Morphological differentiation and resource polymorphism in three sympatric whitefish Coregonus lavaretus(L.) forms in a subarctic lake

Three field‐identified whitefish Coregonus lavaretus forms in Lake Muddusjärvi, Finland, were compared in morphology, diet and prey size. First, these forms were studied with univariate and multivariate analysis to assess morphological divergence at a higher resolution level than in the field. Second, stomach contents were analysed to estimate diet‐overlap among forms. Finally, the relationship between prey size and morphology was examined. The whitefish were assigned to the initial field‐classification with 99·2% and 98·8% accuracy for morphologic and meristic traits, respectively. The small sparsely‐rakered form (SSR) had the shortest rakers and largest gillraker space, followed by the large sparsely‐rakered form (LSR) with intermediate gillraker length and gillraker space, while densely‐rakered whitefish (DR) had the longest rakers and smallest gillraker space. The two sparsely‐rakered whitefish forms (LSR and SSR), consumed mainly benthic macroinvertebrates, while densely‐rakered whitefish (DR), utilized pelagic food items. Average diet‐overlaps between whitefish forms were low in June‐September (Schoener's α = 0·02 − 0·23). Gillraker number and length were negatively correlated to prey length in the diet ( r  = −0·73, and r  = −0·60), while gillraker space was positively correlated with prey length ( r  = 0·81). The fact that these whitefish forms were morphologically and ecologically segregated, and that gillraker traits probably have a functional value in food selection, further suggests that natural selection has been important in structuring life‐history trajectories into divergent niche use.     

Tumulduria incomperta and the case for Tommotian trilobites

The enigmatic fossil Tumulduria incomperta Missanhevsky 1969 from the basal Tommotian Stage at 'Dvortsy' on the Aldan River, Siberian Platform, is reinvestigated in light of the report (Fedorov et al. 1979, Dokl. AN SSSR 249) of trilobite remains from the same beds. Comparisons of these supposed trilobites with old and new collections from 'Dvortsy' leave no doubt that they are identical to Tumulduria incomperta. Tumulduria is represented by phosphatic plates with a crude bilateral symmetry, consisting of a central longitudinal rounded ridge flanked by flat lateral portions. They are built of growth lamellae overlapping each other along the axis of symmetry. The surface carries prominent transverse folds and lamellar terminations. There is considerable morphological variation, and the similarity of some specimens to trilobites is only superficial. Tumulduria is interpreted as a bilaterally symmetrical metazoan with a dorsal protective plate; it probably represents a short-lived group that left no descendants.     

Oral ontogeny of the Ayu, Plecoglossus altivelis and comparisons with the jaws of other salmoniform fishes

The Japanese Ayu, Plecoglossus altivelis Temminck & Schlegel is the sole representative of the salmoniform family Plecoglossidae. The Ayu is remarkable for its dentition which in adults comprises groups of diagonally arranged comb-like teeth in the outer tissue of the jaws. In juveniles (below 63 mm SL) the teeth are attached normally to the jaws. The transition of tooth form is correlated with a switch from zooplanktivory to algal or aufwuchs grazing. The present study follows the development of the teeth, jaws, oral cavity ethmoid and suspensorial elements in specimens ranging in size from 41–70 mm SL. The possible mode of function of the adult dentition is discussed. Comparisons are made with the jaws of other salmoniform fishes and a suite of supposed apomorphic characters are identified which are also shared with certain genera of the family Osmeridae, thus supporting the ideas of others that the Osmeridae is a paraphyletic assemblage.     

Further studies on the morphology of the Triviidae (Gastropoda: Prosobranchia) with emphasis on species from southern Africa

Aspects of the morphology of II species of Triviidae are described, including the living animal, shell, radula, mantle complex, central nervous system and reproductive system. Interspecific differences in radular morphology are important in distinguishing closely allied species. Trivia aperta, T. costata and T. verhoeft are protandric hermaphrodites while T. caluariola, T. neglccta, T. pellucidula, T. rubra, T. solandri and T. suavis are gonochoric. The elaboration of the receptaculum seminis varies between species. In T. aperta, T. calvariola, T. neglecta and T. who& the receptaculum is undivided while in T. costafa, T. pellucidula, T. solandri and T. suavis there are two or more lobes of the receptaculum.     

马尾树科及其近缘科花粉形态研究

本文观察了马尾树科(Rhoipteleaceae)、胡桃科(Juglandaceae)以及桦木科(Be-tulaceae)、9属9种植物花粉形态。马尾树科与桦木科桦木属(Betula L.)花粉粒均为扁球形,极面观呈钝三角形,萌发孔类型均为多孔类型,孔之间均有弓形加厚,而且外表面均具细颗粒状雕纹。而胡桃科大多为多边形、散孔类型。根据花粉形态资料,探讨了马尾树科的系统位置。     

Intraspecific variability of Brachionus plicatilis

An extensive study of frontal margins of the lorica of Brachionus plicatilis was undertaken in an attempt to define its variability within this species. Specimens from mass cultures and from the natural environment were examined.     

Hirschmanniella pomponiensis n. sp. (Nemata: Pratylenchidae), Parasitic on Bulrush,Scirpus robustus Pursh

A new species of Hirschmanniella was found in bulrush roots; LM and SEM morphological studies revealed that it is distinct from other species in the genus. Therefore, it is designated Hirschmanniella pomponiensis n. sp. Six lips are fused to form a hexagonal labial plate, six inner sensilla encircle the stoma opening, and four cephalic sensilla open in the corners of subdorsal and subventral lips. Cephalic lip region consists of six or seven annuli. The female has incomplete areolation in the lateral field, the intestine overlaps the rectum, the tail tip is pointed and without annulation.     

