Species Composition and Diversity of Insects of the Kogyae Strict Nature Reserve in Ghana

Kogyae Strict Nature Reserve, the only one in Ghana, was established to promote scientific research, particularly on how nature revitalizes itself after major disasters, and also to check the southward drift of the savannah grassland. This study presents the first comprehensive inventory of species composition and diversity of insects of the Reserve. Insects were surveyed between September 2011 and June 2012 to capture the end of the rainy season, the dry season and the peak of the wet season. Samples were taken from two sites within the Reserve, Dagomba and Oku using various sampling techniques including pitfall traps, malaise traps and sweep nets. Insect communities were characterized in terms of, 1) species richness estimators, 2) species richness, 3) Shannon-Weiner Index of Diversity, 4) Pielou’s evenness and 5) Bray-Curtis similarity. A total of 8147 individuals representing 135 families from 21 orders were recorded. This included 107 species of butterflies from 9 families and 20 species of dragonflies from 3 families. Oku recorded the highest species numbers (S = 63) and richness (d = 12.16) with a high evenness of species (J = 0.9377) during the peak of the wet season;and the lowest species numbers (S = 58) and Margalef’s index of (d = 10.14) in January. The highest Shannon diversity index of (H = 3.927) was recorded at Dagomba in January.

Assessing Forest Cover Distribution, Species Diversity, and Richness of the Buffer Zone for Strategic Forest Management Planning for Nimule National Park, South Sudan

Natural forest ecosystems play an essential role in the conservation of biodiversity of many plants and animals by providing them with habitat and suitable environments. Studies have shown that biodiversity-protected areas reduce the loss and degradation of natural habitats to various wild species of plants. This study examined the forest resources in five subzones by conducting tree/shrub species inventory to be able to develop an effective forest management plan for the Buffer Zone Forest Reserve for the sustainable conservation of flora and fauna of Nimule National Park. This is with the view to identify the main tree and shrub species;assess the composition, distribution, and abundance of various tree/shrub species;to determine the species diversity as well as the richness of these areas in terms of growth and performance where DBH and heights of trees/shrubs in the circular sample plots were measured. The results revealed the overall mean DBH and H of 13.83 cm and 6.61 m respectively. The highest number of trees was obtained in subzone B followed by D, while the least were found in subzone A. The overall mean tree/shrub density was 0.83 tons/ha. The mean total basal area and volume per hectare were 3252.74 m2/ha and 46,540.82 m3/ha respectively. The overall species abundance and distribution indicate Combretum spp, Cedrella spp., Grewia mollis, Acacia Sieberiana, Ziziphus abysinica, and Acacia seyal were the most dominant species, with over 12 species richness at the deposition side of the River Nile, 13 species at the western side of the Nile, the Administration site shows only 7 species, the lowland of Mt. Gordon show over 14 different species, whereas over 10 species were found on the top of Mt. Gordon. The overall mean diversity indices and evenness of H’, D, and E depicted 2.507, 0.871, and 0.840 respectively. These results yielded are relatively moderate. Therefore, conservation efforts are very necessary to improve and maintain the quality of vegetation cover.

Native Species Composition and Diversity of Valuable Woody Plants Regeneration during Fallow Period in Kamwatta, Moruca, Guyana

An intelligent method of shifting cultivation to regenerate vegetation after a long fallow period is critical information for restoration strategies. The literature review identified that the assessment of woody plant species on abandoned farmland has never been done before in Kamwatta, Moruca Region 1. In addition, more information should be available in indigenous communities and at the national level, including more documentation of the utilization of natural resources by the Warrau community. This study assessed the valuable woody plant species that grew during the fallow periods. Nine farmlands were randomly selected along a 100 m transect, each with varying fallow periods. In order to collect information on the age of farm abandonment, the researcher employed a mixed-methods approach. First, we found how long each farm had been fallow by administering a semi-structured questionnaire. Then, we conducted a flora survey to gain information on the variety and abundance of valuable plants using the age of farm abandonment as a dependent variable. The data analysis included the number of valuable woody trees with a diameter of >10 cm, seedlings and saplings with a diameter of <10 cm, the location of identified trees, and the uses of identified tree species. Microsoft Excel was used to code and analyze the questionnaire, while QGIS, Shannon’s Index of Diversity, and Simple Linear Regression were used to analyze the inventory data. The results showed that the respondents listed 38 valuable woody species, and 79% occurred in the studied area. The field verification revealed that the dominant family in the area was Mimosaceae. Species abundance increased with fallow up to 10 years before declining in the latter years. Plant diversity and abundance had a weak relationship with the age of abandoned farmlands for woody trees, while the seedlings and saplings showed no relationship.

