表面活性剂十二烷基苯磺酸钠（SDBS）和十二烷基磺酸钠（SDS）对安氏伪镖水蚤的急性毒性研究(Acute Toxicity of Sodium Dodecyl Benzene Sulfonate（SDBS）and Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate（SDS）to the Copepod, Pseudodiaptomus annandalei)

为探讨表面活性剂成分对海洋桡足类生物的影响,测定了十二烷基苯磺酸钠(SDBS)和十二烷基磺酸钠(SDS)对安氏伪镖水蚤(Pseudo-diaptomus annandalei Sewell)的急性毒性作用.结果表明,SDBS对安氏伪镖水蚤雌体24h、48h、72h和96h的半致死浓度LC50分别为2.40、1.67、1.59和1.58mg·L-1,而对雄体分别为1.84、1.54、1.41和1.40mg·L-1;SDS对雌体24h、48h、72h和96h的LC50分别为54.33、30.85、25.21和15.85mg·L-1,对雄体分别为18.48、13.55、10.51和8.50mg·L-1;SDBS对雌体和雄体的安全浓度分别为0.24mg·L-1和0.32mg·L-1,而SDS对雌体和雄体的分别为2.98mg·L-1和2.19mg·L-1.结果显示,对安氏伪镖水蚤而言,SDBS比SDS的毒性更强;以半致死浓度LC50为参考依据,安氏伪镖水蚤雄体均比雌体对这两种表面活性剂敏感.     

微尾鼩种群繁殖的年龄和季节特征

2003年9月～2004年8月对四川南充地区微尾鼩种群不同年龄组繁殖的差异以及各年龄组在不同季节的差异进行研究.结果表明,微尾鼩总性比为1.05,经χ2检验,两性差异不显著,繁殖个体性比为1.08,两性差异不显著.雄性微尾鼩1、2月份各年龄组的睾丸大小(长径与短径)和重量差异不显著,3～12月份差异极显著.微尾鼩各年龄组睾丸大小和重量在12mo内季节变化为1、2月差异均不明显,3～12月份未成体组(Ⅰ)季节变化明显,而成体Ⅰ组(Ⅱ)和成体Ⅱ组(Ⅲ)差异不明显.雌性子宫斑数在1～10之间,平均胎仔数为4.05±0.14只(N=76),4、9月份为繁殖高峰期,繁殖指数分别为2.37和1.45,4～10月份成体Ⅰ组(Ⅱ)和成体Ⅱ组(Ⅲ)的繁殖力和平均胎仔数年龄差异不明显,成体Ⅱ组(Ⅲ)繁殖力和平均胎仔数在4～12月份季节变化不显著.1、2月份均为雌雄微尾鼩非繁殖期,3～12月份为繁殖期.表2参24     

微囊藻和拟柱孢藻对亚热带大型枝角类拟同形溞(Daphnia similoides)生长与繁殖的影响

拟同形溞(Daphnia similoides)是我国南亚热带地区广泛分布的大型枝角类种类,为了解富营养化对其种群生存的影响,以分离驯化的拟同形溞为对象,通过喂食有毒铜绿微囊藻(Toxic Microcystis aeruginosa FACHB905)、无毒铜绿微囊藻(Non-toxic M.aeruginosa FACHB469)和拟柱孢藻(Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii N8),探讨不同蓝藻构成的食物对拟同形溞生长和繁殖的影响.3株蓝藻分别与小球藻(Chlorella pyrenoidosa,CP)的生物量按4:0、3:1、2:2、1:3配比,以致蓝藻在食物中的比例分别记为100%、75%、50%、25%,总有机碳浓度控制为1 mg/L.结果显示,相对于单独喂食小球藻,含3株蓝藻的混合食物均显著抑制拟同形溞的生长和繁殖,表现为拟同形溞的体长增长率、最大体长、净生殖率和内禀增长率均下降,且下降趋势与蓝藻浓度呈显著正相关(P<0.05).相同浓度下,喂食拟柱孢藻的溞体的存活率、累计产幼量、净生殖率、内禀增长率均高于两株微囊藻.在3株蓝藻浓度均为100%时,喂食拟柱孢藻的溞体寿命、最大体长、累计产幼数分别为19 d、1.68 mm、2,均高于喂食有毒微囊藻藻的5.8 d、1.20 mm、0和无毒微囊藻的5.8 d、1.19 mm、0.本研究表明,水体中存在铜绿微囊藻和拟柱孢藻会影响拟同形溞的生长繁殖,且微囊藻对拟同形溞生长繁殖的抑制作用大于拟柱孢藻.     

