Convergence zones of coastal waters as hotspots for floating microplastic accumulation.

This study examines microplastic (MP, 1-5 mm) densities in convergence zones in a coastal sea, the Seto Inland Sea, comparing them to those of non-convergence zones and other areas. Notably, Seto convergence zones exhibit MP densities 40 to 300 times higher than non-convergence zones, with an extraordinary density of 3.7 ± 6.

Using stable isotope (δC, δN) values from feces and breath to infer shorebird diets.

The use of stable isotopes of carbon (δC) and nitrogen (δN) from feces and breath offers potential as non-destructive tools to assess diets and nutrition. How stable isotope values derived from breath and feces compare with those from commonly used tissues, such as blood fractions and liver, remains uncertain, including understanding the metabolic routing of dietary nutrients. Here, we measured δC and δN from feces and δC of breath from captive Red-necked Stints (Calidris ruficollis) and 26 species of wild-caught migratory shorebirds (n = 259 individuals) and compared them against isotopic values from blood and feathers.

EXTREMELY HIGH GROWTH RATE OF THE SMALL DIATOM CHAETOCEROS SALSUGINEUM ISOLATED FROM AN ESTUARY IN THE EASTERN SETO INLAND SEA, JAPAN(1).

Small single-celled Chaetoceros sp. are often widely distributed, but frequently overlooked. An estuarine diatom with an extremely high growth potential under optimal conditions was isolated from the Shinkawa-Kasugagawa estuary in the eastern part of the Seto Inland Sea, western Japan.

Variable and complex food web structures revealed by exploring missing trophic links between birds and biofilm.

Food webs are comprised of a network of trophic interactions and are essential to elucidating ecosystem processes and functions. However, the presence of unknown, but critical networks hampers understanding of complex and dynamic food webs in nature. Here, we empirically demonstrate a missing link, both critical and variable, by revealing that direct predator-prey relationships between shorebirds and biofilm are widespread and mediated by multiple ecological and evolutionary determinants.

Chemical composition of Coscinodiscus wailesii and the implication for nutrient ratios in a coastal water, Seto Inland Sea, Japan.

Chemical compositions of Coscinodiscus wailesii were determined for four samples of natural cells. Results revealed that the cellular Si:N ratio of C. wailesii cell was 2.