Estimating and Correcting for Bias in Population Assessments of Sooty Shearwaters

Abstract: We investigated the precision and accuracy of an infrared burrowscope for detecting sooty shearwater (Pufffinus griseus) chicks at 13 plots from 3 islands in southern New Zealand in 2003. We partially excavated burrows systems to reveal the entire burrow contents after 2 teams of observers had prospected all burrow entrances. Accuracy was similar between islands and observer teams at approximately 85%. The majority of the inaccuracy stemmed from failure to detect some chicks. Logistic regression modeling identified 4 burrow characteristics occurring between the entrance and the nest-site that influenced detection of burrow occupants. Detection was lower at nest-sites further from burrow entrances, in burrows with a high rate of burrow division, and in burrows with a high level of curvature. There was a positive relationship between the interaction of rate of division and curvature and detection of chicks. Distance from the burrow entrance was the only parameter that could be reliably used as a predictor of detection rate, so a reduced model containing only this variable was constructed to correct for burrowscope bias. The correction factor performed well on The Snares and Bench Island where predicted bias was very similar to observed levels (within 5%), but bias was overestimated on Putauhinu by up to 19.1%. Consistent bias, lack of damage to burrows from excavation, and the successful application of a correction factor all indicate the value of further testing burrowscope accuracy on other burrow-nesting seabird species.     

德国小蠊触角感器的扫描电镜观察

用电子显微镜观察德国小蠊Blattella germanica(L.)雌成虫、雄成虫、老熟若虫和低龄若虫的触角,发现其上分布有大量感器,为刺形感器(Ⅰ、Ⅱ型)、锥形感器、毛形感器、弧形感器、帽形感器、边缘感器和椭圆感器。其中刺形感器(Ⅰ、Ⅱ型)、锥形感器、毛形感器、弧形感器和边缘感器在各种虫态均有分布,帽形感器仅见于成虫触角鞭节上。在各种不同虫态中,雌雄成虫含有所有种类的感器,老熟若虫触角亚节数最多,低龄若虫的各类感器的感毛长度和基部横径普遍较小。     

烟盲蝽成虫触角感器的扫描电镜观察

烟盲蝽Nesidiocoris tenuis(Reuter)作为一种杂食性昆虫,是蔬菜害虫的重要捕食者。利用扫描电镜对烟盲蝽雌雄成虫的触角进行观察,结果表明:烟盲蝽触角由基节、柄节、梗节和鞭节组成。绝大部分触角感器位于触角的腹面和外侧面。触角感器共有9种,分别为毛形感器、刺形感器、锥形感器、钟形感器、腔锥形感器、具弯钩形感器、腔形感器、乳形感器和Bhm氏鬃毛。腔锥形感器仅见于雌性触角,其他8种感器在雌雄两性触角上的类型和分布没有明显的区别。     

访花昆虫红腹毛蚊触角感器扫描电镜观察

【目的】本研究旨在明确访花昆虫红腹毛蚊Bibio rufiventris触角感器的类型和分布。【方法】通过扫描电镜(scanning electron microscope, SEM)观察红腹毛蚊雌、雄成虫触角感器的种类、数量和形态,比较雌雄个体间的差异。【结果】红腹毛蚊雌、雄成虫触角均包含3部分,分别为柄节、梗节和鞭节,其中鞭节由8个亚节组成。雌成虫触角平均总长度为862.556±78.662μm,雄成虫触角平均总长度为880.361±83.253μm,雌、雄成虫触角各亚节的长度几乎相似,只有鞭节第8亚节长度有显著差异。红腹毛蚊的触角感器共有4大类,即刺形感器、锥形感器、毛形感器和B?hm氏鬃毛。其中,雌性红腹毛蚊触角感器共有6种亚型,即刺形感器、毛形感器2型、锥形感器(1, 2和4型)和B?hm氏鬃毛;雄性红腹毛蚊触角感器共有5种亚型,即刺形感器、毛形感器1型、锥形感器(2和3型)和B?hm氏鬃毛。【结论】红腹毛蚊雌、雄成虫触角感器在种类、数量以及形态特征方面存在一定差异。本研究为进一步探究红腹毛蚊触角感器的生理功能及其行为活动的分子机制提供了形态学基础。     

A scanning electron microscope study of the stem structure in the West African Cane Palms (Calamoideae)

