Community Structure and Diversity Distributions of Small Mammals in Different Sample Plots in the Eastern Part of Wuling Mountains

Five years＇ （2000-2004） continuous study has been carried out on small mammals such as rodents in seven different sample plots, at three different altitudes and in six different ecological environment types in the eastern part of the Wuling Mountains, south bank of the Three Gorges of Yangtze River in Hubei. A total of 29 297 rat clamps/times were placed and 2271 small mammals such as rodents were captured, and 26 small mammals were captured by other means. All the small mammals captured belonged to 8 families 19 genera and 24 species, of which rodentia accounted for 70.83% and insectivora 29.17%. Through analysis of the data, the results showed that： 1 ） although the species richness had a trend of increasing along different sample plots as altitude increased from south to north, quite a few species showed a wide habitat range in a vertical distribution （ 15 species were dispersed over three zones and two species over two zones） , indicating a strong adaptability of small mammals such as rOdents at lower altitudes in most areas and comparatively less vertical span of entire mountains; 2） whether in seven different sample plots or six different ecological types, Apodemus agrarius and Rattus norvegicus were dominant species below 1200m, and Anourosorex squamipes, Niviventer confucianus and Apodemus draco were dominant above altitudes of 1300m, however, in quantity they were short of identical regularity, meaning they did not increase as the altitude did, or decrease as the ecological areas changed; 3）the density in winter was obviously greater than that in spring, and the distribution showed an increasing trend along with altitude, but the density in different sample plots was short of identical regularity, showing changes in different seasons and altitude grades had an important impact on small mammals such as rodents; 4） in species diversity and evenness index, there were obvious changes between the seven different sample plots, probably caused by frequent human interference in this area. Comparatively speaking, there was less human interference at high altitudes where vegetation was rich and had a high diversity and evenness index, and the boundary effect and community stability were obvious. Most ecological types have been seriously interfered with due to excessive assart at low altitudes with singular vegetation and low diversity and evenness index and poor community stability, showing an ecosystem with poor anti-reversion. If human interference can be reduced in those communities at high altitudes with low diversity and evenness index, the biological diversity in the communities will gradually recover to similar levels of other ecological areas.

Distributional patterns of species diversity of main plant communities along altitudinal gradient in secondary forest region,Guandi Mountain,China

Fourteen plots were chosen along with the altitude of 1600-2600 m in Guandi Mountain, Shanxi Province, China to investigate all the trees in the plots, and the species diversity indexes were calculated for analyzing the effects of altitudinal gradient on plant species diversity. The results showed that the order of dominant species from low altitude to high altitude is as Quercus liaotungensis Koidz, Pinus tabulaeformis, Betula platyphylla, B. albo-sinensis, Picea wilsonii, P. Meyeri and Larix principis-rupprechtii. With altitude increasing, the average height and DBH of the arbor firstly increase and then decrease, the maximal height and DBH of the arbor present the unimodal variable trend, the maximal height of coniferous and broad-leaved trees firstly increases and then decreases, the maximal DBH of broad-leaf trees has no clear fluctuation, and the maximal DBH of the needle-leaf trees decreases gradually. Moreover, in middle altitudinal communities （the altitude of 1900-2200 m）, the maximal height and DBH of the needle-leaf trees are larger than these of broad-leaf trees. Both Shannon-wiener index and Margalef index of the communities present the unimodal variable trend, with a peak in the mid-altitude. Plant species diversity in the mid-altitude （1900-2200 m） is higher than that of the low altitude （1600-1900 m） and the high altitude （2200-2600 m）. In addition, the unimodal variable trend of α species diversity is clearly correlated with the altitudinal gradient. The change of plant species diversity is significantly correlated with the altitudinal gradient, and also related to the community structure, the community composition, the feature of species and the human disturbance.

