Skeletal material from the house of C iulius polybius in Pompeii, 79 AD

Among partly mixed collection of skeletal remains excavated in the house called “Casa di Polibio” skeletons of 13 individuals were re-assembled and identified. There were 3 adult males, 3 adult females of various ages, 4 boys, 1 girl, child of unknown sex and one foetus in the last month of intrauterine life. The foetus was associated with the skeleton of a young (16–18 years) female whose bones are stained green-blue-black, probably by the jewellery or costume. Craniometric, odontometric, and osteometric data, together with reconstruction of stature are presented. Besides a mild case of torticollis in a young adult male no special pathologies were found. Enamel hypoplasia was frequent (87.5%). Presence of dental calculus on teeth of practically all individuals, frequent dental caries (63.6% of individuals), and moderate tooth wear indicate diet of well-cooked foods rich in carbohydrates. On grounds of age and biological characteristics it may be suggested that the group included older parents, their children, eldest son and his pregnant young wife plus a pair of domestics. Other possibilities include three adult couples: grandparents, parents and newlywed eldest daughter and her husband. Final resolution of family relationships must await full analysis of metric data and the DNA analysis. It seems that the group is representative of a Pompeian household: many children born approximately 3 years apart, early age at marriage, good food, relative freedom from disfiguring disease.     

From sediment to soil: floodplain phosphorus transformations at the Danube River

Substantial transformations of biogeochemical phosphorus (P) fractions can occur within a few hundreds of years under humid and tropical conditions; however, slower changes are expected under dry and temperate climate. The objective of this study was to infer P transformations over time by comparing suspended sediments in the Danube River to floodplain soils developed from such sediments over different time periods in the continental climate of Central Europe. We analyzed suspended sediments from 20 flood events between 1990 and 2006, and floodplain soils from seven sites along a chronosequence covering about 500 yrs. The studied flood sediments had similar characteristics over the 16-yr observation period. Total phosphorus (TP) averaged 732 mg kg⁻¹, and biogeochemical fractionation yielded important primary mineral contributions (apatite phosphorus, AP, ~80% of TP). The TP concentrations of the floodplain soils were in the range of the Danube sediments and showed little variation along the chronosequence. However, the distribution of P among biogeochemical fractions changed considerably in less than 500 yrs of soil development. The youngest soils (<20 yrs) were dominated by AP, as was observed for the Danube sediments. In less than 250 yrs of pedogenesis, AP markedly decreased and organic phosphorus (OP) increased, and in less than 500 yrs, OP reached AP levels. This shows that while P biogeochemistry in very young floodplain soils is strongly related to the river sediments, significant transformations can occur in less than 250 yrs of soil development in the dry and temperate climate of Central Europe.     

Correction to: Impacts of hydrological restoration on lowland river floodplain plant communities

Wetlands Ecology and Management - The article “Impacts of hydrological restoration on lowland river floodplain plant communities”, written by Daniel R. Richards. Helen L. Moggridge....     

Energy sources for aquatic animals in the Orinoco River floodplain: evidence from stable isotopes

Summary Stable carbon and nitrogen isotope ratios in autotrophs, aquatic invertebrates and fishes from the Orinoco River floodplain of Venezuela reveal that microalgae, including both phytoplankton and epiphytic (attached) forms, are predominant energy sources for many aquatic animals, even though aquatic vascular plants are much more abundant. Floating mats of the grass Paspalum repens and the water hyacinth Eichhornia spp. harbor particularly high densities of aquatic animals, but isotopic evidence indicates that few species are dependent on organic carbon originating from these plants. The stable isotopic evidence for the trophic importance of algae contradicts traditional interpretations of food webs in freshwater wetlands, which are generally thought to be based largely on detritus originating from vascular plants.     

Nutrient limitation of plant growth on the floodplain of the Narran River, Australia: growth experiments and a pilot soil survey

Water resource development has altered the hydrological regime on the Lower Balonne River in Queensland, Australia. Concerns have been raised about possible impacts to floodplain plant communities, which support a pastoral industry and a range of native fauna. Water and nutrients commonly limit plant growth in south central Queensland, where the climate is semi-arid and the soils are infertile. Floodplain plant productivity is boosted by inundation with water, but the role of flooding in nutrient provision is not known. Growth experiments and a pilot soil survey were conducted to help determine if soil nutrient deficiencies exist and if regular flooding is required to maintain floodplain soil fertility. Soils were sampled from areas representing three flood frequency classes: high, moderate, and low. Chemical extractions were performed as a surrogate for `bioavailable' nutrients. Soil nitrogen (N) but not phosphorus (P) limited the growth of seedlings of wheat (Triticum aestivum L. Gardia) based on responses to nutrient additions: plants supplied with N had greater shoot length and total biomass than plants without N. Clear evidence of an effect of flood frequency on fertility was not revealed. Neither soil P, soil N, nor plant growth varied significantly with flood frequency. However, this analysis had low statistical power. There were trends for greater biomass of seedlings grown on moderately flooded soils and thinner roots for seedlings grown on frequently flooded soils, but neither of these growth responses was clearly linked to nutrient limitation. Nevertheless, the possibility that flooding provides a nutrient subsidy to plants cannot be ruled out because of a number of factors, including the statistical power of this analysis and the possibility that short-term nutrient subsidies occur with floods.     

