Growth, Death, and Resource Competition in Sessile Organisms
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Understanding the Sexual Recruitment of One of the Oldest and Largest Organisms on Earth, the Seagrass Posidonia Oceanica
RESEARCH ARTICLE Understanding the sexual recruitment of one of the oldest and largest organisms on Earth, the seagrass Posidonia oceanica 1☯ 2☯ 1☯ Laura Guerrero-MeseguerID *, Carlos Sanz-LaÂzaro , Arnaldo MarõÂn 1 Departamento de EcologõÂa e HidrologõÂa. Facultad de BiologõÂa, Universidad de Murcia, Campus de Espinardo, Murcia, Spain, 2 Departamento de EcologõÂa, PabelloÂn 13, Universidad de Alicante, Alicante, Spain ☯ These authors contributed equally to this work. * [email protected] a1111111111 Abstract a1111111111 a1111111111 The seagrass Posidonia oceanica is considered one of the oldest and largest living organ- a1111111111 isms on Earth. Notwithstanding, given the difficulty of monitoring its fruits and seeds in the a1111111111 field, the development of P. oceanica during its sexual recruitment is not completely under- stood. We studied the stages of development of P. oceanica seeds from their dispersion in the fruit interior to their settlement in sediment through histological, ultrastructural and meso- cosm experiments. P. oceanica sexual recruitment can be divided into three main stages OPEN ACCESS that focus on maximising photosynthesis and anchoring the seedlings to the sediment. In Citation: Guerrero-Meseguer L, Sanz-LaÂzaro C, the first stage (fruit dispersion), seeds perform photosynthesis while being transported MarõÂn A (2018) Understanding the sexual recruitment of one of the oldest and largest inside the fruit along the sea surface. In the second stage (seed adhesion), seeds develop organisms on Earth, the seagrass Posidonia adhesive microscopic hairs that cover the primary and secondary roots and favour seed oceanica. PLoS ONE 13(11): e0207345. https://doi. adhesion to the substrate. In the last stage (seedling anchorage), roots attach the seedlings org/10.1371/journal.pone.0207345 to the substrate by orienting them towards the direction of light to maximise photosynthesis. -
The Anthropocene Biosphere
ANR0010.1177/2053019615591020The Anthropocene ReviewWilliams et al. 591020research-article2015 Review The Anthropocene Review 1 –24 The Anthropocene biosphere © The Author(s) 2015 Reprints and permissions: sagepub.co.uk/journalsPermissions.nav DOI: 10.1177/2053019615591020 anr.sagepub.com Mark Williams,1 Jan Zalasiewicz,1 PK Haff,2 Christian Schwägerl,3 Anthony D Barnosky4,5,6 and Erle C Ellis7 Abstract The geological record preserves evidence for two fundamental stages in the evolution of Earth’s biosphere, a microbial stage from ~3.5 to 0.65 Ga, and a metazoan stage evident by c. 650 Ma. We suggest that the modern biosphere differs significantly from these previous stages and shows early signs of a new, third stage of biosphere evolution characterised by: (1) global homogenisation of flora and fauna; (2) a single species (Homo sapiens) commandeering 25–40% of net primary production and also mining fossil net primary production (fossil fuels) to break through the photosynthetic energy barrier; (3) human-directed evolution of other species; and (4) increasing interaction of the biosphere with the technosphere (the global emergent system that includes humans, technological artefacts, and associated social and technological networks). These unique features of today’s biosphere may herald a new era in the planet’s history that could persist over geological timescales. Keywords biosphere, evolution, global ecosystem, neobiotic species, planetary state, production and consumption, technosphere Introduction Humans transport organisms around the globe (McNeely, 2001 and references therein), con- struct unique agricultural and urban ‘anthromes’ for organisms to live in (e.g. Ellis, 2013; Ellis et al., 2012, 2013a, 2013b), and have concentrated biomass into a particular set of plants and animals (e.g. -
Ecological and Evolutionary Effects of Interspecific Competition in Tits
