ALBERT

Description: Indices of β-diversity are of two major types, (1) those that measure among-plot variability in species composition independently of the position of individual plots on spatial or environmental gradients, and (2) those that measure the extent of change in species composition along predefined gradients, i.e. species turnover. Failure to recognize this distinction can lead to the inappropriate use of some β-diversity indices to measure species turnover. Several commonly-used indices of β-diversity are based on Whittaker's βW (βW = γ/α, where γ is the number of species in an entire study area and α is the number of species per plot within the study area). It is demonstrated that these indices do not take into account the distribution of species on spatial or environmental gradients, and should therefore not be used to measure species turnover. The terms ‘β-diversity’ and ‘species turnover’ should not be used interchangeably. Species turnover can be measured using matrices of compositional similarity and physical or environmental distances among pairs of study plots. The use of indices of β-diversity and similarity-distance curves is demonstrated using simulated data sets.

Description: Porewater fluxes into or out of the sediments in aquatic systems are frequently estimated using Fick's First Law. This assumes that diffusive processes control the transport of nutrients. As a corollary, advection, bioturbation and chemical processes are assumed not to be significant. Through a series of sediment core incubations, this paper seeks to quantify the uncertainties involved in such assumptions. Duplicate sediment cores were collected from 28 sites along the Swan–Canning Estuary, returned to the laboratory and incubated under oxic or anoxic conditions. Porewater nutrient concentrations, sediment porosity and initial nutrient concentrations in the overlying water were measured. These parameters were used to estimate the expected nutrient fluxes via Fick's First Law. The estimated fluxes were then compared with measured fluxes of nutrients out of the sediments over the incubation period. Severe bioturbation occurred in several of the anoxic treatments, resulting in large releases of nutrients into the overlying water. Aside from these bioturbated cores, phosphate and ammonium fluxes under anoxic conditions are well predicted by Fick's First Law. Nitrate fluxes are predicted well under oxic conditions. For coarse sediments (D10 averaging 0·3 mm) and under redox conditions favourable for nutrient release, Fick's First Law predicted close to 100% of the observed fluxes. For finer grain sediments (D10 〈 0·01 mm), Fick's First Law overestimated the observed flux by up to 40%. Under unfavourable oxygen conditions, chemical retardation processes are likely to dominate fluxes, and the error associated with using Fick's First Law is increased. These results confirm the usefulness of using Fick's First Law for a baseline estimate of nutrient fluxes under favourable redox conditions. Much greater care must be taken when using Fick's First Law to estimate nutrient fluxes under unfavourable redox conditions, or under conditions when bioturbation is likely to be severe.

Description: Agar oligosaccharides in the neoagarobiose series were prepared by partial enzyme hydrolysis, separated on Biogel P2 and P4, and analyzed by high-performance anion exchange chromatography with pulsed amperometric detection, yielding neoagarosaccharide fractions with a disaccharide repetition degree ranging from 1 (neoagarobiose) to more than 8 (neoagarohexadecaose). These fractions were analyzed for their biological activity toward the marine red alga Gracilaria conferta (Schousboe ex Montagne) J. et G. Feldmann in terms of increase of oxygen consumption, release of hydrogen peroxide, elimination of epiphytic bacteria, and induction of thallus tip bleaching. The structure–activity and dose–response relationships of neoagarosaccharides were very similar in the respiratory and oxidative burst responses and in their bactericidal properties, with neoagarosaccharides consisting of 6 to 8 disaccharide repeating units being the most active. All these responses were competitively inhibited by the reduced form of neoagarohexaose, neoagarohexaitol. In contrast, the tip-bleaching response was light dependent, required much higher concentrations of neoagarosaccharides, and was not inhibited by neoagarohexaitol, suggesting that it is an unspecific oxidative stress reaction. Putative structural effects on the recognition of endogenous agar-oligosaccharide elicitors by G. conferta are discussed.

