Genetic sex determination in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Astatotilapia calliptera</Emphasis>, a prototype species for the Lake Malawi cichlid radiation

East African cichlids display extensive variation in sex determination systems. The species Astatotilapia calliptera is one of the few cichlids that reside both in Lake Malawi and in surrounding waterways. A. calliptera is of interest in evolutionary studies as a putative immediate outgroup species for the Lake Malawi species flock and possibly as a prototype ancestor-like species for the radiation. Here, we use linkage mapping to test association of sex in A. calliptera with loci that have been previously associated with genetic sex determination in East African cichlid species. We identify a male heterogametic XY system segregating at linkage group (LG) 7 in an A. calliptera line that originated from Lake Malawi, at a locus previously shown to act as an XY sex determination system in multiple species of Lake Malawi cichlids. Significant association of genetic markers and sex produce a broad genetic interval of approximately 26 megabases (Mb) using the Nile tilapia genome to orient markers; however, we note that the marker with the strongest association with sex is near a gene that acts as a master sex determiner in other fish species. We demonstrate that alleles of the marker are perfectly associated with sex in Metriaclima mbenjii, a species from the rock-dwelling clade of Lake Malawi. While we do not rule out the possibility of other sex determination loci in A. calliptera, this study provides a foundation for fine mapping of the cichlid sex determination gene on LG7 and evolutionary context regarding the origin and persistence of the LG7 XY across diverse, rapidly evolving lineages.     

Morphological distinctness despite large-scale phenotypic plasticity��analysis of wild and pond-bred juveniles of allopatric populations of Tropheus moorii

Cichlids are an excellent model to study explosive speciation and adaptive radiation. Their evolutionary success has been attributed to their ability to undergo rapid morphological changes related to diet, and their particular breeding biology. Relatively minor changes in morphology allow for exploitation of novel food resources. The importance of phenotypic plasticity and genetically based differences for diversification was long recognized, but their relationship and relative magnitude remained unclear. We compared morphology of individuals of four wild populations of the Lake Tanganyika cichlid Tropheus moorii with their pond-raised F(1) offspring. The magnitude of morphological change via phenotypic plasticity between wild and pond-bred F(1) fish exceeds pairwise population differences by a factor of 2.4 (mean Mahalanobis distances). The genetic and environmental effects responsible for among population differentiation in the wild could still be recognized in the pond-bred F(1) fish. All four pond populations showed the same trends in morphological change, mainly in mouth orientation, size and orientation of fins, and thickness of the caudal peduncle. As between population differentiation was lower in the wild than differentiation between pond-raised versus wild fish, we suggest the narrow ecological niche and intense interspecific competition in rock habitats is responsible for consistent shape similarity, even among long-term isolated populations.     

The effects of different predator species on antipredator behavior in the Trinidadian guppy, Poecilia reticulata

Different types of predators often elicit different antipredator responses in a common type of prey. Alternatively, some prey species may adopt a general response, which provides limited protection from many different types of predator. The Trinidadian guppy, Poecilia reticulata, is faced with a wide range of different predators throughout its range and is known to display varying levels of antipredator behavior depending on the predator assemblage. Pike cichlids, Crenicichla frenata, are regarded as the primary aquatic guppy predator in streams in the northern mountain range in Trinidad. As such, they are seen to be responsible for many of the differences in morphology, life history traits, and behavior between guppy populations from areas with few predators and those from areas with many pike cichlids. In this study we investigated how guppies responded when faced with different predator species using three common aquatic predators. We exposed shoals of ten guppies to one out of four treatments: no predator (control), pike cichlid, acara cichlid (Aequidens pulcher), and wolf fish (Hoplias malabaricus); and we made behavioral observations on both focal individuals and the shoal as a whole. Guppies showed significantly greater levels of predator inspection and shoaling behavior, foraged less, spent more time in the surface water, and stayed in significantly larger shoals when faced with pike cichlids than in other treatments. We discuss these results in the context of multiple predator effects.     

