Variations in body-size spectra of periphytic ciliates at different depths: a case study in coastal waters of the Yellow Sea

2019 ◽  
Vol 70 (4) ◽  
pp. 576 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mamun Abdullah Al ◽  
Guangjian Xu ◽  
Mohammad Nurul Azim Sikder ◽  
Alan Warren ◽  
Henglong Xu
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Functional Groups ◽  
Coastal Waters ◽  
Functional Group ◽  
Diversity Indices ◽  
The Yellow Sea ◽  
Size Spectra ◽  
Size Diversity ◽  
Different Depths ◽  
Size Rank

Body-size spectra are inherent characteristics of organisms that can be used to summarise the functional structure of a community and thus be used in both ecological studies and biomonitoring programs. In order to determine the effect of water depth on body-size spectra of marine periphytic ciliate communities, a 1-month baseline survey was conducted at four depths (1, 2, 3.5 and 5m) in coastal waters of the Yellow Sea, northern China. Based on equivalent spherical diameters (ESD), 50 species were categorised into seven body-size ranks: S1, 2–17μm; S2, 22–27μm; S3, 29–36μm; S4, 37–49μm; S5, 53–71μm; S6, 84–92μm; S7, 127–153μm. These seven body-size ranks were composed of four trophic functional groups: algivores (A), bacterivores (B), predators (R) and non-selectives (N). Body-size rank S1 was composed primarily of the B functional group; S2 was composed of the N and R functional groups, S3 and S4 were composed of the A, B and N functional groups, S5 and S6 were composed of the A functional group and S7 was composed of the R functional group. The medium body-size ranks (S4 and S5) were dominant at 1 and 2m, whereas the smallest body-size rank (S1) was dominant at 3.5 and 5m. Canonical analysis of principal coordinates revealed a clear vertical variation in body-size spectra at the four depths. Body-size diversity indices peaked at 2–3.5m and fell sharply at 5m. Body-size diversity indices peaked at 2–3.5m and fell sharply at 5m. Body-size distinctness, as measured by the paired-index (ellipse) test, showed an increasing trend of departure from the expected pattern from surface to deeper layers. These results suggest that the body-size spectra of periphytic ciliates may be significantly shaped by water depth and thus may be used as bioindicators of the ecological integrity and quality of water at different depths in marine ecosystems.

Temporal variation in body-size spectrum of biofilm-dwelling protozoa during the colonization process in coastal waters of the Yellow Sea, northern China

2016 ◽  
Vol 96 (5) ◽  
pp. 1113-1118 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zheng Wang ◽  
Guanjian Xu ◽  
Henglong Xu
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Coastal Waters ◽  
Yellow Sea ◽  
Northern China ◽  
The Body ◽  
The Yellow Sea ◽  
Size Spectrum ◽  
Ecological Research ◽  
Size Spectra ◽  
Colonization Period

As an inherent function of a community, body-size spectrum has been increasingly used as a useful indicator in global ecological research. The colonization dynamics of biofilm-dwelling protozoa with regard to body-size spectrum were studied based on a 1-month baseline survey in coastal waters of the Yellow Sea, northern China. Samples were collected at time intervals of 1, 3, 7, 10, 14, 21 and 28 days from depths of 1 and 3 m. A total of seven body-size ranks were identified based on a trait hierarchy. The individual abundance of the protozoa at each body-size rank was well fitted to the logistic model equation. The body-size spectra showed a clear shift in probability density during the colonization period at both depths. The multivariate approach demonstrated that the temporal dynamics in body-size spectra of the protozoa may be divided into initial (1 day), transitional (3–7 days) and stable (10–28 days) stages during the colonization period. These results provide useful information for ecological research and monitoring programmes using biofilm-dwelling protozoa in marine ecosystems.

Annual variations in body-size spectra of planktonic ciliate communities and their relationships to environmental conditions: a case study in Jiaozhou Bay, northern China

2012 ◽  
Vol 93 (1) ◽  
pp. 47-55 ◽  
Author(s):  
Henglong Xu ◽  
Yong Jiang ◽  
Wei Zhang ◽  
Mingzhuang Zhu ◽  
Khaled A. S. Al-Rasheid ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Water Temperature ◽  
Environmental Conditions ◽  
Jiaozhou Bay ◽  
Northern China ◽  
The Body ◽  
The Yellow Sea ◽  
Size Spectra ◽  
Annual Variations ◽  
Planktonic Ciliate

The annual variations in body-size spectra of planktonic ciliate communities and their relationships to environmental conditions were studied based on a 12-month dataset (June 2007 to May 2008) from Jiaozhou Bay on the Yellow Sea coast of northern China. Based on the dataset, the body sizes of the ciliates, expressed as equivalent spherical diameters, included five ranks: S1 (5–35 μm); S2 (35–55 μm); S3 (55–75 μm); S4 (75–100 μm); and S5 (100–350 μm). These body-size ranks showed a clear temporal succession of dominance in the order of S2 (January–April) → S1 (May–July) → S4 (August–September) → S3 (October–December). Multivariate analyses showed that the temporal variations in their body-size patterns were significantly correlated with changes in environmental conditions, especially water temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen concentration (DO) and nutrients. In terms of abundance, rank S2 was significantly correlated with water temperature, DO and nutrients, whereas ranks S4 and S5 were correlated with the salinity and nutrients respectively (P < 0.05). These results suggest that the body-size patterns of planktonic ciliate communities showed a clear temporal pattern during an annual cycle and significantly associated with environmental conditions in marine ecosystems.

