Thermal investigations of a honey bee colony: thermoregulation of the hive during summer and winter and heat production of members of different bee castes

Summary The temperature at the centre, the periphery and the entrance of a honey bee colony (Apis mellifera carnica) was continuously determined during the summer season and the broodless time in winter. During the summer season the temperature in the brood nest averages 35.5°C with brief excursions up to 37.0°C and down to 33.8°C. Increasing environmental temperatures resulted in linear increases in the temperature of the hive entrance, its periphery and its centre. The temperature in the centre of an overwintering cluster is maintained at an average value of 21.3°C (min 12.0°C, max 33.5°C). With rising ambient temperatures the central temperature of a winter cluster drops whereas the peripheral temperature increases slightly. With decreasing external temperatures the peripheral temperature is lowered by a small amount while the cluster's centre temperature is raised. Linear relationships are observed between the central and the ambient temperature and between the central temperature and the temperature difference of the peripheral and the ambient temperatures. The slopes point to two minimum threshold values for the central (15°C) and the peripheral temperature (5°C) which should not be transgressed in an overwintering cluster. Microcalorimetric determinations of the heat production were performed on the three castes of the honey bee: workers, drones and queens of different ages. Among these groups single adult workers showed the highest heat production rates (209 mW·g^–1) with only neglectible fluctuations in the heat production rate. Juvenile workers exhibited a mean heat production rate of 142 mW·g^–1. The rate of heat production of adult workers is strongly dependent upon the number of bees together in a group. With more than 10 individuals weight-specific heat dissipation remains constant with increasing group sizes at a level approximately 1/17 that of an isolated bee. Differences are seen between the rates of virgin (117 mW·g^–1) and laying (102 mW·g^–1) queens. Laying queens showed less thermal fluctuations than virgin queens. High fluctuations in heat production rates are observed for drones. In both groups (fertile, juvenile) phases of high and extremely low activity succeed one another. The heat production of juvenile drones was 68 mW·g^–1, that of fertile drones 184 mW·g^–1 due to stronger locomotory activities.     

Hibernation in the tropics: lessons from a primate

The Malagasy primate Cheirogaleus medius hibernates in tree holes for 7 months, although ambient temperatures during hibernation rise above 30°C in their natural environment. In a field study we show that during hibernation the body temperature of most lemurs fluctuates between about 10°C and 30°C, closely tracking the diurnal fluctuations of ambient temperature passively. These lemurs do not interrupt hibernation by spontaneous arousals, previously thought to be obligatory for all mammalian hibernators. However, some lemurs hibernate in large trees, which provide better thermal insulation. Their body temperature fluctuates only little around 25°C, but they show regular arousals, as known from temperate and arctic hibernators. The results from this study demonstrate that maximum body temperature is a key factor necessitating the occurrence of arousals. Furthermore, we show that hibernation is not necessarily coupled to low body temperature and, therefore, low body temperature should no longer be included in the definition of hibernation.     

Diapause development and acclimation regulating enzymes associated with glycerol synthesis in the Shonai ecotype of the rice stem borer larva,Chilo suppressalis walker

Overwintering larvae of the Shonai ecotype of the rice stem borer, Chilo suppressalis, enter diapause in early September and terminate diapause at the end of October. Cold acclimation at 0°C did not influence glycerol, trehalose or glycogen content in larvae collected on 22 September. Acclimation at 0°C increased the glycerol content and reduced the glycogen content significantly in larvae collected on 2 October and 22 November compared with acclimation at 15°C. These results indicate that overwintering larvae at different phases of diapause development respond differently to the low temperature stimulus for glycerol synthesis. Thus, we evaluated the metabolic rearrangements associated with glycerol synthesis during diapause development and after temperature acclimation. Larvae collected on 2 October were acclimated at 15°C for 15 and 60 days. Some of those acclimated at 15°C were then moved to 0°C for 15 days. The larvae acclimated at 15°C for 15 days were in deep diapause and accumulated little glycerol, while larvae acclimated at 15°C for 60 days were nearly ready to emerge from diapause and accumulated glycerol at 155.5 μmol/g. When larvae acclimated to 15°C for 15 days were transferred to 0°C, glycerol accumulation was stimulated to the same extent (ca 140 μmol/g) as it was in larvae that were acclimated to 15°C for 60 days and then transferred to 0°C. These results indicate that low temperature has a cumulative effect on glycerol production in larvae at different phases of diapause development. Glycerol accumulation was accomplished by activation of glycogen phosphorylase and inhibition of fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase, and activation of enzymes associated with glycerol synthesis, mainly glyceraldehyde-3-phosphatase and polyol dehydrogenase with glyceraldehyde activity.     

