bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Plastron respiration in adult beetles of the suborder Myxophaga
Authors: Hinton H. E.
Published: August 2009

The kind of physical gill known as a plastron is a gas film of constant volume and an extensive water‐air interface. Such films are held by hydrofuge structures, and they resist wetting at the hydrostatic pressures to which they are normally subjected in nature. In well‐aerated water a plastron enables the insect to be immersed indefinitely. A plastron is here recorded for the first time in adult beetles of the suborder Myxophaga. In both known genera of the family Torridincolidae a plastron is present on the abdomen. In Ptyopteryx of Brazil the plastron forms a diffraction grating that is responsible for the iridescence oi the abdomen. The structure of the plastron of Torridincola of Rhodesia is like that of some other beetles, and it is not iridescent. Among adult beetles plastron respiration has been independently evolved in at least eight quite different groups, and within some of these groups it has been evolved on more than one occasion.
Information on the growth of the ammocoete larva of the anadromous Sea lamprey, Petromyzon marinus in British rivers
Authors: Hardisty M. W.
Published: August 2009

An examination has been made of the length frequency distribution of ammocoetes of the Sea lamprey, Petromyzon marinus L. collected during April, July, August and October. A comparison of the frequency distributions for the individual collections and a study of gonadal development within certain length ranges suggests that the duration of the larval period cannot be less than five years.
Population estimation in the Torrent frog, Amolops lamtensis (Anura: Ranidae)
Authors: Bullock J. A.
Published: August 2009

The results of four attempts at yearly intervals to estimate populations of Amolops lamtensis (Blgr.) along 360 m of forest stream are discussed and the most consistent estimates are obtained using Jolly's (1965) method of analysing such data. Observations of movement within the population indicate that most frogs are recaptured close to the original point of capture although a few show considerable downstream movement, possibly as a result of being swept away by the current. The recapture expectations are not, however, random and there is a strong indication that larger frogs are more liable to recapture. There is also evidence that frogs are available for recapture for different lengths of time, and it is likely that this leads to an under‐estimate of the total population.
Some aspects of the biology of two common species of Nigerian scorpions
Authors: Toye S. Afolabi
Published: August 2009

An account is given of the occurrence of Pandinus imperator imperator (C. L. Koch) and Buthus hottentotta hottentotta Fabricius which are two common species of scorpions in Nigeria. P. imperator is essentially a forest species commonly found in the lowland rain forest zone, while B. hottentotta typically lives in the savannah and has a much wider distribution stretching from the derived savannah to the Sudan zone. During aktograph experiments, P. imperator showed greater locomotory activity during the daytime than at night. In contrast, B. hottentotta was markedly nocturnal. The normal rhythm of locomotory activity of B. hottentotta was greatly affected by constant artificial illumination (20 foot candles) and constant darkness. The rate of water‐loss of P. imperator in dry air was greater than that of B. hottentotta. The experimental results are discussed in relation to the behaviour of the scorpions in their natural habitats.
The fossil fauna from an Upper Pleistocene site in Jordan
Authors: Clutton‐Brock Juliet
Published: August 2009

The fossil fauna from an Upper Pleistocene habitation site in Jordan is described. Seven species of mammal are represented, three of these being recorded for the fist time from Jordan. The faunal remains are compared with those from Mount Cannel and other Pleistocene sites in the Near East. It is suggested that the site was occupied during an early inter‐ stadial of the last glaciation when savannah conditions prevailed.
Bird predation as a selective pressure on the immature stages of the cabbage butterflies,Pieris rapaeandP. brassicae
Authors: Baker R. R.
Published: August 2009

The importance of bird predation as a selective pressure on the eggs, larvae and pupae of the cabbage butterflies,Pieris rapaeL. andP. brassicaeL. has been investigated in a rural garden and an allotment. Birds are the main predators of all stages in a well‐tended garden whereas in a field the eggs and young larvae are mainly preyed upon by arthropods. The species of avian predators vary according to the stage of development and species of prey. Consequently the relative survival rate ofP. rupaeandP. brussicuevaries with stage of development. This changing pattern of survival has in turn acted as a selective pressure on their two main braconid parasites. Many aspects of the size, shape, colour and behaviour of the larvae and pupae of both species ofPierisappear to be adaptations to the selective pressures exerted by bird predation.
Factors affecting the distribution of the mole (Talpa europaea) in Snowdonia (North Wales)
Authors: Milner C. , Ball D. F.
Published: August 2009

Moles are widespread in the uplands of Snowdonia, North Wales, and their distribution has been studied in relation to soil physical and chemical characteristics. Moles are significantly associated with freely drained mineral soils of pH greater than about 4.0. They are not present in soils with a very stony matrix which would preclude the construction of an effective tunnel system. Data are presented showing that moles are associated with sites showing a high return of sheep dung and the reason for this may be an increase in arthropod populations associated with decaying dung. The sites sampled which were not selected with this study in mind show that no factors other than soil characteristics need be invoked to explain the present distribution of moles.
The dentition of agamid lizards with special reference to tooth replacement
Authors: Cooper J. S. , Poole D. F. G. , Lawson R.
Published: August 2009

The dentition of the African lizard Agama agama was examined in a range of material from late embryos and hatchlings to individuals of advanced age. Most of the skulls were prepared as dry specimens, but observations were also made on the living lizards in captivity and some records of tooth replacement collected.

