Does cannibalism of larvae by adults affect settlement and connectivity of mussel populations?

Intertidal population dynamics are driven by a complex series of processes, including larval supply and the possibility of larval predation by benthic animals such as filter-feeders. We hypothesised that cannibalism by adults could play a major role in the population connectivity of mussel populations by removing larvae as they attempt to settle in the adult habitat. Specifically, we tested hypotheses that consumption of mussel larvae by adults removes a significant proportion of potential settlers and is influenced by both settlement intensity and tidal state (flooding or ebbing). Predation of mussel larvae by adult mussels was investigated on incoming and ebbing tides during four spring tides by analysing the gut contents of adult Perna perna and Mytilus galloprovincialis collected from the low intertidal mussel zone between October 2005 and January 2006. Consumption rates were then compared with estimates of successful settler densities on natural beds. The results showed that mortality of competent mussel larvae through adult ingestion removes up to 77% a of potential settlers. Rates of larval consumption were highest during months of intense settlement, suggesting that mussels feed opportunistically, filtering a relatively fixed volume of water and removing particles, including larvae, in proportion to their densities in the water. Rates of larviphagy were also higher during receding than incoming tides. We suggest that this is due to changes in larval density or, more probably, in adult filtration efficiency that are related to the state of the tide. Despite significant effects of both tidal state and settlement intensity on rates of larval ingestion, neither had a significant effect on the proportion of potential settlers removed. During settlement more than half of all potential settlers are lost through cannibalism, with potentially serious consequences for population maintenance. The results highlight the paradoxical nature of the evolution of settlement mechanisms in mussels, which must balance the advantages of settlement in habitats favourable to adults against the consumption of larvae by adults.     

不同材料塑料挂板对海月水母浮浪幼虫附着的影响

通过野外海区挂板的方法,探讨高密度聚乙烯(HDPE)、低密度聚乙烯(LDPE)、聚氯乙烯(PVC)、聚苯乙烯(PS)、聚对苯二甲酸乙二酯(PET)和聚氨酯(PUR)6种不同材料的塑料挂板对海月水母(Aurelia sp.1)附着的影响,分析不同塑料挂板表面粗糙度和海月水母附着的关系.研究结果表明:海月水母浮浪幼虫在夏末秋初可以附着在人工投放的塑料挂板附着基上,表明海岸带工程造成的人工附着基增多可能为海月水母的附着提供便利条件;海月水母螅状幼体在不同材料塑料挂板上的附着率有明显差异,PET、PUR和PVC塑料挂板海月水母螅状幼体附着率显著大于其他3种塑料挂板,其中PUR塑料挂板海月水母螅状幼体附着率最大,附着率为3.21±0.74 ind./cm2,HDPE塑料挂板海月水母螅状幼体附着率最低为0.26±0.08 ind./cm2;海月水母浮浪幼虫附着率与不同材料表面的粗糙度并不显著相关,表明塑料挂板材料的表面粗糙度并不是影响海月水母螅状幼体附着率的关键因子,而不同材料塑料挂板上形成的生物膜可能也对海月水母浮浪幼虫的附着产生影响.研究结果可为我国近岸海域有害水母海月水母暴发和防控研究提供一定的重要参考数据.     

冠瘤海鞘幼体附着和变态的离子控制

研究了人工海水中三种金属离子K+,Mg2+和Ca2+分别在不同浓度下对冠瘤海鞘(Styelaca nopusSavigny)幼体附着和变态的影响,同时采用K+通道阻滞剂TEA检验其可兴奋细胞膜上的K+通道特性,对冠瘤海鞘幼体附着和变态的离子控制机制进行初步探讨,结果表明:K+的浓度为20~40mmol/dm3时诱导幼体附着和变态的效果最佳,低于45 mmol/dm3和高于80mmol/dm3的K+浓度都表现出抑制效果;Mg2+浓度在0~32 mmol/dm3时显著促进幼体附着和变态,达88mmol/dm3时起抑制作用;在人工海水中无论添加或减少Ca2+,均有效抑制幼体变态.TEA不能阻抑增加K+的诱导作用,这表明冠瘤海鞘幼体可兴奋细胞膜上的K+通道对外部TEA不敏感.另外,人工海水中缺乏K+或Ca2+或K+浓度达80mmol/dm3都会对冠瘤海鞘幼体产生毒害作用.     

