GEOBASE: a simple geographical information system on a personal computer

Spatially distributed data are often encountered in the biologicalsciences. Representation and analysis of such data requiresspecific tools. A simple geographical information system ispresented, which allows representation and elementary analysisof geographically coded information. The system handles twokinds of data: maps and facts, where map data describe the basison which the fact data are located. Maps consist of objectsdescribed through a set of coordinates, while for facts a coordinatepair is associated with an unlimited number of data recordscontaining five fields: a date, an element from a list, a two-charactercode, an integer number and a real number. The input data canbe displayed interactively on screen by logically combiningselection criteria for each field. The facts corresponding tothe selected criteria are either displayed as such, or are clusteredand displayed as polygons or pies. A short example showing apossible application of the program is presented and advantagesas well as limitations are discussed. Received on January 16, 1990; accepted on December 21, 1990     

Finding hydrophobic microdomains using an object-oriented database

A procedure for finding clusters of adjacent residues in proteinhydrophobic cores—hydrophobic microdomains—has beenproposed by Plochocka et al. A program is presented that findshydrophobic microdomains, making use of protein structure datastored in an object-oriented database and the list-processingfeatures of Prolog. Alternative definitions for hydrophobicmicrodomains are explored. Results are presented for haemoglobin. Received on January 15, 1990; accepted on June 28, 1990     

KARYOTYPES OF FIVE SUBANTARCTIC BIVALVE SPECIES

Chromosomes of five subantarctic species were studied from mitoticmetaphases using cell suspension techniques. Among the Protobranchia,Malletiagigan-lea has a diploid chromosome number of 2n = 38with five metacentric, seven submetacentric, five sub-telocentricand one telocentric pairs, and Yoldia (Aequiyoldia) woodwardialso shows 2n = 38 but with ten metacentric, six submetacentricand three sub-telocentric pairs. Among the Lamellibranchia,the pterioidan Limatula pygmaea has 2n = 38 with six metacentric,eleven submetacentric and two sub-telocentric pairs, the veneroidanCyclocardia astar-toides has 2n = 30 with five metacentric andten telocentric pairs and the anomalodesmatan Laternula ellipticahas 2n = 40 with two metacentric, one submetacentric, two subtelocentricand fifteen telocentric pairs. Our results indicate that in all the Nuculoidea studied so far,a diploid number of 2n = 38 has been found. In addition, thekaryotypes show a close overall appearance in relative lengthswith a majority of meta-centric-submetacentric chromosomes.The species differ in the proportion of the different morphologicaltypes of chromosomes. In the Lamellibranchia, each species correspondsto a particular case within their respective orders (Pterioida,Veneroida, Anomalodesmata). (Received 22 January 1990; accepted 28 March 1990)     

Two Hypercard calculators for molecular biology

Two calculators built in Macintosh Hypercard are described.GelFragSizer estimates and plots DNA restriction fragment sizes,using the local reciprocal or cubic spline methods. Enzyme Kineticsestimates the Michaelis–Menton rate parameters for enzyme–catalyzedreactions, and plots data versus estimated curve in a varietyof formats. These stacks help to demonstrate the ease and sophisticationof calculation tools that scientists can develop with Hypercard. Received on January 16, 1990; accepted on January 24, 1990     

FURTHER STUDIES ON THE TAXONOMY AND BIOLOGY OF THE OCTOCORAL-FEEDING GENUS PHYLLODESMIUM EHRENBERG, 1831 (NUDIBRANCHIA: AEOLIDOIDEA)

The aeolid nudibranch genus Phyllodesmium (Mollusca: Gastropoda)is reviewed, three new species are described and further informationon the biology, anatomy and distribution on the eight previouslyknown species is reported. The genus Ennoia Bergh, 1896 is considereda synonym of Phyllodesmium and the type species Ennoia briareusredescribed. The genus Phyllodesmium is unique amongst the aeolidsin feeding on octocoral cnidarians. This has led to the evolutionof nudibranch- zooxanthellae symbioses, zooanthellae being obtainedfrom the octocoral prey. The adaptations developed throughoutthe genus are described and possible relationships between thespecies proposed. (Received 6 January 1990; accepted 20 May 1990)     

Winter distribution and population change of Red-crested Pochard Netta rufina in southwestern and central Europe

