Forest Restoration Treatment Effects on the Nesting Success of Western Bluebirds (Sialia mexicana)

We examined the effects of presettlement forest restoration treatments on the nesting success of Western Bluebirds in ponderosa pine forests of northwestern Arizona, U.S.A. From 1998 to 2001 we monitored 97 active Western Bluebird nests, 41 in current‐condition untreated forest and 56 in restoration‐treated forest. We found no effect of restoration treatments on clutch size and little effect on the number of nestlings per nest. However, in treated forest stands number of fledglings per nest averaged 1.6 times greater, and probability of a nest surviving to successfully fledge at least one young was up to 4.2 times greater than in untreated forest. Probability of a nest succeeding averaged 0.39 ± 0.11 (SE) and 0.75 ± 0.06 from 1999 to 2001 in untreated and treated forests, respectively. In addition, in treated forest, average number of nests infested with the blowfly parasite Protocalliphora sialia was up to 4.3 times greater, and number of parasites per fledgling was up to 10.7 times greater than in untreated forest. Overall, the data suggest that in treated forest Western Bluebirds have a higher probability of successfully fledging young, but they are at greater risk of parasitic infestations, of which the ultimate effects on post‐fledging survival are unknown.     

An Improved Antiserum for Sensitive Serologic Detection of Chickpea chlorotic dwarf virus

A Syrian chickpea isolate of Chickpea chlorotic dwarf virus (CpCDV; genus Mastrevirus, family Geminiviridae) was purified and yielded 0.6–0.8 mg of purified virus per kg of infected chickpea tissue. The purified preparations were injected into a rabbit and an antiserum of good quality was obtained and used to evaluate different serological tests for the detection of CpCDV in infected chickpea leaf tissue and extracts. CpCDV was detected in sap dilutions of 1/640 by double‐antibody sandwich enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (DAS‐ELISA) and dot‐blot ELISA, and in sap dilutions of 1/1280 by direct antigen‐coating (DAC)‐ELISA using CpCDV immunoglobulin G (IgG) at 0.5 μg/ml. The antiserum was also able to detect the capsid protein of CpCDV by Western blot using raw antiserum at a dilution of 1/2000. The CpCDV raw antiserum (third bleeding) produced had a titre of 1/320 000 when determined by tissue‐blot immunoassay (TBIA); whereas, coating ELISA plates with CpCDV IgG at a concentration of 0.004 μg/ml was enough to detect the virus by DAS‐ELISA in a sap dilution of 1/20 using an enzyme conjugate at a dilution of 1/2000.     

Characterization of Maize Iranian Mosaic Virus and Comparison with Hawaiian and Other Isolates of Maize Mosaic Virus (Rhabdoviridae)

Maize Iranian mosaic virus (MIMV) was characterized and compared with isolates of Maize mosaic virus (MMV, genus Nucleorhabdovirus, family Rhabdoviridae) in insect transmission, cytopathology and ultrastructure of infected maize cells, virion proteins and serologically. MIMV is naturally transmitted by Ribautodelphax notabilis, a delphacid planthopper, in Iran. In this study, another planthopper, Peregrinus maidis, vector of MMV, transmitted MIMV with an estimated efficiency of 0.4–1.6% following feeding on MIMV‐infected maize plants and 64% following injection of MIMV into the hemolymph, suggesting that P. maidis gut tissues largely blocked MIMV transmission. MIMV and MMV‐HI (Hawaii) induced similar cytopathologies in cells of infected maize leaves, with virions budding through inner nuclear and endoplasmic reticulum membranes. In thin sections, virions of MIMV were significantly shorter than those of MMV‐HI. Sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis analysis of virions of MIMV, MMV‐HI, MMV‐CR (Costa Rica) and MMV‐FL (Florida) yielded six proteins of which four were identified as the putative G, N, P and M proteins of plant rhabdoviruses. The N, P and M proteins of MIMV migrated faster in gels than those of the MMV isolates indicating a lower molecular weight, whereas the bands corresponding to the G proteins migrated similarly for both viruses. Polyclonal antibodies to MMV‐HI failed to react with virions of MIMV in enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and with MIMV proteins in Western blots. In contrast, these antibodies reacted strongly with MMV‐HI and MMV‐FL virions in ELISA and with MMV‐HI, MMV‐CR and MMV‐FL proteins in Western blots. Further, in ELISA, polyclonal antibodies to MMV‐MR (Mauritius) reacted weakly with MIMV virions but strongly with MMV‐HI and MMV‐FL virions. Thus, it is concluded that MIMV is a new virus of the Nucleorhabdovirus genus that may be distantly related to MMV.     

Suitability of different fluorescent powders for mass-marking the Chrysomelid, Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte

Abstract:  The Western Corn Rootworm, Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte (Col., Chrysomelidae), is an invasive alien pest of maize, Zea mays , in Europe. The suitability of 14 fluorescent powders for mass-marking the adults was studied in laboratory and in field cages. The visual discrimination between remaining spots of each colour on the beetles was investigated under ultraviolet (UV) light, as well as their retention time and the influences of those colours on the beetle survival and flight take-off response. The two best recognizable orange colours (i.e. of Radiant Colour and of Fiesta Colours Swada) were proposed for field experiments in first priority, followed by an orange and a yellow (both Magruder Colour), another yellow (Fiesta) and a pink (Radiant), as all did not affect beetle survival and flight take-off response and were recognizable under UV light for at least 10 days in the field. In contrast, the colours yellow and green (Radiant), red and blue (Magruder), yellow (Ciba Geigy) and pink (Fiesta) were unsuitable, because they either quickly disappeared from the beetles or adversely affected beetle survival or flight take-off response. For mass releases with differently marked beetles, only the use of a single orange colour together with a single yellow colour or the use of a pink colour together with a yellow colour can be used since few spots can clearly be discriminated from each other under UV light.     

