Immunocytochemical demonstration of the neurosecretory systems containing putative moult-inhibiting hormone and hyperglycemic hormone in the eyestalk of brachyuran crustaceans

Summary By use of antisera raised against purified moultinhibiting (MIH) and crustacean hyperglycemic hormone (CHH) from Carcinus maenas, complete and distinct neurosecretory pathways for both hormones were demonstrated with the PAP and immunofluorescence technique. By double staining, employing a combination of silver-enhanced immunogold labelling and PAP, both antigens could be visualized in the same section. Immunoreactive structures were studied in Carcinus maenas, Liocarcinus puber, Cancer pagurus, Uca pugilator and Maja squinado. They were only observed in the X-organ sinus gland (SG) system of the eyestalks and consisted of MIH-positive perikarya, which were dispersed among the more numerous CHH-positive perikarya of the medulla terminalis X-organ (XO). The MIH-positive neurons form branching collateral plexuses adjacent to the XO and axons that are arranged around the CHH-positive central axon bundle of the principal XO-SG tract. In the SG, MIH-positive axon profiles and terminals, clustered around hemolymph lacunae, are distributed between the more abundant CHH-positive axon profiles and terminals. Colocalisation of MIH and CHH was never observed. The gross morphology of both neurosecretory systems was similar in all species examined, however, in U. pugilator and M. squinado immunostaining for MIH was relatively faint unless higher concentrations of antiserum were used. Possible reasons for this phenomenon as well as observed moult cycle-related differences in immunostaining are discussed.     

Flow cytometric screening and isolation of Escherichia coli clones which express surface antigens of the oil-degrading microorganism Acinetobacter calcoaceticus RAG-1

Flow cytometry (FCM) in conjunction with immunocytochemical-labeling was used to analyze and screen a population of Escherichia coli clones containing a genomic library from the oil-degrading microorganism Acinetobacter calcoaceticus RAG-1 for the isolation of clones which expressed specific RAG-1 surface antigens. Reconstruction experiments using mixed populations indicated that RAG-1 cells could be clearly distinguished at a ratio of one RAG-1 cell to 500 Escherichia coli cells. Using this technique two clones, WM143 and WM191, were isolated and shown by restriction endonuclease cleavage and Southern hybridization to contain plasmids carrying inserts of RAG-1 DNA of 9.4 and 9.8 kb respectively.Non-common abbreviations FCM flow cytometry - FITC fluorescein-iso-thiocyanate - LB Luria broth - MM minimal salt medium - PBS phosphate buffered saline - PMSF phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride     

Oscillations in a system with material cycling

We study a system of two integrodifierential equations which models the evolution of a biotic species feeding on an abiotic resource. We also consider nutrient recycling with time delay. By Hopf bifurcation theory we prove the existence of stable oscillations for a range of values of the input of nutrients.Work performed within the activity of the research group Evolution Equations and Physico-Mathematical Applications, M.P.I. (Italy), and under the auspices of G.N.F.M., C.N.R. (Italy)     

Taxonomy ofCarminatia (Asteraceae,Eupatorieae)

A taxonomic study of the largely Mexican genusCarminatia is rendered. It is comprised of three closely related species:C. tenuiflora, C. recondita andC. anomala spec. nova. Illustrations, dot maps, keys to species and complete synonymy are presented.     

Diversity and evolution of chloroplast DNA in Triticum and Aegilops as revealed by restriction fragment analysis

Summary Restriction fragment analysis of chloroplast (cp) DNAs from 35 wheat (Triticum) and Aegilops species, including their 42 accessions, was carried out with the use of 13 restriction enzymes to clarify variation in their cpDNAs. Fourteen fragment size mutations (deletions/insertions) and 33 recognition site changes were detected among 209 restriction sites sampled. Based on these results, the 42 accessions of wheat-Aegilops could be classified into 16 chloroplast genome types. Most polyploids and their related diploids showed identical restriction fragment patterns, indicating the conservatism of the chloroplast genome during speciation, and maternal lineages of most polyploids were disclosed. This classification of cpDNAs was principally in agreement with that of the plasma types assigned according to phenotypes arising from nucleus-cytoplasm interactions. These mutations detected by restriction fragment analysis were mapped on the physical map of common wheat cpDNA, which was constructed with 13 restriction endonucleases. Length mutations were more frequently observed in some regions than in others: in a 16.0 kilo base pairs (kbp) of DNA region, including rbcL and petA genes, 6 of 14 length mutations were concentrated. This indicates that hot spot regions exist for deletions/insertions in chloroplast genome. On the other hand, 33 recognition site mutations seemed to be distributed equally throughout the genome, except in the inverted repeat region where only one recognition site change was observed. Base substitution rate (p) of cpDNA was similar to that of other plants, such as Brassica, pea and Lycopersicon, showing constant base substitution rates among related taxa and slow evolution of cpDNA compared with animal mitochondrial DNA. Phylogenetic relationships among Triticum and Aegilops species were discussed, based on the present data.Contributions no. 45 and no. 490 from the Kihara Institute for Biological Research, Yokohama City University and the Laboratory of Genetics, Faculty of Agriculture, Kyoto University, respectively.     

