Visual behaviors of the migratory grasshopper,Melanoplus sanguinipes F. (Orthoptera: Acrididae)

The visual behavior of adult Melanoplus sanguinipesF. (Orthoptera: Acrididae) was investigated by placing individuals in the center of an arena and recording their orientation responses to visual targets at the perimeter of the arena. Targets that reflected more 540- to 570-nm light were approached more frequently; however, when reflectance in the 540 -to 570-nm region was combined with reflectance in the 400- to 520-nm region, orientation responses were reduced significantly. This suggests that spectral discrimination in M. sanguinipesinvolves at least two classes of photoreceptors, which respond to different regions of the wavelength spectrum. In addition, grasshoppers oriented to vertical, but not horizontal, contrasting stripes. However, when vertical stripes were added to targets reflecting 520- to 650-nm light, responses to verticals on these targets were not enhanced relative to verticals presented against a target background of 400- to 520-nm + 520- to 650-nm light. Thus, spectral discrimination and vertical stripe fixation appear to be two distinct visual behaviors, controlled by outputs from two classes of photoreceptors and a single class of photoreceptors, respectively, and may be used in different physiological or ecological contexts.     

Host Location and Ovipositional Behavior of Platygaster demades Walker (Hymenoptera: Platygastridae), an Egg Parasitoid of Apple and Pear Leaf Curling Midges

The foraging responses of 1–2-day-old naïve female Platygaster demades to odors of apple and pear foliage and host insect eggs were measured. The host origin of P. demades had no effect on the parasitoids’ longevity, host preference, or foraging behavior. Four distinct behaviors related to oviposition were identified. In choice experiments, more female parasitoids responded to apple foliage with no midge eggs than to midge eggs alone. In a Y-tube olfactometer, parasitoids preferred the plant cues to clean air, and responded equally to both apple and pear odors. The results indicate that P. demades utilizes plant cues to locate the habitat of its host and then searches for host eggs to parasitize.     

Yellow Traps Can Be Used to Monitor Populations of Coccinella transversalis (F.) and Adalia bipunctata (L.) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) in Cotton Crops

During 1992–4, square (30 times 30 cm) sticky traps of various colours were used on a commercial cotton farm to trap adults of Coccinella transversalis and Adalia bipunctata which are both major predators of Helicoverpa spp. Both insects were attracted most to yellow traps which also reflected the most visible light between 500 nmand 600 nm(where green foliage reflects most light). When yellow was diluted with white to produce yellow-white hues, the light reflected between 500 nm and 600 nm was reduced and the numbers of C. transversalis and A. bipunctata adults caught on these traps were also significantly reduced. This suggests that C. transversalis and A. bipunctata adults can discriminate foliage-like hues (500–580 nm) from non-foliage-like hues (<500 nm and >580 nm) and are attracted to colours that suggest the foliage of host plants that may harbour their prey. Yellow sticky traps placed 25–50 cm above ground caught significantly more C. transversalis and A. bipunctata adults than those placed at 75–150 cm and are the most appropriate traps to monitor populations of C. transversalis and A. bipunctata adults in cotton farms.     

Foliage consumption and larval development of parasitized and unparasitized soybean looper,Pseudoplusia includens [Lep.: Noctuidae], reared on a resistant soybean genotype and effects on an associated parasitoid,Compidosoma truncatellum [Hym.: Encyrtidae]

Field grown foliage from the resistant soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merrill] breeding line GAT “81–327” and the susceptible cultivar “Ransom” was used to rear unparasitized larvae of the soybean looper (SBL),Pseudoplusia includens (Walker), and larvae parasitized byCopidosoma truncatellum (Dalman). SBL larvae, whether parasitized or not, consumed more foliage when fed “Ransom”. Unparasitized larvae reared on “81–327” had longer developmental times and suffered greater mortality than unparasitized larvae reared on “Ransom”. Parasitization of SBL larvae byC. truncatellum increased total foliage consumption of both soybean lines. Parasitized larvae reared on the resistant “81–327” weighed less and yielded fewer parasitoid adults.