Short-term e ects of drawing water for connectivity of rivers and lakes on zooplankton community structure

During 28–29, September 2005, water was drawn from Hanjiang River and Houguan Lake to the Yangzi River via Sanjiao Lake and Nantaizi Lake in Wuhan in order to provide favorable conditions for ecosystem restoration. To evaluate the feasibility and validity of drawing water as a means of ecosystem restoration, zooplankton populations were studied 3 times (before, immediately after finishing and a month after drawing water) at seven locations from 27 Sept. 2005 to 2 Nov. 2005. Water quality in the lakes was mostly improved and zooplankton species richness decreased as soon as drawing water had finished but increased a month after drawing water. Zooplankton density and biomass was reduced in the lakes by drawing water but was increased at the entrance to Sanjiao Lake because of landform geometry change. Before drawing water, most species in Sanjiao Lake e.g., Brachionus sp. and Keratella sp. were tolerant of contamination. After drawing water oligotrophic-prone species such as Lecane ludwigii and Gastropus stylifer emerged. We conclude that drawing water could be important for improving water quality and favour ecosystem restoration. Dilution of nutrient concentrations may be an important role in the e ect.     

Short-term effects of drawing water for connectivity of rivers and lakes on zooplankton community structure

During 28-29,September 2005,water was drawn from Hanjiang River and Houguan Lake to the Yangzi River via Sanjiao Lake and Nantaizi Lake in Wuhan in order to provide favorable conditions for ecosystem restoration.To evaluate the feasibility and validity of drawing water as a means of ecosystem restoration,zooplankton populations were studied 3 times (before,immediately after finishing and a month after drawing water)at seven locations from 27 Sept.2005 to 2 Nov.2005.Water quality in the lakes was mostly improved and zooplankton species richness decreased as soon as drawing water had finished but increased a month after drawing water.Zooplankton density and biomass was reduced in the lakes by drawing water but was increased at the entrance to Sanjiao Lake because of landform geometry change.Before drawing water,most species in Sanjiao lake e.g.,Brachionus sp.and Keratella sp.were tolerant of contamination.After drawing water oligotrophic-prone species such as Lecane ludwigii and Gastropus stylifer emerged.We conclude that drawing water could be important for improving water quality and favour ecosystem restoration.Dilution of nutrient concentrations may be an important role in the effect.     

Allometric shape change of the lower pharyngeal jaw correlates with a dietary shift to piscivory in a cichlid fish

The morphological versatility of the pharyngeal jaw of cichlid fishes is assumed to represent a key factor facilitating their unparalleled trophic diversification and explosive radiation. It is generally believed that the functional design of an organism relates to its ecology, and thus, specializations to different diets are typically associated with distinct morphological designs, especially manifested in the cichlids’ pharyngeal jaw apparatus. Thereby, the lower pharyngeal jaw (LPJ) incorporates some of the most predictive features for distinct diet-related morphotypes. Thus, considering that piscivorous cichlids experience an ontogenetic dietary shift from typically various kinds of invertebrates to fish, concomitant morphological changes in the LPJ are expected. Using Lepidiolamprologus elongatus, a top predator in the shallow rocky habitat of Lake Tanganyika, as model, and applying geometric and traditional morphometric techniques, we demonstrate an allometric change in ontogenetic LPJ shape development coinciding with the completion of the dietary shift toward piscivory. The piscivorous LPJ morphotype is initiated in juvenile fish by increasing elongation and narrowing of the LPJ and—when the fish reach a size of 80–90 mm standard length—further refined by the elongation of the posterior muscular processes, which serve as insertion for the fourth musculus levator externus. The enlarged muscular processes of the fully mature piscivorous morphotype provide for the construction of a powerful lever system, which allows the large individuals to process large prey fish and rely on exclusive piscivory.     

