Population dynamics of Haemonchus contortus and Trichostrongylus spp. in sheep

Twenty-five lambs grazing a parasite-contaminated pasture were divided into four groups. One group of seven lambs were left untreated and three groups of six lambs each were treated with levamisole at 2 week, 3 week or 1 month intervals respectively. Body weights, fecal egg counts and packed cell volumes were determined every 2 weeks for 8 weeks. Lambs were then necropsied on the day they would have received another treatment, thus the maximum accumulation of parasites at each treatment frequency was measured. Treatment at 2 and 3 week intervals markedly suppressed fecal egg counts, but egg counts of sheep treated every month rose between treatments and untreated animals continually shed eggs. Treatment at all three frequencies provided only slight protection from blood loss, but it lessened weight loss. There was little difference between treatment groups in burdens of adult H. contortus, but burdens of T. axei and T. colubriformis and arrested larvae of H. contortus increased with decreasing frequency of treatment. The results support the findings of other workers that Trichostrongylus spp. have a long adult life span and continue to accumulate with time, whereas H. contortus may have a short adult life span and a rapid population turnover. In the face of constant reinfection, repeated anthelmintic treatment gives more protection from the effects of the long-lived parasites than from those with a rapid population turnover.     

The Compatibility of Control Agents used for the Control of the South American Leafminer, Liriomyza huidobrensis

The compatibility of infective juveniles (IJs) of the entomopathogenic nematode, Steinernema feltiae, the parasitic wasps Diglyphus isaea and Dacnusa sibirica, and chemical insecticides to control larval stages of the South American leafminer, Liriomyza huidobrensis, on leafy salad crops was investigated. In intact leaf mines, leafminer larvae already parasitized by D. isaea which had developed to the larval or pupal stage, and D. sibirica in the larval stage were subsequently also infected by S. feltiae following a foliar application. This reduced the potential of the wasps to survive until the adult stage. In similar tests foliar applied chemical insecticides reduced the survival to adulthood of D. sibirica and their host larvae. However, a soil drench of imidaclorpid did not cause a significant reduction in the number of D. sibirica which survived the treatment and developed to adult emergence. Tests to investigate the utilisation of parasitoids following foliar applications of nematodes found that adult D. isaea did not discriminate between the healthy and nematode-infected leafminer larvae for host feeding, although 98% of eggs laid by the female wasps were deposited alongside healthy larvae.     

Relationship between worm burden and male proportion in Schistosoma mansoni experimentally infected rodents and primates. A meta-analytical approach.

This paper investigates the relationship between the worm burden and the male proportion of adult Schistosoma mansoni. This relationship was tested using data from the literature on S. mansoni experimentally infected rodents and primates. The analyses were performed within each animal model (rat, mouse, hamster and monkey) and showed positive linear relationships between worm burden and male proportion. An analysis between the four animal models showed the same positive linear relationship. The role of the genetic diversity of male and female schistosomes in this relationship is discussed.     

Enzymes in Schistosoma intercalatum and the relative status of the Lower Guinea and Zaire strains of the parasite

Seven enzyme systems [phosphoglucomutases (PGM), glucose phosphate isomerases (GPI), glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenases (G6PD), malate dehydrogenases (MDH), laetate dehydrogenases (LDH), acid phosphatases (AcP) and hexokinases] in extracts of adult worms from two isolates of Schistosoma intercalatum, one from Zaire and one from Cameroun, were compared by isoelectric focusing. Two systems (GPI and PGM) were also compared in extracts of cercariae. Distinctive differences between the strains were found in the LDH system and even more marked differences in the G6PD and PGM systems (the latter were apparent in both adult worm and cercarial extracts). These observations are discussed in conjunction with existing evidence on the results of intermediate host infection experiments and of experimental hybridization between the two strains of S. intercalatum. In turn these aspects are discussed in the light of what is known about other species of African Schistosoma. It is concluded that any definite decision on the relative status of the two strains of S. intercalatum is still premature.     