Description: Sponges of the Aplysinidae family contain large amounts of bacteria that are embedded within the sponge tissue matrix. In order to determine the stability and specificity of the Aplysina–microbe association, sponges were maintained in recirculating seawater aquariums for 11 days. One aquarium was left untreated, a second one contained 0.45 μm filtered seawater (starvation conditions) and the third one contained 0.45 μm filtered seawater plus antibiotics (antibiotics exposure). Changes in the microbial community were monitored using group-specific, 16S rRNA targeted oligonucleotide probes, by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis and by electron microscopic observations. Furthermore, the changes in the natural product profile were monitored using high-performance liquid chromatography. The measured parameters showed that a large fraction of the sponge-associated microbial community could not be cleared under the given experimental conditions. Based on these cumulative results we postulate that a large fraction of sponge-associated bacteria resides permanently in the Aplysina aerophoba mesohyl pointing to a highly integrated interaction between the host sponge and associated microorganisms.

Description: The aim of this study was to isolate bacteria with antimicrobial activities from the marine sponges Aplysina aerophoba and Aplysina cavernicola. The obtained 27 isolates could be subdivided into eight phylogenetically different clusters based on comparative sequence analysis of their 16S rDNA genes. The sponge isolates were affiliated with the low (Bacillus) and high G+C Gram-positive bacteria (Arthobacter, Micrococcus), as well as the α-Proteobacteria (unknown isolate) and γ-Proteobacteria (Vibrio, Pseudoalteromonas). One novel Bacillus species was identified and two species were closely related to previously uncharacterized strains. Isolates with antimicrobial activity were numerically most abundant in the genera Pseudoalteromonas and the α-Proteobacteria. The sponge isolates show antimicrobial activities against Gram-positive and Gram-negative reference strains but not against the fungus Candida albicans. A general pattern was observed in that Gram-positive bacteria inhibited Gram-positive strains while Gram-negative bacteria inhibited Gram-negative isolates. Antimicrobial activities were also found against clinical isolates, i.e. multi-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis strains isolated from hospital patients. The high recovery of strains with antimicrobial activity suggests that marine sponges represent an ecological niche which harbors a hitherto largely uncharacterized microbial diversity and, concomitantly, a yet untapped metabolic potential.

Description: A 550-km-long transect across the Ninetyeast Ridge, a major Indian ocean hotspot trail, provided seismic refraction and wide-angle reflection data recorded on 60 ocean bottom instruments. About 24 000 crustal and 15 000 upper mantle arrivals have been picked and used to derive an image of the hotspot track. Two approaches have been chosen: (i) a first-arrival tomographic inversion yielding crustal properties; and (ii) forward modelling of mantle phases revealing the structure at the crust–mantle boundary region and of the uppermost mantle. Away from the volcanic edifice, seismic recordings show the typical phases from oceanic crust, that is, two crustal refraction branches (Pg), a wide-angle reflection from the crust–mantle boundary (PmP) and a wave group turning within the upper mantle (Pn). Approaching the edifice, three additional phases have been detected. We interpret these arrivals as a wide-angle reflection from the base of material trapped under the pre-hotspot crust (Pm2P) and as a wide-angle reflection (PnP) and its associated refraction branch (PN) from a layered upper mantle. The resulting models indicate normal oceanic crust to the west and east of the edifice. Crustal thickness averages 6.5–7 km. Wide-angle reflections from both the pre-hotspot and the post-hotspot crust–mantle boundary suggest that the crust under the ridge has been bent downwards by loading the lithosphere, and hotspot volcanism has underplated the pre-existing crust with material characterized by seismic velocities intermediate between those of mafic lower crustal and ultramafic upper mantle rocks (7.5–7.6 km s−1). In total, the crust is up to ≈ 24 km thick. The ratio between the volume of subcrustal plutonism forming the underplate and extrusive and intrusive volcanism forming the edifice is about 0.7. An important observation is that underplating continued to the east under the Wharton Basin. During the shield-building phase, however, Ninetyeast Ridge was located adjacent to the Broken Ridge and was subsequently pulled apart along a transform fault boundary. Therefore, underplating eastwards of the fracture zone separating the edifice from the Wharton Basin suggests that prolonged crustal growth by subcrustal plutonism occurred over millions of years after the major shield-building stage. This fact, however, requires mantle flow along the fossil hotspot trail. The occurrence of PnP and PN arrivals is probably associated with a layered and anisotropic upper mantle due to the preferential alignment of olivine crystals and may have formed by rising plume material which spread away under the base of the lithosphere.

