Mucous contribution to gut nutrient content in American gizzard shad Dorosoma cepedianum

This study developed and applied an approach to calculate the proportion of fish gut content composed of mucus secreted by the oropharyngeal cavity and gut. The amount of nitrogen in the contents of the foregut (oesophagus and gizzard) and the epibranchial organs of suspension‐feeding American gizzard shad Dorosoma cepedianum was significantly higher than the nitrogen in the homogeneous food source. Using data collected from suspension‐feeding experiments and the nitrogen content of D. cepedianum mucus, a series of equations illustrated that mucus constituted c. 10% of D. cepedianum foregut content and 12% of epibranchial organ content by dry mass. Future quantification of fish feeding selectivity and absorption efficiency can use this approach to take into account the contribution of fish mucus to the nutrients in the gut contents. This study supports the conclusion that suspension‐feeding D. cepedianum in a heterogeneous environment selectively ingest nutrient‐rich particles, even when gut nutrient content is adjusted to take into account the contribution of mucus.     

Effect of the rate of increase in concentrate allowance with concentrates high or low in starch on the performance of dairy cows in early lactation

The effect of the rate of increase in concentrate allowance after calving with two concentrate mixes (A and B) differing in composition was evaluated using 64 Finnish Ayrshire cows during the first 100 days of lactation. After calving, the concentrate allowance of multiparous cows was increased stepwise from 4 to 17 kg/day, and of primiparous cows from 3 to 13.5 kg/day over 12 days (F rate of increase; multiparous 1.08 kg/day, primiparous 0.88 kg/day) or 24 days (S rate of increase; mutiparous 0.54 kg/day, primiparous 0.44 kg/day). The concentrates were formulated to have similar crude protein and metabolizable energy concentrations but differing starch and NDF concentrations. For concentrate A the starch and NDF concentrations were 421 and 167 g/kg dry matter (DM) and for concentrate B 258 and 251 g/kg DM. All cows received grass silage ad libitum. The higher concentrate intake during weeks 1 to 4 of lactation with F compared with the S rate of increase caused higher DM, energy and protein intake. The higher concentrate intake for F than for S treatment in early lactation did not cause a large decrease in silage intake (8.8 v. 8.3 kg DM/day). The intake of concentrate A and B after calving did not differ for S treatment. However, for F treatment the intake of fibrous concentrate B increased faster than starch-rich concentrate A during weeks 1 to 4 of lactation. The concentrate composition had no effect on energy-corrected milk (ECM) yield during weeks 1 to 4 of lactation for S treatments, but with F treatments the cows fed B concentrate produced more milk. The F rate of increase in concentrate allowance compared with the S rate increased the calculated energy balance after calving. The rate of increase in concentrate feeding post partum or concentrate composition had no effect on DM, energy or protein intake during the whole 100-day experiment. The average ECM yield over days 1 to 100 of lactation was higher for S than for F treatments and tended to be higher with concentrate B than A. Results of this study showed that by the fast rate of increase in concentrate allowance after calving on a grass silage diet, it was possible to improve the energy status of the cows in early lactation. This had, however, no effect on production later in lactation.     

Diel feeding periodicity, daily ration and prey selectivity in juvenile brown trout in a subarctic river

Feeding of age-1 brown trout Salmo trutta in a third-order river in northern Finland was usually highest in the twilight hours and lowest around midday. Diel periodicity in food intake was less distinct and rarely significant for age-0 trout. Daily rations declined seasonally, being lowest in October, and highest in June (age-1 trout) or early August (age-0 trout). Prey selection did not differ between day and night, but differences between age classes and sampling dates were distinct. Age-0 trout preferred Ephemerella nymphs in summer and Micrasema larvae later in the season. Age-1 trout fed selectively on caddis larvae on all sample dates. Aerial insects and Baetis nymphs were avoided by both age classes on most occasions. These patterns of preference are probably explained by a trend towards epibenthic feeding, which may be a predominant foraging mode in some trout populations. Nevertheless, repuscular peaks in feeding periodicity suggest that trout were able to capitalize on the increased availability of drifting prey in the twilight, especially in the early summer months.     

