New record of nucleopolyhedroviruses in tea looper caterpillars in India

Tea production in North-East India hit a record loss due to the widespread severe outbreak of a mixed brood of three species of looper caterpillar pests of geometrid moths (Lepidoptera) in 2008-2010. In addition to Buzura suppressaria, two newly recorded geometrids, viz., Hyposidra infixaria and Hyposidra talaca have caused widespread severe damage in recent years. In the present study we report the nucleopolyhedroviruses (NPV) isolated from the tea looper caterpillar from North-East India. We identified and characterized the NPV by cloning and sequencing a partial segment of polyhedrin gene of virus infected larvae of B. suppressaria, H. talaca and H. infixaria. A comparison of deduced amino acids of polyhedrin gene among H. talaca, H. infixaria and B. suppressaria showed that same strain was found to infect all the three loopers in India, which show high sequence identity with B. suppressaria Chinese isolates. Based on the polyhedrin sequence homology, it is predicted that a variant of B. suppressaria Chinese isolate of NPV found to infect H. talaca, H. infixaria and B. suppressaria in India.     

Variation in cuticular lipid profiles of black butterflies of the genus Papilio in Japan

Insect (epi)cuticular lipids characterize sex and species and often play an important role in mating behavior. We previously revealed that two black-colored swallowtail butterflies, Papilio polytes and Papilio protenor, show sexual dimorphism and species specificity in cuticular lipid composition and that P. polytes males use specific monoene components for mate discrimination. These findings suggest that their closely related species may have different profiles of cuticular lipids. We examined the cuticular lipid compositions of five Papilio species (P. bianor, P. maackii, P. helenus, P. macilentus, and P. memnon), closely related and sympatric to P. polytes and P. protenor, and discussed whether it is possible to discriminate between sexes, and between species based on their chemical profiles. The cuticular lipids consist mainly of C23–C31 aliphatic hydrocarbons, in which n-tricosane, n-heptacosane, and n-nonacosane are predominant. Several aliphatic ketones, aliphatic acids, and oxygenated terpenoids were also identified as major components shared by several species. There were no components exclusive to a particular species. Conspecific males and females shared most of the components but were mostly distinguishable based on their composition. Moreover, P. helenus males, P. polytes females, and P. protenor females had two different phenotypes of lipid composition. Although unrelated to the genetic lineage, the seven species were classified into four clusters based on their lipid profiles. The first cluster was composed of only P. memnon. The other six species were broadly classified into three clusters consisting of subclusters for each species: 1) P. polytes, P. helenus, P. macilentus, and several P. protenor females; 2) P. bianor and P. protenor; and 3) P. maackii and several P. helenus males. These results indicate that cuticular lipid profiles characterize the species and sex of the Papilio species and may be responsible for mate discrimination among them.     

Anthocyanins in Caprifoliaceae

The qualitative and relative quantitative anthocyanin content of 19 species belonging to the genera Sambucus, Lonicera and Viburnum in the family Caprifoliaceae has been determined. Altogether 12 anthocyanins were identified; the 3-O-glucoside (2), 3-O-galactoside (5), 3-O-(6″-O-arabinosylglucoside) (7), 3-O-(6″-O-rhamnosylglucoside) (9), 3-O-(2″-O-xylosyl-6″-O-rhamnosylglucoside) (10), 3-O-(2″-O-xylosylgalactoside) (11), 3-O-(2″-O-xylosylglucoside) (12), 3-O-(2″-O-xylosylglucoside)-5-O-glucoside (14), 3-O-(2″-O-xylosyl-6″-O-Z-p-coumaroylglucoside)-5-O-glucoside (15) and 3-O-(2″-O-xylosyl-6″-O-E-p-coumaroylglucoside)-5-O-glucoside (16) of cyanidin, in addition to the 3-O-glucosides of pelargonidin and delphinidin (1 and 3). Pigment 7 is the first complete identification of the disaccharide vicianose, 6″-O-α-arabinopyranosyl-β-glucopyranose, linked to an anthocyanidin.     

