Leaf removal by sesarmid crabs in Bangrong mangrove forest, Phuket, Thailand; with emphasis on the feeding ecology of Neoepisesarma versicolor

Field measurements on leaf removal by populations of sesarmid crabs at different locations in the Bangrong mangrove forest, Phuket, Thailand, indicated that crabs on average can remove 87% of the daily leaf litter fall by ingestion or burial. The removal rate is correlated positively with the number of crab burrows and negatively with tidal inundation time. The results from the field were supplemented with observations on the behavior of Neoepisesarma versicolor in laboratory microcosms and a mangrove mesocosm. N. versicolor feeds primarily at night and total time spent feeding was up to an order of magnitude higher in the artificial microcosms than under simulated in situ conditions in the mesocosm. Most of the time during both day and night was spent resting near the entrance or inside burrows. N. versicolor mainly feeds on mangrove leaves and scraps of food material from the sediment surface. This is supported by examinations of stomach content, which showed that 62% is composed of higher plant material and 38% of detritus and mineral particles from the sediment. The nutritive value of leaves and detritus is insufficient to maintain crab growth. Sesarmid crabs may instead obtain the needed nutrients by occasional consumption of nitrogen-rich animal tissues, such as carcasses of fish and crustaceans, as indicated by the presence of animal remains in the stomach and the willingness of crabs to consume fish meat. Laboratory experiments on leaf consumption and leaf preferences of N. versicolor indicate that they preferentially feed on brown leaves, if available, followed by green and yellow leaves. If all species of sesarmid crabs in the Bangrong mangrove forest consume leaves at the same rate as N. versicolor, they could potentially ingest 52% of the total litter fall.     

红树植物外来种无瓣海桑对乡土种秋茄形态特征与生物量的影响

本文研究红树植物外来种无瓣海桑对乡土种秋茄形态可塑性、生物量积累、生物量分配的影响。实验样地设在福建省漳州市漳浦县"东山湾滨海湿地互花米草防控与生态修复示范基地",共设置4种样地类型,秋茄种植间距为0.25 m×0.25 m(Ⅰ)的秋茄人工纯林、种植间距分别为0.5 m×0.5 m(Ⅱ)、1 m×1 m(Ⅲ)、2 m×2 m(Ⅳ)外来种无瓣海桑与秋茄(种植间距为25 cm×25 cm)人工混交林。结果表明:种植无瓣海桑,导致3种混交林样地秋茄的形态指标(H、D)、生物量(AGB、BGB、TB、R/S)在不同季节均表现出显著或极显著低于秋茄纯林对照样地;随着无瓣海桑种植间距的减小,秋茄形态指标、生物量也会发生显著的减小趋势;秋茄的形态特征、R/S、BGB与AGB之间均表现出极显著的异速生长关系,混交林的异速生长关系指数和决定系数均显著小于秋茄纯林,随着无瓣海桑种植间距的不断减小;BGB与AGB之间的斜率发生显著减小的趋势。说明:种植无瓣海桑在一定程度上导致秋茄明显发生个体发育漂变,并在一定程度上显著抑制秋茄的形态可塑性、生物量的积累、增长速率和分配格局。随着无瓣海桑种植间距的减小,在一定程度上,使秋茄个体发育漂变程度更加明显,对秋茄形态可塑性、生物量的积累、增长速率和分配格局的抑制作用显著加强。研究结果表明种植外来种无瓣海桑对乡土种秋茄具有一定程度的入侵倾向。     

Litter dynamics and forest structure of the introduced Sonneratia caseolaris mangrove forest in Shenzhen, China

For the purpose of mangrove restoration in China, Sonneratia caseolaris has been introduced and planted in Guangdong Province outside and north of its native habitat, Hainan Province. We monitored the litter fall and forest structure of this S. caseolaris forest in Shenzhen City, Guangdong Province, China, from 1996 to 2005. The annual fluctuation in litter fall increased with increases in air temperature from spring to early summer, and reached a maximum in autumn when the fruits matured. The total litter fall was significantly affected by air temperature, day length, and evaporation, rainfall in the previous month and by typhoons. In 1998, the sixth year after cultivation, the total litter production of the mature S. caseolaris forest significantly increased. The mean annual total litter production during 1998–2005 was 15.1 t ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹, among which, leaves and reproductive materials contributed more than 80% of the total. During the ten years of study, the DBH (diameter at 1.30 m from ground level) and tree height of S. caseolaris increased from 5.2 cm to 18.3 cm, and from 4.5 m to 13.4 m, respectively. The litter fall production was strongly correlated with forest structure parameters, such as DBH, tree height, and crown area. The R value (the ratio of the maximum total litter fall to the minimum in the same community during the investigation periods) of S. caseolaris in the present study was 1.98, indicating a low annual variation of litter fall during these ten years.     

