Reproductive and behavioral control in the male and female cat with progestins: long-term field observations in individual animals.

One female and two male cats, kept for two years at N.19°20′ and for three and six years at N.37°25′ (one of the males and the same female) were observed daily for their reproductive and social behavior and the control of both behaviors by progestins. In the female, which showed puberty at the age of four months and cycled at N.19°20′ in regular 29.77 (24–35)-day intervals, single oral applications of 5 mg megestrol acetate (MA) or chlormadinone acetate (CAP) 24 hr after onset of heat (full receptivity and multiple matings) completely prevented gestation in 15 heat episodes. Loss of the tablet or lack of medication resulted in normal pregnancies. Later, at N.37°25′, cycle stopped during early winter and/or absence of overt behavioral signs developed which prevented further medications; two unwanted pregnancies required spaying. Three and four years thereafter, three periods of subclinical heat-like conditions developed, which were completely controlled with a single administration of 2.5 mg delmadinone acetate (DMA).In two toms complete control of sexual interest and sex-related behavior was achieved by a once-a-week oral dose of 5 mg of either MA, CAP or DMA. DMA, but not CAP or MA, was also effective at 2.5 mg. Simultaneously, their social rank within a larger group of cats was lost, but regained after the drug effect had expired. Full drug effects were observed in less than 36 hr; reinstatement of sexual activity, behavior and social status 8 to 10 days later followed a reversed pattern again over approximately 36 hr. At N.19°20′ medication was essential year around, while at N.37°25′ treatment could be ceased from September through January. Contrary to the drug effect in one tom, castration did not result in the loss of social status, while his sexual interest and behavior was entirely diminished.     

Length–weight relationships of three fish species from a tropical mangrove estuary of Sarawak,Malaysia

Length–weight relationships for three mangrove fish species, Setipinna melanochir (Bleeker, 1849), Ilisha elongata (Anonymous [Bennett], 1830), and Nibea soldado (Lacépède, 1802) were determined. Samplings were conducted in a tropical mangrove estuary, Sarawak, Malaysia (3°59′25.76′′N; 113°43′51.6′′E) at the peak of three different seasons using gillnets (100 × 2.5 m, mesh sizes 1, 2 and 4 inches) during 2014–2015. No information regarding length–weight relationships of these species was reported previously in FishBase.     

Geographic variation in photoperiodic diapause induction and diapause intensity in Sericinus montelus (Lepidoptera: Papilionidae)

Abstract Due to the risk of extinction and ornamental value of the swallowtail butterfly, Sericinus montelus Gray (Lepidoptera: Papilionidae) in China, knowledge about local adaptations is important for the conservation and economical utilization of the species. In the present study, photoperiodic diapause induction and diapause intensity of S. montelus populations from Jiamusi (46°37′N), Beijing (40°15′N), Zibo (36°48′N), Fangxian (32°36′N), Wuhan (30°33′N) and Huaihua (27°33′N) were characterized at 25°C. Logistic regression analysis revealed a significant population × hours of light interaction, confirming that photoperiodic responses varied among populations. The critical photoperiod was positively correlated with latitude and increased toward the north at a rate of about 1 h for each 6.67 degrees of latitude. Survival analyses indicated that survival time of diapausing pupae before adult eclosion differed significantly among populations at 25°C and 16 : 8 L : D h. The mean duration of pupal diapause was also positively correlated with latitude. Our study reveals geographic variation in the critical photoperiod for diapause induction and in diapause intensity of S. montelus. These results provide useful information for our general understanding about seasonal adaptation in insects and may also be used to predict how geographic populations respond to climate warming.     

First record of Eucinostomus melanopterus,Bleeker 1863 (Perciformes,Gerreidae) from the Río de la Plata estuary

We established the presence of Eucinostomus at the Río de la Plata Estuary (36°17′74′′S–56°46′68′′W). The report is based on specimen of 191.6 mm. total length, captured in shallow, warm and brackish water with sandy bottom. This is southernmost record for the Southwest Atlantic Ocean, and appears related with an event of low discharge of the Río de la Plata.     

The first data on the biology and distribution of the Japanese fringed sculpin <Emphasis Type="Italic">Porocottus japonicus</Emphasis> Schmidt, 1935 (Scorpaeniformes: Cottidae) in the northwestern Sea of Japan

The Japanese fringed sculpin Porocottus japonicus Schmidt has been found in the Rynda (44°48′03″ N, 136°23′24″ E) and Vladimira (43°52′36″ N, 135°29′30″ E) (Sea of Japan, Primorskii krai) bays for the first time. This species was formerly known only from the northern Tatar Strait and Aniva Bay. In Primorskii krai, P. japonicus inhabits macrophyte beds in shallow sublittoral waters. It reaches a length of 112 mm during its lifespan of approximately 4 years. Spawning occurs in the winter. The species preys predominantly on polychaetes (82.3% of the food weight).     

