Description of diatoms from the Southwest to West Greenland coastal and open marine waters

Detailed studies on sub-Arctic and Arctic marine diatom assemblages contribute to the understanding of spatial distribution patterns and their physical drivers. In this study, diatom species were analyzed from water samples collected with a Niskin bottle rosette combined with a CTD along the West Greenland coast (63°58′N–71°08′N and 50°49′W–59°06′W) during summer 2007. Diatom community was represented mainly by three genera Thalassiosira, Fragilariopsis, and Chaetoceros and linked to observed hydrographic and environmental conditions. Thalassiosira spp. were common in coastal waters (particularly Godthåbsfjord) and linked to increased surface water temperature, typical of summer water stratification in West Greenland. Fragilariopsis spp., along with other dominant species associated with higher geographic latitudes, dominated in Arctic fjords (Uummannaq Fjord-Qaumarujuk Fjord). These species generally characterized coastal waters influenced by melting sea ice and/or glacial ice. Chaetoceros spp. were linked to more saline open marine waters, particularly in the Davis Strait south of 70°N, probably corresponding to weaker water stratification and the influence of the West Greenland Current. The present paper provides new knowledge on diatom assemblages along a south–north climate gradient in West Greenland, which is necessary in order to understand how observed ocean-climate changes influence Arctic marine ecosystems. This study provides a reference for palaeoenvironmental reconstructions using diatom microfossils deposited in the West Greenland marine sediments.     

Springtails (Collembola) in the Subpolar Landscapes of the Northern Hemisphere

An overview of previously published and new information on the collembolan fauna and assemblage structure in the polar desert zone is presented. So far, 71 springtail species from 37 genera and 11 families have been reliably recorded within the zone. Eleven species are added to the previously known fauna of Franz Josef Land, and the very north of Novaya Zemlya has been surveyed for the first time. Even the much better known fauna of Bolshevik Island, Severnaya Zemlya is enriched by 3 species. The known species richness of springtails of Ellef Ringnes Island, Canadian Arctic Archipelago, is also increased from 8 to 13 species. Most genera except Folsomia and Hypogastrura include only 1, more rarely 2 species in each study region of the polar desert zone. Species with circumpolar distribution patterns comprise more than 60% of the total list, but only 10 species are common to all the three provinces; this obviously indicates a certain regional specificity. Besides, the faunas of different provinces (and regions within a province) vary markedly in the proportion of species with more southern distribution patterns. Nevertheless, the collembolan assemblages in all the three provinces of the polar desert zone are rather similar at the structural level, this being a direct consequence of the general depletion of the complexes against the background of high total abundance and less pronounced habitat specificity of the common species.     

Fungal hyphal length in litter ofDryas octopetala in a high-Arctic polar semi-desert,Svalbard

Mean fungal hyphal length was estimated in the surface horizons of a lithosol underDryas octopetala in a polar semi-desert ecosystem at Ny-Ålesund, Svalbard (78°56′N, 11°50′E). This site is the most northerly from which such values have been collected and provides the only record from polar semi-desert sites in the Eurasian high Arctic. Although mean (± SE) fungal hyphal length was the lowest recorded in surface horizons of northern tundra (23±1 mg^?1), it was of the same order as results from a Canadian high-Arctic soil and Antarctic soils of high pH and low moisture and organic matter content, with little vegetation cover.     

Catching of Greenland halibut <Emphasis Type="Italic">Reinhardtius hippoglossoides</Emphasis> (Pleuronectidae) on the shelf edge of the Laptev and East Siberian Seas

The first capture of the Greenland (or Black) halibut Reinhardtius hippoglossoides in the Arctic Ocean on the border with the East Siberian Sea (79°03′–79°08′ N 139°59′–141°16′ E, 259–277 m) and the repeated findings of the species in the Laptev Sea (78°03′–78°04′ N 132°56′–133°04′ E, 307 m; 78°33′–78°35′ N 138°44′–138°48′ E, 125 m) are reported. Fish (79 specimens with the length of 15.0–44.5 cm) were caught during four bottom trawlings on the edge of the continental shelf of the two seas in the transformed waters of Atlantic origin, as evidenced by the discovery of the indicator species of these waters—the Glacier lanternfish Benthosema glaciale (Myctophidae)—in one of the stomachs of halibut. The other captures of Greenland halibut in the Arctic were also reviewed.     

