Temporal consistency of ontogenetic shifts in habitat use by coral reef fishes in the northernmost coral ecosystem in the world (Kudaka Island, Japan)

The prevalence of major habitat shifts in tropical fishes between juvenile and adult stages (ontogenetic shifts) in one of the northernmost coral reefs in the world (Kudaka Island, Japan) is given. The comparative analysis of spatial distribution of juveniles v . adults highlighted four ontogenetic patterns: no change in habitat use between juveniles and adults (five species), a decrease in the number of habitats used by adults compared to juveniles (three species), an increase in the number of habitats used during the adult stage (four species) and use of nursery areas by juveniles followed by extensive movements to different adult habitats (three species). The comparative analysis of fish distribution over time ( i.e. during three consecutive settlement months) showed that 84% of species had temporal consistency in ontogenetic patterns of habitat use.     

Patterns of abundance and size structure in the blue groper, Achoerodus viridis (Pisces, Labridae): evidence of links between estuaries and coastal reefs

Linkages between estuarine nursery areas and coastal reefs are thought to be important for sustaining populations of some reef fishes. Patterns of abundance and size structure in the blue groper, Achoerodus viridis (Pisces: Labridae), were documented at sites extending from sheltered reefs and seagrass, Zostera capricorni, habitats, in shallows of estuaries, to adjacent exposed reefs in New South Wales, Australia. Numbers of juvenile fish (< 200 mm SL) decreased from shallow to deep areas of reef within a site and from inner to outer estuarine sites within two estuaries. Increased numbers of large fish (> 400 mm SL) were found on the more exposed coastal reefs. These patterns were consistent over the 21/2 year study (May 1991–December 1993). Recruits were found in both seagrass and rocky reef habitat, and showed similar patterns of abundance to juveniles. Recruitment of A. viridis to seagrass habitat occurred in distinct seasonal pulses each year; peak recruitment occurred in September and October of each year. Patterns of abundance and size structure were consistent with a model of estuarine recruitment and movement to the open coast, but alternatives, such as differential mortality, could not be discounted.     

Ranging patterns and habitat use of Sulawesi Tonkean macaques (Macaca tonkeana) in a human-modified habitat

The goal of this study was to investigate the ecological flexibility of Tonkean macaques (Macaca tonkeana) by examining how they respond to human-induced habitat alteration. To do so, I observed movement patterns, forest strata use, microhabitat use, and home range use in two groups that occupied habitats with different levels of human alteration and habitat quality in Lore Lindu National Park, Sulawesi, Indonesia. The group occupying the heavily altered habitat (Anca) spent a significantly greater proportion of time traveling on the ground than the group in minimally altered habitat (CH), and significantly more time than expected in microhabitats within their range that were characterized by greater alteration (e.g., agroforestry areas). There was no significant difference between the two groups in daily path length, despite differences in group size. The Anca group exhibited a greater home range area per individual than the CH group, and utilized a more limited area within their home range with greater intensity, relative to the CH group. Tonkean macaques therefore show considerable flexibility in response to anthropogenic disturbance by adjusting their use of forest strata to facilitate travel and increase foraging opportunities and by intensively using particular areas within their home range where known resources are present and predictably available.     

Temporal and ontogenetic shifts in habitat use of juvenile Pacific cod (Gadus macrocephalus)

Habitat use of age-0 and age-1 juvenile Pacific cod (Gadus macrocephalus) was examined in coastal regions in Kodiak Alaska over daily, seasonal and annual scales. Catch data indicated highly variable recruitment to nursery areas, but a strong separation of distribution by depth among age groups. Age-0 cod were most abundant in the shallows (<3 m) whereas age-1 cod were typically found in depths (9.0-13.5 m). In comparison, age-1 saffron cod (Eleginus gracilis), another highly abundant gadid in the region, were found in shallower depths where age-0 cod often resided. Age-1 cod Pacific cod made diel lateral movements, moving into shallow regions at night where they co-occurred with age-0 cod to a greater extent. Laboratory light-gradient experiments indicated that age-0 cod tolerated intense lighting (~ 20-80 µE m^− 2 s^− 1) typical of shallow water regions whereas larger age-1 Pacific cod strongly avoid bright light given the choice. However, while diet data indicate age-1 cod of both species are moderately piscivorous (3% saffron cod; 16% Pacific cod), we found no direct evidence of predation on smaller conspecific cod, possibly due to the low densities of age-0 cod in the year of the diet study. Together, these data suggest that coastal regions continue to serve a nursery function beyond the 1st year of development for juvenile Pacific gadids, and that small-scale temporal and depth partitioning in these regions is a mechanism by which varying cod species and age classes co-occur.     

