Low frequency of extra-pair paternity in pied flycatchers revealed by DNA fingerprinting

Summary Genetic parentage of 135 nestlings from 27 broods of polygynous and monogamous pied flycatchers Ficedula hypoleuca was analyzed by means of multilocus DNA fingerprinting. The minisatellite probe alpha-globin 3HVR detected approximately 12 scorable bands per fingerprint, and the proportion of bands shared between presumably unrelated adults averaged 0.22+0.08 SD. The fingerprints of 125 of the 135 nestlings made a complete match to those of their putative parents. In 4 nestlings a single mismatched band occurred, but since band sharing with both putative parents was high, the single mismatches were assumed to be caused by mutation. The 6 remaining nestlings had 5 or more mismatched bands each, low band-sharing proportions with their putative father and high band-sharing proportions with their putative mother. We thus conclude that they were all sired through extra-pair copulations (EPCs). Hence, only 4% of nestlings were sired through EPCs, and none resulted from intraspecific brood parasitism. One of the cuckolding males was identified, explaining all 5 mismatched bands in the nestling's fingerprint. Three of the illegitimate nestlings were from primary nests of polygynous males; 3 were from nests of monogamous males. The fact that many males in this study started to advertise for a second female in a distant territory several days before their first mate began egglaying, and still managed to secure almost exclusive paternity in their first brood, suggests that male polyterritoriality is not costly in terms of lost paternity. Common anti-cuckoddry tactics performed by male birds, like high rate of within-pair copulation and continuous mate-guarding thoughout the female's fertilizable period, do not seem to be important in pied flycatchers.Offprint requests to: J.T. Lifjeld     

Antagonism and synergism between lead and zinc in amphibian larvae

Lead and zinc effects on Bufo arenarum larval survival were studied in single and combined treatments. On a weight basis, lead is about twice as toxic as zinc. The antagonism or synergism between these heavy metals is dose-dependent.     

Disappearance of bromopropylate residues in artichokes, strawberries and beans

Residues of Bromopropylate were determine in artichokes, strawberries and beans after foliar spray of acaricide at two rates. The rates used were 1 g/l formulated product (normal recommended) and 1.5 g/l. The residue levels of bromopropylate in the three crops after 14 days were lower than 0.7 ppm and did not exceed the Maximum Residual Level (MRL) recommended by FAO. In the artichokes and strawberries, the total concentration of residues decreased by 50% of the initial level after 2-3 days. Only trace levels of the bromopropylate residues (less than 0.01 ppm) were detected in the "hearts" of the artichokes. Bromopropylate residues in the green beans were also less than 0.8 ppm after the first day of foliar spraying. The kinetic of degradation occurred in two different steps. In the first step (4-6 days) the dissipation of bromopropylate was faster whereas in the second step (7-14 days) the loss of residues was much slower.     

Impact of repeated application on the binding and persistence of [14C]-DDT and [14C]-HCH in a tropical soil

An Indian sandy loam soil was initially treated with 1 kg a.i. ha(-1) of either [(14)C]-p,p'-DDT or [(14)C]-gamma-HCH during winter. DDT concentration after 30 days declined to 75.3%, which included 2.1% soil-bound residues. After 150 days, DDT levels further decreased to 42.4% with a concomitant increase in bound residues amounting to 5.9%. Identical treatment with HCH caused the residue levels to be reduced to 67.4 and 23.6%, after 30 and 150 days, respectively. During this period, the soil-bound residues of HCH increased from 5.2 to 12.8%. Repeat application to pre-treated soils in summer and subsequent field exposure for 30 days reduced the concentration of DDT to 52.1% and that of HCH to 42.4% of the total concentration following the second treatment. In parallel control experiments, which received only a single treatment, DDT levels declined to 61.3%, while HCH slumped to 45.3%, indicating a slower dissipation rate than in the corresponding repeated treatments. In repeat experiments, the soil-bound residues of DDT and HCH showed only a 1.07 to 1.08-fold increase in 30 days, as compared to three to ten-times increase in the control experiments. The results amply demonstrate that pre-treatment of tropical soils with DDT or HCH enhances their rate of dissipation and significantly reduce the formation of their soil-bound residues.     

Effect of mecoprop drift on some plant species of conservation interest when grown in standardized mixtures in microcosms

There has been an increasing awareness of potential impacts of herbicide drift on to vegetation in nature reserves and field margin habitats adjacent to treated areas. Previous work using single species bioassays has suggested that the effects of a single drift event are confined close to the sprayer (< 10 m). In the present study eight native dicotyledonous species, with and without a perennial grass (Lolium perenne), were grown in standardized microcosms in order to study (1) the effects of herbicide drift where plants were exposed to competition, and (2) the effects of a second spray application. The microcosms were arranged downwind (0-8 m) of a standard agricultural sprayer applying mecoprop at recommended rates. The effects of the herbicide drift on foliar symptoms of plant damage and end-of-season yield were assessed in each of two years. The main conclusions were that (1) growth of Stachys sylvatica and Lolium perenne (where sown) was enhanced near the sprayer and, (2) six other species (Digitalis purpurea, Galium mollugo, Hypericum hirsutum, Lychnis flos-cuculi, Primula veris and Ranunculus acris) showed some evidence of reduction in either performance (assessed non-destructively after a single exposure) or yield after two exposures. Three species (Lychnis flos-cuculi, Primula veris and Ranunculus acris) showed a reduction in flowering performance. Thus, mecoprop drift affected the aesthetic appearance, possibly the fecundity of some species and the balance between species in these microcosm experiments. The implications of these results for the persistence of attractive plant communities in sensitive areas are discussed.     

