Divergence in cuticular hydrocarbons between parapatric subspecies of the meadow grasshopper, Chorthippus parallelus (Orthoptera, Acrididae)

Two subspecies of the grasshopper Chorthippus parallelus (Orthoptera; Acrididae) meet and form a hybrid zone in the Pyrenees. Here we investigate whether the subspecies differ in the blend of cuticular hydrocarbons. Such differences may function as chemical signals, being detected via contact chemoreception and used during mate choice as in other insects. Gas chromatography shows that the subspecies have diverged in the composition of their cuticular hydrocarbons. This difference between subspecies exists over and above variation in cuticular hydrocarbons among individual populations. The majority of the difference can be attributed to the relative amounts of a small group of compounds present in the cuticle. The possible consequences of this chemical divergence for mating encounters between the subspecies are discussed.     

Glinal variation in morphology among eastern populations of the waterstrider, Aquarius remigis Say (Hemiptera: Gerridae)

We examined morphological variation among populations of the stream-dwelling waterstrider, Aquarius remigis. A previous analysis of allozyme variation along a transect from southern Quebec to southern North Carolina revealed two distinct 'types' of A. remigis, north and south of a transition zone in southern New York and northern Pennsylvania. To assess the concordance of morphological and allozyme differentiation, adults were sampled from 15 populations along the original transect, as well as 11 additional populations in New York, Connecticut and New Jersey. Eight measurements of leg and body size were taken of preserved individuals. Univariate and multivariate analyses (multiple regression, PCA, discriminant analysis) reveal significant differentiation between northern and southern populations with a transition zone between latitudes 39^oand 42^onorth. Strong clines within each region and a clear transition between regions support previous suggestions that there are two distinct 'types' of this species in eastern North America. The transition zone, in morphology coincides with that revealed by the allozyme variation, but extends further south. The covariance of allozyme frequency and morphometric traits suggests that differentiation has occurred through vicariance and secondary contact, and that in this system, cladistic and adaptive differentiation are coupled.     

Extracellular polysaccharide of Nostoc commune (Cyanobacteria) inhibits fusion of membrane vesicles during desiccation

Cells of the cyanobacterium Nostoc commune secrete a complex, high molecular weight, extracellular polysaccharide (EPS) which accumulates to more than 60% of the dry weight of colonies. The EPS was purified from the clonal isolate N. commune DRH1. The midpoint of the membrane phase transition (T_m) of desiccated cells of N. commune CHEN was low (T_{m dry} = 8 °C) and was comparable to the T_m of rehydrated cells((T_m)_H20 = 6 °C). The EPS was not responsible for the depression of T_m. However, the EPS, at low concentrations, inhibited specifically the fusion of phosphatidylcholine membrane vesicles when they were dried in vitro at0% relative humidity (−400 MPa). Low concentrations of a trehalose:sucrose mixture, in a molar ratio which corresponded with that present in cells in vivo, together with small amounts of the EPS, were efficient in preventing leakage of carboxyfloroscein (CF) from membrane vesicles. Freeze-fracture electron microscopy resolved complex changes in the structure of the EPS and the outer membrane in response to rehydration of desiccated cells. The capacity of the EPS to prevent membrane fusion, the maintenance of a low T_{m dry} in desiccated cells, and the changes in rheological properties of the EPS in response to water availability, constitute what are likely important mechanisms for desiccation tolerance in this cyanobacterium. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

脱落酸对线粒体Na^＋—K^＋ATPase活性的影响

在提取大豆（Ｇｌｙｃｉｎｅ ｍ ａｘ）黄化子叶的线粒体时,于清洗和悬浮介质中加入ＡＢＡ,发现４０ μｍ ｏｌ／Ｌ（±） ＡＢＡ 对线粒体膜结合Ｎａ＋ －Ｋ＋ ＡＴＰａｓｅ 活性及线粒体吸氧速率有明显的促进作用。ＡＢＡ 可使１６℃与２７℃培养的大豆子叶线粒体膜结合Ｎａ＋ －Ｋ＋ ＡＴＰａｓｅ Ａｒｒｈｅｎｉｕｓ图的折点温度分别下降６．３℃和５．９℃,并将该酶的底物动力学曲线由正协同曲线转变为非协同曲线。表明ＡＢＡ 可降低线粒体的膜相变温度     

Philopatry in the alpine grasshopper, Podisma pedestris: a novel experimental and analytical method

Abstract.

