Effects of forest fragmentation on species richness and composition of ground beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae and Brachinidae) in urban landscapes

To clarify the effects of forest fragmentation in urban landscapes on the abundance, species richness, dominance, and species composition of ground beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae and Brachinidae), we compared the beetles collected in 12 pitfall traps from April to July and from September to November between three continuous suburban forests and eight isolated urban forests (0.06–1.02 ha), most of which were in the precincts of shrines and temples in Hanshin District, Honshu, Japan. A total of 28 species and 4178 individuals of ground beetles were collected. Segregation of urban forests from continuous suburban forests has changed the species composition and resulted in the loss of some large‐sized forest species and the addition of some non‐forest species. Simpson's index of dominance (λ) also increased in the urban forests. The richness of forest species markedly decreased with the reduction in forest area but not with the distance from continuous forests, although the species richness of non‐forest species did not change with them. Also, species composition changed only with forest area. These findings indicate that continuous forests do not necessary serve as a “mainland” for urban forest species and that every urban habitat, however small in size, acts as a temporary reservoir of species. In comparison with populations of small‐sized species, populations of large‐sized forest species appeared to decline more readily during forest fragmentation.     

Ogasawaracris gloriosus, a new genus and species of possibly extinct grasshopper (Orthoptera: Acrididae) from the Ogasawara Islands

A new grasshopper genus and species of the subfamily Eyprepocnemidinae, Ogasawaracris gloriosus, is described from the Ogasawara Islands, oceanic islands south of Japan. This species has unique characteristics, such as an extraordinarily large body, rugose and very coarse punctation on the lateral surface of the pronotum, and very strong pronotal lateral carinae. Specimens of this new species have rarely been collected and they are known only from the Ogasawara Islands. The species may already be extinct.     

The Expression of Tyrosinase,Tyrosinase-Related Proteins 1 and 2 (TRP1 and TRP2), the Silver Protein,and a Melanogenic Inhibitor in Human Melanoma Cells of Differing Melanogenic Activities

The expression of various melanogenic proteins, including tyrosinase, the tyrosinase-related proteins 1 (TRP1) and 2 (TRP2/DOPAchrome tautomerase), and the silver protein in human melanocytes was studied in six different human melanoma cell lines and compared to a mouse derived melanoma cell line. Analysis of the expression of tyrosinase, TRP1, TRP2, and the silver protein using flow cytometry revealed that in general there was a positive correlation between melanin formation and the expression of those melanogenic enzymes. Although several of the melanoma cell lines possessed significant activities of TRP2, the levels of DOPAchrome tautomerase in extracts of human cells were relatively low compared to those in murine melanocytes. Melanins derived from melanotic murine JB/MS cells, from melanotic human Ihara cells and HM-IY cells, from sepia melanin, and from C57BL/6 mouse hair were chemically analyzed. JB/MS cells, as well as Ihara cells and HM-TY cells, possessed significant amounts of 5,6-dihydroxyindole-2-carboxylic acid (DHICA) derived melanins, this being dependent on the activity of TRP2. Kinetic HPLC assays showed that 5,6-dihydroxyindole (DHI) produced during melanogenesis was metabolized quickly to melanin in pigmented KHm-1/4 cells, whereas DHI was stable in amelanotic human SK-MEL-24 cells. A melanogenic inhibitor that has been purified from SK-MEL-24 cells that suppressed oxidation of DHI in the presence or absence of tyrosinase, but had no effect on DHICA oxidation. The sum of these results suggest that the expression of melanogenic enzymes as well as the activity of a melanogenic inhibitor are critical to the production of melanin synthesis in humans.     

Observations on the cytoplasmic membranes of testicular cells,examined by phase contrast and electron microscopy

In freshly isolated cells of the guinea pig germinal epithelium examined with phase contrast, dark contours are seen in the cytoplasm that appear to be optical sections of the cisternae of the endoplasmic reticulum. These increase in contrast, in number, and in linear extent with increasing time up to 4 hours after isolation of the cells from the testis. During this period, cisternae originally present in the cells are extended and new ones appear to be formed by coalescence of tubular and vesicular elements of the reticulum. The cisternae become associated in parallel array and ultimately form elaborate concentric systems resembling structures that have often been interpreted as intracellular "myelin figures." Until now our knowledge of the endoplasmic reticulum has been based largely upon electron micrographs. The observation that the cisternae are visible in certain cell types under phase contrast optics opens the way for experimental investigations on the behavior of this class of cytoplasmic membranes in living cells.     

Agouti Protein Inhibits the Production of Eumelanin and Phaeomelanin in the Presence and Absence of α-Melanocyte Stimulating Hormone

Melanocytes synthesise two types of melanin: the brown-black eumelanin and the red-yellow phaeomelanin. In mice, the relative proportions of these two melanins are regulated by α-MSH, which preferentially increases the synthesis of eumelanin and by the Agouti protein (AP), the expression of which correlates with the growth of yellow phaeomelanin-containing hair. It has been proposed that AP acts by antagonizing the action of α-MSH at the MCI receptor, although it has been suggested that it may also act independently of α-MSH. In the present study we show that AP inhibits melanogenesis in B16F1 melanoma cells in the presence and absence of α-MSH and also causes dose-related decreases in the synthesis of both eumelanin and phaeomelanin. In the presence of α-MSH AP had a greater effect on eumelanin production and this is consistent with an antagonistic action at the MCI receptor. In the absence of α-MSH however, AP produced similar reductions in the synthesis of both melanins. These changes were not seen in B16G4F cells which lack the MCI receptor, suggesting that even in the absence of α-MSH AP acts at the MCI receptor. How this action is mediated at the intracellular level is not yet clear, although it appears to be associated with a decrease in tyrosinase activity.     

A global molecular phylogeny of the fern genus Trichomanes (Hymenophyllaceae) with special reference to stem anatomy

To establish a basis for future taxonomic revisions and to infer the evolutionary traits of Trichomanes s.l. , one of two large filmy fern genera, molecular phylogenetic analyses were conducted using chloroplast rbcL sequences. Sampling covered most of the global distribution range of this genus throughout the tropical and temperate zones, as well as all taxonomically significant species by the addition of 51 samples principally from Asia. The evolution of eight selected characters, which were adopted as taxonomic keys and/or putatively reflect morphological regression, was optimized on the retrieved most parsimonious rbcL trees, together with new observations on the stem anatomy of 45 species. The eight robust clades retrieved within Trichomanes in the rbcL phylogeny conflict with the existing classifications. Our results also suggest that the cup-shaped sorus, the primary diagnostic character of the genus, appears in parallel in the Hymenophyllum lineage, as demonstrated by Pleuromanes (typified by Trichomanes pallidum ) included in the lineage. The suggestion that the regressive character states are homoplastic apomorphies in the evolution of the frond size, stem thickness, root system, and stem anatomy (stele and cortex) probably illustrates a strong tendency towards adaptive evolutionary transition in Trichomanes . © 2007 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2007, 155 , 1–27.     

Monochoria vaginalis var. angustifolia，a new variety of the Pontederiaceae from Thailand

A new variety of Monochoria C. Presl from Thailand, M. vaginalis （N. L. Burman）Kunth var.angustifolia G. X. Wang, is described. This variety can be distinguished from the typical one, M. vaginalis var. vaginalis, by having mature leaves narrowly lanceolat