Ingestion and diet destination in Culiseta inornata: responses to water, sucrose and cellobiose

ABSTRACT. At ambient temperature, contact with free liquids containing sugar induces Culiseta inornata Williston (Diptera: Culicidae) females to adopt the nectar-feeding mode of behaviour. While in this mode, two distinct control mechanisms appear to operate: one controlling the amount of ingestion, the other diet destination. Mosquitoes were exposed to water and various concentrations of sucrose and cellobiose in water. Only small or taste amounts of water were imbibed, and it was directed to the midgut. Cellobiose solutions of less than 0.1M were treated as water. Cellobiose was phagostimulatory; as the concentration increased from 0.1 to 0.5 M the percentage of insects ingesting large amounts rose from 11% to 68%. Cellobiose diets were directed primarily to the midgut. Sucrose was also phagostimulatory. As the concentration increased from 0.025 to 0.2 M, the percentage of insects ingesting large amounts increased from 20 to 92. At lower sucrose levels, insects ingesting large amounts put it mainly into the crop, while insects ingesting smaller amounts put the diet into the midgut or both the crop and midgut. At sucrose concentrations of 0.4 M or more, most insects took large amounts and directed it to the crop. Different combinations of sucrose and cellobiose with a total concentration of 0.5 M all caused insects to take mainly large meals. At sucrose concentrations of 0.2M and above, the insects responded as they would to sucrose alone, directing the diet to the crop. At sucrose concentrations of 0.1M or less, diet destination patterns were more complex, with individual animals depositing the diet in the crop, the midgut, or in both. A behavioural model is presented which postulates different receptors for sucrose and cellobiose, control of diet destination via differential control of midgut and crop valves, and variation of threshold values according to endogenous factors.     

Oviposition habitat selection by the mosquito, Culiseta longiareolata: effects of conspecifics, food and green toad tadpoles

Abstract. 1. Ovipositing females should choose egg-laying sites which maximize the growth and survivorship of their offspring. Accordingly, they should avoid habitats with high densities of competitors and predators and should choose sites with adequate food. We tested experimentally the oviposition response of the mosquito, Culiseta longiareolata Macquart, to extra food and two species which are both potential competitors and predators of its offspring: conspecific larvae and green toad ( Bufo viridis ) tadpoles.
2. We conducted the experiment in outdoor artificial pools where wild C. longiareolata females were presented with choices of all combinations of the presence or absence of: (1) C.longiareolata larvae, (2) B.viridis tadpoles, and (3) extra food (a mixture of ground fish food and mouse chow).
3. Oviposition rates averaged approximately 4 times greater in response to extra food.
4. The presence of the tadpoles, particularly later in the experiment when they were larger, caused a significant reduction (approximately 50%) in oviposition rate.
5. We did not detect a statistically significant effect of conspecific larvae on oviposition habitat selection.
6. Our results indicate that Culiseta females choose habitats for oviposition based on food availability. They also tend to avoid habitats containing Bufo tadpoles, presumably to avoid predation and/or competition.     

Evaluating the nutritional condition of individual whitefish (Coregonus spp.) larvae by the RNA/DNA ratio

Larvae of Coregonus spp. were reared in the laboratory under different temperature (4, 6 and 8°C) and feeding conditions ( ad libitum , limited, with starvation intervals). Their RNA/DNA ratios were determined with a highly sensitive fluorescence technique. After resorption of their yolk reserves (about 2 weeks after hatching), well fed larvae (RNA/DNA >2.5) could be significantly distinguished from larvae reared under limited food supply (RNA/DNA < 2.5), both at the 6 and 8°C levels. At 4°C, no differences due to the feeding regime were found. During a second series of experiments, larvae were affected by an intestinal disease, which was caused by the ingestion of unsuitable copepod plankton. This disease provoked high mortality, decreased growth and RNA/DNA ratios which were almost as low as in temporarily starved larvae from the first series. Coregonid larvae sampled in Lake Constance during spring 1990 showed RNA/DNA ratios which were unexpectedly low when judged on the basis of mean body length and average ambient temperature. It was obvious from macroscopic observations that some of these wild larvae were severely attacked by the intestinal disease. The low RNA/DNA ratios in field samples are, therefore, interpreted as a sublethal result of this disease.     

