Spatial and ontogenetic variation in the diet of wild and stocked mulloway (Argyrosomus japonicus, sciaenidae) in Australian estuaries

Prey importance and ontogenetic transitions in the diet of stocked and wild mulloway (Argyrosomus japonicus) were compared between a southeast Australian reverine estuary and a coastal lagoon. Stomach content analysis of fish captured from these estuaries in 1997–1979, 1997–1998, and 2003–2005 revealed size-specific and estuary-specific diets. Mysid shrimp were most common in diets of fish <250 mm total length (TL), and prawns were common in diets of fish measuring 301–450 mm. Forage fish were most abundant in diets of mulloway >500 mm. Index of Relative Importance (IRI) of forage fish increased with TL, while IRI of mysids decreased with TL. Prawn IRI was greatest for fish 150–600 mm TL. Comparisons between benthic resources and dietary composition revealed that Georges River mulloway consumed prey categories in proportions similar to those in their environment. No mysid shrimp were detected in the coastal lagoon or in the diet of mulloway captured there; growth was comparable to the Georges River. Hatchery-reared fish fed<16 d after stocking, indicating normal behavioural adaptation after release. Dietary information can be used to optimize stocking locations, times, and densities, as well as estimate potential effects of mulloway on potential prey and wild conspecifics.     

The trophic structure of the pipefish community (Pisces: Syngnathidae) from a western Mediterranean seagrass meadow based on stable isotope analysis

Syngnathus abaster andSyngnathus typhle (Pisces: Syngnathidae) from a dense Cymodocea nodesa meadow in the western Mediterranean Stagnone di Marsala (Italy) were studied using δ¹³N and δ¹⁵N analysis. Because of the presence of these two species in the same habitat and the specialized parental care by the male, the effect of species and sex on the isotopic composition was also studied to investigate the different feeding strategies between and within species.S. abaster andS. typhle exhibited enriched¹³C and¹⁵N values throughout the sampling period (mean ±SE, δ¹³C =−10.5±1.8‰ and−10.8±2.0‰, δ¹⁵N=11.9±0.7‰ and 10.6±1.0%., respectively), suggesting that these species receive their energy mainly from mixed sources, particularly from sedimentary and particulate organic matter and the seagrassC. nodosa as ultimate organic matter sources. ANOVA results demonstrated that the interaction between season, species, and sex significantly affected the isotopic composition of the pipefish (p<0.001 for both δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N). Differences between species and sex, although significant, were smaller than the values generally reported for trophic level differences (≈1‰ and ≈3.5‰ for δ¹⁵N, respectively) and change in foraging habitat, Slight isotopic differences may mirror small differences in resource exploitation and resource partitioning. Evidence from stomach content analysis from the literature coupled with stable isotope measurements, while disagreeing somewhat, provide additional knowledge of pipefish feeding strategies.     

Food of Paralichthys dentatus and P. lethostigma (Pisces: Bothidae) in North Carolina estuaries

The diets of the spatially segregated summer flounder, Paralichthys dentatus, and southern flounder, P. lethostigma, in Pamlico Sound, North Carolina, were composed of crustaceans and fishes. Young flounders fed mainly on mysids and fishes throughout the year, but the ratios of these items differed between species. Feeding was minimal during winter, but summer flounder from near-inlet stations had a high frequency of stomachs with food. Older summer flounder fed equally on shrimp and fishes, while southern flounder fed almost solely on fishes. This difference was probably related to food availability.     

Diel variations in gut fullness of juvenile spot,Leiostomus xanthurus (Pisces)

Juvenile spot,Leiostomus xanthurus (Pisces), were collected at 2-h intervals over two 48-h periods in a tidal creek in North Inlet, South Carolina, during July 1986. Gut fullness, dry gut contents weight as a percentage of fish wet weight, was measured to test the hypothesis that feeding intensity is randomly distributed through time. Spot were also collected and serially sacrificed from a holding tank to estimate their gut evacuation rate. Gut fullness was greatest during periods of ebb and high tides and was little affected by the amount of light available. Gut contents were evacuated at a rate of about 15% per hour in the laboratory, in close agreement with field emptying times of about 6 h from peak fullness to empty guts. A conservative estimate of daily ration for juvenile spot (19–42 mm standard length) was 4.5% of their live body weight per day. Studies of spot feeding ecology can be greatly affected by when fish are collected during the tidal cycle.     

