Antigens of Subcellular Fractions of Trypanosoma cruzi. III. Humoral immune response and histopathology of immunized mice*

SYNOPSIS. The relation of humoral antibody response to protection was evaluated in mice immunized with whole homogenates of Trypanosoma cruzi or with its flagellar fraction by direct agglutination and indirect fluorescent antibody test as well as by lytic and neutralizing activity against blood trypomastigotes. The results indicated that lytic antibodies were not implicated directly in protection against these trypanosomes. It was evident from histopathologic examination that the higher the degree of protection achieved, the lower the tissue damage observed in the challenged mice. Serum-neutralizing activity was highest in the groups protected most effectively.     

Predation by the tropical plant Utricularia foliosa

1. We examined the prey captured by individual plants of the tropical carnivorous plant Utricularia foliosa, located in different areas along a creek in the Colombian Amazon and the zooplankton and macroinvertebrate communities associated with the plants. The aims were: (i) to determine whether bladders of different sizes within each plant catch different numbers of prey or exploit different size ranges and types of prey, (ii) if the quantity and composition of prey captured varies temporally and/or spatially and (iii) if the plant has evolved effective mechanisms of attracting prey. 2. Utricularia foliosa captured the most abundant species of macroinvertebrates associated with the plant. Larger bladders captured more, larger and more diverse prey. However, benefits of the extra prey caught by large bladders were not offset by the greater cost of producing bladders larger than approximately 1650 μm. 3. The number of prey captured was higher in those plants with more carbohydrates per bladder and with a higher ratio of antenna size/bladder length. The antennae enhance capture success by offering the prey a favourable substratum that exploits their natural locomotor and feeding behaviour. However, although carbohydrates may lure prey, carbohydrate production was not a strategy of the plant to enhance the capture of prey, because the amount of carbohydrates in the bladder was related to the abundance of periphyton.     

Between‐species differences in demographic responses to temperature of coexisting cladocerans

Abstract In this work we report on the seasonal trends of abundances in terms of temperature exposure for four coexisting cladoceran species (Daphnia ambigua (Daphniidae), Ceriodaphnia dubia (Daphniidae), Diaphanosoma chilense (Sididae) and Moina micrura (Moinidae)) from a Chilean temperate lake. In order to compare the demographic response to temperature, we used life table experiments to parameterize matrix models for the four species at four fixed temperatures. From these life table response experiments we assessed the effects of temperature, species and their interaction on the variation in growth rate, as well as the contribution of juvenile survival, adult survival, fertility and age at first reproduction to the changes in growth rate. Our results showed interspecific differences in the effect of temperature on the growth rate. Species that present higher field abundance at lower temperature also exhibited, under controlled experiments, higher growth rates at low temperature and lower growth rates at high temperature, relative to the additive model. Conversely, species with higher abundances during the warmer seasons exhibited higher growth rates at higher experimental temperatures and lower growth rates at lower temperatures, relative to the additive model. The vital rates that most contributed to the variation in growth rate were age at first reproduction and fertility. Our growth rate estimates matched predictions of the metabolic ecology model.     

Dispersal differences of a pest and a protected Cerambyx species (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) in oak open woodlands: a mark–recapture comparative study

1. Cerambyx welensii (Cw) and Cerambyx cerdo (Cc) are two large saproxylic beetles living on Quercus trees in the Western Palearctic whose current pest and legal status differs markedly. Cw is an emerging pest involved in oak decline while Cc is an internationally protected species. 2. Acquiring knowledge of the ecology, demography and behaviour of Cw and Cc in forests harbouring mixed populations is a demanding task to optimise their management or protection. Here, we report the results of a mark–recapture study on the flight behaviour and dispersal potential of both species in holm oak open woodlands. 3. Average flights, dispersal rates and diffusion models were remarkably similar in Cw and Cc, reflecting a low‐dispersal tendency and sedentary behaviour. However, a subset of adults in both species exhibited a huge propensity to disperse and flew more than 1 km. An aggregated distribution of dispersal distances suggested that a behavioural polymorphism might underlie the flight pattern. 4. Adults moved preferentially in those spatial directions with neighbouring trees, while prevailing winds did not significantly affect dispersal patterns. The main interspecific differences were as follows: (i) Cc performed longer crosswind flights than Cw on windy days; (ii) Cc tended to fly farther than Cw at low temperatures; and (iii) adult feeding improved dispersal but only in small Cw females. Moon phase did not affect flight activity. 5. The results are discussed in an effort to interpret how these ecological and behavioural differences might shape the life history of both congeneric species when they live in sympatry in dehesa woodlands.     