Rapid sediment accumulation and microbial mineralization in forests of the mangrove Kandelia candel in the Jiulongjiang Estuary, China

Rates of sediment accumulation and microbial mineralization were examined at three Kandelia candel forests spanning the intertidal zone along the south coastline of the heavily urbanized Jiulongljiang Estuary, Fujian Province, China. Mass sediment accumulation rates were rapid (range: 10–62 kg m⁻² y⁻¹) but decreased from the low- to the high-intertidal zone. High levels of radionuclides suggest that these sediments originate from erosion of agricultural soils within the catchment. Mineralization of sediment carbon and nitrogen was correspondingly rapid, with total rate of mineralization ranging from 135 to 191 mol C m⁻² y⁻¹ and 9 to 11 mol N m⁻² y⁻¹; rates were faster in summer than in autumn/winter. Rates of mineralization efficiency (70–93% for C; 69–92% for N) increased, as burial efficiency (7–30% for C; 8–31% for N) decreased, from the low-to the high-intertidal mangroves. Sulphate reduction was the dominant metabolic pathway to a depth of 1 m, with rates (19–281 mmol S m⁻² d⁻¹) exceeding those measured in other intertidal deposits. There is some evidence that Fe and Mn reduction-oxidation cycles are coupled to the activities of live roots within the 0–40 cm depth horizon. Oxic respiration accounted for 5–12% of total carbon mineralization. Methane flux was slow and highly variable when detectable (range: 5–66 μmol CH₄ m⁻² d⁻¹). Nitrous oxide flux was also highly variable, but within the range (1.6–106.5 μmol N₂O m⁻² d⁻¹) measured in other intertidal sediments. Rates of denitrification were rapid, ranging from 1106 to 3780 μmol N₂ m⁻² d⁻¹, and equating to 11–20% of total sediment nitrogen inputs. Denitrification was supported by rapid NH₄ release within surface deposits (range: 3.6–6.1 mmol m⁻² d⁻¹). Our results support the notion that mangrove forests are net accumulation sites for sediment and associated elements within estuaries, especially Kandelia candel forests receiving significant inputs as a direct result of intense human activity along the south China coast.     

重金属Cu2+胁迫对红树植物秋茄幼苗生长及某些生理特性的影响

为揭示铜污染对红树植物的毒性效应和植物的抗性机制,作者研究了红树植物秋茄(Kandelia obovata)幼苗在不同质量浓度的Cu2+(0,0.5,5,50,100,200 mg/L)离子胁迫90 d后,幼苗生长、部分生理指标的变化以及Cu2+在幼苗体内的累积情况。测定的主要参数有:幼苗的主根长度、侧根数目、生物量、叶片的光合速率、色素含量、可溶性糖和蛋白含量及抗氧化酶系活性。研究结果表明:当Cu2+浓度范围在(0.5~200 mg/L)时,主根长度、侧根数目、生物量、叶片的光合速率、色素含量、可溶性糖和蛋白含量均呈降低趋势;根系POD活性持续升高,叶片和根系的SOD和CAT活性呈先升后降趋势;根系MDA含量在整个Cu2+胁迫浓度范围保持相对稳定,叶片MDA含量在高浓度Cu2+胁迫下增加;Cu2+主要累积在根部而向地上部分转运的较少。根据不同浓度的Cu2+离子对秋茄幼苗生长及生理特性影响,秋茄幼苗对Cu2+胁迫的耐受质量浓度范围为5~50 mg/L。     

