Multivariate Interpretation of the Distribution of Nitrogen-fixing Blue--green Algae in Rice Soils in Central Sri Lanka

The ecology of nitrogen fixing blue-green algae in rice fieldsof Central Sri Lanka was studied using multi-variate techniquesof analyses. In this study 73 strains of heterocystous blue—greenalgae, belonging to 21 genera were isolated and the distributionof the 46 most abundant strains was examined in relation toecological parameters. Besides pedological factors such as pH, water holding capacityand available phosphorus; environmental factors including rainfalland altitude have shown up as parameters influencing the distributionof the algal species. On the other hand, soil organic carbon,total nitrogen, potassium and calcium, do not appear to playan important role in determining the composition of the algalflora. While certain algal species were ubiquitous in their distributionsome were restricted, and a few even showed a tolerance to standswith low soil pH and low levels of phosphorus. The agronomicpotential of such species is of value especially in relationto rice-growing soils of this District, where low pH and lowlevels of phosphorus are major limiting factors for the profusegrowth of blue—green algae. Blue-green algae, nitrogen fixation, Sri Lanka, rice-growing soils, multivariate analysis     

Selection for enemy‐free space: eggs placed away from the host plant increase survival of a neotropical ithomiine butterfly

1. The selection of an oviposition site by a phytophagous insect can depend on many factors, including the risk of predation. Many species avoid predators by laying eggs where enemies searching host plants are unlikely to find them. 2. Females of the Peruvian butterfly, Oleria onega Hewitson (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae: Danainae: Ithomiini) lay most of their eggs (76 ± 9%) off the host plant, Solanum mite Ruiz & Pav. These off‐host eggs may be laid up to 0.5 m from the nearest host‐plant individual, on twigs or leaf litter, as well as on living plants of species unsuitable for larval food. 3. Disappearance of eggs on and off the host plant was recorded by transferring eggs laid in captivity to known locations in the wild and recording rates of disappearance before the larvae emerged. After 2 days, eggs on the host were significantly more likely to have disappeared compared to eggs laid elsewhere. 4. We conclude that a high risk of predation is a likely trigger that caused O. onega to evolve a behaviour of laying eggs off its host plant.     

Life Cycle and Culturing of Phytomonas serpens (Gibbs), a Trypanosomatid Parasite of Tomatoes

Pure cultures of a trypanosomatid isolated from tomato fruits infected laboratory-raised tomatoes and nymphs of the hemipieran coreid Phthia picta . The flagellate could be transmitted back and forth from tomatoes to insects. Light and electron microscopy studies were done on culture, tomato and insect forms. Examination of enzymes of the ornithine-arginine metabolism revealed absence of arginase and presence of arginine deiminase and citrulline hydrolase. Monoclonal antibodies specific for Phytomonas spp. reacted positively with tomato and insect forms. Endonuclease digestion of the k-DNA of various Phytomonas spp. revealed a unique, distinctive pattern for the tomato flagellate. This flagellate thus seems to constitute a separate species of Phytomonas which we now call Phytomonas serpens (Gibbs).     

Trypanosomatids, Other Than Phytomonas spp., Isolated and Cultured from Fruit

Trypanosomatids were isolated from edible fruit. One of the isolates (from tangerine) presented a set of enzymes for the metabolism of arginine-ornithine similar to that of Leptomonas spp., and failed to be recognized by monoclonal antibodies specific for Phytomonas spp. The possibility that trypanosomatids other than Phytomonas spp. could infect fruit was further examined by inoculating tomatoes with species of Crithidia, Leptomonas and Herpetomonas. Some of these flagellates multiplied in tomatoes. Besides, house flies became infected with Crithidia sp. when fed on tomatoes experimentally inoculated with this flagellate. Therefore, isolation of a trypanosomatid from a plant should not constitute an absolute criterion for placing it in the genus Phytomonas.