Reconstruction of the trophic levels of a fossil fish community from the Late Jurassic Solnhofen Archipelago

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Danijela Dimitrijevic ◽  
Martin Ebert ◽  
Martina Kölbl-Ebert ◽  
Axel Munnecke
Keyword(s):  
Trophic Level ◽  
Fossil Record ◽  
Late Jurassic ◽  
Fish Assemblages ◽  
Tooth Enamel ◽  
Trophic Levels ◽  
Mean Values ◽  
Functional Perspective ◽  
Diagenetic Alteration

<p>Trophic interactions of extinct fishes are central to our understanding of evolution, paleoecology and their role in the paleo-communities, but can be challenging, as these are limited by the incompleteness of the fossil record and by a lack of behavioural data. The extensive fossil record of Actinopterygii comes mostly from Conservation-Lagerstätten. They provide exceptionally rich information on fossil ecosystems and open outstanding windows into the evolution of life. The best-preserved Late Jurassic actinopterygians are known from the Solnhofen Archipelago, Germany. Despite that the diversity ichthyofauna of the Solnhofen Archipelago has been extensively explored in the last several decades, the dietary preferences of most fish remain unknown or have to be deduced by analogy from dentition and jaw morphology.</p><p>The aim of this study was to reconstruct the trophic levels of Late Jurassic fish assemblages using Sr/Ca and Ba/Ca measured from phosphatic fish remains, mostly ganoin and cycloid scales recovered from the Ettling locality, which is characterized by exceptionally well-preserved fossil fishes and moderate diagenetic alteration. We classified fish species into four trophic levels (durophagous, lower, middle, and higher trophic level) based on morphology available from the literature. Mean values of Sr, Ca, Ba and their ratios measured by Thermo Scientific iCAP Q inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer in this study are in accordance with the mean values of previous studies. Differences in values between cleaned and uncleaned samples showed that the cleaning process successfully isolated primary dietary Sr content while dissolving away the diagenetic strontium present in carbonate in the pore spaces. All trophic levels showed low variation of Sr/Ca (0.003 - 0.008 μg/g) and high variation of Ba/Ca values (0.0003 - 0.0014 μg/g). The results showed significant differences between the middle and higher trophic levels (p = 0.03), while durophagous and lower trophic levels fell into the same range of values as the higher trophic level. </p><p>We demonstrate that enamel of fossil vertebrates from the Solnhofen Archipelago still contains near-in vivo Sr, Ba, and Ca. The clear distinction between middle and higher trophic levels offers a new functional perspective on the ecological and evolutionary relationships among fishes. However, future studies should not neglect the importance of diagenetic alteration of the samples; proper sample cleaning before measuring isotopic signatures, and careful selection of the analyzed tissue (i.e. tooth enamel instead of scales or bones due to its resistance to diagenesis).</p>

scholarly journals The trophic spectrum: theory and application as an ecosystem indicator

2005 ◽  
Vol 62 (3) ◽  
pp. 443-452 ◽  
Author(s):  
Didier Gascuel ◽  
Yves-Marie Bozec ◽  
Emmanuel Chassot ◽  
Audrey Colomb ◽  
Martial Laurans
Keyword(s):  
Trophic Level ◽  
Trophic Structure ◽  
Fish Assemblages ◽  
Marine Protected Area ◽  
New Caledonia ◽  
Theoretical Background ◽  
Trophic Levels ◽  
Total Biomass ◽  
Ecosystem Structure ◽  
Top Down

Abstract Trophic spectra represent the distribution of biomass, abundance, or catch by trophic level, and may be used as indicators of the trophic structure and functioning of aquatic ecosystems in a fisheries context. As a theoretical background, we present a simple ecosystem model of biomass flow reflecting predation and ontogenetic processes. Biomass trophic spectrum of total biomass can be modelled as the result of three major factors and processes: trophic efficiency, transfer kinetics, and extent of top-down control. In the simulations, changes in the spectrum highlight fishing impacts on trophic structure and reveal some functional characteristics of the underlying ecosystem. As examples of potential applications, three case studies of trophic spectra are presented. Catch trophic spectra allow description of structural differences among European fishing areas and periods. Abundance trophic spectra of coral-reef fish assemblages display different trophic signatures, characterizing different reef habitats in New Caledonia and highlighting fishing effects in a marine protected area context. Biomass trophic spectra of demersal resources off Northwest Africa show a shift in ecosystem structure that can be attributed to the rapid increase in fishing pressure during the past few decades. Off Senegal, total biomass remained fairly constant, suggesting a strong top-down control linked to fisheries targeting high trophic level species. Off Guinea, exploitation rates are spread over a wider range of trophic levels, and the total biomass of demersal resources tended to decrease. The trophic spectrum is concluded to be a useful indicator describing and comparing systems in time and space, detecting phase shifts linked to natural or anthropogenic perturbations, and revealing differences in ecosystem functioning.