海草凋落叶的溶解有机物的释放及其生物地球化学意义

Dissolved organic matter(DOM) represents a significant source of nutrients that supports the microbial-based food web in seagrass ecosystems. However, there is little information on how the various fractions of DOM from seagrass leaves contributed to the coastal biogeochemical cycles. To address this gap, we carried out a 30-day laboratory chamber experiment on tropical seagrasses Thalassia hemprichii and Enhalus acoroides. After 30 days of incubation, on average 22% carbon(C), 70% nitrogen(N) and 38% phosphorus(P) of these two species of seagrass leaf litter was released. The average leached dissolved organic carbon(DOC), dissolved organic nitrogen(DON) and dissolved organic phosphorus(DOP) of these two species of seagrass leaf litter accounted for 55%, 95% and 65% of the total C, N and P lost, respectively. In the absence of microbes, about 75% of the total amount of DOC, monosaccharides(MCHO), DON and DOP were quickly released via leaching from both seagrass species in the first 9 days. Subsequently, little DOM was released during the remainder of the experiment. The leaching rates of DOC, DON and DOP were approximately 110, 40 and 0.70 μmol/(g·d). Leaching rates of DOM were attributed to the nonstructural carbohydrates and other labile organic matter within the seagrass leaf. Thalassia hemprichii leached more DOC, DOP and MCHO than E. acoroides. In contrast, E. acoroides leached higher concentrations of DON than T. hemprichii, with the overall leachate also having a higher DON: DOP ratio. These results indicate that there is an overall higher amount of DOM leachate from T. hemprichii than that of E. acoroides that is available to the seagrass ecosystem. According to the logarithmic model for DOM release and the in situ leaf litter production(the Xincun Bay, South China Sea), the seagrass leaf litter of these two seagrass species could release approximately 4×10~3 mol/d DOC, 1.4×10~3 mol/d DON and 25 mol/d DOP into the seawater. In addition to providing readily available nutrients for the microbial food web, the remaining particulate organic matter(POM)from the litter would also enter microbial remineralization processes. What is not remineralized from either DOM or POM fractions has potential to contribute to the permanent carbon stocks.     

Diversity and abundance of mangrove fiddle crabs, genus Uca (Decapoda, Ocypodidae) at a mangrove in Kema, North Sulawesi, Indonesia

Mangrove ecosystems are sites with high biodiversity of benthic fauna, and fiddler crabs (genus Uca) are common benthic fauna in mangroves. The North Sulawesi in Indonesia has a good condition of mangrove while the information of the fiddler crabs is still limited. Manual samplings were conducted in wet, dry and transient seasons at a mangrove in Kema, North Sulawesi to investigate the species composition, density and distribution pattern of fiddler crabs. A total of 168 individuals, subjected to eight species of genus Uca crabs were collected at the mangrove, with U. triangularis having the highest abundance and U. annulipes having the lowest abundance. The densities of fiddle crabs were 27.56 ind./m², 32.89 ind./m² and 14.22 ind./m² at the seaward, middle and landward zones, respectively, and the density was higher in dry and wet seasons than in transient season.     

印度洋大眼金枪鱼和黄鳍金枪鱼渔场水温垂直结构的季节变化

为了解印度洋大眼金枪鱼(Thunnus obesus)和黄鳍金枪鱼(Thunnus albacares)主要作业渔场温跃层上界温度、深度和垂直温差时空变化特征,采用2007～2010年Argo温度剖面浮标资料,计算了印度洋大眼金枪鱼、黄鳍金枪鱼主要作业渔场次表层温度和温跃层特征参数.研究认为,温跃层上界深度、温度和10～200 m温差存在明显的季节性变化.5～9月在15°～25°S纬向区域存在一块季节性较深的温跃层上界深度区域;在20°S以南海域,12月至次年4月份温跃层上界深度非常浅;在15°S至赤道纬向区域,尤其是在西部,常年存在一块温跃层较浅的区域.总体而言,温跃层上界深度较深的地方温度相对较低,在2～5月期间,在阿拉伯海东南和孟加拉湾西南形成一块大面积的暖水区;7～9月期间,在15°～25°S,纬向区域因温跃层上界深度较深,从表层至温跃层上界深度温度变化相对较大,温跃层上界温度显著较低.在20°S以南,温跃层上界温度常年都很低.10°S经线方向将水下10 ～200 m垂直温度分成南北两部分,10°S以南部及以北部海区的垂直温差分别大于和小于10℃.分析结果初步揭示了金枪鱼主要作业渔场温跃层上界温度、深度和垂直温差分布特征,为金枪鱼实际生产作业提供理论参考.     

