faculty of pure and applied sciences - The Department of Chemistry ...

_________________________PROCEEDINGSOF THEFOURTHCONFERENCE_________________________FACULTY OF PURE AND APPLIED SCIENCESConference Organising Committee:Prof. Han Reichgelt, Department of Mathematics and Computer Science – ChairmanMr Rafi Ahmad, Department of Geography and GeologyDr Anthony Chen, Department of PhysicsDr Kerith Golden, Department of Basic Medical Sciences (Biochemistry)Dr Ishenkumba Kahwa, Department of ChemistryDr Neville McMorris, Dean, Faculty of Pure and Applied SciencesDr Ralph Robinson, Department of Life SciencesMiss Marvadeen Singh, Graduate Student, Department of ChemistryDr Dale Webber, Sub-Dean, Faculty of Pure and Applied SciencesEditing:Typesetting:Dr Ralph Robinson and Prof. Han ReichgeltDr Ralph RobinsonPublished by The Faculty of Pure and Applied SciencesISBN: 976 41 0126 7MONAJanuary 12-14, 1999

The Faculty gratefully acknowledges the generosity of the following donors:Trafalgar Development Bank LtdThe Shell Co (WI) LtdBWIA Intl LtdNational Foundation for the Development of Science and TechnologyThe University of the West IndiesISBN : 976 41 0126 7Published by The Faculty of Pure and Applied Sciences, Mona2

Monday January 11 th 1999______________________________________________________________________________2:00 - 4:30 REGISTRATION(Conference Room, Faculty of Pure and Applied Sciences Office)6:00 - 8:00 PANEL DISCUSSION"Putting Science to Work for the Caribbean"LE MÉRIDIEN JAMAICA PEGASUS HOTELCoordinator - Dr Ishenkumba A. KahwaSenior Lecturer, Department of Chemistry, MonaModerator - Dr Jean DixonExecutive Director, The Scientific Research Councilof JamaicaPanelists - Dr Donatus St. AiméSecretary, Caribbean Council on Science andTechnology, Trinidad &Tobago- Dr Carlton DavisSecretary to the Cabinet, Government of Jamaica- Dr Conrad DouglasChairman, The Scientific Research Council of Jamaica- Mr Howard HamiltonPresident, Jamaica Chamber of Commerce- Prof. Oliver HeadleyDirector, The Centre for Resource Management andEnvironmental Studies, Cave Hill, UWI- Mr Clifford HughesSenior Jamaica media representativeTransport to and from the Hotel has been arranged - pickup at 5:30pm sharp fromThe Department of Chemistry parking lot. Refreshments will be served.______________________________________________________________________________Notes:4

Tuesday January 12 th , 1999______________________________________________________________________________8:00 - 9:00 CONFERENCE REGISTRATION (Foyer, Chemistry Lecture Room #5)9:00 - 9:30 OPENING CEREMONY (Chemistry Lecture Room #5)9:30 - 10:45 PLENARY LECTUREProfessor Han ReichgeltChairman, Conference Organising Committee, MonaProfessor Kenneth HallPrincipal, The Mona Campus, The University of the West IndiesDr Donald RobothamPro Vice Chancellor and Dean of The School for Graduate Studiesand Research, The University of the West IndiesDr Neville McMorrisDean, Faculty of Pure and Applied Sciences, Mona"Is Physics the only Science?"Chair: Prof. Han ReichgeltDepartment of Mathematics and Computer Science, Mona______________________________________________________________________________10:45 - 11:15 COFFEE BREAK______________________________________________________________________________Notes:5

FREE ORAL PRESENTATIONSChemistry Lecture Room #5______________________________________________________________________________BIOLOGY WITH BIO-MATHEMATICSChair:______________________________________________________________________________11:15 - 11:35 The dynamics of tropical insect populations(O-1)Brian Freeman11:35 - 11:55 Fluctuation in the population of two species of the Citrus Root(O-2) Weevils in JamaicaD.O. Clarke-Harris and Ajai Mansingh11:55 - 12:15 Statistical modeling in genetics(O-3)M. Richardson, Smail Madhi and L.L. Moseley12:15 - 12:35 Conditional testing in an exponential model(O-4)Smail Mahdi______________________________________________________________________________12:35 - 2:00 LUNCH______________________________________________________________________________Chair:______________________________________________________________________________2:00 - 2:20 Mongoose predation on island fauna: an experimental test in(O-5) a Jamaican dry forestByron S. Wilson and Peter Vogel2:20 - 2:40 The abundance and distribution of epibenthic bryozoans on the roots(O-6) of Rhizophora mangle in and around Kingston Harbour, JamaicaMarcia Marilyn Chevannes Creary2:40 - 3:00 Changes in polyp size in Monastrea annularis: an effect of bleaching(O-7)J. M. Mendes and J. D. Woodley6

3:00 - 3:20 Discovery Bay reefs: are they recovering? Comparison with past(O-8) studiesLeandro Cho and Jeremy Woodley3:20 - 3:40 Sea urchins to the rescue: lagoonal grass-bed species appears(O-9) on weedy reefsJeremy Woodley, Peter Gayle and Nancy Judd______________________________________________________________________________3:40 - 4:10 COFFEE BREAKChair:______________________________________________________________________________4:10 - 4:30 Age, growth and reproduction of the lane snapper Lutjanus synagris(O-10) (Linnaeus, 1785) in Jamaican watersKarl A. Aiken4:30 - 4:50 Research into the biology of Jamaican freshwater macroinvertebrates(O-11) and fishes - directions and an overviewE. J. Hyslop4:50 - 5:10 Ecotoxicity of insecticides in the Jamaican environment(O-12) bioconcentration of chlorpyrifos residues in the fish Tilapiain fresh and brackish watersCarla N. Thomas and Ajai Mansingh5:10 - 5:30 The persistence of miral 500CS on two coffee farms in Jamaica(O-13)Dwight E. Robinson______________________________________________________________________________6:30 - 9:00 COCKTAIL RECEPTIONPool-side, Senior Common Room Club______________________________________________________________________________Notes:7

Wednesday January 13 th , 1999______________________________________________________________________________9:00 - 10:15 PLENARY LECTUREProfessor Dennis GonsalvesDepartment of Plant Pathology, Cornell University, Geneva, NY 14456."Pathogen-Derived Resistance: An Approach for DevelopingTransgenic Plants for the Practical Control of Virus Diseases"Chair: Dr Ralph RobinsonDepartment of Life Sciences, Mona______________________________________________________________________________10:15 - 10:45 COFFEE BREAK______________________________________________________________________________BIOTECHNOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRYChair: Dr Arnoldo VenturaSpecial Advisor on Science and TechnologyOffice of the Prime Minister of Jamaica______________________________________________________________________________10:45 - 11:05 Engineering resistance to ringspot potyvirus in papaya(O-14)P. Tennant, D. Gonsalves and M. H. Ahmad11:05 - 11:25 Genetic diversity and relationships among geminiviruses from(O-15) Jamaica and BarbadosMarcia E. Roye and Wayne A. McLaughlin11:25 - 11:45 Tomato yellow leaf curl geminivirus infecting hot peppers(O-16) (Capsicum chinense)Sherline Brown, Conroy Green, Marcia Royeand Wayne McLaughlin11:45 - 12:05 Post-harvest storage of yam tubers: a biochemical perspective(O-17)Helen N. Asemota and Anthony U. Osagie12:05 - 12:25 Improvement of commercial cultivation of dendrobiums through(O-18) substrate and nutrient modification: biological and economicanalysisPaulette Tai Chun, Sasikala D.P. Potluri and P.V. Devi Prasad8

______________________________________________________________________________12:25 - 2:00 LUNCH______________________________________________________________________________Chair: Dr André GordonTechnological Solutions Ltd______________________________________________________________________________2:00 - 2:20 Cyanobacterial biofertilisers for rice in Jamaica(O-19)Frederick A.H. Boyd and P.V. Devi Prasad2:20 - 2:40 Diversity among populations of Xanthomonas campestris pv.(O-20) vesicatoria from five Eastern Caribbean islands with respect tosecretion of extracellular enzymes, polysaccharide productionand pathogenicityHenry A..M., Hamilton M.A.E. and O'Garro, L.W.2:40 - 3:00 Physiology and biochemistry of salt stress on axillary bud cultures of(O-21) cassavaSasikala D.P. Potluri and P.V. Devi-Prasad3:00 - 3:20 Toward increasing yam production in challenged environments:(O-22) in vitro studies of the effect of salinity stress on some biochemicalparameters of yam (Dioscorea alata) plantletsA. O. Wheatley and H. N. Asemota______________________________________________________________________________3:20 - 3:50 COFFEE BREAK______________________________________________________________________________Chair:______________________________________________________________________________3:50 - 4:10 Effect of yam and dasheen extracts on lipid metabolism in(O-23) streptozotocin-induced diabetic ratsPhillip B. Grindley, Felix O. Omoruyi, Helen N. Asemotaand Errol Y. Morrison4:10 - 4:30 Evaluation of spoilage microorganisms in Jamaican beef patties(O-24)Larry L. Daniels, Suzette Curtello and M.H. Ahmad9

GEOLOGY______________________________________________________________________________4:40 - 5:00 Haimea alta and Haimea ovumserpentis, what's the difference?(O-25)Deborah-Ann C. Rowe5:00 - 5:20 Cretaceous to Eocene evolution of central Jamaica(O-26)Simon MitchellThursday January 14 th , 1999______________________________________________________________________________PHYSICAL SCIENCESChair:______________________________________________________________________________9:00 - 9:20 Phase transitions and ordering phenomena in amphiphilic monolayers(O-27) at the air/water interfaceWillem Mulder9:20 - 9:40 Electrocatalytic dechlorination of chlororganic compounds in(O-28) aqueous mediaS. Kulikov9:40 - 10:00 Numerical simulation of galactic mergers(O-29)J. Lodenquai and J. McNamarah10:00 - 10:20 Limited area numerical atmospheric modeling for the Eastern(O-30) CaribbeanM. Mayers C. Depradine and L.L. Moseley10:20 - 10:40 A comparative analysis of silicon-basedphotovoltaic modules(O-31)Leary Myers and Sheryl Williams______________________________________________________________________________10:40 - 11:10 COFFEE BREAK______________________________________________________________________________10

MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTER SCIENCEChair:______________________________________________________________________________11:10 - 11:30 The use of genetic algorithms in the optomisation of logistic functions(O-32)A. C. Perrotte and Ch. Posthoff11:30 - 11:50 An improved algorithm for the dynamic Kawasaki model(O-33)P. W. Gibbs and L. L Moseley11:50 - 12:10 Exploring the 3x+1 problem(O-34)Charles Cadogan12:10 - 12:30 A scripting language for re-use of object-oriented classes(O-35)Colin A. Depradine and Brian G. Patrick12:30 - 12:50 Cryptography and the information society(O-36)Karl H. Robinson12:50 - 1:10 Ontogeny recapitulates phylogeny: true for mathematics education?(O-37)Raymond McEachin______________________________________________________________________________1:10 - 1:30 CLOSING CEREMONY- Dr Neville McMorrisDean, Faculty of Pure and Applied Sciences- Presentation of awards to graduate students for best oral and postercontributions to the Conference______________________________________________________________________________2:00 - 5:30 EXCURSION TO PORT ROYAL AND KINGSTON HARBOURLeaders: Rafi Ahmad and Dale WebberDepartments of Geography and Geology,and Life Sciences, Mona11

POSTER PRESENTATIONSDisplayed in Department of Chemistry______________________________________________________________________________BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES_________________________________________________________________________________P-1 Synchronised spawning by brittle stars at the last quarter of the September moonJeremy Woodley, Judith Mendes and Robert MurrayP-2 Circulation patterns in Discovery BayChung R. and Webber, D.F.P-3 The status of reef communities in Discovery Bay back reefWayne WhittakerP-4 Seagrass populations of the south east coast of Jamaica: effects of ranging levels ofeutrophicationGreen S.O. and Webber , D.F.P-5 The use of information systems technology to develop a regional marine science databaseDulcie M. LintonP-6 The phytoplankton community and water quality of a highly eutrophic estuarine bay:Hunt's Bay, Kingston Harbour, JamaicaRanston, E. and Webber, D.F.P-7 Microalgal community of a coastal lagoon: changes in water quality and the effect onsediment nutrient fluxesClarke, T.M. and Webber, D.F.P-8 Zooplankton distribution in a pristine tropical embayment, Discovery BayEdwards, E.A. and Webber, M.K.P-9 Individual zooplankton species show spatial distribution trends far better than totalabundancesDunbar, F.N and Webber, M.K.12

P-10 A preliminary assessment of the fishable resources of Portland Bight, St. CatherineKarl A. AikenP-11 The reintroduction to the wild and subsequent monitoring of three isolated manatees(Trichechus manatus) from the Alligator Hole River, Clarendon, JamaicaRaymond Pryce and Eric GarrawayP-12 Longitudinal zonation of benthic macroinvertebrates in the Buff Bay River, JamaicaMeshagae Hunte and Eric HyslopP-13 The use of periphyton and benthic macroinvertebrates in the biomonitoring of the NorthElim River, St. Elizabeth, JamaicaKimberly John, Josette La Hee, Eric Hyslop and Dale WebberP-14 Evaluation of the benthic macroinvertabrate composition of the Rio Cobre and selectedtributaries, with special emphasis on the Family ThiaridaeAndrea Fender and Eric HyslopP-15 Eco-parasitological investigations of Thiara granifera at the Mona Reservoir,Kingston, JamaicaStacey McKoy, Eric Hyslop and Ralph RobinsonP-16 Parasitism of the Coffee Leaf Miner, Perileucoptera coffeella, in Jamaica and its potentialin the integrated management of the pestKathy M. Dalip and Ajai MansinghP-17 Transmission routes for Helicobacter pylori infections in a Jamaican communityAlicia E. Lyn-Sue, John F. Lindo, Carol J. Palmer, Peter Vogel, Michael G. Leeand Ralph RobinsonP-18 Risk factors for transmission of Toxocara canis (dog roundworm) in a humancommunityHugh E. Lounges, John F. Lindo, Michael G. Lee, Peter Vogel and Ralph RobinsonP-19 The development of resistance in sevaral Jamaican populations of the Coffee Berry Borer(Hypothenemus hampei) to various insecticidesDionne E. Witter-Newell and Ajai Mansingh13

P-20 The compatibility of a thiodan/copper mixture and the inclusion of mineral oil for thecombined control of the Coffee Leaf Rust and Berry BorerDwight E. Robinson and Janice ReidP-21 Antifeedent properties of various formulations of neem oil against Citrus Root WeevilsDwight E. Robinson and Ajai MansinghP-22 Ecotoxicity of insecticide residues in Jamaica: sub-lethal toxicity levels of endosulphan onthe fish Tilapia, and its effects on lipid content of gonadsWinroy O. Williams, Kerith D. Golden and Ajai MansinghP-23 Organochlorine residues in surface water and sediment of the Yallahs River: 1989-1991Raymomd Martin, Ajai Mansingh and Janice ReidGEOLOGY_________________________________________________________________________________P-24 The new Jamaica seismograph network: results after one yearMargaret D. GrandisonP-25 Coastal erosion in southern Jamaica: an example from Clarendon ParishEdward RobinsonP-26 Jupiter Landslide, Rio Grande Valley, Jamaica: a large prehistoric slide damDionne V. Laughton and Edward RobinsonP-27 Biostratigraphic investigation of species of the larger foraminiferal genusCushmania silvestri in Eocene rocks, JamaicaGeorgette D'Aguilar and Edward Robinson14

BIOCHEMISTRY AND BIOTECHNOLOGY_________________________________________________________________________________P-28 Evaluation of media, methods of culture and fertilizer for the commercial cultivation ofanthuriums in JamaicaPaulette Tai Chun, Sasikala D.P Potluri and P.V. Devi PrasadP-29 Shoot tip micrografting for obtaining virus-free citrus plantsSasikala D.P. PotluriP-30 Tissue culture techniques for the micropropagation of Blighia sapida (Achee)Erica Mills, P.V. Devi Prasad and Sasikala D.P. PotluriP-31 Physiological ecology of ten phycocolloid-producing marine algae from the environs ofKingston and Port RoyalJonathan H. Littau and P.V. Devi PrasadP-32 Mariculture of Gracilaria sp., using tank cultureJonathan H. Littau and P.V. Devi PrasadP-33 Agronomic and molecular characterisation of Jamaican Phaseolus vulgaris landracesWinston A. Young and Wayne A. McLaughlinP-34 The use of nursery protection and plant growth promoting rhizobacteria to reducegeminivirus infection in tomato seedlingsJodi Spence and Wayne A. McLaughlinP-35 Characterisation of extracellular enzymes and exopolysaccharides produced byXanthomonas campestris pv phaseoli and some studies of their role in common blightdisease in beansEustace B. Smith and Wayne McLaughlinP-36 Identification, distribution, esterase and 16S rRNA sequence polymorphisms of whitefliesin JamaicaS. Brown, I. Torrez Jerez, W. McLaughlin and J.K. Brown15

P-37 Genetic diversity in dasheens (Colocasia sp.) and cocoyams (Xanthosoma sp.) grownin JamaicaBrown, V.M.D., Asemota, H.N., Thangavelu, M. and Mantel, S.H.P-38 Molecular analyses of bacterial pathogenicity in dasheen (Colocasia sp.) and cocoyam(Xanthosoma sp.) in JamaicaBrown, V.M.D., Asemota, H.N., Mansfield, J., Stevens, C.A. and Mantel, S.H.P-39 Sectional influence of yam (Dioscorea cayenensis) tubers used for miniset on somebiochemical parameters of resultant tubersAndrew O. Wheatley, Ose A. Iyare, Damian M. Glasgow, Helen N. Asemota,Phillip B. Grindley and Mohammed H. AhmadP-40 Biochemical changes associated with the cell wall of yam (Dioscorea cayenensis) tubersduring short-term storageKathleen Lobban, Andrew Wheatley and Helen AsemotaP-41 Cell wall degrading enzymes in in vitro-derived plantlets of round-leaf yellow yam(Dioscorea cayenensis) infected with Xanthomonas camprestrisKnight, O.S., Hamilton, M.A.E., Omoruyi, F.O. and Asemota, H.N.P-42 Quantification and identification of the cyanoglucosides in economically important yamvarietiesKeith A. Mullings, Helen N. Asemota and Errol E.Y. St.A. MorrisonP-43 Fractionation and characterization of anaerobic sludge to be used in the treatment ofindustrial wastewater and production of biogasEbanks, W.O., Hamilton, M.A.E. and Riley, D.P-44 Efficiency of petrifilm methods for the enumeration of coliforms and total aerobes inselected dairy productsDawkins, G.S., Hamilton, M.A.E.,and Hollingsworth, J.P-45 Use of PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) for the detection and typing of Salmonella inpoultryLarry L. Daniels, Fidel Fraser and M.H. Ahmad16

P-46 The study of Vibrio species in recreational waters, shell fishes, and shell fish farm areas bytraditional culture method and PCRPaul Mears, Larry L. Daniels and M.H. AhmadP-47 CLV, a defensive factor from the secretory trichomes of Cleome viscosa withinsecticidal activityLawrence A.D. Williams, Walton A. Reid and Roy PorterP-48 The botany and domestication potential of Cionosicyos pomiformis Griseb(“duppy pumpkin”)Patrick A.Lewis, K R.. Vaidya, H. Jacobs & L.A.D. WilliamsPHYSICAL SCIENCES_________________________________________________________________________________P-49 Indoor levels of NO2 measured using passive monitorsRaywattie Singh and Willard R. PinnockP-50 Qualitative analysis of Caribbean rums by GC/MS techniquesS. KulikovP-51 Magnetocardiography using a superconducting quantum interference device:preliminary assessment of cardiac patients in Trinidad and TobagoRamadhar Singh, R., Saunders, R., Rassi, D., Thomas, C., Addae, J.and Postoff, Ch.P-52 Calibration factors for I 131 mIBG radionuclide therapyMukesh Samlal, Sarah Chittenden, Glen Flux and Maggie FlowerP-53 Temperature and heat remote control in poultry by wireless automationLucien NgalamouP-54 The rheological properties and clip casting potential of some Trinidadian claysD.A.P. Robertson and J.C. Knight17

P-55 Trinidad clays as a potential component in clay-graphite refractoriesR. Ramgoolam, J.C. Knight and Ramsey SaundersP-56 Testing of bonding systems for dental materialsH. Baksh, R. Whiting and A. Campbell-RichardsonP-57 The electrodynamics of a Josephson Junction in a cavityAndrea Joseph, Roger Andrews and Robin WhitingP-58 Programmable state machineJoesph SkoblaP-59 Use of minimal spanning tree statistics for identification of voidsShirin Haque-Copilah and Anthony AchongP-60 Wind generated electricity at MunroA.M.D. Amarakoon and A.A. ChenP-61 On asymptopic stability of nonlinear stochastic difference equation with finite delay inmain termA. Rodkina and M. Goncharov_________________________________________________________________________________Notes:18

ABSTRACTS OF PRESENTATIONS_________________________________________________________________________________O-1 THE DYNAMICS OF TROPICAL INSECT POPULATIONSBrian FreemanDepartment of Life Sciences, MonaThe dynamics of tropical insect populations have not been studied systematically apart from the work donehere and in Trinidad and Tobago by my research group from 1970 to 1995. Work in Africa has largelybeen directed to solving insect vector and plant pest problems. While this is admirable, it does not directlyimpact on the more fundamental subject of understanding of the regulation of insect numbers on a globalscale. A small amount of work has been done in tropical South America by Anthony Raw, one of my exresearchstudents. Our data thus provide the majority of information to be compared with a considerablebody of work published for temperate and Mediterranean zones. I must add that it is vital to carry outpure research in the Tropics as well as in other regions if we are to achieve a balanced understanding ofany worldwide ecological process.For any fundamental knowledge of the regulation of animal numbers (and most of the research in this areahas been on insect populations), certain basic parameters need to be estimated. They are:1. Developmental mortality - the mortality occurring between fertilisation of the egg and the achievementof adulthood. This is commonly believed to be the most influential parameter.2. The percentage of adults which are female. This often deviates significantly from 50%. Males aredeemed to be merely a factor in female fertility and are often numerically written off.3. The percentage of adult females which survives to reproduce. This factor has often been disregarded.The mean fertility of reproducing females. In insects at least, this is often directly related to sizevariation within the species.If all these parameters can be estimated, and often they have not been, the validity of the conclusionsdrawn from the data depends on:1. The size of the sample;2. The duration of the sampling period;3. The spatial comprehensiveness of the sampling, i.e. how many places were looked at;4. The validity of the logic. For a majority of studies only a single locality has been sampled and for aduration of less than 10 generations.My research group has investigated a variety of contrasted insect groups:A. Solitary bees and wasps (18 species). For all species developmental mortality was low (typically 40 -60%) and directly related to the density of the population except in one important case (Trypoxylonpalliditarse in Trinidad) in which this relationship is inverse. Generally, the sex-ratio was slightly biasedtowards the females. Only 15 - 35 % of adult females survived to reproduce. Fertility was low at 6-15eggs /female. These data are similar to those of Raw for Brazil and Watmough for the South AfricanKarroo.19

B. Bark beetles (3 species). The basic parameters were similar numerically to those above except thatfecundity was higher (60 - 100).C. Gall midges. (2 species). In the Boerhaavia gall midge developmental mortality was low (20%) at lowpopulation densities (dry season) and high ( 80%) at high densities (wet season). In the Cactus gall midge,however, this mortality was never more than 15%. Fecundity was 100 eggs/ female. Both species hadgreat variation in the sex ratio. Only a very small proportion of females of either species survived toreproduce.D. Parasitic wasps (1 species, Melittobia). Again, developmental mortality was low (25%), theproportion of females high (95%), the fecundity very high (450 eggs/female). Hence, the proportion ofadult females surviving to reproduce was extremely low ( 90%)and the sex-ratio equality. We were unable to get any good estimate of fecundity, but related species areknown to achieve field fecundities of about 100. If this were true for Liriomyza it would imply that amajority of females survive to reproduce.Temperate species are generally thought to have population dynamics similar to those for our Liriomyzaspecies. That is to say: high fecundity balanced by high developmental mortality, an equality of numbers ofthe sexes, while the proportion of adult females surviving to reproduce, if it has been assessed, is high.Our data demonstrate a wide variety of population control mechanisms for tropical insect species. Inparticular:1. High fecundity may not be balanced by high developmental mortality, and2. Most commonly, however, only a small proportion of adult females finds suitable places for egglaying. Put another way, their powers of searching for and finding the reproductive resource are low.The implications for insect pest control devolving from conclusion two are quite radical. For example, inthe control of Aedes aegypti the most crucial strategy is to deny females breeding sites. Fogging to killadults is a waster of time, except as a public relations exercise, since >99% of the population will be in theunaffected juvenile stages at any instant. More studies of other insect groups, particularly the Diptera(flies), Coleoptera (beetles), Lepidoptera (moths) and Hemiptera (true bugs), need to be undertaken in thetropics. Additionally, in temperate research much greater emphasis needs to be placed on field studies and,in particular, the estimation of the losses of pre-reproductive females.O-2 FLUCTUATION IN THE POPULATION OF TWO SPECIES OFTHE CITRUS ROOT WEEVILS IN JAMAICAD. O. Clarke-Harris and A. Mansingh*Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute, Mona;*Department of Life Sciences, MonaCitrus root weevil (CRW) larvae cause losses estimated at US $4,982 per hectare per year (Biggs-Allen,1990) which would amount to US $ 5,685,485 in 1996. Various mechanical, cultural and chemicalmethods of control have been used against CRW in the Caribbean and Florida for decades, but theyprovided only short term reprieve.20

Knowledge of seasonal population cycles and timing of major biological events with respect toenvironmental cycles is fundamental to the development of a suppression and management strategy(Knipling, 1979).This investigation was carried out to study population fluctuation of two species of the citrus rootweevils, Exophthalmus similis and Exophthalmus vittatus.Population studies were conducted on two Jamaica plantations, United Estates (UE) in St. Catherineand Greenwood Farms (GF) in St. Mary. At each locality, thirty trees were selected and taggedalong a " multiple Z" path using systematic sampling. Sampling of adult CRW was done every 28days from October 1990 to July 1993, by counting adult weevils at the cardinal points of each tree.All the weevils were observed carefully and samples collected regularly, for the identification ofspecies of the CRW complex (Figure).The data were analysed statistically by Analysis of Variance. The correlation between populationand rainfall was analysed by Pearson’s correlation.At UE, adult E. vittatus population increased from October (0.1/tree) to December (0.73/tree) 1991(Figure 1). No weevils were recorded in January 1992 and numbers remained low (< 0.13/tree) untilApril (0.8/tree), peaked to 3.53/tree in May 1992 before declining to low levels until April, 1993.At GF, the adult E. similis population was relatively low (0.03-1.2 adults/tree). The numbersrecorded decreased from October (0.63/tree) to December 1991 (0.1/tree), increased in January 1992(0.47/tree), declined again in February (0.1/tree) and remained low until October 1992 (0.03-0.23/tree). From December 1992 to April 1993 the population gradually increased ( range 0.13-0.3/tree) and peaked in May 1993 when 36 adults (1.2/tree), the maximum number of E. similisweevils, was recorded.Population fluctuation of E. vittatus at UE was not significantly related to rainfall (P>0.05) butwas significant (P

Figure:Population of adult weevils, Exophthalmus vittatus, and monthly rainfallat United Estates, St. Catherine between October 1991 and July 1993.22

ReferencesBiggs-Allen, G. E. (1990). Investigations on the population fluctuations, economic importance andchemical control of citrus root weevils Exophthalmus vittatus (Linne) and Pachnaeus citri Marshall(Coleoptera: Curculionidae). M.Phil. Thesis, University of the West Indies, Jamaica. 168 pp.Knipling, E.F. (1979). The Basic Principles of Insect Population Dynamics Suppression andManagement. U.S. Dept. of Agri., Agriculture Handbook (512) 623 pp.McCoy, C. W. (1994). Citrus root weevils: Biology and current IPM strategies in Florida. In Proc. 3rdInternational Seminar on Citrus, Bebedouro, Brazil. 28pp.O-3 STATISTICAL MODELING IN GENETICSMatthew Richardson, Smail Mahdi and Leo. L. MoseleyDepartment of Computer Science, Mathematics and Physics, Cave HillIn this presentation we intend to give an overview of statistical models developed by RussellLande 1,2,3 for the study of the maintenance of genetic variability by mutation in polygenic characters.Change of genetic variability is described by the discrete dynamical system of the covariance matrixsystem corresponding allelic effects. When this dynamic system possesses a unique equilibrium, theequilibrium is globally stable 4 . Equilibrium has not yet been obtained explicitly in some models,particularly in the case of multivariate characters. Furthermore, the dynamic equations for thechange of genetic variability in some models, have been found using linear regression assumingstrong homoscedasticity. Our aim is to examine further the question of whether equilibrium can beobtained explicitly in Lande’s models for which an explicit solution was not given, and to examinethe homoscedasticity assumptions.References(1) Lande, R. (1976) The maintenance of genetic variability by mutation in a polygenic characterwith linked loci. Genetical Research 26: 221-235(2) Lande, R (1977) The influence of the mating system on the maintenance of genetic variability inpolygenic characters. Genetics 86: 485-498(3) Lande, R (1980) The genetic covariance between traits maintained by linked pleiotropicmutations. Genetics 91: 203-215(4) Mahdi, S. and Lessard, (1996) S. Convergence of Covariance Structures in Additive GaussianPolygenic Models Biometrics 52: 833-845.23

O-4 CONDITIONAL ESTIMATION IN AN EXPONENTIAL MODELSmail MahdiDepartment of Computer Science, Mathematics and Physics, Cave HillPreliminary test procedure is often used in statistical inference to fit appropriate models for data sets.In analysis of variance, the procedure is used to test whether interactions of higher order aresignificant before doing the final inference. In this paper, we present an overview of this procedureand apply it to estimate the parameters of an exponential population. We also present a study on theaccuracy of the proposed estimator.O-5 MONGOOSE PREDATION ON ISLAND FAUNA:AN EXPERIMENTAL TEST IN A JAMAICAN DRY FORESTByron S. Wilson and Peter VogelDepartment of Life Sciences, MonaAn overriding theme in the extinction of island reptiles is the introduction (by man) of potentmammalian predators such as dogs, cats, rats, and most notoriously, the Indian mongoose, Herpestesauropunctatus (Pimm, 1986, Case and Bolger 1991). Although the evidence for the role of themongoose in causing reptile extinctions is largely correlative, it is nevertheless overwhelming(Barbour 1930, Case and Bolger 1991). Island extinctions following the introduction of themongoose have been reported frequently, especially in the Caribbean (Case and Bolger 1991,Schwartz and Henderson 1991, Corke 1992). Besides man, no exotic predator has ever beenimplicated in so many island extinctions. In Jamaica alone, the mongoose has been associated withthe extinction or near extinction of at least two endemic birds and four endemic reptiles.Unfortunately, little experimental research effort has been directed at the mongoose issue.Here we describe research aimed at determining the efficacy of using mongoose control as a longtermmanagement strategy for preserving biodiversity. Specifically, we outline an experimentalstudy that seeks to determine the community-wide consequences of mongoose removal. We haveestablished experimental (=mongoose removal) and control (no mongoose removal) plots in theinterior of the Hellshire Hills, and are currently employing a variety of census techniques to study theresponse of selected prey species of the mongoose. In particular, we are using an extensive series ofpitfall traps to index the abundance of terrestrial species such as lizards, snakes, and largearthropods (e.g., arachnids,insects). In addition, we are using survey techniques to estimate the relative abundance of theCaribbean ground dove, and have established mark-recapture plots to examine the demographicresponse of Anolis lizards. Hence, our efforts focus on elucidating the demographic response ofdiverse taxa to the experimental removal of a potent exotic predator.In this presentation we will document the effectiveness of our mongoose removal program, andpresent some preliminary results concerning the demographic responses of targeted species. We alsoreport on some exciting results from our on-going efforts to document biodiversity in the HellshireHills. Specifically, we describe the discovery of a population of the rare and beautiful Jamaicanlizard, the Blue-tailed galliwasp -- known to science from only two specimens -- both collected over50 years ago at Portland Ridge in Clarendon.24

