The plasma proteins of Labeo umbratus (Smith) and Labeo capensis (Smith)

The plasma proteins of L. umbratus and L. capensis have been investigated by means of cellulose-acetate and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Characteristic patterns were obtained for each specie although variations occur within a certain basic framework. Certain fractions were further isolated and approximate average molecular weights were found to vary between 55 000 and above 120 000 and isoelectric points between 5.78 and 4.2. Certain fractions were found to exist in dimeric form. It is concluded that the application of the human nomenclature to fish plasma protein fractions is of dubious value and that the fish fractions can only be classified after thorough biochemical investigation.     

Electrophoresis of haemoglobin in single erythrocytes of Labeo umbratus (Smith) and Labeo capensis (Smith)

Electrophoresis of haemoglobin in single erythrocytes of Labeo umbratus and Labeo capensis showed that haemoglobin behaved in three distinct ways in both species. The majority of cells contained haemoglobin which moved as a broad band towards the anode. In a few cells haemoglobin moved towards both the anode and the cathode and in even fewer cells, haemoglobin moved as a sharp band to either the cathode or anode. These results are discussed in relation to other observations.     

Partial separation of the pituitary proteins of Labeo umbratus, Smith (mudfish)

L. umbratus pituitary glands were partially separated by means of preparative polyacry-lamide electrophoresis and chromatography on DEAE-cellulose and Sephadex G-50. Eight fractions were obtaìned and it was found that fraction 1 contained potent adrenocorticotropic stimulating activity, with a molecular weight in the region of 6000. Fractions 3 and 4 contained potent gonadotropic and a lesser degree of exopthalmic producing activity, with molecular weights in the region of 14 000 to 20 000. Fraction 6 displayed pigeon-crop stimulating activity, with a molecular weight above 30 000. Fractions 7 and 8 displayed M.S.H. and vasopressinoxytocic activity respectively, with a molecular weight in the region of 5500–6500. Fractions 2 and 5 could not be identified. The fractions seemed to be glycoproteins and the results are discussed in relation to previous findings.     

The surface area of mudfish

The surface area of two closely related mudfish species have been determined by coating the animals with masking tape. The results indicate that Labeo capensis specimens above 95 g body weight have a larger surface area than corresponding L. umbratus animals. The same is true for the fin surface area above 50 g body weight. Below these weights L. umbratus specimens have higher surface areas. The body surface area of L. capensis is always lower than that of L. umbratus in the range studied.     

Blood sugar as an indicator of stress in the freshwater fish, Labeo capensis (Smith)

Factors involved in the determination of the blood sugar level of L. capensis have been studied. The stress of capture and transportation produces a marked increase in the blood sugar concentration. The relationship between blood sugar concentration and oxygen saturation of water and between blood sugar concentration and ammonium ion concentration was also investigated. Increases in ammonium ion concentration and decreases in oxygen saturation of water produce increases in the blood sugar concentration. The results are discussed in relation to the phenomenon of 'asphyxiation hyper-glycemia'.     

Blood respiratory properties of the mudsucker fish Labeo capensis (Smith)

For Labeo capensis (Smith) the increase in blood organic phosphates (ATP, GTP) in winter fish exceeds the increase in summer fish. Blood chlorides, blood osmotic pressure, hematocrit and hemoglobin concentration decrease significantly in winter fish when compared to summer fish. Four effectors, viz. temperature, organic phosphates, H+ and Cl-, could lower the oxygen affinity of whole blood, especially in summer fish.     

The effects of toxicants on the haematology of Labeo umbratus (Teleostei: Cyprinidae)

The haematology of Labeo umbratus (Smith) was investigated after exposure to four toxicants under controlled static conditions. Statistically significant changes exist between the values of parameters of experimental and control fish. The concentration of haemoglobin fractions changes with different toxicants. Electrophoretograms of plasma proteins showed changing patterns as well as a decrease in fraction numbers.     