Hitching a ride on a hermit crabs home: Movement of gastropod shells inhabited by hermit crabs

There is little information on the movement and connectivity patterns for many species. The movement by shells occupied by the hermit crab Pagurus bernhardus and the organisms encrusting these shells was investigated on the south coast of Wales (UK). Hermit crabs shells moved considerable distances along the shore over 1 month periods, moving a minimum mean distance (±SE) of 148 (±8) and 174 (±9) m from release sites in the January and August respectively. Hermit crab-inhabited shells were also found to travel across habitats (sandy areas) that are unsuitable for both hermit crabs and epibionts. Through the examination of 150 of the most abundant shells used by P. bernhardus (Nucella lapillus), twelve epibiont species were found (10 animal and 2 algal species) and choice experiments demonstrated that hermit crabs preferred epibiont covered shells (84%), compared with bare shells (16%). The distance that shells were moved and the preference of hermit crabs for epibiont encrusted shells, coupled with the ability for epibionts to cross unsuitable habitats, may provide a dispersal advantage for epibiont species.     

Population structure, density and food sources of Terebralia palustris (Potamididae: Gastropoda) in a low intertidal Avicennia marina mangrove stand (Inhaca Island, Mozambique)

Population structure and distribution of Terebralia palustris were compared with the environmental parameters within microhabitats in a monospecific stand of Avicennia marina in southern Mozambique. Stable carbon and nitrogen isotope analyses of T. palustris and potential food sources (leaves, pneumatophore epiphytes, and surface sediments) were examined to establish the feeding preferences of T. palustris. Stable isotope signatures of individuals of different size classes and from different microhabitats were compared with local food sources. Samples of surface sediments 2.5–10 m apart showed some variation (−21.2‰ to −23.0‰) in δ¹³C, probably due to different contributions from seagrasses, microalgae and mangrove leaves, while δ¹⁵N values varied between 8.7‰ and 15.8‰, indicating that there is a very high variability within a small-scale microcosm. Stable isotope signatures differed significantly between the T. palustris size classes and between individuals of the same size class, collected in different microhabitats. Results also suggested that smaller individuals feed on sediment, selecting mainly benthic microalgae, while larger individuals feed on sediment, epiphytes and mangrove leaves. Correlations were found between environmental parameters and gastropod population structure and distribution vs. the feeding preferences of individuals of different size classes and in different microhabitats. While organic content and the abundance of leaves were parameters that correlated best with the total density of gastropods (>85%), the abundance of pneumatophores and leaves, as well as grain size, correlated better with the gastropod size distribution (>65%). Young individuals (height < 3 cm) occur predominantly in microhabitats characterized by a low density of leaf litter and pneumatophores, reduced organic matter and larger grain size, these being characteristic of lower intertidal open areas that favour benthic microalgal growth. With increasing shell height, T. palustris individuals start occupying microhabitats nearer the mangrove trees characterized by large densities of pneumatophores and litter, as well as sediments of smaller grain size, leading to higher organic matter availability in the sediment.     

Seasonal abundance, distribution and recruitment of mud crabs (Scylla spp.) in replanted mangroves

The abundance and distribution of mud crabs were studied in a replanted mangrove forest in Buswang, Aklan, Philippines. Two fishing gears, lift nets and bamboo traps, were used to monitor relative abundance of Scylla spp. populations from March 2002 to December 2003 inside the mangrove forest. A third gear, a stakenet set across a creek, was used to monitor crabs migrating out of the mangroves during the ebb tide. Scylla olivacea formed 99.3% and 70.3% of the catch in the mangrove and the stakenet, respectively. The percentage of Scylla tranquebarica increased from <1% in the mangrove catches to 29% in the stakenet. Scylla serrata was present at very low levels in both catches. The lack of modal progression in the size–frequency plots and the year-round catch rate of gravid females suggested that recruitment was constant throughout the year. Even though relative abundance decreased over the study period indicating that the stock is being over-exploited, mud crab production is more than equivalent to that of most natural mangroves.     

