bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The genitalia and associated glands of five British species belonging to the family Chthoniidae (Pseudoscorpiones: Arachnida)
Authors: Legg Gerald 
Published: August 2009

The male and female genitalia and accessory glands of five British species of pseudoscorpion of the genus Chthonius are described. The taxonomic significance of the genitalia is considered.SummaryThe male and female genitalia of five species representing the genus Chthonius are fundamentally similar in form. However minor differences do occur which are of possible taxonomic significance at both the sub‐generic and specific levels. Thus, the two species C. kewi and C. tetrachelatus of the sub‐genus Ephippiochthonius have a number of characters in common which differ from those of the remaining three species, C. ischnocheles, C. tenuis and C. orthodactylus of the subgenus Chthonius (s.st). Other genital characters can be used to separate the five species.Such small differences in the genitalia suggests that spermatophore formation and deposition in the four species C. tenuis, C. tetrachelatus, C. kewi and C. orthodactylus is not different from that of C. ischnocheles (Legg, 1973). What differences that do occur, for example, the thickening of the roof of the medial diverticulcum, size of the males and the pheromone produced by the lateral glands, probably are aids to species isolation.
Vocalizations of Australian hopping mice (Rodentia:Notomys)
Authors: Watts C. H. S. 
Published: August 2009

The sounds produced in the laboratory by four species of Australian hopping mice (Notomys alexis, N. cervinus, N. mitchelliiandN. fuscus) were investigated using a tape recorder and Kay Sound Spectrograph.All four species had the same basic repertoire of eight more or less discrete vocalizations.No vocalizations were associated with threat, or fighting. Calls given in the nest by suckling young are well developed and the intensity of such calls appears to mirror the general motivational state of the caller. It is suggested that these calls may act to maintain maternal behaviour in the mother.SummaryThe four species of hopping mouse studied,N. alexis, N. cervinus, N. fuscusandN. mitchellii, were found to have a basic repertoire of eight more or less discrete vocalizations: three in the young—the calls produced in the nest, ultrasonic pipping given when removed from the nest and a high intensity (pain) squeal—and five in the adult—a low intensity pip given during mutual grooming, a high intensity (pain) squeal, a medium intensity squeak given when “annoyed”, twittering given during aggressive chases and ultrasonic pipping given during non‐aggressive encounters. The calls of the different species varied in structure and in pitch. No vocalizations were associated with threat or fighting. Calls given in the nest by suckling young are well developed and the intensity of such calls appears to mirror the general motivational state of the caller. It is suggested that these calls may act to maintain maternal behaviour in the mother.
Mating call pattern of Green toads in Isreal and its ecological corelate
Authors: Nevo Eviatar , Schneider Hans 
Published: August 2009

The mating calls of Bufo viridis populations from Israel were studied and compared with that of a Central‐European population in order to evaluate their nature, variation and evolutionary origin. In Israeli Bufo viridis, call duration, pulse duration and interpulse interval are negatively correlated with temperature, whereas fundamental frequency is negatively correlated with body size. The Israeli and Central‐European Bufo viridis are almost identical in call duration, pulse number, pulse duration and pulse rate. They differ slightly but significantly in interpulse interval and more obviously, in their fundamental frequency. The latter is correlated with body size. Since Israeli Bufo viridis are much larger than the Central‐European ones, their fundamental frequency is distinctly lower. Bufo viridis illustrates a case in which variation in the fundamental frequency of the mating call is probably largely an incidental product of adaptive differentiation of body size to the humidity index.
Seasonal changes in the reproductive pattern of feral Herpestes auropunctatus (Carnivora: Viverridae), in the Fijian Islands
Authors: Groman Martyn L. 
Published: August 2009