Under the African-Eurasian Waterbird Agreement (AEWA) of the Convention on Migratory Animals (Bonn Convention), the Red-crested Pochard Netta rufina has a high conservation priority in Europe. This is particularly the case for the southwest/central European flyway population, which is considerably smaller than the southeast European and Asian ones. Data from the International Waterbird Census from 1967 to 1994 indicate that the flyway population has remained at a similar level between the mid-1980s and mid- 1990s, but is likely to be smaller than it was in the 1970s. Population size in January is estimated to be between 25 000 and 30 000 individuals. In winter, the Red-crested Pochard is concentrated at a small number of sites. In the period 1985–94, 75% of the population were observed at the six main sites: Laguna de Gallocanta, Albufera de Valencia, Delta del Ebro, Marismas del Guadalquivir (all in Spain), Camargue (France) and Lac de Neuchâtel (Switzerland). In January, 39 sites held ≥1% of the population at least once between 1975 and 1994. The Red-crested Pochard has recently shown a marked change in its winter distribution, and two patterns emerged: (1) a shift from the western Mediterranean to the region north of the Alps; and (2) the use of a greater number of sites.     

Ecology of hoolock gibbon of Bangladesh

Of the nine known species of gibbon,Hylobates hoolock is found in the evergreen and semi-evergreen forests of Bangladesh. It is monogamous, living in groups of 2–5, each group maintaining its territory, in a home range of 30–35 ha. The day range varies from 600m to 1600m. Detailed study on this gibbon has not been conducted. Therefore, a study on the ecology and behaviour of this species was made between February 1990 and January 1991. The gibbon spends 39% of the daytime in feeding, 25% in moving, 26% in resting, 4% in calling, and 6% in other social activities. They are completely arboreal and are mainly frugivorous. The total number of this species is unlikely to exceed 200. They are in danger due to their habitat destruction.     

Storms affecting Crested TitParus cristatus social organization

In January 1990 and November 1993, a series of heavy storms dramatically reduced the number of locally-surviving Crested Tits in a pine forest near Antwerp (Belgium). The number of individually-marked residents, resighted immediately after the storms, was 2 of 29 (7 %; 1990) and 12 of 78 (15 %; 1993). Both in 1990 and 1993, a number of residents was resighted in adjacent areas, and I argue that their choice to return to the former territory or settle in a vacant one depended on the costs and benefits of homing behaviour in relation to the timing of the storm and territoriality. Since in 1990, all resighted birds were found scattered in a direction perpendicular to the main wind direction, I suggest that storms cause forced dispersal, similar to irruptive migration, which could be triggered by hormone secretion.

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Zusammenfassung Eine Reihe heftiger Stürme reduzierte im Januar 1990 und November 1993 in einem Kiefernwald nahe Antwerpen die Zahl überlebender Haubenmeisen beträchtlich. Von individuell gekennzeichneten Vögeln wurden unmittelbar nach einem Sturm 1990 2 von 29 (7 %) und 1993 12 von 78 (15 %) wieder kontrolliert. In beiden Jahren tauchten aber Standvögel der Population in der Umgebung auf. Rückkkehr ins ehemalige Revier oder Ansiedlung in einem verwaisten mag von der Kosten-Nutzen-Relation des Heimkehrverhaltens in Verbindung mit dem Zeitpunkt von Sturm und Stadium des Territorialverhaltens bestimmt sein. Seit 1990 wurden alle wieder kontrollierten Vögel in Abständen etwa senkrecht zur Hauptwindrichtung wiedergefunden. Ich vermute, daß die Stürme Dipersion erzwangen, die ähnlich wie Irruptionen durch Hormonsekretion ausgelöst werden.

     

Moulting starvation in emperor penguin (Aptenodytes forsten) chicks

Summary The moult fast in emperor penguin (Aptenodytes forsteri) chicks was studied during January 1990 at Drescher Inlet, eastern Weddell Sea. In early January feeding of the chicks had stopped and about 4,000–5,000 chicks were in the inlet. The number of starving chicks decreased rapidly until 26 January when all chicks had either left the inlet or died. Mean body mass loss of starving chicks was 257 g/day and the evaluated specific daily mass loss was 25 g/kg body mass. The critical body mass, i.e. the mass below which chicks die, during moulting starvation was estimated to be 4 kg. Mean body mass was higher and mass loss lower in chicks at more advanced moult stages. Chicks left the inlet before moult was completed, although the sea-ice was still stable.     

