The Linear Programming Technique for Multidimensional Analysis of Preference (LINMAP) developed by Srinivasan and Shocker [V. Srinivasan, A.D. Shocker, Linear programming techniques for multidimensional analysis of preference, Psychometrika 38 (1973) 337–342] is one of the existing well-known methods for multiattribute decision making (MADM) problems. However, the LINMAP only can deal with MADM problems in crisp environments. Fuzziness is inherent in decision data and decision making processes, and linguistic variables are well suited to assessing an alternative on qualitative attributes using fuzzy ratings. The aim of this paper is further extending the LINMAP method to develop a new methodology for solving MADM problems under fuzzy environments. In this methodology, linguistic variables are used to capture fuzziness in decision information and decision making processes by means of a fuzzy decision matrix. A new vertex method is proposed to calculate the distance between trapezium fuzzy number scores. Consistency and inconsistency indices are defined on the basis of preferences between alternatives given by the decision maker. Each alternative is assessed on the basis of its distance to a fuzzy positive ideal solution (FPIS) which is unknown. The FPIS and the weights of attributes are then estimated using a new linear programming model based upon the consistency and inconsistency indices defined. Finally, the distance of each alternative to the FPIS can be calculated to determine the ranking order of all alternatives. A numerical example is examined to demonstrate the implementation process of this methodology. Also it has been proved that the methodology proposed in this paper can deal with MADM problems under not only fuzzy environments but also crisp environments.

The cowpea weevil (Callosobruchus maculatus (Fabre)) exhibits several behavioral traits that are stable within, but vary among, strains. These traits are heritable and quantitative. We used cellulose acetate gel electrophoresis to quantify allozyme variation within and among laboratory cultures of four weevil strains and determine whether allozyme variation correlates with behavioral traits. Significant variation exists at 8 of 11 loci assayed and gene frequencies are significantly different among strains. The South Indian strain (SI) is most variable and measures of genetic distance set it apart from the other strains. It is also behaviorally unique. The Brazilian strain (BC) is most different from SI in allozyme diversity and behavioral phenotype, while two African strains (IITA, CAM) are intermediate in allozyme diversity and phenotype. These results are consistent with the known history of these strains and the differences in the allozymes parallel the differences in behavioral traits.

Previous articleNext article No AccessNew Biological BooksSimplicity and Complexity in Games of the Intellect. Lawrence B. Slobodkin Rodger MitchellRodger Mitchell Search for more articles by this author PDFPDF PLUS Add to favoritesDownload CitationTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints Share onFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail SectionsMoreDetailsFiguresReferencesCited by The Quarterly Review of Biology Volume 67, Number 4Dec., 1992 Published in association with Stony Brook University Article DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1086/417904 Copyright 1992 The University of ChicagoPDF download Crossref reports no articles citing this article.

Females of Callosobruchus maculatustend to distribute their eggs uniformly among host seeds and, thereby, reduce competition among larvae within seeds. We investigated variability in this behavior by assaying beetles from seven geographic strains on each of three host species. To quantify egg-spacing behavior,we devised an index (U)that estimates the uniformity of the egg distribution but is independent of the number of eggs laid. Egg-spacing behavior was highly variable among beetle strains and legume hosts. Females from an Indian strain frequently achieved the most uniform distribution possible (maximum hyperdispersion), whereas females from two Brazilian strains frequently deposited eggs randomly. Differences among strains were evident throughout the period of oviposition;some strains were “sloppy” when even egg densities were low. Variation in egg-spacing behavior appears to be influenced by prior host associations and by host size. The most well-developed spacing behavior was observed in a strain associated with the smallest host, which supports only one or two larvae per seed. Realized fecundity also varied significantly among beetle strains. We found no evidence, however, of a predicted tradeoff between the number of eggs laid and the uniformity of the egg dispersion.

