The Sponge Community of a Semi-Submerged Mediterranean Cave

Abstract. The sponge fauna of a semi-submerged cave from the Tremiti Archipelago (Adriatic Sea) was studied, and its distribution was analyzed in relation to abiotic (water-movement and light gradients) and biotic (algae and anthozoan substrate cover) ecological factors. Fifty-five species of sponges were recorded. The number of species and the abundance values of sponges increase in the first part of the cave, then progressively decrease, with a sharp fall at the end of the cave. The quick disappearance of algae along the light gradient allows sponges to thrive in the first portion of the cave. The subsequent, progressive decrement of sponges could be the result of food depletion phenomena due to a long persistence of the water body in this long cavity. A high water-turbulence, due to the peculiar morphology of the cave and indicated by the recorded values of water-movement, occurs at the end of the cavity and probably determines the sharp decrement of sponges in the inner portion of the cave. This turbulence may also explain the absence of typical still-water cave species and probably affects the type of development (shape, overgrowth) of the sponges in the community.     

Pattern of Nematode Species Diversity in Temperate and Tropical Subtidal Sediments

Abstract. Revision of published data on species diversity of marine nematode assemblages indicated significantly higher values in temperate coastal sediments than in tropical open sea and lagoonal sublittoral sediments of similar depth. The influence of sample size, mean grain size, latitude. degree of isolation and stability of the system arc discussed for 112 temperate samples and 85 tropical samples from 23 localities around the world.     

Regional Commercial Sponge Extinctions in the West Indies: Are Recent Climatic Changes Responsible?

Abstract. Long-term changes in the distributional patterns of commercial sponges ( Spongia spp. and Hippospongia spp.) within the West Indian Region indicates that: 1) commercial sponges had a widespread distribution throughout the whole West Indian Region and were ubiquitous in very shallow water until about the first half of the present century; 2) they were fished commercially not only in the traditional northern Caribbean sites (Florida, Gulf of Mexico, Bahamas) but also in the Greater ( e. g. , Hispaniola, Jamaica) and Lesser Antilles; and 3) they became extinct throughout most of the Lesser Antilles ( e. g. , Puerto Rico, Vieques, St. Thomas) sometime during the first half of this century. Mortalities of spongiids within the Antilles were found to differ from other marine mortalities in that: 1) species disappeared from a large region; 2) species vanished from different habitats and depths; and 3) natural populations never recovered. Species richness patterns suggest that commercial sponge genera ( Spongia and Hippospongia ) evolved under slightly cooler elimatic conditions than those found at present, and that these extinctions occurred as a direct or indirect effect of positive thermal anomalies in sea surface and atmospheric temperatures between 1900–1950. The concept that species diversity is stable on a regional scale is questioned.     

Biodiversity patterns of free-living marine nematodes in a tropical bay: Cienfuegos, Caribbean Sea

Spatial and temporal biodiversity patterns of free-living marine nematodes were studied in Cienfuegos Bay, a tropical semi-enclosed basin in the Caribbean Sea. Taxonomic (to species level) and functional (biological trait) approaches were applied for describing the assemblage structure and relating it to abiotic environment based on a sampling scheme in six subtidal stations and three months. Biological trait approach added relevant information to species pattern regarding relationships between diversity patterns and the abiotic environment. The most common morphotypes were deposit feeding nematodes, with colonising abilities of 2–3 (in a scale from 1 to 5), tail conical cylindrical or filiforme and body slender; and their abundance were correlated with depth, organic matter and silt/clay fraction. In spite of a high turnover of species, functional diversity of assemblages did not change notably in space and time. A result probably due to sampling of the habitat pool of species and to low heterogeneity of the studied muddy bottoms. Chemical pollution (organic enrichment and heavy metals) and hydrodynamic regime possibly drove the biodiversity patterns. Spatial distribution of assemblages support the existence of two well differentiated basins inside the bay, the northern basin more polluted than the southern one. The low hydrodynamic regime would determine a poor dispersion of nematodes resulting in high spatial variance in the assemblage structure; and also the associated hypoxic conditions and pollutants in sediments can explain the dominance of tolerant nematode species such as Daptonema oxycerca, Sabatieria pulchra, Terschellingia gourbaultae, and Terschellingia longicaudata. A comparison of spatial–temporal patterns of biodiversity between Cienfuegos Bay and other semi-enclosed bays in temperate regions suggests several similarities: nematode assemblages are strongly influenced by anthropogenic disturbance, temporal trends are weak or overridden by spatial ones, and few cosmopolitan genera/species tolerant to pollution and hypoxic conditions are dominant.     

