Cell turnover in tissues of the long-lived ocean quahog Arctica islandica and the short-lived scallop Aequipecten opercularis

Cell proliferation and apoptosis were investigated in tissues of two bivalve species, Arctica islandica from the German Bight (age of bivalves: 33–98 years) and Iceland (7–148 years) and Aequipecten opercularis from the English Channel (2–4 years). High proliferation rates (10% nuclei dividing) and apoptosis in tissues of A. opercularis were in line with high-energy throughput and reduced investment into antioxidant defence mechanisms in the scallop. In contrast, cell turnover was slow (<1% nuclei dividing) in A. islandica and similar in mantle, gill and adductor muscle between young and old individuals. In the heart, cell turnover rates decreased with age, which indicates less-efficient removal of damaged cells in ageing A. islandica. Cell turnover rates, mass specific respiration and antioxidant enzyme activities were similar in German Bight and Iceland ocean quahog. Variable maximum life expectancies in geographically separated A. islandica populations are determined by extrinsic factors rather than by fundamental physiological differences.     

Advanced age for sexual maturity in the ocean quahog Arctica islandica (Mollusca: Bivalvia)

A study of gonadal state in 39 small specimens of Arctica islandica Linné collected in April 1976 from the Middle Atlantic shelf of North America suggests that sexual maturity is reached at a later age than has been reported for other shelf bivalves. Eight of the specimens had gonads in the undifferentiated state. On the basis of annual internal growth banding in the shells of these immature specimens, age ranged between 4 and 14 years. Average age was 9.38 years (standard deviation, s,= 3.54). Shell length ranged from 24 to 47 mm (average 38.85 mm, s=9.25). Differentiated gonads were found in specimens as young as 6 years. Age of maturity shows a wide range and may be dependent upon growth rate and locality.     

Phylogeography of the ocean quahog (Arctica islandica): influences of paleoclimate on genetic diversity and species range

The ocean quahog, Arctica islandica (Linnaeus, 1767), is a commercially important bivalve found on continental shelves throughout much of the North Atlantic. To assess genetic subdivision in this species, we sequenced 385 nucleotides of the mitochondrial cytochrome b (cyt b) gene from 83 specimens collected from 12 localities between September 1998 and July 1999 (based on preliminary data, the Internal Transcribed Spacers, ITS, of the nuclear ribosomal repeat were not useful). The cyt b data delimited 11 haplotypes with 0.26 to 8.1% nucleotide difference (coded by 36 variable nucleotide positions) among them. Only three haplotypes were detected in 39 specimens collected along the USA coastline, compared to five haplotypes from nine Icelandic individuals. The western Atlantic populations ranging from Penobscot Bay (Maine, USA) to southern Virginia showed relatively low diversity and appeared genetically similar in that region. Based on the presence of shared haplotypes, AMOVA analyses, and phylogenetic reconstructions, Icelandic populations appear to be more genetically similar to western Atlantic populations than eastern Atlantic populations. Specimens from the Faroe Islands (n=4) show mixed affinities. These data are consistent with the hypothesis that a warm Holocene climatic optimum (ca. 7,500 years BP), and not glacial refugia, shaped the present-day genetic structure in A. islandica. Received: 18 January 2000 / Accepted: 26 June 2000     

Caloric values of some North Atlantic invertebrates

Nineteen marine species were analyzed for caloric value; 7 of these were analysed for seasonal trends. Variation in caloric value for the polychaetesNephtys incisa andLumbrineris fragilis was not related to season.Pandalus montagui (decapod shrimp),Leptocheirus pinguis (gammarid amphipod),Astarte undata, Arctica islandica (pelecypods) had summer maxima.Meganyctiphanes norvegica (krill) had more complex seasonal changes involving winter and summer maxima.     

Method for indirectly defining optimum temperatures of inhabitancy for marine cold-blooded animals

Investigations on the influence of pressure on the activity of alkaline phosphatase of some marine invertebrates from the Baltic Sea were carried out at temperatures between 5° and 55°C. The results obtained indicate that the influence of pressure on alkaline phosphatase activity is modified by temperature. At low temperatures, pressure has a decreasing effect on enzyme activity, while it has an increasing effect at higher temperatures. The gill homogenates of the relatively pressure-resistent bivalves Cyprina islandica and Mytilus edulis show a lower decrease of activity under pressure at low temperatures than the gill-homogenate of Carcinus maenas and a purified enzyme preparation of a homoiothermal animal.     

