LD2668 .T4 1962 K66

Call number: LD2668 .T4 1962 A39

Call number: LD2668 .T4 1966 H169 / Master of Science

Call number: LD2668 .T4 1965 L332 / Master of Science

by Wong Tai Choi Richard. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1998. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 159-175). / Abstract also in Chinese. / Acknowledgements --- p.i / Abstract --- p.ii / List of tables --- p.v / List of figures --- p.viii / Table of contents --- p.x / Chapter Chapter 1 --- General introduction --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1 --- Introduction for the whole thesis --- p.1 / Chapter 1.2 --- Termites --- p.2 / Chapter 1.2.1 --- Termites are eusocial insects --- p.2 / Chapter 1.2.2 --- Families of termites --- p.3 / Chapter 1.2.3 --- Classification of sample termites: Reticulitermes fukienensis --- p.4 / Chapter 1.2.4 --- Distribution of Reticulitermes --- p.4 / Chapter 1.2.5 --- Nest of Reticulitermes --- p.5 / Chapter 1.2.6 --- Economic importance of Reticulitermes --- p.5 / Chapter 1.3 --- Definition of temporal polyethism --- p.6 / Chapter 1.4 --- The general significance of poly ethism --- p.9 / Chapter 1.5 --- Developmental differences between isopteran and other social hymenopterans --- p.9 / Chapter 1.6 --- Polyethism of termites and social hymenopterans --- p.11 / Chapter 1.6.1 --- Caste-based polyethism --- p.11 / Chapter 1.6.2 --- Sex-based poly ethism --- p.17 / Chapter 1.6.3 --- Age-based or temporal polyethism --- p.19 / Chapter 1.6.4 --- Conclusion on the polyethism of termites and eusocial hymenopterans --- p.29 / Chapter 1.7 --- Purpose of study --- p.33 / Chapter 1.8 --- Reason for the choice of sample species --- p.35 / Chapter 1.9 --- General methodology --- p.36 / Chapter 1.9.1 --- Identification of Reticulitermes fukienensis --- p.36 / Chapter 1.9.2 --- Sample collection --- p.38 / Chapter 1.9.3 --- "Storage, preservation and farther confirmation of sample in laboratory" --- p.40 / Chapter 1.9.4 --- Methods for the removal of termites from nests --- p.42 / Chapter 1.9.5 --- Experimental conditions --- p.43 / Chapter Chapter 2 --- Separation of age classes and temporal polyethism in feeding behavior of age classes --- p.44 / Chapter 2.1 --- Introduction --- p.44 / Chapter 2.2 --- Separation of age classes --- p.45 / Chapter 2.2.1 --- Review of separation of age classes --- p.45 / Chapter 2.2.2 --- Materials and methods --- p.47 / Chapter 2.2.2.1 --- Head width measurements --- p.47 / Chapter 2.2.2.2 --- Morphological study --- p.48 / Chapter 2.2.3 --- Results --- p.48 / Chapter 2.2.3.1 --- Biometrics measurements --- p.48 / Chapter 2.2.3.2 --- Morphological study --- p.49 / Chapter 2.2.4 --- Discussion and conclusion --- p.54 / Chapter 2.3 --- Temporal polyethism in feeding behavior of age classes --- p.58 / Chapter 2.3.1 --- Definition of larva and worker --- p.58 / Chapter 2.3.2 --- Materials and methods --- p.59 / Chapter 2.3.2.1 --- Experimental set-up --- p.59 / Chapter 2.3.2.2 --- Observation methods --- p.60 / Chapter 2.3.3 --- Results --- p.60 / Chapter 2.3.4 --- Discussion and conclusion --- p.63 / Chapter Chapter 3 --- Ethograms of the age classes --- p.66 / Chapter 3.1 --- Introduction --- p.66 / Chapter 3.2 --- Definition of behaviors --- p.68 / Chapter 3.3 --- Materials and methods --- p.71 / Chapter 3.3.1 --- Preparation of embelling materials --- p.71 / Chapter 3.3.2 --- Experiemntal set-up --- p.71 / Chapter 3.3.3 --- Combination of termites inset-up --- p.73 / Chapter 3.3.4 --- Observation and