Regulation of Release and Mode of Action of Crustacean Chromatophorotropins

Pigment movements in crustacean chromatophores are regulatedby pigment-concentrating and pigment-dispersing neurosecretoryhormones. The release of these hormones from the neurosecretorysystem is thought to be controlled by neural signals. Althoughthe exact cellular sources of chromatophorotropins and the natureof synaptic input to the neurosecretory system remain unresolved,recent pharmacological studies on fiddler crabs indicate thatcertain biogenic amines contribute to the release of some ofthe chromatophorotropins. The current evidence suggests that:5-hydroxytryptamine stimulates the release of RPDH (red pigmentdispersing hormone), dopamine triggers the release of RPCH (redpigment concentrating hormone), and norepinephrine stimulatesthe release of BPDH/MDH (black pigment/melanin dispersing hormone).Nothing is known of the regulation of release of leucophorotropinsand xanthophorotropins. Like most other peptide hormones, crustacean chromatophorotropinsare thought to exert their effect by first binding to receptorson the cell surface and then triggering a series of events leadingto cellular responses, but the details are far from clear. Recentwork suggests that hormone-induced pigment movements may bemodulated/mediated by alterations in cyclic nucleotide levelsand/or by changes in Ca²⁺ distribution or flux. Both cyclicnucleotides and Ca²⁺ may modulate motility by regulating theintegrity and/or function of cytoskeletal elements, but thedetails of this mechanism and the precise roles of cytoskeletalelements in the pigment-translocating process remain unresolved.     

A Histological Study of the Development of Buds,Roots, and Embryos in Organ Cultures of Petunia inflata R. Fries

Organ cultures of Petunia inflata R. Fries have displayed adiversity of morphogenetic responses such as rhizogenesis, budformation, and embryo development. Studies oriented towardsdetermining the histological pathways preceding the morphogeneticexpression have indicated that bud formation and rhizogenesiswas always preceded by the establishment of a peripheral meristem.Embryos originated from cytoplasm-rich embryonal initials andthe pattern of their development simulated relatively closelywith the zygotic embryogenesis.     

Control of haematophagous flies on equines with permethrin-impregnated eartags

The efficacy of 10% (w/w) permethrin impregnated eartags for the control of the haematophagous fly pests Stomoxys calcitrans L., Haematopota dissimilis Meigen and Hippobosca maculata Leach on equines in India was determined. The tags were found to be effective for 1-2 months against S. calcitrans and H. dissimilis but completely ineffective against H. maculata. No tags were lost during the study. Tags can be used as part of an integrated control programme. This is the first reported use of eartags for control of haematophagous flies on horses.     

Specificity of Gibberellin and Sucrose-promoted Flower Bud Growth in Gladiolus

A critical stage in flower bud growth in the spike of Gladioluswhich is initiated by gibberellic acid (GA₃) and sustained bysucrose has been identified. This corresponds to the stage atwhich separation of the outer bract occurs. In buds at differentdevelopmental stages isolated and held in water, it is the samebud stage that first shows increased growth. Buds not inducedby light were shown to respond more significantly to GA₃ andsucrose than those induced by light. Since the separation ofthe outer bract results in light-induced amylase productionand starch hydrolysis leading to petal growth, it is proposedthat growth promotion by GA₃ is related to light-induced petalgrowth at this specific stage. flower bud growth, Gladiolus natalensis, gibberellic acid, sucrose     

Diethylphenylacetamide: a new insect repellent against stable fly,Stomoxys calcitrans

Abstract. This paper reports the results of a laboratory study showing effectiveness of a new insect repellent N,N-diethylphenylacetamide (DEPA) against stable fly, Stomoxys calcitrans, and compared to N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide (DEET) and dimethyl-phthalate (DMP). DEPA gave maximum protection time of more than 6h at 3% concentration followed by DEET and DMP.     

The relationships of the Apostasiaceae on the basis of floral anatomy

The Apostasiaceae is a small family of limited distribution, with about 15 species altogether, and its affinities have been controversial. The floral anatomy of nine representatives of the family is now known in detail, and its relationships are discussed on the basis of the floral vasculature. The pattern of the vascular supply to the floral organs is very similar to that of the diandrous orchids, showing the undoubted affinity of the Apostasiaceae with the Orchidaceae. The subtribe Cypripedilinae of the Orchidaceae must have evolved directly from the Apostasiaceae.     

Cytokinins in Gladiolus (Gladiolus grandiflorus) Corms

Ten cytokinin-like substances, termed X₁, X₂, X₃, X_4a, X_4b,X_5a, X_5b, X₆, X₇, and X₈, active in the soya bean hypocotyltest, were detected in gladiolus corms. The factors X_4a, X_5aand X₄ were tentatively identified as zeatin (Z), isopentenyladenosine (iPA) and isopentenyl adenine (iP), respectively,based on their behaviour in Sephadex LH-20 column chromatography,paper chromatography and high pressure liquid chromatography.Factor X₃, which behaved like zeatin riboside (ZR) in the abovesystems could be ZR and/or dihydrozeatin riboside (DHZR). Thebehaviour in Sephadex and ion-exchange column chromatographysuggested that X₁ and X₂ may be cytokinin glucosides and X₅a cytokinin nucleotide or a cytokinin conjugate similar to lupinicacid. The total cytokinin content and the concentration of Z,ZR/DHZR and iPA were higher in non-dormant than in dormant corms.The concentrations of X₁ and X₂ were higher in dormant corms. Gladiolus grandiflorus, gladiolus, dormancy, cytokinins, Sephadex column chromatography, high pressure liquid chromatography