Fresh and Dry Mass Estimates of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Hermetia illucens</Emphasis> (Linnaeus, 1758) (Diptera: Stratiomyidae) Larvae Associated with Swine Decomposition in Urban Area of Central Amazonia

Information on biomass is substantial for calculating growth rates and may be employed in the medicolegal and economic importance of Hermetia illucens (Linnaeus, 1758). Although biomass is essential to understanding many ecological processes, it is not easily measured. Biomass may be determined by directly weighing or indirectly through regression models of fresh/dry mass versus body dimensions. In this study, we evaluated the association between morphometry and fresh/dry mass of immature H. illucens using linear, exponential, and power regression models. We measured width and length of the cephalic capsule, overall body length, and width of the largest abdominal segment of 280 larvae. Overall body length and width of the largest abdominal segment were the best predictors for biomass. Exponential models best fitted body dimensions and biomass (both fresh and dry), followed by power and linear models. In all models, fresh and dry biomass were strongly correlated (>75%). Values estimated by the models did not differ from observed ones, and prediction power varied from 27 to 79%. Accordingly, the correspondence between biomass and body dimensions should facilitate and motivate the development of applied studies involving H. illucens in the Amazon region.     

基于高分一号 WFV 卫星影像的黄河口湿地草本植被生物量估算模型研究

基于高分一号 WFV 卫星数据,通过计算 NDVI、SRI、SAVI、MSAVI、GBNDVI 和 DVI 6种植被指数,结合黄河口湿地现场草本植被地上干生物量样本,进行一元线性、指数、对数和幂4种模型的回归分析,从中选出生物量最佳估算模型。结果表明：（1）指数模型是 NDVI 和 GBNDVI 的最佳生物量回归模型,幂模型是其它植被指数的最佳回归模型（P ＜0．001）;（2）6种植被指数干生物量最佳回归模型的决定系数（R2）都大于0．7,最大为0．77,由大到小排序为 MSAVI ＞SAVI ＞NDVI ＞DVI ＞SRI ＞GBNDVI;（3）各最佳回归模型的平均相对误差（MRE）都小于54％,最小为23．9％,由小到大排序为 NDVI ＜GBNDVI ＜SRI ＜DVI ＝SAVI ＜MSAVI。     

Generalised regressions provide good estimates of insect and spider biomass in the monsoonal tropics of Australia

Abstract  The estimation of arthropod biomass is often important in studies of terrestrial ecosystem structure and function, including analyses of the relative importance of different arthropod taxa in the diet of insectivorous animals. In order to estimate arthropod biomass in eucalypt woodlands and rehabilitated mine-land in the monsoonal tropics of northern Australia, insect morpho-species ( n  = 693) and spider morpho-species ( n  = 100) were collected, sorted, then weighed and measured. Body length–weight regressions were determined for spiders, nine insect orders and all insects combined. There was a significant relationship between body length and weight for all taxonomic groups, with the power model being a better predictor than linear or exponential models for all groups except Diptera (which was best predicted by the linear model). Whilst Schoener (1980) found that the length–weight regression slopes of neotropical insects (all orders combined, as well as several individual orders) differed from those of their temperate North American counterparts, our comparisons between monsoon-tropical and temperate Australian arthropods suggested differences among Dipterans and spiders only. We conclude that generalised regressions provide adequate estimates of arthropod biomass across Australia, providing that the body proportions of the dominant taxa do not vary substantively.     

Relationships between body size and biomass of aquatic insects

SUMMARY. Predictive equations were developed to estimate dry weight from body length measurements for forty-three taxa of aquatic insects. The inter-relationships between dry weight, body length and head capsule width of individuals grouped according to the eight major orders of aquatic insects were also examined. Regression analysis indicated that the relationship between biomass and body size was best expressed by a power equation, Y =_aX^b, rather than by linear or exponential equations. Changes in body length versus head capsule width were best expressed by linear equations, with three distinct relationships being observed. Body length estimated biomass better than head capsule width. Populations often species of insects collected from two different rivers generally did not differ significantly in their dry weight to body length relationships.     

广东省自然保护区尺度陆生脊椎动物物种多样性与高级分类单元的关系

利用广东省自然保护区陆生脊椎动物名录,分析保护区尺度上物种与高级分类单元在数量上的关系.结果表明,属、科在数量上都随着物种数的增加而增加,且具有相似的增长趋势.物种-属、物种-科在数量上呈现出极显著相关关系(P<0.01,r>0.8),在乘幂模型、线性模型、指数模型和对数模型拟合中,乘幂模型拟合最好.结果显示了,保护区...     

