Lobster burrows in Swedish waters

Summary 1. The typical habitat of the European lobster(Homarus vulgaris) is rocky or soft bottom with crevices, boulders and stones.2. At the Swedish west coast it favours a bottom with stones and boulders on sand or shellsand, where it can dig burrows in the soft bottom material under the stones or boulders.3. Such burrows have one, or more than one, opening; in the latter case usually two. A relationship between the size of a lobster and its burrow is often, but not always, noted. The lengths of tunnel-formed burrows, for instance, vary with the size of the overlying stones.4. External factors more or less important in the choice of the site of a burrow are, for example, the composition of the bottom material, the occurrence of slightly overhanging edges of stones or rocks, an outwards-downwards sloping bottom, highest possible values of salinity and temperature, and a sparse algal vegetation or no vegetation at all. Lobsters tend to be absent from polluted areas where the sedimentation rate of organic particles and the turbidity of the water are high.5. Besides being shelters, the burrows also serve as look-outs.6. Burrows may be dug in soft-bottom material in rocky crevices or in flat mud bottoms.7. The burrowing behaviour is characterized by three main patterns: (a) loosening of the bottom material with the walking legs and sometimes with the big claws, (b) shuffling off of piles of soft bottom material in a basket formed by the 3rd pair of maxillipeds and one or two pairs of walking legs, and (c) fanning backwards with the pleopods.8. Small lobsters behave like adults.9. The burrowing behaviour is very similar to that of the American lobster and resembles that ofNephrops norvegicus.

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Hummerhöhlen in schwedischen Gewässern

Kurzfassung Der europäische Hummer(Homarus vulgaris) wird vorzugsweise auf felsigen Böden mit Löchern und Spalten und felsigen oder sandigen Böden mit Steinblöcken und kleineren Steinen angetroffen. Vereinzelte Individuen sieht man auch auf ebenen Weichböden. Besonders tagsüber weilen die Tiere gern in Löchern bzw. Höhlen, welche die Hummer unter Steinen, Blöcken oder an Felswänden selbst ausgegraben haben. Viele Faktoren wirken bei der Wahl des Standortes zusammen, an dem eine solche Höhle ausgegraben werden soll. Unter Steinen und Felsen — vorzugsweise mit überhängenden Kanten — muß geeignetes Bodenmaterial vorhanden sein. Günstige hydrographische Verhältnisse sind eine weitere Voraussetzung. Fernerhin muß der Boden außerhalb der Höhle etwas schräggelagert sein; die Algenvegetation darf nicht zu dicht sein, damit die Sicht nicht eingeschränkt wird. Eine von einem anderen Hummer oder von einem Taschenkrebs verlassene Höhle nimmt der Hummer gerne in Besitz und verbessert sie, falls es notwendig ist. Verschmutzte Gewässer mit erheblicher Sedimentation und starker Trübung werden nicht besiedelt. Die meisten der gegrabenen Hummerhöhlen haben eine Öffnung. Einige sind in der Art eines Tunnels gebaut, mit zwei — selten drei — Öffnungen. Eine gewisse Relation zwischen der Größe einer Höhle und der des einwohnenden Hummers ist vorhanden. Oft aber bestimmt das Aussehen der unmittelbaren Umgebung die Größe der Höhle: so ist die Dimension eines oben liegenden Steines entscheidend für die Länge eines Tunnels. Auch in Lehmböden findet man ausnahmsweise gegrabene Höhlen. Die Art und Weise, in der der Hummer seine Höhle gräbt, wird kurz beschrieben. Die Arbeitsweise ist im Grunde stereotyp, sie wird aber zum Teil den speziellen Verhältnissen der Umgebung angepaßt. Kleine Hummer agieren in der gleichen Weise wie die adulten. Die Wahl des Aufenthaltsplatzes und das Ausgraben der Löcher ist dem Verhalten sehr ähnlich, das vonHomarus americanus beschrieben worden ist. Die Art und Weise des Grabens erinnert auch an die vonNephrops norvegicus.

     

Rufduett des Bienenfressers(Merops apiaster)

Zusammenfassung Ein Rufduett des Europäischen Bienenfressers wird nur während des Höhlenbaues (etwa 14 Tage) vorgetragen. Ein Vogel befindet sich dabei in der Höhle, sein Partner sitzt davor. Beide beteiligen sich am Bau der Höhle; entsprechend wechselt die Rollenverteilung im Duett. Zwischen den Duettsängern besteht keine Blickverbindung (ausgenommen zu Beginn des Höhlenbaues). Duett-typische Ausdrucksbewegungen treten nicht auf. Der Vogel in der Höhle beeinflußt die Rufgeschwindigkeit und Lautwahl des Partners. Das Duett des Bienenfressers leitet sich sehr wahrscheinlich von Bettellauten und Nestflugrufen ab. Es könnte gleichzeitig zur Stimulation und Synchronisation der Grabetätigkeit und zur Festigung des Paarzusammenhalts beitragen.

