COMPARISON OF THE EFFICIENCY OF PAIR, DUO-TRIO AND TRIANGLE TESTS

The pair, duo-trio and triangle tests were compared, using three levels of instructions with orange drink as medium and sucrose as stimulus. If the subjects know only the nature of the test, the pair test cannot be performed and the frequencies of correct responses above chance of the two other tests do not differ significantly, in this case the triangle test is the more efficient. If the subjects know the nature of the test and the nature of the stimulus, the frequency of correct responses above chance obtained for the pair test is significantly higher than those of the two other tests, in this case the pair test is more efficient. Finally, if the subjects know the nature of the test, the nature of the stimulus and whether or not the sample to be selected contains the stimulus, the conclusions are more difficult to achieve but the triangle test seems to be the more efficient.     

Six captures of a dark-rumped, fork-tailed storm-petrel in the northeastern Atlantic

We report here the occurrence of at least six records since 1983 of dark-rumped and fork-tailed Storm-petrels. The first one was attributed to the Swinhoe's Storm-petrel Oceanodroma monorhis , a subspecies or a close relative of Leach's Storm-petrel O. leucorhoa , breeding in Japan. As it seemed unlikely that six birds from Japan would appear in the northeastern Atlantic nearly simultaneously, a closer examination of measurements and calls was performed. However, after a careful study of systematics within the Leach's Storm-petrel complex, it is concluded that the European birds are inseparable from monorhis , and it is suggested that a yet undiscovered colony may exist in the North Atlantic.     

Microsatellite markers reveal two admixed genetic groups and an ongoing displacement within the French population of the invasive plant pathogen Phytophthora infestans

Potato late blight is an example of a re‐emerging disease of plants. Phytophthora infestans was first introduced into Europe during the 19th century, where it caused the Irish potato famine. During the 20th century several additional introduction events have been suspected, especially in the mid‐70s due to the import of large quantities of potato needed after the shortage caused by drought in 1976. Here, we investigate the genetic population structure of Phytophthora infestans, at the first stages of a recent invasion process in France. A total of 220 isolates was collected from 20 commercial fields of the potato susceptible cultivar Bintje, during two consecutive years (2004 and 2005). Clustering analyses based on eight recently developed microsatellite markers reveal that French P. infestans populations are made of two differentiated genetic clusters of isolates (F_ST = 0.19). This result suggests multiple introductions of P. infestans into France, either through the introduction of a composite population of isolates or through the successive introduction of isolates having differentiated genetic backgrounds. Both clusters identified have a strong clonal structure and are similar regarding genetic diversity and mating type composition. The maintenance of differentiation between the two genetic clusters should result from the low or non‐existent contribution of sexual reproduction in French P. infestans populations.     

Spatial genetic structure of a small rodent in a heterogeneous landscape

Gene flow in natural populations may be strongly influenced by landscape features. The integration of landscape characteristics in population genetic studies may thus improve our understanding of population functioning. In this study, we investigated the population genetic structure and gene flow pattern for the common vole, Microtus arvalis, in a heterogeneous landscape characterised by strong spatial and temporal variation. The studied area is an intensive agricultural zone of approximately 500 km² crossed by a motorway. We used individual-based Bayesian methods to define the number of population units and their spatial borders without prior delimitation of such units. Unexpectedly, we determined a single genetic unit that covered the entire area studied. In particular, the motorway considered as a likely barrier to dispersal was not associated with any spatial genetic discontinuity. Using computer simulations, we demonstrated that recent anthropogenic barriers to effective dispersal are difficult to detect through analysis of genetic variation for species with large effective population sizes. We observed a slight, but significant, pattern of isolation by distance over the whole study site. Spatial autocorrelation analyses detected genetic structuring on a local scale, most probably due to the social organisation of the study species. Overall, our analysis suggests intense small-scale dispersal associated with a large effective population size. High dispersal rates may be imposed by the strong spatio-temporal heterogeneity of habitat quality, which characterises intensive agroecosystems.     

Migration of wild and captive‐bred Little Bustards Tetrax tetrax: releasing birds from Spain threatens attempts to conserve declining French populations

Populations of the Little Bustard Tetrax tetrax in the farmlands of Europe have declined greatly over the last century. In Western Europe, France now holds the only remaining migratory population, which currently numbers fewer than 300 displaying males. However, the movements of these birds are virtually unknown, in spite of the important implications of this information for the conservation of this species. We identified migratory movements and overwintering areas of French migratory populations, using wild individuals fitted with satellite or radio‐transmitters. Little Bustards completed their migration journey over a relatively short time period (2–5 days), with nocturnal migration flights of 400–600 km per night. All birds overwintered in Iberia. In addition, we tested the consequences of captive rearing on migratory movements. French wild adults and French captive‐bred juveniles behaved similarly with regard to migration, suggesting that hand‐raising does not alter migratory movements. However, birds originating from eggs collected in Spain and reared in western France did not migrate, suggesting a genetic component to migratory behaviour. These results therefore suggest that a conservation strategy involving the release in France of birds hatched from eggs collected in Spain may imperil the expression of migratory movements of the French population. More generally, to maintain the integrity of native populations, the introduced individuals should mimic their migratory movements and behaviour.     

