Consumption of aquatic subsidies by soil invertebrates in coastal ecosystems

Routes of aquatic allochthonous inputs (aquatic subsidies) to detrital food webs are studied, as is the effect of aquatic subsidies on the functional and taxonomic structure of soil invertebrate communities in coastal ecosystems. The study took place in the coastal zone of an oxbow lake of the Pra River in the Oka Reserve. The results indicate a strong dependence of soil animals in the coastal habitats on aquatic subsidies. Isotopic analysis shows that aquatic resources enter soil food webs not only via predators feeding on flying insects or aquatic prey, but also via saprophages decomposing organic debris of aquatic origin. The contribution of aquatic subsidies to the energy balance of soil invertebrates decreases rapidly with increasing distance from the lake. The fraction of aquatic carbon in tissues of collembolans and saprophages is negligible already a few meters from the water edge. The dependence of predatory invertebrates on aquatic resources can be traced at somewhat greater distance (tens of meters).     

Unbalanced ribosome assembly in Saccharomyces cerevisiae expressing mutant 5 S rRNAs.

Mutant 5 S rRNA genes were expressed in Saccharomyces cerevisiae to further define the function of the ribosomal 5 S RNA. RNA synthesis and utilization were assayed using previously constructed markers which have been shown to be functionally neutral and easily detected by gel electrophoresis. Most mutations were found not to affect the growth rate because they were poorly expressed or could be accommodated effectively in the ribosomal structure. Two of the mutants, Y5A99U56U57 and Y5U90i5 adversely affected cell growth as well as protein synthesis in vitro. Polyribosome profiles in both of these mutants were substantially shorter, and an analysis of the ribosomal subunit composition revealed a significant imbalance with a 25-35% excess in 40 S subunits. Kinetic analyses of RNA labeling indicated very low cellular levels of mutant RNA either because it was poorly expressed (Y5U90i5) or rapidly degraded before being incorporated into mature 60 subunits (Y5A99U56U57). The results suggest that the 5 S RNA is required for the assembly of stable ribosomal 60 S subunits and raise the possibility that this RNA or, more likely, its corresponding ribonucleoprotein complex is critical for subunit assembly or even RNA processing.     

Ultrastructural study of enzymes in reactive astrocytes: Clarification of astrocytic activity

Summary Enzymes in reactive astrocytes of the corebral cortex were examined at the ultrastructural level in an attempt to resolve some conflicting aspects of astrocytic activity. Correlations between morphological and enzyme changes after injury established that the apparent increase in oxidative enzyme activity was exclusively mitochondrial and not an artefactual reaction product resulting from anoxic cellular damage. Pronounced glucose-6-phosphatase activity within cisternae of an increased amount of the granular endoplasnie reticulum was related to increased glycogen. Further evidence from acid phosphatase activity indieated that astrocytes played a minimal role in phagocytosis.     

Burrowing dynamics and energy cost of transport in the soft-bodied marine invertebrates Polyphysia crassa and Priapulus caudatus

The dynamics and mechanical forces generated during burrowing in Polyphysia crassa (Annelida: Polychaeta) and Priapulus caudatus (Priapulida) were investigated. Both animals live in soft marine muds and burrow by utilizing a direct peristaltic wave alternating with a high internal pressure event which thrusts the anterior part of the body into the substratum. Forces generated during the various phases of a typical burrowing cycle were measured in animals moving beneath the natural substratum at 5±3 °C using electronic transducers and recorder. During 'head' advance Polyphysia generated 0.027 N, and during 'tail' advance 0.020 N, with peak internal pressures averaging 0.95 kPa (= 0.095 N/cm²). Force by Priapulus during head advance and tail advance was 0.081 N and 0.121 N, respectively, with peak internal pressures averaging 2.47 kPa (= 0.247 N/cm²). Polyphysia moves more slowly (0.24 cm/min) than does Priapulus (0.76 cm/min) and expends more energy on mass moved per unit distance. These force measurements during a burrowing cycle were used in place of respirometry as a basis for computation of net cost of transport (NCT) for each animal. NCT for Polyphysia was 635 J kg^-1 m^-1 and for Priapulus was 314Jkg^-1m^-l. Cost of transport for all burrowing animals thus far investigated is high compared to swimming, running and flying. For soft-bodied invertebrates that live an entirely buried existence this high cost must be interpreted in the broader context of the adaptive value of infaunal life, especially protection against predation, and not as simply a means of moving about.     

Insecticides and soil microorganisms. III. Fate of 14C-labelled Dipterex as affected by two nodule-forming rhizobium spp. and roots of their respective leguminous host plants.

Chromatographic analysis led to the identification of monomethyl- and dimethyl-phosphates as metabolites resulting from the enzymatic degradation of 14C-labelled Dipterex in the buffer solutions and root tissues of broad bean and clover plants, as well as in the culture media of rhizobium leguminosarum and Rhizobium trifolii. The formation of 14CO2 from rhizobial cultures containing radioactive Dipterex suggests that some of the liberated methanol groups (during breakdown of Dipterex) are oxidatively degraded by the two Rhizobium spp.