Food and foraging behaviour of the lizard,Ctenotus taeniolatus

A sample of 261 Ctenotus taeniolatus revealed that this species of skink is principally insectivorous, the most common foods being lepidopteran and coleopteran larvae, orthopterans and formicids. The occurrence of these foods in the diet followed seasonal patterns. The prey of adults and juveniles did not differ qualitatively, although adults were capable of eating a greater diversity of prey sizes than juveniles. Lizards used both sit-and-wait and active foraging strategies, with adults and juveniles exhibiting these behaviours in different ratios.     

Additive apportioning of lepidopteran and coleopteran species diversity across spatial and temporal scales in a cool–temperate deciduous forest in Japan

Abstract.  1. Forest entomofauna retain high diversity, and examining beta diversity, or species turnover, among assemblages in a forest community is vital to elucidate the source of this diversity.
2. Under the DIVERSITAS in Western Pacific and Asia–International Biodiversity Observation Year (DIWPA–IBOY) project for simultaneously documenting biodiversity throughout the Western Pacific and Asian Region, 892 lepidopteran species (51 742 specimens) and 355 coleopteran species (11 633 specimens) were collected in 2001 by light traps in a cool–temperate forest in northern Japan.
3. This study evaluated the beta diversity of lepidopteran and coleopteran communities by ecological categories (i.e. trap location, forest strata, sampling days, and months), and assessed the habitat preferences of lepidopteran and coleopteran species.
4.  anova -like additive apportioning models were used to quantify the beta diversity among the categories. The models simultaneously provide assessments of whether species distributions are biased in favour of particular habitats.
5. Significantly high beta diversity was observed among months for both Lepidoptera and Coleoptera. The category of months corresponded fairly well to the number of specialist species detected in the category, although a remarkably large number of significant specialists in Coleoptera were observed on strata.
6. The high beta diversity and number of specialist species among strata in both communities indicate that stratification between canopy and ground, and seasonal variation, played major roles in species composition and the rich entomofauna in the forest. Highly mobile adults were influenced by the vertical spatial scale, as previously suggested for larvae.     

Arthropod community associated with the canopy of Attalea phalerata Mart. (Arecaceae) during the flood period of the Pantanal of Poconé, Mato Grosso, Brazil

Six trees of the palm species Attalea phalerata Mart. were sampled during high water (aquatic phase) of the Pantanal of Mato Grosso (February 2001), by canopy fogging. The composition, structure, and biomass of the arthropod community associated with their canopies were analysed, as well as the influence the flood pulse renders on it. Each tree was fogged once, followed by three consecutive collections. A total of 63,657 arthropods (643.0 +/-; 259.87 ind./m(2)) were collected, representing 25 orders in the classes Insecta, Arachnida, Diplopoda and Crustacea. The dominant groups were Acari (40.0%; 257.2 +/- 116.50 ind./m(2)), Coleoptera (12.0%; 77.5 +/- 64.93 ind./m(2)), Psocoptera (9.2%; 59.0 +/- 38.00 ind./m(2)), Diptera (8.4%; 54.1 +/- 18.72 ind./m(2)), Collembola (8.3%; 53.4 +/- 26.24 ind./m(2)) and Hymenoptera (7.9%; 50.6 +/- 21.40 ind./m(2)), the latter mostly represented by Formicidae (49.2%). Arthropod biomass amounted to 8.86 g dry weight and 0.18 mg/m(2). Coleoptera, Blattodea, Orthoptera, Araneae and Hymenoptera were the most representative taxa. The hydrological regime (flood pulse), as well as seasonality, appear to strongly affect the composition and structure of this canopy community.     

A serological investigation on the phylogenetic relationship of arthropod classes

Serological kinship of some representative species of arthropods belonging to Crustacea, Arachnida, Myriapoda and Insecta has been studied. There ist weak serological correspondence between the myriapods and insects. The same is the case between Crustacea and Arachnida, and no correspondence was seen between Myriapoda and Insecta on one hand and Crustacea and Arachnida on the other. The results are discussed in relation to the different previous views on the origin and evolution of Arthropoda.     

