Allometric and morphological characteristics of Tonicella marmorea (Fabricius, 1780) populations (Mollusca: Polyplacophora: Ischnochitonidae)

Allometric and morphological characteristics of population samples of Tonicella marmorea from three sea lochs on the west coast of Scotland are described. The suitability of allometric relationships as taxonomic criteria are investigated by statistical comparisons of various regression constants, scatter diagrams and comparisons of curvature indices. Morphological characteristics such as ctenidia number and numbers of notches in the head and tail valves proved too variable to be regarded as diagnostic but they are useful taxonomic indicators. The need for all taxonomic characteristics to be derived from population samples is stressed and the use of valve and girdle sculpturing together with radula structure is emphasized.     

Some regularities in the accumulation of lead in urban plants (by example of Vladivostok)

The ability of plants to accumulate lead is studied for 128 plant species from 44 families and 28 genera of the Far Eastern flora. A significant variation in the content of lead in the assimilation organs of plants is observed; the variation is within 0.81–25.67 mg/kg of air-dry matter. The main regularities in the accumulation of metals by plants of different systematic taxa and biomorphological groups are revealed. The groups of plants according to the intensity of lead accumulation and the types of metal-concentrating species are identified. The species promising for phytoremediation and phytoindication in an urban environment are recommended.     

Early embryonic development of the head region of Gryllus assimilis Fabricius, 1775 (Orthoptera,Insecta)

We report our investigations on the embryonic development of Gryllus assimilis, with particular attention to the head. Significant findings revealed with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images include: (1) the pre-antennal lobes represent the anterior-most segment that does not bear any appendages; (2) each of the lobes consists of central and marginal regions; (3) the central region thereof develops into the protocerebrum and the optic lobes, whereas the marginal region thereof becomes the anterior portion of the head capsule; (4) the initial position of the antennal segment is posterior to the mouth region; (5) appendage anlagen are transitorily present in the intercalary segment, and they later vanish together with the segment itself; (6) a bulged sternum appears to develop from the ventral surface of the mandibular, maxillary and labial segments. Embryonic features are then compared across the Insecta and further extended to the embryos of a spider (Araneae, Chelicerata). Striking similarities shared by the anterior-most region of the insect and spider embryos lead the authors to conclude that such comparison should be further undertaken to cover the entire Euarthropoda. This will help us to understand the embryology and evolution of the arthropod head.     

Some regularities of the pulse rate variability

Histograms of heart rate for 878 persons of both sexes aged from 3 to 83 years have been analyzed. The total data sampling was more than one hundred thousand pulse beats. Summary bar charts (variance pulsograms) were built up separately for men and women. Within the range of 60–75 beat/min, the peaks with the beat rates corresponding to 60, 61, 63, 65, 68, and 75 beat/min were observed, their values being twice as big as those of the neighboring ones. Within the range of 79–99 beat/min, minima were observed with beat rates of 79, 87, 91, 94, 97, and 99 beat/min. The distribution of these beat rates can be approximately described by the members of Fibonacci series from the determining beat rate of about 59–60 beat/min (maxima) and about 101/102 beat/min towards a decrease in the beat rate (minima). The determining beat rates of about 60, 101, and 162 beat/min may be evidence of the hierarchy, which is also approximately described by the array close to the Fibonacci series. Within the range of 101 to 115 beat/min, the peaks for men are marked that correspond to the harmonic series with a period of 2 beat/min, i.e., 101, 103, …, 115 beat/min.     

North Aegean marine algae. III. Structure and development of the encrusting coralline Titanoderma cystoseirae (Rhodophyta, Lithophylloideae)

Vegetative and reproductive features of the encrusting marine alga Titanoderma cystoseirae are described on the basis of type specimens from the N. Adriatic Sea and new material from the N. Aegean Sea. Growth proceeds by means of two meristem types: a superficial meristem that occurs on terminal cells of hypothallial filaments, producing the hypothallium, and an internal meristem that is confined to cells just below the epithallium, producing the perithallium.
Subepithallial divisions occur in groups of cells that form distinct meristematic zones perpendicularly to the plane of radial thallus sections. These coordinated divisions originally appear on hypothallial cells close to the margin and subsequently spread centripetally, as opposed to the centrifugal growth of the hypothallial filaments. At least two subepithallial meristematic zones occur at a time on the thallus and both spread centripetally and in sequential pattern, each producing a new layer of perithallial cells that gradually covers the preceding (underlying) one. This elaborate process of perithallial ontogeny seems to be a distinctive characteristic for T. cystoseirae. Coordinated subephitallial divisions with different developmental patterns, however, are also observed in other coralline algae, particularly in members of the Lithophylloideae and the Amphiroideae. These observations support the hypothesis of the close phylogenetic relationship between these taxa but also emphasize the need for further studies before taxonomic implications can be proposed.     

