Valve movement of the freshwater mussel Anodonta anatina: a reciprocal transplant experiment between lake and river

The effects of source and caging on the valve movements of the freshwater unionid mussel (Anodonta anatina) were studied in a reciprocal transplant experiment between a lake and its outflow. Caged mussels were moved and compared with those remaining in their natural environment on the lake or river bottom. At both sites, the mussels from the study site and the transplanted mussels from the opposite site were monitored simultaneously. In river the averaged weighted valve openness was higher and the number of valve movements was lower than in the lake. The mussels monitored in the lake exhibited a diurnal rhythm of valve movements which differed between the lake-bottom and the caged animals. Caging was found to increase valve openness. On the other hand, little variation appeared in valve openness between caged and bottom animals in the river, where diurnal rhythms were almost nonexistent. In the river the valve movements were more variable in respect to time than in the lake.     

Responses of non-spiking giant interneurons to substrate tilt in the crayfish, with special reference to multisensory control in the compensatory eyestalk movement system

In the brain of the intact crayfish, three pairs of non-spiking giant interneurons (G1, G2, G3; NGIs) scarcely responded to substrate tilt about the longitudinal axis of the body either in the dark or in the presence of an overhead light. However, when the statolith was removed, these NGIs responded with depolarizing and hyperpolarizing potentials respectively to upward movements of the ipsilateral legs (2nd–5th pereiopods) and upward movements of the contralateral legs produced by substrate tilt. The relationships between the polarity of the potential and the direction of movement in the contralateral legs were opposite to those in the ipsilateral legs. The amplitude of the responses was proportional to the frequency (0.5-0.05 Hz) and amplitude of tilting. When the legs were moved unilaterally, the NGIs responded with depolarizing and hyperpolarizing potentials to upward movements of the ipsilateral legs and to upward movements of the contralateral legs, respectively. When the legs were moved bilaterally in the same direction by upward or downward movement of the substrate, the NGIs scarcely responded to the leg movements. A hypothetical model is presented to account for the pathways of sensory inputs to the NGIs and the role of NGIs in compensatory oculomotor system.     

Regionalisation of cell fate and morphogenetic movement of the mesoderm during mouse gastrulation

The developmental fate of cells in the epiblast of early-primitive-streak-stage mouse embryos was assessed by studying the pattern of tissue colonisation displayed by lac Z-expressing cells grafted orthotopically to nontransgenic embryos. Results of these fate-mapping experiments revealed that the lateral and posterior epiblast contain cells that will give rise predominantly to mesodermal derivatives. The various mesodermal populations are distributed in overlapping domains in the lateral and posterior epiblast, with the embryonic mesoderm such as heart, lateral, and paraxial mesoderm occupying a more distal position than the extraembryonic mesoderm. Heterotopic grafting of presumptive mesodermal cells results in the grafted cells adopting the fate appropriate to the new site, reflecting a plasticity of cell fate determination before ingression. The first wave of epiblast cells that ingress through the primitive streak are those giving rise to extraembryonic mesoderm. Cells that will form the mesoderm of the yolk sac and the amnion make up a major part of the mesodermal layer of the midprimitive-streak-stage embryo. Cells that are destined for embryonic mesoderm are still found within the epiblast, but some have been recruited to the distal portion of the mesoderm. By the late-primitive-streak-stage, the mesodermal layer contains only the precursors of embryonic mesoderm. This suggests that there has been a progressive displacement of the midstreak mesoderm to extraembryonic sites, which is reminiscent of that occurring in the overlying endodermal tissue. The regionalisation of cell fate in the late-primitive-streak mesoderm bears the same spatial relationship as their ancestors in the epiblast prior to cell ingression. This implies that both the position of the cells in the proximal-distal axis and their proximity to the primitive streak are major determinants for the patterning of the embryonic mesoderm. © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Differences in diet and behaviour of sympatric saithe and pollack in a Scottish sea loch

Two closely related and morphologically similar gadoid predators, saithe, Pollachius virens and pollack P. pollachius , coexist in close proximity on a submerged reef in Loch Ewe, Scotland. The degree of overlap between the niches of these two gadoids in the wild was investigated by means of acoustic tracking, underwater television and an examination of stomach contents. Simultaneous tracking of individuals of both species revealed that pollack generally swim more slowly than saithe, restricting much of their movements to the submerged reef. Saithe ranged more widely around the reef as part of a school during the day, moving onto the reef at night. Video recordings showed that saithe swam actively and foraged in small groups and took prey items from the kelp, whereas pollack tended to remain solitary, maintained station at particular locations for minutes at a time and apparently used the kelp forest exclusively for cover. Although the dietary overlap of the two predators was considerable, their intake of different prey groups varied. In particular, within the crustaceans, saithe took amphipods, while pollack took mysids. In addition, saithe consume a wider range of prey than pollack. The relationship between the movement patterns and the use of food resources by these two predators is discussed, with particular emphasis on differences in feeding strategies.     

Adult movements between populations in the specialist butterfly Proclossiana eunomia (Lepidoptera, Nymphalidae)

Abstract.