We thus not only document that the species still exists, but also delineate a major range extension forthe species. In addition, we highlight the recent collection of two endemic snake species notpreviously recorded from the Hellshire Hills -- the Jamaican boa (or "yellow snake"), and a form ofWest Indian dwarf boa (unresolved taxonomically at the time of this writing).ReferencesBarbour, T. (1930). Some faunistic changes in the Lesser Antilles. Proc. New England Zool. Club.11:73-85.Case, T. J. & D. T. Bolger (1991). The role of introduced species in shaping the distribution andabundance of island reptiles. Evolutionary Ecology 5:272-290.Corke, D. (1992). The status and conservation needs of the terrestrial herpetofauna of theWindward Islands (West Indies). Biological Conservation 62:47-58.Pimm, S. L. (1986). Community stability and structure. Pages 309-329 in M. E. Soule, editor.Conservation biology: the science of scarcity and diversity. Sinauer Associates, Inc.Sunderland, Massachusetts, USA.Schwartz, A. & R. W. Henderson (1991). Amphibians and reptiles of the West Indies:descriptions, distributions, and natural history. University of Florida Press, Gainesville,Florida, USA.O-6 THE ABUNDANCE AND DISTRIBUTION OF EPIBENTHICBRYOZOANS ON THE ROOTS OF RHIZOPHORA MANGLE INAND AROUND KINGSTON HARBOUR, JAMAICAMarcia Marilyn Chevannes CrearyCentre for Marine Sciences, MonaThe abundance and distribution of the bryozoan species on the prop roots of the red mangrove,Rhizophore mangle, at diverse locations around Kingston Harbour are described. Specificenvironmental parameters were examined to investigate their relative effects on the pattern ofabundance and distribution observed. The study was carried out in four mangrove areas (PortRoyal, Great Salt Pond, Dawkins Pond and Hunt's Bay) over a 15 month period between September1994 and December 1995 and included a total of 12 stations.The submerged roots of some mangrove tree species provide a natural substrate for the attachmentof a variety of sessile organisms including bryozoans. The phylum bryozoa is characterized byhaving lophophores and are mainly marine colonial organisms forming encrustations or tufts on anassortment of substrates. They are found in a variety of habitats around Kingston Harbour whichexhibit differing degrees of exposure to pollution.This study identified 18 species of bryozoa inhabiting the rhizophore community. Diversity wasfound to be highest in Port Royal with 16 species while Hunt's Bay had the lowest diversity havingonly 3 species. Great Salt Pond and Dawkins Pond had 8 and 3 species respectively.25

Six growth forms were observed, all of which were represented in Port Royal. Dawkins Pond andHunts Bay contained only those forms that covered the roots in a mat of creeping colonies. Thehighest abundance, measured as percentage cover, was observed in Hunts Bay (70.03 - 71.46%) andleast in the Great Salt Pond (2.04 - 3.84%). Salinity, suspended solids, temperature and dissolvedoxygen were measured at all stations. Reduced salinity corresponded to periods of elevated rainfalland the salinity for Hunts Bay was consistently lower than that obtained at the other locations.Elevated levels of suspended solids appear to be associated with periods of lowered salinities. Watertemperature tended to be uniform throughout the water column with the highest temperaturesobserved in Hunts Bay and the lowest in Great Salt Pond. Dissolved oxygen was variable andtended to decrease with depth at all stations.Correlation coefficient calculations indicated a weak association between the environmental variablesand the abundance and distribution patterns of the bryozoan communities, however, despite the weakcorrelation temperature and salinity, which were very variable in Hunts Bay, may offer someexplanation.O-7 CHANGES IN POLYP SIZE IN MONTASTRÆA ANNULARIS:AN EFFECT OF BLEACHINGJ. M. Mendes 1 and J. D. Woodley 21Department of Life Sciences and 2 Centre for Marine Sciences, MonaFifteen (15) colonies of Montastræa annularis located at a depth of 5m were marked in August1994 or March 1995. Samples of tissue and skeleton were taken using a 1.5 inch hole saw, everyfull moon or every full moon and new moon until March 1996. Additional samples were takenoccasionally thereafter until October 1997. Measurement of polyp depth was made on skeletal slabsin which the tissue had been fixed and then air-dried. A bleaching event began at the end ofSeptember 1995. Six (6) of the 15 marked colonies bleached. The most severely effected coloniesremained completely bleached for 4 months.Prior to bleaching the polyps showed a regular variation in depth, with a mean depth of 3.88 ±0.3mm. During bleaching, polyp depth decreased. Reduction in polyp depth was directly related tothe length of time the colony remained bleached.Mean polyp depth after 4 months of bleaching was 2.00 ± 0.4 mm. Once the colonies had returnedto their normal colour, it took an additional 4 - 8 weeks for the polyps to return to their normal size.The results of this study support the suggestion of Barnes and Lough (1992) that polyp tissue depthcould be used as an indication of coral colony health / nutritional status. It could be particularlyuseful for bleaching events where observations are often sporadic, if the mean polyp depth waspreviously known.ReferenceBarnes, D.J. & Lough, J.M. (1992). Systematic variations in the depth of sketeton occupied bycoral tissue in marine columns of Porites from the Great Barrier Reef. J. Exp. Mar. Biol. Ecol.159: 113-128.26

O-8 DISCOVERY BAY REEFS: ARE THEY RECOVERING?COMPARISON WITH PAST STUDIESLeandra Cho and Jeremy WoodleyCentre for Marine SciencesThe coral reefs of Discovery Bay have suffered from large scale degradations since 1980 whichresulted in a decline of coral diversity and abundance. Phase shifts in community structure resultedin macroalga dominated reefs (Liddell & Ohlhorst, 1992; Andres & Witman, 1995; Hughes, 1994).The changes are believed to have been induced by decades of increasing chronic disturbance fromterrestrial runoff and overfishing followed by acute catastrophic events, with the advent of HurricaneAllen in 1980 and the mass mortality of the herbivorous sea-urchin Diadema antillarum. The resultof such extensive disturbance in a relatively short period of time resulted in further decline of reefs.Studies from the last 15 years showed a decline in coral cover from 30-60% in 1977, to 5-25% in1984 after Diadema die-off, to £5% coverage above depths of 30m in 1992. Macroalga coverincreased from 5% to 79%.The study area covered 10km of the coastline east of Rio Bueno to the west of Pear Tree River. Atotal of 27 sites was identified to investigate variation in coral abundance and diversity betweendifferent localities, and to determine if reported coral cover of

The difference in coral cover among depths is partly a result of physical factors which governdistribution and abundance of corals. Macroalga cover varies with depth, and is affected bybiological factors such as the level of herbivory.The substantial increase in coral cover and decrease in macrolaga cover, over the past decade,suggest that, while they have a far way to go, the reefs of Discovery Bay are on the road to recovery.However, since Acropora and Montastrea, the dominant frame-building corals of classic Jamaicanreefs (Goreau, 1959), are not doing well, the new reefs will differ from the old ones.ReferencesAndres, N.G. & Witman, J.D. (1995). Trends in community structure on a Jamaican reef. Mar.Ecol. Prog. Ser. 118: 305-310Goreau, T.F. (1959). The ecology of Jamaican coral reefs I. Species composition and zonation.Ecology 40, 67-90.Hughes, T.P. (1994). Catastrophes, phase shifts, and large-scale degradation of a Caribbean coralreef. Science 265: 1547-1551.Liddell, W.D. & S.L. Ohlhorst (1992). Ten years of disturbance and change on a Jamaican fringingreef. Proc. 7 th ICRS 1: 144-150.O-9 SEA-URCHINS TO THE RESCUE: LAGOONAL GRASS-BEDSPECIES APPEARS ON WEEDY REEFSJeremy Woodley, Peter Gayle and Nancy JuddCentre for Marine Sciences, MonaJamaican north coast coral reefs have suffered, in the last fifteen years, a phase shift to dominanceby macroalgae. Contributory factors include mass mortality of the herbivorous sea-urchin, Diademaantillarum, in 1983 (Liddell et al 1986, the removal of herbivores by over-fishing (Hughes 1994),and nutrient pollution (Lapointe 1997).Cho and Woodley (this conference, p 000) have suggested that, wherever it is locally abundant atDiscovery Bay, Diadema still exerts top-down control on macroalgae. The recovery of Diademapopulations since 1983 has been slow and restricted to depths shallower than about 10m: butnumbers have increased in recent years.Prior to 1983, the browsing sea urchin, Tripneustes esculentus, was abundant in Thalassia beds inthe back-reef at Discovery Bay, but was never seen on the fore-reef. Since the mid-1980s, smallnumbers of this urchin have recruited to the dense beds of algae on the shallow fore-reef. Since 1996,it has become abundant on the West Fore-reef (1.8 m -1 at 8m on Monitor Reef, a site monitored forCARICOMP). Tripneustes is a browser, reducing fleshy algae to a low turf, while ignoringcalcareous algae. The abundance of fleshy algae at that site decreased from about 1kg wet weightper m 2 in 1997 to about 300gm -2 in 1998. Diadema grazes down to (and into!) the rock surface, andeats everything.28

The combined impacts of these two urchins in shallow water may facilitate recruitment by corallarvae and may give massive corals a better chance of recovery from algal overgrowth. Deeper than20m, rocky substrata, including the flanks and crowns of massive corals, are still heavily overgrown.ReferencesHughes, T.P. (1994). Catastrophes, phase shifts, and large-scale degradation of a Caribbean coralreef. Science 265:1547-1551Lapointe, B.E. (1997). Nutrient thresholds for bottom-up control of macroalgal blooms on coralreefs in Jamaica and southeast Florida. Limnology and Oceanography 42:1119-1131Liddell, W.D. and Ohlhorst SL (1986). Changes in the benthic community composition followingthe mass mortality of Diadema at Jamaica. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology andEcology 95:271-278.O-10 AGE, GROWTH & REPRODUCTION OF THE LANE SNAPPERLUTJANUS SYNAGRIS (LINNAEUS, 1785) IN JAMAICAN WATERSKarl A. AikenDepartment of Life Sciences, MonaThe lane snapper, Lutjanus synagris (Linnaeus, 1758) is the single most important species of the large andgrowing beach seine, Chinese (or tangle) net and trammel net fisheries which take place along the southcoast of Jamaica. Despite its importance, no directed study has ever focussed on the lane snapper.This study was intended to determine the age and growth patterns as well as to elucidate earlier findings onthe reproductive biology. The major difference between this and earlier studies is that the present studyprimarily used hard part (otolith) analysis, whereas previously studies were length-based. Otoliths, whichare small paired, oval crystalline structures, were removed with forceps from the inner ears' balance andhearing apparatus. Analytical methods included low power light microscopy of whole otoliths as well assections of sagittal otoliths viewed by compound microscope. Otolith sections were prepared by use of aBuehler Isomet low-speed circular diamond saw to cut through the primordium or centre of an epoxymountedotolith. Each thin section was attached to a special glass slide and ground to 300 microns with aseries of grinding and polishing powders on a lapping machine. Biological data such as length, weight, sexand maturity stage were also collected.Samples from the commercial fishery landings mainly at Old Harbour Bay, St. Catherine, were examinedbetween March 1996 and July, 1998 and showed a size range between 150 - 430 mm FL with mean sizesof 210 and 230 mm FL for males and females respectively. The weight range for these fish was 75 - 1,110g. Size at first maturity was 165 mm and 175 mm FL for male and female fish respectively. Sex ratio(F:M) was 2.3:1.0, but above 310 mm FL, the proportion of females was 100% A pronounced spawningmaximum occurred in July and August in both males and females, but spawning fish could be foundthroughout the year. This species was also found to have a very extended spawning season in Cuba with apeak in May - June (Claro, 1982).29

Examination of whole and sectioned sagittal otoliths showed clear patterns of marks with alternatinghyaline and opaque zones. Whole otoliths of specimens less than 270 mm FL were sufficiently transparentto allow ageing under low power light microscopy. Marginal increment analysis (temporal distribution ofopaque and hyaline edges) indicated that there was one opaque (fast growth) zone laid down annually inJuly, and one hyaline (slow growth) zone laid down in March.Analyses of sagittal otoliths suggested differing ages based on the use of whole or sectioned otoliths.Whole otolith analysis indicates a maximum age of 6 years, but sectioned otoliths suggest a maximum ofat least 14 years. This is older than previously known for this species in these waters. The majority of thelandings nonetheless comprise individuals that are between 1 and at least 6 years old. The new estimatedages have management implications and these are briefly discussed. Otolith weight analyses produced arelationship where Y = 0.0403x - 1.543 (r 2 = 0.9407) for males and for females Y = 0.0405x - 1.1716 (r 2= 0.9711). Importantly it is suggested that otolith weight changes with fork length can be used to indicatechanges in overall growth. Otolith radius versus fork length relationship yielded the equation Y = 1.5262x- 3.9574 (r 2 = 0.850). Like otolith weight, these are significant relationships, and suggest that they may beused as an indicator of overall growth in the lane snapper.ELEFAN (a computerized iterative programme that compares actual with expected modes in lengthfrequencies and emphasises similarities) analyses suggest an asymptotic length (Loo) of 450 mm FL, and aVon Bertalannfy growth rate of K = 0.23, with t0 = 0.001 yr-1. The present results differ in several aspectsfrom the earlier work of Thompson & Munro (1983) who sampled only offshore catches and the ages aregreater than Cuban findings based on whole otolith analyses (Claro, 1982; Claro & Reshetnickov, 1981).Similarly, they are somewhat less in maximum age than recent findings (19 years) for Bermudan lanesnapper (Luckhurst, Dean & Reichert, 1998).Management for this and other long lived, slower growing species must consider that any changes in thestocks of this and other fishes, will mean slower recovery from such changes, as compared to the relativelyfaster species recovery formerly suggested by earlier aging research.ReferencesClaro, R. 1982. Ecologia y ciclo de vida de la biajaiba, Lutjanus synagris (Linnaeus) en la plataformacubana. IV. Reproduccion. Rep. de investigacion del instituto de oceanologia. No. 5. Acad. de Cienc.de Cuba. 37pp.Claro, R. & Y.S. Reshetnikov. Ecologia y ciclo de vida de la biajaiba, Lutjanus synagris (Linnaeus), ena plataforma cubana. 1. Formacion de marcas de crecimiento en sus estrcturas. Informe cientificotechnicoNo. 174, Instituto de Oceanologia. Academia de ciencias de Cuba. 29pp.Luckhurst, B.E., Dean, J.M. & M. Reichert. 1998. Age and growth of lane snapper. Book of abstracts;2nd. International Symposium on Fish Otolith Research & Application, Bergen, Norway, June1998. p209.Thompson R. & J.L. Munro. 1983. The biology, ecology and bionomics of the snappers, Lutjanidae; inCaribbean Coral Reef Fishery Resources Ed. J.L. Munro. ICLARM Studies & Reviews 7: 94-10.30

O-11 RESEARCH INTO THE BIOLOGY OF JAMAICANFRESHWATER MACROINVERTEBRATES AND FISHES- DIRECTIONS AND AN OVERVIEWE. J. HyslopDepartment of Life Sciences, MonaDespite being well provided with river systems, Jamaica has seen little published work particularlyon the benthic macroinvertebrate fauna of these water bodies. In addition, development, in somecases at a rapid pace, throughout the country, in conjunction with inadequate environmental controlhas resulted in considerable input from anthropogenic processes to the country's river systems, theeffects of which, on the faunal communities, have been inadequately documented.The present paper sets out to demonstrate that a research programme to address, at least in part, theabove problems is being implemented and to discuss in brief the main directions being followed andoutline some of the preliminary findings. In addition the components of this research programme andtheir interrelationship are fully discussed.Taxonomic work is concerned with giving names to organisms and by extension to identifyingcommon associations or groupings, these include community composition and diversity. This in turncan be linked to information on the physico-chemical conditions under which the co munity isfound, including the presence of known or suspected pollutants. Rivers are longitudinal systems andit is necessary to establish whether changes in community composition and/or diversity are as aresult of altitudinal gradient (longitudinal zonation) or due to other factors. Some general publishedinformation on benthic macroinvertebrate distribution exists in relation to Jamaica (Boon, Jupp &Lee 1986). Recent detailed studies on the taxonomy of trichopterans (caddis flies) have resulted inthe description of seven new species and two sub-species for Jamaica (Botosaneanu & Hyslop, inpress 1 & 2 ) while work on freshwater Gastropoda indicates a predominance of two species of thefamily Thiaridae; Melanoides tuberculata and Thiara granifera, both of which are recentintroductions to the fauna, originally from Africa/Asia (Hyslop, unpublished data).The predominance of Thiaridae in most river systems has implications for the indigenous gastropodfauna and an analagous situation exists with regard to freshwater riverine fishes. Here again theJamaican freshwater ichthyofauna is dominated by an invading species or group of species, tilapia,belonging to the genus Oreochromis. The impact of Oreochromis on the indigenous fish fauna ispossibly minimal as the niche occupied by this species is unlikely to overlap significantly with themembers of the established ichthyofauna. One of the indigenous fish families found in Jamaicanfreshwaters is the Poeciliidae, the live-bearers or live-bearing toothcarps. Here again there isevidence of invaders in the form of species commonly imported as part of the aquarium trade. Theseinclude guppies, Poecilia reticula, and swordtails and platies genus Xiphiphorus. The indigenousPoeciliidae consists of a number (at least 4) species and some concern must be expressed as to thecompetitive effects of invading species of the same family.The potential for utilizing widespread benthic invertebrate species such as those belonging toThiaridae as biological monitors is being investigated and initial observations suggest the utility ofboth species in the monitoring of heavy metal pollution in Jamaican river systems. Similarlyinvestigations into the sub-lethal effects of exposure to the widely-used pesticide, endosulphan on thegrowth and fecundity of T. granifera and M. tuberculata are also being carried out.31

Ultimately one of the aims of many of these disparate lines of research is to formulate observationson the basic invertebrate fauna which is "expected" within a river system and to determine whetherthere is a core component to this. Any deviations from this established norm would be taken asindications that some perturbation ("pollution") is occurring. Such a system is based uponcommunity composition and, in particular, on biological diversity. Additionally utilized inconjunction with information on tolerances, occurrence of macroinvertebrates can be employed togive a form of biotic index. Biotic indices are simple assessments of the composition of benthicinvertebrate communities which allow non-experts to make pronouncements upon water quality, withthe minimum of taxonomic knowledge. They have widespread application in the field ofenvironmental monitoring and while widely used elsewhere in the world, e.g. Europe, a successfulscheme has yet to be developed for employment in the Caribbean.ReferencesBoon, P.J., Jupp, B.P. & D.G. Lee (1986). The benthic ecology of rivers in the Blue Mountains(Jamaica) prior to construction of a water regulation scheme. Arch. Hydrobiol. Suppl. 74(3),315-355.Botosaneanu, L. & E.J. Hyslop (in press 1 ). A systematic and biogeographic study of the caddisflyfauna of Jamaica (Insecta - Trichoptera) - with description of a first known case ofenantiomorphy in insects. Bulletin de l'Instituut Royal des Sciences Naturelles de Belgique.Ent. 68Botosaneanu, L. & E.J. Hyslop (in press 2 ). Additional contribution to the knowledge of the caddisflyfauna of Jamaica. Entofauna.O-12 ECOTOXICITY OF INSECTICIDES IN THE JAMAICANENVIRONMENT: BIOCONCENTRATION OF CHLORPYRIFOSRESIDUES IN TILAPIA IN FRESH AND BRACKISH WATERSCarla N. Thomas and Ajai MansinghDepartment of Life Sciences, MonaWidespread use of insecticides in Jamaica has contaminated its surface, ground and coastal waters(Mansingh et al., 1997). Chlorpyrifos is used in banana plantations, termite control and general pestcontrol and has been detected in several Jamaican rivers (Witter et al., 1998). It is not known,however, what effects these residues may be having on non-target organisms inhabiting these waters.The present study was, therefore, conducted on the uptake and degradation of chlorpyrifos residuesby Tilapia fish in fresh and brackish water.Red hybrid Tilapia fingerlings (6 - 9 cm long) were acclimatized to brackish water by gradualexposure to water of increasing salinity over time. The uptake of chlorpyrifos was studied through 6hr spiking exposure of the fish to 0.005mg/L of the insecticide for 96 hr in fresh water and 24 hrpulse exposure to 0.05 mg/L for 72 hr in fresh or brackish water. Three fish were exposed to theinsecticide in each of eight glass aquaria (three replicates), removed at regular intervals, rinsed,dried, weighed and homogenized in petroleum ether.32

Filtered extracts were partitioned in acetonitrile, cleaned in a florisil column and concentrated foranalysis according to the methodology described by Robinson (1997). Identification andquantification of residues were done by a Shimadzu 9A gas chromatograph equipped with an FPD.Analytical conditions were: glass column, 1.6 m by 2 mm packed with OV-17; carrier gas, nitrogen,at a flow rate of 30 - 35 mL/min; temperature settings - column 230 o C, injector and detector 260 o C.Detection levels ranged from 0.001 - 0.002 ng.Fish exposed to 0.005 mg/L chlorpyrifos in fresh water accumulated only 35% (1.35 mg/g) of theinsecticide within the first 2 hr. Accumulation fluctuated thereafter, reaching a maximum of 3.87mg/g after 48 hr of exposure followed by a decline within the next 48 hr to 2.45 mg/g. At higherconcentration (0.05 mg/L), there was rapid accumulation of chlorpyrifos by the fish as 51% (0.86mg/g) of the total 72-h accumulation of the insecticide was achieved after 1 hr of exposure. Uptakethen fluctuated before rapidly increasing to1.68 mg/g at the end of the 72-hr exposure period.There was a two-fold accumulation of chlorpyrifos by fish in brackish water compared with freshwater as maximum bioconcentration (0.96 mg/g) in brackish water was achieved after 1 hr ofexposure. Accumulation of the insecticide subsequently declined to 0.39 mg/g at the end of the 72-hrexposure period (Table). An unidentified organophosphorus metabolite of chlorpyrifos was alsodetected within 1 - 2 hr of exposure to the insecticide in fresh and brackish water.The rapid uptake of chlorpyrifos by Tilapia is consistent with the relatively high octanol-waterpartition coefficient (logKow = 4.82) of the insecticide which suggests that it readily partitions in fishtissues. Although the rapid formation of the metabolite implies that the chemical is quicklybiotransformed, the toxicity of this metabolite to the fish is unknown. Thus, further studies areneeded, including the elimination of the parent compound and its metabolite by the fish.ReferencesMansingh, A., Robinson, D.E. and Dalip, K.M. (1997). Insecticide contamination of the Jamaicanenvironment, Trends in Anal. Chem. 16 (3): 115-123.Robinson, D. E., Mansingh, A. and Dasgupta, T. P. (1997) Fate of endosulfan in river and coastalwaters of Jamaica. Proc. Int. Symp. on the Use of nuclear and related techniques forstudying environmental behaviour of crop protection chemicals, IAEA, Vienna, July 1 - 5,1996. pp. 301-311.Robinson, D.E. (1997). The fate, biological impact and management of endosulfan andethoprophos in the Jamaican environment. Ph. D. Thesis. Univ. West Indies, Mona,Jamaica. 289 pp.Witter, J.V., Robinson, D.E., Mansingh, A. and Dalip, K.M. (1998). Insecticide contamination ofJamaican environment. V. Island-wide rapid survey of residues in surface and groundwater. Environ. Monitor. & Assess. (In press).33

Table:Concentrations of chlorpyrifos and its metabolite accumulated by red hybridTilapia exposed to 0.005 and 0.05 mg/L insecticide in fresh and brackish water_________________________________________________________________Time (hr)Mean (± S.E.) conc. of chlorpyrifos (mg/g) and metabolite(units/g; data in parentheses) in:Fresh water Brackish water0.005 mg/L 0.05 mg/L 0.05 mg/L______________________________________________________________________________1 - 0.86 ± 0.017 0.96 ± 0.018- (234.22 ± 60.883) (289.06 ± 89.132)2 1.35 ± 0.314 - -(80.98 ± 3.116) - -4 - 0.99 ± 0.062 0.80 ± 0.030- (152.67 ± 46.493) (193.27 ± 71.201)8 1.50 ± 0.089 1.15 ± 0.004 0.59 ± 0.032(15.00 ± 2.974) (174.49 ± 40.869) (119.98 ± 30.852)12 1.47 ± 0.081 - -(72.13 ± 11.34) - -24 2.85 ± 0.224 0.72 ± 0.019 0.48 ± 0.062(395.37 ± 39.209) (241.10 ± 35.941) 216.65 ± 3.798)48 3.87 ± 0.418 0.77 ± 0.038 0.73 ± 0.03(286.96 ± 36.419) (309.06 ± 10.773) (326.85 ± 18.379)72 3.05 ± 0.335 1.68 ± 0.059 0.39 ± 0.39(570.15 ± 74.494) (176.07 ± 12.012) (142.97 ± 9.754)96 2.45 ± 0.109 - -(1144.4 ± 144.85) - -_______________________________________________________________________________34

O-13 THE PERSISTENCE OF MIRAL 500CS ON TWO COFFEEFARMS IN JAMAICADwight E. RobinsonDepartment of Life Sciences, MonaSerious outbreaks of the coffee leaf miner (CLM), Perileucoptera coffeella, during 1991 - 1995prompted the spraying of several insecticides, particularly Miral 500CS (isazofos), which wasfound to be quite effective in suppressing the CLM (Reid and Robinson, 1994). However, concernsabout its persistence in the environment and possible impact on non-target organisms prompted thefollowing study which was aimed at determining its persistence in two varied coffee cultivatingconditions of Jamaica.The study was carried out on a Blue Mountain plantation (Mavis Bank) and another in the highlandsof St. Catherine (Mountain Hill). Sample plots of 0.2 ha with about 250 trees were selected on eachfarm and treated with Miral 500CS at a concentration of 3 mL/L. A 625 m 2 area of soil under treeswas demarcated in a separate area and treated similarly. Thirty leaves and berries were randomlypicked from treated trees and a 100g sub-sample of soil taken from a mixture of ten 60-g soilsamples taken at random from the treated soil area. Samples were collected 2 hours and 1, 3, 7, 14and 21 days after treatment for extraction and analysis in the laboratory. Rainfall was also recorded.Samples were weighed, extracted in methylene chloride by shaking on a wrist action shaker, filteredand cleaned on a florisil column. Cleaned extracts were concentrated to 10 mL and analyzed on aShimadzu 9A gas chromatograph equipped with an FPD chromatopack data system. Analyticalconditions were: glass column, 1.6 m by 2 mm packed with OV-17; carrier gas; nitrogen, at a flowrate of 30 - 35 mL/min; temperature settings of 230 o C for the column and 260 o C for the injector anddetector. The detection limit for isazofos was 0.004 ng. Probit analysis was used to determine thehalf life of the insecticide on each substrate.The half life of Miral 500CS on coffee leaves and in soil was 7-fold greater in the Blue Mountainthan highland plantation (Table). This trend was reversed for the berries as the loss of Miral 500CSfrom the berries was 3-fold greater on the Blue Mountain than the highland plantation. Variations inpersistence of the insecticide on leaves and berries of the plantations may be attributed to differingenvironmental conditions such as precipitation, temperature, sunlight and wind velocity, whichwould all impact on the insecticide’s loss and degradation (Edwards, 1975; Hill and Wright, 1978).In addition to these factors, its persistence in the soil would also be influenced by soil properties suchas the organic matter content.There is a direct correlation between the persistence of insecticides in soil and organic matter contentof the soil (Arnold and Briggs, 1990) which would explain the greater persistence of Miral 500CS inMavis Bank than Mountain Hill soil which had 4.55 and 1.15% organic matter, respectively. Itshould be noted that the half-lives presented were obtained under conditions of high rainfall (94 and128 mm in Mountain Hill and Mavis Bank, respectively) which is indicative of the highenvironmental persistence of Miral 500CS. It is, therefore, obvious that encapsulation of the activeingredient, in an attempt to reduce its hazardous effects, has resulted in its increased persistence inthe environment, thus prolonging possible harmful effects.35

Table: Half life of Miral 500CS on leaves and fruit, and in soil on two coffeeplantations in Jamaica______________________________________________________________________________Plantation t50 days 95% confidence interval SlopeSample______________________________________________________________________________Mavis Bank (Blue Mountain)Leaves 14.0 52.2 - 239.7 0.740 ± 0.039Berries 3.5 1.0 - 10.6 0.926 ± 0.029Soil 59.8 37.1 - 145.0 1.029 ± 0.038Mountain Hill (Highland)Leaves 2.0 1.0 - 3.2 1.382 ± 0.096Berries 10.0 5.0 - 23.2 1.307 ± 0.048Soil 9.9 5.6 - 19.2 1.281 ± 0.047______________________________________________________________________________ReferencesArnold, D.J. and Briggs, G.G. (1990). The fate of pesticides in soil: predictive and practical aspectsIn: Environmental Fate of Pesticides. (Eds. Hutson, D.H. and Roberts, T.R.), Wiley andSons Ltd. Chichester 7: 101-102.Edwards, C.A. (1975). Factors that affect the persistence of pesticides in plants and soils.Pure andAppl. Chem. 42: 1-2.Hill, I.R. and Wright, S.J.L. (Eds.) (1978) Pesticide microbiology. London, Great Britain;Academic Press Inc. (London) Ltd. 844 pp.Reid, J. C. and D. E. Robinson. (1994). Assessment of different insecticides for the suppressionof an outbreak of the coffee leaf miner, Leucoptera coffeella in Jamaica, W. I. Turrialba.44(1): 112 - 116.O-14 ENGINEERING RESISTANCE TO RINGSPOT POTYVIRUSIN PAPAYAP. Tennant 1 , D. Gonsalves 2 and M. H. Ahmad 11The Biotechnology Centre, Mona;2Department of Plant Pathology, Cornell University, Geneva, NYPapaya ringspot virus (PRSV) is the major disease affecting papaya production in Hawaii, Florida,the Caribbean, South America, India and the Far East. Leaves of infected trees become mottled anddistorted, ringspots appear on fruit, water-soaked streaks appear on stems and petioles and the treebecomes stunted, producing few small fruit.36

