Issues

Summary: The capacity of birds to hydrolyze glucosides and release toxins conjugated to sugars, which was uncertain, is shown to be low compared with that of rodents.

Summary: The major constituents of bird eggshells (mineral, matrix, pigment) can be analysed without sample destruction, which is ideal for ancient and other precious eggshell specimens.

Highlighted Article: Ultraviolet B radiation differentially affects the performance of the glycoprotein glue coating the capture spiral of orb-weaving spiders from habitats with varying levels of natural exposure.

Summary: Energy deficiency in an adult male songbird has no detectable effect on the development of reproductive morphology, but constrains the endocrine responsiveness of the testes.

Summary: Food restriction in a wild-caught, seasonally breeding songbird inhibits full activation of the reproductive system, with effects at both the brain and gonadal level.

Summary: Finite element analysis of hard-prey crushing teeth demonstrates morphological features important for resisting tooth failure.

Summary: Acidosis recovery in hypercapnic sturgeon associates with plasma Na⁺ accumulation prior to and plasma Cl⁻ removal following osmotic recovery, as osmoregulatory requirements transition from ion uptake to ion excretion throughout seawater acclimation.

Summary: Male-derived substances transferred in the seminal fluids of crickets provide a functional explanation for the fitness benefits females gain from mating at high rates.

Highlighted Article: Large bumblebees exhibit impaired flight performance in cluttered environments compared with small bees; this is not due to the scaling of acceleration performance, however, and may be driven by the allometry of collision avoidance.

Summary: The chemical composition of cephalic salivary (labial) glands of Scaptotrigona postica varies according to the worker's life phase and tasks performed.

Summary: After stress, crayfish brain 5-HT levels increase, which induces anxiety-like behavior (ALB) but the level of dopamine does not change, and in contrast to 5-HT, injection of dopamine does not trigger a metabolic response or ALB.

Summary: The pericardium provides structural support for the hearts of tunicates.

Highlighted Article: Adult caddis flies use two jumping strategies: first, take-off is propelled by the middle and hind legs; second, the same leg movements are combined with wing movements.

Summary: Experiments with transparent microstructured substrates show that the compliance of cockroach adhesive pads is age dependent and increases when shear forces are applied.

Summary: Oyster larvae exhibit behavioral responses to flow-induced rotation of the body relative to gravity; in turbulence, these responses will enhance control of vertical motion.

Summary: Baikal seals in Lake Baikal, Russia, exhibit an interesting type of dive, called drift dives, presumably as a means of resting and food processing in open waters.

Summary: Honeybee navigation is affected by ingesting traces of glyphosate – the most widely used herbicide worldwide – with potential long-term negative consequences for colony-foraging success.

Summary: Female Amblyomma hebraeum grow cuticle post-moult prior to feeding; mechanical analysis suggests that dopamine but not water content enables stretch and thinning of cuticle in the rapid phase of engorgement.