Species Diversity and Abundance Distribution of Pelagic Siphonophores in Nan Wan Bay of Taiwan, China, in Late Autumn and Early Winter

Zooplankton surveys were carried out on November 2-3 and December 8-10, 2001 at 12 stations in the Nan Wan Bay of Taiwan, China. Altogether 92 quantitative zooplankton samples were collected from subsurface water and bottom water layers with two conical plankton nets (180 cm in length, 45 cm in opening diameter, 333 μm and 200 μm in mesh size). A total of 31 species of Siphonophores were identified, among them 7 species are new records in the waters around Taiwan Island, of which Rocacea cymbiformis is a new record in China. Dominated by Chelophyes appendiculata, Bassia bassensis, Diphyes bojani, Diphyes dispar, Abylopsis eschscholtzi and Chelophyes contorta, these species accounted for over 76 % and 63 % of the total abundance in November and December. The species number and Siphonophores abundance in December (25 species, 1.99 inds/m3) were more than those in November (19 species, 0.438 inds/ m3), and they were more in the surface water layer than in the bottom layer at most sampling stations. In early winter, the offshore high salinity water mass was a main factor influencing the distribution. The sampling efficiency for two plankton nets is discussed and the seasonal variation of species number and abundance in the Nan Wan Bay is compared with that in the neighboring waters.

Diversity of Insect Pest and Predator Species in Monsoon and Summer Rice Fields of Taungoo Environs, Myanmar

Paddy fields are natural and artificial wetland ecosystems that supply rice for the people and provide the wildlife especially insect diversity of different functional aspects. A total of 71 insect species belonging to 40 families under eight orders were observed during the study period. Among the 71 insect species, 18 species of beetles, nine species of bugs, eight species of dragonfly, five species of butterflies, four species of leafhoppers, plant hoppers and moths, three borer and spiders, two crickets, one species of skippers, grass hopper, hispa, ant, weevil, hairy caterpillar, leaf roller, katydid, thrips, maggot and water boatmen were recorded in the study sites. Total of 41 species of pests, 18 species of predators and 12 species of beneficial species (they function as pollinating the flowering plants in the paddy field wetland ecosystem) were recorded in the study sites. In the monsoon season, the 41 species of pest species, 18 species of predator species and 12 species of beneficial species were recorded from monsoon rice field. According to Shannon Evenness value (H'/S = -0.012564), the data showed that the insect species recorded from the one habitat was not the similar to another. In summer paddy fields, 36 species of pest species, 16 species of predator species and 9 species of beneficial species were recorded. Total arthropod insect species were recorded 61 species from the dry rice fields. According to Shannon Evenness value (H'/S = -0.000120), the data showed that the insect species recorded from the one habitat was not the similar to another. Population growth and duration of life cycle of insects is mainly dominated by the temperature, the duration of life cycle is shorter in the high temperature than in the low temperature.

Species Composition and Diversity of Macrobenthos in the Intertidal Zone of Xiangshan Bay,China

