The ecological requirements of Agapetus fuscipes Curtis (Glossosomatidae), a characteristic species in unimpacted streams

Agapetus fuscipes is a caddisfly that only seems to occur in unimpacted streams and therefore can be a suitable indicator species for natural conditions. The species has decreased in the Netherlands because of human activities which caused organic pollution and hydromorphological degradation. Literature was reviewed to study the autecology and life cycle of A. fuscipes in order to reveal the ecological requirements of this species. By taking Agapetus fuscipes as an example, it is shown that the autecology and life cycle of an indicator species can give important clues for its presence in unimpacted and absence in impacted streams. A. fuscipes is very susceptible to organic pollution and to a lesser degree to discharge dynamics (dropping water level and discharge peaks). The species copes with dynamic discharge events by maintaining a high population density and recolonisation of disturbed habitats from refuges. However, the vulnerability of the species strongly depends on the life stage of the animals (e.g., the ability to migrate, the oxygen demand and the habitat requirements differ between instars). Although several adaptations to dynamic conditions, a high frequency of discharge peaks or a long period of drought can cause the population to decline. Once a population has totally disappeared from a stream it will take the species a long time to recolonise the stream because of its low dispersion capacity. To protect this species stream restoration should focus on water quality (avoid organic pollution and agricultural run off) and on stabilising the discharge by taking care of natural infiltration in the catchment area instead of fast removal of rain water by drainage systems.     

Life history and temporal distribution of Orchestia sp. cf. cavimana (Amphipoda, Talitridae) on a lake shore in central Italy

The life history of the amphipod Orchestia sp. cf. cavimana (Heller, 1865) was studied throughout the course of a year with monthly samplings and the use of pitfall traps along the shores of Lake Albano in central Italy. The data thus obtained showed two peaks in abundance (the first in June and the second in October) and a minimum capture frequency in February. Egg-bearing females were recorded in spring and late summer, whilst recruitment occurred from spring to autumn, with maximum in June and October. The data collected also indicated the presence of a positive correlation between the abundance of talitrids and both temperature and sediment moisture. Morphological analysis enabled the identification of four different cohorts (with a lifespan of the species of approximately 12–15 months) all four of which remained distinguishable throughout the course of the year. It, moreover, enabled sex determination in individuals of 5 or more millimetres. The subsequent distribution indicated that, when significant, the sex ratio was female biased and that maximum size was greater in males. In particular, maximum sizes were recorded in spring for both males and females and were of 17.5 and 13.0 mm, respectively. Furthermore, the total body length recorded for egg-bearing females was positively correlated with the number of eggs in their brood pouch.     

微囊藻(FACHB-905)和鱼腥藻(FACHB-82)响应温度变化的功能特性权衡

微囊藻和鱼腥藻是水华蓝藻的两个主要类群,两种藻均可调节自身形态及生理特性来维持快速生长,这也是两个类群蓝藻水华维持的基础.本研究分析了微囊藻(FACHB-905)和鱼腥藻(FACHB-82)生长、形态及叶绿素荧光参数对温度变化的响应,以及生长与特性间的权衡关系.结果显示:该微囊藻细胞直径随温度升高而降低,但是比增长速率维持稳定,表明在高温条件下,其可能通过减小细胞大小的方式维持比增长速率;该鱼腥藻在不同温度下,平均细胞直径和藻丝长度呈现显著变化,高温条件下,其维持较高的比增长速率,但是细胞直径增大,藻丝长度缩短,这可能是其调节自身形态以维持较高比增长速率的方式.该微囊藻和鱼腥藻分别在细胞较大和较小时,藻细胞潜在的光化学效率更高.本研究表明这两种蓝藻可以通过权衡藻细胞形态、生理特性两者与生长速率之间的关系来适应温度的变化以达到自身最佳的生长状态,微囊藻(FACHB-905)通过调节细胞大小和光合活性来维持生长优势,而鱼腥藻(FACHB-82)则通过细胞大小、藻丝长度和光合活性的调节来维持生长优势.本研究的结果有助于提升对于水华蓝藻生长维持机制的认识.     