富营养化驱动下西凉湖百年来生态系统演化轨迹

长江中下游浅水湖泊是区域社会可持续发展的重要自然资源,富营养化问题致使该地区湖泊发生草-藻转换,限制了湖泊生态系统服务的供给.湖泊环境问题是生态系统受外力长期胁迫的结果,湖泊生态治理与保护须充分了解系统的演化规律,但是相关认识受限于长期监测资料的缺失.为了厘清长江中下游地区典型草型湖泊生态系统演化轨迹,更有效管理受损湖泊,选择西凉湖为研究对象,利用沉积记录代用指标粒度、元素和硅藻等,在高分辨率放射性核素定年的基础上,分析了近150年来西凉湖生态系统的演变规律.结果表明,西凉湖在20世纪40年代之前水体清澈,营养水平较低,沉水植物相对较少;而20世纪40年代以后,人类活动逐渐增强导致湖泊营养水平升高,水生植被增多;硅藻群落结构逐渐由浮游硅藻组合向底栖和附生硅藻组合演替,同时沉积物营养不断增加,表明以流域土地利用方式改变、围垦和渔业养殖等为代表的人类活动深刻改变了湖泊生态系统结构.研究认为虽然湖泊营养在20世纪70代之后一直维持在较高水平,达到富营养化标准,但沉水植被的生长限制了湖泊藻类浓度,西凉湖并未藻类暴发.同时也发现外源营养的增加通过湖泊初级生产者深刻影响了湖泊的地球化学循环,造成了...     

青藏高原克鲁克-托素湖湿地系统微生物多样性

克鲁克湖(Keluke Lake)和托素湖(Tuosu Lake)是青藏高原重要的湿地和水禽自然保护区,其水体微生物的多样性有待研究。利用Illumina测序平台进行16S rRNA基因(V3-V4区)高通量测序,并分析两湖水体微生物的群落结构和多样性。结果表明淡水克鲁克湖和咸水托素湖的物种注释OTU数目分别为331和148,获得克鲁克湖的已知细菌种类为16门34纲66属;托素湖为9门19纲54属。克鲁克湖的微生物优势类群以变形菌门(Proteobacteria)为主,次为蓝菌门(Cyanobacteria)和拟杆菌门(Bacteroidetes),其优势种群是未确定种属的蓝细菌、弓形杆菌属(Arcobacter)和盐单胞菌属(Halomonas)。托素湖的优势类群以变形菌门为主,次为厚壁菌门(Firmicutes),优势种群是盐单胞菌属。克鲁克湖的微生物物种丰富度、多样性和分布均匀度均显著高于咸水托素湖,但托素湖的物种优势度明显高于克鲁克湖。两湖优势微生物的属群分布与环境因子存在明显的正相关,此为高原湿地生态系统的环境监测与保护提供参考依据。     

Development of biodiversity in field margins recently taken out of production and adjacent ditch banks in arable areas

Taking field margins out of intensive cultivation is a common form of agri-environmental scheme and on-farm nature management. Typically, no nutrients or pesticides are applied in these margins, which may be sown either with a crop or with grasses and native flowering plants. In some cases the margins are mown, while in others they are left alone. Newly established grass margins are less species-rich than field boundaries or road verges with a long history, justifying the expectation that field margins, if properly managed and given time and appropriate seed sources, could develop into relatively species-rich vegetation. We studied the biodiversity of both margins taken out of production and adjacent ditch banks in the years following initial establishment of the margins. To this end we combined the data of three different projects in order to increase the sensitivity of the statistical analyses. The results showed that the plant species richness of the field margins increased in the years following establishment over a period of four years. In addition, shifts in species composition indicated a decrease in soil nitrate concentrations. The species richness of both butterflies and dragonflies may increase. The most striking result was the marked increase in the plant species richness of the adjacent ditch banks in the five years following creation of the margins. Here, too, changes in species composition indicated a decrease in soil nitrate. In the years following establishment of the field margins there was no increase in the cover of agriculturally harmful weeds in these margins. However, the number of harmful nematodes increased. Our results show the short term effect of establishing field margins. Long term effects are still in need for further research.     

