光周期对小地老虎生长发育及繁殖的影响

【目的】探明光周期对小地老虎Agrotis ypsilon(Rottemberg)生长发育及繁殖的影响。【方法】在实验条件下观察了5个光周期(0L︰24D,8L︰16D,12L︰12D,16L︰8D和24L︰0D)下小地老虎的生长发育和繁殖情况。【结果】随着光照时间增加,小地老虎生长速度加快,发育历期缩短,孵化率、存活率、羽化率、产卵量先增大后降低。其卵、幼虫、蛹和成虫的最适光周期分别为12L︰12D或16L︰8D、16L︰8D、0L︰24D以及12L︰12D。综合来说,光周期16L︰8D最适合小地老虎的生长发育。【结论】研究结果初步揭示了不同光周期对小地老虎生长发育及繁殖状况存在显著的影响,并且不同虫态对光周期变化也呈现不同的变化规律。     

双尾新小绥螨防治菜豆土耳其斯坦叶螨的释放技术研究

【目的】明确双尾新小绥螨Neoseiulus bicaudus防治菜豆上土耳其斯坦叶螨Tetranychus turkestani的最佳释放比例、释放时期和释放次数。【方法】在室内盆栽和田间菜豆植株上,通过不同害螨起始密度、不同益害比以及不同释放频次,定时定点调查土耳其斯坦叶螨的种群数量,比较不同处理下,双尾新小绥螨对土耳其斯坦叶螨的防效。【结果】室内盆栽试验中,益害比为1︰1与1︰5和1︰10之间的防效差异较小,防效在50%以上,益害比1︰15和1︰30的防效均在50%以下。田间试验中,益害比为1︰5释放双尾新小绥螨对菜豆土耳其斯坦叶螨的防效均在81.65%以上,在释放后第28天达到了95.16%。益害比为1︰10和1︰20的防效持续28 d保持在64.01%以上。1︰20在一次释放后第2天的防效为64.27%,经过二次释放,第4天后的防效均在91.72%以上。害螨起始高密度(60头/株)下释放双尾新小绥螨,防效均在26%以下,低密度(15头/株)和中密度(30头/株)的防效均在48.44%以上。【结论】双尾新小绥螨对菜豆上土耳其斯坦叶螨有很好的控制效果,推荐在土耳其斯坦叶螨危害较轻时,按益害比1︰10或者1︰20(二次)释放双尾新小绥螨,确保较高的防效和较少的双尾新小绥螨释放量。     

短时高温暴露处理对双尾新小绥螨Neoseiulus bicaudus Wainstein生长发育的影响

【目的】明确新疆本地种捕食螨双尾新小绥螨Neoseiulus bicaudus Wainstein在遇到短时极端高温胁迫后,对其生长发育和种群发展的影响。【方法】利用短时极端高温处理试验,研究双尾新小绥螨卵和成螨分别在38℃、42℃和46℃下,处理2、4和6 h后的孵化率、存活率以及对其未成熟阶段发育历期和生命参数的影响。【结果】卵经过不同时间高温处理后,随着处理温度的升高,处理时间的延长,卵的孵化率逐渐降低,46℃处理2 h的孵化率仅为42.02%,且在46℃处理超过4 h,其卵不能孵化;其各未成熟阶段发育历期有先缩短后延长的趋势,当在38℃处理2 h时,其发育历期最短为4.82 d。雌成螨经过不同时间高温处理后,雌成螨的产卵量、产卵期和寿命随着处理温度的升高、处理时间的延长有逐渐下降和缩短的趋势;42℃,2 h处理下每雌产卵量最低为19.33粒,其产卵期也是最短为10.09 d;38℃,6 h处理下寿命最短为14.68 d。【结论】短时极端高温处理主要影响双尾新小绥螨卵的孵化率、存活率降低和未成熟阶段的发育历期;影响其雌成螨的产卵量和寿命。     