Xiangshan bay is a narrow semi-closed bay and situated on the northwestern coast of the East China Sea. Over past decades, it has become to a major bay with intensive human activities, dense urbanized area, and poor water quality. The aim of this paper was to reveal the ecological status through the elucidation of the species composition, abundance, biomass and diversity of macrobenthos in this bay. Six intertidal sections were surveyed from January 2007 to November 2008 quarterly. Sections TG, HD and XH are located in the three inner bays, sections QJ and WS are located near the thermal power plants, and section XX is located at the outer part of Xiangshan Bay. Great variations in macrobenthos community were indentified, and the species composition of the community in the present study showed the dominance in the order of molluscs(bivalves and gastropods), crustaceans and others, and only few Polychaeta were recorded. Only three dominant species, Littorina brevicula, Ilyplax tansuiensis, and Cerithidea cingulata were collected in all the sections, and a total of 19 dominant species were recorded only in one section. Two-way ANOVA analyses of abundance indicated that there were significant differences among sections or seasons. Shannon-Wiener diversity index(H') had its maximum(2.45) in section QJ, and minimum(1.76) in section TG. Multiple irregular k-dominance plots clearly showed that the study area was polluted and the macrobenthos community was under stress. We conclude that the macrobenthos of Xiangshan Bay have been disturbed by human activities, especially at the interior bay.

Patterns of species dominance, diversity and dispersion in ‘Khasi hill sal' forest ecosystem in northeast India

Background: The ‘Khasi hill sal' forest ecosystem in Meghalaya, India represents the easternmost limit of sal distribution. We tested if tree diversity and compositional heterogeneity of this ecosystem was higher than other sal-dominated forests due to moister environment.Methods: Vegetation was sampled in 11 transects of 10 m width and up to 500 m length covering 5.2 ha area. All stems ≥ 10 cm girth at breast height were enumerated.Results: We found a pattern of mixed dominance of Shorea robusta(sal) and Schima wallichii and co-dominance of Pinus kesiya and Careya arborea. The Shannon's diversity index(H′) was 3.395 nats. This value is remarkably high and competitive to that of moist sal forests of eastern Himalayan foothills and sal-dominated forests of Tripura. A high value of H′ was manifested by: a) high species richness(S = 123), b) good equitability(70.6%), c) ‘fair' resource apportionment, and d) abundance of rare species(84% species with less than one per cent of total individuals, 67%species with two or less individuals ha-1and 59% species with one or less individuals ha-1). The compositional heterogeneity was ‘fair'(Whittaker's βw= 3.15). The presence of Fagaceae with six species commanding 4.3% of importance value(IVI) and of a pine(P. kesiya) in sal forest was remarkable. As many as 58 species showed ‘low density(≤ 10 individuals ha-1), uniform dispersion', five species achieved ‘higher density(> 10 individuals ha-1),uniform dispersion' and six of the top 10 species were ‘clumped'. The forest showed an exponential demographic curve illustrating ‘good' regeneration of an expanding community. Vertical stratification was simple with a poor canopy and fair subcanopy, which together with low basal area(15.65 m2· ha-1for individuals ≥ 10 cm gbh)indicated logging of mature sal trees in the past.Conclusions: The ‘Khasi hill sal' forest ecosystem is richer in alpha and beta diversity than most sal-dominated forests, but past logging has reduced basal area. Selective removal of small timber and firewood, slash-and-burn agriculture and recurrent burning of forest floor are the principal anthropogenic factors controlling forest structure and regeneration of species.

Diversity and Abundance of Amenity Trees in the Premises of International Institute of Tropical Agriculture(IITA),Ibadan,Nigeria

Amenity trees are an essential element of most urban communities,contributing significantly to human well-being and improving environmental quality.Good knowledge of the diversity and abundance of trees in our environment and their importance can help promote conservation,which is essential for sustainability.This study aimed at assessing the diversity and abundance of amenity trees on the premises of the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture(IITA),Ibadan Nigeria.The institute was divided into working and residential areas.The trees in the study area were identified using a walking and windshield survey.A total population of 2626 trees from 126 species and 42 families were identified on the premises of IITA.The highest tree population of 523 trees was recorded in the Tropical Crescent residential area with 321 trees of Lagerstroemia speciosa being the most frequent species.Across working and residential areas,Elaeis guineensis was the most frequent species accounting for 19.92%of the total tree population.A Shannon-Wiener Diversity Index(H’)of 3.383 and species evenness of 0.43 was obtained from the study area.The high values of diversity indices obtained indicate that IITA premises are rich in diverse tree species both indigenous and exotic hence should be referenced as a good urban landscape.The current management practices can be recommended for other institutions.

