福建洛阳江口红树林湿地恢复对蟹类密度的影响

底栖动物尤其是蟹类对红树林湿地生态系统的生态功能恢复有重要意义,研究检验不同红树林种类及林龄和郁闭度是否对蟹类分布情况存在显著影响。从福建洛阳江口红树林湿地动态变化对蟹类密度的影响可以看出：不同植被类型对蟹类密度的影响达到极显著水平。光滩与成熟的秋茄（Kandelia candel）,桐花树（Aegiceras corniculatum）和白骨壤（Avicennia marina）之间有显著性差异（P〈0.05）,而桐花树、秋茄、白骨壤之间无显著性差异（P〉0.05）。在不同红树林树种和林龄2因素对蟹类密度的影响的双因素分析中：树种、林龄、树种和林龄间互作均对蟹类密度的影响达到极显著水平;在不同红树林树种和郁闭度2因素对蟹类密度的影响的双因素方差分析中：树种对蟹类密度的影响达到极显著水平,郁闭度对蟹类密度的影响达到显著水平;树种和郁闭度之间互作对蟹类密度的影响不显著。     

南沙湿地公园红树林物种多样性与空间分布格局

红树林是海岸的特有植被类型,研究其物种多样性与空间分布,对红树林的恢复与保护具有重要意义。本文以南沙湿地公园红树林为典型案例,采用遥感影像解译和样方调查的方法,对红树林物种多样性、群落特征与空间分布格局进行研究。结果表明:(1)南沙湿地公园红树林物种多样性指数高于其他与之纬度相近的红树林群落;(2)以无瓣海桑Sonneratia apetala Buch-Ham.、桐花树Aegiceras corniculatum(L.)Blanco.、黄槿Hibiscus tiliaceus L.和芦苇Phragmites australis(Cav.)Trin.ex Steud.为优势种;(3)主要的群落类型为无瓣海桑群落、黄槿群落和芦苇群落等3种,总面积百分比达86.72%,无瓣海桑群落和黄槿群落面积占比分别为41.13%和36.44%,成为红树林的绝对优势群落;(4)红树林群落在空间上呈聚集态分布,聚集度最高的是无瓣海桑群落,其次是黄槿群落,面积占比最低的是木榄群落;(5)引进种无瓣海桑,发展态势好,抑制了乡土种红树植物生长。建议扩种白骨壤Avicennia marina(Forsk.)Vierh.、桐花树和秋茄Kandelia candel(L.)Druce.,扩大其斑块面积,以提升乡土红树植物群落的稳定性,达到有效保护红树林的目的。     

广东省雷州附城主要红树林群落碳储量及其影响因子

红树林生态系统具有碳储量高、碳汇潜力强的特点,选择碳密度高的红树林树种和最佳的碳汇环境有利于实现碳储量的最大化。以广东省雷州半岛附城沿海红树林为研究对象,通过比较不同林龄、不同潮位、不同树种栽种模式红树林群落碳储量,深入研究不同生物因素和环境因素对红树林碳储量的影响。该研究中,红树林碳储量包括植物碳储量和土壤碳储量两部分,植物碳储量通过地上植物、地下植物和凋落物的生物量的测定进行计算,通过测定土壤有机碳来计算土壤碳储量。结果表明,红树林群落碳储量一般具有随树龄增加而持续增大的趋势,主要原因为土壤碳储量不断增加。高潮位红树林碳储量高于低潮位的,潮位因素与树种因素对碳储量的影响具有交互作用,潮位因素对不同树种的影响程度不同。在研究区域内,20年生各群落碳储量排序为:无瓣海桑(S.apetala)-桐花树(A.corniculatum)桐花树(A.corniculatum)+秋茄(K.obovata)无瓣海桑(S.apetala)桐花树(A.corniculatum)无瓣海桑(S.apetala)-白骨壤(A.marina)秋茄(K.obovata)白骨壤(A.marina),碳储量分别为305.52、236.26、178.15、172.96、145.99、136.98、97.42 t·hm~(-2)。本研究可为合理制定红树林碳汇造林方案提供科学依据。     

