scholarly journals Have Niche, Will Travel. New Means of Linking Diet and Ecomorphology Reveals Niche Conservatism in Freshwater Cottoid Fishes

2019 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
T J Buser ◽  
D L Finnegan ◽  
A P Summers ◽  
M A Kolmann
Keyword(s):  
Niche Conservatism ◽  
Freshwater Species ◽  
Evolutionary Transitions ◽  
Adaptive Diversification ◽  
Functional Aspects ◽  
Ecological Evolution ◽  
Jaw Apparatus ◽  
Cottoid Fishes ◽  
Freshwater Habitats ◽  
Dietary Niche

Synopsis Evolutionary transitions between habitats have been catalysts for some of the most stunning examples of adaptive diversification, with novel niches and new resources providing ecological opportunity for such radiations. In aquatic animals, transitions from saltwater to freshwater habitats are rare, but occur often enough that in the Neotropics for example, marine-derived fishes contribute noticeably to regional ichthyofaunal diversity. Here, we investigate how morphology has evolved in a group of temperate fishes that contain a marine to freshwater transition: the sculpins (Percomorpha; Cottoidea). We devised a novel method for classifying dietary niche and relating functional aspects of prey to their predators. Coupled with functional measurements of the jaw apparatus in cottoids, we explored whether freshwater sculpins have fundamentally changed their niche after invading freshwater (niche lability) or if they retain a niche similar to their marine cousins (niche conservatism). Freshwater sculpins exhibit both phylogeographical and ecological signals of phylogenetic niche conservatism, meaning that regardless of habitat, sculpins fill similar niche roles in either saltwater or freshwater. Rather than competition guiding niche conservatism in freshwater cottoids, we argue that strong intrinsic constraints on morphological and ecological evolution are at play, contra to other studies of diversification in marine-derived freshwater fishes. However, several intertidal and subtidal sculpins as well as several pelagic freshwater species from Lake Baikal show remarkable departures from the typical sculpin bauplan. Our method of prey categorization provides an explicit, quantitative means of classifying dietary niche for macroevolutionary studies, rather than relying on somewhat arbitrary means used in previous literature.

scholarly journals Fish Assemblage Structure Comparison between Freshwater and Estuarine Habitats in the Lower Nakdong River, South Korea

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (7) ◽  
pp. 496
Author(s):  
Joo Myun Park ◽  
Ralf Riedel ◽  
Hyun Hee Ju ◽  
Hee Chan Choi
Keyword(s):  
Fish Assemblage ◽  
Fish Assemblages ◽  
Estuarine Fish ◽  
Freshwater Species ◽  
Fish Assemblage Structure ◽  
Nakdong River ◽  
Structure Comparison ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Freshwater Habitats ◽  
The Nakdong River

Variabilities of biological communities in lower reaches of urban river systems are highly influenced by artificial constructions, alterations of flow regimes and episodic weather events. Impacts of estuary weirs on fish assemblages are particularly distinct because the weirs are disturbed in linking between freshwater and estuarine fish communities, and migration successes for regional fish fauna. This study conducted fish sampling at the lower reaches of the Nakdong River to assess spatio-temporal variations in fish assemblages, and effects of estuary weir on structuring fish assemblage between freshwater and estuary habitats. In total, 20,386 specimens comprising 78 species and 41 families were collected. The numerical dominant fish species were Tachysurus nitidus (48.8% in total abundance), Hemibarbus labeo (10.7%) and Chanodichthys erythropterus (3.6%) in the freshwater region, and Engraulis japonicus (10.0%), Nuchequula nuchalis (7.7%) and Clupea pallasii (5.2%) in the estuarine site. The fish sampled were primarily small species or the juveniles of larger species at the estuary region, while all life stages of fishes were observed at the freshwater habitats. The diversity patterns of fish assemblages varied greatly according to study site and season, with higher trends at estuarine sites during the warm-rainy season. No significant difference in diversity between freshwater and estuarine sites during the cold-dry season were found. Multivariate analyses of fish assemblage showed spatial and seasonal differences of assemblage structures. Higher effects of between-site variability but not within seasonal variability at each site were observed. Variations in assemblage structures were due to different contributions of dominant species in each habitat. Common freshwater species characterized the fish assemblage in the freshwater region, while marine juveniles were significantly associated with the estuarine habitat. The results from the ecological guild analyses showed distinct ecological roles for freshwater and marine species, and overlapping roles for fish sampled at the fishways. The lower reaches of the Nakdong River are an important ecosystem for both freshwater and marine juveniles. Nakdong River estuarine residents and migrant fishes, however, have been negatively affected by the construction of the weir (gravity dam), due to the obstruction to migration from and to freshwater habitats. Conservation and management policies aimed at minimizing anthropogenic influences on estuary ecosystems should focus on evaluating ecological functions of estuary weirs.

