studied the effects of regular seasonal forcing on a multi-species predator–prey model consisting of phytoplankton and zooplankton species. The model predicts that interannual variability in species composition can easily arise without interannual variability in external conditions. Seasonal forcing increased the probability of chaos in our model communities, but squeezed these irregular species dynamics within the seasonal cycle. As a result, the population dynamics had a peculiar character. Consistent with long-term time series of natural plankton communities, seasonal variation led to a distinct seasonal succession of species, yet the species composition varied from year to year in an irregular fashion. Our results suggest that interannual variability in species composition is an intrinsic property of multi-species communities in seasonal environments.     

Coexistence of cryptic rotifer species: ecological and genetic characterisation of Brachionus plicatilis

1. The coexistence of five cryptic species of the rotifer species complex Brachionus plicatilis was investigated in four coastal Mediterranean ponds. Monthly sampling was undertaken for 15 months and species were characterised using allozyme electrophoresis. 2. We describe species‐diagnostic allozyme loci that can be used for rapid identification of these species. 3. The five species overlapped to some extent in their temporal use of the ponds, although some seasonal segregation was observed. 4. The match between temporal and spatial distribution and limnological conditions suggested ecological specialisation in some cases, although we found striking examples of extensive seasonal overlap. 5. Our results indicate that sympatry of cryptic rotifer species is largely because of seasonal ecological specialisation, which allows seasonal succession and partitioning of resources. The processes that might be involved in the long periods of overlapping seasonal distributions of species which are potentially competitors are discussed. This example illustrates that the ‘paradox of the plankton’ is more the rule than the exception.     

Hormonal dynamics contributes to divergence in seasonal stomatal behaviour in a monsoonal plant community

The plant hormone abscisic acid (ABA) is a primary regulator of plant transpiration, but its influence in determining seasonal stomatal behaviour in natural plant communities is poorly understood. We examined distantly related vascular plants growing together in a seasonally dry, monsoonal environment to determine whether ABA dynamics contributed to contrasting water use patterns in this natural setting. Regular sampling of angiosperm, cycad, conifer and fern species revealed characteristic seasonal patterns in ABA production, but these were highly distinct among species. Although no general relationship was observed between ABA levels, plant hydration or stomatal conductance among species, the seasonal dynamics in stomatal behaviour within species were predictable functions of either ABA or leaf water potential. Strong divergence in the seasonal role of ABA among species suggests that modification in ABA–stomatal interactions represents an important evolutionary pathway for adaptation in plant water use.     

柳州市行道树资源调查与结构特征分析

该研究通过对柳州市区主要道路园林绿化全面踏勘,在四城区中筛选出68条道路行道树进行现场调查和综合评价。结果表明:(1)柳州市行道树共有28种,隶属于17科21属,常绿树种与落叶树种比例及乡土树种与外来树种比例合理。(2)柳州市行道树中小叶榕和黄葛榕在各城区应用频度较高,树种组成结构相对单一。(3)季相树种在各城区应用频度不均衡,部分城区春季景观营造效果显著,而夏秋冬季相景观效果不显著。(4)绿化达标率和林荫路推广率离国家生态园林城市还有较大差距,物种丰富度和多样性指数有待提高。建议加大乡土树种的应用与推广,提高各城区物种丰富度及季相树种的应用,营造城市道路特色季相景观。该研究成果提出了发展乡土树种、丰富树种多样性及季相景观营造的技术建议,对柳州市行道树树种规划和建设提供了科学依据。     

Seasonal clutch size variation of multi-brooded bird species: comparisons between breeding season and latitudes

