Nouvelles données sur les estérases des trichogrammes (hym. trichogrammatidae)

New electrophoretic analysis allowed us to show that the two fastest esterases of T. brassicae are derived from the Est 5′ locus and not from the Est 5 and Est 6 locus. This result changes only slightly the evanescens group place in the phylogenetic tree previously suggested. Esterases have been studied in several other species. Those of T. lacustre and T. piceum are not against the classification of these species in the perkinsi and fasciatum groups, respectively. Those of T. leptoparameron lead us to place this species in the pretiosum group, near T. daumalae. Those of a population of T. dendrolimi reveal a polymorphism clearly higher than what was known in bisexual forms of this species. Lastly, esterases analysed by other authors tend to show that T. chilonis and T. closterae belong to the nubilale group (the appellation of which has to be changed) and that T. ostriniae belongs to the minutum group.     

Crossed immunoelectrophoretic analyses of antigens from Trypanosoma lewisi and Trypanosoma musculi

Trypanosoma lewisi and Trypanosoma musculi were collected from immunosuppressed infected hosts and extracted with phosphate buffered saline. Antisera were obtained from rats repeatedly infected with T. lewisi or mice repeatedly infected with T. musculi. Cellular antigens (CAg) present in the extracts of the parasites were analyzed by microimmunodiffusion (MID), crossed immunoelectrophoresis (CIE) and tandem crossed immunoelectrophoresis (TCIE). Trypanosome extracts were absorbed with the heterologous hyperimmune antisera to examine shared and unique antigens of the parasites.

Extracts of T. lewisi formed four precipitin lines when reacted with hyperimmune rat antiserum and three precipitin lines were detected by mouse anti-T. musculi serum in MID analyses. T. musculi extract formed two precipitin lines with mouse hyperimmune serum and two precipitin lines with rat anti-T. lewisi serum in the MID tests. When T. lewisi was reacted with the homologous hyperimmune rat antiserum in CIE, 14 precipitin peaks developed, while T. musculi extract formed eight peaks with homologous mouse hyperimmune serum. Seven precipitin peaks developed when T. lewisi extract was reacted with the mouse antiserum and T. musculi extract formed eight peaks during its electrophoretic migration into rat anti-T lewisi serum. TCIE clearly showed that five T. lewisi CAg could not be detected in the T. musculi extract by the rat antiserum, while mouse anti-T. musculi serum formed six precipitin peaks with the T. lewisi extract and seven peaks with the homologous extract. One of the CAg present in the T. musculi extract was not found in the T. lewisi extract. Absorptions of the extracts with heterologous antisera and subsequent CIE against the homologous antisera indicated three of the CAg of T. lewisi were not shared by T. musculi, while a single antigen of T. musculi was not detected in T. lewisi. Although concentrations of antibodies in each of the antisera and CAg in the parasite extracts were not equivalent, the data indicated that a minimum of eight CAg are shared by these rodent trypanosomes and at least three antigens appeared to be unique to T. lewisi and a single antigen to T. musculi.     

Genotypic variation among lineages of Trypanosoma cruzi and its geographic aspects

Isozyme analysis with 18 enzyme loci was conducted on 146 isolates of Trypanosoma cruzi from Mexico, Guatemala, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Brazil, Bolivia, Paraguay and Chile. Forty-four different MLGs (groups of isolates with identical multilocus genotypes) were identified and a phylogeny was constructed. The phylogenetic tree consisted of two main groups (T. cruzi I, T. cruzi II), and the latter was further divided into two subgroups (T. cruzi IIa, T. cruzi IIb–e). Evidence of hybridization between different MLGs of T. cruzi II was found, which means that genetic exchanges seem to have occurred in South American T. cruzi. On the other hand, the persistence of characteristic T. cruzi I and T. cruzi II isozyme patterns in single small villages in Bolivia and Guatemala suggested that genetic exchange is very rare between major lineages. A significant difference in genetic diversity was shown between T. cruzi I and T. cruzi II from several indices of population genetics. Two possibilities could explain this genetic variation in the population: differences in evolutionary history and/or different tendencies to exchange genetic material. Broad-scale geographic distributions of T. cruzi I and T. cruzi IIb–e were different; T. cruzi I occurred in Central America and south to Bolivia and Brazil, while T. cruzi IIb–e occurred in the central and southern areas of South America, overlapping with T. cruzi I in Brazil and Bolivia.     

