The biology of Gammarus (Crustacea, Amphipoda) in the northwestern Atlantic. II. Gammarus setosus Dementieva

1970 ◽  
Vol 48 (4) ◽  
pp. 659-671 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. J. Steele ◽  
D. H. Steele

Gammarus setosus is a circumpolar species found as far south as the Bay of Fundy region in the northwest Atlantic. Under laboratory conditions (3 °C) sexual maturity is reached in the 13th molt, at 14 mm in the males and at 12 mm in the females. In the field 50%, maturity is attained at 13.5 mm in the females. Mature females annually produce a single autumn brood, which is released in late winter or early spring. They then enter an obligatory resting period. In the laboratory at 12 °C they can have more than one brood annually. Fecundity increases with the size of the Female. The large size at maturity, continued growth, and long life with resulting high fecundity partially compensate for the production of but one brood per year.

1974 ◽  
Vol 31 (7) ◽  
pp. 1195-1200 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. C. Medcof ◽  
M. L. H. Thomas

In late winter and early spring, benthic materials have been observed in patches (maximum size 400 m × 10 m) on the surface of thick fast ice. They parallel the shores of estuaries and are commonest in the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence. Materials in the patches are often in strikingly natural postures and include layers of bottom sediment and plants and animals (eelgrass, shellfish [infauna and epifauna] starfish, flounders, and sticklebacks). Apparently these are frozen to the lower surface of the ice in early winter at low tides, when ice comes in direct contact with them. When the tide rises, the ice floats and raises frozen-on materials with it. Thereafter, the floating ice is thickened by freezing of water to its lower surface, and the bottom materials are thus frozen in between two layers of ice. At the same time the ice above the frozen-in materials is thinned by ablation (sublimation and melting) at its upper surface. Eventually the benthic materials are exposed on the surface of the ice. Allied phenomena have been observed in the Bay of Fundy region. Antarctica is the only other place where this has been reported to occur regularly. These phenomena and conditions favoring their occurrence in the two areas are compared.


1972 ◽  
Vol 50 (6) ◽  
pp. 801-813 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. J. Steele ◽  
D. H. Steele

Gammarus oceanicus is an intertidal species found between Long Island Sound and southern Foxe Basin in the northwestern Atlantic. Fifty percent maturity of the females is attained at 11 and 13.8 mm body length in the January–May and June–August periods, respectively, at Holyrood, Nfld., and at 11.4 and 13.7 mm at St. Andrews, N.B. In the laboratory females matured in the 13th molt at a mean size of 12 mm in an average of 329 and 230 days at 3 and 12 °C, respectively. Females produce successive broods except between August and November when they enter the resting stage. Relatively few young are released in the winter months. Fecundity increases with the size of the female and the large size at maturity, continued growth, and long life give this species a high reproductive potential.


2007 ◽  
Vol 65 (1) ◽  
pp. 81-102 ◽  
Author(s):  
David A. Ebert ◽  
Leonard J. V. Compagno ◽  
Paul D. Cowley

AbstractEbert, D. A., Compagno, L. J. V., and Cowley, P. D. 2008. Aspects of the reproductive biology of skates (Chondrichthyes: Rajiformes: Rajoidei) from southern Africa. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 65: 81–102. New information is presented on the reproductive biology of 22 southern African skate species. Sex ratios for most species were relatively even. Sexual dimorphic differences in disc shape were evident in all species, but the total length (LT) to disc width (D) relationship was significantly different in only three species, and the LT to weight (W) relationship significant in just five species. Sexual dimorphism relative to maximum total length (LTmax) was absent in all but the two largest species. Males and females of the same species grow to a similar LTmax except those whose LTmax is >1.5 m LT. Size at first and 50% (LT50) sexual maturity was approximately the same for both sexes in all but the two largest species. First maturity occurred at >60% of LTmax for all species for which sufficient data were available, and most (n = 18) matured at >75% LTmax. The large size at maturity relative to LTmax suggests that growth slows or is partially suspended following sexual maturity. The egg cases of 15 species are described, and a key to their identification is presented. Egg cases in utero were observed throughout the year suggesting that most species reproduce year-round.


1972 ◽  
Vol 29 (10) ◽  
pp. 1479-1482 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jay S. Krouse

Rock crabs, Cancer irroratus, were caught in wire lobster traps from 1968 through 1971 at Boothbay Harbor and in 1969 at Casco Bay, Maine. Females dominated the annual catches (except in Casco Bay) and width classes from 61 to 90 mm; while males were predominant above this size range. Rock crabs from Casco Bay were heavier at a given width than those from Boothbay Harbor. Soft-shelled females were caught mostly in the fall, while soft-shelled males appeared most frequently in late winter and early spring. The occurrence of newly berried females suggested that spawning (egg extrusion) took place in late fall and early winter, and hatching occurred in spring. Most female crabs attained sexual maturity between 70–80 mm carapace width, but a few matured at widths less than 70 mm.


