Bilan nutritionnel au cours du développement de l'ectoparasite grégaire Dinarmus vagabundus et du solitaire Dinarmus basalis

Résumé Nos méthodes expérimentales permettent l'isolement d'une larve de sexe déterminé par hôte de l'ectoparasite grégaire Dinarmus vagabundus et du solaitire, D. basalis. Des hôtes porteurs de 3 à 8 larves par hôte de D. vagabundus sont aussi isolés. Dans ces conditions la quantité de nourriture disponible est la même pour toutes les densités larvaires étudiées.Les larves élevées en solitaire des deux espèces assimilent une quantité de nourriture significativement supérieure à celle assimilée par les . Ceci conduit à des adultes de poids moyen supérieur à celui des . Le poids moyen des et des de D. vagabundus diminue significativement aux fortes densités larvaires. L'intensité de la liaison entre la quantité de nourriture assimilée et la biomasse produite s'affaiblit au fur et à mesure que la densité larvaire par hôte augmente.Les de D. vagabundus de poids moyen (0,42 mg) engendrent deux fois et demi plus de descendants que les lilliputiennes (0,20 mg) émergées d'hôtes à forte densité larvaire. Celles de D. basalis (0,65 g) sont moins prolifiques que les de D. vagabundus.     

Filtration rates of mosquito larvae in suspensions of latex microspheres and yeast cells

Filtration rates of fourth instars of Aedes aegypti L., Anopheles albimanus Wiedemann, Anopheles quadrimaculatus Say and Culex quinquefasciatus Say (Diptera: Culicidae) were determined by quantifying removal rates of suspended latex microspheres or yeast cells. Average filtration rates were 33–34 l/larva/h (An. quadrimaculatus), 49–55 (An. albimanus), 490–590 (C. quinquefasciatus) or 590–690 l/larva/h (Ae. aegypti) for larvae exposed to latex beads suspended in phagostimulant yeast extract solutions. In suspensions of yeast cells, filtration rates of Ae. aegypti and C. quinquefasciatus were not significantly different from filtration rates in latex bead suspensions. Larval density, ranging from 0.3 to 2.4 individuals/ml in tests with Ae. aegypti and C. quinquefasciatus and up to 4.8 larvae/ml in tests with Anopheles, did not influence filtration rates.

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Zusammenfassung Die Filtrierraten von Viertlarven der Stechmückenarten Aedes aegypti, Anopheles albimanus, Anopheles quadrimaculatus und Culex quinquefasciatus wurden in Laborversuchen bestimmt. Dabei wurde die Filtrierrate definiert als ein Wasservolumen, welches pro Stunde von einer Larve von den Testpartikeln (Hefezellen oder Latexkugeln mit einem Durchmesser von 2 m) befreit wurde. Nach Exposition der Larven in Dichten zwischen 0.15 und 2.4 Larven/ml (Ae. aegypti und C. quinquefasciatus), oder zwischen 0.6 und 4.8 Larven/ml (Anopheles) wurde der Partikelgehalt der Suspensionen in einem elektronischen Partikelzähler bestimmt. Die Filtrierraten wurden über die Verringerung der Partikeldichte mit zunehmender Larvendichte entsprechend einer in der Literatur angegebenen Formel berechnet.Suspensionen von Hefezellen wurden von Ae. aegypti Larven mit einer Leistung von 680±220 l/Larve/h gefiltert. Bei Larven von C. quinquefasciatus wurden Filtrierraten von 600±120 l/Larve/h gemessen. Die Filtrierraten beider Arten waren unabhängig von der Larvendichte. In Suspensionen von Latexpartikeln (zur Phagostimulation der Larven wurden diese Partikel in Lösungen von Hefeextrakt angeboten) wurden die folgenden Filtrierraten festgestellt: An quadrimaculatus: 33–34, An. albimanus: 49–55, C. quinquefasciatus: 490–590, und Ae. aegypti: 560–690 l/Larve/h. Die Larvendichte hatte auch hier keinen Einfluss auf die Filtrierrate. Hefezellen und Latexpartikel wurden von Ae. aegypti und C. quinquefasciatus mit statistisch nicht signifikant verschiedenen Filtrierraten aufgenommen. Die Filtrierraten der Anopheles Larven waren um mehr als eine Zehnerpotenz kleiner als die Filtrierraten von Culex und Aedes, und auch untereinander signifikant verschieden. Der Einfluss der Filtrierraktivität von Stechmückenlarven auf das Seston der Brutgewässer wird diskutiert.

     

Clearance rates of sessile rotifers: in vitro determinations

We measured laboratory clearance rates of 10 rotifer and one unidentified bryozoan species from 3 different lakes using ³²P labeled algae (Chlamydomonas) or yeast (Rhodotorula). Clearance rates for all rotifers fed yeast ranged from < 2.0 to > 260 µl · animal^–1 · h^–1 depending on species. The in vitro clearance rates of two sessile rotifers (Ptygura crystallina and P. pilula) were not significantly different from previously measured in situ rates (Wallace and Starkweather 1983). Clearance rates for 5 rotifers fed algae ranged from < 5.0 to > 90.0 µl · animal^–1 · h^–1. Ptygura beauchampi, P. crystallina, P. pilula, Floscularia conifera, and F. melicerta ingested both cell types but their clearance rates varied substantially among species and between cell types. There was a substantial time-dependent loss of 32P from formalin-fixed animals (Sinantherina socialis) awaiting processing. This loss stabilized at approximately 20 hours and was estimated to be about 40% of the initial ingested label. Clearance rates for the bryozoan fed yeast or algae were highly variable, ranging from < 1.0 to > 3 000 µl · animal^–1 · h^–1.     