双尾新小绥螨的形态特征及捕食性功能

【目的】通过对新疆本地捕食螨双尾新小绥螨Neoseiulus bicaudus Wainstein的形态学特征观察及其对新疆农作物上两种重要害螨的捕食量测定,为该捕食螨的保护、研究、扩繁和释放提供理论基础。【方法】在实验室(26±1)℃,RH60%,16L︰8D条件下,借助显微成像系统观察其各个螨态形态特征及生物学习性;定量小室饲养技术对不同密度下对新疆两种重要害螨各螨态的捕食量进行研究。【结果】双尾新小绥螨有卵、幼螨、第一若螨、第二若螨和成螨5个螨态,嗜好阴暗条件,活动范围小,通过有性生殖进行繁殖,有多次交配行为,产卵方式为单产;单头双尾新小绥螨雌成螨每日对截形叶螨Tetranychus truncatus卵和幼螨的捕食量(106.8粒/日·雌和45.4头/日·雌)要显著大于土耳其斯坦叶螨Tetranychus turkestani(64.4粒/日·雌和39.4头/日·雌),而对两种叶螨的若螨和成螨捕食量无明显差异。【结论】本研究表明双尾新小绥螨对土耳其斯坦叶螨和截形叶螨的卵和幼螨的捕食较对若螨和成螨的效果好,对新疆害螨有一定控制能力。     

以实验种群生命表评价六种植绥螨对西花蓟马的控制潜力

【目的】植绥螨是蓟马等害虫(螨)的重要捕食性天敌,在当前生物防治中应用广泛,本研究旨在为本地植绥螨资源的开发利用及筛选出控制西花蓟马Frankliniella occidentalis最有效的植绥螨天敌提供依据。【方法】以西花蓟马为猎物,在室内温度(25±1)℃、光照16L︰8D、相对湿度80%±5%的条件下,比较了内蒙古本地植绥螨种类有益真绥螨Euseius utilis Liang et Ke、苏氏副伦绥螨Paraseiulus soleiger Ribaga和巴氏新小绥螨Neoseiulus barkeri Hughes及目前应用的植绥螨斯氏钝绥螨Amblyseius swirskii Athias-Henriot、东方钝绥螨A.orientalis Ehara和黄瓜新小绥螨N.cucumeris Oudemans取食西花蓟马后的发育历期和生殖潜力,并组建了实验种群生命表以评价各类植绥螨的捕食潜能。【结果】有益真绥螨的日均产卵量(1.67±0.02)粒和黄瓜新小绥螨的日均产卵量(1.58±0.06)粒相近且无显著差异,仅次于斯氏钝绥螨(1.69±0.07)粒;有益真绥螨其子代雌雄性比与黄瓜新小绥螨的性比也相同(1.63︰1),低于斯氏钝绥螨(1.77︰1)和巴氏新小绥螨(1.64︰1);有益真绥螨的世代平均周期最短(T=19.36 d),内禀增长率(rm=0.16)和周限增长率(λ=1.17)均最大,种群倍增时间最短(t=4.33 d)。【结论】有益真绥螨以西花蓟马为食后种群数量增长的潜力强于其他5种植绥螨,是本地防治西花蓟马较有潜力的植绥螨种类。     