The canes of thirteen rattan taxa comprising two Calamus, three Eremospatha, five Laccosperma and three Oncocalamus were studied anatomically by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Six out of the taxa tagged L. secundiflorum a, b, c; Oncocalamus sp. d, Oncocalmus sp. e and Calamus sp. f were unresolved herbarium voucher specimens many decades old. SEM photomicrographs revealed cell‐tissue specific differences in anticlinal cell wall of the epidermis, fibrous sheaths, sheath parenchyma and phloem strands, leaf traces, and vessel diam‐ eter. Metaxylem vessel diameters varied between 20–212 µm in the outer peripheral zone and 90–310 µm in the central cylinder, except in L. secundiflorium c where the trend is reversed. Regression analysis of the metaxylem diameter values along radial distance shows large interspecific differences from central to outer cylinder. The weak R² values (P ≤ 0.5) in nine of the thirteen species suggests that other unmeasured variables contribute to the observed trend. The structure of the unresolved voucher specimens appear to follow the same general trend in the identified specimens suggestive of phenotypic divergence between po‐ pulations brought about by developmental plasti‐ city. The leaf trace observed in Oncocalamus sp. e is unique and deserved to be examined more closely. A simple arithmetical expression indicat‐ ing structural synergy between protoxylem and metaxylem for possible volume ratio balance is included. (© 2012 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Hemocyanin–antibody labeling of rhodopsin in mouse retina for a scanning electron microscope study

To reveal the presence of rhodopsin on the surface of the mouse retina, a scanning electron microscope study of the immunolabeling of rhodopsin was attempted. The glutaraldehyde-fixed mouse retina was treated first with rabbit antibodies specific against bovine rhodopsin and then with hemocynin-labeled goat antibodies specific against rabbit antibody. The distribution of hemocyanin label on mouse retina and the technique used for labeling are discussed.     

A scanning electron microscope study of normal and vitrified leaves from Datura insignis plantlets cultured in vitro

The surface anatomy of normal and vitreous leaves of plantlets obtained from Datura insignis Barb Rodr nodal segment cultures was compared using scanning electron microscopy. Normal and vitrified leaves are similar in several ways. They are both amphistomatic, and have similar distributions of glandular and non-glandular trichomes. Stomata have similar length, diameter and distribution in normal and vitreous plants. Immature stomata, which have closed pores, and plugged stomata, which contain an amorphous material between their guard cells, occur in both normal and vitrified leaves. Normal and vitreous leaves differ in the frequency of normal and abnormal stomata. Normal stomata have kidney-shaped guard cells and resemble closely those found in field-grown plants, whereas abnormal stomata have deformed guard cells. Normal stomata represent approximately 80% of the total number of stomata in normal leaves, but only 7% of the total number of stomata in vitreous leaves. Abnormal stomata represent 90% of the total number in vitreous leaves. The deformation of guard cells could possibly be a mechanical impediment to stomatal function.     

Microvascular anatomy of the esophagus in larval and adult Xenopus laevis Daudin: a scanning electron microscope study of microvascular corrosion casts and correlative light microscopy

Larval to adult microvascular anatomy of the esophagus was studied in the South African Clawed Toad, Xenopus laevis (Daudin) by scanning electron microscopy of vascular corrosion casts and correlative light microscopy of paraplast embedded stained tissue sections. Analyses of vascular corrosion casts of tadpole esophaguses at premetamorphosis revealed a wide‐meshed, but mature looking capillary bed which during following prometamorphosis increased in density and gained the adult‐like pattern during late metamorphic climax by sprouting and nonsprouting angiogenesis. In adult Xenopus, the esophageal mucosa possessed a dense subepithelial capillary bed fed by one or two esophageal arteries that originated from right and/or left thoracic aorta just distal to the origin of the subclavian arteries. In the adult undistended esophagus, esophageal arteries revealed an undulating course, a pattern that guarantees a continuous blood supply when the esophagus is extremely wide expanded as it is the case when adult Xenopus swallows large prey.     

Development of secondary sexual characters in the seabob shrimp Xiphopenaeus kroyeri (Heller 1862) (Crustacea,Decapoda, Penaeidae): a scanning electron microscope study

The development of secondary sexual characters, the petasma, and thelycum growth were studied in Xiphopenaeus kroyeri. In adult females, the thelycum is a single plate and its anterolateral portion is characterized by a reduced hood. The aperture resembles a transverse ridge. In immature stages, the ridge has a space between the plates, which becomes narrower as it reaches the end of development. The female gonopore is ‘comma’ shaped. In adult males, the endopods of the petasma are linked at the dorsomedial margin by a large quantity of cincinnuli. In juveniles, cincinnuli gradually increase in number until they join both endopods. At the end of development the petasma is T-shaped. The male gonopore is C-shaped. The relative growth of the petasma total length versus juvenile body length showed a highly positive allometry, whereas in adults the growth was isometric. For the relationship carapace length versus thelycum width, the juvenile phase of females is characterized by an isometry and the adult phase by a negative allometry.     