Vertical dynamics in community functioning of biofilm-dwelling ciliates during the colonisation process in coastal waters of the Yellow Sea

2019 ◽  
Vol 70 (11) ◽  
pp. 1611 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaoyun Bai ◽  
Congcong Guo ◽  
Mamun Abdullah Al ◽  
Alan Warren ◽  
Henglong Xu
Keyword(s):  
Functional Diversity ◽  
Functional Traits ◽  
Coastal Waters ◽  
Yellow Sea ◽  
Northern China ◽  
Diversity Indices ◽  
Functional Trait ◽  
The Yellow Sea ◽  
Biological Traits ◽  
Trait Distribution

Multifunctional trait analysis is increasingly recognised as an effective tool for assessing ecosystem function and environmental quality. Here, a baseline study was performed at four depths (i.e. 1, 2, 3.5 and 5m) in Yellow Sea coastal waters of northern China in order to determine the optimal depth for bioassessment using biological traits of biofilm-dwelling ciliates. Community-weighted means (CWM) from functional traits system were used to summarise the trait distribution and functional diversity of ciliates among the four depths during a 1-month colonisation period. Functional trait distribution revealed a clear temporal variation among the four depths. In total, 3 of 17 functional traits (i.e. feeding type, body size and flexibility) showed significant temporal patterns. Bootstrapped averaging and permutational multivariate analysis of variance (PERMANOVA) tests demonstrated that the colonisation pattern of biofilm-dwelling ciliates as expressed by CWM at 1 and 2m differed significantly from those at 3.5 and 5m. Functional diversity indices showed lower variability at 1 and 2m than at 3.5 and 5m. These results suggest that 1 and 2m are the preferred sampling depths for bioassessment of marine water quality using biological traits of biofilm-dwelling ciliates.

scholarly journals Density-dependent effects as key drivers of intraspecific size structure of six abundant fish species in lakes across Europe

2016 ◽  
Vol 73 (4) ◽  
pp. 519-534 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ignasi Arranz ◽  
Thomas Mehner ◽  
Lluís Benejam ◽  
Christine Argillier ◽  
Kerstin Holmgren ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Density Dependence ◽  
Fish Species ◽  
Size Structure ◽  
Catch Per Unit Effort ◽  
Lake Productivity ◽  
Size Spectra ◽  
Fish Size ◽  
Density Dependent ◽  
Size Diversity

We studied fish size structure by using mean size, size diversity, and the slope of linear size spectra of six common European fish species along large-scale environmental gradients. We further analyzed the response of these three size metrics to environmental variables and to density-dependent effects, i.e., relative estimates of abundance (catch per unit effort, CPUE). We found differences in the strength of main predictors of size structure between the six species, but the direction of the response was relatively similar and consistent for most of the size metrics. Mean body size was negatively related to temperature for perch (Perca fluviatilis), roach (Rutilus rutilus), and ruffe (Gymnocephalus cernuus). Lake productivity (expressed as total phosphorus concentration) and lake depth were also predictors of size structure for four of six species. Moreover, we found a strong density dependence of size structure for all species, resulting in lower mean body size and size diversity and steeper size spectra slopes when density dependence increases. This suggests that density dependence is a key driver of fish size structure.

scholarly journals Live coral predation by parrotfishes (Perciformes: Scaridae) in the Abrolhos Bank, eastern Brazil, with comments on the classification of species into functional groups

2008 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 191-200 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ronaldo B. Francini-Filho ◽  
Rodrigo L. Moura ◽  
Camilo M. Ferreira ◽  
Ericka O. C. Coni
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Coral Reefs ◽  
Functional Groups ◽  
Functional Group ◽  
Ecosystem Dynamics ◽  
Live Coral ◽  
Eastern Brazil ◽  
Species Pairs ◽  
Coral Predation