Abundance and biomass of rotifers in relation to the environmental factors in geothermal waters in Southern Tunisia

The spatial and temporal dynamics of rotifers in relation to the physico-chemical parameters in Fish-Culture Research Station (Southern Tunisia) were studied monthly from February 2005 to January 2006. Thirteen rotifer species were found: Brachionus urceolaris, Brachionus calyciflorus, Brachionus sp., Lecane stichaea, Lecane rhytida, Lecane sp., Hexarthra mira, Rotaria tardigrada, Conochiloides natans, Trichocerca marina, Keratella quadrata, Keratella cochlearis and Notommata codonella. The most dominant rotifer was B. urceolaris (76% of total abundance). Rotifer density and water temperature were negatively correlated (r=−0.94, n=12, p=0.001). The highest abundance of rotifers was found in basin 4 (1.5×10⁵ ind m⁻³, in June 2005).     

Effects of Nematicides on Nematode Densities in Turf in Connecticut

The plant-parasitic nematodes Criconemoides lobatum, Hoplolaimus tylenchiformis, and Tylenchorhynchus dubius were present in the top 7.5 cm of sod consisting of numerous stolons and fibrous roots. Phenamiphos and 1,2-dibromo-3-chloropropane (DBCP) controlled all three species, whereas ethoprop and oxamyl controlled H. tylenchiformis and T. dubius but not C. lobatum. Benomyl and carbofuran controlled H. tylenchiformis but had poor control of C. lobatum and T. dubius. The effectiveness of carbofuran varied with the type of formulation, being most effective as a quick-release formulation. C. lobatum was the most difficult to control with chemicals. No chemical treatment improved the growth of ''Astoria colonial'' bentgrass (A. tenuis Sibth.) or Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.) under the moist condtions prevalent in these tests.     

Variation in leaf photosynthetic characteristics in wild rice species

Variations in leaf gas-exchange characteristics, leaf pigment content, and other important leaf traits were investigated in seven wild Oryza species, five hybrids, and five improved varieties. The significant variations were observed in photosynthetic pigment contents amongst different species of Oryza. The mean chlorophyll (Chl) content was higher in O. sativa (varieties and hybrids), while O. eichengeri showed the lowest Chl content. The mean carotenoid (Car) content in O. sativa (varieties and hybrids) was higher than in other wild rice species. O. eichengeri and O. barthii had significantly lower Car contents than other rice species. Significant differences were noticed in the rate of photosynthesis (P _N), stomatal conductance (g _s), transpiration rate (E), internal CO₂ concentration (C _i), specific leaf mass (SLM), and leaf thickness amongst different Oryza species. The mean P _N was the highest in O. nivara followed by O. eichengeri. The mean P _N was the lowest in O. glumaepatula, which was lower than that of cultivated varieties and hybrids of O. sativa. High rates of photosynthesis were observed in O. nivara (ACC. No. CR 100097), O. rufipogon (ACC.No. CR 100267), and O. nivara (ACC.No. CR 100008). The O. nivara and O. rufipogon genotypes with high P _N might be used in rice improvement programmes for an increase of leaf photosynthesis in rice. Multiple correlations performed between different gas-exchange characteristics and other physiological traits revealed that the rate of photosynthesis was not dependent on the leaf pigment content or the leaf thickness. A strong positive correlation between P _N and the P _N/C_i ratio, which represents the carboxylation efficiency, indicated that the observed variation in P _N was not based on pigment content or other leaf traits.     