黄海鱼类群落分类学多样性的研究

为开展不同取样区域,不同生境间和历史数据的比较研究,根据1985年和2000年秋季在黄海进行的渔业资源底拖网调查,应用分类学多样性指数从黄海、区域和局域3个空间尺度上分析了黄海鱼类群落分类学多样性的变化。在黄海尺度上,2000年等级多样性指数△^ 和分类差异变异指数∧^ 明显降低,而1985年的分类学多样性指数值则接近于黄海鱼类主名录的理论平均值。在区域尺度上,分类多样性指数△,分类差异指数△^ 在黄海中、北部较高,南黄海较低;等级多样性指数△^ 为南黄海最高,中黄海最低,其区域尺度变化主要是由鲈形目、鲽形目、鲱形目和鲉形目种类,特别是软骨鱼类的种类数的分布变化造成的。2000年3个区域的分类学多样性指数值分别低于1985年对应值。在局域尺度上,南黄海的南部、西部和中黄海的西部以及北黄海的鱼类群落等级多样性指数△^ 远小于黄海鱼类主名录的理论平均值,仅中昔海的东部和黄海的东部的等级多样性指数值接近理论平均值。     

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.     

夏季青岛近海浮游动物种类组成、群落结构及多样性

2006年7月在青岛近海海域(35°19′～36°35′N, 119°50′～121°33′E)进行浮游动物采样调查,研究了青岛近海浮游动物的种类组成、群落结构及多样性.调查共鉴定浮游动物48种,浮游幼虫18类.种类数的平面分布为灵山湾、琅琊台湾附近海区较多,其他海区较少.优势种类有中华哲水蚤(Calanus sinicus)、强壮箭虫(Sagitta crassa)、拟长脚虫戎(Parathemisto gaudichaudi)、长尾类幼虫(Macrura larvae)和短尾类幼虫(Brachyura larvae).调查海区近岸暖温类群、近岸暖水类群、近岸低盐类群、温带外海类群四种生态类群共存,但以近岸暖温类群为主.浮游动物丰度、生物量的水平分布趋势与表层温度、盐度的水平分布趋势相似,都从调查海区的外海区向近岸逐渐降低;Shannon-weiner多样性指数与Pielou均匀度指数水平分布趋势与表层温度、盐度相反,从青岛近岸向调查海区外海逐渐降低.与该区域1959年同月份的调查数据相比,浮游动物主要种类组成、丰度、生物量差别不大,主要种类中华哲水蚤丰度有较大的增加.     

Diversity and distribution of gelatinous zooplankton in the Southwestern Mediterranean Sea

Gelatinous zooplankton species composition, distribution and abundance were investigated in the bay and the lagoon of Bizerte (North Tunisian coast) from January 2004 to December 2005. In total, 48 species were identified in the study area: 24 medusae, 11 siphonophores, four appendicularians, six chaetognaths, two pteropods and one doliolid. The hydromedusa Eutima mira was recorded for the first time in the Western Mediterranean Sea. The diversity in the Bay of Bizerte was greater than the diversity in the Bizerte lagoon. There was a loss of species diversity. Siphonophores were the most sensitive group to anthropogenic discharge. Only two species of siphonophores were recorded in the lagoon. Four species of gelatinous zooplankton, Muggiaea kochi, Lensia conoidea, Oikopleura longicauda and Podocorynoides minima were the most frequent species in the lagoon and may benefit from eutrophication. Appendicularians were numerically the most dominant group in the bay and the lagoon of Bizerte. Mesozooplankton density declined significantly in autumn and winter of 2004 and 2005 in relation to the dense aggregations of the scyphomedusae Pelagia noctiluca. Statistical analysis divided the study area into three zones: lagoon zone, bay zone and channel zone.     

The Spring Phytoplankton Bloom in the Coastal Temperate Ocean: Growth Criteria and Seeding from Shallow Embayments

A method based on time-series of conductivity, temperature and depth (CTD) profiles which successfully determines favourable phytoplankton growth conditions for the spring bloom in nearshore temperate coastal waters was developed. The potential for shallow embayments to influence phytoplankton species composition in larger adjacent waters was also investigated. At temperate latitudes, such embayments should have favourable phytoplankton growth conditions earlier in the spring than open waters as bathymetry limits vertical mixing and thus increases light availability. The study area was Nanoose Bay, which is connected to the Strait of Georgia, British Columbia. Data were collected 2–3 times per week during the winter-spring of 1992 and 1993. A mooring with 5 current meters was placed at the mouth of the bay in 1992. The conservation equation for a scalar was used to estimate the balance between advective transport and biological source and sink terms. Variability in physical conditions and biological response between years was tremendous. Results indicate that seeding from the bay was not possible in 1992 but could have been in 1993. However, to conclusively determine the importance of Nanoose Bay on the spring bloom species composition in the Strait of Georgia, more extensive work is required. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Ex situ cultivation of Aplysinaaerophoba close to in situ conditions: ecological, biochemical and histological aspects