Relationship between morphometrics and trophic levels in deep-sea fishes

2020 ◽  
Vol 637 ◽  
pp. 225-235 ◽  
Author(s):  
MA Ladds ◽  
MH Pinkerton ◽  
E Jones ◽  
LM Durante ◽  
MR Dunn
Keyword(s):  
Stable Isotopes ◽  
Trophic Level ◽  
Deep Sea ◽  
Strong Relationship ◽  
Ecosystem Model ◽  
Trophic Levels ◽  
Fish Size ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Gape Size ◽  
Morphological Variables

Marine food webs are structured, in part, by predator gape size. Species found in deep-sea environments may have evolved such that they can consume prey of a wide range of sizes, to maximise resource intake in a low-productivity ecosystem. Estimates of gape size are central to some types of ecosystem model that determine which prey are available to predators, but cannot always be measured directly. Deep-sea species are hypothesized to have larger gape sizes than shallower-water species relative to their body size and, because of pronounced adaptive foraging behaviour, show only a weak relationship between gape size and trophic level. Here we present new data describing selective morphological measurements and gape sizes of 134 osteichthyan and chondrichthyan species from the deep sea (200-1300 m) off New Zealand. We describe how gape size (height, width and area) varied with factors including fish size, taxonomy (class and order within a class) and trophic level estimated from stable isotopes. For deep-sea species, there was a strong relationship between gape size and fish size, better predicted by body mass than total length, which varied by taxonomic group. Results show that predictions of gape size can be made from commonly measured morphological variables. No relationship between gape size and trophic level was found, likely a reflection of using trophic level estimates from stable isotopes as opposed to the commonly used estimates from FishBase. These results support the hypothesis that deep-sea fish are generalists within their environment, including suspected scavenging, even at the highest trophic levels.

ENERGY TRANSFER EFFICIENCIES ON LOWER TROPHIC LEVELS WITH INTENSIVE OYSTER FARMING IN HIROSHIMA BAY, JAPAN

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Akira Umehara ◽  
Akira Umehara ◽  
Satoshi Asaoka ◽  
Satoshi Asaoka ◽  
Naoki Fujii ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Energy Transfer ◽  
Primary Production ◽  
Skeletonema Costatum ◽  
Warm Season ◽  
Nutrient Supply ◽  
Trophic Levels ◽  
Phytoplankton Primary Production ◽  
Mean Values ◽  
Hiroshima Prefecture ◽  
Study Species

In enclosed water areas, organic matters are actively produced by phytoplankton due to abundant nutrient supply from the rivers. In our study area of the semi-enclosed Hiroshima Bay, oyster farming consuming high primary production has been developed since the 1950s, and the oyster production of Hiroshima prefecture have had the largest market share (ca. 60%) in Japan. In this study, species composition of phytoplankton, primary production, and secondary production of net zooplanktons and oysters were determined seasonally at seven stations in the bay between November 2014 and August 2015. In the bay, diatoms including Skeletonema costatum dominated during the period of the study. The primary productions markedly increased during summer (August), and its mean values in the northern part of the bay (NB) and the southern part (SB) were 530 and 313 mgC/m2/d, respectively. The productions of net zooplankton and oyster increased during the warm season, and its mean values in the NB were 14 and 1.2 mgC/m2/d, and in SB were 28 and 0.9 mgC/m2/d, respectively. The energy transfer efficiencies from the primary producers to the secondary producers in the NB and SB were 2.8% and 9.1%, respectively. However, the transfer efficiency to the oysters was approximately 0.3% in the bay. This study clearly showed the spatial difference of the productions and transfer efficiencies, and the low contribution of the production of oysters in secondary productions in Hiroshima Bay.

scholarly journals Whole-brain 3D MR fingerprinting brain imaging: clinical validation and feasibility to patients with meningioma

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomaz R. Mostardeiro ◽  
Ananya Panda ◽  
Robert J. Witte ◽  
Norbert G. Campeau ◽  
Kiaran P. McGee ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
White Matter ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Relaxation Times ◽  
Brain Structures ◽  
Centrum Semiovale ◽  
In Vivo Evaluation ◽  
Whole Brain ◽  
Mean Values ◽  
Caudate Head

