Increased fluctuations of butterfly populations towards the northern edges of species' ranges

Data from a national butterfly monitoring scheme were analysed to test the theory that animal populations are more variable towards the edges of species ranges Nine of the 24 species tested fluctuated with significantly greater amplitude nearer their northern limits, providing the first clear evidence of this phenomenon among ectotherms With some species, the pattern of fluctuations also varied across ranges with populations increasing and decreasing more gradually, and perhaps cyclically, over several generations in the north     

Water stress,temperature, and light effects on the capacity for isoprene emission and photosynthesis of kudzu leaves

Kudzu (Pueraria lobata (Willd) Ohwi.) is a vine which forms large, monospecific stands in disturbed areas of the southeastern United States. Kudzu also emits isoprene, a hydrocarbon which can significantly affect atmospheric chemistry including reactions leading to tropospheric ozone. We have studied physiological aspects of isoprene emission from kudzu so the ecological consequences of isoprene emission can be better understood. We examined: (a) the development of isoprene emission as leaves developed, (b) the interaction between photon flux density and temperature effects on isoprene emission, (c) isoprene emission during and after water stress, and (d) the induction of isoprene emission from leaves grown at low temperature by water stress or elevated temperature. Isoprene emission under standard conditions of 1000 mol photons·m^-2·s^-1 and 30°C developed only after the leaf had reached full expansion, and was not complete until up to two weeks past the point of full expansion of the leaf. The effect of temperature on isoprene emission was much greater than found for other species, with a 10°C increase in temperature causing a eight-fold increase in the rate of isoprene emission. Isoprene emission from kudzu was stimulated by increases in photon flux density up to 3000 mol photons·m^-2·s^-1. In contrast, photosynthesis of kudzu was saturated at less than 1000 mol·m^-2·s^-1 photon flux density and was reduced at high temperature, so that up to 20% of the carbon fixed in photosynthesis was reemitted as isoprene gas at 1000 mol photons·m^-2·s^-1 and 35°C. Withholding water caused photosynthesis to decline nearly to zero after several days but had a much smaller effect on isoprene emission. Following the relief of water stress, photosynthesis recovered to the prestress level but isoprene emission increased to about five times the prestress rate. At 1000 mol photons·m^-2·s^-1 and 35°C as much as 67% of the carbon fixed in photosynthesis was reemitted as isoprene eight days after water stress. Leaves grown at less than 20°C did not make isoprene until an inductive treatment was given. Inductive treatments included growth at 24°C, leaf temperature of 30°C for 5 h, or witholding water from plants. With the new information on temperature and water stress effects on isoprene emission, we speculate that isoprene emission may help plants cope with stressful conditions.     

Interrelationships among fluorometric analyses of spermatozoal function, classical semen quality parameters and the fertility of frozen-thawed bovine spermatozoa

Cryopreserved spermatozoa from 8 bulls were used to examine the interrelationships among flow cytometric spermatozoal quality assessments and classical semen quality parameters and nonreturn rate estimates of fertility. The integrity of the sperm cell membrane and the functional capacity of the mitochondria were quantified by flow cytometry after concurrent staining with carboxydimethylfluorescein diacetate (CDMFDA), propidium iodide (PI), and rhodamine 123 (R123). For each sample a total of 10,000 stained spermatozoa were simultaneously quantified for the intensity of their green and red fluorescence. Three straws from each bull were each examined initially and following incubation at 37 degrees C for 3 hours to assess the rate of senescence. The proportion of spermatozoa retaining membrane integrity and having functional mitochondria, as determined by CDMFDA and R123 staining, were compared with classical semen quality assessments (sperm motility, acrosomal status, cellular and head morphology, presence of vacuoles/craters and cytoplasmic droplets) and with fertility (nonreturn to estrus rates). For individual ejaculates nonreturn rates, the range was from 61.8 to 78.8%, whereas the cumulative rates of several ejaculates for each bull ranged from 71.3 to 83.5%. The proportion of spermatozoa with functional membranes and mitochondria were positively correlated with the percentage of spermatozoa with normal morphology (r=0.82; P=0.01) and motility after 4 hours of incubation (r=0.78; P=0.02), but not with the estimates of fertility. The actual number of spermatozoa per straw staining with CDMFDA and R123 after 4 hours of incubation at 37 degrees C was correlated with the percentage of spermatozoa with normal morphology (r=0.73; P=0.04). Multiple regression equations indicated that combinations of semen quality measurements could be useful in estimating fertilizing potential.     