重金属Cd~(2+)对土壤跳虫Folsomia candida金属硫蛋白mRNA转录水平诱导的研究

目前国内普遍采用传统种群和群落指标特征来进行重金属污染对土壤跳虫的研究。在国内首次通过添加不同浓度重金属镉(Cd~(2+))酵母喂食土壤跳虫室内实验种群白符跳(Folsomia candida),对白符跳体内金属硫蛋白(Metallothionein,MT)进行诱导,并采用实时荧光聚合酶链式反应(real-time fluorescent polymerase chain reaction,Real-time PCR)方法,测定其体内MT信使核糖核酸(m RNA)量的变化,从而判断Cd~(2+)诱导作用下MT表达量的变化。结果表明:Cd~(2+)染毒酵母饲料喂食28 d后,处理组与对照组(0 mg·kg~(-1) Cd~(2+))白符跳体内MT基因m RNA转录水平存在差异,MT表达量随Cd~(2+)处理水平的升高而显著上升。在浓度范围探测试验中,1 000 mg·kg~(-1) Cd~(2+)处理组和100 mg·kg~(-1) Cd~(2+)处理组的MT m RNA转录水平分别是对照组的9 355.53倍和731.13倍;在浓度梯度试验中,500 mg·kg~(-1) Cd~(2+)处理组的MT m RNA水平分别是对照组、12.5 mg·kg~(-1)和250 mg·kg~(-1)处理组的456.54、296.26和7.05倍,250 mg·kg~(-1)和12.5 mg·kg~(-1)处理组的MT m RNA水平分别是对照的64.78倍和1.54倍。这些结果说明:土壤弹尾纲白符跳体内金属硫蛋白m RNA转录水平能够被环境中的Cd~(2+)所诱导,并与之呈正相关关系。以此推测,土壤弹尾虫体内金属硫蛋白m RNA转录水平可作为评价土壤Cd~(2+)污染的潜在生物标志物特征。     

贡嘎山高低海拔上优势杨柳科植物性别比例与繁殖特性北大核心CSCD

雌雄异株植物的性比问题一直是进化生物学的研究热点之一.为揭示杨柳科植物不同性比格局的内在机理,从繁殖投入、种群密度和传粉效率等方面对贡嘎山两个海拔高度（2 000和2 600 m）上冬瓜杨和川滇柳的性别比例与繁殖投入进行对比研究.结果显示：（1）低海拔下冬瓜杨和川滇柳雄雌性比（M/F）接近1：1平衡;而在高海拔区域出现性比失衡,即杨树偏雄（M/F=2.36,P=0.008）,而柳树偏雌（M/F=0.62,P=0.033）.（2）冬瓜杨和川滇柳种群密度随海拔升高均明显下降,但川滇柳密度显著高于冬瓜杨,柱头接收花粉数量亦显著高于冬瓜杨.（3）枝条水平上,杨柳的总繁殖结构生物量（花序干重＋种子干重）在两个海拔上都为雌株高于雄株;相对繁殖投入在低海拔时雌株高于雄株,高海拔上冬瓜杨雌株高于雄株,而川滇柳由于叶片的补偿生长,包括更高的叶片生物量投入和光合能力,导致相对繁殖投入雌雄间无显著差异.冬瓜杨雌株繁殖投入显著高于雄株,雌株对高海拔更敏感,因而高海拔时偏雄性.川滇柳的繁殖投入在海拔间无差异,加之传粉效率较高,可能容易产生花粉管竞争,从而偏雌性.本研究发现较之低海拔,贡嘎山上杨柳科植物在高海拔上叶与繁殖结构生物量权衡关系改变容易导致性比失衡,未来需在分子水平上,结合性别决定基因、性染色体和表观遗传学等进一步深入研究.     

