On the anatomy of the misophrioid copepods, with special reference to Benthomisophria palliata Sars

1982 ◽  
Vol 297 (1086) ◽  
pp. 125-181 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
The Body ◽  
Trunk Muscles ◽  
Gut Contents ◽  
Phylogenetic Position ◽  
Muscle Fibres ◽  
Similar Data ◽  
Pedigerous Somite ◽  
Sequence Of Events ◽  
Organ Systems ◽  
Intrinsic Muscles

The misophrioids are a small but phylogenetically important order of copepods, comprising only three species, which exhibit a mosaic of characters drawn from both gymnoplean and podoplean lineages. The skeletomuscular system of Benthomisophria palliata is described in detail and comparative observations are made on B. cornuta and Misophria pallida . All were found to possess a carapace-like posterior extension of the cephalosome which completely encloses, both dorsally and laterally, the first pedigerous somite beneath. This structure is a posterior outgrowth of the maxilliped-bearing somite and is not derived from the tergite of the pedigerous somite that it encloses. It may represent a modification of the somitic hyaline frill common to many copepods. Its presence is apparently associated with the ability of Benthomisophria to gorge itself until virtually all the free space within the prosome is occupied by the gut. The gut contents of B. palliata reveal that it feeds on relatively large food particles. The probable feeding mechanism is inferred from the ranges of movement possible at each of the joints of the feeding appendages and from their musculature. The probable swimming mechanism is also inferred from similar data for the thoracic limbs. The skeletomusculature of other copepod groups is compared with that of Benthomisophria . The extrinsic muscles of the cephalic appendages and both the extrinsic and intrinsic muscles of the swimming legs were found to be relatively uniform throughout the Copepoda. The longitudinal trunk muscles and intrinsic muscles of the cephalic appendages were found to be more subject to modification during adaptive radiation in habit and feeding strategy respectively. Both species of Benthomisophria exhibit ornamentation of the integument. This is described and a strengthening role is attributed to the intricate system of lamellae and ridges present. Laterally on the cephalosome of Benthomisophria species are areas of funnel-shaped cone organs standing erect from the body surface and bearing a spherical globule of secretion distally. They are positioned so that the long setae of the reflexed antenna and mandibular palp sweep over them. It is concluded that the secretion is spread over the surface of the carapace-like structure by the setae. Its function may be protective. The gross anatomy of the other organ systems is described. The highly distensible gut has large lateral caecae which can expand to accommodate large amounts of food. The musculature of the hindgut is described, as is the postulated sequence of events during defaecation. Adult B. palliata possess paired antennary glands as the functional excretory organs. The maxillary gland is absent. In other copepod groups the maxillary gland is the functional excretory organ of the adult. The central nervous system is described. The complete absence of the nauplius eye throughout the life cycle of misophrioids is noted. The heart is absent from B. palliata . In Misophria pallida it is a barrel-shaped structure about 40 µm long, with weakly muscular walls. It has anterior and posterior ostia only and is suspended from the dorsal body wall by short muscle fibres. The reproductive system is described in both sexes. Male and female have paired gonads, ducts and genital openings. The oviducts open into cavities (genital antra) within the genital somite, which are closed off externally by the plate formed from the fused sixth legs. The male possesses relatively simple vasa deferentia which are poorly differentiated into functional zones. The phylogenetic position of the misophrioids is discussed. They exhibit an unusual combination of ancestral, unique and convergent characters which makes assessment of their affinities difficult. It is tentatively suggested that the Misophrioida, which merits ordinal rank, is more closely related to the Harpacticoida than to any other order.

The skeletomusculature of siphonostomatoid copepods, with an analysis of adaptive radiation in structure of the oral cone

1990 ◽  
Vol 328 (1246) ◽  
pp. 167-212 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Proximal Part ◽  
Trunk Muscles ◽  
Pedigerous Somite ◽  
Free Living ◽  
Food Material ◽  
Oral Cone ◽  
Genital Complex ◽  
Adductor Muscles ◽  
Outer Lobe ◽  
Intrinsic Muscles

