Microstructural growth in otoliths of conger eel (Conger myriaster) leptocephali during the metamorphic stage

Otolith growth during metamorphosis and some aspects of the early life history of conger eel (Conger myriaster) were determined as indicated from microstructure in otoliths of the leptocephali collected from Cheonsu Bay, Korea during May and June 1988. The leptocephali occurred from early May to late June in the study area. Larvae collected in early May were in the late leptocephalus stage, and the proportion of the metamorphosing leptocephali increased over time. Otoliths in the late leptocephalus stage showed a translucent zone only. Although the fish did not feed and the body length diminished during metamorphosis, the otolith continued to grow and, consequently, the opaque zone was formed outside the translucent zone. The inner translucent zone can be considered a leptocephalus zone, and the outer opaque zone a metamorphic zone. Assuming that the growth increments were deposited daily from hatching, the conger eel can be considered to have hatched between September and February. The number of increments in the inner hyaline zone ranged from 124 to 239, and was assumed to represent the number of days from hatching to the onset of metamorphosis. The duration of metamorphosis was estimated as 51 to 75 d based on the number of increments in the opaque zone at the end of the metamorphic stage.     

Population structure and connectivity of the European conger eel (Conger conger) across the north-eastern Atlantic and western Mediterranean: integrating molecular and otolith elemental approaches

Genetic variation (mtDNA) of the European conger eel, Conger conger, was compared across five locations in the north-eastern Atlantic (Madeira, Azores, South Portugal, North Portugal and Ireland) and one location in the western Mediterranean (Mallorca). Genetic diversity of conger eel was high, and differentiation among regions was not significant. Additionally, comparisons of element:Ca ratios (Sr:Ca, Ba:Ca, Mn:Ca and Mg:Ca) in otolith cores (larval phase) and edges (3?months prior to capture) among the Azores, North Portugal, Madeira and Mallorca regions for 2?years indicated that variation among regions were greater for edges than cores. Therefore, while benthic conger may display residency at regional scales, recruitment may not necessarily be derived from local spawning and larval retention. Furthermore, data from otoliths suggest a separated replenishment source for western Mediterranean and NE Atlantic stocks. The combination of genetics and otolith chemistry suggests?a population model for conger eel involving a broad-scale dispersal of larvae, with limited connectivity for benthic juvenile life stages at large spatial scales, although the existence of one or multiple spawning grounds for the species remains uncertain.     

Early life history of the American conger eel (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Conger oceanicus</Emphasis>) as revealed by otolith microstructure and microchemistry of metamorphosing leptocephali

The early life history of the American conger eel, Conger oceanicus, was studied using otolith microstructure and chemical composition in metamorphosing leptocephali collected from New Jersey estuarine waters. The age of leptocephali was estimated by counting daily growth increments. Age of early metamorphosing leptocephali at recruitment to the estuary ranged from 155 to 183 days, indicating that migration of conger eel leptocephali from their oceanic spawning ground to the estuary requires 5–6 months. Back-calculated hatching dates suggest that the spawning season lasted 3 months, from late October to mid-December. However, in the late metamorphic leptocephali, the presence of an unclear peripheral zone in the otolith prevents the accurate estimation of the larval stage duration. The calcium content was almost constant throughout the otoliths. Both strontium and Sr:Ca ratios increased with age, but dramatically decreased at age 70–120 days. The otolith increment width also showed a marked increase at the same ages, indicating the onset of metamorphosis. A negative correlation between age at metamorphosis and otolith growth rate indicates that faster growing leptocephali arrive at the estuary earlier than slower growing ones. A close relationship was also found between age at recruitment and age at metamorphosis, suggesting that individuals that metamorphosed earlier were recruited to the estuary at a younger age. This larval migration pattern appears to be similar among anguilliform fishes.Communicated by S.A. Poulet, Roscoff     

Changes in otolith microstructure and microchemistry during larval development of the European conger eel (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Conger conger</Emphasis>)

