广西弄岗家燕种群的卵胚胎心率

2014年4—7月,利用红外胚胎心率测量仪对广西弄岗地区家燕Hirundo rustica的卵胚胎心率进行了测量。该种群的家燕在孵化的第4天才开始出现卵胚胎心率,且卵胚胎心率随孵化天数呈上升趋势,并在第13天达到最高值(280.5 BPM±23.0 BPM,t=3.855,P0.002)。家燕的卵胚胎心率日均增长为16.1 BPM±3.4 BPM,但与其卵容量和卵质量均不存在相关性(卵容量1.74 cm~3±0.08 cm~3,r=0.093,P=0.827;卵质量1.51 g±0.09 g,r=0.043,P=0.920)。     

南充金腰燕、家燕繁殖生态比较及易卵易雏实验

2004年3～10月对四川南充地区家燕、金腰燕的繁殖生态进行了观察,比较了其繁殖生态习性及雏鸟的生长特性,进行了家燕、金腰燕之间的易卵易雏实验.结果表明,家燕于2月中旬迁入南充,9月中旬开始迁离;金腰燕迁来较家燕晚,2月底～3月初迁入,9月中旬迁离.家燕于4月初产卵;金腰燕在4月上旬产卵.金腰燕卵的各项量衡度均较家燕的大,出壳时金腰燕雏鸟体重也比家燕雏鸟稍重.金腰燕雏鸟的体长、翅长、尾长、外部器官及体重的增长较家燕的快.而易卵、易雏的金腰燕雏鸟增长曲线则在金腰燕和家燕的雏鸟之间.易卵易雏的实验表明,在孵卵和育雏过程中,金腰燕与家燕之间彼此互换卵可以接受,易换雏鸟也可以接受.     

《本草纲目》中的鸟类繁殖知识

《本草纲目》把鸟类分为水禽类(27种)、原禽类(23种)、林禽类(20种)和山禽类(15种),共计85种。其中对鸟类繁殖的记载可列举如下:繁殖时间“燕,春社来,秋社去”。(注:社,祭神日;即立春和立秋后第五日)。燕,指家燕(H.rustica)和金腰燕(H.daurica)。“鹜,清明后生卵”。鹜,指家鸭(见《尔雅说诗》和《尔雅义疏》)。营巢场所“鹳,多巢于高木”。鹳,泛指鹳类,我国以黑鹳(Ciconianigra)为常见。“鸜鹆,巢于鹊巢,及人家屋脊中”。鸜鹆,即八哥(Acridotherescristatellus)。“翡翠,穴居生子,亦巢于木”。翡翠,古释不一,包括现代翠鸟和翡翠属。“巢于…     

图们江流域林区居民点鸟类群落的研究

居民点鸟类与人类关系极为密切,在居民点生态系统中起着不可忽视的作用,因此对其生态学的研究具有一定意义。杜恒勤(1958、1959)、周昌乔等(1959)、钱国桢(1964)、郑光美(1965、1982),赵正阶(1981)等,对麻雀、家燕、金腰燕等居民点鸟类进行过大量种群生态学研究。居民点鸟类群落研究和数量统计,尚未见有报道。     

温度对海南家燕(Hirundo rustica)巢利用率和窝卵数的影响

温度对鸟类的繁殖具有重要影响,气候变化可导致鸟类生活史特征的改变。为了解气候变化对家燕(Hirundo rustica)巢利用率和窝卵数的影响,于2014—2015年4月,对海南临高4个村庄的家燕繁殖情况进行了调查。结果表明,2015年家燕种群开始繁殖的日期较2014年显著推迟,同时巢的利用率也低于2014年(!2=70.37,P0.001)。通过对两年繁殖季的气候状况进行分析,发现4月份的气温变化对家燕开始繁殖的时间具有重要影响。2015年4月份的平均最低气温比2014年低约2℃(t=3.155,df=58,P=0.003),且平均温差较大,表明2015年4月份偏低的春季温度及其较大的温度波动推迟了当地家燕种群的开始繁殖时间;但温度对家燕的窝卵数(t=0.670,df=87,P=0.505)和孵化成功率(t=0.794,df=71,P=0.442)没有显著影响。研究表明,即便在热带地区,春季低温对海南家燕种群开始繁殖的时间和巢利用率仍具有重要影响。     