北部湾不同龄期无瓣海桑植株根系时空分布特征

无瓣海桑(Sonneratia apetala Buch.Ham)是中国沿海地区常用的红树林造林树种。然而,目前对其根系的空间分布特征仍知之甚少,以下基础性问题仍急待回答:无瓣海桑地表根系和地下根系的空间分布特征如何?这些特征随林龄如何变化?这些根系空间分布特征能为理解无瓣海桑促淤保滩、防风消浪等功能提供哪些启示?选择北部湾13 a、8 a、5 a、3 a 4种龄期的无瓣海桑人工纯林,采用地表根系网格法和壕沟挖掘法,调查了4种林龄下无瓣海桑的水平根系分布幅度、根系深度、地表根密度、高度与基径、地下根系的垂直分布,研究了无瓣海桑植株根系空间分布特征及随树龄的变化规律。研究结果表明:(1)无瓣海桑植株地表根系水平分布范围随树龄增加而不断扩大,13 a、8 a、5 a、3 a无瓣海桑植株地表根系水平分布范围分别是79.20、45.80、18.40、14.64 m,分别是其冠幅的14.46、8.90、5.62、5.52倍;(2)4种林龄的无瓣海桑植株地表呼吸根系的密度、高度、基径在水平方向上由冠幅向外逐渐减小;(3)无瓣海桑植株地下垂直根系分布的深度十分有限,13 a与8 a无瓣海桑根系垂直分布深度为0~60 cm,5 a和3 a为0~40 cm;另外0~20 cm土壤深度为根系主要分布深度,13 a、8 a、5 a、3 a无瓣海桑在0~20 cm分别分布着79.3%、87.6%、93.0%、94.1%的根系。研究结果不仅有助于加强对无瓣海桑根系时空分布特性的理解,而且能从根系角度为进一步理解无瓣海桑促淤保滩、防风消浪等功能提供新解释。     

深圳福田秋茄红树林生态系统碳循环的初步研究

滨海红树林的生产力极高,在全球碳循环中占有重要地位,但是其碳循环的系统测定却鲜见报道。以深圳福田秋茄林为研究对象,2011年4月-2012年4月对内滩天然林、中滩和外滩人工林的植被、凋落物、粗木质残体、土壤的碳密度和净增量,以及植被和土壤呼吸进行了实际观测,并探讨了土壤有机碳来源,初步构建了秋茄林沿不同滩位的生态系统碳循环模式。结果表明,深圳福田秋茄林的碳密度在234.58～694.46 t.hm^-2之间,其中植被碳密度为44.54～239.51 t.hm^-2,凋落物和粗木质残体碳密度为2.02～24.56 t.hm^-2,土壤碳密度（深度为50 cm）为188.02～430.39 t.hm^-2,生态系统碳密度整体上表现为自内滩向外滩降低的趋势。在研究时段内,3个滩位的植被碳密度净增量为4.31～13.28 t.hm^-2.a^-1,凋落物和土壤碳密度没有显著变化。红树林的凋落物生成量为2.17～10.55 t.hm^-2.a^-1,约有49.94～94.01%通过食草动物、冲入海洋和腐烂分解等途径消耗。植被呼吸量为2.20～12.08 t.hm^-2.a^-1,土壤微生物的异氧呼吸量为0.25～1.61 t.hm^-2.a^-1,甲烷排放为0.09～0.31 t.hm^-2.a^-1,土壤有机碳输入约18.99%～44.43%来自植被内源输入,其余来源于海洋碳输入。生态系统的总初级生产力介于8.68～35.91t.hm^-2.a^-1之间,约有47.38%～74.08%转变为净初级生产力（6.48～23.84 t.hm^-2.a^-1）。碳平衡分析表明,在研究时段内,内滩的天然林是个很大的碳汇,约20.08 t.hm^-2.a^-1,中滩和外滩的人工林碳汇量分别为9.98 t.hm^-2.a^-1和4.03 t.hm^-2.a^-1。相对于陆地森林,秋茄红树林有着显著的碳汇效益,在全球碳循环中起着不可忽视的作用。     

