The content and distribution of acid-volatile sulfide (AVS) and simultaneously extracted metals (SEM) (Cr Cu, Zn, Cd and Pb) were studied in surface sediments collected from the tidal fiat of Donghai Island, Zha...The content and distribution of acid-volatile sulfide (AVS) and simultaneously extracted metals (SEM) (Cr Cu, Zn, Cd and Pb) were studied in surface sediments collected from the tidal fiat of Donghai Island, Zhanjiang. The results indicated that for most stations, the AVS concentration was higher in summer with the average of 0.449 μmol/g than that in winter with the average of 1.816 μmol/g. The AVS contents were higher in southern and northern areas and lower in western and eastern areas. The average content of ∑SEM was between 0.56 μmol/g and 4.60 μmol/g in summer and between 0.65μmol/g and 2.21 μmol/g in winter. The concentration change of single metal was Zn〉Cr〉Pb〉Cu〉Cd for most stations. The content percentage in ∑ SEM was below 1% for Cd and over 70% for Zn. SEMZn was the key pattern to control the distribution of T. SEM due to its high concentration percentage. Based on the assessment methods of (∑SEM/AVS) with (∑ SEM-AVS) and thresholds for metal toxicity to benthic organism, most values of (∑ SEM-AVS) in intertidal flats of Donghai Island were between 0 and 5. The most toxicity region was in Tongminghai area located in the west tidal zone of Donghai Island, and the most toxicity metal was zinc in Tongminghai area in summer. The land-based pollution and the environmental parameters such as sunlight, atmosphere temperature and hydrodynamic characteristics were the main affecting factors on the content level and distribution characteristics of AVS and SEM in intertidal sediments of Donghai Island.展开更多
Spartina alterniflora Loisel, a species vegetating in intertidal flats along the eastern coast of the United States, was introduced in China almost 30 years ago and has become an urgent topic due to its invasiveness i...Spartina alterniflora Loisel, a species vegetating in intertidal flats along the eastern coast of the United States, was introduced in China almost 30 years ago and has become an urgent topic due to its invasiveness in the coastal zone of China. The impacts of this alien species S. alterniflora on intertidal ecosystem processes in the Jiangsu coastland were investigated by comparing the sediment nutrient availability and trace element concentration characteristics in a mud flat and those of a four-year old Spartina salt marsh that had earlier been a mudflat. At each study site, fifteen plots were sampled in different seasons to determine the sediment characteristics along the tidal flats. The results suggested that Spartina salt marsh sediments had significantly higher total N, available P, and water content, but lower pH and bulk density than mudflat sediments. Sediment salinity, water content, total N, organic C, and available P decreased along a seaward gradient in the Spartina salt marsh and increased with vegetation biomass. Furthermore, the concentrations of trace elements and some metal elements in the sediment were higher under Spartina although these increases were not significant. Also, in the Spartina marsh, some heavy metals were concentrated in the surface layer of the sediment. The Spartina salt marsh in this study was only four years old; therefore, it is suggested that further study of this allen species on a longer time frame in the Jiangsu coastland should be carried out.展开更多
Although concerns about harvesting levels of the American Horseshoe Crab, Limulus polyphemus have prompted increased research into its ecology, current understanding of the species' foraging ecology is mostly limited...Although concerns about harvesting levels of the American Horseshoe Crab, Limulus polyphemus have prompted increased research into its ecology, current understanding of the species' foraging ecology is mostly limited to mid-Atlantic populations. This study elucidates the spatial and temporal pattern of Limulus foraging on an intertidal mudflat of a northern New Eng- land estuary. A novel survey method was used to monitor Limulus foraging activity without disturbing the sediment. A fixed 50 mx2 m transect was monitored with monthly surveys of the number of Limulus feeding pits from June to October 2009, May and June 2010. Snorkelling surveys were also carried out to observe individual behavior and examine the spatial scale of activity of individual animals. Results showed frequent and intensive use of the mudflat by foraging Limulus. Limulus were actively foraging within the survey area during all months surveyed. Foraging patterns exhibited a seasonal pattern with activity levels peaking in August 2009 and increased significantly towards the end of the study in June 2010. It was also shown that Limulus intertidal foraging persisted and peaked after the spring breeding season. Observations of foraging Limulus revealed that individual predators dig multiple pits within a single high tide, with little disturbance to the sediment in between. In addition to altering the perception of Limulus as a subtidal predator outside of the breeding season, findings from this study suggests a segregation of spawning and feeding habitats, thus underscoring the need to consider a wider range of critical habitats in the management of Limulus populations展开更多
A new species of free-living nematode, Pseudolella major sp. nov. is described from the intertidal mudflats of Ximen Island in the East China Sea. Pseudolella major sp. nov. is characterized as follows: body length -...A new species of free-living nematode, Pseudolella major sp. nov. is described from the intertidal mudflats of Ximen Island in the East China Sea. Pseudolella major sp. nov. is characterized as follows: body length -1 300 μm; short cephalic setae, 2-3μm long; amphidial fovea loop-shaped with elongated ventral branch; ventral branch 50-60 μm long and extending past the base of buccal cavity; buccal cavity cylindrical with arching or spherical base; three heavy outwardly-curving odontia with blunt tips located at anterior of buccal cavity; pharynx short with posterior bulb; ventral gland cell elongate oval-shaped, located posterior to pharyngo-intestinal junction; excretory pore situated at the level of the middle of buccal cavity; tail conical to cylindrical; spicules arched, with double-cephalate proximal end; gubemaculum with a strong dorsal caudal apophysis.展开更多
