The South African coastline can be divided into at least four temperature-defined marine bioregions, including the tropical north-east coast, the subtropical east coast, the warm-temperate south coast, and the cool-temperate west coast. There are also two biogeographical transition zones, the south-west coast and the south-east coast (or Wild Coast). The former is sometimes considered a distinct marine bioregion, but no such status has yet been suggested for the Wild Coast. Previous data on the distribution of a recently described but very common coastal crab, Hymenosoma longicrure, indicated that this species could be a Wild Coast endemic. If confirmed, this would be a first indication that this region harbours unique fauna, and that additional research is required to determine whether the Wild Coast constitutes a distinct bioregion that needs to be managed separately from other coastal regions. In the present study, we generated novel genetic data for H. longicrure and compared the species’ range with that of its southern African congeners. We found that H. longicrure occurs north of the Wild Coast, where its range overlaps with that of H. projectum. This finding rejects the idea that the Wild Coast harbours endemic fauna and suggests that the ranges of the two species may be linked to the subtropical and tropical bioregions, respectively, with some southward dispersal facilitated by the southward-flowing Agulhas Current. We conclude that there is as yet no compelling evidence that the Wild Coast is a distinct marine bioregion, and concur with previous biogeographical studies which have suggested that the Wild Coast is an area in which species from the subtropical and warm-temperate bioregions have overlapping ranges. Nonetheless, that fact that no biological information is available for the majority of the region’s estuaries highlights the necessity of comprehensively documenting the biodiversity of this understudied region to fully resolve this issue. 相似文献
As the number of Tasmanian devils (Sarcophilus harrisii) in captivity increases, an understanding of captive social dynamics and behavior is becoming increasingly important. In the wild, devils are solitary, although sometimes, they congregate to feed on a large carcass. However, it is common to house devils in groups as a form of social enrichment. This study investigated how behavior at feeding time of captive Tasmanian devils varied in groups of different sizes. Observations were made of individually housed devils and devils in groups of two, three, five, and six, when presented with a carcass on which to feed. Total feeding duration ranged from 6.5 to 47.4 minutes per observation period (70 minutes). There was no significant interaction between feeding duration and group size during the experiment. Feeding duration varied daily and depended on carcass size. Social housing of Tasmanian devils enabled them to display dyadic and agonistic behaviors during feeding. Observing behaviors and learning from the outcomes of these interactions can improve husbandry techniques. Creating a captive environment that encourages natural behaviors may enhance survival in the wild following translocation. 相似文献
The current separation of the calcified genera Actinotrichia Decaisne, Galaxaura Lamouroux, and Tricleocarpa Huisman et Borowitzka in the Galaxauraceae is largely based on type of life history (whether the gametophytes and tetrasporophytes are isomorphic or heteromorphic with respect to gross morphology or cortical‐cell features) and on features of postfertilization development (such as the composition of the pericarp). We reexamined the phylogenetic relationships of these genera based on comparative rbcL sequence analysis, types of life cycle, and cystocarp development. Four distinct assemblages have been identified: an Actinotrichia clade, a Tricleocarpa clade, a Galaxaura clade (containing the type species), and a Dichotomaria clade made of a number of formerly Galaxaura species (D. obtusata [Ellis et Solander] Lamarck, D. marginata [Ellis et Solander] Lamarck, and D. diesingiana [Zanardini] Huisman, Harper and Saunders). Key differences between Dichotomaria and Galaxaura include the habit of the gametophytic and tetrasporophytic generations (isomorphic in Dichotomaria and dimorphic in Galaxaura) as well as the presence or absence of a persistent pericarp in the cystocarp (present in Dichotomaria and absent in Galaxaura). Molecular data do not support monophyly for the putatively pantropical species Galaxaura rugosa, Dichotomaria obtusata, and D. marginata, all of which we conclude are in need of taxonomic revision. 相似文献
The ability of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) to differentiate into adipocytes provides a cellular model of human origin to study adipogenesis in vitro. One of the major challenges in studying adipogenesis is the lack of tools to identify and monitor the differentiation of various subpopulations within the heterogeneous pool of MSCs. Cluster of differentiation (CD)36 plays an important role in the formation of intracellular lipid droplets, a key characteristic of adipocyte differentiation/maturation. The objective of this study was to develop a reproducible quantitative method to study adipocyte differentiation by comparing two lipophilic dyes [Nile Red (NR) and Bodipy 493/503] in combination with CD36 surface marker staining. We identified a subpopulation of adipose-derived stromal cells that express CD36 at intermediate/high levels and show that combining CD36 cell surface staining with neutral lipid-specific staining allows us to monitor differentiation of adipose-derived stromal cells that express CD36intermediate/high during adipocyte differentiation in vitro. The gradual increase of CD36intermediate/high/NRpositive cells during the 21 day adipogenesis induction period correlated with upregulation of adipogenesis-associated gene expression. 相似文献
Summary One of the critical intracellular signaling pathways involves specific interactions between growth factor receptors and the
adaptor protein Grb2. These interactions normally involve specific tyrosine phosphorylated regions in receptors and other
cognate proteins. Following the lead of our recent findings that a phage library based non-phosphorylated disulfide linked
11-mer peptide inhibited such interactions, we report here the synthesis of novel redox-stable cyclic peptide analogs. These
include thioether cyclized and backbone cyclized structures. The thioether analog was prepared under mild conditions from
an N-terminally chloroacetylated and C-terminally cysteine extended peptide precursor. The thioether peptide showed equipotent
binding affinity for the Grb2-SH2 domain (IC50=10–15 μM) when compared to the disulfide cyclized lead-peptide. The bioactive thioether linked peptide was demonstrated to
offer advantages to the disulfide cyclized peptides under physiological conditions. 相似文献
Near‐infrared spectroscopy (NIRS; continuous wave type) is a noninvasive tool for detecting the relative change of oxyhemoglobin and deoxyhemoglobin. To make this change, intervention methods must be applied. This study determined the hemodynamics of 44 healthy participants and 35 patients with sepsis during exposure to FIR as a novel physical intervention approach. Local microcirculation of their brachioradialis was monitored during exposure and recovery through NIRS. The variations in blood flow and microvascular reaction were determined by conducting paired and unpaired t tests. The oxyhemoglobin levels of the healthy participants increased continuously, even during recovery. In contrast to expextations, the oxyhemoglobin levels of the patients plateaued after only 5 min of FIR illumination. The proposed method has potential applications for ensuring efficient treatment and facilitating doctors in diagnosing the functions of vessels in intensive care units.
Mapping diagrams of HbO2 in healthy males and males with sepsis illustrated unique scenarios during the process. 相似文献