Soil Research ◽  
1994 ◽  
Vol 32 (6) ◽  
pp. 1355 ◽  
Author(s):  
RB Garnsey

Earthworms have the ability to alleviate many soil degradational problems in Australia. An attempt to optimize this resource requires fundamental understanding of earthworm ecology. This study reports the seasonal changes in earthworm populations in the Midlands of Tasmania (<600 mm rainfall p.a.), and examines, for the first time in Australia, the behaviour and survival rates of aestivating earthworms. Earthworms were sampled from 14 permanent pastures in the Midlands from May 1992 to February 1994. Earthworm activity was significantly correlated with soil moisture; maximum earthworm activity in the surface soil was evident during the wetter months of winter and early spring, followed by aestivation in the surface and subsoils during the drier summer months. The two most abundant earthworm species found in the Midlands were Aporrectodea caliginosa (maximum of 174.8 m-2 or 55.06 g m-2) and A. trapezoides (86 m-2 or 52.03 g m-2), with low numbers of Octolasion cyaneum, Lumbricus rubellus and A. rosea. The phenology of A. caliginosa relating to rainfall contrasted with that of A. trapezoides in this study. A caliginosa was particularly dependent upon rainfall in the Midlands: population density, cocoon production and adult development of A. caliginosa were reduced as rainfall reduced from 600 to 425 mm p.a. In contrast, the density and biomass of A. trapezoides were unaffected by rainfall over the same range: cocoon production and adult development continued regardless of rainfall. The depth of earthworm aestivation during the summers of 1992-94 was similar in each year. Most individuals were in aestivation at a depth of 150-200 mm, regardless of species, soil moisture or texture. Smaller aestivating individuals were located nearer the soil surface, as was shown by an increase in mean mass of aestivating individuals with depth. There was a high mortality associated with summer aestivation of up to 60% for juvenile, and 63% for adult earthworms in 1993 in the Midlands. Cocoons did not survive during the summers of 1992 or 1994, but were recovered in 1993, possibly due to the influence of rainfall during late winter and early spring.


1959 ◽  
Vol 37 (4) ◽  
pp. 419-428 ◽  
Author(s):  
William S. Hoar ◽  
G. Beth Robertson

Goldfish maintained under controlled photoperiods for 6 weeks or longer were relatively more resistant to a sudden elevation in temperature when the daily photoperiods had been long (16 hours) and relatively more resistant to sudden chilling when they had been short (8 hours). The magnitude of the effect varied with the season. Thyroid activity was slightly greater in fish maintained under the shorter photoperiods. The longer photoperiods stimulated more rapid growth of ovaries during late winter and early spring. The endocrine system is considered a link in the chain of events regulating seasonal variations in resistance to sudden temperature change.


1963 ◽  
Vol 14 (6) ◽  
pp. 778 ◽  
Author(s):  
DE Harrison

During the late winter and early spring of 1960, and again to a lesser extent in 1961 and 1962, many lettuce crops in the Murray Valley area of north-western Victoria were seriously affected by a disease characterized by blackening, dry rotting, and collapse of the affected leaves. The incidence of disease varied from about 10% up to practically complete destruction of some plantings. A yellow bacterium was consistently isolated from affected plants and proved to be pathogenic to lettuce. Laboratory studies have shown that the organism agrees closely with the recorded description of Xanthomonas vitians (Brown) Dowson, which has not, apparently, been previously studied in Australia.


2014 ◽  
Vol 104 (5) ◽  
pp. 576-585 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Monzo ◽  
J.A. Qureshi ◽  
P.A. Stansly