Specific and Common Epitopes in Mating Pheromones of Euplotes raikovi Revealed by Monoclonal Antibodies

Polypeptide mating pheromones Er-1 and Er-2, purified from the supernatant of Euplotes raikovi cultures of mating type I and mating type II, respectively, were used to immunize mice and obtain monoclonal antibodies. Five hybridoma clones producing antibodies specific to the mating pheromones were selected. They were analyzed for immunospecificity by immunoperoxidase assay, immunoblotting, and for their efficacy in inhibition of mating pheromone activity. Monoclonal antibodies from two hybridoma clones recognized only the mating pheromone used as antigen; those from the other three clones reacted, to comparable extents, with both mating pheromones. On the basis of these results it was assumed that two immunogenic sites exist in Er-1 and Er-2, one specific and the other common to both mating pheromones.     

Isolation and characterization of microsatellite markers in the East African tree,Acacia brevispica (Fabaceae: Mimosoideae)

We have developed primer pairs for 24 microsatellite loci isolated from Acacia brevispica, which is widespread in woodland savannas of East Africa. The loci were screened for levels of variation using 16–52 individuals from Mpala Research Centre, Kenya. Number of alleles per locus ranged from two to 17, and polymorphic information content ranged from 0.248 to 0.864. Several loci showed the presence null alleles, but many loci will be useful in ongoing studies of genetic structure, gene flow, breeding systems, and natural selection.     

Electrochemical detection of extracellular hydrogen peroxide in Arabidopsis thaliana: a real‐time marker of oxidative stress

An electrochemical approach to directly measure the dynamic process of H₂O₂ release from cultures of Arabidopsis thaliana cells is reported. This approach is based on H₂O₂ oxidation on a Pt electrode in conjunction with continuous measurement of sample pH. For [H₂O₂] <1 mm , calibration plots were linear and the amperometric response of the electrode was maximum at pH 6. At higher concentrations ([H₂O₂] >1 mm ), the amperometric response can be described by Michaelian‐type kinetics and a mathematical expression relating current intensity and pH was obtained to quantitatively determine H₂O₂ concentration. At pH 5.5, the detection limit of the sensor was 3.1 µm (S/N = 3), with a response sensitivity of 0.16 Am ^?1 cm^?2 and reproducibility was within 6.1% in the range 1–5 × 10^?3 m (n = 5). Cell suspensions under normal physiological conditions had a pH between 5.5–5.7 and H₂O₂ concentrations in the range 7.0–20.5 µm (n = 5). The addition of exogenous H₂O₂, as well as other potential stress stimuli, was made to the cells and the change in H₂O₂ concentration was monitored. This real‐time quantitative H₂O₂ analysis is a potential marker for the evaluation of oxidative stress in plant cell cultures.     

Larval performance of the oriental fruit moth across fruits from primary and secondary hosts

A common characteristic of many invasive herbivorous insects is their ability to utilize a broad range of host plants. By using various hosts in phenological succession, multivoltine herbivores may increase the number of successful annual generations, at the same time as potentially increasing their overall fitness. To achieve such success, herbivores must be able to develop efficiently on the nutritional resources offered by their hosts. The oriental fruit moth Cydia (= Grapholita) molesta (Busck) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) is one of the most damaging invasive insect species. Peach (Prunus persica) is its primary host, whereas the pome fruits apple (Malus × domestica Borkh) and pear (Pyrus communis) are considered as secondary hosts. In many parts of its geographical range, including southern Europe, populations of the moth switch from peach to apple or pear orchards during the growing season. The present study tests whether this temporal switch is supported by the physiological capability of the larvae with respect to developing efficiently on fruits of these taxonomically‐related host plants. Larvae are reared on peach, apple or pear fruits; several life‐history traits are measured; and correlations between the traits are calculated. The results obtained show that larvae do not have the same physiological capability with respect to using apple or pear fruits as hosts compared with using peach fruit. Pear fruit in particular is a sub‐optimal diet. These findings suggest that, in the case of continuous geographical expansion, concomitantly with global warming, apple orchards might support oriental fruit moth populations better than pear orchards, and that the switch onto novel hosts might be accompanied by restricted population growth.     

SELECTION OF ASSESSORS BASED ON THEIR SKILL IN IDENTIFYING BASIC TASTES IN LOW CONCENTRATION SOLUTIONS

A method for the first step in the selection of trained sensory assessors, based on their skill in identifying basic tastes in low concentration solutions, was defined and evaluated. The solutions used were: 0.4 and 0.8% sucrose; 0.03, 0.04 and 0.06% citric acid; 0.08 and 0.15% sodium chloride; 0.02 and 0.03% caffeine. Concentration ranges were found adequate. The criterion for selection was to have over 65% correct answers. Out of 226 candidates who received the test, 141 (62%) were selected. The probability of a candidate having more than a certain percentage of correct answers was calculated. The influence of the dilution water quality on the perception of basic tastes was significant; distilled water was the most adequate.