Intra-individual variation in sperm tail length in murine rodents

In eutherian mammals, there are marked interspecific differences in sperm head shape and tail length. In a few species, sperm head variability occurs but intra-individual variation in sperm tail length has rarely been investigated or commented upon. Here, we ask the question: Do murine rodent species that have variable sperm head shapes exhibit greater intra-individual variation in sperm midpiece and total tail lengths than closely related species where little, or no, sperm head variability occurs? From three separate lineages, we selected three pairs of murine rodents, one of which has monomorphic, and the other variable, sperm head shape. These were from southern Asia the bandicoot rats Bandicota bengalensis and Bandicota indica , from southern Africa the veld rats, Aethomys chrysophilus and Aethomys ineptus and from Australia the fawn hopping mouse Notomys cervinus and the spinifex hopping mouse Notomys alexis . Cauda epididymal sperm smears were prepared and sperm midpiece and total tail lengths were determined. A linear mixed-effects model was used to estimate intra-individual variance. The results showed that in all three species where there are variable sperm head shapes ( B. indica , A. ineptus and N. alexis ), statistically significantly greater intra-individual variability of sperm midpiece and total tail lengths occurs ( P <0.0001 in all cases). These species all have relatively smaller testes mass compared with the closely related species with monomorphic sperm populations. This suggests that depressed levels of intermale sperm competition may result in the occurrence of variability in not only the divergent sperm head shape but also in the length of the midpiece as well as that of the total length of the sperm tail.     

大菱鲆幼鱼表型形态性状与体重之间的关系

随机选取1120尾3月龄大菱鲆幼鱼,测量其体长、全长、体高、头长、吻尖至鳃裂前缘长、尾柄长、尾柄高、体厚、体重等9个性状,计算各性状间的相关系数,采用通径分析方法计算以表型形态性状为自变量对体重作依变量的通径系数、决定系数及复相关指数, 对各性状的影响大小进行剖分,明确影响大菱鲆三月龄幼鱼体重的主要外部形态性状,为大菱鲆选育提供理论依据和理想的测度指标.结果表明:所测各表型性状与体重之间的相关系数均达到极其显著水平(P＜0.01＝;全长对体重的直接影响(R=0.702)最大, 对体重的决定程度(R2=51.84%)最高,是影响体重的主要因素;体高、体厚对体重的直接作用 (0.211 ,0.094)相对较小,主要通过体长的间接作用(0.5558,0.4342)影响体重.所选表型性状对体重的回归系数R2=0.911,表明所选性状是影响体重的主要性状.利用逐步回归分析方法建立以体长、体高、体厚为自变量估计体重的多元回归回归方程为:y=-6.216 1.294x1 0.518x2 1.293x3[动物学报 54(3):540-545,2008].     

Structure of Bacillus subtilis Bacteriophage φ25 and φ25 Deoxyribonucleic Acid

The structure of Bacillus subtilis bacteriophage phi25 and phi25 deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) were studied by electron microscopy. The head of phi25 is a regular polyhedron measuring 75 nm in diameter. The uncontracted tail of phi25 is 130 nm in length and includes a large, complex tail plate. Phage phi25 DNA is double-stranded and has a molecular weight of approximately 100 million as determined by electron microscopic length measurements and analytical band sedimentation in CsCl. The complementary strands of phi25 DNA contain numerous random interruptions. Chemical analysis of phi25 DNA demonstrated that 5-hydroxymethyluracil replaces thymine and that the DNA has a mole per cent (guanine plus cytosine) of 42.     