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A duet of the European Bee-eater(Merops apiaster)

Summary Characteristics of the duet described are: It is only performed during digging (about 14 days). One bird stays in the hole, its mate sits near by the entrance.Both birds take part in digging, thus the duet-casts change and are not sex-specific. There is no visual contact (except at onset of digging). Due-typical displays do not occur. The bird in the hole influences its mate in singing speed and motiv change. The duet is probably developed from juvenile begging calls. Duetting may promote stimulation and synchronization of digging as well as strengthen the pair bond.

     

Reflexions sur l'„adaptation” des organismes dans les grottes

Summary The phenomena of adaptation, observed on cave-dwelling organisms, fitting themselves to the particular conditions of the caves, must not be explained in lamarckistish sense. They are phenomena of general organical reductions. As primary inducements, they compel some species, which have been made helpless in consequence of happening reductions to retire themselves spontaneously in caves. Trogloditism is therefore no cause of the peculiar decay of notorious cave-dwellers, on the contrary, it is the last stage of incessant phenomena, induced by reductions (results). The reductions arise independently from the cave, the cave is only a fitting place of existence, in which the decaying organisms introduced themselves afterwards.

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Zusammenfassung Diejenigen Erscheinungen, die in der Anpassung zu den speziellen Verhältnissen der Höhlen bei den Höhlenorganismen zu beobachten sind, sollen nicht im Sinne lamarckistischer Auffassung erklärt werden. Es sind dies allgemeine organische Reduktionserscheinungen, die als primäre Ursachen einzelne Arten veranlassen, sich mit dem Auftreten der sie hilflos machenden Reduktionserscheinungen willkürlich (aktiv) in die Höhlen zurückzuziehen. Der Trogloditismus ist demnach keine Ursache der speziellen Verkümmerung der allbekannten Höhlenbewohner, sondern eine Endstation der mit den Reduktionen eingeleiteten fortdauernden Erscheinungen (Ergebnis). Die Reduktionen treten von der Höhle unabhängig auf, die Höhle stellt nur den entsprechendsten Lebensraum dar, in welchen sich diese verkümmerten Organismen nachträglich eingefügt haben.

     

Untersuchungen über die Höhlenimmigration von Micropterna nycterobia (Trichoptera,Limnephilidae)

Zusammenfassung Die Imagines von Micropterna spp. übersommern, manchmal in großer Abundanz, in Höhlen. Zur Erklärung der sehr großen quantitativen und qualitativen Unterschiede dieser Besiedlung in verschiedenen Höhlen wurden markierte Exemplare von Micropterna nycterobia in verschiedenen Richtungen und Entfernungen (bis zu 3 km) vom Eingang der Eisensteinhöhle (Niederösterreich) freigelassen. Sie fanden sich im Frühsommer zu nur 1–5% in der Höhle ein, aber ziemlich unabhängig von der Entfernung des Aussetzungsortes und vom individuellen Schlüpftermin. Später im Sommer Freigelassene wanderten nicht mehr in die Höhle ein. Es wird daher vermutet, daß die Migration dieser Tiere nicht gezielt auf Höhlen gerichtet ist und Massenansammlungen in bestimmten Höhlen nur dann zustandekommen, wenn in der Nähe ein besonders reich besiedelter Bach fließt. — Obwohl die Tiere scheinbar in völliger Dunkelheit sitzen, ist nicht auszuschließen, daß ihre Gonadenentwicklung von der Tageslänge abhängt, wie es bei Insekten allgemein üblich ist. Durch Exponieren von lichtempfindlichem Material wurde nachgewiesen, daß sich die Tiere in der Höhle nur dort aufhalten, wohin noch geringe Lichtmengen dringen.

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Summary The adults of Micropterna spp. estivate in caves, but there are considerable differences in abundance and species composition among different caves. Marking-recapture experiments were carried out with M. nycterobia near and in the Eisenstein cave in Lower Austria. Individuals released in early summer in distances up to 3 km from the cave returned and were recaptured there at rates of only 1–5%, but more or less independent of the distance from place of release and of the individual date of emergence. Later in the summer released Micropterna no longer immigrated. It is supposed that the migration of the adults of this species is not exclusively directed to caves, and that high abundance in a given cave depends mainly on mass occurrence of the larval stages in a nearby running stream. By exposure to light-sensitive material it was demonstrated that the caddis flies rest in the cave only in the region of weak illumination. They avoid total darkness. Therefore, we have not excluded that the development of their gonads depends, as is usual in insects, on day length.