Oyster shell size and the selection of spawning sites byChasmodes bosquianus,Hypleurochilus geminatus,Hypsoblennius ionthas (Pisces,Blenniidae) andGobiosoma bosci (Pisces,Gobiidae) in two South Carolina estuaries

Utilization of empty oyster shells as a habitat and spawning substrate by the naked boby,Gobiosoma bosci, the striped blenny,Chasmodes bosquianus, crested blenny,Hypleurochilus geminatus, and freckled blenny,Hypsoblennius ionthas, was studied in the North Inlet and North Edisto River estuaries of South Carolina. Gape and length of shells occupied by fishes were measured. Fish inhabited and spawned in only a small portion of the size range of shells available.G. bosci, the smallest species studied, spawned in shells with narrower gapes than didC. bosquianus orH. geminatus and in shorter shells than didC. bosquianus. Thus,G. bosci may escape competition for spawning sites. Overall, there was a positive correlation between fish length and both gape and length of shells occupied by egg-guarding males.     

The effect of temperature and food density on survival and growth of Menidia peninsulae larvae (Pisces: Atherinidae)

Day of hatch tidewater silversides, Menidia peninsulae, were stocked at 5 fish per liter in 3 1 of seawater at 30‰ and raised for 16 days at 20°, 25° and 30 °C. Food organisms (Brachionus sp. or Artemia nauplii) were maintained at 500, 1,000, 5,000 or 10,000 organisms per 1. The influence of food density on growth of larval M. peninsulae was temperature dependent. At 20 °C, there was no difference in final size of fish based on food densities. But at 25° and 30 °C there was an increase in final body size as food density increased. There were no significant differences in survival among food densities in tests at 20°, 25° or 30 °C. However, for any given temperature and food density, the number of survivors in a replicate affected the final size attained. Optimal culture condition for larval M. peninsulae, considering both survival and growth was determined to be 5,000 food organisms per 1 at 25 °C.     

Geochemical variation in the Penmaenmawr intrusion (North Wales)

To determine the pattern of geochemical variation within the Penmaenmawr intrusion, 41 rocks were analysed for major oxides and 15 minor elements. The results indicate pulsational emplacement of sheets of magma from a parental body at depth undergoing crystallization differentiation. These sheets now strike NE–SW and dip southeastward. The resultant intrusion shows a range of SiO₂ contents from 57·3% to 65·6% (H₂O-free). Geochemical evidence suggests that it was derived from an intermediate parental magma and is possibly related to parts of the Conwy Rhyolite Formation. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A decade of variation of COD in the Changjiang River （Yangtze River） and its variation trend analysis

The average annual value of COD (chemical oxygen demand) fluxes of the Changjiang River (Yangtze River) and its main tributaries in the past decade (i.e., 1991–2000), has been evaluated. Based on the data from the Datong Hydrological Station (DHS), it was found that the Dongting Lake drainage basin contributed the greatest water discharge (35.8%) and COD flux (48.3%) among the main tributary drainage basins, followed by the Poyang Lake drainage basin with the contributions of 15.4% and 19.3%,respectively. By the end of the year of 2000, COD flux in the Changjiang River rose by almost 45% relative to that in the year of 1991, reaching about 1941000 ton/a at DHS. Statistical analysis revealed that industrial wastewater discharge, as well as COD in it, was found decreasing in the same period, due to the gradual reinforcement of environmental management. Moreover, correlation analysis indicated that non-point pollution from agriculture and increasing discharge of domestic sewages caused by rapid growth of population along the Changjiang River drainage valley should be responsible for the high COD. Furthermore, with the current trend of population growth and agricultural development in this basin, water quality of the Changjiang River, in terms of COD level, is going to deteriorate in the near future. Thus, the rational applications of fertilizers and pesticides in agriculture and the proper treatment of domestic sewages before they are discharged would be the most concerned controlling parameters.     

