ASPECTS OF THE ECOLOGY OF KNERIA AURICULATA (PELLEGRIN, 1905) (PISCES: KNERIIDAE) FROM THE EASTERN TRANSVAAL SOUTH AFRICA

SUMMARY

Seven natural populations of Kneria auriculata occur in tributaries of the Crocodile River (Incomati System) on the eastern Transvaal escarpment. The routes it probably used to colonize these streams are discussed and used to explain its current restricted distribution with reference to its ecological requirements. Fish up to a fork length of 2,0 cm feed on invertebrates while larger fish utilize ‘Aufwuchs’, especially diatoms. This dietary difference results in an increase in the food spectrum and possibly also serves to limit competition between smaller and larger lengths groups. Relative gut lengths increase with an increase in fork length and this is correlated with a change in diet from invertebrates to diatoms. Observations on captive fishes indicated that adult fish are able to survive on a diet of Daphnia spp. The habitat of K. auriculata is considered to be unstable due to the occurrence of unpredictable summer floods in escarpment streams. As a result the species has a prolonged breeding season (October to April) while the presence of two size classes of ova indicate that it is a multiple spawner. This breeding strategy minimizes mortality in escarpment streams. The colonization by this fish of previously unsuitable and unavailable habitat indicates that it is a generalist. Its feeding habits and reproductive strategy indicate, however, that it has developed a certain degree of specialization in order to survive in a relatively unpredictable habitat. The conservation prospects of the seven natural and one translocated population varies from uncertain to good. Medium and long term conservation measures are needed to ensure the survival of this fish in the Transvaal.     

ROOT ANATOMY OF THE BAMBUSOIDEAE (POACEAE)

Root anatomy was examined for 15 species, in 6 of the 11 tribes of the Bambusoideae. Wide ranges of anatomical variation were found in epidermis, exodermis, cortex, endodermis, pericycle, phloem, xylem, and pith. Although roots of most species seem to resemble the Panicoid type, our study shows much more variation than was described by Goller (1977). These variations could play a role in characterizing taxa within tribes.     

ANATOMY OF THE CARYOPSIS OF BRIZA MAXIMA (POACEAE)

Briza maxima (quaking grass) is a cosmopolitan grass common to Europe and North and South America. It grows in disturbed soils and on roadsides. The hemispherical caryopsis is embedded between a leaflike lemma and flattened palea. The embryo is of the festucoid type. The scutellum shows two surrounding ridges at the edge of the scutellum/endosperm boundary, and has lateral lobes. A broad epiblast extends toward the embryo apex and is continuous with the dorsal surface of the coleorhiza. The single-layered aleurone surrounds the starchy endosperm and is discontinuous around the embryo. The caryopsis coat is thin, except at the placental pad where it is thickened by the pigment strand and the nucellar projection.     

ANATOMICAL DISTINCTIONS BETWEEN THE PISTILLATE SPIKELETS OF THE SPECIES OF WILD-RICE (ZIZANIA,POACEAE)

The most reliable macromorphological characters that can be used to discriminate between the annual species of the genus Zizania are found in the pistillate spikelet. One aspect of this morphology is a textural dimorphism. The pistillate lemmas and paleas of Z. aquatica are chartaceous (papery) whereas those of Z. palustris are coriaceous (leathery). Pistillate lemmas and paleas of the two perennial species, Z. texana and Z. latifolia, are also chartaceous. To determine the anatomical basis for the nature of this character, pistillate lemmas and paleas were either fixed, treated with hydrofluoric acid, and sectioned; or fresh material was sectioned on a freezing microtome. Those with a chartaceous texture were found to have a single layer of thin-walled, subepidermal fibers whereas those with a coriaceous texture had at least two layers of thick-walled, subepidermal fibers.     

EPIDERMAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE CALLUS IN ERIOCHLOA (POACEAE)

A callus or cup at the spikelet base in Eriochloa is a diagnostic character for this genus. In an investigation of Eriochloa and related genera, the callus epidermis of 19 taxa of Eriochloa and the basal portion of Axonopus, Brachiaria, Digitaria, Leptoloma, and Panicum spikelets were examined with a scanning electron microscope. Eriochloa taxa were divided into three types based on callus epidermal characteristics. The callus of E. polystachya more closely resembled the reduced first glume in other panicoid genera than the callus in other taxa of Eriochloa. Bicellular microhairs, silica bodies, and interlocking long cells support the concept that the callus in Eriochloa is in part a remnant of the first glume.     

THE ULTRASTRUCTURE OF THE SALT GLANDS OF CYNODON AND DISTICHLIS (POACEAE)

The epidermal salt glands of the grasses Cynodon and Distichlis consist of a small outer cap cell and a large, flask-shaped basal cell. The wall of the basal cell is contiguous with those of the adjacent epidermal cells and underlying mesophyll cells. The basal cell is connected symplastically with all adjoining cells via plasmodesmata. The outer, protruding portion of the glands is covered by a cuticle continuous with that of the adjoining epidermal cells. However, the lateral cell walls of the glands are not incrusted by this cuticle. The cap cell wall has a loose, mottled appearance quite different from the compact striated appearance of the basal cell wall. The cap cell is characterized by dense cytoplasm containing many organelles and a varying number of small vacuoles. The basal cell cytoplasm is distinguished by the presence of an intricate system of paired membranes that are closely associated with mitochondria and microtubules. These membranes are infoldings of the plasmalemma that originate adjacent to the wall separating the cap and basal cells. The space enclosed by the paired membranes, therefore, is an extracellular channel that is open only in the direction of secretory flow. The consistent orientation of this system of paired membranes suggests that it represents a structural specialization which is directly and functionally involved in the secretory process. The close association of mitochondria and microtubules with the paired membranes implies that these structures are also functionally related to the secretory process. Finally, the results of this study indicate that these glands are ultrastructurally similar to those of Spartina and that the glands of these three grasses are structurally distinct from those of dicotyledonous plants.     

ASPECTS OF THE BEHAVIOUR AND ECOLOGY OF MIXED-SPECIES BIRD FLOCKS IN KASHMIR

Mixed-species flocks of birds were observed between the end of July and late August, principally at Daksum, Kashmir, 2250 m. The species composition and the numbers of individuals in flocks changed during this period; these changes are attributed to resident territory holders and migrant birds joining the flocks. Within the flock different species showed some differences in foraging stations, but nevertheless often appeared to be taking the same type of food. Participant species had different roles in the flock organization. Behaviours involving the entire mixed-flock acting as a unit included path reversal after encounters with avian predators and a tendency to follow set routes. The mixed- species flock exerted an attractive influence on aggregations of species not normally participant.
Similarities between the flocks described in this study and those recorded by other workers are discussed. While different species may derive different benefits from joining these flocks, advantages that could benefit some or all participants include the receipt of information on good feeding areas in an unfamiliar locality, the avoidance of time wasted on feeding on substrates which have been very recently harvested, the beating effect to increase prey availability, and enhanced safety from predators, perhaps through differential alertness of different species and specialized anti-predator behaviour.     

DISPERSION OF SEEDLINGS OF THE PRAIRIE COMPASS PLANT,SILPHIUM LACINIATUM (ASTERACEAE)

Although the dispersal of seeds around individual plants (the seed shadow) has frequently been characterized, the dispersion of seedlings around plants (the seedling shadow) has rarely been examined. We mapped 101 and 149 seedlings of the prairie compass plant (Silphium laciniatum) that appeared in our study area in 1987 and 1990 following mass flowering in 1986 and 1989. We also mapped the locations of flowering stems which appeared in 1986 and 1989 and recorded the number of flowerheads at each stem location. The frequency distributions of distance between a seedling and the nearest flowering stem were identical in the 2 years, with a median distance of 1.0 m. The large size and lack of wind-dispersal structures of compass plant seeds (achenes) are responsible for their limited dispersal. From estimates of the total seed production in the study area in 1986 and 1989, we calculated that about 1% of seeds became seedlings in each year. Flowering stem locations with a higher number of flowerheads had a significantly higher density of seedlings around them. This indicates that recruitment to compass plant populations is not a “lottery”; individual plants that produce more seeds produce, on average, more seedlings.     

