Population biology of bryozoans: correlates of sessile,colonial life histories in freshwater habitats

Bryozoans are common, often abundant, sessile, colonial invertebrates of freshwaters. By reviewing what is known of their general ecology and considering in further detail the population biology of specific groups, we provide evidence that 1) populations are locally ephemeral and regional persistence is attained via a dynamic equilibrium between dispersal and colonization, and 2) sex may often be infrequent and a high degree of clonality obtains at both local and regional scales. On the basis of these characteristics we discuss how the group offers exceptional opportunities for investigating a number of fundamentally important ecological and evolutionary questions.The highly curious modification of the Molluscan type which the Polyzoa [=Bryozoa] present... the great beauty of their forms, and the facility with which they can in general be observed in a living state, cannot but render them special favorites for every lover of Nature; and for the more profound student must confer on them a peculiar significance, and invest their study with a scientific interest which is scarcely surpassed by that of any other group of animals.... (Allman 1856)     

Allozyme electrophoresis demonstrates the presence of a species boundary in freshwater crabs (Decapoda: Potamonautidae)

Potamonautes granularis, P. perlatus and P. sidneyi are morphologically similar species of freshwater crab occurring in the middle to lower reaches of rivers. Potamonautes perlatus and P. sidneyi are known to exhibit clinal morphological differentiation between two distinct morphotypes and their specific status has remained obscured. This study investigates the species boundaries between these three species, as well as genetic differentiation and gene flow between populations within each species, using allozyme electrophoresis. Twenty-five populations (including two P. granularis, 10 P. perlatus and 13 P. sidneyi populations) were utilized, collected along a transect of 2300 km. Individuals were screened for 11 presumptive loci, using a horizontal starch-gel electrophoresis protocol. Mean genetic identities obtained in pair-wise comparisons of populations of different species (I =0.748-0.846) were typical of interspecific comparisons. Diffuse species boundaries (over which gene flow and hybridization may be possible) were observed between P. granularis and P. perlatus, and between P. perlatus and P. sidneyi. A fixed allele difference at the ME locus distinguished P. granularis and P. sidneyi. Hierarchical F -statistics revealed significant genetic sub-structuring between populations within each species and within the entire sample, illustrating low-levels of gene flow. Although some regional groupings were evident from the genetic data, no distinct distance-related patterns, or patterns of clinal variation could be observed. Patterns of genetic differentiation resemble a patchwork that is probably the product of mutations, genetic drift, balanced by low levels of gene flow, and natural selection. The extensive morphological variation must now be seen against the backdrop of three genetically defined species.     

A new species of Hyalella from Colombia,and the redescription of H. meinerti Stebbing, 1899 from Venezuela (Crustacea: Amphipoda)

The new species H. quindioensis is described from Colombia. This species is close to H. paramoensis Andres, 1988 also in Colombia. Hyalella meinerti Stebbing, 1899 is figured and redescribed. The type locality for this species is Venezuela. However, it has a wide distribution including Colombia, Peru, Ecuador and Brazil.     

蟹状星云Chndra卫星观测数据的X射线谱分析

首次用Chandra卫星资料详尽的对蟹状星云弧秒尺度区域以及主要的活动区进行了X射线谱分析．测得了蟹状星云中的主要活动区：如环面(torus)，结节(knots)，亮条纹(wisp)，喷流(东南方向)，反向喷流(西北方向)的光子谱指数(photon index)．同时在环面区，分析了光子谱指数随径向的分布．有迹象表明，在内环中可能存在一个在理论和观测上以前都没有提及到的粒子加速区．结节是整个蟹状星云中光子谱指数最低的地方，这表明粒子在这些区域得到加速．东南方向的喷流的谱指数和环面内暗区的谱指数类似，而西北方向的反向喷流具有最大的光子谱指数．得到的结果同XMM(X—Ray Multi—Mirror Mission)卫星的结果进行比较，两基本一致．     

