Phylogenetic taxonomy of the marine mite genus Rhombognathides (Acari: Halacaridae: Rhombognathinae)

This study examined the impacts of the alien waterweed, water hyacinth, on the abundance and diversity of aquatic macroinvertebrates in the littoral areas of northern Lake Victoria in Uganda. The weed had undergone explosive growth on the lake causing serious disruption to people, the economy and the ecosystem. This study was confined to impact of the weed in the littoral zone, not to the large floating mats of vegetation which float across the lake and clog large areas of shoreline.The littoral area studied comprised of fringing mats of Eichhornia crassipes (Mart) Solms (water hyacinth) to the lakeward of Cyperus papyrus; water hyacinth mats undergoing colonisation by Vossia cuspidata (Roxb.) Griff.; and a typical Cyperus papyrus L shore with no outer floating mat of water hyacinth. Numerical abundance (Nos. m^–2) and diversity (No. of taxa) of macroinvertebrates recovered from pure Eichhornia crassipes and the Eichhornia-Vossia succession increased from the fringe of the Cyperus papyrus towards the open water. In the typical Cyperus papyrus fringe, in the absence of water hyacinth, abundance was highest at the papyrus/open water interface and dropped off sharply towards open water. The Shannon–Weaver diversity index (H) of macroinvertebrates decreased progressively from pure Eichhornia crassipes stands, to Vossia/Eichhornia beds and Cyperus papyrus stands (H=0.56, 0.54 and 0.34, respectively) but were not significantly different. Dissolved oxygen decreased from open water into vegetation where it approached anoxia. Water hyacinth appeared to enhance the abundance and diversity of aquatic macroinvertebrates at the interface with the open water. The impoverished abundance and diversity of the macroinvertebrates deeper into the vegetation mats suggested negative environmental impacts of the water hyacinth when the fringe is too wide. Further research is recommended to establish the optimum width of the fringe of stationery water hyacinth that promotes maximum abundance and diversity of aquatic macroinvertebrates and, possibly, of other aquatic life. Since this study in 1997, there has been a dramatic decrease in Eichhornia infestations and by June 2000 it appeared largely to exist only as fringing vegetation in bays and inlets.     

Polluting macrophytes Colombian lake Fúquene used as substrate by edible fungus Pleurotus ostreatus

Invasive aquatic plants from Lake Fúquene (Cundinamarca, Colombia), water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes C. Mart.) and Brazilian elodea (Egeria densa Planch.) have been removed mechanically from the lake and can be used for edible mushrooms production. The growth of the oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus) on these aquatic macrophytes was investigated in order to evaluate the possible use of fruiting bodies and spent biomass in food production for human and animal nutrition, respectively. Treatments included: water hyacinth, Brazilian elodea, sawdust, rice hulls and their combinations, inoculated with P. ostreatus at 3 %. Water hyacinth mixed with sawdust stimulated significantly fruiting bodies production (P = 3.3 × 10^?7) with 71 % biological efficacy, followed by water hyacinth with rice husk (55 %) and elodea with rice husk (48 %), all of these have protein contents between 26 and 47 %. Loss of lignin (0.9–21.6 %), cellulose (3.7–58.3 %) and hemicellulose (1.9–53.8 %) and increment in vitro digestibility (16.7–139.3 %) and reducing sugars (73.4–838.4 %) were observed in most treatments. Treatments spent biomass presented Relative Forage Values (RFV) from 46.1 to 232.4 %. The results demonstrated the fungus degrading ability and its potential use in aquatic macrophytes conversion biomass into digestible ruminant feed as added value to the fruiting bodies production for human nutrition.     

