Age and growth of tarpon,Megalops atlanticus,larvae in the eastern Gulf of Mexico,with notes on relative abundance and probable spawning areas

Synopsis Leptocephali were collected in June 1981 and July 1989 over the continental shelf and slope of the Florida west coast. Tarpon larvae ranged 5.5–24.4 mm standard length (SL) and were the second most abundant leptocephalus species. Sagittae examined with compound microscopes and scanning electron microscopy had increments that were presumed to be formed daily. Increment counts made using the two microscopic techniques were not significantly different. Estimated ages ranged 2–25 days with a growth rate (± standard error) of 0.92 ± 0.04 mm d^–1 The least squares linear regression equation SL = 2.78 + 0.92 (age in days) best described the relationship between estimated age and length. Adult tarpon appear to undergo a substantial spawning migration from inshore areas frequented during spring and summer to offshore spawning grounds. Spawning occurs during May, June, and July, although the spawning season may be of greater duration.     

The picoplankton in Antarctic lakes of northern Victoria Land during summer 1989–1990

Summary Photoautotrophic picoplankton is reported from some lakes located near the Italian Antarctic station of Terra Nova. Observations, carried out by both flow cytometry on water samples and electron microscopy on micro-organisms in cultures from each lake, have confirmed the occurrence in all the environments studied of this fraction accounting, in several cases, for more than the 50% of the phytoplankton, measured as chlorophyll. Cultures of the picoplankton fraction from these waters contained known prokaryotic (Synechococcus) and eukaryotic (Chlorella) genera as well as two unidentified entities, possibly prochlorophytes.     

Permeable collagen-glycosaminoglycan cross-linked copolymers for the study of biological responses of coculturede Sertoli and spermatogenic cells

A novel collagen-glycosaminoglycan (C-GAG) substrate was developed to overcome the optical opacity of a HATF nitrocellulose substrate and to provide a more physiological permeable substrate for cocultured Sertoli and spermatogenic cells. Cocultures were prepared on optically transparent C-GAG discs attached to a polyester mesh to facilitate handling. Sertoli cells displayed a cuboidal-to-columnar shape; a large number of spermatogonia and primary spermatocytes connected by intercellular bridges were associated with basolateral and apical surfaces of Sertoli cells up to 12 days after plating. Rat Sertoli-spermatogenic cell cocultures have been used for testing the effect of toxicants on rat spermatogenesis in vitro. In our initial studies, we tested the effects of the toxicant gossypol on spermatogenic cells cocultured with Sertoli cells on nonpermeable (plastic) and permeable substrates (HATF nitrocellulose) under both standard culture conditions and during perifusion after achieving a continuous electrical-resistant cell monolayer. A selective mitochondrial structural damage was observed in spermatogenic cells (spermatogonia and spermatocytes) but not in the coexisting Sertoli cells. This damage was time- (15–60 min) and dose-dependent (0.1–10µM) and developed more rapidly under perifusion conditions. Similar mitochondrial damage was reported in the intact animal but required higher concentrations (mg) and longer administration time (months) for detection. Studies are in progress to evaluate the effect of additional toxic chemical agents on functional properties of Sertoli and spermatogenic cells in cocultures prepared on various classes of C-GAG substrates.Abbreviations C-GAG, collagen type I-glycosaminoglycans - C-C6S, collagen type I-chondroitin-6-sulfate - C-H, collagen type I-heparin     

An interspecific linkage map of mouse chromosome 15 positioned with respect to the centromere

We have used an interspecific backcross between C57BL/6J and Mus spretus to derive a molecular genetic linkage map of chromosome 15 that includes 25 molecular markers and spans 93% of the estimated length of chromosome 15. Using a second interspecific backcross that was analyzed with a centromere-specific marker, we were also able to position our map with respect to the chromosome 15 centromere. This map provides molecular access to many discrete regions on chromosome 15, thus providing a framework for establishing relationships between cloned DNA markers and known mouse mutations and for identifying homologous genes in mice and humans that may be involved in disease.     