Differences in tree and shrub growth responses to climate change in a boreal forest in China

Global climate change has led to rising temperatures and drought in boreal forests in Northeast China. In some areas, shrubs and trees coexist in high altitude and high latitude areas, and their differences with global warming may lead to significant changes in vegetation composition and distribution. Therefore, we compared the relationships between climate and growth for the most widely distributed dwarf shrub (Pinus pumila) and the two dominant tree species (Larix gmelinii and Pinus sylvestris var. mongolica) in boreal forests in the Daxing’an Mountains, China. A total of 340 tree-ring cores from 172 trees and 64 discs from shrubs were collected from four sites and compared the responses of shrub and tree growth to climate patterns using dendrochronological methods. The shrub and two tree species responded differently to interannual climate variance. The negative effect of growing season temperature was greater on growth of L.gmelinii and P. sylvestrisvar.mongolica than on P. pumila, and the promoting effect of winter and spring precipitation was greatest on P. pumila. Compared with the two tree species, P. pumila had a higher temperature threshold and grew over a shorter growing season. Our findings suggested that L. gmelinii and P. sylvestrisvar.mongolica are more susceptible to global warming than the shrubs that coexist with them. However, P.pumila should be studied from an individual perspective in the future due to the dwarf morphology of shrubs and their complex microenvironment.     

Gene Arrangements in Expression Vector Affect 3-Hydroxypropionic Acid Production in Klebsiella pneumoniae

Biosynthesis of 3-hydroxypropionic acid (3-HP) typically involves two sequential reactions catalyzed by glycerol dehydratase (DhaB) and aldehyde dehydrogenase (AldH). Although plasmid-dependent over-expression of the two enzymes is common, systematic investigation of gene arrangement in vector has not been reported. Here we show that gene arrangements have a noticeable influence on 3-HP production. Using Klebsiella pneumoniae as a host, three AldH-coding genes: ald4 from Saccharomyces cerevisiae, aldh from Escherichia coli, and puuC from host K. pneumoniae, were respectively ligated to dhaB. The recombinant Kp/pET-pk-ald4-dhaB (Kp refers to as K. pneumoniae, pk is a native promoter) produced the highest yield of 3-HP in comparison to both Kp/pET-pk-dhaB-ald4 and Kp/pET-pk-dhaB-pk-ald4, suggesting that the preferential expression of AldH can increase 3-HP production. Additionally, when different AldH-coding genes were respectively ligated downstream of dhaB, the recombinant Kp/pET-pk-dhaB-puuC produced more 3-HP than that by Kp/pET-pk-dhaB-aldh or Kp/pET-pk-dhaB-ald4, implying the intrinsic compatibility of native gene puuC with its host. These findings indicate the applicability of native AldH-coding gene and provide insights into strategies for metabolic engineering of multiple genes.     

Plasmids in Listeria

Thirty-two Listeria strains, including L. monocytogenes of the different Seeliger serovars, L. grayi and L. murrayi, have been analyzed for the presence of plasmids. A cryptic plasmid of 38.5 Md was found in seven strains: in four L. monocytogenes (serovars $\text{1}\text{2}\text{c}$, 4b, 4d, and Ivanov 1), and in both the L. grayi and the single L. murrayi strains. Restriction enzyme cleavage analysis with two restriction enzymes suggests that the plasmid is a single molecular species, pRYC16. Conjugation experiments between Streptococcus agalactiae BM6101 containing the resistance plasmid pIP501 and L. monocytogenes, L. grayi, or L. Murrayi demonstrated that pIP501 is transferred to Listeria at a mean frequency of 10^?6. pIP501 is fully expressed in Listeria and promotes its own transfer between strains of Listeria and from Listeria back to Streptococcus. It is suggested that a circulation of plasmids can take place among members of the genera Listeria and Streptococcus.     

The Increase in O-Linked N-Acetylglucosamine Protein Modification Stimulates Chondrogenic Differentiation Both in Vitro and in Vivo