Sponges provide the largest number of biologically active natural products known from the marine environment and continue to be a very well studied phylum of marine fauna. The Mediterranean sponge Aplysina aerophoba accumulates brominated isoxazoline alkaloids such as Aplysinamisin-1, Aerophobin-2, Isofistularin-3 and the biotransformation product Aeroplysinin-1, which possesses, for example, antibiotic and cytotoxic properties. Until now, it is still being discussed which organisms – the sponge itself or associated microorganisms – are responsible for metabolite production. For cultivating Aplysina individuals under ex situ conditions, we surveyed relevant ecological factors in situ and controlled them in our aquarium system. We maintained A. aerophoba for more than 9 months and analysed changes of metabolite content and composition, microbial association as well as morphology in situ and ex situ under different light exposure. Although sponges showed slight reduction during maintenance, ex situ cultivation similar to in situ conditions provides a promising method to keep sponges and obtain their bioactive metabolites.     

南极罗斯海区域可培养微生物分离鉴定及产低温酶能力初步筛选

为了利用南极微生物资源、探索南极罗斯海区域可培养微生物多样性,利用传统平板培养法对中国第33次南极科学考察采自南极罗斯海6个站位的海洋沉积物样品进行了细菌、真菌的分离培养。经细菌16S rRNA、真菌ITS基因序列检测及系统发育分析,共获得5个属的36株细菌和6个属的29株真菌。其中嗜冷杆菌属为优势细菌类群,枝孢属为优势真菌类群。该结果表明南极罗斯海区域具有丰富的微生物多样性。细菌API 20 NE生理生化及真菌产胞外酶活性实验显示,分离得到的细菌和真菌绝大多数都有低温酶活性。研究结果为南极罗斯海区域可培养微生物的多样性认识和低温酶产生菌资源获取与开发利用提供了支撑。     

Micro-Meiofaunal Community Structure and Nematode Diversity in a Lagoonal Ecosystem (Fangataufa, Eastern Tuamotu Archipelago)

Abstract. Mciofaunal assemblages in a semi-closed Polynesian atoll have been assessed. High densities, numerous micro- and meiobenthic groups, and 62 diversified (H'= 2.64) nematode species occur. As a whole, the lagoonal habitat may be considered as homogeneous, its variability being controlled by oceanic inflows.     

东、黄海2000年冬季底层鱼类群落结构及其多样性

根据2000年12月～2001年1月东、黄海冬季底层鱼类资源调查资料,分析了该海域的鱼类群落结构。本次调查共捕获鱼类4716.72kg,395796尾,138种。其中,暖水种(WW)居第1位,有81种,占60.00%;暖温种(WT)次之,有53种,占39.26%;冷温种(CT)最少,只有1种,占0.74%。全调查海域的优势种(相对重要性指数QIRI大于500)有5种:带鱼、黄鲫、发光鲷、小黄鱼和鳀;与历史资料相比,优势种个体变小、有被小型鱼类更替的趋势。以质量计算的多样性指数(种类丰富度指数D,Shannon-Wiener多样度指数H′W,种类均匀度指数J′W)呈现由北至南逐渐递增的趋势,而以尾数计算的多样性指数(H′N,J′N)呈现东海北部最高,东海中部次之,黄海南部最低的趋势。生物多样性指数中除种类丰富度指数(D)与水深、海水表温、表层盐度都呈显著性正相关外,而其它生物多样性指数与前述3种环境因子之间的相关性都不显著。单因素方差分析表明,东海北部和中部渔获组成和生物多样性指数都无显著性差别。     

大亚湾拟菱形藻水华及其在生物群落中的生态地位

对2000年4~5月藻类水华高发期大亚湾澳头海域的拟菱形藻进行逐日调查,并对其与浮游植物、浮游动物的相关关系进行分析.调查初期,整个生物群落的种类组成数量都相对贫乏;拟菱形藻数量急剧增长,最高的测站密度可达2.93×106个/dm3.拟菱形藻水华的组成种类有拟极细拟菱形藻和尖刺拟菱形藻两种,以尖刺拟菱形藻稍占优势.水华形成中其他种类硅藻和甲藻在种类组成和数量上也有一定程度的增加.分析表明,拟菱形藻在浮游植物群落的种间竞争中具有优势,并成为春季硅藻水华的最重要的组成者.桡足类等浮游动物对拟菱形藻的下行控制并不能明显抑制拟菱形藻的增长及水华的产生,这与其偏爱以其他种类藻类为食有关.以上因素外加拟菱形藻对环境的广泛适应性促使其在该水域成为最常见的赤潮生物之一.     