The gross anatomy of the dentition is described and its growth and elaboration from the hatchling to the adult. Attachment of the two types of tooth, both acrodont and pleurodont, is considered and the replacement process is found to be sufficiently different from that of other lizards to justify a separate descriptive category.

Evidence from both dead and living material as to the order of tooth replacement in Agama is analysed and found to conform to the hypothesis of Edmund (1960). Other agamid genera are briefly described.

The similarity between agamid and mammalian dentitions is pointed out and a connection suggested between polyphyodent reptilian dentitions and the diphyodont mammalian dentition which is more correctly regarded as being composed of two Zahnreihen.
A revision of the Australian earthworm genus Woodwardiella with descriptions of two new genera (Megascolecidae: Oligochaeta)
Authors: Jamieson B. G. M.
Published: August 2009

The genus Woodwardiella Stephenson, 1925, from which oriental species were excluded by Gates (1938, 1939, 1960), is further restricted to include only five south‐western Australian species, a Tasmanian species and provisionally, as species inquirenda, the Victorian W. healesi (Michaelsen, 1923) and a further Tasmanian species, W. mortoni Spencer, 1895.

Twelve species originally assignable to Woodwardiella, of which one is reduced to a junior synonym, constitute a new genus, Heteroporodrilus, known only from the southeastern portion of the Australian mainland.

Woodwardiella punctatus (Spencer, 1900) is shown to be a junior synonym of the sympatric Victorian W. smithi (Fletcher, 1889a) which is placed in the new monotypic genus Pseudoperichaeta.

Plutellus manifestus (Fletcher, 1889), which has tubular prostates and belongs to the family Acanthodrilidae s. Gates, shows close affinities with Heteroporodrilus which is referable to the family Megascolecidae s. Gates, characterized by racemose prostates. Variation in the form of the prostates can no longer be accorded even subfamilial significance and Plutellus is transferred to the subfamily Megascolecinae. Close morphological similarity demonstrated between P. manifestus and P. heteroporus Perrier, 1873, the type species of the genus, suggests a basis for restriction of the heterogeneous assemblage known as Plutellus.

Diporochaeta davallia Spencer, 1900, has close affinities with Pseudoperichaeta and, like this genus, has tufted meronephridia anteriorly.
A note on eyelashes in an Arfican black rhinoceros, Diceros bicornis
Authors: Bergh Hendrik K. Vanden
Published: August 2009

The presence of eyelashes on the lower eyelid of an adult Diceros bicornis (L.) was observed and recorded by photography.
Some observations on the tunnelling of shipworms
Authors: Board P. A.
Published: August 2009

The sea‐water with which a shipworm inflates its mantle cavity is expelled posteriorly through its dorsal siphon or released anteriorly into its tunnel through the modified pedal opening. Radiographs of shipworms tunnelling through air‐filled softwood confirm the presence of water in the blind ends of tunnels. Retracted shipworms can extend themselves and resume tunnelling where they left off, but they must get rid of tunnel water first. They do this by forcing it into the grain at the blind end. It is suggested that tunnelling is continually interrupted by small shrinking movements which ensure that the valves are lubricated. The tendency for shipworms to tunnel with the grain in softwood blocks is accounted for in terms of their need of lubrication. Tunnelling at an angle to the grain and turning round before the solid boundary is reached are accounted for in terms of a reaction to decreased hardness.
The state of oxygenation of haemoglobin in the blood of living Tubifex (Annelida)
Authors: Palmer Maureen F. , Chapman Garth
Published: August 2009

Spectroscopic observations of the blood of the living worm have been made using various gas mixtures. The state of oxygenation of the blood has been determined particularly at the critical level where the respiration changes from an independent to a dependent type.

Oxygen dissociation curves have been plotted using gas mixtures with 0.03% carbon dioxide and 5% carbon dioxide at three temperatures to correlate the in vivo and in vitro states of oxygenation with the normal environment in which the animal lives.
Gut structure, digestive physiology and food storage in Pontonema vulgaris (Nematoda: Enoplida)
Authors: Jennings J. B. , Colam J. B.
Published: August 2009

Histological, histochemical and ultrastructural methods have been used to study gut structure, digestive physiology and food storage in the free‐living marine nematode Pontonema vulgaris (Bastian, 1865).

Examination of the gut contents indicates that the nematode feeds by drawing in mud and silt and digesting bacteria and any other organic materials present.

The gut consists of mouth, buccal capsule, suctorial oesophagus, intestine and rectum. The buccal capsule contains three interradial teeth, through which open the ducts of the oesophageal glands. These glands lie posteriorly in the interradial sectors of the oesophagus, with a single acidophilic gland cell in the dorsal sector and two cells, one acidophilic and one basophilic, in each of the two subventral sectors. The oesophageal region shows no enzymic reactions histochemically but extracts show esterase activity, and it is suggested that one gland cell type produces an enzyme precursor and the other an activator, the two secretions yielding an active enzyme when mixed on discharge.