阜阳市重要湿地夏季鸟类多样性研究

为了掌握阜阳市重要湿地的鸟类资源,2011年7月-2011年9月,采用样带法对阜阳市4个重点湿地的夏季鸟类资源进行了调查。调查共记录阜阳市重要湿地鸟类11目25科43种,雀形目鸟类种数最多,共19种,占全部种类数的44.1%。东洋界、古北界和两界广布种分别占繁殖鸟种数的39.5%、34.8%、25.6%;湿地水鸟21种,占全部鸟类的47.8%;湿地鸟类群落的优势种为家燕、烟腹毛脚燕和灰椋鸟。八里河省级湿地自然保护区鸟类种数最多(N=30),多样性指数最高(H=2.49);4个湿地之间鸟类相似性系数均较高。鸟类多样性指数、鸟类种都与湿地面积呈显著正相关(多样性r=0.985,P=0.015;鸟种r=0.974,P=0.026)。从鸟类多样性保护考虑,湿地保护区和湿地公园的建设和管理应向保持湿地面积、增加植被复杂性发展。     

四川南充高坪机场夏季鸟类群落组成及鸟撞预防措施

2006年5月～2006年8月,使用固定样线法对南充高坪机场及附近5种生境8条样带进行了32次调查,共记录夏季鸟类51种,分属10目30科.东洋种27种(52.9%);古北种12种(23.5%);不易归类的种类12种(23.5%).繁殖鸟类中,东洋种27种(54%);古北种11种(22%).留鸟25种(49.0%);夏侯鸟25种(49.0%).根据IV值,对鸟撞影响最大的鸟为金腰燕、家燕、棕背伯劳、白鹭、白鹡鸰、珠颈斑鸠、家鸽、白颊噪鹛、黑尾蜡嘴雀等9种.根据鸟类的分布生境系数,广性分布型鸟类为31种;优势种(D＞10)3种,分别为金腰燕、家鸽和棕背伯劳.根据D值,IV值、ADC值等综合因素分析,并结合高坪机场的具体情况提出了一系列防治措施.     

哈尔滨家燕mandschurica亚种繁殖生态特征

许多鸟种因具有较强的适应性而分布广泛,例如家燕(Hirundo rustica)。在不同纬度地区研究其繁殖生态学特征有助于了解家燕对不同环境的适应。家燕mandschurica亚种在国内仅分布于黑龙江省,且该亚种的繁殖资料少有报道,为此,于2016和2017年每年的4至10月,在哈尔滨对其繁殖生态特征开展研究,并与国内目前已发表的家燕gutturalis亚种繁殖生态特征进行对比。家燕mandschurica亚种4月底或5月初迁来哈尔滨,9月下旬或10月初南迁;窝卵数为4～6枚(n=19);卵长径(18.7±1.4)mm(15.9～22.5 mm)、卵短径(13.0±0.5)mm(12.2～14.2 mm),卵重(1.6±0.1)g(1.3～1.9 g),n=35;孵卵期为(16±2)d(14～18 d,n=19);育雏期为(17±1)d(16～18 d,n=6)。雏鸟的体长、翅长及尾羽长的生长曲线能与Logistic较好地拟合;体重、嘴峰和跗跖在5日龄左右生长最快,体长和翅长在7日龄左右增长最快,雏鸟的生长模式符合能量分配假说。与我国南方的家燕gutturalis亚种相比,在哈尔滨繁殖的mandschurica亚种的卵更小、更轻,二者孵卵期相似,但后者育雏期更短。这或许与不同地区食物丰富度及亲鸟喂食策略有关。     

