Feeding behaviour of morphologically similar Rhodnius species: influence of mechanical characteristics and salivary function

Despite their morphological similarities, very similar Rhodnius species (R. prolixus, R. robustus, R. nasutus and R. neglectus) displayed a distinct feeding behaviour when fed on artificial feeder, pigeon or mouse. On pigeon hosts, these species showed distinct groups in terms of cumulative probing time - quicker species (R. prolixus and R. neglectus) followed by R. nasutus and finally a much slower species (R. robustus). On mouse hosts, R. nasutus showed quicker probing time compared to the other three species. Moreover, R. prolixus displayed quicker probing time compared to R. robustus and R. neglectus. Except for R. nasutus, the mean total ingestion rate tended to have different values between feeding sources (artificial feeder>pigeon>mouse). The volume ingested by each cibarial pump contraction and maximum frequency obtained using the artificial feeder are expected to be related to intrinsic mechanical characteristics of the insect feeding apparatus. However, probing time and the modulation of cibarial pump frequency on live hosts may be related to salivary function. R. prolixus showed high mechanical and salivary efficiency, achieving high values of total ingestion rate when fed on artificial feeder or either of the hosts. Comparative analysis suggests that species which possess higher total ingestion rates tend to achieve higher nutritional status, allowing them to reach higher densities.     

Studies on Trypanosoma rangeli Tejera, 1920. VII--Its effect on the survival of infected triatomine bugs

The pathological effects of Trypanosoma rangeli on Rhodnius prolixus and R. robustus, and the relation of mortality to infection, were studied under laboratory conditions. Frequent observations revealed that when the first instar nymphs of R. prolixus and R. robustus were infected with T. rangeli, survival of the bugs during the stages of development to the adult stage decreased. This decrease was statistically significant when compared with uninfected control-bugs, indicating that T. rangeli is pathogenic for both species of triatomine. In R. prolixus the most affected nymphal stages were the first, second and fifth instars, where a higher mortality was also observed. In R. robustus a progressive increase of the mortality from the first to fifth instars, was observed. The pathogenicity of T. rangeli as measured by overall mortality was the same in R. prolixus and R. robustus. The possible pathogenic mechanism of T. rangeli in triatomine-bugs and its epidemiological implications, are discussed.     

The life cycle of a horsehair worm, Gordius robustus (Nematomorpha: Gordioidea)

Aspects of the life cycle of the nematomorph Gordius robustus were investigated. Gordius robustus larvae fed to Tenebrio molitor (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) readily penetrated and subsequently encysted in the posterior portion of the midgut wall. Parasite development was then arrested in each infected beetle. Upon feeding these cysts to laboratory-reared Gryllus firmus, worm larvae developed to adults in the cricket hemocoel. In an additional experiment, G. robustus larvae fed to G. firmus did not develop to adults. These findings are in contrast to other studies that found direct infection to be an alternative mode of infection. This experiment is the first employing a laboratory-maintained stock of hosts to rear nematomorph worms.     

Bionomic studies of Cavernicola lenti Barrett & Arias, 1985 (Hemiptera, Reduviidae, Triatominae)

In the biological study, the development of the biological cycle of the insect under different feeding conditions was evaluated. The insects were fed on either mouse blood (c) or pigeon blood (p) using two types of rearing techniques (individual or group) at 28 degrees C and 90% relative humidity (which is equivalent to their natural environment). A fifth cycle studied, was fed on mouse blood reared on group, and maintained at laboratory environmental temperature. In the five cycles analyzed, it was found that groups on mouse blood at near natural conditions developed more rapidly (between 60 and 73 days) and had a lower rate of mortality (16.66%). The daily handling and changes in environment, of the individually reared insects, for observation of biological characteristics (no. and duration of bloodmeal, defecation and first fed of each stage) had a negative influence. None of the individuals fed on mouse or pigeon blood reached adult hood. It was found that the longevity and the fertility rate were significantly superior on couples maintained individually on mouse blood. These males had an average lifespan of 110.26 days and the females had an average lifespan of 104.46 days. The average number of eggs laid by each female was 21.26. Four couples kept in groups (five couples in each group) under the same condition, the longevity for males was 51.86 days and for females was 81.06 days. An average of 10.5 eggs were laid by each female. However, the percentage of fertile eggs was higher in couples kept in groups (72.15%) than in the individual couples (57.68%).     