Length–weight relationship of selected elasmobranch species from north‐eastern Arabian Sea,India

Length–weight relationship (LWR) was estimated for 12 elasmobranch species; five shark species, four species of rays and three species of guitar fishes from north‐eastern Arabian Sea, India. Five major landing centres of Maharashtra were selected; Satpati (Lat. 19°43′15″N, Long. 72°42′00″E), Naigaon (Lat. 19°19′32″N, Long. 72°48′54″E), Versova (Lat. 19°08′33″N, Long. 72°48′11″E), New ferry Wharf (Lat. 18°57′29″N Long. 72°51′01″E) and Sassoon dock (Lat. 18°54′42″N, Long. 72°49′33″E). Samples were collected fortnightly during August 2016 to October 2017 from various gears; drift gill nets (Hung length 114–143 m and #100–270 mm) off Satpati coast at 35–50 m depth, dol nets (length 50–65 m and cod end # 30–69 mm) in Naigaon at 38–50 m depth and trawl (length 33–72 m and cod end # 17–32 mm) in Versova, New ferry Wharf and Sassoon dock operated at 20–50 m depth. Multiday fishing was carried out with 2–3 fishing trips in a month, each trip with duration of 7–13 days. Soaking time of gill net and dol net varied from 4 to 8 hr while each trawl haul lasted for 3–4 hr. Length–weight/Disc‐width‐weight relationship showed good fit with r² values varying from 0.818 to 0.999. In addition to information on LWR, new maximum size for three species of elasmobranchs is reported in this paper.     

Evidence of biogeography in surface ocean bacterioplankton assemblages

Regardless of the importance of bacterial assemblages as essential components of ecosystems, little is known about how their populations are structured. We analyzed the composition and turnover rates, based on 16S rDNA sequences, of surface water oceanic bacterial assemblages of the fraction between 0.1 and 0.8 μm along a latitudinal gradient (45°6′42′′N in the North Atlantic to 15°8′37′′S in the South Pacific) including geographic distance, temperature, chlorophyll a and salinity. Here we show that oceanic bacterial assemblages between 0.1 and 0.8 μm, can be structured by a variety of environmental interactions that include separation by distance and chlorophyll a concentration in temperate North Atlantic coastal samples and temperature in tropical Atlantic and Pacific coastal and open ocean samples. Bacterial phyla composition diverged between temperate and tropical regions. This study suggests that some bacterial assemblages could be structured both by environmental and spatial factors, while others by environmental factors alone.     

CELL DIVISION PATTERNS AND DIURNAL CYCLE OF PORPHYRA ABBOTTAE (RHODOPHYTA,BANGIALES) CARPOGONIAL AND CARPOSPORE DEVELOPMENT1

Post-fertilization development of carpospores in Porphyra is a well-documented phenomenon. Development of the pre-fertilization carpogonial cells from vegetative cells, however, has not been previously described. In Porphyra abbottae Krishn., a rock? intertidal monostromatic species occurring from British Columbia to central California, large cells, designated hue CIS “procarpogonial mother cells” (PMCs), initiated the formation of the carpogonial cells. The PMCs formed during late night mitoses beginning at 0200 h with cytokinesis from 0300-0500 h during short day periods of 10:14 h LD in northern California (38°20′N, 123°03′W and 36°37′N, 121°55′W). The PMC cut off numerous smaller cells which in turn divided equal. Approximately 12 h Inter, at 1500 h (day 1) the Smaller cells were recognizable as carpogonial cells by the presence of trichogynes growing from the cytoplasm out through the cell wall to the thallus surface. In another 24 h (day 2), the fertilized carpogonia had divided into carpospore packets. Spores were released at 1500 h the following day (day 3), their projection creating escape channels through the cell walls.     

The first record of the slender sunfish Ranzania laevis from the Red Sea

A female specimen of the slender sunfish Ranzania laevis of 600 mm total length was recorded for the first time from the Red Sea after being stranded on a shallow sandy bay at Hurghada beach (27° 06′ 16″ N; 33° 50′ 01″ E) on 13 May 2012. Ranzania laevis is believed to have migrated from the Indian Ocean as the nearest area where it was found is coastal waters of Oman.     

