Developmental pathways of anthozoans

Stage of propagule release from female parent, and site of development and nutritive mode of embryo are the factors used here to define developmental pathways of anthozoans. Nearly every possible combination of variables of the 3 factors exists, forming a mosaic. Further, a larva may experience serially more than one development site, and may derive nutrition serially or simultaneously from more than a single source. Thus, no fundamental patterns appear to exist. This is probably due to the simplicity of cnidarians, which constrains their development far less than that of other animals.     

Husbandry and breeding of the Puerto Rican toad (Peltophryne lemur) with comments on its natural history

The methods used in the breeding and rearing of Peltophryne lemur along with comments on reintroduction efforts are described. Breeding was induced by injections of leutinizing releasing hormone, and fertile eggs were produced. Eggs hatched in approximately 24 h. Newly hatched tadpoles were small (5.0 mm) and delicate. Metamorphosis occurred in 20–30 days, and newly metamorphosed toads grew evenly and quickly to maturity in about 1 yr. Seventy-five 20-mm young were returned to Puerto Rico in May 1983. These toads were released at a pond where adult and young P lemur were seen. The successful maintenance and breeding of this species indicate it can survive in captivity. Future work on P lemur should concentrate on its status and survival in the wild.     

Reproductive processes in sponges: a critical evaluation of current data and views

The nature of a number of fundamental processes occurring during reproduction in sponges still remains in doubt. Among the more significant of these are: the true status of sponges described as dioecious, namely whether some are actually successive hermaphrodites; the origin of oogonia, which have recently been claimed to be derived from choanocytes; the origin and mechanism of formation of large spermatogenic masses; the specific pathway leading to fertilization taken by sperm cells within the sponge tissue of viviparous species; the role played during larval metamorphosis by somatic cells which are incorporated into embryos; the cell lineage of choanocytes which form flagellated chambers during larval metamorphosis; the specific relationship of somatic growth and dormancy to gametogenesis; the role of budding and fragmentation in population maintenance; the role, if any, of gemmules in dispersion. It is considered mandatory that new techniques be developed in order to further elucidate these and other reproductive processes and to gather definitive data concerning them. The employment of only microscopic techniques is ultimately insufficient for investigating the dynamic relationships of reproductive processes.     

Freshwater larval fish from Lake Trichonis (Greece)

The larvae of 15 freshwater fish species from Lake Trichonis (western Greece) are described from field samples and laboratory-raised fish. Larval morphologies are compared to identify distinguishing characters. The potential utility of these data sets for assessing phylogenetic relationships is discussed.     

Experimental fragmentation reduces sexual reproductive output by the reef-building coral Pocillopora damicornis

Natural and anthropogenic disturbances may fragment stony reef corals, but few quantitative data exist on the impacts of skeletal fragmentation on sexual reproduction in corals. We experimentally fragmented colonies of the branching coral Pocillopora damicornis and determined the number and size of planula larvae released during one lunar reproductive cycle. Partially fragmented colonies significantly delayed both the onset and peak period of planula release compared with intact control colonies. Most fragments removed from the corals died within 11–18 days, and released few planulae. The total number of planulae released per coral colony varied exponentially with remaining tissue volume, and was significantly lower in damaged versus undamaged colonies. However, the number of planulae produced per unit tissue volume, and planula size, did not vary with damage treatment. We conclude that even partial fragmentation of P. damicornis colonies (<25% of tissue removed) decreases their larval output by reducing reproductive tissue volume. Repeated breakage of corals, such as caused by intensive diving tourism or frequent storms, may lead to substantially reduced sexual reproduction. Therefore, reef management should limit human activities that fracture stony corals and lead to decreases in colony size and reproductive output. Accepted: 2 February 2000     

Social influence of larvae on ovarian maturation in primary and secondary reproductives of the dampwood termite Zootermopsis angusticollis