From April 2008 to November 2009, the nitrogen (N) cycle of plant-soil system in seepweed (Suaeda salsa) wetland in the intertidal zone of the Huanghe (Yellow) River estuary was studied. Results showed that soil...From April 2008 to November 2009, the nitrogen (N) cycle of plant-soil system in seepweed (Suaeda salsa) wetland in the intertidal zone of the Huanghe (Yellow) River estuary was studied. Results showed that soil N had sig- nificant seasonal fluctuations and vertical distribution, and the net N mineralization rates in topsoil were significantly different in growing season (p 〈 0.01). The N/P ratio (9.87 ±1.23) of S. salsa was less than 14, indicating that plant growth was limited by N. The N accumulated in S. salsa litter at all times during decomposition, which was ascribed to the N immobilization by microbes from the environment. Soil organic N was the main N stock of plant-soil system, accounting for 97.35% of the total N stock. The N absorption and utilization coefficients of S. salsa were very low (0.0145 and 0.3844, respectively), while the N cycle coefficient was high (0.7108). The results of the N turnovers among compartments of S. salsa wetland showed that the N uptake amount of aboveground part and root were 7.764 g/m2and 4.332 g/m2, respectively. The N translocation amounts from aboveground part to root and from root to soil were 3.881 g/m2 and 0.626 g/m2, respectively. The N translocation amount from aboveground living body to litter was 3.883 g/m2, the annual N return amount from litter to soil was more than 0.125(-) g/m2 (minus represented immobili- zation), and the net N mineralization amount in topsoil (0-15 cm) in growing season was 1.190 g/m2. The assessment of N biological cycle status orS. salsa wetland indicated that N was a very important limiting factor and the ecosystem was situated in unstable and vulnerable status. The S. salsa was seemingly well adapted to the low-nutrient status and vulnerable habitat, and the N quantitative relationships determined in the compartment model might provide scientific base for us to reveal the special adaptive strategy orS. salsa to the vulnerable habitat in the following studies.展开更多
This study is part of the endeavor to construct a comprehensive DNA barcoding database for common seaweeds in China. Identifications of red seaweeds, which have simple morphology and anatomy, are sometimes difficult s...This study is part of the endeavor to construct a comprehensive DNA barcoding database for common seaweeds in China. Identifications of red seaweeds, which have simple morphology and anatomy, are sometimes difficult solely depending on morphological characteristics. In recent years, DNA barcode technique has become a more and more effective tool to help solve some of the taxonomic difficulties. Some DNA markers such as COI(cytochrome oxidase subunit I) are proposed as standardized DNA barcodes for all seaweed species. In this study, COI, UPA (universal plastid amplicon, domain V of 23S rRNA), and ITS (nuclear internal transcribed spacer) were employed to analyze common species of intertidal red seaweeds in Qingdao (119.3°-121°E, 35.35°-37.09°N). The applicability of using one or a few combined barcodes to identify red seaweed species was tested. The results indicated that COI is a sensitive marker at species level. However, not all the tested species gave PCR amplification products due to lack of the universal primers. The second barcode UPA had effective universal primers but needed to be tested for the effectiveness of resolving closely related species. More than one ITS sequence types were found in some species in this investigation, which might lead to confusion in further analysis. Therefore ITS sequence is not recommended as a universal barcode for seaweeds identification.展开更多
Denitrification and nitrate reduction to ammonium in Taihu Lake and Yellow Sea inter-tidal marinesediments were studied. The sediment samples were made into slurry containing 150 g dry matter per liter.Various amounts...Denitrification and nitrate reduction to ammonium in Taihu Lake and Yellow Sea inter-tidal marinesediments were studied. The sediment samples were made into slurry containing 150 g dry matter per liter.Various amounts of glucose and 5 mmol L-1 of potassium nitrate were added in order to achieve differentratios of glucose-C to nitrate-N. Acetylene inhibition technique was applied to measure denitrification in theslumes. All samples were incubated anaerobically under argon atmosphere. Data showed that Taihu Lakesediment produced more N2O than marine sediment. Denitrification potential was higher in Taihu Lakesediment than in marne one. Glucose added increased denitrification activity but not the denitrification po-tential of the sediments. Dissimilatory nitrate reduction to ammonium seemed to occur in marine sediment,but not in freshwater one. When the marine sediment was treated with 25 mmol L-1 glucose, its denitrification poteatial, as indicated by maximum N2O production by acetylene blockage, was lower than that treatedwith no or 2.5 mmol L-l glucose. Acetylene was suspected to have inhibitory effect on dissimilatory nitratereduction to ammonium.展开更多
The community structure of intertidal macrobenthos in Changdao Archipelago(north of Shandong Peninsula,between Bohai Bay and the northern Yellow Sea) was examined based on samples collected from 14 stations in five tr...The community structure of intertidal macrobenthos in Changdao Archipelago(north of Shandong Peninsula,between Bohai Bay and the northern Yellow Sea) was examined based on samples collected from 14 stations in five transects in June 2007.Three stations corresponding to high,medium and low tidal areas were set up for each transect.A total of 68 macrobenthic species were found in the research region,most of which belonged to Mollusca and Crustacea.The average abundance and biomass of the macrobenthos was 1 383 ind./m2 and 372.41 g/m2,respectively.The use of an arbitrary similarity level of 20% resulted in identification of five groups among the 14 stations in the research region.There were remarkable differences in the biomass,abundance and Shannon-Wiener diversity index of the different sediments.Specifically,the order of biomass was rocky shores > gravel > mud-sand > coarse sand > stiff mud,while the order of abundance was rocky shores > coarse sand > mud-sand > gravel > stiff mud,and that of the diversity index was mud-sand > gravel > stiff mud > rocky shores > coarse sand.The above results revealed that the sediment type was the most important factor affecting the structure of the macrobenthic community of the intertidal zone.展开更多
