Feeding postures of suspension-feeding larval black flies: the conflicting demands of drag and food acquisition

Summary We tested whether larval black flies actively control the positioning of their feeding appendages (labral fans), and if so, whether their posture represents a balance between the conflicting demands of drag and feeding. We compared the postures of live larvae with the postures of larvae killed by heat-shock in three different flow regimes in a laboratory experiment; we assumed that the postures of heat-killed larvae approximated a passive response to drag. The average height of the labral fans above the bed declined significantly in faster flows, and was significantly greater in live than dead larvae. There was also a significant interaction effect, since the difference between the fan heights of live and dead larvae was greater in slower flows. Two mechanisms may contribute to this result. Larvae in slower flows have to increase their fan heights more than larvae living in faster flows to achieve comparable increases in velocity and thus particle flux. In addition, muscular strength may limit the feeding postures larvae can assume. The fan heights of live larvae also varied depending on the concentration of food particles: larvae exposed to low food concentrations held their fans higher above the bed than did larvae exposed to high food concentrations in the same flow regime. This change in posture is due neither to an uneven particle concentration in the boundary layer nor to added drag from particles trapped in the labral fans. Collectively, our results indicate that these suspension feeders actively control their feeding posture, and suggest that these varying postures represent a dynamic balance between the conflicting needs of minimizing drag and maximizing feeding.     

Über Aufbau und Innervation der Kopfanhänge der prosobranchen Schnecken

Zusammenfassung Das Epithel der Kopfanhänge von elf marinen und Süßwasserprosobranchiern besteht aus prismatischen bis kubischen Stützzellen mit meist dichtem Mikrovillussaum und z.T. Pigmentgranula sowie Sinneszellen, die fast immer in Form sekundärer Sinneszellen vorliegen; nur bei Patella coerulea kommen vermutlich auch primäre Sinneszellen vor. Ihr Zytoplasma ist apikal durch glattwandige E. R.-Zisternen, helle Bläschen und Mikrotubuli gekennzeichnet. Außerdem tragen diese Zellen Zilien und stehen basal mit Nervenendigungen in Kontakt, die sich in drei Gruppen einteilen lassen: 1. Vermutlich cholinerge Endigungen mit optisch leeren Bläschen (Ø 600–800 Å). 2. Endigungen mit dense core vesicles (Ø 1000–1100 Å). Die Annahme, daß diese Endigungen biogene Amine enthalten, wird durch fluoreszenzmikroskopische Befunde gestützt. 3. Endigungen mit großen (Ø 3000–4000 Å) neurosekretorischen Elementargranula.

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Structure and innervation of the cephalic tentacles of Prosobranch molluscs

Summary The epithelium of the cephalic tentacles of eleven marine and freshwater prosobranch snails consists of villus bearing supporting cells, which partly contain pigment granules, and sensory cells, which occur in form of secondary sensory cells with the exception of Patella coerulea which presumably possesses primary sensory cells. These receptor cells are characterized as chemoreceptors by apical cilia, smooth surfaced E.R., microtubulues and empty vesicles. At their bases they are in close contact with nerve endings which can be classified in three groups: 1. presumably cholinergic endings with clear vesicles (Ø 600–800 Å). 2. endings with dense core vesicles (Ø 1000–1100 Å). The assumption that these endings contain biogenic amines is supported by positive fluorescence microscopical tests. 3. Endings with big (Ø 3000–4000 Å) neurosecretory elementary granules.

Herrn Prof. Dr. W. Bargmann danke ich für die Überlassung eines Arbeitsplatzes im Anatomischen Institut Kiel.     

