scholarly journals Citizen Science for Quantification of Insect Abundance on Windshields of Cars Across Two Continents

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anders Pape Møller ◽  
Dorota Czeszczewik ◽  
Johannes Erritzøe ◽  
Einar Flensted-Jensen ◽  
Karsten Laursen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Citizen Science ◽  
Biological Significance ◽  
Northern China ◽  
Trophic Levels ◽  
Spatial And Temporal Patterns ◽  
Insect Abundance ◽  
Flying Insects ◽  
Driving Speed ◽  
Main Determinants ◽  
Abiotic And Biotic Factors

The abundance and the diversity of insects in Europe have declined considerably during recent decades, while it remains unclear whether similar changes may also have occurred elsewhere. Here we used citizen science for quantifying the abundance of flying insects on windshields of cars across Europe and to a smaller extent in China. We used the abundance of insects killed against windshields of cars during 3,530 transects for a total distance of 83,019 km made by 50 observers as estimates of insect abundance. A total of 124,606 insects were recorded, or approximately 1.5 insect per km. The abundance of insects killed against windshields was highly repeatable among days for the same locality, showing consistent estimates of abundance. The main determinants of insect abundance were features of cars (driving speed and car model that can be considered noise of no biological significance), local weather (temperature, cloud cover and wind speed) and variation across the season and the day. We tested for differences in the abundance of flying insects killed on windshields of cars predicting and finding (1) a reduction in insect abundance in areas with ionizing radiation at Chernobyl compared to uncontaminated control sites in the neighborhood, (2) a reduction in the abundance of flying insects in Western compared to Eastern Europe, (3) a reduction in the abundance of flying insects killed on windshields from southern to northern Europe compared to latitudinal samples of insects from southern to northern China, and (4) a difference in abundance of insects killed on windshields of cars in Spain with a significant interaction between Spain and Denmark. Thus a number of abiotic and biotic factors accounted for temporal and spatial heterogeneity in abundance of insects, providing a useful tool for monitoring and studying determinants of spatial and temporal patterns of insect abundance. This also implies that our estimate of insect abundance may be relevant for the study of competition and for interactions at higher trophic levels.

scholarly journals eOceans dive-logs for science and conservation: a case study of sharks in Thailand

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. A. Ward-Paige ◽  
A. Westell ◽  
B. Sing
Keyword(s):  
Citizen Science ◽  
Anthropogenic Activities ◽  
Tourism Industry ◽  
Conservation Strategies ◽  
Shark Species ◽  
Spatial And Temporal Patterns ◽  
Marine Animals ◽  
Science Management ◽  
Leopard Sharks ◽  
Abundance And Distribution

AbstractMany marine animals around the world are threatened by a variety of anthropogenic activities, yet there is often a paucity of data to monitor patterns in abundance and distribution or to evaluate human interventions. The new citizen science program eOceans helps to fill this gap by gathering observations of various marine animals from worldwide ocean explorers. In 2012, a dedicated Thailand-wide census of sharks, and other animals, began as collaboration between eOceans scientists and the dive tourism industry. Using the observations from 9,524 dives (9,357 hours underwater) logged by >169 divers on 153 sites, we describe the spatial and temporal patterns of sharks in coastal Thailand. A total of 12 shark species were encountered, most commonly (67%) as individuals, and were observed on 11% of all dives, on 59% of sites, in all months and years. The two most frequently encountered species were blacktip reef (Carcharhinus melanopterus) and leopard sharks (Stegostoma fasciatum). Many species had peak encounter rates in summer, but aggregated in various seasons in different years. Mating events and nursery sites were observed rarely, and only for blacktip reef and whitetip reef (Triaenodon obesus) sharks. These results could be of value to species-or region-specific biologists, ecologists and fisheries scientists, as well as to managers and policy makers that could use the findings to monitor future trends and prioritize conservation strategies. Moreover, this study highlights the value that collaborative eOceans citizen science projects could have in support of marine science, management and conservation efforts worldwide.

scholarly journals Genetic Variation of Glutathione S-Transferase M1 Is Associated with Patients with Ovarian Endometriosis and Endometriosis-Related Primary Infertility