利用毒代动力学模型研究氟虫腈在夹杂带丝蚓体内的手性选择性积累过程

农药的生物积累直接影响其毒性,但是手性农药在生物体内的选择性积累过程仍不明确.本文在恒定环境水浓度的条件下,开展手性农药氟虫腈的外消旋体及其对映体在底栖无脊椎动物夹杂带丝蚓体内的生物积累实验.在96 h和72 h的吸收和消除实验过程中,测定生物体内的氟虫腈的外消旋体和对映体浓度随时间的变化情况,构建毒代动力学模型,获取吸收和消除速率常数.结果表明夹杂带丝蚓对R-氟虫腈的生物浓缩因子(1981 L·kg~(-1)脂肪)比对S-氟虫腈(1748 L·kg~(-1)脂肪)更大.R-氟虫腈和S-氟虫腈的吸收速率常数相当,分别为311±11 L·kg~(-1)脂肪·h~(-1)和313±13 L·kg~(-1)脂肪·h~(-1),而R-氟虫腈的消除速率常数小于S-氟虫腈,分别为0.157±0.006 h~(-1)和0.179±0.008 h~(-1),因此相对较慢的消除是导致R-氟虫腈在夹杂带丝蚓体内更高生物积累的主要原因.研究说明毒代动力学参数可有效阐释手性外源物质在生物体内选择性积累的差异.     

不同沉水植物对沉积物磷迁移转化的影响

选择了微齿眼子菜(Potamogeton maackianus A.Benn .)、穗花狐尾藻(Myriophyllum spicatum L .)和金鱼藻(Ceratophyllum demerswn L .)3种沉水植物,在温室模拟研究了不同沉水植物对湖泊沉积物磷迁移转化的影响.研究结果表明,随着培养时间的延续微齿眼子菜和穗花狐尾藻对沉积物NaOH-P有明显的吸收和转化作用,分别吸收和转化了36.9%和33.2%,而金鱼藻对沉积物NaOH-P的影响不显著;各处理随着植物的生长,由于根系的吸收作用,沉积物中Olsell-P发生了从非根际→根际→沉水植物的迁移过程,其中微齿眼子菜和穗花狐尾藻更为明显.因此,微齿眼子菜和穗花狐尾藻对沉积物磷释放的控制作用更为明显.     

短时高温暴露对Q型烟粉虱发育和繁殖的影响

为探明卵期受短时高温暴露对Q型烟粉虱(Bemisia tabaci Q-biotype)存活、繁殖和后代适合度的影响,以适温(26℃)处理为对照,研究Q型烟粉虱卵在不同高温(37、39、41℃)条件下分别暴露1 h、2 h和4 h后转至适温饲养,其F0代的存活率、羽化率、雌成虫比例、寿命和产卵量及F1代的发育历期和雌成虫比例.结果表明:1)随着暴露温度升高和暴露时间延长,F0代Q型烟粉虱由卵发育至成虫的存活率和蛹羽化率均显著降低,41℃暴露2 h后的存活率和蛹羽化率最低,分别为49.1%和76.2%,显著低于未经高温暴露的对照(分别为83.4%和96.6%);2)卵期于41℃暴露1 h后其F0代雌成虫比例(61.0%)显著高于对照(52.0%),其他各处理与对照差异不显著;3)卵期高温暴露对F0代雌成虫寿命无显著影响,但单雌产卵量均显著低于对照(117.9粒),并随暴露温度升高呈降低趋势;4)F0代卵期在39℃暴露2 h、4 h和41℃暴露1~4 h后,F1代卵到成虫历期均较对照显著延长;5)与对照相比,F0代卵期分别在37℃暴露1~4 h、39℃暴露1~2 h或41℃暴露4 h,还可显著提高F1代雌成虫比例.可见,短时高温暴露可降低Q型烟粉虱的发育适合度,导致F0代存活率降低、产卵量下降和F1代发育历期延长,但一定程度上提高F1代雌成虫比例,从而对种群发展产生一定的代偿作用.表5参20     