Effects of excessive ammonium deposition on the nutritional status and condition of pine needles

In the southeastern part of the Netherlands many Scots pine ( Pinus sylvestris L.) trees show signs of yellowing. To investigate whether there is a relation between this phenomenon and the high ammonium deposition, needle and soil samples were analyzed. Soil samples from the discoloured forests contained more extractable nitrogen than samples from healthy stands, whereas differences in pH values were small. Needles from yellow trees had higher levels of total nitrogen than needles from green trees as well as severe imbalances of Mg, K⁺ and P relative to N. The amount of leaf pigments was substantially lower in needles of the diseased trees, but they contained much higher quantities of free arginine, which accounted for a major part of total nitrogen. This may be an indication of a severe nitrogen overload. The linkage between this excessive nitrogen nutrition and the observed process of yellowing is discussed.     

Effects of optic lobe ablation on circadian activity in the mosquito, Culex pipiens pallens

ABSTRACT. Surgical manipulation was used to show that in the mosquito, Culex pipiens pallens , the circadian pacemaker is probably not located in the optic lobes. Mosquitoes deprived of the greater part of their optic lobes still maintained a circadian activity rhythm: in DD with τ= c . 20–23 h, in LL with τ= c . 14–15 h. The operated mosquitoes showed diphasic activity which entrained to LD 16:8 h (at 200 lux), implying the existence of an extraocular photoreceptive pathway.     

Effect of prey density on behaviour and development of the predatory mosquito,Toxorhynchites towadensis

The effect of prey density on feeding behaviour, killing behaviour, and development of the predatory mosquito,Toxorhynchites towadensis, was investigated in the laboratory. The number of prey consumed per larva increased toward an upper asymptote as prey density increased. Prey consumption curves during fourth instar were concave at low prey densities but convex at high prey densities. This phenomenon was not observed during other instars. Killing without consuming any part of prey occurred at prey densities of 20 per container and over. The number of prey killed but not consumed increased linearly with the number of unconsumed prey in the container. Prey acquisition behaviour was not affected by prey densities during the prepupal period. Developmental time from first instar to adult emergence decreased with increasing prey densities, but remained constant at densities of 10 per container and over. Adult size increased with increasing prey densities but there was no effect at prey densities of 20 and over.     

Seasonal patterns of nucleic acid concentrations and amino acid profiles of Parapenaeus longirostris (Crustacea, Decapoda): relation to growth and nutritional condition

The present work describes the seasonal changes in nucleic acid concentrations and amino acid profiles in the muscle of juvenile Parapenaeus longirostris and their relation to growth and nutritional condition. RNA content varied significantly between seasons, being the highest values attained in spring and the lowest in winter (p < 0.05). Similar results were obtained with RNA:protein and RNA:DNA ratios. In respect to total amino acid content (TAA), a significant increase from winter to spring was observed (p < 0.05) and the major essential amino acids (EAA) were arginine, histidine and leucine. Within non-essential amino acids (NEAA) glutamic acid, aspartic acid, glycine and proline were dominant. From winter to spring, a significant variation in NEAA content occurred (26.8; p < 0.05), mainly due to the significant increase of glutamic acid (79.1) and serine (66.7) (p < 0.05). EAA content did not vary significantly between seasons (p > 0.05). In opposition, during this period a significant decrease in the free amino acid content (FAA) was observed (p < 0.05); a higher percentage of decrease was attained in free non-essential (FNEAA – 42.9) in comparison to free essential amino acids (FEAA – 40.2). The significant increase in RNA and TAA contents from winter to spring may be related with protein synthesis. On the other hand, the lowest values obtained in winter may be due to a reduction in feeding activity; in this period the muscle protein must be progressively hydrolysed, which is evident with the higher FAA content. The liberated amino acids enter FAA pool and become available for energy production. In conclusion, it was evident that the seasonal cycle in activities such as feeding and growth with nucleic acids and amino acid analyses was noticed.     

Effects of the availability of food and water on reproduction in the African army worm, Spodoptera exempta

ABSTRACT. Female Spodoptera exempta (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) moths require access to water to achieve hydration and maturation of their oocytes if they are to achieve their potential fecundity. For moths provided with water, the main factor limiting fecundity is moth weight. There is some evidence that sucrose in the adult diet can increase fecundity, particularly in lighter moths from a suboptimal larval feeding regime. Moths fed sucrose live longer, but complete oviposition at about the same age as moths provided only with water. Dietary protein and amino acids have no effect on fecundity or longevity. Although- multiple matings are frequent in the laboratory, female S.exempta only need to mate once to complete oviposition. Differences are apparent in the relative contribution of larval and adult feeding to reproduction in Noctuidae. Some species, like S.exempta , require only water to achieve their reproductive potential, while others (e.g. Heliothis spp.) are dependent on sugars in the adult diet. Female S.exempta denied access to water or food until night 3 after eclosion and then provided with water or sucrose, commence oviposition on night 4 and have fecundities comparable with those moths fed from emergence.     