Single- and multi-brooded species of birds differ in their seasonal patterns of clutch size. Single-brooded species start with a maximum clutch size that declines continuously as the season progresses, whereas the clutch sizes of multi-brooded species usually increase to a mid-season maximum peak and then decrease progressively until the end of the breeding season. Previous studies have shown that multi-brooded migrant species present seasonal patterns that are similar to single-brooded species at high latitudes but similar to multi-brooded non-migratory species at lower latitudes. We studied the Greenfinch Carduelis chloris and Goldfinch C. carduelis populations in eastern Spain (Sagunto, Valencia) between 1975 and 2002 to compare seasonal variations in clutch sizes between years with early and late starts to the breeding season. The period over which clutch sizes increase was longer when the breeding season started earlier. The Goldfinch population showed no pattern of initial increase in clutch size when there was a late start to the breeding season: a late start shortens the season giving them less time to breed, and may also coincide with maximum food availability. Thus, the pattern of single-brooded species was observed. In the Greenfinch population, a trend toward the seasonal pattern of single-brooded species was also observed when the following indices were compared: clutch size increase, modal timing, initial slope and timing of maximum clutch size. We have also compared the seasonal patterns of clutch size of both species in eastern Spain with the patterns observed in Britain. Our results show that for both Goldfinches and Greenfinches, the non-migrant southern populations of Sagunto in eastern Spain do not tend towards a more multi-brooded seasonal pattern of clutch size than the migrant Goldfinches of Britain.     

When do beetles and bugs fly? A unified scheme for describing seasonal flight behaviour of highly dispersing primary aquatic insects

Changes of seasonal dispersal flight were investigated based on a wide spectrum of aquatic Heteroptera and Coleoptera species. We hypothesized that species or groups of species can be characterized by various seasonal patterns of dispersal flight. Dispersal activity was studied in a lowland marsh located in NE Hungary during a 30-week long monitoring period. Insects were attracted to highly polarising horizontal shiny black plastic sheets laid onto the ground. There are no periods of the year (from April till October) when insects are not rising into the air, but species have various seasonal flight activity. Dispersal flight activity of 45 species could be described. These activities assessed based on a seasonal approach and proportional classification. Based on these results, three seasonal patterns and twelve sub-patterns were defined. Comparing the observed patterns with previously reported dispersal activity data, we argue that observations found in the literature fit well with patterns defined here, therefore, to assess the dispersal behaviour, a unified scheme can be established. Owing to this unified scheme, the seasonal dispersal activity of primary aquatic insects observed in different studies becomes highly comparable. This scheme can be a useful tool for assessing dispersal behaviour of insects across other geographic regions.     

Rhythms of reproduction,metabolism and coat growth in deer: a model for all non-domesticated seasonal ungulates?

Seasonally-breeding deer living in cool temperate environments exhibit pronounced seasonal rhythms of voluntary food intake, growth rate and fattening and the growth and development of the coat. All of these rhythms are considered to be entrained by photoperiod and melatonin, although so far this has only been demonstrated to be the case in one species, the red deer. This paper reviewed current data on seasonal rhythms in several species of deer. A comparison of two species with different breeding seasons, the red deer and the Pere David's deer, indicated that seasonal reproduction, appetite and coat growth rhythms are linked and may be controlled by a single circannual rhythm generator. All of these seasonal rhythms should be considered as adaptive for species living in cool temperate environments with marked fluctuations in food supply and climatic conditions.     

Seasonal changes in immune response and parasite impact on hosts

Seasonal changes in the impact of parasites on hosts should result in seasonal changes in immune function. Since both ectoparasites and endoparasites time their reproduction to that of their hosts, we can predict that hosts have been selected to show an annual peak in their ability to raise an immune response during the reproductive season. We found large seasonal changes in immune function between the breeding and the nonbreeding season for a sample of temperate bird species. These changes amounted to a decrease in spleen mass from the breeding to the nonbreeding season by on average 18% across 71 species and a seasonal decrease in T-cell-mediated immunity by on average 33% across 13 species. These seasonal changes in immune function differed significantly among species. The condition dependence of immune function also differed between the breeding and the nonbreeding season, with individuals in prime condition particularly having greater immune responses during breeding. Analyses of ecological factors associated with interspecific differences in seasonal change of immune function revealed that hole-nesting species had a larger increase in immune function during the breeding season than did open nesters. Since hole nesters suffer greater reduction in breeding success because of virulent parasites than do open nesters, this seasonal change in immune function is suggested to have arisen as a response to the increased virulence of parasites attacking hole-nesting birds.     

