Species In September Research Articles

Three of a kind queens: after Thyreophora cynophila and Centrophlebomyia furcata, C. anthropophaga is the third bone-skipper fly species rediscovered in France (Diptera: Piophilidae)

Summary Among the three bone-skipper fly species belonging to the Thyreophorinae sub-family in France, Centrophlebomyia anthropophaga has the most intriguing history. Robineau-Desvoidy briefly described this species in 1830 but did not collect any type specimen. It was only in 2013 that a precise description was published and a neotype was designated for the name C. anthropophaga, based on specimens collected in Italy. In France, despite the rediscovery of both Thyreophora cynophila and C. furcata, C. anthropophaga was still missing since its last sighting in 1826, almost two centuries ago. After rediscovering this species in September 2023 on a vulture feeding station, a field campaign was initiated in the Corbières, Pyrénées, Cévennes and Southern Ardèche areas in southern France: vulture feeding stations, isolated carcasses and piles of hunt remains were visited in the search for C. anthropophaga. This species has been found at several distant sites and was abundant at some sites. This study thus confirms that C. anthropophaga did not go extinct in France and is still present in a fairly large area, at least in southern France. It also advocates for changes in the way vulture feeding stations are managed, to favour the presence of the bone-skipper flies.

Responses of plant water uptake sources to altered precipitation patterns in a tropical secondary forest

Gaining insights into the impacts of altered precipitation patterns on tree species' water uptake sources and water usage strategies is crucial for water resource management, but a comprehensive understanding is lacking. We explored water uptake patterns and water-related traits of four dominant tree species (Evergreen: Carallia brachiate, Symplocos poilanei, Schefflera heptaphylla; Deciduous: Tetradium glabrifolium) in two altered seasonal precipitation patterns (deferred wet season [DW] and wetter wet season [WW]) and a control (CK) in a secondary tropical forest. Using stable isotopes (δ2H and δ18O) and MixSIAR models, we determined water uptake sources of the target species from a 60 cm soil profile and groundwater. Our results showed that the DW treatment increased (2.3% to 11.5%) groundwater utilization by trees in June and November compared to the CK, and promoted greater water uptake by trees from 0 to 40 cm soil layer in March. However, the WW treatment had a mild impact on water utilization in plants, leading to a reduction in water uptake by 1% - 3.8% from the 0–40 cm soil layer for the four tree species in September. The four studied tree species primarily rely on soil water, with the deciduous T. glabrifolium exhibited more flexible water uptake strategies compared to the other three evergreen species. For plant traits, S. heptaphylla exhibited larger stomatal size under DW treatment, paralleling the elongated stomatal in C. brachiate under the DW treatment. Conversely, S. poilanei and T. glabrifolium exhibit greater flexibility in balancing midday water potential. Under altered precipitation patterns, these plants adopt different morphological and/or physiological strategies, along with shift their water uptake sources to adapt to fluctuating water conditions. Overall, this study improves our understanding of plant water use in secondary tropical forests and emphasizes the importance of considering species-specific responses in forest management under potential precipitation pattern changes.

Cover crops terminated with roller-crimper to manage Cynodon dactylon and other weeds in vineyards.

