Suitable Substratum Research Articles

Early life stage bottleneck determines rates of coral recovery following severe disturbance.

Understanding how foundation species recover from disturbances is key for predicting the future of ecosystems in the Anthropocene. Coral reefs are dynamic ecosystems that can undergo rapid declines in coral abundance following disturbances. Understanding why some reefs recover quickly from these disturbances whereas others recover slowly (or not at all) gives insight into the drivers of community resilience. From 2006 to 2010 coral reefs on the fore reef of Moorea, French Polynesia, experienced severe disturbances that reduced coral cover from ~46% in 2005 to <1% in 2010. Following these disturbances, coral cover increased from 2010 to 2018. Although there was a rapid and widespread recovery of corals, reefs at 17 m depth recovered more slowly than reefs at 10 m depth. We investigated the drivers of different rates of coral recovery between depths from 2010 to 2018 using a combination of time-series data on coral recruitment, density, growth, and mortality in addition to field experiments testing for the effects of predation. Propagule abundance did not influence recovery, as the density of coral recruits (spat <6 months old) did not differ between depths. However, mortality of juvenile corals (≤5 cm diameter) was higher at 17 m, leading to densities of juvenile corals 3.5 times higher at 10 m than at 17 m depth. Yet, there were no differences in the growth of corals between depths. These results point to an early life stage bottleneck after settlement, resulting in greater mortality at 17 m than at 10 m as the likely driver of differential coral recovery between depths. We used experiments and time-series data to test mechanisms that could drive different rates of juvenile coral mortality across depths, including differences in predation, competition, and the availability of suitable substratum. The results of these experiments suggested that increased coral mortality at 17 m may have been influenced by higher intensity of fish predation, and higher mortality of corals attached to unfavorable substratum. In contrast, the abundance of macroalgae, a coral competitor, did not explain differences in coral survival. Our work suggests that top-down processes and substratum quality can create bottlenecks in corals that can drive rates of coral recovery after disturbance.

Could Some Lost Fishing Gears Be Suitable Substrata for Benthic Invertebrates? The Case of Some Colonizer Sponge Assemblages in the Western Mediterranean Sea

Could Some Lost Fishing Gears Be Suitable Substrata for Benthic Invertebrates? The Case of Some Colonizer Sponge Assemblages in the Western Mediterranean Sea

Quantification using a HPLC-FLD-based Detector and Molecular Identifi-cation of Ochratoxin-A Producing Aspergillus Species Isolated from Stored Grain Samples.

Quantification using an HPLC-FLD based detector and Molecular identification of Ochratoxin-A producing Aspergillus Species isolated from stored grain samples. Fungi are cosmopolitan in origin and are known to grow in any suitable substra-tum. In the present investigation, Aspergillus species isolated from stored grain samples were analyzed for ochratoxin-A production. The objective of this study is the quantification of Ochratoxin and identification of ochratoxigenic fungi. A total of n=34 black Aspergilli and n=1 Ochre Aspergilli were isolated from grain samples of Bihar, India and it was tested for OTA production. The limit of detection (LOD) is found to be 0.33μg/Kg and the limit of quantification (LOQ) is found to be 1μg/Kg for OTA in HPLC-FLD. In the present study, out of all the fungal isolates, only TiB fungal isolate was able to produce the ochratoxin-A above the level of LOQ. The positive isolate TiB obtained from stored sesame seed samples was able to produce 25.54 μg/Kg of OTA. ITS sequence analysis of TiB isolate was able to matche 100% with Aspergillus welwitschiae and Aspergillus foetidus. This is the initial report of ochratoxigenic Aspergillus fungal isolate isolated from stored sesame seed samples of flood-prone areas of Bihar, India.

