Behavior,net reproduction,longevity, and mummy-stage survival ofAphidius matricariae [Hym. Aphidiidae]

The courtship, mating and ovipositional behavior ofA. matricariae Haliday were studied. UsingMyzus persicae (Sulzer) as the host, the production of progeny per female parasite and survival from mummy stage to the adult were studied at constant temperatures of 10°, 12.8°, 15.6°, 18.3°, 21°, 24°, 26.7°, 29.5° and 32°C. The longevity of male and female parasites was determined at temperatures of 7°, 10°, 15.6°, 21°, 26.7°, 29.5° and 32°C. The greatest number of progeny (392) was produced at 21°C. The optimal temperatures for production of progeny and survival of the parasites during the mummy stage were from 12.8°C to 21°C. The longevity of male and female adult parasites decreased as temperatures increased and male parasites lived significantly (P<0.05) longer than females at 10° and 15.6°C.     

Behavioral responses of hatchling painted turtles (Chrysemys picta) and snapping turtles (Chelydra serpentina) at subzero temperatures

We monitored behavioral responses of cold-acclimated hatchling painted turtles (Chrysemys picta) indigenous to Nebraska and hatchling snapping turtles (Chelydra serpentina) indigenous to Nebraska and Arkansas during cooling (0.1°C/min) to temperatures as low as −19°C. All turtles made exploratory movements during cooling and locomotion occurred at temperatures as low as −2 to −4°C, but C. picta maintained relatively higher levels of locomotor activity than C. serpentina, and no differences in motility occurred between northern and southern groups of C. serpentina. Slow movements of the head and limbs were observed in supercooled hatchling C. picta at temperatures as low as −10°C, whereas at about −5°C, C. serpentina exhibited an increase in spontaneous motor activity followed by muscle contracture, immobility, and spontaneous freezing. C. picta spontaneously froze at about −16°C without exhibiting cold contracture, suggesting that they are better adapted to survive exposure to extreme cold.     

The influence of storage temperature on spore viability of Mattesia trogodermae (Protozoa: Neogregarinida)

The viability of Mattesia trogodermae spores stored at different temperatures was assessed by the percentage infection induced in 30-day-old Trogoderma glabrum larvae. Exposure to 73°C and higher temperatures for 30 min was lethal to the spores. Spores stored at ?19°C survived better than those stored at 26.7°, 3.5°, or ?30°C.     

The effect of temperature on phototaxis and geotaxis by larvae of the crab Rhithropanopeus harrisi (Gould)

Investigations of the effect of sudden temperature change on the phototaxis of Stage I and IV zoeae upon stimulation from horizontal and vertical directions with 500-nm light indicate a temperature-induced geotactic response in larvae of the crab Rhithropanopeus harrisi (Gould). For the horizontal tests both zoea stages were reared at 20 °C. Stage I showed positive phototaxis at temperatures between 15 ° and 35 °C, while Stage IV responded over the range of 10–30 °C. For the vertical tests, larvae, reared at 25 °C, were stimulated with overhead lights. Stage I zoeae ascended at 15 °, 20 ° and 25 °C and descended at 5 °, 10 °, 30 ° and 35 °C. Stage IV zoeae ascended at 20 ° and 25 °C and descended at 5 °, 10 °, 15 °, 30 ° and 35 °C. Although the descent at high temperatures could result from a negative phototaxis, a reversal in phototactic sign at high temperatures was not found in the horizontal experiments and the same vertical movement pattern is observed in total darkness. Upon exposure to high temperatures near the water surface, larvae would descend by means of a positive geotaxis rather than a negative phototaxis. This response involves active swimming by Stage IV larvae and passive sinking by Stage I.     

Susceptibility of Heliothis zea larvae to Nomuraea rileyi at various temperatures

Laboratory studies were conducted to determine the susceptibility of various larval instars of Heliothis zea to different spore doses of Nomuraea rileyi at constant and variable temperatures. The fungus was most effective at 20° and 25°C, with a mortality of 80% and 71%, respectively. At 15°C the disease progressed very slowly with larval mortality occurring in 12–28 days post-treatment. Conversely, at temperature ranges above 15°C, the mortality of the larvae occurred in 6–12 days. Three different combinations of variable temperatures included 20–30°, 25–30°, and 20–35°C, but mortality did not exceed 46%. Larvae in the third to fifth instars were more susceptible to infection than were those in the first and second instars.     

