The material cost and stickiness of capture threads and the evolution of orb-weaving spiders

Prey capture threads are essential to the operation of spider orb-webs because they prevent insects that have been intercepted from escaping before a spider can subdue them. The volume of material invested in a web's capture threads is related to spider weight and is the same for primitive orb-weavers that produce cribellar capture thread and modern orb-weavers that produce adhesive capture thread. However, as adhesive capture thread achieves greater stickiness relative to its volume, adhesive orb-webs have a greater total stickiness and, consequently, a greater prey capture potential than cribellate orb-webs. These differences appear to have favoured the transition from cribellate to adhesive capture threads and the success of adhesive orb-weavers, which include 95% of all orb-weaving species. Differences in the thread economy and the total stickiness of webs constructed by spiders of different weights also suggest that adhesive orb-weavers should grow more rapidly and be capable of attaining a larger size than cribellate orb-weavers.     

The effects of capture spiral composition and orb-web orientation on prey interception

Cribellar prey capture threads found in primitive, horizontal orb-webs reflect more light, including ultraviolet wavelengths, than viscous threads found in more derived, vertical orb-webs. Low web visibility and vertical orientation are each thought to increase prey interception and may represent key innovations that contributed to the greater diversity of modern, araneoid orb-weaving spiders. This study compares prey interception rates of cribellate orb-webs constructed by Uloborus glomosus (Uloboridae) with viscous orb-webs constructed by Leucauge venusta (Tetragnathidae) and Micrathena gracilis (Araneidae). We placed sectors of cribellar and viscous threads side by side in frames that were oriented either horizontally or vertically. The webs of both U. glomosus and L. venusta intercepted more prey when vertically oriented. In each orientation L. venusta webs intercepted more insects than did U. glomosus. Although this is consistent with the greater visibility of cribellar threads, the more closely spaced capture spirals of L. venusta may have contributed to this difference. Micrathena gracilis webs intercepted more prey than did U. glomosus webs, although web orientation did not affect the performance of this araneoid species. The stickier and more closely spaced capture spirals of M. gracilis may have enhanced the interception rates of this species and accounted for the greater number of smaller dipterans retained in its webs. The tendency for these slow, weak flight insects to be blown into both horizontal and vertical webs may account for similar interception rates of horizontal and vertical M. gracilis webs. These observations support the enhanced prey interception of vertically oriented orb-webs, but offer only qualified support for the contributions of lower visibility viscous capture threads.     

线栓法制备不同体重KM小鼠局灶性脑缺血/再灌注模型的建立及评价

目的线栓法制备小鼠脑缺血/再灌注模型,并探讨影响该模型稳定性的因素。方法 KM小鼠100只,雌雄各半,体重20～39 g,分别将雌雄KM小鼠随机分为假手术组(n=20)和不同体重实验组(n=80)。其中实验组按小鼠体重分为以下8组:A组(♂,20～24 g)、B组(♂,25～29 g)、C组(♂,30～34 g)、D组(♂,35～39g),E组(♀,20～24 g)、F组(♀,25～29 g)、G组(♀,30～34 g)、H组(♀,35～39 g),每组10只。线栓栓塞法制备局灶性脑缺血/再灌注模型,选用单丝尼龙线(直径0.128～0.180 mm),液体石蜡处理浸泡后,从右侧颈总动脉进线,阻塞大脑中动脉血流,再灌注时拔出线栓,并对模型进行评价,采用的主要观察指标是神经功能损伤评分和2,3,5-三苯基氯化四氮唑(TTC)染色。结果同假手术相比,不同体重实验组小鼠脑缺血再灌注后,出现神经行为功能异常,TTC染色脑组织显示出明显的梗塞灶。与C、D组相比,A、B两组行为学评分以及梗死灶体积显著性增加(P<0.01);与G、H组相比,E、F两组的行为学评分以及梗死灶体积也显著性增加(P<0.01,P<0.05)。雄性KM小鼠与雌性相比,成模率较高且死亡率相对较低。此外,A组与E组相比,其行为学评分显著增加(P<0.01);B组与F组相比,小鼠行为学评分以及脑梗塞体积显著增加(P<0.01)。结论体重在25 g左右的雄性KM小鼠制备模型成功率较高,死亡率较低,适合建立小鼠局灶性脑缺血/再灌注模型。     

Fine structural analysis on triad spinning spigots of an orb‐web spider's capture threads

Capture threads of the golden orb‐web spider Nephila clavata are produced from the silks of a pair of triad spinning units composed of a flagelliform gland (FLG) and two aggregate glands (AGG). In N. clavata, arrangement of the triad spigots is closely related to coating an axial supporting fiber with sticky aqueous droplets on a continuous and consistent basis for capture thread production. The central spigot of FLG and peripherally located AGG spigots are aligned along a single plane, and both have bullet‐type spigots with flexible segments. In particular, the pear‐shaped spigot of the AGG with a wide‐aperture nozzle provides not only sufficient luminal space for controlling transient storage of the aqueous gluey substance but also an effective spatial system that thoroughly coats the axial fibers with a viscous aqueous solution.     