Biodiversity patterns of nutrient-rich fish ponds and implications for conservation

Nutrient-rich water bodies are usually expected to host low species richness at the local scale (water body). Nevertheless, they can support a diverse and sometimes unique biodiversity when diversity is considered at a regional scale. This discrepancy between the two scales is well documented for natural water bodies, but little is known about biodiversity of artificial water bodies, like fish ponds. We hypothesise that nutrient-rich water bodies can collectively host high species richness at the regional scale. Thus, these are important ecosystems for the regional conservation of biodiversity. We investigated 84 fish ponds in the Dombes region, France, with five taxonomic groups: macrophytes, phytoplankton, macroinvertebrates, dragonflies, and amphibians. Species richness patterns were determined for α- (single pond), β- (between ponds), and γ- (regional pond network) levels. For most studied species groups, richness per fish pond and at the regional level proved to be relatively high in comparison with natural ponds in other landscapes. Contribution of α-diversity to regional diversity was highest for dragonflies with 41 %, and lowest for amphibians and macrophytes with 16 and 18 %, respectively. For macroinvertebrate families and phytoplankton genera it was intermediate. Contribution of β-diversity to regional diversity was similar for all species groups with 22–25 %. Furthermore, some ponds hosted a large number of less frequent species and some endangered species, indicating that the conservation of biodiversity of fish ponds must be established at a regional scale.     

The efficacy of DNA barcoding in the classification,genetic differentiation,and biodiversity assessment of benthic macroinvertebrates

Macroinvertebrates have been recognized as key ecological indicators of aquatic environment and are the most commonly used approaches for water quality assessment. However, species identification of macroinvertebrates (especially of aquatic insects) proves to be very difficult due to the lack of taxonomic expertise in some regions and can become time‐consuming. In this study, we evaluated the feasibility of DNA barcoding for the classification of benthic macroinvertebrates and investigated the genetic differentiation in seven orders (Insecta: Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, Trichoptera, Diptera, Hemiptera, Coleoptera, and Odonata) from four large transboundary rivers of northwest China and further explored its potential application to biodiversity assessment. A total of 1,144 COI sequences, belonging to 176 species, 112 genera, and 53 families were obtained and analyzed. The barcoding gap analysis showed that COI gene fragment yielded significant intra‐ and interspecific divergences and obvious barcoding gaps. NJ phylogenetic trees showed that all species group into monophyletic species clusters whether from the same population or not, except two species (Polypedilum. laetum and Polypedilum. bullum). The distance‐based (ABGD) and tree‐based (PTP and MPTP) methods were utilized for grouping specimens into Operational Taxonomic Units (OTUs) and delimiting species. The ABGD, PTP, and MPTP analysis were divided into 177 (p = .0599), 197, and 195 OTUs, respectively. The BIN analysis generated 186 different BINs. Overall, our study showed that DNA barcoding offers an effective framework for macroinvertebrate species identification and sheds new light on the biodiversity assessment of local macroinvertebrates. Also, the construction of DNA barcode reference library of benthic macroinvertebrates in Eurasian transboundary rivers provides a solid backup for bioassessment studies of freshwater habitats using modern high‐throughput technologies in the near future.     

Impact of water quality on macroinvertebrate assemblages along a tropical stream in Kenya

Prudent management of lotic systems requires information on their ecological status that can be estimated by monitoring water quality and biodiversity attributes. To understand environmental conditions in Gatharaini drainage basin in Central Kenya, a study was carried out to establish the relationship between water quality and macroinvertebrate assemblages between the months of March and September 1996. Six sampling sites, each 25 m long were selected along a 24‐km stretch of the stream, which drained land under agricultural, residential and industrial use. Water physico‐chemical data was explored using multivariate analysis of Principal Component Analysis to detect environmental trends downstream. Both macroinvertebrates and water physico‐chemical data of suggested trends were analysed for variations and correlations. Temperatures and invertebrate densities changed significantly between the dry and wet season (P < 0.01) but the fluctuations were not evident downstream. Water physico‐chemical characteristics (total dissolved solids (TDS), pH, turbidity, dissolved oxygen) and biodiversity indices (species richness, diversity, dominance, evenness) changed markedly downstream (P < 0.01). Biodiversity indices correlated inversely with TDS, pH and turbidity but positively with dissolved O₂. It was evident macroinvertebrate assemblages changed significantly downstream as opposed to functional feeding groups. Diptera was important in most sites whilst Oligochaeta dominance increased downstream corresponding to the deterioration in water quality. Collectors/browsers were the dominant functional feeding groups at most sites. This study showed that significant changes in aquatic macroinvertebrate assemblages were primarily due to water quality rather than prevailing climatic conditions.     

