The Protein-Phosphatase Inhibitor Okadaic Acid Mimics MSH-Induced and Melatonin-Reversible Melanosome Dispersion in Xenopus laevis Melanophores

The present study describes the ability of 315 nM okadaic acid to induce melanosome dispersion in cultured Xenopus laevis melanophores. This effect of okadaic acid is similar to that of a-melanocyte stimulating hormone (MSH) and can be reversed by melatonin treatment; it indicates that a member of the protein-phosphatase 1 or 2A families must be active for maintenance of the aggregated state. Higher concentrations of okadaic acid (1 μM) attenuate the response of Xenopus melanophores to melatonin leading to the hypothesis that melatonin action is mediated by the calcium/calmodulin activated phosphatase 2B. This hypothesis seems unlikely, however, since the calcium/calmodulin inhibitors TFP and W7 do not prevent melatonin-induced pigment aggregation, but instead induce aggregation on their own.     

Male–female associations and female olfactory neurogenesis with pair bonding in Mus spicilegus

Mound‐building mice Mus spicilegus exhibit life‐history traits that are unique among the Mus species complex, such as the cooperative mound‐building behaviour that gives the species its common name. In this and other socially coordinated activities, such as those associated with reproduction, these mice should be able to recognize individuals (via discrimination based on kinship, population and species) to mediate their interactions. Our previous studies have provided evidence of population and species recognition in M. spicilegus. The aims of the present study were: (i) to study associations of mice during their reproductive period (in outdoor enclosures), (ii) to investigate whether there is an influence of relatedness of females in these associations, (iii) to determine whether female M. spicilegus are able to make kin vs. non‐kin discriminations, and (iv) to study certain neurobiological correlates of male–female bonds. Stable male–female associations were found in almost all the experimental groups, both those with unrelated and unfamiliar females and those with unfamiliar sisters. Kinship between females did not affect female associations in our enclosure experiment, but in our kin discrimination experiment females did distinguish between unfamiliar sisters and unfamiliar unrelated females. Shared kinship may not encourage cooperative rearing of pups but could enhance cooperation in building mounds where mice over‐winter. Male–female associations could be based on a social bond, as hypothesized from previous laboratory experiments. This was substantiated in this study by increased olfactory bulbar neurogenesis in females that preferred (in two choice tests) their sexual partner 3 weeks after their first mating. Based on these results there is clear evidence to suggest that the mating system of M. spicilegus is social monogamy. © 2005 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2005, 84 , 323–334.     

Patterns of morphological variation in two sexually dimorphic bird species with different tail shapes

Many studies have focused on tail ornamentation in birds, but not all tail shapes have been studied in depth. Graduated and pin tails have received less attention than forked tails, despite being more likely, in terms of aerodynamic theory, to be honest signals. We report morphological variation in live specimens of two sexually dimorphic passerines from the same site with different tail shapes: graduated (Cape sugarbird Promerops cafer ) and pin (orange-breasted sunbird Antobaphes violacea ). Coefficients of variation (CVs) were calculated for all morphological traits, both non-ornamental (range 1.91–5.72) and ornamental (range 5.83–21.71). Males and females did not differ in CV for any non-ornamental trait. Ornamental traits in males of both species were significantly more variable than all non-ornamental traits. Cape sugarbird ornamental traits were significantly more variable than those of orange-breasted sunbirds. The high levels of variation in graduated tails relative to pintails suggest that these traits have been driven mainly by sexual selection. In contrast, both constraining natural and multiple ornament selection could be responsible for the relatively low levels of variation in pintails.  © 2007 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society , 2007, 91 , 437–443.     

Quantification of sexual dimorphism in Asellus aquaticus (Crustacea: Isopoda) using outline approaches

A marked sexual dimorphism is often observed in arthropods species in which males perform precopulatory mate guarding. It is generally thought to reflect the influence of sexual selection. Until now, sexual dimorphisms associated with mate guarding have mainly been qualitatively described. However, assessing the effects of sexual selection on sexual dimorphims requires a preliminary quantitative assessment of differences in morphology between sexes. Using Fourier analyses, we tested if morphological dimorphisms could be quantitatively assessed in the isopod Asellus aquaticus . In addition, we checked whether sexual dimorphism in shape was exclusively related to mate guarding through considering characters that are not, a priori , implicated in mating behaviour. To assess the potential role of sexual selection in shaping morphology, we then examined how dimorphic characters could influence males' pairing success. Three characters (pleotelson, paraeopods 4 and 5) differed significantly in shape between males and females. In addition, two characters (pleotelson and paraeopods 4) differed in shape between guarding males and non-guarding males, with the latter being closer in shape to females. This suggests that sexual selection may be partly responsible for the observed morphological divergence between sexes in A. aquaticus .  © 2002 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Society of the Linnean Society , 2002, 77 , 523–533.     