Description: The behaviour of Magellanic Penguins Spheniscus magellanicus commuting between their foraging areas and breeding areas in San Julian Bay, Argentina was studied to examine whether tidal rip currents affected travelling patterns. Although there was no apparent relationship between departure and arrival patterns and the state of the tidal cycle, birds travelling against the current dived for longer periods and had shorter rests on the surface than birds travelling with the current. In addition, birds swimming against the current hugged the banks of tidal rivers much more closely than did birds swimming with the current, thus reducing the magnitude of the current against which they had to swim. In cases of extremely high current speeds, birds travelling upstream walked. Models regarding the energetics of movement indicate that the strategies adopted by Magellanic Penguins can result in substantial energy savings.

Description: In order to clarify mechanisms influencing the reproductive success of Baltic cod (Gadus morhua L.), a modelling exercise was performed to examine the effects of the wind-driven circulation on the transport of early life stages between the western and eastern Baltic. Because the different stocks spawn in different areas and environments at different times of the year, the occurrence of variable age/length distributions of juveniles within the different potential nursery areas can be explained by the circulation pattern. A three-dimensional circulation model of the Baltic was utilized to investigate the temporal evolution of egg and larval distributions of the western Baltic cod stock, which spawns preferentially in the Danish Straits, in Kiel Bay as well as in Mecklenburg Bay. For different scenarios (1988 and 1993), within- and between-year variability of egg and larval transport showed large differences, primarily due to variations in wind forcing. In 1988, relatively low and variable wind forcing prevailed, whereas, due to sustained strong, mainly westerly, winds, in January 1993, the recent major Baltic inflow to the Baltic Sea occurred. Differences in contributions of early life stages from the western to the eastern cod stocks, depending on the physical forcing conditions, suggest that this process can be controlled by variations of atmospheric forcing conditions. The potential for early life stages from the western Baltic cod stock to drift into the Arkona Basin and the Bornholm Basin, and to contribute there to the juvenile population, has been recognized as being mainly due to strong westerly winds. During cold winters, retention of eggs, larvae and juveniles within their original spawning grounds may predominate. Transport of cod early life stages from the Øresund, as well as from the Great Belt, can occur only during periods of strong westerly winds, but significant eastwards orientated drift from Kiel Bay and Mecklenburg Bay was also evident during periods of minor westerly wind influence.

Description: In most groups of organisms, the species richness decreases from the tropics to the poles. The mechanisms causing this latitudinal diversity gradient are still controversial. We present data from a comprehensive weighted meta-analysis on the strength of the latitudinal gradient in relation to body size. We sampled literature data on the correlation between species richness and latitude for a variety of organisms, ranging from trees to protozoa. In addition, own data on the presence of large-scale diversity patterns for diatoms were included, both for local and regional species richness. The strength of the latitudinal gradient was positively correlated to the size of the organisms. Strongest decreases of species richness to the poles was found for large organisms like trees and vertebrates, whereas meiofauna, protozoa and diatoms showed weak or no correlations between species richness and latitude. These results imply that latitudinal gradients are shaped by non-equilibrium (regional) processes and are persistent under conditions of dispersal limitation.

Description: A population dynamics analysis for planktonic diatoms is presented that allows estimates of the net rate of increase (k), the death rate (δ), the sedimentation rate (σ) and, in absence of grazing, the growth rate (μ). It requires counts of live and dead cells suspended in the euphotic part of the water column and accumulated in sedimentation traps. The application of the model is demonstrated for the three dominant summe diatom species in Lake Constance. Asterionella formosa Hass, Fragilaria crotonensis Kitton and Stephanodiscus binderanus Krieger. Only during the first two weeks of the summer bloom of diatoms the loss rates were unimportant in comparison to the growth rates. Thereafter diatom population dynamics was strongly influenced by sedimentation and mortality, which sometimes led to a decrease in population density even when cell division continued at high rates. There were two periods of extraordinarily high death rates, which were associated in the case of A. formosa with silicon depletion and in the case of F crotensis with fungal parasitism.

