2. Methods, Apparatus, Population Statistics and Taxonomic Studies of Use to Ecologists Source: Journal of Animal Ecology, Vol. 24, No. 1 (May, 1955), pp. 225-229 Published by: British Ecological Society Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/1895 . Accessed: 02/05/2014 08:28 Your use of the JSTOR archive indicates your acceptance of the Terms & Conditions of Use, available at . http://www.jstor.org/page/info/about/policies/terms.jsp . JSTOR is a not-for-profit service that helps scholars, researchers, and students discover, use, and build upon a wide range of content in a trusted digital archive. We use information technology and tools to increase productivity and facilitate new forms of scholarship. For more information about JSTOR, please contact [email protected]. . British Ecological Society is collaborating with JSTOR to digitize, preserve and extend access to Journal of Animal Ecology. http://www.jstor.org This content downloaded from 130.132.123.28 on Fri, 2 May 2014 08:28:30 AM All use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions
Transcript
2. Methods, Apparatus, Population Statistics and Taxonomic Studies of Use to EcologistsSource: Journal of Animal Ecology, Vol. 24, No. 1 (May, 1955), pp. 225-229Published by: British Ecological SocietyStable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/1895 .
Accessed: 02/05/2014 08:28
Your use of the JSTOR archive indicates your acceptance of the Terms & Conditions of Use, available at .http://www.jstor.org/page/info/about/policies/terms.jsp
.JSTOR is a not-for-profit service that helps scholars, researchers, and students discover, use, and build upon a wide range ofcontent in a trusted digital archive. We use information technology and tools to increase productivity and facilitate new formsof scholarship. For more information about JSTOR, please contact [email protected].
.
British Ecological Society is collaborating with JSTOR to digitize, preserve and extend access to Journal ofAnimal Ecology.
http://www.jstor.org
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Ecological surveys Ecological surveys 225 225 Woodroffe, G. E. (1953). The cinder-patch-an interesting artifical habitat. Middle-
Thames Nat. 6, 21-23. A review of the ecological conditions provided by old cinder-tips and notes on the habits of the
Lygaeids, Coreids, Neids and Mirids found on two such sites in Buckinghamshire.
Woodroffe, G. E. (1953). An ecological study of the insects and mites in the nests of certain birds in Britain. Bull. Ent. Res. 44, 739-772.
The insect fauna includes twelve species listed as ectoparasites of birds, sixty-six scavenger species and fourteen predatory species. Mites included one ectoparasite, ten scavengers and eleven predators. Frequency of occurrence of the more important species is stated and their abundance estimated. Nests examined were chiefly those of house sparrow, house martin, city pigeon, jackdaw and swallow, but nests of many other birds were also studied. Two distinct types of nest are recognized, the wet nest exposed to rain and the dry nest in shelter; the dry nest fauna is particularly discussed. The influence of nest composition, internal temperature and humidity upon the fauna are considered, as also are predator- prey relationships existing between members of the fauna; methods of nest colonization by different members of the fauna are discussed. A little-known study of the same subject by S. Nordberg (1936) is fully reviewed and discussed.
Woodroffe, G. E. (1954). An additional note on the fauna of birds' nests in Britain. Bull. Ent. Res. 45, 135-136.
Specimens recorded (Woodroffe, 1953, Bull. Ent. Res. 44, 739-72) as Ptinus subpilosus are P. fur, and P. hirtellus is added to the previous list. Glycphagus n.sp. of the previous list is probably G. geniculatus Vitz. The only species of Ptinus amongst those recorded which is capable of colonizing nests by flight is P. sexpunctatus. Females of the other species recorded normally have vestigial wings, although males of three of them have fully developed wings.
Woods, H. E. (1950). Notes on the breeding habits of the Corn-Bunting in Hampshire. Brit. Birds, 43, 82-83.
Summarizes a close study of over fifty nests made in three seasons.
Yapp, W. B. (1953). The bird community of the Fell woods of the English Lake district. Northw. Nat. (N.S.) 1, 503-512.