The intestinal wall contains glandular cells, whose secretions show carbonic anhydrase activity and are believed to be acidic, and columnar cells concerned with absorption. Both possess microvilli and there is some evidence to suggest that the columnar cell may normally develop into the secretory type which after functioning in a merocrine fashion eventually dies and is extruded into the gut lumen.

Production of secretion within the glandular cells is of the usual pattern, involving the granular endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi complexes.

All the intestinal cells contain pigment granules, which show reactions for ferric and ferrous iron but whose precise nature and function remain unknown.

Digestion is extracellular and with test meals of blood lipid is formed as an end‐product within the columnar intestinal cells. Esterase, believed to originate in the oesophageal glands, is concerned in digestion, as also are the products of the glandular cells of the intestine.

Food reserves consist of glycogen and fat, deposited in the intestinal wall, lateral chords and eggs; glycogen also occurs extensively in the body wall musculature and in the oesophagus between the muscle bands, and lipid in the interstitial zone of the testis.
The schooling ethology of Lutianus monostigma (Pisces) in the shallow reef environment of Aldabra
Authors: Potts G. W.
Published: August 2009

Field observations on a school of Lutianus monostigma have been made off Aldabra in the shallow reef environment. The school does not exhibit any obvious response to temperature. The response to current is the main factor that determines school orientation and position in the channel. Longshore movements are performed but their function is not known. The morning and evening dispersal may be associated with changes in light intensity and/or the crepuscular feeding habits. The response to predators depends upon the behaviour of the predator, its species and size. Other factors affecting the school in their natural environment are described.
Long distance movement of Bank voles and Wood mice.
Authors: Watts C. H. S.
Published: August 2009

Between November 1963 and October 1965 the long distance movements of Bank voles and Wood mice within an almost isolated 26 ha deciduous woodlot were studied by live trapping at approximately monthly intervals. Dispersal was most marked in juvenile Bank voles where most of the males and about half the females under 13 g, when released and later recaptured, had dispersed.

Dispersal of juvenile Wood mice did not occur after September, before which time the evidence was sparse and inconclusive. It was estimated that about 6% of adult maleand 2% of adult female Bank voles dispersed. Little dispersal of adult Wood mice took place.

The term ‘transient’ is discussed. True transients in the “once‐caught’ category are thought to be few. There was no evidence that the trappable population of either species included a significant number of non‐resident individuals.
Swimming mechanisms in nereidiform polychaetes
Authors: Clark R. B. , Tritton D. J.
Published: August 2009

New observations of the swimming of several species of nereidiform polychaete are presented and the parameters of body motion analysed. It is shown that there are theoretical limits to the values of these parameters outside which propulsion by the wave motion of the body is impossible. Many of the observations do fall outside them. This is because of the effect of the beating parapodia. Kinematic considerations are introduced to show how the wave of parapodial activity is related to the wave motion of the body. Dynamic considerations lead to an estimate of the minimum Young's modulus of the parapodia for pure parapodial swimming, lower values being possible for a combination of body‐wave and parapodial swimming. The speeds achieved by different methods of swimming are discussed for the species that have been examined.
Observations on the growth rate and development of some East African antelopes
Authors: Hutchison Maureen
Published: August 2009

Linear body measurements are presented for two dik‐diks, two Uganda kob and three topi calves. Age‐weight curves are presented for the dik‐diks. Development of characteristics markings is recorded.
Artificial rearing of some East African antelopes
Authors: Hutchison Maureen
Published: August 2009

Six topi (Damaliscus korrigum), five Uganda kob (Adenota kob thomasi) and two kirk's dik‐dik (Rhynchotragus kirkii) were artificially reared from a few days of age.

Foue kob and four topi were fed first on a humanized milk powder “Lactogen”; all four developed intestinal disorders which in two cases were fatal. The survivors recovered on a diet of pasteurized cows' milk on which they were satisfactorily reared. Two topi were satisfactorily reared on cows' milk from the time of capture.

One dik‐dik was reared from two weeks on cows' milk enriched with egg yolk to the composition of eland (Taurotragus oryx) milk. weight gain was not significantly different to that of a second dik‐dik reared on cows' milk alone.

Causes of ill health and death were: (a) dehydration during the first three days of captivity; (b intestinal disorders during the milk‐feeding period; and (c) heavy intestinal parasitic infections during the post‐weaning period.
The life history of Trichoniscus pusillus pusillus (Crustacea: Isopoda)
Authors: Standen Valerie
Published: August 2009

The methods are given which were used to determine the number of stages in the life history of Trichoniscus pusillus pusillus Brandt, 1833 and the stages are described as far as possible. Not all stadia can be separated on morphological grounds and animals extracted from monthly litter samples were measured and the stadia separated by use of probability paper. This method proved quite successful and confirmed the characterization of the three earlier juvenile stadia on morpholigical grounds and the number of the later juvenile stadia determined from laboratory cultures. There are six juvenile and five adult stadia.
Anatomical observations on the bill of the Oystercatcher (Haematopus ostralegus occidentalis) in relation to feeding behaviour
Authors: Heppleston P. B.
Published: August 2009

Oystercatchers have recently increased as inland breeders in Northern Britain. Concurrently, they have been observed feeding in coastal fields in winter. It is suggested that the bill of this species possesses dual characteristics enabling them to feed on shellfish adn also to probe in the soil for terrestrial invertebrates.

