ALBERT

Description: The cores and dredges described in this report were taken during the R/V Robert Conrad 9 Expedition from October 1964 until September 1965 by the Lamont Geological Observatory, Columbia University. An approximate total of 350 cores, dredges and camera stations were recovered and are available at Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory for sampling and study.

Description: Analyses for Fe, Mn, Pb, Zn, Co, P, Mo, Ba, Sr, Ti, Li, Rb, Na, K, Be, Cr, V, Y, Ag, Cu, C, S, Sn, Ni, Ga, Zr, and La have been carried out on some oxidate crusts, oxidized surface muds, reduced subsurface muds, and glacial clays collected in Windermere and Esthwaite Water in the English Lake District. The relatively organic lake muds exhibit the highest concentrations of C, S, Cu, Sn, and Ni. Many of the oxidate crusts exhibit strong enrichment in Mn, Fe, Ba, Sr, Pb, and Zn. Ti, Li, Rb, Co, P, and Mo are also enriched in some crusts. S, Sn, and Ni reach their highest levels in the reducing subsurface muds, but Mn, and to a lesser extent Fe and Mo, are higher in the oxidized than in the reduced muds. Relations between the elements in the various sediments are examined, and the English oxidate crusts are compared with lake and stream ores in Sweden and Finland, and with marine manganese nodules. These marine nodules are frequently enriched in Cu, Ni, Co, Mo, V, Ag, and Sn to a far higher degree than the freshwater ferromanganese concretions. Some freshwater crusts exhibit enrichments in Pb, Zn, and Ba of the same order as those observed in marine manganese nodules.

Description: Die Geburt der Laboratoriumratte wird kurz beschrieben. Das Fressen der Nachgeburt ist nicht notwendig f\xc3\xbcr eine gute Milchsekretion. Die Feten liegen in gekr\xc3\xbcmmter Haltung in der Geb\xc3\xa4rmutter, aber werden w\xc3\xa4hrend der Austreibung gestreckt. Die Austreibung erfolgt nicht immer abwechselnd aus den beiden Uterush\xc3\xb6rnern. Die Trennung von Plazenta und Uteruswand wird von der Wehent\xc3\xa4tigkeit herbeigef\xc3\xbchrt. Durch eine Verschiebung im Bindegewebenetzwerk unter der Plazenta \xc3\xa4ndert sich die Struktur, sodass diese flache Schicht einen relativ hohen Wulst bildet. Die zirkul\xc3\xa4r verlaufenden collagenen Fasern bekommen deshalb nach L\xc3\xb6sung der Plazenta einen radi\xc3\xa4ren Verlauf. Die R\xc3\xbcckbildung dieses Bindegewebewulstes wird beschrieben. Makrophagen spielen dabei eine wichtige Rolle. Nach etwa 5 Monaten ist die R\xc3\xbcckbildung vollst\xc3\xa4ndig und ist die Narbe nur noch an einer kleinen haemosiderinreichen Stelle erkennbar. Der Epitheldefekt wird etwa 48 Stunden nach der Geburt geschlossen. Unmittelbar nach der Geburt zieht sich die Wunde zusammen infolge der Verschiebung im Bindegewebenetzwerk unter der Wunde. Eine halbe Stunde nach der Geburt faltet sich das Epithel \xc3\xbcber die Wundr\xc3\xa4nder. Etwa 22 Stunden nach der Geburt findet eine Abflachung der Epithelzellen statt und wenige Stunden sp\xc3\xa4ter treten die ersten Mitosen auf. Bei der Uterusinvolution der Ratte spielen also mehrere Faktoren eine wichtige Rolle. Die \xc3\xa4lteren Autoren haben h\xc3\xa4ufig nur ein oder zwei dieser Phaenomene beschrieben. Wir konnten tats\xc3\xa4chlich alle in der Literatur erw\xc3\xa4hnten M\xc3\xb6glichkeiten, mit Ausnahme der Neubildung von Epithelzellen aus Bindegewebezellen, best\xc3\xa4tigen. Es handelt sich hier aber nicht um eine Frage nach der Richtigkeit der verschiedenen Auffassungen, denn nach unseren Befunden treten die einzelnen Prozesse zum Teil zu gleicher Zeit auf, zum Teil auch finden sie nacheinander statt in einem und demselben Uterus.

