Rock lobster growth is routinely measured for research to optimise management measures such as size limits and quotas. The process of estimating growth is complicated in crustaceans as growth only occurs when the animal moults. As data are typically collected by tag-recapture methods, the timing of moulting events can bias results. For example, if annual moulting events take place within a very...

It is now well established that moulting in insects is under hormonal control; a hormone secreted by the brain activates the thoracic (prothoracic) glands which in turn secrete the moulting hormone (for review, see Wigglesworth, 1954, 1964). Investigating the influence of temperature on moulting in Rhodnius, Wigglesworth (1952a) stated that as the temperature rises above 35—36 C. the secretion ...

Sexual cannibalism is a particularly extreme example of conflict between the sexes, depriving the male of future reproduction. Theory predicts that sexual conflict should induce counter-adaptations in the victim. Observations of male spiders mating with moulting and hence largely immobile females suggest that this behaviour functions to circumvent female control and cannibalism. However, we lac...

Two methods are used in the investigation of the development of für and moulting in small mammals. The most common way is to observe the pigmentation of the skin. We have used a more recent method, staining the whole animal with Standard hair colours and observing changes in pelage patterns. It is thus possible to investigate ontogenetic changes in voles, and also the influences of different co...

The objective of this study was to determine the distribution of somatotrophs and lactotrophs and conduct a morphometrical analysis of immunoreactive somatotrophs and lactotrophs in the pituitary glands of White Leghorn Hens (Gallus domesticus) during the period of induced moult. We divided the periods of induced moulting into three phases viz. 7, 14 and 21 days. The labeled alkaline-phsphatase...

Moulting is a natural phenomenon in birds during which they replace old plumage with new feathers, reduce feed intake, lose body weight and suspend reproduction. Moulting in laying hens can be induced by using photoperiods, feed deprivation or restriction or diets containing minerals or variable amounts of other ingredients. Induced moulting can result in higher egg production and improved qual...

Poultry industry is playing the biggest role in the industries of the developing countries with respect to the capital generated by this industry as well as the fulfillment of the nutritional requirements. The improvement in the production potential of the existing layer population is more imperative as compared to the size of the flock. In this aspect induced moulting is a valuable as well as ...

The development of the imaginal cuticle has been studied with particular emphasis on the microtrichia and the pupal moulting fluid. The microtrichia are formed from acidophil filaments of epidermal cytoplasm which remain as the cuticular pore canals after secretion of the endocuticle. Microtrichia at the base of the bristles are associated with nerves. The cuticle before emergence consists of a...

Engorgement, mass at repletion and moulting success of immature Ixodes rubicundus after sequential infestations of their natural hosts, rock elephant shrews (Elephantulus myurus), were investigated under laboratory conditions. The reaction of E. myurus is characterized by inefficient or non-existent anti-tick immunity which enables immature I. rubicundus to attach and engorge successfully and e...

Aquatic birds have high cost of thermoregulation, especially during the moulting period, yet the effect of water temperature on the moulting strategy of aquatic birds has rarely been studied. Our general hypothesis is that energy savings associated with lower thermoregulation costs would be allocated to moulting processes. We predicted that aquatic birds moulting in warm water would have a high...