BOOK REVIEWS

Books reviewed in this article.
FISH IN RESEARCH edited by Otto W. Neuhaus & John E. Halver.
HANDBOOK ON BREEDING OF INDIAN MAJOR CARPS BY PITUITARY HORMONE INJECTION by S. L. Chondar.
FISH PHYSIOLOGY VOL. 1. EXCRETION, IONIC REGULATION AND METABOLISM edited by W. S. Hoar & D. J Randall.
THE OCEAN, a Scientific American Book.
FISH PHYSIOLOGY Vol. II. THE ENDOCRINE SYSTEM edited by W. S. Hoar and D. J. Randall.
ANTARCTIC ECOLOGY edited by M. W. Holdgate.
COMPARATIVE FUNCTIONAL ANATOMY OF THE NANDIDAE (PISCES: TELEOSTEI) by Karel F. Liem.     

BOOK REVIEWS

Books Reviewed in this Article:
INTERNATIONALZOO YEARBOOK 26. Edited by P. J. S. Olney.
FISH PHYSIOLOGY, VOLUME XI. THE PHYSIOLOGY OF DEVELOPING FISH (Part B. Viviparity and Posthatching Juveniles). Edited by W. S. Hoar and D. J. Randall.
SHARKS OF ARABIA. By J. E. Randall.     

Transepithelial potential and short-circuit current across the isolated skin ofGillichthys mirabilis (Teleostei: Gobiidae), acclimated to 5% and 100% seawater

Summary Skin samples taken from the scaleless and well-vascularized area of the lower jaw were used in a modified Ussing chamber to test for electrogenic ion transport. In the absence of electrochemical gradients the skin developed a transepithelial potential (TEP) of 10–30 mV, serosa-positive, with a short-circuit current (SCC) of 13.7±3 or 20.8±7 amp/cm² for fish acclimated to 5% or 100% sea water, respectively. Iodoacetamide +2,4-dinitrophenol, ouabain, or acetazolamide rapidly inhibited the TEP and SCC when perfused on the serosal side, but had little effect when added to the mucosal side. Sodium-, potassium-, or chloride-free Ringer, on both sides, reversibly reduced the TEP and SCC to near zero. The results indicate active ion transport acrossGillichthys skin and suggest a functional chloride excreting pump in the skin of seawater-adapted fish.With financial assistance from the National Research Council of Canada through a scholarship to W.S. Marshall and a grant-in-aid of research to W.S. Hoar and from the National Science Foundation through a grant-in-aid (MBS-16345) to H.A. Bern     

BOOK REVIEWS

Book reviewed in this article:
SENSORY ECOLOGY: REVIEW AND PERSPECTIVES. Edited by M. A. Ali.
BIOENERGETICS & GROWTH. FISH PHYSIOLOGY, Volume 8.786 pp. Edited by W. S. Hoar, D. J. Randall & J. R. Brett.
THE PHYSIOLOGICAL ECOLOGY OF TUNAS. Edited by G. D. Sharp & A. E. Dizon.
LAKE CHILWA: STUDIE OF CHANGE IN A TROPICAL ECOSYSTEM. Edited by M. Kalk, A. J. McLachlan and C. Howard-Williams.     

