1. Ecological Surveys and the Relations of Animals to Habitat ConditionsJournal of Animal Ecology, Vol. 30, No. 1 (May, 1961), pp. 192-196Published by: British Ecological SocietyStable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/2129 .

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192 Abstracts

1. ECOLOGICAL SURVEYS AND THE RELATIONS OF ANIMALS TO HABITAT CONDITIONS

(a) MARINE AND BRACKISH

Allen, J. A. (1960). On the biology of Crangon allmani Kinahan in Northumberland waters. J. Mar. Biol. Ass. U.K. 39, 481-508.

During a prolonged season, from December to July, most females produce at least two broods, the second developing twice as fast as the first. Eggs vary between 400 and 7000 with size of female. The shrimp probably lives 3 to 31 years, some females up to 41 years. Inshore movement in October and offshore in April appear related to temperature. Nephtys and small crustacea comprise most of the food.

Blaxter, J. H. S. (1960). The effect of extremes of temperature on herring larvae, J. Mar. Biol. Ass. U.K. 39, 605-608.

A tolerance range is shown between 24? and -1 8 for 6-8 mm long larvae acclimatized to temperatures between 7 5 and 15-50 C.

Buchanan, J. B. & Hedley, R. H. (1960). A contribution to the biology of Astrorhiza limicola (Foraminifera). J. Mar. Biol. Ass. U.K. 39, 549-560.

Summarizes distribution records and gives more detailed analysis of occurrence off Northum- berland. This foraminifer lives in sand feeding actively on interstitial Metazoa and forming an arenaceous test.

Burnet, B. & Thompson, U. (1960). Laboratory culture of Coelopa frigida (Fabricius) (Diptera: Coelopidae). Proc. R. Ent. Soc. Lond. (A) 35, 85-89.

Coulson, J. C. & White, E. (1960). The effect of age and density of breeding birds on the time of breeding of the kittiwake Rissa tridactyla. Ibis, 102, 71-86.

Birds that have bred previously are earlier than those breeding for the first time. Young colonies have a higher proportion of young birds than long-established colonies, but the time and spread of breeding is directly related to the density of nests, the spread being greatest in dense colonies.

Duncan, A. (1960). The spawning of Arenicola marina (L.) in the British Isles. Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond. 134, 137-156.

A sheltered and an exposed population were compared; adult mortality was higher in the latter. Factors inducing spawning, which occurs at neap tides in the autumn, are discussed.

Gerking, S. D. (1959). The restricted movement of fish populations. Biol. Rev. 34, 221-242. A discussion of home range territory and homing.

Hewer, H. R. (1960). Age determination in seals. Nature Lond. 187, 959-960. The use of cementum rings in the canine teeth of seals as a guide to age is considered critically.

Hewer, H. R. & Backhouse, K. M. (1960). A preliminary account of a colony of grey seals Halichoerus grypus (Fab.) in the southern Inner Hebrides. Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond. 134, 157-195.

A breeding colony producing about 350-400 pups per annum. Territorial and mating behaviour are described.

Holliday, F. G. T. & Blaxter, J. H. S. (1960). The effects of salinity on the developing eggs and larvae of the herring. J. Mar. Biol. Ass. U.K. 39, 591-603.

Experimental incubation of eggs stripped from herring in the Clyde in salinities between 5 9 and 52 5 per mil reveals strong powers of regulating body fluids. It is unlikely that natural osmotic forces constitute any hazard to young herring.

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Ecological Surveys 193

Hook, 0. (1960). Some observations on the dates of pupping, and the incidence of partial rust and orange cQloration in grey seal cows, Halichoerus grypus (Fabricius), on Lunga, Treshnish Isles, Argyll. Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond. 134, 495-497.

Patel, B. & Crisp, D. J. (1960). The influence of temperature on the breeding and the moulting activities of some warm-water species of operculate barnacles. J. Mar. Bio. Ass. U.K. 39, 667-680.