西双版纳热带季节雨林的研究

本文以多个样方的资料分析,从群落综合特征上研究了西双版纳热带季节雨林的特点和类型、物种组成、生活型谱、叶级谱等。根据上层标志树种、群落生态外貌特征和生境把西双版纳的热带季节雨林区分为低丘雨林和沟谷雨林二个群系组,各包括若干群系。低丘雨林中面积最大和最有代表性的群系是大药树、龙果林,而沟谷雨林中最有代表性的群系是番龙眼、千果榄仁林。二者相比,低丘雨林的物种多样性要小一些,附生植物相对少一些,小、矮高位芽植物和小叶、落叶树种比例稍高,在生态上向季雨林和热带山地的常绿阔叶林过渡,有更强的地方代表性。沟谷雨林则更接近典型的湿热带雨林。     

浙江温州加拿大一枝黄花入侵群落的季节性变化研究

通过设置固定样地,研究了加拿大一枝黄花在浙江温州入侵地的群落物种组成、群落结构的季节性变化。结果表明：①各群落的物种数存在较大的季节变化,1月和10月物种数较少,而4月和7月较多;②各群落的种类组成也存在较大的季节波动,大多数物种只在群落中短暂存在,株数最多的前 3个物种在空间垂直结构上呈现出一定的生态位分化;③各群落优势种在不同季节有所变化,在南堡两个样地加拿大一枝黄花在各个季节均为优势种或次优种（10月因人为干扰而例外）,说明已经处于成功入侵阶段;在杨府山的三个样地,加拿大一枝黄花的重要值有随季节变化而上升的趋势,表明处于入侵初期的定居阶段。     

Evolutionary drivers of seasonal plumage colours: colour change by moult correlates with sexual selection,predation risk and seasonality across passerines

Some birds undergo seasonal colour change by moulting twice each year, typically alternating between a cryptic, non‐breeding plumage and a conspicuous, breeding plumage (‘seasonal plumage colours’). We test for potential drivers of the evolution of seasonal plumage colours in all passerines (N = 5901 species, c. 60% of all birds). Seasonal plumage colours are uncommon, having appeared on multiple occasions but more frequently lost during evolution. The trait is more common in small, ground‐foraging species with polygynous mating systems, no paternal care and strong sexual dichromatism, suggesting it evolved under strong sexual selection and high predation risk. Seasonal plumage colours are also more common in species predicted to have seasonal breeding schedules, such as migratory birds and those living in seasonal climates. We propose that seasonal plumage colours have evolved to resolve a trade‐off between the effects of natural and sexual selection on colouration, especially in seasonal environments.     

Species composition,distribution and seasonal dynamics of Rotifera in a Rift Valley lake in Ethiopia (Lake Awasa)

The species composition of rotifers in Lake Awasa was studied and 40 species recorded. Seven species appeared in large numbers in the plankton seasonally. Brachionus and Keratella species made up more than 50% of the rotifer community by numbers during the observation period (1983–1987). The standing stock numbers of rotifer species are low with a maximum of 50 individuals L^–1, and some possible reasons for this observation are discussed. Most rotifer species are distributed randomly in the lake and show 3-fold fluctuations between consecutive days.The seasonal dynamics of most rotifer species are correlated with mixing periods in the lake, and the amplitude of seasonal fluctuation may be as high as 50-fold. Clear-cut seasonal succession of rotifer species was observed during the study period, but no consistent seasonal pattern for individual species was obvious. Also, observations indicate that rotifer biomass is partly sustained by availability of carbon through the bacterial pathway and that competitive exclusion for food by nauplii and ciliates probably keeps rotifer abundance low.     