     

Zur Struktur und Funktion des Exkretionssystems von Ascaris lumbricoides L.

Zusammenfassung Das Exkretionssystem von Ascaris lumbricoides besteht aus einer einzigen großen etwa H-förmigen Zelle, deren lange Sehenkel in den lateralen Epidermisleisten der Tiere liegen. Die Schenkel sind jeweils von einem intrazellulären Kanal durchzogen, dessen Lumen nach den elektronenmikroskopischen Untersuchungen nach hinten zu schnell abnimmt. Die Kanalwandung ist aus geschichteten Cytoplasmaplatten aufgebaut, die anscheinend aus einer dicht gepackten Vesikelschicht hervorgehen. Auch die äußere Zellmembran besitzt Oberflächendifferenzierungen in Form tiefer Einfaltungen. Die Zellschenkel sind von schwammartigen Hüllzellen zur Leibeshöhle hin umgeben. Eine Basalmembran bildet die Grenze zur Leibeshöhle.Die physiologischen Untersuchungen zeigen, daß das Exkretionssystem für die Osmoregulation ohne Bedeutung ist; dagegen spielt das System für die Ionen-Regulation eine Rolle: Nach Aufenthalt in stark Na⁺-haltigen Medien steigt die Konzentration an Na⁺ im Endharn stark an, die Konzentration an K⁺ sinkt; nach Aufenthalt in stark K⁺-haltigen Medien war es genau umgekehrt. Die Konzentration an K⁺ und Na⁺ in der Leibeshöhlenflüssigkeit blieb erhalten.Die morphologischen Befunde lassen es unwahrscheinlich erscheinen, daß sich der Harn durch Filtration bildet. Gegen eine Filtration spricht auch der Befund, daß in die Leibeshöhle eingebrachtes Inulin im Endharn nicht nachweisbar war. Die Harnbildung erfolgt daher wahrscheinlich durch Sekretion.

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Structure and function of the excretory system of Ascaris lumbricoides L.

Summary The excretory system of Ascaris lumbriocoides L. is formed by one single cell. This cell is H-shaped, with the two long tubules running in each lateral chord on both sides of the animal. The diameter of tubular lumen declines rapidly along tubular length. The cellular wall is formed by layers of cytoplasma plates which seem to originate in a densely packed vesicle layer (Fig. 2). The outer cellmembrane has deep basal infoldings. Between cell and body cavity spongelike cells are located. The body cavity is lined with a basal membrane.The constancy of final urine osmolality during immersion in hypo- or hypertonic solutions demonstrated no important role of the excretory system in osmoregulation, whereas the Na⁺-and K⁺-excretion varied remarkably with the electrolyte composition of the bathing solution (Fig. 9), indicating the importance of the excretory system in ion regulation of body fluid. Inulin-C¹⁴ injected into body cavity was not excreted in the final urine, a result consistent with the finding that no filtration elements were detected by morphological examination. Therefore in this animal urine is formed by secretion.

     

THE ANATOMICAL AND ULTRASTRUCTURAL BASIS OF PRIMARY URINE FORMATION IN BIVALVE MOLLUSCS

This paper examines the anatomical and ultrastructural basisof filtration in bivalves, and proposes a mechanism by whichthe filtrate is derived by a combination of hydrostatic pressureand suction generated by auricular and other muscles, assistedby cilia in the walls of the renopericardial canals. It is proposedthat the primitive auricular site of filtration becomes lessefficient with increasing size and may impair the contractilityof the auricle. The migration of the filter, including bloodsupply and muscles, to a separate pericardial site is indicatedby the discovery in two species, including Scrobicularia plana,with functional pericardial glands, of vestigial glands in theauricle. The development of a filtration site in the pericardialwall, where constraints on size do not exist, made possiblethe increase in the rate of urine formation which must accompanycolonization of estuarine and freshwater habitats. In freshwatergenera such as Anodonta the problem of creating a sufficientpressure gradient for a high rate of filtration is overcomeby the separation of that part of the pericardial cavity drainedby the renopericardial canal (the Nebenhöhle) from thechamber housing the heart. Contraction of predominantly transversemuscles in the wall of the Nebenhöhle is believed to beresponsible for expelling urine from it along the renopericardialcanals to the kidneys. The fine structure of the filtrationsite in ten species of bivalve is described. (Received 1 November 1992; accepted 6 December 1992)     

Genetic Pleiotropy Explains Associations between Musical Auditory Discrimination and Intelligence