Seasonal Variation in the Phytoplanktonic Community,Seston and Environmental Variables During a 2-Year Period and Oyster Growth at Two Mariculture Sites,Southern Chile

Phytoplankton and its relationships with physical and chemical variables were analysed over a 2-year period in Hueihue and Linao Bays (southern Chile). Samples were collected on a monthly basis from May 1991 to May 1993. The growth rate of a single stock of hatchery-produced oysters (Ostrea chilensis) distributed between these two bays was also monitored monthly. The growth rate of oysters maintained at Linao Bay (site associated with a fish farm) was significantly higher, at every depth, compared with the oysters maintained at Hueihue Bay. Temperature and salinity values and their annual fluctuations were similar at both locations, presenting higher variations at the surface (1 m) due to the influence of air temperature and local precipitation than at depth. However, significant differences in phytoplankton abundance and composition were found between the two locations. The phytoplankton community was characterized by high biomass values during spring and summer, the dominance of diatoms and an inverse relationship between temperature and species diversity. However, phytoplankton cell abundance, biovolume and chlorophyll a concentration were significantly higher at Linao at every depth sampled. Cell abundance ranged between 4.49 × 10⁴ and 7.45 × 10⁶ cells · l^?1 in Hueihue and between 6.48 × 10⁴ and 8.71 × 10⁶ cells ·1^?1 in Linao. The influence of temperature on chlorophyll a concentration was significant except at 8 m at both locations. The instantaneous oyster growth rate was found to be positively correlated with temperature, chlorophyll a concentration and particulate organic matter at both locations. A significant negative relationship between oyster growth and amount of particulate inorganic matter was found; this confirms the important role played by seston composition in oyster growth. The demonstration of variation in oyster growth rate associated with differences in food availability between the two locations provides insight into the ecological role played by fish farms in southern Chile. The results suggest a strong link between food availability and oyster growth.     

Seasonal and Between-Substrate Variation in Mobile Epifaunal Community in a Multispecific Seagrass Bed of Otsuchi Bay, Japan

Abstract. A seagrass bed in Otsuchi Bay, northeastern Japan, consists of three seagrass species ( Zostera marina, Z. caulescens and Z. caespitosa ) that differ in morphology and phenology. We studied the mobile epifaunal community in the seagrass bed to examine (1) whether seasonal and between-substrate variation in the epifaunal community agrees with variation in seagrass abundance and morphological complexity, and (2) whether patterns of seasonal and between-substrate variation vary among epifaunal species. We collected mobile epifauna from each of Z. marina and Z. caulescens on 11 occasions between October 1995 and November 1996 (at 1 – 1.5 month intervals) using a hand-closing net. A total of 9 842 individuals of mobile epiphytic animals were collected and they were classified into 80 taxa. Abundance and species richness of the epifaunal community were high in summer to autumn and low in winter to spring, and diversity index and evenness were higher in Z. marina than Z. caulescens . However, patterns of seasonal and between-substrate variation in these parameters did not parallel those in seagrass abundance and complexity. Most of the dominant epifaunal species showed significant seasonal and between-substrate variation in abundance, although their patterns varied greatly among individual species. A cluster analysis recognized several distinct groups of animals showing similar seasonal and between-substrate variation. Our findings suggest that the observed variation in the epifaunal community is not determined by a single or some strong external factors but by complex interactions of multiple factors operating differently for each component species.     

The Role of a Macroalgal Covering Event on the Microphytobenthos Community in Intertidal Sediment (Marano Lagoon, Northern Adriatic Sea)

Abstract. This study examines the variation in microphytobenthos structure and functioning in an intertidal lagoon during a macroalgal covering event. Multivariate techniques, applied on the recorded data, highlighted a clear seasonal pattern except for the July sample. The sudden macroalgae ( Cladophora sp.) development, which occurred in that month, enabled us to identify the massive covering as a disturbance factor on the benthic ecosystem. This biotic anomaly affected benthic microalgal production and community respiration, shifting the ecosystem from a highly photoautotrophic to an heterotrophic condition as shown by the BTS Index. This trophic index is therefore a useful tool for identifying episodic stress events mainly in intertidal habitats.