Accessory Species Research Articles

Mineral chemistry evolution of magmatic Li-bearing micas and Li-loss during postmagmatic phengitization in an A-type sieno-monzogranite: A mass balance approach at La Chinchilla pluton, Sierra de Velasco, La Rioja, Argentina

La Chinchilla granite (∼3.75 km2) is an epizonal pluton intruded during the Lower Carboniferous in Sierra de Velasco, Sierras Pampeanas, northwestern Argentina. Three facies have been distinguished in the pluton (equigranular, porphyritic and fine-grained border zone facies), being equigranular and porphyritic the main two granite types, which host abundant millimeter to < 2 m sized miarolitic pegmatites and pockets of simple granitic mineralogy (quartz + albite + microcline + micas) ± beryl. Micrometer-sized accessory magmatic species are monazite-(Ce), several high field strength element oxide species, ilmenite, cassiterite (1), fluorapatite and fluorite. Primary Li-bearing micas with variable degrees of late to postmagmatic replacement occur in abundances that range from ∼2 to 7 %. Textural evidence and mineral chemistry allow to distinguish between early granitic and late bladed miarolitic micas. The mineral chemistry composition of the primary micas shows members of the siderophyllite-polylithionite series. Replacing phases are Li-muscovite (phengite). Electron probe microanalyses of primary micas of both main granite types suggest that these are compositionally distinct intrusives. According to mica chemistry, the porphyritic unit is more enriched in Li than the equigranular granite. The equigranular unit with interconnected miarolitic texture was more intensely affected by fluid-rock interaction processes and is significantly richer in U and Be. An F–Na rich fluid phase caused strong albitization during late miarolitic stages, along with crystallization of polylithionite, fluorite, pyrochlore group species and cassiterite (2). In terms of mass balance, the phengite replacement process is characterized by the conservation of Si, Al and K, a slight gain of Na and Ba, and a systematic loss of orderly decreasing Fe > F > Li > Mn > Ti > Mg > Zn. Likely, the muscovite-forming fluid was the same simultaneously involved in the hydrothermal alteration of high field strength element accessory species, largely included in primary micas, which generated secondary U- and Nb-rich species such as carlosbarbosaite. The hydrothermal late miarolitic to postmagmatic fluid-mineral replacement of primary magmatic micas released significant amounts of Li, of which about 59 wt % of the Li2O content of protholithic micas (i.e., 1 to 2.4 wt % Li2O) was inherited by replacing Li-bearing muscovite and the remaining 41 wt % was released from the system. It is calculated that ∼1.5 km3 of La Chinchilla body would have expelled ∼0.38 million tons of Li2O, just considering than only 30 % of primary siderophyllite-polylithionite was muscovitized. Such a Li2O tonnage was likely transferred to the paleohydrological cycle during Carboniferous times, when the La Chinchilla stock was still undergoing its cooling down path. Currently, evidence of the final fate of mobilized Li is lacking.

Multi‐analytical characterization of archaeological fragments of pietra ollare from the Medieval site ‘Piana di S. Martino’ (Piacenza, Italy): A mobile and laboratory approach

AbstractThe archaeological excavations in the site of ‘Piana di San Martino’ (Pianello Val Tidone, Piacenza, Italy) discovered several fragments of pietra ollare (soapstone) artefacts, dating back to the Medieval period. A selection of fragments was characterized with micro‐Raman spectroscopy in order to determine their composition, in terms of main and accessory species. The morphology of the crystals and the mineral phases were also investigated with polarized‐light microscopy observations, X‐ray powder diffraction and Scanning Electron Microscopy with Energy‐Dispersive System analyses, which corroborate the Raman results. A detailed characterization was obtained on 12 fragments ascribable to pots and a millstone, made of talc‐schists or chlorite‐schists, including garnet‐bearing chlorite‐schists. Interest findings about the activities related to the use of these artefacts and the alteration processes occurred during their burial period were highlighted by the identification of specific products. Additionally, mobile Raman measurements were performed on the fragments, and a quick and effective evaluation of their composition was successfully achieved. These results highlight the use of mobile Raman instruments in the field of archaeology, specifically referred to pietra ollare findings, for which a preliminary identification may be obtained directly in situ.