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Résumé Des larves dePseudoplusia includens (Walker) parasitées ou non parCopidosoma truncatellum (Dalman) ont été nourries des feuilles de deux lignées de soja [Glycine max (L.) Merrill] l'une, GAT “81–327” résistante et l'autre, “Ransom” sensible. Les larves deP. includens qu'elles soient parasitées ou non consommaient plus de feuillage lorsqu'elles étaient nourries de la lignée “Ransom”. Les larves non parasitées élevées sur “81–327” avaient un cycle de développement beaucoup plus long et un taux de mortalité beaucoup plus élevé que les larves non parasitées élevées comparativement sur feuilles de “Ransom”. Par contre, les larves parasitées manifestaient une consommation accrue du feuillage des deux lignées de soja. Les larves parasitées élevées sur les feuilles de la variété résistante GAT “81–327” pesaient moins et produisaient moins également de parasites adultes.

     

Responses of the blister beetle Hycleus apicicornis to visual stimuli

Insect attraction to host plants may be partly mediated by visual stimuli. In the present study, the responses of adult Hycleus apicicornis (Guér.) (Coleoptera: Meloidae) to plant models of different colours, different combinations of two colours, or three hues of blue of different shapes are compared. Single‐colour models comprised the colours sky blue, bright green, yellow, red, white and black. Sky blue (reflecting light in the 440–500 nm region) is the most attractive, followed by white, which reflects light over a broader range (400–700 nm). On landing on sky blue targets, beetles exhibit feeding behaviour immediately. When different hues of blue (of different shapes) are compared, sky blue is preferred over turquoise, followed by dark blue, indicating that H. apicicornis is more attracted to lighter hues of blue than to darker ones. No significant differences are found between the three shapes (circle, square and triangle) tested, suggesting that reflectance associated with colour could be a more important visual cue than shape for host location by H. apicicornis. The preference of H. apicicornis for sky blue can be exploited in designing an attractive trap for its management.     

Field studies on colour preferences of Ctenarytaina thysanura in Tasmanian boronia farms

Field tests on attraction of Ctenarytaina thysanura (Hemiptera: Psyllidae) adults to different coloured 30×30 cm sticky traps revealed a preference for yellow. Among the enamel colours tested, more psyllids were captured on yellow traps followed by green, then blue and least on red, cyan and magenta. Dilution of yellow enamel with 50% white (1Y: 1W) and 75% white (1Y: 3W) to produce yellow-white hues resulted in a significant decrease in psyllid capture indicating that the psyllids response to yellow was one of positive attraction and could suggest true colour discrimination. Reflectance spectra of painted surfaces of the enamel colours and also yellow to white hues indicated that psyllid capture rates were directly related to the proportion of light reflected in the 500–560 nm region. The biological basis of the observed C. thysanura response may be that yellow is the most intensely reflective colour in the general part of the spectrum for leaves which reflect most light in the 500–600 nm (peak 550 nm) range.     

Influence of phototropic response of spore germ tubes on infection process inColletotrichum lagenarium andBipolaris oryzae

The germ tubes ofColletotrichum lagenarium showed negative phototropism to UV-blue (300–520 nm) and far-red (>700 nm) regions with maximum in the near ultraviolet (NUV) region, while monochromatic radiations of 575–700 nm (yellow-red region) induced positive phototropism with maximum in the red region. Green light (520–575 nm) was ineffective. Negative phototropism-inducing wavelength regions inhibited germ tube growth and positive phototropism-inducing wavelength regions promoted it significantly.Bipolaris oryzae did not show any phototropic response and light did not affect the germ tube growth. These results indicate that the lens effect, in combination with the light growth reaction and light growth inhibition, is the mechanism of the phototropism of germ tubes ofC. lagenarium. NUV radiation, which induced negative phototropism ofC. lagenarium, promoted appressorium formation, while red light, which induced positive phototropism, suppressed it significantly. In the case ofB. oryzae, light did not affect the infection structure formation. These results indicate that negative phototropism of germ tubes ofC. lagenarium favors the infection process by facilitating the contact of the tips of germ tubes with the host surface, while positive phototropism has the opposite effect.     

A proteinase inhibitor from Nicotiana alata inhibits the normal development of light-brown apple moth, Epiphyas postvittana in transgenic apple plants

