1. Ecological Surveys and the Relations of Animals to Habitat ConditionsJournal of Animal Ecology, Vol. 32, No. 3 (Oct., 1963), pp. 582-584Published by: British Ecological SocietyStable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/2617 .

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582 Abstracts

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

(a) MARINE AND BRACKISH

Boaden, P. J. S. (1963). The interstitial fauna of some North Wales beaches. J. Mar. Biol. Ass. U.K. 43, 79-96.

Lists over 100 species belonging to thirteen different phyla found in the interstices of sand and shell gravel from North Wales beaches, and discusses their distribution in fine-, medium- and coarse-grained substrates. Most records are new to Britain.

Boaden, P. J. S. (1963). Behaviour and distribution of the archiannelid Trilobodrilus heideri. J. Mar. Biol. Ass. U.K. 43, 239-250.

This annelid from sand and shell gravel at about H.W.N. on an Anglesey shore is photophobic, fairly tolerant of low salinity and responds to water current. It shows rhythmic gregariousness which is postulated to be in response to tidal changes. The pattern of behaviour determines the position the worm occupies on the shore.

Dunnet, G. M., Anderson, A. & Cormack, R. M. (1963). A study of survival of adult fulmars with observations on the pre-laying exodus. Brit. Birds, 56, 2-18.

Both sexes leave the breeding area for about a fortnight immediately before laying. The average dura- tion of adult life is about 15 years.

Moyse, J. & Smith, A. Nelson- (1963). Zonation of animals and plants on rocky shores around Dale, Pembrokeshire. Field Studies, 1 (5), 1-31.

Classifies shores according to degrees of exposure to wave action and zones some sixty organisms into seven components according to defined scales of abundance, with ample illustration by histograms. An appendix by B. L. James describes and keys subspecies of Littorina saxatilis in the region.

Raymont, J. E. G. & Miller, R. S. (1962). Production of marine zooplankton with fertilization in an enclosed body of seawater. Int. Rev. Ges. Hydrobiol. 47, 169-209.

Laboratory culture of plankton in 20 m3 tanks fertilized with potassium phosphate and sodium nitrate. Phytoplankton became extremely rich and no indication of a limiting effect on zooplankton was observed. The zooplankton cycles are analysed and tend towards almost pure cultures of Acartia. Densities are higher than in the sea and suggest that abundant food promotes rich development but that other condi- tions in the tanks limit variety.

Southward, A. J. (1963). The distribution of some plankton animals in the English Channel and approaches. III. Theories about long-term biological changes, including fish. J. Mar. Biol. Ass. U.K. 43, 1-29.

Discusses theories propounded to account for the well-known changes in ecological conditions in the western English Channel during this century and gives reasons for favouring the view that rise in sea temperature and possible shifts of emphasis of water movements may be the primary causes.

Wieser, W. (1963). Adaptations of two intertidal isopods. II. Comparison between Campecopea hirsuta and Naesa bidentata (Sphaeromatidae). J. Mar. Biol. Ass. U.K. 43, 97-112.

Compares respiration, resistance to desiccation and feeding rhythms in Campecopea from mid- to upper-tidal levels with those of Naesa from lower on the shore.

(b) FRESHWATER

Bryce, D. (1962). Chironomidae (Diptera) from fresh water sediments, with special reference to Malham Tarn (Yorks.). Trans. Soc. Brit. Ent. 15, 41-54.

Discusses evidence on lake history provided by chironomid head capsules in cores from Malham Tarn and other waters, and attempts to evaluate the method.

Hall, R. E. (1961). The Chironomidae of three chalk streams in southern England. Int. Congr. Ent. Wien, Sonderdr. Verhandl. 1, 178-181.

Summarizes samples from chalk and acid streams according to habitat conditions, gravel, mud or weeds, degree of aeration. Out of 400 British chironomids, fifty-seven (nine Tanypodinae, twenty-one Orthocladinae, twenty-seven Chironominae) were recorded, mainly from chalk streams.

