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1. Factors affecting host preference in herbivorous insects are actively discussed. Larval performance, competition and predation on each host, and host abundance are reportedly factors affecting the host preference of ovipositing females. In the present study, chronological changes in female host preference were examined by employing a flea weevil species that uses the original host and a newly introduced host simultaneously. 2. Orchestes hustachei Klima ( Coleoptera: Curclionidae) is an aphidophagous flea weevil that oviposits on aphid galls, and the larvae feed on aphids inside. The weevil's native hosts are galls of the Tetraneura species on Ulmus davidiana, while the novel hosts are galls of an introduced species, Paracolopha morrisoni on Zelkova serrata, an introduced hardwood. Choice experiments were conducted using Tetraneura galls and Paracolopha galls and the results were compared with experiments conducted 10 years ago. 3. More than 90% of ovipositing females selected Paracolopha galls. This result is in marked contrast with the result of the 2002 experiment, in which 66.3% of females selected Paracolopha galls. To explore driving forces of the preference change, mortality factors, pupal mass on the two hosts, and temporal changes in the abundance of the host galls were examined. 4. Abundance of Tetraneura galls decreased gradually throughout the last 26 years. By contrast, weevil survival and performance did not vary significantly between the two hosts. Therefore, it is concluded that temporal changes in the relative abundance of two hosts are main factors of the change in host preference. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is growing awareness that fluctuations in larval flux (connectivity) depress the long-run growth of marine metapopulations, but by how much is unclear. Here, we explore how reproductive schedule and larval behavior affect how much connectivity fluctuations depress growth. We combine larval dispersal simulations from the Florida Keys with theoretical results to calculate the effect of fluctuations on bicolor damselfish (Stegastes partitus). We find that fluctuations depress growth only slightly (∼2%), but the effect would be much stronger for an organism that spawned only part of the year. Larval behavior can also matter, as vertical migration allows larvae to become entrained in eddies. Eddies synchronize connectivity fluctuations, further decreasing growth. However, here, they also divide the Keys into largely independently fluctuating regions, mitigating the effects of local synchrony. Therefore, in situations where connectivity fluctuations matter, the presence of independently fluctuating regions due to larval behavior may be important. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Asian longhorned beetle, Anoplophora glabripennis (Motschulsky) (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae), is distributed widely in China, where it causes severe damage to forests, and is a quarantine pest in Europe, the United States, and Canada. A. glabripennis overwinters as dormant larvae to avoid adverse environmental conditions. To elucidate the cold hardiness of A. glabripennis larvae, the supercooling point (SCP), freezing point (FP), and cold hardiness-related compounds were examined in overwintering larva from five populations in China (Yili, Yanchi, Wulateqianqi, Beijing, and Dezhou). The results showed that the SCP and FP differed significantly among populations, where the SCP of larvae in the Wulateqianqi population was the lowest and highest in the Beijing population. The water, fat, and glycogen contents also differed significantly among the five populations. The SCPs of larvae from all five populations were proportional to glycogen contents, but had no association with water contents and fat contents. The total contents of seven low-molecular weight compounds (glycerol, galactose, glucose, mannose, sorbitol, inositol, and trehalose) differed significantly among populations. Thus, A. glabripennis larvae from different geographical populations contained different sugars or sugar alcohols (especially glycerol, glucose, sorbitol, and trehalose), which helped them to resist cold temperatures. This study provides basic information about that may facilitate the prediction of distribution range expansions and ensure proper implementation of the integrated management of A. glabripennis populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article offers information about the discovery of coastal giant salamander Dicamptodon tenebrosus in the East of Oregon Cascade Range Crest. Topics discussed include importance of morphological ratios in identification, presence of incomplete tail with the larva and small size of the salamander. It further discusses the presence of coastal salamander in Olympic peninsula in the Willapa Hills and the western slope of the Cascade Range (Cascades) in Washington D.C.

Loach ( Misgurnus anguillicaudatus) are a commercially important fish in China and an ideal aquaculture species. However, culturists experience high larval and juvenile mortality during mass production. To provide insight into ways to improve larviculture techniques, we describe the morphological characteristics and behavior of loach during the larval and early juvenile stages. Yolksac larvae ranged from 2.8 to 4.0 mm body length (BL) between days 0 to 4; preflexion larvae ranged from 3.6 to 5.5 mm BL between days 4 to 6; flexion larvae ranged from 4.8 to 8.1 mm BL between days 5 and 14; and postflexion larvae ranged from 7.1 to 15.7 mm BL between days 11 to 27; the minimum length and age of juveniles was 14.1 mm BL and 23 d, respectively. Loach are demersal from hatch through to the early juvenile stages. A suite of morphological characteristics (e.g., external gill filament and ventral mouth opening) and behavioral traits have developed to adapt to demersal living. We observed positive allometric growth in eye diameter, head length, head height, and pectoral fin length during the early larval stages, reflecting the priorities in the development of the organs essential for survival. Our results provide a basis for developing techniques to improve the survival of larval and juvenile loach during mass production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The stylostome of larvae of the trombiculids Leptotrombidium scutellare (Nagayo et al.), Leptotrombidium fletcheri (Womersley et Heaslip) and Leptotrombidium deliense (Walch) was studied experimentally at different time intervals after larval attachment using the histological method. The stylostome of these species has the same organization and belongs to the epidermal combined with the mixed type, developing more in width than in length. Neither transverse nor conspicuous longitudinal layers are present within the stylostome walls, which stain predominantly in red with Azan, also showing longitudinal portions with blue staining. Larvae tend to attach closely to each other and scabs, consisting of the hyperkeratotic epidermal layers fusing with migrating inflammatory cells, develop around the attachment sites. The dermis shows inflammatory foci with dilated capillaries and inflammatory cells inserting in the connective tissue layer underneath the stylostome. The feeding cavity, which is moderately expressed, may be found either in the epidermis or in the dermis. It contains inflammatory cells and their debris in the liquefied host tissues. The stylostome length depends on the character of the attachment site (the thicker epidermis or scab the longer the stylostome), and does not directly correspond to the stages of larval feeding. Nevertheless, at the 48-h time interval, nearly all attached larvae are found to be fully fed and their midgut cells are filled with nutritional globules. