Dynamics of the intensity of respiration in early embryogenesis of amphibians

We studied growth and respiration rate during early ontogenesis of the axolotl Ambystoma mexicanum, Bosca's newt Triturus waltlii, the green toad Bufo viridis, and the smooth clawed frog Xenopus laevis. The respiration rate in these amphibian species increases during embryonal and larval development, peaks after transition to active feeding, and decreases at later stages of ontogenesis. The patterns of dynamics of this energy metabolism index in tailed and tailless amphibians have some differences related to their specific development. The changes in respiration rate in the embryos and larvae are correlated with the concentrations of mitochondria.     

Adjustment of leaf photosynthesis to shade in a natural canopy: reallocation of nitrogen

The present study was performed to investigate the adjustment of the constituents of the light and dark reactions of photosynthesis to the natural growth irradiance in the leaves of an overstorey species, Betula pendula Roth, a subcanopy species Tilia cordata P. Mill., and a herb Solidago virgaurea L. growing in a natural plant community in Järvselja, Estonia. Shoots were collected from the site and properties of individual leaves were measured in a laboratory, by applying a routine of kinetic gas exchange and optical measurements that revealed photosystem II (PSII), photosystem I (PSI), and cytochrome b₆f densities per leaf area and the distribution of excitation (or chlorophyll, Chl) between the two photosystems. In parallel, N, Chl and ribulose-bisphosphate carboxylase-oxygenase (Rubisco) content was measured from the same leaves. The amount of N in photosynthetic proteins was calculated from the measured contents of the components of the photosynthetic machinery. Non-photosynthetic N was found as the residual of the budget. Growth in shade resulted in the decrease of leaf dry mass to a half of the DW in sun leaves in each species, but the total variation, from the top to the bottom of the canopy, was larger. Through the whole cross-section of the canopy, leaf dry weight (DW) and Rubisco content per area decreased by a factor of four, N content by a factor of three, but Chl content only by a factor of 1.7. PSII density decreased by a factor of 1.9, but PSI density by a factor of 3.2. The density of PSI adjusted to shade to a greater extent than the density of PSII. In shade, the distribution of N between the components of the photosynthetic machinery was shifted toward light-harvesting proteins at the expense of Rubisco. Non-photosynthetic N decreased the most substantially, from 54% in the sun leaves of B. pendula to 11% in the shade leaves of T. cordata. It is concluded that the redistribution of N toward light-harvesting Chl proteins in shade is not sufficient to keep the excitation rate of a PSII centre invariant. Contrary to PSII, the density of PSI – the photosystem that is in immediate contact with the carbon assimilation system – shade-adjusts almost proportionally with the latter, whereas its Chl antenna correspondingly increases. Even under N deficiency, a likely condition in the natural plant community, a substantial part of N is stored in non-photosynthetic proteins under abundant irradiation, but much less under limiting irradiation. At least in trees the general sequence of down-regulation due to shade adjustment is the following: (1) non-protein cell structures and non-photosynthetic proteins; (2) carbon assimilation proteins; (3) light reaction centre proteins, first PSI; and (4) chlorophyll-binding proteins.     

Record of Blue tilapia Oreochromis aureus (Steindachner, 1864) in the Eerste River catchment,Western Cape province,South Africa

Oreochromis aureus was imported from Israel into South Africa in 1959 but data on its current status in South Africa are lacking. Genomic DNA was extracted and the COI gene amplified at the South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity. The identity of the sequences and specimens was determined using the Barcode of Life Data Systems and GenBank. Morphological and genetic assessment demonstrated that 11 specimens collected from two farm dams in the Eerste River System, Western Cape province, were Oreochromis aureus. A MaxEnt model compiled using global distribution, rainfall and temperature data predicted that large areas of southern Africa were climatically suitable for this species, indicating considerable invasion debt in southern Africa. As a result, surveys to assess for the extent of the invasion in South Africa and eradication of existing populations, if feasible, are recommended management actions.     

Gas exchange patterns of Pterostichus niger (Carabidae) in dry and moist air

Gas exchange patterns of adult male Pterostichus niger Schaller after hydration (i.e. given access to food and water) are compared in dry air [5–7% relative humidity (RH)] and moist air (90–97% RH) by means of flow‐through CO₂ respirometry combined with infrared probe actography. Of thirty beetles examined, slightly more than 50% showed continuous gas exchange and are not considered further. Of the remaining beetles, the majority (approximately 71%) display a pattern of cyclic gas exchange in both dry and moist air (i.e. CO₂ gas is released in bursts, with a low level of CO₂ release during the interburst periods). A minority of the beetles (four out of 30) are found to exhibit discontinuous gas exchange in both dry and moist air; this is characterized by three clearly separated states of the spiracles: closed (C), flutter (F) and open (O) phases. The pattern of cyclic gas exchange is associated with weak abdominal pulsations. After switching from moist to dry air, a small modulation of the discontinuous gas exchange cycles (maximum mean CO₂ production rate) occurs, providing no clear support for the hygric theory of discontinuous gas exchange in this species (i.e. that it serves to restrict respiratory water loss).     

Development of the gill system in early ontogenesis of Danio and nine spike stickleback

We studied specific features of development of the gill system during ontogenesis of the zebrafish Danio rerio and ninespine stickleback Pungitius pungitius, which differ in the rates of gill system, development. Although the development of sticklebacks proceeds in nature at lower temperatures than for zebrafish, the rate of gill formation in the former is higher. These differences are related to the specific conditions in which these fish develop: embryonic and larval development of the stickleback proceeds in bodies of water with a lower oxygen content than for zebrafish, and this results in the adaptive alteration of the rate of gill system development. Differentiation of gills in the zebrafish is accompanied by a manifold increase in the oxygen consumption rate. At different developmental stages, the incremental rates of oxygen consumption and increase in the body mass of the zebrafish larvae and fry differed significantly.     

Regulation of Ca2+ influx in proliferating and differentiating myoblasts of mice with participation of L-type Ca2+ channels

The basic mechanisms of regulation of Ca2+ influx in proliferating and differentiating myoblasts, in culture have been studied. The presence of L-type Ca2+ channels in proliferating myoblasts has been shown for the first time. The influx of Ca2+ through these channels was shown to be regulated by the adrenergic system. The influx of Ca2+ through L-type Ca2+ channels after the activation of the adrenergic system by the addition of adrenaline in comparison with the contribution of reticular stocks exhausted by ATP in calcium-free medium was estimated. It was shown that the Ca2+ influx in proliferating myoblasts is regulated by beta-2 adrenergic receptors whose action is mediated by adenylate cyclase through L-type calcium channels. In differentiating myoblasts, the Ca2+ influx on the activation of the adrenergic system was essentially lower than in proliferating cells. It was found that the maximum influx of Ca2+ may be reached by the exhaustion of reticular stocks.     

Changes in mitochondria density during oogenesis of loach]

The growth of loach oocytes is accompanied by an increase in the density of mitochondria. Simultaneously with the increase in density an acceleration of 14C-valine incorporation into mitochondrial proteins takes place. It is assumed that the increase in mitochondria density during oogenesis is due to an increase in the amount of membrane material per unit of mitochondria weight.