Postembryonic development of serotonin-immunoreactive neurons in the central nervous system of the blowfly

Summary Neurons immunoreactive with antibodies to serotonin (5-HT) were mapped in the thoracico-abdominal ganglia of the blowfly, Calliphora erythrocephala, during postembryonic development. Reconstructions from serial sections of tissue processed with a preincubation PAP-method permitted a detailed analysis of the morphological changes occurring in 5-HT-immunoreactive (5-HTi) neurons.All the 5-HTi cell bodies in the thoracico-abdominal ganglia of the 3rd instar larva, except two in the metathoracic ganglion, retain their immunochemical phenotype throughout pupal development. Hence, all the adult 5-HTi neurons in these ganglia differentiate during embryonic development. The finer processes of the larval 5-HTi neurons undergo a substantial regression during the first 24 h of pupal development, and thereafter new branches form on the primary processes of the same cell bodies. The slight change in relative position of 5-HTi cell bodies and the reorganization of the neuropil into an adult pattern occur during the first half of pupal development. The neuropil mass and extent of 5-HTi processes continue to increase during the following days and appear to be fully developed two days (80% of pupal development) before hatching.On the basis of the presented data, some of the basic processes are discussed that lead to the transformation of the larval nervous system into its adult form.     

Mapping of serotonin-immunoreactive neurons in the larval nervous system of the flies Calliphora erythrocephala and Sarcophaga bullata

Summary Serotonin-immunoreactive (5-HTi) neurons were mapped in the larval central nervous system (CNS) of the dipterous flies Calliphora erythrocephala and Sarcophaga bullata. Immunocytochemistry was performed on cryostat sections, paraffin sections, and on the entire CNS (whole mounts).The CNS of larvae displays 96–98 5-HTi cell bodies. The location of the cell bodies within the segmental cerebral and ventral ganglia is consistent among individuals. The pattern of immunoreactive fibers in tracts and within neuropil regions of the CNS was resolved in detail. Some 5-HTi neurons in the CNS possess axons that run through peripheral nerves (antenno-labro-frontal nerves).The suboesophagealand thoracico-abdominal ganglia of the adult blowflies were studied for a comparison with the larval ventral ganglia. In the thoracico-abdominal ganglia of adults the same number of 5-HTi cell bodies was found as in the larvae except in the metathoracic ganglion, which in the adult contains two cell bodies less than in the larva. The immunoreactive processes within the neuropil of the adult thoracico-abdominal ganglia form more elaborate patterns than those of the larvae, but the basic organization of major fiber tracts was similar in larval and adult ganglia. Some aspects of postembryonic development are discussed in relation to the transformation of the distribution of 5-HTi neurons and their processes into the adult pattern.     

Distribution patterns and bioerosion of the sea urchin Centrostephanus coronatus (Diadematoida: Diadematidae), at the reef of Playa Blanca, Colombian Pacific

Regular sea-urchins are one of the main bioeroding organisms affecting coral reefs around the world. The abundance, distribution and bioerosion rate of the sea-urchin Centrostephanus coronatus, were determined in different reef zones of Playa Blanca fringing reef (Gorgona Island, Colombian pacific coast) during 1997 and 1998. The erosion rates were determined calcinating the gut content of the sea-urchins to eliminate all organic components and preserve the inorganic portion of calcium carbonate. C. coronatus showed the highest densities towards the central zones of the reef (plain-crest and front) (12.4 ind/m2; range 0-48 ind/m2). The highest mean bioerosion rate was 0.103 kgCaCO3/m2/yr in the reef plain-crest (0-0.69 kgCaCO3/m2/yr). In the other zones, (back reef and reef front) the mean bioerosion rates were 0.071 (range 0-0.39) and 0.052 (range 0-0.31) kgCaCO3/m2/yr respectively. According to the present data, it can be seen that the destruction of coralline skeletons, produced in this reef by sea-urchins is rather low, compared with the abrasion caused by these organisms in other places of the world. However, the combined action of C. coronatus and other bioeroding organisms (borers and grazers). along with some adverse environmental factors to corals, can be causing a negative balance between normal processes of reef accretion-destruction in Gorgona Island reefs.     

