Physiological aspects of nm-g mutant: An ecdysteroid-deficient mutant of the silkworm,Bombyx mori

We examined physiological and endocrinological properties of the nm-g mutant of the silkworm, whose development was arrested at 1st or 2nd larval instar. The larva of the nm-g homozygote continued to feed and grow past the stage when a normal larva moulted to the next instar. The nm-g larva attained more than twice the body weight of a normal moulting larva, but remained in the same instar with no sign of the moulting until it finally died. The ecdysteroid concentration in the haemolymph of the nm-g larva was reduced and an increase in the titre, which occurred before moulting in the normal larva, was not observed. Injection of 20-hydroxyecdysone induced the nm-g larva to moult and ecdyse to the next larval instar. From these results, we conclude that nm-g is an ecdysteroid-deficient mutant.     

Lecithotrophic development and metamorphosis in the Indo-West Pacific brittle star Ophiomastix venosa (Echinodermata: Ophiuroidea)

Summary

The larval development of the ophiocomid ophiuroid Ophiomastix venosais described using SEM. The gastrula transforms into a uniformly ciliated early larva which progressively changes into a lecithotrophic late premetamorphic larva with a continuous bilateral ciliated band. This stage is short-lived and equivalent to a highly reduced ophiopluteus. Comparisons between O. venosa and other ophiuroid species whose development has been investigated suggest that, whatever the developmental mode (lecithotrophic or planktotrophic), a pluteus stage always occurs in ophiuroids with planktonic development. Two metamorphic stages were identified, the late metamorphic larva differing from the early one by the closure of the larval mouth. The appearance of the permanent mouth marks the end of the metamorphosis. The postlarva still possesses remnants of larval features. The transformation of the reduced ophiopluteus into a barrel-shaped metamorphic larva with transverse ciliated bands, a vitellaria larva, is followed. The possible occurrence of a unique type of metamorphic larva in non-brooding ophiuroids is discussed. Verification of this, however, needs further SEM investigations on metamorphic larva from species having “regular” planktotrophic development.     

Evolution of direct-developing larvae: selection vs loss

Observations of a sea urchin larvae show that most species adopt one of two life history strategies. One strategy is to make numerous small eggs, which develop into a larva with a required feeding period in the water column before metamorphosis. In contrast, the second strategy is to make fewer large eggs with a larva that does not feed, which reduces the time to metamorphosis and thus the time spent in the water column. The larvae associated with each strategy have distinct morphologies and developmental processes that reflect their feeding requirements, so that those that feed exhibit indirect development with a complex larva, and those that do not feed form a morphologically simplified larva and exhibit direct development. Phylogenetic studies show that, in sea urchins, a feeding larva, the pluteus, is the ancestral form and the morphologically simplified direct-developing larva is derived. The current hypothesis for evolution of the direct-developing larval form in sea urchins suggests that major developmental changes occur by neutral loss of larval features after the crucial transition to a nonfeeding life history strategy. We present evidence from Clypeaster rosaceus, a sea urchin with a life history intermediate to the two strategies, which indicates that major developmental changes for accelerated development have been selected for in a larva that can still feed and maintains an outward, pluteus morphology. We suggest that transformation of larval form has resulted from strong selection on early initiation and acceleration of adult development.     

INSECTICIDAL AND OXIDATIVE EFFECTS OF AZADIRACHTIN ON THE MODEL ORGANISM Galleria mellonella L. (LEPIDOPTERA: PYRALIDAE)

The insecticidal effects, specifically, changes in hemolymph total protein and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, and antioxidant enzyme activities of azadirachtin (AZA) given to the wax moth, Galleria mellonella L. (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) larvae via force feeding were investigated. Bioassays showed that the LD₅₀ and LD₉₉ (lethal dose) values of AZA were 2.1 and 4.6 μg/larva, respectively. Experimental analyses were performed with five doses of AZA (0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, and 3 μg/larva). Total protein level in larval hemolymph increased at all AZA doses at 24 h whereas a considerable decrease was observed at 2 and 3 μg/larva doses, and only an increase displayed at 1.5 μg/larva at 72 h. The level of MDA increased at 2 and 3 μg/larva doses at 24 h compared with controls. This trend was also observed at 1.5, 2, and 3 μg/larva doses at 72 h and MDA levels were lower when compared with those of 24 h at all doses except for 1.5 μg/larva dose. Catalase activity decreased at 1, 1.5, and 2 μg/larva doses at 24 h whereas increased at all doses except for 0.5 μg/larva at 72 h compared with controls. AZA led to a decline in superoxide dismutase activity at all experimental doses at 24 and 72 h except for 3 μg/larva doses at 72 h. An increase in glutathione‐S‐transferase (GST) activity was evident at all AZA doses at 24 h. AZA displayed 68% decline in GST activity at 72 h post treatments when compared to 24 h. Consequently, We infer that the toxicity of AZA extends beyond its known actions in molting processes to redox homeostasis.     

