三唑醇杀菌剂对雄性丽斑麻蜥性腺系统的对映选择性影响

三唑醇(triadimenol,TN)是一种广泛使用的手性三唑类杀菌剂,它含有2个手性中心,4个手性对映体,其中,对映体A包括A1(R,S)和A2(S,R),对映体B包括B1(R,R)和B2(S,S)。三唑醇被认为是一种潜在的内分泌干扰物,能够影响生物体内雌雄激素的合成。为了研究三唑醇不同对映体和外消旋体对爬行动物性腺系统影响的差异,以雄性丽斑麻蜥为实验动物,将外消旋体和4种对映体(100 mg·kg~(-1)bw)分别经口暴露给雄性蜥蜴28 d。外消旋体和(R,S)对映体暴露后蜥蜴的性腺体细胞指数(GSI)明显低于对照组。(S,R)、(R,S)和(S,S)显著抑制了性腺中性激素合成相关基因(cyp119a、cyp11a、cyp17、hsd-3β、hsd-17β、erα和ar)的表达量,同时降低了血液中睾酮(T)和雌二醇(E2)含量。(R,R)暴露对丽斑麻蜥体内的雌雄激素水平无明显影响。此外,相关性分析表明,外消旋体对性腺中性激素合成相关基因的影响与(R,S)具有较强的相关关系,说明(R,S)可能是外消旋体中生物活性和毒性最高的单体。研究表明,三唑醇对丽斑麻蜥性腺系统的毒性作用具有明显的对映选择性,这为手性农药对爬行动物的生态毒理学评价提供了重要依据。     

腈菌唑手性单体对雄性丽斑麻蜥肝脏代谢功能的影响

腈菌唑(MT)是一种应用广泛的手性杀菌剂,其手性对映体为(+)-腈菌唑(MT1)和(-)-腈菌唑(MT2)。为评估腈菌唑单体暴露对丽斑麻蜥(Eremias argus)肝脏代谢功能的毒性影响,研究了MT1(5 mg·kg~(-1))和MT2(5 mg·kg~(-1))暴露28 d下蜥蜴体重、肝组织病理学和代谢相关基因表达的变化。结果显示,MT1暴露组的蜥蜴体重在28 d时出现显著下降。在MT1和MT2暴露后,蜥蜴的肝组织均出现了不同程度的病理学变化。在MT1暴露下,基因CYP1A1、CYP2D6、CYP3A4、CYP3A7和CYP2D3的表达水平未发生显著变化,而基因CYP2C8A的表达显著上调。在MT2暴露下,基因CYP3A4、CYP3A7和CYP2D3的表达未发生明显变化;基因CYP1A1和CYP2C8的表达显著下调;基因CYP2D6的表达显著上调。不同腈菌唑单体对蜥蜴体重、肝组织病理学以及代谢相关基因的表达影响不同,具有一定的对映选择性。     

Chiralpak AS-H手性柱分离三唑醇对映体

利用Chiralpak型AS-H手性柱成功拆分三唑醇对映体,并通过气质联用和在线旋光检测器对四个对映体进行了定性,四个对映体按洗脱先后顺序依次分别为( )-三唑醇A、(-)-三唑醇A、( )-三唑醇B和(-)-三唑醇B.考察了流动相中异丙醇改性剂浓度对其对映体分离的影响.结果表明,在异丙醇含量为0-10%的范围内,随着异丙醇含量的增加,( )-三唑醇A和(-)-三唑醇A两个对映体的分离度呈波浪式下降,(-)-三唑醇A和( )-三唑醇B的分离度愈来愈小,而( )-三唑醇B和(-)-三唑醇B对映体的分离度愈来愈大.     

