Population dynamics of adults, juveniles, and eggs of the springtail, Sinella curviseta, were studied following acute doses of <tex-math>$({}^{90}{\rm Sr}-{}^{90}{\rm Y})$</tex-math> beta radiation or <tex-math>$({}^{60}{\rm Co})$</tex-math> gamma radiation (1885 to 29,700 rads). Fecundity rates (eggs/adult/day) of adults were increased 48% by the lowest dose (1885 rads) of beta radiation, but fertility rates were reduced by radiation at all other doses. Survival values for adults suggest an apparent relative biological effectiveness (gamma/beta) of 0.497 for externally delivered beta radiation; for juveniles, 0.568; and for eggs, 0.931 as dose was measured by our methods. Gamma radiation was also more effective than beta in reducing fertility rates. Juveniles were more sensitive than adults to both types of radiation, and day-old eggs were the most sensitive stage studied.

This content is only available as a PDF.
Copyright 1971 Academic Press, Inc.
You do not currently have access to this content.