Depth distribution of adults and immatures of twoTribolium Castaneum strains in pure and mixed cultures

1. The distribution of adults and immatures of two Tribolium castaneum strains in plexiglas towers was studied both in single-strain and in mixed cultures.
2. The adults of the + + strain tended to be, on the average, deeper in the flour than the bb adults, in pure and in mixed cultures.
3. Adult distribution was independent of sex.
4. The correlation between adult and egg distribution was usually negative, due to either adult movement in the flour, or to reduced fecundity and increased cannibalism of eggs where adults were numerous, or both.
5. Larvae, and especially pupae, of bb were more abundant in the upper sections, and + + in the lower sections, of towers, both in pure and in mixed cultures and, in particular, at the higher density.
6. In general, the distribution of the strains in the mixed cultures was very similar to the pure cultures, showing a very small effect of the interaction between the two strains, in comparison with GHENT’S results with two species. It seems that the two strains are very much alike in their ability to exploit their environment and therefore their success is the same (when pupal cannibalism is reduced) whether the biological component of the environment is composed of one or two strains.

     

Evaluation of microalgal consortia for treatment of primary treated sewage effluent and biomass production

The present investigation was aimed towards analyzing the potential of consortia of native filamentous microalgal strains (MC2), native unicellular microalgal strains (MC3), and selected microalgae from germplasm (MC1) in terms of nutrient removal, water quality improvement, and biomass production using primary treated sewage water. Highest NO₃-N (90 %) and PO₄-P (97.8 %) removal was obtained with MC2-inoculated sewage water. Highest decrease in total dissolved solids to 806 from 1,120 mg L^?1 and highest increase in dissolved oxygen of 9.0 from 0.4 mg L^?1 were obtained using MC2-inoculated sewage water on the sixth day. The biomass production was also highest in MC2 (1.07 g L^?1) followed by MC1 and MC3 (0.90 and 0.94 g L^?1, respectively) on the sixth day. The consortium of filamentous strains from native environment not only proved promising in nutrient removal efficiency but also led to enhanced biomass. The present study highlighted the utility of such a consortium for sewage wastewater treatment and the promise of sewage water as a growth medium for biomass production.     

Mutual interference between predatory anthocorids

• 1 The way in which the predator Anthocoris confusus reacts to the presence of other individuals of the same species is described.
• 2 Mutual interference between adult A.confusus leads to a density-dependent decrease in egg production, due mainly to an increased tendency to migrate from areas of high predator density.
• 3 Even when ten first instar predators were present in a 2 cm diameter cage they did not interfere with each other unless the amount of food available was inadequate for survival.
• 4 Mutual interference between A.confusus adults promotes stability in populations of the predator and will lead to even exploitation of an unevenly distributed food source.

     

Energy expenditure and food intake of territorial male Pachydiplax longipennis (Odonata: Libellulidae)

ABSTRACT.

• 1 Field observations of males of the dragonfly, Pachydiplax longipennis (Burmeister), were used to determine how individuals of this species allocate energy to different activities during territory occupancy.
• 2 The effects of biological and physical factors on the species’daily activity pattern were examined. The proportion of time spent in flight was independent of temperature but increased asymptotically with increasing population density.
• 3 Measurements of assimilation efficiency and the quantity of faeces produced per day were used to calculate daily intake of food. An independent estimate of food consumption was derived from data on gut contents and clearance rate.
• 4 Food intake appears to exceed only slightly the energy required to maintain a territory, with little available for other activities. The activity pattern may be determined in part by the amount of energy available to individuals.

     

Limitation of reproduction by feeding condition in a carabid beetle,Carabus yaconinus

1. Effects of the amount of food consumed on reproduction of the carabid beetle, Carabus yaconinus B., were studied in the laboratory by rearing beetles at different food levels, and the feeding and oviposition rates in the field were estimated on the basis of the relationships between the amount of food consumed, body weight and egg production obtained in the experiment.
2. The maximum amount of food consumed was 150 mg of minced beef per day. The number of eggs laid per day and the mean body weight increased with an increase in the amount of food consumed. High mortality occurred only when the beetles consumed less than 25 mg of minced beef per day.
3. The ratio of current body weight to the minimum one just before death by starvation, W/W_min, was used for the estimation of the rates of food consumption and egg production. The relationships between mean W/W_min ratio, the amount of food consumed and the number of eggs laid per day were clarified.
4. The relationships between ovary states (ovary weight and the number of mature eggs in the ovary) and W/W_min ratio were examined for the females caught in the field. Females with higher values of W/W_min ratio had more mature eggs.
5. The amount of food consumed by females in the field during the reproductive period was estimated to be 50–70% of the maximum value attained in the experiment and the estimated rate of oviposition was 45–59% of the maximum rate attained in the experiment.