Otolith microstructure and chemical composition (Sr:Ca ratios) of the European conger eel (Conger conger) were examined during the larval developmental stages by scanning electron microscopy and wavelength dispersive spectrometer. Back-calculated hatching dates from the otolith microstructure of the developing leptocephali indicate a protracted spawning season from December to June. The early age of our developing specimens captured south of the Azores Islands suggests that the conger eel has another spawning area closer to Azores than the Mediterranean. Otolith increment width, which was relatively constant and narrow in the developing leptocephalus stage, increased sharply at age 170-250 days. Sr:Ca ratios in the otolith, which increased during the developing leptocephalus stage, showed a rapid drop coinciding with the increase in increment width. These coincidental changes were regarded as the onset of metamorphosis for this species. A close linear relationship between the age at metamorphosis and otolith growth rate indicates that the faster-growing larvae metamorphose earlier, suggesting that somatic growth should play an important role in the timing of metamorphosis. As shown in earlier work, the existence of an otolith marginal zone with unclear rings during metamorphosis prevents an accurate estimate of the larval stage duration of this species.     

基于生态足迹模型的贵州省生态可持续性动态分析

生态足迹是定量研究区域可持续发展的一种重要方法。运用生态足迹方法分析了贵州省1999—2008年生态足迹的动态变化,并利用生态足迹指数和生态足迹强度等指标对贵州省1999—2008年的生态可持续性进行了评估。结果表明：10年来,贵州省人均生态足迹由1999年的2.094 28 hm^2上升到2008年的3.613 48 hm^2;人均生物承载力由1999年的0.785 42 hm^2下降到2008年的0.734 81 hm^2;人均生态赤字由1999年的1.308 87 hm^2上升到2008年的2.878 68 hm^2;万元GDP生态足迹由1999年的8.287 91 hm^2下降到2008年的4.111 70 hm^2;生态足迹强度指数由1999年的2.666 46上升到2008年的4.917 61;生态足迹多样性呈现缓慢上升的趋势,社会发展指数总体呈逐年上升趋势;说明发展能力逐年提高,但这是以生态足迹增加为代价的。据此,提出减少了生态足迹和缓解生态环境压力的对策和建议。     

Age studies based on daily growth increments in statoliths and growth lamellae in cuttlebone of cultured Sepia officinalis

One hundred and six individuals of Sepia officinalis were cultured throughout its life cycle in two different temperature regimes: 13-15°C and 18-20°C. The number of increments in the statoliths and the number of lamellae in the cuttlebone were read at known ages in different individuals. The formation of growth increments in the statoliths was linearly related with individual age, but it was independent of temperature. By comparison between the slope of these linear relationships and the bisecting line, the hypothesis "1 increment=1 day" was validated in individuals as old as 240 days. In specimens older than 240 days, the number of increments was underestimated due to the poor resolution of the later growth increments. The maximum number of days in captivity (420) was about 80% of the life span estimated for this species in the area studied. Preliminary validation was also obtained from statoliths marked with tetracycline. Increments between tetracycline marks were not visible. The mean distance between marks in ten statoliths was 44 µm (Lj). Considering the same distance in statoliths of wild individuals, the mean number of increments counted was 37 (Lj). This result is very close to the 40 days passed between both tetracycline marks. A straight line significantly different for each culture temperature defined the relationship between number of the cuttlebone lamellae and age. The number of lamellae in the cuttlebone does not correspond to the real age. The time necessary for the formation of one lamella was 8DŽ.3 days at 13-15°C, whereas the deposition of one lamella lasted 3.1ǃ.06 days at 18-20°C. In conclusion, the periodicity for lamellar deposition can be defined only if the temperature where the animal lived is considered.     

Assessment of regional ecological security based on ecological footprint and influential factors analysis: a case study of Chongqing Municipality,China

In recent years, it has been important to objectively evaluate the degree of regional ecological security with regard to resource depletion and to analyse influential factors to assess sustainable development. This paper tries to assess ecological security in Chongqing while investigating the main influencing factors. Calculations of the consumption footprint, production footprint and ecological capacity for Chongqing from 1996 to 2007 based on an ecological footprint approach were carried out. An ecological security index was also calculated from these results and factors influencing security were analysed using factor analysis. Both the consumption and production footprints present an upward trend, contrary to the gradually decreasing trend of ecological capacity. In addition, the ecological security index shows that Chongqing has deteriorated from a level of less risk to that of risk. Factor analysis suggests that the deterioration of ecological security could primarily be ascribed to socio-economic factors and industrialisation. With socio-economic development and industrialisation, appropriate measures must be taken to improve the ecosystem in Chongqing so as to achieve sustainable development. The limitations of the methodology are also discussed and areas that require further research are presented.     