Diversity of Orchids in Terms of Their Distribution, Uses and Conservation in Annapurna Conservation Area of Nepal

The Annapurna Conservation Area (ACA), the first conservation area and the largest protected area (PA) in Nepal, is incredibly rich in biodiversity. Notwithstanding this, orchids in the ACA have not been explored enough yet thus making the need for ambitious research to be carried out. Previous study only included 81 species of orchids within ACA. This study aims to update the record of species and genera richness in the ACA. In total 198 species of orchids, belonging to 67 genera (40% and 62% of the total recorded orchid species and genera in Nepal) has been recorded in ACA. This represents an increase of 144% in species and 56% in genera over the previous data. Out of the 198 species, 99 were epiphytes, 6 were holomycotrophic and 93 were terrestrial. Among the 67 genera, Bulbophyllum (17) species were dominant, followed by Dendrobium (16), Herminium (10), Coelogyne, Plantanthera (9 each), Eria, Habenaria, Oberonia (8 each), Calanthe (7), and Liparis (6). Fifty-six species were found to be ornamentally significant and 85 species medicinally significant.

Diversity, Abundance and Distribution Patterns of Epibenthic Echinoderms in Dungonab Bay, Red Sea, Sudan

The abundance, distribution and diversity of epibenthic echinoderm were investigated at Dungonab Bay in the Red Sea coastal water of the Sudan. Four permanent line transects were chosen. Eight (30 × 2) square metre belt transects along each permanent line transect at 20 metre intervals were used to collect data. The data were subjected to univariate and multivariate analyses. Spatial variations of epibenthic echinoderm abundance were assessed with one-way analysis of variance. Hierarchical agglomerative clustering was used to identify and illustrate the similarities in echinoderm abundance between line transects and between belt transects. Indices of richness (d), diversity (H'), evenness (J') and dominance (C) were used to explain the diversity of epibenthic echinoderm species. The distribution pattern of each echinoderm species was determined in each permanent line transect. A total of 986 individuals were recorded within sixteen species of epibenthic echinoderms in the four line transects. Holothuriidae was the dominant family (5 species and 342 individuals). The most abundant echinoderms species was Pearsonothuria graeffei (77 individuals, about 7.81%). Abundances intra-transects and intra-families were insignificant (f = 1.67, p = 0.183, df = 3 and f = 3.24, p = 0.083, df = 9, respectively). The highest values of Shannon-Wiener diversity index (H'), Pielou evenness index (J'), Margalef species richness index (d), and Simpson Dominance index (C) were 2.738, 0.9875, 2.791 and 0.07159, respectively. The distribution patterns of all species in the study transects varied between clumped and uniform, with the exception of Asthenosoma varium of the Echinothuridae family, which had clumped distribution patterns in all transects. The study concluded that Dungonab Bay supports rich and diverse communities of epibenthic echinoderms.

Evaluating the Impacts of Human Activities on Diversity, Abundance, and Distribution of Large Mammals in Nimule National Park, South Sudan

Globally, human activities have a significant impact on the diversity, abundance, and distribution of large mammals in Protected Areas (PAs). These disturbances increase human pressure on biodiversity and species habitats, highlighting the need for conservation. This study aimed to assess the abundance and distribution of large mammals in different habitat types within Nimule National Park (NNP) and understand the impacts of human activities on them. Data on the abundance and distribution of large mammals and their respective habitat types were collected through line transect surveys. Human activity signs were observed and recorded along the transect lines. To estimate the impacts of human activities on the diversity, abundance, and distribution of large mammal species, as well as to identify any significant differences between them and their habitat types, the study utilized the Kruskal Wallis test, Polynomial multiple regressions, and diversity indices. The findings from the Shannon-Weiner and Simpson indices indicated that large mammal species were more diverse inside the park (H’ = 1.136;D = 0.570) compared to the buffer zone (H’ = 0.413;D = 0.171), with 85% (443 out of 510 samples) recorded within Nimule National Park. The species abundance showed a semi-balanced status (0.58). The diversity results among different habitat types revealed that large mammals were more diverse and highly distributed in both open woodlands (244) and dense woodlands (192), while riverine vegetation had the lowest diversity (8). Statistical tests demonstrated a highly significant difference at a 99% confidence interval (p-value = 0.01) between habitat types and identified species of large mammals. Additionally, the results highlighted the high abundance of Uganda kob (274), baboons (141), and warthog (57) across most habitat types, accounting for at least 75% of their distribution. The most prevalent human activities observed were cattle footprints (27%) and cattle dung (14%). Human footprints and tree cutting combined accounted for 9%, indicating the practice of livestock grazing, poaching, encroachment, and fuelwood collection by local communities. However, these activities did not appear to significantly impact the diversity, abundance, and distribution of large mammals in Nimule National Park. Therefore, it is crucial to foster shared responsibilities and engage relevant stakeholders in the management and conservation of large wildlife species. Regular community awareness programs should be implemented to cultivate a sense of ownership. Moreover, it is recommended that a comprehensive survey be conducted on the population status of all mammal species in Nimule National Park, including its surrounding Buffer Zone. Monitoring the impact of human activities on their behavior and habitats using satellite images should also be carried out at least every five to ten years.