Settlement and metamorphosis of Styela canopus Savigny larvae in response to some neurotransmitters and thyroxin

1IntroductionAs importantsteps in the life cycles of mostma-rine benthos,settlement and metamorphosis of theirplanktonic larvae influence directly the populationdistribution and fluctuation of benthos.Research onlarval settlement and metamorphosis of mari…     

An unexploited population of oysters,Ostrea lutaria Hutton,from foveaux strait

Settlement of Ostrea lutaria on sand‐cement‐plastered asbestos plates held in steel frames on the bottom of Foveaux Strait was studied from March 1965 to April 1967. Spat mortality over the period of plate exposure (about one month) was very low (maximum of 3 percent) and was greatest shortly after settlement. There was no evidence that mortality was due to predation. Essentially the same seasonal pattern of settlement was observed each year. Eighty to 90 percent of spat settled between mid December and mid February in both summers; settlement occurred as early as October; some was observed as late as July.

Results of field experiments suggest some very tentative conclusions on the settlement behaviour of O. lutaria: (1) The larvae are benthopelagic and remain on the bottom in strong current conditions. (2) Light stimulates swimming of larvae in still water. (3) In still water and low light intensities of the area larvae tend to swim upward toward the light. (4) In still water and dim light of the area larvae settle predominantly on under surfaces. (5) In still water in the absence of light larvae settle predominantly on upper surfaces. (6) Under the conditions of current and light in the multiplate frames used to sample spatfall here, larvae settle mainly on upper surfaces. (7) Larvae tend to crawl up inclined surfaces before settling.

The results indicate that larval behaviour may be changed by small alterations of light intensity and current. The contradictory nature of surface angle preferences found by other workers for various species of Ostrea and Crassostrea may have been due to such small variations caused by the experimental techniques. It is possible that the settlement behaviour of all species of these genera is similar.     

Inter-annual variability in larval supply to populations of three invertebrate taxa in the northern California Current

We investigated sources of inter-annual variability in larval supply to crab and sea urchin populations at Bodega Head and Point Reyes in northern California. During the spring and summer upwelling seasons of the years 1992 through 1997 we monitored the weekly settlement rates of nine species of crabs and two species of sea urchins. As observed in previous studies, daily values of alongshore windstress, temperature and salinity provided evidence for the poleward flow of relatively warm, low salinity water from south of Point Reyes, an apparent retention zone, during upwelling relaxation events. In years dominated by these events (1992, 1993, 1995 and 1996) we observed that alongshore windstress, temperature and salinity were coherent and temperature was significantly correlated with cancrid crab settlement. During these years the magnitude of cancrid crab settlement and the fraction of cancrid crabs relative to other crab species settling were high. Over four years of concurrent sampling there was consistently greater cancrid crab settlement at the Point Reyes site, within the retention zone, than at Bodega Head. Settlement of non-cancrid crabs (porcellanids, grapsids, pagurids and majids) was not as closely linked to intra-annual patterns of upwelling and relaxation, possibly due to the shorter seasonal availability of larvae allowing for the influence of fewer relaxation events. Settlement of this group among years was positively correlated with environmental indicators of strong seasonal upwelling; high salinity, Bakun upwelling index and low temperature. Sea urchin settlement events were observed in June and July of 1992, 1994 and 1997 during warming periods when salinity and temperature were increasing and alongshore windstress was low. Across the six years of the study, we found that cancrid crab larvae had a more even seasonal availability than larvae of non-cancrid species, which settled in greatest numbers during the early portion of the upwelling season. Sea urchins settled in greatest numbers during the later part of the upwelling season. Together these patterns demonstrate the taxon-specific way that inter-annual variability in larval supply is forced by the coincidence of larval availability with favorable physical transport mechanisms.     

冠瘤海鞘同种群聚的化学诱因初步研究

研究了不同浓度的冠瘤海鞘成体被囊萃取物和幼体萃取物及不同的幼体密度对冠瘤海鞘(Styela canopus)幼体附着和变态的影响.结果表明,冠瘤海鞘被囊萃取物和幼体萃取物在5%和10%的浓度下均促进冠瘤海鞘幼体的附着和变态,但被囊萃取物的诱导效果明显强于幼体萃取物;幼体密度高于25只/cm3时,促进冠瘤海鞘幼体的附着和变态;幼体密度低于10只/cm3时,幼体的附着和变态不受密度影响.这些结果提示海区中冠瘤海鞘的同种群聚可能与其被囊或幼体内含诱导幼体附着和变态的化学因子有关.     

