Effects of urbanization on ground beetle assemblages (Coleoptera, Carabidae) of grassland habitats in western Canada

We pitfall-trapped carabid beetles across an urban-rural gradient in central Alberta, Canada to assess the relative contributions of landscape structure and habitat quality in explaining variation in composition of assemblages. The gradient ranged from the "urban" zone in the city of Edmonton, through a "suburban" zone just outside the city, into a "rural" zone 25–60 km east of the city. We trapped beetles at three replicated sites for each of two habitats (unmanaged grasslands and highly managed graveyards) in each of the three zones. Most of the 24 species (3162 individuals) captured were commonly associated with open habitats. Pterostichus melanarius , an introduced species, made up 80% of the total catch. Carabid assemblages of grasslands and graveyards were distinct, with lower species richness and lower catch rates of native, introduced and brachypterous carabids in graveyards. Graveyard assemblages also had proportionally fewer brachypterous carabid individuals (32 vs 52%) and species (20 vs 36%), suggesting that populations recruit locally from elsewhere after disturbances. Native carabids were least abundant in the urban areas. Brachypterous carabids were similarly abundant across the gradient, but more occurred in the urban zone than elsewhere (32 vs 5–10%). Samples from graveyards were characterized by lower beta diversity (variation among samples) than those from grasslands, but beta diversity was more-or-less equally variable across the gradient within habitats. The amount of unmanaged grassland habitat and the degree of urbanization significantly influence carabid assemblages, and therefore are relevant to management and conservation of urban grassland areas.     

新疆东部天山蝶类多样性及其垂直分布

2006-2008年研究了新疆东部天山蝶类多样性和垂直分布.结果表明:研究区域内共记录蝴蝶7科43属63种,占新疆已记录蝶类种数的24.80％,区系组成主要是古北种,占73％;其次是广布种,占27％,没有发现东洋种.其中蛱蝶科的物种数最多,为11属19种,蚬蝶科的物种数最少,只有1属1种.按海拔将生境分为5个垂直自然带,包括低山灌木草原带、山地森林草原带、亚高山草甸带、高山草甸带、垫状植被带.蝶类物种数和个体数排序为亚高山草甸带＞山地森林草原带＞低山灌木草原带＞高山草甸带＞垫状植被带.采用Shannon-Wiener指数和G-F指数对蝶类物种和科、属的多样性进行了分析评价,结果显示亚高山草甸带的蝶类多样性最为丰富,其次是山地森林草原带和低山灌木草原带,而高山草甸带和垫状植被带的蝶类多样性相对较低,物种和科、属多样性分析结果均一致.蝶类垂直分布明显,物种数和个体数随海拔变化的趋势类似,均为先增加后下降.蝶类区系成分随着海拔升高发生改变,广布种的比例逐渐降低,高山草甸带和垫状植被带只有古北种分布.研究结果显示,生境改变对蝴蝶群落影响明显,保护生境是保护蝴蝶生存的最主要措施.     

中国Holdridge生命地带平均中心的时空分布及其偏移趋势

在分析目前生态地理模型及其实现方法的基础上 ,提出基于 ARC/ INFO与 VC 综合集成的先插值再运行模型的全新研究方法和技术路线 ,克服了以前模型实现过程中所存在的局限性。利用中国 1 96 2～ 2 0 0 2年 735个站点逐日温度与降水量观测数据 ,通过对 Holdridge生命地带模型和生命地带平均中心模型进行模拟运算后获得中国 Holdridge生命地带类型平均中心时空分布图及 2 0世纪 6 0、70、80与 90年代平均中心偏移趋势图。从生命地带类型平均中心时空分布及其偏移趋势分析研究中发现 ,生命地带类型平均中心的时空分布及其偏移趋势与相关气候因子的变化趋势相对应 ,并能够很好地与我国土地覆被类型实际的空间分布及其变化情况相符 ;各种生命地带类型平均面积的变化规律与相应的气候因子的变化趋势 (尤其是降水量、温度 )存在着一定相关性。另外 ,通过对我国生命地带类型平均面积比例大小进行排序分析发现与我国土地覆被类型的实际情况能够很好吻合     

