Edge Of Pond Research Articles

A new species of pygmy mole cricket (Orthoptera: Tridactylidae) from the Lake Wales ridge of Florida and new records of Ellipes eisneri from the northern Brooksville ridge

Pygmy mole crickets (Orthoptera: Tridactylidae) are usually associated with the edges of ponds and streams, but in the sandy uplands of Florida, at least two lineages of these insects have evolved to live in xeric scrub and sandhill habitats. Very little work has been done with scrub tridactylids since they are tiny and often difficult to collect. In this paper, the pygmy mole cricket Ellipes deyrupisp. nov. is described from the northern Lake Wales Ridge of Florida. It is sympatric at all known locations with another scrub tridactylid, Neotridactylus archboldi Deyrup & Eisner, but has not been found co-occurring with the closely related Ellipes eisneri Deyrup. The habits of this new species are convergent with both N. archboldi and E. eisneri. In addition, new records of Ellipes eisneri are presented, extending this species’ known distribution to the Northern Brooksville Ridge. Both species of scrub Ellipes are found in restricted geographic ranges and suffer from a lack of study and recognition. Conservation implications for these two species are discussed.

Density-Dependent Cannibalism in Dragonfly Nymphs (Odonata: Anisoptera) Overwintering in Temperate Freshwater Ponds.

Density-dependent mortality by predation and cannibalism has been observed in aquatic insects such as dragonflies in response to shrinking habitat caused by summer drought. Winter conditions might also reduce the amount of livable habitat in temperate ponds and could augment rates of cannibalism. We hypothesized that cannibalism in dragonfly nymphs would increase in winter due to a seasonal decrease in available habitat caused by stratified lower oxygen levels leading to increased nymph density around pond edges. To determine whether cannibalism in nymphs is density-dependent and size-dependent (i.e., with smaller nymphs consumed) we experimentally manipulated nymph density in aquaria. To evaluate whether these patterns are observed in nature during the winter, we conducted field surveys for nymphs in two ponds across the fall and winter seasons. When nymphs were housed at different densities for 24 h, cannibalism was density-dependent, and only smaller nymphs were preyed upon. Our field surveys found that fewer nymphs were caught in the late winter sampling period (mixed-effects model, P < 0.001), and that these were larger than nymphs caught in the fall, although both patterns were restricted to the deeper pond (P < 0.05). Our results were consistent with the process we hypothesized, and the observed reduction in dissolved oxygen at the bottom of the deeper pond. The lack of significant changes to the relative abundance and size of nymphs in the shallower pond reveals that differences in pond characteristics can influence the degree to which winter conditions induce density-dependent cannibalism among dragonfly nymphs.

Defensive spray by a semiaquatic osmylid larva (Insecta: Neuroptera) for both aquatic and terrestrial predators

Chemical secretions are an effective means by which insects can deter potential enemies. Several terrestrial insects spray these liquids directionally toward enemies, but little is known about spraying behavior in aquatic and semiaquatic insects. The larvae of Osmylus hyalinatus (Neuroptera: Osmylidae) are semiaquatic, inhabiting the edges of small streams and ponds where they encounter multiple enemies on land and in water. The larvae of this osmylid sprayed a hyaline liquid from the anal opening if disturbed in either air and water, although the spray appeared slightly viscous in water. The liquid was stored in the posterior half of the hindgut and sprayed directionally toward an artificial stimulus. Spraying allowed the larvae to escape biting by ants, and to repel them in 90% of encounters. Spraying caused the regurgitation of 71% and 60% of all larvae swallowed by terrestrial frogs and aquatic newts, respectively. Aquatic fishfly larvae released 30% of captured larvae due to spraying. Most of the larvae that repelled ants or were regurgitated by amphibians survived, but those released by fishfly larvae were killed by heavy biting with the mandibles. This is the first report of effective liquid spraying by insects in water, and also within the order Neuroptera.