Insecticidal proteins are a potential resource to enhance resistance to insect pests in transgenic plants. Here, we describe the generation and analysis of the apple cultivar ‘Royal Gala’ transgenic for Nicotiana alata (N. alata) proteinase inhibitor (PI) and the impact of this PI on the growth and development of the Epiphyas postvittiana (light-brown apple moth). A cDNA clone encoding a proteinase inhibitor precursor from N. alata (Na-PI) under the control of either a double 35S promoter or a promoter from a ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase small sub-unit gene (rbcS-E9 promoter) was stably incorporated into ‘Royal Gala’ apple using Agrobacterium-mediated transformation. A 40.3 kDa Na-PI precursor protein was expressed and correctly processed into 6-kDa proteinase inhibitors in the leaves of transgenic apple lines. The 6-kDa polypeptides accumulated to levels of 0.05 and 0.1% of the total soluble protein under the control of the rbc-E9 promoter and the double 35S promoter, respectively. Light-brown apple moth larvae fed with apple leaves expressing Na-PI had significantly reduced body weight after 7 days of feeding and female pupae were 19–28% smaller than controls. In addition, morphological changes such as pupal cases attached to the wing, deformed wings, deformed body shape, and pupal cases and curled wings attached to a deformed body were observed in adults that developed from larvae fed with apple leaves expressing Na-PI, when compared to larvae fed with the non-transformed apple leaves.     

Coloured hailnets alter light transmission,spectra and phytochrome,as well as vegetative growth,leaf chlorophyll and photosynthesis and reduce flower induction of apple

In view of alleged positive effects of coloured (red) hailnets on phytochrome, photosynthesis, yield and fruit quality, the objective of the present work was to investigate a range of red and green hailnets using apple as a model crop with cvs. ‘Pinova’ and ‘Fuji Kiku 8’. Light transmission of green or red hailnets peaked between 500 and 570 nm (green) or above 570 nm (red–orange) and was reduced by 12% (white) or 14% (red–white), 18% (red–black) and 23% (green–black) hailnets; there were no effects on phytochrome. Leaf chlorophyll concentration increased under coloured hailnets by up to 46% under the green–black hailnet, while air temperature was reduced by 0.2°C. Under sunny conditions, photosynthesis of ca. 18 μmol CO₂ m⁻² s⁻¹ was not reduced under coloured hailnets, in contrast with a 21% reduction under cloudy conditions with a concomitant reduction in transpiration by 13%. Vegetative growth was affected in different ways: shaded trees showed smaller trunk diameter, but increased the number and length of their 1-year shoots under coloured hailnets, particularly with cv. ‘Fuji’ when grown under green–black hailnet. Hailnets reduced flower induction in June and return bloom in the next spring to the same extent as they reduced the light transmission. Overall, tree growth under coloured hailnets was genetically influenced, with cv. ‘Fuji’ being more prone and sensitive to adverse effects of coloured hailnets than cv. ‘Pinova’, but is also influenced by the environment. Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Scototaxis and shape discrimination in the female cricket Acheta domesticus in an arena and on a compensatory treadmill

ABSTRACT. The scototactic responses of adult female Acheta domesticus L. were tested toward various shaped targets in an orientation arena and on a compensatory treadmill. In an arena, crickets oriented toward dark targets (positive scototaxis) if they had horizontal visual angles ≥30, and if the vertical dimensions of the target was ≤ its horizontal dimension. Unattractive targets did not result in negative scototaxis but caused crickets to orient randomly with no net directionality. When complex targets were composed of two or more simple rectangular targets which had been previously defined as attractive or unattractive, intermediate responses were obtained. Crickets oriented less toward complex targets than toward simple attractive targets, but oriented more than toward simple unattractive targets. The responses of a female cricket toward an attractive target can be modified by the presence of a chemical signal emitted by previously tested females. When the signal is present females are less likely to orient toward a target that would otherwise be very attractive. This effect was not as great when the females being tested were taken directly from densely populated colonies.
When running on a compensatory treadmill, female crickets exhibit scototactic tendencies similar to those displayed in the arena. When tested on the treadmill over long periods, the amount of time spent orienting toward an attractive target increased.     

Spectral preference and temporal modulation of photic orientation by Colorado potato beetle on a servosphere