寄主植物对双尾新小绥螨运动速率及捕食能力的影响

【目的】捕食螨运动速率直接影响其捕食能力。本研究分析了5种寄主植物对捕食螨——双尾新小绥螨Neoseiulus bicaudus运动速率的影响,旨在探究双尾新小绥螨在不同寄主植物上对土耳其斯坦叶螨的捕食能力。【方法】采用数字图像处理技术,分析双尾新小绥螨雌成螨在菜豆Phaseolus vulgaris、棉花Gossypium hirsutum、番茄Solanum lycopersicum、茄子Solanum melongena和黄瓜Cucumis sativus上的运动速度,进一步采用小室观察法比较了寄主植物对双尾新小绥螨捕食功能反应的影响。【结果】双尾新小绥螨在5种寄主植物上的运动速度依次为:菜豆(0. 62 cm/s)和棉花(0. 60 cm/s)黄瓜(0. 38 cm/s)和茄子(0. 36 cm/s)番茄(0. 27 cm/s)。进一步捕食功能反应结果表明,在5种寄主植物上,双尾新小绥螨对土耳其斯坦叶螨的捕食量均随猎物密度的增加而升高,增加到一定程度后趋于缓和,其捕食类型均属于HollingⅡ型。双尾新小绥螨在菜豆上对土耳其斯坦叶螨的攻击系数(a)最高,为1. 124;在棉花上的处理时间(Th)最短,为0. 059。同时,在菜豆和棉花上的捕食能力较强,a/Th值分别为18. 177和16. 763;而在番茄、茄子和黄瓜上的捕食能力较弱,a/Th值分别为6. 780,6. 537和6. 369。【结论】双尾新小绥螨在棉花和菜豆上的运动速度最快,同时捕食能力也最强。     

双尾新小绥螨对五种寄主植物不同受害后挥发物的趋性

【目的】为明确不同寄主植物挥发物对双尾新小绥螨Neoseiulus bicaudus Wainstein的影响。【方法】采用Y-型嗅觉仪,观测双尾新小绥螨对不同处理(健康植株、机械损伤植株、去叶螨受害植株、带叶螨受害植株)的5种寄主植物(大豆、棉花、番茄、茄子、黄瓜)的趋性差异。【结果】双尾新小绥螨对不同处理的5种寄主植物的趋性强弱依次为:带叶螨受害叶去叶螨受害叶机械损伤叶健康植株叶洁净空气。5种螨害植株间比较时,每组均为螨害大豆的引诱率最高,且显著高于茄子,极显著高于番茄和黄瓜,但与棉花无显著性差异。【结论】双尾新小绥螨在搜寻猎物过程中,不同寄主植物的挥发物对其选择寄主的过程起到重要作用。     

不同营养源添加的人工饲料对加州新小绥螨的生物学影响

【目的】加州新小绥螨Neoseiulus californicus是世界范围内广泛分布的天敌捕食螨,对二斑叶螨Tetranychus urticae防效显著。2010年我国发现其本土品系,并已实现规模化饲养。但传统饲养方法成本较高,为降低生产成本,本研究开展了人工饲料的相关试验。【方法】本文对比了两种饲喂装置的饲养效果,采用3种营养源,以不同添加量配制8种人工饲料,饲喂加州新小绥螨,研究人工饲料对加州新小绥螨的生物学影响。【结果】采用渗透装置,饲喂添加20%柞蚕蛹血淋巴的人工饲料饲养效果较好,加州新小绥螨可以完成生长发育,并产卵,产卵量为7.0粒/雌。用人工饲料饲养雌成螨,其产卵量为27.1粒/雌。【结论】此研究结果对实现人工饲料规模化生产加州新小绥螨提供了重要信息。     

