Influence of temperature and body mass on standard metabolic rate of eastern red-backed salamanders (Plethodon cinereus)

(1) We estimated the standard metabolic rate (SMR) of wild-caught Plethodon cinereus across a range of body masses and ecologically relevant temperatures.     

Nearshore and pelagic abundances of Artemia monica in Mono Lake,California

The spatial distribution and abundance of the brine shrimp, Artemia monica, in Mono Lake, California were determined during 1982 and 1983. Peak abundances of shrimp occur in midsummer and reach densities of 15–17 individuals l^-1 in the nearshore regions and 6–8 individuals 1^-1 in the pelagic region. The brine shrimp were non-uniformly distributed both vertically and horizontally. The coefficient of variation in shrimp abundance among stations within the nearshore region was similar to that found in the pelagic region. On two of the nine dates, nearshore densities were 3 to 4 times greater than those in the pelagic zone, and on average the brine shrimp appear to be slightly over-dispersed to the nearshore region. However, including nearshore abundances in lakewide estimates will usually result in a change of less than a 10%.     

Temperature effects on oxygen consumption of two nocturnal geckos,Ptyodactylus hasselquistii (Donndorff) andBunopus tuberculatus (Blanford) (Reptilia: Gekkonidae) in Saudi Arabia

Summary Oxygen consumption rates of the lizardsPtyodactylus hasselquistii (adult and subadults) andBunopus tuberculatus (adult) were determined in relation to ambient temperatures ranging from 10 to 35°C using a double-chamber, volumetric closed system. The metabolic rate-temperature curves for both species were triphasic and similar in shape, but O₂ consumption differed between species.The low thermal dependence at temperatures between 15 and 25°C, common to both species, was correlated with the lizards' dual mode of thermoregulatory activity and ecology.     

Seasonal changes in thermal environment and metabolic enzyme activity in the diamondback terrapin (Malaclemys terrapin)

Diamondback terrapins experience broad fluctuations in temperature on both a daily and seasonal basis in their estuarine environment. We measured metabolic enzyme activity in terrapin muscle tissue to assess thermal dependence and the role of temperature in seasonal metabolic downregulation in this species. Activity of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), pyruvate kinase (PK), citrate synthase (CS), and cytochrome c oxidase (CCO) was assayed at 10, 20, 30, and 40 °C for tissue collected during summer and winter. The Q(10) for enzyme activity varied between 1.31 and 2.11 within the temperature range at which terrapins were active (20-40 °C). The Q(10) for LDH, CS, and CCO varied between 1.39 and 1.76 and between 10 and 20 °C, but PK exhibited heightened thermal sensitivity within this lower temperature range, with a Q(10) of 2.90 for summer-collected tissue and 5.55 for winter-collected tissue. There was no significant effect of season on activity of LDH or PK, but activity of CS and CCO was significantly lower in winter-collected tissue compared with summer-collected tissue. Results indicate that temperature effects contribute to seasonal metabolic downregulation and dormancy in terrapins, but other environmental factors (i.e. oxygen availability), as well as seasonal shifts in blood biochemistry and circulating hormones may also play an important role.     

Temperature effects on the anchoveta <Emphasis Type="Italic">Engraulis ringens</Emphasis> egg development: do latitudinal differences occur?

We assessed differences in the development rates among anchoveta, E. ringens populations from the extremes of its range under different temperatures. Time to hatch decreased with increasing temperature but there was no difference in the temperature–development time relationship between eggs from different localities. These results and observations of hatching success differences between populations at lower temperatures support the hypothesis that inter-population differences in the earlier life stages occur along the distribution range of anchoveta, although the current genetic evidence suggests substantial gene flow between localities.     

Combined effects of temperature,food (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Chlorella vulgaris</Emphasis>) concentration and predation (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Asplanchna girodi</Emphasis>) on the morphology of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Brachionus havanaensis</Emphasis> (Rotifera)