黑眶蟾蜍幼蛙适应生境的探讨

报道人为设置6种不同生境对黑框蟾蜍（Bufo melanostictus Schneider)幼蛙存活时间的影响研究。结果表明：水深超过体长或干燥环境对都幼蛙不利,存活时间短。水深低于幼蛙体长并设有陆地或保持环境泥沙湿润为适宜的生境。在适应生境条件下,幼蛙平均存活674．86h,最长达35d。     

The forkhead gene FH1 is involved in evolutionary modification of the ascidian tadpole larva.

The forkhead gene FH1 encodes a HNF-3beta protein required for gastrulation and development of chordate features in the ascidian tadpole larva. Although most ascidian species develop via a tadpole larva, the conventional larva has regressed into an anural (tailless) larva in some species. Molgula oculata (the tailed species) exhibits a tadpole larva with chordate features (a dorsal neural sensory organ or otolith, a notochord, striated muscle cells, and a tail), whereas its sister species Molgula occulta (the tailless species) has evolved an anural larva, which has lost these features. Here we examine the role of FH1 in modifying the larval body plan in the tailless species. We also examine FH1 function in tailless speciesxtailed species hybrids, in which the otolith, notochord, and tail are restored. The FH1 gene is expressed primarily in the presumptive endoderm and notochord cells during gastrulation, neurulation, and larval axis formation in both species and hybrids. In the tailless species, FH1 expression is down-regulated after neurulation in concert with arrested otolith, notochord, and tail development. The FH1 expression pattern characteristic of the tailed species is restored in hybrid embryos prior to the development of chordate larval features. Antisense oligodeoxynucleotides (ODNs) shown previously to disrupt FH1 function were used to compare the developmental roles of this gene in both species and hybrids. As described previously, antisense FH1 ODNs inhibited endoderm invagination during gastrulation, notochord extension, and larval tail formation in the tailed species. Antisense FH1 ODNs also affected gastrulation in the tailless species, although the effects were less severe than in the tailed species, and an anural larva was formed. In hybrid embryos, antisense FH1 ODNs blocked restoration of the otolith, notochord, and tail, reverting the larva back to the anural state. The results suggest that changes in FH1 expression are involved in re-organizing the tadpole larva during the evolution of anural development.     

Chemical cues from Spodoptera litura larvae elicit prey-locating behavior by the predatory stink bug, Eocanthecona furcellata

Two chemical compounds eliciting prey-locating behavior of the predatory stink bug, Eocanthecona furcellata, were isolated from solvent extracts of Spodoptera litura larvae and identified. A hexane eluted fraction from silica gel chromatography of the solvent extracts of S. litura larvae was attractive to E. furcellata nymphs when assayed with a linear track olfactometer. The hexane fraction was found to contain n-pentadecane (2500 ng/larva), n-tetracosane (54 ng/larva), n-heptadecane (41 ng/larva), n-heptacosane (61 ng/larva), n-nonacosane (147 ng/larva), n-hentriacontane (200 ng/larva) and squalene (323 ng/larva). The synthetic n-pentadecane was attractive to the bugs, although its activity was slightly lower than that of the hexane fraction. A mixture of synthetic n-pentadecane and the other six hydrocarbons was also attractive, although no improved attractiveness was observed by the addition of the latter compounds. On the other hand, a 15%-ether-in- hexane eluted fraction from silica gel chromatography stimulated bugs to display a proboscis-protruding behavior. A neutral-layer fraction of the 15% fraction, which contained E-phytol (480 ng/larva), also elicited this behavior. Synthetic E-phytol had the same effect on the predators as the neutral-layer fraction.     

