Identification of commercial fish species belonging to the orders pleuronectiformes and gadiformes: library of isoelectric focusing patterns.

Isoelectric focusing in polyacrylamide gel was used to establish an identification archive of fish species belonging to the orders Pleuronectiformes, or flat fish, and Gadiformes, or gadoid fish. The 2 orders include species of different commercial value and interest that are frequently requested in European fish markets, but are susceptible to substitution either because they are morphologically similar or because they arrive on the markets already filleted or sliced. The sarcoplasmic protein profiles are species-specific and reproducible. The use of densitometry and image analysis coupled with a simple computer program overcomes the subjective evaluation of the patterns, making it possible to identify species correctly.

Genetic relationships and population structure of the endangered Steamboat buckwheat, Eriogonum ovalifolium var. williamsiae (Polygonaceae).

Eriogonum ovalifolium var. williamsiae (Steamboat buckwheat) is a narrow endemic subshrub, known from a single locality in Washoe County, Nevada. We examined genetic structure of the only known population by analyzing patterns of allozyme variation. Our results suggest that Steamboat buckwheat has high genetic variability, with levels of variation similar to that typical of a widespread species rather than a narrow endemic. Genotype frequencies suggest that mating is random. We detected no genetic subdivision of the population. Several clones spanning up to 67 cm were found, but we do not know if such clones are common. We used allozyme data to assess the genetic similarity of var. williamsiae to five other varieties of E. ovalifolium. All six varieties are very similar allozymically with var. williamsiae being the most similar to the widespread var. ovalifolium. Although var. williamsiae and var. ovalifolium are morphologically distinct, their genetic similarity warrants further study to determine whether or not they should be treated as separate taxa. Evidence of male sterility in var. williamsiae plus other data leads us to hypothesize that this taxon might be either a hybrid or undergoing cytoplasmic introgression. Information gathered from this study, in concert with ongoing work on the breeding system of Steamboat buckwheat, should be helpful in forming management strategies for this plant.

SEX RATIO, PARENTAL INVESTMENT, AND INTERPARENT VARIABILITY IN NESTING SUCCESS IN A SOLITARY BEE.

Observations of uniquely marked females of the solitary, twig-nesting bee, Osmia bruneri, were conducted under greenhouse conditions to test several predictions of sex-ratio and parental-investment theory. In support of Fisher's (1958) theory, we found that the observed sex-ratio of progeny in this dimorphic species did not differ from that expected on the basis of average male and female weights. Investment patterns also exhibited a seasonal component: female parents produced more female than male offspring early in the nesting season but reversed this pattern later. Interfemale variability was large for all nesting parameters examined. Neither female-parent size nor the rate at which females completed cells was significantly related to several estimates of parent fitness. Parent-offspring heritability for size was also low. We found no evidence to support the hypothesis that progeny sex-ratios are influenced by maternal condition. Variance in progeny sex-ratios was large, but the population sex-ratio probably departs frequently from the equilibrium value. The results marginally support Kolman's (1960) prediction of large variance in progeny sex-ratios in large panmictic populations. We conclude that variability among females in investment patterns and variability in size among progenies are probably maintained by such factors as resource heterogeneity and the shape of the adult survivorship curve.

Cushion plants as islands.

The acarine fauna of two abundant species of cushion plant on the high, short-grass prairie of S.E. Wyoming were used to test The MacArthur-Wilson Theory of Island Biogeography. Multiple regression analysis using area, distance and percent moisture as independent variables and number of mite species and number of mite individuals were run for the two sampling dates. Results showed area alone to be consistently and highly correlated (r=0.84-0.94) with both species and individuals for one cushion species. The slopes of the species-area and individuals-area curves are among the highest recorded and were significantly higher on the second sampling date. Selective seasonal changes in the fauna were shown by increases both in numbers of species and individuals, mainly on larger cushions, for the later sampling period. It is hypothesized that seasonal changes are due to an increase in the number of predator species in response to an increase in the number of prey items. The slopes of the species-area curves are compared with those in the literature and it is argued that slope values are more dependent upon the taxonomic group being studied than on whether the island is insular or oceanic. Finally, we suggest that The MacArthur-Wilson Theory is not applicable to islands which 1) exhibit continuous growth, 2) lack a discrete species source, and 3) are relatively transitory.