Characterization and evaluation of substratum material selection for microalgal biofilm cultivation

Biofilm cultivation is considered a promising method to achieve higher microalgae biomass productivity with less water consumption and easier harvest compared to conventional suspended cultivation. However, studies focusing on the selection of substratum material and optimization of the growth of certain microalgae species on specific substratum are limited. This study investigated the selection of membranous and fabric fiber substrata for the attachment of unicellular microalgae Scenedesmus dimorphus and filamentous microalgae Tribonema minus in biofilm cultivation. The results indicated that both algal species preferred hydrophilic membranous substrata and nitrate cellulose/cellulose acetate membrane (CN-CA) was selected as a suitable candidate on which the obtained biomass yields were up to 10.24 and 7.81gm-2day-1 for S. dimorphus and T. minus, respectively. Furthermore, high-thread cotton fiber (HCF) and low-thread polyester fiber (LPEF) were verified as the potential fabric fiber substrata for S. dimorphus (5.42gm-2day-1) and T. minus (5.49gm-2day-1) attachment, respectively. The regrowth of microalgae biofilm cultivation strategy was applied to optimize the algae growth on the fabric fiber substrata, with higher biomass density and shear resistibility achieved for both algal species. The present data highlight the importance to establish the standards for selection the suitable substratum materials in ensuring the high efficiency and sustainability of the attached microalgal biomass production. KEY POINTS: • CN-CA was suitable membranous substratum candidate for algal biofilm cultivation. • HCF and LPEF were potential fabric fiber substrata for S. dimorphus and T. minus. • Regrowth biofilm cultivation was effective in improving algal biomass and attachment.

Identification of the quorum sensing signal of the opportunistic pathogen inducing bleaching disease in the red macroalga Halymenia floresii holobiont

ABSTRACT Seaweed surface provides a suitable substratum for the settlement of microorganisms (bacteria, viruses, and plankton). These microbial partners may have either beneficial or detrimental effects on the host since surface microbiota can act either as a protective layer to the macroalgae (symbiotic beneficial relations) or, under changing environmental conditions, the microbial equilibrium may shift to a detrimental, pathogenic state thus inducing diseases in the host. In commercial aquaculture, seaweed diseases feature a growing concern. Pathogenicity of microorganisms that infect algal hosts is closely related to the release of virulence factors and the formation of biofilms, both of which are regulated by Quorum Sensing (QS). The main focus of this study is to determine the pathogenicity of the surface-associated bacteria of Halymenia floresii, a carrageenophyte that originated from distinct habitats. Twenty-five bacterial species isolated from the surface of H. floresii were individually tested for tip bleaching assay to evaluate their potential pathogenicity. Ten isolates significantly reduced the risk of tip bleaching in H. floresii and were designated as “significantly non-pathogenic”. Vibrio owensii was identified as a “significant pathogen” inducing bleaching disease in H. floresii. By using LC-MS, we here identified its HomoSerine Lactones (HSL) QS signal, as a C4-HSL (short-chain). This study thus suggests a possible involvement of QS signal (short-chain) in the disease-inducing bacterium from the aquaculture ponds (an integrated multitrophic aquaculture system). This study firstly reports on the surface-associated bacteria of a lambda-carrageenophyte. This study must contribute to the development of dedicated strategies for disease control based on HSL disruption in aquaculture.

Lichen speciation is sparked by a substrate requirement shift and reproduction mode differentiation

We show that obligate lignicoles in lichenized Micarea are predominately asexual whereas most facultative lignicoles reproduce sexually. Our phylogenetic analyses (ITS, mtSSU, Mcm7) together with ancestral state reconstruction show that the shift in reproduction mode has evolved independently several times within the group and that facultative and obligate lignicoles are sister species. The analyses support the assumption that the ancestor of these species was a facultative lignicole. We hypothezise that a shift in substrate requirement from bark to wood leads to differentiation in reproduction mode and becomes a driver of speciation. This is the first example of lichenized fungi where reproduction mode is connected to substrate requirement. This is also the first example where such an association is demonstrated to spark lichen speciation. Our main hypothesis is that obligate species on dead wood need to colonize new suitable substrata relatively fast and asexual reproduction is more effective a strategy for successful colonization.

