Learning in an invasive and a native predatory crab

The invasion of the green crab Carcinus maenas in the northeastern U.S. and its competition with the native blue crab Callinectes sapidus and other native crustaceans has been well-documented and researched. Various reasons for the invader’s success against native crabs have been examined (juvenile predation, food source flexibility, etc.), but another possibility is a difference in the learning ability of invasive versus native crab species. In this study, the learning ability of C. maenas and C. sapidus was tested by their increased speed in locating hidden food over successive days. The data suggest that C. maenas possesses a learning ability significantly greater than that of C. sapidus, which may partially contribute to its success.     

Degree of neuromuscular facilitation is correlated with contribution to walking in leg muscles of two species of crab

Despite decades of work on the neuromuscular physiology of crustacean leg muscles, little is known about how physiological differences between these muscles relate to their behavioral usage. We studied a sideways walking shore crab, Carcinus maenas, and a forward walking spider crab, Libinia emarginata, as part of our work to understand the neural control of locomotion. The two species differed significantly in facilitation at neuromuscular junctions for every muscle studied. Further, these differences are correlated exactly with the walking use of the muscles. The forward walking spider crab showed more facilitation in muscles which operate joints having larger ranges of motion in forward walking. Likewise, greater facilitation was seen in muscles more active during sideways walking in the predominantly sideways walking shore crab. These differences even occur between muscles innervated by the same motor neuron, and become more evident with higher stimulus frequency. The increased presynaptic facilitation might allow selective recruitment of fibers innervated by the same motor neuron and aid in temporal filtering. Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Cadmium influx across isolated Carcinus gill epithelium interaction of lanthanum and calcium with cadmium influxes

The effects of Ca and La on Cd transport across apical and basolateral gill surfaces were examined in isolated perfused Carcinus gills. In the gills exposed to diluted sea water enriched with calcium by addition of CaCl₂ to 11.9 and 15.9 mmol·l^-1 the Cd influxes decreased by 55% and 85%, respectively, compared to those observed in diluted sea water (6.9 mmol Ca·l^-1). When Ca was added to the perfusate to increase its concentration at the basolaterally oriented gill surfaces, Cd influx inhibition was less pronounced than when Ca was added apically. The effect of Ca on ¹⁰⁹Cd influxes appears, therefore, to be exerted at the apical gill surface. Additionally, the effects of various concentrations of the non-specific Ca channel blocker La (added to diluted sea water) on ¹⁰⁹Cd influxes in isolated perfused Carcinus gills were studied. ¹⁰⁹Cd influxes are shown to be lanthanum concentration dependent. The half-maximum inhibition of cadmium influxes by La occurred at 1.4·10^-6 mol·l^-1. Cadmium transport is discussed in terms of non-specific influx utilizing Ca channels.Abbreviations DSW diluted sea water - cpm counts per minute - BBMV brush-border membrane vesicles     

Is there a chloride ATPase in the gills of the shore crab Carcinus maenas?

Summary In gills of the shore crab Carcinus maenas an ATPase activity was found which was stimulated by bicarbonate and inhibited by low concentration of oligomycin and thiocyanate. This ATPase was activated by small hydrated alkali cations, i.e., activation was absent in the presence of Li⁺, small in the presence of Na⁺, and highest in the presence of K⁺ (K _m=4 mM). Inhibitor studies using ouabain, NEM, and vanadate suggest that this ATPase is different from (Na⁺+K⁺)-ATPase, the H⁺-ATPase of organelles, or an E ₁ E ₂-type ATPase represented by the H⁺/K⁺-ATPase in gastric mucosa. Results obtained by differential and density gradient centrifugation indicate that this ATPase is located in crab gill mitochondria, a location ruling out its direct participation in transepithelial ion transport. Since the ATPase lacked specific Cl^--activation it is not considered to be a Cl^- pump but a mitochondrial F ₁ F ₀-ATPase. Specific activities of mitochondrial ATPase and (Na⁺+K⁺)-ATPase were of comparable magnitude. Both ATPases were greatly increased in gills of crabs acclimated to brackish water (salinity 10) compared to crabs maintained in sea water (30). These results imply that low salinity-induced modifications in branchial tissues include mechanisms for active ion uptake as well as the elements for provision of cellular energy.Abbreviations ATPase adenosine triphosphatase - HEPES N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-1-piperazine-N(2-ethanesulfonic acid) - LDH lactate dehydrogenase - NADH reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide - NEM Niethylmaleimide - PEP phosphoenolpyruvate - PK pyruvate kinase - TRIS TRIS (hydroxymethyl)aminomethane - S salinity     

The ultrastructural basis of steroid production in the Y-organ and the mandibular organ of the crabs Hemigrapsus nudus (Dana) and Carcinus maenas L.

