Co‐occurrence patterns of trees along macro‐climatic gradients and their potential influence on the present and future distribution of Fagus sylvatica L.

Aim During recent and future climate change, shifts in large‐scale species ranges are expected due to the hypothesized major role of climatic factors in regulating species distributions. The stress‐gradient hypothesis suggests that biotic interactions may act as major constraints on species distributions under more favourable growing conditions, while climatic constraints may dominate under unfavourable conditions. We tested this hypothesis for one focal tree species having three major competitors using broad‐scale environmental data. We evaluated the variation of species co‐occurrence patterns in climate space and estimated the influence of these patterns on the distribution of the focal species for current and projected future climates. Location Europe. Methods We used ICP Forest Level 1 data as well as climatic, topographic and edaphic variables. First, correlations between the relative abundance of European beech (Fagus sylvatica) and three major competitor species (Picea abies, Pinus sylvestris and Quercus robur) were analysed in environmental space, and then projected to geographic space. Second, a sensitivity analysis was performed using generalized additive models (GAM) to evaluate where and how much the predicted F. sylvatica distribution varied under current and future climates if potential competitor species were included or excluded. We evaluated if these areas coincide with current species co‐occurrence patterns. Results Correlation analyses supported the stress‐gradient hypothesis: towards favourable growing conditions of F. sylvatica, its abundance was strongly linked to the abundance of its competitors, while this link weakened towards unfavourable growing conditions, with stronger correlations in the south and at low elevations than in the north and at high elevations. The sensitivity analysis showed a potential spatial segregation of species with changing climate and a pronounced shift of zones where co‐occurrence patterns may play a major role. Main conclusions Our results demonstrate the importance of species co‐occurrence patterns for calibrating improved species distribution models for use in projections of climate effects. The correlation approach is able to localize European areas where inclusion of biotic predictors is effective. The climate‐induced spatial segregation of the major tree species could have ecological and economic consequences.     

An Algorithm for Calculation of n-Dimensional Nonlinear Dependencies – Behaviour Tests on Rats

The evaluation of the data obtained during the behaviour tests always leads to the problem of multiple correlation, very often with non-linear dependencies on the target. All mathematical and statistical procedures that have been used so far are based on the assumption of an equation for the desired correlation for which parameters and related statistical equivalents are determined eventually. The MODAK system applied here (MODAK = algorithms of modelling for the calculation of multi-dimensional non-linear mathematical models) breaks down a complex correlation into individual dependencies in a mathematical and statistical way and selects suitable equations for each of them independently and determines the corresponding parameters. The numerical example evaluates data of behaviour tests on rats. First results obtained on the correlations of various behaviour tests indicate both the possibility of selecting suitable tests independent of each other and a better interpretation of the observed patterns of behaviour taking into account the interrelations between the tests. In addition, MODAK is a method which can be applied as a matter of course in a general way to all cases which call for the reduction and analysis of data occurring in process and system analysis and in the evaluation of test results requiring statistical modelling. So far, MODAK applications range from engineering sciences to medicine.     

Deme formation in scale insects: a test with the pinyon needle scale and a review of other evidence

ABSTRACT. 1. Deme formation is the transformation of a generalist population into one which is adapted to its local conditions. This adaptation has been inferred from many things but should be inferred from higher survival or fecundity of scale insects on their natal tree compared to that of immigrant scales on the same tree.
2. Transfers of the scale insect Matsucoccus acalyptus Herbert within and between infested host trees ( Pinus monophylla (Torr. & Frem.) resulted in significant differences in scale survivorship among recipient trees. Survival on individual trees was correlated across years, indicating stable differences in tree susceptibility to scale.
3. A significant natal tree colonized tree interaction was observed for late stage scale survival in one experiment but the interaction was not caused by superior survivorship of scales transferred back to the natal tree. Hence, we found no evidence of deme formation in M.acalyptus.
4. Previous studies have concluded that deme formation occurs in the black pineleaf scale based on a significant natal tree by colonized tree interaction in scale survival. We question this conclusion because the experimental design employed did not include transfers back onto the natal tree. Other indirect evidence for deme formation in scale insects is critically discussed.     

Auditory assessment of avian predator threat in semi-captive ringtailed lemurs (Lemur catta)

Antiraptor responses from forest-living ringtailed lemurs to advertisement calls of naturally-occurring red-tailed hawks suggested that the lemurs discriminated these calls from other environmental sounds. A series of playback experiments, using real animal sounds and synthetic sound probes, was conducted to investigate the acoustic basis of this putative discrimination. Two semi-captive groups of ringtails served as study subjects: one group had many years of experience living in the forest, whereas the other group had relatively little such experience. Responses to playbacks suggested that both groups used the same acoustic criteria to discriminate “calls of large hawks” from other sounds, but the range of auditory stimuli that evoked antiraptor responses was broader for the experienced group than for the inexperienced group. Although several interpretations of the experimental results are possible, one that seems particularly compatible with the data is the “prototype” concept of stimulus categorization.     

