Hatching mechanism and accelerated hatching of the eggs of a sac-spawning euphausiid Nematoscelis difficilis

Observation of the sac-spawning euphausiid Nematoscelis difficilisHansen during shipboard laboratory incubations showed that itsembryos usually hatch as pseudometanauplius (PMN) or metanauplius(MN). The eggs, which have a minute perivitelline space, arespherical at spawning and become elliptical after the nauplius1 develops. When ready to hatch, the PMN or MN embryos extendand contract their first and second antennae in a swimming movement,breaking the chorion into almost equal halves joined by onesmall section in the anterior part of the chorion. The mandiblesplay a secondary role in cutting the chorion. Then the embryopushes itself backwards with the first and second antennae toescape from the chorion. This is known as ‘push-off’hatching. The embryos always hatch progressively from the distalend towards the proximal end of the ovigerous sac. The timebetween hatching of the first and last embryo may reflect thetime the females require to lay a clutch of eggs (<2.1 h).Development time to the PMN stage at 10°C was     

Hatching of Daphnia sexual eggs. I. Intraspecific differences in the hatching responses of D. magna eggs

• 1 To test the hypothesis that the variability in hatching response of the sexual eggs of Daphnia has a genetic component, hatching after a standardized decapsulation technique was studied in different D. magna families, resulting from intra- as well as interclonal crosses.
• 2 There were significant differences in hatching response between families. Average hatching rates ranged from 0.0% to 81.9%, depending on the family under study.
• 3 Offspring-on-parent regressions indicate that the hatching rate-of sexual eggs is to a large extent determined by the genotype of the mother (maternal inheritance).
• 4 Our results suggest that there is ample generic variation on a microgeographic scale for characteristics related to hatching of sexual eggs in Daphnia.

     

Optimal hatching conditions of Zophobas atratus (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) eggs under various culture conditions

Supermealworm, Zophobas atratus (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) is a tropical species used for human consumption and as an ingredient in animal feed. We investigated the hatching characteristics of Z. atratus eggs under varying conditions to optimize artificial rearing conditions. Overall, the average egg weight, width, and length decreased by 42.3%, 3.7%, and 10.1%, respectively, on the 6th day post-oviposition. We varied either temperature, photoperiod, illuminance, or humidity, while the other conditions remained constant. Of the four experimental temperatures—25 °C, 27 °C, 30 °C, and 33 °C–30 °C was associated with the highest hatching rate (91.0%) during days 5–7. Although other experimental conditions did not have a significant effect on hatchability, we were able to elucidate the ideal conditions for improved hatchability. For photoperiod, hatchability was the highest (84%) at 12L/12D, followed by 81.0% at 15L/9D, and 70% at 9L/15D. Among the illuminance conditions tested—600, 1800, and 3000 lx—hatchability was the highest at 1800 lx (82.3% on days 4–6). Among the relative humidity (RH) levels tested—50%, 65%, and 80%—hatchability was the highest at 65% RH (88.5% on days 5–6). Thus, the ideal conditions for maximum hatchability were 30 °C, 12L/12D, 65% RH, and 1800 lx. Under these combined conditions, the hatching rate increased by 93.6%, and the hatching time was reduced by two days.     

The mechanism of hatching of eggs of Haemonchus contortus

Fluid collected from hatching eggs of Haemonchus contortus contained a lipase which hydrolysed 2-naphthyl laurate (about 0·7 μmol naphthol freed /h/10⁶ eggs). The fluid also hydrolysed l-leucinamide (about 2·3 μmol leucine freed/h/10⁶ eggs). The fluid when added to normal or heated eggs caused ‘hatching’. ‘Hatching’ also occurred in exsheathing fluid from infective juveniles and in a preparation of pancreatic lipase containing leucine aminopeptidase. A purified mammalian leucine aminopeptidase in combination with several different lipases did not attack egg shells.The ‘spontaneous’ hatching of eggs of H. contortus was strongly inhibited by 1,10-phenanthroline, 10^?3M, and this inhibition was reversed by Zn²⁺. However, the inhibition of ‘hatching’ of eggs in externally applied hatching fluid, or the hydrolysis of leucinamide in hatching fluid was generally less marked.     