Abundance and behavior of little egrets (Egretta garzetta) near an onshore wind farm in Chongming Dongtan, China

Wind energy development has complex ecological consequences for many bird species. Previous environmental impact assessments (EIAs) for avian taxa mainly focused on the direct and indirect impacts of wind farm, such as collision mortality, flight changes, and habitat displacement. Their impact on waterbird behavior is less studied, especially foraging behaviors, which determine their energy budget and, thus, their reproduction and survival. In this study, we examined the effect of wind farms and the surrounding landscape on the abundance and energy budget-related behaviors of little egrets (Egretta garzetta), a dominant resident waterbird species near wind farms along the East China coast, from June to October 2019. Three egret behavioral categories were recorded, i.e., rest, locomotion, and foraging, and three foraging subcategories, i.e., stand-and-wait, walk slowly, and walk quickly. We also measured the distance to the wind farm and five landscape variables (aquaculture pond edge, ditch, marsh grassland, marsh open water, and river) within each quadrat. We found no significant effect of the distance to the wind farm on the abundance of little egrets, although their abundance was positively and negatively related to the aquaculture pond edge and marsh open water, respectively. The distance to the wind farm was positively correlated with stand-and-wait foraging. In addition, the river was negatively correlated with locomotion. Marsh open water was negatively correlated with walk slowly foraging. Therefore, the abundance of little egrets in Chongming Dongtan was not affected by the wind farm, although the wind farm resulted in changes to some of their behavior. Overall, the effect of this wind farm on little egrets was limited. We suggest aquaculture ponds mainly inhabited by egrets as alternatives for coastal wind farm development. We also highlight the behavioral evaluation of waterbirds as a complementary technique for EIAs of wind farm developments.

Physicochemical factors affecting the diversity and abundance of Afrotropical Culicoides species in larval habitats in Senegal

Biting midges of the genus Culicoides (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) are the biological vectors of arboviruses of global importance in animal health. We characterized the physicochemical parameters that determine the density and composition of the main Culicoides species of veterinary interest in larval habitats of the Niayes region of Senegal. For this purpose, we combined larval and substrate sampling in the field in different habitat types with adult emergence and physicochemical analyses in the laboratory. Three major habitat types were identified, conditioning the predominant species of Culicoides and pH and the amount of organic matter were positively correlated with the abundance of larvae and emerging Culicoides, as opposed to salinity. The diversity of emerging Culicoides was positively correlated with pH while it was negatively correlated with salinity. Culicoides distinctipennis was the predominant species in the larval habitat group of freshwater lake edges. In the larval habitat group of pond and puddle edges, C. oxystoma and C. nivosus were predominant; both species were again most abundant in the larval habitat group of saltwater lake edges. These variabilities in physicochemical parameters support the distribution of different Culicoides species in different habitat groups. These results make it possible to implement effective, selective and environmental-friendly control measures but also to improve current models for estimating the abundance of adult vector populations at a local scale.

Morphological characteristics and habitat conditions of suweg (Amorphophallus paeoniifolius) around Mount Ciremai National Park, West Java, Indonesia

Abstract. Mutaqin AZ, Kurniadie D, Iskandar J, Nurzaman M, Husodo T. 2021. Morphological characteristics and habitat conditions of suweg (Amorphophallus paeoniifolius) around Mount Ciremai National Park, West Java, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 22: 2591-2600. Indonesia is a country that has abundant biodiversity, especially the diversity of plant species. One of the plant species that widely distributed across Indonesia is Amorphophallus paeoniifolius (Dennst.) Nicolson, or locally known as suweg. This study aims to identify morphological characteristics of A. paeoniifolius and its habitat conditions around Mount Ciremai National Park, West Java Province, Indonesia. Several stages of the exploratory survey were randomly carried out followed by purposive intensive observations. The method used to collect and analyze data is qualitative methods combined with simple measurements of quantitative technique. The results showed that suweg in the studied areas had distinctive morphological characteristics, which are different from the rest of the species from Amorphophallus genus. The plant is found in 4 types of land, namely home gardens, gardens, rice fields, and pond edges, whether with open or closed canopy conditions. The density of suweg in the study area is generally low. The climatic and edaphic conditions of suweg habitat in several study areas showed that there are a lot of similarities of conditions with other references. There are also 156 species of plants found that grow around suweg, both in the category of cultivated and wild plants. This- study enriches the existing knowledge on the botanical and ecological information of A. paeoniifolius in the context of geographical area (i.e., Ciremai National Park, West Java, Indonesia).

