A comparison of food capture and ingestion in juveniles of two flatfish species, Pleuronectes platessa and Limanda limanda (Teleostei: Pleuronectiformes)

Juvenile plaice, Pleuronectes platessa ( n =6, 151–197 mm SL) and dab Limanda limanda ( n =6, 119–180.5 mm SL) feeding on pieces of mussel flesh were studied by high-speed (200 fields s⁻¹) videophotography at 11) C. Prey capture cycles (involving jaw protrusion and opercular expansion) were described in both species. The capture cycle was followed by at least one cycle (similar to the capture cycle in all respects except food intake) which is believed to transport food to the oesophagus. The transport cycle (or cycles) was followed by a species-specific number of normal respiratory cycles (7 or 8 in plaice, 11 or 12 in dab) and a final single cycle when food debris was violently ejected from the opercular cavity. The respiratory cycles and ejection cycle cleansed the orobranchial/opercular cavities and gills. Differences between the species were relatively minor, but plaice captured and transported food more quickly than dab.     

Effect of temperature and photoperiod on the growth of the embryonic dogfish, Scyliorhinus canicula

Photoperiod has no effect on the growth of embryonic dogfish. Conversely, developmental rates are highly susceptible to temperature variation. Embryos maintained at 16°C grew faster and ecloded earlier than those maintained at 10°C. Increased temperature had no effect on size at eclosion.     

The effects of insulin and the pituitary peptide beta-cell tropin on the incorporation of D-3-3H-glucose into lipid in brown adipocytes from lactating and non-lactating rats.

Lactating and non-lactating rat brown adipocytes were used to study the dose-dependent stimulation of lipogenesis by Beta-cell tropin (BCT) and insulin. In non-lactating animals BCT increased lipogenesis approximately 2-fold compared to a 3-fold stimulation with insulin; however BCT was effective at a substantially lower molar concentration than insulin. In lactating animals resistance was observed to both BCT and insulin action.     

Can preliminary screening of dyspeptic patients allow more effective use of investigational techniques?

A total of 1041 patients with undiagnosed dyspepsia were interviewed to determine whether they required investigation for organic disease. The interviewer, a research assistant without medical qualifications, used a standard data sheet. The information obtained was analysed by computer, and, according to the results, patients were predicted to be at high, medium, or low risk. They were then followed up and the final diagnosis was compared with the risk predicted by computer. Patients predicted to be at low risk had a 10% chance of having ulcer disease and a 0.3% chance of having cancer, whereas patients predicted to be at high risk had a 20% chance of having ulcer disease and a 10% chance of having cancer. Appropriate preliminary screening of patients with acute dyspepsia can separate a group at low risk who will require investigation only if their symptoms do not resolve and a group at high risk requiring urgent outpatient consultation.     

Sown wildflowers between vines increase beneficial insect abundance and richness in a British vineyard

1. Traditional vineyards are generally intensive monocultures with high pesticide usage. Viticulture is one of the fastest-growing sectors of English agriculture, although there is currently limited research on habitat management practices.
2. In a vineyard in East Sussex, England, we tested five inter-row ground cover treatments on their potential in supporting beneficial insects: two commercially available seed mixes (meadow mix and pollen and nectar mix), a wild bee seed mix (formulated based on pollinator foraging preferences), natural regeneration, and regularly mowed grass.
3. Over two years, from May to August, we conducted monthly floral surveys and insect surveys using transect walks and pan traps.
4. The abundance and richness of flowers in the natural regeneration treatment were twice that of the regularly mown inter-row treatment. By year 2, the abundance of “total insects” sampled was significantly higher in the wild bee mix compared to mown. Likewise, there was a significant effect of treatment type on pollinator richness, with a higher mean richness found in wild bee mix. Solitary wasp family richness was highest in the natural regeneration treatment and lowest in the mown treatment.
5. Given the rapid growth and lack of specific environmental recommendations for British viticulture, we demonstrate a simple and effective approach for supporting beneficial insects and ecosystem services. Promotion of perennial wildflowers through sowing or allowing natural regeneration in inter-row ground cover in vineyards has the potential to boost biodiversity in vineyards on a large scale if widely adopted.