An orb‐weaver spider eludes plant‐defending acacia ants by hiding in plain sight

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Shape analysis of two sympatric coral species: Implications for taxonomy and evolution

Fourier shape analysis of Pleurodictyum americanum and P. dividua , favositid tabulate corals, from the Middle Devonian Hamilton Group of New York State, indicates that colony growth form is variable within species between environments, but that the range of variability in growth form is static through time. Pleurpdictyum dividua displays a columnar morphotype; however, P. dividua and P. americanum cannot be discriminated from one another based on colony shape alone. A major prediction of the punctuated equilibrium model of evolution is morphological stasis throughout the duration of a species. Harmonic means of assemblages of P. americanum show no persistent temporal trends. The range of harmonic means present among the oldest assemblages (Centerfield Limestone) are comparable to those among the youngest assemblages (Windom Shale) and to those in the intervening intervals. Character stasis in colony growth form lasted throughout a 2.5-3.5 my interval. In tabulate corals, where reproductive modes such as fragmentation have not been demonstrated, growth form may be useful in interpreting ancient environments. In addition, the tempo of evolution of growth form can be analyzed when sufficient morphological data are available from a wide distribution of environments. Thus, Fourier shape analysis of growth form provides a powerful tool for paleontologists to interpret the ecology and evolution of colonial marine animals.     

Soluble nitrogen and phosphorus excretion of exotic freshwater mussels (Dreissena spp.): potential impacts for nutrient remineralisation in western Lake Erie

1. Recent increases in phytoplankton biomass and the recurrence of cyanobacterial blooms in western Lake Erie, concomitant with a shift from a community dominated by zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) to one dominated by quagga mussels (D. bugensis), led us to test for differences in ammonia‐nitrogen and phosphate‐phosphorus excretion rates of these two species of invasive molluscs. 2. We found significant differences in excretion rate both between size classes within a taxon and between taxa, with zebra mussels generally having greater nutrient excretion rates than quagga mussels. Combining measured excretion rates with measurements of mussel soft‐tissue dry weight and shell length, we developed nutrient excretion equations allowing estimation of nutrient excretion by dreissenids. 3. Comparing dreissenid ammonia and phosphate excretion with that of the crustacean zooplankton, we demonstrated that the mussels add to nitrogen and phosphorus remineralisation, shortening nitrogen and phosphorus turnover times, and, importantly, modify the nitrogen and phosphorus cycles in Lake Erie. The increased nutrient flux from dreissenids may facilitate phytoplankton growth and cyanobacterial blooms in well‐mixed and/or shallow areas of western Lake Erie.     

Possible effects of interprotein variation in mean rate of amino acid substitution on the relationship of genetic distance with time since evolutionary divergence

Published data on mean rates of genetic divergence for a substantial number of protein molecules is used to examine the hypothetical effect of variations in these rates upon the expected relationship between evolutionary time and Nei's (1972, American Naturalist, 106: 283) genetic distance, D. Results indicate that at higher values D can be expected to deviate significantly from stochastic linearity with time. However, over the sort of time scale over which D values are normally estimated, deviation is slight and likely to be insignificant when compared to other potential sources of error. It is concluded that for most practical purposes interprotein differences in mean rates of amino acid substitution need not be taken into account when calibrating genetic distance estimates against evolutionary time.     

OCTOCORALLIAN AND HYDROID FOSSILS FROM THE LOWER ORDOVICIAN OF WALES

Abstract:  Octocorallian and hydroid fossils are described from the Lower Ordovician (Arenig Series) of Wales. They include gorgoniids that are the earliest known fossils of this group: Petilavenula varifurcata gen. et sp. nov. and P. surculosa gen. et sp. nov. Pennalina crossi gen. et sp. nov. is probably also a gorgoniid but may be a hydroid. A new hydroid, Pontifennia gracilis gen. et sp. nov., is also described.     

