Survival in an extreme habitat: the roles of behaviour and energy limitation

Extreme habitats challenge animals with highly adverse conditions, like extreme temperatures or toxic substances. In this paper, we report of a fish (Poecilia mexicana) inhabiting a limestone cave in Mexico. Several springs inside the cave are rich in toxic H₂S. We demonstrate that a behavioural adaptation, aquatic surface respiration (ASR), allows for the survival of P. mexicana in this extreme, sulphidic habitat. Without the possibility to perform ASR, the survival rate of P. mexicana was low even at comparatively low H₂S concentrations. Furthermore, we show that food limitation affects the survival of P. mexicana pointing to energetically costly physiological adaptations to detoxify H₂S.     

Male-biased predation of western green lizards by Eurasian kestrels

Selective predation can be an important force driving the evolution of organisms. In particular, sex-biased predation is expected to have implications for sexual selection, sex allocation and population dynamics. In this study, we analysed sex differences in the predation of the western green lizard (Lacerta bilineata) by the Eurasian kestrel (Falco tinnunculus) during the reproductive season. In addition, we investigated whether the rate of predation differed during the 8-year study period and among the three habitats studied. We collected lizard remains from nest boxes of kestrels. Freshly killed lizards were sexed by visual inspection, whilst the sex of head remains was assigned by analysing the cephalic scale morphology using geometric morphometrics. Our results show that the risk of being predated by a kestrel in our population was overall about 3.55 times higher for males than for females. To our knowledge this is the first study showing a male-biased predation in a lizard species. The selective predation of males was consistent between years over the 8-year study period (1999-2006) and also consistent between the three types of kestrel hunting habitat. Overall predation rates on lizards differed between habitats, depending on the year. We propose that the observed sex-biased predation is mainly due to sex differences in lizard behaviour.     

Do native brown trout and non-native brook trout interact reproductively?

Reproductive interactions between native and non-native species of fish have received little attention compared to other types of interactions such as predation or competition for food and habitat. We studied the reproductive interactions between non-native brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) and native brown trout (Salmo trutta) in a Pyrenees Mountain stream (SW France). We found evidence of significant interspecific interactions owing to consistent spatial and temporal overlap in redd localizations and spawning periods. We observed mixed spawning groups composed of the two species, interspecific subordinate males, and presence of natural hybrids (tiger trout). These reproductive interactions could be detrimental to the reproduction success of both species. Our study shows that non-native species might have detrimental effects on native species via subtle hybridization behavior.     

Mechanical defence in seeds to avoid predation by a granivorous ant

Harvester ants have traditionally been considered as seed predators that negatively affect plants. In some cases, however, they can also act as positive seed dispersers. During field observations, we noted that a portion of Psoralea bituminosa seeds that were collected and carried to the nest by the granivorous harvester ant Messor barbarus were discarded intact in refuse piles outside the nest. We analyzed and compared the physical characteristics of size, mass and toughness in P. bituminosa seeds from two different origins: intact seeds found in the ant's refuse piles and seeds collected directly from the plants. Seeds from refuse piles were similar in width but lighter and tougher than seeds from the plant. Our results point to a mechanical defence based on seed toughness to avoid predation by M. barbarus and suggest that an elevated proportion (~69%) of the seeds produced by P. bituminosa could be too tough to be consumed by this ant. These transported but uneaten seeds could benefit by being moved far from the mother plant and this could act as a selective evolutionary pressure towards tough seeds.     

Impact of biocide treatments on the bacterial communities of the Lascaux Cave

The Lascaux Cave contains a remarkable set of paintings from the Upper Palaeolithic. Shortly after discovery in 1940, the cave was modified for public viewing and, in 2001, was invaded by a Fusarium solani species complex. Benzalkonium chloride was used from 2001 to 2004 to eliminate the fungal outbreak. In this study, we carried out a sampling in most of the cave halls and galleries. Sequence analysis and isolation methods detected that the most abundant genera of bacteria were Ralstonia and Pseudomonas. We suggest that, as a result of years of benzalkonium chloride treatments, the indigenous microbial community has been replaced by microbial populations selected by biocide application.     

