Seed Dispersal in Páramo Plants: Epizoochorous and Hydrochorous Taxa

Abstract: On the basis of a recent checklist of plant diversity in páramos, diaspores collected from herbaria were studied for adaptations to dispersal on animals and by water. This study shows that the páramo flora has a relatively high percentage of genera with morphological adaptations to epizoochorous and to hydrochorous diaspore dispersal. Genera with hooked and straight appendages are present throughout the páramo belt, while their number decreases in the higher páramo zones. About half of the hydrochorous genera and one-third of the epizoochorous ones can be found throughout all páramo zones. The contribution of holarctic epizoochorous genera to the páramo flora seems to be greater than that of austral-antarctic genera, whereas in hydrochorous genera it is the reverse.     

Population structure and reproduction ofCalanus helgolandicus (Copepoda,Calanoida) along the iberian and Moroccan slope

During three cruises, carried out in March 1991, October 1991, and January 1992 off the Iberian Peninsula and Morocco, the abundant calanoid copepodCalanus helgolandicus (Claus) was collected from a depth of 1000 m to the surface. Differences in depth preference were correlated with the life stage and geographically differing vertical salinity structures. In autumn and winter, only stage V copepodids (CV) and adults were found, in spring also younger copepodid stages. Within the range of the Mediterranean outflow water (MOW), a sharp decline of abundances of all stages was evident during all cruises. In autumn 1991, the bulk of the population was recorded south of the MOW, in winter 1992 north of it. During winter, numbers had declined by 70%, supporting the idea that winter individuals represent the same generation as was encountered in autumn, and that they had been transported northwards. CV stages preferred the depth layer 400–800 m, in autumn and winter. Adults were found in autumn at the same depth south of the MOW, while they preferred the 0–400 m layers north of it. In winter, the abundance of adults increased, males preferred the 400–600 m depth layer, while females stayed at 200–400 m. In spring 1991, stages younger than CV were found in high densities, all stages concentrating in the upper 200 m. During the crosslope survey in spring off Portugal, an absolute abundance maximum of females was found. In contrast, offshore densities were very low. On the basis of these findings, the hypothesis of a Mediterranean centre of distribution and dispersal into the Atlantic is questioned. It is suggested that a separate, reproductively active population ofC. helgolandicus exists off NW. Africa.     

Causal analysis of the diversity of medusae in East China Sea

Based on the maritime data collected from 23°30'-33°00' N and 118°30'-128°00' E of the East China Sea (ECS) in four seasons during 1997-2000,the dynamics of medusae diversity and their causes were ana-lyzed.A total of 103 medusae species were identified,and these species mainly distributed in the southern and north-ern offshore areas of the ECS.Species diversity index (H') of medusae was higher in the south than those in the north,higher in summer and winter than in spring and autumn,and higher in offshore than in the nearshore areas.The species number was closely correlated with H' value,whereas the abundance of species had no significant rela-tionship with the diversity index.The lower H' value of the nearshore in spring and autumn resulted from the aggrega-tion of Muggiaea atlantica in the south nearshore and Diphyes chamissonis in the north nearshore.In addition,water temperature,followed by salinity,is the main envir-onmental factor influencing the distribution of species diversity.The H' value was related to the water temperature at the 10 m layer in winter and spring,and it was associated with the surface water temperature in summer and with the 10 m-salinity-layer in autumn.In spring and summer,the isoline distribution of H' value reflected the direction of the Taiwan Warm Current and the variation of the water masses in the ECS.In winter,the isoline of the H' value indicated the incursion of Kuroshio current.In conclusion,the H' isoline is an good indicator for water masses in ECS.     

The Life Cycle of Guadalgenus franzi (Aubert, 1963) (Plecoptera: Perlodidae) in the Sierra Morena Mountains (Southern Spain): Semivoltinism in Seasonal Streams of the Mediterranean Basin

Guadalgenus franzi (Aubert) is a large perlodine stonefly distributed exclusively over the central and south areas of the Iberian Peninsula. In two seasonal streams of the Sierra Morena Mountains, near the southern edge of its range, monthly aquatic samples were taken during two consecutive years. The species had a semivoltine cycle. The adults emerged in late March and April. Larvae were found from December to May. Growth of junior and senior cohorts were recorded throughout the winter and spring until some weeks before the flow was interrupted or until emergence, respectively. Although a wide range of size was present during the winter, there was a resynchronization of both cohorts during the spring. Mature female larvae were larger than males.     

