Randomness and aggregation: analysis of dispersion in an epiphytic chironomid community

1. Patterns of dispersion in a chironomid community on the submersed macrophyte Myriophyllum spicatum were analysed. 2. Random dispersion commonly occurred throughout the year, with an average of 40% of all species being observed with random spatial patterns. The frequency of occasions with random dispersion varied among chironomid species, ranging from 3.3% in Rheotanytarsus curtistylus to 56% in Thienemanniella majuscula. 3. Estimates of the negative binomial parameter k show that 26% of all cases demonstrate strong aggregation (0 < k < 1.0) while nearly half (47%) have quasi-random dispersion. Interspecific variation in k was not significant statistically when all the species were considered together, although a pairwise comparison between two abundant species Tvetenia calvescens and Rheotanytarsus curtistylus demonstrated a marginally significant difference. When different instars were compared, the percentage frequency of strong aggregation (0 < k < 1.0) declined from first instars (49%) to later instars (II-38%, III-24% and IV-27%). 4. Variance/mean and m*—m regressions (m* is Lloyd's mean crowding statistic and m is the sample mean) both fitted the data well, but there was little indication of significant interspecific variation in parameter values, particularly the slope of regression. 5. Dispersion patterns were examined along with the analysis of spatial overlap in this community. Forty-two per cent of species-pairs with reduced spatial overlap (spatially ‘segregated’ pairs) contained one or both species with random dispersion, while the corresponding value for spatially unsegregated pairs was 57%. This suggests that spatial segregation is not necessarily caused by strong, independent aggregation of both species. Comparing spatially segregated vs. unsegregated pairs, the former tend to have one species with a stronger tendency of aggregation than species of the latter. 6. Patterns of dispersion observed were considered in the light of ‘random patch formation’. Random patch formation emphasizes the stochasticity of patch-forming processes as well as the stochastically dynamic nature of resultant patches. Unlike terrestrial drosophilid assemblages, where strong aggregation is a predominant pattern, this chironomid community demonstrates widely varying degrees of dispersion with high occurrence of randomness, reflecting the stochasticity of dispersal and recolonization processes. It is suggested that, in terms of species coexistence, more emphasis should be placed on stochasticity rather than on aggregation in this type of community.     

The structure of diversity in an epiphytic chironomid community

The structure of diversity in a chironomid community inhabiting submerged macrophytes was analysed, including the relationship between predation/competition and chironomid diversity. Diversity as expressed by the Shannon functionH was found to be strongly associated with equitabilityJ but not with species richnessS in this community. Chironomid species richness was correlated with the abundance of diatoms. DiversityH and equitabilityJ were significantly correlated with chironomid density through the year. Invertebrate predators were generally rare and occurred sporadically throughout the year in this habitat, with only three species (Chaetogaster diaphanus, Rhyacophila dorsalis andZavrelimyia sp.) attaining >25% habitat occupancy. Neither these predators nor non-chironomid competitors encountered in the same habitat (Stylaria lacustris, Ophidonais serpentina, Hydroptila sp.,Simulium spp. andHydropsyche siltalai) appeared to affect diversity measures of the chironomid community under study, apart from a weak tendency of highSimulium density negatively affecting the total chironomid abundance. In conjunction with other analyses, this chironomid community seemed to be stochastically dynamic and was little influenced by biotic factors such as predation and competition.     

A partial analysis of ecological segregation in the chironomid community of a bog lake

A small dystrophic lake was found to support 19 species of chironomid larvae, 13 of which are relatively abundant while the other six are classified as rare as they collectively constituted less than 0.25% of the total chironomid community. With the exception of one species pair, evidence of ecological segregation could be demonstrated for all abundant species that could be morphologically distinguished as larvae. Both members of the overlapping pair fed mainly upon coarse detritus, the most abundant food resource in the lake. Limited data on the six rare species failed to reveal ecological segregation from one or more of the abundant species.     

