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The Response of Tribolium Confusum to Variations in the Volume of Its Environment
Author(s) -
McDonald Daniel J.
Publication year - 1968
Publication title -
ecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.144
H-Index - 294
eISSN - 1939-9170
pISSN - 0012-9658
DOI - 10.2307/1934504
Subject(s) - polyethylene , cannibalism , volume (thermodynamics) , nutrient , population , mixing (physics) , biology , ecology , food science , larva , toxicology , chemistry , zoology , environmental science , demography , thermodynamics , physics , organic chemistry , quantum mechanics , sociology
The size of the population formed by the flour beetle Tribolium confusum has been found to depend on the volume of the environment rather than the amount of nutrient provided. This was determined by mixing powdered polyethylene with the flour medium, to vary the volume while holding the amount of nutrient constant. The polyethylene is probably not injurious to the adults for it appears to have no major effect on death rate. However, polyethylene and flour mixtures do alter some individual and population characteristics, probably those involved in cannibalism and egg production.