基于线性混合模型研究海州湾六丝钝尾虾虎鱼摄食生态

随着我国近海多种传统经济渔业资源的衰退,六丝钝尾虾虎鱼已成为海州湾等海域的优势鱼种之一,并在海洋食物网中发挥着重要作用。本研究根据2011年和2013—2016年春季和秋季在海州湾及其邻近海域进行的渔业资源底拖网调查,基于线性混合模型研究了海州湾六丝钝尾虾虎鱼的摄食习性以及影响其摄食的主要因素,并对其摄食策略进行分析。结果表明: 海州湾六丝钝尾虾虎鱼以虾类、双壳类、端足类等14个饵料生物类群为食,其中端足类、虾类、双壳类、蛇尾类是其主要的饵料类群。从饵料生物种类来看,六丝钝尾虾虎鱼摄食的饵料种类有37种,优势饵料生物有钩虾、细螯虾、独眼钩虾、彩虹明樱蛤和鲜明鼓虾等。线性混合模型分析表明,海州湾六丝钝尾虾虎鱼的摄食强度受体长、水深、季节、底层盐度的显著影响,其中,摄食强度与水深和底层盐度呈显著负相关关系,而与体长呈显著正相关关系,且春季的摄食强度显著高于秋季。聚类分析表明,以体长70 mm为界,可将六丝钝尾虾虎鱼划分为食性差异较大的两个体长组,其摄食随体长的变化主要与自身摄食能力与饵料生物丰度的变化有关。摄食策略分析表明,六丝钝尾虾虎鱼的营养生态位具有较高的表型间成分,对食物的种内竞争较低。本研究将有助于揭示六丝钝尾虾虎鱼的生活史特征,并为其资源的可持续利用和科学管理提供参考依据。     

Interrelationships between yeast fungi and collembolans in soil

The possibility of feeding on green and newly fallen leaves of the small-leaved lime Tilia cordata was studied for the collembolans Protaphorura armata and Vertagopus pseudocinereus. Young leaves grown under sterile conditions and almost free of yeast fungi were found to be toxic to the collembolan V. pseudocinereus: feeding on them led to the death of the animals. Leaves grown under natural conditions were nontoxic: when used by the collembolans as feed, they provided for collembolan growth and fecundity. Feeding preferences of the collembolans in relation to the yeasts attributed to different ecomorphs—epiphytes, litter saprophytes, pedobionts, and saccharobionts—were studied. Of the 24 yeast strains isolated from plant green parts, litter, and soil and assigned to eight species, no strain was revealed that was not used by the collembolans. However, certain yeast strains were preferable for the collembolans. The population of the V. pseudocinereus collembolans feeding on the yeast Rhodotorula glutinis (nss 31–4) exceeded that grown on Cryptococcus terricola (2044) 1.5-fold. Thus, the collembolans have feeding preferences in relation to yeast fungi, as was shown earlier with mycelial micromycetes. The possible mechanisms of the feeding preferences of the collembolans in relation to yeasts are discussed.     

Effect of feeding level and feeding frequency on specific dynamic action in Silurus meridionalis

The effect of feeding level ( F _L; 0·5 to 4% dry diet mass per wet fish body mass) and feeding frequency (once every 4 days to twice per day) on postprandial metabolic response was investigated in southern catfish Silurus meridionalis at 27·5° C. The results showed that there was no significant difference in the specific dynamic action (SDA) coefficient among the groups of different feeding levels ( P  > 0·05). The duration increased from 26·0 to 40·0 h and the peak metabolic rate increased from 207·8 to 378·8 mg O₂ kg⁻¹ h⁻¹ when the feeding level was increased from 0·5 to 4%. The relationship between the peak metabolic rate ( R _P, mg O₂ kg⁻¹ h⁻¹) and F _L could be described as: R _P = 175·4 + 47·3 F _L( r ² = 0·943, n  = 40, P  < 0·001). The relationship between the SDA duration ( D , h) and F _L could be described as D =30·97 F _L^0·248 ( r ²=0·729, n =40, P  < 0·001).     

Adult large pine weevils Hylobius abietis feed on silver birch Betula pendula even in the presence of conifer seedlings

1 The feeding preference of the adult pine weevil Hylobius abietis (L.) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) for Betula pendula Roth was studied in no‐choice and paired‐choice feeding experiments. 2 In the first no‐choice test, large quantities of silver birch bark in Petri dishes were consumed; on average, the daily consumption of each weevil was 67 mm². 3 In the second no‐choice test, the weevils were offered 1‐year‐old silver birch seedlings for 6 days. Initially, the weevils fed mostly on the stem bases; later, they moved upward to feed on other parts of the stems. In addition to the main shoots, scars caused by gnawing were also found on leaf bases, blades, veins and petioles. Feeding resulted in the death of the main stems in 15% of the seedlings. 4 In the paired‐choice tests, the conifers were preferred to silver birch, even though a large amount of silver birch was also consumed in the presence of conifers. 5 In the paired‐choice tests, equal amounts of Scots pine and Norway spruce were always consumed. When hybrid aspen was offered, only small amounts were gnawed.     

