Ontogeny of the mandarinfish <Emphasis Type="Italic">Siniperca chuatsi</Emphasis> (Perciformes: Sinipercidae) reared in aquarium

Early-stage morphologies of the mandarinfish Siniperca chuatsi are described on the basis of an ontogenetic series of reared specimens in an aquarium. Spherical eggs (diameter 1.70–1.82mm) with a single oil globule (0.40–0.48mm) were free-demersal and easily floated when agitated. Hatching occurred about 3 days after spawning at about 24°C. Newly hatched larvae (3.8–4.2mm in notochord length: NL) had many melanophores on the yolk sac. After reaching ca. 5.5mm NL (8–9+19–20=27–28 myomeres), larvae had almost completely absorbed the yolk, possessed a large mouth and sharp teeth, and were starting to prey on other fish larvae. Three large preopercle spines appeared at ca. 5.5mm NL, five spines by ca. 8.5mm NL, and eight by ca. 21mm in standard length (SL). The interopercle bore a single spine at ca. 8.5mm NL and two spines at ca. 13.5mm SL. A single spine appeared at the supracleithrum and another at the opercle at ca. 10mm SL. Dorsal fin spines and pelvic, anal, and caudal fins were completed at ca. 10mm SL. Dorsal fin rays and pectoral fins were completed at ca. 13.5mm SL. Four ontogenetic characters (free-demersal eggs, large jaws with large teeth, conspicuous head spination, and precocious completion of dorsal fin spines) are rare among freshwater percoids.     

Role of electrolytes and starvation in altering apparent radiosensitivity of baker's yeast

1. Respiration and fermentation of yeast receiving 90,000 r of 250 kv. x-rays were studied under a variety of conditions. This dose will nearly completely inhibit growth or colony formation. 2. The apparent effects of irradiation are quite dependent on the K⁺ and H⁺ of the suspending medium. At pH 4.5 stimulatory effects were observed in KH₂PO₂ buffer and inhibition in potassium-free (T-S-T) buffer. At pH 6.5 the situation was reversed and the effects were very small (about 10 per cent). Addition of K⁺ to irradiated yeast in T-S-T buffer at pH 4.5 can completely reverse the inhibition seen. 3. Starving increases the apparent radiosensitivity of respiration and fermentation, probably by depletion of metabolite and/or electrolyte reserves. 4. Treatment with a cation exchange resin (dowex 50) results in marked inhibition of these processes in irradiated yeast, either fresh or starved. This was most effective if given after irradiation. Almost complete inhibition of anaerobic CO₂ production occurs with starvation, irradiation, and dowex treatment combined. 5. The effects of starvation and cation exchange resin treatment can be reversed, though not completely, by adding K⁺ to the medium.     

Effect of starving and dowex 50 treatment on growth of normal and x-irradiated yeast

1. Effects of starvation or treatment with a cation exchange resin, dowex 50, parallel in some respects those seen earlier on the respiration and fermentation of bakers' yeast receiving 90,000 r of 250 kv. x-rays. Starvation increased the radiosensitivity of cell division processes whether measured by colony formation or by turbidimetric determination of growth in a liquid medium. The dowex 50 enhanced the radiation effect by the latter measure but appeared to increase colony formation of irradiated yeast. 2. The effects on growth differ from those on respiration and fermentation in that the exchange resin treatment did not inhibit colony formation further, and neither starvation nor resin appreciably altered the growth of non-irradiated yeast. 3. Two effects of radiation are seen in these experiments: (a) a permanent inhibition of growth, and (b) a temporary inhibition of the remaining cells resulting in delay of growth. 4. The irradiated cell is more dependent on certain aspects of its environment in terms of growth responses as well as in terms of metabolism (i.e. respiration and fermentation). Whether or not potassium plays a role in the growth response as it does in the metabolic response cannot be ascertained from the present data.     

Palatability and efficacy to possums and rats of pest control baits containing bird repellents

Repellents used to reduce by-kill of birds during pest control must not compromise acceptance by target species. Two repellents combined, anthraquinone (AQ; 0.4 g kg^?1) and d-pulegone (DP; 1.0) did not reduce the palatability of blue-coloured carrot baits to laboratory rats (Rattus norvegicus); nor did DP (2.0). Green-coloured carrot baits coated with AQ, DP or AQ + DP were taken from bait stations by wild possums (Trichosurus vulpecula) and rats. Toxic (1080) bait coated with AQ (0.4) and peanut oil (0.1) had reduced palatability but was accepted by laboratory rats. However, laboratory rats did not consume enough baits coated with AQ and bacon, peanut butter, cinnamon or DP to be killed. Anthraquinone (0.4 or 0.8) plus cinnamon and DP (0.5) did not affect palatability or lethality to captive ship rats (R. rattus) or possums. Anthraquinone and DP as surface coatings on baits are therefore acceptable to possums and possibly rats, at concentrations that deter some bird species.