Effects of short-term storage of gametes on fertilization of Pacific herring eggs

A method is described whereby arrays of samples ofClupea pallasi eggs may be stored during their preparation. The high fertilization potential retained by the eggs during short-term storage allows them to be fertilized synchronously when sample preparation is complete. A variation of the dry method of storage retained maximum fertilization potential (80–85%) of the eggs for about 1 hr, and of milt dilution (18 with 17 S sea water), about 7 hr. Following dry storage, eggs fertilized in salinities of 0–45 showed maximum rates of fertilization in salinities of 10–20, and fertilization rates 50% in salinities of 4.5–42. Salinities of fertilization influenced egg diameter, median hatching time, and larval length at hatching in egg samples transferred 21/2 hr after fertilization to an incubation salinity of 17 at 7°C. Fertilization rates were higher (90–95%) for eggs stored in 17 S at 7°C prior to fertilization. Under such wet storage conditions, maximum fertilization pontential was retained for about 2 hr. Highest fertilization rates (95–96%) were obtained for eggs stored and fertilized in salinities of 12–15. For the species and the area of origin considered (British Columbia), wet storage of eggs should result in maximum fertilization when the eggs are stored at 4°C for a period not greater than 2 hr prior to fertilization in the 12–15 S storage medium.Prepared under the auspices of the Canadian-German Scientific and Technical Cooperation Agreement.     

Effects of temperature and salinity on larval development ofElminius modestus (Crustacea,Cirripedia) from Helgoland (North Sea) and New Zealand

Larvae ofElminius modestus (Darwin) from four different populations (Portobello, Leigh, Doubtless Bay [New Zealand] and Helgoland [North Sea]) were reared at different salinity and temperature combinations. The larvae ofE. modestus from Helgoland developed successfully at a wide range of temperature (6° to 24 °C) and salinity (20 to 50 S). Mortality was highest at 10 S; only at 12° and 18 °C did a small percentage develop to the cypris. The larvae from New Zealand were reared at a temperature range of 12°–24 °C at 20, 30 and 40 S; mortality increased in all populations at all salinities with decreasing temperature and was extremely high at 12 °C and 40 S. The temperature influence on larval duration could be described in all cases by a power function. No significant differences in temperature influences on developmental times between the tested salinities were found, except for the Portobello population at 20 S. Significant differences were found in the temperature influence on larval development between the populations from Helgoland and the North Island of New Zealand (Leigh, Doubtless Bay). No differences were found between the Helgoland and Portobello population. The pooled data for the temperature influence on the larval development of the three tested New Zealand populations at 20, 30 and 40 S and the pooled Helgoland data at 20, 30 and 40 S show highly significant differences.Larval size (stage VI) was influenced by experimental conditions. The larvae grew bigger at low temperatures and attained their maximum size at 30 S (Helgoland). There was a strong reduction in larval size at temperatures from 18° to 24 °C. The larvae of the New Zealand populations were smaller than those from Helgoland. The greatest difference in size existed between the larvae from Portobello and Helgoland.     

Growth rates and the salinity response of an Antarctic ice microflora community

Summary An ice microflora community collected from the bottom of seasonal pack-ice off the Amery Ice Shelf, Antarctica, was grown at salinities which varied from 11.5 to 34. The response exhibited by the community and by individual species was characterized by an initial lag phase-adaptation period followed by a short period of exponential growth. Doubling rates based on changes in chlorophyll a had a range from 0.05 to 0.23 day^-1 during the time required to reach maximum chlorophyll a concentration and a range of 0.04 to 0.42 day^-1 during a period of exponential growth. Exponential growth rates of individual species ranged from 0.2 to 1.0 doublings day^-1. Growth occurred at all salinities above 11.5. Community growth rates increased with increasing salinity, and the growth-salinity response of most species was shifted toward higher salinities suggesting that this Antarctic ice microalgal community was adapted to the ambient salinity regime: 34.     

Microfungal variations relative to post-fire changes in soil environment

Summary Living and dead Zostera marina blades, plankton samples, sediments, and several animal components of an eelgrass bed near Beaufort, N.C. were collected and analyzed for ¹³C/¹²C ratios ( ¹³C). The ¹³C values of producer and consumer organisms were compared in order to examine the possible origins of organic matter present in the consumers. Living and dead eelgrass blades displayed similar ¹³C values,-12.2 and-10.6 per mil respectively, while the epiphytic community growing on the grass blades had a mean isotope ratio of-16.0. Animal components analyzed represented five major feeding-mode categories: invertebrates living on grass blades an presumably feeding on the epibiota (-15.1), deposit feeding invertebrates (-15.0), predatory and omnivorous invertebrates (-16.7), suspension and surface feeding invertebrates (-18.3) and omnivorous fish (-16.8).Organisms commonly found on the grass blades appeared to feed primarily on the epibiota growing on the blades. It is hypothesized that the epibiota derive some of their carbon from DOC released by the Zostera blade. The urchin, Lytechinus variegatus, and the brittle star, Ophioderma brevispinum, both deposit feeders, appeared to derive a major proportion of their carbon from eelgrass. With the exception of the shrimp, Alpheus heterochaelis, and the pipefish, Syngnathus floridae, the majority of other organisms analyzed appeared to be linked more directly to a plankton-carbon food chanin than to a seagrass-carbon system in this relatively young eelgrass bed.This research was supported in part through a cooperative agreement between the National Marine Fisheries Service and the U.S. Department of Energy [E(49-7)-5] and in part through a National Science Foundation International Decade of Ocean Exploration grant to the University of Texas at Austin (#OCE76-01306) Contribution Number 78-12B of the Southeast Fisheries Center, Beaufort Laboratory     