     

Food recognition as reflected in seed handling by Messor arenarius ants

1. This research assessed whether food recognition in Messor arenarius ants is impacted by their food handling.
2. Food choice experiments between whole-wheat seeds and halves of wheat seeds cut longitudinally were conducted in the same nest on two consecutive days.
3. In these experiments, it was found that the proportion of touches of these ants using their antennae on both food items within a collection point during first day of the experiment was significantly higher than the same proportion on the second day of the experiment in the same nest.
4. The proportion of touches by the ants' forelegs was also higher on the first day of the experiment than on the second day in the same nest, but not significantly.
5. These findings seem to account for a possible effect of learning, that is, food recognition.

     

The food and daily food consumption of lacustrine 0+ perch, Perca fluviatilis L.

SUMMARY.

• 1 The diet and daily food consumption (C_t) of 0+ perch were investigated in two shallow Scottish lakes.
• 2 The first food comprised the rotifer Keratella sp., Volvox sp., copepod nauplii and stage I copepodites of Cyclops strenuus abyssorum Sars. Larger copepodites and adults of C. s. abyssorum and Diaptomus gracilis Sars were consumed as larvae grew and cladocerans were also eaten by larvae >11 mm. The diet of juveniles included a wider range of cladocerans and benthic invertebrates. Cannibalism was not observed among 0+ perch.
• 3 The range of food items taken by larvae increased with length, and the size of food particles ingested was governed by jaw gape which was linearly related to fish length.
• 4 Larvae fed during daylight hours with feeding maxima in midmorning and the evening.
• 5 The arithmetic (constant) rate of evacuation R of the digestive tract of larvae was 0.59—1.16% of body weight h^?1 and exponential R was 0.21–0.33% h^?1. Daily C_t calculated using an arithmetic model was 14.2–23.4% body weight at water temperatures of 12.5–18.2°C, and 23.9–40.3% utilizing an exponential method. For larvae of 9 mm. this was 46 μg dry weight day^?1 and 148 by an exponential model. Food conversion efficiency was 37–72% (arithmetic model) and 21–45% (exponential model).

     

Effect of selective planktivory by fry of Rhamdia sapo (Pimelodidae: Pisces) on zooplankton community structure

SUMMARY.

• 1 The direct and indirect effects of predation by larval fish (Rhamdia sapo) on zooplankton in rearing tanks are analysed. Rhamdia sapo larvae showed an unusual species-selectivity for Acanthocyclops robustus, the main invertebrate predator present.
• 2 Acanthocyclops robustus populations were markedly reduced, presumably as a direct consequence of species-selective removal. Other zooplanktonic prey were not significantly affected by R. sapo predation.
• 3 Rotifers increased in tanks with fish, but this was not related to herbivorous crustacean variables (biomass, mean weight, abundance and species composition). On the contrary, rotifer biomass was negatively correlated with some A. robustus variables (biomass and mean weight of adults + copepodites and nauplii biomass). Thus, the rotifer increase appears to be an indirect effect of predation on A. robustus by R. sapo larvae.

     

Catchment land cover influences macroinvertebrate food‐web structure and energy flow pathways in mountain streams

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Life history, growth and production of Mysis relicta in the large, fiord-type Lake Mjøsa, Norway

SUMMARY.

