The phytoplankton species composition and abundance of Ogun River, Abeokuta, southwestern Nigeria

The phytoplankton species composition and abundance in Ogun River, Ogun state, Southwest Nigeria was studied for a period of seven months (December, 2011 - June, 2012), a total of forty-one genera belonging to five taxonomic groups were recorded from Ogun River. The phytoplankton species composition was surpassed by Chrysophyta with 15 species consisting of 36.6% followed by Chlorophyta with 14 consisting of 34.1%. This was followed by Cyanophyta (7 species) consisting of 17.1%, Euglenophyta with 3 species consisting of 7.3% and Pyrrophyta with 2 species consisting 4.92%. Cyanophyta was the highest in abundance consisting of 41% while the lowest in abundance was Pyrrophyta consisting of 1.5%. The low nature of phytoplankton abundance and diversity observed in this study must have been caused by the polluted nature of the water due to the anthropogenic activities carried out around its shores The dominance of Cyanophyta in this river is similar to findings from Lake Victoria, Lake Bishoftu, Lake Chaohu and the temple pond of Thirupour.

Report on the biology of Pacific hagfish, Eptatretus stouti and the development of its fishery in California

Hagfish, often referred to as "slime eels", are familiar to most fishermen as pests that frequently devour fish caught by trap, hook, and gillnet. In the Republic of Korea (ROK or South Korea), however, hagfish are sought after as valuable fish not only for their edible flesh, but also for their skin, which is processed into leather used to make expensive purses, shoes, and other articles. In fact, because of a shortage of hagfish in the waters near the ROK, the leather industry there has started to import hagfish, first from Japan in the mid 1980's, then from the United States starting in 1988. This report describes the nascent fishery for Eptatretus stouti (Pacific hagfish) in California, and includes aspects of its life history. The hagfish industry in the ROK is also briefly described.

Long-term response of Torrey pine to coastal climate: precipitation, temperature, and fog

EXTRACT (SEE PDF FOR FULL ABSTRACT): Torrey pine (Pinus torreyana Parry ex Carr.) has one of the most limited geographical ranges and population size in the Pinus genus; it is present only on Santa Rosa Island and on the coast between San Diego and Del Mar, where our research was conducted. A 168-year chronology (1827-1994) was developed using 28 increment cores extracted from 15 living and 2 dead stranding trees at Torrey Pines State Reserve, San Diego, California. ... The spatial correlation with western North America winter and spring precipitation, as well as with published tree-ring chronologies, indicates a connection with the American Southwest. Global correlation maps with winter sea level pressure and sea surface temperature are consistent with the hypothesis that San Diego precipitation is affected by a southerly displaced North Pacific storm track and by warmer water farther south, both leading to higher transport of lower latitude moisture.

The near-AD 1600 multi-proxy puzzle

EXTRACT (SEE PDF FOR FULL ABSTRACT): A varve chronology with annual resolution (AD 1117-1992) has been developed recently for Santa Barbara Basin. Varve thickness and water content show an exponential trend consistent with expected patterns in the presence of sediment compaction over time. Annual varve thickness was decomposed into orthogonal components using singular spectrum analysis (SSA) to identify and retrieve inter-decadal oscillations. ... This suggests a connection with global-scale decadal cycles identified in the subtropical Pacific gyre circulation and, possibly, with solar-driven phenomena. The near-1600 AD event coincides with (a) a similarly sudden change of state in nearby Santa Monica Basin that triggered the onset of anoxic conditions and the preservation of laminated sediments, (b) an extreme drought over the American Southwest, (c) a transformation of the age structure in a number of forest populations throughout Arizona and New Mexico. Total organic carbon burial flux in Santa Barbara Basin varves also shows a marked change after AD 1600. A possible climatic link is proposed that involves pathways for moisture transport in the Southwest at decadal and longer time scales.