Effects of salinity on metabolism and life history characteristics of Daphnia magna

In the Baltic Sea area, the cladoceran Daphnia magna is commonly found in brackish water rockpools and it has been suggested that salinity is one of the niche dimensions that affects the distribution of the species. The salinity tolerance of D. magna was studied both in physiological and life history experiments. The experimental salinities were freshwater, 4S and 8S. The highest respiration and ammonium excretion rates were measured in the freshwater treatment with decreasing respiration and ammonium excretion rates at higher salinities. The lowest O/N ratio (oxygen consumption to ammonium excretion), describing the metabolic status of an organism, was obtained at 8S, although the only significant differences were detected when comparing to 4S treatments. Individual growth rate, reproductive output and population growth rate were highest at 4S. At 8S growth and reproduction were reduced as compared to freshwater and 4S. The life history parameters in the performed experiments indicated higher fitness (expressed as r) as well as more favourable conditions for growth and reproduction at 4S, whereas the O/N ratio was more difficult to interpret and, in this case, gave a less clear picture of the salinity influence.     

Distribution and abundance of littoral benthic fauna in Canadian prairie saline lakes

The littoral benthos of 18 lakes in Alberta and Saskatchewan ranging in salinity from 3 to 126 (g1^–1 TDS) were investigated twice, in the spring and in the summer of 1986. Multiple Ekman dredge samples were taken at water depths of about 0.5, 1.0 and 2 metres in each transect. Two to three transects were used in each lake according to its estimated limnological diversity for a total of 114 stations. A total of 76 species was present varying from 29–31 species in the three lakes of lowest salinity (means of 3.1–5.55) to only 2 species in lakes exceeding 100. Species richness decreased rapidly in salinities greater than 15.Biomass maximum mean of 10.91 g m^–2 dry weight (maximum 63.0 g m^–2) occurred in culturally eutrophic Humboldt Lake (3.1) but one third as great in other low salinity lakes. However, biomass again increased to about 4.5 gm^–2 in two lakes of 15 As the salinity increased still further biomass declined steadily until a minimum of 0.0212 g m^–2 was recorded in most saline Aroma Lake (mean 119). Summer biomass (11 lakes) was greater than spring biomass (4 lakes) because some groups such as amphipods, corixids and ostracods became more abundant in summer. Wet weight biomass averaged 15.8 of dry weight biomass.Seasonality (spring or summer), sediment texture and organic matter content, water depth, pH, salinity (TDS) and the presence of aquatic plants ( plant cover) were considered in the matrix involving species dry weight biomass at each of 117 stations. TWINSPAN classification of the samples yielded a dendrogram with 18 indicator species. Successive dichotomies divided these indicator species into four main lake groups based on salinity, i.e., Group I: 3–10 (Gammarus, Glyptotendipes I, Chironomus cf. plumosus), Group II: 10–38%. (Hyalella, Enallagma,Bezzia), Group III: 38–63 (Hygrotus salinarius, Cricotopus ornatus), Group IV: >63 (Dolichopodidae, Ephydra hians). Each of these main groups was subdivided into smaller groups of lakes based on factors such as pH, seasonality (spring or summer species dominance), organic matter and plant cover. Depth of samples played no apparent role.     

Use of15N/14N rations to evaluate the food source of the mysid,Neomysis intermedia Czerniawsky,in a eutrophic lake in Japan

The stable isotope ratios of nitrogen were measured in the mysid,Neomysis intermedia, together with various biogenic materials in a eutrophic lake, Lake Kasumigaura, in Japan throughout a year of 1984/85. The mysid, particulate organic matter (POM, mostly phytoplankton), and zooplankton showed a clear seasonal change in ¹⁵N with high values in spring and fall, but the surface bottom mud did not. A year to year variation as well as seasonal change in ¹⁵N was found in the mysid. The annual averages of ¹⁵N of each material collected in 1984/85 are as follows: surface bottom mud, 6.3 (range: 5.7–6.9); POM, 7.9 (5.8–11.8); large sized mysid, 11.6 (7.7–14.3); zooplankton, 12.5 (10.0–16.4); prawn, 13.2 (9.9–15.4); goby, 15.1 (13.8–16.7). The degree of¹⁵N enrichment by the mysid was determined as 3.2 by the laboratory rearing experiments. The apparent parallel relationship between the POM and the mysid in the temporal patterns of ¹⁵N with about 3 difference suggests the POM (mostly phytoplankton) as a possible food source ofN. intermedia in this lake through the year.     