Methane emissions from floodplain swamps of the Ogeechee River: long-term patterns and effects of climate change

Patterns and rates of wetland methane emissions and their sensitivity to potential climate change are critical components of the global methane cycle. In this study, we use empirical simulation models to investigate these processes in floodplain swamps of the Ogeechee River in Georgia, U.S.A. We developed statistical models that relate methane emissions to monthly climate and river flow based on field observations of methane emissions from this system made during 1987–1989. Models were then applied to observed climate and hydrograph for 1937–1989 and to simulated altered climates. Altered climates were generated from the present-day climate by changing monthly temperatures by a constant amount and/or changing monthly precipitation by a constant proportion, thus altering long-term averages and preserving year-to-year variation.Under the present-day climate regime, simulated methane emissions were variable between years and responded very strongly to changes in river discharge. The long-term average was 27 g C m^-2 yr^-1, with no significant linear trend over the model period. In the altered climate simulations, methane emissions were very sensitive to changes in precipitation amounts, with a 20% decrease in rainfall resulting in 30–43% declines in methane emissions. Predicted effects of temperature changes on methane emissions were less consistent, and were strongly dependent on assumptions made about the response of evapotranspiration to elevated temperatures. In general, hydrologic impacts of changes in evapotranspiration rates (such as may occur in response to temperature shifts) were more important than direct temperature effects on methane production.     

Gender and ethnicity at the millennium: from margin to centre

Three decades of feminist academic work have led to claims about its maturity and “coming of age”. This article offers a critical evaluation of feminism’s success, particularly in the context of “race” and ethnicity awareness. Feminism has challenged mainstream thought by making women and gender central concerns, by opening up new fields for study and by breaking down disciplinary barriers. However, the global hegemony of Western feminism means that the range of women’s issues tends to be narrowly and parochially conceived. Women of different ethnicities have had an uphill struggle to redefine feminist terms, benchmarks and understandings. One particular difficulty involves the use of ideas and concepts which are not easily translated into English. Drawing on debates between Western women and Islamist feminists, the article explores some of the problems in understanding terminologies and deciphering definitions about cultures and languages. It argues that the views of non-Western and ethnic minority women must be moved from margin to centre stage.     

From rags to riches: insights from the first genomic sequence of a plant pathogenic bacterium

The recently published genomic sequence of Xylella fastidiosa is the first for a free-living plant pathogen and provides clues to mechanisms of pathogenesis and survival in insect vectors. The sequence data should lead to improved control of this pathogen.     

Pleuston communities are buffered from regional flood pulses: the example of ostracods in the Paraná River floodplain, Brazil

1. It is widely acknowledged that sudden, large‐scale flood pulses are drivers of benthic and planktonic biodiversity change in floodplains. The impact of such pulses on pleuston (biotic communities associated with root systems of floating plants) remains to be demonstrated. Here, we investigate the effects of local and regional drivers on seasonal changes in abundance and diversity of ostracod communities in pleuston. 2. Temporal and spatial distribution patterns of species richness, abundance, diversity and evenness of ostracods associated with the floating water hyacinth, Eichhornia crassipes, in a lentic environment from the upper Paraná River floodplain, were investigated in relation to local, as well as regional, environmental factors. Ostracods were sampled monthly over an annual cycle (March 2004–February 2005). Twenty‐seven species were found, representing the families Cyprididae, Candonidae, Limnocytheridae and Darwinulidae. Both diversity and abundance of ostracod communities showed seasonal changes, although species turn‐over during the year was limited. 3. We tested two hypotheses concerning the causality of these fluctuations: seasonal recruitment and influx of allochthonous ostracods during the flood pulse. Our results indicate that seasonal recruitment is more likely to be the driver of fluctuations in relation to the flood pulse. We postulate that pleuston communities are buffered against possible detrimental effects of flood pulses.     

At the Desert's Green Edge: An Ethnobotany of the Gila River Pima.

