Effects of Calcium and pH on the Reproductive Success of Amnicola limosa (Gastropoda)

1990 ◽  
Vol 47 (9) ◽  
pp. 1694-1699 ◽  
Author(s):  
Margo A. Shaw ◽  
Gerry L. Mackie
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Success ◽  
Embryonic Development ◽  
Water Chemistry ◽  
Laboratory Experiments ◽  
Calcium Concentration ◽  
Hatching Success ◽  
South Central ◽  
Naturally Occurring ◽  
Ph Range ◽  
The Relationship

Field and laboratory experiments were designed to examine the relationship between water chemistry (especially pH and calcium) and the reproductive success of Amnicola limosa. Fecundity (no. eggs∙female−1) was positively correlated with lake buffering capacity (P = 0.002) in naturally occurring populations. We documented a 66% reduction in fecundity in lakes over a pH range of 7.6–5.8. However, fecundity was higher than expected in a highly-coloured, low-pH lake. The number of juveniles produced per egg was not related to any water chemistry variable (multiple R2 = 0.186). A laboratory experiment demonstrated that pH, and not calcium, was limiting embryonic development. All embryos held at pH 4.5 failed to hatch. Eggs held at pH 5.5 experienced reduced hatching success (P = 0.013) and delayed development (P < 0.001) compared with those held at pH 6.5. Length of newly hatched snails did not differ significantly between treatments (P = 0.891). The critical calcium concentration required for embryonic development in laboratory incubation lay between 0.14 and 1.11 mg∙L−1. This is well below the calcium concentration of acidifying lakes in south-central Ontario.

Clutch quality is related to embryonic development duration, hatchling body size and telomere length in the spined toad (Bufo spinosus)

2021 ◽  
Vol 133 (1) ◽  
pp. 135-142
Author(s):  
Marion Cheron ◽  
Frédéric Angelier ◽  
Cécile Ribout ◽  
François Brischoux
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Success ◽  
Embryonic Development ◽  
Parental Care ◽  
Telomere Length ◽  
Mate Selection ◽  
Hatching Success ◽  
Egg Quality ◽  
Parental Quality ◽  
Complex Interactions ◽  
Development Duration

Abstract Reproductive success is often related to parental quality, a parameter expressed through various traits, such as site selection, mate selection and energetic investment in the eggs or progeny. Owing to the complex interactions between environmental and parental characteristics occurring at various stages of the reproductive event, it is often complicated to tease apart the relative contributions of these different factors to reproductive success. Study systems where these complex interactions are simplified (e.g. absence of parental care) can help us to understand how metrics of parental quality (e.g. gamete and egg quality) influence reproductive success. Using such a study system in a common garden experiment, we investigated the relationships between clutch hatching success (a proxy of clutch quality) and offspring quality in an amphibian species lacking post-oviposition parental care. We found a relationship between clutch quality and embryonic development duration and hatchling phenotype. We found that hatchling telomere length was linked to hatching success. These results suggest that clutch quality is linked to early life traits in larval amphibians and that deciphering the influence of parental traits on the patterns we detected is a promising avenue of research.

Reproductive Success of Amnicola limosa (Gastropoda) in Low Alkalinity Lakes in South-Central Ontario

1989 ◽  
Vol 46 (5) ◽  
pp. 863-869 ◽  
Author(s):  
Margo A. Shaw ◽  
Gerald L. Mackie
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle ◽  
Reproductive Success ◽  
Hatching Success ◽  
Low Ph ◽  
Critical Stage ◽  
Percent Survival ◽  
South Central ◽  
Order Of Magnitude ◽  
Magnitude Difference

The reproductive success of the gastropod Amnicola limosa was examined in six lakes ranging in pH from 4.62 to 7.42 to determine which stages in the life cycle were most sensitive to acidification. Although fecundity was significantly greater (p < 0.01) for adults reared at pH 7.42 than at pH 5.89–6.64, a failure to oviposit was documented only at pH 4.62. Hatching success was uniformly high (88–97%) at pH 5.59 to 7.42, while embryos incubated at pH 4.62 suffered complete mortality. The most critical stage in the life cycle is the newly hatched stage. Survival during the 20 d post hatch ranged from 23% at pH 5.59 to 69% at pH 7.42. There was an order of magnitude difference in the cumulative percent survival of recruits in lakes ranging in pH from 5.59 (5.1%) to 7.42 (44.0%). Juveniles raised at low pH (5.59–5.70) were on average 0.20 mm (20%) smaller than those in circumneutral lakes (pH 6.64–7.42). The present low densities of Amnicola limosa in Heney Lake (pH 5.59) can be explained by low recruitment since 1980. Evidence presented suggests that the disappearance of this species from clear low pH lakes (pH < 5.8) is due to reductions in fecundity and hatchling survival.

