Recreational angling and spearfishing on social media: insights on harvesting patterns, social engagement and sentiments related to the distributional range shift of a marine invasive species
The authors compared ecological and social dimensions of recreational angling and spearfishing targeting the invasive bluefish (Pomatomus saltatrix) in Italy using digital videos and their associated data. The study showcases the value of exploring social media to understand the ecological and human dimensions of marine recreational fisheries in relation to distributional range shifts of species.
Microbial Ecology
Host-Associated Bacterial Communities Vary Between Daphnia galeata Genotypes but Not by Host Genetic Distance
The authors studied the role of host genetics in host-associated microbiome community structure. Gut and body microbiome composition still varied between Daphnia host genotypes, even though these Daphnia were kept under identical lab conditions for five years. This highlights the importance of host genetic component in microbiome structure.
Limnology and Oceanography
Flexible habitat choice of pelagic bacteria increases system stability and energy flow through the microbial loop
The theoretical study evaluated the microbial dynamics of particle-associated vs free-living bacteria. Bacterial generalists have the ability to utilize both habitats and increase stability and energy transport through the 'microbial loop'. Adaptive response strategies of bacteria are important to assess the consequences of increasing particle loads, e.g., sediment and microplastics.
Antiparasitic potential of agrochemical fungicides on a non-target aquatic model (Daphnia× Metschnikowia host-parasite system)
The authors investigated antiparasitic potential of 3 agrochemical fungicides on a non-target aquatic model (Daphnia × parasitic yeast system). The results suggest that azole fungicides may disrupt host-parasite interactions in natural systems. There might be broader consequences of this parasite-clearance effect, especially in face of increasing evidence that parasites are ecologically important.
Stoichiometric mismatch causes a warming-induced regime shift in experimental plankton communities
The authors studied effects of warming on spring plankton dynamics in outdoor mesocosms. Experimental warming speeded up phytoplankton growth dramatically, triggering a massive bloom of phosphorus deficient algae that drove its zooplankton grazers to extinction. It shows that warming can aggravate the food quality mismatch at the plant–herbivore interface and limit energy transfer up the food web.
Societal extinction of species
When the last individual dies, species not only disappear from our planet. They also disappear from our collective memory, from our cultures and discourses. Researchers have now studied the process.
Geochemical focusing and burial of sedimentary iron, manganese, and phosphorus during lake eutrophication
From the distribution of manganese, iron and phosphorus within sediment cores from 11 water depths of Lake Arendsee, changes in the trophic state and oxygen conditions could be reconstructed. The redox-controlled geochemical focussing induced authigenic vivianite formation under oligo-mesotrophic conditions about 100 years ago, resulting locally in strongly increased burial phosphorus deposition.
Spatial variability of radon production rates in an alluvial aquifer affects travel time estimates of groundwater originating from a losing stream
Radon in surface water is mostly used to localise and quantify groundwater discharge. The study presents the opposite approach and use radon to estimate travel times of infiltrated surface water in the aquifer. The spatial heterogeneity of radon production rates complicates this approach, but the problems can be overcome by additionally considering temperature and hydraulic heads.
Antecedent lake conditions shape resistance and resilience of a shallow lake ecosystem following extreme wind storms
The goal was to develop a systematic, standardized and quantitative methodology for the synthesis of resistance and resilience relative to short-term lake and extreme storm conditions. Resistance and resilience following extreme storms are primarily shaped by antecedent turbidity and thermal conditions. Increased storm intensity and duration diminish resistance and resilience of the lake.
Evolutionary impact of size-selective harvesting on shoaling behavior: individual-level mechanisms and possible consequences for natural and fishing mortality
The authors present a multigeneration harvest selection experiment with zebrafish as a model to understand the effects of size-selective harvesting on shoaling behavior. Using high-resolution tracking of fish behavior with computational agent-based modeling, they show that shoal cohesion changed in the direction expected by a trade-off between individual vigilance and the use of social cues.