Endophytic colonisation of Bacillus subtilis in the roots of Robinia pseudoacacia L

The endophytic colonisation of Bacillus subtilis strain GXJM08, isolated from roots of Podocarpus imbricatus B1. Enum. P1. Jav., in roots of the leguminous plant Robinia pseudoacacia L. was investigated. Ultrastructure observations showed that B. subtilis caused morphological changes in the root hair and colonised the plant through infected root hairs. The structure of the infection thread was similar to that of rhizobia, but the structure of infected cells was different. B. subtilis is also different from rhizobia and plant pathogens in terms of the formation of a peribacteroid membrane and the mode of penetration through the host cell wall. Our results provide a basis for studying development of the mutualistic symbiotic relationship between B. subtilis and plants, and a basis for studying the mechanism of the B. subtilis–plant interaction.     

Genetic dissection of the initiation of the infection process and nodule tissue development in the Rhizobium-pea (Pisum sativum L.) symbiosis

Twelve non-nodulating pea (Pisum sativum L.) mutants were studied to identify the blocks in nodule tissue development. In nine, the reason for the lack of infection thread (IT) development was studied; this had been characterized previously in the other three mutants. With respect to IT development, mutants in gene sym7 are interrupted at the stage of colonization of the pocket in the curled root hair (Crh- phenotype), mutants in genes sym37 and sym38 are blocked at the stage of IT growth in the root hair cell (Ith- phenotype) and mutants in gene sym34 at the stage of IT growth inside root cortex cells (Itr- phenotype). With respect to nodule tissue development, mutants in genes sym7, sym14 and sym35 were shown to be blocked at the stage of cortical cell divisions (Ccd- phenotype), mutants in gene sym34 are halted at the stage of nodule primordium (NP) development (Npd- phenotype) and mutants in genes sym37 and sym38 are arrested at the stage of nodule meristem development (Nmd- phenotype). Thus, the sequential functioning of the genes Sym37, Sym38 and the gene Sym34 apparently differs in the infection process and during nodule tissue development. Based on these data, a scheme is suggested for the sequential functioning of early pea symbiotic genes in the two developmental processes: infection and nodule tissue formation.     

Development and fine structure of the yolk nucleus of previtellogenic oocytes in the medaka Oryzias latipes

The development and fine structure of yolk nuclei in the cytoplasm of previtellogenic oocytes were examined by electron microscopy during several stages of oogenesis in the medaka, Oryzias latipes. Shortly after oogenesis starts, oocytes 20-30 microm in diameter have much electron-dense (basophilic) cytoplasm, within which a continuous or discontinuous, irregular ring-shaped lower electron-dense area of flocculent appearance (LF) begins to emerge around the nucleus. The yolk nucleus is first recognized within an LF area as a few fragments of dense granular thread measuring 20-25 nm in width. The threads consist of two rows of very dense granules resembling ribosomes or ribonucleoprotein (RNP)-like particles in size and electron density. These thread-like fragments gradually increase in number and length until they assemble into a compact, spherical mass of complicated networks. Analysis of serial sections suggests that the yolk nucleus is a complicated mass of numerous, small deformed vacuoles composed of a single lamella with double layers of ribosomes or RNP-like granules, rather than a mass of granular threads. When oocytes develop to greater than 100 microm in diameter, the yolk nucleus begins to fragment before dispersing throughout the surrounding cytoplasm, concomitantly with the disappearance of LF areas. At this stage of oogenesis, a restricted region of the granulosa cell layer adjacent to the yolk nucleus becomes somewhat columnar in morphology, fixing the vegetal pole region of the oocyte.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Medicago truncatula</Emphasis> syntaxin SYP132 defines the symbiosome membrane and infection droplet membrane in root nodules

Symbiotic association of legume plants with rhizobia bacteria culminates in organogenesis of nitrogen-fixing root nodules. In indeterminate nodules, plant cells accommodate rhizobial infection by enclosing each bacterium in a membrane-bound, organelle-like compartment called the symbiosome. Numerous symbiosomes occupy each nodule cell; therefore an enormous amount of membrane material must be delivered to the symbiosome membrane for its development and maintenance. Protein delivery to the symbiosome is thought to rely on the plant secretory system; however, the targeting mechanisms are not well understood. In this study, we report the first in-depth analysis of a syntaxin localized on symbiosome membranes. Syntaxins help define a biochemical identity to each compartment in the plant secretory system and facilitate vesicle docking and fusion. Here, we present biochemical and cytological evidence that the SNARE MtSYP132, a Medicago truncatula homologue of Arabidopsis thaliana Syntaxin of Plants 132, localizes to the symbiosome membrane. Using a specific anti-MtSYP132 peptide antibody, we also show that MtSYP132 localizes to the plasma membrane surrounding infection threads and is most abundant on the infection droplet membrane. These results indicate that MtSYP132 may function in infection thread development or growth and the early stages of symbiosome formation. Electronic Supplementary Material Supplementary material is available to authorised users in the online version of this article at .