Different egg-associated and larval development characteristics of Macrobrachium jelskii and Macrobrachium amazonicum (Arthropoda: Crustacea) in a Venezuelan continental lagoon

Summary

In Venezuela, M. jelskii and M. amazonicum are both found living in fresh waters and sometimes share the same habitat. The respective patterns of development of the two species have been compared, with reference to such parameters as egg size and number, duration and number of larval stages, and body length of the first zoea. Development of M. jelskii exhibits features characteristic of fresh water species, whereas that of M. amazonicum has features usually associated with brackish water species.     

Publications of Anthony Calhoun Clement (1909–1984)

Summary

Two zoeae and the megalopa of the majid crab Macropodia parva were obtained from laboratory material. At 25±1°C and 35% salinity, the first crab appeared 12 days after hatching; survival to the first crab instar was 27%. The larval stages are described in detail and compared with those of the previously described species of the genus Macropodia. Zoeal characteristics of M. parva that differentiate it from other known Macropodia larvae are the naked telson furcae and the absence, in zoea II, of the exopodal setae on the basis of the maxillule.     

Larval settlement and metamorphosis of the mussel Mytilus coruscus in response to natural biofilms

Settlement and metamorphosis of pediveliger larvae of Mytilus coruscus in response to natural biofilms was investigated in the laboratory. Pediveliger larvae settled and metamorphosed in response to biofilms and post-larval settlement and metamorphosis increased with biofilm age. The activity of the biofilm was positively correlated with biofilm age, dry weight, bacterial density and diatom density, but had no apparent relationship with chlorophyll a concentration. The change in bacterial community composition corresponding to biofilm age may explain differences in the age-dependent inducing activities of biofilms, which in turn may play an important role in larval settlement in this species.     

Effect of cyprid age on the settlement of balanus amphitrite darwin in response to natural biofilms

Larval settlement of the barnacle Balanus amphitrite Darwin (Cirripedia, Balanidae) is influenced by natural biofilms. In previous work by others, discriminatory settlement of aged cyprids has been observed in response to biofilms of different age. This study extends prior work by considering the effect of the age of cyprids on the outcome of settlement assays. Settlement was investigated with 0‐day‐old (newly metamorphosed) and 5‐day‐old cyprids. Biofilms under investigation were developed in the field for periods of 5 d and 1 month, and were subsequently included in laboratory settlement assays with a choice between a filmed and an unfilmed substratum. The bioassay was modified from the conventional horizontal dish design in order to generate a low water surface‐to‐volume ratio, which served to suppress larval entrapment in an organic layer on the water surface. Irrespective of cyprid age, a clear discrimination between a filmed and an unfilmed substrata was observed, and the preference for filmed or unfilmed substratum was dependent on the age of the cyprids. Settlement of 0‐day‐old cyprids was inhibited by a biofilmed substratum whereas induction occurred with aged cyprids. This pattern of settlement was independent of biofilm age. Bacterial abundance on unfilmed substrata in treatments and controls was significantly lower than that on biofilmed surfaces, confirming that bacterial contamination did not change the qualitative option during the assay.     

When similar beginnings lead to different ends: Constraints and diversity in cirripede larval development

Summary

Cirripedes are fascinating models for studying both functional constraints and diversity in larval development. Adult cirripedes display an amazing variation in morphology from sessile suspension feeders that still retain many crustacean characters to parasites that have lost virtually all arthropod traits. In contrast, cirripede larval development follows a common scheme with pelagic larvae comprising a series of nauplii followed by a cyprid. Variations are mostly concerned with whether or not the nauplii are feeding and the degree of abbreviation of development, culminating in species where the larvae hatch as cyprids. The cypris larvae are very similar among the ingroups of the Cirripedia, but interesting variations occur in structures used for substrate location and attachment. The cyprid is specialized to both swim through the water and actively explore the substratum by walking on the antennules and using an array of sensory organs in search for a suitable site to attach. This unique morphology and behavior of the cyprid have enabled the Cirripedia to colonize widely different habitats ranging from hard rock to soft animal tissue. Yet, the cyprid can metamorphose into juveniles as different as a setose feeding barnacle and the vermiform stages of the parasitic forms. This emphasizes the importance of the cyprid as one of the key features for the evolutionary success of the Cirripedia.     

Lecithotrophic development and metamorphosis in the Indo-West Pacific brittle star Ophiomastix venosa (Echinodermata: Ophiuroidea)

Summary

The larval development of the ophiocomid ophiuroid Ophiomastix venosais described using SEM. The gastrula transforms into a uniformly ciliated early larva which progressively changes into a lecithotrophic late premetamorphic larva with a continuous bilateral ciliated band. This stage is short-lived and equivalent to a highly reduced ophiopluteus. Comparisons between O. venosa and other ophiuroid species whose development has been investigated suggest that, whatever the developmental mode (lecithotrophic or planktotrophic), a pluteus stage always occurs in ophiuroids with planktonic development. Two metamorphic stages were identified, the late metamorphic larva differing from the early one by the closure of the larval mouth. The appearance of the permanent mouth marks the end of the metamorphosis. The postlarva still possesses remnants of larval features. The transformation of the reduced ophiopluteus into a barrel-shaped metamorphic larva with transverse ciliated bands, a vitellaria larva, is followed. The possible occurrence of a unique type of metamorphic larva in non-brooding ophiuroids is discussed. Verification of this, however, needs further SEM investigations on metamorphic larva from species having “regular” planktotrophic development.     

