Home About us Contact
|
Home About us Contact | ||
|
|
||
Unique Species (unique + species)
Selected AbstractsRapid plant diversity assessment using a pixel nested plot design: A case study in Beaver Meadows, Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado, USADIVERSITY AND DISTRIBUTIONS, Issue 4 2007Mohammed A. Kalkhan ABSTRACT Geospatial statistical modelling and thematic maps have recently emerged as effective tools for the management of natural areas at the landscape scale. Traditional methods for the collection of field data pertaining to questions of landscape were developed without consideration for the parameters of these applications. We introduce an alternative field sampling design based on smaller unbiased random plot and subplot locations called the pixel nested plot (PNP). We demonstrate the applicability of the PNP design of 15 m × 15 m to assess patterns of plant diversity and species richness across the landscape at Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP), Colorado, USA in a time (cost)-efficient manner for field data collection. Our results produced comparable results to a previous study in the Beaver Meadow study (BMS) area within RMNP, where there was a demonstrated focus of plant diversity. Our study used the smaller PNP sampling design for field data collection which could be linked to geospatial information data and could be used for landscape-scale analyses and assessment applications. In 2003, we established 61 PNP in the eastern region of RMNP. We present a comparison between this approach using a sub-sample of 19 PNP from this data set and 20 of Modified Whittaker nested plots (MWNP) of 20 m × 50 m that were collected in the BMS area. The PNP captured 266 unique plant species while the MWNP captured 275 unique species. Based on a comparison of PNP and MWNP in the Beaver Meadows area, RMNP, the PNP required less time and area sampled to achieve a similar number of species sampled. Using the PNP approach for data collection can facilitate the ecological monitoring of these vulnerable areas at the landscape scale in a time- and therefore cost-effective manner. [source] Synthesis, Characterization, and Electrochemical Properties of Dinuclear Complexes Assembled from Asymmetric CoIII Bis(dioximates) and Boronic AcidsEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF INORGANIC CHEMISTRY, Issue 19 2005Renata Dreos Abstract Bis(methylphenylglyoximate)cobalt(III) complexes exist both as cis and trans isomers due to the asymmetry of the equatorial ligand, and, when the axial ligands are different, the trans isomer is chiral. The reaction of racemic trans -[CH3Co(mpgH)2py] (1) with either 3- or 4-pyridylboronic acid affords dimeric units arranged on a crystallographic symmetry center such that the pyridyl nitrogen of one moiety coordinates to the Co atom of the symmetry-related unit. In principle, three structurally different dimeric species (two homodimers and one heterodimer) can be obtained. Time-resolved 1H NMR spectra of a 1:1 mixture of racemic 1 and either 3- or 4-pyridylboronic acid in CDCl3/CD3OD show that the reaction does not converge toward a unique species in solution. Nevertheless, X-ray structures show that the heterochiral dimers are the only products that crystallize from the reaction mixture. The nature of the dioximate side groups does not affect the geometry of the dimeric arrangements assembled by 4-pyridylboronic acid ("molecular box"). On the contrary, the geometry of the species assembled by 3-pyridylboronic acid varies from the "molecular parallelogram" obtained from the bis(dimethylglyoximates) to the highly squeezed "molecular box" obtained from bis(methylphenylglyoximates). Cyclic voltammetry studies show that the metal centers in the dimeric species do not interact with each other and undergo a simultaneous redox process. However, depending on the geometry of the systems, the redox process involves a single four-electron reduction for 3 and 5 or two consecutive two-electron reduction steps for 4 and 6. (© Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2005) [source] The porcine trophoblastic interferon-,, secreted by a polarized epithelium, has specific structural and biochemical propertiesFEBS JOURNAL, Issue 11 2002Avrelija Cenci At the time of implantation in the maternal uterus, the trophectoderm of the pig blastocyst is the source of a massive secretion of interferon-gamma (IFN-,), together with lesser amounts of IFN-,, a unique species of type I IFN. This trophoblastic IFN-, (TrIFN-,) is an unprecedented example of IFN-, being produced spontaneously by an epithelium. We therefore studied some of its structural and biochemical properties, by comparison with pig IFN-, from other sources, either natural LeIFN-, (from adult leucocytes), or recombinant. Biologically active TrIFN-, is a dimeric molecule, of which monomers are mainly composed of a truncated polypeptide chain with two glycotypes, unlike LeIFN-, which is formed of at least two polypeptide chains and four glycotypes. TrIFN-, collected in the uterus lumen was enzymatically deglycosylated and analysed by mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF). The data revealed that