CHLOROPLAST DNA VARIATION AND THE PHYLOGENY OF HORDEUM (POACEAE)

Restriction site variation in the chloroplast genome (cpDNA) was surveyed among 37 taxa or cytotypes (40 accessions) of the genus Hordeum. Seventeen restriction enzymes were employed, and a total of 491 restriction sites were assayed. Of these, 120 were variable among the taxa, including 70 synapomorphies. The level of sequence divergence (p) among species of Hordeum varied from 0.0 to 0.017, indicating that Hordeum possesses an about-average level of cpDNA diversity as compared to most other genera of flowering plants for which data are available. Wagner and polymorphism parsimony phytogenies were constructed from the restriction site data. These analyses divided the genus into several distinct groups; 1) American taxa; 2) diploid H. marinum; 3) Asian taxa; 4) H. vulgare-H. bulbosum; and 5) the H. murinum complex. Bootstrap-based confidence limits provided statistical support for the monophylesis of the latter three groups. The cpDNA data showed remarkably good congruence with previously published isoenzymatic, molecular, cytological, and crossing data.     

INFLUENCE OF SUPPLEMENTAL INORGANIC NUTRIENTS ON GROWTH,SURVIVORSHIP, AND MYCORRHIZAL RELATIONSHIPS OF SCHIZACHYRIUM SCOPARIUM (POACEAE) GROWN IN FUMIGATED AND UNFUMIGATED SOIL

Little bluestem grass Schizachyrium scoparium ([Michx.] Nash) plants were grown under field conditions for 2 years in soils fumigated with methyl bromide and chloropicrin, or in unfumigated soil, and treated with supplemental inorganic nutrients (bases calcium and magnesium) phosphorus, nitrogen, and potassium. Most differences in measured plant responses were due to interactions between fumigation and nutrient treatments. These included biomass production, root mass per unit length (μg/cm), root lengths, flowering culm production, percent colonization, colonized root length, and spore production in rhizosphere soil. Plants generally responded to mycorrhizal fungal colonization by reducing total root length and producing thicker roots. Treatment of plants with bases appeared to profoundly affect the mycorrhizal association by reducing sporulation of vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and increasing colonization. When fumigated or unfumigated soils were considered separately, base-treated plants produced more biomass than other treatments. Base-treated plants grown on unfumigated soil had more flowering culms and longer colonized root lengths than all other plants. Percent colonization by mycorrhizal fungi and colonized root length were positively correlated with phosphorus/nitrogen ratios, but the ratio was not correlated with plant biomass production. This suggests that phosphorus is not a limiting nutrient in our soil and investment in a mycorrhizal association may not result in enhanced plant growth. The base-nutrient effects may indicate a need to reevaluate earlier studies of macro nutrient effects that did not take into account the role played by calcium and magnesium in assessing fungus-host plant interactions.     

SOME ASPECTS OF THE ECOLOGY OF THE FRESHWATER CRAB (POTAMONAUTES PERLATUS MILNE EDWARDS) IN THE UPPER REACHES OF THE BUFFALO RIVER,EASTERN CAPE PROVINCE,SOUTH AFRICA.

