Colonization of a headwater stream during three years of seasonal insecticidal applications

We investigated recolonization by insects of a small headwater stream in the southern Appalachian Mountains that was treated along its entire length with an insecticide (methoxychlor). Initial treatment (December 1985) resulted in massive insect drift. Applications continued seasonally for three years, and drift was measured during each treatment. Taxonomic composition of the drift indicated several responses: (1) Some taxa were eliminated. (2) A number of taxa occurred only sporadically following initial treatment. (3) Early instars for some taxa showed seasonal occurrences which closely paralleled known life cycles and flight periods of adults. Groups which provided strong evidence for aerial recolonization included several Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera (Peltoperlidae and Isoperla spp.), and Trichoptera (Parapsyche cardis, Diplectrona modesta, Pycnopsyche spp., and Lepidostoma spp.). (4) Some long-lived taxa survived and exhibited distinct growth through several treatment periods. These include Odonata (Lanthus and Cordulegaster), some Ephemeroptera, and some Diptera (Tipulidae, Ceratopogonidae, and Tanypodinae). (5) Some taxa which were not present at the time of initial treatment appeared during the experiment. Chironomidae dominated the drift in all samples, and the number of genera did not decrease during the three-year treatment period. Of the 27 chironomid genera identified, only Micropsectra decreased in proportional abundance during treatment. In contrast, several genera (Corynoneura, Meropelopia, Parametriocnemus, and Tvetnia) showed little change in relative abundance. Larsia (Tanypodinae) increased in proportional abundance during the treatment period.     

Life cycle and production of Skwala parallela (Frison) (Plecoptera: Perlodidae) in a Colorado montane stream

The life cycle and production of Skwala parallela, a perlodid stonefly, was investigated in a third-order Colorado montane stream. The species exhibited a univoltine life cycle with a distinct cohort. Small nymphs appeared in May. Rapid growth was exhibited throughout summer and autumn. During winter, growth slowed somewhat but was continuous until April. Maximum density of 34 nymphs/m² occurred in July. Based upon the instantaneous growth method, annual production was 395.3 mg/m² or 3.95 kg/ha dry weight with a P/B ratio of 4.4     

Food selection by brook trout in a subalpine stream

The diet and food selection of brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) and macroinvertebrate drift are described for a high altitude stream (3 205 m above mean sea level) adjacent to the alpine zone on the Snowy Range in the Medicine Bow National Forest, Wyoming. Diet composition differed between brook trout of two length classes, 150 mm and > 150 mm in total length. The number of prey organisms per stomach generally declined and the proportion of terrestrial prey items increased from July to September, 1985. Fish of both length classes selected for Trichoptera and Coleoptera over the three sampling months, and fish > 150 mm also selected for terrestrial insects in August and September.The Unit is jointly supported by the University of Wyoming, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, and the US Fish and Wildlife ServiceThe Unit is jointly supported by the University of Wyoming, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, and the US Fish and Wildlife Service     

Benthic secondary production and biomass of insects emerging from a northern German temperate stream

• 1 Secondary production and emergence of aquatic insects were examined in the outlet of Lake Belau, Northern Germany, by means of benthic samples and emergence traps.
• 2 At three stream sections annual larval secondary production varied between 4.9 and 10.8 gDM (dry mass) m^‐2 year^‐1. Insects contributed with 3.4, 8.9, and 8.7% to the total macroinvertebrate production that varied between 56.5 and 215.1 gDM m^‐2 year^‐1. Emerged biomass was between 1.0 and 2.0 gDM m^‐2 year^‐1. At all three stream sections Diptera dominated with a larval production of 3.0–l6.1 gDM m^‐2 year^‐1, followed by Trichoptera with 1.0–2.1 and Ephemeroptera with up to 0.9 gDM m^‐2 year^‐1.
• 3 Average larval production amounted to 9.0 gDM m^‐2 year^‐1 and emerged biomass to 1.7 gDM m^‐2 year^‐1. Larvae of insects amounted to 7.0% of total macroinvertebrate production.
• 4 The ratio of annual emerged biomass to secondary production (E/P) varied among individual taxa. At the stream sections the ratio ranged from 15.9% to 20.1% with an average of 18.3% for the stream.
• 5 Relative constancy of the E/P ratio suggests that the determination of emerged biomass can be used as a method for estimating the secondary production of aquatic insects. The composition of functional feeding groups clearly differs between emerged biomass and total macroinvertebrate production. Therefore, the method does not allow conclusions on the level of production of the whole benthic community. However, composition of functional feeding groups at emergence roughly reflects composition of these groups in the benthic insect community.