Comparison of growth,exogenous auxin sensitivity,and endogenous indole-3-acetic acid content in roots ofHordeum vulgare L. and an agravitropic mutant

The chemically induced barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) mutation, agr, was found to be a simple recessive trait resulting in agravitropic roots and normal gravitropic shoots. The total seedling root growth was similar for mutant and wild-type roots, although the mutant had fewer roots per seed and greater elongation per root. Although the concentration of exogenous indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) required to reduce root growth by 50% (GR50) was 12 times greater for the agravitropic mutant, agravitropic and gravitropic roots were equally sensitive to exogenous applications of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and naphthalene acetic acid (NAA). Root IAA contents, determined by high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC), were not different for gravitropes and agravitropes. The greater root elongation rates, lack of sensitivity to exogenous IAA, and normal endogenous IAA levels indicate that auxin-controlled growth regulation may be altered in the mutant.     

Esterase-6 polymorphism inDrosophila melanogaster:Effects of temperature and methyl malonate on genotypic trajectories in polymorphic populations set up with highly inbred lines

It is generally difficult to identify possible effects of selection at a specific locus because of the heterogeneity of the genetic background. Geographical patterns ofEst-6 gene frequencies suggest that there is selection at this locus but selection on loci closely linked to it cannot be excluded. Differences in catalytic properties between allozymes have been shownin vitro; further, several laboratory studies have shown apparent fitness differences between allozymes. Our study used inbred lines highly homogeneous in the genetic background. Four populations were set up fromEst-6s andEst-6F homozygous females inseminated by males of the same genotype at each combination of three factors: temperature (18 and 25°C); methyl malonate (presence or absence); input gene frequencies [p(S) = 0.2 and 0.8]. The populations were sampled periodically for about 28 generations. Methyl malonate was chosen to exert pressure in the enzymatic function of esterase-6. Statistical analyses show that: there are no sex differences; gene frequencies change from input values to those of the first sampling, when only individuals of the first generation are present at 18^oC or individuals of the second generation just begin to appear at 25°C; gene frequencies do not change thereafter and Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium is established. The changes in gene frequencies observed in the first generations suggest thatEst-6 can under certain conditions be a target of selection. Such conditions may not, however, occur in natural populations.     

Correlation of Rates of Calcium Entry and Release of Endogenous Norepinephrine in Rat Brain Region Synaptosomes

Voltage-dependent 45Ca2+ uptake and endogenous norepinephrine (NE) release were measured simultaneously in synaptosomes isolated from rat hypothalamus, brainstem, and cerebellum at 1, 3, 5, 15, and 30 s. In synaptosomes depolarized by 125 mM KCl, 45Ca2+ uptake and NE release exhibited fast and slow components. Rates of NE release and 45Ca2+ uptake were fastest from 0 to 1 s. NE release and 45Ca2+ uptake rates from 1 to 5 s were less than 15% of 0-1 s rates. Both resting (5 mM KCl) and depolarization-induced (125 mM KCl) NE release paralleled 45Ca2+ uptake from 1 to 30 s. Voltage-dependent NE release was approximately 1% and 2% of total synaptosomal NE content at 1- and 30-s measurement intervals, respectively, and did not differ between the three brain regions studied. Calcium and potassium dependence studies showed that NE release was stimulated by increased potassium and that depolarization-induced NE release was dependent on the presence of external calcium. These results show that calcium-dependent NE release from synaptosomes is correlated with calcium entry. Both processes exhibit fast and slow temporal components.     

Regulation of product synthesis in cell cultures of Catharanthus roseus (L) G. Don

Cell suspension cultures of the Madagascan Periwinkle Catharanthus roseus (L) G. Don were maintained on Gamborg's B5 medium and their growth monitored by measuring cellular fresh and dry weight, cell number and mitotic activity. Samples of cells of different ages and physiological states were subcultured onto an alkaloid production medium and their rates of growth and alkaloid accumulation measured over a period of 30–45 days. In two experiments the rate of biomass accumulation was directly related to the rate of cellular serpentine accumulation. Possible mechanisms underlying this phenomenon are discussed in relation to the properties of cells comprising the inocula.