Chapter 15 Communities and Ecosystems Rosech15 0104043 437-474 2P 11/18/04 3:07 PM Page 439

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Chapter 15 Communities and Ecosystems Rosech15 0104043 437-474 2P 11/18/04 3:07 PM Page 439 RoseCh15_0104043_437-474_2p 11/18/04 2:32 PM Page 437 15 The feeding relationships between species can often be complicated. Communities and Ecosystems hen scientists first began studying bio- dioxide levels, which are covered in Chapter 16 logical communities, they were so fasci- (The Biosphere and the Physical Environment). Wnated with the interactions and The coordination and integration of biological dependencies between species that they saw the bi- communities has vast implications for the Earth. ological community as a superorganism. Whole For this reason, there are few biological topics as species were viewed as organs that performed spe- important for the future of life on Earth as the func- cific functions for the complete ecological superor- tioning of ecosystems. In this chapter, we survey ganism. The integration and communication how ecosystems function, from the flow of energy in between these “organs” was thought to be deliber- Module 15.1 (Energy Flow) and the recycling of nu- ate and well tuned. One way to think of this idea is trients in Module 15.15 (Ecosystems) to the porten- to imagine a stitched-together Frankenstein, each tous problem of the fragility of ecosystems. In sewn-on body part a distinct species. Modules 15.8 (Community Organization) and 15.4 Today biologists find the analogy between bio- (Equilibrium and Nonequilibrium Communities), logical communities and organisms superficial. To we consider the factors that determine the number be sure, there are populations within communities of species in a community. Surprisingly, in some that are highly dependent on each other. And it is communities predation and environmental distur- also true that biological communities and their bance may promote increased species diversity. Is- physical environments support all life on Earth by lands represent interesting communities, because such processes as recycling nutrients. The impact virtually all species on an island must travel there of this recycling can be profound. For instance, at- from some larger mainland. Species diversity on is- mospheric levels of carbon dioxide depend on lands is a consequence of dynamic processes. Under- plant photosynthesis and the respiration of all aer- standing these forces has important practical obic organisms. Global temperatures and weather applications for the design of ecological preserves, to are in turn dependent on atmospheric carbon be covered in Chapter 17 (Conservation). ❖ 437 RoseCh15_0104043_437-474_2p 11/18/04 2:32 PM Page 438 ENERGY FLOW 15.1 The flow of energy is a central organizing theme in community ecology We have all strolled through forests or walked along the seashore or lakeside. Even the untrained person will notice a variety of plants in a forest or the many insects and birds near lakes and oceans. These interacting plant and animal popula- tions are part of a biological community. The members of such a community will be apparent from their associations or their geographic location. As we have seen in the previous FIGURE 15.1A The Initial chapter, some plants and animals may interact very closely Stages of Succession in a and affect each other’s evolution. While the details of process- Temperate Forest . es such as coevolution were unknown to early ecologists, there was a strong sense that there was a mutual interdepend- thermodynamic perspective, emphasizing the transfer of en- ence among the members of a community. ergy. This thermodynamic perspective and the importance of food chains were both embraced by Raymond Lindeman in Communities Early in the twentieth century, F. E. 1942. For his Ph.D. thesis, Lindeman studied the feeding rela- Clements developed some of the first ideas about communi- tionships in a bog community in Minnesota. He simplified ties. If a tract of land is cleared but then left undisturbed, it the analysis of energy flow in this community by focusing on will be recolonized by plants over time. This recolonization, organisms that were at a similar position in the food chain. or succession, may follow a predictable pattern, with some Such positions are referred to as trophic levels. species appearing early in the sequence of recolonization, but In most ecosystems, the lowermost or first trophic level is later giving way to different species. (Figure 15.1A shows one made up of the primary producers or plants, such as the example of succession.) In studying ecological succession, mosses in Figure 15.1B. These organisms depend on sunlight Clements thought that the species that appeared during suc- for their energy. The next trophic level up consists of the her- cession made up a superorganism, with strong interdepen- bivores, organisms that consume plants, such as the herbivo- dencies much like the organs of a single plant or animal. We rous rotifers in Figure 