SPATIAL PATTERNS OF SHELL SHAPE OF THREE SPECIES OF CO-EXISTING LITTORINID SNAILS IN NEW SOUTH WALES, AUSTRALIA

The shape and relative weight of the shell have been shown tovary intraspecifically and interspecifically in a number ofspecies of gastropods, including many different littorinids.These differences give rise to different shell forms in differenthabitats. In those species which have non-planktotrophic development,differences in shell form among shores have been usually explainedin terms of natural selection because exposure to waves supposedlyfavours light shells with large apertures, while predation bycrabs on sheltered shores favours elongated, thick shells withsmaller apertures. Differences in shell shape among speciesfound at different heights on the shore have been explainedin terms of resistance to desiccation and temperature. Suchvariables would tend to act on a relatively broad-scale, i.e.causing differences among heights on a shore or among shores.Rates of growth, which might vary at much smaller scales withina shore, have also been shown to affect the shapes of many shells. In this study, the shape and relative weight of shells of threespecies of co-existing littorinids (Littorina unifasciata, Bembiciumnanum and Nodilittorina pyramidalis) were measured. These speciesall haveplanktotrophic development and they are found on manyshores where there is no evidence that they are preyed uponby crabs. Before explanations of shell shape are proposed, itis necessary that patterns of variation, within different partsof ashore and among different shores are clearly documented.These patterns were measured at a number of different spatialscales within and among replicate shores with different amountsof wave exposure. Large and small specimens were included toallow intraspecific comparisons among snails of different sizesfound at different heights on the shore. The results showedsignificant differences among shores in shape and relative weightof shells, but these differences could not be explained by exposureto waves. In addition, snails of different sizes and differentspecies did not show the same patterns although they were collectedfrom the same sites. Importantly, the shell shape of Liuorinaunifasciata varied significantly among sites at approximatelythe same height within a shore. These differences could notbe clearly correlated with density, mean size nor exposure towaves. The only consistent pattern was a decrease in relativeaperture size in specimens living higher on the shore. Modelsthat have commonly been proposed to explain shape and relativeweight of shells in other species of gastropods are not adequateto explain the small- and large-scale variation of the measurementsdescribed here. It is proposed that any selective advantageof shell morphology and the effects of any variables on thedevelopment of shell morphology in these species can only beidentified after appropriately designed and replicated fieldexperiments. (Received 4 March 1994; accepted 13 September 1994)     

RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN SHOOT GROWTH AND CHANGING PHYLLOTAXY OF RANUNCULUS

Growth of Ranunculus shoots through ontogeny is quantified by techniques utilizing scanning electron microscopy and studies on living plant material. The order of the contact parastichy phyllotaxy in the apical system is related to the relative plastochron rates of growth of the shoot. There is a change in the (2, 3) contact parastichy pattern of vegetative phyllotaxy to a transitional (3, 5) contact pattern which is maintained through sepal production. Formation of a 5(1, 1) whorl of petal primordia establishes a (5, 8) contact pattern with the sepal primordia. Subsequent initiation of stamen primordia, in spiral sequence, results in (5, 8, 13) triple contacts between petal and stamen primordia. The stamen primordia and carpel primordia arrangement is characterized by a (8, 13) contact parastichy pattern of phyllotaxy. Through ontogeny the volume of the shoot apex progressively increases but the shape of the apex, described by a second degree polynomial, remains constant. The plastochron and the relative plastochron rates of radial and vertical displacement of primordia progressively decrease during transition but there is no alteration of the chronological rate of apical expansion. The change in contact parastichy phyllotaxy through ontogeny is interpreted as a change in the relative positions of primordia insertion on the apex resulting from an increase in apical volume and an increased rate of primordia initiation.     

SCLEREID DISTRIBUTION IN THE LEAVES OF PSEUDOTSUGA UNDER NATURAL AND EXPERIMENTAL CONDITIONS

Al -talib , Khalil H., and John G. Torrey . (U. California, Berkeley.) Sclereid distribution in the leaves of Pseudotsuga under natural and experimental conditions. Amer. Jour. Bot. 48(1): 71–79. Illus. 1961.—A study of the distribution of sclereids in cleared leaves taken from 1-, 2-, and 4-year-old shoots of an adult tree of Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco showed a repeated pattern of sclereid distribution along the shoot axis with many sclereids in the basal leaves grading into few or no sclereids in the terminal leaves of each year's growth. Attempts were made to influence sclereid distribution by bud defoliation of attached branches with and without auxin treatment and by testing the effects of growth-regulating substances on sclereid formation in leaves of excised buds of Pseudotsuga cultured in vitro. Whereas removal of the basal ¾ of the leaves at the time of bud unfolding had no effect on bud, leaf or sclereid development, removal of the leaves of the upper half or complete defoliation led to premature expansion of next year's terminal bud with leaves developing in part from presumptive bud-scale primordia. Indoleacetic acid at 0.5% in lanolin paste applied to the defoliated region prevented this premature bud expansion. Defoliation of the basal half did not affect sclereid formation in the terminal leaves. Sclereid development in leaves of prematurely expanded buds on defoliated branches was normal except in the few cases where bud expansion occurred in the presence of low-auxin concentrations. Then, sclereid development was inhibited. Sclereid formation in leaves of excised buds grown in nutrient culture was generally much less frequent than in intact branches, and auxin treatment still further reduced the frequency of sclereids. It was concluded that sclereid initiation and differentiation in the intact plant may well be under the control of hormonal factors in the plant, one of which may be auxin.     

