Rotifer fauna of Rajasthan,India

Summary Thirty six species of rotifers have been reported from Rajasthan including a new species of Monostyla. Lecane dorsicalis ARORA (1965) is regarded as a synonym of L. luna (Muller) 1776.     

First Report of a New Isolate of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Metarhizium rileyi</Emphasis> from Maize Fields of Quivicán,Cuba

Metarhizium rileyi (Farlow) Samson is an important entomopathogenic fungus of more than 30 species of Lepidoptera larvae. The aim of this research was to characterize isolate of M. rileyi from Quivicán, Cuba on the basis of morphological and molecular approaches. The fungus was isolated from samples of S. frugiperda larvae collected from maize fields of Quivicán municipality, Mayabeque province, Cuba, and it was cultured on PDA?+?Ampicillin solid media for morphological characterization. The DNA was isolated using CTAB method and internal transcribed spacer (ITS1, ITS4) were used as the primers for the amplification. The amplified products of 1335 bp were purified and sequenced at CINVESTAV-IPN in both the directions using the above primers. A consensus sequence was obtained by alignment of the forward and reverse sequences for this region and deposited in GenBank (MG637450). The fungus produced slightly cottony colony of pale green color and dispersed conidia and septal mycelium were observed under the optical microscope. A BLAST search of the sequence in GenBank revealed a 99% of identity with several strains of N. rileyi (e.g., AF368501.1, AB268359.1 and EU553337.1) and M. rileyi (e.g., KY436756.1). This is the first report of M. rileyi isolate from maize fields of Quivicán in Cuba and this is important for biodiversity studies and is another possibility for Integrated Pest Management.     

Systematic study of photoluminescence,lyoluminescence and mechanoluminescence in Ce3+‐ and Eu3+‐activated Li3PO4 phosphors

Li₃PO₄ phosphor was prepared using a modified solid‐state diffusion technique. In this work, photoluminescence, lyoluminescence and mechanoluminescence studies were carried out in a Li₃PO₄ microcrystalline powder doped with different rare earths. In photoluminescence studies, characteristic emission of Ce and Eu was observed. The lyoluminescence glow curves of Li₃PO₄ microcrystals show that lyoluminescence intensity initially increases with time and then decreases exponentially. The decay time consists of two components for all masses. The dependence of decay time, especially the longer component, on mass has been investigated. Experiments on γ‐irradiated crystals have proved that the light emission originates from the recombination of released F‐centres with trapped holes (V₂‐centres) at the sulfuric acid–solid interface. Incorporation of bivalent alkali in solid lithium phosphate leads to an enhancement of lyoluminescence. A possible explanation for the experimental results has been attempted. The phosphor has a mechanoluminescence single glow peak. Mechanoluminescence intensity under various loading conditions was investigated. It is observed that mechanoluminescence intensity increases with increasing impurity concentration and increasing piston impact velocity. The results may be considered as only being of academic interest in solid‐state materials. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Two new species of freshwater Ostracoda of the genus Parastenocypris Hartmann, 1964 from Kerala,India

Parastenocypris goddeerisi n.sp. and P. achandii n.sp. are described from temporary habitats in Kerala, southern India. The morphology of both males and females is illustrated and the new species are compared to the known representatives of the genus. Stenocypris fernandoi Neale, described from Sri Lanka, is here referred to Parastenocypris.     

Detection of Aster Yellows Phytoplasma (16SrI) Associated with Prickly Ash (Zanthoxylum schinifolium S. et Z.) witches' Broom Disease in Korea

Prickly ash trees with shortened internodes, proliferation of shoots, phyllody and witches' brooms were observed for the first time in Korea. A phytoplasma was detected in infected trees by polymerase chain reaction amplification of 16S rDNA, 16S–23S intergenic spacer region and the fragment of rp operon sequences. The 16S rDNA sequences exhibited maximum (99.6%) similarity with Iranian lettuce phytoplasma, and the sequences of rp operon exhibited maximum (100%) similarity with golden rain phytoplasma. Based on the sequence analysis and phylogenetic studies, it was confirmed that phytoplasma infecting prickly ash trees in Korea belongs to the aster yellows group (subgroup 16SrI‐B).     