Spatiotemporal distributions and environmental drivers of diversity and community structure of nosZ-type denitrifiers and anammox bacteria in sediments of the Bohai Sea and North Yellow Sea, China

Denitrification and anammox processes are major nitrogen removal processes in coastal ecosystems. However, the spatiotemporal dynamics and driving factors of the diversity and community structure of involved functional bacteria have not been well illustrated in coastal environments, especially in human-dominated ecosystems. In this study, we investigated the distributions of denitrifiers and anammox bacteria in the eutrophic Bohai Sea and the northern Yellow Sea of China in May and November of 2012 by constructing clone libraries employing nosZ and 16S rRNA gene biomarkers. The diversity of nosZ-denitrifier was much higher at the coastal sites compared with the central sites, but not significant among basins or seasons. Alphaproteobacteria were predominant and prevalent in the sediments, whereas Betaproteobacteria primarily occurred at the site near the Huanghe (Yellow) River estuary. Anammox bacteria Candidatus Scalindua was predominant in the sediments, and besides, Candidatus Brocadia and Candidatus Kuenenia were also detected at the site near the Huanghe River estuary that received strong riverine and anthropogenic impacts. Salinity was the most important in structuring communities of nosZ-denitrifier and anammox bacteria. Additionally, anthropogenic perturbations (e.g. nitrogen overloading and consequent high primary productivity, and heavy metal discharges) contributed significantly to shaping community structures of denitrifier and anammox bacteria, suggesting that anthropogenic activities would influence and even change the ecological function of coastal ecosystems.

Microbial Community Diversity and Vertical Distribution in a Columnar Sediment of Maluku Strait

The sediment samples were collected from Maluku Strait at a depth of 1250 m, which is influenced by Mindanao Current and Indonesian Throughflow. Based on 16S rRNA clone libraries, the community structure and vertical distribution of archaea and bacteria were studied in a columnar sediment of 2m in length. From the surface sediment, 16S sequences were derived from fourteen bacterial phyla (Gammaproteobacteria, Planctomycetes, Alphaproteobacteria, Deltproteobacteria were dominant), but were limited to two groups of archaea: Crenarchaeota (99%) and Euryarchaeota (1%). Besides, 90% of the archaea clones were ammonia oxidation-related which indicated that the ammonia-oxidizing archaea might make a significant contribution to the chemosynthesis in the surface sediment. Contrastively in the bottom sediment, six bacterial phylogenetic groups were obtained (Gammaproteobacteria and Firmicutes were absolutely dominant), however no archaea 16S rRNA was detected. The microbial diversity of surface sediment was much higher than the bottom and seven unique bacterial phyla were obtained from two sediment respectively. The geochemical elements analysis revealed that the content of C, TOC and S in the surface sediment was much higher than the bottom, but the content of P is contrary. The microbial communities might be in response to the geochemical substance transfer and deposit influenced by the ocean current and it deserves further study compared with the other sediment samples in this area.