GROWTH AND REPRODUCTION OF THE SLUG LIMAX VALENTIANUS FIRUSSAC IN EXPERIMENTAL CONDITIONS

Growth and reproduction of batches and isolated Limax valentianus Férussacslugs reared under long-day photoperiods were compared with thosereared under short-day photoperiods combined with higher temperaturesduring the dark period. Weight increase in L. valentianus occurredin three distinct phases: an initial phase of rapid growth (infantilephase), followed by a phase with a smaller increase in weight(juvenile phase) and finally a phase with minimal growth, duringwhich reproduction occurred (adult phase). This phase ended witha weight decrease, due to senescence. Short days associatedwith an increase in temperature during the night reduced thereproductive rate, but did not affect growth. Long days werefavourable for reproduction. Growth rate was fastest in isolatedindividuals reared under long days and warm nights, while reproductionwas greatest in isolated individuals reared under long daysand cool nights. Fertility generally decreased with age, butegg production of slug batches evolved through a maximum, occurringbefore mean life span. High slug density reduced reproductiverate and longevity. (Received 22 December 2000; accepted 10 October 2000)     

RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN HEART RATE AND PHYSIOLOGICAL PARAMETERS OF PERFORMANCE IN TOP-LEVEL WATER POLO PLAYERS

The aim of this study was to measure the heart rate (HR) response of eight elite water polo players during the four 7-min quarters of the game and to check for relationships with the physiological parameters of performance (V.O₂max, Th1_vent, Th2_vent). Each athlete performed a V.O₂max treadmill test and played a water polo game wearing a heart rate monitor. The game fatigue index was calculated as the ratio of the fourth-quarter HR to the first-quarter HR: HR₄/HR₁. The results showed a slight decrease in fourth-quarter HR compared with the first quarter, with the mean four-quarter HR equal to 79.9±4.2% of HR_max. Stepwise multiple regression analysis showed V.O₂max to be the main explanatory factor of game intensity, i.e. game HR expressed in %HR_reserve (R=0.88, P<0.01). We observed that higher aerobic capacity resulted in higher game intensity. We also observed a decrease in the playing intensity in the fourth quarter compared with the first, likely due to very high game involvement. We concluded that high aerobic capacity seems necessary to ensure high game intensity in water polo. This suggests that coaches should encourage their athletes to reach a minimum level of V.O₂max and that HR monitoring could be of great interest in the control of water polo training sessions.     

RESISTANCE TO GRAIN PROTECTANTS AND PHOSPHINE IN COLEOPTEROUS PESTS OF GRAIN STORED ON FARMS IN NEW SOUTH WALES

Tribolium castaneum (Herbst), T. confusum Jacquelin du Val, Sitophilus oryzae (L.), S. granarius (L.), Oryzaephilus surinamensis (L.) and Rhyzopertha dominica (F.) were collected from farms in grain-growing areas in southern and northern N.S.W. and bioassayed for resistance to the grain protectants malathion, fenitrothion, bioresmethrin, carbaryl, pirimiphos-methyl, chlorpyrifos-methyl and the fumigant phosphine.
Results showed that resistance on farms in N.S.W. is similar to resistance reported elsewhere in Australia's grain handling system during the past decade. The only new resistance of practical significance was detected in O. surinamensis where 50% of populations were resistant to fenitrothion (maximum R.F. 68.4x). Fenitrothion resistance was uncommon or not detected in other species. Pirimiphos-methyl resistance was detected in 70% of O. surinamensis populations (maximum RF 44.2x) and in 1 population of T. castaneum (maximum RF 3.1x). Resistance to chlorpyrifos-methyl was detected in 39% of the O. surinamensis populations (maximum RF 8.4x), the only species tested. Low level phosphine resistance was detected in all species (maximum RF 2.2x). Malathion resistance was detected in all species except S. granarius . Resistance to bioresmethrin and carbaryl was not detected in R. dominica , the only species tested.     

SIZE, SHAPE AND SHELL MORPHOLOGY IN THE ANTARCTIC LIMPET NACELLA CONCINNA AT SIGNY ISLAND, SOUTH ORKNEY ISLANDS

Comparison of the size, shape and shell morphology in littoraland sub-littoral morphs of the Antarctic limpet Nacella concinnareveal differences in shell morphology which are enhanced bystructural anomalies within the shells of the two types. Infestationof sub-littoral shells by the conchocelis phase of an endolithicalga significantly affects shell density and total chlorophylllevels in the two shell morphs. The surface sculpture of sub-littoralshells is characterised by a series of grooves, the configurationof which closely resembles that of the radular teeth in N. concinna.Limpets utilise the available food supply within the shell matrixof other limpets by grazing the shell material. Epibiotic growthof calcareous algae prevent erosion and preserve underlyingshell layers. In severe cases, where protection is lacking,intraspecific shell grazing may remove parts of the shell exposingthe internal tissues. The Dominican Gull, Larus dominicanus, is a major shore predatorof both shell morphs. Gull middens contain both shell typesbut are dominated by the more accessible littoral shells. Comparisonof living populations and midden assemblages indicates thatsize and shape selection of prey occurs, with pear-shaped limpetsbetween 21 mm and 29 mm in length being taken preferentially. Apparent differences in shell form are induced by physical,biological and behavioural influences. Littoral animals arerobust in nature, resist avian pre-dation and are not extensivelygrazed whereas those of the sub-littoral are not subject tothe same degree of predatory attention but suffer a gradualdepletion of their shallower shell form through a combinationof algal infection and intraspecific shell grazing. (Received 21 February 1990; accepted 5 July 1990)