Coexistence mechanisms for species with similar ecological traits and overlapping geographic distributions are basic questions in ecology and evolutionary biology. Specific habitat requirements often limit distributio...Coexistence mechanisms for species with similar ecological traits and overlapping geographic distributions are basic questions in ecology and evolutionary biology. Specific habitat requirements often limit distribution range as well as facilitate partitioning resource utilization in ecological similar species. Understanding niche segregation and differences in microhabitat utilization can contribute to identifying coexistence mechanisms between parapatric species. Feirana quadranus and F. taihangnica are two closely related frog species with parapatric geographic ranges and an elongated contact zone within the Qinling Mountains, which is an important watershed for East Asia. Here, we analysed the difference in microhabitat utilization between the two frog species and explored the key ecological factors that induced their microhabitat differentiation based on quadrats sampled in the contact zone. Our comparison of twenty environmental variables showed that both species used microhabitats with alkalescent warm water and gentle slope conditions. The principal component analysis indicated that climate-related variables, vegetation conditions, and river width were the important factors for microhabitat utilization of these species. These findings contribute to our understanding on the coexistence mechanisms of these two related and parapatric Asian mountain frog species. This study can also be helpful for identifying target habitats to conduct conservation actions and management strategies effectively in the face of environmental changes.展开更多
Dew is an important supplement water source in arid and semi-arid areas. In order to determine the dew formation on different kinds of soils associated with various shrub species and microhabitats, we performed measur...Dew is an important supplement water source in arid and semi-arid areas. In order to determine the dew formation on different kinds of soils associated with various shrub species and microhabitats, we performed measurement of accumulated dew formation amount and duration in October 2009 in a revegetation-stabilized arid desert ecosystem in Shapotou area, northern China. The results indicated that the accumulated dew formation amount was four times larger at open spaces as compared to under the canopy, and it was nearly twice as much under living Artemisia ordosica plants（L.A.） as compared to under living Caragana korshinskii plants（L.C.）. The opposite characteristics were found for dew duration between different microhabitats. Dew amounts at different vertical heights around the shrub stands were in the order of 50 cm above the canopy〉the canopy edge〉under the canopy. Dew amount continued to increase after dawn, and the proportion of average accumulated dew amount after dawn accounting for the average maximum amount increased from above the canopy to under the canopy. Dew formation duration after sunrise accounted for more than 50% of the total formation duration during the day time. Contrary to the distribution characteristics of dew amount, dew duration after dawn and total dew formation duration during the day time were both highest under the canopy, followed by at the canopy edge and then at 50 cm above the canopy. The portion of dew duration after dawn accounting for the total dew duration during the day time increased from above the canopy to under the canopy. From these results, we may conclude that dew availability as a supplemental water resource for improving the microhabitats in water-limited arid ecosystems is position dependent especially for the plant microhabitats at different stands layers.展开更多
Different microhabitats along dune slope were found to affect the distribution of plant performances and soil properties in desertified ecosystems. However, the ground-active arthropod responses to rainfall-induced du...Different microhabitats along dune slope were found to affect the distribution of plant performances and soil properties in desertified ecosystems. However, the ground-active arthropod responses to rainfall-induced dune microhabitats were largely unknown in desertified regions. At dune top, midslope and bottom, ground-active arthropods were sampled by the method of pitfall traps in addition to the herbaceous and soil measurements during spring, summer and autumn from 2012 to 2013. Ground-active arthropod had a strong dynamics in time, seasonally and yearly in responses to rainfall-induced dune microhabitats and the variations were significant higher than those of soil and herbaceous properties. The abundance distribution of dominant taxa （i.e. Melolonthidae, Carabidae, Glaphyridae, Tenebrionidae and Formicidae families） among dune microhabitats was similar between seasons within the same year, whereas they differed markedly between two sampling years with varying rainfall patterns. A significant （P〈0.05） difference in total abundance, taxa richness and Shannon index among dune microhabitats was found only in certain season time, particularly in 2013; however, no significant （P〉0.05） differences were found among dune microhabitats when averaged on three sampling seasons within the year of either 2012 or 2013. In all, the taxonomical structure differed considerably from the community structure in ground-active arthropod response to rainfall-induced dune microhabitats. The spatial distribution of taxonomical groups among dune microhabitats was significantly affected by inter-annual rainfall changes, whereas that of community structure was affected by both intra- and inter-annual rainfall changes in desertified ecosystems.展开更多
Models of optimal escape strategy predict that animals should move away when the costs of fleeing （metabolic and opportunity costs） are outweighed by the costs of remaining. These theoretical models predict that mor...Models of optimal escape strategy predict that animals should move away when the costs of fleeing （metabolic and opportunity costs） are outweighed by the costs of remaining. These theoretical models predict that more vulnerable individuals should be more reactive, moving away when an approaching threat is further away. We tested whether escape behaviour （includ- ing ＇escape calling＇） ofLithobates sphenocephalus approached by a human was influenced by body size or the initial microhabi- tat that the individual was found in. Irrespective of their size, frogs in the open tended to remain immobile, enhancing their cryp- sis. Frogs in cover showed different responses according to their body size, but, contrary to our initial predictions, larger frogs showed greater responsiveness （longer flight initiation distance and distances fled） than small frogs. Small frogs tended to remain closer to water and escaped into water, while larger individuals were more likely to jump to terrestrial cover and call during escape. Density of frogs near the focal animal had no effect on escape behaviour. This study indicates a range of escape responses in this species and points to the importance of divergent escape choices for organisms which live on the edge of different environments .展开更多
Fundamental ecological information on the Chinese kissing loach (Leptobotia tchangi) was collected in the North Tiaoxi River, China, in September 2010. The length-frequency distribution calculated using FiSAT software...Fundamental ecological information on the Chinese kissing loach (Leptobotia tchangi) was collected in the North Tiaoxi River, China, in September 2010. The length-frequency distribution calculated using FiSAT software showed the population structure of this kissing loach could be classified into four age groups suggesting that the life span of the loach should be 3 - 4 years. A stepwise multiple linear regression analysis revealed that the density of this kissing loach was significantly and positively correlated with water velocity, while the body size was significantly and positively correlated with river bed pebble size. It suggested that water velocity and variation of pebble size play important roles in the full life history of this kissing loach. Thus, maintenance of the rapid current and variety of substrate are essential for the conservation of this species under the present conditions in the river, which also can support river restoration being in harmony with survival of this kissing loach.展开更多