In this study,the distribution pattern of meiofauna from nine sandy beaches at six latitudinal gradients along Chinese coast between 18 and 40?N was studied on their meiofauna abundance to examine the effect of latitu...In this study,the distribution pattern of meiofauna from nine sandy beaches at six latitudinal gradients along Chinese coast between 18 and 40?N was studied on their meiofauna abundance to examine the effect of latitudinal gradients.In general,meiofauna abundance was lower in four subtropical beaches in Xiamen(24?N) and Zhoushan(29?N) than that in other beaches.Meiofauna abundance differed little between tropical and temperate beaches.The taxonomic structure of meiofauna showed a dominance of nematode in colder area.The relative composition of turbellarians and polychaetes increased in warmer area.In addition to latitudinal gradient,salinity,oxygenation,sediment grain size affect also the meiofauna latitudinal distribution.As for horizontal distribution,the highest meiofauna abundance was found in low tidal zone at tropical beaches,and in middle tidal zone at temperate beaches.The horizontal distribution of meiofauna was controlled by both physical and biotic factors including feeding and anthropogenic activities.Although meiofauna abundance exhibited a horizontal difference,the composition of meiofaunal main taxa was unanimous horizontally at all beaches at the same sampling latitude.展开更多
Based on stable isotope analysis, we characterized the dietary regime of the Manila clam Ruditapesphilippinarum inhabiting intertidal areas along the Liaodong Peninsula, Northern China. Samples, including particulate ...Based on stable isotope analysis, we characterized the dietary regime of the Manila clam Ruditapesphilippinarum inhabiting intertidal areas along the Liaodong Peninsula, Northern China. Samples, including particulate organic matter (POM; n=30), benthic microalgae (BMI; n=30) and R. philippinarum (n=60), were collected from six sampling sites displaying the same ecological conditions. Of the two primary food sources, POM was more depleted in δ13C (-20.61‰ to -22.89%0) than BMI was (-13.90‰ to -16.66‰). With respect to 15N, BMI was more enriched (2.90%0 to 4.07%0) than POM was (4.13‰ to 5.12‰). The δ13C values of R. philippinarum ranged from -18.78‰ to -19.35‰ and the δ15N values from 7.96%0 to 8.63‰, which were intermediate between the POM and BMI values. In a two-source isotope mixing model, we estimated the relative contributions of POM and BMI to the diet ofR. philippinarum to be 74.2% and 25.8%, respectively. We conclude that R. philippinarum feeds mainly on POM, and BMI is also an important supplemental food source in intertidal areas.展开更多
Meiofauna samples from intertidal sediments of Qingdao No.2 Bathing Beach, China, were collected for field study, and subjected to organic enrichment in a laboratory microcosm experiment for 21 d. There were three dif...Meiofauna samples from intertidal sediments of Qingdao No.2 Bathing Beach, China, were collected for field study, and subjected to organic enrichment in a laboratory microcosm experiment for 21 d. There were three different treatments including non-organic addition as the control, low-organic enrichment (2 g DW green algae per 150 mL) and high-organic enrichment (10 g DW green algae per 150 mL). After 21 d, the meiofauna richness decreased in both organic enrichment treatments. Among the three treatments, total meiofauna abundance was significantly different, and the control groups had higher abundance than the other two treatment groups. However, the responses of the meiofauna abundance in the two organic enrichment treatments were non-significantly different. The relationship of meiofaunal abundance and nematode/copepod ratios to organic matter and oxygen level in the microcosm experiments were discussed.展开更多
Historical records of metal inputs were studied by using a sediment core collected from a sand-rich mudflat in the Qinjiang River estuary, China. 210Pb chronology was used to reconstruct the fluxes of Hg, Cu, Pb, Zn, ...Historical records of metal inputs were studied by using a sediment core collected from a sand-rich mudflat in the Qinjiang River estuary, China. 210Pb chronology was used to reconstruct the fluxes of Hg, Cu, Pb, Zn, Cd, Cr and As to the core site during the last 86 years. Based on the constant initial concentration model, the sedimentation rates are 1.18 cm year-1 in the top 30 cm sandy layer and 0.92 cm year-1 in the muddy bottom layer. To compensate for grain-size and mineralogy effects on metal concentra-tions, aluminum was used as the normalizing element. The enrichment factors (EF) indicate that the natural inputs had prevailed up to the early 1980s. After this period, the intensity of human activities has resulted in continual increasing trend of metals towards the surface. Recent sediment samples from the Qinjiang River estuary are found moderately enriched by Cd (EF>1.5) and slightly enriched by other metals (EF<1.5). Considering that the drainage area of the Qinjiang River is mostly agricultural land, the increased Cd may be due to the usage of fertilizers and pesticides in agricultural activities and the combustion of fossil fuels.展开更多
In this study,we integrated a DNA barcoding project with an ecological survey on intertidal polychaete communities and investigated the utility of CO1 gene sequence as a DNA barcode for the classification of the inter...In this study,we integrated a DNA barcoding project with an ecological survey on intertidal polychaete communities and investigated the utility of CO1 gene sequence as a DNA barcode for the classification of the intertidal polychaetes.Using 16S rDNA as a complementary marker and combining morphological and ecological characterization,some of dominant and common polychaete species from Chinese coasts were assessed for their taxonomic status.We obtained 22 haplotype gene sequences of 13 taxa,including 10 CO1 sequences and 12 16S rDNA sequences.Based on intra-and inter-specific distances,we built phylogenetic trees using the neighbor-joining method.Our study suggested that the mitochondrial CO1 gene was a valid DNA barcoding marker for species identification in polychaetes,but other genes,such as 16S rDNA,could be used as a complementary genetic marker.For more accurate species identification and effective testing of species hypothesis,DNA barcoding should be incorporated with morphological,ecological,biogeographical,and phylogenetic information.The application of DNA barcoding and molecular identification in the ecological survey on the intertidal polychaete communities demonstrated the feasibility of integrating DNA taxonomy and ecology.展开更多