Testing Global Positioning System Performance for Wildlife Monitoring Using Mobile Collars and Known Reference Points

Abstract: To determine the spatial resolution of Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver data, rigorous testing is essential. We tested performance of the Lotek 3300 GPS collar for medium-sized mammals (Lotek Engineering, Inc., Newmarket, ON, Canada). To mimic real wildlife monitoring situations, we performed both static (stationary receiver) and mobile tests, placing the receiver collar on a dog. We compared fix locations of the mobile receiver with the actual trajectory described by a portable Trimble high-precision GPS. We determined performance in relation to habitat type and leaf cover. Location error was habitat-dependent, with the best results in open habitat and much poorer ones in forest, particularly coniferous-dominated forest. For both static and mobile tests, location accuracy was higher when the number of satellites contacted was high and when the residual positional dilution of precision (PDOP) value was low. However, location error was highly variable, even for a given PDOP value and a given number of satellites contacted. Finally, mobile collars performed less well than their static counterparts, presumably because of frequent changes of GPS position and orientation.     

Dynamics of Architectural Development of Isolated Plants of Maize (Zea mays L.), in a Non-limiting Environment: The Branching Potential of Modern Maize

The maximal architectural development of a modern maize cultivar(Zea mays L. ‘Dea’) was studied in fully isolatedand carefully irrigated plants. Under these favourable conditions,this (usually) non-tillering and non-prolific cultivar displayeda large amount of branching (down to the third order), includinglarge basal tillers and prolific ear shoots. This developmentwas analysed by combining: (1) architectural analysis, initiallydeveloped for trees; and (2) quantitative analysis of tilleringkinetics, designed for other grass species. The architecturalunit of maize included a main long axis (A1) and lateral shortshoots bearing a terminal spike (A2). The basal tillers (notedA1') resulted from a complete and sylleptic reiteration. Itskinetics were consistent with tillering models, but with a particularlylong delay in branch emergence (seven phyllochrons), comparedto other grass species. This delay is likely to enhance regulationby leaf (or root) density in stands and explains the inhibitionof branch development, as usually observed in field conditions,even at low density. Similarly, the suppression of the basalreiteration in secondary branches observed in isolated plantsprobably results from increased intra-tussock density. In isolatedplants, androgenous axes combining A1' and A2 morphologies werealso produced in intermediate positions. It is shown that theycan result from a basipetal sequence of A2 differentiation reachingbuds in the course of their A1' development. The consequencesof these unexpected results are discussed in terms of maizedevelopment and architectural analysis of grasses. Copyright1999 Annals of Botany Company Plant architecture, development, maize (Zea mays L.), tillering, branching, shoot, prolificacy, phyllochron.     

Abscisic acid is involved in the response of grape (Vitis vinifera L.) cv. Malbec leaf tissues to ultraviolet-B radiation by enhancing ultraviolet-absorbing compounds, antioxidant enzymes and membrane sterols

We investigated the interactions of abscisic acid (ABA) in the responses of grape leaf tissues to contrasting ultraviolet (UV)-B treatments. One-year-old field-grown plants of Vitis vinifera L. were exposed to photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) where solar UV-B was eliminated by using polyester filters, or where PAR was supplemented with UV-B irradiation. Treatments combinations included weekly foliar sprays of ABA or a water control. The levels of UV-B absorbing flavonols, quercetin and kaempferol were significantly decreased by filtering out UV-B, while applied ABA increased their content. Concentration of two hydroxycinnamic acids, caffeic and ferulic acids, were also increased by ABA, but not affected by plus UV-B (+UV-B) treatments. Levels of carotenoids and activities of the antioxidant enzymes, catalase, ascorbate peroxidase and peroxidase were elevated by +ABA treatments, but only if +UV-B was given. Cell membrane β -sitosterol was enhanced by ABA independently of +UV-B. Changes in photoprotective compounds, antioxidant enzymatic activities and sterols were correlated with lessened membrane harm by UV-B, as assessed by ion leakage. Oxidative damage expressed as malondialdehyde content was increased under +UV-B treatments. Our results suggest that the defence system of grape leaf tissues against UV-B is activated by UV-B irradiation with ABA acting downstream in the signalling pathway.     

A panel of microsatellite markers to study sperm precedence patterns in the emperor dragonfly Anax imperator (Odonata: Anisoptera)

Odonates were the first group of organisms where sperm competition and last male sperm precedence have been identified. With the development of 10 microsatellites for the emperor dragonfly Anax imperator, the function and priority patterns of the multiple sperm storage organs of females can be studied and compared between species in natural populations. In addition, two microsatellite loci developed for the sister species Anax parthenope, are also highly polymorphic in A. imperator. For the presented 12 microsatellite loci, the number of alleles per locus ranged from two to 24. Observed heterozygosity ranged from 0.07 to 0.88.