Introduced species as evolutionary traps

Invasive species can alter environments in such a way that normal behavioural decision‐making rules of native species are no longer adaptive. The evolutionary trap concept provides a useful framework for predicting and managing the impact of harmful invasive species. We discuss how native species can respond to changes in their selective regime via evolution or learning. We also propose novel management strategies to promote the long‐term co‐existence of native and introduced species in cases where the eradication of the latter is either economically or biologically unrealistic.     

Problems associated with use of the benzyloxymethyl protecting group for histidines. Formaldehyde adducts formed during cleavage by hydrogen fluoride

The use of N alpha-tert.-butyloxycarbonyl-N pi-benzyloxymethylhistidine in peptide synthesis resulted in significant levels of several different side products attributable to the generation of formaldehyde during the hydrogen fluoride cleavage reaction. Methylated impurities in a decapeptide were isolated and identified. These methylated impurities were attributed to the use of the benzyloxymethyl protecting group for the histidines, since the impurities did not form when the dinitrophenyl protecting group was used. Also, peptides containing benzyloxymethyl-protected histidines in addition to N-terminal cysteines quantitatively yielded their respective N-terminal thiazolidine derivatives upon isolation from standard hydrogen fluoride cleavage mixtures. Thiazolidine ring formation was circumvented by including in the cleavage reaction a formaldehyde scavenger such as cysteine hydrochloride or resorcinol.     

Jährliche schwankungen der individuenzahl in einer nordwestdeutschen trockenen heide

Ohne Zusammenfassung     

四种荒漠植物的光合响应

研究了胡杨（Populus euphratica Oliv）、疏叶骆驼刺（Alhagi sparsifolia B.Keller et Shap)、多枝柽柳（Tamarix ramosissima Lbd)和头状沙拐枣（Calligonum caput-medusae Schrenk)等四种塔克拉玛干荒漠植物的光合响应曲线,结果表明：（1）四种植物中,疏叶骆驼刺光呼吸（Rp)和CO2补偿点（Г）最高,净光合速率（An）以及水分利用效率（WUE）最低;而C4植物头状沙拐枣无论Rp还是Г都最低,它的An、光补偿点（LCP）及光饱和点（LSP）都显著高于其它3种植物（P≤0．05）,而且因为非常低的蒸腾速率（E）,沙拐枣的WUE也较高。（2）4种植物都为喜光植物,但仍然表现出一定的差异。根据它们光曲线中LCP以及暗呼吸速率（Rd),4种喜光植物的喜光顺序为：头状沙拐枣,疏叶骆驼枣刺,多枝柽柳,胡杨。（3）柽柳光合响应曲线与日变化中的An,gs等值差异较大,可能是该植物的温度生态位较其它三种植物范围较窄,设置的25℃不在其最适温度范围内,或者是在这个温度下气孔对光强变化的不敏感。（4）综合前人的结果表明,在特定的环境条件,发育阶段以及经过一定的诱导处理,胡杨可以因诱导而表现出一些C4植物特征。     

Photoprotective potential of lycopene, β-carotene, vitamin E, vitamin C and carnosic acid in UVA-irradiated human skin fibroblasts

The photoprotective potential of the dietary antioxidants vitamin C, vitamin E, lycopene, β-carotene, and the rosemary polyphenol, carnosic acid, was tested in human dermal fibroblasts exposed to ultraviolet-A (UVA) light. The carotenoids were prepared in special nanoparticle formulations together with vitamin C and/or vitamin E. Nanoparticle formulations, in contrast to dimethylsulphoxide, stablized lycopene in the cell culture medium and allowed efficient cellular uptake. The presence of vitamin E in the formulation further increased the stability and cellular uptake of lycopene. UVA irradiation of the human skin fibroblasts led to a 10–15-fold rise in metalloproteinase 1 (MMP-1) mRNA. This rise was suppressed in the presence of low μM concentrations of vitamin E, vitamin C, or carnosic acid but not with β-carotene or lycopene. Indeed, in the presence of 0.5–1.0 μM β-carotene or lycopene, the UVA-induced MMP-1 mRNA was further increased by 1.5–2-fold. This increase was totally suppressed when vitamin E was included in the nanoparticle formulation. Heme-oxygenase 1 (HO-1) mRNA expression was strongly induced by UVA irradiation but none of the antioxidants inhibited this effect at the concentrations used in this study. Indeed, β-carotene or lycopene (0.5–1.0 μM) led to a further 1.5-fold rise in the UVA-induced HO-1 mRNA levels. In conclusion, vitamin C, vitamin E, and carnosic acid showed photoprotective potential. Lycopene and β-carotene did not protect on their own but in the presence of vitamin E, their stability in culture was improved and the rise in MMP-1 mRNA expression was suppressed, suggesting a requirement for antioxidant protection of the carotenoids against formation of oxidative derivatives that can influence the cellular and molecular responses.     

