Proximate causes and possible adaptive functions of mast seeding and barren flower shows in spinifex grasses (Triodia spp.) in arid regions of Australia

Mast seeding, the intermittent production of large synchronised seed crops among plant populations, is a phenomenon that occurs at exceptionally long intervals in spinifex grasses (Triodia spp.) from arid regions of Australia. This is despite the reliance of these fire-sensitive plants on seeds for post-fire regeneration, and that spinifex grasslands rate among Australia's most flammable ecosystems. The proximate causes and possible adaptive functions of masting in seven species of spinifex from arid regions within the 350-mm rainfall isohyet were investigated. Specifically, the seed set percentages of 79 specimens collected between 1947 and 2012 were related to the following environmental covariates: antecedent rainfall over 6, 12 and 36 months, relative humidity, and the number of days above 40 degrees C and below 0 degrees C during anthesis. Given the potential importance of seeding events for post-fire regeneration, it was also investigated whether masting in Triodia could represent a fire-related form of environmentally predictive masting, by testing whether high-yield years corresponded to years of increased fire occurrence. Examination of the dataset showed that 43% of specimens contained completely aborted inflorescences (0% seed fill), while seed set ranged from 2 to 69% in the remaining specimens. High levels of insect activity were also found, with 42% of specimens showing evidence of insect occupation. Statistical analyses showed that the main environmental driver of seed set was high precipitation over the previous 12 months, and that high-yield years were strongly related to years of increased fire likelihood. The number of days over 40 degrees Cwas a weakly significant driver of yield, while the remaining covariates were not significant. It is hypothesised that intermittent reproduction by Triodia is a fire-related form of environmentally predictive masting, which maximises chances of post-fire regeneration by satiating seed predators during flammable periods (i.e. after heavy rain years). Furthermore, it is suggested that non-viable flower crops after initial low rainfalls may have an adaptive function, by diluting pre-dispersal seed predator densities with 'decoy' ovules that do not mature and lead to the starvation of developing larvae

The spatio-temporal pattern of Argentine shortfin squid Illex argentinus abundance in the southwest Atlantic

The Argentine shortfin squid (Illex argentinus) is a common neritic species occurring in waters off Brazil, Uruguay, Argentina, and the Falkland/Malvinas Islands in the southwest Atlantic. Illex argentinus is the most important fished cephalopod species in the area and plays a significant role in the ecosystem. It is object of major fisheries using both trawlers (mostly from European countries) and jigging vessels (mainly from Asian countries) and estimated total annual average catch for the last 15 years (1988-2003) is about 700 000 tons. The present paper aims to develop predictive models of squid abundance in relation to physical and environmental conditions, models that could ultimately be applied to fishery forecasting. Fishery and biological data collected by scientific observers aboard commercial trawlers between 1988 and 2003 were analysed in relation to physical and environmental factors to establish the spatio-temporal pattern of the species’ distribution and quantify the influence of environmental variables (e.g. SST, depth) on local abundance. The data included 26 168 fishing haul records, of which 11 103 were positive for Illex. CPUE (Catch Per Unit Effort, kg h−1) was used as abundance index. The analyses were based on time-series maps created using Geographical Information Systems (GIS). GIS maps showed that highest CPUE values were recorded during the first four months of the year (the Austral summer-autumn), with peak values higher than 5000 kg h−1 mainly located within 42◦ S, 46◦ S and MN (North part of Malvinas/Falkland) areas. Generalised additive models (GAMs) were used to describe variation in Illex argentinus abundance in relation to geographical and environmental variables. The presence/absence (PA) of Illex and its abundance (CPUE) in areas of presence were modelled separately. Predictors retained in the optimal models included SST, latitude, longitude, month, average fishing depth and year. Both models suggest a clear seasonal effect: maximum catchability was found during March (PA model) and the maximum abundances were found during the first quarter of the year (CPUE model). GAM models also demonstrated that higher catches and maturity of squid were related, in general terms, to warmer and deeper water.Abondance spatio-temporelle du calmar Illex argentinus dans l’Atlantique Sud. L’encornet rouge argentin (Illex argentinus) est une espèce néritique commune de l’Atlantique Sud-Ouest présente dans les eaux du Brésil, de l’Uruguay de l’Argentine et des îles Malouines (Falklands). Illex argentinus est la principale espèce de céphalopode exploitée dans cette région où elle joue un rôle majeur dans l’écosystème. L’espèce est pêchée par d’importantes flottilles de chalutiers (principalement de pays européens) et aux turluttes industrielles (de pays asiatiques) pour une production annuelle de 700 000 t en moyenne sur les 15 dernières années (1988-2003). Cet article présente des modèles prédictifs de l’abondance en fonction des facteurs physiques et environnementaux ; modèles qui pourraient à terme être appliqués à la gestion des pêches. Les données de capture et les paramètres biologiques récoltés, grâce à des observateurs embarqués, de 1988 à 2003, ont été analysées en relation avec les facteurs physiques pour préciser les variations spatio-temporelles de répartition et quantifier l’effet de la température et de la profondeur sur l’abondance. Le jeu de données porte sur 26 168 traits de pêche dont 11 103 comportant des captures d’Illex. Les captures par unité d’effort (CPUE en kg h−1) sont utilisées comme indice d’abondance et les analyses utilisent des séries de cartes, créées avec un système d’information géographique (SIG). Les valeurs les plus élevées de CPUE sont enregistrées durant les quatre premiers mois de l’année (l’été et l’automne austral) avec un pic dépassant 5000 kg h−1 localisé entre 42◦ S et 46◦ S dans la partie Nord desMalouines. Les modèles additifs généralisés (GAM) ont servi à décrire les variations d’abondance en fonction des variables géographiques et environnementales. La présence ou l’absence de la ressource est modélisée séparément de l’abondance. Les modèles optimaux retiennent comme variables explicatives la température, la latitude, la longitude, le mois, la profondeur et l’année. Les deux modèles indiquent un effet saisonnier net: la capturabilité est maximale en mars (présence/absence) et l’abondance (CPUE) est la plus élevée durant le premier trimestre. Les modèles additifs généralisés montrent également que les captures les plus élevées d’animaux à maturité sont associées à des eaux plus tièdes et des secteurs plus profonds