The combined effect of temperature, food level and the presence of an invertebrate predator on the body size of the rotifer Brachionus havanaensis were tested in this study. B. havanaensis was cultured at 15, 20, and 25°C under three different Chlorella vulgaris levels (0.5 × 10⁶, 1.0 × 10⁶ and 2.0 × 10⁶ cells ml⁻¹) in the presence and in the absence of Asplanchna girodi. For each treatment we maintained three replicates and constant (0.4 ind ml⁻¹) population density of B. havanaensis. In treatments containing A. girodi, the predator was separated from the prey by a mesh (pore size 50 μm). On the last day of the experiment, a portion of the B. havanaensis population was sampled for several morphometric measurements (adult lorica length, width, posterior spine length, body volume, and the egg volume). Size measurements were done by drawing the specimens using a calibrated camera lucida. Statistically significant impact of temperature as well as the predator’s presence was observed on the lorica length, posterior spine, and egg volume of B. havanaensis. The interactions of food × temperature, or predator′s presence × food × temperature were non-significant (P > 0.05) for lorica length, spine length, body volume, and egg volume. Regardless of the type of treatment, there was a direct positive correlation between lorica length and width. Egg volume was linearly related to the adult size. Notably long posterior spines were observed in treatments containing the presence of A. girodi. Guest editors: S. S. S. Sarma, R. D. Gulati, R. L. Wallace, S. Nandini, H. J. Dumont & R. Rico-Martínez. Advances in Rotifer Research     

Effects of some extrinsic factors on the respiratory metabolism of the freshwater leech,poecilobdella viridis (blanchard): desiccation and temperature

The influence of desiccation and temperature on the respiratory metabolism of P. viridis have been investigated. There was a significant (p < 0.05) downfall in the respiratory rates as the period of desiccation increased, but for after 18 hours where it was enhanced significantly. The respiration augmented significantly (p < 0.03) when the temperature of the medium increased. Q₁₀ was significantly high at 32–28°C and was low between 35 and 32°C and 20–10°C Functional significance of these changes to the leeches in combating environmental hazards is briefly discussed.     

Influence of hypoxia on cardiac functions in the grass shrimp (Palaemonetes pugio Holthuis)

Crustaceans frequently encounter hypoxic water and have evolved a variety of compensatory mechanisms to deal with low O₂ conditions. Typically, large decapod crustaceans attempt to maintain cardiac output by increasing stroke volume to compensate for the hypoxia-induced bradycardia. Grass shrimp (Palaemonetes pugio), small hypoxic tolerant decapod crustaceans, were used to investigate cardiac responses to hypoxia in a smaller crustacean using videomicroscopy and dimensional analysis techniques. In addition, these techniques were compared to the more established dye dilution technique for calculation of cardiac output. No significant difference was found between the two methods for determining cardiac output in grass shrimp. Cardiac parameters (heart rate f_H, stroke volume V_S, and cardiac output V_b) were monitored in grass shrimp exposed to progressive hypoxia (P_O2s=20, 13.3, 10, 5.3, and 2 KPa O₂). Shrimp exhibit a cardiac response to hypoxia that is atypical when compared to larger crustaceans. Cardiac output was maintained until water P_O2 fell below 10 KPa O₂. This maintenance of V_b is consistent in both large and small decapods, however the mechanism differs. In grass shrimp, V_S was P_O2 dependent and declined significantly while f_H increased significantly when P_O2 was reduced to 13.3 KPa O₂.     

Limnological variability and pelagic fish abundance (Stolothrissa tanganicae and Lates stappersii) in Lake Tanganyika

The abundance of two main pelagic fish species in Lake Tanganyika (Stolothrissa tanganicae and Lates stappersii) has always been observed to fluctuate considerably at different time scales. The inverse correlation between the abundance of these species has often been interpreted as the consequence of predator−prey relations (avoidance behaviour by the prey). However, currently the two species often appear spatially segregated in the lake, S. tanganicae dominating in the north while L. stappersii is generally abundant in the south where it feeds mostly on shrimps. A fluctuating abundance of the species is nevertheless observed. As these fish species have a major importance for the fisheries, we investigated the limnological variability in relation to the short-term variability of fish catches. The abundance of S. tanganicae was positively correlated to plankton biomass (r = 0.65), while water transparency (r = 0.56), depth of mixed layer (r = −0.70) and oxygenated water appeared important drivers for the abundance of L. stappersii. Alternating “mixing” and “stable” states of the epilimnion related to seasonal and internal waves variability are probably determinant for the short-term variability in abundance of S. tanganicae and L. stappersii. In the framework of this study, remote sensing has shown a potentially interesting application for fisheries research at Lake Tanganyika. We observed a close correspondence between phytoplankton blooms at the time of trade winds changes and increased catches of S. tanganicae in the south. The anti-correlated abundance of S. tanganicae and L. stappersii probably mainly reflects the underlying fluctuating limnological environment. Fisheries studies need to integrate limnological and planktonic monitoring to better understand large and complex ecosystems such as Lake Tanganyika.

