Life history costs of olfactory status signalling in mice

Large body size confers a competitive advantage in animal contests but does not always determine the outcome. Here we explore the trade-off between short-term achievement of high social status and longer-term life history costs in animals which vary in competitive ability. Using laboratory mice, Mus musculus, as a model system, we show that small competitors can initially maintain dominance over larger males by increasing investment in olfactory status signalling (scent-marking), but only at the cost of reduced growth rate and body size. As a result they become more vulnerable to dominance reversals later in life. Our results also provide the first empirical information about life history costs of olfactory status signals. Received: 15 December 1999 / Revised: 6 June 2000 / Accepted: 24 June 2000     

Sexual selection on mature male parr of masu salmon (Oncorhynchus masou): does sneaking behavior favor small body size and less-developed sexual characters?

In many salmonid species, males exhibit morphological dimorphism associated with alternative mating behaviors. ”Precocious males” have a small body size with little or no development of sexual characters and adopt sneaking to gain access to females, while ”migratory males” of large body size and well-developed secondary sexual characters fight. We quantified selection on precocious male parr of masu salmon (Oncorhynchus masou) under simulated natural conditions to examine the contribution of morphology to sneaking success. In contrast to the prediction that sneaking behavior favors small body size, we detected selection favoring relatively large body size for sneaking success. This selection pressure was caused by the dominance hierarchy within parr and may have been facilitated by indifference of dominant migratory males to parr. Unlike the secondary sexual characters exhibited by migratory male salmon, such as the hooked snout and humped back, no morphological characters other than body size contributed to the reproductive success of masu salmon parr. This non-contribution may have been responsible for the lack of development of sexual characters in precocious males. Received: 15 November 1999 / Accepted: 20 May 2000     

Escape responses of four Chilean intertidal limpets to seastars

The Chilean intertidal Lottiidae limpet fauna consists of at least nine species, grouped into the monophyletic taxon Scurria and a single taxon preliminarily designated as `Lottia' orbignyi (Dall). Within the Scurria clade, the most basal species are Scurria variabilis (Sowerby), S. viridula (Lamarck), and S.zebrina (Lesson), and among the most crown groups are S. ceciliana (Orbigny) and S. araucana (Orbigny). This phylogenetic information, obtained by the analysis of molecular characters (16S mtDNA), provides a framework for a comparative study of behavioral characters. In this study, we analyze the escape responses of two basal limpet species (`L.' orbignyi and S. viridula) and two derived limpet species (S. araucana and S. ceciliana) in the presence of the limpet predatory seastar Heliaster helianthus (Lamarck) and the limpet non-predatory seastars Stichaster striatus Muller and Troschel and Patiria chilensis Lutken. Neither P.chilensis nor Stichaster striatus induced escape responses such as those observed with the predatory H. helianthus. Moreover, in the presence of H. helianthus, basal and derived limpet species differed significantly in the percentage of individuals responding, reaction time, and duration of the response. The basal species `L.' orbignyi and Scurriaviridula exhibited instantaneous and vigorous locomotor responses, whereas the derived species S. araucana and S. ceciliana displayed no locomotor responses. The same pattern was found in responses to H. helianthus homogenates. The results strongly suggest a correlation between phylogeny and anti-predator escape responses to the seastar H. helianthus. Alternative escape responses have evolved for basal and derived species within the Chilean clade. Received: 27 April 2000 / Accepted: 16 August 2000     

Contrasting life histories and secondary production of populations of Munnopsurus atlanticus (Isopoda: Asellota) from two bathyal areas of the NE Atlantic and the NW Mediterranean

The isopod Munnopsurus atlanticus occupies bathyal depths in both the Bay of Biscay (NE Atlantic; between 383 and 1022 m) and in the Catalan Sea (Northwestern Mediterranean; between 389 and 1859 m). The species was dominant in both assemblages, reaching bathymetric peaks of abundance on the upper part of the continental slope (400 m depth) in the Bay of Biscay and at ˜600 m in the Catalan Sea. Both the Atlantic and the Mediterranean populations are bivoltines. Demographic analysis of the Bay of Biscay population revealed the production of two generations per year with different potential longevity (5 mo for G₁ and 11 mo for G₂). The mean cohort-production interval (CPI) was estimated at 8 mo, and results of the demographic analysis were also used to estimate production for the Catalan Sea populations. Mean annual density (D) and biomass (B) were higher in the Bay of Biscay (D = 356.7 individuals 100 m⁻²; B = 0.803 mg dry wt m⁻² yr⁻¹) than in the Mediterranean (D = 16.3 individuals 100 m⁻²; B = 0.078 mg dry wt m⁻² yr⁻¹). Also, mean annual production was an order of magnitude higher in the Atlantic (between 4.063 and 4.812 mg dry wt 100 m⁻² yr⁻¹ depending on the method used) than in the Catalan Sea (between 0.346 and 0.519 mg dry wt 100 m⁻² yr⁻¹). M. atlanticus feeds on a wide variety of benthic and pelagic food sources. In both study areas, phytodetritus was not important in the diet of M. atlanticus. In contrast, gut-content data suggested an indirect coupling with phytoplankton production in both areas via foraminiferans. The life history and the recorded production are considered in respect to both the dynamics and levels of primary production and the total mass flux in the respective study areas. Differences in the secondary production of both populations seemed to be more consistently explained by differences in total mass flux than by differences in the primary production levels; this is also consistent with the variety of food sources exploited by M. atlanticus. Received: 22 February 1999 / Accepted: 3 February 2000     