Effects of seawater pCO2 and temperature on shell growth, shell stability, condition and cellular stress of Western Baltic Sea Mytilus edulis (L.) and Arctica islandica (L.)

Acidification of the World’s oceans may directly impact reproduction, performance and shell formation of marine calcifying organisms. In addition, since shell production is costly and stress in general draws on an organism’s energy budget, shell growth and stability of bivalves should indirectly be affected by environmental stress. The aim of this study was to investigate whether a combination of warming and acidification leads to increased physiological stress (lipofuscin accumulation and mortality) and affects the performance [shell growth, shell breaking force, condition index (C_i)] of young Mytilus edulis and Arctica islandica from the Baltic Sea. We cultured the bivalves in a fully-crossed 2-factorial experimental setup (seawater (sw) pCO₂ levels “low”, “medium” and “high” for both species, temperature levels 7.5, 10, 16, 20 and 25 °C for M. edulis and 7.5, 10 and 16 °C for A. islandica) for 13 weeks in summer. Mytilus edulis and A. islandica appeared to tolerate wide ranges of sw temperature and pCO₂. Lipofuscin accumulation of M. edulis increased with temperature while the C_i decreased, but shell growth of the mussels only sharply decreased while its mortality increased between 20 and 25 °C. In A. islandica, lipofuscin accumulation increased with temperature, whereas the C_i, shell growth and shell breaking force decreased. The pCO₂ treatment had only marginal effects on the measured parameters of both bivalve species. Shell growth of both bivalve species was not impaired by under-saturation of the sea water with respect to aragonite and calcite. Furthermore, independently of water temperatures shell breaking force of both species and shell growth of A. islandica remained unaffected by the applied elevated sw pCO₂ for several months. Only at the highest temperature (25 °C), growth arrest of M. edulis was recorded at the high sw pCO₂ treatment and the C_i of M. edulis was slightly higher at the medium sw pCO₂ treatment than at the low and high sw pCO₂ treatments. The only effect of elevated sw pCO₂ on A. islandica was an increase in lipofuscin accumulation at the high sw pCO₂ treatment compared to the medium sw pCO₂ treatment. Our results show that, despite this robustness, growth of both M. edulis and A. islandica can be reduced if sw temperatures remain high for several weeks in summer. As large body size constitutes an escape from crab and sea star predation, this can make bivalves presumably more vulnerable to predation—with possible negative consequences on population growth. In M. edulis, but not in A. islandica, this effect is amplified by elevated sw pCO₂. We follow that combined effects of elevated sw pCO₂ and ocean warming might cause shifts in future Western Baltic Sea community structures and ecosystem services; however, only if predators or other interacting species do not suffer as strong from these stressors.     

Growth of Chaetodon larvatus (Chaetodontidae: Pisces) in the southern Red Sea

Growth and age of Chaetodon larvatus were studied using growth bands in otoliths and length-frequency analyses. Otoliths of 180 C. larvatus were extracted and measured. Polished sections of sagittae revealed alternating opaque and translucent bands corresponding with a seasonal growth pattern. Both mass and size of the otoliths continue to grow steadily throughout life. Length-at-age data revealed very fast growth during the first year. Growth proceeded at a decreasing rate during the second and the third year; fishes older than 3 years did not grow noticeably. No difference in growth patterns between males and females could be detected. The growth parameters obtained for the whole population are: the asymptotic length (L _∞)=10.64 cm, growth constant (K)=1.14 year⁻¹ and the theoretical age at length zero (t ₀)=−0.30 year. The maximum age recorded was 14 years. Length frequency data collected at a recruitment site confirmed the fast growth of juveniles.     

