The palaearctic species ofBothriothorax (Hym., Encyrtidae) allied toB. paradoxus (Dalman)

Résumé Une espèce nouvelle deBothriothorax est décrite et une clef d'identification est donnée pour les espèces apparentées àB. paradoxus (Dalm.).      

Diversity and habitat relationships of hypogeous fungi. II. Factors influencing the occurrence and number of taxa

Fruit-bodies of hypogeous fungi were sampled over two seasons across 136 forested study sites representing a stratified sample of the climatic, geological and topographic features of far south-eastern mainland Australia. Two hundred and nine species, over three-quarters being undescribed, were recorded. Statistical models based on various environmental attributes measured for each site were developed for the occurrence of several common taxa. At a landscape scale, climatic factors such as mean minimum temperature of the coldest month and annual mean moisture index were important explanatory variables for most taxa examined, but the type of response varied. More locally, topographic position, soil fertility, time since last fire and micro-habitat structures such as the leaf litter layer and number of large fallen trees also influenced the distribution of taxa in different ways. A model was then developed for the number of fungal species occurring at each site. Important explanatory variables were type of substrate, topography and diversity of potential host eucalypt species. The utility of each model constructed needs evaluation by further sampling of hypogeous fungi. Possible implications of our findings for forest management are discussed. Further analyses of our existing data are also identified.     

Practical management of perinatal death.

After the loss of a newborn baby the parents are usually too shocked and unfamiliar with the complicated administration procedures to cope with the registration of death and burial (or cremation). The medical and nursing staff also tend to be unfamiliar with the procedures. Some of these can be streamlined, thus reducing the stress caused to parents. By giving positive instruction the staff will in their turn be able to improve their care of the bereaved parents.     

Circadian rhythms of activity, ventilatory frequency and heart rate in the adult River lamprey, Lampetra fluviatilis

Activity and the electrocardiogram and respiratory potentials of 17 adult River lampreys, Lampetra fluviatilis , acclimated to 7°± 1°C and a light/dark cycle of 11/13 hours, were recorded throughout the spawning run (November to April). Activity was far greater in the dark in all but the sexually mature animals, reflecting behaviour in the field. A circadian rhythm was also observed in the heart rate during periods of inactivity, and this was correlated with an increase in ventilatory frequency or amplitude. A similar rhythm was not present in the sexually mature animals. Moreover, heart and ventilatory frequencies tended to increase during the spawning run. A whole number ratio between heart rate and ventilatory frequency was seen in only 11 of 425 recordings.