Kinetic and spectroscopic studies of haemoglobin and myoglobin from Urechis caupo. Distal residue effects.

Seven components of the tetrameric haemoglobin (Hbu) from Urechis caupo were separated by preparative isoelectric focusing and characterized by their absorption spectra and pI values. The helix content and Soret delta epsilon values are reported for several of the components. Temperature-jump O2-binding kinetics of the major components of Hbu show biphasic behaviour, with the majority species having kon = 1.57 x 10(9) mol-1.s-1 and koff = 3.32 x 10(4) s-1. The Fourier-transform i.r. spectrum of pooled Hbu(II)-CO displays a stretching frequency of 1942 cm-1. E.s.r. of Hbu(II)-NO demonstrates evidence of proximal strain similar to that encountered in T-state human haemoglobin. CO-driven reduction of U. caupo methaemoglobin, Hbu(III) and U. caupo metmyoglobin [Mbu(III)] shows much higher rates relative to haemoglobins and myoglobins known to possess a distal histidine residue. Nitrosyl auto-reduction kinetics of Hbu(III)-NO and Mbu(III)-NO are examined. The equilibrium binding constants of several ligands are reported for both Hbu and Mbu, and together with the above kinetic data suggest differences in haem pocket environments between Hbu and Mbu. Reaction of Hbu with 2-chloromercuri-4,6-dinitrophenol demonstrates the presence of one reactive thiol group per globin chain. lambda max. values and the respective molar absorption coefficients for selected ligand-bound states are reported for the major component of Hbu and for Mbu. The majority haem orientation in U. caupo haemoglobin is identical with that of human haemoglobin.     

Songs of American Redstarts (Setophaga ruticilla): Sequencing Rules and their Relationships to Repertoire Size

In order to determine the rules of sequencing of songs used by American redstarts, we related Markovian and hierarchical models to recordings obtained from free-living males. In the smaller repertoires of three or four songs, low order Markov chain models fitted the data. 9 of the 10 sequences so examined were first-order, and the last was second-order. Larger repertoires of 6 and 8 songs were hierarchical in organization with subsets of songs having independent sequencing rules. Most samples of singing were stationary in their transition rules over periods of several days: non-stationarity was sometimes associated with a change in the number of songs forming the sequence, or in repetitions of songs. We examine causal models of song sequencing and conclude that our results generally favor competition models, although some sequential dependencies may also apply. Hierarchical organization in the serial repertoires of American redstarts may reflect developmental influences rather than effects of repertoire size itself.     

Particle sources and trace element reactivity in the Humber plume

Samples of suspended particulate matter (SPM) collected from the Humber Estuary had higher concentrations of particulate metals than SPM from Holderness coastal waters (U.K.). Characterised SPM from both sources was used in laboratory experiments involving the uptake of radiotracer¹⁰⁹Cd,¹³⁷Cs,⁵⁴Mn and⁶⁵Zn. Kinetic experiments, over five days, showed that the rate and extent of uptake was highly dependent on particle type, with¹⁰⁹Cd,⁵⁴Mn and⁶⁵Zn being more reactive with Humber Estuary particles than those from Holderness and¹³⁷Cs having the opposite trend. Adsorption experiments were also carried out on suspensions in which SPM from the Humber Estuary and Holderness coastal water were mixed in various proportions. These experiments revealed that K_d for⁶⁵Zn increased linearly with the proportion of Humber SPM, K_d for¹³⁷Cs decreased linearly with increase in Humber SPM and K_d for⁵⁴Mn and¹⁰⁹Cd displayed non-linear behaviour. The results of the study were used to develop an algorithm for predicting the partition coefficients in the Humber Plume based on the extent of particle mixing from the two source regions. The use of^206/207Pb ratios in determining the extent of particle mixing is discussed, along with the application of the algorithm to the modelling of particulate trace metal behaviour in the Humber-Wash coastal zone.     

Ecomorphological correlates in ten species of subtropical seagrass fishes: diet and microhabitat utilization

Synopsis Ecomorphological correlates were sought among ten species of distantly related subtropical seagrass fishes. Morphometric data associated with feeding and microhabitat utilization were compared by principal components analysis, cluster analysis, and canonical correspondence analysis to dietary data. Morphology was generally a poor predictor of diet except for a group of mid-water planktotrophic filter feeders. Separation of the species along morphological axes appears to be related more to microhabitat utilization resulting in three major groups: (1) a group of planktotrophic, mid-water fishes specialized for cruising and seeking out evasive prey characterized by a compressed fusiform body, forked caudal fin, long, closely spaced gill rakers, short to intermediate! length pectoral fin, pointed pectoral fin, large lateral eye, short head, and a terminal or subterminal mouth; (2) slow swimming, less maneuverable epibenthic fishes that pick or suck their prey off the substrate. They are united by more rounded caudal and pectoral fins, and short or no gill rakers; and (3) a group of more mobile and maneuverable epibenthic foragers characterized by a more compressed, sub-gibbose body, long, pointed pectoral fins, forked caudal fins, large lateral eyes, subterminal mouth, and greater jaw protrusibility. Cases of convergence in trophic and microhabitat utilization characters were apparent in some of the groups.     

Yeast hexokinase mutants.

Using yeast mutants, it is shown that growth on glucose occurs even in the absence of both hexokinase A and hexokinase B; fructose growth requires at least one of these two enzymes. Expression of hexokinase A and of glucokinase seem to be regulated.     

An Automated Technique for the Radiographic Determination of Bone Age

We have developed an automated procedure for determining bone-age in the monkey, Macaca fascicularis. The status of epiphysial junctions and sesamoids were determined from radiographs. Epiphyses were scored as either open or closed, and sesamoids were scored as either present or absent. Bone-age was calculated by a computer program that stored and used a data base of probabilities for epiphysial closure and sesamoid appearance. The simplicity of scoring, combined with the speed and accuracy of the calculations, make this technique potentially adaptable for use in a variety of primate species.