Linking spatial pattern of bottom fish assemblages with water masses in the North Sea

Understanding the links between large scale spatial structuring of fish assemblages and shaping factors is essential to develop comprehensive ecosystem-based fisheries management. In this study, we investigated spatial patterns of bottom fish assemblages in the North Sea in relation to prevailing water masses in the region. We based our analysis on catch data from the German Small-Scale Bottom Trawl Survey conducted between 1987 and 2005 and used both ordination techniques and Mantel tests. Spatial variability of bottom fish assemblages was larger than inter-annual variability. Five significantly different bottom fish assemblages were associated with the following prevailing hydrographical regimes: i) the English Channel, ii) Continental Coastal, iii) central North Sea, iv) northern North Sea, and v) northern Atlantic water masses. Associations were generated by gradients in relative proportions of abundant species such as grey gurnard ( Eutrigla gurnardus ), dab ( Limanda limanda ), whiting ( Merlangius merlangus ), haddock ( Melanogrammus aeglefinus ) and Norway pout ( Trisopterus esmarki ). Taking into account large scale spatial structuring of catch data Mantel tests confirmed significant correlation between the fish assemblages and hydrographical variables. In summary, our results strongly support the hypotheses that hydrographical features such as water masses, fronts, and residual currents could shape bottom fish associations in the North Sea. Spatial demarcations of bottom fish assemblages indicated by this study can be used to support ecosystem-based fisheries management strategies.     

Natural and artificially-induced habitat complexity and freshwater fish species composition

Abstract  The effects of habitat complexity, induced by construction of artificial reefs, on the fish assemblages in the Barra Bonita reservoir, Brazil, and in the lotic zone immediately below the dam were studied. Four artificial reefs were constructed in each habitat at variable distances from the shore. Multiple correspondence analysis showed that the factors distance from the shore and type of habitat were determinants for the group formation, and artificial reefs had a lesser effect. Fish species composition was about the same at locations with and without reefs.     

Underwater sound detection by cephalopod statocyst

Abstract:   The cephalopod receptor of particle motion was identified. In a previous study, it was suggested that statocysts served this function, but there was no direct supporting evidence, and epidermal hair cells had not been conclusively ruled out. Experiments on Octopus ocellatus were conducted using respiratory activity as an indicator of sound perception. Intact animals clearly responded to 141-Hz particle motion at particle accelerations below 1.3 × 10⁻³ m/s², and the mean perception threshold at this frequency was approximately 6.0 × 10⁻⁴ m/s². Specimens in which the statoliths had been surgically removed did not show any response for accelerations up to 3.9 × 10⁻³ m/s² at 141 Hz, which was approximately 16 dB greater than the mean perception threshold at this frequency. Specimens that had undergone a control operation in which the statoliths remained intact showed positive responses at 2.8 × 10⁻³ m/s² for the same frequency stimulus. This indicates that the statocyst, which is morphologically similar to the inner ear system in fish, is responsible for the observed responses to particle motion in O. ocellatus . This is the first direct evidence that cephalopods detect kinetic sound components using statocysts.     

嵌套子集:引入土壤多样性研究的讨论

嵌套子集指在任何特定集合中出现的物种趋向于在更大的集合中也出现,即局部丰富的物种一般分布比较广泛,而局部稀少的物种则分布较窄。本文对嵌套性研究中的有关问题做一评述,并以西班牙的一个研究为范例讨论可以看出,通过数据(土壤类型和土壤集合)试验得出的规律性和生态学上的观点竟非常相似。研究采用了土壤数据集和在计量生态学应用的方法,包括嵌套计算程序(Nested Calcu lator Program)。结果表明:嵌套性在生物群落、土被或土链结构中的性质有相似之处,即地学系统中普遍存在着嵌套性。此方法用于土壤多样性的分析,在有计划的保护生物及土壤资源方面具有现实意义。     

世界头足类资源开发现状和中国远洋鱿钓渔业发展概况

本文简述了世界头足类的资源开发与利用现状,还分析了世界八个主要海区的头足类产量及主要种类。西北太平洋的头足类产量一直保持领先,９０年代仍保持增的势头。１９９５年占世界头足类产量的３５．３％。     

