Density-dependent physiological phase in a non-migratory grasshopperAiolopus thalassinus

Aiolopus thalassinus thalassinus (Fabricius) (Orthoptera: Acrididae) is a non-migratory grasshopper of widespread geographical distribution, also endemic in the Tel-Arad region of the Northern Negev of Israel, where it is liable to sporadically damage agricultural crops. Periodic sampling in uncultivated ‘batha’ and agricultural fields, conducted during 1990/1991, indicate thatA. thalassinus populations exhibit seasonal fluctuations in density. Local spatial and temporal distribution, within this region, are dependent on food availability. Field observations and laboratory studies suggest that the local population ofA. thalassinus exhibits genetic heterochromy unaffected by density. The duration of nymphal developmental is 34 days for nymphs reared in isolation, whereas crowded nymphs complete their development within only 21 days. No striking density related changes in gross morphometric features are evident, but, in adults from isolated culture, an increased abundance ofsensilla coeloconica, presumably involved in olfactory chemoreception, may be functionally related to enhanced (23.6-fold higher) activity of nymphs reared under crowded conditions. This higher level of activity is correlated to higher levels of energy reserves in the haemolymph — lipids and carbohydrates — and to increased respiration. Finally, the individual food consumption of nymphs from crowded culture is almost 5-fold higher than that of isolated nymphs and may increase the potential for crop damage. These results are similar to those obtained with the migratory locustLocusta migratoria and support the hypothesis that non-migratory grasshoppers exhibit some density-dependent physiological characteristics of locusts, but do not exhibit overt chromatic or morphometric phase characteristics.     

In vitro haemagglutination and attenuation of microfilarial motility by haemolymph from individual blackflies (Simulium ornatum) infected with Onchocerca lienalis

Two in vitro tests were used to investigate the effect of Onchocerca lienalis Stiles infection on the haemolymph of Simulium ornatum Meigen. The first of these examined the effect of infected haemolymph on the motility of fresh O. lienalis or Brugia pahangi Buckley & Edeson microfilariae. Incubation of haemolymph from individual flies with fresh microfilariae was performed in the wells of Terasaki micro-tissue culture plates. Motility of both species of parasite was found to be significantly attenuated when compared to worms incubated in control haemolymph groups. The second assay was that of agglutination of cat erythrocytes in the presence of haemolymph from individual flies, also performed in Terasaki plates. This test demonstrated significant increases in the rates of haemagglutination in the haemolymph of O. lienalis infected blackflies. The titre appeared to increase during the initial 5 days of infection up to a level of 1/32+, but then fell between day 5 and 7 to a maximum level of 1/2. The proportion of flies exhibiting haemagglutination also rose following infection. Despite the apparent absence of melanization and encapsulation, simuliids may have at least two humoral haemolymph components available to them for parasite regulation; a fast-acting factor responsible for rapid parasite death, and more specific agglutinins, possibly lectins. The role of the latter in defence is as yet unclear.     

Aerial and Aquatic Respiration in the River Crab Potamonautes Warreni Calman with Notes on Gill Structure

Summary

The oxygen consumption rate (?O₂) for Potamonauteus warreni Calman (= Potamon warreni (Calman) kept in 25 °C water was 34,4 μmol 1^?1 O₂ kg^?1 and after 72 hours in 98% R.H. air the rate was 31,9 μmol 1^?1 O₂ kg^?1 min^?1. The ?O₂ values for each of the two groups are not significantly different (P > 0,05). The partial oxygen tension of pre-branchial (v = venous) haemolymph (P_vCO₂) is 15,3 mm Hg in water and 13,0 mm Hg in air); partial carbon dioxide tension of pre-branchial (v) haemolymph (P_vCO₂) is 13,2 mm Hg in water and 13,0 mm Hg in air); the total carbon dioxide concentration in pre-branchial (v) haemolymph (C_vCO₂) tot. is 12,3 mmol 1^?1 in air and 13,9 mmol 1^?1 in water) are not significantly different for the two groups (P > 0,05). The haemolymph pH and the lactate concentration for crabs in water was found to be 7,51 and 0,38 mmol 1^?1 respectively. No significant differences were found in pre-branchial haemolymph oxygen tension, carbon dioxide tension, total carbon dioxide content, haemolymph pH, lactate level, chloride concentration, P₅₀ and haemocyanin-oxygen cooperativity in control crabs kept in water, and experimental crabs held in air for 72 hours. The chloride concentration, (327,0 mmol 1^?1) for crabs kept in water does not differ from that of crabs held in air for 72 hours but is at least 15% higher than the sodium concentration (255 mmol 1^?1) for crabs kept in water. The gill surface area is 520 mm² g^?1 wet body mass; on average 9,2 gill platelets (lamellae) can be found on a gill length of one millimetre. Each lamella is spaced 60–70 μm apart, each with a thickness of 30–40 μm. It is concluded that P. warreni may be described as a truly amphibious fresh-water crab.     

Immunohistological detection of leucine-enkephalin and influence of leucine-enkephalin on the nitric oxide synthase activity of the scallop Chlamys farreri

The study was designed to determine whether leucine-enkephalin (L-ENK) was present on the nerve cells of the scallop Chlamys farreri. Furthermore, the constitutive nitric oxide synthase (cNOS) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) activity was investigated after different doses of L-ENK were added into the haemolymph of C. farreri. Some nerve cells immunoreactive to anti-leucine-enkephalin sera were observed in the cerebral ganglia and pedal ganglia. Intracellular and extracellular cNOS and iNOS activity of the haemolymph was induced with increasing concentration of L-ENK. The highest of the extracellular iNOS and cNOS activity was 0.84 ± 0.02 (U) and 1.30 ± 0.07 (U), respectively. The highest of the intracellular iNOS and cNOS activity was 1.51 ± 0.13 (U) and 2.11 ± 0.13 (U), respectively. Both the intracellular and extracellular iNOS and cNOS activity was highest when the concentration of L-ENK was 5 µg mL^?1. Higher or lower concentrations of L-ENK did not significantly induce the cNOS and iNOS activity. The data suggests an involvement of opioid peptides in the regulation and improvement of the immune processes of C. farreri.     

