Oviposition Behavior of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pheropsophus aequinoctialis</Emphasis> L. (Coleoptera: Carabidae): A Natural Enemy of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Scapteriscus</Emphasis> Mole Crickets (Orthoptera: Gryllotalpidae)

In the southeastern United States, South American Scapteriscus mole crickets are serious pests of turf and pasture grasses and vegetable seedlings. The larval stage of Pheropsophus aequinoctialis L. is a specialist predator of Scapteriscus mole cricket eggs and is currently under evaluation as a potential biological control agent. The objective of this study was to understand the oviposition behavior of P. aequinoctialis. The results indicated that in two-choice substrate oviposition arenas, female P. aequinoctialis significantly preferred to lay eggs in sand with mole cricket tunnels compared with artificially created tunnels or sand without tunnels. Physical tunnel presence influenced oviposition depth, but was not the only factor influencing oviposition. The reproductive strategy and behavior of P. aequinoctialis is discussed in relation to its specialized life history and to other carabid beetles displaying close host associations.     

Ribotyping of 16S and 23S rRNA genes and organization of rrn operons in members of the bacterial genera Gemmata,Planctomyces, Thermotoga,Thermus, and Verrucomicrobium

The number of organization of rrn genes of two members of the order Planctomycetales, Planctomyces limnophilus and Gemmata obscuriglobus, as well as three species from other bacterial phyla, namely Thermotoga maritima, Thermus aquaticus and Verrucomicrobium spinosum were examined by Southern blot hybridization analysis of restricted DNA with labeled 16S- and 23S rRNAs. Ribotyping analysis revealed that two species contain unlinked 16S- and 23S rRNA genes. Planctomyces limnophilus possessed two unlinked rrn genes which were separated from each other by at least 4.3 kb, and Thermus aquaticus had to unlinked 16S and 23S rRNA genes, separated from each other by at least 2.5 kb. Gemmata obscuriglobus exhibited five genes for which the organization could as yet not be determined because of the complex hybridization patterns. In the other two species, rrn genes clustered in operons. Thermotoga maritima had a single gene for each rRNA species which were separated by not more than 1.5 kb, while Verrucomicrobium spinosum had four copies of probably linked 16S and 23S rRNA genes with a maximal distance between 16S and 23S rRNA genes of 1.3 kb.     

Tree–herb co-existence and community assembly in natural forest-steppe transitions

Background: Hybridisation between locally common and rare plant species is of conservation concern as it may lead to the extinction of the rare taxon. Rumex aquaticus (2n = ca. 200, Polygonaceae) is a widespread Euro-Siberian species but rare in the British Isles. It hybridises freely with the locally abundant congener R. obtusifolius (2n = 40) producing fertile and viable hybrids.

Aims: We aimed to establish whether hybridisation poses an extinction threat to R. aquaticus in Britain.

Methods: Flow cytometry, AFLPs and morphological characters were used to assess the extent of hybridisation between R. obtusifolius and R. aquaticus.

Results: Flow cytometry was the most useful tool to distinguish between hybrids and parental species and indicated that out of 88 samples from two hybrid populations, 85% were likely to be F1s and only 15% were likely to be back-crosses to R. aquaticus. AFLP markers were only able to identify putative F1 hybrids reliably and 11 morphological traits could not distinguish unambiguously between hybrids and pure R. aquaticus.

Conclusions: Although our data suggest that genetic assimilation of pure R. aquaticus populations is unlikely to be the case in the future, there is a potential threat from demographic swamping by hybrids and targeted protection of R. aquaticus habitat is proposed as a management strategy.     

Cuticular lipids for species recognition of mole crickets (Orthoptera: Gryllotalpidae): II. Scapteriscus abbreviatus,S. acletus,S. vicinus,S. sp., and Neocurtilla hexadactyla

Qualitative analyses were made from whole-body cuticular extracts of Scapteriscus abbreviatus, Scapteriscus acletus, Scapteriscus vicinus, and Neocurtilla hexadactyla by isothermal and temperature-programmed gas chromatography. Adults of both sexes and nymphs of each species were collected in Florida. The chromatographic profiles of peaks were distinct and easily recognizable for each species, regardless of sex or developmental stage. Distinct sexual differences were found in S. acletus and S. abbreviatus. Specimens of S. abbreviatus from Puerto Rico and S. vicinus from Bolivia produced gas chromatography (GC) traces very similar to those of conspecifics collected in Florida. Evidence is presented to illustrate the potential importance of volatile cuticular lipid analysis as a tool for mole cricket identification. Cuticular extracts of an undescribed short-winged species of Scapteriscus from Bolivia were also examined and produced GC traces unlike those of any other species analyzed to date.     