Climate change is predicted to negatively influence Moroccan endemic reptile richness. Implications for conservation in protected areas

The identification of species-rich areas and their prognosticated turnover under climate change are crucial for the conservation of endemic taxa. This study aims to identify areas of reptile endemicity richness in a global biodiversity hot spot (Morocco) under current and future climatic conditions and to investigate the role of protected areas in biodiversity conservation under climate change. Species distribution models (SDM) were performed over the distribution of 21 endemic reptiles, combined to estimate current species richness at 1?×?1 km resolution and projected to years 2050 and 2080 according to distinct story lines and ensemble global circulation models, assuming unlimited and null dispersion ability. Generalized additive models were performed between species richness and geographic characteristics of 43 protected areas. SDM found precipitation as the most important factor related to current species distributions. Important reductions in future suitable areas were predicted for 50 % of species, and four species were identified as highly vulnerable to extinction. Drastic reductions in species-rich areas were predicted for the future, with considerable variability between years and dispersal scenarios. High turnover rates of species composition were predicted for eastern Morocco, whereas low values were forecasted for the Northern Atlantic coast and mountains. Species richness for current and future conditions was significantly related to the altitude and latitude of protected areas. Protected areas located in mountains and/or in the Northern Atlantic coast were identified as refugia, where population monitoring and conservation management is needed.

     

Behavioral evidence for host fidelity among populations of the parasitic wasp, Diachasma alloeum (Muesebeck)

The concept of host fidelity, where host-specific mating occurs in close proximity to the oviposition site and location of larval development, is thought to impart a pre-mating isolation mechanism for sympatric speciation (sensu members of the genus Rhagoletis). The apple maggot fly, Rhagoletis pomonella, and the blueberry maggot fly, R. mendax, are morphologically similar sibling species thought to have speciated in sympatry by divergence of host plant association. Both of these fly species are attacked by the specialist braconid parasitoid, Diachasma alloeum. The current study demonstrates that both male and female D. alloeum exhibit a behavioral preference for the odor of the fruit of their larval Rhagoletis host species. Specifically, those D. alloeum emerging from puparia of R. pomonella are preferentially attracted to hawthorn fruit and those emerging from puparia of R. mendax are preferentially attracted to blueberry fruit. However, male D. alloeum reared from either R. pomonella or R. mendax were equally attracted to females originating from both Rhagoletis species. We suggest that the data herein present evidence for host fidelity, where populations of D. alloeum exhibit a greater tendency to mate and reproduce among the host plants of their preferred Rhagoletis hosts. Furthermore, host fidelity may have resulted in the evolution of distinct host races of D. alloeum tracking the speciation of their larval Rhagoletis prey.     

Arsenic fractionation and contamination assessment in sediments of thirteen lakes from the East Plain and Yungui Plateau Ecoregions, China

Arsenic（As） fractions in the sediments of seven lakes from East Plain Ecoregion and six lakes from Yungui Plateau Ecoregion, China, were investigated. Results indicated that the total As concentrations in sediment samples of lakes of the East Plain Lake Ecoregion are higher than those of Yungui Plateau Lake Ecoregion. Residual As is the main fraction in sediment samples of lakes from both ecoregions, followed by reducible As and soluble or oxidizable As. The total As is correlated to oxidizable As and residual As in sediment samples from both lake ecoregions. As distribution in sediment samples of lakes of the East Plain Ecoregion appears to be affected by human activity, while the As origin mainly comes from natural sources in sediment samples of lakes in the Yungui Plateau Ecoregion. The potential ecological risk index and geoaccumulation index values suggest ＂low to moderate＂ risk degree and ＂unpolluted to moderately polluted＂ for As in the studied lake sediments.     