中华鬣羚行为谱及PAE编码系统的建立

栖息地破碎化、人为干扰等因素影响着中华鬣羚(Capricornis sumatraensis)的生存。目前, 中华鬣羚的行为研究还比较匮乏, 因此有必要构建中华鬣羚的行为谱及PAE (posture-act-environment)编码系统, 以期促进其基础行为资料的完善, 为深入开展科学研究和保护工作奠定基础。本文旨在: (1)参照国内常用的动物行为编码方法, 以“姿势-动作-环境”为轴心, 建立中华鬣羚的行为谱及PAE编码系统, 并随机抽取20%的中华鬣羚视频作为检测样本, 对行为谱的实际使用效果进行测试。(2)对中华鬣羚的行为数据进行统计并通过计算行为多样性指数, 分析各特定年龄组间的行为多样性差异, 检验特定年龄组与行为多样性指数间的相关性。结果显示: (1)通过区别和归类中华鬣羚的10种姿势、80种动作、9种环境、78种行为, 首次建立了中华鬣羚的行为谱及PAE编码系统。经测试, 该行为谱能够客观地对中华鬣羚行为进行识别和归类。(2)与亚成体和幼体相比, 中华鬣羚成体特定行为类型的行为多样性指数(A_variable)、绝对行为多样性指数(A)、相对行为多样性指数(r)和校正行为多样性指数(r-variable)均为最高; 中华鬣羚亚成体特定行为类型的行为多样性指数(A_variable)、绝对行为多样性指数(A)、相对行为多样性指数(r)介于成体和幼体之间; 中华鬣羚幼体的特定行为类型的行为多样性指数(A_variable)、绝对行为多样性指数(A)和相对行为多样性指数(r)最低, 校正行为多样性指数(r-variable)高于亚成体。(3)中华鬣羚行为谱可用于其行为学研究, 今后应获取繁殖行为的图像数据, 更新行为谱及PAE编码系统。(4) 3个特定年龄组中华鬣羚的各行为多样性指数之间差异不显著(F = 0.013, P = 0.987), 从幼体到成体, 中华鬣羚的特定行为类型的行为多样性指数(A_variable)、绝对行为多样性指数(A)和相对行为多样性指数(r)随年龄的增大呈递增趋势。综上所述, 我们应深入研究中华鬣羚行为学, 为其保护工作提供科学支撑。     

Tegument and apical end organ fine structure in the metacestode and adult Proteocephalus ambloplitis

The tegument of plerocercoid and adult P. ambloplitis was examined. Differences in tegument structure existed between these two stages. Plerocercoids of P. ambloplitis lacked extensive vacuolization and unicellular gland cells characteristic of adult tegument. Plerocercoid microtriches were short and conoid; adult microtriches were lenticular with an extended, whip-like shaft. An inclusion, not previously reported from proteocephalid cestodes, is described. Adult tegument had ducts, originating from underlying unicellular glands, extending through the distal cytoplasm and opening to the exterior between microtriches.

The apical end organ cavity of P. ambloplitis contained numerous labyrinth-like spherical bodies. These structures appeared to be synthesized and secreted into the end organ by a thin cellular lining of the end organ. This lining was composed of discrete, filamentous cells believed to be modified subtegumental cell bodies. Spherical structures identical to those observed within the end organ cavity occurred within this cellular lining. The spherical bodies may be associated with enzymes necessary for tissue migration by the metacestode.     

Arid-adapted Mexican leafhopper, Barela parvisaccata (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae), unsuitable for biocontrol of Lantana camara (Verbenaceae) in South Africa

A host specificity study conducted in South Africa between 2000 and 2004 showed that the leafhopper, Barela parvisaccata Young, performed as well on some of the indigenous Lippia spp. as on the target weed Lantana camara L. During adult no-choice tests, B. parvisaccata reproduced on eight species of the two closely related genera, Lantana and Lippia. Although B. parvisaccata has a restricted host range, its reproductive performance on the indigenous Lippia scaberrima Sond. during the adult multiple-choice tests was unacceptably high. It was therefore concluded that B. parvisaccata was not sufficiently host-specific to be released against L. camarara in Africa.     