基于净初级生产力的生态足迹模型及其与传统模型的对比分析

生态足迹模型因其可以定量度量生态可持续发展、计算简单、结论易懂、全球可比等特点,提出之后得到了大量的关注和应用,同时也面临着一些质疑和争论。文章介绍了一种基于净初级生产力的生态足迹理论和计算方法,并以该方法和传统生态足迹模型分别计算了中国1961-2007年的生态足迹,对计算结果进行了对比分析。结果表明,两种生态足迹模型的计算结果具有较高的相关性,表明基于净初级生产力的生态足迹模型结果可信。该种方法能够克服传统生态足迹模型的部分缺陷,在均衡因子选取、土地生态功能假设、CO2吸收等方面有了较大改进,能够较好地反映不同生态系统在生产力上的差异;在时间序列分析方面也更加合理。但该方法本身同时存在着计算方法不完善、对生态系统变化不敏感等问题,如何更紧密地结合生态足迹和净初级生产力是需要进一步研究的内容。     

基于净初级生产力的生态足迹模型及其与传统模型的对比分析

生态足迹模型因其可以定量度量生态可持续发展、计算简单、结论易懂、全球可比等特点,提出之后得到了大量的关注和应用,同时也面临着一些质疑和争论。文章介绍了一种基于净初级生产力的生态足迹理论和计算方法,并以该方法和传统生态足迹模型分别计算了中国1961—2007年的生态足迹,对计算结果进行了对比分析。结果表明,两种生态足迹模型的计算结果具有较高的相关性,表明基于净初级生产力的生态足迹模型结果可信。该种方法能够克服传统生态足迹模型的部分缺陷,在均衡因子选取、土地生态功能假设、CO2吸收等方面有了较大改进,能够较好地反映不同生态系统在生产力上的差异;在时间序列分析方面也更加合理。但该方法本身同时存在着计算方法不完善、对生态系统变化不敏感等问题,如何更紧密地结合生态足迹和净初级生产力是需要进一步研究的内容。     

Comparison of somatic growth and otolith increment growth in laboratory-reared larvae of Pacific saury, Cololabis saira, under different temperature conditions

The relationship between somatic growth and incremental growth of otoliths of Pacific saury, Cololabis saira (Brevoort), larvae under different temperature conditions was studied in the laboratory for three age groups (0 to 9, 10 to 20 and 20 to 30 d posthatch). Larvae were incubated from hatching to 9 d at 24, 20, and 16 °C. Further, larvae initially reared at an ambient temperature of 21.7 °C were transferred to experimental temperatures of 22, 18, and 14 °C on Day 10 and reared to Day 20 and similarly from Day 20 and reared to Day 30 posthatch. Growth trajectories of larvae sampled at the end of the three experiments were back-calculated using the biological intercept method and compared to the measured values 0 and 5 d after the start of each experiment. Back-calculated knob length at the different temperatures indicated no significant difference to the measured knob lengths except for the cases at 20 °C from hatching to 9-d-old larvae and at 14 °C from 20- to 30-d-old larvae. The close correlation between somatic and otolith growth shown in this study indicated the feasibility of estimating the growth history of Pacific saury larvae using otolith readings. Received: 14 April 1999 / Accepted: 27 October 1999     