厚壳贻贝肠道细菌的生物被膜对其幼虫和稚贝附着的影响

为研究肠道细菌在厚壳贻贝(Mytilus coruscus)幼虫和稚贝生长发育过程中的作用,本研究从成体厚壳贻贝肠道中分离出了10株细菌,通过分别形成单一细菌生物被膜,检验其对厚壳贻贝幼虫和稚贝附着的影响和生物被膜特性。实验结果发现,10株肠道细菌所形成的生物被膜均能诱导厚壳贻贝幼虫和稚贝的附着,但不同种类肠道细菌的诱导能力不同,其中Bacillus sp.4对厚壳贻贝幼虫具有高诱导活性,Phaeobacter sp.1具有低诱导活性;Phaeobacter sp.1对厚壳贻贝稚贝具有高诱导活性,Bacillus sp.4具有低诱导活性。通过比较分析Bacillus sp.4和Phaeobacter sp.1生物被膜的生物量及胞外产物发现,肠道细菌被膜细菌密度、膜厚和胞外脂类对厚壳贻贝幼虫的附着变态无影响,而胞外蛋白和胞外多糖可以影响幼虫的附着变态;对于厚壳贻贝稚贝的附着,肠道细菌被膜细菌密度、膜厚和胞外α-多糖均能影响其诱导活性,而胞外脂类和胞外蛋白无影响。本研究成果可为提高厚壳贻贝的健康生态养殖相关技术提供相关的指导,为解析生物被膜调控厚壳贻贝附着机制和该物种生态健康养殖提供理论依...     

Annual pattern of brooding and settlement in a population of the flat oyster Ostrea chilensis from central New Zealand

Temporal patterns of larval brooding and settlement were investigated in a flat oyster (Ostrea chilensis) population in Tasman Bay, central New Zealand. The proportion of the population brooding larvae and larval settlement rates were monitored over 26 months. A peak period of brooding activity began in late spring and continued through summer. Maximum rates of 17% and 23% of adult oysters brooding larvae occurred in November and December, and an estimated 55–78% of adult oysters incubated larvae over the entire summer breeding period. These proportions of brooders are higher than those previously reported for Tasman Bay. A very low level of brooding activity (1%) occurred during winter. Temporal trends in larval settlement closely tracked brooding patterns. Settlement was greatest between November and January, and there were very low rates in winter. The seasonal breeding pattern in the population was intermediate between northern and southern populations, confirming a latitudinal gradient of reproductive behaviour for O. chilensis in New Zealand. Results are useful in optimising the timing of substrate deployment in an enhancement programme for the oyster fishery.     

Seasonal settlement of shipworms (Bivalvia: Teredinidae) in Tauranga Harbour and Wellington Harbour

The seasons of settlement of shipworms in Tauranga and Wellington harbours in 1970–72 were studied using Pinus radiata test‐blocks. At Wellington the seasonal abundance of late‐stage shipworm larvae was monitored in the plankton. In Tauranga Harbour Bankia australis, Lyrodus medilobatus, Lyrodus pedicellatus, and Nototeredo edaxspawned and settled predominantly in summer, when water temperatures were above 17–18°C. Bankia neztalia had peak periods of settlement in winter and early summer and there was no correlation of settlement with water temperature. In Wellington Harbour B. neztalia spawned and settled mainly during winter when water temperatures were 11–15°C. Total larval abundance at the 2 test sites in Wellington Harbour was an approximate indication of the relative intensity of settlement, but seasonal larval abundance did not correlate well with seasonal settlement. B. neztalia larvae settled on air‐dried Pinus radiata wood within 6 days of the immersion of the wood. Annual variations in patterns of settlement of shipworms in the 2 harbours are related to variations in water temperatures.     

海假交替单胞菌(Pseudoalteromonas marina)pilZ基因缺失抑制厚壳贻贝附着变态

为探究海假交替单胞菌pilZ基因的缺失对生物被膜形成及突变菌生物被膜对厚壳贻贝幼虫附着变态的影响,本文通过同源重组构建pilZ基因缺失菌,分析了基因缺失菌生物被膜的细菌密度、膜厚、c-di-GMP水平和胞外产物含量等特性的变化及其对厚壳贻贝幼虫附着变态的调控作用.结果表明:与野生型菌株相比,pilZ基因缺失菌形成的生物...     

