Reproduction in the diadematoid sea urchin Centrostephanus rodgersii in contrasting habitats along the coast of New South Wales, Australia

Reproduction in the sea urchin Centrostephanus rodgersii was examined in two types of habitats (“barrens”, i.e. habitats characterised by the high crustose coralline algal cover typical of urchin-barren grounds, and by the absence of macroalgae; and “fringe”, i.e. habitats characterised by a high macroalgal biomass and few C. rodgersii) at four locations in New South Wales. The four locations: the Solitary Islands, Sydney, Ulladulla and Eden, span the distribution of C.␣rodgersii from the subtropics at its northern limit to temperate waters near its southern limit. Histology and estimates of gonad retrieval rate (GRR) from January 1994 to October 1995 indicated that reproduction was synchronous at all locations. An increase in the tempo of gametogenesis in May and onset of spawning in June at all locations is consistent with entrainment in response to exogenous factors. Over the range studied, C. rodgersii experienced relatively similar daylength cycles and contrasting sea-temperature cycles. Short days and lunar conditions coinciding with the solstice appear likely proximate cues for the onset of spawning. The major difference in reproduction among locations was in the duration of spawning. In the southern parts of its range breeding occurred over a 5 to 6 mo period, whereas at the Solitary Islands it lasted ≃1 mo. At most locations the GRRs were significantly higher in the fringe habitat than in the barrens habitat. The lower reproductive output of urchins in the barrens habitat was attributed to the food-poor conditions typical of this habitat. The developing fishery for C. rodgersii is likely to be most effective from March to early May. Urchins from barrens areas may not provide sufficient yield to warrant harvesting. Received: 29 October 1997 / Accepted: 18 May 1998     

Chemisch-analytische Untersuchung von Arsenkampfstoffen und ihren Metaboliten

Arsenic containing chemical warfare agents (cwa) are persistent in the environment and continue to contaminte soil and ground water. In this paper the chemical rections of the cwa diphenylarsine chloride (CLARK I), phenylarsine dichloride (PFIFFIKUS), ethylarsine dichloride (DICK) and of chlorovinyl arsenic compounds (LEWISITE) are shown. The posibilities of the detection and determination of this cwa and their metabolites are presented.     

Optimal growth and maximal survival temperatures of Atlantic Laminaria species (Phaeophyta) in culture

The effects of temperature on growth rate of rapidly-growing cultured macrosporophytes of 9 isolates of Atlantic Laminaria comprising 4 species have been investigated. No significant population variation was observed within species despite wide variations in temperature between the original collecting sites. L. saccharina showed a broad temperature optimum in the 10°–15°C range, whereas L. longicruris had a sharp optimum at 10°C. L. digitata and L. hyperborea grew more slowly, with only slightly sub-optimal growth over a wide temperature range, but with peaks at 10°C (L. digitata) and 15°C (L. hyperborea). The maximum survival temperatures of individual male and female vegetatively-growing gametophytes were ascertained for these species plus the Arctic L. solidungula, and were as follows: L. saccharina and L. longicruris, 23°C; L. digitata (male), 23°C; L. digitata (female), 22°C; L. hyperborea, 21°C; L. solidungula, 18°C. The lack of within-species differences demonstrates that the success of the genus in areas with different temperature regimes is brought about by phenotypic plasticity of individuals rather than the selection of temperature races or ecotypes.     

Population and species diversity fluctuations in a rocky intertidal community relative to severe aerial exposure and sediment burial

From a series of 10 quarterly assessment between October 1975 and May 1978 (inclusive), fluctuations in abundance were determined for macroinvertebrates and macrophytes of a rocky intertidal community on Santa Cruz Island, California, USA. During afternoon low tides in late fall and winter of the first 2 yr of study, organisms of the upper and middle intertidal zones were subjected to prolonged aerial exposure. Many species there tolerated this exposure, but die-backs occurred for a barnacle (Chthamalus fissus/C. dalli) and several algae (Endocladia muricata, Pelvetia fastigiata f. gracilis, Corallina officinalis var. chilensis, Corallina vancouveriensis, Cylindrocarpus rugosus and Codium fragile). These die-backs were succeeded by blooms of Ulva californica and Porphyra perforata. In the upper and middle intertidal zones, the major cover organisms that could tolerate prolonged aerial exposure were disproportionately prevalent and appeared to be maintained by the periodic repression of species intolerant to such exposure. In February 1978, heavy rainfall caused sediment inundation of the middle and lower intertidal zones. This event was followed by declines in abundance of a barnacle (Tetraclita rubescens) and several algae (Pelvetia fastigiata f. gracilis and corallina spp.). Shannon-Wiener H species diversity fluctuated from a high in October to a low the following May during both 1975–1976 and 1976–1977 in conjunction with the period of increased daytime aerial exposure in late fall and winter. A further decline in diversity following sediment inundation in February 1978 contributed to a long-term trend of declining H species diversity (3.06 in October 1975 to 1.87 in May 1978). We hypothesize that predictable late fall to winter aerial exposure stresses, in combination with a random physical disturbance (sediment burial), exceeded an optimal intermediate level of disturbance predicted for maximal species diversity.     