低浓度锌及其EDTA配合物长期暴露对鲫鱼肝脏锌富集及抗氧化系统的影响

选择幼龄鲫鱼为材料 ,研究锌(Zn²⁺)及其配合物(Zn-EDTA)低浓度长期暴露(40d)对鲫鱼(Carassius auratus)肝脏锌富集和抗氧化防御系统的影响 .结果表明 ,鲫鱼肝脏中锌的积累量随锌暴露浓度的升高而增加,且Zn²⁺处理明显高于Zn EDTA处理 .2种形态锌对鲫鱼肝脏超氧化物歧化酶 (SOD)、过氧化氢酶 (CAT)和谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶 (GPx)均表现出抑制作用 ,其中Zn²⁺暴露浓度与酶活性之间存在良好的剂量效应关系;Zn²⁺在低浓度时对谷胱甘肽转硫酶(GST)有诱导作用 ,高浓度时为抑制作用 .Zn EDTA对GST活性始终产生抑制作用 .CAT与GPx对锌暴露比GST和SOD更为敏感 ,适合作为水环境锌污染的早期监测指标 .     

双氯芬酸和醋氨酚对稀有鮈鲫早期生活阶段的毒性效应

随着非甾体抗炎药（NSAIDs）的持续使用与排放,世界各地的地表水、海水、地下水、污水厂进出水中均已频繁检测到该类药物,这对生态系统中各种非靶标生物造成了一定威胁.本研究评价了两种典型的非甾体抗炎药-双氯芬酸（Diclofenac）和醋氨酚（Acetaminophen）对中国特有物种稀有鮈鲫（Gobiocypris rarus）早期生活阶段的毒性效应.实验结果显示,醋氨酚的毒性较弱,当浓度达到48.4 mg·L^-1（NOEC）时,稀有鮈鲫的孵化率、死亡率、异常率、全长和干重均未表现出明显的中毒症状;而双氯酚酸的毒性则较强,当浓度达17.8 mg·L^-1（LC₁₀）时,即可导致稀有鮈鲫孵化率下降,当浓度达到10.2 mg·L^-1（LOEC）时,即可造成幼鱼外观和行为的显著异常,表明双氯芬酸对稀有鮈鲫的孵化和生长均产生了一定的致毒效应.同时,根据稀有鮈鲫和几种常用模式生物之间的孵化率、孵化后存活率、体长和双氯芬酸敏感性的比较结果,可认为稀有鮈鲫适用于污染物对鱼类早期生活阶段毒性效应的评估.     

Contribution of anadromous fish to the diet of European catfish in a large river system

Many anadromous fish species, when migrating from the sea to spawn in fresh waters, can potentially be a valuable prey for larger predatory fish, thereby efficiently linking these two ecosystems. Here, we assess the contribution of anadromous fish to the diet of European catfish (Silurus glanis) in a large river system (Garonne, southwestern France) using stable isotope analysis and allis shad (Alosa alosa) as an example of anadromous fish. Allis shad caught in the Garonne had a very distinct marine δ¹³C value, over 8‰ higher after lipid extraction compared to the mean δ¹³C value of all other potential freshwater prey fish. The δ¹³C values of European catfish varied considerably between these two extremes and some individuals were clearly specializing on freshwater prey, whereas others specialized on anadromous fish. The mean contribution of anadromous fish to the entire European catfish population was estimated to be between 53% and 65%, depending on the fractionation factor used for δ¹³C.     

Spiroplasma infection causes either early or late male killing in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Drosophila</Emphasis>, depending on maternal host age

Symbiont-induced male-killing phenotypes have been found in a variety of insects. Conventionally, these phenotypes have been divided into two categories according to the timing of action: early male killing at embryonic stages and late male killing at late larval stages. In Drosophila species, endosymbiotic bacteria of the genus Spiroplasma have been known to cause early male killing. Here, we report that a spiroplasma strain normally causing early male killing also induces late male killing depending on the maternal host age: male-specific mortality of larvae and pupae was more frequently observed in the offspring of young females. As the lowest spiroplasma density and occasional male production were also associated with newly emerged females, we proposed the density-dependent hypothesis for the expression of early and late male-killing phenotypes. Our finding suggested that (1) early and late male-killing phenotypes can be caused by the same symbiont and probably by the same mechanism; (2) late male killing may occur as an attenuated expression of early male killing; (3) expression of early and late male-killing phenotypes may be dependent on the symbiont density, and thus, could potentially be affected by the host immunity and regulation; and (4) early male killing and late male killing could be alternative strategies adopted by microbial reproductive manipulators.     