A variety of glycolipids in green photosynthetic bacteria

The compositions of glycolipids in the following seven strains of green photosynthetic bacteria were investigated at the molecular level using LC–MS coupled with an evaporative light scattering detector: Chlorobium (Chl.) limicola strains Larsen (30 °C as the optimal cultivation temperature) and DSM245 (30 °C), Chlorobaculum (Cba.) tepidum strain ATCC49652 (45 °C), Cba. parvum strain NCIB8327 (30 °C), Cba. limnaeum strain 1549 (30 °C), Chl. phaeovibrioides DSM269 (30 °C), and Chloroflexus (Cfl.) aurantiacus strain J-10-fl (55 °C). Dependence of the molecular structures of glycolipids including the chain-length of their acyl groups upon bacterial cultivation temperatures was clearly observed. The organisms with their optimal temperatures of 30, 45, and 55 °C dominantly accumulated glycolipids possessing the acyl chains in the range of C₁₅–C₁₆, C₁₆–C₁₇, and C₁₈–C₂₀, respectively. Cba. tepidum with an optimal temperature of 45 °C preferred the insertion of a methylene group to produce finally a C₁₇-cyclopropane chain. Cfl. aurantiacus cultured optimally at 55 °C caused a drastic increase in the chain-length. Notably, the length of such acyl groups corresponded to that of the esterifying chain in the 17-propionate residues of self-aggregative bacteriochlorophylls-c/d/e, indicating stabilization of their supramolecular structures through hydrophobic interactions among those hydrocarbon chains. Based on the detailed compositions of glycolipids, a survival strategy of green photosynthetic bacteria grown in the wide range of temperatures is discussed.     

Effect of temperature on germination,growth, and infectivity of the mosquito pathogen Tolypocladium cylindrosporum (deuteromycotina; hyphomycetes)

The mosquito pathogen Tolypocladium cylindrosporum was examined with regard to its response to temperature. Similar temperature ranges were found for growth, germination, and infectivity of blastospores and conidia. Germination occurred at 8° and 33°C but not at 6° and 35°C. Optimal germination and growth was noted between 24° and 27°C for both spore types. Infectivity of blastospores and conidia at different temperatures was examined by exposing L₂Aedes sierrensis larvae to concentrations of 5 × 10⁵ blastospores/ml or 5 × 10⁶ conidia/ml. Larvae were incubated at 12°, 15°, 25°, and 30°C. Infection occurred at all temperatures tested with LT₅₀ values ranging from 22.7 days (12°C) to 5.6 (25°C) days for conidia and 4.7 days (12°C) to 0.6 day (25°C) for blastospores. These results confirmed earlier findings that blastospores infected and killed host larvae more rapidly than conidia and suggested that this difference is largely due to the more rapid germination rate of blastospores. These experiments demonstrated that T. cylindrosporum can be active against mosquito larvae over a broad range of temperatures encompassing both the cold-water habitat of certain temperate mosquito species as well as the habitat of tropical vector species.     

Comparative laboratory studies on three fungal pathogens of the elm bark beetle Scolytus scolytus: Effect of temperature and humidity on infection by Beauveria bassiana,Metarhizium anisopliae, and Paecilomyces farinosus

Larvae of the elm bark beetle, Scolytus scolytus, were inoculated with conidia of the entomogenous fungi Beauveria bassiana (two strains), Metarhizium anisopliae (two strains), and Paecilomyces farinosus (two strains) and incubated over a range of temperatures (2°, 6°, 10°, 15°, and 20°C). One strain each of B. bassiana and P. farinosus caused infection even at 2°C, whereas the two strains of M. anisopliae caused no infection below 10°C. Infection of adult beetles by B. bassiana (one strain) and M. anisopliae (one strain) was tested at 15°, 20°, and 25°C (B. bassiana) and at 15° and 20°C (M. anisopliae). Fungal infection occurred at all three temperatures, but at 25°C beetles tended to succumb to bacterial infection. The effect of relative humidity on infection of larvae by B. bassiana (one strain), M. anisopliae (one strain), and P. farinosus (one strain) was tested at 51, 74, 86, 90, 95, 97.5, and 100% relative humidity. B. bassiana and M. anisopliae caused some infection at all humidities: with P. farinosus there was no infection at the two lowest humidities. Mortality due to infection by these fungi was most rapid at the highest humidities.     