The Escherichia coli cell cycle

This review summarizes present knowledge of the bacterial cell cycle with particular emphasis on Escherichia coli. We discuss data coming from three different types of approaches to the study of cell extension and division: The search for discrete events occurring once per division cycle. It is generally agreed that the initiation and termination of DNA replication and cell septation are discrete events; there is less agreement on the sudden doubling in rate of cell surface extension, murein biosynthesis and the synthesis of membrane proteins and phospholipids. We discuss what is known about the temporal relationship amongst the various cyclic events studied. The search for discrete growth zones in the cell envelope layers. We discuss conflicting reports on the existence of murein growth zones and protein insertion sites in the inner and outer membranes. Elucidation of the mechanism regulating the initiation of DNA replication. The concept of "critical initiation mass" is examined. We review data suggesting that the DNA is attached to the envelope and discuss the role of the latter in the initiation of DNA replication.     

Roles of the trkB and trkC gene products of Escherichia coli in K+ transport

Mutations at the trkB and trkC loci of Escherichia coli produce an abnormal efflux of K+. The mutations are partially dominant in diploids and revert frequently by what appears to be intragenic suppression to the null state. The mutations can be reverted by insertion of Tn10 into the mutated gene, and spontaneous revertants are fully recessive to the mutant allele in diploids. K+ efflux produced by NEM* and by DNP* persists in strains with presumed null mutations at either locus, indicating neither gene product is the primary target for the effect of these inhibitors on K+ efflux. The results are consistent with the view that trkB and trkC encode independent systems for K+ efflux. Mutations at these loci alter regulation of the process so that K+ efflux occurs inappropriately. A second mutation to the null state abolishes this abnormal K+ efflux. These genes may encode K+/H+ antiporters, an activity postulated to mediate K+ efflux and demonstrated to exist in E. coli and other bacteria.     

Computer search of calcium binding sites in a gene data bank: use of learning techniques to build an expert system

Using a learning set of 28 sequences able to bind calcium (each sequence is 12 residues long), we have built two filters by learning on this set. The first filter uses a pattern-matching technique and the second one takes into account the environment of amino-acids. These two filters have been used to find new calcium-binding proteins in a data bank. The results are discussed.     

Effects of particle concentration and season on the filtration rates of the freshwater clam,Sphaerium striatinum Lamarck (Bivalvia: Pisidiidae)

The effects of particle concentration and season on the filtration rates of the freshwater clamSphaerium striatinum Lamarck were assessed by measuring clearance rates of small (2.02 μm) latex beads from dilute suspensions. Filtration rates decreased as particle concentration increased over a range of 2–64 mg 1⁻¹, with rates decreasing in similar proportion for clams of all sizes. For a 1-mg clam, rates decreased from approximately 8.4 to 0.57 ml clam⁻¹ h⁻¹. Seasonal filtration rates for adult clams peaked during periods of greatest reproduction. The patterns for smaller clams are similar, though proportional changes in filtration rates differ for various sizes of clams. It is estimated that clams occupying 1 m² of stream substrate removed about 3.67 gCa⁻¹. This is equivalent to 0.0004% of the carbon that flows past them annually. Filter-feeding provided only 24% of the calculated energy needs of the population, suggesting that another mode of feeding (e.g. deposit-feeding) may provide an important energy source for these forms. Funded in part by a grant-in-aid to D. J. Hornbach from Sigma-Xi, The Research Society. Funded in part by a grant-in-aid to D. J. Hornbach from Sigma-Xi, The Research Society.     

Unsuccessful induction of low-zone tolerance to bovine serum albumin injected into the subarachnoid space

Introduction of T-dependent antigens into the subarachnoid space (isas) resulted in higher systemic antibody responses in mice than injections into the peritoneal cavity (ip) or other sites commonly used for immunization. Antibody production in isas immunized mice was not increased by treatment with cyclophosphamide (Cy) at doses known to abolish T-suppressor-cell activity, but such treatment increased antibody production in ip immunized mice toward the higher level which was observed in the isas immunized animals. Suppressor cell-dependent low zone tolerance (LZT) to TNP-BSA could not be induced by isas injections of deaggregated BSA (d-BSA). Conversely, mice which were unresponsive to ip injected d-BSA showed consistent systemic antibody responses when the antigen was injected isas. These observations indicate that immune responses initiated within the CNS are associated with relatively ineffective induction of systemic suppressor cell activity.     

Observations on the separation of Theileria sporozoites from ticks

Hyalomma anatolicum anatolicum ticks infected with Theileria annulata were partially fed on rabbits and then ground up with tissue culture medium. The ground up ticks were treated by centrifugation at 100 g, filtration through membranes of 8 μm pore diameter and centrifugation on a discontinuous density gradient of Percoll. Counts of sporozoites and tick debris were made from Giemsa stained slides of samples at each stage of the separation. Debris was removed during light centrifugation and filtration at a greater rate than sporozoites. After filtration approximately 41% of the original sporozoites remained in the suspension. After density gradient centrifugation most sporozoites were found in a distinct zone, at approx. 1·08 g/cm³ density, separate from most dense debris and light debris and soluble contaminants. After this final centrifugation approximately 24% of the original sporozoites remained in the recovered suspension.