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Hai-Bo Zhang ◽  
Yan Li ◽  
Jian-Lei Wu ◽  
Jian Zhao ◽  
Yun-Jie Tian ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Variation ◽  
Mrna Expression ◽  
Biological Significance ◽  
Northern China ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Glutathione S Transferase ◽  
Ovarian Endometriosis ◽  
Primary Infertility ◽  
Normal Women

<b><i>Background:</i></b> The aim of the study was to investigate the role of the genetic variation of glutathione S-transferase M1 (<i>GSTM1</i>) in the development of ovarian endometriosis and endometriosis-related primary infertility risk. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> This case-control study included 564 women with ovarian endometriosis and 576 normal women in the control group in northern China. The polymorphism of GSTM1 was genotyped by polymerase chain reaction (PCR)/ligase detection reaction method. To assess the biological significance of polymorphisms, the level of GSTM1 mRNA expression in patients’ endometrial tissues with different genotypes was detected by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). <b><i>Results:</i></b> Compared with the positive genotype, the null genotype of <i>GSTM1</i> was associated with the risk of developing ovarian endometriosis (OR = 1.29, 95% CI = 1.02–1.62). Further analysis showed that patients with a null genotype also had a significantly higher risk of primary infertility than patients with positive genotypes (OR = 1.59, 95% CI = 1.01–2.49). In addition, we found that <i>GSTM1</i> mRNA expression was present in the endometrial tissue of all patients, but the expression level of patients with a positive genotype was nearly 10 times higher than that of patients with a negative genotype. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> Our results suggest that the <i>GSTM1</i> polymorphism is not only related to the genetic susceptibility to ovarian endometriosis but also a potential molecular marker of primary infertility in patients with ovarian endometriosis.

New early griffenfly, Sinomeganeura huangheensis from the Late Carboniferous of northern China (Meganisoptera: Meganeuridae)

2008 ◽  
Vol 39 (2) ◽  
pp. 223-229 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dong Ren ◽  
André Nel ◽  
Jakub Prokop
Keyword(s):  
Northern China ◽  
Early Carboniferous ◽  
Late Paleozoic ◽  
Wing Venation ◽  
Large Species ◽  
Late Permian ◽  
Venation Pattern ◽  
Upper Carboniferous ◽  
Flying Insects ◽  
Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region

AbstractNew griffenfly Sinomeganeura huangheensis gen. n., sp. n. (Meganeuridae) is described from Upper Carboniferous (Namurian) of the Tupo Formation in northern China (Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region). This taxon exhibits unique structure of the wing venation pattern. It is highly interesting in reference to the Namurian age known for the occurrence of two meganeurids until present (Namurotypus Brauckmann & Zessin, 1989 and Shenzhousia Zhang & Hong, 2006) as well as the palaeogeographical position of the locality far from all sites in Laurussia. We demonstrate that meganeurids with relatively small wings already co-existed with large species in the Namurian, as for the Stephanian and the Late Permian. Thus, Sinomeganeura demonstrates that the meganeurid diversity and wing venation disparity were comparable during the Namurian and the Stephanian, suggesting that this group already had a long history in the Early Carboniferous. Odonatoptera were probably the main, if not unique predators of the flying insects during the Late Paleozoic.

scholarly journals Trophic cascades and connectivity in coastal benthic marine ecosystems: a meta-analysis of experimental and observational research

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aaron Matthius Eger ◽  
Julia Kathleen Baum
Keyword(s):  
Abiotic Factors ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Trophic Cascades ◽  
Marine Ecosystems ◽  
Trophic Levels ◽  
Observational Research ◽  
Biotic Factors ◽  
Population Response ◽  
High Nutrient ◽  
Abiotic And Biotic Factors

Predators often exert top-down control on lower trophic levels, such that their removal or addition can trigger trophic cascades. Despite coastal ecosystems containing well known trophic cascades, the abiotic and biotic factors governing the occurrence and strength of these cascades are still unclear. We worked to explain the variability of trophic cascades in benthic marine ecosystems by conducting a meta-analysis of experimental (N = 17) and observational (N = 22) studies that recorded herbivore and producer populations in the presence and absence of a first level predator. From these data (147 predator-herbivore-producer measurements), we show that, although not as strong as previously estimated, the presence of predators decreased herbivore populations between 2.1 to 4.76 times and increased producer populations by 1.62 to 2.83 times. Biotic factors related to species’ body size were most influential in determining herbivore population response to predator presence, while abiotic factors, including nutrient concentration, best determined the producer population response. Our results also show producers responded more intensely to changes in herbivore populations in high nutrient and low temperature environments. Looking at populations in marine reserves we found that herbivore populations in reserves were 3.00 times lower on average, compared to areas outside the reserve, while producer populations were on average 1.84 times higher. Overall, this work advances our understanding of the factors modulating trophic cascade strength, demonstrates that reserves can have ecosystem wide impacts, and establishes a new baseline of trophic cascades in benthic marine systems.