Post-exercise glycogen resynthesis in trained high-protein or high-fat-fed rats after glucose feeding

This study examined the effect on glycogen resynthesis during recovery from exercise of feeding glucose orally to physically trained rats which had been fed for 5 weeks on high-protein low fat (HP), high-protein/long-chain triglyceride (LCT) or high carbohydrate (CHO) diets. Muscle glycogen remained low and hepatic gluconeogenesis was stimulated by long-term fat or high-protein diets. The trained rats received, via a stomach tube, 3 ml of a 34% glucose solution immediately after exercise (2 h at 20 m.min-1), followed by 1-ml portions at hourly intervals until the end of the experiments. When fed glucose soleus muscle glycogen overcompensation occurred rapidly in the rats fed all three diets following prolonged exercise. In LCT- and CHO-fed rats, glucose feeding appeared more effective for soleus muscle repletion than in HP-fed rats. The liver demonstrated no appreciable glycogen overcompensation. A complete restoration of liver glycogen occurred within a 2- to 4-h recovery period in the rats fed HP-diet, while the liver glycogen store had been restored by only 67% in CHO-fed rats and 84% in LCT-fed rats within a 6-h recovery period. This coincides with low gluconeogenesis efficiency in these animals.     

Aerial and aquatic feeding in the silver arawana,Osteoglossum bicirrhosum

Synopsis The silver arawana, Osteoglossum bicirrhosum, hunts along shorelines and within flooded forests in the Amazon River basin and supplements its limited consumption of aquatic vertebrates by leaping from the water to obtain terrestrial and arboreal prey. We offered O. bicirrhosum prey both suspended above and submerged below the surface of the water. From high-speed digital recordings, we measured kinematic variables associated with the jaws, cranium, pectoral fins, and body during orientation and prey capture. Aquatic and aerial feeding events were kinematically distinct, with aerial events generally involving faster, larger movements and a distinct delay in the onset of lower jaw depression until the head had left the water. The comparatively large gape during leaping may facilitate prey capture by overcoming variability in the apparent position of the prey due to refraction, while the delayed onset of mouth opening may serve to reduce the effects of drag. This distinctive leaping behaviour allows exploitation of the terrestrial prey base, especially during seasonal inundation of the Amazon River basin when the aquatic food base is widely dispersed.     

Surface deposit feeding versus filter feeding in the amphipod Corophium volutator

The previously indicated ability of the amphipod Corophium volutator to switch between deposit feeding and filter feeding was confirmed and studied in more detail in controlled laboratory experiments in which filtration rate measurements were combined with simultaneous video recordings of surface-feeding activity of the amphipod exposed to different known concentrations of algal (Tetraselmis sp.) cells. When algal cells were added to the ambient water, this stimulated C. volutator, buried in natural sediment or transferred to glass tubes, to commence filter feeding, which was maintained as long as the algal concentration was kept above a certain threshold level. However, shortly after the algal concentration was grazed below the threshold level, filter feeding was abandoned and replaced by surface deposit feeding, as evident from a video observed increase in surface scraping frequency. The average frequency of surface scraping was 0.64±0.27 min^-1, with a residence time of 3.7±1.4 s on the sediment surface where the amphipod grabbed material within a semicircle. Such detailed knowledge of filter feeding versus deposit feeding in C. volutator is of importance for a better understanding of the ecological role of this key organism in many shallow-water ecosystems where the feeding conditions are frequently changing.     

The feeding behavior of Spumella sp. as a function of particle size: Implications for bacterial size in pelagic systems

Direct observation was used to measure feeding rates of the flagellate Spumella on three sizes of bacteria plus 0.3 µm latex beads using video microscopy. Feeding rate was maximum on the intermediate-sized bacteria. Maximum ingestion rates (I_m) for the large- (0.53 µm³), intermediate- (0.08 µm³) and small-sized (0.02 µm³) bacteria and 0.014 µm³ latex beads were 11, 38 and 14 bacteria and 9 beads flagellate^–1 h^–1, respectively. The growth rates of Spumella sp. feeding on monoxenic cultures of the large- vs. the intermediate-sized bacteria were indistinguishable but Spumella sp. could not sustain its population density when feeding on the small bacterium as the sole food source. Our data are consistent with the hypothesis that Spumella sp., and possibly other flagellate protozoa, tend to feed selectively on larger prey. One consequence of this hypothesis is that differential grazing by bactivores may select for small bacteria in natural waters.     

