Hydroxycinnamoyl acid amides and aromatic amines in the inflorescences of some araceae species

Hydroxycinnamoyl acid amides (HCA's) were found to be important components in the inflorescences of different Araceae species. HCA's occurred in large amount in spathes and in the male and female flowers, and were totally absent from the sterile flowers, commonly found on Araceae spadices. Differences in the distribution of HCA's were noted between male and female flowers. Thus the amount of neutral HCA's was always greater in the male than in the female flowers and the female flowers generally contained more basic HCA'S. In the inflorescences of some Araceae species in the Monsteroideae and Philodendroideae (genera Monstera, Raphidophora and Philodendron), the aromatic amines tyramine and dopamine were very abundant, with concentrations ranging from 1 to 4 mg of each amine per g fr. wt.     

Biosynthesis and enantioselectivity in the production of the lilac compounds in Actinidia arguta flowers

Biosynthesis of the lilac alcohols and alcohol epoxides from linalool in ‘Hortgem Tahi’ kiwifruit (Actinidiaarguta) flowers was investigated by incubating flowers with rac-linalool, rac-[4,4,10,10,10-²H₅]linalool, (R)-8-hydroxylinalool and (R)-8-oxolinalool. All substrates were incorporated into the lilac alcohols although the (R)-configured compounds are not normally present in flowers. Biosynthesis of the lilac alcohol epoxides from rac-1,2-epoxy[4,4,10,10,10-²H₅]linalool and rac-[4′,4′, 8′, 8′,8′-²H₅]lilac aldehyde epoxide, rather than the lilac alcohols, was examined. Both substrates were non-enantioselectively converted to the lilac alcohol epoxides, suggesting two biosynthetic pathways for these compounds, contrary to previous reports. Their ability to process unnatural substrates indicates that A.arguta flowers have a greater biosynthetic capability than is suggested by their phytochemical composition. Linalool, the lilac compounds, and their biosynthetic intermediates were measured in the pistils, stamen, petals and sepals to determine if localisation in different organs contributed to only (S)-linalool being processed to the lilac compounds. Both linalool enantiomers were present in all organs, while most (97%) of the lilac compounds, and their precursors, were found in the petals. (S)-Linalool was not depleted from the flower petals, with respect to (R)-linalool, during the time of maximum production of the metabolites of (S)-linalool.     

Flower scent composition in night-flowering Silene species (Caryophyllaceae)

Floral scent of 13 night-flowering Silene species (Caryophyllaceae) was collected by headspace adsorption and analysed via gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. Benzenoids together with isoprenoids dominated the scent in all species. Among the benzenoids, benzaldehyde (Silene subconica 35.5%, Silene succulenta 23.1%, Silene sericea 15.6%, Silene vulgaris 12.2%, and Silene nutans 9.9%), methylbenzoate (Silene saxifraga 96.1%, S. succulenta 15.2%), benzyl acetate (Silene dichotoma 37.8%, S. nutans 30.1%, Silene italica 9.0%, and Silene latifolia 5.5%), or benzyl alcohol (Silene viscosa 36.1%) occur in the largest amounts. p-Cresol is only found in the floral scent of S. dichotoma (28.5%). Among the isoprenoids, monoterpenes occur in the largest amounts (myrcene 23% in Silene chlorantha, trans-β-ocimene 27.2% in S. nutans and 34.9% in S. sericea, fenchyl acetate 12.7% in S. chlorantha, β-linalool 40.5% in S. chlorantha and 14.5% in S. italica). Relatively high amounts of lilac compounds occur in S. latifolia (49.1%), Silene otites (35.7%), S. subconica (15.2%), and S. vulgaris (59.6%). Higher amounts of sesquiterpenes (isoprenoids) were only found in Silene vallesia with β-bourbonene and γ-muurolene.The vast majority of chemicals identified are common components of a wide array of scented angiosperm flowers. Nevertheless, the results conform most strongly with the findings in other night-blooming and/or moth-pollinated flowers. All investigated Silene species follow the general trend of floral scent compounds typical for moth-pollinated flowers, i.e. flowers having acyclic terpene alcohols (e.g. linalool), aromatic alcohols (benzyl alcohol, 2-phenylethanol) and esters derived from them, and small amounts of nitrogen-containing compounds.     

Spatial fragrance patterns in flowers of Silene latifolia: Lilac compounds as olfactory nectar guides?

