Patterns in the distribution of myctophid fish in the northern Scotia Sea ecosystem

The mesopelagic fish community of the northern Scotia Sea was investigated during the austral autumn using multi-frequency acoustics, opening and closing nets and pelagic trawls fished from the surface to 1,000 m. The Family Myctophidae (15 species in 5 genera) dominated the ichthyofauna, with larval notothenids caught over the South Georgia shelf and bathylagids and stomiids abundant in deeper hauls. The biomass of myctophids was estimated to be 2.93 g wet weight 1,000 m⁻³, with Electrona carlsbergi, E. antarctica, Protomyctophum bolini, P. choriodon, Gymnoscopelus braueri, G. fraseri, G. nicholsi and Krefftichthys anderssoni, being the most abundant species. Analysis of community structure indicated a high level of depth stratification within the myctophids, with evidence of diurnal vertical migration in some, but not all, species. Length-frequencies of G. braueri, G. nicholsi, E. antarctica and K. anderssoni were multimodal, suggesting that all life stages may be present in the northern Scotia Sea. In contrast, P. choriodon, P. bolini, G. fraseri and E. carlsbergi had unimodal distributions despite having multi-year lifecycles, indicating that they probably migrate into the region from warmer areas to the north.     

樟子松固沙林更新迹地草本植物多样性及其对土壤理化性质的影响

以科尔沁沙地南缘的彰武县章古台万亩林为研究对象,野外取样调查和实验室检测分析相结合,以樟子松固沙林采伐迹地为对照,研究不同植被恢复类型下樟子松固沙林更新迹地生境的改良效果,探讨植被重建后植物多样性及土壤理化性质的响应。结果表明:1)樟子松(Pinus sylvestris)固沙林更新迹地植被重建后,草本植物物种多样性增加,林下植物偶见种数目增多,13种草本植物在8个样地中未重复出现;2)与采伐迹地相比,不同植被重建类型土壤理化性质均有所改善,土壤容重、田间持水量、有机质、全氮、碱解氮、速效钾在彰武小钻杨(Populus xiaozhuanica)、五角枫(Acer mono)林地改良效果较好,全钾在红刺榆林(Hemiptelea davidii)地含量明显提高、山杏(Armeniaca sibirica)林地的有效磷相比采伐迹地明显提高,且均表现为上层改良效果优于下层;3)不同植被恢复类型土壤理化性质间存在显著差异,随着物种多样性的增加,土壤理化性质逐渐改善,土壤容重、田间持水量、有机质、全磷与植物多样性具有显著的相关性,土壤理化性质的与植物多样性相互作用,共同促进生态系统正向演替。研究结果为控制科尔沁沙地土壤沙化,加速该区生态系统的恢复与重建提供理论依据。     

Dietary composition and echolocation call design of three sympatric insectivorous bat species from China

Studying the diet of echolocating, insectivorous bats can provide important insights into their foraging behaviors and ecological constraints they are facing. By examining an extensive data set covering a period of 2 years, the present study identifies the dietary composition of three sympatric insectivorous bat species in rural areas of Beijing municipality. Each species clearly has different preferences for particular food items. Greater horseshoe bats, Rhinolophus ferrumequinum, preferred to catch nocturnal, actively flying insects, mostly moths (Lepidoptera), and to a lesser percentage flies (Diptera), beetles (Coleoptera), and flying ants and termites (Hymenoptera). Other nocturnal insects which do not exhibit any perceptible wing movements, such as true bugs (Homoptera), or strictly diurnal insects that hardly ever fly in the dark, such as grasshoppers (Orthoptera) and dragon- and damselflies (Odonata), were never found in droppings of horseshoe bats. Large mouse-eared bats, Myotis chinensis, preferentially glean relatively large terrestrial prey of the order Coleoptera (mostly carabid beetles) and Orthoptera, whereas greater tube-nosed bats, Murina leucogaster, consume predominantly smaller, diurnal Coleoptera (mostly soldier beetles, Cantharidae, and ladybugs, Coccinellidae). Our findings also indicate previously not described, significant spectro-temporal differences in the echolocation signals of M. chinensis and M. leucogaster. The results suggest that in our study area the dramatic differences in the dietary composition of these three bat species are mainly based upon differences in their foraging behaviors, including differences in their echolocation signal structure. The dietary data provide important background information for conservational efforts, such as habitat protection.     