Potential impacts of water hyacinth invasion and management on water quality and human health in Lake Tana watershed,Northwest Ethiopia

Incursion of water hyacinth, Eichhornia crassipes, has been a potential threat to Lake Tana and its ecosystem services. Its expansion is currently managed by abstraction (removing by hand); nonetheless, the disposal of mats and formation of pools are remaining problematic. This study aimed to assess the potential effects of water hyacinth and its management on water quality and human health. Biotic and abiotic data were collected on open water, water hyacinth covered and water hyacinth cleared out habitats. A total of 3673 invertebrates belonging to twenty-one families were collected from 45 sites. Culicidae was the most abundant family accounting (37.2%), followed by Unionoidae (19.4%) and Sphaeriidae (8.1%). Abundance of anopheline and culicine larvae were significantly higher in water hyacinth cleared out habitats (p?<?0.05). Water conductivity and total dissolved solids were significantly higher in habitats covered with water hyacinth (p?<?0.05). In conclusion, water hyacinth infestation had a negative impact on water quality and biotic communities. The physical abstraction of water hyacinth provided a very good habitat for the proliferation of mosquito larvae. Therefore, integrating water hyacinth management practices along with mosquito larvae control strategy could help to abate the potential risk of malaria outbreak in the region. In addition, developing watershed scale nutrient management systems could have a vital contribution for managing water hyacinth invasion in the study area.     

Natural lake level fluctuation and associated concordance with water quality and aquatic communities within small lakes of the Laurentian Great Lakes region

Long-term (~20 year) data on water level, water quality and aquatic biota from four remote research areas in the Laurentian Great Lakes region were compiled to reveal patterns of natural water-level fluctuation (WLF) and associated effects on water quality and aquatic communities. Of the 16 natural lakes (no dam impoundment and lowest possible anthropogenic disturbance) yearly amplitude in water level did not exceed 1.27 m (\( \overline {\text{x}} \) = 0.26 ± 0.15 m) and yearly average water levels did not deviate greater than 0.75 m (\( \overline {\text{x}} \) = 0.10 ± 0.11 m) from the long-term mean. Linear and waveform regression analyses revealed a significant (P ≤ 0.05) decreasing trend in water levels and a 10-year oscillation in WLFs. Similarly, linear regression analysis demonstrated a significant reduction in yearly amplitude WLF over time. Correlation analyses revealed significant correlations with water quality parameters (DOC, Ca²⁺, Conductivity, pH, SO₄ ^2?) and WLFs in Boreal Shield research areas. Of the long-term biotic information available (periphyton, macrophytes, macroinvertebrates and fish) only macroinvertebrates demonstrated a significant relationship with natural WLFs. Species richness followed a unimodal response (P = 0.002, r ² = 0.66) with richness decreasing in years when water levels were either higher or lower than the long-term mean. The novel results of this study demonstrate patterns in natural WLF and associated correlations with water quality and biota across multiple lakes within the Laurentian Great Lakes region. The results are congruent with the intermediate disturbance hypothesis and have direct implications for reservoir management and climate change modeling.     

The influence of habitat structure and flow permanence on invertebrate communities in karst spring systems

The macroinvertebrate fauna of five karst (limestone) springbrook systems with contrasting physical habitat and discharge patterns were investigated to examine the role of flow permanence and habitat structure on macroinvertebrate community composition. Clear physical differences were identified between perennial and intermittent springs and individual sampling stations. However, flow permanence, water temperature and the input of leaf litter exerted a greater influence on the aquatic invertebrate community than habitat structure. Perennial sites were characterised by a greater abundance of macroinvertebrates and greater Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera and Trichoptera (EPT) richness than intermittent sites. The fauna of all of the springbrook systems examined were dominated by relatively common and ubiquitous taxa (e.g. Gammarus pulex) although a number of taxa displaying life cycle adaptations to ephemeral aquatic habitats (e.g. Limnephilus auricula and Stenophylax permistus) were recorded at intermittent sites.     