Abstract Purpose MR fingerprinting (MRF) is a MR technique that allows assessment of tissue relaxation times. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the clinical application of this technique in patients with meningioma. Materials and methods A whole-brain 3D isotropic 1mm3 acquisition under a 3.0T field strength was used to obtain MRF T1 and T2-based relaxometry values in 4:38 s. The accuracy of values was quantified by scanning a quantitative MR relaxometry phantom. In vivo evaluation was performed by applying the sequence to 20 subjects with 25 meningiomas. Regions of interest included the meningioma, caudate head, centrum semiovale, contralateral white matter and thalamus. For both phantom and subjects, mean values of both T1 and T2 estimates were obtained. Statistical significance of differences in mean values between the meningioma and other brain structures was tested using a Friedman’s ANOVA test. Results MR fingerprinting phantom data demonstrated a linear relationship between measured and reference relaxometry estimates for both T1 (r2 = 0.99) and T2 (r2 = 0.97). MRF T1 relaxation times were longer in meningioma (mean ± SD 1429 ± 202 ms) compared to thalamus (mean ± SD 1054 ± 58 ms; p = 0.004), centrum semiovale (mean ± SD 825 ± 42 ms; p < 0.001) and contralateral white matter (mean ± SD 799 ± 40 ms; p < 0.001). MRF T2 relaxation times were longer for meningioma (mean ± SD 69 ± 27 ms) as compared to thalamus (mean ± SD 27 ± 3 ms; p < 0.001), caudate head (mean ± SD 39 ± 5 ms; p < 0.001) and contralateral white matter (mean ± SD 35 ± 4 ms; p < 0.001) Conclusions Phantom measurements indicate that the proposed 3D-MRF sequence relaxometry estimations are valid and reproducible. For in vivo, entire brain coverage was obtained in clinically feasible time and allows quantitative assessment of meningioma in clinical practice.

scholarly journals Substantia nigra neuromelanin magnetic resonance imaging in patients with different subtypes of Parkinson disease

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lu Wang ◽  
Yayun Yan ◽  
Liyao Zhang ◽  
Yan Liu ◽  
Ruirui Luo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Resonance Imaging ◽  
Magnetic Resonance ◽  
Substantia Nigra ◽  
Parkinson Disease ◽  
Clinical Symptoms ◽  
Dopamine Neurons ◽  
Substantia Nigra Pars Compacta ◽  
Resonance Imaging ◽  
Mean Values

AbstractNeuromelanin (NM) is a dark pigment that mainly exists in neurons of the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc). In Parkinson disease (PD) patients, NM concentration decreases gradually with degeneration and necrosis of dopamine neurons, suggesting potential use as a PD biomarker. We aimed to evaluate associations between NM concentration in in vivo SN and PD progression and different motor subtypes using NM magnetic resonance imaging (NM-MRI). Fifty-four patients with idiopathic PD were enrolled. Patients were divided into groups by subtypes with different clinical symptoms: tremor dominant (TD) group and postural instability and gait difficulty (PIGD) group. Fifteen healthy age-matched volunteers were enrolled as controls. All subjects underwent clinical assessment and NM-MRI examination. PD patients showed significantly decreased contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) values in medial and lateral SN (P < 0.05) compared to controls. CNR values in lateral SN region decreased linearly with PD progression (P = 0.001). PIGD patients showed significant decreases in CNR mean values in lateral SN compared to TD patients (P = 0.004). Diagnostic accuracy of using lateral substantia nigra (SN) in TD and PIGD groups was 79% (sensitivity 76.5%, specificity 78.6%). NM concentration in PD patients decreases gradually during disease progression and differs significantly between PD subtypes. NM may be a reliable biomarker for PD severity and subtype identification.