Über den Einfluß der Nahrungskonzentration und anderer Faktoren auf Filtrierleistung und Nahrungsausnutzung der Muscheln Arctica islandica und Modiolus modiolus

Filtration rates and the extent of phagocytosed food particles were determined in the offshore lamellibranchs Artica islandica and Modiolus modiolus in relation to particle concentration, body size and temperature. Pure cultures of the algae Chlamydomonas sp. and Dunaliella sp. were used as food. A new method for determining filtration rates was developed by modifying the classical indirect method. The concentration of the experimental medium (100%) was kept constant to ±1%. Whenever the bivalves removed algae from the medium, additional algae were added and the filtration rate of the bivalves expressed in terms of percentage amount of algae added per unit time. The concentration of the experimental medium was measured continuously by a flow colorimeter. By keeping the concentration constant, filtration rates could be determined even in relation to different definite concentrations and over long periods of time. The amount of phagocytosed food was measured by employing the biuret-method (algae cells ingested minus algae cells in faeces). Filtration rates vary continuously. As a rule, however, during a period of 24 h, two phases of high food consumption alternate with two phases of low food consumption during which the mussels' activities are almost exclusively occupied by food digestion. Filtration rate and amount of phagocytosed algae increase with increasing body size. Specimens of A. islandica with a body length of 33 to 83 mm filter between 0.7 to 71/h (30–280 mg dry weight of algae/24 h) and phagocytose 21 to 122 mg dry weight of algae during a period of 24 h. The extent of food utilization declines from 75 to 43% with increasing body size. In M. modiolus of 40 to 88 mm body length, the corresponding values of filtration rate and amount of phagocytosed algae range between 0.5 and 2.5 l/h (20–100 mg dry weight of algae) and 17 to 90 mg dry weight of algae, respectively; the percentage of food utilization does not vary much and lies near 87%. Filtration rate and amount of phagocytosed algae follow the allometric equation y=a·x ^b. In this equation, y represents the filtration rate (or the amount of phagocytosed algae), a the specific capacity of a mussel of 1 g soft parts (wet weight), x the wet weight of the bivalves' soft parts, and b the specific form of relationship between body size and filtration rate (or the amount of phagocytosed algae). The values obtained for b lie within a range which indicates that the filtration rate (or the amount of phagocytosed algae) is sometimes more or less proportional to body surface area, sometimes to body weight. Temperature coefficients for the filtration rate are in Arctica islandica Q₁₀ (4°–14°C)=2.05 and Q₁₀ (10°–20°C)=1.23, in Modiolus modiolus Q₁₀ (4°–14°C)=2.33 and Q₁₀ (10°–20°C)=1.63. In A. islandica, temperature coefficients for the amount of phagocytosed algae amount to Q₁₀ (4°–14°C)=2.15 and Q₁₀ (10°–20°C)=1.55, in M. modiolus to Q₁₀ (4°–14°C)=2.54 and Q₁₀ (10°–20°C)=1.92. Upon a temperature decrease from 12° to 4°C, filtration rate and amount of phagocytosed algae are reduced to 50%. At the increasing concentrations of 10×10⁶, 20×10⁶ and 40×10⁶ cells of Chlamydomonas/l offered, filtration rates of both mollusc species decrease at the ratios 3:2:1. At 12°C, pseudofaeces production occurs in both species in a suspension of 40×10⁶, at 20°C in 60×10⁶ cells of Chlamydomonas/l. At 12°C and 10–20×10⁶ cells of Chlamydomonas/l, the maximum amount of algae is phagocytosed. At 40×10⁶ cells/l, the amount of phagocytosed cells is reduced by 26% as a consequence of low filtration rates and intensive production of pseudofaeces. At 20°C and 20–50×10⁶ cells of Chlamydomonas/l, the maximum amount of algae is sieved out and phagocytosed; the concentration of 10×10⁶ cells/l is too low and cannot be compensated for by increased activity of the molluscs. With increasing temperatures, the amount of suspended matter, allowing higher rates of filtration and food utilization, shifts toward higher particle concentrations; but at each temperature a threshold exists, above which increase in particle density is not followed by increase in the amount of particles ingested. Based on theoretical considerations and facts known from literature, 7 different levels of food concentration are distinguishable. Experiments with Chlamydomonas sp. and Dunaliella sp. used as food, reveal the combined influence of particle concentration and particle size on filtration rate. Supplementary experiments with Mytilus edulis resulted in filtration rates similar to those obtained for M. modiolus, whereas, experiments with Cardium edule, Mya arenaria, Mya truncata and Venerupis pullastra revealed low filtration rates. These species, inhabiting waters with high seston contents, seem to be adapted to higher food concentrations, and unable to compensate for low concentrations by higher filtration activities. Adaptation to higher food concentrations makes it possible to ingest large amounts of particles even at low filtration rates. Suspension feeding bivalves are subdivided into four groups on the basis of their different food filtration behaviour.     