The vertical distribution and abundance of gastropods and bivalves from rocky beaches of Cuastecomate Bay, Jalisco, México

The vertical distribution and abundance of conspicuous gastropod and bivalve species were studied at five rocky beaches in Cuastecomate Bay, Jalisco. Sampling was done from September, 1993 through March, 1994 with 0.75 m2 quadrants placed along replicate transect lines (10 m long) in the supralittoral and mesolittoral (upper, middle and lower intertidal) zones. A total of 6,643 mollusks were collected. Gastropods dominated the samples (6,272 individuals, 44 species); the bivalves were less abundant and diverse (371 individuals, five species). Seventeen species comprised 89.8% of all individuals collected. The gastropods Nodilittorina aspera and Nerita scabricosta were the most abundant with 637.8 and 71.43 individuals/m2, respectively. The most abundant bivalves were Brachidontes adamsianus and Chloromytilus palliopunctatus with 60.7 and 61.3 individuals/m2 respectively. The abundance of gastropods decreased from the supralittoral to the lower tidal zones while the number of species increased in the same direction. The number of species of bivalves also increased from the supralittoral to the lower intertidal zone; the abundance of individuals was higher at the middle intertidal zone. Affinities between groups of species among sampling stations were identified by computing Pearson's correlation coefficient using abundance values (ind./m2) and Jaccard's dissimilarity index using species presence or absence in the lower intertidal zone. Affinity among stations was not dependent upon their vicinity but on the high dominance of few species, the occurrence of many secondary species and beach characteristics.     

Plant hybrid zones as centers of biodiversity: the herbivore community of two endemic Tasmanian eucalypts

We found the hybrid zone between Eucalyptus amygdalina and Eucalyptus risdonii to be a center of insect and fungal species richness and abundance. Of 40 taxa examined, 73% were significantly more abundant in the hybrid zone than in pure zones, 25% showed on significant differences, and 2% were most abundant on a pure host species. The average hybrid tree supported 53% more insect and fungal species, and relative abundances were, on average, 4 times greater on hybrids than on either eucalypt species growing in pure stands. Hybrids may act as refugia for rare species: 5 of 40 species were largely restricted to the hybrid zone. Also, 50% of the species coexisted only in the hybrid zone, making for mique species assemblages. Although hybrids support more species and greater abundances, all hybrids are not equal: 68% of the 40 taxa examined were significantly more abundant on one hybrid phenotype than another. While herbivore concentrations on F1 type intermediates were rare, concentrations were common on phenotypes resembling backcrosses either to E. amygdalina or E. risdonii. For specialist herbivores, the hybrid phenotype most heavily utilized appears to be determined by its phenotypic affinity to its host species. Generalists exhibit an overall greater abundance on hybrids, but are less likely to utilize one hybrid phenotype over another. Mechanistic explanations for these distributions are numerous and probably species specific, but are likely to include: increased genetic susceptibility of hybrids due to hybrid breakdown; increased stress in the hybrid zone resulting in greater plant susceptibility; and a greater diversity of resources in the hybrid zone which could support more species. Seed capsule production by hybrids and their parental species is negatively correlated with herbivory. However, it is difficult to determine whether herbivores cause this pattern as hybrids may have inherently lower sexual reproduction. Laws enacted to protect rare and endangered species do not include hybrids. We argue that a re-examination of our current hybrid policy is warranted. Plant hybrid zones are centers of plant evolution and speciation, sources of economically important plants and potential biocontrol agents, and, as our study suggests, also provide essential habitats for phytophagous communities.     

Biological invasion on an oceanic island mountain: Do alien plant species have wider ecological ranges than native species?

