Larval Growth Rate Research Articles

Analyses of the cellular clock gene expression in peripheral tissue, caudal fin, in the Japanese flounder, Paralichthys olivaceus

Understanding the systems for maintaining the circadian rhythms that give organisms the flexibility to adapt to environmental changes is important in both aquaculture and fish chronobiology, because nursery lighting conditions can affect the survival and growth rates of larvae. We previously demonstrated that in flounder, the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) exhibits daily rhythm in per2 expression, in sharp contrast to zebrafish, in which the SCN does not exhibit clear per2 expression rhythm. To examine whether a hierarchy exists in systems that maintain the expression rhythm of peripheral clock genes in flounder, in the present study we analyzed the in vivo and in vitro expression of three clock genes, per2, per1, and cry1, in the caudal fin and the effects of cortisol and melatonin administration on the expression of each clock gene. In vivo, the fin maintained a daily expression rhythm of all three genes, even in 24-h darkness (DD) when shifted from 12-h light:12-h dark (LD) conditions, but fin explants lost the expression rhythm after a short time of tissue culture, even under LD conditions. Cortisol, but not melatonin, significantly upregulated the expression of the three clock genes in fin both in vitro and in vivo. Therefore, we hypothesize that the SCN-pituitary-adrenal cortex pathway plays a role in the oscillation of the peripheral clock in flounder. However, in vivo, peak expression of per2 and cry1 was shifted 2–4h earlier under DD conditions, and their expression was upregulated in response to short exposures to light when larvae were kept under DD conditions. Therefore, we also hypothesize that in addition to the SCN, a light-responsive coordinating factor also functions in photo-entrainment of the peripheral clock in flounder.

Integrating multiple stressors across life stages and latitudes: Combined and delayed effects of an egg heat wave and larval pesticide exposure in a damselfly

To understand the effects of pollutants in a changing world we need multistressor studies that combine pollutants with other stressors associated with global change such as heat waves. We tested for the delayed and combined impact of a heat wave during the egg stage and subsequent sublethal exposure to the pesticide esfenvalerate during the larval stage on life history and physiology in the larval and adult stage of the damselfly Lestes sponsa. We studied this in a common garden experiment with replicated central- and high latitude populations to explore potential effects of local thermal adaptation and differences in life history shaping the multistressor responses. Exposure of eggs to the heat wave had no effect on larval traits, yet had delayed costs (lower fat and flight muscle mass) in the adult stage thereby crossing two life history transitions. These delayed costs were only present in central-latitude populations potentially indicating their lower heat tolerance. Exposure of larvae to the pesticide reduced larval growth rate and prolonged development time, and across metamorphosis reduced the adult fat content and the flight muscle mass, yet did not affect the adult heat tolerance. The pesticide-induced delayed emergence was only present in the slower growing central-latitude larvae, possibly reflecting stronger selection to keep development fast in the more time-constrained high-latitude populations. We observed no synergistic interactions between the egg heat wave and the larval pesticide exposure. Instead the pesticide-induced reduction in fat content was only present in animals that were not exposed to the egg heat wave. Our results based on laboratory conditions highlight that multistressor studies should integrate across life stages to fully capture cumulative effects of pollutants with other stressors related to global change.

Chemosensory basis of larval performance of Papilio hospiton on different host plants

Papilio hospiton Géné is an oligophagous species, endemic of the islands of Corsica and Sardinia, using various Apiaceae and Rutaceae as host plants, such as Ferula communis, Ferula arrigonii, Peucedanum paniculatum, Ruta lamarmorae and Pastinaca latifolia. We previously found that the lateral maxillary styloconic sensillum in the larva has two deterrent neurons, one phagostimulant and one salt specific, while the medial sensillum has two phagostimulant neurons, one deterrent and one salt specific. In this work we studied the sensitivity of gustatory receptor neurons (GRNs) to saps of F. communis, F. arrigonii, P. paniculatum, P. latifolia and R. lamarmorae and evaluated the relationship between taste sensitivity to different host-plants and larval growth rate on each of them. The spike activity was recorded from medial and lateral taste sensilla stimulated with plant saps, and GRN response patterns were cross compared in the light of a different feeding acceptance. The phagodeterrent GRNs show a higher activity in response to F. arrigonii and R. lamarmorae than to F. communis, P. paniculatum and P. latifolia. Behavioral trials showed that the time to pupation is significantly longer when larvae are reared on F. arrigonii and R. lamarmorae than on the other host-plants. These results suggest that the different activity of the phagodeterrent GRNs may inhibit food acceptance and extend the duration of the larval stage.