Summary The ultrastructure of the steroid producing Y-organ and the mandibular organ of the crustaceans Hemigrapsus nudus and Carcinus maenas has been studied with reference to the well investigated steroid secreting cells (SSC) of mammals. In accordance with the most important characteristic of mammalian SSC, abundant SER could be shown in the Y-organ, where it is unevenly distributed. The amount of SER seems to vary in correlation with the secretion of moulting hormone during the moult cycle. Most Y-organ cells contain a great number of mitochondria of the tubular type, another important characteristic of mammalian SSC. The ultrastructure of the mandibular organ of C. maenas differs considerably from that of the Y-organ. Some SER was found, mitochondria of unusual shape and size were conspicuous. No definite conclusion as to the function of the mandibular organ is yet to be drawn.Dedicated to Prof. Dr. Peter Karlson on the occasion of his 60th birthdaySupported by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft, grant Ad 24/4We wish to thank Dr. A. Owczarzak, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, for providing the facilities for our work with H. nudus and Thomas Gallenstein for many helpful discussions of technical problems     

The physiological responses of freshwater rainbow trout,Oncorhynchus mykiss,during acutely lethal copper exposure

Acutely lethal (24 h) exposure of adult rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) to 4.9 mol copper·l^-1 in fresh water (pH 7.9, [Ca²⁺]0.8 mEq·l^-1) caused a rapid decline of plasma Na⁺ and Cl^- and arterial O₂ tension, and initially a pronounced tachycardia. The internal hypoxia probably resulted from histopathologies observed in the gills of fish exposed to copper, such as cell swelling, thickening and curling of the lamellae, and haematomas. Copper cannot therefore be considered purely as an ionoregulatory toxicant during acutely lethal conditions. Mortality during exposure to copper could not simply be explained by the plasma ionic dilution, nor by the internal hypoxia, since arterial O₂ content remained relatively unchanged. Secondary to the ionoregulatory and respiratory disturbances were a number of deleterious physiological responses which included a massive haemoconcentration (haematocrit values as high as 60%) and a doubling of the mean arterial blood pressure. The time-course of these changes suggest that cardiac failure was the final cause of death. In this respect copper exposure resembles low pH exposure in freshwater trout (Milligan and Wood 1982). Copper and H⁺ appear to be similar in both the primary site of their toxic action (the gills) and the secondary physiological consequences which result from acutely lethal exposures. Furthermore, the acute toxicity syndrome observed may be common to many metals which cause ionoregulatory and/or respiratory problems in freshwater fish.Abbreviations C _aO₂ arterial oxygen content - FR water flow rate - Hb haemoglobin - Hct haematocrit - H _m ⁺ net metabolic acid load - IU international unit - MABP mean arterial blood pressure - MCHC mean corpuscular haemoglobin content - MO₂ rate of oxygen consumption - P _aCO₂ arterial carbon dioxide tension - P _aO₂ arterial oxygen partial pressure - T _amm total ammonia (=NH₃+NH ₄ ⁺ ) - TCO₂ total carbon dioxide - TOC total organic carbon - %Hb–O₂ percentage of haemoglobin saturated with oxygen     

绿罗勒、莴苣罗勒和大叶罗勒的精油成分分析

该研究采用固相微萃取法(SPEM)和气相色谱-质谱联用技术(GC-MS),分析绿罗勒、莴苣罗勒和大叶罗勒精油的化学成分。结果表明:从绿罗勒(Ocimum basilicum‘Green’)中鉴定出40种化学成分;从莴苣罗勒(O.basilicum‘Lettuce’)中鉴定出26个化学成分;从大叶罗勒(O.basilicum var.majus)中鉴定出36个化学成分。绿罗勒、莴苣罗勒和大叶罗勒精油中共有的香味物质为芳樟醇、[1S-(1à,4à,7à)]-1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8-八氢-1,4-二甲基-7-(1-甲基乙烯基)-甘菊环烃]和榄香烯。从绿罗勒、莴苣罗勒和大叶罗勒精油检测到的主要成分中发现,绿罗勒和大叶罗勒同为芳樟醇,化学型同为芳樟醇型;莴苣罗勒为桉树脑,化学型为桉树脑型。此外,还对绿罗勒、莴苣罗勒和大叶罗勒精油化学型的差异进行了分析,对罗勒精油的应用前景进行了展望。     