New data on osteostracans (Agnatha) from the Lower Devonian of the Severnaya Zemlya Archipelago

The osteostracans Reticulaspis menneri gen. et sp. nov. and Nucleaspis unica gen. et sp. nov. from the Lower Devonian Severnaya Zemlya Formation of October Revolution Island of the Severnaya Zemlya Archipelago are described. The perfect preservation of the exoskeleton structure of Reticulaspis menneri allows the design and growth mode of the exoskeleton, with a continuous reticular dental surface of the cephalothoracic shield to be characterized. Nucleaspis unica is represented by a juvenile stage, which is extremely scarce in this vertebrate group. The preoccupied generic name Ungulaspis Afanassieva et Karatajūt?-Talimaa, 1998 is replaced by Paraungulaspis.     

Geographic variation in photoperiodic diapause induction and diapause intensity in Sericinus montelus (Lepidoptera: Papilionidae)

Abstract Due to the risk of extinction and ornamental value of the swallowtail butterfly, Sericinus montelus Gray (Lepidoptera: Papilionidae) in China, knowledge about local adaptations is important for the conservation and economical utilization of the species. In the present study, photoperiodic diapause induction and diapause intensity of S. montelus populations from Jiamusi (46°37′N), Beijing (40°15′N), Zibo (36°48′N), Fangxian (32°36′N), Wuhan (30°33′N) and Huaihua (27°33′N) were characterized at 25°C. Logistic regression analysis revealed a significant population × hours of light interaction, confirming that photoperiodic responses varied among populations. The critical photoperiod was positively correlated with latitude and increased toward the north at a rate of about 1 h for each 6.67 degrees of latitude. Survival analyses indicated that survival time of diapausing pupae before adult eclosion differed significantly among populations at 25°C and 16 : 8 L : D h. The mean duration of pupal diapause was also positively correlated with latitude. Our study reveals geographic variation in the critical photoperiod for diapause induction and in diapause intensity of S. montelus. These results provide useful information for our general understanding about seasonal adaptation in insects and may also be used to predict how geographic populations respond to climate warming.     

Specific features of distribution and size indices of four poorly studied species of sculpins (Cottidae) in the Okhotsk Sea Waters off Kamchatka

Evidence on occurrence in catches and characteristic of the spatial-bathymetric distribution and size indices of four species of Cottidae—frog sculpin Myoxocephalus stelleri, brightbelly sculpin Microcottus sellaris, antlered sculpin Enophrys diceraus, and furseal sculpin Stelgistrum stejnegeri—in summer-autumn months in the Okhotsk Sea waters off Kamchatka (site from 51°15′ to 57°20′ N, depths of 11–100 m) are provided. The first three species occur mainly in the northern part of the shelf above 54° N at depths smaller than 30–40 m within a comparatively well warmed surface water mass of seasonal modification at near-bottom temperature values above 6°C at various solid grounds. Maximum catches of S. stejnegeri were recorded only at a site of the western Kamchatka shelf from 54°00′ to 54°20′ N on pebbly-stony ground in a narrow bathy-metric range of 41–60 m on the boundary between the well warmed surface water mass of autumn modification and the cold intermediate water mass at a water temperature below 2°C. Evidence on the size-weight indices of the studied species of Cottidae in trawl catches in the Okhotsk Sea waters off Kamchatka in the study period is provided.     

The Palaeobiogeography Of Silurian Ramphoprionid Polychaete Annelids

Silurian palaeobiogeography of the Ramphoprionidae (Annelida; Polychaeta) is outlined. Members of the family are reported from northern Europe (Estonia, Sweden and England), the Russian Arctic (Severnaya Zemlya), and the Canadian Arctic (Baillie–Hamilton Island). These areas were located fairly close to the palaeoequator during the Silurian and a faunal exchange is indicated by the broad, intercontinental distribution of the family. A few taxa may, however, have been endemic. Ramphoprionids had long stratigraphical ranges and were generally fairly rare during the Silurian, infrequently exceeding ten per cent of the jawed polychaete faunas.     

The first capture of the flying fish Cypselurus hiraii Abe, 1953 (Beloniformes: Exocoetidae) in waters of northern Primorye (Sea of Japan)

The first capture of the flying fish Cypselurus hiraii Abe, 1953 in waters of northern Primorye (Serebryanka Bay, 45°02′ N, 136°39′ E) is recorded, demonstrating the penetration of this warmth-loving species beyond its main range. The morphological features and coloration of a young specimen of 103 mm in TL are described.     