Fish communities in a (third-order) intertidal creek in Dongtan marsh in the Changjiang (Yangtze) River estuary were investigated seasonally for one year. A total of 1 996 fish specimens (10 967.8 g) comprising ...Fish communities in a (third-order) intertidal creek in Dongtan marsh in the Changjiang (Yangtze) River estuary were investigated seasonally for one year. A total of 1 996 fish specimens (10 967.8 g) comprising 26 species and 15 families were collected. Abundances of fish communities in the intertidal salt marsh creek were primarily dominated by Boleophthalmus pectinirostris (19.8%), Collichthys lucidus (18.6%), Periophthalmus magnuspinnatus (18.2%), Liza haematocheilus (17.9%), and secondarily by Mugilogobius abel (8.5%), L. carinatus (7.2%), Odontamblyopus lacepedii (4.3%), and Acanthogobius ommaturus (3.9%); another 18 species were present only occasionally. Non-MDS ordination and SIMPER analysis indicated that there were two fish communities in the intertidal salt marsh creek. In spring, the communities were dominated by B. pectinirostris, P. magnuspinnatus, C. lucidus and M. abei; in summer, autumn, and winter by L. haematocheilus, L. carinatus, A. ommaturus and O. lacepedii. Some species showed strong habitat selection; L. carinatus and P magnuspinnatus were distributed mainly in the upper and middle creek, while B. pectinirostris, M. abei and O. lacepedii inhabited the middle and lower creek. The study indicated that the salt marshes of the Changjiang River estuary are an important nursery and feeding habitat for many fishes and should be protected.展开更多
Based on the investigation on shellfish resources from the intertidal zone to subtidal zone of Fenjiezhou Island,Hainan during 2012-2014,the quantity,species,ecological distribution and floristic characters of shellfi...Based on the investigation on shellfish resources from the intertidal zone to subtidal zone of Fenjiezhou Island,Hainan during 2012-2014,the quantity,species,ecological distribution and floristic characters of shellfish from the intertidal zone to subtidal zone of Fenjiezhou Island were analyzed.The results showed that a total of 137 shellfish species were found in Fenjiezhou Island,and they belonged to 4 classes [Polyplacophora(1 species),Gastropoda(94 species),Bivalvia(40species),Cephalopoda(2 species)],13 orders and 44 families.Among the families,Cypraeidae included 11 species,Muricacea included 9 species,Veneracea included9 species,Conidae included 8 species,Strombidae included 6 species,Cymatiidae included 6 species,and the other families all included less than 5 species.According to the characteristics of the components,most of the species belonged to the tropical or subtropical region,and they had a close relationship with coral reef.According to the floristic characters,the shellfish in Fenjiezhou Island belonged to the Indonesia-Malayan Subregion of Indo-West Pacific Region.展开更多
A new species of free-living marine nematode is described from intertidal sediment of the East China Sea.The new species belongs to the Oncholaimidae family.Oncholaimus zhangi sp.nov.is characterized by males having a...A new species of free-living marine nematode is described from intertidal sediment of the East China Sea.The new species belongs to the Oncholaimidae family.Oncholaimus zhangi sp.nov.is characterized by males having a large ventral swelling situated just posterior to the middle of the tail,no precloacal papilla,and a row of 6–7 ventral genital setae.The tails of both males and females are similar,being conico-cylindrical in shape.The new species is distinguished from other closely related species by the presence of a prominent ventral swelling at the tail of males and a similar tail shape in both sexes.About 110valid species in this genus have been recorded to date.展开更多
A total of 142 specimens of Ceramiales (Rhodophyta) were collected each month from October 2011 to November 2012 in the intertidal zone of the northwestern Yellow Sea. These specimens covered 21 species, 14 genera, ...A total of 142 specimens of Ceramiales (Rhodophyta) were collected each month from October 2011 to November 2012 in the intertidal zone of the northwestern Yellow Sea. These specimens covered 21 species, 14 genera, and four families. Cluster analyses show that the specimens had a high diversity for the three DNA markers, namely, partial large subunit rRNA gene (LSU), universal plastid amplicon (UPA), and partial mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene (COl). No intraspecific divergence was found in our collection for these markers, except for a 1-3 bp divergence in the COI of Ceramium kondoi, Syrnphyocladia latiuscula, and Neosiphoniajaponica. Because short DNA markers were used, the phylogenetic relationships of higher taxonomic levels were hard to evaluate with poor branch support. More than half species of our collection failed to find their matched sequences owing to shortage information of DNA barcodes for macroalgae in GenBank or BOLD (Barcode of Life Data) Systems. Three specimens were presumed as Heterosiphonia crispella by cluster analyses on DNA barcodes assisted by morphological identification, which was the first record in the investigated area, implying that it might he a cryptic or invasive species in the coastal area of northwestern Yellow Sea. In the neighbor-joining trees of all three DNA markers, Heterosiphonia japonica converged with Dasya spp. and was distant from the other Heterosiphonia spp., implying that H.japonica had affinities to the genus Dasya. The LSU and UPA markers amplified and sequenced easier than the COI marker across the Ceramiales species, but the COI had a higher ability to discriminate between species.展开更多
