The Phlesirtes complex (Orthoptera,Tettigoniidae, Conocephalinae,Conocephalini) reviewed: integrating morphological,molecular, chromosomal and bioacoustic data

The tettigoniid genus Phlesirtes Bolivar and its allies are reviewed. Morphological, ecological and molecular data prompt the erection of the new genus Chortoscirtes gen.n. with type species Xiphidion meruense Sjöstedt. The genera Phlesirtes, Chortoscirtes, Karniella and Naskreckiella are characterized by morphological characters supported by molecular, acoustic, ecological and chromosomal data. Four species, Chortoscirtes pseudomeruensis sp.n. , C. masaicus sp.n. , C. puguensis sp.n. and C. serengeti sp.n. , are described from localities in northern and coastal Tanzania and one Karniella, K. crassicerca sp.n. , is described from Uganda. The following comb n. are proposed: Phlesirtes kibonotensis (Sjöstedt) and Phlesirtes kilimandjaricus (Sjöstedt). Subtribal status is proposed for the four investigated African genera. A key to the Chortoscirtes species is provided.     

Bodo sp., a Free-Living Flagellate, Expresses Divergent Proteolytic Activities from the Closely Related Parasitic Trypanosomatids

ABSTRACT. We report the characterization of cell-associated and extracellular peptidases of Bodo sp., a free-living flagellate of the Bodonidae family, order Kinetoplastida, which is considered ancestral to the trypanosomatids. This bodonid isolate is phylogenetically related to Bodo caudatus and Bodo curvifilus . The proteolytic activity profiles of Bodo sp. were determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis containing co-polymerized gelatin, casein, hemoglobin, or bovine serum albumin as substrates. The enzymatic complex degraded gelatin better in acidic pH, and under these conditions four proteolytic bands (120, 100, 90, and 75 kDa) were detected in the cellular or extracellular extracts. Two peptidases (250 and 200 kDa) were exclusively detected with the substrate casein. All these enzymes belong to the serine peptidase class, based on inhibition by aprotinin and phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride. This is the first biochemical characterization of peptidases in a free-living Bodo sp., potentially providing insight into the physiology of these protozoa and the evolutionary importance of peptidases to the order Kinetoplastida as some of these enzymes are important virulence factors in pathogenic trypanosomatids.     

The potential ecological costs and cobenefits of REDD: a critical review and case study from the Amazon region

The United Nations climate treaty may soon include a mechanism for compensating tropical nations that succeed in reducing carbon emissions from deforestation and forest degradation, source of nearly one fifth of global carbon emissions. We review the potential for this mechanism [reducing emissions from deforestation and degradation (REDD)] to provoke ecological damages and promote ecological cobenefits. Nations could potentially participate in REDD by slowing clear‐cutting of mature tropical forest, slowing or decreasing the impact of selective logging, promoting forest regeneration and restoration, and expanding tree plantations. REDD could also foster efforts to reduce the incidence of forest fire. Potential ecological costs include the accelerated loss (through displaced agricultural expansion) of low‐biomass, high‐conservation‐value ecosystems, and substitution of low‐biomass vegetation by monoculture tree plantations. These costs could be avoided through measures that protect low‐biomass native ecosystems. Substantial ecological cobenefits should be conferred under most circumstances, and include the maintenance or restoration of (1) watershed functions, (2) local and regional climate regimes, (3) soils and biogeochemical processes, (4) water quality and aquatic habitat, and (5) terrestrial habitat. Some tools already being developed to monitor, report and verify (MRV) carbon emissions performance can also be used to measure other elements of ecosystem function, making development of MRV systems for ecological cobenefits a concrete possibility. Analysis of possible REDD program interventions in a large‐scale Amazon landscape indicates that even modest flows of forest carbon funding can provide substantial cobenefits for aquatic ecosystems, but that the functional integrity of the landscape's myriad small watersheds would be best protected under a more even spatial distribution of forests. Because of its focus on an ecosystem service with global benefits, REDD could access a large pool of global stakeholders willing to pay to maintain carbon in forests, thereby providing a potential cascade of ecosystem services to local stakeholders who would otherwise be unable to afford them.     

Preservation potential of Katharina tunicata and Mopalia muscosa (Mollusca, Polyplacophora) on two rocky shores of San Juan Island, Washington, USA

Taphonomic analyses of modern Katharina tunicata and Mopalia muscosa valves (Mollusca, Polyplacophora) collected from San Juan Island, Washington, USA, demonstrate that preservation potential of chitons varies by species and locality. Damage levels observed in the valves reflect differences in extrinsic environmental conditions, but intrinsic characters affect response of the skeletal material to local processes. Although both are more likely to become fossils at the lower energy site, K. tunicata valves in poor condition are more likely to occur than poor-condition M. muscosa valves at either site. Mopalia muscosa valves are least likely to be preserved at the higher energy site. Katharina tunicata valves appear more resistant to destruction than M. muscosa valves, suggesting that the former are more likely to become fossilized. The preservation potential of the three types of valves (normally one head, six medials, and one tail per individual) differs for both species. Medials are more likely to be preserved than either terminal valve of K. tunicata or M. muscosa . Head valves are least likely to be preserved, but K. tunicata heads are less likely to be preserved than M. muscosa heads. The biases are not due to greater frequency of medials, because valves do not occur in the 3:1 ratio seen in living animals. Divergence from expected ratios and variation in taphonomic condition for all three valve types in modern environments agrees with observations in the fossil record. The rarity of fossil chitons may be due to biases against preservation rather than absence in ancient environments.     