15.1B. The biomass or energy available will cover succession in more detail in Module 15.7. to herbivores comes directly from the primary producers. It is In the 1920s, Charles Elton developed a more sophisticat- also affected by the efficiency of conversion of energy. Con- ed view of communities, one that still persists today. He stud- sumers of herbivores—such as the ducks in Figure 15.1B— ied a tundra community on Bear Island in the North Atlantic. are at the next trophic level, and so on. Elton’s focus was on feeding. Which species feeds on which is Lindeman noted that the dependence of each trophic level one of the most important interactions in an ecosystem. on the one below it suggests that the amount of energy con- Figure 15.1B shows some of the results from Elton’s study. tained in each level (for example, as plant or animal biomass) These feeding relationships also reveal a directional flow of should decline as one moves from the lower to the higher energy. Moss captures energy from the sun. Energy in the trophic levels. Lindeman called this natural progression the mosses is then consumed by herbivorous rotifers that are ul- Eltonian pyramid. In timately eaten by ducks. Diagrams that show energy flows are Modules 15.2 and 15.3, called food chains. Long-Tailed Duck we will study in more The nature of an ecological community is not solely a detail what is known function of the organisms that make up the community. The today about the energy physical environment also influences the numbers and types relationships within of organisms in a community. Likewise, photosynthesis, res- communities and the piration, and decomposition affect the physical environment. factors that affect ener- Rotifers In 1935 the English plant ecologist A. G. Tansley coined the gy transfer from one term ecosystem to describe ecological communities and their trophic level to the associated physical environment. In Module 15.15, we will next. ❖ discuss the interactions between biological communities and the physical environment. Moss Trophic Levels In 1925 A. J. Lotka published his book The Elements of Physical Biology. Influenced by his training in FIGURE 15.1B Some Feeding Relationships from Elton’s study of chemistry, Lotka advocated the study of communities from a Bear Island 438 Chapter 15 Communities and Ecosystems RoseCh15_0104043_437-474_2p 11/18/04 3:07 PM Page 439 Raymond Lindeman (1915–1942) During his short life and even shorter academic career, Lindeman managed to write six scientific papers. One of these appeared in the journal Ecology after his death, with the title,“The Trophic-Dynam- ic Aspect of Ecology.” This paper is credited with influencing many ecologists to look at the energy and feeding relationships among organisms as an important aspect of community structure. Linde- man received his Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota in 1941. Shortly afterward he moved to Yale University, where he began postdoctoral work with G. Evelyn Huchinson. The original version of Lindeman’s trophic-dynamic paper was rejected by the journal Ecology. It was only after an appeal by Hutchinson that the editor of Ecology, Thomas Park, agreed to publish the paper. FIGURE 15.1C Raymond Lindeman Energy Flow 439 RoseCh15_0104043_437-474_2p 11/18/04 2:32 PM Page 440 15.2 In most biological communities, all energy comes from the sun Biological systems are complicated, but they must follow the What causes this variation? The variation seen in same laws of thermodynamics that physical systems obey. Figure 15.2A is a function of environmental factors. Tun- The first law of thermodynamics tells us that energy can be dra has low primary productivity due to the short growing neither created nor destroyed. Energy can be changed, how- season near the Earth’s North Pole. On the other hand, se- ever, from one form into another. In biological communities, vere water shortage keeps the productivity of deserts low. almost all energy originates from the sun. Green plants cap- The open ocean has plenty of light near the surface and ture solar energy and turn it into chemical energy. Because of mostly benign temperatures, but nutrients such as phos- this special function, green plants are called primary produc- phorus are in short supply, limiting plant growth. Plants ers. The chemical energy is stored by plants as bonds holding and animals on the ocean surface die and settle to the bot- organic molecules together. Not all the captured energy from tom of the ocean, where their decomposition does not im- the sun is stored as chemical energy. Plants use some energy mediately return nutrients to the surface. In some parts of for metabolic maintenance, and some is lost as heat. the ocean, currents carry water from great depths up to the All trophic levels above plants gain energy by feeding on surface. These upwelling currents (see Module 11.4) are members of other trophic levels. Herbivores feed on plants and important for supplying the surface waters of the oceans derive their energy from the energy stored in plant tissue.