Young giant water bug nymphs prefer larger prey: changes in foraging behaviour with nymphal growth in Kirkaldyia deyrolli

Raptorial characteristics may evolve in predators because of their importance in obtaining food. The giant water bug, Kirkaldyia deyrolli, possesses a claw on the terminal segment of the raptorial foreleg that is crucial for capturing prey. Claw curvature has been previously shown to change during growth in this species, but the adaptive significance of this change has not yet been explored. Predation experiments have demonstrated that young nymphs with highly curved claws caught proportionally larger prey than older nymphs with less‐curved claws. Catching behaviours for a certain prey size differed significantly between young and older nymphs. The observation that nymphal growth affects prey‐catching behaviour in the giant water bug supports the hypothesis that predators can change catching behaviours based on changes in raptorial characteristics in order to maximize prey resources acquired at each developmental stage.     

Gut morphology,feeding rate and gut clearance in five species of caddis larvae

Feeding rate, the rate of movement of food through the gut and gut morphology of large larvae of five caddis species (Halesus radiatus, Hydropsyche instabilis, Polycentropus kingi, Rhyacophila dorsalis and Potamophylax cingulatus) were investigated in the laboratory. Following 72 hr starvation, P. cingulatus and H. radiatus larvae became satiated (refused prey offered directly to the mouthparts) after consuming 8–11 and 9–13 mayfly nymphs (Baetis rhodani, 3.5–4.6 mm) respectively. Hunger level affected prey consumption. In P. cingulatus, the number of prey consumed over 24 h (at 9.5–12 °C) increased with starvation periods from 0–72 h, but declined following longer starvation periods. Six clearly recognisable gut states (defined by the position of food material in various parts of the gut) can be identified at different times since commencement of a meal. As environmental temperature increased (from 8–12 °C to 15–17 °C), the rate of change of the gut state increased and the food retention time decreased in all species. Feeding periodicity (i.e. nocturnal/diurnal activity) in the field was estimated based on the evacuation rate and the gut state and environmental temperature at the known time of collection. Initiation of consumption of prey appeared to coincide with emptying of the foregut and proximal midgut, whereas actual feeding continued until complete satiation when some threshold fullness of the foregut had been reached. The length of time food was held in the foregut was positively correlated with increasing specialisation of the foregut (particularly elaboration of the proventriculus).     

Monitoring of rice weevil, Sitophilus oryzae, feeding behavior in maize seeds and the occurence of supernumerary molts in low humidity conditions

Rice weevils, Sitophilus oryzae (L.), complete their development from egg to early adulthood inside grains of wheat, rice or maize, but little is known about their feeding behavior within the seeds. An ultrasonic insect feeding monitor was used to characterize the feeding patterns of individual rice weevils as they developed in maize grains. Weevils reared in grains held at ca. 40% r.h. took longer to develop from egg to pupation than those reared in grains kept at ca. 70% r.h. Feeding patterns revealed that larvae developing in grains held at ca. 70% r.h. had only four instars, whereas supernumerary molts (five instars) occurred in certain individuals reared in grain held at ca. 40% r.h. The supernumerary molts may represent a response of the insect to stresses associated with low moisture levels in the seeds.     

The Influence of Light Wavelength on Phase-Dependent Responsiveness of the Photoperiodic Clock in Migratory Blackheaded Bunting

We investigated the phase-dependent effects of light wavelength on photoperiodic clock in the migratory blackheaded bunting. Two experiments were performed, employing a skeleton paradigm (6 hours light : 6 hours darkness : 1 hour light : 11 hours darkness; 6L : 6D : 1L : 11D) at 37 ± 2 lux intensity. In the experiment 1, both 6 and 1 h light pulses were given at the same wavelength, 500 nm (green) or 650 nm (red). A group exposed to both pulses of white light served as control. In the experi-ment 2, the two light pulses were given at two different wavelengths, 6 h at 500 nm (green) and 1 h at 640 nm (red) in one group or vice-versa in the other. There was almost no photoinduction when both light pulses in experiment 1, or 1 h light pulse in experiment 2, were green. On the other hand, birds fattened and testes recrudesced when both the light pulses in experiment 1, or 1 h light pulse in experiment 2, were red. Birds receiving both pulses of white light in experiment 1 showed an intermediate response. Taken together, these results indicate that the photoperiodic clock in buntings is differentially responsive at its various circadian phases to different light wavelengths.     