Functional morphology of the feeding apparatus and evolution of proboscis length in metalmark butterflies (Lepidoptera: Riodinidae)

An assessment of the anatomical costs of extremely long proboscid mouthparts can contribute to the understanding of the evolution of form and function in the context of insect feeding behaviour. An integrative analysis of expenses relating to an exceptionally long proboscis in butterflies includes all organs involved in fluid feeding, such as the proboscis plus its musculature, sensilla, and food canal, as well as organs for proboscis movements and the suction pump for fluid uptake. In the present study, we report a morphometric comparison of derived long‐tongued (proboscis approximately twice as long as the body) and short‐tongued Riodinidae (proboscis half as long as the body), which reveals the non‐linear scaling relationships of an extremely long proboscis. We found no elongation of the tip region, low numbers of proboscis sensilla, short sensilla styloconica, and no increase of galeal musculature in relation to galeal volume, but a larger food canal, as well as larger head musculature in relation to the head capsule. The results indicate the relatively low extra expense on the proboscis musculature and sensilla equipment but significant anatomical costs, such as reinforced haemolymph and suction pump musculature, as well as thick cuticular proboscis walls, which are functionally related to feeding performance in species possessing an extremely long proboscis. © 2013 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2013, 110 , 291–304.     

Comparative analysis of the circulatory system in Amphipoda (Malacostraca, Crustacea)

We present data on the haemolymph vascular system (HVS) in four representatives of the major amphipod lineages Gammaridea, Hyperiidea and Caprellidea based on corrosion casting and three‐dimensional reconstructions of histological semi‐thin sections. In all these species the HVS comprises a dorsal pulsatile heart, which is continued in the body axis by the anterior and posterior aortae. The heart is equipped with three pairs of incurrent ostia. The number of cardiac arteries that lead off the heart varies among species: in the studied Gammaridea four pairs occur, in Hyperia galba only the three posterior pairs of cardiac arteries occur, while in Caprella mutica cardiac arteries are absent. In all the studied species the posterior aorta leads as a simple tube into the pleon attached to the dorsal diaphragm. The anterior aorta runs from its origin in the anterior part of the second thoracic segment into the cephalothorax. Both pairs of antennae have an arterial supply off the anterior aorta. An overview of previously studied species including our present findings shows the amphipod HVS to be relatively uniform and the gammarid form is discussed as being closest to the ground pattern of Amphipoda.     

昆虫血淋巴的收集技术与方法

血淋巴是昆虫生理生化研究的重要材料之一。文章分析归纳各类昆虫血淋巴的不同收集方法、收集前的昆虫准备以及收集后血淋巴的预处理,并结合该试验室研究阐述在收集昆虫血淋巴过程中的一些问题和经验,为能有效提取血淋巴提供一定的方法支持。     

九香虫血淋巴及其纯化蛋白抑菌活性的研究

对九香虫AsporgopuschinensisDallas血淋巴及其血淋巴蛋白质分离物的抗菌活性进行了研究,抗菌活性检测指示菌为大肠杆菌Escherichiacoli和金黄色葡萄球菌Staphilocalliesacereus。测定结果表明,九香虫血淋巴及其离心上清液都具有明显的抗菌活性。用凝胶过滤法从血淋巴蛋白分离提纯获得一种小分子肽,SDS PAGE电泳为单一带,分子量约为1～1 4 4kD。该小分子蛋白对大肠杆菌和金黄色葡萄球菌都有抑菌作用,与血淋巴对2种细菌的抗菌性一致,表明其是九香虫血淋巴中具抗菌作用的主要物质之一。     

Haemocytes of the clam Tapes philippinarum (Adams & Reeve, 1850): morphofunctional characterisation

Tapes philippinarum is a bivalve mollusc of the Pacific Ocean, successfully imported for human consumption into the northern Adriatic Sea (Europe). For better knowledge of its considerable adaptive ability in comparison with similar autochthonous species, a morpho-functional characterisation of its haemocytes was carried out with the establishment of short-term cell cultures (60 min at 25 degrees C). Various methods of cytochemical staining identified four cell types in the haemolymph: granulocytes (48.05% +/- 1.43), hyalinocytes (32.18% +/- 0.99), haemoblasts (18.97% +/- 0.63) and serous cells (0.8% +/- 0.19). The granulocytes, possessing cytoplasmic granules with differing dye affinity, included basophils, neutrophils and acidophils. Such granules stained vitally with Neutral Red, and correspond to lysosomes. Hydrolytic and oxidative enzymes were mainly detectable after stimulation in the presence of yeast cells. Both granulocytes and hyalinocytes were positive for alkaline phosphatase, non-specific esterase, peroxidase, and cytochrome C oxidase, whereas only granulocytes were positive for beta-glucuronidase, acid esterase, and arylsulphatase. Both cell types were competent phagocytes towards yeast and plasma had an opsonising effect. Moreover, the respiratory burst accompanied phagocytosis with superoxide anion production, recognisable through cytoplasmic deposits of formazan after treatment with nitro blue tetrazolium. Haemoblasts were small undifferentiated cells which, due to their morphology and positivity to the anti-CD34 antibody, show the typical features of stem cells. Serous cells, probably arising from Keber's gland and belonging to another differentiation pathway, contained non-sulphate acid mucopolysaccharides and play an important role in early defence mechanisms, taking part in the formation of clots.