Structure of Bacillus subtilis bacteriophage phi 29 and the length of phi 29 deoxyribonucleic acid

Anderson, D. L. (University of Minnesota, Minneapolis), D. D. Hickman, and B. E. Reilly. Structure of Bacillus subtilis bacteriophage phi29 and the length of phi29 deoxyribonucleic acid. J. Bacteriol. 91:2081-2089. 1966-Bacillus subtilis bacteriophage phi29 were negatively stained with phosphotungstic acid. The head of phi29 has a hexagonal outline with a flattened base, and is about 315 A wide and 415 A in length. The virus has an intricate tail about 325 A in length. Twelve spindle-shaped appendages are attached to the lower of two collars which comprise the proximal portion of the tail. The distal 130 A of the tail axis has a diameter of about 60 A and is larger in diameter than the axis of the upper portion of the tail. Comparison of electron microscopic counts of phi29 with plaque-forming units indicated that about 50% of the microscopic entities were infective. Phenol-extracted phi29 deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) molecules were prepared for electron microscopy by the cytochrome c film technique of Kleinschmidt et al. Measurement of contour lengths of DNA molecules from three preparations gave skewed distributions of lengths with observed modal class values ranging from 5.7 to 5.9 mu. Assuming that phi29 DNA is a double helix in the B form, the corresponding molecular weights would be 10.9 x 10(6) to 11.3 x 10(6) daltons. The largest DNA molecules would have a volume of 1.9 x 10(7) A(3) which is about 25% greater than the estimated 1.4 x 10(7) A(3) internal volume of the phage head.     

Ultrastructure of the spermatozoon of Megaselia scalaris Loew (Diptera:Brachycera:Cyclorrhapha:Phoridea:Phoridae)

When viewed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), the spermatozoon of the phorid dipteran Megaselia scalaris appears threadlike, lacking distinct head and tail areas. These areas can be observed, however, in appropriately stained material. Measurements of Feulgen-stained material reveal average lengths of the head, tail, and total cell of 18.7, 128.7, and 147.4 μm, respectively. When tested for sulfhydryl and disulfide groups, the head displays only disulfide groups. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) reveals 12 different regions: three (1–3) in the head, four (9–12) in the tail, and five (4–8) in a short zone of overlap between the head and tail. Most of the cell lies in regions 9 and 11 of the tail and 3 of the head, accounting for, respectively, 37.3%, 45.7%, and 11.2% of the total length. A tubelike acrosome indents the anterior end of the nucleus. The tail originates asymmetrically in relation to the long axis of the cell as a peglike structure associated with the dorsolateral region of the nucleus. No centriole is visible, and the nucleus has a notched appearance in longitudinal sections. Two mitochondrial derivatives and an axoneme displaying a 9+9+2 microtubule configuration and ATPase activity extend throughout most of the tail. In regions 9 and 10, an asymmetrically arranged accessory body is also present. Features having possible taxonomic utility include the asymmetrically arranged accessory body, the size and shape of the acrosome, and the notched appearance of the nucleus. The present report is apparently the first to describe the spermatozoon of a cyclorrhaphous dipteran which is not a member of the Schizophora.     

Sperm morphology in the Malagasy rodents (Muroidea: Nesomyinae)

The morphology of the spermatozoon of representative species of the subfamily Nesomyinae (Muroidea: Nesomyidae), a monophyletic group of rodents endemic to Madagascar, was examined by light and electron microscopy to determine the sperm head shape and tail length across the species. Marked interspecific differences were found to occur in both the form of the sperm head and length of the tail. The species that possess a sperm head with an apical hook, which largely contains acrosomal material, generally displayed longer sperm tails, and a species with a spatulate sperm head had the shortest tail. The association between sperm head shape and tail length mirrors that previously found in Eurasian and Australasian murine rodents. Thus, the repeated association between sperm head shape and tail length across these groups of muroid rodents clearly indicates a functional relationship between these two features. A comparison of sperm morphology of the nesomyines to that of related muroid rodents on the mainland of Africa suggests that the possession of an apical hook is the ancestral condition. J. Morphol., 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Quantitative estimation of islet tissue of pancreas in adult Grey kangaroos (Macropus fuliginosus)

Six Grey kangaroos, both male and female, were shot and weighed. The pancreas was isolated, weighed and samples fixed in Bouin's solution. Using a linear scanning technique (Carpenter & Lazarow, 1962) the mean islet tissue mass was estimated in head, neck, body and tail regions. A uniform distribution was found in all regions. The relationship between pancreas weight and body weight and islet mass in relation to body weight were calculated. Sections stained with aldehyde-fuchsin (Gomori, 1950), Mallory's phosphotungstic acid haemotoxylin and modified Davenport's technique (Epple, 1967) were prepared. Using a Wild-M501 semiautomatic sampling microscope and a Weibel graticule (Weibel et al., 1966) the percentage volume of β cells, α cells and δ cells were estimated respectively in the head, neck, body and tail regions of the six samples. The α cells or glucagon-producing cells were the most predominant as these macropodid marsupials are well adapted to dealing with hypoglycemic conditions. They were uniformly distributed in all regions.     