The skeletomusculature of a primitive siphonostomatoid copepod, Hyalopontius typicus , is described and compared with that of a relatively advanced siphonostomatoid, Lepeophtheirus pectoralis , an ectoparasite of flatfishes. The comparison is used to assess how adaptation to parasitism has affected the morphology and musculature of the appendages. Anatomy has been related to presumed function wherever possible, and functional interpretations are presented for the feeding apparatus of both species and for a range of other siphonostomatoids. The longitudinal trunk muscles of Hyalopontius are arranged in paired dorsal and ventral bundles, as in free-living copepods, but are smaller and less powerful. A further reduction takes place in Lepohtirus , and is presumably correlated with a limited swimming ability. The tagmosis of Hyalopontius is typically podoplean, with the prosome-urosome junction between fourth and fifth pedigerous somites. Hyalopontius possesses a cephalothorax comprising the cephalosome plus the first pedigerous somite. The tagmosis of Lepeophtheirus is modified and the prosomeurosome junction is no longer functional. In adult females the fourth pedigerous somite forms a waist-like region separating anterior cephalothorax from posterior genital complex. The shield-like cephalothorax comprises the cephalosome plus the first three pedigerous somites. The fifth pedigerous, genital and probably the first abdominal somites are fused to form a genital complex. The eudactylinid genus Bariaka is identified as one of the only two siphonostomatoids that possess a free genital somite, not incorporating the first abdominal somite. The structure and musculature of the sternal furca of Lepeophtheirus is described. It is concluded that the furca is an elaboration of the median intersomitic sclerite lying between the maxillipedal and first pedigerous somites. The musculature of the sternal furca is derived from the ventral longitudinal trunk muscles. The musculature of the cephalosomic appendages of siphonostomatoids is reduced compared with that of free-living copepods. The mandibles and maxillules increasingly lose any adduction-abduction movements. In Hyalopontius some adduction of the mandible is possible and extrinsic adductor muscles originating on the anterior cephalic tendon are retained. These are absent from Lepeophtheirus . The maxillules have no ventral extrinsic muscles in Hyalopontius and few dorsal muscles. In Lepeophtheirus there are no maxillulary muscles. The antennae, maxillae and maxillipeds are all basically subchelate and their intrinsic muscles are arranged in antagonistic extensor and flexor groups. These commonly insert on an apophysis that extends proximally from the base of the subchela. A pattern of homologies for the segmental composition of the limbs of the siphonostomatoids is established, based on evidence from their musculature. The inner lobe of the maxillule is homologous with the praecoxal arthrite of other copepods, the outer lobe with the rest of the palp. The proximal segment of the maxilla is the syncoxa. The distal claw represents the basis and its proximal endite, and there is no vestige of the endopod in any siphonostomatoid. The subchela of the maxilliped is derived from the endopod and the endopodal segments are often fused to each other and to the distal claw. The oral cone in a range of siphonostomatoid families is described. Adapdve radiation in feeding mechanisms mainly involves modification of the oral cone and maxillules, rather than of the appendages used for attachm ent to the host. In Hyalopontius , Pontoeciella and Entomopsyllus the oral cone is specialized for fluid feeding. There are efficient seals both around the distal opening of the cone and along the labrum -labium boundary. Suction pressure is produced by labral muscles concentrated in the proximal part of the cone. In Lepeophtheirus the oral cone is specialized for surface grazing and it lacks efficient sealing mechanisms distally and along the labrum -labium boundary. Food material is transported up the oral cone by sequential contraction of labral muscles. In adult Lernaeocera the oral cone acts as an enlarged oral disc forming a feeding seal distally. Suction is generated by oesophageal peristalsis. The musculature of the swimming legs of Lepeophtheirus is described. Several remotor muscles insert on the ventral body wall remote from the basal foramina of the swimming legs. These muscles probably function as a dorsoventral tensors, and assist in creating suction beneath the disc of the cephalothorax. The posterior sinuses on the rear margin of the cephalothorax function as outlet valves during swimming. They are opened and closed by sinus muscles derived from modified promotor muscles of the second swimming legs.

