Differences in regional oceanography and prey biomass influence the presence of foraging odontocetes at two Atlantic seamounts

The importance of seamounts as foraging hotspots for cetaceans depends on interactions between ocean flow and topographical features that concentrate prey. However, the oceanographic processes driving these aggregations are still unclear. Here, we analyzed two months of passive acoustic recordings from two remote seamounts in the Northeast Atlantic, Atlantis and Irving, in relation to regional oceanography and estimates of prey biomass. Delphinids and sperm whales were detected in both seamounts with higher foraging activity at night, indicating feeding on diel migrating prey. There were more detections of delphinids and sperm whales at Atlantis than at Irving. These two seamounts lie in different oceanographic settings created by the Azores Current that separates colder and less saline water masses in the north (Atlantis seamount) from warmer and more saline waters in the south (Irving seamount). Irving seamount is only affected by transient features like eddies that enhance productivity for short time periods. These conditions translate into more productive waters at Atlantis seamount than at Irving, as shown by predicted prey biomasses that ultimately attract top predators. Comparative studies such as this one can help to explain the main drivers of presence of top predators at seamounts.     

Effects of current velocity on development and survival of lingcod,Ophiodon elongatus,embryos

Synopsis The influence of current velocity on the survival and development of lingcod embryos was investigated in the field and laboratory. Examination of egg masses at five lingcod spawning sites indicated that embryo mortalities were high (up to 95%) at low-current sites because of inadequate ventilation and resulting hypoxia. Development of embryos near the center of poorly ventilated egg masses was retarded relative to development of embryos near the periphery. Hatching of embryos from poorly ventilated eggs was protracted; embryos from the interior of egg masses hatched later and were significantly smaller than embryos from eggs near the periphery. Oxygen levels measured in egg masses at low-current velocity sites during tidal flow average 16% air saturation, corresponding to a Median Tolerance Limit (LT₅₀) of about 73 h. Oxygen levels measured in egg masses at high-current velocity sites during slack water average 69% air saturation, a level that did not adversely affect the embryos. Current velocities of 10–15 cm s^–1 were needed to maintain interstitial oxygen levels in egg masses near that of the ambient water. Water movement may be an important stimulus for spawning site selection by lingcod. In areas where tidal currents were weak, spawn deposition occurred in shallow water where waves and vertical tide motion created water movement. In areas where tidal currents were strong, spawns were consistently deposited in deeper water.     

Genetic variation and local differences in Pacific cod Gadus macrocephalus around Japan

The population structure of the Pacific cod Gadus macrocephalus was examined using 15 microsatellite loci and mitochondrial DNA (ND2 region). In total, 274 individuals were sampled from 16 locations around Japan to estimate the level of genetic differentiation and effective population size (N_e). Pairwise F_ST, analysis of molecular variance and Bayesian clustering analysis suggested the presence of two genetically distinct groups in waters around Japan, with a higher N_e value in the eastern group than in the western group. A possible factor that restricts gene flow between groups may be related to the water temperature differences in the south‐western part of the Sea of Japan, where the Tsushima Warm Current flows around the area inhabited by the western group, which may limit migration between the west and east.     

Spatial and temporal variability of surface water in the Kuroshio source region, Pacific Ocean, over the past 21,000 years: evidence from planktonic foraminifera

The Kuroshio Current is the major western boundary current of the North Pacific Ocean and has had a large impact on surface water character and climate change in the northwestern Pacific region. The Kuroshio Current becomes a distinctive surface flow in the Ryukyu Arc region after diverging from the North Equatorial Current and passing through the Okinawa Trough. Therefore, the Ryukyu Arc area can be called the Kuroshio source region. We reconstructed post-21-ka time–space changes in surface water masses in the Ryukyu Arc region using 15 piston cores which were dated by planktonic δ¹⁸O stratigraphy and AMS ¹⁴C ages. Our analysis utilized spatial and temporal changes in planktonic foraminiferal assemblages which were classified into the Kuroshio, Subtropical, Coastal, and Cold water groups on the basis of modern faunal distributions in the study region. These results indicate that the Kuroshio Current and adjacent surface water masses experienced major changes during: (1) the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM), and (2) the so-called Pulleniatina minimum event (PME) from 4,500 to 3,000 yr BP. The Kuroshio LGM event corresponds to severe global cooling and is marked by decreases in planktonic δ¹⁸O values and estimated sea-surface temperature (SST) with the dominance of the Cold water group of planktonic foraminifera. Cooling within the Kuroshio source region was enhanced during the LGM event because the Kuroshio Current was forced eastward due to the formation of a land bridge between Taiwan and the southern Ryukyu Arc which prohibited its flow into the Okinawa Trough. Except for the severe reduction and disappearance of the Pulleniatina group, no clear cooling signal was identified during the PME based on δ¹⁸O values, estimated SST values and variations in the composition of planktonic foraminiferal faunas. The PME assemblages are marked by high abundances of Neogloboquadrina dutertrei, a distinctive Kuroshio type species, along with other species assigned to the Coastal and Central water groups. Subtle ecological differences exist between Pulleniatina obliquiloculata and N. dutertrei; i.e. P. obliquiloculata exhibits lower rates of reproduction under conditions of lower primary productivity in the central Equatorial Pacific Ocean. El Niño-like conditions in the Equatorial Pacific Ocean result in lower rates of surface transport in the Kuroshio Current. In turn, this response triggers lower rates of primary productivity in central equatorial surface waters as well as in the upstream Kuroshio source region, ultimately resulting in a lower abundance of P. obliquiloculata. Thus, we interpret the PME as a possible proxy signal of El Niño-like conditions and enhancement of the El Niño Southern Oscillation climate system after the PME in the tropical and sub-tropical Pacific Ocean.     