Resource allocation and population genetics of the bay scallop,Argopecten irradians irradians: effects of age and allozyme heterozygosity on reproductive output

The relationships among multiple-locus heterozygosity, age, reproduction and growth were examined over the ca. 2-yr lifespan of a cohort of northern bay scallops, Argopecten irradians irradians (Lamarck), from the Niantic River estuary, Connecticut, USA. Electrophoretic analyses revealed a relatively low proportion of polymorphic loci (=0.35) and low level of heterozygote deficiency ( D. across 6 loci=-0.05) in this population. Allele frequency distributions showed a high degree of temporal stability within and among cohorts. No significant correlation was found between multiple-locus heterozygosity and either somatic or reproductive growth. Our results lend support to the postulated linkage between low heterozygote deficit and lack of a heterozygosity/growth association in marine bivalves, and in the pectinid group in particular. Partial reproductive senility occurs in these scallops in their second year of life. Somatic tissue weight increased exponentially with increasing shell height, whereas pre-spawning gonad mass attained asymptotic values in 2-yr-old scallops. Thus, weight-specific reproductive effort was significantly lower in second- than first-year scallops (24 and 33% respectively). This pattern could be generated if high individual reproductive effort in the first year were correlated with accelerated (early) post-reproductive senescence. This kind of resource allocation, in which somatic growth is given precedence over reproductive growth in older individuals, has been previously reported in only one other bivalve, a pectinid (Chlamys islandica), in which the decline in reproductive effort occurs only after the scallops reach an age of ca. 20 yr.     

Filtration rate,using a new indirect technique,in thirteen species of suspension-feeding bivalves

A method for determining filtration rates in undisturbed suspension-feeding bivalves is described. Concentrations of particulate matter in the water collected in the inhalant (C _i) and exhalant (C _e) currents were estimated with an electronic particle counter. The clearance was calculated as , where Fl=flow rate through the tube collecting exhalant water. Only above critical levels of water flow (Fl) were clearances representative of filtration rates. At 10° to 13°C, the filtration rates (F, 1 h^-1) within one or two orders of magnitude of dry weight (w, g), in Cardium echinatum L., C. edule L., Mytilus edulis L., Modiolus modiolus (L.) and Arctica islandica (L.) followed the allometric equations: 4.22w ^0.62, 11.60w ^0.70, 7.45w ^0.66, 6.00w ^0.75 and 5.55w ^0.62, respectively. Five species of bivalves [Spisula subtruncata (da Costa), Hiatella striata (Fleuriau), Cultellus pellucidus (Pennant), Mya arenaria L. and Venerupis pullastra (Montagu)] filtered with the same rates as individuals of Cardium echinatum and A. islandica of equivalent soft weight. In Pecten furtivus and P. opercularis filtration rates were about twice the rates measured in individuals of Mytilus edulis of comparable body weight. The gill area in M. edulis increases with size at the same rate as the filtration rate.     

Skeletal growth markers in the deep-sea brittle starsOphiura ljungmani andOphiomusium lymani

Growth bands have been found in the calcitic vertebral arm ossicles of the commonly occurring deep-sea brittle starsOphiura ljungmani Wyville Thomson andOphiomusium lymani (Lyman) (Echinodermata: Ophiuroidea) trawled from the Rockall Trough (N.E. Atlantic) at 2 200 and 2 900 m depth from 1973 to 1982. InOphiura ljungmani, the study of ossicle microstructure by SEM shows that growth bands reflect differences in stereom porosity and surface relief, similar to that previously found amongst shallow-water brittle stars. The pattern inOphiomusium lymani was much less clear from the microstructure, but could be revealed by heating the ossicle to 450 °C and clearing in xylene. The bands showed up as fine, translucent rings separated by more opaque, wider zones, perhaps reflecting differences in organic material incorporated within the calcite. Both growth-banding patterns probably reflect an annual cycle in skeletal growth rate. On this assumption, the number and spacing of the banding in the two species indicates contrasting growth strategies. WithOphiura ljungmani, a rather regular annual growth increment and perhaps shorter lifespan (up to ca. 10 yr) thanOphiomusium lymani is indicated. The latter shows a relatively wide spacing of early bands, followed by tight clustering of the outermost bands corresponding to adult sizes. This growth pattern is characteristic of species escaping from predation by rapid growth to relatively large adult size. AdultO. lymani probably grow slowly, some perhaps reaching 20 yr of age. Growth curves were fitted to size-at-age corresponding to measurements of the size and ordering of growth bands. These corroborate age structure previously estimated from analysis of size frequencies in time series from the stations sampled in the present study. Such skeletal growth markers should be of value in analysis of the demography of deep-sea populations.     