Biodiversity Assessment of Avifauna in the Forest Reservation of Aurora State College of Technology (ASCOT), Philippines

The research study was conducted to assess and quantify the current status of avifauna biodiversity assets of Aurora State College of Technology’s Forest Reservation in Baler, Aurora, Philippines. Assessment of avifaunal diversity was undertaken by traversing the four established circular plots having a radius of 125 meters or 250 meters diameters each as permanent monitoring stations. Study revealed a total number of 151 Individual species, classified into 23 genera and 21 families. Eighteen of these species are endemic while the remaining five were fully migrated birds. All birds observed were classified as Least Concern (LC) species according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List of Threatened Species and the updated list of the Birds of the World online. Its abundance, richness and diversity index were calculated using Shannon Diversity Index (H') while Pielou’s evenness (J') for distribution of species. Forest reservation of ASCOT has more even (0.756 J') and moderate diversity (2.812 H') observation on avifauna in general. However, this avian population evaluation was threatened into a verge of extinction due to natural and anthropological threats that causes forest deforestation. Such deforestation of habitat causes dwindling of wildlife territory leading to the scarcity of bird’s population. Thus, the assessment was conducted to aid ASCOT administration find significant plans to ensure sustainable conservation and protection of the remaining avifauna species in the reservation area.

Endemics and endangered species in the biodiversity hotspot of the Shada Mountains, Saudi Arabia

Shada Mountains in Saudi Arabia, separated by Maleel Wadi into twin mountains(i.e., Shada Alalah and Shada Asfal), are rich in biodiversity. We investigated the diversity of endemics and endangered species of the mountains based on the data collected from 38 stands falling in 8 elevational zones ranging from 500 to 2215 m a.s.l. Results indicated that 495 plant species falling in 314 genera and 76 families occurred in the Shada Mountains, including 19 endemic species and 43 endangered species, and accounting for 22% of the total flora in Saudi Arabia. Canonical correlation analysis indicated that physiographic features, particularly altitude play an important role in the frequency and abundance of species. Endemics were not evenly distributed in the Shada Mountains and mostly restricted in the elevation zone of 1000–1500 or >1500 m a.s.l. When the altitude reached up to 2000 m a.s.l., the endemics decreased substantially due to the significantly low temperature. The endangered species existed three different distribution patterns:(i) most endangered species distributed in the altitudes of 1000–1800 m a.s.l.;(ii) endangered trees, lianas, and shrubs occupied the altitudes 1000–1300 m a.s.l.; and(iii) endangered subshrubs and herbs inhabited the altitudes 1500–2100 m a.s.l. The results demonstrated that the biodiversity of endangered species in the Shada Mountains is high and undisturbed by invasive species, and protective measures should be taken against human disturbances to the small-scale hotspot.

Determinants of species assemblages of insect pests in alpine forest ecosystems of western China

Background:Insect pests are a significant threat to natural resources and social development.Modeling species assemblages of insect pests can predict spatiotemporal pest dynamics.However,research gaps remain regarding the mechanism for determining species assemblages of insect pests in alpine forest ecosystems.Here,we explored these determinants using a field investigation conducted for insect pests in a region of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.We assessed the species assemblages of insect pests in alpine forest ecosystems based on species co-occurrence patterns and species diversity(i.e.,observed diversity,dark diversity,community completeness,and species pool).A probabilistic model was used to test for statistically significant pairwise patterns of species co-occurrence using the presence-absence matrix of pest species based on species interactions.We used ordinary least squares regression modeling to explore relationships between abiotic factors(i.e.,climate factors and human influence)and species diversity.Results:Positive pest species interactions and many association links can occur widely across different investigation sites and parts of plant hosts in alpine forest ecosystems.We detected high dark diversity and low community completeness of insect pests in alpine forest ecosystems.High temperature and precipitation could promote pest species diversity,particularly dark diversity and species pools.Human influence could drive high levels of pest species diversity and lead to dark diversity and species pools.Community completeness could be an effective indicator for insect pest risk assessment.Conclusions:Our study provides new evidence for the determinants of insect pest species assemblages in alpine forest ecosystems from the perspectives of pest species interactions and abiotic factors.The findings of our study could reveal the mechanism for shaping species assemblages and support the prevention and control of insect pests in alpine forest ecosystems.