广州市固体废物管理与处置现状及对策

分析广州市工业固体废物、危险废物、生活垃圾、余泥渣土等管理与处置现状,揭示广州市现有固体废物管理处置存在的主要问题,并提出对策建议。分析表明,近年广州市工业固体废物年产生量呈上升趋势,工业固体废物排放量有所回升;1999年危险废物实现零排放,医疗垃圾的集中处置率达100%;居民生活垃圾清运处置率达100%。生活垃圾分类收集率为26%,加快了垃圾填埋场的改造和建设;余泥渣土的管理逐步规范化,市区余泥渣土排放工地申领排放证率保持100%。存在问题包括管理上欠长远规划、处置技术落后、二次污染、资源回收率低、资金匮乏等,尤其缺乏对危险废物、废旧电池的集中处置机构。     

Why cordylid lizards are black at the south-western tip of Africa

There is a high incidence of melanism among the cordylid lizards of Africa and it was suggested that melanism has a thermoregulatory function in these species. One prediction of the thermal melanism hypothesis would be that melanistic cordylid species would be restricted to cool environments. The aim of our study was to determine the climatic conditions with which melanistic cordylids are currently associated. Distributional data for the eight melanistic cordylid taxa occurring at the south-western tip of Africa were obtained from the CapeNature State of Biodiversity database. Using GIS and principal component analyses, the climatic variables best describing the geographical distribution of melanistic cordylids were investigated. We found that several melanistic cordylid populations show a distinct association with a high incidence of fog and cloud cover, underscoring the thermal melanism hypothesis. Several other populations, however, do not show such an association. We conclude that some species, such as Pseudocordylus capensis , have a morphology that provides them with great flexibility in habitat use, allowing them to overcome the constraints of melanism in warm environments. The available information suggests that melanism in cordylids evolved during the Miocene in response to the development of the cold Benguela Current along the west coast of Africa. We also conclude that viviparity, a sit-and-wait foraging strategy and a rock-dwelling lifestyle would have preadapted cordylids for survival in cool conditions brought about by the development of the cold Benguela Current. These conditions would have been unfavourable for oviparous, active-foraging lizards. The co-occurrence of melanistic lizards and melanistic molluscs at the Landdroskop locality casts some doubt on improved heating rates as the only explanation for melanism in cordylids, because molluscs are not heliothermic baskers.     

Climate-driven range extension of a sea urchin: inferring future trends by analysis of recent population dynamics

Patterns of climate-forced range shift in the marine environment are informed by investigating the population dynamics of an ecologically important sea urchin ( Centrostephanus rodgersii – Diadematidae) across its newly extended range in Tasmania (southeastern Australia). A growth model of C. rodgersii is developed allowing estimation of a sea urchin age profile and, in combination with abundance data, we correlate the sea urchin population dynamic with respect to environmental signals across the range extension region. Growth patterns did not vary across the extension region; however, there was a strong pattern of decreasing sea urchin age with increasing distance from the historic range. The sequential poleward discovery of the sea urchin, a pattern of declining age and a general poleward reduction in abundance along the eastern Tasmanian coastline are consistent with a model of range extension driven by recent change in patterns of larval dispersal. We explore this hypothesis by correlating C. rodgersii population characteristics with respect to the East Australian Current (EAC), i.e. the chief vector for poleward larval dispersal, and reveal patterns of declining sea urchin age and abundance with increasing distance from this oceanic feature. Furthermore, C. rodgersii is generally limited to sites where average winter temperatures are warmer than the cold threshold for its larval development. Potential dispersal and physiological mechanisms defining the range extension appear to be strongly coupled to the EAC which has undergone recent poleward advance and resulted in coastal warming in eastern Tasmania. Predicted climate change conditions for this region will favour continued population expansion of C. rodgersii not only via atmospheric-forced ocean warming, but also via ongoing intensification of the EAC driving continued poleward supply of larvae and heat.     

2010秋季东海今生颗石藻的空间分布

根据2010年11月东海29站位所采集108个样品偏光镜检分析结果显示:调查区共发现26种今生颗石藻,优势种为赫氏艾密里藻(Emiliania huxleyi)、大洋桥石藻(Gephyrocapsa oceanica)、卡特螺旋球藻(Helicosphaera carteri)和粗壮环翼球(Algirosphaera robusta)等.水体中今生颗石藻丰度为0-76.562个/mL,平均值为18.641个/mL;颗石粒丰度0-4506.47个/mL,平均值为613.44个/mL,今生颗石藻在表层和底层均呈斑块状分布,海盆区站位丰度较近岸站位下降明显,但物种丰富度明显增多;颗石球丰度最大值站位发生在硅藻水华站位.将研究区域划分为3个断面进行分析:PN断面、沿岸流断面和黑潮断面.比较显示,PN断面的空间分布差异性较大,赫氏艾密里藻具有最高丰度的颗石粒和颗石球.沿岸流断面颗石粒/颗石球、黑潮断面中颗石粒(除底层外),自表至底随水深增加有轻微增加趋势,黑潮断面颗石球丰度高值区集中于25-80 m之间.结合历史环境资料,分析得出东海调查期水体混合、泥沙再悬浮以及硝酸盐浓度是控制今生颗石藻物种丰富度与物种特异分布的主要因子;今生颗石藻在不同环境中具有不同的生活策略,其空间分布特征随取样季节和海区不同有较大变化.