Evaluation of genomic sequence-based growth rate methods for synchronized Synechococcus cultures

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julia Carroll ◽  
Nicolas Van Oostende ◽  
Bess B. Ward
Keyword(s):  
Cell Cycle ◽  
Growth Rate ◽  
Dna Replication ◽  
Growth Rates ◽  
Genomic Sequence ◽  
Niche Differentiation ◽  
Trophic Levels ◽  
Individual Species ◽  
Cell Counts

Standard methods for calculating microbial growth rates (μ) through the use of proxies, such as in situ fluorescence, cell cycle, or cell counts, are critical for determining the magnitude of the role bacteria play in marine carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) cycles. Taxon-specific growth rates in mixed assemblages would be useful for attributing biogeochemical processes to individual species and understanding niche differentiation among related clades, such as found in Synechococcus and Prochlorococcus . We tested three novel DNA sequencing-based methods (iRep, bPTR, and GRiD) for evaluating growth of light synchronized Synechococcus cultures under different light intensities and temperatures. In vivo fluorescence and cell cycle analysis were used to obtain standard estimates of growth rate for comparison with the sequence-based methods (SBM). None of the SBM values were correlated with growth rates calculated by standard techniques despite the fact that all three SBM were correlated with percentage of cells in S phase (DNA replication) over the diel cycle. Inaccuracy in determining the time of maximum DNA replication is unlikely to account entirely for the absence of relationship between SBM and growth rate, but the fact that most microbes in the surface ocean exhibit some degree of diel cyclicity is a caution for application of these methods. SBM correlate with DNA replication but cannot be interpreted quantitatively in terms of growth rate. Importance Small but abundant, cyanobacterial strains such as the photosynthetic Synechococcus spp. are essential because they contribute significantly to primary productivity in the ocean. These bacteria generate oxygen and provide biologically-available carbon, which is essential for organisms at higher trophic levels. The small size and diversity of natural microbial assemblages means that taxon-specific activities (e.g., growth rate) are difficult to obtain in the field. It has been suggested that sequence-based methods (SBM) may be able to solve this problem. We find, however, that SBM can detect DNA replication and are correlated with phases of the cell cycle but cannot be interpreted in terms of absolute growth rate for Synechococcus cultures growing under a day-night cycle, like that experienced in the ocean.

scholarly journals A review on macrobenthic trophic relationships along subtropical sandy shores in southernmost Brazil

2014 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Raphael Mathias Pinotti ◽  
Diogo Marroni Minasi ◽  
Leonir André Colling ◽  
Carlos Emílio Bemvenuti
Keyword(s):  
Surf Zone ◽  
Fish Assemblages ◽  
Trophic Levels ◽  
Trophic Relationships ◽  
Intermediate Type ◽  
Sandy Shores ◽  
Macrobenthic Assemblages ◽  
High Species Richness ◽  
Asterionellopsis Glacialis

Main trophic relationships that occur along the exposed sandy shores in southernmost Brazil (∼33° S) are established taking into account several biological compartments operating at morphodynamically distinct environments. Beaches are predominantly of the intermediate type but some stretches of coastline are truly dissipative (Cassino Beach) or tending-to-reflective (Concheiros Beach), presenting thus diverse biological compartments and inhabitant macrobenthic assemblages. Dense concentrations of the surf-zone diatom Asterionellopsis glacialis are responsible - at least for the intermediate shorelines - for the most year-round primary production, sustaining several consumers up to tertiary level. Among them, bivalves Amarilladesma mactroides, Donax hanleyanus and the hippid crabEmerita brasiliensis can account for more than 95% of all the surf-zone secondary production, in addition to the elevated biomass of the suspension-feeder polychaete Spio gaucha and the scavenger isopod Excirolana armata. Crabs, whelks, carnivorous polychaetes, seabirds and surf-zone fishes may also be present and occupy superior trophic levels depending on the beach morphodynamics. Based on the high species richness, abundance and the role of macrobenthic fauna in transferring matter and energy to seabirds and the surf-zone fish assemblages, we address this important issue on the Southwestern Atlantic ecology. Conservation efforts should be implemented for the southernmost Brazilian sandy shores, at least for those non urbanized areas.

scholarly journals Mercury distribution in different tissues and trophic levels of fish from a tropical reservoir, Brazil

2009 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 751-758 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniele Kasper ◽  
Elisabete Fernandes Albuquerque Palermo ◽  
Ana Carolina Monteiro Iozzi Dias ◽  
Gustavo Luiz Ferreira ◽  
Rafael Pereira Leitão ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Trophic Level ◽  
Total Mercury ◽  
Inorganic Mercury ◽  
Trophic Levels ◽  
Southeastern Brazil ◽  
Organic Form ◽  
Fish Tissues ◽  
Tropical Reservoir ◽  
Level Increase ◽  
Carnivorous Species