Degradation of 4-Chlorophenol at Low Temperature and during Extreme Temperature Fluctuations by Arthrobacter chlorophenolicus A6

Low average temperatures and temperature fluctuations in temperate soils challenge the efficacy of microbial strains used for clean up of pollutants. In this study, we investigated the cold tolerance of Arthrobacter chlorophenolicus A6, a microorganism previously shown to degrade high concentrations of 4-chlorophenol at 28°C. Luciferase activity from a luc-tagged derivative of the strain (A6L) was used to monitor the metabolic status of the population during 4-chlorophenol degradation. The A6L strain could degrade 200–300 g mL^–1 4-chlorophenol in pure cultures incubated at 5°C, although rates of degradation, growth and the metabolic status of the cells were lower at 5°C compared to 28°C. When subjected to temperature fluctuations between 5 and 28°C, A6L continued to degrade 4-chlorophenol and remained active. In soil microcosm experiments, the degradation rates were significantly faster the first week at 28°C, compared to 5°C. However, this difference was no longer seen after 7 days, and equally low 4-chlorophenol concentrations were reached after 17 days at both temperatures. During 4-chlorophenol degradation in soil, CFU and luciferase activity values remained constant at both 5 and 28°C. However, once most of the 4-chlorophenol was degraded, both values decreased by 1–1.5 logarithmic values at 28°C, whereas they remained constant at 5°C, indicating a high survival of the cells at low temperatures. Because of the ability of A. chlorophenolicus A6 to degrade high concentrations of 4-chlorophenol at 5°C, together with its tolerance to temperature fluctuations and stress conditions found in soil, this strain is a promising candidate for bioaugmentation of chlorophenol-contaminated soil in temperate climates.This revised version was published online in November 2004 with corrections to Volume 48.     

Activity Patterns of Harvester Ants Pogonomyrmex pronotalis and Pogonomyrmex rastratus in the Central Monte Desert, Argentina

Seed-eating ants could have a significant effect on plant communities in deserts and semiarid zones. This effect is mediated through spatial and temporal foraging patterns, and seed selection within patches. Foraging patterns of harvester ants in South American deserts are almost unknown. The purpose of this work is to determine the temporal variations in the activity levels of Pogonomyrmex pronotalis and P. rastratus in the central Monte desert, and how these patterns may be related to abiotic factors, particularly to soil temperature. Activity levels and soil surface temperature were recorded at hourly intervals in five colonies for each species during the activity season (October, December, February, and April) in both 1999–2000 and 2000–2001 periods (except for October 1999). Surface ant activity starts in October, increases between December and February, and then ceases by April. Surface ant activity is diurnal throughout the season and usually has a unique peak during midday in October and April, and two peaks in the morning and the afternoon from December to February. The proportion of the activity budget devoted to nest's maintenance activity was similar for both species. Activity levels of foraging workers tended to be higher in P. pronotalis than in P. rastratus. P. pronotalis is active between 20 and 59°C, with higher levels of activity between 35 and 45°C, whereas P. rastratus shows activity between 18 and 58°C, with higher levels of activity between 30 and 40°C. Our results suggest that temporal changes in surface activity respond mainly to soil temperature fluctuations. However, at intermediate temperatures (those probably encompassing the thermal tolerance range of these ant species), temperature appears not to be a good predictor of daily and seasonal activity fluctuations.     