The Colorado potato beetle (CPB), Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Say) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), is a diurnal insect that strongly relies on visual cues to guide its walk. In the present study, we investigated the orientation behavior of non‐diapausing walking CPB in response to emissive colors produced by light emitting diodes (LEDs) in a dual choice arena adapted to a servosphere, where the only illumination available came from the photo‐stimuli. Our results demonstrate that CPB show positive phototactic behavior when stimulated with different wavelengths of light; they preferred to orient towards white (420–775 nm), ultraviolet (UV) (351 nm), blue (472 nm), green (570 nm), yellow (585 nm), orange (590 nm), and red (660 nm) over darkness when both alternatives were offered, but no orientation responses were elicited by infrared (940 nm). Both males and females preferred yellow and green over other colors, but did not show any particular preference between them, thus correlating with their preference for wavelengths reflected by vegetation. Sexual differences were noted in that male CPB preferred white over either red or UV, whereas female CPB did not show any preferences when offered these colors. Female CPB preferred UV and blue over red, whereas males showed no preferences when these colors were offered. Colorado potato beetles turned at higher angles and performed more tortuous walks in complete darkness and when infrared vs. darkness were offered compared with the rest of the colored lights. Both sexes preferred continuous over pulsed yellow light. Colorado potato beetles subjected to pulsed yellow light showed a temporal alteration of their walking performance by walking less, slower, and turning at a higher rate. The results are discussed with regard to the role of color in the CPB attraction to host plants and conspecifics as well as the role of intermittent photic stimuli in their orientation behavior. The information provided here provides a basis for the improvement of trapping devices for detection and survey of incipient or invasive CPB, and development of alternate control strategies for this important pest of potatoes and other solanaceous crops.     

Glandular trichomes ofSolanum berthaultii alter host preference of the Colorado potato Beetle,Leptinotarsa decemlineata

Choice and no-choice studies were conducted to determine how the glandular trichomes of the wild potato,Solanum berthaultii Hawkes, affect host preference of the Colorado potato beetle,Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Say). Given a feeding choice betweenS. tuberosum andS. berthaultii, larvae and adults preferred the foliage ofS. tuberosum, but adults were more discriminating. When foliage ofS. berthaultii was appressed toS. tuberosum leaflets, fewer adults fed on the appressed leaflets. When given a choice between ‘trichome-intact’ and ‘trichome-removed’S. berthaultii foliage, adults preferred to feed on the latter. The preference for ‘trichome-removed’ foliage and the percent of adults initiating feeding, increased with the degree of trichome removal. These studies provide evidence that the resistance ofS. berthaultii is associated with feeding deterrents localized in the glandular trichomes, thatS. berthaultii possesses more than one mechanism of resistance to the Colorado potato beetle, and that the expression of resistance is dependent on the developmental stage of the insect.     

Lipofuscins and sclerotial differentiation in phytopathogenic fungi

Lipofuscins of lipidic and proteinaceous origin were identified by their excitation and emission spectra in phytopathogenic fungal representatives of different sclerotial differentiation types. Lipofuscin pigments in Sclerotium rolfsii, Rhizoctonia solani, Sclerotinia minor and Sclerotinia sclerotiorum showed similar excitation and emission maxima (ex-em 330–450, 330–450, 330–470 and 3307–470 nm, respectively). Sclerotial differentiation of these fungi was proceeded by a 4.2, 2.5, 2.7, 2.5 and 6, 2.9, 3.8, 3.1 fold increase of lipofuscin accumulation (per lipid and protein content), per respective fungus, as compared to their undifferentiated stage. Lipofuscin levels were higher in older than in younger mycelia and this phenomenon was more profound in S. rolfsii. Since lipofuscins are considered as indicators of oxidative stress, these data are in accordance with the hypothesis that suggests oxidative stress to be a common underlying factor in sclerotial differentiation of sclerotia-forming filamentous phytopathogenic fungi. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

The development of antenna complexes of barley (Hordeum vulgare cv. Akcent) under different light conditions as judged from the analysis of 77 K chlorophyll a fluorescence spectra

Using 77 K chlorophyll a (Chl a) fluorescence spectra in vivo, the development was studied of Photosystems II (PS II) and I (PS I) during greening of barley under intermittent light followed by continuous light at low (LI, 50 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹) and high (HI, 1000 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹) irradiances. The greening at HI intermittent light was accompanied with significantly reduced fluorescence intensity from Chl b excitation for both PS II (F685) and PS I (F743), in comparison with LI plants, indicating that assembly of light-harvesting complexes (LHC) of both photosystems was affected to a similar degree. During greening at continuous HI, a slower increase of emission from Chl b excitation in PS II as compared with PS I was observed, indicating a preferred reduction in the accumulation of LHC II. The following characteristics of 77 K Chl a fluorescence spectra documented the photoprotective function of an elevated content of carotenoids in HI leaves: (1) a pronounced suppression of Soret region of excitation spectra (410–450 nm) in comparison with the red region (670–690 nm) during the early stage of greening indicated a strongly reduced excitation energy transfer from carotenoids to the Chl a fluorescing forms within PS I and PS II; (2) changes in the shape of the excitation band of Chl b and carotenoids (460–490 nm) during greening under continuous light confirmed that the energy transfer from carotenoids to Chl a within PS II remained lower as compared with the LI plants. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Factors influencing codling moth larval response to α-farnesene