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drosophila larvae innately show light avoidance behavior. Compared with robust blue-light avoidance, larvae exhibit relatively weaker green-light responses. In our previous screening for genes involved in larval light avoidance, compared with control w 1118 larvae, larvae with γ -glutamyl transpeptidase 1 ( Ggt-1) knockdown or Ggt-1 mutation were found to exhibit higher percentage of green-light avoidance which was mediated by Rhodopsin6 (Rh6) photoreceptors. However, their responses to blue light did not change significantly. By adjusting the expression level of Ggt-1 in different tissues, we found that Ggt-1 in malpighian tubules was both necessary and sufficient for green-light avoidance. Our results showed that glutamate levels were lower in Ggt-1 null mutants compared with controls. Feeding Ggt-1 null mutants glutamate can normalize green-light avoidance, indicating that high glutamate concentrations suppressed larval green-light avoidance. However, rather than directly, glutamate affected green-light avoidance indirectly through GABA, the level of which was also lower in Ggt-1 mutants compared with controls. Mutants in glutamate decarboxylase 1, which encodes GABA synthase, and knockdown lines of the GABAA receptor, both exhibit elevated levels of green-light avoidance. Thus, our results elucidate the neurobiological mechanisms mediating green-light avoidance, which was inhibited in wild-type larvae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This is the first report of Elaphria agrotina (Guenée, 1852) and Elaphria deltoides (Möschler, 1880) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) feeding on maize ( Zea mays L.). The specimens were collected in maize fields during the crop season of 2012 and 2013 in three municipalities in Mato Grosso State, Brazil. Larvae were collected while feeding at the ear base, which often resulted in ears dropping to the ground. Larvae also were observed feeding on kernels in fallen ears. Ear injury often leads to reduced grain quality, and when the ears fall to the ground, reduced yield. A previous report of Striacosta albicosta (Smith, 1888) feeding on maize in Brazil was probably a misidentification of an E. agrotina male, which has wing pattern and coloration similarities with S. albicosta. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The author discusses aspects of larval concentration in weathervaning or klinotaxis of Drosophila. He cites the study of A. Gomez-Marin and colleagues which focuses on the detection of gradient component to be used as direct error correction and proportional navigation. However, the authors argue that klinotaxis does not result from direct error correction but from proportional navigation.

The fitness consequences of extreme competitive interactions such as cannibalism are often governed by the environment because the costs and benefits of such behaviors depend on the ecological and social context of the participants. However, most studies of context-dependent cannibalism are conducted under extreme circumstances or examine only a single environmental context, conditions that are unlikely to exist in natural populations. In this study, we tested the effect of multiple environmental contexts on the frequency of cannibalism in forked fungus beetle larvae (Bolitotherus cornutus), which develop in 1 of 3 different fungus species. We paired larvae in laboratory trials and measured the effect of 1) ecological context (the 3 fungi) and 2) the relatedness of the paired larvae on the frequency of cannibalism. We found a strong effect of ecological context on cannibalism: larvae in 1 fungus cannibalized nearly twice as often as larvae in the other two. We did not detect an effect of relatedness on cannibalism in the 1 species of fungus in which trials were conducted. Cannibalism conferred benefits in the form of accelerated growth rates in all measured traits relative to noncannibals. However, contrary to most studies, cannibalism was most common in the highest quality fungus, contradicting the hypothesis that cannibalism occurs in poor environments to compensate for resource deficiencies. We discuss alternative mechanisms that may drive the ecological context dependence of cannibalism in B. cornutus and emphasize the importance of studying context-dependent behavior in naturally occurring environments.A beetle larva’s propensity for cannibalism depends on its environment. In laboratory trials, we found that beetle larvae raised on one fungus cannibalized twice as often as those raised on two other fungi. Unlike many other species, these larvae did not avoid cannibalizing siblings. If effects of natural environmental variation on behaviors like cannibalism are common, their evolutionary consequences may be more complex than currently appreciated. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The susceptibility of G. pyloalis larvae to spinosad was studied using the leaf dip method. Treatment with doses of spinosad sublethal concentrations (LC10, LC20, LC30, LC40 of 0.026, 0.045, 0.065, 0.090 ppm, respectively) was applied. A significant difference in the effects was observed between the sublethal concentrations (LC10, LC20, LC30, and LC40) and the control in the content of carbohydrate and glycogen, and between the control vs. LC30 and LC40 in the content of protein. A significant decrease in glutathione S-transferase activity with the increase of spinosad concentration, no significant differences in the activities of α- and β-esterases, and a significant increase in the enzyme activity of phenoloxidase were observed. Effects of LC10 and LC30 spinosad concentrations on some biological parameters showed that percentage of larval pupation and female fecundity significantly decreased in the concentration of LC30. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses red-bellied frog Melanophryniscus klappenbachi which is distributed in northern Argentina, and mentions their rapid larval development. Topics discussed include their habitat conditions, dehydration in larvae, and morphological characters. It mentions hatching and developmental rate of this larvae.

The objective of this work is to study the influence of larval density on some aspects of the population ecology and survival of Chrysomya megacephala, analyzing demographic aspects of adults kept under experimental conditions. positive effect of density on survival and pre-ovipostion period was observed, while there was no simultaneous influence of density in sex ratio. The results showed that the demographic parameter for life expectancy at intrinsic growth rate (e0), total fecundity (TF), net fecundity (NF) and men reproductive age (T) increased with increasing the density of population larvae. Other population parameters such as the intrinsic growth rate (r), the finite growth rate (?) and the time to double population (DT) were also calculated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Characteristics that determine a plant's quality as herbivore food exhibit within-plant heterogeneity. Most models suggest negative effects from secondary chemicals. Less work has focused on plant growth dynamics that might also be important in creating heterogeneity in the distribution of food resources among leaves within the plant., Gall-forming insects are sessile during their feeding stage and are therefore of particular interest when assessing the relative importance of growth and non-growth processes in plants. Galls act as sinks for photoassimilates, and successful redirection of these resources requires that gall formation takes place in plant modules that are in an active growth phase., The gall midge Dasineura marginemtorquens infests leaves of the fast-growing Salix viminalis. Several young leaves per shoot are used as oviposition sites during any single egg-laying occasion. This study investigates the extent to which growth in leaves that are apparently suitable for gall initiation varies along shoots of S. viminalis, and tests whether or not such variation affects the fitness and performance of D. marginemtorquens., The relative position of the galled leaves along a shoot was found to determine the success of the gall midge in terms of larval survival, larval developmental time, and adult size. Leaf growth dynamics, but not leaf size, was associated with the variation in insect fitness and performance. Thus, when considering habitat quality for a sessile insect like D. marginemtorquens, the length of time that the galling site acts as a photoassimilate sink is more important than the final size of the plant module. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article offers information on a study on the plant-mediated effects of host plant density on a specialist herbivore of Solanum carolinense. It informs that the study revealed that host plant density can affect insect herbivore oviposition behavior, which can affect both plant and herbivore populations. Topics discussed include the Leptinotarsa juncta, greenhouse experiments, and larval growth rate.

