Aquatic fungi growing on dead fragments of submerged plants

The authors investigated the dead fragments of 22 species of submerged plants in the water from three limnological and trophical different water bodies (spring, river and pond). A total of 184 species of aquatic fungi, including 119 zoosporic and 65 conidial species were found on the fragments investigated plants. The most common fungus species were Aphanomyces laevis, Saprolegnia litoralis, Pythium rostratum (zoosporic fungi) and Acrodictys elaeidicola, Anguillospora longissima, Angulospora aquatica, Lemonniera aquatica, Mirandina corticola, Tetracladium marchalianum, Tetracladium maxiliformis, Trinacrium subtile (conidial fungi).

Most fungus species were observed on the specimens of Elodea canadensis (33 fungus species), Hippuris vulgaris f. submersa (33), Myriophyllum spicatum (34) and Potamogeton crispus (33), fewest on Ceratophyllum demersum (24), Fontinalis dalicarlica and Potamogeton nitens (each 25).

The most fungi were growing in the water from River Supraśl (107), the fewest in the water from Pond Dojlidy (99). Some aquatic fungus species were observed in the water of only one of the three water bodies – in Pond Dojlidy (30), in Spring Jaroszówka (32) and in the River Supraśl (39) species. Seventy-five species growing only on fragments of single submerged plants. A number of zoosporic and conidial species (22 and four, respectively) appeared new to Polish waters. Out of these 119 zoosporic species, some are known as parasites or necrotrophs of fish.     

Hydroacoustic estimates of fish biomass and spatial distributions in shallow lakes

We conducted acoustical surveys with a horizontal beam transducer to detect fish and with a vertical beam transducer to detect depth and macrophytes in two typical shallow lakes along the middle and lower reaches of the Changjiang(Yangtze) River in November 2013. Both lakes are subject to active fish management with annual stocking and removal of large fish. The purpose of the study was to compare hydroacoustic horizontal beam estimates with fish landings. The preliminary results show that the fish distribution patterns dif fered in the two lakes and were af fected by water depth and macrophyte coverage. The hydroacoustically estimated fish biomass matched the commercial catch very well in Niushan Lake, but it was two times higher in Kuilei Lake. However, acoustic estimates included all fish, whereas the catch included only fish 45 cm(smaller ones were released). We were unable to determine the proper regression between acoustic target strength and fish length for the dominant fish species in the two lakes.     

Dislocation Pedagogy

This article describes an experiment in learning with a course on “research and philosophies of place and space” in which students were repeatedly dislocated from an environment familiar to them and replaced in key locations about the city with local place experts as their guide. The article begins with a review of the meaning of place and the opportunities offered by the City of Kingston for reflective engagement. It briefly hints at some of the social trends devaluing place learning and the consequently political nature of this pedagogy. Finally, it summarizes the lessons learned in five of the ten classes.     

Zoosporic aquatic fungi growing on dead specimens of 29 freshwater crustacean species

The authors investigated aquatic fungi growing on the carapaces of 29 species of dead crustaceans (13 species of Copepoda, 13 species of Cladocera and 3 species of Ostracoda) in the water from six limnological and trophical different water bodies (two springs, one river, one lake and two ponds). All of these waterbodies are strongly loaded. 146 species of aquatic fungi were found on the carapaces: 40 Chytridiomycetes, 1 Hyphochytriomycete and 105 Oomycetes. The most common fungus species were Karlingia chitinophila, Myzocytium microsporum, Myzocytium zoophthorum, Pythium acanthicum, Pythium butleri and Pythium myriotylum. Most zoosporic fungus species were observed on the specimens of Daphnia pulex (50 fungus species), Daphnia magna (48) and Cyclocypris laevis (44), fewest on Cyclops fuscus and Cyclops vicinus (each 10).The most fungi were growing in the water from River Supraśl (86), the fewest in the water from Pond Fosa (53). Cluster analysis of the investigated parameters carried out in water bodies during the experiment on zoosporic fungus species has revealed that in the water from springs and Pond Fosa the number of fungus species is closely associated with the concentration of sulphates, in water from River Supraśl and Lake Komosa with calcium and in the water from Pond Dojlidy with chlorides. Out of these 146 species, 21 are known as parasites or necrotrophs of fish. Some dead specimens of crustacean species are a new substrate for some fungus species.