Ataxonomic survey of benthic marine animals from coastal regions of Hainan Island, South China Sea, revealed specimens of a new species of Eunice (Polychaeta: Eunicida: Eunicidae), Eunice uschakovi n. sp., collected f...Ataxonomic survey of benthic marine animals from coastal regions of Hainan Island, South China Sea, revealed specimens of a new species of Eunice (Polychaeta: Eunicida: Eunicidae), Eunice uschakovi n. sp., collected from the intertidal zone. The species belongs to the group of Eunice that has yellow tridentate subacicular hooks and branchiae scattered over an extensive region of the body. It resembles E. miurai and E. havaica in having both bidentate and tridentate falcigers, but can be readily distinguished by branchial features. Comparisons between E. uschakovi and the two related species are presented.展开更多
基金supported by Marine Public Industry Research of Oceanic Administration, China (2013418038-6)
文摘The content and distribution of acid-volatile sulfide (AVS) and simultaneously extracted metals (SEM) (Cr Cu, Zn, Cd and Pb) were studied in surface sediments collected from the tidal fiat of Donghai Island, Zhanjiang. The results indicated that for most stations, the AVS concentration was higher in summer with the average of 0.449 μmol/g than that in winter with the average of 1.816 μmol/g. The AVS contents were higher in southern and northern areas and lower in western and eastern areas. The average content of ∑SEM was between 0.56 μmol/g and 4.60 μmol/g in summer and between 0.65μmol/g and 2.21 μmol/g in winter. The concentration change of single metal was Zn〉Cr〉Pb〉Cu〉Cd for most stations. The content percentage in ∑ SEM was below 1% for Cd and over 70% for Zn. SEMZn was the key pattern to control the distribution of T. SEM due to its high concentration percentage. Based on the assessment methods of (∑SEM/AVS) with (∑ SEM-AVS) and thresholds for metal toxicity to benthic organism, most values of (∑ SEM-AVS) in intertidal flats of Donghai Island were between 0 and 5. The most toxicity region was in Tongminghai area located in the west tidal zone of Donghai Island, and the most toxicity metal was zinc in Tongminghai area in summer. The land-based pollution and the environmental parameters such as sunlight, atmosphere temperature and hydrodynamic characteristics were the main affecting factors on the content level and distribution characteristics of AVS and SEM in intertidal sediments of Donghai Island.
基金Project supported by the Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province (No.JSNSF 20050307)the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No.NSFC 30470326).
文摘Spartina alterniflora Loisel, a species vegetating in intertidal flats along the eastern coast of the United States, was introduced in China almost 30 years ago and has become an urgent topic due to its invasiveness in the coastal zone of China. The impacts of this alien species S. alterniflora on intertidal ecosystem processes in the Jiangsu coastland were investigated by comparing the sediment nutrient availability and trace element concentration characteristics in a mud flat and those of a four-year old Spartina salt marsh that had earlier been a mudflat. At each study site, fifteen plots were sampled in different seasons to determine the sediment characteristics along the tidal flats. The results suggested that Spartina salt marsh sediments had significantly higher total N, available P, and water content, but lower pH and bulk density than mudflat sediments. Sediment salinity, water content, total N, organic C, and available P decreased along a seaward gradient in the Spartina salt marsh and increased with vegetation biomass. Furthermore, the concentrations of trace elements and some metal elements in the sediment were higher under Spartina although these increases were not significant. Also, in the Spartina marsh, some heavy metals were concentrated in the surface layer of the sediment. The Spartina salt marsh in this study was only four years old; therefore, it is suggested that further study of this allen species on a longer time frame in the Jiangsu coastland should be carried out.
基金the National Estuarine Research Reserve Graduate Research FellowshipUNH Marine ProgramNew Hampshire Seagrant
文摘Although concerns about harvesting levels of the American Horseshoe Crab, Limulus polyphemus have prompted increased research into its ecology, current understanding of the species' foraging ecology is mostly limited to mid-Atlantic populations. This study elucidates the spatial and temporal pattern of Limulus foraging on an intertidal mudflat of a northern New Eng- land estuary. A novel survey method was used to monitor Limulus foraging activity without disturbing the sediment. A fixed 50 mx2 m transect was monitored with monthly surveys of the number of Limulus feeding pits from June to October 2009, May and June 2010. Snorkelling surveys were also carried out to observe individual behavior and examine the spatial scale of activity of individual animals. Results showed frequent and intensive use of the mudflat by foraging Limulus. Limulus were actively foraging within the survey area during all months surveyed. Foraging patterns exhibited a seasonal pattern with activity levels peaking in August 2009 and increased significantly towards the end of the study in June 2010. It was also shown that Limulus intertidal foraging persisted and peaked after the spring breeding season. Observations of foraging Limulus revealed that individual predators dig multiple pits within a single high tide, with little disturbance to the sediment in between. In addition to altering the perception of Limulus as a subtidal predator outside of the breeding season, findings from this study suggests a segregation of spawning and feeding habitats, thus underscoring the need to consider a wider range of critical habitats in the management of Limulus populations
基金Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.41176107)
文摘A new species of free-living nematode, Pseudolella major sp. nov. is described from the intertidal mudflats of Ximen Island in the East China Sea. Pseudolella major sp. nov. is characterized as follows: body length -1 300 μm; short cephalic setae, 2-3μm long; amphidial fovea loop-shaped with elongated ventral branch; ventral branch 50-60 μm long and extending past the base of buccal cavity; buccal cavity cylindrical with arching or spherical base; three heavy outwardly-curving odontia with blunt tips located at anterior of buccal cavity; pharynx short with posterior bulb; ventral gland cell elongate oval-shaped, located posterior to pharyngo-intestinal junction; excretory pore situated at the level of the middle of buccal cavity; tail conical to cylindrical; spicules arched, with double-cephalate proximal end; gubemaculum with a strong dorsal caudal apophysis.