Leaf consumption by herbivores in mangroves of the Dagua river estuary, Pacific coast of Colombia

Herbivore leaf consumption of various mangrove species in relation to environmental factors and leaf hardness were studied in the Dagua river estuary, Colombia. Leaf consumption and damage were assessed by measuring the percentage of area attacked by herbivores, distinguishing between consumption and damage. The species that suffered the highest consumption, such as Avicennia germinans (Avicenniaceae) and Laguncularia racemosa (Combretaceae), had softer leaves and less herbivore species when compared with Rhizophora spp. (Rhizophoraceae) and Pelliciera rhizophorae (Theaceae). The abundance and diversity of leaf grazing and its variability among mangrove species in the Dagua River estuary, show the importance of the trophic dynamics of live vegetable matter, in spite of their relatively low contribution to removing organic matter.     

Autotrophic Ammonia-Oxidizing Bacteria Contribute Minimally to Nitrification in a Nitrogen-Impacted Forested Ecosystem

Deposition rates of atmospheric nitrogenous pollutants to forests in the San Bernardino Mountains range east of Los Angeles, California, are the highest reported in North America. Acidic soils from the west end of the range are N-saturated and have elevated rates of N-mineralization, nitrification, and nitrate leaching. We assessed the impact of this heavy nitrogen load on autotrophic ammonia-oxidizing communities by investigating their composition, abundance, and activity. Analysis of 177 cloned β-Proteobacteria ammonia oxidizer 16S rRNA genes from highly to moderately N-impacted soils revealed similar levels of species composition; all of the soils supported the previously characterized Nitrosospira clusters 2, 3, and 4. Ammonia oxidizer abundance measured by quantitative PCR was also similar among the soils. However, rates of potential nitrification activity were greater for N-saturated soils than for soils collected from a less impacted site, but autotrophic (i.e., acetylene-sensitive) activity was low in all soils examined. N-saturated soils incubated for 30 days with ammonium accumulated additional soluble ammonium, whereas less-N-impacted soils had a net loss of ammonium. Lastly, nitrite production by cultivated Nitrosospira multiformis, an autotrophic ammonia-oxidizing bacterium adapted to relatively high ammonium concentrations, was significantly inhibited in pH-controlled slurries of sterilized soils amended with ammonium despite the maintenance of optimal ammonia-oxidizing conditions. Together, these results showed that factors other than autotrophic ammonia oxidizers contributed to high nitrification rates in these N-impacted forest soils and, unlike many other environments, differences in nitrogen content and soil pH did not favor particular autotrophic ammonia oxidizer groups.     

Granulosain I,a Cysteine Protease Isolated from Ripe Fruits of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Solanum granuloso</Emphasis><Emphasis Type="Italic">-leprosum</Emphasis> (Solanaceae)

A new cysteine peptidase (Granulosain I) was isolated from ripe fruits of Solanum granuloso-leprosum Dunal (Solanaceae) by means of precipitation with organic solvent and cation exchange chromatography. The enzyme showed a single band by SDS-PAGE, its molecular mass was 24,746 Da (MALDI-TOF/MS) and its isoelectric point was higher than 9.3. It showed maximum activity (more than 90%) in the pH range 7-8.6. Granulosain I was completely inhibited by E-64 and activated by the addition of cysteine or 2-mercaptoethanol, confirming its cysteinic nature. The kinetic studies carried out with PFLNA as substrate, showed an affinity (Km 0.6 mM) slightly lower than those of other known plant cysteine proteases (papain and bromelain). The N-terminal sequence of granulosain I (DRLPASVDWRGKGVLVLVKNQGQC) exhibited a close homology with other cysteine proteases belonging to the C1A family.