Growth versus molting time of caterpillars as a function of temperature,nutrient concentration and the phenolic rutin

Summary A factorial experiment tested the effects of varying nutrient concentration (normal versus diluted), presence or absence of the phenolic allelochemical rutin and daytime temperature (20, 25 and 30° C) on growth, molting and food utilization efficiencies of tobacco hornworms (Manduca sexta). Two of the utilization efficiencies (approximate digestibility and efficiency of conversion of ingested food) were unaffected by temperature; the third one, efficiency of conversion of digested food, was affected by temperature but there was no consistent effect. Lower temperatures significantly increased the proportion of the stadium spent molting, with larvae at a daytime temperature of 20° C spending 9% more of the stadium in molting than larvae at 30° C. Growth time was not influenced by nutrient concentration. When temperature was low and rutin absent, molt time and the proportion of the stadium spent molting were affected by nutrient concentration. Addition of the phenolic rutin did not have an appreciable effect on growth time or digestive processes. However, it increased molting time by 7 to 14% and thus increased the duration of the stadium and reduced relative growth rate. These results indicate that the effect of food quality on growth rate is a function of the thermal conditions of insect herbivores. At cooler temperatures, a disproportionate increase in time spent molting, rather than altered food utilization efficiencies, contributed to lower growth rates. The consequences for larval growth of fluctuating temperatures due to diurnal cycles and the presence of predators forcing larvae into thermally suboptimal microhabitats are discussed.     

A long-term perspective of dissolved organic carbon transport in Sycamore Creek, Arizona, USA

Dissolved organic carbon (DOC) dynamics were examined over five years (1989–1993) in Sycamore Creek, a Sonoran Desert stream, specifically focusing on DOC concentration in surface and hyporheic waters, and rates of export. In 1989 and 1990, the years of lowest stream discharge (0.08 and 0.04 m³ s^–1 annual mean of daily discharge, respectively), DOC was high, averaging 7.37 and 6.22 mgC l^–1 (weighted annual means). In contrast, from 1991 through 1993, a period of increased flow (1.1, 1.2 and 4.3 m³ s^–1), concentration was significantly lower (P<0.001) with annual mean concentrations of 3.54, 3.49 and 3.39 mgC l^–1. Concentration exhibited little spatial variation between two sampling stations located 6 km apart along the mainstem or between surface and hyporheic waters. Annual export of DOC from Sycamore Creek varied 100-fold over the five-year period from a mean rate of only 24 kgC d^–1 in 1990 to 2100 kgC d^–1 in 1993. Ninety percent of DOC was exported by flows greater than 2.8 m³ s^–1, and 50% during flows greater than 27 m³ s^–1; flows of 2.8 and 24 m³ s^–1 occurred only 9 and 1% of the time. The export of organic matter in Sycamore Creek appears to be coupled to El Niño-Southern Oscillation phenomena. The years of highest export, 1991–1993, had El Niño conditions while 1989 and 1990 had medial conditions.     

Differential Expression of a Mycobacterium tuberculosis Protein Recognized by a Mouse Monoclonal Antibody

Murine monoclonal antibodies were produced against Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) using standard hybridoma procedures. By a whole cell enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), one monoclonal antibody (mAb), HB28, demonstrated high level specific reactivity to Mtb. Western blot analysis demonstrated reactivity to a single 65 kDa Mtb protein in the cell wall extract and culture filtrate. HB28 mAb appears to be recognizing a 65 kDa Mtb protein that is over-expressed by Mtb but not other species under certain culture conditions. Differential expression and detection of this protein by HB28 mAb may have potential for diagnostic applications.     

Complete sequence of a new HLA-B35 allele found in a tribe of Mapuche Indians in the south of Argentina

The nucleotide sequence data reported in this paper have been submitted to the GenBank nucleotide sequence database and have been assigned the accession number U17107. The nameB*3509 was officially assigned by the WHO Nomenclature Committee in December 1994     

Quantitative floral development in Pseudolysimachion (Scrophulariaceae): intraspecific variation and comparison with Veronica and Veronicastrum

Intraspecific variation in floral development was studied in four morphologically distinct strains of Pseudolysimachion longifolium and two of P. spicatum. Size increase of whole buds from living plants of P. longifolium was followed in absolute time. Growth rates were homogeneous within inflorescences and within individual plants, and significantly different between individual plants. Organ growth trajectories (plotted as organ size over gynoecium size) differed little among individuals of Pseudolysimachion belonging to morphologically distinct strains; variation was most pronounced in the calyx. Corolla tube as well as calyx and corolla lobe measurements varied more during the early stages of development than near maturity, suggesting constraints on mature flower form. In addition to intraspecific variation, floral development in Pseudolysimachion was compared with that in related Veronica chamaedrys and Veronicastrum virginicum, using data from a previous study. Mature flowers of Pseudolysimachion have long corolla tubes similar to those of Veronicastrum and long corolla lobes similar to those of Veronica. The trajectories of most organs of Pseudolysimachion were intermediate between those of Veronica and Veronicastrum in position as well as in type of curve, i.e., different trajectories lead to similar end products; thus, the shapes of the mature organs are not strictly homologous and not indicative of close relationship.     