Estimating the potato leafhopper Empoasca fabae (Homoptera: Cicadellidae) overwintering range and spring premigrant development by using geographic information system

The potato leafhopper, Empoasca fabae (Harris), is a circular migratory pest of many crops in the United States that overwinters in the southern states. Northward migrant population arrival to the northern states occurs earlier in the north central states compared with northeastern states. Migrant leafhopper arrival to the north varies from year to year depending on factors influencing the development of spring migrants in the overwintering areas and on timing of weather systems capable of transporting the migrants northward. An estimate of the potato leafhopper minimum temperature survival, the geographic limits of the potato leafhopper overwintering range, leafhopper spring development in the overwintering areas, and the identification of the spring migration initiation northwards can help to predict the leafhopper arrival time in the northern states. In the current study, geographic information system (GIS) was used to estimate the potato leafhopper minimum temperature survival and premigrant development. The minimum winter temperature was estimated by overlaying minimum temperature isolines with potato leafhopper collection data taken during the winter, The geographic limits of the overwintering range were estimated using the minimum temperature survival to create a condition-based model by using ArcMap-GIS 8.2. The estimated overwintering range was larger and covered areas further north than previously estimated and included Missouri, Kansas, Kentucky, Virginia, and Maryland. The use of degree-day accumulation to estimate days of first adult emergence in the overwintering areas resulted in earliest adult emergence in the south central region. First adult emergence in south central and southeastern areas occurred before the detection of potato leafhoppers in the north central United States. These data suggested that the difference in population arrival between the north central states and the northeastern states was more dependent on factors affecting the migration and weather conditions encountered along the migration pathway.     

The large-scale detoured migration route and the shifting pattern of migration in Oriental honey-buzzards breeding in Japan

We describe the detoured migration route of the Oriental honey-buzzard Pernis ptilorhyncus , showing differences between autumn and spring migration, using data from 10 adult individuals marked with satellite transmitters. In autumn, the migration routes were very similar from Japan to the south end of the Malay Peninsula. The wintering sites were distributed within the Philippines, Borneo and the Malay Archipelago. During autumn, migration of the birds had few long-term stopover sites, instead, sometimes decidedly slowing their migration rate while proceeding in a consistent direction. During spring migration, the honey-buzzards penetrated into southern China, moving north to the base of the Korean Peninsula. The birds then went south through the Korean Peninsula to reach Japan. Before travelling to China, all spring migrants stopped for several weeks in south-east Asia. The slow rate of travel in the autumn suggests that migrants were foraging and replenishing their energy reserves. Instead of a migration strategy that uses only a few long-term stopover sites, honey-buzzards may adopt a strategy based on a number of short-term stay sites.     

On the influence of water conductivity,pH and climate on bryophyte assemblages in Catalan semi-natural springs

Bryophytes are some of the most sensitive biological indicators of environmental change. Springs have a significant presence of bryophytes and so are ideal habitats for studying their relationship with the environment. We tested whether bryophyte assemblages can be explained with macro-, meso- and micro-ecological variables (i.e. seasonal climate, altitude, water pH and conductivity) sampling bryophytes from 198 semi-natural springs distributed along montane regions in the north-eastern Iberian Peninsula. We tested the influence of environmental variables on bryophyte assemblages in springs using sparse Partial Least Squares. Our results show that variability in bryophyte assemblages is explained by seasonal climate (temperature and precipitation from winter, spring, summer and autumn and temperature and precipitation seasonality), altitude and water conductivity. The results obtained by the present study will be useful for predicting bryophyte diversity in springs using simple and easy to obtain variables such as climate, water pH and conductivity.     