Polychlorinated biphenyls residues in surface sediments of the eutrophic Chaohu Lake (China): characteristics, risk, and correlation with trophic status

Twenty-eight polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) congeners were measured in surface sediments from Chaohu Lake to assess their characteristics, potential risk, and the correlation with lake trophic status. PCB levels ranged from 11.074 to 42.712 ng g^?1 dry weight (d.w.) in the western lake and 2.017 to 20.189 ng g^?1 d.w. in the eastern lake. The highest concentrations were found at the sites near the inlets of western lake tributary rivers where big cities and industrial centers are located. Congeners concentrations showed decreasing order of tetra-CB > tri-CB > deca-CB (PCB-209 detected) > penta-CB > hexa-CB > di-CB > hepta-CB > Octa-CB. It indicated that light and heavy Aroclor mixtures were simultaneously used surrounding the lake basin. PCB levels in the western lake are potentially dangerous to humans and the local fauna. There was a significant positive relationship between tetra-CB (one abundant PCB congener) concentration distribution and sediment grain size in the 16–64 μm fraction, whereas a negative correlation was found in the 4–8 μm fraction. Furthermore, PCB distributions were positively correlated with the total organic carbon of sediments and lake trophic status, especially in the more seriously polluted western lake zone. However, the correlation completely disappeared in eastern lake zone. It suggested that PCB contamination might be attributed to industrial wastewaters and domestic sewages from western lake basin, reaching the lake through rivers, rains and floods.     

Riverine organic carbon in the Xijiang River (South China): seasonal variation in content and flux budget

. Riverine water samples were collected from the lower reach hydrometric station Makou of the Xijiang River, in four hydrological seasons during 1997 and 1998. The samples were analyzed for their particulate and dissolved organic carbon. The contents of riverine particulate and dissolved organic carbon changed synchronously during different hydrological processes. The contents of organic carbon and total suspended substances in the riverine water increased with increasing discharge. The mass of organic carbon in the total suspended substances decreased logarithmically with increasing total suspended substances. The transported flux of organic carbon in the Xijiang River drainage is about 10.18᎒⁶ g of C km^–2 year^–1, which is two to three times larger than that of the average value in other river systems. Particulate organic carbon is the main component of riverine organic carbon, with a flux of about 8.30᎒⁶ g of C km^–2 year^–1.     

Eutrophication processes and trophic interactions in a shallow estuary: Preliminary results based on stable isotope analysis (δ13C and δ15N)

Stable isotopes ratios (δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N) were measured in primary producers and consumers of two bays with contrasting eutrophic conditions in the Patos Lagoon estuary, southern Brazil: the Justino bay, a more pristine ecosystem, and the Mangueira bay, a heavily polluted region that receives the Rio Grande city sewage and effluencts of several industries. δ¹³C values of organisms collected in both subsystems were not different, but δ¹⁵N values had significant statistical differences, ca. 3.5‰ higher in the Mangueira bay. It is likely that primary producers and consumers in this subsystem are greatly influenced by higher nitrogen input due to domestic and industrial sewages. The stable isotope analysis also corroborated several trophic interactions previously established by gut content analysis, and due to its higher sensitivity, it was possible to better determine the contributions of different primary producers and detrital fractions to the consumers' diets. It was confirmed that plant detritus represents the main food source for most organisms. The stable isotope analysis also demonstrated that detritivorous benthic organisms in the same habitat have distinct diet compositions, with differential consumption of C3 and C4 plants. This technique showed that some consumers that eat detritus do not have in their stable isotopic signature any relationship with that of plants. It is likely that these consumers assimilate their carbon and nitrogen from other sources like microalgae or microorganisms that colonize decaying plants.     

Estuarine macrobenthos in Calcasieu Lake,Louisiana: Community and trophic structure

Macrobenthic assemblages in Calcasieu Lake estuary (Louisiana) were sampled at 11 sites from October 1983 through November 1985. The sites were numerically dominated by subsurface-deposit feeders, consisting mostly of polychaetes. Greater densities of macrofauna were collected at the northern (upper) stations of the lake than were collected in West Cove or the southern stations. Abundances of polychaetes, oligochaetes, and amphipods at the upper lake stations accounted for most of the differences among stations. The numerical dominance by detritivores (97% of the fauna) and lack of strong sediment or salinity gradients across the estuary, resulted in an absence of temporal pattern in trophic structure of the macrofauna.     

Petrographic variation in the Springfield (No. 9) coal in Western Kentucky

The Springfield (Western Kentucky No. 9) coal of the Carbondale Formation (Middle Pennsylvanian) in the Western Kentucky Coal Field of the Illinois Basin was sampled in eleven mines from one to three channels of three equal benches. The rank of the coal is high-volatile C bituminous in the Moorman Syncline and in the Henderson Basin and high-volatile B bituminous in the Webster Syncline. The percentage of total vitrinite macerals and of total vitrinite plus liptinite was found to decrease significantly from the bottom bench through to the top bench. In a comparison of the sources of variation within the set of maceral data it was found that the only significant variation in the vitrinite and vitrinite plus liptinite percentages was between the benches. Both the rank of the coal and the maceral percentages are varying in a predictable manner.     