The diversity of life-form type, habitat preference and phenology of the endemics in the Goa region of the Western Ghats, India

Aim To carry out (1) a floristic survey of endemic flowering plants of the Western Ghats occurring in Goa, (2) identify their habitat preference and diversity of life‐form type, (3) observe flowering phenology of the endemics and (4) to correlate factors that affect their phenological pattern. Location Goa state is located between 15°48′ N and 14°53′54′′ N and 74°20′13′′ E and 73°40′33′′ E, in the northern part of the Western Ghats, India. Method A list of endemic plants from the study area was prepared using available floristic works and checklists of endemic plants of India. Based on preliminary field observations carried out in the study area, major habitats such as plateaus, moist deciduous forests, semi‐evergreen forests, evergreen forests and mangroves were identified for the subsequent intensive survey of endemics. Voucher specimens for all the endemic species were collected, processed using conventional herbarium techniques and deposited in the Herbarium, Department of Botany, Goa University. Species were identified using local and regional floras and their identity was confirmed at various herbaria along the Western Ghats. Data on their life‐form types, habitat and phenology was recorded in the field. Phenological observations were made every fortnight. A computerized data base was generated incorporating details on their life‐form type, phenology and habitat. Results A floristic survey of endemic plants of the Western Ghats in Goa resulted in the collection of 113 endemic species. Life‐form analysis reveals that herbaceous endemics are the most dominant followed by trees, shrubs and climbers. Plateaus in the study area harbour the largest number of endemic species, especially herbs. Endemic trees are distributed in the semi‐evergreen and evergreen forests. Endemic species in the study area show different peak and lean seasons of flowering depending on their life‐form type, habitat and ecological factors like temperature and rainfall/moisture content in the soil. Main conclusions The plateaus in the northern part of the Western Ghats are unique, being species rich with herbaceous endemics. These ephemerals are closely associated with the rainfall patterns thus; any change of moisture regime over the long‐term will have an impact on the distribution of these endemics.     

The male gametophyte of Bonnemaisonia hamifera Hariot in Norway

The male gametophyte of Bonnemaisonia hamifera Hariot is recorded for the first time in Norway. The plants were collected in the Bj?r?ya archipelago situated between 10° 46′-10° 52′ E and 64° 35·5′-64° 37′ N. Numerous large antheridia were present on the plants which were attached to the rock at a depth of 150–200 cm below E.L.W.S.     

Hymenobacter puniceus sp. nov., radiation resistant bacteria isolated from soil in South Korea

Antonie van Leeuwenhoek - Two novel Gram-negative bacterial strains BT190T and BT191 were isolated from soil collected in Uijeongbu city (37°44′55″N, 127°02′20″E),...     

Brent goose colonies near snowy owls: Internest distances in relation to abundance of lemmings and arctic foxes

Brent goose colonies around snowy owl nests have been studied near Medusa Bay (73°21′ N, 80°32′ E) and in the lower reaches of the Uboinaya River (73°37′N, 82°10′E), the northwestern Taimyr Peninsula, from 1999 to 2006. All brent nests within 680 m from an owl nest have been regarded as an individual colony. The results show that the area of the colony is always larger than the protected area around the owl nest. In years of low abundance of lemmings, brent geese nest generally closer to the owl nest than in years of high abundance. When arctic foxes are abundant, however, brent geese nest significantly closer to owls than when the foxes are scarce, irrespective of lemming abundance. The mechanism of brent colony formation around owl nests is based on a number of stimuli.     

湖南莽山自然保护区的水生维管束植物——多样性及其生境特征

莽山自然保护区位于湖南省宜章县境内 (2 4°52′0 0″～ 2 5°0 3′12″N,112°4 3′19″～ 113°0 0′10″E) ,属南岭支脉。作者对该地区水生维管束植物及其生境进行了考察 ,采集到水生沼生维管束植物30科 4 7属 6 7种 ,其中 30种为莽山地区新记录。在比较沼泽和湖泊水生植物群落结构特点的基础上 ,讨论了沼泽作为水生植物重要生境的意义 ,建议对作为珍稀濒危水生植物重要产地的长江以南山地沼泽采取有效的保护措施     

Heterotrophic activity of bacterioplankton along the gradients of the chlorophyll <Emphasis Type="Italic">a</Emphasis> concentration and water temperature in marine and limnetic ecosystems

The dependence of the heterotrophic activity of bacterioplankton (V, μg C L^–1 h^–1) on the concentration of chlorophyll a (Chl, μg L^–1) and the water temperature (T) was examined for lakes (37°29′–80°36′ N) and marine polar waters (69°16′–80°36′ N). It was shown that ~76% of the V variations was related to changes in Chl and T.     