In Jamaica, some 40% of papaya orchards have been devastated by PRSV. Since genetic resistanceis not available, efforts were aimed at using transgenic resistance for the control of PRSV inJamaica. Reverse transcription and polymerase chain reaction were used to engineer coat protein(CP) gene constructs of a local PRSV isolate into plant transformation vectors. CP constructs weresubsequently introduced into Carica papaya L. embryogenic calli by microprojectile bombardmentusing NPTII and GUS as selectable markers. Some 150 transgenic lines were obtained from 18bombardment experiments. Under greenhouse conditions, R0 clones of 11 lines proved resistant torepeated manual inoculations with the virus. Similarly inoculated nontransgenic papaya plantsdeveloped symptoms 11 to 40 days after inoculation.Clones of R0 plants have since been transferred to a half-acre plot in Clarendon. Virus infectionwas first observed on nontransgenic plants 6 months after planting using natural aphid populationsas inoculum vectors. Twenty-eight transgenic lines remain symptomless and ELISA-negative.These preliminary results suggest that transgenic resistance could be a practical solution to thePRSV problem in Jamaica.ReferencesGonsalves, D. (1994). Papaya ringspot Virus. In Compendium of Tropical Fruit Diseases. Eds RCPloetz, GA, Zentmyer, WT, Nishijima, KG and Rohrbach, HD Ohr. pp. 67-68. St Paul, MN, APSPress 88p.Yeh, S-D.and Gonsalves, D. (1994). Practices and perspectives of control of papaya ringspot virusby cross protection. In Advances in Disease Vector Research. Ed. KF Harris, 10: 237-257.New York :Springer-Verlag.O-15 GENETIC DIVERSITY AND RELATIONSHIPS AMONGGEMINIVIRUSES FROM JAMAICA AND BARBADOSMarcia E. Roye, Wayne A. McLaughlin, Medhat K. Nakhla and Douglas P. MaxwellDepartment of Basic Medical Sciences-Biochemistry; and The Biotechnology Centre, Mona;Department of Plant Pathology, University of Wisconsin-MadisonGeminiviral DNA probes, polymerase chain reaction and nucleotide sequencing was used to identify7 geminiviruses from Jamaica and 3 from Barbados. PCR-amplified products for DNA-A weregenerated from 80% of plants from Jamaica that gave hybridisation signals and 32% of plants fromBarbados. Nucleotide identity of the common regions of DNA-A and DNA-B, and partial nucleotidesequences of the ac1, av1, bc1, and bv1 genes confirmed the presence of bipartite geminiviruses inthe following crops from Jamaica: P. vulgaris and P. lunatus (bean golden mosaic virus, BGMV-JM2), L. esculentum and C. chinense (tomato dwarf leaf curl virus, TDLCV), and two distinctviruses infecting cabbage. The weeds associated with viruses included Sida spp. (sida golden mosaicvirus, SiGMV-JM), W. amplissima (wissadula golden mosaic virus, WGMV) and three distinctviruses in M.lathyroides (macroptilium golden mosaic virus strains 1 and 2, MacGMV-JM1,MacGMV-JM2 and SiGMV-JM).37

Nucleotide sequence analysis of the common region, ac1 and av1 indicate that geminiviral DNA wasassociated with C. papaya (papaya virus, PaGV).Nucleotide identity of the common regions of DNA-A and DNA-B, and partial nucleotide sequencesof the ac1, av1, bc1, and bv1 genes confirmed the same bipartite geminiviruses (from Barbados) intomato, musk melon and water melon and two distinct geminiviruses in M lathyroides.Nucleotide sequence alignment of the common region and the 5’ end of ac1 was used to determinephylogenetic relationships of the new Jamaican viruses with other Western Hemispheregeminiviruses. Geminivirus isolate from P. vulgaris (BGMV-JM1) and an isolate from P. lunatus(BGMV-JM2) was placed in BGMV type II cluster. SiGMV-JM, and MacGMV-JM1, was closelyrelated to potato yellow mosaic geminivirus (PYMV). The viruses associated with W. amplissima(WGMV), C. papaya (PaGV), M. lathyroides (MacGMV-JM2) and tomato and pepper (TDLCV)were closely related to each other. The tomato virus from Barbados was a new previouslyunreported virus and was distinct from the two macrroptilium viruses. These results indicate thatcrop-infecting and weed-infecting geminiviruses from Jamaica and Barbados are distinct, highlydiverse, and have several geographical origins and weeds are not host to crop-infecting geminivirusesin Jamaica.O-16 TOMATO YELLOW LEAF CURL GEMINIVIRUS INFECTINGHOT PEPPERS (CAPSICUM CHINENSE) IN JAMAICASherline Brown, Conroy Green, Marcia Roye, Wayne McLaughlin,Medhat K. Nakhla and Douglas P. MaxwellDepartment of Basic Medical Sciences (Biochemistry) and The Biotechnology Centre, Mona;Department of Plant Pathology, University of Wisconsin-MadisonSince 1991, farmers in southern and central Jamaica have reported losses of up to 100% in hotpepper (Capsicum chinense) crops, and the causal agent was presumed to be a whitefly-transmittedgeminivirus. Symptoms included mild chlorosis and upward leaf curling. A TYLCV intergenic(specific) DNA probe was used to confirm the presence of TYLCV in 44% of peppers (Capsicumsp) sampled. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) primers specific for tomato yellow virus (TYLCV-Is) were used to amplify full-length as well as sub-genomic viral fragments from total DNAextracted from pepper (Capsicum sp.) with viral symptoms. These viral fragments were cloned frompepper collected in November 1992 from St. Elizabeth Parish in Jamaica. Nucleotide sequencecomparisons of the intergenic region of the clone from pepper gave >97% identity to TYLCV-Is.Nucleotide sequence identities of the intergenic region among cloned TYLCV intergenic regions fromtomato and pepper infected with TYLCV were >99%. These results indicate that the TYLCVassociated with tomato and pepper plants were all isolates of TYLCV-Is. Electric discharge particleacceleration inoculation of tomato and pepper using a TYLCV full-length clone associated withtomato from Jamaica and Bemisia tabaci transmission studies were used to confirm infectivity ofTYLCV-Is on pepper.Our results suggest that pepper is a non-adapted host for TYLC. This reportis the first to show the association of TYLCV with pepper.38

O-17 POSTHARVEST STORAGE OF YAM TUBERS:A BIOCHEMICAL PERSPECTIVEHelen N. Asemota 1 and Anthony U. Osagie 21Department of Basic Medical Sciences (Biochemistry) and The Biotechnology Centre Mona;2Department of Biochemistry, University of BeninIn this study, healthy yam tubers were kept under local storage conditions and the carbohydratecompositional changes, metabolism of exogenously supplied 1-14 C and 6- 14 C-glucose by the storedtubers were monitored. The changes in the activities with storage of some enzymes of carbohydratemobilization and key enzymes of oxidative pathways were also assayed at regular intervals throughdormancy and sprouting of the stored tubers.Results show remarkable changes in the carbohydrate composition with tuber storage.Chromatographic analysis of the ethanol soluble sugars of non-dormant tubers showed the majorsugars to be glucose, fructose and sucrose.There were also remarkable changes in the activities of enzymes involved in carbohydratemobilization i.e. Phosphorylase, Amylase and Invertase, and carbohydrate oxidation i.e. Glucose6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) and Phosphofructokinase. The observations on the changes in theactivities of G6PD and PFK during storage, together with the distribution of radioactivity in tuberssupplied 1- 14 C and 6- 14 C glucose, indicate that the predominant pathway of oxidation ofcarbohydrate in stored yam tubers in glycolytic.This study provides evidence that the yam tuber is capable of metabolizing exogenously suppliedglucose and that free pentoses are not accumulated in the stored tubers.The results will be discussed as they relate to biochemical changes in the stored yam tubers, bearingin mind the possibility of producing yam tuber genotype with capacity for early sprouting orprolonged dormancy through genetic transformation.O- 18 IMPROVEMENT OF COMMERCIAL CULTIVATION OFDENDROBIUMS THROUGH SUBSTRATE AND NUTRIENTMODIFICATION: BIOLOGICAL AND ECONOMIC ANALYSISTai Chun, Paulette; Potluri, Sasikala D.P. and Devi Prasad, P.V.Department of Life Sciences, MonaThe commercial cultivation of Dendrobiums has been identified as an area of significant potentialfor the horticulture industry in Jamaica because of its high market demand and price. This crop ismainly cultivated in Thailand and Hawaii in a variety of different growing media and methods ofculture. The present work was undertaken to determine the most suitable and profitable methodsfor the cultivation Dendrobium orchids in Jamaica. A 3 x 3 Latin Square design with split plotswas used to evaluate the performance of Dendrobiums in 7 different media/ culture treatments . Themedia employed were coconut husk shells, coconut husk pads , coconut husk, river gravel, brickchips, igneous rock in clay and plastic pots as well culture without any media. Three levels ofnitrogen were employed - 136 or 272 or 544 Kg N hā 1 yr -1 . Data were collected for two years.39

Regardless of the level of fertilizer, the plants grown in coconut husk shells gave the best results interms of the number of spikes per plant, blooms per spike, spike length . Coconut husk shells alsoresulted in higher percentage of premium grade and export quality blooms. Increasing fertilizerlevels resulted in overall better production, spike quality and in greater percentages of high pricedand export quality blooms. Overall best performance was obtained from the plants growing incoconut husk shells at the highest levels of fertilizer used, i.e. 544Kg N ha-1 yr -1 . The performanceof the plants in coconut husk shells was associated with significantly higher percentages of tissue N,P and K. The beneficial economic implications of the results to the farmers and the country will bediscussed.O-19 CYANOBACTERIAL BIOFERTILISERS FOR RICEIN JAMAICABoyd, Frederick A.H. and Devi Prasad, P.V.Department of Life Sciences, MonaThe wetland cultivation of Oryza sativa provides a particularly suitable environment for thedevelopment and utilization of non-symbiotic nitrogen-fixing autotrophic cyanobacteria [blue greenalgae] as well as other diazotrophic ecotypes. While extensive work has been carried out in Asiaand Africa on the suitablitiy of using cyanobacteria as biofertilisers, very little , if any, work hasbeen carried out in the Caribbean and Latin America. The present work has been undertaken toassess the suitability of cyanobacterial biofertilisers for rice under Caribbean conditions. Anabaenavariabilis , collected and isolated locally, was chosen based on its superior nitrogen fixing cpacityand shorter generation time over other local strains. The cyanobacteriaum was used in solitaryapplication as well as in combined application with the chemical fertilizer at the recommendeddosage [80kg N ha -1 ] and the reduced dosage [40 kg N hā 1 ].Ther fertilizer regimen were tested in greenhouse trials initially, using two types of soils and finallyin two field crops. Analysis of yield parameters including grain and straw yields, 100-grain wt.,carbohydrate and protein content of the grain and straw were carried out in addition to growth anddevelopment parameters including tiller production and panicle emergence period in order todetermine any effects of the biological nitrogen fixation.The results of this study indicate that the solitary application of the cyanobacterium resulted toenhancement in the yield parameters of grain yield [23%] and straw yield [28%], 100-grainyield[26%], carbohydrate levels in the grain [10%] and straw [17%] . Protein content of the grain[22%] and the straw[19%] over the respective controls. In most cases this appreciation due to thecyanobacterium was equivalent to those of the reduced fertilizer dosage. Their combinedapplication resulted in improvements in grain yield [83%] and straw yield [20%], protein content ofthe grain [45%] and straw [28%] over the respective controls. With the exception of the grain andstraw yields, the combined application at the reduced fertilizer dosage had a greater stimulatoryeffect on the crop parameters than did the recommended fertilizer dosage applied alone. Theincrease in tiller production due to the cyanobacterium [27%] was less than that due to the reducedfertilizer dosage [53%] but their combined application [55%] was not significantly different fromthat due to the solitary application of the recommended fertilizer dosage [59%]. Panicle emergenceperiod was found to be directly dependent on the available nitrogen present, regardless of its source.40

These results indicate that cyanobacteria when used as biofertilizers in the wetland cultivation of riceoffers the potential supplimenting its chemical nitrogen fertilizer requirements of up to 40kg N -1 ha.This is particularly sutitable for small farmers of rice as this technolgoy offers the prospect ofdecreased input costs while facilitating increased quantity as well as quality of yields.O-20 DIVERSITY AMONG POPULATIONS OF XANTHOMONASCAMPESTRIS PV. VESICATORIA FROM FIVE EASTERNCARIBBEAN ISLANDS WITH RESPECT TO SECRETION OFEXTRACELLULAR ENZYMES, POLYSACCHARIDE PRODUCTIONAND PATHOGENICITYHenry A.M. 1 , Hamilton M.A.E. 1 , and O’ Garro L.W. 21 Biochemistry Section, Department of Basic Medical Sciences,Mona;2Department of Biology, Cave HillXanthomonas campestris pv.vesicatoria (proposed: Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. vesicatoria) isthe causative agent of bacterial spot disease of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) and pepper(Capsicum annum L.) plants. 851 strains from five Eastern Caribbean islands (Antigua, Barbados,Grenada, St.Kitts, and St. Lucia) were screened for the production of amylase, glucanase, pectinaseand protease. All the isolates were negative for the excretion of the glucanases and pectinasesindicating that these enzymes were not important in the pathogenicity of these strains. 85% of thestrains produced amylases and 77% produced proteases. Overall, 69% of the strains showed bothamylolytic and proteolytic activity. The quality of xanthan produced by the isolates was determinedby the flow rate of the gum, as this is directly proportional to viscosity. Bacterial strains thatproduced high viscosity xanthan showed higher cfu/11.5cm 2leaf area and faster symptomsdevelopment over a 10 – 15 day period, than strains of low viscosity gum production. The resultssuggest a possible relationship between enzyme profile and pathogenicity as all the strains producinghigh viscosity gum produced both amylases and proteases.O-21 PHYSIOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY OF SALT STRESS ONTHE AXILLARY BUD CULTURES OF CASSAVAPotlrui, Sasikala D.P. and Devi Prasad, P.V.Department of Life Sciences, MonaTwo local varieties of Cassava named UWI-1 and UWI-2 were brought in to tissue culture throughnodal cuttings and apical meristem cultures. Axillary bud cultures of these were used to study thephysiology and biochemistry of salinity stress, as tissue culture techniques offer unique advantage insuch studies. The cultures were grown on Murashige and Skoog medium supplemented with micronutrientsand vitamins . Various concentrations of salt in the medium were obtained by using crudesea salt ranging from 0 to 1.0%. Crude sea salt was used as it would provide salinities close tonaturally occurring salinities in providing not only sodium chloride but other salts as well.41

Various morphological, physiological and biochemical parameters were studied including shootheight, number of nodes, number of branches, proline , protein, carbohydrate, sodium and potassiumlevels of shoot and root, and the activity of the enzyme nitrate reductase in both shoot and root.Plantlet height and number of nodes decreased with increase in salinity over 0.4% but number ofbranches increased. Proline levels increased in both varieties but with different levels of increase.Total protein content increased in UWI-2 but did not show much change in UWI-2. The ratiobetween sodium and potassium was altered though the accumulation of both metals increased due tosalinity. In UWI-1, the activity of the enzyme nitrate reductase showed a significant decreasecompared to UWI-2. From the results of the present study, it may be assumed that the inhibitoryaffects are mainly due to inhibition or modification of the utilization of nitrogen nutrition and alsopossibly due to the affect on endogenous growth substances. Any tolerance observed seem to be dueto the increase in the accumulation of proline and carbohydrates. These results will be discussedespecially in relation to the usefulness of axillary bud cultures in comparison to cell cultures andfield experiments for physiological and biochemical studies of stress tolerance.O-22 TOWARD INCREASING YAM PRODUCTION INCHALLENGED ENVIRONMENTS: IN VITRO STUDIES OF THEEFFECT OF SALINITY STRESS ON SOME BIOCHEMICALPARAMETERS OF YAM (Dioscorea alata) PLANTLETSA.O. Wheatley and H.N. Asemota 1Department of Basic Medical Sciences (Biochemistry);1The Biotechnology Centre, MonaReducing land waste through production of plantlets designed to survive in challenged environments,is one of the great promises of biotechnology. In sea-logged areas, problem of salinity rendersapproximately 25% of arable land unproductive. In this study, yam plantlets were made salinetolerant/resistant and the biochemical basis of adaptation were analysed.In vitro plantlets of Dioscorea alata cultivar ‘Sweet yam’ were subcultured onto normalmultiplication media (MS basal media with 30g/L sucrose and 0.1mg/L BAP) and on saline mediasupplemented with 6g/l and 12g/l NaCl. Growth of plantlets and root formation were assessed alongwith changes in activities of invertase (EC 3.2.1.26) and peroxidase (EC 1.11.1.7) for six weeks inculture. Control plantlets were 100% rooted compared to the 70% rooting of plantlets under salinitystress of 6g/L by the third week in culture. No root formation was observe for plantlets on 12g/Lsalinity level. Leaf formation occurred two weeks earlier in the control plantlets than those on mediasupplemented with 6g/L NaCl. No new leaves were formed on explants subcultured on mediacontaining 12g/L NaCl.Control plantlets showed sharp increases in invertase activity from the second week in culture.Plantlets at 6g/L salinity level also showed increases in invertase activity from the second but of lessmagnitude reflecting less utilization of the sucrose carbon source of the in vitro conditions. At12g/L saline condition, plantlets could hardly utilize the carbon source as reflected by theinsignificant changes in invertase activity during the six weeks in culture, and hence no energy tosupport growth of transferred explants. Peroxidase activity was higher than control in plantletsunder salinity stress of 6g/L. At the higher salinity level of 12g/L, peroxidase exhibited only residuallevels of activities. These results demonstrate the dynamic changes within the plantlets as theydevelop tolerance or resistance to salinity stress.42

O-23 EFFECT OF YAM AND DASHEEN EXTRACTS ON LIPIDMETABOLISM IN STREPTOZOTOCIN-INDUCED DIABETIC RATSPhillip B. Grindley, Felix O. Omoruyi, Helen N. Asemota and Errol Y. MorrisonDepartment of Basic Medical Sciences (Biochemistry), MonaYams and dasheens are important sources of carbohydrates, some vitamins and minerals. They alsocontain low levels of cyanoglucosides, essentially linamarin. A study was conducted onstreptozotocin-induced diabetic rats fed supplements containing extracts of yam and dasheen (groupC and D) for four weeks, during which lipid metabolism and transaminase activities in the liver wereassessed. Diabetic groups B, linamarin fed group E, groups C and D lost weight significantlydespite the non-significant difference in their food intake. Liver weights were significantly (p

O-25 HAIMEA ALTA AND HAIMEA OVUMSERPENTIS,WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE?Deborah-Ann C. RoweDepartment of Geography and Geology, MonaThe oligopygoids are a group of irregular echinoidsunique to the Eocene of the Caribbean andadjacent regions. These echinoids are the sister group to the clypeasteroids (=sand dollars), and arerepresented by a number of species in the genera Haimea Michelin and Oligopygus de Loriol. Bothgenera are locally common in the Eocene of Jamaica. The difficulty in distinguishing betweenspecies within the genus Haimea has long been documented. Two species are locally common withinthe Middle-Upper Eocene Swanswick Formation, but they cannot always easily be differentiated.Without taking measurements, the only feature that can be used to distinguish Haimea alta (Arnoldand Clark) from Haimea ovumserpentis (Guppy) is the greater height of H. alta. This method issubjective and is reliable only in those cases where the test of H. alta is highly inflated, as that of H.ovumserpentis can also be inflated as well. H. alta may be so inflated as to resemble a fossilized golfball, whereas H. ovumserpentis is generally lower, more elongate and pentagonal in outline. Kier’s“Revision of the Oligopygoid Echinoids” (1967, Smithsonian Miscellaneous Contributions, vol.152, no. 2, 147 pp.) gives an outline of the morphological details which may be used to differentiatebetween the two species, including the shorter petal length and greater number of ambulacral platesbeyond the petals of H. alta. In an attempt to find other ways of telling the two species apart, 17measurements each have been made of 112 better preserved specimens of Haimea from an echinoidlocality in the Swanswick Formation at Beecher Town, in the parish of St. Ann, Jamaica. Based onthese measurements, bivariate statistical analyses were carried out in order to seek out the bestmeans of identifying each species. Using scatter diagrams and regression analysis, the parameters oftest length, test height, and width and height of peristome, were found to be the most suitable to tellthe two species apartO-26 CRETACEOUS TO EOCENE EVOLUTIONOF CENTRAL JAMAICASimon MitchellDepartment of Geography and Geology, MonaThe Central Inlier exposes a suite of latest Cretaceous to Paleocene rocks that formed part of anextinct volcanic island arc system. Detailed mapping of the inlier has resulted in a new understandingof the geological history of Jamaica. The 1 st phase of active arc volcanism is represented by andesiticlavas, associated volcaniclastic sediments, and minor porphyritic basaltic dykes. This complex wasuplift and deeply eroded prior to the deposition of an inportant onlapping sedimentary successioncomprising the Slippery Rock and Guinea Corn formations. Sedimentary analysis of this successiondemonstrates the presence of a carbonate platform succession of restricted rudist-bearing carbonatefacies with associated shallow water clastics deposited closer to land. Renewed volcanism in thePaleocene (with a probable hiatus at the Cretaceous-Tertiary boundary) saw extensive marine andterrestrial deposition of volcaniclastic sandstones and conglomerates which culminated in ignimbriteemplacement. This sedimentary succession was strongly deformed by tectonics in the early Eocenewith the formation of steep to vertical fold limbs associated with south-westerly verging folds andassociated thrusting. After a period of renewed erosion, the deposition of the Yellow LimestoneGroup marked the first stage in the development of an extensive carbonate platform that persistedfrom Eocene to Miocene time.44

O-27 PHASE TRANSITIONS AND ORDERING PHENOMENA INAMPHIPHILICMONOLAYERS AT THE AIR/WATER INTERFACEWillem MulderDepartment of Chemistry, MonaThe surface activity of molecules such as lipids, proteins and fatty acids is associated with their dualcharacter; that is, one part is hydrophobic (“water-fearing”) and the other part is hydrophilic(“water-loving”). Such molecules are also called “amphiphiles”. The primary requirement for anamphiphile to be surface-active is that the balance between hydrophilic and hydrophobic parts besuch that the molecule has its lowest free energy when it is adsorbed at an interface between twoimmiscible bulk phases (water/oil or water/air). The amphiphile will then be present as amonomolecular film. Examples include the surfactant films in microemulsions, Langmuir filmsformed by spreading amphiphilic molecules on a water surface, the dense (Langmuir-Blodgett) filmsof chain molecules on solid supports, or the two lipid monolayers facing each other in biologicalmembranes.The most common experiment performed on Langmuir monolayers is the determination of surfacepressure vs. area isotherms using a film balance 1 . The surface pressure Π is defined as the differencebetween the surface tension γ0 of pure water and the surface tension γof the surface covered by themonolayerΠ = γ0 − γ (1)A barrier can be slid across the water surface to change the area accessible to a fixed amount ofsurface-active material. The surface pressure can be measured by determining the force on a floatseparating the monolayer from a clean water surface. A typical Π-A isotherm for a pure fatty acid orphospholipid is shown in the figure, where two regions can be discerned in which different surfacephases coexist. At large areas the amphiphile behaves like a two-dimensional gas. Upon compressiona plateau is reached, marking the onset of 2D condensation of the gas into a so-called liquidexpanded(LE) phase. At the end of the plateau the entire monolayer is in the LE phase. On furthercompression the lateral pressure again increases steeper until the start of a second transition regionwhere the LE phase condenses into a liquid-condensed (LC) phase which is associated withincreased chain ordering. At the end of the LE/LC coexistence region there is another steep increasein pressure until the collapse pressure is reached, which marks the transformation to more stablethree-dimensional (micellar) phases.The formation of LC from LE in the second coexistence region (sometimes called the “maintransition”) can be followed by fluorescence microscopy if one adds a small amount of surface activefluorescent dye which is less soluble in the LC compared to the LE phase. Alternatively, one can usethe more recently developed non-invasive technique known as Brewster angle microscopy. Themicrographs obtained with both techniques reveal that the LC phase exists in the form of isolateddomains (sizes ~10µm) which, in the case of chiral amphiphiles, change their shape from circles viaellipses to stripes, spirals, triskelions, etc. These have been established to represent equilibriumshapes and the result of a competition between lateral electrostatic repulsion between the polar (orcharged) head groups of surfactants and (anisotropic) line tension.45

A complete thermodynamic description has been given for the case of circular LC islands embeddedin a contiguous LE phase based upon the formulation of the Gibbs energy of the monolayer, definedas 2 G mono = µsN s − ΠA (2)where N s is the number of amphiphile molecules and µs their chemical potential. If contributions toG mono due to irregularities at the colloidal level are considered separately, a more detailed breakdowngives 2,3 (3)A m is the area occupied by the LE phase, N m, Πm and λ ∗ s,m are the number of amphiphiles, localspreading pressure and chemical potential for a uniform LE phase, respectively. The sum ∑ is takenover different categories of domains, defined according to the number of molecules j) ( they contain,n dj = number of islands in that category, R j = their radius, Λj = line tension, f edge el,j = electrostaticenergy of the fringe field of a domain due to polar head groups, λ ∗ s,j = molecular chemical potentialin a LC island of type j. The last term, G mix, is the free energy of mixing and contains the effects ofelectrostatic repulsion between domains, kinetic energy and polydispersity via a term –TS poly with T= absolute temperature and S poly = entropy of polydispersity.In equilibrium, G mono has its minimum value and the above expression can be shown to lead to threeequilibrium conditions: (i) mechanical equilibrium across every domain boundary, ii) ( uniformity ofmolecular chemical potential (µs) and (iii) the law of mass action: chemical potential per domain µd,j= jµs.Combination of these conditions yields the equilibrium distribution of domain sizes2 :(4)intwhere N d = total number of domains, δ= average distance between molecules in LC phase, f el =electrostatic work of inserting a domain of radius R into the film, k = Boltzmann’s constant. C is anormalisation constant.With G mix written as N dg mix, a m = A m/N m and n d = N d/A the expression for an arbitrary isothermpassing through the main transition region (thequation of state) follows from this treatment as 3(5)46

Here, we have assumed all islands to have equal sizes. This is based on numerical results obtainedwith eq 4 which imply a low degree of polydispersity (~ 10%) in most practical cases. From astability analysis of the solution to problem (i-iii) it has been concluded that even for this relativelysimple model system an instability may occur in the form of a negative lateral compressibility κ =−[A(∂Π/∂A) T] -1 . This strongly suggests that shape transitions (e.g. to more elongated domains) maybecome inevitable in order to restore monolayer stability.References1. Knobler, C.M. (1990). Adv. Chem.Phys. 77: 397.2. Mulder, W.H. (1997). J. Phys.Chem.B 101: 7744.3. Mulder, W.H. (1998) J. Phys.Chem.B 102: 5460.O-28ELECTROCATALYTIC DECHLORINATION OF CHLORORGANICCOMPOUNDS IN AQUEOUS MEDIAS. KulikovDepartment of Biological and Chemical Sciences, Cave HillHalogenated organic compounds are being considered among the most widely spread pollutants inwater. Some of them are very dangerous even in small, on the border of analytical detectionconcentrations. These compounds can be separated from water (liquid-liquid extraction, absorption,permeative technology .....) and then detoxified with known techniques.47

One of the promising methods of detoxification is electrochemical reductive dehalogenation inorganic media (MeCN, DMSO) which has been thoroughly investigated during last decade [1-3].However for practical purpose much more promising and much less studied is direct cathodicdehalogenation of those substances in aqueous media.The main problem in this case is overwhelming concentration of water molecules which discharge inthe first place sharply decreasing current efficiency and consequently almost canceling practicalapplication perspectives. However when instead of common electrodes hydrophobic carbon cloth orcarbon felt electrodes were tried it allowed to reach promising results, especially when electrode wasmodified with catalytically active metal [4]. In this work dehalogenation on carbon cloth and Znmodifiedcarbon cloth cathodes in water and water-alcohol mixture was studied. A flow-circulationTeflon electrolytic cell with membrane and electrode areas of about 40 cm 3 and a flow rate of 40 mlmin -1 was used. 200 - 400 ml of initial aqueous solution of 1,1,1-trichlorethane (20mg/L) with0.05M Na2SO4 as a supporting electrolyte circulated through the cathode compartment separatedfrom the anode compartment by a cation exchange membrane (Thomapor MC-3470). Cationexchange membrane was used to avoid oxidative destruction of the substrate on the anode andchlorinating of the products by anodically formed Cl2. Aqueous solution of Na2SO4 (0.1M)circulated through anode compartment. During the course of electrolysis the solution in cathodecompartment was sampled and analyzed by GC/MS and Cl - -selective electrode.Results of experiments have shown that 1,1,1-trichlorethane can be completely destroyed on thecathode giving as a products ethane and ethylene with 1,1-dichlorethane and chlorethane as anintermediates. Direct electrochemical reduction of trichlorethane on a carbon cloth cathode wascarried out with average current efficiency up to 30%. The modification of a carbon cloth cathode byZn permits indirect electrocatalytic dechlorination and can be carried out with much betterefficiency. Electrolysis time can be reduced approximately two times with average current efficiencyup to 75%.References1. H. Lund & M. Baizer (1991). Organic Electrochemistry. Marcel Dekker, New York.2. S. Kulikov, V. Plekhanov, A. Tsyganok, C. Schlimm & E. Heitz (1996). Electrochimica Acta41(4): 527-5313. V. Plekhanov, O. Sharkova, S. Kulikov, A. Tsyganok (1997). Russian Journal of AppliedChemistry 70(10): 1561-15634. A. Tsyganok & K. Otsuka (1998). Electrochimica Acta 43(18): 2589-2596.48

