Aspects of the numerical and functional respones of the aphid parasite, Aphidius sonchi, in the laboratory

The fecundity, reproductive rates, and adult survival of Aphidius sonchi Marshall (Hymenoptera: Aphidiidae) parasitizing second and third instar nymphs of the sowthistle aphid, Hyperomyzus lactucae (L.) (Homoptera: Aphididae) were measured at six different host densities under constant laboratory conditions. At host densities of less than 50 aphids per flowering shoot per female per day, oviposition constraints resulting from the lack of hosts reduced the number of eggs laid, enhanced the extent of superparasitization and, as a result, effectively lowered the fecundity and reproductive rates of the parasites. Above this host density the parasites laid on average 220–230 eggs, but the effective fecundity and reproductive rates continued to increase with the host density. By contrast, the survivorship of the parasites seemed unaffected by host density, with an average adult life span of 4–5 days at all densities. Analysis of the data showed that the intrinsic rate of increase (r_m) of the parasite varied with the host density and could reach values higher than that of the host under identical conditions. The response of r_m to changes in host density and parasite sex ratio is illustrated.Overall, A. sonchi showed a typical convex functional response, to host density. However, the response showed obvious changes through the parasite's adult life and, furthermore, the rates of changes were not consistent at all host densities. The frequency distributions of parasite eggs were generally indistinguishable from random, and the number of hosts parasitized were predicted satisfactorily by the random oviposition equation.

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Résumé L'étude a porté sure l'influence de 6 densités différentes d'Hyperomyzus lactucae (L.) (Homoptera: Aphididae), en conditions constantes de laboratoire, sur la fécondité, le taux de reproduction et la survie des adultes d'Aphidius sonchi Marshall (Hym. Aphidiidae, parasite des larves de 2e et 3e stades. A des densités inférieures à 50 pucerons par tige fleurie de Sonchus oleraceus L, par femelle et par jour, la limitation de la ponte due à l'absence d'hôtes a réduit le nombre d'oeufs émis, élevé le taux de superparasitisme et, en conséquence, diminué la fécondité et le taux de reproduction des parasites. Aux densités d'hôtes supérieures, les parasites ont pondu, en moyenne, 220 à 230 oeufs, mais la fécondité réelle et les taux de reproduction ont continué à augmenter avec la densité des pucerons. Par contre, la longévité des parasites n'a pas été affectée par la densité des hôtes, avec une durée moyenne de vie de 4 à 6 jours. L'analyse des données a montré que le taux d'accroissement intrinsèque (r_m) du parasite a changé avec la densité des hôtes, et pourrait atteindre des valeurs supérieures à celles de l'ôte sous des conditions identiques. Les réponses de r_m aux changements de densité des hôtes et au taux sexuel du parasite sont expliquées.Globalement, A. sonchi a présenté une réponse fonctionnelle convexe typique à la densité des hôtes. Cependant, cette réponse a changé au cours de la vie des images et, de plus, les taux de changement ne sont pas logiques à toutes les densités d'hôtes La fréquence de distribution des oeufs n'est généralement pas séparable d'une distribution au hasard, et le nombre d'hôtes parasites peut être prédit d'une façon satisfaisante en utilisant une équation de ponte au hasard.

     

蚕豆植株中酰脲分布和叶片中酰脲水解活性

蚕豆根、茎和叶含有0.31～0.70 μmol酰脲·g~(-1)FW,并受结瘤和生长发育的影响。摘除正在生长的器官可观察到同腋位叶片酞脲含量暂时升高现象。 叶片中酰脲主要是尿囊酸。尿囊素酶和脲酶活性分别为0.30 μmol尿囊酸·g~(-1)FW·h~(-1)和0.19 μmol NH_3·g~(-1)FW·h~(-1)。尿囊酸含量和尿囊素酶活性日变化相似,只是后者峰值比前者出现早。     

Branching pattern of pulmonary arterial tree in anesthetized dogs

The geometry of the pulmonary arterial tree of six adult dogs was measured by a high-speed, volume-scanning, X-ray tomographic technique. After the dogs were anesthetized a catheter was advanced to the right ventricular outflow tract and 2 mL/kg Renovist contrast agent injected rapidly. During the subsequent pulmonary arterial phase of the angiogram the dogs were scanned. Three-dimensional geometry of the pulmonary arterial tree was measured in terms of vessel segment cross-sectional area, branching angles and interbranch segment lengths along axial pathways. The effect of lung inflation and phase of the cardiac cycle on geometry was shown to be most marked on vessel cross-sectional area. The geometric branching patterns in all dogs were similar. The observed, in-vivo branching pattern behaved somewhat like the branching pattern predicted from optimized models proposed by Murray, Zamir, and Uylings.     

The material properties of bone-particle impregnated PMMA

The elastic Young's modulus and shear modulus of bone-particle impregnated polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) has been measured experimentally at room temperature as a function of bone particle concentration. It was found that the moduli increased with increasing bone particle content. This increase was less than the stiffness increase predicted by higher-order composite theory [1, 2] under the assumption of perfect bonding between particles and matrix. It was concluded that a bond existed but that it was not a perfect bond.     

Convenient,laboratory procedure for producing solid d-arabino-hexos-2-ulose (d-glucosone)

The production of solid d-arabino-hexos-2-ulose (d-glucosone) from d-glucose by use of an enzyme, pyranose-2-oxidase (EC 1.1.3.10), is described. The enzyme is extracted from the mycelia of Polyporus obtusus, partially purified, and then immobilized on activated CH-Sepharose 4B. The enzymic conversion of d-glucose into d-glucosone is simple and convenient, and provides a product free from residual d-glucose. Lyophilization of the filtered reaction-solution yields the product, solid d-glucosone. Assay methods have been developed for monitoring the enzymic reaction and evaluating the purity of the final product.     

The repA2 gene of the plasmid R100.1 encodes a represser of plasmid replication

We have constructed two miniplasmids, derived from the resistance plasmid R100.1. In one of these plasmids 400 bp of R100.1 DNA have been replaced by DNA from the transposon Tn1000 (gamma-delta). This substitution removes the amino-terminal end of the repA2 coding sequence of R100.1 and results in an increased copy number of the plasmid carrying the substitution. The copy number of the substituted plasmid is reduced to normal levels in the presence of R100.1. The repA2 gene thus encodes a trans-acting repressor function involved in the control of plasmid replication.