Alfalfa physiological response to potato leafhopper injury depends on leafhopper and alfalfa developmental stage

We examined the effects of potato leafhopper (Empoasca fabae) developmental stage and alfalfa (Medicago sativa) developmental stage on the physiological response of the plant to injury. We used radioactive carbon dioxide to label the photoassimilate stream and evaluate the phloem health of alfalfa. In one experiment, six first instar, four fourth instar, and three adult leafhoppers were caged by stage on single alfalfa stems for approximately one day. Only fourth instar nymphs significantly reduced the amount of label transported to injured tissues above the source of the labeled assimilate. First instar nymphs had no effect and adults reduced assimilate transport to stem tips, but this trend was not significant possibly because of confounding variables. However, injury by both first instar nymphs and adults resulted in greater concentration of labeled assimilate in portions of the stem below the feeding site. In another experiment, the developmental stage of alfalfa stems was central to the physiological response of alfalfa to leafhopper injury. A 20 h exposure to three adult leafhoppers significantly reduced the amount of label translocated to the tip and crown tissues of early vegetative plants, and to the crown tissue only of late vegetative plants. In reproductive plants, assimilate translocation was not affected by leafhopper injury. In a final experiment, we found no evidence of an effect on the photosynthesis of leaves of similar age and position to those used as source leaves in our translocation studies. Our findings contribute to our understanding of the physiological response of plants to injury by sap-feeding insects, and suggest the need for greater refinement of economic injury levels based on leafhopper and plant developmental stage.     

Spatial and temporal patterns in Arctic mosquito abundance

1. Organisms that undergo a shift in ontogeny and habitat type often change their spatial distribution throughout their life cycle, but how this affects population dynamics remains poorly understood.
2. We examined spatial and temporal patterns in Aedes nigripes abundance, a widespread univoltine Arctic mosquito species (Diptera: Culicidae), hypothesizing that the spatial distribution of adults would be closely tied to aquatic habitat.
3. We tracked adult densities of A. nigripes near Kangerlussuaq, Greenland using emergence traps, CO₂-baited traps, and sweep-nets.
4. In back-to-back years of sampling (2017 and 2018) we found two-fold variation in overall abundance.
5. Adults were spatially patchy when first emerging from aquatic habitats but within a week, mean capture rates for host-seeking adult females were similar across locations, even in places far from larval habitat.
6. Daily variation in mosquito captures was primarily explained by weather, with virtually no mosquito activity when temperatures averaged less than 8°C or wind speeds exceeded 6 m/s. Gravid females (3% of resting adults) were spatially patchy on the landscape, but not always in the same places where most adults emerged.
7. The spatial distribution of adults is quickly uncoupled from the spatial distribution of larvae because A. nigripes females may disperse far from their natal habitats in search of a blood-meal and high-quality oviposition habitat.

8. This research highlights the value of studying ecological processes that act at disparate life stages for understanding the population biology of organisms with complex life cycles.     

Determination of traits associated with leafhopper (Empoasca fabae and Empoasca kraemeri) resistance and dissection of leafhopper damage symptoms in the common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris)

The typical presentation of potato leafhopper injury in beans includes necrosis at the leaf margins (leaf burn or hopperburn), and downward curling or “cupping” of the leaves. To evaluate potato leafhopper damage a visual score that combines the overall severity of leaf burn, leaf curling and stunting symptoms is usually used. Nonetheless, it may be useful to evaluate these symptoms separately since they may be the result of separate mechanisms of damage, controlled by separate genes. A population of 108 recombinant inbred lines (RILs), derived from a cross between a leafhopper‐susceptible Ontario cultivar (Berna) and a resistant line (EMP 419) were scored for injury after natural infestation with Empoasca fabae in Canada and Empoasca kraemeri in Colombia. Leaf burn and leaf curl were significantly rank‐correlated (0.37–0.74, P<0.001) in all environments. However, several RILs consistently exhibited high scores for leaf curl but low values for leaf burn, which suggests that genetic dissection of these characters may be possible. Indeterminate growth habit was associated with slightly lower damage scores in Colombia and Ontario, Canada (P<0.05) while white‐seeded lines had lower damage scores in Colombia (P<0.05). The resistant parental line had significantly lower nymph counts than did the susceptible parent. A positive relationship between damage scores and nymph counts was also observed in the F₃ families and the F_5:6 RILs.     