NADH dehydrogenase subunit 1 and cytochrome c oxidase subunit I sequences compared for members of the genus Taenia (Cestoda)

Nine members of the genus Taenia (Taenia taeniaeformis, Taenia hydatigena, Taenia pisiformis, Taenia ovis, Taenia multiceps, Taenia serialis, Taenia saginata, Taenia solium and the Asian Taenia) were characterised by their mitochondrial NADH dehydrogenase subunit 1 gene sequences and their genetic relationships were compared with those derived from the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I sequence data. The extent of inter-taxon sequence difference in NADH dehydrogenase subunit 1 (5.9–30.8%) was usually greater than in cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (2.5–18%). Although topology of the phenograms derived from NADH dehydrogenase subunit 1 and cytochrome c oxidase subunit I sequence data differed, there was concordance in that T. multiceps, T. serialis (of canids), T. saginata and the Asian Taenia (of humans) were genetically most similar, and those four members were genetically more similar to T. ovis and T. solium than they were to T. hydatigena and T. pisiformis (of canids) or T. taeniaeformis (of cats). The NADH dehydrogenase subunit 1 sequence data may prove useful in studies of the systematics and population genetic structure of the Taeniidae.     

Hydrolysis of diethyl diferulates by a tannase from Aspergillus oryzae

Diferulic acid forms cross-links in naturally occurring plant cell wall polymers such as arabinoxylans and pectins. We have used model ethyl esterified substrates to find enzymes able to break these cross-links. A tannase from Aspergillus oryzae exhibited esterase activity on several synthetic ethyl esterified diferulates. The efficiency of this esterase activity on most diferulates is low compared to that of a cinnamoyl esterase, FAEA, from Aspergillus niger. Of the diferulate substrates assayed, tannase was most efficient at hydrolysing the first ester bond of the 5–5- type of dimer. Importantly and unlike the cinnamoyl esterase, tannase from A. oryzae is able to hydrolyse both ester bonds from the 8–5-benzofuran dimer, thus forming the corresponding free acid product. These results suggest that tannases may contribute to plant cell wall degradation by cleaving some of the cross-links existing between cell wall polymers.     

Changes in Biological Characteristics of Trichogramma pretiosum (Hym.: Trichogrammatidae) Reared on Eggs of Anagasta kuehniella (Lep.: Pyralidae) for 23 Generations

Possible changes in biological characteristics of Trichogramma pretiosum (Riley) (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) were monitored during 23 generations reared on eggs of Anagasta kuehniella (Zeller) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), to determine quality control parameters in rearing procedures of this parasitoid. Parasitism rates (percent of eggs parasitized) of T. pretiosum varied from 10 to 76%, with lower values for the first four generations. From the 17th generation, the variability in the parasitism rate was lower. Viability (percent adult emergence rate) of T. pretiosum in eggs of A. kuehniella varied from 22 to 100%, again with lower values in earlier generations. Adult longevity of T. pretiosum varied from 5.3 to 15.9 days, and showed a reduced longevity with increasing number of generations. Sex ratio of the offspring of this parasitoid was not affected by the timing of parasitism on eggs of A. kuehniella.     

