Moths in fragments: insights into the biology and ecology of the Australian endangered golden sun moth Synemon plana (Lepidoptera: Castniidae) in natural temperate and exotic grassland remnants

The conservation and management of endangered species requires an adequate understanding of their biology and ecology. Although there has been an increasing appreciation in Australia of the need for greater efforts to conserve insects, there is only limited information available that can be used to underpin conservation efforts. The endangered golden sun moth, Synemon plana (Lepidoptera: Castniidae) is a flagship species endemic to natural temperate grassland in south-eastern Australia. Most populations of this species are at considerable risk from habitat loss, weed invasion and inadequate management. Despite the considerable knowledge that exists about the species biology and ecology, efforts to improve the species conservation status are hampered because there are still critical gaps in our understanding of the species’ natural history. In particular, the ecology of the larvae is not known. Our study examined the abundance, population structure and reproductive biology of the moths in a broad sample of both natural temperate and exotic grassland remnants in and near Canberra in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) in south-eastern Australia. The results fill critical gaps in the knowledge needed to achieve effective conservation management. From our findings, it is clear that the species inhabits grasslands dominated by a mixture of native wallaby grasses (Rytidosperma spp. (formerly Austrodanthonia)) and spear grasses (Austrostipa spp.). In contrast to earlier suggestions that S. plana is entirely confined to natural temperate grassland, mature and immature life stages of the species were also present in grasslands comprised entirely of the exotic Chilean needlegrass (Nassella neesiana). Most of the S. plana populations surveyed in the ACT were characterised by low relative abundance with only very few large populations being recorded. The conservation of exotic grasslands as substitute habitat for S. plana is discussed and suggestions regarding future monitoring and research of the species are provided.     

Ornithologische Mittheilungen aus Oesterreich (1871)

Ohne Zusammenfassung     

Ornithologische Mittheilungen aus Oesterreich und Ungarn. (1876.)

Ohne Zusammenfassung     

A Simple Permanent Aceto-Orcein Stain for Free Cells, Cultures and Homogenates

A simplified technic for preparation of the aceto-orcein stain permits the storage of cells in the stain or squash preparations at room temperature for long periods without in* jury to or distortion of the cells and mitotic plates. Fresh cells from tumor ascites, tissue culture cells growing in free suspension or over cover slips, and homogenates of whole tissues are stained directly in a test tube in either (1) regular aceto-orcein and subsequently mounted in glycerol, or (2) aceto-orcein-glycerol mixture. These preparations are squashed for chromosome counts, and the permanent slides are kept from drying out by ringing the cover slip with Damar or Permount.     

Das Anti-inv-l-Rie

Ohne ZusammenfassungDirektor: Prof. Dr. Dr. H. Baitsch Mit 1 TextabbildungMit Unterstützung durch die Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft.Die vorliegende Arbeit bildet einen wesentlichen Teil der Dissertation von E. Schmidtmann.     

Orientierende Untersuchungen über die Einwirkung von gasförmigem Formaldehyd auf die grüne Pflanze

Ohne Zusammenfassung     

Functional expression, purification, and characterization of the recombinant Baeyer-Villiger monooxygenase MekA from Pseudomonas veronii MEK700

For the investigation of the NADPH-dependent Baeyer-Villiger monooxygenase MekA from Pseudomonas veronii MEK700, the encoding gene mekA with a C-terminal strep-tag was cloned and expressed under the control of a l-rhamnose inducible promoter from Escherichia coli. The mekA gene was found by analyzing the methylethylketone (MEK) degradation pathway by Onaca et al. J Bacteriol 189:3759–3767, 2007. Sequence analysis of the corresponding protein, which catalyzes the Baeyer-Villiger oxidation of MEK to ethyl acetate, showed two binding sites (Rossman-fold motifs) for cofactors NAD(P)H and FAD. Although expression of mekA resulted in large amounts of inclusion bodies compared to soluble protein, high amounts of purified and active MekA were obtained by affinity chromatography. The substrate spectrum of MekA was investigated with purified enzyme and whole cells using a variety of aliphatic, aromatic, and cyclic ketones including four chiral substrates. The specific activity of MekA with MEK as substrate was determined to be 1.1 U/mg protein. K _M values were determined for MEK and the cofactors NADPH and NADH to be 6, 11, and 29 μM, respectively.     

Substrate affinity in PGM1, PGM2, and PGM3 isozymes

Summary An easy method for routine detection of PGM₁, PGM₂, and PGM₃ isozymes is given. Differences in substrate affinity are discussed. Gene products pgm₁ can be differentiated from gene products pgm₃ by cofactor requirement.     

A new gene-finding tool: using the Caenorhabditis elegans operons for identifying functional partner proteins in human cells

How can a large number of different phenotypes be generated by a limited number of genotypes? Promiscuity between different, structurally related and/or unrelated proteins seems to provide a plausible explanation to this pertinent question. Strategies able to predict such functional interrelations between different proteins are important to restrict the number of putative candidate proteins, which can then be subjected to time-consuming functional tests. Here we describe the use of the operon structure of the nematode genome to identify partner proteins in human cells. In this work we focus on ion channels proteins, which build an interface between the cell and the outside world and are responsible for a growing number of diseases in humans. However, the proposed strategy for the partner protein quest is not restricted to this scientific area but can be adopted in virtually every field of human biology where protein-protein interactions are assumed.