Parrotfishes (Perciformes: Scaridae) represent a critical functional group on coral reefs because their intense herbivory activity helps in avoiding coral overgrowth by algae. Although feeding preferentially on algae and detritus, some parrotfish species also consume live corals, leading to detrimental effects that may offset the benefits of removing competitive seaweeds. Parrotfish species differ markedly in terms of jaw morphology, foraging activity and extent of substratum excavation, and are typically divided into three functional groups: browsers, scrapers and excavators. The recognition of species within each functional group helps to understand their relative effects in terms of bioerosion, coral fitness and survival, habitat alteration and ecosystem dynamics. Here we report on live coral predation by the Brazilian endemic parrotfishes Scarus trispinosus and Sparisoma amplum in the largest coral reefs of the South Atlantic (Abrolhos Bank, eastern Brazil) and comment on their classification into functional groups based on direct behavioral observations. Scarus trispinosus and Sp. amplum allocated 0.8% and 8.1% of their bites to live corals respectively. Sparisoma amplum fed at lower rates, took shorter feeding forays and larger bites than Sc. trispinosus. Bite rates and foray size were negatively correlated to body size for Sc. trispinosus, but not for Sp. amplum. Our results indicate that Sp. amplum may be primarily recognized as an excavating species, as well as the most specialized parrotfish coral predator in Brazil, while Sc. trispinosus may be recognized as a scraper or excavator depending on its body size. This functional classification corresponds to the classification used for the putative sister taxa of Sc. trispinosus (Sc. coeruleus) and the sister taxa of Sp. amplum (Sp. viride) in the Caribbean, indicating that these two congeneric species pairs play similar ecological roles in different geographic regions.

scholarly journals Body size responses to land use in stream fish: the importance of different metrics and functional groups

2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Crisla Maciel Pott ◽  
Renato Bolson Dala-Corte ◽  
Fernando Gertum Becker
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Body Size ◽  
Functional Groups ◽  
Functional Group ◽  
Fish Assemblages ◽  
Size Structure ◽  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Southern Brazil ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Ecosystem Changes

Abstract Body size influences the effect of individuals and assemblages on ecosystem functioning and defines how they respond to ecosystem changes. We evaluated how body size structure of fish assemblages and functional groups respond to human modifications at catchment, riparian and local scales in 40 streams of the Pampa grasslands, southern Brazil. To describe body size structure, we calculated the mean, coefficient of variation, skewness, and kurtosis, using individual biomass data for the entire fish assemblages and separately by functional group. The results suggested that body size response depends on body size metrics, functional group, and the spatial scale of land use. From 11 functional groups, only five showed a clear response to land use. In general, most functional groups had a higher concentration of small sizes (left-skewed) in response to increased land use measured at distinct spatial scales (local, riparian, and catchment), and a greater concentration of sizes in a narrow and central distribution (higher kurtosis). However, the responses were complex and varied between the functional groups. We conclude that considering ecomorphological and trophic features separately by functional group and assessing multiple body size metrics contributed greatly to detecting the influence of land use on fish body size.

scholarly journals Resilience of Epiphytic Lichens to Combined Effects of Increasing Nitrogen and Solar Radiation

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (5) ◽  
pp. 333
Author(s):  
Lourdes Morillas ◽  
Javier Roales ◽  
Cristina Cruz ◽  
Silvana Munzi
Keyword(s):  
Global Change ◽  
Solar Radiation ◽  
Functional Groups ◽  
Physiological Response ◽  
Functional Group ◽  
Environmental Drivers ◽  
Combined Effects ◽  
Environmental Stressor ◽  
Comprehensive Understanding ◽  
Direct Sunlight

Lichens are classified into different functional groups depending on their ecological and physiological response to a given environmental stressor. However, knowledge on lichen response to the synergistic effect of multiple environmental factors is extremely scarce, although vital to get a comprehensive understanding of the effects of global change. We exposed six lichen species belonging to different functional groups to the combined effects of two nitrogen (N) doses and direct sunlight involving both high temperatures and ultraviolet (UV) radiation for 58 days. Irrespective of their functional group, all species showed a homogenous response to N with cumulative, detrimental effects and an inability to recover following sunlight, UV exposure. Moreover, solar radiation made a tolerant species more prone to N pollution’s effects. Our results draw attention to the combined effects of global change and other environmental drivers on canopy defoliation and tree death, with consequences for the protection of ecosystems.

First estimates of genome size in ribbon worms (phylum Nemertea) using flow cytometry and Feulgen image analysis densitometry

2014 ◽  
Vol 92 (10) ◽  
pp. 847-851 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kelly L. Mulligan ◽  
Terra C. Hiebert ◽  
Nicholas W. Jeffery ◽  
T. Ryan Gregory
Keyword(s):  
Flow Cytometry ◽  
Image Analysis ◽  
Body Size ◽  
Genome Size ◽  
Positive Relationship ◽  
Nuclear Dna ◽  
Nuclear Dna Content ◽  
Size Estimation ◽  
Size Diversity ◽  
Size Estimates

Ribbon worms (phylum Nemertea) are among several animal groups that have been overlooked in past studies of genome-size diversity. Here, we report genome-size estimates for eight species of nemerteans, including representatives of the major lineages in the phylum. Genome sizes in these species ranged more than fivefold, and there was some indication of a positive relationship with body size. Somatic endopolyploidy also appears to be common in these animals. Importantly, this study demonstrates that both of the most common methods of genome-size estimation (flow cytometry and Feulgen image analysis densitometry) can be used to assess genome size in ribbon worms, thereby facilitating additional efforts to investigate patterns of variability in nuclear DNA content in this phylum.

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