Grazing rates of organic matter and living fungal biomass of decaying Spartina alterniflora by three species of salt-marsh invertebrates

 The pathway for the flow of salt-marsh grass production into marsh food-webs is still not well defined. We compared the abilities of three marsh macroinvertebrates [salt marsh periwinkles, Littoraria irrorata (Say) (=Littorina irrorata), salt-marsh coffee-bean snails, Melampus bidentatus (Say); and a talitrid amphipod, Uhlorchestia spartinophila Bounsfield and Heard] to access standing-dead leaves of smooth cordgrass (Spartina alterniflora Loisel). The invertebrates were incubated with naturally-decaying leaves, and the rates of removal of organic matter and living fungal biomass (ergosterol) were measured. The impact of invertebrate activity upon fungal growth rates was measured as rates of fungal-membrane synthesis (incorporation of radioacetate into ergosterol). The removal rates of organic leaf biomass per mg individual biomass were highest for amphipods (700 μg mg⁻¹ d⁻¹) and lowest for periwinkles (90 μg mg⁻¹ d⁻¹), but the relatively large biomass of the snails made their removal rates per individual greater than those of amphipods. Net removal of ergosterol by all three invertebrates was >50% for yellow-brown (early-decay) leaf blades. For fully-brown (advanced-decay) blades, >50% removal of ergosterol was found only for periwinkles; exposure to coffee-bean snails and amphipods resulted in a net ergosterol reduction of ≤20%. The lower net reduction of living fungal biomass by coffee-bean snails and amphipods may have been due to fungal-growth stimulation (2.3-fold stimulation in coffee-bean snails and 1.5-fold stimulation in amphipods). Grazing by periwinkles did not stimulate fungal growth, possibly because of its high intensity. Grazing by these three salt-marsh shredders may affect marsh-grass shoot-decay in different ways. Periwinkles may abbreviate the period of fungal production, and incorporate the decaying material relatively quickly into snail biomass and fecal-pellet rain to the sediments. Coffee-bean snails and amphipods may enhance and prolong fungal production, along with the formation of fecal-pellet rain. All three invertebrates fed preferentially on leaf blades rather than leaf sheaths, and feeding rates of gastropods were higher during the night than during the day. Received: 25 November 1998 / Accepted: 4 November 1999     

Occurrence of the semi-catadromous European eel Anguilla anguilla in the Baltic Sea

Strontium (Sr) and calcium (Ca) contents in the otoliths of yellow and silver European eels [Anguilla anguilla (L.)] collected from coastal waters of the Baltic Sea and a freshwater lake in Sweden were examined by wavelength dispersive X-ray spectrometry with an electron microprobe. The mean Sr/Ca ratios from elver check to otolith edge were significantly higher for the eels from coastal waters (5.39 ± 1.09‰) than for those from the lake (0.71 ± 0.89‰). The evidence indicates that European eels in the Baltic Sea do not necessarily migrate into freshwater streams during the growth phase. Received: 30 September 1999 / Accepted: 6 April 2000     

Is Syllis gracilis (Polychaeta: Syllidae) a species complex? An allozyme perspective