中国西南地区植物群落的可入侵性与紫茎泽兰的入侵

生物入侵作为全球变化的一部分，已经引起广泛的关注;而群落可入侵性是生物入侵研究的核心和热点问题之一。本文以原产墨西哥，广泛入侵我国西南地区的紫茎泽兰(Eupatorium adenophorum)为例：首先，对西南地区被紫茎泽兰入侵的群落和生境进行了分类;然后，就地形、本地植物物种多样性、环境梯度等对群落可入侵性的影响进行了探讨;最后，对紫茎泽兰的空间分布格局进行了模拟和预测。 在小尺度上，紫茎泽兰入侵与本地植物物种多样性呈负相关，表明资源的可利用性可能是调节群落可入侵性的主导因素;本地植物物种多样性在群落演替过程中和入侵的早期抑制紫茎泽兰入侵;在大的尺度上，物理环境的变异超过了内在生物因子的重要性，本地植物物种多样性与紫茎泽兰入侵成功呈正相关。 紫茎泽兰主要通过公路和河流在我国西南地区入侵和扩散;资源的可利用性是影响公路和河流两侧群落可入侵性的关键因子。 紫茎泽兰分布中心主要在沧源、元江和西昌;位于分布区边缘的乐业、重庆和泸定有可能成为新的分布中心，并对邻近地区，尤其北面和东面的区域形成繁殖体压力;紫茎泽兰整体上有向东和向北扩散的趋势。目前主要分布在云贵高原，将来的分布区还将以云贵高原为核心。

Biodeterioration of cellulose materials in Karingote, Nileswaram, Kavvayi and Ramapuram Backwater systems of Kerala

The hydrographic conditions prevailing in an estuarine system along the southwest coast of India are described. The nature of destruction of timber in these backwaters has been examined in detail which revealed the existence of 8 species of shipworms, 2 species each of pholads and isopods. The shipworms are represented by Dicyathifer manni, Lyrodus pedicellatus, Teredo furcifera, T. clappi, Nausitora dunlopei, Bankia carinata, B. campanellata; the pholads by Martesia striata and M. (Purticoma) nairi; and the isopods by Sphaeroma terebrans and S. annandalei. The incidence and relative abundance of these pests are discussed in relation to the salinity profile of the estuary.

贵州喀斯特森林优势木本植物水力结构特征

水力结构就是植物在特定的自然环境条件下，为适应生存竞争的需要所形成的不同形态结构和水分运输供给策略，它对于植物物种的分布、抗逆能力等方面起关键性作用。喀斯特常绿阔叶林生长的特有植物种类以其独特的形态解剖特征和生理适应性，很好的适应了喀斯特地区独特的水分和土壤环境，以维持自身的生存和最适生长。植物的水分关系是喀斯特地区特有植物种类适应环境的核心生理生态学问题之一。贵州喀斯特地区石漠化正日益加剧，因此，对贵州植物水力结构和环境适应性进行研究具有重要的意义。 目前，国内外学者在“冲洗法”中使用的不同冲洗溶质可能对植物木质部水力结构的测定结果等产生较大影响，因此本文首先研究了三种溶质的冲洗溶液对毛白杨(Populus tomentosa)和油松(Pinus tabulaeformis)枝条的水力导度和抵抗空穴化能力的影响。实验结果表明: 相对于去离子水，用0.01 M 的草酸和0.03 M KCl溶液作为冲洗溶液，均导致毛白杨木质部导管和油松管胞的水力导度测定值的增大。KCl导致毛白杨和油松木质部抵抗空穴化能力的测定值提高，草酸导致杨树抵抗空穴化能力测定值增强但导致油松抗空穴化能力测定值显著(P<0.01)减弱。小枝水平上，毛白杨和油松的水分运输效率和抗空穴化能力之间没有显著相关性。另外，在截枝实验中发现毛白杨小枝木质部水力导度随长度增加变化不大，而油松枝条的木质部水力导度有逐渐增大的趋势。以上的实验结果表明不同溶质下毛白杨和油松枝条的木质部水力导度和抵抗空穴化能力不同，草酸和KCl可能对木质部管道系统及纹孔处的果胶等产生作用，从而使毛白杨和油松的水力结构发生变化。毛白杨与油松水力结构在去离子水、草酸和KCl的作用下的不同结果及两物种截枝试验下水力导度的不同变化趋势，表明导管运输系统和管胞运输系统可能具有不同的水分运输影响因素。 在贵州花江、普定、荔波等地选择当地森林中39种优势木本植物作为研究对象，对其枝条的水力结构进行研究，结果表明: 该地区优势木本植物的水力结构与其他森林类型相比，其木质部抗栓塞化能力介于热带雨林和热带干热森林之间，而水力导度高于各森林类型的平均值。在石漠化程度不同的地区，植物总体的水力导度和水分运输的安全性没有呈现出明显的规律，但是同种植物在较为干旱的严重石漠化地区，其木质部安全性较高，植物在周围环境的影响下木质部水力结构朝着更适应周围环境的方向发展。 贵州喀斯特地区常绿植物和落叶植物的水力结构差异较为明显(P<0.05)。落叶树种主要在夏季生长，其最大水力导度较高，而冬季依靠落叶等方式度过不利的生长环境，因此其木质部安全性较常绿树种更为脆弱。总体而言，贵州喀斯特森林优势木本植物的在水力导度与安全性之间存在权衡关系，说明在大尺度水平上随着水力导度的提高即水分运输效率的提高，植物木质部抗空穴化的能力降低。