MORPHOLOGY, PHYSIOLOGY AND GENETICS

Aschoff , J. & Wever , R. 1965. Circadian rhythms of finches in light-dark cycles with interposed twilights. Aschoff , J. & Wever , R. 1966. Circadian period and phase-angle difference in Chaffinches (Fringilla coelebs L.). Bern , H. A., Nishioka , R. S., Mewaldt , L. R. & Farner , D. S. 1966. Photoperiodic and osmotic influences on the ultrastructure of the hypothalamic neurosecretory system of the White-crowned Sparrow Zonotrichia leucophrys gambelii. Brenner , F. J. 1965. Metabolism and survival time of grouped Starlings at various temperatures. Farner , D. S., Follett , B. K., King , J. R. & Morton , M. L. 1966. A quantitative examination of ovarian growth in the White-crowned Sparrow. Fechheimer , N. S. & Jaffe , W. P. 1966. Method for the display of avian chromosomes. Harrison , C. J. O. 1963. Mottled plumage in the genus Corvus, its causation and relationship to fundamental barring. Harrison , Jeffery G. 1963. A congenital abnormality in the beak of a Curlew. Harrison , C. J. O. 1963. Non-melanic, carotenistic and allied variant plumages in birds. Harrison , James M. & Jeffery G. 1963. A Gadwall (Anas strepera) with a white neck ring and a review of plumage variants in wildfowl. Keil , W. 1964. Messung der Bruttemperatur bei einigen Singvogelarten. Keil , W. 1965. Zur Nestlings entwicklung von Kohl und Blaumeise. Kendeigh , S. C. & Wallin , H. E. 1966. Seasonal and taxonomic differences in the size and activity of the thyroid glands in birds. King , J. R. & Farner , D. S. 1965. Studies of fat deposition in migratory birds. Markert , C. L. & Sladen , W. J. L. 1966. Stability of Lactate Dehydrogenase Isozyme Pattern in Penguins. Mc Farland , L. 2. & Warner , R. 1966. Blood volume of the nasal salt glands and other glands and organs of seagulls. Nelson , D. M., Norton , H. W. & Nalbandov , A. V. 1965. Changes in hypophysial and plasma LH levels during the laying cycle of the hen. Rossbach , R. 1966. Das Neurosekretorische Zwischenhirn system der Amsel (Turdus merula L.) im Jahresablauf und nach Wasserentzug. Sturkie , P. D. & Lin , Y-C. 1966. Release of vasotocin and oviposition in the hen. Yatvin , M. B. 1966. Hypophyseal control of genetic expression during chick feather and skin differentiation.     

BOOK REVIEWS

FRESHWATER FISHES OF NORTHWESTERN CANADA AND ALASKA by J. D. McPhail and C. C. Lindsey
PESTICIDES AND FRESHWATER FAUNA by R. C. Muirhead-Thomson
FISH PHYSIOLOGY, VOL. V. SENSORY SYSTEMS AND ELECTRIC ORGANS edited by W. S. Hoar and D. J. Randall
BIOLOGICAL REPORTS OF THE SOVIET ANTARCTIC EXPEDITION (1955–1958) VOLUME 4 by Andriashev, A. P. and P. V. Ushakov (Editors)     

BOOK REVIEWS

Book Reviwed in this article:
FISH PHYSIOLOGY. VOLUME 9–PART A AND VOLUME 9–PART B, REPRODUCTION. Edited by W. S. Hoar & D. J. Randall
MARINE NATURAL PRODUCTS, CHEMICAL AND BIOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVES, VOLUME 5. Edited by Paul J. Scheuer
QSAR IN ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY. Edited by K. L E. Kaiser
THEORY AND MANAGEMENT OF TROPICAL FISHERIES. Edited by D. Pauly & G. I. Murphy     

BOOK REVIEWS

MUSSEL CULTURE AND HARVEST A NORTH AMERICAN PERSPECTIVE. Edited by Richard A. Lutz.
BIOLOGY OF THE CYCLOSTOMES, by M. W. Hardisty.
ZOOPHYSIOLOGY. Volume 11. Diversity and Adaptation in Fish Behaviour, by M. H. A. Keenleyside. Edited by D. S. Farmer (Co-ordinator), W. S. Hoar, B. Hoelldobler, K. Johansen, H. Langer and M. Lindaner.
FEVER, ITS BIOLOGY EVOLUTION AND FUNCTION, by Matthew J. Kluger.
MONOGENEA OF INLAND WATER FISH IN AFRICA by I. Paperna.
THE BEHAVIOUR OF FISH AND OTHER AQUATIC ANIMALS. Edited by David I. Mostofsky.     

Protein phosphatase activity is required for prothoracicotropic hormone-stimulated ecdysteroidogenesis in the prothoracic glands of the tobacco hornworm,Manduca sexta

The multiple phosphorylation of ribosomal protein S6 appears to be required for prothoracicotropic hormone (PTTH)-stimulated protein synthesis and ecdysteroidogenesis by the prothoracic glands of Manduca sexta. The present study investigated the role of protein phosphatase in these phenomena by analyzing the effects of pretreatment of prothoracic glands with the phosphatase inhibitors okadaic acid and calyculin A in both basal and PTTH-stimulated glands. Okadaic acid or calyculin A treatment enhanced ribosomal S6 phosphorylation in control glands to a level similar to that observed with PTTH-stimulated glands. This treatment also prevented S6 dephosphorylation but had no apparent synergistic effect on S6 phosphorylation in PTTH-stimulated glands. Most importantly, okadaic acid or calyculin A treatment inhibited, rather than augmented, ecdysteroidogenesis in both PTTH-stimulated and non-stimulated glands. The composite data suggest that protein phosphatase activity sensitive to okadaic acid or calyculin A is required for PTTH-stimulated ecdysteroidogenesis. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Occurrence of bombesin-like immunoreactivity in the brain of the cartilaginous fish,Scyliorhinus canicula