Observations on Chthamalus stellatus, Elminius modestus, Balanusperforatus and B. amphitrite var. denticulata from the Welsh coast collected in winter and kept at raised temperatures and liberally fed. Although requiring different minimal temperatures, all species reached optimum breeding between 220 and 250 and continued breeding up to 30? C. Moulting showed similar temperature relationships.

Snow, B. (nee Whitaker) (1960). The breeding biology of the shag Phalacrocorax aristotelis on the island of Lundy, Bristol Channel. Ibis, 102, 554-575.

Four years' study (1954-58) when all nests of a breeding population of 120-132 pairs were found. Birds breeding for the first time were less successful than older birds, and late nests than early ones. Fledging success was 90-95 % except in 1956 when food was scarce and it was 67o%.

(b) FRESH WATER

Berg, K. & Ockelmann, K. W. (1959). The respiration of freshwater snails. J. Exp. Biol. 690-708.

Variations in respiration are discussed in relation to temperature, season, species, size and oxygen content of water.

Jackson, D. J. (1960). Observations on egg-laying in Ilybius fulginosus Fabricius and I. ater Degeer (Coleoptera:Dytiscidae), with an account of the female genitalia. Trans. R. Ent. Soc. Lond. 112, 37-52.

Observations include seasonal appearance and life cycle, period of oviposition and the plants used for oviposition, the egg and the subsequent hatching.

Jenkins, M. F. (1960). On the method by which Stenus and Dianous (Coleoptera: Staphyl- inidae) return to the banks of a pool. Trans. R. Ent. Soc. Lond. 112, 1-14.

Laboratory experiments suggest that Stenus returns to the pool-edge by orienting towards the contrast established between the edge of the bank and the sky. The response of Dianous is by means of a simple negative reaction to light.

Mackereth, J. C. (1960). Notes on the Trichoptera of a stony stream. Proc. R. Ent. Soc. Lond. (A) 35, 17-23.

Gives details of a collection of fifteen species, excluding the limnophilids, obtained from a moorland stream near Windermere. Includes a discussion of their life-histories and the distri- bution of the larvae.

Scott, D. (1960). Cover on river bottoms. Nature, Lond. 188, 76-77. An amendment to a previous article (see 1959, Nature, Lond. 183, 836).

Swain, A., Allan, I. R. H. & Bulleid, M. J. (1960). Recapture in the River Tweed of a sea-trout marked in Devonshire. Nature, Lond. 187, 877.

In addition to the above record others are given which indicate the movements of Salmo trutta in the coastal waters of Britain are more extensive than hitherto supposed.

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194 Abstracts

(c) LAND

Anonymous (1960). Insects and length of day. Nature, Lond. 186, 774-775. Reference is made to the interaction of temperature and photoperiod and to the occurrence of

sensitivity to changing photoperiod at various stages of insect development. Insects in diapause contain little ecdysone, but if injected with it resume normal development. A change in photo- period may affect the production of this hormone. How this inhibition is brought about is unknown. Another unresolved issue is the timing mechanism that enables an insect to distin- guish between photoperiods of different durations, but it now seems likely that the receptors are scattered cells over the body surface, Light intensity plays little part in the photoperiodic reaction.

Ash, J. S. (1960). Bird of prey numbers on a Hampshire game-preserve during 1952-1959. Brit. Birds, 53, 285-300.

Over 2000 birds of ten species were counted on 4000 acres in more than 5000 hours' observa- tion. Habits, food, effect on game-birds and possible causes of change in status are discussed.

Blake, G. M. (1960). Decreasing photoperiod inhibiting metamorphosis in an insect. Nature, Lond. 188, 168-169.

Temperature is found to be an important factor controlling the time of pupation of Anthrenus verbasci under outdoor conditions. Under conditions of constant temperature and decreasing daily light pupation of the beetle larvae was delayed about 13 weeks, until following January.

Coombs, C. J. F. (1960). Observations on the rook Corvusfrugilegus in south-west Corn- wall. Ibis, 102, 394-419.

Observations on breeding behaviour made 1943-55. Gonads of a series of rooks collected in the same area during the period were examined.