黑眶蟾蜍幼蛙适宜生境的探讨

报道人为设置6种不同生境对黑眶蟾蜍(Bufo melanostictus Schneider)幼蛙存活时间的影响研究。结果表明水深超过体长或干燥环境都对幼蛙不利,存活时间短。水深低于幼蛙体长并设有陆地或保持环境泥沙湿润为适宜的生境。在适宜生境条件下,幼蛙平均存活674.86h,最长达35d。     

转Bt基因抗虫棉对亚洲玉米螟抗性的研究

对转Bt抗虫棉苏抗103与GK—22对玉米螟抗性的研究结果显示：(1)用苏抗103嫩叶、簧,花、蕾饲曩第三代玉米螟幼虫,最终幼虫校正死亡率分别达100％、95．83％、83．33％与100％。校正化蛹下降率分别达100％、92．31％、50．07％与100％,校正幼虫成蛾减退率分别达100％、90．92％、0％与100％。(2)人工饲料中加入5个不同浓度苏抗103嫩叶饲喂第二代幼虫,除0．4％浓度,幼虫校正死亡率与成蛹下降率均为100％,0．4％浓度的幼虫期延长20．68％,蛹重下降18．24％,蛹期延长19．79％。(3)人工饲料中加入5个浓度的苏抗103或GK22嫩叶分别饲喂第三代幼虫,苏抗103上幼虫校正死亡率较第二代有所下降,分别为3．04％、-16．68％、28．2％、33．33和75％。GK22上幼虫校正死亡率分别为3．13％、26．89％、45．69％、70．816％和68．09％。其幼虫校正死亡率及幼虫期、蛹期、成虫校正减退率均有随浓度增加而上升的趋势。较亲本棚,对蛹重、雌成虫寿命、单雌产卵量、卵孵化率也有一定程度的影响。上述研究结果表明,苏抗103与GK22影响棉田玉米螟幼虫与蛹的存活与生命力,进而影响其成虫繁殖力而表现出良好抗性。     

小菜蛾幼虫对不同寄主的取食嗜好性及其适宜性

对不同寄主种类、不同寄主形态和不同寄主饲喂的小菜蛾(Plutella xylostella)幼虫之间的取食嗜好性比较试验表明,小菜蛾幼虫优先取食大白菜、萝卜或菜心幼苗,其次为油菜和甘蓝幼苗,在大白菜与油菜幼苗之间的取食选择比例是93.33%和6.67％;在甘蓝与菜心幼苗之间的取食选择比例是16.67%和83.33%.小菜蛾幼虫的取食嗜好性受饲喂寄主种类的影响,偏食大白菜或菜心幼苗.小菜蛾幼虫选择寄主取食的次序与寄主体内可溶性糖或淀粉含量没有明显关系,但与两者的相对量呈一定的负相关.取食大白菜或菜心幼苗的小菜蛾生长良好,单头取食达0.583～0.637 cm², 单头体重达2.07～2.18 mg, 与取食甘蓝或油菜幼苗的幼虫在取食量、个体发育方面有明显差异.小菜蛾幼虫也喜好取食已经被虫危害过的幼苗.     

微量元素对虫草蝠蛾幼虫生长发育的影响

按月采样,分析测定虫草蝠蛾幼虫体微量元素的组成。应用Q模式系统聚类方法,分析了幼虫受环境影响引起的元素代谢变化。结果表明虫体所含元素与环境温度的变化及自身的生理活动密切相关。5、10月份幼虫组的元素含量相近,前者正当幼虫结束休眠后恢复活动的时期,后者是幼虫处于准备进入越冬的前期,两组幼虫此时均处于取食高峰期。3、4月份组的亦较接近,幼虫正渐恢复活动但不取食。8月份幼虫蜕皮前后,消耗较大,需摄取大量食物。计算结果表明7、9月份的元素含量接近,这与上述现象有一定联系;应用对应因子分析法得到的结果是:元素Fe、P对10、11月份幼虫组的贡献值显著;Na、Ca、Mg对8、9月份的贡献值显著;Cu、Zn、Co、Cd、Si对4、5月份的贡献值显著。     