Why do honey bees have dialects?

Summary The indication of distance in the honey bee dance-the number of meters signified by each waggle-varies by more than a factor of ten among geographic races. Experiments in which artificial swarms were offered a choice of nest boxes indicate that A. m. carnica, the long-distance German race, clearly prefers larger and more distant cavities than the intermediate-dialect Italian race, ligustica. From these results on preferred dispersal distance and cavity size, combined with a general trend among the many races of honey bee toward dialects adapted for indicating longer distances occurring in colder latitudes, I propose that the dialect is probably an adaptation to each race's typical foraging range. That range is in large part a necessary consequence of population size, which in turn is determined by the thermal load imposed on clusters by winters in different climates.     

An exploratory study with the proton microprobe of the ontogenetic distribution of 16 elements in the shell of living oysters (Crassostrea virginica)

Study of the chemical composition of shell of exoskeletonous organisms in the past has required the sacrifice of the organism. Because the beam of the proton microprobe is relatively nondestructive and analyzes the surface layer of the shell, organisms do not have to be killed. The present paper presents results of a preliminary experiment in which distribution of elements (Na to Sr) in shell of living juvenile oysters, Crassostrea virginica (Gmelin), was studied in situ with a proton microprobe at monthly intervals for four months. The relative concentration of 16 elements was measured in the newly deposited prismatic edge of the right valve of three oysters reared in controlled laboratory conditions. Na, Mg, Al, Si, S, Cl, K, Ca, Ti, Cr, Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, Br, and Sr were detected in concentrations as low as a few parts per million relative to the concentration of standards added to pure CaCO₃. Concentration of elements varied nominally among shells of the three individual oysters and in their successive ontogenetic stages. Fluctuations in concentration of Na, Mg, S, Cl, Ca, Mn, Fe, Cu, and Zn were generally similar in the two normally growing oysters, but differed from those in the oyster that stopped growing. Trends in concentration of Al, Si, and Sr were similar in the three oysters: those of Br were variable. Relative concentrations of Na, Cl, S, Mn, Fe, and Zn increased slightly with age of oysters, that of the other elements stayed relatively constant. Concentration of most elements was higher in shell than in seawater. Variable concentrations, especially of Na, Cl, and Si in valve edges, tend to support the hypothesis of earlier workers that separate mineral phases are present as impurities entrapped within the shell during calcification.     

Growth,production and biomass of the burrowing protobranch mollusc Yoldia limatula in the Bideford River,Prince Edward Island,Canada

Samples of the population of Yoldia limatula Say were obtained from the Bideford River, Malpeque Bay, Prince Edward Island, Canada, during the summers of 1979 and 1980 by means of a dredge and a Ponar grab sampler. Size frequency analysis demonstrated that individuals in the size range 25- to 35-mm shell length were numerically dominant in May, June and July. Recruitment of juveniles in August resulted in the dominance of individuals of 5 mm and smaller which comprised 50% of the population at that time. The overall sex ratio was 48.8% males to 51.2% females. From annual lengths measured at successive winter growth bands it was determined that one-yr olds attained a shell length of between 13.8 and 17.7 mm, two-yr olds between 26.7 and 28.0 mm, three-yr olds between 33.8 and 35.2 mm, and foru-yr olds had a mean length of 38.7 mm. Y. limatula produced a croppable annual yield of between 1.19 and 2.65 g dry tissue weight m^-2 with P/B ratios of 0.65 and 1.45 respectively.     

Effects of Lunatia heros predation on the population dynamics of Mya arenaria and Macoma balthica in Maine,USA

The interaction between the naticid snail predator Lunatia heros and 2 iteroparous, infaunal, intertidal bivalves was investigated in Lubec, Maine, USA. The Mya arenaria population consists primarily of young, small individuals. M. arenaria survivorship is low when young (3.5% yr^-1 for the first 5 yr), then increases. M. arenaria can attain a length of 60 mm, but it is susceptible to L. heros attack only until it is 30 mm long. It delays reproduction until it is 20 mm long (3.8 yr) and diverts its resources instead into rapid early growth (4.9 mm yr^-1 for the first 5 yr). The Macoma balthica population has a larger proportion of older individuals than does that of M. arenaria. Survivorship is higher for M. balthica than for M. arenaria (76.3% yr^-1 for the first 5 yr). Unlike M. arenaria, M. balthica attains a final length of only 25 mm and all sizes are susceptible to L. heros attack. M. balthica grows slowly (2.7 mm yr^-1 for the first 5 yr) and diverts its resources into earlier reproduction at a length of 10 mm (2.9 yr). These contrasting life-history patterns and the possible relationship between bivalve resource allocation and refuges from predation are discussed.