Abstract. Spatial distribution patterns of alien plant species were compared with those of native species on a windward slope of Mt. Haleakala (3055 m). Oceanic islands are considered susceptible to biological invasion, and this study numerically tested this circumstantial evidence with the following questions: Are all habitats equally susceptible; and, do successful invaders have wider realized niches than natives? The mountain slope consists of three distinct altitudinal bioclimatic zones (hot moist lowland, wet montane cloud, and cool arid high-altitude zones). Ordination indicated that alien species' ranges and population expansions were clustered in the lowland and high-altitude zones. The lowland zone had been subjected to natural canopy dieback, and the high-altitude zone to grazing by domestic and feral ungulates. By contrast, the montane cloud forest was relatively intact in terms of number and cover of native species. Thus, susceptibility to alien invasion clearly differed among zones, and the primary causes seemed to be the obvious disturbance factors. The mean ecological range along the altitude-rainfall gradient was significantly (P < 0.05) greater for native than for alien species in most life-form groups. The reasons for the greater number of climate generalists among the natives vs. the range-restricted aliens appear to be related to: (1) the pre-alien condition with a depauperate flora which allowed for ‘ecological release’ of successful native colonizers, and (2) the climatic pre-adaptation of alien invaders which restricts them from penetrating over a broader spectrum of climatic zones in a floristic matrix subjected to increasing interspecific competition.     

内蒙古地区不同景观植被地带蝗总科生态区系的区域性分异

为了阐明内蒙古地区不同景观植被地带蝗总科生态区系（Acridoidea ecofaunas）的生态地理学特征,本文依据长期野外考察和文献积累数据,分别对寒温型明亮针叶林带（F1）、中温型夏绿阔叶林带（F2）、森林草原带（FS）、典型草原带（TS）、荒漠草原带（DS）、暖温型草原化荒漠亚带（SD）和典型荒漠亚带（TD）等7个不同类型植被地带（或亚带）内蝗总科区系结构组成、生态生存条件（植被、气候、土壤等）及其区系形成的生态学机理进行了分析,综合比较了各植被地带（或亚带）的蝗虫物种多样性、区系地理成分的区域性分异及其与地带间不同植被的相关性。结论指出,由于多数蝗种具有以禾本科（Gramineae）和菊科（Compositae）植物为主要食料的食性特征,而典型草原带的植被群落恰以“多年生丛生禾草及根茎禾草”为建群优势层片,其形成的丰富食物资源、多样的栖息场所、充足的日光辐射和较长的生长期以及有利于产卵孵化的土壤条件等,为蝗虫提供了最为多样的时间、空间和营养生态位（niches）,故蝗虫长期受自然选择的压力,在适应协同进化的历史过程中,形成了它们在典型草原带内具有最高的物种多样性。相比之下,在具有极端生态生存条件的内蒙古东部针叶林带和西部典型荒漠亚带内,分别因其低温高湿和高温低湿的两类不同极端气候特征的生态作用,形成了蝗虫在这两个植被地带内生存分布的生态阻限,故其拥有的物种多样性水平最低,其区系结构的组成种类也截然不同。     

Effect of climate change over the past half century on the distribution,extent and NPP of ecosystems of Inner Mongolia

The response of natural vegetation to climate change is of global concern. In this research, changes in the spatial pattern of major terrestrial ecosystems from 1956 to 2006 in Inner Mongolia of China were analyzed with the Holdridge Life Zone (HLZ) model in a GIS environment, and net primary production (NPP) of natural vegetation was evaluated with the Synthetic model, to determine the effect of climate change on the ecosystem. The results showed that climate warming and drying strongly influenced ecosystems. Decreased precipitation and the subsequent increase in temperature and potential evapotranspiration caused a severe water deficiency, and hence decreased ecosystem productivity. Climate change also influenced the spatial distribution of HLZs. In particular, new HLZs began to appear, such as Warm temperate desert scrub in 1981 and Warm temperate thorn steppe in 2001. The relative area of desert (Cool temperate desert scrub, Warm temperate thorn steppe, Warm temperate desert scrub, Cool temperate desert and Warm temperate desert) increased by 50.2% over the last half century, whereas the relative area of forest (Boreal moist forest and Cool moist forest) decreased by 36.5%. Furthermore, the area of Cool temperate steppe has continuously decreased at a rate of 5.7% per decade; if the current rate of decrease continues, this HLZ could disappear in 173 years. The HLZs had a large shift range with the mean center of the relative life zones of desert shifting northeast, resulting a decrease in the steppe and forest area and an increase in the desert area. In general, a strong effect of climate change on ecosystems was indicated. Therefore, the important role of climate change must be integrated into rehabilitation strategies of ecosystem degradation of Inner Mongolia.     