Underwater sinkhole sediments sequester Lake Huron’s carbon

Lake Huron’s submerged sinkhole habitats are impacted by high-conductivity groundwater that allows photosynthetic cyanobacterial mats to form over thick, carbon-rich sediments. To better understand nutrient cycling in these habitats, we measured the stable isotopic content of carbon and nitrogen in organic and inorganic carbon pools in Middle Island sinkhole, a ~23 m deep feature influenced by both groundwater and overlying lake water. Two distinct sources of dissolved CO₂ (DIC) were available to primary producers. Lake water DIC (δ ¹³C = ?0.1 ‰) differed by +5.9 ‰ from groundwater DIC (δ ¹³C = ?6.0 ‰). Organic carbon fixed by primary producers reflected the two DIC sources. Phytoplankton utilizing lake water DIC were more enriched in ¹³C (δ ¹³C = ?22.2 to ?23.2 ‰) than mat cyanobacteria utilizing groundwater DIC (δ ¹³C = ?26.3 to ?30.0 ‰). Sinkhole sediments displayed an isotopic signature (δ ¹³C = ?23.1 ‰) more similar to sedimenting phytoplankton than the cyanobacterial mat. Corroborated by sediment C/N ratios, these data suggest that the carbon deposited in sinkhole sediments originates primarily from planktonic rather than benthic sources. ²¹⁰Pb/¹³⁷Cs radiodating suggests rapid sediment accumulation and sub-bottom imaging indicated a massive deposit of organic carbon beneath the sediment surface. We conclude that submerged sinkholes may therefore act as nutrient sinks within the larger lake ecosystem.     

Macroinvertebrate communities as bioindicators of water quality in conventional and organic irrigated rice fields in Guanacaste,Costa Rica

The purpose of this study was to compare how aquatic macroinvertebrates are affected by certain management practices and agrochemicals in organic and conventional rice cultivations (treatments) in northwestern of Costa Rica. We sampled macroinvertebrates in both treatments, at the water entrances (irrigation) and exits (drainage) during two cycles (8 months total) of rice field cultivation. We employed a water quality index using macroinvertebrates (BMWP/CR) as bioindicators in both management treatments. Insect family mean (P = 0.0019) and species mean richness (P = 0.0340) were greater in the organic vs. the conventional treatments as well as at the entrances rather than their exits. Both macroinvertebrates mean abundance (P = 0.0281) and insects mean abundances (P = 0.0065) were greater at the organic vs. the conventional treatments. The water quality index (BMWP/CR) was greater in the organic treatment at the entrance (124) comparing with the exit (72), and also at the conventional entrance (92) vs. the exit (66), thus showing that the management practices affected the macroinvertebrate community. The organic treatment showed the settlement of a greater number of families and species of macroinvertebrates both in general and in those considered sensitive to pollution than in the conventional treatment. This sensitive group of macroinvertebrates (Baetis sp., Fallceon sp., Leptohyphes sp., Tricorythodes sp., Farrodes sp., Phyllogomphoides sp., Hydroptila sp., Mayatrichia sp., Neotrichia sp., Oxyethira sp., Nectopsyche sp.1, Nectopsyche sp.2, Oecetis sp.) can be used as a bioindicators of water quality in these agroecosystems. On the contrary, more macroinvertebrates resistant to pollution were found in the conventional compared to the organic treatment, showing that aquatic macroinvertebrates respond to the type of management/products that are applied to the rice field.     