腈菌唑不同对映体对丽斑麻蜥性腺系统的影响

腈菌唑(myclobutanil,MT)是一种应用广泛的手性杀菌剂,其手性对映体为(+)-腈菌唑(MT1)和(-)-腈菌唑(MT2)。腈菌唑手性单体具有不同的生物活性,但很少有其对爬行动物的对应选择毒性研究。为了评估腈菌唑手性单体对丽斑麻蜴性腺系统的毒性影响,将MT1(50 mg·kg-1)和MT2(50 mg·kg-1)以经口灌胃方式分别暴露给蜥蜴28 d。暴露期间,记录观察蜥蜴体重、血液中性激素(睾酮T和雌二醇E2)浓度以及性腺相关基因(3β-HSD、17β-HSD、CYP11A、CYP17、CYP19A、ER-α和AR)的表达图谱的变化。在MT1暴露组中,蜥蜴体重在28 d出现明显下降。而在MT2暴露组中,蜥蜴体重没有明显变化。雄性蜥蜴在经过1 d的暴露后,E2浓度在MT1暴露组中明显下降,而在MT2暴露组中明显上升。这些结果表明了腈菌唑手性单体的对映选择性毒性。在MT2暴露14 d后,雌性蜥蜴中CYP19A基因的表达上调弥补了体内E2浓度的降低。在MT1暴露的14 d,蜥蜴卵巢中观察到的CYP11A和CYP17基因表达下调以及CYP19A基因表达不变的这一现象解释了蜥蜴血液中E2和T的浓度减少。这些结果表明:MT1和MT2暴露对蜥蜴体内性激素造成不同的影响,而这些影响会相应改变性腺相关基因的表达。综上所述,MT1和MT2对性腺系统具有潜在的内分泌干扰效应,可能对蜥蜴造成不同程度的生殖损伤。     

5种化学品对丽斑麻蜥和日本鹌鹑的毒性研究

目前,在化学品生态风险评价体系中对爬行动物的毒性效应研究较少。本研究参考鸟类急性经口毒性试验建立了我国本土爬行动物——丽斑麻蜥(Eremias argus)的急性毒性测试方法,来评价化学品对爬行动物和鸟类的毒性效应之间的差异。选择异氰酸酯、1,2-苯并异噻唑-3-酮、2,4-二氯苯酚、苯并噻唑和二苯甲酮5种化学品分别对丽斑麻蜥进行暴露实验,并与鸟类模式物种——日本鹌鹑(Coturnix japonica)的急性毒性结果进行比较。结果发现异氰酸酯和苯并噻唑对丽斑麻蜥7 d的半数致死剂量(7 d-LD50)分别为125 mg·kg~(-1)和500 mg·kg~(-1),而对日本鹌鹑的7 d-LD50值分别为27 mg·kg~(-1)和37 mg·kg~(-1);1,2-苯并异噻唑-3-酮、2,4-二氯苯酚和二苯甲酮对丽斑麻蜥的7 d-LD50值分别为909 mg·kg~(-1)、787 mg·kg~(-1)和528 mg·kg~(-1),而对日本鹌鹑7 d-LD50值均大于剂量上限1 000 mg·kg~(-1)。结果表明,丽斑麻蜥和日本鹌鹑对相同化学品的毒性敏感性是存在差异的,用鸟类来评价化学品对爬行动物的潜在风险可能不够准确,应该重视化学品对爬行动物的毒性效应研究。同时,以本土爬行动物的代表物种丽斑麻蜥作为化学品环境风险评价的模式生物,对保护我国本土物种及其多样性、维持生态平衡具有重要意义。     

