Can minimum convex polygon home ranges be used to draw biologically meaningful conclusions?

Many conclusions about mammalian ranging behaviour have been drawn based on minimum convex polygon (MCP) estimates of home range size, although several studies have revealed its unpredictable nature compared to that of the kernel density estimator. We investigated to what extent the choice of home range estimator affected the biological interpretation in comparative studies. We found no discrepancy when the question asked covered a wide range of taxa, as real and very large differences in range size were likely to have masked smaller differences due to the choice of home range estimator. However, when the question asked concerned within-species characteristics, the choice of home range estimator explained as much of the variation in range size as did the ecological variable in question. The implications for macro-ecological and intraspecific studies are discussed.     

DNA fingerprint variation in some blackberry species (Rubus subg.Rubus,Rosaceae)

We have analysed samples from Sweden, Denmark, and Germany of six facultatively apomictic blackberry species to investigate the accordance between a taxonomy based on morphological characters on the one hand, and distribution of genetic variation estimated by DNA fingerprinting on the other hand. DNA fingerprint variation was found to be quite restricted in all species investigated. The first taxonomic group included three species related toRubus nessensis, two being characterized by one very widespread DNA fingerprint in all three countries and a few rare ones, whereas the third species differed between Sweden and Germany. The second taxonomic group included species related toR. gracilis. Two of these species exhibited very similar DNA fingerprints, whereas the third species deviated clearly. The utilization of DNA fingerprinting as a tool in taxonomy is discussed; most likely this method could become a useful complement to morphology, especially in plant groups with reduced levels of genetic recombination.     

Effect of nitrogen on drought strain and nutrient uptake in Norway spruce Picea abies (L.) Karst.) trees

A field lysimeter study was established with the aim of investigating the effect of nitrogen availability upon drought strain in Norway spruce trees. Forest soil (Typic Udipsamment) was filled in lysimeters 1 m in diameter and 1 m deep. Small trees of Norway spruce from five different clones were planted in the lysimeters. Roofs under the canopy of the trees ensured full control of water and nutrient input. Three levels of nitrogen were given to the trees during five years; ambient rainwater, and five and fifteen times this N concentration, respectively. Additional N was given as NH₄NO₃ in irrigation water. Mean annual N-addition during the five years corresponded to 5, 27 and 82 kg per ha and year for the three treatments, respectively. During the third and fifth growth season drought was artificially induced. In addition to a watered control, two levels of drought were applied, representing water deprivation for 2 and 3 months, respectively, in 1990 and 3 and 4 months, respectively in 1992. A higher water consumption in the nitrogen fertilized trees during the droughts resulted in a significantly lower pre-dawn shoot water potential compared to the trees receiving ambient rain N. The interaction between drought and nitrogen fertilization was clear also for photosynthesis and transpiration. A decrease in height- and diameter increment caused by drought was most pronounced in the 82 kg N ha^–1 yr^–1 treatment. A water strain integral showed a strong positive correlation to the needle biomass of the trees. Foliar concentrations of several nutrients decreased significantly with increasing drought strain in the trees. Concentration of potassium and boron were especially low and visual symptoms of deficiency occurred.     

Role of 2',5'-oligo(adenylic acid) polymerase in the degradation of ribonucleic acid linked to double-stranded ribonucleic acid by extracts of interferon-treated cells

RNA covalently linked to double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) is preferentially degraded in extracts of interferon-treated HeLa cells [Nilsen, T. W., & Baglioni, C. (1979) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 76, 2600-2604]. The size of the dsRNA required for this preferential degradation has been determined by annealing poly(I) of known length to the poly(C) tract of encephalomyocarditis virus (EMCV) RNA or by annealing poly(U) to poly(A) of known length of vesicular stomatitis virus mRNA. The dsRNA must be longer than about 60 base pairs to observe the preferential degradation of RNA. Moreover, triple-stranded regions that do not activate synthesis of 2',5'-oligo(A) and ethidium bromide, which intercalates in dsRNA and blocks 2',5'-olido(A) polymerase activation, prevent this degradation. Ethidium also blocks the degradation of the replicative intermediate of EMCV by extracts of interferon-treated cells. These experiments indicate that synthesis of 2',5'-oligo(A) is required for the degradation of RNA linked to dsRNA. The 2',5'-oligo(A)-dependent endonuclease does not cleave single- or double-stranded DNA, nor does it cleave homopolyribonucleotides. The potential role of the 2',5'-oligo(A) polymerase/endonuclease system in the inhibition of viral RNA replication is discussed.     

Bovine Brain Myelin Glycerophosphocholine Choline Phosphodiesterase is an Alkaline Lysosphingomyelinase of the eNPP-Family, Regulated by Lysosomal Sorting

Glycerophosphocholine choline phosphodiesterase (GPC-Cpde) is a glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored alkaline hydrolase that is expressed in the brain and kidney. In brain the hydrolase is synthesized by the oligodendrocytes and expressed on the myelin membrane. There are two forms of brain GPC-Cpde, a membrane-linked (mGPC-Cpde) and a soluble (sGPC-Cpde). Here we report the characterisation sGPC-Cpde from bovine brain. The amino acid sequence was identical to ectonucleotide pyrophosphatase/phosphodiesterase 6 (eNPP6) precursor, lacking the N-terminal signal peptide region and a C-terminal stretch, suggesting that the hydrolase was solubilised by C-terminal proteolysis, releasing the GPI-anchor. sGPC-Cpde existed as two isoforms, a homodimer joined by a disulfide bridge linking C414 from each monomer, and a monomer resulting from proteolysis N-terminally to this disulfide bond. The only internal disulfide bridge, linking C142 and C154, stabilises the choline-binding pocket. sGPC-Cpde was specific for lysosphingomyelin, displaying 1 to 2 orders of magnitude higher catalytic activity than towards GPC and lysophosphatidylcholine, suggesting that GPC-Cpde may function in the sphingomyelin signaling, rather than in the homeostasis of acylglycerophosphocholine metabolites. The truncated high mannose and bisected hybrid type glycans linked to N118 and N341 of sGPC-Cpde is a hallmark of glycans in lysosomal glycoproteins, subjected to GlcNAc-1-phosphorylation en route through Golgi. Thus, sGPC-Cpde may originate from the lysosomes, suggesting that lysosomal sorting contributes to the level of mGPC-Cpde on the myelin membrane.     

Sex Differences in the Steepness of Dominance Hierarchies in Captive Bonobo Groups

Bonobos have a reputation as a female-dominated and egalitarian species. We examined the 2 aspects of dominance in 6 captive bonobo groups. Females do not consistently evoke submission from all males in all contexts. Though females occupy the highest-ranking positions in the dominance hierarchy, there are in each group males that obtain rather high ranks and are able to dominate ≥1 female. Thus female dominance is not complete and hierarchies can be better described as nonexclusive female dominance. We studied egalitarianism by measuring linearity and steepness of dominance hierarchies. The hierarchies of all groups are highly linear. Hierarchies among males are steeper than among females. On average, male bonobos are more despotic than females, but females too can have despotic relations, both with other females and with males. Hence one can call bonobos in captivity semidespotic rather than egalitarian.