Wilson Bull., 101(2), 1989, pp. 198-216 ECOLOGICAL AND EVOLUTIONARY EFFECTS OF INTERSPECIFIC COMPETITION IN TITS ANDRE A. DHONDT' AmTRAcT.-In this review the evidence for the existence of interspecific competition between members of the genus Purus is organized according to the time scale involved. Competition on an ecological time scale is amenable to experimental manipulation, whereas the effects of competition on an evolutionary time scale are not, Therefore the existence of competition has to be inferred mainly from comparisons between populations. Numerical effects of interspecific competition in coexisting populations on population parameters have been shown in several studies of Great and Blue tits (Parus major and P. caerulm) during the breeding season and during winter, and they have been suggested for the Black-capped Chickadee (P. atricapillus)and the Tufted Titmouse (P. bicolor).It is argued that the doubly asymmetric two-way interspecific competition between Great and Blue tits would have a stabilizing effect promoting their coexistence. Functional effects on niche use have been experimentally shown by removal or cage experiments between Willow (P. montanus)and Marsh (P. pahstris) tits, between Willow and Crested tits (P. cristatus)and Coal Tits (P. ater) and Goldcrests (Regulus reguh), and between Coal and Willow tits. Non-manipulative studies suggestthe existence of interspecific competition leading to rapid niche shifts between Crested and Willow tits and between Great and Willow tits. Evolutionary responses that can be explained as adaptations to variations in the importance of interspecific competition are numerous. An experiment failed to show that Blue Tit populations, subjected to different levels of interspecific competition by Great Tits, underwent divergent micro-evolutionary changes for body size. -
Constructing and Analyzing Biological Interaction Networks for Knowledge Discovery
Constructing and Analyzing Biological Interaction Networks for Knowledge Discovery Dissertation Presented in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Philosophy in the Graduate School of The Ohio State University By Duygu Ucar Graduate Program in Computer Science and Engineering The Ohio State University 2009 Dissertation Committee: Srinivasan Parthasarathy, Advisor Yusu Wang Umit Catalyurek c Copyright by Duygu Ucar 2009 ABSTRACT Many biological datasets can be effectively modeled as interaction networks where nodes represent biological entities of interest such as proteins, genes, or complexes and edges mimic associations among them. The study of these biological network structures can provide insight into many biological questions including the functional characterization of genes and gene products, the characterization of DNA-protein bindings, and the under- standing of regulatory mechanisms. Therefore, the task of constructing biological interac- tion networks from raw data sets and exploiting information from these networks is critical, but is also fraught with challenges. First, the network structure is not always known in a priori; the structure should be inferred from raw and heterogeneous biological data sources. Second, biological networks are noisy (containing unreliable interactions) and incomplete (missing real interactions) which makes the task of extracting useful information difficult. Third, typically these networks have non-trivial topological properties (e.g., uneven degree distribution, small world) that limit the effectiveness of traditional knowledge discovery al- gorithms. Fourth, these networks are usually dynamic and investigation of their dynamics is essential to understand the underlying biological system. In this thesis, we address these issues by presenting a set of computational techniques that we developed to construct and analyze three specific types of biological interaction networks: protein-protein interaction networks, gene co-expression networks, and regulatory networks. -
Symbiotic Relationship in Which One Organism Benefits and the Other Is Unaffected
Ecology Quiz Review – ANSWERS! 1. Commensalism – symbiotic relationship in which one organism benefits and the other is unaffected. Mutualism – symbiotic relationship in which both organisms benefit. Parasitism – symbiotic relationship in which one organism benefits and the other is harmed or killed. Predation – a biological interaction where a predator feeds on a prey. 2A. Commensalism B. Mutualism C. Parasitism D. Predation 3. Autotrophic organisms produce their own food by way of photosynthesis. They are also at the base of a food chain or trophic pyramid. 4. Answer will vary – You will need two plants, two herbivores, and two carnivores 5. Decreases. Only 10% of the energy available at one level is passed to the next level. 6. If 10,000 units of energy are available to the grass at the bottom of the food chain, only 1000 units of energy will be available to the primary consumer, and only 100 units will be available to the secondary consumer. 