Hypervariable genetic markers, including a novel locus-specific marker detected by a mouse major histocompatibility complex probe, reveal that multiple paternity is common in families of polygynous red-winged blackbirds (Agelaius phoeniceus). Almost half of all nests contained at least one chick resulting from an extra-pair fertilization, usually by a neighboring male. Genetically based measures of reproductive success show that individual males realize more than 20% of their overall success from extra-pair fertilizations, on average, and that this form of mating behavior confounds traditional measures of male success. The importance of alternative reproductive tactics in a polygynous bird is quantified, and the results challenge previous explanations for the evolution of avian polygny.

In order to understand the regulation of trypsin genes by the blood meal, we constructed a cDNA library from mRNA isolated from midguts of blood-fed female Aedes aegypti. The library was screened with a Drosophila melanogaster trypsin-like gene; twelve cDNAs were isolated and sequenced. Two clones were 846 bp and 788 bp long with 762 bp and 716 bp open reading frames, respectively. The cDNAs were identified as coding for serine proteases by the presence of conserved serine, histidine and aspartic acid residues; the presence of an aspartate residue at position 176 suggests that the clones were derived from trypsin-like gene transcripts rather than chymotrypsin or other serine proteases. One of the clones contained a 5' untranslated region and coding regions for putative signal and activation peptides, suggesting that the product is secreted as an inactive zymogen and processed by autoactivation. Southern analysis of genomic DNA suggests that trypsin is encoded by a multigene family in A. aegypti.

Laboratory experiments were conducted to assess the effects of aluminum, calcium and low pH on egg hatching and nymphal survival of the mayfly Cloeon triangulifer. Percent successful hatch (living nymphs breaking free of the chorion) decreased and percent partial hatch (nymphs dying attached to the chorion) increased with increasing acidity (pH 7.5-3.0). Most hatches occurring below pH 5.0 were partial hatches. Decreased time of exposure to acidic waters increased percent successful hatch and decreased percent partial hatch. Time to first hatch was not affected by pH. Eggs were incubated in acidic waters (pH 4.0 and 5.5) with additions of calcium (10 and 100 mg 1-') and aluminum (100 and 500 tg 1-'). Aluminum decreased percent successful hatch and increased percent partial hatch and calcium increased both percent successful hatch and percent partial hatch. Time to first hatch was increased by both aluminum and calcium. The 96 h LC50 for small nymphs was pH 4.75. Addition of aluminum (100 and 500 g 1-') to acidic waters (pH 4.0 and 5.0) reduced nymphal mortality by 8-22%. Toxic effects of low pH on egg hatching and early nymphs may contribute to the absence of mayflies from acidified habitats.

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