Studies on the possible role of cation exchange capacity in the soil preference of mosses

Summary Moss species with a different soil preference with respect to its acidity and carbonate content also differ in their cation exchange capacity (leaf, stem, rhizoid), the acidiphile-calcifuges having lower C.E.C. values than the neutrophile-calcicoles. The higher the C.E.C. value, the more the divalent cations calcium and magnesium tend to be adsorbed as compared to the monovalents sodium and potassium, from an equinormal tetracationic solution. The increase in divalent adsorption is mainly due to calcium. Considering this differential adsorption of calcium and in view of data in literature on membrane characteristics, it appears that among the studied cations calcium is an important factor in the observed soil preference through its presence in the cell wall adsorbed fraction and thus in the membrane environment. The authors are granted a scholarship ‘aspirant-vorser’ of the Belgian ‘Nationaal Fonds voor Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek’.     

Metabolic responses of sand fiddler crabs, Uca pugilator, in northwest Florida to seasonal temperature change

Metabolic responses of sand fiddler crab, Uca pugilator, populations in northwest Florida are greatly influenced by seasonal temperature fluctuations. Crabs acclimated at 20 °C and immediately transferred to either 14 or 26 °C produced an acute metabolic response with respective temperature quotient (Q₁₀) values of 3.46 and 3.91. Crabs acclimated at 10 and 20 °C exhibited a Q₁₀ of 2.62 indicating a partial compensation response. A brumation (reverse) response (Q₁₀ value of 20.11) was observed for acclimated crabs between 5 and 10 °C. Brumation is advantageous during winter when food supplies are scarce and crabs must survive extensive periods of inactivity.