Quantitative regularities of development of endogenous infection in irradiated organism (survey of literature)

Statistical analysis of data from the literature and the author's own experimental results was carried out in order to reveal functional dependence between the dose of irradiation and the development of endogenous infection in an irradiated organism. Direct linear dependence was established between the dose of irradiation and the severity of endogenous infection at doses causing death from the "bone-marrow" syndrome in acute radiation sickness. In the case of death from the "intestinal" syndrome, inverse linear dependence can be observed between the dose of irradiation and the culture yield of microbes from internal organs. In this case, the pathological effect on the organism is due to bacterial endotoxins formed during disintegration of microbial cells in the organism. Endogenous infection and endotoxinaemia essentially aggravate the course of acute radiation disease. The importance of endogenous infection in death of the organism is neutralized after irradiation in doses causing death "under the ray".     

Effect of temperature on development and survival in Delias nigrina (Fabricius) (Lepidoptera: Pieridae)

Abstract The effect of temperature on rate of development and survival of the immature stages of a subtropical population of the black jezebel, Delias nigrina , was studied under laboratory conditions at a range of constant temperatures. Mean developmental times from first-instar larva to adult varied from 29 days at 27°C to 52 days at 19°C; the development threshold temperature and thermal constant were estimated to be 9°C and 494 degree-days, respectively. Larval developmental rates reached physiological maximum at the higher temperatures tested (25−27°C). Pupal development, by contrast, was not affected in the same way as larvae by higher temperature. Survival of the immature stages varied inversely with temperature: survival was highest at 19°C and significantly reduced at 27°C. Mortality at the higher temperature was attributable mainly to final-instar larvae and pupae. These findings indicate that, compared with other tropical pierids that have been studied, D. nigrina has: (i) a comparatively low temperature threshold; (ii) a slow rate of development; and (iii) a poor tolerance to moderately high temperatures. Physiologically, these features are more characteristic of a temperate butterfly than a tropical one. This physiological response appears to be reflected by the temperate nature of the genus as a whole, which may be related to its period of origin and evolution during past climatic events.     

The Systematics of Timulla oculata (Fabricius) (Hymenoptera, Mutillidae)

Timulla oculata (Fabr.) is redescribed and ten nominal species of Oriental Timulla are placed in synonymy with it. Fourteen subspecies, including two new ones (T. oculata rosemariae subsp.n. and T. oculata timorensis subsp.n.), are recognised and keys to the subspecies are given. Geographic variation and the application of the polytypic species concept are discussed. The structure of the male genitalia of Timulla is related to dispersal strategies. The distribution and subspeciation of T. oculata is discussed in relation to the geological history of South East Asia and the Malay Archipelago.     

Duration of development of males in colonies of Polistes dominula (Christ) (Hymenoptera,Vespidae: Polistinae) in the south of Ukraine

The relation between the duration of ontogenesis of Polistes dominula males and the social structure of their colonies was studied in July–August 2012. Males developing in successful colonies with a foundress passed through the later-instar larval and pupal stages more quickly than those in orphaned colonies. Successful colonies more often produced males with weakly melanized mesopleura as compared with orphaned ones. Males from the two categories of colonies did not differ in the head and wing size. The influence of mechanical stress and nutrition during larval development and the specific signaling behavior of the foundresses on the male phenotypic diversity in P. dominula is discussed.     

Some aspects of overwintering in southern England of the mosquitoes Anopheles atroparvus and Culiseta annulata (Diptera: Culicidae)

Abstract. 1. Overwintering of the mosquitoes Anopheles atroparvus van Thiel and Culiseta annulata Schrank, both of which feed on blood throughout the year, is compared.
2 The aquatic stages, males and gonoactive females of A.atroparvus disappear before winter, leaving a generation of inseminated, nulliparous, diapausing females to overwinter. Blood meals taken by diapausing females merely serve to maintain fat reserves. After re-activation in March–April, gonoactive life expectancy appears to be rather short. Aquatic development at this season is slow and eggs laid in the spring do not significantly affect adult densities until June.
3. Aquatic stages, males and gonoactive females of C.annulata are present throughout the year. This species appears to be able to overwinter without recourse to diapause, females passing the winter in alternating, or lasting, states of cold-induced quiescence or normal gonoactivity.     