Interrelationship Between Plant Developmental Stage, Plant Growth Rate, Nitrate Utilization and Nitrogen Fixation in Hydroponically Grown Soybean

The growth rate of the indeterminate soybean plant [Glycinemax (L.)Merr.] slows as it proceeds from vegetative phase intoreproductive growth. Yet, the well-nodulated plant acquiresmost of its nitrogen during reproductive growth. Thus, the interrelationshipbetween plant developmental stage and nitrogen fixation wasexamined. It is shown that, regardless of the age of the hydroponicallygrown soybean plant at the time of its inoculation with Bradyrhizobiumjaponicum, the highest rate of nitrogen fixation occurs duringthe pod-filling stage (R5). Nevertheless, maximum total nitrogenfixation is generally achieved when inoculation occurs at thefull-bloom stage (R2). It is shown, however, that flower budsand flowering are not responsible for the enhanced nodulationand nitrogen fixation. Rather, the data suggest that the onsetof rapid nodulation occurs soon after the initiation of thedevelopmentally programmed drop in foliar nitrate reductaseactivity. The ensuing increase in nitrogen fixation providesthe plant with much of its needed nitrogen and hence stimulatesplant mass accumulation during pod-fill. It is suggested thatnitrogen fixation enhances growth of the soybean plant by increasingits net photosynthetic efficiency during reproductive growthand by providing the needed nitrogen at the appropriate timefor maximum seed growth. Key words: Glycine max, nitrate, nitrogen fixation, nodulation     

Stage-Dependent Effects of Chloroquine on Plasmodium falciparum In Vitro1

The erythrocytic developmental cycle of Plasmodium falciparum can be conveniently divided into the ring, trophozoite, and schizont stages based on morphology and metabolism. Using highly synchronous cultures of P. falciparum, considerable variation was demonstrated among these stages in sensitivity to chloroquine. The effects of timed, sequential exposure to several clinically relevant concentrations of chloroquine were monitored by three techniques: morphological analysis, changes in the rate of glucose consumption, and changes in the incorporation of ³H-hypoxanthine into parasite nucleic acids. All three techniques gave essentially identical results. The trophozoite and schizont stages were considerably more sensitive to the drug than ring-stage parasites. Chloroquine sensitivity decreased as nuclear division neared completion. The increase in chloroquine sensitivity was coincident with a marked rise in the rate of glucose consumption and nucleic acid synthesis. The rate of nucleic acid synthesis decreased as schizogony progressed while glucose consumption continued at high rates during this process. The degree of chloroquine sensitivity was not highly correlated with either metabolic activity.     

Aminopeptidases from Plasmodium falciparum, Plasmodium chabaudi chabaudi and Plasmodium berghei

ABSTRACT. Using fluorogenic substrates and polyacrylamide gels we detected in cell-free extracts of Plasmodium falciparum, Plasmodium chabaudi chabaudi and Plasmodium berghei only a single aminopeptidase. A comparative study of the aminopeptidase activity in each extract revealed that the enzymes have similar specificities and kinetics, a near-neutral pH optima of 7.2 and are moderately thermophilic. Each has an apparent molecular weight of 80,000 ± 10,000, determined by high performance liquid chromatography on a calibrated SW500 column. Whilst the P. c. chabaudi and P. berghei activity co-migrate in native polyacrylamide gels, that of P. falciparum migrates more slowly. The three enzymes can be selectively inhibited by ortho -phenanthroline and are thus metallo-aminopeptidases; however, in contrast to other aminopeptidases the metal co-factor does not appear to be Zn²⁺.     

Trophic Dynamics and Niches of Salt Marsh Foraminifera

Energetic considerations of the growth of three species of littoralbenthic foraminifera, Allogromia laticollaris, Rosalina leei,and Spiroloculina hyalina, have been made on laboratory-grownpopulations. Under optimum laboratory conditions A. laticollarishas the greatest intrinsic rate of increase (r = 2.533 org/day);S. hyalina (r = 1.472 org/day), and R. leei (r = 0.272 org/day)being less fecund. The respiration rates of the three specieswere similar (0.5–4.5 µ1/mg body wt/hr) within thetemperature range (15–35 C) tested. The species studiedare selective feeders. Only 4-5 of 28 species of algae testedwere consumed in significant quantities (40-150 x 10⁸ g/foram/day).Although great numbers of bacteria were eaten, their biomasswas negligible when compared to the algae. The ecological growthefficiency (E_e) of the three species tested is highest in freshcultures (5-20%) and declines rapidly. Evidence suggests thatthe species studied are well adapted for the rapid changes inthe microbial community structure which take place throughoutthe summer, and that community stability and high rate of productivityare achieved through diversity.