Summary The presence and distribution of bombesin-like material were investigated in the brain of the cartilaginous fishScyliorhinus canicula using conventional immunocytochemical techniques. Perikarya containing bombesin-like immunoreactivity were identified in the hypothalamus, within the magnocellular component of the preoptic nucleus. Some immunopositive elements appeared to be of cerebrospinal fluid-contacting type. Beaded immunoreactive fibers were seen crossing the ventral telencephalon and the whole hypothalamus. An important tract of fibers was found in the infundibular floor and in the median eminence, in close contact with the vascular system of the pituitary portal plexus. A moderate number of positive fibers innervated the habenular complex and the dorsal wall of the posterior tuberculum. These findings indicate that a neuropeptide strictly related to amphibian bombesin is located in specific hypothalamic neurons ofS. canicula. The distribution of the immunoreactive fibers and terminals suggests that, in fish, this peptide, may be involved in neuroendocrine and neuromodulator functions.     

Testicular and androgen dependence of skin gland morphology in the anurans,Xenopus laevis and Rana pipiens

In anuran amphibians, there is increasing evidence that exocrine glands dispersed throughout the general integument are secondary sex characters (SSC). Following the recent discovery of sexually dimorphic “breeding glands” in the dorsum of male Rana pipiens, we studied the effects of castration and testosterone treatment on the dorsal skin glands of male Xenopus laevis and R. pipiens to determine whether the dorsal breeding glands, or any other dorsal skin glands, are androgen dependent. The dorsal skin glands of X. laevis were unaffected by androgen status. By contrast, in R. pipiens, breeding, mucous, and seromucous glands responded to testosterone stimulation. Mucous glands were significantly (P < 0.05) larger in testosterone-treated frogs than in castrates. There was a large, but statistically insignificant, increase in the size of the dorsal breeding glands. Testosterone treatment also increased the epithelial cell height of breeding and seromucous glands (P < 0.05). In the skins of castrated and testosterone-treated frogs, there was a reciprocal relationship between the abundance of seromucous and breeding glands: in castrates, seromucous glands were abundant and breeding glands virtually absent, whereas in testosterone-treated frogs, breeding glands were abundant and seromucous glands less common. The total number of the two gland types was similar in both treatment groups. Glands that appeared to be intermediate in form between seromucous and breeding glands were observed in some frogs. These data suggest that seromucous glands may be the regressed form of breeding glands in the dorsal skin of R. pipiens and that the dorsal skin of R. pipiens is a SSC. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

BOOK REVIEWS

Book reviewed in this article:
FISH PHYSIOLOGY. VOLUME VII. LOCOMOTION. Edited by W. S. Hoar and D. J. Randall.
THE EDIBLE CRAB AND ITS FISHERY IN BRITISH WATERS. by Dr Eric Edwards.
THE NATURAL HISTORY OF NATIVE FISHES IN THE DEATH VALLEY SYSTEM, by David L. Soltz and Robert J. Naiman.
FISH COUNTING STATIONS, by R. B. Bussell.
ECOLOGY OF FRESHWATER FISH PRODUCTION. Edited by Shelby D. Gerking.     

Histochemical demonstration of 5-hydroxytryptamine in poison glands of amphibian skin

Summary The aim of this project was to see whether 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) believed to be present in the skin glands of anuran amphibians can be demonstrated histochemically. The Periodic acid-Schiff technique (P.A.S.) and three histochemical methods known to demonstrate 5-HT in enterochromaffin cells (Pontana's, diazonium and Schmorl's) were applied to the dorsal skin of three species—Xenopus laevis, Rana angolensis and Bufo regularis.Mucous glands were identified by their P.A.S. reactivity in all three species. Poison glands were identifiable in Bufo regularis and Xenopus laevis only. The secretory granules of the latter glands have strong positive reactions with all three histochemical techniques used.It is concluded that the poison glands of anuran amphibians contain 5-HT demonstrable by histochemical means.     

