The effects of sublethal concentrations of five organophosphorus insecticides on temperature tolerance, reflexes, and orientation in Gambusia affinis affinis (Pisces: Poeciliidae)

Gambusia affinis were exposed to the insecticides ABATE®, fenthion, chlorpyrifos, methyl parathion, and malathion for 24 h at concentrations of 1, 5, and 10 ppb and for 48 h at 5 ppb. The thermal tolerance was lowered significantly for male and female G. affinis by the toxicants methyl parathion and chlorpyrifos at 5 and 10 ppb with 24 h exposure. Activity was restricted with fish exposed to methyl parathion and chlorpyrifos at concentrations of 10 ppb for 24 h and at 5 ppb for 48 h.     

A new interpretation of the female genitalia in Macrocyclops albidus (Copepoda, Cyclopidae)

The female genital structures of Macrocyclops albidus (Cyclopidae, Eucyclopinae) were studied using light and electron microscopy. The results confirm that the exterior genital area shows only a copulatory pore, located anteromedially on the ventral face of the genital double-somite, and paired gonopores (not directly visible), situated laterally under the P6 plates. An internal seminal receptacle, composed of several parts, is connected to the gonopores by ventro-lateral cuticular extensions or seminal ducts. The lateral site of communication shows a complex set of connections between the seminal receptacle and the oviducts (via the egg-laying ducts). The structure until now designated as ‘transverse ducts’, visible by transparency on the ventral face, is in fact constituted of internal cuticular thickenings resulting of the fusion of the 6th thoracic somite and the 1st abdominal somite forming the genital double-somite and appearing externally as a part of the suture line; the term ‘suture cord’ is proposed to designate it. The functioning of the system is explained.     

Life history traits of the tropical freshwater copepod Mesocyclops longisetus (Crustacea: Copepoda)

The life history traits of a tropical copepod population of Mesocyclops longisetus were measured in the laboratory under defined and controlled culture conditions. Egg duration times at 25 and 30 °C were 42.1 and 29.6 hours, respectively. Development times from nauplius I to adult females and males were 22.3 and 18.3 days, respectively. Body sizes (cephalothorax length) of adult females and males were 1.00 and 0.60 mm, respectively. Clutch size averaged 70.2 eggs. Comparison of these traits with those of its congeners reveals considerable life history variation in the genus Mesocyclops. Lipid analyses of early stage eggs showed that the percent composition of triglycerides to total lipid in M. longisetus (22%) is similar to that of Mesocyclops edax (17%) and daphniid cladocerans, but only half that of a marine calanoid copepod. We suggest that zooplankton may adapt to different resource environments by either adjusting their egg size or altering the proportion of lipid that is readily available for metabolic energy of embryos and nauplii. The diverse arrays of zooplankton life histories may be explained in part by adaptations in lipid metabolism in response to the level and predictability of resources.     

Adaptation to simultaneous warming and acidification carries a thermal tolerance cost in a marine copepod

The ocean is undergoing warming and acidification. Thermal tolerance is affected both by evolutionary adaptation and developmental plasticity. Yet, thermal tolerance in animals adapted to simultaneous warming and acidification is unknown. We experimentally evolved the ubiquitous copepod Acartia tonsa to future combined ocean warming and acidification conditions (OWA approx. 22°C, 2000 µatm CO₂) and then compared its thermal tolerance relative to ambient conditions (AM approx. 18°C, 400 µatm CO₂). The OWA and AM treatments were reciprocally transplanted after 65 generations to assess effects of developmental conditions on thermal tolerance and potential costs of adaptation. Treatments transplanted from OWA to AM conditions were assessed at the F1 and F9 generations following transplant. Adaptation to warming and acidification, paradoxically, reduces both thermal tolerance and phenotypic plasticity. These costs of adaptation to combined warming and acidification may limit future population resilience.     

Salinity tolerance of the copepod Apocyclops dengizicus (Lepeschkin, 1900), a key food chain organism in the Salton Sea,California

The copepod Apocyclops dengizicus is a key item in the food chain of the Salton Sea where the salinity is currently 45 g 1^–1. The salinity of the Salton Sea may reach 90 g 1 ^–1 within the next 20 years. This study examined the salinity tolerance of this copepod.Large copepodite and adult A. dengizicus were introduced into various salinities with and without acclimation. The 96 h LC₅₀ without acclimation was 101 g 1^–1. Mortality (at 96 h) without acclimation was low at salinities of 90 g 1 ^–1 or less.Copepod cultures were maintained, with successful reproduction of at least one new generation, at salinities of from 0.5 to 68 g 1 ^–1 for at least 120 days. Copepods maintained at higher salinities, up to 79 g 1 ^–1, remained alive up to 90 days, but a new generation was not produced. In laboratory studies of larval production and survivorship, few nauplii were released at salinities of 68 g 1 ^–1 or higher, and none survived to the copepodite stage.     

