A biochemical genetic study of population structure in queen scallop (Chlamys opercularis) stocks in the Northern Irish Sea

Electrophoresis was used to survey a number of enzymes for loci of potential value as stock markers in Chlamys opercularis (L.). Two loci, Pgi and Pgd, were then studied in larger samples from each of two localities around the Isle of Man. One Pgi allele was found to be restricted to a particular year-class in both populations. This was confirmed by subsequent studies of three further populations, in each of which the same allele occurred only in the one year-class. Otherwise, no significant differences in allele frequencies were found between year-classes or between populations in any of the samples used. From the results it is concluded that there is temporal variation in the sources of recruitment of C. opercularis stocks around the Isle of Man. Possible origins of larvae contributing to these stocks are discussed in the light of what is known of current circulation patterns in the northern Irish Sea.     

Temporal stability of gene frequencies within genetically heterogeneous populations of the queen scallop Aequipecten (Chlamys) opercularis

The widely held assumption that gene frequencies within samples of multi-aged organisms are temporally stable has rarely been tested. In order to test this assumption in the commercially exploited bivalve scallop Aequipecten (Chlamys) opercularis (L.), 12 populations were sampled from around the UK over the period 1988–1990 and each was assayed at four putative polymorphic enzyme loci. Most populations were comprised of 3 to 4 year-classes, distinguishable by annual rings laid down on the shell. Three alleles from each locus were used as discriminant-function variables. Discriminant-function analysis based on allele frequencies averaged for each inividual year-class (45 demes) revealed highly significant inter-site heterogeneity. A posteriori classification of individual year-classes based on the discriminant analysis resulted in assignment of year-classes to the correct home site in 80% of cases. If allozyme neutrality is assumed, the phenomenon of predominant local allele frequency-stability through time within populations which are genetically heterogeneous from one site to another raises the possibility that queen scallop populations may be self-recruiting. Despite a planktonic larval phase lasting up to several weeks, this possibility is not excluded by the available hydrographic data.     

Observations on phytoplankton productivity in relation to hydrography in the Northern Adriatic

This work, carried out within the framework of the PRISMA II project, aims at evaluating the effects of the Po River flow on primary productivity, measured by C with in situ sample incubations. A total of four cruises was carried out in late winter and early summer (1996-1998) along transects from the coast offshore. In both seasons, the highest primary productivity was found in the most oligohaline stations. The effects of the Po River inputs were therefore clearly evident in the westernmost area, both in high productivity values and in the shape of productivity profiles. In late winter, extensive blooms of Skeletonema costatum and Pseudo-nitzschia delicatissima resulted in productivity values that were sometimes higher than in early summer. In early summer 1996, greatly reduced river flow clearly influenced productivity which was much lower than in 1997.     

Sea-water temperature and spawning behaviour in the seastar Marthasterias glacialis

The seastar Marthasterias glacialis (L.) was seen to spawn in two sea inlets, Lough Hyne (9°18W; 51°30N) and Mulroy Bay (7°42W; 55°12N), Ireland. Spawning occurred during the afternoon and early evening between 13.30 and 21.30 hrs British Summer Time (BST) on sunny days during July and August, 1978. Groups remained assembled for days prior to spawning. Solitary and grouped seastars arched themselves and released their gametes freely. Local moderate onshore winds on sunny days resulted in increases of sea temperature which often induced spawning. Males observed spawning ranged from 2.5 to 26 cm and females from 9 to 22 cm in diameter over the period 1978–1985.     

Beat frequency of cilia in the branchial basket of the ascidian Ciona intestinalis in relation to temperature and algal cell concentration

To elucidate the effects of temperature and algal cell concentration on pumping of water in the ascidian Ciona intestinalis a number of different experiments were performed. Beat frequency of the lateral cilia in the openings of the branchial sac was measured in intact specimens using a microprojection objective and a monochrome CCD video camera. At constant low algal cell concentration, beat frequencies increased linearly with temperature from 4.0 Hz (±0.5) at 7.4 °C to 13.6 Hz (±1.6) at 20.1 °C. At a constant temperature of 15 °C, beat frequency decreased with increasing algal cell concentration from approximately 3000 to >10 000 Rhodomonas sp. cells ml⁻¹. The decrease was observed both in experiments where the ascidians had been acclimated to a fixed algal cell concentration and in experiments with changing concentrations. Effect of algal cell concentration on squirting/siphon closure and flow velocity in the exhalent siphon was measured using a thermistor. At low algal cell concentrations, flow velocity in the exhalent siphon was stable, apart from a few short squirts. At very high algal cell concentrations, the flow velocity was reduced and much less stable, with prolonged squirting. The effect of gut content on filtration was studied in experiments with specimens acclimated to high algal cell concentrations. Results showed a close relation between gut clearance and filtration rate. From the experimental results and a qualitative analysis of the Ciona-pump it was concluded that the ciliary beat frequency is proportional to the water flow through the sea squirt and that changes in pumping caused by temperature or algal cell concentration are under nervous control or governed by enzyme kinetics, rather than being a result of physico-mechanical properties, i.e. pump efficiency versus flow resistance, of the ascidian pump. Received: 6 October 1997 / Accepted: 8 October 1998     

