Observational evidence of herbivore‐specific associational effects between neighboring conspecifics in natural,dimorphic populations of Datura wrightii

Associational effects—in which the vulnerability of a plant to herbivores is influenced by its neighbors—have been widely implicated in mediating plant–herbivore interactions. Studies of associational effects typically focus on interspecific interactions or pest–crop dynamics. However, associational effects may also be important for species with intraspecific variation in defensive traits. In this study, we observed hundreds of Datura wrightii—which exhibits dimorphism in its trichome phenotype—from over 30 dimorphic populations across California. Our aim was to determine whether a relationship existed between the trichome phenotype of neighboring conspecifics and the likelihood of being damaged by four species of herbivorous insects. We visited plants at three timepoints to assess how these effects vary both within and between growing seasons. We hypothesized that the pattern of associational effects would provide rare morphs (i.e., focal plants that are a different morph than their neighbors) with an advantage in the form of reduced herbivory, thereby contributing to the negative frequency‐dependent selection previously documented in this system. We found the best predictor of herbivory/herbivore presence on focal plants was the phenotype of the focal plant. However, we also found some important neighborhood effects. The total number of plants near a focal individual predicted the likelihood and/or magnitude of herbivory by Tupiochoris notatus, Lema daturaphila, and Manduca sexta. We also found that velvety focal plants with primarily sticky neighbors are more susceptible to infestation by Tupiochoris notatus and Lema daturaphila. This does not align with the hypothesis that associational effects at the near‐neighbor scale contribute to a rare‐morph advantage in this system. Overall, the results of our study show that the number and trichome‐morph composition of neighboring conspecifics impact interactions between D. wrightii and insect herbivores.     

An analysis of the setation pattern of the limbs in Anostraca (Crustacea); using the Algerian species as an example

The implantation, number, and structure of the state on th endopodites and exopodites of the limbs, and the setulation of the endite I of all Anostracan species found in Algeria are analysed by light and scanning electron microscopy and graphically represented. The data disclose segnificant variation among the generaArtemia, Branchinella, Branchipus, Chirocephalus, Streptocephalus andTanymastigites, and between the related congenersStreptocephalus torvicornis andS. rubricaudatus.     

Climate as a driver of phenological change in southern seabirds

Seabirds are one of the most threatened groups of birds globally and, overall, their conservation status is deteriorating rapidly. Southern hemisphere countries are over-represented in the number of species of conservation concern yet long-term phenological data on seabirds in the southern hemisphere is limited. A better understanding of the implications of changes in the marine and terrestrial environments to seabird species is required in order to improve their management and conservation status. Here we conducted a meta-analysis of the phenological drivers and trends among southern hemisphere seabirds. Overall there was a general trend towards later phenological events over time (34 % of all data series, N?=?47; 67 % of all significant trends), though this varied by taxa and location. The strongest trends towards later events were for seabirds breeding in Australia, the Laridae (gulls, noddies, terns) and migratory southern polar seabirds. In contrast, earlier phenologies were more often observed for the Spheniscidae (penguins) and for other seabirds breeding in the Antarctic and subantarctic. Phenological changes were most often associated with changes in oceanographic conditions, with sea-ice playing an important role for more southerly species. For some species in some locations, such as the Little Penguin Eudyptula minor in south-eastern Australia, warmer oceans projected under various climate change scenarios are expected to correspond to increased seabird productivity, manifested through earlier breeding, heavier chicks, an increased chance of double brooding, at least in the short-term.     

Flow kinetics of L-asparaginase attached to nylon tubing

L -Asparaginase has been attached by chemical means to the inner surface of nylon tubing. An experimental study has been carried out of the flow kinetics for such a system, asparagine solutions at various concentrations being passed through two lengths of tubing at various flow rates. Measurements were made of the concentration of the product ammonia at the tube exit, and of the rate of formation of ammonia, under the various conditions. Apparent Michaelis constants, K_m(app), were some three orders of magnitude higher than the K_m for the enzyme in free solution (～13 × 10^?6JM). The results were analyzed with respect to the theoretical treatment described in the preceding paper (Kobayashi and Laidler), three different methods being employed. It is concluded that at lower substrate concentrations and flow rates the reactions are largely diffusion-controlled, the enhanced K_m(app) values being largely if not entirely due to the diffusion control; ionic strength studies showed electrostatic repulsion effects to be unimportant. At high concentrations and high flow rates (when the diffusion layer is of negligible thickness) the diffusional effects are minimized, and K_m(app) approaches the true K_m value for the immobilized enzyme.     

