Community structure of microorganisms associated with reddish-brown iron-rich snow

Reddish-brown colored snow, containing spherical brown particles, has been observed in several mires in Japan. In order to characterize this remarkable phenomenon, the microbial community and chemical species in snow were analyzed. A core sample of snow which had a colored region was investigated and it revealed vertical shifts in physicochemical characteristics and the microbial community structure. The abundance of particles peaked within the colored layer, and correlated with the amount of reducible Fe(III). The interstitial water of the colored layer was enriched with Fe(II), and characterized by reduced concentration of dissolved methane. The bacterial community in the colored region was characterized by higher relative abundance of iron-reducing bacteria and methanotrophs. Aggregates of the brown particles were found as precipitates in snow melt pools, and were subjected to cloning analyses targeting several different genes. The majority of bacterial 16S rRNA gene clones belonged to the class Betaproteobacteria or the phylum Bacteroidetes. No snow algae were detected in the eukaryotic small subunit rRNA gene clone library. As a possible carbon source to sustain the community in the snow, involvements of carbon dioxide and methane were investigated by analyzing the genes involved in their assimilation. In the analyses of genes for ribulose-1,5-biphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase, clones related to sulfur oxidizers were obtained. The analysis of particulate methane monooxygenase genes indicated dominance of Methylobacter species. These results emphasized the uniqueness of this phenomenon, and iron reducers of the genus Geobacter are suggested to be the key organisms that could be investigated in order to understand the mechanism of this phenomenon.     

Characterization of enzymatic hydrolyzed snow crab (Chionoecetes opilio) by-product fractions: A source of high-valued biomolecules

Snow crab (Chionoecetes opilio) constitutes valuable and nutritional sources of components, such as proteins, lipids and chitin. The present investigation was undertaken to evaluate the feasibility of applying a pilot scale enzymatic hydrolysis process of snow crab by-products, followed by fractionation, in order to recover enriched high-valued compounds. The yield of snow crab by-products recovered after manual processing; on a dry weight was 87.4%. The by-products (raw materials) were mainly moist (approximately 78%), and contained 42.9% proteins, 14.8% lipids, 25.7% minerals, 16.2% chitin, all expressed on a dry weight. The fatty acid profile of snow crab by-products and all fractions obtained following processing showed a higher content in mono-unsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs; approximately 50%), followed by polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs; approximately 20%) and saturated fatty acids (SFAs; approximately 15%). The n − 3/n − 6 ratio was approximately 10 and represents a good index of nutritional value for snow crab oil by-products. Most protein enriched fractions demonstrate a well-balanced amino acid composition, notably the most essential amino acids. These protein fractions are characterized by biomolecules having a relatively low molecular weight (35 kDa and less) range. The enzymatic hydrolysis process developed in this study shows that snow crab by-products should to be viewed as having the potential of being identified as high-valued products. Even though the process could be optimized, it is controllable, and depending on hydrolyses conditions, the products obtained are reproducible and well defined. Results presented in this study indicate that snow crab by-products may serve as excellent nutritional components for future applications in the health and food sectors.     

Genetic structure of Himalayan marmot (Marmota himalayana) population alongside the Qinghai–Tibet Railway

In order to verify the effect of social behavior and geographical isolation on the genetic structure of the Himalayan marmot (Marmota himalayana) population, we examined the genetic diversity of Himalayan marmots alongside the Qinghai–Tibet Railway using microsatellite markers. Eight microsatellite loci were used to examine 120 animals of 4 populations: Ulan (U), Delhi (D), Tuotuohe (T) and Ando (A). The results show that: (1) Himalayan marmots alongside the Qinghai–Tibet Railway are highly genetically diversified. The allele number (Na), effective allele number (Ne), observed heterozygosity (Ho), Nei’s expected heterozygosity (He) and polymorphism information content (PIC) of the total Himalayan marmot population were 4.75, 3.0332, 0.6990, 0.6672, 0.6102, respectively. (2) Himalayan marmots may be able to avoid inbreeding by a mechanism that will prevent the genetic diversity reduction caused by their social lifestyle. Heterozygote excess was observed at most loci. The inbreeding coefficients within the subpopulation (F_IS), in the total population (F_IT), the differentiation index of population (F_ST), and the gene flow (Nm) were ?0.2265, ?0.0477, 0.1458, and 1.4646, respectively. (3) The genetic differentiation of the Himalayan marmot population was in accordance with Wright’s “isolation by distance” theory. The Mantel test indicates that the correlation between genetic distance and geographic distance was significant (P < 0.05, r = 0.698). (4) Each of the four geographical populations had moderate differentiation. Both geographic distance and isolation could affect the population genetic structure of the Himalayan marmot. The maximum gene flow (3.5915), the smallest genetic differentiation index (0.0651), the lowest genetic distance (0.0700) and the highest genetic identity (0.9526) were all between the Ulan population and Delhi populations. (5) The cluster analysis, based on Nei’s standard genetic distance, showed that the populations of Delhi and Ulan were first merged in a cluster, and then Tuotuohe population was merged in the clustering. The Ando population was the last element in the clustering.     

