Female preference for preferred males is reversed under low oxygen conditions in the common goby (Pomatoschistus microps)

Female preference for males that already have eggs in theirnest has been reported in many fish species. The presence ofeggs may provide a cue for copying the choice of previous femalesand may indicate that high-quality care will be available. Consistentwith a review of 13 studies, we found that female common gobies(Pomatoschistus microps) preferred to spawn with males thathad already been chosen by females and whose nests therefore alreadycontained eggs. However, this preference was reversed underconditions of low dissolved oxygen. We would not expect thisreversal if the second female were using eggs as a signal ofmale genetic attractiveness to other females unless the benefitswere outweighed by direct selection. The reversal also couldnot be explained by differences in active courtship by males,as courtship rates did not differ under low oxygen between maleswith or without eggs. Low oxygen conditions corresponded witha nearly threefold increase in male ventilation of eggs anda reduction in time spent near a selecting female. The reversalis therefore most likely due to females avoiding males thatwould be unable to meet the demands of care of a second clutchunder low oxygen conditions. Thus, an abiotic feature of theenvironment reveals plasticity of female choice, consistentwith hypothesized changes in benefits of mating with preferredmales.     

Protein phosphatase interconversions

This report illustrates the complex enzymology of the multisubstrate protein phosphate that reverses most of the cyclic AMP-mediated protein phosphorylation reactions that regulate glycogen metabolism. The activity of the protein phosphatase is controlled in a dual way: it interconverts between an active and an inactive form, while the expression of its activity can furthermore be prevented by a heat-stable protein (inhibitor-1). The interconversion of the mutisubstrate protein phosphatase is made possible by the presence of a modulator protein, which constitutes the enzyme's regulatory subunit, and by the action of an activating protein, the kinase F_A, which is responsible for the transition of the enzyme's catalytic subunit into its active conformation.     

Avian Response to Bottomland Hardwood Reforestation: The First 10 Years

Bottomland hardwood forests were planted on agricultural fields in Mississippi and Louisiana predominantly using either Quercus species (oaks) or Populus deltoides (eastern cottonwood). We assessed avian colonization of these reforested sites between 2 and 10 years after planting. Rapid vertical growth of cottonwoods (circa 2–3 m/year) resulted in sites with forest structure that supported greater species richness of breeding birds, increased Shannon diversity indices, and supported greater territory densities than on sites planted with slower‐growing oak species. Grassland birds (Spiza americana[Dickcissel] and Sturnella magna[Eastern Meadowlark]) were indicative of species breeding on oak‐dominated reforestation no more than 10 years old. Agelaius phoeniceus (Red‐winged Blackbird) and Colinus virginianus (Northern Bobwhite) characterized cottonwood reforestation no more than 4 years old, whereas 14 species of shrub‐scrub birds (e.g., Passerina cyanea[Indigo Bunting]) and early‐successional forest birds (e.g., Vireo gilvus[Warbling vireo]) typified cottonwood reforestation 5 to 9 years after planting. Rates of daily nest survival did not differ between reforestation strategies. Nest parasitism increased markedly in older cottonwood stands but was overwhelmed by predation as a cause of nest failure. Based on Partners in Flight prioritization scores and territory densities, the value of cottonwood reforestation for avian conservation was significantly greater than that of oak reforestation during their first 10 years. Because of benefits conferred on breeding birds, we recommend reforestation of bottomland hardwoods should include a high proportion of fast‐growing early successional species such as cottonwood.     

First record of Alucita danunciae (Lepidoptera: Alucitidae) in Peru

ABSTRACT

The little-known Alucita danunciae Vargas, 2011 (Lepidoptera: Alucitidae) is recorded for the first time from Peru, expanding its altitudinal, geographic and host plant ranges. Its larvae were found on fruits of Tecoma fulva arequipensis (Bignoniaceae) at 2900 m elevation in Pocsi, Arequipa, on the western slopes of the Andes of southern Peru. Genetic divergence between the Chilean (type locality) and Peruvian DNA barcode haplotypes was 0.6–0.9% K2P.     

The responsibilities of the engaged bioethicist: Scholar,advocate, activist

The work of a bioethicist carries distinctive responsibilities. Alongside those of any worker, there are responsibilities associated with giving guidance to practitioners, policy makers and the public. In addition, bioethicists are professionally exposed to and required to identify situations of moral trouble, and as a result may find themselves choosing to work as advocates or activists, with responsibilities that are distinct from those generally acknowledged within academia. The requirement for bioethics to make normative judgements entails taking a stance, which means there cannot be a sharp line between ‘academic’ or ‘objective’ bioethics, and advocacy/activism, but a continuum of bioethicists’ engagement and an associated continuum of responsibilities.     

Cold tolerance of Pseudomonas sp. 30-3 isolated from oil-contaminated soil, Antarctica

Pseudomonas sp. 30-3 was enriched from oil-contaminated soil from Wright Valley, Antarctica using JP8 jet fuel as sole carbon source. This isolate exhibited tolerance to temperatures ranging from 0°C to 35°C when cultured in laboratory medium. In a freeze-thaw study, an 89% survival was observed when Pseudomonas sp. 30-3 was exposed to 4°C prior to freezing. PCR amplification of a 248-bp DNA fragment in Pseudomonas sp. 30-3 using capB-gene specific primers showed a 98% amino acid sequence homology with CapB of Pseudomonas fragi and 62% homology with CspA of Escherichia coli. Radiolabeling of total cellular proteins exhibited elevated expression of an 8-kDa protein at 4°C, which suggests that the CapB in Pseudomonas sp. 30-3 may play a pivotal role in survival and tolerance at cold and subzero temperatures. Tolerance to cold temperatures and the ability to degrade hydrocarbons by Pseudomonas sp. 30-3 provide support for the application of bioremediation for petroleum hydrocarbons in Antarctic soils.     

Retention of cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP) and cell death in redifferentiated pseudoachondroplasia chondrocytes

Cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP) is a large extracellular glycoprotein that is found in the territorial matrix surrounding chondrocytes. Two skeletal dysplasias, pseudoachondroplasia (PSACH) and multiple epiphyseal dysplasia (EDM1) are caused by mutations in the calcium binding domains of COMP. In this study, we identified two PSACH mutations and assessed the effect of these mutations on redifferentiated chondrocyte structure and function. We confirmed, in vitro, that COMP is retained in enormous cisternae of the rough endoplasmic reticulum (rER) and relatively absent in the PSACH matrix. The rER accumulation may compromise chondrocyte function, leading to chondrocyte death. Moreover, while COMP appears to be deficient in the PSACH matrix, the matrix appeared to be normal but the over-all quantity was reduced. These results suggest that the abnormality in linear growth in PSACH may result from decreased chondrocyte numbers which would also affect the amount of matrix produced.     

Résultats préliminaires des sites subfossiles d’Antsingiavo (Madagascar)

Preliminary report on Antsingiavo subfossils sites (Madagascar). Two new sites, Antsingiavo A & B, have been discovered in the Narinda peninsula, situated in the North-West of Madagascar, Province of Mahajanga. Breccias contain microfauna associated with subfossil lemurs of an average size (Archaeolemur) and small (Microcebus). Until now, the subfossil microfauna of Madagascar was practically unknown. The sample from Antsingiavo offers information on past environments in the Narinda peninsula. The new discoveries contribute to an understanding of the diversity Archaeolemur, with different forms in the different areas of Madagascar. To cite this article : D. Gommery et al., C. R. Palevol 2 (2003).