Midgut proteinase activities of three keratinolytic larvae,Hofmannophila pseudospretella,Tineola bisselliella,and Anthrenocerus australis,and the effect of proteinase inhibitors on proteolysis

The midgut proteinase activities were characterized from the keratinolytic larvae of two lepidopterans, Hofmannophila pseudospretella (Stainton) (Oecophoridae) and Tineola bisselliella (Hummel) (Tineidae), and one coleopteran, Anthrenocerus australis (Hope) (Dermestidae). The major endopeptidase activities, characterized using specific enzyme inhibitors, were serine proteinases with hydrolytic activity against N-benzoyl-DL-arginine-p-nitroanilide and against N-succinyl-L-alanyl-L-alanyl-L-prolyl-L-leucine-p-nitroanilide. No significant levels of metalloendopeptidase or cysteine endopeptidase activities were detected. Aminopeptidase activity was present in all larvae. The enzyme levels and properties of the two moth larvae were similar to each other and to those of phytophagous lepidopteran larvae but different from those of the beetle larva. Whereas only a limited number of serine proteinase inhibitors inhibited the midgut proteolysis of the lepidopteran larvae, most inhibitors inhibited the midgut proteolysis of the beetle larva. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

How Taxonomic Relations Affect the Physicochemical Properties of Chitin

Chitin specimens from 16 arthropod species (13 of Insecta and 3 of Arachnida) were isolated for the first time using the same method. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometry (FTIR), Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and elemental analysis have been applied to determine how physicochemical properties of chitin specimens are affected by taxonomic relationship. The characterisation studies revealed that physicochemical nature of the chitin specimens differed greatly and were found partially specific to taxa. Significant differences in the surface morphologies of chitin specimens were observed even in the same order. However, the chitin contents were recorded to be specific to the order in the class Insecta. The highest chitin content was observed in Coleoptera (18.2–25.2 %) followed by Hemiptera (10.6–14.5 %), Odonata (9.5–10.1 %), Hymenoptera (7.8–9.3 %), Diptera (8.1 %), Blattodea (4.7 %). In addition, the crystalline index (CrI) values of chitin specimens from Coleoptera were found to be higher than the other orders in Insecta. This study revealed that the chitin contents and CrI values can be related to taxonomical relationships.     

Age and growth of Pacific herring larvae based on length-frequency analysis and otolith ring number

Synopsis Age and growth in length and dry weight of cohorts of wild Pacific herring larvae, Clupea harengus pallasi, were measured using successive modes in the length-frequencies of the catches and the number of rings in the otoliths. Average linear rates of growth in length ranged from 0.36–0.41 mm d^–1, and average exponential rates of growth in dry weight ranged from 0.063–0.084 d^–1. Length-date and dry weight-age curves were best described using one-cycle and two-cycle Gompertz functions, respectively. Weight-length relationship were, therefore, curvilinear on double logarithmic plots and were best described by a non-linear allometric function. Average rates of otolith ring deposition were 0.90, 1.09 and 0.73–1.26d^–1. Rings were deposited daily from the day of complete yolk absorption in the first two cohorts, but interrupted ring deposition was observed over the first 27 d of the third cohort. Relatively low water temperatures, <9° C, coincided with the interruption and may have caused it.     

Best host‐plant attribute for species–area relationship,and effects of shade,conspecific distance and plant phenophase in an arthropod community within the grass Muhlenbergia robusta

Increased understanding of the species–area relationship (SAR) can improve its usefulness as a tool for prediction of species loss for biodiversity conservation targets. This study was conducted: (i) to determine the best plant attribute for the SAR in the community of arthropods living within the grass Muhlenbergia robusta; (ii) to determine the contribution of phenophases of plant foliage (dry and fresh), shade and conspecific distance to the variation in arthropod richness within the plant; (iii) to determine the best functional model of changes in the abundance, diversity and biomass in communities of arthropods in response to increases in plant size; (iv) to determine the best host‐plant attribute for prediction of these community attributes; and (v) to determine the effect of the plant phenophase, shade and M. robusta isolation on the abundance, diversity and biomass of the arthropod community. The above‐ground dry weight of grass was found to be the best host‐plant attribute for the SAR, while the light environment explained the arthropod richness within the grass, with higher richness observed in shaded environments. This study also showed that the best functional mathematical models for estimation of changes in the abundance, dry weight and diversity of arthropods in response to increases in grass size (dry weight) are the power model, exponential model and logarithmic model, respectively. Furthermore, the host‐plant foliage phenophase, shade and the isolation of M. robusta with other conspecifics had no effect on the abundance, biomass or diversity per basal area of the grass.     