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Ecological surveys 583

Popham, E. J. (1962). A repetition of Ege's experiments and a note on the efficiency of the physical 'gill of Notonecta (Hemiptera-Heteroptera). Proc. R. Ent. Soc. Lond. (A), 37, 154-160.

Gas stores carried on the surface of the body act as a physical gill below about 150 C. Variations in the efficiency of the gill, the causes of surfacing and the role of nitrogen are amongst the topics discussed.

(c) LAND

Allen, D. E. (1962). Our knowledge of the Manx fauna and flora in 1961: a statistical summary. Peregrine, 3, 93-95.

A survey showing that the Macrolepidoptera, Mollusca, Phalangida and Plecoptera are fully worked; the Coleoptera, Microlepidoptera, Neuroptera, Ephemeroptera, Odonata and Orthoptera are half- worked; and the Arachnida, Hymenoptera Aculeata, Hemiptera Heteroptera and Trichoptera only one-third worked.

Beament, J. W. L. (1962). The surface properties of insects-some evolutionary and ecological implications. Proc. Linn. Soc. Lond. 173, 115-119.

The molecular arrangement of lipid over the epicuticle of insects produces impermeability to water and a permanently hydrofuge surface. It is suggested that aquatic air-breathing preceded terrestrial water-proofing, and the mechanism which produces the hydrofuge surface pre-adapted insects to terrestrial life.

Beer, J. V. & Boyd, H. (1962). Weights of pink-footed geese in autumn. Bird Study, 9, 91-99. Of 2844 birds ringed in England and Scotland in 1953, 1957, 1958 and 1959, adults weighed more

than first-year birds and males more than females. Three and 4 year old birds are lighter than either 1 or 2 year or 5 plus year birds. No increase in weight occurs through October and November.

Bletchly, J. D. & White, M. G. (1962). Significance and control of attack by the ambrosia beetle Trypodendron lineatum (Oliv.) (Col. Scolytidae) in Argyllshire forests. Forestry, 35 (2), 139-163.

Mainly for foresters.

Burgess, D. (1963). Carrion crows in Northern England. Agriculture, 70, (3), 126-129. Carrion crows occasionally attack ewes and lambs in Northern England, causing more damage during

severe winters and the following springs. Control is mainly by organized shoots at winter roosts, but cage traps with fresh bait and a decoy bird near winter roosts have given good results.

Butler, C. G. & Paton, P. N. (1962). Inhibition of queen rearing by queen honey-bees (Apis mellifera L.) of different ages. Proc. R. Ent. Soc. Lond. (A), 37, 114-116.

The relative inability of young virgin queens to inhibit queen rearing is not due to insufficient 9-oxo- decenoic acid but probably to a shortage of 'inhibitory scent'.

Cottrell, C. B. (1962). General observations on the imaginal ecdysis of blowflies. Trans. R. Ent. Soc. Lond. 114, 317-333.

Calliphora erythrocephala and Sarcophaga barbata were studied.

Crooke, M. (1962). Some British forest insect problems. Scot. For. 16 (3), 180-185. The comparatively low incidence of damage from forest insect pests in the past may be due to condi-

tions which are changing, such as monospecific blocks in a vulnerable stage. Discusses the role of various treatments and their economic justification. No references.

Dunn, J. A. (1963). Lettuce root aphid. Agriculture, 70 (3), 155-158. The eggs over winter on the bark of Lombardy polar, and the first generation each year develops in

galls on its petioles, so this tree should not be planted near lettuce fields. Carry over of wingless aphids in the soil can be reduced if at least 12 months elapse between lettuce crops, endive and chicory are not grown, and sow-thistle and dandelion are cleared. Resistant lettuce varieties and pre-sowing soil insecti- cide treatment also help.

Gary, N. E. & Morse, R. A. (1962). Queen cell construction in honey bee (Apis mellifera L.) colonies headed by queens without mandibular glands. Proc. R. Ent. Soc. Lond. (A), 37, 76-78.

