Reproductive behavior in the squid Sepioteuthis australis from South Australia: interactions on the spawning grounds

Squid behavior is synonymous with distinctive body patterns, postures, and movements that constitute a complex visual communication system. These communications are particularly obvious during reproduction. They are important for sexual selection and have been identified as a potential means of species differentiation. Here we present a detailed account of copulation, mating, and egg deposition behaviors from in situ observations of the squid Sepioteuthis australis from South Australia. We identified four mating types from 85 separate mating attempts: "Male-upturned mating" (64% of mating attempts); "Sneaker mating" (33%); "Male-parallel" (2%); and "Head-to-head" (1%). Intervals between successive egg deposition behaviors were clearly bimodal, with modes at 2.5 s and 70.0 s. Ninety-three percent of egg capsules contained 3 or 4 eggs (mean = 3.54), and each egg cluster contained between 218 and 1922 egg capsules (mean = 893.9). The reproductive behavior of S. australis from South Australia was different from that described for other cephalopod species. More importantly, comparison between these results and those for other populations of S. australis suggests that behavior may differ from one population to another.     

Lizards combine stored energy and recently acquired nutrients flexibly to fuel reproduction

1. Energy allocation strategies for reproduction are viewed typically as a continuum between reliance on 'income' (recently acquired energy) vs. 'capital' (stored reserves) for fuelling reproduction. Because ectothermy facilitates long-term energy storage and often involves low feeding rates, traditional views suggest that many ectotherms rely heavily on stored reserves for egg production. 2. We explored the temporal relationship between energy intake and expenditure in a multi-clutching lizard (Amphibolurus muricatus) by evaluating the effect of maternal nutrition on reproductive output and by contrasting delta(13)C measurements of the maternal diet and endogenous energy stores with that of the eggs produced. 3. Our experiment revealed that females utilize both endogenous energy stores and recently acquired food to fuel reproduction; this pattern did not shift seasonally from first to second clutches produced. Importantly, however, egg lipid was derived primarily from capital, whereas egg protein was derived about equally from both income and capital. 4. Overall, these results suggest that the energy allocation strategy used for reproduction differs among egg components, and that the use of recently acquired energy for reproduction may be more widespread in ectotherms than thought previously.     

寄主植物对赭色鸟喙象取食、发育和繁殖的影响

本文对甘蔗赭色鸟喙象OtidognathusrubricepsChevrolat在甘蔗、玉米、竹子和类芦上的取食、发育和繁殖作了比较研究。结果表明 :成虫趋向取食甘蔗、在甘蔗上产卵 ;每雌产卵量、产卵历期、成虫寿命和卵孵化率以甘蔗为最高、最长 ,然后依次为类芦、玉米、竹子。甘蔗最有利于该虫的取食、发育和繁殖。     

Male contributions to egg production: the role of accessory gland products and sperm in Drosophila melanogaster

Drosophila melanogatser seminal fluid components, accessory gland proteins (Acps) and sperm, induce females to deposit high numbers of fertilized eggs for about 11 days. This high and sustained level of egg deposition requires that oogenesis be stimulated to provide the necessary mature oocytes. To investigate the relative timing and contributions of Acps and sperm in the egg-production process, we examined the rates of oogenic progression and egg deposition in females mated to genetically altered males that have seminal fluid deficient in Acps and/or sperm, and subjected these data to path analysis. We found that Acps and sperm are complementary stimuli necessary for inducing high rates of oogenic progression and rapid egg deposition. While egg deposition and oogenic progression can be induced by Acps alone, both Acps and sperm are required for maximum stimulation of oogenic progression and egg deposition immediately after mating.     