Description: 1. From Antarctic female Fin Whales, Balaenoptera physalus, a collection, consisting of baleen plates and the parts of these plates embedded in the gum, ovaries, and a number of earplugs was examined, in order to determine the age of these animals and to get a better insight in some characteristics of their reproduction. Data concerning pregnancy and lactation were also recorded. The material was sampled from animals worked up on board the f.f. \xe2\x80\x9cWillem Barendsz\xe2\x80\x9d during the Antarctic seasons 1953/1954 to 1959/1960 inclusive. The possibilities and values of age determination for this species were considered, based on the results of the analyses of the above material. 2. In most seasons the length distribution of the female Fin Whales, from which the material for the age determination was sampled (\xe2\x80\x9cexamined animals\xe2\x80\x9d), did not differ significantly from that of the total catch of females of the \xe2\x80\x9cWillem Barendsz\xe2\x80\x9d in the same seasons. Neither was there any significant difference in length distribution between the total number of females from which the material was sampled and that of the females in the catch of the \xe2\x80\x9cWillem Barendsz\xe2\x80\x9d in all seasons. However, the length distribution of the catch of the \xe2\x80\x9cWillem Barendsz\xe2\x80\x9d differed significantly from the total Antarctic pelagic catch. 3. Baleen records were made according to the method described by RUUD (1940). In contrast with his age determinations with the aid of the part of the baleen plate protruding from the gum also the part of the plate hidden in the gum was used. A method of reading this part was developed. The advantage of this method is that the total length of baleen plate examined is much longer, and that the part hidden in the gum is not yet worn. In addition, the use of the part hidden in the gum has the undeniable advantage that the end of the cortical layer at the base of the \xe2\x80\x9croot\xe2\x80\x9d of the baleen plate represents the only exact date: the date at which the animal was killed. 4. Apart from the large waves of the cortical layer of the baleen plate the so-called \xe2\x80\x9crelief\xe2\x80\x9d was also used to divide the record of the baleen plate into \xe2\x80\x9dgrowth periods\xe2\x80\x9d. The large waving is probably caused by variation in growth resulting from migration and available food, whereas the \xe2\x80\x9crelief\xe2\x80\x9d is probably a reflection of certain physiological events in the life of the animal, e.g. the sexual cycle. The influence of the sexual cycle may account for the fact that the records of the sexually immature animal and the sexually mature male animal and female animal show obvious differences, the external circumstances of life being more or less equal for all animals. LAWS (1961) is of the opinion that there is a certain relation between the sexual cycle and migration. \xe2\x80\x9cIt is suggested that, as in females at puberty, the biannual ovulatory periods are primarily related to the twice-yearly period of increasing day lengths associated with the north and south migrations.\xe2\x80\x9d If this is correct migration (day-light, feeding) might reinforce the influence of the sexual cycle on the growth of the cortical layer of the baleen plate. In that case the so-called \xe2\x80\x9covulation peaks\xe2\x80\x9d would become very prominent in the \xe2\x80\x9crelief\xe2\x80\x9d of the baleen plate, which they actually do. 5. With the aid of periodical configurations of peaks and hollows in the baleen records the curves were divided into \xe2\x80\x9cgrowth periods\xe2\x80\x9d, which were supposed to represent periods of one year each.\nOne special configuration of peaks was regarded as an \xe2\x80\x9covulation peak\xe2\x80\x9d. This was confirmed by the condition of the animal with regard to pregnancy or the age of the foetus. 