Shift in pike, Esox lucius L., predation pressure following the introduction of ruffe, Gymnocephalus cernuus (L.) to Loch Lomond

Rapid and dramatic change in the fish community of Loch Lomond has resulted from a series of fish introductions in recent years. A comparison of the diet of pike, Esox lucius L., in 1989–1990 with data from 1955–1967, prior to recent introductions, demonstrates a shift in prey choice. In 1955–1967 powan, Coregonus lavaretus (L.), dominated in the diet (57% of prey by number) by 1989–1990 the introduced ruffe, Gymnocephalus cernuus (L.), was the commonest prey species (44% by number). This shift in pike predation to an abundant population of introduced ruffe has consequences for native species. Assuming that the pike population has not increased in response to increased food availability due to the introduction of ruffe, pike predation pressure on native species will be relieved. This is likely to have the greatest effect on powan. Comparison of the predation rate in 1955–1967 with 1989–1990 supports the hypothesis that the rate of predation on powan has declined, although the effect that this may have on the powan population is unclear, as the role of predation in the regulation of population size is unknown for this species.     

HAMINAEA TEMPLADOI, A NEW SPECIES OF CEPHALASPIDEAN OPISTHOBRANCH FROM THE ATLANTIC IBERIAN COAST

A new species of Haminaea from the Southern Iberian Peninsulais described. Haminaea templadoi is characterized by the presenceof a penis with an apical semispherical crest provided by tensmall transverse folds and a well developed lateral lobe. Theshell has a sculptured surface with growth lines crossed bysmall transverse folds. (Received 20 October 1990; accepted 24 January 1991)     

A potential impact of climate change and water resource development on the transmission of Schistosoma japonicum in China

There is growing consensus among climate modellers that the unusual global warming observed in the last decades of the 20th century is primarily forced by human activities, namely greenhouse gas increases in the atmosphere. Global warming will trigger alterations in physical and biological systems, including shifts in the spatio-temporal distribution of disease vectors, but the nature and extent of these changes are poorly understood. The purpose of the present study was to assess the potential impact of climate change and water resource development on the distribution of Oncomelania hupensis, the intermediate host snail of Schistosoma japonicum. We employed two 30-year composite datasets comprising average monthly temperatures collected at 623 observing stations throughout China, spanning the periods 1961-1990 and 1971-2000. Temperature changes were assessed spatially between the 1960s and 1990s for January, as this is the critical month for survival of O. hupensis. Our database shows that January temperatures increased at 590 stations (94.7%), and that China's average January temperature in the 1990s was 0.96 degrees C higher than 30 years earlier. The historical 0-1 degrees C January isotherm, which was considered the approximate northern limit of S. japonicum transmission, has shifted from 33 degrees 15' N to 33 degrees 41' N, expanding the potential transmission area by 41,335 km2. This translates to an additional 20.7 million people at risk of schistosomiasis. Two lakes are located in this new transmission area that form part of the proposed South-North water transfer project. Climate change, coupled with water resource developments in China, may pose additional challenges for the control of schistosomiasis.     

Spatial variability in the abundance of the corallivorous gastropod Drupella cornus

The corallivorous gastropod Drupella has been responsible for extensive coral mortality on a number of reefs in the Indo-West Pacific region. Seasonal and spatial variability in the abundance of juvenile (<2.0 cm shell length) and adult (>2.0 cm) Drupella cornus along the Ningaloo Reef, Western Australia, were documented during 1990/1991. Numbers of D. cornus were found to vary significantly between the different sites and reef habitats sampled, with the highest numbers recorded at a backreef edge site at the southern end of the reef. There was no evidence that the densities of D. cornus varied seasonally, although size-frequency distributions suggest that there may have been a recruitment peak in January/February 1991 following a major spawning event in November/December 1990. Drupella cornus were found predominantly on Acropora species with a caespitose/corymbose growth form; however the abundance of these corals at different sites did not explain the observed distribution patterns of the gastropod. Drupella cornus recruits (<1.0 cm shell length) frequently occurred on corals which were also occupied by larger conspecifics, suggesting that either larval settlement or post-settlement survival were increased in the presence of adult D. cornus.     