底物中钙赋存形态对太平洋牡蛎(Crassostrea gigas)幼虫附着的诱导效应

为探讨底物中钙赋存形态对牡蛎幼虫附着的诱导效应,本研究设计3因子随机区组实验,检验实验底物钙含量、钙赋存形态及海水中牡蛎幼虫丰度对实验底物上太平洋牡蛎(Crassostrea gigas)稚贝附着效果(密度和壳高)的影响。结果表明,在3个因子中,实验底物钙含量对附着稚贝密度和壳高的影响不显著(P0.05),而其它2个因子(钙赋存形态和海水中牡蛎幼虫丰度)均显著影响着实验底物上附着牡蛎稚贝的密度和壳高(P0.05)。在相同的牡蛎浮游幼虫丰度下,3种钙形态底物对牡蛎幼虫附着的诱导能力大小顺序为:有机钙碳酸钙=硫酸钙(P0.05);壳高的结果却恰恰相反。在同样的钙形态底物中,高牡蛎幼虫丰度下牡蛎稚贝附着量均显著高于低幼虫丰度的处理组(P0.05)。     

海洋附着细菌对冠瘤海鞘幼体附着和变态的影响

从冠瘤海鞘、皱瘤海鞘及乳突皮海鞘的被囊表面及其附着基和附近的海水中分离到290株细菌,根据其形态和生理生化特征,将其鉴定至弧菌属、肠杆菌属和无色杆菌属等10个属.分析海鞘被囊表面及其附着基和海水中的细菌组成,并从各属中挑出的29株细菌中分离筛选出附着能力较强的9株.将这9株细菌分别制成不同的单种细菌黏膜及9种细菌混合黏膜,检测细菌黏膜对冠瘤海鞘幼体附着和变态的影响.结果表明不同细菌黏膜对冠瘤海鞘幼体的附着和变态起不同的作用.无色杆菌属H-13显著地促进海鞘的附着和变态;弧菌属的H-4对海鞘的附着和变态均起抑制作用;弧菌属H-9明显地促进附着却强烈抑制海鞘幼体变态;其余细菌仅仅对海鞘幼体附着或变态的一个过程起作用或是对两者都没有明显效果.     

微生物粘膜对杂色鲍幼虫附着和变态的影响

为了探讨广泛存在于海中基质表面的微生物粘膜对鲍幼虫附着和变态的诱导作用,研究了不同年龄微生物粘膜 ( 1 ～ 6 d ) 对杂色鲍幼虫附着和变态的影响.结果表明:1 ～ 6 d微生物粘膜均显著地诱导幼虫附着,其中 3, 5 和 6 d 微生物粘膜还显著地诱导幼虫变态;幼虫的附着率和变态率分别与微生物粘膜中的藻类密度和细菌密度呈显著的正相关性,推测藻类和细菌可能在幼虫的附着和变态中起着重要作用.垂直基质选择性试验结果表明,90 % 以上的幼虫附着在具 23 d 微生物粘膜的载玻片表面且变态率达 70 % 以上,进一步证实了微生物粘膜可以诱导杂色鲍幼虫的附着和变态,同时也证实了幼虫具备选择附着基质的能力.     

不同浓度的KCI对海湾扇贝眼点幼虫附着变态作用的研究

本文在有附着基的条件下进行KCI溶液对海湾扇贝眼点幼虫的附着变态研究，并观察春成活情况。结果表明：KCI对眼点幼虫的诱导效应随KCI浓度和作用时间的增大而增大，但过高则抑制眼点幼虫的附着变态,而成活率则随浓度增加和处理时间延长而降低，其中30mmol/L效果最好。并进行了小型生产试验，效果较好。     

Inter-cohort differences in spatial and temporal settlement patterns of young-of-the-year windowpane (Scophthalmus aquosus) in southern New Jersey