A seasonal study of the haematology of wild freshwater fish

Various haematological values of wild yellowfish ( Barbus holubi ), carp ( Cyprinus carpio ) and two species of mudfish ( Labeo umbratus and Labeo capensis ) were examined on a seasonal basis from May 1975-April 1976, obtained from three different localities. Haematological values of fish of different length groups (from all four species) were studied at one locality during winter only. (June 1976-August 1976). Seasonal variations were observed in all of the parameters studied but no sexual differences were found and no significant changes in the haematology could be related to breeding season. Wide individual variations were evident in fish of different length groups and no correlation existed between fish length (and mass) and haematological values.     

Bidirectional introgressive hybridization between Lepus capensis and Lepus yarkandensis

Lepus capensis and Lepus yarkandensis are two well-established hare species with different habitat preferences and obvious morphological distinctions. L. capensis is common and widespread while L. yarkandensis is an endemic species with a restricted distribution in the Tarim Basin of western China. During field sampling, individuals with a distinct phenotype were found in the contact zone between the two species. To understand the origin of these unclassified individuals, we analyzed morphological and genetic data from 700 individuals including L. yarkandensis, L. capensis and the unclassified individuals. Morphological analyses of the unclassified individuals revealed that they lie between L. yarkandensis and L. capensis. Genetic analyses based on species-specific molecular markers (mitochondrial control region and SRY) showed that the unclassified populations have mtDNA and SRY genes from both L. capensis and L. yarkandensis, suggesting that the unclassified populations result from hybridization between the two species. Interestingly, many identical and/or very similar mtDNA haplotypes were shared between L. capensis populations and L. yarkandensis populations close to their contact zones, which further suggests the existence of extensive bidirectional mtDNA introgression. Similarly, we found evidence for SRY introgression, though it existed at a lower level compared to mtDNA introgression.     

Protein variation and its systematic implications for the South African Leporidae (Mammalia:Lagomorpha)

Analysis of 9 genetic loci by horizontal starch gel electrophoresis was performed on 203 specimens of South African representatives of the leporid genera Lepus and Pronolagus. Three loci were found to be polymorphic within samples of the various species of both genera: transferrin (Tf-I), esterase-1 (Es-I) and esterase-2 (Es-II). Only one system, carbonic anhydrase (CA-I), proved useful in species identification, this being restricted to the genus Lepus. Based on this system all Lepus specimens analysed would be assigned to one of two groups corresponding to the species L. capensis and L. saxatilis.     

Protein variation and its systematic implications for the South African Leporidae (Mammalia:Lagomorpha)

Analysis of 9 genetic loci by horizontal starch gel electrophoresis was performed on 203 specimens of South African representatives of the leporid genera Lepus and Pronolagus . Three loci were found to be polymorphic within samples of the various species of both genera: transferrin (Tf-I), esterase-1 (Es-I) and esterase-2 (Es-II). Only one system, carbonic anhydrase (CA-I), proved useful in species identification, this being restricted to the genus Lepus . Based on this system all Lepus specimens analysed would be assigned to one of two groups corresponding to the species L. capensis and L. saxatils .     

Factors affecting the dynamics of the honeybee (Apis mellifera) hybrid zone of South Africa

Hybrid zones are found wherever two populations distinguishable on the basis of heritable characters overlap spatially and temporally and hybridization occurs. If hybrids have lower fitness than the parental types a tension zone may emerge, in which there is a barrier to gene flow between the two parental populations. Here we discuss a hybrid zone between two honeybee subspecies, Apis mellifera capensis and A. m. scutellata and argue that this zone is an example of a tension zone. This tension zone is particularly interesting because A. m. capensis can be a lethal social parasite of A. m. scutellata. However, despite its parasitic potential, A. m. capensis appears to be unable to increase its natural range unassisted. We propose three interlinked mechanisms that could maintain the South African honeybee hybrid zone: (1) low fitness of intercrossed and genetically mixed colonies arising from inadequate regulation of worker reproduction; (2) higher reproductive success of A. m. scutellata via both high dispersal rates into the hybrid zone and increased competitiveness of males, countered by (3) the parasitic nature of A. m. capensis.     

