Genetic structure of hybrid mussel populations in the west of Ireland: two hypotheses revisited

In Ireland, mussels on exposed rocky shores constitute an interbreeding mixture of two forms of mussels, the blue mussel, Mytilus edulis, and the Mediterranean mussel, M. galloprovincialis. Results from an Irish study in the 1980s, using partially diagnostic allozyme markers, indicated that mussels higher up the shore were more galloprovincialis-like than those lower down. In this study we set out to test two hypotheses: (a) recruits arriving on the shore are composed of genetically distinct cohorts that settle preferentially at different levels on the shore, and maintain genetic distinctiveness into adulthood; (b) recruits are genetically homogeneous, but once settled they diverge genetically over time, due to within-habitat site specific-selection. The diagnostic Me 15/16 DNA marker was used to analyse the genetic composition of newly-settled spat recruiting to artificial substrates, which were placed at two-week intervals from May–October 2002, on the mid- and low shore areas of two exposed sites in Galway Bay. Adult mussels were also collected on each sampling date. Results did not support the preferential settlement hypothesis, i.e., the genetic composition of primary settlers (≤ 500 μm) was similar between tidal heights and shores. Neither was there evidence of post settlement selective mortality, as adults were genetically similar to settling spat. In spat and adults the frequency of the M. galloprovincialis allele was high (0.56–0.80), due to high frequencies of M. galloprovincialis (> 37%) and hybrid (> 33%) genotypes, and correspondingly low frequencies of the M. edulis genotype (< 11%). Adult mussels from a nearby sheltered estuarine site, while significantly different to exposed shore mussels, still had low frequencies of the M. edulis genotype (< 17%), indicating no apparent advantage for the genotype in this environment. There are indications that the genetic composition of mussels may be changing on the Atlantic coasts of Ireland.     

Interactions between two species of marine diatoms: Effects on their individual copper tolerance

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of the interaction of two species of marine diatoms,Skeletonema costatum (Cleve) Greville andNitzschia thermalis (Ehrenberg) Auerswald, on their individual copper tolerances. The two species, obtained from stock cultures in 1989, were grown together at three copper concentrations (1, 4 and 5 × 10^–7 M added total copper). In the unialgal cultures that were used as controls, the two species grew as predicted from their tolerance tests. However, in mixed cultures,N. thermalis was the only species that exhibited growth, regardless of the copper concentration in the medium. Growth retardation ofS. costatum in the presence ofN. thermalis was attributed to an inhibitory exudate. The effect of the exudate appeared to have been temporary, as demonstrated by the extended lag phase and subsequent satisfactory exponential growth rate ofS. costatum. It is suggested that the exudate degraded within a period of 5 d (=lag phase) because exponential growth rate was resumed. It thus appears that the interaction between the two diatom species is more important in determining the survival ofS. costatum than its individual copper tolerance. This is not the case forN. thermalis. Such interactions would be unaccounted for in single-species toxicity tests. On the other hand, if they are known, prediction of how a community that includes these two species would respond to copper additions becomes possible.     

Potential effects of environmental contamination on Yuma Myotis demography and population growth.

Unplanned natural and anthropogenic disasters provide unique opportunities for investigating the influence of perturbations on population vital rates and species recovery times. We investigated the potential effects of a major pesticide spill by comparing annual survival rates using mark-recapture techniques on a riparian bat species, Yuma Myotis (Myotis yumanensis). Demography and population dynamics for most bat species remain poorly understood despite advances in mark-recapture estimation and modeling techniques. We compared survival and population growth rates of two roost populations exposed to a large chemical (metam sodium) spill in the upper Sacramento River in Northern California with two roost populations outside the contaminated area from 1992 to 1996. Hypotheses about long-term effects of the spill on female juvenile and adult survival were tested using an information-theoretic approach (AIC). Working hypotheses included effects of age, chemical spill, and time trend on survival. Female adult survival was higher than female juvenile survival across all sites, suggesting stage-specific mortality risks. Model-averaged estimates of female juvenile survival in the contaminated area (0.50-0.74) were lower than in control roosts (0.60-0.78) for each year in the study, suggesting that the spill may have reduced juvenile survival for several years. Female adult survival (0.73-0.89) did not appear to be strongly affected by the spill during the years of the study. There was an increase in survival for both stage-classes across all populations during the study period, which may have been caused by the end of an extended drought in California in the winter of 1993. The spill-affected population was in decline for the first year of the study as indicated by an estimated growth rate (lambda) < 1, but population growth rates increased during the four-year period.     