scholarly journals (Un)expected Similarity of the Temporary Adhesive Systems of Marine, Brackish, and Freshwater Flatworms

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (22) ◽  
pp. 12228
Author(s):  
Philip Bertemes ◽  
Robert Pjeta ◽  
Julia Wunderer ◽  
Alexandra L. Grosbusch ◽  
Birgit Lengerer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
In Situ Hybridisation ◽  
Adhesive System ◽  
Wound Dressings ◽  
Freshwater Species ◽  
Freshwater Habitats ◽  
Anchor Cell ◽  
Adhesive Proteins ◽  
Related Proteins

Many free-living flatworms have evolved a temporary adhesion system, which allows them to quickly attach to and release from diverse substrates. In the marine Macrostomum lignano, the morphology of the adhesive system and the adhesion-related proteins have been characterised. However, little is known about how temporary adhesion is performed in other aquatic environments. Here, we performed a 3D reconstruction of the M. lignano adhesive organ and compared it to the morphology of five selected Macrostomum, representing two marine, one brackish, and two freshwater species. We compared the protein domains of the two adhesive proteins, as well as an anchor cell-specific intermediate filament. We analysed the gene expression of these proteins by in situ hybridisation and performed functional knockdowns with RNA interference. Remarkably, there are almost no differences in terms of morphology, protein regions, and gene expression based on marine, brackish, and freshwater habitats. This implies that glue components produced by macrostomids are conserved among species, and this set of two-component glue functions from low to high salinity. These findings could contribute to the development of novel reversible biomimetic glues that work in all wet environments and could have applications in drug delivery systems, tissue adhesives, or wound dressings.

scholarly journals Two New Species of Parastenocaris (Copepoda, Harpacticoida) from a Hyporheic Zone and Overview of the Present Knowledge on Stygobiotic Copepoda in Vietnam

Diversity ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (11) ◽  
pp. 534
Author(s):  
Ngoc-Son Tran ◽  
Mau Trinh-Dang ◽  
Anton Brancelj
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Hyporheic Zone ◽  
Small Rivers ◽  
Freshwater Species ◽  
Apical Seta ◽  
Central Vietnam ◽  
The Family ◽  
Two New Species ◽  
Freshwater Habitats ◽  
Caudal Rami

The number of freshwater species belonging to the genus Parastenocaris reported from ten countries of Southeast Asia is quite limited. Only two species have been reported so far from freshwater habitats there, compared to over 290 described species of the family Parastenocarididae worldwide. During the first study of the hyporheic zone of two small rivers in central Vietnam, two new species of the family Parastenocarididae were collected, Parastenocaris sontraensis sp. nov. and Parastencaris vugiaensis sp. nov. Both were collected from the gravel bar along the rivers (Suoi Da and Vu Gia river) using the Karaman–Chappuis method. Both the new species belong to the brevipes group of the genus Parastenocaris Kessler, 1913 sensu Lang (1948), and Reid (1995). Parastenocaris sontraensis sp. nov. is similar to P. hinumaensis Kikuchi, 1970 and Parastenocaris jane Karanovic, 2006 in the brevipes-group. Parastenocaris sontraensis sp. nov. differs from both Parastenocaris species by (i) Exp P3 with three segments in the male, (ii) caudal rami with seven setae, and (iii) caudal rami about 2.4 times as long as wide. Parastencaris vugiaensis sp. nov. can be distinguished from its congeners by the unique combination of the following characters: (i) the elliptical shape of caudal rami, (ii) apical seta (V) with bulbous base, and (iii) anal operculum extends beyond the end of anal somite. Until now, 14 stygobiotic species of Copepoda have been recorded in Vietnam (including two new species in this paper), which is relatively few compared with nearby Thailand with 25 species. Short comments on other stygobiotic Copepoda from Vietnam are added.