补喂发酵豆粕对伊犁马驹肠道菌群的影响

为研究补喂发酵豆粕对伊犁马驹肠道菌群多样性以及菌群结构组成的影响,试验选取15匹体况相近、无消化系统疾病病史的12月龄伊犁马驹,随机分为3组,每组5匹马。对照组、试验I组和试验II组分别在干草和普通精饲料的基础上添加5%的普通豆粕、2.5%普通豆粕+2.5%发酵豆粕和5%的发酵豆粕。预饲7 d,试验期为56 d。结果显示:共获得有效序列(NO.of effective)2672029条和32234个分类单元(ASVs);随着马驹日龄的增加,试验I组56 d螺旋体门丰度极显著低于0 d(P<0.01);试验II组变形菌门显著升高(P<0.05),放线菌门丰度显著降低(P<0.05);随着发酵豆粕添加量升高,试验II组瘤胃球菌科丰度显著高于对照组(P<0.05),链球菌科丰度显著低于对照组(P<0.05)。综上可知,补喂发酵豆粕可有效提升马驹的消化能力,预防蹄叶炎、腹泻以及炎症的发生,同时,促进马驹肠道菌群的稳定性。

贵州省仁怀市昆虫资源调查

通过对仁怀市的昆虫开展调查,明确仁怀市的昆虫多样性和种群分布,旨在为该地区昆虫资源的保护与利用提供理论依据。采用网捕法和灯诱法调查该地区昆虫的种类和数量,结果表明:(1)该调查区共鉴定出昆虫20目224科590属800种,其中3个目种类最多,分别为鞘翅目61科147属207种、鳞翅目38科150属191种和半翅目47科141属178种;(2)常见7个昆虫目中,Shannon-Wiener多样性指数、Pielou均匀度指数和Simpson优势度指数3个多样性指数无显著差异,Margalef丰富度指数存在显著差异,鳞翅目昆虫的丰富度指数高达184.4498;该研究为仁怀市的昆虫物种多样性提供了一定参考,也为昆虫资源的保护和利用奠定了科学资料。

甘肃东南部拟步甲总科的物种多样性与区系组成

【目的】为了解甘肃省东南部地区拟步甲总科昆虫物种的多样性组成及其与生态环境和海拔分布的关系,对于揭示其区系组成格局和生态分布特点具有重要价值。【方法】在2020~2022年对4个不同海拔梯度的72个样地使用扫网法、搜索法、埋罐法和震落法进行调查采样,收集整理拟步甲标本。【结果】鉴定拟步甲总科昆虫1450头11科48属116种(亚种),包括甘肃省1新纪录科-长颈甲科、6新纪录属及35新纪录种。甘肃省东南部3市的拟步甲在世界动物地理区划中,以古北界与中日界成分为主,占59.48%;在中国动物地理区划中以华北区与西南区共有成分高达56.87%;α多样性分析结果显示:拟步甲在不同样区中,以天水市的多样性指数最高,为2.1;在不同海拔中,以1000~1500 m海拔段的多样性指数最高为2.0;β多样性分析显示:天水市与陇南市的拟步甲物种组成相似度最高,在0.77时聚为一支;1000~1500 m和1500~2000 m海拔段的拟步甲物种组成相似性最高,在0.80时聚为一支。【结论】甘肃省东南部拟步甲的物种多样性以天水市最高且与陇南市最相似,区系组成在世界动物地理区划中以古北界与中日界成分为主,在国内地理区划以华北区与西南区为主。