主养草鱼(Ctenopharyngodon idellus)池塘3种混养模式下氮含量的比较

对主养草鱼(Ctenopharyngodon idellus)池塘3种混养模式(模式Ⅰ,草鱼、鲢、鳙、鲫分别为250、35、40、15尾;模式Ⅱ,草鱼、鲢、鳙、匙吻鲟、鲫分别为250、35、20、20、15尾;模式Ⅲ,草鱼、鲢、鲫分别为250、35、15尾)水体和底泥中氮含量进行比较分析。结果表明,模式Ⅰ、Ⅱ、Ⅲ水体TN含量均值分别为1.251、1.001和1.228 mg.L-1,NH4+-N含量均值分别为0.391、0.345和0.319 mg.L-1,NO3--N含量由高到低为模式Ⅰ、Ⅱ和Ⅲ,NO2--N含量由高到低为模式Ⅱ、Ⅰ和Ⅲ。模式Ⅰ、Ⅱ、Ⅲ底泥TN含量均值分别为0.793、0.910和0.963 mg.g-1,NH4+-N含量均值分别为0.005、0.006和0.004 mg.g-1。模式Ⅱ水体TN含量显著低于模式Ⅰ和Ⅲ(P<0.05),底泥中氮营养盐的转化也优于其他2种模式,可见模式Ⅱ最有利于水体中氮营养盐的转化和利用。     

圈养马麝(Moschus sifanicus)非繁殖季节行为特征及行为节律的性别间差异

采用比较研究法，分析了甘肃兴隆山麝场圈养马麝（Moschus sifanicus）的非交配季节（8—10月）行为特征的性别间差异，并探讨了行为模式的变化格局．结果表明，由于雌麝在非交配季节正处于哺乳期，育幼投资相对增加，警戒性增强，其静卧、摄食和反刍等行为的终止阈值下降；和雄麝相比，雌麝的站立凝视、静卧、摄食和反刍等行为的发生频次相对较多．育幼直接导致雌麝相互间的冲突行为频次增多，母幼间的行为联系使其亲和行为的表达频次多于雄麝．圈养马麝在非交配季节的月行为节律变化还存在性别差异，在8—9月间，雌麝表达的静卧和反刍行为的频次渐少，而由于雄麝8月后正处于泌香后期（成体）或泌香期（亚成体），因此其运动频次较少，卧息较多，摄食持续时间减少．随繁殖季节的临近，雄麝从8月到10月间的运动、尾阴探究、冲突行为、环境探究等动态行为的表达逐渐增加．图1表2参22     

Tail loss reduces mating success in the Iberian rock-lizard,Lacerta monticola

Summary Many lizards autotomize their tails to escape when grasped by a predator. It is hypothesized that tail loss causes a reduction in social status, thereby potentially lowering their reproductive success. We experimentally induced tail loss in Lacerta monticola in a semi-natural enclosure, and show that tail loss reduced social status and mating access in males. Tailless males increased body mass more rapidly than tailed dominant males, probably due to lower aggression costs. Also, tailless females were courted less and copulated less than tailed females, supporting the hypothesis that tail loss decreases reproduction potential.Correspondence to: J. Martin     