不同光周期条件下棉花粉蚧的生长发育和种群增长能力

【目的】 研究阐明不同光周期条件下棉花粉蚧Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsley实验种群的发育历期、繁殖和数量动态规律,为制定该虫防治对策、研究治理措施等提供科学依据。【方法】 以扶桑为寄主,在温度27±1℃、相对湿度70%±5%、光照强度4 000 lx及不同光周期（8L∶16D, 10L∶14D, 12L∶12D, 14L∶10D和16L∶8D）条件下,观察了棉花粉蚧实验种群的生长发育特性和繁殖能力,组建了实验种群生命表。【结果】 不同光周期处理下棉花粉蚧1龄若虫和3龄若虫的发育历期及雌成虫产仔量均发生了变化,但不同龄期若虫存活率之间差异不大。随着光照时间增加,棉花粉蚧1龄若虫、3龄若虫发育速率加快,8 h光照时发育历期分别为5.43 d和6.35 d,而16 h光照时发育历期分别缩短至4.16 d和4.75 d;整个若虫发育历期也由8 h光照时的15.54 d缩短至16 h光照时的12.74 d,世代历期由27.75 d缩短至23.45 d。长光照时雌虫更早进入产仔期,也有利于雌虫繁殖后代,16 h光照时进入产仔期是18日龄,8 和10 h光照时均推迟至22日龄;16 h光照时单雌产仔量为417.06头,明显高于12 ,10 和8 h光照时的353.59,347.61和336.00头。长光照条件下实验种群趋势指数(I)明显较大,增长潜能更大,16,10 和8 h光照时种群趋势指数分别为 175.37,133.94和141.99。该虫生命表参数表明,随着光照时间加长净增值率（R₀）呈逐渐增大趋势,8, 10,12,14和16 h光照时分别为88.57,86.85,100.77,124.16和126.86;内禀增长率、周限增长率表现类似的规律,8～16 h光照时内禀增长率（r_m）为0.1616～0.2066,周限增长率（λ）为1.1754～1.2294;而种群倍增时间（t）则随着光照时加长而缩短,8～16 h光照时为4.29～3.36 d。【结论】 长光照有利于棉花粉蚧生长发育和繁殖,世代历期缩短,种群增长潜能变强。     

巴氏新小绥螨毒死蜱抗性选育及生物学特性

【目的】明确巴氏新小绥螨Neoseiulus barkeri毒死蜱抗性对其生物学特性的影响,为抗药性捕食螨田间应用提供理论基础。【方法】在室内采用药膜法测定毒死蜱对巴氏新小绥螨的毒力,以半致死浓度(lethal medium concentration, LC₅₀)为选择压力,对巴氏新小绥螨敏感种群进行逐代汰选。应用生命表法分析毒死蜱抗性获得对巴氏新小绥螨相对适合度(relative fitness, Rf)的影响。采用HollingII模型拟合分析不同温度下巴氏新小绥螨毒死蜱敏感和抗性品系对柑橘全爪螨Panonychus citri卵和雌成螨捕食功能反应差异。【结果】经过21代抗性筛选,获得了抗性倍数为34.77倍的巴氏新小绥螨毒死蜱抗性品系。抗性获得对巴氏新小绥螨各发育历期、子代雌性比例和捕食功能反应等特征均无明显影响,但产卵期和雌成螨寿命有所缩短。在15℃时,巴氏新小绥螨敏感品系和抗性品系均无法完成整个世代周期。在25℃条件下,巴氏新小绥螨敏感品系和抗性品系的单雌产卵量均最高,分别为41.64±1.04和38.80±0.93粒/雌,两者差异显著;该温度条件下,巴氏新小绥螨敏感品系和抗性品系的产卵期均最长,分别为24.82±1.50和21.34±1.26 d,两者也存在显著性差异。在30℃条件下,巴氏新小绥螨敏感品系和抗性品系世代周期均最短,分别为6.62±0.23和6.53±0.13 d。同时,该温度条件下,巴氏新小绥螨敏感品系和抗性品系对柑橘全爪螨的捕食能力均最强,其中对卵的最大日捕食量分别为156.25和140.85粒,对雌成螨的最大日捕食量分别为23.10和22.32头。就相对适合度而言,巴氏新小绥螨抗性品系的相对适合度在25和30℃时略低于敏感品系,但在20和35℃时略高于敏感品系。【结论】总体而言,巴氏新小绥螨毒死蜱抗性获得对其在不同温度条件下生物学特性的影响较小。研究结果为巴氏新小绥螨抗性品系筛选及田间应用提供了理论依据。     