Genesis and New Mineral Chemistry Data of Carlosbarbosaite, a Potential U and Nb Ore Source from Miarolitic-, A-Type Granites and NYF Pegmatites of the La Chinchilla Pluton, Velasco Ranges, La Rioja, Argentina

Abstract The La Chinchilla granite is a ∼3.75 km2 epizonal pluton of Lower Carboniferous age located in Sierra de Velasco, Sierras Pampeanas, Argentina. Equigranular micropegmatitic and porphyritic main granite types host abundant millimeter- to &amp;lt;2 m-sized miarolitic pegmatites and pockets of simple major mineralogy (±beryl). Both granite types host micrometer-sized accessory species [i.e., monazite-(Ce), several high field strength element oxide species, ilmenite, cassiterite, fluorapatite] and fluorite. A F-Na-rich fluid phase promoted strong albitization at late-miarolitic stages, along with crystallization of extremely F-rich polylithionite and fluorite, and the formation of replacing pyrochlore group species associated with a second generation of cassiterite. The increase of the Ta# from hydroxycalciopyrochlore to hydroxycalciomicrolite and from micromiarolitic cassiterite (cassiterite 1) to hydrothermal cassiterite (cassiterite 2) supports Nb-Ta fractionation at hydrothermal temperatures. Carlosbarbosaite [(UO2)2Nb2O6(OH)2·2H2O] occurs as a pseudomorphic or short-range transported phase. Low-T, hydrothermal carlosbarbosaite formed after the replacement of columbite-(Fe), U-free Nb-bearing ilmenite, and likely after U-bearing pyrochlore supergroup species and a columbite group mineral, plausibly due to interaction with a hydrothermal, U6+(±Nb±Ta)-enriched fluid, in some cases a SiO2-bearing fluid. This fluid likely represents a lower T, less alkaline, and more oxidizing fluid that evolved from the higher T F-Na-rich fluids active during the late-miarolitic hydrothermal stage. Low-T, hydrothermal carlosbarbosaite has the ideal U-,Nb-rich endmember composition, though it is significantly richer in Ca and poorer in total Nb+Ta but with higher Nb# than that from the type locality. Supergene fluids deposited the transported type, which attained economic concentrations in a fault zone where restricted, likely alkaline oxidizing conditions could have favored Nb mobility.

Data availability and participatory approach: the right mix for enhancing Mediterranean fisheries’ sustainability

A misalignment between the legislation and the effectiveness of Mediterranean fisheries management has emerged due to the status of the stocks (still largely in overfishing) and the discontent of stakeholders regarding management plans and tools that are not always recognized as appropriate to the characteristics of the concerned fisheries. Stakeholders’ involvement in management processes is one of the main pillars of the Common Fisheries Policy revision. The literature underlines, in an increasingly urgent manner, the importance of stakeholders fully understanding the contents of management plans and, vice versa, necessary for the successful implementation of policies. Focusing on the path towards sustainability endorsed by the BluFish project, the paper tries to provide an answer about the sustainability of some selected Southern Italian fisheries, by adopting the assessment approach of the Marine Stewardship Council. The assessment approach, based on a set of Performance Indicators and on a well-defined scoring scheme, focuses on three dimensions of sustainability. In addition to the classic assessment of the state of the stocks, there is an extensive screening of the impact of anthropic activity such as fishing on the entire ecosystem, including both the impact on accessory species and on vulnerable habitats and species. The evaluation adopted goes even further, with an approach that also includes the management and governance sphere, also trying to evaluate the level of involvement of the operators in the decision-making process. The paper illustrates that the selected fisheries are not fully sustainable but some of them have excellent potential for improvement even in the short term by identifying and implementing the appropriate action. The most relevant weaknesses identified refer to the low scores obtained for sustainability of stocks, mainly around the Harvest Control Rules (HCR) and the Harvest Strategy indicators, highlighting the importance of improving the management of the assessed stocks. The paper highlights how data and scientific knowledge availability is essential for a detailed mapping and evaluation of fishing activities but also that the path towards more sustainable and responsible fisheries does not work without a strong participation of all the key stakeholders.