Behavioral responses of newly-emerged codling moth (Cydia pomonella L.) larvae to α-farnesene were compared for a laboratory-reared strain (‘lab’, 160 generations inbred) and a recently collected strain (‘wild’, 3 generations). Video recordings of single larvae placed 20 mm from Bond papers releasing a range of seven α-farnesene concentrations were scored for head turning, head lifting, head direction, and movement across a Petri dish. The laboratory strain was significantly less successful at finding the treated papers than the wild strain. The lab strain was also significantly less active, shown by more random orientation, slower walking speed, less head turning and less head lifting. Both strains showed lower response to α-farnesene concentrations less than 10⁻⁶ (w/v) α-farnesene. Orientation, walking speed, and head turning rate were significantly higher in the presence of α-farnesene concentrations >10⁻⁷ w/v, for both strains. Head lifting did not show any effect from α-farnesene. Head turning was associated with both head lifting and walking speed and this association improved with the presence of α-farnesene. Increased attraction to odour source was correlated with improved direction finding at concentrations above 10⁻⁷ w/v. Activity factors such as head turning and walking speed influenced time to locate odour source more than orientation factors. Odour-guided orientation to α-farnesene in codling moth larvae was composed of both locomotory, and to a lesser extent, orientation responses, which increased in a directed fashion to the stimulus.     

The effect of light intensity and spectrum on the incidence of first feeding by larval haddock

Under full–spectrum white light, feeding success of haddock Melanogrammus aeglefinus first feeding larvae, as measured both by proportion of larvae feeding and mean prey consumed, peaked at 1·7-18 μmol s^-1 m^-2. Feeding was significantly reduced at lower and higher intensities. A similar result was observed for larvae feeding under blue (470 nm) light, with significantly greater feeding success at intermediate light intensity (1·8 μmol s^-1 m^-2). When different light qualities were compared, larvae had significantly greater feeding success when exposed to blue (470 nm) light than either full-spectrum white or green (530 nm) light. Haddock larvae were capable of prey capture under all light treatments tested, indicating a necessary degree of adaptive flexibility in feeding response. The results are consistent with predisposition of haddock larvae to optimal feeding in a visual environment comparable with open ocean nursery grounds. Information on the impact of light on haddock first feeding can be incorporated into models of larval growth, survival, year-class strength and recruitment, and assist in developing husbandry protocols to maximize larval survival in aquaculture.     

Characterization of chlorophyll–protein complexes isolated from a Siphonous green alga, Bryopsis corticulans

Six chlorophyll–protein complexes are isolated from thylakoid membranes of Bryopsis corticulans by dodecyl-β-d-maltoside polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Unlike that of higher plants, the 77 K fluorescence emission spectrum of the CP1 band, the PSI core complexes of B. corticulans, presents two peaks, one at 675 nm and the other at 715–717 nm. The emission peak at 715–717 nm is slightly higher than that at 675 nm in the CP1 band when excited at 438 or 540 nm. However, the peak at 715 nm is obviously lower than that at 675 nm when excited at 480 nm. The excitation spectra of CP1 demonstrate that the peak at 675 nm is mainly attributed to energy from Chl b while it is the energy from Chl a that plays an important role in exciting the peak at 715–717 nm. Siphonaxanthin is found to contribute to both the 675 nm and 715–717 nm peaks. We propose from the above results that chlorophyll a and siphonaxanthin are mainly responsible for the transfer of energy to the far-red region of PSI while it is Chl b that contributes most of the transfer of energy to the red region of PSI. The analysis of chlorophyll composition and spectral characteristics of LHCP¹ and LHCP³ also indicate that higher content of Chl b and siphonaxanthin, mainly presented in LHCP¹, the trimeric form of LHCII, are evolved by B. corticulans to absorb an appropriate amount of light energy so as to adapt to their natural habitats.     