Locations and amounts of major structural proteins in bacteriophage lambda

The locations in the virion of the three major protein components of lambda, pE, pD and pV, have been determined by electron microscopic examination of complexes between virions and antisera specific for individual proteins. By this test both pE and pD are distributed over the entire surface of the phage head and pV is distributed along the length of the phage tail. Quantitation of sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel patterns indicates that pE and pD are present in the head in equal numbers. The total amounts of pE and pD per phage are most consistent with a head structure of triangulation number 7, containing 420 subunits each of pE and pD.     

两种穿山甲外形量衡度的测定及比较

There are 7 species of pangolin in the world. This paper deah with the measurement of some morphology indices in Manis petadactyla and Mania javanica. Measured variables included the body weight, the total body length, the length of head and body, the length of tail,the length of protruding rim of external ear, the length of hind feet, the length of middle claws of fore feet, the length of middle claws of hind feet, the number of rows of scales round mid-body, the number of single flank scales of edge tail. All variables measured were compared respectively between this 2 species. The results indicated that: ( 1 ) there were no signifieant differences in body weight and length of hind feet between this 2 species, but differences in the other variables were extremely significant. (21 The ratio of the length of middle claws of hind feet and fore feet in Mania pentadactyla was less than 1/2 ( n = 48 ), while Mania jaw, nica was more than 1/2 ( n = 15 ) ; the length of protruding rim of external ear in Mania pentadactyla was over 10 mm { n = 38 ), whereas Manis javanica was under 10 mm { n = 13 ) ; the number of single flank scales of edge tail in Mania pentadactyla was not beyond 21 (n = 65), and Mania javanica exeeeded 21 (n = 14) . So the ratio of the length of middle claws of hind feet and fore feet, the length of protruding rim of external ear, arid the ntunber of single flank scales of edge tail should be regard as distinctive features and taxonomic indices between this 2 species. (3) The relationships between body weight ( Y) and the total body length, the length of head and body, the length of tail {X) were positive correlation, and satisfied relation equation Y= aX^b.     

青海沙蜥的两性异型和雌性繁殖

作者研究了青海沙蜥(Phrynocephalus vlangalii)形态特征的两性异形和雌体繁殖特征。蜥蜴于2005年5月初捕自西宁以西约150km的倒淌河,被检形态特征包括体色、体长、腹长、尾长、头长和头宽,新排卵雌体维持在实验室梯度热环境中直至产仔。成体两性异形显著,而性未成熟个体缺乏两性异形。最大的成年雄体和雌体分别为70.2mmSVL(snout-vent length)和82.8mmSVL。雄性成体具有相对较大的头长、头宽和尾长,雌性成体SVL大于雄体且具有相对较大的腹长。对4个形态特征进行主成分分析(特征值≥0.5)区分出2个主成分,共解释83.9%的两性相关形态特征的变异。去除SVL差异的影响后,尾长、头长和头宽在第一主成分有较高的正负载系数(解释57.8%的变异),腹长在第二主成分有较高的负负载系数(解释26.1%的变异)。实验室梯度热环境下的雌体于6月下旬至7月中旬产单窝、2-6个后代。窝仔数和窝仔重与母体SVL呈正相关,幼仔重与母体SVL无关。未在青海沙蜥中检测到后代数量与大小之间的权衡。     

