Immunodeficient honey bee (Apis mellifera) colonies suffer from broad range of parasites including eukaryotic protozoa. Despite this fact, the eukaryotic parasites are still poorly documented in the Czech Republic. The presence of eukaryotic parasites (Nosema ceranae, Nosema apis, Crithidia mellificae and Apicystis bombi) was observed in different apiaries in the Czech Republic. The samples were taken in 9 apiaries in 53 beehives during the 2014/2015 season. From each beehive, 10 adult of honey bees were taken from the peripheral comb in triplicate. DNA was isolated from every sample of honey bees. The parasites were detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with specific primers. The treatment fall of parasitic mite Varroa destructor was obtained from beekeepers for season of 2014. Crithidia mellificae was detected by 5 types of specific primers (SEF, SER; SSU, SSU rRNA, Cyt b, Tryp cyt b) and positive amplicons were cloned and sequenced. The obtained sequences were compared with GeneBank and showed similarity from 98-100% to sequences of Lotmaria passim (Trypanosomatid). Crithidia mellificae was not detected. L. passim had prevalence of 79,2% and is reported in the Czech Republic for the first time. Primer Tryp-cyt b is recommended for the routine detection of L. passim. Nosema ceranae was...

Nosema ceranae est un parasite émergeant d’Apis mellifera décrit dans certaines régions comme la cause majeure de la mortalité des abeilles. Dans d’autres cas, il est soupçonné d’affaiblir les colonies par l’interaction avec d’autres facteurs de pression de l’environnement. Dans le cadre du phénomène global de la mortalité des abeilles, nous avons orienté nos recherches vers l’étude des effets N. ceranae, en faisant l’hypothèse que ce parasite est capable d’induire des changements comportementaux chez A. mellifera dus à des altérations physiologiques, ce qui pourrait éventuellement perturber l’organisation sociale et aboutir à la mort de la colonie. Etant donné cette hypothèse, trois domaines d’étude ont été inclus dans notre recherche, (i) les effets de N. ceranae sur l’organisation sociale de la colonie, (ii) les mécanismes moléculaires à la base des effets chez les abeilles parasitées, et (iii) les différences en virulence d’isolats de N. ceranae ce qui pourrait expliquer la variation des effets du parasite chez l’abeille. Nous avons obtenu trois résultats majeurs. D’abord, nous avons constaté des modifications dans la structure sociale des abeilles après l’infection. Ces changements sembleraient contribuer à la survie de la colonie constituant probablement un mécanisme d’immunité sociale. Ce mécanisme géré par un signal phéromonal, permettrait de diminuer la transmission du parasite au sein de la colonie et prolonger la survie des abeilles saines. Ensuite, nous avons mis en évidence des effets sur la physiologie de l’intestin de l’abeille qui pourraient causer sa mort : l’induction du stress oxydatif et l’inhibition du renouvellement cellulaire de l’épithélium. Finalement, nos résultats suggèrent que certaines caractéristiques de l’hôte et conditions environnementales augmenteraient la probabilité de N. ceranae d’induire la mort. En conclusion, N. ceranae a le potentiel de causer la mort des abeilles, cependant, la colonie pourrait contrer l’infection, par exemple, par de mécanismes d’immunité sociale, or, la réponse générale à l’infection dépendrait des caractéristiques de l’hôte en combinaison avec les conditions de l’environnement. Le phénomène d’effondrement de colonies à l’échelle mondiale a mis en évidence la fragilité du système colonie d’abeilles – environnement. L’étude de chaque facteur participant au système, en autres, parasites, pesticides, changements dans l’environnement, pratiques apicoles, est essentielle pour une meilleure compréhension de toutes les interactions qui maintiennent l’équilibre écologique des colonies / Nosema ceranae is an emergent parasite of the honey bee Apis mellifera. In some regions it has been found to be the main reason for bee mortality, while in others it is suspected of weakening honey bee colonies by interacting with other environmental stressors. In the context of worldwide colony losses, we focus our research on the study of N. ceranae, with the hypothesis that this parasite is able to induce behavioral changes in bees through physiological modifications, which could alter social organization and cause colony death. Given this hypothesis, the program of study falls into three areas; (i) N. ceranae effects on colony social organization, (ii) molecular mechanisms of N. ceranae infection underlying observed effects, and (iii) differences in virulence of N. ceranae strains which could explain the diversity of parasite effects. We obtained three main results. First, we observed modifications in honey bee