At the Desert's Green Edge: An Ethnobotany of the Gila River Pima. Amadeo M. Rea. Tucson: University of Arizona Press, 1997. 430 pp.     

Frequency of independent origins of viviparity among caecilians (Gymnophiona): evidence from the first 'live-bearing' Asian amphibian

Viviparity is reported for Gegeneophis seshachari (Gymnophiona: Caeciliidae) from a gravid female containing four oviductal foetuses. The oviducts are highly vascularized and contain patches of thickened, layered tissue similar to foetal gut contents. Gegeneophis seshachari probably resemble other viviparous caecilians in having foetuses that ingest thickened oviduct lining using specialized deciduous teeth. This is the first report of viviparity in Asian amphibians and Indo-Seychellean caeciliids. Gegeneophis is the only caecilian genus known to include oviparous and viviparous species, and G. seshachari is the smallest known viviparous caecilian. Phylogenetic analysis of mitochondrial DNA sequences supports assignment of G. seshachari to a monophyletic Gegeneophis. Character optimization indicates that viviparity has evolved independently at least four times within Gymnophiona--a rate of incidence relative to the number of extant species that is higher than for other vertebrate groups except squamate reptiles. Our findings strengthen the proposal that caecilian reproduction demands further attention.     

1995—1999年黄河三角洲东部自然保护区湿地景观格局变化

基于1995和1999年的LandsatTM遥感影像,结合地理信息系统技术,分析黄河改道清8汊(1996年)前后的1995—1999年黄河三角洲东部自然保护区(位于黄河现行流路入海口处)湿地景观格局的变化特征,以及影响湿地景观格局变化的驱动因素.结果表明:1995—1999年,保护区湿地仍以天然湿地为主,人工湿地比重极小,期间非湿地面积大幅增加,而天然湿地和人工湿地面积则呈下降趋势,其中,裸露淤泥质滩涂和沼泽湿地面积明显萎缩;尽管保护区湿地景观类型、形状、结构的变化程度不均一,且各景观类型在空间分布上的团聚程度变化不均衡,但总的看来,保护区景观整体结构趋于复杂化,破碎化程度有所加深,内部各景观类型从大块连续的镶嵌分布向小块离散分布转变;影响保护区湿地景观格局变化的主要因素有3个:黄河改道、黄河断流和人类活动.     

Comparative ecology of Serranochromis species (Teleostei: Cichlidae) in the Upper Zambezi River floodplain

The Upper Zambezi River drainage of Zambia contains six Serrunochromis species belonging to the largemouth, piscivorous subgenus Serranochromis and three smallmouth, invertebrate-feeding species of the subgenus Sargochromis. A survey of the Barotse floodplain and associateddrainages revealed that two species, S. (S.) longimanus (Boulenger) and S. (S.) thumbergi (Castelnau), were uncommon on the floodplain. S. thumbergi appeared to be more abundant in the Kafue, Chobe, and Kabompo rivers than the Upper Zambezi proper. Adults of the three largest species (i.e. S. (S) robustus (Günther), S. (S.) altus (Winemiller & Kelso-Winemiller), and S. (Sar.) giurdi (Pellegrin)) inhabit the main channel of the Zambezi River during low water, whereas most adults of the other four species (i.e., S. (S.) macrocephalus (Boulenger), S. (S.)ungusticeps (Boulenger), S. (Sar.) codringtoni (Boulenger), and S. (Sar.) carlottae (Boulenger)) were collected from lagoons, canals and backwaters. Comparisons of population size structure and gonad condition during the falling water (May-August) and low water (September- December) seasons indicated that the seven common Serranochromis initiate spawning near the end of the low water period. Examination of gonad condition during the pre-spawning period indicated that Serrunochromis attain maturity at the following sizes: S. robustus, males (275-300 mm s.l .), females (250-275 mm); S. macrocephalus, both sexes (150-200 mm); S. altus, males (275-325 mm), females (250-300 mm);S. angusticeps, males (250-275 mm), females (175-225 mm); S. giardi, males (275-300 mm), females (225-250 mm); S. codringtoni, males (150 mm), females (125-150 mm); S. carlottue, males (150-175 mm), females (100-125 mm). Age was estimated from scale annuli comprised of closely spaced circuli that corresponded to the period of rising water (December- March). S. robustus, S. altus, S. angusticeps, and S. giurdi matured at approximately 3 years, and S. macrocephalus, S. codringtoni, and S. curlottae matured at approximately 2 years in the Barotse floodplain. The average numbers of mature oocytes per female were as follows: S. robustus- 1165; S. macrocephalus-810; S. altus-920; S. angusticeps-627; S. codringtoni-580; S. carlottue-362. Fecundity exhibited a weak positive relationship with female size. Analysis of stomach contents showed that interspecific diet overlap was low among both immature and mature size classes of Serrunochromis. Adult size classes of S. robustus fed primarily on small Synodontis catfishes, S. mucrocephalus fed mostly on mormyrid and cichlid fishes, S. altus specialized on mormyrids, and S. angusticeps fed primarily on small cyprinid and characid fishes. The three members of the subgenus Sargochromis consumed mostly invertebrates. Molluscs were the most important item in the diet of S. giardi, and aquatic insects and fish scales were predominant in the diet of S. carlottae. Larger size classes of S. codringtoni consumed large amounts of seeds (Graminaceae). If habitat and diet are considered together, niche separation among Upper Zambezi Serrunochromis species appears to be nearly complete.     