O-29 NUMERICAL SIMULATION OF GALACTIC MERGERSJ. Lodenquai and C. McNamarahDepartment of Physics, MonaRadio-loud active galactic nuclei (AGNs) are elliptical galaxies that emit unusually largeamountsof non-thermal electromagnetic radiation (EMR) over a wide spectrum. The merger hypothesispostulates that an AGN can form from the merger of two spiral galaxies containing supermassiveblack holes in their cores.During merger, some amount of matter eventually falls onto each black hole, just outside itsSchwartzschild radius, forming an accretion disk. Differential rotation within the accretion diskresults in the transformation of a significant fraction of the mass of the disk into the EMR observedfrom AGNs.In this paper, the merger of spiral galaxies is studied numerically. Each spiral galaxy is assumed tohave (i) a spheroidal halo of dark matter (ii) a spiral disk consisting of stars and gas and (iii) aspheroidal nucleus containing stars and gas with a supermassive black hole of mass about ten millionsolar masses in its core. Previous simulations, which used simplified models [Bekki and Noguchi(1994), Bekki (1995)], claim to be able to explain the onset of AGN-behaviour during the merger.However, the present work does not find that the energetics of AGNs can be accounted for duringmerger. However, sufficient infalling matter onto the black holes could occur considerably later aftermerger.Videos of typical merger simulations are presented.ReferencesBekki, K. & Noguchi, M. (1994). Gas fueling to the central 10pc in merging galaxies. Astron.Astrophys. 290: 7-18.Bekki, K. (1995). Gas dynamics of the central 1 kpc in galaxy mergers. Mon. Not. R. Astron. Soc.276: 9-19.O-30 LIMITED AREA NUMERICAL ATMOSPHERIC MODELINGFOR THE EASTERN CARIBBEANM. Mayers, C. Depradine 1 and L. L. MoseleyDepartment of Computer Science, Mathematics and Physics, Cave Hill;1Caribbean Meteorological Institute, St. James, BarbadosThe objective of our research is to contribute to the development of a general limited areaatmospheric model appropriate to the Eastern Caribbean region. We will modify and extend existingmodels, where possible, to include phenomena ranging from weak tropical waves to hurricanes, andflooding due to rainfall, storm surge and wind generated waves. Current models are generally notwell tuned for our peculiar conditions.49

We aim at producing a model which can provide, if not real-time, n-hourly updated analyses throughthe use of a multiple processors and PVM. In this paper we describe the parallelization of the basicbarotropic model as a first step towards our goal.O-31A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF SILICON-BASEDPHOTOVOLTAIC MODULESLeary Myers and Sheryl WilliamsDepartment of Physics, MonaThis study compares the photoconversion efficiency of commercially available silicon basedphotovoltaic modules. The modules were simultaneously irradiated with sunlight and the followingdata gathered: solar irradiance, panel and air temperature, relative humidity and air temperature. Thedata was collected, using a datalogger, and analysed.The information gathered to date suggest that the efficiency of the modules is 20-30% less than thatfor small -area laboratory cells, which is to be expected since the commercial modules are larger (1-3 m) and uniformity losses are implied. Silicon based photovoltaic cells are available in thefollowing types, amphorous, polycrystalline and single -crystal. It is known that single- crystallinesolar cells yield very good photoconversion efficiency but at a very high cost. Amphorous silicon (a-Si), with a lower photoconversion efficiency shows lots of promise because of its low productioncost.It is important that the different module efficiencies be well known as the initial capital outlaycontinues to be one of the greatest impediments to the wide scale use of photovoltaic systems. Thecost of amphorous silicon modules continues to decrease as the thin-film manufacturing technologymatures.O-32 THE USE OF GENETIC ALGORITHMS IN THEOPTIMIZATION OF THE REPRESENTATION OF LOGICFUNCTIONSA. C. Perrotte and Ch. PosthoffDepartment of Mathematics and Computer Science, St. AugustineThe optimization of the representation of logic functions byformulas remains a perpetual problem. In many ArtificialIntelligence applications, as well as in the logic design ofcircuits, the optimized representation of a logic function, orset of logic functions, is crucial for a successful solution ofproblems. [1, 2]This paper investigates the applicability of Genetic Algorithms for this kind of optimization problem.Genetic Algorithms are now, together with Fuzzy Logics and Neural Networks, part of the extensionof Artificial Intelligence to Computational Intelligence.The implementation of the algorithm follows a strict object-oriented approach using UML and50

Java [3]The Optimization ProblemGiven a logic function, f: B n → B, with B = {0, 1}, find an optimal representation of f by:a) Exclusive-OR forms(XOR): f = C1 ⊕ C2 ⊕ … ⊕ Ck,b) Equivalence forms: f = D1 ∼ D2 ∼ … ∼ Dkc) Disjunctive forms: f = C1 ∨ C2 ∨ … ∨ Ckd) Conjunctive forms: f = D1 ∧ D2 ∧ … ∧ Dk“Optimal” can be defined as a minimum number of conjunctions, Ci, or disjunctions, Di, or as theminimum number of variables in the formula. For the XOR and equivalence forms, the optimizationcriteria will also be considered for different polarities: a formula has a given polarity if everyvariable appears only negated or only non-negated. For example, f = x1’ x2 x3 ⊕ x1’ x3 ⊕ x2, x1 isalways negated, x2, x3, and x4 are always non-negated.The challenge of these problems is the enormous complexity: for n variables, there are x 2functions,where x = 2 n but 2 y formulas of the given types, where y = 3 n . For practical applications, it is quitenormal to have values of n as high as 32 or even 64.A very import special case is the representation of logic functions by decision trees: The nodes ofthe trees are labelled by variables, the edges by values of variables (x=0 or x=1); the complexity ofthe trees depends on the order of the variables, hence, it is equal to n!, for n variables.Genetic Algorithms“Genetic Algorithms (GAs) are … stochastic algorithms whose search methods model some naturalphenomena: genetic inheritance and Darwinian strife for survival.” [4] They start with a populationof solution candidates (the initial population). Genetic operators, mutation and crossover, areapplied to individuals or pairs of individuals in the population to generate new members. A fitnessfunction is used to determine which individuals are solutions or the fittest at each stage of thealgorithm.Using a ternary coding and a complete enumeration of all conjunctions, every formula can berepresented (in principle) by a bit vector with the length 3 n . The Table gives examples of the ternarycoding scheme used to convert random numbers generated to the conjunctions they represent. Theconjunctions that comprise a particular formula are coded into the bit vector of length n 3.Table:Correspondence between the numbers generated and the conjunctions theyrepresent, for 3 variables.Random Numbers x1 x2 x3 Corresponding Conjunction5 0 1 - x1’x27 0 - 1 x1’x317 1 - - x120 - 0 - x2’Mutations change one or more bits randomly, while crossover involves splitting two bit vectors intoparts and then recombining parts of different vectors. The new vectors (formulas) will be includedinto the population according to their fitness values. The number of function values that are correct51

in comparison to the function f gives these fitness values.The AlgorithmStep 1:Step 2:Step 3:Check for readily deducible forms or constant functions, if found the stop.Create the initial population.Determine the fitness of each individual.Step 4: Save potential solutions/individuals that fit the original function 100%.Step 5:Step 6:Select individuals for crossover; perform crossover.Determine the fitness of new individuals.Step 7: Save new individuals that fit the original function 100%.Step 8:Step 9: Repeat step 6.Step 10: Repeat step 7.Step 11:Step 12:Select individuals for mutation & for the selected individuals, select bits formutation; perform mutation.Reconstruct new generation based on fitness values.Repeat steps 5 to 11 for a predetermined number of generations.Step 13: Choose the minimal/optimal solution from all solutions that fit 100%.ConclusionThe results that have been achieved so far show the successful implementation of this algorithm. Theinfluence of parameters (like population size, mutation probability and crossover probability) is nowunder investigation and will be shown by diagrams. The application of object-oriented methodsallows a successful, fast and reliable implementation of the algorithm.References[1] McKanzie, L., Almaini, A. E. A., Miller, J. F., Thomson, P. (1993). Optimization of Reed-Muller Logic Functions. International Journal of Electronics 3(75).[2] Miller, J. F., Luchian, H., Bradbeer, P. V. G., Barclay, P. J. (1994). Using a GeneticAlgorithm for Optimizing Fixed Polarity Reed-Muller Expansions of BooleanFunctions. International Journal of Electronics 4(76).[3] Larman, C. (1998). Applying UML and Patterns. In An Introduction to Object OrientedAnalysis and Design. Prentice Hall.[4] Michalewicz, Z. (1996). Genetic Algorithms + Data Structures= Evolution Programs.Third, Revised and Extended Edition. Springer, 1996.52

O-34 EXPLORING THE 3X+1 PROBLEMCharles CadoganDepartment of Computer Science, Mathematics and Physics, Cave HillThe function f is defined on the positive integers N as follows:The 3x+1 Problem, also known as the Collatz Problem, the Syracuse Problem, Ulam’s Problem,Kakutani’s Problem and Hasse’s Algorithm, asks if repeated iterations of f always reaches theintegerThis paper explores a method of approach to the solution of the problem by converting the originalconjecture to a 4n+1 problem, nÎN, through specific partitions of N generated by mean of aparticular subset of positive integers called the golden sequence and its effect on integers of the form1+4n.O-35 A SCRIPT LANGUAGE FOR RE-USE OF OBJECTORIENTED CLASSESColin A. Depradine and Brian G. PatrickDepartment of Computer Science, Mathematics and Physics, Cave HillThe concept of software reuse was inspired by the electronic and mechanical industries whereintensive reuse of basic components has shortened product development time, reduced manufacturingcosts, increased worker productivity and improved product reliability. With a rapidly expandingstore of well-tested and readily available software components and with the movement toward objectorientedparadigms of design and implementation, the reuse of software has gained more and moreprominence (Meyer & Nerson, 1997).Therefore, the functionality of many integrated development environments and CASE tools has beenextended to support software reuse (Steigerwald et al, 1991; Terry et al, 1994). One such example,the reuse system for object-oriented classes (or ROOC), consists of three major components(Depradine & Patrick, in press).The repository or data store contains not only the reusable code but also the documents that describeit. These documents, created either manually or automatically, are shaped into a structured but openformat. Therefore, the repository is extensible and flexible. Furthermore, it permits the user todetermine the level of information complexity and to customize tools of manipulation.53

The scripting language described herein takes advantage of the standardized format of the repositorydocuments. The user is provided with an interface that facilitates the construction and execution ofqueries based on the required specifications of the desired components.The query is submitted to a search engine where a complete search of the repository is performedand results are returned. The administration tools provide important utilities that ensure theconsistency and correctness of the repository. The quality of data is monitored by checking thatminimal requirements are met and error-free. For example, a software component is not added to therepository unless a suitable description is included. These tools also include those utilities thatcollect, add and delete reuse information from the repository.In this paper, a scripting language for the reuse of object-oriented classes (S-ROOC) assumes thedocument format of the ROOC system (Depradine et al, 1997) and offers the simplicity ofcommonly-used scripting languages such as Visual Basic. Hence, S-ROOC supports the overallobjective of the ROOC system, that is, to make code reuse an integral and unobtrusive part of thesoftware development cycle.The S-ROOC language is supported by a search engine. The search engine performs the scanningand accumulation of results based on the specifications given in the S-ROOC script. Thus, thequerying process involves three steps: To create a query in S-ROOC that details as much as possiblethe specifications of a required class, to submit the query to the search engine and to view thoseclasses returned by the search engine that best match the required specifications (Gibbs et al, 1990;Gougen et al, 1996).An S-ROOC query itself consists of two parts: A pattern and execution requirements. The patterndefines what type of class is required and is matched against the class data in the repository. Theexecution requirements on the other hand define how the query is to be executed and what form theresults are to be collected, processed and presented. The S-ROOC language is object-basedconsisting of a set of pre-defined objects and operators (Booch, 1986). To use the pre-definedobjects, however, no instance of an object need be created. As well, the operators replace the usualcontrol structures such as IF, WHILE and FOR. The list of the S-ROOC objects is given below:SessionSystemSpecReportCompareClassListCurrentClassStringDebugProvides facilities to modify the search parameters and to perform searches.Provides various types of input/output.Provides information about the specification that is currently active.Provides reporting functions.Provides comparison functions.Provides querying functions for the resultant list of classes from the last search.Provides access to the properties of a class in the resultant list of classes from thelast search.Provides string handling functions.Provides very simple and basic debuggingfunctions.Consider, now, the following simple example and note that a S-ROOC script may include more thanone specification.54

:define:end:spec Query1{@use "MEMORY_ALLOCATOR";};:spec Query2{@keyword "LEX?*";};:run#Session.SetRegExp( "exact" )#Session.MatchSpec( "Query1" )In this script, two query specifications are defined in the structures {Query1} and {Query2}. If aprogrammer formulates an S-ROOC query to return the list of classes that use the class{MEMORY\_ALLOCATOR} then the S-ROOC object {#Session} sets up the search engine for anexact GREP-like match using {SetRegExp} and submits to the search engine the specificationsfound in the structure {Query1} using Software reuse, object-oriented programming, querylanguages.ReferencesBooch G. (1986). Object-oriented development. Transactions on Software Engineering 12(2): 211-221.Depradine C.A., Patrick B.G. and Posthoff C. (1997). A document format for the reuse of objectorientedclasses. Proceedings of the Third Conference of the Faculty of Pure and AppliedSciences, University of the West Indies, pp 26-27, Jan. 1997Depradine, C.A. & Patrick, B.G., A software tool for the reuse of object-oriented classes.Caribbean Journal of Mathematical and Computer Sciences (to appear).Gibbs S., Tsichritzis D., Casais E., Nierstrasz O. & Pintado X. (1990). Class management forsoftware communities. Communications of the ACM 33(9): 90-103.Goguen J., Nguyen D., Meseguer J., Luqi, Zhang D. & Berzins V. (1996). Software componentsearch. Journal of Systems Integration 6(1): 93-134.Meyer, B. & Nerson, J. (1997). Object-Oriented Applications. Prentice Hall, 1997Steigerwald R., Luqi & McDowell J. (1991). CASE tool for reusable component storage andretrieval prototyping. Information and Software Technology 33(9): 698-706.Terry A., Hayes-Roth F., Coleman N., Devito M., Papanagopoulos G. and Hayes-Roth B. (1994).Overview of Teknowledges domain specific software architecture program. ACM SIGSOFTSoftware Engineering Notes 19(4) 68-76, Oct. 1994.55

O-36 CRYPTOGRAPHY AND THE INFORMATION SOCIETYKarl H. RobinsonDepartment of Mathematics and Computer Science, Mona“The Information Society” and “The Information Age” are terms often used to express the fact thatmodern societies expend a lot of effort on the processing of digital information and, that they areincreasingly dependent of the reliable storage, processing and transmission of such information.In recent years, cryptography – the science of secret writing – has been evolving as an essential tool forhelping to secure digital information and to authenticate electronic transactions.In earlier years, cryptography was cloaked in much secrecy. However, modern cryptographicalgorithms are publicly discussed, because an objective is to have systems whose security depend onthe inherent strength of the system, rather than on one’s lack of familiarity with the techniques beingused. (Someone who is determined to break a system will make the effort to familiarizehimself/herself with the techniques being used.) Modern cryptographic systems also have amathematical base because of the need to be able to prove results about the level of security theyprovide.United States laws classify encryption software as munitions and, therefore, such software is subjectto export restrictions. The restriction is based on the size of the key used to encrypt the information.Currently, encryption software using keys of size 128 bits are being made widely available within theUnited States, but such software may not be exported. More vulnerable versions of the software maybe exported.In this talk we discuss the increasing importance of cryptography, and we compare the level ofcomputational effort needed to break the RSA cryptographic scheme for keys of sizes 64 and 128bits.O-37ONTOGENY RECAPITULATES PHYLOGENY:TRUE FOR MATHEMATICS EDUCATION?Raymond McEachinDepartment of Mathematics and Computer Science, MonaThe phrase, "ontogeny recapitulates phylogeny'' is a familiar onein the life sciences. However, as a biological principle it isalso generally discredited. We argue, nevertheless, that thisphrase is a useful metaphor for teachers of mathematics.This talk is speculative in nature, and in particular it is not aresearch report. Rather, it is a discussion that may lead to aresearch agenda in mathematics education that is particularlyrelevant to the Caribbean.There are striking parallels between the historical developmentof certain mathematical ideas on one hand, and young students'mental development on the other hand. For example, in the earlystages of any child's life negative numbers will beincomprehensible, if not frightening.56

Eventually, however, almost every schoolchild can at leastmanipulate negative numbers reasonably well. Ultimately, mosttake them for granted. Historically, one also sees that negativenumbers were initially unimagined. For various reasons, mostlyutilitarian, however, negatives gained acceptance as things thatcould be manipulated both consistently and usefully. Ultimately,of course, we now take them for granted.The most significant parallels are, in the author's view, relatedto the development of the number system itself. At the heart ofthe issue is what we'll call the "sigma-zero" dilemma. Looselyspeaking, there is an apparent paradox in the number system thatis extremely important historically. This arises from the factthat presumably "zero-dimensional" points can be assembled intoone-dimensional line segments. This raises the perplexingquestion of whether points have dimension. We look briefly atarguments on both sides, giving plausible reasons why pointscannot have dimension but yet must have dimension. We alsobriefly describe the modern understanding and resolution of thisapparent paradox.Once we resolve this crucially important dilemma, and considerother episodes in the history of mathematics, how can we becomebetter mathematics teachers? Clearly there are two questions toconsider:(i) What topics should we be teaching, and when (and in whatorder)?(ii) Given any topic we teach, how should we go about teachingit?We will give some ideas that may prove interesting and effectivehere in the Caribbean and elsewhere.57

ABSTRACTS OF POSTER PRESENTATIONS______________________________________________________________________________P-1 SYNCHRONISED SPAWNING BY BRITTLE-STARS AT THELAST QUARTER OF THE SEPTEMBER MOONJeremy Woodley, Judith Mendes and Robert MurrayCentre for Marine Sciences, MonaIn recent years, many observers have dived on Caribbean coral reefs in late summer, about the lastquarter of the Moon, in order to witness the synchronised spawning of stony corals. Some havereported that other invertebrates were apparently spawning at the same time, including some brittlestars,notably Ophiocoma wendtii (Van Veghel, 1993)We made observations at two of the Port Royal Cays, Lime Cay (5m depth, September 1995),Drunkenman's Cay (5m depth, September 1996) and at Dairy Bull, about 2km east of DiscoveryBay (9m depth, August, September and October 1998). At each site was a gently sloping terracesupporting a community dominated by massive corals; mostly Montastraea annularis and M.faveolata, but also M. cavernosa, Siderastrea siderea, Colpophyllia natans, Diploria strigosa, andD. labyrinthiformis, with patches of Acropora cervicornis, and many lesser corals. All dives tookplace within the period two to five hours after sunset, on the fifth, sixth, seventh or eighth eveningafter the Full Moon.Every year, active brittle-stars were seen; notably Ophioderma rubicundum, which is known to benocturnally active, and Ophiomyxa flaccida, which is generally cryptic in behaviour. They climbedto the tops of coral heads and, if they found other individuals there, would pile together.Spawning behaviour in one or other species was observed in 1995, and definitely in O. flaccida in1998, seven and eight days after the Full Moon. Standing alone on top of the coral heads, they wereseen to raise the disc above the substratum, sometimes holding that attitude for many minutes, andwisps of material, presumably spermatozoa, issued from the bursal slits. Apparent females wereseen to adopt an extreme "pentapod" position (as described for Amphiura filiformis; Woodley, 1975)and emitted clouds of eggs which drifted away in the water.In 1998, no brittle-stars were seen on the following evening, ninth after the Full Moon. In October, afew O. rubicundum, but no O. flaccida were observed. Clearly, we had observed a tightlysynchronised spawning event.ReferencesVan Veghel, M.L.J. (1993). Multiple species spawning on Curaçao. Bulletin of Marine Science52:1017-1021.Woodley, J.D. (1975). The behaviour of some amphiurid brittle-stars. Journal of ExperimentalMarine Biology and Ecology 18: 29-46.58

P-2 CIRCULATION PATTERNS IN DISCOVERY BAYChung, R. and Webber, D.F.Department of Life Sciences, MonaDiscovery Bay can be described as a highly dynamic, variable and complex coastal embaymentwhere circulation patterns may be driven by tidal action, freshwater inflow from subterraneanpercolation or wind. The relative importance of these forces was examined using random, known and24 hour sampling of current speeds and direction at 18 stations. Physical parameters (primarilytemperature and salinity) were also recorded.Results indicated that Discovery Bay is spatially stratified, both horizontally and vertically.Horizontally three zones were recognized, each responding differently to meteorological and tidalforces. The zones were (a) the mouth of the bay which could have been an extension of the shippingchannel, (b) the small western bay and ( c) the larger eastern bay. Each zone had its owncharacteristic feature(s) and dominant current producing forces. Vertically, Discovery Bay wasstratified into: a surface layer (maximum 5 m deep), a sub surface layer (5 - 16 m deep) and a deeplayer (16 - 40 m deep). Stratification was related to seasonality which otherwise played a minorrole in influencing the circulation of the waters at Discovery Bay. Meteorological events were theprimary driving mechanism in the surface layer in all three zones.Surface current velocities were faster under high wind conditions (max. av. speed of 0.09 and 0.11ms -1 for the large eastern and small western Bay respectively) than under no/low wind conditions.The highest current velocity under no/low wind conditions were less than 0.01 ms-1 for both the smalland larger bays. Tidal activities had minimal impact on the surface circulation in the entire Baywhile temperature and salinity driven currents were only significant in the small western bay. Thesurface layers of the other two zones were thermally homogenous. As expected, the sub - surfacelayer was not affected by meteorological events but tidal currents were responsible for the flow andcirculatory pattern in this layer. This was only applicable to the large eastern bay and the bayentrance. The small western bay was too shallow to facilitate the formation of a sub-surface layer.The sub-surface layer was further stratified. Tidal forces only controlled the circulation of the firstten meters (10 m) of the sub-surface layer. Below this depth (av. 16 m) some other mechanism wasresponsible for driving deeper sub-surface waters.P-3 THE STATUS OF REEF COMMUNITIES INDISCOVERY BAY BACK REEFWayne H. A. WhittakerCenter for Marine Sciences, MonaCoral reefs at Discovery Bay are significant among the sites studied in the preliminary developmentof coral reef studies around the world. However the hard bottom communities actually withinDiscovery Bay, and probably within bays generally have been neglected by researchers. The reefs ofDiscovery Bay have undergone many natural and anthropogenic stresses with alarming results someof which are well documented for the fore reef only.59

The varied range of effects to the sessile marine macro benthos while difficult to isolate and quantifyprecisely, allow for general characterization of the area. At Discovery Bay I surveyed reefs to 30mand evaluated benthic community composition by point intercept transects at 5m,10m, and 15m.Therefore I present qualitative and quantitative data on the status of reefs in the bay for futuremonitoring. Sampling was conducted over an 18 month period April 16th, 1996 to February 8, 1998.Three data sets were collected as follows:1. PROFILE TRANSECT DATA SET: Twenty-five profile transects were run throughout the bay.Each profile started at the allowed depth (

The anthropogenic effects on the bay seem to over ride the biological factors such as competitionand herbivory which govern distribution and abundance of say corals and possibly macroalgae. Thusfor the observed status of the Discovery Bay reefs to be meaningful in an ecologically scientificcontext, requires an appreciation of the disturbance history, both natural and anthropogenic.ReferencesBonem, R.M.. & Stanley G.D. (1982). Ecologic zonation of the Red Buoy patch reef. Tom GoreauLibrary #1823.Liddell, W.D. & Olhorst S.L. (1987). Patterns of reef community structure, north Jamaica. Bull.Mar. Sci. 40: 311-329.P-4 SEAGRASS POPULATIONS OF THE SOUTHEAST COAST OFJAMAICA: EFFECTS OF RANGING LEVELS OFEUTROPHICATIONGreen, S.O. 1 and Webber, D.F. 2Centre for Marine Sciences and 2 Department of Life Sciences, MonaSix seagrass meadows located within and near the eutrophic Kingston Harbour were investigatedfrom October 1994 to June 1995. Shoot productivity, leaf turnover rate, leaf area, total biomassand shoot density of the seagrass were measured during the period. In addition, the water quality atall the sites was monitored, using phytoplankton biomass as the primary index of water quality.These data were supplemented with data collected on the water temperature, salinity, dissolvedoxygen content, nutrient content (nitrates + nitrates and phosphates), and light extinction coefficientat these sites.Although there were no significant differences in nutrient data at the six sites, the phytoplanktondata confirmed previous observations of a range of water qualities from the eutrophic KingstonHarbour, to mesotrophic Hellshire Bays and oligotrophic Port Royal Cays. The seagrass at thesesites exhibited an increased leaf turnover rate and leaf productivity with increasing eutrophicationstress, while total biomass and shoot density decreased with increased eutrophication.When compared with previous studies, the seagrass turnover rate and leaf productivity in and nearKingston Harbour were much higher in response to increased eutrophication.61

P-5 THE USE OF INFORMATION SYSTEMS TECHNOLOGY TODEVELOP A REGIONAL MARINE SCIENCE DATABASEDulcie M. LintonCentre for Marine Sciences, MonaCaribbean Coastal Marine Productivity (CARICOMP) is a regional scientific program to studyland-sea interaction processes. Based on a cooperative network of marine laboratories, parks, andreserves, CARICOMP focuses on understanding productivity, structure and function of the threemain coastal ecosystems in the Caribbean: mangroves, seagrasses and coral reefs. As the primaryproductivity of mangrove, seagrass and coral reef ecosystems is the basis of present and potential futureyields of shallow water marine resources in the region, a primary goal of CARICOMP is to determine thefactors that regulate the variability of production by these systems. The program documents and monitorsthe distribution, structure, and function of the major coastal ecosystems and the extent to which theseattributes are influenced by contact with land. Data are collected using 14 different protocols as outlined inthe CARICOMP Methods Manual (1994).Of 29 sites in 22 countries in the Caribbean, 20 are collecting data. A Data Management Centre (DMC),located at the Centre for Marine Sciences, performs data storage and distribution functions and is thecommunication node in this regional network. Data entry is decentralized utilizing Quattro Pro spreadsheettemplates, which provide the network with the required flexibility for localized data entry. Data sent to theDMC are currently stored in QPRO files.While the spreadsheet system worked well as a data entry tool, there were obvious disadvantages forit as a data storage system. File management became cumbersome as more sites became active.Maintaining relationships between countries, sites, stations etc. became difficult and involvedcreation of additional tables that stored related data. Data duplication, and the associated update anddeletion errors and inconsistencies increased. Data analyses were time-consuming. A solution tothese major obstacles was necessary.A scientific approach to solving the problem was undertaken. Firstly, there was a Problem Definitionphase. This required knowledge of the old system, identifying the inherent problems. Possible solutionswere examined and the most cost-effective solution identified. Development of a database utilizing existingDatabase Management System (DBMS) technology was identified as the best option.A Database Management System (DBMS) allows a computer to control data resources. Itmanipulates the database through the use of special software. The two main components of theDBMS are: the Data Definition Language (DDL) that defines the way that data are stored andprovides natural and logical linkages between data, and the Data Manipulation Language (DML)which allows data to be manipulated, sorted, queried and retrieved. Microsoft Access was chosenafter careful considerations. Its Jet Database Engine is powerful and its integration of Visual BasicAccess Interface tools makes User Interface development relatively easy and smooth, reducing therisk of development incompatibilities. In addition it is relatively inexpensive as it comes as part ofthe standard Microsoft Office suite, is SQL-89 compatible and therefore offers the full functions ofSQL for data retrieval. It is compatible with other Microsoft software such as Microsoft Excel.The first phase of project development involved the logical mapping of the objects in the system. EntityRelationship (E-R) diagramming technique was used. Much attention was given to this design phase as theE-R diagrams formed the foundation for the database development. A correct E-R model ensured correctproblem solving.Data tables in the DBMS built on the E-R diagrams. Data fields and properties were developed and62

elationships established between the data tables. From these forms for data entry and display weredeveloped. User interfaces, which allow users of the system to access data without knowledge of theunderlying database structure, were developed using Visual Basic Access (VBA). Finally, queriesthat manipulate and extract data according to specified criteria were constructed using StandardQuery Language (SQL). Data transfers, from spreadsheet files to the DBMS, were effected throughthe use of Open Database Connectivity (ODBC) Drivers. These allowed data in spreadsheet files tobe reorganized to match data in the tables in Microsoft Access, effecting transfer without thenecessity for re-entry of data, reducing the risk of data entry errors and the time required for datatransfer to the DBMS.The development and testing of queries with the results of the standard spreadsheet templates weredone next. Reports were generated based on these queries. Finally, the linking of the discretedatabase objects: tables, forms, queries and reports into an integrated whole, which provides logicalguidance to users in extracting relevant information from the database was done.This database represents the use of Information Systems to provide management of an importantregional scientific dataset. It has allowed the program to fulfil its scientific mandate, providing dataon an accurate and timely basis, while providing the flexibility required to respond to increasedregional data collection needs, and achieving these within the constraints of limited personnel andfinancial resources.ReferenceCARICOMP (1994). CARICOMP Methods Manual - Level 1, 66 pp.P-6 THE PHYTOPLANKTON COMMUNITY AND WATERQUALITY OF A HIGHLY EUTROPHIC ESTUARINE BAY:HUNT'S BAY, KINGSTON HARBOUR, JAMAICARanston, E. and Webber, D. F.Department of Life Sciences, MonaThe phytoplankton community composition, abundance and size fractionated biomass (Chlorophylla ) along with various physical and chemical parameters were assessed on a monthly basis at 9stations with 2 sampling depths, hroughout the Bay. Sampling was conducted between December1993 and February 1995. This study was conducted primarily to characterize the phytoplanktoncommunity of the Bay and investigate the forcing functions which determine the spatial and temporaldistribution of the community. A further objective was to determine the present status of the waterquality of the Bay in comparison to results obtained from previously conducted studies.Results indicated significant deterioration in the water quality of Hunt's Bay since the last studyconducted 20 years ago by Grahame (1977). The increased eutrophic state of the Bay was indicatedby the consistently higher phytoplankton biomass, highest average concentration of 18.69 mg -3mchlorophyll a, compared to the lower value of 6.21 mg m -3 obtained by Grahame (1977).63

The present maximum phytoplankton abundance within the Bay (2.9x108 cells l -1 ) was also higherthan the previous maximum of 5x10 7 cells l -1 determined in 1977. Higher nutrient concentrationswere also observed, with maximum labile Nitrate and Phosphate concentrations determined at45.30microMol. and 3.96 microMol., respectively.Stratification of the highly eutrophic water body of Hunt's Bay was confirmed with the watercolumn being stratified into a fresh or brackish water surface layer due to freshwater input fromrivers and gullies which empty into the Bay, and a saline deeper layer. Surface waters were oftensupersaturated, in contrast to deeper waters which were regularly subject to oxygen deficiency.The stratification of the Bay was an important factor determining the distribution and composition ofthe phytoplankton community which was found to vary both spatially and temporally. Physicalfactors such as seasonality (rainfall) and nutrient loading also played a significant role indetermining the phytoplankton community composition, distribution and size.Biological factors such as zooplankton grazing appeared to have some influence on the size of thephytoplankton community.ReferenceGrahame, S. (1977). The ecology of plankton in Kingston Harbour Jamaica. The Phytoplankton.Research Report 4(2) Department of Zoology p. 104.P-7 MICROALGAL COMMUNITY OF A COASTAL LAGOON:CHANGES IN WATER QUALITY AND THE EFFECT ONSEDIMENT NUTRIENT FLUXESClarke, T. M. 1 and Webber, D. F. 21Centre for Marine Sciences and 2 Department of Life Sciences, MonaBetween July 1992 and June 1996, the water quality in the Great Salt Pond, Southeast Jamaica wasmonitored using biological, physical and chemical parameters. Microalgal (phytoplankton) biomassand community structure were found to be the most suitableindicators of the water quality. Effluentfrom the Greater Portmore Sewage Treatment system, adjacent to the Great Salt Pond was found tosignificantly affect water quality within the pond. Effluent release before completion of theconstruction phase of the treatment system resulted in microalgal (phytoplankton) blooms withmaximum biomass values of 39.79 mg m -3 and maximum abundances of 46,142,652 cells L -1 .Increased flow from the treatment plant further exacerbated the eutrophication, while the fullyoperational treatment system resulted in a 25% improvement in water quality (reduction inphytoplankton biomass). Increased flow rates from the fully operational treatment system furtherimproved the water quality by dilution.The microalgal biomass and community structure associated with the sediments in the pond wereinvestigated after improvements in the water column were observed. As a result of prolongedeutrophication of the pond the sediments were now a significant source of inorganic nutrients to thewater column.64