Selective Feeding of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Helicoverpa armigera</Emphasis> (Hübner) and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Spodoptera litura</Emphasis> (Fabricius) on Meridic Diet with <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bacillus thuringiensis</Emphasis> Toxins

Laboratory experiments were conducted to evaluate the behavior of Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) and Spodoptera litura (Fabricius) larvae on meridic diet with different concentrations of Bt spray formulation Delfin or isolated Cry1Ac protein or the foliage and bolls from transgenic cotton, Bollgard hybrid RCH-317 Bt. Both insect species selectively fed on nontreated diet compared with the diet treated with Delfin. While H. armigera exhibited concentration response with Cry1Ac, this protein did not affect S. litura larvae. In general Helicoverpa selected diet with low concentrations (EC₂₀ and EC₅₀ levels) of Cry1Ac compared with higher concentrations of Cry1Ac. In order to develop appropriate management strategies, a thorough understanding of the behavioral mechanisms leading to the responses of insects to the proteins in transgenic varieties is required. Thus, based on results of the insects fed individually on the leaf discs or bolls from transgenic cotton plants alone or under choice situation with meridic diet revealed that H. armigera larvae preferred meridic diet to transgenic leaves or bolls expressing Cry1Ac protein. H. armigera larvae preferred meridic diet to plant material; more than 70% larvae were seen on the meridic diet, and average larval weight gain was in the range of 121.7–130.5 mg. However, in case of S. litura the larvae showed no significant discrimination between meridic diet and the leaf discs. In fact more than 60% larvae preferred leaf discs for feeding, though Cry1Ac expression in leaf discs was in the range of 0.9–2.18 μg/g. Thus differences in behavioral response could potentially impact the level of efficacy of crop cultivars that have been genetically engineered to produce these proteins.     

Embryonic, larval and juvenile development of the roughskin sculpin,Trachidermus fasciatus (Scorpaeniformes: Cottidae)

Embryonic, larval and juvenile development of the catadromous roughskin sculpin,Trachidermus fasciatus, were described using eggs spawned in an aquarium. The eggs, measuring 1.98–2.21 mm in diameter, were light reddish-yellow and had many oil globules, 0.05–0.18 mm in diameter. Hatching occurred 30 days after spawning at 2.3–11.3°C. The newly-hatched larvae, measuring 6.9–7.3 mm BL, had a single oil globule, 9–10+25–26=34–36 myomeres and 6 or 7 large stellate melanophores dorsally along the gut. The yolk was almost resorbed, number of pectoral-fin rays attained 16–17, and two parietal, one nuchal and four preopercular spines were formed, 5 days after hatching, at 8.2–8.4 mm BL. The oil globule disappeared, and one supracleithral spine was formed, 11 days after hatching, at 8.9–9.5 mm BL. Notochord flexion began 15 days after hatching, at 9.7–10.3 mm BL. A posttemporal spine was formed 20 days after hatching, at 10.7–10.9 mm BL. The first dorsal fin spines (VII–VIII), second dorsal fin and anal fin rays (18–19, 16–18, respectively) appeared 23 days after hatching, at 12.0–13.7 mm BL. The pelvic fin spine and rays (I, 4) were formed and black bands on the head and sides of the body began to develop 27 days after hatching, at 13.8–15.8 mm BL. Newly-hatched larvae swam just below the surface in the aquaria. Preflexion larvae (8.9–9.5 mm BL), in which the oil globule had disappeared, swam in the middle layer, while juveniles (13.8–15.8 mm BL) began swimming on the bottom of the aquaria. Swimming behavior observed in the aquaria suggested that the fish started to change to a demersal existence at the juvenile stage.     

Phenolic compounds and antioxidant properties in the snow alga Chlamydomonas nivalis after exposure to UV light

The snow alga Chlamydomonas nivalis was collected from the Sierra Nevada, California, USA, and examined for its ability to produce phenolic compounds, free proline, and provide antioxidant protection factor in response to UV-A and UV-C light. Exposure of C. nivalis cells to UV-A light (365nm) for 5 days resulted in a 5–12% increase in total phenolics, where as exposure to UV-C light (254 nm) resulted in a 12–24% increase in phenolics after 7 days of exposure. Free proline was not affected by UV-A, but increased markedly after UV-C exposure. A three-fold increase in free proline occurred within two days after exposure to UV-C, but then dropped as cells became bleached. Antioxidant protection factor (PF) increased after treatment of cells with UV-A and remained constant throughout UV-C exposure. Spectral analysis of algal extracts revealed a decrease in absorption in the 215–225 nm region, short-term (2day) stimulation of pigment at 280 nm, and an increase in carotenoids (473 nm), after exposure to UV-A. Snow alga exposed to UV-C light had a different spectrum from that of UV-A exposed cells, i.e. an enhancement of three major peaks at 220, 260, and 280 nm, and loss of absorption in the carotenoid region.We report that UV light exposure, especially in the UV-C range, can stimulate phenolic-antioxidant production in aplanospores of C. nivalis effecting biochemical pathways related to proline metabolism. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.