The impact of salinity exposure on survival and temperature tolerance of the Antarctic collembolan Cryptopygus antarcticus

The collembolan Cryptopygus antarcticus Willem is potentially exposed to habitat salinities equal to (or greater than) sea water, as a result of sea spray, drying of littoral habitats, dispersal or temporary entrapment on the surface of sea water, or exposure to localized salt deposits from dense vertebrate populations on terrestrial habitats. To test the impact of this exposure on C. antarcticus, the tolerance of the collembolan to being placed on the surface of sea water and solutions of higher salt concentrations is investigated. The effects of acclimation to exposure to liquids of different salinities [44, 100 and 200 parts per thousand (ppt) sea salt] on cold and heat tolerance, as well as thermal activity thresholds, are also explored. Cryptopygus antarcticus shows > 75% survival after 10 days of exposure to both sea water and 100‐ppt salt, whereas it exhibits significantly lower survival after 5 days (60% survival) and 10 days (40%) of exposure to a 200‐ppt solution. Body water content also decreases after exposure to all salinities, and particularly to the 200‐ppt solution, in which > 50% of body water is lost after 10 days. Acclimation results in greater cold tolerance, although heat tolerance at 33, 35 and 37 °C is either unaltered or reduced. The thermal activity thresholds of C. antarcticus at both high and low temperatures are also negatively affected by saline exposure. The data demonstrate the capacity of C. antarcticus to tolerate periods of exposure to saline conditions, and also show that this exposure can enhance cross‐tolerance to low temperatures. The present study also demonstrates that salinity‐associated stress at moderately low and high temperatures narrows the thermal range of activity, thus reducing the ability of collembolans to forage, develop and reproduce. © 2013 The Royal Entomological Society     

Effect of the insecticides methylpyrimifos and chlorpyrifos on soil microflora in an agricultural loam

A study of the effects of two selected organophosphorus insecticides methylpyrimifos and chlorpyrifos on soil microflora in an agricultural loam was made. The insecticides had concentrations of 10 to 300 g g^–1. The presence of methylpyrimifos at concentrations of 100 to 300 g g^–1 or chlorpyrifos at concentrations from 10 to 300 g g^–1 significantly decreased aerobic dinitrogen fixing bacteria and dinitrogen fixation. Nitrifying bacteria decreased at concentrations of 200 and 300 g g^–1 of methylpyrimifos. The presence of 10 to 300 g g^–1 of chlorpyrifos decreased the total number of bacteria. However, fungal populations and denitrifying bacteria were not affected as a consequence of the addition of the organophosphorus insecticides to the agricultural soil, showing that these microorganisms can tolerate high amounts of those insecticides.     

The effects of five organophosphorus insecticides on thermal stress in tadpoles of the Pacific tree frog, Hyla regilla

Three week old tadpoles of Hyla regilla were exposed to the insecticides temephos, fenthion, methyl parathion, chlorpyrifos, and malathion for 24 h at concentrations less than and at field applied rates as recommended for mosquito control in California. The thermal tolerance was significantly lowered by all chemicals and concentrations tested. Chlorpyrifos and methyl parathion were the most active compounds tested whereas malathion was the least toxic to H regilla tadpoles. Activity was depressed, in comparison to control tadpoles, by the chemicals methyl parathion (100 ppb) and malathion (500 ppb).     

热耐受性及温度对食物同化的影响

研究变色树蜥(Calotes versicolor)的选择体温、热耐受性、温度对食物同化的影响.结果显示:①幼体的选择体温、临界高温和临界低温的平均值分别为32.6、41.7℃和 7.7℃;成体的选择体温、临界高温和临界低温的平均值分别为33.1、42.0℃和8.2℃.②环境温度在26～34℃时,对变色树蜥食物通过时间和摄入能有显著的影响;对表观消化系数(ADC)和同化效率(AE)无显著的影响;在28～34℃时食物通过时间随温度升高而缩短;在26、28℃和30℃时,摄入能小于更高温度的对应值.     

Laboratory and field studies of Macrocyclops albidus (Crustacea: Copepoda) for biological control of mosquitoes in artificial containers in a subtropical environment.