scoring methods --- p.73 / Chapter 3.3.5 --- Data analysis --- p.74 / Chapter 3.4 --- Results --- p.76 / Chapter 3.4.1 --- Correlation between the frequencies of various behaviors and age of different age classes --- p.76 / Chapter 3.4.2 --- Repertoire size --- p.76 / Chapter 3.4.3 --- Task-related behavior --- p.81 / Chapter 3.4.4 --- Number of behavioral categories and % of time budget spent on various behavior categories within age --- p.81 / Chapter 3.4.5 --- Patterns of behavioral frequencies --- p.82 / Chapter 3.5 --- Discussion --- p.88 / Chapter 3.5.1 --- Discrete and continuous temporal polyethism --- p.88 / Chapter 3.5.2 --- Inactivity of larvae --- p.90 / Chapter 3.5.3 --- Starting point for the task related behaviors --- p.90 / Chapter 3.5.4 --- Relationship between morphological characters and behaviors --- p.91 / Chapter 3.5.5 --- Task performance amongst worker age classes --- p.91 / Chapter 3.5.6 --- Mouth-body touching and mouth tunnel touching behaviors --- p.92 / Chapter 3.5.7 --- Division of task related behaviors --- p.93 / Chapter Chapter 4 --- Temporal polyethism in trophallaxis and larval carrying and foraging behaviors of worker age classes --- p.95 / Chapter 4.1 --- Introduction --- p.95 / Chapter 4.2 --- Trophallaxis of eusocial insects --- p.96 / Chapter 4.3 --- Social carrying behavior of eusocial insects --- p.97 / Chapter 4.4 --- Foraging behaviors of eusocial insects --- p.99 / Chapter 4.5 --- Materials and methods --- p.100 / Chapter 4.5.1 --- Trophallaxis and socialcarrying behaviors experiment --- p.100 / Chapter 4.5.1.1 --- Definition of behaviors --- p.100 / Chapter 4.5.1.2 --- Experimental set-up --- p.100 / Chapter 4.5.1.3 --- Observation methods --- p.102 / Chapter 4.5.1.4 --- Data analysis --- p.102 / Chapter 4.5.2 --- Foraging behaviors experiment --- p.103 / Chapter 4.5.2.1 --- Experimental set-up --- p.103 / Chapter 4.5.2.2 --- Observation methods --- p.105 / Chapter 4.5.2.3 --- Definition of behaviors --- p.105 / Chapter 4.5.2.4 --- Data analysis --- p.106 / Chapter 4.6 --- Results --- p.107 / Chapter 4.6.1 --- Trophallaxis and larval carrying behaviors --- p.107 / Chapter 4.6.2 --- Foraging behaviors --- p.109 / Chapter 4.7 --- Discussion --- p.112 / Chapter Chapter 5 --- Temporal polyethism of various behaviors among sub-age classes of large worker --- p.117 / Chapter 5.1 --- Introduction --- p.117 / Chapter 5.2 --- Materials and methods --- p.119 / Chapter 5.2.1 --- Combination of individuals for experiment --- p.119 / Chapter 5.2.2 --- Labeling of individuals for identification --- p.119 / Chapter 5.2.3 --- Experimental set-up --- p.121 / Chapter 5.2.4 --- 400observation cycles score --- p.124 / Chapter 5.2.5 --- Acceptance criteria of behavior data --- p.125 / Chapter 5.2.6 --- Definition of behaviors and biometric parameters --- p.125 / Chapter 5.2.7 --- Principal component analysis (PCA) for sub-age classes separation --- p.129 / Chapter 5.2.8 --- Discriminant analysis for sub-age classes classification --- p.129 / Chapter 5.3 --- Statiscal analysis of behaviors --- p.130 / Chapter 5.4 --- Results --- p.130 / Chapter 5.4.1 --- Sub-age classes separation --- p.130 / Chapter 5.4.2 --- Temporal polyethism of the sub-age classes --- p.137 / Chapter 5.5 --- Discussion --- p.146 / Chapter Chapter 6 --- Discussion and conclusion --- p.151 / Chapter 6.1 --- Summary of chapters 1 -5 --- p.151 / Chapter 6.2 --- General discussion --- p.154 / Chapter 6.4 --- Conclusion --- p.157 / References --- p.159

No description available.