We investigated the hatchability rates of freshly laid Anopheles gambiae s.s. eggs in presence of third instars larvae. These experiments were conducted using 30 eggs in larval densities of 20, 60 and 100 larvae in microcosms. These experiments were designed to evaluate the eggs hatchability in habitats with late larvae instars of the same species (experimental) or no larvae at all (control). Freshly laid eggs of An.gambiae s.s. were washed in microcosms containing larvae of third instars in different three densities (20, 60 and 100) and likewise in control microcosms (without larvae). Eggs hatchability was monitored twice daily until no more first instar larvae emerged. The numbers of first instars larvae were recorded daily and lost eggs were considered preyed upon by third instars. Results of this study showed that egg hatchability was significantly influenced by larval density. The findings of this study suggest that presence of larvae in habitats may significantly reduce hatchability of eggs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of the serotonin-selective reuptake inhibitor paroxetine (2×10-5 mol l-1) on behavior of the larval mosquito Aedes aegypti are described. Four discrete behavioral states dominate larval behavior: wriggling, two distinct types of feeding, and quiescence. Feeding behaviors consist of foraging along the bottom of the container (substrate browsing), and stationary filter feeding while suspended from the surface film. Fed larvae respond to paroxetine with increased wriggling, and reductions in both feeding behaviors. In contrast, food-deprived larvae treated with paroxetine show no change in the proportion of time spent wriggling or feeding, but shift from stationary filter feeding to substrate browsing. Thus, actions of paroxetine in fed larvae are consistent with suppression of appetite and stimulation of wriggling, whereas paroxetine causes fooddeprived larvae to switch from one feeding behavior to another. Further analysis of unfed larvae revealed that paroxetine decreased the power stroke frequency during wriggling locomotion, but had no effect on the swimming velocity during either wriggling or substrate browsing. These data suggest that: (1) serotonergic pathways may trigger shifts between distinct behaviors by actions on higher level (brain) integrating centers where behaviors such as feeding and locomotion are coordinated; (2) these centers in fed and fooddeprived larvae respond differently to serotonergic stimulation suggesting sensory feedback from feeding status; and (3) serotonergic pathways also modulate central pattern generators of the nerve cord where the bursts of action potentials originate that drive the rhythmic muscle contractions of wriggling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Host plant resistance to insect attack and expansion of insect pests to novel hosts may to be modulated by phenolic compounds in host plants. Many studies have evaluated the role of phenolics in host plant resistance and the effect of phenolics on herbivore performance, but few studies have tested the joint effect of several compounds. Here, we used mixture-amount experimental design and response surface modeling to study the effects of a variety of phenolic compounds on the development and survival of Mexican fruit fly ( Anastrepha ludens [Loew]), a notorious polyphagous pest of fruit crops that is likely to expand its distribution range under climate change scenarios. (+)- Catechin, phloridzin, rutin, chlorogenic acid, and p-coumaric acid were added individually or in mixtures at different concentrations to a laboratory diet used to rear individuals of A. ludens. No effect was observed with any mixture or concentration on percent pupation, pupal weight, adult emergence, or survival from neonate larvae to adults. Larval weight, larval and pupal developmental time, and the prevalence of adult deformities were affected by particular mixtures and concentrations of the compounds tested. We suggest that some combinations/concentrations of phenolic compounds could contribute to the management of A. ludens. We also highlight the importance of testing mixtures of plant secondary compounds when exploring their effects upon insect herbivore performance, and we show that mixture-amount design is a useful tool for this type of experiments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Larval debris-carrying, which occurs in many insect taxa, is a remarkable behavioral trait with substantial life history significance. For the Chrysopidae, information on the topic is scattered, and the habit's diversity and evolutionary history are unassessed. Here, we compile a comprehensive, annotated catalog on chrysopid debris-carrying and its associated larval morphology, and we identify emerging systematic patterns of variation, from larval nakedness to the construction of elaborate packets. Then, we examine these patterns in the context of available phylogenies with two objectives: 1) to begin unraveling the evolutionary history of chrysopid debris-carrying and 2) to evaluate the current and potential role of larval morphology (including debris-carrying modifications) in classification and phylogeny of this family. Debris-carrying: the literature revealed that debris-carrying occurs in the chrysopoid fossil record and in all three extant chrysopid subfamilies, including those proposed as basal (Nothochrysinae, Apochrysinae). Nevertheless, the family's ancestral state remains unresolved. The habit may have evolved at least once in Nothochrysinae or been lost several times. Larvae from only one genus of Apochrysinae are known, and they are debris-carriers. Each of the four tribes of the third subfamily, Chrysopinae, has distinctive debris-carrying characteristics. In ankylopterygine larvae, debris-carrying modifications seem relatively conserved. Among the ant-associated belonopterygine genera, debris-carrying is either highly evolved or, in one case, possibly absent. Within the large chrysopine tribe, nakedness and debris-carrying appear to have evolved independently numerous times; also, some reversals may have occurred. With one possible exception, leucochrysine genera have debris-carrying larvae. Larval morphology: scrutiny of the literature showed that all chrysopid genera whose larvae are known exhibit characteristic suites of anatomical structures related to carrying debris. Moreover, larval morphology provides strong (synapomorphic) evidence for the monophyly of