Recruitment patterns of scleractinian corals in an isolated sub-tropical reef system

The density of recruits of scleractinian corals on settlement plates at Lord Howe Island, a small isolated sub-tropical island 630 km off the Australian coastline, was within the range of values reported for comparable studies on the Great Barrier Reef. However, there was a difference in the relative abundance of taxonomic groups, with recruitment at Lord Howe Island during the summer of 1990/91 dominated by corals from the Family Pocilloporidae, Family Poritidae, and sub-genus Acropora (Isopora) (in order of abundance). By contrast, on the Great Barrier Reef, recruits are generally predominantly species from the Family Acroporidae (other than the Acropora (Isopora) group). Both the recruits and the established coral communities at Lord Howe Island are dominanted by corals which release brooded planulae, as opposed to the pattern of mass-spawning with external fertilisation more typical of Great Barrier Reef corals. I hypothesise that the release of brooded planulae would be advantageous in an isolated reef community because (a) brooded larvae can travel large distances and survive the journey to the isolated reef and/or (b) brooded larvae have a shorter period before they are competent to settle and are therefore more likely to be retained on the parental reef once a population has been established.     

The polytene chromosomes in the fat body nuclei ofDrosophila melanogaster

A photo-map of the polytene chromosomes of fat body nuclei from third instar larvae ofDrosophila melanogaster has been constructed and keyed to the revised salivary gland maps of Bridges (1938), Bridges and Bridges (1939) and Bridges (1941a, b, 1942). Apparent variations in banding pattern are discussed in the light of current studies on polytene chromosome structure and function.     

A mathematical model of selection, including the energy metabolism of organisms, as an instrument for researching the evolutionary process

A system simulating the selection conditions for studying the consequences arising from the differences in metabolism rates of the individuals (E-system) has been described. The E-system is a constructive expression of indirect individual elimination (Shmal'gauzen, 1939). The notion of energy exchange and general nonselective elimination as conjugated evolutionary factors has been proposed. The partial elimination has been connected with the known ecological generalization, the temporal decrease of negative interactions. The study demonstrated the ability to use the E-system as a heuristic tool for studying the theory of evolution.     

Beiträge zur Atmung der Fische. III

Ohne ZusammenfassungFür stetes Entgegenkommen während unseres Aufenthaltes in Tihany danken wir aufrichtigst den Herren Direktoren und allen Damen und Herren des Instituts. Untersuchungen im Rahmen des Deutsch-Ungarischen Kulturaustausches und mit Mitteln der Deutschen Forschungsgemeinschaft.Dass. I. Zool. Anz. 127 (1939). — Dass. II. Zool. Anz. 127 (1939). — Dass. III. Z. vergl. Physiol. 27 (1939).     

The recovery programme for the Lord Howe Island Phasmid (Dryococelus australis) following its rediscovery

Summary   Until its rediscovery on Balls Pyramid in February 2001, the Lord Howe Island Phasmid or Stick Insect ( Dryococelus australis ) was thought to be extinct. It disappeared from Lord Howe Island soon after the accidental introduction of the Ship Rat ( Rattus rattus ) in 1918. In this paper, we report on the recovery actions undertaken for this critically endangered species since its rediscovery. Monitoring of the small surviving population on Balls Pyramid has shown it to fluctuate between about 9 and 35 adult individuals. As a safeguard against extinction, two adult pairs were removed from Balls Pyramid in February 2003 to establish captive populations in Melbourne and Sydney. Although all four founders bred readily in captivity, one pair died only a month after capture. The second female would have also died soon after capture had it not been for veterinary intervention using novel untested techniques. The single surviving pair bred successfully but the hatch rate of eggs was poor. For the next generation, both fecundity and hatch rates were low. The lack of knowledge regarding the specific husbandry requirements of this particular species undoubtedly contributed to these problems. Careful management, together with a cautious scientific approach, eventually led to all problems being resolved. Presently, there are more than 700 individuals and 14 000 eggs in captivity. Approximately 80% of incubated eggs are expected to hatch. To establish additional captive colonies, adults and eggs have been sent to other institutions, both within Australia and overseas. Now that the species is reasonably secure in captivity, the opportunity exists to reintroduce this iconic insect back onto Lord Howe Island, but this can occur only after the introduced rodents have been removed. A programme to eradicate both the Ship Rat and the House Mouse ( Mus musculus ) from Lord Howe Island is currently being developed.     