Musical aptitude is commonly measured using tasks that involve discrimination of different types of musical auditory stimuli. Performance on such different discrimination tasks correlates positively with each other and with intelligence. However, no study to date has explored these associations using a genetically informative sample to estimate underlying genetic and environmental influences. In the present study, a large sample of Swedish twins (N = 10,500) was used to investigate the genetic architecture of the associations between intelligence and performance on three musical auditory discrimination tasks (rhythm, melody and pitch). Phenotypic correlations between the tasks ranged between 0.23 and 0.42 (Pearson r values). Genetic modelling showed that the covariation between the variables could be explained by shared genetic influences. Neither shared, nor non-shared environment had a significant effect on the associations. Good fit was obtained with a two-factor model where one underlying shared genetic factor explained all the covariation between the musical discrimination tasks and IQ, and a second genetic factor explained variance exclusively shared among the discrimination tasks. The results suggest that positive correlations among musical aptitudes result from both genes with broad effects on cognition, and genes with potentially more specific influences on auditory functions.     

Tata (Hongrie). Un assemblage microlithique du début du Pléistocène supérieur en Europe Centrale

The site of Tata, located in Hungary, has yielded two famous “artistic objects” dated from the isotopic stage 5. However, this site is also famous for its lithic assemblage, most of which is smaller than 30 mm. Other sites in Central Europe have yielded microlithic assemblages, which are not always related to specific raw material conditions. Few human remains provide evidence that Neanderthals were the authors of these assemblages. The settlements are often linked to water springs and the fauna assemblages are composed of one or two great herbivores (deer, horses, rhinoceros and elephants). The analysis of fauna remains suggests that some of these animals could be hunted. The low frequency of rhinoceros and elephants and the partial skeletons do not allow us to know whether these animals have been hunted or scavenged in most cases. But some sites have yielded a higher frequency of these herbivores, which are often young specimens. Are we dealing with programmed specialised settlements in favourable areas for animals, either dead or alive? The herbivore bones are associated with very small flakes, showing the diversity of the human technical behaviours adapted to all kinds of subsistence patterns. The technological analysis of the assemblages, in particular of the cores, provides new patterns about the technological choice for flaking, which seems to belong to a specific tradition. This hypothesis is indirectly confirmed by comparative studies of several microlithic industries from the OIS 11 to 4-3, such as Vèrtesszölös in Hungary, Külna and Predmosti II in the Czeck Republic or the Pontinian complex in Italy. The microlithic assemblages are associated with various environments and could be one of the human responses to organise the stone tool production. It could also be evidence of another technological conception of the tools. The small artefacts could be used alone or hafted separately or grouped, and perhaps even to prepare wooden tools. The discoveries of both bone and wooden tools in some sites prove that the Neanderthal industrial world could be complex and diversified.     

Recent highlights on bone stem cells: a report from Bone Stem Cells 2009, and not only…

The use of stem cells has opened new prospects for the treatment of orthopaedic conditions characterized by large bone defects. However, many issues still exist to which answers are needed before routine, large-scale application becomes possible. Bone marrow stromal cells (MSC), which are clonogenic, multipotential precursors present in the bone marrow stroma, are generally employed for bone regeneration. Stem cells with multilineage differentiation similar to MSC have also been demonstrated in adipose tissue, peripheral blood, umbilical cord and amniotic fluid. Each source presents its own advantages and drawbacks. Unfortunately, no unique surface antigen is expressed by MSC, and this hampers simple MSC enrichment from heterogeneous populations. MSC are identified through a combination of physical, morphological and functional assays. Different in vitro and in vivo models have been described for the research on bone stem cells. These models should predict the in vivo bone healing capacity of MSC and if the induced osteogenesis is similar to the physiological one. Although stem cells offer an exciting possibility of a renewable source of cells and tissues for replacement, orthopaedic applications often represent case reports whereas controlled randomized trials are still lacking. Further biological aspects of bone stem cells should be elucidated and a general consensus on the best models, protocols and proper use of scaffolds and growth factors should be achieved.     

Bone remodeling of the Homo heidelbergensis mandible; the Atapuerca-SH sample.

