CLEANING BEHAVIOUR BETWEEN THE CICHLID FISH TILAPIA RENDALLI FENDALLI BOULENGER 1896 AND THE CYPRINID,LABEO CYLINDRICUS PETERS, 1852

SUMMARY

A case of interspecific cleaning behaviour is described between a cichlid host Tilapia rendalli rendalli and a Juvenile cyprinid Labeo cylindricus, in captivity. The host fish initiated the cleaning behaviour with a ‘head down’ display.     

OBSERVATIONS ON THE BREEDING BEHAVIOUR OF GREY AND RED-NECKED PHALAROPES

Observations were made on Grey and Red-Necked Phalaropes near Chesterfield Inlet, N.W.T., Canada, from the date of their local arrival, 13 June, until 21 July 1967. The similarity of the colour of the Grey Phalarope nuptial plumage to that of dead seaweed among which the birds often feed is suggested as possibly relevant to the evolution of this plumage. A mutual Head Up pre-copulatory display, first given by the female, is described in Grey Phalaropes. It is suggested to have the function of assuaging fear in the prospective partner and to be a prelude of only the first copulation between any two birds. Other displays are described and figured. Three full copulations, including their preliminaries, were observed in this species and two others in which the preliminary actions escaped observation. Three copulations took place on land and two on water. Of the three copulations observed with their preliminaries, two were initiated by some form of display by the female, and one, without any display, by the male. Eight attempted copulations were observed; all were initiated by males and all but one took place while the female was on land. One male which had just copulated was observed to attempt copulation with another female. In the course of three full or attempted copulations, another Grey Phalarope fluttered up against the mating pair. All Grey Phalarope copulations took place in a collective feeding area; little intra-species antagonism was seen and no evidence of territorial behaviour. All female Grey Phalaropes left the colony under observation on the night of 9–10 July; only two eggs had by then been laid in one nest and the female of one pair had not laid at all. Six copulations and six attempted copulations were observed in Red-necked Phalaropes; all took place on the water. Only in two of the copulations were the preliminaries observed; one was initiated by a display of the female, the other without any preliminary display by the male. Preliminary observations suggest specific differences in rate of spinning and in the preferred direction of spin. The functions and factors associated with spinning are discussed. Accelerated spinning with reduced frequency of pecks at the water by both members of a pair of Red-necked Phalaropes was observed once and may have been a form of display. Head scratching, observed once in a Red-necked Phalarope and several times in Wilson's, is by the direct method, supporting the view, based on the colour pattern of the downy young, that phalaropes are more akin to the sandpipers than to the avocets.     

OBSERVATIONS ON THE BEHAVIOUR AND ECOLOGY OF THE FLIGHTLESS CORMORANT NANNOPTERUM HARRISI

From 25 September to 8 October 1963 daily observations were made on a group of Flightless Cormorants Nannopterum harrisi nesting on the west side of Albemarle Island in the Galápagos. Flightless Cormorants are apparently bottom-feeders, and confined to shallow coasts at the western end of the Galapagos Archipelago where there is an upwelling of cold nutrient-rich water. There is no reason to suppose that they are declining in numbers. Males are very much larger than females, the size difference between the sexes being greater than in other species of cormorants. Courtship behaviour, nest-building and mating are described. The earliest phases of courtship take place on the water, later phases at the nest-site. Homologies are traced with other cormorant species. In contrast to other members of the family, allopreening apparently does not occur. Both sexes incubate and care for the young. Observations on families of different ages over the 12-day period allowed the development of the young to be traced up to the age of about 40 days. Egg-laying takes place in most months of the year, with a peak in April-June and perhaps a second peak about October. Observations on birds colour-ringed on an earlier visit suggested that individuals do not breed more than once in the year. Nesting success appeared to be very low in 1963.     

人工饲养下白暨豚行为的观察

在豢养条件下,白鱀豚的游泳除背向上正常姿态外,尚有侧游、仰游、滚游、跳跃、直立、浮卧和滑行多种型式。呼吸间隔时间不均匀,最短5秒,最长243秒,呼吸率为109—143次/小时。它的昼夜活动表现出明显的“激烈活动”和“平缓活动”两种状态,后者可能是一种休息方式。     

THE DISTRIBUTION OF THE PIED STARLING,AND SOUTHERN AFRICAN BIOGEOGRAPHY

Craig, A. J. F. K. 1985. The distribution of the Pied Starling, and southern African biogeography. Ostrich 56:123-131.

The Pied Starling is restricted to South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland, but within this region it occupies a variety of habitats. Its modern distribution is certainly influenced by its association with man. However, a comparison with other vertebrate species, and with patterns of plant distribution, suggests that its geographical distribution has been determined primarily by its evolutionary history. A hypothesis for the origin of this species leads to several predictions concerning biogeography in southern Africa.     