The effects of surface cracks caused by underground coal mining on microhabitat in the rhizosphere of Artem＆ia ordosias were studied based on field investigation and sample analysis. The results show that the amounts...The effects of surface cracks caused by underground coal mining on microhabitat in the rhizosphere of Artem＆ia ordosias were studied based on field investigation and sample analysis. The results show that the amounts of microorganisms, enzyme activity and water content in soil vary with the biomass ofA. ordosias, and that the account exhibits in an order of large A. ordosias〉medium A. ordosias〉small A. ordosias. Surface cracks apparently decrease microbial quantities and enzymatic ac- tivities, and change the composition and structure of microbial community in the rhizosphere of A. ordosias. Surface cracks reduce water content and electrical conductivity, enhance the R/S （ratio of root and soil） of water content, electrical conductivity and pH value, and raise the content of Na and Pb in rhizosphere soil ofA. ordosicas, It can be concluded that the disturbance of underground coal mining on the microhabitat in the rhizosphere ofA. ordosica is obvious in the early days.展开更多
Background:Remnant microhabitats are important for bird habitat selection and plant regeneration in the fragmented habitat.However,empirical information on the consequences of how microhabitat use by birds affects the...Background:Remnant microhabitats are important for bird habitat selection and plant regeneration in the fragmented habitat.However,empirical information on the consequences of how microhabitat use by birds affects the early recruitment of plants is lacking.Methods:In this study,we evaluated whether microhabitat selection by the Black Bulbul(Hypsipetes leucocephalus)(J.F.Gmelin,1789)impacts the early recruitment of the endangered tree species,the Chinese Yew(Taxus chinensis(Pilger)Rehd),in a fragmented forest over a 4-year period(2011–2012,2018–2019).Results:Our results showed the main factors affecting H.leucocephalus microhabitat selection were distance to the nearest T.chinensis mature tree,herb cover and density,leaf litter cover,and vegetation type.Moreover,the results of logistic regression also highlighted the importance of elevation,distance to light gap and roads,tree cover in bird microhabitat selection.Furthermore,the seed emergence rate in microhabitats used by birds did not differ from the natural forest,which was related to five factors of bird microhabitat.The Random Forest model showed that seedling emergence rate was increased with leaf litter cover and distance to fallen dead trees,but decreased in relation to herb cover,slope,and elevation.Conclusion:Our results highlight the importance of remnant microhabitats in fragmented forests for sustaining forest ecology and optimal management.The contribution of microhabitats used by birds to plant recruitment provides insights into how frugivore species contribute to plant regeneration,which should be incorporated in future conservation and management practices of fragmented forests.展开更多
This paper deals with the proportional distribution, niche breadth and niche overlap of two metazoan parasites(copepods species, Ergasilus anchoratus Markewitsch, 1946 and Pseudergasilus parasiluri Yamaguti, 1936) and...This paper deals with the proportional distribution, niche breadth and niche overlap of two metazoan parasites(copepods species, Ergasilus anchoratus Markewitsch, 1946 and Pseudergasilus parasiluri Yamaguti, 1936) and monogeneans (in the genus Silurodiscoides Gussev, 1976) found on gills of the fish, Silurus asotus L. from Jiangkou Reservoir in Jiangxi Province,China. E.anchoratus was the common and dominant metazoan parasite on gills of the fish in this locality as indicated by the higher infection levels, and distributed almost evenly on gill arches without any observed gill arch preference, as shown by the wide proportional distribution and broad niche breadth. P. parasiluri and monogeneans in Silurodiscoides were found also without any significant gill arch preference although they had a rather narrow niche breadth. The observed significant overlap between P. parasiluri and Silurodiscoides spp. may be simply due to the lower infection levels of the parasites. The observed pattern of unrestricted distributions of the parasitic copepods on gills of the fish may be accounted for, at least in part, by the moving ability of the copepods, and may also indicate that the parasite does not exhibit any feature of gill arch preference. However, further experimental research is needed to verify the microhabitat distribution of the parasites.展开更多
The matching habitat choice hypothesis posits that individuals actively choose those microhabitats that best match their specific phenotype to maximize fitness. Despite the profound implications, matching habitat choi...The matching habitat choice hypothesis posits that individuals actively choose those microhabitats that best match their specific phenotype to maximize fitness. Despite the profound implications, matching habitat choice has not been unequivo- cally demonstrated. We conducted two experiments to examine the impact of pigmentation pattern in the color polymorphic pygmy grasshopper Tetrix subulata on habitat choice in a laboratory thermal mosaic arena. We found no behavioral differences in the thermal mosaic among pygmy grasshoppers belonging to either pale, intermediate or dark natural color morphs. However, af- ter manipulating the grasshoppers＇ phenotype, the utilization through time of warmer and colder parts of the arena was different for black-painted and white-painted individuals. White-painted individuals used warmer parts of the arena, at least during the ini- tial stage of the experiment. We conclude that microhabitat choice represents a form of behavioural plasticity. Thus, even if the choice itself is flexible and not genetically determined, it can still lead to spatial genetic structure in the population because the phenotypes themselves may be genetically mediated [Current Zoology 58 （3）： 392--400, 2012].展开更多
We quantified microhabitat use by white-footed mice Peromyscus leucopus in forest and old-field habitats occupied by Morrow＇ s honeysuckle Lonicera morrowii, an invasive exotic shrub imported from Japan. Microhabitat...We quantified microhabitat use by white-footed mice Peromyscus leucopus in forest and old-field habitats occupied by Morrow＇ s honeysuckle Lonicera morrowii, an invasive exotic shrub imported from Japan. Microhabitat characteristics were compared between trails used by mice （ n = 124） and randomly selected trails （ n = 127） in 4 study plots located at Fort Necessity National Battlefield, Farmington, Pennsylvania, USA. We compared 10 mierohabitat variables between used and random trails using non-metric multidimensional scaling （NMDS） and classification and regression tree （CART） analysis. Trails used by mice were statistically different from randomly selected trails in both forested plots （ P 〈 0. 008） and old-field plots （ P 〈 0. 001 ）. In the forested plots, trails of white-footed mice were more often associated with a greater percent cover （% cover） of coarse woody debris （CWD） than were randomly selected trails. In the old-field plots, mouse trails were commonly characterized by having a lower % cover of exotic herbaceous vegetation, a greater % cover of shrubs, and a greater % cover of Morrow＇ s honeysuckle than randomly selected trails. Our study indicates that white-footed mice do not move randomly and prefer areas of high structural complexity, thereby showing significant microhabitat preference. The preference of white-footed mice for areas with a relatively high percent cover of Morrow＇s honeysuckle could 1 ） be a factor in the aggressive nature of the exotic honeysuckle shrub＇s spread throughout the Battlefield or 2） cause the shrub to spread even faster into adjacent areas not yet occupied by Morrow＇ s honeysuckle展开更多