• 1 Biomass, production and life history of Mysis relicta were studied in the large Lake Mjøsa during the years 1976–80. Biomass fluctuations were large, but biomass averaged about 1 g wet wt m^?2 or 200 ind. m^?2. Cumulative net production during summer ranged from 1.6 to 2.1 g wet wt m^?2. Mean population P/B-ratio was close to 2.
• 2 Neither production or biomass of Mysis were correlated with the biomass of phytoplankton or the main Zooplankton prey species (Daphnia and Bosmina), suggesting a predominant ‘top down’ control of Mysis in this lake.
• 3 The life cycle was well synchronized with development of food items, but predation pressure also affected life-history patterns. The proportion of juveniles apparently increased in years with strong fish predation pressure, producing a predominantly 1-year life-cycle pattern the following year.
• 4 Mysis had a predominant 2-year life history, but a traction of the population may reproduce after 1 or 3 years. Reproduction occurred exclusively during winter. Even in such a large and stable system, where Mysis has coexisted with its main food items and predators for 8–10 000 years, a flexible life history is maintained and is probably an important buffer against year-to-year fluctuations in food and predator abundance.

     

Food limitation in the fungus‐gardening ant,Trachymyrmex septentrionalis

Abstract 1. Most ants are more like plants and marine invertebrates than other insects because the adults are sessile and the immature stages are motile. 2. This paper reported the results from a field experiment that increased food levels on the fungus gardening ant, Trachymyrmex septentrionalis, which has served as a model system for understanding the complexities of these obligate mutualisms. 3. Food supplementation increased the growth of the symbiotic fungus and this led to an increase in the amount of fungal biomass. The amount of fungal biomass was generally more important in determining the amount of ant offspring than colony size. 4. The results indicate that the population is food limited and colonies may compete for relatively rare fungal substrate. However, competition in this species is not obvious.     

A systematic review into the suitability of urban refugia for the Eurasian red squirrel Sciurus vulgaris

1. Urban growth and intensification are projected to increase as the global human population increases. Historically, urban areas have been disregarded as suitable wildlife habitat, but it is now known that these areas can be biodiverse and that wildlife species can adapt to the environmental conditions. One such urban-dwelling species is the Eurasian red squirrel Sciurus vulgaris, which has suffered population declines in several countries throughout its range in recent decades.
2. The current published literature was systematically reviewed to determine whether or not urban habitats are suitable refugia for red squirrels, through identifying and discussing key topics regarding the urban ecology of red squirrels.
3. Urban environments can support higher population densities of red squirrels than rural areas, probably due to the widespread and reliable provision of anthropogenic supplemental food alongside natural food sources. The availability and quality of urban greenspaces are important determinants of the suitability of urban habitats for red squirrels, as they provide natural food sources and nesting sites. Despite the barriers present in urban landscapes (e.g. roads), red squirrels can still disperse and maintain gene flow at the population level.
4. Road traffic accidents appear to be a significant cause of mortality in some urban red squirrel populations, and seasonal peaks of mortality occur during the autumn months. Diseases (e.g. squirrelpox virus) can also be a significant cause of mortality, although effects differ between populations and depend on whether grey squirrels Sciurus carolinensis are present. Many of the predation events that affect red squirrels appear to be due to free-ranging domestic and feral cats Felis catus, although there is currently little evidence to suggest that predation is a limiting factor for urban red squirrel populations.
5. We conclude that urban areas can be suitable refugia for red squirrels, provided that high-quality greenspaces are maintained. Mitigation measures may also be necessary to reduce population mortality and to prevent disease outbreaks.

     

Differences in photoperiod‐induced diapause plasticity among different populations of the bark beetle Ips typographus and its predator Thanasimus formicarius

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Density-dependent regulation of Aedes cantans (Diptera: Culicidae) in natural and artificial populations

Abstract.

• 1 Mortality and size variation (siphon length) in Aedes cantans larvae were examined in natural populations in northern England in 1989 and 1990.
• 2 Under crowded conditions, density-dependent competition led to reduction in the size of both larvae and adults and increased larval mortality.
• 3 Larvae were also maintained in cages in the field at different densities. Results paralleled those for the natural populations in the ponds; larvae maintained at high densities showed increased mortality and reduced size.
• 4 Possible density-dependent factors leading to mortality and size reduction include cannibalism and contact inhibition leading to food shortages.
• 5 The main density-independent factor contributing to larval mortality was habitat desiccation.