光周期对内蒙古三种草原蝗虫高龄若虫发育、存活、羽化、生殖的影响

研究不同光周期(L8∶D16、L12∶D12及L16∶D8)对毛足棒角蝗Dasyhippus barbipes(F.-W.),亚洲小车蝗Oedaleus decorus asiaticus B.-Bidenko,小翅雏蝗Chorthippus fallax(Zub.)3种草原蝗虫高龄若虫的发育、存活、羽化、生殖的影响。结果表明:在白天温度(28±1)℃,黑夜温度(23±1)℃的恒定温度下,不同光周期对毛足棒角蝗和亚洲小车蝗高龄若虫的发育、羽化、产卵影响不大,但是对其存活率有极显著的影响:毛足棒角蝗和亚洲小车蝗高龄若虫到成虫的发育速度在中光照下(L12∶D12)最快。而在短光照(L8∶D16)下更有利于小翅雏蝗若虫发育,其次是中光照;毛足棒角蝗的羽化在中光照条件下最适宜,而长光照时数(L16∶D8)更有利于亚洲小车蝗和小翅雏蝗的羽化;光周期对亚洲小车蝗产卵影响最为明显,毛足棒角蝗和亚洲小车蝗在中光照和长光照时数条件下有利于它们产卵,而小翅雏蝗在短光照和中光照时数下有利于产卵。     

Long day photoperiods and temperature of 20 degrees C induce spermatogenesis in blinded and non-blinded marbled newts during the period of testicular quiescence

Adult male marbled newts (Triturus marmoratus) were collected at the end of the spermatogenesis period and exposed to different photoperiods (natural-daylength-simulated photoperiod, total darkness, 8L:16D, 12L:12D, 16L:8D, and continuous light) for 3 mo. Temperature was maintained at 20 degrees C. Two additional groups of newts were blinded and exposed to either the natural-simulated photoperiod and to 16 h of light per day respectively. Quantitative histologic studies on testicular development and germ cell volume per testis were performed. The newts captured in the field at the beginning (initial controls) or at the end of the experiments (final controls) were in the period of testicular quiescence. Newts kept in total darkness or exposed to a short photoperiod (8L:16D) showed germ cell development up to primary spermatocytes, whereas germ cell development in the newts exposed to long photoperiods (12L:12D or 16L:8D) progressed to elongated spermatids. The newts exposed either to intermediate photoperiods (natural-simulated photoperiod) or to constant light showed an intermediate degree of germ cell development (up to round spermatids). No significant differences between non-blinded and blinded animals were found. These results suggest that (1) mild temperature initiates testicular development in the period of testicular quiescence, (2) long photoperiods associated with mild temperatures produce spermatogenesis in this period, (3) complete darkness or constant light are less effective than some intermediate photoperiod, and (4) the effect of photoperiod on testicular function in newts is not related to ocular photoreception.     

Maternal transfer of photoperiodic information influences the photoperiodic response of prepubertal Djungarian hamsters (Phodopus sungorus sungorus)

Daylengths during the spring are repeated in reverse order in the autumn. For some photoperiodic species, a given photoperiod may be stimulatory for reproduction in the spring and inhibitory in the autumn. The mechanisms regulating this type of seasonal response have, until recently, remained a mystery. Horton (1984a) showed in Microtus montanus that the photoperiod experienced by the mother influences the gonadal development of her young after weaning. To determine if this phenomenon is characteristic of other photoperiodic rodents, adult Djungarian hamsters were paired on 16L:8D, 14L:10D, or 12L:12D. Young males born from these pairings were killed at 15, 28, and 34 days of age to assess gonadal development (testes weight). At 15 days testicular development was identical in all groups; by 28 days, however, males raised in 16L:8D or 14L:10D exhibited a greater degree of testicular development than those raised in 12L:12D. Next, females maintained on each of the three photoperiods throughout gestation were transferred, with their offspring, to the other two photoperiods at birth. Postnatal exposure to 14L:10D or 12L:12D inhibited testicular development in young that had been gestated on 16L:8D. Both 16L:8D and 14L:10D stimulated testicular growth in animals that had been gestated on 12L:12D or 14L:10D. Therefore, a) 16L:8D stimulates testicular growth in all animals, b) 12L:12D inhibits testicular growth in all animals, and c) the testicular response to 14L:10D depends on the photoperiod experienced by the mother during pregnancy.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

The influence of three unchanging photoperiods on growth and parr-smolt transformation in Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L.