中部6省生态足迹的测算与比较分析

生态足迹方法是区域可持续发展研究的一种重要方法,在中部6省大区域框架下,运用生态足迹模型对中部6省1989—2011年的生态足迹进行了测算和对比研究。研究结果表明:中部6省1989—2011年的生态承载力较为平稳,其中江西、河南、湖北和湖南4省的生态承载力略有上升,而山西、安徽两省的生态承载力有下降趋势。中部6省的社会经济活动对生态系统的消耗远大于生态系统本身的承载能力,并且这种差距正在不断增大,导致生态赤字不断增大。考察期间,山西省生态赤字的绝对值最小,平均生态赤字为0.49 hm2 cap-1,湖北省生态赤字最大,平均值为1.15 hm2 cap-1,其次为河南和湖南,生态赤字增长最快的是山西省和河南省,增长倍数分别达到了7.38和4.27倍。中部6省6种生态生产性土地的生态足迹均呈现出上升趋势,平均来看,6类生态生产性土地在中部6省总的生态足迹中所占比重由高到低依次为耕地、化石能源地、草地、建筑用地、水域、林地。耕地生态足迹是生态足迹中最重要的组成部分,在总的生态足迹中所占比重最大,中部6省耕地的生态足迹时间序列数据比较平稳,在考察时间内从1989年的0.4241上涨到2011年的0.5851,上升趋势较平稳,但由于耕地生态足迹所占比重大,尽管增长速度缓慢,但对中部6省生态足迹总的影响较大。建筑用地和林地生态足迹虽然增长幅度较大,但由于基数小,因此建筑生态足迹和林地生态足迹对中部6省生态足迹总的影响较小。草地、水域和化石能源用地生态足迹基数大,增长幅度也大,加上耕地生态足迹,共同决定了中部6省人均生态足迹的逐年上升趋势。     

生态足迹与生态承载力动态变化研究——以辽宁省为例

利用生态足迹理论和计算方法、生态承载力分析方法分析了辽宁省1998--2007年十年期间的人均生态足迹和人均生态承载力变化过程。结果表明：辽宁省人均生态足迹由1998年的2．9187上升到2007年的4．3578,人均生态承载力由1998年的0．6676下降到2007年的0．6520,生态赤字逐年增加,生态系统处于人类过度开发利用状态之中;万元GDP生态足迹始终处于下降的趋势,表明辽宁省对区域生物生产面积利用效率逐年提高,但与全国平均水平相比还有提高的空间;从供需结构分析,辽宁省土地供给以耕地为主,但是从消费结构来看以化石燃料土地为主。     

Relationships between inner ear and sagitta growth during ontogenesis of three Carapini species,and consequences of life-history events on the otolith microstructure

Three species of Carapidae have in common a tenuis larval stage, during which they settle in the lagoon and take refuge in the same species of holothuroid. From the juvenile stage, Carapus homei and C. boraborensis are commensal, whereas Encheliophis gracilis is parasitic. The aims of this study were to analyse to what extent the ontogenetic changes of the otic capsule affected the shape of the inner ear and how environmental cues, due to the above-mentioned life history and the style, could influence the structure of the sagitta. Sagittal sections revealed a three-dimensional asymmetry with a nucleus close to the proximal surface. Observations of the growth axis of the sagitta suggest it has a morphogenetic impact on the otic cavity. Each sagitta contains three main zones related to the life stages of the fish. Bands and checks were observed in the third zone in C. homei and C. boraborensis, but this pattern was less discernible in E. gracilis. These structural differences in zone 3 could be related to the commensal and parasitic life styles of these fishes. Further studies dealing with otosac features and otolith functions are suggested.     

Regression analysis of correlated circular data based on the multivariate von Mises distribution

Environmental and Ecological Statistics - A regression model for correlated circular data is proposed by assuming that samples of angular measurements are drawn from a multivariate von Mises...     

城市环境铂族金属分布特性及生态健康风险研究进展

随着铂族金属铂（Pt）、钯（Pd）、铑（Rh）被广泛应用于汽车尾气催化净化器中,这三种金属在自然界中的含量逐渐升高。越来越多的研究表明,这几种曾被认为对环境影响较小的金属的确会带来潜在的生态健康风险。本文概括了国内外城市各种环境介质的含量分布,重点分析了铂族金属的源解析方法、粒径分布特性、影响其排放的因素和其潜在的生态健康风险。就全世界的城市来看,灰尘、空气、土壤、沉积物等各种环境介质中铂族金属的含量均有显著提高,主要来源于汽车三元催化净化器。这三种金属倾向于富集在细颗粒中,行车模式是影响其排放量的重要因素,自然界的共存物质可增强它们的溶解性和迁移性,从而使它们的生物可利用性大大提高。生物体吸收这类金属后,可与体内的物质发生反应,形态发生变化,毒性增强。在以后的研究中,除了持续跟踪调查这三种金属在环境中的含量水平以外,还应加强研究这三种金属在环境中的颗粒分布、迁移转化、形态变换、生物可利用性以及生物毒性等,使我们能够更好地评估其生态健康风险,并为与之相关的应用研发、防范措施、政策制订提供引导和支持。     