DERADIKALISASI ANAK-ANAK MANTAN TERORIS MELALUI PENDIDIKAN BERBASIS MULTIKULTURALISME

The spread of social conflicts that have occurred is clear evidence, such as the development of terrorist groups in various parts of the world in various forms. Victims of terrorism are not only those who died due to acts of terrorism, but including victims are families and children of terrorism perpetrators who do not know the activities carried out by their husbands or fathers. Coupled with the negative stigma and bullying behavior towards them sometimes leads to what is called "social reproduction". Khairul Ghazali, a former terrorist who carried out a robbery in CIMB Niaga, is well aware of the importance of education for children of former terrorists and families of terrorists. This qualitative research concludes that the Islamic Education Curriculum at the Daarusy Syifa Islamic Boarding School, Sei Mencirim Village, Kutalimbaru District, Deli Serdang North Sumatra uses a religious education approach taught in schools in a non-professional position as a social science. The religious education system aims solely to study religion as science and knowledge of society (learning to know about religion), not to instill belief and shape humans to obey their religion (learning to be religious persons). The implementation of multiculturalism-based Islamic education at the Daarusy Syifa Islamic Boarding School Darusy Syifaa Islamic Boarding School uses the concept of a natural school. The students in white robes and study turbans in a gazebo about 3x3 meters in size are deliberately placed under trees on the edge of rice fields and fish ponds. The view of the children of former terrorist actors and terrorist families towards the homogeneous and multicultural NKRI is actually no problem, it's just that the negative stigma and people's views of their fathers cause them to follow in the footsteps of their parents, because it is important for society to remove the stigma and abuse against them. most of whom are not involved such as children and families.&#x0D; Keyword: Deradicalization, Terrorism, Multiculturalism

Heavy metal contamination in groundwater and surface water due to active Pb-Zn-Cu mine tails and water-rock interactions: A case study from the Küre mine area (Turkey)

This study aimed at elucidating the groundwater and surface water pollution resulting from water-rock interaction, mine tailings, and mining activities at Küre (Kastamonu) sulfidic Pb-Zn-Cu mine area and its vicinity. The study area has a surface area of approximately 2990 km2. The Küre River drainage site covering the study area is approximately 440 km2. The concentrations of SO4, Al, As, Ba, Mn, Ni, Sb, and Pb in some groundwater (K10, K20, K21, K27, K28, K29, K30), and surface water (KR3) exceed the maximum limit values with respect to the Turkish Standards for Water Intended For Human Consumption and World Health Organization Standards. The most polluted waters were K10, K27, and KR3. The K10 well was drilled for observation at the edge of the liquid mine tailing pond of the Küre Pb-Zn-Cu mine area. The K27 well was opened in alluvium outside of the study area and it cuts the clastic units and Mesozoic ophiolites. The KR3 measurement point is located on the Ersizler River, which drains the Küre Pb-Zn-Cu mining site and its dumps. The SO4, Al, As, Pb, and Sb concentrations of the K10, K27, and KR3 waters were 29.3, 0.8, and 15.1 meq/L; 1135, 1112, and 1186 ppb; 284, 255, and 271 ppb; 19.1, 19, and 18.5 ppb; and 18.7, 17.4, and 19.3 ppb, respectively, in the dry period. As revealed by the analysis, the study area had dual pollution source natural pollution caused by water-rock interactions (K27 and others) and anthropogenic pollution (K10 and KR3) caused by the mine tailings. Furthermore, the K10 water had high tritium (3H)-high electrical conductivity (EC) values that likely indicated anthropogenic contamination. The K27 water had low 3H-high EC values, presumably referring to geogenic contamination. The current study also demonstrated that there was leakage from the liquid mine tailing pond into the groundwater (K10), possibly implying discharge of the liquid mine tailings into the river (KR3).

Ethnobotany of Amorphophallus paeoniifolius: Morphology, folk classification, and habitat in area around Ciremai Mountain, Cimanuk Watershed Region, West Java, Indonesia

