Ontogenetic moulting behavior of the Cambrian oryctocephalid trilobite Arthricocephalites xinzhaiheensis

Moulting behaviors in trilobites are a crucial strategy during development. Previous studies have demonstrated inter-and intraspecific variability of moulting behavior in trilobites. Currently, ecdysial motifs for trilobites are considered not stable even within species and fewer detailed studies dealt with moulting behaviors in a single species of trilobite during development. Here a large sample of meraspid to holaspid exuviae of Arthricocephalites xinzhaiheensis (131 specimens) from the Cambrian Balang Formation of South China has allowed description of the reasonably complete ontogenic moulting sequence. Both ontogenetic stage and body size reveal gradual transition of configuration from Somersault configuration to Henningsmoen’s configuration during development. Somersault configuration is exclusive till meraspid degree five and exists in subsequent growth stages. This suggests that opening of the facial and rostral sutures allowing the emergence forward of the post-ecdysial trilobite was prevalent in early growth stages. In later development, Henningsmoen’s configuration (showing disarticulation of the cranidium) became more dominant. This study indicates that gradual transition of ontogenetic moulting behavior occurred in oryctocephalid trilobites in the early Cambrian.

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Regeneration dynamics in an alluvial dense ash (Fraxinus excelsior L.) stand

Silva Gandavensis ◽

10.21825/sg.v66i0.818 ◽

2001 ◽

Vol 66 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

M. Tabari ◽

N. Lust ◽

L. Nachtergale

Keyword(s):

Alluvial Soil ◽

Single Species ◽

Fraxinus Excelsior ◽

Growth Stages ◽

Acer Pseudoplatanus ◽

Development Stages ◽

Regeneration Dynamics ◽

Broadleaved Tree Species ◽

Succession Process ◽

Broadleaved Tree

Broadleaves regeneration dynamics and the succession mechanism were studied within a transect of 14 m x 56 m in a dense 80-year-old ash stand situated on an alluvial soil. For this purpose, abundance and height of all naturally regenerated species at different development stages were analyzed and their distribution over the juvenile and older growth stages determined. The study reveals that from the main broadleaved tree species, Quercus robur and Fagus sylvatica regeneration scarcely occur at any growth stages. No Fraxinus excelsior regeneration, except 1 unit, taller than sapling (1.5-4 m) can be found on this soil type. On the contrary, Acer pseudoplatanus represents different development stages (seedling, sapling, thicket, small pole and large pole) and in stand patches where an understorey is practically lacking, its regeneration is well developed. Results generally show that at the juvenile and older growth stages Acer proceeds Fraxinus and regeneration is largely dominated by the invasive Acer. It is expected that this succession process will continue and that Acer will overcome in the overstorey and even gradually form an almost single-species dominating stage. Direct interventions are unavoidable in order to regulate the primary mixture patterns.

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Osmotic Stress or Ionic Composition: Which Affects the Early Growth of Crop Species More?

Agronomy ◽

10.3390/agronomy11030435 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (3) ◽

pp. 435

Author(s):

Agnieszka Ludwiczak ◽

Monika Osiak ◽

Stefany Cárdenas-Pérez ◽

Sandra Lubińska-Mielińska ◽

Agnieszka Piernik

Keyword(s):

Osmotic Stress ◽

Stress Responses ◽

Ionic Composition ◽

Degradation Process ◽

Early Growth ◽

Cultivated Plants ◽

C3 Plants ◽

Growth Stages ◽

Crop Species ◽

Ionic Salt

Salinization is a key soil degradation process. An estimated 20% of total cultivated lands and 33% of irrigated agricultural lands worldwide are affected by high salinity. Much research has investigated the influence of salt (mainly NaCl) on plants, but very little is known about how this is related to natural salinity and osmotic stress. Therefore, our study was conducted to determine the osmotic and ionic salt stress responses of selected C3 and C4 cultivated plants. We focused on the early growth stages as those critical for plant development. We applied natural brine to simulate natural salinity and to compare its effect to NaCl solution. We assessed traits related to germination ability, seedlings and plantlet morphology, growth indexes, and biomass and water accumulation. Our results demonstrate that the effects of salinity on growth are strongest among plantlets. Salinity most affected water absorption in C3 plants (28% of total traits variation), but plant length in C4 plants (17–27%). Compensatory effect of ions from brine were suggested by the higher model plants’ growth success of ca 5–7% under brine compared to the NaCl condition. However, trait differences indicated that osmotic stress was the main stress factor affecting the studied plants.

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Coastal Mangrove Response to Marine Erosion: Evaluating the Impacts of Spatial Distribution and Vegetation Growth in Bangkok Bay from 1987 to 2017

Remote Sensing ◽

10.3390/rs12020220 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 12 (2) ◽

pp. 220 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Han Xiao ◽

Fenzhen Su ◽

Dongjie Fu ◽

Qi Wang ◽

Chong Huang

Keyword(s):

Spatial Distribution ◽

Vegetation Index ◽

Normalized Difference Vegetation Index ◽

Mangrove Ecosystem ◽

Early Growth ◽

Growth Stages ◽

Human Disturbances ◽

Vegetation Growth ◽

Two Parameters ◽

The Impact

Long time-series monitoring of mangroves to marine erosion in the Bay of Bangkok, using Landsat data from 1987 to 2017, shows responses including landward retreat and seaward extension. Quantitative assessment of these responses with respect to spatial distribution and vegetation growth shows differing relationships depending on mangrove growth stage. Using transects perpendicular to the shoreline, we calculated the cross-shore mangrove extent (width) to represent spatial distribution, and the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) was used to represent vegetation growth. Correlations were then compared between mangrove seaside changes and the two parameters—mangrove width and NDVI—at yearly and 10-year scales. Both spatial distribution and vegetation growth display positive impacts on mangrove ecosystem stability: At early growth stages, mangrove stability is positively related to spatial distribution, whereas at mature growth the impact of vegetation growth is greater. Thus, we conclude that at early growth stages, planting width and area are more critical for stability, whereas for mature mangroves, management activities should focus on sustaining vegetation health and density. This study provides new rapid insights into monitoring and managing mangroves, based on analyses of parameters from historical satellite-derived information, which succinctly capture the net effect of complex environmental and human disturbances.

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