Genetic structure of Arabian Peninsula dromedary camels revealed three geographic groups

Dromedary camels (Camelus dromedarius) are widespread in the desert and semi-desert areas of Africa, the Arabian Peninsula, some parts of southwest Asia and Australia. In the Arabian Peninsula, these well-adapted species have been classified based on their ecology into Desert camels, found mainly in the north and center of the Peninsula, Mountain camels, distributed along the west and south of the Peninsula, and Beach camels, populating the west to southwest of the Peninsula. Here, we aimed to investigate the genetic relationship between 386 camels corresponding to 12 dromedary populations from different geographical locations and ecology in the Arabian Peninsula with the genotyping of 17 microsatellite loci. No significant deviation was observed in heterozygosity, allelic richness, Fis (inbreeding coefficient) among the studied populations had a mean value of 0.5849, 4.808 and 0.04, respectively. A mean Fst (fixation index) value of 0.0304 was calculated for the various populations with the highest value obtained between racing Omani and Awarik camel populations (0.079). Both the neighbor-joining phylogenetic tree and the STRUCTURE analysis divided the populations into three different groups corresponding to their Arabian Peninsula geographic location (North, Central and West, South-West, and South-East of the Arabian Peninsula), rather than their ecological classification, with a high level of genetic admixture and gene flow among them. Investigating the genetic relationship of dromedary populations in the Arabian Peninsula can be considered as the first milestone to conserve this well-adapted species. The results obtained here need to be further validated using whole genome sequencing data.     

巢湖流域地下水硝态氮含量空间分布和季节变化格局

2009年冬季、2010年春季和夏季分别在巢湖流域采集了253个、249个和230个水井的地下水样品,分析了其硝态氮含量。结果表明,巢湖流域的地下水硝酸盐污染比较严重,冬季、春季和夏季的地下水硝态氮的超标率(≥10 mg/L)均超过20%。巢湖北部区的地下水硝态氮含量高于南部地区。在巢湖北部区,东北部江淮分水岭丘陵区的地下水硝态氮含量较低。在巢湖南部区,地下水硝态氮含量具有从西部山区向东部平原逐渐升高的趋势。不同土地利用类型的地下水硝态氮含量排序是村庄菜地旱地乡镇水稻-油菜(或小麦)轮作田果园单季水稻田养殖场,传统水稻田绿色水稻田。巢湖流域地下水硝态氮含量的季节变化总趋势为冬季≈春季夏季,主要与降水有关。不同土地利用类型的地下水硝态氮含量的季节变化格局不同,其中地下水硝态氮含量呈现冬季春季夏季的土地类型为菜地、果园和水稻田,春季冬季夏季的土地类型为旱地、乡镇、畜禽养殖场,春季夏季冬季的土地类型为村庄,这种季节变化格局主要与不同土地利用类型的施肥量、施肥时间的不同有关。     

中南半岛前期异常气候条件对中国南方稻区褐飞虱灾变性迁入的影响及其预测模型

近30多年来,气候变化对中国褐飞虱的灾变性迁入带来了明显的影响,为了进一步了解虫源地的异常气候变化对我国褐飞虱迁入量的影响,利用1980—2016年中国各植保站提供的褐飞虱虫情资料及同期美国国家环境预测中心(NCEP)提供的全球气象再分析资料,分析了中国褐飞虱境外主要虫源地中南半岛前期异常气候条件对中国南方稻区褐飞虱发生程度的影响,并对褐飞虱发生等级与影响其迁飞的气象因子进行了相关性分析,筛选出关键预报因子,分别应用支持向量机(SVM)、BP神经网络和多元回归分析3种方法对代表站点褐飞虱年发生等级进行了预测,并比较了3种预测模型的优劣。结果表明:(1)中南半岛气候异常区主要分布在北部,异常气候的发生次数在中南半岛呈现出北高南低的特征,并从北向南呈环状递减。(2)中南半岛前期温度偏高(暖冬、暖春)、相对湿度偏大(湿冬、湿春),易引起褐飞虱在中国南方稻区的偏重以上发生;若中南半岛前期气候偏冷(冷冬、冷春)、偏干(干冬、干春),则常导致褐飞虱在中国南方稻区的偏轻以下发生。(3)通过比较3种模型的历史回代率和预测准确率,发现3种模型对褐飞虱的发生程度均有一定的预测能力,其中SVM模型的预测效果最好,BP神经网络次之,多元线性回归模型最差,表明SVM更加适用于生产实际中的褐飞虱发生程度预测。     

Offshore Habitat Preference of Overwintering Juvenile and Adult Black Sea Bass,Centropristis striata,and the Relationship to Year-Class Success