Effects of mild heat exposure on sleep stages and body temperature in older men

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of mild heat exposure on sleep stages and body temperature in older men. Ten healthy male volunteers with a mean age of 69.2 ± 1.35 years served as subjects. The experiments were carried out under two different sets of conditions: 26 °C 50% relative humidity (RH) and 32 °C 50% RH. The subjects slept from 2200 hours to 0600 hours with a cotton blanket and wearing short-sleeve pajamas and shorts on a bed covered by a sheet. Electroencephalogram, electro-occulogram and mental electromyogram recordings were made through the night. Rectal and skin temperatures were measured continuously. No significant differences were observed in sleep onset latency. In time spent in each sleep stage, wakefulness was significantly increased at 32 °C than at 26 °C. The total amount of wakefulness increased and rapid eye movement sleep (REM) decreased at 32 °C compared to 26 °C. The fall in rectal temperature was significantly suppressed and the mean skin temperature was significantly higher at 32 °C than at 26 °C. These results suggest that, for older men, even mild heat exposure during the nighttime sleep period may increase thermal load, suppress the decrease of rectal temperature, decrease REM, and increase wakefulness and whole-body sweat loss.     

Body Temperature Changes in Free-ranging Baboons (Papio hamadryas ursinus) in the Namib Desert, Namibia

We surgically implanted temperature sensitive telemeters intraperitonealy in free-ranging baboons. Thereafter, we recorded body temperature changes while the baboons were free-ranging and under visual observation. Two distinct patterns of daily body temperature fluctuations occurred; they were related to the availability of drinking water. Core body temperature fluctuated by as much as 5.3°C and regularly exceeded 41°C. Behavioral adaptations of the baboons, notably sandbathing, appeared to be associated with the regulation of body temperature.     

Germination in Zostera japonica is determined by cold stratification, tidal elevation and sediment type

The effects of water temperature and bottom sediment type were studied on seed dormancy and germination of Zostera japonica Ascherson & Graebner in mesocosm. To test whether the germination rate is affected by cold stratification, seeds were divided into two groups: those exposed to cold (7 °C) and those left untreated (23–15 °C). Additionally, to mimic tidal variation, we used five tidal depth treatments for germination experiments in mesocosm. In mesocosm tanks, there was a wide range of daily fluctuating temperature at datum line +40 cm (17–25 °C), D.L. +20 cm (15 °C), and D.L. +0 cm (4–7 °C). In contrast, the maximum temperature range at D.L. −20 cm and −40 cm was narrow (5–6 °C). In the no cold stratification group, the maximum germination rates on sandy, muddy sand, and muddy bottom sediment were 3%, 11%, and 3%, respectively. In the cold stratification group (7 °C), the maximum germination rates were 40%, 53%, and 54%, respectively. First germination was observed 36 ± 0 days and 43 ± 6 days after the start of the germination experiment in the cold stratification group and the no cold stratification group, respectively. Bottom sediment type and tidal level did not affect seed germination in the both stratification group. Cold stratification strongly increases germination in all sediment types tested and under varying temperature regimes and at different tidal levels. We also tested whether seed germination is affected by daily fluctuations in temperature (10 °C constant, 15 °C/10 °C, and 20 °C/10 °C were compared) in an indoor incubator. Forty-two days after being sown, the maximum seedling emergence rates in the three groups were 3 ± 5%, 21 ± 7%, and 42 ± 26%, respectively. At 20 °C/10 °C, first germination was observed 11 days after the start of incubation, the germination rate rose sharply after 18 day of incubation, and then it leveled off after 32–42 days of incubation. In the no cold stratification group, seed germination was not observed in any of the three treatments. This finding suggests that the breaking of seed dormancy and germination of Z. japonica seeds are determined strongly by cold temperature and daily fluctuations of temperature, respectively.     