scholarly journals Increased variation in sex organ positions can increase reciprocity and pollination success in heterostylous plant populations

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shatarupa Ganguly ◽  
P.M. Shreenidhi ◽  
Deepak Barua
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Success ◽  
Natural Populations ◽  
Population Variation ◽  
Success For All ◽  
Pollen Transfer ◽  
Plant Populations ◽  
Pollination Success ◽  
Naturally Occurring ◽  
Transfer Success ◽  
The Relationship

AbstractAimsThe reciprocal position of sexual organs in complementary floral morphs is central to our understanding of heterostyly. Reciprocity indices are used to quantify the spatial match between complementary sex organs, but previous indices fail to appropriately account for variation in sex organ positions among individuals in a population. The objective of this study was to examine how reciprocity and consequently reproductive success change with an increase in intra-population variation in sex organ heights. To this end, we formulated a reciprocity index that incorporates variation in sex organ positions among individuals in a population and asked if estimates of reciprocity can predict reproductive success in naturally occurring heterostylous populations.MethodsWe developed a reciprocity index that assumed pollen transfer success equalled one for a perfectly matched stigma-anther pair, and decreased to zero with increasing mismatch. Reciprocity was quantified as the average pollen transfer success for all pair-wise combinations of complementary sex organs in the population. We examined the relationship between intra-population variation and reciprocity using simulated populations that varied in the distribution of sex organ positions, and with empirical data from natural populations. We compared previously proposed indices using the simulated and natural populations, and for a subset of natural populations we tested the ability of the indices to predict reproductive success.Important FindingsIn both simulated and natural populations we observed that when differences between mean anther and stigma heights of complementary morphs are small, increasing intra-population variation in heights resulted in a monotonous decrease in reciprocity. However, when differences between mean complementary anther and stigma heights are larger, reciprocity increased, reached a peak, and then decreased with increasing variation. Previous indices failed to capture this behaviour and were largely insensitive to variation or differences in mean complementary sex organ heights. Seed set was consistently positively related to reciprocity for our index, and for two of the four previous indices. These results highlight the importance of incorporating intra-population variation in sex organ dimensions in quantifying reciprocity, and challenge the current understanding that increasing variation will always decrease reciprocity in heterostylous populations. These results may help explain why heterostylous systems exhibit, and tolerate high amounts of intra-population variation in sex organ heights.

scholarly journals Combining DL-Methionine and Bacillus thuringiensis Subspecies israelensis: Prospects for a Mosquito Larvicide

Insects ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. 880
Author(s):  
Elise A. Richardson ◽  
Nicole O. Abruzzo ◽  
Caitlin E. Taylor ◽  
Bruce R. Stevens ◽  
James P. Cuda ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bacillus Thuringiensis ◽  
Laboratory Experiments ◽  
Pathogen Transmission ◽  
Active Ingredients ◽  
Anopheles Species ◽  
Environmentally Sustainable ◽  
Anopheles Quadrimaculatus ◽  
Naturally Occurring ◽  
Mosquito Larvicides ◽  
The Relationship

Mosquito larvicides can reduce mosquito populations at the source, potentially decreasing biting rates and pathogen transmission. However, there is a growing need for mosquito larvicides that are environmentally sustainable. Bacillus thuringiensis subspecies israelensis (BTI) is a naturally occurring bacterium commonly used as a larvicide to manage mosquito populations. Methionine is an essential amino acid that has demonstrated toxic properties against larval mosquitoes in laboratory experiments, while having minimal effects on non-target organisms. The goal of this study was to evaluate the potential for a novel combination larvicide by testing for compatibility between these two active ingredients. We began by determining the lethal concentration values (LCs) of BTI and DL-methionine against Anopheles quadrimaculatus Say and Aedes aegypti Linnaeus (Diptera: Culicidae) larvae. These bioassays were conducted in glass jars and mortality was observed 48 h post-treatment. We found that while DL-methionine was more toxic to An. quadrimaculatus than Ae. aegypti, the opposite was true for BTI. Then, we used these LCs to conduct bioassays with a combination of BTI and DL-methionine to determine the relationship between the two active ingredients when used against An. quadrimaculatus and Ae. aegypti larvae. The findings of this study demonstrate that BTI and DL-methionine have the potential to be complementary due to their additive properties at higher concentrations and effect levels when tested against An. quadrimaculatus. However, an antagonistic relationship was detected at the concentrations tested with Ae. aegypti. These results are encouraging and imply that a DL-methionine or BTI/DL-methionine combination larvicide could be used in management of Anopheles species.

