Marine insects: genital morphology, phylogeny and evolution of sea skaters, genus Halobates (Hemiptera: Gerridae)

Five species of sea skaters, genus Halobates Eschscholtz, are the only insects to have successfully colonized the open ocean. In addition, 36 species are found in sheltered coastal waters throughout tropical Indo-Pacific. The taxonomy of the genus is relatively well known, but reliable hypotheses about phylogenetic relationships are required if the biogeography and evolution of sea skaters is to be discussed in a meaningful way. This work presents the results of a study of new characters from the genital segments, especially those of the male phallus and the female gynatrial complex, and a reinterpretation for several other characters. In total 64 characters were scored for 26 species of Halobates , two species ofAsclepios and one species of Metrocoris. With Asclepios and Metrocoris species as outgroups, the character state sets were analysed cladistically using the computer program Hennig86. After critical evaluations of both characters and clades, a phylogeny for Halobates is presented and its taxonomic implications are discussed. A number of monophyletic species groups are delimited. One genus-level synonymy and three species-level synonymies are suggested. The evolution of Halobates is discussed in the light of the reconstructed phylogeny and present knowledge of the ecology and behaviour of sea skaters. A hypothesis of ecological evolution in halobatine water striders is proposed and tested.     

Effect of helium and argon on the oxygen uptake by lymphocytes

The effect of inert helium and argon gases on the tissue respiration has been studied on lymphocyte suspensions of white rats. It is shown that normoxic helium-oxygen mixture induces almost a two-fold increase of the O2 uptake by lymphocytes as compared with the control (air). No deviations in the value of the studied parameter are revealed in case of replacement of nitrogen from air by argon. Significance of the membrane structure in realization of effects of inert gases is under discussion.     

Segments of Djungarian hamster chromosomes, specific for translocation of integration of amplified mdr1 genes, do not possess increased instability]

Earlier we have revealed in Djungarian hamster DM-15 cells three chromosomal segments (2p22, 5p1, 7q23-25) that are specific for transposition of amplified mdr1 genes from the site of location of resident gene copy (it was mapped to 4q21-23). In situ hybridization revealed in wild type cells no mdr1 homologous sequences in all these three segments. In this work we studied distribution of chromosomal breakages induced in DM-15 cells by aphidicolin, 5-fluorodeoxyuridine or N-phosphonacetyl-L-aspartate. The data obtained indicate that two of above mentioned segments. 2p22 and 7q23-25, contain no fragile sites. So, specificity of these segments for the transposition of amplified mdr1 genes is not due to their particular instability or to the presence in them of sequences homologous to amplifiable selectable gene.