THE INFLUENCE OF AN ALTERNATIVE FOOD ON THE EFFECTIVENESS OF PROPRIETARY MOLLUSCICIDAL PELLETS AGAINST TWO SPECIES OF SLUGS

The effectiveness of three types of molluscicidal pellets againstDeroceras reticulatum (Müller) and Arion hortensis (Férussac)was assessed in the presence and absence of potato leaf discs.Pellets containing methi-ocarb were significantly more effectiveagainst both of the slug species than either of the metaldehydeformulations, in the absence of leaf discs. When leaf discswere present, methiocarb was no more effective against D. reticulatumthan were the metaldehyde formulations. Leaf discs did not interferewith the effectiveness of methiocarb against A. hortensis. Theresults are discussed in relation to past work and more recentfield studies. (Received 24 March 1986;     

TRANSPORT OF UNCONTAMINATED AND MOLLUSCICIDE-CONTAINING FOOD IN THE DIGESTIVE TRACT OF THE SLUG DEROCERAS RETICULATUM (MULLER)

By X-ray analysis of food transport in the alimentary tractof Deroceras reticulatum it was shown that even ten hours afteringestion of a thorium sulfate-containing bait, this materialcan be detected in the crop. After 2.5 h, some parts of labelledfood passes down from the anterior to the posterior part ofthe gut. After 13 h, thorium sulfate-containing material canbe observed only in the gut. After 19 h, no more labelled materialis present in the alimentary tract of the animals. After addition of Cloethocarb, the animals feed on only smallamounts of food. The labelled material only enters the anteriorpart of the gut. After ten hours, the food does not move anymore and does not leave the crop even 19 h after feeding. After molluscicide application, the crop epithelium is moreinfolded than in control animals and the cells are elongated.After 30 h, cells protrude into the lumen of the digestive tract. (Received 11 May 1992; accepted 26 June 1992)     

Uptake of Radioactivity by Aquatic Plants and Location in the Cells I. THE EFFECT OF pH ON THE STRONTIUM-90 AND YTTRIUM-90 UPTAKE BY THE GREEN ALGA ULVA LACTUCA AND THE EFFECT OF STABLE YTTRIUM ON YTTRIUM-90 UPTAKE

The uptake of strontium-90 and yttrium-90 by Ulva lactuca fromsea water was measured over a period of 179 days. In sea waterat normal pH (8.0) and without added carrier Ulva reached astrontium-90 equilibrium at 0.32 times the concentration inthe water within 3 hrs, but rapidly depleted the water of yttrium-90.Addition of 0.15 ppm of non-radioactive (stable) yttrium ledto the establishment of an yttrium-90 equilibrium within 3 hrs,with the Ulva having a concentration factor of 550. It was foundthat without added carrier the yttrium-90 remained on the outersurface of the plants, but when carrier was added the yttrium-90taken up mainly entered the cells and was laid down in the protoplasmicinclusions. The strontium-90 was located only in the protoplasmicinclusion. Uptake was investigated in a pH range 5.1 to 8.0.Progressive reductions of pH from 8.0 to 6.5 led to a smallincrease in the amount of strontium-90 uptake but to large increasein the yttrium-90 uptake. However, in the pH range 5.8 to 5.1the yttrium-90 uptake was greatly reduced. External pH below6.0 caused death of the alga within 5 days. The effect of pHon strontium uptake is thought to be due to changes in equilibriumin the carbonate-bicarbonate system. The effects of pH and stableyttrium concentration on yttrium-90 uptake are discussed interms of changes in the state of yttrium in the sea water, resultingin increased availability to the plant, and of changes in thenature of the plant surface resulting from its physiologicalresponse to lowered pH.     

WATER EXCHANGE, TEMPERATURE TOLERANCE, OXYGEN CONSUMPTION AND ACTIVITY OF THE NAMIB DESERT SNAIL, TRIGONEPHRUS SP.