Insulin is an inducer of chondrocyte hypertrophy and growth plate chondrogenesis, although the specific molecular mechanisms behind these effects are mostly unknown. Our aim was to investigate whether insulin-induced chondrocyte hypertrophy occurs through a modification in the amount of O-linked N-acetylglucosamine (O-GlcNAc)-modified proteins and in the expression of the key enzymes of this pathway, O-GlcNAc transferase and O-GlcNAcase (OGA). We also studied if O-GlcNAc accumulation per se, induced by an OGA inhibitor, was able to induce pre-hypertrophic chondrocyte differentiation both in vitro and in vivo. Insulin-induced differentiation of ATDC5 pre-chondrocytes occurred alongside a gradual increase in the accumulation of O-GlcNac-modified proteins (O-GlcNAcylated proteins), as well as an increase in the expression of O-GlcNAc transferase and OGA. In the absence of insulin, O-GlcNAc accumulation induced by thiamet-G, a specific OGA inhibitor, was able to increase the gene expression of differentiation markers, as well as the activity of MMP-2 and -9. Thiamet-G also activated pERK, p-JNK, and p-p38 and the O-GlcNAcylation of Akt. Thiamet-G administration to C57/bl mice induced a significant expansion in the growth plate height and in the hypertrophic zone height. Therefore, our results show that O-GlcNAc glycosylation has chondromodulating activity.     

黑龙江省药用植物根际土壤真菌多样性

为了解黑龙江省药用植物根际土壤真菌的种群结构和区系分布特点,于2010年7月份和10月份,在黑龙江省的伊春、铁力、绥化、哈尔滨、牡丹江和佳木斯6个中药材产区共采集土壤样品220份,所采集的药用植物种类主要有五味子、平贝母、刺五加、党参、防风、柴胡、桔梗、黄芩等14种.经稀释平板法和土壤颗粒平板法分离共获得1016株真菌,经形态鉴定归为35属86种,其中接合菌7属10种,占7.78％;子囊菌1属2种,占0.69％;无性型真菌27属74种,占70.76％,其余20.77％的菌株为不产孢真菌.试验结果表明,黑龙江省药用植物根际土壤真菌的种群多样性丰富,其中青霉属Penicillium、曲霉属Aspergillus、木霉属Trichoderma、镰孢菌属Fusarium是优势种群,粘帚霉属Gliocladium、金孢属Chrysosporium、毛霉属Mucor、枝孢属Cladosporium、枝顶孢属Acremonium、根霉属Rhizopus是亚优势种群.不同药用植物根际土壤真菌区系的结构和组成存在一定的差异.除无孢类群外,青霉属Penicillium、曲霉属Aspergillus、木霉属Trichoderma和镰孢菌属Fusarium是14种药用植物根际土壤真菌的优势菌群.五味子、平贝母和柴胡是黑龙江省种植的主要中药材,它们在6个采样地点间的真菌种群的多样性水平存在差异,其中伊春地区的多样性指数(H’=2.9574)和丰富度指数(R=5.6683)最高,而佳木斯地区的均匀度指数(J=0.9200)最高.不同地区的相似性水平也存在差异,其中牡丹江与绥化的药用植物根际土壤真菌种群组成之间的相似性系数最高(Cj=0.6315),牡丹江与哈尔滨的相似性最低(Cj=0.3704).     

Biology and phenology of three leaf beetle species (Chrysomelidae) in a montane forest in southeast Brazil

The population phenology of the cassidines, Coptocycla arcuata and Omaspides trichroa, and the chrysomeline, Platyphora axillaris, was studied at Serra dos Órgãos National Park, State of Rio de Janeiro, southeast Brazil. Monthly surveys of larvae and adults were conducted between 2008 and 2011 at approximately 1000 m altitude on their respective host plants, Cordia polycephala (Boraginaceae), Ipomoea philomega (Convolvulaceae) and Solanum scuticum (Solanaceae). This is the first observation of larviparity and host record for Platyphora axillaris. Although having different life history traits, all species showed similar phenologies. They were abundant from October to March, months of high temperatures and intense rainfall, with two distinct reproductive peaks in the same season. Abundance dropped abruptly during the coldest and driest months, from May to August. Frequently none of these species were recorded during June and July. This phenological pattern is similar to other Chrysomelidae living in subtropical areas of Brazil. Temperature and rainfall appear to be the major factors influencing the fluctuation of these three species.     