The gross internal morphology of the bills of adults and young is described. A bony core contains large nerves running the length of the bill. These break up towards the tip where numerous sensory corpuscles are seen. It is concluded that the possession of a strong bone core together with numerous sense organs at the tip has been of considerable importance in enabling the Oystercatcher to exploit inland situations.
Seasonal movements and diurnal activity rhythms of the Grey seal(Halichoerus grypus)
Authors: Cameron Austin W.
Published: August 2009

The seasonal movements and diurnal activity rhythms of the Grey seals occurring along the Atlantic Coast of Nova Scotia and in the southern part of the Gulf of St Lawrence have been studied over a period of three and a half years. The seasonal movements of the adults can be divided into five periods or phases: (1) prepupping, (2) pupping and mating, (3) postmating, (4) spring concentration and (5) summer dispersal. The diurnal activity rhythm is attuned to the tides; the effects of the hours of daylight appear to be minimal. During the breeding season the cows go to sea as the tide is falling and return when it is rising. Adults of both sexes have a similar rhythm at other times of the year, except in mid‐summer when the pattern is reversed.
Use of the beaks and raduala by Octopus vulgaris in feeding
Authors: Altman J. S. , Nixon M.
Published: August 2009

The role of the chitinous beaks and the radula of the cephalopod Octopus vulgaris Lamarck, when feeding on either live shore crabs or whole dead fish, has been examined. One or more of these mouthparts was removed surgically and the effect on the quantity of food eaten and the method of cleaning the prey followed. The condition of the digestivetract was observed at post‐mortem.
Observations on the behaviour and ecology of the Patas monkey (Erythrocebus patas) in the Waza Reserve, Cameroon
Authors: Struhasker Thomas T. , Gartlan J. Stephen
Published: August 2009

Observations on the behaviour and ecology of Patas monkeys in Cameroon complement those made in Uganda by Hall (1965) and contribute to an understanding of the proximate factors involved in the maintenance of Patas social structure and to seasonal changes in their behaviour and ecology. The heterosexual groups had a mean size of 21. Five all‐male groups were seen. High proportions of similarly sized infants indicate that there is a birth season at Waza from November to January inclusive. At the peak of the dry season intergroup contacts were very common at the water holes. The frequency of agonistic encounters increased remarkably at this time, especially between monkeys of different groups. The nature of these encounters indicated that the harem males are effective in driving off extragroup males and that females and juveniles are instrumental in maintaining space and social exclusiveness between heterosexual groups. The frequency of interspecific encounters also increased at the peak of the dry season.
Observations on the feeding, growth rate and habits of newly settled Octopus cyanea
Authors: Wells M. J. , Wells J.
Published: August 2009

This paper records observations on the behaviour ofOctopus cyuneu caught in Hawa shortly after settlement from the plankton. The young animals rapidly establish “homes” on the bottom and defend these against their own species. Of a variety of food offered, crabs were most frequently (nearly always) taken; the animals always took the prey home to eat it. Records of diurnal activity show morning and evening peaks as in adults. There was a steady 2–3.5% daily increase in weight over the first six months (July‐January) after settlement
The circadian basis of photoperiodically controlled spermatogenesis in the Greenfinch Chloris chloris
Authors: Murton R. K. , Lofts B. , Westwood N. J.
Published: August 2009

Batches of Greenfinches were held for variable periods on daily light schedules of 7L (seven hours light) ‐ 17D (17 hours dark) (6L+ 1L ‐ 17D) the time when the lights initially switchedon (dawn) being kept constant. They were subsequently given new schedules whereby they received the 6rst 6 hours photostirnulation as before, but were given the seventh hour at variable times throughout the scotophase according to group. In this way cycles which ranged from 6L ‐ fD ‐ 1L ‐ 16+D to 6L ‐ 11D ‐ 1L ‐ 6D were given. It has already been established that a cycle of the former kind stimulates a peak in LH secretion, without spermatogenesis occurring. It is now shown that spermatogenesis could be stimulated with cycles in which the one‐hour light phase occurred 91/2 to 18 hours from dawn, peak spermatogenesis being found with a cycle of 6L ‐ 7D ‐ 1L ‐ 10D. Such a cycle does not correspond with much LH activity.