     

An analysis of changes in the invertebrate community along a southern New Zealand montane stream

Changes in benthic community structure at four sites along a flood-prone montane stream continuum in the South Island of New Zealand were analysed using rank correlation (Kendall's Tau and Spearman's r_s) and a community similarity index (S_c) developed initially for stream pollution assessment. Species richness was highest in a forested headwater stream, which is attributed to its relatively greater physical stability and habitat heterogeneity. Community similarity decreased with distance apart, and pairs of open and forested sites showed the greatest similarity. Species composition and relative abundance along the continuum changed least in the numerically dominant Ephemeroptera and Plecoptera, groups in which several species had broad habitat requirements. In contrast, a number of dipteran and trichopteran species had more restricted distributions. The more specialised niche requirements of some species in these orders are attributed to their generally small size, their ability to spin silk, and their holometabolous development. Physical rather than biological factors appeared to limit the distributions of most invertebrates, and there was little evidence of ecological segregation by either food resource partitioning or differences in life history patterns amongst many closely related species. Theories that stream communities are well ordered entities maximising the efficiency of energy utilisation cannot realistically be applied to such unstable stream systems.     

Species composition,abundance and emergence phenology of midges (Deiptera: Chironomidae) in a brown-water stream of West-Central Alberta,Canada

Sixteen floating, box type emergence traps, each covering 0.1 m², were placed along 150 m of a third-order stretch of the Bigoray River, a slow-flowing, vegetation-choked, brown-water muskeg stream. Effects of trap design, trap shading, length of sampling interval, and stream velocity on the number of midges caught was examined. Of the 112 species of Chironomidae caught, 32 species made up 90% of the catch and their emergence phenology is described in detail. There were more rare species than expected from Preston's lognormal distribution. Percentage of Bigoray species belonging to Tanypodinae, Orthocladiinae, Chironomini and Tanytarsini was 18%, 43%, 20%, and 19%, and was compared with 27 other studies on lotic chironomids. During the 140-day emergence period an average of 19.3 × 10³ chironomids emerged per square meter of stream. Based on changes in male:female ratios throughout a species emergence period, it was postulated that 30% of the Bigoray chironomid species were univoltine, 50% were bivoltine, and 20% were trivoltine.     

Submerged undercut banks as macroinvertebrate habitat in a subalpine meadow stream

We compared macroinvertebrate samples from submerged undercut banks with samples from rifles and pools in a low-gradient-meadow reach of a small stream on the Snowy Range, southeastern Wyoming, from July to September 1985. Macroinvertebrates collected from submerged undercut banks were similar to those collected from riffles and pools, but densities varied among the three habitat types. In July Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, Trichoptera, Coleoptera, and Diptera, as well as Hydracarina, were all substantially more numerous in samples from undercut banks than from riffles or pools. By contrast in September little difference was observed in the abundance of macroinvertebrates in samples from submerged undercut banks, riffles and pools. While forming only 8.5% of the area of aquatic habitat within the study reach submerged undercut banks were estimated to contain 44% of the aquatic insects in July and 30% in August. Further, submerged undercut banks are macroinvertebrate habitat in this subalpine meadow stream, contributing to overall macroinvertebrate abundance and probably an additional food source for trout.     

A review of the life history,reproduction and phenology of Gracilaria

The basic life history of the red alga Gracilaria is of the three-phase Polysiphonia type but a number of species show deviations. Plants can bear both gametangia and tetrasporangia, either on separate parts of the thallus or on the same. Explanations include the in situ germination of tetraspores (allowing gametophytic thalli to be epiphytic on tetrasporophytes), the coalescence of spores or developing discs (resulting in chimaeras), mitotic recombination during cell division in the mature diploid thallus (resulting in patches of diploid male and female cells on the tetrasporophyte), a mutation eliminating the repression of female expression allowing haploid male plants to be bisexual and initial failure of cell walls to form during the development of tetraspores. Polyploids can be produced from plants with diploid gametangia. The sexes and phases are usually morphologically identical but gametophytes or their parts may be smaller. The growth rates of the sexes may differ and diploid juveniles may survive better than haploid. Neither polyploidy nor hybridization results in superior growth. The sex ratio is probably 1:1 but females may appear to be more abundant. Diploid and haploid phases are usually either about equal or diploids predominate, often depending on the type of substratum. At high latitudes reproduction peaks in late summer whereas in the tropics it may be high all year. In temperate regions growth rate is fastest and biomass highest in late summer; in the tropics peak biomass is mainly in the winter. Spermatia are effective for only a few h. Spores vary in size around 25 \m, diploid ones usually being larger. Cystocarps or tetrasporangia in the field may not currently be releasing spores. In the laboratory spore release shows a diurnal rhythm, peaking during the night or day according to the species. All the above attributes are potentially important in planning and executing Gracilaria cultivation.     