Role of Mannose-Binding Lectin Deficiency in HIV-1 and Schistosoma Infections in a Rural Adult Population in Zimbabwe

Background

Polymorphism in the MBL2 gene lead to MBL deficiency, which has been shown to increase susceptibility to various bacterial, viral and parasitic infections. We assessed role of MBL deficiency in HIV-1 and schistosoma infections in Zimbabwean adults enrolled in the Mupfure Schistosomiasis and HIV Cohort (MUSH Cohort).

Methods

HIV-1, S. haematobium and S. mansoni infections were determined at baseline. Plasma MBL concentration was measured by ELISA and MBL2 genotypes determined by PCR. We calculated and compared the proportions of plasma MBL deficiency, MBL2 structural variant alleles B (codon 54A>G), C (codon 57A>G), and D (codon 52T>C) as well as MBL2 promoter variants -550(H/L), -221(X/Y) and +4(P/Q) between HIV-1 and schistosoma co-infection and control groups using Chi Square test.

Results

We assessed 379 adults, 80% females, median age (IQR) 30 (17–41) years. HIV-1, S. haematobium and S. mansoni prevalence were 26%, 43% and 18% respectively in the MUSH baseline survey. Median (IQR) plasma MBL concentration was 800μg/L (192-1936μg/L). Prevalence of plasma MBL deficiency was 18% with high frequency of the C (codon 57G>A) mutant allele (20%). There was no significant difference in median plasma MBL levels between HIV negative (912μg/L) and HIV positive (688μg/L), p = 0.066. However plasma MBL levels at the assay detection limit of 20μg/L were more frequent among the HIV-1 infected (p = 0.007). S. haematobium and S. mansoni infected participants had significantly higher MBL levels than uninfected. All MBL2 variants were not associated with HIV-1 infection but promoter variants LY and LL were significantly associated with S. haematobium infection.

Conclusion

Our data indicate high prevalence of MBL deficiency, no evidence of association between MBL deficiency and HIV-1 infection. However, lower plasma MBL levels were protective against both S. haematobium and S. mansoni infections and MBL2 promoter and variants LY and LL increased susceptibility to S. haematobium infection.     

Family-group names in Coleoptera (Insecta)