Cloning and developmental expression of kinesin superfamily7 (kif7) in the brackish medaka (Oryzias melastigma), a close relative of the Japanese medaka (Oryzias latipes)

kif7 is a member of the kinesin superfamily members which are molecular motor proteins that move along microtubules in a highly regulated manner through ATP hydrolysis. In this paper, we report on the cloning of the Oryzias melastigma kif7 (omkif7) using primers designed according to the Japanese medaka (Oryzias latipes) database. The cloned omkif7 has an open reading frame of 3762bp and is deduced to encode a polypeptide of 1254 amino acids that possesses the putative ATP-binding and microtubule-binding motifs in its motor domain at the N-terminal region. We characterized the cloned omkif7 by comparison with the zebrafish kif7. Both omkif7 and zebrafish kif7 are shown to be expressed in all embryonic stages and adult tissues examined with higher expression level in the testis and ovary. Whole-mount in situ hybridization revealed that the expression of omkif7 is ubiquitous during the early stages of embryonic development, but became more restrictive and localized to the brain, fin bud and eye at later development. This study suggested that the brackish O.melastigma can serve as a good seawater model organism for developmental studies by utilizing the resources developed from its close relative of the Japanese medaka.     

广东省镇海水库拟柱孢藻(Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii)的季节动态及驱动因子分析

拟柱孢藻(Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii)是热带地区普遍存在的蓝藻种类,已在广东省很多水库成为优势种类甚至形成水华,作为一种新的有害水华类型,目前对其成因研究甚少.以广东省江门市镇海水库为研究对象,于2014年11月—2015年10月期间对其进行逐月采样,观测理化因子和浮游植物组成,测定拟柱孢藻的丝体长度,初步探讨该水库拟柱孢藻优势形成的原因.数据表明,拟柱孢藻是镇海水库的绝对优势种,常年生物量较高,介于5.9~15.5 mg/L之间,平均生物量为11.3 mg/L,占浮游植物总生物量的93.5%.从季节上看,拟柱孢藻生物量在2—6月相对较高,最高生物量出现在6月,10月和11月生物量最低.拟柱孢藻的丝体长度具有显著的季节变化,与水温呈极显著负相关.相关性分析表明拟柱孢藻生物量与总氮、总磷浓度呈显著正相关,与氮磷比呈显著负相关,而逐步回归分析表明拟柱孢藻生物量的变化主要由总磷浓度决定,推测该藻对磷的超强吸收和储存能力在其生物量季节变动中起重要作用.     

Fungal infection of Eudiaptomus gracilis (Copepoda, crustacea) in Lake Mondsee

An Aphanomyces sp. (Oomycetes) was found to be an important egg parasite of Eudiaptomus gracilis (Copepoda) in Lake Mondsee (Austria). The infection is evidenced by densely packed infection hyphae, attached with holdfasts and wrapped around the female's abdomen. The infection hyphae give rise to hyphae which penetrate the egg sac, and subsequently kill all eggs. The infection obviously has no pathogenetic effects on the egg-carrying female. Infected females appear during summer and fall, mainly in warm water layers. Infected egg clutches are found at all seasons of the year, indicating considerable birth control of the Eudiaptomus population by parasite infection. It seems possible that the actual Aphanomyces sp. is not the only parasite involved.     

Effects of 4-nonylphenol exposure in mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) and crabs (Carcinus aestuarii) with particular emphasis on vitellogenin induction

