The post-embryonic development of Remipedia (Crustacea)—additional results and new insights

The post-embryonic development of a species of the enigmatic crustacean group Remipedia is described in detail for the first time under various aspects. Applying a molecular approach, we can clearly prove the species identity of the larvae as belonging to Pleomothra apletocheles. We document the cellular level of several larval stages and the differentiation of segments, limbs, and the general body morphology applying the techniques of confocal laser scanning microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. In addition, we document the swimming behavior and the peculiar movements of the naupliar appendages. A comparison of our results with published data on other Crustacea and their larval development tentatively supports ideas about phylogenetic affinities of the Remipedia to the Malacostraca. Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users. An erratum to this article can be found at     

The evolution of anural larvae in molgulid ascidians

Ascidians are urochordates, marine invertebrates with non-feeding motile chordate tadpole larvae, except in the family Molgulidae. Urodele, or tailed, Molgulids have typical ascidian chordate tadpole larvae possessing tails with muscle cells, a notochord, and a dorsal hollow nerve cord. In contrast, anural (or tail-less) Molgulids lack a tail and defining chordate features. Molecular phylogenies generated with 18S and 28S ribosomal sequences indicate that Molgulid species fall into at least four distinct clades, three of which have multiple anural members. This refined and expanded phylogeny allows careful examination of the factors that may have influenced the evolution of tail-less ascidians.     

基于生命周期的乡村景观格局演变的预测方法——以湖南省金井镇为例

以洞庭湖区金井镇为案例,运用生命周期理论分析了乡村景观格局演变过程,模拟了乡村景观格局演变周期曲线,预测出乡村景观格局演变周期,并与CA-Markov模型相耦合,建立了一套符合乡村景观格局演变规律的预测模拟方法. 预测结果表明： 2020年金井镇乡村景观格局中聚落景观和水田景观变化最大,聚落景观将增加至1194.01 hm²,水田景观将减少至3090.24 hm²,模型预测结果的数量精度和空间精度分别达到99.3%和96.4%,明显优于单一的CA-Markov模型.本文提出的乡村景观格局演变周期的预测方法可以为未来乡村景观规划提供参考.     

Dictyostelium mucoroides cells exhibit cell cycle-dependent sorting behavior as observed in D. discoideum development

Evidence has been obtained indicating that the cell's position in the cell cycle at the onset of starvation is a naturally occurring variable closely involved in the subsequent sorting and pattern formation during the development of Dictyostelium discoideum Ax2. It is of interest to know whether a similar phenomenon is also noticed in species other than D. discoideum and also without any treatment of cells for cell synchronization. For this, the sorting behavior of D. mucoroides-7 ( Dm7 ) cells and its relation to the cell-cycle phase at the onset of starvation were analyzed, using non-synchronized Dm7 cells pulse-labeled with 5'-bromo-2-deoxyuridine (BrdU). The results demonstrate that Dm7 cells starved at the early G2 phase aggregate most rapidly, but are eventually sorted out to the posterior prespore zone of migrating slugs. In contrast, cells starved at the mid late G2 phase exhibited slower aggregation, but were sorted out to the anterior zone (tip), this being basically similar to the sorting behavior of D. discoideum cells. Measurements of cell numbers and nuclearity provided evidence that approximately 80% of cells progressed their cell-cycle after the formation of multicellular structures (mounds), probably coupling with prespore differentiation as in the case of D. discoideum . Thus, cell cycle-dependent sorting during Dictyostelium development is most likely to be a common phenomenon in different species.     

Concentration Units

Most people are familiar with the concept that animals come in all shapes and sizes and that the body plan of some animals can completely transform during their lifetime. Well-known examples of such complex life cycles of terrestrial animals include butterflies and frogs. Many people are unaware, however, that complex life cycles are exceedingly prevalent in marine environments. Marine invertebrates, such as sea urchins, sea stars, and crabs, all have a microscopic pelagic larval stage that looks nothing at all like the familiar adult form. The authors have developed a lesson to teach students about complex life cycles using crab larvae and adult crabs. This lesson allows 3rd- to 6th-grade students to compare and contrast body plans while learning about adaptations the larvae and adults have made to their respective habitats. Throughout the lesson, students practice skills important for scientific inquiry: making observations, drawing what they see, asking and answering questions, and learning to use scientific tools such as microscopes.     

南方大口鲇幼鱼发育的初步研究

南方大口鲇的人工孵化鱼苗在11日龄时卵黄消失,转入营外生性营养的仔鱼阶段;23—26日龄仔鱼的主要外部器官分化完毕,转入稚鱼阶段;40—43日龄稚鱼除存在第二下颌须外,其余外形特征与成鱼相似,稚鱼阶段结束. 5月上旬在嘉陵江中采获到的当年幼鱼已发育到稚鱼阶段结束时期的水平;6—7月的当年幼鱼,当体长为151—177毫米时,第二下颌须消失.当年幼鱼体重和体长的关系为: W=e-10.87062L2.74257(N=77,r=0.9952)根据尾形、体色和须的数量的差异,可以区别南方大口鲇和鲇的当年幼鱼.