福建东山湾人工养殖池红树林浮岛养殖拟穴青蟹(Scylla paramamosain)的生长及肌肉营养成分分析

为探究海水养殖池塘红树林浮岛养殖拟穴青蟹(Scylla paramamosain)的生长及其与野生拟穴青蟹营养成分的差异,选择福建省漳浦县东山湾北部的海水养殖池塘内设置四个拟穴青蟹养殖实验组,分别为红树林(秋茄)浮岛养殖组、海马齿浮岛养殖组、空白浮岛养殖组(水面无种植植物)和外围环沟养殖组,并以试验点附近海区捕获的拟穴青蟹(野生组)作为对照,对各组拟穴青蟹的肌肉营养成分进行分析。结果显示,空白浮岛组拟穴青蟹增重率、特定生长率、出肉率及存活率均高于红树林浮岛组、海马齿浮岛组和外围环沟组;红树林浮岛养殖拟穴青蟹肌肉粗蛋白含量(71.66%)最高,粗脂肪含量(2.52%)相对较低,各组拟穴青蟹肌肉中氨基酸总量在60.54%～68.68%之间,其中红树林浮岛组拟穴青蟹肌肉中氨基酸总量、必需氨基酸总量上均显著高于野生组(P<0.05);从氨基酸评分(AAS)和化学评分(CS)结果可以得出拟穴青蟹的第一限制性氨基酸是蛋氨酸+胱氨酸,各组拟穴青蟹肌肉中必需氨基酸指数(EAAI)均高于0.75;肌肉中均富含不饱和脂肪酸,尤其是多不饱和脂肪酸;红树林浮岛组拟穴青蟹肌肉中多不饱和脂肪酸总量(ΣPUF...     

繁茂膜海绵清除大肠杆菌的过程

通过分析海绵清除大肠杆菌的过程,研究海绵净化细菌的机理。作者利用荧光显微镜和激光共聚焦显微镜观测等手段,监测和分析了绿色荧光大肠杆菌(Escherichia coli)在繁茂膜海绵(Hymeniacidon perlevis)体内、体外水环境中数量变化过程。在1 L含有3×107个/m L绿色荧光大肠杆菌的海水中放入鲜重(1.02±0.11)g的繁茂膜海绵24块,处理7 h,海水中的荧光大肠杆菌数量逐渐降低;而海绵体内荧光大肠杆菌数量在2 h时内逐渐增多,之后的2 h趋于稳定,4 h以后开始逐渐减少。水体中大肠杆菌不仅进入海绵体内,而且进入海绵细胞内。含有荧光大肠杆菌的海绵块转入无菌海水中后,海绵体内及细胞中大肠杆菌逐渐消失,而且大肠杆菌没有被释放到环境海水中。分析表明,繁茂膜海绵能够以摄食的方式净化水环境中的大肠杆菌。     

星斑川鲽、大菱鲆及其杂交后代的线粒体DNA 序列比较分析

为了揭示星斑川鲽(Platichthys stellatus)♀×大菱鲆(Scophthalmus maximus)♂杂交后代的种质遗传属性,作者采用线粒体(mt)DNA COI基因片段和控制区(D-loop)序列对星斑川鲽、大菱鲆及两种间的杂交后代(星斑川鲽♀×大菱鲆♂)遗传特性进行研究。研究结果显示,基于mtDNA COI和D-loop序列结果显示星斑川鲽和大菱鲆的种间遗传距离分别为22.9%和41.2%,相似的研究结果显示星斑川鲽♀×大菱鲆♂杂交后代与大菱鲆的遗传距离分别为22.9%和41.2%,遗传差异极其显著。而基于mtDNA D-loop序列结果显示星斑川鲽♀×大菱鲆♂杂交后代与星斑川鲽的遗传距离仅为0.4%,并且在mtDNA COI基因片段上两者序列完全一致,杂交后代在线粒体DNA上呈现明显的偏母遗传。     

Size-dependent distribution and feeding habits of Terebralia palustris in mangrove habitats of Gazi Bay, Kenya

