Long-term variation in brown trout, Salmo trutta L., stocking success in a large lake: interplay between availability of suitable prey and size at release

Abstract –  Factors affecting long-term variation in brown trout, Salmo trutta L., stocking success were examined in a large lake, Lake Oulujärvi, in central Finland. Brown trout were stocked in spring (late May to early June) in 1974–1991 and in summer (late June to early July) in 1992–2001. The biomass of the vendace, Coregonus albula (L.), population (prey) at release time had the largest positive effect on stocking success within both periods: biomass of adult vendace in spring and both 0+ and adult vendace in summer. Increasing the size of stocked fish had a positive effect if the vendace available at release were only adults. The increasing trend of predator-catch-per-unit-effort (CPUE) [combined CPUE of northern pike Esox lucius L., burbot Lota lota (L.), and pike-perch Stizostedion lucioperca (L.)] through the study period and its negative effect on trout stocking success suggested an increasing effect of predation within the entire time series.     

湖南省退耕还林生态型、生态经济型典型模式绩效调查分析

调壹发现：①退耕还林工程建设改善了我省生态环境,调整了农业产业结构,促进了农民增收;②退耕还林要与当地林农的种植习惯相结合,尽量多采用当地经济价值高、生态防护效果好的乡土树种,注重三大效益有机结合;③退耕还林必须把政府引导、重点扶持、产品综合利用开发及市场培育等有机结合起来,走生态、经济、社会共同发展之路。     

公众对政府门户网站持续信任的形成机制研究

以改进的D＆M信息系统成功模型为理论支撑,提出了建立公众对政府门户网站持续信任的机制模型。以北京政府门户网站———首都之窗为研究对象,实证分析的结果表明公众对政府的信任和信息质量显著影响公众对政府门户网站的持续信任。系统质量和服务质量对公众对政府门户网站的满意具有积极作用。公众对政府门户网站的满意和信任显著影响公众使用政府门户网站的意愿。     

Multiple paternity,reproductive skew and correlates of male reproductive success in a wild population of the Trinidadian guppy

Abstract – In most species, males have a higher reproductive potential than females, leading to skewed reproductive success, particularly in mating systems where pre‐ or postcopulatory sexual selection reinforces inequality in male mating success. We investigated multiple paternity, reproductive skew and correlates of male reproductive success in a wild population of the Trinidadian guppy (Poecilia reticulata). We used nine microsatellite loci to assess the frequency of multiple paternity, number of sires per brood and reproductive skew. Across broods, the frequency of multiple paternity was high with 94% of broods having multiple sires (range: 1–5), resulting in a reproductive skew of 0.14. Variation in male reproductive success was high (range: 0–14 offspring per male), suggesting that there is considerable opportunity for sexual selection. Next, we examined correlations between male reproductive success and sexual coloration, sperm velocity and gonopodium length. Relative area of orange, black, iridescent and total coloration, and sperm velocity were not correlated with reproductive success. However, gonopodium length explained 14% of the variation in reproductive success, suggesting that gonopodium length is likely a sexually selected trait. We discuss these findings in the light of other studies that genetically dissect joint‐sex parentage and examine correlates of male reproductive success in wild populations.     

Rootstock effects in grafted conifers: A review

The literature on rootstock effects (on scions) in conifers was reviewed, specifically: graft success, compatibility, size, reproduction, phenology, crown and needle characters, mineral contents, organic compounds, water relations, disease resistance and wood properties. Scions usually had higher graft success and less incompatibility on more closely related rootstocks although there were exceptions. Even intergeneric grafts have succeeded on occasion. Although there were marked rootstock effects on growth and reproduction, the effects did not follow a pattern with increasing relationship. It is also likely that some crown characters and the nutrient content of scions can be manipulated by the use of rootstocks. For many characters, a specific rootstock may give a desired result only for a limited number of scion types (species, cultivars or clones). With some exceptions, the review shows that the subject has not been comprehensively studied. Many of the studies were either short-term, inadequately replicated, or poorly designed to allow firm conclusions about rootstock effects. The physiological and biochemical mechanisms, which cause the changes seen in morphology, are not well understood. Further research and more comprehensive study of rootstock effects on scion biology are recommended.     

The status of the recently introduced fish Leucaspius delineatus (Cyprinidae) in Great Britain

Abstract The fish Leucaspius delineatus (Heckel) (Cyprinidae) has been introduced to southern England as a result of importation as an ornamental fish. It is now established at several waters (lakes, canals, and lowland rivers) in Hampshire and Somerset. It appears to be well adapted to spread beyond these centres as a result of its small size at sexual maturity and reproductive biology. A preliminary assessment of its diet and fecundity, and notes on its breeding habits are given.     