Diversity and abundance of leafhopper species (Homoptera: Cicadellidae) among red maple clones

A survey was conducted in the 2001 growing season to examine the leafhopper diversity and abundance among trees of 17 red maple (Acer rubrum) clones. Yellow sticky traps were used to qualify and quantify the number of aerial leafhoppers from 1 May 2001 until 4 September 2001. A total of 45 species from eight different leafhopper subfamilies, for a total of 6055 individuals, were considered in this study. The mean number of leafhoppers collected, mean species richness, diversity and evenness were significantly lower on traps of trees for October Glory than for the other clones. Yet, none of the leafhopper species dominated the weekly samples. Species similarity among clones ranged from 56 to 90%. No two clones had complete similarity. Franksred and trees of a controlled cross between October Glory × Autumn Flame shared the highest degree of species similarity, while clones from PA, USA and RI, USA were the least similar. The development of new clones did not create new pest problems, but suppressed populations of damaging pests, and maintained the diversity of low abundance species.     

Spatial and temporal patterns of abundance of coral reef gobies (Teleostei: Gobiidae)

This study investigated the spatial and temporal patterns of abundance of four substratum-associated species of Gobiidae on a heterogeneous reef flat comprised of four distinct habitat zones, and examined microhabitat use within each zone. Asterropteryx semipunctatus had the widest distribution and was the most abundant species in each habitat zone, followed by Amblygobius bynoensis , Valenciennea muralis and Amblygobius phalaena . Significant temporal and spatial differences in mean density were evident. The highest density of A. semipunctatus (312 individuals 10 m^–2) was recorded in a habitat zone dominated by algal-covered rubble, whereas A. bynoensis and V. muralis were most abundant (mean summer density 5·5–5·8 individuals 10 m^–2) in habitats containing both sand and hard substrata. In contrast, A. phalaena was uncommon (mean density ≤ 0·4 individuals 10 m^–2) in all four habitat zones. Significant seasonal differences in abundance were due to the large influx of recruits in summer. Ontogenetic shifts in habitat use were not evident at either the macrohabitat ( i.e. among habitat zones) or microhabitat scale ( i.e. substratum use within zones). At the microhabitat scale, V. muralis consistently exhibited a strong positive association with sand and was rarely associated with hard substrata. In contrast, the two Amblygobius species were commonly associated with both sand and hard substrata, but patterns of microhabitat use differed among habitat zones. Substratum composition at the microhabitat scale may influence spatial patterns of abundance at larger spatial scales by providing essential resources and, or influencing carrying capacity and predation risk.     

Spatial patterns of distribution and abundance of Harrisia portoricensis,an endangered Caribbean cactus

Aims The spatial distribution of biotic and abiotic factors may play a dominant role in determining the distribution and abundance of plants in arid and semiarid environments. In this study, we evaluated how spatial patterns of microhabitat variables and the degree of spatial dependence of these variables influence the distribution and abundance of the endangered cactus Harrisia portoricensis.Methods We used geostatistical analyses of five microhabitat variables (e.g. vegetation cover, soil cover and light incidence) and recorded the abundance of H. portoricensis in 50 permanent plots established across Mona Island, Puerto Rico, by the United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service as part of the Forest Inventory and Analysis (USDA–FIA). We also used partial Mantel tests to evaluate the relationships between microhabitat variables and abundance of H. portoricensis, controlling for spatial autocorrelation.Important findings Abundance of H. portoricensis showed strong affinities with microhabitat variables related to canopy structure, soil cover and light environment. The distribution of this cactus species throughout the island was consistent with the spatial variation patterns of these variables. In general, landscape-level analyses suggested a predictive value of microhabitat traits for the distribution and abundance of this endangered species. For sensitive cacti species, wherein abundance may be influenced by similar variables, these types of analyses may be helpful in developing management plans and identifying critical habitats for conservation.     

Spatial and temporal patterns of brown rat (Rattus norvegicus) abundance variation in poultry farms

The temporal and spatial patterns of rat abundance variations were studied, and which factors might affect these patterns in poultry farms. Forty-eight poultry farms were sampled from spring 1999 to winter 2001 in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Environmental variables of farms, meteorological variables and distances among farms were registered to evaluate a possible association with rat abundance estimated by trap success. Rattus norvegicus was the dominant rat species in the study area. Rat abundance did not vary temporally and there was reproduction at all times. Trap success was more similar among neighboured farms than among farms further apart. Contrary to the abundance of other small rodents, rat abundance was not significantly related to farm characteristics. The lack of coincidence between rats and other small rodents suggests the existence of a differential response of rats to environmental factors of the poultry farms.     

