Nahrungsaufnahme,Stoffumsatz und Energiehaushalt des marinen HydroidpolypenClava multicornis

Clava multicornis Forskål (Cnidaria, Hydrozoa) from the North Sea was cultured under a variety of environmental conditions, and quantitative aspects of the following processes examined: food intake, growth, oxygen consumption, losses of material, and food conversion. The experiments were conducted in sea water (salinity 32 ‰) at different constant temperature levels (6°, 11° and 16° C) and different daily food rations. The polyps were fed living larvae of the brine shrimpArtemia salina. Daily rations ranged from 2.3 % (6° C) to 19.0 % (16° C) of the dry weight of the polyp colonies. The food ration essential for minimum growth increased with the test temperature. The calorific value of theArtemia larvae was 5854 cal per g organic dry substance. The calorific values of the colonies ofClava multicornis increased at all 3 test temperatures with ascending daily food rations; they ranged from 5367 to 6003 cal per g organic dry substance. Colony growth was determined in 3 different ways: by measuring the increase in polyp number, the length increase of all polyps of a given colony, and the increase of the dry weight of the organic substance of a given colony. Growth was exponential in all 3 cases. The lowest test temperature, or small daily rations, caused slow growth; the highest temperature, or large daily rations, resulted in rapid growth. Oxygen consumption of individual colonies was measured at 16° C and 3 different daily rations; the colonies showed the same intensity of respiration at all 3 daily rations. A colony of 1.5 mg organic dry substance respired 0.107 ml oxygen per 24 hours, a colony of 5.0 mg, 0.269 ml oxygen. At 11° and 16° C gonophores developed well and were counted; at 6° C no gonophores were observed. The amount of the excrement discharged byC. multicornis at 16° C increased from 26.0 % of the food eaten (minimum daily ration) to 39.3% (maximum daily ration). Gross efficiency increased with falling temperature and rising daily ration. At 16° C, net efficiency increased with rising daily ration. On the basis of the data obtained for gross efficiency, oxygen consumption and excrementation, an energy budget was made up.     

Effect of streptomycin sulfate on the process of higher nervous activity recovery in dogs in the postanesthesia period]

The effect of streptomycin on recovery of the higher nervous activity during the postanesthesia period was studied on 3 dogs with the method of the conditioned reflexes. It was found that streptomycin sulphate administered in a dose of 25 mg per 1 kg body weight induced no changes in the conditioned reflexes of the non-anesthetized animals. After ether anesthesia disorders in the conditioned and unconditioned reflexes, as well as differentiation was observed during the postanesthesia period. On an average they normalized in 7, 6 and 2 days respectively from the moment of anesthesia. When streptomycin sulphate was used during the post anesthesia period, both the strength and the character of the disorders in the conditioned reflexes changed. In this case recovery of the conditioned and unconditioned reflexes was registered in 2 days, while that of the differential inhibition was registered in 3--7 days from the moment of anesthesia.     

Effect of water temperature and food on energy allocation in the stalked barnacle, Pollicipes polymerus Sowerby

The effects of water temperature and food level on absorption efficiency, rate of oxygen consumption, molting rate, reproductive condition, energy content, and total production have been studied in the stalked barnacle, Pollicipes polymerus Sowerby. Absorption efficiency measured gravimetrically was high (≈94%) and unaffected by water temperature or food level. Absorption efficiency measured using an ash-ratio method was substantially less than that determined gravimetrically. The rate of oxygen consumption increased in the high food treatments and decreased in the starved treatment after 40 days. Molting rate, energy content, and total production were highest in the high food treatments. Reproduction was inhibited at warm water temperatures. The greater influence of food level than water temperature on production is probably related to the thermal regime experienced by these animals in the field.     

The effect of temperature on feeding,growth, and metabolism during the last larval stadium of the female house cricket, Acheta domesticus