Charophyte flora from the Oligocene fossil site of Suceag (Transylvanian Basin, Romania)

A charophyte assemblage composed of six species has been recovered from lower Oligocene deposits of the Dâncu Formation at the fossil site of Suceag (Transylvanian Basin, Romania). The assemblage is dominated by the two varieties of the species Lychnothamnus pinguis (L. pinguis forma pinguis and L. pinguis forma major). Accessory species include Lychnothamnus prealangeri, Nitellopsis (Tectochara) merianii, and few Sphaerochara sp. and Harrisichara sp. gyrogonites. L. pinguis is the index species of the homonymous Rupelian European biozone which was previously correlated in Western Europe with the Mammal Paleogene Reference Levels of MP21–MP23, and calibrated with the Geomagnetic Polarity Time Scale (GPTS), chrones C13N and C12R. From a paleobiogeographic viewpoint, this study confirms the presence of L. pinguis forma pinguis and L. praelangeri in Romania and in the whole Eastern Europe. Moreover, the charophyte assemblage from Suceag belongs to the Priabonian–Rupelian European charophyte bioprovince. While the vertebrate fossils reported in the same fossil locality indicate that the Dâncu Formation at Suceag sedimented in an estuarine environment, the charophyte assemblage suggests a more complex pattern, with presence of freshwater lakes too.

Understanding Iron Impurities in Australian Kaolin and Their Effect on Acid and Heat Activation Processes of Clay.

Iron impurities present in the crystal structure of kaolin minerals or in accessory species are frequently encountered in clay deposits. As knowledge of the location and states of the iron is crucial when modifying the properties of clays by activation, it is important that new deposits are well characterized in terms of the amount and location of this metal. The Western Australia Noombenberry deposit has been identified as a large resource of kaolin composed largely of halloysite and kaolinite. We sampled six from one hundred drill holes and grouped them according to major mineral and iron impurities. First, we characterized them to understand the source of iron impurities. Then, we performed three physicochemical activation processes of samples involving acid treatment (by 3 M HCl), heating at 600 °C, and a combination of both. State-of-the-art tools, including X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, scanning and transmission electron microscopy, and nuclear magnetic resonance, revealed the properties of kaolin, iron impurities, and the changes incurred after activation. The iron impurities were found to be linked to non-kaolin minerals, i.e., in mica or illite. Once the iron was removed mainly by acid activation, the surface area, pore volume, and negative surface charges increased, and that was significant for halloysite-rich samples. These properties helped adsorb N2 gas compared to the raw kaolin. Therefore, knowing the iron's location and states in associated mineral species and their dissolution/retention may expand the scope of material development for gas adsorption. They are also useful in other applications like clay purification and adsorbent or additive formulations.

Quantitative and Qualitative Assessment of Species Diversity and Distribution Pattern of Drosophila Species in North Chotanagpur Division of Jharkhand, India

Jharkhand is a naive Indian state in terms of study related to Drosophila species distribution, despite of being rich in varied ecological resources. The present study was carried out to assess the species absolute abundance (A), relative abundance (R), constancy (C) evenness (Jʹ), species richness and diversity indices like Shannon –Weaver index (Hʹ), which is based on the survey done during 2016 - 2018 in the seven representative districts of North Chotanagpur division of Jharkhand. Our intensive field surveys in the wild areas of the seven districts of North Chotanagpur have recognized 20 different species distributed within 4 genera, 6 subgenra in a total of 2909 flies collected by using three traditional methods. Our major results indicated that 90.5 % of abundance was in species of genus Drosophila and 0.1% of Amiota species. Moreover, D. malerkotliana (R= 0.189) and D. melanogaster (R = 0.176) are more or less equally abundant as accessory species, while A. shillongensis (R = 0.00068) is accidental species. Species richness showed Hazaribag having more species richness (D_Mg = 2.78) in comparison to Ramgarh and Giridih (D_Mg = 1.92 & 1.96) respectively. Species evenness pattern is more or less similar in three districts while Hazaribag has less evenly distribution due to unequal occurrence of some species. It concludes that Hazaribag has more species diversity and species richness as compared to other districts due to specific niche preferences.

