Estimating dispersibility of Acer,Fraxinus and Tilia in fragmented landscapes from patterns of seedling establishment

Relative dispersibility of Tilia americana L., Acer saccharum Marsh. and Fraxinus pennsylvanica Marsh, was inferred from the ratio among species-specific regression coefficients () computed from seedling density-distance plots. Density counts were made in spatially-uniform old fields adjacent to single seed sources or monotypic fencerows. Resultant seedling shadow curves approximate the negative exponential form expected for many seeds (log y=a–X). This basic curve shape fit species of differing dispersibility, dispersal under a range of wind directions and one-year-old or all-aged cohorts. The ratios of were 1:2.6:3.2 for Tilia, Acer and Fraxinus, respectively, in order of increasing dispersibility. Vegetation patches isolated from seed sources by several hundred meters or more should have extremely low input of seeds, especially Tilia and Acer.The finding that Fraxinus disperses farther than Acer was unexpected, since the samaras of the former have faster terminal velocities. The relationship can be explained by better performance of Fraxinus samaras in the stronger winds experienced by trees in open landscapes, poorer formation of the samara abscission layer, and release of samaras following leaf abscission and during the winter when winds are the strongest. Both the samara plan and dispersal phenology need to be considered in estimating relative dispersibility among species.     

Periodicity and gradients in dispersal ofAlternaria linicola in linseed crops

Conidia ofAlternaria linicola produced on infected linseed crops were mainly dispersed by wind. The numbers of conidia in the air above linseed crops collected by a Burkard spore sampler were greatest between 1200 h and 1300 h, when the relative humidity was lowest. Although numbers of conidia collected decreased with increasing height within and above the crop canopy, air-borneA. linicola conidia were present up to 80 cm above the crop canopy. Conidia ofA. linicola were transported by wind up to at least 40 m downwind from an artificial line inoculum source, but their numbers decreased with increasing distance from the source. In 1991, 1992, and 1993, the dispersal ofA. linicola conidia above linseed crops followed a seasonal periodicity which was influenced by weather conditions and cultural practices. The greatest numbers of conidia were collected during July, August and early September and coincided with periods favourable for sporulation and with an increase in the incidence of the disease in the senescent crop. Air-borneA. linicola conidia produced on point or line inoculum sources (naturally infected linseed stem debris) were responsible for the spread of the disease in linseed crops. In 1992 and 1993, the disease was first detected downwind from the sources, but by the end of the growing seasons, it had spread in all directions and up to 20 m and 60 m from the sources, respectively. Disease gradients were initially steep near the inoculum sources but they became flatter with time due to the secondary spread of the disease.     

The effect of non-inversion tillage and light availability on dispersal and spatial growth of Cynodon dactylon

The invasive ability of Cynodon dactylon is dependent on self dispersal and on cultivation practices. Tillage can seriously change patch biomass and spatial structure, spreading vegetative propagules of the weed. The objectives of this study were: (i) to quantify the effect on non‐inversion tillage on dispersal, establishment and colonization of C. dactylon and (ii) to propose a simple model considering soil cultivation effects and light availability on spatial growth of weed patches. Two experiments were carried out, exploring different soils and environmental conditions. Spatial distribution of vegetative units differed when tillage was conducted with different non‐inversion implements and could be described by simple functions. A minimum patch biomass seems necessary before vegetative structures are vulnerable to movement by cultivation. Only a small proportion of the biomass dispersed from original patches was able to establish. However, simulation showed that the area colonized by C. dactylon mostly increased by means of tillage dispersal, both with and without crop competition, in one growing cycle. It appears sensible to consider changing cultivation practices to reduce weed dispersal and to use crop competition for light to create unsuitable habitats limiting weed colonization.     