Scent-marking and the oestrous cycle of the female rat

Oestrous rats scent-mark conspicuous objects and the ground significantly more than they do when they are in dioestrus. The scent-marking behaviour leaves a conspicuous trail of urine and sebaceous secretion. It is suggested that the increased marking at oestrus is functional in attracting males, although the causal factors for it are at present unknown.     

The roles of statistical inference and historical sources in understanding landscape change: the case of feral buffalo in the freshwater floodplains of Kakadu National Park

The statistical analysis of Bowman et al. ( Journal of Biogeography , 2008, 35 , 1976–1988) revealed the weak relationship between the rate of woody cover encroachment onto the freshwater floodplains in the central section of Kakadu National Park (KNP) over a 40-year period and estimates of proximate water buffalo ( Bubalus bubalis ) density. The analysis relied on detailed mapping of buffalo tracks, the best historical record of spatial variation of buffalo density in KNP. In their reply, Petty & Werner ( Journal of Biogeography , 2009, doi: [DOI link] ) prefer to privilege an amalgam of historical sources to claim that buffalo removal is the primary driver of the woody expansion on floodplains. The contrasting weight placed on data analysis and differences of interpretation underscore a tension between statistically based historical ecology approaches and environmental history narratives, a tension that forms part of the broader cultural clash between the Sciences and Humanities.     

Kinetics of the reduction of C-9 substituted acridinium cations by 1,4-dihydronicotinamides

Second-order rate constants (k₂) are reported for the reduction of 9-R-10-methylacridinium cations (5:R = H, CH₃, CH₃CH₂, C₆H₅CH₂, (CH₃)₂CH, C₆H₅, 4-(CH₃)₂NC₆H₄) by 1-benzyl-1,4-dihydronicotinamide (2:R = C₆H₅CH₂) in 20% CH₃CN-80% H₂O at 25°C. All 5:R ≠ H are reduced in the range 20- to 140-fold more slowly than 5:R = H. However, there is no simple relationship between k₂ and the nature of R, nor between k₂ and the second-order rate constant for hydroxide ion attack at C-9 of these cations in pseudobase formation. Rates of reduction of 5 by 1-benzyl-4,4-dideuterio-1,4-dihydronicotinamide allow the calculation of the following kinetic isotope effects in this solvent medium: 5:R, $\text{k}{}^{\mathrm{<mtext>H</mtext>}}\text{k}{}^{\mathrm{<mtext>D</mtext>}}\text{:}\text{H}$, 1.56; C₆H₅CH₂, 2.7; C₆H₅, 5.4. Substituent effects upon k₂ were evaluated for the reduction of 5 by 1-(X-benzyl)-1,4-dihydronicotinamides, and lead to the following Hammett ? parameters: 5:R, ?: H, ?0.68; C₆H₅CH₂, ?0.92; C₆H₅, ?0.96. The latter two values require essentially complete unit positive charge generation on the nicotinamide moiety in the rate-determining transition state. It is shown that these Hammett ? values and the above isotope effects can only be rationalized by a two-step e^? + H^? mechanism for hydride transfer from 2 to 5 in this solvent system. This result contrasts with our earlier conclusion of direct, one-step hydride transfer in the reduction of isoquinolinium cations by 2, but is consistent with our observation that acridinium cations are reduced 37500-fold faster by 2 than predicted on the basis of the relative rates of nucleophilic attack (hydroxide ion) on acridinium and isoquinolinium cations. It is suggested that the availability of both Hammett ? values and primary kinetic isotope effects will generally allow the establishment of the mechanism of hydride transfer in these systems. Application of these ideas to literature data suggests that 5:R = H is reduced by direct hydride transfer in acetonitrile solution, in contrast to the above result in predominantly aqueous solution. The ready formation of acridanyl radicals by electron transfer to acridinium cations is demonstrated by the formation of Wurster's Blue radical cation upon mixing solutions of acridinium cations with N,N,N′,N′-tetramethyl-p-phenylenediamine.