Septum volume and food‐storing behavior are related in parids

The hippocampal formation (HF) of food‐storing birds is larger than non‐storing species, and the size of the HF in food‐storing Black‐Capped Chickadees (Poecile atricapillus) varies seasonally. We examined whether the volume of the septum, a medial forebrain structure that shares reciprocal connections with the HF, demonstrates the same species and seasonal variation as has been shown in the HF. We compared septum volume in three parid species; non‐storing Blue Tits (Parus caeruleus) and Great Tits (Parus major), and food‐storing Black‐Capped Chickadees. We found the relative septum volume to be larger in chickadees than in the non‐storing species. We also compared septum and nucleus of the diagonal band (NDB) volume of Black‐Capped Chickadees at different times of the year. We found that the relative septum volume varies seasonally in food‐storing birds. The volume of the NDB does not vary seasonally. Due to the observed species and seasonal variation, the septum, like the hippocampal formation of food‐storing birds, may be specialized for some aspects of food‐storing and spatial memory. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Neurobiol 51: 215–222, 2002     

Individual-based model of spatio-temporal dynamics of mixed forest stands

This research presents the results of constructing and parameterizing an individual-based model of spatiotemporal dynamics of mixed forest stands. The model facilitates computerized experiments with forest stands having different combinations of species and age structures. These forest stands grow on temperate areas where light is the main system-forming factor that shapes and develops forest ecosystems. The model TEMFORM (TEMperate FORests Model) is developed with few equations and parameters, most of which can be estimated using standard forest inventory data. Parameterization of the model used the growth tables of a set of basic forest-forming species in Far East Russia. Simulation results of the development of the natural single- and mixed-species stands and the effects of different types of disturbances on the stand dynamics and compositions are presented.     

Food sharing: a model of manipulation by harassment

Most analyses of food-sharing behavior invoke complex explanationssuch as indirect and delayed benefits for sharing via kin selectionand reciprocal altruism. However, food sharing can be a moregeneral phenomenon accounted for by more parsimonious, mutualisticexplanations. We propose a game theoretical model of a generalsharing situation in which food owners share because it is in their own self-interest—they avoid high costs associatedwith beggar harassment. When beggars harass, owners may benefitfrom sharing part of the food if their consumption rate islow relative to the rate of cost accrual. Our model predictsthat harassment can be a profitable strategy for beggars if they reap some direct benefits from harassing other than sharedfood (such as picking up scraps). Therefore, beggars may manipulatethe owner's fitness payoffs in such a way as to make sharingmutualistic.     

Food utilization by insects: Interpretation of observed differences between dry weight and energy efficiencies

Over 80% of the values of approximate digestibility (AD), efficiency of conversion of assimilated food to biomass (ECD) and efficiency of conversion of ingested food (ECI) calculated using energy terms are greater than the corresponding dry weight (DW) values, based on data for over 65 species (38 studies; number of comparative values: AD=139, ECD=128 and ECI=169). Largest positive differences (energy > DW values) are 30 (AD, ECD) and 24 (ECI) percentage points and largest negative differences (energy < DW values) are 9 (AD), 11 (ECD) and 8 (ECI) percentage points. These differences generally are least for ECI (71% of the differences fall between 0 and +5 percentage points), and AD (68%), followed by ECD (only 47% fall between 0 and +5), and they may vary with temperature, food and other factors. The differences tend to increase (esp. for ECD and ECI) when comparing later with earlier instars. Energy > DW efficiency values are commonly expected for AD because of the generally greater energy content of food than feces, and for ECD and ECI because of the generally greater energy content of insect biomass than ingested and assimilated food. Deviations from predicted differences in surveyed literature data are discussed in terms of possible methodological sources of error.

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Résumé Plus de 80% des valeurs de la digestibilité approchée (AD), de l'efficacité de la conversion de la nourriture assimilée en biomasse (ECD) et de l'efficacité de la conversion de l'aliment ingéré (ECI), calculées en termes énergétiques, et obtenus à partir de données sur 65 espèces, sont supérieures aux valeurs des poids secs correspondants (DW): 38 études; valeurs comparatives: AD=139, ECD=128, ECI=169. Les plus importantes différences positive (énergie>valuers DW) sont de 30 (AD, ECD) et de 24 (ECI) centièmes (les différences négatives les plus fortes = 9 (AD), 11 (ECD) et 8 (ECI); ces différences sont moindres pour ECI (71% des différences tombent à 0 et +5 centièmes), et AD (68%), suivi de ECD (seulement 47% tombent entre 0 et +5). Ces différences peuvent varier avec la température, l'alimentation et d'autres facteurs; les différences tendent à croître (particulièrement pour ECD et ECI) quant on les compare plus tard avec des stades plus précoces. Energie > aux valeurs d'efficacité DW sont généralement attendues pour AD par suite du contenu énergétique supérieur de l'aliment à celui des excréments, et pour ECD et ECI par suite du contenu énergétique généralement plus élevé pour la biomasse de l'insecte que pour l'aliment ingéré et assimilé. Les écarts par rapport aux différences prédites dans les données de la littérature examinée sont analysées en considérant les sources possibles d'erreurs méthodologiques.