Genetic variation in westslope cutthroat trout reveals that widespread genetic rescue is warranted

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ryan P. Kovach ◽  
Robb F. Leary ◽  
Donovan Bell ◽  
Sally Painter ◽  
Angela Lodmell ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Variation ◽  
Cutthroat Trout ◽  
Freshwater Species ◽  
Genetic Rescue ◽  
Westslope Cutthroat Trout ◽  
Isolated Populations ◽  
Freshwater Habitats ◽  
Potential Benefits ◽  
Major Region ◽  
Number Of Individuals

Although human fragmentation of freshwater habitats is ubiquitous, the genetic consequences of isolation and a roadmap to address them are poorly documented for most fishes. This is unfortunate, because translocation for genetic rescue could help mitigate problems. We used genetic data (32 SNPs) from 203 populations of westslope cutthroat trout to (1) document the effect of fragmentation on genetic variation and population structure, (2) identify candidate populations for genetic rescue, and (3) quantify the potential benefits of strategic translocation efforts. Human-isolated populations had substantially lower genetic variation and elevated genetic differentiation, indicating that many populations are strongly influenced by random genetic drift. Based on simple criteria, 23 populations were candidates for genetic rescue, which represented a majority (51%) of suitable populations in one major region (Missouri drainage). Population genetic theory suggests that translocation of a small number of individuals (~5 adults) from nearby populations could dramatically increase heterozygosity by up to 58% (average across populations). This effort provides a clear template for future conservation of westslope cutthroat trout, while simultaneously highlighting the potential need for similar efforts in many freshwater species.

scholarly journals Phylogeny of Eunicida (Annelida) based on morphology of jaws

Zoosymposia ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 241-264 ◽  
Author(s):  
HANNELORE PAXTON
Keyword(s):  
Fossil Record ◽  
Functional Aspects ◽  
Jaw Apparatus ◽  
New Type ◽  
Molecular Phylogenies

Eunicida have a complex jaw apparatus with a fossil record dating back to the latest Cambrian. Traditionally, Eunicidae, Onuphidae, and Lumbrineridae were considered closely related families having labidognath maxillae, whereas Oenonidae with prionognath type maxillae were thought to be derived. Molecular phylogenies place Oenonidae with Eunicidae/Onuphidae, and Lumbrineridae as the most basal taxon. Re-evaluation of the jaw types based on morphology and ontogeny demonstrated that the labidognaths Eunicidae and Onuphidae have a closer relationship to the prionognath Oenonidae than was previously thought. Lumbrineridae are neither labidognath nor prionognath; therefore a new type, Symmetrognatha, is proposed. Homologies of jaw elements and considerations of functional aspects of the jaw apparatus are explored to present a hypothesis of the Eunicida phylogeny. The earliest fossils are of placognath and ctenognath types, lacking maxillary carriers. While the former are extinct, the latter are represented by the extant Dorvilleidae. The interpretation of relationships between the carrier-bearing families depends on whether the carriers are thought to have evolved once only or twice independently. The similarity of the carrier structure and their associated muscles suggests the former, placing the Lumbrineridae as sister to Eunicidae/Onuphidae and Oenonidae. However, the ontogeny of the eunicid/onuphid apparatus as well as its adult structure differ greatly from those of lumbrinerids, indicating that the lumbrinerid carriers may have evolved independently and earlier than in eunicids/onuphids and oenonids.

Canalisporium in Freshwater Habitats

2014 ◽  
Vol 889-890 ◽  
pp. 1593-1599 ◽  
Author(s):  
Huang Zhang ◽  
De Qun Zhou ◽  
Miao Wang
Keyword(s):  
Freshwater Fungi ◽  
Freshwater Species ◽  
Freshwater Habitat ◽  
Freshwater Habitats

During investigations of freshwater fungi in Thailand, we collected four Canalisporium spp. in lotic freshwater habitat. The description and morphological photographs of new collections are illustrated. Key to freshwater species of Canalisporium are provided.