EXTERNAL MORPHOLOGY AND PIGMENTATION OF THE VAQUITA, PHOCOENA SINUS (CETACEA: MAMMALIA)

The vaquita, Phocoena sinus , is a porpoise in the family Phocoenidae that lives only in the Gulf of California. The external appearance of P. sinus was unknown until 13 fresh specimens were recently examined. The most obvious morphological feature distinguishing P. sinus from its two congeners is the proportionately higher dorsal fin. The most striking features of the pigmentation pattern are the large black eye patches and the black upper and lower lip patches. In both areas, the pigmentation contrasts sharply with the surrounding light gray coloration. The total lengths of the specimens ranged from 70.3 cm (a neonate) to 143.5 cm (an adult female).     

Physiological interactions and development synchronisations between non-diapausing Ostrinia nubilalis larvae and the tachinid parasitoid Pseudoperichaeta nigrolineata

The physiological relationships between Ostrinia nubilalis Hübner and its tachinid parasitoid Pseudoperichaeta nigrolineata Walker are described under abiotic conditions which induce development of the host without diapause. The parasitoid lowers the larval growth of the host: the maximal weight attained by the parasitized larvae represented only 78% of that of healthy ones. The duration of the last larval host instar increased to 10.4 days in parasitized O. nubilalis compared to 8.0 days in unparasitized ones. The influence of the host on the parasitoid development was studied experimentally after parasitization of O. nubilalis larvae of instars 2 to 5. When the second larval instar of the host is parasitized, the overall duration of parasitoid larval development lasts twice as long as when the fifth instar is parasitized. The best yield of parasitoid pupariae (50%) is obtained when parasitization occurs in instar 3. We show that good synchronisation exists between the larval development of the host and its parasitoid. There are four phases of parasitoid development which would appear to require a signal from the host: the start of the growth of newly hatched parasitoid larvae and the 3rd to 4th instar ecdysis of the host; the first moulting of the parasitoid and the 4th to 5th instar ecdysis of the host; the growth resumption of the parasitoid instar II (weight about 1 mg) and the small rise of the ecdysteroid level in the middle of host instar 5; and in all probability, the second parasitoid moulting and the larval-pupal apolysis of the host.

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Résumé Les relations physiologiques entre O. nubilalis et le tachinidae P. nigrolineata ont été étudiées dans des conditions abiotiques telles que l'hôte présente un développement sans diapause. Le parasitoïde ralentit la prise de poids de l'hôte: le poids maximal des chenilles parasitées ne représente que 78% de celui des chenilles saines. Seule la durée du 5ème stade est significativement plus longue chez les chenilles parasitées que chez les saines (10,4 contre 8,0 jours). L'influence de l'hôte sur le développement du parasitoïde à été expérimentée en parasitant des stades 2 à 5 d'O. nubilalis. Lorsque l'infestation a lieu au stade 2, le développement larvaire complet du parasitoî de dure deux fois plus longtemps que lorsque l'infestation a lieu au stade 5. Le meilleur rendement en pupes (50%) est obtenu lorsque l'infestation a lieu au stade 3. Il a été montré qu'il existe une bonne synchronisation entre le développement de l'hôte et de son parasitoî de. Il y a 4 phases physiologiques du développement larvaire de P. nigrolineata qui semblent nécessiter un signal provenant de l'hôte pour être dépassées. Ainsi peuvent être mis en relation: — le début de la croissance de la larve néonate du parasitoî de et l'ecdysis 3/4 de l'hôte; — la première mue du parasitoïde et l'ecdysis 4/5 de l'hôte; — la reprise de la croissance du stade II du parasitoïde, vers un poids de 1 mg et la remontée des taux d'ecdystéroïdes au milieu du stade 5 de l'hôte. et probablement, — la seconde mue du parasitoïde et l'apolyse nymphale de l'hôte. Les expérimentations vont se poursuivre pour déterminer les facteurs en cause. Ces phénomènes de synchronisation seront aussi étudiés dans le cas de la diapause de l'hôte.

     

Growth curves,morphology and ultrastructure of ten Paracoccidioides brasiliensis isolates

The yeast phase of ten P. brasiliensis isolates were studied to characterize their growth pattern, morphology and ultrastructure. Growth curves were determined after counts of total and viable fungi units (FU) during 20 days. Three growth patterns were observed: slow, reaching approximately 10–30× 10⁶ FU/tube (Pb 18, Pb 265 and PB 2); intermediate, reaching 60–150×10⁶ FU/tube (IVIC Pb 9, IVIC Pb 267, Pb SN, Pb Vitor and Pb Campo Grande) and fast, reaching 180–370×10⁶ FU/tube (Pb 2052 and Pb 192). The highest percentage of viable cells occurred on the 6th day of culture for Pb 192, Pb Campo Grande, Pb 2052 and IVIC Pb 9; on the 8th day for Pb Vitor, Pb SN, Pb 18 and IVIC Pb 267; on the 10th day for Pb 265 and on the 12th day of culture for Pb 2. Mean generation times varied from approximately 21.2 (Pb 2052) to 102.6 hours (Pb 265). The isolates showed similar morphology, except IVIC Pb 267 which did not present a typical yeast-phase at 35°C and the two fast-growing isolates (Pb 2052 and Pb 192) that presented smaller cell sizes and less tendency to clump. The ultrastructure of the isolates was similar: the cell walls presented a width of 0.1 to 0.2 °; the mitochondria presented few cristae and had equivalent patterns of distribution and morphology; the endoplasmic reticulum was scanty, presenting narrow cisternae; the vacuoles, empty or filled with electrondense material, were numerous and two to five nuclei with pores were constantly observed.