Combined Effects of Seawater Temperature and Salinity on Development of the Larvae of the Rhizocephalan Peltogaster reticulatus (Crustacea: Cirripedia)

The effects of seawater temperature (12, 16, 20, 22, and 25°C) and salinity (of 8 to 34) in different combinations on the larvae of the rhizocephalan Peltogaster reticulatus (Crustacea: Cirripedia), a parasite of the hermit crab Pagurus proximus, were examined. The development of P. reticulatus is comprised of five naupliar stages and one cypris stage. Nauplii have a specific structure, the flotation collar encircling the dorsal side of the larval body. Larvae lack the pigmented nauplius eye, and they show no positive phototaxis. Successful naupliar development occurred in temperature and salinity ranges of 16–25°C and 20 to 34, respectively; but all nauplii died at 12°C and 16. The duration of each naupliar stage increased under lowering of the seawater temperature. At 22–25°C and 26–28, the entire development cycle was completed in 72–80 h; and at 16°C and 20 it lasted 153 h. The cypris larvae showed a greater resistance to decreased salinity in comparison with the nauplii. At temperatures of 16–25°C and salinities of 14 to 34, the lifespan of cyprids was 6 to 12 days, and it decreased at increasing temperature.     

Adaptive Responses of the Larvae of Cirripede Barnacle Peltogasterella gracilis to Changes in Seawater Temperature and Salinity

The responses of the larvae of the cirripede barnacle Peltogasterella gracilis (Crustacea: Cirripedia: Rhizocephala) that parasitizes the hermit crab Pagurus pectinatus to different combinations of seawater temperature (25, 22, 20, 16, and 12°C) and salinity (from 34 to 8) were studied in a laboratory. The nauplii of P. gracilis completed the entire cycle of development at 22 to 12°C in a narrow range of salinity (from 34 to 28), which agrees well with the environmental conditions of the crab hosts' habitat. At favorable temperatures (22–20°C) and salinity (34–28), the nauplii reached the cypris stage in 88 ± 2 h, while at 12°C and 34–30, the naupliar development took 156 ± 5 h. The cypris larvae appeared more resistant compared with the nauplii, in terms of changes in both the temperature and salinity of seawater. They actively swam at all experimental temperatures and in the salinity range of 34–18. At temperatures (22–16°C) and salinities (34–24) favorable for the cyprids, their longevity in plankton equaled 6–10 days. Thus, the nauplii of P. gracilis is the more vulnerable stage of development in the life cycle of this parasitic barnacle. The tolerance against changes in environmental factors is due to the adaptive capabilities of parasitic larvae and the environmental conditions in the habitats of its host, a typical marine crustacean. The insignificant parasitization rate of the hermit crab by its rhizocephalan parasite may be explained by the death of the nauplii of P. gracilis, which occurs when they enter to the surface water layer.     

Erbrütung der Eier von Dorsch(Gadus morhua), Flunder(Pleuronectes flesus) und Scholle(Pleuronectes platessa) unter kombinierten Temperatur- und Salzgehaltsbedingungen