Scanning electron microscopic examinations on retarded bone defect healing in spontaneously diabetic BB/O(ttawa)K(arlsburg) rats

To date, no detailed knowledge from animal experiments is available on the kind and extent of osseous and mineral metabolic disorders in genetically determined, insulin-dependent Type I diabetes. The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of the diabetic metabolic state in spontaneously diabetic BB/O(ttawa)K(arlsburg) rats on bone defect healing. Eighty spontaneously-diabetic BB/OK rats with a blood-glucose value of 391 +/- 106 mg% (mean +/- SD) at the time of manifestation were used in the study. Based on blood-glucose values at the time of surgery (mg%), postoperative blood-glucose course (mg%) and postoperative insulin requirements (IU/kg), the animals were divided into groups with well-compensated (n = 40, 170 +/- 101 mg%; 221 +/- 120 mg%; 2.1 +/- 1 IU/kg) or poorly compensated (n = 40; 371 +/- 158 mg%; 357 +/- 83 mg%; 5.2 +/- 1.4 IU/kg) metabolic state. Forty LEW.1A rats served as the normoglycemic controls (95 +/- 18 mg%). Using a 1-mm-diameter Kirschner wire, a hole of femoral bone ca. 1 cm proximal to the knee joint space was centrally drilled. Ten animals from each group were killed on postoperative days 7, 14, 24, and 42, and specimens were taken for analysis. Using SEM to measure regions of new bone semiautomatically and quantitatively, also determining the number, area, and circumference of regions not yet filled with new bone. Up to postoperative day 14, very significant differences (p < 0.0001) for all investigated characteristics were found between the spontaneously-diabetic BB/OK rats and the control animals--in favor of the controls--and up to postoperative day 24 within the group of spontaneously-diabetic BB/OK rats, where the well-compensated animals had significantly better results in terms of number and area of regions of bone not yet filled with new bone formations. Forty-two days postoperatively, SEM observations showed no differences between examination groups. The process of bone defect healing in spontaneously-diabetic rats was disturbed only in the early phase and exhibited retardation in its progression. After 42 days, bone defect healing was complete, regardless of the diabetic metabolic state; no differences were detected with the SEM between examination groups at this time point.     

Evolutionary relationships among hares from North Africa (Lepus sp. or Lepus spp.), cape hares (L. capensis) from South Africa, and brown hares (L. europaeus), as inferred from mtDNA PCR-RFLP and allozyme data

Systematics and taxonomy of hares of the genus Lepus (Lagomorpha) are under contentious debate, and phylogenetic relationships among many taxa are not well understood. Here we study genetic differentiation and evolutionary relationships among North African hares, currently considered subspecies of Lepus capensis , cape hares ( L. capensis ) from the Cape province in South Africa, and brown hares ( L. europeaus ) from Europe and Anatolia, using maternally (mtDNA) and biparentally (allozymes) inherited markers. A polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) analysis of a c. 1.8 kb long segment of the mitochondrial control region using eight hexanucleotide-recognizing restriction endonucleases yielded 28 haplotypes, and horizontal starch gel electrophoresis of proteins encoded by 25 structural gene loci revealed 52 alleles at 18 polymorphic loci. Diverse phylogenetic analyses (neighbor joining dendrogram, median joining network, multidimensional scaling of pairwise distances, AMOVA, F -statistics, hierarchical F -statistics) of genetic variants revealed marked substructuring of mtDNA into three phylogeographic groups, namely an African, a central European, and an Anatolian, but a somewhat less pronounced overall differentiation of the nuclear genome, despite a relatively high number of population-specific (private) alleles. However, all our results are not incongruent with Petter's (1959: Mammalia 23 , 41; 1961: Z. f. Säugetierkunde 26 , 30; 1972 : Société Des Sciences Naturelles et Physiques du Maroc 52 , 122) hypothesis that North African hares generally belong to L. capensis and that brown hares should be included in this species as well.     

NOTE ON THE OCCURRENCE OF A VENTRAL SUCKER-LIKE MOUTH FORM IN LABEO UMBRATUS (PISCES,CYPRINIDAE)

SUMMARY

The occurrence of a ventral sucker-like mouth form in certain populations of Labeo umbratus, which are free from competition by L. aapensis, is reported. It is proposed that this might be an adaptation to feeding off stones which enhances the fish's changes of survival. If this is so, the absense of mouth form variation in Orange River populations illustrates the force of interspecific competition with L. capensis.     