Floral odour can differ qualitatively and quantitatively between different parts of the flowers, and these spatial fragrance patterns within the flowers can be used by pollinators for orientation on flowers. Here we present results of spatial fragrance patterns within flowers of the dioecious Silene latifolia (Caryophyllaceae). Volatiles were collected and analysed using a highly sensitive dynamic headspace method, which allows dramatically reducing the sample time. From all flower parts, especially the petals and the anthophore emitted the typical flower volatiles of S. latifolia. However, compounds emitted from the petals differed from compounds emitted by the anthophore. The anthophore emitted the monoterpenoids lilac aldehydes and alcohols, whereas, all other typical scent compounds (e.g. benzoids, other monoterpenoids) were emitted by the petals. Lilac aldehydes are known to be behaviourally very attractive for noctuid moths, and they may serve as nectar guides in S. latifolia.     

Inhibition of female mating receptivity by male-derived extracts in two Callosobruchus species: Consequences for interspecific mating

We investigated the effects of injecting male-derived extracts on congeneric female receptivity in two species of Callosobruchus beetle, C. chinensis and C. maculatus. We also examined the influence of interspecific mating on female remating behaviour in these two species. Male-derived extracts reduced congeneric female receptivity in both species. As quick-acting components, extracts of C. chinensis male seminal vesicles reduced the receptivity of C. maculatus females, whereas extracts of C. maculatus male testes reduced the receptivity of C. chinensis females. As slow-acting components, extracts of male accessory glands of other species reduced the receptivity of both C. maculatus and chinensis females. After interspecific mating, the sperm of C. maculatus males were transferred to the reproductive organs of C. chinensis females, thereby reducing their receptivity. In contrast, no C. chinensis sperm were transferred to the reproductive organs of C. maculatus females; accordingly, the latter's receptivity was not reduced. Furthermore, the survival rate of C. chinensis females decreased markedly after interspecific mating. These results raise the possibility that under circumstances where populations of these two species share the same habitat, reproductive interference would occur only in the interactions between C. maculatus males and C. chinensis females.     

华凤仙花部特征和传粉系统研究

研究了华凤仙（Impatiens chinensis L.）的花部特征和传粉系统,结果表明华凤仙单花期为2.3 d,雄性期是雌性期的6.8倍。花蜜量和花蜜可溶性糖含量分别为0.56 μL和28.2%。开花当天柱头即具有可授性,花粉活力在花朵刚开放时最高（95%）,至花朵凋谢之前仍保持较高的活力（55%）。花粉胚珠比（5 730.3±2 941.1）和套袋实验的结果表明华凤仙属于自交亲和但以异交为主的繁育系统,传粉过程需要传粉者。蜜蜂、熊蜂、蝶类和几种芦蜂是华凤仙的主要访花者,最有效的传粉者为三条熊蜂。考氏无垫蜂作为盗蜜者,可能是除正常访花者之外,对华凤仙的有性繁殖影响最大的生物因素。     

濒危植物夏蜡梅花的形态变异

研究了不同地理位置的3个夏蜡梅自然种群间以及种群内花部形态变异,并对3个种群进行聚类分析。结果表明：夏蜡梅花部表型性状在种群间和种群内都存在一定程度的变异;各性状总的平均变异系数在6.293（内瓣长）~46.90（花柄长）之间,种群间总的平均变异系数在13.430（DMS）~15.720 8（DLS）,因此认为夏蜡梅花的表型性状无论是在物种水平还是在种群水平都具有较丰富的表型多样性,其中又以大雷山种群最高;单因素方差分析显示：部分指标分化显著或极显著,13个指标在种群内的变异占了总变异的82.9%,这说明夏蜡梅种群内变异是表型变异的主要来源,由此可以推测遗传上的多样性是形成夏蜡梅花部形态变异的主导因素;种群间平均变异组分占了17.1%,表明花部形态在种群间存在一定程度的表型分化;聚类分析显示距离较近的大明山种群和龙须山种群先聚在一起,表型差异与地理距离之间存在显著正相关,经分析认为微生境的异质性和种群隔离以及遗传漂变均可能导致夏蜡梅种群间的表型分化;相关性分析显示部分性状之间存在显著的相关性。     

Possible Presence of Pheromone in Mating Behavior of the Pine Sawyer Monochamus saltuarius Gebler (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae)

The mating behavior of the pine sawyer, Monochamus saltuarius, is composed of two phases. The first phase is the female approach to pheromone-releasing males. When bioassayed by T-tube olfactometer, the female was moved toward the male and hexane extract of the male. The second phase is the male mounted the female to copulate after perceiving the contact pheromone being on the female body surface. When the hexane extract of the female body surface was applied onto a glass rod (dummy), the male showed the mating behavior to the dummy. The component of female body surface extract fractionated using a silicic acid column elicited mating behaviors of the males, and the other component by ether fraction was showed a high copulatory attempt. This study was discussed two-step functions of the pheromones in the beetle mating behavior.     