We synthesize data on all known extant and fossil Coleoptera family-group names for the first time. A catalogue of 4887 family-group names (124 fossil, 4763 extant) based on 4707 distinct genera in Coleoptera is given. A total of 4492 names are available, 183 of which are permanently invalid because they are based on a preoccupied or a suppressed type genus. Names are listed in a classification framework. We recognize as valid 24 superfamilies, 211 families, 541 subfamilies, 1663 tribes and 740 subtribes. For each name, the original spelling, author, year of publication, page number, correct stem and type genus are included. The original spelling and availability of each name were checked from primary literature. A list of necessary changes due to Priority and Homonymy problems, and actions taken, is given. Current usage of names was conserved, whenever possible, to promote stability of the classification.New synonymies (family-group names followed by genus-group names): Agronomina Gistel, 1848 syn. nov. of Amarina Zimmermann, 1832 (Carabidae), Hylepnigalioini Gistel, 1856 syn. nov. of Melandryini Leach, 1815 (Melandryidae), Polycystophoridae Gistel, 1856 syn. nov. of Malachiinae Fleming, 1821 (Melyridae), Sclerasteinae Gistel, 1856 syn. nov. of Ptilininae Shuckard, 1839 (Ptinidae), Phloeonomini Ádám, 2001 syn. nov. of Omaliini MacLeay, 1825 (Staphylinidae), Sepedophilini Ádám, 2001 syn. nov. of Tachyporini MacLeay, 1825 (Staphylinidae), Phibalini Gistel, 1856 syn. nov. of Cteniopodini Solier, 1835 (Tenebrionidae); Agronoma Gistel 1848 (type species Carabus familiaris Duftschmid, 1812, designated herein) syn. nov. of Amara Bonelli, 1810 (Carabidae), Hylepnigalio Gistel, 1856 (type species Chrysomela caraboides Linnaeus, 1760, by monotypy) syn. nov. of Melandrya Fabricius, 1801 (Melandryidae), Polycystophorus Gistel, 1856 (type species Cantharis aeneus Linnaeus, 1758, designated herein) syn. nov. of Malachius Fabricius, 1775 (Melyridae), Sclerastes Gistel, 1856 (type species Ptilinus costatus Gyllenhal, 1827, designated herein) syn. nov. of Ptilinus Geoffroy, 1762 (Ptinidae), Paniscus Gistel, 1848 (type species Scarabaeus fasciatus Linnaeus, 1758, designated herein) syn. nov. of Trichius Fabricius, 1775 (Scarabaeidae), Phibalus Gistel, 1856 (type species Chrysomela pubescens Linnaeus, 1758, by monotypy) syn. nov. of Omophlus Dejean, 1834 (Tenebrionidae). The following new replacement name is proposed: Gompeliina Bouchard, 2011 nom. nov. for Olotelina Báguena Corella, 1948 (Aderidae).Reversal of Precedence (Article 23.9) is used to conserve usage of the following names (family-group names followed by genus-group names): Perigonini Horn, 1881 nom. protectum over Trechicini Bates, 1873 nom. oblitum (Carabidae), Anisodactylina Lacordaire, 1854 nom. protectum over Eurytrichina LeConte, 1848 nom. oblitum (Carabidae), Smicronychini Seidlitz, 1891 nom. protectum over Desmorini LeConte, 1876 nom. oblitum (Curculionidae), Bagoinae Thomson, 1859 nom. protectum over Lyprinae Gistel 1848 nom. oblitum (Curculionidae), Aterpina Lacordaire, 1863 nom. protectum over Heliomenina Gistel, 1848 nom. oblitum (Curculionidae), Naupactini Gistel, 1848 nom. protectum over Iphiini Schönherr, 1823 nom. oblitum (Curculionidae), Cleonini Schönherr, 1826 nom. protectum over Geomorini Schönherr, 1823 nom. oblitum (Curculionidae), Magdalidini Pascoe, 1870 nom. protectum over Scardamyctini Gistel, 1848 nom. oblitum (Curculionidae), Agrypninae/-ini Candèze, 1857 nom. protecta over Adelocerinae/-ini Gistel, 1848 nom. oblita and Pangaurinae/-ini Gistel, 1856 nom. oblita (Elateridae), Prosternini Gistel, 1856 nom. protectum over Diacanthini Gistel, 1848 nom. oblitum (Elateridae), Calopodinae Costa, 1852 nom. protectum over Sparedrinae Gistel, 1848 nom. oblitum (Oedemeridae), Adesmiini Lacordaire, 1859 nom. protectum over Macropodini Agassiz, 1846 nom. oblitum (Tenebrionidae), Bolitophagini Kirby, 1837 nom. protectum over Eledonini Billberg, 1820 nom. oblitum (Tenebrionidae), Throscidae Laporte, 1840 nom. protectum over Stereolidae Rafinesque, 1815 nom. oblitum (Throscidae) and Lophocaterini Crowson, 1964 over Lycoptini Casey, 1890 nom. oblitum (Trogossitidae); Monotoma Herbst, 1799 nom. protectum over Monotoma Panzer, 1792 nom. oblitum (Monotomidae); Pediacus Shuckard, 1839 nom. protectum over Biophloeus Dejean, 1835 nom. oblitum (Cucujidae), Pachypus Dejean, 1821 nom. protectum over Pachypus Billberg, 1820 nom. oblitum (Scarabaeidae), Sparrmannia Laporte, 1840 nom. protectum over Leocaeta Dejean, 1833 nom. oblitum and Cephalotrichia Hope, 1837 nom. oblitum (Scarabaeidae).     