Results of microcosm experiments showed that over 90% of the inorganic nitrogen and 58% of theorthophosphate available in the water column were derived from the sediments with the rate ofabsorption of the microalgae and current flow, determining the diffusion rates from sediment towater.Further work with microcosms indicated that it is possible to predict the rate of recovery toacceptable water quality conditions in the Great Salt Pond and this provides a tool for recoverypredictions in similar enclosed, coastal embayments.P-8 ZOOPLANKTON DISTRIBUTION IN A PRISTINE TROPICALEMBAYMENT, DISCOVERY BAYEdwards, E. A. and Webber, M. K.Department of Life Sciences, MonaThere are several investigations using zooplankton as indicators of water quality in Jamaican andCaribbean Bays. However, few are conducted before there are some obvious effects ofpollution/eutrophication. Therefore most of our “baseline” data for bays represent populationsalready affected by pollution. This study was conducted with the aim of assessing zooplanktonabundance, species composition and community structure in Discovery Bay, on the north coast ofJamaica. It was believed that the bay was experiencing unknown levels and types of stress through arange of activities.The system was monitored over a 12 month period (October 1995 to September 1996) using a rangeof indices (temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen, REDOX, nutrients, size fractionatedphytoplankton biomass and zooplankton). The zooplankton (sampled using vertical hauls) andwater quality data were collected contemporaneously. 107 zooplankton species were identified, 48of which were copepods. The species were represented by a mix of neritic and oceanic species.Mean abundances for the area ranged from 1,077 m -3 for an area just outside of the bay (station 1)to 3,794 m -3 at a station very close to the south shore (station 6). Stations closest to shore hadgreater abundances than centrally located bay stations and stations close to oceanic influence.Acartia tonsa was dominant in shoreline areas of the bay, Calanopia americana at deeper stationswith significant oceanic influence, and Oithona plumifera and Temora stylifera were dominant atstations closest to oceanic influences. These species were thus considered as indicators of thesedifferent areas within the bay.Calanoids and cyclopoids were the dominant taxa at most stations while Larvae and Larvaceanswere also prevalent. With the nutrients and phytoplankton values being well within the ranges forpristine systems, we can conclude that this zooplankton assemblage represents that of a pristine bayand thus provides useful and real baseline data for a tropical embayment.65

P-9 INDIVIDUAL ZOOPLANKTON SPECIES SHOW SPATIALDISTRIBUTION TRENDS FAR BETTER THANTOTAL ABUNDANCESDunbar, F.N. and Webber, M.K.Department of Life Sciences, MonaThe purpose of this study was to investigate the zooplankton communities of the highly eutrophicKingston Harbour in an attempt to provide a new baseline of conditions, the previous study beingconducted in the 1970’s. Routine sampling was conducted monthly at twenty-four stations in theHarbour over a 18 month period. The abundance, species composition and community structure ofthe zooplankton populations were examined along with selected physical and chemical parameters.These indices were evaluated for appropriateness in defining the zooplankton communities andcharacterising water masses.A total of seventy-three taxa were identified of which the copepods were most important numerically(thirty-eight species). Mean numbers for the area were high ranging from 3,662 animals -3 m in Hunts Bayto 80,464 animals m -3 in the Inner Harbour (station 8). This maximum value was more than three timesthe maximum figure reported by Grahame (1976) (25 248 animals m -3 ).Results of the community similarity index (PSC) suggested that there are four zones in KingstonHarbour: Upper Basin (stations 1 to 6), Inner Harbour (stations 7 to 12), Middle Harbour (stations13, 14, 15 and 17) and Outer Harbour (stations 16 and 18 to 23). Hunts Bay (station 24) was notincluded in any of these zones.Values for most of the parameters examined were higher in the Inner Harbour identifying this zoneas the most productive in the Harbour. However, spatial distribution between zones was moreclearly demonstrated by individual species rather than total abundances. Temora turbinata wasfound to be very important in the Upper Basin, Lucifer faxoni and Penilia avirostris in the InnerHarbour, Paracalanus crassirostris in the Outer Harbour and Acartia tonsa in Hunt's Bay. In fact,these species may be used as indicator of the respective zones. There was some seasonal variation inthe zooplankton communities but like spatial variation, it was more significantly displayed byindividual species rather than by the total abundances.ReferenceGrahame, J. (1976). Zooplankton of a tropical harbour: numbers, species composition and responseto physical factors of zooplankton in Kingston Harbour, Jamaica. J. Exp. Mar. Biol. Ecol. 24:219-237.66

P-10 A PRELIMINARY ASSESSMENT OF THE FISHABLERESOURCES OF PORTLAND BIGHT, ST. CATHERINEKarl Aiken, Brandon Hay* & Steven Montemuro*Department of Life Sciences, Mona;*South Coast Conservation Foundation, KingstonDaytime sampling of mangrove, seagrass (Thalassia, Syringodium and Halodule) and sandy habitatsfrom east to west with approximately one trip per month over a 13 month period (April 1997 to April,1998) in Portland Bight, St. Catherine and Clarendon parishes, using two types of seine nets, showeddistinctive mangrove, seagrass and sandy shore fish and crustacean faunas. Due to the schedule, nostatistically valid repeat sampling was carried out except for three sites. Nevertheless, the present studyyielded 89 finfish species from 41 families, including 3 cartilaginous fish families (rays and sharks group),8 crustacean species from 6 families, and two molluscan species from 2 families. Adult, sub-adult andpostlarval fishes were captured with both types of seines nets, but the smaller meshed (3 mm diameter)seine net caught more postlarval and subadult fish than the larger mesh (18 mm) net.A total of 18.159 kg of fishable species were taken consisting of 2,389 individuals. Portland Bight and themanagement area west of Portland Point) possess important juvenile and adult fishable resources. Fishableresources occupy the shallow nearshore zones as well as deeper areas fished commercially. The very smalltotal weight landed suggests that the area supports mainly small young specimens.The adults and juveniles of two commercially important marine shrimp species Penaeus ( schmitti and P.notialis, the southern white and southern pink shrimps) were caught exclusively in the Carlisle Bay andMacarry Bay area and dominated the crustacean catches there. Despite limited sampling, it was apparentthat some areas functioned as critical nursery areas for many species and that the entire area as a whole,appears to function as a giant nursery for many useful species. These young fishery resources areinextricably linked with those resources landed at Old Harbour Bay beach, the nations's largest fishingbeach site through movement from the Portland Bight area into deeper reef areas and through indirectlysupporting the commercially fished reef species by providing food for their prey. The economic value ofthe fishable resources is such that development loss of these nursery areas will directly affect thelivelihoods of several thousand fishers, dependent vendors and their respective families in St. Catherine,Clarendon and elsewhere that fish from the study area is consumed. The ecological importance of thesefishable resources is such that the demise of these resources would mean eventual irreparable harm toother aquatic resources (through e.g. food chain linkages). Existing threats such wetland degradation andrelated pollution there, will cause negative changes in the earnings of fishers and others, as well as havingnegative impact on the biodiversity of the marine habitat.Some 81% of finfish came from mangrove-seagrass habitats, and 19% from sandy substrate sites west ofPortland Point. Most (68%) of the 89 finfish species were represented entirely by juveniles. The top fivefinfish species numerically were Anchoa lyolepis (dusky anchovy), Eucinostomus gula (silver jenny),Sardinella anchovia (Spanish sardine), Diapterus rhombeus (Caipita mojarra), Haemulon sciurus(Bluestriped grunt) and Callinectes spp. (swimming crabs), the most common crustacean. The top 10species in abundance accounted for 69.8% by number and 39.7% by weight of the total catch. Three ofthe top 10 species are important as baitfish and therefore as forage fish for valuable commercialcarnivores such as snapper and groupers. The 10 most abundant finfish families comprised 87.1% bynumber of all finfish from all families. Four of the 8 crustacean species are commercially important andincluded three types of marine shrimp (Penaeus spp.) and the spiny lobster (Panulirus argus).67

The most abundant crustacean captured in the study was the swimming crab species Callinectes ( spp.).This marine crab is edible as adults. The two molluscan species were of commercial importance (conchand flat or false oyster). Densities of small juveniles and sub-adult fishes were significantly higher inmangrove-seagrass than over open sandy ground. Fishable resources were relatively more abundant anddiverse in eastern Portland Bight mangrove-seagrass than western habitats. The lowest diversity was westof Portland Point.The Eastern Portland Bight "lagoon-mangrove-seagrass complex" (Manatee Bay west through GalleonHarbour, including Goat Islands) should be put aside as a Protected Area - Critical Nursery Area "A" andprotected from all forms of fishing. Similarly, Outer West Harbour (Holmes Bay, Miller's & LittleMiller's Bay and the associated Portland Cays) should be put aside as Protected Area - Critical NurseryArea "B". Also, ALL the Portland Bight Cays should be protected as Special Areas "C" for fisheries,coastal protection, recreational and biodiversity purposes. Importantly, the complex of wetlands andnumerous lagoons stretching west from Jackson's Bay, across the Rio Minho delta, to Beauchamps,Clarendon, is almost completely ecologically unknown and MUST be put aside as Special Protected Area,protected and studied. Waterborne pollution from sugar cane production near the Rio Minho river delta,is affecting the fishable resources adjoining that area. Effort should be made to incorporate sugar canepollution-abatement measures into any development plan for the study area.P-11 THE REINTRODUCTION TO THE WILD AND SUBSEQUENTMONITORING OF THREE ISOLATED MANATEES (TRICHECHUSMANATUS) FROM THE ALLIGATOR HOLE RIVER,CLARENDON, JAMAICA.Raymond Pryce and Eric GarrawayDepartment of Life Sciences, MonaManatees are fluvial mammals which feed on plants growing in the euphotic zone, they thereforefrequent shallow near shore waters and rivers as they forage for food daily, (Ronald K. et al 1978).For over eighteen years three adult female manatees have been living in the enclosed river systemknown as the Alligator Hole River in Clarendon, Jamaica. Having been placed there as a rescueeffort by the then Natural Resources Conservation Division, NRCD, since renamed the NaturalResources Conservation Authority, NRCA. Each was caught accidently, at seperate times, in thenets of fishermen off Farquhar's Beach in Clarendon. In fact, there were initially four manatees, thefourth however, also a female, believed to have been pregnant at the time she was placed in the river,died some weeks after she was observed to have been 'thinner' and the carcass of a foetus was foundfloating in the river, (Hurst, 1987).In the time which has elapsed the three remaining manatees have almost completely consumed thevegetation found in the river which comprised mainly Ceratophyllum and their diets have had to besupplemented by the daily addition of 'river weed' at a feeding bay constructed at the NRCA's CanoeValley facility. A programme which has proven quite expensive to maintain and which, ifdiscontinued, will be detrimental to the manatees. Further to this, and more importantly, theirseparation from an already small and diminished manatee population in Jamaican waters has meantthe denial of a potential thirty reproductive events for the three manatees, as it is approximated thatthree healthy 'cows' could possibly have carried some eight to ten full term pregnancies each oversuch an extensive period, (Marsh, 1995)68

Realizing this, a decision has been taken to prepare the manatees for reintroduction to the sea. Thishas included the construction of a 'guillotine' style trap/cage at the feeding bay. In which themanatees are now being fed. The reintroduction and sinking of sea grasses (mainly Thalassia) totheir diets. The sea grass is being sank to reacquaint the manatees with cropping food from thebottom. The taking of morphometric and genetic data and the utilization of radio telemetry as themode of tracking and monitoring, ( Bonde & Powell, 1997). This last is to be done for a two yearperiod, primarily to see if the manatees rejoin the wild population and are accepted into a matingherd and eventually breed. There is also a secondary goal, which is to use this opportunity to testthe response of the general public to laws and policies which declare species as 'protected' as well asto promote further public education on the importance of preserving the country's natural history.AcknowledgementsThis project is being conducted in conjunction with the NRCA, The Save The Manatee Club,(U.S.A.), and The Sirenia Project, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.ReferencesBonde, R. K. and Powell J.A. (1997). Consultation report on the feasibility of reintroduction tothe wild of captive manatees from alligator hole river, Jamaica.Hurst, L.A. (1987). The status and distribution of the west indian manatee (trichechus manatus)in Jamaica with an evaluation of the aquatic vegetation of alligator hole river. UnpublishedM.S.thesis. University of Florida.Marsh, H. (1995). The life history, pattern of breeding and population of the dugong. Departmentof Tropical Environment Studies and Geography. James Cook University, Townsville, Australia.P-12 LONGITUDINAL ZONATION OF BENTHICMACROINVERTEBRATES IN THE BUFF BAY RIVER, JAMAICAMeshagae Hunte and Eric HyslopDepartment of Life Sciences, MonaMost lotic (flowing water) systems rise in the mountains and flow to the sea; thus there is a gradientin the environmental conditions that will affect the biota of any stream. Longitudinal zonation is theprocess of subdividing rivers based on these changes in the physical, chemical and biological natureof a river along its course. Thus the biological community observed at any point is a response to adelicate balance of the prevailing environmental conditions at that point.Many classification systems have been developed for rivers but one of the earliest is that of rhithronand potamon, which divides the river based on its environmental characteristics rather than itsbiological nature (Illies and Botosaneanu 1963). Rhithronic characteristics include turbulent flow,high dissolved oxygen (DO), substrate chiefly of stones and boulders, very little primary productionand mean monthly temperature

Potamic characteristics include sluggish flow, lower DO, finer substrates (sands, silt, mud) andhigher levels of primary production. One of the major aims of this project is to investigate thelongitudinal zonation of the benthic macroinvertebrates in the Buff Bay River, Jamaica, WI. Similarstudies have been conducted elsewhere in the Caribbean (Harrison and Rankin 1976). In Jamaica,information on the Buff Bay River fauna is given in Boon, Jupp and Lee (1986) as part of a widerstudy of Blue Mountain rivers. However, this is a more detailed study as it relates to longitudinalzonation within a single river, and involves more sites on the Buff Bay River including higheraltitude sites that are missing from the earlier study.Six sites were chosen along the Buff Bay River, ranging from altitudes of approximately 1,000m tosea level. There is a wide range of external influences on this river and the dominant factors changefrom site to site. These factors include periodic drying up, occasional sand mining, coffee farmingand heavy domestic usage. Various microhabitats have been identified within sites and sampledindividually. These include Riffle-sediment, Riffle-under stones, Pool-sediment, Pool under stonesand Under Vegetation. Qualitative sampling was done over a period of 18 months. The methodemployed was "timed kick sampling", where the substrate allowed for this and inspection andremoval of invertebrates from the lower surface of stones where kick sampling was not possible.Quantitative samples were taken 4 times over the period of the project and the method used in eachcase was "timed Surber sampling." The invertebrates collected from the different microhabitats atthe various sites are then identified with the aid of microscopes and enumerated, where applicable.Analysis of the data reveals many interesting trends. It is found that many families not only occurmore frequently at certain sites, but have obvious microhabitat preferences. The damselfly family,Coenagrionidae, for example is found at sites 3, 4 and 5 only and almost exclusively undervegetation. It is also found that the number of species in each class generally declines moving fromthe top to the lower reaches of the river. Variability in some physico-chemical factors appears tocorrelate with macroinvertebrate diversity. The relative importance of each class at each site wasalso assessed and Trichoptera (Caddis flies) and Coleoptera (Beetles) are found to be dominant at allsites, while some groups (like the Diptera) are absent from the lowest site. The aspect of seasonalitywas also investigated.The relevance of this project is that it provides a base line study of community structure with respectto the physico-chemical conditions, ultimately allowing lay persons to both make predictions oncommunity structure, based on the physico-chemical factors, as well as to assess water quality basedon community structure.References1. Boon, P. J., Jupp, B. P. & Lee, D.G. (1986). The benthic ecology of rivers in the BlueMountains (Ja.) prior to construction of a water regulation scheme. Arch. Hydrobiol./Suppl.74(3): 315-3552. Harrison, A.D. & Rankin, J.J. (1976). Hydrobiological Studies of Eastern Lesser AntilleanIslands II St. Vincent: Freshwater fauna, its distribution, tropical river zonation andbiogeography. Arch. Hydrobiol./Suppl. 50(2/3): 175-311.3. Illies, J. & Botosaneanu, L. (1963). Problèms et mèthods de la classification et de lazonation ecologique des eaus covant considerèes surtout du point du vue faunistique.Mitt. Int. Ver. Theor. Ang. Limnol. 12: 1-57.70

P-13 THE USE OF PERIPHYTON AND BENTHICMACROINVERTEBRATES IN THE BIOMONITORING OF THENORTH ELIM RIVER, ST. ELIZABETH, JAMAICAKimberly John, Josette La Hee, Eric Hyslop and Dale WebberDepartment of Life Sciences, MonaFreshwater biomonitoring is the use of the biota inhabiting water, to detect and evaluate ecologicallysignificant changes within the aquatic environment. Macroinvertebrates and algae, have proven to bereliable indicator organisms and are widely used in contemporary studies, (Whitton et al., 1991;Abel, 1996). Periphytic algal species, such as some diatoms, green and blue-greens, are of great usein monitoring lotic systems. These algae are intimately associated with their aquatic surroundingsand being sessile in nature, are continually subjected to environmental conditions in the habitat.Therefore any physico-chemical changes which occur, may be manifest in such features as speciesdensity, composition, biomass or morphology.The great diversity, limited mobility and high abundance of benthic macroinvertebrates have madethem invaluable in ecological surveys, as well as the protracted monitoring of lotic habitats (APHA,1995). The term ‘benthic macroinvertebrates’, refers to the larger organisms inhabiting the bottomsubstrates of an aquatic environment, such as annelids, molluscs, crustaceans, flatworms andinsects. The structure of benthic macroinvertebrate communities is governed by the prevailingphysical and chemical conditions which, because of fluctuations, may not be detected by watersample analysis alone.The North Elim River, in St. Elizabeth, Jamaica, is a low altitude (

Preliminary results have indicated significant increases in the composition, diversity and abundanceof the macroinvertebrate community with increasing distance from the point source of pollution.These have been related primarily to faunal inputs from tributaries of the North Elim such as theSouth Elim and the Smith/Blake Rivers. The capacity of the North Elim to support a richermacroinvertebrate community, also increased downstream as is evidenced by the rising dissolvedoxygen levels, increases in the discharge and habitat complexity of the river, and falling currentvelocity. The community is dominated at the first two sites by taxa tolerant of low oxygenconditions; Tubifex and Eristalis. Pulmonate snails (with lungs), and various insect groups wereadded after the South Elim junction; and Prosobranch snails (with gills) were added after theconfluence with the Smith/Blake Rivers. Crustacea and bivalves were found only after the BlackRiver junction. This gradual aggradation of the macroinvertebrate community took place over adistance of seven kilometres.With regards to the algal aspect of the investigation, results so far obtained have been indicative ofdifferences in the composition of the communities at the three sites. Insufficient time has elapsedhowever, to allow a significant temporal analysis of the environmental conditions and associatedchanges in the periphyton. The North Elim periphyton community is dominated by fungal species,whereas the South Elim has a predominant community of an, as yet, unidentified, unicellular, greenalga. The Black River community exhibits initial colonisation by the same unicellular, green algalspecies, but the climax community is inclusive of a number of green and blue-green filamentousforms.ReferencesAbel, P.D. (1996). Water Pollution Biology. Taylor & Francis, London; pp 286.APHA (1995). Standard methods for the Examination of Waters and WastewatersAmerican Public Health Association, Water Environment Federation. American Water WorksAssociation, Washington; pp 1058 - 1059Whitton et al (1991). The use of algae for monitoring rivers. Institute of Botany, InnsbruckUniversity, Austria; 193 pp.P- 14 EVALUATION OF THE BENTHIC MACROINVERTEBRATECOMPOSITION OF THE RIO COBRE AND SELECTEDTRIBUTARIES, WITH SPECIAL EMPHASISON THE FAMILY THIARIDAEAndrea Fender and Eric HyslopDepartment of Life Sciences, MonaAn ecological study is being carried out on the Rio Cobre and selected tributaries to ascertain the influenceof various physicochemical parameters such as bed rock composition and water quality on:i. Density and distribution of the benthic macroinvertebrate fauna.ii. The growth of the snails of the FamilyThiaridae.iii. Species diversity of the benthic macroinvertebrate community.72

In (i) and (ii) above, emphasis is being placed upon 2 freshwater viviparous prosobranch snailsThiaragranifera (Lamarck) and Melanoides tuberculata (Muller).In 1940, M. tuberculata was introduced into Southern U.S.A and later spread to Puerto Rico, Grenada,St. Lucia and Venezuela. Pointier in 1983 recorded T. granifera and M. tuberculata in Guadeloupe,Dominica and Martinique. The exact time of introduction into Jamaica is not known, however membersof the Family Thiaridae occur extensively in our freshwater systems.The Rio Cobre (Figure), a principal river, stretches a length of 50.9 km and flows south and west in theparish of St. Catherine. It is supplied by a number of tributaries most of which join it at Bog Walk.Figure: The Rio Cobre systemFour sites were selected on the Rio Cobre according to their bedrock characteristics. These can besubdivided into two groups:a. Those with predominantly limestone bedrock - Broadleaf Spring and Deeside;b. Those with bedrock of predominantly volcanic origins in the outlier of the Blue Mountains- Rio Pedro and Rio Magno.Four samples of snails were collected, on sampling occasions, at each site using a quadrat of 0.25 m 2 . Alllive snails are handpicked from the substrate within each quadrat.T. granifera was found to be a characteristic inhabitant of the selected sites. Populations of 285-481organism/m 2 on average of T. granifera have been found at Rio Pedro and Rio Magno, with a greaterdensity being recorded of Rio Pedro. Sites on the limestone bedrock recorded lower densities than sites onvolcanic bedrock.73

M. tuberculata was found only at two sites, Broadleaf Spring and Deeside and in extremely lowquantities. Occurring at a ratio of 19:1 with T. granifera. The latter was consistently the more dominantspecies. There was a reduction in snail numbers during the months of August and September whencompared to the previous months of May-July, 1998.On a monthly basis the average snail length occurred within the range of 10-12.4 mm with the exceptionof Broadleaf Spring where the snails were smaller having an average length of 8.5 mm. The growth rateof both species is yet to be determined as research is still being conducted.Extensive faunal surveys determined the species diversity of the sites. United Estates was recorded asbeing the most diverse, not only in the number of families occurring but also the number of speciesoccurring within each family.ReferencesPointier, J.P. (1983). La lutte biologique contre le Mollusques hotes intermediaires de Bilharzioses a l'aidede Mollusques competiteurs. Symbiose 15(2): 85-91.Starmuhlner, V.F.1988. Ergebnisse der Osterreichisch- Franzosischen Hydrobiologischen Mission 1979nach Guadeloupe, Dominica and Martinique (Kleine Antillen). Tiel II: Beiltrage Zur Kenntnis der SubundBrackwassermollusken von Guadeloupe, Dominica Martinique. Ann. Naturhist. Mus. Wien, vol.90, Part B, pp. 221-340.Starmuhlner, V.F.1988. Ergebnisse der Osterreichisch- FranzosischenHydrobiologischen Mission 1979 nach Guadeloupe, Dominica and Martinique (Kleine Antillen). TielII: Beiltrage Zur Kenntnis der Sub-und Brackwassermollusken von Guadeloupe, DominicaMartinique. Ann. Naturhist. Mus. Wien. 90(B): 221-340.Starmuhlner, V.F.1988. Ergebnisse derOsterreichisch- Franzosischen Hydrobiologischen Mission 1979 nach Guadeloupe, Dominica andMartinique (Kleine Antillen). Tiel II: Beiltrage Zur Kenntnis der Sub-und Brackwassermollusken vonGuadeloupe, Dominica Martinique. Ann. Naturhist. Mus. Wien, vol. 90, Part B, pp. 221-340.Starmuhlner, V.F.1988. Ergebnisse der Osterreichisch- Franzosischen Hydrobiologischen Mission1979 nach Guadeloupe, Dominica and Martinique (Kleine Antillen). Tiel II: Beiltrage Zur Kenntnisder Sub-und Brackwassermollusken von Guadeloupe, Dominica Martinique. Ann. Naturhist. Mus.Wien, vol. 90, Part B, pp. 221-340.Statistical Yearbook of Jamaica (1994). pp.4-5.P-15 ECO-PARASITOLOGICAL INVESTIGATION OF THIARAGRANIFERA AT THE MONA RESERVOIRStacey Mckoy, Eric Hyslop and Ralph RobinsonDepartment Life Sciences, MonaMona reservoir is a man-made lake constructed in 1946, with a capacity of 808.5 megalitres(1) . Itexhibits lentic characteristics, i.e. there is no significant directional flow as water movement ismostly wind driven. The reservoir is an important habitat for a variety of aquatic and terrestrialanimals that depend on it for shelter, food and breeding sites. One such animal is the herbivorousprosobranch snail Thiara granifera (Lamarck). This common resident provides a habitat for a rich74

symbiotic fauna, which includes nematodes, protistans, the annelid Aeolosoma sp. and larvae ofdigenetic trematodes (monostone and distome varieties). The latter symbionts are of particularinterest since they use T. granifera as an intermediate host (I.H) in their life cycle.75

Thiara granifera is gregarious, providing opportunity for infection by trematode larvae. Presently,more is known of the biology of the monostomes than distomes as there is an overall monostomeprevalence of 21% (n=1175) compared with only ~1% for distome infections. The monostomelarval stages found in the I.H., are sporocysts, mother and daughter rediae and cercariae. It has notyet been determined whether the miracidium hatches within or outside the I.H. The larval forms areparthenitae and they multiply abundantly. The rediae and cercariae reside almost totally in thedigestive gland where the gonad is also located; there is some evidence that nutrients are lost by thesnailas a result of infection and that fecundity of the snail is adversely affected; juveniles are absentwithin the I.H. when monostomes or distomes are present.Four sites were selected at the reservoir, two are roosting sites for birds (sites 1&3), the third is abird nesting site (site 2) and the fourth is a non-roosting/non-nesting site (site 4). The highestaverage density of T granifera is seen at site 1; 785.2 snails/m 2 , followed by site 3; 702.2 snails/m 2 .Sites 2 and 4 have snail densities of 449.3 and 407.5 snails/m 2. . Snail density is positivelycorrelated with the volume of water in the reservoir (Fs>F0.05, p0.1). The prevalence ofmonostomes is not equally distributed at each site (X 2 =150, p

P-16 PARASITISM OF THE COFFEE LEAF MINER,PERILEUCOPTERA COFFEELLA, IN JAMAICA AND ITSPOTENTIAL FOR INTEGRATED MANAGEMENT OF THE PESTKathy M. Dalip and Ajai MansinghDepartment of Life Sciences, MonaThe coffee leaf miner (CLM), Perileucoptera coffeella (Guér.-Ménv. 1842), present in Jamaicasince 1921 (Gowdey, 1921) attains pest status periodically, with the latest outbreak occurring in theearly 1990s. It would appear, therefore, that the CLM population is normally kept in check byseveral factors, including natural enemies. Hence, a study was carried out to assess the compositionof parasitoids of the CLM and their potential as biological control agents in any proposed integratedmanagement of the pest. Nineteen coffee plantations in the major coffee growing regions in eachparish of the island were visited at least once and a quick appraisal was made at each farm todetermine whether the CLM was present and if so, a rapid count was made to establish itsinfestation level. Between 30 and 60 recently-mined leaves were randomly collected and taken to thelaboratory, placed in plastic containers lined and covered with paper towels which were kept moistat all times. The containers were the covered with nylon mesh held in place by elastic bands and keptunder laboratory conditions of 27 - 29 o C and 65 - 70% relative humidity for at least three weeks oruntil the emergence of the CLM and its parasiotids. Emerged adult CLM and parasitoids in thecontainers, and mines with larval remains or pupae and those with signs of adult emergence werethen recorded. Mines and cocoons from which the CLM or parasitoid had not emerged weredissected and the condition of the dead larvae noted.Fourteen species of parasitoids belonging to at least three families of the order Hymenoptera wererecorded; two species belonged to the family Braconidae, eight to Eulophidae, one to Pteromalidae,one belonged either to Pteromalidae or Eupelmidae, and two others could not be classified.The highland Mt. Pleasant Estates plantation had the most diverse parasitoid complex of elevenspecies while Christiana, Mt. Hill and Sligoville (also highland plantations), and Clydesdale, GoodHope and Silver Hill Gap (Blue Mountain plantations) had between 7 and 10 species. The leastdiverse complex of two species was found in Bolo in the Blue Mountains.There was significant (P = 0.05) variation in the mean level of parasitism among the plantations(Table 1). Parasitism was highest in the highland plantations of Retirement and Warsop while it waslowest in the Blue Mountain plantations of Bolo, Good Hope and Flamstead and in the highlandOxford plantation. Plantations with the lowest levels of parasitoids such as Bolo, Good Hope,Flamstead and Oxford, were regularly sprayed with insecticides. The total CLM mortality due toparasitism and natural causes (predation, disease) was less than 50% in approximately 42% of theplantations and was more than 70% in three plantations. About 50% of the plantations had fairlyhigh levels of parasitism (> 40%), they were not always associated with low CLM infestationlevels.The parasitoid complex in Jamaica is comparable to Latin American countries such as Brazil(7 braconids and 10 eulophids; Parra et al., 1977; Guimaraes, 1983) and Puerto Rico (2 braconids,one scelionid and 12 eulophids; Gallardo-Covas, 1988). It is quite possible that more species thanwere found in this study are present since the CLM infestation was often low when the sites weresampled.77