We tested the effect of larvae on the reproductive maturation and fecundity of female primary and secondary reproductives of the termite Zootermopsis angusticollis Hagen (Isoptera; Termopsidae) by varying the number of third‐ to fourth‐instar larvae nesting with heterosexually paired reproductives. Primary females had higher fecundities and oviposited sooner when nesting with larvae than females lacking larvae, but gained less body mass and had fewer functional ovarioles per ovary. Secondary reproductives nesting with larvae also had higher fecundities and oviposited sooner, but unlike primaries, they gained more body mass and had more functional ovarioles when larvae were present. The specific response of both primary and secondary females varied according to the number of larvae present. These results suggest that larvae can enhance the fecundity of primary and secondary females. Larvae may increase the energetic reserves of reproductives by performing colony labour, reducing pathogen load and providing trophallactic secretions. Trophallaxis with larvae may significantly enhance endogenous nitrogen, which is a limiting nutrient for termites. Primary females, which normally need to produce a first brood quickly to initiate a new colony, may expend limited nutritional resources on oogenesis rather than producing additional ovarioles. Primaries may also store fewer energetic reserves for long‐term brood care, and therefore gained less mass when larvae were present to attend to non‐reproductive tasks. Secondary females may exhibit a greater positive response to larvae than primaries because they begin reproductive life with fewer stored resources and thus their development and fecundity are more dependent on assistance from larvae. Both primary and secondary reproductives may become more dependent on the contributions of larvae as their rate of egg production increases with subsequent bouts of oviposition.     

Social control of egg-laying rate in queens of the fire ant, Solenopsis invicta*

ABSTRACT Social control of egg-laying rate in queens of the fire ant (Solenopsis invicta Buren) was studied by experimental manipulation of the number of larvae, pupae and workers in colonies, and the age and size of larvae and workers. Workers and pupae do not stimulate oviposition by queens. The number of fourth instar larvae, on the other hand, bears a positive log-log relationship to the queen's egg-laying rate. Such larvae are needed both to stimulate and maintain oviposition. Their withdrawal results, within 48 h, in a decline in queen oviposition almost to zero. Their addition to broodless nests results in peak laying in about 4 days. Larvae in the first three stadia and early in the fourth stadium have a much lower effect upon queen fecundity. Sexual larvae are only c. 5% as stimulating on a weight basis, but equivalent on an individual basis. Several associated measures are positively correlated to egg-laying rate: weight of the queen, the number of her vitellogenic follicles per ovariole, total vitellogenic follicles, the time she spends feeding and (usually) the number of workers in the retinue that cares for her. The egg volume is negatively correlated with laying rate, so that queens lay more eggs for the same expenditure of material as laying rate increases. As body size of workers increases, they become less effective in transmitting the larval stimulation to the queen, but worker age has no effect on this ability. For a given number of larvae, queens in small, naturally growing colonies lay fewer, larger eggs than do queens in experimental colonies, but their fecundity increases more rapidly in relation to number of larvae. When larvae are fed vital-dyed food in one experimental colony, and then transferred to an undyed colony, the dye is rapidly transferred to worker crops, and into the queen's eggs, indicating bulk movement of material from larvae to workers to the queen and eggs. Large larvae are more effective at this than small larvae. Fourth instar larvae may be a digestive and metabolic caste that processes protein for egg production by the queen. If that is the case, the queen and fourth instar larvae are linked in a positive feedback loop. Either the logarithmic relation of fecundity to larval numbers or physical limits of the queen may set the maximum egg-laying rate, and thus determine maximum colony size. The data do not allow a clear choice between these alternatives.     

海蜇幼体与对虾幼体相食关系的实验观察

本文于１９９２年和１９９３年４月下旬至５月上旬,在莱州市对虾育苗增殖场对海蜇幼体与对虾幼体的相食关系进行了实验观察。结果表明：对虾各期幼体均不摄食海蜇各期幼体。海蜇各期幼体摄食对虾各期幼体的能力不同,其中以伞径１０－２０ｍｍ的后期碟状幼体摄食对虾无节幼体和蚤状幼体的比率最高,摄食糠虾幼体和仔虾的比率较低;而伞径２０ｍｍ以上的幼蜇不能吃掉仔虾。文中还对今后合理放流增殖海蜇和对虾资源提出了初步看法。     

Relationship of Sponge Macrofauna with the Morphology of their Hosts in the North Aegean Sea

The associated macrofauna of four Aegean Sea sponge species (Agelas oroides, Petrosia ficiformis, Ircinia variabilis and Aplysina aerophoba) was compared. The total number of individuals and species was found to be related to sponge volume for all sponge species. The associated macrofaunal weight per individual on all sponge species was negatively correlated with sponge volume. Sponge complexity, as measured by sponge surface area to biomass ratio, was not a consistent predictor of associated macrofauna abundance or diversity. Sponge macrofauna species were not host specific and their relative abundances differed among sponge species.     