Description: Broadband receiver functions developed from teleseismic P waveforms recorded on the midperiod passband of Regional Seismic Test Network station RSCP are inverted for vertical velocity structure beneath the Cumberland Plateau, Tennessee. The detailed broadband receiver functions are obtained by stacking source‐equalized horizontal components of teleseismic P waveforms. The resulting receiver functions are most sensitive to the shear velocity structure near the station. A time domain inversion routine utilizes the radial receiver function to determine this structure assuming a crustal model parameterized by many thin, flat‐lying, homogeneous layers. Lateral changes in structure are identified by examining azimuthal variations in the vertical structure. The results reveal significant rapid lateral changes in the midcrustal structure beneath the station that are interpreted in relation to the origin of the East Continent Gravity High located northeast of RSCP. The results from events arriving from the northeast show a high‐velocity midcrustal layer not present in results from the southeast azimuth. This velocity structure can be shown to support the idea that this feature is part of a Keweenawan rift system. Another interesting feature of the derived velocity models is the indication that the crust‐mantle boundary beneath the Cumberland Plateau is a thick, probably laminated transition zone between the depths of 40 and 55 km, a result consistent with interpretations of early refraction work in the area.

Description: Oxidative stability of lipids from squid tissues was compared with those of other marine lipids. On the basis of peroxide formation, total lipids (TL) from squid viscera or squid muscle with skin were most oxidatively stable, followed by squid eye TL, trout egg TL, bonito oil, and tuna orbital TL, respectively. This tendency in oxidative stabilities was also confirmed by the decrease in unoxidized polyunsaturated fatty acids during oxidation. Analyses of tocopherol contents and lipid compositions suggested that the higher oxidative stabilities of three kinds of squid tissue TL and trout egg TL compared to those of bonito oil and tuna orbital TL would be mainly because of the presence of phospholipids (PL) in squid tissue lipids and trout egg TL. However, the oxidative stability of lipids containing PL did not always decrease with increasing PL contents and stability was strongly influenced by PL composition. As squid viscera contained more than 25% of TL and these lipids were oxidatively stable, squid viscera may be used as a good resource of functional lipids rich in eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid.

Description: In this study, we consider the influence of mesoscale oceanographic processes around the Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) in the South-west Atlantic, during the period in which the commercial squid fishery for Illex argentinus operates. Spatially referenced fishery data and satellite-derived advanced very high resolution radiometry (AVHRR) sea surface temperature (SST) data were examined using geographic information system (GIS) techniques. The distribution and relative abundance of I. argentinus in the Falkland Islands fishery was examined for the period 1989–96. Three consistent areas of high abundance were observed to the north-east (shelf-break region) and north-west (shelf region) of the islands, and close to the northern coast of East Falkland. Areas of high sea surface temperature gradients (thermal gradients) extracted from remotely sensed satellite images were used as an indicator of mesoscale oceanographic activity and compared with the location of the fishery. I. argentinus were found to be associated with areas of thermal gradients, commonly seen at the interface of Falkland Current and Patagonian shelf waters. The techniques used in this analysis allow the overlay and analysis of physical oceanographic and fishery data with potential applications in fisheries management and operational fisheries oceanography.

Description: This study examined the changing status of the marine ecosystem at the island of South Georgia (Southern Ocean) using up to 27 variables measured over 22 years from three upper trophic level predators that specialize in foraging upon krill (Eupuasia superba Dana). These variables included population size, breeding performance, offspring growth rate, foraging behaviour and diet. A method was developed for reducing these multivariate time-series to a single vector, called a combined standardized index (CSI). 2 Sensitivity analyses showed that missing values had a large effect upon the accuracy of the CSI but this effect was reduced if the individual variables were highly correlated. The level of correlation and proportion of missing values within the empirical data set were within the acceptable range. Individual variables had widely varying influence upon the CSI but, in general, those with longer time-series had the greatest influence. 3 Principal components analysis showed that variables representing offspring growth tended to explain the greatest proportion of the variability in the CSI and this was followed by variables representing diet. 4 There were 3 years in which the CSI showed extreme and significantly low values. There was a significant non-linear functional response (similar to the Holling Type II functional response) between the overall CSI and krill biomass and a similar relationship existed when the CSI was calculated for each species individually. 5 Separate analysis of variables that were likely to be representative of changing population size showed the presence of a significant decline between 1977 and 1998. There was no trend in the CSI from variables representative of foraging conditions during the summer breeding season. The study has shown that the marine ecosystem at South Georgia shows acute but transient variability that is amplified in the response of upper trophic-level predators. There is less certainty that trends in populations are a consequence of shifts in the degree to which the ecosystem can support krill-feeding seals and penguins.