Correlated changes in the structure of the anterior pituitary gland,testes and interrenal tissue during sexual maturation of male lizards

Summary The anterior pituitary gland, testes and interrenal glands of a series of young males of the teiid Cnemidophorus l. lemniscatus (L.) have been studied by light microscopy in order to correlate the changes occurring during sexual maturation. In the testes of the smallest animals, spermatogenesis does not progress beyond primary spermatocytes and there is no differentiated interstitial tissue. In medium-sized animals, spermatids and some interstitial cells appear, and in the largest lizards, spermatogenesis is completely established and Leydig cells abound. Simultaneously with the development of the testes, interrenal glands undergo great hypertrophy and hyperplasia, especially in the peripheral reactive zone. Starting in animals of intermediate size, the anterior hypophysis exhibits a considerable hypertrophy of two rostral cell types: the chromophobic corticotrophs and the acidophilic PAS-positive cells considered to be interstitiotrophs. These cells show large, vesicular nuclei and prominent nucleoli, signs of enhanced cellular activity. The hypertrophy begins in the dorso-rostral region of the gland close to the median eminence, at the site of entry of the portal vessels. This suggests a hypothalamic influence on the function of these pars distalis cells. The scattered basophilic gonadotrophs or folliculotrophs are scarce, small, and do not vary appreciably among the animals studied. The hyperactivity of corticotrophs may account for enlargement of the interrenal glands. Testicular development is apparently related to an increased activity of interstitiotrophs but to a stable level of activity in folliculotrophs.This research forms part of project No. 31.26.S1-0244 supported by the Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas.     

BOOK REVIEWS

Books reviewed in this article:
ADVANCES IN MARINE BIOLOGY, Volume 28. Edited by J. H. S. Blaxter and A. J. Southward
TRANSGENIC FISH. Edited by C. L. Hew and G. Fletcher
ANTARCTIC FISH AND FISHERIES. By K.-H. Kock
FISH PHYSIOLOGY. Volume XII, Parts A and B. THE CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM. Edited by W.S. Hoar, D. J. Randall and A. P. Farrell
NATIVE TROUT OF WESTERN NORTH AMERICA. By R. J. Behnke
IRELAND'S MARINE LIFE, A WORLD OF BEAUTY. Edited by M. Murphy and S. Murphy
WILDLIFE TELEMETRY. By I. G. Priede and S. M. Swift
PACIFIC SALMON LIFE HISTORIES. Edited by C. Groot and L. Margolis     

Effects of brain lesions on gonadotrop ultrastructure and serum gonadotropin levels in goldfish

Summary Brain lesions that destroyed the anterior preoptic region or the pituitary stalk in sexually mature (= completed ovarian recrudescence) goldfish caused a significant increase in serum gonadotropin levels for at least 11 days postoperatively. These results confirmed previous findings indicating the presence of a gonadotropin release-inhibitory factor. Electron-microscopic investigation revealed that the gonadotrops were depleted of the small secretory granules, had marked dilations of the cisternae of the endoplasmic reticulum and extensive development of the Golgi apparatus. This indicated both secretion and synthesis, and correlated with the prolonged increase in serum gonadotropin resulting from the lesions.Supported by grants from Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada to W.S. Hoar and R.E. Peter     

Histological observations on the pituitary gland and the glomerular body of the larvae of the marine teleost,Hexagrammos otakii

Summary In the larvae of the marine teleost, Hexagrammos otakii, the prolactin, ACTH, STH and pars-intermedia cells as well as the neurohypophysis and glomerular body showed no histological change at the time of hatching. These cells or organs do not seem to be specifically involved in the mechanisms of adjustment to the hypertonic osmotic stress at this time. The size of the nuclei of the prolactin cells increased in fresh-water (F. W.) and that of the ACTH cells decreased in 2/3, 1/2 and 1/3 sea-water (S.W.). The amount of chrome-alum haematoxylin-positive material in the neurohypophysis of fish immersed in 1/2 S.W., 1/3 S.W. and F.W. was less than that of the control fish. There was a difference in the glomerular ratio between the fish kept in F. W. and control fish. And the red blood cells in the glomerulus of the larvae kept in 1/2 and 1/3 S.W. apparently increased in number in comparison with the control fish.The author wishes to express his gratitude to Professor Hideshi Kobayashi for his valuable guidance during the course of this study. The author is indebted to Dr. Masaaki Inoue, Kanagawa Prefectural Fisheries Experimental Station, for supplying the eggs of Hexagrammos.     

