The level of cellulolytic activity in different areas of the gut of the terrestrial slug Arion ater was assayed at different temperatures and pH values. To do this, crude gut proteins were isolated and assayed using modified dinitrosalicylic acid reducing sugar assay. Crude protein samples were also separated and cellulolytic activity identified using in gel CMC zymography and esculin hydrate a...

The Australian noctuid moth, Speiredonia spectans shares its subterranean day roosts (caves and abandoned mines) with insectivorous bats, some of which prey upon it. The capacity of this moth to survive is assumed to arise from its ability to listen for the bats' echolocation calls and take evasive action; however, the auditory characteristics of this moth or any tropically distributed Australi...

The Lusitanian slug, presumed to be native to south-west Europe, was ranked among the 100 worst invading species in Central Europe. However, from the very beginning of its recognition in the presumed invasion area, there was little evidence that the species was actually anthropogenically introduced. We investigated the invasive status of the species by comparing specific predictions on the popu...

Extensive habitat loss and changing agricultural practices have caused widespread declines in grassland birds throughout North America. The Flint Hills of Kansas and Oklahoma--the largest remaining tallgrass prairie--is important for grassland bird conservation despite supporting a major cattle industry. In 2004 and 2005, we assessed the community, population, and demographic responses of grass...

I observed a male Brown-headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater) attack and kill a nestling of an unidentified passerine in a grassland field in Day County, South Dakota, in June 2000. The killing or removal of nestlings by female cowbirds has been reported by others, but this behavior has not been documented previously in male cowbirds. Received 8 October 2002, accepted 3 March 2003. Female Brown-heade...

In a longitudinal study, the authors housed wild-caught juvenile male cowbirds (Molothrus ater artemisiae) with female cowbirds or canaries (Serinus canaria) from August until May. The males were then exposed to 3 social contexts. Males housed with canaries directed more vocalizations to canaries than to female cowbirds. Males housed with female cowbirds vocalized most to other males. The data ...

The mussel Aulacomya ater was exposed to 17β-estradiol (E2) (0, 1, 100 μg L-1) for 21 days with 4 sampling periods to evaluate how these organisms deal with exogenous estrogenic compounds. In addition, 2 concentrations of 17β-estradiol (0.5, 1 mmol) were injected into the abductor muscle of 5 individuals. The effects of E2 were determined by measuring the vitellogenin (Vg) levels with an alkali...

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