Phytoplankton communauties of the Porto-Novo Lagoon (South-East Bénin)

This work aims to reveal the ecological status of the Porto-Novo Lagoon in the South-East of Benin, after some development works by analyzing phytoplankton communities. The phytoplankton sampling was carried out monthly from March to august 2017 using a plankton net (30 µm in diameter) at 6 sites located using a Global Positioning System (GPS). Alpha diversity was assessed using Shannon-Weiner index and Pielou evenness. The occurrence frequency of each taxon was determined for habitat preferences. The distribution profile of the taxa was revealed by a bio typology using the algorithm of Self Organizing Maps (SOM). In total, 160 taxa (genera and species) of phytoplankton belonging to 8 phytoplankton, 11 classes, 26 orders and 31 families have been identified. Cyanophyta, Eugenophyta, Dinophyta and Pyrrophyta were each represented by one class. It was the Chlorophyta with 4 classes followed by Diatomophyta, 3 classes that were the richest phyla. This observed biodiversity shows significant monthly variations. The highest densities of certain orders such as Cyanophyceae, Chlorophyceae and Euglenophyceae in the environment revealed the eutrophic state of the waters of the lagoon. The large number of accessory species, the different values of the various biodiversity indexes calculated added to the dominance of the various tolerant polluting species indicated the ecological instability of the lagoon despite the fitting up activities made in recent years. It is urgent to redefine the typical works to be done for the sustainability of this ecosystem.

Diversity of Mollusc Vectors of Schistosomiasis in Miti-Murhesa Health Zone, Eastern of DRC, Kabare Territory

The main objective is to inventory the vectors of bilharziasis in the aquatic ecosystems of KABARE locally in Miti-Murhesa Health zone as well as other species of aquatic molluscs in order to activate the fight against this endemic disease of this region. A total of 2762 samples were collected during our investigation period in the aquatic ecosystems in Miti-Murhesa Health Zone. We carried out field work based on shellfish sampling using appropriate methods. This sampling was carried out in 12 different sites. After collect of samples, we identified the mollusc species using the indicated identification keys, counted them and compiled them in Excel software for statistical analyses using Past software. Thus, five species of aquatic molluscs were identified. These species are Biomphalaria pfeifferi, Bulinus globosus, Pisidium casernatum, B. forskalii and Lymnaea natalensis. The species Biomphalaria pfeifferi and Bilinus globosus are intermediate hosts of intestinal schistosomiasis and urinary schistosomiasis respectively; while Lymnaea natalensis is the intermediate host of fasciolosis. Depending on the frequency of species, Biomphalaria pfeifferi and Lymnaea natalensis are constant species, Bulinus globosus and Psidium casernatum are accessory species and finally B. forskalii is an accidental species.Depending on the sites prospected, one species of aquatic mollusc was abundant in the aquatic ecosystems in this area: Biomphalaria pfeifferi; three species are moderately abundant: Lymnaea natalensis, Bulinus globosus and Pisidium casernatum, and only one is rare: Tomichia ventricosa. All the prospected sites are diversified in aquatic mollusc species except the Kashekesheke site, but the 2nd tarmaque site, Mulungu River and Kamulonge sites are thus the richest sites in aquatic mollusc species of Miti-Murhesa Health zone. The presence of these species clearly shows the risk of contamination of the population of Miti-Murhesa Health zone. These intermediate hosts of bilharzia are proliferating in the aquatic ecosystems of Miti-Murhesa Health zone; it is therefore important to recommend ways to reduce this proliferation. This study provides the basis for future ecological studies of the intermediate bilharzia host molluscs in this entity.

Data Poor Approach for the Assessment of the Main Target Species of Rapido Trawl Fishery in Adriatic Sea

Information on stock status is available only for a few of the species forming the catch assemblage of rapido fishery of the North-central Adriatic Sea (Mediterranean Sea). Species that are caught almost exclusively by this gear, either as target (such as Pectinidae) or accessory catches (such as flatfishes apart from the common sole), remain unassessed mainly due to the lack of data and biological information. Based on cluster analysis, the catch assemblage of this fishery was identified and assessed using CMSY model. The results of this data-poor methodology showed that, among the species analyzed, no one is sustainably exploited. The single-species CMSY results were used as input to an extension of the same model, to test the effect of four different harvest control rule (HCR) scenarios on the entire catch assemblage, through 15-years forecasts. The analysis showed that the percentage of the stocks that will reach Bmsy at the end of the projections will depend on the HCR applied. Forecasts showed that a reduction of 20% of fishing effort may permit to most of the target and accessory species of the rapido trawl fishery in the Adriatic Sea to recover to Bmsy levels within 15 years, also providing a slight increase in the expected catches.