A note on the present situation of the primate fauna found from south-eastern Cameroon to northern Congo

Brief results of a survey are reported for the primate fauna in south-eastern Cameroon and northern Congo. The survey was carried over the period from October 1988 to January 1989. I confirmed the occurrence ofMandrillus sphinx in the south-eastern part of Cameroon, viz. the south bank of the Dja river, the occurrence ofCercocebus albigena in almost all the survey areas, the occurrence ofCercopithecus cephus, C. nictitans, C. pogonias, andGorilla g. gorilla throughout the areas, and the occurrence ofCercopithecus neglectus andColobus badius near Bomassa, 70 km north of Ouesso, in Congo. I also confirmedColobus polykomos satanas in some parts of Cameroon, but this species is declining. Local people provided information onCercocebus galeritus agilis, Colobus guereza, andPan troglodytes in almost all the areas, in some of which I confirmed the animals directly. They also provided information aboutCercocebus torquatus on the north bank of the Dja river in Cameroon andMiopithecus talapoin in Sembe in Congo, although I could not confirm these species myself. Human activities had begun reducing the populations of the above primates, particularly those ofMandrillus sphinx, Colobus polykomos satanas, andGorilla g. gorilla, in south-eastern Cameroon and in northern Congo despite the low density of the human populations.     

Constant association of ophiostomatoid fungi with the bark beetle <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ips subelongatus</Emphasis> invading Japanese larch logs

Ceratocystiopsis, Ceratocystis, Grosmannia, and Ophiostoma species were isolated from Ips subelongatus and beetle-infested Japanese larch logs collected at several areas in central and northern Honshu Island, Japan, to determine constant associates of I. subelongatus. Ceratocystiopsis minuta, two species of Ceratocystis, three species of Grosmannia, and four species of Ophiostoma were isolated. Of the fungi isolated in the present study, G. laricis, O. brunneociliatum, and O. piceae were constant associates of the beetles. Ceratocystis fujiensis, Ceratocystiopsis minuta, and Ophiostoma sp. F were occasionally isolated with high frequencies of occurrence but were not consistent associates. Ceratocystis fujiensis was most often isolated as the leading fungal invasion in the sapwood of Japanese larch logs invaded by I. subelongatus, confirming that the fungus acts as a primary invader of sapwood in beetle-attacked logs. Contribution No. 221, Laboratory of Plant Parasitic Mycology, Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba     

Primates of the Río Curaray,Northern Peruvian Amazon

We conducted a short survey of primates along the Río Curaray in the northern Peruvian Amazon, emphazing rare, threatened or little known species. Contrary to Thorington, (Thorington, R. W., Jr., 1988, Am. J. Primatol. 15:367–371), we found no evidence for sympatry between Saguinus tripartitus and Saguinus fuscicollis, with the former being restricted to the north bank and the latter to the south bank of the Río Curaray. The Curaray also separates two species of Pithecia. The height above ground at which species were encountered increased with body size, providing evidence for vertical stratification within the primate community. The Curaray area still has rich primate diversity compared to other areas in the northern Peruvian Amazon, even though larger species, such as the spider monkeys, are hunted.     