The effects of warming by active and passive means on the subsequent responses to cold water immersion

Two experiments were undertaken to investigate the effects of warming the body upon the responses during a subsequent cold water immersion (CWI). In both experiments the subjects, wearing swimming costumes, undertook two 45-min CWIs in water at 15° C. In experiment 1, 12 subjects exercised on a cycle ergometer until their rectal temperatures (T _re) rose by an average of 0.73°C. They were then immediately immersed in the cold water. Before their other CWI they rested seated on a cycle ergometer (control condition). In experiment 2, 16 different subjects were immersed in a hot bath (40° C) until their T _re rose by an average of 0.9° C; they were then immediately immersed in the cold water. Before their other CWI they were immersed in thermoneutral water (35° C; control condition). Heart rate in both experiments and respiratory frequency in experiment 1 were significantly (P < 0.05) higher during the first 30 s of CWI following active warming. In experiment 1, the rate of fall of T _re during the final 15 min of CWI was significantly (P < 0.01) faster when CWI followed active warming (2.46° C · h^–1) compared with the control condition (1.68°C · h^–1). However, this rate was observed when absolute T _re was still above that seen in the control CWIs. It is possible, therefore, that if longer CWIs had been undertaken, the two temperature curves may have converged and thereafter fallen at similar rates; this was the case with the aural temperature (T _au) seen in experiment 1 and the T _au and T _re in experiment 2. It is concluded that pre-warming is neither beneficial nor detrimental to survival prospects during a subsequent CWI.     

Compressibilities and volume fluctuations of archaeal tetraether liposomes

Bipolar tetraether lipids (BTLs) are abundant in crenarchaeota, which thrive in both thermophilic and nonthermophilic environments, with wide-ranging growth temperatures (4-108°C). BTL liposomes can serve as membrane models to explore the role of BTLs in the thermal stability of the plasma membrane of crenarchaeota. In this study, we focus on the liposomes made of the polar lipid fraction E (PLFE). PLFE is one of the main BTLs isolated from the thermoacidophilic crenarchaeon Sulfolobus acidocaldarius. Using molecular acoustics (ultrasound velocimetry and densimetry), pressure perturbation calorimetry, and differential scanning calorimetry, we have determined partial specific adiabatic and isothermal compressibility, their respective compressibility coefficients, partial specific volume, and relative volume fluctuations of PLFE large unilamellar vesicles (LUVs) over a wide range of temperatures (20-85°C). The results are compared with those obtained from liposomes made of dipalmitoyl-L-α-phosphatidylcholine (DPPC), a conventional monopolar diester lipid. We found that, in the entire temperature range examined, compressibilities of PLFE LUVs are low, comparable to those found in gel state of DPPC. Relative volume fluctuations of PLFE LUVs at any given temperature examined are 1.6-2.2 times more damped than those found in DPPC LUVs. Both compressibilities and relative volume fluctuations in PLFE LUVs are much less temperature-sensitive than those in DPPC liposomes. The isothermal compressibility coefficient (β_T^lipid) of PLFE LUVs changes from 3.59 × 10⁻¹⁰ Pa⁻¹ at 25°C to 4.08 × 10⁻¹⁰ Pa⁻¹ at 78°C. Volume fluctuations of PLFE LUVs change only 0.25% from 30°C to 80°C. The highly damped volume fluctuations and their low temperature sensitivity, echo that PLFE liposomes are rigid and tightly packed. To our knowledge, the data provide a deeper understanding of lipid packing in PLFE liposomes than has been previously reported, as well as a molecular explanation for the low solute permeation and limited membrane lateral motion. The obtained results may help to establish new strategies for rational design of stable BTL-based liposomes for drug/vaccine delivery.     

A rapid controller of temperature for use in determining Arrhenius profiles in biomembrane systems

To minimize artifacts in temperature-velocity (Arrhenius) profiles due to aging of preparations of biological membranes, a rapid controller of temperature was developed for spectrophotometric or polarographic (O₂ electrode) measurements. The reaction mixture is cooled or heated through contact with Peltier elements. One Pt temperature sensor in the cuvette or electrode holder controls current flow into the Peltier units, and another Pt temperature sensor in the reaction mixture is used to read out the sample temperature on a meter or recorder, and to provide feedback control. The sample temperature can be reproducibly set to within 0.1°C, with a noise level of 0.04°C or less; a change of 4°C takes 1 min.On leave at the Arrhenius Laboratory, University of Stockholm.     