Using cover crops in organic vineyards can provide many advantages, including weed suppression. However, their effectiveness may depend on the weed community, the cover crop species and the termination method. The most common practice for cover crop termination is shredding, but rapid residue decomposition can allow noxious species like Cynodon dactylon to proliferate during summer and compete with the vines. The use of roller-crimpers as an alternative method can be effective in some cropping systems, but no studies have focused on their use in the inter-row of vineyards. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of seven cover crops (spontaneous, Avena strigosa, Hordeum vulgare, Lolium multiflorum, Phacelia tanacetifolia, Sinapis alba and X Triticosecale) and two termination methods (shredding or roller-crimper) in managing C. dactylon during summer. In 2020, rolled A. strigosa, P. tanacetifolia and the spontaneous flora limited the coverage of C. dactylon more than shredding (increases of 3% and 18% in C. dactylon cover from July to September in rolled and shredded cover crops, respectively), while in 2021, rolling was better than shredding for all cover crop species in September (5% and 18% increases, respectively). Roller-crimping cover crops was an effective method to control C. dactylon in vineyard inter-rows but it did not consistently work for all cover crops in both years. Our study is one of the first to test the efficacy of roller-crimpers to manage summer weeds in vineyards. © 2023 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal response to fire and urbanization in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Wildfires are increasing in frequency and intensity as drier and warmer climates increase plant detrital fuel loads. At the same time, increases in urbanization position 9% of fire-prone land within the United States at the wildland–urban interface. While rarely studied, the compounded effects of urbanization and wildfires may have unknown synergistically negative effects on ecosystems. Previous studies at the wildland–urban interface often focus on aboveground plant communities, but belowground ecosystems may also be affected by this double disturbance. In particular, it is unclear how much fire and urbanization independently or interactively affect nutritional symbioses such as those between arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi and the majority of terrestrial plants. In November 2016, extreme drought conditions and long-term fire suppression combined to create a wildfire within the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the neighboring exurban city of Gatlinburg, TN. To understand how the double disturbance of urbanization and fire affected AM fungal communities, we collected fine roots from the 5 dominant understory species in September 2018 at each of 18 sites spanning 3 burn severities in both exurban and natural sites. Despite large variation in burn severity, plant species identity had the largest influence on AM fungi. AM fungal colonization, richness, and composition all varied most among plant species. Fire and urbanization did influence some AM fungal metrics; colonization was lower in burned sites and composition was more variable among exurban locations. There were no interactions among burn severity and urbanization on AM fungi. Our results point to the large influence of plant species identity structuring this obligate nutritional symbiosis regardless of disturbance regime. Therefore, the majority of AM fungal taxa may be buffered from fire-induced ecosystem changes if plant community composition largely remains intact, plant species life history traits allow for AM fungal persistence after fire disturbance, and/or nearby undisturbed habitat can act as an inoculum source for recolonization following fires. Thus, it is critical to maintain natural, undisturbed habitats interspersed within the wildland–urban interface.

The prostate of the bat Artibeus lituratus: Seasonal variations, abiotic regulation, and hormonal control.

The prostate is an important gland that contributes to the male reproductive process, producing secretions that are essential for maintaining ideal conditions for the survival of sperm. Studies indicate a wide variation in the occurrence, morphology, and physiology of this gland in mammals, especially in bats, with this variation being related not only to the number of regions and their degree of compaction/lobulation but also to fluctuations in their functioning throughout the year. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the annual morphological and physiological variations of the male prostate of Artibeus lituratus and analyze their responses to annual abiotic variations and hormonal control. Sixty sexually adult males of A. lituratus were analyzed in this study, with five specimens collected monthly. Blood samples were submitted to serum hormone measurements and the prostates were morphologically, morphometrically, and immunohistochemically analyzed. The results indicated that the two prostatic regions (ventral and dorsal) of A. lituratus had different morphology, as well as different physiology and regulation. Annual fluctuations in abiotic factors seemed to influence the dorsal region more than the ventral region. Conversely, variations on testicular factors, such as testosterone and estradiol, influenced the ventral region more than the dorsal region. Despite these differences, both prostatic regions were strongly synchronized to the main reproductive peak of the species in September. The holocrine pattern of the ventral prostate was not directly affected by abiotic factors or by factors released by the testes.

Changes on soundscapes reveal impacts of wildfires in the fauna of a Brazilian savanna

Wildfire is a natural process in Brazilian savannas, but human activities alter fire regimes and threaten biodiversity. In this study, we used an ecoacoustics approach to assess fauna responses and recovery after wildfire in a Brazilian savanna. Six passive acoustic monitoring devices were used to record soundscapes before and after a wildfire a at burned and non-burned sites for one year and one month (September 2012 to September 2013). Power Spectral Density and the Acoustic Complexity Index were used to track biophony. Before the fire, the two sites had similar biophonic patterns (PSD: T = 1136, Z = 1.52, P = 0.12; ACI: T = 1117, Z = 1.10, P = 0.26) and soniferous species richness (Site 1 = 52 and Site 2 = 49). However, in the first two sessions of recordings after the fire, biophony became higher at the burned site during the day (PSD: T = 211 and 233; Z = 4.13 and 6.41; ACI: T = 120 and 469, Z = 5.14 and 7.07; all P < 0.00). During the night, biophony was usually higher at the non-burned site until May 2013 (PSD: T = 0 to 453; Z = 3.30 to 5.90; ACI: T = 333 to 491, Z = 3.80 to 4.93; all P < 0.00). Biophony became similar (P = 0.17 to 0.38) at the two sites or higher (P = 0.00 to 0.01) at the burned site from July to September 2013 (PSD: T = 55 to 1167; Z = 1.35 to 6.89; ACI: T = 719 to 1365, Z = 0.87 to 3.04). After the fire, a reduction of soniferous species at the burned site was observed for insects and bats. Both biophonic activity and soniferous species showed a tendency to recover one year after the fire, but there were still less species in September 2013 (non-burned = 43 and burned = 37) when compared to September 2012 at both sites (Site 1 = 52 and Site 2 = 49). Our results showed that changes in the natural regimes of fire can negatively impact the biodiversity and reinforce the need for monitoring protocols and inspection of wildfires.