双酚AF对雄性斑马鱼卵黄蛋白原水平与芳香化酶基因表达的影响

双酚AF(4,4'-六氟-2-二酚,BPAF)对生物有机体具有内分泌干扰作用。为研究低剂量BPAF对水生生物的效应,本研究选择成年雄性斑马鱼为研究对象,考察了0.005、0.05和0.5 mg·L~(-1)3种浓度BAPF暴露30 d对血浆中卵黄蛋白原(VTG)含量、2种卵黄蛋白原基因(vtg~(-1)和vtg-3)表达和2种芳香酶基因(cyp 19a与cyp 19b)表达的影响。结果表明:在0.005 mg·L~(-1)浓度暴露30 d后,血浆中VTG含量显著升高,随着暴露浓度的升高,促进作用不显著;BPAF暴露对不同组织中的4种基因存在不同的影响,0.005 mg·L~(-1)BPAF暴露可诱导脑部cyp19b、肝脏中cyp19a和性腺中vtg~(-1)、vtg-3和cyp19b基因表达;0.5 mg·L~(-1)BPAF暴露可导致肝脏中vtg~(-1)、vtg-3、性腺中cyp19a等基因显著上调。实验结果表明,BPAF具有雌性激素样效应,可诱导雄性斑马鱼体内部分组织卵黄蛋白原基因和芳香酶基因的表达。BPAF可引起斑马鱼血浆中的VTG含量的上升,从而干扰由VTG所参与的下丘脑-垂体-性腺轴与免疫系统的正常生理过程。     

手性杀菌剂在有机蔬菜中的残留特征

本文建立了基于QuEChER-超高效液相色谱-串联质谱分析有机蔬菜中联苯三唑醇、苯霜灵、己唑醇、戊唑醇、粉唑醇、三唑酮、腈菌唑、甲霜灵和多效唑等9种手性杀菌剂的分析方法,该方法定量限为6.4—270.3 ng·kg~(-1)鲜重(fw),相对回收率为77.1%—110.3%.随后运用该方法对有机番茄、苦瓜、黄瓜和胡萝卜等4种有机蔬菜中的手性杀菌剂残留及其对映体特征进行了分析.研究结果显示,9种杀菌剂中,联苯三唑醇未检出,甲霜灵残留量最高,中值为4.9μg·kg~(-1) fw,有机黄瓜中的甲霜灵残留量(1.1—1.4 mg·kg~(-1) fw)超标(中国食品安全国家标准,最大残留限量0.5 mg·kg~(-1) fw).在4种有机蔬菜中,胡萝卜和黄瓜检测出的手性杀菌剂种类最多,且黄瓜的手性杀菌剂残留总量最高,达1.1—1.4 mg·kg~(-1) fw,主要为甲霜灵.不同蔬菜种类的杀菌剂残留有明显差异,但有机蔬菜的杀菌剂残留远低于常规蔬菜.手性杀菌剂对映体的残留与蔬菜种类有关.     

手性氟虫腈对意大利蜜蜂和稻螟赤眼蜂的急性毒性及安全评价

手性农药多以外消旋体形式用于农业生产和卫生害虫防治中。但手性农药对映体通常具有不同的生物活性和毒性,这种现象在农药环境风险评价过程中往往被忽视。本研究以氟虫腈为例,首先用高效液相色谱-手性固定相(HPLC-CSP)技术拆分出氟虫腈的S型和R型2种对映体,分别采用点滴法和药膜法测定了氟虫腈对映体及外消旋体对意大利蜜蜂(Apis mellifera L.)和稻螟赤眼蜂(Trichogramma japonicum Ashmead)的急性毒性。结果显示,S(+)-氟虫腈、R(-)-氟虫腈和外消旋体对意大利蜜蜂的48h-LD50分别为0.00341、0.00396和0.00383μg·蜂-1,对稻螟赤眼蜂的24h-LR50分别为7.56×10-7、8.06×10-7和7.29×10-7mg·cm-2。研究表明,氟虫腈对意大利蜜蜂具有高毒性风险,对稻螟赤眼蜂有极高毒性风险,且氟虫腈对意大利蜜蜂和稻螟赤眼蜂的急性毒性无明显的对映体选择性。因此,使用氟虫腈单一对映体不会降低其对环境生物的毒害风险。     