Respiration and NADH-Oxidation of the Roots of Flood-Tolerant and Flood-Intolerant Senecio Species as Affected by Anaerobiosis

Respiration was measured under anaerobiosis in the roots of two Senecio species: S. aquaticus Hill, which is flood-tolerant, and S. jacobaea L., which is flood-intolerant. NADH-oxidation under anaerobiosis was measured in roots of S. aquaticus, S. jacobaea and S. vulgaris L., which is also flood-intolerant. Protein content of S. aquaticus was about 15% higher under anaerobiosis. At 20°C respiration of the roots of S. aquaticus was 50% inhibited under anaerobiosis, while an almost complete inhibition occurred in the roots of S. jacobaea. The activities of nitrate reductase, glutamate dehydrogenase and lactate dehydrogenase were considerably higher in the roots of S. aquaticus grown under anaerobic conditions than in roots grown under aerobic conditions. In S. jacobaea glutamate dehydrogenase activity was lower and in S. vulgaris nitrate reductase was lower and glutamate dehydrogenase activity was higher in roots grown under anaerobic conditions. The possible role of these enzymes for metabolism under anaerobic conditions by oxidizing a surplus of NADH is discussed. Since oxidative phosphorylation is 50% inhibited under anaerobiosis, ATP has to be generated in a different way. It is argued that maintenance of the ATP-level may be compensated by way of the enzymes mentioned above, in combination with a modified glucose utilization.     

Resolution of cyclic AMP stimulated protein kinase from polymerization-purified brain microtubules.

Polymerization-deploymerization purified microtubules from mouse brain contain, in addition to tubulin, several minor proteins, including protein kinase activity. The protein kinase copurifies with microtubules in constant proportion to tubulin through two, three, or four cycles of polymerization; it can be resolved from tubulin by gel filtration chromatography and has an apparent molecular weight of 280,000. Its activity is stimulated 7-fold by cyclic AMP, and resembles the soluble brain protein kinase described by Miyamoto $\text{et al.}$ (1). The microtubule preparation serves as an endogenous substrate for this protein kinase; both 6S and 30S tubulin are substrates for phosphorylation to the extent of about 0.10 ± 0.05 moles/mole.     

Isolation and characterization of gas vesicles from Microcyclus aquaticus

Intact gas vesicles of Microcyclus aquaticus S1 were isolated by using centrifugally accelerated flotation of vesicles and molecular sieve chromatography. Isolated gas vesicles were cylindrical organelles with biconical ends and measured 250×100 nm. The gas vesicle membrane was composed almost entirely of protein; neither lipid nor carbohydrate was detected, although one mole of phosphate per mole of protein was found. Amino acid analysis indicated that the protein contained 54.6% hydrophobic amino acid residues, lacked sulfur-containing amino acids, and had a low aromatic amino acid content. The protein subunit composition of the vesicles was determined by gel electrophoresis in (i) 0.1% sodium dodecyl sulfate at pH 9.0 and (ii) 5 M urea at pH 2.0. The membrane appeared to consist of one protein subunit of MW 50 000 daltons. Charge isomers of this subunit were not detected on urea gels. Antiserum prepared against purified gas vesicles of M. aquaticus S1 cross-reacted with the gas vesicles of all other gas vacuolate strains of M. aquaticus, as well as those of Prosthecomicrobium pneumaticum, Nostoc muscorum, and Anabaena flos-aquae, indicating that the gas vesicles of these widely divergent organisms have some antigenic determinants in common.Abbreviations SDS sodium dodecyl sulfate - MW molecular weight - Tris tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane - EDTA disodium ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid - BSA bovine serum albumin - TCA trichloroacetic acid - P _c pressure necessary to collapse gas vesicles     