Limitations of grazing rate equations: the case for time-series measurements

The limitations of traditional zooplankton grazing rate equations were analysed, and the relative advantages of taking time-series measurements or single end-point measurements of grazing rate examined. For zooplankters with variable feeding rates, the time-series approach is the only acceptable method. Use of end-point measurements to calculate feeding rates results in significant error if clearance rate changes or feeding ceases during the experiment, i.e. when the grazing coefficient is not constant, as is assumed in the clearance rate equations. The use of timeseries measurements is particularly important above the critical concentration for saturated ingestion rate. The functional response plot of ingestion rate versus mean cell concentration is inappropriate statistically and should be modified to avoid compounding variables appearing on both axes of the plot.     

Antioxidant capacity of Kraft black liquor from the pulp and paper industry

The effect of Kraft black liquor on the lipid peroxidation of rat homogenates was examined. The lipid peroxidation of homogenates from different organs (kidney, brain, lung, and liver) was induced by Fenton's reagent. The products of lipid peroxidation, lipid hydroperoxides and TBARS were measured by FOX method and TBA assay, respectively. It was found that black liquor significantly reduced the concentration of TBARS, but not the concentration of lipid hydroperoxides. This inhibition was directly proportional to the concentration of Kraft black liquor and the incubation temperature. Conclusively, the black liquor from pulp and paper industry exhibited an antioxidant activity.     

Development of the gooseneck barnacle Pollicipes polymerus (Cirripedia: Lepadomorpha): Fertilization through settlement

Pollicipes polymerus (Sowerby, 1833) is a common barnacle in rocky intertidal zones of the West Coast of North America whose development has been previously undescribed in detail. In the present study, certain aspects of the development of P. polymerus are recorded from fertilization through settlement. In vitro fertilization has been accomplished using already-implanted sperm plus ovulating eggs and oviducal gland fluid. The eggs are small (about 100 μ diameter at fertilization; 90 x 140 μ at first cleavage) and somewhat yolky. Embryos obtained from brooding adults and from in vitro fertilization were reared in glass dishes until hatching. Cleavage was total, asynchronous and unequal. Division of the D macromere lagged behind division of the other blastomeres, and gastrulation occurred by epiboly so that blastoderm surrounded the macromeres. The nauplii hatched an average of 25.4 days (range was 20.3 to 30.1 days) after fertilization, and molted within 1 day to Stage II nauplii. From Stages II through VI the nauplii required food. As they grew from stage to stage, the number of setae per appendage increased. Nauplii have feathery and hispid-type setae, previously described only in Chthamalus aestuarii. In contrast to other pedunculate larvae which have been described, P. polymerus nauplii are small and have specialized feathery setae. Cypris-larva settlement was stimulated only when healthy adult peduncles were available, thus showing an affinity for its own species.     

Shell choice in<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Pagurus longicarpus</Emphasis> hermit crabs: does predation threat influence shell selection behavior?

Pagurus longicarpus hermit crabs depend on empty gastropod shells for protection against predation. Hermit crabs avoid gastropod shells in which holes have been drilled by naticid gastropods, and hermit crabs forced to occupy drilled shells are more vulnerable to predation by green crabs, Carcinus maenas. In this study, we examined the effect of predator cues on P. longicarpus shell investigation behavior and shell choice. In paired laboratory shell choice trials, we examined hermit crab response to green crab chemical cues. We compared hermit crabs from two sites differing in the percentage of Littorina littorea shells with drill holes. The percentage of time hermit crabs spent occupying intact shells increased significantly in the presence of predator cues. The effect of predator cues on the amount of time hermit crabs spent investigating shells differed between individuals from the two sites. Predator effluent had a marginal effect on the proportion of hermit crabs initially choosing intact shells and within 15 min most hermit crabs in both treatments occupied intact shells due to shell switching. These results indicate that predation cues alter P. longicarpus shell choice behavior favoring intact shells, which provide greater protection. In summary, predation appears to be a key factor influencing hermit crab shell selection behavior.Communicated by T. Czeschlik