高浓度七氟醚通过抑制VEGF/PI3K/AKT信号通路诱导神经干细胞凋亡的研究

目的探讨妊娠中期的七氟醚暴露对神经干细胞凋亡过程的影响和作用机制。方法将孕中期大鼠随机分为3组,每组48只孕鼠:对照组,低浓度七氟醚组,高浓度七氟醚组。在妊娠第14天,以2%或3.5%七氟醚麻醉怀孕大鼠2 h。通过免疫荧光检查神经干细胞凋亡,收集麻醉后6、24和48 h以及出生后第0天(P 0),第14天(P 14)和第28天(P 28)的脑组织进行Nestin-TUNEL免疫荧光双标染色以及Nestin、血管内皮生长因子(VEGF)和磷酸肌醇3-激酶(PI3K)AKT通路相关蛋白的免疫印迹检测。采用单因素方差分析和Bonferroni事后检验进行统计学分析。结果麻醉后6、24和48 h以及P 0,P 14和P 28,脑组织中Nestin和TUNEL阳性细胞的百分比增加[6 h:对照组0.91±0.07,低浓度组1.01±0.08,高浓度组2.62±0.21(F=399,P 0.01);24 h:对照组0.96±0.04,低浓度组1.09±0.13,高浓度组2.49±0.17(F=364.37,P 0.01);48 h:对照组0.95±0.05,低浓度组1.24±0.11,高浓度组2.51±0.13(F=524.52,P 0.01);P 0:对照组0.97±0.03,低浓度组1.01±0.09,高浓度组2.21±0.15(F=378.31,P 0.01);P 14:对照组0.96±0.03,低浓度组1.22±0.12,高浓度组1.89±0.14(F=158.33,P 0.01);P 28:对照组0.95±0.05,低浓度组1.09±0.13,高浓度组1.69±0.19(F=66.83,P 0.01)。但高浓度组Nestin蛋白水平降低[6 h:对照组0.95±0.08,低浓度组0.81±0.11,高浓度组0.62±0.13(F=18.60,P 0.01);24 h:对照组0.92±0.06,低浓度组0.85±0.13,高浓度组0.74±0.12(F=5.66,P=0.0108);48 h:对照组0.95±0.04,低浓度组0.80±0.08,高浓度组0.72±0.14(F=11.86,P 0.01);P 0:对照组0.97±0.06,低浓度组0.72±0.09,高浓度组0.67±0.09(F=31.31,P 0.01);P 14:对照组0.94±0.03,低浓度组0.69±0.07,高浓度组0.65±0.13(F=26.11,P 0.01);P 28:对照组0.95±0.08,低浓度组0.91±0.12,高浓度组0.58±0.13(F=26.25,P 0.01)]。并且在麻醉后6 h,胎鼠大脑中VEGF,PI3K和磷酸化AKT(p-AKT)水平降低。但在低浓度七氟醚暴露组中并未出现变化。结论妊娠中期暴露于高浓度的七氟醚会降低VEGF,PI3K和p-AKT蛋白水平并诱导神经干细胞发生凋亡,从而导致后代的学习和记忆功能障碍。     

海南昌江家燕(Hirundo rustica)种群的卵色及其窝内窝间变异

量化鸟类的卵色及其窝内、窝间变异,对于理解鸟类卵色的进化及其适应性具有重要意义。具有较小的卵色窝内变异和较大的窝间变异,有利于寄主反寄生行为对策的进化。最近的研究表明,除了同种寄生,家燕(Hirundo rustica)同时也是杜鹃(Cuculus spp.)的重要寄主之一。本研究利用光纤光谱仪,对海南昌江家燕种群的卵色进行量化分析。结果表明:家燕卵背景色的反射光谱明显高于斑点色,斑点色在长波光部分有较高的波峰和波谷,表明在黄色和红色光上具有较高的色彩饱和度;虽然肉眼看到的家燕卵的背景和斑点颜色截然不同,但基于鸟类视觉模型的统计分析表明,两者的色调的可见光部分(RGB)并无显著差异,而在人眼无法探测的紫外光(UV)部分及色度和亮度上均存在极显著差异;家燕卵色的窝内、窝间变异分析结果表明,家燕卵的背景色和斑点的窝内变异不显著;而在窝间变异上,UV、色度和亮度均无显著差异,但色调RGB具有显著差异,斑点的窝间变异大于背景色。本研究是家燕卵色定量化分析的首次报道。     

Haemodynamics using transthoracic echocardiography in healthy pregnant and non-pregnant baboons (Papio hamadryas)