Effects of forage quantity and access-time restriction on feeding behaviour,feed efficiency,nutritional status,and dairy performance of dairy cows fed indoors

Optimising feed is a key challenge for dairy livestock systems, as forage stock shortages are increasingly frequent and feed is the biggest operating cost. The aim of this experiment was to evaluate the effects of reducing forage quantity and access time on dairy performance and animal nutritional status during indoor feeding. Twenty-seven Montbéliarde and Holstein cows were randomly allocated to three groups of nine cows balanced by breed, parity, days in milk, and milk yield. The three groups were given 3.9 kg DM/day of second-cut hay and 4.5 kg/day of concentrate and either i) ad libitum access to first-cut hay (Ad Libitum group; AL), ii) 10.5 kg/day of first-cut hay (Quantity-restricted group; QR), or iii) 10.5 kg/day of first-cut hay but with access time restricted to only 2 h in the morning and 2 h in the afternoon (Quantity-and-Time-restricted group; QTR). Milk yield, composition and coagulation properties, cow nutritional status (weight, body condition score, blood metabolites) and cow activities were recorded. The AL group ingested 10 % more feed than the QR group and 16 % more feed than the QTR group. Organic matter digestibility was lower in the AL group than in the QR and QTR groups whereas feed efficiency did not differ. Milk yield was not significantly different among the three groups. Compared to the QR and QTR groups, the AL group had significantly higher milk fat (35.9 vs 32.9 and 32.8 g/kg of milk) and milk protein content (29.5 vs 27.7 and 28.5 g/kg of milk). QR and QTR cows mobilised their body fat, resulting in a lower final body condition score, and tended to have a lower blood non-esterified fatty acid concentration than the AL group. QTR cows showed greater body fat mobilisation, but their final corrected BW was not different from AL cows. Access-time restriction did not impact fat and protein content but led to decreased casein, lactose contents and casein-to-whey protein ratio. The forage savings achieved through this feed management practice could prove economically substantial when forage prices increase. This practice can be of interest in grassland systems to overcome certain climatic hazards without having to resort to purchases or to increase the farm's forage autonomy.     

Effects of algal concentration, bacterial size and water chemistry on the ingestion of natural bacteria by cladocerans

Journal of Plankton Research, 11, 1273–1295, 1989. The values of P/U⁰ (Table I) and fluid velocity used to calculatethe energy required for sieving (pp. 1289–1290) and severalequations (footnote b of Table I; p. 1290, lines 3–4)are incorrect. The corrected table appears below: Table I. Filter setule measurements (mean and within specimenstandard deviation) of the gnathobases for the cladocerans studied^aGnathobaseof trunklimb number. ^bP = 8µU₀/(b(1 – 21nt + 1/6(t²) - 1/144(t⁴))), whereP = pressure drop in dyn cm^–2, =3.1416, U₀ = fluid velocityin cm s^–1, b = distance between setule centres in cm,t = ( x setule diameter)/b and µ = 0.0101 dyn s^–1cm^–2. Formula from Jørgensen (1983). The text (p. 1289, line 19 to p. 1290, line 10) should read: organism. Using a similar argument, a 0.5 mm Ceriodaphnia witha filter area of 0.025 mm² (Ganf and Shiel, 1985) and pressuredrop P = 2757 dyn cm^–2 (with fluid velocity of 0.07 cms^–1) allocates only 2171 ergs h^–1 to filtrationof a total energy expenditure of 10⁴ ergs h^–1 [filtrationenergy (ergs h^–1) = area (cm²) x pressure drop (dyn cm^–2)x 3600 (s h^–1) x 1/0.2 (efficiency of conversion of biochemicalinto mechanical work); total energy (ergs h^–1) = respiration(0.05 µl O₂ ind^–1 h^–1 consumed; Gophen, 1976)x conversion factor (2 x 10⁵ ergs µl^–1 O₂). Withan estimated 0.034 mm² in filter area, fluid velocity of 0.041cm s^–1 and respiration of 1.8 x 10⁴ ergs h^–1 (calculatedfrom Porter and McDonough, 1984), a 0.5 mm Bosmina uses <4%of its metabolism to overcome filter resistance. The velocities used in the original examples (0.4 cm s^–1for Ceriodaphnia, 0.2 cm s^–1 for Bosmina) were derivedfrom literature values of appendage beat rate and estimatesof the distance travelled by the appendages during each beatcycle. This approach unnecessarily assumes that all water movedpasses through the filter. In the new calculations, the flowacross the filter needed for food to be collected by sieving(0.07 cm s^–1 for Ceriodaphnia and 0.041 cm s^–1 forBosmina) was determined from the maximum clearance rate/filterarea. The amended energy expenditures, although higher, do notrefute the sieve model of particle collection.     

