Vertical distribution of liverwort communities and their relationship with environmental factors in a karst sinkhole in south-western China

ABSTRACT

Understanding the relationships between the vertical distribution of liverwort communities and associated environmental factors is vital for biodiversity conservation in karst sinkholes. The abundance index, α and β diversity indices were used to analyse the characteristics of liverwort communities in the Monkey-Ear Sinkhole (280 m deep, entrance diameter 300 m, width 280 m). A Generalised Linear Model was used to study the vertical distribution of liverwort communities, and the relationships between their vertical distribution and environmental factors were analysed with Canonical Correspondence Analysis. Forty-two liverwort taxa from 22 genera in 19 families were identified in the sinkhole. The liverwort assemblages were dominated by the families Plagiochilaceae and Lejeuneaceae. The α and β diversity appeared to fluctuate randomly among the four depths sampled. The highest degree of environmental heterogeneity was found at the lower-middle section of the sinkhole; liverwort community diversity at the base was much higher than that found at the upper, middle or lower-middle sections. The environment at the base of the sinkhole was more complex than at the other three depths, providing a range of habitats that facilitated the coexistence of multiple liverwort communities. The abundance of species, genera and families in liverwort communities followed the sequence: base > upper section > middle section > lower – middle section. There were significant differences in liverwort communities at the four depths. In the sinkhole, liverwort communities fell into three distribution groups: wide, moderate or narrow distribution along the vertical direction. The communities with a broad distribution, found from the upper section to the base, were affected by a combination of light, humidity and temperature, and were classified as mixed factor dependent; those with a moderate distribution found mostly in the mid and lower-middle sections were primarily dependent on temperature and humidity, and were classified as temperature and humidity dependent; and those with a narrow distribution found at the base of the sinkhole were mainly influenced by humidity, and were classified as humidity dependent.     

Natural history of the marsupial Thylamys macrurus (Mammalia,Didelphidae) in fragments of savannah in southwestern Brazil

The objective of this study was to furnish information on the natural history of the Neotropical marsupial Thylamys macrurus in the southern Cerrado of Brazil. A range expansion of the species was observed to the northeast of the Mato Grosso do Sul state, Brazil. Specimens were surveyed in fragments of savannah (40–600 ha) during dry and wet seasons in 2003 and 2004 with live‐trap grids and pitfall lines. With an effort of 9767 trap nights and 2200 pitfall nights, we obtained 102 captures and 49 recaptures of T. macrurus. The data analyzed (57 males and 40 females) showed that males are more abundant in the dry season and females in the wet season. Young were recorded mostly during the wet season. Thylamys macrurus was scansorial, using the floor and the understorey. Sexual dimorphism was recorded, with males being larger than females. Information on ectoparasites is supplied.     

The first record of Syncarida in Montana,USA: a new genus and species of Parabathynellidae (Crustacea,Bathynellacea) in North America

Montanabathynella salish gen. nov. sp. nov., of the family Parabathynellidae, from Montana, USA, is described. The new species displays several exclusive characters: distal endite of the maxillule with nine claws and a very large and distinctive male thoracopod 8 with four lobes in the basal penial region and a long recurved exopod without setation. It also presents a unique combination of characters: antennule seven‐segmented; antenna six‐segmented; labrum with 18 teeth; exopod of thoracopods three‐ to six‐segmented, endopod with one dorsal seta on the first and second segments and epipod only present on thoracopods 4 to 7; pleopods absent; endopod of thoracopod 8 male with two setae and exopod without setae; female thoracopod 8 having two segments, first segment with two groups of denticles and the second one with three long barbed setae; 15 spines on sympod, four spines and spinous process on endopod and 12 setae on exopod of uropod.     

Age-related body weight,fecundity and population change in a south Dorset sika population (Cervus nippon); 1985–1993

Density-related changes in performance have been documented for a number of different ungulate species, with recorded decline in body weight, fecundity and both juvenile and adult survival as population densities increase. While density-dependent responses of this kind have been explored in some detail in red, roe and fallow deer, little published information is available on demographic responses to density in European populations of sika deer (Cervus nippon). This paper offers an analysis of the dynamics of two populations of sika from the south of England from 1985–1993. Data on age-related body weights for males and females and pregnancy rates of females are taken from analysis of cull records of 321 males and 534 females culled during that 8-year period. We describe trends in body mass of adult and juvenile sika of both sexes, and consider changes in pregnancy rates of both mature and yearling females in relation to changes in relative abundance. Despite steadily increasing population density between 1985 and 1991/1992, no consistent decline was recorded in body weight or condition (as measured by % cover of kidney fat) for calves or yearlings of either sex, or for mature females. A decline in recorded body weight of adult males was not significantly correlated to ranked relative abundance. Fecundity was high (with > 90% of mature females sampled found pregnant). Most mature females found pregnant were also lactating. The proportion of animals that conceived as yearlings (72%) was lower than that recorded for more mature hinds; however there is some indication that the difference recorded may simply reflect the fact that yearlings may conceive later in the season than older animals. No significant differences were apparent in the proportion of either adult or yearling females found pregnant in different years.     