The ocean quahog<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Arctica islandica</Emphasis> L.: a bioindicator for contaminated sediments

The use of benthic organisms as bioindicators in the aquatic environment is a suitable method for assessing the effects of contaminants in coastal waters. The accumulation of heavy metals in body tissues due to lifestyle and feeding mechanisms makes it possible to reveal contamination rates and recovery trends within polluted areas. Comparing a polluted historical dumping site in the inner Mecklenburg Bight (western Baltic Sea) with a less-contaminated reference site at the edge of the Mecklenburg Bight, representing the background contamination of the western Baltic Sea, the present study discusses the population structure and heavy metal exposure of the ocean quahog Arctica islandica L. (Mollusca, Bivalvia) and evaluates this organism as a bioindicator for contaminated sediments. The organism density was higher at the reference site in comparison to the dumping site. The absence of juvenile and adult individuals at the dumping site seems to be a sign that this ecological environment has not completely regenerated since the dumping event in the late 1950s to early 1960s. Heavy metal concentrations of copper, lead, and zinc in the soft body tissue of A. islandica were analysed using atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS). Shell measurements were carried out using laser ablation–inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry. Particularly the concentrations of copper and lead were significantly higher in the soft body tissue as well as in the shell from the dumping site than from the reference site. For pollutant biomonitoring research, the shells of the ocean quahog can be used as an indicator for heavy metal accumulation. They are more suitable for reflecting historical contamination events than the soft body tissue.Communicated by O. Kinne, Oldendorf/Luhe     

Fungi in corals: black bands and density-banding of Porites lutea and P. lobata skeleton

 Dark coloration of coral skeleton forming black bands is commonly observed in fractured, massive-coral colonies (Porites lutea and P. lobata) collected from May- otte Island in the Mozambique Channel and Moorea Island in French Polynesia. Black-banding was similar in corals from the two areas and was associated with an assemblage of microbial endoliths: Ostreobium queketti, a common siphonal chlorophyte, and a type of Aspergillus-like fungus. Fungi of coral skeletons are capable of euendolithic growth entirely within the skeleton, and of cryptoendolithic growth whereby they spread from the skeleton into the skeletal pores. The morphology and size of fungal hyphae differs significantly between euendolithic, cryptoendolithic and reproductive phases. Reproductive phases involve formation of conidiophores. Insoluble residues in black bands involve a dark pigment and a dark membranous veil. When attacked by fungi, the algae are usually destroyed. They darken and are threaded by dense, dark-brown, fibrous excrescences. The fungi excrete a dark pigment that stains the surrounding skeletal carbonate black. The pigment is organic, and its presence correlates with higher concentrations of polysaccharides. Black bands match high-density bands of the coral skeleton. Both black bands and high-density bands form at the end of the rainy season in Mayotte. Thus, black-banding in the corals studied is caused by a series of events, beginning with an increase in the abundance of endolithic algae followed by an increase in skeletal density. The algae are then attacked by fungi, which produce more cryptoendolithic hyphae and conidia that are associated with production of the dark pigment. Received: 29 January 1999 / Accepted: 29 September 1999     

Die wirkung der sauerstoffspannung auf die druckresistenz einiger mariner wirbelloser