social structure after infection. This mechanism under pheromone control, would reduce parasite transmission within the colony and increase the lifespan of healthy bees. These changes may contribute to colony survival as part of a mechanism of social immunity. Second, we found two mechanisms whereby the pathogen affects the physiology of bee midgut epithelium that could lead to host mortality: oxidative stress and the inhibition of cellular renewal. Finally, our results suggest that certain host and environmental conditions increase the probability that N. ceranae will cause bee mortality. In conclusion, N. ceranae has the potential to cause bee death, however at colony level bees might counteract infection through, for example, social immunity mechanisms; although, overall honey bee response to infection would depend on characteristics of the host in combination with environmental conditions. Worldwide colony losses phenomenon have highlighted the fragility of the “honey bee colony – environment” system. The study of each factor involve in this system, including parasites, pesticides, environmental changes and beekeeping practices, is essential to better understand all of the interactions that maintain the ecological balance of honey bee colonies

Résumé indisponible. / In this thesis we have concerned ourselves with university timetabling problems both course timetabling and examination timetabling problems. Most of the timetabling problems are computationally NP-complete problems, which means that the amount of computation required to find solutions increases exponentially with problem size. These are idiosyncratic nature problems, for example different universities have their own set of constraints, their own definition of good timetable, feasible timetable and their own choice about the use of constraint type (as a soft or hard constraint). Unfortunately, it is often the case that a problem solving approach which is successfully applied for one specific problem may not become suitable for others. This is a motivation, we propose a generalized problem which covers many constraints used in different universities or never used in literature. Many university timetabling problems are sub problems of this generalized problem. Our proposed algorithms can solve these sub problems easily, moreover constraints can be used according to the desire of user easily because these constraints can be used as reference to penalty attached with them as well. It means that give more penalty value to hard constraints than soft constraint. Thus more penalty value constraints are dealt as a hard constraint by algorithm. Our algorithms can also solve a problem in two phases with little modification, where in first phase hard constraints are solved. In this work we have preferred and used two phase technique to solve timetabling problems because by using this approach algorithms have broader search space in first phase to satisfy hard constraints while not considering soft constraints at all. Two types of algorithms are used in literature to solve university timetabling problem, exact algorithms and approximation algorithms. Exact algorithms are able to find optimal solution, however in university timetabling problems exact algorithms constitute brute-force style procedures. And because these problems have the exponential growth rates of the search spaces, thus these kinds of algorithms can be applied for small size problems. On the other side, approximation algorithms may construct optimal solution or not but they can produce good practically useable solutions. Thus due to these factors we have proposed approximation algorithms to solve university timetabling problem. We have proposed metaheuristic based techniques to solve timetabling problem, thus we have mostly discussed metaheuristic based algorithms such as evolutionary algorithms, simulated annealing, tabu search, ant colony optimization and honey bee algorithms. These algorithms have been used to solve many other combinatorial optimization problems other than timetabling problem by modifying a general purpose algorithmic framework. We also have presented a bibliography of linear integer programming techniques used to solve timetabling problem because we have formulated linear integer programming formulations for our course and examination timetabling problems. We have proposed two stage algorithms where hard constraints are satisfied in first phase and soft constraints in second phase. The main purpose to use this two stage technique is that in first phase hard constraints satisfaction can use more relax search space because in first phase it does not consider soft constraints. In second phase it tries to satisfy soft constraints when maintaining hard constraints satisfaction which are already done in first phase. (...)