徐州淡水枝角类的调查

在徐州市郊调查,共获淡水枝角类31种,其中有6种为江苏省新记录。对这些枝角类进行分析,可以认为,徐州的淡水枝角类的区系组成,具有南方种与北方种过渡地区的特点,但又偏重于南方种。     

宜春地区肺吸虫第二中间宿主：—溪蟹感染情况的调查

自1982年来,全区共采集溪蟹3208只,定性解剖1684只,阳性1258只,感染率为74.70%,其中1只雄性蟹体内检获囊蚴6599只.部体解剖,91.47%囊蚴分布在肌肉、蟹足、螯肢.用新鲜囊蚴人工感染家犬获得成功.其囊蚴、虫卵、成虫均为卫氏并殖型.     

Rediscovery of Gastrostyla setifera (Engelmann, 1862) Kent, 1882: morphology and divisional morphogenesis (Ciliophora,Hypotrichida)

The morphology and morphogenesis of the poorly known hypotrichous ciliate Gastrostyla setifera, isolated from a freshwater pond near Harbin, China, are described from both living and protargol silver-impregnated specimens. The Harbin population of this species is characterized thus: medium-sized freshwater Gastrostyla, 150-205 × 70-95 μm in vivo, ellipsoid in shape but somewhat narrowed posteriorly. Contractile vacuole located in left half of mid-body region. On average 48-56 (mean 52) adoral membranelles; 10 frontal and 9-11 ventral cirri; 23-26 left and 30-34 right marginal cirri; usually with four complete dorsal kineties and two dorsomarginal kineties; three caudal cirri present at posterior margin; invariably two macronuclear nodules and two micronuclei. Its morphogenesis reveals the following characteristics: (1) adoral zone of membranelles (AZM) in the opisthe arises from the new oral primordium while the proter inherits the entire parental structure; (2) 10 frontal, 9-11 ventral and five transverse cirri are derived from five frontoventral transverse cirral anlagen together with the undulating membrane anlage; (3) left and right marginal cirri are derived from new anlagen which originate within the old marginal rows; (4) the generation of the dorsal kineties is of the 'two-group-mode'; three left primary dorsal anlagen and two dorsomarginal anlagen appear as two groups in both dividers from which all dorsal kineties are derived (the fourth kinety is formed due to the fragmentation of the third anlage); (5) one caudal cirrus is formed at the ends of each of the first, second and fourth dorsal anlagen.     

Two new Mastigodiaptomus (Copepoda,Diaptomidae) from southeastern Mexico,with a key for the identification of the known species of the genus

Two new species of the freshwater planktonic copepod genusMastigodiaptomus—M. maya and M. reidae—are described from material collected in southeastern Mexico. This neotropical genus is known to be distributed mainly in the southern part of the United States, Mexico and Central America, and now embraces eight species. Of these, six occur in Mexico. Both new species seem to be closely related to M. texensis and M. albuquerquensis. It is probable that this group of Mexican species represents a northwards radiation from the Proto-Antilles-Central America region into the continent, eventually reaching North America. A key for the identification of the known species of the genus is provided.     

In vivo effects of epinephrine in a freshwater fish

Summary In vivo effects of epinephrine were investigated in a freshwater teleost,Barbus conchonius Hamilton. Fish given 2 mg/kg epinephrine in a single i.m. dose showed significant hypocholesterolemia and elevated, liver and kidney cholesterol levels 1–8 h postinjection. Plasma amino nitrogen evinced a transient yet significant fall at 2 h followed by a significant increase after 24 h. A marked reduction occurred in the plasma FFA and organic PO₄ levels after 1–8 h. The results offer little evidence for a lipolytic effect of epinephrine in this species, and the changes in metabolite levels are attributable, in part, to the catecholamineinduced modification of insulin secretion.N.K. thanks the U.G.C. for the award of a research fellowship.