Zusammenfassung 1. Die Eier von Dorsch (Gadus morhua L.), Flunder (Pleuronectes flesus L.) und Scholle (Pleuronectes platessa L.) der westlichen Ostsee wurden unter kombinierten Salzgehalts-Temperaturbedingungen (0°–16° C, 7–42 S) erbrütet. Es wurde untersucht, inwieweit die Embryonalentwicklung durch das Zusammenwirken von Temperatur und Salzgehalt beeinflußt wird.2. Die optimalen Temperatur- und Salzgehaltsbereiche für die Erbrütung von Dorsch, Flunder und Scholle wurden festgestellt. Für den Dorsch konnten drei Versuche mit unterschiedlichem Material durchgeführt werden. Die optimalen Temperaturund Salzgehaltskombinationen für die Erbrütung von Dorscheiern betrugen: (a) 6°–8° C bei 25–30 S, (b) 4° C bei 20–33 S und (c) 4°–6° C bei 33 S. Für die Flundereier wurde als optimale Temperatur-Salzgehaltskombination 4° C und 33 S gefunden. Die untersuchten Scholleneier entwickelten sich bei 6° C und 20 S am besten.3. In nicht-optimalen Temperatur- und Salzgehaltsbereichen war ein Absinken der Überlebensrate und verstärktes Auftreten morphologischer Anomalien an Embryonen und Larven zu verzeichnen. Als charakteristische Schädigungen traten Verkrümmungen der caudalen Körperregion auf. Larven, die in schwach salzigem Wasser gehalten wurden (20 und 15 S), litten an Dottersackquellung, was bei den Flunderlarven zu Kieferdeformationen führte.4. Als wahrscheinliche Ursache für die Verkrümmungen und Verwachsungen des Schwanzes wurde ein durch extreme Temperaturen allgemein gestörtes Zusammenwirken der Enzyme diskutiert.5. Die Wirkung hoher und niedriger Salzgehalte wurde in der Diskussion auf eine Störung im embryonalen Stoffwechsel zurückgeführt, die durch Änderung im Ionenmilieu der Zelle hervorgerufen wird.6. Mit zunehmender Aussüßung des Erbrütungswassers konnte bei allen untersuchten Eiern Entwicklungsverlangsamung beobachtet werden. Bei hohen Erbrütungstemperaturen wurden die Unterschiede in der Entwicklungsgeschwindigkeit geringer.7. Der für die Erbrütung optimale Salzgehalt änderte sich in Abhängigkeit von der Inkubationstemperatur. Ebenfalls war die optimale Erbrütungstemperatur in Abhängigkeit vom Salzgehalt des Erbrütungsmediums veränderlich. Extrem niedrige Salzgehalte (15 und 20 S) wurden im Bereich der Optimaltemperaturen oder bei niedrigen Temperaturen besser ertragen.8. Bei allen drei untersuchten Fischarten wurde das Auftreten von Brackwasserrassen in der Ostsee erörtert und für wahrscheinlich gehalten.

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Rearing the eggs of cod(Gadus morhua), flounder(Pleuronectes flesus) and plaice(Pleuronectes platessa) under combined temperature and salinity conditions

Eggs of Baltic cod (Gadus morhua L.), flounder (Pleuronectes flesus L.) and plaice (Pleuronectes platessa L.) have been reared under combined temperature and salinity conditions (0°–16° C, 7–42 S). Combined temperature and salinity influences on embryonic development were investigated. Optimum temperatures for the rearing of cod eggs range from 4° to 8° C, and optimum salinities from 20 to 33 S. Flounder eggs develop best at 4° C and in 33 S, and plaice eggs at 6° C and in 20 S. Suboptimum conditions result in lower percentages of larval hatching and survival, and increased morphological anomalies such as curvature of tail and body. Low salinities (20 and 15 S) cause swollen yolk sacs which, in experiments with flounder eggs, lead to jaw deformities. Rearing at low salinity decreases speed of development. Optimum salinity varies as a function of incubation temperature and influences variations in optimum rearing temperature. Extremely low salinities (20 and 15 S) are tolerated best at optimum or lower temperatures. From the results of these experiments it can be concluded that brackish water races of these fishes are likely to exist in the Baltic Sea.

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Diese Arbeit wurde als Dissertation unter der Leitung von Herrn Prof. Dr.K. Lillelund am Institut für Hydrobiologie und Fischereiwissenschaft der Universität Hamburg angefertigt. Für die Drucklegung wurde die Arbeit geringfügig gekürzt und in ihrem Wortlaut abgeändert.     

Growth and reproduction as a function of temperature and salinity inClava multicornis (Cnidaria,Hydrozoa)

Summary 1. Rates of growth (length increase of stolons) and of asexual reproduction (increase in number of polyps) were determined in secondaryClava multicornis colonies of a clone exposed to 12 different combinations of water temperature and salinity (12°, 17°, 22° C; 16 , 24 , 32 , 40 S). Sexual reproduction (via gonophores) has been observed only at 12° and 17° C; temperature and salinity ranges are narrower for sexual than for asexual reproduction.2. The data obtained are insufficient for a detailed analysis; they provide, however, interesting insights into the variability of growth and reproduction ofC. multicornis caused by different intensities of temperature and salinity.3. It appears that temperature requirements for maximum colony increase are reduced as the colony grows older.4. One feeding period per 24 hours seems insufficient for maximum growth and reproduction at the higher temperature levels, especially at 22° C.5. The different degrees of environmental stress endured during the initial period of transfer into the test combinations of temperature and salinity have affected the resulting colony size at least up to an age of 39 days. More appropriate criteria for assessment of rates of growth and reproduction are therefore the doubling times (number of days within which stolon length and polyp numbers taken 20 days after initiation of experiments have doubled).6. On the basis of doubling time values, increase in stolon length is progressively reduced with increasing water temperature (12°, 17°, 22° C). At 12° and 17° C stolons grow fastest in 32 , followed by 24 , 16 and 40 S; at 22° C stolon growth rates are identical in 32 and 24 S.7. Doubling times of polyp numbers per colony show a less obvious trend. In 56-day-old colonies, however, stolon length and polyp number are modified to similar degrees by the various temperatures and salinities offered. The sequence of temperatures causing fastest increase in polyp number is 12°>17°>22° C; the respective sequence of salinities reads: 24 , 32 , 16 , 40 S.8. Stolon length and polyp number per colony increase exponentially; most curves obtained exhibit undulations indicating endogenous growth rhythms.9. During the initial period of transfer into the final test media, asexual reproduction via budding seems to have been stimulated by a reduction in salinity.10. The doubling times obtained forC. multicornis are considerably longer than those found forCordylophora caspia and indicate that our culture conditions may have been suboptimal.