The gastropod Terebralia palustris often dominates the surface of muddy to sandy substrates of intertidal mudflats and mangrove forests, where they clearly destabilize the sediment. In the present study, it was investigated whether and to what extent the behaviour of juvenile and adult snails differs among habitats (mudflat vs. mangrove stand) in a Sonneratia alba mangal at Gazi Bay, Kenya. For this purpose we: (1) examined their distribution along three land–sea transects; and (2) applied stable isotope analysis to determine the feeding patterns of different-sized snails from the mangrove and mudflat habitats. Additionally, we investigated if these gastropods exert an impact on microphytobenthic (diatom) biomass, and whether this is size-dependent. The latter objective was met by either enclosing or excluding different-sized snails from experimental cages on the intertidal mudflat and the subsequent assessment of a change in pigment concentration of the sediment surface. In agreement with several previous studies conducted in other mangroves and geographical locations, a spatial segregation was demonstrated between juveniles (more common on the mudflat) and adults (more common in the mangrove forest). On the intertidal mudflat juveniles avoided sediment patches characterized by highly saline water in intertidal pools and a high mud content, while adults tended to dwell on substrates covered by a high amount of leaf litter. Stable carbon isotope analysis of the foot tissue of snails sampled from the S. alba stand and the mudflat indicated a transition in food source when a shell length of 51 mm is reached. Considering the δ¹³C value of juveniles, it seems they might be selecting for microphytobenthos, which might explain their preference for the mudflat. The diet of size classes found in both habitats did not differ significantly, although juveniles inhabiting the mangrove forest were slightly more depleted in ¹³C compared to those residing on the mudflat. Assuming juveniles feed on benthic microalgae and considering the lower microalgal biomass inside the mangrove forest, this may be a consequence of a higher contribution of other, more ¹³C depleted organic carbon sources, like phytoplankton, to their diet. Experimental results indicate a negative, but insignificant, impact on benthic diatom biomass by juveniles (due to grazing) and adults (due to physical disturbance). This finding seems to be in agreement with the results of the stable carbon isotope analysis, strongly suggesting the selective feeding of juvenile T. palustris on benthic diatoms.     

日本蟳捕食栉孔扇贝机制的初步研究

在现场和室内条件下研究了日本蟳(Charybdis japonica)对栉孔扇贝(Chlamys farreri)的捕食机制。现场实验表明,成年日本蟳可以捕食壳高小于5.0 cm的栉孔扇贝,其捕食强度随着水温的升高而增大,而壳高大于5.9 cm的栉孔扇贝则可以免遭日本蟳的捕食;相对于栉孔扇贝,日本蟳更倾向于捕食贻贝;室内实验表明水温低于10℃时,日本蟳对大规格扇贝的捕食作用不明显。相同温度条件下,室内实验日本蟳的捕食强度要低于现场,但其温度系数(Q10)差别不大。在上述实验基础上,本文提出了提高底播栉孔扇贝成活率的方法,即选择大规格的扇贝在水温较低的秋、冬季进行底播,同时添加一部分贻贝作为牺牲诱饵以减少日本蟳对扇贝的捕食。     

影响东寨港红树林中光背团水虱分布的生态因子研究

作者于2012年6月对东寨港红树林保护区中光背团水虱(Sphraeroma retrolaevis)虫害区域的水质因子和光背团水虱的分布情况进行了调查研究。结果表明: 光背团水虱的水平分布与水温、盐度、pH值、COD值、OD值没有直接关系; 调查区内影响团水虱水平分布的主要水质因子是:总氮质量浓度为0.356～0.605 mg/L,总磷质量浓度为0.050～0.054 mg/L,浮游生物量为1.23～1.82 mg/L;网纹藤壶的生长与光背团水虱在垂直分布有直接关系,光背团水虱距离网纹藤壶越远,光背团水虱洞穴数量越少,其关系函数为y=6.15x²–9.17x+16.45,R²=0.9879。     

Movement patterns and trajectories of ovigerous blue crabs Callinectes sapidus during the spawning migration