The cyclopoid copepod Macrocyclops albidus (Jurine) was tested as a potential biological control agent of mosquitoes in laboratory microcosms, in controlled field conditions, and in a 22-mo field experiment using discarded tires. The predator was highly efficient in controlling mosquitoes in all three settings, reaching close to 90% reduction in larval survival under field conditions and exceeding the recommended predation rates for effective mosquito control in laboratory experiments. The predator was most effective on 1-4-d-old larvae. Alternate food and habitat structure significantly influenced the predation rates on mosquito larvae. Once established, the copepod was able to maintain reproducing populations in the field for the duration of the experiments. However, the predator failed to establish populations at four of the experimental field sites. Two of the failures can be attributed to characteristics of the individual tires, such as leaching chemicals, whereas the other two were probably due to site-specific factors. This copepod species is a promising candidate for control of mosquito larvae because it is a widespread and highly effective predator that is capable of establishing and maintaining populations under a wide variety of field conditions. Additionally, M. albidus is relatively easy to culture, maintain, and deliver to the target areas.     

Towards a revision of the genus Halectinosoma (Copepoda, Harpacticoida, Ectinosomatidae): new species from the North Atlantic and Arctic regions

This paper contributes to a revision of the genus Halectinosoma . Four new species are described, based on examination of ectinosomatid material from localities in western Europe, eastern Canada and the Arctic. Halectinosoma mandibularis sp. nov. is distinguishable from other species by the reduced setation of the mouthparts and enlarged mandibular gnathobase. Halectinosoma latisetifera sp. nov. bears an affinity with H. cooperatum but is easily distinguished by the shape of the setae on the female fifth leg. A species previously erroneously ascribed to H. finmarchicum (Scott) by several authors is described here as Halectinosoma kliei sp. nov. Halectinosoma gothiceps (Giesbrecht) is redescribed and the closely related Halectinosoma paragothiceps sp. nov. is described and distinguished from H. gothiceps . It is considered likely that some previous records of H. gothiceps are in error.  © 2007 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society , 2007, 149 , 453–475.     

Mesocyclops (Crustacea, Copepoda, Cyclopidae) in the South Pacific islands

Based mainly on recently collected material, we discuss the taxonomy and zoogeography of a (sub)tropical genus, Mesocyclops, in the South Pacific. A new species, Mesocyclops roberti sp. nov. is described from Fiji and the Wallis Islands. New data on the geographic distribution and morphology are reported for Mesocyclops medialis, Mesocyclops woutersi and Mesocyclops aspericornis. Phylogenetic reconstructions coding the intraspecifically variable characters by three different methods (unordered, unscaled and scaled coding) support close relationship of M. roberti with two Australian species (Mesocyclops brooksi and Mesocyclops notius). Both the “unordered” and “scaled” analyses show monophyly of a group composed of Australian (Mesocyclops australiensis, M. brooksi, M. notius, and Mesocyclops pubiventris) and South Pacific (M. medialis and M. roberti sp. nov.) taxa. None of the analyses supports a sister relationship of M. roberti with M. medialis (New Caledonia, Vanuatu), the only other species restricted to South Pacific, which suggests that Mesocyclops invaded the South Pacific from Australia at least twice. The sister relationship of the Australian-South Pacific clade remains unresolved, yet all reconstructions suggest a link with Asian Mesocyclops sp.     

Biodegradation of organophosphorus insecticides by two organophosphorus hydrolase genes (opdA and opdE) from isolated Leuconostoc mesenteroides WCP307 of kimchi origin

This study is aimed to reveal the molecular incidence of organophosphorus insecticides degradation during the fermentation of Korean food yeulmu-mulkimchi. To this end, two opdA and opdE which consist of 930 and 894 bp that encode 309 and 297 amino acids, respectively, were cloned from the Leuconostoc mesenteroides WCP307 strain that was isolated from chlorpyrifos (CP) impregnated kimchi. The Escherichia coli that harbored the opdA and opdE genes depleted a CP concentration of 72% and 83%, respectively, in an M9 medium after 6 days. The OpdA and OpdE enzymes molecular weights were estimated to be approximately 35 and 33 kDa and showed optimal activities at 30 °C with a pH of 7.0 and 6.0, respectively. However, the mutated OpdA (Ser128 → Ala128) and OpdE (Ser129 → Ala129) enzymes had no activities on OP insecticides and ρ-nitrophenyl butyrate substrates. In addition, the OpdA and OpdE enzymes showed profound catalytic activities against cadusafos, comnaphos, diazinon, dyfonate, ethoprophos, fenamiphos, methylparathion, and parathion insecticides. Therefore, it is assumed that OpdA and OpdE enzymes detoxified the pesticides contaminated kimchi composition like Chinese cabbages during fermentation. Furthermore, the OpdA and OpdE enzymes augmented the diversity of new LAB-opd enzymes group in nature.     