Black sea bass (Centropristis striata) migrations are believed to play a role in overwinter survival and connectivity between juvenile and adult populations. This study investigated oceanographic drivers of winter habitat choice and regional differences between populations of juvenile and adult black sea bass. Trends in cohort strength, as a result of juvenile survival, were also identified. Oceanographic and fisheries survey data were analyzed using generalized additive models. Among the oceanographic variables investigated, salinity was the main driver in habitat selection with an optimal range of 33–35 practical salinity units (PSU) for both juveniles and adults. Preferred temperature ranges varied between juveniles and adults, but held a similar minimum preference of >8°C. Salinity and temperature ranges also differed by regions north and south of Hudson Canyon. Shelf water volume had less of an effect than temperature or salinity, but showed an overall negative relationship with survey catch. The effect of winter conditions on juvenile abundance was also observed across state and federal survey index trends. A lack of correlation observed among surveys in the fall paired with a strong correlation in the spring identifies the winter period as a factor determining year-class strength of new recruits to the population. A rank order analysis of spring indices identified three of the largest year classes occurring during years with reduced shelf water volumes, warmer winter shelf waters, and a 34 PSU isohaline aligned farther inshore. While greater catches of black sea bass in the northwest Atlantic Ocean remain south of Hudson Canyon, the species’ range has expanded north in recent years.     

Possible cryptic speciationwithin the sea anemone Actinia equina complex detected byAFLP markers

The population genetic profiles of 60 specimens of thecommon intertidal sea anemone Actinia equina taken from foursampling sites (Peroj, Barbariga and the north and south shoresof the Limski Canal), along a 25 km strip of the coastof the Istra Peninsula, Croatia, were evaluated by AFLP markers(144 loci). All populations were characterized by aggregates ofspecimens confined within a few square meters. One of the populations(on the north shore of the canal) contained both large and small-sizedindividuals. Results revealed high within-aggregate genetic heterogeneity(36.1–55.6%). With respect to interpopulationprofiles, geographically remote populations from Peroj, Barbarigaand the south shore of the canal were more closely related geneticallythan those on the north and south shores of the canal. The small-sizedsubpopulation from the north shore exhibits a distinct AFLP pattern,suggesting that it warrants recognition as a cryptic species.  © 2002The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the LinneanSociety , 2002, 136 , 315−320     

SPRING MIGRATION OF EIDERS SOMATERZA MOLLISSIMA IN SOUTHERN SCANDINAVIA

Eider migration in southern Scandinavia in spring 1972 was studied simultaneously at three radar stations and ten field observation sites. The Eiders winter in Danish and West German waters, from which they set out on spring migration on courses ranging from SE to NE; those from the northern part of the wintering area flew SE, those from the south NE, while birds wintering in between these geographical extremes set out on intermediate courses around E. Radar showed that most Eiders fly over the island of Zealand and the peninsula of Skåne, but only exceptionally further north over Sweden. Few Eiders crossing land were registered by field observers and most evidently passed at high altitudes beyond the range of vision. After having crossed Skåne, on varying tracks both south and north of east, the Eiders descended and changed flight direction towards NE. Some Eiders from the northern part of the wintering area circumnavigated Skåne, passing south along the Swedish coast of the Sound, crossing the very narrow peninsula of Falsterbo, and subsequently following the south coast of Skåne eastwards. Eiders from southern Denmark and Germany were often deflected eastwards along the south coast. After having passed Skåne no significant land crossings were made. Upon reaching the province of Blekinge on a course towards NE, the Eiders were deflected E to ESE along the coast and later NNE along the west coast of Öland through Kalmar sound. Approximately 350 000 ducks migrated during daytime of the study period, 250 000 crossing the land of Skåne while 100 000 passed along the south coast. Almost 300 000 migrated north in Kalmar sound, and 17 % of all Eiders passed east of Gland over the open sea. Three distinct peaks of activity during the day were noted in Skåne. The first, at around sunrise, originated from birds resting in waters off Skåne. The second occurred about four hours later and probably consisted of birds which had departed from the wintering area in the early morning. A final peak at sunset was often recorded. Migration also took place during the night, but involved only one fifth of the total number. From combined radar and field counts the total Baltic Eider population is estimated to have been 700 000–800 000 in spring 1972, indicating about 300 000 breeding pairs in the Baltic Sea.     