Under the artificial condition the 59Fe morphology in sea water, its concentration in sediment and phytoplankton, its distribution and metabolism in tissue organs of marine animals were studied. The results showed tha...Under the artificial condition the 59Fe morphology in sea water, its concentration in sediment and phytoplankton, its distribution and metabolism in tissue organs of marine animals were studied. The results showed that the morphology of 59Fe was in a particulate state in sea water. The adsorption rule of 59Fe by three kinds of sediments was similar. The concentration ability of 59Fe by phytoplankton was very strong. The critical concentration organs of S9Fe by marine animals were viscera. The gross radioactivity of 59Fe was mainly concentrated in protein. The concentration factor of 59Fe by DNA was the highest one. After excretion experiment, 59Fe of all the tissue organs was not detected. Small part of59Fe remained in the organic acid and protein state. There was a redistribution process in sediment for59Fe.展开更多
It has been suggested that spatial heterogeneity is key to the coexistence at local spatial scales of subordinate and dominant predator species by allowing the former to shift to more protective habitats when the risk...It has been suggested that spatial heterogeneity is key to the coexistence at local spatial scales of subordinate and dominant predator species by allowing the former to shift to more protective habitats when the risk of intraguild predation exists. Here, we show how the smaller carnivore Egyptian mongoose (Herpestes ichneumon) may coexist on a local scale with its intraguild pre- dator, the Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus), by using places with different microhabitat character- istics. We expect that mongooses living within lynx home ranges will use denser and more protective habitats when active in order to di- minish their risk of being killed by lynx com- pared to those living in areas similar in vege- tation and prey availability but where lynx are absent. The scrubland cover of points used by mongooses outside lynx areas, and that of points located within lynx areas but not used by mongooses, were significantly lower than, or similar to, cover of points used by mongooses within lynx areas. The probability of finding mon- goose tracks was constant across levels of scrubland cover when lynx were absent, but more mongoose tracks were likely to be found in thicker scrubland within lynx areas, especially if these areas were intensively used by lynx. This result agrees with the hypothesis on shifts in microhabitat use of subordinate carnivores to prevent fatal or risky encounters with dominant ones.展开更多
Microhabitat heterogeneity results in significant variations in the thermal environment on a small spatial scale,leading to different intensities of cold stress during extreme low-temperature events.Investigating vari...Microhabitat heterogeneity results in significant variations in the thermal environment on a small spatial scale,leading to different intensities of cold stress during extreme low-temperature events.Investigating variations in body temperature and metabolomic responses of organisms inhabiting different microhabitats emerges as an important task for understanding how organisms respond to more frequent extreme low-temperature events in the face of climate change.In the present study,we measured substrate temperature,air temperature,wind speed,light intensity,and body temperature to evaluate the relative importance of drivers that affect body temperature in different microhabitats,and determined the metabolomic responses of intertidal snails Littorina brevicula and limpets Cellana toreuma from different microhabitats(snail:exposed vs.shaded rock;limpet,rock vs.tidal pool)during extreme low-temperature event in winter.Results showed that microhabitat type,substrate temperature,air temperature,wind speed,and light intensity contribute notably to the body temperatures.During extreme low-temperature events,mollusks collected from different microhabitats exhibited microhabitat-specific metabolomic responses that are associated with cellular stress response,energy metabolism,immune response,nucleotide metabolism,and osmoregulation.These metabolic pathways were highly induced in the more exposed areas(exposed rock for snails and rocky environment for limpets).Notably,in different microhabitats,the metabolites enriched from these pathways showed significant correlations with microclimate environmental variables(i.e.,substrate temperature,wind speed,and body tem-perature).Overall,these findings highlight the importance of microhabitat heterogeneity for intertidal species surviving extreme cold events and are essential for understanding cold adaptation of intertidal species in the context of climate change.展开更多
Our objectives are to examine the effects of hummock-depression spatial heterogeneity on plant communities and soil properties,and to understand the process of maintaining and adjusting microtopography-mediated hydrol...Our objectives are to examine the effects of hummock-depression spatial heterogeneity on plant communities and soil properties,and to understand the process of maintaining and adjusting microtopography-mediated hydrological inputs and their spatial fluctuations that produce obvious microhabitats.We set up 36 plots(1 m×1 m)and sampled 45 plant and 225 soil samples in flooded(FH)and non-flooded hummocks(NFH)and depressions of the marshy,and the surrounding non-wetland meadows as well as in the Yellow River Source Zone,west China.We evaluated whether the alpine marshy wetland has a fertile island effect by the comparison method.Our results show that hummock presence can increase the spatial heterogeneity of the microhabitat and promote the plant diversity and soil fertility of the Kobresia tibetica community.Plant height,coverage,above-ground biomass,species richness and diversity were significantly higher in the FH and NFH microhabitat than in the areas between hummocks and surrounding non-wetland meadows.Compared with broad alpine meadows,the hummock-depression complex provided a microhabitat favorable to the growth of Cyperaceae.In the 0-50 cm soil layer,the closer the soil layer was to the ground surface,the higher its soil organic carbon and total nitrogen contents.Thus,in deeper layers,the gap between soil nutrients in wetland hummock-depression microhabitat and in the surrounding alpine meadows becomes smaller.Hence,the wetland hummock-depression microhabitat formed a fertile island pattern.Therefore,these results contribute toward improving our understanding of ecosystem restoration in alpine marshy meadows.展开更多