Resource Quantity Affects Benthic Microbial Community Structure and Growth Efficiency in a Temperate Intertidal Mudflat

Estuaries cover <1% of marine habitats, but the carbon dioxide (CO2) effluxes from these net heterotrophic systems contribute significantly to the global carbon cycle. Anthropogenic eutrophication of estuarine waterways increases the supply of labile substrates to the underlying sediments. How such changes affect the form and functioning of the resident microbial communities remains unclear. We employed a carbon-13 pulse-chase experiment to investigate how a temperate estuarine benthic microbial community at 6.5°C responded to additions of marine diatom-derived organic carbon equivalent to 4.16, 41.60 and 416.00 mmol C m−2. The quantities of carbon mineralized and incorporated into bacterial biomass both increased significantly, albeit differentially, with resource supply. This resulted in bacterial growth efficiency increasing from 0.40±0.02 to 0.55±0.04 as substrates became more available. The proportions of diatom-derived carbon incorporated into individual microbial membrane fatty acids also varied with resource supply. Future increases in labile organic substrate supply have the potential to increase both the proportion of organic carbon being retained within the benthic compartment of estuaries and also the absolute quantity of CO2 outgassing from these environments

Landscape homogenization due to agricultural intensification disrupts the relationship between reproductive success and main prey abundance in an avian predator

Selecting high-quality habitat and the optimal time to reproduce can increase individual fitness and is a strong evolutionary factor shaping animal populations. However, few studies have investigated the interplay between land cover heterogeneity, limitation in food resources, individual quality and spatial variation in fitness parameters. Here, we explore how individuals of different quality respond to possible mismatches between a cue for prey availability (land cover heterogeneity) and the actual fluctuating prey abundance.Peer reviewe

Data from: A protocol for conducting and presenting results of regression-type analyses

Scientific investigation is of value only insofar as relevant results are obtained and communicated, a task that requires organizing, evaluating, analysing and unambiguously communicating the significance of data. In this context, working with ecological data, reflecting the complexities and interactions of the natural world, can be a challenge. Recent innovations for statistical analysis of multifaceted interrelated data make obtaining more accurate and meaningful results possible, but key decisions of the analyses to use, and which components to present in a scientific paper or report, may be overwhelming. We offer a 10-step protocol to streamline analysis of data that will enhance understanding of the data, the statistical models and the results, and optimize communication with the reader with respect to both the procedure and the outcomes. The protocol takes the investigator from study design and organization of data (formulating relevant questions, visualizing data collection, data exploration, identifying dependency), through conducting analysis (presenting, fitting and validating the model) and presenting output (numerically and visually), to extending the model via simulation. Each step includes procedures to clarify aspects of the data that affect statistical analysis, as well as guidelines for written presentation. Steps are illustrated with examples using data from the literature. Following this protocol will reduce the organization, analysis and presentation of what may be an overwhelming information avalanche into sequential and, more to the point, manageable, steps. It provides guidelines for selecting optimal statistical tools to assess data relevance and significance, for choosing aspects of the analysis to include in a published report and for clearly communicating information