Relationship between net photosynthesis and leaf respiration in Mediterranean evergreen species

The relationship between net photosynthetic (P _N) and leaf respiration (R) rates of Quercus ilex, Phillyrea latifolia, Myrtus communis, Arbutus unedo, and Cistus incanus was monitored in the period February 2006 to February 2007. The species investigated had low R and P _N during winter, increasing from March to May, when mean air temperature reached 19.2 °C. During the favourable period, C. incanus and A. unedo had a higher mean P _N (16.4±2.4 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹) than P. latifolia, Q. ilex, and M. communis (10.0±1.3 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹). The highest R (1.89±0.30 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹, mean of the species), associated to a significant P _N decrease (62 % of the maximum, mean value of the species), was measured in July (mean R/P _N ratio 0.447±0.091). Q₁₀, indicating the respiration sensitivity to short-term temperature increase, was in the range 1.49 to 2.21. Global change might modify R/P _N determining differences in dry matter accumulation among the species, and Q. ilex and P. latifolia might be the most favoured species by their ability to maintain sufficiently higher P _N and lower R during stress periods.     

中度火干扰对兴安落叶松林土壤呼吸的影响

通过测定中度火干扰后塔河地区兴安落叶松(Larix gmelinii)林生长季土壤呼吸(R_s),并进一步探究火干扰后影响土壤呼吸变化的主要环境因子。选择在塔河林业局火烧4年后兴安落叶松林中度火烧迹地设置样地,选择临近未过火区域设置对照样地。土壤呼吸通量用LI-8100进行测量,土壤异养呼吸(R_h)采用壕沟法进行测量。火烧迹地与未火烧对照样地生长季土壤呼吸速率平均值分别为(3.67±1.03)μmol CO_2m~(-2)s~(-1),(4.21±1.25)μmol CO_2m~(-2)s~(-1)。火烧迹地土壤呼吸速率显著降低(P0.05)。生长季土壤呼吸组分的动态变化表明,土壤呼吸速率的降低是因为土壤自养呼吸(R_a)显著降低导致的(P0.05)。温度是控制这一地区生长季土壤呼吸变化的主要环境因子。与对照样地相比,火烧迹地土壤呼吸的变化与土壤温度具有更强的相关性。塔河地区兴安落叶松林火烧迹地和未火烧对照样地Q_(10)分别为5.85±1.06,4.25±1.19,火干扰后Q_(10)显著增加(P0.05)。研究结果表明:在全球气候变化的背景下火干扰后中国塔河地区兴安落叶松林生态系统对温度的变化更为敏感。本研究结果将为研究中国塔河地区火干扰后碳循环变化提供数据支持。     

Molecular phylogenetics and asexuality in the brine shrimp Artemia

Explaining cases of long-term persistence of parthenogenesis has proven an arduous task for evolutionary biologists. Interpreting sexual-asexual interactions though has recently advanced owing to methodological design, increased taxon sampling and choice of model organisms. We inferred the phylogeny of Artemia, a halophilic branchiopod genus of sexual and parthenogenetic forms with cosmopolitan distribution, marked geographic patterns and ecological partitioning. Joint analysis of newly derived ITS1 sequences and 16S RFLP markers from global isolates indicates significant interspecific divergence as well as pronounced diversity for parthenogens, matching that of sexual ancestors. Maximum parsimony, maximum likelihood, and Bayesian methods were largely congruent in reconstructing the phylogeny of the genus. Given the current sampling, at least four independent origins of parthenogenesis are deduced. Molecular clock calibrations based on biogeographic landmarks indicate that the lineage leading to A. persimilis diverged from the common ancestor of all Artemia species between 80 and 90 MYA at the time of separation of Africa from South America, whereas parthenogenesis first appeared at least 3 MYA. Common mitochondrial DNA haplotypes delineate A. urmiana and A. tibetiana as possible maternal parents of several clonal lineages. A novel topological placement of A. franciscana as a sister clade to all Asian Artemia and parthenogenetic forms is proposed and also supported by ITS1 length and other existing data.     