     

Dispersal and reproduction in Tribolium: The influence of food level

Cohorts of 100 newly eclosed adults of strains bI and bIV of T. confusum and strains cI and cIV of T. castaneum emigrated over a 15-day interval from experimental habitats which contained a constant volume of 8, 4, 1, and 0 g of flour diluted with powdered polyethylene. Food level affected the emigration of T. confusum adults only during the interval before the normal onset of reproduction. Thereafter the beetles exhibited virtually identical patterns of departure. Larval recruitment did not decline when food levels ranged from 8 to 1. T. castaneum delayed their emigration at progressively lower food levels, but also produced fewer progeny. In strain cI, where emigration was more strongly deferred, the decline in larval recruitment was less pronounced. Both species of Tribolium departed most rapidly when starved outright, but only after an initial delay.The results are interpreted from the point of view of the oögenesis-flight syndrome. It is suggested that the Tribolium system provides an opportunity to relate differences in colonizing ability among several closely related species to specific differences in the physiological mechanism of adaptive dispersal.     

Responses of periphyton to changes in current velocity, suspended sediment and phosphorus concentration

SUMMARY.

• 1 Research was performed in laboratory streams to evaluate periphytic biomass accrual, export, and community composition over a range of limiting nutrient (phosphorus) concentrations with variable velocity, and suspended sediment addition, in comparison to constant velocity and no suspended sediment. In fixed-velocity treatments, velocity increase to 60 cm s^?1 significantly enhanced biomass accrual, but further increase resulted in substantial biomass reduction. Average biomass loss rates did not change significantly over a velocity range of 10–80 cm s^?1. Diatoms were favoured at relatively high velocities and low phosphorus concentrations, whereas the blue-green Phormidium tended to dominate at higher SRP concentrations and the green Mougeotia seemed to prefer lower velocities.
• 2 Sudden increases in velocity raised instantaneous loss rates by an order of magnitude or more, but these high rates persisted only briefly. As a result, marked biomass reductions were not apparent a day after the velocity change. Dominance change from filamentous green or blue-green to diatoms immediately after the increase was reversed within 2 days. Loss rate increases due to solids addition were much smaller than those accompanying velocity increase, but simultaneous velocity elevation and solids addition produced instantaneous loss rates approximately double those with velocity increase alone.
• 3 The experiments demonstrated that an elevation in velocity, above that to which algae were accustomed, led to increased loss rates and temporarily reduced biomass. However, recolonization and growth after biomass reduction were apparently rapid. Substantial export of periphyton following solids addition required erosion of the protective boundary layer accompanied by a velocity increase. These results arc applicable to understanding the response of lotic periphytic algae to elevated, turbid storm discharges and similar runoff or high-flow events.
• 4 Areal uptake rates of P by algae growing in the laboratory streams increased with soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP) concentration, up to approximately 15 μg I^?1 in overlying water. They also increased above 35 cm s ^?1. Overall, uptake rate seemed to vary inversely with biomass. The ralio of areal uptake rate/biomass was significantly less where mean biomass was 411±6 mg chl a m^?2 compared to 223±17 mg chl a m^?2.
• 5 The results suggested that although nutrient uptake is primarily a surface phenomenon, diffusion to interior cells can also determine the responses of attached communities. Both diffusion and uptake rate were stimulated by increasing nutrient concentration and velocity up to certain levels, but became limited by biofilm thickness and scouring.

     

Impacts of cattle on amphibian larvae and the aquatic environment

• 1 Agricultural practices such as cattle farming may have direct or indirect negative effects on larval amphibians by decreasing water quality through deposition of nitrogenous waste, causing eutrophication, and grazing shoreline vegetation that contributes to detrital cover and food.
• 2 We sampled amphibian larvae on the Cumberland Plateau, Tennessee, U.S.A., twice per week, water quality twice per month and algal and detrital biomass once per month at seven wetlands (three cattle‐access and four non‐access) from March to August 2005 and 2006.
• 3 In general, species richness and diversity of amphibian larvae were greater in wetlands without cattle. Mean relative abundance of green frog (Rana clamitans) and American bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana) tadpoles was greater in non‐access wetlands. Body size of some ranid larvae was larger in cattle‐access wetlands but this trend did not exist for juveniles or adults. Dissolved oxygen was lower, while specific conductivity and turbidity were higher in cattle‐access wetlands. Mean biomass of detritus was lower in cattle‐access wetlands compared to non‐access wetlands; no differences were detected in algal biomass.
• 4 Given the negative impacts of cattle on water quality, detrital biomass, larval amphibian species richness and relative abundance of some amphibian species, we recommend that farmers consider excluding these livestock from aquatic environments.

