The adhesive strength of specialized setae on the palettes of male Dytiscus alaskanus was investigated by recording the mass that palettes were able to lift. Large primary and secondary adhesive setae were removed and the adhesive strength of the palette was tested. The primary and secondary adhesive setae accounted for 59.5% of the adhesive strength of the palette. The ability of the palette to hold nearly 4 times the mass of a female may be needed to overcome the force generated by an accelerating female.

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A survey of nematode communities associated with chilli fields in eight localities of lower Sindh was conducted. In all eight species were recorded viz., Meloidogyne sp. larvae; Helicotylenchus indicus; Pratylenchus penetrans; Tylenchus sp. larvae; Pratylenchus thornei; Tylenchorhynchus annulatus; Psllenchus hilarulus; Hoplolaimus indicus and Aphelenchus avenae. A principal component ordination showed the relationships between localities and the species. Cluster analysis revealed the grouping of the nematode communities. Two main groups could be recognized, a small group having large populations of Meloidogyne sp. larvae and a large group comprising of communities with saprophytic nematodes and parasitic species such as Helicotylenchus indicus, Tylenchorhynchus annulatus and Pratylenchus spp. with variable densities.