Seasonal and spatial distribution of Chlorophyll a in the north Arabian Sea bordering Pakistan

The average integrated chlorophyll a values for a 30-m deep surface layer in the north Arabian Sea bordering Pakistan ranged from negligible amounts to as high as 0.53μg chl. a 1ˉ¹(15.9mg mˉ²) during the period January 20, 1977 to June 4, 1977. The values, in general, decreased offshore except for the westernmost part of the Makran shelf, where unexpectedly high values were recorded over deep water. Seasonal distribution showed very high values in January (northeast monsoon season) which, with a few exceptions, gradually decreased to very low values in May, and then increased in June. The January peak may be related to winter cooling of surface waters resulting in convection and the June peak to the onset of southwest monsoon season in May. Coastal water shallower than 30m showed no seasonality and were often sites of intense phytoplankton blooms.

Seasonal variability in penaeid prawn larval abundance in the Mandovi and Zuari estuaries, Goa

Seasonal variations in the occurrence and abundance of penaeid prawn larvae in the Mandovi and Zuari estuaries of Goa were studied. Larvae and post-larvae of commercially important species viz. Metapenaeus dobsoni (Miers), M.affinis (H. Milne Edwards). M. Monoceros (Fabricius), Penaeus merguiensis de Man and Parapenaeopsis stylifera (H. Milne Edwards) were recorded in that order of abundance. Protozoea and mysis stages were dominant in surface zooplankton collections while the post-larvae were more in the bottom samples. Based on larval density, M. dobsoni appeared to be a continuous breeder. The active spawning periods in other species were during the late post-monsoon and pre-monsoon seasons varying with the species. Peak recruitment of post-larvae in the estuaries was observed mostly during southwest monsoon months (June to September). Penaeid prawn larval ingression was more in the Zuari estuary compared to the Mandovi estuary. Their numerical abundance gradually decreased towards the upstream areas. The feasibility of large scale collection of penaeid prawn larvae for aquaculture is indicated.

A new record of two penaeid species from Goa coast

Adults of Penaeus japonicus (Bate) and juveniles of P. canaliculatus (Olivier) were recorded for the first time from the coastal and estuarine regions of Goa respectively. Their presence in Goa waters suggests that both the species have a wide distribution along the west coast of India. The available data from the neighboring states suggest that both the species are distributed in deeper waters and are caught during or immediately after the southwest monsoon. Hence, it may be possible to tap these valuable resources from Goa waters if the fishing operation is extended to depths beyond those presently fished and fishing is carried out during the SW monsoon season.

A new species and a new variety of Amphisolenia Stein from the north Arabian Sea bordering Pakistan

A new species Amphisolenia nizamuddinii Mansoor and Saifullah sp. nov. and a new variety Amphisolenia schroederi var. pakistanensis Mansoor and Saifullah var. nov. are hereby described from Pakistan's shelf and deep sea vicinity during the transition period between the northeast and southwest monsoon seasons.

Wadge Bank trawl fishery studies. Pt. 5. Rational exploitation of the resident demersal stock

The general history of the trawl fishery of the Wadge Bank off Cape Comorin, South India (Fig. 1), the nature and composition of its demersal fish population, and the present state of its fishery has been given by various authors (Malpas 1926, Pearson and Malpas 1926, Sivalingam and Medcof 1957, Medcof 1963, Mendis 1965a, 1965b, Sivalingam 1966a, 1966b, 1969a and 1969b). It has been shown earlier (Sivalingam and Medcof 1957, Sivalingam 1969a) that the Wadge Bank stock is made up of two groups. The resident stock which is present on the fishing grounds throughout the year and the migrant stock that appears on the fishing grounds only during the southwest monsoon months. The object of this paper is to discuss the effect of fishing on the resident stock between 1945 and 1962 and based on the information available; assess the maximum sustained yield of the resident stock. The "Bigfish" of the resident stock is the mainstay of the Wadge Bank trawl fishery (Sivalingam 1969a) and it will be shown that this stock has been overexploited from 1953 to 1957. The first sign of recovery was evident in 1960 and continued till 1962. The data since 1962 are not available to the author for analysis. It has been reported by Mendis (1965b) that considerable expansion of the trawler fleet was anticipated in 1966, and if so, the history of the fishery from 1953 to 1957 may be repeated. The assessment presented in this paper should form a rational basis for management programs.