Embryonic, early larval development time, hatching mechanism and interbrood period of the sac-spawning euphausiid Nyctiphanes simplex Hansen

Females of the sac-spawning euphausiid Nyctiphanes simplex Hansenwere incubated under shipboard laboratory conditions to observethe embryonic and larval development time and hatching mechanism.Females ready to spawn have a pale pink ovary that extends fromthe back of the stomach to the first abdominal segment, fillingmost of the haemocoel. This species usually behaves as a totalspawner (produces one batch of oöcytes per cycle of theovary) leaving an ‘empty’ space in the cephalothoraxwhere the spent ovary is located. After spawning, the youngoöcytes mature and turn pale pink. The eggs do not havea measurable perivitelline space (PVS) in any of the embryonicstages (6.6 x magnification). The embryos hatch as nauplius(80–91 h after spawning, 16°C ± 1°C). Theyfurther develop into pseudometanauplii (PMN, 90–105 hafter spawning) and metanauplii (MN, 92–140 h after spawning)inside the ovigerous sac. The nauplius breaks the thin and fragilechorion by increasing the volume of the body and by using thefirst and second antennae. We call this an ‘expansion’hatching mechanism, the fifth distinct hatching mechanism observedso far among euphausiids. N. simplex larvae escape from theovigerous sac late in the MN stage (5 days after spawning),just a few hours before molting into calyptopis 1 (C1) (0.5–4h). This delayed release extends protection by the female, likelydecreasing the risk of predation or early cannibalism. Additionally,this may save energy by not swimming independently increasingthe time of not return if the calyptopis does not find favorablefeeding conditions. Females are not ready to spawn again untilat least two days after the previous batch of embryos leavesthe ovigerous sac. The interbrood period (IBP) observed rangedbetween 7 and 15 days at 16–18°C. This IBP is aboutone-fourth to half than was previously assumed for this speciessuggesting a significant underestimation of the fecundity ofthis species. N. simplex hatching success usually was 100%,except for a few females with all of their embryos dying duringembryonic development. Other females either molted before releasingthe embryos, or the oöcytes were spawned unfertilized (0%hatching success), particularly during winter conditions. Efficienthatching and late free-swimming strategy may partially explainwhy this species is the most abundant neritic euphausiid inthe southern part of the California Current System (CCS) andin the Gulf of California.     

Effects of temperature and humidity on the development of eggs of Toxocara canis under laboratory conditions

The influence of temperature and humidity on the survival and development of Toxocara canis eggs in an in vitro model system was investigated. Two soil samples were inoculated with T. canis eggs and maintained at 3% and 50% humidity and temperatures of 19-24 degrees C. Nine soil samples were inoculated with T. canis eggs of which three samples were kept at 4 degrees C with humidities at 3%, 15%, and 30%; three were maintained at 21 degrees C and three more were incubated at 34 degrees C, and at the same three humidity levels. Samples were monitored every 7 days for a total of 2 months, for the presence and development of eggs. With increasing temperature, the number of eggs undergoing development increased (P<0.01); the number of deformed eggs decreased, the number of infective eggs increased (P<0.01), and egg maturation was accelerated. A decrease in the survival of infective eggs occurred at 34 degrees C. An increase in humidity produced a rise in the number of developed eggs at all three temperatures (P<0.01). This study suggests that elevated temperatures accelerated the development as well as the degradation of eggs of T. canis, whereas the range in humidity was directly correlated with egg development.     

The importance of transitions for hatching success and brood mortality in the barnacle Chthamalus fragilis under laboratory conditions

Hydrobiologia - Most organisms experience ontogenescence (high and decreasing mortality from conception to the age of maturity) in spite of the clear evolutionary disadvantage of dying prior to...     

