Constraints on temperature-dependent sex determination in the leopard gecko (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Eublepharis macularius</Emphasis>): response to Kratochvil et al.

Kratochvil et al. (Naturwissenschaften 95:209–215, 2008) reported recently that in the leopard gecko (Eublepharis macularius) of the family Eublepharidae with temperature-dependent sex determination (TSD), clutches in which eggs were incubated at the same temperature produce only same-sex siblings. Interpreting this result in light of studies of sex steroid hormone involvement in sex determination, they suggested that maternally derived yolk steroid hormones could constrain sex-determining mechanisms in TSD reptiles. We have worked extensively with this species and have routinely incubated clutches at constant temperatures. To test the consistency of high frequency same-sex clutches across different incubation temperatures, we examined our records of clutches at the University of Texas at Austin from 1992 to 2001. We observed that clutches in which eggs were incubated at the same incubation temperature produced mixed-sex clutches as well as same-sex clutches. Furthermore, cases in which eggs within a clutch were separated and incubated at different temperatures produced the expected number of mixed-sex clutches. These results suggest that maternal influences on sex determination are secondary relative to incubation temperature effects.     

A longitudinal study of age-specific reproductive output and body condition among male rhesus macaques,<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Macaca mulatta</Emphasis>

In many mammalian species, male reproductive success appears to climb sharply at young adulthood, form a brief plateau during prime ages, and decline among older animals, a pattern often attributed to reduced physical condition with ageing. However, solid evidence to either substantiate or refute this profile among nonhuman primates is lacking. Here, we combine a decade of genetic analysis of paternity among free-ranging rhesus macaques, Macaca mulatta, with information about body condition in order to evaluate how changes in morphology might govern age-specific reproduction among males. We show that age-specific reproductive success traverses the same life history profile as found in other mammals, but reductions in reproductive output with advanced age were associated with reduced chances of survivorship rather than accompanied by diminished body condition. We demonstrate that variance in male age at onset of reproduction is three times greater than variance in female age at onset of reproduction. We provide the first evidence from primates that age-specific reproductive output among males is not a consequence of age-related changes in body condition, but reflects social and demographic factors.     

闽江河口养殖塘水体溶存氧化亚氮浓度及扩散通量研究

水产养殖生态系统由于其高氮负荷而成为氧化亚氮(N_2O)的潜在释放源.本文以福建闽江河口养虾塘为研究对象,采用静态顶空-气相色谱法测定分析了表层水体溶存N_2O浓度和饱和度,基于薄边界层模型计算了水-气界面N_2O扩散通量,在此基础上结合气象要素与水环境因子分析其主要影响因素.结果表明,养殖塘水体溶存N_2O浓度和饱和度的均值分别为17.96 nmol·L~(-1)和198.03%,时间变化上表现为养殖中期显著高于养殖末期和初期,且具有一定的日变化特征.相关分析表明,N_2O浓度及饱和度与温度、水体NH~+_4-N和叶绿素a浓度呈显著正相关(p0.05),与气压、风速和水体pH值呈显著负相关(p0.05).LM86、W92和RC01模型估算的养殖塘水-气界面N_2O扩散通量的均值分别为20.80、183.75和298.52 nmol·m~(-2)·h~(-1),3种扩散通量均呈现出随着养殖时间推移显著增加的特征,风速和水体溶存N_2O是影响河口养殖塘N_2O扩散通量的重要因子.N_2O扩散通量与扩散系数的取值密切相关,但不同模型方程计算得出的扩散系数存在显著差异,比较发现,RC01模型更适合河口区养殖塘水-气界面N_2O扩散通量估算.本研究结果可为完善水产养殖生态系统的N_2O排放清单编制和近海水环境保护提供一定的科学依据.     