7. Population is the number of a specific species living in an area. 8. B – All members of the Turdis migratorius species. 9. The number of secondary consumers would increase. 10. The energy decreases as you move up the pyramid which is indicated by the pyramid becoming smaller near the top. 11. Second highest-level consumer would increase. 12. Primary consumer would decrease due to higher numbers of secondary consumer. 13. The number of organisms would decrease due to the lack of food for primary consumers. Other consumers would decrease as the numbers of their food source declined. 14. Number of highest-level consumers would decrease due to lack of food. -
New Version of Labour Ministry's Mobile App Offers 33 Services
www.thepeninsula.qa Saturday 18 January 2020 Volume 24 | Number 8140 23 Jumada I - 1441 2 Riyals BUSINESS | 13 SPORT | 18 US-China trade deal Al Ghazali to ease global guides What uncertainty: A Pleasure IMF Chief to win New version of Labour Ministry’s mobile app offers 33 services SANAULLAH ATAULLAH The e-services of THE PENINSULA ‘Amerni’ application The Ministry of Administrative Devel- include housing opment, Labour and Social Affairs has launched the third patch of electronic application follow up, services for ‘Amerni’ application on smart phones in Arabic and English to rent allowance follow save time and efforts of users — indi- up, house purchase- viduals and companies. The third patch includes five new ownership request, services. As of now, the app offers a total and title deed re- of 33 services including 21 services for individuals and 12 services for com- quest, among others. panies, said the Ministry in a post ‘Mobile Application Guide’ published on its website. Android Users, in both languages Arabic The users will now be able to file and English. The user guide is intended complaints against violating manpower to inform the users how to use an recruitment offices. The domestic e-services application - Amerni - for Al Sadd crowned Qatar Cup champions workers can also file formal complaints, the Ministry of Administrative Devel- in addition to other services provided opment, Labour and Social Affairs in Al Sadd’s players and officials pose with the Qatar Cup trophy at Al Sadd Stadium, yesterday. Al Sadd defeated Al Duhail by the Labour Relations Department. Qatar. -
A Regional Study
POPULATION STRUCTURE AND INTERREGIONAL INTERACTION IN PRE- HISPANIC MESOAMERICA: A BIODISTANCE STUDY DISSERTATION Presented in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Philosophy in the Graduate School of the Ohio State University By B. Scott Aubry, B.A., M.A. ***** The Ohio State University 2009 Dissertation Committee: Approved by Professor Clark Spencer Larsen, Adviser Professor Paul Sciulli _________________________________ Adviser Professor Sam Stout Graduate Program in Anthropology Professor Robert DePhilip Copyright Bryan Scott Aubry 2009 ABSTRACT This study addresses long standing issues regarding the nature of interregional interaction between central Mexico and the Maya area through the analysis of dental variation. In total 25 sites were included in this study, from Teotihuacan and Tula, to Tikal and Chichen Itza. Many other sites were included in this study to obtain a more comprehensive picture of the biological relationships between these regions and to better estimate genetic heterozygosity for each sub-region. The scope of the present study results in a more comprehensive understanding of population interaction both within and between the sub-regions of Mesoamerica, and it allows for the assessment of differential interaction between sites on a regional scale. Both metric and non-metric data were recorded. Non-metric traits were scored according to the ASU system, and dental metrics include the mesiodistal and buccolingual dimensions at the CEJ following a modification of Hillson et al. (2005). Biodistance estimates were calculated for non-metric traits using Mean Measure of Divergence. R-matrix analysis, which provides an estimate of average genetic heterozygosity, was applied to the metric data. R-matrix analysis was performed for each of the sub-regions separately in order to detect specific sites that deviate from expected levels of genetic heterozygosity in each area. -
Structure of Mediterranean 'Cnidarian Populations In
