Tidal conditions differently influence inter‐tidal organisms in terms of general physiological and metabolic responses. In this study we investigated the morphological response in shells of Mytilus galloprovincialis native to different micro‐tidal coastal environments in the Northern Adriatic Sea. Our purpose was to highlight the ecophenotypic variability across tidal levels and to elucidate how tidal currents and waves produced by anthropogenic activities may play a part in modulating shell morphology. Three sampling sites were selected: an open‐sea area 15 km off‐shore and two sites within the lagoon of Venice, the first near one of its three inlets, and the other one in the proximity of Venice city centre. At each sampling site, organisms were seasonally collected at different depths within their vertical zonation, either in the inter‐tidal zone – i.e. at both the highest and lowest tide zonation limits, and subtidally. The mussel shells were analysed by investigation of their morphometric relationships (height/length and width/length ratios) and by elliptic Fourier analysis of the shell contours. Shell thickness and condition index were also evaluated for a better comprehension of energy allocation/partitioning. Estimates based on long‐term measurements, visual observation, wind statistics and wave growth laws allowed an evaluation of the forces acting on shells. At the open‐sea site, the observed phenotypic variability of both shell shape and thickness was clearly related to the tidal vertical zonation. At the two lagoon sites, the currents generated by tidal flow through the inlet and the waves caused by the frequent passage of boats influenced both shell shape and thickness. A trade‐off between protection and growth was apparent along the tide gradient, as emphasized by the differences in the partitioning and allocation of energy between shell and flesh production. 相似文献
通过对柴达木察尔汗盐湖贝壳堤剖面沉积物粒度、碳酸盐和磁化率的对比,结合沉积物粒度频率曲线与多种粒度参数分析,详细讨论了研究剖面形成过程中物质搬运和沉积作用以及所反映的环境变化。结果表明沉积物粒度特征指示了湖泊水位的相对变化。在距今约38.2 ka BP(14-C年代,未校正。下同)左右,沉积记录指示古湖泊的范围和水位已达到剖面位置,之后湖泊继续扩张、水位波动上升;在距今约35.5 ka BP,粒径有一突然变细又变粗的过程,可能为一次较快速的湖面波动;在距今约35.5 ~ 33.3 ka BP之间,沉积物颗粒较粗,碳酸盐含量和磁化率值低,揭示湖泊水位较低。距今约33.3 ~ 27.1 ka BP之间,沉积物颗粒较细,碳酸盐含量较前一阶段高,表明此阶段湖泊水位相对较深,但粒度、碳酸盐和磁化率等指标也记录了三次较明显的湖泊快速但短暂的退缩过程;在距今约29.7~28.3 ka BP,沉积物颗粒最细,指示了此时期可能为湖泊水位最高期。从距今约27.1 ka BP开始,沉积积物颗粒明显变粗,揭示湖泊进入到退缩期,距今约18.1 ka BP,粒度指标的变化和上层的盐壳指示湖泊进入快速盐化阶段,之后湖泊退出剖面所在的位置,此后研究区湖泊水位再也没有达到这个高度。 相似文献
In habitats where competition for space is a shaping force of animal distribution such as in the intertidal rocky ecosystem, new habitats are readily taken by colonising species. We examined the importance of empty Chthamalus spp. tests as a habitat for the intertidal common periwinkle Melaraphe neritoides on Portuguese rocky shores. The role played by the space between neighbouring barnacles as a habitat for other species has been largely studied with regard to how an ecosystem functions, whereas the equivalent role of empty barnacle tests remains largely unknown. The small periwinkle is one of the most abundant snails in European rocky shores and is an important prey for key mobile predators. Biological facilitation is common in the rocky intertidal zone, where biological structures often potentiate the abundance of other species. The role played by barnacles as biological facilitators through habitat provision is not fully understood. In this study, the abundance and morphometric features of empty barnacle tests and their occupants were examined across shore levels and shores with differing exposures, as these are important gradients explaining barnacle distribution. The availability of empty barnacle tests was also experimentally manipulated to examine the percentage, time and length of occupation. Empty barnacles were more abundant on the midshore of sheltered shores and barnacle tests were wider on the upper shore but taller on the midshore. The minimum barnacle test occupation rate by the periwinkle was 70%. Barnacle shell height was an important factor determining snail occupation, where taller barnacles harboured significantly more, but not necessarily larger, snails. Snails outside the barnacle tests were significantly larger than those found within, suggesting that this crustacean group has an increased importance as a habitat for juvenile snails, thus potentially influencing the population dynamics of M. neritoides. We found that occupation of experimentally created empty barnacles was extremely high (70%) on the day after, and remained at 100% after 3 months of monitoring. Our study is the first of its kind to focus on the features of barnacle tests that snails occupy and their occupying snail traits. According to our results, it is clear that barnacles have an important role in providing additional habitat for young gastropods. The small periwinkle is an important grazer and prey for intertidal and subtidal foraging predators; hence, the potential refuge role of barnacle tests for juvenile M. neritoides may be important in the dynamics of intertidal communities. 相似文献