The larvae of Tenebrio molitor Linne and Alphitobius diaperinus (Panzer) both aggregated upon substrates treated with aqueous extracts of conspecific larval frass. Lactic acid is a pheromone in the frass of both species. Alphitobius larvae were attracted to lactic acid, while lactic acid caused Tenebrio larvae to arrest. / Propionic acid is a repellent pheromone present in Tenebrio frass, but the lactic acid-induced response is dominant. The role of these chemical factors in population orientation of the larvae of these mealworm species is discussed. / The cuticular lipids of the larvae of both species contained close-range attractants that had a role in aggregate formation. The Tenebrio cuticular lipid pheromone is predominately 8,9-pentacosanediol. The Alphitobius cuticular pheromone is a mixture of at least two compounds. / The ecological preferences of these larvae suggested that these aggregation pheromones increased the density of individuals per unit volume. This increased density had varying effects on the physiological development of Tenebrio individuals.

No description available.

Community structure in backswimmers (Hemiptera: Notonectide), was investigated via extensive sampling throughout southern Arizona, USA, and Sonora, Mexico, from 1980 through 1985. Co-occurrence and relative abundance data were collected in more than 65 ponds, and in 177 rock basin pools (tinajas) in 21 canyons in the Southwest. Eleven species were collected in Arizona and Sonora, and were divided into two groups, species found in ponds and species found in tinajas. Only two species occurred significantly in both habitats. Tinaja species are largely Southwst endemics, and pond species are widespread or tropical in distribution. Data from artificial habitats suggest that the tinaja species use relatively high topographic relief, and pond species use relatively large surface area as cues to find their respective habitats. Two body size patterns are consistent with a competition explanation of local community structure. The body sizes of co-occurring species are relatively evenly distributed among species occurring in pond and tinaja habitats, and species of similar body size tend not to co-occur (body size ratio <1.3). For example, Notonecta kirbyi and N. lobata only co-occur in tinajas at intermediate elevations; lobata is absent at high elevations and kirbyi is absent at lower elevations. N. indica occurs in ponds at lower elevations and N. unifasciata occurs at higher elevations. Buenoa hungerfordi and B. arizonis both occur in tinajas, but not at the same time of year. Predation was shown experimentally not to be important in producing the body size pattern. Notonecta spp. preyed heavily on the smaller of two Buenoa species presented, an effect that would act to reduce the community-wide body size ratio. Because notonectid communities have larger body size ratios than expected by chance, predation would seem not to be involved in producing this pattern. However, predation does appear to reinforce microhabitat partitioning between the two genera in that Buenoa occupy deeper portions of the water column in the presence of Notonecta than in their absence. This further displaces coexisting individuals of the two genera in space, and reduces overlap in foraging for aquatic insect prey and promotes coexistence.

Social insects are ecologically dominant because of their specialized, cooperative castes. Reproductive queens lay eggs, while workers take part in brood rearing, nest defense, and foraging. These cooperative castes are a prime example of phenotypic plasticity, whereby a single genetic code gives rise to variation in form and function based on environmental differences. Thus, social insects are well suited for studying mechanisms which give rise to and maintain phenotypic plasticity. At the molecular level, phenotypic plasticity coincides with the differential expression of genes. This dissertation examines the molecular evolution of genes with differential expression between discrete phenotypic or environmental contexts, represented chiefly by female queen and worker castes in social insects. The studies included herein examine evolution at three important levels of biological information: (i) gene expression, (ii) modifications to DNA in the form of methylation, and (iii) protein-coding sequence. From these analyses, a common theme has emerged: genes with differential expression among castes frequently exhibit signatures of relaxed selective constraint relative to ubiquitously expressed genes. Thus, genes associated with phenotypic plasticity paradoxically exhibit modest importance to overall fitness but exceptional evolutionary potential, as illustrated by the success of the social insects.