Consistent abundance distributions of marine fishes in an old,climatically buffered,infertile seascape

Aim Macroecological theory predicts that along direct physiological gradients there will be unimodal abundance distributions of species and consistent rates of assemblage turnover. However, the majority of marine studies that have investigated the realized distribution of species along latitudinal or temperature gradients have generally found unimodal distributions to be rare. We assess fish distributions along a temperature gradient in a stable oligotrophic seascape and suggest that unimodal distributions will be more common. Location Nearshore demersal fish habitat extending 1500 km along the coast of south‐western Australia. Methods The relative abundances of demersal fish species were sampled off the coast of south‐western Australia along a temperature gradient. The confounding influence of other environmental variables was tested, and the assemblage was found to be highly correlated with temperature. For the 20 most abundant species, quantile regression spline models were used to construct a model within which 95% of their abundance was expected to fall. We compared the results from this study with the proportion of unimodal species abundance distributions observed in other studies. Results Of the 20 most abundant species, 19 displayed patterns that indicated temperature was an important factor influencing their range and relative abundance; with 15 species exhibiting unimodal abundance distributions, four having ramped distribution to one end of the sampled range and one showing no consistent pattern. Main conclusions The high diversity and percentage of endemic species in terrestrial and marine habitats of south‐western Australia is likely to be due to the stable geological and oceanographic history of the region. In comparison, studies of abundance distribution in other marine systems have been conducted in relatively heterogeneous and productive environments. The old, climatically buffered, oligotrophic seascape of south‐western Australia has provided a simple system in which the consistent influence of physiological gradients on the abundance distribution of fish species can be observed.     

Upregulation of the immune protein gene hemolin in the epidermis during the wandering larval stage of the Indian meal moth, Plodia interpunctella

Expression of hemolin, which generates an immune protein, was up-regulated in wandering fifth instar larval stage of Plodia interpunctella. The mRNA level peaked in the middle of the wandering stage. Major expression was in the epidermis, rather than in the fat body or gut. To test a possible ecdysteroid effect on hemolin induction we treated with RH-5992, an ecdysteroid agonist, and KK-42, which inhibits ecdysteroid biosynthesis in both feeding and wandering fifth instar larvae. When feeding larvae were treated with RH-5992 the hemolin mRNA level was increased. When wandering larvae were treated with KK-42 its level was reduced. In addition, when KK-42-treated larvae were subsequently treated with RH-5992 the hemolin mRNA level was recovered. These results strongly suggest that ecdysteroid up-regulates the expression of hemolin mRNA. Hormonal and bacterial effects on hemolin induction were further analyzed at the tissue level. Major induction of hemolin mRNA was detected following both RH-5992 treatment and bacterial injection in the epidermis of both feeding and wandering larvae. Minor induction of hemolin was detected in the fat body following a bacterial injection, but not RH-5992 treatment. We infer that in P. interpunctella larvae, the epidermis is the major tissue for hemolin induction in na?ve insects and in insects manipulated with bacterial and hormonal treatments.     

Seasonal and diurnal use of eight different call types by Indian peafowl (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Pavo cristatus</Emphasis>)

The vocal displays of male Indian peafowl (Pavo cristatus) are thought to be sexually selected traits. To clarify the specific call types involved in breeding, as well as to provide basic information on the vocalisations of Indian peafowl, we conducted monthly daytime recordings in a large feral population in Japan. Based on 13,420 records, we identified seven different call types made only by males and six alarm calls uttered by both sexes. Furthermore, we found seasonal and diurnal changes in the calling activity of peafowl. Three of the male call types (keow, ka and hoot-call) were particularly important for breeding, as sexually mature males produced them only during the breeding season, in a similar diurnal pattern to other breeding behaviours. A digital video image relating to the article is available at .     