The population of the CLM in Jamaica appears to be held in check - with varying degrees of success- by a complex of its parasitoids. Thus, regular augmentation with laboratory-reared parasitoidsshould be an integral component in the integrated management of the CLM.ReferencesGallardo-Covas, F. (1988). Faunal survey of the coffee leaf miner, Leucoptera coffeella, parasitoidsin Puerto Rico. J. Agric. Univ. P.R. 72(2): 255-263.Guimaraes, P.M. (1983). Flutuacao populacional do bicho mineiro (Perileucoptera coffeella,Guérin Méneville - 1842), parasitos e predadores (Hymenoptera) em duas regioes do Estado doParaná. 10 oCongr. Bras. de Pesquisas Caf., pocos de Caldas (MG), 29 de agosto a 1 desetembro de 1983 : café do Brasil. Rio de Janeiro, Brasil; Min. da Industr. e do Com., Inst.Bras. do café-GERCA. pp. 238-245.Gowdey, C.C. (1921). Rep. Govt. Entomologist, Rep. Dept. Agric., Jamaica, 1920. Kingston,Jamaica. pp. 25-27.Parra, J.R.P., Goncalves, W., Gravena, S. and Marconato, A.R. (1977). Parasitos e predadores debicho-mineiro de cafeeiro Perileucoptera coffeella (Guérin-Méneville, 1842) em Sâo Paulo.Anais da Soc. Entomol. do Brazil. 6(1): 138-143.P-17 TRANSMISSION ROUTES FOR HELICOBACTER PYLORIINFECTIONS IN A JAMAICAN COMMUNITYAlicia E. Lyn-Sue 1, John F. Lindo 2 , Carol J. Palmer 3 , P. Vogel 1 ,Michael G. Lee 4 and Ralph D. Robinson 1Departments of 1 Life Sciences, 2 Microbiology and 3 Medicine, Mona;4Centre for Disease Prevention, University of Miami School of MedicineAssociations were sought between environmental and demographic factors, and householdprevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection in a Jamaican suburban community. The study designwas based on a household cluster sampling technique: 43 domestic yards, enclosing 62 separatehouseholds, were randomly selected from a local community. All household members (n=346) wereinvited to participate following informed consent; the overall compliance rate was 61.8%. Acommercial enzyme immunoassay (HM·CAP ) was used to detect IgG antibodies raised against H.pylori. Environmental and demographic information was obtained by questionnaire from residents(n = 202) of 43 households accommodating more than one person. The seroprevalence of H. pyloriwas 69.9% (n=219). A strong age-specific association (Χ 2 = 21.2, df = 3, p < 0.001) showed a lowseroprevalence of H. pylori (27%) in children less than 6 years old which quickly becameasymptopic (> 70%) in older age classes. Univariate analysis (ANOVA) revealed household use ofmunicipal water supply, use of communal toilet, and ownership of cats and dogs as potential riskfactors for infection. In comparison, multiple regression retained only use of municipal water supply(p = 0.003) and ownership of cats (p = 0.008) as independent risk factors for H. pylori infection. Noassociation was found between H. pylori infection and recent history of intestinal aliments. Thestudy points to the potential importance of environmental and zoonotic components in thetransmission of H. pylori in a tropical community.78

P-18 RISK FACTORS FOR TRANSMISSION OF TOXOCARA CANIS(DOG ROUNDWORM) IN A HUMAN COMMUNITYHugh E. Lounges 1 , John F. Lindo 2 , Michael G. Lee 3 , Peter Vogel 1 and Ralph D. Robinson 1Departments of 1 Life Sciences, 2 Microbiology and 3 Medicine, MonaAssociations are sought between environmental/demographic factors and human infection with thedog roundworm, Toxocara canis, in a Jamaican community. Forty one domestic yards containing 62separate households were selected randomly from a local community. All members were invited toparticipate, following informed consent. T. canis infection (toxocariasis) was confirmed by anenzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). A high degree of sensitivity and specificity wasachieved resulting from the use of excretory/secretory (E/S) antigen in the diagnostic tests.Environmental and demographic information was obtained by questionnaire. The data weresubjected to univaraite and multivariate analyses in an attempt to reveal the major risk factors fortransmission of the parasite in the community. Thirty one households, having 3-11 members, wereincluded in the study. Community prevalence of serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) to T. canis E/Santigen (ELISA) was 50.7% (n = 215) indicating a high level of sub-clinical toxocariasis in thestudy community. Discriminant analysis revealed the following associations with T. canis positiveserology: poor sanitation/hygiene, the presence of young persons in the household and absence of adelimiting fence around the household. Multiple regression analysis confirmed these associationsand predicted poor personal hygiene (e.g. finger sucking), high male sex ratio and ownership ofpuppies as major risk factors for exposure to T. canis. Further, positive T. canis serology wasassociated with a history of respiratory signs (viz. lingering cough), possibly indicating the presenceof migrating larvae in the pulmonary system (visceral larva migrans, VLM). This work points tothe potential public health significance T. canis infections in Jamaica.P-19 THE DEVELOPMENT OF RESISTANCE IN SEVERALJAMAICAN POPULATIONS OF THE COFFEE BERRY BORER(HYPOTHENEMUS HAMPEI) TO VARIOUS INSECTICIDESDionne E. Witter-Newell and Ajai MansinghDepartment of Life Sciences, MonaThe coffee berry borer, Hypothenemus hampei (Coleoptera: Scolytidae), was first reported inJamaica in 1978 and since then has become the major pest of coffee (Reid and Mansingh, 1985). Itslevel of damage to a single bean can be up to 50% as the larvae feed on only one endosperm. Withinthe first five years of its presence on the island, it had dispersed extensively in both lowland andhighland plantations (Rhodes, 1987). As a result, farmers island wide relied heavily on the use ofinsecticides as the sole means of controlling the pest. The most effective and popularly usedinsecticide was endosulfan while others, such as Actellic and Decis, were less commonly used.Failure to incorporate cultural practices on coffee farms resulted in ecological and environmentalbacklashes of pesticide usage. Subsequently, continuous complaints by farmers on theineffectiveness of endosulfan against the borer suggested that resistance to endosulfan and crossresistanceto other insecticides may have developed in the pest. Resistance in the coffee berry borerto endosulfan has already been reported in New Caledonia (Brun et al., 1989).79

The present studies were undertaken to confirm the percieved resistance and cross-resistance to theinsecticides. The mechanism of resistance, which is still questionable, is also being investigated.Infested berries were collected from coffee plantations across the island and taken to the laboratoryfor assaying with insecticides. Each of ten berries was dipped for one second in a beaker containingthe experimental concentration of each formulation, drip-dried for five seconds, then placed in a petridish and covered with muslin. After twenty-four hours each berry was dissected and the mortality ofthe borer recorded. Experiments were done in triplicate. Probit analysis was used to determine theLC50 (% concentration of active ingredient) of the insecticide formulations to the borer and thevalues compared to those reported by Rhodes (1987).Susceptible and resistant strains of coffee berry borer from the bioassays were separated and placedin hexane for residue extraction. Extracts were concentrated and analysed on a Hewlett-Packard HP5890 Series II gas chromatograph equipped with a 30 m HP-1 capillary column and a63 Ni-ECD todetermine the presence of endosulfan and its metabolites. Analytical conditions were: carrier gas -nitrogen, at a flow rate of 10 - 15 mL/min; temperature settings - column, initial 100o C, rate20 o C/min., final 250 o C; injector 280 o C; detector 300 o C.The 24-hour LC50 of selected insecticides against adult borers, and their resistance levels relative tothe LC50 of these insecticides found by Rhodes (1987) are presented in Table 1. The results indicatethat between 100- and 700-fold resistance has developed in local population of the coffee berry borerover a 15-year period. The populations have also developed cross-resistance to diazinon, Actellicand Decis.Chromatograms of hexane extracts of susceptible and resistant strains of the coffee berry borer,which were exposed to endosulfan, produced peaks corresponding to a- and b-endosulfan. However,two additional peaks were present in chromatograms of extracts from the resistant strains of theborer. These may be due to metabolites of endosulfan, suggesting the possibility of a biochemicalmode of resistance of the borer to endosulfan. Information on the mode of resistance providestremendous opportunities for creating alternative means of controlling the coffee berry borer.ReferencesBrun, L.O., Marcillaud, C., Gaudichon, V., and Suckling, D.M. (1989). Endosulfan resistance inHypthenemus hampei (Coleoptera: Scolytidae) in New Caledonia. J. Econ. Entomol. 82(5):1311-1316.Reid, J. and Mansingh, A. (1985). Economic losses due to Hypothenemus hampei, Ferrari duringprocessing of coffee berries in Jamaica. Trop. Pest Manag. 31(1): 55-59.Rhodes, L.F. (1987). Infestation pattern and insecticidal susceptibility of Hypothenemus hampei(Ferrari) (Coleoptera: Scolytidae). The University of the West Indies; M. Phil. thesis. 192 pp.80

P-20 THE COMPATIBILITY OF A THIODAN/COPPER MIXTUREAND THE INCLUSION OF MINERAL OIL FOR THE COMBINEDCONTROL OF THE COFFEE LEAF RUST AND BERRY BORERDwight E. Robinson and *Janice ReidDepartment of Life Sciences;*Caribbean Agricultural Research Development Institute, KingstonThe coffee berry borer (CBB), Hypothenemus hampei Ferr., and coffee leaf rust (CLR), Hemileiavastatrix Berk. and Br., are major pests of coffee in Jamaica (Reid and Mansingh, 1985). In orderto reduce the cost of pesticide application, farmers have combined Thiodan and copper (Martin,1996) incognizant of possible compatibility problems. The present study was conducted to assess theimpact of simultaneously applying both pesticides, with and without mineral oil, for the control ofthe CBB and CLR. The study was carried out on a 1.2-ha site at Mountain Hill, St. Catherine, overtwo cropping seasons. A split plot design consisting of four main plots with six split plots of 20 treeseach was used. Each split plot was treated with one of six chemical treatments - endosulfan asThiodan 35EC, copper as copper oxychloride 75WP, a combination of Thiodan and copperoxychloride and each of these treatments with mineral oil - and three branches from the inner sixtrees randomly selected and tagged for monitoring CBB infestation and CLR infection. Thiodan wasapplied at 4.2 mL/L, copper at 14.7 g/L and mineral oil at 4.2 mL/L at a rate of approximately 0.15L of of solution per tree. All plots received a second application after six to eight weeks.At the end of a 90-day monitoring period, the increase in borer infestation and bean damage in plotstreated with Thiodan was 21.5 and 24.9%, respectively, and 14.8 and 23.6%, respectively, in plotstreated with a Thiodan/copper mixture. Mortality of the CBB ranged from 46 to 85% in plots treatedwith Thiodan compared with 66 to 86% in plots treated with the Thiodan/copper mixture. The 4.5%reduction in rust infestation in plots treated with the Thiodan/copper mixture was significantly (P 0.05) effect on borer infestation or rust infection.However, mortality of the CBB was significantly (P = 0.032) higher in plots treated with Thiodanand mineral oil (60 - 90%) compared to those treated with the insecticide alone (42 - 77%).The data clearly suggest that the mixing of copper and Thiodan did not affect the efficacy of theinsecticide against the CBB and is consistent with recommendations made by Reid (1987). However,it did reduce the efficacy of the fungicide against the CLR, while the inclusion of mineral oil had noimpact on the efficacy of either pesticide.ReferencesMartin, R. (1996). An integrated approach to coffee production in Jamaica. Presented at th 7AnnualConf. Jam. Soc. for Agric. Sc., May 28 - 30, 1996, Kgn., Jamaica.Reid, J. C. (1987). Economic status and integrated management of the coffee berry boreHypothenemus hampei (Ferr.). Mona, Jamaica; The Univ. of the West Indies; Ph.D. thesis.Reid, J. C. and Mansingh, A. (1985). Economic losses due to Hypothenemus hampei Ferr., duringprocessing of coffee berries in Jamaica. Trop. Pest Manag. 31(1): 55-59.81

P-21 ANTIFEEDANT PROPERTIES OF VARIOUS FORMULATIONSOF NEEM OIL AGAINST CITRUS ROOT WEEVILSDwight E. Robinson and Ajai MansinghDepartment of Life Sciences, MonaThe citrus root weevil (CRW) is a pest of citrus seedlings in many plantations in Jamaica. Its controlhas been entirely based on spraying insecticides against the adults and soil treatment against thelarvae (Clarke-Harris, 1998). The heavy load of pesticide residues in Rio Cobre (Mansingh et al.,1997) is attributed to use of dieldrin and other organochlorines by citrus farmers. The present studywas conducted to test our own formulations of neem (Azadirachta indica, A. Juss), known to havediverse insecticidal activity (Williams and Mansingh, 1996), extracts as antifeedants against theCRW.Dried neem kernels were homogenized in methanol, placed in dark brown bottles and allowed toextract for three days under laboratory conditions. Extracts were shaken, filtered, concentrated invacuo to oily residues and made into different formulations by adding an emulsifier and varyingconcentrations of sticker, spreader, penetrants and photo-stabilizers. A commercial formulation ofneem and pure neem preparation obtained from private developers were also used.The activity of the formulations was studied in the laboratory by spraying field-collected stems with6 - 8 days young citrus leaves with different concentrations of the neem extracts, formulations oremulsifier and water as a control. Three treated stems were then fed to ten CRW adults held in 30-Lglass chambers. In greenhouse studies, one-metre high citrus seedlings were treated as describedabove. Treated seedlings were placed in a mesh cage into which 20 adult CRW were released. Inboth experiments, the number of leaves damaged and area consumed were recorded at regularintervals. All experiments were conducted in triplicate.In the first of two field trials, young citrus leaves on trees were treated with 5 cc/L of the neemformulations. Six stems with treated leaves were removed from the trees after 3, 6 and 9 days and apair of branches fed to three sets of ten adult CRW in the laboratory. The leaf consumption wasrecorded at three-day intervals. A second trial was done on a one-ha plot of trumpet trees (Fam.:Moraceae, Cercopia peltata L.) in Portland. Six trees were randomly selected from each of three 20-tree plots in three blocks and sprayed with one of two neem formulations or water. The number ofleaves damaged and the leaf area consumed by the CRW were recorded before, and 10, 19 and 29days after treatment.In the laboratory, 13 - 41.0% of leaves treated with Ashima III, Abhijai and Dejoun were attackedcompared to 24 - 61 % of leaves in the controls. The formulations inhibited feeding by 26 - 80%.Under greenhouse conditions, where the CRW had a feeding choice, leaves treated with Dejoun werenot attacked during the 21-day experimental period. There was no significant ( P > 0.05) differencebetween the damage to leaves of untreated seedlings (31 - 65%) and those treated with neem oil (8 -35%) and Ashima I (15 - 38%); however, there was significantly (P < 0.05) less damage to leavestreated with Ashima II (8 - 32%), Ashima III (9 - 25%) and Abhijai (12 -19%). Feeding wasinhibited 56 - 100% during the 21-day period by Ashima III, Abhijai and Dejoun.During the nine-day field trial in Mona, significantly (P = 0.006) fewer number of leaves (19.4 -50.0%) treated with Dejoun were damaged when compared with other treatments (45.8 - 80.6%;see Table).82

There was increased consumption of treated leaves between days 6 and 9, possibly as a result of the16.5 mm of rain which fell during that period. In field trials in Portland, between 30 - 90 and 32 -86% of treated and untreated trumpet tree leaves, respectively, were damaged but the difference wasnot significant (P > 0.05). Feeding was inhibited by 63 - 72% and 40 - 60% on trees treated withAshima III and Dejoun, respectively. Ashima III, Abhijai and Dejoun are being further developed forcommercialization.Table:Consumption of citrus leaves which were removed from trees of a Monaorchard at different time intervals after they were treated with differentformulations of neem, at a concentration of 5cc/L, and fed to CRW adults inthe laboratory_______________________________________________________________________________Treatment Days post Total No. Leaves Total leaf I.F. a Cumulativetreatment leaves damaged area consumed (%) mortality b(%) (cm 2 ) (%)_______________________________________________________________________________Control 0 30 60.0 69.9 - 03 28 71.4 69.0 - 06 28 78.6 74.3 - 09 31 80.6 71.8 - 12.5Ashima II 0 28 46.0 23.3 66.7 03 29 82.8 31.3 54.6 25.06 24 45.8 27.5 63.0 25.09 24 66.7 40.9 43.0 37.5Ashima III 0 32 53.1 32.6 53.4 03 32 53.1 38.5 44.2 18.86 29 44.8 58.1 21.8 37.59 33 78.8 60.1 16.3 37.5Dejoun 0 31 19.4 2.4 96.6 03 31 29.0 7.6 89.0 14.36 33 48.5 14.8 80.1 42.99 22 50.0 50.7 29.4 42.9_________________________________________________________________________a. % inhibition of feeding by the CRW where:I.F. = (Mean leaf area consumed in the control - Mean leaf area consumed in the treated) x 100Mean leaf area consumed in the controlb. On each sample day, the total mortality after treatment was recorded83

ReferencesClarke-Harris, D.O. (1998). Investigations on the potentials of biological and cultural methods inthe integrated management of citrus root weevils in Jamaica. Mona, Jamaica; Univ. of theWest Indies; M.Phil. thesis.Mansingh, A., Robinson, D.E. and Dalip, K.M. (1997). Insecticide contamination of the Jamaicanenvironment. Trends in Anal. Chem. 16 (3): 115-123.Williams, L.A.D and Mansingh, A. (1996). A review of the insecticidal and acaricidal actions ofcompounds from Azadirachta indica (A. Juss) and their scope in tropical pest management.Integ. Pest Manag. Rev. 1: 133-145.P-22 ECOTOXICITY OF INSECTICIDE RESIDUES IN JAMAICA:SUB-LETHAL TOXICITY LEVELS OF ENDOSULFAN ON THEFISH TILAPIA AND ITS EFFECTS ON LIPID CONTENT OFGONADSWinroy O.Williams, *Kerith D. Golden and Ajai MansinghDepartments of Life Sciences and *Basic Medical Sciences, MonaEndosulfan is widely used in the coffee industry and its residues have been detected in surface,ground and coastal waters and in aquatic fauna all over Jamaica (Mansingh et al., 1997). Theresidues bioaccumulate mainly in the gonads (Robinson, 1997) and could have deleteriousconsequences on the fish’s reproductive physiology (Hiraoka et al., 1989). The present study isexpected to elucidate the toxicity of sub-lethal concentrations of endosulfan and its impact on thereproductive physiology of the fish.Twenty-eight day sub-lethal toxicity of endosulfan to Tilapia (9 - 14 cm long; 20 - 40g) wereassayed under static conditions in continually aerated glass aquaria containing 20 L of dechlorinatedwater and 15 fish at 27 - 28°C. The following concentrations of endosulfan - 0.005, 0.0075, 0.008,0.009 and 0.01 ppm - were assayed in three replicates and repeated. Fish were fed daily oncommercial tilapia ration and the water changed every five days to avoid accumulation of toxicmetabolic products.Symptoms (darting, shuddering, side-swimming and death)were observed for the first 8 hrs andevery 4 hrs thereafter. The results were then subjected to Probit analysis in order to determine thedifferent toxicity concentrations: the no-observable-toxic-effect-concentration (NOTEC), leastobservable-toxic-effect-concentration(LOTEC), pronounced-observable-toxic-effect-concentration(PROTEC) and least-acute-toxic-effect-concentration (LATEC).At the end of the period, three fish from each of three replicates were removed, held on ice untildead, dried and weighed. Gonads were dissected out and pooled. The whole body or gonads of thefish were then cut into small pieces and extracted with a 2:1 (v/v) chloroform-methanol mixture(1g:5ml) in the cold using a M.S.E homogenizer. The homogenates were filtered, residues washedand crude extracts quantified. Extracts were purified and the sulphophosphovanillin reaction (Barnesand Blackstock, 1973) executed. The total lipid content of each sample was then determined bycomparison to the standard curve.84

Toxicity data suggest that 0.0025 - 0.005 ppm may be defined as NOTEC, since only 0 - 10% of thefish were affected but all recovered within the experimental period. The 0.008 ppm dose may beregarded as LOTEC, since 22% of the fish were affected for a while, but all recovered within theexperimental period. Hyperactivity was visible in all the fish at 0.009 ppm; however only 14% ofthem had pronounced toxic effects, but 7% died between days 11 and15. Thus, 0.009 ppm may beregarded as PROTEC. At 0.01 ppm, all the individuals were hyperactive from the beginning; 9%showed toxic symptoms, while 3% died within 6 - 10 days of exposure.However, between days 11 and 15, while 17% showed toxic symptoms, 47% died. Within the next 5days, all the fish were dead.The data presented in the Table show that lipid content of the fish and its gonads changedsignificantly (P < 0.05) over the 28-day period when exposed to NOTEC, LOTEC and PROTEC ofendosulfan. Percentage decreases in total lipid were 19.50, 53.96 and 67.50 for fish exposed toNOTEC, LOTEC, and PROTEC, respectively. This overall decrease in total lipid may indicateincreased lipid hydrolysis to produce the energy required to overcome pesticidal stress (Rao et al.,1985). While there was 6.99 and 32.85% decrease in total lipid of gonads for fish exposed toNOTEC and LOTEC, respectively, there was a 25.56% increase for fish exposed to PROTEC -which may have been due to an experimental artifact.TableChanges in lipid content in whole body and gonads of Tilapia after 28-dayexposure to endosulfan______________________________________________________________________________Total lipid (mg lipid/g wet wt.) Percentage changeWhole body Gonads Whole body Gonads______________________________________________________________________________Control 32.30 ± 0.268 10.05 ± 0.013 0 00.005 ppm 26.80 ± 0.195 9.35 ± 0.008 19.50 6.990.008 ppm 14.87 ± 0.111 6.75 ± 0.363 53.96 32.850.009 ppm 10.49 ± 0.207 13.51 ± 0.013 67.50 25.56______________________________________________________________________________Mean fish weight (g) ± S.E. = 30.725 ± 1.227ReferencesBarnes, H. and Blackstock, J. (1973). Estimation of lipids in marine animals and tissues: detailedinvestigations of the sulphophosphovanillin method for ‘total’ lipids. J. Exp. Mar. Biol. Ecol. 12:103-118.Hiraoka, Y., Tanaka, J., Okuda, H. (1989). Toxicity to Medaka (red variety of Oryzias latipes)of solutions of Fenitrothion degraded by strong alkali. Environ. Pollut. 58: 35-42.85

Mansingh, A., Robinson, D.E. and Dalip, K.M. (1997). Insecticide contamination of the Jamaicanenvironment, Trends in Anal. Chem. 16(3):115-123.Rao, K.S.P., Rao, K.R.S.S., Sahib, I.K.A. and Rao, K.V.R. (1985). Combined action of carbaryland phenthoate on tissue lipid derivatives of mussel, Channa punctatus (Bloch.) Ecotoxicol.Environ. SAF. 9 (1): 107-111.Robinson, D.E. (1997). The fate, biological impact and management of endosulfan andethoprophos in the Jamaican environment. Ph. D. Thesis. Univ. West Indies, Mona, Jamaica.289 pp.P-23 ORGANOCHLORINE RESIDUES IN SURFACE WATER ANDSEDIMENT OF THE YALLAHS RIVER: 1989-1991Raymond Martin, Ajai Mansingh 1 and Janice Reid 21Department of Life Sciences, Mona; 2 P.O. Box 501, Kingston 10The Yallahs River watershed covers 180 sq. km approximately 70% of which consists of slopes over 30degrees. It rises under Silver Head peak in the Blue Mountains at an elevation of 1600m, is 37 km inlength and is the main river draining the southern slopes of the Blue Mountains. The watershed is a majorcoffee producing area and a range of insecticides such as endosulfan, diazinon and dimethoate are used(Martin et al., 1996). The use of insecticides in mountainous watersheds where springs and riversoriginate, has resulted in the contamination of rivers and coastal waters of the island (Mansingh etal., 1997). Many of these watersheds experience heavy rainfall which results in massive soil erosiondue to deplorable agronomic and deforestation activities by people (Eyre, 1990). Contamination ofthe river is of great concern because it is a major source of domestic water for the rural population aswell as for Kingston and St. Andrew. Inthe past, insecticides have been implicated as a possible causeof fish kills in the vicinity of the river (Aiken and Jupp, 1985).A survey of farms in the watershed was conducted to collect data on the crops grown and the typesand amounts of pesticides used. In addition, water and sediment samples were collected on 9occasions from 17 locations between July 1989 and September 1991. Eighty five percent of farmsin the watershed were

Levels were generally higher during wet periods than dry periods and during the spray period thanoutside the spray period (Table 1). About 20% of samples from the Yallahs River exceeded theUSEPA maximum of 0.22 µg/L. Levels unacceptable for human health (74 µg/L ) were notobserved.TableComparison of frequency of detection and mean residue levels detected in theYallahs River watershed during spray and non-spray periodsPeriodType andNumber ofSampleDetection frequency and (mean)α-endosulfanβ-endosulfanEndosulfansulfateDieldrinDiazinonSprayPeriodWater8048%(1.41)34%(0.660)6.6%(14.9)6.2%(0.285)38%(1.74)Sediment6733%(2330)11%(1430)bdl22%(20.2)41%(148)Non-SprayPeriodWater8616%(0.995)5.8%(0.242)bdlbdlbdlSediment72bdlbdl12%(27.5)bdlbdlbdl = below the detectable levelReferencesAiken, K. and Jupp. B. (1985). The St .Thomas fish kill. Jamaica Journal. 18(3): 53-56.Eyre, L.A. (1990). Forestry and watershed management. Min. Dev. Planning and Prod. Natl. Cos.Strat. Consltn. Workshop, April 25-27, 1990, Kingston, Jamaica.Mansingh, A., Robinson, D.E., Dalip, K.M. (1997). Insecticide contamination of the Jamaicanenvironment. Trends in Analytical Chemistry 16(3): 115-123.Martin, R.D., Reid, J.C. and Reid, H. (1996). An integrated approach to coffee production. SeventhAnnual Conference of the Jamaican Society of Agricultural Scientists, May 28-30, 1996, KingstonJamaica.87

P-24 THE NEW JAMAICA SEISMOGRAPH NETWORK:RESULTS AFTER ONE YEARMargaret D. GrandisonEarthquake Unit, Department of Geography and Geology, MonaThe Jamaica Seismograph Network (JSN) was totally rebuilt . All dated hardware was replacedwith new standard industrial models, more modern and effective software for data capture andanalysis were acquired, and all seismographs were calibrated. The basic network was completed byJuly 1997. Since then some expansion of the network took place so that by July 1998, there were10 short period seismograph stations, of which 2 were complete or 3-component stations. Duringthis first year of operation, 655 earthquakes were recorded including by category, 127 teleseismic ordistant events, 91 regional (within the Caribbean Basin), 125 Near (within about 400 km ofJamaica) and 322 Local earthquakes. The Local region is bounded by latitudes 17.6 to 18.6 Northand longitudes 76.0 to 78.5 West, encompassing the island of Jamaica and the coastal zone. This isthe region best covered by the seismograph network, where earthquake locations are most reliable,and where earthquakes are likely to be most hazardous to Jamaica.The subject of this paper is part of on-going analyses of the 322 local earthquakes using SEISANEarthquake Analysis Software. The earthquakes are being relocated, and the response functions forthe seismographs registered. Some of the early goals include: (i) defining 2 magnitude scales forJamaica that are calibrated to the standard body-wave (Mb) and moment magnitude (Mw) scales;(ii) refining the crustal velocity model; and (iii) characterizing how seismic waves attenuate in thelocal crust. These will be commented on with regard to methods and preliminary results.P-25 COASTAL EROSION IN SOUTHERN JAMAICA:AN EXAMPLE FROM CLARENDON PARISHEdward RobinsonDepartment of Geography and Geology, MonaExamination of maps and air photographs dating back to 1941, and of maps dating back to the early19 th Century, has yielded complex patterns of relatively large scale coastline changes between themouth of the Rio Minho and Milk River, south coast of Jamaica. These include up to half akilometre of coastal recession since 1941, immediately west of the Rio Minho. This is probably thelargest loss of coastal land in Jamaica over the past half century, and is relatively large on a globalscale. It is also a finding contrary to previous reports (Wood, 1976) which have suggested coastalaccretion in this region.Changes in coastline geometry since 1941 were examined by comparing four maps of the area,derived from aerial photographic surveys. The 1:50,000 topographic maps, released about 1950,were derived from photography flown in 1941. A second map series, at 1:12,500 scale, wasproduced for the Land Valuation Department in 1958, based on 1953 photography. The 1:12,500scale topographic maps, produced by the Survey Department in the 1970s, are based on 1968photography. The current 1:50,000 scale metric maps are based on aerial photography flown in1980. These maps provide precise control for the evaluation of coastline changes.88

The original photographs were used to check the maps derived from them, and to confirm that nosubsequent changes in coastal configuration had been incorporated in the maps. Three additional airphotograph runs, of 1961, 1971 and 1991 were also consulted. Three sets of satellite imagery wereexamined, but only the most recent (1997) data set proved to be of value in making semi-quantitativeassessments of coastline changes, because of inferior resolution and poor definition of subtlechanges in coastal features in the earlier imagery.The Figure summarizes coastal changes between 1941 and 1980. Erosion has led to coastalrecession, amounting to nearly half a kilometre in some places, in the last fifty years. In the vicinityof Milk River, coastal changes have been more complex, with periods of accretion alternating withtimes of erosion. In particular the spit at the mouth of Milk River has shown spectacular, rapidchanges in size and shape.Maps produced before the advent of aerial photography and geodetic control suffer from a numberof defects, including distortion and scale changes arising from survey errors and lack of integrationof different parts of the same map. The Robertson map for this area, compiled about 1804 (e.g. inHigman, 1988), and the inch to a mile Parish map, dating from early this century, were consulted.The coastline shown on the Parish map, adjusted for scale errors, has been added to Figure 1. TheRobertson map (Fig. 1, 4) shows major differences in the orientation of the mouth of the RioMinho, confirmed by examination of abandoned river channels, visible on some photographs.The cause of recession has not yet been ascertained, but the time period involved would appear to betoo long for it to have been due, for example, to sand removal from the bed of the Rio Minho,probably the main sediment source for these beaches. Sand mining was relatively unimportant in the1940s and 50s, and may be only one of a variety of factors, such as sediment supply, storm damage,and sea level change. On a global scale, coastlines are dominated by recession at the present day(Bird, 1985; Pilkey, 1991), probably in response to a slowly rising sea level.Before the current recession phase, this stretch of coastline had been prograding seawards from alow cliff cut into the Rio Minho alluvial fan, as indicated by a well-developed beach ridge systemand associated morass. The cliff itself is evidence of an even earlier period of coastal erosion.Incidental to the coastline study was the identification, on several aerial photographs, dating back as far as1953, of significant volumes of effluent being released into the sea between Carlisle Bay and the RioMinho, apparently originating near the Monymusk factory.ReferencesBird, E.C.F. (1985). Coastline changes - a global review. John Wiley, 219 p.Higman, B.W. (1988). Jamaica Surveyed. Institute of Jamaica, 307 p.Pilkey, O.H. (1991). Coastal erosion. Episodes, 14, 46-51.Wood, P.A. (1976). Beaches of accretion and progradation in Jamaica. Journal of the GeologicalSociety of Jamaica, 15, 24-31.89