Benthic foraminiferal response to orbital-scale variability in primary productivity off the Portuguese margin over the last 1.3 Myr

Detailed analyses of benthic foraminiferal fauna and planktonic foraminiferal stable carbon isotopes at IODP Site U1391 were performed to reconstruct orbital-scale variability in primary productivity off the Portuguese margin over the last 1.3 Myr. Q-mode factor analysis of benthic foraminiferal census data from the >250 μm fraction reveals four assemblages, which is mainly controlled by the organic matter flux to the seafloor deriving from surface water productivity. The Sphaeroidina bulloides assemblage accounts for nearly half of the total variance, consisting of S. bulloides, the agglutinated taxa and Lenticulina as major components and Cibicidoides robertsonianus, Planulina ariminensis and Uvigerina peregrina parva as subsidiary species. Cibicidoides wuellerstorfi and Bulimina mexicana are important accessory species of the Cibicidoides pachyderma-dominated assemblage. The miliolids assemblage is dominated by miliolids and B. mexicana with Uvigerina mediterranea as the important associated species. The Praeglobobulimina ovata assemblage is represented by P. ovata along with Globobulimina affinis, Melonis pompiloides, Melonis barleeanum and U. peregrina parva as important accessory species. High productivity often occurs during the interglacial stages and is characterized by the S. bulloides assemblage with subsidiary P. ovata assemblage, while low productivity often occurs during the glacial stages and is marked by the miliolids assemblage and the C. pachyderma assemblage. In addition to the distinct glacial/interglacial variations, there is a long-term decreasing trend in primary productivity recorded by benthic foraminifera, which is supported by a broadly increasing trend in the sediment redness (a*). Continuous wavelet analysis of high productivity-related Factor 1 loading (the S. bulloides assemblage) suggests that variations in primary productivity have a middle Pleistocene transition (MPT)-related shift in cyclicity from the ~41-kyr dominant cycle prior to the MPT to the ~100-kyr dominant cycle after the MPT. Cross-spectral analyses between the Factor 1 loading record and δ18O of Globigerina bulloides reveal the control of global ice volume changes on primary productivity. The high coherency between the Factor 1 loading record and δ13C of G. bulloides on the glacial/interglacial timescale suggests that primary productivity off the Portuguese margin may be largely affected by nutrient availability which was related to the Iberian surface hydrographic changes associated with changes in global ice volume.

Biodiversity of epifauna in the ports of Southern Baltic Sea revealed by study of recruitment and succession on artificial panels

Ports are highly dynamic environments that are under substantial anthropogenic pressure generated by activities related to the fishery, transhipment of cargo and passenger traffic. Thus, seaports are exposed to physical disturbances, chemical pollution and biological invasions. Yet knowledge about biotic part and the influence of anthropogenic pressure on it in seaports often does not exist. The main aim of this study was to assess the biodiversity of the hard-bottom epifauna by examination of the course of the recruitment and succession processes in the poorly known port basin ecosystem of the southern Baltic Sea at the ports of Gdańsk, Gdynia and Władysławowo. We wanted to test whether the different port areas had their unique species diversity and compositions. In all investigated ports we found relatively low biodiversity but high recruitment activity of sessile fauna. Six epifaunal species were observed, and Amphibalanus improvisus was consistently the dominant species (up to 47,126.5 ± 2747.1 SD individuals per 225 cm2 in July in Gdynia port). Seasonality was found to be the main factor shaping recruitment and further development of the sessile assemblages, and the seasonal sequences of epifaunal occurrence were similar in the three examined ports. Furthermore, the epifauna of all ports showed homogenous species richness, composition and abiotic characteristics, although in the Władysławowo port, which is more exposed to the open sea, a higher abundance of meroplankton and greater shares of accessory species (Mytilus spp., Limecola balthica, Cerastoderma glaucum and Mya arenaria) were found. The assemblage structures of the ports resembled those of nearby natural system (Gulf of Gdańsk); thus, the port ecosystem seems to be an integral part of the surrounding natural habitat. Two years of monthly observations did not reveal any new non-native species in the examined study area.