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Wachstum und Reproduktion als Funktion von Temperatur und Salzgehalt beiClava multicornis (Cnidaria, Hydrozoa)

Kurzfassung Einzelpolypen eines Klons vonC. multicornis Forskål wurden schrittweise in 12 verschiedene Temperatur-Salzgehalts-Kombinationen überführt und — während sie zu neuen Kolonien heranwuchsen — das Längenwachstum ihrer Stolonen, die Geschwindigkeit ihrer asexuellen Vermehrung durch Knospung neuer Hydranthen sowie die Gonophorenausbildung (sexuelle Fortpflanzung) registriert. Die erhaltenen Daten sind unzureichend für eine detaillierte Analyse, gewähren jedoch interessante Einblicke in die Bedeutung der verschiedenen Temperatur- und Salzgehaltsbedingungen für Wachstum und Vermehrung. Die anfängliche, schrittweise Überführung in die Testmedien verursacht per se Leistungsunterschiede, deren Auswirkungen sich mindestens bis zu einem Alter von 39 Tagen verfolgen lassen. Doubling times stellen daher objektivere Kriterien dar als absolute Zuwachswerte. Die doubling times von Kolonien, welche länger als 20 Tage in den Testmedien gewachsen waren, zeigen eine Verringerung der Stolonenzuwachsrate mit steigender Temperatur (12°, 17°, 22° C). Die Reihenfolge der fördernden Wirkung der einzelnen Salzgehaltsstufen ergibt sich zu 32 , 24 , 16 , 40 S. Im Prinzip ähnliche Verhältnisse liegen hinsichtlich der asexuellen Vermehrungsrate vor. Bemessen an den getesteten Kriterien scheinen die Temperaturansprüche mit zunehmendem Koloniealter abzunehmen. Die errechneten doubling times sind wesentlich länger als beiCordylophora; möglicherweise deutet dieser Unterschied auf inadäquate Kulturbedingungen (Fütterung, Wasserbewegung) hin.

     

An inventory of 13C abundances in coastal wetlands of Louisiana,USA: vegetation and sediments

Summary Organic carbon-rich sediments from the surface of fresh, intermediate, brackish and salt marshes of coastal Louisiana were sampled and analyzed for their ¹³C content. The average ¹³C from all sites within each wetland type was-27.8,-22.1,-16.9, and-16.2, for fresh, intermediate, brackish and salt marshes, respectively. Means from the fresh, intermediate and brackish marshes were significantly different at the 0.01 level. A mixing model using measurements of standing crop and ¹³C of plant carbon was applied to estimate the contribution of each species to the sedimentary carbon at four of the marsh sites. Sedimentary ¹³C values generally reflected that of the dominant species present at each site. Brackish and salt marsh samples, however, showed a negative shift of ¹³C with respect to whole plant carbon. We interpret these depeleted ¹³C values to be the result of more extensive organic matter decomposition and selective preservation of ¹³C-depleted refractory components in sediments from saline sites. The results of this study suggest that ¹³C composition of sedimentary carbon may offer a valuable tool for distinguishing subtle changes in paleohydrology of wetlands resulting from relative sea level changes.     

Experimental effects of elevated salinity on three benthic invertebrates in Pyramid Lake,Nevada

Salinity of Pyramid Lake increased from 3.7 to 5.5 between 1933 and 1980. Concern over future reductions in overall species richness prompted experiments to assess responses of dominant lake organisms to elevated salinity. Salinity tolerances of three important benthic invertebrates, Hyalella aztecta, Chironomus utahensis, and Heterocypris sp., were tested in controlled laboratory bioassays and also in a semi-natural environment consisting of large (47 m³) mesocosms.Densities of H. azteca in mesocosms were significantly lower at salinities of 8.0 and 11.0 compared with 5.6 controls in year one, but not in 8.5 salinity mesocosms in year two. The 96-h LC₅₀ for H. azteca was high at 19.5. Short-term mortalities of C. utahensis were 100% at salinities of 13.3 and greater. Fifty-seven percent fewer larvae matured from third to fourth instar at 8.9 than at 5.5 salinity in 17 day subacute bioassays. Furthermore, larval chironomid densities and emergence of adults from mesocosms were significantly reduced at salinities of 8.0 and higher compared with controls. Mortality of Heterocypris sp. was 50% at a salinity of 18.6 in laboratory bioassays and populations in mesocosms ranged between 40 and 100% lower at salinities of 8.0 and 11.0 than in controls.Multiple generation mesocosm experiments indicated all three invertebrates were more sensitive to elevated salinity than results of short-term bioassays. Our studies suggest populations of these invertebrates may be reduced from present levels if Pyramid Lake's salinity were to double, although none are expected to be extirpated. Food habit shifts and reduced production of lake fishes are likely consequences of salinity-induced disruption in the benthic invertebrate forage base.     