Seedbank dynamics after masting in mulga (Acacia aptaneura): implications for post-fire regeneration

Members of the arid Australian mulga (Acacia aneura) complex are fire-sensitive shrubs that produce mast seed crops after exceptionally high rainfall years. Such years also drive widespread wildfires in inland Australia, as high rainfall causes grassy fuels to accumulate, thereby enabling fuel contiguity to occur. Despite seedling regeneration playing an important role in mulga post-fire recovery, a dearth of information exists on the dynamics of its seedbanks. Here we examine the temporal and spatial dynamics of mulga seedbanks after a region-wide masting event at Laycock's Sandplain, central Australia. Masting had a profound effect on seedbanks, producing massive but short-lived pulses of seed in upper soil layers. After seed fall, seedbanks declined rapidly, and within 18 months had been reduced by predator depredations to low pre-mast levels. Our results suggest that mulga masting should enhance resilience to burning by providing transient seed pulses during periods of high flammability (i.e. after heavy rainfalls). The results also suggest that burn intensity will influence post-fire regeneration, by interacting with seed germination biology and post-mast seedbank dynamics. In our discussion, we examine possible evolutionary drivers behind mulga seeding periodicity, and hypothesize that rain-driven masting in mulga is a fire-related form of environmentally predictive masting

Distribution patterns of ichthyoplankton communities in different ecosystems of the northeast atlantic

Results are presented of an extensive ichthyoplankton survey that covered the continental slope, the offshore banks and oceanic regions west of Ireland. Oceanographic measurements revealed domes of cold, less saline water over the Porcupine, Rockall and Faroese Banks, constituting Taylor columns. The most species-rich stations were those found on and close to the offshore banks and the shelf edge. Larvae found in these areas were mainly from demersal fish species, including some commercial species such as haddock Melanogrammus aeglefinus, lemon sole Microstomus kitt (Walbaum, 1792), ling Molva molva (L.) and witch Glyptocephalus cynoglossus (L.). The deep water stations of the Rockall Trough and the north and west stations off the Rockall and Hatton Banks were characterized by a low number of species and high numbers of individuals of mesopelagic species such as Maurolicus muelleri and Benthosema glaciale. Results from multivariate statistical analysis confirmed that species compositions varied significantly at different sites and were related to environmental conditions, whereby sites of similar temperature, salinity and bottom depth harboured similar species assemblages. Generalized additive mixed modelling was used to model the relationship between species richness and environmental variables and confirmed that there was a significant negative relationship between species richness and bottom depth indicating that the offshore banks and the slope stations present favourable habitats for a large number of species

Distribution patterns of ichthyoplankton communities in different ecosystems of the northeast atlantic

Results are presented of an extensive ichthyoplankton survey that covered the continental slope, the offshore banks and oceanic regions west of Ireland. Oceanographic measurements revealed domes of cold, less saline water over the Porcupine, Rockall and Faroese Banks, constituting Taylor columns. The most species-rich stations were those found on and close to the offshore banks and the shelf edge. Larvae found in these areas were mainly from demersal fish species, including some commercial species such as haddock Melanogrammus aeglefinus, lemon sole Microstomus kitt (Walbaum, 1792), ling Molva molva (L.) and witch Glyptocephalus cynoglossus (L.). The deep water stations of the Rockall Trough and the north and west stations off the Rockall and Hatton Banks were characterized by a low number of species and high numbers of individuals of mesopelagic species such as Maurolicus muelleri and Benthosema glaciale. Results from multivariate statistical analysis confirmed that species compositions varied significantly at different sites and were related to environmental conditions, whereby sites of similar temperature, salinity and bottom depth harboured similar species assemblages. Generalized additive mixed modelling was used to model the relationship between species richness and environmental variables and confirmed that there was a significant negative relationship between species richness and bottom depth indicating that the offshore banks and the slope stations present favourable habitats for a large number of species