THE NATURE OF THE LATENT PERIOD IN THE PHOTIC RESPONSE OF MYA ARENARIA

The latent period in the response of Mya to illumination varies inversely as the duration of the exposure to which it is subjected. The reciprocal of the latent period, measuring the velocity of the process which underlies it, is a linear function of the exposure period. Since the duration of the exposure represents the amount of photochemical activity, it is concluded that the substances formed at that time act to catalyze a chemical reaction which determines the duration of the latent period. This explanation is in accord with the previous work on the photochemical reaction and with the effect of temperature on the latent period. As a result of the combined investigations there is presented a concrete hypothesis for the mechanism of photic reception in Mya.     

AN ULTRASTRUCTURAL STUDY OF GAMETOGENESIS OF THE MARINE BIVALVE PINNA NOBILIS (LINNAEUS 1758)I. OOGENESIS

The ultrastructural stages of female gametogenesis are describedin a Mediterranean marine bivalve, Pinna nobiiis. Firstly, theprocess of oocyte formation is analysed and the formation ofthe yolk granules is discussed. Secondly the degeneration ofoocytes is described and seems to be most common in vitello-genicoocytes. The evolution of the oocyte reserves is particular;they form a dense globulose mass in the acinar lumen which willthen appear in the cytoplasm content of auxiliary cells. Duringearly stages of oogenesis the oocyte is completely surroundedby several layers of auxiliary cells. On formation of the viteliinecoat around the oocyte, the auxiliary cells are restricted tothe stalk and contact is maintained by desmosomes. Interdigitationphenomena are observed. The auxiliary cells appear to play anintegral role in development of the oocyte. Their functionsare the phagocytosis and intracellular digestion of productsoriginating from oocyte degeneration; this function can permita transfer of precursors necessary to vitellogenesis; they havealso a synthetic activity and they accumulate reserves in theircytoplasm, as glycogen and lipids, which can be employed byvitellogenic oocytes. (Received 2 November 1994; accepted 20 February 1995)     

A PLANIMETRIC STUDY OF MORPHOLOGICAL VARIABILITY IN THE DIGESTIVE DIVERTICULA OF LITTORINA LITTOREA (LINNAEUS) AND MYTILUS EDULIS LINNAEUS

The inter-and intratubular morphological variability in thedigestive diverticula of Littorina littorea and Mytilus edulishas been investigated by planimetric procedures. Five parametershave been measured: mean epithelial thickness (MET), mean diverticularradius [MDR], mean luminal radius (MLR), MLR/MET ratio and MET/MDRratio. The results indicate that irrespective of the patternof tubule organization within the digestive diverticula (whethertubule types are clustered or not), variability between individualsis greater than that between zones of the digestive gland. Thishas implications for the design of sampling strategies in investigationsof the morphology of digestive diverticula in physiologicaland pathological studies. The variability in the epithelialthickness within diverticular sections is of minor relevancein assessing the overall condition of the digestive gland inthese studies, because variability in epithelial thickness betweentubules is significantly greater than within tubules in bothspecies. (Received 10 March 1989; accepted 16 October 1989)     

SEED DISPERSAL IN VIOLA (VIOLACEAE): ADAPTATIONS AND STRATEGIES

Surveys of Viola dispersal mechanisms result in the distinction of two major adaptive syndromes: one purely myrmecochorous for the exploitation of seed-transporting ants, the other partially myrmecochorous (= diplochorous) for the explosive ejection of seeds followed by ant exploitation. Diplochory is exhibited by the majority of Viola species, but myrmecochory is exhibited only by eleven species with limited Eurasian distribution. Morphological and experimental evidence suggests the hypothesis that Viola is basically myrmecochorous but that different selective pressures, especially seed predation, have produced a clear divergence in dispersal systems. The majority of species, the diplochores, have evolved a system which combines ballistic and ant seed dispersal with predator avoidance. Diplochory itself may be a response to predation pressure. The minority of species are purely myrmecochorous, possibly highly coevolved with specific ant species, thus limiting the distribution of the Viola species concerned.     