Daily egg production ofTemora longicornis (Copepoda,Calanoida) during winter and early spring in the Marsdiep (Southern North Sea)

Mature females of the copepodTemora longicornis from the Marsdiep tidal inlet were incubated at ambient water temperature during the winter of 1989/1990 to estimate their egg production during 24 hours. Throughout winter this production remained at a level of 0 to 10 eggs per female. In March a steep rise to 60 to 80 eggs coincided with an equally steep rise in chlorophyll-a from 4 to 20 g.l^–1. Excess food given during incubation tended to increase the observed production rate only in October at relatively high temperature. Additive effects of rising food level and temperature on daily egg production were found in spring. In March and April 1988 and 1990 the observed maximum daily egg production per female increased from about 20 at 5°C and 5 g.l^–1 chlorophyll to 70 at almost 10°C and 20 g.l^–1. The egg production in winter gives a prebloom potential to maintain a stock of premature stages ready to utilize the algal spring bloom. Early spawning before April can also contribute to the development of the abundance peak of adults in May–June. Due to growth rates increasing with temperature in the months March and April, most of the adults at their peak density may have hatched from eggs before the period of maximum egg production rate at the end of April. The exceptionally high production rate observed at the end of March may be related to a developingPhaeocystis bloom.     

Life cycle and description of Amblyospora camposi n. sp. (Microsporidia: Amblyosporidae) in the mosquito Culex renatoi (Diptera, Culicidae) and the copepod Paracyclops fimbriatus fimbriatus (Copepoda, Cyclopidae)

The life cycle of Amblyospora camposi n. sp. is described from the mosquito Culex renatoi and the copepod Paracyclops fimbriatus fimbriatus collected in the leaf axils of the plant Eryngium cabrerae in Argentina. Meiospores of A. camposi (5.8 x 4.1 microm) were infectious per os to female adults of the copepod P. f. fimbriatus. All developmental stages in the copepod had unpaired nuclei, with sporulation involving the formation of a sub-persistent, sporontogenic, interfacial envelope and the production of a second type of uninucleate spore. These spores, formed in the ovaries of P. f. fimbriatus, were large, pyriform, and measured 10.70 x 3.85 microm. When ingested they infected C. renatoi larvae to initiate a sequence that involves schizogony and gametogony and ends with plasmogamy and nuclear association to form diplokaryotic meronts. Oblong ovate binucleate spores (7.86 x 2.96 microm) are formed in the adult mosquito and are responsible for vertical transmission to the filial generation. This is the first report of an Amblyospora species from a mosquito that inhabits the small-water bodies held in parts of terresterial plants (phytotelmata).     

Revision of the African species of the genus Mesocyclops Sars, 1914 (Copepoda: Cyclopidae)

A revision is made of the African Mesocyclops species, based on type material (when extant) and on collections from various parts in Africa.Diagnostic characteristics are: presence or absence of spinule patterns on antennular segments, structure of the hyaline membrane of the 17th antennular segment, spine pattern on the basipodite of the antenna, armature of the maxillulary palp, presence or absence of a spine on the basipodite of P₁, armature of the connecting lamella, coxopodite and basipodite of P₄, armature of the apical spines of Enp₃P₄, armature of the last thoracic segment, genital segment and the other abdominal segments, armature of the furcal rami and structure of the receptaculum seminis.First, the taxonomical status of M. leuckarti (Claus) is redefined; this species does not occur in Africa and its geographical range is restricted to Europe and the western part of Northern Asia. On the African continent, twelve other taxa are found. Four are described as new to science: M. kieferi sp.n., M. dussarti sp.n., M. spinosus sp.n. and M. aequatorialis similis subsp.n. The remainder are: M. major Sars, M. tenuisaccus (Sars), M. paludosus Lindberg, M. salinus Onabamiro, M. ogunnus Onabamiro, M. aspericornis (Daday), M. rarus Kiefer and M. aequatorialis aequatorialis (Kiefer).Their geographical distribution is discussed. Eleven taxa are restricted to the African continent (including the Arabian Peninsula and the Canary Islands). One taxon is also found in the Oriental Region. Madagascan representatives are briefly mentioned.The importance of breeding and cross-breeding experiments should be stressed in copepod taxonomy. Experiments were performed on African species and M. leuckarti to evaluate the morphological characters used in the present study, and intraspecific morphological variability was examined up to and including the third generation (Van de Velde, in press).In future one should critically reconsider the so-called cosmopolitan species; they may indeed represent a complex of related taxa, each with a geographical range more restricted than that of the species-complex itself.Abstracted from the author's Ph.D. thesis, State University of Ghent, 1982.Abstracted from the author's Ph.D. thesis, State University of Ghent, 1982.     