The keystone role of leaf-removing crabs in mangrove forests of North Brazil

Principle factors which influence mangroveleaf litter turnover, in particular therole of leaf-removing crabs, were evaluatedin a riverine mangrove site nearBragança (Pará, North Brazil). Ourspecial interest was focussed on the roleof the leaf-removing crab Ucidescordatus. Leaf litter fluxes between themangrove forest and the adjacent estuarywere investigated by estimating the biomassand fate of leaf litter material and propagules. Vegetation is dominated by Rhizophora mangle, with Avicenniagerminans trees, both up to 25 m high,found intermittently. During 1997, Rhizophora trees produced around 1.40 gDW m^-2 d^-1 of leave fall and0.75 g DW m^-2 d^-1 of propagules.Leaf decomposition rates on the ground wereabout 0.06 g DW m^-2 d^-1,irrespective of species, habitat or siteexposure. This amount accounts for <3%of total leaf fall. Average leaf litterbiomass present on the ground was 0.01 gDW m^-2 d^-1. When the mangroveforest was flooded (on average 10 days permonth) the quantity of leaf litterand propagules washed out with the springtide was 10 and 17 times greater thanduring neap tide. Nevertheless, tidalexport and decomposition together made upless than 39 percent of annual leaf litterfall. The bulk of the remaining amount isapparently removed by Ucides. Eachcrab consumed about 1.30 g DW of leaflitter material and propagules per day.Since the average density of these crabswas 1.38 crabs m^-2, it is proposedthat Ucides is a keystone species inBragantinian mangroves.     

贵州楼梯草属(荨麻科)植物种类组成及分布格局

荨麻科(Urticaceae)楼梯草属(Elatostema)植物种类繁多、形态相似、关系密切,是植物分类学界公认的疑难分类群之一。贵州省地理位置特殊,水热条件较好,喀斯特地貌复杂多变,是我国楼梯草属植物的重要分布区,但一直以来种类不清,分类不明。为进一步理清资源本底及分布特征,该文通过近年调查和查阅资料形成贵州楼梯草属植物名录,分析其物种组成,并基于分布地及海拔数据分析空间分布特征,以期为贵州植物多样性保护以及区系研究提供进一步的基础资料。结果表明:全省赤车类群植物有1组1系7种,楼梯草类群有5组20系69种,分别占全国种类的17.94%、20.78%。楼梯草属植物共76种,其中13种为贵州楼梯草属特有种。在地理分布上,赤车类群主要见于黔北-黔东-黔南部分地区,沿赤水、桐梓、习水、正安-江口、印江-剑河-都匀、荔波-望谟一线,总体分布反呈“C”状; 楼梯草类群植物主要分布在黔北-黔东-黔南-黔西南大部分地区,沿赤水、正安、江口-七星关、开阳、施秉、黄平-兴义、兴仁、安龙、贞丰、望谟、独山、荔波一带分布较多,总体分布呈“三”字状; 楼梯草属特有植物总体呈点状、不均匀分布。该属植物主要分布在海拔600～1 000 m的范围内。     

Gastrointestinal transport of Ca<Superscript>2+</Superscript> and Mg<Superscript>2+</Superscript> during the digestion of a single meal in the freshwater rainbow trout

A diet containing an inert marker (ballotini beads, quantified by X-radiography) was used to quantify the transport of two essential minerals, Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ from the diet during the digestion and absorption of a single meal of commercial trout food (3% ration). Initially, net uptake of Ca²⁺ was observed in the stomach followed by subsequent Ca²⁺ fluxes along the intestine which were variable, but for the most part secretory. This indicated a net secretion of Ca²⁺ along the intestinal tract resulting in a net assimilation of dietary Ca²⁺ of 28%. Similar handling of Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ was observed along the gastrointestinal tract (GI), although net assimilation differed substantially between the cations, with Mg²⁺ assimilation being close to 60%, mostly a result of greater uptake by the stomach. The stomach displayed the highest net uptake rates for both cations (1.5 and 1.3 mmol kg⁻¹ fish body mass for Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺, respectively), occurring within 2 h following ingestion of the meal. Substantial secretions of both Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ were observed in the anterior intestine, which were attributed to bile and other intestinal secretions, while fluxes in the mid and posterior intestine were small and variable. The overall patterns of Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ handling in the GI tract were similar to those observed for Na⁺ and K⁺ (but not Cl⁻) in a previous study. Overall, these results emphasize the importance of dietary electrolytes in ionoregulatory homeostasis.     