A comprehensive morphological analysis of talpid moles (Mammalia) phylogenetic relationships

Some talpid moles show one of the most specialized suites of morphological characters seen among small mammals. Fossorial and more generalized shrew‐looking moles inhabit both North America and Eurasia but these land masses share none of the same genera. One of the central questions of mole evolution has been that of how many times specialized fossorial habits evolved. We investigated the origin of mole characters with a maximum parsimony analysis of 157 characters, mostly craniodental and postcranial, of representatives of all 17 living mole genera and three shrews and one hedgehog as outgroups. The result was one most‐parsimonious tree and its most novel aspect was the position of a Japanese shrew mole clade (Urotrichus, Dymecodon), which branched off after Uropsilus and was not closely related to the American shrew mole (Neurotrichus). The desmans (Galemys and Desmana) were the next clade in the tree, followed by Neurotrichus. We confirmed the monophyly of the Eurasian fossorial mole clade Talpini (Euroscaptor, Parascaptor, Mogera, Scaptochirus and Talpa). Condylura, the star‐nosed mole from North America, was sister group to a clade consisting of the Talpini plus Scaptonyx and the Scalopini (Scalopus, Scapanus, Parascalops, and Scapanulus). Based on our results and on the assumption that moles originated in Eurasia, it is most parsimonious to infer one migration from Eurasia to North America and two back‐migrations to Eurasia. It is ambiguous if Talpini and Scalopini evolved their full fossorial habits independently or not. © The Willi Hennig Society 2006.     

Respiration of Senecio Shoots: Inhibition during Photosynthesis, Resistance to Cyanide and Relation to Growth and Maintenance

Respiration and dry matter producation were measured in shoots of senecia aquaticus Hill, which is flood tolerant and in shoots of S. jacobaea L., which is flood- sensitive. Both species were grown in culture solutions of high and of low oxygen concentration Growth of food of S. jacobaca was unaffected by a low oxygen supply bur growth of S. jacobaca was severly hampered by a low oxygen concentration in the root medium. Kinetic data about the rate of apparent photosynthesis at low oxygen conetration and different carbon dioxide concentrations indicated that at light saturation respiration was strongly repressed during photosynthesis. Shoot growth respiration, i.e. the amount of carbon dioxide produced for synthesis of shoot dry, matter appeared to be absent on S. jacobaea and to be very low (13.mg CO₂/g dry shoots) in S. aquaticus. In comparison with values prepiration rate was 2.8. 2.0. 1.5 and 1.3mg CO₂/h.g dry shoots in aerobically and anaerobically growth S. jacobaea and in aerobically and anaerobically growth S. aquabaea respectively. These values were also low in comprision with values previously found for roots of the same species. Shoot dark respiration on S. aquaticus was inbihitedd by a com bination on CN and salicylhydroxamic acid (SHAM), but not by application on one of these inhibitors alone. It was therefore concluded that an alternative oxidative pathway was present but not active in shoots of S. aquaticus. In the absence of inhibited of the cylochorome pathway. The low value of growth respiration and maintenance respiration rate in the shoots as compared with those in the roots of the investigated Sencio species are discussed in relation to the activity of the alternative oxidative pathway and to the possibilbity of a direct supply of ATP by photosynthesis intead of respiratory meta bolism.     

Occurrence of Senecio aquaticus in relation to grassland management

Background: Senecio aquaticus is an esteemed wetland species, but it is also a poisonous species in grasslands for forage production of various countries (e.g. Great Britain and Central European states), and its further spread onto farmland must be prevented. To reveal links between management practice and the occurrence of S. aquaticus, a survey was carried out on agricultural grassland in the summer of 2005. Location: The mountain region in the northern and central part of Switzerland. Methods: Botanical assessments were carried out on management units (parcels) where S. aquaticus occurred and on neighbouring parcels without occurrence. For all parcels, we analysed the soil nutrients and the details of management such as intensity of fertilisation and defoliation frequency. Results: There was a high risk of S. aquaticus occurrence in parcels with low nitrogen fertilisation, a change of management intensity in the preceding 15 years, high inclination, and gaps in the sward. The change in the vegetation composition caused by altering the management intensity most probably provided gaps in the sward, which were then colonised by S. aquaticus. A novel finding is that, despite its preference for low‐nutrient sites, the species was also persistent at sites with a moderate to high management intensity. Conclusion: A long‐term control of S. aquaticus on agricultural grasslands can best be achieved by avoiding sward damage and by promoting dense and stable swards. The management should be adjusted to the local environmental conditions and the requirements of the favourable plant species. This could prevent the spread of S. aquaticus from the protected wetlands onto agricultural grasslands, where the species would threaten animal health.     