基于优选遥感干旱指数的华北平原干旱时空变化特征分析

基于中分辨率成像光谱仪(MODIS)产品和气象资料,对比分析了作物缺水指数(CWSI)、干旱严重度指数(DSI)、归一化植被供水指数(NVSWI)和温度植被干旱指数(TVDI)表征华北平原干旱状况的适用性,并基于优选后的指数研究了2000—2018年干旱的时空变化特征。结果表明：(1)CWSI在反映干旱的效果上明显优于另外三种干旱指数。(2)时间上,2000—2018年春季干旱最严重,其次是秋季和冬季,夏季干旱最轻,但春季干旱强度有所下降,速率为-0.03/10a,而其他三季均呈增加趋势,速率为(0.01—0.08)/10a。(3)空间上,华北平原东部和东南部发生轻旱频率高,西部和北部中旱及以上干旱频率较高。山东省西北部及河南省东部、安徽省北部等地春旱呈显著减弱趋势(P<0.05);夏季华北平原东南部干旱增加趋势显著(P<0.05),而北部减弱趋势显著(P<0.05);秋季华北平原西南一带干旱上升趋势较大;冬季西部、中部及南部干旱增加趋势显著(P<0.05)。     

Responses of white spruce (Picea glauca) to experimental warming at a subarctic alpine treeline

From 2001 to 2004 we experimentally warmed 40 large, naturally established, white spruce [Picea glauca (Moench) Voss] seedlings at alpine treeline in southwest Yukon, Canada, using passive open‐top chambers (OTCs) distributed equally between opposing north and south‐facing slopes. Our goal was to test the hypothesis that an increase in temperature consistent with global climate warming would elicit a positive growth response. OTCs increased growing season air temperatures by 1.8°C and annual growing degree‐days by one‐third. In response, warmed seedlings grew significantly taller and had higher photosynthetic rates compared with control seedlings. On the south aspect, soil temperatures averaged 1.0°C warmer and the snow‐free period was nearly 1 month longer. These seedlings grew longer branches and wider annual rings than seedlings on the north aspect, but had reduced Photosystem‐II efficiency and experienced higher winter needle mortality. The presence of OTCs tended to reduce winter dieback over the course of the experiment. These results indicate that climate warming will enhance vertical growth rates of young conifers, with implications for future changes to the structure and elevation of treeline contingent upon exposure‐related differences. Our results suggest that the growth of seedlings on north‐facing slopes is limited by low soil temperature in the presence of permafrost, while growth on south‐facing slopes appears limited by winter desiccation and cold‐induced photoinhibition.     

基于植被/温度特征的黄土高原地表水分季节变化

地表水分是监测土地退化的一个重要指标,是气候、水文、生态、农业等领域的主要参数。选择陕北黄土高原地区作为研究区域,首先采用基于植被覆盖特征的植被状态指数（Vegetation Condition Index,简称VCI）和基于地表温度特征（Land Surface Temperature,简称Ts）的温度状态指数（Temperature Condition Index,简称TCI）分别评价了区域地表水分状况的季节变化。在此基础上分析了植被指数与地表温度特征线性关系的季节变化规律,计算了基于两者经验关系的地表干燥度指数（Temperature Vegetation Dryness Index,TVDI）。该指数对Ts／NDVI特征空间的生态特征的解释,对土壤和作物的水分含量具有综合的指示意义。文中利用该指数综合评价了研究区域地表水分状况的时空分布差异,进一步对VCI、TCI与TVDI相关关系的季节变化进行比较分析,并结合气候因子进行了相关验证,从而对不同指数的应用范围做出判定。研究结果表明,单独采用TCI或VCI表征地表水分会受到明显的季节影响,而TVDI能在不同季节综合体现植被覆盖和地表温度特征对地表水分的影响,从而能较好的反映区域地表水分状况的时空变化特征。各区域的TVDI值季节分布上皆为4—7月份高于10-翌年1月份,但各区TVDI值的季节变化则存在显著不同,而各流域内部TVDI值的空间变异性也存在季节差异,其中在10月份较为显著。     

欧洲典型树种展叶始期的时空变化及其对气候变化的响应

近年来,全球变暖对植物春季物候期产生了显著影响.很多研究报道了中国地区木本植物春季物候期变化的时空格局,但在同处于北半球温带地区的欧洲则相关研究较少.为了增进物候变化及其对气候变化响应规律的区域对比,本研究利用欧洲地区展叶始期(1980-2014年)数据和相应的气象数据,研究欧洲七叶树、垂枝桦、欧洲山毛榉和夏栎4种典型...     