Aims The tree legume Acacia dealbata Link is an aggressive Australian invader that severely affects abiotic and biotic compartments of eco-systems worldwide.This invasive species outcompetes native plant communities t...Aims The tree legume Acacia dealbata Link is an aggressive Australian invader that severely affects abiotic and biotic compartments of eco-systems worldwide.This invasive species outcompetes native plant communities through direct competition,changes in microhabitat and soil properties under the canopy and the release of allelopathic compounds.However,these effects are usually studied separately and under controlled conditions.The objective of this study was to evaluate the combined effect of these modifications exerted by A.dealbata on the establishment of native and invasive species in the field.Methods A full factorial experiment was performed in order to test the com-bined effect of microhabitat,soil type and allelopathy on the establish-ment of the invasive A.dealbata and three native species in the field(North-West Spain).We sowed seeds of native or invasive species in pots with different soil type(soil collected under A.dealbata or Pinus pinaster),allelopathy status(soil treated or untreated with activated car-bon)and microhabitat(under the canopy of A.dealbata or P.pinaster).The number and total biomass of established plants were evaluated after 8 months.Soil abiotic properties were determined in all soils.Important Findings The establishment of native and invasive species was signifi-cantly affected by the microhabitat,with a higher number of seedlings under the native forest(P.pinaster).The establishment of A.dealbata seedlings was also significantly promoted by its own soil.A negligible effect of allelopathy was detected on the establishment and growth of both invasive and native species.We conclude that(i)the main factor affecting seedling establish-ment was microhabitat rather than changes in soil properties or allelopathy,(ii)soil modifications by A.dealbata promote the establishment of its own seedlings,contributing to the progress of invasion and(iii)allelochemicals released by A.dealbata do not seem to play a key role for the establishment of native and invasive plants under field conditions in the European non-native range.展开更多
Realistic assessments of the impacts of global warming on population extinction risk are likely to require an integrated analysis of the roles of standing genetic variation,microhabitat thermal complexity,and the inte...Realistic assessments of the impacts of global warming on population extinction risk are likely to require an integrated analysis of the roles of standing genetic variation,microhabitat thermal complexity,and the inter-individual variation of heat tolerance due to both genetic differences and seasonal acclimatization effects.Here,we examine whether balancing selection and microhabitat temperature heterogeneity can interact to enhance the population persistence to thermal stress for the black mussel Septifer virgatus.We deployed biomimetic data loggers on the shore to measure the microhabitat-specific thermal variation from June 2014 to April 2016.Thermal tolerance of specimens was indexed by measuring effects of temperature on heart rate.Genotyping of specimens was performed using double digestion restriction association RADSeq(ddRADseq).Our results show that inter-individual variations in thermal tolerance correlate significantly with genetic differences at some specific gene loci,and that heterozygotes have higher thermal tolerances than homozygotes.The observed seasonal changes in genotype frequency suggest that these loci are under balancing selection.The ability of thermally resistant heterozygotes to survive in sun-exposed microhabitats acts to balance the loss of homozygotes during summer and enable the persistence of genetic polymorphisms.Population persistence of the mussel is also facilitated by the micro-scale variation in temperature,which provides refugia from thermal stress.Our results emphasize that inter-individual variation in thermal tolerance and in microhabitat heterogeneity in temperature are important for the persistence of populations in rocky shore habitats.展开更多
Topographic complexity supports the maintenance of a high diversity of microhabitats,which may act as important‘safe havens’-or microrefugia-for biodiversity.Microrefugia are sites with specific environmental condit...Topographic complexity supports the maintenance of a high diversity of microhabitats,which may act as important‘safe havens’-or microrefugia-for biodiversity.Microrefugia are sites with specific environmental conditions that facilitate the persistence of species during environmental changes and exhibit unique ecoevolutionary dynamics.However,our knowledge about how topographic complexity and related ecoevolutionary selective forces influence the functional and phylogenetic signatures of species assemblages in microrefugia is very limited.Although the conceptual framework on the systematic integration of plant functional traits into the study of refugia is well established,more empirical studies on functional trait composition and functional diversity in refugia are urgently needed for more effective conservation.Here we analyzed the distribution of various plant functional traits and phylogenetic patterns in microhabitats(south-and north-facing slopes,and bottoms)of 30 large topographic depressions(i.e.doline microrefugia)and microhabitats of the surrounding plateaus in two distant forested karst regions.We found that plant assemblages in the understory of dolines and their surroundings are characterized by unique functional values and combinations of traits.Doline bottoms had the highest functional diversity among doline microhabitats and supported plant assemblages with considerably different trait compositions from the plateaus.Bottoms also had the highest phylogenetic diversity.These results suggest that topographic complexity in forested dolines has a significant effect on the distribution of plant functional traits in the understory.High functional and phylogenetic diversity in doline bottoms can have important consequences for the long-term survival of plant populations,highlighting that these microhabitats may provide a higher resilience and support an adaptive community-level response to natural and anthropogenic stressors.Understanding mechanisms that drive the survival of species within microrefugia is required to determine the best conservation and management strategies.展开更多
基金supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China (31572290, 31770568, and 31770427)Youth Innovation Promotion Association CAS (2015304)+2 种基金National Key Research and Development Plan (2016YFC0503303)China Scholarship Council (No. 201706775008)the project from Qinghai Provincial Communication Department (31118022)
文摘Coexistence mechanisms for species with similar ecological traits and overlapping geographic distributions are basic questions in ecology and evolutionary biology. Specific habitat requirements often limit distribution range as well as facilitate partitioning resource utilization in ecological similar species. Understanding niche segregation and differences in microhabitat utilization can contribute to identifying coexistence mechanisms between parapatric species. Feirana quadranus and F. taihangnica are two closely related frog species with parapatric geographic ranges and an elongated contact zone within the Qinling Mountains, which is an important watershed for East Asia. Here, we analysed the difference in microhabitat utilization between the two frog species and explored the key ecological factors that induced their microhabitat differentiation based on quadrats sampled in the contact zone. Our comparison of twenty environmental variables showed that both species used microhabitats with alkalescent warm water and gentle slope conditions. The principal component analysis indicated that climate-related variables, vegetation conditions, and river width were the important factors for microhabitat utilization of these species. These findings contribute to our understanding on the coexistence mechanisms of these two related and parapatric Asian mountain frog species. This study can also be helpful for identifying target habitats to conduct conservation actions and management strategies effectively in the face of environmental changes.
