Living a century in warm thermal conditions: introduced populations of Pumpkinseed (Lepomis gibbosus) inhabiting the Iberian Peninsula (Spain) show reduced adaptation to North American winter conditions

In this study, we demonstrate that non-native Pumpkinseed (Lepomis gibbosus) introduced into Spanish water-bodies almost 100 years ago have a reduced capacity to tolerate winter conditions typically experienced by northern native populations. Overwinter survival and changes in lean weight and lipid content of Pumpkinseed from artificial colonies established from two Canadian and two Iberian source populations were compared under winter conditions typically experienced in the northern native range. Adult survival in outdoor ponds was higher in Canadian populations (68 and 78 %) than Iberian populations (31 and 49 %). Under simulated winter conditions in the laboratory, juvenile Iberian Pumpkinseed experienced higher mortality earlier in the winter period than Canadian populations. Lipid content of Iberian juveniles decreased on average by 49 % during the first half of the winter, while that of Canadian populations decreased by only 12–20 %. These results indicate that Iberian Pumpkinseed have lower tolerance of winter conditions relative to native Canadian populations, and suggest that relatively short exposure to warm climates can result in adaptive change in the physiology and bioenergetics of wild fish populations.     

Gene flow within and between regions: The population genetic structure of the phantom midge Chaoborus crystallinus (Diptera: Chaoboridae)

To determine the gene flow of Chaoborus crystallinus, populations throughout Europe were sampled. To test if the gene flow is higher within regions than between regions and to investigate if regional populations may act as metapopulations, four regions with several populations each were examined. For a detailed analysis of the regional gene flow, subregions within one region were analysed. Allozymes and mitochondrial restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) were used to estimate the relative amounts of gene flow. On the European scale gene flow between populations within regions is higher than between regions. On the regional scale, gene flow between subregions is higher than between populations within subregions. Generally, the genetic differentiation between populations within regions is higher for the mitochondrial RFLP data than for the allozyme data. These results suggest that most of the dispersal is female dominated and mostly takes place between populations within regions. Due to this extensive regional gene flow, local adaptation may be influenced by regional processes. This might have interesting implications for the coevolution of the predator C. crystallinus and its plankton prey.     

Isolation by distance, gene flow and phylogeography in the Proasellus coxalis-group (Crustacea, Isopoda) in Central Italy: allozyme data

Fifteen populations belonging to the Proasellus coxalis-group were surveyed for genetic variation at 19 enzymatic loci in order to clarify the degree of genetic structuring of this species at the scale of Central Italy. With Neighbour-Joining analysis, it was possible to identify two main clusters, the first grouping populations sampled in coastal areas of Central Italy, the second comprising several populations from inland areas of the Apennines. In the first group, genetic relationships follow a geographic scheme, with populations arranged according to the proximity of the collecting sites. The inland populations have less clear geographic relationships and a higher degree of genetic differentiation. In view of the paleogeography of the study areas, I hypothesise a more recent penetration of this taxon into the Central Italian alluvial coastal plains (subjected to cyclical marine ingressions during the Quaternary) from sources of colonisation in the inland areas. The higher genetic differentiation of the inland populations presumably reflects a longer evolutionary history and could be explained by the periodic fragmentation of river catchments during Pleistocene climatic fluctuations. Such an evolutionary scenario is supported by F-statistics analyses. Effective dispersal of individuals between populations can be hypothesised for the coastal populations but not for the inland ones. On the whole, there is a pattern of isolation by distance, but a large amount of gene flow seems to reflect historical rather than ongoing gene exchange.     

山东省三个鲤鱼群体遗传多样性及亲缘关系的微卫星标记分析

利用微卫星标记技术对3个鲤鱼群体(DP、WS和SY)的遗传多样性及亲缘关系进行研究．结果表明．3个群体的遗传多样性总体水平较高,其中SY群体最高,WS群体次之,DP群体最低．根据基因型频率(P)检验了各位点的Hardy- Weinberg平衡情况．Fis值表明3个群体中共有32个微卫星位点的杂合度观测值过剩．3个群体间,WS和SY群体间的遗传相似系数最大(0．8320),遗传距离最小(0．1680),表明这两个群体亲缘关系较近;WS和DP群体间的遗传相似系数最小(0．8288),遗传距离最大(0．1712),表明这两个群体亲缘关系较远．     

Molecular evidence for species separation in the water mite Hygrobates nigromaculatus Lebert, 1879 (Acari, Hydrachnidia): evolutionary consequences of the loss of larval parasitism