Homage to Ramon Marga/et,· or, Why there is such p/easure in studying nature 243 (J. D. Ros & N. Prat, eds.). 1991 . Oec% gia aquatica, 10: 243-254 STRUCTURE OF 'CNIDARIAN POPULATIONS IN MEDITERRANEAN SUBLITTORAL BENTHIC COMMUNITIES AS A RESUL T OF ADAPTATION TO DIFFERENT ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS 2 JOSEP-MARIA GILIl & ENRIe BALLESTEROs .• 1 Insti t de Ciencies del Mar (CSIC). Passeig Nacional, s/n. 08039 Barcelona. Spain 2 � Centre d'Estudis Avanc;:atsde Blanes (CSIC). Camí de Santa Barbara, s/n. 17300 Blanes. Spain Received: March 1990 SUMMARY The presence and abundance of Cnidarians, extremely cornmon in Mediterranean sublittoral benthic communities, exerts a profound effect on the entire structure of such communities, although the roles of Anthozoans and Hydrozoans differ in accordance with their different biological characteristics. Structural differences in benthic cnidarian populations were observed in three sublittoral cornmunities located within 100 m of each other yet differing considerably in light intensity and water movement. Species-area and Shannon's diversity-area curves were computed for each community from reticulate samples constituted by 18 subsamples 2 of 289 cm . Species-area curves were fitted to semilogarithmic functions, while diversity-area curves were fitted to Michaelis-Menten functions by the method of least squares. Species richness, species distribution, alpha-diversity, and pattem diversity were estimated from the fitted curves. Patch size for Anthozoans was smaller than that for Hydrozoans in all three communities. Diversity was greatest in the cornmunities with the lowest and with the highest light intensity and water flow levels, but species richness was highest in the intermediate community. -
Vietnamese Delegation Led by Deputy Prime Minister Concludes Visit
Established 1914 Volume XIX, Number 53 12th Waxing of Nayon 1373 ME Monday, 13 June, 2011 Four political objectives Four economic objectives Four social objectives * Stability of the State, community peace and tran- * Building of modern industrialized nation through the agricultural devel- * Uplift of the morale and morality of the entire nation quillity, prevalence of law and order opment, and all-round development of other sectors of the economy * Uplift of national prestige and integrity and preservation * Strengthening of national solidarity * Proper evolution of the market-oriented economic system and safeguarding of cultural heritage and national char- * Building and strengthening of discipline-flourish- * Development of the economy inviting participation in terms of technical acter ing democracy system know-how and investment from sources inside the country and abroad * Flourishing of Union Spirit, the true patriotism * Building of a new modern developed nation in * The initiative to shape the national economy must be kept in the hands of * Uplift of health, fitness and education standards of the accord with the Constitution the State and the national peoples entire nation Vietnamese delegation led by Deputy Prime Minister concludes visit YANGON, 12 June—Visiting Vietnamese del- egation led by Special Envoy of the Prime Minister of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, Deputy Prime Min- ister Mr Hoang Trung Hai, attended the opening of Viglacera showroom and resident rep office on Gyobyu Street, near Aungsan Stadium, in Mingala Taungnyunt Township, here this morning. The deputy prime minister spoke on the occa- sion and formally opened the showroom and the resi- dent rep office together with Union Commerce Minis- ter U Win Myint, Yangon Region Chief Minister U Myint Swe. -
Viewed for Over 30 Years As for Ecologists
Reports Ecology, 89(12), 2008, pp. 3261–3267 Ó 2008 by the Ecological Society of America AN EXPERIMENTAL DISTURBANCE ALTERS FISH SIZE STRUCTURE BUT NOT FOOD CHAIN LENGTH IN STREAMS 1 ANNIKA W. WALTERS AND DAVID M. POST Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Yale University, P.O. Box 208106, New Haven, Connecticut 06520-8106 USA Abstract. Streams experience frequent natural disturbance and are undergoing consid- erable anthropogenic disturbance due to dam construction and water diversion. Disturbance is known to impact community structure, but its effect on food chain length is still a matter of considerable debate. Theoretical models show that longer food chains are less resilient to disturbance, so food chain length is predicted to be shorter following a disturbance event. Here we experimentally test the effect of