Growth by bone remodeling is one of the key mechanisms responsible for skeletal morphology. This mechanism consists of the coordinated activity of two cellular groups: osteoblasts and osteoclasts, which are responsible for bone deposition and resorption, respectively. Information obtained from the study of these remodeling growth fields allows us to understand how species-specific craniofacial form is achieved. These data can help to explain the facial growth differences among Primates, both extinct and extant. The aim of this study was to obtain the distribution of growth remodeling fields of the Homo heidelbergensis mandible (Atapuerca-SH sample), and to infer the growth processes responsible for its specific morphology. A Reflected Light Microscope (RLM) was used to identify the microfeatures of the bone surface related to bone deposition and resorption. Results show that H. heidelbergensis presents a specific growth field distribution, which differs slightly between immature and adult individuals. Interpretation of these maps indicates that the mandible of H. heidelbergensis presents noteworthy variability in the symphyseal region. Two distinct patterns of growth are seen, one of those unique for this species and the other similar to that of Homo sapiens. The lingual side of the mandibular corpus has a resorption area found only in this species and one that includes a variable extension in immature and adult individuals. Finally, the mandibular ramus is characterized, among other aspects, by a large resorption field on its buccal surface. Considering the mandible as a whole, the bone remodeling pattern obtained in this work shows that lower facial growth in H. heidelbergensis is dominated mainly by forward growth, illustrated by the strong inward displacement of the ramus, which is in agreement with the Enlow's “V” growth principle.     

Bone and bone marrow: The same organ

Interplays between bone and bone marrow are not limited to merely anatomic and histological connections, but include a tight functional correlation. Bone marrow resides within the medullary cavity of the bones and the process of hematopoiesis is regulated, at least in part, by bone cells. Moreover, osteoclasts and osteoblasts derive from precursors of hematopoietic and mesenchymal origin, respectively, both residing within the bone marrow. Alterations in one of these components typically cause impairment in the other, so diseases of the bone marrow compartment often affect the bone and vice versa. All these findings could make us to speculate that bone and bone marrow are not two separate districts, but can be considered as the two elements of the same unique functional unit, the bone-bone marrow organ. Here we will describe histological and functional interplays between bone and bone marrow, and will illustrate some diseases in which this tight correlation is evident.     

Assessing Musical Abilities Objectively: Construction and Validation of the Profile of Music Perception Skills

A common approach for determining musical competence is to rely on information about individuals’ extent of musical training, but relying on musicianship status fails to identify musically untrained individuals with musical skill, as well as those who, despite extensive musical training, may not be as skilled. To counteract this limitation, we developed a new test battery (Profile of Music Perception Skills; PROMS) that measures perceptual musical skills across multiple domains: tonal (melody, pitch), qualitative (timbre, tuning), temporal (rhythm, rhythm-to-melody, accent, tempo), and dynamic (loudness). The PROMS has satisfactory psychometric properties for the composite score (internal consistency and test-retest r>.85) and fair to good coefficients for the individual subtests (.56 to.85). Convergent validity was established with the relevant dimensions of Gordon’s Advanced Measures of Music Audiation and Musical Aptitude Profile (melody, rhythm, tempo), the Musical Ear Test (rhythm), and sample instrumental sounds (timbre). Criterion validity was evidenced by consistently sizeable and significant relationships between test performance and external musical proficiency indicators in all three studies (.38 to.62, p<.05 to p<.01). An absence of correlations between test scores and a nonmusical auditory discrimination task supports the battery’s discriminant validity (−.05, ns). The interrelationships among the various subtests could be accounted for by two higher order factors, sequential and sensory music processing. A brief version of the full PROMS is introduced as a time-efficient approximation of the full version of the battery.     

Osteoderm microstructure of “rauisuchian” archosaurs from South America

In this contribution we analyze and discuss the microanatomy and histology of postcranial osteoderms of a number of “rauisuchians” from different localities of South America (Argentina and Brazil). The studied sample includes osteoderms of Fasolasuchus tenax, Prestosuchus chiniquensis, Saurosuchus galilei and an undetermined rauisuchian from Brazil. The bone microanatomy of the osteoderms is variable: whereas some specimens have a rather compact structure, others show a diploe architecture with a central cancellous core bordered by two compact cortices. Both external and basal cortices are mainly composed of poorly vascularized, fine and coarse parallel-fibred bone and networks of interwoven and mineralized fiber bundles. The internal region of the non-remodeled specimens consists of a well-vascularized core in which the intrinsic fibers exhibit important variations (even in the same specimen), ranging from coarse, parallel-fibred to woven-fibred bone tissues. Lines of arrested growth (LAGs) are well recorded in both basal and external cortices. Differences in the bone microstructure (compact vs. diploe) could be related to the age, sex and reproductive status of the sampled individuals. Hence, age estimation based on the count of LAGs in rauisuchian osteoderms appears to be reliable only in the early stages of ontogeny. The bone microstructure suggests that rauisuchian osteoderms were originated through a mechanism that involves both intramembranous and metaplastic ossifications.     