N-3 Long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids improve the sperm, egg, and offspring quality of Siberian sturgeon (Acipenser baerii)

Two diets with the same docosahexaenoic acid:eicosapentaenoic acid ratio (1.8:1), but with different n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid (n-3 LC-PUFA) contents [29.5g/kg (DH) and 17.9g/kg (DL)], were designed and fed to two groups of 46 female and 30 male Siberian sturgeon (Acipenser baerii) broodstock for 11months. Sperm and egg quality and reproductive performance indices were recorded during cross-breeding. Larval offspring resulting from cross-matings were divided into the following four groups for a 30-d feeding trial: D1 (DH♀×DH♂), D2 (DH♀×DL♂), D3 (DL♀×DH♂), and D4 (DL♀×DL♂). The results showed that egg size of the DH group was significantly larger than that of the DL group. With respect to sperm quality, there were no significant differences in wobble, amplitude of lateral head displacement, beat/cross frequency, and mean angular displacement between the two dietary groups; however, a high n-3 LC-PUFA diet increased sperm curvilinear, straight-line, and average path velocities in the DH group. The DH group had significantly lower levels of serum triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and malonaldehyde, but higher superoxide dismutase level, and total antioxidant capacity compared with the DL group. At 7 and 32days post hatching, the survival of larvae in groups D1 and D2 was significantly higher than that in groups D3 and D4. The specific growth rate of larvae in group D4 was the lowest among the four groups. The results suggest that n-3 LC-PUFA can improve the reproductive performance of male and female broodstock of Siberian sturgeon and the quality of their offspring, but that n-3 LC-PUFA enrichment of the diet is more critical for female broodstock than for males.

Fish communities in the Anthropocene: detecting drivers of changes in the deep peri-alpine Lake Geneva

Climate forcing, in combination with local anthropogenic pressures, has drastically modified the physical and chemical properties of lakes worldwide, affecting the abundance and diversity of fish populations. In the context of these combined changes, understanding the interactions between global and local forcing has become a major challenge for developing sustainable fisheries. We analyzed commercial landing statistics of Lake Geneva to describe the long-term changes in the abundance of exploited fish species and to identify mechanisms responsible for fish population changes. We showed a significant relationship between the decrease in phosphorus concentrations and structural changes in the composition of the fish community. Local management of reducing phosphorus loadings played a major role in the recovery of whitefish (Coregonus lavaretus) spawning areas and slowed the process toward more climate-induced percid and cyprinid communities. In addition, rising spring water temperatures have increased whitefish larval growth rates and improved whitefish recruitment. Unexpectedly, climate change and phosphorus reduction can have synergistic effects, and our results highlight the need to consider interactions between global and local anthropogenic forcing to fully understand and predict lake fish population variability in a warming world.

Combined effects of elevated pCO2, temperature, and starvation stress on larvae of a large tropical marine fish

Ocean acidification and other environmental changes pose an ecological challenge to marine organisms globally. Although the youngest life stages of these organism are likely to be most affected, a limited number of studies of larval fishes have investigated the effects of combined stressors. We conducted two experiments on larval cobia (Rachycentron canadum) raised under combinations of elevated pCO2 and increased temperature or starvation stress. Larvae responded to individual CO2, temperature, and rationing treatments, and there was a negative effect of elevated pCO2 on starvation resistance, but few synergistic effects of combined stressors. Elevated pCO2 (1700–2100 μatm pCO2) caused a transient but significant reduction in larval standard length (SL), growth rate, and development rate, while warmer temperature (32 vs. 27 °C) caused a consistent increase in SL, development rate, and swimming ability. Larval condition (RNA:DNA ratio) was unaffected by elevated pCO2 although larvae fed a 25% ration had significantly reduced SL, growth rate, and development rate. Under complete feeding cessation, larvae in elevated-pCO2 seawater demonstrated lower starvation resistance, indicating that acidification may increase starvation risk in a patchy marine environment. Overall, our results indicate that larval cobia are resistant to any major direct impact of combined elevated pCO2 and temperature or rationing stress.