东海中南部外海虾类组成特征分析

依据2006年5月（春）、8月（夏）、11月（秋）和2007年2月（冬）在东海中南部外海（26°00′-28°30′N,126°00′E以西）海域虾类资源调查资料,对该海域虾类的种类组成季节变化和空间格局特征作了分析。结果表明：东海中南部外海虾类季节间相似性指数较低,各季节贡献率较大的有长角赤虾、戴氏赤虾、东海红虾和假长缝拟对虾等种类。东海中南部外海虾类种类组成可分为A、B两个组群,A组群主要分布在126°00′E以西100 m等深线附近海域,主要以戴氏赤虾、长角赤虾、假长缝拟对虾、高脊管鞭虾和东海红虾为主;B组群主要分布在126°00′E以东100 m等深线附近海域,主要以脊单肢虾、日本异指虾和九齿扇虾为主。两个群聚类型的空间分布没有明显的群聚边界,但密集区有所不同。     

Habitat relationships with fish assemblages in minimally disturbed Great Plains regions

Abstract – Effects of local environmental influences on the structure of fish assemblages were evaluated from 159 sites in two regions of the Great Plains with limited anthropogenic disturbance. These regions offered an opportunity to evaluate the structure and variation of streams and fish assemblages within the Great Plains. We used canonical correspondence analyses to determine the influence of environmental conditions on species abundances, species occurrences and assemblage characteristics. Analysis of regions separately indicated that similar environmental factors structured streams and fish assemblages, despite differences in environmental conditions and species composition between regions. Variance in fish abundance and assemblage characteristics from both regions was best explained by metrics of stream size and associated metrics (width, depth, conductivity and instream cover). Our results provide a framework and reference for conditions and assemblage structure in North American prairie streams.     

海洋底边界层动物

底边界层动物是生活在海洋底边界层中的特定生物类群,通常包括超底栖动物和浮游动物两大类。底边界层动物的生态学意义表现在,它们是海洋食物链的重要组成部分,是水层系统底栖系统耦合过程的重要环节,是陆架海的碳垂直通量的重要影响因子。底边界层动物的采样装置主要包括滑橇式和陷阱式两种类型。     

Feeding ecology of fishes associated with Egeria spp. patches in a tropical reservoir, Brazil

Abstract –  This research characterised feeding ecology of fishes associated with patches of Egeria najas and Egeria densa , two submerged macrophytes, in Rosana Reservoir, Upper Paraná River basin, Brazil. Fishes were sampled using a 1 m² throw trap in patches of different macrophyte biomass and in three diel periods during a wet season. Fish diet (10 species) was primarily composed of autochthonous items (zooplankton, algae and aquatic insect larvae). Almost all intra-specific diet patterns had moderate to low levels of diet similarity, indicating a high variability in diet. Some species showed no diel patterns in feeding activity, whereas others were primarily diurnal or nocturnal. No differences in feeding activity were observed among habitats of medium and high macrophyte biomasses, and species tended to feed on the same items among these habitats. The most abundant fish species demonstrated low inter-specific diet overlap and appear not to compete for food resources. We suggest that Egeria patches are feeding grounds and shelter for small-sized fish species.     

Influences of El Niño on assemblages of mesopelagic fish larvae along the Pacific coast of Baja California Sur

Seasonal assemblages of mesopelagic fish larvae and changes related with environmental factors (plankton biomass, sea surface temperature anomaly, upwelling, and the multivariate El Niño index) were investigated. From 1982 to 1987, 16 oceanographic cruises were carried out along the Pacific coast of Baja California Sur, Mexico. Larvae of 42 mesopelagic fish taxa were collected. Larval abundance was highly variable during the studied period, but summer months coincided with higher abundance (>200 larvae under 10 m²). Larval assemblages were dominated by three of the most common species of tropical (Vinciguerria lucetia, Diogenichthys laternatus) and subtropical affinity (Triphoturus mexicanus). A group of species of tropical affinity (Diplophos proximus, Diaphus pacificus, Benthosema panamense) was useful for distinguishing the 1982–84 El Niño event, and an assemblage of larvae of temperate affinity (Symbolophorus californiensis, Melamphaes lugubris, Bathylagus ochotensis, Leuroglossus stilbius, Protomyctophum crockeri) characterized ‘normal’ years (mid‐1984 to mid‐1987).