Necrophagous or predators? The role of Pheidole radoszkowskii Mayr (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) on Rattus norvegicus (Berkenhout) carcasses (Rodentia: Muridae)

This study aimed to identify the feeding habit of Pheidole radoszkowskii Mayr on Rattus norvegicus (Berkenhout) carcasses, as well as whether its presence limits the occurrence of flies. Pheidole radoszkowskii exhibited more necrophagous than predatory behaviour. Its abundance was inversely proportional to that of flies, confirming that this ant species may cause lesions in carcasses and its presence limits the occurrence of flies. This work clarifies the behaviour of an ant species often encountered on carcasses.     

Improving knowledge of the cyclorrhaphan larva (Diptera)

A significant factor in the evolution of the Cyclorrhapha (Diptera), the most biodiverse of higher dipteran taxa, is the larva. The larva also has wide-ranging trophic and environmental relationships, including positive and negative impacts on human health and wealth. Despite its importance, the larva is neglected and a low proportion of species are known in this stage. In this paper, factors contributing to larval neglect are reviewed, including: poor attitudes leading to cycles of neglect and shallow treatment; taxonomy that uses adult not larval stages; lack of material in collections; rearing barriers, and presumptions of morphological similarity suggesting that characters will be problematic to acquire and analyse. Neglect is pervasive and affects many subjects; those considered here are: species inventories and rarity assessments for biodiversity and conservation, in which larvae are usually ignored although they can be more cost-effective to sample and a richer source of environmental data; determining larval feeding modes where controversies due to conflicting evidence persist unresolved; and reliance on a limited pool of increasingly old publications whose data are repeated rather than tested and updated with new research. In an attempt to reinvigorate interest, which is the main aim of this paper, poorly assessed larval features possibly significant to cyclorrhaphan diversification are also considered. These include: change facilitated by independently evolvable modules; rapid change enabled by labile trophic morphology; shifts between saprophagy and phytophagy due to opportunities provided by angiosperm evolution; and enhanced adaptive potential resulting in derived more than basal taxa developing adaptations that enable access to new and little used resources. Apart from the need to rear more larvae, a major conclusion from this review is that knowledge will improve when the movement capabilities of larvae are used to inform morphological and taxonomic analyses.     

Plasma 1,5-anhydroglucitol in experimental galactosemia in the rat

Summary Feeding with a galactose-rich diet induced a substantial drop in blood plasma 1,5-anhydroglucitol concentration. The decline was proportional to the dose of galactose. The decline was less marked in xylose-fed rats.     

Thiarubrine A,a bioactive constituent ofAspilia (Asteraceae) consumed by wild chimpanzees

Summary Two African species ofAspilia (Asteraceae), which are used medicinally by man and which are eaten by wild chimpanzees in an unusual manner, were found to contain the potent antibiotic thiarubrine A as a major leaf phytochemical. Its presence in leaf material strengthens the view that the feeding behavior of wild chimpanzees is related to special physiological or pharmacological effects on the animals.     

动物营养与饲料学实验教学改革研究

根据人才培养的要求,从动物营养与饲料学实验教学内容的编排、授课的形式、学生能力的培养与实验成绩的考评等方面对该实验课的教学进行了初步的研究与探讨．     

铝电解槽点式下料的专家模糊控制方法

以１６０ｋＡ预焙铝电解槽为试验研究对象,综合运用模糊控制和专家系统技术,开发出用于铝电解槽点式下料控制的专家模糊控制器．它是最新开发的铝电解智能模糊控制系统的关键部分．运行结果表明,它控制精度高,鲁棒性好,具有显著的增产节能效果．     

Defensive alkaloid in blood of Mexican bean beetle (Epilachna varivestis)

Summary The blood of the Mexican bean beetle (Epilachna varivestis) contains a homotropane alkaloid, euphococcinine (1). The beetles reflex bleed when disturbed, thereby deploying the alkaloid, which is provenly deterrent to spiders and ants. Newly emerged adults lack the alkaloid, but the compound builds up to deterrent levels in their blood within days. Eggs and larvae ofEpilachna are devoid of the compound.Paper No 79 of the series: Defense Mechanisms of Arthropods. Study supported by NIH (Grants AI-02908 and AI-12020) and Hatch Funds (NYC-191409). We thank G. Eidens, K. Hicks, and M. Eisner for excellent technical help, and an anonymous reviewer for calling two critical references to our attention. The ant tests were done at the Archbold Biological Station, Lake Placid, Florida. The hospitality of the Fogarty Scholar-in-Residence Program (to J.M.) is acknowledged with pleasure.     

Feeding induced by blockade of histamine H1-receptor in rat brain

Summary Histamine antagonists were infused into the third ventricle of the cerebrum in rats. All the H₁-, but none of the H₂-antagonists tested, induced initial feeding during the early portion of the light phase when histamine level was highest. No periprandial drinking was observed. Ambulation increased during feeding. The effect on feeding was attenuated when brain histamine was normally low during the early portion of the dark phase, or was decreased by -fluoromethylhistidine. Hypothalamic neuronal histamine may suppress food intake through H₁-receptors, and diurnal fluctuations of food intake may mirror neuronal histamine levels.     

种用母羊的饲养管理要点探讨

种用母羊是羊群发展的基础,种用母羊管理的好坏决定养羊业的成败。主要从配种准备期、妊娠期和哺乳期各阶段阐述了种用母羊饲养管理的技术要点。     

正磷酸型饲料酸化剂比利酸的初步研究

介绍了正磷酸型饲料酸化剂──比利酸的研制情况、产品理化特性及其饲养试验结果．