Maternal rank and early social interactions of infant stumptail macaques,Macaca arctoides

The social interactions of six infant stumptail macaques (Macaca arctoides) in a captive colony at the Yerkes Field Station in Lawrenceville, Georgia, were studied for the first six months of life. The social interactions of the infants are described and attention is paid to male care, or paternal behavior, directed toward infants. Episodes in which a male appears to use a baby to regulate his behavior with another monkey (“agonistic buffering”) are described. Maternal rank was found to influence the frequency of occurrence of certain of the interactions the infants experienced.     

Forest and laboratory evaluations of hybridizedApanteles melanoscelus [Hym.: Braconidae], a parasitoid ofPorthetria dispar [Lep.: Lymantriidae]

Hybrids ofApanteles melanoscelus (Ratzeburg) were produced from colonies originating from France, Yugoslavia, and Connecticut. All strains, as well as freshly collected “wild” Connecticut parasitoids of the same species were evaluated in the laboratory for developmental rate, host attack rate, and sex ratios. Development was significantly slower in all the laboratory strains compared to the progeny of forest collected Connecticut females. Progeny production was greater (almost 2X) for the “wild” females and the French-Yugoslavian-Connecticut hybrid than for the laboratory Connecticut strain. The proportion of females collected from the “wild” (Connecticut) strain was higher than that observed in any laboratory strain. A field test was conducted using the triple hybrid in 3 release plots with ca. 6000A. melanoscelus cocoons released per plot in central Connecticut, U.S.A. Weekly collections of gypsy moth larvae showed that the % parasitism was significantly higher in release plots than in the 3 check plots. These results suggest the value of inundative releases ofA. melanoscelus for reduction of sparse gypsy moth populations, but they did not show that hybridization of these strains produced a more effective parasitoid under forest conditions.     

A theory of the pattern induced flight orientation of the fly Musca domestica II

In a preceding paper, Poggio and Reichardt (1973a), a phenomenological theory describing the visual orientation behaviour of fixed flying flies (Musca domestica) towards elementary patterns was presented. Some of the problems raised in this first paper are treated here in more detail. The mapping between the position dependent torque distribution — D(ψ) characteristics — associated with a given pattern and the stationary orientation distribution p(ψ), is studied taking into account that the fluctuation process (generated by the fly) is coloured gaussian noise. Under certain critical conditions this may lead to an “early symmetry breaking” in the mean values of the p(ψ) distribution. The validity of the “superposition principle” has also been examined. Although shift and superposition give the main qualitative features of the “attractiveness profile” D(ψ), associated with a 2-stripe pattern, superposition does not hold quantitatively for stripe separations up to about 80°. Evidence is presented suggesting that such an effect is due to inhibitory interactions between input channels of the fly's eye. Implications of this finding with respect to the problem of spontaneous pattern preference are also discussed.     

Quantitative description of morphological changes during growth of a pleomorphic budding bacterium

Temporal variations in the different morphological forms observed during growth of the pleomorphicHyphomicrobium T37 have been quantified by the use of a “Population Index” (P _i). This index relates the “Cell Number” (CN) in each “Colony-Forming Unit” (CFU) to the total number of CFU's at any particular time. Such measurements have proved of value in explaining the nature of an observed pseudo-log phase in swarmer-inoculated cultures and of a discontinuity in the log phase of growth.     

Effects of colony size and polyp position on polyp fecundity in the scleractinian coral genus Acropora

This study examined the effects of colony size and polyp position on six variables of polyp fecundity [egg number, egg size, total egg volume, total testis volume, total gonad volume, and gonad ratio (egg volume/testis volume)] in three tabular Acropora corals (Scleractinia), A. hyacinthus, A. japonica, and A. solitaryensis. Samples were collected from various colony sizes (n = 21–30 colonies species^?1), just before the predicted spawning at Kochi, Japan, in 2009. Five replicate polyps were sampled at three positions (center, middle, and outer) from the center to the marginal area in each tabular colony. Results indicated effects of colony size and polyp position on both male and female gonads polyp^?1. A positive effect of colony size was observed on variables of female gonads polyp^?1 (egg number, total egg volume) in A. hyacinthus only, while the positive effect on the variable of male gonads polyp^?1 (total testis volume) was common in all Acropora species, with total testis volume polyp^?1 increasing 2–4-fold from the small (200–400 cm²) to the large size class (5,000–9,000 cm²). Among the polyp positions, lower values were observed mostly in center polyps in A. hyacinthus, while lower values were observed only in outer polyps in the other Acropora species. The distinct patterns between A. hyacinthus and the other two Acropora species suggest different reproductive strategies at the species level. Further studies are needed to confirm the prevalence of these effects in scleractinian corals, which will broaden our understanding of reproductive life history strategies and improve the estimation of reproductive performance.     