A new contribution to the taxonomy and molecular phylogeny of three, well-known freshwater species of the ciliate genus Spirostomum (Protozoa: Ciliophora: Heterotrichea)

2019 ◽  
Vol 189 (1) ◽  
pp. 158-177 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yong Chi ◽  
Lili Duan ◽  
Xiaotian Luo ◽  
Ting Cheng ◽  
Alan Warren ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Phylogenetic Analyses ◽  
Small Subunit ◽  
Valid Species ◽  
Nominal Species ◽  
Freshwater Species ◽  
Rdna Sequences ◽  
Species Complexes ◽  
Freshwater Habitats ◽  
Clonal Cultures ◽  
Protozoa Ciliophora

Abstract Members of the heterotrich genus Spirostomum are commonly found in freshwater or low salinity biotopes. In the present study, three species (S. minus, S. subtilis and S. teres) collected from freshwater habitats in Qingdao, China, are investigated using morphological and molecular methods. Detailed morphometric data are documented and improved diagnosis are supplied based on a combination of previous and present studies. In addition, small subunit ribosomal DNA (SSU rDNA) sequences are obtained from the clonal cultures. Phylogenetic analyses show that all three species are placed in the Spirostomum clade. However, isolates of the morphospecies S. minus are divided into two paraphyletic clades, while ‘populations’ of the nominal species, S. teres, are placed in at least four separate groups in the tree. After comparing morphological and molecular differences in closely related forms available, we hypothesized that S. minus and S. teres might represent species complexes. A key to the identification of the ten valid species of Spirostomum is also supplied.

The inland waters of the Outer Hebrides

1979 ◽  
Vol 77 ◽  
pp. 329-351 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. R. Waterston ◽  
A. V. Holden ◽  
R. N. Campbell ◽  
P. S. Maitland
Keyword(s):  
Aquatic Vegetation ◽  
Sea Water ◽  
Inland Waters ◽  
Freshwater Species ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Outer Hebrides ◽  
Freshwater Habitats ◽  
The Rich ◽  
Aqueous Conditions ◽  
Standing Waters

SynopsisThe Outer Hebrides comprise approximately 1·3% of the land area but 15·8% of the area of standing waters of Great Britain. Streams there are generally small and only three are as large as fifth order. The majority of the lochs occur below 200 m altitude and are less than 25 ha in area. A total of 1375 stream systems enter the sea, and drain the land mass through 9240 stream segments. There are just over 6000 lochs, of which less than half are connected to these networks. Most of the water systems are on geologically base-poor rock or soil, and less than 3%, situated on machair, are base-rich and eutrophic. The islands, due to their situation, receive precipitation in the form of very dilute sea water (with some non-marine sulphate probably derived from fossil fuel combustion) and this leads to unusual concentrations of chloride in the inland waters. Metamorphic rocks are resistant to weathering, so there is usually little variation in the composition of fresh waters except in the machair areas, where calcareous sands affect calcium concentrations and alkalinities.The flora and fauna reflect the aqueous conditions and there are some unique successions of species from high to low salinities even in the same water body. The lochs provide a wide range of habitats for aquatic vegetation, ranging from the rich machair lochs to the oligotrophic peaty lochs (which show marked similarities with their counterparts on the mainland). Three broad categories can be delineated on the basis of their water quality and vegetation: brackish lochs with varying degrees of marine influence, calcareous machair lochs which may also be affected by sea connections, and the peaty lochans of low alkalinity. A few brackish water animals are sufficiently euryhaline to exist in the machair lochs, which are otherwise dominated by freshwater species. The occurrence of chloride in inland waters enables some crustaceans, e.g. Neomysis integer, Gammarus duebeni and Diaptomus wierzejskii to extend into what are poor freshwater habitats. The main constituents of the freshwater fauna are molluscs and arthropods, and a few species of euryhaline fishes, i.e. salmon, sea and brown trout, three-spined and ten-spined sticklebacks and eels. There are some populations of non-migratory charr. No amphibians are present.

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