Conservation of Asian giant honeybee, Apis dorsata fabricius (Hymenoptera: Apidae)

The giant honeybee, Apis dorsata builds single largest open comb on a suitable substratum. It is a major honey producer and important pollinator of both wild and crop plants. However, recently colony population of these species is gradually declining due to many factors including traditional honey harvesting and pesticide poisoning. Conservation of these species is immediately required through development of sustainable methods of honey harvesting and reduced insecticide poisoning for better honey production and effective pollination.

Bat fauna and conservation assessment of Kurdistan caves, Iran

The populations of cave-dwelling bat species are encountering a remarkable decline all over the world. To plan effective conservation projects for bats and their cave roosts, collecting data on their distribution in a particular region is essential. Furthermore, developing an applicable index that incorporates both biotic and abiotic parameters relevant to caves is useful to prioritize caves for conservation management. Recently, there has been a growing interest in studying bat fauna of Iran. The Kurdistan province in west of the country is entirely mountainous, having a suitable geological substratum for formation of caves. Previously, five bat species were reported from Kurdistan. The current study has improved the data by doubling the number of cave-dwelling bat species of the province. A total number of 61 records of 10 species were documented. Overall, of 28 caves studied, 26 caves were used by bats. Each cave hosted one to six bat species. To prioritize Kurdistan caves for conservation programs, the Bat Cave Vulnerability Index (BCVI) was employed for 26 caves explored in this study. Four caves, including Karaftu, Kamtaran, Darvish Ouliya, and Kouna Sham-Sham, were highlighted due to their highest BCVI value. The other 22 caves received medium or low priority values. In the current study, we provided data on the bat fauna of Kurdistan caves, in addition to evaluate their conservation priorities by applying an assessing index for the first time in the country.

An environmental engineering approach to wastewater treatment with bivalves in the coastal zone

High tolerance to pollution and filtration capacity of some seston-eating bivalves and mussels of g. Mytilus first of all, principally determine mussel populations as a powerful natural biofilter. Both marine and freshwater mussels consume relatively large amounts of seston, feeding directly on the primary producers. Particles with contaminants extracted from ambient water during the filtration are accumulated in mussel pseudofaeces and faeces discharged after digestion. These specific particles of faeces and soft pseudofeaces become very suitable substrata for bacteria development with following contaminant destruction. Moreover, such biodeposits appeared to be the nutritious food for bottom detritophages, in particular of polychaetes and amphipods. Some fluid metabolites excreted by mussels, i.e. dissolved organic matter (DOM) have a pronounced biological activity to producers. In general, mussels possess high resistance to acute and chronic pollution stress, although their growth may slow down and even stops. In clean conditions food supply is the most important factor in determining activity and growth rate of mussels for northern environment. Mussel and some other aquaculture, as a relatively new application of environmental engineering is able to improve the recycling of nutrients from wastewater to bioproduction and greatly reduce the risk of environmental degradation in the coastal zone.

A seascape approach for guiding effective habitat enhancement

Kelp habitats are threatened across the globe, and because of their ecological importance, active conservation and restoration solutions are needed. The use of man-made structures as artificial reefs is one way to enhance kelp habitat by providing suitable substrata, but in the past the ecology of artificial structures has been investigated mainly in contrast to natural coastal habitats, not as elements integrated into the seascape. Indeed, it is now emerging that structuring processes, including ecological interactions (e.g., herbivory), can depend on properties of the surrounding seascape. In Eastern Canada, grazing by the green sea urchin can jeopardize the success of artificial reefs for kelp enhancement. Urchin activity is, however, likely to be influenced by the bottom composition, and thus a seascape approach is needed to integrate urchin behavior and habitat heterogeneity. Adopting a spatially explicit framework, we investigated whether the seascape creates areas of differential grazing risk for kelp by affecting urchin habitat use. Specifically, we transplanted kelp onto modules of artificial substrata distributed on a heterogeneous area that we mapped for bottom type and algal cover. After following kelp survival and urchin distribution over time, we modeled kelp survival as function of urchin metrics and coupled it to urchin use of the habitat models to map grazing risk in the area. Kelp survival was a function of the frequency of the urchins presence. Urchins avoided sandy patches, while bottom composition and algal cover modulated the within-patch urchin use of the habitat, creating heterogeneity in grazing risk. Discrete seascape features (boulders) also increased the grazing risk locally. The heterogeneity of coastal seafloor can thus play a major role in determining the ecological outcomes on artificial structures. Incorporating this information when planning artificial reefs could minimize the detrimental grazing risk, thereby increasing the success of artificial reefs for kelp habitat enhancement.