Trophic specialization in Arctic charr Salvelinus alpinus (Pisces; Salmonidae): morphological divergence and ontogenetic niche shifts

Lake Thingvallavatn supports four trophic morphs of Arctic charr, Salvelinus alpinus (L.); two of the morphs are benthic (small and large benthivorous charr) one exploits pelagic waters (planktivorous charr) and the fourth is found in both habitats (piscivorous charr). The morphological variation among these morphs was analysed by use of principal component analysis and canonical discriminant analysis. The benihic morphs have a short lower jaw and long pectoral fins. The benthic fish also have fewer gillrakers than the other morphs. Small and large benthivorous charrs attain sexual maturity from 2 and 6 years of age, and at fork lengths from 7 and 22 cm, respectively. Small benthivorous charr retain their juvenile parr marks as adults, have beige ventral colours, and are frequently melanized under the lower jaw. Planktivorous and piscivorous charr attain sexual maturity from 4 and 6 years of age, from fork lengths of 15 and 23 cm, respectively. This phenotypic polymorphism is associated with habitat utilization and diet of the fish, and has probably arisen within the lake system through diversification and niche specialization. The pelagic morphs apparently stem from a single population, and are possibly diversified through conditional niche shifts which affect ontogeny. Juveniles reaching a body length of 23 cm may change from zooplankton to fish feeding. Asymptotic length increases thereby from 20.5 cm in planktivorous charr to 30.2 cm in piscivorous charr. The benthic morphs appear to represent separate populations, although both feed chiefly on the gastropod Lymnaea peregra. Their co-existence seems to be facilitated by size dependent constraints on habitat use. The small morph (asymptotic length 13.3 cm) exploit the interstitial crevices in the lava block substratum, whereas the large morph (asymptotic length 55.4 cm) live epibenthically.     

白冠长尾雉雄鸟的冬季活动区与栖息地利用研究

2001年和2002年冬季,利用无线电遥测技术在河南董寨国家级自然保护区内对白冠长尾雉(Syrmaticusreevesii)雄鸟的冬季活动区和栖息地利用进行了研究。对遥测位点超过30个的5只雄性个体的研究表明,白冠长尾雉雄鸟的冬季活动区面积为10.03±1.17hm2(最小凸多边形法,MCP)、8.60±0.35hm2(90%调和平均转换法,90%HMT)和9.50±1.90hm2(95%固定核法,95%FK),明显小于其繁殖期的活动区面积。核心区面积为1.88±0.37hm2。核心区的栖息地组成在个体间变化较大,但主要是针阔混交林、松林、杉木林和灌丛。在研究区尺度上,白冠长尾雉雄鸟对栖息地有明显的选择性,但在活动区内则是随机利用栖息地。乔木胸径、灌木高度、2.0m层盖度及灌丛与森林的距离对雄性白冠长尾雉冬季的栖息地选择有重要影响。根据本项研究结果,我们建议在白冠长尾雉的栖息地管理中首先应加强对现存栖息地的保护,同时应通过适当的造林来扩大栖息地面积,此外还要注意对大面积的现有灌丛进行改造。     

Home range and habitat use of male Reeves's Pheasant(Symaticus reevesii)during winter in Dongzhai National Nature Reserve,Henan Province,China

Home range and habitat use of male Reeves's Pheasant(syrmaticus reevesii)were studied during winter of 2001～2002 and 2002～2003 in the Dongzhai National Nature Reserve,Henan Province.Results from five individuals of Reeves's Pheasant with over 30 relocations,indicated that the average size of home range was 10.03±1.17 hm2 by Minimum Convex Polygon method.8.60±0.35 hm2 by 90% Harmonic Mean Transformation method,and 9.50±1.90 hm2 by 95% Fixed Kernel method.It was observed that the winter range is smaller than that in the breeding season.The mean core area of the home range was found to be 1.88±0.37 hm2.Although the habitat composition of the core area varied greatly for individuals,a large part of the habitats used were composed of conifer and broadleaf mixed forests,masson pine forests,fir forests,and shrubs.Habitat use within the study area was non-random,while habitats within home ranges were randomly used.Habitat use was dictated by tree diameter at breast height,shrub height and coverage at 2.0 m.The proximity between forests and shrubs were also found to be important in providing refuge for the birds during winter.Recommendations for conservation management include protecting the existing habitats in Dongzhai National Nature Reserve,increasing suitable habitat for Reeves's Pheasant through artificial plantations(e.g.firs),and restoring some parts of the large shrub area into forests.     