Acute Toxicity of Synthetic Pyrethroid Cypermethrin on the Common Carp (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Cyprinus carpio</Emphasis> L.) Embryos and Larvae

In this study, the toxic effects on the embryos and larvae of the common carp were used as a model to investigate the synthetic pyrethroid pesticide, cypermethrin, which contaminates aquatic ecosystems. Data obtained from the cypermethrin acute toxicity tests were evaluated using the Probit Analysis Statistical Method. The control and eight test experiments were repeated five times. The number of dead embryos significantly increased in response to cypermethrin concentrations 0.0001, 0.001, 0.01, 0.1, 1, 2, 4 and 8 μg l⁻¹ (p<0.05 for each case). The 48 h LC₅₀ value (with 95% confidence limits) of cypermethrin for common carp embryos was estimated at 0.909 (0.256–5.074) μg l⁻¹. Dose–response decreases in hatching success were recorded as 87.4, 85.0, 80.2, 71.4, 56.3, 48.6, 38.8 and 23.5%, respectively. The lowest concentration of cypermethrin (0.0001 μg l⁻¹) produced a significant increase in the number of dead larvae compared to the control group (p<0.05). The number of dead larvae significantly increased with increasing cypermethrin concentrations exposed for 1–96 h (p<0.05). The highest concentration (8 μg l⁻¹) showed the highest larvae mortality. The 96 h LC₅₀ value (with 95% confidence limits) of cypermethrin for common carp larvae was estimated at 0.809 (0.530–1.308) μg l⁻¹. The results of the study suggest that low levels of cypermethrin in the aquatic environment may have a significant effect on the reproduction and development of carp.     

Effects of salinity and temperature during incubation on hatching and development of lingcod Ophiodon elongatus Girard, embryos

The interactive effects of salinity and temperature on development and hatching success of lingcod, Ophiodon elongatus Girard, were studied by incubating eggs at four temperatures (6, 9, 12 and 15°C) and five salinities (15, 20, 25, 30 and 35 g L^?1). Hatch did not occur in any of the 15°C treatments. Degree days (°C days) to first hatch was not influenced by temperature or salinity, however, calendar days to first hatch differed significantly for temperature (P<0.0001, 61±1, 44±1 and 35±1 days for 6, 9 and 12°C respectively). Degree days to 50% (427.1±4.2) hatch was not significantly influenced by temperature but was by salinity (P=0.0324). Viable hatch (live with no deformities, 74.1±4.0%) was greatest at 9°C and 25 g L^?1 but not significantly different in the range of 20–30 g L^?1. Larval length (9.4±0.13 mm) was greatest at 9°C and 20–30 g L^?1. Temperature and salinity significantly influenced all categories of deformities with treatments at the upper (12°C and 35 g L^?1) and lower limits (6°C and 15 g L^?1) producing the greatest deformities. The optimal temperature and salinity for incubating Puget Sound lingcod eggs was found to be 9°C and 20–30 g L^?1.     

Behavioural interactions of seabirds with suspended mussel longlines

Increased abundances of a number of seabird species have been found in areas of mussel longline aquaculture (compared to control sites) in a recent study at Bantry Bay, southwest Ireland. The aim of this study was to investigate whether this form of mussel aquaculture also affects the activity budgets and foraging behaviour of these seabirds. Scan-sampling was used to compare seabird activity budgets between three areas of mussel longline aquaculture and three control sites. Foraging activities of Great-Northern Divers Gavia immer, an Annex 1 species under the Euopean Union's Birds Directive, were also compared between sites using focal sampling. The behaviour of gulls (Larus sp.), Cormorants Phalacrocorax carbo, Shags Phalacrocorax aristotelis and Great-Northern Divers (but not auks, Alcidae) differed significantly between areas of mussel aquaculture and control sites in this study. Mussel suspension buoys were heavily utilized by gulls, cormorants and shags as safe perching platforms for preening activities. Gulls also fed extensively on epifauna attached to the buoys. Great-Northern Divers spent more time snorkelling (head submerged in search of food) in mussel sites than in the control sites, however dive duration and visible foraging success rates did not differ significantly between sites. Overall, the environmental impact of mussel suspension culture appears to be positive or neutral on marine bird species occurring at this study site.     

When and why do smallmouth bass abandon their broods? The effects of brood and parental characteristics

Abstract Variation in brood abandonment was explored by conducting partial brood removals from smallmouth bass, Micropterus dolomieu Lacepède, nests in two north temperate lakes. In both lakes, percent of the brood removed had no effect on nest failure rates. Nest failure prior to offspring swim‐up was more common, but unrelated to brood size after removal, in the lake with higher post‐spawning mortality and lower growth and fecundity. Brood size after removal was negatively related to nest failure in the lake with high survival, growth and fecundity. Nests guarded by young males failed more frequently than those of old males, and young broods failed more frequently than old broods. Dynamic programming and logistic regression models developed to predict nest fate worked better for the lake with selective pressures that theoretically favoured abandonment (e.g. high post‐spawning mortality). Both models identified male age and brood age as important factors in predicting nest fates. Because nest success is related to the age of the parent, this could have consequences for overall nest success for populations with different demographics.