Possible occurrence of character displacement in the sympatric skates Raja erinacea and R. ocellata (Pisces: Rajidae)

Synopsis Raja erinacea and R. ocellata are sibling species which are positively correlated with each other by occurrence and numerical abundance. In sympatry the species undergo interactive segregation; R. erinacea feeds on a higher percentage of epifauna and R. ocellata feeds on a higher percentage of infauna.An isolated allopatric population of R. ocellata occurs in the Gulf of St. Lawrence which is phenotypically intermediate between the sympatric populations of R. erinacea and R. ocellata in characters related to feeding e.g. size, number of tooth rows in the upper jaw, and shape of the upper jaw. It appears probable that the allopatric population represents the morphological state of R. ocellata before it became sympatric with R. erinacea; divergence in size, number of tooth rows, and shape of the upper jaw between the two species developed after establishment of sympatry. These divergences in character traits, related to feeding, reduced competition between the two sympatric species and permitted the present wide overlap in their ranges.Character displacement is evidently rare in demersal fishes inhabiting the flat and soft bottoms of the northwestern Atlantic because the three other pairs of sibling species that occur there are parapatrically distributed and thus would not compete for resources. Raja erinacea and R. ocellata may have been restrained from establishing parapatry by another species pair of skates (R. senta and R. radiata) which have a complementary distribution and similar feeding habits of R. erinacea and R. ocellata but which occur in deeper water.     

Neue diterpene und germacranolide aus Mikania-Arten

From three Mikania species, three new labdanic acid and two kaurenic acid derivatives have been isolated together with known compounds and four new germacranolides, differing only in the ester moiety.     

Diterpenes with a new carbon skeleton from Printzia Laxa

The aerial parts of the South African composite Printzia laxa contain two manoyl oxides and three clerodane derivatives together with two further acids, which belong to a new type of diterpene, biogenetically closely related to the clerodanes. The structures have been elucidated by spectroscopic methods. The constituents may indicate some relationship of Printzia to the tribe Astereae.     

Neue guajanolide aus Lasthenia-arten

The investigation of two species of Lasthenia afforded two new guaianolides and a new bisabolone derivative, in addition to already known compounds. The presence of an eremophilenic acid in these plants is remarkable. The results are discussed chemotaxonomically, since the tribal position of this genus is still debated.     

球体蛛在我国首次发现及一新种记述（蜘蛛目：球体蛛科）

球体蛛在我国首次被发现,本文记述了产于我国海南的纳尔蛛属一新种,定名为华纳尔蛛Wendilgarda sinensis sp. nov.,模式标本保存在河北教育学院生物系。     

瘤瘿螨属四新种一新亚种记述(蜱螨亚纲:瘿螨科)

本文记述的四个新种是木樨瘤瘿螨Aceria osmanthis Kuang,燕麦瘤瘿螨Aceria avenae Kuang et Zhang,江苏瘤瘿螨Aceria jiangsunensis Kuang和昆明瘤瘿螨Aceria kunmiaensis Kuang et Hong,新亚种是中华柑桔瘤瘤螨Aceria sheldoni chinensis Kuang et Hong。     

Estimating ecotoxicological risk and impact using indigenous aquatic microbial communities

Emphasis has increased on accuracy in predicting the effect that anthropogenic stress has on natural ecosystems. Although toxicity tests low in environmental realism, such as standardized single species procedures, have been useful in providing a certain degree of protection to human health and the environment, the accuracy of such tests for predicting the effects of anthropogenic activities on complex ecosystems is questionable. The use of indigenous communities of microorganisms to assess the hazard of toxicants in aquatic ecosystems has many advantages. Theoretical and practical aspects of microbial community tests are discussed, particularly in related to widely cited problems in the use of multispecies test systems for predicting hazard. Further standardization of testing protocols using microbial colonization dynamics is advocated on the basis of previous studies, which have shown these parameters to be useful in assessing risk and impact of hazardous substances in aquatic ecosystems.     

The genus Testudinella (Eurotatoria : Gnesiotrocha : Testudinellidae) in North-Eastern India

Nine species and subspecies of the genus Testudinella are reported from North-Eastern India. Of these, six are new to India and eight to the North-Eastern region. Remarks are made on their distribution.     

Primary cultures and the levels of cytochromeP450 in hepatocytes from mouse,rat, hamster,and rabbit liver

Summary Hepatocyte primary cultures (HPC) derived from rat, mouse, hamster, and rabbit liver were characterized for a variety of parameters. The conditions that maximized recovery, attachment, and survival varied between species. Hepatocytes from all four species were capable of attaching in serum-free Williams’ medium E (WME), but optimal attachment as monolayer cultures was achieved for mouse and hamster HPC in medium receiving 1% calf serum supplementation. Hamster hepatocytes required additional cations, whereas rabbit and rat hepatocytes displayed maximal attachment in medium supplemented with 10% calf serum. Survival of mouse and rabbit hepatocytes after 24 h in serum supplemented media was in the order of 90%. Rat and hamster hepatocyte 24 h survival was approximately 70 and 60%, respectively, and was not significantly affected by serum supplementation. Hepatocytes from each species varied in their content of cytochromeP450 at the time of isolation and in the rate of reduction during culture. Mouse and rat hepatocytes demonstrated the most rapid decline in content during the initial 24 h in culture, whereas concentrations in rabbit hepatocytes were virtually unchanged. The rate of decline inP450 concentrations in hamster hepatocytes was intermediate between those displayed by rat and rabbit hepatocytes. These studies have delineated conditions useful for the culture of hepatocytes from four species and have documented the status of an important parameter of their functional capability. This study was supported by EPA contract 68-01-6179. C. J. Maslansky was a recipient of a Monsanto Fund Fellowship in Toxicology.