Manipulation of chemistry and phytoplankton by hydrological intervention: a whole lake experiment in the northern Netherlands

SUMMARY. 1. The small Lake Negenmad, in the nature reserve 'De Oude Venen', was isolated from the canals and lakes of the Frisian lake system. Its chemistry and phytoplankton were monitored 1 year before (1984) and 2 years after (1985–86) isolation. These characteristics were compared with those of the adjacent Lake Veertigmad which was not manipulated.
2. The hydrological intervention prevented the inflow of chloride-rich IJsselmeer water into Lake Negenmad and made its water table more dependent on evapotranspiration, precipitation and upwelling water. In comparison with the unmanipulated lake. Lake Negenmad became less saline (c. 50%), more humic (c. 50%) and total dissolved (<0.2,μm) iron concentration increased dramatically.
3. During the 2 years of damming no marked differences in the total nutrient concentrations of either lake were observed. However, the maximum phytoplankton density in the dammed lake was half that in the unmanipulated lake. The lower density may have been caused by low P availability after formation of humus-iron phosphate species.
4. Preventing the inflow of water from the Frisian lake system favoured the occurrence in Lake Negenmad of flagellated species (Chrysophyceae, Cryptophyceae) at the expense of filamentous and nuisance-causing cyanobacteria (Oscillutoria, Anabaena, Aphanizomenon spp.).
5. The implications of these results for water quality management of reservoirs in peaty areas are briefly discussed.     

Species abundance and habitat differences in biomass of subterranean termites (Isoptera) in the wheatbelt of Western Australia

The distribution and abundance, and habitat differences in biomass of subterranean termites, were assessed through soil trenching for woodland, mallee and heath habitats in the central wheatbelt of Western Australia. Over an 11 month sampling period, there were no significant habitat differences in biomass. Mean dry biomass in the surficial layer of soil (per 5000 cm³) averaged 46 mg in woodland, 28 mg in mallee, and 23 mg in heath. Termite biomass peaked in September, with 141 mg for woodland, 83 mg for mallee and 47 mg for heath (per 5000 cm³). Soil moisture and termite activity near the surface were positively correlated. A total of 36 species of termites, comprising 11 genera, were identified, and species abundance within and across habitats differed significantly.     

Differentiation of roles of chemosensory organs in food discrimination among host and non-host plants by larvae of the tobacco hornworm, Manduca sexta

ABSTRACT. The contributions of olfactory and gustatory organs in food plant discrimination were examined in larvae of Manduca sexta (Johan.) (Lepidoptera, Sphingidae). Larvae, from which various chemosensory organs had been removed surgically, were tested for feeding preferences for a host, tomato ( Lycopersicon esculentum ); a weakly acceptable non-host, rape ( Brassica napus ); and an unacceptable non-host canna ( Canna generalis ), using a two-choice disc bioassay.
Removal of all known chemosensory organs resulted in failure to show discriminatory behaviour in a strictly chemosensory bioassay, indicating that all external chemosensory organs have been accounted for. The involvement of non-chemosensory organs results in residual discrimination for leaves by individuals with total chemosensory ablations.
Larvae possessing either olfactory or gustatory organs still exhibit normal preferences for tomato over rape. Gustatory (but not olfactory) organs are required for larvae to show normal preferences for tomato over canna; in fact, olfactory organs do not appear to participate in this decision.
To examine which if any of the plant species is being selected in two-choice tests, larvae were given a choice between each leaf species and a 'neutral' substance (wet filter paper). Both olfactory and gustatory organs are required for normal preferences for tomato, but either alone will suffice for rape. Only gustation is needed to select canna, and participation of either the epipharyngeal sensilla or a single medial sensillum styloconicum is sufficient to elicit complete rejection behaviour.
We conclude that, in larvae of M. sexta , the complement of chemosensory organs needed for food plant discrimination varies with the plant species sampled. Evidence is presented exposing a potential artefact of ablation experiments; extirpation of one sensory organ may affect the functioning of others nearby, even though they may appear normal by visual inspection.     

Copulation in the hermaphroditic snail Lymnaea stagnalis: a review

Summary

Male copulatory behavior of the hermaphroditic snail Lymnaea stagnalis is a complex one: the appetitive behavior consists of a number of elements which do not always appear in the same sequence and have variable durations. Backfills of the penis nerve revealed the neurons that send projections to the male copulatory apparatus. Immunocytochemical experiments have demonstrated that these neurons contain at least ten different messenger molecules. Based on in situ hybridization and chemical purification data, it is suspected that this number will probably be doubled. How the different neurons and the molecules they contain might be involved in generation of the different elements of male copulatory behavior is discussed.     

Aggregation in the questing tick, Rhipicephalus pulchellus

ABSTRACT. The ixodid tick, Rhipicephalus pulchellus (Ixodidae) can be observed aggregated on the tips of grass stems in the field in Kenya. From laboratory experiments, Browning (1976) concluded that these aggregations were the result of ticks having first aggregated on the ground if provided with sufficient cover. During our extension of Browning's experiments using several types of cover, the ticks did not exhibit aggregating behaviour. The influence of the presence of a human observer on the activity of the ticks, however, became apparent.