P-26 JUPITER LANDSLIDE, RIO GRANDE VALLEY, JAMAICA:A LARGE PREHISTORIC SLIDE DAMDionne V. Laughton and *Edward RobinsonMines and Geology Division, Kingston;*Department of Geography and Geology, MonaThere is geological evidence for a number of large landslide events that have taken place in the RioGrande valley, Portland parish, Jamaica. One of these, at Millbank, occurred in 1937, causingseveral deaths and creating a dam with the debris, flooding the valley and forming a lake whichremained in existence for about six months. Just downstream from Millbank the remains of a muchlarger landslide deposit were identified at Jupiter. There is no confirmed historical record of thisslide event and it is presumed to be prehistoric, although its morphology has undergone very littlemodification (Robinson and Laughton, 1997). However, a historical record is possible (Robinson etal., 1996).An attempt to cut a new highway over the debris, and the effects of the January 1998 flood rains inthe area have revealed extensive new exposures, confirming that the slide originated from the scarpof the John Crow Mountains, and that the slide debris extends over the river channel and across tothe southwestern side of the valley. The debris covers an area of some four km 2 , and may be theresult of more than one slide event. The debris mound in the valley floor rises about 52 m above thepresent river bed, the river having cut a path through the mound on its northeastern side Figure). (Assuming that the highest point of the debris mound (174 m) represents the original height of themound and that it formed a temporary natural dam, the extent of the impounded lake is estimated tobe about 155 hectares. The valley floor of the Rio Grande above the slide site is flat and coveredwith extensive alluvial deposits. Its extent approximately coincides with the area enclosed by the174m contour, suggesting that the alluvial flat may have formed by sediment deposition behind thedam.ReferencesRobinson, E., Ahmad, R., Phillip-Jordan, C. and Armstrong, M. 1996. The Burlington landslide,mouth of the Rio Grande, Jamaica: example of an ancient slide dam? Journal of the GeologicalSociety of Jamaica, 31, 37-42.Robinson, E. and Laughton, D.V. 1997. Burlington and Jupiter landslides, Rio Grande valley,Jamaica: comparison with Millbank landslide as examples of processes producing natural dams.In Ahmad, R. (ed) Proceedings of the Second Caribbean Conference on Natural Hazards andDisasters, Kingston, 9-12 October, 1996, 56-61.91

Figure:Map showing present extent of debris from the Jupiter landslide (solid line) andthe area within which a temporary lake may have been impounded, marked bythe 174 m contour (dash and dot line). Alluvial flat is shown by dotted line.92

P-27 BIOSTRATIGRAPHIC INVESTIGATION OF SPECIES OFTHE LARGER FORAMINIFERAL SPECIES CUSHMANIASILVESTRI IN EOCENE ROCKS, JAMAICAGeorgette D’Aguilar and Edward RobinsonDepartment of Geography and Geology, MonaCushmania Silvestri is one of a group of fossil larger foraminifera (Phylum Protista) characterizedby a conical shell, sometimes reaching 4 mm in diameter, with a complex internal skeleton. The test(shell) is made up of a stack of saucer-shaped chambers that increase gradually in size from aspherical proloculus (first formed chamber) at the apex of the cone. Internally the chambers aresupported by a variety of pillars and small partitions (Figure). The group of conical forms includingCushmania were globally distributed in tropical regions throughout the Cretaceous and EarlyCenozoic periods, but are now extinct.Cushmania itself has been recorded from sedimentary rocks of early to late Eocene age (51 to 37million years ago) and appears to have been restricted to southern North America and the Caribbeanregion. It has potential use as a guide fossil for some of the very shallow marine paleoenvironmentsthat are recorded from the Caribbean Eocene, and which are difficult to date biostratigraphically.Three species of Cushmania have been erected, with type localities in St. Bartholomew, Haiti andJamaica. They are supposedly distinguished by differences in the size and shape of the test, anddifferences in the density and number of internal structures (Hottinger & Drobne, 1980). However,the original descriptions are inadequate, and previous workers have frequently regarded the genus asmonospecific (Cole, 1956).The purpose of this study is to use fossil material from the Jamaican Eocene, as well as from the typelocalities mentioned above, to examine the variation which exists among populations of Cushmania, todetermine if more than one species is present. In addition the study seeks to determine to what extentdifferences in population characteristics may be related to differences in stratigraphical horizon and/orpaleoenvironment of the samples collected.ReferencesCole, W.S. (1956). Jamaican larger forminifera. Bulletins of American Paleontology, 36: 205-233.Hottinger, L., & Drobne, K. (1980). Early Tertiary conical imperforate. Rasprave IV. razr. SAZU 22:188-276.Robinson, E., And Wright, R. M. (1993). Jamaican Paleogene larger foraminifera. In Wright, R. M.,and Robinson, E., eds., Biostratigraphy of Jamaica: Geological Society of America, Inc., 283 – 245.93

Figure:External view of Cushmania americana (a – c):(a) lateral, showing conical shape(b) apical, showing symmetrical position of the proloculus(c) basal, illustrating the apertural face(d) cross section of (a) showing internal structure of the organism(after Robinson & Wright, 1993)94

P-28 EVALUATION OF MEDIA, METHODS OF CULTURE ANDFERTILIZER FOR THE COMMERCIAL CULTIVATION OFANTHURIUMS IN JAMAICATai Chun, Paulette, Potluri , Sasikala D.P. and Devi Prasad, P.V.Department of Life Sciences, MonaThe once thriving Anthurium industry in Jamaica has in recent years been beset by problems withdisease and low productivity. This study, therefore, focused on the evaluation of methods to reducethe incidence of disease and increase plant productivity by the manipulation of nutritional andenvironmental factors. Four media - coconut husk, brick chips, gravel and basalt igneous rock -were evaluated using two methods of culture, viz. beds and pots, at three levels of fertiliser - 244,448 and 896 kg N ha -1 yr -1 . The plants in the pots were cultivated at double the planbting density ofthe beds. Increasing levels of fertilizer resulted in an increase in growth for the plants in beds butdecreased growth in pot cultures. Overall production increased quadratically in response tofertilizer. Bloom size and stsem leangth increased linearly with the application of additionalamounts of fertilizer for the plants in beds but decreased for the plants in pots. The production ofhifgher priced export quality blooms improved at the higher fertilizer levels and was also greater forthe plants in bed culturea. The plants cultivated in coconut husk gave the best performance ingrowth, production, export qualtiy and in the percentages of larger sized and higher priced blooms.Production in the beds was significantly higher than the plants in pots. This culture method alsoresultsed in the produdction of larger sized and export quality blooms. However, the increasedplanting density of the pots resulted in a significantly greater production per square meter than thebeds.Overall best performance was obtained from the plants in coconut husk followed by the plants inbrick chips with little difference being observed for gravel and basalt igneous rock. Leaf tissueanalysis indicated margainally higher levels of nitrogen and potassium and significantly higher levelspf phosphorus in the leaf tissue of the plants cultivated in coconut husk.P-29 SHOOT TIP MICROGRAFTING FOR OBTAININGVIRUS FREE CITRUS PLANTSPotluri, Sasikala D.P.,Department of Life Sciences, MonaCitrus Industry in Jamaica has been in recent times severely affected by various diseases, especiallyby the Citrus Tristeza Virus [CTV]. Trees with sour orange rootstocks are highly susceptible for theinfection of this virus. The traditional way of obtaining the planting material for citrus industry bygrafting and budding cannot get rid of the virus in the planting material easily. Tissue culturetechniques are very useful under these conditions. Shoot tip / apical meristem culture has been usedextensively to obtain pathogen free planting material. Usually this requires thermo-therapy [heattreatment] and not all the plants can withstand this. In recent years, shoot tip grafting in tissueculture plants has been developed to overcome this. In the present work, shoot tip micrografting hasbeen studied to determine the suitability of this method for obtaining plantlets.95

The method involved the removal of a shoot tip [0.1to 1.0mm] from a certified budwood source.Seeds of the desired rootstocks were germinated and the embryos grown in vitro. After two weeksof growth of the root stock plants in the tubes, the tips were removed under aseptic conditions andthe excised shoot tip from the budwood was grafted. These grafts were allowed to grow for four tosix weeks.This technique was successful and would be very useful to recover plants free of all the viruses incitrus. This technique will be also useful in other tree crops.P-30 TISSUE CULTURE TECHNIQUES FOR THEMICROPROPAGATION OF BLIGHIA SAPIDA [ACKEE]Mills, Erica , Devi Prasad, P.V. and Potluri, Sasikala D.P.Department of Life Sciences, MonaAckee [Blighia sapida Koenig] is an important tree crop in Jamaica. It is one of the majorconstituents of Jamaican National dish. In addition, it has an export potential of about $15 million ayear to North America and Canada. If the existing restrictions are lifted and when a free flow isallowed, the export potential increases significantly. Ackee is not an orchard crop yet in Jamaica inspite of its importance to the economy. Very little research has been carried out on the tree itself,while important work was carried out on the hypoglycine content and its poisonous effects onhumans. Information on the cultural practices and propagation of ackee is very limited. There is awide variation in the types of ackee available. This is mainly because of the natural propagationby seed , which is subject to variation. Rooting of cuttings and some grafting have beenexperimented with some success [Stair, 1992].No work has been carried out on the tissue culture propagtion of ackee so far. Hence the presentproject was undertaken to develop tissue culture methods for the micropropagarion of Ackee, Thiswould be beneficial in producing uniform planting material. Various explant sources have been used- leaf, axillary buds, cotyledons, embryo and aril tissue. For all the treatments, MS medium wasused as a basal medium with various additions of growth substances. These included 2,4-D, BA andNAA. 2,4-D was used at three different concentrations -1mg, 5mg and 10mg -1 L; NAA was usedat three different levels - 0.1mg, 1.0mg and 3.0mg L -1 ; and BA was also used at three different levels- 1, 3 and 5mg L -1 . These growth substances were used individually and in combination with eachother . The leaf tissue showed callus formation after about 6-7 weeks in the medium containing2,4-D at 5 and 10mg L -1individually or when combined with low concentrations of NAA and BA.The callus was not embryogenic. Axillary buds were slow in responding to any treatment but didrespond to BA[3mg] + NAA[1mg]. The Aril tissue did not show much response to any treatmentswhile the cotyledons showed some signs of callus formation.. Both the cotyledons and the embryotissue showed the initiation of direct organogenesis in all combinations of BA and NAA withhighest results obtained in the combination of 1mg each of BA and NAA.These results indicate that there is a regeneration potential for various tissues of Ackee to be used intissue culture, unlike some tree crops.96

P-31 PHYSIOLOGICAL ECOLOGY OF TEN PHYCOCOLLOIDPRODUCING MARINE ALGAE FROM THE ENVIRONSOF KINGSTON AND PORT ROYALLittau, Jonathan H. and Devi Prasad, P.V.Department of Life Sciences, MonaJamaican coastline has several species of agar producing seaweeds, some of which are harvested asIrish moss. Most of the harvest is from natural sources, which makes it important to manage thisnatural resource. A basic understanding of the environmental factors to which Jamaicanphycocolloid producing species are exposed and the physiological reactions to these changes wouldbe very useful to determine the species, which are worth further investigation for mariculturepurposes and/or coastal resource management. The present work was undertaken to study thephysiological ecology of ten agar-producing seaweeds from seven different stations around theenvirons of Kingston and Port Royal. The stations for collection were selected from Palisadoes inthe east to the great salt pond in the west, Drunkenmans cay in the south and the Port Royal MarineLab in the North. These stations were 1. The lighthouse station [LHS], 2.The Port Royal MarineLab [PRML], 3. The great salt pond [GS], 4. The Nago Head station [NH], 5. Drunkenmans cay[DC], 6. The lime cay station [LC] and 7. The Port Royal South Station [PRS]. Following specieswere included in the study based on our preliminary investigations as to their occurrence in theselocalities. 1. Polycavernosa debilis[Gracilaria debilis or Gracilaria cornea or Hydropuntiadebilis], 2. G.mammilaris, 3. G. cylindrica, 4. G. verrucosa, 5. G. sjoestidii, 6. G. ‘terete’ , 7. G.cervicornis, 8. G. domingensis, 9. Agardhiella tenera and 10. Gelidiella acerosa. It was observedthat increase in protein levels was positively correlated to nutrient levels while there was an inverserelationship between protein content and nutrient levels. Carbohydrate content appears to beinversely related to protein and highest levels were obtained during the summer months.Carbohydrate levels in species with high surface area to volume ratios like those with a flattenedmorphology [G.domingensis] or a narrow cross section [G. sjoestidii] were found to be positivelycorrelated to salinity. Agar yields ranged from 16 to 66% these and other results will be discussedin relation to the suitability of various species for mariculture and general coastal plant ecology.P-32 MARICULTURE OF GRACILARIA SP. USINGTANK CULTURE METHODSLittau, Jonathan H. and Devi Prasad, P.V.Department of Life Sciences, MonaSpecies of Gracilaria , popularly known as ‘Irish Moss’ in Jamaica and sea moss elsewhere in theCaribbean, are also a good source of agar. The demand for Irish moss outstrips the supply fromnatural sources. Traditional rope culture methods have been tried in Jamaica and other Caribbeancountries. This was more successful in St. Lucia. However, In Jamaica, the areas suitable for openIrish moss culture are also suitable for development as tourist areas. In addition rope culture haslimitations in terms of nutrient supply and the control of epiphytes. Also, the incidents of theft andpraedial larceny also are a limiting factor. Hence an alternative method is needed to over come someof these problems. A tank culture method was studied as a suitable alternative for the maricultureof species of Gracilaria in Jamaica. Initially, experiments were carried out in small aquarium tanksin the lab. Based on the results obtained a series of tanks were set up outdoors with running seawaterand aeration.97

Species studied include Gracilaria mammilaris, G. cylindrica, G. verrucosa, G. ‘terete’, andPolycavernosa debilis [also called Gracilaria debilis or Hydropuntia debilis ]. Following factorswere studied: Effect of running seawater verses static conditions and once per week change of water;Effects of nitrogen nutrition – pulse feeding verses flow through and static conditions; effects oflight and temperature. Growth rates and chemical composition of the algae in response to the abovefactors were studied. Temperatures above 28 o C were found to be detrimental to many species,fragmenting the algae and reducing the agar content. Running seawater was found not to benecessary and once per week change was observed to be beneficial, giving growth rates of up to9.8% day -1 in G. verrucosa. This has also reduced epiphyte growth significantly compared torunning seawater. Pulse feeding was observed to be the best method of supplying nutrients to thecultures. Based on these and other results, tank culture system for mariculture of several species ofGracilaria is very promising and economically feasible. This method uses much less space thanrope method, can be easily protected, can be better controlled for nutrient supply and epiphytecontrol and can be set up in places which do not compete for tourist beach development.P-33 AGRONOMIC AND MOLECULAR CHARACTERIZATION OFJAMAICAN PHASEOLUS VULGARIS LANDRACESWinston A. Young and Wayne .A. McLaughlinDepartment of Basic Medical Sciences (Biochemistry) and The Biotechnology Centre, MonaRed kidney beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) are affected by some major diseases, Bean Golden Mosaicvirus (BGMV), Rust (Uromyces appendiculatus) and Common Bacterial Blight (CBB), which canlead to up to 100% crop loss (1). Some Jamaican landraces of the kidney bean show some level oftolerance to the pathovars of diseases (2). Landraces have proven to be a significant genepool in theimprovement of a crop.Phaseolus vulgaris landraces of Jamaica are divided into three groups based on traditional morphoagronomicmethods of characterization. Seeds of these landraces were collected from the majorbean growing parishes of the island in 1994 and continued over three successive growing seasons.The seeds were sorted into twenty-seven accessions divided among the three major groups and afourth unassigned group based on their seed morphology. The accessions were propagated initiallythrough single seed descent, followed by single pod bulking to produce seed stock of plants that aretrue breeding, and to evaluate the agronomic characteristics of each accession.The genetic relationship between the 27 accessions was done usingthe RAPD (Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA) PCR-based markersystem (3). Five primers were used in this screening process andproduced molecular markers sufficient to differentiate the majormorpho-agronomic groups. In addition genetic variation withinthe morpho-agronomic groups were revealed indicating that thegroups were not completely homogeneous.References1. Beecher, C.P. 1994. Genetic and Morpho-Agronomic Characterization of New Lines ofred Kidney Beans. MPhil. Thesis, UWI, Mona.98

2. Stavely, J.R., Steadman, J.R. 1992. An Overview of the Rust Problem and Potential forControl. BIC. 35: 7-8.3. Kang, F.Y., Allen, V. D., Pauls, K.P. 1993. Random amplified polymorphic DNA analysis.In Methods in Plant Molecular Biology and Biotechnology. CRC Press Inc.P-34 THE USE OF NURSERY PROTECTION AND PLANTGROWTH PROMOTING RHIZOBACTERIA TO REDUCEGEMINIVIRUS INFECTION IN TOMATO SEEDLINGSJodi Spence and Wayne McLaughlinDepartment of Basic Medical Sciences (Biochemistry) and The Biotechnology Centre, MonaTomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV) is the most devastating disease of tomato world-wide andcan result in 100% crop loss (1). Tomato yellow leaf curl virus is transmitted by the whiteflyBemisia tabaci. To reduce TYLCV infection caused by whiteflies on tomato seedlings theeffectiveness of eight nursery protection strategies were evaluated. Field trials were conducted overtwo planting seasons in 1997 and 1998 at the Bodles Agricultural Research Station, in St. Catherineand at CARDI (Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute) at Mona. Fourcommercial tomato varieties, Gem Star, Gem Pride, UC82 and Castle Rock were used. Gem Starand Gem Pride varieties were recently developed by Peto Seed Co. USA, and are claimed to beresistant to geminivirus, where as UC82 and Castle Rock are susceptible to geminivirus. Gem Star,Gem Pride and Castle Rock tomato varieties were evaluated at Bodles, while Gem Star, Gem Prideand UC 82 tomato varieties were evaluated at CARDI.Treatments were applied during a six-week nursery period after which leaf samples were taken and theseedlings transplanted. DNA extracted from the leaf samples was tested for the presence of the virus byDNA hybridisation with a TYLCV-specific intergenic DNA probe. The transplants were monitored in thefield for development of disease symptoms up until fruiting. Only one treatment, the use of the insecticidePegasus 500 (diafenthiuron) was shown to be effective in reducing TYLCV transmission by whiteflies inthe plants up to ten weeks old.There was also a significantly lower disease incidence in Gem Star and Gem Pride tomato varieties. GemPride tomato showed no disease symptoms up to the end of the experimental period, whereas, Gem Starshowed slight leaf curling 13 weeks after transplanting. Geminivirus DNA was detected in Gem Startomato variety but not in Gem Pride. These results suggest that Gem Star is a tolerant variety as symptomexpression was suppressed, whereas Gem Pride is a resistant variety because replication of the virus wasinhibited.Currently, several strains of plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) are being tested to evaluatetheir effectiveness to induce systemic resistance (ISR) to TYLCV and promoting the growth of tomatoseedlings.Reference(1) Czosnek, H. and Laterrot, H. 1997. A worldwide survey of tomato yellow leaf curlviruses. Arch. Virology 142: 1391-1406.99

P-35 CHARACTERISATION OF EXTRACELLULAR ENZYMES ANDEXOPOLYSACCHARIDES PRODUCED BY XANTHOMONASCAMPESTRIS PV PHASEOLI AND SOME STUDIES OF THEIR ROLEIN COMMON BLIGHT DISEASE IN BEANSEustace B. Smith and Wayne McLaughlinDepartment of Basic Medical Sciences (Biochemistry) and The Biotechnology Centre, MonaThe relationship between the intrinsic levels of the extracellular enzymes protease, amylase, phosphatases,and extracellular polysaccharides (EPS) in Xanthomonas campestris pv. phaseoli phaseoli (X. c. pv.phaseoli) strains and pathogenesis on three cultivars of Phaseolus vulgaris L. were examined. Ourresults showed that there was no correlation between disease symptom development (virulence) and highlevels of extracellular enzyme activity and EPS production in X. c. pv phaseoli strains.Protease and amylase from two pathogenic strains, X. c. pv. phaseoli strain V4S1 and X. c. pv. phaseolifuscans strain EK-11, and an epiphytic non pathogenic strain 395-86 were partially purified andcharacterised. Enzyme inhibitor studies indicated that proteolytic enzymes from the three X. c. pv.phaseoli strains were metalloenzymes, their different reactions to metal chelators indicated that theseenzymes were different. Proteolytic enzyme from strain V4S1 was a zinc metalloprotein and had a similarβ-casein digestion pattern with protease PRT3 from X. c. pv campestris (Dow et al. 1993). Amylolyticactivities from all three X. c. pv. phaseoli strains reacted differently to enzyme inhibitors indicating thatthey were different enzymes.HPLC of the starch digestion products along with the iodine blue value and reducing sugar curves indicatethat the amylase is an α- amylase. The temperature optimum for protease activity from X. c. pv. phaseolistrains V4S1, X. c. pv. phaseoli fuscans strain EK-11, and epiphytic strain 395-86 were 37 0 C, 37 0 C, and42 0 C, respectively. The optimum temperature for all three amylolytic activity was 42 0 C. The pHoptimum for proteolytic activity and amylolytic activities were pH 6.0 and pH 6.5, respectively.Chemical mutagenesis of X. c. pv. phaseoli strain V4S1 using NTG and EMS produced two types ofEPS - mutants, three Amȳ Prot - mutants (lacking both amylolytic and proteolytic activities) and one Amy++Prot ++ mutant (high levels of amylase and protease). One EPS - and all the Amȳ Prot - mutants wereavirulent. The second EPS - mutant and the Amy ++ Prot ++ mutants were virulent. The growth rates of X. c.pv. phaseoli V4S1 wild type and mutants were evaluated in broth culture and on the leaf surface. Thegrowth rates of the wild type and avirulent mutants were similar in broth culture, however the avirulentmutant failed to multiply on the leaf surface. Revertants of Amy - Prot - mutants produced reducedamounts of the amylase and protease enzymes and were avirulent indicating that both the type andquantity of extracellular enzymes could be important for pathogenicity. Similarly, the ability toeffectively colonise the leaf surface appears to be important in establishing pathogenicity.ReferenceDow, J. M., M. J. Fan, M. A. Newman and M. .J. Daniels. 1993. Differential expression of conservedprotease genes in crucifer-attacking pathovars of Xanthomonas campestris. Appl. Env. Microbiol. 59:3996-4003.100

P-36 IDENTIFICATION, DISTRIBUTION, ESTERASE AND 16SRRNA SEQUENCE POLYMORPHISMS OF WHITEFLIESIN JAMAICAS. Brown, I. Torrez Jerez 1 , W. McLaughlin, and J. K. Brown 1Department of Basic Medical Sciences (Biochemistry) and The Biotechnology Centre, Mona;1Department of Plant Sciences, University of ArizonaNon specific esterases were used to differentiate four whitefly species and also confirm the presenceof the B-biotype of Bemisia tabaci in Jamaica. Esterase banding patterns were analysed by nativepolyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE). Banding patterns of over two hundred and sixteen B.tabaci adults from 27 populations in Jamaica matched the B-type esterase banding pattern producedby the B-biotype standard from Arizona. Banding patterns representative of two non-B biotypes ofB. tabaci were also identified. Eighty-six percent (86%) of the plants that were sampled in Jamaicawere hosts of the B-biotype of B. tabaci. Select whitefly populations that were typed as B and non-B biotypes were subjected to molecular analysis of a fragment of the 16S rRNA gene as well as thecytochrome oxidase II protein coding gene. Maximum parsimony analysis of the sequences obtainedfrom CV3-CV4 region of the 16S gene indicated that the B-biotype of B. tabaci found in Jamaica isof Old World Origin and the non-B biotypes are of New World origin. Geminivirus was confirmedonly in the B-biotype of B. tabaci.P-37 GENETIC DIVERSITY IN DASHEENS (COLOCASIA SP.) ANDCOCOYAMS (XANTHOSOMA SP.) GROWN IN JAMAICABrown, V. M. D.; Asemota, H. N.; Thangavelu*, M. and Mantel*, S. H.Department of Basic Medical Sciences (Biochemistry) and The Biotechnology Centre, Mona;*Wye College, University of LondonTropical tuber crops such as Alocasia sp., dasheen (Colocasia sp.) and cocoyam (Xanthosoma sp.)are important sources of dietary starch. Approximately 57 million tons of cocoyam and 40 milliontons of dasheen were produced in 1995 (FAO, 1995). Although there is an increase in the quantityof dasheen and cocoyam produced, very little is known about the taxonomic groupings within thespecies and sub-species levels and even less about the cultivated varieties for these two plants.Using 17 accessions of cocoyam and 18 accessions of dasheen collected randomly from 14 farms in8 parishes of Jamaica, PCR-based analyses were carried out to assess the genetic diversity withinand between species of Colocasia and Xanthosoma, and to develop markers linked to importanttraits, useful for the assessment and control of bacterial infections. RAPD analyses using selectedrandom 10-mer primers and the 3’-anchored microsatellite primer, -(CA) 8RY-, revealed groups ofaccessions that shared a similar and highly diverged amplification profiles in the collection ofsamples used. PCR-based analyses of mitochondrial sequence using NAD 4.2 - NAD 4.3 and rps14- COB and chloroplast sequence using trnL 03 - trnL 04 and trnR 01 - trnQ 01 revealedpolymorphism within plastid and mitochondrial genomes of Xanthosoma sp. and Colocasia sp. Theabsence of a NAD 4.2 - NAD 4.3 amplified fragment for Colocasia sp. indicates that it can be usedto differentiate between species of Xanthosoma and Colocasia. Restriction analysis of amplifiedfragments provides evidence that at least 2 accessions of Xanthosoma sp. and Colocasia sp. possess2 trnL sequences. This is unusual because plants only possess a single trnL sequence. Analysisalso revealed that there are at least 4 species of Xanthosoma and 2 species of Colocasia in Jamaica.101

Xanthosoma violaeceae and Colocasia esculenta were among the species identified. There is alsoextensive varietal diversity within both species. There are at least 4 groupings or varieties ofXanthosoma violaeceae and 3 varieties of Colocasia esculenta. These results suggest that by usingone or more of these tools it should be possible to group accessions which have not previously beencharacterised and classified. These observations are significant in the use of nucleic acids basedprocedures for germplasm collection, characterisation and management, the detection of viralpathogens in plants and the development of a comprehensive strategy for sustainable improvement ofthese crops.P-38 MOLECULAR ANALYSES OF BACTERIALPATHOGENICITY IN DASHEEN (COLOCASIA SP.) ANDCOCOYAM (XANTHOSOMA SP.) IN JAMAICABrown, V. M. D.; Asemota, H. N.; Mansfield*, J; Stevens*, C. A. and Mantel*, S. H.Department of Basic Medical Sciences (Biochemistry) and The Biotechnology Centre, Mona;*Wye College, University of LondonDasheen (Colocasia sp.) and cocoyam (Xanthosoma sp.) are economically important tropical tubercrops widely grown in many rural areas in Jamaica, essentially by traditional production methods.These methods are problematic and associated with the transfer of pathogens from generation togeneration. These pathogens are effective in areas of high rainfall and average temperatures of 20 -30 o C and can result in a 20 - 100% reduction in crop yield. In this study, samples of dasheen andcocoyams from different parishes in Jamaica were screened for bacterial pathogens with a view tounderstanding the molecular basis of their pathogenesis for the purpose of engineering resistance.Pathogens identified included: Erwinia chrysanthemi pv. dieffenbachiae, Xanthomonas campestrispv. dieffenbachiae, Psuedomonas syringae and a Non-fluorescent Psuedomonads. The effects ofX. campestris pv. Dieffenbiache, the causal agent of Common Leaf Blight on greenhouse growndasheen and cocoyam plants were further investigated at the molecular and physiological levels.Yellow spots that develop into water-soaked lesions appeared on the leaves. The lesions spread andcoalesced to form extended chlorotic regions which frequently degenerated into holes on older leavesresulting in considerable dieback of the leaves. PCR analyses of the bacterial DNA revealed that itcontained sequences from the hrpB6, hrpC - hrpD and ORF1 - ORF2 of a pathogenicity gene of X.campestris pv. glycines. The hrp cluster of the gene is usually responsible for phytopathogenicinfection of X. campestris. These genes are conserved within the genus (Todd et. al. 1990) and theirsequences were found to be homologous to similar hrp gene sequences from other Xanthomonas sp.These genes are likely to be specific, they represent basic compatibility genes (Ellingboe, 1976,1982) and may be required for the disease symptom expression once the initial recognition eventshave occured.ReferencesEllingboe A. H. (1976). Genetics of host parasite interactions. In Encyclopaedia of PlantPhysiology, Vol 4: Physiological Plant Pathology (Ed by R. Heitefuss & P. H. Williams) pp761 - 778, Springer-Verlag, Berlin and New York.Ellingboe A. H. (1982). Genetic aspects of active defense. In: Wood RKS (ed.) Active defensemechanisms of plants. Plenum, New York, pp. 199 - 192.102

Todd G. A., Daniels M. J. and Callow J. A. (1990). Xanthomonas campestris pv. oryzae has DNAsequences containing genes isofunctional with Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris genesrequired for pathogenicity. Physiol. And Mol. Plant Path. 36: 73 - 87.P-39 SECTIONAL INFLUENCE OF YAM (DIOSCOREACAYENENSIS) TUBERS USED FOR MINISETT ON SOMEBIOCHEMICAL PARAMETERS OF RESULTANT TUBERSAndrew O. Wheatley, Ose A. Iyare, Damian M. Glasgow, Helen N. Asemota,Phillip B. Grindley and Mohammed H. AhmadDepartment of Basic Medical Sciences (Biochemistry) and The Biotechnology Centre, MonaThe traditional method of producing yams is the planting of tuber pieces or minisetts. The yamtuber is known to vary in some biochemical parameters along the length of the tuber and this mayhave implication if this method is used for producing yams. The effect of the section of yam tuberfrom which minisetts are derived on some biochemical properties and nutrient content of theresulting harvested tubers was studied for round leaf yellow yam and black wiss yellow yam (D.cayenensis).The activities of some physiologically important enzymes such as polyphenol oxidase, invertase,peroxidase and acid phosphatase were found to be generally highest in tubers grown from middlederived minisetts. For polyphenol oxidase, middle derived tubers had the highest activity, followedby the tail derived tubers while the head minisett derived tubers had the least level of activity forboth the round leaf and black wiss yellow yam cultivars.The same trend was observed for peroxidase in the round leaf yellow yam, for black wiss the middlederived tuber had the highest activity, followed by tubers derived from the head with tubers from thetail region having the lowest enzyme activity. Invertase activity was highest for tubers derived frommiddle derived minisett, followed by tubers derived from the head with those derived from the tailshowing the least enzyme activity for both cultivars. For acid phosphatase the highest enzymeactivity was obtained from tubers derived from the middle minisett, followed by head derived tuberswhile the tail minisett derived tubers had the least level of activity for both cultivars.Highest starch content was found in tubers derived from middle section minisetts, followed by thetail minisett derived tubers while the head derived tubers had the least level of starch. On the otherhand, total free sugar content was found to be highest in tubers derived from head minisetts,followed by tail tubers while middle tubers had the least.103

