A slow and a fast secretory compartment of POMC-derived peptides in the neurointermediate lobe of the amphibian Xenopus laevis

1. Peptide release from the neurointermediate lobe of Xenopus laevis has been studied using dual pulse-chase incubation, superfusion and HPLC techniques. 2. Lobes release pulse-labelled material in two phases, the first phase lasting about 6 hr, the second persisting up to 14 hr. 3. In both phases similar, POMC-derived peptides are released. Their release can be inhibited by dopamine. 4. When release during the first phase is inhibited, newly synthesized peptides are shunted into the second release pathway. 5. It is concluded that the neurointermediate lobe contains two release compartments. The possible locations of these compartments within melanotrope cells have been discussed.     

Cuticle lipids on heteromorphic leaves of Populus euphratica Oliv. growing in riparian habitats differing in available soil moisture

Populus euphratica is an important native tree found in arid regions from North Africa and South Europe to China, and is known to tolerate many forms of environmental stress, including drought. We describe cuticle waxes, cutin and cuticle permeability for the heteromorphic leaves of P. euphratica growing in two riparian habitats that differ in available soil moisture. Scanning electron microscopy revealed variation in epicuticular wax crystallization associated with leaf type and site. P. euphratica leaves are dominated by cuticular wax alkanes, primary‐alcohols and fatty acids. The major cutin monomers were 10,16‐diOH C_16:0 acids. Broad‐ovate leaves (associated with adult phase growth) produced 1.3‐ and 1.6‐fold more waxes, and 2.1‐ and 0.9‐fold more cutin monomers, than lanceolate leaves (associated with juvenile phase growth) at the wetter site and drier site, respectively. The alkane‐synthesis‐associated ECERIFERUM1 (CER1), as well as ABC transporter‐ and elongase‐associated genes, were expressed at much higher levels at the drier than wetter sites, indicating their potential function in elevating leaf cuticle lipids in the dry site conditions. Higher cuticle lipid amounts were closely associated with lower cuticle permeability (both chlorophyll efflux and water loss). Our results implicate cuticle lipids as among the xeromorphic traits associated with P. euphratica adult‐phase broad‐ovate leaves. Results here provide useful information for protecting natural populations of P. euphratica and their associated ecosystems, and shed new light on the functional interaction of cuticle and leaf heterophylly in adaptation to more arid, limited‐moisture environments.     

Assessing temporal genetic variation in a cougar population: influence of harvest and neighboring populations

The geography of the Black Hills region of South Dakota and Wyoming may limit connectivity for many species. For species with large energetic demands and large home ranges or species at low densities this can create viability concerns. Carnivores in this region, such as cougars (Puma concolor), have the additive effect of natural and human-induced mortality; this may act to decrease long-term viability. In this study we set out to explore genetic diversity among cougar populations in the Black Hills and surrounding areas. Specifically, our objectives were to first compare genetic variation and effective number of breeders of cougars in the Black Hills during three harvest regimes: pre (2003–2006), moderate (2007–2010), and heavy (2011–2013), to determine if harvest impacted genetic variation. Second, we compared genetic structure of the Black Hills cougar population with cougar populations in neighboring eastern Wyoming and North Dakota. Using 20 microsatellite loci, we conducted genetic analysis on DNA samples from cougars in the Black Hills (n = 675), North Dakota (n = 113), and eastern Wyoming (n = 62) collected from 2001–2013. Here we report that the Black Hills cougar population maintained genetic variation over the three time periods. Our substructure analysis suggests that the maintenance of genetic variation was due to immigration from eastern Wyoming and possibly North Dakota.     

A diagenetic control on the Early Triassic Smithian–Spathian carbon isotopic excursions recorded in the marine settings of the Thaynes Group (Utah,USA)

In the aftermath of the end‐Permian mass extinction, Early Triassic sediments record some of the largest Phanerozoic carbon isotopic excursions. Among them, a global Smithian‐negative carbonate carbon isotope excursion has been identified, followed by an abrupt increase across the Smithian–Spathian boundary (SSB; ~250.8 Myr ago). This chemostratigraphic evolution is associated with palaeontological evidence that indicate a major collapse of terrestrial and marine ecosystems during the Late Smithian. It is commonly assumed that Smithian and Spathian isotopic variations are intimately linked to major perturbations in the exogenic carbon reservoir. We present paired carbon isotopes measurements from the Thaynes Group (Utah, USA) to evaluate the extent to which the Early Triassic isotopic perturbations reflect changes in the exogenic carbon cycle. The δ¹³C_carb variations obtained here reproduce the known Smithian δ¹³C_carb‐negative excursion. However, the δ¹³C signal of the bulk organic matter is invariant across the SSB and variations in the δ³⁴S signal of sedimentary sulphides are interpreted here to reflect the intensity of sediment remobilization. We argue that Middle to Late Smithian δ¹³C_carb signal in the shallow marine environments of the Thaynes Group does not reflect secular evolution of the exogenic carbon cycle but rather physicochemical conditions at the sediment–water interface leading to authigenic carbonate formation during early diagenetic processes.     