Recommended publications
  • Ecosystem Structure and Function. Dr
    TOPIC: - ECOSYSTEM STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION. DR. ABHAY KRISHNA SINGH PAPER NAME: - ENVIRONMENTAL GEOGRAPHY SUBJECT: - GEOGRAPHY SEMESTER: - M.A. –IV PAPER CODE: - (GEOG. 403) UNIVERSITY DEPARTMENT OF GEOGRAPHY, DR. SHYMA PRASAD MUKHERJEE UNIVERSITY, RANCHI. Environmental Sciences INTRODUCTION: - All organisms need energy to perform the essential functions such as maintenance, growth, repair, movement, locomotion and reproduction; all of these processes require energy expenditure. The ultimate source of energy for all ecological systems is Sun. The solar energy is captured by the green plants (primary producers or autotrophs) and transformed into chemical energy and bound in glucose as potential energy during the process of photosynthesis. In this stored form, other organisms take the energy and pass it on further to other organisms. During this process, a reasonable proportion of energy is lost out of the living system. The whole process is called flow of energy in the ecosystem. It is the amount of energy that is received and transferred from organism to organism in an ecosystem that modulates the ecosystem structure. Without autotrophs, there would be no energy available to all other organisms that lack the capability of fixing light energy. A fraction i.e. about 1/50 millionth of the total solar radiation reaches the earth’s atmosphere. About 34% of the sunlight reaching the earth’s atmosphere is reflected back into the atmosphere, 10% is held by ozone layer, water vapors and other atmospheric gases. The remaining 56% sunlight reaches the earth’s surface. Only a fraction of this energy reaching the earth’s surface (1 to 5%) is used by green plants for photosynthesis and the rest is absorbed as heat by ground vegetation or water.
    [Show full text]
  • 7.014 Handout PRODUCTIVITY: the “METABOLISM” of ECOSYSTEMS
    7.014 Handout PRODUCTIVITY: THE “METABOLISM” OF ECOSYSTEMS Ecologists use the term “productivity” to refer to the process through which an assemblage of organisms (e.g. a trophic level or ecosystem assimilates carbon. Primary producers (autotrophs) do this through photosynthesis; Secondary producers (heterotrophs) do it through the assimilation of the organic carbon in their food. Remember that all organic carbon in the food web is ultimately derived from primary production. DEFINITIONS Primary Productivity: Rate of conversion of CO2 to organic carbon (photosynthesis) per unit surface area of the earth, expressed either in terns of weight of carbon, or the equivalent calories e.g., g C m-2 year-1 Kcal m-2 year-1 Primary Production: Same as primary productivity, but usually expressed for a whole ecosystem e.g., tons year-1 for a lake, cornfield, forest, etc. NET vs. GROSS: For plants: Some of the organic carbon generated in plants through photosynthesis (using solar energy) is oxidized back to CO2 (releasing energy) through the respiration of the plants – RA. Gross Primary Production: (GPP) = Total amount of CO2 reduced to organic carbon by the plants per unit time Autotrophic Respiration: (RA) = Total amount of organic carbon that is respired (oxidized to CO2) by plants per unit time Net Primary Production (NPP) = GPP – RA The amount of organic carbon produced by plants that is not consumed by their own respiration. It is the increase in the plant biomass in the absence of herbivores. For an entire ecosystem: Some of the NPP of the plants is consumed (and respired) by herbivores and decomposers and oxidized back to CO2 (RH).
