Effect of Fluctuations in Temperature on the Metabolism of Intertidal Invertebrates

SVNOPSIS. Compensatory changes in the level of activity of intertidalorganisms may occur in response to the thermal conditions whichprevail in the habitat. These involve an increase in the activityof those animals subjected to low temperatures and a correspondingsuppression of activity in those animals subjected to high temperaturesso that organisms with a wide geographical range, or livingover a range of shore levels, have comparable rates of activity.However, the rate of activity varies markedly with short-termfluctuations in temperature, as does the rate of respirationof active animals. Recent evidence suggests that the rate ofrespiration of quiescent animals is relatively independent oftemperature over the normal environmental range, and thus themetabolism is well-suited to an environment where rapid fluctuationsin temperature occur. Further, the extent of the thermal rangeover which metabolism is relatively independent of temperatureis modifiable according to season and storage-temperature. Similarchanges occur in the respiration of cell-free homogenates ofcertain intertidal organisms. Acclimation in such organismsinvolves not only a modification in the level of the activeand standard rates of metabolism but also an alteration in theform of the rate/temperature curve such that the range of temperature-independentmetabolism is appropriate to the thermal conditions prevailingin the habitat.     

Foraminifera in Samples Taken Mainly from Eniwetok Atoll in 1956*

SYNOPSIS. The foraminiferal distribution in samples from the Western Pacific collected in the summer of 1956 is presented, particularly those of the islets comprising Eniwetok Atoll. Some information is based upon samples taken shortly after atomic tests had been conducted. The distribution of foraminifera from northern islets where the tests were conducted is compared with that from the southern islets of Eniwetok Atoll. Collections from Eniwetok Atoll are compared with those made the same summer from other locations in the Southern and Western Pacific. A comparison is also made with the survey made by Cushman et al. of the Marshall Islands prior to bomb testing.     

The genus Maesa (Maesaceae) in the Philippines

A comprehensive taxonomic revision of the genus Maesa Forssk. (Maesaceae) occurring in the Philippines is presented for the first time. Thirteen species are recognized, including a newly described species, M. stonei , which is most similar to M. reflexa . Several previously used names are reduced to synonymy, including M. pachyphylla and M. undulata (both reduced to synonymy with M. cumingii ), and M. elmeri , M. laxa and M. ramosii (all reduced to synonymy with M. indica ). Extensive lectotypification has been necessary due to the destruction of many type specimens, particularly those of C. Mez (in B) and E. D. Merrill (in PNH). The conservation status of each species is determined using the IUCN red list categories and criteria.  © 2004 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2004, 145 , 17–43.     

Non-inversion tillage and farmland birds: a review with special reference to the UK and Europe

This paper reviews the current knowledge of the effects of non-inversion tillage (NIT) on farmland birds and their food resources. NIT is a method of establishing a crop without using a mouldboard plough and is becoming increasingly popular in the UK. NIT generally disturbs the soil to shallower depths than conventional tillage and is therefore expected to have beneficial effects on biodiversity on arable land as compared with mouldboard ploughing. The diets of farmland birds change throughout the year, and many species take invertebrates over the breeding season. Seeds are also important for many species of farmland birds throughout the year and especially over the winter months. The effects of NIT on these farmland bird food resources, in particular ground beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae), spiders (Arachnida: Araneae), earthworms (Annelida) and seeds (arable weeds and cereal crops) are reviewed.