根据日本中部琵琶湖深井孢粉资料重建第四纪古植被和古气候及全球古气候对比

根据日本中部琵琶湖深井钻探资料研究了过去3Ma的古植被、地层及古气候。由湖底取得的200m和1400m样品的孢粉组合可分别划分出19个和37个带,反映了湖区及其周围自晚上新世以来的古植被和古气候演变史。在冰期阶时琵琶湖附近山区的典型植被为亚北极带,低地为冷温带。而在间冰期阶里山区一般为温带或冷温带植被,低地则主要由落叶和常绿树组成的温带和暖温带的植被。在进行过去3Ma古植被、古气候演变对比中,当地古气候史和以下资料显示出明显的一致,例如加勒比海、西太平洋及赤道海洋的氧同位素资料,地中海西部(Mallorca)的沉积旋回,欧洲中部的风成沉积序列,日本关东和新几内亚的海平面变化记录,以及在南美波哥大高地和以色列死海裂谷根据孢粉得出的古气候变化记录。     

山西庞泉沟自然保护区步甲物种组成及多样性格局

利用巴氏罐诱法,对山西庞泉沟国家自然保护区的不同功能区——核心区（绿色长廊）、缓冲区（八道沟）、远离农田实验区（神尾沟）及靠近农田实验区（八水沟）——林地地表甲虫步甲物种多样性进行了调查和比较,目的在于探明该保护区有代表性林地步甲物种的组成及受不同程度人为干扰下的多样性格局。结果表明：（1）本研究共捕获步甲物种42种,38种是该保护区的新记录种类,其中粗皱步甲Carabus crassesculptus和沟步甲C. canaliculatus 为优势种,与尖角通缘步甲Pterostichus eschscholtzii,强足通缘步甲P. fortipes,罕丽步甲C. manifestus和长叶步甲C. vladimirskyi一起构成研究地的常见种。（2）不同功能区物种组成和数量分布各不相同,多样性各项指标均是靠近农田的实验区最高,核心区最低。（3）各功能区具有特有的指示性种类,其中黄条春步甲Notiophilus reitteri为核心区指示种; 凹唇春步甲N. impressifrons 为缓冲区指示种; 粒步甲C．granulatus,刻翅步甲C．sculptipennis 和中华通缘步甲P．chinensis为实验区指示种。（4）群落相似性分析表明缓冲区与核心区及远离农田实验区之间具有较高的相似性,靠近农田实验区与其他3个地点相似性较低。结果提示适度干扰可提高物种丰富度,但降低人为干扰（如旅游和交通压力）有利于步甲多样性的保护。     

Experiments on epibenthic predation in the Wadden Sea

Field experiments were designed to evaluate the role of predators in the Wadden Sea, small predators like shore crabs, shrimps and gobies, and large ones like flatfish and birds. Exclosures, maintained in aCorophium volutator bed, an eelgrass bed, in a sandy and a muddy flat, protected the infauna from such epibenthic predation. The resulting changes in the macrofauna were recorded and compared with an unaffected control area. In sandy and muddy flats of the lower intertidal zone, cages (mesh size5 mm) altered abundance and composition of the infauna almost entirely. Nearly all species achieved higher population densities than in the control area, and in addition, the number of species increased as well. In the the scarcely populated mud flat a dense suspension-feeder assemblage emerged, associated with numerous tube-building polychaetes. The sand flat, normally dominated by deposit feeders, also became occupied by a dense suspension-feeder assemblage, mainly cockles. In contrast, narrowly meshed cages had only little effect in the beds of eelgrass and ofCorophium volutator. Both are positioned in the upper intertidal zone. Although a number of species still responded with significant increases in abundance, many remained indifferent or even tended to be less abundant within cages. Cages provided with a 20-mm mesh nylon net, excluding only birds, flatfish and the biggest crabs, increased significantly the survival of large-sized infaunal members. This was only apparent in the upper intertidal zone. It was concluded, that small sized epibenthic predators are the major determinants of the dynamic species abundance pattern of the lower intertidal flats. In the eelgrass bed, the meshwork of rootlets constitutes an important spatial refuge from these predators. The complex habitat structure causes a diversified faunal assemblage. TheCorophium bed in the uppermost intertidal zone is less accessable to predators like crabs, shrimp and gobies. The monotonous appearance of this faunal assemblage is assumed to be the outcome of competitive exclusion and of occasional harsh physical conditions.     