    [Show full text]
  • Variety of Organisms in an Ecosystem Or Biome Climax Community
    Lessons for 5th Six Weeks (Weeks 4-6) 1) Copy the following vocabulary words onto a blank sheet of paper. Biodiversity – variety of organisms in an ecosystem or biome Climax community – dominant community of plants and animals that come to live in an area Ecological succession – the changing sequence of communities that live in an ecosystem during a given time period Limiting factor – a condition or resource that keeps a population at a certain size Microhabitat – a small or specialized habitat within a larger habitat Niche – the unique role or job of an organism in an ecosystem Pioneer species – first organisms to live in an area Primary succession – a process that develops a biotic community in a previously uninhabited and barren habitat with little or no soil Secondary succession – a process started by an event that reduces an already established ecosystem to a smaller population of species Sustainability – ability to maintain ecological processes over long periods of time; ability of an ecosystem to maintain its structure and function over time 2) Copy the following notes onto a blank sheet of paper. TEK 7.10A - Observe and describe how different environments, including microhabitats in schoolyards and biomes, support different varieties of organisms. Observe, Describe HOW DIFFERENT ENVIRONMENTS SUPPORT DIFFERENT VARIETIES OF ORGANISMS Including, but not limited to: • Different environments o Microhabitats in schoolyards o Biomes • Support different varieties of organisms through o Providing for basic needs . Possible examples may include: 7th Grade Science - Watson . Climate . Vegetation . Location . Water TEK 7.10B - Describe how biodiversity contributes to the sustainability of an ecosystem.
    [Show full text]
  • Genus Sarcophaga
    Genus Sarcophaga Key to UK species adapted and updated from van Emden (1954) Handbooks for the Identification of British Insects Vol X, Part 4(a), Diptera Cyclorrhapha Calyptrata (1) Since the publication, various species have changed their names and three further species have been added to the British list. Sarcophaga compactilobata Wyatt and Sarcophaga portschinskyi (Rohdendorf) were both added by Wyatt (1991). Sarcophaga discifera has been added to the British list but is only recorded from Ireland. Sarcophaga carnaria has been revised and split into two species. Note on the nomenclature of the tergites. The tergites are parts of the segments of the abdomen visible from above. The first and second tergites are fused together. In the original paper this first segment was referred to as the “first tergite”. This has been changed here to T1+2 and subsequent tergites becoming a number one more than they were in the original. The four large tergites are thus T1+2, T3, T4 and T5. In females T6 which appears to protrude a little below T5 is actually two tergites fused together and is referred to here as T6+7. In males there are two small segments visible beyond T5 and these are called the first and second genital segments. 1 Vein r1 usually setulose on the dorsal surface, sometimes with 1-2 setulae only. T3 with marginals. Three almost equal strong postsutural dorsocentrals, the first of them closer to the suture than to the second. Prescutellars present. Presutural acrostichals rarely distinct. ...............................................2 Marginals are bristles towards the middle of the segment on the hind edge.
    [Show full text]
  • Model-Based Analysis of the Energy Fluxes and Trophic Structure of a Portunus Trituberculatus Polyculture Ecosystem
    Vol. 9: 479–490, 2017 AQUACULTURE ENVIRONMENT INTERACTIONS Published December 5 https://doi.org/10.3354/aei00247 Aquacult Environ Interact OPENPEN ACCESSCCESS Model-based analysis of the energy fluxes and trophic structure of a Portunus trituberculatus polyculture ecosystem Jie Feng1, Xiang-Li Tian1,*, Shuang-Lin Dong1, Rui-Peng He1, Kai Zhang1, Dong-Xu Zhang1, Qing-Qi Zhang2 1The Key Laboratory of Mariculture, Ministry of Education, Fisheries College, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, PR China 2Marine Fishery Technology Guiding Office of Ganyu, Lianyungang 222100, PR China ABSTRACT: We constructed a quantitative Ecopath model of a trophic network to evaluate the energy flow and properties in a polyculture ecosystem containing 4 species (swimming crab Por- tunus trituberculatus, white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei, short-necked clam Ruditapes philip- pinarum, and redlip mullet Liza haematochila) over a 90 d experimental period. The model con- tained 10 consumers, 4 detritus groups, and 4 primary producers. Ecotrophic efficiency values indicated that the system had high energy utilization efficiency. However, benthic bacteria con- verted the largest amount of energy back to the detritus groups, which had the lowest ecotrophic efficiency (0.01). When aggregating the network to discrete trophic levels (TLs), most of the throughput and biomass of the system were distributed on the first 2 TLs; consequently, there was high energy transfer efficiency between TL I and II (81.98%). The trophic flow of this ecosystem was dominated by energy that originated from the detritus groups (73.77%). Imported artificial food was particularly important for the trophic flow of the total ecosystem, contributing 31.02% to total system consumption.
