Antipredator defence mechanism in the amphidromous shrimp Xiphocaris elongata (Decapoda: Xiphocarididae): rostrum length

Predators may affect prey through inducible defences that can alter prey phenotype. The shrimp Xiphocaris elongata exhibits a short rostrum (SR) in the absence of fish predators and a long rostrum (LR) in their presence. The long rostrum in X. elongata is inducible by the predatory fish Agonostomus monticola (mountain mullet). Our objective was to test whether the long rostrum is an effective antipredator defence against A. monticola in different stages of predator–prey interactions (i.e. choice, attacks, bites, rejections, handling time and survival). We conducted behavioural experiments in fish tanks in which we fed A. monticola simultaneously with (1) one LR shrimp and one SR shrimp, or (2) one LR shrimp and one shrimp which originally had a long rostrum but whose rostrum was cut (LR[S]). We scored the fish behaviours in terms of choice, unsuccessful attacks, bites, rejections and handling time. We also conducted mortality experiments in closed artificial pools in which we exposed (1) 10 LR and 10 SR shrimp or (2) 10 LR and 10 LR[S] shrimp to A. monticola, and quantified shrimp survival after 24 h. In the trials with LR and SR shrimp, A. monticola tended to attack SR shrimp first. LR shrimp were unsuccessfully attacked, bitten and rejected more than SR individuals. Handling time was higher for LR shrimp. The mortality experiments show higher survival of LR shrimp. In the trials with LR and LR[S] shrimp, A. monticola tended to attack LR[S] shrimp first. Unsuccessful attacks were similar for LR and LR[S]. There were more bites and rejections and longer handling time for LR shrimp. Survival was similar for LR and LR[S] shrimp in the mortality experiments. This study provides evidence in support of the hypothesis that the long rostrum in X. elongata is an effective antipredator defence against A. monticola by conferring benefits in most stages of the predator–prey interactions.     

Natural history of Peucetia flava (Araneae,Oxyopidae): seasonal density fluctuation,phenology and sex ratio on the glandular plant Rhyncanthera dichotoma (Melastomataceae)

The seasonal density fluctuation, phenology and sex ratio of Peucetia flava (Oxyopidae) on Rhyncanthera dichotoma (Melastomataceae) were investigated during a year in a swamp in southeastern Brazil. Peucetia flava displayed an unusual non‐seasonal life cycle and the population size varied little over the year. The density of Peucetia spiders increased with the increase in abundance of leaves and number of arthropods adhered to glandular trichomes on R. dichotoma leaves. Our findings suggest that seasonal density fluctuation of Peucetia may be influenced by foraging site availability (i.e. leaves) and prey supply (i.e. arthropods adhering to glandular trichomes). The unusual seasonal stability of P. flava may be related to the type of habitat in which this spider occurs (swamp), because of the constant input of allochthonous resources from the water source, i.e. aquatic insects that migrate to the terrestrial environment.     

XXXII.—Nouveaux Bruchidæ

The bush cricket Psorodonotus illyricus is indigenous to the Balkans. Singing males of this species are highly mobile. The acoustic factors which might influence the locomotion were investigated in the field. The mobility of the males results in an often random distribution pattern. Interactions between the males are purely acoustic, and the duets are characterized by periods of good and poor alternation. Playback experiments, field observations and tape recordings of duetting males indicate that singing rate and sound intensity affect alternation behaviour and locomotion. However, the effect of the two song parameters is related to the time of the day, a phenomenon which might be due to (a) changes in the sound field around a singing male, and (b) altering microclimatic factors during the activity period of the insects.     

Size,spines and crochets: defences of luna moth caterpillars against predation by brown anoles

Field-testing predator-prey interactions between invasive exotic brown anole lizards and sentinel larvae of the luna moth, Actias luna, suggests that late instars of this saturniid, and perhaps many other saturniids, are well defended by their spines and crochets against predation by lizards. However, Actias luna larvae remain vulnerable to anole predation until they reach about 3 cm in length. In contrast, even relatively small caterpillars that are chemically defended, such as those of the io moth, Automeris io, and the monarch butterfly, Danaus plexippus, were shown to be well defended against anoles by their toxins. There is an obvious advantage for caterpillars to be chemically defended. However, there is also a tradeoff: Danaus plexippus are restricted to feeding on a relatively small group of plants, which limits resources and requires specialisation; in polyphagous Automeris io, the constant production of elaborate spines and toxin leads to prolonged larval development, which is at least twice as long as that of Actias luna, and exposes the caterpillars to mortality factors such as parasitism for a longer duration.     