Establishing a perimeter position: speciation around the Indian Ocean Basin

Historical biological interactions among peripheral landmasses on the periphery of the Indian Ocean Basin (IOB) are generally poorly understood. While interactions based on early Gondwanan vicariance have been used to explain present day lineage distributions, several recent studies have instead inferred dispersal across the IOB. This inference is often advanced because lineages under study have species inhabiting IOB islands. Here we examine the roles of continental vicariance vs. trans-IOB dispersal in the distribution of an avian genus found around the perimeter of the IOB. A molecular phylogeny does reveal evidence of a relationship that would require the inference of trans-IOB dispersal between eastern Africa and Sri Lanka. However, molecular clock data, ancestral area analyses and paleoclimatic reconstructions suggest that vicariance related to tropical forest expansion and retraction is more likely to have facilitated African-Asian interchange, with an initial colonization of Africa from Asia quickly followed by a recolonization of Asia. Subsequent dispersal from Asia to Sri Lanka and islands east of the Sunda Shelf are inferred; these latter islands were colonized in a stepping-stone fashion that culminated in colonization of the Sunda Shelf, and a recolonization of mainland Asia. We propose that circum-IOB distributions, which post-date early Gondwanan breakup, are most likely the result of continent-based vicariant events, particularly those events related to large-scale habitat alterations, and not trans-IOB dispersals.     

Abundance of thraustochytrids and bacteria in the equatorial Indian Ocean, in relation to transparent exopolymeric particles (TEPs)

Thraustochytrid protists are often abundant in coastal waters. However, their population dynamics and substrate preferences in the oceanic water column are poorly understood. We studied the abundance and distribution of thraustochytrids, bacteria and TEPs in the equatorial Indian Ocean waters during September 2003, October 2004 and September 2006. Thraustochytrids and bacteria were abundant, suggesting high biological productivity of the region. Thraustochytrids were positively related to bacteria during October 2004 but not at other times, suggesting overlapping or varying substrate preferences at different times. Thraustochytrid and bacteria were positively related to TEPs only in a few stations during October 2004, but were mostly positively related to TEPs generated from in situ water in a roller table experiment. TEPs from natural samples during October 2004 had a much greater affinity to the lectin Concanavalin A than to Limulin compared with those in September 2006 and from the roller tank experiments. The chemical composition of TEPs might explain their relationship with thraustochytrids. Thraustochytrids averaged a higher biomass than bacteria in two of the three cruises, but were less frequent and more patchily distributed compared with bacteria.     

Status of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) in the Sundarbans of India in relation to tidal inundation and chemical properties of soil

The arbuscular mycorrhizal status of fifteen mangroves and one mangrove associate was investigated from 27 sites of three inundation types namely, diurnal, usual springtide and summer springtide. Roots and rhizospheric soil samples were analysed for spore density, frequency of mycorrhizal colonization and some chemical characteristics of soil. Relative abundance, frequency and spore richness of AMF were assessed at each inundation type. All the plant species except Avicennia alba exhibited mycorrhizal colonization. The study demonstrated that mycorrhizal colonization and spore density were more influenced by host plant species than tidal inundation. Forty four AMF species belonging to six genera, namely Acaulospora, Entrophospora, Gigaspora, Glomus, Sclerocystis and Scutellospora, were recorded. Glomus mosseae exhibited highest frequency at all the inundation types; Glomus fistulosum, Sclerocystis coremioides and Glomus mosseae showed highest relative abundance at sites inundated by usual springtides, summer springtides and diurnal tides, respectively. Spore richness of AMF was of the order usual springtide > diurnal > summer springtide inundated sites. The mean spore richness was 3.27. Diurnally inundated sites had the lowest concentrations of salinity, available phosphorus, exchangeable potassium, sodium and magnesium. Statistical analyses indicated that mycorrhizal frequency and AMF spore richness were significantly negatively correlated to soil salinity. Spore richness was also significantly negatively correlated to available phosphorus. The soil parameters of the usual springtide inundated sites appeared to be favourable for the existence of maximum number of AMF. Glomus mosseae was the predominant species in terms of frequency in the soils of the Sundarbans.     

Membrane degradation, accumulation of Phosphatidic acid, stimulation of catalase activity and nuclear DNA fragmentation during 2,4-d-induced leaf senescence in mustard

We investigated 2,4-D-induced leaf senescence in young mustard seedlings. A set of morphometric, biochemical and molecular parameters were analyzed to characterize senescence markers. In accordance with earlier reports, chloroplast-membrane degradation marked the early phase of leaf senescence based on the analysis of the galactolipid fraction. Degradation of grana occurred earlier to that of the envelope, as revealed by the relative level of their specific galactolipids, namely, monogalactosyl diglyceride and digalactosyl diglyceride. Phospholipids showed extensive degradation resulting in the accumulation of lyso-derivatives of major phospholipids and phosphatidic acid (PA) in senescing leaves. Catalase activity was stimulated by 2,4-D and reflected scavenging of reactive oxygen species. Nuclear DNA degradation, a previously known death signal that represented a point of no return from progression of senescence, occurred late on the 4th day subsequent to 2,4-D supplementation. AgNO₃, an inhibitor of ethylene biosynthesis, inhibited leaf senescence by ca. 54% based on PA content Involvement of 2,4-D, ethylene and abscisic acid in leaf senescence is discussed in relation to hormonal interplay.     

