Neumark-Nord 2 – A multiphase Middle Palaeolithic open-air site in the Geisel Valley (Central Germany)

The lake basin Neumark-Nord 2 (NN 2) is located in the Geisel Valley in Saxony-Anhalt (Germany). It was scientifically investigated between 2003 and 2008. The sediment sequence, which is about 10 to 11 m thick, consists of limnic deposits, mostly silts mixed with clays and sands. Sedimentological as well as palynological, malacological and palaeomagnetic investigations, supported by absolute datings, date the entire sequence into the Eemian and Early Weichselian. Within the deposits several archaeological find horizons were discovered. Neumark-Nord 2/2 (NN 2/2) at the beginning of the Eemian and Neumark-Nord 2/0 (NN 2/0) with an early Weichselian were the most important archaeological horizons. Both find horizons represent former lake shore sites, where numerous crushed animal bones and other faunal debris were found, which can be regarded as remains of hunted game. With regard to the rich lithic material, both find horizons differ remarkably. In NN2/2, a simple artefact spectrum with a certain Levallois component and a dominance of denticulated, notched and laterally retouched specimens. In NN 2/0, on the other hand, bifacial tools such as backed knives and sometimes finely retouched scrapers are dominant, while the Levallois component fades completely into the background. Thus, NN 2 is one of the few open-air sites in archaeological landscape of Central German where several middle Palaeolithic find horizons occur in superposition.     

Cryptosporidium species and subtypes in river water and riverbed sediment using next-generation sequencing

This study uncovered the prevalence, harboured species, and subtype diversity of Cryptosporidium species in river water and its sediment from the Apies River in South Africa. Cryptosporidium spp. concentrations in freshwater and its sediment were determined using Ziehl-Neelsen staining and quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (qPCR) techniques. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) targeting the 60 kDa glycoprotein (gp60) gene of Cryptosporidium spp. was performed to reveal the species, subtype families and subtypes harboured in freshwater and its sediment. Although the results revealed that water samples had a higher prevalence (30%) compared with sediment (28%), the number of observable Cryptosporidium spp. oocysts in sediment samples (ranging from 4.90 to 5.81 log₁₀ oocysts per 1 Liter) was higher than that of river water samples (ranging from 4.60 to 5.58 log₁₀ oocysts per 1 L) using Ziehl-Neelsen staining. The 18S ribosomal ribonucleic acid (rRNA) gene copy of Cryptosporidium in riverbed sediments ranged from 6.03 to 7.65 log₁₀, whereas in river water, it was found to be between 4.20 and 6.79 log₁₀. Subtyping results showed that in riverbed sediments, Cryptosporidium parvum accounted for 40.72% of sequences, followed by Cryptosporidium hominis with 23.64%, Cryptosporidium cuniculus with 7.10%, Cryptosporidium meleagridis with 4.44% and the least was Cryptosporidium wrairi with 2.59%. A considerable percentage of reads in riverbed sediment (21.25%) was not assigned to any subtype. River water samples had 45.63% of sequences assigned to C. parvum, followed by 30.32% to C. hominis, 17.99% to C. meleagridis and 5.88% to C. cuniculus. The data obtained are concerning, as Cryptosporidium spp. have intrinsic resistance to water treatment processes and low infectious doses, which can pose a risk to human health due to the various uses of water (for human consumption, leisure, and reuse).     

Western Yellow-Billed Cuckoo Nest-Site Selection and Success in Restored and Natural Riparian Forests

The western distinct population segment of yellow-billed cuckoo (Coccyzus americanus; western cuckoo) has been extirpated from most of its former breeding range in the United States because of widespread loss and degradation of riparian cottonwood (Populus spp.)-willow (Salix spp.) forests. Restoration and management of breeding habitat is important to the recovery of this federally threatened species, and identification of high-quality breeding habitat can help improve the success of recovery. In 2005, the Lower Colorado River Multi-Species Conservation Program, a long-term, multi-agency effort, was initiated to maintain and create wildlife habitat within the historical floodplain of the lower Colorado River (LCR) for federally endangered and threatened species, including western cuckoos. We conducted an empirical, multi-scale field investigation from 2008–2012 to identify habitat characteristics selected by nesting western cuckoos along the LCR. Multiple logistic regression models revealed that western cuckoos selected nest sites characterized by increased densities of small, native, early successional trees measuring 8–23 cm diameter at breast height, and lower diurnal temperature compared to available habitat in restoration and natural forests. Nesting cuckoos selected sites with increased percent canopy closure, which was also important for nest success in restoration sites along the LCR. Our results show habitat components selected by nesting western cuckoos in restoration and natural riparian forests and can help guide the creation, enhancement, and management of riparian forests with habitat conditions necessary to promote nesting of western cuckoos. © 2021 The Wildlife Society.     