Description: Cephalopod reproductive strategies are reviewed in order to clarify their current, confusing status. Based on the type of ovulation, spawning pattern and growth between egg batches or spawning periods, five comprehensive and flexible cephalopod reproductive strategies are defined. Accordingly, with these three factors the following classification is proposed. (a) Spawning once (formerly semelparity) consisting of simultaneous terminal spawning, with synchronous ovulation, monocyclic spawning and absence of growth between egg batches. (b) Spawning more than once (formerly iteroparity) including: (i) polycyclic spawning with egg-laying occurring in separate batches during the spawning season and growth occurring between production of egg batches and spawning seasons; (ii) multiple spawning, with group-synchronous ovulation, monocyclic spawning and growth between egg batches; (iii) intermittent terminal spawning, with group-synchronous ovulation, monocyclic spawning and no growth between egg batches; (iv) continuous spawning, with asynchronous ovulation, monocyclic spawning and growth between egg batches. Examples of species exhibiting each of these reproductive strategies are given. The large amount of inter-species variation in several life-history traits related to reproductive events is discussed.

Description: Individual growth rates, feeding rates (%BWd−1) and food conversions for cuttlefish (S. officinalis) hatchlings and juveniles were determined during this study. A flow-through system was used. Water temperature reached 30 °C during the hottest part of the day, gradually decreasing to 25 °C during the night; salinity varied between 37 ± 3 ppt and lights were kept on for 14 h day−1. Hatchlings were placed in separate compartments with a water volume of 1.2 L. Juvenile cuttlefish (from 0.5 to 25 g) were placed in bigger baskets, with a water volume of 5.2 L. Water flow was 120 L h−1. The biggest cuttlefish used in these experiments (〉 25 g) were gathered in groups of five and placed in circular tanks (water volume of 250–300 L). Thus, results obtained in this case are means and not individual data. During the first 10, 20, 30 and 40 days, mean growth rates (of all individuals sampled by age group) decreased consistently (11.8 ± 4.1, 9.8 ± 1.8, 8.1 ± 2.2 and 7.3 ± 0.7%BW−1 respectively); in similar fashion, mean feeding rates decreased with age group (33.7 ± 13.5, 22.0 ± 7.9, 17.3 ± 3.9 and 16.7%BWd−1 respectively). Mean food conversions varied between 3.6 and 2.5 between the age groups. When grouping results by weight class, similar patterns occur, as growth and feeding rates decrease consistently as cuttlefish grow bigger. Highest mean growth and feeding rates are obtained by hatchlings (〈 0.1 g) with 12.4 ± 4.5 and 35.3 ± 15.1%BWd−1, respectively, while the lowest growth and feeding rates were recorded for the largest animals, between 15 and 25 g (3.4 ± 1.1 and 10.8 ± 4.1%BWd−1 respectively). For these weight classes, mean food conversions varied between 2.7 ± 0.9 and 3.8 ± 2.8.

