Common gardens are experimental plantations for comparing the performance of tree species while eliminating many of the variables that prevail in natural tree stands. The aim of this study was to evaluate the biodiversity of corticolous lichens on Danish tree species (Acer pseudoplatanus, Alnus glutinosa, Betula pendula, Fagus sylvatica, Fraxinus excelsior, Quercus robur and Tilia cordata) under common garden conditions and to examine the height distribution of particular lichen species. Observations were recorded through regular sampling of at least 36 lichen species on the main stems (from the base of the stem to the treetops) of 44-year-old trees at four common garden sites. Acer pseudoplatanus and Fraxinus excelsior had the greatest lichen species richness and Shannon diversity values while these measures were significantly lower for Betula pendula and Fagus sylvatica. The distribution of lichen species appeared biased among tree species. The general lichen distribution and relative sample height were weakly related (nonmetric multidimensional scaling). However, single lichen species showed a clear differential distribution along the tree stem (P < 0.001, non-parametric multiplicative regression and logistic log-binomial regression). Lepraria incana, Pseudosagedia aenea and Arthonia atra were mainly found at the stem base while Lecanora carpinea, L. chlarotera, Lecidella elaeochroma, Physcia tenella and Xanthoria parietina, were most abundant at around 70% of the total tree height. The differential distribution of single lichen species presumably reflects different specific requirements during spore germination and thallus growth. By isolating the unique effect of key variables (tree species and height), this study contributes to the knowledge base of corticolous lichen ecology.

During the expedition POS397 ‘GroMet’ in 2010 the sediments of the Great Meteor Seamount (GMS) plateau were sampled quantitatively for the first time, allowing statistical analysis of the community structure of Harpacticoida and Canuelloida. Analysis of similarity revealed no differences between three geographic regions at family/species level. Analysis of diversity indicated slightly greater diversity in the south, with more species belonging to more genera/families. Dispersal opportunities possibly occurring at the plateau (emergence, erosion, rafting) are discussed. Of 18 investigated families 106 species were identified, but only 5.66% were already scientifically known and widely distributed. Within the investigated families, 37.74% of the species belonged to shallow-water genera, leading to the conclusion that the plateau was once connected to shallow-water habitats, perhaps functioning as a stepping stone, but is now geographically isolated. This isolation is most likely due to seafloor spreading of the Atlantic Ocean and descending of the GMS. On the plateau, six species with wider distribution ranges were present, indicating that species may arrive accidentally, but their means of settlement remains unknown. Comparisons of the identified GMS plateau fauna with that of other seamounts and mid-oceanic islands revealed similar communities at family level, but at species level the GMS shares only one species with the Seine Seamount; all other elevations had more species in common. Hence, the GMS plateau is considered to be isolated regarding benthic Copepoda but may play an important role in meiofaunal species distribution, as it represents a shallow-water habitat within the deep sea.

Herbicide translocation in the phloem is dependent on the production of transport sugar(s) in source tissues and their loading into the phloem. The movement of sugars (primarily sucrose) from mesophyll cells to the sieve element-companion cell complex has been the subject of much investigation in recent years. The current evidence suggests that there are at least two sucrose loading mechanisms in higher plants: one involves sucrose transfer via the apoplasm and subsequent loading into the phloem, while a second mechanism involves movement through continuous symplasmic connections between the mesophyll cells and the phloem. Similarly, both symplasmic and apoplasmic routes may exist at the site of unloading in sink tissue. It is postulated that the mechanism of sucrose loading may influence herbicide entry into the phloem and the likelihood of herbicide transfer to the xylem at the site of loading or unloading.

A survey of publications and collections databases reveals a pattern of non-indigenous decapods distribution in the 13 seas around Russia and adjacent countries. No alien species were reported from Russian territorial waters and exclusive economic zone in the Japan, Okhotsk, west Bering and most of the Siberian shelf Seas. From the seas and their basins in East Europe, 13 alien species have been recorded, with seven of these yet to become established. Established or commonly occurring species can be categorized as: ‘global invaders’ (Chinese mitten crab, Eriocheir sinensis in the White, Baltic, Black, Azov and Caspian Seas; and Harris mud crab, Rhithropanopeus harrisii in all mentioned seas, except the White Sea); ‘regional aliens’ (Palaemon adspersus and P. elegans in the Caspian Sea and the latter species in the Baltic); and ‘Arctic invaders’ (Kamchatka king crab Paralithodes camtschaticus and snow crab Chionoecetes opilio). Eriocheir sinensis is the most widely occurring alien decapod species, but there are no indications of an established population in East Europe. For this and other mentioned crab species, invasion history, distribution and important biological data are reviewed. In the seas where few or no native crab species have been present, Harris mud crab (in the Azov and Caspian Seas), Kamchatka crab (in the Barents Sea) and snow crab (in the Barents and Kara Seas) have shown rapid establishment (within two decades) of an invasive population throughout an entire basis or its significant part.

Understanding the variables (biotic or abiotic) controlling coastal communities is the main goal of ecology research and it is crucial to predict how communities will evolve under the increasing pressure on coastal systems by human activities. The general aims of this study were to assess the variables affecting the distribution of the fast-growing sponge Hymeniacidon cf. perlevis, and to evaluate if physical stressful conditions have an influence in the relationship between Hymeniacidon and the sea lettuce Ulva lactuca. Specifically, the aims were to evaluate the abundance patterns of Hymeniacidon and Ulva and to assess the relationship of Ulva and physical variables on the abundance of Hymeniacidon at both intertidal and subtidal. Hymeniacidon and Ulva showed opposite abundance patterns. Hymeniacidon was more abundant in sites without Ulva, and negatively correlated with Ulva abundance at both heights. Intertidal Hymeniacidon abundance was not correlated with physical variables, but subtidal Hymeniacidon was.

