Evaluating Wetland Restoration Success Using Aquatic Macroinvertebrate Assemblages in the Sacramento Valley,California

Currently, there is little professional consensus as to which ecological metrics should be used to measure restoration success in wetlands. Aquatic macroinvertebrate communities have many qualities to recommend them as useful metrics in this manner; yet, they have not been widely used to evaluate wetland restoration success. We examined the macroinvertebrate communities of four restored seasonal wetlands across a chronosequence of postrestoration age and compared them to a remnant natural wetland in the Central Valley of California. We examined two qualitatively different sets of aquatic macroinvertebrate metrics, general measures of community properties (abundance, richness, and diversity) and specific assemblage membership (nonmetric multidimensional scaling and permutational multivariate analysis of variance). Our results using these two different sets of metrics give us different answers. The general measures suggest that wetland macroinvertebrate communities converge on relatively stable values sometime after 10 years postrestoration. The specific assemblage results imply that the particular set of taxa found in restored wetlands is not predictable over the chronosequence we examined. Taken together, our results suggest that aquatic macroinvertebrate communities may be useful for measuring some aspects of restoration success but that there is unlikely to be a final aquatic community pattern indicating restoration success.     

Prevalence and intensity of avian malaria in a quail hybrid zone

Hybrid zones have been described as natural laboratories by researchers who study speciation and the various mechanisms that may affect gene flow. The evolutionary consequences of hybridization depend not only on reproductive compatibility between sympatric species, but also on factors like vulnerability to each other''s predators and parasites. We examined infection patterns of the blood parasite Haemoproteus lophortyx, a causative agent of avian malaria, at a site in the contact zone between California quail (Callipepla californica) and Gambel''s quail (C. gambelii). Controlling for the potential influence of sex and year, we tested whether species identity predicted infection status and intensity. We found that infection prevalence was lower in California and hybrid quail compared with Gambel''s quail. However, infected California and hybrid quail had higher infection intensities than Gambel''s quail. California and hybrid quail exhibited no significant differences in prevalence or intensity of infection. These findings suggest that infection by H. lophortyx has the potential to influence species barrier dynamics in this system; however, more work is necessary to determine the exact evolutionary consequences of this blood parasite on hybridization.     

Episodic global dispersal in shallow water marine organisms: the case history of the European shore crabs Carcinus maenas and C. aestuarii

Aim This paper evaluates global collection records, evidence of anthropogenic transport methods, and experimental and distributional data relative to temperature requirements to understand the historical and potential dispersal of a well‐known genus of estuarine crab. Location The records analysed are from temperate and tropical coastal ocean areas. Methods The study is based primarily on literature analysis and examination of museum specimens. Results The human‐mediated successful global dispersal of the European shore crabs Carcinus maenas (Linnaeus, 1758) and C. aestuarii (Nardo, 1847) occurred in three major episodes: around 1800, in the 1850s–70s, and in the 1980s–90s. The nineteenth century introductions occurred through transport by ships (probably in hull fouling or in solid ballast), while the introductions in the 1980s could have occurred through a greater variety of dispersal mechanisms (ships’ hull fouling and seawater system fouling; fouling on semisubmersible drilling platforms; ballast water; transport with fisheries products intended for food or bait; scientific research; releases from aquaria maintained for educational or scientific purposes; or intentional non‐governmental releases for human food production). These introductions have resulted in Carcinus’ establishment in five temperate regions outside of its native Europe in Atlantic North America, Australia, South Africa, Japan and Pacific North America, while releases into tropical regions have not established populations. C. maenas’ range in both its native and introduced regions appears to be regulated by similar temperature parameters, enabling an assessment of its potential distribution. Main conclusions The second episode of Carcinus’ global dispersal, the period from the 1850s to 1870s, may be part of a broader surge of world‐wide invasions caused by an increase in shipping.     

