Spatial Orientation in Blattella germanica L. Larvae

The aim of these experiments was to investigate the type of cues used in homing processes by young Blattella germanica L. larvae. Several types of stimuli were tested: path integration with kinesthetic cues and visual orientation with landmark cues. Tests measured the escape direction of larvae from the food box after disturbance. Either type of cue alone, path integration or visual landmarks, was sufficient to allow larvae to orient towards their shelters, but they oriented more precisély when both types of cue were used. When several landmark cues (proximal and distal) were present, their relative angular position seemed important in the orientation process. Macroscopic shapes in the environment appeared to be used as a global image, memorized to reach the shelter.     

Absence of rDNA amplification in the uninucleolate oocyte of the cockroach Blattella germanica (Oorthoptera: Blattidae)

Amplification of the genes coding for ribosomal RNA oocurs in the oocytes of a wide variety of organisms. In oocytes of various species of crickets (Orthoptera: Gryllidae) the amplified DNA is contained in a large extrachromosomal DNA body. Multiple nucleoli form about the periphery of the DNA body during the diplotene stage of meiosis I. In contrast to the general pattern of orthopteran oocytes, oocytes of the cockroach Blattella germanica demonstrate a single large nucleolus instead of many nucleoli. In order to determine whether the genes coding for rRNA are amplified in the oocytes of B. germanica, the relative amount of rDNA in oocytes was compared with the rDNA content of spermatocytes and somatic cells. An extrachromosomal DNA body similar to that present in crickets is not present in B. germanica. A satellite DNA band which contains nucleotide sequences complementary to rRNA accounts for approximately 3-5% of the total DNA in somatic and in male and female gametogenic tissues. Female cells contain approximately twice as much rDNA as do male cells. An XX-XO sex-determining mechanism is operative in B. germanica. In situ hybridization with rRNA indicates that the nucleolar organizer is located on one end of the X chromosome and that oocytes do not contain more than twice the amount of rDNA found in spermato cytes. The data indicate that rDNA is not amplified in the uninucleolate oocyte of B germanica.     

Evaluation of certain insecticides on nettings for their efficacy and wash resistance against mosquito species

Five insecticides (Bifenthrin, Deltamethrin, Etofenprox, Permethrin and Lamda cyhalothrin) recommended by WHO, at their recommended dose were compared for their efficacy and wash resistance through bioassay against mosquito vectors, Culex quinquefasciatus, Aedes aegypti and Anopheles stephensi. Etofenprox treated nettings exhibited better knockdown and mortality than the other insecticides. The order of efficacy of the insecticides treated nettings was Etofenprox > or = Deltamethrin > Lambda cyhalothrin > Permethrin > Bifenthrin.     

Adjustability of the circadian clock in the cockroaches: a comparative study of two closely related species, Blattella germanica and Blattella bisignata.

A single 2h light pulse (250 lux) was given at various times to phase shift the locomotor circadian rhythm of two species of closely related cockroaches, Blattella bisignata and Blatella germanica. The phase-response curve (PRC) of both species showed a similar pattern. Phase delays and advances were induced by light pulse during the early and late subjective night, respectively, while no clear phase shifting was elicited during the subjective day. However, the magnitude of the phase delay (1.89h +/- 0.66h) and advance (0.69h +/- 0.36h) of B. bisignata was significantly larger than that of B. germanica (0.78h +/- 0.38h and 0.35h +/- 0.18h, respectively). This result indicates the superior adjustability of the circadian clock in B. bisignata. The period-response curve (PdRC) was also constructed for both species. Although both species did not show great flexibility in circadian period changes, the phase shifts were significantly correlated with the period changes in the advance zone of B. bisignata (r = 0.72, P < .1). This allowed the circadian clock of B. bisignata to display better entrainability since the phase advance adjustment was significantly more difficult than that of phase delay. The results indicate the overall adjustability of the circadian clock of B. germanica is inferior to that of B. bisignata. The significance of this finding is discussed from an ecological perspective.     