In the present study, we used mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) and nuclear D2 region of 28S rDNA sequence data to examine the taxonomic status of the water mite species Hygrobates nigromaculatus from two types of freshwater habitats: lentic (lakes) and lotic (streams). Previous hypotheses about (sub)species status of populations inhabiting lakes and streams based on differences in morphometric data and life-cycle strategy (parasitic vs. non-parasitic larvae) were strongly supported by molecular data. Levels of COI and D2 28S rDNA differentiation between lake and stream populations were much higher (ca. 18 and 7.5%, respectively) than those typically observed for populations of a single species. Both lake and stream populations showed similar high levels of gene diversity (Hd = 0.894 and 0.836, respectively). However, nucleotide within-population polymorphism was more than twice as high in lake populations as that in stream populations (π = 1.33 and 0.60%, respectively). We hypothesize that the ancestral lake-dwelling population originated from a stream form with parasitic larvae (here: H. setosus nov. stat.). For the observed populations, H. nigromaculatus individuals could be separated from H. setosus by distinct morphometric characters. The loss of phoretic parasitic larvae greatly decreased dispersal ability of lake-dwelling mites and consequently also the gene flow between lake populations. Thus, relatively more differentiated genetic structure in lake populations probably results from a stronger isolation between particular lake habitats, but this hypothesis needs further extensive studies.     

Failure of swim bladder inflation of perch,Perca fluviatilis L. found in natural populations

Perch suffering from swim bladder inflation failure (sinkers) are reported from wild populations of Lakes Constance, Geneva, Lucerne, Sempach, and Zurich in central Europe. Sinkers were found at all 7 locations considered in a survey. Relative abundance of sinkers varied from 0.1% to 7.9% of local perch populations. Sinkers from wild populations and sinkers reared in the laboratory showed similar behaviour and malformations. Information on sinker syndrome in 26 physoclistous species is compiled. It is found to be a widespread problem in aquaculture, but is reported here for the first time from natural populations.     

Genetic differentiation ofNiphargus rhenorhodanensis (Amphipoda) from interstitial and karst environments

Electrophoretic variation in proteins encoded by seven presumptive gene loci was analyzed in four populations of the stygobiont amphipodNiphargus rhenorhodanensis. The four populations occur in different habitats, including one in drainage canals, another from sediments of the Ain River, a tributary of the Rhône River, and the remaining two occur in a karstic massif (Dorvan, Ain, France) in the epikarstic and at the base level of the massif, respectively. Six of the seven loci were polymorphic within or among populations, with as many as three electromorphs segregating at the most variable loci. Significant deficiencies in the frequency of heterozygotes were common. Genetic divergence between the two populations of the Dorvan Massif and between the two of the Ain River (forest and sediment habitats) was large. This was highly unexpected, particularly in the case of the two hydrologically connected populations of the Dorvan Massif. It is suggested that either low migration rates or the presence of ecological barriers to gene flow may result in strong genetic differention among local populations ofNiphargus.     

Genetic diversity and metal tolerance of two marine species: a comparison between populations from contaminated and reference sites

Long-term contamination of the marine environment surrounding a lead smelter offered a unique opportunity to examine how pollutants might have acted to alter genetic characteristics of populations of organisms in the receiving system. This study used random amplified polymorphic DNA analysis to compare the genetic diversity of populations of the prawn, Leander intermedius, and the isopod, Platynympha longicaudata from the smelter discharge site with reference populations. The genetic diversity of the prawn population from the smelter discharge site (Port Pirie) was lower than that found in one reference population, and not significantly different from the other two reference populations. Genetic diversity of the Port Pirie population of isopods was found to be significantly lower than that of all reference populations. Prawns and isopods were also exposed to metal mixtures in the laboratory in a similar ratio to that found in seston near the smelter effluent discharge site. Both pre-exposed and reference populations of prawns tolerated elevated levels of metals and exhibited no significant difference in response. This contrasted with the isopods, with the pre-exposed isopod population showing greater tolerance to elevated metal levels compared with the reference population. These results highlight the need to include a number of reference populations for comparative purposes in genetic diversity studies, and the need to assess the influence of pollution on the genetic diversity of more than one species if genetic diversity analyses are to be used to gauge remediation success.     

Geothermal exploration using surface mercury geochemistry

Shallow, soil-mercury surveys can be used effectively in exploration for geothermal resources. Soil-mercury data from six areas in Nevada, California and New Mexico are analyzed using contour maps, histogram and probability graphs. Plotting on probability graphs allows background and anomalous populations to be resolved even when considerable overlap between populations is present. As is shown in several examples, separate soil-mercury populations can be plausibly interpreted. Mercury data can significantly enhance the structural understanding of a prospect and can yield important information about the geothermal resource.     