Larval Habitat Substrates Could Affect the Biology and Vectorial Capacity of Culex quinquefasciatus (Diptera: Culicidae).

Culex quinquefasciatus Say is an important disease vector throughout much of the world. Experiments were conducted to determine the effects of different larval habitat substrates on the fitness and biting efficiency of Cx. quinquefasciatus adults. Our findings indicate that the development time (egg to adult) of larvae reared in irrigation water was 8.63 d while that of larvae reared in distilled water was 17.10 d (Effect size = 0.95). However, the rate of adult emergence was similar for all the tested treatments. Furthermore, the mean weight of an egg raft varied between larval habitats: distilled water (1.83 mg), rainfall water (1.25 mg), irrigation water (1.52 mg), and sewerage water (2.52 mg) (Effect size = 0.91). But, the fecundity (eggs per female) and hatchability (%) were statistically similar in all the rearing mediums (Effect size = 0.79). Longevity of females in all the tested populations did not differ significantly (Effect size = 0.91). The mean relative growth rates of larvae reared in tap water (0.80) and distilled water (0.86) habitats were lower than growth rates in all other rearing habitats (Effect size = 0.96). The intrinsic rate of natural increase in tap water (0.27) and irrigation water (0.35) was significantly higher than that in distilled water (0.09) and sewerage water (0.16) (Effect size = 0.84). Adults reared in rain water had the highest biting efficiency among all the tested populations. These results provide useful information for the management of Cx. quinquefasciatus.

Food-limited growth of larval Atlantic herring Clupea harengus recurrently observed in a coastal nursery area

Food-limited growth of larval fish, defined as growth rates lower than observed in other habitats or from laboratory experiments at a given temperature, is rarely reported in field studies. This would imply that either larval fishes are living in an environment characterized by plenty of food, that nutritional condition selective mortality (i.e., eliminating the weak) is very strong, or this impression is caused by misinterpretation of data concerning e.g., poor taxonomical resolution of potential prey items, i.e., total potential prey abundance is high, but positively selected food is actually scarce. We analyzed RNA:DNA derived growth rates of herring larvae (Clupea harengus L.) and taxonomically differentiated prey field data of six consecutive spring seasons from the Kiel Canal, an artificial waterway in northern Germany, in order to test if food-limited growth in larval fish can occur recurrently in coastal habitats. In all years analyzed, larval growth rates decreased simultaneously with prey abundance at the end of each larval season. Furthermore, larval growth rates were observed to be lower than mean growth rates observed in another herring larvae nursery area at temperatures above 15 °C. Asymptotic relationships between prey abundance and larval growth rates were observed, further supporting the hypothesis of food-limitation. As larval growth was best explained by the abundance of the numerically dominant calanoid copepod Eurytemora affinis, the paramount importance of the dominant prey item is highlighted. We conclude that food limitation can be a severe and re-occurring issue for larval fish in coastal habitats, and that certain prey items play a crucial role in determining larval growth rates, and therefore potentially recruitment.

Reduced Mitochondrial Efficiency Explains Mismatched Growth and Metabolic Rate at Supraoptimal Temperatures.

The relationship between whole-organism growth and metabolism is generally assumed to be positive and causative; higher metabolic rates support higher growth rates. In Manduca sexta, existing data demonstrate a deviation from this simple prediction: at supraoptimal temperatures for larval growth, metabolic rate keeps increasing while growth rate is decreasing. This mismatch presumably reflects the rising "cost of maintenance" with temperature. Precisely what constitutes this cost is not clear, but we suspect the efficiency with which mitochondria harness oxygen and organic substrates into cellular energy (ATP) is key. We tested this by integrating existing data on M. sexta growth and metabolism with new data on mitochondrial bioenergetics across the temperature range 14°-42°C. Across this range, our measure of mitochondrial efficiency closely paralleled larval growth rates. At supraoptimal temperatures for growth, mitochondrial efficiency was reduced, which could explain the mismatch between growth and metabolism observed at the whole-organism level.

