Odonatological Abstracts

(16616) BORTOLOTTI, G.R., J.I. TELLA, M.G. FORERO, R.D. DAWSON & J.J. NEGRO, 2000. Genetics, local environment and health as factors influencing plasma carotenoids in wild American kastrels (Falco sparverius). Proc. R. Soc. Land. (B) 267:1433-1438. — (First Author: Dept Biol., Univ. Saskatchewan, 112 Science Place, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 5E2, CA). The study was conducted in the boreal forest of north-central Saskatchewan (Canada), where a population of ca 150-200 pairs of F. sparverius has been studied since 1988. A total of 5195 prey items was observed, 5070 of which could be identified to some taxonomic level. The major components as a percentage by number (and biomass) of all prey delivered were 10.4 (47.6) small mammals, 63.5 (21.5) Odonata, 3.1 (12.8) birds, 6.4 (9.3) frogs and 5.4 (1.8) grasshoppers. (16617) HAN, F.-y, 2000. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) observation on the penis of 12 species of dragonflies. J. Shanxi Univ. (Nat. Sci.) 23(2): 159-162. (Chin., with Engl. s.). — (Dept Life Sci., Shanxi Univ, Taiyuan-030006, China). 12 libellulid spp. are dealt with, but no taxonomic names are stated in figure captions, therefore the identity of the represented spp. cannot readily be ascertained.