Testosterone and testes size in mallards ( Anas platyrhynchos )

The steroid hormone testosterone (T) mediates the expression of many secondary sexual characters, including behaviors which influence male reproductive success. Testes are one of the major sources of androgens, in particular of T. Although a positive relationship between testes size and T levels could be hypothesized, it has rarely been tested intraspecifically. We investigated this link in mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) using a double-antibody radioimmuno-assay to measure hormone levels and X-rays to determine testes size. Here, we report a positive correlation between both traits in a group of 13 drakes during the reproductive season.     

Geographical and temporal patterns in the diet of pintail Anas acuta, wigeon Anas penelope, mallard Anas platyrhynchos and teal Anas crecca in the Western Palearctic

Dabbling ducks are important quarry species, and as a result, they are relatively well studied. Over the last century, considerable effort has been made to describe their diet and food requirements. In this review, we compile present knowledge about the diet of four widespread dabbling ducks (wigeon, pintail, mallard and teal) in the Western Palearctic. Previous diet research has a spatio-temporal bias towards autumn/winter and the western parts of Europe. The limited number of studies from the breeding season reveals an increase in invertebrates in the diet compared to other seasons, but with some differences between adults and ducklings. Adult ducks eat a larger proportion of benthic invertebrates, whereas ducklings feed relatively more on emerging invertebrates. The most important plant species (seeds) based on frequency occurrence was found to vary with a geographic gradient. Carex spp., Hordeum vulgare and Hippuris vulgaris are common in the diet of birds at northern latitudes, whereas taxa such as Oryza sativa, Potamogeton pectinatus and Scirpus spp. are common in the south. The reviewed studies are based on the contents of different parts of the digestive system and on a variety of methods to quantify food items. The variations in sampling techniques and shortage of articles from the breeding season and some geographic regions highlight the need for future studies. In the future, it is important to standardize sampling techniques to improve the possibility to compare studies and to obtain a more representative view of the diet of dabbling ducks in Europe.     

Osmotic and volume control of diuresis in conscious ducks (Anas platyrhynchos)

Summary In conscious Pekin ducks made diuretic either by infusing hyposmotic glucose solution or isosmotic saline, osmotic and volume effects on renal water excretion were investigated. As in mammals, antidiuresis mediated by enhanced release of antidiuretic hormone was induced by increasing carotid blood osmolality while a decrease augmented diuresis, indicating cerebral osmotic control of renal water excretion in birds.In contrast to the situation in mammals, a sensitive diuretic response to isosmotic volume expansion, corresponding to 1% of the extracellular volume, can be demonstrated, with intracarotid and intravenous application of the isosmotic saline infusion having identical effects.Volume loading with isosmotic saline produced a greater diuretic response than loading with the same amount of autologous blood, thereby indicating a major contribution of volume changes in the interstitial compartment to the control of renal water excretion. This corresponds to the importance of the interstitial fluid compartment for the control of salt gland activity in this species.Abbreviations AVP arginine vasopressin - ECF extracellular fluid - i.c., i.v. intracarotid, intravenous - ECFV ECF volume     

Influence of nesting habitat selection on Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) nesting success

Summary In the Marismas of the Guadalquivir (SW Spain), the nesting season of the Mallard extends from late January to late May. The relative importance of different nesting habitats changed throughout this period. Nesting habitats primarily used were those in which the nesting success was highest.

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Einfluß des Neststandes auf den Bruterfolg der Stockente (Anas platyrhynchos)

Zusammenfassung Die Brutzeit der Stockente dauert in den Marismas des Guadalquivir (SW-Spanien) von Ende Januar bis Ende Mai. Die relative Bedeutung des Nisthabitats ändert sich während dieser Zeit. Die jeweiligen Neststandorte werden bevorzugt so gewählt, daß der Bruterfolg am höchsten ist.

     

Visual pigments, oil droplets, ocular media and cone photoreceptor distribution in two species of passerine bird: the blue tit (Parus caeruleus L.) and the blackbird (Turdus merula L.)

The spectral absorption characteristics of the retinal photoreceptors of the blue tit (Parus caeruleus) and blackbird (Turdus merula) were investigated using microspectrophotometry. The retinae of both species contained rods, double cones and four spectrally distinct types of single cone. Whilst the visual pigments and cone oil droplets in the other receptor types are very similar in both species, the wavelength of maximum sensitivity (λ_max) of long-wavelength-sensitive single and double cone visual pigment occurs at a shorter wavelength (557 nm) in the blackbird than in the blue tit (563 nm). Oil droplets located in the long-wavelength-sensitivesingle cones of both species cut off wavelengths below 570–573 nm, theoretically shifting cone peak spectral sensitivity some 40 nm towards the long-wavelength end of the spectrum. This raises the possibility that the precise λ_max of the long-wavelength-sensitive visual pigment is optimised for the visual function of the double cones. The distribution of cone photoreceptors across the retina, determined using conventional light and fluorescence microscopy, also varies between the two species and may reflect differences in their visual ecology. Accepted: 8 January 2000     

