Timing of breeding in free-ranging Ethiopian hedgehogs,Paraechinus aethiopicus,from Qatar

There is little information pertaining to the breeding behaviour and reproductive biology of free-ranging hedgehog populations outside of Europe. We monitored the seasonal changes in courtship behaviour and the presence of new young animals from a free-ranging Ethiopian hedgehog population in Qatar between 2010 and 2012. Based on frequencies of courtship behaviour and deduced frequencies of successful mating, the mating season of the Ethiopian hedgehog is believed to start in January and continue through until July with a clear peak during the February/March period. We propose the existence of two mating peaks, one in February/March and the second in June, suggesting that free-ranging Ethiopian hedgehogs breed more than twice a year in Qatar. Successful mating in late winter/early spring may be more important for the increasing the inclusive fitness of the parents based on the number of young individuals that survive beyond one month of age.     

Environmental drivers of small scale spatial variation in the reproductive schedule of a commercially important bivalve mollusc

Understanding variability in reproductive schedules is essential to the management of recruitment limited fisheries such as that of Pecten maximus. Small scale (<5 km) variation in gonad condition and the onset of spawning of P. maximus were found among commercial scallop grounds in Isle of Man waters. Environmental and fishing drivers of these spatial patterns were investigated using a generalised additive model. Rate of change in temperature over the month prior to sampling was identified as the short term driver of gonad weight associated with the autumn spawning event. Long term drivers were average annual chlorophyll a concentration, scallop density, stratification index and shell size. The model explained 42.8% of deviance in gonad weight. Within site variation in gonad condition was high, indicating a “bet hedging” reproductive strategy which may decrease the chance of fertilisation especially at low densities. Therefore, areas protected from fishing, where scallop densities can increase may help buffer against reproductive failure. An increase in shell length from 100 mm to 110 mm equated to an increase of approximately 20% in gonad weight. Protecting scallops from fishing mortality until 110 mm (age four) compared to 100 mm (age three) may lead to an overall increase in lifetime reproductive output by a factor of 3.4.     

沙地冷蒿种群的耐牧机理研究初报

通过调查冷蒿的生物学特性,并以4种不同处理实验研究了耐牧性。处理方法分别为第1组模拟轻牧,剪去植株高度的一半(T₁);第2组模拟重牧,把植株地上部分全部剪掉(T₂);第3组埋土3~5cm(T₃),以模拟沙质草场疏松的地表易被牲畜践踏活化而掩埋植物;第4组做对照(T₄)。试验结果证明,春季对地上部分剪除不影响以后的营养生长和生殖枝的形成发育,但是7月以后做剪除处理则对其营养生长不利,对生殖枝的形成影响更大。生长季多次剪枝可获得更大生物量,不同处理组平均每株的地上部分收获生物量(干重)分别是25.2g(T₁),27.4g(T₂),24.7g(T₃)和22.0g(T₄)。冷蒿枝条密集,在无干扰条件下,平均每株有枝条近百枝。植株地上部被剪除后,不定芽萌发力强,1cm的残枝上可以萌芽2~4个。枝条的基部极易生不定根形成新植株。有性繁殖与无性繁殖并存保证了种群更新。     

温度对禾谷缢管蚜生长发育和繁殖的影响

在人工气候室不同温度下研究了禾谷缢管蚜（RhopqlosiphumPadi（Linnaeus））的生长发育和繁殖。结果表明在10～30℃范围内．随着温度的升高,禾谷缢管蚜的发育速率加快,到一定温度之后又随温度升高而减慢;在25．4℃时,rm值最大为0．4196;在25℃时的种群出生率最高。当种群达稳定状态后,若蚜的比例在25℃时最小,占73．5％,而成蚜的比例最大,达26．4％;随着温度的升高,禾谷缢管蚜的产仔期变短,产仔量减少．但产仔峰值加大,峰值来临时间提前。同时还对极端温度对禾谷缢管蚜存活的影响进行了系统测定。     

Influence of diet on growth, condition and reproductive capacity in Newfoundland and Labrador cod (Gadus morhua): Insights from stable carbon isotopes (δC)

Cod populations in Newfoundland and Labrador waters have shown differing growth, condition and recruitment since near-universal declines in these properties during the cold period of the late 1980s and early 1990s. To assess the influence of variable prey communities on these parameters, we compared cod energetics and diet in populations off Labrador and the northeast and south coasts of Newfoundland. Many properties were highest in the southern group(s) and lowest in the northern group(s), including growth, somatic condition, liver index and age-at-maturity. Most differences could be explained by variations in diet, as measured by stomach contents and stable carbon isotopes (δ¹³C). The diet of Labrador cod consisted almost entirely of northern shrimp (Pandalus borealis), and these cod displayed the most benthic δ¹³C signatures. Northeast cod had a more varied diet that included capelin and other fish, but still had mostly benthic δ¹³C signatures, suggesting the importance of benthic prey like shrimp in this population. South coast cod exhibited the most varied diet, including capelin (Mallotus villosus), zooplankton, crabs and other fish, and had the most pelagic δ¹³C signatures. Among and within populations, the benefits of a more pelagic diet in medium-sized (30–69 cm) cod included higher somatic condition, higher liver index (lipid stores) and greater spawning potential (decreased incidence of atresia). It is hypothesized that major rebuilding of Newfoundland and Labrador cod stocks will require a return to a system that supports mostly pelagic feeding (i.e. capelin) in cod.     