Chromosome Genome Assembly and Annotation of the Capitulum mitella With PacBio and Hi-C Sequencing Data.

A pedunculate barnacle Capitulum mitella (Linnaeus, 1758) is a dominant intertidal cirripede (Lee et al., 2000). C. mitella distribute in the mid- and high-intertidal zone of tropical and subtropical coasts and is common in the East Sea and South Sea of China. C. mitella has a great commercial value in China, the petiole muscle of which has been a source of traditional delicious seafood (Yuan et al., 2016). The local market demand led to high-intensity catching activity, and this behavior caused significant decrease in quantity and habitat destruction in recent years. Artificial aquaculture of fishery resources will help to reduce overexploitation of natural stocks and meet market needs for fishery products. In general, the barnacle life cycle consists of six nauplius instars and a nonfeeding cyprid instar. In the barnacle life history, the cyprid is a transitory phase between the pelagic and sessile lifestyle. The cyprid role is responsible for locating, exploring, and attaching to a suitable substratum; subsequently, a complex metamorphosis and permanent settlement happen (Lagersson and Hoeg, 2002). Cypris attachment and metamorphosis are also known as “cypris settlement” (Clare and Matsumura, 2000; Franco et al., 2016). The cypris settlement is a crucial event for the survival and development of both adults and subsequent generations. Within the last three decades, the basic biology of C. mitella such as reproductive characteristics, sperm ultrastructure, and larval culture conditions was investigated in our lab. C. mitella cyprids have been cultured on a relatively large scale. However, they cannot attach and metamorphose into juveniles in an artificial environment, so they would die eventually and interrupt their life history. In recent years, the cypris morphology of C. mitella has been depicted minutely using SEM (Rao and Lin, 2014). After we had successfully induced metamorphosis of the C. mitella cyprids into juveniles, we described a time line and specific morphological changes during the metamorphosis under microscopy and SEM (Lin and Rao, 2017). The impacts of external (i.e., water temperature and salinity) and internal (i.e., cyprid age) factors on the metamorphosis of C. mitella were researched (Rao and Lin, 2020). These efforts are possible for completing the life history in an artificial environment and aquaculture of C. mitella. Not only is the artificial aquaculture for C. mitella a production activity but also it helps to reduce the stress on overexploited populations. Barnacles are frequently dominant marine foulings and widely distributed around the world that play crucial roles in marine ecology (Marechal and Hellio, 2011). Recently, there are a few transcriptome researches on barnacles, such as a model animal Amphibalanus amphitrite (Chen et al., 2011; Yan et al., 2012; Chandramouli et al., 2015; Sarah et al., 2016), a giant barnacle Megabalanus volcano (Yan et al., 2017) and a stalked barnacle Neolepas marisindica (Ryu et al., 2019). These efforts showed that the transcriptome databases could greatly promote the research on molecular mechanisms of barnacle settlement. Genome sequencing has been performed for an acorn barnacle Amphibalanus amphitrite, but there is still no genome sequencing information for a stalked barnacle. Numerous reports on C. mitella were mainly related to mitochondrial DNA sequencing and quantitative proteomics analyses (Song and Yoon, 2013; Yoon et al., 2013; Yuan et al., 2016; Tian et al., 2020). So far, no genome literature on the C. mitella is available. Whereas a lack of genome information on the barnacles has obstructed further inquiry on the molecular mechanisms with development, attachment, metamorphosis, genetic evolution, and so on, so does on C. mitella. Accordingly, in this study, we aimed to sequence and assemble the genome of C. mitella. The baseline data obtained from this study will be very useful in taxonomical identification, phylogenetic analysis, larval settlement mechanisms, artificial breeding and aquaculture, and species protection for C. mitella.