Susceptibility of Eldana saccharina (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), Busseola fusca and Sesamia calamistis (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) to Bacillus thuringiensis Cry toxins and potential side effects on the larval parasitoid Cotesia sesamiae (Hymenoptera: Braconidae)

Laboratory trials were conducted to determine the efficacy of four Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) Cry toxins at five different concentrations (0.016, 0.08, 0.4, 2, 10 μg/mL) for controlling three lepidopteran stem-borer species (i.e., the pyralid Eldana saccharina and the noctuids Busseola fusca and Sesamia calamistis) as well as to evaluate their indirect effect on the braconid larval parasitoid Cotesia sesamiae. In addition, larvae from the treatments above, after having been parasitized, were either fed a contaminated (group 1) or a toxin-free (group 2) diet and compared with a control (i.e., parasitized larvae which have never fed on Bt-toxin). All Bt Cry toxins induced larval feeding inhibition. Compared with the control, significant mortality resulted at all concentrations and for all species of Lepidoptera. Cry1Ab was the most toxic with 10 days post treatment mortalities ranging from 81% in B. fusca and S. calamistis to 100% in E. saccharina. In contrast, Cry1Ac had comparatively low toxicity particularly for B. fusca and S. calamistis (e.g., respectively, 54 and 74% mortality at 10 days at the highest concentration). In the toxin-treated group 1, percentages of C. sesamiae cocoon-producing moth larvae were higher compared to group 2 and the control, whereas clutch size was higher than in group 2 but similar to the control. In both groups, 0.016, 0.08 μg/mL CrylAc yielded lower female-biased sex ratios than the control. It was suggested that paralyses of the moth larvae caused by the toxin may have facilitated parasitization leading to higher parasitism and clutch size.     

The interaction of Trypanosoma congolense and Haemonchus contortus in Djallonké sheep

The interaction between Trypanosoma congolense and Haemonchus contortus was studied in 5 groups of 8 Djallonké sheep. Two groups received a single infection with either H. contortus or T. congolense, and 2 groups were infected with T. congolense followed by H. contortus (TH) or vice versa (HT). One group was kept as uninfected controls. Mortality due to infection was observed only in the dual infection groups. In the TH group, the effects were more acute whereas in the HT group they were more chronic. No significant differences in weight gain could be demonstrated between infected and control groups. Djallonké sheep are able to withstand a single infection with either T. congolense or H. contortus, which confirms their trypanotolerant nature and provides preliminary indication of resistance against helminth infections. However, when exposed to successive infections with both parasites, some of the animals lose this tolerance.     

Taenia krabbei (Cestoda: Cyclophyllidea) in Germany and its Delimitation from T. ovis

In the intestine of two wolves (Canis lupus) from Germany 33 adult tapeworms were found. The cestodes were determined as Taenia krabbei Moniez, 1879 (Syn. T. cervi Christiansen, 1931). Adult parasites were compared with cysticerci from thigh muscles of roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) as well as cysticerci from cardiac muscles of sheep (Ovis ammon). It is postulated that T. krabbei from wolf and roe deer is a valid and distinct species which uses Cervidae as original intermediate hosts. T. krabbei is highly similar in all morphological criteria to T. ovis. However, the life history of T. ovis includes Bovidae, preferably sheep as intermediate hosts.     

Seroprevalence of equine babesiosis in the Black Sea region of Turkey

The prevalence of Theileria equi and Babesia caballi was determined in equid blood samples in five provinces of the Black Sea region of Turkey by using the indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT). Of 153 samples, 53 (34.6%) and 33 (21.5%) were seropositive to B. caballi and T. equi, respectively. In addition, 8 (5.2%) of samples were seropositive to both T. equi and B. caballi. Anti T. equi and B. caballi antibodies were detected in all five regions. The prevalence of B. caballi was higher than T. equi in all counties. Antibodies to T. equi and B. caballi were detected in horses of all ages, and there were no significant differences among age groups. Out of 84 horses, 32 (38.0%) were positive for B. caballi infection and 20 (23.8%) were positive for T. equi infection. Five horses (5.6%) were found to be seropositive to both B. caballi and T. equi. Of 38 donkeys, 14 (36.8%) were found to be positive for B. caballi infection and 5 (13.1%) positive for T. equi infection. In addition, 2 (5.2%) samples were seropositive for both T. equi and B. caballi infections. Out of 31 mules, 8 (25.8%) were positive for B. caballi infection and 8 (25 8%) positive for T. equi infection. One (3.2%) sample was seropositive for both T. equi and B. caballi infections. Of all the animals in this study, only 3 horses were infected by Rhipicephalus turanicus and Hyalomma detritum, and no haemoparasites were detected by microscopic examination.     