Territorial meadow pipit males (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Anthus pratensis</Emphasis>; Passeriformes) become more aggressive in female presence

Although mate guarding as prevention of extra-pair copulation is common among birds, evidence for aggressive behaviour involving physical contact related to mate guarding in passerines is scarce and cases of the presence of one partner directly influencing the aggressiveness of the other are lacking. We investigated the intra-specific territorial behaviour of male meadow pipits (Anthus pratensis; Passeriformes: Motacillidae) at the beginning of the breeding season by placing a pipit model accompanied by an intra-specific song playback in the territory of socially paired males and compared the responses of males whose mates were physically present during trials with those whose females were out of sight. The level of aggression of males was significantly higher in the presence of the female; half of the males in this group physically attacked the model (the most intense and risky aggressive behaviour). Physical attacks did not occur among males whose female was absent during the trial; response to the playback by most of these males was only weak. This pattern may be related to the prevention of extra-pair copulation; if the risks involved in the conflict are outweighed by potential loss of paternity, such aggressive mate guarding may pay off. The apparently overlooked effect on the territorial behaviour of a partner’s passive physical presence during conflict should be further evaluated because it may be important for the design and interpretation of results of behavioural experiments.     

Large- and small-size advantages in sneaking behaviour in the dusky frillgoby <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bathygobius fuscus</Emphasis>

Sneaking tactic, a male alternative reproductive tactic involving sperm competition, is generally adopted by small individuals because of its inconspicuousness. However, large size has an advantage when competition occurs between sneakers for fertilization of eggs. Here, we suggest that both large- and small-size advantages of sneaker males are present within the same species. Large sneaker males of the dusky frillgoby Bathygobius fuscus showed a high success rate in intruding into spawning nests because of their advantage in competition among sneaker males in keeping a suitable position to sneak, whereas small sneakers had few chances to sneak. However, small sneaker males were able to stay in the nests longer than large sneaker males when they succeeded in sneak intrusion. This suggests the possibility of an increase in their paternity. The findings of these size-specific behavioural advantages may be important in considering the evolution of size-related reproductive traits.     

Phosphorus sorption capacities in a headstream landscape The pond chain structure

Understanding phosphorus sorption phenomena in different wetland sediments is important in controlling the P output in headstream watersheds. The pond chain structure （PCS） is widespread in the headstream agricultural watersheds in the southeast of China. Phosphorus sorption characteristics were determined for pond surface sediments （0-12 cm） along a pond chain structure in Liuchahe watershed of Chaohu Lake. Results showed that P sorption capacities （expressed by P sorption index （PSI）） varied both with the landscape position of the ponds and sediment depth. From foothill ponds to riverside ponds the P sorption capacities indicated a significant gradient variability. The higher elevation ponds showed greater sorption capacities, and with the pond elevation decline, P sorption capacities gradually decreased. Some physico-chemical properties, such as pH, oxalate-extractable Fe （Feox）, organic matter （TOC） and Mehlich l-extractable Ca, Mg of pond sediments also indicated significant gradient variability from high elevation ponds to low elevation ponds. Feox was the sediment parameters most highly positively correlated with PSI and was the key factor in controlling P sorption capacity in the pond chain structure （r=0.92, p〈0.001）. Long-term hydrologic and sediment inputs can affect the distribution of sediment constituents and further affect the P sorption capacity. Making the best of the spatial difference of sorption capacities of ponds in watersheds to control nonpoint source P pollutant is necessary.     

Habitat selection by breeding waterbirds at ponds with size-structured fish populations

Fish may significantly affect habitat use by birds, either as their prey or as competitors. Fish communities are often distinctly size-structured, but the consequences for waterbird assemblages remain poorly understood. We examined the effects of size structure of common carp (Cyprinus carpio) cohorts together with other biotic and abiotic pond characteristics on the distribution of breeding waterbirds in a seminatural system of monocultured ponds, where three fish age classes were separately stocked. Fish age corresponded to a distinct fish size gradient. Fish age and total biomass, macroinvertebrate and amphibian abundance, and emergent vegetation best explained the differences in bird density between ponds. Abundance of animal prey other than fish (aquatic macroinvertebrates and larval amphibians) decreased with increasing carp age in the ponds. Densities of ducks and smaller grebes were strongly negatively associated with fish age/size gradient. The largest of the grebes, the piscivorous great crested grebe (Podiceps cristatus), was the only species that preferred ponds with medium-sized fish and was positively associated with total fish biomass. Habitat selection by bitterns and most rallids was instead strongly influenced by the relative amount of emergent vegetation cover in the ponds. Our results show that fish size structure may be an important cue for breeding habitat choice and a factor affording an opportunity for niche diversification in avian communities.     