Distribution patterns of pelagic euphausiids in the East China Sea

Distribution patterns and abundance of the euphausiids were examined in the East China Sea (23°30′ –33°00′N, 118°30′ –128°00′ E) in relation to temperature and salinity. The data were collected in 4 surveys from 1997 to 2000. The density or yield density model was used to predict optimum temperature and salinity of water for euphausiid distribution, and thereafter distribution patterns of euphausiids were determined based on the predicted parameters. Of 23 species, Euphausia pacifica, E. nana, Pseudeuphausia sinica and P. latifrons were numerically dominant. The analyses indicate that Euphausia pacifica is an offshore temperate water species, E. nana is an offshore temperate warm water species, P. sinica is a coastal subtropical water species and P. latifrons is an oceanic tropical water species. The 4 species occupied 4 different water masses, respectively, namely, cold water mass, cold and warm water mixed masses in winter and spring, cold and warm water mixed masses in summer and autumn, and warm water mass, which could be the good designators of individual water masses, respectively. The predicated optimal temperatures for E. tenera, S. carinatum, E. diomedeae, Stylocheiron affine, Nematoscelis sp., N. gracilis, N. atlantica, Stylocheiron sp. and S. suhmii are all > 25°. These species are mainly distributed in southern Kuroshio in winter and spring, Kuroshio, the Taiwan Warm Current and Tsushima Current in summer and autumn, the equatorial waters of Pacific Ocean and the eastern waters of the Taiwan Strait. They are called as oceanic tropical water species. Nematoscelis tenella and T. tricuspidata are referred to as offshore subtropical water species according to their geographic distributions even if they are halobionts. Euphausia sanzoi is considered as a typical offshore subtropical water species, which inhabited waters below 25°. Stylocheiron microphthalma, occupying warm current waters where temperature and salinity are nearly 25° and 34 in summer and autumn, belongs to oceanic tropical water species. In the same way, E. similes, E. mutica, Euphausia sp., E. brevis and E. recurva are classified into offshore subtropical water species in accordance with the optimum temperature and salinity of waters as well as locations and seasons of their occurrence. Optimum temperature, rather than salinity, is a better parameter in determining the distribution patterns of euphausiids.     

The effect on mosses of transplantation to different latitudes

Abstract

Using net assimilation rate as a measure of physiological activity, reciprocal transplants of Hylocomium splendens, Pleurozium schreberi and Racomitrium lanuginosum between Yläne (60°55′N) and Kevo (69°45′N) and between Kevo and Spitzbergen (78°13′N) were used to investigate adaptation to latitude. It was found that physiological stress increased northwards and that adaptation to different latitudes was largely due to acclimation. The importance of day length and temperature to mosses in extreme latitudes is discussed.     

Distribution and abundance of euphausiids and pelagic amphipods in Kongsfjorden,Isfjorden and Rijpfjorden (Svalbard) and changes in their relative importance as key prey in a warming marine ecosystem

Euphausiid (krill) and amphipod dynamics were studied during 2006–2011 by use of plankton nets in Kongsfjorden (79°N) and adjacent waters, also including limited sampling in Isfjorden (78°N) and Rijpfjorden (80°N). The objectives of the study were to assess how variations in physical characteristics across fjord systems affect the distribution and abundance of euphausiids and amphipods and the potential for these macrozooplankton species to reproduce in these waters. The abundances of euphausiids and amphipods were higher in Kongsfjorden than in Rijpfjorden and Isfjorden, and the highest abundances were observed at the innermost stations of Kongsfjorden, where Thysanoessa inermis and Themisto libellula dominated. The Atlantic species Thysanoessa longicaudata, Meganyctiphanes norvegica and Themisto abyssorum dominated at the outside Kongsfjorden. Inter-annual and seasonal variability in abundances of euphausiids and amphipods were evident. The presence of ripe euphausiids outside Kongsfjorden indicates that they may reproduce in these areas. Mature individuals of T. abyssorum were recorded mainly outside Kongsfjorden, whereas no mature or ripe T. libellula were present in both the inner and outer parts of this fjord. If the warming trend persists, as seen during the last decade, this would favour the Atlantic/boreal euphausiid species, while Arctic species, such as the amphipod T. libellula, may decline. Euphausiids and amphipods are major food of capelin (Mallotus villosus) and polar cod (Boreogadus saida), respectively, in this region, and changes in prey abundance will likely have an impact on the feeding dynamics of these important fish species.     

Beetles (Coleoptera) in polar deserts of the Severnaya Zemlya Archipelago

In the course of five expeditions to the Severnaya Zemlya Archipelago, four beetle species were found: Micralymma brevilingue (Staphylinidae), Chrysolina subsulcata, Ch. septentrionalis (Chrysomelidae), and Dienerella filum (Latridiidae). The zonal plant communities do not contain beetles at all. All the species found prefer intrazonal habitats, where the snowless season is prolonged. Only M. brevilingue is common enough in various biotopes of the archipelago. All the beetle species found are wingless, rather small, polytopic and have vast distribution areas (D. filum is a cosmopolitan polyzonal species, and the others are semi-circumpolar arctic forms). Obviously, M. brevilingue should be considered as the most cold-tolerant beetle species of the Northern Hemisphere. This is the first report on the coleopteran fauna in the polar desert zone.     

