Metamorphosis in the Cirripede Crustacean Balanus amphitrite

Stalked and acorn barnacles (Cirripedia Thoracica) have a complex life cycle that includes a free-swimming nauplius larva, a cypris larva and a permanently attached sessile juvenile and adult barnacle. The barnacle cyprid is among the most highly specialized of marine invertebrate larvae and its settlement biology has been intensively studied. By contrast, surprisingly few papers have dealt with the critical series of metamorphic events from cementation of the cyprid to the substratum until the appearance of a suspension feeding juvenile. This metamorphosis is both ontogenetically complex and critical to the survival of the barnacle. Here we use video microscopy to present a timeline and description of morphological events from settled cyprid to juvenile barnacle in the model species Balanus amphitrite, representing an important step towards both a broader understanding of the settlement ecology of this species and a platform for studying the factors that control its metamorphosis. Metamorphosis in B. amphitrite involves a complex sequence of events: cementation, epidermis separation from the cypris cuticle, degeneration of cypris musculature, rotation of the thorax inside the mantle cavity, building of the juvenile musculature, contraction of antennular muscles, raising of the body, shedding of the cypris cuticle, shell plate and basis formation and, possibly, a further moult to become a suspension feeding barnacle. We compare these events with developmental information from other barnacle species and discuss them in the framework of barnacle settlement ecology

Remarkable convergent evolution in specialized parasitic Thecostraca (Crustacea)

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The Thecostraca are arguably the most morphologically and biologically variable group within the Crustacea, including both suspension feeders (Cirripedia: Thoracica and Acrothoracica) and parasitic forms (Cirripedia: Rhizocephala, Ascothoracida and Facetotecta). Similarities between the metamorphosis found in the Facetotecta and Rhizocephala suggests a common evolutionary origin, but until now no comprehensive study has looked at the basic evolution of these thecostracan groups.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>To this end, we collected DNA sequences from three nuclear genes [18S rRNA (2,305), 28S rRNA (2,402), Histone H3 (328)] and 41 larval characters in seven facetotectans, five ascothoracidans, three acrothoracicans, 25 rhizocephalans and 39 thoracicans (ingroup) and 12 Malacostraca and 10 Copepoda (outgroup). Maximum parsimony, maximum likelihood and Bayesian analyses showed the Facetotecta, Ascothoracida and Cirripedia each as monophyletic. The better resolved and highly supported DNA maximum likelihood and morphological-DNA Bayesian analysis trees depicted the main phylogenetic relationships within the Thecostraca as (Facetotecta, (Ascothoracida, (Acrothoracica, (Rhizocephala, Thoracica)))).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Our analyses indicate a convergent evolution of the very similar and highly reduced slug-shaped stages found during metamorphosis of both the Rhizocephala and the Facetotecta. This provides a remarkable case of convergent evolution and implies that the advanced endoparasitic mode of life known from the Rhizocephala and strongly indicated for the Facetotecta had no common origin. Future analyses are needed to determine whether the most recent common ancestor of the Thecostraca was free-living or some primitive form of ectoparasite.</p

On the Typology, Costs, Energy Performance, Environmental Quality and Operational Characteristics of Double Skin Façades in European Buildings