Acid-Stable α-Amylase of Black Aspergilli

The acid-stable α-amylase or the acid-unstable α-amylase from Aspergillus niger contained 24 moles or 7 moles mannose and 4 moles or 1 mole hexosamine per mole of protein, respectively.

The acid-stable α-amylase and the acid-unstable α-amylase contained calcium only, but not detectable amounts of other metals. Calcium contents of the both enzymes were converged to at least one gram atom per mole of enzyme by dialysis against acetate buffer. The last calcium could be removed under the suitable conditions by EDTA. Calcium removal by EDTA was accompanied by the loss of activity and by the little change of UV absorption spectra. The phenomenon caused by calcium removal were partially reversible. This last one atom of calcium seemed to be essential for the maintenance of active structure of α-amylase.     

Notes on the behaviour of Ocypode ryderi Kingsley (Crustacea,Brachyura)

The main aggressive patterns of Ocypode ryderi are described: the claws can be pointed downwards in a shield‐like position against a facing opponent or out stretched against an opponent coming from behind. While the first pattern often induces an analogous reaction in the opponent and can easily be followed by a fight consisting in reciprocal claws hitting, the latter always leads to avoidance of a further attack. A waving display occurs in courtship. The main defensive patterns against predators or men consists of a zig‐zag flight towards the sea or the burrow and a “terrifying” sound emitted by striking the claws together. Running and cleaning are executed as in the majority of the Ocypode. An attempt to compare these patterns with those of other species of Ocypode has been made.     

Nucleotide sequence of nuclear 5S RNA of mouse cells

The nucleotide sequence of nuclear 5S RNA of mouse cells was determined. The 5S RNA is 117 nucleotides long with one mole each of m₃^2,2,7G, Gm, Am and Cm, two moles of Um, and three moles of ψ as modified nucleosides, and it is rich in uridylate residues (about 36 %). The 5′-terminal hexanucleotide-containing cap structure, m₃^2,2,7GpppAm-Um-A-C-U-, is identical with that of U1 RNA. This RNA contains sequences complementary to the terminal sequences of the introns of heterogeneous nuclear RNAs.     

A Three Years' Study of Life Cycle,Population Dynamics and Production of Asellus aquaticus L. in a Macrophyte Rich Stream

Populations of A. aquaticus were sampled quantitatively in 1979–82 at two localities in the river Suså which has a slope of <1 m km⁻¹ and large variations in macrophyte biomass, discharge and stream velocity. The latter two differed significantly between years. A. aquaticus had (1)−2 life cycles per year and summer and winter cohort production intervals of 85 and 290 days. Populations of A. aquaticus varied between 0 and 28,000 ind. m⁻² with an exponential increase in the spring and an exponential decrease in the autumn-winter. The A. aquaticus rate of decrease varied between 0.62 and 5.61 % d⁻¹ and increased with increasing rate of elimination of the macrophyte biomass Differences between the two localities were due to differences in physical heterogeneity. Production varied between 2.8 and 9.1 g DW m⁻² yr⁻¹ and between 12.9 and 55 g DW m⁻² yr⁻¹ at the two localities and P/B ratios were 7.4–9.9 yr⁻¹. Physical limitations are thought to be most important for the populations of A. aquaticus in the Suså, and the macrophyte biomass played an important role in modifying the physical environment. Differences between streams and lake populations are discussed.     