Since it is often difficult to estimate possible adverse effects due to contamination in selected ecosystems, multi-species biomonitoring may provide more information, taking into account different routes of exposure, ecological roles and metabolic capabilities of animals. In this context, we exposed for 7 days the mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis and the crab Carcinus aestuarii to 4-nonylphenol (NP), a well-known xenoestrogen. In mussels (0–0.2 mg NP l⁻¹), we measured NP bioaccumulation in soft tissues and vitellogenin (Vg)-like protein levels in digestive glands from both males and females by the alkali-labile phosphate assay (ALP). As no reference data were available for crab exposure, the NP 96-h LC₅₀ value was previously determined. Then, in sublethally exposed (0–1.0 mg NP l⁻¹) male crabs, NP bioaccumulation and Vg levels were measured in hemolymph, gonads and digestive gland. Bioaccumulation of NP increased from 43 to 371 μg g⁻¹ d.w. in mussels, and from 3.6 to 37 μg g⁻¹ d.w. in crabs, depending on the NP concentration in water. Dose-dependent Vg-like protein induction was observed in both species, appearing to be related to NP bioaccumulation, although a partial decrease was recorded at the highest concentration tested. A similar trend was observed in both digestive gland and gonad of exposed crabs; Vg increased to a lesser extent, although significantly, in hemolymph. Results demonstrated that NP induces Vg synthesis both in male and female mussels, as well as in male crabs. On the basis of the responsiveness of both species investigated, a multi-species approach is indicated in biomonitoring programmes.     

Description of the larval stage of Drusus mixtus (Pictet, 1834) (Trichoptera: Limnephilidae: Drusinae) with notes on its ecology and zoogeography

In the Swiss Jura adults of Drusus mixtus and unknown Drusinae larvae which could not be identified with existing keys were sampled. Based on ripe pupae, the unknown larvae were identified as D. mixtus. The association was confirmed by specimen rearing in aquaria.Based on morphology, larvae of D. mixtus key out together with Drusus croaticus in existing keys. D. mixtus is separated from the latter species by the shape of the anteromedian metanotal sclerites which are broadly triangular, whereas in D. croaticus the sclerites are almost parallel-sided, resembling a stretched rectangle. In addition, the two species are geographically well separated: D. croaticus is restricted to the confines of Croatia and Slovenia, whereas D. mixtus is only present in Switzerland and eastern France. With this present paper, all Central European Drusinae species except Drusus chapmani McL, 1901, (France, Switzerland) and D. noricus Malicky, 1981, an endemic from the Saualpe (Carinthia, Austria), are known in the larval stage.     

Comparative petroleum hydrocarbons levels and biochemical responses in mussels from hydrothermal vents (Bathymodiolus azoricus) and coastal environments (Mytilus galloprovincialis)

Aliphatic hydrocarbons and PAHs in the whole soft tissues of Bathymodiolus azoricus from three Mid-Atlantic Ridge hydrothermal vents (Menez-Gwen, Lucky Strike and Rainbow), and Mytilus galloprovincialis from three contaminated coastal sites in South Portugal were analysed, and its effects on the digestive gland microsomes mixed-function oxygenase system (MFO) were assessed.Aliphatic hydrocarbons levels were present in the same magnitude in both coastal and hydrothermal environments, while the UCM (unresolved complex mixture) for coastal mussels were higher than in vent mussels. In general, significantly higher PAHs concentrations were found in coastal mussels, compared to B. azoricus where low molecular weight PAHs (2–3 rings) represented the majority of PAHs contrarily to what was observed in M. galloprovincialis. The MFO components were present in both mussel species, and were detected in vent mussels for the first time. However this system seems to have different roles in species from these contrasting environments. In coastal mussels MFO responded to hydrocarbon contamination while response in hydrothermal organisms appeared to be related mainly to endogenous factors.     

Antibiotic Resistance of Gram Negatives isolates from loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta) in the central Mediterranean Sea