水文气候影响下黄河三角洲土壤盐分时空动态

近年来,黄河三角洲在水文气候和人类活动影响下的土壤盐渍化问题日益突出。本研究以东营市河口区、垦利区、东营区和利津县为研究区,选取1985—2018年间20期Landsat系列影像,利用数值回归校正法进行影像光谱一致性转换,在此基础上运用偏最小二乘回归法构建土壤盐分定量反演模型;根据最佳盐分预测模型反演的研究区土壤盐分含量数据,分析土壤盐分(SC)时空变化特征,并探讨水文气候因素的影响。结果表明: 选用10个敏感光谱指数构建的土壤盐分反演模型的预测精度较高,其建模决定系数(R²)、均方根误差(RMSE)为0.769、1.125,验证R²、RMSE和相对分析误差(RPD)分别为0.752、1.203、2.08。利用2016年土壤盐分数据进行反演精度检验,实测值与反演值的R²为0.7279。该模型对1985—2018年20期影像进行土壤盐分反演的结果异常值在10%以内。研究期间,区域平均盐分含量总体呈先上升后下降的趋势,最低的年份为1985年(3.14 g·kg^-1),最高的年份为1995年(5.86 g·kg^-1)。空间变化上,研究区重度盐渍土和盐土面积减少,轻、中度盐渍土面积显著增加(66.6%),盐渍土总面积呈扩大趋势。水文气候条件对土壤盐分的影响具有一定滞后性。气温对土壤盐分积累有促进作用,前半年和前1年的平均气温与含盐量均显著相关,R分别为0.507和0.538;土壤含盐量与区域降水量的相关性不显著,受前季黄河径流量的影响最大,R达-0.543。     

赣江鱼类物种更新名录

赣江是长江的主要支流之一, 淡水鱼类多样性极其丰富, 但是目前对于该河流的鱼类多样性还未有充分的了解。本研究于2016年9月至2017年8月对赣江鱼类进行了实地调查, 结合历史文献资料并参考最新的分类学成果, 更新了赣江淡水鱼类名录。结果表明, 赣江共有淡水鱼类180种, 隶属于12目31科93属。其中, 土著鱼类174种, 外来鱼类6种。赣江鱼类以鲤形目为主; 鲤科种类最多, 其次是鲿科。更新的物种名录中, 包含23个新记录土著种, 其中有5个未被描述的新种; 有36个历史资料记载的种类被剔除出物种名录; 25个物种发生了分类地位的变更。此外, 本次调查有28种鱼类未采集到, 说明这些鱼类的种群数量正在急剧下降, 而这些鱼类分别属于洄游性、流水性和产漂流性卵等独特生态类型, 说明赣江鱼类多样性受到了严重的人为干扰。本研究所给出的赣江鱼类的更新物种名录, 可为今后的赣江鱼类多样性保护提供理论基础。     

Individual dispersal,landscape connectivity and ecological networks

Connectivity is classically considered an emergent property of landscapes encapsulating individuals' flows across space. However, its operational use requires a precise understanding of why and how organisms disperse. Such movements, and hence landscape connectivity, will obviously vary according to both organism properties and landscape features. We review whether landscape connectivity estimates could gain in both precision and generality by incorporating three fundamental outcomes of dispersal theory. Firstly, dispersal is a multi‐causal process; its restriction to an ‘escape reaction’ to environmental unsuitability is an oversimplification, as dispersing individuals can leave excellent quality habitat patches or stay in poor‐quality habitats according to the relative costs and benefits of dispersal and philopatry. Secondly, species, populations and individuals do not always react similarly to those cues that trigger dispersal, which sometimes results in contrasting dispersal strategies. Finally, dispersal is a major component of fitness and is thus under strong selective pressures, which could generate rapid adaptations of dispersal strategies. Such evolutionary responses will entail spatiotemporal variation in landscape connectivity. We thus strongly recommend the use of genetic tools to: (i) assess gene flow intensity and direction among populations in a given landscape; and (ii) accurately estimate landscape features impacting gene flow, and hence landscape connectivity. Such approaches will provide the basic data for planning corridors or stepping stones aiming at (re)connecting local populations of a given species in a given landscape. This strategy is clearly species‐ and landscape‐specific. But we suggest that the ecological network in a given landscape could be designed by stacking up such linkages designed for several species living in different ecosystems. This procedure relies on the use of umbrella species that are representative of other species living in the same ecosystem.     