6. It was proved that there was a significant regularity in the succession and the heights of the peaks and hollows of the \xe2\x80\x9crelief\xe2\x80\x9d of the baleen plate according to FRIEDMANN\xe2\x80\x99S method of m-ranking. This means that the \xe2\x80\x9crelief\xe2\x80\x9d is not formed in an arbitrary way but is a reflection of particular events in the life of the animal. Besides it was shown by VAN UTRECHT (1965) that each peak will be formed at a particular time and place in the \xe2\x80\x9croot\xe2\x80\x9d of the baleen plate. 7. The method of age determination described by the present author is to be regarded as an improvement of RUUD\xe2\x80\x99S method since a. the entire baleen plate is used in the analyses as stated above sub 3., b. besides the large waving also the \xe2\x80\x9crelief\xe2\x80\x9d of the baleen plate is taken into account.\nThough in itself too time-consuming for routine examinations it already offers the possibility of c. determining the mean rate of ovulation by means of \xe2\x80\x9covulation peaks\xe2\x80\x9d and d. determining the moment of attainment of sexual maturity. 8. It is evident that as to the Fin Whale, age determination with baleen plates can generally be used up to and including the fourth year of life. In the records of the baleen plates of all these animals there are indications of their suckling or weaning periods. If the baleen plates contain more than four \xe2\x80\x9cgrowth periods\xe2\x80\x9d the part of the baleen plate formed during the weaning period is generally worn off and then only a minimum age can be determined. Consequently in those animals having more than four \xe2\x80\x9cgrowth periods\xe2\x80\x9d in their baleen plate records and showing indications of at least the weaning period (\xe2\x80\x9cdouble hump\xe2\x80\x9d), the baleen plate can also be used in age determinations. 9. So far the baleen plate method was only used to determine minimum ages. Now further analyses of baleen plates were made to gain an insight into the mean age at which the animals attain sexual maturity and into the mean rate of ovulation. In age determinations of mature females these results enable us to use the ovaries only. 10. It is necessary to know something of the number of \xe2\x80\x9cgrowth periods\xe2\x80\x9d hidden in the gum and of the way this number varies to be able to compare earlier determinations of the age at which the animals attain sexual maturity by means of baleen plates, with my results. 11. Of all examined animals the mean number of \xe2\x80\x9cgrowth periods\xe2\x80\x9d hidden in the gum appeared to be 1.79. In young animals (up to and including 4+ \xe2\x80\x9cgrowth periods\xe2\x80\x9d) this number varied from 0.5 to 2.0. This is contrary to RUUD\xe2\x80\x99S idea that in animals younger than five years, only part of one \xe2\x80\x9cgrowth period\xe2\x80\x9d is present in the gum, which can be ignored. The maximum number of \xe2\x80\x9cgrowth periods\xe2\x80\x9d found in the part of the baleen plate hidden in the gum appeared to be 2.8. 12. The mean number of \xe2\x80\x9cgrowth periods\xe2\x80\x9d hidden in the gum increases with a. the increase in number of \xe2\x80\x9cgrowth periods\xe2\x80\x9d in the total baleen plate, b. the increase in number of \xe2\x80\x9cgrowth periods\xe2\x80\x9d in the outer baleen plate, c. the increase in length of the animals.\nIn sexually mature animals the mean number of \xe2\x80\x9cgrowth periods\xe2\x80\x9d hidden in the gum does not increase with the increase in age. 13. If there is a small number of \xe2\x80\x9cgrowth periods\xe2\x80\x9d in the outer baleen plate they are significantly longer than those in baleen plates with a greater number of \xe2\x80\x9cgrowth periods\xe2\x80\x9d. The mean length of the \xe2\x80\x9cgrowth periods\xe2\x80\x9d decreases with the increase in age. 14. The number of \xe2\x80\x9cgrowth periods\xe2\x80\x9d in the baleen plate depends on the length of the baleen plate. In a longer plate the number of \xe2\x80\x9cgrowth periods\xe2\x80\x9d is significantly greater. Moreover, there is a linear correlation between the length of the baleen plate and the length of the animal. 