The American brine shrimp as an exotic invasive species in the western Mediterranean

The hypersaline environments and salterns present in the western Mediterranean region (including Italy, southern France, the Iberian Peninsula and Morocco) contain autochthonous forms of the brine shrimp Artemia, with parthenogenetic diploid and tetraploid strains coexisting with the bisexual species A. salina. Introduced populations of the American brine shrimp A. franciscana have also been recorded in these Mediterranean environments since the 1980s. Based on brine shrimp cyst samples collected in these countries from 1980 until 2002, we were able to establish the present distribution of autochthonous brine shrimps and of A. franciscana, which is shown to be an expanding invasive species. The results obtained show that A. franciscana is now the dominant Artemia species in Portuguese salterns, along the French Mediterranean coast and in Cadiz bay (Spain). Co-occurrence of autochthonous (parthenogenetic) and American brine shrimp populations was observed in Morocco (Mar Chica) and France (Aigues Mortes), whereas A. franciscana was not found in Italian cyst samples. The results suggest these exotic A. franciscana populations originate as intentional or non-intentional inoculations through aquacultural (hatchery effluents) or pet market activities, and suggest that the native species can be rapidly replaced by the exotic species. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Genetic Diversity of the Giant Tiger Shrimp (Penaeus monodon) in Thailand Revealed by PCR-SSCP of Polymorphic EST-Derived Markers

A total of 90 ESTs from normal and 157 from subtractive ovarian cDNA libraries of the giant tiger shrimp (Penaeus monodon) were sequenced. SSCP analysis of disulfide isomerase (DSl), zinc finger protein (ZFP), PMO920, and PMT1700 was carried out for population genetic studies of P. monodon in Thai waters. The number of codominant alleles per locus for overall samples was 6 for PMO920, 5 for PMT1700, and 12 for ZFP, and there were 19 dominant alleles for DSI. The observed heterozygosity of each geographic sample was 0.3043–0.5128 for PMO920, 0.3462–0.4643 for PMT1700, and 0.5000–0.8108 for ZFP. Linkage disequilibrium analysis indicated that genotypes of these loci segregate randomly (P > 0.05). Low genetic distance was found between pairs of geographic samples (0.0077–0.0178). The neighbor-joining tree constructed from the average genetic distance of overall loci allocated the Andaman samples (Satun, Trang, and Phangnga) into one cluster, and Chumphon and Trat into other clusters. Geographic differentiation between Satun-Trat and Satun-Phangnga was found only at the ZFP locus (P < 0.05), suggesting low degrees of genetic subdivision of Thai P. monodon.     

The effects of temperature changes on the oxygen consumption of juvenile Chinese shrimp Fenneropenaeus chinensis Osbeck

The effects of temperature changes on oxygen consumption of Chinese shrimp (Fenneropenaeus chinensis Osbeck) were studied. The response of oxygen consumption to a temperature rise was conformed to partial metabolic compensation. No compensatory response was observed at lower temperature. A sudden temperature increase by 12 °C resulted an overshoot in oxygen consumption in shrimp adapted to 19 °C, while a sudden decrease by 12 °C in shrimp adapted to 19 °C resulted in an undershoot in oxygen consumption. The shrimp adapted to 31 °C responded with an undershoot in oxygen consumption when a sudden temperature drop by 12 °C occurred. But overshoot in oxygen consumption did not occur when the shrimps were transferred back from 19 to 31 °C. The amplitude of oxygen consumption was reduced in shrimp during the process of acclimation to the temperature diel fluctuation. After the shrimp had adapted to the temperature fluctuation, the daily mean oxygen consumption of shrimp at diel temperature fluctuation from 24 to 30 °C was significantly lower than those adapted to the constant temperature at 27 °C (P<0.05). The decrease in metabolic rate may account for the increase in the growth rate of shrimp at a diel fluctuating thermal regime.     

Dependence of the Q10 values on the depth of the soil temperature measuring point

The parameter Q₁₀ is commonly used to express the relationship between soil CO₂ efflux and soil temperature. One advantage of this parameter is its application in a model expression of respiration losses of different ecosystems. Correct specification of Q₁₀ in these models is indispensable. Soil surface CO₂ efflux and soil temperature at different depths were measured in a 21-year-old Norway spruce stand and a mountain grassland site located at the Experimental Ecological Study Site Bily Kriz, Beskydy Mts. (NE Czech Republic), using automated gasometric systems. A time-delay and goodness-of-fit between soil CO₂ efflux and soil temperature at different measuring depths were determined. Wide ranges of values for the time-delay of CO₂ efflux in response to temperature, Q₁₀ and the determination coefficient (R²) between CO₂ efflux and temperature were obtained at the both sites. The values of Q₁₀ and the CO₂ time-delay increased with depth, while the R² of the CO₂-temperature relationship significantly decreased. Soil temperature records obtained close to the soil surface showed the highest values of R² and the lowest value of the time-delay at both sites. Measurement of soil temperature at very shallow soil layer, preferably at the soil surface, is highly recommended to determine useable values of Q₁₀. We present a new procedure to normalize Q₁₀ values for soil temperatures measured at different depths that would facilitate comparison of different sites.     