基金Under the auspices of Open Research Fund Program of Shandong Key Laboratory for Yellow River Delta Eco-Environmental Science,Binzhou,China (No.2007KFJJ01)Knowledge Innovation Programs of Chinese Academy of Sciences (No.KZCX2-YW-223)+1 种基金National Natural Science Foundation of China (No.40803023,41171424)Key Program of Natural Science Foundation of Shandong Province (No.ZR2010DZ001)
文摘From April 2008 to November 2009, the nitrogen (N) cycle of plant-soil system in seepweed (Suaeda salsa) wetland in the intertidal zone of the Huanghe (Yellow) River estuary was studied. Results showed that soil N had sig- nificant seasonal fluctuations and vertical distribution, and the net N mineralization rates in topsoil were significantly different in growing season (p 〈 0.01). The N/P ratio (9.87 ±1.23) of S. salsa was less than 14, indicating that plant growth was limited by N. The N accumulated in S. salsa litter at all times during decomposition, which was ascribed to the N immobilization by microbes from the environment. Soil organic N was the main N stock of plant-soil system, accounting for 97.35% of the total N stock. The N absorption and utilization coefficients of S. salsa were very low (0.0145 and 0.3844, respectively), while the N cycle coefficient was high (0.7108). The results of the N turnovers among compartments of S. salsa wetland showed that the N uptake amount of aboveground part and root were 7.764 g/m2and 4.332 g/m2, respectively. The N translocation amounts from aboveground part to root and from root to soil were 3.881 g/m2 and 0.626 g/m2, respectively. The N translocation amount from aboveground living body to litter was 3.883 g/m2, the annual N return amount from litter to soil was more than 0.125(-) g/m2 (minus represented immobili- zation), and the net N mineralization amount in topsoil (0-15 cm) in growing season was 1.190 g/m2. The assessment of N biological cycle status orS. salsa wetland indicated that N was a very important limiting factor and the ecosystem was situated in unstable and vulnerable status. The S. salsa was seemingly well adapted to the low-nutrient status and vulnerable habitat, and the N quantitative relationships determined in the compartment model might provide scientific base for us to reveal the special adaptive strategy orS. salsa to the vulnerable habitat in the following studies.
基金supported by the National Special Research Fund for Non-Profit Sector (Agriculture) (No. 200903030)the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No.41176135)
文摘This study is part of the endeavor to construct a comprehensive DNA barcoding database for common seaweeds in China. Identifications of red seaweeds, which have simple morphology and anatomy, are sometimes difficult solely depending on morphological characteristics. In recent years, DNA barcode technique has become a more and more effective tool to help solve some of the taxonomic difficulties. Some DNA markers such as COI(cytochrome oxidase subunit I) are proposed as standardized DNA barcodes for all seaweed species. In this study, COI, UPA (universal plastid amplicon, domain V of 23S rRNA), and ITS (nuclear internal transcribed spacer) were employed to analyze common species of intertidal red seaweeds in Qingdao (119.3°-121°E, 35.35°-37.09°N). The applicability of using one or a few combined barcodes to identify red seaweed species was tested. The results indicated that COI is a sensitive marker at species level. However, not all the tested species gave PCR amplification products due to lack of the universal primers. The second barcode UPA had effective universal primers but needed to be tested for the effectiveness of resolving closely related species. More than one ITS sequence types were found in some species in this investigation, which might lead to confusion in further analysis. Therefore ITS sequence is not recommended as a universal barcode for seaweeds identification.
文摘Denitrification and nitrate reduction to ammonium in Taihu Lake and Yellow Sea inter-tidal marinesediments were studied. The sediment samples were made into slurry containing 150 g dry matter per liter.Various amounts of glucose and 5 mmol L-1 of potassium nitrate were added in order to achieve differentratios of glucose-C to nitrate-N. Acetylene inhibition technique was applied to measure denitrification in theslumes. All samples were incubated anaerobically under argon atmosphere. Data showed that Taihu Lakesediment produced more N2O than marine sediment. Denitrification potential was higher in Taihu Lakesediment than in marne one. Glucose added increased denitrification activity but not the denitrification po-tential of the sediments. Dissimilatory nitrate reduction to ammonium seemed to occur in marine sediment,but not in freshwater one. When the marine sediment was treated with 25 mmol L-1 glucose, its denitrification poteatial, as indicated by maximum N2O production by acetylene blockage, was lower than that treatedwith no or 2.5 mmol L-l glucose. Acetylene was suspected to have inhibitory effect on dissimilatory nitratereduction to ammonium.