Effect of methyl mercuric chloride treatment on haematological characteristics and erythrocyte morphology of Swiss mice

Effects of methyl mercuric chloride (MMC) on the blood parameters of Swiss mice (Mus musculus) were studied. The mice received an initial dose of MMC (24 mg kg(-1) body wt) as intraperitoneal injection followed by a second similar dose on the 14th day of the first dose administration. Significant (p < or = 0.001) decreases in haemoglobin content, red blood cell (RBC) count and haematocrit value were observed in the MMC injected mice when compared to the control mice. The effect of the second dose was severe, after which no significant recovery in the values of these parameters was observed. The result also showed a high degree of mercury accumulation in the blood of the MMC exposed mice. Interesting features were marked in the erythrocyte morphology of the exposed mice. An initial shrinkage followed by swelling of the cells was observed after each injection. The outline of the exposed cells was irregular with beak like or small finger like projections. Rupturing and disintegration of the erythrocyte membrane, leading to erythrolysis, were also noticed.     

The influence of pH on cadmium toxicity to the green alga Stichococcus bacillaris and on the cadmium forms present in the culture medium

Cadmium toxicity to the green alga Stichococcus bacillaris was investigated in media of pH 3-9. A significant decrease of cadmium toxicity occurred in both the acidic and alkaline ranges of pH. In media of pH 3 and 9, cadmium did not affect the dry mass content substantially. Maximum toxicity of cadmium was noticed at pH 6-7. Voltametric investigations showed a significant effect of pH on electrochemically measured cadmium content in the culture media. Hydrolysis of the medium components and formation of cadmium complexes with OH(-) ions caused a considerable decrease in amounts of electrochemically measured cadmium in the alkaline range of pH.     

Air Pollution in Singapore: Its Multielemental Aspect as Measured by Nuclear Analytical Techniques

Aerosol samples were collected in 1994 in Singapore on two occasions: once in June during the normal meteorological conditions and later in October during a long haze period caused by the heavy forest fire in Indonesia. Filtration and impaction collection methods were used simultaneously so that detailed elemental analysis of bulk as well as of different size fractions could be performed. Accelerator based nuclear analytical techniques such as Particle Induced X-Ray Emission (PIXE), Rutherford Backscattering (RBS) and Nuclear Microscopy (NM) were used for analysis. These techniques are fast, truly multielemental and perfectly suited for routine analysis of a large number of aerosol samples. Typically all samples were analysed for the following 24 elements: Na, Mg, Al, Si, P, S, Cl, K, Ca, Ti, V, Mn, Cr, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Ga, As, Br, Rb, Sr and Pb. Detection limits for bulk analysis were generally below ng/m3 and for single particle analysis absolute detectable mass was approximately 10-17 g. Additionally, trace elements such as Cd, Sn, Sb and Ba whose characteristic X-ray lines were normally "obscured" by the lines of other more abundant elements, were detected when analysing by nuclear microscope in single particle mode.Judging by the average concentrations of lead and sulphur which are good indicators of industrial component of air pollution the situation in Singapore is satisfactory. Pb was typically found in concentrations of 5 to 50 ng/m3 and sulphur in concentrations of 1 to 2 µg/m3. These concentrations are well below limits set by the World Health Organisation (1500 ng/m3 and 40 µg/m3, respectively). On the other hand during the haze period the average concentrations of elements like S, K, Ti, V, Mn, Ni, As and Pb were found to be 3 to 6 times higher than usual. Results are presented and discussed.     

Laboratory and Field Assessment of Arsenic Testing Field Kits in Bangladesh and West Bengal, India

High concentrations of arsenic in ground waters in West Bengal and Bangladeshhave become a major cause for concern in recent years. Given the enormity and the severity of the problemof arsenic poisoning, a task of evaluating the commercially available arsenic detection field kits for their capabilities was undertaken. In the light of the findings, generic specificationswere recommended which could form the basis forindigenous manufacture of these kits in the arsenic affected countries. This article presents the results of the laboratory and fieldevaluation conducted in Bangladesh and West Bengalof five arsenic testing field kits. The salient features of the kits, their merits and limitationshave been brought out. Based on the criteria of kitdesign, quality of chemicals used, colourcomparator charts, detection range, time required for analysis, cost etc., a comparative ranking ofthe kits has been made to facilitate the choice of the kit to meet specific requirements.