four of the seven suprageneric chrysopid taxa: the subfamily Nothochrysinae and three of the four tribes of Chrysopinae (Ankylopterygini, Belonopterygini, and Leucochrysini). Larval morphological and debris-carrying characteristics appear to support some, but not all, previously proposed generic relationships within the tribe Chrysopini. Given the demonstrated potential advantages for including larval characters in chrysopid phylogenetic studies, it is essential to enhance the pool of available larval data. Therefore, we propose that citizen-scientists be involved in gathering verifiable data and that systematists develop comprehensive data matrices for comparative larval studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] Pit-building antlion larvae hunt small prey that fall into their traps. [•] Second instar larvae constructed smaller pits than third instar larvae. [•] They also responded more slowly to prey and exploited the prey less efficiently. [•] These differences disappeared when the larvae progressed to the third instar. [•] Third instar larvae showed consistent behavior in most traits tested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mosquito larval rearing unit developed at the Insect Pest Control Laboratory (IPCL) of the FAO/IAEA Joint Division was evaluated for its potential use for Aedes albopictus (Skuse, 1895) mass rearing in support of the development of a sterile insect technique (SIT) package for this species. The use of the mass rearing trays and rack did not adversely affect larval development, pupation and survival rates and allowed the management of large larval rearing colonies with reduced space requirements in comparison with classical individual trays. The effects of larval density, water temperature and diet composition on pupal production and size differentiation for sex separation efficacy were analyzed for individual mass rearing trays as well as multiple trays stacked within the dedicated rack unit. Best results were obtained using eighteen thousand larvae per tray at a density of 3 larvae per ml of deionized water at a temperature of 28°C on a diet consisting of 50% tuna meal, 36% bovine liver powder, 14% brewer's yeast and, as an additive, 0.2 gr of Vitamin Mix per 100 ml of diet solution. Pupae were harvested on the sixth day from larval introduction at L1 stage and males were separated out by the use of a 1400 µm sieve with 99.0% accuracy with a recovery rate of ca. 25% of the total available males. With the use of this larval rearing unit, an average production of 100,000 male pupae per week can be achieved in just 2 square meter of laboratory space. Compared to previous laboratory rearing method, the same pupal production and sex separation efficacy could only be achieved by use of ca. 200 plastic trays which required the space of two 5 square meter climatic-controlled rooms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Larval behavior in the water column and preference among natural benthic habitats are known to determine initial spatial distribution patterns in several sessile marine invertebrates. Such larval attributes can be adaptive, promoting adult benthic distributions which maximize their fitness. Further benthic processes may, however, substantially change initial distribution of settlers. In this study, we first characterized spatial distributions of adult colonies and single-polyp recruits of the invasive azooxanthellate coral Tubastraea coccinea over substrates of different orientation, and evaluated their consistency at both small (several tens of meters) and intermediate (a few km) spatial scales. We then assessed, through field and laboratory experiments, larval preferences and relative settlement and recruitment rates on surfaces with different orientations to determine whether processes taking place during the larval and early post-larval stages could help explain the distribution patterns of recruits and adult colonies. Results suggest that larval passive buoyancy and active larval behavior, unrelated to light conditions, determine a clear settlement distribution pattern, in which the density of settlers is highest at undersurfaces and almost nil at upward facing horizontal substrates. Except for an almost absence of settlers, recruits and adult individuals on upward facing horizontal habitat, there is substantial mismatch between the distribution of settlers and that of recruits and adult colonies. The latter were also common in vertical substrate in the field. We speculate that coastal runoff at the study area and subsequent sedimentation may inhibit coral development on flat upward facing habitat, and that competitive interference and pre-emptive interactions with other azooxanthellate corals could constrain abundance of T. coccinea in underface horizontal habitat. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The late-instar larva of Phucobius simulator Sharp is described for the first time, being also the first larval description of the genus Phucobius Sharp. Nine unknown larvae were collected in association with adults of P. simulator from seashores of Korea and Japan. The unknown larvae were identified as P. simulator by DNA sequencing. Diagnostic characters of the species are provided, with illustrations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Larval trematodes infecting the snail Heleobia australis (Cochliopidae) from the Bahía Blanca estuary, Argentina were surveyed for two years. A total of 7,504 snail specimens was dissected and the larval stages of 15 different trematodes were recovered and examined morphologically. These larvae included four species that had previously been reported from H. australis in Brazil, Uruguay, and Argentina: the heterophyid Ascocotyle ( Phagicola) longa and the microphallids, Maritrema bonaerense, Maritrema orensense, and Microphallus simillimus. Three other species, the echinostomatid Stephanoprora uruguayensis, the microphallid Levinseniella cruzi, and the psilostomid Psilochasmus oxyurus are reported here for the first time as parasites of H. australis. Eight other trematodes found in H. australis are described and placed in the appropriate superfamilies, families or genera (Cryptogonimidae, Apocreadiidae, Aporocotylidae, Notocotylidae, Haploporidae, Renicolidae, Himasthla, and Renicola). The prevalence of the trematode taxa infecting H. australis in the Bahía Blanca estuary was low (<3%) with a single exception ( M. simillimus; >20%). Microphallidae were the