Abstract. Mutaqin AZ, Kurniadie D, Iskandar J, Nurzaman M, Partasasmita R. 2020. Ethnobotany of Amorphophallus paeoniifolius: Morphology, folk classification, and habitat in area around Ciremai Mountain, Cimanuk Watershed Region, West Java, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 21: 3898-3909. Plants that grow in the world have a diversity of names, characters, and growing environments. Likewise, plants that grow around Ciremai Mountain, including the Cimanuk Watershed, are very diverse in species and habitats. One species of plant in this region is Amorphophallus paeoniifolius (Dennst.) Nicolson. This plant is closely related to people's lives. This plant is a species of the tuber that has the potential to be used for various purposes. This study aims to determine the knowledge of the people about the ethnobotany of A. paeoniifolius especially the morphology, folk classification, and habitat with case studies in several villages in Cikijing Sub-district, Majalengka District which is ecologically located in the Ciremai Mountain neighborhood and, based on geography, is included in the Cimanuk Watershed. The qualitative method is used in this research. The data were collected through observation and semi-structured interviews or deep interviews with competent communities by focusing on their diversity. Data were analyzed by cross-checking, summarizing, and synthesizing and were narrated descriptively through an emic and ethical approach. The results showed that the people in the Ciremai Mountain neighborhood, namely Cipulus Village, Cilancang Village, Jagasari Village, and Sindangpanji Village, Cikijing Sub-district, Majalengka District knew names, morphology, and folk classification of A. paeoniifolius. This plant is popularly known as suweg in local name. People's knowledge related to morphology (leaves, tubers, roots, and flowers) in these areas is generally not much different. Related to folk classification, people generally say that suweg has variant based on the color of the tubers and sunlight exposure to the place of growth. The intended variant is suweg with reddish-white and yellowish-white of the tuber flesh’s color. Another classification is the suweg variant which grows in the hieum (shading area) and negrak (open area). Concerning hábitat, the people informed that the suweg grows in the garden and homegarden (specifically in the Sindangpanji village, the people said that besides growing in both types of land, the suweg also grows on the edge of rice fields and ponds). Besides, suweg also grows in hot and cold (tiis) conditions; from the beginning of the rainy season to the beginning of the dry season, which is marked by yellowing and falling of leaves; in various soil conditions (such as red, black, brown or sandy soil); and with various species of plants (except with eurih and areuy,in which the growth of the plant is not optimum).

Survival, movements and habitat use of captive‐bred and reintroduced dusky gopher frogs

AbstractDespite the growing roles of assisted reproduction and captive breeding in reintroductions, we have a limited understanding of the viability of these animals once released. We radiotracked endangered dusky gopher frogs Lithobates sevosus for up to 24 days after they were released into the wild to (1) assess the viability of juvenile frogs produced using artificial fertilization and raised in captivity until four weeks post‐metamorphosis, (2) investigate survival rates, movement patterns, and habitat use and (3) examine whether it is more beneficial to release frogs at the pond edge or into burrows in the uplands. Released frogs had a relatively high survival rate (76% overall, with mortality ceasing after 14 days) and behaved as expected, moving fairly long distances (up to 153 m daily and 426 m total) and locating suitable shelters, including burrows and stump holes. Frogs that sheltered underground had a 22% higher survival rate than frogs that did not, highlighting the importance of these habitat features. Compared to frogs released into burrows, frogs released at the pond had a 33% lower survival rate, spent less time underground and moved farther and more often, likely while searching for shelter. Frogs selected habitat characteristics that are associated with effects of fire, including an open canopy and abundant ground vegetation. Our study demonstrates that juvenile dusky gopher frogs successfully transitioned to their natural habitat, and that any effects of artificial fertilization or captivity on juvenile viability appear to be minimal. Releasing frogs into areas with abundant underground refuges and using frequent prescribed fire to maintain the habitat should benefit dusky gopher frog populations and improve the success of reintroductions.

Co-infection of infectious spleen and kidney necrosis virus and Francisella sp. in farmed pearl gentian grouper (♀Epinephelus fuscoguttatus ×♂E. lanceolatus) in China - A case report

From October–December 2018, a mass mortality among cultured pearl gentian grouper (♀Epinephelus fuscoguttatus × ♂E. lanceolatus) occurred on a private grouper farm in Zhanjiang City, Guangdong Province, China. Approximately 120 dead fish from each pond were recorded daily, and the cumulative mortality was up to 52% within 56 days. Diseased fish showed clinical signs such as lethargy, anorexia, slow swimming or staying near the pond edge, and dark body surface and petechiae of the gills. The notable internal gross pathological changes of diseased fish were splenomegaly, renomegaly, hepatic congestion, and the absence of apparent white nodules. Histopathological examinations revealed that hypertrophic cells were dispersed in various tissues and many spherical bacteria-like organisms were found in macrophages. PCR detection and sequence analysis confirmed the simultaneous presence of infectious spleen and kidney necrosis virus (designated as ISKNV-ZJ) and Francisella sp. (designated as zj09) in the diseased fish. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that virus strain ISKNV-ZJ was closely related with ISKNV and Murray cod iridovirus (MCIV), while bacterial strain zj09 was closely related with strains F. halioticida. This is the first report of natural co-infection of ISKNV and Francisella sp. in pearl gentian grouper.