Pelagic larval duration is similar across 23° of latitude for two species of butterflyfish (Chaetodontidae) in eastern Australia

Duration of the pelagic phase of benthic marine fishes has been related to dispersal distance, with longer pelagic larval duration (PLD) expected to result in greater dispersal potential. Here, we examine PLDs of 2 species of coral-reef butterflyfish (Chaetodon auriga and C. flavirostris) across latitudes (14°S–37°S) along the Great Barrier Reef into south-eastern Australia; we predict that PLD will be higher for fish collected below the breeding latitudes of 24°S. For C. auriga, apart from significantly longer PLDs at Lord Howe Island and Jervis Bay (means of 54 and 52 days, respectively), all locations had similar PLDs (mean 41 days). For C. flavirostris, there was no significant location effect on PLD (mean 41.5 days); however, PLD at Lord Howe Island was 58 days with high variance precluding significance. Also, there was no significant variation in PLD among years for either species despite considerable variation in East Australian Current strength.     

The Lord Howe Island Biodiversity Management Plan: An integrated approach to recovery planning

Summary   The Lord Howe Island Biodiversity Management Plan targeted significant species for the Lord Howe Island Group and formed the recovery plan for 30 threatened species and one endangered ecological community. The plan addressed threats and management actions relevant to the Lord Howe Island Group's overall biodiversity, with a particular focus on rare and significant species and communities. The Biodiversity Management Plan approach enabled holistic and cost-effective planning for the management of biodiversity on Lord Howe Island. We describe the approach, as applied to Lord Howe Island, including the utilization of expert and community knowledge, species research data and GIS innovations.     

Differentiation between African Leydigia ciliata Gauthier, 1939 and Neotropical L. cf. striata Birabén, 1939 (Chydoridae, Anomopoda, Cladocera)

We investigated the morphology and variability of Leydigia ciliata Gauthier, 1939 (Chydoridae, Anomopoda, Cladocera) from Africa and of Leydigia cf. ciliata from the Americas, using optical microscope and SEM. Some differences, predominantly in limb armature, between African and Neotropical populations were revealed. Probably, the name L. striata Birabén, 1939 must be used for Neotropical populations, but this opinion must be confirmed by re-examination of topotypical material (Puerto de La Plata, Argentina). The confused situation in the systematics of the Leydigia acanthocercoides-ciliata complex is confirmed and some characters previously applied to the discrimination of L. ciliata Gauthier, 1939 from L. acanthocercoides (Fischer, 1854), are discussed.     

Divergent introduction histories among invasive populations of the delicate skink ( Lampropholis delicata): has the importance of genetic admixture in the success of biological invasions been overemphasized?

Aim

Invasive species are predicted to experience a reduction in genetic diversity during the introduction process because of founder effects, yet they are able to successfully establish in new regions and outcompete the native biota. Admixture has been proposed as a potential solution to this genetic paradox. We adopted a phylogeographic approach to investigate the invasion history of the delicate skink ( Lampropholis delicata) in the Pacific region and test the hypothesis that admixture is important for the success of biological invasions.

Location

Eastern Australia and the Pacific region (Lord Howe Island, New Zealand, Hawaii).

Methods

We obtained mitochondrial DNA sequence data ( ND2, ND4) from across the native Australian range (238 samples, 120 populations) and 371 samples from the introduced range of L. delicata. Genetic distances and Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) were used to examine the level of genetic variation across the native and introduced ranges.