Marine algal symbionts benefit benthic invertebrate embryos deposited in gelatinous egg masses

Algae colonize the gelatinous egg masses of marine invertebrates. This study demonstrates a symbiotic relationship between marine algae and the invertebrate embryos in gelatinous egg masses found in Indian River Lagoon, FL, USA. The benefits to the embryos in this association differ among host species investigated. The embryos of the polychaete Axiothella mucosa graze on the diatom assemblage in their egg masses and the fitness of the crawl-away juveniles is improved by this food source. The tenuous egg masses of the polychaete Arenicola cristata and the mollusk Haminoea succinea are negatively buoyant when spawned and become buoyant when symbiotic algae are present. In addition to increased dispersal of their lecithotrophic larvae, the potential of the egg masses of A. cristata and H. succinea to float may reduce predation on the embryos by benthic predators such as the gastropod Nassarius vibex. Photosynthetically derived oxygen from the algae may benefit the embryos of the opisthobranch Haminoea elegans by increasing oxygen supply when crawl-away juveniles emerge from the egg mass. However, when mostly earlier stage larvae are hatched from egg masses of H. elegans, the additional oxygen supplied by the algae does not provide a substantial advantage. Algae were absent in the gelatinous egg mass core of only one of the five species examined, Haminoea antillarum. H. antillarum has both a short embryonic development time and denser egg mass gel than the other four species tested. What is not understood is whether invertebrate egg masses are an opportunistic space for algae to colonize or whether only a few microalgal species can exploit the gelatinous substrate.     

Hedgehog-mediated paracrine interaction between hepatic stellate cells and marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells

During liver injury, bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) can migrate and differentiate into hepatocytes. Hepatic stellate cell (SC) activation is a pivotal event in the development of liver fibrosis. Therefore, we hypothesized that SCs may play an important role in regulating MSC proliferation and differentiation through the paracrine signaling pathway. We demonstrate that MSCs and SCs both express hedgehog (Hh) pathway components, including its ligands, receptors, and target genes. Transwell co-cultures of SCs and MSCs showed that the SCs produced sonic hedgehog (Shh), which enhanced the proliferation and differentiation of MSCs. These findings demonstrate that SCs indirectly modulate the activity of MSCs in vitro via the Hh pathway, and provide a plausible explanation for the mechanisms of transplanted MSCs in the treatment of liver fibrosis.     

Genetic differentiation in the mud crab Scylla serrata (Decapoda: Portunidae) within the Indian Ocean

Scylla serrata (Decapoda: Portunidae) is a swimming crab that is widespread in the Indo-Pacific region and commonly found in estuarine and mangrove waters. An extended planktonic larval phase suggests high dispersal potential and the possibility of extensive gene flow between conspecific populations at least on a geographic mesoscale (tens to hundreds of kilometres).Intraspecific variation of the mitochondrial DNA cytochrome oxidase subunit I (mtDNA COI) gene was investigated in 77 individuals from four representative mangrove swamps of the African tropics (Kenya and Zanzibar) by means of DNA sequencing. We examined 535 base pairs (bp) and identified 24 different haplotypes. Each population sample is characterised by a single most frequent haplotype, shared among all four populations, and a small number of rare ones, typically present in only one or two individuals and representative of a specific population.Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA), F_ST statistics and χ² contingency analysis of spatial distribution of mtDNA haplotype frequencies revealed in toto a significant genetic differentiation among populations. These results could indicate that gene flow might be reduced, even between geographically close sites, despite the high potential for dispersal; anyway, at the recorded level of divergence and owing to the abundance of rare haplotypes and singletons in our data set, repeated sampling over time is necessary to establish whether the recorded pattern of genetic differentiation is stable and biologically significant.Finally, integration of our data with those reported by Gopurenko et al. [Mar. Biol. 134 (1999) 227] on S. serrata from South Africa, Red Sea and Mauritius Islands allowed to infer S. serrata population structure within a larger area of the Indian Ocean region.