Usefulness of R-R interval and its variability in evaluation of thermal comfort

The use of R-R interval and the coefficient of variation in R-R intervals (CV_R-R) for the evaluation of thermal comfort was investigated. The experiments were carried out with ten male subjects but data from one were excluded from the analysis. Thermal sensation, comfort, and tolerance of environmental conditions were reported and mean skin temperature, R-R interval and CV_R-R were monitored during a 3 h period in a climatic chamber with the operative temperature set at 26, 20, or 30° C. Relative humidity was maintained at ca. 50% in each case. At the operative temperature of 20° C, the mean skin temperature was significantly lower, the cold sensation was significantly more intense, and discomfort was significantly greater than at 26° C and R-R interval was increased significantly. Seven of the nine subjects were unable to tolerate this thermal environment. The R-R interval and CV_R-R were increased in five and four of those seven subjects, respectively. At the operative temperature of 30° C, the mean skin temperature was significantly higher, and the sensation of warmth was significantly more intense than at 26° C. Seven of the nine subjects felt discomfort, and four of the seven reported an inability to tolerate this thermal environment. The R-R interval and CV_R-R were decreased in four and three of these four subjects, respectively. At the operative temperature of 20° C CV_R-R was significantly greater than that at 30° C. Together with the subjective indices, R-R interval and CV_R-R are considered worthy of further evaluation as objective indications of the effect on people of the thermal environment.     

Differential staining in the secondary constriction regions of human chromosomes A1, C9, and E16 by a heat-hypotonic treatment technique

Summary The secondary constriction (SC) regions of human chromosomes A1, C9, and E16 were preferentially stained with Giemsa when the mitotic cells in a hypotonic solution were heated in a water bath before fixation. The staining intensity of these regions increased from E16 through A1 to C9. The SC region of C9 was stained more intensely as the treatment temperature was raised from 45°C to 60°C, while the staining intensity of the SC region of E16 reached a peak at 50°C and then decreased gradually with increasing temperature. The SC region of A1 showed stable differential staining between 50°C and 60°C. These observations suggest a heterogeneous nature of the SC regions of human chromosomes, probably reflecting a difference in the chromosomal proteins or the DNA-protein interaction in these regions.     

The Effect of Acute Stress and Temperature on Plasma Cortisol and ion Concentrations and Growth of Lake Inari Arctic Charr, Salvelinus Alpinus

One year old, individually tagged Lake Inari Arctic charr, Salvelinus alpinus, were reared at three constant temperatures, 10.3°C, 14.1°C and 18.1°C, over four weeks. Blood samples were collected from a group of unstressed fish after the cultivation period at the same time as another group of fish were subjected to acute handling stress treatment (2min netting in air and 40min (± 20min) recovery period in water). Plasma cortisol, calcium, sodium, potassium and chloride concentrations were measured on both groups. To study the effect of minor daily temperature fluctuations on the stress response of Arctic charr, two additional daily fluctuating temperature (14 ± 1°C, 18 ± 1°C) treatments were established. The samples were taken in the same manner as those in the constant temperature treatments. Growth was fastest at 10.3–14.1°C and clearly lower at 18.1°C. Pre-stress plasma cortisol levels were low but increased slightly with increasing temperature. After stressor treatment, the cortisol concentrations of Arctic charr were clearly higher in all temperature treatments but there were no significant differences in plasma cortisol concentrations among temperatures. Plasma calcium levels increased during the stress treatment but temperature did not modulate this effect. The plasma potassium concentrations declined at 14.1–18.1°C after acute stress but the response was not affected by temperature within this range. The concentrations of sodium and chloride were unaffected by acute stress. Temperatures of 10.3–18.1°C and fluctuating temperature treatments had no influence on any plasma ion concentrations. Arctic charr were able to maintain the plasma ion concentrations in fresh water at 10.3–18.1°C and after acute stress treatment. Results indicate that the optimum temperature for growth of Arctic charr has little to do with the plasma ion concentrations or the ability to maintain those concentrations after short-term stress. The plasma cortisol responses further indicate that the optimum temperature for growth of Arctic charr is not related to the suppressed ability to react to an acute handling stressor. Temperature fluctuations did not cause significant differences in cortisol levels when compared with constant temperatures.     