On a wing and a prayer: the foraging ecology of breeding Cape cormorants

The Cape cormorant Phalacrocorax capensis is unusual among cormorants in using aerial searching to locate patchily distributed pelagic schooling fish. It feeds up to 80 km offshore, often roosts at sea during the day and retains more air in its plumage and is more buoyant than most other cormorants. Despite these adaptations to its pelagic lifestyle, little is known of its foraging ecology. We measured the activity budget and diving ecology of breeding Cape cormorants. All foraging took place during the day, with 3.6 ± 1.3 foraging trips per day, each lasting 85 ± 60 min and comprising 61 ± 53 dives. Dives lasted 21.2 ± 13.9 s (maximum 70 s), attaining an average depth of 10.2 ± 6.7 m (maximum 34 m), but variability in dive depth both within and between foraging trips was considerable. The within-bout variation in dive depth was greater when making shallow dives, suggesting that pelagic prey were targeted mainly when diving to <10 m. Diving ecology and total foraging time were similar to other cormorants, but the time spent flying (122 ± 51 min day⁻¹, 14% of daylight) was greater and more variable than other species. Searching flights lasted up to 1 h, and birds made numerous short flights during foraging bouts, presumably following fast-moving schools of pelagic prey. Compared with the other main seabird predators of pelagic fish in the Benguela region, Cape gannets Morus capensis and African penguins Spheniscus demersus , Cape cormorants made shorter, more frequent foraging trips. Their foraging range while feeding small chicks was 7 ± 6 km (maximum 40 km), similar to penguins (10–20 km), but less than gannets (50–200 km). Successful breeding by large colonies depends on the reliable occurrence of pelagic fish schools within this foraging range.     

Physical characteristics of the blood plasma of Labeo ruddi and Labeo rosae (Pisces: Cyprinidae).

1. The physical composition of blood plasma of Labeo ruddi and Labeo rosae males were determined during the breeding and post breeding phases. 2. The mean values for most blood electrolytes, pH and osmolality of the two species showed the same variation as was found for other cyprinids. 3. The ability to handle stress may be reflected in the presence of certain electrolytes in the blood and efforts are made to relate differences in the concentration of these parameters to interspecies differences between L. ruddi and L. rosae.     

烟粉虱生物型对浅黄恩蚜小蜂寄主选择及个体发育的影响

为探讨寄生蜂在Q型烟粉虱Bemisia tabaci替代B型烟粉虱的过程中是否起作用, 我们在实验室条件(温度27±1℃, 光周期16L∶8D, 相对湿度RH 70%～80%)下, 观察了浅黄恩蚜小蜂Encarsia sophia寄生B型和Q型烟粉虱若虫的行为, 研究了浅黄恩蚜小蜂对B型和Q型烟粉虱若虫的选择性、 烟粉虱生物型对浅黄恩蚜小蜂取食数量及个体发育的影响。结果发现, 浅黄恩蚜小蜂体外检测时间在B型和Q型烟粉虱若虫间差异不显著, 而寄生Q型烟粉虱若虫时的体内检测和产卵时间(190.2±14.6 s）显著高于寄生B型时所用时间(140.0±7.5 s)。在非选择条件下, 浅黄恩蚜小蜂寄生B型烟粉虱若虫的数量(8.1±0.5头)及总产卵量（9.3±0.6粒）显著高于仅提供Q型烟粉虱的寄生数量(6.3±0.5头)及总产卵量(7.0±0.6粒); 而被寄生若虫单头着卵量在处理间差异不显著。在选择性条件下, 该蜂寄生B型烟粉虱若虫量(3.1±0.4头)、总产卵量(3.8±0.5粒)及被寄生若虫单头着卵量(1.2±0.1粒)都显著高于寄生Q型烟粉虱时的情况(1.8±0.3头、1.8±0.4粒、0.7±0.1粒)。被寄生蜂取食的B型与Q型烟粉虱数量间差异不显著, 但对于同一生物型而言, 交配过的雌蜂能够取食更多的烟粉虱若虫。以B型烟粉虱为寄主时, 浅黄恩蚜小蜂雌蜂卵-黑蛹(7.2±0.1 d)、黑蛹-羽化(5.2±0.1 d)的发育时间与以Q型烟粉虱若虫为寄主时的相应发育时间(7.3±0.1 d, 5.6±0.1 d)间无显著性差异。以B型烟粉虱为寄主时寄生蜂的羽化率（73.55%±1.42%）与以Q型烟粉虱为寄主时的羽化率（68.42%±13.01%）间差异不显著。这些结果表明, 虽然浅黄恩蚜小蜂发育时间、 羽化率在烟粉虱2种生物型间无显著差异, 但该小蜂倾向于B型烟粉虱若虫作为寄主, 而且, 以B型烟粉虱若虫为寄主时, 小蜂的产卵量和寄生若虫数量均增加。但田间浅黄恩蚜小蜂的存在是否有助于Q型烟粉虱成为B型和Q型混合种群的优势种群, 还需进一步研究。     