神农宫扁角菌蚊幼虫种群分布及其与环境因子的相关性

神农宫扁角菌蚊是首次发现并命名的洞穴昆虫新种,在洞穴内1a发生1代,幼虫期长达8-10个月。以神农宫扁角菌蚊为对象,系统研究了其幼虫种群在洞穴中的空间分布、季节分布及其与环境因子的相关性。分别采用了扩散系数（C值）法、K值法、平均拥挤度法、Iwao M*=α+βX回归模型分析法四种方法研究幼虫种群的空间分布,结果表明神农宫扁角菌蚊幼虫种群在洞穴中呈现典型的空间聚集分布。幼虫数量季节变化动态表现为春季幼虫数量明显高于其它季节,夏季5-6月份幼虫数量降到最低,蛹期、成虫期短,秋季幼虫开始孵化,幼虫数量持续上升。根据Pearson简单相关分析理论得出,神农宫扁角菌蚊幼虫数量与洞穴相对湿度、水流pH呈高度相关,而与洞穴温度、渗水pH呈低度相关,表明洞穴相对湿度、水流pH是影响幼虫种群分布的关键环境因子。     

北京西山静福寺地区鸟类多度分布格局

物种多度格局分析对理解群落结构具有重要意义。采用分割线段模型对北京西山静福寺地区鸟类群落物种数量关系进行拟合研究,并运用秩相关性分析对模型进行相关系数检验,结果表明:(1)该地区鸟类群落多度格局模型与分割线段模型显著相关,利用分割线段模型可以良好的拟合该地区鸟类群落多度格局;(2)鸟类多度分布格局具有时间和空间的双重属性;(3)月尺度上,1月与其他月份差异显著,森林群落间差异不显著;(4)季尺度上,冬季与春、秋两季差异显著,落叶阔叶林与针阔混交林差异显著,针叶林与落叶阔叶林、针阔混交林差异都不显著;(5)年尺度上,年变化差异不显著。     

天童山森林土壤种子库的时空格局

土壤种子库是植物群落的潜在物种库。在中国东部典型丘陵地区天童国家森林公园内选取8类微地形, 分别于2008年9月、12月和2009年3月、6月进行野外调查取样和室内实验, 从总计1,960份土样中挑选种子进行鉴定及分类统计, 研究其时空格局, 探讨自然森林土壤种子库的基本特征及分布规律。结果显示: (1)共检出有活力的种子5,024粒, 共鉴定出68个种, 其中定名种65个; 落叶阔叶乔木和常绿阔叶小乔木物种数量以及种子数量均占优势; 土壤种子库与地上植被共有种为48种, 相似性系数为0.45。(2) 2级和3级顶坡及下部边坡、麓坡、泛滥性阶地种子库储量较大, 而高上部边坡、中上部边坡和低上部边坡种子库储量较小。雷公鹅耳枥(Carpinus viminea)和细枝柃(Eurya loquaiana)是各个微地形单元种子库的优势种。其他优势种中, 上部坡面的微地形主要为格药柃(E. muricata)、短梗冬青(Ilex buergeri)、黑山山矾(Symplocos heishanensis)、四川山矾(S. setchuensis)等常绿树种, 而下部坡面的微地形主要为南酸枣(Choerospondias axillaris)、橄榄槭(Acer olivaceum)、西川朴(Celtis vandervoetiana)等落叶树种。(3)土壤种子库储量在垂直空间上的分布是0-2 cm土层>2-5 cm土层>5-10 cm土层>枯枝落叶层。(4)土壤种子库具有明显的季节动态, 其储量在各个取样时间中的分布为12月>3月>9月>6月。     