Electrophoretic survey of genetic variation in Pecten maximus,Chlamys opercularis,C. varia and C. distorta from the Irish Sea

Food selection by young larvae of the gulf menhaden (Brevoortia patronus) was studied in the laboratory at Beaufort, North Carolina (USA) in 1982 and 1983; this species is especially interesting, since the larvae began feeding on phytoplankton as well as microzooplankton. When dinoflagellates (Prorocentrum micans), tintinnids (Favella sp.), and N1 nauplii of a copepod (Acartia tonsa) were presented to laboratory-reared, larval menhaden (3.9 to 4.2 mm notochord length), the fish larvae ate dinoflagellates and tintinnids, but not copepod nauplii. Larvae showed significant (P<0.001) selection for the tintinnids. Given the same mixture of food items, larger larvae (6.4 mm notochord length) ate copepod nauplii as well as the other food organisms. These feeding responses are consistent with larval feeding in the northern Gulf of Mexico, where gulf menhaden larvae between 3 and 5 mm in notochord length frequently ate large numbers of dinoflagellates (mostly P. micans and P. compressum) and tintinnids (mostly Favella sp.), but did not eat copepod nauplii. As larvae grew, copepod nauplii and other food organisms became important, while dinoflagellates and tintinnids became relatively less important in the diet. Since the tintinnids and nauplii used in the laboratory feeding experiments were similar in size as well as carbon and nitrogen contents, the feeding selectivity and dietary ontogeny that we observed were likely due to a combination of prey capturability and larval fish maturation and learning.Contribution No. 5575 of the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution     

The nature of the photosynthate in natural phytoplankton populations in relation to light quality

The relative concentrations of a variety of organic compounds in phytoplankton from different depths of the photic zone of Saanich Inlet and Indian Arm, British Columbia, Canada, were determined. In surface phytoplankton the greatest proportion of ¹⁴C in newly-formed organic compounds was in the ethanol-soluble fraction irrespective of the light intensity. The proportion of the label in the insoluble fraction increased with depth. Within the ethanol-soluble fraction the relative importance of carbohydrates decreased and amino acids increased with depth. Experiments in Indian Arm indicated that these observed changes were in response to light quality rather than intensity. The percentage release of dissolved organic carbon as a percentage of total fixation decreased with depth and was directly related to the size of the ethanol-soluble fraction.     

Distribution of phytoplankton communities in relation to the large-scale hydrographical regime in the Fram Strait

In June and July 1984 phytoplankton distribution was investigated in the Fram Strait between Greenland and Svalbard. Chlorophylla, particulate organic carbon, nitrate and phytoplankton species composition were determined from six different depths in the upper 200 m of the water column. Multivariate analysis methods were applied to identify phytoplankton communities in relation to different hydrographic regimes. Three main domains could be distinguished in terms of both hydrography and biology: (1) the East Greenland shelf polynya with a high biomass mainly produced by chain-forming diatoms, (2) the ice-covered East Greenland Current with an extremely low standing stock dominated by flagellates and (3) the marginal ice zone with a biomass maximum in 20 to 40 m depth formed by diatoms, dinoflagellates andPhaeocystis pouchetii.     