Spatial distribution of Lolium rigidum seedlings following seed dispersal by combine harvesters

This paper considers the relationships between the dispersal of seeds and the distribution pattern of an annual weed. A comparative study of seed dispersal by combine harvesters, with and without a straw chopper attached, was established using Lolium rigidum, a common weed in Mediterranean cereal crops. Seed dispersal distance was quantified and the relationships between dispersal and fine‐scale seedling distribution evaluated. Primary dispersal of L. rigidum seeds occurs in a very limited space around the parent plants, but the density of seed is low because most seeds do not fall from spikes spontaneously. In contrast, many seeds are spread by combine harvesters. In this study the maximum dispersal exceeded 18 m from established stands in cereal fields, although the modal distance was close to the origin. In addition, the action of the combine harvesters tended to accumulate L. rigidum seeds predominantly under the straw swath, with some lateral movement. This action could explain the fine‐scale banded pattern of L. rigidum in cereal fields. Although the treatment of straw by the standard and straw chopper combines differed, the resultant seed distribution showed few differences.     

Awn of darnel (Lolium temulentum L.) as an anthropogenic dispersal organ: A case study in Malo, south-western Ethiopia

Darnel ( Lolium temulentum ), a weed of wheat and barley, is either awned or awnless. The role of the darnel awn in dispersal was investigated in relation to human's agricultural practices in cereal cultivation in a Malo village, Gaytsa, south-western Ethiopia. In 24 free-threshing wheat fields and 11 emmer wheat fields, 129 and 88 spikes (one spike per plant), respectively, of darnel were randomly sampled. At the market in Gaytsa, 11 free-threshing wheat grain samples and eight emmer wheat grain samples of 150–200 g were collected. For each grain sample, the number of wheat grains and awned and awnless grains of darnel were recorded. The relative percentage of the awned form in free-threshing wheat fields was 8.53% and that in emmer wheat fields was 70.45%. The relative percentage of awned grains in free-threshing wheat grains from the market collection was 3.55% and that in emmer wheat grain lots was 75.20%. The morphology of awned darnel grains resembles emmer wheat grains and awnless darnel grains resemble free-threshing wheat grains. Thus, grain mimicry controls the close association of the two forms of darnel with the wheat species. The lack of an awn itself functions for darnel grain as a dispersal mechanism in free-threshing wheat cultivation systems compared with other wild grass species.     

From regionally predictable to locally complex population structure in a freshwater top predator: river systems are not always the unit of connectivity in Northern Pike Esox lucius

Contemporary genetic diversity is the product of both historical and contemporary forces, such as climatic and geological processes affecting range distribution and continuously moulded by evolutionary forces selection, gene flow and genetic drift. Predatory freshwater fishes, such as Northern Pike Esox lucius, commonly exhibit small population sizes, and several local populations are considered endangered. Pike inhabit diverse habitat types, including lakes, rivers and brackish marine waters, thus spanning from small isolated patches to large open marine systems. However, pike population structure from local to regional scales is relatively poorly described, in spite of its significance to developing conservation measures. We analysed microsatellite variation in a total of 1185 North European pike from 46 samples collected across both local and regional scales, as well as over time, to address two overarching questions: Is pike population structure associated with local and/or regional connectivity patterns, and which factors likely have the main influence on the contemporary distribution of genetic diversity? To answer this, we combined estimators of population diversity and structure to assess evidence of whether populations within (i) habitats, (ii) drainage systems and (iii) geographical regions are closer related than among these ranges, and whether patterns are temporally stable. Contrasting previous predictions that genetic drift obscures signals of postglacial colonisation history, we identified clear regional differences in population genetic signatures, suggesting a major effect of drainage divides on colonisation history and connectivity. However, several populations deviated from the general pattern, showing that local processes may be complex and need to be examined case‐by‐case.     