Observations on the population dynamics, life cycle and ecology of the plant parasitic nematode Rotylenchus robustus

In a forest nursery growing Sitka spruce Rotylenchus robustus was most numerous at a soil depth of 10–19 cm, the vertical distribution being associated with that of the tree roots. Although no consistent seasonal fluctuations in nematode numbers were obvious there was a seasonal pattern in the relative frequency with which adult and larval nematodes were recovered.
Experimentally, the life cycle of R. robustus was completed in 14–18 months depending upon the time of year when nematodes were added to the trees. Soil moisture content of less than 8.7% (pF 3.8) restricted the movement of 50% of the population. The overall mean basal temperature for the completion of the life cycle of R. robustus was calculated to be 6.5°C.
Soil temperature was considered to be the dominant factor controlling the rate of development under field conditions in Scotland; only occasionally did soil moisture become limiting.     

Effects of Social Structure on the Behaviour and Performance of Alternative Reproductive Phenotypes in Male Rock Shrimp, Rhynchocinetes typus

Males that adopt alternative mating tactics within a conditional strategy often undergo costly morphological changes when switching to the next phenotype during ontogeny. Whether costs of changing to a subsequent reproductive phenotype are outweighed by a higher mating probability may depend on the frequencies of different phenotypes in a group of competitors. Benefits and costs associated with different phenotype frequencies depend on interactions within and between alternative phenotypes, but the underlying behavioural mechanisms have rarely been studied. Herein, we used the rock shrimp Rhynchocinetes typus as a model: ontogenetic male stages of this species differ in morphological and behavioural traits that indicate alternative reproductive phenotypes. The small, subordinate, male stage (typus) develops via several intermediate stages (intermedius) to the dominant male stage (robustus): in competitive interactions the typus males usually employ the sneaking tactic, while the robustus males invariably employ the monopolizing fighter tactic. In laboratory experiments, we manipulated phenotype frequencies to examine whether there are frequency‐dependent effects on searching behaviour, aggressiveness and mating probability. With increasing frequency of robustus males, the rate of aggressive interactions among them increased. Furthermore, robustus males increased walking velocity when more than one robustus male was present. In contrast, typus males did not adjust their searching or aggressive behaviour. The increase of aggressive interactions among robustus males provided more opportunities for typus males to seize a temporarily unguarded female. While typus males exploit fights among robustus males that produce mating opportunities for them, robustus males benefit from typus males, which reveal the presence of receptive females. We suggest that each phenotype benefits from the presence of the other phenotype and suffers costly interference among individuals of the same phenotype. Whether frequency‐dependent effects on the mating probability of subordinates also affect their ontogenetic switchpoint should be examined in future studies.     

Reproductive under-performance of tsetse flies in the laboratory, related to feeding frequency

Abstract. The rates of development of the eggs and larvae in utero and the next two developing ovarioles were measured by ovarian dissection on each day of the pregnancy cycle in tsetse, Glossina morsitans, subject to different feeding regimes. Compared with flies fed four times per pregnancy cycle, flies fed three times per cycle showed a lower pupal production rate (70%), the same (zero) adult mortality, a slightly slower growth rate of the larva and second ovariole only from day 8 onwards, but the same growth rate of the first ovariole. Flies fed only twice per pregnancy cycle produced no pupae, suffered 18% adult mortality and showed a significantly slower growth rate of the larva and second ovariole from days 6 and 7 respectively, but still the growth rate of the first ovariole was barely affected. Flies offered food three times or twice per pregnancy cycle engorged fully at every opportunity, but 16.5% of the flies offered food four times per cycle did not feed on every occasion, while 12–22% did not engorge fully on days 3, 5 or 7. In assessing the applicability of these laboratory results to the field situation the following points must be borne in mind: in the laboratory flies take smaller mean blood meals than in the field; during protein production associated with larval growth the proportion of the blood meal lost to transformation and excretory costs is less than during normal lipid metabolism; the balance between the tsetse's known fertility rate and adult and pupal mortality rates reveals that the abortion rate in the field must be extremely low. The high abortion rates usually observed in laboratory colonies, even when flies are offered food daily_l would be quite untenable in the field and indicate that laboratory conditions impose physiological stresses on the flies that are quite different from those in the field. These facts indicate that three field-sized meals may be sufficient to meet the energy demands of normal larval development in the field.     