THE ROLE OF LYMNAEA AURICULARIA (LINNAEUS) AND LYMNAEA PEREGRA (MULLER) (GASTROPODA: PULMONATA) IN THE TRANSMISSION OF LARVAL DIGENEANS IN THE LOWER THAMES VALLEY

Eleven species of larval digeneans are reported for the firsttime in the UK from the freshwater snail Lymnaea (Radix) auricularia.The latter replaced its congener L. peregra in a gravel pitnear Wraysbury, Berkshire in the Lower Thames Valley and hostedan assemblage of larval digeneans similar to that previouslytransmitted by L peregra. The larval digeneans of L. peregrain small bodies of water in the area were also similar to thosefound in L. auriculania in the gravel pit. This replacementin the role of the host is explained on the basis of morphological,physiological and ecological similarities of the two lymnaeidspecies. (Received 19 February 1992; accepted 27 April 1992)     

ELECTRIC POTENTIAL AND ACTIVITY OF CHOLINE ESTERASE IN THE ELECTRIC ORGAN OF ELECTROPHORUS ELECTRICUS (LINNAEUS)

1. If the concentration of choline esterase is determined at different sections from the head to the caudal end of the electric organ of Electrophorus electricus (Linneaus) S-like curves are obtained. These curves are essentially the same as those which show the number of electric discs per centimeter and the E.M.F. per centimeter. 2. In the organ of Hunter the concentration of the enzyme does not differ from that in the adjacent parts in the main organ. This again coincides with the observations on the number of plates per centimeter in this organ. 3. The concentration of the enzyme was determined in different parts of the brain and the spinal cord and compared with that in a gold fish. The concentrations here are of the same order, but in the spinal cord of the eel the concentration is even lower than in the gold fish. As the cell bodies of the nerves innervating the electric organ in the spinal cord, these results do not lend support to the assumption of a special concentration of the enzyme in these nerves. 4. In the muscles adjacent to the electric organ an enzyme concentration has been found which is of the order of that in the electric tissue itself and much higher than in ordinary striated muscles. 5. The suitability of the organ for the preparation of enzyme solutions has been investigated and compared with that of the organ of Torpedo.     

THE ANATOMICAL AND ULTRASTRUCTURAL BASIS OF PRIMARY URINE FORMATION IN BIVALVE MOLLUSCS

This paper examines the anatomical and ultrastructural basisof filtration in bivalves, and proposes a mechanism by whichthe filtrate is derived by a combination of hydrostatic pressureand suction generated by auricular and other muscles, assistedby cilia in the walls of the renopericardial canals. It is proposedthat the primitive auricular site of filtration becomes lessefficient with increasing size and may impair the contractilityof the auricle. The migration of the filter, including bloodsupply and muscles, to a separate pericardial site is indicatedby the discovery in two species, including Scrobicularia plana,with functional pericardial glands, of vestigial glands in theauricle. The development of a filtration site in the pericardialwall, where constraints on size do not exist, made possiblethe increase in the rate of urine formation which must accompanycolonization of estuarine and freshwater habitats. In freshwatergenera such as Anodonta the problem of creating a sufficientpressure gradient for a high rate of filtration is overcomeby the separation of that part of the pericardial cavity drainedby the renopericardial canal (the Nebenhöhle) from thechamber housing the heart. Contraction of predominantly transversemuscles in the wall of the Nebenhöhle is believed to beresponsible for expelling urine from it along the renopericardialcanals to the kidneys. The fine structure of the filtrationsite in ten species of bivalve is described. (Received 1 November 1992; accepted 6 December 1992)     

ULTRASTRUCTURE AND HISTOCHEMISTRY OF THE POSTERIOR OESOPHAGUS OF NASSARIUS RETICULATUS (LINNAEUS)