基金Supported by Shandong 908 Project for Islands Investigationthe Knowledge Innovation Program of Chinese Academy of Sciences (No 072715)
文摘The community structure of intertidal macrobenthos in Changdao Archipelago(north of Shandong Peninsula,between Bohai Bay and the northern Yellow Sea) was examined based on samples collected from 14 stations in five transects in June 2007.Three stations corresponding to high,medium and low tidal areas were set up for each transect.A total of 68 macrobenthic species were found in the research region,most of which belonged to Mollusca and Crustacea.The average abundance and biomass of the macrobenthos was 1 383 ind./m2 and 372.41 g/m2,respectively.The use of an arbitrary similarity level of 20% resulted in identification of five groups among the 14 stations in the research region.There were remarkable differences in the biomass,abundance and Shannon-Wiener diversity index of the different sediments.Specifically,the order of biomass was rocky shores > gravel > mud-sand > coarse sand > stiff mud,while the order of abundance was rocky shores > coarse sand > mud-sand > gravel > stiff mud,and that of the diversity index was mud-sand > gravel > stiff mud > rocky shores > coarse sand.The above results revealed that the sediment type was the most important factor affecting the structure of the macrobenthic community of the intertidal zone.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Nos.40906063,40730847,41106122,and 41076090)
文摘In this study,the distribution pattern of meiofauna from nine sandy beaches at six latitudinal gradients along Chinese coast between 18 and 40?N was studied on their meiofauna abundance to examine the effect of latitudinal gradients.In general,meiofauna abundance was lower in four subtropical beaches in Xiamen(24?N) and Zhoushan(29?N) than that in other beaches.Meiofauna abundance differed little between tropical and temperate beaches.The taxonomic structure of meiofauna showed a dominance of nematode in colder area.The relative composition of turbellarians and polychaetes increased in warmer area.In addition to latitudinal gradient,salinity,oxygenation,sediment grain size affect also the meiofauna latitudinal distribution.As for horizontal distribution,the highest meiofauna abundance was found in low tidal zone at tropical beaches,and in middle tidal zone at temperate beaches.The horizontal distribution of meiofauna was controlled by both physical and biotic factors including feeding and anthropogenic activities.Although meiofauna abundance exhibited a horizontal difference,the composition of meiofaunal main taxa was unanimous horizontally at all beaches at the same sampling latitude.
基金Supported by the Modern Agro-industry Technology Research System (No.CARS-48)the State Oceanic Administration of China (No.200905020)
文摘Based on stable isotope analysis, we characterized the dietary regime of the Manila clam Ruditapesphilippinarum inhabiting intertidal areas along the Liaodong Peninsula, Northern China. Samples, including particulate organic matter (POM; n=30), benthic microalgae (BMI; n=30) and R. philippinarum (n=60), were collected from six sampling sites displaying the same ecological conditions. Of the two primary food sources, POM was more depleted in δ13C (-20.61‰ to -22.89%0) than BMI was (-13.90‰ to -16.66‰). With respect to 15N, BMI was more enriched (2.90%0 to 4.07%0) than POM was (4.13‰ to 5.12‰). The δ13C values of R. philippinarum ranged from -18.78‰ to -19.35‰ and the δ15N values from 7.96%0 to 8.63‰, which were intermediate between the POM and BMI values. In a two-source isotope mixing model, we estimated the relative contributions of POM and BMI to the diet ofR. philippinarum to be 74.2% and 25.8%, respectively. We conclude that R. philippinarum feeds mainly on POM, and BMI is also an important supplemental food source in intertidal areas.
基金funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(NOs.40730847,40906063,41076090)
文摘Meiofauna samples from intertidal sediments of Qingdao No.2 Bathing Beach, China, were collected for field study, and subjected to organic enrichment in a laboratory microcosm experiment for 21 d. There were three different treatments including non-organic addition as the control, low-organic enrichment (2 g DW green algae per 150 mL) and high-organic enrichment (10 g DW green algae per 150 mL). After 21 d, the meiofauna richness decreased in both organic enrichment treatments. Among the three treatments, total meiofauna abundance was significantly different, and the control groups had higher abundance than the other two treatment groups. However, the responses of the meiofauna abundance in the two organic enrichment treatments were non-significantly different. The relationship of meiofaunal abundance and nematode/copepod ratios to organic matter and oxygen level in the microcosm experiments were discussed.
基金supported by the National Basic Research Program of China (973 Pro-gram) under grant No.2010CB951203the National 908 Program under grant No.GX908 (supplement)
文摘Historical records of metal inputs were studied by using a sediment core collected from a sand-rich mudflat in the Qinjiang River estuary, China. 210Pb chronology was used to reconstruct the fluxes of Hg, Cu, Pb, Zn, Cd, Cr and As to the core site during the last 86 years. Based on the constant initial concentration model, the sedimentation rates are 1.18 cm year-1 in the top 30 cm sandy layer and 0.92 cm year-1 in the muddy bottom layer. To compensate for grain-size and mineralogy effects on metal concentra-tions, aluminum was used as the normalizing element. The enrichment factors (EF) indicate that the natural inputs had prevailed up to the early 1980s. After this period, the intensity of human activities has resulted in continual increasing trend of metals towards the surface. Recent sediment samples from the Qinjiang River estuary are found moderately enriched by Cd (EF>1.5) and slightly enriched by other metals (EF<1.5). Considering that the drainage area of the Qinjiang River is mostly agricultural land, the increased Cd may be due to the usage of fertilizers and pesticides in agricultural activities and the combustion of fossil fuels.
基金Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.40730847&40906063)the Student Research Training Program of Ocean University of China(No.0811010509)
文摘In this study,we integrated a DNA barcoding project with an ecological survey on intertidal polychaete communities and investigated the utility of CO1 gene sequence as a DNA barcode for the classification of the intertidal polychaetes.Using 16S rDNA as a complementary marker and combining morphological and ecological characterization,some of dominant and common polychaete species from Chinese coasts were assessed for their taxonomic status.We obtained 22 haplotype gene sequences of 13 taxa,including 10 CO1 sequences and 12 16S rDNA sequences.Based on intra-and inter-specific distances,we built phylogenetic trees using the neighbor-joining method.Our study suggested that the mitochondrial CO1 gene was a valid DNA barcoding marker for species identification in polychaetes,but other genes,such as 16S rDNA,could be used as a complementary genetic marker.For more accurate species identification and effective testing of species hypothesis,DNA barcoding should be incorporated with morphological,ecological,biogeographical,and phylogenetic information.The application of DNA barcoding and molecular identification in the ecological survey on the intertidal polychaete communities demonstrated the feasibility of integrating DNA taxonomy and ecology.