North Atlantic Oscillation affects dolphinfish catch and bycatch in the Western Mediterranean Sea

Dolphinfish is targeted by small-scale fisheries and is part of the bycatch of drifting surface longline targeting tuna and swordfish in the Mediterranean Sea. The main aim of the present study is to understand the effect of the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) on the dolphinfish bycatch of the Spanish longline fisheries in the Western Mediterranean Sea and, likewise on the catch of small-scale fisheries targeting dolphinfish associated to anchored fish aggregating devices (aFADs) in waters of the Balearic Islands. Understanding the impact of climatic effects is crucial to improve the assessment and management of the Mediterranean dolphinfish. In longline fisheries, the negative phases of the NAO with a short time lag increase the dolphinfish bycatch probability, with a CPUE higher than the mean of the study period. However, with a long time lag, the positive phases increase the dolphinfish bycatch probability, with a CPUE higher than the mean of the study period. On the other hand, when examining the Mallorca aFADs fisheries, the negative phases of the NAO with a long time lag increased the probability of catching fish with higher landings than the observed mean of the study period. The results suggest strong connections between the prevailing climate conditions in March and April and dolphinfish catches during the fishing season of this species in September and October.

Reduction of urban traffic-related particulate matter-leaf trait matters.

Particulate matter in European cities, especially in urban areas, is mainly from urban road traffic and constitutes a great threat to the health of inhabitants. Therefore, understanding of the role of common urban roadside plant plays for particulate matter (PM) reduction would have important meaning for the mitigation of urban air pollution. The leaf surface PM capturing capacity of 12 representative urban plants (five shrubs and seven trees) alongside one main street in Hanover Germany was explored in this study. Significant differences for the amount of captured PM (both PM10 and PM2.5) on the leaf surface were found between plant species. Leaves of Taxus baccata, Berberis thunbergii, Pinus nigra, and Quercus robur showed the highest capturing capacity, while leaves of Prunus laurocerasus and Carpinus betulus showed the lowest value. Leaf shape is an important factor which affects the capturing capacity of the tested plant species. Needle-leaved pants were relatively more effective than broad-leaved species. Besides, species with small leaf surface area (0-10cm2) showed a notably higher capacity than species with large leaf surface area (over 100cm2). Additionally, by the observation of leaf surface characteristics, plant species with rough and hairy leaf surface tended to be more effective than species with smooth leaf surface. More PM was found distributed on the upper leaf surface close to the midrib rather than on the surface area away from it. At last, no significant correlation was found between the leaf surface contact angle and its PM capturing capacity for the 12 tested plant species in September. In summary, leaf traits including leaf form, leaf shape, leaf surface area, leaf surface hydrophilicity and leaf surface characteristics all have notable effects on the PM capturing capacity of the roadside plant species. This study provides a scientific basis for roadside plants as an eco-friendly solution for the reduction of urban traffic-related PM and stresses the importance of leaf traits as criteria for the plant selection.