The relative importance of regional and local factors in shaping zooplankton diversity in high-altitude tropical shallow lakes

In Brazil, although, high-altitude shallow lakes comprise large parts of conservation units and are considered highly important environments for biodiversity studies, little is known about the factors that regulate the zooplankton community. In the present study, we sought to identify the effect of regional (hydroperiod and altitude) and local (lake area and macrophyte cover) factors on the zooplankton communities in eight shallow high-altitude lakes (from 1080 m a.s.l. to lakes above 1200 m a.s.l.) in the Espinhaço Mountain Range (Brazil). Of the 116 zooplankton species identified, 66 (56%) showed a high degree of spatial aggregation, occurring in only a few lakes. Accessory species occurred predominantly in small lakes, while rare species were better represented in the larger lakes, suggesting species sorting associated with the niche effect. Zooplankton richness was strongly influenced by hydroperiod, indicating that temporary lakes can congregate species resistant to the environmental filter of the drought, playing an important role in the diversification of the zooplankton community. We identified environmental heterogeneity (macrophyte cover) as the factor that most influenced the species diversity: zooplankton responded positively to increased macrophyte cover, confirming that the presence of aquatic plants constitutes a strong environmental filter to explain the variation of the zooplankton community. Zooplankton species composition and abundance differed among lakes, indicating a certain degree of heterogeneity in assemblage structure, but no influence on zooplankton diversity was observed. Our results provide evidences that altitude did not influence zooplankton diversity and this may affect the regional diversity (ß diversity) of tropical high-altitude lakes, and merits further study.

Ecological uniqueness and species richness of zooplankton in subtropical floodplain lakes

Beta diversity can be analysed using various approaches, but those integrating site and species contributions to beta diversity are rare in floodplain lake systems. We analysed the beta diversity of rotifers and cladocerans across 50 floodplain lakes in Brazil, focusing on both pelagic and littoral zones. We partitioned beta diversity into local contributions (LCBD), species contributions (SCBD), and related LCBD with environmental variables and SCBD with species features. We expected lower species richness and higher ecological uniqueness for both groups in the pelagic zones than in the littoral zones. The highest ecological uniqueness and low species richness were detected in the pelagic zone, whereas the littoral zones had high species richness and low ecological uniqueness. We found a negative relationship between species richness and LCBD for rotifers, but no significant relationship was detected for cladocerans. Nitrate, transparency and conductivity affected variation in ecological uniqueness. Common and accessory species had higher contributions to beta diversity compared with rare species. The SCBD of rotifers and cladocerans showed similar responses based on occurrence and density data. We suggest that the use of zooplankton assemblages to determine conservation actions across floodplain lakes should be based on different biological groups and lake zones. The inclusion of littoral zones adds to our knowledge of zooplankton biodiversity that has typically been based on studies of pelagic zones, and may have implications for the conservation planning of floodplain lakes.

Genomic analysis of bacteria in the Acute Oak Decline pathobiome.

The UK’s native oak is under serious threat from Acute Oak Decline (AOD). Stem tissue necrosis is a primary symptom of AOD and several bacteria are associated with necrotic lesions. Two members of the lesion pathobiome, Brenneria goodwinii and Gibbsiella quercinecans, have been identified as causative agents of tissue necrosis. However, additional bacteria including Lonsdalea britannica and Rahnella species have been detected in the lesion microbiome, but their role in tissue degradation is unclear. Consequently, information on potential genome-encoded mechanisms for tissue necrosis is critical to understand the role and mechanisms used by bacterial members of the lesion pathobiome in the aetiology of AOD. Here, the whole genomes of bacteria isolated from AOD-affected trees were sequenced, annotated and compared against canonical bacterial phytopathogens and non-pathogenic symbionts. Using orthologous gene inference methods, shared virulence genes that retain the same function were identified. Furthermore, functional annotation of phytopathogenic virulence genes demonstrated that all studied members of the AOD lesion microbiota possessed genes associated with phytopathogens. However, the genome of B. goodwinii was the most characteristic of a necrogenic phytopathogen, corroborating previous pathological and metatranscriptomic studies that implicate it as the key causal agent of AOD lesions. Furthermore, we investigated the genome sequences of other AOD lesion microbiota to understand the potential ability of microbes to cause disease or contribute to pathogenic potential of organisms isolated from this complex pathobiome. The role of these members remains uncertain but some such as G. quercinecans may contribute to tissue necrosis through the release of necrotizing enzymes and may help more dangerous pathogens activate and realize their pathogenic potential or they may contribute as secondary/opportunistic pathogens with the potential to act as accessory species for B. goodwinii. We demonstrate that in combination with ecological data, whole genome sequencing provides key insights into the pathogenic potential of bacterial species whether they be phytopathogens, part-contributors or stimulators of the pathobiome.

