Pigment patterns in mutants affecting the biosynthesis of pteridines and xanthommatin in Drosophila melanogaster

Eye-color mutants of Drosophila melanogaster have been analyzed for their pigment content and related metabolites. Xanthommatin and dihydroxanthommatin (pigments causing brown eye color) were measured after selective extraction in acidified butanol. Pteridines (pigments causing red eye color) were quantitated after separation of 28 spots by thin-layer chromatography, most of which are pteridines and a few of which are fluorescent metabolites from the xanthommatin pathway. Pigment patterns have been studied in 45 loci. The pteridine pathway ramifies into two double branches giving rise to isoxanthopterin, drosopterins, and biopterin as final products. The regulatory relationship among the branches and the metabolic blockage of the mutants are discussed. The Hn locus is proposed to regulate pteridine synthesis in a step between pyruvoyltetrahydropterin and dihydropterin. The results also indicate that the synthesis and accumulation of xanthommatin in the eyes might be related to the synthesis of pteridines.Support for this work was provided to J.F. in part by a grant from the Ministerio de Universidades e Investigación (Spain) and to F.J.S. by a grant from the Ministerio de Educación y Ciencia (Spain).     

Critical nuclear DNA size and distribution associated with S phase initiation

Using HeLa S-3 cells synchronized by selective detachment, in this paper we report a parallel study of nuclear morphology and autoradiography grain patterns between middle G₁ and middle S phases: Our results show two distinct [³H]-thymidine labeling patterns. The first “peripheral” labeling pattern has a characteristic nuclear size distribution, in contrast to the heterogeneous and varying size distributions of Feulgen-stained nuclei, and apparently is characteristic of very early S phase. The sizes of the second labeling pattern—homogeneous or inhomogeneous grain distribution throughout the nucleus—are equal or larger than the first and vary with S phase progression. Together, the corresponding nuclear sizes of the labeled nuclei represent the larger extreme of nuclear areas, and the labeling index closely parallels the fraction of nuclei with areas larger than the minimum size of the labeled nuclei. These results suggest a characteristic nuclear size (reflecting unique intranuclear DNA distribution) as a necessary, if not sufficient, requirement for S phase initiation. Parallel experimentation with rat liver cells—synchronized in vivo by partial hepatectomy and analyzed by thin section autoradiography—confirms the existence of a peripheral labeling pattern in both the very early part and the very late part of S phase, which reconciles our data with previous results and points to the fact that both initiation and termination sites for DNA replication are near the nuclear periphery.     

Aedes aegypti: model for blood finding strategy and prediction of parasite manipulation

Aedes aegypti mosquitoes salivate during intradermal probing of vertebrate prey before ingesting blood (Griffiths and Gordon 1952). Nonsalivating mosquitoes locate blood more slowly; this difference was ascribed to an anti-platelet activity found in the mosquito's saliva (Ribeiro et al. 1984). Mosquitoes infected with Plasmodium gallinaceum suffer pathology that specifically impairs saliva anti-hemostatic activity but without reducing volume of output (Rossignol et al. 1984). The complexity of the feeding apparatus of mosquitoes provides opportunity for a variety of strategies in which pathogens may produce specific lesions that enhance their transmission, but the variables that affect the duration of probing by mosquitoes have not been defined. We sought to resolve this complexity by identifying and quantifying relevant parameters of probing behavior. Mosquitoes thrust their mouthparts repeatedly through their host's skin while searching for blood. Female A. aegypti thrust at 7-sec intervals. If this search results in success, feeding ensues. Alternatively, the mosquito "desists," the mouthparts stylets are withdrawn, and the mosquito attempts to feed at another site. Even after previous desistance, the probability of finding blood remains undiminished. Functions for the probability of feeding success and desistance over time were derived using data from observations on 300 mosquitoes. The probability of feeding success was interpreted as being a function of the density of vessels in the skin, their geometric distribution, and the conditions locally affecting hemostasis. During each probe, the probability of desisting increased linearly with time, and after desisting once, mosquitoes tended to desist more rapidly. A model was developed incorporating Monte Carlo simulation which closely fit observed data. By changing values for the several parameters of the probability functions, we predicted modes in which parasites may manipulate their hosts to enhance transmission, both to and from the vector. In particular, parasite strategies in the vector would include induced salivary pathology; increased duration of probing thrusts; decreased desistance time; and inhibited phagoreception. Predicted parasite strategies in the reservoir host would include increased skin vascular volume and impaired host hemostasis. Our model supports the hypothesis of a mutualistic interaction of malaria and mosquitoes.     

Feeding ecology of mandrills (Mandrillus sphinx) in campo animal reserve,Cameroon

A field study on the ecology of mandrills (Mandrillus sphinx) was carried out for 28 months in Cameroon. Fresh food remnants and large quantities of fresh feces were collected by following the groups. Analyses of these products indicated that fruit (including seeds), monocotyledonous plant leaves and insects (especially ants and termites), were frequently eaten. Mandrills mostly ate the plant and animal foods in the lower forest stratum and on the ground. Fallen seeds and monocotyledonous plant leaves were eaten more frequently in the minor fruiting season than in the major fruiting season presumably to compensate for the shortage of fresh fruit during the former. Daily travel distances were shorter during the minor fruiting season than during the major fruiting season, because in the minor fruiting season mandrills forage for small food items, such as the new leaves and piths of monocotyledons and fallen seeds which are sparsely distributed on the ground, while in the major fruiting season they search for widely distributed food such as fruit. The daily pattern of group movement and a food intake experiment suggest that mandrills move and feed continuously throughout the day. Use of fallen seeds and monocotyledonous plant leaves appears to enable mandrills to maintain a terrestrial life in the tropical rain forest. The feeding and ranging characteristics of mandrills are basically similar to those of other baboon species in open land, though their environments differ extremely.     