洪泽湖湿地资源保护与可持续利用研究

洪泽湖湿地生物多样性比较丰富，湿地植被群丛多样，重点保护鸟类种类众多，种群数量大。调查结果显示：洪泽湖湿地共鉴定出浮游植物165种、水生高等植物81种、浮游动物91种、底栖动物69种、鱼类102种、鸟类194种。我们研究了洪泽湖湿地的大气、河流、湖泊环境质量，在分析洪泽湖湿地的破坏程度和原因后，提出了洪泽湖湿地保护对策和可持续利用途径。     

洱海鱼类多样性危机及解危对策

洱海原有土著鱼类17种,其中,有8种为洱海所特有。60年代以后土著鱼类逐渐减少,鱼类多样性出现危机。文章论述了50～90年代洱海鱼类的动态变化,分析了鱼类多样性危机的原因,并提出了解除洱海鱼类多样性危机的对策措施。      

A comparative study of an innate immune response in Lamprologine cichlid fishes

Social interactions facilitate pathogen transmission and increase virulence. Therefore, species that live in social groups are predicted to suffer a higher pathogen burden, to invest more heavily in immune defence against pathogens, or both. However, there are few empirical tests of whether social species indeed invest more heavily in immune defence than non-social species. In the current study, we conducted a phylogenetically controlled comparison of innate immune response in Lamprologine cichlid fishes. We focused on three species of highly social cichlids that live in permanent groups and exhibit cooperative breeding (Julidochromis ornatus, Neolamprologus pulcher and Neolamprologus savoryi) and three species of non-social cichlids that exhibit neither grouping nor cooperative behaviour (Telmatochromis temporalis, Neolamprologus tetracanthus and Neolamprologus modestus). We quantified the innate immune response by injecting wild fishes with phytohaemagglutinin (PHA), a lectin that causes a cell-mediated immune response. We predicted that the three highly social species would show a greater immune reaction to the PHA treatment, indicating higher investment in immune defence against parasites relative to the three non-social species. We found significant species-level variation in immune response, but contrary to our prediction, this variation did not correspond to social system. However, we found that immune response was correlated with territory size across the six species. Our results indicate that the common assumption of a positive relationship between social system and investment in immune function may be overly simplistic. We suggest that factors such as rates of both in-group and out-group social interactions are likely to be important mediators of the relationship between sociality and immune function.     

The modern theory of biological evolution: an expanded synthesis

In 1858, two naturalists, Charles Darwin and Alfred Russel Wallace, independently proposed natural selection as the basic mechanism responsible for the origin of new phenotypic variants and, ultimately, new species. A large body of evidence for this hypothesis was published in Darwins Origin of Species one year later, the appearance of which provoked other leading scientists like August Weismann to adopt and amplify Darwins perspective. Weismanns neo-Darwinian theory of evolution was further elaborated, most notably in a series of books by Theodosius Dobzhansky, Ernst Mayr, Julian Huxley and others. In this article we first summarize the history of life on Earth and provide recent evidence demonstrating that Darwins dilemma (the apparent missing Precambrian record of life) has been resolved. Next, the historical development and structure of the modern synthesis is described within the context of the following topics: paleobiology and rates of evolution, mass extinctions and species selection, macroevolution and punctuated equilibrium, sexual reproduction and recombination, sexual selection and altruism, endosymbiosis and eukaryotic cell evolution, evolutionary developmental biology, phenotypic plasticity, epigenetic inheritance and molecular evolution, experimental bacterial evolution, and computer simulations (in silico evolution of digital organisms). In addition, we discuss the expansion of the modern synthesis, embracing all branches of scientific disciplines. It is concluded that the basic tenets of the synthetic theory have survived, but in modified form. These sub-theories require continued elaboration, particularly in light of molecular biology, to answer open-ended questions concerning the mechanisms of evolution in all five kingdoms of life.Dedicated to Prof. Dr. Dr. hc mult. Ernst Mayr on the occasion of his 100th birthdayThis revised version was published online in March 2004, with corrections to the caption of Figure 6.     