Does a homogeneous population of elementary movement detectors activate the landing response of blowflies,Calliphora erythrocephala?

The landing response of tethered flying blowflies, Calliphora erythrocephala, was elicited by moving periodic gratings, and by stripes moving apart. The influence of binocular interactions on the landing response was investigated by comparing the responses of intact (“binocular”) animals to the response of flies which had one eye covered with black paint (“monocular” flies) effectively eliminating the input from this eye. Directions of motion eliciting a maximal response (preference direction) were determined in intact animals, and in “molecular” flies for different regions of the visual field. Preference directions determined in “monocular” flies follow the orientation of Z-axes (Fig. 4). Preference directions determined in intact animals and in “monocular” flies differ in the binocular eye region: in intact animals, the preference directions corresponds to vertical directions of motion; whereas the preference direction determined for the same area in “monocular” flies are inclined obliquely against the vertical plane. Sex-specific differences were found for the ventral binocular eye region in which the shift of preference directions is more pronounced in male than in female flies. The experimental data support the hypothesis that elementary movement detectors are aligned along the Z-axes of the eye, and that preference directions deviating from the orientation of elementary movement detectors are caused by binocular interactions.     

Effect of habitat characteristics on the distribution and abundance of damselfish within a Red Sea reef

For coral reef fish with an obligate relationship to their habitat, like Pomacentrid damselfish, choosing a suitable home amongst the reef structure is key to survival. A surprisingly small number of studies have examined patterns in adult damselfish distributions compared to other ontogenetic phases. The aim of this study was to determine which reef and coral colony characteristics explained adult damselfish distribution patterns in a Red Sea reef. The characteristics investigated were reef type (continuous or patchy), coral species (seven species of Acropora), and coral morphology (coral size and branching density). The focal damselfish species were Dascyllus aruanus, D. marginatus, Chromis viridis, and C. flavaxilla. Occupancy (presence or absence of resident damselfish), group size and fish species richness were not significantly different between the seven Acropora species. However, within each coral species, damselfish were more likely to occupy larger coral colonies than smaller coral colonies. Occupancy rates were also higher in patchy reef habitats than in continuous sections of the reef, probably because average coral colony size was greater in patchy reef type. Fish group size increased significantly with coral colony volume and with larger branch spacing. Multi-species groups of fish commonly occurred and were increasingly likely with reduced branching density and increased coral size.     

Distal oviduct and genital chamber of eriophyoids (Acariformes,Eriophyoidea): refined terminology and remarks on CLSM technique for studying musculature of mites

The general morphology of cuticle-lined internal genitalia and oviduct is analyzed in intact females of the phytophagous mites, Loboquintus subsquamatus and Trisetacus cf bagdasariani (Acari: Eriophyoidea) using tetramethylrhodamine B isothiocyanate-phalloidin, three anaesthetics (magnesium sulphate, lidocaine and CO₂-enriched water) and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). This is the first protocol adopted for CLSM studying musculature of mites. Revision of the previous terminology of eriophyoid internal genitalia from Nuzzaci and Alberti (Eriophyoid mites: their biology, natural enemies and control. World crop pests 6. Elsevier, Amsterdam, pp 101–150, 1996) resulted in the refinement of the terms “distal oviduct”, “genital chamber” and “spermatheca”. Relative position of the elements of cuticle-lined internal genitalia is discussed and a generalized 3D model and animation (available on-line as supplementary material) of eriophyoid genital apparatus are provided. The wall of eriophyoid oviduct contains strong longitudinal muscles attached to the cuticle genital chamber with folded walls. When the egg is being extruded by contraction of the oviduct muscles, it forms lobes corresponding to the internal topography of the oviduct and genital chamber; these lobes invaginate inward from the gonopore, resulting in the “flower-shaped” figures rarely observed in slide-mounted mites. Gnathosomal muscles (cheliceral muscles and extrinsic muscles of palps) and opisthosomal muscles D₁ of Loboquintus mites are attached to the three posterior depressions near the rear prodorsal shield margin. Prospects of CLSM approach for studying different aspects of mite morphology are briefly discussed.     