四川鞍子河保护地水鹿和羚牛栖息地适宜性评价与重叠性分析

水鹿(Rusa unicolor)和羚牛(Budorcas taxicolor)是国家重点保护野生动物,了解和掌握濒危物种的空间分布格局和对栖息地的利用特征是制定相关保护和管理策略的前提和基础。利用红外相机和样线法收集四川鞍子河保护地内水鹿和羚牛的实体、粪便和痕迹等点位信息,在得到水鹿124个、羚牛79个有效点位的基础上,结合15个环境因子,利用最大熵模型对保护地内水鹿和羚牛进行了栖息地适宜评价及其重叠性分析。结果表明:(1)水鹿和羚牛栖息地的适宜性评价结果均达到良好水平,其AUC值分别为0.888和0.813;(2)水鹿适宜和较适宜栖息地主要分布在保护地的中、南部海拔1474—3336 m区域,面积分别为943.23 hm~2和3390.15 hm~2,分别占保护地总面积的6.25%和22.48%;(3)羚牛适宜和较适宜栖息地主要分布在保护地中、西部海拔1467—3823 m区域,面积分别为1808.37 hm~2和8384.35 hm~2,分别占保护地总面积的11.99%和55.59%;(4)水鹿和羚牛生态重叠指数较高,其D和I值分别为0.6739和0.9098,适宜和较适宜栖息地重叠面积分别达261.10 hm~2和2048.41 hm~2,且主要集中在保护地中、南部低山河谷区,受人为活动影响大。加强水鹿、羚牛、斑羚等同域偶蹄目动物的食性研究以及食性特征与栖息地选择利用之间的相关性是未来的研究方向之一。     

Fungal endophytes of native Gossypium species in Australia

Fungal endophytes of 17 genera were found in stems of four native Gossypium species (G. australe, G. bickii, G. nelsonii, G. sturtianum) collected from inland areas in Queensland, the Northern Territory, and South Australia in 2001. Phoma, Alternaria, Fusarium, Botryosphaeria, Dichomera, and Phomopsis were common, accounting for 58, 18, 11, 3, 1, and 1 % of the 281 recovered isolates, respectively, and occurring in 47, 29, 19, 5, 5, and 4 % of the 79 sampled populations. Among the four Gossypium species in Queensland and the Northern Territory, Alternaria spp. and Fusarium spp. had the greatest recovery frequency in G. bickii stems. The recovery frequencies of Phoma spp. and Alternaria spp. were significantly greater in the G. sturtianum stems collected from South Australia than in those from Queensland and the Northern Territory. Pathogenicity of 42 representative isolates was tested on cultivated cotton (G. hirsutum). All isolates caused some localized discoloration in stem tissue when inoculation was conducted with the stem puncturing method, but none of the isolates could induce any foliar symptoms during the five-week experimental period by either inoculation method (root dipping or stem puncturing), suggesting that the endophytic fungi of native Gossypium species are unlikely sources of cotton pathogens.     

Patterns of foraging and range use by three species of neotropical primates

This paper describes the diet and range use patterns of the three species of primates in Santa Rosa National Park, Costa Rica (Ateles geoffroyi, Alouatta palliata, andCebus capucinus) and examines the variation in these variables as they relate to seasonal changes and concomitant changes in food availability. These three primate species were studied over a four-year period for a total of 24 months in the field. Santa Rosa National Park is in an area that experiences a long severe dry season in which little if any rain falls and the majority of the non-riparian trees lose their leaves. However, even though the three species were very flexible in terms of diet and range use, the behavioural variability did not correspond to changes in food availability or season.     

The evolution of approach herkogamy from protandry in New ZealandGentiana (Gentianaceae)

Most mainland New Zealand species ofGentiana are protandrous as are manyGentianaceae elsewhere in the world. Selfing has evolved in some species confined to areas where pollinator availability is limited by weather, for example, inG. lineata. InG. chathamica, endemic to the Chatham Islands, dichogamy has been lost without the evolution of selfing; instead the flowers are approach herkogamous. It is suggested that as herkogamous blossoms can both receive and dispatch pollen during a single insect visit, whereas dichogamous systems usually require two visits, such a system may have evolved inG. chathamica to maintain outcrossing in an area where prospects for insect pollination are poor.     

