Ontogenetic variation and craniometric sexual dimorphism in the social giant mole-rat,Fukomys mechowii (Rodentia: Bathyergidae), from Zambia

The degree of maxillary molar tooth-row eruption and wear were used to assign samples of the social giant mole-rat, Fukomys mechowii, from Zambia, into nine relative age classes in order to assess ontogenetic (age) variation and craniometric sexual dimorphism, with reference to body mass. Univariate and multivariate statistical analyses showed craniometric differences between age classes 1–3 and age classes 5–9, with age class 4 being intermediate between these two age class groupings. This suggests that age class 4 lies at a point on a hypothetical growth curve where growth begins to stabilize. The intermediate placement of age class 4 in multivariate space broadly coincided with body mass categorizations into juveniles (age classes 1–3; <100 g), subadults (age class 4; c. 100–150 g), and adults (age classes 5–9; >150 g). The analyses also revealed the absence of sexual dimorphism in the relatively younger age classes 1–4 but its presence in the relatively older age classes 5–9, and these results are supported by data on body mass. These results may have implications in our understanding of the population and social structures, and reproductive strategies in this little-studied giant mole-rat.     

Ontogenetic niche shifts in the American Alligator establish functional connectivity between aquatic systems

Individual animals undergoing ontogenetic shifts in habitat use may establish a mobile link between discrete ecosystems via movement of energy, nutrients and matter, as well as through impacts on ecosystem and habitat structure. The American Alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) is a model species for studying ecological implications of ontogenetic niche shifts, because they grow in size by several orders of magnitude, and they play a critical role as both top predators and ecosystem engineers. We used equal trapping effort, radio telemetry and nest surveys to document ontogenetic habitat shifts of alligators between hydrologically isolated, seasonal wetlands and riverine systems. To estimate the degree of functional connectivity between systems, we quantified alligator biomass and nutrient excretion in both systems. Seasonal wetlands provided nesting and nursery sites for adult females and juveniles, which constituted 0.78 g/m² biomass and excreted 0.05 g/m²/yr N, P, Ca, Mg, Na and K in that system. In contrast, the riverine system provided non-nesting habitat for adults and sub-adults of both sexes, totaling 0.18 g/m² biomass and excreting 0.01 g/m²/yr of nutrients. Furthermore, sub-adults and adult females were documented moving across the terrestrial matrix, while adult males spent the duration of the study in the creek. Our results demonstrated that ontogenetic niche shifts in alligators establish connectivity between seasonal wetlands and riverine systems and with the surrounding terrestrial matrix. These findings have implications for the definition of jurisdictional wetlands under the US Supreme Court’s 2001 SWANCC decision and highlight the importance of ecological, as well as hydrological, connectivity.     

Ontogenetic and diel variation in the vertical distribution of larvae of jack mackerel <Emphasis Type="Italic">Trachurus japonicus</Emphasis> in the East China sea

Larvae of jack mackerel Trachurus japonicus were sampled in seven depth layers (0–10 m, 10–20 m, 20–30 m, 30–40 m, 40–50 m, 50–70 m, and 70–100 m), with a closing-type frame net, on 26th–27th February, 2003, at Sta. V (27°50′N, 126°00′E) continental shelf edge in the southern part of East China Sea, to examine their vertical distribution. Most of the larvae (>90%) occurred in the upper 50 m layer during both day and night. In the daytime, larvae of length from 3.0 mm to 4.5 mm were most abundant in the 10–20 m layer, those from 5.0 to 6.0 mm were most abundant in the 20–30 m layer, those from 6.0 to 8.0 mm occurred at greater depth, in the 30–40 m layer, and those more than 9.0 mm were found in the 0–10 m layer and performed ontogenetic vertical migrations. Larvae from 6 mm to 8 mm length performed diurnal vertical migration, for the percentage (16.7%) of larval number in the 0–20 m layer in the daytime increased to 42.1% at night and the percentage (78.1%) in the 20–50 m layer in the daytime decreased to 49.0% at night.     

Effects of lead nitrate on the activity of metabolic enzymes during early developmental stages of the African catfish, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Clarias gariepinus</Emphasis> (Burchell, 1822)

Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and pyruvate kinase (PK) are key metabolic enzymes. G6PDH has been used as a biomarker of pollution-induced carcinogenesis in fish. LDH has been used as marker of lesions in toxicology and clinical chemistry, and PK catalyses the conversion of phosphoenol pyruvate to pyruvate, with regeneration of ATP. The effect of different concentrations of lead nitrate on the activity of these enzymes in two different early ontogenetic stages (embryonic and free embryonic stage) of the African catfish Clarias gariepinus was investigated. Embryo homogenates were used for measurements of G6PDH, LDH and PK activity spectrophotometrically at 340 nm and 25°C. The ontogenetic variations of the three enzymes during early ontogeny, from the 30 h to the 168 h post-fertilisation stage (PFS) (beginning of exogenous feeding), were studied. There was a significant decrease in activities of all three enzymes from 30 h-PFS to 96 h-PFS, followed by a significant increase in G6PDH and LDH. PK showed insignificant fluctuations in activity. Different patterns of enzyme activities were recorded due to exposure to different lead nitrate concentrations (100 μg/l, 300 μg/l and 500 μg/l). In the pre-hatching stage (30 h-PFS) the activity of the three enzymes increased at exposure to 100 μg/l lead nitrate and then decreased with increasing dose. In the post-hatching stages (48 h-PFS–168 h-PFS) G6PDH activity increased and LDH activity decreased with increasing lead concentrations. Unlike G6PDH and LDH, the PK enzyme fluctuated during the post-hatching stages and did not reveal a specific trend of response (increase or decrease) with increasing lead concentrations. Therefore, the measurement of G6PDH and LDH activities, but not PK activity, could be useful biomarkers of intoxication to reveal the embryotoxic potential of lead nitrate in fish embryos. The post-hatching stages of the African catfish are more sensitive than the pre-hatching stage (30 h-PFS) is, probably due to the protective capacity provided by the hardened chorion. The interaction and the main effects of age and lead doses were found to be highly significant, referring to the great impact of lead on these enzyme systems with increasing early development.     

基于几何形态测量法的剑尖枪乌贼角质颚形态变化研究

研究生物体的个体发育有助于充分认识其个体形态变化规律,从而了解生物体结构的功能性与形态间的相关关系。为探究剑尖枪乌贼(Uroteuthis edulis)角质颚的生长变化规律,本研究使用几何形态测量学方法分析了不同性别及发育阶段角质颚大小和形态的差异,并揭示其背后的生态含义。结果显示,剑尖枪乌贼不同性别个体的角质颚大小在发育过程中存在一定差异,雌性个体角质颚大于雄性个体,但不同性别角质颚形态差异不显著(P>0.05)。主成分分析和薄板样条变形网格显示,角质颚形态由未成熟至成熟期呈渐变规律。在发育过程中,上、下颚的头盖和翼部变得更大,脊突更加凸出,颚角夹角逐渐变小;上颚喙部更加尖锐,但下颚喙部逐渐变得迟钝。多元回归分析显示,上颚在未成熟期形态变化较小,在亚成熟期和成熟期变化较大,亚成熟期和成熟期形态变化趋势相似;下颚在未成熟期和亚成熟期形态变化较大,成熟期形态变化较小,发育过程中形态变化趋势差异较大。研究表明,剑尖枪乌贼在发育过程中,角质颚形态随着其个体不断发育呈渐变规律,同时,角质颚存在异速生长现象,可能与剑尖枪乌贼发育过程中的摄食和环境变化有关。     

Competition effects in an afrotemperate forest

Background： Information about competition responses is mainly available for monospecific stands or mixed stands with a small number of species. Studies on complex multi-species and highly structured forest ecosystems are scarce. Accordingly, the objective of this study was to quantify competition effects and analyse competition responses in a species-diverse afrotemperate forest in South Africa, based on an observational study with mapped tree positions and long-term diameter increment records. Methods： The sensitivity to competition was analysed for individual species and involved the calculation of the slope of the linear relation between the value of a competition index （CI） and diameter growth as a measure of sensitivity. In a next step different competition indices were combined and tree diameters were grouped in three classes as surrogates for canopy status and ontogenetic stage. Results： Five competition indices were found to be effective in showing sensitivity to competition for a number of canopy and sub-canopy species. Significant linear regressions were fitted for 18 of a total of 25 species. Species reactions varied significantly in their sensitivity to the different CIs. The indices were classified as belonging to two groups, those that responded more to local crowding and those that are more sensitive to overtopping, which revealed species-specific sensitivities to both factors. The analysis based on diameter classes revealed that species clearly changed their sensitivity to crowding or overtopping depending on diameter. Canopy and sub-canopy species showed distinct differences in their reactions. Conclusions： The application of multiple CIs brought novel insights relating to the dynamics of afrotemperate forests. The response patterns to different competition indices that focus on crowding and overtopping are varied and tree diameter dependent, indicating that oversimplified assumptions are not warranted in the interpretation of Cl- growth relations.     

不同基因型肉鸡肠道CAT1和CAT4 mRNA表达的发育性变化

选用遗传背景相同的1 d父母代雄性Arbor Acre(AA)和父母代雄性岭南黄肉雏鸡各160羽,采用相对定量RT-PCR方法,以AA肉鸡和岭南黄鸡十二指肠、空肠和回肠样品为模板,研究不同基因型肉鸡肠道CAT1和CAT4mRNA表达的发育性变化。结果显示:十二指肠和空肠CAT1和CAT4mRNA表达的发育性变化与回肠有着较大的差异;岭南黄肉鸡十二指肠和空肠CAT1和CAT4 mRNA表达的发育性变化与AA肉鸡分别有显著差别;岭南黄肉鸡十二指肠和空肠CAT1 mRNA表达从2~58d逐渐降低,AA肉鸡除在44d有所降低,在其他时间点的表达丰度基本一致;岭南黄肉鸡十二指肠和空肠CAT4 mRNA从2~44d有降低的趋势,58d有所回升,AA肉鸡在58d的丰度最低,其他时间点的表达丰度基本一致;岭南黄肉鸡回肠CAT1 mRNA的表达丰度在2~44d呈逐渐降低的趋势,58和44d接近,而AA肉鸡则在58d达到最高,其他时间点接近;2~44d岭南黄肉鸡回肠中CAT4 mRNA表达的发育性变化与AA肉鸡一致,但58d出现差异,AA肉鸡降到最低而岭南黄肉鸡显著上升。以上结果说明:十二指肠与空肠中CAT1和CAT4 mRNA表达的发育性变化与回肠有着较大的差异,这表明肠道近端和远端在碱性氨基酸吸收的功能上可能有所差异;不同基因型肉鸡十二指肠、空肠和回肠CAT1和CAT4 mRNA表达的发育模式不同,表明CAT1和CAT4 mRNA表达受到发育阶段、品种和肠段的调控。     