樟叶蜂两性生殖与孤雌生殖方式下雌虫生殖适合度及子代生活史特征的比较

【目的】樟叶蜂Mesoneura rufonota是危害樟树Cinnamonum campora的重要食叶性害虫,该虫的繁殖策略包括两性生殖和孤雌生殖两种模式。本研究旨在明确孤雌生殖在樟叶蜂生活史中的生物学意义。【方法】在室内25℃恒温条件下,测定并分析了樟叶蜂孤雌生殖和两性生殖两种生殖方式在亲代生殖适合度(雌虫寿命、产卵量和卵孵化率)和子代生活史(各虫态发育历期、死亡率、子代性比和产卵量等)特征上的差异。【结果】孤雌生殖的樟叶蜂雌虫寿命显著长于两性生殖的雌虫寿命,而雌虫产卵量和卵孵化率在两种生殖方式间均无差异。子代各虫态的发育历期和死亡率以及子代单雌产卵量在两种生殖方式间均无差异,但子代成虫性比在两种生殖方式间存在显著差异,表现为孤雌生殖大多产雄性子代,而两性生殖大多产雌性子代。【结论】樟叶蜂的孤雌生殖延长了亲代雌虫的寿命,且为产雄孤雌生殖。这些研究结果表明,樟叶蜂的孤雌生殖不但具有自身建群的能力,同时在种群繁衍中可以提供大量的雄虫以弥补两性生殖后代雄性个体的不足。     

The effects of x-radiation on Taenia pisiformis.

Following the exposure of eggs of T. pisiformis to X-radiation at doses of 10,000, 20,000 and 30,000 rads, hatching and activation in vitro were unaffected. Growth of larvae both in vitro and in vivo was reduced and many irradiated larvae were overcome by the host inflammatory reaction during intra-hepatic development. A negative correlation was established between the log₁₀ number of cysticerci in the abdominal cavities of rabbits 42 days after infection and the radiation dose. Significant abnormalities were induced in the morphology of rostellar hooks of cysticerci following irradiation of eggs although adult cestodes which developed from cysticerci derived from irradiated eggs were normal. Cysticerci exposed to 5000 and 10,000 rads of X-radiation developed to adult worms when fed to dogs but abnormalities were found, principally in the testes, ovaries and vitellaria; segmentation and the genital ducts were affected to a lesser extent.     

雄性麋鹿胆量和侵犯耦合与等级序位变化的关系

发情期的雄性麋鹿根据序位分为群主、挑战者和单身汉3个等级,序位变化是雄性麋鹿应对环境压力的直 观体现。本文利用胆量和侵犯2个行为指标在麋鹿生活史不同阶段的耦合强弱,来解释幼体时麋鹿序位发育、亚 成体时雄性序位定型及发情期时挑战者对群体序位的扰动。行为取样采用焦点取样法和扫描取样法相结合;分 析个体间行为样本流的非同步化水平,以同类型行为中较早发生、同步化率较低的判断为胆大;侵犯则结合攻 击行为和取胜指数来判定;粪样睾酮水平测定采用放射免疫分析法。结果显示雄性麋鹿幼体胆量和侵犯耦合与 等级序位呈负相关(r=-0.111 8,P=0.018 3);成体胆量和侵犯耦合与等级序位的波动呈正相关(r=0.917 9,P= 0.002 6)。从亚成体到成体:4头雄性麋鹿序位上升(胆量和侵犯耦合r=0.852 3,P=0.000 3),其中1头成为鹿 王;4头序位未发生改变(胆量和侵犯耦合r=0.482 9,P=0.006 3);3头序位下降(胆量和侵犯耦合r=0.251 7, P=0.003 5)。雄性麋鹿幼体睾酮水平与等级序位呈正相关(r=0.860 7,P=0.005 5);亚成体睾酮水平与等级序 位呈正相关(r=0.845 7,P=0.004 4);成体睾酮水平与等级序位呈正相关(r=0.954 6,P=0.001 8)。结果表明雄 性麋鹿发情期胆量和侵犯耦合强度与等级序位波动呈正相关;等级序位上升与睾酮水平升高有关。     

The effect of single and concomitant pathogen infections on condition and fecundity of the wild rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus)

We assessed the effect of two pathogens (myxoma virus and Eimeria stiedae) and five macroparasites (gastrointestinal helminth species) of the wild rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) upon total host body mass and abdominal fat level. Additionally, we assessed the effects of these organisms on the number of foetuses in adult females during the peak breeding period. Both mass of abdominal fat and total body mass of the rabbit were negatively associated with myxoma virus infection and increasing helminth species richness. Total body mass was also negatively associated with the protozoan parasite E. steidae. No relationship was found between any of the parasites/pathogens and the number of foetuses in adult females, although only relatively small sample sizes were available for this section of the analysis. Increasing host body mass was positively associated with number of foetuses and we propose that mass reduction caused by the pathogen and parasite species could also have the consequence of reducing foetal number.     