The seven isolated, deciduous woods at altitudes exceeding 1000 ft studied, which constitute an ecotone of the first order, contained a highly characteristic bird community, of which all are strict insect-feeders, and most nest regularly or occasionally on the ground, are somewhat northern in distribu- tion, and show a tendency to increased relative length of tarsus. There was an almost complete emigration in autumn, and tits were the only regular inhabitants during winter. The emigration of chaffinches from semi-natural oak and birch woods is probably general for England, except where proximity to houses renders it unnecessary.
Yeates, G. K. (1950). Field notes on the nesting habits of the Great Northern Diver. Brit. Birds, 43, 5-8.
Observations made in Iceland in June of 1948 and 1949, too late for courtship display, but three forms of display are described. Eleven photographs include two of the breeding habitat.
2. METHODS, APPARATUS, POPULATION STATISTICS AND TAXONOMIC STUDIES OF USE TO ECOLOGISTS
Bailey, C. E. G. (1950). Towards an orthography of bird song. Ibis, 92, 115-122. The development of the sound spectrograph, and its use in recording bird songs are described.
Barnes, H. (1953). Considerazioni statistiche sulla distribuzione spaziale di alcuni organismi planctonici raccolti su un lungo percorso nel Golfo della Clyde. Mem. Ist. Ital. Idrobiol. de Marchi, 7, 109-127.
A statistical comparison between a series of plankton hauls made in the Firth of Clyde by day with a series taken by night. The mean of catches by day and by night did not differ significantly, except for those species known to make vertical migrations. The spatial relations over the area are considered in relation to the type of organism and its dispersal.
Woodroffe, G. E. (1953). The cinder-patch-an interesting artifical habitat. Middle- Thames Nat. 6, 21-23.
A review of the ecological conditions provided by old cinder-tips and notes on the habits of the Lygaeids, Coreids, Neids and Mirids found on two such sites in Buckinghamshire.
Woodroffe, G. E. (1953). An ecological study of the insects and mites in the nests of certain birds in Britain. Bull. Ent. Res. 44, 739-772.
The insect fauna includes twelve species listed as ectoparasites of birds, sixty-six scavenger species and fourteen predatory species. Mites included one ectoparasite, ten scavengers and eleven predators. Frequency of occurrence of the more important species is stated and their abundance estimated. Nests examined were chiefly those of house sparrow, house martin, city pigeon, jackdaw and swallow, but nests of many other birds were also studied. Two distinct types of nest are recognized, the wet nest exposed to rain and the dry nest in shelter; the dry nest fauna is particularly discussed. The influence of nest composition, internal temperature and humidity upon the fauna are considered, as also are predator- prey relationships existing between members of the fauna; methods of nest colonization by different members of the fauna are discussed. A little-known study of the same subject by S. Nordberg (1936) is fully reviewed and discussed.
Woodroffe, G. E. (1954). An additional note on the fauna of birds' nests in Britain. Bull. Ent. Res. 45, 135-136.
Specimens recorded (Woodroffe, 1953, Bull. Ent. Res. 44, 739-72) as Ptinus subpilosus are P. fur, and P. hirtellus is added to the previous list. Glycphagus n.sp. of the previous list is probably G. geniculatus Vitz. The only species of Ptinus amongst those recorded which is capable of colonizing nests by flight is P. sexpunctatus. Females of the other species recorded normally have vestigial wings, although males of three of them have fully developed wings.
Woods, H. E. (1950). Notes on the breeding habits of the Corn-Bunting in Hampshire. Brit. Birds, 43, 82-83.
Summarizes a close study of over fifty nests made in three seasons.
Yapp, W. B. (1953). The bird community of the Fell woods of the English Lake district. Northw. Nat. (N.S.) 1, 503-512.