Tithonian ammonoid biostratigraphy in eastern Himalayan Tibet

The Tithonian and Lower Berriasian sediments in the eastern Himalayas of Tibet contain an extensive sequence of ammonoid fauna. New collections in situ through the Lanongla, Pure, Gucuo and Jiapeila sections have facilitated a major revision of the ammonoid assemblages. Probably due to depositional facies segregation, the Belemnopsis galoi-bearing beds can be regarded as the oldest Tithonian sediments in which the basal Tithonian ammonoid Kossmatia is not present. The Lower Tithonian includes the Virgatosphinctes-Aulacosphinctoides and Uhligites-Aulacosphinctes assemblages; the Upper Tithonian includes the Haplophylloceras pingue, Blanfordiceras wallichi and Haplophylloceras strigile-Corongoceras-Himalayites assemblages. The Spiticeras assemblage is suggested to be from the Lowermost Berriasian. The new ammonoid assemblages at well-defined levels in Himalayan Tibet provide some crucial links for correlation with other regions of the SW Pacific domain where these ammonoid genera have been widely distributed.     

Tree population structure of certain Himalayan forest associations and implications concerning their future composition

This study deals with the regeneration status of certain tree components of forests in the northwestern catchment of the river Gola in Kumaun Himalaya and explores possible compositional changes in time.Pinus roxburghii, Quercus floribunda andQuercus lanuginosa in their respective forest types had a stable population structure with a large percentage of young individuals (seedlings) and relatively few old ones, indicating that these species are frequent reproducers. The girth class distribution of the individuals ofQuercus leucotrichophora in theQuercus leucotrichophora forest suggests that this species is likely to disappear gradually. In this forest, although forest composition will remain unchanged for some time, a complete absence of seedlings of any species shows the possibility of its complete replacement by a scrub or a grassland vegetation. In the mixed forest, the dominant species, viz.,Quercus leucotrichophora, Persea odoratissima andBauhinia retusa did not have saplings/seedlings, indicating a possible change in forest composition in the near future whenSapium insigne, Cocculus laurifolius, Celtis eriocarpa andAcer oblongum are likely to gain dominance. Finally, suggestions are made to explain the poor regeneration ofQuercus leucotrichophora.Nomenclature: see Figure 3.Financial support from the Indian Space Research Organisation, Bangalore, is gratefully acknowledged.     

Wolf predation and snow cover as mortality factors in the ungulate community of the Bialowieża National Park,Poland

Summary Wolf-ungulate interactions were studied in the pristine deciduous and mixed forests of the Bialowiea National Park in 1985–1989. The study period included two severe and two mild winters. The community of ungulates inhabiting Bialowiea National Park consisted of red deer Cervus elaphus, 55% of all ungulates; wild boar Sus scrofa, 42%; and roe deer Capreolus capreolus, moose Alces alces, and European bison Bison bonasus, about 1% each. The average size of red deer groups increased from 2.7 (SD 2.35) in spring and summer to 6.9 (SD 6.84) in autumn and winter. In winter the group size of red deer was positively correlated with the depth of snow cover and negatively correlated with the mean daily temperature. Average group size of wild boar did not change significantly between seasons; it was 6.8 (SD 5.16) in spring and summer and 5.7 (SD 4.67) in autumn and winter. Analysis of 144 wolf scats showed that wolves preyed selectively on red deer. In October–April, Cervidae (mostly red deer) constituted 91% of biomass consumed by wolves, while wild boar made up only 8%. In May–September deer formed 77% of prey biomass, and the share of wild boar increased to 22%. In all seasons of the year wolves selected juveniles from deer and boar populations: 61% of red deer and 94% of wild boar of determined age recovered from wolves' scats were young <1 year old. Analysis of 117 carcasses of ungulates found in Bialowiea National Park showed that predation was the predominant mortality factor for red deer (40 killed, 10 dead from causes other than predation) and roe deer (4 killed, none dead). Wild boar suffered most from severe winter conditions (8 killed, 56 dead). The percentage of ungulates that had died from undernutrition and starvation in the total mortality was proportional to the severity of winter.     