Molecular analysis of the inheritance and stability of the mitochondrial genome of an inbred line of maize

Summary We have investigated the inheritance of the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) restriction endonuclease digestion patterns of maize inbred line B37N in individual plants and pooled siblings in lineages derived from five separate plants in the third generation following successive self-pollinations. The restriction fragment patterns of the different mtDNA samples were compared after digestion with five endonucleases. No differences were visible in the mobilities of the 199 fragments scored per sample. Hybridization analysis with two different cloned mtDNA probes, one of which contains homologies to a portion of the S2 plasmid characteristic of cms-S maize, failed to reveal cryptic variation. The apparent rate of genomic change in maize mtDNA from inbred plants appears to be very slow, compared with the faster rates of change seen in maize tissue cultures and with the documented rapid rate of inter- and intraspecific variation for mammalian mtDNA.     

Satiety, hunger and regional brain content of cholecystokinin/gastrin and met-enkephalin immunoreactivity in sheep

Cholecystokinin (CCK) and met-enkephalin (MEK) related peptides have been shown to alter feeding behavior subsequent to their injection into the peripheral circulation or directly into the brains of several species. To evaluate the potential role of endogenous brain pools of these peptides in feeding, groups of sheep were sacrificed either immediately following a meal (satiated) or after various intervals of food deprivation (hungry). Content of CCK-gastrin immunoreactivity in the anterior hypothalami of satiated sheep was elevated compared to 2, 4, or 24 hours of food deprivation. Content of MEK increased progressively with longer intervals of fasting (4 and 24 hours) in the amygdala and basomedial hypothalamus, whereas olfactory bulb content decreased with a similar time course. The results support a potential role for anterior hypothalamic CCK/gastrin in behaviors of satiety, whereas MEK neurons of limbic/rhinencephalic regions appear to form part of a separate circuit gradually activated by increasing hunger. Results are discussed in terms of potential target regions of the peptides, as well as the regional levels and feeding response of sheep as compared to available data from other species.     

A test of a model for planktivorous filter feeding by bream Abramis brama

Synopsis The planktivorous feeding of bream, Abramis brama on Daphnia hyalina and Bosmina coregoni was analyzed in a stepwise regression analysis with the average size (and standard deviation) of consumed organisms as dependent variable and the size of the fish, the average size (and standard deviation) of the organisms and their density in the environment as independent variables. Three basic predictions on filter feeding were formulated and tested. It was predicted that the (average) prey size should increase with fish size, but that the standard deviation should decline. Secondly the prey size should be strongly correlated with the prey size available and thirdly the prey density should have little effect on the size selection. These hypotheses could not be rejected for bream>10 cm feeding on B. coregoni and for bream>20 cm feeding on D. hyalina. The hypotheses were not valid for smaller bream as these acted as particulate or combined filter- and particulate feeders.     

The adaptive significance of behavioural ontogeny in some. centrarchid fishes

Synopsis Studies on the ontogeny of behaviour in fish have seldom considered the adaptive significance of the order of appearance of the behaviours. Results of laboratory studies and field observations on the ontogeny of feeding, predator-avoidance, and agonistic behaviour in largemouth bass, Micropterus salmoides, rock bass, Ambloplites rupestris, and pumpkinseed, Lepomis gibbosus, young indicate that the order of appearance of the various behavioural systems enhances the survival of the young. In the laboratory, all species spend significantly more time feeding during the first weeks of free-swimming than the later weeks. During a corresponding period in the field the young are either occupying an offshore area low in predators (rock bass, pumpkinseed) or are being guarded by a parent (largemouth bass); thus the risk of predation is low. When the young are in a predator-rich environment (inshore) both the predator-avoidance response and agonistic behaviour are well developed. Agonistic behaviour is the last to appear and may serve to disperse the young. Dispersal may relate to the feeding mode of the various species and may also reduce the probability of predation. It is apparent that the sequential onsets of the behavioural systems are in concert with ecological events and selective pressures confronting centarchid young.     

The rotifer fauna and population dynamics of Lake Studer 2 (Kerguelen Archipelago) with description ofFilinia terminalis kergueleniensis n. ssp. and a new record ofKeratella sancta Russel 1944

Two species of Anabas Cuvier, 1816 (Osteichthyes: Anabantidae): A. testudineus (Bloch, 1795) and A. oligolepis Bleeker, 1855 are widely distributed in India. Since both species are represented in one habitat — Lake Kolleru, and are very closely related, they were compared using starch gel electrophoresis. Electrophoretic separation of proteins of eye lens, skeletal muscle and heart muscle revealed differences such as i) absence of one protein fraction in one of them, ii) mobility and iii) staining intensity of some of the bands. The esterase (non-specific) patterns of serum, liver, kidney, skeletal muscle, heart muscle and eggs also showed differences. The LDH fraction of eye lens showed a difference in mobility.     

Pollen morphology of Solanurn L. section Solanum

J. M. EDMONDS, 1984. Pollen morphology of Solanum L. section Solnnum . The pollen morphology of both dried and fresh, fixed material was examined using SEM. The work confirmed thc spheroidal to sub-prolate shape, the tricolporate nature and the granular surface sculpturing, typical of Solanurn pollen, but failed to demonstrate the occurrence of exine patterns which could bc of practical taxonomic use is differentiating the species belonging to the section Solanurn . Quantification of the exine sculpturing, by means of granule density counts, indicated a possible relationship between this feature and the morpho-genetic diversity of certain species.