Zur sozialen Organisation des BienenfressersMerops apiaster

Zusammenfassung Beobachtungen zur sozialen Organisation wurden in einer Bienenfresserkolonie (16 Paare) in Nordost-Griechenland von April bis August 1979 vorgenommen:Die zeitliche Abstimmung der Brutaktivitäten wurde während der einzelnen Stadien des Brutzyklus ermittelt. Die Synchronisation verbesserte sich signifikant zwischen der Fertigstellung der Höhle und dem Beginn der Eiablage.Balzfütterungen und Kopulationen häufen sich wenige Tage vor der Eiablage, werden gegen Ende der Eiablage wieder seltener und treten danach nicht mehr auf.Jedes Paar verteidigt einen Abschnitt der Uferböschung, obwohl es darin nur die Höhle und wenige Sitzplätze benutzt. Territoriale Auseinandersetzungen treten vor allem zwischen angesiedelten Paaren und Neuankömmlingen auf. Obwohl die Angriffe um ein Mehrfaches häufiger von den Territoriumsbesitzern ausgehen, ziehen sich diese später aus einem Teil des Territoriums zurück, und ein neues Paar rückt nach. Diese Streitigkeiten halten nur wenige Tage an.

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On the social organization of the European Bee-eater(Merops apiaster)

Summary Several aspects of the social organization have been studied in a breeding colony (16 pairs) in North-eastern Greece from April until August 1979:Colony synchronization was measured at the beginning and at the end of nest-hole excavation, egg-laying and incubation. The degree of synchrony increased between the end of excavation and the onset of laying.The rates of courtship-feeding and copulation increased a few days before the first egg was layed and decreased again at the end of the laying period.Every pair defended a part of the river bank although it only used the burrow and one or some perches there. Territorial conflicts especially appeared between a settled and an intruding pair. Although the attacks were performed several times more frequently by the territory owners, that pair withdrew from a part of its territory and the other moved up. These territorial conflicts only lasted a few days.

     

In silico Mechano-Chemical Model of Bone Healing for the Regeneration of Critical Defects: The Effect of BMP-2

The healing of bone defects is a challenge for both tissue engineering and modern orthopaedics. This problem has been addressed through the study of scaffold constructs combined with mechanoregulatory theories, disregarding the influence of chemical factors and their respective delivery devices. Of the chemical factors involved in the bone healing process, bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) has been identified as one of the most powerful osteoinductive proteins. The aim of this work is to develop and validate a mechano-chemical regulatory model to study the effect of BMP-2 on the healing of large bone defects in silico. We first collected a range of quantitative experimental data from the literature concerning the effects of BMP-2 on cellular activity, specifically proliferation, migration, differentiation, maturation and extracellular matrix production. These data were then used to define a model governed by mechano-chemical stimuli to simulate the healing of large bone defects under the following conditions: natural healing, an empty hydrogel implanted in the defect and a hydrogel soaked with BMP-2 implanted in the defect. For the latter condition, successful defect healing was predicted, in agreement with previous in vivo experiments. Further in vivo comparisons showed the potential of the model, which accurately predicted bone tissue formation during healing, bone tissue distribution across the defect and the quantity of bone inside the defect. The proposed mechano-chemical model also estimated the effect of BMP-2 on cells and the evolution of healing in large bone defects. This novel in silico tool provides valuable insight for bone tissue regeneration strategies.     

Funktionelle Morphologie des Geruchsorgans und Histologie der Kopfanhänge der NasenmuräneRhinomuraena ambonensis (Teleostei,Anguilliformes)

