Zusammenfassung: Equations describing biological phenomena frequently have parameters entering nonlinearly. A highly efficient method for detemining the values of parameters in such equations that will give the best least-squares fit to a set of data is Marquardt´s algorithm. A step-by-step derivation of the algorithm is given in terms that require only the knowledge of elementary calculus and matrix algebra. As an example, the method is used to fit the logistic equation to a set of data.

Zusammenfassung: The algorithm discribed shares with the gradient methods their ability to converge from an initial guess which may be outside the region of convergence of other methods. The algorithm shares with the Taylor series method the ability to close in on the converged values rapidly after the vicinity of the converged values has been reached. Thus, the method combines the best feutures of ith predecessors while avoiding their most serious limitations.

Zusammenfassung: The feeding habits of C.taenia were studied by means of monthly samples taken over a 2-year period, October 1972-October 1974, from two sites, one on the River Great Ouse at Newport Pagnell and the other at some neighbouring gravel pits. Dietary components, seasonal variation in these components, and seasonal and diurnal variation in feeding intensity were examined. The ecological niche of the food items and their size range are discussed, since both these factors appeared important in governing the microhabitat of the fish. The feeding activity followed a seasonal cycle with little or no feeding in the winter and a high level of feeding activity in mid-summer. The diet showed a predominance of small food items, such as chydorids, copepods and rhizopods. These items varied in occurrence during the feeding period which appeared to be related to their own abundance, pointing to non-selective feeding by the fish. The small size and benthic habits of the food items, many of which are closely associated with surface layers of mud and weed, indicated a preference by C.taenia (L.) for feeding in this type of habitat and on this type of food, in contrast to the stone loach, Noemacheilus barbatulus (L.), which is believed to inhabit stony areas and take larger food items.

Zusammenfassung: A laboratory study of female G. aculeatus revealed no conclusive evicence of active female mate choice on the basis of male aggression levels. However, highly aggressive males failed in 95% of all choice tests. The less aggressive ´chosen´ males where generally successful again in subsequent trials with the same female, and certain males were consistently successful with different females. Females exhibited an increased readiness to spawn at the end of the reproductive season, although the same males were usually selected again.