Characterization of hemocytes from the mosquitoes Anopheles gambiae and Aedes aegypti

Hemocytes are an essential component of the mosquito immune system but current knowledge of the types of hemocytes mosquitoes produce, their relative abundance, and their functions is limited. Addressing these issues requires improved methods for collecting and maintaining mosquito hemocytes in vitro, and comparative data that address whether important vector species produce similar or different hemocyte types. Toward this end, we conducted a comparative study with Anopheles gambiae and Aedes aegypti. Collection method greatly affected the number of hemocytes and contaminants obtained from adult females of each species. Using a collection method called high injection/recovery, we concluded that hemolymph from An. gambiae and Ae. aegypti adult females contains three hemocyte types (granulocytes, oenocytoids and prohemocytes) that were distinguished from one another by a combination of morphological and functional markers. Significantly more hemocytes were recovered from An. gambiae females than Ae. aegypti. However, granulocytes were the most abundant cell type in both species while oenocytoids and prohemocytes comprised less than 10% of the total hemocyte population. The same hemocyte types were collected from larvae, pupae and adult males albeit the absolute number and proportion of each hemocyte type differed from adult females. The number of hemocytes recovered from sugar fed females declined with age but blood feeding transiently increased hemocyte abundance. Two antibodies tested as potential hemocyte markers (anti-PP06 and anti-Dox-A2) also exhibited alterations in staining patterns following immune challenge with the bacterium Escherichia coli.     

Humoral and cellular responses to homologous extracts of Nematospiroides dubius and Nippostrongylus brasiliensis

and 1986. Humoral and cellular responses to homologous extracts of Nematospiroides dubius and Nippostrongylus brosiliensis. International Journal for Parasitology 16: 601–606. Humoral and cellular responses to homologous parasite extracts were studied in C57BL mice infected with Nematospiroides dubius or Nippostrongylus brasiliensis, to determine whether these parasites induced specific immunosuppression which might facilitate their survival. IgG and IgM titres to adult, excretory-secretory, larval and egg antigens from N. dubius and adult antigen from N. brasiliensis increased progressively for several weeks, irrespective of parasite rejection. Delayed-type hypersensitivity responses to the same antigens peaked after about 2 weeks and then remained constant in N. dubius -infected mice, but declined after the rejection of N. brasiliensis. The specific lymphoproliferative responses of spleen cells to these extracts reached peak values 1–3 weeks after infection and were anti-Thy 1.2-sensitive. They then declined sharply, but remained above the levels seen in uninfected mice. These results should be considered in the interpretation of any investigations into the stable host-parasite relationship which exists during a primary N. dubius infection.     

Predation of Galendromus helveolus (Acari: Phytoseiidae) on Brevipalpus californicus (Acari: Tenuipalpidae)

The false spider mite, Brevipalpus californicus (Banks), is a major citrus pest in Texas. This phytophagous mite causes damage to fruit, leaves and stems of citrus, and is also a vector of citrus leprosis virus. Galendromus helveolus (Chant) is one of the most prevalent predacious mite species found on Texas citrus. The predation potential of G. helveolus on different stages of B. californicus was evaluated in the laboratory. An individual immature G. helveolus mite consumed an average of 30.7 eggs, 53.6 larvae, or 22.7 nymphs of B. californicus before developing to an adult. An individual adult female G. helveolus consumed an average of 164.8 eggs, 369.6 larvae, or 80.9 nymphs of B. californicus. Both immature and adult G. helveolus never fed on adult stage of B. californicus and never completed development. The development times of the immature stages of G. helveolus were 4.5, 4.1 and 4.6 days when fed on eggs, larvae and nymphs of B. californicus, respectively. When G. helveolus fed on the larval stage of B. californicus, the adults had the longest longevity (18.5 days) and the highest fecundity (14.0 eggs/female).     

