Linking environmental warming to the fitness of the invasive clam Corbicula fluminea

Climate warming is discussed as a factor that can favour the success of invasive species. In the present study, we analysed potential fitness gains of moderate warming (3 °C above field temperature) on the invasive clam Corbicula fluminea during summer and winter. The experiments were conducted under seminatural conditions in a bypass-system of a large river (Rhine, Germany). We showed that warming in late summer results in a significant decrease in the clams' growth rates (body mass and shell length increase) and an increase in mortality rate. The addition of planktonic food dampens the negative effect of warming on the growth rates. This suggests that the reason for the negative growth effect of temperature increase in late summer is a negative energetic balance caused by an enhanced metabolic rate at limited food levels. Warming during early summer revealed contrasting effects with respect of body mass (no warming effect) and shell length (increased shell growth with warming). This differential control of both parameters further enhances the loss of the relative (size-specific) body mass with warming. In contrast, warming in winter had a consistently positive effect on the clams' growth rate as demonstrated in two independent experiments. Furthermore, the reproduction success (as measured by the average number of larvae per clam) during the main breeding period (April) was strongly enhanced by experimental warming during winter, i.e. by eight times during the relatively cold winter 2005/2006 and by 2.6 times during the relatively warm winter 2007/2008. This strong, positive effect of moderate winter warming on the clams' fitness is probably one reason for the recent invasion success of C. fluminea in the northern hemisphere. However, warm summer events might counteract the positive winter warming effect, which could balance out the fitness gains.     

High level of endemism in Haiti's last remaining forests: a revision of Modisimus (Araneae: Pholcidae) on Hispaniola,using morphology and molecules

This study describes the remarkable radiation of Modisimus on Hispaniola. During two short trips to the island, more species have been collected than are known from any comparable area on the mainland. We redescribe three of the four previously known Hispaniolan species, and describe 22 new species. Most Haitian species are local endemics, either of the severely threatened forests in one of the two national parks (La Visite National Park and Macaya Biosphere Reserve) or of their surrounding areas. Phylogenetic analysis indicates that most of these species together represent a species group that is restricted to the paleogeographically distinct southern ‘paleoisland’, and that is otherwise known neither from Hispaniola nor from any other island. Two mitochondrial markers, 16S and cytochrome oxidase I (COI), were sequenced in 21 species to test for their performance as barcoding genes within this group of partly closely related species. Both markers unambiguously corroborated the morphospecies, with small but distinct gaps between the intra‐ and interspecific genetic distances. The absence of Modisimus in South America argues against colonization of the West Indies over a ‘landspan’ connecting South America to the Greater Antilles. Overwater dispersal is supported by two lines of evidence (unusual radiation and reduced higher‐level diversity), but further data (especially time estimates for the separation of mainland and island taxa) are needed to evaluate the third major model, continent–island vicariance as a result of plate tectonics. The species diversity of the genus, combined with the presence of habitat specialists, suggests that this system may have the potential to complement the classic studies on adaptive radiation in Caribbean Anolis lizards. © 2010 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2010, 158 , 244–299.     

Mechanisms of Adhesion Among Cells of the Early Chick Blastoderm

Cells from the extraembryonic endoderm of the gastrulating chick embryo contain a β-d-galactoside-binding lectin inhibited by thiodigalactoside (TDG). TDG inhibits the aggregation of freshly prepared cells. In these fresh cell suspensions, adhesion is also inhibited when purified lectin is added to the aggregation assay. If these cells are incubated at 22° C their adhesion decreases. Associated with this is an increase in lectin activity in the cell supernatants. In these incubated cells aggregation is stimulated by TDG and desialyzed fetuin. These data suggest that the lectin may have a role to play in cellular adhesion. Under some experimental conditions extraembryonic endoderm cells from rosettes with trypsinized glutaraldehyde-fixed rabbit erythrocytes. This phenomenon is inhibited, to a certain extent, by TDG.     