The testicular histology of all specimens is described and discussed and the conclusion made that LH and FSH are produced at different phases of a circadian type rhythm(s). In consequence, short constant photoperiods (winter days) may only engage the LH sensitive phase leading to interstitial cell rehabilitation, whereas long days engage both LH and FSH phases leading to spermatogenesis. With the special conditions of the experiment it was possible to engage one secretory phase to the partial exclusion of the other and this led to some unusual histological manifestations. Thus in some groups a Sertoli cell steatogenesis occurred while spermatogenesis was in progress, and in others there was an accumulation of primary‐spermatocytes in very large tubules. This last condition was considered to result from gonadotropin secretion in the absence of an adequately prepared interstitium so that insufficient androgen was available to facilitate the maturation of the later germ cell stages. This aspect is discussed in detail, as is also the significance for birds of circadian based photoresponses of the Kind demonstrated.
The feeding habits of Alestes baremose and Hydrocynus forskali (Pisces) in Lake Albert, East Africa
Authors: Holden M. J.
Published: August 2009

The stomach contents of 1922 Alestes baremose Joannis and 1184 Hydrocynus forskali Cuvier caught in Lake Albert, East Africa were examined. The fish were caught in gill nets in three main different types of habitat; in lagoons, inshore in the main body of the lake and offshore. Zooplankton, ephemeropteran imagines and higher plant species constituted almost the whole diet of A, baremose, although the relative importance of these three items varied with habitat. In the lagoons and inshore Hydrocynus forskali was mainly piscivorous, but offshore where the largest specimens occur it was feeding mainly on Caridina nilotica. The role of Hydrocynus species as predators in Lake Albert is discussed and it is shown that in this lake predation intensity bythis genus must be considered entirely in terms of H.forskali.
Talocalcaneal movements in mammals
Authors: Barnett C. H.
Published: August 2009

The movements permitted at the compound talocalcaneal joints of mammals are of two main types: in most species examined, the calcaneus is able to rotate beyond the talus about an oblique axis, whereas in cursorial and saltatory forms rotation tends to take place about a transverse axis, supplementing flexion and extension at the ankle joint. The primitive pattern is exemplified in the foot of the Echidna, in which the ankle joint is ovoid in type and both the talus and calcaneus are able to rotate to produce cupping of the sole. The range of talocalcaneal movement is inevitably limited in those species in which the ancestral calcaneo‐fibular contact has been retained.
Histology of the globiferous pedicellariae of Psammechinus miliaris (Echinodermata: Echinoidea)
Authors: Chia Fu‐Shiang
Published: August 2009

The general morphology, function and histology of the globiferous pedicallariae of the regular sea‐urchin, Psammechinus miliaris are described. There is a ganglion under the sensory epidermis on the inner surface of each jaw. This is the first discovery of a ganglion in any echinoid.

The regeneration of globiferous pedicellariae in laboratory conditions takes 25 to 40 days.
On the biology of the desert tortoise Testudo sulcata in Sudan
Authors: Cloudsley‐Thompson J. L.
Published: August 2009

Copulation takes place from June until March inclusive but is most frequent between September and November. This is also the season for oviposition, the eggs hatching the following summer. The growth curve of young tortoises shows a close correlation between body weight and length of carapace. Irregularities of the laminae are frequent. These tortoises can survive indefinitely without water if provided with succulent green food. The rate of transpiration in dry air is low: it takes place mainly through the lungs in baby animals but cutaneous transpiration accounts for about half the evaporative water‐loss from older tortoises. A complete water and metabolic balance sheet has been drawn up and an analysis of urine made. Tortoises show behavioural thermoregulation and, if the body temperature reaches40–41°C, copious salivation produces evaporative cooling which prevents any further rise. Reactions to high temperatures are direct and are not mediated through responses to light intensity. There is a well marked temperature‐independent circadian rhythm of activity which is neither accelerated nor retarded by constant light or darkness. Locomotion is stimulated by light and inhibited by darkness, but the phase of the rhythm is not reset by three‐hour periods of light when the animals are kept in darkness not by three‐hour periods of dark when they are kept in light, at whatever hour of the 24‐hour cycle these changes are applied.
The feeding behaviour of the sand crab Scopimera inflata (Decapoda, Ocypodidae)
Authors: Fielder D. R.
Published: August 2009

A sequence of activities all related to the feeding of Scopimera inflata H. Milne‐Edwards, 1873 can be distinguished during the daytime periods of low tide. Emergence begins one to two hours after a feeding area is uncovered, reaches a peak after a further three hours but some crabs are still emerging after the tide has turned. Before feeding commences the burrow is cleared of waste sand down to the water‐table. While feeding S. inflata forms a feeding trench which acts as an escape route back to the hole and is defended against other crabs of the same species. Agonistic behaviour becomes evident as feeding progresses. Threat displays, fighting, displacement feeding, and agitation feeding are recognizable behaviour patterns which have been observed.
The structure of the defence glands of the Cicindelidae, Amphizoidae, and Hygrobiidae (Insecta: Coleoptera)
Authors: Forsyth D. J.
Published: August 2009

An account is given of the structure of the thoracic and pygidial defence glands ofHygrobia hermanni(F.) and of the pygidial glands ofAmphizoa insolensLeconte, andCicindela campestrisL. The phylogenetic significance of differences in structure is discussed.
Some population dynamics of the Bank vole, Clethrionomys glareolus and the Wood mouse, Apodemus sylvaticus in mixed woodland
Authors: Crawley M. C.
Published: August 2009

The population dynamics of Clethrionomys glareolus Schr.and Apodemus sylvaticus (L.) in mixed woodland in County Durham, were studied from March 1963 to January 1965. Two areas of 0.9 ha (2.25 acres) each were trapped monthly and information was obtained on population size, reproduction, survival and growth from marked animals.