Community structure and species diversity dynamics of a subtropical evergreen broad-leaved forest in China:2005 to 2020

Here,we characterize the temporal and spatial dynamics of forest community structure and species diversity in a subtropical evergreen broad-leaved forest in China.We found that community structure in this forest changed over a 15-year period.Specifically,renewal and death of common species was large,with the renewal of individuals mainly concentrated within a few populations,especially those of Aidia canthioides and Cryptocarya concinna.The numbers of individual deaths for common species were concentrated in the small and mid-diameter level.The spatial distribution of community species diversity fluctuated in each monitoring period,showing a more dispersed diversity after the 15-year study period,and the coefficient of variation on quadrats increased.In 2010,the death and renewal of the community and the spatial variation of species diversity were different compared to other survey years.Extreme weather may have affected species regeneration and community stability in our subtropical monsoon evergreen broad-leaved forests.Our findings suggest that strengthening the monitoring and management of the forest community will help better understand the long-and short-term causes of dynamic fluctuations of community structure and species diversity,and reveal the factors that drive changes in community structure.

Spatiotemporal Distributions of Bacterioplankton Communities in the Qiantang River(Hangzhou Section),China

The spatial and temporal distribution of bacterioplankton communities plays a vital role in understanding the ecological dynamics and health of aquatic ecosystems.In this study,we conducted a comprehensive investigation of the bacterioplankton communities in the Qiantang River(Hangzhou section).Water samples were collected quarterly from seven sites over a one-year period.Physical and chemical parameters,including dissolved oxygen(DO),water temperature(WT),chemical oxygen demand(COD),nitrite(NO_(2)^(-)),active phosphate(PO_(4)^(3-))and other indices were determined.In this study,theαdiversity,βdiversity and abundance differences of bacterial communities were investigated using 16S rRNA high-throughput sequencing analysis.The spatial and temporal distribution characteristics and main driving factors of the bacterioplankton community structure and diversity were discussed.The results showed that a total of 57 phyla were detected in the bacterioplankton community,among which Proteobacteria and Actinomycetes were the two dominant groups with the highest relative abundance.The results of PCoA based on Bray-Curtis distance showed that the sampling season had a slightly greater effect on the changes in bacterioplankton community structure in the Qiantang River.Mantel and partial Mantel test showed that environmental variables(Mantel r=0.6739,P<0.0001;partial Mantel r=0.507,P=0.0001)were more important than geographical distance(Mantel r=0.5322,P<0.001;partial Mantel r=0.1563,P=0.001).The distance attenuation model showed that there was significant distance attenuation in all four seasons,and the maximum limit of bacterial community diffusion was found in spring.RDA analysis showed that nine environmental factors,including COD,WT and DO,significantly affected community distribution(P<0.05).This study provides valuable insights into the spatial and temporal distribution characteristics of bacterioplankton communities,shedding light on their ecological roles in the Qiantang River.The information obtained can guide future research on the interactions between bacterioplankton and their environment,enabling the development of effective conservation strategies and sustainable management practices for aquatic ecosystems.

Analysis of Microbial Community Structure and Diversity in Crop Rhizosphere Soil Based on Illumina NovaSeq Sequencing Platform

[Objectives]To make full use of crop rhizosphere microbial resources.[Methods]Illumina NovaSeq sequencing platform was used to analyze the richness and diversity of microbial community structure in rhizosphere soil of rice and maize crops in Baitu Town,Gaoyao District,Zhaoqing City.[Results]A total of 14936 OTUs of bacteria and 1905 OTUs of fungi were obtained from three samples of rice rhizosphere soil,and 13437 OTUs of bacteria and 1413 OTUs of fungi were obtained from three samples of maize rhizosphere soil.The diversity and richness of bacterial communities were higher than those of fungi.There are differences in soil bacterial and fungal communities among different crop samples.The analysis of species with bacteria difference at genus level among crop rhizosphere soil samples showed that 18 genera with significant differences were obtained from 6 samples;species analysis of fungi at the genus level showed that 3 genera with significant differences were obtained from 6 samples.[Conclusions]The research results of this paper have positive significance for the development and utilization of soil resources in Zhaoqing City and the full exploitation of rice and maize rhizosphere microbial resources.