Omnivory in the calanoid copepod Temora longicornis: feeding, egg production and egg hatching rates

We measured in laboratory experiments the ingestion, egg production and egg hatching rates of female Temora longicornis as a function of diet. The diets consisted of a diatom (Thalassiosira weissflogii), an autotrophic dinoflagellate (Heterocapsa triquetra), and a bacterivorous ciliate (Uronema sp.) given as sole foods, or combinations of these single-food items: diatom+dinoflagellate, diatom+ciliate, dinoflagellate+ciliate, and diatom+ciliate+dinoflagellate. For the three single-item diets, the functional response was similar; i.e., ingestion rate increased linearly with food concentration (food range: ∼25 to ∼600 μg C l⁻¹). When all diets were considered, maximum daily carbon ration (∼70% of body weight) was independent of food type. However, the maximum daily egg production rate (12% of body carbon) was obtained with the diatom diet. For all diets, both ingestion and egg production rates increased with food concentration. Ingestion and egg production rates were affected differently by the interaction of food concentration and food type: at low food concentrations, ingestion rates were highest on diets containing the diatom. At high food concentrations, egg production rates were highest on the two phytoplankter diets and their combination. The presence of the ciliate in the diet did not enhance ingestion rate or egg production. Mixed-food diets did not enhance egg production relative to single-food diets. Hence, dietary diversity did not appear to be particularly advantageous for reproduction. Carbon-specific egg production efficiency (EPE; egg production/ingestion) was independent of food concentration and type, and equaled 9%. Egg hatching success was low (mean<30%) and independent of food concentration and type, and egg production rates. Our results are consistent with previous observations that egg production in T. longicornis is enhanced during diatom blooms. However, the relatively low EPE and egg hatching success suggest that reproduction and recruitment in this study were severely constrained by the biochemical composition of the diet, or the physiological condition of the females towards the end of their season of growth in Long Island Sound.     

Growth or reproduction? Resource allocation by female frogs<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Rana temporaria</Emphasis>

The decision how to allocate marginal resources to reproduction and growth can have important effects on associated life-history parameters as well as on population dynamics. In addition to showing variation among individuals in a population, such allocation rules may be either condition-dependent or fixed in different individuals. While many studies on anuran amphibians have focused on egg numbers and egg sizes in females of different sizes, virtually no data exist on the relative allocation of marginal resources to growth versus reproduction. In the laboratory, we therefore offered female common frogs (Rana temporaria) low versus high food rations for a full reproductive cycle, and monitored their growth and later reproductive investment (egg number and egg size the following breeding season). Feeding rates had an effect both on female growth and on egg number and size. There was no trade-off found between the two forms of investment. A flexible allocation rule could not be supported as there was no significant effect of feeding rate on the relative allocation of resources to growth versus reproduction.Due to an error in the citation line, this revised PDF (published in December 2003) deviates from the printed version, and is the correct and authoritative version of the paper.     

Life Cycle and Mating Behavior of Belonolaimus longicaudatus in Gnotobiotic Culture

The life cycle of Belonolaimus longicaudatus was observed in vitro on excised roots of Zea mays. Roots were cultured on Gamborg''s B5 medium in petri dishes with 1.5% agar adjusted to pH 5.8 and incubated at 28 °C in darkness. Second-stage juveniles (J2) fed on the roots and started the second molt (M2) to the third-stage juveniles 2 days after inoculation (DAI). The third molt (M3) to the fourth-stage juveniles occurred 7 DAI, followed by the fourth molt (M4) to males 13 DAI or to females 14 DAI. Nematode gender differences were observed by the end of the fourth molt. The first male appeared 15 DAI and the first female 17 DAI, after which mating occurred. Males were attracted to females, and mating was observed. Mating was required for reproduction. Fertilized females began to lay eggs 19 DAI and continued egg laying without the further presence of males during a 90-day observation. All of the eggs hatched. Unfertilized females rarely laid eggs, and none of the eggs were able to hatch. Feeding took place between each molt and before egg deposition occurred. The first-stage juveniles molted in the eggs 4 days after deposition, and J2 hatched from eggs 5 days after egg deposition. The life cycle from J2 to J2 was completed in 24 days.     