Daphnia lumholtzi and Daphnia ambigua: population comparisons of an exotica and a native cladoceran in Lake Okeechobee, Florida

The population dynamics of an exotic cladoceran (Daphnia lumholtzi Sars) and a native cladoceran (Daphnia ambigua) were studied over a 12 month period in subtropical Lake Okeechobee, Florida (USA), to quantify the extent of invasion of the exotic species and compare ecological niches. Daphnia lumholtzi accounted for up to 70% of the Daphnia assemblage during the summer months (June-August), while D.ambigua accounted for up to 97% of the Daphnia assemblage from fall to spring (October-April). The densities of the two species were inversely corelated. The exotic species was most concentrated in the shallower, warmer, north and south ends of the lake during the summer. It also was present, but at much lower densities, in the central lake region during the fall. The native species displayed a ubiquitous distribution throughout the lake during spring and winter, but was concentrated in the deeper, cooler, central region during the summer. Relationships of the two species with environmental conditions indicate that water column temperature might affect the seasonal and spatial distribution of the two Daphnia species. The results also indicate that D.lumholtzi may be filling a 'vacant' seasonal or spatial niche when conditions are unfavorable for D.ambigua.      

Population variability in heat shock proteins among three Antarctic penguin species

Heat shock proteins (HSPs) are synthesised under stressful conditions such as exposure to elevated temperatures, contamination, free radicals, UV light or pathophysiological states resulting from parasites and/or pathogens. HSPs function to protect cells by means of modulation of protein folding. In Antarctica, these proteins have been studied in such organisms as protozoa and fishes, without attention to geographical variation. We studied the variation of HSP70 and HSP60 levels in Gentoo, Adelie and Chinstrap penguins among different populations along the Antarctic Peninsula from King George Island (62°15′S) to Avian Island (67°46′S). Our results show that the northern population of Gentoo penguin showed higher levels of HSP70 and HSP60 than the southern population. High temperature, human impact and immunity as a proxy for parasites and diseases in northern locations could explain such variation. Adelie penguin only showed significant geographical variation in HSP70, increasing north to south, a pattern perhaps related to increased UV radiation and decreased temperatures from north to south. Chinstrap penguin shows no population differences in the variation in neither HSP70 nor HSP60, although HSP70 showed marginally significant differences. Sexual differences in the level of these proteins are also discussed.     

THE DISTRIBUTION OF WHITE-SIDED (LAGENORHYNCHUS ACUTUS) AND COMMON DOLPHINS (DELPHINUS DELPHIS) VS. ENVIRONMENTAL FEATURES OF THE CONTINENTAL SHELF OF THE NORTHEASTERN UNITED STATES

Sightings of white-sided ( Lagenorhynchus acutus ) and common dolphins ( Delphinus delphis ) from survey vessels operating on the continental shelf of the northeastern United States were recorded during spring and fall of six years. Distributions of these sightings were compared with sea surface temperature and salinity, and bottom topography. The apparent geographic distributions of the two species are complementary, although there is a broad overlap. White-sided dolphins occurred primarily within the Gulf of Maine, but also on Georges Bank and in the mid-Atlantic region. Common dolphins were abundant within a broad band paralleling the continental slope (100–200 m depth contour) from latitude 35°N to the northeast peak of Georges Bank. Sightings of this species were distributed primarily along the edge of the continental shelf south of 40°N in spring and north of this latitude in fall. Few sightings of common dolphins occurred in the Gulf of Maine.
Although both species of dolphins were sighted more frequently in areas of high sea floor relief, white-sided dolphins occurred in areas where sea surface temperatures and salinities are low while common dolphins were sighted in warmer, more saline waters. However, these environmental conditions may be only secondarily influencing dolphin distribution. Seasonal variation in sea surface temperature and salinity, and local nutrient upwelling in areas of high sea floor relief may affect preferred prey abundances, which in turn may affect dolphin distribution.