Variations in oxygen tension exert a considerable influence on the resistance of invertebrates to high hydrostatic pressure. Pressure resistance of whole animals (Idotea baltica, Cyprina islandica) and of isolated tissues (gill tissues of Cyprina islandica and Mytilus edulis) is higher in a medium not fully air saturated; it decreases with increasing oxygen tension to about air saturation or higher. In some species, pressure resistance decreases when dissolved oxygen is almost absent. Oxygen tension influences pressure resistance not only during exposure to increased pressure; our experiments revealed that pressure resistance increases in isolated tissues kept under oxygen deficiency prior to the experiment. Lactic acid, a result of anaerobic glycolysis, increases cellular pressure resistance only if its presence is combined with decreased pH values. Metabolic inhibition with cyanide does not increase pressure resistance. It is suggested that the primary reasons for lowered pressure resistance at saturation or higher oxygen levels are oxydation and inhibition of sensitive SH-enzymes under pressure. Decrease of pressure resistance at extreme degrees of oxygen deficiency may be due to insufficient rates of ATP synthesis. According to Marsland (1957), ATP is required for maintenance of protoplasmic gel structures. Correlations between pressure resistance and oxygen tension are of special importance in deep-sea animals, which often have to face reduced oxygen contents in their ambient medium.     

Morphology and growth of the deep-water gorgonians <Emphasis Type="Italic">Primnoa resedaeformis</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Paragorgia arborea</Emphasis>

The morphology of the gorgonian corals Paragorgia arborea and Primnoa resedaeformis was studied from video records and colonies collected from different locations in Atlantic Canada, at depths between 200 and 600 m. Growth was studied by relating colony height to age (number of growth rings) in P. resedaeformis, and from a photographic time-series of a P. arborea colony in a Norwegian fjord. The highest P. resedaeformis and P. arborea colonies were 86 and 180 cm, respectively. The height of P. arborea seemed to be restricted by the size of the boulder it was attached to. When the coral exceeds a critical height (approximately twice the stone size), the drag of strong currents can turn the coral and its substrate over. No limiting factors for the height of P. resedaeformis colonies were identified. P. arborea occurred in three colour varieties: red, salmon red, and white. The red and white contributed 41% to the population each, while 18% of the colonies were salmon red. On average the salmon red P. arborea were taller than the red and white. P. arborea colonies >50 cm were mainly concave fan shaped. The orientation of these indicated a near-bottom current pattern similar to what is known from previous current measurements in the area. P. resedaeformis occurred mainly on the up-current side of boulders, but its bushy morphology does not indicate influence by unidirectional current to the same degree as P. arborea. The different height, morphology, and position on boulders of the two species indicate that they utilize different food sources. P. resedaeformis seems to be adapted to a near-bottom environment with turbulent currents, whereas P. arborea utilize uni- or bidirectional currents higher above bottom by developing planar colonies perpendicular to the current. The oldest P. resedaeformis colony was 61 years. The relationship between height and age indicated an average growth of 1.7 cm year^–1 for P. resedaeformis. X-ray images of skeletal sections of P. arborea showed clear growth bands with a maximum band width of 1.3 cm. It is not clear what time scales these bands represent, and they could therefore not be used for indicating age. The limited previously reported data on age and growth of P. arborea indicate an average growth rate of 1 cm year^–1. This gives an age of about 180 years for the largest colony in this study. The time-series photographs, however, indicated a much higher growth rate (varying between 2 and 6 cm year^–1 within the colony), which may be more representative for colonies of an intermediate size.Communicated by R.J. Thompson, St. Johns     

Asynchronous deposition of dense skeletal bands in Porites lutea

Alternate dense and less-dense skeletal bands in massive corals have been used for many years to record the history of growth in species such as Porites lutea and Montastrea annularis, based on the assumption that one dense band and one less-dense band is equivalent to a year's growth. This report demonstrates that specimens of Porites lutea Edwards and Haime (collected from the same neighbourhood in Phuket, Thailand, from November 1983 through November 1984) produce skeletal bands asynchronously and that one year's growth in corals from certain sites may regularly consist of four bands of varying density. The annual banding pattern observed at all sites includes the deposition of a dense band in response to high sedimentation loads and, probably, reduced light levels.     