• 1 The structure of local populations of a monophagous butterfly, the bog fritillary Proclossiana eunomia, was studied in a complex of suitable habitat patches separated by spruce plantations or fertilized pasture.
• 2 An unexpected high level of adult movements between habitat patches was detected by a mark—release—recapture technique. Local populations were connected by adult movements across unsuitable habitats, leading to a meta-population structure.
• 3 This evidence of the metapopulation structure of a specialist butterfly challenges the supposed relationship between habitat specialization and closed, isolated populations.
• 4 Males and females of P.eunomia exhibited different spatial behaviours; females were more likely to emigrate and dispersed further than males. These differences in spatial behaviour are related to the mating system.

     

运动结构背景对视觉系统神经元反应的调制作用

对蟾蜍的５６个视顶盖神经元的视觉反应进行了定量考察和分析,发现它们不仅对黑目标起反应,也对结构目标起反应．同相运动的结构背景使５３．５％的神经元的反应完全抑制,而异相运动则只有１０％的神经元完全被抑制,却有２１．６％的神经元反应增强．遮盖感受野（ＲＦ）中心区,则同相运动使某些细胞脱抑制,而异相运动使其抑制强度稍有增强．遮盖ＲＦ的外周区,几乎全部研究过的神经元对结构背景运动本身也起反应。本研究还发现,如果预先将一目标放在兴奋性感受野（ＥＲＦ）中央静止不动,并使结构背景在水平方向匀速移动较长时间后突然停止运动,则被研究过的６６个视盖神经元中有２９个发放一串脉冲,即神经元的运动后放电．各个神经细胞放电的脉冲多寡不一。若在ＥＲＦ中央不放置静止目标,仅是结构背景的水平运动不能诱发放电．此效应的出现,既与目标背景间反差符号（即目标为白色或黑色）无关,也与背景的运动方向无关。为诱发这一效应,不仅要求背景运动时间较长（至少在２０秒以上）,而且目标的面积要有足够大。     

Short period leaf movements in Oxalis regnellii

Oxalis regnellii Mig. is a trifoliate plant, and the three leaflets usually show synchronized up and down movements with a circadian period of 26–27 h. The three leaflets can also perform desynchronized ultradian oscillations, and we report on such rhythms under different conditions. A study of the occurrence of ultradian leaf movement rhythms as a function of irradiance is presented. At an irradiance of approximately 1 μW cm⁻², the occurrence was maximal and ca 30%. The periods varied from 5 to 15 h. Four other cases of ultradian rhythms in different conditions are also presented. In one case spontaneous ultradian rhythms occurred, and in another, two of the leaflets showed ultradian rhythms when the third leaflet had received a light pulse. In two more cases, the three leaflets on a leaf were separated by physical cuts along the petiole between the pulvini; in both cases the period was approximately 5 h. Possible mechanisms to explain the ultradian rhythms in Oxalis regnelli are discussed.     

Morphogenetic movements during axolotl neural tube formation tracked by digital imaging

During neurulation in vertebrate embryos, epithelial cells of the neural plate undergo complex morphogenetic movements that culminate in rolling of the plate into a tube. Resolution of the determinants of this process requires an understanding of the precise movements of cells within the epithelial sheet. A computer algorithm that allows automated tracking of epithelial cells visible in digitized video images is presented. It is used to quantify the displacement field associated with morphogenetic movements in the axolotl (Ambystoma mexicanum) neural plate during normal neural tube formation. Movements from lateral to medial, axial elongations and area changes are calculated from the displacement field data and plotted as functions of time. Regional and temporal differences are identified. The approach presented is suitable for analyzing a wide variety of morphogenetic movements.     

SATELLITE-MONITORED MOVEMENTS AND DIVE BEHAVIOR OF A BOTTLENOSE DOLPHIN (TURSIOPS TRUNCATUS) IN TAMPA BAY, FLORIDA

An adult, female bottlenose dolphin ( Tursiops trucncatus ) was radio tagged and monitored via satellite-based Argos receivers for 25 d from 28 June to 23 July 1990, in Tampa Bay, Florida. A total of 794 transmissions were obtained during 106 satellite passes. A mean of 3.9 (SE = 0.24) locations/day were determined by Service Argos and showed the animal remained in the bay, usually close to the southeastern shore. The dolphin moved at least 581 km at a minimum mean speed of 1.2 (SE = 0.1) km/h. Data from 63, 922 dives were recorded. The animal spent an average of 87.1 (SE = 0.6)% of the time submerged, with a mean dive duration of 25.8 (SE = 0.5) sec. Mean dive duration differed significantly between four periods of the day, as did the mean percent of time spent submerged. During the early morning the animal spent more time at the surface, averaged shorter dives, and was submerged less than other times of day. This is the first study to demonstrate die1 dive cycles in a bottlenose dolphin. Four months after tag loss, the dolphin was photographed with no evidence of necrosis or disfigurement of the dorsal fin. Satellite telemetry was demonstrated as an effective means of documenting the movements and dive behavior of a small inshore cetacean.