OBSERVATIONS ON THE NESTING SITES AND NESTING BEHAVIOUR OF THE KITTLITZ'S SANDPLOVER CHARADRIUS PECUARIUS

Jackson, S. 1984. Predation by Pied Kingfishers and Whitebreasted Cormorants on fish in the Kosi estuary system. Ostrich 55:113-132.

Identification of otoliths from the regurgitated pellets of Pied Kingfishers Ceryle rudis and Whitebreasted Cormorants Phalacrocorax carbo from the Kosi estuary system provides information on the relative proportions of fish species in the diets of the birds. This information can be related to the feeding habits, distribution and abundance of their prey. It is also an indication of the feeding range of the birds. There is little overlap between both the size classes and the species of fish taken by the two predators. This is because of the difference in size and fishing techniques of C. rudis and P. carbo, and of differences in their feeding ranges. Competition for food between the two populations of birds studied is minimized by these differences.     

OBSERVATIONS ON THE BEHAVIOUR OF BIRDS IN SOUTHERN RHODESIA

Maclean, G. L. 1974. The breeding biology of the Rufouseared Warbler and its bearing on the genus Prinia. Ostrich 45: 9–14.

The Rufouseared Warbler Prinia pectoralis, a common species of the Kalahari scrub, nests after rain at any time of the year. Nest construction and nest sites are described. The clutch is normally three or four eggs. Incubation takes 12 to 13 days and the nestling period is 11 to 13 days. Data suggest that the Rufouseared Warbler is not a member of the genus Priniu, the generic position it currently occupies.     

温度对赤眼蜂的发育和羽化的影响

赤眼蜂的生长发育温度大致为10—35℃,可区分为全期正常发育温度(16—33℃);部分虫期发育温度(10—11℃);全期发育阀限温度(12—15°及34—35.5℃)。全期正常发育温度尚可划出发育适温区(20—30℃)及最适温区(24—26℃)。在适温及最适温区,赤眼蜂的发育速率随温度的升高而稳步上升。拟澳洲赤眼蜂温度每增长5℃,发育速率增长21—23%。在最适温区或适温区下繁殖,生长发育最好,羽化率最高。在适温区以外,赤眼蜂的生长发育较大幅度地向不利方向变化,发育时间延长,发育速率减慢。赤眼蜂个体发育所需的时间十分悬殊,影响因素有接蜂时间、寄生量、卵粒大小及质量以及气候环境等。拟澳洲赤眼蜂的发育始点为10.6℃,有效积温为157日度;舟蛾赤眼蜂为9.6℃及176日度。 赤眼蜂群体羽化的时间,在自然环境下以日间为多,并受光线的影响常在晨间形成羽化高蜂。在适温下群体羽化的时间-数量关系呈主蜂前移的波形曲线。群体羽化过程一般常有三个明显的周期,形成三个羽化高峰;同一群体,每一周期的羽化高峰,在时间上常有同步现象。有97%以上的个体在三个羽化周期内完成羽化。第一周期内羽化的个体是群体中生活力最强的个体。     

西瓜小孢子囊发育及雄配子体发生的观察

西瓜(Citrullus lanatus)小孢子囊的孢原细胞出现在雄花原基出现后4—6天,孢原细胞数目推测只有一列;初生造孢细胞经过2—3次分裂,形成次生造孢细胞。开花前7—8天,小孢子囊发育健全,小孢子母细胞进入减数分裂期。同一花药不同花粉囊相同一药室,花粉母细胞减数分裂和小孢子的发育,并不是高度同步的。绒毡层为异型细胞,腺质绒毡层。雄配子体的发育开始于开花前6—7天,充分成熟的西瓜花粉已分裂为三细胞花粉。     

ASPECTS OF THE GROWTH AND REPRODUCTION OF LABEO CAPENSIS IN THE CALEDON RIVER

SUMMARY

The scale studies indicate that the annulus is a reliable year mark. A linear relationship exists between anterior scale radius and body length so that back-calculations of length were possible. Males and females had a similar growth rate. The growth rate is similar to that found by Mulder (1973) for L. capensis in the Vaal River. Fish under 35 centimetres in length had a sex ratio of 1:1, but in larger fish, only 16 per cent were males. Males reach sexual maturity at a length of 15 to 25 centimetres and females at a length of 20 to 25 centimetres. The spawning season extends from September to March with a peak in November. Fecundity increased with an increase in length from 12 664 for a fish of 22.8 centimetres to 106 286 for a fish of 34.8 centimetres.

The results are basically similar to those found by Mulder (1973) in the Vaal River except for fecundity and length at sexual maturity.     