One new and one rediscovered species of Strobilanthes Blume (Acanthaceae)

A new species—Strobilanthes matthewiana R.W. Scotland—from Southern India is described and illustrated. The rediscovery of Strobilanthes punctata Nees is reported. Illustrations of Strobilanthes punctata and Strobilanthes anceps Nees are presented. A list of diagnostic differences between Strobilanthes punctata and the closely related Strobilanthes anceps is provided.     

Protein composition of human submandibular secretions

The protein composition of human submandibular saliva obtained from a single donor has been investigated, and 21 proteins have been resolved. On Sephadex G-100, submandibular secretions (unstimulated) separated into four fractions, I, II, III, and IV. Each fraction was analyzed further by isoelectric focusing and disc gel electrophoresis. The major components detected in each fraction along with their isoelectric point (pI) are as follows: I, blood group specific substance (2.3), immunoglobulin A (5.0–6.0), and immunoglobulin G (4.5–6.5); II, albumin (4.9), two glycoproteins (5.0), and acid phosphatase (5.2); III, three phosphoproteins (4.3–4.4), isoamylase 1A (5.9), isoamylase 1B (6.4), unidentified protein (7.1), lysozyme (>10), and a basic protein (>10); and IV, isoamylase 2A (5.9) and isoamylase 2B (6.4). Isoamylase 1A and IB are glycoproteins. Stimulated submandibular secretions were also resolved into four protein fractions by gel filtration. Fraction III, compared with unstimulated secretions, showed the greatest percent increase in protein. Analysis of this fraction by disc gel electrophoresis demonstrated the presence of four protein bands which were not detected in the unstimulated secretion. One of these proteins is tentatively identified as a phosphoprotein and two as basic proteins (pI > 10). The protein composition of submandibular, parotid, and sublingual secretions is compared.     

Nautilid nurseries: hatchlings and juveniles of Eutrephoceras dekayi from the lower Maastrichtian (Upper Cretaceous) Pierre Shale of east‐central Montana

The nautilid Eutrephoceras dekayi (Morton 1834) is relatively abundant in the lower Maastrichtian (Upper Cretaceous) Pierre Shale of east‐central Montana. We analysed the morphology, size frequency distribution, and isotope composition of a large collection of 220 well‐preserved specimens including hatchlings, juveniles and adults. The newly hatched shell is approximately 14 mm in diameter with a body chamber one‐third whorl in angular length terminating in the nepionic constriction. Internally, the embryonic shell contains five septa. Juveniles are abundant and comprise two‐thirds of the sample whereas sub‐adults, defined by the incipient flattening of the venter, are rare. Adults comprise approximately one‐third of the sample and average 100 mm in diameter. The co‐occurrence of newly hatched shells, small juveniles and adults suggests that the eggs were laid in the same area in which the hatchlings developed. Based on the excellent preservation of the juveniles, we conclude that they did not float into the area after death, but lived in the region, implying that this area served as a nursery for young animals. The calculated temperatures of the embryonic shells are similar to those of the post‐embryonic shells and generally range from 16 to 18 °C. Upon hatching, the nautilids probably followed a demersal mode of life and lived in well‐oxygenated water ≤50 m deep. An examination of lethal injuries (puncture holes) suggests that all ontogenetic stages were equally vulnerable to predation. The proximity of the site to the Sheridan Delta suggests that the specimens were smothered by sudden pulses of sediment transported into the area by major storms.     

Glycosyl glycerides from the aerial parts of Malva verticillata and their chemopreventive effects

A new glycosyl glyceride (5) along with twelve known ones (1–4 and 6–13) including two sulfoquinovosyl glycerides (1 and 2) were isolated from the aerial parts of Malva verticillata. Based on several spectroscopic methods, compound 5 was identified to be (2S)-1-O-β-d-galactopyranosyl-3-O-isostearoyl glyceride, and named malvaglycolipid A. Compounds 1 and 2 contained a unique sugar, (6-deoxy-6-sulfo)-α-d-glucopyranose, which very rarely occurs in natural sources. This is the first report for the isolation of compounds 1 and 2 from natural sources and the structure determination using NMR experiment. It was also of note that no glycosyl glyceride has previously been isolated from the family of Malvaeae. Most glycosyl glycerides showed cytotoxicity to HepG2, AGS, HCT-15, and A549 human cancer cells. Especially, compounds 1, 2, and 11 exhibited significant cytotoxicity to AGS cells, with IC₅₀ values of 33.7 ± 0.64 μM, 11.1 ± 0.07 μM, and 10.6 ± 0.10 μM, respectively. The n-BuOH fraction and compounds 1, 2, and 11 increased the number of apoptotic cells in the Tali assay and had a significant effect on the levels of proteins related to apoptosis including PARP, caspase-3, Bcl-2, Bax, and β-actin.     

Prey consumption and survival of the predatory mite,Amblydromalus limonicus,on different prey and host plants

Amblydromalus limonicus consumed fewer first instar Frankliniella occidentalis thrips than Bactericera cockerelli psyllids per day when on the same (1.7 thrips, 3.7 psyllids) or separate (2.9 thrips, 4.4 psyllids) capsicum leaf discs. Mites ate fewer psyllids per day on tomato (1.9) than on capsicum (3.1). Mite survival was similar on both prey and plants.