Antioxidant systems of aquatic macrophytes in three life forms: a case study in Lake Erhai, China

Antioxidant systems are vital in life activities of macrophytes. Species with different life forms need to cope with distinct environments by modifying physiological characters, especially antioxidant systems. In order to find differences among life forms and consequence of lake eutrophication, we studied three antioxidant enzymes activity (superoxide dismutase SOD, ascorbate oxidase APX and catalase CAT) and total soluble phenolics (TP) content in leaves of 26 macrophyte species in September 2013 in Lake Erhai, China. We found that antioxidation varied accordingly with life forms. The activities of SOD and APX in emergent macrophytes (EM) and floating-leaved macrophytes (FM) were much lower than those of submerged macrophytes (SM). On the contrary, TP content was much higher in EM and FM species. There was a negative correlation between TP and antioxidant enzyme activities (CAT and APX). The results suggested that EM and FM species rely on phenolics might to adapt to adverse environments (higher herbivores predation pressure and UV radiation intensity), while SM species more rely on antioxidant enzymes possibly due to lower demand for antioxidation and/or lack of light and inorganic C availability for phenolics synthesis. We also found FM species represent highest fitness in term of antioxidant system, which would lead to overgrowth of FM species and littoral zone bogginess during lake eutrophication. Finally, it is necessary to carry out the verification experiment under the control condition in the later stage, especially for the dominant ones in eutrophic lakes, to understand the exact adaptive mechanisms of them.

Dinámica de la diversidad temporal de los hongos micorrícicos arbusculares de Larrea tridentata (Sesse & Mocino ex DC) Coville en un ecosistema semiárido

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) of arid and semiarid ecosystems are important for the development of plants that grow under biotic stress in wild or in agro-ecosystems. There is little information on the temporal diversity of these organisms in perennial plants from arid ecosystems in northern Mexico. On this study, the mycorrhizal colonization and the temporal diversity of AMF in the rhizosphere of Larrea tridentata, perennial plant abundant in the Chihuahuan Desert region were explored. Samples of the rhizosphere and roots of fifteen plants in each of the three sampling dates during the 2015 year were obtained. A total of 17 species of HMA belonging to 12 genera and 7 families within the phylum Glomeromycota in all three sampling dates were found. Funneliformis geosporum was the dominant species belonging to the family Glomeraceae which possess the highest genera number on L. tridentata. The highest mycorrhization percentage was in February with 83.22, followed by September and May with 75.27 and 65.27%, respectively. A maximum of 16 AM fungal species were isolated and identified from L. tridentata rhizosphere in February, 15 species in May and 12 species in September. Statistical analysis showed significant differences between sampling dates in the spores number.

새만금지역 내방수제 착공 이후 식물플랑크톤 군집의 분류군

The present study examined the phytoplankton communities of 4 regions, fresh water sites, estuary, Mankyeong and Dongjin lake and offshore regions, 4 times a year from 2011 to 2013. The number of species were 48-59 in 2011 (March, June, September, and November). From Mankyeong and Dongjin lake, fresh water species were dominated in June and coexisted with seawater species in September 2011. 45-65 species were observed in 2012 (April, June, September, and November) and diverse cyanophytes were present at the fresh water sites in September. The number of species reached up to 56-69 in 2013 (March, June, September, and November). In particular, owing to the diverse dinoflagellates from seawater and various cyanophytes and chlorophytes from fresh water, the maximum species number was recorded in June, 2013.

OBSERVATIONS OF COMET ISON (C/2012 S1) FROM LOWELL OBSERVATORY

We observed dynamically new sungrazing comet ISON (C/2012 S1) extensively at Lowell Observatory throughout 2013 in order to characterize its behavior prior to perihelion. ISON had "typical" abundances for an Oort Cloud comet. Its dust production, as measured by Afrho, remained nearly constant during the apparition but its CN gas production increased by ~50x. The minimum active area necessary to support observed water production rates exceeded the likely surface area of the nucleus and suggests a population of icy grains in the coma. Together with the flattening of the dust radial profile over time, this is consistent with ejection of a large quantity of slow moving dust and icy grains in the coma at large heliocentric distance. The dust morphology was dominated by the tail, but a faint sunward dust fan was detected in March, April, May, and September. We imaged multiple gas species in September, October, and November. Excess CN signal was observed in the sunward hemisphere in September and early October. In November the excess CN signal was in the tailward hemisphere and two faint CN features appeared approximately orthogonal to the tail with position angles varying by about +/-20 degrees from night to night. Using numerical modeling, we best reproduced the orientation and shape of these features as well as the bulk brightness with a pole oriented approximately towards the Sun and a single source located within ~35 degrees of the equator. The production rates and coma morphology suggest a nucleus that was active over nearly its entire sunward facing hemisphere in September and October but which underwent a significant mass loss event, potentially including fragmentation, shortly before November 1. Significant mass loss likely continued at the same site over subsequent days/weeks and may have catastrophically weakened the nucleus prior to perihelion.