薇甘菊入侵对深圳湾红树林生态系统碳储量的影响

外来植物入侵对生态系统碳过程的影响已经成为入侵生态学研究的热点问题。采用比较研究的方法分析了薇甘菊（MikaniamicranthaH．B．K．）入侵对深圳湾红树林生态系统碳储量的影响,分别设置红树林（Kandelia candel）群落、红树林．薇甘菊群落、薇甘菊群落以及光滩等样地,采集植被、凋落物和土壤剖面样品,分析生态系统各组分的碳储量变化。结果表明,薇甘菊入侵对红树林生态系统碳储量有着显著的影响,碳储量从未被入侵下215．73tC／hm^2减少到轻、高度入侵下的197．56tC／hm2和166．70tC／hm2,分别减少8．42％和22．72％。其中植被和土壤碳储量显著减少,凋落物碳储量显著增加。薇甘菊入侵一方面导致红树林枯萎,减少植被生物量,增加凋落物量,另一方面促进了土壤微生物活动,使土壤有机碳分解释放,降低土壤碳储量。薇甘菊入侵后红树林碳储量的降低将大大削弱生态系统的碳汇功能。     

不同溶氧条件下九龙江口湿地沉积物一水界面氨氮释放与氧化规律

摘要：沉积物中氨氮（NH4^＋-N）的释放与氧化是河口湿地生态系统氮素生物地球化学循环的关键过程。本文通过室内模拟,构建饱和（BH）、好氧（HY）、缺氧（QY）和厌氧（YY）等四种上覆水溶氧（DO）条件,研究九龙江口湿地两种沉积物（红树林、光滩）中NH4^＋-N在沉积物-水界面的释放与氧化规律。结果表明,不同溶氧条件下,两种沉积物氨氮的释放、氧化存在显著差异。首先,红树林沉积物上覆水NH4^＋-NN的累积释放量是光滩沉积物的1．9-4．5倍,其中红树林沉积物上覆水NH4LN释放量分别达到1．64mg（BH）、2．07mg（HY）、3．47mg（QY）和3．20mg（YY）,而光滩沉积物则分别为0．85mg（BH）、1．00mg（HY）、0．77mg（QY）和1．27mg（YY）。在较高DO条件下两种沉积物NH。’一N均呈低释放状态,而在较低DO条件下则呈高释放状态。另外,四种溶氧条件下红树林沉积物NH4^＋-NN的释放速率（N43．73-78．51mg-m^-2-d^-1）和氧化速率（N26．19-40．68mg-m^-2-d^-1）均高于光滩（分别为N14．50-19．22mg-m^-2-d^-1和N8．89-22．53mg-m^-2-d^-1）,原因可能是红树林沉积物微生物种类丰富,群落多样性更高,矿化和硝化作用强烈。本文明晰了不同溶氧条件下河口红树林湿地沉积物NH4^＋-N的迁移转化过程,可促进滨海湿地的生态保护以及近海水域富营养化的控制。     

几种不同更新的森林群落碳储量结构特征分析

森林更新是维持和扩大森林资源的主要途径,也是森林结构调整、森林可持续经营和构建多功能高效的森林生态系统的过程。在安徽南部的岭南林场,选择了马尾松（Pinus massoniana Lamb）人工林（MP）、杉木（Cunninghamia lanceolata）人工林（CF）、阔叶混交天然次生林（MB）和针阔混交人工次生林（MN）等4种具有典型代表性的森林群落类型,研究了不同更新方式形成的森林群落的碳储量结构特征。结果表明：（1）针阔混交次生林树干生物量密度最大,为（67.32±56.57）mg.hm-2,杉木人工林生物量密度最小,为（43.79±9.13）mg.hm-2,而马尾松树干生物量所占比例最大,为（64.04±1.49）%。阔叶混交次生林碳储量最高,为（126.47±90.75）mg.hm-2;（2）4种群落类型中,阔叶混交林与马尾松群落碳密度最大,分别为95.67和98.21mg.hm-2,杉木群落碳密度最小,为55.41 mg.hm-2。阔叶混交林中的灌木层生物量碳密度最大,为（17.438±24.627）mg hm-2,马尾松林的草本层和枯落层生物量碳密度最高,分别为（1.326±0.431）、（5.517±2.846）mg.hm-2;（3）阔叶混交林群落的地下碳储量最高,为（10.5±9.8）mg.hm-2,群落地下碳储量从大到小的顺序是阔叶混交林〉针阔混交林〉杉木林〉马尾松林。相应的群落地上碳储量从大到小的顺序是阔叶混交林〉针阔混交林〉马尾松林〉杉木林。杉木林根茎比（R/S）最大,为0.21±0.01,杉木林群落中的灌木层根茎比（R/S）最大,为1.61±0.11;（4）在阔叶混交林中,株数密度与乔木层、草本层的碳比例正相关。在杉木林群落中,平均胸径、株数密度与乔木层碳所占比例成负相关。除杉木林群落外,灌木层碳含量之比与胸径及密度等调查因子都呈负相关。     