richest and the most prevalent family, probably because of the high abundance of crabs - the second-intermediate hosts of certain microphallid species - and the considerable diversity of gulls. Here we compare the parasite assemblage found in the H. australis from Bahía Blanca estuary with other parasite assemblages infecting Heleobia spp. and other rissooids from the rest of the world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phylogenetic analyses that incorporate the most character information also provide the most explanatory power. Here I demonstrate the value of such an approach through a direct optimization sensitivity analysis of apid bee phylogeny. Whereas prior studies have relied solely on one class of data or the other, this analysis combines previously published molecular, morphological, and behavioural characters into a single supermatrix. The final dataset includes 191 ingroup and 30 outgroup taxa, and includes data from seven unaligned gene sequences (18S, 28S, wingless, EF1-α, pol II, Nak, LW rhodopsin), 209 adult and larval morphological characters, and two behavioural characters. Nine different sets of transformation cost parameters are evaluated, along with their relative degrees of character incongruence. The preferred parameter set returns a strict consensus tree somewhat similar to, but more resolved than, a previous parsimony tree based on molecules alone. I also describe the effects of including EF1-α and LW rhodopsin intron sequences on the outcome of the direct optimization analysis. By accounting for more evidence, this study provides the most comprehensive treatment yet of apid phylogenetic relationships. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] Existence of motion aftereffect (MAE) was investigated in zebrafish. [•] Simple gratings were shown to zebrafish in order to induce optomotor response. [•] Adult zebrafish's behavior significantly was affected by the grating in test group. [•] Further studies are required to establish or refute presence of MAE in larval zebrafish. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A research was carried out aimed at determining the in vitro anthelmintic effects of aqueous extracts of Moringa oleifera and Gliricidia sepium on the non-parasitic stages of sheep gastrointestinal strongyles. The activity of three concentrations were evaluated (50, 25 and 12,5 mg/ml) on egg hatching and larval migration, compared with negative (PBS or DMSO) and positive controls (Albendazole or Levamisole). The egg hatching assay was carried out with eleven treatments corresponding to the three concentrations: (M. oleifera: MOR-50, MOR-25 and MOR-12,5 mg/ml and G. sepium: GLR-50, GLR-25 and GLR-12,5 mg/ml), PBS and DMSO (negative controls) and three Albendazole concentrations (ABZ-5, ABZ-2,5, ABZ-1,25 mg/ml). For the larval migration test, the same plant extract concentrations were used, and also PBS as negative control and three Levamisole concentrations (LEV-5, LEV-2,5, LEV-1,25 mg/ml). The results showed that the two plants interfered on egg hatching with higher inhibition rates (p<0,05) for M. oleifera. A Probit analysis showed an effective concentration of 60,92 and 30,70 mg/ml for M. oleifera and G. sepium, respectively. Both plants affected (p<0,05) the larval migration ability, as compared to the controls, showing migration inhibition over 97%. This in vitro screening suggests that these plants have anthelmintic properties, and further in vivo studies are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In several regions of Brazil, Neoleucinodes elegantalis (Guenée) is one of the most serious tomato pests. The moth lays eggs on the calyx or developing fruit, and shortly after eclosion larvae penetrate into the fruit, where they remain until pupation. Once larvae have entered the fruits, insecticides and biological control agents are relatively ineffective. Because N. elegantalis is most susceptible to conventional treatments when the larvae are outside the host tissues (or fruit), it would be advantageous to know the time required for egg development and the length of time that the larvae spend on the surface of the fruit. To answer these questions detailed behavioral studies were untaken. Eggs were collected from the field and maintained in an environmental chamber at 20°C, 75 ± 5% R.H., and a 12L:12D photoperiod. The time of egg eclosion was recorded with a video camera, whereas larval behavior and time required to enter the fruit were determined by direct observations. The majority of eggs (93%) hatched within the first two hours after the beginning of photophase. Larvae spent 51.1 ± 31.1 (mean ± SEM) min on the surface of the fruits. Once a suitable site was identified, larvae required an additional 23.8 ± 19.4 min to completely enter the fruit. Eighty-six percent of the larvae were successful in penetrating the fruit. Of the larvae that bored into the fruit, 42% selected the upper portion, 18% selected the middle portion, and 40% selected the lower portion.Neoleucinodes elegantalis (Guenée) é uma das pragas mais sérias do tomate em várias regiões do Brasil. A fêmea deposita seus ovos no cálice ou nos frutos em desenvolvimento, e logo após a eclosão a larva penetra no fruto, onde permanece até a pupação. Depois que a larva entra no fruto, inseticidas e agentes de controle biológico são relativamente ineficazes. Como N. elegantalis é mais suscetível a métodos de controle quando a larva encontra-se no exterior do hospedeiro, seria vantajoso conhecer o período de tempo necessário para o desenvolvimento dos ovos e quanto tempo a larva passa na superfície do fruto. Para responder estas questões, detalhados estudos comportamentais foram conduzidos. Ovos foram coletados no campo e mantidos em câmara ambiental a 20°C, 75 ± 5% U.R., e fotoperíodo de 12L:12E. O horário de eclosão foi registrado com uma câmera de vídeo, enquanto que o comportamento da larva e o tempo requerido para que ela penetre no fruto foram determinados com observações visuais. A maioria dos ovos (93%) eclodiu dentro das primeiras duas horas da fotofase. Larvas passaram 51,1 ± 31,1 (média ± erro padrão) min na superfície do fruto. Uma vez que sítios adequados eram identificados, as larvas necessitaram de 23,8 ± 19,4 min adicionais para entrar completamente nos frutos. Oitenta e seis por cento das larvas penetram com sucesso no fruto. Destas, 42% selecionaram a porção superior, 18% selecionaram a porção média, e 40% selecionaram a porção inferior do fruto.