Life cycle of Porphyra vietnamensis Tanaka & Pham-Hoang Ho from Thailand

Porphyra vietnamensis Tanaka & Pham-Hoang Ho is a tropical species of high potential for farming. Studies of the life cycle have been conducted for many years but have not been successful until recently. Mature thalli were collected from Songkhla, in the southern part of Thailand, and were used to obtain Conchocelis in the laboratory in Bangkok. Conchocelis in shells as well as free-floating filaments could be observed after one week of incubation at 25 °C, 25 salinity and 350–500 lux light intensity, and covered the culture shell surface within 2 months. Conchosporangia were formed after being incubated for 10 days at 30 °C, 20 salinity under light intensities of 350–500 lux with a photoperiod of 12 hours a day. Induction of conchospore release was achieved by lowering the temperature to 25 °C and the salinity to 10–15 and increasing the light intensity to 800–1000 lux. Liberated conchospores germinated into young thalli which became mature after 70 days.     

Resource limitation and intraspecific patterns of weight x length variation among spring detritivores

This study examined the intraspecific variability of a phenotypic trait, the body weight/body length ratio, and its adequacy to provide unbiased information about patterns of resource availability among conspecific individuals. Individual body weight and length were measured for the amphipod Gammarus minus Say (and other detritivores) in samples from freshwater springs differing in expected resource availability, and from sites in which detritus abundance had been manipulated. Mean individual weight per length was lower: (a) in populations from low-richness than from high-richness detritivore guilds; (b) in populations with size-abundance distributions similar to that of the entire guild, rather than statistically different; (c) in population samples from outside than from inside the areas of detritus addition. Small-sized individuals (< 3 mm) showed the largest variation among both populations and population samples. Similar differences were qualitatively observed for the other common detritivores co-occurring with G. minus in some springs. These observed patterns were in agreement with the variation of resource availability expected among field conditions, supporting the relevance of weight per length as a measure of food limitation.     

Seasonality of macrophytes and interaction with flow in a New Zealand lowland stream

Introduced submerged macrophytes have come to dominate many shallow water bodies in New Zealand, and are a common component of many lowland streams. We investigated the seasonal variation of macrophyte abundance, its influence on flow and channel volume, and the implications of this on stream habitat and functioning in Whakapipi Stream, a typical lowland stream draining a predominantly agricultural catchment.Abundance of macrophytes over the summer was primarily controlled by the phenological cycles of the two dominant species. Mean minimum total macrophyte biomass (36 g m^–2) and cover (7%) occurred in winter (June and August, respectively), and mean maximum biomass (324 g m^–2), and cover (79%) occurred in late summer (March and February respectively). Egeria densa comprised the majority of both cover and biomass during the study period, except early summer (December) when Potamogeton crispus was prevalent in the shallow stream reaches.Macrophyte beds had a major impact on summer stream velocities, reducing average velocities by an estimated 41%. Stream cross-sectional area was maintained at relatively stable levels similar to that recorded over winter, when stream discharge was in the order of seven times greater. The mean velocity distribution coefficient (), and Manning's roughness coefficient (n) were dependent on and displayed a positive linear relationship with macrophyte abundance. The velocity distribution coefficient is recommended as a better indicator of macrophyte effects on velocity in natural streams, as it does not assume uniform velocity, channel depth and slope within the stream reach.Our study shows that submerged macrophytes play an important structuring role within the stream during the summer period, where macrophyte beds act as semi-permeable dams, retarding flow velocities and increasing stream depth and cross-sectional area. This promotes habitat heterogeneity by creating a greater range of flow velocity variation, and also provides large stable low-flow areas. Other likely ecosystem effects resulting from macrophyte/velocity interactions include increased sedimentation, potential for nutrient processing and increased primary production, both by macrophytes and attached epiphyton. The complex architecture of submerged macrophytes and their influence on stream flow may also provide an increased diversity of habitat for other aquatic biota. We propose that management of degraded lowland streams such as the Whakapipi Stream to maintain stretches with moderate quantities of submerged macrophytes interspersed with shaded areas would optimise stream health during low summer flows.     

