Evidence of gonochorism in a grouper, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Mycteroperca rosacea</Emphasis>, from the Gulf of California,Mexico

The sexual pattern and sexual development of the leopard grouper, Mycteroperca rosacea, were investigated from 483 specimens collected from the Gulf of California, Mexico. Histological and population data indicated a gonochoric sexual pattern. Some juveniles passed through an immature bisexual phase of gonadal development, but no evidence of post-maturational sex change was found. The immature bisexual phase is believed to be associated only with male development. The size distribution and size at sexual maturity were similar for both males and females. In accordance with predictions of the size-advantage model, the gonochoric sexual pattern of M. rosacea is likely influenced by its group-spawning mating system.

A single operon-encoded form of the acetyl-CoA decarbonylase/synthase multienzyme complex responsible for synthesis and cleavage of acetyl-CoA in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Methanosarcina thermophila</Emphasis>

Methanogens growing on C-1 substrates synthesize 2-carbon acetyl groups in the form of acetyl-CoA for carbon assimilation using the multienzyme complex acetyl-CoA decarbonylase/synthase (ACDS) which contains five different subunits encoded within an operon. In species growing on acetate ACDS also functions to cleave the acetate C-C bond for energy production by methanogenesis. A number of species of Methanosarcina that are capable of growth on either C-1 compounds or acetate contain two separate ACDS operons, and questions have been raised about whether or not these operons play separate roles in acetate synthesis and cleavage. Methanosarcina thermophila genomic DNA was analyzed for the presence of two ACDS operons by PCR amplifications with different primer pairs, restriction enzyme analyses, DNA sequencing and Southern blot analyses. A single ACDS operon was identified and characterized, with no evidence for more than one. MALDI mass spectrometric analyses were carried out on ACDS preparations from methanol- and acetate-grown cells. Peptide fragmentation patterns showed that the same ACDS subunits were present regardless of growth conditions. The evidence indicates that a single form of ACDS is used both for acetate cleavage during growth on acetate and for acetate synthesis during growth on C-1 substrates. Electronic Supplementary Material  Supplementary material is available for this article at

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Habitat associations of the Small Red Damselfly (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Ceriagrion tenellum)</Emphasis> (De Villiers) in heathland in southern England (Zygoptera: Coenagrionidae)

The Small Red Damselfly (Ceriagrion tenellum) (De Villiers) (Odonata: Coenagrionidae: Ceriagrion) is classed as vulnerable (Shirt, British Red Data Book, Nature Conservancy Council, Peterborough, UK, 1987) throughout the UK, and is included in certain Local Biodiversity Action Plans (LBAPs) in the south. A large proportion of any Biodiversity Action Plan is concerned with the requirement of conservation and management programmes. In order to guide them, information about the habitat preferences of the species concerned is vital. Detailed habitat information was collected to include a variety of physical parameters particularly vegetation, both in-channel and bankside. The species was found to be primarily associated with in-channel emergent broad-leaved plants, bankside grasses and rushes, and shallow, narrow channels with dark organic substrate. The consequences of these findings are discussed in relation to the conservation and management of C. tenellum.

Metabolic activity interferometer: description and calibration of an interferometric method to measure growth of mycobacteria

An interferometer that measures the refractive index changes due to bacterial metabolism is described. The apparatus permits simultaneous and real time measurement of bacterial growth in several samples of slowly growing mycobacteria. The error sources are discussed and the sensitivity of the apparatus is tested. For the species Mycobacterium bovis BCG and M. smegmatis, a relation between refractive index change and bacterial concentration is determined experimentally and the time constant of bacterial growth is measured.

Individual variability of behavioural responses by Wandering Albatrosses (Diomedea exulans) to human disturbance

Sub-Antarctic Marion Island has had a permanent research station for 50 years and the islands Wandering Albatrosses have been intensively studied for 20 years. The reactions of breeding birds to approaches by a human on foot were recorded. Three response variables were calculated: intensity of vocal reaction (IVR), intensity of non-vocal reaction (INR) and overall response index (ORI). At 5 m from the nest, twice as many birds stood and/or vocalised as at 15 m. Nearest neighbour distance, age and gender did not explain individual variability of responses. Study colony birds had higher IVR scores than non-study colony birds; birds at colonies closest to the station had the highest ORI scores. A better breeding record was associated with lower IVR and ORI scores, but a causative relationship remains to be demonstrated. A minimum viewing distance of 25 m is recommended for breeding Wandering Albatrosses.