The annual reproductive cycle of the mongoose Herpestes auropunctatus has been described for animals introduced to the Fijian island of Viti Levu. Testis weight followed a seasonal cycle with a low from February to July and a peak from September to December; despite this, spermatogenesis continued throughout the year. The cycle of numbers of spermatozoa stored in the epididymis followed that of testis weight. Leydig cell nuclei showed no seasonal pattern, but weights and histology of the accessory organs of reproduction indicated a seasonal cycle of androgen production, similar in pattern to that of testis weight.Pregnant females were found from August to February. Oestrus was post‐lactational and most females had two litters per year. Pregnancy lasted for 46–49 days and lactation for three to five weeks. Mean fecundity was 1.8 embryos per pregnant female. Comparison of the breeding seasons in Fiji (18d̀S) and in Hawaii (21d̀N) indicates that daylength is the major proximate factor determining the onset of breeding.
The larval development of Upogebia darwini (Crustacea, Thalassinidea) reared in the laboratory, with a redescription of the adult
Authors: Ngoc‐HO Nguyen 
Published: August 2009

Adult material of Upogebia darwini (Miers) obtained from Phuket (Thailand) is described and compared with the type specimens and other material deposited in the collections of the British Museum (Natural History).Three larval and one postlarval stages of Upogebia darwini are also described from material reared in the laboratory; comparison is made with other Upogebia larvae.Variations in the adult as well as in the larval morphology are discussed.
Surpellic films, lung surfactant, and their cellular origin in newt, caecilian, and frog
Authors: Pattle R. E. , Schock C. , Creasey J. M. , Hughes G. M. 
Published: August 2009

The lung lining and its surfactant have been studied in one species from each of the amphibian sub‐classes Anura, Urodela, and Apoda. The surfactant was studied by observation of bubbles derived from the lungs, the morphology by electron microscopy. Other details of the apodan are also given.The surfactant layers of Rana temporaria and Ichthyophis (species unknown) resemble one another, being somewhat less stable than that of mammals. That of Triturus vulgaris is even less stable, and shows qualitative differences from the other two. Nevertheless, it can reduce the surface tension to 2 mN/m.The epithelial cells of amphibian lungs cannot be divided into two clearly defined types, as can those of mammals. Microvilli are present on the alveolar surface of all these cells. In the lungs of Rana and Ichthyophis the lining cells contain numerous lamellated osmiophilic bodies (which are intracellular depots of surfactant); in the former their appearance is mainly cross‐barred, in the latter mainly concentric. Similar bodies exist in the lung epithelial cells of Triturus but are relatively rare.
Enamel in the oral teeth of Latimeria chalumnae (Pisces: Actinistia): a scanning electron microscope study
Authors: Smith Moya M. 
Published: August 2009

An investigation with the scanning electron microscope into the microstructure of the surface layer covering the oral teeth of Latimeria chalumnae has shown this tissue to be enamel of the type found in amphibians, reptiles and mammals. It is not comparable with enameloid, cuticular enamel or terminal membrane enamel as described in scanning electron microscope accounts of the teeth of actinopterygians. Equidistant lamellations parallel to the enamel‐dentine junction are a distinctive feature, interpreted in this study as phasic appositional growth, a characteristic of the ectodermal type of enamel. These conclusions together with those from histological and microradiographic studies confirm that enamel is present in coelacanths.The microstructure of enamel in the teeth of Latimeria an extant actinistian compares well with that of fossil crossopterygian teeth described from polarized light studies and indicates that enamel, homologous with the ectodermal type of enamel is found in both actinistians and rhipidistians.
Some adaptations between Danaus plexippus and its food plant, with notes on Danaus chrysippus and Euploea core (Insecta: Lepidoptera)
Authors: Dixon C. A. , Erickson J. M. , Kellett D. N. , Rothschild Miriam 
Published: August 2009