O objetivo deste trabalho foi identificar, por meio de análise polínica de amostras de mel e cargas de pólen, a fonte dos recursos alimentares utilizados por cinco espécies de meliponíneos, numa área rural do município de Piracicaba, Estado de São Paulo, bem como acompanhar o desenvolvimento anual das colônias, além de determinar as características físico-químicas e microbiológicas de 31 amostras de mel produzido no local. Para tanto foram realizadas as análises de açúcares, umidade, HMF, proteínas, cinzas, pH, acidez, índice de formol, condutividade elétrica, cor, atividade diastásica, atividade de água e pesquisa de coliformes totais, fecais, fungos e leveduras. Os resultados demonstram que as espécies Tetragonisca angustula, Scaptotrigona bipunctata, Nanotrigona testaceicornis, Tetragona clavipes, com exceção de F. varia, são generalistas quanto ao uso dos recursos florais, e que o desenvolvimento de suas colônias é influenciado pelos fatores climáticos, necessitando de alimentação complementar em períodos de queda da temperatura, chuvas ou estigens intensas. Com relação às características físico-químicas do mel, pode-se verificar que a legislação atual, referente ao mel de Apis mellifera não é adequada para todos os caracteres analisados, reforçando a necessidade do desenvolvimento de um padrão próprio para os méis de meliponíneos, incluindo critérios microbiológicos, uma vez que 64,52% do total das amostras de mel analisadas apresentaram contagem superior a 100 UFC.g-1 para fungos e leveduras, além de 2 amostras de T. angustula positivas para coliformes totais. / This research deals with the pollinic analyses of honey samples and pollen loads in order to identify the source of food resources used by five species of meliponine bees, in Piracicaba, State of São Paulo, Brazil. One also evaluated the annual development of the colonies and the determination of the physicochemical and microbiological characteristics of 31 honey samples. The following parameters were evaluated: sugars, moisture content, HMF, protein, ashes, pH, acidity, formol index, electrical conductivity, color, diastase activity, water activity and the presence of fecal coliforms, fungi and yeast. The results have indicated that excepting for Friseomelita varia, the species Tetragonisca angustula, Scaptotrigona bipunctata, Nanotrigona testaceicornis and Tetragona clavipes are generalist regarding the use of floral resources. Also the development of their colonies is influenced by climatic factors, once they need complementary food during rainfall, low temperatures and long drought periods. As to the physicochemical characteristics of honey samples, one observes that the Brazilian standard rules for Apis mellifera honey are not suitable for all the analyzed parameters, thus indicating the necessity of a standard rule for the meliponine honeys including microbiological criteria once 64.52% of the analyzed honey samples presented values higher than 100 CFU.g-1 for fungi and yeast and 2 positive samples of T.angustula for total number of coliforms.

Au cours des dernières décennies, les capteurs et les biocapteurs électrochimiques ont connu un développement considérable en raison de leur simplicité, fiabilité, rapidité et sélectivité. Ils ont constitué les alternatives les plus séduisantes pour les méthodes analytiques classiques dans des domaines aussi variés que l'agro-alimentaire, la médecine et la biologie clinique, ou le contrôle de la qualité de l'environnement. Dans ce travail de recherche, nous nous sommes intéressés, dans un premier volet, aux développements des immunocapteurs et capteurs électrochimiques à base des polymères à empreintes moléculaires (MIPs) pour le contrôle de la qualité des miels. La première partie de ce volet concerne le développement des immunocapteurs sur des structures dites Bio-MEMS basées sur des microélectrodes en or. L'élaboration de ces immunocapteurs a été dédiée à la détection des résidus d'antibiotiques à savoir la sulfapyridine (SPy) et la tétracycline (TC). Une nouvelle structure des nanoparticules magnétiques (MNPs) revêtues du copolymère poly (acide pyrrole-co-pyrrole-2-carboxylique) a été exploitée dans ces travaux pour leur réseau d'immobilisation tridimensionnel ainsi que pour leur stabilité pendant de longues périodes. La détection de la SPy et de la TC a été réalisée par différentes approches compétitives en utilisant des anticorps polyclonaux. Dans la deuxième partie de ce volet, nous avons fabriqué des capteurs à base des MIPs pour la détection de la sulfaguanidine, la doxycycline et le chloramphénicol dans le miel. Ces dispositifs ont été développés sur la surface des électrodes sérigraphiées en or en employant une matrice polymérique du polyacrylamide en présence des molécules empreintes. Les performances de ces capteurs et biocapteurs (limite de détection, sélectivité, reproductibilité, application dans les milieux réels) ont ensuite été évaluées. Dans un deuxième volet, nous nous sommes parvenus à appliquer un dispositif de la langue électronique voltammétrique (Langue-EV) pour des analyses agroalimentaires et biomédicales. Dans un premier temps, nous avons discriminé les miels issus de quatorze régions de la France et du Maroc par le dispositif de la Langue-EV. Nous nous sommes aussi parvenus à démontrer