东北七鳃鳗早期发育研究

通过开展东北七鳃鳗(Lampetra morii)胚胎、卵黄囊期仔鱼和幼鱼发育研究, 系统地描述东北七鳃鳗的早期发育形态特征和生长发育规律。研究结果表明: 东北七鳃鳗的卵裂为全裂类型, 在(18±1)℃水温下, 受精卵经卵裂期、囊胚期、原肠胚期、神经胚期、头凸期、孵出前期以及孵出期, 历时11—12d孵育出仔鱼。初孵仔鱼体重为(0.00032±0.00002) g, 全长为(0.29±0.02) cm。在卵黄囊期内, 仔鱼体重和全长随日龄的增加而增长, 吻长、眼径、眼鳃间距、口笠长、鳃前长、鳃长、头长、体长、尾长和泄殖孔长均存在异速生长现象。初孵仔鱼经过约15d(卵黄囊期)发育成幼鱼, 幼鱼卵黄囊完全吸收, 消化道贯通, 形成肠道, 开始摄食。在幼鱼期, 经5 个月的培育, 幼鱼体重和全长随月龄的增加而增长, 体色逐渐加深, 5月龄幼鱼的体重和全长分别为(0.07±0.01) g和(3.87±0.32) cm。东北七鳃鳗的早期发育研究为七鳃鳗发育生物学积累基础资料, 同时也为七鳃鳗的人工增养殖提供了科学依据, 推进七鳃鳗的模式化进程。     

中国东北地区鼩鼱科动物分类与分布

在大兴安岭山脉呼中地区、塔河地区和呼伦湖地区,小兴安岭山脉萝北地区,长白山山脉横道河子地区、三道关地区、牡丹峰地区、凤凰山地区和新宾地区,对我国东北地区鼩鼱科动物进行调查。共获得686号标本,首先利用形态特征描述和形态测量进行形态学物种鉴定,然后利用mt DNA Cyt b基因全序列构建系统发生树,使用ABGD软件进行分子生物学物种鉴定,形态学和分子生物学物种鉴定结果一致。证实东北地区鼩鼱科动物包括麝鼩属2种:大麝鼩(Crocidura lasiura)和山东小麝鼩(C. shantungensis);鼩鼱属9种:大鼩鼱(Sorex mirabilis)、中鼩鼱(S. caecutiens)、远东鼩鼱(S. isodon)、苔原鼩鼱(S. tundrensis)、长爪鼩鼱(S. unguiculatus)、栗齿鼩鼱(S. daphaenodon)、细鼩鼱(S. gracillimus)、扁颅鼩鼱(S. roboratus)和姬鼩鼱(S. minutissimus)。调查发现大麝鼩和山东小麝鼩同域分布,且更临近人类生活区。在我国东北地区,中鼩鼱、细鼩鼱和远东鼩鼱种群数量与分布范围较大,其它物种种群数量明显小于这3个物种;大鼩鼱和扁颅鼩鼱分布数量较小,苔原鼩鼱仅在呼伦湖地区被采集到,在此地与姬鼩鼱同域分布。栗齿鼩鼱仅在大兴安岭地区捕获到。文中测量各物种标本的外形(体重、头体长、尾长、尾长/头体长、后足长、耳长),及头骨(颅全长、颅基长、基长、脑颅宽、脑颅高、眶间宽、上齿列长、下齿列长、腭前部宽、腭后部宽),通过照片展示了鼩鼱属9个物种的颅骨形态特征,并给出每一物种的鉴别特征,作为东北地区鼩鼱科物种形态分类依据。     

The tail flattening reflex in Lumbricus: reconstitution after tail amputation and modifications in segmental nerve roots

On stimulation of the head, the caudal 20-30 segments of intact earthworms exhibit a marked dorso-ventral flattening reflex which is an element of the escape response. When the tail is removed this reflex is reconstituted gradually in segments anterior to the amputation level without regeneration of new tail segments. It takes longer to reestablish the flattening if larger parts of the body are cut off, but after 60 days p.o. all animals regained the full response independent of the number of segments amputated. Extirpation of three consecutive ganglia from the ventral nerve cord also suffices to develop flattening anterior to the operated segments, but the reaction is less pronounced and appears later than after tail amputation. Moreover, it vanishes at the same time the normal tail flattening is observed again, presumably after regeneration across the gap in the cord. In different regions of the body, area and perimeter distributions of transversely sectioned axons in the three pairs of segmental nerves (SN I-III) of the cord were measured. Characteristic changes along the length of the animal were found for SN I and SN III. In tail segments the axonal size distributions are more variable than "typical" segments. The flattening reflex is mediated by axons in SN III (Pallas and Drewes, 1981). In body segments having reconstituted behavioral characteristics of the lost tail segments, the area of the largest axons and the general size distribution in SN III approximate those found in normal tail segments.     