Ethnobotany of suweg (Amorphophallus paeoniifolius): Folk classification, habitat, and traditional conservation in Cisoka Village, Majalengka District, Cimanuk Watershed Region, Indonesia

Abstract. Mutaqin AZ, Kurniadie D, Iskandar J, Nurzaman M, Partasasmita R. 2020. Ethnobotany of suweg (Amorphophallus paeoniifolius): Folk classification, habitat, and traditional conservation in Cisoka Village, Majalengka District, Cimanuk Watershed Region, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 21: 546-555. Amorphophallus paeoniifolius (Dennst.) Nicolson or suweg is commonly called in Sunadese of West Java as suweg that is a species of tuber growing in many regions of the world, including in the Cimanuk Watershed, West Java Province, Indonesia. A. paeoniifolius usually grows in rural areas of West Java in some agroecosystem types, including the homegarden, garden, and mixed garden system. This plant species, in contrast to other tuber species, such as taro, has not been intensively cultivated by rural community in West Java. Even though A. paeoniifolius has not been intensively cultivated, this plant species in the future have the potential to be used for various purposes for human being. Because A. paeoniifolius, one of plant tubers, has a high resistance to unpredictable environmental changes, such as climate change, pest disruption, and easy to maintain. This study aimed to elucidate the traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) of rural people of Cisoka Village, Cikijing Sub-district, Majalengka District of Cimanuk Watershed, West Java on folk classification, habitat, and traditional conservation of A. paeoniifolius. The method used in this study was qualitative. Field data collection was undertaken by observation and semi-structured interviews or deep interviews with competent informants. The results of study showed that the rural population of Cisoka Village, Majalengka District, has recognized two kinds of Amorphophallus. Firstly, Amorphophallus is a commonly consumed that is called suweg which has scientific name as Amorphophallus paeoniifolius (Dennst.) Nicolson. Secondly, Amorphophallus is recognized as not commonly consumed which is called 'iles-iles' (Amorphophallus variabilis Blume). Both species can be traditionally classified based on morphology (tubers, leaf blade and petioles, and flowers), habitat, utilization, cultivation, and suitability of growing places. Specifically, A. paeoniifolius, grows in various conditions, growing at non-cultivated lands, such as forests and cultivated land, such as homegarden, garden, mixed-garden, and rice fields, or pond edges, but predominantly grows in homegardens and gardens. Some of these lands are hieum or shaded areas and negrak or open areas. A. paeoniifolius starts to grow and develop at the beginning of the rainy season until approaching the dry season, which is characterized by yellowing and falling of petiole. Conservation of A. paeoniifolius has been based on tradition is carried out by the rural community through storage/ preparation of seeds, which does not destroy A. paeoniifolius that grows in several types of agroecosystems, and is managed semi-intensively in several types of agroecosystems such as homegardens and gardens.

Factors Affecting Soil Total Mercury in Seasonal Pond Basins within a Northern Hardwood Forest in Minnesota, USA

Forest canopies are sites for mercury (Hg) deposition, and forests can act as Hg sources to downstream aquatic environments. This study examined soil total Hg (THg), carbon (C), and nitrogen (N) to 15 cm in 10 seasonal pond basins in a northern hardwood forest in Minnesota. Pools (mass per area) and concentrations (mass per soil mass) of THg to 15 cm were lower in uplands than in ponds, indicating downslope transport. In uplands, THg concentrations were the same at 0‐ to 2‐cm and 2‐ to 5‐cm depths and then decreased, whereas THg density (mass per volume) peaked at 2 to 5 cm, highlighting the importance of bulk density on mass. Carbon and N trends were similar to THg. Apart from pond centers, strong positive relationships between THg and C were observed. Upland slope length, graminoid cover, basin area, and tree height accounted for over half of THg variance at pond edge. Understanding the distribution, trends, and contributing factors of soil THg can further efforts toward immobilization and sequestration, thus minimizing the potential for bioaccumulation.Core Ideas THg uniform among basins in uplands with pond centers variable by substrate. THg greatest at pond center and uniform among upland landscape positions. Positive THg relationships with C and N, except organic pond centers. Upland THg concentration peaked at 0 to 5 cm, with mass peaking at 2 to 5 cm. Fifty‐six percent of THg pool was explained by slope length, graminoid cover, basin area, and tree height.

