Coral-crab association: a compact domain of a multilevel trophic system

Colonies of the Red Sea branching coral Stylophora pistillata were incubated in situ with radioactive carbon and Trapezia cymodoce crabs were introduced to the colonies, for one month each, up to 7 months after coral labelling. Zooxanthellar photosynthetic products were translocated to the crabs via host coral tissue. Based upon crab/coral tissue conversion from 53 crab samples, crabs possessed radioactive material equal to that recorded in 320–770 mm² of coral tissue (up to 2257 mm²). This material was translocated mainly by direct grazing on coral tissue rather than mucus collection. Ovigerous female crabs (39 specimens) accumulated significantly more labelled carbon than males, and up to 53 % of their radioactivity was concentrated in their reproductive organs. A pair of crabs dwelling in a coral colony consumed ca 130 cm² of host tissue per month (40–45 cm length of coral branches). This system represents a compact, obligatory multilevel trophic domain which also radiates horizontally by allocation of energy derived from algal photosynthesis into planula and zooea larva production, permitting the development of long trophic chains and a complex food web.     

The potential use of tree-rings to reconstruct streamflow and estuarine salinity in the Valdivian Rainforest eco-region, Chile

Water availability is one of the main limitations for future development and economic activity in many regions of the world. This applies even to areas of relatively high annual rainfall, such as the Valdivian Rainforest eco-region in Chile (35–48°S). Streamflow and water availability are crucial for several economic activities in the eco-region including hydroelectricity, irrigation, salmon farming, sports fishing of introduced trout and tourism. Scientific research focused on the spatial and temporal patterns of streamflow is a key element for planning the future development within the eco-region. In this paper we explore the potential of tree-rings for streamflow reconstruction in this region. Our preliminary results indicate a significant correlation (r=0.59 P<0.001, 1929–2000) between prior summer Río Bueno streamflow (January–April) and the average between a composite tree-ring chronology using Pilgerodendron uviferum from Chile and two composite Austrocedrus chilensis chronologies from Argentinean Patagonia. Similarly, there is a significant correlation (r=0.57, P<0.001, 1943–2002), between the Austrocedrus chronology (40°44′S) at Centinela in Argentinean Patagonia and the previous spring through early autumn (November–April) streamflow for Río Puelo. The tree-ring records used to correlate with Río Bueno and Río Puelo discharges show low-frequency variability and therefore the potential to reconstruct this variability in streamflow for the last 500–780 years. We also found a significant correlation between the composite Pilgerodendron standard ring-width chronology and the current summer water salinity (January–April) at the Reloncavi Estuary (r²=0.60, P<0.01, 1992–2000). Water salinity is a crucial determinant of the carrying capacity of salmon farming. Future research should provide reconstructions of streamflow, water salinity and other water quality attributes from tree-rings. These data will provide inputs to modeling scenarios of future water availability and are crucial to decision-making and planning of resource management and socio-economic development in the Valdivian Rainforest eco-region.