哈尔滨西郊赤狐冬季巢区的初步研究

本文利用雪地跟踪方法对哈尔滨西郊5只赤狐在1985-1986年冬季的巢区做了观察。结果表明,5只狐对巢区内各部分使用的强度是不等的,对巢区中部的某些地块使用强度要高于对外围的使用,并具有明显的方向性。5个巢区的平均活动半径为320±68米至557±82米,面积为1.44-4.O9平方公里,线性指数为1.079至2。5只狐相邻距离约1000米。     

Himalayan musk deer (Moshcus leucogaster) behavior at latrine sites and their implications in conservation

Elusive species often use latrines which also serves as communication and information hubs. Thus, studying behavior at latrines may provide critical insights into the species’ ecology and behavior. While it is established that musk deer use latrines for defecating, very little is known about the endangered Himalayan musk deer (Moschus leucogaster) and their latrines. We examined musk deer behavior from the various video clips lasting 238 min altogether, captured at latrine sites during both breeding and non‐breeding seasons in the Annapurna Conservation Area of Nepal. A total of 428 visits by musk deer and 479 behavioral events by them were captured. We constructed an ethogram to describe musk deer behavior and compared behavior across individuals and sex using parametric and non‐parametric tests. We found that musk deer are crepuscular and nocturnal animals. Both male and female musk deer repeatedly and independently visited shared latrine sites as well as exclusively used latrine sites. The proportion of male musk deer visited latrine sites were significantly higher than that of female musk deer. Hence, male musk deer were found more active (>2 times) than females during both seasons. The most frequently observed behavioral activities at the latrine sites were defecating, sniffing and browsing, followed by scrapping and covering, and ignoring the latrine sites. The defecating and sniffing activity were performed throughout breeding and non‐breeding seasons to establish communication among peers and to claim territory. Based on the behaviors observed at the latrine sites, we can presume that Himalayan musk deer likely use latrines to convey various messages, including personality, maturity, sexual status, and territory marking among conspecifics. These findings of this study can be used for the conservation of musk deer in its natural habitat and replicated in captivity to enhance breeding performance that improves long‐term conservation prospects for this species.     

新疆阿勒泰牧区雪灾遥感监测体系构建与灾害评价系统研究

It is of significance to establish an integrated evaluation system of snow disaster in northern pastoral areas.Based on the NOAA satellite digital images,field observation data,and maps of grassland type and seasonal pastureland,this paper selected the winter and spring pasturelands in Aletai region of Xinjiang as the main area of snow disaster-remote sensing monitoring.With affecting factors of economy and the characteristics of natural resource distribution comprehensively analyzed,and using 3S techniques and field survey information,a fundamental information processing model for integrated evaluation of snow disaster was built up,and snow disaster-spatial evaluation indices and damage level systems were constructed.Natural and social systems and 20 indices were selected in snow disaster evaluation indicator system.Four principal factors,i.e.,snow cover area,snow depth on grassland,persistence days of low temperature,and livestock death rate,were used as the grading indices of snow disaster damage level,and the models of snow disaster identification and loss estimatation were set up to quantitatively analyze snow disaster.The results indicated that the system could accurately reflect the details of snow hazard grade and the situation of a disaster in temporal and spatial scales,which would help to carry out the dynamic monitoring and scientific estimatation of big area’s snow disaster in pastoral region.     

Limnological regime shifts caused by climate warming and Lesser Snow Goose population expansion in the western Hudson Bay Lowlands (Manitoba,Canada)

Shallow lakes are dominant features in subarctic and Arctic landscapes and are responsive to multiple stressors, which can lead to rapid changes in limnological regimes with consequences for aquatic resources. We address this theme in the coastal tundra region of Wapusk National Park, western Hudson Bay Lowlands (Canada), where climate has warmed during the past century and the Lesser Snow Goose (LSG; Chen caerulescens caerulescens) population has grown rapidly during the past ~40 years. Integration of limnological and paleolimnological analyses documents profound responses of productivity, nutrient cycling, and aquatic habitat to warming at three ponds (“WAP 12”, “WAP 20”, and “WAP 21″), and to LSG disturbance at the two ponds located in an active nesting area (WAP 20, WAP 21). Based on multiparameter analysis of ²¹⁰Pb‐dated sediment records from all three ponds, a regime shift occurred between 1875 and 1900 CE marked by a transition from low productivity, turbid, and nutrient‐poor conditions of the Little Ice Age to conditions of higher productivity, lower nitrogen availability, and the development of benthic biofilm habitat as a result of climate warming. Beginning in the mid‐1970s, sediment records from WAP 20 and WAP 21 reveal a second regime shift characterized by accelerated productivity and increased nitrogen availability. Coupled with 3 years of limnological data, results suggest that increased productivity at WAP 20 and WAP 21 led to atmospheric CO₂ invasion to meet algal photosynthetic demand. This limnological regime shift is attributed to an increase in the supply of catchment‐derived nutrients from the arrival of LSG and their subsequent disturbance to the landscape. Collectively, findings discriminate the consequences of warming and LSG disturbance on tundra ponds from which we identify a suite of sensitive limnological and paleolimnological measures that can be utilized to inform aquatic ecosystem monitoring.