三叶爬山虎叶片解剖结构和光合生理特性对3种生境的响应

藤本植物生活环境的时空变化较为剧烈,为适应异质性生境常表现出较大的可塑性,其形态解剖结构及光合生理特征被认为能很好地体现对异质生境的适应。为了明确藤本植物叶片结构和光合作用对不同生境光强的响应策略,以木质藤本三叶爬山虎（Parthenocissus himalayana）为对象,采用光合仪测定和解剖显微观察的方法研究了哀牢山亚热带湿性常绿阔叶林的林外（全光照）、林缘（遮荫）和林内（荫生）3种自然生境中三叶爬山虎的叶片解剖结构和光合生理特征的变化,以期阐述三叶爬山虎对不同光环境的生态适应能力及策略,为森林生态系统的管理和物种多样性的保护及群落优化配置提供理论依据。结果表明：从林内到林外随着生境光强增加,叶片厚度（157.77～299.17μm）、上表皮厚度（21.30～28.40μm）、栅栏组织厚度（30.83～124.65μm）、栅栏组织细胞面积（430.95～652.97μm2）显著增大（P〈0.01）,栅栏组织细胞长度（29.23～49.54μm）和周长（86.58～155.17μm）、下表皮厚度（16.14～19.01μm）、气孔长度（24.13～27.10μm）和气孔密度（86.20～129.41个·mm-2）呈显著上升趋势（P〈0.05）。栅栏组织细胞宽度（19.67～22.81μm）在3种生境中无显著差异。叶片解剖结构性状的平均可塑性值为0.37,其中最大值是栅栏组织细胞长度（0.67）,最小值是气孔长度（0.11）。光饱和点（201.27～1299.17μmol·m-2·s-1）、光补偿点（3.86～29.88μmol·m-2·s-1）、饱和光强最大光合速率（2.20～12.03μmol·m-2·s-1）、暗呼吸速率（0.17～2.19μmol·m-2·s-1）、CO2补偿点（83.01～237.26μmol·m-2·s-1）、饱和CO2最大净光合速率（2.07～25.49μmol·m-2·s-1）、光呼吸速率（0.36～7.57μmol·m-2·s-1）、初始羧化效率（0.006～0.035μmol·μmol-1）随着生境光强的增高呈上升趋势,而表观量子效率（0.067～0.031μmol·?     

塔里木河下游荒漠植物群落物种多样性及其结构特征分析

以29块植物群落调查样地资料为基础,采用物种多样性指数、丰富度和均匀度由高到低指数对塔里木河下游植物群落的物种多样性及群落结构进行分析。结果表明,研究区共有植物10科14属,出现频率居于前3位的植物依次为柽柳、黑果枸杞和胡杨;重要值以胡杨为最大（0．384）,其次为柽柳（0．230）,盐生草为最小（0．002）;优势建群植物胡杨主要分布在与河道垂直距离500m范围内。沿河道从英苏至阿拉干断面,地下水位逐渐下降,物种多样性总体呈下降趋势,群落结构由乔木-灌木-草本转为以乔木-灌木为主;随与河道垂直距离增加,群落密度和盖度均呈现先增加后减少的变化趋势,植物群落结构由乔木-灌木、乔木-灌木-草本逐渐演变为灌木-草本或单一的灌木结构。     