基于Logistic方程描述的鱼食和阿特拉津共同作用对铜绿微囊藻生长的影响

在养殖水域中地表径流等可引起水域中除草剂浓度升高,威胁养殖水环境的生态平衡.为评价阿特拉津和鱼食在水环境中的生态风险,以ρ（阿特拉津）（0、5、10、20和40 μg/L）及鱼食（鱼食为MⅡ培养基中的氮、磷营养源）投加量（0.05、0.20 g;d < 0.85 mm）为变量,基于Logistic方程探讨阿特拉津和鱼食共同作用下铜绿微囊藻（Microcystis aeruginosa）的生长,并研究藻类生长对鱼食营养盐的利用.结果表明:在ρ（阿特拉津）为0~40 μg/L范围内,铜绿微囊藻生长曲线均可用Logistic方程描述（R2=0.975~0.996）;一般情况下,基于Logistic方程得到的比生长速率、增殖速率和抑制率拟合公式均可描述相应实测值的变化,相关性分析得到的拟合值与实测值相关系数（R2）分别为0.861~0.992、0.381~0.839和0.621~0.839.相同ρ（阿特拉津）下,鱼食投加量对藻细胞密度有显著影响（P < 0.05）,Logistic方程拟合得到的理论最大藻细胞密度（K）随鱼食投加量的增加而增大.相同鱼食投加量下,ρ（阿特拉津）为5~40 μg/L时对藻类生长有抑制作用,随ρ（阿特拉津）增加,抑制强度逐渐升高,藻细胞密度越低,最大藻细胞密度随ρ（阿特拉津）的增加而减小.藻细胞密度与PO₄3--P利用量之间关系可用方程N=a×△cb描述,R2为0.23~0.99;藻细胞密度与NH₄+-N利用量之间关系可用方程N=a+b×△c描述,R2为0.04~0.99;藻细胞密度与TN/TP、NH₄+-N/TN和PO₄3--P/TP的关系均可用幂函数方程N=a"xb'描述,R2分别为0.72~0.78、0.66~0.83和0.55~0.56.研究显示,Logistic方程可用于分析阿特拉津和鱼食对铜绿微囊藻生长的影响,且藻类生长与营养盐质量浓度之间存在一定的定量关系.      

Histopathological studies and oxidative stress of synthesized silver nanoparticles in Mozambique tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus)

To evaluate the potential environmental effects of engineered nano metals, it is important to determine the adverse effects of various nanomaterials on aquatic species. Adult tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus) were maintained in 10 L glass aquaria, and exposed to a graded series of synthesized silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) at 25, 50 and 75 mg/L for eight days. The LC₅₀ value was 12.6 mg/L. Reduced activities of antioxidant enzymes and the contents of antioxidants were lowered in the gills and liver of fishes treated with Ag-NPs, which resulted in heavy accumulation of free radicals. Histopathological results imply that the balance between the oxidative and antioxidant system in the fish was broken down during Ag-NPs exposure. The principal concern related with the release of nanomaterials and their smaller particle may change the materials transport and potential toxicity to aquatic organisms compared to larger particles.     

麻黄碱在斑马鱼体内的器官特异性蓄积及毒代动力学

麻黄碱（ephedrine,EPH）是一种生物碱,用于减轻感冒、过敏性鼻炎、鼻炎及鼻窦炎引起的鼻充血症状,控制支气管哮喘等,同时还是制造毒品冰毒的原料.EPH已经在地表水中广泛检出,并可能对水生生物甚至生态系统产生不利影响.但目前,EPH在水生生物中的摄取、器官分配和毒代动力学过程还没有受到关注.本研究中将斑马鱼（Danio rerio）在半静态系统中暴露于EPH,研究斑马鱼的不同器官对EPH的吸收、蓄积以及EPH在斑马鱼体内的毒物代动力学.暴露浓度分别为0.01、1.00和100.00 μg·L^-1,暴露14 d后,在斑马鱼脑、肝、肠、卵巢及肌肉中均检测到EPH,高浓度组斑马鱼脑中EPH最高达到84.97 ng·g^-1;EPH的平均含量的相对大小遵循以下顺序：脑 > 卵巢 > 肝 >肠 > 肌肉.斑马鱼器官中的麻黄碱的摄取速率常数（K_u）为0.23~570.31 L·（kg·d）^-1,消除速率常数（K_e）为1.22~6.11 d^-1,半衰期为0.12~0.57 d.观察到的生物富集系数（BCF_o）和动力学来源的生物富集系数（BCF_k）范围分别为0.24~337.33 L·kg^-1和0.13~316.43 L·kg^-1,处于相同的水平.     