Groups of pre-smolt Atlantic salmon were reared under three experimental photoperiods. Growth rate was significantly enhanced under 24 h of light: 0 h of darkness per diem (24 L: 0 D) compared with 16 L: 8 D and 8 L: 16 D from early January to early May. From the beginning of May until the termination of the experiment on 27 May, growth rate was highest under 8 L: 16 D.
All groups developed bimodal length-frequency distributions during the experiment. The proportion of the population in each of the two growth modes was significantly affected by photoperiod treatment.
The level of plasma cortisol increased significantly from February to May. There were no differences in levels of plasma cortisol among photoperiod treatments.
Judged by development in plasma cortisol, changes in condition factor and external appearance, the parr-smolt transformation was not completed under any of the experimental photoperiods.     

Reproductive status and torpor of the marsupial Sminthopsis crassicaudata: Effect of photoperiod

1. 1. We investigated the effects of photoperiod on the reproductive state and the occurrence and pattern of torpor in male Sminthopsis crassicaudata.

2. 2. Testes regressed when animals were exposed to a short photoperiod (L:D 8:16) and recrudesced under a long photoperiod (L:D 16:8).

3. 3. Animals entered torpor under both photoperiods and no significant differences were observed in the frequency or physiological variables of torpor of S. crassicaudata between the short and long photoperiods.

4. 4. The differences in the response to photoperiod in thermal physiology and reproduction suggest that, unlike in many rodent species, torpor and reproduction in S. crassicaudata are controlled by separate environmental cues and mechanisms.

     

Support for a rare pattern of temperature-dependent sex determination in archaic reptiles: evidence from two species of tuatara (Sphenodon)

Background

In many birds, day length (=photoperiod) regulates reproductive cycle. The photoperiodic environment varies between different seasons and latitudes. As a consequence, species at different latitudes may have evolved separate photoperiodic strategies or modified them as per their adaptive need. We studied this using house sparrow as a model since it is found worldwide and is widely investigated. In particular, we examined whether photoperiodism in house sparrows (Passer domesticus) at 27°N, 81°E shared features with those exhibited by its conspecifics at high latitudes.

Results

Initial experiment described in the wild and captive conditions the gonad development and molt (only in captives) cycles over a 12-month period. Both male and female sparrows had similar seasonal cycles, linked with annual variations in day length; this suggested that seasonal reproduction in house sparrows was under the photoperiodic control. However, a slower testis and attenuated follicular growth among captives indicated that other (supplementary) factors are also involved in controlling the reproductive cycle. Next experiment examined if sparrows underwent seasonal variations in their response to stimulatory effects of long day lengths. When birds were transferred every month over a period of 1 year to 16 hours light:8 hours darkness (16L:8D) for 17–26 weeks, there was indeed a time-of-year effect on the growth-regression cycle of gonads. The final experiment investigated response of house sparrows to a variety of light-dark (LD) cycles. In the first set, sparrows were exposed for 31 weeks to photoperiods that were close to what they receive in between the period from sunrise to sunset at this latitude: 9L:15D (close to shortest day length in December), 12L:12D (equinox, in March and September) 15L:9D (close to longest day length in June). They underwent testicular growth and regression and molt in 12L and 15L photoperiods, but not in 9L photoperiod. In the second set, sparrows were exposed for 17 weeks to photoperiods with light periods extending to different duration of the daily photosensitivity rhythm (e.g. 2L:22D, 6L:18D, 10L:14D, 14L:10D, 18L:6D and 22L:2D). Interestingly, a slow and small testicular response occurred under 2L and 10L photoperiods; 6L:18D was non-inductive. On the other hand, 14L, 18L and 22L photoperiods produced testicular growth and subsequent regression response as is typical of a long day photostimulation.