Background To determine systolic and diastolic function using transthoracic echocardiography in the baboon (Papio hamadryas). Methods Transthoracic echocardiography was performed in eight non‐pregnant female and six pregnant baboons according to American Society of Echocardiography recommendations. Results Haemodynamic measurements were obtained from fourteen baboons. Compared to non‐pregnant baboons, pregnant baboons demonstrated: (mean ± SD, pregnant vs. healthy) increased cardiac output (1615 ± 121 ml/minutes vs. 1317 ± 134 ml/minutes P = 0.001) due to an increased heart rate [120 ± 11 beats per minute (BPM) vs. 105 ± 6 BPM P = 0.018]. The inter‐observer and intra‐observer variability (mean difference ± SD) for the left ventricular outflow tract diameter was 0.05 ± 0.07 cm and 0.01 ± 0.03 cm respectively. There was minimal impact to the animal’s daily activities. Conclusions Transthoracic echocardiography was applicable and reproducible for the assessment of haemodynamics in baboons thus enabling translation of animal results to human studies.     

菲菊头蝠不同地理种群回声定位声波差异及其影响因子

回声定位声波地理差异及其形成原因是蝙蝠生态学研究领域一个基本而关键的问题,对于探索物种生存机制、物种形成及其保护具有重要科学意义。本研究从较大地理尺度上(9个地理种群)研究了菲菊头蝠(Rhinolophus pusillus)回声定位声波结构的地理差异,并进一步探讨了影响回声定位声波地理种群差异的因素。结果表明,菲菊头蝠雌性的体型较雄性略大,其主频较高。不同地理种群之间回声定位声波差异明显,包括脉冲持续时间、脉冲间隔、主频以及带宽在不同的地理种群之间均表现出一定程度的差异。进一步分析发现,不同地理种群之间的雌性菲菊头蝠前臂长和体重均与主频呈较弱的负相关,降雨量与雌性的主频呈较强的正相关;而不同地理种群之间的雄性前臂长、体重和降雨量与回声定位声波参数均无相关性;此外,地理距离、温度、湿度均与雌雄回声定位声波参数无相关性。本研究结果表明,菲菊头蝠不同地理种群间的回声定位声波出现明显差异,其中,体型和降雨量为主要影响因子,说明蝙蝠回声定位叫声的进化主要受到了当地生境的影响,表现出动物对不同生境的适应性进化。     

绿翅鸭繁殖生态初报

2007～2009年在黑龙江中南部地区对绿翅鸭(Anas crecca)繁殖生态习性进行了观察。绿翅鸭在黑龙江属夏候鸟,每年3月末4月初迁来,10月上旬迁离,所观察的4对绿翅鸭居留期约6个月。迁来时成群停留在湖泊及江的冰面上,开江以后散去,繁殖期间,绿翅鸭的配偶关系为一雄一雌,巢址多选择离水域较近的草丛或灌木丛中,所观察的4巢,巢都比较简单,筑巢时间为(5.5±1.0)d(n=4)。巢筑成后的(3.25±0.50)d开始产卵。每窝70～12枚不等,平均(9.80±2.21)枚(n=4)。卵重平均(28.70±0.72)g(n=39),最后一枚卵产出后(2.50±0.577)d(n=4),开始孵卵,孵卵期约为22～26 d不等,平均孵卵期为(24.25±1.17)d(n=4),平均孵化率为79.5%±29.98%。幼鸟为早成鸟,育雏期为(29.75±1.70)d。     

三化螟危害损失与防治指标的研究

２代三化螟平均每块卵为害 １１．２５个枯心丛,３４．７５个枯心株; ３代每块卵平均为害 ７．９５个白穗丛,１４．５５个白穗株。模拟为害与水稻产量损失的关系：２代Ｙ＝ｓ８０６０．５－２１８１．５Ｘ,Ｙ－水稻产量（ｋｇ／ｈｍ２）,Ｘ－枯心株率,水稻耐害补偿作用明显,枯心株率与产量损失率之比１：０．２７;３代Ｙ＝７６５４．２－３９０２．２Ｘ,Ｙ－水稻产量（ｋｇ／ｈｍ２）,Ｘ－白穗株率,水稻表现一定的耐害补偿能力,白穗株率与产量损失率之比１：０．５１。三化螟危害允许水平１．２８％。防治指标：２代卵块４８７５万块／ｈｍ２,３代卵块６５１９块／ｈｍ２。     

