Food niches of sympatric Marsh Harriers Circus aeruginosas and Hen Harriers C. cyaneus on the Dutch coast in winter

Analysis of pellets collected from adjacent communal winter roosts of Marsh Harriers Circus aeruginosus and Hen Harriers C. cyaneus on an extensive saltmarsh in the southwest Netherlands showed highly significant differences between the diets of the two species. Marsh Harrier diet showed no change throughout January, February and March. They specialized on ducks, which were about half of their prey numerically and more important by weight. Although Marsh Harriers sampled other prey, this remained at a low level and showed no seasonal response to the availability of young lagomorphs. Hen Harriers occupied the niche of a generalist predator, having a broader diet and responding to the presumed changes in availability of prey with diet shifts. In November, about half of their prey items were passerines but these declined in importance in December, and small mammals rose. The proportions of both small mammals and birds fell in February and March, due to increasing dependence on young lagomorphs. Diet overlap between the two species was greatest in January and declined in February and March.     

Revision of the type species of Sigalion, Thalenessa and Eusigalion (Polychaeta: Sigalionidae)

The type species of Sigalion Audouin & Milne Edwards, 1830 (5. mathildae), Thalenessa Baird, 1866 (S. edwardsi Kinberg, 1856) and Eusigalion Augener, 1918 (E. vazensis) are re-examined. Since they were first described all three genera have been variously misrepresented, but are currently distinguished by the presence (Thalenessa; syn. Eusigalion) or absence (Sigalion) of a median antenna. Material examined in the present study indicates that S. mathildae also possesses a median antenna. Thalenessa and Eusigalion are considered to be junior synonyms of Sigalion and the generic placings of all species attributed to these genera are investigated.     

Plant coexistence in coastal heaths: Between- and within-habitat effects of competition,disturbance and predation in the post-fire environment

Abstract Previous experiments on post-fire establishment of two obligate seeders and two resprouting species suggested that initial establishment processes differ between wet- and dry-heath habitats. Disturbance, interspecific competition between seedlings and between seedlings and adults, and access for potential predators were manipulated in the field after a fire to identify mechanisms to explain between- and witm'n-habitat species coexistence. When soil surfaces are disturbed or seeds are buried, dry-heath species can establish in the wet heath. Under natural conditions, however, wet heath is rarely disturbed by animal foragers and lack of safe sites may preclude establishment of dry-heath species. In contrast, dry heath is often disturbed by ground foragers such as bandicoots and safe sites are plentiful for establishment of all heath species. Nevertheless, while wet-heath species can establish in dry heath, their seedlings are apparently unable to survive there due to the drier conditions. No evidence for competition among species was detected in either type of habitat during the first 3 years of the experiment, even at elevated seedling densities. Lack of early competition and unsaturated seed-banks may promote coexistence of species. Seedling predation from vertebrates was low and did not appear to influence patterns of coexistence within or between habitats. In terms of community theory we suggest that several interacting mechanisms are responsible for community structure in heaths after a fire. Chance and microsite disturbance are important during dispersal, while resources are critical during establishment and early survival of seedling populations. In these heath systems where fires burn extensive areas, seed-banks may be more important in temporal storage of species than patch or spatial storage as a mechanism for maintaining coexistence and plant diversity.     

A reappraisal of the concept of metabolic cold adaptation in polar marine invertebrates

The concept of 'metabolic cold adaptation', namely that polar marine ectotherms are adapted in having an elevated basal metabolic rate, has been examined in the light of recent biochemical, physiological and ecological data for Antarctic marine organisms. It is now clear that marine invertebrates from Antarctic waters are characterized by slow growth rates, low basal metabolism and reduced annual reproductive effort, and there is thus no clear evidence of the traditional view of an elevated metabolic rate. By analogy with fish, protein synthesis rates are probably also low. This suggests that the major feature of cold adaptation is a reduction in the individual total annual energy intake in comparison with ecologically similar organisms from warm water. This allows a high standing crop of suspension feeders to develop, and low temperature is thus a significant factor in the successful widespread adoption of typical K-strategies in Antarctic marine invertebrates.     

Perspectives from early career researchers on the publication process in ecology – a response to Statzner & Resh (2010)

1. Two senior ecologists summarised their experience of the scientific publication process ( Statzner & Resh, Freshwater Biology, 2010 ; 55 , 2639) to generate discussion, particularly among early career researchers (ECRs). As a group of eight ECRs, we comment on the six trends they described. 2. We generally agree with most of the trends identified by Statzner & Resh (2010) , but also highlight a number of divergent perspectives and provide recommendations for change. Trends of particular concern are the use of inappropriate metrics to evaluate research quality (e.g. impact factor) and the salami slicing of papers to increase paper count. We advocate a transparent and comprehensive system for evaluating the research. 3. We stress the importance of impartiality and independence in the peer review process. We therefore suggest implementation of double‐blind review and quality control measures for reviewers and possibly editors. Besides such structural changes, editors should be confident to overrule biased reviewer recommendations, while reviewers should provide helpful reviews but be explicit if a submission does not meet quality standards. Authors should always conduct a thorough literature search and acknowledge historical scientific ideas and methods. Additionally, authors should report low‐quality copy editing and reviews to the editors. 4. Both early and late career researchers should jointly implement these recommendations to reverse the negative trends identified by Statzner & Resh (2010) . However, more senior scientists will always have to take the lead with respect to structural changes in the publication system given that they occupy the majority of decision‐making positions.