Abundance–range size relationships of macrolepidoptera in Britain: the effects of taxonomy and life history variables

1. A positive relationship between the local abundances and regional distributions of species in an assemblage has been observed for a wide variety of taxa, but its underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood.
2. Taxonomically controlled analyses of a group of the British macrolepidoptera (moths) find a strong, abundance–range size relationship.
3. Degree of polyphagy and habitat generalism explain significant within-taxon variation in both range size and abundance, with polyphages and habitat generalists having larger ranges and greater local abundances than specialists.
4. Taxa that feed in niches considered to be associated with a high diversity of parasitoids have significantly smaller range sizes than other taxa.
5. With the possible exception of body size, none of the life history variables examined explain significant variation around the range size–abundance relationship.     

Phylogeny and distribution of the phoracanthine genus Atesta (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) from Australia

The phylogeny of the phoracanthine genus Atesta (thirty-four species) is analysed using cladistic methods. The monophyly of Atesta is confirmed. Three major monophyletic species groups are recognized: (1) the thorntoni -group including twelve species: A.thorntoni, A.balteata, A.latifasciata, A.mediana, A.patula, A.newi, A.angasi, A.bifasciata, A.besti, A.ciliata, A.paratasmanica and A.tasmanica ; (2) the sisyrioides -group consisting of seventeen species: A.ibidionoides, A.carteri, A.longoelytrata, A.pubescens, A.stigmosa, A.sita, A.vittata, A.sparsa, A.minuta, A.tropicalis, A.unifasciata, A.sisyrioides, A.nigrihumerus, A.apicalis, A.brittoni, A.antennalis and A.brooksi , and (3) the houstoni -group containing five species: A.mapida, A.houstoni, A.tripartita, A.dixoni and A.centroaustralica. The distribution patterns of Atesta are described and discussed. Five distinct areas of endemism are found for Atesta: the Torresian, Timorian, Kosciuskan, Western and Eyrean Subregions. The Torresian Subregion has nine species, three of which are endemic to the subregion; the Timorian has four species, two of which are endemic; the Kosciuskan has twenty-three species, sixteen of which are endemic, the Western has five species, four of which are endemic, and the Eyrean has three species, one of which is endemic. Two kinds of distribution patterns for Atesta are identified: the wet adapted (peripherial), including the thorntoni -group and sisyrioides -group, and the wide-adapted, consisting of the houstoni -group. The thorntoni -group is typically a southern Australian species group, distributed in south-eastern and south-western Australian continent and Tasmania. The sisyrioides -group is mainly distributed in southeastern, eastern and northern Australian continent and Tasmania. The distribution of the houstoni -group includes central and peripherial Australian continent.     

Sex-Age Selectivity and Correlates of Capture for Winter-Trapped White-Tailed Deer

ANDREW J. TYRE⁷ ABSTRACT Despite the common use of Clover traps to capture white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), little published information exists quantifying trap success, trap selectivity (sex-age selection), or weather correlates of trap success. We quantified these relationships using white-tailed deer data from 3 study sites in the Lower Peninsula of Michigan, USA, during winters 2001–2007. We captured 610 deer in 8,569 trap-nights; pooled capture success was 0.07 deer/trap-night, although site-year success varied from 0.021 to 0.086. We compared sex-age classes (fawn [pooled by sex], ad M, ad F) captured with sex-age classes estimated to be available on each study site during each capture season. We used generalized linear mixed modeling to construct 19 a priori models to describe probability of capture success as a function of weather covariates (daily min. temp [° C], daily snowfall [cm], daily snow depth [cm]), Julian day, site, and year. General selection patterns included fawns captured more than expected and adult males captured less than expected; adult females were generally neutrally selected. The quasi-Akaike's Information Criterion best model within our set was described by the global model without Julian day and contained all 3 weather covariates and site-year effects. Our model provided some evidence that as daily snow depth increased, probability of capture increased; the positive effect of daily snowfall on capture probability was dependent on decreasing daily minimum temperature. Our results may be used to increase efficacy of deer capture programs by researchers and managers through informed decision-making about when to allocate effort (e.g., if extreme winter weather conditions are predicted) and when to consider alternative methods (e.g., if capture of ad M is an objective).     