Perbedaan Efektivitas Pemberian Origami Dan Playdough Terhadap Perkembangan Pada Anak Prasekolah Kelompok A Di TK Aisyiyah Bustanul Athfal Kota Kediri

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Halimatus Saidah ◽  
Yunida Septiyanty
Keyword(s):  
Child Development ◽  
Sampling Technique ◽  
The Body ◽  
Purposive Sampling ◽  
Organ Systems ◽  
Post Test ◽  
Group A ◽  
Key Words Development ◽  
Children Development ◽  
Research Show

ABSTRAKPerkembangan (development) adalah bertambahnya kemampuan atau fungsi semua sistem organ tubuh sebagai akibat bertambahnya kematangan atau maturitas fungsi sistem organ tubuh (Dewi, 2013). Tujuan penelitian ini adalah mengetahui perbedaan efektivitas pemberian origami dan playdough terhadap perkembangan pada anak prasekolah kelompok A di TK Aisyiyah Bustanul Athfal tahun 2018.Desain penelitian yang digunakan adalah penelitian pre eksperiment dengan pendekatan pre-test and post-test Design. Populasi yang diteliti adalah seluruh anak kelompok A di TK Aisyiyah Bustanul Athfal berjumlah 56 anak dengan teknik purposive sampling diperoleh sampel 36 responden. Instrumen penelitian yang digunakan adalah lembar KPSP. Hasil penelitian kemudian dianalisa dengan menggunakan wilcoxon signed rank.Hasil penelitian yang dilakukan menunjukan bahwa perkembangan anak sebelum pelaksanaan pemberian Origami didapatkan setengahnya perkembangan anak meragukan, setelah pelaksanaan didapatkan hampir seluruhnya perkembangan anak sesuai. Perkembangan anak sebelum pelaksanaan pemberian Playdough didapatkan sebagian besar perkembangan anak meragukan, setelah pelaksanaan didapatkan sebagian besar perkembangan anak sesuai. Hasil analisis menunjukkan ada pengaruh pemberian permainan origami dan permainan Playdough terhadap perkembangan anak kelompok A di TK Aisyiyah Bustanul Athfal Tahun 2018 dengan hasil ρ-value = 0,001 ɑ = 0,05 dari kelompok origami dan ρ-value = 0,007 ɑ = 0,05 dari kelompok playdough, sedangkan hasil analisis perbedaan adanya perbedaan efektivitas pengaruh pemberian permainan origami dan playdough terhadap perkembangan anak pada kelompok A di TK Aisyiyah Bustanul Athfal Tahun 2018 dengan hasil ρ-value = 0,043 ɑ = 0,05.Berdasarkan hasil penelitian dapat disimpulkan ada pengaruh permainan origami dan playdough terhadap perkembangan anak pada kelompok A di TK Aisyiyah Bustanul Athfal Tahun 2018. Diharapkan kepada orang tua maupun guru untuk lebih meningkatkan frekuensi dalam memberi stimulus permainan terutama permainan origami yang diberikan kepada anak. Kata Kunci : Perkembangan , Anak Prasekolah,  Origami, Playdough ABSTRACTDevelopment is increasing ability or function of all organ systems of the body as a result of increasing maturity or maturity function of the organ system of the body (Dewi, 2013). The purpose of this research is to know the effectiveness difference of origami and playdough on development in preschoolers group A in Aisyiyah Bustanul Athfal Kindergarten in 2018.The research design used is research pre eksperiment with approach pre-test dan post-test. The population studied was all group A children in kindergarten Aisyiyah Bustanul Athfal amounted to 56 children with purposive sampling technique obtained sample 36 respondents. The research instrument used is KPSP sheet. The results were then analyzed by using wilcoxon signed rank.The results of the research show that the development of children before the implementation of giving Origami found half of child development doubt, after the implementation is obtained almost entirely the child's development accordingly. Child development prior to the implementation of Playdough gift obtained most of the development of children doubt, after the implementation is obtained most of the child's development accordingly.  The results of the analysis show that there is an effect of giving origami game and Playdough game to the child development group A in Aisyiyah Bustanul Athfal Kindergarten Year 2018 with the result ρ-value = 0.001 ɑ = 0.05 from the origami group and ρ-value = 0.007 ɑ = 0.05 of the playdough group, while the result of difference analysis that is difference between origami and playdough influence to children development in group A diiyah Aisyiyah Bustanul Athfal Year 2018 with result of ρ-value = 0,043 ɑ = 0,05.Based on the research results can be concluded there is influence of origami and playdough on the development of children in group A in Aisyiyah Bustanul Athfal Kindergarten Year 2018. Expected to parents and teachers to increase the frequency of giving stimulus especially the origami given to the child. Key Words : Development, children preschool, Origami, Playdough

scholarly journals Congenital Lumbar Hernia in an 8-Month-Old Boy

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 431-435
Author(s):  
Mohamed Mansy ◽  
Mostafa Kotb ◽  
Mohamed Abouheba
Keyword(s):  
Congenital Anomalies ◽  
Lumbar Hernia ◽  
The Body ◽  
Age Group ◽  
Pediatric Age ◽  
Operative Repair ◽  
Pediatric Age Group ◽  
Organ Systems