Neocarus proteus sp. n., is described from caves and the surrounding epigean environment of ferruginous outcrops (Cangas) in Minas Gerais, Brazil. In addition, some notes about development in this species are presented. Neocarus proteus is the only species in the genus that has smooth or barbed genital setae and that carries coronidia on the basitarsi, tibiae and genua of legs II-III. Females carry additional setae with rounded tips on the subcapitulum, and are, on average, larger than males. This distinct sexual dimorphism appears in the tritonymphal instar and is maintained in the adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A filed experiment was conducted to determine the influence of intercropping and application of ecofriendly biopesticides on the management of blue butterfly, (L. boeticus.) Pigeonpea cv. Bahar intercropped with maize, pearl millet, sorghum, rice and black gram had significant influence on the reduction of larval population of [L. boeticus (L)] as compared with monocrop. The intercrops pigeonpea + pearl millet (2.86%), pigeonpea + sorghum (1.03%) and pigeonpea + black gram (0.62%) had lowest pod and grain damage by number and by weight basis, respectively. While, intercropping had no significant influence in reduction of pod and grain damage. The ecofriendly biopesticides i e. NSKE (5%), Nimbecidine (1%) and Bacillus thuringiensis kurstaki (1.5%) sprayed once and twice (first at flowering and pod formation stage and second after 20 days) were found superior over one spray of biopesticides in reducing the larval population, pod damage, grain damage and grain weight loss and their mean values varied from 0.21 to 0.39 larva plant-1, 1.75 to 4.08%, 0.53 to 1.41% and 0.37 to 0.87%, respectively. However, the plots devoid of any biopesticidal treatment had maximum larval infestation (0.70 larva plant-1), pod damage (4.62%), grain damage (1.82%) and grain weight loss (1.12%). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Quorum sensing (QS) systems, which depend on N-acylhomoserine lactone (AHL) signal molecules, mediate the production of virulence factors in many pathogenic microorganisms. One hundred and forty-six bacterial strains, isolated from a bivalve hatchery, were screened for their capacity to degrade five synthetic AHLs [N-butyryl-dl-homoserine lactone (C4-HSL), N-hexanoyl-dl-homoserine lactone (C6-HSL), N-octanoyl-dl-homoserine lactone (C8-HSL), N-decanoyl-dl-homoserine lactone (C10-HSL) and N-dodecanoyl-dl-homoserine lactone (C12-HSL)] using well diffusion agar-plate assays with three biosensors, Chromobacterium violaceum CV026, C. violaceum VIR07 and Agrobacterium tumefaciens NTL4 (pZLR4). The results of these assays led to our choosing four strains (PP2-67, PP2-459, PP2-644 and PP2-663) that were able to degrade all five synthetic AHLs, thus showing a wide spectrum of quorum quenching (QQ) activity. We subsequently confirmed and measured the QQ activity of the four strains by high-performance liquid chromatography plus mass-spectrometry analysis (HPLC–MS). One of the strains which showed the highest AHL-degrading activity, PP2-459, identified as being a member of the genus Thalassomonas was chosen for further study. Finally, using thin-layer chromatography (TLC), we went on to confirm this strain's capacity to degrade the AHLs produced by other non-pathogenic and pathogenic bacteria not taxonomically related. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The timing of vertical migrations by newly-hatched larvae determines the extent of transport away from adult populations and exposure to predatory fishes, but it is largely unknown whether larval swimming behavior is a fixed trait or changes adaptively in response to different ocean conditions that are encountered between habitats. We determined whether larvae of the shore crab, Pachygrapsus crassipes, hatched in the San Francisco Estuary and those hatched nearby on the outer coast undertake tidal and diel vertical migrations. Vertical swimming of larvae that were released by females collected from the two locations were recorded in the laboratory for up to four days in constant darkness without a tidal cycle to detect the presence of endogenous tidal and diel vertical migrations. P. crassipes larvae from the outer coast population did not exhibit rhythmic vertical migrations, remaining near the surface throughout the day, whereas larvae from the estuarine population did undertake complex vertical migrations relative to tidal and diel cycles. Although current patterns differ on the open coast and in the estuary, remaining in surface waters at both locations would favor seaward transport of larvae to offshore nursery areas. However, undertaking tidal vertical migrations in estuaries would expedite seaward transport while increasing the risk of fish predation during the daytime. The differences in behaviors are likely phenotypic, because larvae came from neighboring populations and intermingle in offshore larval nursery areas. This spatial variation in larval swimming behavior among habitats enhances transport to offshore nursery areas. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The sugarcane borer, Diatraea saccharalis ( Fabricius) ( Lepidoptera: Crambidae), is a major agronomic pest in the southeastern USA. This study was conducted to investigate the performance of D. saccharalis on eight rice cultivars widely grown in Louisiana and to assess the relationship between oviposition preference and offspring performance. In a previous study, oviposition preference of sugarcane borers was found to vary on the same eight rice cultivars. In this study, variation in larval performance on the eight cultivars was observed. The overall performance of larvae in terms of relative growth rate and boring success of larvae was highest on Priscilla and Cocodrie. Larval performance was lower on the hybrid XL723, the Clearfield (herbicide-resistant) variety CL161, and the medium grain Bengal. Also, larvae took more time to enter into the stem of the hybrid XL723 compared with Cocodrie. Significant positive correlations were observed among relative growth rate and boring success and between larval performance and oviposition preference. Significant positive correlations among measures of larval performance and oviposition preference suggest the operation of a common resistance mechanism. Results in laboratory and greenhouse extended into the field, where Cocodrie and Cheniere were the most damaged cultivars, whereas CL161 and the medium grain Jupiter were least injured in terms of average number of stem borer entry/exit holes per plant. Results from this study could contribute to the use of resistant cultivars in an integrated management program for stem borers and the resistant cultivars identified in this study could be used as sources of resistance in breeding programs for resistance against stem borers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] We examine effect of Wolbachia on larval competition in A. aegypti. [•] We examine effect of Wolbachia on larval behavior in A. aegypti. [•] Wolbachia infected A. aegypti larvae experience reduced survival when competing. [•] Wolbachia infected A. aegypti larvae react slower than uninfected larvae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Infection with Ornithobilharzia turkestanicum has been reported in a wide range of animals worldwide. This study was undertaken to assess the utility of polymerase chain reaction (PCR), for detecting the infection with O. turkestanicum larvae stages in Lymnaea gedrosiana. Methods: A total of 6,759 Lymnaeidae snails were collected from six aquatic habitats in West Azarbaijan, northwest Iran. Of these, the snails of L. gedrosiana were identified. To detect infected L. gedrosiana with the larval stages of O. turkestanicum, they were subjected for cercarial shedding and molecular examinations. The genomic DNA was extracted and PCR was performed to specifically amplify a fragment of the nuclear 28SrRNA gene of O. turkestanicum. Results: Of all collected snails, 5.4% (365/6,759) were the snails of L. gedrosiana. The cercarial shedding method revealed that 23.56% (86/365) of the