Tetrachromatic visual system in the mothSpodoptera exempta (Insecta: Noctuidae)

Summary The retina in the compound eye of the African army-worm moth,Spodoptera exempta, contains four different visual pigments (Fig. 4). Their existence was demonstrated by microspectrophotometry and by electrophysiological experiments, using selective colour adaptations. The pigments were localized in different receptor cells of the ommatidia (Fig. 6) by a special electron microscopic technique (Fig. 5). One of the pigments, a rhodopsin with the absorption maximum at about 560 nm, causes this eye's distinct red sensitivity up to more than 700 nm, found electrophysiologically.Staff member of ICIPE during sabbatical leave in 1976/77.The results of this investigation were presented orally at the Annual Conference of ICIPE, Nairobi, June 1978. This work was supported financially by Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft, Sonderforschungsbereich 114 (Bionach), and by Heinrich-Hertz-Stiftung of Bundesland Nordrhein-Westfalen, Federal Republic of Germany.     

Experimental oil exposure of Ascophyllum nodosum (L.) Le Jolis

The effect of weathered, crude oil on Ascophyllum nodosum was tested in an outdoor experiment and in a laboratory experiment. Adult A. nodosum plants which were exposed to oil in an outdoor basin for 3 days showed reduced growth for a certain period of time, after which growth recovered. Also, some necrotic damage was observed. Three-week-old and 1-year-old germlings placed under the adult plants showed no significant reduction in number compared to control plants. In the laboratory experiment some of the 1-month-old germlings were initially exposed to oil for 6 min, some for 1 h, some for 3 h and some for 5 h. After 3 weeks in running, filtered water oil-exposed germlings had reached the same length as those in the control groups, and no effect of exposing the germlings to oil for different lengths of time at the start of the experiment was found. The results indicate that a limited oil pollution of weathered, crude oil may reduce growth and biomass of adult plants for a certain period of time. However, this need not be detrimental to a population with good recruitment from germlings or vegetative shoots growing under a dense canopy layer.     

Visual pigments and oil droplets in the penguin,Spheniscus humboldti

Summary The photoreceptors of the penguin,Spheniscus humboldti, were examined using a microspectrophotometer. The cones could be divided into three classes based on their visual pigment absorbance spectra [max 403, 450 and 543 nm (Fig. 1)], and into five classes based on their visual pigment-oil droplet combination (Fig. 4). Oil droplets were of three types (Fig. 2). The rods contained a rhodopsin with max at 504 nm. No double cones were observed. The penguin should be capable of good wavelength discrimination in the blue-green region of the spectrum but with poor discrimination at longer wavelengths. It is concluded that the spectral properties of the cone types indicate that the photopic vision ofS. humboldti is adapted to the spectral qualities of its aquatic environment.     

Screening of Feral Pigeon (Colomba livia), Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) and Graylag Goose (Anser anser) Populations for Campylobacter spp., Salmonella spp., Avian Influenza Virus and Avian Paramyxovirus

A total of 119 fresh faecal samples were collected from graylag geese migrating northwards in April. Also, cloacal swabs were taken from 100 carcasses of graylag geese shot during the hunting season in August. In addition, samples were taken from 200 feral pigeons and five mallards. The cultivation of bacteria detected Campylobacter jejuni jejuni in six of the pigeons, and in one of the mallards. Salmonella diarizona 14:k:z53 was detected in one graylag goose, while all pigeons and mallards were negative for salmonellae. No avian paramyxovirus was found in any of the samples tested. One mallard, from an Oslo river, was influenza A virus positive, confirmed by RT-PCR and by inoculation of embryonated eggs. The isolate termed A/Duck/Norway/1/03 was found to be of H3N8 type based on sequence analyses of the hemagglutinin and neuraminidase segments, and serological tests. This is the first time an avian influenza virus has been isolated in Norway. The study demonstrates that the wild bird species examined may constitute a reservoir for important bird pathogens and zoonotic agents in Norway.     

Schneeammern (Passerina nivalis L.) und Zwergtrappe (Otis tetrax L.) in Krain 1914/1915

Ohne Zusammenfassung     

Effect of perfluidone on metabolism of lipids in maize (Zea mays L.) and sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.)

Treatment of germinating maize seedlings with 0.126 mM of the herbicide Perfluidone (Destun) (1,1,1-trifluoro-4-[phenylsulfonyl]-methanesulfona-o-toluidide) for 2 days in the dark, then 3 days in the light, at 25°C causes decreases in fresh weight, dry weight, shoot length, and in total chlorophyll and carotenoid contents; in contrast, sunflower seedlings seem not to be affected. Perfluidone causes marked decreases in total lipids and in glyco- and phospholipids of maize seedlings. In sunflower cotyledons, total lipids and pigments (chlorophyll, carotenoids) are not affected, but there is an increase in glycolipids at the expense of phospholipids. After Perfluidone treatment, a significant increase in the fatty acid mole ratio (180+181+182)/183 was found for the maize glycolipids, monogalactosyl diacylglycerol (MGD), digalactosyl diacylglycerol (DGD), and sterol glycoside (SG) + esterified sterol glycoside (ESG), and for the phospholipid, phosphatidylcholine (PC). In sunflower seedlings, however, only the fatty acid mole ratio of ESG + SG showed an increase and that of phosphatidylserine (PS) showed a large decrease. The differential response of the two plant species to Perfluidone suggests that the control of linolenic acid biosynthesis may vary depending on plant species and/or on plant tissues.On leave from the Department of Botany, University of London, Royal Holloway College, Egham, Surrey TW20 OEX England     

Copia and Gypsy retrotransposons activity in sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.)