Sex pheromone of the cotton leafworm, Spodoptera littoralis

cis-9,trans-11-Tetradecadien-1-ol acetate (A) and cis-9,trans-12-tetradecadien-1-ol acetate (B), the same compounds as the female sex pheromone of Spodoptera litura, were identified as major components of the female sex pheromone of the cotton leafworm, Spodoptera littoralis. Compounds A and B were individually active, but the activity was synergistically enhanced by mixing the two compounds. The male response was optimal with mixture ranging from 5 : 1 to 20 : 1 of compounds A and B, respectively. Fifty per cent of the male moths of S. littoralis responded to the 20 : 1 mixture at the 10^?7 μg level; they responded at a concentration 100-fold lower than did male moths of S. litura. A partially purified extract of females of S. litura stimulated male moths of S. littoralis. Similarly a partially purified extract of S. littoralis was also active for the male moths of S. litura. The extract of females of S. litura, however, was 1000 times less active for male moths of S. littoralis than was the exrtact of females of S. littoralis, suggesting that a compound(s) is present in the extract of S. litura that inhibits the response of males of S. littoralis.     

Maturation timing of stamens and pistils in the dioecious plant Silene latifolia

The dioecious plant Silene latifolia depends on nocturnal insects for pollination. To increase the chance of cross-pollination, pollen grains seem to be released and stigmas seem to be receptive simultaneously at night. We divided the floral development of S. latifolia into 1–20 stages, and determined the timetables of male and female function. The corolla of both male and female flowers opens at sunset (1900 hours) and closes at sunrise (0900 hours). To investigate the period of the reproductive phase of male and female function, we measured the germination rate on a pollen medium and the pollen germination rate on stigma during the period when stamens and stigmas were viable in the timetable. Male flowers had early- and late-maturing stamens that had the highest pollen viability, germination rate and pollen tube growth at midnight (0000 hours) at 1 day after flowering (DAF) and 0000 hours at 2 DAF. In contrast, female flowers maintained a germination rate of nearly 100 % from 1800 hours at 1 DAF to 1200 hours at 3 DAF. These results suggested that S. latifolia transferred the matured pollen grains from male flowers to female flowers only at night.     

Chirality and biosynthesis of lilac compounds in Actinidia arguta flowers

Biosynthesis of lilac compounds in ‘Hortgem Tahi’ kiwifruit (Actinidia arguta) flowers was investigated by treating inflorescences with d₅-linalool. The incorporation of the deuterium label into 8-hydroxylinalool, 8-oxolinalool, the lilac aldehydes, alcohols, and alcohol epoxides was followed by GC-MS and enantioselective GC-MS. Both (R)- and (S)-linalool were produced naturally by the flowers, but 8-hydroxylinalool, 8-oxolinalool, and the lilac aldehydes and alcohols occurred predominantly as the (S) and 5′(S)-diastereoisomers, respectively. The enantioselective step in the biosynthesis of the lilac aldehydes and alcohols was concluded to be the oxidation of linalool to (S)-8-hydroxylinalool. In contrast, the lilac alcohol epoxides had a 5′(R):(S) ratio, the same as for linalool, which suggests that either these compounds are not synthesised from the 5′(S)-configured lilac aldehydes and alcohols, or that if indeed they are, then it is by an enantioselective step that favours utilisation of the 5′(R)-configured compounds.     

Toward the Identification of the Sex Pheromone of Diatraea indigenella Dyar & Heinrich (Lepidoptera: Crambidae): Calling Behavior and Chemical Structure of a Major Component

Behavioral patterns and pheromone titer in females of the steam borer Diatraea indigenella Dyar & Heinrich were assessed for 7 days during scotophase under a 13:11 L:D photoperiod. Calling was observed from the first scotophase for most of the females. The highest percentage of calling females was recorded 6 h after the onset of scotophase. Calling bouts and length of calling were affected by age, decreasing dramatically after the sixth scotophase. By coupling chemical and electrophysiological techniques (GC–EAD, GC–MS) and olfactometer bioassays (Z,E)-9,11-hexadecadienal was identified as the main sex pheromonal component in the extracts of female glands. The concentration varied from 2.53 to 13.7 ng gland^?1 with a peak at the 6th hour of scotophase. In addition, two unidentified secondary active components were detected at very low concentrations. Behavioral assays showed that 86% of the male moths were more attracted to the gland extracts than to hexane (control), and 77% of the male moths were more attracted to the gland extract than to the synthetic major component (Z,E)-9,11-hexadecadienal. However, 68% of males preferred the synthetic major component over hexane. The identification of the major sex pheromonal component represents an important step toward the complete elucidation of the composition of the sex pheromone of D. indigenella in order to develop monitoring tools.     

