丝瓜的三聚体G蛋白的初步研究

根据拟南芥（ａｒａｂｉｄｏｐｓｉｓｔｈａｈｌｉａｎａ）ＧＰＡ１的保守区段Ａ设计一对特异引物（５′ｃｔｇｇｇｇａａｔｃｔｇｇａａａａｔｃ３′,５′ｃａｃａｇｃｔｇｔａｃａｃｃｔｃａａａｃ３′）通过ＰＣＲ从丝瓜核基因组中扩增植物的三聚体Ｇ蛋白α亚基编码基因,获得了２个片段（ＬＦＧ１,ＬＦＧ２）,并已克隆和测序（已在ＥＭＢＬ数据库中登记,登记号为：ｙ１５２７０,ｙ１５２７１）．序列分析表明ＬＦＧ１和ＬＦＧ２分别由１５１５ｂｐ和７３２ｂｐ构成,都含有三聚体Ｇ蛋白α亚基编码基因的保守区段Ａ,但也都含有内含子．根据片段的大小及ＰＣＲ的特性,ＬＦＧ１可能是丝瓜三聚体Ｇ蛋白α亚基编码基因上的片段．     

The phylogenetic relationships of Chalcosiinae (Lepidoptera, Zygaenoidea, Zygaenidae)

The chalcosiine zygaenid moths constitute one of the most striking groups within the lower-ditrysian Lepidoptera, with highly diverse mimetic patterns, chemical defence systems, scent organs, copulatory mechanisms, hostplant utilization and diapause biology, plus a very disjunctive biogeographical pattern. In this paper we focus on the genus-level phylogenetics of this subfamily. A cladistic study was performed using 414 morphological and biochemical characters obtained from 411 species belonging to 186 species-groups of 73 genera plus 21 outgroups. Phylogenetic analysis using maximum parsimony leads to the following conclusions: (1) neither the current concept of Zygaenidae nor that of Chalcosiinae is monophyletic; (2) the previously proposed sister-group relationship of Zygaeninae + Chalcosiinae is rejected in favour of the relationship (Zygaeninae + ((Callizygaeninae + Cleoda ) + ( Heteropan + Chalcosiinae))); (3) except for the monobasic Aglaopini, none of the tribes sensu Alberti (1954 ) is monophyletic; (4) chalcosiine synapomorphies include structures of the chemical defence system, scent organs of adults and of the apodemal system of the male genitalia. A paired metathoracic androconial organ and a series of abdominal tergal corematal organs have been discovered, both being new to Lepidoptera. Due to highly homoplastic patterns in copulatory structures and wings that demonstrate significant sexual dimorphism, polymorphism and mimicry, 17 of the 69 'true' chalcosiine genera ( c . 25%) are shown to be either paraphyletic or polyphyletic. The present classification is therefore very misleading. Reductions of various parts of the male genitalia in some groups are accompanied by morphological and functional replacement involving the 8th abdominal segment. A prominent but convergent lock and key mechanism is revealed.  © 2005 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society , 2005, 143 , 161–341.     

A taxonomic synopsis of the genus Campeiostachys Drobov

We have classified 11 species recently recognized as belonging to the genus Elymus into a resurrected and legitimate genus Campeiostachys Drobov according to the International Code of Botanical Nomenclature. Our action is based on the rationale of monophyly, discrimination, and practicality discussed in detail. Currently Elymus contains a vast number of species with different genomes which often, but not always, can be differentiated by cytological and molecular features, but are difficult to separate by tr...     

Edible insects: Traditional knowledge or western phobia?

With an increasing human population and environmental degradation, the world faces a major problem in providing adequate animal based proteins. Many traditional societies have used or still use insects as a protein source, while westernized societies are reluctant to use insects, despite being the major consumers of animal proteins. We now need to consider insects as a source of food for humans in a manner that acknowledges both the role of entomophagy in indigenous societies and the need for westernized societies to reduce the size of their environmental footprint with regard to food production. The situation on continents such as Africa, Asia, and Central and South America has some parallels to Australia in that there are two forces in operation: the sustainable traditional use of edible insects and the "westernization" of these societies leading to a movement away from entomophagy. However, the potential to reach a compromise is greater in these continents because entomophagy is already accepted. The major challenges will be establishing sustainable production systems that include food safety and security as well as environmental protection. Whether this will happen or not will depend upon: (i) a major change in attitude in westernized societies towards entomophagy; (ii) pressure to conserve remaining habitats in a sustainable manner; (iii) economic impetus to develop food production systems that include insects; and (iv) an acknowledgement that achieving adequate nutrition on a global basis will involve different diets in much of the developed world.