Effects of dietary phospholipids on growth performance and expression of key genes involved in phosphatidylcholine metabolism in larval and juvenile large yellow croaker, Larimichthys crocea

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of dietary phospholipids (PLs) on survival rate, growth performance and expression of key genes related with phosphatidylcholine (PC) metabolism in larval and juvenile large yellow croaker, Larimichthys crocea. Three isonitrogenous and isolipidic diets with graded levels of PLs (2.53%, 6.32% and 12.7%) were randomly allocated to triplicate groups of larvae (initial body weight: 3.86±0.24mg) eight times daily for 30days. Five isonitrogenous and isolipidic diets with graded levels of PLs (1.32%, 3.05%, 5.86%, 7.4% and 9.63%) were randomly allocated to triplicate groups of juveniles (initial body weight: 7.36±0.33g) twice daily to apparent satiation for 60days. Results showed that survival rate and specific growth rate of larvae fed the diet with 2.53% PLs were significantly lower compared with those of larvae in other groups (P<0.05). However, specific growth rate and survival rate were not significantly different among dietary treatments in juveniles. No significant difference was observed in the transcript levels of key genes involved in PC de novo synthesis, including CTP: choline phosphate cytidylyltransferase and phosphatidylethanolamine N-methyltransferase, in both the whole larvae body and the livers of juveniles fed diets with different concentrations of PLs. Although no significant difference was found, the mRNA expression levels of 1, 2-diacylglycerol choline phosphotransferase increased with the increasing levels of dietary PLs in the livers of juveniles, with acyl-CoA: diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2 showing the opposite trend. These results confirmed that the beneficial effects of dietary PLs on survival and growth performance of large yellow croaker were restricted to fish larvae. Dietary PLs might reduce lipid deposition in the liver of juvenile large yellow croaker through utilizing more diacylglycerol for PC synthesis, rather than triglyceride synthesis. Statement of relevanceThe present study was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary phospholipids (PLs) on survival rate, growth performance and expression of key genes related to phosphatidylcholine (PC) biosynthesis in larval and juvenile large yellow croaker, (Larimichthys crocea). The results are reliable and of both theoretical and practical importance. For “theoretical importance”, our study provided the first evidence that dietary PLs might reduce lipid deposition in the liver of juvenile large yellow croaker through utilizing more diacylglycerol for PC synthesis, rather than triglyceride synthesis, which could contribute to better understanding the mechanisms underlying the discrepancy in requirements for phospholipids between larval and juvenile large yellow croaker. For “practical importance”, our study confirmed that the beneficial effects of dietary PLs on growth performance of large yellow croaker were restricted to larvae rather than juveniles (at least 7.36g) and these findings could be applied to reduce the supplementation of PLs in commercial feeds for large yellow croaker, which in turn might reduce the cost of the commercial feeds for large yellow croaker.The work described has not been submitted elsewhere for publication, in whole or in part, and all the authors listed have approved the manuscript that is enclosed. I have read and have abided by the statement of ethical standards for manuscripts submitted to Aquaculture.

Assessment of Temperature Effects on Early Larval Development Survival of Hatchery-reared Tropical Oyster, Crassostrea iredalei.

The influence of the cool and warm temperatures on early life development and survival of tropical oyster, Crassostrea iredalei was studied. D-hinged larvae (day 1 larvae) were reared to three different temperatures (20°C, 27°C, and 34°C) for nine days. Oyster larvae reared in temperature 27°C, acted as control (ambient temperature). The highest survival rate occurred when the larvae were reared in 20°C and 27°C. Larvae reared at 34°C exhibited reduced survival but increase in the growth rate. The growth rate in larvae reared in high temperature (34°C) was significantly higher compared to larvae reared in 20°C and 27°C (p<0.05). The results from the present study indicated that tropical oyster larvae, C. iredalei had faster growth rate at the high temperature (34°C). However, the larval survival was decreasing according to days. There is no significant difference in the larval growth and survival in lower temperature (20°C) and control condition (27°C).

Impact of sesquiterpenes from Inula racemosa (Asteraceae) on growth, development and nutrition of Spodoptera litura (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae).