桂西南褐翅鸦鹃的孵卵行为与节律

2016年3~6月,在广西西南部龙州县弄岗村(22°26′35.20′′~22°30′46.90′′N,106°57′46.35′′~107°03′32.99′′E),通过野外观察和自动温度记录仪相结合的方法对褐翅鸦鹃(Centropus sinensis)的孵卵行为与节律进行了研究。结果表明,1)褐翅鸦鹃边筑巢边产卵,每2 d产1枚卵,卵长径和短径分别为(36.11±0.42)mm和(28.46±0.38)mm,卵重(16.35±0.51)g(n=44枚)。窝卵数3~5枚,孵卵期为(16.75±1.65)d(n=4巢),孵化率为45.45%(n=44枚)。孵卵期与窝卵数之间无显著相关性(r=0.865,P0.05);2)白天双亲共同参与孵卵,夜晚则由其中1只负责。夜间亲鸟的在巢时间从19时左右持续至翌日晨6时左右;3)亲鸟采取离巢次数少和离巢时间长的孵卵策略。亲鸟日活动时间在700 min以上(n=45 d),日离巢次数为(8.82±0.34)次(n=45 d),平均每次离巢持续时间为(52.91±2.35)min(n=397次),每次离巢持续时间与环境温度呈显著负相关关系(r=﹣0.113,P0.05);4)巢内平均孵卵温度为(31.7±0.3)℃(n=4巢),随孵卵天数增加而增加,并与环境温度(最高温r=0.566,最低温r=0.537,平均温r=0.706,P0.01)和日活动时间正相关(r=0.506,P0.01);5)有延迟孵卵行为。延迟孵卵期间夜晚巢内最低温是22.1℃。在桂西南北热带气候环境中,高的环境温度是保障褐翅鸦鹃孵卵成功的主要因素之一。     

Production,maturity, reproductive cycle and fecundity of small-spotted catshark,Scyliorhinus canicula (Chondrichthyes: Scyliorhinidae) from the northern coast of Tunisia (Central Mediterranean)

Small-spotted catshark Scyliorhinus canicula (Linnaeus, 1758) is confronted since 2000 to a drastic decline of captures in Tunisian northern areas where it formerly was quantitatively and qualitatively very abundant. A study conducted in the area showed that males and females sexually matured between 400–478 mm and 364–471 mm total length (TL), respectively. The largest male and female were 521 mm and 531 mm TL, respectively and weighed 449 and 445.5 g, respectively. There was a not significant relationship total mass vs. TL between males and females. Conversely, the relationship of liver mass vs. TL significantly differed between sexes. Both HSI and GSI values did not present significant differences between males and females. There was a not significant relationship total mass vs. TL between males and females. Both male and female HSI reached high values in adults, significantly higher than those of sub-adults. Both male and female GSI values increased with TL of specimens; additionally, they showed significant differences between juveniles and sub-adults and also between sub-adults and adults. The OSI values were significantly different between juvenile and sub-adult females, and also between sub-adult and adult females. Monthly mean values of adult male and female HSI did not significantly vary throughout the year. Significant monthly changes were recorded in mean values of adult male however no significant changes were observed in monthly mean of GSI and OSI for adult females. Vitellogenic activity and production of egg cases permanently occurred throughout the year. The diameter of largest yolky oocytes ranged from 20.1 to 23.0 (mean = 21.43 ± 1.07) and weighed from 0.64 to 0.90 g (mean = 0.78 ± 0.09). Some measurements were taken on egg cases: length with horns ranged 42.5-55.7 mm with mean = 48.9 ± 2.9, width ranged 13.6–19.7 mm with mean = 16.50 ± 0.9, while the total mass of complete egg case ranged between 1.8 and 4.6 g, with mean = 2.4 ± 0.4. An annual fecundity estimation based on production of egg cases and oocytes during one year counted in adult females, enabled us to consider it between 40 and 240.     