Population dynamics, life histories and species richness in an epiphytic chironomid community

SUMMARY. 1. The chironomid fauna on the spiked water-milfoil Myriophyllum spicatum was studied quantitatively for a year in a small lowland stream in eastern England.
2. A total of nineteen species, comprising fourteen Orthocladiinae, four Chironominae and one Tanypodinae, was recorded. Population dynamics and life histories of the eight most abundant species were described: Orthocladius (O.) Pe 9, O. (O.) sp. A, Cricotopus (C.) annulator, Rheocricotopus chalybeatus, Tvetenia calvescens, Eukiefferiella ilkleyensis, Thienemanniella majuscula and Rheotanytarsus curtistylus. The number of generations per year ranged from one (O. (O.) Pe 9, O. (O.) sp. A, C, (C.) annulator) to five ( T. calvescens, T. majuscula). Temporal variation in population density often reflected characteristic patterns of the life cycle of each species.
3. Species richness (number of species) for each month ranged between six and fifteen. These observed species richnesses were compared with a null species occurrence model and it was revealed that a significantly higher number of species than expected coexisted in April and May. This may be related to the abundance of diatoms in spring.     

Microhabitat influence on chironomid community structure and stable isotope signatures in West Greenland lakes

Most functional feeding types are represented within the species rich group of aquatic chironomids. Thus, we hypothesized that different lake types and microhabitats within lakes would (1) host specific chironomid communities and (2) that the individual communities would show specific δ ¹³C stable isotope signatures reflecting the prevailing origin of food source. To test our hypotheses, five lakes in southwest Greenland were investigated at a high taxonomic resolution and with detailed information on δ ¹³C signature of the chironomids and of individual microhabitats (macrophytes, sediment, stones, and profundal). We found that there was a significant difference in δ ¹³C between the chironomid assemblages of freshwater lakes and oligosaline lakes, while assemblages of the littoral microhabitats did not differ significantly. The δ ¹³C of chironomids reflected the wide variety of habitat signals, particularly in the freshwater lakes. Our results indicate that many chironomid taxa are ubiquitous and are found in several microhabitats, suggesting that they can adjust their feeding strategy according to the habitat. The implication is that chironomid assemblage composition has only limited use as indicator of littoral microhabitats in the Arctic. On the other hand, the δ ¹³C signature of fossil chironomids might have a potential as indicator of microhabitats in freshwater lakes.     

Exploration of the influence of global warming on the chironomid community in a manipulated shallow groundwater system

Uncertainty about predicted effects of global warming on freshwater ecosystems led us to manipulate the thermal regime of a shallow groundwater ecosystem. The study area was separated into a control and treatment block using a sheet-metal groundwater divide to a depth of 1 m. Temperatures were increased according to General Circulation Model (GCM) projections for Southern Ontario, Canada. We examined the response of the groundwater chironomid community during pre-manipulation, manipulation and recovery periods. We found that warming decreased the total abundance of chironomids whereas no significant change in taxonomic richness was apparent. Interestingly, taxon composition changed markedly during both the manipulation and the recovery period. Whereas Heterotrissocladius disappeared during the manipulation in the treatment block, other coldstenothermal taxa such as Micropsectra, Parametriocnemus and Heleniella remained unaffected. Conversely, Corynoneura, Polypedilum and Thienemannia gracilis disappeared but were not reported as coldstenothermal. The chironomid community composition in the system changed from a Heterotrissocladius, Brillia, and Tanytarsini-dominated community during the pre-manipulation towards one dominated by Parametriocnemus, Polypedilum, Orthocladius/Cricotopus and Corynoneura during the recovery. Although increased temperature had a strong effect, chironomid occurrence was also influenced by a number of other abiotic variables, such as dissolved oxygen, depth, ammonia concentration and TDS (Total dissolved solids). Handling editor: S. Stendera     

Computational approaches to understanding protein aggregation in neurodegeneration