snails were infected. The PCR patterns confirmed that 28.77% (105/365) snails of L. gedrosiana were infected with larval stages of O. turkestanicum. The infected snails were observed in five studied sites. The highest infection rate (66.66%, 20/30) was recorded in the snails of Ghargologh in the northern part. Only 35.24% (37/105) of the infected snails were from the plain areas, whereas the remaining existed in high altitudes. Conclusion: It was concluded PCR method could be an efficient and fast method for uncovering the actual rate of infection with larval stages of O. turkestanicum in the snails of L. gedrosiana. This method can be also useful for the domestic animals and public health management programs in the country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Offspring of many animals develop in environments in which they are exposed to high densities of potentially harmful bacteria. For example, larvae of the carrion beetle Nicrophorus vespilloides face significant challenges from the bacteria they encounter during their development on decomposing vertebrate carcasses. We tested the idea that larvae secrete antimicrobial compounds during development to defend themselves against microbial exposure. We first showed that larval secretion of active antimicrobials peaked during the early stages of development. As has been found previously for parental secretions, larval secretions were active against Gram-positive but not Gram-negative bacteria, indicating that they might be based on lysozyme-like compounds. Finally, consistent with this antibacterial activity, we showed that larval survival declined significantly when challenged with lysozyme-resistant Staphylococcus aureus but not when challenged with a lysozyme-susceptible strain of the same species. These results demonstrate that Nicrophorus larvae are not simply passive recipients of social immunity derived from their parents, but that they are active participants in its production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND Larval movement of target pest populations among Bt and non- Bt plants is a major concern in the use of a seed mixture refuge strategy for Bt resistance management. In this study, occurrence and larval movement of the sugarcane borer, Diatraea saccharalis (F.), were evaluated in four planting patterns of non- Bt and Bt plants containing Genuity® SmartStaxTM traits in 2009-2011. The four planting patterns were: (1) a pure stand of 27 Bt plants; (2) one non- Bt plant in the center, surrounded by 26 Bt plants; (3) a pure stand of 27 non- Bt plants; (4) one Bt plant in the center, surrounded by 26 non- Bt plants. Studies were conducted under four conditions: (1) open field with natural infestation; (2) greenhouse with artificial infestations; open field with artificial infestations (3) on the center plants only and (4) on every plant. The major objective of this study was to determine whether refuge plants in a seed mixture strategy could provide a comparable refuge population of D. saccharalis to a 'structured refuge' planting. RESULTS Larvae of D. saccharalis showed the ability to move from infested plants to at least four plants away, as well as to adjacent rows, but the majority remained within the infested row. However, the number of larvae found on the non- Bt plants in the mixture plantings was not significantly reduced compared with the pure stand of non- Bt corn. CONCLUSION The results of this study show that refuge plants in a seed mixture may be able to provide a comparable refuge population of D. saccharalis to a structured refuge planting. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This report first describes the morphological and habitat characteristics of larval and juvenile Roughscale Sole Clidoderma asperrimum. Five metamorphosing larvae (22.1-31.7 mm standard length, SL) and 12 juveniles (23.7-46.4 mm SL) were collected from two locations in coastal waters of northeastern Japan, Shizugawa Bay (rocky habitats, 6-12 m depth) and Iwaki (sandy habitats, 10-50 m depth), respectively, using a hand net while SCUBA diving and a small trawl net during May-August in 2008 and 2010. Underwater observation in Shizugawa Bay revealed that metamorphosing larvae and juveniles that had settled on rocks or stones showed transparent and variegated body coloration, which is cryptic to a rocky habitat. Juveniles in Iwaki showed monotonic coloration. The settlement would occur during metamorphosis because the same larva observed on a stone subsequently swam with a left-lateralized body posture. The larval morphology was characterized by a dense covering of fine spines on the whole body surface. Spines on the ocular side developed steadily, gradually forming bony tubercles with growth, whereas those on the blind side regressed with development and finally disappeared in metamorphosed juveniles. Our results indicate that Roughscale Sole can settle and adapt to rocky and sandy habitats in coastal waters with wide depth range. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During research on brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis [Mitchill]), we collected larval and pupal specimens of the midge Odontomesa fulva (Kieffer) (Diptera: Chironomidae) from Pine Cree Creek, in the Cypress Hills area of the Northern Great Plains of Saskatchewan, Canada. This record is the first observation of O. fulva from the province. The larvae of the population of O. fulva in this study prefer shallow pools in this first-order, cold water stream. The species displays a univoltine emergence phenology. This range extension of O. fulva highlights and reinforces the importance of the Cypress Hills to the unique aquatic faunal biodiversity and ecology of Saskatchewan and the Northern Great Plains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Parents can influence the phenotype of their offspring through various mechanisms, besides the direct effect of heredity. Such parental effects are little explored in parasitic organisms, perhaps because in many parasites, per capita investment into offspring is low. I investigated whether parental identity, beyond direct genetic effects, could explain variation in the performance of the tapeworm Schistocephalus solidus in its first intermediate host, a copepod. I first determined that two breeding worms could be separated from one another after ~48 h of in vitro incubation and that the isolated worms continued producing outcrossed eggs, that is, rates self-fertilization did not increase after separation. Thus, from a breeding pair, two sets of genetically comparable eggs can be collected that have unambiguous parental identities. In an infection experiment, I found that the development of larval worms tended to vary between the two parental worms within breeding pairs, but infection success and growth rate in copepods did not. Accounting for this parental effect decreased the estimated heritability for development by nearly half. These results suggest that larval performance is not simply a function of a worm's genotype; who mothered or fathered an offspring can also affect offspring fitness, contradicting the perhaps naïve idea that parasites simply produce large quantities of uniformly low-quality offspring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Immune function is greatly affected by biotic and abiotic factors, arguably owing to resource allocation trade-offs. While starvation typically exerts negative effects on immune function, there are two competing hypotheses regarding the impact of population density: a high population density may decrease or increase immune competence, either as a result of reduced energy stores or of augmented resource allocation to minimise infection risk (density-dependent prophylaxis)., Against this background, the effects of population (= larval rearing) density and transient food stress on adult immune function and life-history traits in the temperate-zone butterfly Pieris napi (Linnaeus) have been examined., Both a period of larval starvation and high larval rearing density prolonged the development time and reduced the body mass. All immune parameters measured (pro-phenoloxidase and