Reproductive effort in Adélie penguins

Summary We estimated reproductive effort (energy expenditures for reproduction, as opposed to maintenance) in Adélie penguins breeding at Palmer Station, Antarctica. Data on body composition changes and metabolic rate were obtained using isotopic methods. Adelie breeding behavior consists of an initial courtship stage (during which both sexes fast), incubation, the guard stage (when chicks are 1 to 18–28 days old), and the creche stage (from the end of guarding until chicks are 28–45 days old). Both males and females lost considerable mass during the initial stages of the reproductive season, but males fasted longer and lost more mass. Mass losses of both sexes consisted of 66% depot fat and 34% lean tissue. Mass and body composition remained constant once birds resumed feeding. The metabolic expenditure for the foraging necessary to accumulate the mass lost while fasting — one component of reproductive effort —was about 63 MJ in males and 39 MJ in females. Field metabolic rates (FMR) were low during courtship and while incubating, increasing more than 2-fold when birds resumed foraging. Although mean FMR increased between incubation and the creche stage, differences between stages were small and not significant. We used FMR data and an energy balance model to estimate the cost of feeding chicks. Results suggest a maintenance FMR of about 2.7 × basal metabolism (BMR), increasing to 3.4–3.6 × BMR during the creche stage. The reproductive effort (as metabolic expenditures) associated with feeding chicks is 31 MJ (males) to 36 MJ (females). Cumulative reproductive effort is 94 MJ in males and 75 MJ in females, or 5.3–6.2% of the annual energy budget. The reproductive effort devoted to chick care does not appear to be constrained by physiological or time limitations. Instead, selection to reduce the risk of predation may prevent the evolution of increased parental care. Correspondence to: M.A. Chappell     

Seasonality in gonads,fat deposits and condition of tropical surgeonfishes (Teleostei: Acanthuridae)

Lipids are stored in mesenteries surrouding the gut and in paired, retroperitoneal fat bodies dorsal to the anal fin in at least 24 surgeonfishes representing 5 genera (Acanthurus, Ctenochaetus, Naso, Prionurus, Zebrasoma) from Western Mexico, Hawaii, French Polynesia, Great Barrier Reef and the Red Sea. In A. nigrofuscus from the Red Sea and C. striatus from French Polynesia, fat stores and condition index (K=100 W/L ³) increased during cool seasons, several months before gonads developed, and declined with the onset of gonadal development. Fat bodies and mesenteric fat deposits developed in all sizes of A. nigrofuscus and C. striatus, and condition paralleled seasonal changes in fat deposits. Gonads of A. nigrofuscus developed in specimens of 76 to 159 mm standard length (SL), while they developed in C. striatus only at lengths>170 mm total length (TL) for females and 195 mm TL for males. Mesenteric fats and fat bodies exhibited similar changes in size, and did not differ in occurrence of major groups of lipids or their relative prevalence. The relative proportions of the major lipid classes differed, however, between these storage sites and other tissues. Muscle, liver and gonads contained less triacylglycerol relative to cholesterol and polar lipid than did mesenteric or fat body lipids. Energy and nutrients acquired during cool saasons with short feeding days appear to support reproductive events during warm seasons, when feeding during longer days fails to meet demands. Fat stores and condition continue to decline beyond the reproductive season until winter.     

Male chimpanzees compromise the foraging success of their mates in Kibale National Park,Uganda

Sexual conflict develops when the optimal reproductive strategy for one sex inflicts fitness costs upon the other sex. Among species with intense within-group feeding competition and high costs of reproduction, females are expected to experience reduced foraging efficiency by associating with males, and this may compromise their reproductive ability. Here, we test this hypothesis in chimpanzees, a species with flexible grouping patterns in which female avoidance of large subgroups has been attributed to their relatively high costs of grouping. In an >11-year study of the Kanyawara community of East African chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes schweinfurthii) in the Kibale National Park, Uganda, the availability of sexually receptive females was a key determinant of the number of males in parties. In turn, females experienced significantly lower C-peptide of insulin levels, indicative of reduced energy balance, during periods when they associated with more males. Female associates did not produce the same negative effect. C-peptide levels positively and significantly predicted female ovarian steroid production, indicating that the costs of associating with males can lead to downstream reproductive costs. Therefore, we conclude that Kanyawara chimpanzees exhibit sexual conflict over subgroup formation, with the large groupings that allow males to compete for mating opportunities inflicting energetic and reproductive costs on females. Because association with males is central to female chimpanzees’ anti-infanticide strategy, and males may confer other benefits, we propose that reproductive success in female chimpanzees hinges on a delicate balance between the costs and benefits of associating with male conspecifics.     

Time budgets and foraging in a Malagasy primate: do sex differences reflect reproductive condition and female dominance?