la fiabilité de ce dispositif à prédire les résultats des différents paramètres physico-chimiques d'après les réponses des méthodes analytiques utilisées. Dans un deuxième temps, nous sommes passés à l'application du dispositif de la Langue-EV en analyse biomédicale dans le but de discriminer les urines des patientes souffrants des infections urinaires avec celles des femmes saines / In recent decades, the use of electrochemical sensors and biosensors have grown considerably due to their simplicity, reliability, rapidity, and selectivity. They were the most attractive alternative tools for conventional analytical methods in various fields such as food control, medicine, and clinical biology or environmental control. In this research works, we focused, in the first part, on the development of immunosensors and electrochemical sensors based on molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) for the quality control of honey. In the second part, we managed to apply a voltammetric electronic tongue (VE-tongue) for food monitoring and biomedical analyzes. The first part of our research work concerns the development of immunosensors based on gold microelectrodes of the Bio-MEMS devices. The development of these immunosensors was dedicated to the detection of antibiotic residues namely sulfapyridine (SPy) and tetracycline (TC). A new structure of magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) coated with the poly (pyrrole-co-pyrrole-2-carboxylic acid) copolymer has been exploited in this work for their three-dimensional immobilization network as well as for their stability for long periods. The detection of SPy and TC was performed by different competitive approaches using polyclonal antibodies. In this part, we have also synthesized the MIP sensors dedicated to the detection of sulfaguanidine, doxycycline, and chloramphenicol in honey. These devices have been developed on the surface of the screen-printed gold electrodes by employing a polyacrylamide matrix in the presence of the target molecules. The performances of these sensors and biosensors (limit of detection, selectivity, reproducibility, applications in real samples) were then evaluated. Regarding the second part of our research works, it involved the discrimination between honeys from fourteen regions from France and Morocco. We have succeeded in demonstrating the reliability of this device in predicting the results of the different physico-chemical parameters of honey samples according to the responses of the used analytical methods. In other steps, we proceeded to the application of the VE-tongue in biomedical analyzes to discriminate urine specimens of patients suffering from urinary tract infections and those of healthy subjects

The early-twentieth-century culture in western art music of idolizing the composer as the autonomous creative genius has been challenged by recent developments across musicology and creativity research literature. The composer’s music is now regarded as the product of a collaborative network, influenced by all who come into contact with it—first and foremost the performer. Yet, the nature of the performer’s creative impact on the compositional process remains under-explored. This thesis is centred on a qualitative artistic research project, designed to identify and critically evaluate the prospective extent and scope of creative performer agency; it aims to ascertain how a typical lack of familiarity with the instrument may affect the composer’s creative practice, and to reveal key factors that shape the nature and the consequences of composer-performer interaction and collaboration. It proceeds by commissioning new works for guitar from a range of composers for different performers, and by documenting and analysing the processes of collaboration that result. This research agenda challenges the perception of distinct creative roles that remains resilient in present-day cultural understandings and discourse. The findings are intended to broaden understanding of contemporary collaborative practices in the compositional process for the guitar and generalize to the guitar repertoire of the long twentieth century, during which the majority of substantial works were composed in collaboration. The thesis also contributes to a developing and generalizable framework of practice-led research literature that analyses music-making by recognizing the multiple loci and their interactions that underpin all aspects of the creative processes. Chapter 1 discusses the establishment of the creative hegemony of the composer and its opposing currents across disciplines from the late romantic period to the late twentieth century. Chapter 2 comprises an indicative chronology of select collaborations in the long twentieth-century guitar repertoire and an overview of relevant practice-led research projects in performance studies. Ethnographic methodologies are reviewed in Chapter 3 and the fieldwork commissions are analysed in Chapters 4 and 5. Finally, Chapter 6 comprises an evaluation of the performer’s creative agency and its significance when placed in broader frameworks of contemporary guitar practices, contemporary composition across instrumentations, generalizing to historical guitar collaboration and its implications for creativity research.