disturbance on food chain length in streams by diverting stream flow. We found that our experimental low-flow disturbance did not alter food chain length. We did see an effect on body-size structure in our food webs suggesting that food chain length may be an insensitive indicator of disturbance. We suggest that habitat heterogeneity and food web complexity buffer the effect of disturbance on food chain length. The theoretical predictions of disturbance on food chain length are only likely to be seen in homogeneous systems that closely approximate the linear food chains the models are based upon. Key words: disturbance; food chain length; food web; stream community; water diversion. INTRODUCTION longer than floods, increase in intensity with time, and Disturbance is a key force structuring ecological can isolate sections of the stream (Boulton et al. -
Biomolecule and Bioentity Interaction Databases in Systems Biology: a Comprehensive Review
biomolecules Review Biomolecule and Bioentity Interaction Databases in Systems Biology: A Comprehensive Review Fotis A. Baltoumas 1,* , Sofia Zafeiropoulou 1, Evangelos Karatzas 1 , Mikaela Koutrouli 1,2, Foteini Thanati 1, Kleanthi Voutsadaki 1 , Maria Gkonta 1, Joana Hotova 1, Ioannis Kasionis 1, Pantelis Hatzis 1,3 and Georgios A. Pavlopoulos 1,3,* 1 Institute for Fundamental Biomedical Research, Biomedical Sciences Research Center “Alexander Fleming”, 16672 Vari, Greece; zafeiropoulou@fleming.gr (S.Z.); karatzas@fleming.gr (E.K.); [email protected] (M.K.); [email protected] (F.T.); voutsadaki@fleming.gr (K.V.); [email protected] (M.G.); hotova@fleming.gr (J.H.); [email protected] (I.K.); hatzis@fleming.gr (P.H.) 2 Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Protein Research, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark 3 Center for New Biotechnologies and Precision Medicine, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece * Correspondence: baltoumas@fleming.gr (F.A.B.); pavlopoulos@fleming.gr (G.A.P.); Tel.: +30-210-965-6310 (G.A.P.) Abstract: Technological advances in high-throughput techniques have resulted in tremendous growth Citation: Baltoumas, F.A.; of complex biological datasets providing evidence regarding various biomolecular interactions. Zafeiropoulou, S.; Karatzas, E.; To cope with this data flood, computational approaches, web services, and databases have been Koutrouli, M.; Thanati, F.; Voutsadaki, implemented to deal with issues such as data integration, visualization, exploration, organization, K.; Gkonta, M.; Hotova, J.; Kasionis, scalability, and complexity. Nevertheless, as the number of such sets increases, it is becoming more I.; Hatzis, P.; et al. Biomolecule and and more difficult for an end user to know what the scope and focus of each repository is and how Bioentity Interaction Databases in redundant the information between them is. -
Classification Systems Change As Scientists Learn More
KEY CONCEPT Classification systems change as scientists learn more. BEFORE, you learned NOW, you will learn • Scientists give each species • About the connection between a unique scientific name new discoveries and taxonomy • There are seven levels of • About three domains classification • About six kingdoms •Dichotomous keys help us identify organisms VOCABULARY THINK ABOUT domain p. 221 How do scientists Plantae p. 223 define kingdoms? Animalia p. 223 Protista p. 223 Look at this photograph of a Fungi p. 223 sea urchin. It lives its life buried Archaea p. 223 Bacteria p. 223 in or slowly moving across the ocean floor. The sea urchin’s mouth is located on its under- side. It feeds on food particles that settle on or are buried in the ocean floor. The sea urchin doesn’t appear to have much in common with a tiger, an alligator, even a human. Yet all of these organisms belong in the same kingdom, called Animalia. Why do you think scientists would group these organisms together? Taxonomy changes as scientists make discoveries. The list of species continues to grow as scientists discover new species. In addition, taxonomists are learning more about the evolutionary history of species. As you read in Section 7.1, new knowledge resulted in the reclassification of species such as the giant panda. Both the names of species and the groups into which they are arranged may change as a result of discoveries about the evolution of these species. Early scientists described two large groups of organisms—plants and animals. Plants were described as green and nonmoving.