Zusammenfassung 1. An drei, wahrscheinlich adulten Exemplaren der Nasenmuräne,Rhinomuraena ambonensis Barbour, wurden die funktionelle Morphologie des Geruchsorgans sowie dessen Histologie und die der bartelartigen Kopfanhänge untersucht.2. Die Ränder der vorderen Riechöffnungen sind zu trichterförmigen Hautlappen ausgewachsen. Die in ihrer Ausrichtung und Form durch Körperbewegungen kaum beeinflußbaren Trichter leiten auch im Ruhezustand des Tieres Wasser in die Riechhöhle, da ihre weite Öffnung im Strömungsbereich des Atemwassers liegt. Auf diese Weise erfolgt eine effektive Ventilation der Riechhöhle.3. Im mehrschichtigen Epithel der Trichter liegen Sekretzellen und vereinzelt Sinnesknospen; unmittelbar über den Epithelbildungszellen verlaufen Nervenfasern. Im Bindegewebe, das beidseitig von Epithel bedeckt ist, liegen Gefäße, Nervenbündel (Nervus trigeminus) und Pigmentzellen. Muskelgewebe fehlt. Neben dem Bindegewebe gibt es kein anderes Stützgewebe.4. Die beiden Riechhöhlen sind von extremer Ausdehnung. Die Zahl der lamellenartigen Riechfalten, die in zwei Doppelreihen nach dem 90°-Typ liegen, beträgt ca. 200. Zwischen den Innenrändern der Falten einer Doppelreihe, dorsal von der Mittelraphe, erstreckt sich eine zylindrische Rinne, die der Duftwasserpassage dient.5. Die Riechfalten sind bis auf die lateralen, dorsalen Teile und Teile der ventralen Faltenansätze kontinuierlich mit Riechepithel bedeckt. Der histologische Aufbau des Riechepithels entspricht dem des Aals. Die Rezeptorendichte schwankt zwischen 2–3×10⁴ pro mm². Im Verhältnis zur Riechhöhlenausdehnung ist die Riechfeldgröße erheblich.6. Tuscheexperimente zeigten, daß — ausgelöst durch die in die Längsrinne der Riechhöhle ragenden fingerförmigen Innenränder der Riechfalten — Mikroturbulenzen entstehen, die neben der Flimmerbewegung durch Kinocilien für die Mikroventilation des Faltensystems sorgen.7. Das auf der Symphyse des Oberkiefers zwischen den Trichterbasen sitzende Rostrum ist eine Hautprojektion, deren bindegewebiger Zentralteil ein mehrschichtiges Epithel trägt. Im Bindegewebe sind Gefäße, feine Nerven und Pigmentzellen eingebettet. Im Epithel finden sich geschmacksknospenähnliche Sinnesorgane. Prinzipiell haben die drei Mandibularbarteln den gleichen histologischen Aufbau wie das Rostrum. Auch ihr Epithel weist Sinnesknospen auf, die wie jene des Rostrums und der Trichter vielleicht als chemische Sinnesorgane beim Nahrungstest fungieren.8. Nach dem Ergebnis vorliegender Untersuchungen wirdRhinomuraena ambonensis in die Gruppe der makrosmatischen Knochenfische eingereiht.

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Functional morphology of the olfactory organ and histology of the head appendages of the moray eelRhinomuraena ambonensis (Teleostei, Anguilliformes)

In three individuals of the moray eelRhinomuraena ambonensis (Barbour), the functional morphology and histology of the olfactory organ as well as the histology of the different head appendages were investigated. The edges of the anterior nares are extremely extended, forming a funnel-like wide opening through which the odour water passes. Even when the fish does not move, an effective ventilation of the olfactory chambers is maintained by a permanent water current towards the funnel opening induced by the peristaltic movements of the musculature of the gill chamber (principle ofBernoulli). The histological structure of the head appendages (funnels, rostrum and mandibulary barbels, which are all skin projections) is described. The epithelia of all these appendages bear sensory organs which are similar to taste buds. The two olfactory organs are of extremely large size. Each chamber contains about 100 olfactory lamellae which are arranged in two lines (90°-type;Holl 1965). A cylindrical cavity extends between the inner edges of the olfactory lamellae through which the water runs to the posterior nare. Interlamellar microventilation is produced by numerous turbulences which are caused by the edges of the olfactory lamellae and by the kinocilia of the olfactory epithelium. The histological structure of the olfactory epithelium is similar to that ofAnguilla anguilla. The different results demonstrate thatRhinomuraena ambonensis is probably a macrosmatic fish.

     

L’ambre campanien du Mas d’Azil (Ariège,France) : gisement,micro-inclusions,taphonomie

The amber of Le Mas d’Azil (Ariège, France), fashioned by the Magdalenian people of Le Mas d’Azil cave, was collected in clay levels rich in Cupressinoxylon Göppert, of the Campanian Labarre Sandstone Formation, which is a large deltaic set, infilling the sub-Pyreneean trough. The amber pieces are small and resemble modern resin exudates on coniferous trunks. We describe following micro-inclusions. Actinomycetes: Cardonia stellata, nov. gen., nov. sp., located close to the surface of amber pieces, is abundant and displays chains of conidia and isolated aleuriospore. Nocardiopsis ? sp. D is rare. Actinomycete “de type Salignac” is abundant. Its filaments often display a tendril shape, which seems to prelude to a mycelium fragmentation. Other bacteria: Leptotrichites resinatus Schmidt ( Schmidt and Schäfer, 2005), poorly represented, is more variable than the already known material; cf. Sphaerotilus sp., very abundant, also displays differences with the Cenomanian “Sphaerotilus sp.”. Eukaryotes: one fungal filament, and a group of spores, pollens or cysts. Inorganic inclusions: gas bubbles, pseudo-protists of B and C? types, and tiny, transparent, cubic crystals. It seems that most of the quoted prokaryotes were resinicolous organisms, able to settle on the surface of the exudate, and grow in the resin, after inoculation either by a contact with the substrate, or by an anemophilic dispersion of spores. This “taphonomic way” seems here to be more general than trapping.     