长江口浮游植物分布情况及与径流关系的初步探讨

利用2004—2008年5月（春季）和8月（夏季）共10个季度月航次调查资料,结合同时期长江口径流量的数据,研究了长江口海域浮游植物的分布特征、及其受长江径流影响的关系。分布情况的结果显示：同一年中,夏季调查航次鉴定的浮游植物种类数明显多于春季的种类数;浮游植物数量的基本趋势逐年增加,其中2008年调查航次的浮游植物数量急剧暴发;同时生物多样性指数呈逐年下降趋势,海域水质污染程度日趋严重。对浮游植物与长江口径流量的关系分析得到：拟合长江口5、8月平均径流量与对应调查航次的浮游植物数量呈正相关的幂函数关系,径流量与浮游植物多样度呈负相关的指数函数关系,径流量与浮游植物优势种数量百分比呈正相关的幂函数关系,关系都明显显著。其中长江口径流量的输入对优势种尤其是近岸低盐性的中肋骨条藻（Skeletonema costatum）分布有着决定性的影响;长江径流把大量的N、P等无机营养物质携带入海,导致长江口水域严重富营养化,造成长江口海域的局部区域频发赤潮。     

The biological degradation of arginine and glutamic acid in seawater in relation to the growth of phytoplankton

The responses of natural summer coastal plankton communities to low-level additions (10^-5 to 10^-7 M) of arginine and glutamic acid has been followed by in vivo measurement of chlorophyll fluorescence. This technique is capable of detecting a response to a 10^-6 M enrichment under most conditions. The time sequence of the response varied with the amino acid used and with the enantiomeric form of the amino acid. Ammonia and carbon dioxide were liberated before the increase in chlorophyll fluorescence occurred. Liberation of ammonia in a dark bottle from L-arginine was from 75 to 85% of the theoretical yield. Microautoradiography using ¹⁴C L-arginine or L-glutamic acid at 10^-7 M showed heavy labeling associated with fecal pellets and detrital aggregates. Phytoplankton cells were not appreciably labeled. The evidence suggests that bacteria are important in the cycling of these compunds.     

Sedimentation of particulate matter during a phytoplankton spring bloom in relation to the hydrographical regime

Data presented and discussed here were collected continuously during April/May 1975 in the Bornholm Basin of the Baltic Sea. Sedimentation rates of particulate matter were recorded with 5 multisample sediment traps from different depths in the water column at 2 positions 170 km apart. Current meter data collected during the same period and depths indicated that the positions remained hydrographically distinct during the investigation. Particulate matter from the euphotic zone including diatom cells formed the bulk of the material collected by all traps. This flux of organic particles to the bottom was unimpeded by the strong density stratification present in the water column. The upper traps always collected less material than lower ones. This paradox has been ascribed to diminishing current speeds with depth, concomitant with an increase in sinking rates of phytoplankton and phytodetritus. Both factors influence the sampling efficiency of sediment traps, which are thought to have underestimated actual sedimentation rates here. A time lag of 2 to 3 weeks in bloom development seemed responsible for the characteristic differences between the two positions. The phase of major sedimentation at one position covered about 18 days, and a distinct sequence in the composition of the material collected by the 6 glasses of each trap indicated phases of a progressively deteriorating phytoplankton population in the water column contributing the particulate material. A total of 6.2 g C m^-2 in 34 days was recorded at this station. Apart from a trap situated in an oxygen deficient layer which collected 0.44 g C m^-2 of zooplankton corpses, zooplankton mortality was overestimated by the traps. Large-scale sedimencation of fresh organic matter produced by the spring bloom is probably a regular feature in areas with low over-wintering zooplankton populations and, as such, possibly has a direct stimulatory effect on growth and reproduction of the benthos.Contribution No. 185 of the Joint Research Programme 95, Kiel University.     

Questions on the mechanism of temperature adaptation in marine phytoplankton

The rate of light-saturated photosynthesis in 3 marine algae [Phaeodactylum tricornutum Bohlin, Nitzschia closterium (Ehrenberg) Smith and Dunaliella tertiolecta Butcher] varies during growth in batch culture. The photosynthetic rare declines most rapidly during growth at the higher temperatures. Because of these changes in photosynthesis rate, the previously reported enhanced photosynthetic abilities caused by growth at lower temperatures (generally interpreted as evidence for higher enzyme levels) can only be observed when measurements are made late in the exponential phase or after the onset of the stationary phase of growth. When allowance is made for the earlier peak of photosynthetic ability in cultures growing at higher temperatures, there is no evidence for adaptation to lower temperatures being caused by increased levels of the enzymes required for carbon-dioxide fixation. When the changes due to growth in batch culture are taken into account, certain effects of temperature can be recognized. the dry weight: chlorophyll ratio of all 3 algae increases with decreasing growth temperatures. For P. tricornutum and N. closterium, growth at lower temperatures reduces the cellular content of chlorophyll a, but has little effect on the chlorophyll content of D. tertiolecta. The dry weight: cell-number ratio of D. tertiolecta and P. tricornutum increases with lower growth temperatures, but growth temperature has little effect on the cell mass of N. closterium. Growth of the 3 algae at lower temperatures does not increase their ability to photosynthesize at these lower temperatures. Rather, it reduces their ability to assimilate carbon dioxide at the higher temperatures.     

