Temporal and spatial variability in shallow- and deep-water populations of the invasive Caulerpa racemosa var. cylindracea in the Western Mediterranean

The invasive green alga Caulerpa racemosa var. cylindracea represents an important threat to the diversity of Mediterranean benthic coastal ecosystems by interfering with native species and modifying benthic assemblages. The present study deals, for the first time, with the temporal and spatial variability of the biomass and phenology of C. racemosa considering both deep- and shallow-water populations. Two sampling depths (30 and 10 m) were sampled at three different rocky bottom sites every 3 months in the Archipelago of Cabrera National Park (Western Mediterranean). All morphometric variables analysed showed a spatial variation and temporal patterns depending on depth. Between depths, C. racemosa biomass, stolon length, number of fronds and frond length were usually significantly higher at deep-water populations, suggesting that C. racemosa grows better in deep-waters. Deep- and shallow-water populations displayed a high temporal variation although no evidence of seasonal patterns was found, in contrast with what has been reported by other authors. The sources of this variability are still unknown but probably both physical factors and differential herbivory pressures display a key role.     

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.     

Barnacle distribution in Lough Hyne Marine Nature Reserve: a new baseline and an account of invasion by the introduced Australasian species Elminius modestus Darwin

The distribution and abundances of the following species of barnacles were established in autumn 2001 within the Lough Hyne Marine Nature Reserve: Cthamalus stellatus, Cthamalus montagui, Semibalanus balanoides, Elminius modestus, Balanus crenatus and Verruca stroemia. The results of the survey showed a clear distinction between the vertical distribution and the abundance of barnacle species inside Lough Hyne, and those sites sampled in the Rapids and outside the Lough. The Lough is now dominated by the introduced Australasian species E. modestus. This species was first recorded outside Lough Hyne in 1956. By 1988 it was found occasionally throughout the Lough, and appreciable numbers were recorded in 1990–1991. It has now replaced all other species in some parts of the North Basin. At sites subject to freshwater influence it is totally dominant, including in the highly sheltered Goleen site where intertidal barnacles have not previously been recorded. It is suggested that, once established in the North Basin, the sheltered nature of the Lough, combined with high summer temperatures and limited circulation, fostered retention of larvae and heavy spatfall of E. modestus.     

Satellite-derived measurements of spatial and temporal chlorophyll-a variability in Funka Bay, southwestern Hokkaido, Japan

Chlorophyll-a (chl-a) concentration has an important economic effect in coastal and marine environments on fisheries resources and marine aquaculture development. Monthly climatologies the Sea-viewing Wide Field-of-view Sensor (SeaWiFS) derived chl-a from February 1998 to August 2004 around Funka Bay were used to investigate the spatial and temporal variability of chl-a concentrations. SeaWiFS-derived suspended sediment, MODIS derived sea surface temperature (SST), solar radiation and wind data were also analyzed. Results showed two distinct chlorophyll blooms in spring and autumn. Chl-a concentrations were relatively low (<0.3 mg m⁻³) in the bay during summer, with high concentrations occurring along the coast, particularly near Yakumo and Shiraoi. In spring, chl-a concentrations increased, and a large (>2 mg m⁻³) phytoplankton bloom occurred. The spatial and temporal patterns were further confirmed by empirical orthogonal function (EOF) analysis. About 83.94% of the variability could be explained by the first three modes. The first chl-a mode (77.93% of the total variance) explained the general seasonal cycle and quantified interannual variability in the bay. The spring condition was explained by the second mode (3.89% of the total variance), while the third mode (2.12% of the total variance) was associated with autumn condition. Local forcing such as the timing of intrusion of Oyashio water, wind condition and surface heating are the mechanisms that controlled the spatial and temporal variations of chlorophyll concentrations. Moreover, the variation of chlorophyll concentration along the coast seemed to be influenced by suspended sediment caused by resuspension or river discharge.     