Congenital lumbar hernias are uncommonly seen in the pediatric age group, with only about 60 cases reported in the literature. It is usually accompanied by a multitude of congenital anomalies involving different organ systems of the body. For instance, it may involve the ribs, spine, muscles, and the kidneys. Herein, we report a case of congenital lumbar hernia in an 8-month-old boy who underwent an operative repair using a mesh with an uneventful outcome.

scholarly journals Potential host ranges of three Asian larval parasitoids of Drosophila suzukii

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kent M. Daane ◽  
Xingeng Wang ◽  
Brian N. Hogg ◽  
Antonio Biondi
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Host Species ◽  
Classical Biological Control ◽  
Developmental Time ◽  
The Body ◽  
Phylogenetic Position ◽  
Egg Load ◽  
Drosophila Suzukii ◽  
Larval Parasitoids ◽  
Female Body Size

AbstractAsobara japonica (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), Ganaspis brasiliensis and Leptopilina japonica (Hymenoptera: Figitidae) are Asian larval parasitoids of spotted wing drosophila, Drosophila suzukii (Diptera: Drosophilidae). This study evaluated these parasitoids’ capacity to attack and develop from 24 non-target drosophilid species. Results showed that all three parasitoids were able to parasitize host larvae of multiple non-target species in artificial diet; A. japonica developed from 19 tested host species, regardless of the phylogenetic position of the host species, L. japonica developed from 11 tested species; and G. brasiliensis developed from only four of the exposed species. Success rate of parasitism (i.e., the probability that an adult wasp successfully emerged from a parasitized host) by the two figitid parasitoids was low in hosts other than the three species in the melanogaster group (D. melanogaster, D. simulans, and D. suzukii). The failure of the figitids to develop in most of the tested host species appears to correspond with more frequent encapsulation of the parasitoids by the hosts. The results indicate that G. brasiliensis is the most host specific to D. suzukii, L. japonica attacks mainly species in the melanogaster group and A. japonica is a generalist, at least physiologically. Overall, the developmental time of the parasitoids increased with the host’s developmental time. The body size of female A. japonica (as a model species) was positively related to host size, and mature egg load of female wasps increased with female body size. We discuss the use of these parasitoids for classical biological control of D. suzukii.

The ultrastructure of the epidermis of the redia and cercaria of Parorchis acanthus, Nicoll. A study by scanning and transmission electron-microscopy

Parasitology ◽  
1971 ◽  
Vol 62 (3) ◽  
pp. 479-488 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gwendolen Rees
Keyword(s):  
Electron Micrographs ◽  
Technical Assistance ◽  
Ventral Surface ◽  
The Body ◽  
Muscle Fibres ◽  
Scanning Electron Micrographs ◽  
Large Area ◽  
Transmission Electron ◽  
Parorchis Acanthus ◽  
Scanning Electron

Scanning electron-micrographs have shown the covering of microvilli on the surface of the redia of Parorchis acanthus. In the contracted state the elongated microvilli with bulbous extremities seen in the surface grooves may be the result of compression. The surface of the epidermis of the cercaria is smooth on a large area of the ventral surface and lattice-like with microvilli, laterally, anteriorly, dorsally and on the tail. The spines on the body can be withdrawn into sheaths by the contraction of muscle fibres inserted into the basement lamina below each spine.I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Dr I. ap Gwynn of this department for preparing the scanning electron-micrographs and the School of Engineering Science, University of North Wales, Bangor for the use of their stereoscan. I should also like to thank Mr M. C. Bibby for technical assistance and Professor E. G. Gray and Dr W. Sinclair for assistance with the transmission electron-micrographs.

scholarly journals Feeding activity and diet composition of round goby (Neogobius melanostomus, Pallas 1814) in the coastal waters of SE Baltic Sea

2015 ◽  
Vol 44 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Artūras Skabeikis ◽  
Jūratė Lesutienė
Keyword(s):  
Baltic Sea ◽  
Coastal Waters ◽  
Diet Composition ◽  
Feeding Activity ◽  
Macoma Balthica ◽  
Round Goby ◽  
Benthic Fauna ◽  
Neogobius Melanostomus ◽  
The Body ◽  
Gut Contents