Response of zooplankton to the reduction and elimination of submerged vegetation by grass carp and herbicide in four Florida lakes

Thirteen physical and chemical characteristics of five softwater streams in Rhode Island, U.S.A. were examined biweekly to monthly for seventeen months. One first-order, two second-order and two third-order streams were included in the study. The mean annual temperature ranged from 9.4 °C in the spring-fed headwater stream to 14 °C in an open, third-order stream, with seasonal fluctuations of 14.5 ° to 28.0 °C. The heavily shaded first-order stream generally received less than 30% incident light at its surface throughout the year. By contrast, the other streams either were unshaded or were associated with distinct periodicity of incident light quantity due to seasonality of the tree canopy. The mean annual current velocity ranged from 22 to 100 cm s^–1 among the streams, pH ranged from 3.7 to 6.4, and specific conductance was generally less than 50 µS cm^–1. The first-order stream was associated with lowest mean annual temperature, current velocity, light penetration and nitrate, as well as relatively high and constant silica concentrations. Temperature was negatively correlated with current speed in second- and third-order streams, and temperature was also negatively correlated with light in shaded streams. There was a general pattern in all streams for decreasing pH following precipitation events. Concentrations of total phophorus, nitrate-nitrogen, ammonium-nitrogen and silica were among the lowest reported for lotic systems.     

A Link between Hinge-Bending Domain Motions and the Temperature Dependence of Catalysis in 3-Isopropylmalate Dehydrogenase

Enzyme function depends on specific conformational motions. We show that the temperature dependence of enzyme kinetic parameters can provide insight into these functionally relevant motions. While investigating the catalytic properties of IPMDH from Escherichia coli, we found that its catalytic efficiency (k_cat/K_M,IPM) for the substrate IPM has an unusual temperature dependence, showing a local minimum at ∼35°C. In search of an explanation, we measured the individual constants k_cat and K_M,IPM as a function of temperature, and found that the van 't Hoff plot of K_M,IPM shows sigmoid-like transition in the 20-40°C temperature range. By means of various measurements including hydrogen-deuterium exchange and fluorescence resonance energy transfer, we showed that the conformational fluctuations, including hinge-bending domain motions increase more steeply with temperatures >30°C. The thermodynamic parameters of ligand binding determined by isothermal titration calorimetry as a function of temperature were found to be strongly correlated to the conformational fluctuations of the enzyme. Because the binding of IPM is associated with a hinge-bending domain closure, the more intense hinge-bending fluctuations at higher temperatures increasingly interfere with IPM binding, thereby abruptly increasing its dissociation constant and leading to the observed unusual temperature dependence of the catalytic efficiency.     

Thoracic temperature,shivering, and flight in the monarch butterfly,Danaus plexippus (L.)

Summary Monarch butterflies, Danaus plexippus (L.), display a warm-up behavior characterized by wingstrokes of small amplitude. Thoracic temperature during this shivering and during fixed flight was measured by means of a smallbead thermistor inserted into the thorax. At ambient temperatures of 15–16°C, once shivering is initiated the thoracic temperature rises at a maximum rate of 1.3°C/min, and a thoracic temperature 4.0°C greater then ambient is produced (Table 1). Fixed flight at these low ambient temperatures results in a similar rate of increase in thoracic temperature, and a similar temperature excess is produced (Fig. 3). At ambient temperatures between 22 and 35°C the thoracic temperature of an animal starting to fly rises at a faster rate, 3.6°C/min, and reaches a greater excess, 7.9°C (Fig. 4). The wingbeat frequency of animals in fixed flight increases with increasing thoracic temperature (Fig. 2). In the absence of direct solar radiation, shivering typically occurs prior to flight at low ambient temperatures (13–17°C), and the resulting increase in thoracic temperature allows monarch butterflies to fly at these cool temperatures.I thank Miss Janice Ruppert and Mr. C. J. Doughty for their valuable technical assistance. The co-operation of the administrators of New Brighton Beach State Park in permitting me to collect in the park is appreciated. Financial support for this study was provided in part by a faculty research grant from the University of California.     