Clethrionomys populations increased from June to an autumn peak; then declined, at first rapidly, but then more slowly in winter, before reaching a spring trough. The breeding season of Clethrionomys was from May to December; juveniles were caught from mid‐June to December. Survival was in general poor during the breeding season but good at other times. Survival of young born early in the summer was particularly good on one of the areas and some individuals lived long enough to breed in two successive years. On both areas young born early in the year matured rapidly and bred in the year of their birth. Young born in late summer and early autumn ceased growing at a weight of about 14.5 g, remained immature, and formed the bulk of the overwintering population. Growth was completed at the time of sexual maturation the following spring.

Trapping failed to provide adequate samples of juvenile Apodemus in summer to account for subsequent recruitment. The possibility that a substantial proportion of the adult population of this species was also either trap shy or had emigrated temporarily is discussed. Breeding occurred from April until the following January, but the numbers trapped remained very low throughout the early months of the breeding season. Large scale recruitment of young fecund animals into the trap‐revealed population occurred during the autumn. Apodemus males continued to grow rapidly during the winter.
The survival, weight‐loss and behaviour of three species of land snail in conditions of low humidity
Authors: Cameron R. A. D.
Published: August 2009

Cepaea nemoralis L., C. hortensis Mull, and Arianta arbustorum L. show differences in survival, rate of water‐loss and behaviour under conditions of low humidity in laboratory studies. C. nemoralis survives better, ceases activity more rapidly, and loses proportionally less weight in low humidity than C. hortensis, which in turn shows the same properties with respect to A. arbustorum. The differences between these three species are reflected in differences in distribution in parts of Britain.
Note on Heminothrus valentianus, together with a further record from Britain and a synonymy of Platy not hrus punctatus (Acari: Oribatei)
Authors: Seyd Edmund L.
Published: August 2009

The synonymy of Heminothrus valentianus Hull, 1916 with Platynothrus punctatus (L. Koch, 1879), which has been suspected since 1962, is confirmed. Recently one of Hull's type specimens of H. valentianus from Cheviot Hill has been found and it proves to be conspecific with specimens of P. punctatus collected from this locality by the author in 1967. The complete synonymy and geographical distribution of P. punctatus are given.
Observations on the monotreme interclavicle
Authors: Cave A. J. E.
Published: August 2009

Attention is drawn to the presence of a constant, though commonly ignored, element (the “pro‐osteon” of Parker, 1868) in the constitution of the monotreme interclavicle (episternum) The probable nature and the fate of this element, peculiar to the immature interclavicle only, are described and its morphological significance is demonstrated to be epiphyseal. The epiphyses of the monotreme shoulder girdle are reviewed as to number, arrangement and fate. The occurrence is reported in a Tachyglossus skeleton of supernumerary (para‐pre‐coracoid) ossicles of which a possible interpretation is given.
The oesophagus and stomach of dolphins (Tursiops, Delphinus, Stenella)
Authors: Harrison R. J. , Johnson F. R. , Young B. A.
Published: August 2009

The morphology of the oesophagus and stomach has been studied in several species of Tursiops, Delphinus and Stenella and correlated with the histological and ultrastructural characteristics of each region. The oesophagus opens into a saccular forestomach, lined by stratified squamous epithelium. A narrow opening leads into a globular main stomach with a plicated glandular mucous membrane possessing mucous, parietal and chief cells. The main stomach communicates with pyloric stomach by a narrow connecting channel possessing sphincteric constrictions. Variations in the connecting channel have been found in the species examined. The mucosae of the channel and the pyloric stomach are similar and contain typical pyloric glands. Argentaffin cells are present. The cytological and other characteristics of the component chambers have been interpreted in relation to feeding habits and digestion in dolphins.
The millipedes of a Cheshire wood
Authors: Blower J. Gordon
Published: August 2009

The density and surface activity of the millipedes in a quarter of an acre of a sycamore ash wood are described. Seven species were extracted by Tullgren funnels from samples of soil and litter over five years and were also caught in pitfall traps during a further two years; four other species occurred occasionally in the traps. Each square metre of the site supported 100 individuals over the winter, rising to 300 in the summer. Of these, 85 % belonged to three species, Iulus scandinavius, Polydesmus angustus and P. denticulatus.

Male I. scandinavius become adult in either the ninth, tenth or eleventh stadium; females in the tenth and eleventh. Eggs are laid in spring and these take three years to become adults which breed and then die. The majority of Polydesmus spp. in the samples are young belonging to the first six of the eight free‐living stadia. The adults fell into the traps in the summer and newly emerged young appear in the samples at this time. They overwinter in their first year mainly as fifth stadia; some might reach maturity (eighth stadia) in the summer following, but it is not certain that they could breed at this time.