Diurnal and lunar patterns of larval recruitment of Brachyura into a mangrove estuary system in Ranong Province, Thailand

The present study followed the temporal recruitment pattern of brachyuran larvae in a mangrove tidal creek on the Andaman Sea coast of Ranong Province, Thailand, based on the assumption that the processes governing recruitment are important for the overall population dynamics of mangrove brachyuran crabs. Plankton net samples were taken on five occasions: on two new moon spring tides, one waxing moon neap tide, one full moon spring tide and one waning moon neap tide during October and November 1997. In addition collectors for larval crab megalopae were employed every 3 days through one dry season and one wet season (March–October 1998). Both the plankton net samples and collector samples revealed four major brachyuran groups in three families: Ocypodidae, Grapsidae and Portunidae. The grapsid group was further separated into two morphotypes which were identified as Metaplax and sesarmid species. Identified group mean numbers per cubic metre were ocypodids 3.0, sesarmids 0.8 and Metaplax 0.5, while portunid megalopae were very scarce (≪0.1 m⁻³). Further analysis of plankton net samples showed that when considering the parameters date, depth, current direction and the diel cycle, Metaplax and ocypodids distribute differently in the tidal and lunar cycle. Metaplax recruitment dominates on flood tides and on bottom layers, followed by middle and surface layers. Conversely, ocypodid abundance varied significantly with date only. Notably recruitment was not dependent on the diel cycle for either group. The collector samples of megalopae showed that recruitment of ocypodids, Metaplax and sesarmids occurred on full and new moon spring tides, while portunid megalopae preferred to settle on full moon spring tides. Since tidal currents were related to the lunar cycle megalopa groups are also cross-correlated with tidal amplitude, except for the portunid group. It is concluded that megalopae recruit in a similar manner to what has been found in other regions of the world, except that the abundance of ocypodids and Metaplax is not influenced by the diel cycle. Received: 14 February 2000 / Accepted: 24 November 2000     

Comparative species composition and relative abundance of decapod crustaceans in marine habitats of Panamá

The community structure of the decapod crustacean fauna of 7 tropical, shallowwater, marine habitats (sandy beaches, mangrove swamps and rocky intertidal habitats on both the Pacific and Caribbean coasts of Panama, and Pocillopora damicornis coral habitat of the Bay of Panama) were examined and analyzed for species composition and relative abundances. Collections from the 7 habitats yielded 4361 individuals, representing 236 species. The number of species per habitat was (Pacific, Caribbean): sandy beach (16, 7); mangrove (20, 17); P. damicornis (53); rocky intertidal (78, 67). There were more species represented by more individuals in the Pacific habitats. An index of faunal similarity was calculated for each pair (Pacific-Caribbean) of habitats. This index is the number of ecologically similar congeneric species which occurred in both habitats expressed as a percentage of the total number of species present in the pair of habitats. For the sandy beach communities there were three Pacific species which were similar to three Caribbean species, a similarity of 6/23 or 26%. The index of similarity for the mangrove communities is 54% and for the rocky intertidal communities it is 37%. The P. damicornis community has affinities with the Pacific rocky intertidal community (18%), with that of the Caribbean rocky intertidal (16%) and with that of Indo-West Pacific pocilloporid corals (20%). A few specialized species dominated each of the communities. The habitats and the number of species accounting for over half of the individuals present are (Pacific, Caribbean): sandy beach (1, 1); mangrove (4, 4); P. damicornis (5); and rocky intertidal (3, 6). Most of the species in each community were represented by one or a few individuals.     