The seven isolated, deciduous woods at altitudes exceeding 1000 ft studied, which constitute an ecotone of the first order, contained a highly characteristic bird community, of which all are strict insect-feeders, and most nest regularly or occasionally on the ground, are somewhat northern in distribu- tion, and show a tendency to increased relative length of tarsus. There was an almost complete emigration in autumn, and tits were the only regular inhabitants during winter. The emigration of chaffinches from semi-natural oak and birch woods is probably general for England, except where proximity to houses renders it unnecessary.
Yeates, G. K. (1950). Field notes on the nesting habits of the Great Northern Diver. Brit. Birds, 43, 5-8.
Observations made in Iceland in June of 1948 and 1949, too late for courtship display, but three forms of display are described. Eleven photographs include two of the breeding habitat.
2. METHODS, APPARATUS, POPULATION STATISTICS AND TAXONOMIC STUDIES OF USE TO ECOLOGISTS
Bailey, C. E. G. (1950). Towards an orthography of bird song. Ibis, 92, 115-122. The development of the sound spectrograph, and its use in recording bird songs are described.
Barnes, H. (1953). Considerazioni statistiche sulla distribuzione spaziale di alcuni organismi planctonici raccolti su un lungo percorso nel Golfo della Clyde. Mem. Ist. Ital. Idrobiol. de Marchi, 7, 109-127.
A statistical comparison between a series of plankton hauls made in the Firth of Clyde by day with a series taken by night. The mean of catches by day and by night did not differ significantly, except for those species known to make vertical migrations. The spatial relations over the area are considered in relation to the type of organism and its dispersal.
Anim. Ecol. 24, I Anim. Ecol. 24, I I5 I5
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Barnes, H. (1953). A simple and inexpensive closing net. Mem. Ist. Ital. Idrobiol. de Marchi, 7, 189-198.
A simple and inexpensive net for taking vertical plankton hauls is described.
Barnes, H. (1953). A note on cumulative frequency curves. Mem. Ist. Ital. Idrobiol. de Marchi, 7, 201-207.
Size measurements on copepod populations, when plotted as a cumulative curve on probability paper, show a 'falling off' from a straight-line relationship. This phenomenon is discussed.
Beverton, R. J. H. (1953). Some observations on the principles of fishery regulation. J. Cons. Int. Explor. Mer, 19, 56-68.
Dynamics of plaice and haddock populations in the North Sea.
Boase, H. (1950). Calls of Tawny Owls. Brit. Birds, 43, 86. A wide range of calls are briefly described.
Chiswell, J. R. (1954). Tipula livida v.d.Wulp (Diptera, Tipulidae) new to Britain. Entomologist, 87, 124-126.
This Tipulid was reared in March-April from larvae in leaf mould and soil in woods near Bristol. The larvae also occurred in a beech wood in Wiltshire. A description of the adult is given, with an amendment to the appropriate couplet in Coe's Key, and characters distinguishing it from other British species.
Cole, H. A. & Mistakidis, M. N. (1953). A device for the quick and accurate measurement of carapace length in prawns and shrimps. J. Cons. Int. Explor. Mer, 19, 77-79.
Adaptation of standard screw-micrometer.
Collin, J. E. (1954). The genus Chiastochaeta Pokorny (Diptera: Anthomyiidae). Proc. R. Ent. Soc. Lond. (B) 23, 95-102.
A table is provided for distinguishing males of Chiastochaeta.
Collyer, E. (1953). The effect of spraying materials on some predatory insects. Rep. E. Malling Res. Sta. A 36 (1952), 141-145.
An investigation into the effect of sprays on the more important predators of the fruit tree red spider mite. Summer spraying, particularly with DDT, BHC and parathion, appears to cause the most severe mortality among all these predators. Routine winter oil-washes, although killing some adults of several hibernating species, do not appear to affect the eggs of the black-kneed capsid Blepharidopterus angulatus.
Conder, P. J. & Keighley, J. (1950). The leg colouration of the Willow-Warbler and Chiffchaff. Brit. Birds, 43, 238-240.
The examination of 426 Phylloscopus trochilus and 36 P. collybita at Skokholm Bird Observatory leads to the conclusion that there is considerable overlapping in the leg colour.