Previous studies on fish and marine mammals support the hypothesis that marine species harbor antibiotic resistance and therefore may serve as reservoirs for antibiotic-resistance genetic determinants. The aim of this study was to assess the resistance to antimicrobial agents of Gram negative strains isolated from loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta). Oral and cloacal swabs from 19 live-stranded loggerhead sea turtles, with hooks fixed into the gut, were analyzed. The antimicrobial resistance of the isolates to 31 antibiotics was assessed using the disk-diffusion method. Conventional biochemical tests identified Citrobacter spp., Proteus spp., Enterobacter spp., Escherichia spp., Providencia spp., Morganella spp., Pantoea spp., Pseudomonas spp. and Shewanella spp. Highest prevalences of resistance was detected to carbenicillin (100%), cephalothin (92.6%), oxytetracycline (81.3%) and amoxicillin (77.8%). The isolates showing resistance to the widest range of antibiotics were identified as Citrobacter freundii, Proteus vulgaris, Providencia rettgeri and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. In this study, antibiotic resistant bacteria reflect marine contamination by polluted effluents and C. caretta is considered a bioindicator which can be used as a monitor for pollution.     

中国鱼腥藻属的两个新记录种

迄今为止,全球范围共报道出100多种鱼腥藻,中国记录报道的仅有50余种,但有些种类的描述仍较模糊.最近在福建、浙江等地进行野外调查时,发现了多种丝状蓝藻.其中就有2种鱼腥藻在中国尚未报道:威格鱼腥藻(Anabaenaviguieri Denis et Frémy 1923)和史密斯鱼腥藻(Anabaena smithii(Komárek)Watanabe 1992).     

两种氮浓度对轮叶黑藻(Hydrilla verticillata)腐解过程营养盐释放及附着生物膜内氮循环基因丰度的影响

氨氮是地表水常见污染物,尤其在农业区域,氮类化肥的不合理施用会导致周边水体氮浓度迅速升高并保持较高水平.然而,当前对高氮水平下沉水植物腐败和附着氮循环微生物的影响尚不清楚.以轮叶黑藻(Hydrilla verticillata)为研究用沉水植物,在实验室内模拟水体内8和16 mg/L氮浓度下轮叶黑藻腐解过程中营养盐释放及残体表面微生物氮循环功能基因丰度的变化.研究发现水体两种氮浓度下轮叶黑藻腐解过程中残体腐解及营养盐释放速率无显著差异;与对照相比,植物腐败初期水体内碳、磷浓度迅速增加,而溶解氧浓度及氧化还原电位迅速降低,随着时间的推移上述水质指标逐步恢复至初期状态(第146天);水体荧光溶解性有机质主要包括紫外类富里酸、可见类富里酸、色氨酸类蛋白质和酪氨酸类蛋白质等类型.在5个氮循环相关基因中,氮负荷增加对轮叶黑藻残体生物膜内amo A、napA和narG的丰度有显著影响.冗余分析表明氮循环基因丰度受水体总氮浓度的影响较小,与植物总有机碳含量和水体化学需氧量及溶解氧浓度存在相关性.研究结果表明虽然当前氮水平对植物腐败过程影响不大、对氮循环基因丰度有一定影响,但是对该水生植被(尤其是植物腐败初期)和农业退水排放的管理仍需加强,以降低其对水体的影响.     

鄱阳湖湿地植物灰化薹草(Carex cinerascens)对不同地下水位的生理生态响应

地下水位在非淹水期对湿地植物的生长影响较大,但目前相关研究十分缺乏.本文选择鄱阳湖典型植被灰化薹草(Carex cinerascens)为研究对象,研究不同地下水位(地下水位埋深10、20、40、80和120 cm)对灰化薹草形态指标、地上生物量和生理指标的影响.结果表明,随着地下水位埋深的增加,灰化薹草的株高、叶长和生物量均显著降低,地下水位10 cm处理组的灰化薹草生物量为0.371±0.017 g,为地下水位120 cm处理组(0.084±0.004 g)的4.4倍;处理组间灰化薹草叶片中超氧化物歧化酶活性、过氧化物酶活性、游离脯氨酸含量和叶绿素含量均存在显著差异,其中游离脯氨酸含量由地下水位10 cm处理组的6.29±0.70μg/g增加到地下水位120 cm处理组的8.54±1.37μg/g,表明随着地下水位埋深的增加,灰化薹草面临一定程度的干旱胁迫.灰化薹草的生理生态响应综合表明,地下水位埋深20 cm以内适宜灰化薹草的生长,地下水位埋深80 cm以上的干旱胁迫会阻碍灰化薹草的生长.     