手性药物的水环境行为、毒性效应及生态风险

药物污染已经成为一个重要的环境问题,目前生产和使用的药物中大部分为手性药物,进入地表水环境后,2个对映异构体在生物降解和生态毒性等方面可能存在显著的差异。本文以8种手性药物为研究对象,系统综述了手性药物在水环境中的暴露特征和降解转化规律,分析其对不同生物靶点的毒性效应和机理,探讨了其对水生态系统的潜在风险。结果表明,8种手性药物在国内外地表水中的检出浓度达到μg·L^-1水平。手性药物在地表水环境中的对映体构成受药物种类、环境条件和时间的影响;布洛芬、普萘洛尔等差异显著的手性药物可以作为污染源示踪的特征污染物;不同污水处理工艺的对映体选择性也有较大差异,导致污水处理厂出水中手性药物对映体分数(enantiomer fraction, EF)值不同。由于手性药物在生物体内发生手性代谢和手性转化,导致体外毒性实验与体内毒性效果差异很大,手性药物在不同水生生物类群体内的受体或生物利用率有所差异,从而表现出不同的立体选择性。基于外消旋体的生态风险评估研究表明,目前布洛芬、卡马西平和萘普生等手性药物对水生生物具有潜在的风险,而不同对映体对水生生物的毒性存在一定差异。因此,有必...     

铝-草酸和铝-麦芽酚手性配合物特性的密度泛函理论研究

手性物质广泛存在于环境和生物体中,探讨环境体系中手性金属-有机配合物特性具有重要科学意义.本文采用密度泛函理论(DFT)结合团簇模型(CM)的量子化学计算方法,在B3LYP/6-311+G(d,p)基组水平下,以铝-草酸和铝-麦芽酚为典型实例,研究手性"铝-有机配合物"的动静态性质,系统地开展了以下工作:(1)优化得到了1对铝-草酸和3对铝-麦芽酚手性配合物,并通过静态结构参数、能量参数和谱学性质分析了手性配合物之间的差异;(2)模拟了手性配合物可能存在的10条水交换反应路径,对比了手性配合物水交换反应速率常数;(3)通过Berny方法得到了铝-草酸手性配合物异构体构型转化的动态反应路径,并计算了对映体构型转化的活化能.结果表明,手性对映体具有基本相同的静态结构和能量特征,但偶极矩存在明显差异;溶剂效应对手性对映体静态结构特征、偶极矩和动态水交换反应速率均有影响;手性对映体之间可发生构型相互转化从而改变对映体所占比例.     

Lysozyme,chitinase and exo-N-acetyl-β-D-glucosaminidase (NAGase) in lymphomyeloid tissue of marine fishes

Lymphomyeloid (haemopoietic) tissues produce or store blood cells — among these leucocytes rich in lysosomal enzymes. The thymus, unlike the other lymphomyeloid tissues found in fish, produces exclusively lymphocytes. The carbohydrate-hydrolysing enzymes lysozyme (EC 3.2.1.17), chitinase (EC 3.2.1.14) and exo-N-acetyl--D-glucosaminidase (NAGase; EC 3.2.1.30) were assayed in various lymphomyeloid tissues of the cartilaginous fish Chimaera monstrosa, Squalus acanthias, Etmopterus spinax and Raja radiata, and in the thymus of the marine teleost Lophius piscatorius. Lysozyme activity was high in the cranial lymphomyeloid tissue of C. monstrosa; in Leydig's organ (oesophageal lymphomyeloid tissue) and the spleen from E. spinax; and in Leydig's organ, the epigonal organ and the spleen from R. radiata. Little or no lysozyme activity was found in Leydig's organ and the epigonal organ of S. acanthias, or in the thymus of C. monstrosa, R. radiata and L. piscatorius. The pH optima for lysozyme activities lay between 4.8 and 5.4 when assayed photometrically. Chitinase was most active at pH 1 in Leydig's organ from R. radiata, and at pH 2.7 in the epigonal organ from S. acanthias. The chitinolytic activity in Leydig's organ of E. spinax may be due to lysozyme. The optimum for NAGase activity in Leydig's organ from R. radiata lay at pH 4.0, that from S. acanthias and E. spinax at pH 4.5. The role of the enzymes in the defense against microorganisms and parasites is discussed.     