广东湛江红树林保护区大型底栖动物群落的空间分带

用生态样带研究了广东湛江红树林保护区高桥镇核心区大型底栖动物的空间分带。结果表明：德耀村红树剖面中出现的大型底栖动物优势种类为琵琶拟沼螺、悦目大眼蟹、扁平拟闭口蟹、宽身闭口蟹、黑口滨螺、等齿角沙蚕、弧边招潮和中华伪露齿螺。该剖面大型底栖动物从高潮位到低潮位可分为3个分布带：琵琶拟沼螺-弧边招潮-浓毛拟闭口蟹带;宽身闭口蟹．悦目大眼蟹．黑口滨螺带;扁平拟闭口蟹-珠带拟蟹手螺带。群落生物量的变化主要由软体动物所主导,栖息密度的变化主要由软体动物和甲壳动物所主导,多样性指数变化主要由软体动物所主导。红寨村红树剖面中出现的大型底栖动物优势种类为琵琶拟沼螺、蝼姑虾、扁平拟闭口蟹、宽身闭口蟹、耳螺科的一种、黑口滨螺、中华伪露齿螺、哈氏仿对虾、弧边招潮和等齿角沙蚕。该剖面大型底栖动物也可分为4个分布带：黑口滨螺-中华伪露齿螺-等齿角沙蚕带;琵琶拟沼螺-宽身闭口蟹-耳螺科的一种带;蝼蛄虾．扁平拟闭口蟹带;沈氏长方蟹-珠带拟蟹守螺带。群落生物量的变化也主要由软体动物所主导,栖息密度的变化主要由甲壳动物所主导,多样性指数变化主要由软体动物所主导。底栖动物群落的等级聚类和非参数多变量标序显示,大型底栖动物分带与红树植物群落类型相一致。大型底栖动物分带受红树植物群落类型影响的主要原因是不同红树植物群落间的群落特征、沉积物性质和所处潮位线存在差异。     

Macrofaunal community bioturbation along an estuarine gradient

A multidisciplinary study of the impact of bioturbation on sediment dynamics has been underway for some time at the Plymouth Marine Laboratory. The current programme has been founded upon the careful selection of six sites in the River Tamar, representative of important combinations of physical and biological variables. The paper presents preliminary results illustrating the contrasting importance of the speciesNereis diversicolor andNephtys hombergi as agents of bioturbation, given their different distributions across the six sites. Thus bioirrigation byN. diversicolor increases up the estuary and is greatest in the region of high suspended bed-load due to tidal pumping, where the consequences for chemical exchange processes between sediments and the water column may be most important. The sediment mixing effects ofN. hombergi are likely to be greater towards the seaward end of the estuary but ultimately the particular sediment types and the macrofaunal communities they support dictate the level of bioturbation in ways that do not necessarily relate to simple axial gradients along the estuary.     

甜菜夜蛾低龄幼虫取食含Cry1Ac毒素的人工饲料对其生长发育和成虫繁殖的影响

为了更全面地评价转Bt基因作物对甜菜夜蛾Spodoptera exigua (Hübner)（鳞翅目: 夜蛾科）的影响, 在室内研究了甜菜夜蛾低龄幼虫连续6 d取食含不同浓度Cry1Ac毒素的人工饲料后转移到不含毒素的饲料上, 其生长发育与成虫繁殖的变化。结果表明: 低龄幼虫取食含Cry1Ac的饲料6 d内, 校正死亡率随Cry1Ac浓度的升高以及取食时间的延长而升高。与一直取食不含Cry1Ac饲料的对照相比, 取食含Cry1Ac饲料的幼虫体重显著下降; 幼虫历期、预蛹期及雌雄蛹期均显著延长, 但雌雄蛹重均与对照无显著差异; 幼虫化蛹率显著下降, 但羽化率与对照无显著差异; 成虫产卵前期显著延长, 产卵期与对照无显著差异, 仅在5 μg/g处理下较对照显著延长1.3 d; 每雌产卵量以10 μg/g处理最高（719粒）, 但各处理均与对照无显著差异; 雌蛾寿命均显著延长, 而雄蛾寿命仅在最高浓度80 μg/g下显著延长2.4 d。这表明, 尽管含不同浓度Cry1Ac毒素的饲料对甜菜夜蛾低龄幼虫有明显的生长发育抑制作用或导致死亡, 但转移至不含毒素的饲料上取食后, 幼虫能迅速恢复生长, 顺利化蛹、羽化并产卵。因此, 在转Bt基因作物田生长后期, 甜菜夜蛾低龄幼虫取食表达Cry1Ac蛋白的组织若能存活并完成世代发育和繁殖, 这无疑将增加甜菜夜蛾对Bt作物产生抗性的风险, 因此亟需制定Bt作物生态系统中甜菜夜蛾的治理策略。