Behaviour of the egg‐laying Monarch in captivity suggests that the concentration and quality of cardiac glycosides in the food plant are not important oviposition cues. The presence of eggs (as previously noted by Urquhart, 1960) and larvae feeding on the food plant, act as mild deterrents.The butterfly's emetic potency (see Table XIII(a)) can sometimes surpass that of the leaves of the host plant itself. Unidentified factors, providing the internal plant environment, are more important as cardiac glycoside storage stimulants than either the quantity or quality of the cardenolides present. In the laboratory D. plexippus oviposited preferentially on a plant with relatively low cardiac glycoside content, but which produced the most powerfully protected (emetic) adult.Metabolic changes during the pharate pupal stage, but also, in the case of Euploea core, in the larval fifth instar, rather than larval sequestration, may account for the major increase or decrease in butterfly toxicity compared with that of the food plant.Temperature does not affect the storage of cardenolides except indirectly by altering metabolic rate. There is no evidence to support the concept that current “physiological cost” of cardenolide storage is high. Like the toad, this butterfly can be assumed to have evolved an enzvmatic system well adjusted to the presence of cardenolides in its bodv tissues.
A histological study of the early stages of pregnancy in the bent‐winged bat (Miniopterus schreibersii) in north‐eastern New South Wales, Australia (30° 27'S)
Authors: Wallace* G. I. 
Published: August 2009

A histological study of Miniopterus schreibersii was carried out in north‐eastern New South Wales from April to September 1975. Reproductive tracts were examined from a total of 43 females collected during autumn and winter from three bat colonies in the New England region, Australia.Copulation, ovulation and fertilization appeared synchronized over a one to two week period amongst all females observed. The conceptus developed to a blastocyst stage prior to commencement of hibernation and remained unattached during at least part of the hibernation period. Unlike populations from the south of France, implantation occurred before hibernation was completed, prior to resumption of regular activity and was not accompanied by an increase in corpus luteum development. The disparity in corpus luteum morphology and activity, suggests that mechanisms of control of delayed implantation in Australian M. schreibersii may differ from those proposed for populations from the south of France.
Isoenzymes and migration in the African armyworm Spodoptera exempta (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae)
Authors: den Boer M. H. 
Published: August 2009

Techniques for the separation of proteins have proved to be powerful tools in the study of genetic variation. Polymorphisms on protein levels can be used to study the structure of populations. In general, differences in allele frequencies can be found among populations in different parts of the distribution area of a species. If, however, enough gene flow occurs by migration, the whole system can be regarded as one panmictic unit and similar frequencies can be expected in the whole area.African armyworms are caterpillars of the noctuid moth Spodoptera exempta. They live on all sorts of graminaceous plants on which vast outbreaks can occur. Their economic importance can be considerable since they eat the main human food crops as well as pasture grasses. The occurrence of migration in S. exempta is known but its importance is a main controversial point. Outbreaks move during the year. These outbreaks could be caused by migrating animals or by increasing local populations when conditions are favourable.The aim of this study has been to determine the relative importance of migration. Allele frequencies have been determined of six alleloenzymes that proved to be genetically polymorphic, an EST, 0‐HBDH, ODH, a‐GPDH, ME and LDH. Seventeen armyworm samples have been collected at a maximal distance of 2000 km in Kenya, Tanzania and Rhodesia on different food plants during 1975 and 1976.No heterogeneity among these samples could be detected in the allele frequencies. A comparison with data from relevant literature on insects showed that the lack of heterogeneity cannot be described to inadequacy of the data. The occurrence of extensive migration is concluded to cause the similarity in allele frequencies.
The anal scent sacs of the otter (Lutra Intra)
Authors: Gorman Martyn L. , Jenkins David , Harper Rosemary J. 
Published: August 2009

This paper describes the structure of the otter anal scent sacs. The deposited secretion contains apocrine gland protein and polymucosaccharide and sebaceous gland lipid. Chemical analyses by gas‐liquid chromatography and acrylamide gel electrophoresis revealed individual differences in the composition of secretion. The individual differences in protein bands as revealed by electrophoresis were stable with time and may be useful in following the movements of wild otters in the field.A captive pair of otters produced deposits of secretion with a periodicity similar to that of the female oestrous cycle, with both sexes producing deposits around oestrus.
The twenty‐four hour activity cycle of captive coypus (Myocastor coypus)
Authors: Gosling L. M. 
Published: August 2009

