Natal dispersal and genetic structure in a population of the European wild rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus)

A combination of behavioural observation, DNA fingerprinting, and allozyme analysis were used to examine natal dispersal in a wild rabbit population. Rabbits lived in territorial, warren based social groups. Over a 6-year period, significantly more male than female rabbits moved to a new social group before the start of their first breeding season. This pattern of female philopatry and male dispersal was reflected in the genetic structure of the population. DNA fingerprint band-sharing coefficients were significantly higher for females within the same group than for females between groups, while this was not the case for males. Wrighfs inbreeding coefficients were calculated from fingerprint band-sharing values and compared to those obtained from allozyme data. There was little correlation between the relative magnitudes of the F-statistics calculated using the two techniques for comparisons between different social groups. In contrast, two alternative methods for calculating F_ST from DNA fingerprints gave reasonably concordant values although those based on band-sharing were consistently lower than those calculated by an ‘allele’ frequency approach. A negative F_IS value was obtained from allozyme data. Such excess heterozygosity within social groups is expected even under random mating given the social structure and sex-biased dispersal but it is argued that the possibility of behavioural avoidance of inbreeding should not be discounted in this species. Estimates of genetic differentiation obtained from allozyme and DNA fingerprint data agreed closely with reported estimates for the yellow-bellied marmot, a species with a very similar social structure to the European rabbit.     

Philopatry in the alpine grasshopper, Podisma pedestris: a novel experimental and analytical method

Abstract.

• 1 Local dispersal and philopatric behaviour of the alpine grasshopper, Podisma pedestris, were studied at two sites in the Alpes Maritimes using a new mark—release—resight technique featuring marking in situ, and multiple resighting without handling. The time-consuming nature of the design was justified by the quantity and quality of the data yielded.
• 2 Philopatry is defined independently of any concept of home range as a phenomenon by which movements over longer periods are less than would be expected by extrapolation of measures over shorter periods.
• 3 By this definition, the grasshoppers are shown to exhibit philopatry. Nymphs comprise two heterogenous classes of those which move little and those which move considerable distances.
• 4 Daily dispersal estimates were obtained from movements of 1055 nymphs and adults at one site, and of 593 adults at another.
• 5 Differences are demonstrated in daily dispersal distances for age, sex and site combinations.
• 6 Some differences in microhabitat preference were observed.
• 7 The findings are compared with previous measurements of dispersal in this species, and the merits of the new technique are discussed.

     

Antibiotic therapy of abscess of the lung and bronchiectasis

A clinical evaluation of phenylbutazone and Butapyrin(R) (a mixture of phenylbutazone and aminopyrine) was made in 409 patients who had a variety of rheumatic diseases. Preliminary European claims were substantiated.In gout a specific favorable effect was brought about by phenylbutazone alone. Effects equivalent to the previously reported favorable response to Butapyrin (Irgapyrin) were observed when its constituent phenylbutazone was used alone. The drug had a suppressive effect in a high percentage of patients with rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, arthritis with psoriasis and mixed arthritis (rheumatoid arthritis plus osteoarthritis). Favorable effect in peritendinitis of the shoulders, osteoporosis of the spine and acute lumbosacral strain also was noted. Toxicity resulted in discontinuance of medication in 10 per cent of patients with each drug. Manifestations of toxicity generally included fluid retention, nausea and rash, but there were several instances of transitory leukopenia and anemia. There was one instance of agranulocytosis with Butapyrin but none with phenylbutazone.dagger Aggravation of peptic ulcer occurred in ten patients with hemorrhage in two. Generally the toxicity was of a low order as compared with that of other drugs having an antirheumatic effect.     

Seasonal variation in septal spacing of Sepia officinalis and some Ordovician actinocerid nautiloids

Studies of cuttlebone of Sepia officinalis L. from the English Channel show a direct and linear correlation between ambient water temperature and septal spacing. The application of this observation to fossil shallow-water nautiloids and ammonoids is complicated by the equatorial habitat of many of these shells, their declining rate of chamber production through ontogeny and a paucity of large and complete specimens. But annual temperature variations are the most likely cause of variations in septal spacing a priori , temperature apparently being the prime determinant of feeding and growth rates of individuals at a particular ontogenetic stage. ▭ Nautiloids, annual growth, Ordovician , Sepia, English Channel.     

Steroidal Oestrogens and Adventitious Root Formation in Phaseolus Cuttings

Solutions of oestrone, oestrone-phosphate, oestrone-sulphate,oestradiol and oestradiol-sulphate in the concentration range10^–3 mol m^–3 to 10^–7 mol m^–3 had noobservable morphological or anatomical effects on adventitiousroot formation in Phaseolus vulgaris hypocotyl, epicotyl andprimary leaf cuttings. Oestradiol-sulphate and oestrone-sulphatetreatments at 0.1 mol m^–3 significantly inhibited rootingin hypocotyls, and the inhibition was almost complete in epicotylsand primary leaves. In the latter, anomalous development ofvascular tissues was noted. However, neither oestrone-phosphateat 0.1 mol m^–3 nor direct application of up to 100 µgof the oestrogens to apices or primary leaves of explants modifiedthe pattern of root formation. The results are discussed withreference to the distributive and metabolic fates of the appliedsubstances. Phaseolus vulgaris L., bean, adventitious roots, steroidal oestrogens, translocation