The posterior oesophagus of N. reticulatus (Linnaeus) consistsof two histologically distinct regions. The epithelium of thethickened segment in the visceral haemocoel is virtually uniform.The cells are lipid-rich and can take up lipid from food. Inaddition, enzyme histochemistry indicates a capacity for theuptake of sugars and amino acids. The basal plasmalemma is elaboratelyinfolded and associated with numerous elongate mitochondria,features indicating an active ion pump. The physiological roleof this pump is unknown. (Received 26 March 1985; accepted 10 May 1985)     

TIDALLY PRODUCED GROWTH BANDS IN THE SUBTIDAL BIVALVE SPISULA SUBTRUNCATA (DA COSTA)

Shells of the subtidal bivalve Spisula subtruncata (da Costa)were marked by treatment with cold shock and allowed to growunder different environmental conditions. In animals kept inthe intertida] zone at low water of spring tides (LWST) theshell banding showed a pattern related to the spring and neaptides. During spring tides when the animals were emersed distinctsemi-diurnal bands were laid down in the shell. However duringneap tides the bands were weaker and ill-defined with an approximatecirca-tidal periodicity. Similarly, animals grown in the laboratoryin a simulated semi-diurnal tidal règime of 11 hourshigh tide, 1 hour low tide and under different light règimes,deposited a number of growth bands which coincided with thenumber of tidal emersions. Individuals continuously immersedin the laboratory and in subtidal boxes in the natural environmentshowed ill-defined growth bands which approximate to a semi-diurnalfrequency. In the laboratory the number of bands deposited wasindependent of any change in the light règimes. Thereis a possibility that an endogenous rhythm of band productionexists which persists when the animals are kept continuouslyimmersed in the laboratory (Received 21 May 1987;     

PROTECTIVE-COMMENSAL MUTUALISM BETWEEN THE QUEEN SCALLOP CHLAMYS OPERCULARIS(LINNAEUS) AND THE ENCRUSTING SPONGE SUBERITES

The relationship between the two encrusting sponges, Suberitesrubrus (Sole-cava & Thorpe, 1986) and Sub-erites luridus(Sole-cava & Thorpe, 1986) and the pectinid bivalve molluscChlamys opercularis (Linnaeus) was shown to be a protective-commensalmutualism. The sponge protected the scallop from asteroid predation(Asterias rubens, L.) probably by reducing their tube-feet adhesionand also by excluding the settlement of other taxa likely tohinder the scallop's mobility. The sponge benefited in turnby protection from predation by the nudibranch Archidoris pseudoargus(Pallas) and more generally from transport to favourable locations. Both Asterias and Archidoris were frequently observed movingdirectly towards their prey, possibly indicating chemotaxicmechanisms. Yet, the sponges did not appear to confer any chemicalprotection to the scallop from asteroid attack. Similarly theliving scallop conferred no chemical protection to the sponge. (Received 12 December 1990; accepted 24 September 1991)     

ON THE PROTONEPHRIDIA AND 'LARVAL KIDNEYS' OF NASSARIUS (HINIA) RETICULATUS (LINNAEUS) (CAENOGASTROPODA)

Protonephridia in marine streptoneuran gastropods are describedfor the first time. The organization of these paired organsof the intracapsular veliger larva of Nassarius reticulatusis described. The ciliary flame is formed by a single terminalcell. The duct is formed by one tubular cell and the aperturalcell, which forms the lips of the excretory pore. In addition,the surface of the apertural cell is covered to a great extentby the post-velar bud cell (usually termed ‘larval kidney’).Protonephridia like these are considered to be widely distributedamong streptoneuran gastropods. The homology of these organswith those of opis-thobranchs and pulmonates is suggested. Thepost-velar buds (= ‘larval kidneys’) are suggestedas a synapomorphous character of Caenogastropoda. The functionof the postvelar buds is discussed taking into considerationthe existence of a protonephridium and a possible functionalconnection between these two structures. (Received 14 June 1990; accepted 1 September 1990)     