Evidence for consumer regulation of biofilm–nutrient interactions among hardwater streams (Pennsylvania, USA)

Experimental studies evaluating the simultaneous effects of consumers, nutrients, and other biotic/abiotic factors on intact, natural food webs are rare, particularly among ecosystems of varying trophic conditions. We conducted a series of in situ studies that used nutrient-diffusing substrata with nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) concentrations in a full factorial design in three temperate, limestone streams in Pennsylvania across a trophic gradient (mesotrophic, eutrophic, and hypereutrophic streams). We assessed differences in algal and macroinvertebrate biomass, taxonomic composition, and functional groups relative to amended nutrients across the trophic gradient; as such, these results facilitated predictions about regulators of food web structure. All factors varied significantly among the streams (e.g., algal biomass P = 0.005, macroinvertebrate biomass P < 0.001, algal diversity P = 0.006, macroinvertebrate diversity P < 0.001, algal group P < 0.001, macroinvertebrate guilds P < 0.001); the streams, however, did not exhibit simple responses to nutrient amendment. Algal and macroinvertebrate biomass and diversity responded greatest in the mesotrophic stream while grazing seemed to be a strong factor preventing algal nutrient response in the eutrophic and hypereutrophic streams. Brillouin’s Evenness Index was most influenced by nutrient amendment (nutrient effect on algae and macroinvertebrates P = 0.021). As such, we concluded that biomass and diversity were mediated by complexity within intermediate trophic levels.     

Phytoplankton as a monitoring tool in a tropical urban shallow reservoir (Garças Pond): the assemblage index application

This study aimed at evaluating phytoplankton as a monitoring tool for water quality assessment in an urban shallow eutrophic reservoir considering temporal and vertical scales. Garças Reservoir is located in the Parque Estadual das Fontes do Ipiranga Biological Reserve (23°38′08″S and 23°40′18″S; 46°36′48″W and 46°38′00″W) that lies in the southeastern part of the Municipality of São Paulo, southeast Brazil. Samplings were carried out monthly during 8 consecutive years (1997–2004) following the water column vertical profile (5 depths: subsurface, 1, 2, 3 m and ~20 cm from the bottom). Abiotic variables analyzed were: water temperature, electric conductivity, DO, pH, total alkalinity, free CO₂, dissolved inorganic carbon, N series, P series and SiO₄H₄. Biological variables studied were: total density, total biomass and chlorophyll a, which were integrated arithmetically. At the beginning of the 8 year series, Garças Reservoir was an eutrophic ecosystem with 20% of its surface covered by Eichhornia crassipes (phase I: January 1997–March 1998). Water hyacinth reached 70% of pond surface coverage (phase II: April 1998–August 1999), and then it was mechanically removed (phase III: September 1999–December 2004). After this intervention, drastic alteration in the limnological features was detected, leading to the conclusion that removal of the aquatic macrophyte modified nutrient dynamics drastically reduced water transparency and led to photosynthetic productivity and phytoplankton biomass increase, the latter becoming a physical barrier to light penetration. Twenty one functional groups ‘sensu’ Reynolds were identified. Cyanobacteria contribution played the main role during the drastic alterations that occurred after water hyacinth removal. Results of ecological status of reservoir using Q index showed statistical difference among the 3 limnological phases (one way ANOVA; F = 119.4; P = 0.000). Regarding Q index classification, Garças Reservoir limnological phases were characterized as follows: (1) phase I: 0 ≥ Q ≤ 2.9, medium to bad; (2) phase II: 1.4 ≥ Q ≤ 3, tolerable to medium; and (3) phase III: 0 ≥ Q ≤ 1.5, bad to tolerable ecological states.     

Distribution of detritivores in tropical forest streams of peninsular Malaysia: role of temperature,canopy cover and altitude variability