An experimental test of condition-dependent mating behavior and habitat choice by water striders in the wild

Individual condition is expected to be an important determinantof many behaviors, including mating dynamics and habitat choice.In this study we experimentally investigated the linkages betweenindividual condition, habitat use, and mating dynamics in thewild. We manipulated recent feeding history of the water strider,Aquarius remigis, and then quantified the habitat use and matingactivity of males and females. Females could choose from threehabitats (refuge, near shore, and open). On the water surface(open and near-shore habitats), in contrast to refuge, femalescan forage, but they are exposed to predation and sexual harassmentby males. We tested three main hypotheses. First, we predictedthat single females that were fed, relative to those that werenot, would reduce their exposure to predators and male harassmentby increasing their use of refuge. Similarly, we predicted thatfed females that were mating would spend more time in refugethan those that were not fed. Our results support these twopredictions. Fed single and mating females significantly increasedtheir use of refuge. Third, we predicted that mating activity(proportion of time spent mating) of fed females would be reducedrelative to starved females, because of reduced exposure tomales while in refuge, and perhaps because of decreased receptivityto male mating attempts while on the water surface. Mating activityof fed females was about one third that of starved females.The decrease in mating activity could not be accounted for byany change in female receptivity, but could be accounted forby change in habitat use. The decrease in mating activity mayhave resulted from decreases in both mating frequency and matingduration. Our estimates of minimum mating frequency indicatea large and significant decrease, but we were unable to assessmating duration. We found no significant effect of our manipulationon habitat use or mating activity of males.[Behav Ecol 7: 474–479(1996)]     

Influence of mating on sexual receptivity and oviposition in the mosquito, Culex tarsalis

ABSTRACT. Mated females of Culex tarsalis Coq. (Diptera, Culicidae) were receptive to additional insemination after gonotrophic activity. Sexual receptivity was not renewed in mated, aged nulliparous females. Insemination was determined by the detection in females of sperm labelled with adenine-³H(G) after matings with radio-labelled males. When females were deprived of males after their first insemination, the production of fertile eggs was reduced and oviposition activity was altered throughout successive gonotrophic cycles.     

Feeding behaviour of the horsefly Tabanus nigrovittatus (Diptera: Tabanidae): effects of dissolved solids on ingestion and destination of sucrose or ATP diets

Abstract Wild caught female horseflies, Tabanus nigrovittatus Macq. (Diptera: Tabanidae), were fed solutions containing either sucrose or ATP as a phagostimulant. The sucrose diets were presented as free liquids at room temperature. The ATP in the other diets was dissolved in 0.15 M NaCl, or in 0.3 M or 1 M cellobiose and was presented covered with a Parafilm membrane at 38^oC. The content of dissolved solids in some diets was adjusted with added cellobiose, which had no phago-stimulatory effect. Diets of 1 M or 0.6 M sucrose were ingested in large amounts and were directed to the crop. Diets of 0.3 M or 0.1 M sucrose induced lower levels of ingestion, and the diet was directed to the midgut. The addition of cellobiose to give a 1 M total concentration of dissolved solids in these sucrose diets induced many insects responding to the lower concentrations of sucrose to direct the diet to the crop. Diets of ATP in saline or in 0.3 M cellobiose were directed to the midgut. ATP in 1 M cellobiose caused many of the insects to put the diet in both the crop and the midgut. Two behavioural models are presented that integrate interactions between the level of phagostimulation, the concentration of dissolved solids, and an endogenous feeding factor. The dissolved solids effect is most likely a response to osmotic pressure.     

Plant water deficits and insect responses: the preference of Corythucha arcuata (Heteroptera: Tingidae) for the foliage of white oak, Quercus alba

ABSTRACT.