The effect of feed cycling and ration level on the compensatory growth response in rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus my kiss

Compensatory growth is the phase of rapid growth, greater than normal or control growth, which occurs upon adequate refeeding following a period of undernutrition. The effect of feed cycling periods (periods of starvation followed by periods of refeeding), ration level and repetitive feed cycles on the compensatory growth response in rainbow trout were evaluated in two experiments. A feeding cycle of 3 weeks starvation and 3 weeks feeding produced better results in terms of average percentage changes in weight and length, and in specific growth rate, than either 1 week and 1 week or 2 weeks and 2 weeks feed cycles. The fish on the 3 weeks starvation and 3 weeks feeding cycle did as well as, if not better than, the constantly fed controls over one or two complete cycles, though the controls were fed more than twice the amount of feed. Three ration levels were compared using a 3-week starvation and 3-week feeding period. The only effect of increasing ration level was to decrease conversion efficiency, indicating overfeeding. Carcass analysis of moisture, fat, protein and ash showed no significant differences between the controls and an experimental group on a 3 weeks starvation, 3 weeks feeding cycle after one complete cycle. Possible mechanisms underlying the compensatory growth response are discussed.     

Vital statistics of Rhodnius neivai Lent, 1953 (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) under experimental conditions

A statistical evaluation of the population dynamics of R. neivai is based on six cohorts experiments conducted under controlled laboratory conditions. Two blood sources were offered to animals: rabbit and hen. Egg hatching, nymphal development time and mortality, adult longevity and age-specific mortality, female age-specific fecundity and fertility were determined. In addition, some population parameters were evaluated, such as: life expectancy, intrinsic rate of natural increase, net reproduction rate, finite rate of increase, reproductive value and stable age distribution. Life cycle was longer in the animals fed on rabbit, nymphal survival was slightly higher in the individuals fed on hen. Age of first reproduction was lower in the insects fed on hen, but reproductive output and total number of reproductive weeks were greater in the cohorts fed on rabbit. Intrinsic and finite rate of increase were greater in the animals fed on hen. Generation time was slightly greater in the cohorts fed on rabbit. Net reproduction rate was similar on both blood sources, although it was slightly bigger in the individuals fed on rabbit. Reproductive value in the insects fed on rabbit was twice as much as the registered in the animals fed on hen.     

Distribution and environmental synchronization of the marine insect, Halobates robustus, in the Galapagos islands.

The following three aspects of the biology of the marine insect Halobates robustus were studied, during a two week observation period, at several sites in the Galapagos Islands: distribution, aggregation behaviour and rhythmicity of locomotory activity. H. robustus occurred in highest numbers on the water surface at shores fringed with mangroves. The aggregations of H. robustus varied according to their location and density. Copulating adults formed dense, floating aggregations, which tended to be close to rocks or mangroves. Late instar nymphs were less aggregated and, in lagoons (where there was some shelter from direct tidal forces), were furthest from the shore. In two types of habitat (mangrove-fringed, sandy shores and rocky shores) the aggregations of H. robustus showed a pronounced ability to maintain a floating station in relation to the surrounding environment, irrespective of tidal movements (in one case at 34 m from the nearest fixed objects). Evidence of the ability of the aggregations to maintain station on the water surface was also obtained by comparing the movements of H. robustus with those of floating polystyrene particles, which move passively with wind and tide. Laboratory observations and experiments indicated no clear periodicity in locomotory movements throughout a 24 h period. However, the frequency of encounters between individuals showed two daily peaks, post-dawn and pre-dusk, with fewer encounters during the day and only occasional encounters during the night. By shifting the light-dark cycle it was demonstrated that the daily bimodal rhythm of encounters is triggered by dawn and, since it is not maintained in constant light or dark, an 'hour-glass' mechanism is suggested. The contributions of single adults, of copulating pairs and of immature stages to the overall pattern of activity were also determined. Immature stages did not affect the overall rate of encounters significantly and the interactions between single and copulating pairs of adults appear to have been responsible for the bimodal pattern.     

不同林相的松针对马尾松毛虫生长发育的影响

为探讨混交林中松树对害虫的生态调控作用机制,研究了不同林分类型下马尾松林和湿地松林对马尾松毛虫生长发育的影响。结果表明,取食马尾松针叶的马尾松毛虫与取食湿地松针叶的相比,其发育历期缩短,死亡率降低,幼虫及蛹（雌、雄）重增加,化蛹率、羽化率和产卵量均提高;且其幼虫的代谢量（取食量与排泄量）更大,对食物的利用与消耗的各项指标均高。取食不同林分类型下的同一种松树（马尾松或湿地松）针叶的马尾松毛虫,以取食纯林松针的幼虫生长发育更快,死亡率更低,化蛹率、羽化率和产卵量更高,对食物的利用、转化和消耗率更强。混交林中的松针不利于马尾松毛虫的生长发育和种群增长。     

An endogenous antitoxin to the lethal venom of the funnel web spider, Atrax robustus, in rabbit sera.