Observations on the development and maintenance of the deep sea barnacle,Octolasmis aymonini geryonophila (Pilsbry)

Thirty-two pedunculate barnacles, O. a. geryonophila, were maintained in culture for a period of 2 yr in the laboratory. These barnacles were obtained from the pleopods and mouth parts of the giant marine isopod, Bathynomus giganteus, which had been collected, at a depth of 200 fathoms, in the Gulf of Mexico.

The carina, scutum, mandible and maxilla of adult barnacles were typical of deep water species. However, the tergum and labrum were intermediate between those of shallow and deep water species.

Adults 3.1–4.1 mm in length were cultured in sea water (15–19°C), and fed on benthic copepods such as Tisbe furcata and Laophonte sp. Three broods of nauplii from 8 barnacles were obtained in 2 yr. Larvae were reared on plankton collected from Coney Island waters in which nauplii reached Stage IV in 10–14 days at 16°C. Isochrysis galbana and Thalassiosira pseudonana individually or in combination maintained nauplii to Stage IV, but with very high mortality. The lack of spines on the carapace edge of the nauplii distinguishes this deep water species from the shallow water form, O. mulleri.     

Reproductive strategies of epialgal bryozoans

Summary

Bryozoans are common encrusting organisms in many shallow-water marine environments. Although reproducing sexually, their success as space occupiers resides largely in their capacity for colonial growth by zooidal budding (regarded by some as a form of asexual reproduction). This paper examines the reproductive strategies of several bryozoan species commonly associated with the fronds of coastal macroalgae. These range from ephemeral species that grow rapidly, reproduce and die (Electra pilosa, Celleporella hyalina, Membranipora membranacea) to more or less annual species with well-developed reproductive and growth cycles (Flustrellidra hispida, Alcyonidium spp.). Whilst many of these bryozoans brood relatively few short-lived lecithotrophic larvae, others produce large numbers of longer-lived planktotrophic larvae. The seasonal and daily patterns of larval release are described for selected species. Resource allocation to sexual and colonial functions is considered in the context of environment-genotype interactions. Reproductive strategy is especially important in determining dispersal and colonising ability, and these in turn are major determinants of ecological pattern in epialgal bryozoan communities.     

Description of the larvae of Dicronocephalus wallichi bourgoini Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Cetoniinae) with observations on nesting behavior and life cycle of two Dicronocephalus species under laboratory conditions

Larva of the fruit beetle Dicronocephalus wallichi bourgoini Pouillaude 1914 is described and illustrated. The following unique morphological characters within Cetoniinae are discussed: shape of claw, spindle-shaped last antennomera, general body shape. The presence of metathoracic egg-bursters in the first instar larva has been found. Its significance for distinguishing the first instar larvae of Cetoniinae is discussed. The nesting behaviours of D. wallichi bourgoini and D. adamsi(Pascoe 1863) are described. The course of the life cycle of both species under laboratory condition is presented and discussed.     

Electrical hypothesis of toxicity of the Cry toxins for mosquito larvae

Many electrical properties of insect larval guts have been studied, but their importance for toxicity of the Cry-type toxins has never been reported in the literature. In the present work, we observed potential-dependent permeabilization of plasma membrane by several polycationic peptides derived from the Cry11Bb protoxin. The peptide BTM-P1d, all D-type amino acid analogue of the earlier reported peptide BTM-P1, demonstrated high membrane-permeabilizing activity in experiments with isolated rat liver mitochondria, RBC (red blood cells) and mitochondria in homogenates of Aedes aegypti larval guts. Two larger peptides, BTM-P2 and BTM-P3, as well as the Cry11Bb protoxin treated with the protease extract of mosquito larval guts showed similar effects. Only protease-resistant BTM-P1d, in comparison with other peptides, displayed A. aegypti larval toxicity. Taking into account the potential-dependent mechanism of membrane permeabilization by studied fragments of the Cry11Bb protoxin and the literature data related to the distribution of membrane and transepithelial potentials in the A. aegypti larval midgut, we suggest an electrical hypothesis of toxicity of the Cry toxins for mosquito larvae. According to this hypothesis, the electrical field distribution is one of the factors determining the midgut region most susceptible for insertion of activated toxins into the plasma membrane to form pores. In addition, potential-dependent penetration of short active toxin fragments into the epithelial cells could induce permeabilization of mitochondria and subsequent apoptosis or necrosis.