The generation of toxic non-native protein conformers has emerged as a unifying thread among disorders such as Alzheimer＇s disease, Parkinson＇s disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Atomic-level detail regarding dynamical changes that facilitate protein aggre- gation, as well as the structural features of large-scale ordered aggregates and soluble non-native oligomers, would contribute signifi- cantly to current understanding of these complex phenomena and offer potential strategies for inhibiting formation of cytotoxic species. However, experimental limitations often preclude the acquisition of high-resolution structural and mechanistic information for aggregating systems. Computational methods, particularly those combine both aU-atom and coarse-grained simulations to cover a wide range of time and length scales, have thus emerged as crucial tools for investigating protein aggregation. Here we review the current state of computational methodology for the study of protein self-assembly, with a focus on the application of these methods toward understanding of protein aggregates in human neurodegenerative disorders.     

Molecular approaches to aggregation behavior and social attachment

In many animal species individuals aggregate to live in groups. A range of experimental approaches in different animals, including studies of social feeding in nematodes, maternal behavior in rats and sheep, and pair-bonding in voles, are providing insights into the neural bases for these behaviors. These studies are delineating multiple neural circuits and gene networks in the brain that interact in ways that are as yet poorly understood to coordinate social behavior.     

Abiotic factors affect microhabitat selection and community dynamics in a sandy-bottom lotic chironomid midge assemblage

Research has established that there is a relationship between lotic macroinvertebrates and environmental variables; however, the sample is frequently large with a coarse mesh size, or sampling is broad in scope. My working hypothesis was that microhabitat variability affects habitat choice and community structure of larval chironomid midges, examined at a scale close to organismal size. Small benthic cores were taken monthly and divided vertically into 1?cm sections. Midge larvae were extracted from each section, and 14 environmental variables were assessed for each section. Partial canonical correspondence analysis indicated that a number of species showed unique microhabitat preferences. The species?Cenvironment relation was strong, in which several environmental variables contributed significantly to patterns of midge habitat structure, most notably current, depth in the sediment, and certain sediment fractions. This research demonstrated that small macroinvertebrates are selective in choosing microhabitats, measured at the rarely examined small scale close to organismal size, in a simple homogeneous sandy environment. Precision in defining an organism??s microhabitat can help us better to understand species habitat choices with a view to improve understanding of species interrelationships.     

Microbial community structure and function in response to larval chironomid feeding pressure in a microcosm experiment

Studies concerning the interactions between macroinvertebrate and microbial communities have been carried out for some time. However, most of these studies have been simple feeding relationships that as a group have produced ambiguous results. We perceive these relationships to be more complex, encompassing not only microbial population density but also structure and function. To further understand these relationships, we employed molecular and biochemical techniques to study microbial structural and functional diversity in relation to macrobenthic feeding pressure. We studied the effect of feeding by the three population densities of larval midge, Chironomus tentans, (Diptera: Chironomidae) on microbial community organization. No significant difference in microbial biomass carbon (10.0 mg/g DWS ±1.97) was seen between the three treatments. However, we did detect significant shifts in microbial structure and function with increases in midge population density. The activities of carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) acquiring enzymes were negatively correlated with midge population density. While the C:N ratio was positively correlated with midge population density, suggesting that while the concentration of nitrogen decreased, its availability to the chironomids increased. There was also a marked difference in microbial community structure with increasing midge population density. These shifts in microbial organization are indicative of a complex set of interactions between the microbial community and the chironomid larvae.     

Methodological approaches and insights on protein aggregation in biological systems

Introduction: The proper folding of native proteins is critical and dynamic, but inherently unstable. Therefore, proteins eventually end up adopting misfolded conformations which compromise their function and may even trigger aggregation. Risk factors for neurodegenerative, metabolic and heart diseases compromise cellular protein quality-control systems, promoting protein aggregation. Multiple protein post-translational modifications dynamically regulate protein aggregation and disaggregation in a very complex, intricate and delicate balance.

Areas covered: Herein, we overview the more promising techniques and approaches for the elucidation of the biological implications of protein aggregation. The particular insights provided by different techniques were discriminated and several examples of post-translational modifications together with their targets were pooled and critically discussed, representing promising future therapeutic targets.

