A Comparison of Abscission of Rubber (Hevea brasiliensis) Leaves Infected with Microcyclus ulei with Leaf Abscission Induced by Ethylene Treatment, Deblading and Senescence

Studies on the histology and on effects of growth substancesand phenols as well as changes in activities of pectinmethylesterase indicated that the mechanism of abscission of Hevealeaflets infected with Microcyclus ulei differed from the mechanismof abscission of debladed, ethylene treated and senescent leaves.An abscission layer which was formed during abscission of debladed,ethylene-treated and senescent leaves was absent during abscissionof heavily diseased leaves. The ratio of pectinmethyl esteraseactivities in tissues distal to the abscission zone to activitiesin tissues proximal to the zone decreased in debladed and ethylenetreated leaves but such decreases were not detected during abscissionof Hevea leaves infected with M. ulei. Hevea brasiliensis Muell. Arg., rubber, leaf abscission, Microcyclus ulei, ethylene, indol-3-ylacetic acid, kinetin     

Hematozoa from Mammals of South Vietnam*

SYNOPSIS. Blood smears from 519 mammals of South Vietnam were examined for hematozoa. Trypanosomes were found in Rattus norvegicus, R. exulans, R. nitidus, and Rattus sp. Hepatocystis vassali occurred in squirrels Callosciurus flavimanus; erythrocytic stages and liver merocysts were seen. Fruit bats Cynopterus brachyotis and one insectivorous bat Hipposideros larvatus, harbored closely related but as yet unidentified hemosporidia. Piroplasms were found only in carnivores: ferret-badgers Melogale personata, palm civets Paradoxurus hermaphroditus, and mongooses Herpestes javanicus.     

Narcissus latent, a virus with filamentous particles and a novel combination of properties

As previously reported, narcissus latent virus (NLV) has flexuous filamentous particles measuring c. 650 nm × 13 nm, is manually transmissible to Nicotiana clevelandii and Tetragonia expansa, and is transmitted by the aphid Myzus persicae following brief acquisition access periods. In contrast to previous reports the virus particle protein has an apparent mol. wt of c. 45 kD. Moreover, infected cells in N. clevelandii leaves contain cytoplasmic inclusion bodies resembling those of potyviruses. In vitro translation of NLV RNA produced only one major product (mol. wt c. 25 kD) which was not precipitated by antisera to virus particle protein or to cytoplasmic inclusion protein. Antisera to 12 potyviruses and nine carlaviruses failed to react with sap containing NLV particles. Similarly antiserum to NLV particles did not react with particles of seven potyviruses or four carlaviruses. A weak reaction was detected between NLV particles and antiserum to particles of maclura mosaic virus (MMV), a virus which resembles NLV in particle morphology and particle-protein size, and in inducing pinwheel inclusions. The cytoplasmic inclusion proteins (CIPs) of NLV, MMV and from narcissus plants with yellow stripe symptoms were serologically inter-related. These proteins were also serologically related to, and had mol. wt similar to, the CIP of members of the potyvirus group. Particles with the size and antigenic specificity of those of NLV were found consistently in narcissus plants with yellow stripe disease. Narcissus latent and narcissus yellow stripe viruses therefore seem to be synonymous and, together with MMV, have properties distinct from those of any previously described virus group.     

Respiratory strategies of tenebrionid beetles in arid Australia: does physiology beget nocturnality?

Abstract The respiratory patterns and role of mesothoracic and abdominal spiracles in gas exchange are examined using flow‐through respirometry in three species of Heleini beetles from the Simpson Desert, central Australia. Two species, Helea (Heleus) waitei and Helea sp., show a form of continuous respiration with 70% and 75% of the CO₂ being emitted from the mesothoracic spiracles, respectively. Their mass specific metabolic rates are similar and similar to other nocturnally active desert‐dwelling tenebrionid beetles. Brises blairi also shows a continuous form of respiration, with 66% of CO₂ being emitted from the mesothoracic spiracle but has a significantly higher mass specific metabolic rate. Unusually for arid‐dwelling tenebrionid beetles, all three of the study species are confirmed to be exclusively nocturnal. There is no evidence that this activity pattern is driven by current ecological factors, such as competition or predation, and it is proposed instead that nocturnality arises from physiological constraint. Heleini probably evolved under mesic conditions and lack some of the key physiological adaptations to reduce water loss that characterize day‐active tenebrionid beetles in arid environments elsewhere. In consequence, they are able to exploit arid conditions only by restricting their activity to the most benign phase of the 24‐h cycle.     

Concerning invasive species: Reply to Brown and Sax

Abstract Biological invasions have commonly occurred, and to a lesser degree continue to do so, without human assistance. It is, however, a combination of the rate and magnitude, as well as the distances and agency involved, that separates human‐driven invasion processes from self‐perpetuated colonization events. Exotic species are a pervasive and major component of human‐induced global change. Decisions to manage invasive species will require judgements to be communicated from scientists to policy makers, because scientists may often be the only ones in the position to make them.     

A comparison of habitat use, morphology, clinging performance and escape behaviour among two divergent green anole lizard (Anolis carolinensis) populations

We measured available and actual habitat use, morphology, escape behaviour and clinging ability in a large sample ( N  = 242) of green anoles, Anolis carolinensis , in a habitat consisting primarily of segregated dense clumps of broad leaves, Aspidistra elatior (Tulane University campus, LA) to compare against similar data collected previously from a more typical habitat c. 30 km away, consisting of continuous strands of bushes and trees (Good Hope Field, St. Charles Parish, LA). At Tulane the anoles perched primarily on the broad, smooth leaves of broad leaves, whereas in Good Hope Field (GHF) they predominantly perched on branches and tree trunks. The two populations differed significantly in morphology. In Tulane, the anoles tended to have shorter distal hindlimb elements, longer forelimb elements, and were more 'slender' than those at GHF. A comparison of escape behaviour showed population and sex differences. In both populations, females had significantly longer approach distances (i.e. were more 'wary') than males. These distances were, in addition, significantly longer at GHF than at Tulane for both sexes; this may be due to the potentially higher diversity and abundance of predators at GHF, although habituation to humans may also play a role. Anoles at Tulane had significantly larger toepads and higher clinging abilities than those at GHF. The enhanced clinging abilities of anoles at Tulane may have arisen due to their propensity to use smooth leaves as their primary substrate. Overall, our data reveal substantial ecological, behavioural, morphological, and functional differences among populations, some of which may be adaptive.  © 2005 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society , 2005, 85 , 223–234.