Terrestrial locomotion in arachnids

In this review, we assess the current state of knowledge on terrestrial locomotion in Arachnida. Arachnids represent a single diverse (>100,000 species) clade containing well-defined subgroups (at both the order and subordinal levels) that vary morphologically around a basic body plan, yet exhibit highly disparate limb usage, running performance, and tarsal attachment mechanisms. Spiders (Araneae), scorpions (Scorpiones), and harvestmen (Opiliones) have received the most attention in the literature, while some orders have never been subject to rigorous mechanical characterization. Most well-characterized taxa move with gaits analogous to the alternating tripod gaits that characterize fast-moving Insecta - alternating tetrapods or alternating tripods (when one pair of legs is lifted from the ground for some other function). However, between taxa, there is considerable variation in the regularity of phasing between legs. Both large and small spiders appear to show a large amount of variation in the distribution of foot-ground contact, even between consecutive step-cycles of a single run. Mechanisms for attachment to vertical surfaces also vary, and may depend on tufts of adhesive hairs, fluid adhesives, silks, or a combination of these. We conclude that Arachnida, particularly with improvements in microelectronic force sensing technology, can serve as a powerful study system for understanding the kinematics, dynamics, and ecological correlates of sprawled-posture locomotion.     

Insectivory in free-ranging bearded saki (Chiropotes satanas chiropotes)

Bearded saki are considered frugivores primarily specialized for the predation of immature seeds. I report the first observations of wildC. s. chiropotes actively feeding on immature or non-volant insects in the canopy of upland (“terra firme”) rain forest, in Amazonas, Brazil. During one year of field study I recorded 20 insectivory feeding bouts: 18 times on lepidopteran larvae, 1 time on coleopteran larvae, and 1 time on adult ants.     

The input of terrestrial invertebrates from tree canopies to a stream

SUMMARY. The input of terrestrial invertebrates from different tree canopies to a trout stream was determined for a 28-week period from April to October, 1980. Sycamore produced the greatest number of animals, followed by oak and alder. Ash was not significantly different from the controls. Coleoptera, Diptera, Homoptera and Arachnida made up the greatest number of animals caught, with Lepidoptera larvae important beneath oak. The input of biomass (g m^-2 dry wt) was also greatest beneath sycamore (35.80), followed by oak (27.76), alder (20.39), ash (11.15) and control (9.92). The input of biomass was bimodal. The significance of terrestrial invertebrates as food for salmonids is discussed.     

Juvenile hormone (JH) esterase: why are you so JH specific?

Juvenile hormone esterases (JHEs) from six insects belonging to three orders (Lepidoptera, Coleoptera, and Diptera) were compared in terms of their deduced amino acid sequence and biochemical properties. The four lepidopteran JHEs showed from 52% to 59% identity to each other and about 30% identity to the coleopteran and dipteran JHEs. The JHE of Manduca sexta was remarkably resistant to the addition of organic co-solvents and detergent; in some cases, it demonstrated significant activation of activity. Trifluoromethylketone (TFK) inhibitors with chain lengths of 8, 10 or 12 carbons were highly effective against both lepidopteran and coleopteran JHEs. The coleopteran JHE remained sensitive to TFK inhibitors with a chain length of 6 carbons, whereas the lepidopteran JHEs were significantly less sensitive. When the chain was altered to a phenethyl moiety, the coleopteran JHE remained moderately sensitive, while the lepidopteran JHEs were much less sensitive. The lepidopteran and coleopteran JHEs did not show dramatic differences in specificity to -naphthyl and ρ-nitrophenyl substrates. However, as the chain length of the -naphthyl substrates increased from propionate to caprylate, there was a trend towards reduced activity. The JHE of M. sexta was crystallized and the properties of the crystal suggest a high-resolution structure will follow.     

Importance of the understory stratum to entomofaunal diversity in a temperate deciduous forest

The vertical stratification of lepidopteran and coleopteran communities in a cool-temperate deciduous forest in Japan was examined to evaluate the hypothesis of an expected uniform distribution of mobile flying insects between the canopy and understory of temperate forests. Lepidopteran and coleopteran insects were trapped using light traps at three sites in each of the canopy and understory for three consecutive nights each month from April to October 2001. For Lepidoptera, species richness, abundance, and family richness were significantly higher in the understory than in the canopy. For Coleoptera, only abundance was larger in the canopy relative to the understory; species and family richness did not differ between the strata. The beta diversity of the lepidopteran community was larger between the strata than among sites, but the coleopteran community showed an inverse pattern. These results imply the presence of vertical stratification within the lepidopteran community, but not within the coleopteran community, in the temperate forest. The understory contributes more than the canopy to lepidopteran diversity in the temperate forest, although this stratification may be relatively weak because, in contrast to the situation in tropical forests, the canopy and understory assemblages share many species.