Posttranslational processing of Uukuniemi virus glycoproteins G1 and G2

A total of 26 polypeptides have been resolved by gel electrophoresis of purified phage PBSX, 3 of which belong to the head and the remainder to the tail. After mitomycin C treatment, synthesis of 11 additional proteins which are not found in the assembled phage particle was demonstrated, all but 4 being under the control of the phage repressor. Existence of a prehead and of a precursor of the main capsid protein (molecular weight, 35,000) suggested phage head maturation which is accompanied by cleavage of the precursor (molecular weight, 36,500). The role of induced proteins related and unrelated to PBSX is discussed. Finally, the estimated phage genome mass of 4 X 10(7) daltons exceeded by more than four times its head capacity, which could explain the defectiveness of the phage.     

Morphometrics of the pink-footed shearwater ( Puffinus creatopus): influence of sex and breeding site

We present morphometric data for the pink-footed shearwater (Puffinus creatopus) from both Chilean breeding colonies on Isla Mocha and Juan Fernández: weight, total length, wing length, tail length, head length, three bill and three tarsus size measurements and length of middle toe. Significant differences were found for most measurements between males and females as well as between birds from the two different breeding localities. In general, males were bigger than females, and birds from Juan Fernández were bigger than those from Isla Mocha. Geographic differences most likely reflect some kind of ecomorphological adaptation. Some variables, especially the total length of head, seem to be useful for sex determination in the field.     

Coliphage P1 morphogenesis: analysis of mutants by electron microscopy.

We used electron microscopy and serum blocking power tests to determine the phenotypes of 47 phage P1 amber mutants that have defects in particle morphogenesis. Eleven mutants showed head defects, 30 showed tail defects, and 6 had a defect in particle maturation (which could be either in the head or in the tail). Consideration of previous complementation test results, genetic and physical positions of the mutations, and phenotypes of the mutants allowed assignment of most of the 47 mutations to genes. Thus, a minimum of 12 tail genes, 4 head genes, and 1 particle maturation gene are now known for P1. Of the 12 tail genes, 1 (gene 19, located within the invertible C loop) codes for tail fibers, 6 (genes 3, 5, 16, 20, 21, and 26) code for baseplate components (although one of these genes could code for the tail tube), 1 (gene 22) codes for the sheath, 1 (gene 6) affects tail length, 2 (genes 7 and 25) are involved in tail stability, and 1 (gene 24) either codes for a baseplate component or is involved in tail stability. Of the four head genes, gene 9 codes for a protein required for DNA packaging. The function of head gene 4 is unclear. Head gene 8 probably codes for a minor head protein, whereas head gene 23 could code for either a minor head protein or the major head protein. Excluding the particle maturation gene (gene 1), the 12 tail genes are clustered in three regions of the P1 physical genome. The four head genes are at four separate locations. However, some P1 head genes have not yet been detected and could be located in two regions (for which there are no known genes) adjacent to genes 4 and 8. The P1 morphogenetic gene clusters are interrupted by many genes that are expressed in the prophage.     

New data on aberrant spermatozoa in the ejaculate of Sus domesticus

This paper describes 16 new types of aberrant spermatozoa observed by scanning electron microscopy in the ejaculate of two healthy, sexually mature Landrace boars. The new anomalies observed were 1) spermatozoa with folded tail and abnormal head; 2) tailless spermatozoa with an abnormal connecting piece; 3) immature spermatozoa with two tails of the same length, fused and coiled; 4) spermatozoa with two tails of the same length, fused and coiled, and a small, rounded head; 5) spermatozoa with two fused tails and a wide head; 6) spermatozoa with three tails of the same length, fused and coiled; 7) immature spermatozoa with two heads and two fused tails; 8) spermatozoa with two heads, one at each tip of the tail; 9) spermatozoa with a short, folded tail and a triangular head; 10) spermatozoa with a short tail lacking the intermediate piece; 11) spermatozoa with a short tail, without the main piece and with a long intermediate piece; 12) spermatozoa with a short tail, without the main piece and with a rough head; 13) spermatozoa with small, rounded head; 14) spermatozoa with small, aberrant heads; 15) spermatozoa with small, bacillary heads; and 16) immature spermatozoa with tapering heads.     

