Volatile hydrocarbon emissions from a diesel fuel-contaminated soil bioremediation facility

Concerns have been expressed that emissions of volatile hydrocarbons (HCs) from bioremediation facilities containing soils contaminated with petroleum HCs may negatively impact regional air quality or human health. Little information is available regarding the emission of HCs from bioremediation sites, and few field studies have been performed during which the flux of HCs has been directly measured during bioremediation. To aid in answering questions about the impact of bioremediation facilities on the atmospheric environment, a two-part field study was conducted over summer 1996 at a remote landfarm in northern Ontario where diesel fuel-contaminated soil was undergoing bioremediation. Volatile total hydrocarbon (THC) atmospheric flux measurements were successfully taken over 18 days using a flux gradient micrometeorological technique incorporating a THC detector constructed in-house. Peak THC emissions reached 131 microg C/m2/sec shortly after implementation and tilling of the landfarm soil. The influence of soil temperature and tillage on THC emissions was examined. Off-site inhalation exposure was considered with the aid of an areal source model and results from speciated air samples collected on sorbent tubes and analyzed via gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GCMS) techniques.     

Mode of zooxanthella transmission does not affect zooxanthella diversity in acroporid corals

Two distinct modes of algal endosymbiont acquisition exist in corals, a direct transmission from the parental colony to the eggs and a larval or post-larval uptake from the environment. The former, maternal-transmission mode is expected to be a more closed system, while the latter is believed to be an open system. Here we test the hypothesis that the diversity of symbionts in closed systems is lower than that in open systems. We examine the identity and diversity of the algal endosymbionts (zooxanthellae) in 25 Montipora species sampled from Irian Jaya (Indonesia) and Magnetic Island (central Great Barrier Reef) and compare the results with those previously obtained from Acropora species, which belong to the same family. All Montipora colonies examined harbour clade C zooxanthellae, with two colonies harbouring both clade C and D zooxanthellae simultaneously. Two algal strains (named C· and D· in this study) present in Montipora have not been observed in Acropora, and may have co-evolved with Montipora. Symbiodinium C· shows approximately 5% sequence divergence from C strains observed in Acropora spp. and occurs in 76% of the colonies examined. Nevertheless, several other C strains commonly found in other corals occur in some of the Montipora colonies. Montipora species transmit their algal endosymbionts directly to the eggs, while Acropora species have to acquire zooxanthellae from the environment every generation. Contrary to our expectations, the diversity of zooxanthellae is similar for the two genera, indicating that the mode of symbiont transmission (i.e. maternal versus horizontal) does not affect symbiont diversity in acroporid corals.Communicated by M.S. Johnson, Crawley     

What attracts juvenile coral reef fish to mangroves: habitat complexity or shade?

The value of mangroves for fish species is usually explained in terms of high food abundance or shelter against predators as a result of high turbidity and structural complexity. In a field experiment, artificial mangrove units (AMUs) were designed as open cages, each of which was provided with a different degree of structural complexity and shade. Fish species that were attracted to the AMUs were identified and counted and the effects of shade and structural complexity, as well as the interaction between the two factors, were tested. Diurnal fish showed a preference for the greatest structured complexity and for a moderate increase in shade. Two nocturnal species common in local mangroves as well as seagrass beds showed statistically significant effects: densities of Haemulon sciurus were positively related to both shade and structural complexity, whereas only shade had a significant positive effect on densities of Ocyurus chrysurus. The experiment indicated that the attractiveness of mangrove vegetation for H. sciurus may be influenced by the structural complexity of the habitat as well as by the degree of shade, and that both factors are equally and separately important. Individuals of O. chrysurus that are attracted to mangroves are more likely to be influenced by the presence of shade than by the degree of structural complexity. The data thus indicated that the positive relationship between fish densities in mangrove habitats and the degree of shade and structural complexity, or both, is species-specific.Communicated by O. Kinne, Oldendorf/Luhe     

Chloroacetic acids in environmental processes

The fate of chloroacetic acids (CAA) in forest soils was studied using radio-indicator methods. We showed that chloroacetic acids are both microbially degraded and simultaneously formed by chloroperoxidase-mediated chlorination of acetic and humic acids. The degree of biodegradation of chloroacetic acids in soil depends on their concentration. Dichloroacetic acid (DCA) is degraded faster than trichloroacetic acid (TCA). Chlorination of acetic acid led to a fast formation of dichloroacetic acid, whereas chlorination of humic acids gave rise to trichloroacetic acid. Both processes lead to a steady state in soil, participate in the chlorine cycle and possibly also in decomposition of organic matter in forest ecosystems.     

Sexual exchange relationships in captive chimpanzees?

Summary In a group of captive chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes), we studied whether females received more social benefits from males when they were in oestrus than at other times and whether males distributed their beneficial acts especially to females with whom they mated more frequently. When in oestrus, females were groomed more frequently by males than at other times. There was an indication that females were groomed especially by those males with whom they mated more often. From the male point of view, the relationship between active grooming and copulation frequency held only in interactions with oestrous females. No difference was found in the male's tendency to share food with females in oestrous or anoestrous condition. Further, clear disadvantages were associated with being in oestrus: females received support from males less frequently and were more often involved in conflicts with males than in their anoestrous period. Higher ranking males did not mate more often. No relationship was found between the frequency with which a male copulated with a given female and her dominance rank, age or parity, nor did he support her or share food more often with her.     