Burrow Dusting or Oral Vaccination Prevents Plague-Associated Prairie Dog Colony Collapse

Plague impacts prairie dogs (Cynomys spp.), the endangered black-footed ferret (Mustela nigripes) and other sensitive wildlife species. We compared efficacy of prophylactic treatments (burrow dusting with deltamethrin or oral vaccination with recombinant “sylvatic plague vaccine” [RCN-F1/V307]) to placebo treatment in black-tailed prairie dog (C. ludovicianus) colonies. Between 2013 and 2015, we measured prairie dog apparent survival, burrow activity and flea abundance on triplicate plots (“blocks”) receiving dust, vaccine or placebo treatment. Epizootic plague affected all three blocks but emerged asynchronously. Dust plots had fewer fleas per burrow (P < 0.0001), and prairie dogs captured on dust plots had fewer fleas (P < 0.0001) than those on vaccine or placebo plots. Burrow activity and prairie dog density declined sharply in placebo plots when epizootic plague emerged. Patterns in corresponding dust and vaccine plots were less consistent and appeared strongly influenced by timing of treatment applications relative to plague emergence. Deltamethrin or oral vaccination enhanced apparent survival within two blocks. Applying insecticide or vaccine prior to epizootic emergence blunted effects of plague on prairie dog survival and abundance, thereby preventing colony collapse. Successful plague mitigation will likely entail strategic combined uses of burrow dusting and oral vaccination within large colonies or colony complexes.     

Modes of colony foundation by females of different morphotypes in the paper wasps (Hymenoptera,Vespidae, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Polistes</Emphasis> Latr.)

Paper wasps of the genus Polistes exhibit wide variability both of the color and size of foundresses, and the mode of colony foundation. The colony foundation and social hierarchy were studied in populations of two Palaearctic species, Polistes dominulus (Christ) and P. nimphus (Christ) (April–May 2006, the Crimean Peninsula, Ukraine), and one Neotropical species, P. lanio (F.) (October 2004–January 2005, Trinidad Island). It was shown that foundresses of various color and size morphs tended to found nests in a peculiar way: singly (haplometrosis), by groups (pleometrosis), or occupying several nests simultaneously (polycaly). The relationship between coloration, size, and mode of colony foundation was species-specific. P. dominulus foundresses with a darker clypeus and a paler mesonotum preferred to found nests alone and had a dominant position in pleometrosis. The haplometrotic P. nimphus foundresses more often displayed darker variants of the clypeus and paler variants of the mesonotum than did foundresses from pleometrotic colonies. P. lanio foundresses from pleometrotic colonies differed from those from polycalic colonies in the coloration variability of the scutum, propodeum, and the 2nd metasomal tergite. The dominant and subordinate P. nimphus and P. lanio foundresses differed in the size of head and wings. The possible significance of the subdivision of foundresses into the “generalists” and “specialists” for the variability structuring in the population is considered.     

Studies on the rhizosphere mycoflora of broad bean and cotton. Effect of fungal filtrate on plant growth

The dominating rhizosphere fungi of broad bean (Vicia faba Linn.) variety “Giza 1”, and cotton (Gossypium barbadense Linn.) variety “Giza 47”, were grown in liquid medium. After 10 days, filtrates were obtained and sterilized by filtration through sintered-glass filter. Plants were grown in sterile sand which was supplemented with nutrient solution. Every plant was irrigated with fungal filtrate, unconsumed medium, and water. The filtrates of the rhizosphere fungi of both broad bean and cotton stimulated plant growth.     