Zur Überwindung der biologischen Grenze Meer—Land durch Mollusken

Zusammenfassung Die Überwindung der biologischen Grenze zwischen Meer und Land durch Mollusken ist bisher nur wenig im Hinblick auf physiologische Umstellungen untersucht worden. Unter diesem Aspekt wurden Experimente durchgeführt an Alderia modesta, einem amphibisch lebenden Opisthobranchier des unteren Supralitorals, und an Ovatella myosotis, einer Pulmonate, die im oberen Supralitoral vorkommt. Alderia zeigt eine relativ enge Salinitätstoleranz. Zu hohe und zu niedrige Salzgehalte hemmen die Entwicklung, führen zu Mißbildungen bei der Embryonalentwicklung und lassen adulte tiere rasch eingehen. In Beziehung zu der Salinität der angrenzenden Gewässer (Brackwasser der Ostsee und der Ästuare, Meerwasser der Nordsee) existieren verschiedene Biotypen, die auf Aussüßung und hohe Salzkonzentration unterschiedlich reagieren.Die weiter ins Supralitoral vorgedrungene Ovatella myositis hat eine wesentlich breitere Salinitätstoleranz. Schädigungen der Adulten treten auf Süßwasser nicht, auf Salzwasser erst oberhalb von 55 auf. Durch schrittweise Adaptation können höhere Konzentrationen ertragen werden. Der Toleranzunterschied zwischen den untersuchten Populationen ist genetisch bedingt. Eiablage, Embryonalentwicklung und Wachstum erfolgen im Bereich zwischen 5 und mindestens 50 Substratsalinität.Physiologisch wird diese große Salinitätstoleranz durch ein fast durchgehendes poikilosmotisches Verhalten ermöglicht. Auf sehr ausgesüßtem Substrat sind die Schnecken stark hypertonisch (auf Süßwasser hat das Binnenmedium auf 7), im ganzen übrigen Bereich weniger stark (3–4 über der Substratsalinität). Im oberen Extrembereich vermögen die Tiere diese Hypertonie offenbar nur schwer aufrechtzuerhalten (vgl. S. 149).Die Veränderungen von Gastropoden auf dem Wege vom Meer über das Supralitoral zum Land werden diskutiert; im Gebiet der Salzwiesen läßt sich ein günstigeres Schema zu dieser Frage aufstellen als bei den bisher meist zitierten Littorinen.

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On the emigration of gastropodes from the sea: Studies on Alderia modesta and Ovatella myosotis

Summary Up to now little attention has been paid to the phylogenetic emigration of gastropods from the sea: almost nothing is known about the physiological changes which enable snails to live in terrestrial habitats. To help solve this question, experiments were carried out on Alderia modesta, an opisthobranch slug of the lower supralittoral, and Ovatella myositis, a primitive pulmonate snail of the upper supralittoral. In each case two subspecies were studied.North Sea Alderias differ from their Baltic counterparts in size and salinitytolerance. The difference in size between Ovatella of the Mediterranean and of the Baltic is very slight. There is a marked difference, however, in the salinity-tolerance. Alderia modesta survives in a comparatively narrow range of different salinities. The optimum is between 10 and 20 for Baltic specimens and between 15 and 35 for those of the North Sea. The results are the same in and out of water. Ovatella can live on a freshwater substratum as well as on 55. Specimens of the Mediterranean can even become adapted to 90. Flooded with water of differrent salinities the tolerated range becomes markedly smaller. Eggs are produced between 5 and 50 (Baltic specimens) or 5 and 65 (Mediterranean specimens). All eggs develop without being damaged between 5 and 40 and 10 and 45 respectively. The optimal salinity-concentration for growth and egg-production is 10. Salinity-concentrations below and above these marks disturb the development. In one spawn-mass some eggs cleave normally, others become deformed, and again others do not cleave at all. This heterogeneous reaction points to the existence of something like a physiological polymorphism in regard to salinity-tolerance. The salinity-concentration of the blood of Ovatella was measured after a long-term acclimatisation. Ovatella is poikilosmotic and slightly hypertonic (3–4) throughout almost the whole range of salinities it tolerates. On extremely low concentrations it becomes more hypertonie; on extremely high concentrations it becomes nearly isotonic.