农村多水塘系统景观结构对非点源污染中氮截留效应的影响

多水塘系统在滞留和降解农业面源污染中发挥着巨大作用.不同景观结构特征的多水塘系统对农业面源污染的截留率也存在差异.本文针对多水塘系统的功能及特点,选择4个不同景观结构的小流域作为研究区域,分析降雨前后多水塘系统水环境的变化特征及其对氮元素的截留情况,并揭示其截留率与水塘系统景观结构之间的关系.结果表明:(1)雨前水塘水体中总氮(TN)浓度的变化范围在1. 32～6. 32 mg·L~(-1)之间,雨后TN质量浓度增加到2. 8～16. 99 mg·L~(-1)之间,其中,硝氮(NO_3~--N)占TN的质量分数为20%～74%;(2)多水塘系统对TN、NO_3~--N和氨氮(NH_4~+-N)的平均截留率分别为50. 09%、48. 71%和52. 75%;(3)小流域1中的水塘系统对氮的截留率最低,平均次降水过程中小流域2中的水塘系统对氮的截留量最低,仅为56. 10kg,远低于小流域4中水塘系统对氮的截留量324. 43kg;(4)多水塘系统对氮的截留率受到水塘个数、面积及水塘与水塘之间沟渠密度的影响,其中沟渠密度对氮截留率的影响最大.本研究结果可为农村多水塘系统的管理及规划提供科学依据.     

Acoustic underwater signals with a probable function during competitive feeding in a tadpole

Acoustic communication is widespread among adult stages of terrestrial animals and fish and has also been observed in insect larvae. We report underwater acoustic communication in the larvae of a frog, Gephyromantis azzurrae, from Isalo, a sandstone massif in western Madagascar. According to our field data, these tadpoles live in streams and prefer habitats characterized by comparatively low temperatures, shallow water depth, and a relatively fast current. Feeding experiments indicated that the tadpoles are carnivorous and macrophagous. They consumed insect larvae and, to a lesser extent, small shrimps, and conspecific as well as heterospecific tadpoles. Calls of these tadpoles consisted either of single click notes or of irregular series of various clicks. Some complex calls have a pulsed structure with three to nine indistinct energy pulses. Production of the pulses coincided with rapid closure of the jaw sheaths and often with an upward movement of the body. Calls were emitted while attacking prey and occurred significantly more often when attacking conspecifics. Tadpoles that had not been fed for some time emitted sounds more frequently than those that had been regularly fed. The spectral frequency of the calls differed in tadpole groups of different size and was higher in groups of smaller tadpoles, suggesting that spectral frequency carries some information about tadpole size which might be important during competitive feeding to assess size and strength of competitors. This report differs from those for the larvae of South American horned frogs, Ceratophrys ornata. These are the only other tadpoles for which sound production has reliably been reported but the calls of Ceratophrys tadpoles occur mainly in a defensive context.     

CO<Subscript>2</Subscript> Mitigation and Renewable Oil from Photosynthetic Microbes: A New Appraisal