Water exchange, temperature tolerance and oxygen consumptionof the snail, Trigonephrus sp., from the southern Namib desertof Namibia were examined and related to activity. At 25°Cand 15% R.H. mean water loss and food and water uptake were5.95 mg. day^–1 and 630 mg.day^–1, respectively. Bodytemperature tracked sand temperature. Snails tolerated sandtemperatures as high as 45°C. Mean ± S.D. oxygenconsumption rates were 32.0 ± 2.94 µlO₂.g totalbody mass^–1.h^–1 at 15°C, when the snails wereactive, and 11.27 µlO₂.g total body mass^–1.h^–1at 25°C, when the snails were inactive. These values are2-6 times lower than those recorded for the similarly sizedmesic snail, Helix aspersa. Activity experiments indicated thatlow ambient temperatures and high humidities were favoured bythe snails. This, together with the burying behaviour of thesesnails during high temperatures, suggests that they limit stressby restricting activity to physiologically-favourable periods,even though more-extreme conditions may be tolerated. (Received 7 June 1990; accepted 20 November 1990)     

THE EFFECT OF WATER QUALITY ON OVIPOSITION IN BIOMPHALARIA GLABRATA (SAY, 1818) (PLANORBIDAE), AND A DESCRIPTION OF THE STAGES OF THE EGG-LAYING PROCESS

With the overall goal of developing a method to reliably induce ovipositionin the freshwater pulmonate Biomphalaria glabrata, the effectsof water quality on female reproductive physiology were examined.Groups of snails were subjected to controlled experimental conditionsconsisting of a daily regimen of feeding and water change. Aftera period of acclimatiz-ation, egg mass (EM) output under theseconditions was relatively stable, and snails laid a majority(82.5%) of their EM during the initial 4 h following daily waterchange. When this regimen was perturbed by halting water changefor 24 h (dirty-water treatment), EM output was significantly inhibited.When water change was resumed, EM output returned to previouslevels within 4 h post-water change (PWC). This dirty-water treatmentfollowed by water change also resulted in a significant increasein mean EM size during the 4 h PWC when compared to controls.To better describe the events preceding egg-laying in B. glabrata,we then used these experimental manipulations to induce ovipositionin groups of snails, and dissected them during the 4 h followingwater change. Observations of the reproductive tracts of stimulatedsnails allowed us to divide the egg-laying process, from ovulationto oviposition, into discrete stages, after de Jong-Brink, Koop,Roos & Bergamin-Sassen (1982). Stage I was characterized bythe presence of ova in the hermaphroditic duct and carrefour,and fertilized, packaged eggs in the oviduct and muciparousgland. Stage II was characterized by the presence of packagedeggs in the othecal gland embedded in a mucous layer, constitutingthe egg mass to be laid on the substratum. No packaging eventswere occurring in the carrefour/albumen gland region duringthis stage. When snails were dissected immediately after oviposition(Stage III), unpackaged ova were observed in the hermaphroditicduct, carrefour, and oviduct. The mean time it took for snailsto reach Stage III was 120 6 49 min (SD), and this value wasstatistically different from the mean time to Stages I and II,showing that our induction protocol results in a temporal progressionthrough the egg- laying process. Gonadal oocyte density (oocytes/mm²of ovotestis) was quantified as a function of these stages ofthe reproductive cycle, and was found to be significantly lowerduring Stage II (fully formed egg mass in othecal gland) thanall other stages examined. Taken together, these results showthat female reproductive activity can be experimentally controlledthrough the manipulation of water quality, and that such a protocolis a valuable tool for addressing specific questions regardingthe reproductive physiology of B. glabrata. The implicationsof these results as they pertain to the regulation of femalereproductive activity in B. glabrata are discussed. (Received 15 January 1999; accepted 17 May 1999)     

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)     

The Uptake of Growth Substances: XV. THE DIFFERENTIAL EFFECTS OF PROGRESSIVE CHLORINATION OF PHENOXYACETIC ACID ON ENTRY INTO THE EPIDERMAL AND CUT SURFACES OF STEM SEGMENTS