• 1 The preference of Corythucha arcuata (Say) (Heteroptera: Tingidae) for the foliage of Quercus alba L. (Fagaceae) grown under water deficit was examined. Potted Q.alba saplings were grown under controlled levels of water deficit in a glasshouse. Adult C.arcuata were exposed to excised Q.alba foliage under controlled conditions in a growth chamber, and feeding preference assessed by recording the percentage of individuals feeding on leaves from each level of water deficit.
• 2 Two experiments were performed. In the first, all foliage was supplemented with water (via the petiole) to alleviate physical changes in the leaves that accompany plant water deficits. In the second experiment, leaves were not supplemented with water.
• 3 C.arcuata had no preference when presented water supplemented leaves, but preferred leaves that were fully hydrated when presented leaves that were not supplemented with water.
• 4 These results suggest that plant water deficits are important in determining the feeding preference of C.arcuata because they lead to avoidance of drought grown foliage. This avoidance may be caused by an increase in the metabolic cost to the herbivore of maintaining water balance when ingesting drought grown foliage or to an increase in foliage toughness.

     

不同营养条件对东海原甲藻和中肋骨条藻竞争参数的影响

以东海原甲藻和中肋骨条藻为研究对象,采用室内单种培养和混合培养,设置不同的氮、磷营养条件,研究了不同营养条件对两种微藻的生长状况和种间竞争参数的影响.结果表明:随着氮、磷浓度的增加,两种藻的最大生物量均呈增加趋势,混合培养中两种微藻的比生长率低于单独培养.在混合培养中,生长前期中肋骨条藻是优势种,随着培养时间的延长,东海原甲藻成为优势种,且优势种发生变化的时间与营养条件有关.混合培养中,东海原甲藻拐点出现时间在0.5 ～4.9 d,中肋骨条藻为0～2.6d,东海原甲藻拐点出现时间晚于中肋骨条藻.在各营养条件下,东海原甲藻对中肋骨条藻的竞争抑制参数β均高于中肋骨条藻对东海原甲藻的竞争抑制参数α,当N为128μmol·L-1、P为32 μmol·L-1时,东海原甲藻的竞争能力是中肋骨条藻的3.8倍,两者差异最为明显.     

Experimental increase of flying costs in a pelagic seabird: effects on foraging strategies,nutritional state and chick condition

A central point in life history theory is that parental investment in current reproduction should be balanced by the costs in terms of residual reproductive value. Long-lived seabirds are considered fixed investors, that is, parents fix a specific level of investment in their current reproduction independent to the breeding requirements. We tested this hypothesis analysing the consequences of an experimental increase in flying costs on the foraging ecology, body condition and chick condition in Cory’s shearwaters Calonectris diomedea. We treated 28 pairs by reducing the wing surface in one partner and compared them with 14 control pairs. We monitored mass changes and incubation shifts and tracked 19 foraging trips per group using geolocators. Furthermore, we took blood samples at laying, hatching and chick-rearing to analyse the nutritional condition, haematology, muscle damage and stable isotopes. Eighty-day-old chicks were measured, blood sampled and challenged with PHA immune assay. In addition, we analysed the effects of handicap on the adults at the subsequent breeding season. During incubation, handicapped birds showed a greater foraging effort than control birds, as indicated by greater foraging distances and longer periods of foraging, covering larger areas. Eighty-day-old chicks reared by treated pairs were smaller and lighter and showed a lower immunity than those reared by control pairs. However, oxygen demands, nutritional condition and stable isotopes did not differ between control and handicapped birds. Although handicapped birds had to increase their foraging effort, they maintained physical condition by reducing parental investment and transferred the experimentally increased costs to their partners and the chick. This result supports the fixed investment hypothesis and is consistent with life history theory.     

Effects of worker manipulation on the sex ratio of a Japanese ant species, Myrmecina nipponica

In order to test the effects of colony size and nutritional condition on the survivorship and sex ratio of ants, Myrmecina nipponica colonies were housed in a laboratory in colony sizes of 10 or 30 individuals and fed either daily or weekly. Under all conditions, most of the larvae successfully grew into adults, which suggests that survivorship was not significantly affected by either colony size or nutritional condition. However, the number of new queens was significantly higher in colonies that were fed daily. These results indicate that workers do not control the proportion of diploid and haploid broods by eliminating some larvae and that nutritional condition exerts a significant effect on sex ratio.     

Effects of heating on growth and condition of pikeperch (Lucioperca lucioperca) in lowland ponds created by sand extraction

The growth rates of pikeperch (Lucioperca lucioperca L.) originating from two lowlands ponds in the north of Belgium, one of which is heated by the effluents of power plants, were compared by means of scalimetry and operculometry. The overall condition of the fish in both ponds was also investigated. The pikeperch grew significantly faster in heated water, although overall condition was comparable. Seasonal variations resulted in the heated pond arriving at a temperature higher than the optimum.