15. Female Fin Whales in the Southern Hemisphere attain sexual maturity in their sixth, seventh or eighth year of life. Most of them will attain sexual maturity in their seventh year. In most of the earlier investigations it was accepted that the female Fin Whale attained sexual maturity in the fifth or sixth year of life. This difference may be accounted for by the fact that, as a mean, 1.79 \xe2\x80\x9cgrowth periods\xe2\x80\x9d are hidden in the gum instead of only part of one \xe2\x80\x9cgrowth period\xe2\x80\x9d as RUUD supposed. In investigations carried out by the Committee of Three Scientists appointed by the International Whaling Commission, it is commonly accepted that female Fin Whales attain sexual maturity in their fifth year of life. This age is probably too low. 16. The variation in age at which sexual maturity can be attained is probably caused by the existence of three so-called \xe2\x80\x9cconstitution types\xe2\x80\x9d. These different types in the catch may also be responsible for the considerable variation in length of the baleen plates and the number and length of the \xe2\x80\x9cgrowth periods\xe2\x80\x9d in the baleen plates of the different types. 17. The mean rate of ovulation is 2.5 per period of two years. This calculation is based on the presence of the \xe2\x80\x9covulation peaks\xe2\x80\x9d in baleen plate records, and the lapse of time represented by that portion of the record between two such peaks. This is based on the assumption that each \xe2\x80\x9cgrowth period\xe2\x80\x9d represents a period of one year and that the growth of the baleen plate is, as a mean, regular. A correction factor is applied because multiple foetuses, accessory corpora lutea and several simultaneous ovulations are found.\nDuring the whole life of the female Fin Whale the mean rate of ovulation is constant. A decrease of fertility will not occur at all, or only very late in its life. 18. Most ovulations of the examined animals occurred during the southern winter (June to September inclusive), although a reasonable number of ovulations occurred in the southern summer. 19. If no pregnancy follows the interval between two ovulations is in most cases circ. 6 months, other possibilities are circ. 12, circ. 18 and circ. 24 months. In one case an interval of circ. 30 months was found. 20. It is proved and accepted that corpora albicantia persist during the whole of the whale\xe2\x80\x99s life, although they do reduce to a mean diameter of 2.0 cm. This persistence makes it possible to make an estimation of the age of an individual. In a large sample such an estimation is sufficient to reach a conclusion about the age distribution. 21. The weight of the ovaries in immature females increases with the increase in length. To a certain extent the age of these young animals correlates with their length, so there is also a correlation between the weight of the ovaries and the age of the animal. 22. When the animals attain sexual maturity there is a significant increase in weight of the ovaries. 23. In mature females there is a correlation between the weight of the ovaries and the length of these animals. With regard to the age of the animals there is at first an increase and subsequently a decrease in weight of the ovary. This may be an indication of a decrease of the sexual activity in some species. However, this is not the case in the female Fin Whale. The mean rate of ovulation and the percentage of pregnant females remains constant as age increases. A plausible explanation for these facts is that there is a proceeding wave of ovulations, from the pole of the ovary directed to the bursa ovarica to the opposite pole. If the main ovulatory activity occurs in the first half of the ovary (i.e. the part adjacent to the bursa) both halves will increase in weight; if the ovulatory activity occurs mainly in the second half, the first half is mainly inactive and will decrease in weight. At a certain time the decrease in weight of the first half will be greater than the increase in weight of the second half, so that the total weight of the ovary will decrease while the mean rate of ovulation remains constant.