SHORT-TERM IMPACTS OF FORMULATIONS OF BACILLUS THURINGIENSIS VAR. ISRAELENSIS DE BARJAC AND THE ORGANOPHOSPHATE TEMEPHOS,USED IN BLACKFLY (DIPTERA: SIMULIIDAE) CONTROL,ON RHEOPHILIC BENTHIC MACROINVERTEBRATES IN THE MIDDLE ORANGE RIVER,SOUTH AFRICA

Summary

The impacts of larvicides used in the control of blackflies (Diptera: Simuliidae) on macroinvertebrates in the stones-in-current biotope were assessed during 8 field trials in the middle Orange River, South Africa. Two Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis (B.t.i.) products (Vectobac^R 12AS and Teknar^R HP-D) and the organophosphate temephos (Abate^R 200EC) were applied at recommended and high dosages to simulate “operational” and “worst-possible” scenario's respectively. Mortality was evaluated either by direct counting of invertebrates on stones before and after application, or by ranking invertebrates on a 4-point relative abundance scale before and after application. In addition, the re-appearance of benthic invertebrate population densities after temephos application was examined.

At the recommended dosage (1.2 ppm/10 min), B.t.i. significantly reduced blackfly larval numbers (P<0.001) and those of the chironomid Rheotanytarsus fuscus Freeman (P<0.05). At high dosage (20 ppm/10 min), numbers of the filter-feeding mayfly Tricorythus discolor (Burmeister) (P<0.01) and the chironomid Cardiocladius sp. (P<0.05) were also significantly reduced. No Simulium predators were directly affected by B.t.i., but there were indications of food shortage amongst Hydropsychidae and Hirudinea.

Temephos caused significant reductions in the relative abundance of 5 taxa at 0.05 ppm, 3 to 6 taxa at 0.1 ppm, and 9 taxa at 1.0 ppm (P<0.05). “Non-target” organisms which were most affected included the chironomid R. fuscus, the mayflies Baetis glaucus Agnew and Choroterpes elegans Barnard, and the caddisflies Cheumatopsyche thomasseti Ulmer and Amphipsyche scottae Kimmins. The mayfly T. discolor was tolerant of temephos, even at high dosage (1.0 ppm/10 min). In winter, most taxa re-appeared within 19 days, and population densities were back to pre-treatment levels within 35 days.

It is concluded that good reduction of blackfly populations may be obtained with minimal direct impact on the “non-target” fauna, provided recommended dosages of temephos are not exceeded. Overdosing with temephos may result in high mortality of “non-target” organisms, including blackfly predators, and should be avoided.     

LIMNOLOGICAL BIBLIOGRAPHY FOR AFRICA SOUTH OF THE SAHARA

SUMMARY

Before inundation in September 1976 Barbus holubi and Labeo capensis were the dominant species each making up 46% of the total catch. Immediately after impoundment the relative density of B. holubi increased to 75% while that of L. capensis dropped to 18%. With minor changes the relative densities remained roughly constant until April 1978 when the turbidity of the dam increased. After this date the relative density of B. holubi rapidly declined, probably due to environmental changes, while that of L. capensis increased due to post-impoundment recruitment. The catches of other species remained low. Changes in catch per unit effort, which were determined from April 1978 onwards substantiate these findings.     

INFLUENCE OF FRESHWATER FLOW REGIME ON FISH ASSEMBLAGES IN THE GREAT FISH RIVER AND ESTUARY

Summary

Two and a half years of data were collected from the lower Great Fish River, head region and estuary to determine the fish species composition within these areas. Gilchristella aestuaria, Liza dumerilii, Rhabdosargus holubi and Pomadasys commersonnii were the four most abundant species captured, with riverine flow rate having an important effect on both species composition and numbers of fishes in the different regions. Most marine species displayed a strong inverse relationship between catch per unit effort and elevated freshwater inputs. Euryhaline marine species dominated the catches at all sampling sites during low flows but were less common during high flow periods when catadromous species were most abundant. Based on the available evidence it is suggested that for most marine species in the river this decline in abundance is related to low conductivity levels following floods rather than avoidance of elevated flows. The impact of elevated suspensoid concentrations and lowered dissolved oxygen concentrations on freshwater and estuarine fish populations during major river flooding is also discussed.