Population dynamics and reproduction of the hermit crab Calcinus gaimardii (Anomura: Diogenidae) at Inhaca Island,southern Mozambique

The population dynamics and reproduction of Calcinus gaimardii were studied at Inhaca Island, southern Mozambique. Crabs were sampled monthly from January to December 2003 in order to assess abundance, size distribution, sex ratio, reproduction and juvenile recruitment. Calcinus gaimardii is sexually dimorphic in relation to size, with males reaching larger size than females. Sex ratios were female‐biased during most months of the study period. Females were more abundant in the intermediate size classes while males outnumbered females in the largest ones. Reproduction took place year‐round with peaks of breeding activity between August and October. Likewise, juvenile recruitment was continuous for both sexes with high intensity in winter (May and June). Egg number increased with female size.     

Reproductive phenology and flower visitors' guild of Canistropsis microps (Bromeliaceae) in an Atlantic Rainforest of southeastern Brazil

The reproductive phenology and guild of the floral visitors of Canistropsis microps in an Atlantic Forest area in Ilha Grande, RJ were studied for 4 years. The rates of flowering, fruiting and mortality were related to air temperature, rainfall and photoperiod. To register the flower visitors, observations were carried out for 5 days in each reproductive season. The flowering and fruiting occurred in the rainy season and were positively related to the studied climatic variables, whereas the highest mortality rates occurred in the dry season and were negatively related to the climatic variables. The guild of floral visitors of C. microps was composed of Hymenoptera, characterizing the species as a melittophilous plant. These results indicate that the rainy season presents more favourable conditions for investment in sexual reproduction, besides being the period in which potential pollinators have larger population densities and a longer period of activity.     

Horizontal and vertical distribution of Dolichopodidae (Diptera) in a woodland ecosystem

The horizontal and vertical distribution of dolichopodid flies in a deciduous woodland ecosystem was investigated by means of white-water traps during a nearly 8-month period. Eighteen traps were installed along a light intensity/soil humidity gradient (three zones) and from 0 to 80cm high (six levels). Six environmental features were recorded on several occasions. The dolichopodid data were analysed by means of two multivariate techniques, detrended correspondence analysis (DCA) and two-way indicator species analysis (TWINSPAN). The DCA revealed four distinct species groups, which also proved to be clearly different on a broader ecological basis. The horizontal distributions in many species could be explained by the different environmental conditions in the zones. Although nearly all species were unequally distributed over the traps, their stratification patterns generally showed no significant correlation with the recorded biotic and abiotic features. It is therefore suggested that the observed vertical distributions are the results of a combination of specific and environmental characteristics.     

Relationship between environmental conditions and host-seeking activity of Ochlerotatus albifasciatus (Diptera: Culicidae) in an agroecosystem and in an urban area in Chubut,Central Patagonia,Argentina

Ochlerotatus albifasciatus is associated with aquatic environments that are frequently flooded. Awareness of blood hematophagic activity of female mosquitoes is particularly important in species which are vectors of human disease and domestic animals. The study of host-seeking activity allows us to infer the risk of transmission of these parasites. The objective of this work was to study in an agro-ecosystem and urban area of central Argentine Patagonia the relationship between the circadian rhythm of activity of host-seeking of Oc. albifasciatus, and environmental variables. During January 2003, 99 human bait catches were carried out, of which 77.8% registered at least one individual of Oc. albifasciatus. Generalised linear models were used to evaluate the relationship between Oc. albifasciatus biting activity rate and capture time, environmental humidity, air temperature, sunshine degree, wind speed, habitat type and proximity of larval habitat. The model that best explained the variation in biting activity rate included the capture time, environmental humidity, air temperature, sunshine degree and wind speed as predictor variables. Host-seeking activity was higher in the evening than in the morning or afternoon, and it was positively related to mean air temperature and environmental relative humidity (RH), but negatively to sunshine degree and wind speed. The combination of these characteristics (wind speed less than 20 km/h, environmental temperature greater than 26°C, sunshine less than 40% and (RH) greater than 50%) would provide favourable conditions to allow seeking activity and to feed on the host. The dispersion of this mosquito could be among environmental patches that present these characteristics.