Submitted by Jorge Silva (jorgelmsilva@ufrrj.br) on 2017-05-18T19:21:27Z No. of bitstreams: 1 2010 - Luiza D'Oliveira Sant'Ana.pdf: 2146437 bytes, checksum: 5d8a20463f01fc73a88b5b0c2e56d28c (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-05-18T19:21:27Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 2010 - Luiza D'Oliveira Sant'Ana.pdf: 2146437 bytes, checksum: 5d8a20463f01fc73a88b5b0c2e56d28c (MD5) Previous issue date: 2010-07-05 / This work aimed at the evaluation of the total phenolic and flavonoid contents of sixty Apis mellifera honey samples, commercialized in different regions of the state of Rio de Janeiro (Metropolis, Southern, Central, Northwestern and Seaside). For each sample, the total phenolic and the total flavonoid contents were analyzed by the Folin-Denis and aluminum chloride (AlCl3) methods, respectively. Also, the antioxidant activity (%AA and EC50) for all the honey samples was evaluated, as well as for some phenolic acids and flavonoids, used as standards. The determination of the antioxidant capacity was carried out by the method of trapping the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl organic radical (DPPH) by antioxidant compounds, resulting in an absorbance decrease at 520 nm. The analyzed honeys were classified as monofloral or heterofloral. For the monofloral samples, it was observed that Anadenanthera honeys showed the highest average value for total phenolics (112,60 mgEAG/100g) and also for the antioxidant capacity (59,93 (AA)mgEQC/500g or 18,92 mg/mL if expressed as EC50), while the Eucalyptus honeys showed the highest mean for total flavonoids (9,17 mgEQC/100g). With these results, a comparative study was carried out with diverse honey samples of different regions, in terms of total phenolic and flavonoid content, antioxidant capacity and some physico-chemistry parameters (HMF, acidity, pH, humidity, water activity and color intensity). Comparison of these results allowed to observe that darker honeys showed both higher antioxidant activity and the highest values for total phenolic and flavonoid contents, as well as for all the other physico-chemical parameters. / O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar os teores de fen?licos e flavon?ides totais de sessenta amostras de mel de Apis mellifera comercializadas em diferentes mesorregi?es do estado do Rio do Janeiro (Metropolitana, Sul, Centro, Noroeste Fluminense e Baixada Litor?nea). Para cada amostra foram analisados os totais de fen?licos e flavon?ides, atrav?s dos m?todos de Folin-Denis e cloreto de alum?nio (AlCl3), respectivamente. Foi determinado, tamb?m, o potencial da atividade antioxidante (%AA e CE50) para todas as amostras de mel, bem como para alguns padr?es de ?cidos fen?licos e flavon?ides. O m?todo utilizado para determinar a capacidade antioxidante foi o de captura do radical org?nico 2,2-difenil-1-picril-hidrazil (DPPH) por antioxidantes, produzindo um decr?scimo da absorb?ncia a 520 nm. Os m?is avaliados foram classificados de monoflorais e heteroflorais. Para os monoflorais foi observado que os m?is de Anadenanthera apresentaram a maior m?dia em totais de fen?licos (112,60 mgEAG/100g), e tamb?m a maior atividade antioxidante (59,93 (AA)mgEQC/500g ou 18,92 mg/mL em termos de CE50), enquanto os m?is de Eucalyptus apresentaram, em m?dia, o maior conte?do de flavon?ides totais (9,17 mgEEC/100g). A partir dos resultados obtidos foi feito um estudo comparativo entre as v?rias amostras de m?is de diferentes regi?es quanto ao teor de fen?licos e flavon?ides totais, a atividade antioxidante e algumas propriedades f?sico-qu?micas (HMF, acidez, pH, umidade, atividade de ?gua e intensidade de colora??o). Ao comparar esses resultados, foi poss?vel observar que os m?is mais escuros apresentaram uma maior atividade antioxidante e uma maior quantidade de fen?licos e flavon?ides totais, bem como valores mais altos para todos os outros par?metros f?sico-qu?micos comparados.