P-40 BIOCHEMICAL CHANGES ASSOCIATED WITH THE CELLWALL OF YAM (DIOSCOREA CAYENENSIS) TUBERS DURINGSHORT-TERM STORAGEKathleen Lobban, Andrew Wheatley and Helen AsemotaDepartment of Basic Medical Sciences (Biochemistry), MonaFreshly harvested mature cut yam tubers of D. cayenensis cv. Round Leaf Yellow Yam were storedon indoor shelves in a dark room at the Biotechnology Centre for seven weeks under ambientcondition. The cell wall enzymes, polygalacturonase, pectin methyl esterase and cellulase weremonitored using standard procedures at weekly intervals during this short-term storage of the yamtubers. After seven weeks the tubers began to rot. Significant differences were assigned using theDuncan's multiple range test. Increases in pectin methyl esterase were observed up to the third weekof storage, after which enzyme activity decreased towards the end of the storage period.Polygalacturonase activity remained basically constant up to the fourth week, after which theactivity increased drastically by the fifth week. This increase in PG activity continued for theremaining period of the study. Cellulase activity also increased throughout the storage period.The trends observed in the activity of the cell wall enzymes reflect the dynamic biochemistry involvein the cell wall of the cut tubers during storage. Cutting of the yam tubers at harvest predisposes thetubers to active cell wall degrading enzymes which contribute to early spoilage.P-41 CELL WALL DEGRADING ENZYMES IN IN-VITRODERIVED PLANTLETS OF ROUND-LEAF YELLOW YAM(DIOSCOREA CAYENENSIS) INFECTED WITHXANTHOMONAS CAMPESTRISKnight, O. S., Hamilton, M. A. E., Omoruyi, F. O., Asemota, H. N.Department of Basic Medical Sciences (Biochemistry), MonaExtracts of shoots and roots from in-vitro derived plantlets of Round-leaf yellow yam (Dioscoreacayenensis) infected with Xanthomonas campestris were assayed for the activities of the cell walldegrading enzymes cellulase, polygalacturonase and pectin methyl esterase. The activities of thethree enzymes increased in the shoots of the infected plantlets. A similar trend was observed in theroots. However, the activities in the roots increased in excess of ten times that of the level in theshoots.These results suggest that Xanthomonas campestris can infect Round–leaf yellow yam and that itmay be one of the factors mitigating against increased yam production in Jamaica.104

P-42 QUANTIFICATION AND IDENTIFICATION OF THECYANOGLUCOSIDES IN ECONOMICALLY IMPORTANT YAMVARIETIESMullings, Keith A; Asemota, Helen N. and Morrison, Errol E.Y. St A.Department of Basic Medical Sciences (Biochemistry), MonaThere are over 600 species of Dioscorea of which some 50 are eaten worldwide. World production isestimated at some 20 million tonnes annually. In tropical and subtropical countries such as West and EastAfrica, the Caribbean, South America, India, and South East Asia, yam tubers constitute an economicallyimportant food crop. In some of these countries yam constitute an important part of the daily staple,serving as an ideal source of calories and contributing vitamins and minerals vital to health (FAO, 1968).Antinutritional components are however also a part of the total composition, one class among these beingthe cyanoglucosides. This study centers on the extraction, quantification and identification of thecyanoglucosides in economically important yam varieties.High Performance Liquid Chromatography Studies on purified extracts of cyanoglucosides in differentvarieties of four Dioscorea species namely: D alata, D cayenensis, D. esculenta and D. rotundata, haveconfirmed linamarin as the main cyanoglucoside in yams. Among the twelve cultivars studied, linamarinlevels varied from 165.7 ± 17.5 ppm for D. rotundata cv . lucea to 573.7 ± 193.6 ppm for D. cayenensiscv. roundleaf. This result could be of relevance in appropriate selectivity in the promotion of desirablecultivars of yam for the Food and Health Industries, since cyanide from Linamarin, apart from interferingwith oxidative processes of metabolism, also by free radical mechanism reactions produces pancreaticdamage, and is therefore thought to be a factor in malnutrition related diabetes. This effect is most likelywhen there is ingestion of cyanide containing food, coupled with low protein intake. There is a definitecoincidence of malnutrition related diabetes and the consumption of staples containing cyanide yieldingsubstances. Against this background, cultivars with low enough levels of cyanoglucoside shall befavoured, since there are safe limits for cyanide ingestioṅP-43 FRACTIONATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OFANAEROBIC SLUDGE TO BE USED IN THE TREATMENT OFINDUSTRIAL WASTEWATER AND PRODUCTION OF BIOGASEbanks, W. O. 1 , Hamilton, M. A. E. 1 and Riley, D. 21 Department of Basic Medical Sciences (Biochemistry Section),Mona;2 Scientific Research Council of JamaicaFractionation of sludge in an Upflow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket (UASB) pilot plant by graduallyincreasing the rate of influent to the plant was investigated. Fractions were collected on the basis ofthe upflow velocity at which they were washed out of the plant using influent velocities of 0.4, 0.8,1.8 and 1.9 m/h. A composite sample of the remaining plant contents was collected and BiochemicalMethane Potential tests were conducted on each set of fractions. The fractions collected at 1.8 m/hshowed the highest activity with an optimum sludge loading between 0.13 – 0.26g Chemical OxygenDemand (COD)/ g Mixed Liquor Volatile Suspended Solids (MLVSS) and this is indicative ofmaximum gas production with minimal sludge washout. These results indicate that sludgefractionated and used in small UASB plants may result in improved activity and characteristicsleading to greater efficiency of gas production and wastewater treatment.105

P-44 EFFICACY OF PETRIFILM METHODS FOR THEENUMERATION OF COLIFORMS AND TOTAL AEROBESIN SELECTED DAIRY PRODUCTSDawkins, G. S. 1 , Hamilton, M. A. E. 1 , Hollingsworth, J. 21 Department of Basic Medical Sciences (Biochemistry Section),Mona;2 Jamaica Bureau of Standards.Enumeration of total aerobes was conducted on three types of dairy products; powdered milk,pasteurised liquid milk and ice cream, while comparing the standard milk agar poured plate methodwith the 3M petrifilm aerobic count plate method. Data from the three types of samples, analysedboth individually and collectively, showed good correlation between both methods, with correlationcoefficients of ∃0.998. Significant differences were not obtained for the mean log10 cfu / g at P

P-46 A STUDY OF VIBRIO SPECIES IN RECREATIONALWATERS, SHELL FISHES, AND SHELL FISH FARM AREAS BYTRADITIONAL CULTURE METHOD AND PCRPaul Mears, Larry L. Daniels, and M. H. AhmadThe Biotechnology Centre, MonaWater samples from tourist resort areas and oyster farm sites were taken and tested for the presenceof Vibrios. Additionally, Vibrios were isolated from oysters, fresh water and marine fishes. Whilethe non-pathogen Vibrio vulnificus was the most prevalent species, we were able to recover Vibrioparahaemolyticus from some oyster and fish samples. PCR analysis of the DNA from the isolatedVibrio species indicates the potential of this method for typing. DNA-based methods were also ableto detect the presence of Vibrios in water samples when traditional culture methods failed.P-47 CLV - A DEFENSIVE FACTOR FROM THE SECRETORYTRICHOMES OF CLEOME VISCOSA WITHINSECTICIDAL ACTIVITYLawrence A. D. Williams 1 , Walton A. Reid 2 , and Roy Porter 1Department of Chemistry 1 and Electron Microscope Unit 2 , MonaThe phenomenon of plant resistance to insect attack is governed largely by the plants chemicalfactors (Kubo and Hanke, 1988). These chemicals are fundamental in understanding theevolutionary and ecological processes of the insect-plant interaction, but there are practicalapplication of these molecules. For example, several of these compounds are of significanteconomic importance in the management of pests as, insecticides, allomones, growth regulators etc(Shrama, 1982).In our on going exploration of West Indian plants for medicinal and agrochemical compounds wehave decided to explore the surface compounds of Cleome viscosa L (Capparaceae) for insecticidalactivity for the following reasons: the leaves and stems of C. viscosa are not eaten by herbivores inthe wild and it secretes a waxy/offensive chemical mixture from its trichomes. This mixture iscapable of trapping a wide range of insects from the hymenopteran, dermopteran, coleopteran andhemipteran orders on the leaves and stems of the plant.Scanning electron microscopy studies of the stems and leaves ofC. viscosa revealed threemorphologically distinct groups of trichomes 1. beaded spheres, 2. Columnar spheres and 3Cylinders.Hexane extraction of the wax from the leaves and stems of C. viscosa followed by separationchemistry lead to the isolation of a major compound which was termed “CLV”. This compound wasevaluated for insecticidal activity against Cylas formicarius Summer (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)one of the most destructive pests of the sweet potato, Ipomoea spp (Sorensen, 1987).107

The compound demonstrated a toxicity pattern similar to that of “unformulated naturally occurringpyrethroids” i.e. CLV induced 50 % and 80 % knock down activity of the test insects at 40 and 80ug/insect, respectively at 24 hrs. However, only 10 % and 30.0 % mortality was recorded for theabove mentioned doses after 48 hrs; thus 40 % and 50 % of the test insect recovered from the toxin.The controls had 0.0 % knock down at 24 hr and 5.0 % mortality at 48 hr (N= 30 insects in tworeplicates of 15 at each dose level). The study also revealed that piperonyl butoxide (PB), a knowninhibitor of the mixed function oxidases enzyme complex and pepper mint Mentha ( spp.) oleoresinat 0.05% (v/v) in acetone enhanced the toxicity of CLV. Thus, the 48 hr Lc50 (concentration ofCLV in each carrier required for killing 50 % of the test insects) values obtained in PB andpeppermint oleoresin were 40.0 ug/insect and 35.6 ug/insect, respectively. The equivalent volumesof 0.05 % PB and peppermint oleoresin in acetone (positive controls) inflicted 0.0 % and 10.0 %mortality at 48 hrs, respectively.These studies revealed that CLV has a typical pyrethroid knock down action against adult C.formicarius. However, formulating the compound in piperonyl butoxide and pepper mint oleoresinenhanced the insecticidal action of the molecule.ReferencesBowers, W. S. (1998). Phytochemical resources for plant protection. In Recent Advances in theChemistry of Insect Control. N. F. James (ed.) Henry Ling Ltd, Dorset, pp. 272-91.Kubo, I and Hanke, J. F. (1988). Chemical methods for isolating and identifying phytochemicalsbiologically active in insects. In Insect-Plant Interactions J. R. Miller and T. A. Miller (eds.)Springer-Verlag, New York. pp. 225-249.Sharma, R. N. (1982). Development and utilization of plant products for insect control- Acomprehensive approach. In Cultivation and utilization of medicinal plants. C. K. Ataland B. M. Kapur (eds.) pp. 659-668.Sorensen, K. A. (1987). Cultural, regulational and educational programmes on the sweet potatoweevil in the United States. Insect Sci. Applic. 8: 825-30.P-48 THE BOTANY AND DOMESTICATION POTENTIAL OFCIONOSICYOS POMIFORMIS GRISEB (“DUPPY PUMPKIN”)Patrick A.Lewis, K R.. Vaidya, H. Jacobs* & L.A.D. Williams*Departments of Life Sciences and *Chemistry, MonaCionosicyos pomiformis is a fairly commom climber in the moist forests of Jamaica. Adams in his“Flowering Plants of Jamaica” (1972) listed it as endemic. There is a “similar” plant which growsin Cuba, but it is not very common, the last Cuban collection having been done in the 1950’s. Theseeds are rich in oil (12%) which may have use as a cooking oil or as a Cosmetic oil.This prelimonary work documents what is known botanically about Cionosicyos pomiforms so far, looksat the potential uses of the plant.Including the oily seeds and looks at the action of the methanol extractoncattle ticks and sweet potato weevil.108

P-49 INDOOR LEVELS OF NO2 MEASURED USINGPASSIVE MONITORSRaywattie Singh and Willard R. PinnockDepartment of Chemistry, MonaMeasurements of indoor and outdoor levels of NO2 have been made at ten selected sites in an effortto investigate the possibility that indoor sources may present a greater threat to health than outdoorsources, as has been observed elsewhere 1 . Measurements were made using passive monitors, whichhave been used in an earlier study 2 and have been shown to provide reliable measurements ofambient NO2 levels quite inexpensively.Results of the measurements show outdoor levels to be typically in the region of about 10 to 30 µgm -3at these sites, with the indoor levels of NO2 to be on average about 1.2 to 2 times thecorresponding outdoor value where there are no identifiable indoor sources. However in kitchenswhere gas cookers or gas water heaters are installed, the levels are much greater than outdoors. Attwo such sites the levels observed are consistently greater than the 100 µg m -3 limit suggested forambient air by the National Resources Conservation Authority in its Air Quality Standards3 .These results suggest that unacceptably high levels of NO2 can in fact occur indoors, even inclimates such as ours where the ventilation of houses is generally assumed to be significantly betterthan in temperate climates. The levels observed suggest also that the increasing use of gas cookers inpoorly ventilated kitchens may well be one of the factors contributing to the increased incidence ofrespiratory illness said to be observed by local Medical personnel.Plans are being formulated to extend the survey to include a larger number of houses and to coverthe variety of fuels used for cooking locally.References1. Building Research Establishment (1996) Indoor Air Quality in Homes: The BuildingResearch Establishment Indoor Environment Study. In BRE Reports 299-300. CRC Ltd.London3. Pinnock, Willard R; Singh, Raywattie; (1997) Use of PassiveMonitors to Measure Atmospheric Nitrogen Dioxide Levels.Jamaican Journal of Science and Technology 7-8:13 – 21.3. Natural Resources Conservation Authority (1995). Ambient Air Quality Standards.Jamaica.109

P-50 QUALITATIVE ANALYSES OF CARIBBEAN RUMSBY GC/MS TECHNIQUESS. KulikovDepartment of Biological and Chemical Sciences, Cave HillSeries of rums produced in Barbados, Jamaica, Trinidad, Puerto-Rico and Bahamas were analyzedqualitatively by GC/MS. Besides ethanol and water which are the main components of any rum a lotof organic compounds containing in very low concentrations can be found in rum. Such compoundsas ethers give rums a specific, sometimes unique taste and odor. On the other hand, compounds suchas methanol, alcohols C3, C4 and higher, acetone, acetaldehyde, ehtylenglicol, glycerol and someethers can be unhealthy or even dangerous if contained in relatively high concentrations. For theanalysis GC/MS Fison 8000 with fused silica capillary column SPB-608, 30m, 0.25 mm ID,0.25? m film thickness was used. Temperature program - 6 0 C for 5 min, 5 o /min till 100 0 C, 10 minat 100 0 C, split/splitless injection, 70 eV, He as a carrier gas. Samples were analyzed as received,without internal standard, 1? l probe. This preliminary qualitative assessment of about 15 differentrums has shown very different quality even for the products of the same manufacturer. Generally,over proofed rums (with alcohol concentration more than 80 % vol.) contain much more impuritiescompared with rums with 40-43% vol. of alcohol. Significant concentrations of the impurities suchas butanols and pentanols, ethyl ester of pentanoic and hexanoic acids, butyl- and pentyl- acetates,propanetriol, naming only a few, were identified in over proofed rums. Rums with alcoholconcentration of about 40% vol. contain usually only isomers of butanol and pentanol in more orless significant concentrations. Some of them did not contain any of impurities at all. For the sametrade name of rum, quality depends upon whether it is stored in plastic or glass bottle. Concentrationof impurities were significantly lower for the plastic containers, probably because of absorption ofthem by plastic.P-51 MAGNETOCARDIOPATHY USING A SUPERCONDUCTINGQUANTUM INTERFERENCE DEVICE: PRELIMINARYASSESSMENT OF CARDIAC PATIENTS INTRINIDAD AND TOBAGORamadhar Singh R 1 , Saunders R 1 , Rassi D 2 , Thomas C 3 , Addae, J 3 and Posthoff C 4Departments of 1 Physics, 3 Medicine and 4 Mathematics and Computer Science, St Augustine;2Swansea College, University of WalesSuperconduction Quantum Interference Devices (SQUIDs) greatly improve the extent to whichbiomagnetic fields can be studied. Analyses of these biomagnetic fields, specifically those whichemanate from the heart, can be of significant diagnostic value. Using a second order SQUIDgradiometer, magnetic components perpendicular to the frontal plane (normal component) of thethorax were recorded at thirty six equally spaced points of a 6 x 6 grid located above the region ofthe heart. The results were analyses using BIOMAG software. Averaging of the signals was doneby sampling sixteen low noise epochs. Isomagnetic maps were then constructed by interpolating allthirty six signals. It is expected that cardiac conduction pathways would also affect the associatedmagnetic fields.110

Qualitative assessment of these signals and maps could lead to more extensive clinical informationfor diagnosis and treatment than that which the current diagnostic tools can provide. The patientsfor this study were from The Heart Care Clinic and the Department of Nuclear Medicine at the Mt.Hope Hospital in Trinidad. This preliminary study presents cases of patients with myocardialinfarction, WPW syndrome and left bundle branch block, compared with a normal (no cardiacdisease) subject. The results show marked differences in the magnetic dipoles of the heart for theabnormal cases. This information can be used to evaluate conduction pathways in the heart andlocate the site of infarcts or non-conductive regions of the heart.P-52 CALIBRATION FACTORS FOR I-131 mIBG RADIONUCLIDETHERAPYMukesh Samlal, +Sarah Chittenden, +Glenn Flux, +Maggie FlowerDepartment of Physics, St. Augustine;+Joint Department of Physics, The Royal Marsden National Health Service Trust, England.Neuroblastoma is a rare childhood cancer with a poor long term prognosis. The Royal MarsdenNational Health Service Trust specialises in treating this disease with 131I metaiodobenzylguanidine(mIBG), where the maximum permitted dose is usually limited by bone marrow toxicity. Prior totreating the cancer, therefore, an administration of 123I mIBG is given to determine the wholebodydose resulting from a given activity and for diagnostic purposes. The MIRD method is used toquantify the absorbed dose to a tumour which requires the cumulated activity to be obtained frompatient scans. For this, counts are converted to activity using calibration factors derived fromphantoms.Calibration factors covering a large range of typical clinical situations were obtained. Two groupsof calibration phantoms (sources) were investigated:1) sources where the diameter and length were the same2) sources where the length was equal to 10 cmFor each source, two calibration factors were calculated:1) The Maximum Voxel Count Calibration Factor2) The Total Volume Count Calibration FactorThe results were displayed graphically to enable easy interpolation of calibration factors. Graphicalfunctions were obtained that provided a best fit to the data, so that the results could be incorporatedinto the dosimetry software, which is being developed at the hospital. For each group of calibrationphantoms, it was noted that for the smaller source sizes, there was a rapid increase in the calibrationfactors with increasing size, although, as the sizes (volumes) increased, the calibration factors variedless rapidly.Overall, similar trends were observed for both I-123 and I-131 studies. It was noted that thecalibration factors obtained for the I-123 sources were always higher than the calibration factorsobtained for the relative I-131 sources. Also, a general observation was that for any source theMVCCF was always greater than the TVCCF.111

P-53 TEMPERATURE AND HEAT REMOTE CONTROL INPOULTRY BY WIRELESS AUTOMATION.Lucien NgalamouDepartment of Physics, MonaAnalysis of the mortality profile of chickens' growth in the Caribbean region reveals an abnormalrate during the first two weeks (2 to 3 %) comparing to the normal rate of 1.25% -1.5%.The first two weeks correspond to the brooding period where baby chickens have to adjust to theenvironmental temperature. They must be held at a temperature of 90o F for the first week with asubsequent decrease of 5o F every week. The first two weeks are very critical for the finalperformances (body weight, feed consumption and feed conversion) at 42-45 days.The actual brooding techniques used by the majority of companies in the Caribbean need manualadjustment of brooders (gas brooder or electric brooder) from farm to farm. There are few caseswhere thermostats are being used. As result, baby chickens are either overheated or chilled, which isa damage for the productivity. Actual house temperatures are recorded using temperature recorder,but they do not allow any instantaneous adjustment, or automatic correction. In order to improvethe production and the quality of the chickens, we present an electronic system for automatic controlof temperature and heat.The electronic system is designed as a network having a central unit (computer), connected to the differentcontrol units available in each poultry by wireless techniques. In real time we can have information aboutthe temperature and the energy. The control unit is designed to measure the temperature within anadjustable sampling period. It regulates the amount of energy (heat) available in the poultry, and is able tocommunicate with the central unit.P-54 THE RHEOLOGICAL PROPERTIES AND SLIP CASTINGPOTENTIAL OF SOME TRINIDADIAN CLAYSD. A. P. Robertson and J. C. KnightDepartment of Physics, St. AugustineDue to economic realities, the past decade has shown renewed interest in the use of clay-basedindustrial products in developing countries. However, in terms of chemical, mineralogical andphysical character, no two clay deposits are ever identical. Further, in any given deposit, thevariability can be considerable. Consequently quality assurance, through standardization ofproduction cycles, necessitates a sound knowledge of the variability factors in order to formulate forhigh and consistent quality. This is particularly critical in processes involving aqueous suspensions,where the end product is highly sensitive to intrinsic and processing variables such as impuritycontent, cation exchange capacity, viscosity, thixotropy, and specific gravity. In this respect,Caribbean clays have not been properly and systematically researched. This in part, accounts for theunder-exploitation of regional clays, particularly for fine-finished products. Thus, starting withsamples from various deposits in Trinidad, a study aimed at elucidating the rheological potential ofregional raw materials (such as clays, silica sands, and volcanic ash) is underway.112

P-55 TRINIDAD CLAYS AS A POTENTIAL COMPONENT IN CLAY-GRAPHITE REFRACTORIESR. Ramgoolam, J.C. Knight and Ramsey SaundersDepartment of Physics, St. AugustineTrinidad clays are currently used in the manufacture of structural clay blocks, tiles and potterywithout consideration of their possible use in the production of technical ceramics. As part of awider study focussed on the development of commercial refractory products from Caribbeanregional raw materials, the suitability of certain Trinidad clays as a component in clay-graphitesystems is under investigation. Clay-graphite refractories have many uses in the metal meltingindustry. In steel-making mini-mills the normal operating temperature is &#61566;900ºC, it istherefore necessary that the refractory materials used maintain their refractoriness at thistemperature. Clays have inherent good strength when fired, with the inclusion of graphite in suchrefractories to provide the conducting element for heat transfer.This paper addresses some of the formulation parameters of possible refractory products with theLongdenville clay of central Trinidad as a major constituent. The emphasized processing variablesare body composition and firing temperature. In the temperature range 800–1100ºC preliminaryresults show that for any given graphite content in the range 20-40% optimum mechanical propertiesoccurred at 900ºC, where the graphite oxidation is least (14%). Thus, this clay-graphite systemoffers the possibility of a lower production cost since satisfactory mechanical properties are attainedat a relatively low firing temperature. Further, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) indicatesadvanced vitrification of the clay with highest porosity confined to superficial regions.P-56 TESTING OF BONDING SYSTEMS FOR DENTALMATERIALSH. Baksh, R. Whiting, A. Campbell-Richardson+Department of Physics, St Augustine;+School of Dentistry, Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex, Mt. Hope.In conservative dentistry, due to the introduction of new adhesive formulations, there is currentinterest in the bonding of fresh restorative materials to old restorations. At present, there is a wideselection of the adhesives available and so there is a great need for in vitro laboratory evaluation ofpotential adhesive systems prior to their clinical application.In this study, several bonding systems were investigated using two test methods, a non-destructivevibrational test, and a destructive shear test. The vibrational testing involves the flexural resonanceof a three-layer cantilever beam and indicates the elastic and damping properties of each layer,which can then be related to surface defects, aging, etc. The shear test employed is superior toprevious methods because of the symmetric arrangement of the loading forces about the bondedarea. It determines the true shear strength of the adhesive joint. Tests were carried out using twoamalgam-bonding resin cements and three substrates, a traditional high copper amalgam, a galliumbasedalloy and a composite resin.The results showed the effectiveness of the bonding systems employed and indicated that the testingmethods selected were appropriate for such systems.113

P-57 THE ELECTRODYNAMICS OF A JOSEPHSON JUNCTIONIN A CAVITYAndrea Joseph, Roger Andrews and Robin WhitingDepartment of Physics, St. AugustineThe radioactive properties of a biased Josephson junction in a Fabry-Pert resonator are investigated.Solutions to Maxwell’s equations for transverse magnetic (T.M.) and transverse electric (T.E.)modes are provided, and their properties described in terms of controllable physical parameters ofthe system. Possible device applications are also discussed.P-58 PROGRAMMABLE STATE MACHINEJoseph SkoblaDepartment of Physics, MonaTypical N bit sequential machine is designed as a combination of the digital circuits - gates and flipflops.This circuit is operating as a synchronous circuit with a common clock signal. As acharacteristic describing operation is either a state diagram, a state table or the timing diagram. Anyclassic sequential state machine is hardware specific and usually the design is a fixed sequence ofthe output signals Q0,Q1, ..QN. The circuit changes the output state with a rising or a trailing edge ofthe clock signal, where the timing period of the outputs is derived from the period of the clocksignal.This article is describing a MCU - 8 bit microcontroller operating as a 32 bit programmablesequential machine having 32 output control signals, shown in Fig.1. The state table in Fig.1 issimplified showing only first 3 states. An example of this machine is the design using MotorolaMC68HC11 8 bit micorocontroller and 32 bit output interface circuit.P-59 USE OF MINIMAL SPANNING TREE STATISTICS FORIDENTIFICATION OF VOIDSShirin Haque-Copilah and Anthony AchongDepartment of Physics, St. AugustineVoids are regions in space that are significantly underdense in the galaxy population from anexpected count. In general, a void tends to be spherical and may contain about 10% the amount ofgalaxies from a regular distribution. Visual cues are not adequate in astronomy to identifystructures, especially in three dimensional surveys where there may be contamination fromforeground and background objects. In light of this, it has been found that the Minimal SpanningTree (MST) statistic can actually be used to confirm the presence of voids. The MST statistic relieson nearest- neighbour algorithm to identify linear structures and in particular filaments in galaxydistribution. Two further reducing procedures known as separation and pruning (where extraneousbranches are removed) are done on the samples to delineate the structures.114

The procedure was applied to the Pisces-Perseus sample containing originally 7223 galaxies butreduced to 4501 galaxies for the complete working sample, limited to apparent magnitude 15.7 andheliocentric velocities of 15000 km/s. Subsamples representing the most conspicuous galaxies (thebrightest and largest ones) and those representing the least conspicuous galaxies (the faintest andsmallest ones) were also tested. Apart from identifying filamentary structure in the samples, andfurther highlighting the well-known supercluster in this region of the sky, it was noted that severalwell known voids were also delineated. As such we conclude, having used Pisces-Perseus as atesting ground, that MST’s can be used to identify voids as well in a distribution of galaxies and notonly linear features.P-60 WIND GENERATED ELECTRICITY AT MUNROA.M.D.Amarakoon and A.A.ChenDepartment of Physics, MonaA lot of emphasis has been placed by the government of Jamaica in the recent times on thedevelopment of alternative energy resources, including solar and wind energy. A realisation in thisdirection was the commissioning of the 225 kW wind turbine(Vestas 27-225) at Munro, St.Elizabethin 1996. This was a follow up of the work of Chen et.al.(1990) on the potential of wind power inJamaica, which included Munro area.This presentation sumarises the preliminary results of the analysis carried out on the performance ofthe wind turbine using data collected over a period of approximately one year starting from July,1996. For the period of July, 1996 to July, 1997, the results show that :(i) The monthly average wind speed at a height of 30m at Munro is greater than 5.5 m/s,exceptin the winter month of December (about 4.7 m/s).The summer month of June records thehighest average speed of 9.6 m/s;(ii) The availability factor and the capacity factor of the turbine are estimated to be 97.5%percent and 34.4 %, respectively;(iii) The expected electrical energy from the turbine is 626.4 MWh;(iv) The estimated cost of generation of electricity is J$ 3.51 per kWh.AcknowledgementsThe authors wish to thank the Environmental Foundation of Jamaica (EFJ) for financial assistancethroughout the project. Special thanks are due to Mr. N.Thomas of the Department of Physics,Mona for his assistance at various stages of this project including data collection.ReferencesChen , A.A., Daniel, A.R., Daniel, S.T. and Gray, C.R. (1990). Wind Power in Jamaica.Solar energy 44(6):355-365.USAID/OLADE (1996). Notes from the Renewable Energy Project Development Workshop;Oct.14-18 (1996. Kingston, Jamaica.WinSite; User’s Guide to Wind Data Presentation for Windows. Second Wind Inc., Somerville,Massachusetts, USA.115

P-61 ON ASYMPTOTIC STABILITY OF NONLINEAR STOCHASTICDIFFERENCE EQUATION WITH FINITE DELAY IN MAIN TERMRodkina A and *Goncharov M.Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, Mona;*Voronezh State Academy of Construction and Architecture, RussiaStochastic equations appear in numerous technical problems (see, for example [1]. To describe theprocesses functional-differential Ito equations (see [2]) as well as stochastic difference equations ofVolterra type have been used. The main tools for obtaining the asymptotic stability results areLyapunov-Krasovkii functionals method and some approaches from the theory of random processes.We consider the following equation:xi+1=k∑j=0ai,jxi−j+f [ i,x , xii−1,..., x0] +σ[i,x , xii−1,..., x ] ξ ,0i(1)where k is a given number and for every i= 1, 2,...,θi=k⎛⎜⎜⎝k∑ ∑l= 0 j=0ai+l,j⎞⎟⎟⎠ai+l,l< 1,θi−2i1 = −γ,∞∑i=02iγ = ∞.(2)For noisesfandσwe suppose the following restricitons to be fulfilledf [ i,x , xii−1,..., x ]02,σ[i,x , xii−1,..., x0]2≤i∑j=0~ 2λi,jL(x2i−j),whereem∑= expe∞ηi= 0 i+lm−1,∑ln ( x)= x,0∞ 2λl= 0 i+l,l< ∞,L(u)=ln ( x)= lnii−1∏mi=0(ln x),1n ( u + eim+ ε),i = 1,2,..., m;for e0= 0, ex,u,ε > 0.1= 1,It is proven that under theconditions above the trivialsolution of Eqn (1) is almost surelyasymptotic stable.References[1] Kolmanovskii, V. B., Myshkis, A. D. (1992). Applied Theory of Functional DifferentialEquations, Kluwer Academic Publishers. Dortrecht-Boston-London.[2] Rodkina, A. E. (1997). Rate Control of Manipulator Robot. Proceedings of 15 th IMACSWorld Congress. Berlin. V.5. System Engineering. Germany. Wessenschaft and TechnikVerlag. pp. 305-310.116

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