Gonopod tegumental glands: a new accessory sex gland in the Brachyura

It is not yet known whether gonopod tegumental glands (GTG) previously described in one species of brachyuran crab (Chionoecetes opilio) are a general feature in this large taxon. In order to determine the prevalence and role of GTG in the Brachyura, the first gonopods of six species of boreo-temperate and tropical brachyurans belonging to four families were examined morphologically and histologically, using the PAS–Alcian-blue staining protocol: Carcinus maenas, Portunus sebae, and Ovalipes ocellatus (Portunidae), Cancer irroratus (Cancridae), Grapsus grapsus (Grapsidae), and Petrolisthes armatus (Porcellanidae). Discrete rosette-type GTG were found in all species examined, although the longitudinal extent and location differed somewhat between taxa. The GTG were invariably grouped about the ejaculatory canal, and communicated with the lumen of the ejaculatory canal via ducts which traversed pores in the cuticle; staining properties of secretions at the duct openings to the ejaculatory canal matched those of the GTG. Neither GTG, ducts, nor pores were observed in regions distal to the ejaculatory canal. These data indicate that the prime, if not exclusive, role of the GTG is in reproduction, and that GTG may therefore be considered accessory sex glands. Together with previous and current investigations such GTG have been observed in all eight brachyuran species examined from five families, and are thus probably ubiquitous within the Brachyura. The organization and nature of the gland secretions differed between taxa: alternating acid (AMPS) and neutral mucopolysaccharide (NMPS) layers in the three Portunidae, AMPS only in Cancer irroratus, and NMPS only in Grapsus grapsus and Petrolisthes armatus. When combined with data on gonopod morphology and occurrence of spermatophore-less sealant in the ejaculate of various brachyurans, two plausible functions of the AMPS GTG secretions emerge: protection of the male's genetic investment (stored spermatophores) from opportunistic microbes following copulation, and the reciprocal processes of sperm competition and paternity assurance. The NMPS secretions may function as a lubricant to reduce mechanical wear of the ejaculatory canal by the second gonopod during copulation, and to reduce the viscosity of the ejaculate from the vas deferens as it enters the narrow ejaculatory canal. Received: 26 January 1998 / Accepted: 11 June 1998     

Floristic composition of arid off –shore islands in Abu Dhabi,United Arab Emirates

Data on flora and vegetation of 14 off-shore islands representing different habitat types were studied for investigating floristic composition, vegetation types and correlation with their habitats and ecosystem. The results demonstrate considerable plant distribution and diversity among the islands within the limited spectrum of species; encompassing a total of 47 species, belonging to 43 genera under 24 families. The most representative families were Amaranthaceae (9 species), Fabaceae (4 species), Poaceae (4 species) and Asteraceae and Aizoaceae (3 species each). Fourteen families are represented by only one species. The mangrove species, Avicennia marina, occurs throughout the coast of Abu Dhabi in discontinuous patches and in different water salinities. The studies also seek to underline that dominant species that constitutes the flora of Abu Dhabi are salt tolerant in nature. Compared to other Arabian Peninsula ecosystems, UAE perhaps has a higher coastal: mainland area ratio, which has contributed to a natural dominance of salt tolerant species among the community. The studies show 40% similarity among islands with respect to the species diversity. The floristic composition of the off-shore islands also indicates a need to consider these sites as protected sites.     

Bridging information domains to improve ecological understanding of biological invasions in a marine ecosystem

We devised a practical method for integrating information on 2 marine invasive species using 3 different approaches: standardized ecological monitoring, online-reporting databases, and surveys of anglers and crabbers. Focusing on 2 recently introduced species with different characteristics, the Asian shore crab (Hemigrapsus sanguineus) and Chinese mitten crab (Eriocheir sinensis), in the Hudson-Raritan watershed of New York and New Jersey, we used sensitivity analyses to explore the relative contribution of each information source to knowledge of species abundance and distribution. All 3 information sources contributed something unique to understanding abundance and distribution of the introduced crabs. Online and survey data on Asian shore crabs significantly affected predictions of abundance, whereas monitoring data did not. When survey data were omitted, abundance estimates were unchanged over time, but when they were included, the model predicted an increased abundance in 2012. All 3 data sets for the Asian shore crab significantly affected estimates of species coverage; surveys had the biggest influence, increasing range size by 4097.25 km². For the catadromous Chinese mitten crab, ecological monitoring data collected in freshwater shortly after the original sighting significantly shaped model estimates for abundance and documented the establishment phase of the mitten crab in an area outside the spatial scope of the surveyed resource users. However, the survey data significantly enlarged mitten crab range-size estimates by 6498.01 km². By demonstrating that data integration produced an image of the invasion process that would not have emerged had we used any 1 method individually, model results provide evidence for the advantages of an interdisciplinary approach.     

