Unexpected problem in aphid DNA barcoding by universal primers

DNA barcode (mitochondrial COI) sequences have allowed for species identification of aphids. In this study, we newly found a DNA barcoding problem in a part of the DNA sequences for Sitobion avenae. Five S. avenae individuals showed differences of, on average, 32.60% in the DNA sequences from other conspecific individuals, and a BLAST search revealed that the five sequences are similar to those of aphid parasitoids such as Aphidius, Ephedrus and Praon spp. (Hymenoptera: Braconidae). Based on these results, we concluded that the universal primers used in aphid DNA barcodes can amplify barcode sequences from parasitoid species within host aphids.     

Insecticidal activities of Ginkgo biloba seed coat extracts against Spodoptera exigua (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

The present study relates to a methanol extract of the seed coat of Ginkgo biloba, and tested particularly on the third instar larvae of Spodoptera exigua. The extract was found to have an inhibitory effect on the growth of the larvae besides bringing a change in the nutrient reserves in the body of the insect. Topical application of five different doses of the methanol extract resulted in a mortal effect to third instar larvae of S. exigua that is very much dependent on the dose as well as duration of exposure. Lower doses revealed lower mortality after 24 h of application. At doses of 1.00, 2.00, 4.00, 8.00 and 16.00 ng/larva, mortalities were 9.25, 26.07, 50.32, 56.28 and 92.44%, respectively. The dose for 50% mortality (LD₅₀) of methanol extracts by applied by a topical method with 1 µL of acetone solution was 1.92 ng/larva. Nutrient reserves like protein, glycogen and lipid are known to regulate pupation and adult emergence. These reserves have been found to be lower in treated larvae, indicating the insecticidal role of methanol extracts from G. biloba against third instar larvae of S. exigua.     

Waterfowl Nesting in Fall-Seeded and Spring-Seeded Cropland in Saskatchewan

Abstract: Waterfowl nesting in annual croplands has remained a little-known aspect of waterfowl nesting ecology because of the inability of many studies to systematically search this habitat through the nesting season. Where searches have been conducted, they are generally restricted to the period prior to seeding, and many nests found are destroyed by the seeding operation. Consequently, fall-seeded crops have been promoted as an alternative cropping practice that could increase nest survival of waterfowl nesting in croplands. During 1996–1999, we conducted 3–4 complete nest searches on 4,274 ha of cropland, including spring-seeded wheat and barley, winter wheat, and fall rye in southern Saskatchewan, Canada. Using suites of predictive models, we tested hypotheses regarding relative nest abundance and nest survival among crop types and tested the influence of several landscape-scale covariates on these metrics. Apparent nest densities were higher in fall-seeded crops (winter wheat: 0.39 nests/ha, fall rye: 0.25 nests/ha) than in spring-seeded crops (0.03 nests/ha), and nest density in spring-seeded croplands increased with percent cropland and percent wetland habitat in the surrounding landscape. Nest survival was higher in winter wheat (38%) than in either fall rye (18%) or spring-seeded crops (12%), and nest survival in spring-seeded crops increased with relative nest initiation date. Nest survival was unaffected by surrounding landscape characteristics but tended to be higher in years of average wetness. Based on our findings, winter wheat and fall rye have the potential to provide productive nesting habitat for ≥7 species of upland nesting ducks and fall-seeded crops are a conservation tool well suited to highly cropped landscapes.     

非晶状体βγ-晶状体蛋白的研究进展

βγ-晶状体蛋白是主要分布于脊椎动物眼睛晶状体内的水溶性结构蛋白。非晶状体βγ-晶状体蛋白从微生物到高等哺乳动物都有过报道。微生物中发现的非晶状体βγ-晶状体蛋白主要作为环境胁迫应急蛋白,在恶劣环境中发挥对细菌的自我保护作用,如ProteinS。在哺乳动物中,非晶状体βγ-晶状体蛋白被推测能够参与胚胎的皮肤发育与分化调节,具有肿瘤抑制等重要的生理功能,如黑色素瘤缺失蛋白。但是,对于它们的生化特性、生理功能和作用机制知之甚少。本文从蛋白结构、基因起源和生物学功能等方面简要介绍目前非晶状体βγ-晶状体蛋白的相关研究进展。     

人精液凝固蛋白SgI-52的表达与抗菌活性研究

以人精囊腺cDNA为模板,用嵌套式PCR技术扩增出编码成熟人精液凝固蛋白I(semenogelin I,SgI)第85–136位氨基酸(SgI-52)的核苷酸序列并将其插入载体pMAL-p2X中,成功构建的表达载体pMAL-p2X/SgI-52转化大肠杆菌DH5α后,重组融合蛋白诱导表达于大肠杆菌周质中。经第X因子剪切及超滤处理,得到表达的重组SgI-52。质谱分析结果证明重组SgI-52为目的肽。重组人SgI-52对大肠杆菌ATCC25922标准株以及耐氨苄标准株ML-35P的最低抑制浓度MIC分别为32.45以及46.30?μg/mL。我们的结果及相关研究提示在人精液液化过程中人精液凝固蛋白I的不同降解产物可能行使不同的生物学功能,值得进行深入研究。     

First records of Leiodytes nicobaricus (Redtenbacher) and Platambus stygius (Régimbart) in Korea (Coleoptera: Dytiscidae)

Two dytiscid beetle species, Leiodytes nicobaricus (Redtenbacher) and Platambus stygius (Régimbart), are identified for the first time in Korea. Diagnoses, habitus and scanning electron microscopy photographs, and line drawings of the diagnostic characters are provided.     

蛇毒C-型凝集素研究进展

蛇毒中含有丰富的非酶活性C－型凝集素蛋白,根据其结构及功能的差异,该类蛋白可分为Ca^2 依赖的有糖基识别活性的C－型真凝集素及无糖基识别活性的C－型凝集素样蛋白。C－型真凝集素的结构相似度高,而功能却较为单一,具有特异性糖结合活性;C－型凝集样蛋白的结构变异度大,活性亦具有多样性。后者能通过特异性的蛋白质－蛋白质相互作用而作用于血液凝固系统及血小板,从而发挥抗凝或促凝的生理功能。