the more abundant polypeptide has a mass of 14.74 kDa, corresponding to a C-terminal cleavage of 17 residues from the expected 143-residue long mature sequence. A minor polypeptide, with a mass of 12.63 kDa, corresponds to a C-terminal truncation of 36 amino acids. MALDI-TOF analysis of tryptic peptides from the glycosylated molecule(s) identifies a single branched carbohydrate motif, with six N -acetylgalactosamines, and no sialic acid. The only glycan microheterogeneity seems to reside in the number of l -fucose residues (one to three). The lack of the C-terminal cluster of basic residues, and the presence of nonsialylated glycans, result in a very low net charge of TrIFN-, molecule. However, the 17-residue truncation does not affect the antiproliferative activity of TrIFN-, on different cells, among which is a porcine uterine epithelial cell line. It is suggested that these specific properties might confer on TrIFN-, a particular ability to invade the uterine mucosa and exert biological functions beyond the endometrial epithelium. [source] Patterns of ant species richness along elevational gradients in an arid ecosystemGLOBAL ECOLOGY, Issue 2 2003Nathan J. Sanders ABSTRACT Aim In this study, we examine patterns of local and regional ant species richness along three elevational gradients in an arid ecosystem. In addition, we test the hypothesis that changes in ant species richness with elevation are related to elevation-dependent changes in climate and available area. Location Spring Mountains, Nevada, U.S.A. Methods We used pitfall traps placed at each 100-m elevational band in three canyons in the Spring Mountains. We compiled climate data from 68 nearby weather stations. We used multiple regression analysis to examine the effects of annual precipitation, average July precipitation, and maximum and minimum July temperature on ant species richness at each elevational band. Results We found that patterns of local ant species richness differed among the three gradients we sampled. Ant species richness increased linearly with elevation along two transects and peaked at mid-elevation along a third transect. This suggests that patterns of species richness based on data from single transects may not generalize to larger spatial scales. Cluster analysis of community similarity revealed a high-elevation species assemblage largely distinct from that of lower elevations. Major changes in the identity of ant species present along elevational gradients tended to coincide with changes in the dominant vegetation. Regional species richness, defined here as the total number of unique species within an elevational band in all three gradients combined, tended to increase with increasing elevation. Available area decreased with increasing elevation. Area was therefore correlated negatively with ant species richness and did not explain elevational patterns of ant species richness in the Spring Mountains. Mean July maximum and minimum temperature, July precipitation and annual precipitation combined to explain 80% of the variation in ant species richness. Main conclusions Our results suggest that in arid ecosystems, species richness for some taxa may be highest at high elevations, where lower temperatures and higher precipitation may support higher levels of primary production and cause lower levels of physiological stress. [source] Rapid biodiversity assessment of spiders (Araneae) using semi-quantitative sampling: a case study in a Mediterranean forestINSECT CONSERVATION AND DIVERSITY, Issue 2 2008PEDRO CARDOSO Abstract. 1A thorough inventory of a Mediterranean oak forest spider fauna carried out during 2 weeks is presented. It used a semi-quantitative sampling protocol to collect comparable data in a rigorous, rapid and efficient way. Four hundred and eighty samples of one person-hour of work each were collected, mostly inside a delimited 1-ha plot. 2Sampling yielded 10 808 adult spiders representing 204 species. The number of species present at the site was estimated using five different richness estimators (Chao1, Chao2, Jackknife1, Jackknife2 and Michaelis,Menten). The estimates ranged from 232 to 260. The most reliable estimates were provided by the Chao estimators and the least reliable was obtained with the Michaelis,Menten. However, the behavior of the Michaelis,Menten accumulation curves supports the use of this estimator as a stopping or reliability rule. 3Nineteen per cent of the species were represented by a single specimen (singletons) and 12% by just two specimens (doubletons). The presence of locally rare species in this exhaustive inventory is discussed. 