Management Implications of Cover Selection Data: Northern Bobwhite Example

Abstract: We derived a method of estimating the direction and magnitude of cover changes for potentially maximizing wildlife abundance on an area. We illustrate the method with data on cover selection by northern bobwhites (Colinus virginianus) collected in the Texas Panhandle from 2000 to 2003. We used radiotelemetry to determine use of cover associations, Geographic Information System analysis to determine their availability, and logic related to use-availability analysis to collapse 95% kernel home ranges to usable space. Bobwhites selected mixed-shrub cover consisting of sand plum (Prunus angustifolia) and fragrant sumac (Rhus aromatica), and they avoided or neutrally used 8 other cover associations. However, grass upland and sand sagebrush (Artemisia filifolia) associations occurred in ≥86% of home ranges (n = 96 bobwhites with ≥30 radiolocations). Usable space averaged 54.2% ± 1.72 SE of kernel home ranges. The data indicated that adding about 226 ha of mixed-shrub cover or a structural homologue while simultaneously reducing the quantity of most other cover associations would maximize bobwhite abundance. An area with 30–60% mixed-shrub cover, with the balance in grass upland and sand sagebrush, and with cover dispersed such that no point was >30 m from mixed-shrub cover was hypothetically optimal for bobwhites in our region. Within certain constraints (e.g., financial, social, edaphic), managers can apply this method by manipulating cover types through relevant management practices (e.g., planting, prescribed burning, mechanical removal of vegetation). This method, with minor modification, could also be used to decrease usable space on an area, and thus decrease wildlife densities, should that be the manager's objective.     

Commissural asymmetry in brachiopods

Consistent asymmetric folding of the commissure is a characteristic feature of a small but significant number of brachiopod species. The feature may be obligate or facultative and is almost entirely confined to rhynchonellids, most of which are Mesozoic. The detailed nature of the asymmetry is very variable, but does not extend to internal hard parts such as crura. Taken as a whole, asymmetric brachiopod species show no preference for any particular environment or geographic region, and in no circumstances seem to have been markedly more or less successful than symmetric species. We are thus led to suggest that asymmetry was a genetically based condition which cropped up periodically in brachiopod evolution, and which possibly was selected neither particularly for nor against.     

Using Advancements in Cable-Trapping to Overcome Barriers to Furbearer Management in the United States

ABSTRACT Harvest of furbearers through trapping has been challenged by anti-trapping organizations for centuries, with organizational goals often including prohibition of all forms of trapping. Challenges to trapping may also include dissention among state wildlife agencies, pro-hunting organizations, and pro-trapping organizations. Despite recent efforts by anti-trapping organizations and occasional dissention among consumptive-use groups, national trends in snaring regulations included less restrictive regulations through time. This positive trend may offer opportunities for state wildlife agencies and pro-trapping organizations to enhance the public image of trapping, increase recruitment of trappers, and reverse the increasing trend of wildlife damage and associated costs. We offer support and suggestions to state wildlife agencies and pro-trapping organizations to help achieve these goals, with their partnership likely having a synergistic effect. Although we attempt to illuminate approaches for increasing support for trapping within the constraints of the cultural norms of the United States, we hope our approaches are useful to and promote dialogue in other jurisdictions experiencing similar problems.     

Extracellular Alkaline Phosphatase in Multicellular Marine Algae and Their Utilization of Glycerophosphate

The production of extracellular alkaline phosphatase by multicellular marine algae in axenic culture has been investigated. The algae studied were five species of Rhodophyta: Asterocytis ramosa, Goniotrichum elegans, Nemalion helminthoides, Polysiphonia urceolata and Rhodosorus marinus; and one species of Phaeophyta: Ecrocarpus confervoides. The extent of enzyme activity varies from one species to another. It also varies with the phosphorus conditions under which the alga is grown. The pattern of glycerophosphate utilization suggests that this type of compound is not taken up directly by the alga but split by the external enzyme before uptake of the phosphate-ion only. The enzyme performs its action outside the organism and appears both associated with the cells and free in the surrounding water. Assays with culture filtrate of Asterocytis and Ectocarpus show that the enzyme is an unspecific phosphomonoesterase with optimum activity far to the alkaline side. It is activated by Zn²⁺.     

Some Biochemical Changes Associated with Paclobutrazol-Induced Adventitious Root Formation on Bean Hypocotyl Cuttings

Phaseolus vulgaris hypocotyl cuttings were placed in solutionscontaining either 0 (controls) or 43 µM paclobutrazolfor 24 h after which they were placed in peat– perlitefor 8 d. Paclobutrazol more than doubled the number of rootsformed on the cuttings but did not affect individual root length.Compared with controls, treated cuttings exhibited increasedactivities of catalase, peroxidase, polyphenol oxidase, malatedehydrogenase, protease and RNase in the base of the cuttings.These enhanced enzyme activities were particularly evident between3 and 5 d after excision. The largest paclobutrazol-inducedpromotion of enzyme activity occurred with malate dehydrogenasewhich was increased more than 2-fold compared with the controls.In contrast, paclobutrazol reduced amylase activity in comparisonto controls, suggesting that this enzyme may not be directlyrelated to root formation. These data indicate that the enhancementof adventitious root formation by paclobutrazol is accompaniedby changes in the activities of a number of enzymes which havepreviously been postulated to be involved in rooting. However,these changes in activity are generally greatest later in therooting period, suggesting that they may be involved in thedevelopment rather than the initiation of roots. Enzyme activity, growth regulator, Phaseolus vulgaris L., rooting