Hatching and earliest larval stages of the priapulid worm Priapulus caudatus

Abstract. Here we describe the hatching and morphology of the earliest larval stages of the priapulid worm Priapulus caudatus for the first time. The hatching larva differs considerably from previously described larvae not only in its general body shape but also in its lack of a proper lorica including the typical lorica tubuli. Furthermore, no mouth opening or pharyngeal teeth have formed as yet, and the number and arrangement of scalids differ from that of later larvae. The hatching larva molts and emerges as the first lorica larva. This larva partially resembles earlier described lorica larvae, but there are a number of important differences; the first lorica larva is smaller, and the mouth opening as well as pharyngeal teeth are still yet to form. The second lorica larva is equipped with four rings of pharyngeal teeth; it shows striking similarity to the previously described larva of P. caudatus , i.e., the larva-type 2 , only differing in the scalid pattern. We conclude that the first two larval stages of P. caudatus have not been described previously. We suggest that discrepancies between the earliest lorica larvae described here and in earlier publications might depend on sub-speciation or ecophenotypic modification of larvae collected from different localities. Our findings highlight the importance of studying the development of non-model organisms such as priapulids under controlled laboratory conditions.     

SDF-9, a protein tyrosine phosphatase-like molecule,regulates the L3/dauer developmental decision through hormonal signaling in C. elegans

The dauer larva of the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans is a good model system for investigating the regulation of developmental fates by environmental cues. Here we show that SDF-9, a protein tyrosine phosphatase-like molecule, is involved in the regulation of dauer larva formation. The dauer larva of sdf-9 mutants is different from a normal dauer larva but resembles the dauer-like larva of daf-9 and daf-12 dauer-constitutive mutants. Like these mutants, the dauer-constitutive phenotypes of sdf-9 mutants were greatly enhanced by cholesterol deprivation. Epistasis analyses, together with the relationship between sdf-9 mutations and daf-9 expression, suggested that SDF-9 increases the activity of DAF-9 or helps the execution of the DAF-9 function. SDF-9 was expressed in two head cells in which DAF-9 is expressed. By their position and by genetic mosaic experiments, we identified these cells as XXXL/R cells, which are known as embryonic hypodermal cells and whose function at later stages is unknown. Killing of the sdf-9-expressing cells in the wild-type first-stage larva induced formation of the dauer-like larva. Since this study on SDF-9 and former studies on DAF-9 showed that the functions of these proteins are related to those of steroids, XXXL/R cells seem to play a key role in the metabolism or function of a steroid hormone(s) that acts in dauer regulation.     

瓦氏黄颡鱼的胚后发育观察

2002年5~6月,在四川省泸州市、合江县分数批收集到长江野生瓦氏黄颡鱼(Pelteobagrusvachelli)亲本,通过人工催产、人工授精获得受精卵,对其胚后发育过程进行了观察。瓦氏黄颡鱼的胚后发育过程可以分为卵黄囊仔鱼、晚期仔鱼和幼鱼3个阶段。初孵仔鱼淡黄色,肌节40对,平均全长5.2mm。水温20~22℃时,孵出后第3d口张开;第7d开始摄食;第9d卵黄吸尽,此时鱼苗平均全长12mm,卵黄囊仔鱼阶段结束。晚期仔鱼阶段的仔鱼,胸鳍、尾鳍、臀鳍、背鳍、腹鳍先后发育,至鳍褶消失时晚期仔鱼阶段结束。经过30d的生长和发育,进入幼鱼阶段;此时平均全长达37mm,其形态特征和生态习性均与成鱼相似。     

A late-stage phyllosoma larva of the spiny lobster Panulirus echinatus Smith, 1869 (Crustacea: Palinuridae) identified by DNA analysis

A late-stage phyllosoma larva of the genus Panulirus was caughtin the central Atlantic in October 2000. Nucleotide sequenceanalysis of mitochondrial 16S rDNA identified this larva asPanulirus echinatus, which has been undescribed to date. Morphologicalexamination indicated that this eighth stage larva belongedto phyllosoma species group 2, distinguishable from the otherAtlantic species of the genus but closely related to an Indo-Pacificspecies, P. penicillatus, which is in accordance with the resultsof a molecular phylogenetic analysis.     

Magnesium inositol hexaphosphate deposits in mesozoan dispersal larvae

The two apical cells of the mesozoan dispersal larva, a 28 cell organism, are filled with a dense refractile material that accounts for up to half the weight of the larva. This material has been shown to consist of a single compound and has been identified as the highly hydrated magnesium salt of inositol hexaphosphate; its abundance reflects an extreme degree of specialization in the apical cells and the fact that the dominant activity of the developing larva must be the synthesis of this compound.     