Life history strategies in zooplankton communities: The significance of female gonad morphology and maturation types for the reproductive biology of marine calanoid copepods

The present review addresses the reproductive strategies of marine calanoid copepods, as affected by their physiological preconditioning, and aims to enhance understanding of their adaptations to specific environmental conditions.Knowledge about oocyte development and internal gonad structure, especially in relation to feeding conditions, is essential for a complete understanding of the reproductive strategies of the copepods. Therefore, the foci of the review are to identify general patterns in oocyte and gonad development in calanoid copepod species from marine ecosystems worldwide and to elucidate the significance of gonad structures for reproductive strategies.Oogenesis is similar in all copepod species. During maturation, the morphology of the oocytes changes distinctly and, according to oocyte size and appearance of ooplasm and nucleus, five oocyte developmental stages are distinguished. In contrast, the gonad structure and its changes during the spawning cycle differ considerably among species, and these differences are related to specific reproductive traits.Four gonad morphology types can be distinguished: the Calanus-type, found in species from all over the world with distinctly different life history traits, is apparently most common in calanoid copepods. In this gonad type, most oocyte developmental stages are present simultaneously, and usually many oocytes mature synchronously, all of which are released in one clutch. The gonad structure allows frequent spawning and large clutches, hence, high egg production rates. This may be a preconditioning for exploiting seasonally high food supply. However, the Calanus-type was also found in species producing eggs at lower rates. In the diverticula of Pseudocalanus-type gonads, only two oocyte developmental stages are present and usually fewer oocytes mature synchronously. Accordingly, the egg production rate is generally lower as compared to the Calanus-type, and apparently only this gonad-type is structurally suitable for ovigerity. Species with Pseudocalanus-type gonads are present from polar seas to the tropics, some of them being key species. The Acartia-type was scarce, found in only one species, Acartia clausi. Here all oocyte developmental stages are present, including intermediate stages, but only a few oocytes mature synchronously and are released together. High spawning frequency compensates for the small clutches, and hence egg production rate may be as high as in Calanus-type gonads. In the Aetidius-type gonad, the total number of oocytes in the diverticula is low as is the number of oocytes maturing synchronously. Less is known about the reproductive biology of species with Aetidius-type gonads; however, their distribution and feeding patterns suggest that this type is common in species inhabiting environments of low food availability.The differences in gonad structures also lead to differences in the egg size:female size ratio, as the space available for each mature oocyte depends on the total number of oocytes. Independent from gonad-type, the eggs are relatively large in species in which the gonads contain only few oocytes, whereas small eggs are produced by species with gonads filled with many oocytes. Since all species carrying their eggs in external sacs until hatching (ovigerous species) have Pseudocalanus-type gonads, the scatter in their egg size:female size ratio is low. The broadcast spawning species are of all gonad-types, and consequently the scatter among them is high.A major factor affecting the timing and magnitude of spawning of calanoid copepods is the energy supply for gonad development. Therefore, part of the review elucidates the role of internal and external resources in fuelling egg production. In many species, freshly assimilated food is transferred into egg material within a short period of time, and clutch size and spawning frequency are the two parameters that allow adjustment of egg production to food availability and temperature. However, internal body reserves may also fuel oocyte development. The extent to which oogenesis depends on ambient feeding conditions varies considerably among species and even within species, apparently reflecting their adaptation to specific environmental conditions. All copepod species continue to release eggs for a short period after the onset of starvation, indicating that a short-term nutrient pool fuels final oocyte maturation. Some species, especially from polar and subpolar regions, are capable of reproducing on internal reserves, either solely or in addition to freshly ingested food, hence, decoupling the reproduction to some extent from the spring bloom. The reproductive strategy of Calanus finmarchicus, which responds with extreme flexibility to variations in food supply, is presented here as an example for the complexity of the reproductive processes in a calanoid copepod.In accordance with their physiological pre-conditioning, the calanoid copepod species exhibit distinctly different reproductive patterns. Polar and sub-polar environments are characterized by strong seasonality in light regime, and hence, phytoplankton concentration. The reproductive activity of many dominant (herbivorous) species peaks during the spring bloom. However, species that utilize internal reserves or food resources other than phytoplankton, reproduce before and after the bloom, or even year-round. In the North Atlantic, presented here as an example for a boreal marine ecosystem, maximum reproduction of the dominant copepod species Calanus finmarchicus occurs during the spring bloom. However, the timing of peak spawning varies between areas, as the onset of the bloom varies with hydrography and climate. The subtropical Gulf of Aqaba, in contrast to other subtropical systems, is characterized by seasonal phytoplankton succession driven by thermal winter convection. These changing environmental conditions, however, did not affect the reproduction of two of the dominant species, Clausocalanus farrani and C. furcatus. In contrast, other calanoid species exhibit reproductive cycles, either related to temperature (Ctenocalanus vanus) or to ontogenetic migration (Rhincalanus nasutus).The information gained from studies of morphology and reproductive traits contributes to standardization of methods in reproductive studies. Based on detailed knowledge of gonad morphology and its changes during maturation and due to food supply, classification schemata have been developed allowing the identification of females ready to spawn. In a next step, egg production may be estimated from preserved females by assessing clutch size through the number of maturing oocytes in the gonads. This approach, however, is as yet applicable only to the species best studied, Calanus finmarchicus.The present review shows that morphological studies on gonad maturation processes may provide significant contributions to fundamental ecological questions. Thus, they extend our knowledge of reproductive ecology from simply relating reproductive traits to abiotic and biotic factors toward a mechanistic understanding of how reproduction is regulated in calanoid copepods.     