Duncan, C. J. (1960). The biology of Leptophyes punctatissima (Bosc.) (Orthoptera: Tettigonidae). Entomologist, 93, 76-78.

The life-cycle, food-plant preferences, mating and oviposition are described from observations in woodland and on caged specimens.

El-Ziady, S. (1960). Further effects of Lasius niger L. on Aphisfabae Scopoli. Proc. R. Ent. Soc. Lond. (A) 35, 30-38.

Stimulation by honeydew collecting Lasius niger had a direct accelerating effect on growth, development and larviposition of Aphis fabae. It reduced the proportion of alatae among the larvae deposited and induced wandering by older adult aphids.

Goodwin, D. (1960). Comparative ecology of pigeons in inner London. Brit. Birds, 53, 201-212.

The feeding, nesting and roosting behaviour of feral pigeons (Columba livia) and woodpigeons (C. palumbus) observed between 1946 and 1960 in inner London are compared. Stock doves (C. oenas) breed in London parks but go outside to feed.

Haskell, P. T. (1958). The relation of stridulation behaviour to ecology in certain grass- hoppers. Insectes Sociaux, 5, 287-298.

Discusses the effects of stridulation of four common acridians in promoting the meeting of the sexes and the maintenance of colony grouping in relation to vegetation.

Hodek, I. & Cerkasov, J. (1960). Prevention and artificial induction of the imaginal diapause in Coccinella 7-punctata L. Nature, Lond. 187, 345.

There is a correlation between temperature and photoperiod and imaginal diapause.

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Ecological Surveys 195

Mathur, R. N. (1959). Breeding technique and utilization of Cedria paradoxia Wilk. (Hym., Braconidae) for biological control of teak defoliation. Ent. Mon. Mag. 95, 248-250.

Describes life-cycle of Cedria paradoxia and a method which has been developed for rearing this parasite in the laboratory. Attempts are being made to raise large stocks for release in the field in teak areas, where they may help in the control of Hapalia machaeralis the teak defoliator.

Melluish, W. D. (1960). Recent changes in the bird population of grassland with encroach- ing scrub at Bookham Common. Lond. Nat. 39 (1959), 89-98.

Between 1948 and 1960, increasing scrub in an area of grass and scrub, formerly grazed, was associated with an increase of 15 % in the number of bird species, and the number of individuals in monthly counts varied from 628 in 1948 to 1129 in 1960. Summer breeding territories of nine prominent species fell from 60 in 40 acres in 1950 to 51j in 61 acres in 1959. Ground-feeding species declined more than those that feed on or among herbage, trees and bushes.

Milne, A. (1959). Biology and ecology of the garden chafer Phyllopertha horticola (L.). VI. The flight season: reproductive state of females. Bull. Ent. Res. 50, 467-486.

Milne, A. (1960). Biology and ecology of the garden chafer Phyllopertha horticola (L.). VII. The flight season: male and female behaviour, and concluding discussion. Bull. Ent. Res. 51, 353-378.

Continues the study of this beetle in the Lake District. Describes behaviour of males and females on emergence, phases I and II being dependent largely on the maturation of eggs and laying by the female. Egg-production, usually sixteen or seventeen mature eggs, depends on fat body accumulation in the final larva. A general discussion of the flight season is provided.

Peakall, D. B. (1960). Nest records of the yellowhammer. Bird Study, 7, 94-102. Nest record cards show mean clutch size 3 5, incubation period 13 days, fledging period 12-4

days, breeding success 71 %, 45 % fledged. Discusses statistical treatment of breeding success in an appendix.

Rook, D. A. (1960). The birds of a cultivated area on Epsom Common. Lond. Nat. 39, (J959), 22-24.

The numbers of breeding pairs of robin, whitethroat, willow warbler, hedge sparrow and yellowhammer in a cultivated area, formerly scrub, adjoining woodland in which ploughing was discontinued in 1957, had all increased by 1959, probably owing to the widening and thickening of the hedges. Winter populations consisted almost exclusively of skylarks and meadow pipits.