Evaluating the relationship between spatial heterogeneity and temporal variability of larval fish assemblages in a coastal marine ecosystem (Haizhou Bay,China)

In coastal marine ecosystems, spatial patterns of larval fish assemblages (LFAs) tend to exhibit geographic stability because of relatively stable spawning site selection and predictable oceanographic phenomena such as eddies. To evaluate the relationship between spatial heterogeneity and temporal variability of LFAs, we conducted a high spatiotemporal resolution ichthyoplankton survey from April to July in 2013 in the shallow waters (<20 m) of Haizhou Bay, China. Our analysis indicated three distinct assemblages, which were stable geographically but exhibited a gradual and directional change of species composition and abundance over our study period. Sea surface temperature was the most important environmental co‐variate for determining temporal variability of LFAs, likely owing to temperature effects of species composition and spawning period selection of adult fish, along with known temperature‐dependent survival rates of larval fish. Study of LFA spatiotemporal dynamics is essential for improved understanding of adult fish spawning behavior, and has potential to inform design and implementation of conservation and management measures (e.g. marine protected areas) in coastal systems.     

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。     

Response of Acartia populations to environmental variability and effects of invasive congenerics in the estuary of Bilbao, Bay of Biscay

The effect of environmental factors (river discharge, water temperature and dissolved oxygen saturation) on the abundance and distribution of Acartia populations and the interactions between their congenerics was evaluated by means of transfer function (TF) models in the estuary of Bilbao during the period 1998–2005. The recorded species were Acartia clausi, Acartia tonsa, Acartia margalefi and Acartia discaudata. Acartia clausi dominated in the entire euhaline region of this estuary until 2003 when it was displaced from the inner part by A. tonsa. This invasive species (A. tonsa) was found for the first time in 2001 and colonized successfully the inner (salinity 30) and intermediate (salinity 33) waters of this estuary since 2003. The TF models revealed an immediate and negative effect of A. tonsa on A. clausi in the intermediate salinity (33) waters, where these species showed the highest spatial overlap. The results indicate that environmental changes from 2003 influenced the abundance of Acartia species, being unfavourable for A. clausi. The decrease of A. clausi abundance in low salinity waters was related to a significant decrease of dissolved oxygen saturation levels, whereas the increase of temperature was linked to a significant increase of A. tonsa. Acartia margalefi and A. discaudata were scarce over the entire period, but they were found to be valuable indicators of hydrological changes, which were associated to climate factors. These two latter species increased in abundance and expanded their seasonal distribution, and in the case of A. margalefi also its spatial distribution, in 2002, coinciding with the period in the time-series when autumn–winter rainfall and summer temperatures were lowest, and dissolved oxygen saturation levels were highest.     

Comparison between epiphyte assemblages of leaves and rhizomes of the seagrass Posidonia oceanica subjected to different levels of anthropogenic eutrophication

This paper aimed to compare epiphyte assemblages of leaves and rhizomes of Posidonia oceanica exposed to different levels of concentration of nutrients. The same design including a potentially impacted meadow and two reference meadows was used in each of two locations, characterized by the presence of a city or of suspended cages of a fish farm, respectively. This allowed to test for the consistency of responses of epiphytic assemblages to different sources of eutrophication. In both studies, results documented differences in patterns of composition and abundance of epiphytic assemblages on leaves between disturbed and reference meadows, while assemblages on rhizomes did not appear sensitive to this kind of disturbance. Moreover, in potentially impacted meadows, both assemblages showed different patterns of spatial variability compared to reference assemblages. Species composition and abundance of epiphyte assemblages seemed suitable for detecting moderate nutrient increases, even if adequate sampling designs are needed to separate patterns related to the large natural spatial variability of these systems from those related to changes in environmental conditions.     

滇池螺蛳(Margarya melanioides)分布和底泥营养元素调查

研究了滇池螺蛳(Margarya melanioides)分布和底泥营养成分之间的关系。2013年在滇池87个采样点采集螺蛳和底泥样本,图示分析所有采样点的活的螺蛳数量,确定活螺在滇池中的分布位点及分布密度;选择8个采样点的底泥样本,进行16项营养元素(有机质、磷、氮、锌、铁、锰、镁、钙、铜、钠、钾、砷、汞、铅、镉、铬)含量测定,分析这些样本营养元素的差异。根据这8个采样点中有无螺蛳生长,将8个底泥样本分为两组,采用完全随机设计两样本比较的t检验,结果两组样本间仅铜的含量有统计学差异(P0.05),这可能是由于滇池螺蛳的生长有效富集了重金属铜元素,使有螺区域比无螺区域底泥中铜的含量明显减少。这在一定程度上说明了螺蛳生长与底泥的关系,可为滇池污染防治及螺蛳种群保护提供相关的科学依据。     