Respiration in Branchinella Kugenumaensis (Crustacea-Anostraca) inhabiting tropical astatic ponds

The oxygen consumption (routine rate) of Branchinella kugenumaensis, inhabiting tropical astatic ponds is measured at 28°C. Two distinct trends are observed in the oxygen consumption by this fairy shrimp; young, immature animals have a higher rate than the older, sexually mature animals. Branchinella kugenumaensis falls under the intermediate group of Bertalanffy, where respiration falls between the respiration surface proportional and the respiration weight proportional metabolism.     

Patterns of routine swimming and metabolic rate in juvenile cyyprinids at three temperatures: analysis with a respirometer-activity-monitoring system

Summary The spontaneous swimming activity and oxygen consumption of juvenile roach (Rutilus rutilus (L.)), were monitored for 48–72 h at 8, 15 and 20°C and a photoperiod (L:D) of 11:13. At low levels of activity metabolic cost is constant and thus corresponds to the standard rate of metabolism (low cost activity). At higher levels of activity metabolic cost increases in proportion with the degree of activity. The slope for this high cost activity indicates an expenditure of 0.4–1.3 mol O₂·g^-1·h^-1 per arbitrary activity unit at the three experimental temperatures. Extrapolation of this relationship to zero activity would underestimate the measured standard metabolic rate. High cost activity occurred in only one experiment out of three at 8°C, low cost activity hardly at all at 20°C, whereas at 15°C both forms of activity were present in five of the seven experiments conducted. Thus, not only the intensity but also the pattern of activity is affected by environmental temperature.     

Fishery of the Deep-water Rose Shrimp Parapenaeus longirostris (Lucas, 1846) (Crustacea: Decapoda) in the Northern Tyrrhenian Sea (Western Mediterranean)

The aim of this study is to provide information on the fishing pattern of Parapenaeus longirostris in the northern Tyrrhenian Sea (western Mediterranean), in order to improve the management of the resource in the area. Data were obtained from commercial fishery, covering the period 1991–2002. Catch rates revealed notable inter-annual fluctuation of the P. longirostris landing, probably due to the life cycle of the species. The highest yields (kg per hour of trawl) of the commercial fishery were obtained at depths ranging between 180 and 300 m, the lower ones at depths between 100 and 180 m, where small specimens are more abundant. Commercial catches were characterised by a very low presence of specimens smaller than 20 mm carapace length (CL), mainly due to the deeper localisation of the fishing grounds when compared to the recruitment areas of the species. The size at which 50% of the specimens were discarded by the fishermen was 15 mm CL, while the estimated size at first capture of the individuals caught by the commercial net was 12.4 mm CL.     

Temperature effect on maintenance and growth respiration coefficients of young, field-grown hinoki cypress (Chamaecyparis obtusa)

Respiration measurements were made on the entire aboveground parts of young, field-grown hinoki cypress (Chamaecyparis obtusa) trees at monthly intervals over a 5-year period, to examine the effect of temperature on maintenance and growth respiration coefficients. The respiration rate of the trees was grouped on a monthly basis and then partitioned into maintenance and growth components. The maintenance respiration coefficient increased exponentially with air temperature. The maintenance respiration coefficient at a temperature of 0°C and itsQ ₁₀ value were 0.205 mmol CO₂ g⁻¹ d.w. month⁻¹ and 1.81, respectively. The growth respiration coefficient, which was virtually independent of temperature, had a mean value of 38.06±1.95 (SE) mmol CO₂g⁻¹ d.w. The growth rate increased exponentially with increasing temperature up to a peak at around 18°C, and thereafter declined, thereby resulting in the growth respiration rate being increasingly less sensitive to increasing air temperature. The reported decreases in theQ ₁₀ value of total respiration with increasing air temperature is due to the way in which the growth component of respiration responds to temperature.