鲚属两种群的形态变异及综合判别

测量了代表刀鲚种群和湖鲚种群形态特征的传统可量性状和框架参数,采用主成分分析法和逐步判别法,对它们进行形态综合分析.结果表明:两种群的形态差异主要是受额部有鳞部最前缘到背鳍起点的距离所影响的;所有25个形态参数数据判别分析,表明两种群形态差异极显著(P<0.01),判别准确率100％;利用挑选后的9项参数判别分析,表明两种群的形态差异极显著(P<0.01),判别准确率P1是95％-100%,P2是95.2％-100％,综合判别率为97.5％.对各形态参数进行单因子方差分析,计算各参数的差异系数,根据Mayr提出的75％规则,认为它们的形态差异仍然是种内不同地理种群的差异,还没有上升到亚种水平.     

Impact of deforestation on pearl mussel habitats in the Russian section of the Baltic Sea basin

Changes in the vegetation cover associated with intensive forest extermination may have a strong effect on the riverine environment, including the chances of survival for bivalve mollusc populations in small streams and rivers. In order to check this hypothesis, drainage area properties of the rivers with extinct and existing pearl mussel populations in the Russian section of the Baltic Sea basin were compared. Preservation of forest vegetation along the river banks of the studied rivers was correlated with the presence of pearl mussel populations. Traditional agriculture turned out to be, in some cases, more harmful for river ecosystems than urbanization and industrialization.     

Evidence of chromosomal damage in common eiders (Somateria mollissima) from the Baltic Sea

Common eiders nesting in the Baltic Sea are exposed to generally high levels of contaminants including potentially genotoxic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and organochlorines. Blood samples were collected from eiders at eight sites in the Baltic Sea and two sites in the Beaufort Sea. DNA content variation was estimated using the flow cytometric method, and subsequently utilized as a biomarker of genetic damage. We observed no significant differences in genetic damage among populations within either the Baltic or Beaufort Seas. However, eider populations from the Baltic Sea had significantly elevated estimates of genetic damage compared to populations from the Beaufort Sea.     

Incorporation of dietary carotenoids into the fins of yellow- and red-finned Eurasian perch Perca fluviatilis

The colour of the ventral, anal and caudal fins of Eurasian perch can range from pale yellow to intense red. Within spatially separated populations, however, individuals are usually very uniform in colour. We fed astaxanthin- and canthaxanthin-enriched dry feed to juvenile perch from a yellow-finned and a red-finned population to compare the influence of dietary carotenoids on fin colour between these two populations. In this way we wanted to test whether fin colour in perch is predominantly a phenotypically plastic trait or whether differently coloured individuals represent colour morphs. The ventral fins of perch from the red-finned population always exhibited significantly more intense redness when their feed was supplemented with either one or both carotenoid additives. Perch from both populations deposited more canthaxanthin in their ventral fins than astaxanthin, red-finned perch in particular. Yellow-finned perch probably converted canthaxanthin into β-carotene, which was the dominant carotenoid in their ventral fins, whereas the fins of red-finned perch contained only trace amounts of β-carotene. We conclude that these two populations represent colour morphs that differ fundamentally in their ability to metabolise and deposit dietary carotenoids into their ventral fins. Considering the multiple physiological functions of carotenoids, these fundamental differences in carotenoid metabolism between perch colour morphs may have far-reaching consequences for the performance of different populations, for example in their response to parasite infections.     

Power plants and plankton

The use of coastal oceanic waters in the cooling systems of power plants leads to the destruction of large numbers of planktonic larvae of nearshore fish and invertebrates. As a first-order approach toward assessing the maximum probable impact of such larval mortality upon the adult populations, one can assume that recruitment to local populations is due to larvae from distant sources, which have a recruitment success independent of adult density; and that adult mortality is density-independent. These worst-possible-case assumptions lead to the interpretation that impact on adult populations could be adequately evaluated by measuring—or predicting—the power-plant imposed reductions in larval density in those near-shore waters from which recruitment occurs.     

五个湖泊中华刺鳅(Mastacembelus sinensis)种群线粒体细胞色素b遗传多样性分析

采用特异性引物对中华刺鳅基因组DNA进行扩增和测序,获得了江苏省5个湖泊的中华刺鳅种群线粒体cyt b基因767 bp的序列.分析表明,cyt b基因中A+T含量略高于G+C含量,144个中华刺鳅共获得cyt b基因单倍型28个,变异位点38个,其中单倍型Hap1分布最为广泛,可能为祖先型单倍型.平均单倍型多样性和平均核苷酸多样性指数分别为0.58751和0.00214,遗传多样性较低.群体间遗传分化系数为0.0356,绝大多数的遗传变异都来自群体内部,而群体间的遗传分化极小.构建的系统进化树未出现明显的以单个湖泊群体的聚簇,5个湖泊的种群间基因交流极其强烈.研究结果表明,当前5个湖泊的中华刺鳅遗传多样性水平比较低,亟待加强保护.     