Identification and validation of quantitative trait loci controlling seed isoflavone content across multiple environments and backgrounds in soybean

Soybean is important throughout the world not only due to the high seed protein and oil but also owing to the seed isoflavone. To improve the isoflavone concentration in seeds, detecting and mining the stable and reliable quantitative trait loci (QTLs) and related genes in multiple environments and genetic backgrounds become more and more important. In view of this, a F_6:7 recombinant inbred line (RIL) population of 345 lines derived from a cross between Zheng 92116 and Liaodou14 (ZL) was genotyped using 1739 polymorphic SNP and 127 SSR markers in this study and was phenotyped for individual and total seed isoflavone in four environments over 2 years. In total, 48 additive QTLs, which explained 3.00–29.83% of seed isoflavone variation, were identified. Of them, eight QTLs (qDA1_1, qGA1_1, qTIA1_1, qDA1_2, qGA1_2, qTIA1_2, qDA1_3, qTIA1_3) with phenotypic variation explained (PVE) ranging from 14.09 to 28.59% for daidzin, genistin, and total isoflavone were located on the same region of linkage group (LG) A1. These QTLs were further verified in another RIL population derived from Zheng 92116 × Qihuang 30 (ZQ). Meanwhile, the other four overlapping QTLs on linkage group B1, which were associated with glycitin content (qGLB1_1, qGLB1_2, qGLB1_3, qGLB1_4) and explained 16.52 to 29.83% of phenotypic variation, were also verified using the ZQ population. Moreover, the individuals with different genotypes at the common flanking SNP markers for these QTLs on LGs A1 and B1 in the two mapping populations showed significant different isoflavone content, which further validate the QTL mapping results. And also, some candidate genes might participate in the isoflavone biosynthesis processes were found in these stable QTL regions. Thus, the novel and stable QTLs identified and verified in this study could be applied in marker-assisted selection breeding or map-based candidate genes cloning in soybean seed isoflavone genetic improvement in future.     

Genetics of xenotropic virus expression in mice. II. Expression of major virus structural proteins in crosses involving NZB/B1NJ, SWR/J, and 129/J strains of mice

The expression of viral structural polypeptides and the production of infectious xenotropic virus were found to segregate together in NZB, 129/J, and SWR/J mice and in crosses between these strains. The viral p30 protein segregation pattern, as measured by competition radioimmunoassay using extracts of frozen spleens from backcross progeny, indicate that xenotropic murine leukemia virus expression is controlled by two dominant genes.     

Ultrastructural Analysis of the Neuroendocrine Apparatus of Oncopeltus fasciatus (Heteroptera)