Characteristics of Birds Community in Ulleung Island, Korea

This study conducted the survey of birds, twice from June 25 to 29 and from September 3 to 9, 2012 in Ulleung Island. The total number of individual birds observed in Ulleung Island was 5,692 and they consisted of 67 species of the 38 families belonging to 12 orders. In June, 5,091 individuals of 42 species were observed, and 2,099 individuals of 46 species in September. There were less individuals but more species in September and in June. At each region, 914 individuals (sum of the maximum count) of 37 species were observed at Nari Basin and Sunginbong. The dominant species were Carduelis sinica (35.78%), Passer rutilans (22.98%), Apus pacificus (5.47%), Hirundo rustica (4.38%), etc. In trekking trail areas, 1,063 individuals (sum of the maximum count) of 40 species were observed, which was more than those in Sunginbong. The dominant species were Passer rutilans (26.06%), Carduelis sinica (20.04%), Parus major (10.72%), Apus pacificus (7.62%), etc. In coastal area, 3,929 individuals (sum of the maximum count) of 48 species were observed. There were the largest number of species and individuals. The dominant species were Larus crassirostris (79.10%), Passer rutilans (5.45%), Apus pacificus (3.56%), etc. Through the addition of the newly observed 20 species in this research to the previous studies, the recorded birds in total in Ulleung Island were 112 species of 38 families belonging to 16 orders.

春夏季闽江口和兴化湾虾类数量特征

Based on the data from four oceanographic censuses in the Minjiang estuary and Xinghua bay during April and September 2008,this paper compared the spatial-temporal distribution of shrimp density between the two kinds of waters, involved in some impact factors such as dominant species,background of topography and geomorphy,as well as hydrological features. Results showed that total weight density( 22. 05kg / km2) at the Minjiang estuary was lower than that( 23. 33kg / km2) at the Xinghua bay,while total individual density( 12. 34×103ind. / km2) at the Minjiang estuary was higher than that 8. 42×103ind. / km2) at the Xinghua bay during April. Same as in April,the total weight density( 205. 54kg/ km2) at the Minjiang estuary was lower than that( 329. 60kg/km2) at the Xinghua bay,while total individual density( 131.25×103ind. / km2) at the Minjiang estuary was higher than that 95. 79 ×103ind. / km2) at the Xinghua bay in September. The phenomenon was related with the individual size of shrimp species from the two different waters. In the Xinghua bay,the most dominant species was a euryhaline large size species,Parapenaeopsis hardwickii,with high dominance and great contribution to total weight density,while other dominant species with low dominance and small contribution. But in the Minjiang estuary,brackish species,a very small size shrimp,Acetes chinensis were the important dominant species with the most percent in individual densities and the greatest contribution to the total individual density. The different body size of dominant species between the two waters formed because of large size Parapenaeopsis hardwickii as the main dominant species at the Xinghua bay while small size Acetes chinensis,adapted to low salinity,as the important dominant specie at the Minjiang estuary. At the Minjiang estuary,the most shrimp resource aggregated in the south area which was thought as the main fishing ground,and,September was thought as the main fishing season because both weight density and individual density in September were far higher than those in April at the Minjiang estuary. The seasonal runoff of the Minjiang River and topography of the estuary were main environmental reasons which produced the variation in the estuary. At the Xinghua bay,spawning and feeding ground of shrimps lay in waters near the mouth of the bay in September, and the wintering ground located in the deeper outside waters of the bay in winter,related with distribution of shrimp weight density. The main dominant species Parapenaeopsis hardwickii,a warm-water species occupied 89. 43% of total shrimp weight density determined the distribution pattern in April. The mixture of different water masses in waters near the mouth of the bay was another reason determined the distribution pattern. The shrimp dominant species in September showed a more diversify trend than that in April both in the Xinghua bay and the Minjiang estuary,while the dominant species at the Minjiang estuary is more diversify than that at the Xinghua bay compared with the two different kind of waters.