Humerus development in moles (Talpidae,Mammalia)

The humerus of fossorial moles has a highly derived anatomy, reflecting the ecological specialization of these animals for digging. It is short and broad, with enlarged muscle attachment sites and pronounced articulations compared to non‐fossorial sister taxa and other mammals. Both condyles are rotated in opposite directions, resulting in a torsion which is unique among eutherian mammals. The development of this exceptional bone was studied in embryonic stages of the fossorial Iberian mole (Talpa occidentalis) from mesenchymal condensation to incipient ossification based on histological serial sections using 3D reconstruction methods. For comparison, embryonic stages of the semi‐fossorial Japanese shrew mole (Urotrichus talpoides) as well as a sister taxon of moles, the terrestrial North American least shrew (Cryptotis parva), were studied. Results show that the humerus of Talpa already shows its derived anatomy with broadened muscle attachment sites and distinct articulations at early cartilaginous stages, when ossification has just started in the mid‐diaphyseal region. The torsion takes place simultaneously with the medial rotation of the forelimbs. The supracondylar foramen is closed in all studied Talpa embryos, but patent in Cryptotis and Urotrichus. This is an example of developmental penetrance, suggesting that variation of adult elements can be found at early stages as well.     

The Significance of Oxygen Transport and of Metabolic Adaptation in Flood-Tolerance of Senecio Species

Experiments were designed to provide information about the physiological basis of flood-tolerance in Senecio species. The oxygen concentration in roots of S. jacobaea L., S. viscosus L. and S. vulgaris L. became almost zero after transplantation to a solution of low oxygen concentration, and it was concluded that the flood-sensitivity of these Senecio species could be due to insufficient oxygen transport from the shoots to the roots. The oxygen concentration in the roots of the flood-tolerant S. congestus (R.Br.) DC., growing in a solution of low oxygen tension, was almost sufficient to maintain oxygen utilization at the rate observed in roots of plants, grown in an air-saturated solution. Oxygen utilization by roots of the flood-tolerant S. aquaticus Hill, growing in a solution of low oxygen tension, was inhibited 50%. However, the oxygen concentration in the roots of this species remained high enough to maintain cytochrome oxidase activity and oxidative phosphorylation at the rate observed in roots from an air-saturated environment. The activity of a second (“alternative”) oxidase must have been drastically reduced. Alternative NADH-oxidizing enzymes, like nitrate reductase which was induced by anaerobiosis in roots of S. aquaticus, might replace the regulatory function of the alternative oxidase. — Thus, in S. aquaticus root porosity and root length contributed to the maintenance of an oxygen concentration which was sufficient for uninhibited cytochrome oxidase activity and oxidative phosphorylation rate in roots growing in a solution of low oxygen tension.     

Diphosphopyridine nucleotide-linked D-lactate dehydrogenases from the horseshoe crab, Limulus polyphemus, and the seaworm, Nereis virens. II. Catalytic properties

The catalytic properties of the purified horseshoe crab and seaworm d-lactate dehydrogenases were determined and compared with those of several l-lactate dehydrogenases. Apparent K_m's and degrees of substrate inhibition have been determined for both enzymes for pyruvate, d-lactate, NAD⁺ and NADH. They are similar to those found for l-lactate dehydrogenases. The Limulus “muscle”-type lactate dehydrogenase is notably different from the “heart”-type lactate dehydrogenase of this organism in a number of properties.The Limulus heart and muscle enzymes have been shown by several criteria to be stereospecific for d-lactate. They also stereospecifically transfer the 4-α hydrogen of NADH to pyruvate. The turnover number for purified Limulus muscle lactate dehydrogenase is 38,000 moles NADH oxidized per mole of enzyme, per minute. Limulus and Nereis lactate dehydrogenases are inhibited by oxamate and the reduced NAD-pyruvate adduct.Limulus muscle lactate dehydrogenase is stoichiometrically inhibited by para-hydroxymercuribenzoate. Extrapolation to two moles parahydroxymercuribenzoate bound to one mole of enzyme yields 100% inhibition. Alkylation by iodoacetamide or iodoacetate occurs even in the absence of urea or guanidine-HCl. Evidence suggests that the reactive sulfhydryl group may not be located at the coenzyme binding site.Reduced coenzyme (NADH or the 3-acetyl-pyridine analogue of NADH) stoichiometrically binds to Limulus muscle lactate dehydrogenase (two moles per mole of enzyme).Several pieces of physical and catalytic evidence suggest that the d- and l-lactate dehydrogenase are products of homologous genes. A consideration of a possible “active site” shows that as few as one or two key conservative amino acid changes could lead to a reversal of the lactate stereospecificity.     