    [Show full text]
  • ZOOLOGY Principles of Ecology Community
    Paper : 12 Principles of Ecology Module : 20 Community: Community characteristics, types of biodiversity, diversity index, abundance, species richness, vertical and horizontal stratification: Part IV Development Team Principal Investigator: Prof. Neeta Sehgal Department of Zoology, University of Delhi Co-Principal Investigator: Prof. D.K. Singh Department of Zoology, University of Delhi Paper Coordinator: Prof. D.K. Singh Department of Zoology, University of Delhi Content Writer: Dr. Haren Ram Chiary and Dr. Kapinder Kirori Mal College, University of Delhi Content Reviewer: Prof. K.S. Rao Department of Botany, University of Delhi 1 Principles of Ecology ZOOLOGY Community: Community characteristics, types of biodiversity, diversity index, abundance, species richness, vertical and horizontal stratification: Part IV Description of Module Subject Name ZOOLOGY Paper Name Zool 12, Principles of Ecology Module Name/Title Community Module Id M20, Community characteristics, types of biodiversity, diversity index, abundance, species richness, vertical and horizontal stratification : Part-IV Keywords Succession, Primary succession, secondary succession, Sera, Climax community, Hydrosere, Lithosere, theories of climax community Contents 1. Learning Objective 2. Introduction 3. History of study of succession 4. Ecological succession and types: Primary and secondary succession 5. Stages of Primary and secondary succession 6. Process of succession in Hydrosere 7. Process of succession in Lithosere 8. Theories of climax community 9. Summary 2 Principles
    [Show full text]
  • Association of Myianoetus Muscarum (Acari: Histiostomatidae) with Synthesiomyia Nudiseta (Wulp) (Diptera: Muscidae) on Human Remains
    Journal of Medical Entomology Advance Access published January 6, 2016 Journal of Medical Entomology, 2016, 1–6 doi: 10.1093/jme/tjv203 Direct Injury, Myiasis, Forensics Research article Association of Myianoetus muscarum (Acari: Histiostomatidae) With Synthesiomyia nudiseta (Wulp) (Diptera: Muscidae) on Human Remains M. L. Pimsler,1,2,3 C. G. Owings,1,4 M. R. Sanford,5 B. M. OConnor,6 P. D. Teel,1 R. M. Mohr,1,7 and J. K. Tomberlin1 1Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, 2475 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843 ([email protected]; cgowings@- iupui.edu; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]), 2Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL 35405, 3Corresponding author, e-mail: [email protected], 4Department of Biology, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, 723 W. Michigan St., SL 306, Indianapolis, IN 46202, 5Harris County Institute of 6 Forensic Sciences, Houston, TX 77054 ([email protected]), Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology/ Downloaded from Museum of Zoology, The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109 ([email protected]), and 7Department of Forensic and Investigative Science, West Virginia University, 1600 University Ave., Morgantown, WV 26506 Received 26 August 2015; Accepted 24 November 2015 Abstract http://jme.oxfordjournals.org/ Synthesiomyia nudiseta (Wulp) (Diptera: Muscidae) was identified during the course of three indoor medicole- gal forensic entomology investigations in the state of Texas, one in 2011 from Hayes County, TX, and two in 2015 from Harris County, TX. In all cases, mites were found in association with the sample and subsequently identified as Myianoetus muscarum (L., 1758) (Acariformes: Histiostomatidae).