Nutrient enrichment stimulates herbivory and alters epibiont assemblages at the edge but not inside subtidal macroalgal forests

Nutrient enrichment is a major threat to subtidal macroalgal forests. Several studies have shown that nutrient inputs can enhance the ability of opportunistic algal species to acquire space freed by disturbance, at the expense of architecturally complex species that form forests. However, competition between canopy- and turf-forming macroalgae is not limited to the aftermath of disturbance. Canopy-forming macroalgae can provide suitable substratum for diverse epibiont assemblages, including both algae (epiphytes) and sessile invertebrates (epizoans). Despite evidence of enhanced epiphyte loading under eutrophic conditions, few experimental studies have assessed how nutrient enrichment influences the structure of epibiont assemblages on canopy-forming macroalgae at the edge versus inside forests. In oligotrophic waters of the NW Mediterranean, we experimentally tested the hypothesis that nutrient-driven proliferation of opportunistic epiphytic algae would affect the performance of the fucoid, Carpodesmia brachycarpa, and reduce the richness and abundance of the epizoan species they support. We predicted negative effects of nutrient enrichment to be greater at the edge than inside forests and on thalli that had recovered in cleared areas than on those within undisturbed canopy stands. Nutrient enrichment did not affect the photosynthetic efficiency and reproductive output of C. brachycarpa. By contrast, it enhanced herbivore consumption and decreased the cover and diversity of epizoans at forest edges, likely by stimulating the foraging activity of Arbacia lixula, the most abundant sea urchin in adjacent encrusting coralline barrens. Fertilization of areas inside forests had no effect on either C. brachycarpa or epibiont assemblages. Finally, nutrient enrichment effects did not vary between cleared and undisturbed areas. Our results show that moderate nutrient enrichment of oligotrophic waters does not necessarily cause the proliferation of epiphytes and, hence, a strengthening of their competitive effects on canopy-forming macroalgae. Nevertheless, enhanced herbivory damage to fertilized thalli at forest edges suggests that fragmentation could reduce the resilience of macroalgal forests and associated epibiont assemblages to nutrient enrichment.

Effects of Red Mud Addition in Soil Fertilized with Cowdung Manure on Growth Performance and Metal Accumulations in Brassica juncea Cultivars Kranti and Pusa Bold

ABSTRACTRed mud (RM) with organic manure may offer suitable substratum to support plant growth. The present study was conducted to evaluate the effects of 0, 5, 10 and 15% (w/w) RM additions in soil fertilized with cowdung manure (soil: manure: 2:1 w/w) on available metal contents, growth performance and metal accumulation in Brassica juncea cultivars Kranti and Pusa Bold. Increasing RM concentrations in manure-amended soil caused a significant increase in total metal contents but their phytoavailable contents decreased. A significant increase in plant growth performance and seed yield was observed up to 10% RM treatment compared to the control (without RM and manure). Maximum increase in seed yield (140.5%) of Pusa Bold and Kranti (120.3%) was found under 10% RM treatment. Metal contents in seeds were within the FAO/WHO safe limits. The study suggests utilization of 10% (w/w) RM in soil fertilized with cowdung manure for cultivation of Kranti and Pusa Bold. Based on plant performance, the study encourages the cultivation of Pusa Bold.

Are dead stems suitable substrata for diatom-based monitoring in Mediterranean shallow ponds?

Are dead stems suitable substrata for diatom-based monitoring in Mediterranean shallow ponds?