Life history of Galerucella nymphaeae and implications of reproductive diapause for rearing univoltine chrysomelids

Abstract. Galerucella nymphaeae L. , a chrysomelid that feeds on Lythrum spp., water lily and water chestnut, is closely related to two European species that were recently introduced into North America for biological control of L.salicaria , purple loosestrife. To develop a paradigm for continuously rearing these and other univoltine chrysomelids, we conducted field and laboratory studies on G. nymphaeae's development , reproduction and diapause.
A high incidence of reproduction without diapause occurred when fourth instars, pupae, and adults (held as pairs) experienced very long daylengths (LD18:6 h), i.e. longer than those G.nymphaeae encounters in nature. Under similar photoperiodic conditions, adults maintained in groups showed a significantly higher rate of reproductive diapause than those held as pairs. Females laid three to seven egg masses/week, and the size of egg masses varied between nine and nineteen eggs. During their reproductive lifetimes, individual females showed a highly significant propensity to lay a consistent number of eggs/egg mass.
After diapausing under short daylengths and low temperature (LD 10:14h, 5C), adults transferred to long days (LD 18:6h at 21C) had high rates of diapause termination and postdiapause oviposition. In contrast, those transferred to short daylengths (LD 10:14h at 21C) had low rates of reproduction.
Laboratory-derived heat-degree models accurately predicted egg and pupal, but not larval, development in the field. In nature, most females in the summer generation entered reproductive diapause without ovipositing; a small proportion of females that emerged relatively early (by mid June) oviposited before entering diapause. The overwintering population consists of adults from the first-generation and a small number from the second generation.     

Yolk androgens reduce offspring survival

Females may favour some offspring over others by differential deposition of yolk hormones. In American kestrels (Falco sparverius), we found that yolks of eggs laid late in the sequence of a clutch had more testosterone (T) and androstenedione (A4) than yolks of first-laid eggs. To investigate the effects of these yolk androgens on nestling 'fitness', we injected both T and A4 into the yolks of first-laid eggs and compared their hatching time, nestling growth and nestling survival with those of first-laid eggs in which we injected vehicle as a control. Compared to controls, injection of T and A4 at a dose intended to increase their levels to those of later-laid eggs delayed hatching and reduced nestling growth and survival rates. Yolk androgen treatment of egg 1 had no effect on survival of siblings hatching from subsequently laid eggs. The adverse actions of yolk androgen treatment in the kestrel are in contrast to the favourable actions of yolk T treatment found previously in canaries (Serinus canaria). Additional studies are necessary in order to determine whether the deposition of yolk androgens is an adaptive form of parental favouritism or an adverse by-product of endocrine processes during egg formation. Despite its adaptive significance, such 'transgenerational' effects of steroid hormones may have helped to evolutionarily shape the hormonal mechanisms regulating reproduction.     

萼花臂尾轮虫有性生殖、种群增长和休眠卵产量间的关系

利用种群指数增长和Logistic增长模型,通过计算机模拟研究了萼花臂尾轮虫有性生殖发生的频率,后代中的混交雌体发率对种群增长和休眠卵产量的影响。在所模拟的参数范围内,随有性生殖发生频率由100％减小到20％,获得了大休眠卵产量所需的混交雌体百分率由9％增大到69％,随密度制约作用的增大（环境容纳量K值由1000减小到100）,该混交雌体百分率由18％增大到69％,休眠卵产量由1072．10降低至133．67,种群的内禀增长率与获得最大休眠卵产量所需的混交雌体百分率间呈曲线相关。当有性生殖发生得越频繁,种群增长所受的密度制约作用较小时,后代中10％－30％的个体为混交雌体时的种群中休眠卵产量较大。     

Nutrients in fruit increase fertility in wild-caught females of large and long-lived Euphaedra species (Lepidoptera, Nymphalidae)

Fruit-feeding butterflies can experience a more nutrient rich adult diet than nectar-feeding species, and can be expected to use these nutrients for egg production. Here we compare life span, and reproduction parameters of wild-caught females of large and long-lived species on either a sucrose or a mashed banana diet. With small sample sizes per species, but rich longitudinal data for each individual, we examined the longitudinal reproduction pattern, egg size and hatchability of these butterflies in captivity. Diet significantly affected mortality in captivity in a time-dependent manner. On average, we found that butterflies fed mashed banana laid 1.855 times more eggs than those fed sugar. They laid significantly more eggs when they laid and conserved egg size with age while butterflies fed sucrose showed significantly declining egg sizes. Egg hatchability was not significantly affected by diet. Long pre-oviposition periods, significantly smaller first eggs, and absence of age at capture effects on intensity of reproduction indicate low reproduction rates in the field that are due to low food availability. With our small sample sizes, we did not detect significant differences between the species in their response to the diet treatments.     