The use of botanical pesticides for protecting crops from insect pests has assumed greater importance all over the world owing to growing awareness of harmful effects of indiscriminate use of synthetic pesticides. Inula racemosa Hook. f. (Asteraceae), a medicinally important perennial herb, is rich in sesquiterpenes with many biological activities. The present studies were conducted with the objective to evaluate the sesquiterpenes isolated from I. racemosa for insecticidal activity against Spodoptera litura (F.). Alantolactone and isoalantolactone isolated from I. racemosa exerted growth inhibitory effects on S. litura. Addition of both the sesquiterpenes to larval diet extended the development period and reduced pupation as well as adult emergence. The dietary utilisation experiments on third-instar larvae of S. litura revealed reduction in consumption and growth rates of larvae as well as efficiency of conversion of ingested and digested food owing to alantolactone and isoalantolactone. The root extract of I. racemosa, which is rich in two sesquiterpenes, i.e. alantolactone and isoalantolactone, has the potential for management of S. litura. However, there is a need to understand the specific mechanism of action of these compounds. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry.

The response of amphibian larvae to environmental change is both consistent and variable

Many environments are undergoing rapid environmental change and there is a need to understand the mechanisms by which species can persist in altered environments. Model systems, such as amphibian metamorphosis, which can be generalized across many types of environmental change and across many species, are a powerful tool for understanding mechanisms that facilitate persistence in altered and disturbed environments. Amphibian larvae respond to environmental change by varying age at metamorphosis, or size at metamorphosis. Differential selection pressures on age or size at metamorphosis may result in a differential response among taxa to environmental change. Using a meta‐analysis, we investigated whether age at metamorphosis, size at metamorphosis, and larval growth rate vary within and among taxonomic families of amphibians in experiments that modified the environmental temperature, density of individuals, food, hydroperiod and the presence of predators. For all environmental factors except predators, the direction of the response was consistent across most of the studied taxa. However, there was considerable variation in effect size both within and among families. Results demonstrate that amphibian metamorphosis is a valuable model system for studying the effects of environmental change. Yet, we stress the need for caution in making generalizations about how individuals respond to environmental factors that have an indirect effect on physiology and require the perception of an environmental cue, such as the presence of predators.SynthesisAs the current conditions of the environment are rapidly changing there is a need to understand how organisms respond to environmental change, and whether response of one species can be generalized to other species. Using a meta‐analyses, we tested whether the phenotypic response of amphibian larvae to five types of environmental change is consistent among and within taxonomic families. The phenotypic response to changes in environmental factors was consistent when the environmental factor has a direct effect on physiology, but varies among and within family if the environmental factor has an indirect effect on physiology or requires the perception of an environmental cue.

Feeding broodstocks different starfish diets affect growth and survival of larvae of trumpet shell (Charonia lampas sauliae Reeve 1844)

Trumpet shell (Charonia lampas sauliae) (Mollusca, Heterogastropoda, Cymatidae) has extensive economic value. Studies on the artificial larval development of C. lampas sauliae for aquaculture utilization have become especially important due to the finite natural resources. In the present study, the growth and survival rate of the larvae of C. lampas sauliae broodstocks fed three types of starfish diets, Asterina pectinifera Muller & Troschel 1842, A. amurensis Lutken 1871 and their mixture were compared. The larval size increased gradually between day 10 and day 20 after hatching at 15°C and 20°C. No difference was found in body size and specific growth rate (SGR) (two-way ANOVA; P > 0.05). However, during transition from trochophore to veliger stage 20 days after hatching, significant increases in larval survival and growth rates were observed. The maximum survival rate was observed on day 10. The mean survival rate was 0.463, 0.730 and 0.515 at 15°C, and 0.369, 0.713 and 0.444 at 20°C when A. pectinifera, A. amurensis and their mixture were fed, respectively. The SGR and survival rate of the larvae were definitely influenced by the diets (P < 0.05), and the effect of A. amurensis alone was higher than that of A. pectinifera alone and their mixture.

Exposure to a heat wave under food limitation makes an agricultural insecticide lethal: a mechanistic laboratory experiment.