Climbing the ladder: an evaluation of three different anguillid eel climbing substrata and placement of upstream passage solutions at migration barriers

AbstractConservation programmes for endangered, long‐lived and migratory species often have to target multiple life stages. The bottlenecks associated with the survival of juvenile anguillid eels migrating into inland waters, the survival and growth of the freshwater life stage, as well as the recruitment and survival of silver eels, migrating back to the ocean to spawn, must be resolved. In this study, we focus on the efficiency of passage solutions for upstream‐migrating juveniles. Such solutions can consist of inclined ramps lined with wetted climbing substrata. We evaluated different commonly used substrata in a controlled experiment, recorded eel behaviour at the entrance of the ramp with infrared videography and validated the experimental results at a hydropower dam, where we also investigated the effects of ramp placement on performance. In the experiment on eel substratum selection, 40% of the eels passed in lanes with studded substratum, whereas only 21 and 5% passed using open weave and bristle substrata respectively. Video analysis revealed that the studded substratum attracted more approaches and initiated climbs than the other substrata, but once a climb had been initiated, passage success rates did not differ between substrata. Eels using the studded substratum climbed 26% faster than those using the bristle substratum and almost four times as fast as those climbing in the open weave. The superior performance of the studded substratum was supported by data from the field validation. Moreover, ramps positioned by the bank with low water velocities caught the most eels, but proximity to the dam had no effect on performance. To strengthen the European eel population, more juveniles need to reach their freshwater feeding grounds. A critical step to achieve this increase is to equip upstream passage solutions with suitable substrata and to optimize ramp placement at migration obstacles.

Women Enterprising in Seaweed Farming With Special References Fisherwomen Widows in Kanyakumari District Tamilnadu India

Seaweeds are not weeds as the name implies. But they are the renewable marine resources of value, growing well in shallow waters where suitable substratum for its growth exists. They are exploited from the south east coast of Tamil Nadu from Mandapam to Kanyakumari, Gujarat Coast, Lakshadweep islands and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and few other places like Chilka and Pulicat. Seaweed collection renders extensive employment to the coastal fisher folk. The estimation of seaweed resources indicate that only a negligible quantity is harvested. At present nearly 5000 women depend on the seaweed industries for their livelihood. If the available resources are harvested to its optimal level, it can provide employment to another 20,000 coastal fisher folk in harvesting sector and an equal number in post-harvest activities. Since the domain of seaweed collecting industry is mainly dominated by women, special efforts should be taken for its optimum exploitation and market expansion through diversified product development and their popularization. Seaweed mariculture offers an economically sustainable livelihood option for fisherwomen, who, with little effort can contribute significantly to the household income. Today seaweed cultivation techniques have been standardized, improved and made economically viable. Corporate backed by institutional and financial support led to the expansion of seaweed farming, through Self Help Groups (SHG) model (mostly women). This paper deals with the employment potential of fisher women in seaweed industries and to evaluate the economic performance of seaweed farming, including the empowerment of fisherwomen widows in Muttom, Kanyakumari District of Tamil Nadu, India.

The genus Gomphonema (Bacillariophyta) in Rara Lake, Nepal: taxonomy, morphology, habitat distribution and description of five new species, and a new record for Gomphoneis qii

During the first study of the diverse diatom assemblages in Rara Lake, the largest lake in Nepal, 11 species of Gomphonema, belonging to six morphological groups, and Gomphoneis qii could be investigated using light and scanning electron microscopy. Five new Gomphonema species are described: Gomphonema subodhii, Gomphonema parasundaense, Gomphonema raraense, Gomphonema parapygmaeum and Gomphonema himalayaense. Known species included Gomphonema sublaticollum, Gomphonema cf. capitatum, Gomphonema minusculum, Gomphonema lateripunctatum, Gomphonema tergestinum (the only one previously recorded from Nepal) and Gomphonema vibrio. The history of the latter name is explained in detail. The distribution of the Gomphonema species, number of species and records in the littoral of the lake shore varied and was related to the presence of suitable substrata, land use and season, with more records and species present in spring than in autumn.This publication is dedicated to the victims of the earthquakes which hit Nepal in 2015 and to their families.