Results

Fourteen haplotypes were evident in the introduced range (1 in Hawaii, 7 in New Zealand, 7 in Lord Howe Island), with a shared haplotype present in both New Zealand and Lord Howe Island. Five source regions were identified (Brisbane, Tenterfield, Border Ranges, Yamba‐Coffs Harbour, Sydney) from across four distinct native‐range genetic lineages. The Hawaiian population stems from a single introduction from Brisbane, whereas one or more introductions from the Tenterfield region led to the New Zealand populations. Multiple introductions from across all five source regions have resulted in extreme admixture (up to 8.3% sequence divergence) within Lord Howe Island.

Main Conclusions

L. delicata introductions are capable of being successful both in the presence and absence of admixture. Contrary to the predictions of the sequential two‐step model, the presence of admixture was not related to the time since initial introduction. We suggest that the importance of admixture in determining the success of biological invasions has been overemphasized.

     

Determining host plant preferences for the critically endangered Lord Howe Island stick insect (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Dryococelus australis</Emphasis>) to assist reintroduction

The Lord Howe Island stick insect (Dryococelus australis) is one of the world’s rarest insects. However, the opportunity to reintroduce the species to Lord Howe Island, and commence the path to recovery, may occur within the next 5 years. Understanding the insect’s host plant and habitat preferences on Lord Howe Island is critical to maximising the likelihood of reintroduction success. However, very little ecological information was documented before the species became extinct on the island in the 1930s. Here we examine the Lord Howe Island stick insect’s preference for potential host plants, a key aspect of habitat suitability. We conducted preference trials using 15 common plant species found on Lord Howe Island. Both nymphs and adults consumed some but not all of these plant species. Nymphs were able to survive on 7 of these 15 plants for the duration of the 26-day trials although failed to survive on some of the plants most preferred by adults. Overall, these data reveal that there are numerous plants on Lord Howe Island that the stick insect can consume, though their suitability varies with different developmental stages of the insect. These data are encouraging for any future reintroduction attempts and would greatly aid the selection and monitoring of release sites.     

New species of the tenebrionid genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Menimus</Emphasis> sharp, 1876 (Coleoptera,Tenebrionidae) from southern Palaearctic

Three new species of the genus Menimus are described from Yunnan Province, China. Over 70 species of Menimus are distributed in the tropical and subtropical zones from India to Oceania and New Zealand. A new subgenus, Sinomenimus subgen. n., is erected with the type species M. kabaki sp. n. characterized by the absence of eyes and by the presence of the spermatheca and sharp depression at the posterior margin of the thoracic metasternite. The following new synonymy is established: Menimus Sharp, 1876 = Neomenimus Kaszab, 1939, syn. n., with the following new combinations resulting: Menimus clavatus (Kaszab, 1939) = Neomenimus clavatus Kaszab, 1939, comb, n.; Menimus biroi (Kaszab, 1939) = Neomenimus biroi Kaszab, 1939, comb, n.; Menimus setosus (Kaszab, 1939) = Neomenimus setosus Kaszab, 1939, comb, n.; Menimus brevissimus (Kaszab, 1939) = Neomenimus brevissimus Kaszab, 1939, comb. n.     

Der mikrobielle Abbau der Aminosäuren

Ohne ZusammenfassungFrühere Zusammenfassungen: Janke (1930); Franke (1939).     

Progestin receptors and the activation of female reproductive behavior: A critical review

Gonadal steroid hormones act upon the central nervous system (CNS) to regulate a variety of behavioral and neuroendocrine functions. Much attention has been focused on the mechanisms by which steroids interact with the brain to coordinate mammalian reproduction, particularly their role in the activation of mating behavior and in the feedback control of gonadotropin release. For example, female rodent reproductive behavior is abolished within a day or two following gonadectomy (Powers, 1970) and can be restored in a dose-dependent manner by exogenously administered estradiol and progesterone ( Boling and Blandau, 1939; Beach, 1942; Whalen, 1974). The molecular mechanisms underlying steroid induction of female rodent sexual behavior have been extensively investigated (for recent reviews see Feder, Landau, and Walker, 1979; McEwen, Davis, Parsons, and Pfaff, 1979; McEwen, 1981; Feder, 1984). To date, however, there is little conclusive evidence regarding the details of the molecular mechanisms by which estradiol and progesterone facilitate estrous behavior.     