Regulatory processes and population cyclicity in laboratory populations ofAnagasta Kühniella (Zeller) (Lepidoptera: Phycitidae). III. The development of population models

1. Life table data for interactions between Anagasta kühniella and its ichneumon parasite Venturia canescens in two room ecosystems (A & B) have been analyzed in an attempt to explain and model each room situation. The life table data have been presented in the form of a graphical key-factor analysis, and have been further analyzed by an investigation of the density relationships between the different mortalities and the Angasta densities upon which the mortalities act.
2. In room A (1.2 gm food per container), the parasites were present throughout the interaction. Egg and early larval mortality (k₁) appeared to be directly density-dependent and was the sole stabilizing influence when introduced into the model for room A. The area of discovery of the parasite was relatively constant and its mean value was used to calculate parasitism (k₃) in the model. All other mortalities were density-independent and treated as being constant at their mean values. The model predicts a series of oscillations of decreasing amplitude which are somewhat similar to those observed in the Anagasta population during the early stages of the interaction. The observed mean densities of host and parasite were very close to those predicted.
3. In room B, the parasites were absent for the first 8 generations (1- 2gm food per container). Model B₁ covers this period and includes a direct density-dependent component describing changes in k₁, the remaining mortalities being constant. The observed mean densities approximate to the calculated densities. The parasites were present from the ninth generation and after the eleventh generation the food per container was increased to 7.2 gm. Model B₂ covers the period in room B from generation 11. The most important component of k₁ after the parasites were established is a delayed density-dependent one which appeared to be due to wounding of very small larvae by the probing activities of the parasites. Since the changes in k₁ could not be suitably predicted, the observed values were used in model B₂. This delayed component was not detected in room A due to the relatively small range of parasite densities in room A compared with the 600-fold change in densities in room B. The calculated area of discovery for the parasite population in each generation was found to vary inversely with searching parasite density, and this ‘interference relationship’ was used in the submodel for parasitism. Again, this relationship was not detected in room A due to the much smaller range of parasite densities there. Model B₂ gives oscillations in host and parasite populations arising from parasitism being a delayed density-dependent mortality. The correspondence with the observed oscillations is partly due to the actual k₁-values being used and partly because the submodel for parasitism adequately describes the observed changes in k₃. The tendency for these oscillations to decrease in amplitude is due to both the damping effect of parasite interference and the direct density-dependent component of k₁.

     

Ocean current variability and the spawning season of Hawaiian reef fishes

Synopsis The spawning patterns of four Hawaiian reef fishes with similar reproductive habits, but different biogeographic distributions were studied from September 1980 to October 1981. Two species are Hawaiian endemics [Centropyge potteri (Pomacanthidae) and Chaetodon multicinctus (Chaetodontidae)] and the other two have pan-tropical Pacific distributions [Ctenochaetus strigosus and Zebrasoma flavescens (Acanthuridae)]. All showed increased spawning activity from January to July, the prevalent pattern among a majority of coastal marine fishes in Hawaii. Environmental correlatives to the period of peak reproduction include cycles of (a) daylight length and temperature which probably function as proximate cues and (b) seasonal variations in ocean current patterns which may ultimately affect survival of larvae and dispersal. Peak reproduction takes place during months when (1) mesoscale eddies most likely occur, and (2) the probability is greatest of drifting objects remaining near the islands.     

Effects of larval diet on myrmecophilous qualities of Polyommatus icarus caterpillars (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae)

Summary Fourth instar larvae of Polyommatus icarus maintain myrmecophilous associations with ants. In laboratory experiments, the attractiveness of larvae reared on foliage of the tree Robinia pseudacacia was significantly reduced compared with caterpillars fed with herbaceous Fabaceae. The ability to secrete carbohydraterich liquids from the dorsal nectary organ was also strongly reduced, while the function of the tentacle organs remained unaffected. The reductions in attractiveness and secretion abilities are caused by the food quality itself and not by secondary effects such as reduced larval size. The ecological significance of the results are discussed with respect to facultatively and obligately myrmecophilous lycacnids.     

Utilization of cuticular components ofAntheraea mylitta Drury larvae byPenicillium citrinum Thom.

The major cuticular components of Indian tasar silkworm,Antheraea mylitta Drury, were sequentially extracted and estimated to ascertain preferential utilization of these components for growth by the entomopathogenic fungusPenicillium citrinum Thom. Proteins which constituted 61.64% dry weight of cuticule were found to play a key role in the growth ofP. citrinum whereas lipids (7.15%) and chitin (30.02%) were least involved. Also, this study suggests absence of any mycocidal substance in the cuticle ofA. mylitta.     