Cyanobacterial flora and the physico-chemical environment of six tropical fresh water lakes of Udaipur, India

The cyanobacteria and physico-chemical environments of sic tropical fresh water lakes of Udaipur,India were investigated.These lakes receive varying nutrient inputs from different sourcesi.Altogether 51 species of cyanobacteria were recorded.Species composition varied between lakes and between seasons.Lake VI(Beghdara),which receives nutrients from natural sources only,differed considerably from the others in water chemistry and composition of dominated species.Lake Ⅱ(Swaroop Sagar),eutrophied due to sewage inputs,was species poor.Non-diazotrophs,represented by 27 species,dominated during summer.With few exceptions,N2-fixing species,bothe heterocystous and unicellular diazotrophs (represented by 24 species),were dominant during winter.Microcystis aeruginosa,Phormidium sp.and Anabaena flos-aque were ther dominant taxa of lakes characterized by sewage eutrophication.The study shows that both species diversity and community composition were affected by water chemistry.     

洱海流域沿岸带石质基质上周丛藻类群落研究

2009年12月~2010年1月调查了云南洱海流域中洱海、西湖和茈碧湖沿岸带周丛藻类群落的物种组成、生物量、群落多样性以及水体理化因子,并运用典范对应分析(CCA)探讨了影响周丛藻类群落结构的主要环境因子.结果表明,洱海周丛藻类优势种属是刚毛藻属、等片藻属、暗丝藻,而西湖和茈碧湖均以硅藻为主.洱海的周丛藻类生物量大于西湖和茈碧湖,最高值出现在洱海白族小庙(EH31), Chl-a达到78.71mg/cm2.洱海的绿藻密度也高于西湖和茈碧湖.茈碧湖的周丛藻类多样性最高,Shannon-wiener指数均值为2.47;西湖次之,Shannon-wiener指数均值为2.34;而处于流域下游的洱海沿岸带周丛藻类的耐污种数目增加,多样性最低.CCA结果表明水体中的NH4+及TP浓度是影响洱海流域物种分布的主要环境因子.     

我国淡水湖泊资源开发探讨——以东平湖为例

本文阐述了我国淡水湖泊具有调节河川径流、发电、灌溉、航运等功能。并以东平湖为例,系统论述了它们的资源特征(自然环境、理化特征、鱼类生境、旅游环境),及其利用开发现状,并分级分析了它们各自的生态环境、生态系统特点。指出了我国淡水湖泊存在的主要问题:入湖水源不足,工业废污水的污染,水工建筑物阻隔河湖通道,滞洪淤积等,导致了水域生态环境恶化,溯河入湖物种绝灭,湖体湮废等。最后提出了设计湖体水生资源得以开发的流域水资源调节控制规划;加强流域水土保持;有计划地进行湖底清淤;疏竣河湖接口通道,添建鱼道;编制利于水生动、植物生境的水利工程运营方案,设计高效静水资源开发方案等整治对策。     

南水北调东线湖泊针杆藻属分布特征及其与环境因子的关系

针杆藻属(Synedra)是常见的淡水藻类,饮用水源中针杆藻属的暴发式增长会严重影响水厂正常运行.为明确南水北调东线调蓄湖泊针杆藻属的时空分布特征及其与环境因子的相关性,于2011年3月—2013年5月在东线四湖(即洪泽湖、骆马湖、南四湖和东平湖)逐月采样进行调查研究.结果表明,监测期内洪泽湖、骆马湖、南四湖和东平湖针杆藻属密度最大值分别为442.0×104、549.3×104、301.6×104和795.4×104 L-1,尖针杆藻(Synedra acus)是东线四湖针杆藻属的优势种.非度量多维尺度(non-metric multi-dimensional scaling,NMDS)分析表明,东线四湖针杆藻属的分布特征存在一定差异,东平湖和骆马湖针杆藻属分布特征更加相似.Pearson相关性分析(Pearson correlation analysis)表明,影响东线四湖针杆藻属生长的环境因子主要是表层水温、透明度、ρ(DO)和ρ(TN),其中表层水温是最主要的影响因素.