Effect of the insecticides abamectin and lufenuron on eggs and larvae of Chrysoperla externa under laboratory conditions

The side effects of twoinsecticides/acaricides, abamectin andlufenuron, on the eggs and larvae of Chrysoperla externa (Hagen) were studied inthe laboratory (25 ± 2°C, 62 ±10% RH and 12-h photophase). The analyticalmethods used were those proposed by theInternational Organization for BiologicalControl (IOBC) – Working Group for Pesticides and Beneficial Organisms. Chrysoperla externa eggviability was not affected by abamectin.Neonate larvae from abamectin sprayed eggs aswell as first, second and third instar larvaethat were directly treated, developed normallyand yielded normal adults. Lufenuron presentedno adverse effects on egg survival. However,lufenuron induced high mortality in neonatelarvae from treated eggs. These neonates, aswell as lufenuron treated first and secondinstar larvae could not molt. In the thirdinstar, high pupal mortality occurred. Theresults showed that abamectin is innocuous andthat lufenurom is toxic to Chrysoperlaexterna eggs and larvae.     

Response surfaces for overdispersion in the study of the conditions for fish eggs hatching

Response surface methodology, originally developed for determining optimal conditions in industrial experiments, was early adapted to experiments in marine ecology. However, these involved studying the shape of the complete response surface, not only detecting the optimum, and often had counts or durations as the response variable. Thus, nonlinear, nonnormal response models were required. For counts, binomial and beta-binomial models have been used, the latter because of substantial overdispersion. In closely controlled experiments, overdispersion among units held under the same conditions might indicate that some mishap has occurred in conducting the study. One possible check is to model the dispersion as a second response surface. This procedure is used to show that overdispersion in fish egg hatching experiments has a biological explanation in that it occurs only under suboptimal hatching conditions.     

Fertilization in the sea: are the hazards of broadcast spawning avoided when free-spawned sperm fertilize retained eggs?

In broadcast-spawning marine animals, rapid dilution and short lifespan of sperm following release may impose severely localized patterns of mating. Partial or total failure of external fertilization due to sperm limitation appears commonplace. However, it is not clear to what extent the restrictive kinetics of fertilization in water also constrain mating in animals that release sperm but retain their eggs for fertilization.<BR>The compound ascidian Diplosoma listerianum liberates sperm that are dispersed to other colonies and taken in prior to internal cross-fertilization. The fertile lifespan of sperm was found to be long (half-life ca. 8 hours), and a substantial number of fertilizations occurred with 24-hour-old sperm. Fertilizations were obtained from sperm concentrations that would typically produce little or no external fertilization. In a separate experiment, a very small piece of D. listerianum (dry weight less than 2 mg) sired abundant progeny throughout a 3840 l tank. Paternity of progeny in these experiments was confirmed by molecular markers. The same markers were used to extend, to over seven weeks, the known maximum period of storage of exogenous sperm prior to fertilization in this species.<BR>The production of only a few thousand sperm at a time by each zooid, poor synchronization of release between zooids, and the existence of many well-spaced exhalant openings in large colonies suggest that D. listerianum is incapable of generating a dense plume of sperm, even close to the source. It is suggested that, unlike external fertilization, successful internal cross-fertilization in D. listerianum is not dependent upon the interception of a dense cloud of gametes just released by a near neighbour. It seems instead that dilute, long-lived sperm can be extracted efficiently from seawater by this suspension feeder, potentially over a period of time. This capability, and other features of the life history, make it unlikely that sperm limitation is an acute problem in this species and comparable taxa, a conclusion with potential significance for expected patterns of mating, sex allocation and gamete attributes in sessile aquatic invertebrates. Variance in reproductive success between individuals due to differences in fertilization rate may be much lower than in broadcast spawners exhibiting external fertilization.     