Freeze tolerance and accumulation of cryoprotectants in the enchytraeid Enchytraeus albidus (Oligochaeta) from Greenland and Europe

The freeze tolerance and accumulation of cryoprotectants was investigated in three geographically different populations of the enchytraeid Enchytraeus albidus (Oligochaeta). E. albidus is widely distributed from the high Arctic to temperate Western Europe. Our results show that E. albidus is freeze tolerant, with freeze tolerance varying extensively between Greenlandic and European populations. Two populations from sub Arctic (Nuuk) and high Arctic Greenland (Zackenberg) survived freezing at −15 °C, whereas only 30% of a German population survived this temperature. When frozen, E. albidus responded by catabolising glycogen to glucose, which likely acted as a cryoprotectant. The average glucose concentrations were similar in the three populations when worms were frozen at −2 °C, approximately 50 μg glucose mg⁻¹ tissue dry weight (DW). At −14 °C the glucose concentrations increased to between 110 and 170 μg mg⁻¹ DW in worms from Greenland. The average glycogen content of worms from Zackenberg and Nuuk were about 300 μg mg⁻¹ DW, but only 230 μg mg⁻¹ DW in worms from Germany showing that not all glycogen was catabolised during the experiment. Nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometry (NMR) was used to screen for other putative cryoprotectants. Proline, glutamine and alanine were up regulated in frozen worms at −2 °C but only in relatively small concentrations suggesting that they were of little significance for freeze survival. The present study confirms earlier reports that freeze tolerant enchytraeids, like other freeze tolerant oligochaete earthworms, accumulate high concentrations of glucose as a primary cryoprotectant.     

Giant females and dwarf males: a comparative study of nuptial organs in female Chondracanthidae (Crustacea: Copepoda)

Male chondracanthids attach to specific structures located near the genital apertures of the female and the term nuptial organ is proposed for these structures. The morphology of the nuptial organ in Acanthochondria cornuta, A. limandae, Acanthochondrites annulatus, Blias prionoti, Chondracanthodes deflexus, Chondracanthus lophii, Lernentoma asellina and Pseudoblias lyrifera is described. Nuptial organs in C. lophii contain glandular tissue and appear capable of producing a secretion. In addition to providing a site for male attachment these organs may have other possible functions, which are discussed.     

Population Dynamics of Crustacean Zooplankton in a Mesotrophic Lake,with Emphasis on Boeckella hamata BREHM (Copepoda: Calanoida)

The crustacean zooplankton in Lake Mahinerangi, a polymictic, mesotrophic reservoir, were studied for 19 months. The cladocerans, Bosmina meridionalis and Ceriodaphnia dubia, had unimodal patterns of abundance with peak densities in summer; cyclopoids had a single peak of maximum abundance in autumn and Daphnia carinata showed a bimodal pattern with peak densities in early summer and early winter. The strong seasonality in abundance of zooplankton in Lake Mahinerangi distinguishes this lake from other temperate lakes in New Zealand and may reflect its cool winter temperatures (< 5 °C for 2 months). A calanoid, Boeckella hamata, bred throughout the year and was the dominant species numerically. Instar analysis indicated that there were at least three, and possibly four, generations per year. Instantaneous birth and death rates were low with annual mean values (0.036 and 0.057, respectively) that were 2-3.5 times less than those recorded in a population of the same species in Lake Pounui, but within the range of those recorded in calanoid populations elsewhere in New Zealand. The Boeckella population in Lake Mahinerangi appears to be controlled largely by temperature, parasitism and food, with predation having no, or a negligible, effect.     

The effect of insecticides on growth,germination and cuticle-degrading enzyme production by Isaria fumosorosea

The influence of six chemical insecticides on growth, sporulation, conidial germination and cuticle-degrading enzyme production by Isaria fumosorosea were investigated under laboratory conditions. Maximum reduction in vegetative growth, sporulation and conidial germination in relation to the control treatment was observed for Chloranthraniliprole whereas Indoxacarb proved to be the safest insecticide causing lowest reduction in these parameters. Chloranthraniliprole, Chlorpyrifos and Chlorfenapyr caused higher reduction in enzyme activities (chitinase, Pr1, Pr2 and lipase) at all three concentrations whereas very low reduction in enzyme activities was caused by Hubendamide+ Avermectin and Indoxacarb when used at 10 µg/ml. The data presented can be used for future recommendations of these insecticides in IPM programmes where I. fumosorosea is an important control agent.