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Entomopathogenic fungi as a potential control agent against the lesser mealworm, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Alphitobius diaperinus</Emphasis> in broiler houses

We tested the pathogenicity of 18 Metarhizium anisopliae (Metschn.) Sorokin isolates and 22 Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo) Vuillemin isolates against Alphitobius diaperinus (Panzer) (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) larvae and adults. The efficacy of the most virulent isolate—M. anisopliae K—was evaluated in containers with a concrete bottom covered with wood shavings, under simulated poultry house conditions. Application of conidia of this isolate to the shavings or directly to the concrete bottom reduced the yield of larvae in 8–15 time compared with the control. In another test, the mortality of mature larvae placed on previously inoculated shavings or bottom reached 80–90% within 14 days, compared with 14% in the control. The residual activity of conidia kept at 28°C retained its initial level during 14 days post-inoculation, but declined after three weeks. Based on our data M. anisopliae has considerable potential for the control of A. diaperinus.

Mapping the geographic distribution of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Aglaia bourdillonii</Emphasis> Gamble (Meliaceae), an endemic and threatened plant,using ecological niche modeling

Aglaia bourdillonii is a plant narrowly endemic to the southern portion of the Western Ghats (WG), in peninsular India. To understand its ecological and geographic distribution, we used ecological niche modeling (ENM) based on detailed distributional information recently gathered, in relation to detailed climatic data sets. The ENMs successfully reconstructed key features of the species’ geographic distribution, focusing almost entirely on the southern WG. Much of the species’ distributional potential is already under protection, but our analysis allows identification of key zones for additional protection, all of which are adjacent to existing protected areas. ENM provides a useful tool for understanding the natural history of such rare and endangered species.

Hierarchical analysis of piecewise affine models of gene regulatory networks

A key point in the analysis of dynamical models of biological systems is to handle systems of relatively high dimensions. In the present paper we propose a method to hierarchically organize a certain type of piecewise affine (PWA) differential systems. This specific class of systems has been extensively studied for the past few years, as it provides a good framework to model gene regulatory networks. The method, shown on several examples, allows a qualitative analysis of the asymptotic behavior of a PWA system, decomposing it into several smaller subsystems. This technique, based on the well-known strongly connected components decomposition, is not new. However, its adaptation to the non-smooth PWA differential equations turns out to be quite relevant because of the strong discrete structure underlying these equations. Its biological relevance is shown on a 7-dimensional PWA system modeling the gene network responsible for the carbon starvation response in Escherichia coli.

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Two new species of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Mycena</Emphasis> from alpine sites in Norway

Mycena aphanes and Mycena exilis, belonging to section Filipedes and section Polyadelphia, are proposed as new species. They are described and illustrated and compared to other species in the two sections. Mycena aphanes is a strikingly characteristic Mycena with fulvous or yellowish brown colours of both pileus and stipe. Mycena exilis is characterized by its occurrence on fallen Salix leaves, a pale brown pileus, occasionally with a pale pink tinge, narrowly adnate lamellae, four-spored basidia, and the presence of clamp connections.

Biological activity and identification of nucleopolyhedroviruses isolated from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Mythimna separata</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Spodoptera litura</Emphasis> in Japan

We compared the infectivity of two nucleopolyhedroviruses (NPVs), MyseNPV G isolated from Mythimna separata (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) and SpltNPV S isolated from Spodoptera litura (Fabricius) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). MyseNPV G was more pathogenic against M. separata than against S. litura. Although SpltNPV S was more pathogenic than MyseNPV G against S. litura, it did not infect M. separata. Restriction endonuclease (REN) analysis of viral genomic DNA revealed that the two NPVs have quite different REN profiles. Based on nucleotide sequences of the coding regions of polyhedrin, lef-8 and lef-9, SpltNPV S was closely related to other SpltNPV isolates, whereas MyseNPV G appeared to belong to the Mamestra NPV group, and was distinct from a Chinese isolate of Leucania (=Mythimna) separata NPV. The potential of MyseNPV G and SpltNPV S to control pest insects is discussed.