梨小食心虫自然种群与室内继代饲养种群生物学特性比较

【目的】为明确梨小食心虫Grapholita molesta自然种群与室内继代饲养种群生物学特性的差异, 以期为梨小食心虫的人工饲养以及测报与防治提供理论依据。【方法】本研究对室内继代饲养的和从田间采集的梨小食心虫, 在室内同等条件下饲养, 较系统地观察两者的生物学特性并对其主要生命表参数进行了比较。【结果】在本试验条件下, 梨小食心虫室内继代饲养种群的蛹期极显著长于自然种群（t=-10.78, df=4, P=0.0004）; 卵期、 幼虫期以及预蛹期均稍长于自然种群, 但无显著差异。室内继代饲养种群的幼虫存活率、 化蛹率、 羽化率极显著高于自然种群（存活率： t=-7.61, df=4, P=0.0016; 化蛹率： t=-24.32, df=4, P=0.0017; 羽化率： t=-6.96, df=4, P=0.0022）; 两个种群的卵孵化率、 蛹重、 成虫寿命、 产卵前期、 产卵期及单雌产卵量均无显著差异。自然种群蛀果率高于室内继代饲养种群, 但差异不显著。生命表分析表明, 梨小食心虫室内继代饲养种群的种群趋势指数I、 净增殖率R₀、 内禀增长率r_m、 平均世代周期T、 周限增长率λ均极显著高于自然种群（I： t=-12.20, df=4, P=0.0003; R₀： t=-11.72, df=4, P=0.0003; r_m： t=-9.77, df=4, P=0.0006; T： t=-12.05, df=4, P=0.0003; λ： t=-9.79, df=4, P=0.0006）, 种群加倍时间Dt极显著低于自然种群（t=7.17, df=4, P=0.0020）。【结论】室内继代饲养种群在室内连续饲养50多代后, 与自然种群比较, 不仅各生命表参数和钻蛀危害果实的能力没有下降, 反而在与自然种群同等的室内饲养条件下, 表现了更好的适应性, 在本供试条件下, 后代具有更大的种群增长潜力。所以, 利用室内继代饲养种群进行的相关试验研究结果可以作为梨小食心虫预测预报与防治实践的依据。     

Comparative size,biomass, elemental composition (C,N, H), and energy concentration of caridean shrimp eggs

Summary

In the evolution of decapod crustaceans, interspecific variation in egg size is considered as an important life-history trait that is linked with the duration of embryonic and larval development, the number and type of larval stages, and with juvenile size. Aiming to provide a quantitative characterization of reproductive traits in related decapod taxa differing in lifestyle (freshwater, estuarine, marine) and geographic-climatic distribution (tropical-temperate), we compared size, biomass, and elemental composition of eggs of caridean shrimps from three families: seven species of Palaemonidae (three congeners of Macrobrachium: M. olfersii, M. carcinus, M. acanthurus; four species of Palaemon: P. northropi, P. pandaliformis, P. elegans, P. adspersus), two Atyidae (Potimirim potimirim, Atya scabra), and one Pandalid (Pandalus montagui). Egg size was measured as larger and smaller diameter (D₁ D₂), volume was calculated from D₁ and D₂, and biomass was measured as dry mass (W), carbon (C), nitrogen (N), hydrogen (H), and energy (E, estimated from C) contents. The smallest size and lowest biomass were found in the eggs of two freshwater atyids (both originating from Brazil); the largest size occurred in a marine species, P. montagui (from the North Sea); and intermediate values in freshwater, estuarine, and marine palaemonid species (from Brazil and the Baltic Sea, respectively). Among the Palaemon species, the most limnic (P. pandaliformis) showed a significantly larger egg size and volume (P<0.001) than the estuarine and marine congeners, P. elegans, P. adspersus and P. northropi. This suggests that the generally postulated relationship between egg size and lifestyle (freshwater vs. estuarine or marine) may appear at a generic but not at the family level. On the other hand, individual biomass (in μg or Joules per egg) of early eggs was significantly higher in P. elegans and P. adspersus, indicating interspecific variability in biomass and energy concentration (in μg or Joules per unit volume, mm³). Generally lower biomass concentrations in early eggs of freshwater shrimps may be caused by a higher average water content. Eggs in late embryonic stages were generally larger than earlier eggs of the same species, reflecting an increase in the water content, while an increasing D₁:D₂ quotient indicated an increasingly elongated egg shape. The biomass per egg decreased during embryonic development due to metabolic degradation of organic reserves. As a consequence of inverse ontogenetic changes in size and organic biomass of developing eggs, the mass-specific biomass values (C, N, H in percent of W; E in Joules per mg W) and volume-specific concentrations (μg or Joules per unit volume) decreased. This change was consistently stronger in the C, H, and E contents than in other measures of biomass (W, N). In consequence, the C:N mass ratio also decreased, suggesting that lipid degradation rather than protein utilization was the principal fuel for embryonic development. Our results indicate high intra- (mainly developmental) and interspecific variation in reproductive traits of closely related species. While volume-specific biomass and energy concentrations of early eggs appear to be associated with variation in habitat salinity (freshwater, brackish, marine), individual egg size and biomass may be related more with the climatic-geographic distribution (temperate, tropical) of different taxa.     