Cercidium floridum pods usually contain one or two seeds. If pods contained three or more seeds, pod biomass would be reduced by 19% and that energy could be diverted into seeds. Intrinsic factors do not explain the wasteful packaging; interactions at a node divert energy into several one— or two—seeded ponds rather than one large pod. The patterns of mortality from three seed predators are: (1) Rodents attack all pods equally; (2) All seeds are equally likely to be attacked by Mimosestes amicus (Bruchidae); (3) Stator limbatus (Bruchidae) attacks through exit holes cut by M. amicus and the entrances rise almost exponentially with seed count. Stator limbatus generally attacks all the seeds of a pod, and selects the larger pods, but pod size varies so much that pods with two seeds cannot be discriminated from each other. Stator limbatus destroys twice as many seeds in two— or more seeded pods which confers an advantage on seeds from one—seeded pods. An egg parasite, Uscana semifumipennis kills °40% of the eggs of both beetles. This mortality, plus a nearly 40°% loss to heat and desiccation, makes it advantageous for M. amicus to put one egg on top of another, thus sacrificing a second egg to double the survivorship of the first egg.

EcologyVolume 57, Issue 6 p. 1221-1232 Article Functional Analysis of a Thermal Spring Ecosystem, with an Evaluation of the Role of Consumers Nicholas C. Collins, Nicholas C. CollinsSearch for more papers by this authorRodger Mitchell, Rodger MitchellSearch for more papers by this authorRichard G. Wiegert, Richard G. WiegertSearch for more papers by this author Nicholas C. Collins, Nicholas C. CollinsSearch for more papers by this authorRodger Mitchell, Rodger MitchellSearch for more papers by this authorRichard G. Wiegert, Richard G. WiegertSearch for more papers by this author First published: 01 November 1976 https://doi.org/10.2307/1935046Citations: 27AboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditWechat Abstract Low temperature (< 40 degrees C) alkaline thermal spring effluents in Yellowstone National Park support a benthic algal—bacterial mat fed upon by a single herbivorous brine fly (Diptera: Ephydridae), which in turn is consumed by a number of arthropod predators (water mites, spiders, and a predaceous fly). A census of an entire spring ecosystem provided a framework upon which to integrate present knowledge of this system. Growth of the algal—bacterial mat appears to be nutrient limited; measures of free CO2 concentrations are good predictors of the differences in productivity within and among springs. Paracoenia turbida, the herbivore, saturates all suitable oviposition sites, and its larvae destroy all algae available below them. The larvae apparently suffer substantial density—dependent mortality late in their development, when they consume algal dams protecting them from hot water flows. Thus, they compete for limited space of suitable temperature. Algal—bacterial biomass persists because, at any one time, most of the mat is too hot for larvae, or is covered by flowing water and consequently unsuitable for oviposition. The brine fly eggs which constitute the prey for most predators are also largely unavailable because the flies insert them into the algal—bacterial mat, where they are difficult to remove and feed upon. The demand—availability ratio for fly eggs is high; therefore reproduction of the major predatory water mite, Partnuniella thermalis (Hydrachnellae) is probably limited by the supply of available eggs. Despite the abundance of their prey species, then, both primary and secondary consumers seem to be resource limited because most of their prey are unavailable. The important role of refuges in defining the biomass structure of this ecosystem prompted us to define four conditions which tend to limit consumer influence on prey density: (1) evolutionary specialization by consumers, which narrows the spectrum of potential foods (2) poor food quality which does not allow population growth; (3) evolved defenses of the prey; (4) the degree of uncertainty in resource distribution in space or time. Restrictions of type (4) are difficult in document and may often go unappreciated, but an example from the thermal spring system shows the uncertainty in resource distribution may be evolutionary insoluble, and it may be a powerful constraint on consumer impact. There is little reason to believe that these conditions are any less powerful in complex than in simple systems. By analogy then, the ability of consumers to influence prey density in complex terrestrial and aquatic systems may also be severely limited. The importance of refuges in complex systems might be inferred from measurements of community responses to low—level enrichment or harvesting. Even though their direct influence on prey densities is limited, consumers in the thermal spring ecosystem increase the net primary production of the system and increase the efficiency of energy transfer between the first and second trophic levels. Thus, they affect processes, not prey densities, in this system. Citing Literature Volume57, Issue6November 1976Pages 1221-1232 RelatedInformation