Total Mercury and Methylmercury Contents of Insects from Boreal Lakes: Ecological, Spatial and Temporal Patterns

1996 ◽  
Vol 31 (4) ◽  
pp. 851-873 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alain Tremblay ◽  
Marc Lucotte ◽  
Markus Meili ◽  
Louise Cloutier ◽  
Pierre Pichet
Keyword(s):  
Food Web ◽  
Feeding Behaviour ◽  
Abiotic Factors ◽  
Dry Weight ◽  
Boreal Lakes ◽  
Trophic Levels ◽  
Spatial And Temporal Patterns ◽  
Animal Feeding ◽  
Total Hg

Abstract Mercury (Hg) and methylmercury (MeHg) concentrations in insects from 19 lakes in Quebec (Canada) and Sweden ranged from 550 ng Hgg−1 dry weight (dw). The mean proportion of MeHg to total Hg concentrations depended on the feeding behaviour of the animals, increasing from 35-50% in detritivores-grazers (dipterans, ephemeropterans, trichopterans) to 70–95% in predators (heteropterans, coleopterans, odonates). These differences were attributed to the biomagnification of MeHg in the food web since the MeHg/total Hg ratio in the organisms was not related to their body size. A large part of the overall variability of total Hg (r2=0.57, p=0.0001) and MeHg (r2=0.79, p=0.0001) concentrations in insects was explained by taxonomic differences, probably related to feeding behaviour, and the differences between lakes. MeHg concentrations in chironomids and in odonates were significantly correlated with sediment MeHg contents (r=0.78, p=0.005; r=0.62, p=0.001, respectively). However, our results suggest that animal feeding behaviour and the quality of ingested food are more important in determining MeHg accumulation in insects than either MeHg contents of sediment or atmospheric Hg deposition rates. Our data indicate that the bioavailability of Hg to the lower trophic levels of the food web is determined by abiotic factors and controls contamination of predators at the top of the food chain. Total Hg concentrations in insects increased from spring to fall, from 60–80 ng Hgg−1 dw to 125–175 ng Hgg−1 dw in the detritivore-grazer taxa, and from 88–120 ng Hgg−1 dw to 180–200 ng Hgg−1 dw in the predator taxa. MeHg/total Hg ratios showed little variability from spring to fall and the increase of Hg and MeHg concentrations in insects seemed to be related to enhanced methylation resulting from the rise of water temperature and to the variations in the nature of the food ingested.

scholarly journals Sea ice phenology in the Caspian Sea

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Forough Fendereski
Keyword(s):  
Sea Ice ◽  
Caspian Sea ◽  
Temporal Variations ◽  
Trophic Levels ◽  
Spatial And Temporal Patterns ◽  
The Caspian Sea ◽  
Ice Melt ◽  
Covered Area ◽  
Phonological Features ◽  
Caspian Seal

To understand the spatial and temporal variations in the extent and timing of sea ice in the Caspian Sea (CS), 15 years of sea ice presence and its phenology (freeze-up, break-up, and duration) were studied in the Northern CS (NCS) for a period from 2004 to 2018. This study indicated that the percentage of sea ice covered area in the CS showed fluctuations ranging from 54.2% in 2004 to more than 89% in 2006 and 2008. This study, furthermore, found regional differences within the NCS in sea ice phonological features during 2004 to 2018. Specifically, earlier sea ice formation, later ice melt, and longer ice periods were observed in the eastern than the western NCS. Noticeable interannual changes were also observed in the timing and duration of the NCS ice (2004-2018). However, most parts of the NCS did not show significant trends (P>0.05) in the formation, decay, and duration of sea ice and their interannual variability. The observed spatial and temporal patterns in the CS ice can have implications for phytoplankton blooms and higher trophic levels, such as fish and endangered Caspian seal populations and merits further investigation.