Functional Synergy between Rab5 Effector Rabaptin-5 and Exchange Factor Rabex-5 When Physically Associated in a Complex

Rab GTPases are central elements of the vesicular transport machinery. An emerging view is that downstream effectors of these GTPases are multiprotein complexes that include nucleotide exchange factors to ensure coupling between GTPase activation and effector function. We have previously shown that Rab5, which regulates various steps of transport along the early endocytic pathway, is activated by a complex consisting of Rabex-5, a Rab5 nucleotide exchange factor, and the effector Rabaptin-5. We postulated that the physical association of these two proteins is necessary for their activity in Rab5-dependent endocytic membrane transport. To evaluate the functional implications of such complex formation, we have reconstituted it with the use of recombinant proteins and characterized its properties. First, we show that Rabaptin-5 increases the exchange activity of Rabex-5 on Rab5. Second, Rab5-dependent recruitment of Rabaptin-5 to early endosomes is completely dependent on its physical association with Rabex-5. Third, complex formation between Rabaptin-5 and Rabex-5 is essential for early endosome homotypic fusion. These results reveal a functional synergy between Rabaptin-5 and Rabex-5 in the complex and have implications for the function of analogous complexes for Rab and Rho GTPases.     

Die Artmächtigkeitsschwankungen in Einem Nordwestdeutschen Enzian- Zwenkenrasen II

Summary A permanent quadrat of 3 sq metres was laid down in a Gentiano-Koelerietum stand located in the Beckumer mountains (Westphalia) in 1957 (cf.Vegetatio, Vol. XI, 1963, Fasc. 4; 237–40). The relevés made each year from 1957–61 as also from 1962–66 (see table) gave the following results:Many species, especially the perennials, fluctuate little in their quantity over the years. Some plants continuously decrease or increase in number. An example of this isBrachypodium pinnatum which continuously decreased from 1957 to 1966. This decrease is most probably the result of an increase in the rabbit population after the Myxomatosis epidemic of 1956. Other species, especially the annuals, fluctuate irregularly in abundance. These fluctuations depend on fluctuations of climatic factors. In this wayGentiana germanica andLinum catharticum decrease enormously after dry periods during the spring or summer. They increase again after wet summers.     

Der Zinknachweis in den A-Zellen und B-Zellen des Inselorganes bei der Ente

Zusammenfassung In den Langerhansschen Inseln der Ente fällt die histochemische Reaktion auf Zink nach vitaler intravenöser Injektion von Dithizon stark positiv aus. Die überwiegend aus B-Zellen bestehenden hellen Inseln und die fast nur aus A-Zellen bestehenden dunklen Inseln erlauben den Ausfall der Reaktion und die Lokalisation des Zinkdithizonates innerhalb der Inselzellen in beiden Inselzelltypen getrennt zu beurteilen. Zinkdithizonat in granulärer Form findet sich sowohl in den A-Zellen als auch in den B-Zellen. Es ist in ersteren violettrot, in letzteren karminrot. In den A-Zellen deckt sich bei intravitaler Reaktion das Zinkvorkommen nicht mit den -Granula. Am nativen Gefrierschnitt ist das Metalldithizonat beim Zinknachweis nicht granulär, sondern diffus im ganzen Cytoplasma nachzuweisen. Das gleiche gilt für die B-Zellen. Die beiden Methoden haben lokalisatorisch einen verschiedenen Effekt. In beiden Zelltypen der Inseln wird außer dem roten Zinkdithizonat eine schüttere schwarze Körnelung gefunden, die möglicherweise das Vorhandensein eines weiteren Schwermetalles anzeigt. Das Vogelpankreas eignet sich in besonderem Maße für Untersuchungen, welche den Zinkgehalt der A-Zellen im Zusammenhang mit dem Kohlenhydratstoffwechsel betreffen.Mit Unterstützung der Research Corporation, New York.     

Prothoracic DUM neurons of the cricket Gryllus bimaculatus — responses to natural stimuli and activity in walking behavior

Summary Responses to sensory stimuli and spike activity uring walking were investigated in bilaterally symmetrical dorsal unpaired median (DUM) neurons of the cricket. Intracellular recordings within the prothoracic ganglion were made either in restrained animals or in stationary walking specimens whilst parameters of their intended locomotion were measured. Three types of DUM cells were distinguished morphologically and physiologically. DUMa neurons send axons through segmental nerves. They often generated spontaneously large action potentials with low frequencies. Most DUMa neurons showed multimodal sensitivity, preferentially to cereal wind puffs and 15 kHz sound. Mean latencies ranged from 25 to 349 ms. Their large intraindividual variability could be correlated with behavioral modes during walking. Generally, the spike frequency increased with increased forward speed, while it was not related to turning. DUMb neurons projected either through the anterior or posterior connectives, but seemed physiologically similar to DUMa neurons. DUMc neurons were H-shaped with axons in both pairs of connectives. No external stimulus led to discrete spikes, but the regular spontaneous activity was modulated following cereal wind puffs to a restrained animal. During wind evoked escape the spike activity of another DUMc cell was modulated in phase with the rhythmic running behavior. The possibly different functions of DUMa and DUMc neurons during walking are discussed.