Current trends of space occupation by encrusting excavating sponges on Colombian coral reefs

Some sponges of the genus Cliona (Porifera, Hadromerida, Clionidae) simultaneously excavate and encrust calcareous substratum, competing aggressively for illuminated space with corals and other organisms. To interpret current trends of reef space occupation, the patterns of distribution and size of three Caribbean species were examined at San Andrés Island and Islas del Rosario in Colombia. While Cliona aprica was ubiquitous, C. caribbaea (= C. langae) preferred deep and protected reef zones, and C. tenuis shallow and wave‐exposed settings. In contrast to the effect on other excavating sponges, chronic exposure to raw sewage did not significantly increase the abundance of the studied sponges. Substratum occupation/availability ratios showed a positive tendency of the sponges toward certain coral skeletons, and a negative or neutral tendency toward calcareous rock, indicating that establishment may be easier on clean, recently dead coral than on older, heavily incrusted substratum. High relief generally limits sponge size to that of the illuminated portions of the substratum. A generally lower proportion of small individuals than of larger ones indicates currently low recruitment rates and low subsequent mortality. Successful events of higher recruitment seem to have occurred for C. tenuis. These are related to the massive acroporid coral die‐off in the early 1980s and to asexual dispersion during storms, resulting in a current 10% substratum cover. Reefs with high coral mortality were and/or are thus more susceptible to colonization and subsequent space occupation by these sponges, although relief may prevent space monopolization.     

甘肃环县楼房子遗址2012年发掘的披毛犀死亡年龄研究

现代人在MIS 3成功扩散到全球各地,研究该阶段人类在不同气候环境下的生计行为有助于理解他们殖民成功的原因。目前在中国西北的黄土高原地区发现了一批出土化石的遗址,但其中大多数保存不佳,缺少科学发掘和绝对测年。甘肃环县楼房子遗址位于黄土高原腹地,在2012年的考古发掘中出土了大量动物遗存。对楼房子遗址2012年发掘获得的披毛犀牙齿进行研究,并结合其他地区已发表的关于古人类和犀牛之间的互动关系分析,探讨晚更新世黄土高原地区狩猎采集人群的生计策略,结果表明,披毛犀是楼房子遗址先民的重要肉食来源,他们一直维持着稳定且合理的开发策略,重点关注成年个体,这种偏好披毛犀的传统一直延续到遗址被废弃。结合周边发现来看,在这一阶段,生活在黄土高原地区的古人类很可能对当地环境发展出了特殊的适应模式,披毛犀在他们的生计策略中占有重要地位。

     

The pelagic community of a gravel pit lake: Significance of Coleps hirtus viridis (Prostomatida) and its role as a scavenger

Coleps hirtus viridis was the dominant species of the planktonic ciliate community of Lake Fühlinger See (Germany) during the study in 1999 and 2000. Total ciliate densities ranged from 120 to 42,000 ind. l⁻¹ in 1999 and up to 8,000 ind. l⁻¹ in 2000. Coleps contributed up to 98% to both total ciliate abundance and biomass and made up an average of 64% of the total ciliate biomass. Oligotrichs (Rimostrombidium, Strobilidium) dominated the epilimnetic zone, whereas peritrich ciliates (Pelagovorticella, Vorticella) were predominantly located in the hypolimnion. The population maximum of Coleps changed locations from the epilimnion in early summer to the hypolimnion (up to 40,000 ind. l⁻¹) during stratification. High growth rates in the hypolimnion, presence of endosymbiontic algae and the ability to ingest detritus seem to be important for the success.Growth rates of Coleps in June were determined by Landry-Hassett dilution experiments in both the epilimnion and the hypolimnion. The instantaneous growth rates were similar in both layers (0.6 d⁻¹), but a distinctly higher instantaneous mortality was estimated for the epilimnion. These high loss rates may be due to grazing pressure by cladocerans.The significance of the histophagous feeding of Coleps was evaluated through an experiment using killed zooplankton. Parts of Daphnia magna were incorporated at rates of about 1,100 μm³ ind.⁻¹ h⁻¹ by Coleps without endosymbiotic algae and at rates of 500 μm³ ind.⁻¹ h⁻¹ by Coleps with endosymbionts. These high feeding rates support the conclusion that Coleps can use dead organic matter as an additional food source.     