1. An endogenous antitoxin fraction was isolated from non-immune rabbit sera by affinity chromatography with robustoxin bound to the solid support. 2. Robustoxin is the sole lethal toxin in the venom of the male funnel web spider, Atrax robustus. 3. The fraction was found to contain IgG and IgM immunoglobulins. 4. This fraction prevented or reversed the lethal actions of the crude venom in newborn mice, in mouse phrenic nerve-hemidiaphragm preparations, and in anaesthetized monkeys. 5. The antitoxin fraction is of potential value in the therapy of human envenomation by A. robustus.     

Population structure, life histories and abundance of copepods in Tjeukemeer, the Netherlands

SUMMARY. The copepod zooplankton of Tjeukemeer was sampled at weekly intervals for 3 years (1969–1971), and ten species were recorded. Five species contributed more than 99% of all individuals collected. Acanthocyclops robustus is the most abundant species (66%), followed by Mesocyclops leuckarti (13%), Cyclops vicinus (11%), Eurytemora affinis (9%) and Diacyclops bicuspidatus (1%).
The ecology of the A. robustus population in Tjeukemeer differs from other A. robustus populations in that it dominates the open water zone. This is an additional argument for a taxonomic revision of the A. vernalis-robustus complex.
Seasonal periodicity in abundance of each species was very similar in 3 successive years.
All cyclopoid species went into diapause, A. robustus and M. leuckarti during winter, D. bicuspidatus and C. v. vicinus during summer. Most species diapause in a particular copepodite stage.
The seasonal variation in the population structure, the fecundity and the sex ratio are described. Both population structure and sex ratio were influenced by diapause and size-dependent mortality. The fecundity was more influenced by the water temperature and the age structure of the female population than by food situation or size of the females.     

向小黑杨转化蜘蛛杀虫毒素基因（英文）

近年来,危害小黑杨Populus simonii×Ｐ.nigra的害虫发生严重,给林业生产造成很大损失。为了提高小黑杨的抗虫能力,避免使用杀虫剂带来的污染,用农杆菌介导法将澳大利亚漏斗蛛Atrax robustus的毒蛋白基因和苏云金芽孢杆菌CryⅠA（b）基因C末端的融合基因BGT转化入小黑杨。PCR 和Southern印记分析转基因植株,结果表明,BGT杀虫基因已经整合在小黑杨基因组上。活性实验表明,取食转基因杨树6天和9天后,舞毒蛾Lymantria dispar 2龄幼虫的校正死亡率分别是37.0%和92.6%。方差分析表明取食转基因和对照杨树的舞毒蛾幼虫体重差异显著。这些结果显示转基因杨树上的舞毒蛾的发育速率受到影响。     

Effects of dietary carbohydrate source on growth, plasma metabolites and lipogenesis in rats, pigs, and chicks.

Rats, chicks, and pigs were fed diets containing fructose or glucose. Plasma triglyceride levels were elevated in rats but not in chicks or pigs fed diets containing fructose. The rate of fatty acid synthesis in rat liver but not in chick liver was elevated when fructose-containing diets were fed. Conversely, the rate of fatty acid synthesis in rat adipose tissue but not in pig adipose tissue tended to be depressed when fructose-containing diets were fed. These results indicate that there are species-specific as well as organ-specific metabolic responses to various dietary carbohydrates.     

Interrelation between cellular rRNA content and regulation of the cell cycle of normal and transformed mouse cell lines

The relation between cellular rRNA content, as a measure of cell size, and the regulation of the cell cycle has been investigated for swiss 3T3 and the spontaneously transformed swiss 3T6 cell line. It is shown that the characteristic of percent of quiescent cells stimulated into the cell cycle versus cellular rRNA content is basically different for 3T3 and 3T6 cells: 3T3 cells do not enter the cell cycle below a certain threshold of cellular rRNA content, whereas 3T6 cells start proliferation without a substantial increase of rRNA. These data are interpreted as consistent with transformation of 3T6 cells being in essence their uncoupling from the requirement of normal cells of passing over a threshold of cellular rRNA content (cell size) before initiating DNA-replication.     