The comparative patterns of entry into segments with sealedand open ends, excised from etiolated internodes of Pisum sativum,have been examined for phenoxyacetic acid (POA) and its 2-,4-, 2,4-, 2,6-, 3,5-, 2,4,5- and 2,4, 6-chloro derivatives,each containing ¹⁴C in the carboxyl group. Sealing the ends greatly depresses the level of entry, on averagean eight-fold reduction at 9 h. Likewise, the interrelationsbetween the degree of chlorination and uptake potential aredisparate. For segments with exposed cut surfaces the finalcontent is maximal for POA and the 2-chloro compound and minimalfor the 3,5-dichloro derivative (3,5-D) with an eight-fold difference.With sealed ends this difference is reduced to two-fold butwhile 3,5-D accumulates least uptake is now highest for POAand 2,4-D. There are also changes in the order with time. Initially,2,4,5-T penetrates fastest into sealed segments but for segmentswith open ends entry is most rapid for the 4- and 2,4,6-chloroderivatives. Additions of streptomycin and cetyltrimethylammoniumbromide(CTAB) induce differential changes in the patterns of uptake.Where uptake is promoted the enhancement is not restricted toactive auxins. Sealing the ends may alter the nature of theresponse. The likely physico-chemical and metabolic processes concernedin the two routes of entry are discussed and the results comparedwith previous divergent findings on the relationship betweenchemical structure and uptake by Lemna minor and penetrationinto leaves of Phaseolus vulgaris.     

Physiological Studies on Germination of Phaseolus mungo Seeds: I. DEVELOPMENT OF RESPIRATION AND CHANGES IN THE CONTENTS OF CONSTITUENTS IN THE EARLY STAGES OF GERMINATION

Changes in respiration rate and in the contents of various constituentsduring the early period of germination of Phaseolus mungo seedswere studied. The course of the respiration developed in threephases. A sharp rise was observed in the first phase (Phasea), followed by the second phase (Phase b) of fairly constantrespiration rate. The respiration rate increases again in thethird phase (Phase c). The O² uptake in Phases a and b was notinhibited by iodoacetate and fluoroacetate, while that in Phasec was inhibited. The contents of aspartic and glutamic acidsand amides were very high. A decrease of aspartic acid contentwas notable during the first few hours of germination. Citricand malic acids were the major organic acid constituents. Citricacid content in the seeds decreased, while that of malic acidremained unchanged. The leaching of malic acid into the soakingmedium was remarkable during the first 6 h of imbibition     

MORPHOLOGY OF THE MATURE SPERMATOZOON OF PHYSA ACUTA (DRAPARNAUD, 1801) (GASTROPODA: PHYSIDAE)

The morphology of the spermatozoon of Physa acuta (Draparnaud,1801) was examined using TEM. It was found to be of the modified-type,sharing characteristic features of other basommatophoran species.However, differences were noted in some cases, for example,in P. acuta the nucleus was torpedo-shaped with two helicalkeels, the midpiece possessed a maximum of three glycogen helices,the end piece was long and tapered and the total length of thespermatozoon was 365 µm. No identical spermatozoa havebeen found in other basommatophoran gastropods studied so far.If spermatozoon morphology is unique for individual specieswithin the genus Physa, it may provide a useful taxonomic toolin helping to clarify the uncertainty that surrounds the systematicsof this genus. (Received 26 February 1990; accepted 28 June 1990)     

The Uptake of Growth Substances: XIII. DIFFERENTIAL UPTAKE OF INDOL-3YL-ACETIC ACID THROUGH THE EPIDERMAL AND CUT SURFACES OF ETIOLATED STEM SEGMENTS

The patterns of uptake of indol-3yl-acetic acid (IAA-2-¹⁴C)by etiolated stem segments of varying lengths have been examined,employing tissues excised from (a) the first and third internodesof Pisum sativum, (b) the top and base of the hypocotyl of Gossypiumhirsutum, and (c) the mesocotyl of Avena sativa. For all species,concentrations (10^–5–10^–3 M) and times upto 24 h, there is a steady accumulation of radioactivity inthe segments. For equal volumes of tissue uptake is inverselycorrelated with segment length but for extending tissues theinitial enhanced extension growth is independent of length;that is there is no direct linkage between the rate of extensionand auxin content. Comparisons between segments with free andsealed ends established that over 24 h some 57–73 percent of the IAA enters via the cut surfaces. Initially, thepercentage is greater; expressed as a rate per unit of surfacethe differences between cut and epidermal surfaces can reach28-fold. The rate of entry through the epidermal surface islinearly proportional to the external concentration but thisdoes not hold for cut surfaces. The addition of streptomycin,synthalin, cetyltrimethylammoniumbromide (CTAB), and chitosanto the external medium does not promote uptake of IAA by Pisumsegments; indeed synthalin is markedly inhibitory. With Gossypiumsynthalin causes little inhibition. Larger depressive effectswere induced for entry via the cut surfaces. On entry the IAAis rapidly metabolized and the rate of conversion is higherfor segments with sealed ends. These findings are discussedin relation to (a) differences in the mechanisms determiningthe uptake of IAA and other auxins, (b) cell extension and thedistribution of auxin in the tissues.     

