Predatory behavior and prey selection by army ants in a desert-grassland habitat

Summary Colonies of Neivamyrmex nigrescens conduct extensive nocturnal raids on other ants and termites in the desert-grassland of Arizona-New Mexico. We collected quantitative data on several aspects of raiding to pinpoint differences due to colony size and behavioral phase. In the nomadic phase, colonies began raiding at sunset and continued until dawn. Larger colonies covered more area, discovered more prey sites, and collected more booty than smaller colonies, but there were no systematic changes in raid intensity over the course of the nomadic phase. In the statary phase, raiding occurred less frequently and was less intense when it occurred; however, at the end of this phase, raiding was similar to nomadic phase raids in extent, duration, and booty captured. N. nigrescens preyed exclusively on termites and ants, and appeared to select certain species of Pheidole in preference to other ants. Pheidole was the most abundant genus, but was preyed upon twice as often as expected based on relative colony density. Pheidole attempted to avoid predation by fleeing or defending their nest, but rarely succeeded. Because they are about the same size as army ants and lack defensive chemicals, Pheidole made comparatively easy prey. N. nigrescens ignored or was repelled by other ants (Pogonomyrmex, Novomessor, Iridomyrmex, Myrmecocystus) during the early summer, when Pheidole was abundant; however, in late summer when Pheidole was less available, the army ants preyed upon Novomessor cockerelli. N. harrisi raided in close proximity to N. nigrescens, but preyed exclusively on Solenopsis xyloni. Selection of prey and partitioning of resources are now indicated in several army ant species; these processes have probably been important factors in the evolution of the ants' predatory behavior.     

Turnover of tracer (14C, 3H labelled) alanine in inshore marine sediments

The turnover rate constants (k) of alanine in coastal marine sediments were measured using ³H-and ¹⁴C-alanine in tracer amounts (less than in situ concentrations of alanine in the porewater). After incubation ¹⁴C-label was recovered in free dissolved alanine, adsorbed alanine, volatile fatty acids and carbon dioxide pools. Alanine left the free dissolved pool by two processes: 1) adsorption (k=0.06 min^-1) and 2) biological uptake (k=0.16 min^-1). Adsorption of alanine was deduced from the persistence of ¹⁴C-alanine, which was slowly metabolized after an initial rapid rate of degradation. Adsorption was confirmed in biologically inactivated sediments. The adsorbed ¹⁴C-alanine was only partially exchanged by the addition of excess non-labelled alanine, indicating the existence of at least 2 different adsorbed pools. The rates of adsorption and desorption were equal, but the k-values were different, indicating that the adsorbed pool was 2500 fold greater than the free pool. From the biological turnover rate constant (0.16 min^-1), the mineralization percentage (80%) and the concentration of alanine (800 nmol l^-1 of porewater) a mineralization rate in the sediment of 75 nmol cm^-3 d^-1 was determined. This was in excess of the measured total NH ₄ ⁺ production. It is concluded that much of the dissolved alanine (800 nm) was biologically unavailable and a more realistic free dissolved pool would be 10 nM.     

Comparative study of different hydrophobic devices for sampling lipid surface films and adherent microorganisms

Some simple devices for collection of lipid films and adhering microorganisms have been tested at various places along the Swedish west coast and in model systems. Information is given about enrichment of microorganisms and the magnitude of accumulation in these films. The present work indicates that the use of a Teflon sheet is a suitable method for lipid film sampling, both for microbiological and chemical purposes.     

Hydrocarbons in benthic algae from the eastern Gulf of Mexico

Thirty-six samples of benthic algae were collected from the continental shelf along the eastern Gulf of Mexico. The algae contain 82.8±143 ppm aliphatic hydrocarbons by dry weight and 11.8±22.7 ppm aromatic and polyolefinic hydrocarbons. The aliphatic constituents of red algae are composed almost entirely of n-C₁₇ (70 to 95% of aliphatic weight); green algae have varying amounts of n-alkanes in the range of n-C₁₅ to n-C₁₉, with homologous series of odd carbon number n-alkenes. Phytadienes occur as high as 740 ppm dry weight in the green algae and do not appear to be related to time or place of collection or to presence of any petroleum pollutants. The single brown algal species contains predominantly n-C₁₅. About 30% of the samples have hydrocarbons resembling degraded petroleum residues, but no petroleum pollution of recent origin was detected in any specimen.     