Crosse, J. E. & Pitcher, R. S. (1953). A preliminary note on methods for obtaining bacteria- free eelworms. Rep. E. Malling Res. Sta. A 36 (1952), 138-140.
The best results, in experiments to obtain viable bacteria-free eelworms Aphelenchoides ritzema-bosi using chemical sterilants, were achieved by immersion in low concentrations of ethoxyethyl mercury chloride for periods up to 90 h.
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adults, with Caenis moesta nymphs second in importance. Gammarus pulex and Asellus meridianus were present but were of little importance. The stomachs of two fish taken in February 1952 were empty. A single specimen taken 16 May 1952 was 120 mm. in length. The stomach contents consisted of approximately equal volumes of Agraylea multipunctata larvae in their cases, Tinodes larvae and Orthocladiinae larvae. Three Asellus meridianus and a single Gammarus pulex were also present. Two fish taken 13 May 1952, 215 and 223 mm. in length, and two others taken 28 May 1952, 212 and 190 mm. in length, contained planktonic crustacea exclusively. These four fish were caught in gill nets, the others by seine nets.
There are no previous reliable records of feeding habits of this species. From my own analysis it would seem that small fish up to 150 mm. long fed exclusively on the bottom, and this would explain why they were caught in littoral regions by a seine net, which was only 12 ft. deep. Data from the larger fish indicate that they were plankton feeders. Records of feeding habits of other species of white fish are numerous both in British and American literature. The schelly (Coregonus stigmaticus) in Haweswater is reported by Swynnerton & Worthington (1940) to feed near the bottom of the lake on Entomostraca. They point out that like the powan (C. clupeoides) in Loch Lomond, the schelly may also sometimes feed on the 'true plankton', as it has been seen in shoals at the water surface at night.
THE INVERTEBRATA
Only the commoner members of the Invertebrata of the bottom fauna have been examined for gut contents. It was not possible to determine gut contents of any Hemiptera or Coleoptera, as in all instances the food particles were too small for identification. I have attempted to establish the feeding habits of the species listed below; in each instance fifty specimens were examined except where otherwise indicated.
CRUSTACEA Amphipoda Gammarus pulex de Geer. INSECTA Neuroptera Sialis lutaria Linn.
Ephemeroptera Siphlonurus lacustris Etn.
Ephemera danica Mull.
Leptophlebia marginata Linn.
Plecoptera Nemoura avicularis Morton. Diura bicaudata Linn.
(a) Gammarus pulex The Gammarus examined were taken from shore stations round the lake and were
collected at different times. Fig. 2 shows the foods found within the gut, and their relative importance in the diet. The food is finely divided in the gut, and where present detritus forms the greatest bulk of the food. Diatoms often form a considerable pro- portion of the gut contents. The occurrence of the spines and mandible of an insect
227
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Kerrich, G. V. (1952). A review, and a revision in greater part, of the Cteniscini of the Old World (Hym., Ichneumonidae). Bull. Brit. Mus. (Nat. Hist.) (Ent.) 2, 305-460.
A taxonomic review of the group with illustrated descriptions, including two new generic names and ten new species. A key to the Old World species is included.
LeQuesne, W. J. (1945). Studies on the British species of Anthocoris Fallen (Hem., Antho-
coridae) including two new subspecies. Ent. Mon. Mag. 90, 36-40.
Includes a key to the British species.
Meinertzhagen, R. (1951). Some relationships between African, Oriental, and Palaearctic
genera and species, with a review of the genus Monticola. Ibis, 93, 443-459.
The aim of the paper is 'to broaden the bases of genera and species occurring in the Palaearctic Region by lifting taxonomy out of the narrow rut of regional ornithology'. Examples of wide distribu- tional gaps include those between some European species and their representative races in East Asia and North America. The writer indicates when races occurring in the region distant from the main area of the species are not accepted as such by other authorities.
Miles, P. M. (1954). A trap designed to collect insects attracted by 'sugar'. Ent. Mon. Mag. 90, 86-87.