Seasonal variation in community structure and body length of dominant copepods around artificial reefs in Xiaoshi Island, China

This study aims to investigate the seasonal variations in copepod community structure and prosome length of dominant species from March 2009 to January 2010 around artificial reefs in Xiaoshi Island, Yellow Sea, Weihai, China. Samples were collected using two types of plankton net (Model I and Model II) for different-sized copepods. The number of taxon was calculated from the data of both the net types, while the copepod abundance was done using the samples from Model II only. Sixteen species of planktonic copepods, including 5 dominant species, were recorded. Results reveal that Oithona similis was the first dominant species from March to June, and was replaced by Paracalanus parvus in September; both dominated the copepod community in January. Acartia hongi was the second dominant species from March to September. Centropages abdominalis was the third dominant species from March to June, and was replaced by O. similis in September and Corycaeus affinis in January. C. affinis was the fourth dominant species in September. Population density of the dominant copepods was compared with that of other similar regions. We found that the dominant species were mostly small copepods (<1 mm) except for adult Centrapages abdominalis. Seasonal variation in prosome length of O. similis, C. abdominalis, and C. affinis, and their copepodites were studied for the first time in China. For P. parvus and A. hongi, seasonal trends in prosome length variation were similar with those in Jiaozhou Bay, Yellow Sea, Qingdao, China, in a similar temperate domain. The results are helpful for future calculation of copepod biomass and production, and for investigation of the relationship between copepods and fish resources.

Pandoraea Sputorum Colonization in a Patient With Cystic Fibrosis

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a disease produced by a defect in the transmembrane conductance regulator protein, CFTR. Currently, the morbidity and mortality associated with CF are fundamentally related with the lung affectation that is a consequence of this defect. With the progression of the disease, there is an increase in the isolation of non-fermenting gram-negative bacilli colonizing these patients. The genus Pandoraea arises from a reclassification of species included within the “ Burkholderia cepacia complex”. It is made up of 9 species susceptible only to tetracycline, imipenem and cotrimoxazole. We report the first clinical case in Spain of colonization by Pandoraea sputorum in a patient diagnosed with CF at the age of eleven. After several previous colonizations by different Pseudomonas species in September 2005, a gram-negative bacillus was isolated in sputum, which was identified by sequencing and mass spectrometry (MALDITOF-MS) as P. sputorum, only sensitive to piperacillin-tazobactam, cotrimoxazole and imipenem. From 2005 to 2008, chronic colonization by this microorganism was associated with deterioration in lung function that was recuperated after treatment with piperacillin-tazobactam and imipenem. In 2010, this microorganism was once again isolated and treated with imipenem, to which the patient responded favorably. Currently, it is not known whether this microorganism is a chronic colonizer, whether it produces a transitory infection or it constitutes an important problem in CF patients, but given its special characteristics of sensitivity to anti-microbial drugs, the correct identification of this genus is essential. Mass spectrometry seems to be a valid technique that is faster than sequencing methods for identifying these species.

Colonización por Pandoraea sputorum en un paciente con fibrosis quística

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a disease produced by a defect in the transmembrane conductance regulator protein, CFTR. Currently, the morbidity and mortality associated with CF are fundamentally related with the lung affectation that is a consequence of this defect. With the progression of the disease, there is an increase in the isolation of non-fermenting gram-negative bacilli colonizing these patients. The genus Pandoraea arises from a reclassification of species included within the “ Burkholderia cepacia complex”. It is made up of 9 species susceptible only to tetracycline, imipenem and cotrimoxazole. We report the first clinical case in Spain of colonization by Pandoraea sputorum in a patient diagnosed with CF at the age of eleven. After several previous colonizations by different Pseudomonas species in September 2005, a gram-negative bacillus was isolated in sputum, which was identified by sequencing and mass spectrometry (MALDITOF-MS) as P. sputorum, only sensitive to piperacillin-tazobactam, cotrimoxazole and imipenem. From 2005 to 2008, chronic colonization by this microorganism was associated with deterioration in lung function that was recuperated after treatment with piperacillin-tazobactam and imipenem. In 2010, this microorganism was once again isolated and treated with imipenem, to which the patient responded favorably. Currently, it is not known whether this microorganism is a chronic colonizer, whether it produces a transitory infection or whether it constitutes an important problem in CF patients, but given its special characteristics of sensitivity to anti-microbial drugs, the correct identification of this genus is essential. Mass spectrometry seems to be a valid technique that is faster than sequencing methods for identifying these species.