Molecular characterization of strawberry pathogen Gnomonia fragariae and its genetic relatedness to other Gnomonia species and members of Diaporthales

Gnomonia fragariae is a poorly studied ascomycete belonging to Diaporthales. Originally G. fragariae was considered a saprophyte occurring on dead tissues of strawberry plants. Recently this fungus was found in Latvia and Sweden, and it was proven to be the cause of severe root rot and petiole blight of strawberry. Thirteen isolates of this pathogen and several other Gnomonia species occurring on rosaceous hosts were characterized by molecular analysis using nucleotide sequences of partial LSU rRNA gene and the total ITS region. The homologous regions from relevant diaporthalean taxa available in the GenBank were also included and compared with the taxa sequenced in this study. Phylogenetic analyses revealed that G. fragariae, G. rubi, and Gnomonia sp. (CBS 850.79) were genetically different from G. gnomon, the type species of the genus, and other members of Gnomoniaceae. The analyses showed that G. fragariae and Hapalocystis were genetically very closely related, forming a phylogenetic clade, which is possibly presenting a new family in the Diaporthales. Morphological comparisons of the Gnomonia species on the basis of commonly used criteria for the taxonomy of Diaporthales, so far did not reveal any evident features for the polyphyletic status of Gnomonia.     

The introduction and release of Chiasmia inconspicua and C. assimilis (Lepidoptera: Geometridae) for the biological control of Acacia nilotica in Australia

Two geometrid moths Chiasmia inconspicua and Chiasmia assimilis, identified as potential biological control agents for prickly acacia Acacia nilotica subsp. indica, were collected in Kenya and imported into quarantine facilities in Australia where laboratory cultures were established. Aspects of the biologies of both insects were studied and CLIMEX® models indicating the climatically favourable areas of Australia were developed. Host range tests were conducted using an approved test list of 74 plant species and no-choice tests of neonate larvae placed on both cut foliage and potted plants. C. inconspicua developed through to adult on prickly acacia and, in small numbers, Acacia pulchella. C. assimilis developed through to adult on prickly acacia and also in very small numbers on A. pulchella, A. deanei, A. decurrens, and A. mearnsii. In all experiments, the response on prickly acacia could be clearly differentiated from the responses on the non-target species. Both insects were approved for release in Australia. Over a three-year period releases were made at multiple sites in north Queensland, almost all in inland areas. There was no evidence of either insect’s establishment and both colonies were terminated. A new colony of C. assimilis was subsequently established from insects collected in South Africa and releases of C. assimilis from this new colony were made into coastal and inland infestations of prickly acacia. Establishment was rapid at one coastal site and the insect quickly spread to other infestations. Establishment at one inland area was also confirmed in early 2006. The establishment in coastal areas supported a CLIMEX model that indicated that the climate of coastal areas was more suitable than inland areas.     

The influence of logging and topography on the distribution of spruce-fir forests near their Southern limits in Great Smoky Mountains National Park,USA

We studied the effects of logging history, topography, and potential insolation on the lower-elevation limit of existing spruce-fir forest in Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GRSM). Dummy-variable regression, analysis of variance, and classification trees were applied to environmental data within a geographic information system framework. The effect of logging history on the lower limit of spruce-fir depended on aspect. On north-facing slopes (270°– 90°), the presence of spruce-fir was independent of both logging history and potential insolation. On south-facing sites (90°–270°), the elevation of spruce-fir was significantly higher (by 122 m) in areas that had been logged historically. Classification-tree models suggested an even greater logging effect, indicating that both the lower limit and the upper dominance zone of spruce-fir forest are, on average, nearly 200 m higher in historically logged landscapes. Presence of spruce-fir on south aspects was also significantly related to potential insolation, but the strength of this effect was not dependent on logging history. Classification-tree models, developed separately using data from logged sites versus unlogged sites, were used to estimate the current area of spruce-fir forest in the park expected under the hypothetical scenario that no spruce-fir had been logged (38,675 ha) versus the alternate scenario that it had hall been logged (11,727 ha). At present the area of spruce-fir forest in the park is 21,242 ha. We found greater prevalence of spruce-fir on the Tennessee side of the divide on south aspects and historically logged sites, possibly due to greater occurrence of westerly winds and associated cloud cover.     