Differences in Feeding Associations of Benthophagous Fishes in two Locations

The feeding associations of two wrasse species (Pseudolabrus; Labridae) with Goniistius zonatus (Cheilodactylidae) in two temperate water locations (Morode and Arakashi) in southern Japan were compared. At both locations, the wrasses accompanied G. zonatus so as to eat benthic invertebrates flushed out by the latter's feeding activities. Although the average feeding frequency of G. zonatus did not differ between the two locations, the host was more frequently and persistently followed at Morode, where foraging hosts often stayed at a calcareous-algal patch for a significant time and repeatedly pecked at the same site (repeated-feeding). At Arakashi, however, characterised by a poor calcareous-algal mat, G. zonatus usually took single sporadic bites at the substrate other than the algal mat while moving about (single-feeding). At both locations, the wrasses accompanied G. zonatus at higher rates when the latter was performing 'repeated-feeding' compared with 'single-feeding', with more frequent pecking by the attendant wrasses in the former association. The differences in feeding association between the two locations apparently resulted from the different patterns of feeding behavior by the host, in turn affected by the feeding substrate composition at each location.     

纺锤水蚤摄食生态学研究进展

纺锤水蚤(Acartia)是温带、亚热带近岸水域优势的小型桡足类,在区域生态系统的物质循环与能量流通中起着重要作用。综述了国内外对纺锤水蚤食性、摄食机制、摄食影响因子及摄食转化效率的研究工作:纺锤水蚤为杂食性,偏爱高营养的动物性饵料,摄食浮游植物和微型浮游动物时分别采取滤食策略和伏击策略,摄食过程受到自身生理状态和环境因子的共同调节。其对食物的利用效率约为60%,其他40%通过Sloppy feeding和排泄等方式以溶解形式释放到海水中。目前摄食研究多以实验模拟为主,自然现场研究手段有限,分子生物学技术有望促进认识其在自然生态系统中的地位与作用。     

Genetic polymorphisms at candidate genes affecting fat content and fatty acid composition in Modicana cows: effects on milk production traits in different feeding systems

Feeding greatly affects milk yield and composition. The research is highlighting the potential of genetic polymorphism at some loci to affect milk yield and quality traits. These loci can be up/down regulated depending on the production environment; therefore, we hypothesized that milk yield and composition could differ when cows with different genotype at SCD, DGAT1 and ABCG2 loci are reared in different feeding systems. The polymorphisms of SCD, DGAT1 and ABCG2 genes were investigated in Modicana breed. In all, three polymorphic sites, responsible for the genetic variation of quantitative trait loci and therefore defined quantitative trait nucleotides, were genotyped: the transition g.10329C>T in 5^th exon determines a substitution p.A293V in the SCD, the dinucleotide mutation g.10433-10434AA>GC in 8^th exon responsible for p.K232A substitution in the DGAT1 and the transition g.62569A>C in the 14^th exon responsible for p.Y581S substitution in the ABCG2 gene. In the sample of 165 Modicana cows, SCD and DGAT1 genes resulted polymorphic; the alleles g.10329T and g.10433-10434GC were the most frequent in SCD and DGAT1 (0.73 and 0.91) respectively, whereas ABCG2 locus was monomorphic for allele A (p.581Y). Sequencing analysis was carried out on 14 samples with different genotypes to confirm the results of the PCR-RFLP protocols. Based on the genotypes at SCD locus, 47 Modicana cows were selected for the nutritional trial: 24 cows in a semi-intensive farm, with 2 h/day grazing on natural pasture, and 23 cows in an extensive farm, with 8 h/day grazing on natural pasture. Monthly, milk yield and composition were evaluated and individual milk samples were analyzed for fatty acids composition by gas chromatography. No differences in milk yield, fat, protein, lactose, casein and urea were associated to SCD genotype. Feeding systems affected milk yield and composition. No significant genotype×feeding system interaction was observed for milk yield and composition. Fatty acids composition was significantly affected only by the feeding system. Significant interactions were found between SCD genotype and feeding system for six fatty acids: 4:0, 6:0, 8:0, 10:0, 12:0 and t11 18:1. We concluded that the feeding system was the factor that mostly affected milk production and composition; moreover, our results do not confirm what reported in literature as regard the effect of the SCD polymorphism on milk fatty acid composition. The high amount of pasture seemed to have resized the SCD polymorphism effects because of the different fatty acids composition of the diet.     

思茅新木蛾幼虫取食行为的研究

本文对思茅新木蛾Neospastis simaona Wang幼虫的取食行为、取食偏好性以及明暗条件对其取食量的影响进行了观察研究,为该昆虫的防治提供了理论依据。研究结果表明:思茅新木蛾幼虫随着龄期的增加,取食次数增多,取食总时间增加,但一次取食时间无明显变化;思茅新木蛾幼虫对木荷(Schima superba)有强烈嗜食性,4龄幼虫喜食木荷幼叶,5、6龄幼虫对木荷幼叶、成熟叶无明显偏好性;明暗条件对思茅新木蛾4至6龄幼虫的取食量没有显著影响(P>0.05)。