AbstractThe Asian citrus psyllid (ACP), Diaphorina citri Kuwayama is considered a key citrus pest due to its role as vector of ‘huanglongbing’ (HLB) or citrus greening, probably the most economically damaging disease of citrus. Insecticidal control of the vector is still considered a cornerstone of HLB management to prevent infection and to reduce reinoculation of infected trees. The severity of HLB has driven implementation of intensive insecticide programs against ACP with unknown side effects on beneficial arthropod fauna in citrus agroecosystems. We evaluated effects of calendar sprays directed against this pest on natural enemy assemblages and used exclusion to estimate mortality they imposed on ACP populations in citrus groves. Predator exclusion techniques were used on nascent colonies of D. citri in replicated large untreated and sprayed plots of citrus during the four major flushing periods over 2 years. Population of spiders, arboreal ants and ladybeetles were independently assessed. Monthly sprays of recommended insecticides for control of ACP, adversely affected natural enemy populations resulting in reduced predation on ACP immature stages, especially during the critical late winter/early spring flush. Consequently, projected growth rates of the ACP population were greatest where natural enemies had been adversely affected by insecticides. Whereas, this result does not obviate the need for insecticidal control of ACP, it does indicate that even a selective regimen of sprays can impose as yet undetermined costs in terms of reduced biological control of this and probably other citrus pests.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samuel Monnier ◽  
Michel Thibaudon ◽  
Jean-Pierre Besancenot ◽  
Charlotte Sindt ◽  
Gilles Oliver

&lt;p&gt;Knowledge:&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Rising CO2 levels and climate change may be resulting in some shift in the geographical range of certain plant species, as well as in increased rate of photosynthesis. Many plants respond accordingly with increased growth and reproduction and possibly greater pollen yields, that could affect allergic diseases among other things.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The aim of this study is the evolution of aerobiological measurements in France for 25-30 years. This allows to follow the main phenological parameters in connection with the pollination and the ensuing allergy risk.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Material and method:&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The RNSA (French Aerobiology Network) has pollen background-traps located in more than 60 towns throughout France. These traps are volumetric Hirst models making it possible to obtain impacted strips for microscopic analysis by trained operators. The main taxa studied here are birch, grasses and ragweed for a long period of more than 25 years over some cities of France.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Results:&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Concerning birch but also other catkins or buds&amp;#8217; trees pollinating in late winter or spring, it can be seen an overall advance of the pollen season start date until 2004 and then a progressive delay, the current date being nearly the same as it was 20 years ago, and an increasing trend in the quantities of pollen emitted.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;For grasses and ragweed, we only found a few minor changes in the start date but a longer duration of the pollen season.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Discussion:&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;As regards the trees, the start date of the new production of catkins or buds is never the 1&lt;sup&gt;st&lt;/sup&gt; of January but depends on the species. For example, it is early July for birch. For breaking dormancy, flowering, and pollinating, the trees and other perennial species need a period of accumulation of cold degrees (Chilling) and later an accumulation of warm degrees (Forcing). With climate change these periods may be shorter or longer depending of the autumn and winter temperature. Therefore, a change in the annual temperature may have a direct effect on the vegetal physiology and hence on pollen release. It may also explain why the quantities of pollen produced are increasing.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The Poaceae reserve, from one place to another and without any spatial structuring, very contrasted patterns which make it impossible to identify a general tendency. This is probably due to the great diversity of taxa grouped under the generic term Poaceae, which are clearly not equally sensitive to climate change.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Conclusion:&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Trees with allergenic pollen blowing late winter or early spring pollinate since 2004 later and produce amounts of pollen constantly increasing. Grasses and ragweed have longer periods of pollination with either slightly higher or most often lower pollen production.&lt;/p&gt;


1990 ◽  
Vol 68 (7) ◽  
pp. 1597-1601 ◽  
Author(s):  
John S. Taylor ◽  
Munjeet K. Bhalla ◽  
J. Mason Robertson ◽  
Lu J. Piening

During overwintering in a northern climate, winter wheat goes through a hardening process, followed by dehardening in late winter – early spring. This sequence of events may be partially controlled by changes in endogenous hormone levels. Crowns and leaf tissue from field grown winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L. cv. Norstar) seeded at the beginning of September were collected and freeze-dried at monthly intervals during the winters of 1985–1986 and 1986–1987. Material was also sampled and freeze-dried from seedlings grown in a growth chamber under hardening conditions (21 °C for 2 weeks plus 3 °C for 6 weeks) or nonhardening conditions (3 weeks at 21 °C). The tissues were analysed for cytokinins and abscisic acid. Cytokinin levels, measured with the soybean hypocotyl section assay, declined from October onwards and then rose to a peak in late winter (January and February, winter 1986–1987; February and March, winter 1985–1986), subsequently declining again. Abscisic acid, quantitated as the methyl ester by gas chromatography with an electron capture detector, increased in level from October to December, then decreased to a relatively low level between January and March. Hardened seedlings from the growth chamber contained significantly higher abscisic acid levels and significantly lower cytokinin levels than did the nonhardened seedlings. Key words: abscisic acid, cytokinins, hardening, Triticum aestivum, winter wheat.


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