Модрина та ялиця в штучних насадженнях Прикарпаття і Карпат: лісівничо-таксаційна характеристика та особливості росту

Встановлено основні технологічні елементи створення модриново-ялицевих культур, здійснено порівняння середніх таксаційних показників Larix L., Abies alba Mill., Picea abies (L.) Karst. у штучних насадженнях – висоти, діаметра та об’єму середнього дерева в умовах вологих букових та грабово-букових яличин і суяличин, а також ялицевих дібров. Встановлено, що створення лісових культур за участю модрини та ялиці є перспективним напрямком формування високопродуктивних багатоярусних і стійких лісових фітоценозів.&#x0D; Насадження за участю ялиці та модрини відзначаються високими таксаційними показниками та значними запасами стовбурової деревини, де темнохвойна порода відіграє роль підгону, а модрина формує повнодеревні стовбури, зростаючи у пристигаючих насадженнях за Іа-Іb класами бонітету. Модрина, при цьому, завжди має перевагу над ялицею за висотою, що дає їй змогу успішно рости в модриново-ялицевих деревостанах.&#x0D; У молодих насадженнях 30-35-річного віку модрина, при сумісному зростанні з ялицею, а також з ялиною має перевагу за висотою в межах 20-25%, за діаметром – 25-30%, за об’ємом середнього дерева – в два рази. У насадженнях 41-50-річного віку модрина має перевагу над ялицею за висотою на 10-20%, хоча в окремих випадках може відставати в рості за діаметром.&#x0D; Аналіз ходу росту показує, що до 30-річного віку найвищою інтенсивністю росту за висотою та діаметром характеризуються модрина та ялина, тоді як ялиця починає формувати значні прирости, як за висотою так і за діаметром, після 30-40-річного віку.&#x0D; Під час формування високопродуктивних та стійких ялиново-модриново-ялицевих насаджень лісокультурними і лісівничими заходами необхідно забезпечити участь модрини в їх складі в межах 30-40%.&#x0D; Встановлено доцільність створення часткових культур модрини методом висаджування породи окремими рядами чи біогрупами серед природного поновлення корінних порід – бука та ялиці.

A latest Permian non-reef calcisponge fauna from Laibin, Guangxi, southern China and its significance

A calcisponge fauna occurs in uppermost Permian Conodont Clarkina meishanensis yini zone of the sequence exposed in the vicinity of Laibin, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, southern China. The fauna is dominated by one thalamid species, Amblysiphonella vesiculosa de Koninck, 1863, and one new sclerosponge genus and species, Radiofibrosclera laibinensis gen. et sp. nov. They are associated with a few other accessory species, including the thalamid sponges Amblysiphonella laibinensis Deng, 1981, Colospongia sp., Polycystocoelia sp., and the inozoan sponge Acoelia discontinua sp. nov. Though the individuals are abundant, the species diversity is very low. Without common calcisponge components of Changhsingian reefal faunas, the assemblage is interpreted as not a reefal fauna. The water depth at which they dwelled was less than 105 m, and more probably less than 40 m. Its occurrence indicates a significant sea-level drop at the end of Late Permian Changhsingian Age.