基金financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (41201085)the 100 Talents Program of the Chinese Academy of Sciences
文摘Dew is an important supplement water source in arid and semi-arid areas. In order to determine the dew formation on different kinds of soils associated with various shrub species and microhabitats, we performed measurement of accumulated dew formation amount and duration in October 2009 in a revegetation-stabilized arid desert ecosystem in Shapotou area, northern China. The results indicated that the accumulated dew formation amount was four times larger at open spaces as compared to under the canopy, and it was nearly twice as much under living Artemisia ordosica plants（L.A.） as compared to under living Caragana korshinskii plants（L.C.）. The opposite characteristics were found for dew duration between different microhabitats. Dew amounts at different vertical heights around the shrub stands were in the order of 50 cm above the canopy〉the canopy edge〉under the canopy. Dew amount continued to increase after dawn, and the proportion of average accumulated dew amount after dawn accounting for the average maximum amount increased from above the canopy to under the canopy. Dew formation duration after sunrise accounted for more than 50% of the total formation duration during the day time. Contrary to the distribution characteristics of dew amount, dew duration after dawn and total dew formation duration during the day time were both highest under the canopy, followed by at the canopy edge and then at 50 cm above the canopy. The portion of dew duration after dawn accounting for the total dew duration during the day time increased from above the canopy to under the canopy. From these results, we may conclude that dew availability as a supplemental water resource for improving the microhabitats in water-limited arid ecosystems is position dependent especially for the plant microhabitats at different stands layers.
基金supported by the Science Research Foundation of Ningxia Higher Education(NGY2015053)Ningxia Natural Science Foundation(NZ15025)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(41101050)
文摘Different microhabitats along dune slope were found to affect the distribution of plant performances and soil properties in desertified ecosystems. However, the ground-active arthropod responses to rainfall-induced dune microhabitats were largely unknown in desertified regions. At dune top, midslope and bottom, ground-active arthropods were sampled by the method of pitfall traps in addition to the herbaceous and soil measurements during spring, summer and autumn from 2012 to 2013. Ground-active arthropod had a strong dynamics in time, seasonally and yearly in responses to rainfall-induced dune microhabitats and the variations were significant higher than those of soil and herbaceous properties. The abundance distribution of dominant taxa （i.e. Melolonthidae, Carabidae, Glaphyridae, Tenebrionidae and Formicidae families） among dune microhabitats was similar between seasons within the same year, whereas they differed markedly between two sampling years with varying rainfall patterns. A significant （P〈0.05） difference in total abundance, taxa richness and Shannon index among dune microhabitats was found only in certain season time, particularly in 2013; however, no significant （P〉0.05） differences were found among dune microhabitats when averaged on three sampling seasons within the year of either 2012 or 2013. In all, the taxonomical structure differed considerably from the community structure in ground-active arthropod response to rainfall-induced dune microhabitats. The spatial distribution of taxonomical groups among dune microhabitats was significantly affected by inter-annual rainfall changes, whereas that of community structure was affected by both intra- and inter-annual rainfall changes in desertified ecosystems.
文摘Models of optimal escape strategy predict that animals should move away when the costs of fleeing （metabolic and opportunity costs） are outweighed by the costs of remaining. These theoretical models predict that more vulnerable individuals should be more reactive, moving away when an approaching threat is further away. We tested whether escape behaviour （includ- ing ＇escape calling＇） ofLithobates sphenocephalus approached by a human was influenced by body size or the initial microhabi- tat that the individual was found in. Irrespective of their size, frogs in the open tended to remain immobile, enhancing their cryp- sis. Frogs in cover showed different responses according to their body size, but, contrary to our initial predictions, larger frogs showed greater responsiveness （longer flight initiation distance and distances fled） than small frogs. Small frogs tended to remain closer to water and escaped into water, while larger individuals were more likely to jump to terrestrial cover and call during escape. Density of frogs near the focal animal had no effect on escape behaviour. This study indicates a range of escape responses in this species and points to the importance of divergent escape choices for organisms which live on the edge of different environments .