基于卫星跟踪的灰雁秋季活动特征与生境利用研究

营养和能量有效的积累对候鸟能否顺利完成迁徙具有重要意义。2015年8月至10月在内蒙古图牧吉湿地,利用卫星跟踪技术对灰雁的活动特征、生境利用等方面进行了研究,以期阐明灰雁在秋季如何有效积累能量以满足迁徙前的生理需求。我们采用增强型植被指数(EVI)分析了灰雁的生境特征,运用核密度分析法(KDE)计算了日间和夜间活动区面积,以及对不同月份的平均活动距离进行了分析。结果表明,8至10月间,灰雁活动位点的EVI值逐月递减,并且逐渐向南移动,趋向于水域集中,增加了对湖泊的利用,同时减少了对草地的利用;灰雁的活动区面积逐月递增,日间活动区面积大于夜间;灰雁在日间、夜间及平均活动距离均呈递增的趋势,每天凌晨及黄昏都出现较长时间的活动。由于8至10月间气温逐渐降低,从草地中可以获取的潜在食物资源减少,灰雁通过逐渐向水域较为丰富的区域移动,活动区面积逐渐增大,增加活动距离提高食物的获取量等确保获取足够的食物和能量满足迁徙的需求。     

Home range and habitat use by Geoffroy's cat (Oncifelis geoffroyi) in a wet grassland in Argentina

Geoffroy's cat Oncifelis geoffroyi is a little-known South American small felid. We report data on the spatial ecology of four adults (two males and two females) that were radiotracked in an area of wet grassland of the Argentine Pampas from February 2000 to April 2001. The mean home range size varied from 248 ha [90% minimum convex polygon (MCP)] to 342 ha (100% MCP), with male home ranges c . 2.5 larger than those of females. Home range overlap averaged 44.7%, and was more extensive between males than between females but it decreased markedly when outliers were excluded. Forest patches were used more than expected by their availability within home ranges. These patches hosted many large defecation sites, possibly acting as 'communication centres' where information was exchanged among individuals in the form of scent marks. Despite the lack of a clear preference for tall grasslands, this was the most frequently used habitat. We argue that natural grasslands in the Pampas ecoregion are important for O. geoffroyi and that their alteration can affect the conservation status of this cat. The comparison of our data with those reported previously suggests that Geoffroy's cat can show a certain degree of flexibility in its spatial behaviour.     

Temporal shifts in physical habitat of the crayfish,Orconectes neglectus (Faxon)

A total of 300 samples was collected from February 1985 to August 1986 in a medium order Ozark Mountain stream. Physical habitat measurements of temperature, mean water column velocity, depth, and substrate character were recorded for each of the 25 monthly samples along with length and sex of all individuals of Orconectes neglectus (Faxon). Analysis of habitat utilization and suitability (or preference) was conducted using exponential polynomial models of hydraulic stress models. There appeared to be equal preference for depth over the range measured. Both substrate and velocity preference curves were bimodal with each mode designating certain crayfish size classes. Young-of-the-year were found primarily in cobbled, high velocity areas while adults were found in low velocity, macrophyte beds. Utilization curves for laminar sublayer thichness also reflected size-dependent phenomena where young-of-the-year were found in thin sublayer areas and adults were found primarily in thick sublayers. When separated by time and size, adults were found to occupy higher velocity, cobbled habitats during at least two months. This time period corresponded with the time of egg-bearing and further analysis yielded a time-dependent habitat suitability surface which accounted for this movement pattern. We suggest that the application of these suitability surfaces, which reflect habitat changes during the annual life cycle, will produce more accurate predictions of density and will allow better habitat management decisions under various regulated flow scenarios.     

Local–regional boundary shifts in oribatid mite (Acari: Oribatida) communities: species–area relationships in arboreal habitat islands of a coastal temperate rain forest, Vancouver Island, Canada