Mitochondrial DNA variation and population structure in the spiny lobster Panulirus argus

Adult spiny lobsters (Panulirus argus) were collected from nine locations throughout the tropical and subtropical northwest Atlantic Ocean and examined for mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) variation. 187 different mtDNA haplotypes were observed among the 259 lobsters sampled. Haplotype diversity was calulated to be 0.986 and mean nucleotide sequence-diversity was estimated to be 1.44%; both of these values are among the highest reported values for a marine species. Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) and phenetic clustering both failed to reveal any evidence of genetic structure within and among populations of P. argus. The present data are consistent with high levels of gene flow among populations of P. argus resulting from an extended planktonic larval stage and strong prevailing ocean currents.     

Responses of three mouse species to deterrent chemicals in the monarch butterfly. I. Taste and toxicity tests using artificial diets laced with digitoxin or monocrotaline

Summary Of three common mouse species at the Mexican overwintering sites of the monarch butterfly, onlyPeromyscus melanotis eats monarchs. We hypothesized thatP. aztecus andReithrodontomys sumichrasti reject monarchs because they are more sensitive to the bitter taste and/or toxic effects of the cardiac glycosides (CGs) and pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) in the butterflies. Two-choice preference tests revealed no difference in taste avoidance thresholds to free base and N-oxide forms of the PA, monocrotaline, but very different avoidance thresholds to the CG, digitoxin. Avoidance thresholds forR. sumichrasti andP. aztecus were, in respective order, 1020 and 34 times less than that forP. melanotis. We also tested the toxic sensitivity of juvenile mice by chronically feeding diets containing digitoxin or monocrotaline at concentrations similar to those used in the preference tests. No species developed CG toxicity, but bothP. melanotis andP. aztecus developed moderate PA toxicity (R. sumichrasti was not tested for PA toxicity).P. aztecus grew more slowly and manyP. melanotis had hepatic metabolic lesions. Thus, the three mouse species responded very differently to the taste and toxic properties of CGs and PAs at ecologically relevant concentrations: 1) CGs were taste rejected by all species exceptP. melanotis, while PAs were not; and 2) PAs were toxic, while CGs were not.     

Mitochondrial DNA sequence variation in spiny lobsters: population expansion,panmixia, and divergence

To investigate population differentiation in a comparative and historical context, segments of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene and the control region were sequenced in Panulirus argus from nine sites along approximately 1,500 km of the Northern Caribbean Sea (n = 326) and analyzed with respect to available panulirid data. A mismatch analysis and Fu’s F _S test uncovered a signature of historical population expansion around the time of the Last Glacial Maximum. Significant population structure was not detected in the area. The data supported a hypothesis of panmixia resulting from ongoing larval transport by ocean currents and historical population expansion. Despite high intraspecific divergence levels at COI within Panulirus argus and several other Panulirus species, genetic species identification through DNA barcoding was feasible using either a modified distance threshold or a character-based approach.     

黑斑蛙与非洲爪蟾蝌蚪急性毒性试验方法敏感性的比较

两栖动物蝌蚪急性毒性试验是评价化学品急性毒性的一种方法。以毒死蜱、乙草胺、重铬酸钾和全氟辛烷磺酸盐(PFOS)为测试物,比较了我国本土黑斑蛙(Rana nigromaculata)与国际通用种非洲爪蟾(Xenopus laevis)在蝌蚪急性毒性试验中的敏感性。结果发现：2类蝌蚪分别进行的11次试验中,空白对照组黑斑蛙蝌蚪死亡率(0.9%)远低于非洲爪蟾蝌蚪的死亡率(5.8%);重铬酸钾和PFOS对黑斑蛙蝌蚪的96 h-LC₅₀分别为34.0 mg·L^-1和81.0 mg·L^-1,而对非洲爪蟾蝌蚪的96 h-LC₅₀分别为51.6 mg·L^-1和92.1 mg·L^-1,显示黑斑蛙蝌蚪对这2种化学品的敏感性略高于非洲爪蟾蝌蚪;毒死蜱和乙草胺对黑斑蛙蝌蚪的96 h-LC₅₀分别为0.41 mg·L^-1和4.1 mg·L^-1,而对非洲爪蟾蝌蚪的96 h-LC₅₀分别为0.12 mg·L^-1和3.1 mg·L^-1,显示黑斑蛙蝌蚪对这2种化学品的敏感性略低于非洲爪蟾。鉴于2类蝌蚪对化学品的敏感性存在差异,且黑斑蛙蝌蚪的自然死亡率低,材料更易获得,笔者认为黑斑蛙蝌蚪比非洲爪蟾更适合作为蝌蚪急性毒性试验的材料,用于我国化学品环境管理中的毒性评价。     