The diversity and abundance of macroinvertebrate shredders were investigated in 52 forested streams (local scale) from nine catchments (regional scale) covering a large area of peninsular Malaysia. A total of 10,642 individuals of aquatic macroinvertebrates were collected, of which 18.22 % were shredders. Biodiversity of shredders was described by alpha (α_average ), beta (β) and gamma diversity (γ) measures. We found high diversity and abundance of shredders in all catchments, represented by 1,939 individuals (range 6–115 and average per site of 37.29?±?3.48 SE) from 31 taxa with 2–13 taxa per site (α_average?=?6.98?±?0.33 SE) and 10–15 taxa per catchment (γ?=?13.33?±?0.55 SE). At the local scale, water temperature, stream width, depth and altitude were correlated significantly with diversity (Adj-R ²?=?0.205). Meanwhile, dissolved oxygen, stream velocity, water temperature, stream width and altitude were correlated to shredder abundance (Adj-R ²?=?0.242). At regional scale, however, water temperature was correlated negatively with β and γ diversity (r ²?=?0.161 and 0.237, respectively) as well as abundance of shredders (r ²?=?0.235). Canopy cover was correlated positively with β diversity (r ²?=?0.378) and abundance (r ²?=?0.266), meanwhile altitude was correlated positively with β (quadratic: r ²?=?0.175), γ diversity (quadratic: r ²?=?0.848) as well as abundance (quadratic: r ²?=?0.299). The present study is considered as the first report describing the biodiversity and abundance of shredders in forested headwater streams across a large spatial scale in peninsular Malaysia. We concluded that water temperature has a negative effect while altitude showed a positive relationship with diversity and abundance of shredders. However, it was difficult to detect an influence of canopy cover on shredder diversity.     

Ants impact the composition of the aquatic macroinvertebrate communities of a myrmecophytic tank bromeliad

In an inundated Mexican forest, 89 out of 92 myrmecophytic tank bromeliads (Aechmea bracteata) housed an associated ant colony: 13 sheltered Azteca serica, 43 Dolichoderus bispinosus, and 33 Neoponera villosa. Ant presence has a positive impact on the diversity of the aquatic macroinvertebrate communities (n = 30 bromeliads studied). A Principal Component Analysis (PCA) showed that the presence and the species of ant are not correlated to bromeliad size, quantity of water, number of wells, filtered organic matter or incident radiation. The PCA and a generalized linear model showed that the presence of Azteca serica differed from the presence of the other two ant species or no ants in its effects on the aquatic invertebrate community (more predators). Therefore, both ant presence and species of ant affect the composition of the aquatic macroinvertebrate communities in the tanks of A. bracteata, likely due to ant deposition of feces and other waste in these tanks.     

­­Cross-taxon congruence in wetlands: Assessing the value of waterbirds as surrogates of macroinvertebrate biodiversity in Mediterranean Ramsar sites

Wetlands are among the most threatened habitats and the species they support among the most endangered taxa. Measuring and monitoring wetland biodiversity is vital for conservation, restoration and management, and often relies on the use of surrogate taxa. Waterbirds are commonly used as flagships of biodiversity and are the subject of major conservation initiatives. Therefore, it is important to assess the extent to which waterbirds indicate the general biodiversity of wetlands and serve as surrogates.We explore the relationships between community composition and species richness of waterbirds and aquatic macroinvertebrates in 36 Ramsar wetlands in southern Spain to assess if waterbirds are good surrogates for other taxonomic groups. Specifically, we aimed to (i) test the congruence of patterns of species composition and richness among waterbirds and aquatic macroinvertebrates; and (ii) investigate which environmental variables are associated with the biodiversity patterns of waterbirds and macroinvertebrates, with the purpose of identifying key factors explaining potential discordance in these patterns.We found a limited concordance between assemblage patterns of both taxonomic groups that may be related to their contrasting responses to environmental gradients. Assemblages of waterbirds appear to be more affected by climate variables and water surface area, whereas conductivity was the most important factor influencing macroinvertebrate communities. Furthermore, we found a negligible or inverse relationship in their patterns of richness, with wetlands with higher waterbird species richness showing significantly lower richness of Hemiptera and macroinvertebrate families, and no significant relationship with Coleoptera. In addition, GLM models showed that, in general, different environmental variables are related with the richness patterns of the different taxonomic groups.Given the importance of the Ramsar convention for the conservation of an international network of wetlands, our findings underline the limited potential of waterbirds as aquatic biodiversity indicators in Mediterranean wetlands, and the need for caution when using waterbirds as flagships. An integrative analysis of different biological communities, using datasets from different taxonomic groups, is a necessary precursor for successful conservation policies and monitoring. Our results illustrate the need to create a diversified and complete network of protected sites able to conserve multiple components of wetland biodiversity.     