甘肃连城国家级自然保护区蝶类多样性及种-多度分布

为明确甘肃连城国家级自然保护区蝶类多样性及种-多度分布情况,采用样线法,共选定8条样线进行蝴蝶标本采集,并对保护区内不同生境蝴蝶的多样性及种-多度分布进行分析。结果显示:共采集标本998号,隶属7科60属102种。保护区内优势科主要为粉蝶科(Pieridae)与蛱蝶科(Nymphalidae);优势种主要集中在粉蝶科,包括箭纹绢粉蝶(Aporia procris)、绢粉蝶(Aporia crataegi)、秦岭绢粉蝶(Aporia tsinglingica)等。区系分析表明,保护区内古北种占34.31%,东洋种占19.61%,广布种占46.08%,其中广布种占主导地位。各样线的多样性指数表明,样线Ⅴ(森林-灌丛-草甸)的科级多样性指数、优势度指数、物种丰富度指数及个体数均为最高,样线Ⅲ(森林)的属级多样性指数最高,样线Ⅱ(森林-灌丛)均匀度指数、种级多样性指数最高。相似性结果表明:样线Ⅲ(森林)和样线Ⅷ(森林)的相似性系数最高(0.509 1),呈中等相似;样线Ⅱ(森林-灌丛)和样线Ⅳ(森林-灌丛),样线Ⅲ(森林)和样线Ⅳ(森林-灌丛)相似性系数分别为0.230 8、0.229 7,位于极不相似区间,其余样线之间皆处于中等不相似。种-多度分析显示,保护区蝶类总体呈对数级正态分布,而样线Ⅴ与样线Ⅲ与Preston对数正态模型的吻合度较高,且样线Ⅴ的拟合效果最佳。表明样线Ⅴ(森林-灌丛-草甸)的生境条件优于其他样线,蝶类对其具有较高适应性。总体来看,保护区内生境良好,结构稳定,有利于蝴蝶群落生存。但不同生境及人为干扰等因素是影响蝴蝶多样性的主要原因,应对保护区内生境加强保护,减少对环境的破坏,从而使得保护区内生物多样性保持稳定水平。

河北太行山五个自然景观的昆虫物种多样性比较与区系分析

本文基于多年对河北太行山区自北向南5个自然景观(小五台山、五岳寨、不老青山、老爷山、太行山南段)的昆虫物种考察和资料总结,获得昆虫5 945种,隶属4纲32目353科3 046属,对其种类组成和多样性组成进行了横向分析比较,得到如下初步结果:鳞翅目和鞘翅目是构成河北太行山区昆虫物种多样性的最主要类群,两者的物种总数高达3 834种,占昆虫总种数的64.49%;属级构成中日界(3 046属,100%)>古北界(2 511属,82.40%)>东洋界(1 830属,60.07%),凸显该地区的中日界性质(100%),同时与古北界有密切的联系,与东洋界也有较强的关联;在中国动物地理区中,华北区(3 046属,100%)>华中区(2 556属,83.91%)>蒙新区(2 404属,78.92%),华北区成分最为显著(100%),与华中区与蒙新区的联系较为紧密,其次为西南区、东北区、青藏区,而与华南区的联系最弱。对比分析了5个自然景观的鞘翅目物种多样性G-F指数,以小五台山的最高,不老青山最低,整体呈现由北向南随维度不断降低,其物种多样性不断增加的趋势;五岳寨国家森林公园与不老青山森林景区相似性较高(0.53),为中度相似,老爷山与太行山南段、不老青山与老爷山、五岳寨与老爷山为轻度相似;而小五台与五岳寨、小五台山与不老青山、小五台山与老爷山、小五台山与太行山南段为极不相似的关系,讨论了多个相关问题。

沿浦湾红树林大型底栖动物稀有种与常见种对物种多度分布格局及物种多样性的影响

稀有种在群落的物种组成中数量不多但种类丰富,并且极易在人为扰动下的局域群落中丧失。选取沿浦湾红树林大型底栖动物为研究对象,结合地理范围、生境特异性及种群规模等进行稀有种识别,通过模拟稀有种和常见种的丧失,探究稀有种对群落物种多样性和物种多度分布格局的影响。结果表明,大型底栖动物稀有种共有16种,分别为斑肋拟滨螺、多鳃齿吻沙蚕、红带织纹螺等。稀有种的丧失使得Margalef丰富度指数呈极显著下降(P<0.01),而Pielou均匀度指数、Shannon-Wiener指数、Simpson指数变化并不显著(P>0.05)。同时,稀有种丧失后,物种多度分布最优拟合模型也从泊松对数正态模型向生态位模型转变。初步推断稀有种的丧失将影响群落的物种多度分布格局,此时,大型底栖动物群落构建由中性过程和生态位过程共同调控转变为中性过程调控。