The timing and location of settlement of two cohorts (spring and fall) of windowpane (Scophthalmus aquosus) were identified based on collections from 64 sampling locations along a corridor from the lower estuary, through the inlet, and on to the adjacent inner continental shelf in southern New Jersey. Spatio-temporal patterns of settlement during 1989–1998 were determined based on capture location and timing, and eye migration stage. Spring-spawned windowpanes were collected in estuarine, inlet and ocean habitats as larvae, during settlement, and after settlement. Densities of spring-spawned larvae (∼2–10 mm standard length (SL)) peaked in May in all habitats (estuary, inlet, and ocean). Initial settlement of spring-spawned windowpane occurred during May in the inlet and ocean when fish had grown to ∼7–8 mm SL (mid-point of eye migration), but fish did not appear in demersal estuarine collections until June when they were larger and more developmentally advanced (∼24–32 mm SL; post-eye migration). A transitional settlement period, comprised of a progressive habitat shift from pelagic to demersal habitats, is proposed for the spring cohort to explain the observed patterns. Fall-spawned fish of all developmental stages and sizes were virtually absent from estuarine collections. Fall-spawned larval (∼2–10 mm SL) densities peaked in October in inlet and ocean habitats and fish began settling there during the same month at sizes similar to the spring cohort (∼7–8 mm SL). This research confirms that there are important cohort-specific and life-stage dependent differences in young-of-the-year (YOY) windowpane habitat use in southern New Jersey and perhaps in other east coast US estuaries. These differences may affect the overall contribution that each cohort makes to a given year class and thus, may have an important role in determining the recruitment dynamics of this species.     

鲍育苗生物学中饵料硅藻的相关研究进展

底栖硅藻是鲍育苗阶段不可缺少的饵料,也是诱导鲍浮游幼体附着和变态的重要物质,硅藻的种类、营养价值、生态状况等对幼体的附着变态及其后以微藻为饵料阶段的生长率和成活率都有至关重要的影响。总结近10a国内外与饵料硅藻相关的研究概况,包括硅藻对鲍附着变态、生长率和成活率的影响;鲍幼苗饵料转化与消化器官发育的关系;影响硅藻营养的生理生化因子;与鲍幼苗掉板死亡相关的藻类研究等,为鲍育苗生物学的研究提供借鉴和参考。     

Metabolic activity throughout early development of dusky kob Argyrosomus japonicus (Sciaenidae)

The physiology of fishes in the early stages of development remains poorly assessed despite the importance of identifying energy bottlenecks in organisms faced with changing environmental conditions. This study describes the metabolic activity of dusky kob Argyrosomus japonicus throughout its early development, from hatchling to settlement stage. Standard, routine and active metabolic rates (SMR, RMR and AMR, respectively) were assessed to determine the species’ metabolic scope and identify how metabolism changes with growth and development. Distinct metabolic changes occurred in association with developmental changes during the early life stages, with flexion-stage larvae showing significantly reduced metabolic scope (approx. 0.30 µmol O₂ ind.^–1 h^–1), representing an energy bottleneck. Based on these findings, it is likely that larvae of A. japonicus are most susceptible to environmental perturbations during flexion. The variability of metabolic rates during the diel cycle was also assessed and revealed that the early-stage larvae showed no preference for daylight, although settlement-stage juveniles were more active during daylight hours (RMR = 12.78 µmol O₂ ind.^–1 h^–1) than at night (RMR = 5.87 µmol O₂ ind.^–1 h^–1). These results suggest that metabolic measurements of the SMR of A. japonicus larvae can be taken at any time of the diel cycle until the settlement phase, when readings should take place at night.     

Effect of lower pH on settlement and development of coral,Pocillopora damicornis (Linnaeus, 1758)

The effects of pH reduction on the settlement and development of the coral Pocillopora damicornis were investigated. Three different pH treatments (pH = 7.6, 7.9, and 8.1) were used. In addition, water quality (temperature, salinity, total alkalinity) around the study site was monitored. The results showed significant differences in the settlement rates of Pocillopora damicornis larvae between pH treatments (p ≤ 0.05). A decrease in pH levels caused a strong decline in larval settlement rate. In addition, at pH 7.6 and 7.9, all larvae were unable to complete metamorphosis, and metamorphosis delay was observed. Field monitoring showed low fluctuation of all seawater parameters within 24 hours, and there was no difference between seasons. From this study, a strong negative effect of pH reduction on P. damicornis larvae was observed. Although the function of physiology is still not clearly understood, correlations are likely to exist.

     

盘鲍幼体附着诱导的研究

在水温20.5±0.5℃和海水盐度29.3的条件下，盘鲍幼体在受精后约72h获得附着能力．GABA（γ-氨基丁酸）2～1000μmol/dm3GABA可有效诱导幼体的附着，其中1000μmol/dm