Zhicai Xie

Bioaccumulation of microcystins in two freshwater gastropods from a cyanobacteria-bloom plateau lake, Lake Dianchi

To investigate the bioaccumulation patterns of microcystins (MCs) in organs of two gastropods, samples were collected in Lake Dianchi monthly from May to October, 2008, when cyanobacteria typically bloom. The average MCs concentrations for Radix swinhoei (pulmonate) and Margarya melanioides (prosobranch) tended to be similar for the different organs: the highest values in the hepatopancreas (9.33 by 3.74 μg/g DW), followed by digestive tracts (1.66 by 3.03 μg/g DW), gonads (0.45 by 1.34 μg/g DW) and muscles (0.22 by 0.40 μg/g DW). Pulmonate had higher value than prosobranch because of the stronger bioaccumulation ability in hepatopancreas. The levels in organs of R. swinhoei were correlated with environmentally dissolved MCs, but influenced by intracellular MCs for M. melanioides. The estimated MCs concentrations in edible parts of M. melanioides were beyond the WHOs provisional tolerable daily intake (0.04 μg/kg), suggesting the risk of consumption of M. melanioides from the lake.

Distribution of epilithic algae in the Xiangxi River system and their relationships with environmental factors

ABSTRACT The spatial pattern of epilithic algae in the Xiangxi River system was studied in relation to several environmental factors by two-way indictor species analysis (TWINSPAN), detrended correspondence analysis (DCA), and canonical correspondence analysis (CCA). Eighty-nine taxa including diatoms, green algae, and blue-green algae were observed. Diatoms were dominant, and Cocconeis placentula, Cymbella minuta, Diatoma vulgare, and Gomphonema angustatum appeared in most of sampling sites. By TWINSPAN and DCA, thirty-one sites were divided into three groups based on composition and relative richness of benthic algae. CCA indicated that SiO2, pH, total phosphorus, Ca2+, velocity, elevation, and Cl− were significant environmental factors affecting the distribution of algae communities. In this minimal subset, SiO2 and pH were the most influential variables.

Benthic algae of the Xiangxi River, China

ABSTRACT From June 2000 to June 2002, four sites on the mainstem of the Xiangxi River and one site on each of its major tributaries were sampled 16 times each for benthic algae. All total, 223 taxa (most to species and variety levels) were found (193 Bacillariophyta, 20 Chlorophyta, nine Cyanophyta and one Xanthophyta). The diatoms Cocconeis placentula, Achnanthes linearis, and Diatoma vulgare dominated the system, with relative abundance of 33.3%, 18.8%, and 6.4%, respectively. The abundances of all the other taxa were under 5%, and 210 taxa collectively contributed less than 1% of the total abundance. Taxa diversity peaked in winter and reached a minimum in summer. Species richness varied considerably but was not significantly different over time. Maximum algal density occurred in later winterlspring (1.4x109 ind./m2) but was not significantly different from the minimum density, which occurred in August. Chlorophyll a showed similar seasonal fluctuation but also was not significantly different over time. Canonical correspondence analysis demonstrated that water hardness, depth, conductivity, and alkalinity had important influences on variation of epilithic algae in the Xiangxi River system.

Distribution of the Macroinvertebrate Communities in the Xiangxi River System and Relationships with Environmental Factors

ABSTRACT Surveys of macroinvertebrates were carried out in the Xiangxi River system during July of 2001. Among the 121 taxa collected, Ephemeroptera, Trichoptera, and Diptera dominated (41.7, 26.0, and 24.5% of the total relative abundance, respectively). Two-way indictor species analysis and detrended correspondence analysis divided the 49 sites into four groups based on species composition and relative abundance. Canonical correspondence analysis indicated that elevation, SiO2, pH, conductivity, hardness, and NO2-N were significant environmental factors affecting the distribution of macroinvertebrates.

Dianchi Lake macroinvertebrate community succession trends and retrogressive analysis

Historical records and data from yield surveys conducted in 2009 and 2010 were used to investigate macroinvertebrate community succession trends in Dianchi Lake. Species richness has declined from 57 in the 1980s to 32 in 2010, representing a species loss of 44%. Among the major benthic groups, the highest rate of loss was recorded for mollusks (75%) and aquatic insects (39%). Surveys in 2009 and 2010 across the lake revealed that the total density was 1776 ind/m2, comprising oligochaetes (1706 ind/m2) and chironomids (68 ind/m2). Over a nearly twenty-year span (1992-2010), the density and biomass of oligochaetes first increased sharply (1992-2002) and then declined gradually (2002-2010). Further, chironomids have decreased gradually while the proportion of abundant species has increased. Limnodrilus hoffmeisteri became the sole dominant species with an average relative abundance of 74.1%. Cosmopolitan species, such as Einfeldia sp., disappeared across the lake; instead, tolerant species such as Chironomus plumosus, Ch. attenuatus and Tanypus chinensis became the common. Mollusk community structure has become simpler and many native species have gone extinct. Species of concern include Margarya melanioides, M. mondi, M. mansugi and Cipangopaludina dianchiensis, all rated as critically endangered by the IUCN. We found that the Shannon-Wiener index declined in Dianchi Lake, particularly in Caohai Lake, from 2.70 in the 1950s to 0.30 in 2009 and 2010. Species richness and biodiversity was significantly negative correlated with total phosphorus and total nitrogen. Factors responsible for the benthic community retrogression described here include habitat destruction, lowering of water quality, outbreaks of blue-green algae, extinction of submerged plants and lack of germplasm resources.