Effect of native and invasive cordgrass on Macoma petalum density, growth, and isotopic signatures

Ecosystem engineers can influence community and ecosystem dynamics by controlling resources, modifying the flow of energy or biomass, or changing physical characteristics of the habitat. Invasive hybrid cordgrass (Spartina alterniflora × Spartina foliosa) is an ecosystem engineer in salt marshes in San Francisco Bay, California, U.S.A. that raises intertidal elevations and may be either increasing C₄ plant carbon input into food webs or tying up carbon in a form that is not usable by consumers. A manipulative experiment compared abundance, growth, and stable isotope (δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N) composition of the clam Macoma petalum (=M. balthica) among native marsh, hybrid Spartina, and mudflats in central San Francisco Bay. We found higher densities (individuals m⁻²) of M. petalum on mudflats compared to either native or hybrid Spartina (p < 0.001). Macoma petalum shell growth was significantly greater in mudflats than in either vegetation type in 2002 (p = 0.005) but not 2003. Differences in shell growth between native and hybrid Spartina were not significant. Stable isotope results showed differences between habitats in δ¹³C but not δ¹⁵N. Carbon signatures of M. petalum placed in Spartina were much more depleted than the isotopic signature of Spartina. Neither native nor hybrid Spartina appears to be a significant carbon source for M. petalum in San Francisco Bay, and we found no evidence that hybrid Spartina contributes carbon to M. petalum beyond what is provided by S. foliosa, despite the hybrid's much greater biomass. Our results show that loss of mudflat habitat, rather than increased input of C₄ carbon, is the greatest effect of the invasion of hybrid Spartina on M. petalum.     

Mesoscale and microscale spatial variability of bacteria and viruses during a Phaeocystis globosa bloom in the Eastern English Channel

Sampling was conducted within inshore and offshore sites, characterized by highly dissimilar hydrodynamic and hydrobiological conditions, in the Eastern English Channel. The eutrophic inshore site was dominated by the influence of a dense bloom of the Prymnesiophyceae phytoplankton species Phaeocystis globosa, while the offshore site was characterized by more oceanic conditions. Within each site the microscale distributions of chlorophyll a and several flow cytometrically-defined subpopulations of heterotrophic bacteria and viruses were measured at a spatial resolution of 5 cm. The inshore site was characterized by comparatively high levels of microscale spatial variability, with concentrations of chlorophyll a, heterotrophic bacteria, and viruses varying by 8, 11 and 3.5-fold respectively across distances of several centimeters. Within the offshore site, microscale distributions of chlorophyll a and bacteria were markedly less variable than within the inshore site, although viruses exhibited slightly higher levels of heterogeneity. Significant mesoscale variability was also observed when mean microbial parameters were compared between the inshore and offshore sites. However, when the extent of change (max/min and coefficient of variation) was compared between meso- and microscales, the variability observed at the microscale, particularly in the inshore site, was substantially greater. This pattern suggests that microscale processes associated with Phaeocystis globosa bloom dynamics can generate heterogeneity amongst microbial communities to a greater degree than large scale oceanographic discontinuities.     

刀鲚、凤鲚和湖鲚矢耳石的形态学比较研究

选取凤鲚(Coilia mystus)、湖鲚(Coilia nasus taihuensis)以及采自崇明、黄海和瓯江口3个水域的刀鲚(Coilia hasps)的矢耳石为对象,描述了这些鱼类耳石的形态特征,并进一步使用基于12组形态数据的框架测量进行了种间和种内比较和判别分析.结果表明耳石形态的差异种间较种内更为明显...     

Habitat characteristics and spatial arrangement affecting the diversity of fish and decapod assemblages of seagrass (Zostera marina) beds around the coast of Jersey (English Channel)

Recent research and management plans for seagrass habitats have called for landscape level approaches. The present study examines the spatial utilisation of subtidal seagrass beds by fish and decapods around the coast of Jersey (49°N 02° W). A hierarchical scale of landscape configuration and the plant characteristics of eight seagrass beds were measured and the contributions of these variables as predictors of the properties of the fish and decapod assemblages were evaluated using multiple linear regression models. The results indicated that total diversity had a negative relationship with transect heterogeneity and total species number had a weak negative association with increasing fragmentation. Both total diversity and total species number showed a positive relationship with depth. In fact, in all models of species number and densities, values were higher in deeper seagrass beds. Total decapod density increased with aggregation of seagrass patches within a landscape. In addition to landscape configuration, smaller-scale structural changes in both canopy height and epiphyte load appeared to influence densities of decapod crustaceans. At night, fewer patterns could be explained by the independent variables in the model.     