• 1 In Oncopeltus fasciatus, the A-cells of the pars intercerebralis and their tracts are stainable in situ with the performic acid-victoria blue (PAVB) method. The axons from these cells, after traversing the corpus cardiacum, terminate in the anterior part of the aorta which thus serves as the neurohemal organ.
• 2 Ultrastructurally, four types of secretory neurons are distinguishable in the pars intercerebralis region: pic-I with granules measuring 1000–3000 Å in diameter; pic-II with granules of irregular size and shape, the elongate ones showing mean dimensions of 2400 × 1400 Å; pic-III with less electron-dense granules measuring 1000–2700 Å in diameter; pic-IV, present not only in the pars intercerebralis but also in adjacent regions of the brain, with variable proportions of granules measuring 700–1800 A and dense-cored vesicles measuring 1000–2400 Å.
• 3 The nervi corporis cardiaci contain at least three types of neurosecretory axons, based on granule content, presumably representing pic-I, pic-II and pic-III neurons.
• 4 The wall of the aorta contains endings of at least three distinct types, again representing pic-I, pic-II and pic-III neurons, and thus provides the neurohemal site for these three types of protocerebral neurosecretory cells. Axons of pic-IV neurons appear to enter the cerebral neuropil.
• 5 The corpus cardiacum is composed of two types of parenchymal secretory cells, with electron-dense granules measuring 1300–3000 Å and 1000–2300 Å in diameter, respectively. The corpus cardiacum also contains interstitial cells and some axons of extrinsic origin, with and without granules.
• 6 The corpus allatum may be paired or median, and receives a small number of at least two types of axons. The corpora allata of some reproducing females show a large number of PAVB-stainable inclusions which appear to be modified cytoplasmic organelles, but are definitely not neurosecretory material.
• 7 The hypocerebral ganglion is composed of two types of secretory-appearing neurons and glial cells. The two neuronal types contain secretory granules, 1000–3000 Å and 900–2100 Å in diameter, respectively. Axons of the recurrent nerve also may contain occasional granules.
• 8 In this heteropteran insect, the two principal functions of the corpus cardiacum appear to be spatially separated: the neurohemal function is subserved by the aortic wall, which permits release of material into both the aortic lumen and the hemocoel, and the intrinsic endocrine function is possessed by the parenchymal cells.

     

Ovarian development in Culex nigripalpus and its implication for disease transmission

Ovarian development was investigated in wild and colonized Culex nigripalpus Theobald females. Blood-seeking females with morphologically distinct nulliparous, parous and resorbed ovarian follicles (as opposed to females with degenerating follicles) were collected from the field all year, indicating year around gonoactivity. During the cooler months a larger number of females with resorbed follicles were collected from the field than in warmer months. Laboratory experiments showed that resorbed ovarian follicles occurred in sucrose fed females when deprived of a blood meal after emergence. These resorbed ovarian follicles were functional, since most of them began to develop and mature after the females took a blood meal to repletion. Among females fed a partial blood meal, some did not begin ovarian development and, therefore, exhibited gonotrophic dissociation. Females fed partial blood meals had similar patterns of ovarian development, irrespective of temperature at which they were maintained. Implications of occurrence of females with resorbed ovarian follicles and disease transmission are discussed.Supported in part by National Institutes of Health Research Grants No. A1-06587 and RR-07021. A contribution of the Florida Medical Entomology Laboratory, Vero Beach, Florida, Florida Agriculture Experimental Station Journal Series No. 2367     

The effect of infection with Dirofilaria immitis (dog heartworm) on fluid secretion rates in the Malpighian tubules of the mosquitoes Aedes taeniorhynchus and Anopheles quadrimaculatus

Dirofilaria immitis, the parasitic nematode causing the disease dog heartworm, is transmitted by female mosquitoes. During their development, larval nematodes reside in the cells of the Malpighian tubules of these mosquitoes for approx 13 days. We have examined the effect of the presence of these large intracellular parasites on the main physiological function of the Malpighian tubules, i.e. fluid secretion. Rates of fluid secretion were examined in vitro using both normal and infected tubules of the mosquito species Aedes taeniorhynchus and Anopheles quadrimaculatus. Tubules of A. quadrimaculatus show changes in trasport rate during the reproductive cycle. Those of A. taeniorhynchus do not. Infection with larvae of D. immitis had no effect on the rate of fluid secretion in tubules of A. quadrimaculatus. In A. taeniorhynchus by contrast, the tubules show decline in transport with time following infection. The reduction in transport capacity is proportional to the number of worms infecting the tubule. The present paper and separate ultrastructural studies demonstrate that parallel changes in microvillar ultrastructure and epithelial transport rates occur in response to infection by the parasite. In both species examined, the survival of the mosquitoes and their vector potential are determined by factors other than the transport capacities of the infected Malpighian tubules.