On Glycolysis in Trichomonas vaginalis

SYNOPSIS. The mechanism of carbohydrate dissimilation was studied in cell-free extracts prepared from mass cultures of the trichomonads. Evidence for the presence of all the enzymes associated with the Embden-Meyerhof glycolytic scheme was obtained. Several enzyme systems directly associated with the glycolytic pathway were examined. Two of these, alcohol dehydrogenase and phosphorylase, were not demonstrated in the T. vaginalis extract. The absence of phosphorylase in the presence of a very high glycogen concentration in the cell (20.8%) suggests the possibility of an alternate route. A very active TPN-linked "malic enzyme" was also demonstrated, although no functional citric acid cycle is known for this trichomonad. Based on the experimental evidence and collateral data, a functional Embden-Meyerhof system was suggested for T. vaginalis.     

Coccidia of Brazilian Mammals: Eimeria corticulata N. Sp. (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) from the Anteater Tamandua tetradactyla (Xenarthra: Myrmecophagidae) and Eimeria zygodontomyis N. Sp. from the Cane Mouse Zygodontomys lasiurus (Rodentia: Cricetidae)

Feces from a specimen of Tamandua tetradactyla (Linn.) from Portel, Para State, north Brazil, contained two different coccidial oocysts; one identified as Eimeria tamanduae Lainson 1968, and the other as a new species, described here as Eimeria corticulata n. sp. Oocysts of E. corticulata are ellipsoidal, 37.4 × 30.4 (31.2–43.7 × 23.7–35.0) μm, shape index (length/width) 1.2 (1.0–1.5). Oocyst wall 2.5–3.7 μm thick and composed of two layers; an outer thick, brown-yellow one with radial striations, and a thin inner smooth one: no visible micropyle. Oocyst residuum a large globule of about 10.7 × 10.3 μm, usually accompanied by a number of smaller attached globules. Sporocysts ellipsoidal, 21.0 × 11.0 (20.0–22.5 × 10.0–12.5) μm, with a conspicuous Stieda body: shape index 1.9 (1.6–2.2). Sporocyst residuum a small number of scattered granules: sporozoites 18.7 × 5.0 μm, with a large posterior refractile body. Eimeria zygodontomyis n. sp. is described in feces from Zygodontomys lasiurus (Lund) from the Serra dos Carajas, Para. Oocysts ellipsoidal to cylindrical, 16.5 × 12.0 (13.7–18.7 × 11.2–12.3) μm, shape index 1.4 (1.2–1.5). Wall colorless, smooth, single-layered and about 0.6 μm thick: no micropyle. No oocyst residuum, but a polar granule of about 1.8 × 1.0 μm is sometimes present. Sporocysts ellipsoidal, 8.4 × 5.5(7.5–8.7 × 5.0–6.2) μm, shape index 1.5 (1.4–1.7), with a thin colorless wall and a delicate Stieda body. Sporozoites enclose a compact residuum of about 2.5 × 3.7 μm.     

Plankton metabolism and physical forcing in a productive embayment of a large oligotrophic lake: insights from stable oxygen isotopes

1. The metabolic balance of plankton communities, commonly assessed by the photosynthesis‐to‐respiration ratio (P : R), has received much attention recently in connection with allochthonous organic subsidies to lakes, while the role of physical, climate‐related forces has received less attention. 2. Here we evaluated the effects of wind and upwelling events on plankton metabolism and the potential of stable oxygen isotopes to characterise P, R and P : R on the scales necessary to characterise properly physical forcing effects in large lakes. 3. We measured the ¹⁸O/¹⁶O ratio of dissolved oxygen and water in a large productive embayment of Lake Ontario (Hamilton Harbour, Canada) and estimated P, R and P : R from the steady state solutions of a widely accepted mass balance model, together with estimates of wind‐driven gas exchange, and compared the results with those from experimental incubations of plankton samples. 4. Estimates of P, but not R, from the isotope model were significantly correlated with bottle estimates while average P : R was similar by both methods. Closer examination of physical forcing events led to a model of how wind events induce mixing, upwelling, exchange and consequent changes in P and R. These physical forcing events were captured more by the isotope model than by the bottle estimates, as episodes of immediately increased R and decreased P : R, with a subsequent stimulation of P. 5. The oxygen isotope approach provided valuable measures of plankton metabolism and helped to characterise more effectively the substantial effects on P : R of physical forcing and, in particular, mixing and exchange events.     

Development of Amblyospora campbelli (Microsporida: Amblyosporidae) in the Mosquito Culiseta incidens (Thomson)

The complete life cycle of Amblyospora campbelli (Kellen and Wills, 1962) (Microsporida: Amblyosporidae) requires a two-host system involving the mosquito host, Culiseta incidens (Thomson), and an obligatory intermediate copepod host. The parasite has dimorphic spore development producing meiospores (haploid condition) and binucleated spores (diploid condition), either as an exclusive infection or simultaneously (within females only). This is the 1st known report of concurrent spore development within an adult mosquito host, and, therefore, shows the Amblyospora campbelli system to be uniquely different from other Amblyospora spp. cycles previously described. The significance of dimorphic spore development is discussed. In females, diplokaryotic meronts may invade oenocytes, causing a benign-type of infection. A blood-meal is required to initiate sporulation of the binucleate spore. The binucleate spore contains the sporoplasm involved in transovarial transmission. A 2nd sporulation sequence, primarily in adipose tissue, may involve both males and females. In this sequence, repeated merogonic division greatly increased the density of diplokaryotic meronts and generally involved most of the body of the host. Production of meiospores, unlike that for the binucleate spore, appeared to be spontaneous (i.e. no obligatory blood meal). Survivorship of male and female larval mosquitoes was nearly equal. Adult females spread the parasite in three ways: transovarial, transovum, and by meiospore deposition.     