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.     

糖原含量与糖原磷酸化酶基因(GPH)和己糖激酶基因(HK)的表达在福建牡蛎生殖周期中的相关性分析

Glycogen, a polymer of glucose, is an important means of storing energy. It is degraded by glycogen phosphorylase (GPH) and hexokinase (HK), glycogen phosphorylase, and hexokinase cDNAs (Ca-GPH andCa-H...     

钦州湾桐花树群落沉积物及植物体中重金属元素累积与分异研究

Mangrove wetlands can reduce heavy metal pollution by trapping heavy metals. In this study, the concentration,transport and bioaccumulation of Cr, Cd, Cu, Zn and Pb in the sediments and different parts of Aegiceras corniculatum at four different sites in the Qinzhou Bay in southwestern China were investigated. The results showed that although the potential ecological risk of all five heavy metals was slight, the concentration of Cr was at a moderate pollution level due to the emissions of industries and aquaculture waste water. Core sediment records indicated that the concentrations of heavy metals at the depth of 0–20 cm were relatively high, showing an increasing trend of heavy metals over the past 20–30 years. Cr, Cu, Pb and Cd accumulated mainly in the roots of A. corniculatum, while Zn accumulated mainly in the stems. Aegiceras corniculatum showed the strongest transport capacity for Zn and Cu and the strongest bioaccumulation ability for Cd. Compared with other mangrove communities, A. corniculatum can be chosen as a restoration species in tropical and subtropical coastal zones polluted by Zn, Cu and Cd.     

2009-2018年南黄海苏北浅滩海域漂浮浒苔和马尾藻现场调查研究

利用2009-2018年在南黄海苏北浅滩海域的现场调查数据,分析和研究了该海域漂浮绿藻和马尾藻的长期变化和季节性波动特征。研究显示,漂浮绿藻于每年4月中旬至下旬在浅滩中部筏架周围开始出现。5月－6月,漂浮绿藻生物量迅速增加,并漂移扩散至深水区。漂浮绿藻密度年际变化较大,但这十年间总体呈上升趋势。相比较而言,漂浮马尾藻仅在2013、2017和2018年在浅滩聚集形成春季藻华;且这三年,漂浮马尾藻密度超过同期漂浮绿藻。浅滩漂浮马尾藻的发生与发展过程与漂浮浒苔明显不同。3月,漂浮马尾藻开始出现于浅滩离岸海域,4-5月,漂浮马尾藻大量侵入浅滩,因此浅滩漂浮马尾藻现并非起源于本地。受高强度人类活动以及浅滩以外海域物理化学和生物过程的影响,浅滩环境因素与漂浮绿藻生物量的关系不甚明确。对于漂浮马尾藻的起源以及与漂浮绿藻的相互关系也需要进一步研究。     

Appearance of Chelophyes appendiculata and Abylopsis tetragona (Cnidaria, Siphonophora) in the Bay of Villefranche, northwestern Mediterranean

The vertical and temporal distribution of two calycophoran siphonophores, Chelophyes appendiculata (Eschscholtz, 1829) and Abylopsis tetragona (Otto, 1823) in the Bay of Villefranche (northwestern Mediterranean) was investigated by an analysis of three different planktonic time series. A daily series (1993–1995) showed seasonal peaks of the nectophores of C. appendiculata during spring and particularly in late summer, while the abundance of A. tetragona remained similar throughout the year. A weekly series (1994–1995) showed that C. appendiculata (nectophores and eudoxids) became concentrated above the thermal discontinuity, in the most stratified and warm waters, whereas A. tetragona was collected in large numbers below this discontinuity. A 27-year survey (1966–1993) showed long-term fluctuations of these siphonophore populations, which became abundant in the Bay starting from 1980 and especially after 1984, when the water column grew warm and hypersaline, corresponding to a less rainy period. Temporal (seasonal and long-term) and bathymetric (between 10 and 60 m depth) successions of these two siphonophores were noted in this shallow coastal bay.