Tropodiaptomus zambeziensis,T. bhangazii and T. capriviensis,three new species of Tropodiaptomus (Copepods,Calanoida) from southern Africa

Three new species of Tropodiaptomus from southern Africa are described, Tropodiaptomus zambeziensis, T. bhangazii, and T. capriviensis. Type localities are a rice paddy on the Zambezi river delta, a coastal lake in Zululand, and temporary pools in Bushmanland and the eastern Caprivi in Namibia. Speciation of Tropodiaptomus in the warm inland waters of southern Africa is much more extensive than was formerly realised.     

The biogeochemistry of a north-temperate grassland with native ungulates: Nitrogen dynamics in Yellowstone National Park

Nutrient dynamics of large grassland ecosystems possessing abundant migratory grazers are poorly understood. We examined N cycling on the northern winter range of Yellowstone National Park, home for large herds of free-roaming elk (Cervus elaphus) and bison (Bison bison). Plant and soil N, net N mineralization, and the deposition of ungulate fecal-N were measured at five sites, a ridgetop, mid-slope bench, steep slope, valley-bottom bench, and riparian area, within a watershed from May, 1991 to April, 1992.Results indicated similarities between biogeochemical properties of Yellowstone grassland and other grassland ecosystems: (1) landscape position and soil water affected nutrient dynamics, (2) annual mineralization was positively related to soil N content, and (3) the proportion of soil N mineralized during the year was negatively related to soil C/N.Grazers were a particularly important component of the N budget of this grassland. Estimated rates of N flow from ungulates to the soil ranged from 8.1 to 45.6 kg/ha/yr at the sites (average = 27.0 kg/ha/yr), approximately 4.5 times the amount of N in senescent plants. Rates of nitrogen mineralization for Yellowstone northern range grassland were higher than those measured in other temperate grassland ecosystems, possibly due to grazers promoting N cycling in Yellowstone.     

Mechanisms for oscillation and frequency control in reciprocally inhibitory model neural networks

We describe four different mechanisms that lead to oscillations in a network of two reciprocally inhibitory cells. In two cases (intrinsic release and intrinsic escape) the frequency of the network oscillation is insensitive to the threshold voltage of the synaptic potentials. In the other two cases (synaptic release and synaptic escape) the network frequency is strongly determined by the threshold voltage of the synaptic connections. The distinction between the different mechanisms blurs as the function describing synaptic activation becomes less steep and as the model neurons are removed from the relaxation regime. These mechanisms provide insight into the parameters that control network frequency in motor systems that depend on reciprocal inhibition.     

The effects of early experience on adult copulatory behavior in zoo-born chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes)

This paper examines the relationship between the early rearing experience of zoo-born, zoo-reared chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) and the subsequent occurrence of successful copulation as adults. Developmental histories were acquired for 71 subjects via questionnaires and phone interviews. The following variables related to aspects of chimpanzees' early rearing experience were examined: (1) Rearing conditions, that is, hand reared alone, reared with siblings or peers, or reared by at least one adult conspecific. (2) Age removed from mother. (3) Sex of subject, and/or (4) participation in shows. Each of these variables was then compared to the subjects' sexual competence, defined here as having been observed to exhibit functional copulatory behavior as adults. Seventy-five percent of the subjects were observed to exhibit functional copulatory behavior on at least one occasion. No single component of rearing was successful in producing sexually competent adults 100% of the time; no rearing condition, as defined in this study, resulted in reproductive failure for all subjects experiencing those conditions. Chimpanzees that were hand reared alone, that is, in the total absence of conspecifics, were least likely to copulate as adults; about half of those chimpanzees that were reared with siblings or peers (and in the absence of adult conspecifics) copulated as adults. Almost 90% of those chimpanzees that were reared with at least one adult conspecific copulated as adults. Chimpanzees removed from their mothers at an early age (less than one year of age) were less likely to reproduce as adults. Male and female chimpanzees were equally likely to reproduce as adults. Participation in shows or demonstrations appeared to have no effect on chimpanzees' ability to copulate as adults. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.