Aphids (Hemiptera,Aphididae) on ornamental plants in greenhouses in Bulgaria

Investigations on the species composition and host range of aphids on ornamental greenhouse plants in Bulgaria was conducted over a period of five years, from 2008 to 2012. Twenty greenhouses, growing ornamentals for landscaping, plant collections and other purposes were observed. They were located in the regions of Sofia, Plovdiv, Smolyan, Pavlikeni, Varna and Burgas. The total number of collected aphid samples was 279. Their composition included 33 aphid species and one subspecies from 13 genera and 5 subfamilies. Twenty-eight species were found to belong to subfamily Aphidinae. Almost 70 % of all recorded species were polyphagous. The most widespread aphid species was Myzus persicae, detected in 13 greenhouses all year round, followed by Aulacorthum solani (10 greenhouses) and Aphis gossypii (9 greenhouses). The widest host range was shown by Myzus persicae (43 hosts), Aulacorthum solani (32 hosts) and Aulacorthum circumflexum (23 hosts).The list of host plants includes 114 species from 95 genera and 58 families. The greatest variety of aphid species was detected on Hibiscus (9 species). Out of all aphid samples 12.9 % were collected on Hibiscus and 6.8 %, on Dendranthema. The greatest variety of aphid species was detected on Hibiscus (9 species).Periphyllus californiensis and Aphis (Aphis) fabae mordvilkoi are reported for the first time for Bulgaria. Furthermore, Aphis spiraecola has been found in new localities and has widened its host range in this country.     

Diversity of Cryptosporidium spp. in Apodemus spp. in Europe

The genetic diversity of Cryptosporidium spp. in Apodemus spp. (striped field mouse, yellow-necked mouse and wood mouse) from 16 European countries was examined by PCR/sequencing of isolates from 437 animals. Overall, 13.7% (60/437) of animals were positive for Cryptosporidium by PCR. Phylogenetic analysis of small-subunit rRNA, Cryptosporidium oocyst wall protein and actin gene sequences showed the presence of Cryptosporidium ditrichi (22/60), Cryptosporidium apodemi (13/60), Cryptosporidium apodemus genotype I (8/60), Cryptosporidium apodemus genotype II (9/60), Cryptosporidium parvum (2/60), Cryptosporidium microti (2/60), Cryptosporidium muris (2/60) and Cryptosporidium tyzzeri (2/60). At the gp60 locus, novel gp60 families XVIIa and XVIIIa were identified in Cryptosporidium apodemus genotype I and II, respectively, subtype IIaA16G1R1b was identified in C. parvum, and subtypes IXaA8 and IXcA6 in C. tyzzeri. Only animals infected with C. ditrichi, C. apodemi, and Cryptosporidium apodemus genotypes shed oocysts that were detectable by microscopy, with the infection intensity ranging from 2000 to 52,000 oocysts per gram of faeces. None of the faecal samples was diarrheic in the time of the sampling.     

Characterization of the acetyltransferase used in pheromone biosynthesis in moths: Specificity for the Z isomer in tortricidae

Characterization of the acetyltransferase (acetyl-CoA: fatty alcohol acetyltransferase) that catalyzes the conversion of fatty alcohols to acetate esters was carried out in the redbanded leafroller moth, Argyrotaenia velutinana. This enzyme is one of the last enzymes used in the pheromone biosynthetic pathway of many moths. Characterization of the acetyltransferase involved an in vitro enzyme assay using a pheromone gland homogenate. The enzyme found only in the pheromone gland, was active during the photophase and at all adult ages tested (1–5-days-old). The enzyme was derermined to be microsomal and exhibited specificity for the Z isomer of all 12, 14 and 16 carbon monounsaturated fatty alcohol substrates tested. The shape of the kinetic curves for the Z and E isomers of Δ11-tetradecenol were similar for time of incubation, protein and substrate concentration, with the Z isomer always forming 1.5–2 times more product. Substrate competition assays between Z and E11-tetradecenol indicate that one enzyme is involved and it converts the Z isomer to product faster than the E isomer. Substrate preference assays conducted with the enzyme from Choristoneura rosaceana, C. fumiferana and Platynota idaeusalis (all Tortricidae) pheromone glands also indicate specificity for the Z isomer. On the other hand, assays conducted with Trichoplusia ni (Noctuidae) and three strains (Z, E and hybrid) of Ostrinia nubilalis (Pyralidae) indicate no preferences between the Z and E isomers.