The genetic analysis of F1 hybrid larvae between female Trichinella spiralis and male Trichinella britovi

Hybrids between female Trichinella spiralis and male Trichinella britovi were constructed. Then, hybrid genotype was characterized by DNA markers including mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (CO I) gene, the gene encoding the 43-kDa excretory–secretory (ES) protein, and genomic DNA fragments specific for T. spiralis and T. britovi identified from random amplified polymorphism DNA (RAPD). PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) analysis of the mitochondrial CO I gene revealed that all hybrids carried a T. spiralis pattern. The same analysis of the gene encoding the 43-kDa ES protein showed that each hybrid carried both T. spiralis and T. britovi gene type simultaneously. In the analysis of genomic DNA using RAPD-derived PCR primers, some hybrids carried T. spiralis and T. britovi-specific RAPD markers, while others carried the RAPD marker of T. spiralis only.     

Biocatalytic modification of polyethylene terephthalate fibres by esterases from actinomycete isolates

The modification of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) fibres by extracellular enzymes produced by actinomycetes was investigated. Cultivation of isolates in media containing PET yarn and suberin, a plant polyester composed of aliphatic and aromatic moieties, induced the production of p-nitrophenyl butyrate hydrolyzing enzymes. Incubation of enzyme preparations from the isolates M5, M9 and Thermomonospora fusca KW3b with PET yarn resulted in an increase in the absorbance of the reaction mixtures at 240 nm indicating the release of terephthalic acid or its esters catalyzed by the enzymes. The results of dyeing of enzyme-treated PET fabrics with a reactive dye (CI Reactive Red 2) indicated an increase in hydroxyl groups at the fibre surfaces as a result of the enzyme treatment.     

High levels of congenital transmission of Toxoplasma gondii in a commercial sheep flock.

Our current understanding of congenital transmission of Toxoplasma gondii from ewe to lamb dictates that infection frequently results in abortion and the death of the developing foetus, that the birth of live infected lambs occurs rarely and that the cat is the predominant source of infection in ewes. Using direct polymerase chain reaction detection of T. gondii, we report high levels of congenital transmission occurring in a commercially managed sheep flock. We sampled foetal-derived placental tissue and tissues from aborted lambs and showed that congenital transmission was detected in these tissues from 61% of all pregnancies. Where pregnancies resulted in the death of one or more lambs, T. gondii was detected in the lamb tissue for all but one of 18 (94%) pregnancies. Of the successful pregnancies resulting in the birth of live lambs we were able to detect T. gondii in foetal-derived placental tissue from 37 of 70 (42%) pregnancies. These results show that congenital transmission is occurring in a high percentage of lambings including normal healthy lambings, at this farm, suggesting that this route of transmission from generation to generation may be much more significant than that reported previously. These results may have implications for sheep husbandry and future epidemiological studies of T. gondii.     

Effect of Trichoderma harzianum on perithecial production of Gibberella zeae on wheat straw

Conidial suspensions and cell-free filtrates of Trichoderma harzianum isolates were evaluated for their effectiveness in reducing perithecial and ascospore production of Gibberella zeae on wheat straw. Isolate T-22, which is registered in the US as a biological control agent (Plant Shield™), was included in the study as a positive control. When co-inoculated with G. zeae all 11 isolates of T. harzianum significantly reduced perithecial numbers on wheat straw. Five T. harzianum isolates, including T-22, reduced perithecial formation by 70% or greater. All isolates of G. zeae, varied in their ability to produce perithecia. Isolate 192132 produced the greatest number of perithecia and was used to further evaluate the effect of application time of the T. harzianum isolates. Perithecial reduction was highest (96-99%) when T. harzianum conidial suspension or cell-free filtrate was applied to straw 24 h prior to inoculation with G. zeae. Control was less effective when T. harzianum was applied at the same time (co-inoculated) or 24 h after G. zeae. Treatments which reduced perithecial numbers also reduced ascospore numbers; however, the average numbers of ascospores per perithecia were not significantly lowered. Field trials showed significant reduction of perithecia on residues treated with T. harzianum prior to placement on the soil surface. Both T. harzianum and G. zeae were re-isolated from residues sampled in July and August after 30 and 60 days of exposure to the environment.     