Low intraspecific variation for genomic isolation between hybridizing sunflower species

Barriers to gene flow between species result from selection against foreign linkage blocks in hybrids. When the geographic ranges of taxa meet at multiple locations, the opportunity exists for variation in the genetic architecture of isolating barriers. Hybrid zones between two sunflower species (Helianthus annuus and H. petiolaris) in Nebraska and California exhibited remarkably similar patterns of introgression of mapped molecular markers. Congruence among hybrid zones may result from limited intraspecific variation at loci contributing to isolation and from similar selective effects of alleles in the heterospecific genetic background. The observed consistency of introgression patterns across distantly separated hybrid zones suggests that intrinsic forces predominate in determining hybrid zone dynamics and boundaries between these sunflower species.     

Novel spirochetes in the crystalline style of fresh water gastropods

Freshwater gastropods of the families Amnicolidae, Bithyniidae, Baicaliidae, and Benedictiidae are shown for the first time to harbor spirochetes associated with the crystalline style in the intestinal tract. The examined gastropod species are omnivorous, phyto-detritophagous grazers or filter-feeders. Their habitats are various water bodies and biotopes, including deep water hydrothermal vents and gas hydrate zones in Lake Baikal.     

A new distribution range of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ateles chamek</Emphasis> (Humboldt 1812) in an ecotone of three biomes in the Paraguay River Basin

Historical records of Ateles chamek (black-faced black spider monkey) suggest that the species range extends further south of the known species distribution, within an ecotonal region between the Amazonia, Cerrado and Pantanal biomes in Brazil. Ecotones are zones of habitat transition with high species richness that remain undersampled as conservationists often prioritize biodiversity hotspots. Thus, distribution ranges may be inaccurately measured when species occur in ecotonal zones. We report the first precise records of A. chamek in 24 new localities surveyed in the ecotonal zone of the Upper Paraguay River Basin, and we present subgroup encounter rates in the 11 largest patches (>70 ha) along 207 km of the line transects surveyed. The new records represent an expansion of the distribution of A. chamek approximately 200 km to the south, increasing the known extent of its occurrence by 10.8%. Local tributaries may not be barriers for spider monkeys, which are able to swim and cross slow-moving rivers. However, the dry forests of the Cerrado and the flooded areas of the Pantanal, formed by grassland and scarce trees, may be habitat barriers for A. chamek. The populations living in this ecotonal zone are relatively abundant (1.1–6.67 subgroup sightings/10 km) compared to the heavily hunted continuous forests of northern Amazonia. Furthermore, these values are similar to those for other Ateles spp. inhabiting forests with low or no hunting pressure. We highlight the need for specific conservation action to protect the spider monkeys living in these landscapes, which are threatened by agriculture expansion.     