The only major strategy now being seriously considered for biological mitigation of atmospheric CO₂ relies entirely on terrestrial plants. Photosynthetic microbes were the focus of similar consideration in the 1990s. However, two major government-sponsored research programs in Japan and the USA concluded that the requisite technology was not feasible, and those programs were terminated after investing US$117 million and US$25 million, respectively. We report here on the results of a privately funded US$20 million program that has engineered, built, and successfully operated a commercial-scale (2 ha), modular, production system for photosynthetic microbes. The production system couples photobioreactors with open ponds in a two-stage process – a combination that was suggested, but never attempted – and has operated continuously for several years to produce Haematococcus pluvialis. The annually averaged rate of achieved microbial oil production from H. pluvialis is equivalent to <420 GJ ha ^-1 yr^-1, which exceeds the most optimistic estimates of biofuel production from plantations of terrestrial ``energy crops.' The maximum production rate achieved to date is equivalent to 1014 GJ ha^-1 yr^-1. We present evidence to demonstrate that a rate of 3200 GJ ha^-1 yr^-1 is feasible using species with known performance characteristics under conditions that prevail in the existing production system. At this rate, it is possible to replace reliance on current fossil fuel usage equivalent to ∼300 EJ yr^-1 – and eliminate fossil fuel emissions of CO₂ of ∼6.5 GtC yr^-1 – using only 7.3% of the surplus arable land projected to be available by 2050. By comparison, most projections of biofuels production from terrestrial energy crops would require in excess of 80% of surplus arable land. Oil production cost is estimated at $84/bbl, assuming no improvements in current technology. We suggest enhancements that could reduce cost to $50/bbl or less.     

池塘水体氨氧化细菌季节变化及其与环境影响因子相关性分析

以氨氧化细菌(AOB)的氨单加氧酶amoA基因为分子标记,调查了湖北省公安县崇湖渔场草鱼池塘水体AOB季节变化,并分析了AOB丰度与主要环境因子的相关性.结果表明,池塘表、底层水体AOB amoA基因拷贝数均呈相似的季节变动规律,即夏季显著高于春、秋两季(p0.05),而春、秋两季间无显著差异(p0.05);相同季节池塘表、底层水体AOB amoA基因拷贝数无显著性差异(p0.05).表、底层水体AOB amoA基因拷贝数均与温度、总磷呈显著正相关;与溶解氧呈显著负相关.此外,表层AOB amoA基因拷贝数与总有机碳呈极显著负相关.主成分分析将8个环境因子划分为3个主成分.表层第一主成分为水温、溶解氧、氨氮与总磷,第二主成分为硝态氮与总有机碳,第三主成分为总氮与亚硝态氮;底层第一主成分为水温、溶解氧、氨氮、总磷与总有机碳,第二主成分为硝态氮与亚硝态氮,第三主成分为总氮.     

Climatic influences on the breeding biology of the agile frog (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Rana dalmatina</Emphasis>)

Severe population declines of amphibians have been shown to be attributed to climate change. Nevertheless, the various mechanisms through which climate can influence population dynamics of amphibians remain to be assessed, notably to disentangle the relative synergetic or antagonistic influences of temperature and precipitations on specific life history stages. We investigated the impact of rainfall and temperature on the egg-clutch abundance in a population of agile frog (Rana dalmatina) during 29 years (1987–2016) on 14 breeding sites located in Brenne Natural Park, France. Specifically, we examined the influence of environmental conditions occurring during five temporal windows of the year cycle corresponding to specific life history stages. Overall, our results suggest that the year-to-year fluctuations of egg-clutch abundances in Brenne Natural Park were partly dependent on local climatic conditions (rainfall and temperature). Climate seemed to influence breeding frogs during the autumn-winter period preceding reproduction. Spring and summer conditions did not influence reproduction. Additionally, we failed to detect effects of climatic conditions on newly metamorphosed individuals. Other factors such as density dependence and inter-specific interactions with introduced predators are likely to play a significant role in reproduction dynamics of the studied frog populations.     

Conspecific flowers of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Sinapis arvensis</Emphasis> are stronger competitors for pollinators than those of the invasive weed <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bunias orientalis</Emphasis>

Biological invasions can affect the structure and function of ecosystems and threaten native plant species. Since most weeds rely on mutualistic relationships in their new environment, they may act as new competitors for pollinators. Pollinator competition is likely to be density dependent, but it is often difficult to disentangle competition caused by flower quality from effects caused by flower quantity. In order to test the effects of the presence and number of flowers of the invasive weed Bunias orientalis on the insect visitation rates in a native species (Sinapis arvensis), we performed two replacement experiments using plants with standardised flower numbers. The visitation rates in S. arvensis were significantly higher than in B. orientalis and the number of insect visits dropped significantly with increasing density of S. arvensis flowers. These results suggest that intraspecific competition among flowers of S. arvensis is stronger than the competitive effect of alien flowers. As flowers of B. orientalis do not seem to distract visitors from S. arvensis, it is unlikely that pollinator competition between these two plant species plays a crucial role. However, it cannot be excluded that mass blossom stands of B. orientalis may distract flower visitors from native species.     