Description and comparison of major foregut ossicles in hydrothermal vent crabs

Major foregut (gastric mill) ossicles, including the dorsal median tooth, lateral teeth, accessory lateral teeth, and cardiopyloric valve, of hydrothermal vent crabs were dissected and examined during the summer of 1996 from specimens housed at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County. Ossicles are described for two species of hydrothermal vent crabs (family Bythograeidae Williams, 1980). The western Pacific Austinograea williamsi Hessler and Martin has an unusual dorsal median tooth. The surrounding cuticular flange is scalloped and bears spinulose setae at the tip of each of the protruding edges, a condition perhaps unique in the Brachyura. The lateral teeth are mostly unremarkable, bearing the typical large anterior denticles and deep serrations seen in other crab families, but with a higher number of serrations than is known for any species previously described. The accessory lateral teeth bear flattened, plate-like spines that are widest basally and that taper to a cylindrical tip. The basic armature of the foregut of Bythograea thermydron Williams, known only from vents in the eastern Pacific, is very similar. Scalloping of the median tooth borders is less pronounced, however, and the shape of the tooth itself and of the plate from which it arises is slightly different. The lateral teeth bear fewer and more widely spaced grooves, and the cardiopyloric valve entrance appears less setose at its extremity. Comparison with foregut ossicles in other crab families based on earlier studies, most of which have not employed SEM, reveals some similarities between bythograeids and some xanthids, but does not clarify the phylogenetic position of the bythograeids. Because of the paucity of other SEM studies of the brachyuran foregut, it is difficult to ascertain whether some of the many spine and setal types in the bythograeid foregut are unique or even unusual compared to those of other crab families. Nothing about the foregut of the vent crabs is indicative of their unusual habitat. Anecdotal observations of feeding in vent crabs indicate that they are opportunistic scavengers and omnivores, which is in keeping with the non-specialized nature of the foregut. The debate between adaptation vs phylogeny as determinants of the form of the gastric mill components is briefly discussed. Received: 10 December 1996 / Accepted: 13 November 1997     

Fiddler crab burrowing affects growth and production of the white mangrove (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Laguncularia racemosa</Emphasis>) in a restored Florida coastal marsh

Positive plant–animal interactions are important in community ecology, but relatively little attention has been paid to their effect on the production of mangroves, dominant halophytic trees in tropical coastal marshes. Here, the role of fiddler crab (Uca spp.) burrowing on the growth and production of the white mangrove, Laguncularia racemosa (<2 years old), was examined in a restored marsh in Tampa Bay, Florida (27°41.65 N, 82°30.34 W) with manipulative experiments from June 2006 to May 2007. Fiddler crab burrowing significantly increased mangrove height by 27%, trunk diameter by 25%, and leaf production by 15%, compared to mangroves in crab exclusion enclosures. Additionally, the exclusion of fiddler crabs significantly increased interstitial water salinity from 32.4 to 44.2, and decreased the oxidation–reduction potential of the low organic sediments, but did not affect soil pH or sulfide concentration. Mangrove height, trunk diameter, and leaf production along a transect that varied in crab burrow density were positively associated with the number of crab burrows. Further, the density of sympatric Spartina alterniflora shoots was positively correlated with crab burrow density along the transect. As in temperate marshes, fiddler crabs can have significant ecological effects on mangrove communities, serving as ecological engineers by modulating the amount of resources available to marsh plants, and by altering the physical, chemical, and biological state of these soft sediment communities. In restored coastal systems that typically have very poor sediment quality, techniques such as soil amendment could be used to facilitate a more natural interaction between crabs and mangroves in ecosystem development.     