Food Storage in Gray Jays: Source Type and Cache Dispersion

Animals that store food items in scattered sites must decide how to distribute their caches in space. Our theoretical approach is based on the assumption that such animals disperse their caches in a manner that maximizes the long-term rate of storage of recoverable (surviving) food items in the habitat. We investigate the cache-spacing behavior of theoretical scatter hoarders that encounter food sources differing in the energetic content of the items they contain. We then describe a field experiment in which gray jays (Perisoreus canadensis) were presented with both small- and large-item food sources. The jays compensated for source type by spacing larger-item caches more widely, a compensation that would tend to yield a high rate of storage of recoverable food energy over the long term and throughout the territory. Previous models do not adequately account for the observed patterns of cache dispersion.     

Konstruktionsprinzipien des Schnabelskeletts beim schlupfreifen Jungvogel

Zusammenfassung Unter Einsatz einer neuartigen, direkt vergrößernden Röntgentechnologie wurde die Konstruktion des Schnabelskeletts von schlupfreifen Jungvögeln untersucht. Wie die bei Verwendung sog. Mikrofokus-Röntgengeräte erzielten Röntgenaufnahmen erkennen lassen, weist das Schnabelskelett der Schlüpflinge — unabhängig vom Entwicklungsmodus — bei allen untersuchten Formen einen recht einheitlichen Bau auf. Sowohl der Ossifikationsgrad der Kiefer als auch die spezifische Osteoarchitektur der Knochenelemente des Schnabelapparates, insbesondere im Bereich der Substantia spongiosa des Os praemaxillare können als anatomische Anpassungen an die beim Sprengen der Eischale auftretenden mechanischen Belastungen des Kieferskeletts gewertet werden.

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Construction principles of the beak skeleton in the hatchling

Summary The structure of the beak skeleton of hatchlings was analysed using a new direct magnifying X-ray technique. The application of these microfocus X-ray systems reveals a quite uniform construction of the beak skeleton in the hatchlings, independent from the mode of development of the bird species groups studied (precocial, altricial etc.). The amount of ossification as well as the specific osteoarchitecture of the jaw bones of the beak apparatus — especially in the region of Substantia spongiosa of the Os praemaxillare — may be considered as an anatomical adaptation to mechanical stress of the jaw bones during picking of the eggshell.

     

Electrical responses of the marine ciliate Euplotes vannus (Hypotrichia) to mechanical stimulation at the posterior cell end

Electrical responses upon mechanostimulation at the posterior cell end were investigated in the marine hypotrichous ciliate Euplotes vannus. A new mechanostimulator was developed to mimic stimuli that are identical with those involved in cell-cell collisions. The receptor potential hyperpolarized by 18–35 mV within 12–25 msec, reached a peak value of -62 mV with a delay of 4–9 msec after membrane deformation, and was deactivated after 50–70 msec. Cirri were stimulated to beat accelerated backward. The corresponding receptor current exerted a similar time course with a peak of 2.4 nA. The shift of the reversal potential by 57.6 mV at a tenfold increase of [K⁺] ₀ identifies potassium ions as current carriers within the development of the receptor potential. An intracellular K concentration of 355 mmol/liter was calculated for cells in a medium that was composed similar to sea-water. The mechanically activated potassium current was totally inhibited by extracellular TEA and intracellular Cs⁺, and partially inhibited by extracellular 4-AP. The total inhibition of the current by injected EGTA points to a Ca dependence of the posterior mechanosensitivity. It was confirmed by the increase of the peak current amplitude with rising [Ca²⁺] ₀ . Sodium presumably repolarizes the receptor potential because the repolarization was delayed and after-depolarizations were eliminated in media without sodium. Since deciliation did not affect mechano-sensitivity, the corresponding ion channels reside within the soma membrane.The authors wish to thank Mr. Norbert Spreckelmeier from the electronics workshop and Mr. Herbert Lutter from the fine-mechanical workshop of the department for their excellent work, Mrs. G. Key and Mr. H. Mikoleit for skillful technical assistance and for preparing the figures. This work was supported by Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft, SFB 171, C7.