Evolutionary implications of swimming behaviour in meiobenthic copepods

Body morphology is said to be the all important factor in determining swimming prowess in copepods. Fusion and differentiation of the body (tagmosis) is coupled with advance into the pelagic realm of the Gymnoplea and is thought, by the provision of a rigid thoracic tagma, to promote swimming efficiency. Thus pelagic copepods are believed to be secondarily derived from bottom dwelling predecessors. Experimental evidence is presented to show that the majority of bottom dwelling harpacticoid families, including the most primitive and the most advanced, have representatives that undergo active sustained swimming movements. Such a widespread occurrence is indicative of a conservative evolutionary trait. This primitive behaviour is linked to precopulatory association which takes place necessarily in the water column; it is a feature retained by representatives of all copepod orders. The implication of cephalic appendage vibration (feeding currents) is the essential feature in the swimming success of the Gymnoplea; planktonic efficiency in these is suggested to have evolved coincident with, rather than because of increased tagmosis.     

Chromosome numbers and reproduction inRubus subgen.Malachobatus

A review of current knowledge of chromosome numbers and modes of reproduction in the genusRubus L. is presented. Chromosome numbers from some species of subg.Malachobatus Focke together with results of crossing experiments are reported for the first time.     

CLINES FOR HYBRID DYSFUNCTION IN A GRASSHOPPER HYBRID ZONE

Two subspecies of the grasshopper Chorthippus parallelus meet in the Pyrenees forming a hybrid zone several kilometers wide. Crosses between the two pure taxa result in sterile male offspring and normal females (i.e., Haldane's rule applies). However, no such dysfunction has been detected in hybrid males collected through the center of the hybrid zone. By assessing the level of dysfunction in the offspring of reciprocal crosses, it was possible to map clines for the genes responsible for dysfunction through the zone. This analysis shows that there is no abrupt transition between incompatible genomes in the field. Crosses were also made between females collected from a transect spanning the hybrid zone and pure males of both subspecies. This reveals noncoincident clines for dysfunction near the center of the hybrid zone such that the dysfunction expressed in the offspring of these crosses is less than expected from simple models. More complex models involving interaction among genes must be invoked. Also, the possibility exists that since the postglacial contact of these two grasshopper taxa, hybrid dysfunction has become ameliorated by the evolution of modifiers. This hybrid zone is thought to be a tension zone, maintained by a balance between selection against hybrid genotypes and dispersal into the zone center. The lessening of hybrid disadvantage over time through the breakdown of epistatic interactions by recombination or through modification could account for the general lack of dysfunction in field collected hybrids today.     

The effects of nutrient addition and pH manipulation in bag experiments on the phytoplankton of a small acidic lake in West Virginia,USA

In situ bag experiments were performed during summer and autumn in a small acidic lake, Tibbs Run Lake, West Virginia, USA. The objective was to evaluate phytoplankton responses to pH manipulation and nutrient addition. Increasing the pH from below 4.5 to over 6.3 resulted in great declines in phytoplankton biovolume. There was also a succession from dinoflagellates (Peridinium inconspicuum to small chlorophytes. The trend was more rapid where phosphorus (P) additions were made along with pH enhancement. During summer, P limitation was indicated, while nitrogen (N) appeared to limit production in autumn. In both seasons, nutrient additions greatly altered the phytoplankton composition in high pH treatments, but had no discernable effects at (the natural) low pH. A low pH, P addition treatment in autumn was the single exception. When N was subsequently added, phytoplankton composition changed dramatically, probably because the proceeding P additions caused severe secondary N-limitation. In general, however, the results supported the view that phytoplankton compositional responses to nutrient additions are suppressed in low pH, relative to high pH lake water.     

The regeneration niche of the grey mangrove (Avicennia marina): effects of salinity,light and sediment factors on establishment,growth and survival in the field

Field observations of seedlings and saplings of Avicennia marina showed patterns that correlated with salinity, light and sediment. Models that account for these observations were subsequently tested in a series of field experiments. Establishment varied within an estuary under controlled conditions but was not related to salinity or sediment type. Seedling survival was uniform over 3 years regardless of position in estuary and sediment type. Seedling densities and survival under canopies or in canopy gaps were not significantly different. However, seedling growth and density of saplings were greater in canopy gaps. Experiments involving manipulations of canopies showed no differences in seedling survival under canopies or in light gaps, but addition of slow-release fertilizer enhanced growth and survival in canopy gaps and under canopies. Long-term comparison of areas denuded of a canopy and with sediment disturbance showed enhanced establishment and survival when compared with areas with canopy gaps but with undisturbed sediments. Overall there appears to be no restriction to establishment of propagules within mangrove stands other than the supply of propagules and tidal or wave action. In contrast, recruitment to the sapling stage appears to be restricted by light and sediment resources. We suggest that propagules need to establish in a regeneration niche for seedling recruitment to the sapling stage. This differs from the view that seedlings in the under-storey are analogous to a seed pool in the soil.