Strange limits of stability in host-parasitoid systems

The classical Nicholson-Bailey model for a two species host-parasitoid system with discrete generations assumes random distributions of both hosts and parasitoids, randomly searching parasitoids, and random encounters between the individuals of the two species. Although unstable, this model induced many investigations into more complex host-parasitoid systems. Local linearized stability analysis shows that equilibria of host parasitoid systems within the framework of a generalized Nicholson-Bailey model are generally unstable. Stability is only possible if host fertility does not exceede ⁴=54.5982 and if superparasitism is unsuccessful. This special situation has already been discovered by Hassell et al. (1983) in their study of the effects of variable sex ratios on host parasitoid dynamics. We discuss global behaviour of the Hassell-Waage-May model using KAM-theory and illustrate its sensitivity to small perturbations, which can give rise to radically different patterns of the population dynamics of interacting hosts and parasitoids.     

Subject: foraging

Research Notes on Avian Biology 1994: Selected Contributions from the 21st International Ornithological CongressBehavior: Foraging

Subject: foraging     

Fine root growth and demographic responses to nutrient patches in four old-field plant species

Proliferation of roots in a nutrient patch can occur either as a result of an increase in root length (morphological response) or by a change in root birth or death rates (demographic responses). In this study we attempted to distinguish between these two mechanisms of response to nutrient patches and to compare the responses of four old-field plant species (two annuals, two perennials). For all four species combined, there were significant increases in root numbers and root length in fertilized patches. Root proliferation in fertilized patches was largely due to increased birth (=branching) rates of new roots. However, there was also a significant increase in root death rates in the fertilized patches which reduced the magnitude of the increase in net root numbers. Plots for individual species suggested they differed in the magnitude and timing of root proliferation in fertilized patches due to differences in root birth and death rates. However, because of the limited sample size in this study, there was only a marginally significant difference among species in root birth rates, and no difference in death rates. Further studies are currently underway to better quantify species differences in the demographic mechanism, as well as magnitude, of response to nutrient patches and if this would affect the ability to exploit small-scale heterogeneity in soil resources.     

Purification and Characterization of an l-Aminopeptidase from Pseudomonas putida ATCC 12633

An l-aminopeptidase of Pseudomonas putida, used in an industrial process for the hydrolysis of d,l-amino acid amide racemates, was purified to homogeneity. The highly l-enantioselective enzyme resembled thiol reagent-sensitive alkaline serine proteinases and was strongly activated by divalent cations. It possessed a high substrate specificity for dipeptides and alpha-H amino acid amides, e.g., l-phenylglycine amide.     

Characterization of serological properties of polyclonal antibodies produced against enzymes involved in the L-selective cleavage of hydantoin derivatives

Summary Polyclonal antibodies were produced against the highly purified enzymes L-hydantoinase, hydantoin-racemase and L-N-carbamoylamino acid amidohydrolase of Arthrobacter aurescens DSM 3747. In order to exploit these antibodies for basic research (molecular biology) or bioengineering (process development), the serological properties had to be characterized. Both, the hydantoinase- and carbamoylase-antibodies were observed to be monofunctional, whereas the hydantoin-racemase-antibody was found to be additionally specific against the L-hydantoinase. Monospecificity was realized after affinity chromatography. Investigations on serological crossreactions with several linear- and cyclic amidases (e.g. hydantoinases) as well as hydantoin-racemases are demonstrated in this paper.Deticated to Prof. Dr. Klaus Mosbach on the occation of his 60th birthday.     

The allometry of algal respiration

For 30 years, study after study has shown that respiration ratesincrease as {small tilde}0.75 of body size for organisms rangingfrom protozoans to mammals. However, a number of studies suggestedthat the respiration-size relationship for algae may be a rareexception to this general rule. Algal respiration may be almostproportional to cell size, such that the slope of the respiration-sizerelationship is closer to unity. The present study examinedthe effect of cell size and taxon on phytoplankton respiration,using data collected from the literature. To this end, we collecteda data set of 178 observations of algal respiration and cellsize representing six divisions-chlorophytes. chrysophytes,cyanophytes, euglenophytes, pyrrophytes and rhodophytes. Therelationship between respiration (R, in p1 O₂ cell^–1 h^–1)and cell carbon content (C, in pg C cell^–1) is describedas R = 0.030C^{0 93} and the exponent is significantly >3/4.When we expressed cell size in terms of volume, the exponentdecreased to 0.88 but this is still significantly >3/4. Amongthe six divisions studied, chlorophytes, euglenophytes and rhodophytesseemed to differ significantly in their respiration-size relationshipfrom other taxa. However, euglenophytes and rhodophytes havesuch small size ranges that no meaningful relationships canbe developed for those groups alone. The chlorophyte respiration-sizerelationship has obvious patterns in its residuals which mayindicate that significant sources of error were not controlledin these heterogeneous data. Thus, for the present, the generalmodel seems most appropriate for the prediction of respirationrates of phytoplankton.