Eighth instar female house crickets at 35°C developed faster, gained slightly more wet weight, and consumed less food, water, and oxygen than at 25°C. The duration of the 8th stadium at 25°C was 13 days (undisturbed), but was 14 days when disturbed by daily weighing. The duration of the 8th stadium at 30°C was 8 days and at 35°C was 6 days. During the first half of the 8th stadium at 25, 30, and 35°C, there was a high rate of food and water consumption resulting in statistically equal maximum dry weight achievement (124 mg). Respiratory quotients greater than one during this time indicated the conversion of ingested carbohydrate to fat. During the latter half of the 8th stadium, food and water consumption declined and the crickets lost weight. The period of weight loss was proportionally much longer at 25°C than at 30 or 35°C. Respiratory quotients lower than 1.0 during the latter half of the 8th stadium at 30 and 35°C indicated the metabolism of stored lipids. The respiratory quotient at 25°C never fell below 1.0, possibly because some food remained in the gut. The absorption efficiency was not influenced by temperature (25–35°C). Though the caloric content of the faeces was lower at 25°C than at 30 or 35°C, which correlated to the much longer time for food passage at 25°C than at 35°C, the difference in total calories egested was insufficient to alter the absorption efficiency. A longer period of reduced feeding and greater dry weight loss during the latter half of the 8th stadium at 25°C resulted in a lower metabolic efficiency at 25°C than at 30 or 35°C. Eighth instar crickets in response to a step-function transfer from 30°C–25 or 35°C showed an immediate (<1 hr) and complete metabolic adjustment which was not affected by the temperature history during the 7th stadium. House crickets did not exhibit temperature acclimation in the range 20–40°C, the metabolic rate being determined by ambient temperature. The Q₁₀ for oxygen consumption in the range 20–40°C was about 2.     

Nutritional estimate of populations of some wild free-ranging African ungulates in grassland (Nechisar national park, Ethiopia) in dry season

The amount and nutritive value of forage plants, diet composition, digestibility of dry matter and nutrients were recorded for zebra. Grant's gazelle, Swayne's hartebeest and hippopotamus in November-December 1991 Besides, daily egest of feces, the level of food and nutrient consumption, energy and protein requirements were recorded for zebra and Grant's gazelle The digestibility of pasture forage was determined as a ratio of lignin concentration in food to the concentration m feces (lignin tracer technique), a daily intake was calculated on the basis of the daily feces egest Protein percentage m the diet of zebra and hartebeest consuming dry parts of grasses did not exceed 5% Gazelle diet consists of green parts of plants and included 18% of protein The digestibility of dry matter in nonruminants (zebra, hippopotamus) was 40-45%, in hartebeest - 50%, in gazelle - 60% Due to the abundance of dry grasses (3 7 ton ha^-1) the daily food consumption of zebra was high - 7 2 kg ind^-1 (dry weight), the metabolizable energy intake (ME) being 51 MJ Adult gazelles consumed 15-25 kg ind^-1 of food and 14-24 MJ of ME The energy requirements of adult males and non-lactating females of zebras and gazelles (48 and 13 MJ respectively) were met, the energy balance berig negative for lactating animals The daily protein requirement was not met in zebra (392-704 g md^-1 vs 134 g ind^-1 of intake) and in lactating gazelles (250 g ind^-1 vs 197 g md^-1) Non-lactating gazelles consume sufficient amount of both energy and protein due to the high feeding selectivity of the species and thanks to the abundance of burnt areas with young green after-grass m the dry period     

Water consumption and watering behavior of Przewalski horses (Equus ferus przewalskii) in a semireserve

Water consumption by 12 female Przewalski horses was automatically measured in a semireserve for 17 months. Average daily consumption on a yearly basis was between 2.4 and 8.3 liters, but significant individual variation in water consumption and drinking frequency was recorded throughout the observation period. Individual differences were more clearly detectable during periods of hot and dry weather. Individuals with high water demands initiated herd movements toward watering places independent of their social rank. Discussed as possible reasons for individual differences in water demand are: acquired preferences, distinct food selection, and genetically determined physiological differences. Watering behavior should not be regarded as an important factor only in re-introduction projects, but also with respect to animal welfare in general. Zoo Biol 17:181–192, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Effect of Chronic Caloric Restriction on the Synchronization of Various Physiological Measures in Old Female Fischer 344 Rats

-A variety of physiological and behavioral parameters which relate to metabolism were continuously monitored in 18 month old female Fischer 344 rats which were maintained on either ad libitum or reduced calorie diets. Caloric restriction (CR) stimulated average motor activity per day, the duration of each feeding episode, food consumed per episode, and water consumed per gram lean body mass (LBM). However, CR limited total food consumption, feeding time, number of feeding episodes per day, total eating and drinking time, and the daily ratio of food consumed to water consumed, CR also decreased average body temperature per day, O₂ consumption, CO₂, production, and respiratory quotient. A variety of parameters concerning water consumption were not affected. CR rats ate their food immediately when food was presented during the light span, while ad libitum fed animals ate numerous small meals throughout the entire dark span. An anticipatory response to restricted feeding was also noted. Total motor activity, metabolism, and body temperature increased just prior to scheduled feeding and reached maximum values shortly after feeding, suggesting that these parameters were highly synchronized to feeding. Females and males were found to respond to caloric restriction in a similar fashion. Dramatic changes in respiratory quotient and body temperature suggest rapid shifts between metabolic pathways (glycolysis to giuconeogenesis) to obtain optimal efficiency. Lower body temperature and metabolism may provide protection against DNA damage, thereby increasing the survival potential of restricted rats. These responses may provide insight into the mechanisms by which caloric restriction acts to extend life span.     