Thermal tolerance of dried shoots of the moss Bryum argenteum

We conducted laboratory experiments to determine the lethal temperatures of the shoots of dried Bryum argenteum and to determine how this restoration species responds to extreme environments. We specifically assessed changes in gene expression levels in the shoots of dried B. argenteum plants that were subjected to sudden heat shock (control (20 ± 2°C), 80°C, 100°C, 110°C or 120°C) followed by exposure to heat for an additional 10, 20, 30 or 60 min. After they were exposed to heat, the samples were placed in wet sand medium, and their survival and regeneration abilities were evaluated daily for 56 days. The results showed that lethal temperatures significantly reduced the shoot regeneration potential, delayed both shoot and protonemal emergence times and reduced the protonemal emergence area. In addition, the expression of nine genes (HSF3, HSP70, ERF, LEA, ELIP, LHCA, LHCB, Tr288 and DHN) was induced by temperature stress, as assessed after 30 min of exposure. Additionally, a new thermal tolerance level for dried B. argenteum – 120°C for 20 min – was determined, which was the highest temperature recorded for this moss; this tolerance exceeded the previous record of 110°C for 10 min. These findings help elucidate the survival mechanism of this species under heat shock stress and facilitate the recovery and restoration of destroyed ecosystems.     

Influence of temperature on the oviposition rate and longevity ofOpius concolor siculus [Hymenoptera: Braconidae]

The author has studied the influence of different temperatures (22°, 24°, 26°, 28°C) on oviposition and longevity ofOpius concolor siculus Mon., studying separately 13 couples at 22°, 15 at 24°, 100 at 26° and 11 at 28°C. The optimum temperature has been found to be 26°C. Differences have been observed betweenO. concolor Szepl. «African» andO. concolor siculus Mon. «Sicilian».     

Adaptation of cucurbit species to changes in substrate temperature: Root growth,antioxidants, and peroxidation

To investigate their response to changes in substrate temperatures, the roots from six species of cucurbit plants were exposed to 14°C, 24°C, or 34°C, while their aerial portions were maintained at natural ambient temperatures (23°C to 33°C). These species could be classified into three groups based on their stress response: Group A,Cucurbita ficifolia and C.maxima, heatsensitive but cold-tolerant; Group B,Cucumis sativus and C.melo, heat- and cold-sensitive; and Group C,Luffa cylindrica andBenincasa hispida, heat-tolerant but cold-sensitive. The highest growth rates and lowest contents of malondialdehyde (MDA) for plants in Groups A, B, and C were achieved at temperatures of 14°C, 24°C, and 24°C to 34°C, respectively. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity was lowest in the roots exposed to optimal growth temperatures while activities of catalase (CAT), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), and guaiacol peroxidase (G-POD) operated coordinately in a complicated manner to prevent the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the root cells. Moreover, all plants, regardless of species, responded to unfavorable temperatures by increasing their synthesis of ascorbate and glutathione as well as by reducing the redox ratio of those two important antioxidants.     

Fatty acid composition of chlorenchyma membrane fractions from three desert succulents grown at moderate and high temperatures

To help understand the tolerances of desert succulents to extremely high temperatures (above 60°C), the effect of growth temperature on fatty acid composition of various membrane fractions from three species was investigated. When maintained at day/night air temperatures of 30°C/20°C, their chlorenchyma fatty acid compositions were similar to one another and to those of mesophytic leaves, except that desert succulents had appreciably less linolenic acid (18:3) and more oleic acid (18:1) and hence greater fatty acid saturation. The differences were observed in the chloroplast, mitochondrial and microsomal fractions and were more apparent in the nonpolar lipids than the total lipids. For all membrane fractions of Ferocactus acanthodes, a shift to 50°C/40°C resulted in a decrease in 18:3 and an increase in 18:1 and hence an increase in fatty acid saturation level. For Agave deserti and Carnegiea gigantea, however, increasing the day/night air temperatures did not result in increased fatty acid saturation, although their high-temperature tolerances increase about as much as that of F. acanthodes as the air temperature is increased. Thus, acquisition of high-temperature tolerance need not be accompanied by marked changes in fatty acid saturation or composition.     