Airborne pollen concentration in Ankara,Turkey 1990–1993

Atmospheric pollen was collected with a Burkard spore trap in Ankara, Turkey, from January 1990 to January 1993. A total of 135.787 grains/m³ belonging to 47 taxa were observed. The local pollen season started in February in 1990 and 1991 and in March in 1992. Relatively low pollen concentrations were recorded in 1990 and 1992, probably because of precipitation and low wind speed in the spring. A relatively high pollen concentration was recorded in 1991 which could be caused by higher wind speed in the spring and more precipitation during the winter. Cupressaceae/Taxaceae, Pinaceae, Gramineae, Betula, Moraceae, Platanus, Populus, Acer, Quercus, Chenopodiaceae/Amaranthaceae, Plantago, Rumex are found to be the dominant pollen types in the atmosphere in Ankara. The pollen composition generally reflects the vegetation of gardens, parks and roadsides, while the natural steppe vegetation of the area around Ankara is not properly represented.     

Groupe d'etude Des Rythmes Biologiques (Societe Francophone De Chronobiologie)

The Groupe d'Etude des Rythmes Biologiques (GERB) held its annual meeting in Paris (25-26 January, 1990). Keeping with the objectives defined when it was founded, the Group proposed a small number of lectures, each devoted to a particular field of rhythmicity, and opened its tribune to free communications provided that they had been accepted by the referees.     

SOMAP: a novel interactive approach to multiple protein sequences alignment

A novel interactive method for generating multiple protein sequencealignments is described. The program has no internal limit tothe number or length of sequences it can handle and is designedfor use with DEC VAX processors running the VMS operating system.The approach used is essentially one of manual sequence manipulation,aided by built-in symbolic displays of identities and similarities,and strict and ‘fuzzy’ (ambiguous) pattern-matchingfacilities. Additional flexibility is provided by means of aninterface to a publicly available automatic alignment systemand to a comprehensive sequence analysis package. Received on August 28, 1990; accepted on November 20, 1990     

Population dynamics of Melanoides tuberculata (Thiaridae) snails in a desert spring,United Arab Emirates and infection with larval trematodes

A dense population of Melanoides tuberculata was found at a brackish (5.93–6.98%) desert spring in the United Arab Emirates. A total of 232–300 snails were measured and examined for larval trematodes during the period January 1990 to January 1991. The relative abundance of various size classes of the snail has shown that the mass release of young snails occurred twice a year, in April–May and September–October. Seven different forms of cercariae were found: A xiphidiocercaria, a brevifurcate cercaria, two pleurolophocercous cercariae, two gymnocephalous cercariae, and the cercaria of Philophthalmus gralli. The overall infection rate of this snail was 73.6% and ranged from 51.3 during February–March 1990 to 91.7% during January 1991. The xiphidiocercaria and the P. gralli cercaria were the most abundant and were found in 21.1% and 29.7%, respectively, of the examined snails. A relatively high rate (9.5%) of double infection was found. Cases of triple infection were also encountered.     

SIZE-ASSORTATIVE MATING IN A NATURAL POPULATION OF VIVIPARUS ATER (GASTROPODA: PROSOBRANCHIA) IN LAKE ZURICH, SWITZERLAND

The number of mating pairs, the size of the mating partners,and the distribution of individuals of Vivi-parus ater on agrid in Lake Zürich were recorded during one breeding seasonin 1990. There was positive assortative mating with respectto shell size. The proportion of copulating individuals rangedfrom 1% to 6% (average 3%) of the active population at any onetime. Individual snails copulated 60 times on average from Apriluntil November. Snails were abundant and copulated in shallowwater close to the shore in Spring. They moved towards deeperareas in Autumn. V. ater copulated on all substrates at anydepth (1–9 m)of the grid. The spatial distribution ofcopulations throughout the summer reflected the pattern of snailabundance. (Received 29 January 1993; accepted 14 November 1994)     

A BASIC microcomputer program for prediction of B and T cell epitopes in proteins

A BASIC microcomputer program (EPIPLOT) has been developed forpredicting B and T cell antigenic sites in proteins from theirprimary structures. The program calculates and plots flexibility,hydrophilicity and antigenicity profiles using 13 differentscales, chosen as those yielding the best predictions on proteinswhose antigenic structures are known. T cell epitope predictionis basedon published algorithms focused on amphiphilic structuresand characteristic sequence patterns. The advantages of jointpredictions in locating T cell antigenic sites are also discussed. Received on December 12, 1989; accepted on January 31, 1990