Seasonal Movements of Native and Introduced Catostomids in the Big Sandy River, Wyoming

During 2006–2007, we studied movements of native bluehead suckers (Catostomus discobolus) and flannelmouth suckers (C. latipinnis), and non-native white suckers (C. commersonii) and longnose suckers (C. catostomus) in the Big Sandy River, Wyoming. Radiotransmitters were surgically implanted into 20–22 fish of each species in September and October 2006. Movements of all four species in autumn and winter were short with most fish remaining ≤2 km from locations where they were captured initially. Bluehead suckers and flannelmouth suckers began movements downstream in mid-to-late April and returned upstream to locations ≤2 km from their original locations by early summer. White suckers did not make substantial movements during spring, whereas longnose suckers made movements upstream during mid-June and returned downstream by early July. During their estimated spawning periods, longnose suckers used upstream portions, bluehead suckers and white suckers used middle portions, and flannelmouth suckers used downstream portions of the study area.

Estimation of fine root production, mortality and turnover with Minirhizotron in Larix gmelinii and Fraxinus mandshurica plantations

Fine root turnover is a major pathway for carbon and nutrient cycling in forest ecosystems. However, to estimate fine root turnover, it is important to first understand the fine root dynamic processes associated with soil resource availability and climate factors. The objectives of this study were: (1) to examine patterns of fine root production and mortality in different seasons and soil depths in the Larix gmelinii and Fraxinus mandshurica plantations, (2) to analyze the correlation of fine root production and mortality with environmental factors such as air temperature, precipitation, soil temperature and available nitrogen, and (3) to estimate fine root turnover. We installed 36 Minirhizotron tubes in six mono-specific plots of each species in September 2003 in the Mao’ershan Experimental Forest Station. Minirhizotron sampling was conducted every two weeks from April 2004 to April 2005. We calculated the average fine root length, annual fine root length production and mortality using image data of Minirhizotrons, and estimated fine root turnover using three approaches. Results show that the average growth rate and mortality rate in L. melinii were markedly smaller than in F. mandshurica, and were highest in the surface soil and lowest at the bottom among all the four soil layers. The annual fine root production and mortality in F. mandshurica were significantly higher than in L. gmelinii. The fine root production in spring and summer accounted for 41.7% and 39.7% of the total annual production in F. mandshurica and 24.0% and 51.2% in L. gmelinii. The majority of fine root mortality occurred in spring and summer for F. mandshurica and in summer and autumn for L. gmelinii. The turnover rate was 3.1 a−1 for L. gmelinii and 2.7 a−1 for F. mandshurica. Multiple regression analysis indicates that climate and soil resource factors together could explain 80% of the variations of the fine root seasonal growth and 95% of the seasonal mortality. In conclusion, fine root production and mortality in L. gmelinii and F. mandshurica have different patterns in different seasons and at different soil depths. Air temperature, precipitation, soil temperature and soil available nitrogen integratively control the dynamics of fine root production, mortality and turnover in both species.

Parasite-mediated allochthonous input: Do hairworms enhance subsidized predation of stream salmonids on crickets?

Energy and nutrients flow in diverse pathways across heterogeneous landscapes and tightly link the discrete food webs in local habitats. However, parasitism that enhances allochthonous resource input has not been previously documented. In a well-known example of parasite manipulation of host behaviour, crickets infected by mature hairworms (Nematomorpha) seek and jump into water when the worms reach the free-living stage. We found that a large number of trout (22%–61%), an aquatic predator, preyed on camel crickets (genera Diestrammena Brunner von Wattenwyl, 1888 and Tachycines Adelung, 1902) in September in five Japanese mountain streams where this host–parasite system exists. Trout (Kirikuchi charr, Salvelinus leucomaenis japonicus (Oshima, 1961); red-spotted masu salmon, Oncorhynchus masou ishikawae Jordan and McGregor, 1925) that preyed on crickets frequently ingested hairworms, whereas trout that did not prey on crickets did not ingest hairworms. Our results strongly suggest that hairworms enhance stream salmonid predation on camel crickets. This is the first documentation of parasitism enhancing allochthonous resource input in nature. Trout ingested a greater mass of crickets than other prey species in September, and this energy influx may play an important role in food-web dynamics in headwater streams.