Responses of larval dragonflies to conspecific and heterospecific predator cues

Abstract.  1. In cannibalistic populations, smaller individuals are subject to predation by larger conspecifics, and small individuals commonly alter their behaviour in response to cannibals. Little is known, however, about the underlying cues that trigger such responses and how the behavioural responses to conspecific cannibals differ from heterospecific predators.
2. This study tests which cues are used for the detection of conspecific predators in the larva of the dragonfly Plathemis lydia and how the behavioural response to cannibals differed from the response to heterospecific predators.
3. Individuals were exposed to chemical cues, visual cues, and a combination of both cues from conspecifics as well as no predator and heterospecific predator controls during which their activity and feeding rates were observed.
4. Individuals increased their activity, spatial movement and feeding behaviour in response to either visual or chemical cues from conspecific predators, which was opposite to responses displayed with cues from heterospecific predators. Interestingly, the responses to visual and chemical cues from conspecifics combined were weaker than to either cue in isolation and similar to the no cue control.
5. The results clearly indicate that individuals are able to use chemical and visual cues to detect even very subtle differences in phenotype of conspecific predators.
6. The opposite response in behaviour when exposed to conspecific cannibals vs. heterospecific predators suggests that the presence of cannibals will increase the mortality risk of small individuals due to heterospecific predation. This risk-enhancement is likely to have important consequences for the dynamics of predator–prey interactions.     

Secondary Forest Detection in a Neotropical Dry Forest Landscape Using Landsat 7 ETM+ and IKONOS Imagery1

We integrate forest structure and remotely sensed data for four successional stages (pasture, early, intermediate, and late) of a tropical dry forest area located in the Sector Santa Rosa of the Guanacaste Conservation Area in northwestern Costa Rica. We used a combination of spectral vegetation indices derived from Landsat 7 ETM+ medium resolution and IKONOS high‐resolution imagery. The indices (using the red and near‐infrared bands) simple ratio and normalized difference vegetation index separated the successional stages well. Two other indices using mid‐infrared bands did not separate successional stages as well. In a comparison of the successional stages with chronological age, there was no separability in the spectral reflectance among different age classes. Successional stages, in contrast, showed distinct groups with minimal overlap. We also applied a simple validation in another dry forest located in the Palo Verde National Park in the province of Guanacaste, Costa Rica, with reasonably good results.     

不同花生品种(系)萌发期抗旱性鉴定评价

以发芽势、发芽率、发芽指数、胚根长、胚轴长、幼芽长、幼苗鲜/干重的相对值为指标,通过PEG6000模拟干旱处理,对15份花生品种(系)进行萌发期抗旱性鉴定。结果显示,胁迫处理初期,低浓度处理对种子萌发有促进作用,随着胁迫处理时间的延长及胁迫处理浓度的升高,种子萌发受抑制程度增强。除相对幼芽长以外,其他相对指标都和品种综合抗旱能力呈极显著正相关。通过隶属函数法结合抗旱分级标准筛选出泰花4号、徐花13号、泰0125、泰0005等4份抗旱品种,泰花5号、濮花28、中花16等3份中抗材料,表明该方法可以作为一种快速、简便的鉴定花生萌发期抗旱性的方法。     

Prey stage preference and feeding behaviour of Oligota kashmirica benefica (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae), an insect predator of the spider mite Tetranychus urticae (Acari: Tetranychidae)

We studied the prey stage preference and feeding behaviour of the first to third instar larvae and adult females of Oligota kashmirica benefica Naomi (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae), a predator of the spider mite Tetranychus urticae Koch (red form) (Acari: Tetranychidae), on leaves of the kudzu vine (Pueraria lobata (Wild.) Ohwi (Leguminosae)) under laboratory conditions. The number of mites eaten increased with the growth of predator larvae. Third instar larvae preyed on all stages of spider mite, whereas first instar larvae preyed mainly on immobile stages (eggs and quiescent stages). The predator larvae showed two types of foraging behaviour (active searching and ambush behaviour) when targeting the mobile stages (larval, nymph and adult stages of prey). Although no difference was found in the number of prey consumed by adult females and third instar larvae of the predator, the adult females mainly attacked and consumed the immobile stages.     