Wuchsstoffversuche mit Reben

Ohne ZusammenfassungMit 8 TextabbildungenI. Teil: Gartenbauwiss.19, 127–153 (1939).     

First data on the shell structure of the Early Cretaceous (Berriasian) rhynchonellids from Crimea

The shell structure of the Early Cretaceous rhynchonellids from Crimea has not been previously studied. First data on the shell structure of Berriasian rhynchonellids from the family Praecyclothyrididae Makridin, 1964 from southwestern and central Crimea are presented. Sulcirhynchia semenovi (Moisseev, 1939), S. berriasensis (Lobacheva, 1980), S. gracilis (Lobacheva, 1977), Belbekella airgulensis Moisseev, 1939, B. mutabilis Lobacheva, 1983, B. minor Lobacheva, 1983 and partly Lamellaerhynchia rectimarginata (Smirnova, 1972) are studied. The shell wall of most species consists of three layers: external (finely or coarsely crystalline), fibrous, and prismatic layers. The layers are usually strongly recrystallized, especially external and prismatic layers. New fibers were formed by repeated dichotomy of ridges in different areas of the fibrous layer independently of the distance from the anterior margin.     

The discovery of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Caligus</Emphasis><Emphasis Type="Italic">temnodontis</Emphasis> Brian, 1924 (Copepoda: Caligidae) from the bluefish <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pomatomus saltatrix</Emphasis> (Linnaeus) in the eastern Mediterranean Sea

The temnodontis variety of Caligus mauritanicus Brian, 1924 described by Brian (1924) is a valid species known only from a single host species, Pomatomus saltatrix (Linnaeus). New material of this species has been examined from the same host fish caught from Abuqir Bay, Alexandria (Egypt), from Iskenderun Bay (Turkey) and from off the coast of South Africa. Using this material, C. temnodontis Brian, 1924 is redescribed and compared with related species. It is most closely related to the Indo-Pacific species C. pagrosomi Yamaguti, 1939.     

Why a Symposium on Biology at Johns Hopkins?

From its inception in 1876, Johns Hopkins University has stoodout as an institution where the laboratory and experimentationhave been accorded the highest respect and priority, and wherethe most capable people have been chosen to occupy positionsof authority. The first president of the University, DanielGilman, was able to guide and shape the university unencumberedby outside influences and began the tradition of hiring thebest men to work with him. H. N. Martin and W. K. Brooks inbiology were two of these leaders in the early period of theuniversity (1876–1908). During the middle years (1909–1939), expansion dilutedfaculty and diverted them away from research and toward teaching.Herbert Spencer Jennings headed the Zoology Department duringthis middle period and in spite of the general trend away fromquality research activities, maintained a standard of excellencein his department. Another leader during this period and onewhom some consider more influential than Jennings was BurtonE. Livingston, chairman ofthe Plant Physiology Department. The modern period began in 1939 and saw some rebuilding of thebiological sciences after World War II, combining of the Zoology,Botany, and Plant Physiology Departments into one Biology Department,the building of the Mergenthaler Laboratory for Biology, themodernization of the department into one oriented toward molecularbiology, and a host of quality appointments. Most of these accomplishmentscan be attributed to H. B. Willier who headed the departmentfrom 1940 to 1955. Presently the Department of Biology at Johns Hopkins Universityis one of this country's leading centers of molecular biology.     

Grateloupia turuturu (Halymeniaceae,Rhodophyta) is the correct name of the non-native species in the Atlantic known as Grateloupia doryphora

Grateloupia doryphora (Montagne) Howe, originally described from Peru, has repeatedly been reported as an invasive species in Atlantic and Mediterranean waters. Various attempts to explain this species' route of introduction have been unsatisfactory. New evidence from comparative rbcL sequence analysis and morphology suggests that this adventive species in the NE and NW Atlantic corresponds with G. turuturu Yamada, originally described from Japan. This provenance follows a well-recognized trend of invasive marine organisms that have colonized the Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea from Pacific NE Asia.