The estimation of heritability of some developmental characters in natural populations ofArabidopsis thaliana (L.)Heynh

The investigation concerns to what extent the phenotypic variability of some characters connected with the developmental rate inArabidopsis thaliana (L.)Heynh. is of genetic nature. For this reason, in a variable natural populationSt? the values of coefficients of heritability were estimated by means of offspring-parent regression coefficients and of intraclass correlation coefficients for the three following characters: “number of days to appearance of the flower primordia”, “number of rosette leaves” and “number of rosette leaves per day”. The regression coefficients were calculated (1) by using simple progeny means, (2) the maternal data were repeated with each individual offspring value, and (3) the weighted regression coefficients were used. It has been found that about a half of phenotypic differences in developmental characters studied is determined genetically. The question is discussed whether such heritability estimates can be influenced by dominance or interactions, as it results from considerations about the population structure inArabidopsis. There are no substantial differences between the methods used, and in the given case, the estimation of heritability with the aid of the intraclass correlation coefficient appears to be very advantageous.     

Sphenothallus »Vermes« in the Early Devonian Hunsrück Slate,West Germany

Five specimens ofSphenothallus have been observed in Early Devonian slates from West Germany which have been studied bv radiographs. This genus has been assumed by several authors to be a “worm tube” or that it may belong to the Conulata. Some individuals show soft parts extending from the aperture. All preserve a bilaterally symmetrical tentacular apparatus.Sphenothallus could be related to the Annelida, but cannot be placed in that phylum since no evidence of segmentation is preserved. In specimens from other localities,Sphenothallus has been observed to have a chitinophosphatic tube, unlike the calcareous tube of living tube-dwelling annelids. What can be observed of the apertural soft parts indicates a mode of life similar to that of members of the modern-day annelid order Sabellida.     

Negative indirect effects of neighbors on imperiled scleractinian corals

Predation pressure on an individual may be influenced by spatial associations with other organisms. In the case of rare and imperiled species, such indirect interactions may affect the persistence and recovery of local populations. This study examined the effects of coral neighborhood composition on the foraging behavior and impact of the corallivorous gastropod, Coralliophila abbreviata. We conducted a manipulative field experiment in which focal colonies of the threatened scleractinian coral Acropora cervicornis had no neighbors, conspecific neighbors, alternative prey (Orbicella faveolata) neighbors, or non-prey (Porites asteroides) neighbors. Individually tagged C. abbreviata were then seeded into the study area and allowed to colonize the experimental plots. Initial colonization was significantly affected by the species of neighboring corals and snail abundance after colonization was negatively correlated with focal colony growth. Snails exhibited a strong prey preference for A. cervicornis over O. faveolata and responded numerically to neighborhood quality (i.e., relative preference for neighboring corals). Thus, conspecific neighbors had the greatest predator-mediated negative effect on focal colony performance followed by O. faveolata neighbors. The results suggest that C. abbreviata mediate apparent competition between O. faveolata and A. cervicornis as both species contributed to the local abundance of their shared predator. Additionally, home range estimates for tagged C. abbreviata were calculated, compared among sexes, and found to be significantly greater for males than for females. Overall, this study sheds light on the foraging behavior of an important coral predator and highlights the potential importance of consumer-mediated indirect interactions in the dynamics of severely reduced populations. The results also have direct implications for conservation and population enhancement efforts.     

Reaction time and replenishment time of SP and CGRP after incision in rat skin

Background. The skin neurogenic inflammation is mainly related to Substance P (SP) and Calcitonin Gene-related Peptide (CGRP). There is no data on their availability in the dynamics of skin nerve endings, concerning their release and replenishment after a nociceptive stimulus, so this was investigated. Materials and methods. 25 rats were randomly distributed in 5 groups. The animals of the control group (CG) determined the baseline levels of neuropeptides in the skin. The groups S0 and S30 did not receive any cutaneous stimulus at 30 and 60 minutes, respectively. In the group S1, an “incision stimulus” was made at 30 minutes. In the group S31, a nociceptive stimulus was performed by subdermal scratching at 30 minutes and, at 60 minutes, the “incision stimulus” was carried out in the same location (“nociceptive hyperstimulation”). The skin samples of the other animals were harvested from the back 1 minute after their death. SP, pro-CGRP and CGRP were quantified by Western Blotting. Results. The “incision stimulus” released SP, S1 compared to S0 (p <0.05) detected in the first minute, and the replenishment time was more than 30 minutes. Also, it cleaved pro-CGRP, S1 compared to S31 (p <0.05) in the first minute, and its replenishment time less than 30 minutes. Release of CGRP was not detected. Conclusion. The incision released SP already detected in the first minute; its replenishment time is more than 30 minutes. The incision decreased pro-CGRP, also detected in the first minute; and its replenishment time is less than 30 minutes.     