Distribution, abundance and life history of Mysis relicta (Lovén) in the Feldberg Lake District, Germany

Distribution, abundance and life history characteristics of Mysis relicta were studied in the Feldberg Lake District (Lake Breiter Luzin, Lake Schmaler Luzin, Lake Zansen) located in northeastern Germany. Between July 2001 and November 2002 mysids were collected by vertical net hauls. In order to determine the impact of the current trophic conditions on the distribution of mysids in these lakes, oxygen concentration, total phosphorus, chlorophyll a and water transparency were also measured. All investigated lakes are mesotrophic at present. Lake Breiter Luzin exhibited great seasonal and spatial variations in mysid abundance. Density of adults and juveniles had a mean of 44.9 ± 57.1 and 68.7 ± 99.6 m⁻², respectively. Highest abundance of adults was 110.4 ± 76.5 m⁻² in summer, lowest abundances of 2.0 ± 4.0 m⁻² occurred in spring. For juveniles, highest density of 218.4 ± 174.6 m⁻² was detected in summer and lowest of 0.8 ± 1.8 m⁻² in winter. No mysids were caught in any of the daytime hauls, but they were widely distributed throughout the water column at night. Size frequency distribution of mysids suggested that reproduction occurred year-round, the most consistent influx of juveniles occurred in early summer and a smaller second cohort in autumn. Highest mysid abundance was 189.2 ± 318.6 adults and 127.0 ± 66.3 juveniles m⁻² in Lake Schmaler Luzin, and 59.6 ± 5.6 adults and 79.4 ± 11.2 juveniles m⁻² in Lake Zansen. There were great spatial differences in abundance in both lakes.     

Autecology of Limnomysis benedeni Czerniavsky, 1882 (Crustacea: Mysida) in Lake Constance, Southwestern Germany

The Ponto-Caspian mysid Limnomysis benedeni was first recorded in Lake Constance in summer 2006, and a stable population developed at the site of discovery. Although this mysid is common in the Rhine and Danube rivers, little is known about its ecology and impact in systems of invasion. We investigated the autecology of L. benedeni in habitat-choice and food experiments. In the habitat-choice experiments, highly structured habitats, i.e., stones covered with zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha), macrophytes, and especially stonewort, were strongly preferred. In food experiments, L. benedeni fed mostly on food sources with a small particle size, e.g., biofilm on leaf litter, biodeposited material of zebra mussels, epilithon, and phytoplankton. We also compared the L. benedeni population data from Lake Constance with that from rivers. In Lake Constance, female L. benedeni were nearly 30% larger and carried more than three times more eggs in spring (9.4±0.6 mm and 28.4±5.7 eggs) than in summer (6.7±0.8 mm and 8.7±2.9 eggs). The mysids present in spring might be the generation that over-wintered; in summer, this generation was probably replaced by a new generation of smaller individuals. The large brood size and the detritivorous feeding strategy might allow L. benedeni to colonize Lake Constance rapidly.     

Variability of the respiratory surface area of pupae in Simulium monticola species group (Diptera, Simuliidae)

The variability of the respiratory surface area of Simulium monticola Friederichs, 1920 and Simulium argyreatum Meigen, 1838 pupae was studied in detail. 333 pupae from Western Carpathian Mts. were investigated. According to the tubercles on thorax and head of the pupa of S. monticola, two morphological forms were distinguished (S. monticola 1 and S. monticola 2). Both were studied separately. In any species or form respectively we measured the lengths of all respiratory filaments and basal trunks, the widths of the basal trunks, the widths of the filaments on their proximal and distal end and the widths 0.25 mm from the proximal end. In all species (forms) differences in the size of the respiratory surface area between the first (April – June) and the second generation (August – October) were found. In S. monticola 1 the mean real respiratory surface area was significantly (p < 0.001) larger in spring (3.67 mm²) than in summer (2.19 mm²). In S. monticola 2 the mean real respiratory surface area was 3.45 mm² in spring, and it was significantly larger in females than in males (p = 0.034). In S. argyreatum the mean real respiratory surface area was 2.80 mm² in spring 2001 while in different summer generations it was significantly smaller: 1.58 mm² in 1999, 1.84 mm² in 2000 and 2.12 mm² in 2001. All these groups differed significantly from each other. Regression models could explain 64.5% (power model) of the real respiratory surface area in S. monticola 1 and 19.9% (various models) of the real respiratory surface area in S. argyreatum due to the variability of the adult size.     