Effectiveness and specificity of a classroom-based group intervention in children and adolescents exposed to war in Lebanon

The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness and specificity of a classroom-based psychosocial intervention after war. All students (n=2500) of six villages in Southern Lebanon designated as most heavily exposed to war received a classroom-based intervention delivered by teachers, consisting of cognitive-behavioural and stress inoculation training strategies. A random sample of treated students (n=101) and a matched control group (n=93) were assessed one month post-war and one year later. Mental disorders and psychosocial stressors were assessed using the Diagnostic Interview for Children and Adolescents - Revised with children and parents. War exposure was measured using the War Events Questionnaire. The prevalence of major depressive disorder (MDD), separation anxiety disorder (SAD) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) was examined pre-war, one month post-war (pre-intervention), and one year post-war. Specificity of treatment was determined by rating teachers’ therapy diaries. The rates of disorders peaked one month post-war and decreased over one year. There was no significant effect of the intervention on the rates of MDD, SAD or PTSD. Post-war MDD, SAD and PTSD were associated with pre-war SAD and PTSD, family violence parameters, financial problems and witnessing war events. These findings have significant policy and public health implications, given current practices of delivering universal interventions immediately post-war.     

Genetic analysis across different spatial scales reveals multiple dispersal mechanisms for the invasive hydrozoan Cordylophora in the Great Lakes

Discerning patterns of post‐establishment spread by invasive species is critically important for the design of effective management strategies and the development of appropriate theoretical models predicting spatial expansion of introduced populations. The globally invasive colonial hydrozoan Cordylophora produces propagules both sexually and vegetatively and is associated with multiple potential dispersal mechanisms, making it a promising system to investigate complex patterns of population structure generated throughout the course of rapid range expansion. Here, we explore genetic patterns associated with the spread of this taxon within the North American Great Lakes basin. We collected intensively from eight harbours in the Chicago area in order to conduct detailed investigation of local population expansion. In addition, we collected from Lakes Michigan, Erie, and Ontario, as well as Lake Cayuga in the Finger Lakes of upstate New York in order to assess genetic structure on a regional scale. Based on data from eight highly polymorphic microsatellite loci we examined the spatial extent of clonal genotypes, assessed levels of neutral genetic diversity, and explored patterns of migration and dispersal at multiple spatial scales through assessment of population level genetic differentiation (pairwise F_ST and factorial correspondence analysis), Bayesian inference of population structure, and assignment tests on individual genotypes. Results of these analyses indicate that Cordylophora populations in this region spread predominantly through sexually produced propagules, and that while limited natural larval dispersal can drive expansion locally, regional expansion likely relies on anthropogenic dispersal vectors.     

FEEDING AND GROWTH OF THE AEOLID NUDIBRANCH CUTHONA NANA (ALDER AND HANCOCK, 1842)

Feeding and growth of the aeolid nudibranch Cuthona nana wasdocumented. Cuthona nana feeds specifically on the colonialhydroid Hydractinia echinata. Nudi-branchs were observed onhermit crab shells in Gos-port Harbor at the Isles of Shoals,Maine and on old bridge pilings near Gerrish Island, Maine. Grazing rates of nudibranchs (3–25 mm) were quantifiedover 24 hour periods in the laboratory. Larger nudibranchs consumedmore hydroid tissue feeding mostly on polyps, whereas smallerindividuals consumed less and fed on mat tissue. Grazing intensityin the field at Gosport Harbor was determined by estimatingthe area of grazed patches of hydroid colonies attached to hermitcrab shells. The average patch size was 5.75% of the total colonyarea. Growth rates for nudibranchs were determined in the laboratory.Growth rates were greatest prior to maturation and oviposition.Animals from Gerrish Island and Gosport Harbor decreased insize after oviposition due to senescence. Nudibranchs from GerrishIsland reached a maximum size of 12 mm, compared to 23 mm foranimals at Gosport Harbor. ^*Present address: Division of Science and Mathematics. Universityof Minnesota, Morris. Minnesota 56267, USA     

Observations with Hoechst Staining of Amitosis in Acanthamoeba castellanii

DNA staining with Hoechst 33258 allows us to visualize and to characterize amitotic division of Acanthamoeba castellanii in which the cell nucleus divides without DNA condensation and regular segregation of chromosomes. Amitosis involves several programmed and coordinated steps that exclude accidental cutting of the cell nucleus.