2,3-BUTANEDIONE INACTIVATES THE [H]NITRENDIPINE BINDING SITES, WHEREAS DIETHYLPYROCARBONATE DOES NOT

The modification of [³H]nitrendipine binding sites in rabbit brain membranes with 2,3-butanedione and diethylpyrocarbonate was investigated. 2,3-Butanedione, an arginine-specific reagent, causes a dose- and time-dependent decrease in the number of [³H]nitrendipine binding sites without altering its dissociation constant. Scatchard analysis of the binding data shows that 50 mM 2,3-butanedione decreases the binding capacity of [³H]nitrendipine from a control value of 71 ± 6 fmol/mg of protein to 40 ± 3 fmol/mg of protein. Complete and selective protection against inactivation is provided by nifedipine. No decrease of [³H]nitrendipine binding occurs when membranes are pretreated with selective histidine reagent diethylpyrocarbonate. The results indicate that arginine but not histidine residue in

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-type calcium channel domain is critical for [³H]nitrendipine binding. Copyright © 1996 Elsevier Science Ltd     

On new characters of the eggs of Embioptera with the description of a new species of Saussurembia (Anisembiidae)

Abstract.  Nine egg characters for eleven species of Embioptera are described for the first time. Egg variability indicates its potential use in taxonomy. Here, we analyse the correlation of this variability with the ordinal classification. In addition, a new species of Saussurembia (Anisembiidae) from Trinidad is described, including classical traits in the systematics of Embioptera (adult male and female), as well as general features of the egg and maternal behaviour.     

Intensive measurement of nitrous oxide emissions from a corn–soybean–wheat rotation under two contrasting management systems over 5 years

No‐tillage (NT), a practice that has been shown to increase carbon sequestration in soils, has resulted in contradictory effects on nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions. Moreover, it is not clear how mitigation practices for N₂O emission reduction, such as applying nitrogen (N) fertilizer according to soil N reserves and matching the time of application to crop uptake, interact with NT practices. N₂O fluxes from two management systems [conventional (CP), and best management practices: NT + reduced fertilizer (BMP)] applied to a corn (Zea mays L.), soybean (Glycine max L.), winter‐wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) rotation in Ontario, Canada, were measured from January 2000 to April 2005, using a micrometeorological method. The superimposition of interannual variability of weather and management resulted in mean monthly N₂O fluxes ranging from − 1.9 to 61.3 g N ha⁻¹ day⁻¹. Mean annual N₂O emissions over the 5‐year period decreased significantly by 0.79 from 2.19 kg N ha⁻¹ for CP to 1.41 kg N ha⁻¹ for BMP. Growing season (May–October) N₂O emissions were reduced on average by 0.16 kg N ha⁻¹ (20% of total reduction), and this decrease only occurred in the corn year of the rotation. Nongrowing season (November–April) emissions, comprised between 30% and 90% of the annual emissions, mostly due to increased N₂O fluxes during soil thawing. These emissions were well correlated (r²= 0.90) to the accumulated degree‐hours below 0 °C at 5 cm depth, a measure of duration and intensity of soil freezing. Soil management in BMP (NT) significantly reduced N₂O emissions during thaw (80% of total reduction) by reducing soil freezing due to the insulating effects of the larger snow cover plus corn and wheat residue during winter. In conclusion, significant reductions in net greenhouse gas emissions can be obtained when NT is combined with a strategy that matches N application rate and timing to crop needs.     

Colour morph related performance in the meadow grasshopper Chorthippus parallelus (Orthoptera,Acrididae)

Abstract 1. Polymorphism has been described for a number of herbivorous insects, but little is known about whether differences in body colour cause fitness differences. In Chorthippus parallelus, three main colour morphs occur, namely brown, green, and dorsally striped. 2. The present study examined colour morph abundances and morph‐related differences in body size, oviposition rate, and offspring numbers in females of C. parallelus collected in 15 montane grasslands. The study also examined the effect of plant species richness, composition, community productivity, and solar radiation on colour morph frequency and fitness. 3. The relative frequencies of the three colour morphs was 31.7% (brown), 33.1% (green), and 35.2% (dorsally striped), but the morphs were not evenly distributed across the 15 sites. 4. There was no effect of the habitat variables on the distribution of the green and the striped morph in the study sites, however 80% of the variation in the abundances of the brown morph was explained by plant species richness and composition. 5. Grasshopper size was equal among the morphs. Brown females laid significantly more egg pods than the green and dorsally striped morphs. There were no significant differences in offspring numbers among the colour morphs. 6. Body colour in C. parallelus seems to be a fitness‐relevant trait, raising the question of the evolutionary maintenance of polymorphism.