Consistency of patterns between laboratory experiments and field collected fish in otolith chemistry: an example and applications for salinity reconstructions

2005 ◽  
Vol 56 (5) ◽  
pp. 609 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. S. Elsdon ◽  
B. M. Gillanders
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Variables ◽  
Laboratory Experiments ◽  
Juvenile Fish ◽  
Otolith Chemistry ◽  
Ambient Water ◽  
Elemental Concentrations ◽  
Adequate Knowledge ◽  
Black Bream ◽  
Environmental Histories ◽  
The Relationship

Elemental concentrations within fish otoliths can track movements and migrations of fish through gradients of environmental variables. Tracking the movements of fish relies on establishing links between environmental variables and otolith chemistry, with links commonly made using laboratory experiments that rear juvenile fish. However, laboratory experiments done on juvenile fish may not accurately reflect changes in wild fish, particularly adults. We tested the hypotheses that: (1) the relationship between ambient (water) and otolith chemistry is similar between laboratory-reared black bream (Acanthopagrus butcheri) and wild black bream; and (2) ontogeny does not influence otolith chemistry. Field-collected and laboratory-reared fish showed similar effects of ambient strontium : calcium (Sr : Ca) on otolith Sr : Ca concentrations. However, ambient and otolith barium : calcium concentrations (Ba : Ca) differed slightly between laboratory-reared and field-collected fish. Importantly, fish reared in stable environmental variables showed no influence of ontogeny on Sr : Ca or Ba : Ca concentrations. Natural distributions of ambient Sr : Ca showed no clear relationship to salinity, yet, ambient Ba : Ca was inversely related to salinity. The distribution of ambient Sr : Ca and Ba : Ca in estuaries inhabited by black bream, suggest that these elements can answer different questions regarding environmental histories of fish. Reconstructing salinity histories of black bream using otolith Ba : Ca concentrations seems plausible, if adequate knowledge of Ba : Ca gradients within estuaries is obtained.

Laboratory Experiments of Mass Transfer in the London Clay

1988 ◽  
Vol 127 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. J. Bourke ◽  
D. Gilling ◽  
N. L. Jefferies ◽  
D. A. Lever ◽  
T. R. Lineham
Keyword(s):  
Mass Transfer ◽  
Porous Media ◽  
Radioactive Waste ◽  
Mass Transport ◽  
Mathematical Models ◽  
Laboratory Experiments ◽  
Naturally Occurring ◽  
Diffusion And Convection ◽  
Waste Repository ◽  
London Clay

ABSTRACTAqueous phase mass transfer through the rocks surrounding a radioactive waste repository will take place by diffusion and convection. This paper presents a comprehensive set of measurements of the mass transfer characteristics for a single, naturally occurring, clay. These data have been compared with the results predicted by mathematical models of mass transport in porous media, in order to build confidence in these models.

More sires may enhance offspring fitness in Northern Map Turtles (Graptemys geographica)

2013 ◽  
Vol 91 (8) ◽  
pp. 581-588 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicola Banger ◽  
Gabriel Blouin-Demers ◽  
Grégory Bulté ◽  
Stephen C. Lougheed
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Selection ◽  
Reproductive Success ◽  
Hatching Success ◽  
Locomotor Performance ◽  
Conservative Estimate ◽  
Genetic Quality ◽  
Offspring Fitness ◽  
Sexual Selection Theory ◽  
Map Turtles ◽  
Graptemys Geographica

Sexual selection theory predicts that males should be promiscuous to maximize their reproductive success, while females should be choosy. Yet females of many taxa often produce progeny sired by multiple males, indicating that promiscuity can be important for the reproductive success of females. Promiscuity may enhance the fitness of females if it increases the genetic quality, or the genetic variety, and thus the viability of their offspring. We quantified the number of sires per clutch in a population of Northern Map Turtles (Graptemys geographica (LeSueur, 1817)) in Lake Opinicon, Ontario, Canada, and tested whether the number of sires affects several metrics of viability in hatchlings. Based on the most conservative estimate, at least 71% of clutches in this population are sired by multiple males, but there was no evidence that larger clutches are sired by more males. Clutches sired by more males had higher hatching success and survival, but the differences were not statistically significant. We did not find any effect of the number of sires on hatchling morphology or locomotor performance. Collectively, our results partially support the hypothesis that promiscuity can increase the reproductive success of female Northern Map Turtles.

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