    [Show full text]
  • Arthropods Associated with Wildlife Carcasses in Lowland Rainforest, Rivers State, Nigeria
    Available online a t www.pelagiaresearchlibra ry.com Pelagia Research Library European Journal of Experimental Biology, 2013, 3(5):111-114 ISSN: 2248 –9215 CODEN (USA): EJEBAU Arthropods associated with wildlife carcasses in Lowland Rainforest, Rivers State, Nigeria Osborne U. Ndueze, Mekeu A. E. Noutcha, Odidika C. Umeozor and Samuel N. Okiwelu* Entomology and Pest Management Unit, Department of Animal and Environmental Biology, University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria _____________________________________________________________________________________________ ABSTRACT Investigations were conducted in the rainy season August-October, 2011, to identify the arthropods associated with carcasses of the Greater Cane Rat, Thryonomys swinderianus; two-spotted Palm Civet, Nandina binotata, Mona monkey, Cercopithecus mona and Maxwell’s duiker, Philantomba maxwelli in lowland rainforest, Nigeria. Collections were made from carcasses in sheltered environment and open vegetation. Carcasses were purchased in pairs at the Omagwa bushmeat market as soon as they were brought in by hunters. They were transported to the Animal House, University of Port Harcourt. Carcasses of each species were placed in cages in sheltered location and open vegetation. Flying insects were collected with hand nets, while crawling insects were trapped in water. Necrophages, predators and transients were collected. The dominant insect orders were: Diptera, Coleoptera and Hymenoptera. The most common species were the dipteran necrophages: Musca domestica (Muscidae), Lucilia serricata
    [Show full text]
  • Unit 6 - Evolution Living Environment Answer Key to Practice Exam- Parts a and B-1
    Unit 6 - Evolution Living Environment Answer Key to Practice Exam- Parts A and B-1 Base your answers to questions 1 through 3 on the diagram below and on your knowledge of biology. The diagram represents a food web in an ecosystem. 1. If the population of hawks in this area increases, their prey populations might decrease. Later, with fewer prey, the hawk population might decrease. The prey populations might then increase. This is an example of A) an ecosystem that is completely out of balance B) how ecosystems maintain stability over time C) interaction between biotic and abiotic factors within an ecosystem D) ecological succession in an ecosystem 2. Missing from the diagram of this ecosystem are the A) biotic factors and decomposers B) abiotic factors and decomposers C) autotrophs, only D) heterotrophs, only 3. Which row in the chart below best identifies the relationships between the mice and the wheat? A) 1 B) 2 C) 3 D) 4 4. All of Earth's water, land, and atmosphere within 5. The study of the interactions between organisms and which life exists is known as their interrelationships with the physical environment is known as A) a population B) a community C) a biome D) the biosphere A) ecology B) cytology C) embryology D) physiology Page 1 Unit 6 - Evolution 6. The science of ecology is best defined as the study of 8. The graph below represents some changes in the number of individuals in a particular population in a A) the classification of plants and animals stable ecosystem over a period of time.
    [Show full text]
  • Key to the Adults of the Most Common Forensic Species of Diptera in South America
    390 Key to the adults of the most common forensic species ofCarvalho Diptera & Mello-Patiu in South America Claudio José Barros de Carvalho1 & Cátia Antunes de Mello-Patiu2 1Department of Zoology, Universidade Federal do Paraná, C.P. 19020, Curitiba-PR, 81.531–980, Brazil. [email protected] 2Department of Entomology, Museu Nacional do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro-RJ, 20940–040, Brazil. [email protected] ABSTRACT. Key to the adults of the most common forensic species of Diptera in South America. Flies (Diptera, blow flies, house flies, flesh flies, horse flies, cattle flies, deer flies, midges and mosquitoes) are among the four megadiverse insect orders. Several species quickly colonize human cadavers and are potentially useful in forensic studies. One of the major problems with carrion fly identification is the lack of taxonomists or available keys that can identify even the most common species sometimes resulting in erroneous identification. Here we present a key to the adults of 12 families of Diptera whose species are found on carrion, including human corpses. Also, a summary for the most common families of forensic importance in South America, along with a key to the most common species of Calliphoridae, Muscidae, and Fanniidae and to the genera of Sarcophagidae are provided. Drawings of the most important characters for identification are also included. KEYWORDS. Carrion flies; forensic entomology; neotropical. RESUMO. Chave de identificação para as espécies comuns de Diptera da América do Sul de interesse forense. Diptera (califorídeos, sarcofagídeos, motucas, moscas comuns e mosquitos) é a uma das quatro ordens megadiversas de insetos. Diversas espécies desta ordem podem rapidamente colonizar cadáveres humanos e são de utilidade potencial para estudos de entomologia forense.