South, R. (1960). The poetry and prose of counting ducks. Observations on ten years of wild fowl counting in Windsor Great Park. Middle-Thames Nat. 12 (1959), 4-8.

The data from monthly counts of mallard, shoveler, pochard and tufted duck during Septem- ber-April of each year between 1949 and 1959 showed a significant pattern for each, and these are discussed and shown in histograms. Mallard numbers reached a high peak in September and a smaller one in November or December and then declined. Shoveler were most numerous in November and December, with a smaller peak in February and March. Pochard were abundant, though declining steadily, throughout November-February, and numbers of tufted duck were consistently high from November to April, with a peak in November and a higher one in March.

Southwood, T. R. E. (1960). The flight activity of Heteroptera. Trans. R. Ent. Soc. Lond. 112, 173-220.

The captures of Heteroptera from light and suction traps are compared with respect to species, total numbers, different heights and situations of the traps, day and night activity and flight activity. The latter was investigated in relation to frequency and duration, habitat and the host plant. Discusses the characteristics of flight activity of the Heteroptera systematically.

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196 Abstracts

Stokes, A. W. (1960). Nest-site selection and courtship behaviour of the blue tit Parus caeruleus. Ibis, 102, 507-519.

Six pairs of blue tits observed during 200 hours from mid-March to 7 May at Madingley Wood, Cambridge. Behaviour from nest-hole selection by the male to incubation is described. Concludes that bright plumage enhances threat display, and its epigamic value is secondary.

White, E. (1960). The natural history of some species of Aphodius (Col., Scarabaeidae) in the Northern Pennines. Ent. Mon. Mag. 96, 25-30.

Sixteen species of Aphodius beetles were collected from sheep dung on the Moorhouse National Nature Reserve in 1955 and 1956, of which eight were common at some time during the season. There was a marked seasonal succession among the species. Species differences in overwintering, egglaying and larval feeding are also discussed.

Williamson, K. (1960). The development of young snipe studied by mist-netting. Bird Study, 7, 63-76.

One hundred and sixty-nine snipe including nestlings ringed on St Kilda in 1957 and traced by recaptures. Breeding from end of May to late August, probably many double broods. Young probably fly at 3 weeks old when half-grown. Notes on plumage, moult, weight and infestation by Ornithomyiafringillina.

2. METHODS, APPARATUS, POPULATION STATISTICS AND TAXONOMIC STUDIES OF USE TO ECOLOGISTS

Brindle, A. (1960). The larva of Wormaldia occipitalis (Pict.) (Trichoptera, Philopotam- idae). Ent. Rec. 72, 144-147.

Contains a description and figures of the larva, a key separating it from the two other British Philopotamids of which the larvae are known, and general information on the bionomics and habitats of the family.

Bryce, D. (1960). Studies on the larvae of the British Chironomidae (Diptera), with keys to the Chironominae and Tanypodinae. Trans. Soc. Brit. Ent., 14 (2), 19-62.

Cook, L. M. & Kettlewell, H. B. D. (1960). Radioactive labelling of lepidopterous larvae: a method of estimating larval and pupal mortality in the wild. Nature, Lond. 187, 301-302.

Two estimations of late larval and pupal mortality in Panaxia dominula are presented. Samples of larvae were fed on dead nettle containing sulphur-35 and returned to the natural colony. Various methods of deducing adult and larval populations are mentioned. The estimations in two different colonies suggest late larval and pupal mortality in the order of 85-95 %.

Corbett, P. S. (1960). Recognition of nulliparous mosquitoes without dissection. Nature, Lond. 187, 525-526.

The efficiency of external wear, parasitic mite infestation, colour of integument and the presence of maconium as means of determining age in samples is discussed. If dissection should still prove necessary the degree of resilience of the abdomen and the presence of fifteen to thirty discrete discs of fat in the abdomen can be used as a guide. The applicability of the methods to various species of mosquitoes is considered.

Egglishaw, H. J. (1960). The life-history of Helcomyza ustulata (Dipt., Dryomyzidae). Ent. Mon. Mag. 96, 39-42.

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