High genetic diversities and complex genetic structure in an Indo-Pacific tropical reef fish (Chlorurus sordidus): evidence of an unstable evolutionary past?

Historical sea level fluctuations have influenced the genetic structure and evolutionary history of marine species and examining widespread species across their species ranges may elucidate some of these effects. Chlorurus sordidus is a common and widespread parrotfish found on coral reefs throughout the Indo-central Pacific. We used phylogenetic, phylogeographic, and cladistic analyses to examine the genetic composition and population structure of this species across most of its latitudinal range limits. We sequenced 354 bp of the mitochondrial control region I in 185 individuals from nine populations. Populations of C. sordidus displayed high levels of genetic diversity, similar to those recorded for widespread pelagic fish species, but much greater nucleotide diversity values than those previously recorded for other demersal reef fishes. Both phylogenetic and phylogeographic analyses detected strong genetic subdivision at the largest spatial scale (i.e. among oceans). The Pacific Ocean was characterised by weak population genetic structure. Separation of the Hawaiian location from other Pacific and West Indian Ocean sites was evident in phylogenetic analyses, but not from analysis of molecular variance. NCA and isolation-by-distance tests suggested that the genetic structure of this species was the result of multiple contemporary and historical processes, including long-distance colonisation and range expansion arising from fluctuating sea levels, limited current gene flow, and isolation by distance. This pattern is to be expected when historically fragmented populations come into secondary contact. We suggest the patterns of population genetic structure recorded in C. sordidus are caused by large local population sizes, high gene flow, and a recent history of repeated fragmentation and remixing of populations resulting from fluctuating sea levels.Communicated by M.S. Johnson, Crawley     

Extreme genetic diversity and temporal rather than spatial partitioning in a widely distributed coral reef fish

Mitochondrial control region (HVR-1) sequences were used to identify patterns of genetic structure and diversity in Naso vlamingii, a widespread coral reef fish with a long evolutionary history. We examined 113 individuals from eight locations across the Indo-Pacific Ocean. Our aims were to determine the spatial scale at which population partitioning occurred and then to evaluate the extent to which either vicariance and/or dispersal events have shaped the population structure of N. vlamingii. The analysis produced several unexpected findings. Firstly, the genetic structure of this species was temporal rather than spatial. Secondly, there was no evidence of a barrier to dispersal throughout the vast distribution range. Apparently larvae of this species traverse vicariance barriers that inhibit inter-oceanic migration of other widespread reef fish taxa. Thirdly, an unusual life history and long evolutionary history was associated with a population structure that was unique amongst coral reef fishes in terms of the magnitude and pattern of genetic diversity (haplotype diversity, h = 1.0 and nucleotide diversity π = 13.6%). In addition to these unique characteristics, there was no evidence of isolation by distance (r = 0.458, R ² = 0.210, P = 0.078) as has also been shown for some other widespread reef species. However, some reductions in gene flow were observed among and within Ocean basins [Indian–Pacific analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA), Φ _st = 0.0766, P < 0.05; West Indian–East Indian–Pacific AMOVA Φ _st = 0.079, P < 0.05]. These findings are contrasted with recent studies of coral reef fishes that imply a greater degree of spatial structuring in coral reef fish populations than would be expected from the dispersive nature of their life cycles. We conclude that increased taxon sampling of coral reef fishes for phylogeographic analysis will provide an extended view of the ecological and evolutionary processes shaping coral reef fish diversity at both ends of the life history spectrum.     

Two herbivore-deterrent iridoid glycosides reduce the in-vitro growth of a specialist but not of a generalist pathogenic fungus of Plantago lanceolata L

Summary. Many secondary plant compounds are involved in defense against both insect herbivores and pathogens. Two secondary plant compounds of Plantago lanceolata, the iridoid glycosides catalpol and its precursor aucubin, are well known for their deterrent effects on generalist and non-adapted specialist insect herbivores. We tested the effects of these compounds on the in-vitro growth of a specialist and generalist fungal pathogen of this host species. Two chemical forms of these iridoids were tested. The glycosides and their aglycones, the products of enzymatic conversion by specific $/Beta$-glucosidase enzymes. The glycosides enhanced growth of both the specialist fungus Diaporthe adunca and the generalist fungus Fusarium moniliforme var. subglutinans. The positive effect of these glycosides on the generalist fungus is in sharp contrast with the generally negative effects of these glysosides on generalist insect herbivores. The aglycones of aucubin and catalpol reduced the growth of the specialist fungus D. adunca, but, contrary to expectation, enhanced the growth of the generalist fungus F. moniliforme var. subglutinans. Effects of aucubin on D. adunca were stronger than effects of catalpol. This was true both for the growth stimulating effects of the glycosides and for the fungitoxic effects of the aglycones. We therefore expect that the effects of these iridoids in P. lanceolata on the specialist fungus will strongly depend on the ratio between catalpol and its precursor aucubin and the chemical form (glycoside or aglycone) in which these compounds are encountered by the fungus during growth. Our results suggest that iridoid glycosides in P. lanceolata can be used as defense against both herbivores and pathogens, but that their effects are highly specific with respect to the natural enemy species that is encountered. Received 11 April 2002; accepted 9 August 2002