亚热带不同纬度森林群落物种空间分布格局

为探讨我国亚热带森林群落中物种空间分布格局特点及其成因,揭示其共性规律和个性差异,为相关区域的生物多样性保护和监测工作提供科学依据。选取我国亚热带不同纬度的6个1 hm²典型森林群落中所有胸径（DBH,Diameter at Breast Height）≥ 1 cm的物种为研究对象;采用L （t）方程统计所有监测物种的空间分布格局类型,为满足L （t）方程的统计精度,将各群落中多度≥10株的植物以物种为单位统计,多度<10株的低多度物种和单个体物种则以种组为单位进行空间点格局分析;并对物种多度、胸径与空间聚集程度的度量指标L₁₀进行相关性分析。结果表明：（1）亚热带不同纬度群落中多度≥10株物种的空间分布格局表现出相似的尺度依赖性规律：显著聚集分布比例随尺度增大而降低,不同纬度群落的变化幅度存在差异,纬度较低的群落稳定性更强。（2）各群落中低多度种组空间分布格局表现出小尺度显著聚集分布,大尺度随机分布的尺度效应,但尺度效应在不同纬度群落间存在差异;各群落的单个体种组空间分布格局均以随机分布为主。（3）不同纬度群落物种多度与空间聚集程度之间均存在负相关关系,物种多度对空间聚集程度的影响随纬度从高到低逐渐减弱。（4）较高纬度群落物种胸径与空间聚集程度之间存在负相关关系;随纬度从高到低,物种胸径对空间聚集程度影响水平逐渐降低。对亚热带不同纬度森林群落物种空间分布格局形成原因的进一步探讨,认为由纬度差异引起的生境异质性是影响群落物种空间分布格局产生过程的主要因素,此外,林型、扩散限制、密度制约和随机作用是影响各群落物种空间格局成因及多样性维持的次要因素。     

The shape of a species' spatial abundance distribution

Aim The shape of a species' spatial abundance distribution may change with spatial scale. We predict that the shape will typically change from strictly downward‐sloping (falling) to humped (rising then falling) as the spatial scale increases. The prediction, motivated in part by central limit reasoning, is intended for common or abundant species over reasonably homogeneous habitats. We test the prediction using data on 800+ tree species, one ant species, and 14 bird species. Location Tree data are for Malaysia and Central America; ant and bird data are for North America. Methods For each species, histograms and relative mode shape statistics are compared across multiple spatial scales. Results The predicted pattern is broadly confirmed. Main conclusions The emerging hump pattern is a candidate for listing among macroecological regularities. In appropriate contexts, spatial theories might be asked to predict the pattern.     

城市地表热力景观格局时空演变——以长春市为例

城市热环境问题是城市气候和区域气候研究中的热点,其对城市空气质量和公共健康等有着深远影响,严重威胁城市的可持续发展。以长春市为例,基于3期Landsat ETM+影像数据(2006、2010和2014),应用覃志豪单窗算法和线性光谱混合模型获取长春市区夏季地表温度、长春市不透水面盖度和植被覆盖率,构建热力景观动态度指数,分析了2006—2014年长春市热力景观格局的时空变化特征,并探讨地表温度与不透水面盖度和植被覆盖率的关系。结果表明:研究区城市热环境整体呈恶化趋势,地表平均温度年均增长0.15℃;热力景观整体变化更为剧烈,2006—2010年热力景观综合动态度为45.39%,2010—2014年热力景观综合动态度为52.64%;城市地表高温等级热力斑块面积和数量都增大,并向郊区扩张,热力景观整体呈现破碎化;低温等级为长春市变化最为剧烈的地表温度等级,城市地表热力性质复杂化。此外,统计分析表明:长春市的不透水面每增加1%,地表温度上升0.06—0.07℃;植被覆盖率每增加1%,地表温度下降0.07—0.08℃,植被对地表温度的影响力大于不透水面。     

Spatial patterns of the red palm weevil and applied entomopathogenic nematode Heterorhabditis bacteriophora

The distribution and abundance of red palm weevil (Rhynchophorus ferrugineus) within palm tree-infected stems at Ismaelia governorate, Egypt, were investigated. Taylor's power law was fit (P ≤ 0.01) to its larvae, pupae and/or adults. The slope value of this power law indicated the clumped distribution of these insect stages. Sample size optimisation needed to achieve a predetermined level of sampling error for the insect stages was calculated. Also, soil samples were taken after uniform application of entomopathogenic nematode Heterorhabditis bacteriophora strain EG₁ to the soil under citrus tree canopies at the rate of 10⁴ infective juveniles/400 cm² plots, and assayed for the nematode using the Galleria bait method. At the first and second sampling dates, the nematode displayed contagious distribution and attained mean insect mortality of 15.3 and 4, respectively. At the third date of sampling, the nematode showed random distribution according to chi-squared test and caused 1.8 mean insect mortality. Evaluation of H. bacteriophora EG₁ as a biocontrol measure for the weevil was discussed based on their investigated dispersion indices.     