Summary

Freshwater crabs (Potamonautes perlatus) are the largest naturally occurring invertebrates in southern African rivers. The ecology of these animals in South African riverine ecosystems is little understood. This study investigates some aspects of the population and feeding ecology of P. perlatus in the upper reaches of the Buffalo River. The densities of crabs (carapace width larger than 25 mm) at two sites in the river ranged between 1.72 and 5.25 crabs m², higher than previously recorded for freshwater crabs in rivers in southern Africa and southern Italy. Twenty-four hour observations revealed that P. perlatus has a nocturnal habit. The diet of P. perlatus was established by examination of the contents of the fore-gut. Crabs with a carapace width smaller than 40 mm fed predominantly on aquatic invertebrates while larger crabs fed on allochthanous material (leaf litter), detritus and algae. Through feeding, crabs reduced the surface area of leaves in the stream by 99.95%.     

都江堰地区丛枝菌根真菌多样性与生态研究

 调查了都江堰地区3个不同生境样地（般若寺、馒头山、龙池）中85种优势及常见植物的丛枝菌根真菌侵染率,其中78种植物（91.8%）被丛枝菌根真菌侵染。同时对其中58种植物根围土壤中丛枝菌根真菌的多样性进行分析,共分离到5属47种丛枝菌根真菌,其中球囊霉属（Glomus）35种,无梗囊霉属（Acaulospora）7种,原囊霉属（Archaeospora）1种,内养囊霉属（Entrophospora）2种,巨孢囊霉属（Gigaspora）2种。无梗囊霉属和球囊霉属是3个样地共有的优势属。光壁无梗囊霉（Acaulospora laevis）是龙池的优势种,而地表球囊霉（Glomus versiforme）是般若寺和馒头山的优势种。丛枝菌根真菌的孢子密度和种的丰度显著受到海拔相关因子影响,同时丛枝菌根真菌的种类组成也受较大影响。乔木砍伐没有显著影响丛枝菌根真菌的孢子密度和种的丰度,同时对种类组成影响也较小。根围土壤中丛枝菌根真菌的孢子密度与根系侵染率之间没有显著相关性（R2=0.024 8）。     

THE POLLINATION ECOLOGY OF ZENOBIA (ERICACEAE)

Zenobia is a shrub endemic to the coastal plain of the Carolinas and southeastern Virginia. The sole species, Zenobia pulverulenta, appears to be weakly self-compatible and partially self-pollinating. Fruit set was reduced, but not eliminated by excluding insect floral visitors. Insect visitors were collected and their pollen loads examined for Zenobia and foreign pollen. Analysis of these pollen loads and observations of insect-foraging behavior indicate that workers of three species of bumblebee (Bombus bimaculatus, B. griseocollis and B. impatiens) are. the principal pollinators of Zenobia. However, pollinator density and composition appear to be strongly influenced by the habitats in which Zenobia grows. Pollen and nectar serve as the primary rewards for pollinators.     

STUDIES ON SOME ASPECTS OF THE ECOLOGY OF MESOCOELIUM MONDODI, A TREMATODE PARASITE OF REPTILES AND AMPHIBIA

Some aspects of the autecology of Mesocoelium monodi Dollfus, 1929, a parasite of lizards and Amphibia in Africa have been studied because of the dearth of knowledge in this field of ecology. It was found that although the larvae were confined to one species of molluscan host, the adults occurred in a wide variety of taxonomically diverso hosts including reptiles and amphibia. The possible reasons for this this low order of host specificity are discussed. Although the parasite occurred in all parts of the alimentary canal of Agama with the exception of the rectum, its preferred microhabitat was the duodenum where it feeds on food detritus and mucus. M. monodi does not appear to produce any tissue reactions and the lizards do not acquire a durable immunity or premunition to it. There is no evidence of intra- specific and interspecific competition taking place within this microhabitat as most of theavailable gut space was not utilizedand Mesocoelium and Physaloptera , the other helminth occurring in the duodenum, did not appear to be mutually exclusive. The frequency distribution of the parasite in the lizards is not random and it is suggested that the main reason for this is that there are foci of infestation. The incidence and intensity of infestation which are controlled by the rate of ingestion of intermediate hosts containing metacorcariae vary seasonally and arc greater in females than in males. Tho most important climatic factor influencing the seasonal changc is rainfall, probably because it controls the activity of both the molluscan intermediate host and the infective larvae. The adult parasite has a short life span and the mortality rate was about 1.5 to 2.5 per cent per day.     