Endogenous and exogenous factors affecting parasitism of gypsy moth egg masses by shape Ooencyrtus kuvanae

Factors affecting the orientation, reproduction, and sex ratio of the egg parasitoid Ooencyrtus kuvanae Howard were examined. Adult females were attracted to airborne volatiles from the egg mass and accessory gland of the primary host, the gypsy moth Lymantria dispar L. Visual cues also affected host selection. Background colors against which egg masses were placed affected oviposition preference. In the absence of egg masses, color variation did not affect wasp behavior. Light is required for parasitism by O. kuvanae. The age and density of both the host and parasitoid affected wasp reproduction and sex ratios. Older egg masses issued relatively fewer wasps and higher proportions of males than did young egg masses. Likewise, wasp reproduction and the proportion of females declined with wasp age. Larger egg masses produced more wasps and lower proportions of males than did smaller egg masses. The number of offspring per female, and the proportion of female offspring, were inversely related to wasp density. Implications to biological control of the gypsy moth and parasitoid ecology are discussed.     

Peculiarities of Philodina roseola (Ehrbg.) (Rotatoria,Bdelloida) – Growth and Reproduction under Various Temperature Conditions

Most investigations dealing with rotifer reproduction have been performed with populations and not with individuals. At the same time the variations in the growth and reproduction rates of rotifers are of considerable interest. This paper presents the results of investigations carried out by culturing individuals of Philodina roseola during the lifespan of an individual under different temperature conditions ranging from 9 to 35 °C. The paper presents curves showing the growth in length and weight, the periods of maximum growth rate and the maximum sizes of Philodina as affected by temperature conditions. The reproduction rate is investigated at the same time. The variation in egg evolution duration, in duration of the reproductive period and in the egg laying rate are shown under all the conditions investigated. The data serve as a basis for estimating the effect of temperature on the productivity of Philodina roseola.     

Optimal reproductive strategies in age-structured populations of zooplankton

SUMMARY. We describe a model of zooplankton population dynamics that accounts for differences in mortality and physiology among animals of different ages or sizes. The model follows changes in numbers of individuals and changes in individual and egg biomass through time and it expresses mortality and net assimilation as functions of animal size.
We investigated the effect of egg size, age at first reproduction, and size at first reproduction on the per capita growth rates of populations growing under different conditions. In the absence of predation or when exposed to vertebrate predators that prefer large prey, populations achieve maximum growth rates when animals hatch from small eggs and reach maturity quickly at small sizes. Populations exposed to invertebrate predators that concentrate on small animals may increase r in two different ways. One way is for animals to increase juvenile survivorship by hatching from large eggs and by shortening the juvenile period. An alternative strategy is for animals to hatch from small eggs and to postpone maturity until they grow beyond the range of sizes available to their predators. Certain life history strategies maximize r if animals continue to grow after they reach maturity. By growing larger, non-primiparous females are able to hatch larger clutches and thereby increase the overall rate of population growth.
The model analysis shows how to assess age-dependent mortality rates from field data. The net rate of population increase and the age distribution of eggs together provide specific, quantitative information about mortality.     

The effect of exercise and captivity on energy partitioning, reproductive maturation and fertilization success in adult sockeye salmon

Releasing a population of adult Fraser River sockeye salmon Oncorhynchus nerka from an energetically more expensive non‐feeding natural migration (1089 km, natal groups) and allowing them to sexually mature in either a moderate flow (captive exercise group) or a no flow (captive non‐exercise group) environment resulted in significant differences in body energy densities (MJ kg⁻¹) among groups (ranked: initial natural migrator > non‐exercise > exercise > natal arrivals). Similarly, per cent body lipids were significantly lower in exercise females compared with non‐exercise females, experimentally confirming the central role lipid catabolism has in powering swimming. Although restricting exercise did result in greater body energy reserves at spawning, this did not result in a reallocation of energy to reproduction, as fecundity, egg size and gonad composition were unchanged among the groups. Furthermore, non‐exercise females had delayed maturity, lower egg deposition rates, and were more likely to die prior to egg ovulation than exercise females and natal spawners. Eggs from captive exercise adult females were more likely to survive to the eyed stage than eggs from captive non‐exercise females, but both captive groups had significantly lower egg fertilization success than natal spawners suggesting that confinement stress played a role in some of results presented. There were no significant differences in plasma levels of glucose, lactate, cortisol and reproductive hormones among the groups, but correlations among acute and chronic indicators of stress were significant among individuals. These results indicate that exercise during the late stages of maturation, as might occur normally, may be required for optimizing reproductive maturation and maximizing reproductive success.     