The properties of a few isolates of the sour cherry necrotic ringspot virus

Results of the investigation of four isolates of the sour cherry necrotic ringspot virus are presented in this paper. The isolates used caused characteristic symptoms on woody indicators “Bing”, “Montmorency”, F 12/1, and on peach seedlings. The virus was transmitted mechanically to some herbaceous species:Antirrhinum majus, Cucumis sativus, Cucurbita maxima, Chenopodium quinoa Crotalaria juncea, Momordica balsamina, Petunia hybrida andLeonorus sibiricus. The attempts to transmit the virus mechanically to further 23 herbaceous species were unsuccessful. The thermal inactivation point of the virus lies between 46 and 58°C and the dilution end-point between 10^?1 and 10^?2. The virus is stable in vitro at room temperature for more than one day. Individual virus isolates gave a positive immunological reaction with the Fulton’s “G” antiserum.     

Experimentelle Untersuchungen zum Stockwachstum und zur Medusenbildung bei dem marinen HydrozoonEirene viridula

The development of both slide-grown and non-substrate bound colonies ofE. viridula (Thecata-Leptomedusae) ranging in size from 1 to 50 hydranths was investigated under various temperature conditions. The majority of slide-grown colonies reached a larger final size than non-substrate bound ones, in 20°, 25° and 29° C. Raising the temperature did not stimulate propagation of hydranths as expected. Most of the colonies transferred to 25° or 29° C finally were even smaller than those reared at 20° C. This was partially due to resorption of several hydranths about 9 days after the temperature rise; the influence of “physiological competition” between development of new hydranths and budding of medusae on colony growth is discussed. Transfer from higher to lower temperatures affected colony growth negatively. Raising the temperature from 20° to 25° or 29° C initiated formation of gonozooids from the distal part of hydranth stalks and development of medusa buds in both types of colonies. With the exception of slide-grown colonies transferred to 25° C, also young medusae were budded off. There was a remarkable coincidence in predominance of colony growth in slide-grown colonies and of medusa budding in non-substrate bound cultures. In the latter, medusa buds developed 1 to 2 days earlier. Most buds did not differentiate into liberated medusae, but were resorbed. Transformation of medusa buds into hydranths was not observed. In the clone ofE. viridula, onset of medusa budding did not depend on a “minimal colony size”. Even single hydranths were able to produce medusa buds after transfer to higher temperatures; budded off medusae were recorded from non-substrate bound colonies with an initial size of 3 hydranths. In slide-grown cultures, medusa buds developed into colonies with an initial size of only 3 hydranths. No hydranth propagation prior to medusa budding occurred in these cases. After raising temperature from 25° to 29° C medusa buds were observed in nonsubstrate bound colonies only; a small number of medusae were budded off from some of these colonies. Lowering the temperature from 29° or 25° to 20° C caused resorption of existing medusa buds. In several non-substrate bound colonies, transfer from 29° to 25° C induced development of gonozooids with medusa buds and, in some cases, of young medusae. Incubation with the alkylating cytostaticTrenimon and transfer from 20° to 25° C caused irreversible resorption of all hydranths when 4 × 10^?2 mg/ml were administered for 10 mins. Thereafter, only development of stolonial structures was observed. With one exception, the colonies treated with 4 × 10^?3 mg/ml, and all others submitted to 4 × 10^?4 mgTrenimon/ml were able to produce new hydranths and also medusa buds; some of the colonies first had to overcome a degressive phase. Treatment with 4 × 10^?2 mg destroyed all interstitial cells (I-cells). Incubation with 1 × 10^?3 or 1 × 10^?4 mg/ml left the I-cells at least partially intact. It is concluded that I-cells are indispensable for hydranth and medusan morphogenesis inE. viridula.