Tonic component of the conditioned reflex process and its functional role

Tonic background activity of 266 neurones in the hippocampus and different neocortical areas was studied in freely moving rabbits in the process of defensive and food instrumental conditioned performance and during switching-over of instrumental and classical food and defensive reflexes. Associations of CS and reinforcement evoke background activity changes in most of recorded cortical neurones preceding the development of other conditioned manifestations. Conditioned reflex was performed only after reaching the background firing rate of almost every examined neurone optimal for its realization. The performance of different conditioned reflexes was associated with different background activity levels of cortical neurones. The above mentioned data form the experimental basis for the identification of the tonic component in conditioned process which reflects tonic character of temporary connection formation and function.     

Water and energy fluxes during summer in an arid‐zone passerine bird

Endothermic animals resident in hot, arid terrestrial environments are likely to face a trade‐off between their ability to obtain water and elevated thermoregulatory water requirements. We assessed whether daily water flux (DWF) is higher on hot days, reflecting increases in evaporative cooling demands, in an arid‐zone bird that obtains its water through food intake. We obtained measurements of DWF (partitioned into water influx and efflux rates) in 71 White‐browed Sparrow‐Weavers Plocepasser mahali at a desert site and a semi‐desert site, during summer in the Kalahari Desert of southern Africa. We found no evidence that DWF varied with maximum daily air temperature (T_air, range = 27.6–39.2 °C). Instead, DWF was lower during dry periods than in the wet season at the semi‐desert site. Furthermore, birds showed deficits in water balance (water influx/water efflux) during the dry periods at both sites. Our data show that DWF is low in a non‐drinking bird that obtains its water through food, and that demands for evaporative water loss on very hot days (maximum T_air of 40–44 °C) may exceed water intake rates during hot and dry periods. Species that do not have opportunities to drink will experience strong trade‐offs between thermoregulation, hydration state and activity levels as temperatures increase.     

A study of the food and feeding of perch, Perca fluviatilis L., in Windermere

SUMMARY. Perch were sampled for their stomach contents at regular intervals throughout 24 h from June until October in 1973 and from February 1975 until January 1976. They were found to feed on benthic organisms from November until April, on benthos and plankton during May and June and on perch fry and zooplankton from July until October. Perch over a wide size range feed on similar prey. Fish showed great variability in the weight of their stomach contents. A method based on a points system was developed to estimate the weight of food in the stomach for a given weight of fish at a known time. A diel feeding pattern which varied with the season was apparent from these data. Rates of gastric evacuation were assumed to be exponential and were calculated from the drop in night-time stomach content weights when food intake was assumed to be zero. The rates ranged from 0.18 mg h⁻¹ at a mean water temperature of 11°C in May to 0.35 mg h⁻¹ at a mean water temperature of 17°C in July. Assuming that food consumption followed a linear rate of intake, the standard Bajkov method was considered an adequate model to calculate daily food consumption. Daily food consumption (mg dry weight) was calculated for 150 g perch for all months of the year (November to April and September and October being combined). A second series of values was calculated making corrections for the time spent in the fishing gears when food intake was zero but gastric evacuation continued. Daily food consumption figures for 150g male perch based on Winberg's hypotheses (1956) and growth data showed no significant differences from this second series of values, when both were expressed in energy terms. When certain assumptions have been tested, growth data and Winberg's equations together may be a suitable method for calculating an energy budget for the Windermere perch population.     