     

Stable sulfur isotopic biogeochemistry of the Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest, New Hampshire

In natural ecosystems, differences often exist in the relative abundanceof stable S isotopes (°³⁴S) that can provide clues as tothe source, nature, and cycling of S. Values of °³⁴S inprecipitation, throughfall, soils, soil solution, and stream waters weremeasured at the Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest (HBEF), New Hampshire.Values of °³⁴S in precipitation and throughfall weresimilar to each other but differed seasonally. Precipitation°³⁴S values were higher in the dormant season[°³⁴S = 5.9±0.6 (17)][Mean + SE(N)]than in the growing season [°³⁴S = 5.0±0.6(40)] but throughfall growing-season values were higher[°³⁴S = 5.6±0.6(68)] than for the dormantseason [°³⁴S = 4.9±0.7 (9)]. Different treespecies did not affect throughfall °³⁴S values. In soilsolution, °³⁴S values were higher in the growing season(°³⁴S = 8.9±2.8; 8.8±1.7;and 4.0±0.6 for Oa, Bh, and Bs horizons, respectively) thanin the dormant season (°³⁴S = 5.6±1.5;3.7±2.4; and 3.4±1.2 for Oa, Bh, and Bshorizons, respectively). These seasonal differences in°³⁴S were probably caused by biological isotopicfractionation. The °³⁴S values in streams were generally2 lower and more variable than those in precipitation andthroughfall, suggesting fractionation and/or different isotopic sources inthe soil.     

Fine-scale movement and assimilation of carbon in saltmarsh and mangrove habitat by resident animals

Despite theories of large-scale movement and assimilation of carbon in estuaries, recent evidence suggests that in some estuaries much more limited exchange occurs. We measured the fine-scale movement and assimilation of carbon by resident macroinvertebrates between adjacent saltmarsh and mangrove habitats in an Australian estuary using ¹³C analysis of animals at different distances into adjacent patches of habitat. ¹³C values of crabs (Parasesarma erythrodactyla –15.7 ± 0.1, Australoplax tridentata –14.7 ± 0.1) and slugs (Onchidina australis –16.2 ± 0.3) in saltmarsh closely matched that of the salt couch grass Sporobolus virginicus (–15.5 ± 0.1). In mangroves, ¹³C values of crabs (P. erythrodactyla –22.0 ± 0.2, A. tridentata –19.2 ± 0.3) and slugs (–19.7 ± 0.3) were enriched relative to those of mangroves (–27.9 ± 0.2) but were more similar to those of microphytobenthos (–23.7 ± 0.3). The ¹³C values of animals across the saltmarsh-mangrove interface fitted a sigmoidal curve, with a transition zone of rapidly changing values at the saltmarsh-mangrove boundary. The width of this transition indicated that the movement and assimilation of carbon is limited to between 5 and 7 m. The ¹³C values of crabs and slugs, especially those in saltmarsh habitat, clearly indicate that the movement and assimilation of carbon between adjacent saltmarsh and mangrove habitat is restricted to just a few metres, although some contribution from unmeasured sources elsewhere in the estuary is possible. Such evidence demonstrating the extent of carbon movement and assimilation by animals in estuarine habitats is useful in determining the spatial arrangement of habitats needed in marine protected areas to capture food web processes.     

Über den Einfluß des Salzgehaltes auf die photosynthetische Leistung verschiedener Standortformen vonDelesseria sanguinea undFucus serratus

Zusammenfassung 1. Es wurde untersucht, welchen Einfluß kurzfristige und langfristige Salzgehaltsveränderungen auf verschiedene Standortformen der RotalgeDelesseria sanguinea und der BraunalgeFucus serratus haben. Als Kriterium des Lebenszustandes wurde die photosynthetische Leistung gewählt. Die Algen wurden folgenden Salzgehaltskonzentrationen ausgesetzt: 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 30, 40, 50 S.2. Die Versuche ergaben, daß kurzfristige Konzentrationsveränderungen (30 min) — sowohl Erniedrigung als auch Erhöhung des Salzgehaltes — die photosynthetische Leistung stimulieren. Ein langfristiger Aufenthalt (24 Std) unter den veränderten Bedingungen bewirkt, sofern diese innerhalb der Toleranzgrenzen der Algen liegen, einen Ausgleich der anfänglichen Stimulation. Außerhalb der Toleranzgrenzen liegende Konzentrationen rufen nach der Stimulation eine Leistungsdepression hervor. Bei Rückübertragung in den Ausgangssalzgehalt sind die Depressionen teilweise reversibel.3. Im hypotonischen Milieu verhalten sich die Delesserien der verschiedenen Standorte (Helgoland, Kattegat, Kieler Bucht) gleich: in 5 S treten starke Depressionen auf. Nordsee-Delesserien sind im hypertonischen Milieu weniger empfindlich, sie zeigen noch bei 50 S eine gesteigerte photosynthetische Leistung. In diesem Bereich sind die Ostseeformen schon schwer geschädigt. Am empfindlichsten gegenüber allen Konzentrationsänderungen ist die BrackwasserformDelesseria sanguinea formalanceolata aus der Kieler Bucht.4.Fucus serratus aus dem Litoral von Helgoland zeichnet sich im Gegensatz zu der submers lebenden Form der Ostsee, die sich ähnlich wieDelesseria verhält, in allen untersuchten Konzentrationsbereichen durch eine unveränderte photosynthetische Leistung aus. Die beiden Standortformen vonFucus entsprechen gemäß der Einteilung vonMontfort (1931) dem resistenten Typ und dem Stimulations-Depressionstyp.

