Population dynamics of two small pelagic fish in the central-south area off Chile: delayed density-dependence and biological interaction

It is widely believed that environmental variability is the main cause for fluctuations in commercially exploited small pelagic fish populations around the world. Nevertheless, density-dependent factors also can drive population dynamics. In this paper, we analyzed thirteen years of a relative abundance index of two clupeoids fish populations coexisting in the central-south area off Chile, namely the common sardine, Strangomera bentincki, and anchovy, Engraulis ringens. We applied the classical diagnostic tools of time series analysis to the observed time-series. Also, the realized per capita population growth rate was studied with the aim of detecting the feedback structure that is characterizing the population dynamics of the two species. The analysis suggests that population fluctuations of the two species have an important density-dependent component, displaying first-order (direct density-dependent) and second-order (delayed density-dependent) simultaneously. The density-dependent component explained 70.5 and 55.6 % of the realized per capita population growth rate of common sardine and anchovy, respectively. The deterministic skeleton model showed an asymptotic convergence to equilibrium density. In presence of a stochastic environment, fluctuations were reproduced for the species showing a component of fluctuation with a period of 4 year. The intrinsic dynamics of each species is typical of interacting species resulting from trophic interactions. It is postulated that the second-order dynamics of S. bentincki and E. ringens in central-south Chile, may be the result from interactions with a specialist predator (the fishing fleet), interacting with exogenous environmental factors.     

Ethylene and IAA interactions in the inhibition of photoperiodic flower induction of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pharbitis nil</Emphasis>

It has been shown that both IAA and ethylene application inhibit flower induction in the short-day plant Pharbitis nil. However application of IAA has elevated ethylene production in this plant, as well. Strong enhancement of ethylene production is also correlated with the night-break effect, which completely inhibits flowering. In order to determine what the role of IAA and ethylene is in the photoperiodic flower induction in Pharbitis nil, we measured changes in their levels during inductive and non-inductive photoperiods, and the effects of ethylene biosynthesis and action inhibitors on inhibition of flowering by IAA. Our results have shown that the inhibitory effect of IAA on Pharbitis nil flowering is not physiological but is connected with its effect on ethylene biosynthesis.     

Analysis of Slow Hyperpolarizing Potentials in Frog Taste Cells Induced by Glossopharyngeal Nerve Stimulation

Chemical Senses, 29,     

Asymmetric transport of D-glucose anomers across the human erythrocyte membrane

The anomeric preference in the influx and efflux of D-glucose across the human erythrocyte membrane was studied. beta-D-Glucose was transported 1.5 times faster than alpha-D-glucose into the cells, when washed cells were incubated at 20 degrees C in medium containing either alpha- or beta-D-glucose (100 mM). On the other hand, no difference between half-times of efflux of the two anomers was distinguishable. The result demonstrates the presence of influx-efflux asymmetry in anomeric preference in D-glucose transport across the human erythrocyte membrane, and is consistent with the view (Barnett et al., Biochem. J. 145, 417-429, 1975) that the C-1 hydroxyl group of D-glucose interacts with the D-glucose transport protein only in the influx, but not in the efflux.     

Xyloglucan in the Cell Walls of Suspension-Cultured Rice Cells

The xyloglucan present in the 24% KOH extract of the cell wallsof suspension-cultured rice cells was characterized by fragmentationanalysis with Trichoderma viride cellulase and Aspergillus oryzaeß-D-glucosidase. The xyloglucan is composed mainlyof the following oligosaccharide units: Results showed that the xyloglucan of suspension-cultured ricecells is more extensively branched than is that of rice seedlings.Another structural characteristic of the former xyloglucan isthe presence of D-galactosyl-D-xylosyl side chains that arenot found in the latter. (Received June 15, 1984; Accepted January 11, 1985)     

Haemolysis of rabbit erythrocytes by a lectin from the seeds of<Emphasis Type="Italic">Croton tiglium</Emphasis>

The kinetics of haemolysis of rabbit erythrocytes byCroton tiglium lectin was studied as a function of concentration of the lectin and erythrocytes. The length of the prelytic period decreased with increasing lectin concentrations, indicating that the secondary events at the membrane which follow the binding of the lectin to cell surface carbohydrate receptors are accelerated at higher surface concentrations of the lectin. The rate or extent of haemolysis was not affected by the inclusion of ions like K⁺, Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ in the medium or by the substitution of ionic medium by a non-ionic medium. The inhibition of haemagglutination and haemolysis of rabbit red cells byCroton tiglium lectin by antilectin rabbit serum was observed. A possible mechanism of haemolysis by the lectin is discussed.