赖草属资料

禾本科赖草属二新种及一新变种,即芒颖赖草Leymus aristiglumus L.B.Cai,伊吾赖草Leymus yiwuensis L.B.Cai ex N.R.Cui和疏节赖草Leymus secalinus var.laxinodis L.B.Cai。     

THE POLLINATION ECOLOGY OF SOLANUM ROSTRATUM (SOLANACEAE)

The pollination mechanisms and pollen vectors of Solarium rostratum have been examined by greenhouse experiments and field studies. Although the capacity for autogamy exists in this weedy annual, it rarely occurs because of two factors: (1) the morphology of the flower and (2) the foraging behavior of the various species of Bombus, the primary pollen vector in the regions studied. The percentages of geitonogamy and xenogamy are dependent on the flight pattern of the bees and the number of open flowers on a plant.     

乌龟繁殖生态的研究

乌龟大部分时向生活在水中,但要经常游出水面呼吸空气和摄食,夏秋时节有爬在岸边晒太阳的习性,冬、春两季有蛰伏休眠的习性。乌龟产卵季节和产卵窝数主要受温度制约,在湖南产卵时间为5—8月,产卵高峰出现在7月上旬,产卵多在夜间进行,龟卵一般产在高出水平面30厘米以上的泥土中。龟无护卵和孵卵的本能,龟卵在自然界靠地温孵出稚龟来,但人工孵化可使龟卵的孵化率提高到87．6％以上,孵化时间可以缩短到64天左右。     

ASPECTS OF THE BREEDING STATUS AND ECOLOGY OF THE BATELEUR AND TAWNY EAGLE IN THE KALAHARI GEMSBOK NATIONAL PARK,SOUTH AFRICA

Herholdt, J.J., Kemp, A.C. & Du Plessis, D. 1996. Aspects of the breeding status and ecology of the Bateleur and Tawny Eagle in the Kalahari Gemsbok National Park. Ostrich 67:126-137.

The nesting success at 13 nesting territories of Bateleur Terathopius ecaudatus and 19 nesting territorites of Tawny Eagle Aquila rapax was monitored for seven successive years (1988–1994) in a protected area in the Kalahari desert of South Africa. On average Bateleurs laid one year in two (51/95 pair-years) and fledged 0.33 young/pair/year (31/95). Tawny Eagles laid, on average, in two out of three years (66/105), and fledged 0.4 young/pair/year (42/105). Most Bateleurs laid eggs in January and February, while Tawny Eagles mostly laid from May to June. Almost all Bateleur and Tawny Eagle nesting territories located were in the Acacia erioloba savanna in the dry Auob and Nossob riverbeds. Bateleur nesting territories were spaced at intervals of 7.2 km (2.5–14.6 km; n = 9) along the Nossob River. Tawny Eagle nesting territories were spaced at intervals of 17.6 km (6.1–32.7 km) in the Nossob River and 11.3 km (8–14 km) in the Auob River respectively. A total of 13 Bateleur and 30–40 Tawny Eagle nesting territories (27 known active nesting territories) respectively occurred in the Kalahari Gemsbok National Park during the study period. There was evidence of a 13% decline in active nesting territories of Bateleur during the seven year study, and at least a 40% decline over the previous 10 years. Vacated nesting territories were not reoccupied. There was no safe buffer zone around the Kalahari Gemsbok National Park and persecution in the adjacent farmlands, when foraging Bateleur from the protected Park enter these areas, as well as nesting site disturbance, could have been part of the reason for this decline. Poisoned and suspected poisoned Bateleurs have been found in the Park during the study period. There was no obvious decline in active Tawny Eagle nesting territories.