A pesca do atum no Oceano Indico do sudoeste

The tuna species of greatest interest to the countries of the southwest region of Indian Ocean are described. They are called mermas, small "coastal tunas". These fishes need a lot of food and oxygen, but have a limited tolerance for temperature variations. These are features commonly used in determining the possible areas of occurrence and also the most suitable type of fishing gear.

莱州湾西南岸河口地貌演化及典型环境要素的遥感研究

河口和潮汐海湾是受陆海相互作用共同影响的一个复杂动力系统，是陆海相 互作用研究的理想区域。特别是大河影响下的邻近海域，其海岸带发育、动力地 貌、生态环境必将表现出复杂的特征，开展该区域的陆海相互作用研究是非常必 要的。本文采用遥感定量反演手段和泥沙模拟估算方法，结合多年潮汐数据、河 口段水文水质观测数据、近岸区遥感和历史图件等从研究莱州湾西南近岸物质组 成与输运特征，河口沙坝地貌演化及动力机制，河口拦门沙发育演变，水质状况 监测分析等方面探讨黄河影响下的风暴潮、水质污染灾害严重的莱州湾西南近岸 区域的陆海相互作用特征。 结果表明，近岸为典型粉砂淤泥质的莱州湾西南海岸，其泥沙主要来源于近 岸与外海再悬浮供沙、黄河来沙。海区内泥沙运移格局主要为外海泥沙有由河口 口门外向河道运移的趋势、莱州湾西部近岸海区存在一股黄河南向的沿岸泥沙 流，其主要在淄脉沟口以北区域沉积。在正常天气条件下，河口及附近海区泥沙 含量较低，风暴潮期间本海区的悬浮泥沙含量将增加4-5 倍，最高可达10 倍， 其泥沙运移范围主要在河口与近岸海域。 小清河河口属陆海双相缓混合型，其河口堆积地貌主要包括河口沙嘴、沙坝 和河道拦门沙体。径、潮流携带泥沙分别在河口区和口门以内落淤形成拦门沙体 和堆积沙坎。在NE 向波浪和NE-E 向的涨、落潮流作用下，局地再悬浮的泥沙 和沿岸流携带的部分输沙堆积在河口北侧，形成沿落潮流方向延伸的河口沙嘴； 河口段河道南移过程中存在沙嘴、沙坝相互转化的自调整过程，并认为1979-1982 年和1997-2000 年两个时间段为自调整过程的中期。 根据小清河河口沙坝的发育过程及其发育特征，本文提出了该沙坝地貌发育 演变的概念模式。

Phylogenetic study of complete cytochrome b genes in musk deer (genus Moschus) using museum samples

As an endangered animal group, musk deer (genus Moschus) are not only a great concern of wildlife conservation, but also of special interest to evolutionary studies due to long-standing arguments on the taxonomic and phylogenetic associations in this group. Using museum samples, we sequenced complete mitochondrial cytochrome b genes (1140 bp) of all suggested species of musk deer in order to reconstruct their phylogenetic history through molecular information. Our results showed that the cytochrome b gene tree is rather robust and concurred for all the algorithms employed (parsimony, maximum likelihood, and distance methods). Further, the relative rate test indicated a constant sequence substitution rate among all the species, permitting the dating of divergence events by molecular clock. According to the molecular topology, M. moschiferus branched off the earliest from a common ancestor of musk deer (about 700,000 years ago); then followed the bifurcation forming the M. berezouskii lineage and the lineage clustering M. fuscus, M. chrysogaster, and M. leucogaster (around 370,000 years before present), interestingly the most recent speciation event in musk deer happened rather recently (140,000 years ago), which might have resulted from the diversified habitats and geographic barriers in southwest China caused by gigantic movements of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau in history. Combining the data of current distributions, fossil records, and molecular data of this study, we suggest that the historical dispersion of musk deer might be from north to south in China. Additionally, in our further analyses involving other pecora species, musk deer was strongly supported as a monophyletic group and a valid family in Artiodactyla, closely related to Cervidae. (C) 1999 Academic Press.