Spermatozoa from the supertribes Lasiopteridi and Stomatosematidi (Insecta, Diptera, Cecidomyiidae): ultrastructure data and phylogeny of the subfamily Cecidomyiinae

Spermatozoa from seven gall-midge species, representing the supertribes Lasiopteridi and Stomatosematidi, have been examined by electron microscopy and compared to the spermatozoa of 30 previously examined gall-midge species of the subfamily Cecidomyiinae. Derived characteristics of all examined representatives of this subfamily are the lack of acrosome and the absence of accessory tubules in their axoneme. The sperm axoneme of Didactylomyia has a unique '9 + 5 pattern', i.e. with 9 outer doublets and 5 inner singlet microtubules. Unlike other members of Cecidomyiinae, Didactylomyia has retained some plesiomorphic traits, namely crystal containing mitochondria and a homogeneously condensed nucleus. Stomatosema has a 10 + 0 axoneme and an irregular nuclear condensation. Thus, Didactylomyia may serve as an useful outgroup for phylogenetic analysis within the subfamily Cecidomyiinae. The supertribe Stomatosematidi is a paraphyletic assemblage. Nearly all members of Lasiopteridi, Ozirhincus, Arnoldiola, Brachineura and Ledomyia , have a synapomorphic character in the great number of microtubules in parallel to the axoneme. A notable exception is Rhizomyia , which shares certain apomorphic traits with several genera that have previously been classified within the Cecidomyiidi, i.e. Contarinia, Allocontarinia, Lestodiplosis and Myricomyia. Moreover, these genera have a flat sperm tail and microtubular doublets located close to the cell membrane, both characteristics that differ markedly from the very peculiar sperm tail found in other members of Cecidomyiidi.
Cladistic analysis of sperm characters suggests that the supertribe Cecidomyiidi is a polyphyletic taxon and supports the existence of a sister-group relationship between the supertribe Lasiopteridi and the genera Rhizomyia, Contarinia, Allocontarinia, Lestodiplosis and Myricomyia.     

Terrestrial Activity in Pitheciins (Cacajao,Chiropotes, and Pithecia)

Neotropical monkeys of the genera Cacajao, Chiropotes, and Pithecia (Pitheciidae) are considered to be highly arboreal, spending most of their time feeding and traveling in the upper canopy. Until now, the use of terrestrial substrates has not been analyzed in detail in this group. Here, we review the frequency of terrestrial use among pitheciin taxa to determine the ecological and social conditions that might lead to such behavior. We collated published and unpublished data from 14 taxa in the three genera. Data were gleaned from 53 published studies (including five on multiple pitheciin genera) and personal communications of unpublished data distributed across 31 localities. Terrestrial activity was reported in 61% of Pithecia field studies (11 of 18), in 34% of Chiropotes studies (10 of 29), and 36% of Cacajao studies (4 of 11). Within Pithecia, terrestrial behavior was more frequently reported in smaller species (e.g. P. pithecia) that are vertical clingers and leapers and make extensive use of the understory than in in the larger bodied canopy dwellers of the western Amazon (e.g. P. irrorata). Terrestrial behavior in Pithecia also occurred more frequently and lasted longer than in Cacajao or Chiropotes. An apparent association was found between flooded habitats and terrestrial activity and there is evidence of the development of a “local pattern” of terrestrial use in some populations. Seasonal fruit availability also may stimulate terrestrial behavior. Individuals also descended to the ground when visiting mineral licks, escaping predators, and responding to accidents such as a dropped infant. Overall, the results of this review emphasize that terrestrial use is rare among the pitheciins in general and is usually associated with the exploitation of specific resources or habitat types. Am. J. Primatol. 74:1106‐1127, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Factors Affecting Ethanol Induced Luminescence in Dark-Treated Chloroplasts

Dark-treated chloroplasts emit light when treated with a high ethanol concentration. The ethanol treatment causes chlorophyll solvation. The light is red and emanates from a singlet excited molecule, probably a chlorophyll peroxide. It is quenched by acetone, sodium dodecyl sulfate treatment of the chloroplasts before the addition of ethanol, boiling, reducing substances and low pH. It is enhanced by ferricyanide and high pH. This is interpreted as a requirement for an organized structure and for an energy transfer system for light emission to occur.     

Serum effects confound the neuroleptic radioreceptor assay

The neuroleptic radioreceptor assay (NRRA) is used widely to monitor total neuroleptic-like activity (NLA) in patients taking one or more antipsychotic drugs. The original report of Creese and Snyder (1) stated that serum alone caused a small effect on binding which was negligible compared to normal daily variations in the assay. Conversely, in studies with striata from rat or cow brain, we found that sera from healthy, drug free volunteers, when used at 50 microL/1 mL assay volume, caused marked inhibition of binding. Although any sample of serum causes reproducible inhibition with a given preparation of bovine or rat striatal membranes, the effects of various serum samples may differ markedly when several striatal membrane preparations are compared. Moreover, samples taken from people at different times may also vary, although less than the interindividual differences. Despite this variance, the slopes of log-logit plots were equal to 1 either in the presence or absence of serum. Because of the differences in the interaction of individual sera with different membrane preparations, it is difficult to compensate accurately for this serum effect by simply including control serum in the standard curve. Thus, the use of the NRRA as a quantitative tool in the clinical pharmacology of neuroleptics may be limited by this non-specific effect of serum, and this finding may offer one explanation for some of the inconsistencies found in comparing the NRRA with direct analytical methods.     

THE INTRINSIC MECHANISM OF CHROMATIN DECONDENSATION AND ITS ACTIVATION IN HUMAN SPERMATOZOA*

In vitro decondensation of human sperm chromatin induced by the activation of an intrinsic mechanism was studied by light microscopy, scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Morphological evidence was provided to support the concept that this mechanism is essential for the chromatin decondensation occurring in vivo. Prostatic zinc is hypothesized to preserve this potential decondensation ability from oxidative destruction, by reversibly binding to free thiol-groups. The unique occurrence of disulphide-stabilized structures in eutherian spermatozoa may serve to protect the spermatozoon from structural degradation by its own proteolytic activity during the relatively slow passage through the eutherian egg investments.     

SEDIMENTARY STRUCTURES IN CAMBRIAN LIMESTONES STUDIED BY RADIOGRAPHY

The paper deals with radiographic studies of Middle Cambrian 'fragment limestone', and Upper Cambrian anthraconite concretions from Bornholm (Denmark). A very simple method provides good insight into the sedimentary structures of the rocks and hence a good foundation for interpretation of the lithogenesis.