Physioecology of zooplankton. III. Effects of phytoplankton concentration,temperature, and body size on the metabolic rate ofCalanus pacificus

Weight-specific rates of oxygen consumption of actively feeding copepodite stages ofCalanus pacificus Brodsky were measured under various combination of phytoplankton concentration and temperature. The rate decreased logarithmically with a logarithmic increase in dry body weight of copepods, and the relationship between these variables was described using a log-transformed allometric equation. The body-size dependence of the metabolic rate was independent of changes in food concentration and temperature, but the metabolic level increased linearly with a logarithmic increase in temperature and was not significantly affected by changes in food concentration. Respiration rates measured in this study forC. pacificus were about twice as high as rates reported for unfed closely related species of the same genus. An analysis of the metabolic cost of feeding processes suggests that metabolic models derived from feeding models may be of little ecological value at present.Contribution No. 1129 from the Department of Oceanography, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, USA     

Salinity-temperature relationships in the queen scallop Chalamys opercularis

The effects of reduced salinities on different size-ranges of Chlamys opercularis (L.) were studied at various temperatures using 3 methods of analysis: median lethal mortality over 24 h (LD₅₀, 24 h); surface-response analysis; time-mortality relationships. Reduced salinities ranging from 16 to 28 were lethal after a 24 h exposure, depending on the temperature and size of the scallop. Mortality increased at extremes of temperature, and spat appeared to have a slightly greater tolerance than larger individuals. Observations were also made on behavioural responses and byssus attachment at reduced salinities.     

Physioecology of zooplankton. IV. Effects of phytoplankton concentration,temperature, and body size on the net production efficiency ofCalanus pacificus

Weight-specific rates of individual production, total metabolic expenditure and assimilation, and net production efficiencies were estimated forCalanus pacificus Brodsky of selected body weights cultured at various phytoplankton concentrations and temperatures. The weight-specific rate of individual production increased hyperbolically with food concentration, and the maximum rate of individual production decreased logarithmically with a linear increase in body weight propotionally more at high than at low temperature. The weight-specific rate of total metabolic expenditure decreased logarithmically with increasing body weight and was unaffected by changes in food concentration. The effects of food concentration and temperature on the weight-specific rate of assimilation were similar to those on the rate of individual production, but the effect of body size differed considerably. The diversity in the temperature and body-size dependence of the maximum weight-specific rates of various physiological processes suggest (1) that, except for the metabolic rate, the allometric model (log-log relation) is inadequate for describing relationships between maximum rates of physiological processes and body size within species, and (2) that the common assumption that temperature affects the rates of various physiological processes in similar ways is not justified. Net production efficiency increased hyperbolically with food concentration, and the maximum production efficiency first increased slightly and then decreased gradually with increasing body weight. Small copepods attained higher efficiency at high temperature but larger ones did so at low temperature. The critical food concentrations for production efficiency and for the rate of individual production increased with increasing temperature and body size. Because of the effects of interactions among critical food concentration, temperature, and body size on the rates of growth and individual production and on net production efficiency, early development stages ofC. pacificus optimized growth and food conversion efficiency at high temperature, but late stages, particularly at low food concentrations, grew best and transformed food more efficiently at low temperature.Contribution No. 1130 From the Department of Oceanography, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, USA     

Assessment of phytoplankton density in relation to environmental variables in Gopalaswamy pond at Chitradurga, Karnataka

Surface water samples of the Gopalaswamy pond were studied at two different sites during September 1997 to January 1998 and phytoplanktons were studied in relation to ten environmental variables during this period. A total of 30 species of phytoplanktons were identified under four classes, Chlorophyceae, Cyanophyceae, Bacillariophyceae and Euglenophyceae. Among these, maximum density was recorded under Cyanophyceae, Chlorophyceae, Cyanophyceae and Bacillariophyceae showed considerable fluctuations with environmental variables.     