The project BESTFAÇADE, sponsored by the Energy Intelligent Europe programme of the European Union, and led by MCE-Anlagenbau, Austria, accumulated the state of the art of double skin façades (DSFs) in seven European countries (Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Greece, Portugal and Sweden). Twenty-eight façades of different buildings in all partner countries of BESTFAÇADE have been analysed for the aspects, types of façade in different countries, DSFs in different climatic regions of Europe, existing simulations and measurements, thermal behaviour, indoor air quality, comfort, user acceptance, energy demand and consumptions, control strategies, integrated building technology, cost (investment, maintenance and operation), resource conservation, environmental impact, comparison to conventional glass façades (CGFs), integration of renewable energy sources into DSFs, as well as non-energy related issues, such as, acoustics, aesthetics, fire protection, moisture, corrosion, durability, maintenance and repair. Most of the buildings are office buildings, followed by schools and service buildings. Nearly all of the buildings have mechanical ventilation systems, and both heating and cooling are performed mostly by air heating/cooling systems. The types of façades are mainly multi-storey and corridor types; in Belgium juxtaposed modules are frequently used. The façade gaps are mostly naturally ventilated (except for Belgium, where the indoor air is led by mechanical ventilation via the gap to the centralized air handling unit). The shading is performed mainly with Venetian blinds located in the gap. Unfortunately data on energy demand and temperatures are infrequently measured and rarely available. The cost of DSFs is significantly higher than conventional façades. © 2007 Taylor &amp; Francis Group, LLC

Deutsch-schwedisches Gemeinschaftsprojekt Energiesparhaeuser Ingolstadt -Halmstad. Projektphase 2

The buildings that are part of two identical complexes of attached houses were erected within the framework of a German-Swedish cooperative project that intends to combine Swedish style and architecture with German building installation practice and to test the serviceability of such combinations in each of the two countries. Emphasis was placed on a consistent integration of designs and simple installations, and on the utilization of experiences gained in national energy conservation projects. The buildings were completed and occupied in 1986. Energy tests were made and occupants were interviewed from 1987 to 1990. The effective energy consumption was found to amount to ca. 50 kWh/m2 annually, which is about half the consumption of a new conventional German building. The Ingolstadt building cost amounted to about 1650 DM/m2. A brief survey informs about the main results. (orig.)Die Gebaeude der beiden baugleichen Reihenhausanlagen sind das Ergebnis deutsch-schwedischer Zusammenarbeit, um fuer das kuenftige Bauen in beiden Laendern schwedische Bauweise und deutsche Haustechnik auf zweckmaessige Anwendbarkeit im jeweils anderen Land zu erproben. Die wesentlichen Elemente sind - konsequente Integration von Hochbauentwurf und einfacher Gebaeudetechnik, - Nutzung nationaler Erfahrungen bei Energiesparpojekten. Die Gebaeude wurden 1986 fertiggestellt und bezogen. In den Jahren 1987 bis 1990 wurden energierelevante Messungen und Bewohnerbefragungen durchgefuehrt. Als wichtigstes Ergebnis ist der Nutzenergieverbrauch zu nennen, der mit ca. 50 kWh/m&quot;2a etwa eine Halbierung des Verbrauchs gegenueber konventiellen deutschen Neubauten darstellt. Die reinen Baukosten betrugen in Ingolstadt ca. 1.650 DM/m&quot;2 Wohnflaeche. In der nachfolgenden Uebersicht sind die wichtigsten Ergebnisse stichwortartig zusammengefasst. (orig.)Available from TIB Hannover: F95B1805 / FIZ - Fachinformationszzentrum Karlsruhe / TIB - Technische InformationsbibliothekSIGLEBundesministerium fuer Forschung und Technologie (BMFT), Bonn (Germany)DEGerman

Shining Examples of Cost-Effective Energy and Carbon Emissions Optimization in Building Renovation (Annex 56)

This brochure is a selection of demonstration projects within Annex 56 partner countries that highlights successful solutions and provides general findings, similarities and differences emerging out of the demonstration projects selected in the participating countries. The specific mission of the case study activity of the Annex 56 project is to provide significant feedback from practice (realised, ongoing or intended renovation projects) on a scientific basis. Within Annex 56, the gathering of case studies is one of the activities undertaken to reach the overall project objectives, because it is a recognized fact that the process of decision-making has to be strongly supported by success stories from real life and experiences and lessons learned from practice. The \u201cShining Examples\u201d are gathered mainly for motivation and stimulation purposes, highlighting the advantages of aiming at far reaching energy and carbon emissions reductions, being still cost effective. The focus is to highlight advantages and innovative (but feasible) solutions and strategies