The first data on the biology and distribution of the Japanese fringed sculpin <Emphasis Type="Italic">Porocottus japonicus</Emphasis> Schmidt, 1935 (Scorpaeniformes: Cottidae) in the northwestern Sea of Japan

The Japanese fringed sculpin Porocottus japonicus Schmidt has been found in the Rynda (44°48′03″ N, 136°23′24″ E) and Vladimira (43°52′36″ N, 135°29′30″ E) (Sea of Japan, Primorskii krai) bays for the first time. This species was formerly known only from the northern Tatar Strait and Aniva Bay. In Primorskii krai, P. japonicus inhabits macrophyte beds in shallow sublittoral waters. It reaches a length of 112 mm during its lifespan of approximately 4 years. Spawning occurs in the winter. The species preys predominantly on polychaetes (82.3% of the food weight).     

DNA damage and photosynthesis in Antarctic and Arctic Sanionia uncinata (Hedw.) Loeske under ambient and enhanced levels of UV-B radiation

The response of the bipolar moss Sanionia uncinata (Hedw.) Loeske to ambient and enhanced UV‐B radiation was investigated at an Antarctic (Léonie Island, 67°35′ S, 68°20′ W) and an Arctic (Ny‐Alesund, 78°55′ N, 11°56′ E) site, which differed in ambient UV‐B radiation (UV‐BR: 280–320 nm) levels. The UV‐BR effects on DNA damage and photosynthesis were investigated in two types of outdoor experiments. First of all, sections of turf of S. uncinata were collected in an Arctic and Antarctic field site and exposed outdoors to ambient and enhanced UV‐BR for 2 d using UV‐B Mini‐lamps. During these experiments, chlorophyll a fluorescence, chlorophyll concentration and cyclobutyl pyrimidine dimer (CPD) formation were measured. Secondly, at the Antarctic site, a long‐term filter experiment was conducted to study the effect of ambient UV‐BR on growth and biomass production. Additionally, sections of moss turf collected at both the Antarctic and the Arctic site were exposed to UV‐BR in a growth chamber to study induction and repair of CPDs under controlled conditions. At the Antarctic site, a summer midday maximum of 2·1 W m^?2 of UV‐BR did not significantly affect effective quantum yield (ΔF/F_m′) and the ratio of variable to maximal fluorescence (F_v/F_m). The same was found for samples of S. uncinata exposed at the Arctic site, where summer midday maxima of UV‐BR were about 50% lower than at the Antarctic site. Exposure to natural UV‐BR in summer did not increase CPD values significantly at both sites. Although the photosynthetic activity remained largely unaffected by UV‐B enhancement, DNA damage clearly increased as a result of UV‐B enhancement at both sites. However, DNA damage induced during the day by UV‐B enhancement was repaired overnight at both sites. Results from the long‐term filter experiment at the Antarctic site indicated that branching of S. uncinata was reduced by reduction of ambient summer levels of UV‐BR, whereas biomass production was not affected. Exposure of specimens collected from both sites to UV‐BR in a growth chamber indicated that Antarctic and Arctic S. uncinata did not differ in UV‐BR‐induced DNA damage. It was concluded that S. uncinata from both the Antarctic and the Arctic site is well adapted to ambient levels of UV‐BR.     

Specific features of distribution and some features of biology of Korean flounder <Emphasis Type="Italic">Glyptocephalus stelleri</Emphasis> (Pleuronectidae) in waters off Kamchatka in the Sea of Okhotsk

According to materials of 1997–2002, the characteristic of the spatial-bathymetric distribution, size and age composition, size and sex structure, and feeding of the Korean flounder Glyptocephalus stelleri in the summer period in waters off Kamchatka in the Sea of Okhotsk (the site from 51°15′ to 57°20′ N, depths of 10–300 m) is given. It is shown that throughout the observation period, maximum catches of this flatfish were constantly observed at two sites of the western Kamchatka shelf (51°20′–53°00′ N and 55°00′–56°00′ N) in the zone exposed to the effect of anticyclonic gyres in the range of depths 101–200 m at the near-bottom temperature below 2°C. Unlike other habitat areas, off the coast of western Kamchatka, G. stelleri in the summer time is quite frequently found at negative temperature values, which is obviously determined by the specifics of thermal conditions of the eastern part of the Sea of Okhotsk. It was established that, in this species of flatfish, sex dimorphism is distinctly pronounced in sizes—males are considerably smaller than females whose relative number among individuals with a length larger than 50 cm reaches 100%. The main items of feeding of G. stelleri at the western Kamchatka shelf in the summer period are oligochaetes.     