Using growth band autofluorescence to investigate large-scale variation in growth of the abalone <Emphasis Type="Italic">Haliotis midae</Emphasis>

Growth of the abalone, Haliotis midae, was investigated at Port Alfred, on the south coast of South Africa, using both new and established techniques. A new method for aging animals is described, which makes use of shell autofluorescence under UV light to visualise internal growth bands. The deposition of growth bands was validated using measurements from shells of known age and, at one site, comparing growth estimates to those from cohort analysis undertaken at the same site. The new technique is far less time consuming and labour intensive than previously described methods; it is also non-destructive and proved to have potential for the reliable and rapid assessment of growth in large-scale studies. Growth of H. midae was also investigated at nine other sites, incorporating the full distribution range of the species. Systematic geographic variation in growth was observed along the South African coastline. Statistically significant differences existed among sites in growth rates for animals <4 years and between 4 and 6 years and in the mean maximum sizes attained. Generally, H. midae from the south/southeast coast were found to have faster growth rates, smaller mean maximum sizes and were assumed to attain sexual maturity (determined in previous studies) earlier than those along the southwest/west coast. The geographic differences in estimates of growth observed have significant implications for future modelling approaches and indicate that present national management strategies are not appropriate as they fail to take regional variability into account.     

Acute nitrate poisoning in two cattle

Abstract

The rate and product composition during photooxidation of aromatic hydrocarbons (toluene, o‐, m‐, p‐xylene and cumene) dissolved in n‐hexane and spread as a liquid film on water is reported. The photo degradability of these chemicals is 10–20%. The products identified are oxygenated aromatic compounds. It is observed that the absorption bands of the compounds under investigation depend upon the partial pressure of dissolved oxygen and these bands extend up to 290 nm. The new absorption band around 290 nm is probably due to broadening of ¹L_b bands which is responsible for direct photolysis.

stream. We have been especially interested in investigating the rate of disappearance and distribution of main oxidation products in two phases. Besides that an attempt has been made to throw some light on the reaction mechanism.     

Growth and production of Sterechinus neumayeri (Echinoidea: Echinodermata) in McMurdo Sound,Antarctica

Population dynamics of Sterechinus neumayeri were investigated at four sites in McMurdo Sound: Cape Evans, McMurdo Station, East Cape Armitage and New Harbor. The annual formation of natural growth bands in the jaws of the Aristotle's lantern was verified by a tagging-recapture experiment. Growth functions based on natural growth bands indicated differences among stations but showed S. neumayeri to be a slow growing species, reaching its maximum diameter of 70 mm at an age of about 40 yr. Annual production ranged between 2.4 (C. Evans) and 0.65 g ash free dry mass m^-2 (New Harbor) and was related to differences in food conditions. More than 95% of total production was invested in reproduction, and less than 5% was invested in somatic growth. Consumption estimates for S. neumayeri showed this species to play a significant role in the benthic trophic web of McMurdo Sound.     

Growth of the deep-sea irregular sea urchins Echinosigra phiale and Hemiaster expergitus in the Rockall Trough (N.E. Atlantic Ocean)

Growth in the deep-sea irregular sea urchins Echinosigra phiale (family Pourtalesiidae) and Hemiaster expergitus (family Hemiasteridae) was studied from deep-sea samples taken during the years 1973 to 1985 from two stations at 2900 and 2200 m depth in the Rockall Trough (N.E. Atlantic Ocean). Growth zones, similar to those described from sea urchins in shallow water, are present as a series of wide white bands separated by narrow, dark rings in the calcite stereom of the test plates after heating to 350°C. In shallow water, such growth zones seem to result from seasonally varying growth rates. In the supposedly constant conditions in the deep sea, a seasonal growth pattern is unexpected but may occur in response to recently discovered annual pulses in downward flux of detritus from the euphotic zone, providing a seasonally varying food supply for such deposit-feeding species living in the bottom sediment. On this assumption, growth curves were fitted to counts of growth zones (as representing age in years), in the larger lateral and ventral test plates of E. phiale and H. expergitus. The opportunity was also taken to fit growth curves derived from counts of growth zones in samples of the inshore spatangoids Spatangus purpureus and Echinocardium pennatifidum. Plots of counts against test length of Echinosigra phiale and H. expergitus, although scattered and not clearly asymptotic, indicate, growth to be slower than in the two inshore spatangoids, and than in the coastal species Echinocardium cordatum, for which there are good recent growth data, available.