Observations on impaired vitality of Unio crassus (Bivalvia: Najadae) populations in conjunction with elevated nitrate concentration in running waters

A number of publications show relationships between impairment of vitality and reproduction as well as excessive shares of aged individuals within populations of Unio crassus with nitrate concentrations in the field. Our own examination of available data on nitrate concentrations in selected rivers of Brandenburg with known remainder populations of Unio crassus and of rivers without that species confirmed that above 2 mg L^–1 NO₃^–‐N Unio crassus populations are impaired. Current toxicity data on nitrate do not indicate any mechanism by which the observations can be explained. Probably high NO₃^–‐N concentrations and the impaired production and vitality of Unio crassus populations share the same causes. These need to be identified.     

Testing a statistical curve‐fitting procedure for quantifying sediment populations within multi‐modal particle‐size distributions

This paper describes a series of tests designed to evaluate the capacity of a personal computer (PC) based statistical curve‐fitting program called MIX to quantify composite populations within multi‐modal particle‐size distributions. Three natural soil samples were analysed by a Coulter Multisizer, and their particle‐size distributions analysed using MIX software to identify the modes, standard deviations and proportions of their composite populations. The particle‐size distributions of the three natural soil samples were then numerically combined in equal proportions using a spreadsheet program to create synthetic particle‐size distributions of known populations. MIX was then tested on the synthetic particle‐size distributions to see if the modes and proportions it identified were similar to those modes and proportions known to characterize the synthetic particle‐size distributions. The main outcome is that MIX can very accurately describe the modal particle size and proportions of the major composite populations within a particle‐size distribution. However MIX has difficulty in identifying small populations (those contributing <10 per cent of a total particle‐size distribution), particularly when they are located in the central sections of particle‐size distributions, overlain by larger populations, or when positioned in the fine tails of distributions. Despite these minor shortcomings, MIX is a valuable tool for the examination and interpretation of particle‐size data. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Mitochondrial DNA provides evidence of a double origin for the stone crayfish Austropotamobius torrentium in the Elbe basin

The stone crayfish Austropotamobius torrentium is the smallest native European crayfish, restricted to central and southeast Europe. Northeast boundary of its range is located within the Elbe basin but considerable uncertainties existed regarding its status in this area. Until recently, known stone crayfish populations in the Elbe basin were very scattered and human translocations have been implicated in such distribution pattern. Discoveries of additional populations in the Czech Republic and Saxony (east Germany) nevertheless suggest that the species may have been more widespread there. We provide data on genetic variation (based on 181 sequences of the mitochondrial COI gene) of 20 representative populations from the Elbe basin (both from the Czech Republic and Saxony). We tested whether the haplotype variation is consistent with a scenario of natural dispersal or whether long-range transport has been involved. All analysed individuals from the easternmost, geographically isolated Czech stone crayfish population carried a haplotype previously recorded only in Slovenia and its vicinity; it is therefore likely that such population has been introduced by humans. In contrast, all remaining studied populations were dominated by a haplotype widespread in adjacent regions of species’ distribution in Germany, and additional haplotypes differing by point mutations were occasionally detected. This is consistent with a scenario of a postglacial colonization from Bavaria (southeast Germany). Our study provides evidence for a double origin of stone crayfish populations in the upper Elbe basin, with both natural and anthropogenic factors likely affecting the present diversity and distribution of this species.     

Ion deficit restricts the distribution of brown trout (Salmo trutta) in very dilute mountain lakes

The current study is, according to our knowledge, the first study indicating that ion deficit is an important restrictor to the distribution of brown trout populations in very dilute mountain lakes. The brown trout populations in the study lakes may be able to survive solely due to traces of air borne sea salt spray.     

基于COI基因序列的太湖新银鱼遗传多样性

利用线粒体细胞色素C氧化酶I(COI)分子标记分析长江中下游太湖新银鱼(Neosalanx taihuensis)8个地理种群132个样本的遗传多样性.该基因630 bp片段的碱基序列共检出8个核苷酸变异位点(变异率1.27%),其中局域性单倍型居多(75%),群体单倍型多样性较高(h=0.576±0.036),而核苷酸多样性较低(π=0.00112±0.00204).不同地理种群遗传多样性差异显著:有人工移植历史种群遗传多样性较高、隔离度较高的种群遗传多样性较低,但大部分的遗传变异来自于种群内(54.83%),反映出地理隔离和人为干扰对太湖新银鱼遗传格局影响显著.研究表明COI基因适于银鱼科鱼类物种鉴别和系统发育研究,同时可为同种种群间遗传关系分析提供一定的信息.