不同动物对醉马草种子扩散的影响

动物通过皮毛携带、搬运等方式对种子在空间上的扩散产生不同影响,是植物种子实现远距离扩散的重要途径。以草原毒害草醉马草（Achnatherum inebrians）为研究材料,采用野外模拟及控制性试验,测定了马、牛、羊皮毛附着和保留种子的能力,以及鼠类、蚂蚁对种子的搬运能力,分析动物对醉马草种子的扩散规律。结果表明,马、牛、羊模型种子的附着率：羊 > 牛 > 马（P<0.05）,种子掉落率：羊 < 牛 < 马（P<0.05）;随着行走天数的延长,种子在马、牛、羊皮毛上的附着率呈下降趋势。马的背部以及牛、羊的背、侧部最易附着种子;种子的侧部最易附着在皮毛上,以种子顶部附着的种子最不易掉落。24 h内鼠类、蚂蚁对种子的扩散范围分别为0~15 cm和0~40 cm。综上所述,家畜对醉马草种子起到远距离扩散作用,且羊比马、牛更容易增加种子的扩散强度。蚂蚁、鼠类对醉马草种子起到短距离扩散作用。     

Habitat use and home range of black-backed jackals (Canis mesomelas) on farmlands in the Midlands of KwaZulu-Natal,South Africa

Black-backed jackals (Canis mesomelas) are an abundant mesopredator on farmlands (croplands and rangelands) across South Africa. Given their adaptability in a changing anthropogenic landscape, knowledge of spatial movements can provide important ecological information on the species. We captured, collared and monitored five black-backed jackals in the Midlands of KwaZulu-Natal to determine their home range and habitat use in farmlands. The 95% fixed kernel (95% FK) home range sizes were large, showing a marked seasonal variation in movement. One adult male dispersed 150?km over two seasons (winter and spring) and thereafter settled into a home range that it maintained. Transient home ranges of males and juveniles were larger than resident home ranges. The mean resident home ranges (95% FK) across seasons for adult males, adult female and juvenile males were 11.4 ± 4.3 km², 5.6 ± 0.36?km² and 2.15 ± 0.45?km², respectively. The mean transient home ranges (95% FK) of all the seasons for adult and juvenile males were 1 181.93 ± 575.81 km² and 104.27 ± 35.64?km², respectively. Adult jackal preferred croplands in spring, summer and autumn but avoided croplands in winter. Variable habitat use and large home ranges in our study confirmed the species’ ability to adapt to agricultural areas.     

克隆植物中国沙棘种群稳定性维持途径的探讨

中国沙棘属于阳性树种,因此有些学者将其视为群落演替过程中的先锋种群,而有些学者的研究表明它在自然状态下更新良好。近年来的研究进一步证明,中国沙棘能够依靠克隆生长所赋予生理整合和觅养行为等特性提高环境资源的利用效率以及自身的繁殖和生存有效性,通过林窗更新和林缘扩散等途径维持种群的稳定性和持久性。     

Extensive dispersal of Roanoke logperch (Percina rex) inferred from genetic marker data

The dispersal ecology of most stream fishes is poorly characterised, complicating conservation efforts for these species. We used microsatellite DNA marker data to characterise dispersal patterns and effective population size (N_e) for a population of Roanoke logperch Percina rex, an endangered darter (Percidae). Juveniles and candidate parents were sampled for 2 years at sites throughout the Roanoke River watershed. Dispersal was inferred via genetic assignment tests (ATs), pedigree reconstruction (PR) and estimation of lifetime dispersal distance under a genetic isolation‐by‐distance model. Estimates of N_e varied from 105 to 1218 individuals, depending on the estimation method. Based on PR, polygamy was frequent in parents of both sexes, with individuals spawning with an average of 2.4 mates. The sample contained 61 half‐sibling pairs, but only one parent–offspring pair and no full‐sib pairs, which limited our ability to discriminate natal dispersal of juveniles from breeding dispersal of their parents between spawning events. Nonetheless, all methods indicated extensive dispersal. The AT indicated unrestricted dispersal among sites ≤15 km apart, while siblings inferred by the PR were captured an average of 14 km and up to 55 km apart. Model‐based estimates of median lifetime dispersal distance (6–24 km, depending on assumptions) bracketed AT and PR estimates, indicating that widely dispersed individuals do, on average, contribute to gene flow. Extensive dispersal of P. rex suggests that darters and other small benthic stream fishes may be unexpectedly mobile. Monitoring and management activities for such populations should encompass entire watersheds to fully capture population dynamics.