Expression of the major tyrosyl phosphoprotein of 54 KDa in the integument of the medflyCeratitis capitata

Expression of a 54 kDa tyrosyl phosphorylated protein in epidermal cells during the third instar larval stage was followed. It was demonstrated that the 54 kDa protein moiety and its phosphorylated counterpart follow the same developmental profile. The system seems to be regulated only at the onset of the second moult, by an initial signal which regulates both the synthesis and phosphorylation of a 54 kDa protein. The continuous presence this protein in epidermal cells during the third instar stage, as well as during apolysis and histolysis, suggests that it might participate in cell activities taking place during this developmental period. However, the 54 kDa protein could no be involved in specific epidermal cell activities such as histolysis, melanization and sclerotization, since these activities occur only at specific times during the third instar stage.     

Egg and larval load assessment and its influence on oviposition behaviour of the leaf beetle Galerucella nymphaeae

The oviposition behaviour of the water-lily beetle Galerucella nymphaeae was examined. This species is a specialist herbivore on the floating leaves of nymphaeids Nymphaeaceae and especially on the yellow water-lily, Nuphar lutea. Females lay their eggs in clutches on the leaves, and after hatching, the larvae feed on the leaves. The quality of the leaves decreases quickly after the larvae hatch, and eventually the leaves will sink below the water surface, whereupon the eggs, 1st-instar larvae and pupae are killed by drowning. The influence of conspecific eggs, larvae and feeding tracks on the oviposition preferences of the beetles was tested. Females were allowed to choose between fresh leaves and leaves with conspecific eggs and larvae as well as between leaves with larvae and leaves with feeding tracks but no larvae. An attempt was also made to determine whether eggs and larvae affect the oviposition rate of females when they are not given the opportunity to oviposit on untouched leaves. The results indicate that females tended to avoid leaves with conspecific larvae or to exhibit a decreased oviposition rate on such leaves. Females also avoided conspecific eggs, although the oviposition rate was not influenced by the presence of conspecific eggs. When females were allowed to choose between leaves with larvae and leaves with feeding tracks, possible discrimination against leaves with larvae just fails to reach the 5% level.     

Changes in the spectral absorption of cone visual pigments during the settlement of the goatfish Upeneus tragula: the loss of red sensitivity as a benthic existence begins

The goatfish Upeneus tragula undergoes an abrupt metamorphosis at settlement when the pelagic larvae begin a reef-associated benthic mode of life. A microspectrophotometric investigation of the retinal visual pigments was carried out on fish prior to, during, and following settlement. It was found that the visual pigment in the long wavelength-absorbing member of the double cones in the dorsal retina changed rapidly from a rhodopsin with a wavelength of maximum absorption (max) of 580 nm to that of 530 nm. The second member of the double cones always had a rhodopsin with the max absorbing at shorter wavelengths. Prior to settlement the average for this class of cones was 487 nm whereas during and immediately following the settlement period the max recorded from individual outer segments was found to vary between 480 nm and 520 nm, with two possible classes of cone absorbance emerging within this range. These two classes of absorbance had average max values of 487 and 515 nm. The average max of the paired cone classes in one larger wild-settled fish were found to be at 506 nm and 530 nm. No change was detected in the max of the single cones or the rods which were always found to have a max of about 400 nm and 498 nm respectively. The loss of the redabsorbing pigment occurred over the same time scale as the metamorphosis of morphological features associated with the settlement process. It is thought that the loss of this visual pigment is associated with the change in light environment of the fishes as they leave the surface waters to begin a benthic mode of life in deeper water.Abbreviations AIMS Australian Institute of Marine Science - ANOVA Analysis of variance - IR infra-red - max wavelength of maximum absorption - MSP microspectrophotometer - NA numerical aperture - SL standard length