The pattern of dispersion of lulus is fairly even and is correlated with the distribution of leaf litter but the Polydesmus spp. are highly aggregated. All stadia of lulus fall into the traps but only the last two of Polydesmus. The aggregation of Polydesmus spp. appears to be correlated with the relative inactivity of the younger stadia. The estimates of density of Polydesmus spp. are unreliable because of their aggregation but those of lulus have determinable limits and it is possible to derive rough though meaningful standing crop, production and life‐table data. The overwintering standing crop of lulus consists of the survivors of three generations of 5, 2.2 and 1.4% of the original eggs laid; it has a fresh weight of about 1.25 g and a production in the order of 1.5–2.5 g/m2.
Growth and mortality in a field population of Amphibolurus lizards exposed to seasonal cold and aridity
Authors: Bradshaw S. D.
Published: August 2009

The demography of a discrete population of Amphibolurus ornatus lizards in Western Australia was studied over a period of four years. Large differences in the rate of growth of individuals from the same cohort were observed during each year of the study and each animal could be classified as maturing at one, two or three years of age. Fast‐ and slow growing individuals were shown to suffer differential mortality during seasonal stresses with fast growers being cold hardy and drought sensitive whereas slow‐growers were cold sensitive but drought resistant. The potential longevity of fast‐ and slow‐growing animals appears to be identical but the survival of animals in the field depends markedly upon the incidence of climatic extremes, slow growers tending to live longer than fast growers in the study area. Changes that were observed in the size and age structure of the breeding population during the period of study can be interpreted in terms of the weather conditions experienced by the population over this period. The significance of the variability in individual growth rates of Amphibolurus ornutus for the persistence of the study population is discussed.
Decapod Crustacea from the International Indian Ocean Expedition The species of Thalassocaris (Caridea) and their larvae
Authors: Menon P. Gopala , Williamson D. I.
Published: August 2009

Plankton collections from the Indian Ocean contain adults and larvae of three species of Thalassocaris: T. lucida (Dana), T. crinita (Dana) and T. obscura sp.n. The new species was previously confused with T. crinita by Borradaile and with T. lucida by Kemp.

Larvae of Thalassocaris are described for the first time. In each species there are 10–13 zoeal stages. The cephalothorax is very broad and shallow, the maxilla has only one coxal endite, and exopods develop on legs 1–4.

T. crinita is a shallow‐water species with a wide distribution in the Indian Ocean and western Pacific. T. lucida and T. obscura are open ocean species. T. lucida is most common in the eastern Indian Ocean (and probably in the western Pacific) and is not recorded from the Arabian Sea. T. obscura is most common in the Arabian Sea and is not recorded from the south‐eastern Indian Ocean or from the Pacific.

Larval characters do not support the inclusion of Thalassocaris in the Pandalidae. Recognition of the family Thalassocarididae, comprising the genera Thalassocaris and Chlorosocoides, is advocated.
Some observations on the breeding, age structure, dispersion and habitat of populations of Macropus robustus and Macropus antilopinus (Marsupialia)
Authors: Russell Eleanor M. , Richardson B. J.
Published: August 2009

Differences in breeding, population structure, dispersion and habitat are described between various species and subspecies of wallaroo (Macropus robustus robustus; M. r. cervinus; M. r. alligatoris; M. r. erubescens; Macropus antilopinus; Macropus bernardus).

Pouch young of Macropus robustus erubescens in western New South Wales were born throughout the year, while in both M. r. alligatoris and M. antilopinus then Northern Territory, most pouch young found were born during March and April.

In the populations of wallaroos in western New South Wales and the Northern Territory where there had been no systematic shooting of wallaroos for many years, 11|X% of the animals were immature. In the New England district of New South Wales where regular shooting occurs, 46|X% of the animals were immature.

The habitat of M. r. alligatoris of the Northern Territory was very similar to that of M. erubescens in inland Australia, amongst rocky hills and gullies. M. antilopinus, which is sympatric with M. r. alligatoris in the Northern Territory, also occurred in the rocky hills, but it was also found in open savannah woodland in flat and gently undulating country.

M. r. erubescens and M. r. alligatoris were almost always seen alone or in pairs, while M. antilopinus often formed larger groups.
Sisor rabdophorus—A study in adaptation and natural relationship 4. The head and pectoral musculature
Authors: Mahajan C. L.
Published: August 2009

A detailed study of the head and pectoral musculature is reported. Many of the specializations and peculiarities can be correlated with the sluggish and bottom living habits of the fish. Muscles developed in connection with the movement of the maxillary and mandibular barbels and the strong pectoral spine are particularly noteworthy. No special muscles are found for the movement of the premaxillae.
Breeding and bionomics of the British members of the Jaera albifrons group of species (Isopoda: Asellota)
Authors: Jones M. B. , Naylor E.
Published: August 2009