Climate Impacts on Extreme Energy Consumption of Different Types of Buildings

Exploring changes of building energy consumption and its relationships with climate can provide basis for energy-saving and carbon emission reduction. Heating and cooling energy consumption of different types of buildings during 1981-2010 in Tianjin city, was simulated by using TRNSYS software. Daily or hourly extreme energy consumption was determined by percentile methods, and the climate impact on extreme energy consumption was analyzed. The results showed that days of extreme heating consumption showed apparent decrease during the recent 30 years for residential and large venue buildings, whereas days of extreme cooling consumption increased in large venue building. No significant variations were found for the days of extreme energy consumption for commercial building, although a decreasing trend in extreme heating energy consumption. Daily extreme energy consumption for large venue building had no relationship with climate parameters, whereas extreme energy consumption for commercial and residential buildings was related to various climate parameters. Further multiple regression analysis suggested heating energy consumption for commercial building was affected by maximum temperature, dry bulb temperature, solar radiation and minimum temperature, which together can explain 71.5 % of the variation of the daily extreme heating energy consumption. The daily extreme cooling energy consumption for commercial building was only related to the wet bulb temperature (R²= 0.382). The daily extreme heating energy consumption for residential building was affected by 4 climate parameters, but the dry bulb temperature had the main impact. The impacts of climate on hourly extreme heating energy consumption has a 1-3 hour delay in all three types of buildings, but no delay was found in the impacts of climate on hourly extreme cooling energy consumption for the selected buildings.     

The effect of hypothalamic stimulation on food choice with rats maintained on different water-salt rations]

Electrical stimulation of the lateral hypothalamus in rats induces an increase of water intake and decrease of thresholds of eaten salty food. These effects are displayed in control animals and under salt diet and water deprivation. The hypothalamus stimulation relaxes the effects of "psychic distillation" of food which occur during spatial coincidence of conditioned signal of insipid food with salty reinforcement. Besides, the trans-switching of signal significance of conditioned stimuli connected with insipid and salty reinforcements is accelerated. The electrostimulation of the hypothalamus accelerates the elaboration of conditioned aversion of salty food inhibition of conditioned runnings toward corresponding food-box, and intensifies the existent state of thirst transforming it in the dominant motivation.     

Alpine newts (Triturus alpestris) as top predators in a high-altitude karst lake: daily food consumption and impact on the copepod Arctodiaptomus alpinus

1. Population dynamics and feeding ecology of adult and larval alpine newts (Triturus alpestris, Laurenti) were investigated in a high-altitude karts lake to estimate their feeding pressure on the copepod Arctodiaptomus alpinuf (Imhof). Estimates of population size for reproducing adults ranged from 666 to 864 individuals in the lake during July and August. Total abundance of larvae before the onset of ice cover varied considerably between 4400 and 25400 individuals in different years. 2. Arctodiaptomus alpinus was an important prey item for adult and larval alpine newts. During the second half of their aquatic period, adult newts moved to deeper water where the copepod reached its highest densities near the sediment. Adults and larvae exhibited no periodic feeding pattern. The feeding rhythm was more synchronized among the larvae than among the adults. 3. Daily food consumption, estimated using the Elliott & Persson (1978) model, reached 4–21 mg dry biomass in adults. The daily ration of larvae was about 7% of body dry weight in the temperature range 6-11°C. Compared to published estimates of daily food consumption in salmonid fishes, the feeding pressure of newts appears low.     

Differences in ingestive balance of two populations of neotropical Thrichomys apereoides (Rodentia, Echimyidae)

Thrichomys apereoides is widely distributed in the Caatinga, a semi-arid region in Brazil, but is presumed to lack capabilities for water conservation. In the present study, we compared two populations of adult individuals living under different precipitation conditions (700 and 450 mm year(-1)). Animals from the less dry area were twice as heavy as those from the drier locality. Under ad libitum water regimen, there were differences between populations in relative food intake as well as in water intake and urine concentration, but not in normalized body mass water intake. Under short-term water deprivation, both populations presented similar body mass loss. Whereas individuals from the more arid locality maintained food consumption, urine volume and urine osmolality, Thrichomys from the less dry locality reduced food consumption and urine volume. The occurrence of anuria in 75% of animals from this population indicates that the limits of their ability to deal with water shortage had been reached. The morphological and physiological difference and the non-allometric similarities found between the two populations of T. apereoides fulfill the criteria for physiological adaptations to differences in annual rainfall. Our data challenge the hypothesis that the irregularity of annual rainfall in the Caatinga precludes the evolution of adaptations to this semi-arid climate.     

Conditioned alimentary motor reflexes in cats following destruction of the scorpula]

Bilateral ablation of the putamen results in temporary disappearance of natural as well as artificial conditioned motor reflexes in cats. Further training is necessary for their reestablishment. Restored conditioned reflexes appear with a long latency. After partial bilateral ablation of the putamen, animals that have been trained not only to press a pedal, but also to make a choice between a right or left feeding tray, lose the latter ability. After the reestablishment of conditioned reflexes, the animal makes a correct choice of side only in 68--70% of cases. After total bilateral ablation of the putamen the animals lose artificial conditioned reflexes. The results suggest that the putamen has a close relation to the mechanisms of learning and memory.     