Early life history of spotted seatrout,Cynoscion nebulosus (Pisces: Sciaenidae), in Tampa Bay,Florida

During two years of sampling, 747 larval and 1,379 juvenile spotted seatrout,Cynoscion nebulosus, were collected in Tampa Bay, Florida; 93% were less than 75 mm SL. Length-frequency distributions and otolith analysis showed that spawning took place from early April until late October. Two seasonal spawning peaks (spring and summer) were made up of many smaller peaks, apparently timed with moon phases. Plankton samples contained larvae that measured up to about 7 mm SL (17 d old). Larvae collected from an upper bay station were less numerous and larger than those collected at other stations. The presence of small larvae from middle and lower bay stations indicated that spawning probably took place from the middle bay to nearshore Gulf waters. Juveniles used seagrass beds as their major habitat, but they were also found in unvegetated backwaters. Spotted seatrout grew to about 35 mm SL in 2 months, 84 mm SL in 4 months, and 140 mm SL in 6 months. Eighty-five percent of the alimentary tracts in larvae were empty; those with food contained primarily copepods. Eleven percent of the stomachs of juveniles were empty. Fish and shrimp were the most important food groups in the diets of fish >15 mm SL. Intraspecific comparisons of diets showed high dietary overlap between larval fish and those measuring 8–15 mm SL and among size classes >15 mm SL.     

Size and shape variation in the planktonic foraminiferHeterohelix striata (late cretaceous,southern Scandinavia)

The biserial planktonic foraminiferal species Heterohelix striata (Ehrenberg)has been analyzed by morphometric techniques from six sequential late Maestrichtian core samples from southern Sweden and one sample from the “Dania”quarry of Denmark. The study is based on measurements of number of chambers, size of test (length, width, and thickness),marginal angle, and chamber sizes. In addition, prolocular and apertural sizes were analyzed in the “Dania”quarry sample. The study includes analyses of the ontogenetic development of the tests, stratigraphic variation in size and shape, intrasample variability, and relationship between gross morphology of the test and prolocular and apertural dimensions.     

Spatial variation of biological and pedological properties in an area affected by a metallurgical mercury plant: Almadenejos (Spain)

Almadén, Spain, has the most important known cinnabar deposits, which have provided a third of the entire world production of Hg, and has been the scene for numerous studies on Hg. This mining district includes several mines where cinnabar has been extracted in the past two millennia as well as facilities related to the production of primary Hg. The aim of the work is to evaluate the spatial distribution of Hg in the soil-plant system within an area where intense activity occurred over a long period. An abandoned metallurgical plant from the 17th-18th centuries was chosen as the study area, situated in Almadenejos a distance of 12 km from Almadén. Nowadays, this plot is covered with cinnabar mine tailings and it is used by village inhabitants for livestock grazing. The area has elevated Hg concentrations of natural origin and from human activities. Soil parameters are similar within the study area; however, data reveal high variability in total and available Hg concentrations in soils, making it difficult to establish a trend. Marrubium vulgare L. has been studied due to its abundance in the plot, and there is no evidence of phenological toxicity. In spite of elevated Hg concentrations, high biological activity is found in the sampled soils. All these characteristics, spatial variation, high Hg concentration, good biological activity, make this a particularly good area for studies involving Hg.     

Early life history of the red drum,Sciaenops ocellatus (Pisces: Sciaenidae), in Tampa Bay,Florida

The distribution, hatching dates, growth, and food habits of larval and juvenile red drum (Sciaenops ocellatus) in Tampa Bay, Florida, are described. From September 1981 through November 1983, 800 larvae and 7,536 juveniles (98%<100 mm SL) were collected, primarily with plankton nets and bag seines. Analysis of otoliths and length-frequency distributions indicate that spawning took place from mid-August through late November with a major peak during October in 1981 and 1982. Larvae became less abundant, but increased in size, from the mouth to the upper bay, indicating that spawning took place in the bay mouth or nearshore waters. At about 8 mm SL (17 days old) larvae settled out along the bay shore before migrating toward low salinity backwater areas. Juveniles grew to about 55 mm SL by the end of December and 303 mm SL by the end of their first year. Young red drum gradually moved back into the bay with increased size and age. Eighty-five percent of larval stomachs, examined were empty; those with food contained copepods almost exclusively. Fewer than 7% of juvenile stomachs were empty. Small juveniles fed primarily on mysids, amphipods, and shrimp, whereas larger juveniles fed more on crabs and fish. Changes in diet were noted with growth, but few differences were seen among areas or habitat types.     