Expert commentary: In the years to come, differences between physiological and pathological protein aggregation will certainly become easier to determine. Techniques such as hydrogen/deuterium exchange, circular dichroism spectroscopy and novel mass spectrometry-based approaches are being optimized and are expected to introduce inhibitors of protein aggregation into the clinic. However, protein aggregation is not an isolated phenomenon, but rather influenced by multiple cellular components which complete knowledge is still far.     

A comparative analysis of fine versus coarse taxonomic resolution in benthic chironomid community analyses

The analysis of sedimentary chironomid assemblages is an approach that has been widely adopted for inferring past environmental conditions. However, there is an ongoing discussion in the literature about whether this approach could become more sensitive at detecting past environmental changes if paleolimnologists conducted finer taxonomic analyses of their specimens. To advance this discussion, we conducted comparative analyses of larval chironomid assemblages resolved to two levels of taxonomic resolution. For this exercise, we chose to use live assemblages (as opposed to sub-fossil assemblages) because fine taxonomic resolution of live assemblages is more easily obtained. Our specific aims were to (i) determine if finely resolved taxa comprising a coarsely resolved group have similar ecological niches, (ii) determine if different environmental predictors of community composition are identified when two different levels of taxonomic resolution are applied and (iii) evaluate whether the variance explained by environmental variables differs substantially between levels of taxonomic resolution. We found that there was substantial dispersion among finely resolved taxa belonging to a single coarse group, which suggests that the merging of these taxa results in the loss of ecological information, and therefore warrants higher taxonomic precision. However, the identification of significant environmental predictors and the proportion of variance explained by these did not differ greatly between our two levels of taxonomic resolution. Overall our results show that coarse-resolution analyses may be adequate for some applications, but if the aim is to infer subtle environmental changes (as is the case in most paleolimnological studies) we recommend the highest possible level of taxonomic resolution.     

Eco-evolutionary dynamics,coding structure and the information threshold

Background  

The amount of information that can be maintained in an evolutionary system of replicators is limited by genome length, the number of errors during replication (mutation rate) and various external factors that influence the selection pressure. To date, this phenomenon, known as the information threshold, has been studied (both genotypically and phenotypically) in a constant environment and with respect to maintenance (as opposed to accumulation) of information. Here we take a broader perspective on this problem by studying the accumulation of information in an ecosystem, given an evolvable coding structure. Moreover, our setup allows for individual based as well as ecosystem based solutions. That is, all functions can be performed by individual replicators, or complementing functions can be performed by different replicators. In this setup, where both the ecosystem and the individual genomes can evolve their structure, we study how populations cope with high mutation rates and accordingly how the information threshold might be alleviated.     

Temperature-dependent threshold shear stress of red blood cell aggregation

Red blood cell (RBC) aggregation is becoming an important hemorheological parameter, which exhibits a unique temperature dependence. However, further investigation is still required for understanding the temperature-dependent characteristics of hemorheology that includes RBC aggregation. In the present study, blood samples were examined at 3, 10, 20, 30, and 37 °C. When the temperature decreases, the whole-blood and plasma viscosities increase, whereas the aggregation indices (AI, M, and b) yield contrary results. Since these contradictory results are known to arise from an increase in the plasma viscosity as the temperature decreases, aggregation indices that were corrected for plasma viscosity were examined. The corrected indices showed mixed results with the variation of the temperature. However, the threshold shear rate and the threshold shear stress increased as the temperature decreased, which is a trend that agrees with that of the blood viscosity. As the temperature decreases, RBC aggregates become more resistant to hydrodynamic dispersion and the corresponding threshold shear stress increases as does the blood viscosity. Therefore, the threshold shear stress may help to better clarify the mechanics of RBC aggregation under both physiological and pathological conditions.     