THE CRUCIFORM MUSCLE AND ITS ASSOCIATED SENSE ORGAN IN SCROBICULARIA PLANA (DA COSTA)

Long dendritic processes from neurones of the sense organ ganglionpenetrate the epithelial lining of the narrow and short ductsituated between the intramuscular slit and a large posteriorcavity which opens to the siphonal space through a narrow canalin the sense organ papilla. Motor nerve fibres innervate theanterior ends of the cruciform muscle strands. The latter becomesstretched during opening of animal and contracted during closure.The slit is widened during opening and narrowed during closure.The sense organ responds to foul water suggesting that it isa chemoreceptor for this stimulus. (Received 10 July 1977;     

QUANTIFICATION OF THE SINUSOIDAL TRAJECTORY IN TISSUE MASS AND CONDITION INDICES OF A BIVALVE (EGERIA RADIATA) IN THE CROSS RIVER, NIGERIA

Variation in monthly values of dry tissue mass (DTM) and twodifferent types of condition indices of the bivalve Egeria radiata(Lamarck, 1804) was studied for 32 consecutive months. To quantifythe seasonal trajectory of variation these data were fittedto one- and two-compartment sinusoidal models; and also to aquadratic, cubic and quartic models. The cyclic events in thevariation of the DTM and both indices of condition were adequatelydescribed by the one-compartment sinusoidal model whose parametersare biologically interpretable. The fit of the data is progressivelyimproved as one moves from the quadratic through the cubic tothe quartic model whose fit was best. Although biological meaningcould be found for the one-compartment sinusoidal model, thebiological meaning of the coefficients of the parabolic-basedmodels are obscure. Multiple regression analysis shows thatof all the four environmental parameters (temperature, salinity,pH and phytoplankton) tested, temperature has the greatest effecton DTM and one of the condition indices, while pH has the greatestimpact on the other condition index. This implies that the twoindices are not only intrinsically different, but that theyrespond to different sets of factors. Inter- and intra-specificcomparison of the many recommended ‘standard’ indicesof condition found in the literature, especially with regardto their innate sensitivity to seasonal variation in internal(e.g. state of gravidity) and external (physicochemical parametersof water) factors is necessary. (Received 1 May 1996; accepted 30 August 1996)     

白额巨蟹蛛（Heteropoda venatoria）染色体的初步观察

对白额巨蟹蛛的血细胞染色体进行初步研究,发现其雌蛛的体细胞染色体２ｎ＝４４,其中含有中部着丝粒染色体,亚中部着丝粒染色体和近端着丝粒染色体。     

THE MORPHOLOGICAL EXPRESSION OF IMPOSEX IN NUCELLA LAPILLUS (LINNAEUS) (GASTROPODA: MURICIDAE)

The prosobranch gastropod Nucella lapillus exhibits imposex(occurrence of male parts in addition to the female genitalduct) in response to tributyltin (TBT) pollution. Six stageswith three different types in the first three stages and twotypes in the last two stages can be distinguished and are documentedwith SEM-photographs for the first time. Furthermore, nine additionalalterations to the genital tract are shown. As a consequence of TBT exposure in early life stages a sexchange might occur. The oogenesis is suppressed and supplantedby spermatogenesis. The results are two observed specimens witha male genital tract (with a testis) and different female parts.Anatomical and histological details are given here. If TBT-expositionoccurs later, the vagina is replaced by a small prostate glandor the vaginal opening is occluded by proliferating tissue. The two established indices for PSH monitoring (VDS and RPS)in muricid gastropods are discussed. It is shown that the VDSis the more valid parameter. (Received 2 January 1991; accepted 1 March 1991)     

RELATIVE IMPORTANCE OF AIRBORNE ODOURS AND TRAILS IN THE GROUP HOMING OF LIMACUS FLAVUS (LINNAEUS) (GASTROPODA, PULMONATA)