Influence of insect larvae and seedling roots on the host-finding ability of Steinernema feltiae (Nematoda: Steinernematidae)

The ability of nematode foragers to locate appropriate insect hosts is essential to their performance as successful biological control agents. We investigated the host-finding ability and chemotaxis of Steinernema feltiae in the presence of cues from Galleria mellonella larvae and tomato and radish seedling roots, given individually and in combination, over 120 min. In agar arena tests, infective juveniles of S. feltiae responded positively to unsterilized and sterilized larvae and tomato seedling roots and negatively to unsterilized radish seedling roots. This negative response changed following surface sterilization of these seeds. The response of the infective juveniles to a combination of larva and seedling roots depended on the nature of the individual cues and their proximity to each other. For example, the response of the nematodes to a combination of cues from a sterilized larva and an unsterilized tomato seedling root placed adjacent to each other was intermediate to the separate responses to cues from a sterilized larva and an unsterilized tomato seedling root given individually. However, the response of the nematodes to a combination of adjacent cues from a sterilized larva and an unsterilized radish seedling root was not significantly different from that to cues from an unsterilized radish seedling root given individually. When the cues from the larva and seedling roots were separated by a distance, the response of the nematodes favored the larva. However, this positive effect was lessened when the larva was surface sterilized as compared with the response to the unsterilized larva. The altered responses of the infective juveniles to target cues following surface sterilization suggest that cues from the larval cuticle and seedling roots, such as those associated with their surface microflora, may significantly influence their host-finding ability. The use of entomopathogenic nematodes as biological control agents under field applications can be improved by careful consideration of the application protocols and by the recognition that chemical alterations of the soil rhizosphere may influence their host-finding ability.     

人工授精平角涡虫早期胚胎和幼虫的扫描电镜观察

为探明平角涡虫(Planocera reticulata)胚胎发育规律,采用人工授精方法,获得不同发育阶段的无卵外胶膜胚胎,并运用扫描电镜技术,观察了受精卵早期胚胎发育和幼虫发育.结果表明,从第3次卵裂开始表现出螺旋式卵裂的特征.在囊胚时期和原肠时期在动物极顶端有几个卵裂球向内下陷形成一凹陷.浮游幼虫期的幼虫利用体表纤...     

稻瘿蚊发生动态与药剂防治试验

稻瘿蚊在福建连城一年发生7人芭幼虫在再生稻、落谷苗和李氏禾上越冬。越冬幼虫于3月中旬复苏。初孵幼虫借助叶面露湿向心叶或叶鞘缝隙蠕行潜入。幼虫发育与葱管形成同步,并受取食腑芽位的影响。分蘖盛期稻株主茎上幼虫发育较分蘖上快1—3个虫龄;黄熟期腑芽位越高幼虫发育越慢,历期相差2-3个虫龄,这是稻瘿蚊世代重叠的主要原因。药剂以10%益舒宝防治效果最好,次为3%呋喃丹,防治最适时期为幼虫盛孵始期。     

大蜂螨对一些气味物质的趋性

狄斯瓦螨Varroa destructor Anderson & Trueman是意大利蜜蜂Apis mellifera Spinola的主要外寄生螨。雌成螨在幼虫巢房封盖前不久侵入幼虫巢房,并开始繁殖为害。从雌成螨在一个很短的时间内进入蜜蜂幼虫巢房,以及雄蜂幼虫巢房蜂螨的寄生率明显高于工蜂幼虫巢房的现象,表明蜜蜂幼虫体表一些信息素(semiochemicals)可能起着重要的引诱作用。作者对与大蜂螨相关的19种气味物质进行筛选,并对封盖前工蜂幼虫和雄蜂幼虫表皮挥发物进行气谱及气-质联谱测定。结果表明:雄蜂6龄幼虫对大蜂螨的引诱作用显著高于丁香水等10种气味物质。工蜂和雄蜂末龄幼虫体表挥发物的共有组份是9-二十三烯(C23H46),但它在雄蜂幼虫中所占的比例要明显高于工蜂幼虫。工蜂幼虫的特有主要组分是十八烷(C18H38)和9-甲基十九烷(C19H40);而雄蜂幼虫的特有主要组分是二十五烷(C25H52)和二十三烷(C23H48)。