No discrimination against previous mates in a sexually cannibalistic spider

In several animal species, females discriminate against previous mates in subsequent mating decisions, increasing the potential for multiple paternity. In spiders, female choice may take the form of selective sexual cannibalism, which has been shown to bias paternity in favor of particular males. If cannibalistic attacks function to restrict a male's paternity, females may have little interest to remate with males having survived such an attack. We therefore studied the possibility of female discrimination against previous mates in sexually cannibalistic Argiope bruennichi, where females almost always attack their mate at the onset of copulation. We compared mating latency and copulation duration of males having experienced a previous copulation either with the same or with a different female, but found no evidence for discrimination against previous mates. However, males copulated significantly shorter when inserting into a used, compared to a previously unused, genital pore of the female.     

Blue-green eggshell coloration is not a sexually selected signal of female quality in an open-nesting polygynous passerine

It has been proposed that blue-green egg colours have evolved as a post-mating signal of female quality, selected by males allocating their parental effort in response to the strength of this signal. We tested two main assumptions of the sexually selected egg coloration hypothesis: (1) whether the intensity of eggshell blue-green chroma (BGC) reflects female quality; and (2) whether males make their decisions on the level of parental care that they provide according to the intensity of eggshell BGC. As a model species, we chose the facultatively polygynous great reed warbler (Acrocephalus arundinaceus). In this species, females simultaneously paired with the same male, compete for his nest attendance and could benefit from signalling their quality through egg coloration. However, we found no association between the variation in eggshell BGC and the measures of female quality (physical condition, mean egg volume and age). Moreover, great reed warbler males did not adjust their investment (as measured in terms of nest defence against a brood parasite) in relation to the eggshell BGC. We conclude that blue-green egg coloration in this open-nesting passerine is unlikely to have a signalling function. Rather, the large colour variation among clutches of individual females may depend on yearly fluctuations in environmental conditions.     

Exceptionally high levels of multiple mating in an army ant

Most species of social insects have singly mated queens, although there are notable exceptions. Competing hypotheses have been proposed to explain the evolution of high levels of multiple mating, but this issue is far from resolved. Here we use microsatellites to investigate mating frequency in the army ant Eciton burchellii and show that queens mate with an exceptionally large number of males, eclipsing all but one other social insect species for which data are available. In addition we present evidence that suggests that mating is serial, continuing throughout the lifetime of the queen. This is the first demonstration of serial mating among social hymenoptera. We propose that high paternity within colonies is most likely to have evolved to increase genetic diversity and to counter high pathogen and parasite loads.     

Acidic,neutral and alkaline forest ponds as a landscape element affecting the biodiversity of freshwater snails

In recent years, the number of areas remaining under the influence of acidity has increased. At all levels of ecosystems, biodiversity decreases with acidification, due to the elimination of species that are most sensitive to low pH. Forest ponds belong to a specific group that varied in location, a huge amount of leaf litter, and isolation from other aquatic environments. They are crucial in the industrial landscape with well-developed industry and human activity. The aim was to investigate the relative importance of water chemistry in explaining snail assemblage compositions and species richness in forest ponds of contrasting pH. Patterns in gastropod communities were determined from an analysis in 26 forest ponds with multivariate gradient analysis. Ponds ranged in a base mean pH from 3.0 to 9.0. pH has been found to be an important factor influencing gastropod fauna. Neutral ponds support diverse communities, typical of small water bodies. In two acidic pond types, snail fauna was different. Among the species characteristic for acidic ponds (pH < 6) were Anisus spirorbis and Aplexa hypnorum. The greatest distinct characterised alkaline ponds with the numerous appearance of alien Physa acuta. The most diverse gastropod fauna was found in neutral ponds, whereas the lowest degree of diversity was found in ponds with the lowest pH. Current knowledge of pH-associated changes in aquatic ecosystems is still incomplete because anthropogenic acidification is a recent phenomenon. It is extremely important in forest habitats, since they react more intensively to climatic factors and are often used in landscape management and planning.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Gnamptogenys hartmani</Emphasis> Wheeler (Ponerinae: Ectatommini): an agro-predator of<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Trachymyrmex</Emphasis> and<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Sericomyrmex</Emphasis> fungus-growing ants

