Thermal and water relations of desert beetles.

The physical problems that living organisms have to contend with in hot deserts are primarily extremes of temperature, low humidity, shortage or absence of free water, and the environmental factors that accentuate these--such as strong winds, sand-storms, lack of shade, rocky and impenetrable soils. Climatic factors are particularly important to smaller animals such as arthropods on account of their relatively enormous surface to volume ratios. Nevertheless, beetles (especially Tenebrionidae and, to a lesser extent, Chrysomelidae) are among the most successful animals of the desert, and are often the only ones to be seen abroad during the day. Similar physical problems are experienced by insects in all terrestrial biomes, but they are much enhanced in the desert. Although climatic extremes are often avoided by burrowing habits coupled with circadian and seasonal activity rhythms, as well as reproductive phenology, several species of desert beetle are nevertheless able to withstand thermal extremes that would rapidly cause the death of most other arthropods including insects. The reactions of desert beetles to heat are largely behavioural whilst their responses to water shortage are primarily physiological. The effects of coloration are not discussed. In addition to markedly low rates of transpiration, desert beetles can also withstand a considerable reduction in the water content of their tissues. The study of desert beetles is important because it illustrates many of the solutions evolved by arthropods to the problems engendered, in an extreme form, by life in all terrestrial environments.

Multiple factors in the evolution of animal coloration.

Many of the subjects about which biologists disagree concern the interpretation of function. Morphological, physiological and behavioral characters can simultaneously serve several various functions, all of which are subject to natural selection. These may operate synergistically, but when two produce opposing effects, the one possessing the greater survival value at the time is selected. Often a compromise between several different evolutionary functions results. When the functions under consideration are viewed from a wider angle, a synthesis between differing opinions can sometimes be achieved and a greater understanding of the phenomenon obtained. It should be remembered that, even if an adaptation is invoked for only a brief time during the life of its possessor, it might well be selected merely because of its transient value then. This contribution is not a review, nor is it concerned with the biochemistry and physiology of pigmentation. Rather, it is a discussion of some of the diverse functions that have been ascribed to animal colours. A few typical examples are considered, chosen mainly from among tropical animals including human beings.

The evolution of scorpionism in Brazil in recent years

In this paper further information concerning the ecological and biogeographical aspects of scorpionism is presented. Some of the information already outlined in three previous publications (10,14,16) is assessed, and new data given concerning the pattern of distribution presented by Tityus serrulatus in Brazil. Some new ideas are also proposed regarding the possible evolutionary advantages and disadvantages of parthenogenesis versus sexuality in both the short-term and the long-term.

Survival of female Anopheles gambiae Giles through a 9-month dry season in Sudan.

The dry-season biology of a member of the Anopheles gambiae complex (probably species B) was studied in 2 areas in the Khartoum region of Sudan. It was found that in the valley of the White Nile the species maintained itself by low-level breeding, as shown by the continuing presence of larvae, male mosquitos and parous females through the dry months (9 months in the year). In the scattered villages of arid areas situated more than 20 km from the Nile Valley, on the other hand, regular sampling through the cool dry and hot dry months of the year failed to detect any An. gambiae except nulliparous females. These were found in occupied huts, deserted huts, dry wells and animal burrows.The great majority of 213 females collected in the 11 dry months between November 1966 and December 1967 had fresh or older blood-meals but the abdomen was never found fully distended in the dry season. Examination of the ovaries showed that they did not develop beyond Christophers' stage II in the period from November to February, stage III in March and April, or beyond stage IV in May. But, in June and July stage IV and V ovaries predominated and few specimens remained in stage late-II.It is inferred from these observations that the local population of An. gambiae is highly adapted to survive in the adult stage through the severe drought and heat of the arid zone of Sudan. Some feeding activity continues but ovarian development is extremely retarded, and only one batch of eggs matures during the whole 9-month period. Evidence collected in the Nile Valley indicated that female An. gambiae in that area were not subjected to similar retardation of the ovarian cycle; in fact, clear evidence was obtained there of continuous year-round breeding by the mosquito.