Geological habitat template overrides late Quaternary climate change as a determinant of range dynamics and phylogeography in some habitat‐specialist water beetles

Aim We investigated the roles of lithology and climate in constraining the ranges of four co‐distributed species of Iberian saline‐habitat specialist water beetles (Ochthebius glaber, Ochthebius notabilis, Enochrus falcarius and Nebrioporus baeticus) across the late Quaternary and in shaping their geographical genetic structure. The aim was to improve our understanding of the effects of past climate changes on the biota of arid Mediterranean environments and of the relative importance of history and landscape on phylogeographical patterns. Location Iberian Peninsula, Mediterranean. Methods We combined species distribution modelling (SDM) and comparative phylogeography. We used a multi‐model inference and model‐averaging approach both for assessment of range determinants (climate and lithology) and for provision of spatially explicit estimates of the species current and Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) potential ranges. Potential LGM distributions were then contrasted with the phylogeographical and population expansion patterns as assessed using mitochondrial DNA sequence data. We also evaluated the relative importance of geographical distance, habitat resistance and historical isolation for genetic structure in a causal modelling framework. Results Lithology poses a strong constraint on the distribution of Iberian saline‐habitat specialist water beetles, with a variable, but generally moderate, additional influence by climate. The degree to which potential LGM distributions were reduced and fragmented decreased with increasing importance of lithology. These SDM‐based suitability predictions were mostly congruent with phylogeographical and population genetic patterns across the study species, with stronger geographical structure in the genetic diversity of the more temperature‐sensitive species (O. glaber and E. falcarius). Furthermore, while historical isolation was the only factor explaining genetic structure in the more temperature‐sensitive species, lithology‐controlled landscape configuration also played an important role for those species with more lithology‐determined ranges (O. notabilis and N. baeticus). Main conclusions Our data show that lithology is an important constraint on the distribution and range dynamics of endemic Iberian saline‐habitat water beetles, in interaction with climate and long‐term climate change, and overrides the latter in importance for some species. Hence, geological landscape structure and long‐term history may codetermine the overall range and the distribution of genetic lineages in endemic species with specialized edaphic requirements.     

Skeletal development in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Acropora palmata</Emphasis> (Lamarck 1816): a scanning electron microscope (SEM) comparison demonstrating similar mechanisms of skeletal extension in axial versus encrusting growth

Many Acropora palmata colonies consist of an encrusting basal portion and erect branches. Linear growth of the skeleton results in extension along the substrate (encrusting growth), lengthening of branches (axial growth) and thickening of branches and crust (radial growth). Scanning Electron Microscopy is used to compare the mechanisms of skeletal extension between encrusting growth and axial growth. In encrusting growth, the distal margin of the skeleton lacks corallites (which develop about 1 mm from the edge); in contrast, in axial growth, axial corallites along the branch tip form the distal portion of the skeleton. In both locations, the distal margin of the skeleton consists of a lattice-like structure composed of rods that extend from the body of the skeleton and bars that connect these rods. An actively extending skeleton is characterized by sharply pointed rods and partially developed bars. Distal growth of rods (and formation of bars) is effected by the formation of new sclerodermites. Each sclerodermite begins with the deposition of fusiform crystals (that range in length from 1 to 5 μm). These provide a surface for nucleation and growth of spherulitic tufts, clusters of short (<1 μm long) aragonite needles. The needles that are oriented perpendicular to the axis of the skeletal element (rod or bar), and perpendicular to the overlying calicoblastic epithelium, continue extension to appear on the surface of the skeleton as 10–15 μm wide bundles (of needle tips) called fasciculi. However, some crusts that abut competitors for space have a different morphology of skeletal elements (rods and bars). The distal edge of these crusts terminates in blunt coalescing rods, and bars that are fully formed. Absence of fusiform crystals, lack of sharply pointed rods and bars, and full development of sclerodermites characterize a skeletal region that has ceased, perhaps only temporarily, skeletal extension.