The impact of regulation and salinisation on floodplain lakes: the lower River Murray,Australia

Floodplain lakes along the lower River Murray are subject to a wide range of human impacts including regulation, abstraction, elevated saline groundwater tables, increased nutrient and sediment fluxes and introduced biota. These perturbations are superimposed on those arising from high inter-annual rainfall variability, driven, at least in part, by variations in the southern oscillation. Sediment-based archives from two lakes within a complex of wetlands, situated near to the first site of irrigation development in the lower River Murray, reveal substantial changes over the last 800 years. While high levels of salinity are not foreign to the sites, the recent trend is towards sustained high salinity levels. As a result of European impact, freshwater diatom plankton now dominates Loch Luna, whilst Loveday Wetland is both more saline and nutrient rich than in the pre-European period. In Loveday Wetland, the post-1960 increase in Haslea spicula (Hickie) Lange-Bertalot, may be driven by increases in sulphur salt concentrations that are believed to be a cause of recent acidification episodes. A recent increase in more salt tolerant diatoms in Loch Luna suggests that this site, which has been largely buffered from substantial change, is becoming more vulnerable to perturbation. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi: ) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Biodiversity of freshwater microfauna in the floodplain of the River Mun, Northeast Thailand: the Rotifera monogononta

We report on the γ- diversity of Rotifera in freshwater habitats of the River Mun floodplain, Northeast Thailand. Qualitative samples were collected during the pre-monsoon (April) and post-monsoon (October) periods of 2000, from 70 habitats spanning a diverse array of freshwater habitat types. Of the 184 species identified, most belong to Lecane (31.0%), followed by Trichocerca (12.0%), Lepadella (11.4%) and Brachionus (8.2%). Oriental, Australasian, and Eastern hemisphere taxa account for 4.3%, 3.3% and 7.1%, respectively, of the total rotifer fauna, and 8.8%, 1.7% and 10.5%, respectively, of Lecane. Although comparison between studies is difficult, these numbers conform to previous reports on the diversity and composition of the rotifer fauna of Thai freshwater habitats, and of tropical floodplain ecosystems. Diversity is lowest during the post-monsoon period, which may result from disturbance by monsoon conditions. Two morphospecies, Brachionus srisumonaen. sp., and Lecane niwati n. sp., are described as new to science. Additional noteworthy occurrences are, Lecane robertsonae Segers, previously considered a Neotropical endemic, and L. subtilis Harring & Myers, a tropicopolitan species new to Thailand and the Oriental region.     

Long-term development of a cultural landscape: the origins and dynamics of lowland heathland in southern England

The lowland heathlands of southern England comprise ca. 14?% of the total area of this habitat in Europe yet their history is poorly understood. This paper presents the first detailed palaeoecological evidence (combining palynological, microscopic charcoal and radiocarbon data) relating to the origin and long-term dynamics of heathland vegetation in southern England. Valley peat sites, situated on the Lower Greensand Group (coarse-grained sandstones) at Conford (Hampshire) and Hurston Warren (West Sussex) have been investigated. The sequence from Conford indicates the unusually late survival of Pinus sylvestris (to as late as ca. 6050?cal. b.p.) in southern England. This is attributed to edaphic factors and, after ca. 7050?cal. b.p., to frequent fires. After intervening phases of dominance by deciduous woodland, heathland vegetation became established in the proximity of both sites in the Late Bronze Age (ca. 3000?cal. b.p.) with increases in indicators of grazing and burning demonstrating an association between the development of heathland and human activity. Thereafter, the pollen and charcoal records show that the vegetation remained in a dynamic state as the scale and nature of human activity varied through time. Major expansions in the extent of heathland occurred relatively recently; after ca. 1450?cal. b.p. at Hurston Warren and after ca. 850?cal. b.p. at Conford. A review of the palaeoecological evidence suggests that the most intense use and greatest coverage of heathland in southern England probably occurred during the medieval to post-medieval periods.