文摘Fundamental ecological information on the Chinese kissing loach (Leptobotia tchangi) was collected in the North Tiaoxi River, China, in September 2010. The length-frequency distribution calculated using FiSAT software showed the population structure of this kissing loach could be classified into four age groups suggesting that the life span of the loach should be 3 - 4 years. A stepwise multiple linear regression analysis revealed that the density of this kissing loach was significantly and positively correlated with water velocity, while the body size was significantly and positively correlated with river bed pebble size. It suggested that water velocity and variation of pebble size play important roles in the full life history of this kissing loach. Thus, maintenance of the rapid current and variety of substrate are essential for the conservation of this species under the present conditions in the river, which also can support river restoration being in harmony with survival of this kissing loach.
文摘The effects of surface cracks caused by underground coal mining on microhabitat in the rhizosphere of Artem＆ia ordosias were studied based on field investigation and sample analysis. The results show that the amounts of microorganisms, enzyme activity and water content in soil vary with the biomass ofA. ordosias, and that the account exhibits in an order of large A. ordosias〉medium A. ordosias〉small A. ordosias. Surface cracks apparently decrease microbial quantities and enzymatic ac- tivities, and change the composition and structure of microbial community in the rhizosphere of A. ordosias. Surface cracks reduce water content and electrical conductivity, enhance the R/S （ratio of root and soil） of water content, electrical conductivity and pH value, and raise the content of Na and Pb in rhizosphere soil ofA. ordosicas, It can be concluded that the disturbance of underground coal mining on the microhabitat in the rhizosphere ofA. ordosica is obvious in the early days.
基金This study was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.31700468)the Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province(Grant No.BK2017636).
文摘Background:Remnant microhabitats are important for bird habitat selection and plant regeneration in the fragmented habitat.However,empirical information on the consequences of how microhabitat use by birds affects the early recruitment of plants is lacking.Methods:In this study,we evaluated whether microhabitat selection by the Black Bulbul(Hypsipetes leucocephalus)(J.F.Gmelin,1789)impacts the early recruitment of the endangered tree species,the Chinese Yew(Taxus chinensis(Pilger)Rehd),in a fragmented forest over a 4-year period(2011–2012,2018–2019).Results:Our results showed the main factors affecting H.leucocephalus microhabitat selection were distance to the nearest T.chinensis mature tree,herb cover and density,leaf litter cover,and vegetation type.Moreover,the results of logistic regression also highlighted the importance of elevation,distance to light gap and roads,tree cover in bird microhabitat selection.Furthermore,the seed emergence rate in microhabitats used by birds did not differ from the natural forest,which was related to five factors of bird microhabitat.The Random Forest model showed that seedling emergence rate was increased with leaf litter cover and distance to fallen dead trees,but decreased in relation to herb cover,slope,and elevation.Conclusion:Our results highlight the importance of remnant microhabitats in fragmented forests for sustaining forest ecology and optimal management.The contribution of microhabitats used by birds to plant recruitment provides insights into how frugivore species contribute to plant regeneration,which should be incorporated in future conservation and management practices of fragmented forests.
文摘This paper deals with the proportional distribution, niche breadth and niche overlap of two metazoan parasites(copepods species, Ergasilus anchoratus Markewitsch, 1946 and Pseudergasilus parasiluri Yamaguti, 1936) and monogeneans (in the genus Silurodiscoides Gussev, 1976) found on gills of the fish, Silurus asotus L. from Jiangkou Reservoir in Jiangxi Province,China. E.anchoratus was the common and dominant metazoan parasite on gills of the fish in this locality as indicated by the higher infection levels, and distributed almost evenly on gill arches without any observed gill arch preference, as shown by the wide proportional distribution and broad niche breadth. P. parasiluri and monogeneans in Silurodiscoides were found also without any significant gill arch preference although they had a rather narrow niche breadth. The observed significant overlap between P. parasiluri and Silurodiscoides spp. may be simply due to the lower infection levels of the parasites. The observed pattern of unrestricted distributions of the parasitic copepods on gills of the fish may be accounted for, at least in part, by the moving ability of the copepods, and may also indicate that the parasite does not exhibit any feature of gill arch preference. However, further experimental research is needed to verify the microhabitat distribution of the parasites.
文摘The matching habitat choice hypothesis posits that individuals actively choose those microhabitats that best match their specific phenotype to maximize fitness. Despite the profound implications, matching habitat choice has not been unequivo- cally demonstrated. We conducted two experiments to examine the impact of pigmentation pattern in the color polymorphic pygmy grasshopper Tetrix subulata on habitat choice in a laboratory thermal mosaic arena. We found no behavioral differences in the thermal mosaic among pygmy grasshoppers belonging to either pale, intermediate or dark natural color morphs. However, af- ter manipulating the grasshoppers＇ phenotype, the utilization through time of warmer and colder parts of the arena was different for black-painted and white-painted individuals. White-painted individuals used warmer parts of the arena, at least during the ini- tial stage of the experiment. We conclude that microhabitat choice represents a form of behavioural plasticity. Thus, even if the choice itself is flexible and not genetically determined, it can still lead to spatial genetic structure in the population because the phenotypes themselves may be genetically mediated [Current Zoology 58 （3）： 392--400, 2012].