The Phylogenetic Relationships of the Saturn-shaped Ascospore-forming Species of the Genus Williopsis Zender and Related Genera Based on the Partial Sequences of 18S and 26S Ribosomal RNAs (Saccharomycetaceae): The Proposal of Komagataea Gen. Nov.

The partial base sequences of 18S and 26S rRNAs of strains of Williopsis and Saturnospora species were analyzed. In the three regions partially sequenced, the higher base differences were observed in the strains examined of the three species, W. californica, W. mucosa, and W. pratensis, compared with those of W. saturnus var. saturnus (type species of genus Williopsis), W. beijerinckii, W. mrakii, W. saturnus var. subsufficiens, W. suaveolens, P. membranaefaciens (type species of genus Pichia), C. matritensis (type species of genus Citeromyces), and S’spora dispora (type species of genus Saturnospora): the percent similarities were 52–82 in positions 493–622, 130 bases, of 26S rRNA, and the number of base differences was 28–6 in positions 1611–1835, 225 bases, of 26S rRNA, and the number of base differences was 25–4 in positions 1451–1618, 168 bases, of 18S rRNA. In the 18S rRNA partial base sequencings, W. mucosa had an identical base sequence with P. anomala (≡ H. anomala, type species of genus Hansenula). Based on the sequence data obtained, the taxonomic positions of the three Williopsis species mentioned above are discussed. The genus Zygowilliopsis Kudriavzev was postulated to be retained and emended, and a new genus, Komagataea was proposed for W. pratensis with a new combination, Komagataea pratensis.     

Effect of the pheromone biosynthesis activating neuropeptide on sex pheromone biosynthesis in Spodoptera littoralis isolated glands

The control of Spodoptera littoralis sex pheromone biosynthesis has been investigated with synthetic pheromone biosynthesis activating neuropeptide (PBAN) and different labeled tracers using an in vitro isolated gland system. Responsiveness of the glands to PBAN stimulation was impaired by careless tissue manipulation. The fact that PBAN is active in the isolated gland system suggests that this might be a target organ for this peptide in S. littoralis. As reported previously with Br-SOG extracts and intact females, label incorporation into the pheromone increased in glands treated with PBAN from all the precursors tested. However, the formation of labeled intermediates from d₅E11–14:Acid also occurred in glands incubated in the absence of the peptide, but the amounts of d₅Z9, E11–14:Acid were lower in PBAN treated glands than in controls. These results indicate that PBAN controls pheromone biosynthesis in S. littoralis by regulating the reduction of acyl moieties. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Ultrastructural study of the regressing prothoracic glands of blattarian insects

Summary The prothoracic glands, source of the molting hormone ecdysone, regress within a few days after the final molt, a process which was analyzed with electron microscopic methods in the cockroaches Leucophaea and Blaberus. This strictly timed event is accompanied by drastic alterations in cellular fine structure. Early signs of breakdown appear in groups of nuclei whose substance becomes segregated into patches of contrasting electron density characteristic of pyknosis.The most conspicuous change in the cytoplasm of parenchymal cells concerns the appearance of large, heterogeneous inclusion bodies in which various cellular elements become segregated. These compartments seem to represent autophagic vacuoles within which the gradual degradation of much of their contents takes place, presumably under the influence of lysosomal enzymes. Undigested swirls of membranous character may remain sequestered within these packets for some time.At advanced stages of cellular atrophy, plasma membranes and nuclear envelopes have gradually disappeared, and masses of protoplasm undergoing autolysis become invaded by a greater number of hemocytes than are present in nymphal glands. These phagocytic elements appear to engulf debris of parenchymal cells as well as some degenerating connective tissue elements. After the completion of the regressive process, the axial band of musculature characteristic of the nymphal gland persists on its own. Whether or not some parenchymal cells (or possibly their precursors) capable of reactivation persist in the proximity of this muscle is unknown.The resorption of the prothoracic gland in the newly emerged insect is the result of physiological autolysis and seems to be aided by the activity of phagocytic hemocytes.Dedicated to Professor W. Bargmann on his 60th birthday in friendship and admiration.This study was supported by Research Grants AM-03984, NB-02145 and NB-05219 from the U.S.P.H.S.I wish to express my thanks to Mrs. S. Wurzelmann, Mrs. C. Jones, Mrs. C. Grubman, and Mr. S. Brown for their excellent technical assistance.