Floral display influences male and female reproductive success of the deceptive orchid Phaius delavayi

The influence of floral display on male and female reproductive success is variable without consistent patterns. Few studies concentrate on the integrated influence of the different components of floral display on reproductive fitness at population level. We studied the impact of different components of floral display on reproductive success in the Chinese orchid Phaius delavayi. This deceptive orchid has flowers in which male and female success can be readily assessed in the field by observing rates of pollinarium removal and fruit initiation. The results showed that mean pollinarium removal (52.05?±?2.08%) was higher than fruit set (36.78?±?1.89%), and both male and female reproductive success decreased with increasing clump size in Phaius delavayi. Nevertheless, floral display expressed by clump size and flower position impacted both female and male reproductive success, whereas flowering initiation and duration, and inflorescence size had no effect.     

Intra-specific Variation in the Effect of Male Seminal Substances on Female Oviposition and Longevity in Callosobruchus chinensis

Male seminal substances have been shown to induce oviposition and reduce female longevity in a number of species including the adzuki bean beetle Callosobruchus chinensis. Here the micro-injection of extracts of male reproductive tissues is used to determine the effect of male and female strain on female fecundity and longevity. Four strains of C. chinensis, known to differ in their propensity to remate were assayed. The results indicate that male and female strain both influence female fecundity and longevity. However, consistent patterns of response were not observed as revealed by a significant interaction between male and female strains. The evolutionary implications of these results are discussed.     

Gender expression and inflorescence structure of Pappea capensis Eckl. and Zeyh. (Sapindaceae)

Gender and the structure of the inflorescence and flowers of Pappea capensis (Sapindaceae) are investigated in a locality around Pretoria (22-27°S and 25-32°E). The trees flower over a long period (December to April) and are basically monoecious, starting with male flowers followed by female flowers towards the end of the flowering period, although some trees may be predominantly male and some predominantly female. The inflorescence is a reduced thyrse with small flowers. Male flowers have five ephemeral petals, eight stamens and a rudimental pistil. Female flowers comprise a 3-lobed ovary, a single style and stigma and eight staminodes.     

Construction of a genetic linkage map in Fenneropenaeus chinensis using SNP markers

Genetic linkage maps of Fenneropenaeus chinensis were constructed using a “double pseudo-testcross” strategy with 200 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) markers. This study represents the first SNP genetic linkage map for F. chinensis. The parents and F ₁ progeny of 100 individuals were used as mapping populations. 21 genetic linkage groups in the male and female maps were identified. The male linkage map was composed of 115 loci and spanned 879.7 cM, with an average intermarker spacing of 9.4 cM, while the female map was composed of 119 loci and spanned 876.2 cM, with an average intermarker spacing of 8.9 cM. The estimated coverage of the linkage maps was 51.94% for the male and 53.77% for the female, based on two estimates of genome length. The integrated map contains 180 markers distributed in 16 linkage groups, and spans 899.3 cM with an average marker interval of 5.2 cM. This SNP genetic map lays the foundation for future shrimp genomics and genetic breeding studies, especially the discovery of gene or regions for economically important traits in Chinese shrimp.     

Taxonomic review of genus Sejanus Distant (Heteroptera: Miridae: Phylinae) from Korea,with a new species

Four species of Sejanus Distant, 1910 recognized from the Korean Peninsula including the first record of S. komabanus (Yasunaga et al., 2013), S. vivaricolus (Yasunaga et al., 2013) and a new species herein described, S. yasunagai Oh, Duwal & Lee sp. nov. Each species is diagnosed with images of dorsal habitus, male and female genitalic structures. A key to the Korean Sejanus species also presented.urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:CE49D679-AE73-4FE2-83D4-C4191F1D9954.     

Larvicidal activity and Histopathological changes of Cinnamomum burmannii,Syzygium aromaticum extracts and their combination on Culex pipiens

In order to develop an eco-friendly botanical larvicide alternative to the synthetic larvicides, extracts were prepared from the Cinnamomum burmannii (C.B.) and Syzygium aromaticum (S.A.) with hexane using a sonicator. The extracts were evaluated for larvicidal activity individually and in combination against the Culex pipiens larvae. The LC₅₀ value of C.B. and the S.A. hexane extracts tested individually were 184.2 and 363.7 µg/mL against Cx. pipiens respectively. All the combinations of the extract of C.B. and S.A. showed synergistic factors higher than one. Among the different ratios of extracts, the SA25%: CB75% extract was found to be more toxic than the other combinations (LC₅₀:125.7 µg/mL). Midgut cells treated with S.A. 25%: C.B. 75% extract showed severe morphological alterations such as degradation of microvilli; degeneration of epithelial cells, and peritrophic membrane; loss of nuclei, irregular and damage of microvilli. The extract has a promising larvicidal potential against Cx. pipiens, However, the extract was toxic against HUVEC cells, as evident from MTT and cell morphology. Further investigation is required to assess the toxicity of the extract on aquatic animals.