• 1 Local dispersal and philopatric behaviour of the alpine grasshopper, Podisma pedestris, were studied at two sites in the Alpes Maritimes using a new mark—release—resight technique featuring marking in situ, and multiple resighting without handling. The time-consuming nature of the design was justified by the quantity and quality of the data yielded.
• 2 Philopatry is defined independently of any concept of home range as a phenomenon by which movements over longer periods are less than would be expected by extrapolation of measures over shorter periods.
• 3 By this definition, the grasshoppers are shown to exhibit philopatry. Nymphs comprise two heterogenous classes of those which move little and those which move considerable distances.
• 4 Daily dispersal estimates were obtained from movements of 1055 nymphs and adults at one site, and of 593 adults at another.
• 5 Differences are demonstrated in daily dispersal distances for age, sex and site combinations.
• 6 Some differences in microhabitat preference were observed.
• 7 The findings are compared with previous measurements of dispersal in this species, and the merits of the new technique are discussed.

     

Colonization history of north European field voles (Microtus agrestis) revealed by mitochondrial DNA

The genetic structure of field vole (Microtus agrestis) populations from northern Europe was examined by restriction fragment length polymorphisms of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) in 150 individuals from 67 localities. A total of 83 haplotypes was observed, most of which were rare and highly localized geographically. Overall nucleotide diversity was high (134%), but showed a tendency to decrease with higher latitude. Two major mtDNA lineages differing by 2% in nucleotide sequence were identified. A southern mtDNA lineage was observed in field voles from Britain, Denmark and southern and central Sweden, whereas voles from Finland and northern Sweden belonged to a northern lineage. The strict phylogeographic pattern suggests that the present population generic structure in field voles reflects glacial history: the two groups are derived from different glacial refugia, and recolonized Fennoscandia from two directions. A 150–200-km-wide secondary contact zone between the two mtDNA groups was found in northern Sweden. Distinct phylogeographic substructuring was observed within both major mtDNA groups.     

Author index

Using dynamic light scattering we have been able to determine precisely the hydrodynamic radius of l-α-dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine (DMPC) vesicles as a function of temperature. We have detected a sharp, thermally reversible change in the vesicle radius at a phase transition temperature 24°C, corresponding to an approximate 11% increase in surface are. In the range 10–20°C, the change in radius is less than 1%.     

The interaction of phenol with lipid bilayers

The depression of the phase-transition temperature of dimyristoyl- and dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine vesicles induced by phenol has been investigated by fluorescence polarization. This effect is strongly pH and concentration dependent. Only the uncharged phenol molecule influences the fluidity of the bilayer so that the interaction of phenol with the bilayer can be situated in the hydrophobic acyl chain region. Direct measurements of the partitioning of phenol in the phospholipid vesicles confirm these results and show a limited and concentration-dependent solubility. Phase-transition temperature depressions, obtained from thermodynamic analysis of partition coefficient measurement, are in good agreement with the experimental values.     

Correlation between temperature range of growth and structural transitions in membranes and lipids of Escherichia coli K12

Purified cytoplasmic and outer membranes isolated from cells of wild-type Escherichia coli grown at different temperatures were labelled with 1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene and anlyzed using fluorescence polarization techniques. Lipids extracted from the membranes were similarly analyzed using fluorescence polarization. The thermotropic structural transition in outer membranes changed as a function of growth temperature. The structural transition in cytoplasmic membranes and lipids extracted from either cytoplasmic or outer membranes did not change with growth temperature. These data suggest that adaptive changes which occur in the outer membrane determine the temperature range of growth of E. coli. These changes apparently require alterations in outer membrane components other than phospholipids.