Studies on the mechanism of photosystem II photoinhibition II. The involvement of toxic oxygen species

In a previous paper it was shown that photoinhibition of reaction centre II of spinach thylakoids was predominantly caused by the degradation of D1-protein. An initial inactivation step at the Q_B-site was distinguished from its breakdown. The present paper deals with the question as to whether this loss of Q_B-function is caused by oxygen radical attack. For this purpose the photoinhibition of thylakoids was induced at 20°C in the presence of either superoxide dismutase and catalase or the antioxidants glutathione and ascorbic acid. This resulted in comparable though not total protection of D1-protein, photochemistry and fluorescence from photoinhibition. The combined action of both the enzymatic and the non-enzymatic radical scavenging systems brought about an even more pronounced protective effect against photoinhibition than did either of the two systems singularly at saturating concentrations. The results signify a major contribution of activated oxygen species to the degradation process of D1-protein and the related phenomena of photoinhibition. Thylakoids treated with hydroxyl radicals generated through a Fenton reaction showed a loss of atrazine binding sites, electron transport capacity and variable fluorescence in a similar manner, though not to the same extent, as usually observed following photoinhibitory treatment.Abbreviations Asc ascorbate - Fecy ferricyanide - GSH reduced glutathione - PQ plastoquinone - Q_A primary quinone acceptor of PS II - Q_B secondary quinone acceptor of PS II - SOD superoxide dismutase     

Studies in Xyridaceae II. two new species of Xyris from Brazil

Two new species of Xyridaceae, Xyris jolyi and X. coutensis, from Minas Gerais, Grazil, are distinguished from close relatives on the basis of morphological features including bracts, sepals, and leaves.     

苜蓿属和胡卢巴属植物的形态特征及数量分类研究

为研究苜蓿属(Medicago L.)与胡卢巴属(Trigonella L.)间的亲缘关系,寻找两属间的分属依据,解决中间过渡类群的分类归属问题,对苜蓿属与胡卢巴属种类的种皮结构和花粉形态特征进行了观察和测量,并以苜蓿属和胡卢巴属植物的40个形态性状为依据、应用数量分类方法对供试的16个种类进行了聚类分析(UPGMA)和主成分分析(PCA).此外,还根据具有重要分类学意义的形态性状,编写了供试的苜蓿属和胡卢巴属16个种类的分类检索表.观察结果表明,供试的两属植物(11种)的种皮结构基本相同,均由栅栏组织细胞、厚壁细胞和薄壁细胞组成,但胡卢巴属种皮的帽状结构和栅栏组织的厚度均小于苜蓿属.供试的两属植物(9种)花粉形态特征相似,均为椭球形或近球形,赤道面观为椭圆形,极面观为三裂圆形;极轴和赤道轴长分别为22.67～34.67 μm和17.34～31.60 μm;花粉表面纹饰较简单,呈小穴状.种皮结构和花粉特征显示两属的亲缘关系较近,仅种皮结构中的帽状结构差异具有一定的属间分类学意义.聚类分析结果表明,在欧氏距离10.85处,供试的苜蓿属(11种)和胡卢巴属(5种)的16个种类被划分为2组,A组均由胡卢巴属种类组成,B组均由苜蓿属种类组成;在欧氏距离9.32处,B组可被进一步划分为3个亚组,所包含的种类分别为苜蓿属的阔荚亚属(Subgen. Platycarpos D. F. Cui)、镰荚亚属(Subgen. Medicago Tutin)和天蓝苜蓿亚属(Subgen. Lupulina Gressh.)的种类.主成分分析结果表明,前3个主成分的累积贡献率较低,仅57.50%;在前3个主成分中,果实和小叶的长宽比、花萼长和被毛状况、茎和小叶的被毛状况、小叶尖形状、花序长等相关性状的绝对权重值均在0.6以上,具有重要的分类学意义;基于前2个主成分所做的二维散点图中供试的16个种类组成4个表征类群,与聚类分析结果一致.     

Studies of the acetylcholinesterase from houseflies (Musca domestica L.) resistant and susceptible to organophosphorus insecticides.

Acetylcholinesterase from the heads of insecticide-resistant and -susceptible houseflies (Musca domestica L.) was studied in vitro. The enzymes could not be distinguished electrophoretically, and their behaviour on polyacrylamide-disc-gel electrophoresis was influenced by the presence of Triton X-100 in both the homogenate and the gels. In the absence of detergent, the acetylcholinesterase was heterogeneous, but behaved as a single enzyme when it was present. By analogy with studies of acetylcholinesterase from other sources, these observations were attributed to aggregation of the enzyme when not bound by membranes. The enzyme from resistant flies was more slowly inhibited than the susceptible enzyme, bimolecular rate constants (ki) differing by approx. 4-20-fold for a range of organophosphorus compounds. The kinetics of inhibition of acetylcholinesterase were consistent with the results of electrophoresis, i.e. they corresponded to those of a single enzyme in the presence of Triton X-100, but a mixture of enzymes in its absence. The susceptibility of the more sensitive components in these mixtures was determined.