Central projections of ovipositor sense organs in the damselfly,Sympecma annulata (Zygoptera,Lestidae)

Central projections of sensilla on different parts of the endophytic ovipositor of the lestid damselfly Sympecma annulata are traced. Sensilla include apical hairs of the stylus (STh), hair rows on the ventral part of the valvula (Vh), and distal campaniform sensilla of upper (ULc) and lower (LLc) ovipositor leaves. Backfilling of afferent fibers, using anterograde cobalt fills, reveals the presence of contralaterally projecting fibers for all organs. The main fiber bundle of the LLc enters the terminal ganglion laterally via the genital nerve, but the fibers from ULc enter via the posterior nerve. Main fiber bundles of both leaves end in a lateral part of the ganglion called the lateral neuromere; they demonstrate that sensory information from the two leaves has the same target area. It is hypothesized that the independent pathways of nerves from upper and lower ovipositor leaves (ULc and LLc) may indicate the phylogenetic origin of these appendages from different abdominal segments—the lower leaf from the 8th and upper from 9th. The convergence of afferent fibers from the sensilla of the different ovipositor parts (median, anterior, and lateral processes) in common ganglionic centers may provide the anatomical basis to account for coordination of the movements of different ovipositor parts during oviposition. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Prey quality dependent growth,development and reproduction of a biocontrol agent,Cheilomenes sexmaculata (Fabricius) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae)

Growth, development and reproduction of a ladybird beetle, Cheilomenes sexmaculata (Fabricius) were investigated in relation to seven aphid species, viz. Aphis craccivora Koch, Aphis gossypii Glover, Rhopalosiphum maidis (Fitch), Myzus persicae (Sulzer), Uroleucon compositae (Theobald), Lipaphis erysimi (Kaltenbach) and Aphis nerii Boyer de Fonscolombe on specific hosts. Maximum prey consumption, percent larval survival, developmental rate, weight of different life stages, percent adult emergence, adult longevity and fecundity of C. sexmaculata were recorded on A. craccivora, and minimum on A. nerii. A linear relationship was found between development rate and weight of adult, daily prey consumption and relative growth rate, log weights of adult males and females, and female longevity and total fecundity. On the basis of overall performance of ladybird the order of suitability of prey species was A. craccivora>A. gossypii>R. maidis>M. persicae>U. compositae>L. erysimi>A. nerii.     

Suggested pharmacophagy of the African bushhopper Phymateus leprosus (Fabricius) (Pyrgomorphidae, Orthoptera)

The bushhopper Phymateus leprosus (Fabricius) in the field shows a special appetite for the milkweed Asclepias fruticosa. Asclepiadaceae, like Apocynaceae and Scrophulariaceae, contain cardiac glycosides. Raw and purified extracts of these plants phagostimulate larval and adult P. leprosus. We also screened natural and half-synthetic compounds found in those plant extracts. While saponins and sapogenins did not stimulate the animals, many cardiac glycosides and aglycones, offered on filter paper, proved to be phagostimulants.     

Phenology of Paralemanea annulata (Lemaneaceae,Rhodophyta) in an Ohio woodland stream

Paralemanea annulata, a member of Lemaneaceae (Batrachospermales, Rhodophyta) was investigated in a field study to monitor its seasonality and determine environmental parameters that play a role in its phenology. Macroscopic gametophytes were present during the months of December–August, and percent cover dropped precipitously from June to July. Thalli had spermatangia present in all months except December and carposporophytes were observed in May and June. Audouinella hermannii thickly colonized the thalli March–June. Lack of thalli from September–November corresponded with low water and increased water temperature. New growth of gametophytes was first observed in December. Gametophyte percent cover showed a positive correlation with both current velocity and light intensity. A laboratory study was conducted in the winter and spring, which investigated growth in relation to temperature, daylength and light intensity. Thalli grew more slowly in the 5 °C treatments than the 15 °C treatments and no clear trends could be determined among the daylength and light intensity treatments. For all treatments, thalli grew more in the winter than the spring experiment.