基金the National Park Service, U. S. Department of the Interior
文摘We quantified microhabitat use by white-footed mice Peromyscus leucopus in forest and old-field habitats occupied by Morrow＇ s honeysuckle Lonicera morrowii, an invasive exotic shrub imported from Japan. Microhabitat characteristics were compared between trails used by mice （ n = 124） and randomly selected trails （ n = 127） in 4 study plots located at Fort Necessity National Battlefield, Farmington, Pennsylvania, USA. We compared 10 mierohabitat variables between used and random trails using non-metric multidimensional scaling （NMDS） and classification and regression tree （CART） analysis. Trails used by mice were statistically different from randomly selected trails in both forested plots （ P 〈 0. 008） and old-field plots （ P 〈 0. 001 ）. In the forested plots, trails of white-footed mice were more often associated with a greater percent cover （% cover） of coarse woody debris （CWD） than were randomly selected trails. In the old-field plots, mouse trails were commonly characterized by having a lower % cover of exotic herbaceous vegetation, a greater % cover of shrubs, and a greater % cover of Morrow＇ s honeysuckle than randomly selected trails. Our study indicates that white-footed mice do not move randomly and prefer areas of high structural complexity, thereby showing significant microhabitat preference. The preference of white-footed mice for areas with a relatively high percent cover of Morrow＇s honeysuckle could 1 ） be a factor in the aggressive nature of the exotic honeysuckle shrub＇s spread throughout the Battlefield or 2） cause the shrub to spread even faster into adjacent areas not yet occupied by Morrow＇ s honeysuckle
文摘Under the artificial condition the 59Fe morphology in sea water, its concentration in sediment and phytoplankton, its distribution and metabolism in tissue organs of marine animals were studied. The results showed that the morphology of 59Fe was in a particulate state in sea water. The adsorption rule of 59Fe by three kinds of sediments was similar. The concentration ability of 59Fe by phytoplankton was very strong. The critical concentration organs of S9Fe by marine animals were viscera. The gross radioactivity of 59Fe was mainly concentrated in protein. The concentration factor of 59Fe by DNA was the highest one. After excretion experiment, 59Fe of all the tissue organs was not detected. Small part of59Fe remained in the organic acid and protein state. There was a redistribution process in sediment for59Fe.
基金funded by project CGL2004-00346/BOS of Ministry of Education and Sciencesupported by a predoctoral grant of CSIC-Spanish Council for Research,“I3P”programsupported by a FPU and a post-doctoral fellowships from the Spanish Ministry of Education.
文摘It has been suggested that spatial heterogeneity is key to the coexistence at local spatial scales of subordinate and dominant predator species by allowing the former to shift to more protective habitats when the risk of intraguild predation exists. Here, we show how the smaller carnivore Egyptian mongoose (Herpestes ichneumon) may coexist on a local scale with its intraguild pre- dator, the Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus), by using places with different microhabitat character- istics. We expect that mongooses living within lynx home ranges will use denser and more protective habitats when active in order to di- minish their risk of being killed by lynx com- pared to those living in areas similar in vege- tation and prey availability but where lynx are absent. The scrubland cover of points used by mongooses outside lynx areas, and that of points located within lynx areas but not used by mongooses, were significantly lower than, or similar to, cover of points used by mongooses within lynx areas. The probability of finding mon- goose tracks was constant across levels of scrubland cover when lynx were absent, but more mongoose tracks were likely to be found in thicker scrubland within lynx areas, especially if these areas were intensively used by lynx. This result agrees with the hypothesis on shifts in microhabitat use of subordinate carnivores to prevent fatal or risky encounters with dominant ones.
基金supported by the National Natu-ral Science Foundation of China(42025604)the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities of the Ocean University of China.
文摘Microhabitat heterogeneity results in significant variations in the thermal environment on a small spatial scale,leading to different intensities of cold stress during extreme low-temperature events.Investigating variations in body temperature and metabolomic responses of organisms inhabiting different microhabitats emerges as an important task for understanding how organisms respond to more frequent extreme low-temperature events in the face of climate change.In the present study,we measured substrate temperature,air temperature,wind speed,light intensity,and body temperature to evaluate the relative importance of drivers that affect body temperature in different microhabitats,and determined the metabolomic responses of intertidal snails Littorina brevicula and limpets Cellana toreuma from different microhabitats(snail:exposed vs.shaded rock;limpet,rock vs.tidal pool)during extreme low-temperature event in winter.Results showed that microhabitat type,substrate temperature,air temperature,wind speed,and light intensity contribute notably to the body temperatures.During extreme low-temperature events,mollusks collected from different microhabitats exhibited microhabitat-specific metabolomic responses that are associated with cellular stress response,energy metabolism,immune response,nucleotide metabolism,and osmoregulation.These metabolic pathways were highly induced in the more exposed areas(exposed rock for snails and rocky environment for limpets).Notably,in different microhabitats,the metabolites enriched from these pathways showed significant correlations with microclimate environmental variables(i.e.,substrate temperature,wind speed,and body tem-perature).Overall,these findings highlight the importance of microhabitat heterogeneity for intertidal species surviving extreme cold events and are essential for understanding cold adaptation of intertidal species in the context of climate change.
基金Thank the members of the research team for their kind support in the experiment,and thank the Science and Technology Department of Qinghai Provincial for the funding of the application basic project(2019-ZJ-7035)Discipline Innovation and Introducing Talents Program of Higher Education Institutions(the 111 Project,D18013)Changjiang Scholars and Innovation Team Development plan(IRT_17R62).
文摘Our objectives are to examine the effects of hummock-depression spatial heterogeneity on plant communities and soil properties,and to understand the process of maintaining and adjusting microtopography-mediated hydrological inputs and their spatial fluctuations that produce obvious microhabitats.We set up 36 plots(1 m×1 m)and sampled 45 plant and 225 soil samples in flooded(FH)and non-flooded hummocks(NFH)and depressions of the marshy,and the surrounding non-wetland meadows as well as in the Yellow River Source Zone,west China.We evaluated whether the alpine marshy wetland has a fertile island effect by the comparison method.Our results show that hummock presence can increase the spatial heterogeneity of the microhabitat and promote the plant diversity and soil fertility of the Kobresia tibetica community.Plant height,coverage,above-ground biomass,species richness and diversity were significantly higher in the FH and NFH microhabitat than in the areas between hummocks and surrounding non-wetland meadows.Compared with broad alpine meadows,the hummock-depression complex provided a microhabitat favorable to the growth of Cyperaceae.In the 0-50 cm soil layer,the closer the soil layer was to the ground surface,the higher its soil organic carbon and total nitrogen contents.Thus,in deeper layers,the gap between soil nutrients in wetland hummock-depression microhabitat and in the surrounding alpine meadows becomes smaller.Hence,the wetland hummock-depression microhabitat formed a fertile island pattern.Therefore,these results contribute toward improving our understanding of ecosystem restoration in alpine marshy meadows.