The Why and How of Species

The biological species concept deals both with the meaning of the sexual species as a harmonious gene pool and with its protection against deleterious outbreeding (effected by isolating mechanisms). According to the Darwin-Muller-Mayr theory isolating mechanisms are acquired by incipient species during alloparty. Isolating mechanisms are not the result of ad hoc selection, but of a change of function of properties acquired during the preceding isolation of the incipient species. The role of behavioral properties (recognition) among the isolating mechanisms has long been recognized and described by naturalists but was rejected as basis of a species definition for a number of valid reasons.     

四川宝兴雉类生态和垂直分布的调查研究

宝兴位于四川盆地西缘山地,境内纵贯世界闻名的大雪山——即夹金山。 自19世纪30年代至20世纪30年代,先后有Verreaux(1838—1871),Geoffroy(1866),David(1871),Seinhoe(1871),Sharpe(1875),David et Oustalet(1877),Oustaler (1891—92),Styan(1899),Laubmann(1920),La Touch(1925—30),Smith(1931—34),Bangs(1932),Seys(1934)等对宝兴进行过调查和采集,而我     

Are galling insects better protected against parasitoids than exposed feeders?: a test using tenthredinid sawflies

ABSTRACT.

• 1 Data mostly from the published literature were used to assess the effect of galling on the number of parasitoid species per host species in the phylogeny of nematine sawflies from free external feeders (colonial and solitary) to leaf gallers and shoot gallers.
• 2 The strongest effects of galling were the total elimination of the species-rich cocoon-attacking guild of parasitoids, and eonymphal parasitoids, from the parasitoid community on shoot gallers, all of which are in the genus Euura.
• 3 All tachinid larval parasitoids were also eliminated by the galling habit.
• 4 The cumulative effects of these exclusions resulted in a decline in mean number of parasitoid species per host species from almost sixteen species on external colonial feeders to 4.0 species on shoot gallers.
• 5 General patterns in per cent parasitism by non-tachinid and tachinid larval parasitoids, eonymphal and cocoon parasitoids, on exposed feeders to shoot gallers, showed declines in non-tachinid attack and elimination of tachinid, eonymphal and cocoon parasitoids. But leaf gallers tended to be attacked more than exposed feeders by non-tachinid larval parasitoids.
• 6 The galling habit had a long-term impact by reducing the number of parasitoid species attacking nematine sawfly gallers and per cent mortality inflicted, so that natural enemies may have been important as a selective factor in the evolution of galling nematine sawflies.

     

Meloidogyne mayaguensis n. sp. (Meloidogynidae), a Root-knot Nematode from Puerto Rico

Meloidogyne mayaguensis n. sp. is described and illustrated from specimens obtained from galled roots of eggplant, Solanum melongena L., from Puerto Rico. The perineal pattern of females is round to ovoid with fine, widely spaced striae. It has occasional breaks of striation laterally and a circular tail tip area lacking striae. The stylet, 15.8 μm long, has reniform knobs that merge gradually with the stylet shaft. Males have a high, rectangular, smooth head region, not set off from the body contour. The labial disc is continuous with the medial lips which do not slope posteriorly. The styler, 22.9 μm long, has large rounded backward sloping knobs; the shaft is of uneven diameter. Mean body length of second-stage juveniles is 453.6 μm. The truncate head region is not annulated, and the rounded, slightly raised labial disc and the crescentic medial lips form dumbbell-shaped lip structures. The stylet, 11.6 μm long, has rounded, posteriorly sloping knobs. The slender tail, 54.4 μm long, gradually tapers to a bluntly pointed tip. Tomato, tobacco, pepper, and watermelon are good hosts; cotton and peanut are not hosts. M. mayaguensis n. sp. reproduces by mitotic parthenogenesis and has a somatic chromosome number of 2n = 44-45. The enzyme patterns are unique among Meloidogyne species.     

Three New Species of Etamphidelus Andrássy, 1977 (Nemata: Alaimidae) in Southern Chile

Three new species of Etamphidelus are described from Orange Bay, Hoste Island, Chile. All three are distinguished from previously described species by their numerous longitudinal cuticular ridges. E. acucephalus n. sp. is further distinguished by its extremely narrowed anterior body region and posteriorly situated amphids. E. fueguensis n. sp. is distinguished from E. acucephalus by its anteriorly located amphideal fovea, fewer cuticular ridges, smaller V-an/tail ratio and presence of males. E. yamani n. sp. is more similar to E. fueguensis n. sp. differing from it by a wider head end, more posteriorly located excretory pore, longer V-an/tail ratio, more numerous cuticular ridges and smaller spermatozoa. E. puccinelliae (Lorenzen, 1966) Andrássy, 1977 is transferred to Paramphidelus puccinelliae (Lorenzen, 1966) n. comb. The generic diagnosis of Etamphidelus is amended, and a key to species is presented.