七星瓢虫成虫对枸杞木虱的捕食作用

为了测定七星瓢虫成虫对枸杞木虱4种虫态的捕食作用,分别在室内测定七星瓢虫的捕食功能反应、种内干扰、自身密度干扰、捕食偏好性以及在田间七星瓢虫对枸杞木虱的捕食效果.结果表明: 七星瓢虫对枸杞木虱的捕食功能反应符合Holling Ⅱ型方程,其中对卵的最大捕食量为112.6粒,对1～2龄若虫、3～5龄若虫、成虫的最大捕食量分别为536、415和113.9头;田间罩笼试验结果证明,七星瓢虫成虫在其生长周期30 d内能使枸杞木虱总虫口密度下降80.1%;七星瓢虫对1～2龄枸杞木虱若虫的搜寻效率参数a=0.9451,处理时间参数T_h=0.001865,整体优于卵、3～5龄若虫与成虫,且在每皿100头的猎物密度下七星瓢虫的最大捕食率能达80.2%,益害比参考值为1∶100.七星瓢虫对枸杞木虱的捕食作用受自身密度的影响显著大于种内干扰.在混合猎物密度为每皿100头下,七星瓢虫更偏好木虱成虫,在密度为每皿300头下,七星瓢虫更偏向于木虱若虫.表明七星瓢虫是很有控制潜力的捕食性天敌,人工释放七星瓢虫成虫可有效取食枸杞木虱初孵若虫,降低木虱为害.     

外来入侵菊方翅网蝽生物学特性及实验种群生命表

为了解近年来入侵我国的菊方翅网蝽的生物学特性,并为该昆虫种群在我国未来发展的趋势及防治提供科学依据,我们在温度(25±2) ℃、湿度(80±5)%、光周期L∶D=14∶10的实验室条件下,饲养、观察并记录了其各龄幼虫的形态特征,测定了该虫生长发育历期、存活率和产卵量等,构建了实验种群繁殖特征生命表,并计算了种群动态的相关参数.结果表明: 菊方翅网蝽的卵期为(14.58±1.17) d,若虫期为(14.88±1.45) d,成虫寿命为(59.88±5.85) d,单雌产卵量为(87.2±17.8)粒.该实验种群的内禀增长率(r_m)为0.05,周限增长率(λ)为1.06,世代平均历期(T)为46.11 d,净繁殖率(R₀)为11.88,种群加倍时间(t)为12.91 d;此外,在种群的稳定年龄组配中,若虫期占59.3%,成虫期占40.7%.预计菊方翅网蝽有可能会在中国进一步扩散并造成潜在的危害.     

Effects of selected insecticides on Diadegma insulare (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae), a parasitoid of Plutella xylostella (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae)

Effects of eight insecticides on Diadegma insulare (Cresson), a parasitoid of the diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella L., were evaluated under the laboratory conditions. The insecticides were three azadirachtin-based products (Ecozin, Agroneem and Neemix), two Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) products (Xentari and Crymax), indoxacarb, spinosad, and λ-cyhalothrin. When D. insulare pupae were treated, none of the insecticide treatments except λ-cyhalothrin significantly reduced adult emergence, with 76-90% adults emerged from the treated pupae. In the λ-cyhalothrin treatment, only 10% D. insulare pupae produced adult wasps. Indoxacarb, spinosad, and λ-cyhalothrin caused 100% D. insulare adult mortality in 24 h in Petri dishes sprayed with insecticides in the contact bioassays, and 95.8, 100 and 95.8% adult mortality in 24 h in the ingestion bioassays, respectively. In contrast, all three azadirachtin-based insecticides and the two Bt-insecticides caused only 0-10.4% mortality of D. insulare adults after ingestion. The surviving D. insulare from ingestion treatments with Bt- and azadirachtin-insecticides parasitized 50.8-67.6% of P. xylostella larvae, respectively, compare to 72.1% for the water control. After ingesting indoxacarb, spinosad and λ-cyhalothrin mixed in honey-water, both the females and the males lived significantly shorter than those ingesting Bt- and azadirachtin-insecticides and the non-insecticide honey-water. Effects of leaf residues of indoxacarb, spinosad and λ-cyhalothrin varied significantly. The leaf residues of spinosad had the least effects on D. insulare adults, and 7- and 10-day-old residue only caused 5.6 and 7.4% mortality in 24 h, whereas 10-day-old leaf residues of indoxacarb and λ-cyhalothrin caused 40.7 and 57.4% mortality in 24 h, respectively.     