Spatial and temporal heterogeneity in population dynamics of citrus aphids at a regional scale

A quick method of evaluating aphid infestations on young clementine trees is developed. It uses visual abundance classes. This method is used to compare the population dynamics of two aphid species in 11 orchards in Corsica (France). The curves describing the succession of the abundance indices on each sampling tree between April and July are compared using principal component analyses. The first three factorial axes illustrate the intensity, precocity and flatness of the infestation curves. For each species, a significant between-orchard variability is demonstrated by comparing the mean factorial coordinates of the sampling trees of the different orchards. The validity of such methods for analyzing the demographic strategies of phytophagous and entomophagous insects at a large scale is discussed.     

Spatial and spatio-temporal patterns in a cell-haptotaxis model

We investigate a cell-haptotaxis model for the generation of spatial and spatio-temporal patterns in one dimension. We analyse the steady state problem for specific boundary conditions and show the existence of spatially hetero-geneous steady states. A linear analysis shows that stability is lost through a Hopf bifurcation. We carry out a nonlinear multi-time scale perturbation procedure to study the evolution of the resulting spatio-temporal patterns. We also analyse the model in a parameter domain wherein it exhibits a singular dispersion relation.     

桃园节肢动物群落相对丰盛度的季节动态研究

以合肥市杏花林果科技示范园为例,研究了桃园节肢动物群落物种的组成和数量,对植食类、捕食类、寄生类和其它类4种功能类群的相对丰盛度作了详尽的阐述。捕食类同植食类的相对丰盛度变化趋势一致,说明捕食类节肢动物是桃树生长期植食类害虫的重要天敌。     

Spatial patterns and associations of four species in an old-growth temperate forest

The spatial pattern of a tree species is an important characteristic of plant communities, providing critical information to explain species coexistence. The spatial distribution and association of four different successional species were analyzed among different life-history stages in an old-temperate forest. Significant aggregation patterns were found, and the degree of aggregation decreased with the scales and life-history stages. Significant interspecific spatial associations were detected. In comparing the relationships among the different life-history stages, positive associations were found at small scales in all of the juvenile species pairs. In the adult stage, negative associations were detected in coniferous vs. deciduous species pairs, while the deciduous species pairs, which have identical resource requirements, showed a positive association in this study. The coniferous species pairs showed a positive association at small scales. We infer that seed dispersal, competitive ability, or the requirement for specific topographic and light environments may contribute to the coexistence of these species.     

Patterns of spatial and temporal variation of macrofauna under boulders in a sheltered boulder field

Abstract Spatial and temporal patterns of abundance of animals and plants must be quantified before models to explain distributions can be developed. These patterns also provide essential data for measuring potential effects of environmental disturbances. Studies in many different habitats have shown that most organisms, particularly invertebrates, have highly variable and interactive patterns of abundance, with much variability at the smallest temporal and spatial scales. Intertidal boulder fields in New South Wales, Australia, support a diverse fauna, many species of which are relatively rare. These habitats are commonly found near rock‐platforms and in sheltered estuaries and are subjected to many human disturbances. Although there have been a few studies on the fauna in boulder fields, none has documented variability of the assemblage using multivariate and univariate techniques and most studies have not incorporated different spatial and temporal scales. This study quantifies spatial variation at three scales (metres, tens of metres alongshore and tens of metres upshore) and temporal variation at two scales (3 months and 2 years) of the assemblage of molluscs and echinoderms in a sheltered boulder field subjected to little natural or human disturbance. Multivariate analyses revealed that each site contained a distinct assemblage, mainly due to the relative abundances of a few species. Most species, those generally only found under boulders and common, widespread species, had considerable spatial variability in abundances, with more than 90% measured at the smallest scale, that is metre to metre within a site. Changes in abundances over 3 months or 2 years varied among species and sites in unpredictable ways. These data show that sampling designs to measure impacts on these fauna will need to be complex and must incorporate a number of spatial and temporal scales if they are to be able to detect impact against such a variable background.