We conducted a survey of the distribution and population status of the eastern hoolock gibbon Hoolock leuconedys in non-protected fragmented forest areas of the Lower Dibang Valley district of Arunachal Pradesh, India, during September 2010–June 2011. We estimated the minimum population density at seven study sites by direct observation and by counting the number of vocalizations heard from groups that were out of view. We used 1-ha belt transects (500 × 20 m) to estimate tree diversity in the study area. For two groups of gibbons we recorded their feeding patterns in forest fragments, using focal individual sampling, during May 2011. A total of 54 groups and three solitary individuals were recorded: 39 groups and three individuals through visual encounter and 15 groups through vocalization recognition. The mean group size recorded was 2.89 ± SE 0.11 (range 2–4). We counted a total of 289 trees, of 26 species and 17 families, in 18 belt transect surveys covering all non-protected fragments of the Lower Dibang Valley district. The gibbons' diet consisted of seasonal fruits and figs (29%), leaves (65%), seeds (2%) and flowers (0.5%). The major threats recorded at the study sites were habitat destruction and hunting. To protect the Vulnerable eastern hoolock gibbon, conservation measures will need to involve local communities.

Ophiuroidea represents the dominant invertebrate group in Patagonian scallop fishery by-catch in the south-western Atlantic. This study presents information that brings forward the spatial patterns and abundance of the most abundant species in the benthic community associated with this fishery at the shelf-break front in the Argentine Sea, between 37° and 44°S during the period 2002–2005. Ophiactis asperula, Ophiacantha vivipara, Ophiura (Ophiuroglypha) lymani and Gorgonocephalus chilensis show a latitudinal and bathymetric distribution pattern, explained by their natural distributional ranges and feeding habits. Our results indicate that the abundance and distribution of these species are not related to scallop fishing activities.

The northern Galician rias provide important economic and social services from fisheries, shellfish harvesting and recreational activities. Consequently, these rias have been included in the Nature 2000 Network as a Special Conservation Zone. The aims of this study were to describe the meiofauna spatial structure in terms of diversity and abundance of major taxa, as well as its relationship with the environmental characteristics in the Ria de Foz nature reserve. For this aim, environmental gradients and distribution patterns of intertidal meiobenthic communities at the Ria de Foz nature reserve were studied using multivariate methods. Ria de Foz showed to be a complex transitional habitat with significant changes in its environment along the estuarine gradient. An abundant and rich meiofauna community was reported at Ria de Foz. A total of 21 higher taxa of meiofauna were found. The most common taxa were nematodes, copepods, ostracods and turbellarians. Three clear different meiobenthic communities were defined. These three communities showed a clear spatial distribution pattern along the estuarine gradient. Moreover, a high degree of similarity between distribution patterns of meiobenthic communities and previously studied macrobenthic communities was found. Regarding the role of environmental factors shaping meiobenthic community distribution patterns distance to the river mouth was the environmental variable that best explained meiobenthic community structure and distribution. Therefore, changes on hydrodynamics that affect environmental factors related to the estuarine gradient will change the distribution pattern and diversity of benthic communities. This work provides the first information about meiobenthos diversity and structure in the Ria de Foz nature reserve and should be useful for future management and conservation plans on this and other similar protected areas.

Studies were conducted on the spatial distribution of the sugarcane shoot borer, Chilo infuscatellus Snellen. Distribution was aggregated and described by the negative binomial model with a fixed mean size. Aggregated distribution probably resulted from environmental heterogeneity. The five quadrants of the field, i.e. north, south, east, west and central did not differ significantly in borer population. The optimum sample size, based on Iwao's formula, was 126 plants of 6 tillers each. The relevance of these findings to the management of C. infuscatellus is discussed.

The distribution of Varroa jacobsoni on clustered, overwintering workers of Apis mellifera was investigated. The majority of mites were found between the 3rd and 4th ventro-lateral tergites of the abdomen with a significant preference for the left side of the host. This position would enable the mites to place their mouthparts in close proximity to the central portion of the bees' ventriculus. This may allow the mites access to nutrients at higher concentrations than would occur elsewhere in the haemolymph. At the start of winter, most infested bees carried only a single mite but towards the end increasing numbers of bees carried 2 or more mites. There was also an increase in the mite : bee ratio and more mobile mites (i.e. those moving about on the bees) were recorded. These results suggest that the mites suffer a lower overwinter mortality than the bees and are capable of transferring to a new host either before the original host dies or before it falls to the floor of the hive. This will have consequences for the transfer of diseases by Varroa within the hive.

A forest ecosystem was divided into four zones: the original primary rain forest, secondary forest of short trees and bushes, tertiary Lantana thickets, and fallow plots. Tsetse, Glossina pallidipes Austen, were trapped in the four zones, dissected and the incidence of infection by the non-occluded virus determined. Tsetse density was relatively higher in the fallow land, and lowest in the primary forest. Virus infection was highest in the tsetse trapped in the primary forest (7%), and decreased progressively towards the fallow plots (1.8%). There were more young tsetse (less than 40-days-old) in the primary and secondary forests, whereas the Lantana thicket and fallow land had older flies (more than 40-days-old). Possible explanations of these observations are discussed.