Background  

Retrotransposons are heterogeneous sequences, widespread in eukaryotic genomes, which refer to the so-called mobile DNA. They resemble retroviruses, both in their structure and for their ability to transpose within the host genome, of which they make up a considerable portion. Copia- and Gypsy-like retrotransposons are the two main classes of retroelements shown to be ubiquitous in plant genomes. Ideally, the retrotransposons life cycle results in the synthesis of a messenger RNA and then self-encoded proteins to process retrotransposon mRNA in double stranded extra-chromosomal cDNA copies which may integrate in new chromosomal locations.     

Photoreceptor optics of the honeybee and its eye colour mutants: the effect of screening pigments on the long-wave subsystem of colour vision

With the aim of clarifying the role of screening pigments in photoreceptor optics of the compound eye, a comparative study of the optical properties of the honeybee eye in the visible region of the spectrum was carried out using wild-type bees and eye colour mutantssnow, snow ^laranja, ivory^umberandchartreuse with total or partial blockage of the tryptophane-ommochrome pathway.

Hakengimpel (Pinicola enucleator L.) in Westfalen

Ohne Zusammenfassung     

First report of non-mycorrhizal plant mutants (Myc) obtained in pea (Pisum sativum L.) and fababean (Vicia faba L.)

Genetic resistance to vesicular-arbuscular (VA) mycorrhiza formation has been obtained in spontaneous or chemically induced mutants of two mycorrhiza-forming species (Pisum sativum L. and Vicia faba L.). The eight mutants, termed myc⁻, are characterized by aborted infections limited to one or two host cells. Expression of the myc⁻ character is associated with that of the nod⁻ character in both legumes, and is likewise under recessive genetic control. Preliminary analysis of the genetic behaviour of the myc⁻ mutants in diallel crosses has shown that at least three genes are involved in VA mycorrhiza infection.     

Field evaluation of doubled haploid plants in the Apiaceae: dill (Anethum graveolens L.), caraway (Carum carvi L.), and fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill.)

The Apiaceae family includes vegetables, as well as herb and spice crops. Compared to major crops, there have been few breeding or genetic improvement programs for any of the Apiaceae, especially the herb and spice species. Haploidy technology can be used to develop uniform, true-breeding lines, as well as to accelerate breeding programs. Field trials of dill (Anethum graveolens L.), caraway (Carum carvi L.), and fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill.) doubled haploid (DH) lines were conducted over 2–5 cropping seasons. Several of the DH dill lines had desirable agronomic characteristics such as short uniform stature along with early maturity that would be useful for crop improvement. Seed yields and the essential oil content of the seed harvested from the best performing DH dill lines were either equal to or higher than the parental line. A DH annual caraway line was identified that produced higher seed yields than the industry standard. The main constituents of the essential oil for the DH lines of both dill and caraway were similar to the parental lines. Fennel DH lines exhibited differences in height but were too late in maturity for seed production under prairie conditions. The results indicate that not only were we able to generate DH lines that could be used in a crop improvement program, but we developed DH lines that could be used directly as cultivars as these lines performed better than the industry standard (parental line).     

Growth stimulation in bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) by Trichoderma

Trichoderma species are commonly used as biological control agents against phytopathogenic fungi and some strains are able to produce metabolites that enhance plant growth. In the current study we evaluated the production of potential growth-promoting metabolites, rhizosphere competence and endophytism for 101 isolates of Trichoderma from Colombia, and assessed the relationship of these factors to the enhancement of early stages of growth on bean seedlings. Twenty percent of these Trichoderma strains were able to produce soluble forms of phosphate from phosphoric rock. Only 8% of the assessed strains showed consistent ability to produce siderophores to convert ferric iron to soluble forms by chelation. Sixty percent of isolates produced indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) or auxin analogues. The production of any of these metabolites was a characteristic of specific strains, as the ability to produce these metabolites varied greatly within species. Moreover, the production of these substances did not correlate with enhanced growth on bean seedlings, measured as the combined increase in length of roots and aerial parts in the V3 stage of growth. Seven Trichoderma isolates significantly improved the growth of bean seedlings. However, metabolite production varied widely in these seven strains, and some isolates did not produce any of the assessed growth-promoting metabolites. Results indicated that growth was enhanced in the presence of rhizosphere competent and endophytic strains of Trichoderma, and these characteristics were strain-specific and not characteristic for species.