Variations in leaf mass per area according to N nutrition, plant age, and leaf position reflect ontogenetic plasticity in winter oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.)

Leaf mass per area (LMA) is a parameter the variability of which contributes to architectural plasticity. However its variations according to environment remain not completely understood. We hypothesise that LMA variations of winter oilseed rape (WOSR) follow an ontogenetic trajectory that can be modified by the environment. This was assessed at plant and leaf levels comparing four genotypes field-grown under different environmental conditions characterised by year and nitrogen nutrition. Leaves of the main stem of plants sampled between emergence and harvest were surfaced, oven-dried and weighed to calculate LMA of each individual leaf. At the plant level, LMA presented a common ontogenetic trajectory, which increases from seedling emergence to bolting and from then on decreases. Variations in LMA were related to the variations in plant demand, LMA decreased when demand increased. The trajectory was modified by low N nutrition that increased LMA but differently according to year and genotype, reflecting the plant plasticity. At the leaf level, variations for each individual leaf were related to the variations at the plant level. Plant plasticity and genotypic variability of the responses of LMA to N deficiency seemed to be related to differences in biomass allocation between leaves and stems.     

A 10-year evaluation of the functional basis for regeneration habitat preference of trees in an African evergreen forest

The spatial distribution of tree juveniles in relation to light environments may reflect species differences in growth, survival, and functional traits and will shape the nature of forest regeneration. Long-term field experiments are important to evaluate this issue because of the potentially very long juvenile period in trees. Here, we combine a 10-year seedling survival–growth data with the results of community ordination and multivariate analyses of functional traits to ask how observed juvenile light guilds are related to species functional traits and seedling performance. We transplanted seedlings at a standardized height of 11 cm into the shaded understory and quantified their growth and survival for 10-years. Using the community-wide stem distribution data, we categorized 33 species including the focal 11 species to understory vs. gap/edge guilds. Then, we determined differences between the two guilds in seedling survival, growth, as well as seed size, adult height, and a series of leaf traits, including toughness and chemical traits (fiber, protein, phenolics, tannins, alkaloids, saponins). Among the 11 non-pioneer species whose seedlings were planted into the understory, there was no significant difference in 10-year survival between light guilds, but species in gap/edge guild tended to achieve greater height than species in the understory guild. The leaf chemical traits of 33 species did not differ between the two juvenile light guilds, but gap/edge species had smaller seeds, taller adults, and tougher leaves than understory species. We used logistic regression as a complementary approach to assess the extent to which plant traits varied between light guilds and the most parsimonious model based on AIC_c ranking included only leaf toughness and had an Akaike weight of 0.52. In addition, across the 11 species planted as seedlings, these traits were not significantly related to survivorship or growth over 10 years. A Principle Components Analysis illustrated associations among traits. We conclude that light guilds in terms of juvenile stem distribution could not be explained by long-term field performance of post-establishment seedlings alone. Earlier seedling stage or later sapling stage may be more important in differentiation of light guilds. For the species examined difference in growth rates could be linked to seed size and adult stature, but not to the adult leaf chemical traits considered. These results suggest the importance of examining ontogenetic shifts and relationships among functional traits for a better understanding of regeneration strategies of tropical trees.     

东、黄海黄鮟鱇的摄食习性及其随发育的变化

2008年5月～2009年2月,对东、黄海663尾黄鱼安鱼康的胃含物及其随发育的变化进行了研究。结果表明,黄鱼安鱼康摄取的食物有120余种,主要食物类群为硬骨鱼类和长尾类,主要食物种类有小黄鱼、短鳄齿鱼、细条天竺鱼、发光鲷和带鱼。在黄海南部、东海北部和东海南部3个区域,黄鱼安鱼康的摄食强度变化不显著,而食物组成具有显著差异;体长在45～650mm之间的6个体长组,黄鱼安鱼康的摄食强度变化也不显著,但食物组成差别较大,食物种类随黄鱼安鱼康体长的增加有显著的变化。食物多样性指数、食物种类和食物重量范围都随体长的增加而变化。其食物组成的聚类分析结果将黄鱼安鱼康的6个体长组分为两组,一组体长小于250mm,另一组体长大于250mm。