Nicholson, A. J. (1954). Experimental demonstrations of balance in populations. Nature, Lond, 173, 862-863.
Controlled experiments with Lucilia cuprina show that compensatory reaction to density change is a feature of a stable population system.
North, M. E. W. (1950). Transcribing bird-song. Ibis, 92, 99-114.
Suggests a field method which is accurate and minimizes errors.
Perkins, J. F. (1953). Notes on British Ichneumoninae with descriptions of new species (Hym., Ichneumonidae). Bull. Brit. Mus. (Nat. Hist.) (Ent.) 3, 105-176.
Additions to and deletions from Kloet & Hincks' Check List of British Insects (1945), with descriptions of two new genera and sixteen new species. A revision of the nomenclature and a check list of the British species of Ichneumoninae.
Poulding, R. H. (1951). The use of extruded plastic for colour marking. Brit. Birds, 44, 126-127.
A technique using tubing of polyvinyl chloride extruded plastic for ringing juvenile Larus argentatus and L. fuscus proved satisfactory. A visual record of a L. argentatus was obtained 19 months after ringing. Two methods of attaching the rings are given.
Sell, C. N. G. (1954). Observations with a mercury vapour light-trap. Starfish, 7, 17-19.
Notes on moths and other animals attracted to the trap on two evenings in October 1953, at Bishop's Stortford, Herts. For one evening the times of capture of each of the 17 species caught is analysed in three periods from 1830 to 0400 h.
Smith, W. & McIntyre, A. D. (1954). A spring-loaded bottom-sampler. J. Mar. Biol. Ass. U.K. 33, 257-264.
A new type of grab, sampling 1/10 m2 is described. It is designed for use on sandy bottoms, and can be used in rough sea conditions.
Spence, T. (1954). A taxonomic study of the females of the British Lucilia species (Diptera: Calliphoridae). Proc. R. Ent. Soc. Lond. (B) 23, 29-35.
A key is provided.
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Spencer, K. A. (1953). Notes on the British Agromyzidae (Dipt.). I. Ent. Mon. Mag. 89, 296-297.
The identity of 58 species on the British list, which are enumerated, was confirmed by breeding. Some additions to the list are also included with food plants and localities.
Spooner, G. M. (1954). Notes on species of Omalus (Hym., Chrysididae) including one new to the British list. Ent. Mon. Mag. 90, 135-138.
Includes a key to the five British species, the distribution in Britain of each, and notes on the distin- guishing characters and habitats. The addition to the British list is 0. puncticollis.
Stelfox, A. W. (1954). New species of Dacnusinae (Hym., Braconidae) from Ireland. Ent. Mon. Mag. 90, 159-165.
The species here described are Dacnusa crassipes, D. rufirnarginata, D. coracina, D. obesa, D. fasciata and D. nigropygmaea.
Stokes, B. M. (1953). Biological investigations into the validity of Contarinia species living on the Cruciferae, with special reference to the Swede Midge, Contarinia nasturtii (Kieffer). Ann. Appl. Biol. 40, 726-741.
Fourteen additional host plants are recorded for C. nasturtii which is shown to be synonymous with C. isatidis and C. ruderalis. The varied gall forms on leaves and inflorescences of crucifers are discussed and illustrated.
Tchan, Y. T. & Bunt, J. S. (1954). Direct microscopy for study and count of soil Protozoa. Nature, Lond. 174, 656.
A differential staining technique is described which makes possible a direct count of bacteria, fungi and protozoa against a background of soil particles.
Thompson, H. V. (1953). Experimental live trapping of rats, with observations on their behaviour. Brit. J. Anim. Behaviour, 1, 96-111.
Contains useful data on different types of live traps for rats, with analyses of their efficiency based on direct observations of rats entering and leaving them.
Van Emden, F. L. (1953). On the taxonomy of Rhynchophora larvae: Adelognatha and Alophinae (Insecta: Coleoptera). Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond. 122, 651-795.
This most important taxonomic work permits the identification of weevil larvae. The usual classifica- tion of the adults is not entirely supported by the affinities of larval morphology.