AbstractFeeding activity and diet composition of round goby were investigated in the south-eastern Baltic Sea, the Lithuanian coastal waters during May-October 2012 in order to determine main feeding objects and seasonal periods when native fauna could be most affected by predation of this highly invasive species. In total, prey represented by 18 taxa was found in the gut contents of dissected fish. Feeding activity of round goby varied depending on the body size, sex and stage of the reproduction period. The gut contents of < 50 mm specimens were dominated by zooplanktonic and meiobenthic organisms, whereas larger individuals (50–99 mm) shifted to amphipods and mollusks. Individuals of the intermediate 100-200 mm length had a variable diet, changing depending on the season; in spring they mostly preyed on Macoma balthica, in summer − on polychaetes, while in autumn the contribution of Mytilus trossulus and fish considerably increased in their diet. Diet composition of individuals ≥ 200 mm was relatively constant in the course of the study with substantial preference to M. balthica. These findings imply that benthic fauna, particularly a newly settled generation of epibenthic mollusks in autumn is under strong predatory pressure of the round goby.

scholarly journals VI. —Anaphylaxis and anaphylatoxins

1923 ◽  
Vol 211 (382-390) ◽  
pp. 273-315 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Central Nervous System ◽  
Nervous System ◽  
Guinea Pig ◽  
Anaphylactic Shock ◽  
The Body ◽  
Muscle Fibres ◽  
Direct Stimulation ◽  
Fundamental Conception ◽  
The Central Nervous System ◽  
Stimulation Of

In the study of the phenomena of anaphylaxis there are certain points on which some measure of agreement seems to have been attained. In the case of anaphylaxis to soluble proteins, with which alone we are directly concerned in this paper, the majority of investigators probably accept the view that the condition is due to the formation of an antibody of the precipitin type. Concerning the method, however, by which the presence of this antibody causes the specific sensitiveness, the means by which its interaction with the antibody produces the anaphylactic shock, there is a wide divergence of conception. Two main currents of speculation can be discerned. One view, historically rather the earlier, and first put forward by Besredka (1) attributes the anaphylactic condition to the location of the antibody in the body cells. There is not complete unanimity among adherents of this view as to the nature of the antibody concerned, or as to the class of cells containing it which are primarily affected in the anaphylactic shock. Besredka (2) himself has apparently not accepted the identification of the anaphylactic antibody with a precipitin, but regards it as belonging to a special class (sensibilisine). He also regards the cells of the central nervous system as those primarily involved in the anaphylactic shock in the guinea-pig. Others, including one of us (3), have found no adequate reason for rejecting the strong evidence in favour of the precipitin nature of the anaphylactic antibody, produced by Doerr and Russ (4), Weil (5), and others, and have accepted and confirmed the description of the rapid anaphylactic death in the guinea-pig as due to a direct stimulation of the plain-muscle fibres surrounding the bronchioles, causing valve-like obstruction of the lumen, and leading to asphyxia, with the characteristic fixed distension of the lungs, as first described by Auer and Lewis (6), and almost simultaneously by Biedl and Kraus (7). But the fundamental conception of anaphylaxis as due to cellular location of an antibody, and of the reaction as due to the union of antigen and antibody taking place in the protoplasm, is common to a number of workers who thus differ on details.

scholarly journals The Act of Controlling Adult Stem Cell Dynamics: Insights from Animal Models

Biomolecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 667
Author(s):  
Meera Krishnan ◽  
Sahil Kumar ◽  
Luis Johnson Kangale ◽  
Eric Ghigo ◽  
Prasad Abnave
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Animal Models ◽  
Adult Stem Cells ◽  
The Body ◽  
In Vivo Studies ◽  
Self Renewal ◽  
Hematopoietic Stem ◽  
Organ Systems

Adult stem cells (ASCs) are the undifferentiated cells that possess self-renewal and differentiation abilities. They are present in all major organ systems of the body and are uniquely reserved there during development for tissue maintenance during homeostasis, injury, and infection. They do so by promptly modulating the dynamics of proliferation, differentiation, survival, and migration. Any imbalance in these processes may result in regeneration failure or developing cancer. Hence, the dynamics of these various behaviors of ASCs need to always be precisely controlled. Several genetic and epigenetic factors have been demonstrated to be involved in tightly regulating the proliferation, differentiation, and self-renewal of ASCs. Understanding these mechanisms is of great importance, given the role of stem cells in regenerative medicine. Investigations on various animal models have played a significant part in enriching our knowledge and giving In Vivo in-sight into such ASCs regulatory mechanisms. In this review, we have discussed the recent In Vivo studies demonstrating the role of various genetic factors in regulating dynamics of different ASCs viz. intestinal stem cells (ISCs), neural stem cells (NSCs), hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), and epidermal stem cells (Ep-SCs).