Mapping and Floristic Diversity of the Nakpadjouak Community Forest, Tami Canton, Togo (West Africa)

Since 2015, community forests have been promoted in Togo as an alternative to protect areas from degradation and as a means of contributing to forest landscape restoration. The study focuses on the Nakpadjouak Community Forest (NCF) in Tami (Togo, West Africa) which contributes to community forests sustainable management. It aims in (i) mapping forest ecosystems and analysing their dynamic and (ii) characterizing the floristic diversity of the NCF. The ecosystems were mapped and their dynamic was evaluated based on Google Earth images of 2014 and 2020. Floristic and forestry inventories were carried out using the transect technique in a sample of 20 plots of 50 m × 20 m. The NCF was made up mainly by wooded/shrub savannahs (95.37%) and croplands/fallow (4.63%) in 2014. These two land use types undergone changes over the 6 years prior to 2020. By 2020, the NCF had 3 land use types: wooded/shrub savannahs (77.59%), open forest/wooded savannahs (22.23%), and croplands/fallows (0.18%). A total of 89 plant species belonging to 70 genera and 28 families were recorded within the NCF. The dominant species are: Heteropogon contortus (L.) P.Beauv. and Combretum collinum Fresen. followed by Pteleopsissuberosa Engl. & Diels, Annona senegalensis Pers. The most common species are: Lannea acida A.Rich. s.l., A. senegalensis, Vitellaria paradoxa C.F.Gaertner subsp. paradoxa, C. collinum and Acacia dudgeonii Craib ex Holland. Due to its small area of just 40 hectares and its diverse plant life, this community forest of Savannahs Region is a significant biodiversity hotspot and warrants conservation efforts.

Elevational changes in vascular plants richness, diversity, and distribution pattern in Abune Yosef mountain range, Northern Ethiopia

The aim of this research is to investigate the patterns of vascular plant species richness,diversity,and distribution along an elevation gradient in the Abune Yosef mountain range,Ethiopia.Preferential systematic sampling was employed to collect vegetation and environmental data along the elevation gradient.We found that plant species richness declines monotonically from low to high elevations.Specifically,vascular plant species richness and diversity were lower in the Afroalpine grassland(high elevation)than in the Dry evergreen Afromontane forest and Ericaceous forest(low elevations).In contrast,endemic vascular plant richness was significantly higher in the Afroalpine grassland than in the Dry evergreen Afromontane forest and Ericaceous forest.Elevation showed a significant impact on the richness,diversity,and endemism of vascular plants.According to Sorensen's coefficient,the similarity between Dry evergreen Afromontane forest and Ericaceous forest vegetation types is higher(32%)than the similarity between Ericaceous forest and Afroalpine grassland(18%).Only 5%similarity was recorded between the Dry evergreen Afromontane forest and Afroalpine grassland.Growth forms showed different elevationai richness patterns.Trees and liana increased monotonically up to 3300 m.Shrub and herb richness patterns followed a hump-shaped and inverted hump-shaped pattern along the elevation gradient.The elevation patterns of vascular plant species richness,diversity,and growth form in the present study may be attributed to differences in management intensity,spatial heterogeneity,microclimatic variations,and anthropogenic disturbances.