ASPECTS OF LIFE CYCLE, POPULATION DYNAMICS, GROWTH AND SECONDARY PRODUCTION OF THE PULMONATE SNAIL CEPAEA VINDOBONENSIS (FERUSSAC, 1821) IN NORTHERN GREECE

The life cycle, population dynamics, growth and secondary productionof the land snail C. vindobonensis were studied in northernGreece. Demographic analysis of the populations of C. vindobonensisrevealed that a) three cohorts were present in the field throughoutthe year, b) the reproductive period started in late April-Mayand the newly hatched snails appeared in the beginning of June,and c) increased growth rates were observed during spring andearly summer, but also during autumn for the newly hatched snails. According to von Bertalanffy's method C. vindobonensis needs7 years to attain its maximum size measured in the field. Mortalityrate is very high during the first year of life, while lifeexpectancy is higher during the second year of life and decreasesafterwards. Net reproductive rate (R_o) was equal to 3.1 andthe finite capacity for increase (antilog_er_c) was equal to 1. Estimated annual secondary production with Hynes' frequencymethod revealed a mean standing crop (B) of 0.99 g/m²/year anda production (P) of 1.3 ± 0.11 g/m²/year. Annual turnoverratio (P/B) was equal to 1.31. (Received 7 April 1997; accepted 2 October 1997)     

新蚜虫疠霉与豌蚜在不同季节性光周期及恒变温组合下的互作反应

在计算机控制模拟的温带地区秋末冬初自然温度与光周期组合条件下,作者对新蚜虫疠霉Pandoraneoaphidis)与豌蚜(Acyrthosiphon pisum)的互作关系进行了研究,试图探索该菌有无与越冬行为有关的前兆反应。时间-剂量-死亡率模型分析显示,恒温20℃下长日照(光照16h/d)和短日照(光照11h/d)对该菌作用于试虫的时间-剂量效应无明显影响,但显著区别于变温(日变幅为5.4-18.9℃,温变速率0.56℃/30min)下相同长短日照处理,变温下长短日照处理之间亦有较显著差异。相同变温下日照长短主要影响试菌对试虫的潜伏期(致死时间)。在变温日照8.0h、9.5h、11.0h、11.5h、12.0h和16.0h下,试菌平均潜伏期分别为15.14d、15.19d、11.79d、13.33d、11.73d和9.21d,明显呈随日照时数增加而递减的趋势即负相关性(a＝15.58,b＝-0.93,r²=0.78,p<0.01),而恒温日照11 h和16h的平均潜伏期为5.85d和5.97d。镜检所有蚜尸,未发现虫菌体的任何异常现象。结果表明,虽然短日照可延长试菌的潜伏期,但试菌在所有温光组合下均保持着对寄主的有效侵染力,并无越冬的前兆行为反应。作者最后讨论了该菌随寄主迁飞而转移至可生存环境并且无法长期在寄主体外生存的可能性。     

断根对冬小麦竞争能力与产量的影响

 采用简化的deWit替代系列法研究了盆栽冬小麦‘长武135’（Triticum aestivum cv. Changwu 135）在拔节初期断根对冬小麦根冠关系、竞争能力及其与产量性状的关系。无论干旱或湿润，单栽条件下断根降低了小麦的根冠比，在混栽条件下，断根小麦的相对穗重和相对地上部生物量均显著低于未断根小麦，说明断根降低了小麦的竞争能力。根冠比越大竞争能力越强，即作物的竞争能力与根冠比存在正相关关系。单栽湿润条件,断根降低了小麦的穗重和籽粒产量，而在中等干旱条件下，断根小麦穗重和籽粒产量高于未断根小麦 。说明在水资源充分的条件下，较高的作物个体竞争能力则具有较高的生产能力，而在水资源有限的情况下，降低作物个体竞争能力反而提高了群体籽粒产量。     

ELECTROPHORETIC AND MORPHOMETRIC CHARACTERS IN POPULATION DIFERENTIATION OF THE PEARL OYSTER, PINCTADA RADIATA (LEACH), FROM AROUND BAHRAIN