Field response of mycorrhizal and nonmycorrhizal Medicago sativa var. local in the F1 generation

Seeds were collected from plants of Medicago sativa var. local inoculated with Glomus macrocarpum and G. fasciculatum separately in pot experiments. These seeds were sown in garden soil and the percentage germination, general health and yield of subsequent plants (the F1 generation) were studied. The percentage germination was highest in seeds of G. macrocarpum-inoculated parents followed by those inoculated with G. fasciculatum; seeds of uninoculated parent plants showed the lowest germination. Vegetative yield of the progeny decreased in the order of plants inoculated with G. fasciculatum, with G. macrocarpum, and uninoculated. On the other hand, reproductive yield was highest for plants whose parents were inoculated with G. macrocarpum, followed by G. fascicullatum, and lowest for seeds of uninoculated parent plants.     

Increased Growth and Yield of Hydroponically Grown Greenhouse Tomato Plants Inoculated with Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi and Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. radicis-lycopersici

The arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi Glomus monosporum, G. vesiculiferum, G. deserticola, G. intraradices, G. mosseae, and two unidentified species were tested to determine their effect on plant growth and fruit production of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) cv. Trust inoculated with Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. radicis-lycopersici (FORL) under near-commercial greenhouse conditions. Inoculation with G. monosporum and G. mosseae significantly increased fruit yield and fruit number of tomato plants grown hydroponically in sawdust. Plant height and plant dry weight increased significantly when inoculated with G. monosporum and G. mosseae. Further, plants inoculated with G. monosporum and G. mosseae showed significantly lower FORL root infection than the untreated control plants.     

Determination of Homalodisca coagulata (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) egg ages suitable for oviposition by Gonatocerus ashmeadi, Gonatocerus triguttatus, and Gonatocerus fasciatus (Hymenoptera: Mymaridae)

Homalodisca coagulata (Say) (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) eggs 1–10 days of age were exposed to Gonatocerus ashmeadi Girault, Gonatocerus triguttatus Girault, and Gonatocerus fasciatus Girault (all Hymenoptera: Mymaridae) in no choice laboratory trials to investigate egg age utilization and to determine which egg ages are vulnerable to attack by these three parasitoids. The H. coagulata egg ages that were most suitable for oviposition by G. ashmeadi, G. triguttatus, and G. fasciatus were eggs 3, 4, and 2 days of age, respectively. Egg ages least suitable for parasitoid development were 6–10 days for G. ashmeadi (resulting in <50% parasitism), 1–2 and 7–10 days for G. triguttatus (resulting in <25% parasitism), and 3–10 days for G. fasciatus (resulting in <11% parasitism). Pooling parasitism data across all egg ages showed that parasitism by G. ashmeadi was 12.9 and 28.5% higher compared with G. triguttatus and G. fasciatus, respectively, and G. triguttatus resulted in 15.6% higher percentage parasitism compared with G. fasciatus. Egg age had a significant effect on the percentage of female G. ashmeadi offspring produced, but this was not significant for G. triguttatus, and low G. fasciatus parasitism prevented statistical analyses for comparisons. Results from tests where females were offered a choice for oviposition between eggs 1, 3, and 5 days of age demonstrated that G. ashmeadi and G. triguttatus showed no significant oviposition preference, while percentage parasitism by G. fasciatus was 29.4 and 7.4% higher when females were presented eggs 1 and 3 days of age, respectively, compared with eggs 5 days of age. Choice tests indicated that an overlap in egg age suitability for oviposition exists between G. ashmeadi, G. triguttatus, and G. fasciatus, and that interspecific competition for eggs 1, 2, and 3 days of age may occur in the field environment.     