Diversity and distribution of soil micro-fungi along an elevation gradient on the north slope of Changbai Mountain

Elevational changes in patterns of diversity are important to understanding of the influence of global changes, yet few studies have addressed the distribution of microorganisms, e.g. soil micro-fungi. We studied the diversity of the forest soil micro-fungi in four vegetation belts along an elevation gradient on the north slope of Changbai Mountain in Changbai National Nature Reserve. The four belts were characterized as coniferous-deciduous mixed forest, coniferous forest, Erman's birch forest, and alpine tundra. We estimated the quantity and distribution of the fungal species in each belt and calculated three indices, viz. Shannon-Wiener diversity (H'), Pielou's evenness (J'), and Margalef's abundance (E), to depict fungal species diversity. A total of 932 strains were recorded and identified, representing 53 genera, and 108 species. Among these, Penicillium, Aspergillus, Trichoderma, Mucor, Rhizopus and Fusarium were the dominant genera. With increasing elevation, the quantity of fungi and values of H', E, and J' gradually declined.

Genetic structure associated with diversity and geographic distribution in the USDA rice world collection

Cultivated rice (Oryza sativa L.) is structured into five genetic groups, indica, aus, tropical japonica, temperate japonica and aromatic. Genetic characterization of rice germplasm collections will enhance their utilization by the global research community for improvement of rice. The USDA world collection of rice germ-plasm that was initiated in 1904 has resulted in over 18,000 accessions from 116 countries, but their ancestry information is not available. A core subset, including 1,763 accessions repre-senting the collection, was genotyped using 72 genome-wide SSR markers, and analyzed for genetic structure, genetic relationship, global distribution and genetic diversity. Ancestry analysis proportioned this collection to 35% indica, 27% temperate japonica, 24% tropical japonica, 10% aus and 4% aromatic. Graphing model-based ancestry coefficients demon-strated that tropical japonica showed up mainly in the American continents and part of the South Pacific and Oceania, and temperate japonica in Europe and the North Pacific far from the equator, which matched the responses to tem-perature. Indica is adapted to the warm areas of Southern Asia, South China, Southeast Asia, South Pacific and Central Africa and around the equator while aus and aromatic are special types of rice that concentrates in Bangladesh and India. Indica and aus were highly diversified while temperate and tropical japonicas had low diversity, indicated by average alleles and pri-vate alleles per locus. Aromatic has the most polymorphic information content. Indica and aromatic were genetically closer to tropical ja-ponica than temperate japonica. This study of global rice has found significant population stratification generally corresponding to major geographic regions of the world.

Species Diversity and Elevational Distribution of Amphibians in the Xianxialing and Wuyishan Mountain Ranges,Southeastern China

The species diversity and altitudinal distribution of amphibians along an eleva tional gradient of 200-1600 m in the Xianxialing and Wuyishan Mountain Ranges in Southeastern China were investiga ted through time-constra ined visual surveys along 32 transect lines in 9 survey areas,in which the ha bitat types were also recorded.A total of 27 amphibian species belonging to 19 genera,7 families,and 2 orders were found.The species diversity of the amphibians plateaued at low elevation,and the altitudinal boundary of their distribution was at 800 m.Their species compositions were dissimilar in the two mountain ranges probably beca use the annual average temperature and annual rainfall were different in both areas.The eleva tional Rapoport's rule demonstrated that the species range size of the amphibians expanded as the elevation increased in both mountain ranges.The results of the cross species method supported the rule only when the influence of the low-frequency occurrence proba bility of an investigated species was excluded,whereas those of the Steven's method strongly corroborated the rule rega rdless of the incidental occurrence or absence of the species.

Diversity and Distribution of Host Animal Species of Hantavirus and Risk to Human Health in Jiuhua Mountain Area,China

Objective To investigate the diversity and the distribution of host animal species of hantavirus and the effect on human health in Jiuhua Mountain area,China.Methods The host animal species of hantavirus was surveyed by using the trap method and the species diversity was evaluated by using the Simpson,Shannon-Weaner,and Pielou indices.Hantavirus antigens or antibodies in lung and blood samples of all the captured host animals were detected by direct or indirect immunofluorescence.Results Nine animal species of hantavirus were distributed in the forest ecosystem of Jiuhua Mountain.Of these,Niviventer confucianus and Apodemus agrarius were predominant,and N.confucianus,Rattus norvegicus,and Mus musculus had relatively large niche breadth index values.The host animals in the eastern and western mountain regions shared similar biodiversity index characteristics,predominant species,and species structures.Hantavirus was detected in 5 host animal species in Jiuhua Mountain area,the carriage rate of hantavirus was 6.03%.The average density of host animals in forest areas of the mountainous area was only 2.20%,and the virus infection rate in the healthy population was 2.33%.Conclusion The circulation of hantavirus was low in the forest areas of Jiuhua Mountain and did not pose a threat to human health.