Variation at the leucine aminopeptidase (Lap), glucose phosphateisomerase (Gpi) and tetrazolium oxidase (To) loci was investigatedin samples of three populations, Al-Mayana (MAY), Shigita (SH)and Mina Salman (MS), of Pinctada radiata from pearl oysterbeds around Bahrain. The To locus was monomor-phic. SignificantLap and Gpi heterozygote deficiencies were evident and it issuggested that these were generated by selection. The MS population,to the East of Bahrain, differed significantly in Gpi allelefrequencies from both Northern populations (MAY, SH) and Nei'sgenetic identity indicates a close relationship between theNorthern populations. Measurements of shell morphometrics were used both as ratiosof one dimension to another, and as regressions of one dimensionon another to examine relatedness between populations. Boththese mor-phometric approaches gave different results from eachother and also differed from the electrophoretic data. It isconcluded that estimates of relatedness in pearl oysters basedon electrophoretic data will be more reliable than those basedon shell shape. (Received 20 November 1990; accepted 12 April 1991)     

ASPECTS OF THE LIFE CYCLE, POPULATION DYNAMICS,GROWTH AND SECONDARY PRODUCTION OF THE EDIBLE SNAIL HELIX LUCORUM LINNAEUS, 1758 (GASTROPODA, PULMONATA) IN GREECE

This paper examines the biology and ecology of Helix lucorumL. which lives in mainland Greece, as well as its growth andsecondary production. A demographic study revealed that (a)3 cohorts exist at any time during the year (when adults ofall generations belong to the same cohort) (b) egg-laying andhatching occur during the months of July and August respectively,(c) the most rapid growth takes place during spring. Study ofH. lucorum genitalia in relation to age showed that the snailsaxe sexually mature 3 years after hatching, when the largestdiameter of their shell (D) is equal to or greater than 35 mm Von Bertallanffy's method suggests that Helix lucorum may liveup to 14 years or more in order to reach its possible maximumsize (48.80 mm) The study of relative growth of D in relation to P_s (peristomesurface) of Helix lucorum shows that D grows faster than P_swhen D12.50 mm; juveniles change their growth rate when theirD arrives at 22.05 mm, and growth becomes slower when adultsarrive at 36.27 mm Annual secondary production calculated by the size frequencymethod gave a mean annual density of 3.39 individuals per m²,a mean annual crop (biomass) of 4.04 g-m^–2 and an annualproduction (P) of 5.02 g · m^–2. The annual turnoverratio (P//b) is equal to 1.24 (Received 23 June 1987;     

Whole Plant Studies using Radioactive 13-Nitrogen: I. TECHNIQUES FOR MEASURING THE UPTAKE AND TRANSPORT OF NITRATE AND AMMONIUM IONS INHYDROPONICALLY GROWN ZEA MAYS

Methods are described for studying the uptake, by hydroponicallygrown Zea mays seedlings, of ammonium and nitrate ions labelledwith radioactive nitrogen-13, which has a half-life often minutes.For nitrate only, some of the activity absorbed by the rootexchanges back out again into the root bathing solution. Theamount of this activity is about five times too large to beattributable to exchange with ions in the root cortical apoplasm.Much of it must be transferred from the root symplasm with ahalf-time of exchange of 2–5 min. After exposing the rootto the labelled solution, equilibrium rates of transport to,and distribution in the shoot were attained within 2 min, fornitrate, or 5 min, for ammonium. The pools within the root,and the transport pathway through which the label passes musttherefore rapidly attain the specific activity of the nutrientsolution. Distribution patterns through the plant are reasonablyconsistent with earlier work on nitrogen assimilation and transport. Key words: Zea mays, Nitrate uptake, Amonium uptake, ¹³N tracer     

THE LIFE CYCLE, POPULATION DYNAMICS, GROWTH AND SECONDARY PRODUCTION OF THE SNAIL BRADYBAENA FRUTICUM (MULLER, 1774) (GASTROPODA PULMONATA) IN NORTHERN GREECE