Ovicidal potential of Pochonia chlamydosporia isolate Pc-10 (Ascomycota: Sordariomycetes) on egg masses of the snail Pseudosuccinea columella (Mollusca: Gastropoda)

Snails of the species Pseudosuccinea columella are considered intermediate hosts of Fasciola hepatica, a digenetic trematode that infects bile ducts of ruminants and humans, causing economic damage and serious problems for public health. These gastropods inhabit ponds, have high reproductive capacity, and lay their egg masses in submerged substrates on pond edges where they are exposed to desiccation and microbes, including fungi, that may exert pathogenic effects on the snail and its embryos. This information is relevant for control of the intermediate host and therefore of fasciolosis. With the objective of evaluating ovicidal potential of Pochonia chlamydosporia (Pc-10 isolate), a nematophagous fungus used as antagonistic agent for a wide variety of helminths of medical and veterinary importance, on egg masses of P. columella, we compared a treated group, where the egg masses were exposed to Pc-10 for a period of 25 days, and a control group, in which there was no exposure to the fungus. The results indicated that the embryogenesis process was significantly inhibited (93.15%) by Pc-10, suggesting its applicability in biological control programs of lymnaeid snails. In addition, ultrastructure showed the occurrence of different types of interactions between the egg masses with the mycelia of Pc-10: type 1, biochemical effects by the adherence of hyphae; type 2, morphological alterations, but without hyphal penetration; and type 3, lytic effect, morphological damage caused by penetration of hyphae by the fungus, resulting in some important structural modifications, thus compromising the viability of the eggs. The results demonstrate the susceptibility of P. columella egg masses to an isolate of P. chlamydosporia under laboratory conditions, providing valuable information for the biological control of this intermediate host.

Foam nest construction and first report of agonistic behaviour in Pleurodema tucumanum (Anura: Leptodactylidae)

Reproductive strategies are the combination of physiological, morphological, and behavioural traits interacting to increase species reproductive success within a set of environmental conditions. While the reproductive strategies of Leiuperinae are known, few studies have been conducted regarding the reproductive behaviour that underlies them. The aim of this study was to document the structural characteristics of nesting microsites, to describe the process of foam nest construction, and to explore the presence of male agonistic and chorus behaviour in Pleurodema tucumanum. Nests were found close to the edge of a temporary pond and the mean temperature of the foam nests was always close to the mean temperature of the pond water. Our observations corroborate that the foam nest construction phases for P. tucumanum are similar to those described for other Leiuperinae, including dispersion and the beating of the foam, realized by male hind limbs. We also recorded the first scientific observations of male agonistic encounter in Pleurodema tucumanum.

A new species of the genus Augyles Schiödte, 1866 (Coleoptera: Heteroceridae) from Vietnam.

Family Heteroceridae includes 5 genera and about 370 species worldwide (Mascagni 2014; Skalický Ezer 2014). Adults and larvae of Heteroceridae construct tunnels in wet sand and soil at the edges of streams, rivers, lakes and ponds, and in brackish mud flats (Vanin et al., 2016).

Effects of Simulated Treated Domestic Wastewater on Sphagnum Productivity, Decomposition and Nutrient Dynamics in a Subarctic Ladder Fen

Boreal and subarctic peatlands may become increasingly used for wastewater tertiary treatment. Colleagues added simulated secondarily-treated wastewater to a subarctic ladder fen over two growing seasons. We examined how carbon storage and nutrient relations changed for key Sphagnum species. We measured the productivity, decomposition, nutrient content, C:N and N:P ratios of Sphagnum species on ridges and pool edges, and the nutrient relations of a third Sphagnum species in pools, compared to a control fen. Closer to the point source, S. fuscum on ridges had a 2-fold increase in productivity, and Sphagnum rubellum along pond edges had a 4 to 12-fold increase in productivity, but areas beyond 50 m downgradient were not affected. The decomposition of S. fuscum did not change, and S. rubellum showed only a slight increase close to the point source. Consequently, net carbon storage increased in Sphagnum within <50 m of the point source. Nutrient effects were apparent in the pools and pool margins, whereas ridges were hardly affected. N:P was the most sensitive nutrient parameter, increasing within 50 m. In the short-term, subarctic peatlands exposed to simulated secondarily-treated wastewater increased their carbon storage. Ridges in string fens were most resilient to nutrient amendments.