Description: A six to seven year-old female okapi died after a week of illness showing clinical signs of an acute infection of the respiratory tracts. Antibiotic therapy did not influence the course of the disease. The postmortem examination demonstrated the presence of acute laryngitis, tonsilitis, tracheo-bronchitis, bronchopneumonia and serifibrinous exudate, together with a subacute and subchronic myocarditis and hepatitis. Bacteriological cultures from the spleen, liver, kidneys, and the lungs, yielded two strains of Escherichia coli.\nForty-eight hours after the death of the female, the male okapi became ill and it was treated with antibiotics indicated by the sensitivity tests carried out upon the Escherichia coli noted in the dead female: ampicilline was thus injected into the male whose health gradually improved and a complete recovery occurred.

Description: The results are given of different anthelmintics administered to control intestinal parasitism in two okapis. With Mintic (oral) and Thiabendazole (oral) complete eradication was achieved clinically which was subsequently confirmed at the post-mortem of the female.

Description: L\xe2\x80\x99A. d\xc3\xa9crit ou cite 47 esp\xc3\xa8ces de Poissons characo\xc3\xafdes r\xc3\xa9cemment r\xc3\xa9colt\xc3\xa9s par M. H. P. Pijpers au Surinam.\nQuatre formes nouvelles pour la science sont d\xc3\xa9crites: Moenkhausia surinamensis, Moenkhausia georgiae, Moenkhausia hemigrammoides et Curimatus esperanzae pijpersi; deux autres avaient \xc3\xa9t\xc3\xa9 d\xc3\xa9crites dans des notes ant\xc3\xa9rieures: Hemibrycon surinamensis et Hyphessobrycon georgettae; deux enfin sont signal\xc3\xa9es comme \xc3\xa9tant des formes nouvelles qui seront nomm\xc3\xa9es \xc3\xa0 partir d\xe2\x80\x99un mat\xc3\xa9riel plus abondant: elles appartiennent respectivement aux genres Myleus et Hemiodopsis (Hemiodus auct.).\nHemigrammus lunatus, Jobertina eleotrioides et Parodon guyanensis sont nouveaux pour la faune du Surinam.\nLa synonymie Hemigrammus orthus = Hyphessobrycon bellotti est sugg\xc3\xa9r\xc3\xa9e.\nDes cl\xc3\xa9s de d\xc3\xa9termination sont propos\xc3\xa9es pour les groupes suivants: groupe doceana du genre Moenkhausia, esp\xc3\xa8ces des Guyanes du genre Creatochanes, Stethaprionidi et ssp. de Poptella orbicularis.\nCertains sujets sont plus particuli\xc3\xa8rement discut\xc3\xa9s: valeur taxonomique et \xc3\xa9volution de la ligne lat\xc3\xa9rale, ssp. de Moenkhausia lepidura et de Poptella orbicularis, biom\xc3\xa9trie et \xc3\xa9cotaxonomie de Gasteropelecus sternicla et de Carnegiella strigata, et revue du sous-genre Hemiodopsis.

Description: Skeletons are an essential part of every zoological collection. The cleaning of the carcasses or other crude skeletal material obtained from collected animals can be carried out by mechanical defleshing, by boiling in water with or without chemicals, or by a combination of mechanical cleaning and boiling, and these methods are employed in many musea as a routine treatment.\nIn the case of small specimens this process of scraping and boiling almost invariably destroys some of het more delicate structures, so that the preparators are usually very careful when handling small carcasses for fear of damaging them, which often results in incomplete cleaning in spite of their tedious and time-devouring work. They must often feel between the devil and the deep sea, because the obtained skeletons are either damaged or unsatisfactorily cleaned.

Description: A revision of the Euphorbiaceous genus Meineckia has resulted in the recognition of 19 species, with 7 subspecies and 2 varieties (for a total of 25 distinct taxa). Proposed as new are 5 species and 1 subspecies, while new combinations are necessary for 14 species and 6 subspecific taxa. The extraordinary confusion in the taxonomic history of the genus is illustrated by the fact that the 14 previously recognized species have been classified under 6 different generic names: Cluytiandra, Flueggea, Neopeltandra, Peltandra, Phyllanthus, and Securinega. As revised, the number of species represented in the different regions is as follows: America, 3; Africa and Arabia, 4; Madagascar, 8; India and Ceylon, 4. The genus appears to be of African origin and is probably most closely related to Zimmermannia.