Arctic rhodolith beds and their environmental controls (Spitsbergen, Norway)

Coralline algae (Corallinales, Rhodophyta) that form rhodoliths are important ecosystem engineers and carbonate producers in many polar coastal habitats. This study deals with rhodolith communities from Floskjeret (78°18′N), Krossfjorden (79°08′N), and Mosselbukta (79°53′N), off Spitsbergen Island, Svalbard Archipelago, Norway. Strong seasonal variations in temperature, salinity, light regime, sea-ice coverage, and turbidity characterize these localities. The coralline algal flora consists of Lithothamnion glaciale and Phymatolithon tenue. Well-developed rhodoliths were recorded between 27 and 47 m water depth, while coralline algal encrustations on lithoclastic cobbles were detected down to 77 m water depth. At all sites, ambient waters were saturated with respect to both aragonite and calcite, and the rhodolith beds were located predominately at dysphotic water depths. The rhodolith-associated macrobenthic fauna included grazing organisms such as chitons and echinoids. With decreasing water depth, the rhodolith pavements were regularly overgrown by non-calcareous Polysiphonia-like red algae. The corallines are thriving and are highly specialized in their adaptations to the physical environment as well as in their interaction with the associated benthic fauna, which is similar to other polar rhodolith communities. The marine environment of Spitsbergen is already affected by a climate-driven ecological regime shift and will lead to an increased borealization in the near future, with presently unpredictable consequences for coralline red algal communities.     

Forest situation analysis and future forecasting of famous Upper Tanawal forests ecosystems on western banks of lesser Himalaya

The current work was carried out in Upper Tanawal which lies in the mid of Western part of lesser Himalaya. The area lies between 34°0.34.40′ N to 34°0.48.88′ N latitude and 72°0.84.27′ E to 73°0.10.50′ E longitude. Upper Tanawal is rich in biodiversity. No work regarding forest and forest situation is done previously in this area. (Farooq, et al., 2017). The area was once housing notable and thick forest strands famous for their habitat uniqueness to harbor number of pheasant and other wildlife species. Due to security reasons and worse situation of law and order compromising government writ the area remained scientifically as well departmentally neglected resulting rapid and vigorous ruthless deforestation. The area was extensively visited and sampled using Quadrate method for phytosociological data collection. Phytosociological attributes like density, cover, and frequency were also Calculated and recorded for all tree species of the area in each quadrat. Altitude, slope angle, atmospheric humidity and temperature were also considered as environmental variables for each sampling site. Results reflect that Upper Tanawal hosts 52 different tree species of 39 genera belonging to 25 tree families.The important forests of Upper Tanawal are under high anthropogenic and environmental disturbances. Some of them may easily be managed because of the presence of large number of seedling; however, some areas need serious attention. It was observed that Pinus roxburghii and Pinus wallichiana are the potential tree species for reforestation and afforestation in the area. This study will be the baseline for new researchers in the study area.     

Temperature-dependent growth and behavior of juvenile Arctic cod (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Boreogadus saida</Emphasis>) and co-occurring North Pacific gadids

The thermal sensitivity of Arctic fish species is poorly understood, yet such data are a critical component of forecasting and understanding ecosystem impacts of climate change. In this study, we experimentally measured temperature-dependent growth and routine swim activity in the juvenile stage of two Arctic gadids (Arctic cod, Boreogadus saida and saffron cod, Eleginus gracilis) and two North Pacific gadids (walleye pollock, Gadus chalcogrammus and Pacific cod, Gadus macrocephalus) over a 6-week growth period across five temperatures (0, 5, 9, 16 and 20 °C). Arctic cod demonstrated a cold-water, stenothermic response in that there was relatively high growth at 0 °C (0.73 % day^?1), near-maximal growth at 5 °C (1.35 % day^?1) and negative impacts on activity, growth and survival at 16 °C. In contrast, saffron cod demonstrated a warmer-water, eurythermic response, and temperature had a positive effect on growth and condition beyond 16 °C. However, despite these distinct thermal responses, walleye pollock and Pacific cod grew 2–3 times faster than Arctic gadids across a relatively broad temperature range above 5 °C. These results, coupled with possible northward expansion by both Pacific cod and walleye pollock, suggest Arctic cod are highly vulnerable to continued climate change in the Arctic, especially in coastal areas of the Beaufort and Chukchi Seas where temperatures already exceed 14 °C in the summer growth period.