Aim This study investigates the species–area relationship (SAR) for oribatid mite communities of isolated suspended soil habitats, and compares the shape and slope of the SAR with a nested data set collected over three spatial scales (core, patch and tree level). We investigate whether scale dependence is exhibited in the nested sampling design, use multivariate regression models to elucidate factors affecting richness and abundance patterns, and ask whether the community composition of oribatid mites changes in suspended soil patches of different sizes. Location Walbran Valley, Vancouver Island, Canada. Methods A total of 216 core samples were collected from 72 small, medium and large isolated suspended soil habitats in six western redcedar trees in June 2005. The relationship between oribatid species richness and habitat volume was modelled for suspended soil habitat isolates (type 3) and a nested sampling design (type 1) over multiple spatial scales. Nonlinear estimation parameterized linear, power and Weibull function regression models for both SAR designs, and these were assessed for best fit using R² and Akaike's information criteria (ΔAIC) values. Factors affecting oribatid mite species richness and standardized abundance (number per g dry weight) were analysed by anova and linear regression models. Results Sixty‐seven species of oribatid mites were identified from 9064 adult specimens. Surface area and moisture content of suspended soils contributed to the variation in species richness, while overall oribatid mite abundance was explained by moisture and depth. A power‐law function best described the isolate SAR (S = 3.97 × A^0.12, R² = 0.247, F_1,70 = 22.450, P < 0.001), although linear and Weibull functions were also valid models. Oribatid mite species richness in nested samples closely fitted a power‐law model (S = 1.96 × A^0.39, R² = 0.854, F_1,18 = 2693.6, P < 0.001). The nested SAR constructed over spatial scales of core, patch and tree levels proved to be scale‐independent. Main conclusions Unique microhabitats provided by well developed suspended soil accumulations are a habitat template responsible for the diversity of canopy oribatid mites. Species–area relationships of isolate vs. nested species richness data differed in the rate of accumulation of species with increased area. We suggest that colonization history, stability of suspended soil environments, and structural habitat complexity at local and regional scales are major determinants of arboreal oribatid mite species richness.     

四川省巴塘县矮岩羊与斑羚冬季生境比较

2007年10～12月,在四川省巴塘县竹巴笼自然保护区,采用样线调查法对矮岩羊和斑羚冬季生境进行研究,利用卡方检验和Mann-Whitey U检验分析其生境选择差异.结果表明,矮岩羊对17种生境因子有选择性,倾向选择中等以上避风性,石质或便石质活动基底,灌丛盖度10%～40%、种数>4种、高度>100 cm,草种数>5种、高度<20 cm或>40 cm,坡度>60°的南坡或西坡,隐蔽级<30%或>60%,水源距离>500 m,裸岩距离<2m,林缘距离1000～1 500 m,1级风,海拔高度2 600～2 800 m,人为干扰距离500～1 000 m,动物干扰距离80～150 m的生境.斑羚对15种生境因子有选择性,倾向选择上坡或山脊坡位,灌丛盖度10%～40%、种数>5种、高度>100 cm,草种数4～5种、高度>40 cm,坡度>60°的南坡或东南坡,南风,隐蔽级>60%,林缘距离<1 500 m,海拔高度>2 800 m,水源距离>1 000 m,人为干扰距离>1 000 m,动物干扰距离80～150 m的生境.因子分析表明,影响矮岩羊生境选择的主要因子为人为干扰距离、海拔高度、林缘距离、水源距离、灌丛高度、隐蔽级、风级和动物干扰距离等生境因子,而影响斑羚生境选择的主要因子为人为干扰距离、海拔高度、林缘距离、水源距离、坡位、灌丛盖度、灌丛高度、隐蔽级、坡向和风向生境因子.虽然两物种在资源生态位上存在部分重叠,但在生境选择利用和空间生态位上皆存在很大差异.     

Distribution and onshore migration behaviour of burbot larvae in Lake Constance, Germany

Larval abundance of burbot Lota lota in the pelagic zone of Lake Constance, Germany, peaked during April and remained at a constant but lower level until mid‐June. From the end of May onwards a significant diel vertical migration pattern was observed: while burbot larvae were distributed above as well as below the thermocline in the daytime with the highest percentages of abundance at water depths of 30 and 50 m (below the thermocline) on 5 and 25 June, they were concentrated from 2 to 15 m (above the thermocline) during the night. This migration pattern coincided with a significant decline in the food items preferred by burbot at this life stage, cyclopoid copepods. This phase of diel vertical migration lasted for c . 4 weeks until the burbot larvae suddenly disappeared from the pelagic zone. This indicated a short phase, lasting only a few days, of larval settlement into profundal benthic habitats. This was supported by a significant, abrupt decrease in the absolute growth rates of the larvae at day 56 after hatching. The day–night pattern of vertical migration observed could be assumed to be a transition phase from a pelagic to a benthic lifestyle, as reported for juveniles of several other, marine gadoid species.     