Phytogeographical Distribution and Fruit Diversity of <i>Lagenaria siceraria</i>Species in Nigeria

Phytogeographical distribution and fruit diversity of Lagenaria siceraria (Mol.) Standl species in Nigeria were accessed. Information on the distribution and fruit diversity was sourced from three herbaria, Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria Herberia, University of Port Harcourt Herberia and the University of Ibadan Herberia. A field survey across fifteen states in Nigeria namely Kaduna, Kano, Plateau, Oyo, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Taraba, Bayelsa and Enugu, Ebonyi, Ondo, Ogun, Kwara Anambra and Rivers State. A total of twenty-four fruit shapes were accessed. The diversity of fruit shapes across the geographical regions of Nigeria shows that the Guinea savannah has all the twenty-four different landraces represented, while Tropical rain forest has nineteen, Sudan savannah has seventeen and Freshwater swamp and the Saltwater swamp has eleven different fruit shapes respectively. The fruits of Lagenaria siceraria (Mol) Standl is considered a topocline since it is not affected only by environmental factors but possess a wide distribution pattern across the geographical regions of Nigeria.

Geographical Distribution and Diversity History of Late Cambrian and Ordovician Gastropods in China

1 Introduction Gastropods are one of the most diverse groups in the living animals.The rich,long-ranging and extensive occurrences of gastropod fossils make them a unique animal group for evolutionary,ecologic,and biogeographic studies(Fryda and Rohr,2004).As a major component of shallow-water benthic fauna.

Distribution and Diversity of Candida tropicalis Strains in Different Marine Environments

1089 strains of yeasts were obtained from seawater,sea sediments,mud of sea salterns,guts of marine fishes,mangroveplants and marine algae.The results of routine identification and molecular analysis methods show that 44 strains among the marineyeasts obtained in this study belong to Candida tropicalis,which may indicate its wide distribution in different environment,especially in the tropical and subtropical marine environment.The wide distribution of C.tropicalis indicates that it may play an important role in marine environment and the marine environment in turn is a good source for obtaining C.tropicalis.

Species Distribution, Diversity, and Abundance of Sea Cucumbers in Tropical Intertidal Zones of Aurora, Philippines

The distribution, diversity, and abundance of sea cucumbers in intertidal zones of Aurora were studied from February to June 2013 to obtain baseline data. A one-hour timed-search survey covering an approximate one kilometer over a ten-meter wide area was conducted in six coastal municipalities to obtain a comprehensive list of sea cucumber species found in the zones. Only four sampling stations (Baler, Dipaculao, Dilasag, and Dingalan) were selected for belt transect survey, 50 × 50 m, based on the availability of coralline, sandy, muddy sand, and rocky habitats which were laid perpendicular and parallel to each intertidal zone. Timed-search survey revealed a total of 15 species of sea cucumbers distributed among two Orders (Order Aspidochirotida and Order Apodida) and four Families (Family Holothuriidae, Family Stichopodidae, Family Synaptidae, and Family Chirotidae) were recorded. Synapta maculata is most common and has widespread distribution. Belt-tranect surveys showed Holothuria leucospilota is among the most frequently occurring species both during day time (58%) and night time (75%). The Dilasag sampling station had the most diverse species (0.71) while the Dipaculao sampling station had the densest species of Holothuria leucospilota (10,014 in∙ha−1) and abundant (95.91%) species.