Longitudinal distribution of the ichthyofauna in a tributary of Tietê River with sources on the Basaltic Cuestas of São Paulo, Southeastern Brazil

This work aimed to study the composition and distribution of fish species at four sites along Cabeça River, an affluent of Corumbataí River, tributary of Tietê River, intending to better understand the influence of local geomorphology on the occurrence of the species along the river. Using gill nets, trawl net, cast net and sieves, five samples were taken from each site every two months. These data were analyzed from constancy of occurrence, similarity index of Jaccard, rarefaction analysis and descriptive statistical analysis of richness. 4,532 fish individuals belonging to six different orders, 17 families and 65 species were captured. Differences in composition, richness (diversity), abundance and frequency were observed at these sites along the river. The sample site near the mouth of Cabeça River, was richer (49 species) and more abundant than the other three upstream sites, which showed fewer species and equivalent amounts each other (between 22 and 29 species). Moreover, this downstream site had the highest percentage of accessory species, whereas the other samples had a greater number of constant species. Cluster analysis from the Jaccard similarity showed that each site had distinct species composition. Cabeça River basin drains a rugged terrain in the state of São Paulo, between the Basaltic Cuestas and Peripheral Depression geomorphologic provinces. In this scenario, waterfalls and rapids influence the distribution, composition and richness of fish species.

Distinguishing relative specialist and generalist species in the fossil record

Abstract The fundamental niche comprises the range of environmental variables under which a species can live. Specialist species have narrower fundamental niches than do generalists. Thus, specialists benefit from homogeneous environments while generalists can exploit heterogeneous ones. The challenge is distinguishing relative specialists from generalists in a sedimentary rock succession. This is overcome by taking replicate samples from several horizons in a heterogeneous formation and comparing species' mean percentage abundances using analysis of variance (ANOVA). The mean proportional abundances of specialists will differ between horizons in a heterogeneous succession, while those of generalists will not. The Globorotalia fohsi robusta Zone Middle Miocene Cipero Formation of Trinidad, western central Atlantic Ocean, consists of alternating, diffuse layers of light to dark grey clays. Five replicates of 40 g each were taken from four horizons across a light- to dark-grey cycle. They were picked entirely clean of benthic foraminifera, of which they yielded 5186 specimens in 153 species. Total recovery was dominated by Brizalina cf. tectiformis, with lesser Globocassidulina subglobosa, Pleurostomella alazanensis and Planulina wuellerstorfi. ANOVA applied to each species in turn indicated three species groups: 64 accessory species (each represented by ≤ 3 specimens, ≤ 0.06% of total recovery); 21 specialist species, for which mean percentage abundance varied significantly between at least two horizons; and 68 generalist species, for which mean percentage abundances did not differ across the horizons. It might be thought that ANOVA would preferentially assign a specialist status to less abundant species. However, this did not happen; of the four most abundant species, P. alazanensis was a specialist, while B. cf. tectiformis, G. subglobosa and P. wuellerstorfi were generalists. The mean percentage abundance of the specialist species did not differ from that of the generalists. Both specialist and generalist species have palaeoenvironmental applications. The generalist nature of P. wuellerstorfi shows that bottom current strength probably did not differ across the four horizons. The occurrence of the specialist and opportunistic Epistominella exigua in the lowest horizon indicates an interlude of seasonal phytodetrital flux, while sequential increases in the mean percentage abundance of the specialists Oridorsalis umbonatus and Uvigerina auberiana show that the organic carbon flux increased across the four horizons.

Fruit-feeding butterflies (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae) of the Área de Proteção Especial Manancial Mutuca, Nova Lima and Species list for the Region of Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil

A study of the assembly of fruit-feeding butterflies in the Área de Proteção Especial Manancial Mutuca, Nova Lima, MG was conducted with the goal of inventorying the species of the site. Forty-two traps were used to attract fruit-feeding butterflies, divided between Cerrado (rupestrian field) and riparian vegetation, monthly over one year. 2245 butterflies, which belonged to 63 species, were recorded. Of this total, fourty-eight species were collected in the Cerrado, twenty-one exclusively in this environment, forty-two in riparian forest, fifteen being exclusive to this environment, and twenty-seven species were sampled in both environments. From the total of sampled species, thirty-five were considered rare, eight accessory species, and twenty constant species. Prepona deiphile deiphile (Charaxine) is classified as vulnerable on the Minas Gerais’ list and on the national list of threatened species. The collector curve showed no clear trend to stabilization, suggesting that there are species still not sampled in the study area. Adding the data from field sampling to the information on species occurrence in the literature and in entomological collections, the current number of frugivorous butterflies species for the region of Belo Horizonte is 104. This result foregrounds the importance of APE Mutuca for maintaning a rich fauna of frugivorous butterflies to the area.