Concentrations of organic (OrgHg) and inorganic mercury (InorgHg) were assessed in different fish tissues (liver, muscle, kidney, gut and gonads) and trophic levels collected in an impacted tropical reservoir in southeastern Brazil. Organic mercury concentrations in muscle were remarkably higher in the carnivorous species Hoplias malabaricus and Oligosarcus hepsetus. The ratios of OrgHg in relation to total mercury (%OrgHg) in muscle also varied according to the species trophic level: 93% for carnivores, 84% for omnivores, 73% for algivores/planktivores and 58% for detritivores. The %OrgHg in the gut tissue of carnivores (78%) was much higher than that found in omnivores (30%), possibly reflecting a process of trophic biomagnification in the reservoir. On the other hand, the InorgHg concentrations in muscle decreased with the trophic level increase, suggesting that this form of mercury did not biomagnify through the food web. Gonads contained the least total mercury, and approximately all of this mercury was represented by the organic form (83 to 98%). The kidney and the liver of all fish species contained less than 50% OrgHg. We suggest that the low %OrgHg in the liver is related to different capacities or strategies of OrgHg detoxification by the fish.

scholarly journals Dental microwear and mesovear of Microtus voles before and after experimental feeding of owls

2019 ◽  
Vol 486 (5) ◽  
pp. 638-642
Author(s):  
Yu. E. Kropacheva ◽  
S. V. Zykov ◽  
N. G. Smirnov ◽  
R. M. Salimov
Keyword(s):  
Small Mammals ◽  
Digestive System ◽  
Tooth Enamel ◽  
Dental Microwear ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Eagle Owl ◽  
Feed Analysis ◽  
Experimental Feeding ◽  
Bone Remains

Form of expressions of dental microwear and mesovear of small mammals depends on abrasiveness, hardness and a number of other characteristics of the feed. Analysis of micro- and mesorelief is used on paleontological materials for the reconstruction of some parameters of the animals diet. Small mammals move a hard way from objects of biocenoses to fossils. Bone remains are modified in the process of accumulation and fossilization. In particular, bone remains from ornithogenous deposits were influenced to the substances of the digestive system of birds. In this work, an experimental estimation was made of the degree of changes in a number of characteristics of narrow-headed vole molars (Microtus gregalis) from the pellets of two species of owls. On the same samples before and after exposure to substances of the digestive system of a Polar Owl (Nyctea scandiaca) and Eagle Owl (Bubo bubo), it was shown that the microrelief of the tooth enamel undergoes serious changes and haven't information about the in vivo diet of the voles. A different degree of preservation of the mesoreliefs characteristic was shown. An assessment of their applicability for paleoreconstructions depending on this was given.

scholarly journals Major features of protistan evolution: controversies, problems and a few answers

2006 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 55-80
Author(s):  
Jere H Lipps
Keyword(s):  
Fossil Record ◽  
Molecular Data ◽  
Trophic Levels ◽  
Early Earth ◽  
Huge Number ◽  
Geologic Time ◽  
Earth History ◽  
Important Development ◽  
Fossil Evidence

The major features of protist evolution are fraught with controversies, problems and few answers, especially in early Earth history. In general they are based on molecular data and fossil evidence that respectively provide a scaffold and details of eukaryotic phylogenetic and ecologic histories. 1. Their origin, inferred from molecular sequences, occurred very early (>;3Ga). They are a chimera of different symbiont-derived organelles, including possibly the nucleus. 2. The initial diversification of eukaryotes may have occurred early in geologic time. Six supergroups exist today, each with fossils known from the Proterozoic and Phanerozoic. 3. Sex, considered an important development, may have been inherited from bacteria. 4. Precambrian protists were largely pelagic cyst-bearing taxa, but benthic forms were probably quite diverse and abundant. 5. Protists gave rise to animals long before 600 Ma through the choanoflagellates, for which no fossil record exists. 6. Acritarchs and skeletonized protists radiated in the Cambrian (544-530 my). From then on, they radiated and became extinct at all the major events recorded in the metazoan fossil record. 7. Protists dominated major environments (shelves and reefs) starting with a significant radiation in the Ordovician, followed by extinctions and other radiations until most died out at the end of the Permian. 8. In the Mesozoic, new planktic protozoa and algae appeared and radiated in pelagic environments. 9. Modern protists are important at all trophic levels in the oceans and a huge number terrestrial, parasitic and symbiotic protists must have existed for much of geologic time as well. 10. The future of protists is likely in jeopardy, just like most reefal, benthic, and planktic metazoans. An urgent need to understand the role of protists in modern threatened oceans should be addressed soon.

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