The effect of removing the mandibular gland from living queens, in six colonies, was shown to increase the number of queen cells constructed. The queens, however, retained some of their capacity to inhibit queen rearing.

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584 Abstracts

Harris, M. P. (1962). Difficulties in the ageing of the herring gull and lesser black-backed gull. Bird Study, 9, 100-103.

Produces evidence that plumage is not always reliable as a guide to age and postulates that character- istics be described when plumage is used for ageing.

Harthan, A. J. (1960). Some notes on the growth of a rookery. W. Mid. Bird Rep. 26 (1959), 12-13.

Annual counts from the first nest in 1931 till 1959, when there were eighty-three. At another rookery numbers fluctuated from seventeen in 1947 through thirty-four in 1948 to nine in 1959.

McMillan, N. F. (1962). Mollusca on Bunter sandstone in a Liverpool suburb. J. Conch. 25, 126-127.

Description of a 'poor' habitat in which seventeen species of snails and slugs were found.

Murton, R. K. (1962). Narcotics v. wood-pigeons. Agriculture, 69 (7), 336-339. In thirty-four trials during the winters of 1959-60 and 1960-61, using mainly cereal baits with 1-5 %

by weight of alpha-chloralose, 1408 birds were captured. 570% were wood-pigeons, 230% were other species harmful to agriculture, and the rest were legally protected species and game birds. The risk to small protected species can be removed if peas and beans are used as bait. About half the pigeons in the baited areas were captured, and the cost per bird is less than that of shooting or nest destruction.

Nuorteva, P. (1963). Synanthropy of blowflies (Dipt., Calliphoridae) in Finland. Ann. Ent. Fenn. 29, 1-49.

A comprehensive study of the degree of preference for human settlements shown by different species of blowflies over a wide range of northern Europe, using simultaneous trapping in an urban area, at an isolated house in rural surroundings and in the wild. Significantly different indices were determined for different species in oak and coniferous forest zones and on the border between coniferous forests and sub-arctic areas. Sex ratios and behaviour differences are analysed, as also reactions to sunlight and attraction to different baits.

Peachey, J. E. (1963). Studies on the Enchytraeidae (Oligochaeta) of moorland soil. Pedobiol. 2, 81-95.

The worms, sampled during 1955-57 on five sites at the Moor House Reserve, showed maximum densities of 300,000/m2, of biomass about 50 g in Juncus squarrosus moor. They were aggregated and concentrated in the top 2 cm of soil, only driven deeper by cold or drying out; but drought is not a normally recurrent threat, especially in Juncus sites.

Ratcliffe, D. A. (1962). Breeding density in the peregrine Falco peregrinus and raven Corvus corax. Ibis, 104, 13-39.

Observations during sixteen seasons of 141 peregrine and 247 raven territories in inland districts. Factors controlling the populations are discussed.

Rowe, F. P. (1962). Rats and mice in corn ricks. Agriculture, 69 (7), 322-324. Rats may invade corn ricks, or visit them to feed from up to X mile away. Regular inspection will

detect infestations early, and baits containing Warfarin give good control. Mice may be carried in sheaves, and also invade ricks, mostly between September and November. For control many permanent Warfarin baits should be placed in ricks either as they are being built or as soon as possible afterwards.

Sage, B. L. (1962). Albinism and melanism in birds. Brit. Birds, 55, 201-225. Diverse factors giving rise to albinism and melanism are set out and discussed.

Stafford, J. (1962). Nightjar enquiry, 1957-58. Bird Study, 9, 104-115. Results of B.T.O. inquiry. Lists distribution (only partially known) by vice-counties for British Isles.

Concludes that the bird is decreasing particularly in the north, possibly because of building on its breeding grounds and also disturbance by holiday-makers in some areas.

Tubbs, C. R. (1963). The significance of the New Forest to the status of the Dartford warbler in England. Brit. Birds, 56, 41-48.

The New Forest contains the largest area of suitable habitat and may act as a reservoir whence sites probably tco small to permit permanent survival can be recolonized.

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