基金Supported by Special Research Fund for the National Non-profit Institutes (East China Sea Fisheries Research Institute) (No.2007M03) and Administration Bureau of Virescence of Shanghai Municipality
文摘Fish communities in a (third-order) intertidal creek in Dongtan marsh in the Changjiang (Yangtze) River estuary were investigated seasonally for one year. A total of 1 996 fish specimens (10 967.8 g) comprising 26 species and 15 families were collected. Abundances of fish communities in the intertidal salt marsh creek were primarily dominated by Boleophthalmus pectinirostris (19.8%), Collichthys lucidus (18.6%), Periophthalmus magnuspinnatus (18.2%), Liza haematocheilus (17.9%), and secondarily by Mugilogobius abel (8.5%), L. carinatus (7.2%), Odontamblyopus lacepedii (4.3%), and Acanthogobius ommaturus (3.9%); another 18 species were present only occasionally. Non-MDS ordination and SIMPER analysis indicated that there were two fish communities in the intertidal salt marsh creek. In spring, the communities were dominated by B. pectinirostris, P. magnuspinnatus, C. lucidus and M. abei; in summer, autumn, and winter by L. haematocheilus, L. carinatus, A. ommaturus and O. lacepedii. Some species showed strong habitat selection; L. carinatus and P magnuspinnatus were distributed mainly in the upper and middle creek, while B. pectinirostris, M. abei and O. lacepedii inhabited the middle and lower creek. The study indicated that the salt marshes of the Changjiang River estuary are an important nursery and feeding habitat for many fishes and should be protected.
文摘Based on the investigation on shellfish resources from the intertidal zone to subtidal zone of Fenjiezhou Island,Hainan during 2012-2014,the quantity,species,ecological distribution and floristic characters of shellfish from the intertidal zone to subtidal zone of Fenjiezhou Island were analyzed.The results showed that a total of 137 shellfish species were found in Fenjiezhou Island,and they belonged to 4 classes [Polyplacophora(1 species),Gastropoda(94 species),Bivalvia(40species),Cephalopoda(2 species)],13 orders and 44 families.Among the families,Cypraeidae included 11 species,Muricacea included 9 species,Veneracea included9 species,Conidae included 8 species,Strombidae included 6 species,Cymatiidae included 6 species,and the other families all included less than 5 species.According to the characteristics of the components,most of the species belonged to the tropical or subtropical region,and they had a close relationship with coral reef.According to the floristic characters,the shellfish in Fenjiezhou Island belonged to the Indonesia-Malayan Subregion of Indo-West Pacific Region.
基金Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.41176107)
文摘A new species of free-living marine nematode is described from intertidal sediment of the East China Sea.The new species belongs to the Oncholaimidae family.Oncholaimus zhangi sp.nov.is characterized by males having a large ventral swelling situated just posterior to the middle of the tail,no precloacal papilla,and a row of 6–7 ventral genital setae.The tails of both males and females are similar,being conico-cylindrical in shape.The new species is distinguished from other closely related species by the presence of a prominent ventral swelling at the tail of males and a similar tail shape in both sexes.About 110valid species in this genus have been recorded to date.
基金Supported by the Public Science and Technology Research Funds Projects of Ocean(Nos.201105021,201305030)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.41276137)
文摘A total of 142 specimens of Ceramiales (Rhodophyta) were collected each month from October 2011 to November 2012 in the intertidal zone of the northwestern Yellow Sea. These specimens covered 21 species, 14 genera, and four families. Cluster analyses show that the specimens had a high diversity for the three DNA markers, namely, partial large subunit rRNA gene (LSU), universal plastid amplicon (UPA), and partial mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene (COl). No intraspecific divergence was found in our collection for these markers, except for a 1-3 bp divergence in the COI of Ceramium kondoi, Syrnphyocladia latiuscula, and Neosiphoniajaponica. Because short DNA markers were used, the phylogenetic relationships of higher taxonomic levels were hard to evaluate with poor branch support. More than half species of our collection failed to find their matched sequences owing to shortage information of DNA barcodes for macroalgae in GenBank or BOLD (Barcode of Life Data) Systems. Three specimens were presumed as Heterosiphonia crispella by cluster analyses on DNA barcodes assisted by morphological identification, which was the first record in the investigated area, implying that it might he a cryptic or invasive species in the coastal area of northwestern Yellow Sea. In the neighbor-joining trees of all three DNA markers, Heterosiphonia japonica converged with Dasya spp. and was distant from the other Heterosiphonia spp., implying that H.japonica had affinities to the genus Dasya. The LSU and UPA markers amplified and sequenced easier than the COI marker across the Ceramiales species, but the COI had a higher ability to discriminate between species.
基金Supported by the Ministry of Science and Technology of the People’s Republic of China (MOST) (No. 2006FY110500)the External Cooperation Program from Chinese Academy of Sciences (No. GJHZ200808)
文摘Ataxonomic survey of benthic marine animals from coastal regions of Hainan Island, South China Sea, revealed specimens of a new species of Eunice (Polychaeta: Eunicida: Eunicidae), Eunice uschakovi n. sp., collected from the intertidal zone. The species belongs to the group of Eunice that has yellow tridentate subacicular hooks and branchiae scattered over an extensive region of the body. It resembles E. miurai and E. havaica in having both bidentate and tridentate falcigers, but can be readily distinguished by branchial features. Comparisons between E. uschakovi and the two related species are presented.