Embryonic heart rate and oxygen pulse in two procellariiform seabirds,Diomedea immutabilis and Puffinus pacificus

Developmental patterns of embryonic heart rate were measured non-invasively in two procellariiform seabirds, the Laysan albatross (Diomedea immutabilis) and wedge-tailed shearwater (Puffinus pacificus), during prepipping and after pipping. The O₂ pulse, defined as the O₂ consumption per single heart beat, was calculated using the previously reported O₂ consumption for these species. The embryonic heart rate of the albatross was not changed by internal pipping (initial pipping event in this species), remained unchanged during the prolonged internal pipping period and tended to increase, although insignificantly, with the initiation of external pipping (second pipping event). Heart rate in the shearwater remained unchanged during the late prepipping stages, did not change with external pipping (initial pipping event), but increased during the prolonged internal pipping period (second pipping event) and reached a maximum on the last day of incubation. The developmental pattern of heart rate in the shearwater was very similar to that reported previously for the brown noddy, a member of the order Charadriiformes but with the same pipping sequence. Developmental patterns of embryonic O₂ pulse were also different between the two procellariiform seabirds. However, those of the shearwater and the noddy were similar. The sequence of access to atmospheric O₂ during development and hatching may be an important factor determining the developmental patterns of embryonic heart rate and O₂ pulse.Abbreviations A-VO₂ difference, arteriovenous oxygen difference - BCG ballistocardiogram of egg - CV coefficient of variation - EP external pipping - HR heart rate - IP internal pipping - mass mass of freshly laid egg - SD standard deviation     

Reproductive output of the ornamental shrimp Lysmata vittata (Stimpson, 1860) (Decapoda: Caridea) in wild populations and under different maturation diets

ABSTRACT

Reproductive output parameters (fecundity and egg volume) of Lysmata vittata were examined in a population in northeastern Brazil. Effect of maturation diets on the reproductive output of these shrimp under laboratory conditions was evaluated. Reproductive output was estimated for 25 shrimp collected in the wild. Another 45 pairs of shrimp were used for diet experiments, 15 pairs per treatment (T1: industrialized food, T2: fresh food, T3: mixed diets). For wild population, mean fecundity and egg volume were differed between developmental stages of the eggs. Fecundity was significantly lower in the specimens subjected to T1 diet (267 ± 141 eggs) compared with shrimp from the wild population (393 ± 183 eggs). Egg volume was significantly lower in shrimp subjected to three diets tested compared with those from wild population. Egg loss during embryonic development in L. vittata may be caused by several factors (e.g. aborted development and maternal cannibalism). Fresh food proved to be important for improving reproductive output in L. vittata reared in culture. We emphasize the significance of improving nutritional value and palatability of diets to improve cultivation efficiency. Lysmata vittata can be used as a model organism for future studies aiming to improve the cultivation techniques for shrimp of the genus.

Abbreviations PSH: protandric simultaneous hermaphroditism; ARS: artificial refuge structures; CL: carapace length; EV: egg volume; L: largest diameter of the egg; S: smallest diameter of the egg; T1: industrialized pellets; T2: fresh ingredients; T3: mixed diets; ANCOVA: analysis of covariancr; SD: standard deviation.