东北森林土壤动物同功能种团及其生态分布

对位于小兴安岭的东北林业大学凉水自然保护区和位于张广才岭的东北林业大学帽儿山实验林场的土壤动物进行了研究。结果表明,该地区土壤动物可划分为腐食性、植食性,捕食性动物三个同功能种团,土壤动物各同功能种团在组成、个体数量、生物量等方面均具有相对稳定性,群落土壤动物同功能种团的数量分布状况能在很大程度上反映群落环境的相似与差异程度;群落中各土壤动物同功能种团的个体数量间无明显的相关性,但腐食性动物与捕食性动物两个同功能种团的生物量之间具有的相关性。图1表2参13     

Movement patterns of American eels (Anguilla rostrata) between salt- and freshwater in a coastal watershed, based on otolith microchemistry

Otolith strontium:calcium ratios were used to trace lifetime movements of American eels (Anguilla rostrata) captured in salt-water bays and adjoining freshwater ponds in Prince Edward Island, Canada. Eels were classified into migratory contingents based on their movement patterns. A pond with a pool-and-weir salmonid fishway and a pond drained by a low-gradient channel contained eels that had entered freshwater at all ages, but a pond with a 2.2 m vertical spillway contained only eels that had entered freshwater in the elver year. Salt-water residents were the dominant migratory contingent in salt-water bays (85% of 39), which overturns the paradigm of obligate catadromy for this species. Freshwater residency was the sole pattern found in the pond with the vertical spillway (100% of 12) and the majority contingent in the pond with the low-gradient channel (54% of 24). Inter-habitat shifting was the dominant migratory contingent in eels sampled from the pond with the pool-and-weir fishway (85% of 20). Resident eels were established in salt- and freshwater habitats by the year after their arrival in continental waters. Eels that shifted between habitats increased their rate of inter-habitat shifting with age. The high degree of plasticity in habitat use found in this study is consistent with worldwide Anguillid patterns as revealed by Sr:Ca.An erratum to this article can be found at     

The ecological energies of growth,respiration and assimilation in the intertidal American oyster Crassostrea virginica

Seasonal variations in the growth, respiration and assimilation of the intertidal oyster Crassostrea virginica (Gmelin) of different sizes were determined. The instantaneous growth rates for intertidal oysters decreased with increasing size and with lower temperatures. Q₁₀ values computed from instantaneous growth rates were approximately 2 during the warm growing season, but were higher in the colder months. Oxygen consumption increased with temperature and body size. A model was developed to predict oxygen consumption at any environmental temperature from 10° to 30°C for oysters ranging in weight from 0.1 to 100.0 g. Q₁₀ values computed from oxygen-consumption rates decreased with increasing temperature and increasing body size. Intertidal oysters utilize a large proportion of their assimilated energy in growth.Supported by a Belle W. Baruch Fellowship in Marine Ecology.     

Assessment of metals in dry-toilet collected matters from suburban areas of Ulaanbaatar,Mongolia, using biosolids quality guidelines and potential ecological risk index

Dry-toilet collected matter （DCM） from traditional dry-toilet pits are a potential health and ecological risk in suburban areas. In this study, the characteristics of metals in DCMs from suburban areas of Ulaanbaatar were surveyed. The results indicate that DCMs contain a high percentage of organic matter and nutrients, while heavy metals are at low levels, which shows good agricultural potential. The concentration ranges of Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb, and Zn were 11±5, 46±9, 0.08±0.05, 9±3, 17±9, and 338±86mg·kg^-1, respectively. The concentration of Cd was below 0.5 mg.kgl, and a high positive relation was shown between chromium and nickel concentrations. The heavy metals in DCMs were safe for land application but Zn in DCMs was close to the effects range median （ERM）, which is toxic in some cases, such as amphipod bioassays. Because it is mandatory to treat DCMs to reduce pathogens, in the case of heavy metal enrichment and agricultural reuse, composting or pyrolysis are better choices than incinera- tion. Compared with global soil background values, the heavy metals in DCMs showed a low level of ecological risk, but a medium level when compared with Mongolian soil background values. The ecological risk of six heavy metals was in the descending order Hg 〉 Cu 〉 Zn 〉 Pb 〉 Ni 〉 Cr and the contribution rate of Hg exceeded 60%.