     

The structure of 180° supernumerary limbs and a hypothesis of their formation

The results of a detailed analysis of 100 supernumerary limbs generated by 180° ipsilateral rotation (on the same limb stump) of regeneration blastemas is presented. The limbs were analyzed in terms of their position of origin, frequency, cartilage structure by Victoria blue staining, and muscle structure by serial sections. Single, double, or triple supernumeraries can be produced at no unique position of origin, although the posterodorsal quadrant was preferred. Four classes of supernumerary limbs were generated by such operations—normal; double dorsal or double ventral; part normal/part mirror imaged; part normal/part inverted in approximately equal frequencies. After amputation of these supernumeraries the same muscle patterns are faithfully regenerated. A hypothesis to explain the production of these abnormal limbs is proposed based on the observed phenomenon of fusion of supernumerary blastemata, but their regenerative behaviour presents problems for current models of pattern formation. Similar results have been obtained with developing limb buds and the relation between development and regeneration is discussed.     

T-independent but not T-dependent antigens maintain surface Ig of lymphocytes.

The effect of T-independent (TIA) and T-dependent (IDA) antigens on the surface Ig of 24-hr cultured rabbit spleen cells was investigated by two techniques: the proportion of cells bearing surface Ig was determined by direct rosette formation with anti-light chain allotype-coated erythrocytes; the total amount of surface Ig was estimated by labeling the cells with anti-allotype ¹²⁵I-labeled Fab fragments. The addition of TIA resulted in the maintenance of the proportion of Ig-bearing cells almost to the initial level, an effect which could not be obtained with any of the TDA tested. The same type of effect was observed when the total amount of surface Ig was measured, i.e., there was a slight reduction (about 24%) in the amount of surface Ig in cultures to which TIAs were added and an almost sixfold reduction (about 70%) in cultures to which TDA, Con A, or no antigen was added. Some but not all of the TIA were able to induce [³H]TdR incorporation in 3-day spleen-cell cultures. We concluded that the common feature of TIA is the ability to stimulate the turnover of B-cell surface Ig, a feature that can be used for an easy screening of TIA.     

Ethnobotanical review of wild edible plants in Spain

This paper compiles and evaluates the ethnobotanical data currently available on wild plants traditionally used for human consumption in Spain. Forty-six ethnobotanical and ethnographical sources from Spain were reviewed, together with some original unpublished field data from several Spanish provinces. A total of 419 plant species belonging to 67 families was recorded. A list of species, plant parts used, localization and method of consumption, and harvesting time is presented. Of the seven different food categories considered, green vegetables were the largest group, followed by plants used to prepare beverages, wild fruits, and plants used for seasoning, sweets, preservatives, and other uses. Important species according to the number of reports include: Foeniculum vulgare , Rorippa nasturtium-aquaticum , Origanum vulgare , Rubus ulmifolius , Silene vulgaris , Asparagus acutifolius , and Scolymus hispanicus . We studied data on the botanical families to which the plants in the different categories belonged, overlapping between groups and distribution of uses of the different species. Many wild food plants have also been used for medicinal purposes and some are considered to be poisonous. This review highlights the rich traditional knowledge on edible plants that has remained in rural Spain. Until recently, many wild plants were used as dietary supplements. However, most of this knowledge survives only in the memory of the elderly, and will probably disappear in a few decades.  © 2006 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2006, 152 , 27–71.     

Withdrawn food rate for larvae of Siberian moth on conifers of Siberia

Experimental evaluation of the mass of food withdrawn by larvae of the Siberian moth during their development on larch, cedar pine, fir, spruce, and common pine was carried out. The obtained dependences between the masses of larvae and food withdrawn by them can be directly used to determine the withdrawn food rate of Siberian moth on each of the Siberian conifer species.     

Epitope Analysis of Soybean Major Allergen Gly m Bd 30K Recognized by the Mouse Monoclonal Antibody Using Overlapping Peptides

The epitopes of the major soybean allergen, Gly m Bd 30K, recognized by mouse monoclonal antibodies H6 and F5 were investigated by using synthetic peptides bound to pins. The epitopes are shown to be localized in peptide ³¹QGGCGRGWAFSATGAI-EA⁴⁸ for H6, and in ¹¹⁵ DKVTIDGYETLIMSDEST¹³² for F5.