Temporal distribution,seed damage and notes on the natural history of Acanthoscelides quadridentatus and Acanthoscelides winderi (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Bruchinae) on their host plant,Mimosa setosa var. paludosa (Fabaceae: Mimosoideae), in the Brazilian Cerrado

The seed beetles, Acanthoscelides quadridentatus and Acanthoscelides winderi are here recorded for the first time feeding on seeds of Mimosa setosa var. paludosa in the Brazilian Cerrado. Our main aims were to describe the temporal distribution, seed damage, and notes on the natural history of these two species on their host plant. We hypothesised that: (a) healthy seeds from infested fruits would have worse germination rate than healthy seeds from noninfested fruits, and (b) females of seed beetles would lay more eggs on large fruits. We made field observations and an experimental field study with the presence of seed beetles versus their exclusion on plants. Results revealed that seed beetles are synchronised with fruiting, with a temporal partitioning in occurrence. Attacked seeds did not germinate, whereas healthy seeds from infested fruits had worse germination rate than healthy seeds from noninfested fruits. Females of seed beetles laid more eggs on large fruits. These results suggest that seed beetles avoid competition through a temporal partitioning curcial for their coexistence, and select large fruits to oviposit as these fruits probably provide more food resource for their offspring. Furthermore, plants might perceive seed beetles’ damage and then reduce resource allocation on infested fruits.     

热电笼状物声子作用对其反常比热容的影响

笼状物材料具有极低的晶格热导率，表现出非常优秀的热电性能. 但是，笼状物中束缚在笼子中的原子与笼子的相互作用形式尚不明确，这种相互作用与其反常热力学性质的关系仍有很多争议. 使用从头算晶格动力学计算方法计算笼状物Ba8Ga16Ge30 (BGG)的声子以及比热容，利用同位素Ge-76替换的方法研究束缚原子与笼子的相互作用. 结果表明，束缚原子与笼子之间存在着明显的耦合作用，这种耦合作用对笼状物反常热力学行为的产生具有重要意义.     

Investigations of an association between the stinkhorn fungus and badger setts

Fruiting bodies of the stinkhorn fungus (Phallus impudicus) were commonly found near badger setts, clustered in the zone 24–39 m from sett entrances. The odour from the spore-covered gleba of the fruiting body attracted several species of fly, principally Polietes lardaria, Phaonia subventa, Calliphora vomitoria, Calliphora vicina, Lucilia caesar and Lucilia sericata. The latter four, all blowflies, were also among the dominant species attracted to and reared from, badger carcases. The number of female flies at stinkhorns was significantly higher than that of males. Behavioural studies showed that female, but not male Calliphora vomitoria were attracted to the smell of the stinkhorn gleba. Flies feeding on the spore-laden mucilage on the gleba defaecated more rapidly than when feeding on dung or sucrose, thereby rapidly depositing large numbers of spores. The implications of these findings are discussed in terms of a hypothetical stinkhorn-badger association, and of the overall ecology of badgers.     

一种新型三维镉配合物的水热合成及其晶体结构

以对苯二乙酸、2,2＇-联吡啶和氯化镉为原料采用水热法合成一种新型配位聚合物．x单晶射线衍射测试表明,标题化合物属于Triclinic晶系,P-1空间群,晶胞参数为a=8．305（3）A,b：8．541（5）（2）A,c=11．034（3）A,a=83．252（5）A,β=81．823（3）A,y=67．601（4）A,V=714．5（5）A,Z=1.每个镉离子分别与对苯二乙酸配体分子上的两个氧原子,2,2＇-联吡啶配体分子中的两个氮原子以及一个氯离子配住,形成一个近似金字塔构型．相邻2,2’-联吡啶配体分子见的π-π堆积作用和其他超分子作用力使配合物形成了一个三雏的超分子聚合物．     

铀对Ⅰ型低熟烃源岩生烃演化的影响

在Ⅰ型低熟烃源岩中加入砂岩型铀矿石的条件下进行生烃模拟实验,对比无铀-加铀样品生烃模拟实验产物的相关参数,探讨油气生成过程中无机铀所起的作用。结果表明:铀的存在促使长链烃类在400℃后裂解成低相对分子质量短链烃,烃类相对分子质量降低,向干气演化,CO2和H2大量生成,且铀的存在使得这一变化的温度点提前50℃;铀可以促进总油生成高峰的提前到来;350℃为铀使烯烃产量变化的转折温度点,烯烃开始向烷烃转变;铀的存在能提高模拟实验中生成的烯烃的异构化程度,并在整体上使生成的烯烃分子在晶格中排得更加紧密;加铀的烃源岩样品的生烃模拟实验产物在族组成、饱和烃气相色谱、生物标志化合物等方面表现出更加成熟的特征,铀可以使有机质的成熟度提高,有利于低熟烃源岩早期生成低熟油气,使铀的存在成为未熟-低熟油气形成的可能无机促进因素之一,这种提前生成的少量油气可以使所在储层变为亲油性,为后期大规模生成的油气运移成藏提供有利的条件,使得即使是致密的储层,也能形成大规模的工业油气藏。     

具有长程相互作用S-1/2 XYZ链的热力学性质

采用Jordan-Wigner变换和Gaussion积分变换分析方法,研究了外场中且具有Z方向长程相互作用自旋-1/2Heisenberg XYZ链的热力学性质.得到了系统格点的磁化强度、亥姆赫兹自由能、内能、比热等热力学量的解析表达式及其数值解,讨论了有限温度时系统的一级相变和两级相变,我们所得的数值结果在退化条件下与其它文献的结果相符.