Patterns of Urination of a Blind Subterranean Rodent,Spalax ehrenbergi

Urination patterns of blind mole rats of the Spalax ehrenbergi superspecies of Israel were investigated in the laboratory under various conditions in various types of simulated tunnel systems. Behavioral responses to urine in these systems were observed. The results suggest that mole rats do not mark their tunnels or novel areas, either along the tunnel floor by dropping a urine-trail or at the peripheral ends of the tunnel systems. Urination is not a fear response, and the urine does not contain a chemosensory releaser. Intruders respond (e.g. by sniffing, running away, aggressive threat displays etc.) to occupant's urine in a previously occupied system, and some occupants urinate at a border in ‘no-contact’ encounters with a potential intruder. Male and female mole rats seem to use urine to advertise their ownership of resources by placing their sanitation areas in the vicinity of the nest and food store and may advertise their identity and occupancy at borders when there is potential contact with intruders. Likely similarities between urination patterns in the laboratory and in nature are discussed.     

河南济源人工引水渠隧道蝙蝠冬眠生态学特征

2017-2020年期间,每年1月份对河南省济源市邵原镇布袋沟水库人工引水渠隧道内蝙蝠进行冬眠生态学特征调查,共发现2科5属7种蝙蝠在此冬眠,包括马铁菊头蝠（Rhinolophus ferrumequinum）、小菊头蝠（R.pusillus）、华南水鼠耳蝠（Myotis laniger）、白腹管鼻蝠（Murina leucogaster）、金管鼻蝠（Mu.aurata）、奥氏长耳蝠（Plecotus ognevi）和亚洲宽耳蝠（Barbastella leucomelas）。马铁菊头蝠是优势种（约52%-73%的冬眠个体）,其次是小菊头蝠（约19%-37%）、华南水鼠耳蝠（约5%-8%）,其余蝙蝠物种数量不足3%。2017-2020年冬眠蝙蝠个体总数呈增长趋势,但仍少于早期报道的数量。有42个隧道每年均有蝙蝠冬眠,而且不同年度冬眠数量也不尽相同。通过多元线性回归分析发现,隧道长度可能是影响蝙蝠冬眠栖息场所选择的主要影响因子（Adjusted R²=0.208,P=0.001）。每个隧道内,蝙蝠具有不同的冬眠栖点位置,约4/5的蝙蝠选择温暖且环境相对稳定的隧道深处（> 30 m）作为冬眠栖点,超过95%的个体选择长度> 60 m的隧道冬眠。蝙蝠具有不同的冬眠方式,绝大多数个体采用独栖方式进行冬眠（> 90%）,少数采用聚集方式。不同的冬眠栖点和冬眠方式可能有利于冬眠成本优化。此外,栖点温度与蝙蝠体温之间呈显著正相关（R²=0.98,P < 0.001）,而且蝙蝠冬眠期间的栖点温度具有种内和种间差异。研究结果为我国蝙蝠种群保护和冬眠场所管理提供科学依据。     

Mole activity in woodlands, fens and other habitats

Monks Wood, a deciduous wood of 155 hectares on clay soil, has an estimated population of 400 moles. There is an anastomosing system of permanent burrows, and when a mole is trapped its area of burrow is soon occupied by another animal. Little new digging occurs, except in winter, after frost has driven the soil fauna deeper into the ground. The burrows usually act as pit-fall traps for the food. Young animals migrating in summer may live more superficially, in tunnels in moss and grass, but survivers usually move into a permanent tunnel system by autumn.
Woodwalton Fen has an easily worked peat soil, and few earthworms. Here moles burrow at all seasons, presumably needing an extensive burrow system to catch sufficient food. In times of flood, the moles leave submerging ground but return very soon after the water subsides. They probably swim across flooded areas but iis yet we do not know if the same animals return after floods to the same burrows.
Moles are not good indicators of soil fertility, particularly as many mole heaps are made by few moles in poor soil, and fewmew heaps may appear in good soil with permanent burrows. We do not understand why there are so few moles in some apparently suitable pasture, with high worm populations, or how others manage to obtain sutficient food in infertile areas.