Temperature requirements for dormancy break and seed germination vary greatly among 14 wetland Carex species

We evaluated dormancy loss in seeds of 14 Carex species (C. atherodes, C. brevior, C. comosa, C. cristatella, C. cryptolepis, C. granularis, C. hystericina, C. lacustris, C. pellita, C. scoparia, C. stipata, C. stricta, C. utriculata, C. vulpinoidea) under growing season and stratification conditions and determined the temperature requirements for germination. Seeds were germinated for 1 year at a diel temperature regime (5/1 °C, 14/1 °C, 22/8 °C, or 27/15 °C) or a seasonal regime (seeds moved among the four diel regimes to mimic seasonal temperatures). All species had conditionally dormant seeds at maturity. The optimal temperature for germination of most species was 27/15 °C. The 14 species were grouped by their seed viability, dormancy, and germination with a Seed Regeneration Index (SRI; range 0–1) using the results of this study and a previously published paper on stratification effects on Carex seed dormancy and germination. The eight species that had an SRI value >0.5 (C. brevior, C. comosa, C. cristatella, C. cryptolepis, C. hystericina, C. scoparia, C. stipata, C. vulpinoidea) had high seed viability (>60%) and required little to no stratification to germinate readily over a broad range of temperatures. The six species with an SRI value <0.5 (C. atherodes, C. granularis, C. lacustris, C. pellita, C. stricta, C. utriculata) generally had low seed viability (<50% and often <1%) and required stratification or particular temperatures (35/30 °C or 5/1 °C for C. stricta; 35/30 °C for C. utriculata; 27/15 °C for C. atherodes, C. lacustris, C. pellita; 5/1 °C for C. granularis) for germination ≥50%. These six species will require more attention from restoration practitioners to ensure that there are sufficient viable seeds to meet revegetation goals, that dormancy break is achieved, and that seeds are sown when temperatures are optimal for germination. The different seed germination syndromes that we found for these Carex species likely contribute to variable seed bank formation and emergence patterns, and species coexistence.     

Rising temperatures may increase growth rates and microcystin production in tropical Microcystis species

Rising temperatures (1.4–6 °C) due to climate change have been predicted to increase cyanobacterial bloom occurrences in temperate water bodies; however, the impacts of warming on tropical cyanobacterial blooms are unknown. We examined the effects of four different temperatures on the growth rates and microcystin (MC) production of five tropical Microcystis isolates (M. ichthyoblabe (two strains), M. viridis, M. flos-aquae, and M. aeruginosa). The temperature treatments are based on current temperature range in Singapore's reservoirs (27 °C and 30 °C), as well as projected mean (33 °C) and maximum temperatures (36 °C) based on tropical climate change estimates of +6 °C in air temperature. Increasing temperatures did not significantly affect the maximum growth rates of most Microcystis strains. Higher growth rates were only observed in one M. ichthyoblabe strain at 33 °C and M. flos-aquae at 30 °C where both were isolated from the same reservoir. MC-RR and MC-LR were produced in varying amounts by all four species of Microcystis. Raised temperatures of 33 °C were found to boost total MC cell quota for three Microcystis strains although further increase to 36 °C led to a sharp decrease in total MC cell quota for all five Microcystis strains. Increasing temperature also led to higher MC-LR:MC-RR cell quota ratios in M. ichthyoblabe. Our study suggests that higher mean water temperatures resulting from climate change will generally not influence growth rates of Microcystis spp. in Singapore except for increases in M. ichthyoblabe strains. However, toxin cell quota may increase under moderate warming scenarios depending on the species.     

Diapause termination in two species of damselflies

Larvae of two species of damselflies, Enallagma hageni and E. aspersum, were collected in southwestern North Carolina and subjected to different combinations of daylength (SD, 11 hr day; LD, 14 hr day) and temperature to determine the factor critical in the termination of diapause. Diapausing larvae were collected in September, and 15 comparable groups of each species were given pretreatments (SD, 10°C; LD, 10°C; or SD, 21°C) for 2, 4, or 8 weeks and then transferred to SD, 21°C or LD, 21°C until emergence. Control groups were maintained under both photoperiods at 21°C.Response times (days from collection to emergence) for both species showed that rapid development required transfer to LD, 21°C regardless of the type of pretreatment or length of exposure. Larvae transferred to LD, 21°C after exposure to any of the three types of pretreatment for equal lengths of time developed at similar rates. Pretreatments at 10°C, which were equally effective with SD or LD, stimulated subsequent rapid development at LD, 21°C to a greater extent than continuous exposure to LD, 21°C conditions, and the longer the exposure to 10°C, the faster the subsequent response. Pretreatments at SD, 21°C also resulted in rapid development, similar to that of larvae exposed to 10°C, upon transfer to LD, 21°C conditions. Long daylengths administered only during pretreatments did not effect rapid development, since all larvae responded slowly when transferred to SD, 21°C. Diapause termination, therefore, was effected by LD, 21°C conditions preceded by exposure to either low temperatures, during which the photoperiod was not important, or short daylengths at 21°C.     