The genetic relationships between morphologically indistinguishable marine and brackish populations of Syllis gracilis Grube, 1840 (Polychaeta: Syllidae) were studied by means of allozyme electrophoresis. Samples of S. gracilis from marine coastal and brackish-water habitats were examined for variation at 13 presumptive loci. In addition, a sample of the closely related species S. prolifera (Krohn, 1852) was analysed. Five loci were multiallelic in at least one population of S. gracilis and eight loci in S. prolifera. Low to moderate levels of within-population genetic variability were found, with average expected heterozygosity values ranging from H = 0.068 (±0.043 SE) to 0.187 (±0.069 SE) in the populations of S. gracilis; higher values were found in S. prolifera (H = 0.325 ± 0.076). The presence of various private alleles indicated a marked genetic divergence among populations of S. gracilis, with Nei's genetic distances ranging from D = 0.000 to 0.833 and a highly significant F _ST value. Furthermore, evidence for strong genetic heterogeneity between two sympatric marine populations was found. UPGMA cluster analysis and multidimensional scaling pointed out a clear genetic divergence between brackish and marine populations. At least two genetically divergent entities occurred in marine and brackish habitats. This could be due to local adaptation of individuals coming from marine populations to brackish habitats, but more presumably to the occurrence of a species complex within S. gracilis. Received: 6 June 1999 / Accepted: 7 February 2000     

Weather-mediated natural selection on arrival time in cliff swallows (Petrochelidon pyrrhonota)

An unusually long period of cold weather in May 1996 caused extensive mortality among insectivorous cliff swallows (Petrochelidon pyrrhonota) in the northern and central Great Plains. We analyzed how viability selection affected spring arrival time in a migratory Nebraska population by comparing capture histories of survivors with those of birds known to have died and by documenting how arrival time changed in the year following the selection event. Surviving birds had significantly later first-capture dates (an index of arrival time) in the years prior to selection than those that died; a significant selection differential suggested directional selection for birds that arrived later. Colony sites were occupied significantly later following the selection event, and the distribution of first-capture dates in the season after selection was significantly shifted toward later arrivals. Offspring of the survivors tended to arrive later than birds of the same age prior to the selection event. While major weather-caused mortality events of this magnitude are rare in the study area, spells of cold weather severe enough to cause limited mortality are frequent in April and early May. At least 25 probable mortality events of varying severity were identified in the last 50 years based on climatological data. Periodic weather-mediated selection against early arrival constrains the cliff swallow’s breeding season and may partly prevent directional selection for earlier nesting. Received: 19 October 1999 / Received in revised form: 15 January 2000 / Accepted: 24 January 2000     

The response of sea scallop (Placopecten magellanicus) veligers to a weak thermocline in 9-m deep mesocosms

We examined the vertical distributions of scallop (Placopecten magellanicus) veligers in deep (0.6 m diameter, 9.5 m deep) polyethylene mesocosms from December 1991 to January 1992. In the mesocosms temperature stratification varied from 0 to 1.5 °C. Profiles of vertical distribution revealed several repeated patterns. Peaks in veliger numbers often appeared at the water surface and just above the thermocline. Higher density patches were seen below the surface peaks, and revealed the presence of bio-convective cells. Distribution away from these discontinuities was usually even. Distribution of veligers was affected by thermoclines above 1.0 °C. Responses to thermoclines varied with larval age and time of day, and 28 to 30 d veligers passed in both directions through a 1.5 °C thermocline. We conclude that larval behaviour is a major determinant of whether veligers pass through a thermocline. Kinematic viscosity may play a role in perception of temperature changes. Two potential consequences of such behaviour are (1) remaining in more productive upper water layers, where feeding opportunities are enhanced, and (2) increased horizontal transport in the region of the thermocline, which may enhance recruitment. Received: 15 May 1996 / Accepted: 11 May 2000     

The influence of potential reproductive rate and variation in mate quality on male and female choosiness in the sand goby, Pomatoschistus minutus

Recent models of choosiness in mate choice have identified two particularly important factors: the potential reproductive rate (PRR) of the choosing sex relative to that of the chosen sex, and the variation in quality of potential mates. This experimental study tested how these factors affected choosiness in male and female sand gobies, Pomatoschistus minutus. We manipulated relative PRR by means of water temperature, and mate quality by means of body length. The choosing male or female was offered a choice between two mates with either a small or a large difference in body length representing a small or a large variation in mate quality. Choosiness was measured as (1) preference for the larger mate, and (2) as whether or not spawning occurred with the smaller mate, while the larger mate was visible but screened off. We found that females preferred large males, and that their level of choosiness was affected by variation in male quality, but not by their own relative PRR. Males, on the other hand, seemed unselective in all treatments and were in general more likely than females to spawn with their provided partner. This suggests that in the sand goby, variation in male mate quality has a greater influence than relative PRR on facultative changes in female choosiness. However, a general difference in PRR between males and females may be one important factor explaining the observed sex difference in choosiness. Received: 17 April 2000 / Revised: 24 June 2000 / Accepted: 17 July 2000