4The effects of day, time of day, collector experience and sampling method on the number of adults, number of species and taxonomic composition of the samples are assessed. Sampling method is the single most important factor influencing the results and all methods generate unique species. Time of day is also important, in such way that each combination of method and time of day may be considered as a different method in itself. There are insignificant differences between the collectors in terms of species and number of adult spiders collected. Despite the high collecting effort, the species richness and abundance of spiders remained constant throughout the sampling period. [source] Patterns in diversity of anurans along an elevational gradient in the Western Ghats, South IndiaJOURNAL OF BIOGEOGRAPHY, Issue 5 2007Rohit Naniwadekar Abstract Aim, To examine patterns in anuran species richness along an elevation gradient and identify factors that govern anuran species richness on a tropical elevational gradient. Location, Sampling for anurans was carried out in Kalakad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve (KMTR) in the southern Western Ghats, India. Methods, Night-time sampling for anuran species richness was carried out from 20 November 2004 to 20 April 2005, during the north-east monsoon and dry seasons, using transects (50 × 2 m) and visual encounter surveys along the streams. The entire gradient was classified into thirteen 100-m elevation zones. Sampling at the alpha (single drainage basin) level was carried out in the Chinnapul River drainage basin (40,1260 m a.s.l.) and at the gamma (landscape) level in four drainage basins. Additionally, published records were used to arrive at an empirical species richness (S) for the entire landscape. Mid-Domain Null software was used to test for the possible influence of geometric constraints on anuran species at both the alpha and gamma levels. The influence of area under each elevation zone on empirical S was tested. The pattern in anuran species richness along the elevational gradient was investigated using: (1) species boundaries in each elevation zone and their habitat correlates, (2) abiotic factors as predictor variables, (3) mean snout vent lengths of anurans, and (4) correlation between the matrices of distance in the elevation zones based on microhabitat parameters and species composition. Cluster analysis on species presence,absence in the elevation zones was used to categorize the entire gradient into high, middle and low elevations. In these three elevation categories, pattern in composition of species was examined for endemism in Western Ghats,Sri Lanka biodiversity hotspot, uniqueness to an elevation zone, adaptations of adults and modes of breeding. Results, Species richness at the alpha level increased linearly with elevation, while at the gamma level there were three peaks. Maximum species richness was observed at the highest elevation (1200 m) at both the alpha and the gamma levels. The observed patterns differed significantly from mid-domain null predictions. The multi-modal pattern in species richness was a consequence of overlapping species range boundaries. Soil temperature was the best single measure in explaining the majority of variation in species richness at the alpha level (r2 = 0.846, P < 0.01). However, soil moisture was the best predictor when both the alpha and the gamma sites were pooled (r2 = 0.774, P < 0.01). Anuran body size decreased with an increase in elevation. The highest proportions of endemic and unique species were found at high elevations (> 700 m). The proportion of arboreal anurans increased from low to high elevation. Anurans exhibiting direct development were predominantly found at high elevations. Main conclusions, Geometric constraints did not influence anuran species richness along the elevational gradient. Overlapping range boundaries influenced species richness at the gamma level. Abiotic factors such as soil temperature and moisture influenced anuran species richness in the mountain range. The ,Massenerhebung effect' could be responsible for range restriction and endemism of anurans, differences in guilds and mode of reproduction. These findings highlight the importance of cloud forests for endemic anurans. [source] Impact of land use on the ecology of uncultivated plant species in the Rwenzori mountain range, mid western UgandaAFRICAN JOURNAL OF ECOLOGY, Issue 4 2009Moses Muhumuza Abstract Rwenzori mountain range is important for its high diversity of unique species and as a water catchment area and yet very fragile to human interference. The study documented the impact of land use on ecology of uncultivated plant species in the Rwenzori mountain range using Bugoye sub-county as a reference site. The ecological aspects of the plants studied included distribution, abundance and diversity of the plant species in and around the various land uses as well as in degraded, disturbed and undisturbed areas. Land uses identified were; agriculture, built up area and land with other activities (conservation and abandoned fields). The study revealed that agriculture was the main land use category taking up 69.7% of land use area. Plants distributed in and around the land uses were mainly trees with species diversity of 34.5%. Generally, there was no relationship in the distribution of plant species in degraded, undisturbed and disturbed areas (a = 0.01). In disturbed areas, there was vegetation cover especially of plant species that occur as secondary re-growth, and in degraded areas, the ground was sparsely covered by primary succession species while in the undisturbed areas, plant species growing in a ,natural. habitat dominated and most of them were climax species. Résumé Le Massif