Migration,residency and habitat utilisation by wild and cultured Japanese eels (Anguilla japonica) in a shallow brackish lagoon and inflowing rivers using acoustic telemetry

This study monitored post-release movements of 20 wild Japanese eels (Anguilla japonica) [mean ± S.D. 520.8 ± 92.3 mm total length (TL), 217.9 ± 146.3 g body mass (BM)] in a brackish water lagoon in northeastern Japan using acoustic telemetry to elucidate how wild Japanese eels use different river, estuary and marine environments. In addition, 12 cultured Japanese eels (TL = 578.9 ± 18.0 mm, BM = 344.9 ± 25.5 g) were released to understand the comparative behaviours of wild and cultured eels. Both types of eels were simultaneously released in the southern inner part of the lagoon in September 2016 where there are freshwater influences from a river. Following release, eight of the wild eels (40%) were largely sedentary near the released point (river mouth) and stayed at the site for overwinter. Nonetheless, several individuals showed behavioural plasticity of habitat use: three wild eels moved towards the northern part of the lagoon with stronger influence from the sea during May–July 2017. Two wild eels showed clear repeated movements from the lagoon to a river at night and returned to the lagoon by dawn for more than a week every day, and one wild eel migrated upstream for overwintering. Signals from 55% of the wild eels could be detected for more than 6 months, whereas those from all of the cultured eels were lost by December 2016, indicating a short resident time of large cultured eels (BM > 200 g) released in a brackish water area. One wild silver eel migrated to the outer sea during the ebb tide at night in November 2016, probably triggered by the decrease in water temperature (from c. 20°C to c. 13°C), and seven cultured eels similarly moved to the outer sea during October–November 2016. The results revealed the similarities (e.g., nocturnal movements) and differences (e.g., stay period and seasonal movements) in the behavioural characteristics of wild and cultured eels and indicated that habitat connectivity among river, estuary and coastal waters is crucial for enabling eels to efficiently utilise these productive habitats through their behavioural plasticity.     

Patterns in the abundance and distribution of ichneumonid parasitoids within and across habitat patches

Abstract 1. Knowing how species are distributed across a landscape can considerably aid the management of populations and species richness. Insect parasitoids constitute a large fraction of terrestrial biodiversity and help regulate other insect populations, but their ecology is poorly known at a landscape scale. 2. Using Malaise traps distributed first extensively and then intensively across woodland patches in an agricultural landscape, we tested whether four ichneumonid subfamilies display (i) a positive relationship between abundance and occupancy, (ii) a positive relationship between abundance in the extensive sample and abundance in the intensive sample, and (iii) aggregation across traps. 3. A positive relationship between abundance and occupancy was found across species in both samples, and was relatively strong. Abundance in the extensive samples was positively correlated with abundance in the intensive samples. On average, species were aggregated in both samples, although aggregation was not necessary for a positive abundance–occupancy relationship. 4. These results suggest that ichneumonid species can largely be classified on a continuum from widespread and locally abundant to localised and locally scarce. The former species allow the potential for pervasive natural control of host populations. The latter species, which constitute a substantial majority of the species list, will be vulnerable to extinction through both stochastic forces and widespread adverse forces such as climate change and habitat modification. However, the assessment of species’ status is likely to be facilitated by the positive abundance–occupancy relationship. 5. Species inventories for ichneumonids will be taxing because of the need to sample both intensively and extensively to detect rare species, which constitute the majority of species. However, it is possible to generalise species abundances across spatial scales and years, facilitating monitoring.     

Habitat selection by wapiti (Cervus elaphus xanthopygus) in Wandashan Mountains, China, based on habitat availability

In 2004 and 2005, we studied winter habitat use and selection by wapiti in Wandashan Mountains, Heilongjiang Province, China. Using Geographic Information System (GIS) and Remote Sensing (RS), we measured habitat availability in terms of the area of each habitat category in the study area. We compared winter habitats used by wapiti and their availability. The results showed that the habitats used by wapiti were disproportional to their availability. Wapiti preferred clear-cuttings, low vegetation coverage (No. 2, 3 NDVI classes), 200–300 m elevation range, south aspect, and 600–700 m distance range away from roads. They also showed different preferences for feeding and resting. The feeding sites tended to be located at broad-leaved stands and clear-cuttings, No. 2, 3 NDVI classes, and south slope, whereas the bedding sites tended to be clear-cuttings, and No. 2, 3, 4 NDVI classes. Using the logistic regression model to predict the probability of habitat use by wapiti in winter, we found that the overall prediction accuracy was 74.4% for the total habitat samples, with 84.2% for the habitat samples used by wapiti and 62.4% for the control samples correctly predicted by using this model.