Dieback and mortality of South African fynbos shrubs is likely driven by a novel pathogen and pathogen‐induced hydraulic failure

We examined whether extensive dry season dieback and mortality in a South African fynbos community were due to drought or pathogen attack. Plant dieback and mortality have been reported elsewhere in similar plant communities suggesting potential for a widespread climatic or biotic threat to this community. We collected tissue samples from Brunia noduliflora, the dominant plant in the community, and cultured them for potential plant pathogens. We also measured dry season predawn and midday water potentials of healthy and stressed plants and constructed pressure‐volume curves to assess turgor loss point. Plant stress and mortality were monitored over a 2‐year study period. Both healthy plants and plants that displayed moderate signs of stress had dry season predawn water potentials well above their turgor loss point suggesting plants were not water stressed. However, plants displaying >60% crown dieback had much lower water potentials (as low as ?12 MPa). A previously undescribed fungus (Pythium sp.) was isolated from the root vascular tissue of all stressed plants and was not present in healthy plants. The proximate cause of plant stress was likely pathogen‐induced, while the ultimate cause of plant death appears to be extreme water stress. The present study suggests that Brunia (Bruniceae), Leucadendron (Proteaceae) and Erica (Ericaceae), all emblematic and dominant genera within the diverse fynbos community, may be susceptible to Pythium infection. This may pose a serious threat to communities already threatened by climate change.     

La Genèse des Mérozoïtes chez la Coccidie Eimeria necatrix. Etude Ultrastructurale*

RESUME. Les schizontes de 2 ème génération d'Eimeria necatrix ont étéétudiés au microscope électronique. La différenciation des mérozoïtes est associée à la dernière mitose, qui ne semble pas différer essentiellement des précédentes. Les mérozoïtes se développent à la périphérie du schizonte. Le conoide et 22 microtubules sous pelliculaires, probablement induits par les centrioles, et le complexe membranaire interne ainsi que les précurseurs des rhoptries, qui semblent issus de l'appareil de Golgi, apparaissent auprès de chaque pôle nucléaire, sous la membrane du schizonte. Ces organites sont les premiers inclus dans les ébauches de mérozoïtes. Puis, le noyau, le dictyosome et les vésicules multimembranaires pénètrent dans les futurs mérozoïtes. Les micronèmes, probablement formés par l'appareil de Golgi, et les grains d'amylopectine sont produits plus tard, quand les mérozoïtes se séparent du reliquat cytoplasmique. Le mode de genèse de ces divers organites et les relations entre le dernière mitose et la différenciation sont discutés. SYNOPSIS. Second generation schizonts of Eimeria necatrix were studied with the aid of the electron microscope. Differentiation of daughter merozoites is associated with the last mitosis, which is not significantly different from the earlier ones. The merozoites develop at the periphery of the schizont. The conoid and 22 subpellicular microtubules, probably induced by centrioles, and the inner membranes complex and the rhoptry anlagen which seem to be produced by the Golgi apparatus, appear close to each nuclear pole, just near the schizont membrane. These organelles are the first to appear in the merozoite anlagen. Then, nucleus, dictyosome and multimembranous vesicles enter the budding merozoites. Micronemes, probably originating from Golgi apparatus, and amylopectin granules are produced later, when daughter merozoites separate from the residuum. The genesis of these various organelles and the relation between the last mitosis and differentiation are discussed.     

Morphometrics and the breeding biology of the Tahiti Petrel Pseudobulweria rostrata

The genus Pseudobulweria includes four extant species, three being classified as critically endangered, while the fourth (Tahiti Petrel P .  rostrata ) is near threatened. Information on the breeding biology of any species of the genus is scarce, even for the Tahiti Petrel. We monitored two Tahiti Petrel nests in New Caledonia and provide the first data on the breeding biology for the genus. Incubation lasts about 55 days, and young fledge at 110 days. Breeding in the southern lagoon of New Caledonia extends from September to April. Very strong interspecific competition for nest cavities occurs with Wedge-tailed Shearwaters Puffinus pacificus . We also document geographical variation in both biometry and breeding phenology over the Pacific breeding range.