梨小食心虫普通气味受体基因GmolOR20的克隆及表达分析

【目的】通过克隆梨小食心虫Grapholita molesta触角中的普通气味受体(odorant receptor, OR)OR20基因,明确其在不同发育期及成虫不同组织中的表达特征,为进一步研究其功能提供理论依据。【方法】根据梨小食心虫雌虫触角转录组数据,利用RT-PCR克隆梨小食心虫OR20基因的完整开放阅读框;采用qRT-PCR检测该基因在不同发育期(卵、1-5龄幼虫、蛹和雌雄成虫)、成虫不同组织(触角、去除触角的头、胸、腹、足、翅)以及不同日龄(1, 3, 5和7日龄)成虫触角中的表达量。【结果】克隆获得梨小食心虫GmolOR20基因cDNA序列(GenBank登录号:MH898864)。该基因完整开放阅读框为1 284 bp,编码427个氨基酸,预测蛋白分子量为49.83 kD,理论等电点为8.57,具有7个跨膜结构域。序列比对和系统进化树结果表明,梨小食心虫GmolOR20与苹果蠹蛾Cydia pomonella CpomOR15和豆荚小卷蛾Cydia nigricana CnigOR15亲缘关系较近,氨基酸序列一致性分别为87%和84%。发育表达模式结果显示,GmolOR20在不同发育时期均有表达,雌雄成虫中的表达量显著高于其他发育期的表达量(P<0.05),但雌、雄虫间的表达量差异不显著。组织表达模式结果表明,GmolOR20主要在成虫触角中高丰度表达,且雌虫触角中的表达量极显著高于雄虫触角中的表达量(P<0.01);GmolOR20在不同日龄成虫的触角中均有表达,且在1和3日龄成虫触角中的表达水平显著高于其他日龄(P<0.05)。【结论】根据GmolOR20基因的表达谱分析结果,推测GmolOR20可能参与梨小食心虫对植物挥发物和性信息素的识别。     

Vitamin E and the Peroxidizability of Erythrocyte Membranes in Neonates

We showed the increased susceptibility of neonatal biomembranes to oxidation by a kinetic analysis using an azo compound as a free-radical initiator and red blood cell (RBC) ghosts as a model membrane. When the RBC ghosts were oxidized, oxygen consumption was suppressed during the induction period in which membrane tocopherol was consumed at a constant rate, while increased oxygen uptake was observed after the tocopherol was exhausted. The total tocopherol content was similar in cord, maternal, and adult RBC ghosts, and there were no differences in the induction period (t/_inh) among the three types of ghosts. While the oxygen uptake rate during the induction period (R_inh) was similar in cord and adult ghosts, the rate in the subsequent phase (R_p) was considerably faster in the cord ghosts. Fatty acid analysis in the membrane lipids showed that the active bisallylic hydrogen (active H) content was greater in cord ghosts than in adult ghosts. The active H content closely correlated with the R_p, but did not with the R_inh. The kinetic chain length (KCL), i.e., the ratio of the rate of propagation to that of initiation, was calculated from R_p and tocopherol consumption rate and KCL values were higher in cord ghosts than in adult ghosts. The faster R_p and the higher KCL of the cord ghosts were attributable to a greater active H content rather than to the tocopherol content.     

Selected body temperatures in the lizard Lacerta vivipara: Variation within and between populations

1. 1.|Selected body temperatures (SBT) of adult male, female and subadult Lacerta vivipara from a Belgian population, were measured monthly in a laboratory thermogradient.

2. 2.|Monthly mean SBTs varied between 29.9 and 34.0°C and differed significantly among months in all three lizard groups, and among lizard groups in 4 out of 6 months.

3. 3.|Evidence for a positive relationship between monthly SBT and air temperature was found in the subadults, but not in the adult lizards.

4. 4.|Monthly mean SBTs measured in this study were consistently higher (mean difference = 2.0°C) than those obtained by Patterson and Davies (1978) in a similar study on Lacerta vivipara from southern England.