Pseudocycnus appendiculatus Heller, 1868 (copepoda,dichelesthiidae) in New Zealand waters

Pseudocycnus appendiculatus Heller is described and recorded, for the first time from New Zealand, on Thunnus alalunga (Bonnaterre, 1788). Pseudocycnus spinosus Pearse, 1951 and P. thynnus Brandes, 1955 are thought to be synonyms of P. appendiculatus. Other species previously placed in the genus are discussed and the action of Yamaguti (1963) in removing them to other genera supported. It is suggested that the family Pseudocycnidae Yamaguti, 1963 cannot be differentiated from the family Dichelesthiidae Bassett‐Smith, 1898.     

Mapping the Geographical Diffusion of a Finnish Smallpox Epidemic from Historical Population Records

Smallpox mortality from an early 19th century epidemic in Finland is mapped at the parish village level. First, geographically referenced historical materials are used to construct a map showing the spread of smallpox mortality among villages. Next, the diffusion of smallpox morbidity is simulated by computer for the same set of villages. These two maps are then compared. Results indicate that at this scale maps of mortality diffusion can show general trends but have no direct spatial correspondence to the underlying pattern of morbidity diffusion. Mortality maps cannot be used as a surrogate measure of infectious contact behavior at micro scales of analysis.     

中国人口死亡率空间格局演变及其影响因素

人口死亡率是人口转型关键因素之一,而人口转型又关系着地区社会经济发展质量。以2000—2015年粗死亡率数据为基础,通过变异系数、趋势分析和空间自相关分析中国人口死亡率空间格局差异及演变态势,并结合偏最小二乘回归定量分析人口死亡率影响因素。结果发现：（1）中国人口死亡率大致呈西北、东北和东南低,中部及西南高态势,且各时段人口死亡率降低省份高于增长省份;（2）中国各省死亡率变异系数差异悬殊,且在空间趋势中东西方向呈现两端低中间高、南北方向由两端低中间高向北低南高转变;（3）人口死亡率全局空间集聚程度不断减弱,区域差异缩小,且局部空间上以高-高和低-低聚集为主;（4）人口老龄化是人口死亡率提升的主要推动因子,其次分别为工业废水排放总量、突发环境事件次数和气候条件等。人均生产总值对人口死亡率起主要抑制作用,其次分别为每千人口床位数、每十万人口大学平均在校生数、人均用水量和空气质量。农作物受灾面积合计对人口死亡率在不同年份作用力不一致。     

梭梭幼苗死亡与土壤和大气干旱的关系研究

以古尔班通古特沙漠南缘沙漠中的一年生梭梭幼苗为研究对象,对环境气象因子、土壤含水率、幼苗根系垂直伸展状况、幼苗死亡动态进行了全生长期的连续监测研究。结果表明,尽管梭梭幼苗根系伸展迅速,当年可达1.5 m,幼苗死亡率动态变化仍然与土壤表层含水率显著相关,而与根区或深层含水率不显著相关。但统计分析结果显示,土壤表层含水率并不总是梭梭幼苗死亡率波动的主导因素。当土壤含水率低至0.82%时,无论大气干旱程度如何,幼苗死亡率都急剧升高;而当土壤含水率高于1.25%时,幼苗可以耐受大气干旱,幼苗死亡只与土壤表层含水率显著相关;当土壤含水率在0.82~1.25%之间时,幼苗死亡率与大气干旱程度（空气饱和差）显著相关。据此我们推测,当土壤表层含水率低于1.25%时,大气干旱主导死亡率的变化;反之,则土壤水分主导。