Pattern of conodont reworking in the Upper Devonian of the Alps: palaeoenvironmental and palaeotectonic implications

Transfer of sediments from shallow shelf to basin usually implies vertical (stratigraphic) reworking of fossils, but in a few instances produces only lateral reworking (actually within the time span of a subzone). An Upper Devonian (Frasnian) pelagic carbonate sequence with allodapic intercalations and thick intraclast parabreccias triggered by seismic shocks and related tsunami and turbidity currents has been studied. Here, the standard biozone sequence is undisturbed at the zonal as well as the subzonal level. However, distribution of conodonts is discontinuous, and ranges of some important species are altered; mature specimens are commonly broken, whereas complete specimens are mostly juvenile forms. Maxima and minima of element frequency and anomalous thickening or thinning of subzones are recognized. Such distribution patterns of conodonts are compared with the four main facies distinguished and related to the environmental interpretation (a platform-basin system, the original gentle slope of which was fragmenting in fault-controlled blocks). The mean frequency of shallow-water, proximal conodonts is 10% whereas transitional to distal deeper-water genera dominate throughout the entire section. In the dominant biofacies, conodonts settled vertically, in the subordinate one they were transported laterally. The 'intraclast parabreccia' is interpreted as a peculiar type of seismitc. The anomalous thickness variation of biozones is related to the step topography of the slope in a fault-controlled carbonate basin.     

Epidemiology of apple proliferation (AP) in northwestern Italy: evaluation of the frequency of AP-positive psyllids in naturally infected populations of Cacopsylla melanoneura (Homoptera: Psyllidae)

Adults of Cacopsylla melanoneura, vector of the apple proliferation (AP) phytoplasma, were collected every 2 weeks from January until May in 2000 and 2001 by the beating tray method in eight apple orchards of the Aosta Valley (northwestern Italy). Total DNA was extracted from batches of five insects and amplified with the universal phytoplasma primers P1/P7 in direct PCR. A nested PCR assay was then performed on P1/P7 amplicons using the primers fO1/rO1, specific for the AP‐ phytoplasma group. The digestion of fO1/rO1 amplicons with Ssp I restriction endonuclease confirmed that C. melanoneura adults harboured the AP phytoplasma. The data obtained with PCR were used to estimate the proportion of AP‐positive insects in over wintered and offspring adults. Percentages of AP‐positive insects of 3.6% and 0.8% were estimated in 2000 among over wintered and offspring psyllids respectively. In 2001 only the over wintered insects were found infected, with an estimated proportion of 2.8%. The seasonal abundance of the vector was measured using yellow sticky traps. C. melanoneura was always present at a low population level, and the highest density was recorded from mid‐February until mid‐March in both years. The results show that the overwintered population is higher and spends a longer period in apple orchards, suggesting the crucial role of the overwintered adults in vectoring AP.     

Floral traits and reproduction of Avicennia schaueriana Moldenke (Acanthaceae): a generalist pollination system in the Lamiales

Pollination systems may vary in their degree of specialization from generalist to specialist and this is associated with the frequency and efficiency of pollinators. Self‐compatibility and a generalist pollination system appear to be adaptations that enhance the ability for colonizing new areas, which is typical of mangrove species. Avicennia schaueriana is a western mangrove species included in Acanthaceae, Lamiales, an order known to have specialized pollination. We aimed to describe the floral morphology and analyze the pollination and reproductive systems of A. schaueriana in a mangrove area on the northern coast of the state of Pernambuco, Brazil, to analyze the possible adaptations of this species to the environment. Avicennia schaueriana is self‐compatible; however, pollination activity is essential because there is no spontaneous formation of fruit. Reproductive efficacy was high, indicating pollinator efficiency. Some floral attributes of A. schaueriana suggest specialization; however, the broad spectrum of pollinators observed suggests that it has a generalist pollination system. The way in which pollinators interact with flowers and the environmental conditions may have exerted a selective force on the floral attributes of A. schaueriana, characterizing an adaptive generalized pollination system, which is somewhat specialized.     

Spatial patterns in the distribution of European springtails (Hexapoda: Collembola)

Using a large database on the spatial distribution of European springtails (Collembola) we investigated how range sizes and range distribution across European countries and major islands vary. Irrespective of ecological guild, islands tended to contain more endemic species than mainland countries. Nestedness and species co‐occurrence analysis based on country species lists revealed latitudinal and longitudinal gradients of species occurrences across Europe. Species range sizes were much more coherent and had fewer isolated occurrences than expected from a null model based on random colonization. We did not detect clear postglacial colonization trajectories that shaped the faunal composition across Europe. Our results are consistent with a multiregional postglacial colonization. © 2012 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2012, 105 , 498–506.     

Differences in phenotypic traits and migratory strategies between eastern North American monarch butterflies,Danaus plexippus (L.)

