Isolation and characterization of cDNA clones corresponding to the genes expressed preferentially in floral organs of Arabidopsis thaliana

Seventeen cDNA clones of genes corresponding to mRNAs expressed preferentially in floral organs of Arabidopsis thaliana were obtained by differential screening of a flower bud cDNA library, and classified into five groups (1A, 17A, 1B, 4B and 5B) by cross-hybridization and restriction analysis. Sequence analysis revealed that the 1A-1 and 17A-1 clones encode vegetative storage proteins (VSPs). The VSP mRNAs were detected in a small amount in leaves and increased to a limited level by wounding. Both 1B-1 and 5B-1 clones were homologous to transmembrane protein cDNAs. The protein encoded by 4B-1 clone contained a proline-rich region, but no homologous proteins were found in databases.     

Chromatographic Study of Spirosin by Use of Monoclonal Antibodies to Spirosin of Yersinia enterocolitica

Two monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) reacting with spirosins from Enterobacteriaceae were obtained in a course of screening MAbs to spirosin from Yersinia enterocolitica SYT-11-72 (YE72). The antibodies were designated MAbs-S44 and S50. They were IgG_2b and IgG_2a, respectively, both with k light chains. On Western blotting after limited proteolysis of YE72 spirosin with Staphylococcus aureus V8 protease, they reacted markedly with peptide fragments of 27 and 35 kDa, suggesting the presence of an antigenic determinant on the fragments. When supernatant cell lysate from Escherichia coli K12 was chromatographed on DEAE-cellulose and Sepharose CL-6B columns successively, a 96-kDa protein with alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) activity was always associated with reactivity to MAb-S50. These findings combined with N-terminal amino acid sequences clearly indicate the identity of spirosin to ADH in E. coli.     

Phenological studies on the wing dimorphism of a semi-aquatic bug,Microvelia douglasi (Heteroptera: Veliidae)

Seasonal changes in the percentage of macropterous individuals in natural population of Microvelia douglasi in permanent habitats were investigated in Shimane, western part of Japan. Macropterous forms of 5th instar nymphs occurred most frequently from late June to early July. However, the seasonal appearance of macropterous adults differed between habitats and years. There were significant effects of density, temperature, photoperiod and food availability on the percentage of macropters under laboratory conditions. The percentage of macropterous forms generally increased with density, but the mode of the response was modified by temperature, photoperiod and food availability. When insects were reared under long day photperiod (16L8D) with abundant food (0.5–1.0 g/container/day), the percentage of macroptery varied most among the different density treatments at the intermediate temperature (24°C) and the difference was reduced at higher temperature (28° and 32°C). Effects of temperature were small under the short day photoperiod (12L12D). Under 12L12D photoperiod sensitivity of density responses were higher at 32°C and lower at 24°C than those under 15L8D photoperiod. When the insects were supplied with food every other day, the density response became obscure. Ecological significance of environmental responses in the wing morph determination was discussed in relation to the heterogeneous environment of water surface.     

A computer simulation of the epidemiology of the rice dwarf virus

An epidemiological system model was developed to evaluate the role of factors which were responsible for the prevalence of rice dwarf virus (RDV) transmitted by the green rice leafhopper, Nephotettix cincticeps. Simulation tests were conducted by varying values of the following three parameters: the vector density, the coefficient of the efficiency of feeding acquisition of RDV of the vector, and that of efficiency of RDV transmission by the vector. The effect of each parameter was assessed in terms of changes in percentages of infected insects and of infected rice hills. Both the percentages of infected insects and of infected rice hills increased rapidly with increasing vector density within a range of low vector density. The former increased linearly when the acquisitive coefficient was increased. But the percentage of infected rice hills was affected to a lesser extent. The percentage of infected insects and that of infected rice hills increased exponentially with increasing values of the transmission coefficient. The results obtained from the simulation tests were discussed in relation to the ecological factors which caused the recent prevalence of RDV.     

Quantitative evaluation of predation by spiders on the green rice leafhopper,Nephotettix cincticeps Uhler,by a sight-count method

A sight-count method for evaluation of predation by spiders on the green rice leafhopper, Nephotettix cincticeps was proposed and its applicability was tested under natural conditions. The number (n) of leafhoppers preyed on by spiders per rice hill per day was estimated by the formula: (1) where F is the frequency of predation observed per hill:P is given by dividing the time spent feeding on prey by 24 hours; and C refers to the total amount of feeding activity expressed in terms of the activity during the standard time interval. The total number (N) of prey attacked during the specified period can be given as follows: (2) With this method, the role of paddy-inhabiting spiders, Lycosa pseudoannulata, Oedothorax insecticeps, Tetragnatha spp, and Enoplognatha japonica, as predator of N. cincticeps was evaluated with reference to life tables of the prey. The advantages and limitation of the sight-count method were discussed as compared with other methods so far proposed.     

Effects of crowding on life history parameters of four green leafhoppers,Nephotettix spp. (Homoptera: Cicadellidae)

The effects of intraspecific crowding on the different life history parameters of the three tropical and subtropical green leafhoppers, Nephotettix virescensStål ,N. nigropictusDistant and N. malayanusIshihara etKawase , and one temperate species, N. cincticepsUhler , were studied under 25±1°C using the susceptible Japonica rice variety “Nipponbare”. Crowding during the immature stages of the four species prolonged the nymphal developmental period and resulted to smaller adults with reduced fecundity and shorter life span. Similarly, crowding during the adult stage also shortened the life span of both sexes of adults and decreased the fecundity of females of the four species. The effect of crowding during the adult stage was more adverse than the effect of crowding during the immature stages. N. cincticeps seemed more sensitive to crowding even at lower densities whereas the three tropical species were sensitive mostly at higher densities.     

Dietary items of predacious aquatic bugs (Nepoidea: Heteroptera) in Japanese wetlands

Some species of predatory aquatic bugs (Nepoidea, including Belostomatidae and Nepidae) are designated as threatened-vulnerable species in the Red Data Book of Japan and are regarded as effective predators of freshwater snails and mosquito larvae. To reveal the feeding habits of Nepoidea, we investigated their dietary items in wetlands and obtained data from the published literature. Lethocerus deyrolli (Vuillefroy) preys mainly upon frogs, and the major diet of the nymphs is tadpoles. Laccotrephes japonensis (Scott) adults prey mainly upon tadpoles. Lethocerus deyrolli nymphs and L. japonensis adults compete against each other as same-guild members because they are sympatric in wetlands. Both nymphs and adults of Appasus japonicus (Vuillefroy) feed on snails, and L. japonensis nymphs feed on aquatic insects, including mosquito larvae (39.3% of aquatic insects). These species are effective predators of medically important pests such as snails, and mosquito larvae.     

Papillary projections at the lingual margin in the striped dolphin,Stenella coeruleoalba,with Special Reference to Their Development and Regression

Papillary projections along the anterolateral margin of the tongue were observed in fetal and young stages of the striped dolphin, Stenella coeruleoalba. Papillary projections appear in the prenatal period and attain maximum development in the early postnatal period. They almost disappear by weaning. Vestigial eminences remain at the corresponding region, but they completely disappear in the adult. The papillary projections observed differ markedly from the lingual papillae of the general mammalian tongue as they are temporary, localized at the anterolateral margin and large in size. The projections were also present in young individuals of some other dolphins. No taste buds could be seen on the projections in any of the stages of all specimens observed. Such projections may have important mechanical functions during suckling in these mammals.