渤海水母类生态的初步研究——种类组成、数量分布与季节变化

水母类是海洋生态系统中非常重要的一个类群。根据１９５９年以来在渤海进行的几次较为全面的调查资料,对渤海水母类的种类组成、数量分布与季节变化作了较为详细的研究。共记录到水母类４１种,其中水螅水母３５种,钵水母４种,栉水母２种。主要以近岸低盐类型为主,高盐种类少并且出现时间短。渤海水母类密度季节变化有３个高峰,出现在冬季,夏季和秋季,分别出八斑黄氏水母,酒杯水母属、和平水母属、五角水母构成。渤海水线类     

Seasonal variation in diversity and abundance of understorey birds in Bunduki Forest Reserve,Tanzania: evaluating the conservation value of a plantation forest

Plantation forests generally support lower bird diversity than natural forests. However, in some instances the plantations have been found to provide suitable habitat for a number of bird species. In the Eastern Arc Mountains, there is limited knowledge how understorey birds, some of which make seasonal altitudinal movements, use plantations. Using mist netting we assessed seasonal use of the plantation forest by the understorey bird community in Bunduki Forest Reserve in the Uluguru Mountains. Species diversity and capture rates were significantly higher during the cold season than during the hot season possibly due to seasonal altitudinal migration by some species. The use of plantations by those species that make seasonal altitudinal movements shows that plantation forests can enhance indigenous biodiversity by enabling connectivity between two or more natural forest patches. Our findings suggest that in a situation where there is no natural forest, an exotic plantation with suitable indigenous understorey cover can help in protection of birds, including endemic and near-endemic species.     

延安人工林区小型兽类群落的季节动态

利用生物量、物种数、多样性指数、均匀度指数等变量, 对延安人工林区小型兽类群落的季节性变化进行了调查。选择生物量作为小型兽类的优势度指标, 分析了小型兽类优势度的季节性变化及在不同生境的表现。共捕获小型兽类9 种, 分属2 目3 科, 优势种为达乌尔鼠兔和中华鼢鼠甘肃亚种; 小型兽类群落4 种变量的季节变化与小型兽类种群生物量的季节变化关系密切; 延安人工林区小型兽类群落优势种的季节性决定着群落生物量的季节性, 普通种和稀有种的季节性决定着物种数和多样性的季节性; 延安人工林区9 种小型兽类存在不同的时空组合; 中华鼢鼠是唯一在各季节和所有生境中分布的种类; 夏、秋季刺槐人工林区、杂草灌丛区达乌尔鼠兔优势度极高。     

西双版纳热带森林土壤种子库的季节变化

通过萌发实验法对西双版纳地区的一类热带季节雨林 (番龙眼、千果榄仁 )和 2类次生林(白背桐林、中平树林 )的土壤种子库的季节变化进行了探讨。结果表明 :该地区的土壤种子库动态具有明显的季节性。季节雨林的土壤种子库储量相对稳定 ,土壤上层 ( 0～ 2 cm )的种子储量在雨季末期较大。2类次生林土壤种子库的变化则相反 ,土壤种子库中的种子种类在旱季末期较雨季末期多 ,土壤上层的种子储量在旱季末期较大。各样地均有一些种类只出现在旱季末期或雨季末期。种子在土壤种子库的动态与植物的繁殖物候和所处的环境紧密相关 ,不同种类植物的土壤种子库由于植物本身的生物学特性、传播方式和所处环境的影响而表现出不同的动态模式     

云南哀牢山和玉龙雪山森林树种幼苗对海拔梯度的响应及其季节性差异

林下树种幼苗是森林生态系统的一个重要组成部分,在森林的自然更新过程中发挥着重要作用.为了解树种幼苗的海拔分布格局以及森林群落林下幼苗对季节性气候的响应,本研究调查了云南省哀牢山(亚热带)和玉龙雪山(亚高山)两个地区的林下树种幼苗物种组成及个体数量的海拔分布格局及其季节动态.结果表明:随着海拔的升高,两个山体的树种幼苗物种丰富度均先增加后下降,优势种也呈现明显的变化;雨季末期的幼苗物种丰富度明显大于旱季末期,其中,占据优势地位的物种具有较明显的季节性差异;不同海拔带树种幼苗优势种也具有显著差异.