Selenium in Aquatic Birds From Central California

ABSTRACT After mostly freshwater replaced agricultural drainage water used for wetland management in 1985, Selenium (Se) concentrations in 3 wintering waterfowl species and black-necked stilts (Himantopus mexicanus) from the North and South Grasslands of central California, USA, declined in the years from 1986 to 1988 and 1989 to 1994. However, Se concentrations were still above the threshold for potential reproductive impairment and exceeded background levels for some species. Consequently, we measured Se concentrations in aquatic birds in 2005 after long-term use (20 yr) of predominately freshwater for wetland management in the Grasslands. As in 1986–1994, Se concentrations in 2005 were higher for birds from the South Grasslands, which historically received more undiluted drainage water compared with the North Grasslands. Liver Se concentrations for stilts from the South Grasslands were at levels associated with potential reproductive impairment. All species from the South Grasslands, as well as mallards (Anas platyrhynchos), northern pintails (A. acuta), and American coots (Fulica americana) from the North Grasslands, were above species-specific background levels. From 1994 to 2005, Se levels in some aquatic birds stabilized above background levels likely indicating long-term cycling within the Grasslands. We recommend Se-contaminated drainage water (≥ 2 ppb Se) not be used for management or allowed as an input into arid wetlands throughout the western United States.     

Coyote Abundance,Sheep Predation,and Wild Prey Correlates Illuminate Mediterranean Trophic Dynamics

ABSTRACT Sheep predation by coyotes (Canis latrans) is a major problem for sheep producers in North America. Solutions are facilitated by a basic understanding of the trophic dynamic context of this problem, one that likely varies geographically in important qualitative ways. Little is known about vertebrate trophic dynamics in Mediterranean ecosystems, where prey are diverse and their biomass is strongly influenced multi-annually by variable rainfall. We used long-term data sets from north-coastal California, USA, to investigate whether wild prey fluctuations caused immediate negative effects on sheep predation via a reduction in the coyote functional response or delayed positive effects on sheep predation via a numerical response by coyote predators. Because we could not measure prey biomass directly, we used variables associated with lower trophic levels (e.g., annual plant productivity, vole abundance, rainfall) as proxies for wild prey biomass. Coyote population growth rate was positively correlated with lower-trophic-level variables of the previous year, suggesting a numerical response, and sheep (ad F + lambs) predation was positively correlated with coyote abundance in the current year. Sheep predation also was negatively correlated with lower-trophic-level variables of the current year, suggesting an immediate buffering effect of wild prey on sheep predation. Together, coyote abundance and lower-trophic-level variables explained 47% of the multi-annual variation in sheep kills. The negative pathway between lower-trophic-level variables and sheep predation was stronger than the positive pathway, possibly due to the erratic nature of multi-annual fluctuations in lower-trophic-level variables, which could prevent the numerical response from reaching its full potential. Monthly analyses revealed a type III functional response of coyotes to lambs, which is expected to enhance buffering effects of wild prey on sheep predation. Our findings suggest the dominant effect of wild prey biomass on sheep predation by coyotes in this Mediterranean-type community is as a buffer.     

Island–mainland difference in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Nicotiana glauca</Emphasis> (Solanaceae) corolla length: a product of pollinator-mediated selection?

A match between floral and pollinator traits, such as that between unique island plants and pollinators, is often thought to be the product of pollinator-mediated selection. I examined whether the floral morphology of an introduced hummingbird-pollinated plant, Nicotiana glauca (tree tobacco, Solanaceae), is under selection by pollinators on the California Channel Islands where it is a recent colonist. I first determined differences in floral morphology and pollinator composition between island and mainland populations of N. glauca. I found that island plants have detectably longer corollas (on average 1 mm) and are visited by hummingbird species with on average 1–2 mm longer bills than common mainland visitors. Corolla length differences were not found to be associated with site abiotic differences. Flower size does not vary consistently with season and corolla width is very consistent across sites. I tested whether island–mainland corolla length differences are the product of pollinator-mediated selection by measuring phenotypic selection and per visit effectiveness. Contrary to expectations, a longer corolla was not consistently associated with higher pollen transfer or seed count on the islands. Per visit effectiveness of longer and shorter-billed hummingbirds did differ; however, effectiveness did not depend on corolla length. Although I failed to detect expected patterns of selection for longer corollas on islands, I cannot rule out weak or past pollinator-mediated selection. It is also possible that despite the apparent match between pollinator and floral traits, island–mainland differences in corolla length are instead due to other environmental effects, selection unrelated to pollinators, or stochastic processes such as drift.     