Assessment of TRH as a potential MSH release stimulating factor in Xenopus laevis

This study considers the possible involvement of the tripeptide TRH (thyrotropin releasing hormone) in the physiological regulation of melanophore stimulating hormone (MSH) secretion from the pars intermedia of the toad, Xenopus laevis. TRH was shown to stimulate release of MSH from superfused neurointermediate lobes obtained from white-background adapted animals, but had no effect on secretion from lobes of black-background adapted animals. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed a rich TRH-containing neuronal network terminating in the neural lobe of the Xenopus pituitary. Plasma levels of TRH, determined with a specific radioimmunoassay, proved to be extremely high and no significant difference in this level could be found between white- and black-adapted animals. Plasma TRH probably originates from the skin, and our results show that its concentration is within the effective concentration range established for this peptide in stimulating MSH release from the pars intermedia. Therefore, while both our superfusion and immunohistochemical results argue favourably for a function of TRH in the regulation of MSH secretion, we conclude that, in any regulatory role, it would likely have to function within the pars intermedia at concentrations exceeding the high plasma values. While TRH could be involved in short-term activation of the secretory process in white-background adapted animals or in animals undergoing the initial stages of black background adaptation, our results indicate that this peptide may have no function in the maintenance of secretion from the pars intermedia of animals fully adapted to black background.     

Survival of white-tailed deer neonates in Minnesota and South Dakota

Understanding the influence of intrinsic (e.g., age, birth mass, and sex) and habitat factors on survival of neonate white-tailed deer improves understanding of population ecology. During 2002–2004, we captured and radiocollared 78 neonates in eastern South Dakota and southwestern Minnesota, of which 16 died before 1 September. Predation accounted for 80% of mortality; the remaining 20% was attributed to starvation. Canids (coyotes [Canis latrans], domestic dogs) accounted for 100% of predation on neonates. We used known fate analysis in Program MARK to estimate survival rates and investigate the influence of intrinsic and habitat variables on survival. We developed 2 a priori model sets, including intrinsic variables (model set 1) and habitat variables (model set 2; forested cover, wetlands, grasslands, and croplands). For model set 1, model {S_age-interval} had the lowest AIC_c (Akaike's information criterion for small sample size) value, indicating that age at mortality (3-stage age-interval: 0–2 weeks, 2–8 weeks, and >8 weeks) best explained survival. Model set 2 indicated that habitat variables did not further influence survival in the study area; β-estimates and 95% confidence intervals for habitat variables in competing models encompassed zero; thus, we excluded these models from consideration. Overall survival rate using model {S_age-interval} was 0.87 (95% CI = 0.83–0.91); 61% of mortalities occurred at 0–2 weeks of age, 26% at 2–8 weeks of age, and 13% at >8 weeks of age. Our results indicate that variables influencing survival may be area specific. Region-specific data are needed to determine influences of intrinsic and habitat variables on neonate survival before wildlife managers can determine which habitat management activities influence neonate populations. © 2011 The Wildlife Society     

Improvement in drought tolerance in bread wheat is related to an improvement in osmolyte production,antioxidant enzyme activities,and gaseous exchange

Water deficit stress negatively affects wheat growth, physiology, and yield. In lab and hydroponic experiments, osmotic stress levels (control, −2, −4, −6 and −8 Bars) created by PEG-6000, caused a significant decline in germination, mean germination time, root, shoot, and coleoptile length in both wheat genotypes examined. Germination was inhibited more in Wafaq-2001 than in Chakwal-50. Wafaq-2001 showed a higher susceptibility index based on root and shoot dry weight than did Chakwal-50. Wheat plants exhibited osmotic adjustment through the accumulation of proline, soluble sugars, soluble proteins, and free amino acids, and increased antioxidation activities of superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, catalase, and malondialdehyde. Increasing water deficit stress caused a linear decline in chlorophyll contents, leaf membrane stability, and relative water content in all wheat plants, with Wafaq-2001 showing a more severe negative impact on these parameters with increasing stress levels. The results suggest the possibility of utilizing some of these parameters as quantitative indicators of water stress tolerance in plants. Gas exchange measurements (photosynthesis, transpiration, stomatal conductance), leaf osmotic potential, water potential, and yield attributes decreased more abruptly with increasing water deficit, whereas leaf cuticular wax content increased in both genotypes, with more severe impacts on Wagaq-2001. More reduction in biochemical, physiological, and yield attributes was observed in Wafaq-2001 than was observed in Chakwal-50. Based on these results, we can conclude that Chakwal-50 is a more drought-tolerant genotype, and has excellent potential for future use in breeding programs to improve wheat drought tolerance.