基金P.L.is supported by a post-doctoral grant(SFRH/BPD/88504/2012)from the Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia(Portugal)(FCT)and the European Social FundS.R.-E has an Investigador IF Development Grant(IF/00462/2013)from the FCT and the European Social Fund.
文摘Aims The tree legume Acacia dealbata Link is an aggressive Australian invader that severely affects abiotic and biotic compartments of eco-systems worldwide.This invasive species outcompetes native plant communities through direct competition,changes in microhabitat and soil properties under the canopy and the release of allelopathic compounds.However,these effects are usually studied separately and under controlled conditions.The objective of this study was to evaluate the combined effect of these modifications exerted by A.dealbata on the establishment of native and invasive species in the field.Methods A full factorial experiment was performed in order to test the com-bined effect of microhabitat,soil type and allelopathy on the establish-ment of the invasive A.dealbata and three native species in the field(North-West Spain).We sowed seeds of native or invasive species in pots with different soil type(soil collected under A.dealbata or Pinus pinaster),allelopathy status(soil treated or untreated with activated car-bon)and microhabitat(under the canopy of A.dealbata or P.pinaster).The number and total biomass of established plants were evaluated after 8 months.Soil abiotic properties were determined in all soils.Important Findings The establishment of native and invasive species was signifi-cantly affected by the microhabitat,with a higher number of seedlings under the native forest(P.pinaster).The establishment of A.dealbata seedlings was also significantly promoted by its own soil.A negligible effect of allelopathy was detected on the establishment and growth of both invasive and native species.We conclude that(i)the main factor affecting seedling establish-ment was microhabitat rather than changes in soil properties or allelopathy,(ii)soil modifications by A.dealbata promote the establishment of its own seedlings,contributing to the progress of invasion and(iii)allelochemicals released by A.dealbata do not seem to play a key role for the establishment of native and invasive plants under field conditions in the European non-native range.
基金from National Natural Science Foundation of China(41776135,41976142)Nature Science funds for Distinguished Young Scholars of Fujian Province,China(2017J07003)to YWD.
文摘Realistic assessments of the impacts of global warming on population extinction risk are likely to require an integrated analysis of the roles of standing genetic variation,microhabitat thermal complexity,and the inter-individual variation of heat tolerance due to both genetic differences and seasonal acclimatization effects.Here,we examine whether balancing selection and microhabitat temperature heterogeneity can interact to enhance the population persistence to thermal stress for the black mussel Septifer virgatus.We deployed biomimetic data loggers on the shore to measure the microhabitat-specific thermal variation from June 2014 to April 2016.Thermal tolerance of specimens was indexed by measuring effects of temperature on heart rate.Genotyping of specimens was performed using double digestion restriction association RADSeq(ddRADseq).Our results show that inter-individual variations in thermal tolerance correlate significantly with genetic differences at some specific gene loci,and that heterozygotes have higher thermal tolerances than homozygotes.The observed seasonal changes in genotype frequency suggest that these loci are under balancing selection.The ability of thermally resistant heterozygotes to survive in sun-exposed microhabitats acts to balance the loss of homozygotes during summer and enable the persistence of genetic polymorphisms.Population persistence of the mussel is also facilitated by the micro-scale variation in temperature,which provides refugia from thermal stress.Our results emphasize that inter-individual variation in thermal tolerance and in microhabitat heterogeneity in temperature are important for the persistence of populations in rocky shore habitats.
基金funded by the National Research,Development and Innovation Office(NKFIH FK 142428 grant)The contribution of Z.B.was supported by the János Bolyai Research Scholarship of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences and by the New National Excellence Program of the Ministry for Culture and Innovation from the source of the National Research,Development and Innovation Fund(ÚNKP-23-5-SZTE-697)+2 种基金K.F.was supported by the New National Excellence Program of the Ministry for Culture and Innovation from the source of the National Research,Development and Innovation Fund(ÚNKP-23-3-SZTE-441)C.T.was supported by the NKFIH K 146137 grantA.E-V.was supported by the long-term research development project of the Czech Academy of Sciences(RVO 67985939).
文摘Topographic complexity supports the maintenance of a high diversity of microhabitats,which may act as important‘safe havens’-or microrefugia-for biodiversity.Microrefugia are sites with specific environmental conditions that facilitate the persistence of species during environmental changes and exhibit unique ecoevolutionary dynamics.However,our knowledge about how topographic complexity and related ecoevolutionary selective forces influence the functional and phylogenetic signatures of species assemblages in microrefugia is very limited.Although the conceptual framework on the systematic integration of plant functional traits into the study of refugia is well established,more empirical studies on functional trait composition and functional diversity in refugia are urgently needed for more effective conservation.Here we analyzed the distribution of various plant functional traits and phylogenetic patterns in microhabitats(south-and north-facing slopes,and bottoms)of 30 large topographic depressions(i.e.doline microrefugia)and microhabitats of the surrounding plateaus in two distant forested karst regions.We found that plant assemblages in the understory of dolines and their surroundings are characterized by unique functional values and combinations of traits.Doline bottoms had the highest functional diversity among doline microhabitats and supported plant assemblages with considerably different trait compositions from the plateaus.Bottoms also had the highest phylogenetic diversity.These results suggest that topographic complexity in forested dolines has a significant effect on the distribution of plant functional traits in the understory.High functional and phylogenetic diversity in doline bottoms can have important consequences for the long-term survival of plant populations,highlighting that these microhabitats may provide a higher resilience and support an adaptive community-level response to natural and anthropogenic stressors.Understanding mechanisms that drive the survival of species within microrefugia is required to determine the best conservation and management strategies.