The eastern North American population of the monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus plexippus) has different migratory routes. The majority fly to overwintering colonies in Mexico and others take an eastern route through Florida and Cuba. Monarchs migrating through Florida–Cuba do not overwinter and are mostly found nectaring and flying close to vegetation. This present study explores whether Florida–Cuba versus Mexican migrants differ in (1) phenotypic traits important for migration (e.g. wing size and condition, lipid and lean mass content, and reproductive status) and (2) migratory strategies. The monarch natal grounds (e.g. migrants versus residents) were determined through thin‐layer chromatography cardenolide fingerprint and stable isotopes (hydrogen δ²H and carbon δ¹³C). In addition, wing size and condition, lipid and lean mass, and reproductive status were determined. The results suggest that Mexican migrants are better suited for longer sustained flights and successful overwinter periods as a result of larger wings in better condition, reproductive diapause, and significant fat content. By contrast, Florida–Cuba migrants are more suited for shorter flights and opportunistic migratory strategies, given that their wings were in poor condition, as well as the active reproductive status of > 50% of these butterflies and their significantly low fat content. Eastern monarch migration is more complex and diverse than previously assumed. © 2012 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2012, ?? , ??–??.     

Adaptive evolution of cryptic coloration: the shape of host plants and dorsal stripes in Timema walking-sticks

The adaptive significance of cryptic colour patterns has seldom been analysed in a phylogenetic context. We mapped data on the presence vs. absence of dorsal stripes, and the use of needle-like vs. broad foliage, onto a recent phylogeny of Timema walking-sticks, in order to infer the evolutionary history of these traits and test the hypothesis that the dorsal stripe is an adaptation for crypsis on needle-like leaves. By maximum parsimony optimization, the dorsal stripe has evolved five or six times in this clade, each time in association with the use of vegetation with needle-like leaves. Maddison's concentrated changes test showed that this association between morphology and habitat was statistically significant. By contrast, results based on Pagel's maximum likelihood analyses did not reach significance, probably because the large number of origins of dorsal stripe introduces statistical uncertainty. These results suggest that the adaptations for crypsis can arise readily and in parallel, in the appropriate selective environment. However, they may also constrain the evolution of host-plant use, as there is no unambiguous case of Timema species with dorsal stripes shifting to broad-leaved plants.  © 2008 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society , 2008, 94 , 1–5.     

The value of georeferenced collection records for predicting patterns of mosquito species richness and endemism in the Neotropics

Abstract.  1. Determining large-scale distribution patterns for mosquitoes could advance knowledge of global mosquito biogeography and inform decisions about where mosquito inventory needs are greatest.
2. Over 43 000 georeferenced records are presented of identified and vouchered mosquitoes from collections undertaken between 1899 and 1982, from 1853 locations in 42 countries throughout the Neotropics. Of 492 species in the data set, 23% were only recorded from one location, and Anopheles albimanus Wiedemann is the most common species.
3. A linear log–log species–area relationship was found for mosquito species number and country area. Chile had the lowest relative density of species and Trinidad-Tobago the highest, followed by Panama and French Guiana.
4. The potential distribution of species was predicted using an Ecological Niche Modelling (ENM) approach. Anopheles species had the largest predicted species ranges, whereas species of Deinocerites and Wyeomyia had the smallest.
5. Species richness was estimated for 1° grids and by summing predicted presence of species from ENM. These methods both showed areas of high species richness in French Guiana, Panama, Trinidad-Tobago, and Colombia. Potential hotspots in endemicity included unsampled areas in Panama, French Guiana, Colombia, Belize, Venezuela, and Brazil.
6. Argentina, The Bahamas, Bermuda, Bolivia, Cuba, and Peru were the most under-represented countries in the database compared with known country species occurrence data. Analysis of species accumulation curves suggested patchiness in the distribution of data points, which may affect estimates of species richness.
7. The data set is a first step towards the development of a global-scale repository of georeferenced mosquito collection records.     

EFFECT OF FEEDBACK ON SENSORY TRAINING: A PRELIMINARY STUDY

Feedback in sensory training can facilitate performance in several ways. It can provide information about the type, the extent and the direction of errors so that they may be corrected. This paper shows the effects of immediate feedback over a three session training. Triangle test, familiar odor recognition and scaling test were used in training. The scaling test, specially designed for this study, was performed with solutions of mixtures of basic tastes in different proportions.
Prior sensory ability was taken into account by dividing 54 people into two groups according to their sensory ability. Each group was then split into an experimental group receiving feedback and into a control group.
The results showed that feedback has different effects depending on test: a positive effect for recognition test, no effect for triangle test and a probable negative effect for scaling.     

Control of Trypanosoma cruzi Epimastigote Motility through the Nitric Oxide Pathway

ABSTRACT. Trypanosoma cruzi epimastigote motility can be enhanced by addition of L-arginine, to the culture. This effect is blocked by N-methyl-L-arginine, a competitive inhibitor of the nitric oxide synthase. N-methyl-D-aspartate and L-glutamate, two agonists of the NMDALglutamate receptor, also enhanced motility. This stimulation is blocked by MK-801 a noncompetitive antagonist of the NMDA receptor. In addition, sodium nitroprusside, a guanylyl cyclase stimulator and 8-Br-cyclic GMP, an analog of cyclic GMP, also stimulated epimastigote motility. It is suggested that an increase of intracellular cyclic GMP levels mediated by nitric oxide may be responsible for the increase in epimastigote motility.