Cryptic species within the commercially most important lobster in the tropical Atlantic, the spiny lobster Panulirus argus

Panulirus argus (Latreille in Ann Mus Hist Nat Paris 3:388–395, 1804) is the lobster of greatest economic importance throughout its distribution. In this study, mitochondrial (Cytochrome Oxidase I and 16S ribosomal genes) and nuclear (Adenine Nucleotide Transporter gene) sequences were used to evaluate the taxonomic status of P. argus sampled from five sites in the Caribbean Sea and nine sites in the Southwest Atlantic. Phylogenetic analyses indicate that lobsters from the two regions form two monophyletic groups with a molecular divergence similar to that observed between distinct congeneric lobster species and much larger than that found between conspecific lobster populations. Therefore, the Caribbean and the Southwest Atlantic lobster populations originally attributed to P. argus belong to different species, with an estimated time of isolation of around 16 Million years. An important consequence of these findings is that the fisheries of spiny lobsters from the Caribbean and the Southwest Atlantic species must be managed separately.     

Some polyphagous Homoptera gain protection from their natural enemies by feeding on the toxic plantsSpartium junceum andErythrina corallodendrum (Leguminosae)

Summary Interactions were studied among alkaloid-containing legumes (Erythrina corallodendrum andSpartium junceum) and non-toxic plants (Citrus sinensis, Cucurbita moschata andEuphorbia tirucalli), several polyphagous homopterans,Aphis craccivora (Aphididae),Icerya purchasi, I. aegyptiaca (Margarodidae),Lepidosaphes ulmi (Diaspididae) andPlanococcus citri (Pseudococcidae), and some major natural enemies of these homopterans. Significant reductions in survival due to negative effects of alkaloid containing as compared with non-alkaloidal plants were recorded for the predatorsRodolia cardinalis andChilocorus bipustulatus, but not forCryptolaemus montrouzieri (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae),Chrysoperla carnea (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) andSympherobius sanctus (Neuroptera: Sympherobiidae). The development time of the larvae or pupae ofR. cardinalis, C. carnea andS. sanctus was longer on the toxic plants than on the non-toxic ones. The percentage of parasitism ofA. craccivora collected from the non-alkaloidal plantsVicia palaestina andMelilotus albus was much higher than that onS. junceum. The parasitoid complexes ofA. craccivora differed between both plant groups. The nutritive value of honeydew ofI. purchasi andA. craccivora, as expressed by the life span ofEncyrtus infelix (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) adults, was also investigated. Life spans were significantly longer when the wasps fed on honeydew produced on non-alkaloidal plants (C. sinensis andPittosporum tobira) than on alkaloid containing plants whenI. purchasi — but notA. craccivora — was the producer. It is suggested that the chemical defense ofE. corallodendrum andS. junceum is exploited by polyphagous phytophages to reduce predation. In nature, population growth and density of four of the investigated homopterans are conspicuously high when they developed on the alkaloid containing plant species, and very low on non-alkaloid plants. The efficiency of their natural enemies may be reduced by sequestration of alkaloids (or other toxic plant compounds) or their transfer into excreted honeydew. Therefore it is assumed that a generalist phytophagous homopteran may be protected from its natural enemies, although at different rates of efficiency, if it can safely sequester the host allelochemical when it develops on toxic species within its host range.     

