Phosphate Compounds in Vertebrate Red Blood Cells

This review brings together and discusses the significance ofexisting information about water-soluble (small molecule) organicphosphate constituents of red blood cells in different vertebratespecies, with emphasis on 2,3 diphosphoglycerate (DPG), inositolpentaphosphate (IP₅) ATP and guanosine triphosphate (GTP), compoundswhich may play an important role in respiratory physiology bymodifying the affinity of hemoglobin for oxygen. Results onthe distribution and concentration of these compounds in redcells of vertebrate animals can be summarized as follows 1)DPG High in mammals (except cats and ruminants) Absent in crocodilianssquamata and fishes. High briefly in the bird embryo absentin adult. High briefly in turtle embryo low in juvenile lowto absent in adult 2 IP₅. High in birds. Absent in mammals,crocodilians squamata and fishes (with the exception of Arapaimagigas). Low in turtles 3 ATP Intermediate in mammals. High inbirds and turtles. Very high in squamata Intermediate to veryhigh in fishes. Low in crocodilians 4) GTP Very low in mammalsbirds, reptiles and amphibians (except for small pool in Ranatadpole). Low to very high in fishes.     

Blood‐feeding ecology of mosquitoes in zoos

To determine if the unique host assemblages in zoos influence blood‐feeding by mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae), a sampling programme was conducted in Greenville and Riverbanks Zoos, South Carolina, U.S.A., from April 2009 to October 2010. A total of 4355 female mosquitoes of 14 species were collected, of which 106 individuals of nine species were blood‐fed. The most common taxa were Aedes albopictus (Skuse), Aedes triseriatus (Say), Anopheles punctipennis (Say), Culex erraticus (Dyar & Knab), Culex pipiens complex (L.) and Culex restuans (Theobald). Molecular analyses (cytochrome b) of bloodmeals revealed that mosquitoes fed on captive animals, humans and wildlife, and took mixed bloodmeals. Host species included one amphibian, 16 birds, 10 mammals (including humans) and two reptiles. Minimum dispersal distances after feeding on captive hosts ranged from 15.5 m to 327.0 m. Mosquito–host associations generally conformed to previous accounts, indicating that mosquito behaviour inside zoos reflects that outside zoos. However, novel variation in host use, including new, exotic host records, warrants further investigation. Zoos, thus, can be used as experiment environments in which to study mosquito behaviour, and the findings extrapolated to non‐zoo areas, while providing medical and veterinary benefits to zoo animals, employees and patrons.     

Water Flow Through Vessel Perforation Plates--A Fluid Mechanical Approach

The effect of scalariform perforation plates on the flow ofwater through plant vessels remains poorly understood. In thisstudy, a new computational tool based on finite element methodsolutions to the Navier-Stokes equation was applied to modellingfluid flow through these structures in plant vessels. Modelsdeveloped for Liriodendron tulipifera vessel elements were solvedfor cells with and without the perforation plate to study effectsof the plate on the pressure drop along the cell. Results indicatethat the pressure gradient was 5-fold greater through the platethan for regions before and after the plate. However, the perforationplate in this species accounts for only about 8% of the resistanceto flow through typical vessels because the plate influencesflow for only a short distance along the cell relative to itslength. Details of the flow characteristics through pores ofthe perforation plate are also described. Key words: Conductance, finite element method, perforation plate, vessel, water flow     

CUTICULAR METALS: QUANTIFICATION AND MAPPING BY COMPLEMENTARY TECHNIQUES

Metal-replete cuticle was characterised by back-scattered electron imaging, secondary ion mass spectrometry, proton induced X-ray emission and SEM-X-ray microanalysis. Each technique was found to have singular advantages and limitations for localising and quantifying metal content. Manganese and zinc were found coincident at the mandibular cutting edge of the leaf-cutting ant Atta sexdens; these two metals were found in different zones within jaws of the ragworm, Nereis virens; while only manganese was found in the jaws of the termite C. cumulans.