Effects of elevated CO2 on the reproduction of two calanoid copepods

Some planktonic groups suffer negative effects from ocean acidification (OA), although copepods might be less sensitive. We investigated the effect of predicted CO₂ levels (range 480–750 ppm), on egg production and hatching success of two copepod species, Centropages typicus and Temora longicornis. In these short-term incubations there was no significant effect of high CO₂ on these parameters. Additionally a very high CO₂ treatment, (CO₂ = 9830 ppm), representative of carbon capture and storage scenarios, resulted in a reduction of egg production rate and hatching success of C. typicus, but not T. longicornis. In conclusion, reproduction of C. typicus was more sensitive to acute elevated seawater CO₂ than that of T. longicornis, but neither species was affected by exposure to CO₂ levels predicted for the year 2100. The duration and seasonal timing of exposures to high pCO₂, however, might have a significant effect on the reproduction success of calanoid copepods.     

Contrasting recovery of shallow and deep water seagrass communities following climate associated losses in tropical north Queensland,Australia

Tropical seagrass decline and recovery from severe storm impacts was assessed via quarterly measurements of seagrass biomass, species composition and experimental investigations of recovery in north Queensland. Shallow and deep seagrass meadows suffered major declines. Significant recovery in the two years following loss only occurred at deeper sites. Halophila spp. in deep water areas had a high capacity for recovery through the availability of seed banks. In contrast, the shallow species did not recover quickly from experimental disturbance, had poor seed reserves and relied on asexual propagation. The potential for shallow species to recover rapidly from widespread losses was limited as seed banks were limited or non-existent. Understanding inter- and intra-specific differences in seagrass recovery and how this interacts with location is critical to predict the consequences of climate events to tropical seagrasses. This is especially important as more frequent severe storms are predicted as a consequence of climate change.     

The ecology of Lerista labialis (Scincidae) in the Simpson Desert: reproduction and diet

This study investigated the diet and reproductive cycle of the southern sandslider skink Lerista labialis, in the dunefields of the Simpson Desert, central Australia. We dissected preserved specimens to obtain gut contents and measure gonad volume, and also live-captured animals from 1999 to 2000 to assess the impact of rainfall on population structure and body condition. This skink breeds during the austral summer. Males start spermatogenesis in July and testes volume is largest in December. Females have enlarged ovarian follicles in November and produce oviducal eggs from November to February. One or more clutches of two eggs are produced per breeding season. L. labialis specializes on termites, which represent 78% of the diet by percentage occurrence. The remaining 22% of this skink's diet comprises Hemiptera, Neuroptera and unknown prey items. Body condition, and probably increased reproduction and juvenile survival, were higher in 2000 (wet year) than 1999 (relatively dry year); proportion of juveniles also increased in the population in autumn, winter and summer 2000 compared to the previous year. Late rainfall in autumn 2000 may have triggered these demographic changes by increasing prey accessibility. Long-term research is required into growth rates, longevity and inter-annual population dynamics of L. labialis to fully evaluate its life history strategy.     

Differences in production and mortality of reproductive structures in two Prosopis L. (Mimosaceae) shrub species from Patagonia, Argentina

Prosopis L. pods have been proposed as a source of gum (galactomannans), with potential applications as a thickening agent in the food industry. The objective of this work was to compare, under field conditions, the production and mortality of reproductive structures in two sympatric shrub species of Prosopis: P. alpataco Phillipi and P. denudans Bentham. Our results indicate that fruit production in Prosopis denudans and P. alpataco is very low and erratic in non-irrigated lands. Although large quantities of flowers (15,000–25,000 flowers*0.40 m⁻²) can be found in one flowering season, 70–80% are shed before they reach anthesis and 20–28% are aborted between anthesis and fruit set. We conclude that the utilization of native populations of Prosopis denudans and P. alpataco for fruit production in Patagonian steppe, could not guarantee a consistent supply for the food industry.