Limited phylogeographic structure in the flightless ground beetle, Calathus ruficollis, in southern California

The California Floristic Province is home to more than 8000 species of beetles, yet their geographical patterns of supra- and infraspecific diversity remain largely unexplored. In this paper, we investigate the phylogeography and population demographics of a flightless ground beetle, Calathus ruficollis (Coleoptera: Carabidae), in southern California. We sampled 136 specimens from 25 localities divided into 10 populations using a fragment of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I gene. We tested several hypotheses, including the association of geography with particular clades and populations, the degree of differentiation among regions, and the expansion of populations. Parsimony and Bayesian phylogenetic analyses along with nested clade analysis and amova indicate a deep split between the southern Sierra Nevada population and populations south and west. This split corresponds closely to the split between subspecies C. ruficollis ignicollis (southern Sierra Nevada) and C. ruficollis ruficollis . Populations otherwise exhibit limited geographical structure, though F st values indicate some local differentiation. Mismatch distributions and Fu's F s indicate range expansion of several populations, suggesting that some structure may have been obscured by recent exchange. The population of C. ruficollis on Santa Cruz Island, which might have been expected to be isolated, shares several haplotypes with mainland populations, appearing to represent multiple colonizations.     

Habitat quality and drought effects on breeding mallard and other waterfowl populations in California,USA

As many as 500,000 waterfowl reside in California, USA, during summer, but little is known about the availability or quality of their habitats. Wetland size and distribution serve as proximate cues for habitat selection by breeding waterfowl in other parts of North America such as the Prairie Pothole Region. In heavily modified landscapes such as California's Central Valley, disturbance from factors like crop cultivation and urban development may limit access, affect survival, and decrease reproductive success. Water limitations due to recurring seasonal droughts pose another potential threat to breeding waterfowl. Spatial and temporal disparities in environmental resources may provide clearer indications of ultimate habitat selection. We addressed waterfowl habitat selection in 9 regions surveyed annually by California's Department of Fish and Wildlife to determine relative importance of drought severity, wetland area, and habitat quality on mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) and other waterfowl population dynamics from 2007–2019. High-quality habitat supports long-term population persistence of waterfowl. This study period included an extended drought (2012–2015) and flooding (2016–2017). Statewide, habitat quality was the best predictor of mallard and other waterfowl population fluctuations. The model that included intermediate habitat quality, which accounted for influence of adjacent land-use, outperformed models that included wetland area alone. At the regional level, drought severity out-ranked other variables in most regions, suggesting management at regional scales must account for climate. Drought accounted for bird declines in some regions and possible increases in others. This information could be used to identify areas for conservation priority based on projected drought frequency and severity.     

Freshwater occurrence of the extinct dolphin Parapontoporia (Cetacea: Lipotidae) from the upper Pliocene nonmarine Tulare Formation of California

The diminutive, extinct longirostrine dolphin Parapontoporia is one of the most abundantly represented late Neogene odontocetes from the eastern North Pacific and is widely known from numerous marine strata of late Miocene and Pliocene age in California, Baja California and possibly Japan. Parapontoporia has been identified as the sister taxon of the recently extinct Chinese river dolphin (Lipotes vexillifer); unlike Lipotes, which exclusively inhabited freshwater, the depositional context of Parapontoporia suggests it was marine. A newly identified petrosal of Parapontoporia sp. was preserved alongside terrestrial vertebrates in the nonmarine Tulare Formation (upper Pliocene to Pleistocene, 2.2–0.6 Ma), California, which was deposited under lacustrine and fluviodeltaic conditions. Abundantly preserved freshwater molluscs and rare marine taxa suggest predominantly freshwater settings with intermittent periods of estuarine conditions. This occurrence of Parapontoporia indicates its presence in the San Joaquin basin after the retreat of the inland sea and suggests that this extinct odontocete may have been freshwater tolerant and an inhabitant of marine and freshwater settings, heralding the exclusively freshwater existence of its Recent sister taxon Lipotes vexillifer.