Description: The convergent margin of the central Sunda Arc in Indonesia was the target of a reflection and refraction seismic survey conducted in 1998 and 1999. Along two seismic lines across the subduction complex off southern Sumatra and off Sunda Strait, coincident multichannel and wide-angle data were collected, complemented by two refraction strike-lines in the forearc basin off Sumatra. The combined analysis of the acquired data allows us to present a detailed model of the subduction zone where initiation of strain partitioning occurs due to the onset of oblique subduction. The dip of the subducted plate is well defined along both dip-lines and a lateral increase from 5° to 7° from beneath the outer high off Sumatra to Sunda Strait is supported by complementary gravity modelling. The downgoing slab is traced to a depth of more than 30km. On both reflection dip-lines, a clearly developed backstop structure underlying a trench slope break defines the landward termination of the active accretionary prism and separates it from the outer high. Active subduction accretion is supported by laterally increasing velocities between the deformation front and the active backstop structure. Seismic velocities of the outer high are moderate along both lines (〈5.8kms−1 at 20km depth), suggesting a sedimentary composition. Reduced reflectivity beneath a rugged top basement traced along the outer high of both dip-lines supports a high degree of deformation and material compaction. Several kilometres of sediment has accumulated in the forearc domain, although a distinct morphological basin is only recognized off southern Sumatra and is not developed off Sunda Strait. The bathymetric elevation of the Java shelf that is encountered in the southern Sunda Strait corresponds to increased velocities of a basement high there and is connected to extensional structures of the Sunda Strait transtensional basin. Differences observed in the morphology of the forearc domain are also reflected in the lower crustal structure. Off southern Sumatra, the velocity–depth model clearly indicates a continental-type crust underlying the forearc basin, whereas lower velocities are found beneath the Sunda Strait forearc domain. Off Sumatra, some 3-D constraint on the upper plate structure is gained from the refraction strike-lines, which in addition is supported by synthetic data modelling.

Description: Alkaline phosphatase activities of the diazotrophic marine cyanobacterium Trichodesmium were studied among natural populations in the northern Red Sea and in laboratory cultures of Trichodesmium sp. strain WH9601. Open‐water tuft‐shaped colonies of Trichodesmium showed high alkaline phosphatase activities with 2.4–11.7 μmol p‐nitrophenylphosphate (PNPP) hydrolyzed·μg chl a−1·h−1, irrespective of date or origin of the sample. Coastal populations of the Trichodesmium tuft colonies had low alkaline phosphatase activities with 0.2–0.5 μmol PNPP·μg chl a−1·h−1. An exception was the Trichodesmium fall maximum, when both tuft colonies and the plankton community (〈100 μm) had alkaline phosphatase activities of 0.6–7.4 μmol PNPP·μg chl a−1·h−1. Likewise, the more rare puff and bow‐tie colonies of Trichodesmium spp. in coastal waters had elevated alkaline phosphatase activities (0.8–1.6 μmol PNPP·μg chl a−1·h−1) as compared with tuft colonies coinhabiting the same waters. Intact filaments of tuft‐forming Trichodesmium sp. strain WH9601 from phosphate‐replete cultures had a base alkaline phosphatase activity of 0.5 μmol PNPP·μg chl a−1·h−1. This activity underwent a 10‐fold increase in phosphate‐deplete cultures and in cultures supplied with glycerophosphate as the sole P source. The elevated level of alkaline phosphatase activity was sustained in P‐deplete cultures, but it declined in cultures with glycerophosphate. The decline is suggested to result from feedback repression of alkaline phosphatase synthesis by the phosphate generated in the glycerophosphate hydrolysis. The enhanced alkaline phosphatase activities of Trichodesmium spp. populations provide evidence that P stress is an important factor in the ecology of Trichodesmium in the northern Red Sea.

Description: The differences in the impact of two major groups of herbivorous zooplankton (Cladocera and Copepoda) on summer phytoplankton in a mesotrophic lake were studied. Field experiments were performed in which phytoplankton were exposed to different densities of two major types of herbivorous zooplankton, cladocerans and copepods. Contrary to expectation, neither of the two zooplankton groups significantly reduced phytoplankton biomass. However, there were strong and contrasting impacts on phytoplankton size structure and on individual taxa. Cladocerans suppressed small phytoplankton, while copepods suppressed large phytoplankton. The unaffected size classes compensated for the loss of those affected by enhanced growth. After contamination of the copepod mesocosms with the cladoceran Daphnia, the combined impact of both zooplankton groups caused a decline in total phytoplankton biomass.