Female blue crabs (Callinectes sapidus Rathbun) migrate from low salinity estuarine regions to high salinity regions near the ocean to release larvae. During this migration, ovigerous females use ebb-tide transport, a vertical migratory behavior in which they ascend into the water column during ebb tides, to move seaward to larval release areas. In order to determine the relationship of ebb-tide vertical migrations to local currents and the influence of these vertical migrations on the horizontal transport of blue crabs in the estuary, ovigerous females with mature embryos (1–3 days from hatching) were tracked near Beaufort Inlet, North Carolina (USA), in July and August 2001 and 2002. Crabs were tagged and tracked using ultrasonic telemetry, and currents near the crabs were measured simultaneously with a shipboard acoustic Doppler current profiler.During the two seasons, eight crabs were successfully tracked for periods ranging from 3.9–37.0 h and for distances ranging from 1.9–10.6 km. All crabs migrated seaward during the tracking periods. Crabs moved episodically during all tidal phases with periods of movement on the order of minutes to an hour. They moved with local currents in terms of both speed and direction during ebb tides, consistent with ebb-tide transport, and moved down-estuary (seaward) in opposition to local currents during flood tides. The percentage of time that crabs were active was higher during night ebb tides than during day ebb tides or flood tides and increased with increasing ebb-tide current speed. Mean migratory speeds were 0.11, 0.04, 0.08 and 0.02 m s⁻¹ during night ebb, night flood, day ebb and day flood tides, respectively, and net migratory speeds were on the order of 5 km day⁻¹. Due to the episodic nature of the crabs' movements, the total distances that crabs traveled during ebb tides ranged from 10–40% of the distances that passive particles could have traveled under the same conditions.     

闽江河口入侵植物互花米草对短叶茳芏的化感效应

外来植物入侵问题是当下生态安全和生物多样性的研究热点.研究其入侵机制对制定相应的防控措施具有重要意义.选用外来入侵种互花米草(Spartina alterniflora)的根、茎、叶3种构件,分别提取其水浸液为处理液(0.325 g/cm3),通过设置室内模拟实验,揭示其对闽江河口土著种短叶茳芏(Cyperus malaccensis)植株生长的影响.结果表明:互花米草的根、茎及叶浸提液对短叶茳芏的不同生长指标具有不同程度的化感作用.互花米草浸提液处理3个月后,根、茎及叶浸提液对短叶茳芏的分蘖数、叶面积均具有一定的抑制作用,但仅叶浸提液对分蘖数和叶面积的抑制作用分别达到显著水平和极显著水平,根及茎浸提液的抑制作用均不显著;茎浸提液对短叶茳芏的株高具有一定的促进作用,根及叶浸提液对短叶茳芏的株高具有一定的抑制作用,但三者的作用强度均未达到显著水平;根浸提液对短叶茳芏的根系活力具有轻微的促进作用,茎及叶浸提液对短叶茳芏的根系活力具有显著抑制作用;根、茎及叶浸提液对短叶茳芏的综合化感效应均表现为抑制作用,根与茎浸提液的综合化感效应相当,均小于叶浸提液的综合化感效应.     

Diet of Littoraria scabra, while vertically migrating on mangrove trees: Gut content, fatty acid, and stable isotope analyses

The snail, Littoraria scabra, is a dominant grazer on tropical mangrove trees, and may play an important role in the food web dynamics of these ecosystems. Its daily vertical migration to avoid tidal submersion results in exposure to varying food types and abundances. A comprehensive diet analysis – gut contents, fatty acid profiles, and stable isotopes (δ¹⁵N and δ¹³C) – was conducted on snails migrating along mangrove trees and snails maintained in non-tidal mesocosms at Nananu-i-ra, Fiji Islands. In addition, fatty acid profiles and stable isotope signatures were obtained from surface scrapings of mangrove roots, trunks, branches, and leaves. Results from this multi-technique study indicate that L. scabra is mainly a generalist herbivore, which easily shifts diets depending on food availability, and which also has the ability to ingest and assimilate zooplankton. Ingestion of greater quantities of diverse foods (i.e., microalgae, foliose/corticated macrophytes, filamentous algae, mangrove tissues, zooplankton) takes place in the bottom areas of mangrove trees (roots and trunks) during low tides, while top areas (branches and leaves) provide limited food resources for snails feeding during high tides. However, snails preferentially assimilate microalgae and bacteria, regardless of their feeding habitat (different areas within mangrove trees and non-tidal mesocosms). The daily vertical movements of this snail result in variable feeding times, ingestion of different food types and amounts, and different assimilations. These findings also suggest that organic matter derived from mangrove tissues may not be readily transferred to higher trophic levels through this grazing pathway.