Dormancy and hatching of nematode eggs

The sequence of events during the hatching process of some parasitic nematodes has been the subject of recent detailed study. Certain factors, such as the trehalose content of the perivitelline fluid and the permeability characteristics of the eggshell, are influential in hatching and are also important for the survival of dormant, unhatched juveniles. In this review, Roland Perry examines some attributes of the egg that are involved in dormancy and survival of nematodes and details the changes that occur during the hatching process.     

Short‐term evaluation of visible implant alpha tags in juveniles of three fish species under laboratory conditions

Visible implant alpha (VI alpha) tag‐induced changes in mortality and condition, as well as tag retention and readability, were examined during a 4‐week period for juveniles of three fish species: tiger muskellunge Esox masquinongy × Esox lucius (91 ± 7 mm total length, L_T, mean ± s.d.), Snake River cutthroat trout Oncorhynchus clarki behnkei (84 ± 8 mm) and rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss (85 ± 5 mm). Mortality and condition did not differ between tagged fish and control fish for any species and overall tag retention rates were high (92% for E. masquinongy × E. lucius, 91% for O. c. behnkei and 100% for O. mykiss). Short‐term readability of VI alpha tags was low in juvenile E. masquinongy × E. lucius and juvenile O. c. behnkei. Therefore, it is not recommend to use VI alpha tags in juvenile E. masquinongy × E. lucius or juvenile O. c. behnkei for periods >2 weeks, but VI alpha tags seem to be suitable for juvenile O. mykiss for a period of at least 4 weeks.     

Development and efficacy of three poison baits against Blattella germanica under laboratory conditions

Bait formulations are widely used for controlling the German cockroach, but cockroaches increasingly come into aversion and resistance to bait formulations. To optimize baits and delay insecticides resistance to Blattella germanica, five insecticides with different mechanisms of action were selected to test the stomach toxicity of B. germanica, and twelve nutrient-rich foods were selected to test the palatability of B. germanica in the research. The results revealed that flufiprole and dinotefuran had a significant effect on the decrease of B. germanica population, whereas hydramethylnon, permethrin did not work well in 72 h stomach toxicity and acrinathrin had a short potency in pesticide formulation because of its semi-volatile physical properties. Furthermore, B. germanica prefers the poison bait to rat feed. This research represents the bait consisting of peanut powder and maltose (9:1) has the best palatability to B. germanica, and flufiprole and dinotefuran have a lot of potential in baits development and application.     

Plasticity of fertilization rates under varying temperature in the broadcast spawning mussel,Mytilus galloprovincialis

Oceans are a huge sink for the increased heat associated with anthropogenic climate change, and it is vital to understand the heat tolerance of marine organisms at all life stages to accurately predict species’ responses. In broadcast spawning marine invertebrates, reproduction is a vulnerable process in which sperm and eggs are released directly into the open water. Gametes are then exposed to fluctuating environmental conditions that may impact their fertilizing capacity. Using the broadcast spawning Mediterranean mussel, Mytilus galloprovincialis, as a model species, we performed blocks of factorial mating crosses to assess the variance in fertilization rates among individuals under both ambient and elevated temperatures. Overall, we found a small, but significant decline in fertilization rates with elevated temperatures. However, there was substantial plasticity in responses, with particular mussels having increased fertilization under elevated temperatures, although the majority showed decreased fertilization rates. Our results suggest possible future reproductive costs to ocean warming in M. galloprovincialis, although it is also possible that genetic variation for thermal sensitivity may allow for adaptation to changing environmental conditions.     

The mechanism of stabilization of actinomycete foams and the prevention of foaming under laboratory conditions

Summary Cultures ofNocardia amarae give rise to cell-stabilized foams in a laboratory scale foaming apparatus. The organism produces a surfactant and the cells are very hydrophobic; factors which, in terms of froth flotation theory, are essential for foam production and transport of the cells from the aqueous to the bubble phase. The addition of montmorillonitic clay to the culture prior to foaming prevents foam stabilization. The results obtained suggest the formation of a salt-dependent, reversible, bacterium-montmorillonite complex which prevents transport of cells to the bubble phase.     