Studies on cold pressor response of subjects who suffered from frostbite at high altitude

Seven lowlander soldiers who had 1st to 3rd degree of frostbite and 8 lowlander soldiers who recovered from high altitude pulmonary oedema were tested for cold pressor response at 260 m, 26°C, 6.8°C and 4,085 m, 26°C, 6.8°C. 8 lowlander soldiers (Control subjects) of comparable age group were tested for their cold pressor response at 260 m, 26°C and 3,300 m, 26°C. Another group of control subjects from the laboratory were also tested at 2,121 m, 26°C. There was a highly significant decrease in cold pressor response of the frostbite subjects at 260 m, 26°C and a very significant increase at 260 m, 6.8°C as compared to non-frostbite subjects. The subjects who recovered from high altitude pulmonary oedema did not show significant differences as compared with the control subjects. The results suggest certain basic physiological differences in regulation of supply of blood to the extremities under condition of general and local cold exposure.     

Changes in cold tolerance due to a 14-day stay in the Canadian Arctic

Responses to cold exposure tests both locally and of the whole body were examined in subjects who stayed in the Arctic (average maximum and minimum temperatures –11 and –21° C respectively) for 14 days of skiing and sleeping in tents. These changes were compared to responses in subjects living working in Ottawa, Canada (average max. and min. temperatures –5 and –11° C respectively). The tests were done before the stay in the Arctic (Pre), immediately after the return (Post 1) and approximately 32 days after the return (Post 2). For the whole-body cold exposure each subject, wearing only shorts and lying on a rope mesh cot, was exposed to an ambient temperature of 10° C. There was no consistent response in the changes of metabolic or body temperature to this exposure in either of groups and, in addition, the changes over time were variable. Cold induced vasodilatation (CIVD) was determined by measuring temperature changes in the middle finger of the nondominant hand upon immersion in ice water for 30 min. CIVD was depressed after the Arctic exposure whilst during the Post 2 testing, although variable, did not return to the Pre values; the responses of the control group were similar. These results indicate that normal seasonal changes may be as important in adaptation as a stay in the Arctic. Caution is advised in the separation of seasonal effects when examining the changes in adaptation after exposure to a cold environment.     

The predatory mite Hypoaspis miles: temperature dependent life table characteristics on a diet of sciarid larvae, Bradysia paupera and B. tritici

Life table characteristics of Hypoaspis miles Berlese (Acarina: Hypoaspidae) fed on a mixture of Bradysia paupera Tuomikoski (Diptera: Sciaridae) and B. tritici Coquillet larvae were investigated in laboratory experiments at 4 temperatures (15, 20, 25, 30 °C) for development time, juvenile mortality, sex ratio, preoviposition period, oviposition period, postoviposition period, age-specific fecundity, and adult longevity. Juvenile development time decreased with increasing temperature from 46 days at 15 °C to 10 days at 30 °C. The lower temperature threshold was 9.9 °C and development required 205 °D. Juvenile mortality decreased from 52% at 15 °C to 3% at 25 °C and then increased to 24% at 30 °C. Preoviposition period varied with temperature from 12 days at 15 °C to 3 days at 25 °C and then increased to about 4 days at 30 °C. Oviposition period decreased with increasing temperature from 58 days at 15 °C to 25 days at 30 °C. The mean number of eggs per female per day increased from 0.4 at 15 °C to 2.3 at 25 °C and decreased to 1.3 at 30 °C. Age-specific fecundity was described by a temperature dependent model from which the maximum daily fecundity rate could be estimated to be attained at 25.6 °C. Female longevity was significantly shorter than for males, and decreased from 90 days at 15 °C to 34 days at 30 °C. Sex ratio was female-biased at all 4 temperatures and increased with temperature up to 25 °C, decreasing at 30 °C. Estimates of net reproductive rate, intrinsic rate of increase, finite rate of increase, mean generation time and doubling time were obtained. The r _m -value increased with temperature from 0.031 day^-1 at 15 °C to 0.133 day^-1 at 25 °C, after which it decreased to 0.112 day^-1 at 30 °C. The study showed that H. miles can develop and reproduce at temperatures between 15 and 30 °C. H. miles and sciarids have approximately the same optimum temperature and thresholds for development and reproduction and H. miles can be used for biological control of sciarids within the temperature range where the pest occurs.