Phylogeny of Vestimentifera (Siboglinidae, Annelida) inferred from morphology

Vestimentifera, formerly considered a phylum, are here included in the annelid clade Siboglinidae which also encompasses Frenulata and Sclerolinum . All Siboglinidae inhabit reducing habitats, mostly in the deep sea. Vestimentifera are known from hydrothermal vents and cold seeps. Cladistic analyses of vestimentiferan relationships are performed on three levels: (1) among the vestimentiferan species, (2) among the reconstructed ancestral vestimentiferan and other siboglinids and (3) on the level of the families included in the annelidan clade Sabellida. The monophyly of vestimentiferans is confirmed in all analyses. A group of exclusively vent-inhabiting species forms a derived monophyletic clade. The sister group to the vent clade is the Escarpia complex. Lamellibrachia appears to be paraphyletic. Except for the paraphyly of Lamellibrachia , the reconstructed pattern agrees with the molecular phylogeny based on cytochrome c oxidase subunit I. Ancient ridge systems can be invoked to explain modern day geographical distributions. The Pacific Kula Ridge that spanned the Pacific in an east–west direction during the Early Tertiary, may have been a pathway for the ancestor of the vent clade to reach the eastern Pacific. The biogeography is consistent with the recent divergence of Vestimentifera as inferred from molecular data. The reconstructed phylogeny of the Siboglinidae supports the monophyly of the Frenulata and within those, the Thecanephria and Athecanephria. In contrast to molecular and other morphological analyses, Sclerolinum appears as the sister group to the Frenulata. The family level analysis supports the sister group relationship of the Siboglinidae to a clade formed by Sabellariidae, Sabellidae and Serpulidae. Hypothesized homologies of the vestimentiferan obturaculum and vestimentum to structures in related taxa need further investigation.     

Weak asymmetric interspecific aggression and divergent habitat preferences at an elevational contact zone between tropical songbirds

Closely related tropical bird species often occupy mutually exclusive elevational ranges, but the mechanisms generating and maintaining this pattern remain poorly understood. One hypothesis is that replacement species are segregated by interference competition (e.g. territorial aggression), but the extent to which competition combines with other key factors such as specialization to distinct habitats remains little studied. Using vegetation surveys and reciprocal playback experiments, we explored the dynamics of interspecific aggression between two Nightingale-Thrushes Catharus sp. in Central America. We show that lower-elevation Black-headed Nightingale-Thrushes Catharus mexicanus are aggressive towards higher-elevation Ruddy-capped Nightingale-Thrushes Catharus frantzii where they meet at contact zones. However, interspecific aggressive responses were weak and unidirectional, and the two species were associated with different habitats. We conclude that the contact zone is maintained and located primarily by habitat selection, and is probably reinforced by interspecific aggression. This has important implications for understanding how montane species will respond to climate change because the pace and extent of range shifts will not depend solely on habitat shifts or interspecific competition, but instead on interactions between these two factors.     

Responses of ant communities to dry sulfur deposition from mining emissions in semi‐arid tropical Australia,with implications for the use of functional groups

Abstract The impact of dry deposition of SO₂ emissions on ant abundance, diversity and composition was investigated at Mount Isa in the semiarid tropics of northern Australia. Forty plots were sampled, stratified at two levels: sulfur deposition zones (high, medium, low, and two control zones) and habitat (Ridge and Plain). The two habitats supported distinctly different ant communities. Ants had clear responses to SO₂ emissions. Ant abundance was lowest in the high and medium sulfur zones in both habitats. Species richness in high SO² plots (up to 5 km from the source) was approximately half that of control plots in Ridge habitat, and was substantially less than controls in the Plain habitat. Ant community composition in the high sulfur zone was clearly separated from those of other zones in ordinations. Vector fitting showed soil SO₄ concentration as a primary correlative factor in this separation. Ant abundance and richness were both negatively correlated with soil SO₄ concentration, and positively correlated with plant species richness and distance away from the smelters. The abundance of 10 of the 21 most common species showed significant responses to emissions. Five species showed positive responses, and all belong to species‐groups known to be abundant at disturbed sites throughout northern Australia. Relative abundance and richness of Eyrean (arid adapted) taxa collectively responded positively to sulfur, and Torresian (tropical) and Widespread species responded negatively. Despite large changes in species composition and abundances, there was relatively little change in the abundance of functional groups that have been widely used in studies of Australian ant communities. Ants are sensitive to SO₂ emissions and appear to be good candidates as an indicator group in this context. However, an alternative functional group framework is required for the identification of recurrent responses of arid zone ant communities to disturbance.     