Leitlinien zur molekulargenetischen Diagnostik: Fragiles-X und Fragiles-X assoziiertes Tremor/Ataxie Syndrom

Ohne Zusammenfassung

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Hennigian Phylogenetic Systematics and the ‘Groundplan’ vs. ‘Post-Groundplan’ Approaches: A Reply to Kukalová-Peck

The recent contribution by Jarmila Kukalová-Peck on Hennigian phylogenetics and hexapod limb evolution is critically evaluated.

Asymmetries in the Friendship Preferences and Social Styles of Men and Women

Several hypotheses on the form and function of sex differences in social behaviors were tested. The results suggest that friendship preferences in both sexes can be understood in terms of perceived reciprocity potential—capacity and willingness to engage in a mutually beneficial relationship. Divergent social styles may in turn reflect trade-offs between behaviors selected to maintain large, functional coalitions in men and intimate, secure relationships in women. The findings are interpreted from a broad socio-relational framework of the types of behaviors that facilitate selective advertisement and investment of reciprocity potential across individuals and within groups of men and women.

Progress in understanding the <Emphasis Type="Italic">N-</Emphasis>demethylation of alkaloids by exploiting isotopic techniques

The reaction of N-demethylation plays an important role in the degradation of some alkaloids in a number of organisms. This review presents how our understanding of the N-demethylation of nicotine in plants has been improved through studies in cell cultures of Nicotiana plumbaginifolia and N. glutinosa using a variety of isotopic techniques. The overall aim is to understand how metabolism recycles the alkaloid skeleton, both in terms of the metabolic route(s) exploited and the reaction mechanisms of the enzymes involved. The former has been approached using high-resolution 2-dimensional NMR and GC-MS methods; the latter by determining kinetic isotope effects and modelling the potential reaction steps. It appears that the mechanism for nicotine demethylation in plants is similar to but has significant differences from that described for mammals and Pseudomonas bacteria. These differences are discussed.

Evolution of photoperiodic time measurement is independent of the circadian clock in the pitcher-plant mosquito, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Wyeomyia smithii</Emphasis>

For over 70 years, researchers have debated whether the ability to use day length as a cue for the timing of seasonal events (photoperiodism) is related to the endogenous circadian clock that regulates the timing of daily events. Models of photoperiodism include two components: (1) a photoperiodic timer that measures the length of the day, and (2) a photoperiodic counter that elicits the downstream photoperiodic response after a threshold number of days has been counted. Herein, we show that there is no geographical pattern of genetic association between the expression of the circadian clock and the photoperiodic timer or counter. We conclude that the photoperiodic timer and counter have evolved independently of the circadian clock in the pitcher-plant mosquito Wyeomyia smithii and hence, the evolutionary modification of photoperiodism throughout the range of W. smithii has not been causally mediated by a corresponding evolution of the circadian clock.

Home Garden Production and Energetic Sustainability in Calakmul,Campeche, Mexico

Energy flows were studied for the 2002–2003 agricultural cycle in four households for which agriculture is part of a diversified survival strategy and four that practice agriculture as a business. Home garden inputs and outputs were measured monthly. Quantified inputs were: household labour, household agro-system production, and purchased external renewable and non-renewable energy. Outputs measured were: sales, family and animal foods. While both strategies had similar indicators in biomass and energy production, vegetable richness, and soil quality, household garden function and sustainability differed between subsistence and commercial householders. Subsistence gardens complemented family diet and contributed to household system resiliency. They relied heavily on renewable energy sources from within their agro-system. Gardens in commercial households reduced fruit tree area and increased animal husbandry for the market. They depended more on purchased non-renewable energy sources and were less sustainable and much less energy efficient than traditional gardens.