Spatial and temporal variability of organic matter sources and food web structure across benthic habitats in a low diversity system (southern Baltic Sea)

Understanding the effects of basal resources on the functioning of coastal ecosystems is of great interest in ecology since the different composition and availability of food sources directly affect trophic pathways and energy flow in systems. In this study, we determined which basal resources fuel the food webs of four benthic communities from different habitats in the shallow, low diversity Puck Lagoon (Gulf of Gdańsk, southern Baltic Sea) over a full seasonal cycle. Using δ13C and δ15N values, the relative contribution of various potential carbon sources to the diets of dominant consumers were estimated with a mixing model in R (SIAR). The organic matter pool assimilated by macrofauna included primarily suspended particulate matter (SPOM), phytoplankton, and sediment detritus (SOM) that contained degraded vascular plants and macroalgae in areas with high vegetative biomass. Benthic invertebrates fed mostly on food sources available in their habitats and had species-specific carbon and nitrogen isotope compositions. On sediments with little vegetation, two separate trophic pathways included SPOM, phytoplankton, and suspension feeders, while SOM supported deposit feeders and omnivores in a sheltered environment close to a river mouth. On sediments dominated by Stuckenia, SOM and macroalgae supported the benthic food web that was dominated by opportunistic and tolerant omnivores and herbivores. In contrast, the large biomass of benthic vegetation and high SOM quality on Chara/Cladophora sediment induced high trophic diversity with two main trophic pathways, SPOM and phytoplankton supported suspension feeders, and macroalgae and epiphytes promoted grazers and omnivores. Vascular plants were found not to have been consumed by benthic invertebrates or fishes, but they provided suitable substrata for the macroalgae that developed on their blades and roots.

Quantitative analysis of the complete larval settlement process confirms Crisp's model of surface selectivity by barnacles.

For barnacle cypris larvae at the point of settlement, selection of an appropriate surface is critical. Since post-settlement relocation is usually impossible, barnacles have evolved finely tuned surface-sensing capabilities to identify suitable substrata, and a temporary adhesion system for extensive surface exploration. The pattern of exploratory behaviour appears complex and may last for several hours, imposing significant barriers to quantitative measurement. Here, we employ a novel tracking system that enables simultaneous analysis of the larval body movement of multiple individuals over their entire planktonic phase. For the first time, to our knowledge, we describe quantitatively the complete settlement process of cyprids as they explore and select surfaces for attachment. We confirm the 'classic' behaviours of wide searching, close searching and inspection that comprise a model originally proposed by Prof. Dennis Crisp FRS. Moreover, a short-term assay of cyprid body movement has identified inspection behaviour as the best indicator of propensity to settle, with more inspection-related movements occurring in conditions that also promote higher settlement. More than half a century after the model was first proposed by Crisp, there exists a precise method for quantifying cyprid settlement behaviour in wide-ranging investigations of barnacle ecology and applied studies of fouling management.

Lichens Diversity of Gawilgarh fort, Amravati district, Maharashtra, India

An enumerations of 27 species of lichens belonging to 21 genera and 12 families from Gawilgarh fort situated in Melghat forest, Amravati district, Maharashtra are provided. The rock inhabiting lichens exhibits their maximum diversity in the area represented by the occurrence of 21 species belonging to 16 genera followed by 05 species belonging to 05 genera on bark and Collema pulcellum Ach., is common in both on bark and rock. The local rocks and boulders are used for the constructions of Gawilgarh fort which provide suitable substratum for rock inhibiting lichens in the study area. It is interesting to note that only thirteen species of lichens have effective biodeterioration activity having the presence of secondary metabolites and closely attached to the substratum. This is the first report on lichens diversity of Gawilgarh fort of Melghat forest and will be a base line data for further studies.