Distribution and Variation of Ribonucleic Acid （RNA） and Protein and Its Hydrolysis Products in Lake Sediments

Protein and RNA in lake sediments tend to be decomposed progressively with time and sedimentation depth. Their concentrations tend to decrease starting from the sedimentation depth of 17 cm and that of 19 cm, respectively. However, the products of their decomposition —amino acids and nucleotides show different rules of variation. At the depth from 27 cm to 30 cm the amino acids are most abundant in the pore waters of lake sediments. Such variation tendency seems to be related to the extent to which microbes utilize amino acids and nucleotides. Due to polymerization in the geological processes and the adsorption of protein on minerals and organic polymers, below the sedimentation depth of 17 cm there is still a certain amount of protein in the sediments. With the time passing by, protein has been well preserved in various sediment layers, indicating that its decomposition is relatively limited. The peak values of protein content in the sediments of the two lakes are produced in the surface layers at the depth of 10 cm, implicating that the surface sediments are favorable to the release of protein. The contents of amino acids in the pore waters of lake sediments are closely related to the activities of microbes. Below the depth of 27 cm, the amino acids are significantly accumulated in Lake Aha sediments, probably indicating the weakening of microbial activities. The research project was financially supported jointly by the Ntional Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 40173038) and the Guizhou Provincial Foundation (No. 3090) and the Chinese Academy of Sciences Knowledge-Innovation Foundation (KZCX2-105).     

Emigration of juvenile Atlantic menhaden,Brevoortia tyrannus (Pisces: Clupeidae), from the York River estuary

The emigration of juvenile Atlantic menhaden,Brevoortia tyrannus (Latrobe), from the York River Estuary, Virginia, was studied during the years 1981 and 1982. Concurrent observations of menhaden catch, water temperature, and phytoplankton abundance suggested that the migration began in response to environmental events in the estuary. Juvenile menhaden appeared to begin their migration five days after the sustained onset of water temperatures below 24 °C. The temperature change was hypothesized as the proximate factor that initiates the migration. Coincident with the migrations, phytoplankton communities in the estuary bloomed, suggesting that the ultimate factor that initiates the migration may be the occurrence of sufficient food for the emigrating menhaden as they moved down and out of the estuary. Migration timing may have evolved as a mechanism to enhance the survival of migrating juvenile menhaden during a period of physiologic stress.     

Feeding habits of red drum (Sciaenops ocellatus) in Galveston Bay, Texas: Seasonal diet variation and predator-prey size relationships

Feeding habits, seasonal diet variation, and predator size-prey size relationships of red drum (Sciaenops ocellatus) were investigated in Galveston Bay, Texas through stomach contents analysis. A total of 598 red drum ranging from 291–763 mm total length were collected and their stomach contents analyzed during fall 1997 and spring 1998. The diet of red drum showed significant seasonal patterns, and was dominated by white shrimp (Penaeus setiferus) during fall and gulf menhaden (Brevoortia patronus) during spring. Blue crab (Callinectes sapidus) was an important component of red drum diets during both seasons. Significant differences existed between prey types consumed during fall and spring as red drum diet reflected seasonal variation in prey availability. Predictive regression equations were generated to estimate original carapace width of blue crabs from several measurements taken from carapace fragments recovered in red drum stomachs. Regressions were highly significant (r²>0.97) and increased the number of blue crabs with size information nearly three fold. Predator size-prey size relationships were determined for red drum feeding on white shrimp, gulf menhaden, and blue crab. Although regression slopes were statistically significant, prey sizes increased only slightly with increasing red drum size. Comparisons of prey sizes consumed by red drum with sizes occurring in the field indicate that red drum feed in nearshore shallow water habitats, which serve as nursery areas for many juvenile fishes and crustaceans. Our findings demonstrate that red drum feed on several prey species of commercial and recreational value and may have important effects on estuarine community structure.