The relative importance of airborne odours and con-specifictrails in the group homing of Limacus flavus has been studiedin the laboratory using an Y-olfac-tometer and trail followingtests. The slugs showed positive anemotaxis along air flowspassing through shelters inhabited or recently inhabited byconspecifics. In the choice between single and group shelters,the animals headed preferentially towards the latter ones. L.flavus is able to discriminate between conspecific and heterospecific(Limax maximus) shelters. Trail following tests failed to showsignificant trail superimposition, but did show a significantdeflection of the test slug path towards the marker after crossing.In direct comparison, distant chemoreception prevailed overtrail following in the orientation towards conspecifics (Received 10 August 1987;     

ADAPTATIONS TO CLIFF-NESTING IN SOME ARCTIC GULLS (LARUS)

Various aspects of the breeding of three gulls, Larus thayeri, glaucoides and hyperboreus, which nested in colonies both on cliff ledges and on level ground in the eastern Canadian Arctic, were compared with those of the ground-nesting L. argentatus and the cliff-nesting Rissa tridactyla. As the result of adaptation to cliff ledge nesting, many aspects of the breeding biology of R. tridactyla were strikingly different from those of the ground-nesting European L. argentatus, but the behaviour of L. thayeri, glaucoides and hyperboreus clearly spanned these differences. Cliff-nesting individuals of thayeri and glaucoides were most like Rissa; ground-nesting individuals of these species were most like argentatus. L. thayeri was more like Rissa than was glaucoides. With but few exceptions, both cliff- and ground-nesting individuals of hyperboreus were most like argentatus. The factors responsible for the intra-specific differences between cliff- and ground-nesters of thayeri and glaucoides are not clear. Limited gene exchange between cliff and ground colonies occurs. Because of physical features of the nest, first-laid eggs were more liable to fall from ledges than second or third eggs. L. thayeri and glaucoides have evolved separate mechanisms to cope with this problem. Egg shape was multimodal in thayeri and glaucoides. Long pyriform eggs were less liable to fall from ledges than eggs of other shapes. L. thayeri laid more long pyriform eggs as first eggs than did glaucoides. L. thayeri lost fewer eggs than did glaucoides, but glaucoides replaced all lost eggs while thayeri did not. Delayed follicular atresia provided glaucoides with insurance of egg replacement. In thayeri, accessory follicles were reabsorbed after the first egg was laid; in argentatus, after the second egg, and in glaucoides after the third egg. At the approach of a predator, it was advantageous for cliff-dwelling chicks to remain motionless but for ground-dwelling chicks to flee their nests and to hide. Among the cliff-nesters, the “freezing in place” reaction of chicks was best developed in thayeri, to a lesser extent in glaucoides, and least in hyperboreus. Among the ground-nesters, chicks of glaucoides and hyperboreus behaved like those of argentatus and fled their nests when disturbed, but chicks of thayeri froze like their cliff-dwelling siblings. Reciprocal transfers of eggs and chicks between cliff and ground colonies indicated that in argentatus, glaucoides and hyperboreus, the factors determining a chick's reaction to disturbance came into play between hatching and the eighth day. In thayeri, the reaction appeared to be effectively innate. Chicks of glaucoides showed a greater predisposition to this behaviour than chicks of argentatus after both had received identical experience on cliff ledges. In thayeri, stereotypy of the freezing reaction has probably been a factor limiting the colonisation of areas where cliffs are scarce but predators present. In argentatus, lack of perfection of this behaviour (compared to glaucoides and thayeri) has probably been a factor preventing argentatus from attaining cliff ledges. L. hyperboreus, although nowhere abundant, is a widespread species nesting on level ground and on cliff ledges but lacking the modifications observed in glaucoides and thayeri; this is due to its size and aggressiveness, the fact that it picks nest-sites before glaucoides and thayeri arrive in the colonies, and that on cliffs it chooses the largest and most level ledges.