Population dynamics of the White Stork Ciconia ciconia in western France

Population dynamics of the White Stork Ciconia ciconia were studied in Charente-Maritime, France from 1978 to 1996, during which time the number of breeding pairs increased from one to 44. Modal age at first return and first breeding were 2.4 and 3.4 years, respectively. White Storks produced an average of 3.2 fledglings per nest. The average number of fledglings per nest decreased with increasing nest density, probably because of an increase in the number of interactions between breeding birds. Nests surrounded by marshes had slightly greater productivity than nests on peripheral sites. Individual White Storks followed an annual breeding cycle and attempted to breed in 97% of seasons once mature. Nest-site and mate fidelity were high (88 and 83%, respectively). Immigration rate was nearly twice that of emigration during the last few years of the study and recruitment was close to 30%, although underestimated. We modelled survival and recapture probabilities using capture-mark-recapture methods. Adult survival was found to be dependent on age, but not sex. Survival of younger birds varied greatly over the years, whereas survival of older birds was relatively constant and averaged 78%. Survival rates of young birds wintering in the Sahel zone were positively linked to the amount of rainfall in their wintering area. The proximate reason for the population increase was probably immigration of birds from other European countries, probably encouraged by a high adult survival rate. Ringing recoveries indicate that some birds winter in Spain and the high adult survival rate may reflect a change in migratory pattern in recent years. Finally, reproductive success was relatively high during the study.     

Ruffed Grouse Brood Habitat Use in Mixed Softwood-Hardwood Nordic-Temperate Forests,Quebec, Canada

Abstract: Adequate cover is a critical component of ruffed grouse (Bonasa umbellus) habitat during the brood-rearing period when chick mortality is high. We assessed habitat use by ruffed grouse during the brood-rearing period by comparing characteristics of tree, shrub, and ground layers at ruffed grouse brood and random locations. We captured and radiomarked 29 females with broods in 2 forest settings of the Réserve faunique de Portneuf, Quebec, Canada. We described grouse habitat using ground surveys and forest maps, and we identified the used habitat characteristics using analysis of variance and logistic regression. Females with broods used mixed and regenerated clearcut stands that were 1.5–7 m tall and 11–20 years old. Compared with random locations, grouse locations had higher lateral obstruction (76% vs. 68%), higher small-stem density (29,085 stems/ha vs. 19,340 stems/ha), and were closer to roads and trails. Percentage of coverage by ground vegetation was not higher at grouse locations as often reported in previous studies. Results from this study will help orient ruffed grouse habitat management on Quebec public land and elsewhere in nordic—temperate mixed hardwood—softwood forests to maintain suitable brood habitat after logging operations. Forest management should promote growth of young mixed stands with high horizontal and vertical cover provided by high small-stem density, which offers protection against aerial and terrestrial predation. Edges such as roadsides are also important in brood habitat as they provide food and cover.     

Turbulence, trees and semiochemicals: wind-tunnel orientation of the predator, Rhizophagus grandis, to its barkbeetle prey, Dendroctonus micans

Abstract. Insects apparently responding to the visual stimulus offered by a tree or other object may also be responding to the variety of physical effects caused by the obstruction, including turbulence, a reduction in wind velocity and eddies. The relative importance of prey odour associated with the bark beetle Dendroctonus micans (Kugelann) (Scolytidae), prey-host-tree odour, silhouette, and physical barrier to the wind, in the orientation and landing behaviour of a predatory beetle, Rhizophagus grandis Gyllenhall (Rhizophagidae), were investigated. R. grandis responded very positively to the frass of its prey when presented on a 'tree' but not to the same quantity of frass presented alone. Frass on black plastic uPVC pipes was significantly more attractive than frass on real host tree logs, suggesting that host-tree volatiles do not enhance the attractiveness of prey frass.
The beetles responded to 'transparent' Mylar three-dimensional cylinders in the same way as they did to the black plastic pipes. Beetles were also tested with frass and two-dimensional stimuli offering a visual stimulus or physical barrier alone or in combination. Frass with a two-dimensional visual stimulus was no better than frass alone: few insects landed. Significantly more insects were attracted to the same two-dimensional visual stimulus with a hidden upwind barrier producing turbulence, but a similar number were attracted to the frass in front of a hidden barrier alone. As many plants are similar in size to the logs used in these experiments, comparable effects might influence the behaviour of other phytophagous insects, their predators and parasitoids.     

Pheromone release by the two forms of Callosobruchus maculatus females: effects of age, temperature and host plant

Abstract. The influence of age, temperature and host plant on pheromone release was investigated in females of two forms of Callosobruchus maculatus (Coleoptera: Bruchidae), referred to as the flightless form and the flight form. The emission of pheromone seemed to be correlated with reproductive status: the flightless-form females which were sexually mature at emergence began to release pheromone on the first day following emergence. The flight-form females which exhibited no reproductive activity at emergence also showed a delayed emission of pheromone. The temperature conditions and the availability of host plant seeds had no apparent effect on pheromone release by the flightless form. In flight-form females pheromone release was stimulated by the presence of host plant seeds. Temperature seemed to affect the age at which females initiated pheromone release for the first time after emergence, pheromonal emission being brought forward slightly by higher temperature. All these results are discussed relative to the specific environment of each form.     

Herpetomonas dedonderi N. Sp. (Sarcomastigophora,Trypanosomatidae) from Haemagogus janthinomys Dyar, 1921 (Diptera,Culicidae)1

ABSTRACT. A new species of Herpetomonas was isolated from the intestinal tract of a mosquito, Haemagogus janthinomys, in French Guiana (South America). Ultrastructure, growth in various culture media, and morphological changes are presented. The name, Herpetomonas dedonderi, is proposed for this new species of lower trypanosomatid.     

L'appareil de Golgi des Ciliés. Ultrastructure, particulièrement chez Paramecium

Electronmicroscopic study of Coleps, Colpidium, Stylonychia, and especially of Paramecium confirmed the presence of the Golgi complex in these fresh-water ciliates. The complex consisted of numerous dictyosomes scattered throughout the cytoplasm. Each dictyosome included a few flat, partly reticulated saccules lying parallel to a cistern of rough endoplasmic reticulum which was free of ribosomes on the side exposed to the dictyosome. A unique layer of vesicles, characterized by constant size and a thick wall, separated the endoplasmic reticulum from the dictyosomes. The vesicles could be regarded as transition vesicles. Coated vesicles were seen in continuity with some of the flattened saccules. The possible role of the Golgi complex in the physiology of ciliates is discussed.