Wickstead, J. (1953). A new apparatus for the collection of bottom plankton. J. Mar. Biol. Ass. U.K. 32, 347-355.
Description of a net which samples plankton from the immediate vicinity of the sea bottom, the net being open only when in contact with the bottom.
3. PARASITES
Allan, R. M. (1953). A further record of the flea Tarsopsylla octodecimdentata (Kol.) in Scotland. Scot. Nat. 65, 192-193.
A female flea taken on the red squirrel in Aberdeenshire. Two squirrel fleas of different species were taken on the bank-vole.
Clarke, A. S. (1954). Studies on the life cycle of the pseudophyllidean cestode Schisto- cephalus solidus. Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond. 124, 257-302.
The life-cycle through stickleback and Cyclops was followed in field and laboratory; growth rates of stages were measured and the weights of host and parasite measured through the year. Cyclops is an unimportant part of the diet of the fish.
Methods etc. 229
Spencer, K. A. (1953). Notes on the British Agromyzidae (Dipt.). I. Ent. Mon. Mag. 89, 296-297.
The identity of 58 species on the British list, which are enumerated, was confirmed by breeding. Some additions to the list are also included with food plants and localities.
Spooner, G. M. (1954). Notes on species of Omalus (Hym., Chrysididae) including one new to the British list. Ent. Mon. Mag. 90, 135-138.
Includes a key to the five British species, the distribution in Britain of each, and notes on the distin- guishing characters and habitats. The addition to the British list is 0. puncticollis.
Stelfox, A. W. (1954). New species of Dacnusinae (Hym., Braconidae) from Ireland. Ent. Mon. Mag. 90, 159-165.
The species here described are Dacnusa crassipes, D. rufirnarginata, D. coracina, D. obesa, D. fasciata and D. nigropygmaea.
Stokes, B. M. (1953). Biological investigations into the validity of Contarinia species living on the Cruciferae, with special reference to the Swede Midge, Contarinia nasturtii (Kieffer). Ann. Appl. Biol. 40, 726-741.
Fourteen additional host plants are recorded for C. nasturtii which is shown to be synonymous with C. isatidis and C. ruderalis. The varied gall forms on leaves and inflorescences of crucifers are discussed and illustrated.
Tchan, Y. T. & Bunt, J. S. (1954). Direct microscopy for study and count of soil Protozoa. Nature, Lond. 174, 656.
A differential staining technique is described which makes possible a direct count of bacteria, fungi and protozoa against a background of soil particles.
Thompson, H. V. (1953). Experimental live trapping of rats, with observations on their behaviour. Brit. J. Anim. Behaviour, 1, 96-111.
Contains useful data on different types of live traps for rats, with analyses of their efficiency based on direct observations of rats entering and leaving them.
Van Emden, F. L. (1953). On the taxonomy of Rhynchophora larvae: Adelognatha and Alophinae (Insecta: Coleoptera). Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond. 122, 651-795.
This most important taxonomic work permits the identification of weevil larvae. The usual classifica- tion of the adults is not entirely supported by the affinities of larval morphology.
Wickstead, J. (1953). A new apparatus for the collection of bottom plankton. J. Mar. Biol. Ass. U.K. 32, 347-355.
Description of a net which samples plankton from the immediate vicinity of the sea bottom, the net being open only when in contact with the bottom.
3. PARASITES
Allan, R. M. (1953). A further record of the flea Tarsopsylla octodecimdentata (Kol.) in Scotland. Scot. Nat. 65, 192-193.
A female flea taken on the red squirrel in Aberdeenshire. Two squirrel fleas of different species were taken on the bank-vole.
Clarke, A. S. (1954). Studies on the life cycle of the pseudophyllidean cestode Schisto- cephalus solidus. Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond. 124, 257-302.
The life-cycle through stickleback and Cyclops was followed in field and laboratory; growth rates of stages were measured and the weights of host and parasite measured through the year. Cyclops is an unimportant part of the diet of the fish.
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