A sizeable fraction (7%—17%) of the mung beans that are the preferred food of Callosobruchus maculatus are not large enough to support two larvae. Whenever two or more eggs are on a bean, development takes 40 days rather than 33 days, and only 8% of the second eggs develop even in beans with resources enough for two larvae. This larval competition confers an advantage on females that disperse eggs uniformly. Females tend to avoid adding second eggs as long as there are unusued beans. Survivorship of single eggs on beans increase with weight (l1 = .—005 mg + .368) and females oviposit on the largest of the unused beans first. Survivorship of the second egg (l2 = .31), due principally to mortality of the first egg, is about half that of the first egg; a second or third egg is added after nearly all the beans carry one or two eggs respectively. With these constraints the beetle may maximize fitness if it knows the weights and egg loads of all available beans. The actual performance falls short of achieving maximum fitness and the oviposition of the beetle fits a computer simulation that makes decisions after comparing the weight and egg load of the present bean with the last bean encountered. The performance of the beetle can be appropriately evaluated against models of unspecialized beetles that ovipost randomly and for beetles with maximum fitness. This shows that the beetle gains about 70% of the fitness that it could evolve.

As subjects for ecosystem studies, thermal spring effluents offer the advantages of trophic diversity with taxonomic simplicity, ease of sampling, replicability, world-wide distribution and manipulability. The dominant primary producers (filamentous blue-green algae) are grazed by ephydrid flies. These in turn harbor larvae of the water mite Partnuniella. The high instrinic rate of increase of the fly enables it to exploit temporary cool spots in the mat. The lower fecundity and longer life cycle of the mite restrict its ability to exploit temporarily suitable habitat. Thus the intersect of mites with flies is a sensitive measure of stability in the algal mat. Springs with a variable-flow pattern and consequent mat instability had both a lower mean incidence of parasitism and a lower mean larval load per fly. The data support our hypothesis that the abundance and relative densities of organisms in higher trophic levels can be predicted from knowledge of the growth and stability patterns of the filamentous blue-green algal mat in thermal spring effluents.

The water mites of standing waters have evolved a novel respiratory system consisting of numerous independent tracheae of tracheolar dimensions. Each trachea has a portion of its length lying directly under the cuticle and one or both ends of the trachea turn into the body to supply some organ. There is no fusion of tracheae to form trunks. Areas of dense tracheation dorsal to the legs supply the leg muscles, and sometimes there is a distinct area of the venter that supplies the muscles of the mouthparts.

Inbred lines that differed in the ratio of females to males were selected. These tended to breed true and the trait for a high frequency of daughters was semi‐dominant and expressed as a control of arrhenotoky by the mother. A small maternal effect altered the sex ratio of genetically similar females. The variability of the sex ratio in nature would appear to be a genetic polymorphism.RésuméLE SEX RATIO CHEZ L'AC ARIEN TETRANYCHUS URTICAEIl a éTÉ possible, à partir de la descendance de femelles isolées, et par croisement de retour entre frère et sœur, d'isoler deux lignées différant par leur sex ratio: l'une présentant une faible proportion de femelles, l'autre une majoriTÉ de femelles. Des croisements entre ces deux lignées montrent que le caracTÈre «majoriTÉ de femelles» est semi‐dominant, mais les croisements réciproques diffèrent à cause d'un petit effet maternel. Un croisement de retour entre des femelles de la génération F1 et des mâles de la lignée présentant une faible proportion de femelles, confirme l'hypothèse que le sex‐ratio des œufs pondus est déterminé par quelques loci qui contrôlent la semi‐dominance des caracTÈres «haute proportion de femelles». Le caracTÈre du sex ratio peut être transmis soit par le mâle, soit par la femelle, mais l'influence maternelle est plus forte. Les différences observées dans la nature quant au sex ratio et à sa variabiliTÉ dans les familles d'une population paraissent donc être dues à un polymorphisme génétique.