The Role of the Coelomic Fluid in the Movements of Earthworms

1950 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 110-122 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. E. NEWELL
Keyword(s):  
Short Review ◽  
The Body ◽  
Coelomic Fluid ◽  
Average Pressure ◽  
Normal Range ◽  
Tail Region ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Effective Barrier ◽  
Intrinsic Muscles

1. A short review is given of the coelom and of its morphological relations in the earthworm. 2. The arrangement of the intrinsic muscles in a typical septum is described. Four main sets of muscles are recognized: viz. radial muscles, circular muscles, oblique muscles, and the sphincter around the ventral foramen. 3. It is suggested that the function of the radial, circular and possibly of the oblique muscles is to control bulging of the septa, and so serve to localize differences in pressure in the coelomic fluid. Normally, in active worms, the sphincter of the ventral foramen is contracted and forms an effective barrier to the passage of fluid from one coelomic compartment to the next. This was verified experimentally and by X-ray photography. 4. A series of measurements of the pressure in the coelomic fluid in different regions of active worms was recorded by means of a capillary manometer and by the use of a spoon-gauge apparatus. Manometric measurements showed the average pressure in the anterior third of the body to be 16.0 cm. water and in the tail region to be 8.0 cm. water. The corresponding figures obtained with a spoon gauge were 13.5 and 8.5 cm. water. The pressure in narcotized worms is zero. 5. These results are discussed, and it is pointed out that the manometer readings suffer from the disadvantage of failing to show the rapid fluctuations in pressure which occur during wriggling movements of the worms. 6. It is calculated from these pressure readings that a worm can exert a forward thrust equivalent to forces of between 1.5 and 8.0 g. These figures agree well with those obtained by Gray & Lissman by the use of a special torsion balance. 7. The burrowing movements of earthworms are briefly described. 8. It is shown that the sphincters of the dorsal pores and of the nephridiopores do not normally allow of the escape of coelomic fluid, and will withstand a pressure well outside the normal range.

scholarly journals Pretty Picky for a Generalist: Impacts of Toxicity and Nutritional Quality on Mantid Prey Processing

2017 ◽  
Vol 46 (3) ◽  
pp. 626-632 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jamie L. Rafter ◽  
Justin F. Vendettuoli ◽  
Liahna Gonda-King ◽  
Daniel Niesen ◽  
Navindra P. Seeram ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
C:N Ratio ◽  
Danaus Plexippus ◽  
Monarch Butterfly ◽  
The Body ◽  
Gut Contents ◽  
Corn Borers ◽  
Body Tissues ◽  
Heterogeneous Quality ◽  
Behavioral Trials

Abstract Prey have evolved a number of defenses against predation, and predators have developed means of countering these protective measures. Although caterpillars of the monarch butterfly,Danaus plexippus L., are defended by cardenolides sequestered from their host plants, the Chinese mantidTenodera sinensis Saussure guts the caterpillar before consuming the rest of the body. We hypothesized that this gutting behavior might be driven by the heterogeneous quality of prey tissue with respect to toxicity and/or nutrients. We conducted behavioral trials in which mantids were offered cardenolide-containing and cardenolide-freeD. plexippus caterpillars and butterflies. In addition, we fed mantids starved and unstarvedD. plexippus caterpillars from each cardenolide treatment and nontoxicOstrinia nubilalis Hübner caterpillars. These trials were coupled with elemental analysis of the gut and body tissues of bothD. plexippus caterpillars and corn borers. Cardenolides did not affect mantid behavior: mantids gutted both cardenolide-containing and cardenolide-free caterpillars. In contrast, mantids consumed bothO. nubilalis and starvedD. plexippus caterpillars entirely.Danaus plexippus body tissue has a lower C:N ratio than their gut contents, whileO. nubilalis have similar ratios; gutting may reflect the mantid’s ability to regulate nutrient uptake. Our results suggest that post-capture prey processing by mantids is likely driven by a sophisticated assessment of resource quality.

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