Influence of predator density on nonindependent effects of multiple predator species

Interactions between multiple predator species are frequent in natural communities and can have important implications for shared prey survival. Predator density may be an important component of these interactions between predator species, as the frequency of interactions between species is largely determined by species density. Here we experimentally examine the importance of predator density for interactions between predator species and subsequent impacts on prey. We show that aggressive interactions between the predatory shore crabs Carcinus maenas and Hemigrapsus sanguineus increased with predator density, yet did not increase as fast as negative interactions between conspecifics. At low density, interactions between conspecific and heterospecific predators had similar inhibitory impacts on predator function, whereas conspecific interference was greater than interference from heterospecifics at high predator density. Thus the impact of conspecific interference at high predator density was sufficient in itself that interactions with a second predator species had no additional impact on per capita predation. Spatial and temporal variability in predator density is a ubiquitous characteristic of natural systems that should be considered in studies of multiple predator species.     

Catalase,Bax and p53 expression in the visual system of the crab <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ucides cordatus</Emphasis> following exposure to ultraviolet radiation

In invertebrates, a few studies have suggested apoptosis as the mechanism of choice to protect the retina after exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation. We demonstrated previously, by electron microscopy, that the retina and lamina ganglionaris (or lamina) cells of the crab Ucides cordatus displayed subcellular signs of apoptosis after exposure to UVB and UVC. Here, we first ascertained, by the TdT-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end-labeling (TUNEL) technique, that UV irradiation indeed produced the previously reported results. We next tested, in the visual system of U. cordatus, whether the expression (as analyzed by immunohistochemistry and observed with laser scanning microscopy) and levels (as examined by Western blotting) of catalase, Bax, and p53 were affected by the same dose of UV radiation as that used previously. Our data revealed that the intensity of catalase, Bax, and p53 labeling was stronger in irradiated retina and lamina cells than in non-irradiated retina and lamina. However, no significant difference was observed in the concentrations of these proteins isolated from the whole optic lobe. The results thus suggest that UVB and UVC induce apoptosis in the crustacean retina and lamina by increasing catalase expression and activating the Bax- and p53-mediated apoptosis pathways. Nadia Campos de Oliveira Miguel and Inês Júlia R. Wajsenzon contributed equally to this work. This study was supported by the Brazilian Research Council for Science and Technology (CNPq), Rio de Janeiro State Foundation for the Advancement of Science (FAPERJ), José Bonifácio Foundation (FUJB), and Federal University of Rio de Janeiro Research Chamber (SR2/UFRJ).     

Effect of sudden salinity change on Penaeus latisulcatus Kishinouye osmoregulation, ionoregulation and condition in inland saline water and potassium-fortified inland saline water

Two trials were conducted to determine the effect of sudden decrease in salinity of raw and potassium-fortified inland saline water on western king prawn Penaeus latisulcatus osmoregulation, ionoregulation and condition. Prawns were subjected to salinity decrease over 1 h from 32 to 25 ppt in the first trial and from 27 to 20 ppt in the second trial in three water types: inland saline water with potassium fortified to 100% and 80% of the marine water concentration (IS100, IS80), and raw inland saline water (ISW). In the first trial condition and ingestion rate were monitored over 19 days following salinity change. In the second trial condition, haemolymph osmo- and iono-regulation were recorded over 48 h following salinity change. In the first trial, 100% mortality was observed in ISW by day 13, with final survival 94% in IS80 and 100% in IS100. Tail muscle moisture content increased significantly (P < 0.05) over time in both trials and in all water types, suggesting loss of energy reserves. In the second trial, serum osmolality, sodium concentration and osmoregulatory capacity decreased following salinity change, stabilising by 24 h in IS100 and IS80 but continuing to decrease till 48 h in ISW, suggesting partial breakdown of osmoregulatory function in the potassium-deficient medium. Prawns were stronger regulators of divalent than monovalent cations. These trials demonstrate that potassium-deficient inland saline water requires fortification with potassium to allow prawn survival and efficient osmoregulation.     