The role of the pallidum in regulating cortical activity]

Bilateral ablation of the pallidum halves the duration of extinction of conditioned motor food reflexes and contributes to 30 to 50% extinction of the electro-defensive reflexes. Pallidum functional depression by potassium chloride or novacaine leads to a temporary total depression of conditioned motor food reflexes. Depending on the frequency of pallidum stimulation, synchronization or desynchronization of the cortical bioelectrical activity is observed. Ablation of the pallidum in anaesthetized cats results in a high amplitude and low-frequency cortical activity. Injection of large doses of potassium chloride into the pallidum results in a forced running forward which lasts 30 to 40 min. The pallidum is considreed as a structure controlling the cortex activity, which takes part in the mechanisms of sensory information processes in the course of adaptive behaviour.     

Quantitative characterization of the nutrition of the free-living horse (Equus caballus) on Vodnyi Island (Manych-Gudilo Lake)

The nutritional value of plant fodder, daily consumption, and digestibility of forage were assessed in an isolated group of free-living (wild) horses inhabiting the pastures of Vodnyi Island during different seasons of 2010–2011. The digestibility was determined by the proportion between inert food components (silicon, lignin) in the diet and the feces. The daily intake of food was calculated according to the weight of the daily feces and digestibility of food. Daily food consumption of the free-living horses during the snowless period is from 8 to 14 kg/ind. and 16 kg/ind. (dry weight) during the winter period. Food digestibility changes from 49 to 54% per year; the mean digestibility is 52%. The daily metabolic energy intake during the snowy period of the year (130.7 MJ/ind.) is almost twofold higher than in spring (67.4 MJ/ind.). In all the seasons, it exceeds the requirements for energy. The free-living horses of Vodnyi Island have parameters of digestibility and consumption of forage similar to other horses.     

Transformation of conditioned responses of the tonic type

A reversal of signal meaning of stimuli signalling experimental situation was performed on dogs with conditioned defensive motor reflexes to clicks: clicks and electro-cutaneous stimulation were stopped, and the animals were started to be given food in the same experimental situation. Reversal of conditioned defensive tonic stimuli to alimentary ones led to a complex of behavioral and electrographic reactions. Isolated click tests showed that signals of experimental situation considerably affect a fully-elaborated defensive motor reflex. At the same time the preparatory role of certain situational elements may be specialized with regard to the components of the conditioned reflex, in particular to the local flexor reaction.     

Disruption of situational reflexes in experimental neurosis brought on by changes in the space factor

Motor activity elaborated in dogs and consisting of delayed choice reactions in a stochastic system (methods developed by Beritashvili, Hunter) and of rhythmic stereotypes of motor situational reflexes (Kupalov method) was not impaired by changes in spatial parameters of unconditioned stimulus in the stochastic system of choosing one feeding trough out of five. The changes in the spatial arrangement of conditioned and unconditioned stimuli in stable stereotypes led to changes in the behaviour of the animals and experimental neurosis with long-lasting disturbances in the situational conditioned reflexes and the short-term memory.     

Effect of Chronic Caloric Restriction on the Circadian Regulation of Physiological and Behavioral Variables in Old Male B6C3F1 Mice

The circadian rhythms of food and water consumption, the number of feeding and drinking episodes, oxygen consumption, carbon dioxide production, respiratory quotient, gross motor activity, and body temperature were measured in male B6C3F, mice that were fed ad libitum (AL) or fed a caloric-restricted diet (CR). The CR regimen (60% of the normal AL consumption) was fed to mice during the daytime (5 hr after lights on). CR animals exhibited fewer feeding episodes but consumed more food per feeding bout and spent more total time feeding than AL mice. It appears that CR caused mice to change from their normal “nibbling behavior” to meal feeding. Compared to AL animals, the mean body temperature was reduced in CR animals, while the amplitude of the body temperature rhythm was increased. Spans of reduced activity, metabolism, and body temperature (torpor) occurred in CR mice for several hours immediately before feeding, during times of high fatty acid metabolism (low RQ). The acute availability of exogenous substrates (energy supplies) seemed to modulate metabolism shifting metabolic pathways to promote energy efficiency. CR was also associated with lower DNA damage, higher DNA repair, and decreased proto-oncogene expression. Most of the circadian rhythms studied seemed to be synchronized primarily to the feeding rather than the photoperiod cycle. Night-time CR feeding was found to be better than daytime feeding because the circadian rhythms for AL and CR animals were highly synchronized when this regimen was used.