We employ molecular methods to profile the diet of the little brown bat, Myotis lucifugus, and describe spatial and temporal changes in diet over their maternity season. We identified 61 prey species of insects and 5 species of arachnid. The largest proportion of prey (∼32%) were identified as species of the mass-emerging Ephemeroptera (mayfly) genus Caenis. Bats roosting in agricultural settings had lower dietary richness than those occupying a roost located on a forest fragment in a conservation area. We detected temporal fluctuations in diet over the maternity season. Dipteran (fly) species dominated the diet early in the season, replaced later by species of mayfly. Because our methodology provides species-level identification of prey, we were able to isolate environmental indicator species in the diet and draw conclusions about the location and type of their foraging habitat and the health of these aquatic systems. The species detected suggested that the bats use variable habitats; members of one agricultural roost foraged on insects originating in rivers or streams while those in another agricultural roost and the forest roost fed on insects from pond or lake environments. All source water for prey was of fair to good quality, though no species detected are intolerant of pollution thus the habitat cannot be classified as pristine. Our study outlines a model system to investigate the abiotic and biotic interactions between habitat factors through this simple food chain to the top predator.

Quantitative and qualitative aspects of reproduction in the giant scallop Placopecten magellanicus (Gmelin) were compared between populations in the Damariscotta River (13 to 20 m depth) and the Gulf of Maine (170 to 180m depth). Gonad weight (p < 0.005) and gonad index (p < 0.01) were significantly greater in the shallow-water population dunng the period of gametogenesis. Oocytes of scallops in the shallow-water population developed gradually and spawning occurred in the fall. In spite of reduced gonadal production, scallops at the deep-water site completed gametogenesis. Oogenesis in the deep-water population was characterized by a greater initial rate of oocyte growth, resorption and a possible minor spring spawning, a period of redevelopment with continued resorption, and a later, more abrupt fall spawning. Gametogenesis was generally less synchronous among individuals in the deep-water population and oocytes were less dense withn gonadal tissue. The reduction in gonad production at the deep-water site was manifested as a reduced fecundity (number of eggs), rather than reduced egg size, as mean oocyte bameters were similar for both populations. In spite of apparent energehc hmitations, scallops at 180 m produce and spawn apparently viable ova, but in considerably lower numbers than those from shallower depths.

The contribution of local autoregulatory mechanisms to the overall control of the systemic circulation has been analyzed using theoretical and experimental approaches. Mechanisms that regulate regional vascular resistance and contribute importantly to the overall moment-to-moment regulation of cardiac output and total peripheral resistance are reviewed.