Gas exchange responses of Chesapeake Bay tidal marsh species under field and laboratory conditions

Summary Laboratory and field gas exchange measurements were made on C₃ (Scirpus olneyi Gray) and C₄ (Spartina patens (Ait.) Mahl., Distichlis spicata (L.) Green) species from an irregularly flooded tidal marsh on the Chesapeake Bay. Laboratory measurements were made on plants grown from root stocks that were transplanted to a greenhouse and grown under high light and high nutrient conditions. The two C₄ species were similar in their laboratory gas exchange characteristics: both had higher net carbon exchange rates, higher mesophyll conductances, higher photosynthetic temperature optima and lower leaf conductances than the C₃ species. The laboratory photosynthetic water use efficiency of the C₄ species was approximately three times that of the C₃ species.Field gas exchange responses of the above species were measured in situ a Chesapeake Bay tidal marsh. Despite differences in biological potential measured in the laboratory, all three species had similar in situ carbon exchange rates on a leaf area basis. On a dry weight basis, leaves of the two C₄ species had about 1.4 times higher light saturated CO₂ assimilation rates than the C₃ species. Light saturation of CO₂ exchange occurred at photosynthetic photon flux densities of 80 n Einstein cm^-2s^-1, compared with 160 n Einstein cm ^-2s^-1 in the laboratory grown plants. Spartina patens and Scirpus olneyi had similar daily CO₂ assimilation rates, but the daily transpiration rate of the C₃ species was almost twice that of the C₄ species. Spartina patens showed greater seasonal decrease in photosynthesis than Distichlis spicata and Scirpus olneyi. The two C₄ grass species maintained higher mesophyll conductances and photosynthetic water use efficiencies than the C₄ sedge.     

Dinitrogen-fixation by three neotropical agroforestry tree species under semi-controlled field conditions

Cultivating dinitrogen-fixing legume trees with crops in agroforestry is a relatively common N management practice in the Neotropics. The objective of this study was to assess the N₂ fixation potential of three important Neotropical agroforestry tree species, Erythrina poeppigiana, Erythrina fusca, and Inga edulis, under semi-controlled field conditions. The study was conducted in the humid tropical climate of the Caribbean coastal plain of Costa Rica. In 2002, seedlings of I. edulis and Vochysia guatemalensis were planted in one-meter-deep open-ended plastic cylinders buried in soil within hedgerows of the same species. Overall tree spacing was 1 × 4 m to simulate a typical alley-cropping design. The ¹⁵N was applied as (NH₄)₂SO₄ at 10% ¹⁵N atom excess 15 days after planting at the rate of 20 kg [N] ha⁻¹. In 2003, seedlings of E. poeppigiana, E. fusca, and V. guatemalensis were planted in the same field using the existing cylinders. The ¹⁵N application was repeated at the rate of 20 kg [N] ha⁻¹ 15 days after planting and 10 kg [N] ha⁻¹ was added three months after planting. Trees were harvested 9 months after planting in both years. The ¹⁵N content of leaves, branches, stems, and roots was determined by mass spectrometry. The percentage of atmospheric N fixed out of total N (%N_f) was calculated based on ¹⁵N atom excess in leaves or total biomass. The difference between the two calculation methods was insignificant for all species. Sixty percent of I. edulis trees fixed N₂; %N_f was 57% for the N₂-fixing trees. Biomass production and N yield were similar in N₂-fixing and non-N₂-fixing I. edulis. No obvious cause was found for why not all I. edulis trees fixed N₂. All E. poeppigiana and E. fusca trees fixed N₂; %N_f was ca. 59% and 64%, respectively. These data were extrapolated to typical agroforestry systems using published data on N recycling by the studied species. Inga edulis may recycle ca. 100 kg ha⁻¹ a⁻¹ of N fixed from atmosphere to soil if only 60% of trees fix N₂, E. poeppigiana 60–160 kg ha⁻¹ a⁻¹, and E. fusca ca. 80 kg ha⁻¹ a⁻¹.