Defense mechanisms and antipredator behavior in two sympatric species of spiny lobsters, Panulirus argus and P. guttatus

The congeneric spiny lobsters Panulirus argus and P. guttatus co-occur throughout the Caribbean Sea, where they may share the coral reef habitat. Despite their phylogenetic closeness, both species have many different life-history traits that may partially explain their coexistence. However, even though both species may face the same predators, their defense mechanisms and antipredator strategies had not been compared. We compared the performance between species in 18 morphological and behavioral defense mechanisms commonly expressed by most spiny lobsters, including predator-avoidance mechanisms (activity schedule, sheltering behavior, delay to disturbance, and effect of conspecific damage-released scents on shelter choice) as well as antipredator mechanisms (body size, several parameters of the escape response and limb autospasy, clinging strength, antennal strength, and cooperative defense). As hypothesized, both species expressed all these defense mechanisms (except cooperative defense, shown only by P. argus), reflecting their phylogenetic closeness, but performed significantly differently in most, in accordance with their particular ontogenetic traits. Their comparative performance in individual defense mechanisms as well as the antipredator strategies displayed by groups of lobsters of each species in the presence of a common predator (the triggerfish Balistes vetula) showed that, in general, the defensive behavioral type of P. argus is more bold and that of P. guttatus more shy. Therefore, their distinct defensive behaviors contribute to their niche differentiation.     

Molt cycle alterations in behavior,feeding and diel rhythms of a decapod crustacean,the spiny lobster Panulirus argus

The crustacean molt cycle manifests extensive behavioral changes in addition to physiological and integumentary modifications. The paucity of quantitative studies led us to characterize molt stage dependent alterations in rhythmic locomotor, feeding, and agonistic behavior of subadult spiny lobster Panulirus argus held grouped and solitarily in simulated natural conditions. Non-disruptively determined molt stages were defined as proportions of intermolt duration. Significant nocturnal rhythmicity persisted through the full molt cycle, though daily form varied as a function of activity level and molt stage. A distinct early evening peak signaled initiation of foraging and walking behavior. Thereafter, rhythm amplitude either declined progressively (low activity: unimodal pattern), remained high (high activity: nocturnal plateau), or exhibited a secondary early morning peak (intermediate activity: bimodal and polymodal patterns). Activity ceased at or immediately prior to sunrise. Ecdysis was predominantly nocturnal, probably reflecting species specific spatiotemporal movement patterns and social behavior. A selective advantage of nocturnal ecdysis was postulated concerning avoidance of cannibalism and diurnal predators. Locomotor activity and feeding rates were not equivalent through the molt cycle, though both peaked in stages B₂-C₁. Locomotor activity remained high in metecdysis, decreased sharply at proecdysis initiation (D₀), reaching lowest levels in D₁-D₃, then increased in D₃ through B₁. Activity dropped steeply at ecdysis, though lobsters were capable of intense and coordinated activity. Feeding decreased slowly through metecdysis after the B₂-C₁ maximum, then increased temporarily in C₄ and D₀, indicating heightened feeding motivation. This contrasts with the locomotor activity decrease at proecdysis. Food consumption declined rapidly in D₁ and D₂ and ceased at the D₂-D₃ transition. Feeding resumed in B₁ or B₂, intensifying to maximum in late B₂. Feeding remained relatively constant within stages, whereas locomotor activity varied greatly, though both correlated with metabolic needs. Grouped and solitary lobsters displayed similar patterns of foraging and walking, equivalent to those of locomotor activity and feeding of solitary individuals. Frequency of agonistic interactions (not aggression per se) remained relatively constant through the cycle, peaking in metecdysis, though the highest relative proportion occurred near ecdysis. Lobsters then were submissive and avoided physical contact with conspecifics. Clearly, locomotor activity, feeding, and social behavior of P. argus are not simply determined. Indeed, behavior is distinctly phase coordinated with varying metabolic requirements dependent on the proximity to ecdysis and ecological pressures.