The twenty‐four hour activity cycle of captive coypus was investigated by direct visual observation, automatic recording and by measuring the amount of faeces eliminated at hourly intervals. Coypus were active from just before sunset and the “Zeitgeber” or cue for activity onset may be declining light. The activity period usually ended before sunrise and the interval between the end of the period and dawn was inversely related to temperature. The animals fed and defaecated throughout the active period and 80–86 % of the faecal pellets were produced in water. Refection started shortly after the end of the feeding period, when the animals had returned to the nest, and continued until an hour or two after midday.A model is suggested which involves two passages of food through the gut and a cycle length of 24 hours from ingestion to defaecation. The feeding and defaecation periods were equal in duration, but the refection period was 40% shorter. Hypothetically this may be due to a caecum by‐pass mechanism during the second passage of food through the gut so that the defaecation period, like the feeding period, is controlled by the rate at which food passes through the pyloric sphincter. In contrast the period of refection may be controlled by the rate at which food remains are voided from the caecum. Coypus spent the pre‐dawn and daylight hours on nests and in contact with familiar conspecifics. These behaviours may have the function of temperature maintenance in the coldest part of the night and of avoiding diurnal predators.
Thermal ecology of the tree agama (Agama atricollis) in Zaire with a review of heat tolerance in reptiles
Authors: Curry‐Lindahl Kai 
Published: August 2009

Territorial behaviour and thermal ecology in relation to heat resistance in the tree agama (or black‐necked agama), Agama atricollis, were studied during two expeditions 1951–2 and 1958–9 in eastern Zaire (the former Belgian Congo) in an area just south of the equator. The maximum temperature tolerance of A. atricollis lies within the range of 43–43·9°C, but the maximum voluntary tolerance is somewhat lower, 42·5°C. Territorial males, retreating from their guard posts after having exposed themselves to direct sunlight during the hottest hours of the day for 10–16 minutes, reach body temperatures of 42·2–42·5°C before they retreat into the shade. In shady places it takes the males from 14 to 21 minutes to cool down to 38·1–39·9°C, at which body temperatures they return to the lookout within the territory. The territoriality in A. atricollis and several other species of the same genus, as well as other diurnal lizards with similar behaviour, may have contributed, through selection, to the evolution of their extraordinary resistance to substratum heat and direct sunlight. In an attempt to review and compare maximum voluntary body temperatures (MVT), critical thermal maxima (CTM) and lethal body temperatures (LT) in reptiles with pronounced heat resistance, data have been compiled for 96 species representing 11 families and six continents. The family Agamidae appears to be the most adapted to high body temperatures with 13 species (of 18 species tested) having body temperatures above 43°C in comparison with six species in Iguanidae (of 33 species tested), four in Gekkonidae (of nine species tested) and so forth. Agamids, iguanids, teeids and geckos, in hot environments of five continents, have evolved along the same lines behaviourally and physiologically as responses to territoriality in combination with high temperatures. This feature may be of adaptive significance.This paper also reports on body temperatures, obtained in Africa from free‐living individuals of seven other species of the genera Agama and Mabuya, namely A. atra, A. colonorum, A. hispida, A. planiceps, Mabuya quinquetaeniata, M. maculilabris and M. striata.
Prey and feeding phenology of the desert sand scorpion Pamroctonus mesaensis (Scorpionidae: Vaejovidae)
Authors: Polis Gary A. 
Published: August 2009

The diet and feeding of the vaejovid scorpion Pamroctonus mesaensis Stahnke was investigated during a five‐year study. Foraging and feeding behaviour are described. This scorpion is a “sit and wait” predator that eats a wide variety of cursorial, fossorial and aerial prey. Ninety‐five prey species were recorded. Three year classes of scorpions exist. Each class captures a different proportion of major prey species and a significantly different average size of prey.The proportion of each major taxon of prey in the diet is as follows: tenebrionid beetles (42%), Orthoptera (17%), other scorpions (16%) and Hymenoptera (12%). When analysed in relation to biomass, larger prey species assume more importance while smaller species are relatively less important. Although P. mesaensis ranks as the fourth most numerous prey species, they represent the most important diet item in terms of ingested biomass.When observed, 3·75% of all scorpions were feeding. This percentage varied seasonally from a high in spring (7.0%) to a low in November and December (0.5 %). The proportions of major prey taxa in the diet also varied seasonally. Prey species were classified into three phenological categories: pulsed, seasonal and annual. Examples of each are given.
Epidermal structure and dynamics of the toad, Bufo bufo, deprived of the pars distalis of the pituitary gland
Authors: Budtz Povl E. 
Published: August 2009