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On the influence of salinity on photosynthetic performance of various ecotypes ofDelesseria sanguinea andFucus serratus

The phaeophyceanF. serratus and the rhodophyceanD. sanguinea came from the North Sea (30 S) and the Baltic Sea (15 S). The activity of photosynthesis was taken as a criterion of algae vitality. Experiments were made in salinity concentrations of 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 30, 40 and 50 S. Thirty-minute exposures to sub- or supranormal salinities stimulate photosynthesis. Within their physiological salinity ranges the algae assume normal photosynthetic rates within 24 hours. Extreme salinities cause a reduction in photosynthetic activity; this reduction mostly disappears, however, after re-transfer into normal salinity conditions. At 5 S all test individuals ofDelesseria from different locations exhibit a reduction of photosynthetic rates. At 50 SDelesseria from the North Sea still show increased activity, whileDelesseria from the Baltic are already severely damaged. The brackish-water formD. sanguinea (formalanceolata) is most sensitive to salinity variations. The photosynthetic activity ofF. serratus from Helgoland does not vary in all salinities employed. The range of test salinities corresponds to that of the habitat in the littoral zone, where high salinities occur during air exposure, and low salinities, during rainfall. By contrast, inF. serratus from the Baltic Sea occurring only in the sublittoral zone, photosynthetic rates are similarly affected by salinity as inDelesseria.

     

Effects of Salinity on the Growth Rate and Survival of Juvenile Littorina saxatilis Gastropods from Habitats with Different Salinity Regimes

The effects of salinity on the growth rate and survival of juvenile Littorina saxatilis gastropods reared in the laboratory from the young of progenic females collected in estuarine, intermediate, and marine habitats were studied. The optimum growth conditions of juveniles were dependent on the salinity regime in their original habitat. The progeny of females from the marine site showed maximum survival at a salinity of 23, the value corresponding to the normal salinity in their native habitat during the breeding period, while at 14, the growth of juveniles from this population was strongly suppressed. Juveniles originating from the estuarine habitat were able to maintain equally high growth rates at 23 and 14; however, at 14, they grew significantly faster than juveniles from the marine site. The progeny of females from the intermediate habitat showed intermediate growth rates at 14. Fluctuating salinity (23–8–23) had an adverse effect on the growth of juvenile Littorina, irrespective of the parental habitat. The differences in survival, size, and growth rates of the progeny of L. saxatilis in habitats with different salinity regimes are discussed in relation to their potential adaptive significance to life in estuaries.     

Stable carbon isotope composition,depth distribution and fate of macroalgae from the Antarctic Peninsula region

Summary Stable carbon isotope composition of macroalgae collected at King George Island (Antarctica) ranged from about -8 to -34. We hypothesize that the ¹³C values are related to the depth distribution: species inhabiting greater depth had much lower values (around-30) compared to species from shallower waters (around -17). Isotopic studies on sediment trap samples from the King George Basin (2,000 m deep) revealed that benthic macroalgae contributed strongly to the total organic carbon pool of the deeper basin waters during austral spring and summer. Fragments of brown macroalgae (Desmarestiales) were detected in microscopical analyses of semi-thin sections of sediment samples from the Bransfield Strait. Possible mechanisms regarding the erosion of benthic macroalgae and their transport to the deeper waters and to the sediment are summarized.     

The influence of salinity on ionic concentrations and osmolarity of blood serum in lake sturgeon, Acipenser fulvescens

This study examined the extent to which lake sturgeon, Acipenser fulvescens, regulated serum ion concentrations and osmolarity in relation to ambient salinity. Twenty juvenile lake sturgeon, brood stock from the Moose River in the Hudson Bay drainage basin, were gradually transferred from freshwater to more saline waters at a rate of 2 day^-1. Blood was sampled from fish at 0, 10, 15 and 25 following 48 h acclimation periods. Concentrations of Na⁺, K⁺, Cl^-, Ca²⁺ and osmolarity were measured. Experimentation was terminated at 25 due to poor fish health resulting in two mortalities. Within freshwater, lake sturgeon blood serum displays similar osmotic and ionic composition to other North American species of sturgeon. Juvenile lake sturgeon do not appear capable of homeostasis above 15 nor are they tolerant to environments exceeding 25. Some evidence of greater tolerance to elevated salinities with increased size was noted. The ecological potential for resource exploitation in regions of elevated salinities is discussed.