Ecotypic differentiation of Laminaria longicruris in relation to seawater nitrate concentration

The ultraplankton (cell diameters >3 μm), which compromises about 70% of the biomass of phytoplankton in subtropical surface waters near Oahu, Hawaii, was isolated for growth rate studies. The specific growth rate (μ) was estimated from the rate of increase of the chlorophyll biomass during incubations in the absence of grazers. This growth rate of the ultraplankton ranged from 0.037 to 0.071 h^?1 (=1.3 to 2.5 doublings d^?1) during a period when P:B ratios of 5 to 14.5 μg C μg^?1 chl a h^?1 prevailed. The co-occurrence of atypically high P:B ratios and nonlimiting ambient nutrient concentrations suggests that the calculated values are higher than those characteristic of such subtropical ecosystems in general. Rates of ammonium uptake and photosynthesis by the >3 μm fraction were also compared to those of larger fractions. Organisms in the >3 μm fraction assimilated NH ₄ ⁺ at a rate which was about 75% greater than that of the 3 to 20 μm size fraction. Comparison of μ and P:B data collected over a 2 mo period (November–December, 1980) shows that the correlation between these two rate indices is nonlinear. The predominance of small-celled phytoplankton in oligotrophic waters is explained, in part, by its higher μ, its higher nutrient assimilation rates, and the absence of its loss through sedimentation.     

Distribution of chlorophyll,carotenoids and phytoplankton in relation to certain environmental factors along the central west coast of India

Distribution of chlorophyll pigments, carotenoids and abundance of phytoplankton in relation to certain environmental factors of the nearshore waters off the central west coast of India (latitudes 15°30 to 18°30N) were studied monthly at 7 stations during 1970/1971. Changes in the hydrographical factors and the biological processes occurring in the region during different months appear to be influenced by the pattern of upwelling along the northern and southern parts of the west coast of India. The pigment concentration shows a marked decrease in October, but is followed by a slow but steady rise, which reaches its maximum in April/May. A slightly smaller maximum is noticed in December/January. The composition of various chlorophyll pigments and carotenoids indicated the physiological state of phytoplankton populations during different months in the region investigated. Abundance of specific phytoplanktonic elements, consisting mainly of diatoms, in space and time, characterises the waters of the central west coast of India, indicating a clear succession of species.     

大亚湾浮游植物群落结构变化及其对水温上升的响应

大亚湾核电站1994年建成运行。文章研究大亚湾长时期的生态和环境变化,分析大亚湾浮游植物群落结构变化与环境变化,特别是水温上升的相关性。研究显示,网采浮游植物种类数目在1994年后减少了16种;1994—2004年间,网采浮游植物细胞相对密度以2.13×107m^-3·a^-1的速率下降,而在1985—2004年间核电站建站的下降速率为2.85×106m^-3·a^-1;与1982年和1994年相比,1998年的浮游植物群落优势种中细胞个体相对较大的种的比重下降,细胞个体相对较小的种的比重上升;从1985年到2003年,叶绿素a（Chl-a）质量浓度的上升速率为0.069mg·m^-3·a^-1,而1994年到2003年的上升速率加快,为0.076mg·m^3·a^-1。与此同时,大亚湾的水温在1994年后明显上升,海水盐度、溶解氧（DO）、化学耗氧量（COD）、和营养盐在1994年后变化幅度也增大。研究结果揭示,核电站热排放导致的水温上升是影响大亚湾浮游植物群落结构的主要因素。     

Standing crops and vertical distribution of four groups of marine planktonic ciliates in relation to phytoplankton chlorophyll a

Standing crops and the vertical distribution of four groups of ciliates, autotrophic naked ciliates (ANC), heterotrophic naked ciliates (HNC ), mixotrophic naked ciliates (MNC) and loricated ciliates (LC ), were analysed in relation to phytoplankton chlorophyll a in the western Pacific. Data were gathered from the upper 60 to 200 m of water in the subarctic North Pacific in spring, in the subtropical North Pacific in spring, in Toyama Bay in summer, off eastern Australia in spring and off Sanriku in spring and fall. Of the four groups, the standing crop of HNC (cells l⁻¹) showed the highest correlation to phytoplankton chloro- phyll a [CHL, μg l⁻¹; r=0.66, n=365 (HNC=490 ×CHL ^0.653)]. Depths of the maximum layers of HNC and MNC were usually shallower than that of chlorophyll a, while those of ANC and LC occurred frequently beneath the chlorophyll maximum layer. This indicates that these four ciliate groups are substantially different from each other, and that each group holds a different ecological position in the marine microbial food web. Received: 27 October 1997 / Accepted: 27 June 1998