海参核糖体基因间隔区2(ITS2)的克隆及序列分析

为探讨刺参科海参和海参科海参的系统进化关系,本研究通过PCR技术获取19种刺参科和海参科海参的ITS2序列,从NCBI上获取瓜参(C. salma)的ITS2序列。结果表明ITS2序列具有长度多态性,从318 bp (绿刺参)到591 bp (白尼参属)。海参属的ITS2序列长度多态性高,ITS2的GC含量从56.7%(糙海参)到70.6%(瓜参)。海参ITS2序列保守性不高,仅有48个保守位点,其余均为变异位点。基于ITS2的系统进化树结果显示进化树主要分成两支,一支包括海参科的4个属:海参属、白尼参属、辐肛参属和格皮氏海参属。辐肛参属和格皮氏海参属为姐妹关系,二者聚在一起后与白尼参属聚为一支,随后再与海参属聚在一起。白尼参属和辐肛参属为单系,海参属为复系。另一支为C. salma和刺参科。梅花参属与刺参属聚为一支后,再与仿刺参属聚在一起,3个属都是单系。在20种海参中,S. naso与B. argus的遗传距离最大(6.415)。刺参属中,S. monotuberculatus和S. horrens遗传距离最近(0.012),海参属中,糙海参与H. fuscopunctata的遗传距离最大(3.24)。本研究为从分子水平上研究海参科和刺参科之间的系统进化关系奠定了基础。     

Structural Analysis of A-Protein of Cucumber Green Mottle Mosaic Virus and Tobacco Mosaic Virus by Synchrotron Small-Angle X-Ray Scattering

The size and shape of A-protein of tobacco mosaic virus coat protein (TMVP) and cucumber green mottle mosaic virus coat protein (CGMMVP) were evaluated by means of small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) using a synchrotron radiation source, complemeted by electron microscopic observations. The results imply that TMV and CGMMV A-proteins are composed of three and two subunits, respectively, stacked in the shape of an isosceles triangular prism at lower ionic strength. Considering the difference of the A-protein structure at higher and lower ionic strength, the globular core structure was proposed as a subunit which might be modeled as a thin isosceles triangular prism composed of four globular cores joined by rather flexible segments. These cores correspond probably to four helical regions in a subunit, and rearrange their relative positions according to the external conditions. A slight rearrangement of core positions in a subunit may result in the formation of A-proteins of various shapes.     

Survival of foraminifera in the gut of holothuroids from Elba Island (Mediterranean Sea)

Detritivorous macroorganisms have important functions in nutrient remineralization and may exert significant predation pressure on meiofaunal communities. We have examined food excrements of detritus grazing holothuroids off Elba Island (Mediterranean Sea) to investigate whether ingested foraminifera survive the passage through the digestive tract. Our findings provide evidence that some benthic foraminifera pass through the complete digestive tract without being harmed by its predators. Sediment-feeding holothurians may thus affect microdistributional processes ultimately resulting in an allochthonous redistribution of foraminifera within the environment.     

Heterorhabditis sp. (Nematoda: Heterorhabditidae): A Nematode Parasite Isolated from the Banded Cucumber Beetle Diabrotica balteata

A nematode identified as Heterorhabditis sp. was discovered in June 1982 in larval cadavers of the banded cucumber beetle, Diabrotica balteata, in soil on wooded land. Effective beetle control (over 95%) was obtained when larvae were exposed to potted soil containing infective stage nematode juveniles or infected larval cadavers. The nematode was propagated in vivo on larvae of D. balteata, Diaphania nitidalis (the pickleworm), and Galleria mellonella (the greater wax moth). This Heterorhabditis sp. has promising potential as a biocontrol agent for the banded cucumber beetle.     

Overwintering and Cold Tolerance of the Mermithid Filipjevimermis leipsandra

Overwintering survival of Filipjevimermis leipsandra postparasitic adults ranged from 12 to 15% over 2 years. Nematodes recovered from biweekly samples oviposited within a week when exposed to warm temperatures. More nematodes were recovered from the lower portions of soil cores than from the upper. In laboratory tests of cold tolerance, the LD₅₀ at -5 C was 5.5 hours, whereas exposure to -2 C for as long as 96 hours resulted in no mortality.     

Physiological and cytochemical studies on activator calcium in contraction by smooth muscle of a sea cucumber,Isostichopus badionotus

Summary The physiological properties of mechanical responses and the intracellular localization and translocation of calcium as a pyroantimonate precipitate were studied in the longitudinal retractor muscle (LRM) of a Bermuda sea cucumber. Acetylcholine (ACh)-induced contraction was reduced by lowering the external Ca concentration, and suppressed completely by prolonged soaking in Ca-free solution. The magnitude of ACh-induced contraction was decreased by Mn and La ions. Furthermore, procaine reduced the ACh-induced contraction. The complete removal of Ca and Mg ions from the external medium induced a socalled Ca · Mg-removal contraction. Electron microscopically, numerous subsarcolemmal vesicles were observed in the LRM fibers. In the resting fibers, pyroantimonate precipitates were localized in the subsarcolemmal vesicles and along the inner surface of plasma membrane. While, in the fiber fixed during mechanical activity, the pyroantimonate precipitates were decreased remarkably in the subsarcolemmal vesicles and at the plasma membrane, and diffusely distributed in the myoplasm. Electronprobe X-ray microanalysis showed that the precipitate contains Ca in a significant amount. These results indicate that the contraction of the LRM fibers is caused not only by Ca-influx but also by Ca-release from the intracellular storage sites, such as the subsarcolemmal vesicles and the inner surface of plasma membrane.     

The biosynthetic origin of the pyrazole moiety of,β-pyrazol-1-yl-l-alanine

Biosynthetic studies implicate 1,3-diaminopropane as a precursor of the pyrazole moiety of β-pyrazol-1-yl-l-alanine.     

Comparative demography of Liriomyza sativae Blanchard （Diptera： Agromyzidae） on cucumber at seven constant temperatures

Reproduction and population parameters of vegetable leafminer, Liriomyza sativae Blanchard were measured on cucumber （Cucumis sativus L.） at seven constant temperatures （10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35 and 40℃）. No eggs were found at 10℃ and flies died after exposure to 40℃. The significantly highest intrinsic rate of natural increase （rm）, net reproductive rate （R0） and finite rate of increase （λ） ofL. sativae were obtained at 25℃ as 0.196, 52.452, and 1.216, respectively. The above-mentioned parameters decreased at 15℃ and 135℃ and this reduction at 35℃ was strong. Doubling time （DT） varied significantly with temperature. The shortest doubling time was obtained at 25℃. Mean generation time （T） decreased significantly with increasing temperature between 15℃ and 35℃. Percentage of immature ages in the stable age distribution was more than 95% at all temperatures. Female longevity was greater than male at all temperatures. Liriomyza sativae lived for a long time at 15℃, whereas at 35℃ had lower survival rates. The effect of temperature on reproduction, especially the intrinsic rate of increase of L. sativae would be useful for predicting its longterm population fluctuation over several generations.