黄河三角洲海岸带湿地柽柳在干旱年份的水分利用策略

以黄河三角洲海岸带贝壳堤湿地灌木群落主要建群种柽柳为对象,利用稳定同位素技术测定柽柳木质部和潜在水源δ¹⁸O值的时空变化,采用IsoSource模型计算潜在水源对柽柳的贡献比例,研究海岸带不同生境中柽柳对不同水分条件的适应机制.结果表明: 在降水较少的干旱年份,相对于不稳定的降水,柽柳倾向于利用稳定的土壤水和浅层地下水,但是在不同微地形生境下柽柳的水分利用策略有所差异.滩脊的柽柳72.6%～95.4%水分来源于浅层地下水和含水量相对较高的深层土壤水(40～100 cm);高潮线附近的柽柳有40.7%～97.3%的水分来源于上层土壤水(0～40 cm),以避免海水和浅层地下水的盐分胁迫.柽柳对外界水盐条件变化具有较强的适应性,在海岸带可利用水资源缺乏的恶劣生境中具有更强的种间竞争优势,从而导致柽柳单优灌木群落的形成.     

末次盛冰期以来观光木的潜在地理分布变迁

观光木(Tsoongiodendron odorum)是木兰科的古老残遗物种, 目前正面临严峻的生存威胁, 属于极小种群濒危植物。通过生态位模型(ENM)能够重建观光木地理分布格局的历史变迁, 探究气候变化对该物种分布的影响, 并了解其地理分布与气候需求间的关系, 从而为全球变暖背景下观光木的保护提供理论基础。该文基于96条现代分布记录和8个环境变量, 采用最大熵(MaxEnt)模型模拟观光木在末次盛冰期、全新世中期、现代和未来(2061-2080年, RCP 8.5)的潜在分布区, 利用SDM toolbox分析观光木的地理空间变化, 并综合贡献率、置换重要值和Jackknife检验来评估气候因子的重要性。研究结果表明: (1)观光木的高度适生区在南岭地区, 末次盛冰期时没有大尺度向南退缩, 很可能在山区避难所原地存活; (2)在全新世中期和未来两个增温的气候情境下, 观光木的分布区均表现为缩减, 其中未来分布的减幅更大, 表明气候变暖对观光木的生长有一定的负面影响; (3)总体上看, 观光木各个时期的地理分布范围相对稳定, 说明观光木对气候变化有一定的适应能力, 人为活动或自身繁育问题可能是致濒的重要原因, 并建议对广东和广西群体进行优先保护。     

Observations on the cross-immunity between Theileria lawrencei (Serengeti) and Theileria parva (Muguga) in cattle

Observations on the cross-immunity between Theileria lawrencei (Serengeti) and Theileria parva (Muguga) in cattle. Internationaljournal for Parasitology 3: 723–728. Cattle immunized against Theileria parva (Muguga) showed little resistance to Theileria lawrencei (Serengeti) stabilate challenge, while cattle immune to T. lawrencei (Serengeti) were fully resistant to challenge with T. parva (Muguga) stabilate. Cattle inoculated with cultured lymphoid cells infected with T. lawrencei (Serengeti) macroschizonts survived a subsequent T. lawrencei (Serengeti) stabilate challenge.     