de Ruwenzori est important pour sa grande diversité d'espèces uniques et comme zone de captage d'eau, et il est pourtant très sensible à toute interférence humaine. L'étude a documenté l'impact de l'utilisation du sol sur l'écologie d'espèces de plantes sauvages dans le massif du Ruwenzori, en employant le sous-comté de Bugoye comme site de référence. Les aspects écologiques des plantes étudiées incluaient la distribution, l'abondance et la diversité des espèces végétales dans et autour de sites avec diverses utilisations du sol ainsi que dans des zones dégradées, perturbées et non perturbées. Les utilisations de sol identifiées étaient : agriculture, zone construite et terrain avec autres activités (conservation et champs abandonnés). L'étude a révélé que l'agriculture était la principale catégorie d'utilisation de sol, avec 69,7% de la superficie utilisée. Les plantes réparties dans et autour des sols utilisés étaient principalement des arbres, avec une diversité d'espèces de 34.5%. Généralement, il n'y avait aucune relation dans la distribution des espèces végétales dans les zones dégradées, non perturbées et perturbées (a = 0.01). Dans les zones perturbées, il y avait une couverture végétale composée principalement d'espèces qui se rencontrent comme repousses secondaires, et dans les zones dégradées, le sol était recouvert, de façon éparse, par des espèces de succession primaire, alors que dans les zones non perturbées, les espèces végétales poussant dans un habitat naturel dominaient, la plupart d'entre elles étant des espèces climaciques. [source] Resprouting of saplings following a tropical rainforest fire in north-east Queensland, AustraliaAUSTRAL ECOLOGY, Issue 8 2005MATTHEW J. MARRINAN Abstract In 2002, fire burnt areas of Mesophyll- and Notophyll Vine Forest in the Smithfield Conservation Park near Cairns, Australia. We assessed the ability of rainforest plant species to persist through fire via resprouting. Natural rates of mortality and resprouting in unburnt areas were assessed for all saplings (stems < 2 m) via 13, 2 × 50 m belt transects, and compared to estimates of mortality and resprouting in 26 transects in burnt areas. We also tested the resprouting ability per-individual stem of each species against all other stems with which it co-occurred. Totals of 1242 stems (138 species) were sampled in burnt transects and 503 stems (95 species) in unburnt transects (total number of unique species = 169). There was no difference in the number of stems existing prior to the fire in burnt and unburnt areas when expressed on a per-sample area basis. Resprouting from basal shoots and root suckers was significantly greater in burnt than in unburnt areas, but rates of stem sprouting were not different. In burnt areas 72 species were tested for resprouting ability and most (65/72) resprouted at similar rates. All species analysed contained individuals that resprouted. The resprouting response of five species was significantly lower, and in two species was significantly higher. For these species especially, fire may act as a mechanism altering relative abundances. The fire coincided with an extreme El Niño event. Current predictions indicate El Niño conditions may become increasingly common, suggesting fire events within rainforest could become more frequent. Resprouting as a general phenomenon of rainforest species, and differential resprouting ability between species should therefore be an important consideration in assessing the potential path of vegetation change in rainforests after fire. [source] To what extent did Neanderthals and modern humans interact?BIOLOGICAL REVIEWS, Issue 2 2009Kristian J. Herrera ABSTRACT Neanderthals represent an extinct hominid lineage that existed in Europe and Asia for nearly 400,000 years. They thrived in these regions for much of this time, but declined in numbers and went extinct around 30,000 years ago. Interestingly, their disappearance occurred subsequent to the arrival of modern humans into these areas, which has prompted some to argue that Neanderthals were displaced by better suited and more adaptable modern humans. Still others have postulated that Neanderthals were assimilated into the gene pool of modern humans by admixture. Until relatively recently, conclusions about the relationships between Neanderthals and contemporary humans were based solely upon evidence left behind in the fossil and archaeological records. However, in the last decade, we have witnessed the introduction of metagenomic analyses, which have provided novel tools with which to study the levels of genetic interactions between this fascinating Homo lineage and modern humans. Were Neanderthals replaced by contemporary humans through dramatic extinction resulting from competition and/or hostility or through admixture? Were Neanderthals and modern humans two independent, genetically unique species or were they a single species, capable of producing fertile offspring? Here, we review the current anthropological, archaeological and genetic data, which shed some light on these questions and provide insight into the exact nature of the relationships between these two groups of humans. [source] | |||||||||||||