A genetic analysis of the pea crabs (Decapoda: Pinnotheridae) of New Zealand

Seven populations of the pea crabPinnotheres atrinicola Page were sampled from around the North Island of New Zealand from February to October 1987, and individuals were scored at 23 presumptive enzymatic loci. For a brachyuran crab,P. atrinicola revealed high levels of polymorphism and heterozygosity. Of the loci scored, phosphoglucose isomerase (Gpi) and phosphoglucomutase (Pgm) were distinguished by high variability ( =0.602 and 0.526, respectively). A clinal variation in electromorph frequency was evident at several loci, and atGpi in particular. Statistical analyses revealed that, despite relatively small genetic distance separation, a high degree of structuring was present between the geographic populations. The degree of population subdivision observed in this study is atypical of brachyuran crabs. It is suggested that the genetic differentiation observed between pea crab populations is maintained by life-history attributes and current movements which restrict gene flow between populations and, to some extent, by random genetic drift.Publication No. 41 from the Evolutionary Genetics Laboratory, University of Auckland     

An unusual trophic subsidy and species dominance in a tropical stream

In classical theory, species are assumed to achieve dominance through competitive exclusion, but if food resources are limiting, cross-habitat trophic subsidies could also underpin dominance. The impact of dominant species on community dynamics may depend on the energy base of population size. We report on an unusual, spatially subsidized population of a tropical, stream-dwelling crab that dominates the benthic fauna of a Kenyan stream. Diet and stable isotope analyses indicated that this crab is a true omnivore, with terrestrial subsidies dominating both plant and animal resources. Unusually, the animal prey included almost no aquatic invertebrates. Instead, a single species of ant constituted approximately 35% of the annual diet (stomach contents analysis) and up to 90% of assimilated nitrogen (estimates from stable isotope analysis). Ants may be pivotal to enabling crab dominance, and this crab may be largely disconnected from the local trophic network for its dietary needs. The paucity of other invertebrates in the stream community suggests that this super-dominant crab is a strong interactor that suppresses aquatic invertebrate populations. Common stabilizing attributes of spatially subsidized food webs (e.g., asynchronous prey availability, wide feeding niche, consumer migration) were absent from this system, and although apparently stable, it may be vulnerable to disturbance in the donor habitat.     

Mangrove recruitment after forest disturbance is facilitated by herbaceous species in the Caribbean.

Plant communities along tropical coastlines are often affected by natural and human disturbances, but little is known about factors influencing recovery. We focused on mangrove forests, which are among the most threatened ecosystems globally, to examine how facilitation by herbaceous vegetation might improve forest restoration after disturbance. We specifically investigated whether recovery of mangrove forests in harsh environments is accelerated by nurse plants and whether the beneficial effects are species-specific. Quantification of standardized effects allowed comparisons across performance parameters and over time for: (1) net effect of each herbaceous species on mangrove survival and growth, (2) effects of pre- and post-establishment factors associated with each herbaceous species, and (3) need for artificial planting to enhance growth or survival of mangrove seedlings. Mangrove recruitment in a clear-cut forest in Belize was accelerated by the presence of Sesuvium portulacastrum (succulent forb) and Distichlis spicata (grass), two coastal species common throughout the Caribbean region. The net effect of herbaceous vegetation was positive, but the magnitude of effects on mangrove survival and growth differed by species. Because of differences in their vegetative structure and other features, species effects on mangroves also varied by mechanism: (1) trapping of dispersing propagules (both species), (2) structural support of the seedling (Distichlis), and/or (3) promotion of survival (Sesuviumn) or growth (Distichlis) through amelioration of soil conditions (temperature, aeration). Artificial planting had a stronger positive effect on mangrove survival than did edaphic conditions, but planting enhanced mangrove growth more in Sesuvium than in Distichlis patches. Our study indicates that beneficial species might be selected based on features that provide multiple positive effects and that species comparisons may be improved using standardized effects. Our findings are not only relevant to the coastal environments found in the Caribbean region, but our assessment methods may be useful for developing site-specific information to restore disturbed mangrove forests worldwide, especially given the large pool of mangrove associates (>45 genera) available for screening.