Biology of three species of the Meccus phyllosomus complex (Hemiptera: Reduviidae: Triatominae) fed on blood of hens and rabbits

Aspects related to hatching, life time, number of blood meals to molt, mortality, feeding time and postfeed defecation delay for each instar of Meccus phyllosomus, M. mazzottii, and M. bassolsae, life-cycle were evaluated and compared in two cohorts of each of those three species, fed on hens or rabbits. No significant (p > 0.05) differences were recorded among cohorts fed on hens respect to cohorts fed on rabbits in M. phyllosomus and M. mazzottii and the average time of hatching was 21.5 days for cohorts fed on hens and 22.5 for cohorts fed on rabbits. Average egg-to-adult development times were no significant (p > 0.05) different between both cohorts of M. phyllosomus and M. mazzotti, independent of the blood meal source. The average span in days for each instar fed on hens was not significantly different to the average span for each instar fed on rabbits, when comparisons were made by species. The number of blood meals at each nymphal instar varied from 1 to 6 in both cohorts of each species. The mortality rates were higher on older nymphs, in both cohorts of M. phyllosomus and M. bassolsae, whereas they were higher on first instar nymphs on M. mazzottii. Mean feeding time was no significant (p > 0.05) different in triatomines fed on hens or fed on rabbits, when each species were compared separately. A similar number of nymphs of each cohort, completed the cycle. Defecation delay was no significant (p > 0.05) different when cohorts fed on hens and fed on rabbits were compared by species. Most of the studied parameters showed no significant (p > 0.05) differences among those cohorts fed on hens and for fed on rabbits, which could mean a high degree of association of those species with birds as much as mammals, under wild conditions, increasing their capacity to colonize human dwellings.     

Induction of tumour necrosis factor alpha in experimental animals treated with hepatotoxicants.

Administrations of hepatotoxicants namely carbon tetrachloride (CCl4:0.4 ml in 1.2 ml of liquid paraffin) and ANIT (1 ml of 1.5% solution in liquid paraffin) in Charles foster rats (force fed) and D-galactosamine (8 mg in water per swiss albino mouse, ip) induce the release of TNF-alpha in case of CCl4 and D-galactosamine. High TNF-alpha level was observed up to 48 hr in CCl4 and up to 24 hr in D-galactosamine treated animals. Elevated levels of biochemical like ALP and SGPT are also recorded. TNF-alpha level can be measured of tissue damage and prognosis in case of hepatitis.     

Feed intake limitation strategies for the growing rabbit: effect on feeding behaviour,welfare, performance,digestive physiology and health: a review

This review aims to present the different effects produced by a post-weaning intake limitation strategy on the growing rabbit, now largely used by French professional rabbit breeders. Although a quantitative feed restriction leads to slower growth, feed conversion (FC) is improved, particularly when the rabbits are again fed freely, as compensatory growth occurs. This better FC or the healthy rabbit is because of better digestion resulting from slower passage through the intestine, whereas the digestive physiology is slightly modified (morphometry of the intestinal mucosa, fermentation pattern, microbiota). Meat quality and carcass characteristics are not greatly affected by feed restriction, except for a lower dressing-out percentage. One of the main advantages of limiting post-weaning intake of the rabbit is to reduce the mortality and morbidity rate due to digestive disorders (particularly epizootic rabbit enteropathy syndrome). The consequences for animal welfare are debatable, as feed restriction probably leads to hunger, but it reduces the incidence of digestive troubles after weaning. However, the growing rabbit adapts very well to an intake limitation strategy, without any aggressive behaviour for congener. In conclusion, restriction strategies could improve profitability of rabbit breeding, but they should be adapted to any specific breeding situation, according to the national market, feed prices, etc.     

Tumour incidence, growth, reproduction and longevity in female C3H mice fed polyunsaturated ruminant-derived foodstuffs

Earlier studies with the random-bred Quackenbush mouse strain showed that human-type diets based on linoleic acid-enriched foodstuffs derived from ruminants fed protected polyunsaturated oils have no detrimental effects on growth, reproduction or longevity. Tumour incidence and time of onset of tumour development have now been studied in the inbred, tumour-prone mouse strain C3H, in addition to growth, reproduction and longevity. Mice were fed a polyunsaturated human diet, a conventional human diet, or mouse cubes. The results with C3H mice tended to confirm those with Quackenbush strain mice-growth rates and reproductive productivities were very similar in the two groups eating human diets. Mice on the conventional human diet tended to survive better to about 60 weeks of age than mice on the polyunsaturated diet or the cube diet, after which the mortality rates of the mice on the three diets were similar. The degree of unsaturation of the dietary fat had no significant effect on the incidence of tumours. The tumour incidence was about 40% which, taken in conjunction with the average age of onset (about 80 weeks), suggested that the NIV virus rather than the MMTV virus was responsible. It would appear that the high-fat human diets had no effect on the incidence of mammary tumours caused by this virus.