The role of golf courses in maintaining genetic connectivity between common frog (Rana temporaria) populations in an urban setting

We studied population size, genetic diversity and differentiation of common frog (Rana temporaria) populations at urban golf courses and reference natural ponds in the greater Helsinki region, southern Finland. A total of 248 tadpoles from 12 locations (six golf courses, six reference sites) were genotyped with 13 polymorphic microsatellite markers. The most urban populations, situated in northern Helsinki, were the largest breeding sites having >120 (golf courses) and >200 (reference sites) spawn clumps at the time of sampling. On average, there was no difference in the number of spawns between the anthropogenic ponds at golf courses and the natural water bodies. Genetic variation within populations was substantial (H _O = 0.68) while genetic differentiation between populations was low (F _ST = 0.016; average distance = 17.6 km). The golf course populations did not differ from natural populations in terms of genetic variability or differentiation. Hence, our results suggest that golf courses contribute positively to urban amphibian populations by providing suitable water bodies for reproduction and green corridors for dispersal, thus preventing isolation and loss of genetic variability within populations.     

Genetic diversity and genetic structure in wild populations of Mexican oregano (Lippia graveolens H.B.K.) and its relationship with the chemical composition of the essential oil

Mexican oregano is an aromatic plant traditionally harvested from wild populations by rural communities; however, there is little information about population genetics aspects of this species. Moreover, considering that the variation in essential oil production of aromatic plants has been attributed to several environmental as well as genetic factors, in this study we estimated the genetic diversity and genetic structure from 14 wild populations of L. graveolens located in four different bioclimatic regions in southeastern Mexico using AFLP markers. The overall genetic diversity of L. graveolens described as the percentage of polymorphic loci (PPL = 60.9 %) and Nei’s gene diversity (H _j  = 0.17) was moderate, but not associated with the bioclimatic conditions. Genetic variation was analyzed at chemotype and population levels. Regarding chemotypes, thymol had the highest genetic diversity (PPL = 82.8 % and H _j  = 0.22). PCoA revealed that chemotypes exhibit a certain level of genetic differentiation. Maximum parsimony dendrogram showed a grouping of individuals with a predominant chemotype. Bayesian analyses revealed a low, but significant differentiation among chemotypes (θ _ΙΙ = 0.008). Regarding populations, gene diversity showed significant differences (F _13,1204 = 22.8, P < 0.001); populations dominated by individuals from the thymol chemotype showed the highest gene diversity (H _j  = 0.31–0.25), while populations with exclusively sesquiterpene chemotype showed the lowest value (H _j  = 0.058). Cluster and Bayesian analyses (θ _ΙΙ = 0.027) revealed a low level of genetic differentiation among populations. Correlation analysis showed a significant association between the distance matrices based on the genetic markers (AFLP) and chemical compounds of essential oil (r = 0.06, P < 0.001). Our results suggest an important genetic influence on the observed chemical profiles. Nevertheless, other biotic and abiotic environmental pressures also play an important role in determining the chemotype and structure found in this aromatic species.     

新疆伊犁河不同生境大型底栖动物群落及其影响因素

于2014和2015年7月对新疆伊犁河支流喀什河和巩乃斯河共14个采样点的大型底栖无脊椎动物进行了调查研究, 比较分析了自然、受损、坝下和保护区4种生境的大型底栖动物群落结构特征。共采集大型底栖动物14435头, 属10目39科81属(种), 其中水生昆虫、软体动物、寡毛类分别占93.8%、2.5%和3.7%。对不同生境大型底栖动物群落结构特征进行了分析比较, 结果表明: 自然生境在物种数、优势物种数、EPT物种数、密度和物种多样性方面均高于其他3种生境, 而坝下生境均最低, 保护区生境底栖动物群落结构优于受损生境和坝下生境。冗余分析(RDA)结果共解释了物种数据累计方差的54.1%, 流速、电导率、水温和海拔是影响伊犁河底栖动物分布的主要因素(F=2.28—4.34, P<0.05)。     

Relationships between stream macroinvertebrate communities and new flood‐based indices of glacial influence

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