A plant notices insect egg deposition and changes its rate of photosynthesis

Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) is known to change its terpenoid metabolism in response to egg deposition by the sawfly Diprion pini (Hymenoptera, Diprionidae). Three days after egg deposition, parts of the pine twig adjacent to the egg-laden one are induced to emit volatiles, which attract egg parasitoids. In this study, we investigated whether egg deposition by this sawfly affects pine photosynthesis. Measurements of photosynthesis were taken from untreated control twigs and from pine twigs adjacent to egg-laden ones (i.e. systemically oviposition-induced twigs) for a period of 3 d starting after egg deposition. The net photosynthetic rate of oviposition-induced pine twigs was lower than that of untreated control twigs, whereas the respiration rate of pine twigs was not affected by egg deposition. CO2 response curves of oviposition-induced twigs tended to be lower than those of controls. The potential rate of electron transport (J(max)) and the maximum rate of Rubisco activity (V(cmax)) were calculated from the data of the CO2 response curves. J(max) of oviposition-induced twigs was significantly lower than that of controls at day 1 after egg deposition, while the difference diminished from day 2 to day 3. A similar pattern was observed for V(cmax). Light response curves of oviposition-induced twigs were significantly lower than those of untreated ones during 3 d of measurements. Stomatal conductance was slightly lowered by egg deposition. When considering photosynthetic activity as a physiological currency to measure costs of induction of plant defense, the effects of insect egg deposition on gas exchange of pine are discussed with respect to known effects of insect feeding on the photosynthesis activity of plants.     

Synthesis and effect of shortened oostatic decapeptide (TMOF) analogs with isosteric structures on reproduction of Neobellieria bullata.

Oligopeptides 2a-2d derived from the oostatic decapeptide (TMOF) sequence, H-Tyr-Asp-Pro-Ala-Pro-Pro-Pro-Pro-Pro-Pro-OH (1a) and containing isosteric structures were synthesized and assayed to determine their effect during reproduction in the flesh fly Neobellieria bullata. The N-terminal linear tetra- and pentapeptides 2a, 2b containing the Pro-psi[CH2O]Ala isosteric linkage affect egg development in 80-90% of ovarioles resulting in some resorbed egg chambers, abnormal yolk deposition, the formation of large eggs with irregular yolk granules and proliferation of follicular epithelium. In comparison with their nonisosteric precursors 1b, 1c they exhibit even more accelerated oostatic activity. However, peptides 2c, 2d containing a Pro-psi[CH2S]Ala isosteric linkage are less active.     

Age-dependent fecundity and fertility life tables of the predator Brontocoris tabidus (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) under field conditions

Reproductive potential, longevity, life expectancy, and fertility life tables of Brontocoris tabidus (Signoret) (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae), a predator of lepidopteran defoliators in eucalyptus (Eucalyptus spp.) plantations, were studied in the field. After a 50-d preoviposition period (emergence of adults to the deposition of the first egg mass), ovipositional activity of B. tabidus continued until females died at 160 d. Females laid an average of 4.2 eggs per day and 601.1 eggs in a lifetime. Gross and net reproductive rates were 216.7 and 75.8 females, respectively. Generation time was 146.1 d, the period for doubling the population was 23.4 d, intrinsic rate was 0.03, and finite population increase was 1.03. Number of females per generation increased at 33.4 times. Results from our field studies indicate that B. tabidus has greater potential reproduction, oviposition period, and longevity than was expected from previous laboratory experiments. This suggests that B. tabidus has potential as a biological control agent to limit economically damaging pests in eucalyptus plantations.