phenoloxidase activity, haemocyte number, encapsulation rate) were also negatively affected by high density, whereas starvation had no effect., We thus found no evidence for density-dependent prophylaxis, but a diminished performance at a high density probably caused by reduced energy stores. The present study reinforces that the maintenance and deployment of an efficient immune system is costly, which may prohibit prophylactic responses to high population densities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We combine kinship estimates with traditional F-statistics to explain contemporary drivers of population genetic differentiation despite high gene flow. We investigate range-wide population genetic structure of the California spiny (or red rock) lobster ( Panulirus interruptus) and find slight, but significant global population differentiation in mt DNA (ΦST = 0.006, P = 0.001; Dest_Chao = 0.025) and seven nuclear microsatellites ( FST = 0.004, P < 0.001; Dest_Chao = 0.03), despite the species' 240- to 330-day pelagic larval duration. Significant population structure does not correlate with distance between sampling locations, and pairwise FST between adjacent sites often exceeds that among geographically distant locations. This result would typically be interpreted as unexplainable, chaotic genetic patchiness. However, kinship levels differ significantly among sites (pseudo- F16,988 = 1.39, P = 0.001), and ten of 17 sample sites have significantly greater numbers of kin than expected by chance ( P < 0.05). Moreover, a higher proportion of kin within sites strongly correlates with greater genetic differentiation among sites ( Dest_Chao, R2 = 0.66, P < 0.005). Sites with elevated mean kinship were geographically proximate to regions of high upwelling intensity ( R2 = 0.41, P = 0.0009). These results indicate that P. interruptus does not maintain a single homogenous population, despite extreme dispersal potential. Instead, these lobsters appear to either have substantial localized recruitment or maintain planktonic larval cohesiveness whereby siblings more likely settle together than disperse across sites. More broadly, our results contribute to a growing number of studies showing that low FST and high family structure across populations can coexist, illuminating the foundations of cryptic genetic patterns and the nature of marine dispersal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Malaria vectors which predominantly feed indoors upon humans have been locally eliminated from several settings with insecticide treated nets (ITNs), indoor residual spraying or larval source management. Recent dramatic declines of An. gambiae in east Africa with imperfect ITN coverage suggest mosquito populations can rapidly collapse when forced below realistically achievable, non-zero thresholds of density and supporting resource availability. Here we explain why insecticide-based mosquito elimination strategies are feasible, desirable and can be extended to a wider variety of species by expanding the vector control arsenal to cover a broader spectrum of the resources they need to survive. The greatest advantage of eliminating mosquitoes, rather than merely controlling them, is that this precludes local selection for behavioural or physiological resistance traits. The greatest challenges are therefore to achieve high biological coverage of targeted resources rapidly enough to prevent local emergence of resistance and to then continually exclude, monitor for and respond to re-invasion from external populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quantum dots (QDs) have widely been used in biomedical and biotechnological applications. However, few studies focus on the assessing toxicity of QDs exposure in vivo. In this study, zebrafish embryos were treated with CdTe QDs (4 nm) during 4-96 h post-fertilization (hpf). Mortality, hatching rate, malformation, heart rate, and QDs uptake were detected. We also measured the larval behavior to analyze whether QDs had persistent effects on larvae locomotor activity at 144 hpf. The results showed that as the exposure dosages increased, the hatching rate and heart rate of zebrafish embryos were decreased, while the mortality increased. Exposure to QDs caused embryonic malformations, including head malformation, pericardial edema, yolk sac edema, bent spine, and yolk not depleted. QDs fluorescence was mainly localized in the intestines region. The larval behavior testing showed that the total swimming distance was decreased in a dose-dependent manner. The lowest dose (2.5 nM QDs) produced substantial hyperactivity while the higher doses groups (5, 10, and 20 nM QDs) elicited remarkably hypoactivity in dark periods. In summary, the data of this article indicated that QDs caused embryonic developmental toxicity, resulted in persistent effects on larval behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

How animals achieve their specific body size is a fundamental, but still largely unresolved, biological question. Over the past decades, studies on the insect model system have provided some important insights into the process of body size determination and highlighted the importance of insulin/insulin-like growth factor signaling. Fat body, the Drosophila counterpart of liver and adipose tissue, senses nutrient availability and controls larval growth rate by modulating peripheral insulin signaling. Similarly, insulin-like growth factor I produced from liver and muscle promotes postnatal body growth in mammals. Organismal growth is tightly coupled with the process of sexual maturation wherein the sex steroid hormone attenuates body growth. This review summarizes some important findings from Drosophila and mammalian studies that shed light on the general mechanism of animal size determination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Asteroid larvae rely mainly on currents for dispersal, predator avoidance, and the location of resources. At small scales, larvae can regulate their vertical positions in the water column by swimming, and consequently, can affect their horizontal displacement. In this study, we examined the effect of water temperature on the survival of larval Asterias rubens, as well as on larval swimming patterns around thermal gradients of various strengths. A response to thermal gradients can be a result of physiological and/or physical processes to improve long-term survival and consequently, facilitate dispersal. We induced spawning of A. rubens in the laboratory, and reared larvae for 5 and 10days. Percent larval survival in temperatures ranging from 6 to 32°C was determined over 48h. Temperatures between 6 and 24°C did not affect survival of 5- or 10-d larvae. For 10-day larvae, low mortality (21.5%) was observed in 28°C, and 100% mortality at 32°C within 6h, suggesting a threshold in survival between the two temperatures. Ten-day old larvae were placed in rectangular plexiglass chambers with homogeneous (6, 12, 18, and 24°C) or thermally-structured water columns that were generated in the laboratory, in which the temperature in the surface and bottom layers was 24 and 12, 18 and 12, 18 and 6, and 12 and 6°C, respectively. Larval swimming patterns were videotaped for 30min and footage was analyzed at 5-min intervals to measure speeds and vertical velocities of all visible larvae using pairs of consecutive frames. Swimming paths were examined by following 21 randomly selected (every 81s) larvae in each treatment for as long as possible. In the absence of a thermal gradient, larval vertical velocity showed a parabolic relationship with temperature, unlike larval speed, which increased linearly, regardless of thermal structure. Net to gross displacement rate was measured for each larval path, and showed a decrease over time, but did not vary with temperature. We concluded that vertical patterns in larval distribution with respect to thermoclines reflect changes in vertical velocity rather than an enhancement of short-term survival. Larval swimming behavior influences vertical distribution, and ultimately, dispersal, settlement and adult populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]