| 1. |
- Ejdung, Gunilla, et al.
(author)
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Predation by crustaceans on native and non-native Baltic clams
- 2009
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In: Aquatic biology. - : Inter-Research Science Center. - 1864-7790 .- 1864-7782. ; 6, s. 15-24
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- We studied the effect of crustacean predators on native/non-native Macoma balthica bivalves in aquarium experiments. North Sea M balthica (NS Macoma) were recently observed in the southern Baltic Sea. They differ genetically and in terms of morphology, behaviour and evolutionary history from Baltic Sea M balthica (BS Macoma), and this may affect predation pressure and community structure. We hypothesised that predators consume more of the prey they co-exist with. NS Macoma and BS Macoma were exposed to crustacean predators common in the North Sea (Carcinus maenas and Crangon crangon) and in the Baltic Sea (C. crangon and Saduria entomon). Contrary to our hypotheses, the North Sea predators ate more BS Macoma, and S. entomon ate more NS Macoma. The crush-limited C. maenas preyed more on globular BS Macoma, whereas S. entomon, which do not crush but pry open the bivalve shell, ate more NS Macoma, which have a lighter (thus probably thinner) shell than BS Macoma. When NS and BS Macoma were offered together, BS Crangon ate more NS Macoma. We also studied BS Crangon consumption of M. balthica to assess whether sizes offered fall within the size spectrum that C. crangon can eat. Small (20 to 40 mm long), medium (40 to 50 mm) and large (50 to 60 mm) C. crangon especially ate small M. balthica. Differences in shape, size and meat/shell weight ratio between the BS and NS Macoma partly explained the differences in the susceptibility to predation by native and non-native predators.
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| 2. |
- Lindroos, Robert, 1980-, et al.
(author)
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Perceptual odor qualities predict successful odor identification in old age
- 2022
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In: Chemical Senses. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 0379-864X .- 1464-3553. ; 47
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Odor identification is a common assessment of olfaction, and it is affected in a large number of diseases. Identification abilities decline with age, but little is known about whether there are perceptual odor features that can be used to predict identification. Here, we analyzed data from a large, population-based sample of 2,479 adults, aged 60 years or above, from the Swedish National study on Aging and Care in Kungsholmen. Participants performed both free and cued odor identification tests. In a separate experiment, we assessed perceived pleasantness, familiarity, intensity, and edibility of all odors in the first sample, and examined how odor identification performance is associated with these variables. The analysis showed that high-intensity odors are easier to identify than low-intensity odors overall, but also that they are more susceptible to the negative repercussions of old age. This result indicates that sensory decline is a major aspect of age-dependent odor identification impairment, and suggests a framework where identification likelihood is proportional to the perceived intensity of the odor. Additional analyses further showed that high-performing individuals can discriminate target odors from distractors along the pleasantness and edibility dimensions and that unpleasant and inedible odors show smaller age-related differences in identification. Altogether, these results may guide further development and optimization of brief and efficient odor identification tests as well as influence the design of odorous products targeted toward older consumers.
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| 3. |
- Pilotto, Francesca, et al.
(author)
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Meta-analysis of multidecadal biodiversity trends in Europe
- 2020
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In: Nature Communications. - : Springer Nature. - 2041-1723. ; 11:1
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Local biodiversity trends over time are likely to be decoupled from global trends, as local processes may compensate or counteract global change. We analyze 161 long-term biological time series (15-91 years) collected across Europe, using a comprehensive dataset comprising ~6,200 marine, freshwater and terrestrial taxa. We test whether (i) local long-term biodiversity trends are consistent among biogeoregions, realms and taxonomic groups, and (ii) changes in biodiversity correlate with regional climate and local conditions. Our results reveal that local trends of abundance, richness and diversity differ among biogeoregions, realms and taxonomic groups, demonstrating that biodiversity changes at local scale are often complex and cannot be easily generalized. However, we find increases in richness and abundance with increasing temperature and naturalness as well as a clear spatial pattern in changes in community composition (i.e. temporal taxonomic turnover) in most biogeoregions of Northern and Eastern Europe. The global biodiversity decline might conceal complex local and group-specific trends. Here the authors report a quantitative synthesis of longterm biodiversity trends across Europe, showing how, despite overall increase in biodiversity metric and stability in abundance, trends differ between regions, ecosystem types, and taxa.
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| 4. |
- Sokolowski, Adam, et al.
(author)
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Abnormal features of M. balthica (Bivalvia) in the Baltic Sea : alerting symptom of environmental changes?
- 2004
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In: Marine Pollution Bulletin. - : Elsevier. - 0025-326X .- 1879-3363. ; 49:1-2, s. 17-22
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Recent studies of the Baltic clam Macoma balthica (L.) from the southern Baltic (the Gulf of Gdansk) have revealed striking morphological, histological and cytogenetic features. Strong deformation of the shell, including elongation of the posterior end and the appearance of an easily visible flexure in this part, has been recorded. The population contribution of the deformed blunt shelled (“irregular”) clams ranged from 0% to 65% and tended to increase with depth. The morphologically “irregular” clams had higher accumulated tissue concentrations of trace metals (As, Ag, Cd, Pb, Cu and Zn), indicating a different metal handling ability. Adverse conditions in deeper water regions of the Gulf (e.g. hypoxia, hydrogen sulphide, elevated bioavailability of contaminants) have been suggested as inducers of the phenotypical changes (morphological deformation) in part of the population and, in parallel, of the specific physiological adaptations that result in higher metal accumulation in the “irregular” clams. Cytogenetic and histological analyses showed the presence of tumours in gill cells and digestive system of the affected clams, the prevalence of disseminated neoplasia ranging from 0% to 94% depending on the site. The disease was manifested by a modified karyotype (i.e. an abnormal number and morphology of chromosomes), a higher activity of nucleolar organizer regions (AgNORs), and tissue lesions (enlarged cells, actively proliferative with pleomorphic nuclei). Bottom sediments showed acute toxicity and have been proposed as a source of an initialising carcinogenic factor. However, none of the ecotoxicological studies provided was successful in the clear demonstration of a single (or multifactorial) agent that can account for the disseminated neoplasia.
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