Field evidence for non-host predator avoidance in a manipulated amphipod

Manipulative parasites are known to alter the spatial distribution of their intermediate hosts in a way that enables trophic transmission to definitive hosts. However, field data on the ecological implications of such changes are lacking. In particular, little is known about the spatial coexistence between infected prey and dead-end predators after a parasite-induced habitat shift. Here, we used an Amphipoda (Gammarus roeseli)–Acanthocephala (Polymorphus minutus) association to investigate how infection with a manipulative parasite affects the predation risk by non-hosts within the invertebrate community. First, we collected invertebrates by sampling various natural habitats and calculated the distribution amplitude of amphipods according to their infection status. Infection with P. minutus significantly reduced the habitat breadth in G. roeseli, parasitised individuals being mainly found in floating materials whereas uninfected ones were widespread throughout the sampled habitats. Second, to test if these changes also affect the risk for P. minutus to be ingested by non-hosts, we estimated the predation risk experienced by G. roeseli within the macro-invertebrate community. The habitat overlap between potential invertebrate predators and G. roeseli showed that the spatial probability of encounter was lower for P. minutus-infected amphipods than for uninfected conspecifics. For the first time, to our knowledge, a study used ecological tools to bring field evidence for the spatial avoidance of dead-end predators in a manipulated amphipod.     

Safe caves and dangerous forests? Predation risk may contribute to salamander colonization of subterranean habitats

Recent studies suggest that many organisms actively colonize the subterranean environment to avoid climatic stress, exploit new ecological opportunities and reduce competition and predation. Terrestrial salamanders are known to colonize the more stable subterranean habitats mainly to escape external climatic extremes, while the role of predation avoidance remains untested. To better understand the importance of predation, we used clay models of the cave salamander Speleomantes strinatii to compare the predation occurring in woodland and subterranean habitats. Models were positioned in three forests and in three caves in NW Italy. One-hundred eighty-four models were retrieved from the field and 59 (32%) were attacked by predators. Models were attacked on their head more often than expected by chance and, therefore, were perceived by predators as real prey items. In the woodlands, clay models showed a four-time higher probability of being attacked in comparison to caves, suggesting a different level of potential predation risk in these surface habitats. These findings are one of the first experimental evidences that, in terrestrial ecosystems, predation avoidance may contribute to the salamander underground colonization process.     

“Sleeping with the enemy”—predator-induced diapause in a mite

Diapause in arthropods is a physiological state of dormancy that is generally thought to promote survival during harsh seasons and dispersal, but it may also serve to avoid predation in space and time. Here, we show that predation-related odours induce diapause in female adult spider mites. We argue that this response allows them to move into an area where they are free of enemies, yet forced to survive without food. Spider mites are specialised leaf feeders, but—in late summer—they experience severe predation on leaves. Hence, they face a dilemma: to stay on the leaf and risk being eaten or to move away from the leaf and risk death from starvation and thirst. Female two-spotted spider mites solve this dilemma by dramatically changing their physiology when exposed to predation-associated cues. This allows them to disperse away from leaves and to survive in winter refuges in the bark of trees or in the soil. We conclude that the mere presence of predation-associated cues causes some herbivorous mites to seek refuge, thereby retarding the growth rate of the population as a whole: a trait-mediated indirect effect that may have consequences for the stability of predator–prey systems and for ecosystem structure.     

Interrelationship of age and diet in Romania’s oldest human burial

In 1968, excavations in the Climente II cave in the Iron Gates gorge of the River Danube in southwest Romania unearthed the skeleton of an adult male. The burial was assumed to be of Late Pleistocene age because of the presence of Late Upper Palaeolithic (LUP) artefacts in the cave. However, there was no strong supporting stratigraphic evidence, and the body position is reminiscent of Early Neolithic burial practice in the region. Here, we report the results of radiocarbon and stable isotope analyses of the Climente II skeleton, which show that the skeleton dates to the Bølling–Allerød Interstadial ~14,500 cal BP. This is several millennia older than any previously dated human remains from the Iron Gates region and confirms its status as the oldest known burial from Romania. The stable isotope results indicate a diet with an emphasis on aquatic resources, contrary to the commonly held view that the LUP inhabitants of the Iron Gates subsisted mainly by hunting large land mammals.     