山西省南方红豆杉自然分布与群落生态学特征

南方红豆杉为国家Ⅰ级重点保护植物,山西省东南部为其自然分布最北界.本文调查了南方红豆杉在山西省的野生分布,对其进行了群落划分、物种多样性、结构特征和竞争特性的研究.结果表明: 山西省南方红豆杉主要形成南方红豆杉+鹅耳枥群落、南方红豆杉-荆条群落、南方红豆杉-海州常山群落和南方红豆杉+栓皮栎群落,集中分布于陵川县磨河和阳城县蟒河自然保护区,其他地区均为散生;群落垂直结构明显,南方红豆杉已进入主林层,混交林林冠层高8~10 m,纯林高5～6 m;群落间的总体物种多样性指数和均匀度指数存在显著差异.南方红豆杉植株矮小,平均高5.16 m,乔木层、演替层分别占43.4%和56.6%,更新层缺乏;胸径＜16 cm的个体占67.6%,胸径32～40 cm的个体占4.0%,幼苗稀少,仅发现4株幼苗;大量的小径级个体虽可保证南方红豆杉在一定时间内维持稳定的种群结构,但幼苗缺失必将引起未来种群的衰退.山西省野生南方红豆杉分布相对集中,多数是小径级个体,导致其种内竞争激烈,种内竞争强度占61.8%;鹅耳枥和栓皮栎是研究地区的主要组成树种,对南方红豆杉造成的种间竞争压力最大.     

Effect of host egg viability on reproduction and development of Trichogramma cacoeciae and T. principium (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae)

A combination of a sterile insect technique, resulting in infertile eggs, and of an egg parasitoid, should provide better control of codling moth than either alone. Non-choice laboratory experiments were conducted with infertile and fertile codling moth eggs to evaluate the potential parasitism and reproduction of Trichogramma cacoeciae Marchal and T. principium Sug. et Sor. The tendency of T. cacoeciae females to attack infertile eggs was similar to that for fertile eggs, whereas T. principium showed a greater preference for infertile eggs than fertile eggs. The fertility status of the host did not affect the number of eggs that were parasitized but fewer F₁ progeny emerged from infertile eggs when parasitized than from fertile eggs. When T. cacoeciae and T. principium parasitized infertile host eggs their mean developmental time was prolonged but the viability and quality of parasitoid progeny was not influenced by the fertility status of the host eggs. The study demonstrates the compatibility of use of T. cacoeciae and T. principium in an integrated program employing the sterile insect technique for codling moth management.     

Genetic profiling of Trypanosoma cruzi directly in infected tissues using nested PCR of polymorphic microsatellites

The investigation of the importance of the genetics of Trypanosoma cruzi in determining the clinical course of Chagas disease will depend on precise characterisation of the parasites present in the tissue lesions. This can be adequately accomplished by the use of hypervariable nuclear markers such as microsatellites. However the unilocal nature of these loci and the scarcity of parasites in chronic lesions make it necessary to use high sensitivity PCR with nested primers, whose design depends on the availability of long flanking regions, a feature not hitherto available for any known T. cruzi microsatellites. Herein, making use of the extensive T. cruzi genome sequence now available and using the Tandem Repeats Finder software, it was possible to identify and characterise seven new microsatellite loci – six composed of trinucleotide (TcTAC15, TcTAT20, TcAAT8, TcATT14, TcGAG10 and TcCAA10) and one composed of tetranucleotide (TcAAAT6) motifs. All except the TcCAA10 locus were physically mapped onto distinct intergenic regions of chromosome III of the CL Brener clone contigs. The TcCAA10 locus was localised within a hypothetical protein gene in the T. cruzi genome. All microsatellites were polymorphic and useful for T. cruzi genetic variability studies. Using the TcTAC15 locus it was possible to separate the strains belonging to the T. cruzi I lineage (DTU I) from those belonging to T. cruzi II (DTU IIb), T. cruzi III (DTU IIc) and a hybrid group (DTU IId, IIe). The long flanking regions of these novel microsatellites allowed construction of nested primers and the use of full nested PCR protocols. This strategy enabled us to detect and differentiate T. cruzi strains directly in clinical specimens including heart, blood, CSF and skin tissues from patients in the acute and chronic phases of Chagas disease.