Utilized and potentially utilizable seaweeds on the Namibian coast: biogeography and accessibility

Of the 1500 km coast of Namibia, only 80 km is predominantly rocky, the remaining 1420 km being sandy with only minor rocky outcrops. At present two species are utilized, Gracilaria verrucosa for agar and Laminaria schinzii for human consumption. Other potentially utilizable seaweeds occurring on the coast are Ecklonia maxima for alginates, Suhria vittata for agar, Gigartina radula, G. stiriata and Aeodes orbitosa for carrageenans and Porphyra capensis for human consumption. Laminaria schinzii also can be used for alginate production. Due to the diamond-mining areas around the 80 km rocky area at Luderitz (26° 39 S), only 20 km are accessible; hence, at present the seaweeds are being exploited almost to their full potential. The species currently not being utilized could be used, however, to support the industry that already exists at Luderitz. To increase production, access to the diamond areas would have to be gained or a cultivation program initiated.     

Logging and Edaphic Factors in the Invasion of an Asian Woody Vine in a Mesic North American Forest

Factors contributing to an invasion of the Asian woody vine Celastrus orbiculatus in a mesic forested Massachusetts (USA) sanctuary were investigated. Planting germinated C. orbiculatus seeds in the field revealed that, although they tolerate a wide range of conditions, seedlings grow largest in moist circumneutral soil under high irradiance. A study of naturally occurring vines in a logged forest suggested that C. orbiculatus invaded two years after harvest, and invasion may have been triggered by logging disturbance. Vine stems were more abundant on former logging roads than in surrounding selectively logged areas. Former logging roads had a significantly higher soil pH than surrounding areas and, due to the direction of construction, a significantly more southerly aspect. Fourteen years after harvest, logging roads continued to provide this aggressive exotic with superior habitat for establishment and growth.     

Genetic characterizations of Cryptosporidium spp. and Giardia duodenalis in humans in Henan, China

Cryptosporidium and Giardia infections are common causes of diarrhea worldwide. To better understand the transmission of human cryptosporidiosis and giardiasis in Henan, China, 10 Cryptosporidium-positive specimens and 18 Giardia-positive specimens were characterized at the species/genotype and subtype levels. Cryptosporidium specimens were analyzed by DNA sequencing of the small subunit rRNA and 60 kDa glycoprotein genes. Among those genotyped, nine belonged to C. hominis and one C. felis, with the former belonging to three subtype families: Ia, Ib, and Id. The three Ib subtypes identified, IbA16G2, IbA19G2, and IbA20G2, were very different from the two common Ib subtypes (IbA9G3 and IbA10G2) found in other areas of the world. The distribution of Giardia duodenalis genotypes and subtypes was assessed by sequence analysis of the triosephosphate isomerase (tpi) gene. The assemblages A (eight belonging to A-I and four A-II) and B (belonging to six new subtypes) were found in 12 and six specimens, respectively. More systematic studies are needed to understand the transmission of Cryptosporidium and G. duodenalis in humans in China.     

Sexual fertility of fortyFusarium strains from the EuropeanFusarium sambucinum project

Fungus strains designated asFusarium sambucinum, F. torulosum, orFusarium sp. nov. were crossed withMAT1-1 andMAT1–2 tester strains ofGibberella pulicaris. Of the 40 field strains that were crossed with the tester strains, 13 strains produced fertile crosses and 27 strains did not produce fertile crosses. One strain designated asF. torulosum was fertile with a tester strain ofG. pulicaris, suggesting that this is an intraspecies cross and that the strain isG. pulicaris, and, consequently,F. sambucinum rather thanF. torulosum. The lack of fertile crosses between tester strains and 27 of the 40 field strains suggests that these strains are notG. pulicaris. Although the ability to form a fully fertile cross with a tester strain can determine the species of a fertile strain, it is more problematic to exclude a strain only because it is infertile.