scholarly journals Patterns of the parasite communities in a fish assemblage of a river in the Brazilian Amazon region

2018 ◽  
Vol 63 (2) ◽  
pp. 304-316 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raimundo Rosemiro Jesus Baia ◽  
Alexandro Cezar Florentino ◽  
Luís Maurício Abdon Silva ◽  
Marcos Tavares-Dias
Keyword(s):  
Fish Assemblage ◽  
Feeding Habits ◽  
River System ◽  
Trophic Levels ◽  
Taxon Richness ◽  
Parasite Communities ◽  
Brazilian Amazon Region ◽  
Northern Brazil ◽  
Main Determinants ◽  
Paratenic Hosts

AbstractThis paper characterizes the pattern of ectoparasite and endoparasite communities in an assemblage of 35 sympatric fish from different trophic levels in a tributary from the Amazon River system, northern Brazil. In detritivorous, carnivorous, omnivorous and piscivorous hosts, the species richness consisted of 82 ectoparasites and endoparasites, but protozoan ectoparasites such asIchthyophthirius multifiliis,Piscinoodinium pillulareandTripartiellasp. were dominant species predominated, such that they were present in 80% of the hosts. The taxon richness was in the following order: Monogenea > Nematoda > Digenea > Crustacea > Protozoa > Acanthocephala = Cestoda > Hirudinea. Among the hosts, the highest number of parasitic associations occurred inSatanoperca jurupari,Aequidens tetramerus,Hoplerythrinus unitaeniatus,Hoplosternum littorale,Cichlasoma amazonarum,Chaetobranchus flavescens,Squaliforma emarginata,Chaetobranchopsis orbicularisandHoplias malabaricus. A weak positive correlation between ectoparasite abundance and length of the hosts was observed. Ectoparasite communities of detritivorous, carnivorous and omnivorous hosts were similar, but these differed from the communities of piscivorous hosts. Larval endoparasite species with low host specificity were the main determinants of the parasite infracommunity structure of the fish assemblage. Fish assemblage had few species of helminth that were specialist endoparasites, while many were parasites at the larval stage, infecting intermediate and paratenic hosts. Finally, carnivorous and omnivorous hosts harbored endoparasite communities that were more heterogeneous than those of detritivorous and piscivorous hosts. This result lends supports to the notion that the feeding habits of the host species are a significant factor in determining the endoparasites fauna.

scholarly journals Trophic cascades and connectivity in coastal benthic marine ecosystems: a meta-analysis of experimental and observational research

2020 ◽  
Vol 656 ◽  
pp. 139-152 ◽  
Author(s):  
AM Eger ◽  
JK Baum
Keyword(s):  
Abiotic Factors ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Trophic Cascades ◽  
Past Research ◽  
Marine Ecosystems ◽  
Trophic Levels ◽  
Observational Research ◽  
Biotic Factors ◽  
Population Responses ◽  
Abiotic And Biotic Factors

Predators can exert top-down control on lower trophic levels, such that their removal or addition may trigger trophic cascades. Despite coastal ecosystems containing well known trophic cascades, there remains uncertainty about the abiotic and biotic factors governing the occurrence and strength of these cascades. Here, we sought to explain the variability of trophic cascades in benthic marine ecosystems by conducting a meta-analysis of experimental (n = 17) and observational (n = 22) studies that recorded herbivore and producer populations in the presence and absence of a predator. From these data (147 predator-herbivore-producer measurements), we show that predators decreased herbivore populations between 2.1-4.76 times and increased producer populations by 1.62-2.83 times their original biomass, abundance, or density. Contrary to past research, these values are comparable to other ecosystems. Biotic factors related to species body size were most influential in determining herbivore population responses to the presence of predators, while abiotic factors, including nutrient concentration, best determined producer population responses. Our results also show that producers responded more strongly to changes in herbivore populations in high-nutrient and low-temperature environments. We found that herbivore populations in marine reserves were 2.83 times lower on average compared to areas outside the reserve, while producer populations were on average 1.90 times higher. Overall, this work advances understanding of factors modulating trophic cascade strength, demonstrates that reserves can have ecosystem-wide impacts, and provides new information about the average strength of trophic cascades in benthic marine ecosystems.

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