     

Large‐scale screening and characterisation of Lemna aequinoctialis and Spirodela polyrhiza strains for starch production

• Duckweed is considered a promising feedstock for bioethanol production due to its high biomass and starch production. Selection of duckweed strains with high starch accumulation is essential for application of duckweeds to bioethanol production. Geographic differentiation had a large influence on genetic diversity of duckweeds.
• Biomass production, starch content and starch amount in geographically isolated strains of 20 Lemna aequinoctialis and Spirodela polyrhiza were calculated to evaluate their potential for bioethanol production. The influence of different collection time, culture medium and NaCl concentration on starch accumulation of the best strains were analysed.
• The results showed that biomass production, starch content and starch production of duckweeds demonstrated clonal dependency. The best strain was L. aequinoctialis 6000, with biomass production of 15.38 ± 1.47 g m^?2, starch content of 28.68 ± 1.10% and starch production of 4.39 ± 0.25 g m^?2. Furthermore, starch content of L. aequinoctialis 6000 was highest after 8 h of light, tap water was the best medium for starch induction, and NaCl did not induce starch accumulation.
• This study suggests duckweed biomass production and starch production demonstrate clonal dependency, indicating that extensive clonal comparisons will be required to identify the most suitable isolates for duckweed selective breeding for bioethanol.

     

Macroinvertebrate community patterns in relation to leaf-associated periphyton under contrasting light and nutrient conditions in headwater streams

1. Temperate headwater streams traditionally have been considered heterotrophic and brown food web dominated with little primary production. Recent work, however, suggests algae on leaves in these streams may play a greater role than previously thought through interactions with microbial decomposers like fungi. Algae also may be important for macroinvertebrates colonizing leaves in streams. Algae are a more nutritious food resource for shredders than fungi and bacteria and provide a food resource for non-shredder macroinvertebrates.
2. In a field experiment, we manipulated light in three low-nutrient and three high-nutrient streams using leaf bags filled with red maple leaves in winter and spring. After four weeks we measured algal and fungal biomass, leaf stoichiometry, and macroinvertebrate abundance and biomass associated with the leaf bags. We also identified the macroinvertebrate community and examined differences in functional feeding guilds and taxa under ambient- and shaded-light treatments and low- and high-nutrient concentrations in relation to measured leaf characteristics.
3. Algal biomass on leaves was greatest in high-nutrient streams and ambient-light treatments in both seasons. Fungal biomass on leaves was greatest in high-nutrient streams and showed a moderate marginally significant positive correlation with algae during the winter. Leaf C:N was negatively correlated to algae in winter and fungi in both seasons, while leaf N:P and C:P were negatively correlated to fungi in winter and algae in spring. Interactions between fungi and algae on leaves and the nutritional importance of each for macroinvertebrates likely change across seasons, potentially impacting macroinvertebrate community composition.
4. Macroinvertebrate diversity did not differ, but biomass was significantly greater in shaded-light treatments during spring. Abundance was highest in the high-nutrient ambient-light conditions in both seasons, corresponding to greatest algal biomass. Functional feeding guild biomass and abundance were related to different leaf characteristics by season and guild. Higher algal biomass was an important factor for colonization of certain macroinvertebrates (e.g., Ephemerella (Ephemeroptera: Ephemerellidae) and Stenonema (Ephemeroptera: Heptageniidae)), while others were more abundant under shaded treatments with lower algal biomass (e.g., Tipula (Diptera: Tipulidae)), indicating taxa-specific responses.
5. Leaf-associated algae may be an important factor mediating macroinvertebrate communities associated with leaves in temperate headwater streams. Our results demonstrate that green and brown food webs intersect within leaf packs, and they cannot be easily disentangled. We therefore should consider both autochthonous and allochthonous resources within headwater streams when examining their communities or developing water management strategies.