In this study, the effects of the neonicotinoid pesticide, thiamethoxam, are examined through the Proboscis Extension Response (PER) in honey bees (Apis mellifera). PER is a form of classical conditioning applied to honey bees through scent and reward association which quantifies learning rates. Results between groups treated with thiamethoxam did not differ significantly from untreated control groups. Potential reasons for these results are discussed. The method and experimental apparatus for testing the PER assay are also discussed.

This project examined multiple aspects of the reproductive biology of the wetland invasive species, purple loosestrife (<i>Lythrum salicaria</i> L.), in central Saskatchewan. An examination of insect taxa visiting the three floral morphs of <i>Tristylous</i> L. <i>salicaria</i>, as well as a ranking of the pollination efficiency of individual insect species, an apparent first for L salicaria, was undertaken. Surface features of the floral nectary of L. <i>salicaria</i>, as well as floral nectar secretion dynamics, were also investigated. This project also re-visited some of the previous work done on this invasive species, including various floral organ morphometrics in relation to heterostyly, and aspects of the tristylous breeding system including self-fertilization, and fertilization potential of both illegitimate pollination and legitimate pollination.<p>The trimorphic nature of the sexual floral organs of L. <i>salicaria</i> were well defined in Saskatchewan. Significant differences in length (long-, intermediate- and short-style lengths) exist between all three floral morphs. Lengths of the staminal filaments (long, intermediate, and short) were also significantly different. Also the floral nectary in L. <i>salicaria</i> is located in a depression formed at the interface of the hypanthium and the gynoecium. Several stomata are located at regular intervals along the nectary surface, and may constitute the escape route for floral nectar. No morphological differences in nectary structure were apparent among the three floral morphs.<p>Nectar secretion dynamics of L. <i>salicaria</i> were examined between the three floral morphs throughout two summer days in 2006. Peak average nectar volumes and nectar sugar quantities were detected at 3:00 pm, and, interestingly, no significant differences were detected between floral morphs, in accordance with nectary morphology. The estimated secretion rates for L. <i>salicaria</i> ranged from 61 83 µg of nectar sugar per flower per hour.<p>Hand-pollination experiments carried out over the summers of 2006 and 2007 at three field sites in and around Saskatoon have verified the strong self-incompatibility in the breeding system of this tristylous species. Intramorph pollination, using illegitimate pollen, did not result in fertilisation, whereas legitimate hand-pollination experiments yielded multiple pollen tubes at the style base, without exception.<p><i>Lythrum salicaria</i> in central Saskatchewan was visited by several bee taxa including honeybees (<i>Apis mellifera</i> L.), bumblebees (Bombus spp.), leafcutter bees (Megachile spp.), and sweat bees (Lasioglossum spp.). A single visit by <i>Anthophora furcata</i> (Panzer) was also recorded in 2007. Generally, bee visits led to high levels of pollination success as determined by fluorescence microscopy of pollen tubes following single insect visits to previously-unvisited flowers. However, most visits by hoverflies (Syrphidae) were non-pollinating. Visits by Pieris rapae (L.), yellowjacket wasps (Vespidae) and some non-syrphid flies (Diptera) also yielded no pollen tubes at the style base.<p>A study of the ultrastructure and development of the floral nectary of the purple loosestrife cultivar Morden Gleam (<i>Lythrum virgatum</i> L. x L. alatum Pursh.) showed that starch build up in pre-secretory nectary tissues declined throughout secretion, and is virtually absent in post-secretory nectary tissues. The lack of a direct vascular supply to the floral nectary suggests that the starch breakdown products likely make up most of the floral nectar carbohydrates. Surface features of the floral nectary in Morden Gleam closely resembled those of L. salicaria, located in the valley formed between the hypanthium and gynoecium. Nectary stomata, occasionally in pairs, likely serve as outlets for nectar in this cultivar.