The Control of Color in Birds

SYNOPSIS. The colors of birds result from deposition of pigments—mainlymelanins and carotenoids—in integumentary structures,chiefly the feathers. The plumages of birds indicate their age,sex, and mode of living, and play important roles in camouflage,mating, and establishment of territories. Since feathers aredead structures, change of color of feathers is effected throughdivestment (molt) and replacement. The color and pattern ofa feather are determined by the interplay of genetic and hormonalinfluences prevailing in its base during regeneration. Mostbirds replace their feathers at least once annually. Some wearthe same kind of basic plumage all the time butothers alternatea basic and breeding plumage, either in one (the male) or bothsexes. Still others may have more than two molts, adding supplementalplumage at certain times in the plumage cycle. The varietiesof patterns of molt, the kinds of plumage, and the colors andpatterns of feathers among birds apparently are the result ofseveral kinds of selection pressures working through evolution.     

Karyotypes in Leucadendron (Proteaceae): evidence of the primitiveness of the genus

Karyotypes of 27 species in Leucadendron are analysed for the first time. New chromosome counts are reported for 15 species, with 2 n  = 26 occurring in all of them. Karyotype analysis indicated that chromosomes of Leucadendron taxa are small in size and have predominantly median to submedian centromeres. The mean sizes of somatic metaphase chromosomes ranged from 1.05 to 2.65 µm. Based on Stebbins' karyotype classification, 1A type was found in L. galpinii , L. muirii , L. orientale , L. platyspermum , L. rubrum , and L. salignum ; 2A type in L. conicum , L. flexuosum , L. laureolum , L. meridianum , L. salicifolium , L. stelligerum , and L. teretifolium ; and 2B type in L. argenteum , L. chamelaea , L. discolor , L. elimense , L. eucalyptifolium , L. floridum , L. gandogeri , L. linifolium , L. loeriense , L. macowanii , L. procerum , L. spissifolium , L. strobilinum , and L. tinctum . These types are the three most symmetrical karyotypes and are considered to be primitive.  © 2006 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2006, 151 , 387–394.     

New microsatellite loci confirm hybrid origin,parthenogenetic inheritance,and mitotic gene conversion in the gynogenetic Amazon molly (Poecilia formosa)

We describe the first microsatellite loci for the gynogenetic Amazon molly, Poecilia formosa, an all‐female species arisen through hybridization of the bisexual species Poecilia mexicana and Poecilia latipinna. The loci showed one to six alleles and an expected heterozygosity between zero and 0.75. As expected with parthenogenetic inheritance, most loci were either constantly homozygous (five loci) or constantly heterozygous (eight loci). For six loci, both heterozygotes and homozygotes occurred. This and the fact that some loci only showed alleles of one of the ancestral species could indicate genome homogenization through mitotic gene conversion. Our new loci conformed to the hybrid origin of Amazon molly and are also applicable to both ancestral bisexual species.     

Induction of Solute Release from Nicotiana tabacum Tissue 10

For determination of the effects of polymyxin B, polymyxin E,or ethylenediamine tetra-acetic acid (EDTA) on plant cell membranes,the rates at which three solutes, K⁺, P₁, and sugar, leakedfrom treated tissue culture cell suspensions of Nicotiana tabacumwere measured. The kinetics of leakage from cells treated witheither of the polymyxins was biphasic, whereas kinetics forcells treated with EDTA was monophasic. Only K⁺ leaked frompolymyxin-treated cells during the first phase, and all threesolutes leaked during the second phase. The slower first phaseis interpreted as leakage of K⁺ from the Donnan free space andcytoplasm, and the faster second phase as the leakage of solutesfrom the vacuole. The monophasic kinetics of EDTA treatmentindicated that solutes were leaking simultaneously from cytoplasmand vacuole. Of the divalent cations tested, only Ca⁺⁺ and Mn⁺⁺counteracted the effects of polymyxin and EDTA. Ca⁺⁺ even restoredP¹ and sugar uptake. Addition of Mg⁺⁺ or Sr⁺⁺ to polymyxin-treatedcells did not stop solute leakage but actually enhanced theleakage rates. A model is presented that suggests that polymyxinor EDTA induces solute leakage by forming pores in plant cellmembranes. The effects of divalent cations on membranes oncethe pores are formed are also discussed. Key words: Polymyxin, EDTA, Nicotiana tabacum, Solute leakage     

Relationships among non-native plants, diversity of plants and butterflies, and adequacy of spatial sampling

Non-native invasive species are altering ecosystems in undesirable ways, often leading to biotic homogenization and rapid reduction of evolutionary potential. However, lack of money and time hampers attempts to monitor the outcome of restoration efforts. Hence, it is useful to determine whether relatively limited sampling can provide valid inferences about biological responses to pattern-based and process-based variables that are affected by restoration actions. In the Mojave Desert, invasion of salt-cedar ( Tamarix ramosissima ) has altered vegetational communities and some measures of faunal diversity. We tested whether six vegetation-based predictor variables affected species richness of butterflies in the Muddy River drainage (Nevada, USA). We also explored whether similar conclusions about relationships between vegetation and butterflies could have been obtained by using data from a subset of the 85 locations included in the study. We found that the effect of non-native plants on species richness of butterflies was negligible. Availability of nectar had the greatest independent explanatory power on species richness of butterflies, followed by species richness of plants. In comparison with the full data set, subsamples including 10, 25 and 50% of sites yielded similar conclusions. Our results suggest that relatively limited data sets may allow us to draw reliable inferences for adaptive management in the context of ecological restoration and rehabilitation.  © 2005 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society , 2005, 85 , 157–166.