Female mammals commonly employ behavioral tactics of modulating activity levels and foraging behavior to counter the energetic burden of reproduction; these behavioral changes are reflected as intersexual differences. Traditional views of Malagasy primates posit that high reproductive costs select for female dominance which guarantees to energetically stressed females priority of resource access. I tested predictions regarding reproductive influences on sex differences in time budgets and foraging behavior using two groups of Milne-Edwards' sifaka (Propithecus diadema edwardsi) in southeastern Madagascar. Compared to males, females increased neither feeding nor resting time during gestation or lactation. Sex differences were essentially absent in all foraging time variables examined (time, duration, rate). In contrast, dietary composition diverged between the sexes in some months. The possibility that females selected particular food items to boost nutrient and energetic intake to meet increased requirements during reproduction must be further clarified with nutritional analyses. Sex differences in plant part choices coincided with lactation in one of the two study groups. Thus, the timing of sex differences in feeding patterns of P. d. edwardsi only partially supports the prediction that sex differences are most pronounced during the period of greatest female energetic demand. A comparative review indicated no tight association between female dominance and sex differences in foraging among Malagasy primates. Traditional female dominance theory falls short of explaining the observed patterns. The results of my study coupled with recent evidence suggest that non-behavioral tactics involving energy conservation and storage require further attention as mechanisms by which female lemurs cope with reproductive costs. Received: 12 June 1998 / Accepted after revision: 10 October 1998     

Sexual selection and reproductive careers in mandrills (Mandrillus sphinx)

In sexually dimorphic, polygynous species, where males provide little parental care and competition between males for access to fertile females is high, sexual selection theory predicts sex differences in age-specific reproductive output and mortality profiles, and greater variance in lifetime reproductive success in males than in females. We examined age-specific reproductive output, mortality patterns and the extent and causes of variation in reproductive success for a semi-free-ranging colony of mandrills (Mandrillus sphinx, Cercopithecidae) in Franceville, Gabon, using long-term (20 year) demographic records and microsatellite parentage analysis. Although differences in the demography and feeding ecology of this closed, provisioned colony, in comparison with wild mandrills, limit interpretation of our results, sex differences in reproductive output and mortality showed the patterns predicted by sexual selection theory. Mortality was higher in males than in females after sexual maturity, and lifespan was significantly shorter in males (mean 14 year) than in females (>22 year). Age at first reproduction was significantly earlier in females (mean 4.2 year) than in males (11.6 year), and male reproductive output declined earlier. All females of breeding age produced offspring; while only 17 of 53 sexually mature males (32%) sired. Males sired a maximum of 41 offspring, versus 17 in females, and variance in male reproductive output was significantly greater than in females at all ages. The most important influence on variation in lifetime reproductive output in both sexes was joint variation between length of the breeding period and reproductive rate, due to lower reproductive rates in younger animals. Finally, social rank significantly influenced reproductive output in both sexes: high-ranking females began their reproductive careers earlier and had a higher subsequent reproductive rate than low-ranking females, while males that achieved top rank during their career sired far more offspring than males that did not.Electronic Supplementary Material Supplementary material is available for this article at     

Some costs of reproduction for male bushcrickets,Requena verticalis (Orthoptera : Tettigoniidae) allocating resources to mate attraction and nuptial feeding

Summary The cost of reproductive effort is known to result in a trade-off between current and future reproduction. Similarly, trade-offs in energy allocation may occur between components of reproductive effort, mating and parental effort, within a single reproductive episode. We investigated the energy allocated to mating effort (calling to attract females) and parental effort (donation of spermatophore nutrients at mating) by male bushcrickets, Requena verticalis, under two dietary regimes. Males provided with a low quality diet reduced the daily energy allocated to calling activity while maintaining their investment in spermatophores. Males provided with a high quality diet did not allocate more resources per day to their spermatophores but stored excess energy for future reproduction. Thus, on a per day basis, males appear to hold constant their investment in the spermatophore at the cost of reduced mating effort when resources are limited. Males on both diets, however, increased the size of their spermatophore donations when the interval between female encounters was increased. One explanation for this pattern could be a frequency-dependent optimization of spermatophore size. Correspondence to: L.W. Simmons     