This project examined multiple aspects of the reproductive biology of the wetland invasive species, purple loosestrife (<i>Lythrum salicaria</i> L.), in central Saskatchewan. An examination of insect taxa visiting the three floral morphs of <i>Tristylous</i> L. <i>salicaria</i>, as well as a ranking of the pollination efficiency of individual insect species, an apparent first for L salicaria, was undertaken. Surface features of the floral nectary of L. <i>salicaria</i>, as well as floral nectar secretion dynamics, were also investigated. This project also re-visited some of the previous work done on this invasive species, including various floral organ morphometrics in relation to heterostyly, and aspects of the tristylous breeding system including self-fertilization, and fertilization potential of both illegitimate pollination and legitimate pollination.<p>The trimorphic nature of the sexual floral organs of L. <i>salicaria</i> were well defined in Saskatchewan. Significant differences in length (long-, intermediate- and short-style lengths) exist between all three floral morphs. Lengths of the staminal filaments (long, intermediate, and short) were also significantly different. Also the floral nectary in L. <i>salicaria</i> is located in a depression formed at the interface of the hypanthium and the gynoecium. Several stomata are located at regular intervals along the nectary surface, and may constitute the escape route for floral nectar. No morphological differences in nectary structure were apparent among the three floral morphs.<p>Nectar secretion dynamics of L. <i>salicaria</i> were examined between the three floral morphs throughout two summer days in 2006. Peak average nectar volumes and nectar sugar quantities were detected at 3:00 pm, and, interestingly, no significant differences were detected between floral morphs, in accordance with nectary morphology. The estimated secretion rates for L. <i>salicaria</i> ranged from 61 83 µg of nectar sugar per flower per hour.<p>Hand-pollination experiments carried out over the summers of 2006 and 2007 at three field sites in and around Saskatoon have verified the strong self-incompatibility in the breeding system of this tristylous species. Intramorph pollination, using illegitimate pollen, did not result in fertilisation, whereas legitimate hand-pollination experiments yielded multiple pollen tubes at the style base, without exception.<p><i>Lythrum salicaria</i> in central Saskatchewan was visited by several bee taxa including honeybees (<i>Apis mellifera</i> L.), bumblebees (Bombus spp.), leafcutter bees (Megachile spp.), and sweat bees (Lasioglossum spp.). A single visit by <i>Anthophora furcata</i> (Panzer) was also recorded in 2007. Generally, bee visits led to high levels of pollination success as determined by fluorescence microscopy of pollen tubes following single insect visits to previously-unvisited flowers. However, most visits by hoverflies (Syrphidae) were non-pollinating. Visits by Pieris rapae (L.), yellowjacket wasps (Vespidae) and some non-syrphid flies (Diptera) also yielded no pollen tubes at the style base.<p>A study of the ultrastructure and development of the floral nectary of the purple loosestrife cultivar Morden Gleam (<i>Lythrum virgatum</i> L. x L. alatum Pursh.) showed that starch build up in pre-secretory nectary tissues declined throughout secretion, and is virtually absent in post-secretory nectary tissues. The lack of a direct vascular supply to the floral nectary suggests that the starch breakdown products likely make up most of the floral nectar carbohydrates. Surface features of the floral nectary in Morden Gleam closely resembled those of L. salicaria, located in the valley formed between the hypanthium and gynoecium. Nectary stomata, occasionally in pairs, likely serve as outlets for nectar in this cultivar.