Length–weight relationships for Eutropiichthys murius (Hamilton, 1822), Coilia reynaldi Valenciennes, 1848 and Johnius gangeticus Talwar, 1991 from lower stretch of the River Ganga,India

Length‐weight relationships (LWRs) for three fish species from the River Ganga (India) is presented. Sampling was conducted from the lower stretch of the River Ganga (Patna: 25°36′51.66″N & 85°12′7.02″E to Freserganj: 21°35′40.58″N & 88°15′28.92″E) during April, June and September and December of 2017. Specimens were caught using gill nets (18 nos.; mesh 18–32 mm), and bag nets (3 nos.; mesh 14–22 mm). The values a and b from LWRs ‐were found to be 0.007 and 2.977 for Eutropiichthys murius; 0.003 and 3.001 for Coilia reynaldi; 0.009 and 3.010 for Johnius gangeticus.     

Voltage- and pH-Dependent Changes in Vectoriality of Photocurrents Mediated by Wild-type and Mutant Proteorhodopsins upon Expression in Xenopus Oocytes

Proteorhodopsin (PR), a light-driven proton pump from marine proteobacteria, exhibits photocycle characteristics similar to bacteriorhodopsin (BR) at neutral pH, including an M-like photointermediate. However, at acidic pH, spectroscopic evidence for an M-like species was absent, and the vectoriality of proton pumping was inverted. To gain further insight into this unusual property, we examined the voltage dependence of stationary and laser flash-induced photocurrents of PR under different pH conditions upon expression in Xenopus oocytes. The current-voltage curves were linear under all conditions tested, and photocurrent reversal potentials distinctly depended on the pH gradient. PR mutants D97N and D97T exhibited transient and stationary inward currents already at neutral pH, showing that neutralization of the proton acceptor abolishes forward pumping and permits only inward proton transport. Mutation E108G, which disrupts the donor site for Schiff base (SB) reprotonation, resulted in largely reduced photocurrents, which could be strongly stimulated by azide, similar to previous observations on BR mutant D96G. When PR and BR photocurrents in response to blue or green laser flashes during or after continuous illumination were compared, direct electrical evidence for the occurrence of an M-like intermediate at neutral pH could only be obtained when reprotonation of the SB was slowed down by PR mutation E108G. For PR at acidic pH, laser flashes only produced inwardly directed photocurrents, independent from background illumination, thus precluding electrical identification of an M-like species. However, when visible absorption spectroscopy was carried out at low temperatures, occurrence of an M-like species was robustly observed at low pH. This indicates that SB deprotonation and reprotonation occur during the PR photocycle also at low pH. Our results corroborate the conclusion that in PR, the direction of proton pumping can be switched by changes in pH and membrane potential, with the protonation state of Asp-97 being the key determinant for selecting between transport modes.     

Length‐weight and length‐length relationships of thirteen fish species from the lower Jinsha River,southwest China

Length‐weight and length‐length relationships were investigated for 13 freshwater fish species from the lower Jinsha River, southwest China (from 101°32′49.63″E; 26°35′38.27″N to 104°37′48.14″E; 28°45′59.55″N). Fish were sampled from five sites during 2014 and 2016, using trap‐nets, gillnets (major mesh size: 2–6 cm), longline and electrofishing. Length‐weight relationships for six and length‐length relationships for 12 species are the first report to FishBase, respectively. Moreover, new maximum length for 11 species are also presented to FishBase in this study. All regressions were highly significant (p < .001), with the coefficient of determination r² > .950. These information will be helpful for management and conservation in local fishes and fisheries.     

A record of the archerfish (Toxotes jaculator) from Iriomote Island,the Ryukyu Islands

A specimen ofToxotes jaculator (Pallas, 1767) (Pisces: Toxotidae) was collected from the mouth of Urauchi River (24°23′55″N, 123°46′48″E), Iriomote Island, Ryukyu Islands, Japan. This species was recorded for the first time from the Japanese Archipelago. Its occurrence in Japan is the northern-most record of this species.     

Regeneration and inhibition of proton pumping activity of bacteriorhodopsin blue membrane by cationic amine anesthetics

Bacteriorhodopsin (bR) is the prototype of an integral membrane protein with seven membrane-spanning alpha-helices and serves as a model of the G-protein-coupled drug receptors. This study is aimed at reaching a greater understanding of the role of amine local anesthetic cations on the proton transport in the bR protein, and furthermore, the functional role of "the cation" in the proton pumping mechanism. The effect of the amine anesthetic cations on the proton pump in the bR blue membrane was compared with those by divalent (Ca2+, Mg2+ and Mn2+) and monovalent metal cations (Li+, Na+, K+ and Cs+), which are essential for the correct functioning of the proton pumping of the bR protein. The results suggest that the interacting site of the divalent cation to the bR membrane may differ from that of the monovalent metal cation. The electric current profile of the bR blue membrane in the presence of the amine anesthetic cations was biphasic, involving the generation and inhibition of the proton pumping activity in a concentration-dependent manner. The extent of the regeneration of the proton pump by the additives increased in the order of monovalent metal cation相似文献