Biochemical Genetic Relationships Among Tunisian Hares (Lepus sp.), South African Cape Hares (L. capensis), and European Brown Hares (L. europaeus)

Tunisian hares (n = 45), currently assigned to Lepus capensis, were assayed for allelic variation at 40 allozyme loci, and allele frequencies at 32 loci were directly compared with earlier data of South African cape hares (L. capensis, n = 9) and European brown hares (L. europaeus, n = 244) to reveal genetic relationships among them. European mountain hares (L. timidus, n = 200) were used for outgroup comparison. In the Tunisian hares 27.5% of the loci were polymorphic with 2–4 alleles. Among all alleles at polymorphic loci, 15.1% occurred exclusively in Tunisian hares, 5.7% exclusively in cape hares, and 7.5% exclusively in brown hares at low frequencies. Not a single locus showed alternately fixed alleles between the samples of the L. capensis/L. europaeus complex. Levels of absolute and relative genetic differentiation among the samples of the L. capensis/ L. europaeus complex were low, relative to pairwise comparisons involving mountain hares. Diverse cluster analyses and multidimensional scaling of various pairwise genetic distance matrices concordantly grouped Tunisian hares with brown hares, and South African cape hares clustered only slightly farther apart, whereas mountain hares were distinctly separate. These results suggest regionally distinct phylogenetic units within an overall cohesive gene pool in the L. capensis/ L. europaeus complex, supporting Petter's view that all North African hares belong to L. capensis except for one local population of savanna hares, and that cape hares and brown hares are conspecific.     

蜡蚧轮枝菌分生孢子在不同虫态棕尾別麻蝇体表的附着能力及与寄主体表结构的关系

【目的】为解释蜡蚧轮枝菌Lecanicillium lecanii对棕尾别麻蝇Boettcherisca peregrina成虫、蛹和幼虫等 3种虫态的致病性差异,研究分析了蜡蚧轮枝菌L. lecanii分生孢子在3种虫态体表的附着能力及与寄主体表结构的关系。【方法】采用血球计数板计数法测量蜡蚧轮枝菌分生孢子在棕尾別麻蝇B. peregrina成虫、蛹和幼虫体表的附着数量,并利用扫描电子显微镜等显微技术观察供试虫体体壁外长物分布情况以及附着分生孢子情况。【结果】蜡蚧轮枝菌分生孢子在棕尾別麻蝇3种虫态上的附着数量差异显著(P=0.0001),成虫附着孢子数量为(1.35±0.12)×10⁶个/头,而蛹和幼虫分别为(0.57±0.09)×10⁶个/头和(0.45±0.06)×10⁶个/头。成虫周身微毛上均有孢子附着;整个蛹体仅棘刺底部呈“绳索状”的褶皱处可发现有孢子的附着;幼虫的体表未发现有孢子的附着。【结论】蜡蚧轮枝菌分生孢子在棕尾別麻蝇成虫、蛹、幼虫体表的附着能力与寄主体表结构有密切关系,是蜡蚧轮枝菌对该虫不同虫态间存在致病差异的原因。