Combinatorial approaches to probe the sequence determinants of protein aggregation and amyloidogenicity

Elucidation of the molecular determinants that drive proteins to aggregate is important both to advance our fundamental understanding of protein folding and misfolding, and as a step towards successful intervention in human disease. Combinatorial strategies enable unbiased and model-free approaches to probe sequence/structure relationships. Through the use of combinatorial methods, it is possible (i) to probe the sequence determinants of natural amyloid proteins by screening libraries of amino acid substitutions (mutations) to identify those that prevent amyloid formation; and (ii) to test new hypotheses about the mechanism of formation of amyloid fibrils by using these hypotheses to guide the design of combinatorial libraries of de novo amyloid-like proteins. Here, we review how these two approaches have been used to study the molecular determinants of protein aggregation and amyloidogenicity.     

Predicted threshold against backward balance loss in gait

The purpose of this study was to determine the minimum forward center of mass (COM) velocity required to prevent backward loss of balance in gait as function of the initial COM position. We hypothesized that these threshold values would be different from those previously published for standing because of the postural differences between gait and standing. To investigate this issue, we constructed a seven-link, nine-degree-of-freedom biomechanical model and employed dynamic optimization to estimate these threshold values under two initial postural conditions: (1) the posture at the beginning of swing phase (i.e., at toe-off), and (2) symmetric bipedal standing. In particular, for a range of possible COM positions posterior to the base of support (BOS), simulated annealing was used to search for the minimum velocity that could carry the COM into the BOS and avoid backward loss of balance. We found that the stability boundary against backward balance loss in walking had a similar overall trend as that previously published for standing. In general, the minimal COM velocity necessary to prevent a backward loss of balance in walking was greater than that in symmetric bipedal standing, and the difference could approach 30% or more when the COM started 0.5 and 1.0 foot-lengths behind the BOS. These discrepancies suggest that simpler biomechanical models, while being more efficient and easier to employ, may not always be adequate for exploring stability limits of humans.     

南美斑潜蝇为害大棚芹菜和芸豆的产量损失测定及经济阈值分析

研究结果表明：①南美斑潜蝇为害大棚芹菜和芸豆,其虫道面积和产量呈负相关,与产量损失率呈正相关;②曲线回归方程为：Y（大棚芹菜产量）＝4．233／（1＋0．2669e0.0281X）,Y（大棚芸豆产量）＝500950．702／（1＋39262,76541e^0.0103X）,Y（大棚芹菜产量损失率）＝68．075／（1＋23．1517e^-0.071X）,Y（大棚芹菜产量损失率）＝71．765／（1＋4．26245e^-0.0305X）;③经济阈值模型为：X（大棚芹菜）＝14．0845ln[23.1575L/(68.075-L)],X(大棚芸豆）＝27．3973ln[4.26245L/(71.765-l)]。     

Modelling parasite aggregation: disentangling statistical and ecological approaches

The overdispersion in macroparasite infection intensity among host populations is commonly simulated using a constant negative binomial aggregation parameter. We describe an alternative to utilising the negative binomial approach and demonstrate important disparities in intervention efficacy projections that can come about from opting for pattern-fitting models that are not process-explicit. We present model output in the context of the epidemiology and control of soil-transmitted helminths due to the significant public health burden imposed by these parasites, but our methods are applicable to other infections with demonstrable aggregation in parasite numbers among hosts.     

Density—body size allometry does not exist in a chironomid community on Myriophyllum

SUMMARY.

• 1 It has been proposed that population density is allometrically related to body size for a wide range of animal species. An interesting question is whether this applies to species within a specific community or trophic guild, thus constituting a ‘pattern’ of community structure.
• 2 Density-body size allometry can be translated into the relationship between population biomass (B) and population density (N). If the regression coefficient b in log B = a + b log N approximates 1, there is no allometric relation between density and body size.
• 3 Data from an epiphytic chironomid community show b～1, thus indicating that no density-body size allometry exists in this community.
• 4 Biomass is less equitably distributed than numbers among species in this and many other communities.
• 5 There is some difficulty in extending the logic of the density-body size allometry to many invertebrate communities, where body size is a strongly time-dependent, variable trait.