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Functional diversity has emerged as a key component of biodiversity in recent two decades, which has been extensively used to assess the health of aquatic ecosystems and predict the responses of fish communities to disturbances. However, sampling intensity may affect the estimation of functional diversity indices and thus lower the validity of functional diversity indices in monitoring long-term changes in ecosystem status. In this study, we used a simulation study to investigate the effect of sampling intensity on the estimation of functional diversity indices of fish communities in the Haizhou Bay, China, based on thirteen fish functional traits that reflect the characteristics of feeding, habitat use, swimming behavior, ecological adaptation, reproduction and life history. In general, sampling intensity influenced the estimation of functional diversity indices, and the accuracy and precision of the estimation of functional diversity indices increased with the sampling intensity. Functional richness and functional divergence indices were less sensitive to sampling intensity than functional evenness indices. The effects of sampling intensity on the estimation of functional diversity indices also showed an obvious seasonal variability, reflecting seasonal differences in trait distribution of composite fish species. This study indicates that it is essential to evaluate and identify the seasonal sampling intensity required in monitoring programs, especially for long-term monitoring program of fisheries ecosystems.

Objective Genetic counseling and prenatal diagnosis are very necessary and accurate to detect hereditary hearing loss, especially in high-risk families. Prenatal diagnosis is testing for diseases or conditions in fetuses before born, which gives parents the chance to prepare psychologically, financially and medically for the probable health and educational needs of the affected neonates. Methods 54 unrelated families with children affected with non-syndromic sensorineural hearing loss were enrolled in the study and received genetic analysis with microarray and DNA sequencing technologies. Genetic counseling was provided to each participating families, and prenatal diagnosis was given to those at risk and would like to know their fetuses’ genotypes and probable hearing statuses. Results Half the cases in the present study were diagnosed with confirmed pathogenic mutations and clear inheritance patterns. After receiving genetic counseling, 24 carrier couples with pathogenic mutations chose to proceed prenatal diagnosis, the results of which were in accordance with the pregnancy outcomes. Infants prenatally detected to be monoallelic mutation carriers and those harbored neither deafness-causing mutations form their parents passed newborn hearing screening and six-month follow-ups, while neonates prenatally detected to be carriers of diallelic or compound heterozygous mutations developed hearing loss after birth. Conclusions With appropriate genetic counseling and support services provided, the genetic testing and the prenatal diagnosis of hearing loss were valued by carrier couples for the information provided for future family planning and probably the preparation for the health and educational needs of the affected neonates.