Climate and vegetation in China IV. Distribution of tree species along the thermal gradient

The aim of this study was to examine correlations between vegetational zones and thermal climate on the basis of analysis of the thermal distribution of main-component trees in each zone. The whole and main thermal distribution ranges for 73 tree species were obtained from their distributions along the warmth index (WI) gradicnt. Cluster analysis using the WI values at the upper and lower limits of the main distribution ranges as parameters gave seven species groups. The geographical distributions of the species in each group were described. Moreover, the frequency distribution curves of the seven species groups were determined along the WI grandient, and four borderlines (lines I, II, III and IV) were found among them. The WI values at the lines I, II and IV were 50, 90, 175°C month, respectively, and corresponded to boundaries between the subarctic and cool-temperate zones (I), the cool-and warm-temperate zones (II) and the warmtemperated and subtropical/tropical zones (IV), respectively. Line III corresponded to a WI of 135°C month. The WI values at the forest limit and at the lower limit of the subarctic forest were estimated, and their averages were 15.2 and 49.6°C month, respectively. In conclusion, thermal climatic zones in China could be divided by the following WI values: alpine (arctic) zone, WI<15; subarctic zone, 15–50; cool-temperate zone, 50–90; warm-temperate zone, 90–175; subtropical/tropical zone >175°C month.     

Ranging Behavior of Two Species of Guenons (Cercopithecus lhoesti and C. mitis doggetti) in the Nyungwe Forest Reserve,Rwanda

I studied the ranging behavior of one group of L'Hoest's monkeys (Cercopithecus lhoesti) and one group of blue monkeys (C. mitis doggetti) in the Nyungwe Forest Reserve, Rwanda. This study is the first to examine the ranging behavior of the more terrestrial L'Hoest's monkeys. Fruits composed 47% of blue monkey diet and 24% of the L'Hoest's monkey diet; terrestrial herbaceous vegetation composed 35% of the diet of the latter. While overall abundance of fruit resources in the home range and overall proportion of fruit in the diet were not related to ranging behavior in either group, temporal and spatial availability of specific fruit species was related. Measures of ranging behavior indicated a more concentrated ranging pattern when fruit resources were scarce and dietary diversity increased and when fruit resources were abundant and the groups focused on a few abundant fruit species. Current hypotheses concerning primate ranging behavior suggest that frugivorous species are expected to have greater day ranges and larger home ranges than folivorous species, and invertebrate consumption is expected to produce a more wide-ranging pattern. However, the L'Hoest's monkey group, which was more folivorous and consumed fewer invertebrates, traveled greater daily distances, had a more diverse and longer ranging pattern, and had larger home range areas than the blue monkey group in every month of the study. Both species were highly selective of forest habitats; L'Hoest's monkeys used secondary forest, while blue monkeys preferred primary forest.     

Spatial and temporal patterns of abundance of coral reef gobies (Teleostei: Gobiidae)

This study investigated the spatial and temporal patterns of abundance of four substratum-associated species of Gobiidae on a heterogeneous reef flat comprised of four distinct habitat zones, and examined microhabitat use within each zone. Asterropteryx semipunctatus had the widest distribution and was the most abundant species in each habitat zone, followed by Amblygobius bynoensis , Valenciennea muralis and Amblygobius phalaena . Significant temporal and spatial differences in mean density were evident. The highest density of A. semipunctatus (312 individuals 10 m^–2) was recorded in a habitat zone dominated by algal-covered rubble, whereas A. bynoensis and V. muralis were most abundant (mean summer density 5·5–5·8 individuals 10 m^–2) in habitats containing both sand and hard substrata. In contrast, A. phalaena was uncommon (mean density ≤ 0·4 individuals 10 m^–2) in all four habitat zones. Significant seasonal differences in abundance were due to the large influx of recruits in summer. Ontogenetic shifts in habitat use were not evident at either the macrohabitat ( i.e. among habitat zones) or microhabitat scale ( i.e. substratum use within zones). At the microhabitat scale, V. muralis consistently exhibited a strong positive association with sand and was rarely associated with hard substrata. In contrast, the two Amblygobius species were commonly associated with both sand and hard substrata, but patterns of microhabitat use differed among habitat zones. Substratum composition at the microhabitat scale may influence spatial patterns of abundance at larger spatial scales by providing essential resources and, or influencing carrying capacity and predation risk.