    [Show full text]
  • Diptera: Sarcophagidae) of Southern South America
    Zootaxa 3933 (1): 001–088 ISSN 1175-5326 (print edition) www.mapress.com/zootaxa/ Monograph ZOOTAXA Copyright © 2015 Magnolia Press ISSN 1175-5334 (online edition) http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.3933.1.1 http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:00C6A73B-7821-4A31-A0CA-49E14AC05397 ZOOTAXA 3933 The Sarcophaginae (Diptera: Sarcophagidae) of Southern South America. I. The species of Microcerella Macquart from the Patagonian Region PABLO RICARDO MULIERI1, JUAN CARLOS MARILUIS1, LUCIANO DAMIÁN PATITUCCI1 & MARÍA SOFÍA OLEA1 1Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Buenos Aires, Argentina. Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales, Buenos Aires, MACN. E-mails: [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected] Magnolia Press Auckland, New Zealand Accepted by J. O'Hara: 19 Jan. 2015; published: 17 Mar. 2015 PABLO RICARDO MULIERI, JUAN CARLOS MARILUIS, LUCIANO DAMIÁN PATITUCCI & MARÍA SOFÍA OLEA The Sarcophaginae (Diptera: Sarcophagidae) of Southern South America. I. The species of Microcerella Macquart from the Patagonian Region (Zootaxa 3933) 88 pp.; 30 cm. 17 Mar. 2015 ISBN 978-1-77557-661-7 (paperback) ISBN 978-1-77557-662-4 (Online edition) FIRST PUBLISHED IN 2015 BY Magnolia Press P.O. Box 41-383 Auckland 1346 New Zealand e-mail: [email protected] http://www.mapress.com/zootaxa/ © 2015 Magnolia Press All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored, transmitted or disseminated, in any form, or by any means, without prior written permission from the publisher, to whom all requests to reproduce copyright material should be directed in writing. This authorization does not extend to any other kind of copying, by any means, in any form, and for any purpose other than private research use.
    [Show full text]
  • 3.2 Energy Flows Through Ecosystems [Notes/Highlighting]
    Printed Page 60 3.2 Energy flows through ecosystems [Notes/Highlighting] To understand how ecosystems function and how to best protect and manage them, ecosystem ecologists study not only the biotic and abiotic components that define an ecosystem, but also the processes that move energy and matter within it. Plants absorb energy directly from the Sun. That energy is then spread throughout an ecosystem as herbivores (animals that eat plants) feed on plants and carnivores (animals that eat other animals) feed on herbivores. Consider the Serengeti Plain in East Africa, shown in FIGURE 3.3. There are millions of herbivores, such as zebras and wildebeests, in the Serengeti ecosystem, but far fewer carnivores, such as lions (Panthera leo) and cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus), that feed on those herbivores. In accordance with the second law of thermodynamics, when one organism consumes another, not all of the energy in the consumed organism is transferred to the consumer. Some of that energy is lost as heat. Therefore, all the carnivores in an area contain less energy than all the herbivores in the same area because all the energy going to the carnivores must come from the animals they eat. To better understand these energy relationships, let’s trace this energy flow in more detail. Figure 3.3 Serengeti Plain of Africa. The Serengeti ecosystem has more plants than herbivores, and more herbivores than carnivores. Previous Section | Next Section 3.2.1 Photosynthesis and Respiration Printed Page 60 [Notes/Highlighting] Nearly all of the energy that powers ecosystems comes from the Sun as solar energy, which is a form of kinetic energy.
    [Show full text]