Pentatomid bugs communicate using substrate-borne vibrational signals that are transmitted along herbaceous plant stems in the form of bending waves. We tested the prediction that amplitude variation with distance from the emitter is caused by resonance, by measuring amplitude profiles of different vibrational signals transmitted along the stem of a Cyperus alternifolius plant, and comparing their frequencies and patterns with calculated spatial profiles of corresponding eigenfrequencies of a model system. Both parameters of the physical model matched the measured values, confirming the hypothesis and opening further questions about the insect vibrational communication system.
COBISS.SI-ID: 2502735
We investigated the interaction of intergenerational temperature and food quality change on the fitness of two species of Daphnia. The effect of a change in temperature (15°C vs. 20°C) and food quality (Cryptomonas sp. as high-quality food vs. Chlamydomonas sp. as relatively low-quality food) on juvenile growth rate and clutch size of Daphnia magna and Daphnia pulex was measured in 16 different combinations of maternal and offspring environments in standardized growth assays. It was shown that studies conducted under constant temperature conditions may seriously underestimate dietary constraints in natural environments.
COBISS.SI-ID: 29448409
In this study, we showed for the first time that effective mating disruption based on substrate-borne vibrational signals can be achieved in the field. In the leafhopper vector Scaphoideus titanus the male-female duet, based on species-specific vibrational signals, is essential for successful mate finding and copulation. When disruptive vibrational signals were applied to grapevine plants through a supporting wire, mating frequency of S. titanus dropped to 4 % in a mature vineyard. The underlying mechanism of this environmentally friendly pest-control tactic is a masking of the vibrational signals used in mate recognition and location.
COBISS.SI-ID: 2541391
In the scientific article, a use of electron transport system (ETS) activity in a single leg for estimating whole body ETS activity was explored in the crayfish. Oxygen consumption and ETS activity of the whole body and of a walking leg were measured in different sized noble crayfish. We found that metabolic potential in whole noble crayfish can be estimated on the basis of the measured ETS activity in a single leg and crayfish mass. This approach provides a valuable tool for determining metabolic characteristics of crayfish without killing them. This is the first report on ETS/R ratio in crayfish. Publication of this article in the Freshwater Biology indicates on quality results that are interesting for other researchers.
COBISS.SI-ID: 2440015
In the article we presented the first example of earthquake effects on plankton community in the lakes. In Lake Krn (Slovenia) we observed immediately after the earthquake in spring 1999 changes in zooplankton community which turned from Cyclops prevailed community into Ceriodaphnia prevailed. After the second earthquake in spring 2003 Cyclops completely disappeared and Ceriodaphnia dominated. Cyclops community recovered only in 2010 to outnumbered Ceriodaphnia. During both earthquakes sediment covered on the bottom resting larvae of Cyclops which died, while Ceriodaphnia proliferated.
COBISS.SI-ID: 2549839