SOME OBSERVATIONS ON THE DIET AND DISTRIBUTION OF NUDIBRANCHS AT SIGNY ISLAND, ANTARCTICA

Observations were made on the diet and distribution of eightspecies of nudibranchs found in Borge Bay, Signy Island, Antarctica.Specimens from seven sites were examined in situ on four separateoccasions during 1992 and 1993 using SCUBA. A small collectionfor identification was also made Six of the eight species presentwere identified, and the first ecological data for at leastone species (Charcotia granulosa) were recorded. Notaeolidiagigas was feeding principally on hydroids of the genus Tubulariaover the entire depth range surveyed (3–36 m), and wasmost abundant in shallow water, whereas Truomella belli wasonly found at deeper sites, mostly on an octocoral of the genusAscolepis. Charcoaa granulosa and Pseudotritoma gracilidensappeared to be specialist bryozoan feeders and, as has beenfound at other locations, Austrodoris kerguelenesis specialisedon the demosponge Dendnlla antarcnca. Two unidentified aeolidspecies occurred almost entirely on particular hydroids andthe prey of Tritonia antarctica was not apparent. The physicalsize of Antarctic nudibranchs may have important implicationsto the type of prey and feeding strategy used by different species. (Received 11 May 1995; accepted 3 December 1995)     

NOTES ON THE BREEDING BEHAVIOUR OF MARICO AND PALLID FLYCATCHERS IN THE CENTRAL TRANSVAAL,SOUTH AFRICA

Frost, S.K. 1990. Notes on the breeding behaviour of Marico and Pallid Flycatchers in the central Transvaal, South Africa. Ostrich 61:111-116.

The breeding behaviour of Marico and Pallid Flycatchers (Melaenornis mariquensis and M. pallidus) was studied at the Nylsvley Nature Reserve, South Africa, between September 1980 and January 1981. The flycatchers are morphologically similar but occur in different although sometimes adjacent woodlands. The two species do not differ in their breeding seasons, nor in their clutch sizes. The incubation period, previously unrecorded for Pallid Flycatchers, is 14 days and the fledging period 17 days. Marico Flycatchers fed their chicks more frequently than Pallid Flycatchers and helpers were observed at two Marico Flycatcher nests.     

OESTROUS BEHAVIOUR, OVULATION AND THE FORMATION OF THE CORPUS LUTEUM IN THE AFRICAN ELEPHANT,

A female elephant was observed throughout most of oestrus, and was then shot. The cow was mated by many different bulls during the course of oestrus. Initially, there seemed to be little competition between bulls for the cow, but as oestrus wore on, fighting broke out amongst the bulls and one eventually appeared to establish mastery, driving the other bulls away. It was interesting that this master bull showed no discharge from his temporal glands.     

DISTRIBUTION, SYSTEMATICS, AND POLYMORPHISM OF THE AFRICAN WEAVER-BIRD QUELEA QUELEA

Quelea quelea is distributed throughout Africa south of the Sahara in the Grass Steppe, Dry Savanna, and Montane Grassland biomes. It is most numerous where its staple food–the seeds of annual grasses–is most plentiful. In all parts of the range, the males in nuptial plumage are dimorphic. Everywhere the “black—faced” morph is commoner, but with up to 25% of “white-faced”. Proportions of the morphs are given for samples from various parts of Africa. Only three races are accepted: quelea of western West Africa, aethiopica of the Sudan area, and lathami of southern Africa. In the Lake Chad basin there are hybrid swarms breeding (queleaj aethiopica), as there are in East Africa where aethiopica/lathami swarms occur.     

BASKING BEHAVIOUR OF THE NILE CROCODILE ON CENTRAL ISLAND, LAKE RUDOLF

The basking behaviour of the Nile Crocodile on Central Island is discussed in relation to various environmental conditions and compared with the findings of other authorities. This is followed by accounts of the effect of territorial, courting and mating activity on basking patterns, and of interspecific behaviour on basking grounds.     

HABITAT DIFFERENCES IN THE TIMING OF REPRODUCTION OF THE INVASIVE ALGA SARGASSUM MUTICUM (PHAEOPHYTA,SARGASSACEAE) OVER TIDAL AND LUNAR CYCLES1

Sargassum muticum (Yendo) Fensholt is an invasive species that is firmly established on intertidal and subtidal rocky shores of Europe and the Pacific coast of North America. Local success and spread of S. muticum is thought to rely on its reproductive potential that seems dependent on exogenous factors like tidal and lunar cycles. This study is the first to compare the reproductive patterns (periodicity of egg expulsion and embryo settlement) of this invader in two different habitats: the middle and low intertidal. The combination of monthly, daily, and tidal samples at triplicate sites within each habitat showed a semilunar periodicity of egg expulsion and embryo settlement coincident with increasing tidal amplitude just before full and new moons. In both habitats, duration of each egg expulsion event was ～1 week, and embryo settlement occurred during the first daily low tide and with the incoming high tide during spring tides. However, both expulsion and settlement started 1–2 d earlier, expulsion saturation was faster, and settlement was higher in the mid‐ compared to the low intertidal. Our results suggest that the exact timing of gamete expulsion and embryo release of S. muticum responds to local factors, including tidal cues, which result in differences between mid‐ and low‐intertidal habitats.