Extreme temperatures and exposure to agricultural pesticides are becoming more frequent and intense under global change. Their combination may be especially problematic when animals suffer food limitation. We exposed Coenagrion puella damselfly larvae to a simulated heat wave combined with food limitation and subsequently to a widespread agricultural pesticide (chlorpyrifos) in an indoor laboratory experiment designed to obtain mechanistic insights in the direct effects of these stressors in isolation and when combined. The heat wave reduced immune function (activity of phenoloxidase, PO) and metabolic rate (activity of the electron transport system, ETS). Starvation had both immediate and delayed negative sublethal effects on growth rate and physiology (reductions in Hsp70 levels, total fat content, and activity levels of PO and ETS). Exposure to chlorpyrifos negatively affected all response variables. While the immediate effects of the heat wave were subtle, our results indicate the importance of delayed effects in shaping the total fitness impact of a heat wave when followed by pesticide exposure. Firstly, the combination of delayed negative effects of the heat wave and starvation, and the immediate negative effect of chlorpyrifos considerably (71%) reduced larval growth rate. Secondly and more strikingly, chlorpyrifos only caused considerable (ca. 48%) mortality in larvae that were previously exposed to the combination of the heat wave and starvation. This strong delayed synergism for mortality could be explained by the cumulative metabolic depression caused by each of these stressors. Further studies with increased realism are needed to evaluate the consequences of the here-identified delayed synergisms at the level of populations and communities. This is especially important as this synergism provides a novel explanation for the poorly understood potential of heat waves and of sublethal pesticide concentrations to cause mass mortality.

Predicting phenotypic variation in growth and metabolism of marine invertebrate larvae

Understanding the mechanisms that establish variation in growth and metabolism is fundamental in evolutionary and physiological ecology. Although a genetic basis is frequently invoked to explain variation in performance, it remains challenging to study such processes in marine animals due to the lack of genetically-enabled “model” organisms. The Pacific oyster Crassostrea gigas is a species for which pedigreed genetic lines have been established. In this study, a series of larval families was produced by crossbreeding pedigreed lines to yield large-volume larval cultures to provide sufficient biomass for biochemical and physiological analyses. Major phenotypic contrasts in larval growth rate were evident. A primary goal of this study was to investigate the physiological bases for this variation in growth and to identify biomarkers that are predictive of growth potential. To that end, measurements were undertaken to define the relationship between rates of growth, respiration, and ion transport by the sodium-potassium pump (in vivo Na+,K+-ATPase activity). The relationship of respiration and ion transport during larval growth showed that, on average, 17% of total energy demand was allocated to support ion transport. Further analyses of total Na+,K+-ATPase activity (in vitro enzyme assay) revealed that 41% of the total metabolic rate could be accounted for by this single process if all of the enzyme was physiologically active. Significant biological variation was evident, however, when size-specific comparisons were made across different larval families. These differences were up to (i) 2.2-fold in ion transport rates; (ii) 2.8-fold in the allocation of energy to support the metabolic demand of ion transport; (iii) 3.5-fold in total enzyme activity; (iv) 3.9-fold in the physiologically active fraction of total enzyme; and (v) 3.1-fold in gene expression. These differences among families highlight the need to distinguish genetic from environmental causes of biological variation. Notably, for inferences of physiological changes based upon molecular biological analyses, the measured rates of ion transport were not predicted from concurrent measurements of gene expression or enzyme activity. Size-corrected rates of ion transport were predictive of variation in growth rates among different larval families, supporting the application of physiological rates of ion transport as a predictor of growth differences. Evolutionary variation in physiological performance has important implications for understanding the ecology of larval forms. Developing physiological indices will be of value in predicting growth and metabolism and corresponding survival of larval forms of different genotypes in response to environmental change.

Variability in larval period, post-setting growth and survival of the oyster Crassostrea belcheri produced by gamete stripping method

Gamete stripping is the most practical method in oyster production because the time of fertilization can be precisely controlled. However, it was found that there was much greater variability in the speed of egg development compared with natural spawning. In this study, three groups of larvae (aged 21, 27 and 29 d) were successively separated from fertilization to the pediveliger stage among all the larvae produced by the stripping method. No differences in the spat growth rate were found among the larval periods at 15 d of the experiment (p ≥ 0.05), but spat growth and survival rates of juvenile oysters in the larval periods of 21 and 27 d were significantly higher than those for 29 d at the end of the experiment (30 d). The positive correlation between larval growth rates and the spat daily yield at 30 d was significant. These results indicated that the gamete stripping method produced high variations in the larval period and post-setting growth and survival in the oyster, Crassostrea belcheri.

Larval Survival and Growth of Emerald Ash Borer (Coleoptera: Buprestidae) on White Ash and White Fringetree Saplings Under Well-Watered and Water-Deficit Conditions.

Emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire) was recently found on a novel host in North America, white fringetree (Chionanthus virginicus L.) (Oleaceae). In this study, we artificially infested 4-yr-old, naïve white fringetree and white ash (Fraxinus americana L.) saplings under well-watered and water-deficit conditions with emerald ash borer eggs. We used physiological and phenotypical approaches to investigate both plant response to emerald ash borer and insect development at 21, 36, and 61 d postinfestation. Photosynthesis was reduced in both tree species by larval feeding, but not by water deficits. Emerald ash borer larvae established and survived successfully on white ash. Both establishment and survival were lower on white fringetree than on white ash. Larvae were larger, and had reached higher instars at all three time points on white ash than on white fringetrees. Larvae grew faster in white ash under water-deficit conditions; however, water-deficit conditions negatively impacted survival of larvae at 61 d postinfestation in white fringetrees, although head size did not differ among surviving larvae. White ash showed higher callus formation in well-watered trees, but no impact on larval survival was observed. In white fringetree, callus formation was not affected by water treatment, and was inversely related to larval survival. The higher rate of mortality and slow growth rate of larvae in white fringetree as compared to white ash suggest that populations of emerald ash borer may be sustained by white fringetree, but may grow more slowly than in white ash.

Microbial effects on the development of forensically important blow fly species

Colonisation times and development rates of specific blow fly species are used to estimate the minimum Post Mortem Interval (mPMI). The presence or absence of bacteria on a corpse can potentially affect the development and survival of blow fly larvae. Therefore an understanding of microbial-insect interactions is important for improving the interpretation of mPMI estimations. In this study, the effect of two bacteria (Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus) on the growth rate and survival of three forensically important blow fly species (Lucilia sericata, Calliphora vicina and Calliphora vomitoria) was investigated. Sterile larvae were raised in a controlled environment (16:8h day: night light cycle, 23:21°C day: night temperature cycle and a constant 35% relative humidity) on four artificial diets prepared with 100μl of 105 CFU bacterial solutions as follows: (1) E. coli, (2) S. aureus, (3) a 50:50 E. coli:S. aureus mix and (4) a sterile bacteria-free control diet. Daily measurements (length, width and weight) were taken from first instar larvae through to the emergence of adult flies. Survival rates were also determined at pupation and adult emergence. Results indicate that bacteria were not essential for the development of any of the blow fly species. However, larval growth rates were affected by bacterial diet, with effects differing between blow fly species. Peak larval weights also varied according to species-diet combination; C. vomitoria had the largest weight on E. coli and mixed diets, C. vicina had the largest weight on S. aureus diets, and treatment had no significant effect on the peak larval weight of L. sericata. These results indicate the potential for the bacteria that larvae are exposed to during development on a corpse to alter both developmental rates and larval weight in some blow fly species.

Seasonal changes in otolith increment width trajectories and the effect of temperature on the daily growth rate of young sardines

AbstractWe studied the otolith microstructure and growth of sardine, Sardina pilchardus, in the North Aegean Sea (eastern Mediterranean Sea), using samples of larvae and juveniles that had hatched in winter (November–January) and winter–spring (February–May), respectively. The juveniles had developed during an extended period coinciding with marked pelagic ecosystem changes (from winter, mixed conditions to summer, stratified waters). To examine the relationship between environmental changes and the observed variability in their otolith increment–width trajectories (width‐at‐age), we summarized the shape of trajectories with a four‐parameter set estimated from a growth model fit to each width trajectory. The individual parameter sets were then related to the potential oceanographic conditions that fish experienced during their development, derived from a hydrodynamic–biogeochemical model (POM‐ERSEM), implemented in the sampling area. Substantial seasonal effects were demonstrated on the otolith microstructure (platykurtic versus leptokurtic trajectories in winter‐mixed versus summer‐stratified conditions), which were related to the progressive sea surface warming. In a subsequent step, in order to study the effect of oceanographic conditions on larval and juvenile daily growth rates, a GAM (Generalized Additive Model) analysis of otolith increment widths was carried out, using model‐derived oceanographic parameters and taking into account the ‘inherent otolith growth’, expressed by the explanatory variables ‘previous increment width’ and ‘Age’. Results showed a strong and positive, linear effect of temperature on the growth rate of winter‐caught larvae, whereas in juveniles, which had developed within a wide range of temperatures, an optimum temperature for growth was observed at around 24°C.