The development of sex differences in ring-tailed lemur feeding ecology

Sex differences in feeding ecology may develop in response to fluctuations in physiological costs to females over their reproductive cycles, or to sexual size dimorphism, or function to minimize feeding competition within a group via resource partitioning. For most mammal species, it is unknown how these factors contribute to sex differences in feeding, or how the development of males and females reflects these intraspecific feeding differences. We show changes in dietary composition, diversity, overlap, and foraging behavior throughout development in ring-tailed lemurs (Lemur catta) and test how the development of sex differences in feeding is related to female costs of reproduction and year-round resource partitioning. Sex differences in dietary composition were only present when females were lactating, but sex differences in other aspects of feeding, including dietary diversity, and relative time spent feeding and foraging, developed at or near the time of weaning. Sex difference in juveniles and subadults, when present, were similar to the differences found in adults. The low year-round dietary overlap and early differences in dietary diversity indicate that some resource partitioning may begin with young individuals and fluctuate throughout development. The major differences between males and females in dietary composition suggest that these larger changes in diet are closely tied to female reproductive state when females must shift their diet to meet energetic and nutritional requirements.     

An experimental test of female choice relative to male structural coloration in eastern bluebirds

Several experimental studies have shown that female birds use ornamental melanin and carotenoid plumage coloration as criteria in mate choice. Whether females choose mates based on natural variation in structural coloration, however, has not been well established. Male eastern bluebirds (Sialia sialis) display brilliant ultraviolet (UV)-blue plumage coloration on their head, back, wings, and tail, which is positively correlated with condition, reproductive effort, and reproductive success. We experimentally tested the hypothesis that female eastern bluebirds prefer as mates males that display brighter structural coloration by presenting breeding-condition females with males of variable coloration. We conducted two types of mate-choice experiments. First, females chose between males whose coloration was manipulated within the natural range of variation in the population; feathers were either brightened with violet marker or dulled with black marker. Second, females chose between males with naturally dull or bright plumage coloration. In both manipulated and unmanipulated coloration trials, female choice did not differ significantly from random with respect to structural coloration. We found no support for the hypothesis that the UV–blue coloration of male eastern bluebirds functions as a criterion in female mate choice.     

Influence of habitat on the reproductive biology of the deep-sea hydrothermal vent limpet <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lepetodrilus fucensis</Emphasis> (Vetigastropoda: Mollusca) from the Northeast Pacific

Habitat selection by the hydrothermal vent limpet, Lepetodrilus fucensis, in Northeast Pacific hydrothermal vent ecosystems, may influence its reproductive output, as it occupies habitats with varying physico-chemical conditions that reflect the availability of nutritional resources. Histological techniques were used to determine size at first reproduction, gametogenesis, reproductive output, and fecundity in relation to shell length (SL), through examination of the gonads of male and female L. fucensis, collected from five different hydrothermal vent habitat types with different temperature anomalies and hydrothermal fluid flow vigour: vigorous (VIG), diffuse (DIF), tubeworm bushes (TWB), peripheral (PER), and senescent areas (SEN). Both male and female L. fucensis exhibited early maturity, with the first reproductive event occurring at 3.8 and 3.9 mm shell length, respectively. All stages of gamete development were present in the gonads of males and females, suggesting continuous gametogenesis and asynchronous reproduction in this species. Gametogenic maturity of limpets did not vary among actively venting habitats (VIG, DIF, TWB, and PER), but was significantly lower in males and females from SEN habitats. Mean oocyte diameter was largest in females from VIG habitats, and smallest in females from SEN habitats, than in those from the other habitats (DIF, TWB, and PER). Females from actively venting habitats also had greater actual fecundity than those from senescent habitats. While the gametogenic pattern of L. fucensis appears phylogenetically constrained, selection of actively venting habitats by L. fucensis maximizes its reproductive output. The multiple feeding strategies of L. fucensis may allow for a constant supply of energy to be allocated to reproduction in any habitat except senescent vents. Early maturity, high fecundity, and continuous production of gametes suggest a reproductive strategy characteristic of an opportunistic species, and may be contributing to the extremely abundant populations of L. fucensis observed in the Northeast Pacific vent ecosystem.