DNA based association and description of the larval stage of Drusus melanchaetes McLachlan, 1876 (Trichoptera: Limnephilidae: Drusinae) with notes on ecology and zoogeography

At three alpine locations in Switzerland adults of Drusus melanchaetes and unknown Drusinae larvae which could not be identified with existing keys were sampled. Based on DNA association with adults, we identified the unknown larvae as D. melanchaetes. To further support the association of specimens a phylogeny was estimated with the putative closest relatives of D. melanchaetes – D. monticola and D. nigrescens – and five other species of Drusus (D. chrysotus, destitutus, discolor, muelleri and romanicus). A highly supported monophyletic clade groups unknown larvae and D. melanchaetes specimens from the central Alps and Austria (Vorarlberg), confirming the association.Based on morphology, larvae of D. melanchaetes key out together with D. destitutus in existing keys. D. melanchaetes is separated from the latter species by the shape of the lateral head profile which is almost straight and shows a small step at the height of the antenna, whereas in D. destitutus the lateral head profile is evenly rounded. In addition, in frontal view, the shape of the lateral head outline is straight in D. melanchaetes and rounded in D. destititus. There are also differences in the shape of the pronotum and in the number of the posterodorsal setae at the eighth abdominal dorsum.     

Life history, growth and production of Theodoxus fluviatilis in Lake Esrom, Denmark

A population of Theodoxus fluviatilis L in the littoral zone of Lake Esrom was investigated from November 1977 to February 1979. The population was sampled every month in the winter period and twice during the rest of the year. Biomass was estimated as ash-free dry weight (AFDW) of the organic matter both of the soft parts of the animal and the shell itself. The relation between AFDW (c) and shell length (l) was log c=2.9509×log (l)−1.7120. The population comprised more than 1 year-class, which could be separated by shell length, by a narrow band on the shells and the growth of algae on the shell. The life cycle lasted years. The oldest animals had a shell length of 7.0-7.5 mm. A few individuals who were estimated to be years had a shell length up to 8.6 mm. Population density varied between 575 and 2115 individuals m⁻² on the stony substratum. The average was 1160 individuals m⁻². Mortality was low during the summer period. In winter many animals died due to the effect of ice and stormy weather on the stony substratum. Growth of the animals was estimated from the shell length. Maximum growth was observed from May to August with no growth during the winter. Egg capsules were found on the stones all year round. New capsules were found from late May to the middle of November. Most freshly laid capsules were observed in May-June and August-September. Capsules from the late summer hatched in spring and capsules laid in the spring hatched in August-September. The average annual net production for the whole population was estimated by three methods. The Allen curve method gave 1.895 AFDW m⁻², the growth-increment method gave 1.784 mg AFDW m⁻² and the Hynes method 2.284 mg AFDW m⁻². Corresponding estimated P/B ratios were 1.29, 1.30 and 1.57. Annual net-production of the four investigated year-classes was 16 mg AFDW m⁻² year⁻¹ for 1975, 224 mg AFDW m⁻² year⁻¹ for 1976, 1.258 mg AFDW m⁻² year⁻¹ for 1977 and 287 mg AFDW m⁻² year⁻¹ for 1978. P/B ratios for the three oldest year-classes were, respectively, 0.32, 0.50 and 1.67. A comparison with other investigations on gastropod life cycles, reproduction and P/B ratios is made and differences discussed. Variations are correlated to temperature, and food quality and quantity.