Changes in the Benthic Macroinvertebrates in Xiangxi Bay Following Dam Closure to Form the Three Gorges Reservoir

ABSTRACT Benthic macroinvertebrates were assessed monthly in Xiangxi Bay of the Three Gorges Reservoir for two years after the initial closure of the dam. Mean total density of macroinvertebrates varied from 275 ind./m2 during the first year to 5,094 ind./m2 during the second year, and the community of 50 taxa was overwhelmingly dominated by oligochaetes and chironomids (44 and 48% of the total taxa, respectively). As sediment accumulated in the substrate of the bay, the species composition changed dramatically, with oligochaetes comprising 91.3–99.3% of the total abundance during the second year. The dominant oligochaetes were Limnodrilus hoffmeisteri and Nais inflate. The chironomids Procladius sp., and Polypedilum scalaenum group sp. were similarly abundant in both years.

Comparative study on macroinvertebrate communities along a reservoir cascade in Xiangxi River Basin

Abstract Three cascade reservoirs (Gudongkou Reservoir 1 (GR1), Gudongkou Reservoir 2 (GR2), and Xiangxi Bay of Three-Gorge Reservoir in Xiangxi River Basin, China were selected to investigate macroinvertebrate ecology in a cascade reservoir system. Principal Components Analysis (PCA) implied that water quality was degrading along the reservoir cascade. Non-metric Multidimensional Scaling (NMS) showed that sampling stations located in the lacustrine zone of a reservoir are representatives in comparing macroinvertebrate assemblages along the reservoir cascade. Oligochaetes were numerically dominant in both GR1 and Xiangxi Bay, and chironomids were dominant in GR2. A similar pattern was also exhibited in taxon composition. Benthic assemblages of the 3 reservoirs were all dominated by pollution-tolerant taxa in spite of their differences in water quality. Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA) disclosed that turbidity influenced the benthic assemblages significantly. Total organic carbon (TOC)/Turbidity was applied to determine the influence of organic matter on turbidity. The ratio in GR2 was the lowest among the 3 reservoirs, which implicated that the influence of organic matter on turbidity was smaller in GR2 than in the other 2 reservoirs, suggesting that inorganic matter contributed substantially to the turbidity of GR2.

Seasonal Patterns of Sedimentation and Their Associations with Benthic Communities in Xiangxi Bay of the Three Gorges Reservoir, China

ABSTRACT Sedimentation variables and benthic community data were collected at seven stations during four seasons in Xiangxi Bay of the Three Gorges Reservoir, China. Summer, the season of highest discharge into the reservoir, was characterized by the extreme sediment loading. The benthic macroinvertebrate community was dominated by oligochaetes across all seasons at most stations. In winter/spring, macroinvertebrate density and richness increased. Correspondence analysis showed that community structure differed among stations at the two ends of the bay in winter and among almost all stations in spring. However, no variable associated with sedimentation appeared to be associated with differences in the community.

Effect of plant architecture on the structure of epiphytic macro invertebrate communities in a Chinese lake

ABSTRACT We examined the effect of different plant architecture types on epiphytic macroinvertebrates of a shallow macrophyte-dominated lake in China. Macroinvertebrates were sampled from four dominant submersed macrophytes in the lake—two dissected plants (Myriophyllum spicatum L. and Ceratophyllum demersum L.) and two undissected plants (Potamogeton maackianus A. Benn. and Vallisneria spiralis L.). Macroinvertebrate richness showed significant differences among four submersed macrophyte habitats, and higher density per g of dry plant were associated with dissected plants than undissected plants. The average abundance in dissected plants was as three-six times as in undissected plants. The biodiversity of epiphytic macroinvertebrates was higher in dissected plants than undissected plants. Our results suggest that dissected plants provide different habitat for macroinvertebrates than dissected plant, and this concurs with the hypothesis that the former could support more epiphytic macroinvertebrates than the latter.

Mesenchytraeus megachaetus, a new enchytraeid with enlarged ventral chaetae (Annelida, Clitellata) from Changbaishan Mountain, China

Abstract Mesenchytraeus megachaetus, new species, is described from northeast China. It is characterized by possessing enlarged ventral chaetae in segments V–VI (3–4 per bundle); nephridia with solid unlobed postseptale, relatively developed interstitial tissue and near-septal origin of the efferent duct; nephridia occurring in 5 pairs in preclitellar region; seminal vesicle absent, replaced by 5–8 naked “spermatozeugmata” in dorsal region of XI; spermathecae without diverticula and attached entally to esophagus in segment VI; atria tubular (indistinct from vasa deferentia) and without prostate glands; egg sac much developed (extending to XVII–XVIII).