Growth and social behavior in a cichlid fish are affected by social rearing environment and kinship

Living in groups is a widespread phenomenon in many animal taxa. The reduction of predation risk is thought to be an important cause for the formation of groups. Consequently, grouping behavior is particularly pronounced during vulnerable life stages, i.e., as juveniles. However, group living does not only provide benefits but also imposes costs on group members, e.g., increased competition for food. Thus, benefits of grouping behavior might not be evident when predation risk is absent. The adaptive significance of living and also developing in a group independent from predation risk has received relatively little attention although this might have important implications on the evolution and maintenance of group living. The first aim of the present study was to examine whether the social environment affects juvenile performance in the cichlid fish Pelvicachromis taeniatus and, secondly, whether kinship affects social behavior. Kin selection theory predicts benefits from grouping with kin. Here, we demonstrate that juveniles reared in a group grow on average faster compared to juveniles reared in isolation under standardized laboratory conditions without predation risk. Furthermore, we found significant differences in social behavior between juveniles reared in a group and reared in isolation. Fish reared in isolation were significantly more aggressive and less willing to shoal than group-reared fish. As expected, genetic relatedness influenced social behavior in group-reared fish as well: dyads of juveniles consisting of kin showed increased group cohesiveness compared to non-kin dyads. We discuss the potential benefits of group living in general and living with kin in particular.     

The liver but not the skin is the site for conversion of a red carotenoid in a passerine bird

Carotenoids may provide numerous health benefits and are also responsible for the integumentary coloration of many bird species. Despite their importance, many aspects of their metabolism are still poorly known, and even basic issues such as the anatomical sites of conversion remain controversial. Recent studies suggest that the transformation of carotenoid pigments takes place directly in the follicles during feather growth, even though the liver has been previously recognised as a storing organ for these pigments with a certain potential for conversion. In this context, we analysed the carotenoid profile of plasma, liver, skin and feathers of male Common Crossbills (Loxia curvirostra). Interestingly, the derivative feather pigment 3-hydroxy-echinenone was detected in the liver and in the bloodstream (i.e. the necessary vehicle to transport metabolites to colourful peripheral tissues). Our results demonstrate for the first time with empirical data that the liver may act as the main site for the synthesis of integumentary carotenoids. This finding contradicts previous assumptions and raises the question of possible inter-specific differences in the site of carotenoid conversion in birds.     

Flower-visiting behavior of male bees is triggered by nectar-feeding insects

Bees are important pollinators for many flowering plants. Female bees are thought to be more effective pollinators than male bees because they carry much more pollen than males. Males of some solitary bee species are known to patrol near flowers that females visit. Because patrolling males visit flowers to mate or defend their territories, they may function as pollinators. However, the significance of patrolling males to pollination has not been studied. We studied males of a solitary bee, Heriades fulvohispidus (Megachilidae), patrolling near flowers and visiting flowers that attracted nectar-feeding insects, including conspecifics, on the Ogasawara (Bonin) Islands. To test the hypothesis that patrolling male bees may function as pollen vectors, we compared the frequency of visits by H. fulvohispidus to flowers of an endemic plant, Schima mertensiana (Theaceae); comparisons were made among flowers with a dead H. fulvohispidus, a dead beetle, a piece of plastic, and nothing (control flowers). Patrolling H. fulvohispidus more frequently visited flowers with a dead conspecific, a dead beetle, or a piece of plastic than the control flowers. Our experiment demonstrates that nectar-feeding insects (including conspecifics and other insects) enhance the flower-visiting frequency of patrolling H. fulvohispidus males on S. mertensiana flowers. Furthermore, we observed S. mertensiana pollen on patrolling males as well as females, suggesting that male bees may also function as pollen vectors.     

Choosy males from the underground: male mating preferences in surface- and cave-dwelling Atlantic mollies (Poecilia mexicana)

Atlantic mollies (Poecilia mexicana) inhabit a variety of surface habitats, but they also occur in a sulfur cave in southern Mexico. We examined male mate choice relative to female body size in the cave population and in the most closely related surface-dwelling population from a nearby river. Males from both populations were either light- or dark-reared and could choose between two differently sized females either on the basis of visual cues in light or on the basis of solely nonvisual cues in darkness. Sexual preferences were estimated from the degree of association. Cave molly males always showed a preference for the larger female, both in light and in darkness. Among the surface males, only light-reared males showed a preference in the visual cues test, but not in darkness. In a control experiment, we demonstrated that male association preferences directly translate into actual mating preferences. Apparently, using visual cues for mate choice is the ancestral state in this system, and using nonvisual cues has evolved as a novel trait in the cave population. We discuss the evolution of nonvisual male mate choice in the context of changed environmental conditions, namely the absence of light, hypoxia, and toxic hydrogen sulfide in the cave.