The life cycle, population dynamics, growth and secondary productionof the pulmonate land snail Bradybaena fruticum were studiedin northern Greece. The demographic analysis of the populationsof B. fruticum revealed that a) two cohorts exist in the fieldthroughout the year b) the reproductive period started in thebeginning of summer and c) growth was increased during springand autumn. According to von Bertallanffy' method B. fruticum needs 5 yearsto attain its maximum size in the field of 25.40 mm. Mortalityrate increases and life expectancy decreases with increasingage. Net reproductive rate (Ro) was equal to 3. 15 and per capitarate of increase (r^c) was equal to 1. Annual secondary production, calculated by Hynes' size frequencymethod, revealed a mean annual density of 5.9 individuals/m²,a mean standing crop (B) of 8.09 g/m²/year and an annual production(P) of 1.92 ± 0.11g/m²/year. Annual turnover ratio (P/B)was equal to 2.37. (Received 25 May 1989; accepted 17 March 1989)     

THE FINE STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION OF THE SALIVARY GLANDS OF NUCELLA LAPILLUS (GASTROPODA: MURICIDAE)

The fine structure of the tubular and acinous salivary glandsof Nucella lapillus (L.) has been studied and some histochemicaland enzyme tests have been carried out. The clusters of subepithelialcells of the tubular glands secrete a glycoprotein composedof chains of tubular macromolecules resembling secretions knownto have adhesive properties which may assist in boring. Thesecretion is rich in disulphide groups, as are many toxins,and is believed to be responsible for the recently demonstratedpharmacological activity of the glands. It is proposed thatflaccid paralysis is induced in prey by envenomation with thissecretion during rasping, after soft parts have been exposedby an ‘anti-predator’ reaction to secretion fromthe hypobranchial gland of Nucella. The secretory vesicles ofboth types of gland cells in the acinous glands have heterogeneouscontents indicating that their secretions are complex. The majorcomponent in those of the mucous cells is an acid mucopolysaccharidetypical of a lubricant or releasing agent. The ciliated basalcells resemble typical enzyme-secreting cells and the majorconstituent of their secretion is a finely granular glycoprotein. (Received 8 January 1990; accepted 5 June 1990)     

Phosphate Absorption, Fluxes, and Symplasmic Transport in Osmotically-Shocked Zea mays Roots

Osmotic shock with sequential 30 min treatments in ice-coldsaline solutions and distilled water inhibited both the subsequentuptake of orthophosphate (Pi) and its transport into the xylemof excised corn (Zea mays L.) roots. Measurements of Pi fluxeswith ³²P indicated that the decrease in net Pi uptake over a24 h period caused by osmotic shock was due primarily to delayedrecovery of Pi influx rather than to increasing efflux. Despitecomplete recovery of Pi absorption within 2–6 h aftershocking with 150–200 mM NaCl, transport to the xylemduring the subsequent 24 h only partially recovered. Leucineuptake and incorporation into protein was also markedly inhibitedby osmotic shock but both almost completely resumed controlrates within 24 h after shocking with up to 150 mM NaCl. Tetracyclineinhibited recovery of Pi uptake after NaCl treatment whereaspuromycin did not. These results with corn roots are consistentwith the hypothesis that recovery of Pi uptake activity aftermoderate osmotic shock requires de novo synthesis of membraneproteins. Incomplete recovery of Pi transport to the xylem suggeststhat osmotic shock may damage plasmodesmata. Key words: Corn, Ion uptake, Leucine uptake, NaCl, Puromycin, Tetracycline     

MORPHOLOGY, ANATOMY AND HISTOLOGY OF FLABELLINA AFFINIS (GMELIN, 1791) (NUDIBRANCHIA, AEOLIDOIDEA, FLABELLINIDAE) AND ITS RELATION TO OTHER MEDITERRANEAN FLABELLINA SPECIES

The Atlantic and Mediterranean flabellinid Flabellina affinis(Gmelin, 1791) (Opisthobranchia, Nudi-branchia, Aeolidoidea)is examined morphologically, anatomically and histologicallywith special emphasis on characters which have been widely neglectedin recent literature (e.g. the histological structure of theoral glands, typhlosole). The study provides detailed data aboutall organ systems which are compared to existing data of otherauthors. The species described as Flabellina affinis by Bergh(1875; 1886) is considered not to be conspecific with the Flabellinaaffinis examined in this and other studies. Furthermore, Flabellinaaffinis is compared to other Mediterranean species, especiallyF. ischitana (Hirano & Thompson, 1990). F. ischitana differsfrom F. affinis mainly by the structure of the genital system.The phylogenetic trees presented for the genus by Gosliner &Kuzirian (1990) and Gosliner & Willan (1991) are discussed. (Received 5 August 1996; accepted 9 June 1997)