The life cycle of Laodicea indica (Laodiceidae,Leptomedusae, Cnidaria)

The life cycle of Laodicea indica is described. In the Bismarck Sea this species shows a normal alternation of generations in the wet season; but in the dry season the cycle is contracted, and planulae give rise to gonothecae without formation of a hydroid colony. Medusae are liberated about 3 d after planula settlement. This life cycle pattern is previously unreported in hydromedusae. The possible adaptive value of such a life cycle and the evolution of polyp reduction in hydromedusan life cycles are discussed.     

Natural selection on ecophysiological traits of a fern species in a temperate rainforest

Unlike other species of the genus Blechnum, the fern Blechnum chilense occurs in a wide range of habitats in Chilean temperate rainforest, from shaded forest understories to abandoned clearings and large gaps. We asked if contrasting light environments can exert differential selection on ecophysiological traits of B. chilense. We measured phenotypic selection on functional traits related to carbon gain: photosynthetic capacity (A _max), dark respiration rate (R _d), water use efficiency (WUE), leaf size and leaf thickness in populations growing in gaps and understorey environments. We assessed survival until reproductive stage and fecundity (sporangia production) as fitness components. In order to determine the potential evolutionary response of traits under selection, we estimated the genetic variation of these traits from clonally propagated individuals in common garden experiments. In gaps, survival of B. chilense was positively correlated with WUE and negatively correlated with leaf size. In contrast, survival in shaded understories was positively correlated with leaf size. We found positive directional fecundity selection on WUE in gaps population. In understories, ferns of lower R _d and greater leaf size showed greater fecundity. Thus, whereas control of water loss was optimized in gaps, light capture and net carbon balance were optimized in shaded understories. We found a significant genetic component of variation in WUE, R _d and leaf size. This study shows the potential for evolutionary responses to heterogeneous light environments in functional traits of B. chilense, a unique fern species able to occupy a broad successional niche in Chilean temperate rainforest.     

Life cycle and morphology ofMelampsora yezoensis onSalix serissaefolia

Uredinial and telial states of aMelampsora species occurring on the leaves ofSalix serissaefolia were for the first time recorded. Field observations and inoculation experiments showed that the spermogonial and aecial states of the fungus were formed onChelidonium majus var.asiaticum andCorydalis incisa. The fungus was identified asMelampsora yezoensis based on the morphological observation of all the spore states. Urediniospores were able to infectS. erocarpa andS. pierotii as well asS. serissaefolia andS. jessoensis. Salix serissaefolia, S. eriocarpa, andS. pierotii are new uredinial and telial hosts ofM. yezoensis, andC. majus var.asiaticum andC. incisa are new spermogonial and aecial hosts of the fungus. Contribution No. 124, Laboratories of Plant Pathology and Mycology, Institute of Agriculture and Forestry University of Tsukuba.     

Dispersal,feeding and parasitism of adult stoneflies (Plecoptera) at a New Zealand forest stream

The temporal occurrence and dispersal of stoneflies were investigated at a forest stream in the South Island, New Zealand. Although 12 species were taken in Malaise traps, only Spaniocerca zelandica and Cristaperla fimbria (Notonemouridae) were abundant. Adults of S. zelandica were present throughout the year and a wide range of different-sized nymphs, including very small individuals, was also found in all months. In contrast, the emergence period of C. fimbria was limited to about four months in summer and as nymphs are mainly hyporheic, few were taken in Surber samples. Malaise trapping on a 16 m long transect away from the stream and with more distantly located traps in forest and grassland resulted in a very high proportion of males and females of both species being caught within 1 m of the stream edge. Captured females of both species included immature, gravid, and spent individuals. Males and females of both species had almost identical diets dominated by sooty mould fungi, fungal spores, pollen and fine particulate organic matter. High proportions of them were also infected by the encysted larvae of a gordian worm (Nematomorpha) and may be important vectors in its life cycle.     

