Heterochronic evolution in the Heliolites interstinctus-decipiens lineage of the Chaleur Bay region, eastern Canada

A study of the Heliolites interstinctus-decipiens lineage from the Silurian of the Chalcur Bay region, eastern Canada, indicates that most morphological characters of this lineage, including tabularium diameter, coenenchymal tubule diameter and corallite spacing, remain relatively invariate through a Llandovery to Pridoli interval of about 20 million years. In contrast, septal development and corallite wall erenulation show pronounced evolutionary changes due to heterochrony, as shown by comparison of astogenies throughout the lineage. The reduction of septa and the replacement of crenulate corallites by smooth ones in the 'decipiens' type descendent appear to have been by paedomorphosis from the 'interstinctus' type ancestor. The problems of speciation in this lineage are discussed including the alternative hypotheses of a speciation event in the early Ludlow or a phyletic trend within a single species whose longevity is due in part to the stabilization processes of niche separation.     

Inhibition of lactic streptococcus bacteriophage by crystal violet and other agents

Ninety-nine selected compounds and eleven antibiotic-producing organisms were tested for antiphage activity and host toxicity. A paper disc-agar diffusion method was used for primary screening and quantitative methods were employed for confirmatory investigation. Most of the agents tested, although previously reported as inhibitory to one or more other virus-host systems, did not selectively prevent multiplication of lactic streptococcus bacteriophage. Several compounds which prevented mass lysis were extremely toxic to host bacteria. Crystal violet suppressed growth of two phage strains at a level (1.0 x 10(-7)M) which permitted normal growth of the host cells. Failure of crystal violet to prevent multiplication of many phage strains suggested possible variations in the multiplication mechanisms of different strains of virus. Virustatic levels of crystal violet did not destroy unadsorbed virus, reduce adsorption, or prevent invasion; increase of virus was reduced in one-step growth experiments; mass lysis was prevented or delayed in long time experiments. Addition and removal of crystal violet at various intervals during the latent period resulted in virus yields directly related to the portion of the latent period during which no dye was present. Duration of the latent period was unaffected. Single burst experiments indicated that the yield of plaque-forming particles per infected bacterium was reduced; the proportion of infected bacteria giving rise to active progeny did not appear to be influenced to a significant degree. Crystal violet apparently interferes with intracellular multiplication of the virus, possibly by combination of the dye with phage DNA or fractions thereof at some critical stage in the incorporation of DNA into the virus particle.     

Phenotypic plasticity in hoverflies: the relationship between colour pattern and season in Episyrphus balteatus and other Syrphidae

1. The abdominal colour patterns of some multivoltine species of hoverfly are phenotypically plastic and change through the flying season.
2. It was predicted how the abdominal colour pattern of one species, Episyrphus balteatus , should change in the field with season based on a hypothesis that the pattern influences the thermoregulatory capabilities of the animal. The colour patterns were quantified using image analysis. The observed changes in the colour pattern through the year supported the thermoregulation hypothesis.
3. A further three Metasyrphus species were analysed similarly to allow a comparative study of the forms of the plasticities of the above four species and four Eristalis species from a previous study.
4. Whilst it was clear that the abdominal colour patterns of many of the species were plastic, it was also apparent that not all species used the same developmental pathway to control the seasonal colour pattern changes. This suggests convergent evolution towards a general type of plasticity and that abdominal colour pattern plasticity in hoverflies is functional.