A Preliminary Study on the Diversity of Insect Groups in Xiannvshan Airport,Wulong,Chongqing

[Objectives]This study was conducted to understand the effect of the insect diversity characteristics in Xiannvshan Airport,Wulong,Chongqing on effectively reducing the probability of bird strike events in this area.[Methods]A preliminary investigation and research was mainly conducted on the insects in Xiannvshan Airport,Wulong,Chongqing and its surrounding habitats in 2018 using the net catching method.[Results]The collected insects belonged to 35 families of 6 orders,among which Catantopidae,Gryllidae,Miridae,and Pentatomidae were the dominant groups,and Muscidae,Acridoidae,Chrysomelidae,Cicadellidae,and Tipulidae were common Taxa.[Conclusions]This study provides a scientific basis for the effective prevention and control of bird strikes.

Seasonal variations of phytoplankton diversity in the Coleroon coastal waters,southeast coast of India

The results of an investigation carried out during June 2005 to May 2007 on physico-chemical parameters,species composition and community structure of phytoplankton including Chlorophyll a(Chl-a) at the Coleroon coastal waters(Southeast coast of India) are reported.Air and surface water temperatures(°C) varied from 25.1 to 30.1 and from 24.5 to 28.5 respectively.Salinity values varied from 6 to 28.5 and the pH ranged between 7.0 and 8.3.Variation in dissolved oxygen content was from 3.1 to 7.5 mg/dm-3 while the light extinction coefficient values(LEC) ranged between 3.1 and 10.1 cm.The ranges of inorganic nutrients(μmol/dm-3) viz.,nitrate,nitrite,phosphate and silicate were 10.1-23.4,1.2-8.9,0.2-3.1 and 55-125,respectively.The ranges of Chlorophyll a(μg/dm-3) values was 2.0-7.5.Presently,124 phytoplankton species representing different classes viz:Bacillariophyceae(77),Dinophyceae(19),Cyanophyceae(15),Chlorophyceae(10) and Chrysophyceae(3) were recorded.The phytoplankton cell abundance varied from 0.290 to 111.662 cells/cm-3,with peak diversity(3.38 bits/ind.) during summer season.The maximum abundance was found during summer season coinciding with the stable hydrographical conditions.The seasonal distribution and abundance of phytoplankton are discussed in relation to hydrographical parameters.Canonical Correspondence Analysis(CCA) was applied in this paper for discriminating environmental factors having effect on phytoplankton community at species level.Coleroon coastal water is subjected to long term fluctuations in physico-chemical parameters depending upon the seasonal tidal amplitude and freshwater influx resulting in a continuous exchange of organic,inorganic,plant and animal matters.

Diversity of oligotrich ciliates(Ciliophora, Spirotrichea) in the northern coast of South China Sea as revealed in LSU rDNA sequences

Although the taxonomy of oligotrich ciliates has been widely investigated,yet the species diversity remains poorly known.We newly designed a pair of oligotrich-specific LSU rDNA primers covering the 600-bp D1/D2 region,and it was effective for detecting oligotrich species.Using the primers,we constructed the cloning libraries to investigate the species diversity of oligotrichs in the northern coastal waters of the South China Sea.In total,165 oligotrich sequences were obtained from five widely separated sampling sites.Sixty operational taxonomic units(OTUs)were obtained at 99%similarity threshold,and low-abundance OTUs with no more than two sequences contributed most of these(about 78%).Our findings are consistent with previous morphological studies,Strombidium was found the most abundant and widely distributed genus in this area.In addition,the BLAST search in the NCBI database resulted in 95%OTUs matching with named oligotrich species in similarity below 99%.Therefore,oligotrich morphospecies diversity has been underestimated as low-abundance species,and the LSU rDNA oligotrich sequence database needs to be better promoted.