北黄花菜的开花物候及传粉特性研究

北黄花菜是百合科萱草属的优秀观赏植物材料,也是进行品种创新的极有价值的野生种质资源。该研究对野生环境中北黄花菜的开花物候与传粉特性进行了连续三年的追踪观测,探讨其开花进程和传粉机制。结果表明:(1)北黄花菜种群的开花物候只有1个高峰期;种群始花时间为5月末,盛花期为6月中旬,开花时间在30 d以上,单株花期为6～12 d;开花同步性指数(Si)分别为0.36、0.27和0.21,种群内个体开花时间重叠程度较低。(2)北黄花菜的开花数量与坐果数呈显著正相关(P<0.05),坐果数与单株花期长度呈极显著正相关(P<0.01),单株花期长度与始花时间呈显著负相关(P<0.05),表明北黄花菜开花数量越多,其坐果数越高。(3)北黄花菜的访花昆虫分属于4目10科共10种;各访花昆虫的访花时间和行为区别较大;主要的传粉昆虫有4种,其活动范围大,活动特点与北黄花菜午后开放的规律相匹配,能保证传粉效果;部分访花昆虫虽然活动范围小,但可以帮助植物进行自花授粉;两类访花昆虫的共同作用,使得北黄花菜的自然结实得到较大保障。上述结果可为北黄花菜的引种栽培和资源创新发挥实际作用。     

绵枣儿的开花物候与传粉特性

该文对绵枣儿的开花物候与传粉特性进行了研究,分析了绵枣儿的开花进程、开花物候指数、开花物候指数对其生殖成功的影响,重点探讨了绵枣儿对传粉昆虫的种类及其活动规律。结果表明:(1)绵枣儿始花日期为7月中下旬,单株持续时间15 d左右,种群持续时间30~35 d。呈现出"M"型开花物候曲线,其两年的开花同步指数分别为0.862、0.885,表明开花的年际间差异较小。并且分析出植株的相对开花强度分布在30%~60%之间。(2)相关分析表明:绵枣儿的开花数目与坐果数和持续时间呈现出极显著正相关(P0.01),绵枣儿的持续时间与坐果数之间呈现出显著相关(P0.05),而其始花日期与开花数目、坐果数和持续时间并没有显现出相关性,即绵枣儿植株开花的数目越多,其坐果率越高,持续时间也就越长。(3)绵枣儿的访花昆虫总共有14种,可分属为5目10科。其中传粉昆虫有5科10种。该研究结果表明各传粉昆虫在单花停留的时间和其访花频率上呈现出显著的差异,在日访花频率上也差异明显。     

Spatio-temporal variation of periphyton biomass and accumulation in a temperate spring-fed stream

Spatio-temporal variation of plant populations often can demonstrate synchronous patterns, particularly within highly connected landscapes. Periphyton biomass (chlorophyll a) and net accumulation were measured at five sites in a spring-fed fourth-order stream located in central Pennsylvania with a mixed land-uses watershed (Spring Creek, USA) to characterize longitudinal variation within the stream. Samples were collected at three-week intervals over one year to describe seasonal patterns of periphyton biomass and net production (n = 17 per site). Spring Creek periphyton biomass and net accumulation increased dramatically from the headwaters to downstream (range 10–1,000 mg/m²). The downstream reaches had exceptionally large algal biomass (chlorophyll a > 300 mg/m²) and potential for rapid turnover. Varying degrees of seasonality were observed among the sites, with upstream sites showing more temporal variation but no distinct seasonal pattern. Despite this, large-scale disturbances within the watershed seem to promote synchrony among sites throughout the stream as reflected by close correlations in chlorophyll values (Pearson correlation coefficient r > 0.50).     

Life cycle of three stonefly species (Plecoptera) from an Apenninic stream (Italy) with the description of the nymph of Nemoura hesperiae

The life cycles of Isoperla grammatica, Amphinemura sulcicollis and Nemoura hesperiae are studied in a Northern Italy stream, sited in the Apennines. The three species show a univoltine life cycle and their development coincides approximately in the same period of the year, although the one of I. grammatica is longer. Possible egg dormancy could exist in the A. sulcicollis and N. hesperiae life cycles, but this needs to be proved. The three taxa show a spring flight period in the study area. Growth is almost constant through the life cycle, except in A. sulcicollis in which an increase is observed at the end of the development. N. hesperiae exhibits a faster growth than the other species. In addition, in this paper, the nymph of N. hesperiae is described and designed for the first time.