婆婆纳抗黑色素瘤物质基础的初步研究

为明确婆婆纳（Veronica didyma）抗黑色素瘤活性部位及物质基础,该研究采用CCK8法评价了婆婆纳乙醇提取物4个萃取部位（石油醚层、乙酸乙酯层、正丁醇层、水层）乙醇提取物及单体化合物对黑色素瘤细胞株（B16和A375）细胞的增殖抑制作用,并使用植物化学方法和技术对活性部位的化学成分进行系统分离纯化。结果表明：（1）乙酸乙酯萃取部位（ethyl acetate extract,PPNE）较其他样品有更好抑制B16细胞和A375细胞增殖的作用,其半抑制浓度（IC50）值分别为0.177 mg·mL-1(B16)、2.826 mg·mL-1(A375)。（2）从活性部位PPNE中得到7个单体化合物,即对羟基苯甲醛（1）、胡黄连苷II(2)、isoscutellarein 7-O-(6?-oacetyl)-β-allopyranosyl (1?→2″)-β-glucopyranoside(3)、3′-hydroxyl-4′-O-methylisoscutellarein 7-O-[6?-O-acetyl-β-D-allopyranosyl-(1→2)-β-D-glucopyranos...     

黄精根际及药用部位内生真菌群落组成和生态功能分析

为寻找促进药用植物活性代谢产物合成的微生物,该文以黄精为研究对象,利用高通量测序技术和生态功能预测平台,测定根际土真菌、根茎和根内生真菌的ITS序列,分析其真菌多样性和群落组成,并预测根茎内生真菌的生态功能.结果表明:(1)测序得到1023个可操作分类单元(OTUs),根际、根茎和根真菌OTU数分别为703、128和1...     

Studies on the locomotor activity of the freshwater crab,Potamon fluviatile

Locomotor activity in the freshwater crab, Potamon fluviatile, was studied both in the field, by direct counts of animals along a stream section, and by means of actographs. General metabolism was evaluated through the analysis of oxygen consumption. Sex, size, and environmental factors proved to influence both the intensity and the timing of locomotion. In the laboratory, the two sexes behaved in the same way and consumed oxygen to the same extent, while the higher females' activity recorded in the field was due to their reproductive state. Younger age classes were more cryptic in the field and also less active in the laboratory, even though they had a higher weight-relative oxygen consumption. A rise in temperature, at least under the range examined in the present study, increased the crabs' activity rate, and also caused a change in their rhythmicity pattern, with a passage from diurnalism to nocturnalism. A lowering in relative humidity increased locomotion intensity, as a hygrokinetic response.     

展毛野牡丹酚类化学成分的研究

为了明确展毛野牡丹的化学成分,该研究采用Diaion HP20SS、MCI gel、Sephadex LH-20柱层析和反相高效液相色谱等方法,对展毛野牡丹根和茎的醇提物分别进行了分离纯化。结果表明:从展毛野牡丹中分离得到11个化合物,它们的结构经波谱数据分析和鉴定。它们分别是4-羟基-3-甲氧基苯酚1-O-β-D-(6’-O-没食子酰)-吡喃葡萄糖苷(1)、3,4-二羟基苯乙醇4-O-β-D-(6’-O-没食子酰基)-吡喃葡萄糖苷(2)、龙胆酸5-O-β-D-(6’-O-没食子酰基)-吡喃葡萄糖苷(3)、2,4,6-三甲氧基苯酚1-O-β-D-(6’-O-没食子酰)-吡喃葡萄糖苷(4)、甲基6-O-没食子酰基-β-D-吡喃葡萄糖苷(5)、乙基6-O-没食子酰基-β-D-吡喃葡萄糖苷(6)、6’-O-没食子酰基黑樱苷(7)、没食子酸甲酯(8)、没食子酸乙酯(9)、2,6-二甲氧基对苯二酚4-O-β-D-吡喃葡萄糖苷(10)、2-甲氧基对苯二酚4-O-β-D-吡喃葡萄糖苷(11)。所有化合物均为首次从展毛野牡丹中分离得到,化合物2-7、10和11为首次从该属植物中分离得到。