Variations in Reactive Oxygen Release and Antioxidant Activity in Multiple Symbiodinium Types in Response to Elevated Temperature

As ocean temperatures rise, investigations into what the physiological effects will be on the symbiotic microalga Symbiodinium, and how these may play into the cnidarian bleaching response, have highlighted the contribution of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Previous studies have laid this groundwork using a limited number of Symbiodinium phylotypes, and so this study aims to expand this understanding by exploring the effects of sub-lethal elevated temperatures on the physiological response of seven genetically distinct types of Symbiodinium, including A1, B1, B2, C1, D, E1, and F2. The production of ROS (at 26?°C, 29?°C, 30?°C, and 31?°C) and activity of the antioxidants catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) (at 26?°C and 31?°C) were measured as indicators of sensitivity or tolerance to heat stress. Symbiodinium types B1 and C1 were the most thermally sensitive, with C1 producing the highest amount of ROS at elevated temperatures. Types A1 and F2 were tolerant, having no increase in ROS production, and were the only types to increase both CAT and SOD activity with temperature stress. Type B2 had decreased ROS production and elevation of CAT activity, while type E1 had decreased levels of ROS production at elevated temperatures. Type D was the only Symbiodinium type to remain unaffected by elevated temperatures. These results are consistent with previous findings of relative sensitivity or tolerance to elevated temperatures, specifically with regards to types A1, B1, and F2. The inclusion of types B2, C1, D, and E1 provides further new evidence of how types differ in their thermal responses, suggesting differing mechanisms exist in the Symbiodnium response to higher temperature and highlighting the importance of establishing symbiont identity when exploring the response of intact associations to this type of stress.     

Methanogen genotypes involved in methane formation during anaerobic decomposition of Microcystis blooms at different temperatures

The main goal of this work was to determine which methanogens were present during the anaerobic degradation of Microcystis biomass in the water columns of freshwater lakes. Simulation experiments were performed in which 30 ml Microcystis slurries were anaerobically incubated in 60 ml airtight bottles at three temperatures (15, 25, and 35 °C) for over 90 days. The production of CH₄ was monitored, and the methanogenic community was analyzed by cloning and sequencing the mcrA genes in samples incubated at the three different temperatures. In total, four clusters were detected at different temperatures by phylogenetic analysis of mcrA genes; these included members of Methanomicrobiales, Methanobacteriaceae, and Methanosarcina. An apparent linkage between temperature and phylogeny of the methanogenic community was observed: Methanomicrobiales and Methanobacteriaceae dominated the incubation system at the lower temperatures of 15 and 25 °C, whereas Methanosarcina prevailed at 35 °C. The dominance of these hydrogenotrophic methanogens suggested that, at least at lower temperatures, H₂ and CO₂ might be the primary substrates for CH₄ production during Microcystis anaerobic decomposition.     

Effect of temperature on production of fungal metabolites toxic to larvae of Tenebrio molitor

Larvae of the yellow mealworm, Tenebrio molitor, were fed diets containing rye seed on which five fungal isolates had been cultured at temperatures of 10°, 15°, 20°, and 25°C in complete darkness. Larval growth and survival were influenced by the fungal isolate contained in the dietary substrate, by the temperature at which the fungus was grown, and by an interaction of these factors. Evidence is presented suggesting that different fungal metabolites are involved in regulating rates of growth and mortality of these larvae.     

The effect of high temperatures on spore germination of Ascosphaera aggregata

Vials containing spores of Ascosphaera aggregara were subjected to temperatures of 65°, 75°, 85°, and 95°C for 8-, 16-, and 24-hr periods at each temperature level in order to simulate disinfection heat treatments and determine the effect of temperature on spore viability. Significant (P > 0.0001) differences were noted for spore germination after heat treatment relative to the origin of the spores, the temperatures to which they were exposed, and for the duration of the heat treatment. An analysis of test responses of all isolates demonstrated significant overall differences in germination by geographic location of origin and temperature relative to duration of the treatment, by location and treatment duration relative to temperature, and temperature and duration of treatment relative to the geographic location of origin.