The fungus gardens of fungus-growing ants are a potentially valuable resource for exploitation by natural enemies, but few of these antagonistic interactions have been studied. Here we describe key aspects of the behavioral ecology of Gnamptogenys hartmani (Ponerinae: Ectatommini), a specialized agro-predator of Trachymyrmex and Sericomyrmex fungus-growing ants in Panama. Raiding columns of G. hartmani attack and usurp nests with remarkably little effort: a few intruding workers are sufficient to cause panic among the attine ants and make them abscond from the nest. Both G. hartmani larvae and adults consume the fungus and the host brood, after which the colony migrates to a new fungus-growing ant nest discovered by scouting workers. The morphology of the G. hartmani larval mouthparts is similar to that of Gnamptogenys species with a non-fungal diet. However, we suggest that the presence of long spinules on the larval mandibles in the genus Gnamptogenys, comparable to those found in attine larvae, may have pre-adapted G. hartmani to fungus eating. G. hartmani workers do not actively maintain or modify fungus gardens, which makes them less efficient exploiters than Megalomyrmex, the only other agro-predatory ant species known so far.     

A study on the hydraulics of waste stabilization pond

In this study, tracer tests and organic removal tests were conducted on three different ponds in the purpose of evaluating the influence of the flow velocity and dispersion on the hydraulic efficiency of the pond. The authors have compared the hydraulic flow patterns among ponds with different configurations. Experimental and theoretical analyses were performed. This study indicated that the flow characteristics of square ponds are different from that of baffled ponds; the flow velocity and dispersion are equally important factors which affect the pond hydraulics; the number of inserting baffles can be optimized; and the hydraulic efficiency of multistage ponds is superior to that of baffled ponds.     

Managing erosion and water quality in agricultural watersheds by small detention ponds

Terrace-contouring systems with on-site water detention cannot be installed in areas of complex topography, small parceling and multi-blade moldboard plow use. However, field borders at the downslope end may be raised at the deepest part where runoff overtops to create detention ponds, which can be drained by subsurface tile outlets and act similar to terrace-contouring systems. Four of such detention ponds were monitored over 8 years. Monitored effects included the prevention of linear erosion down slope, the sediment trapping from upslope, the enrichment of major nutrients in the trapped and delivered sediments, the amount of runoff retained temporarily, the amount of runoff reduced by infiltration, the decrease in peak runoff rate and the decrease in peak concentrations of agrochemicals due to the mixing of different volumes of water within the detention ponds. The detention ponds had a volume of 30–260 m³ ha⁻¹ and trapped 54–85% of the incoming sediment, which was insignificantly to slightly depleted (5–25%) in organic carbon, phosphorus, nitrogen and clay as compared to the eroding topsoil, while the delivered sediment was strongly enriched (+70–270%) but part of this enrichment already resulted from the enrichment of soil loss. The detention ponds temporarily stored 200–500 m³ of runoff. A failure was never experienced. Due to the siltation of the pond bottom, the short filled time (1–5 days) and the small water covered area, infiltration and evaporation reduced runoff by less than 10% for large events. Peak runoff during heavy rains was lowered by a factor of three. Peak concentrations of agrochemicals (Terbutylazin) were lowered by a factor of two. The detention ponds created by raising the downslope field borders at the pour point efficiently reduced adverse erosion effects downslope the eroding site. They are cheap and can easily be created with on-farm machinery. Their efficiency is improved where they are combined with an on-site erosion control like mulch tillage because sediment and runoff input are reduced. Ponds had to be dredged only after the first year when on-site erosion control was not fully effective.