A Long-term Demographic Study of a Spotted Salamander (Ambystoma maculatum) Population in Central Ohio

The need for long-term demographic studies on apparently healthy amphibian populations led us to undertake an intensive examination of a population of Spotted Salamanders (Ambystoma maculatum) at a small, temporary pond in Ohio. From 2005 to 2014, we captured adults and juveniles at the pond edge, individually marked a subset of adults, and examined patterns in breeding population size, sex ratios, recruitment, differences in body size over time, and survival and recapture rates. We found that this breeding population size varied 2.65-fold across 10 yr, with an overall negative trend driven by a decline in adult males, despite the fact that adult annual survival was not dependent on sex, and that males were more likely to be recaptured annually than were females. We also found that recruitment rates were low and never reached replacement values. Body sizes varied across years for adults as well as for emerging juveniles, and females lost a larger fraction of their mass in the pond than males, especially as time in the pond increased. Some demographic variables were consistent with previous shorter term studies. We found unusually low recruitment and annual recapture rates, however, in addition to a decline in males over time, which might reflect an expansion of our understanding of what is typical for this species. It might also indicate that our population was in the early stages of decline, potentially affected by changes in hydroperiod and increases in infectious disease mortality.

Field Distribution and Density of Culicoides sonorensis (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) Eggs in Dairy Wastewater Habitats.

Culicoides sonorensis Wirth and Jones (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) is a key bluetongue virus vector in the United States. Immatures occur in mud near the edges of wastewater ponds and are understudied targets for control efforts. Eggs of C. sonorensis were collected in the morning from a dairy wastewater pond bank by taking 5-ml surface mud samples along four transects on each of six dates. Surface mud samples parallel to waterline (10-cm long, 1-cm wide, and 0.5-cm deep) were removed at 5-cm increments ranging from 15 cm below waterline up to 25 cm above waterline. Eggs were removed using MgSO4 flotation, held on moist filter paper, and scored for hatching over 3 d. Eggs hatching on days 2 and 3 were assumed to have been laid on the test night. Water levels were stable within a night according to time-lapse camera photos. Most samples from below the waterline had no eggs and were not analyzed statistically. Mean (±SE) sample moisture (25.8 ± 2.1 at 5 cm above waterline and 19.8 ± 2.6% at 25 cm above waterline) did not vary significantly by position above waterline. The highest density of viable eggs (21 eggs/5 ml), proportion of mud samples positive for viable eggs (75%), and proportion of eggs hatching (80%) were found 5 cm above waterline. Oviposition in the few hours after sunset is adaptive, allowing eggs to age, develop the serosal cuticle, and resist later desiccation. As a potential control method, reducing water levels after midnight would encourage young egg desiccation.

A case of natural co-infection of Tilapia Lake Virus and Aeromonas veronii in a Malaysian red hybrid tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus × O. mossambicus) farm experiencing high mortality

This paper reports a case of natural co-infection of Tilapia Lake Virus (TiLV) and Aeromonas veronii in a Malaysian red hybrid tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus×O. mossambicus) farm. In May 2017, a tilapia farm operator reported a mass mortality among cultured red hybrid tilapia juveniles, approximately 45days after introduction into earthen ponds. Affected fish showed lethargy, loss of appetite, swim near the pond edge, pale and isolated from schooling group. There were skin redness and haemorrhages, particularly at the operculum area and at the base of dorsal, caudal and anal fins. Histopathological examinations revealed swollen hepatocytes, haemorrhagic spleens and perivascular cuffing consisted of mononuclear cells in the brains. PCR and sequence analyses confirmed the presence of TiLV and A. veronii in the diseased fish. Phylogenetic tree revealed that Malaysian's TiLV strain was more closely related with the virus isolated in Israel than in Egypt or Thailand, while Malaysian's A. veronii strain 5L was closely related with strains from China. TiLV infection is a significant threat to global tilapia industry. However, synergistic co-infection of TiLV and other bacterial might aggravate the problem.