Structural changes and epidermal dynamics of the toad, Bufo bufo, were followed during 14 days after ablation of the pars distalis of the pituitary gland by taking skin biopsies 2, 17, 24, 40 and 65 hours, and 7 and 14 days after the operation.The rate of differentiation of new cornified layers was moderately increased during the first week, and highly increased during the second week after removal of the pars distalis. The keratinization process became gradually abnormal with regard to initial keratinization (formation of a peripheral dense band) as well as to final keratinization (laydown of an interfibrillar dense matrix). The structural manifestations of the keratinization process after pars distalis ablation are discussed in relation to those of intact toads.By counting the number of cells in the different “compartments” of the epidermis, it is shown that the total number of cells per length or square unit of stratum corneum remained constant in spite of at least five layers of stratum corneum being produced in a 14‐day period during which intact toads would have produced only one or two corneal layers. This shows that cell production can keep up with the increased rate of formation of corneal layers for at least 14 days after removal of the pars distalis, and consequently the rate of cell divisions must have increased.It was further shown that the ratio between the number of cells in the stratum germinativum and in the stratum intermedium was decreased, which is discussed in relation to epidermal dynamics.In Merkel cells, the number of granules increased, and eventually the granules became included within lysosome‐like bodies, indicating a secretory function of these cells. The findings are discussed in relation to the knowledge of mammalian Merkel cell structure and function.No significant change was observed in the flask cells.The control of amphibian epidermal proliferation, differentiation and moulting is discussed. It is concluded that these processes should be considered separately since they may not necessarily be coupled to one another and probably are differently controlled.
Chromatophores and adaptation to coloured backgrounds in two colour types of the edible frog, Rana esculenta
Authors: Nielsen Hans Ingolf 
Published: August 2009

The adaptation to coloured backgrounds of green and permanentiy brown specimens of Rana esculenta, and the anatomical and physical bases for their difference in colour were studied by means of reflectance microspectrophotometry and electron microscopy.Adaptation to the lightness of the background took place in the green type, but not in the brown, whereas adaptation to hue and purity in both types seems negligible.The iridophores of this species probably represent a λ/4‐system. The colour difference between the two types seems mainly to be caused by a difference in the selective reflectivity of the iridophores because of a difference in thickness of the platelets and the cytoplasmic interspaces. Furthermore there is a difference in the amount and, probably, composition of the xanthophore pigment.
Some properties of Red deer (Cervus elaphus) at exceptionally high population‐density in Scotland
Authors: Mitchell Brian , Crisp Janet M. 
Published: August 2009

This paper records some features of Red deer (Cervus elaphus L.) at very high population density on a Scottish island. About half the total population was shot‐out in autumn 1974, and half the remainder in autumn 1975, with special searches for deer which had died of natural causes during the intervening year. In all, the animals examined amounted to 80% of the original population, and from the data gathered it was possible to (i) assess the structure and reproductive features of the original population; (ii) examine the level of animal performance at this exceptionally high population‐density; and (iii) check for any changes in performance arising from the initial reduction in density.The sex‐ratio of adults in the original population showed a small excess of hinds, stags being apparently subject to a higher mortality rate than hinds after about six years of age. In performance, these deer were much the same as those living elsewhere on Scottish hill‐land at relatively high population‐density, i.e. with delayed puberty and poor breeding rates in hinds, and with much smaller adults than in woodland habitats. But, contrary to expectation, the general level of performance was not unusually low for Red deer on Scottish hill‐land, and there was no evidence of transmissible diseases or excessive parasitism. It was also surprising that the animals showed no improvements in performance following their first reduction; if anything, they were slightly poorer after one year at reduced density. This may have been a temporary consequence of the severe disruption of existing behaviour patterns brought about by the sudden loss of many groups of deer.