The biological degradation of arginine and glutamic acid in seawater in relation to the growth of phytoplankton

The responses of natural summer coastal plankton communities to low-level additions (10^-5 to 10^-7 M) of arginine and glutamic acid has been followed by in vivo measurement of chlorophyll fluorescence. This technique is capable of detecting a response to a 10^-6 M enrichment under most conditions. The time sequence of the response varied with the amino acid used and with the enantiomeric form of the amino acid. Ammonia and carbon dioxide were liberated before the increase in chlorophyll fluorescence occurred. Liberation of ammonia in a dark bottle from L-arginine was from 75 to 85% of the theoretical yield. Microautoradiography using ¹⁴C L-arginine or L-glutamic acid at 10^-7 M showed heavy labeling associated with fecal pellets and detrital aggregates. Phytoplankton cells were not appreciably labeled. The evidence suggests that bacteria are important in the cycling of these compunds.     

Optimum forage allocation through chance-constrained programming

Most resource allocation models developed to aid resource planning have been deterministic; that is, the ecosystem and economic variables are assumed to be known with certainty. It is these elements that present problems concerning risk and uncertainty involved in decision making. The objective of this study is to present a mathematical approach for optimizing resource allocation in management situations in which random events occur. This particular technique of decision analysis is chance-constrained programming. The model makes possible the investigation of risk and uncertainty associated with resource management decision making. Range decision-makers must often stock their range before they are sure of the available forage; thus, the amount of available forage is a random element with which managers must contend. The chance-constrained approach to decision making may be used when such random events occur and when it is not possible to plan exactly for future events. Two parameters are used to adjust the mean value of constraints; these are the standard deviation of the constraint value (S_bi) and the probability term which is specified by the manager (K_αi). The mean values are adjusted by the product K_αiS_bi. In the study reported here, a K_αi value of 0.57 gave results which appeared to have usefulness. The results indicate that the penalties a rancher must assume for over-estimating his carrying capacity are greater than the penalties for underestimating the carrying capacity. With the value of the standard deviation used in the example, numbers of livestock and the corresponding net revenues should be about 22% less than those indicated by average forage production. With greater variation in forage production, the reduction would be greater. By using these values, the chance-constrained approach can meaningfully incorporate random variables into a decision model.     

The nature of zinc and copper complexes in the oyster Ostrea edulis

The zinc and copper associated with the soft tissues of the oyster Ostrea edulis Linnaeus have been separated into a soluble component and a tissue-residue, cell-debris bound component. In the case of zinc, the tissue-bound component was found to contain at least two species of complex; a firmly-bound species, exchangeable with ⁶⁵Zn²⁺ and a less-firmly, reversibly-bound species, exchangeable with ⁶⁵Zn²⁺. The soluble component, which constitutes some 40% of the total zinc and copper, was fractionated on Sephadex G-25 and the zinc and copper shown to be weakly-complexed to the small molecular weight compounds, taurine, lysine, ATP and possibly homarine (N-methyl--picolinic acid) and to be fully exchangeable with ⁶⁵Zn²⁺. These soluble complexes can act as a freely available mobile reserve of metal to ensure a constant saturation of metal-dependent enzyme systems operating under adverse environments. Sephadex G-25 acts as a weak ion-exchange resin, which can cause a translocation of zinc and copper from its soluble weak complexes and result in the spurious association of the metals with other compounds.     

Effect of salinity adaptation on nitrogen metabolism in the freshwater fish Tilapia mossambica. I. Tissue protein and amino acid levels

Water, proteins and total free amino acids were estimated in different tissues of the euryhaline fish Tilapia mossambica after adaptation to various strenghts of sea water. The water content did not vary significantly in any tissue on salinity adaptation. The soluble and insoluble proteins displayed a general and considerable decrease in muscle, liver and heart; the decrease in the soluble fraction in the heart and the proteins of the muscle in 75% sea water (100% sea water=32.5 S) were significant. The gill proteins did not alter with salinity; the kidney proteins tended to increase slightly in 100% sea water (SW). The total free amino-acid content decreased insignificantly in all tissues on adaptation to 25% SW; in higher salinities, however, the content increased significantly. This increase was sudden and steep in 50% SW, and gradual and less steep in 75 and 100% SW. It is suggested that constancy in water content may contribute to the great adaptability of T. mossambica to heterosmotic media, and that the total free amino acids may be involved in isosmotic intracellular regulation. The possibility of amino acid increase as a result of protein breakdown is also indicated.     

Aspects écologiques de la zonation intertidale sur les côtes rocheuses des îles Galapagos

Features of the intertidal zonation on the rocky shores of the Galapagos Islands are described and discussed in relation to environmental factors, in particular temperature — which varies with regional hydrology and climatology. Owing to the thermal properties of the coastal waters and to the nature of the substrate (mainly basalt), intertidal organisms are exposed to a wide range of temperatures, which fluctuate with tide, day, and season. As a result, life is mostly restricted to the lowest levels of the shore; the middle- and upper-level populations are sparse. Local variations (biofacies) resulting from water agitation are described. Biota consist of tropical, subtropical, and warm-temperate components. Tropical species dominate in sheltered areas and in middle and upper shores.

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Contribution No. 164, the Charles Darwin Foundation.