Zur Kenntnis der Laubmeise,Sylviparus modestus

Zusammenfassung VonSylviparus modestus, der kleinsten Meise, wird die bisher dritte bekannte Bruthöhle beschrieben. Einige Verhaltensweisen und Bestandteile der Jungennahrung werden mitgeteilt. Die Zugehörigkeit zu den Paridae war aufgrund der Bewegungsweisen und Nistweise unverkennbar. Die Art kann als urtümliche Form betrachtet werden; Beziehungen zu den Goldhähnchen sollte man nicht ausschließen.

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Observations on the Yellow-browed Tit,Sylviparus modestus

Summary The third nesting hole record, some behavioral patterns as well as the constitution of the nestling diet are described for the smallest tit species,Sylviparus modestus. On the basis of its locomotory movements and nesting habits this species belongs to the Paridae. It is presumably a primitive form. A taxonomic relationship to the Regulidae cannot be excluded.

     

Behavioural responses of piglets to different types of music

Music or other background sounds are often played in barns as environmental enrichment for animals on farms or to mask sudden disruptive noises. Previous studies looking at the effects of this practice on non-human animal well-being and productivity have found contradictory results. However, there is still a lack of discussion on whether piglets have the ability to distinguish different types of music. In this study, we exposed piglets to different music conditions to investigate whether the piglets preferred certain music types, in which case those types would have the potential to be used as environmental enrichment. In total, 30 piglets were tested for music type preference to determine whether growing pigs respond differently to different types of music. We used music from two families of instruments (S: string, W: wind) and with two tempos (S: slow, 65 beats/min (bpm); F: fast, 200 bpm), providing four music-type combinations (SS: string-slow; SF: string-fast; WS: wind-slow; WF: wind-fast). The piglets were given a choice between two chambers, one with no music and the other with one of the four types of music, and their behaviour was observed. The results showed that SS and WF music significantly increased residence time (P<0.01) compared with the other music conditions. Compared with the control group (with no music), the different music conditions led to different behavioural responses, where SS music significantly increased lying (P<0.01) and exploration behaviour (P<0.01); SF music significantly increased tail-wagging behaviour (P<0.01); WS music significantly increased exploration (P<0.01); and WF music significantly increased walking, lying, standing and exploration (all P<0.01). The results also showed that musical instruments and tempo had little effect on most of the behaviours. Fast-tempo music significantly increased walking (P=0.02), standing (P<0.01) and tail wagging (P=0.04) compared with slow-tempo music. In conclusion, the results of this experiment show that piglets are more sensitive to tempo than to musical instruments in their response to musical stimulation and seem to prefer SS and WF music to the other two types. The results also suggest a need for further research on the effect of music types on animals.     

Catabolic and anabolic periarticular bone changes in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: a computed tomography study on the role of age,disease duration and bone markers

Introduction

The aim of this study was to determine the factors, including markers of bone resorption and bone formation, which determine catabolic and anabolic periarticular bone changes in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods

Forty RA patients received high-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography (HR-pQCT) analysis of the metacarpophalangeal joints II and III of the dominantly affected hand at two sequential time points (baseline, one year follow-up). Erosion counts and scores as well as osteophyte counts and scores were recorded. Simultaneously, serum markers of bone resorption (C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (CTX I), tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase 5b (TRAP5b)), bone formation (bone alkaline phosphatase (BAP), osteocalcin (OC)) and calcium homeostasis (parathyroid hormone (PTH), 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (Vit D)) were assessed. Bone biomarkers were correlated to imaging data by partial correlation adjusting for various demographic and disease-specific parameters. Additionally, imaging data were analyzed by mixed linear model regression.

Results

Partial correlation analysis showed that TRAP5b levels correlate significantly with bone erosions, whereas BAP levels correlate with osteophytes at both time points. In the mixed linear model with erosions as the dependent variable, disease duration (P <0.001) was the key determinant for these catabolic bone changes. In contrast, BAP (P = 0.001) as well as age (P = 0.018), but not disease duration (P = 0.762), were the main determinants for the anabolic changes (osteophytes) of the periarticular bone in patients with RA.

Conclusions

This study shows that structural bone changes assessed with HR-pQCT are accompanied by alterations in systemic markers of bone resorption and bone formation. Besides, it can be shown that bone erosions in RA patients depend on disease duration, whereas osteophytes are associated with age as well as serum level of BAP. Therefore, these data not only suggest that different variables are involved in formation of bone erosions and osteophytes in RA patients, but also that periarticular bone changes correlate with alterations in systemic markers of bone metabolism, pointing out BAP as an important parameter.