Polymorphism and hybridization in species of \u3cem\u3eHottentotta\u3c/em\u3e Birula, 1908 (Scorpiones: Buthidae)

A new and well documented case of hybridization among scorpions is presented. It was obtained under laboratory conditions between Hottentotta jayakari (Pocock) and Hottentotta salei (Vachon) specimens of which had been collected in the northern and southern regions of Oman. Hybrids were successfully produced not only from F0 males and females, but also from F1 males and females, thereby attesting to the fact that the first generation obtained (F1), was completely fertile. Both F1 and F2 broods were composed of dark and pale morphs, indicating that the juveniles could inherit either one or the other parental phenotype. This report brings new evidence about the true genetic relationship between these two “species”, suggesting that they may correspond only to “morphs” (=phenotypes) of a single polymorphic species

Solvable model of a phase oscillator network on a circle with infinite-range Mexican-hat-type interaction

We describe a solvable model of a phase oscillator network on a circle with infinite-range Mexican-hat-type interaction. We derive self-consistent equations of the order parameters and obtain three non-trivial solutions characterized by the rotation number. We also derive relevant characteristics such as the location-dependent distributions of the resultant frequencies of desynchronized oscillators. Simulation results closely agree with the theoretical ones

Daily "predawn" peak of locomotion in fish

Bluegill and largemouth bass held under alternating, 12-hour periods of light and "darkness" (very dim light) and fed daily at the onset of light show a predawn peak of locomotion. The peak appeared between the tenth and twentieth days when the fish became active daily during the last 1 to 3 hours of the "dark" period. When the onset of light and feeding were shifted 6 hours to a later time of day, the predawn peak delayed a small amount a day for 4 to 6 days to restore its original relation to the onset of light. When the onset of light and feeding time were advanced 6 hours to an earlier time of day, the predawn peak reappeared in 2 to 3 days. Six-hour shifts in the onset of "darkness" or in feeding time failed to cause corresponding shifts in the predawn peak. When the onset of light and "darkness" were both shifted 6 hours, the predawn peak shifted as though the onset of light alone had been altered. A peak of locomotion corresponding to the predawn peak persisted in constant "darkness" without feeding for 2 days, then disappeared and reappeared in 1 to 2 days when the periodicities of illumination and feeding were resumed. The conclusion is discussed that the predawn peak is regulated from within the fish by an internal rhythm which itself is co-ordinated by the daily change from "dark" to light.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/32131/1/0000184.pd

Conglobation in the Pill Bug, Armadillidium vulgare, as a Water Conservation Mechanism

Water balance of the terrestrial isopod, Armadillidium vulgare, was investigated during conglobation (rolling-up behavior). Water loss and metabolic rates were measured at 18 ± 1°C in dry air using flow-through respirometry. Water-loss rates decreased 34.8% when specimens were in their conglobated form, while CO2 release decreased by 37.1%. Water loss was also measured gravimetrically at humidities ranging from 6 to 75 %RH. Conglobation was associated with a decrease in water-loss rates up to 53 %RH, but no significant differences were observed at higher humidities. Our findings suggest that conglobation behavior may help to conserve water, in addition to its demonstrated role in protection from predation

The Rearing and Biology of the Desert Beetle, Microdera punctipennis, Under Laboratory Conditions

Microdera punctipennis Kasz (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) is a unique species that lives in the desert region of Central Asia and has adopted a nocturnal habit to survive the desert environment. Female adults are larger in size than male adults. The female/male ratio was 1.04:1. A rearing method using reused plastic bottles was used. The rearing conditions were 30 ± 0.5°C, 30 ± 6% relative humidity (RH), and 16:8 L:D photoperiod. Cabbage was provided as food. Cannibalism was avoided by rearing one larva in a bottle. A complete life cycle was obtained under these conditions. The viability of eggs, larvae, prepupae, pupae, and teneral adults was 93.54%, 83.71%, 84.76%, 87.64%, and 93.59%, respectively. Embryogenesis took 7.35 days on average. The larval duration in each instar was 2.25 days. The mean duration of the larvae, prepupae, pupae, and teneral adult was 49.27, 7.05, 9.95, and 10.12 days, respectively. The coloration of each developmental stage gradually changed from creamy white to light brownish or black. Females commenced oviposition when their body color became black. On average, each female produced 568 eggs

The Bostrichidae of the Maltese Islands (Coleoptera)

The Bostrichidae of the Maltese Islands are reviewed. Ten species are recorded with certainty from this Archipelago, of which 6 namely, Trogoxylon impressum (Comolli, 1837), Amphicerus bimaculatus (A.G. Olivier, 1790), Heterobostrychus aequalis (Waterhouse, 1884), Sinoxylon unidentatum (Fabricius, 1801), Xyloperthella picea (A.G. Olivier, 1790) and Apate monachus Fabricius, 1775 are recorded for the first time. Two of the mentioned species (H. aequalis and S. unidentatum) are alien and recorded only on the basis of single captures and the possible establishment of these species is discussed. Earlier records of Scobicia pustulata (Fabricius, 1801) from Malta are incorrect and should be attributed to S. chevrieri (A. Villa & J.B. Villa, 1835). A zoogeographical analysis and an updated checklist of the 12 species of Bostrichidae recorded from the Maltese Islands and neighbouring Sicilian islands (Pantelleria, Linosa and Lampedusa) are also provided. Rhizopertha dominica (Fabricius, 1792) form granulipennis Lesne in Beeson & Bhatia, 1937 from Uttarakhand (northern India) was overlooked by almost all subsequent authors. Its history is summarized and the following new synonymy is established: Rhizopertha dominica (Fabricius, 1792) form granulipennis Lesne in Beeson & Bhatia, 1937 = Rhyzopertha dominica (Fabricius, 1792), syn. n. Finally, records of Amphicerus bimaculatus from Azerbaijan, of Bostrichus capucinus (Linnaeus, 1758) from Jordan and Syria, of Scobicia chevrieri from Jordan and Italy, of Xyloperthella picea from Italy, and of Apate monachus from Corsica (France) and Italy, are also provided.peer-reviewe

Scorpion Biodiversity and Interslope Divergence at “Evolution Canyon”, Lower Nahal Oren Microsite, Mt. Carmel, Israel

BACKGROUND: Local natural laboratories, designated by us as the "Evolution Canyon" model, are excellent tools to study regional and global ecological dynamics across life. They present abiotic and biotic contrasts locally, permitting the pursuit of observations and experiments across diverse taxa sharing sharp microecological subdivisions. Higher solar radiation received by the "African savannah-like" south-facing slopes (AS) in canyons north of the equator than by the opposite "European maquis-like" north-facing slopes (ES) is associated with higher abiotic stress. Scorpions are a suitable taxon to study interslope biodiversity differences, associated with the differences in abiotic factors (climate, drought), due to their ability to adapt to dry environments. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Scorpions were studied by the turning stone method and by UV light methods. The pattern observed in scorpions was contrasted with similar patterns in several other taxa at the same place. As expected, the AS proved to be significantly more speciose regarding scorpions, paralleling the interslope patterns in taxa such as lizards and snakes, butterflies (Rhopalocera), beetles (families Tenebrionidae, Dermestidae, Chrysomelidae), and grasshoppers (Orthoptera). CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: Our results support an earlier conclusion stating that the homogenizing effects of migration and stochasticity are not able to eliminate the interslope intra- and interspecific differences in biodiversity despite an interslope distance of only 100 m at the "EC" valley bottom. In our opinion, the interslope microclimate selection, driven mainly by differences in insolance, could be the primary factor responsible for the observed interslope pattern