Electron microscopic study of troponin

Troponin and its components or fragments were observed in an electron microscope by the use of the rotary shadowing technique. In freshly prepared troponin with low viscosity, globular particles were mainly observed. The size of the long axis of the particles was 13.2 +/- 1.3 nm and the size perpendicular to the long axis was 9.5 +/- 1.2 nm. The mean axial ratio was 1.4 +/- 0.3. Most of the particles observed in a stored troponin preparation, having a higher viscosity than that of fresh troponin, had a globular head with a thin tail, with the total length of 25.4 +/- 1.4 nm (head-tail type particles). The axial size of the globular portion was 8.3 +/- 1.2 nm and the tail length was 17.1 +/- 1.6 nm. Observation of various particles during the transitional stages indicated that, in the globular particles, the tail region of head-tail type particle was associated along the globular head region. Troponin T was a filamentous particle with 16.9 +/- 1.5 nm length. The 26K fragment of troponin T, which was devoid of the N-terminal 45 residues from troponin T, was a filamentous particle with the length of 14.4 +/- 1.3 nm. Troponin T1, one of two chymotryptic subfragments of troponin T, was a filamentous particle of 11.6 +/- 1.4 nm length. Troponin C.T in the presence of Ca2+ was a particle with a globular head (7 nm in size) and a tail of about 17 nm length. The Fab fragment of anti-troponin T1 formed regular transverse striations along the thin filament of rabbit skeletal muscle with a 38 nm period.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Meloidogyne lusitanica n. sp. (Nematoda: Meloidogynidae), a Root-knot Nematode Parasitizing Olive Tree (Olea europaea L.)

A root-knot nematode from Portugal, Meloidogyne lusitanica n. sp., is described and illustrated from specimens obtained from olive trees (Olea europaea L.). Females of the new species have a characteristic perineal pattern with medium to high trapezoidal dorsal arch with distinct punctuations in the tail terminus area. The excretory pore is located posterior to the stylet, about 1.5-2.5 stylet lengths from the anterior end. The stylet is 17.1 μm long with pear-shaped knobs. Males have a rounded, posteriorly sloping head cap and head region not annulated. The robust stylet, 24.5 μ long, has large, elongate knobs. Mean length of the second-stage juveniles is 449.5 μm, stylet length 14.2 μm, and tail length 44.1 μm. Scanning electron microscope observations provide further details of perineal patterns and head and stylet morphology of females, males, and second-stage juveniles. Meloidogyne lusitanica n. sp. did not reproduce on any of the differential hosts used to separate the four most common Meloidogyne species. The common name "olive root-knot nematode" is proposed for M. lusitanica n. sp.     

Extreme cyclomorphosis in Daphnia lumholtzi

1. Daphnia lumholtzi, not previously reported in North America, was found in a small reservoir in East Texas in January, 1991, This species possesses extremely long spines and large fornices; an allometric study was performed to detect any temporal differences in specific growth rates of the spines relative to the body. 2. In nature, mature females attained 1.8mm body length, excluding spines, but when the head and tail spines are included, the total length reached a maximum of 5.6mm. 3. Differences in the growth patterns of the head spine and the tail spine relative to the body existed for D. lumholtzi from January to March 1991. Both the head and the tail spines grew at a faster rate than the body during all 3 months although the rates varied between them. The results contradict the invertebrate predation hypothesis (Dodson, 1974) in that D. lumholtzi's head and tail spines continue to grow during adulthood instead of stopping after the juvenile instars. 4. The head spines grew at a constant allometric rate over time while the tail spine grew faster as the temperature increased. Both varied significantly in length over the 3 months, with animals having the shortest spines in February and the longest in March.