Conclusion

Subtropical house sparrows exhibit photoperiodic responses similar to that is reported for its population living at high latitudes. This may suggest the conservation of the photoperiodic control mechanisms in birds evolved over a long period of time, as a physiological strategy in a temporally changing environment ensuring reproduction at the best suited time of the year.     

Role of photoperiod in the development and reproduction of Harmonia axyridis (Coleoptera,Coccinellidae)

To improve the laboratory mass rearing and the winter greenhouse use of the multicoloured Asian lady beetle Harmonia axyridis (Pallas) (Coleoptera, Coccinellidae), the effects of photoperiod on the development and fecundity of H. axyridis were investigated at 20°C and photoperiods ranging from 0L:24D to 24L:0D. We foun'd photoperiod to significantly affect the pre-imaginal development and reproduction of H. axyridis. The development of the pre-imaginal stage was significantly faster at shorter photoperiods (0–14?h) than at longer ones (16–24?h). The proportion of females laying eggs within the first 30 days after eclosion, the mean number of eggs per ovipositing female, and the long axial length of the first oocyte were all lower at shorter photoperiods (6–12?h) than at longer ones (14–24?h). These results suggest that adult H. axyridis may encounter problems in preying and reproducing in the winter conditions of unheated and unilluminated greenhouses in areas with temperatures lower than 20°C and day lengths shorter than 12?h.     

Effect of photoperiod on growth and gonadal development of juvenile Topmouth Gudgeon Pseudorasbora parva

In this study, we investigated the effect of photoperiod on growth and gonadal development of juvenile topmouth gudgeon, Pseudorasbora parva. Seven different photoperiods (light:dark, L:D) were tested: 0L:24D, 4L:20D, 8L:16D, 12L:12D, 16L:8D, 20L:4D and 24L:0D, from November to January. Throughout the study, light intensity was kept at 400 lx on the water surface, and the fish were fed a commercial diet twice a day. Weight gain, feed intake, specific growth rate, and feed conversion efficiency were significantly higher under the constant–long day photoperiods (24L:0D, 20L:4D and 16L:8D) than those under the short–no day photoperiods (12L:12D, 8L:16D, 4L:20D, 0L:24D) (p?<?0.05). The highest mean female gonadosomatic index (GSI) and mean oocyte size were observed under 24L:0D followed by 20L:4D and 16L:8D photoperiods, and these parameters were significantly higher than those of fish cultured under the short–no day photoperiod regimes (p?<?0.05). Proportion of females with GSI?>?9 % were 50.00 %, 46.67 %, 48.48 %, in 24L:0D, 20L:4D and 16L:8D, respectively. These results demonstrate that the growth of juvenile P. parva can be stimulated significantly by constant–long photoperiods and that these photoperiods can advance sexual maturity of females by approximately 2 months.     

Effects of age and photoperiod on reproduction and the spleen in the marsh rice rat (Oryzomys palustris)

To examine the interactions between age and photoperiod on reproduction and spleen weights, we exposed adult male and female rice rats of various ages to photoperiods of 16:8-h light-dark photoperiods (16L:8D) or 12L:12D. After 10 wk, animals were killed and the following data were recorded: weights of testes, seminal vesicles, uterus, ovaries, body, and spleen and, in addition, vaginal patency. Young adult males displayed a greater degree of testicular and seminal vesicle regression in short photoperiods than did older males; the testes of most older males did not regress in response to short photoperiods. Spleen weight was unresponsive to short photoperiods in all males, but was affected by age. Females, however, exhibited reproductive organ regression and decreased vaginal patency in response to short photoperiods at all ages examined. Body weights were affected by photoperiod in young females, and, as in males, photoperiod had no effect on spleen weights. These data suggest that the reproductive response to photoperiod in adult male rice rats declines with age, whereas in adult females it does not.