A detailed 24 month study (1968–1970) of the breeding cycles and population structures of the four British members of the Jaera albifrons Leach group of species (Isopoda: Asellota) has been carried out in Milford Haven, Pembrokeshire. The species often show overlapping ecological distributions and they can only be identified on male secondary sexual characters. Sampling stations had therefore to be selected carefully to ensure that single species populations were studied. In this way virtually single‐species populations of Jaera forsmani Bocquet, Jaera praehirsuta Forsman, and Jaera ischiosetosa Forsman have been studied but the Jaera albifrons Leach population was somewhat mixed with J. ischiosetosa, particularly when the stream normally inhabited by the last species dried up in the summer. Only one hybrid was found (between J. albifrons and J. ischiosetosa) in a total of 6214 specimens collected. Gravid females were taken every month for each species with peaks of breeding occurring during spring and summer. Young were liberated throughout the year by J. albifrons and J. ischiosetosa, but with summer peaks. J. praehirsuta and J. forsmani had a particularly limited summer period for the release of juveniles. J. forsmani was consistently the largest species and has a restricted geographical distribution. J. praehirsuta also has a patchy distribution. The sex ratio of males to females was never 1:1 for any species. Females outnumbered males by up to 14:1, with the sex ratio varying throughout the year except in J. praehirsuta where it remained at about 1.5:1.
The natural stimulus for spawning in Xenopus laevis (Amphibia)
Authors: Savage R. Maxwell
Published: August 2009

I have already reported (Savage, 1965), preliminary experiments in which “natural spawning”, that is, spawning by frogs kept under as natural conditions as aquaria allow, and by frogs not injected or manipulated in any other way, had been induced by a variety of external stimuli, including unialgal cultures of various kinds.

These experiments were planned and executed using as a guide, at every possible point, the statistical investigations of Rana temporaria obtained entirely from field data (Savage, 1935, 1961). The reasons for using Xenopus laevis and not R. temporaria were purely practical. R. temporaria breeds but once a year, and has other disadvantages, but X. laevis is a good laboratory animal.

Since conclusions drawn from mathematical relations in one species have led without important deviation to the expected experimental results in another, it is unlikely that what I now have to report is peculiar to these two species, selected because of availability in one case and ease of working in another. The conclusions are probably quite general. The earlier conclusions have been extended, active materials have been isolated, and other factors relevant to reproduction have been found.
Observations of social and reproductive biology of the bent‐winged bat Miniopterus australis in northern Borneo
Authors: Medway Lord
Published: August 2009

The small bent‐winged bat Miniopterus australis was studied at low tropical latitudes north of the equator, principally in Subis cave, Niah, Sarawak, East Malaysia. During the course of field‐work in 1957–58, most specimens were captured at roost in concavities in the cave ceiling, here termed “cupolas”. At all months of observation, roosting groups varied from one to seven bats. Solitary bats were predominantly males, and multiple groups rarely included more than one male. It is suggested that the sexes differ in their response to a potential or familiar roosting site, depending on the prior occupation by other bats. Roosting behaviour did not vary with the progress of the reproductive cycle and seemed to have no epigamic function.

Observations of reproductive biology in 1957–58, supported by specimens captured in 1959–60, demonstrated that the species is monoestrous, with a brief annually recurrent breeding season in November‐December. Copulation was observed in early November and preceded ovulation. In unovulated females taken in early December the right uterine horn was distended with spermatozoa. The single embryo subsequently implanted in the right horn, although in the three females examined the fertilized ovum derived from the left ovary.

Parturition occurred in late April and early May after a gestation period of 4 1/2–5 months. This period is considerably longer than the presumed species‐specific minimum, observed at latitude 15d̀ S. The prolonged gestation period is regarded as an adaptation to perennially low and variable food resources in an otherwise favourable environment, and there is evidence that the months of gestation and birth coincide with a period of limited seasonal increase in abundance of insect prey.
Neuroendocrine control of oocyte development in Poecilocera picta (Insecta: Orthoptera)
Authors: Saini R. S.
Published: August 2009

The neuroendocrine control of oocyte development in Poecilocera picta Fab. has been described. The secretory activity of the A type of neurosecretory cells has been correlated with ovarian development. In P. picta during the first four days after emergence the neurosecretory material is seen passing down the axons but the cells are largely devoid of neurosecretory material. When the oocytes are developed the A type cells are with stored neurosecretory material.

In P. picta the mature males do not appear to accelerate the process of maturation in females. The females which are reared without males or with castrated males also mature at the same time as the females which are reared with males. The corpus allatum also enlarges and decreases at the same period. The number of resorptive bodies is much more in the females which are reared with castrated males or without males. There appears to be some correlation in the secretion of the neurosecretory material, copulation, and the appearance of resorptive bodies. In P. picta the role of the mature male is only in copulation which very likely allows the cell to synthesize and secrete and release a large amount of neurosecretory material whose discharge in the haemolymph enables a successful development of the oocyte. Corpus allatum appears to be controlled by a precursor from the brain.

Cautery of the cerebral neurosecretory cells, allatectomy and sectioning of the nerves have been done to find out the role of neurosecretory material.
Functional morphology of the buccal mass of the nudibranch Archidoris pseudoargus
Authors: Rose R. M.
Published: August 2009

Eleven muscles are described in the buccal mass of Archidoris pseudoargus, and a detailed description of their nerve supply is given. The feeding cycle is described, and muscle nomenclature considered. The paper provides a basis to an electrophysiological study of the buccal ganglion of Archidoris.