Biological Role of Tyrosinase Related Protein and its Biosynthesis and Transport From TGN to Stage I Melanosome,Late Endosome,Through Gene Transfection Study

Tyrosinase-related protein (TRP)-1 is one of the most abundant melanosomal glycoproteins involved in melanogenesis. This report summarizes our recent research efforts related to the biological role and biosynthesis of TRP-1 and its transport from TGN (trans-Golgi network) to the stage I melanosome. Our UV irradiation and tyrosinase and TRP-1 cDNA co-transfection studies indicated that human TRP-1 is involved in not only melanogenesis but also prevention of melanocyte death, which may occur during biosynthesis of melanin pigment in the presence of tyrosinase. Furthermore, a coordinated gene interaction was indicated between tyrosinase and TRP-1, resulting in upregulation of mRNA and protein expression of LAMP (lysosome-associated membrane protein)-1 that would directly prevent the tyrosinase-mediated programmed cell death of melanocytes. Similar to tyrosinase, however, TRP-1 appears to require a molecular chaperone, calnexin, which we have cloned recently. Our cDNA transfection study of tyrosinase with calnexin showed clearly the necessity of calnexin in order to have efficient, functional activity of melanosomal glycoprotein, especially tyrosinase. Once glycosylation is completed, TRP-1 will be transported from TGN to the stage I melanosome. At this stage, TRP-1 will have its own target signal, in particular, tyrosine-rich leucine residues in cytoplasmic tail. Our TRP-1 cDNA transfection and immunoelectron microscopy study shows that TRP-1 will be transported through small vesicles, probably non-clathrin-coated type, to large vacuoles, identical to the MPR (mannose-6-phosphate receptor)-positive, late endosomes. In this transport process, a low molecular weight G-protein, rab-7, was isolated from the purified melanosomal protein on 2D-PAGE and identified by subsequent sequencing and PCR amplification. Confocal microscopy with double immunostaining and immunoelectron microscopy confirmed the co-localization of rab-7 and TRP-1 in the melanosomes with early stages of maturation (I-III). Furthermore, this process will also be regulated by phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI-3 kinase).     

Diapause avoidance induced by low temperature in the yellow-spotted longicorn beetle, Psacothea hilaris

The diapause-averting effect of low temperature on pre-diapause larvae was examined in the yellow-spotted longicorn beetle, Psacothea hilaris. Larvae that had been reared under diapause-inducing conditions (25 °C , L12:D12) were temporarily exposed to 10 °C for various periods, and returned to the initial condition. Diapause was not averted by chilling for 15 days irrespective of the age of the larvae at chilling. After a 30-day chilling treatment, all of the 40- and 60-day-old larvae averted diapause, while diapause was averted in only one-third of the 10- and 20-day-old larvae. None of the pre-diapause larvae chilled for 60 days entered diapause irrespective of the age at chilling. With diapause avoidance, larvae that overwintered in earlier instars can start growing in earliest spring without any arrest; this phenomenon probably subserves the synchronization of larval development in a population.     

Maize response to intermittent submergence,straw mulching and supplemental N-fertilization in subtropical region

Summary A 2-year field study was undertaken on a sandy loam in a tropical monsoon region to determine the growth and yield response of maize (Zea mays L.) to 10–11 day intermittent submergence at two growth stagesviz., 20 (stage 1) and 40 (stage 2) days after planting, in combination with two rates of rice straw mulch (0 and 6 t/ha) and three levels (0, 30 and 60 kg/ha) of soil-applied supplemental nitrogen. Intermittent submergence at both growth stages caused a severe oxygen stress in the root-zone. Compared with no-flooding, stage-1 flooding without additional N reduced the grain yield by 51 and 69%, stover yield by 16 and 45% and grain: stover ratio by 41 and 47% in the first and second year, respectively. Similar were the submergence effects on N, P, K and Zn concentrations in leaves, ears per plant and grain weight per ear. Relatively more adverse effects of stage-1 flooding in the second than the first year followed from the hotter soil and atmospheric environments in the former season. The stage-2 flooding produced practically no ill effects on growth and yield of the crop. Soil application of 60 kg N/ha after termination of stage-1 flooding recovered the grain yield by 77% in the first year and 65% in the second year. Additional nitrogen also benefited the growth and yield characters. The interactive effects of straw mulching with flooding were not distinct. Senior Scientist (Irrigation), formerly graduate student and Assistant Soil Physicsts, respectively.     

锰素浸种对小麦幼苗光合特性及其根系形态与活力的影响

采用盆栽试验,以小麦品种‘西农979’为材料,设置对照（0 g/L）、低（0.03 g/L）、中（0.06 g/L）和高（0.12 g/L）4个锰浸种浓度,探讨锰素浸种对小麦苗期光合作用、根系形态指标及其活力的影响。结果显示：（1）在0~0.06 g/L锰浸种浓度下,随着锰浓度的增加,小麦幼苗叶片的光合色素含量和净光合速率显著增加,气孔导度增大,胞间二氧化碳浓度降低,叶片水分利用效率增加,并在0.06 g/L浓度时效果最佳;当锰浓度高于0.06 g/L时,叶片净光合速率、蒸腾速率、气孔导度及胞间二氧化碳均呈下降趋势。（2）0.06 g/L锰浸种处理小麦幼苗总根长、根表面积、根体积和根系活力均达到最大,并显著高于对照。（3）小麦幼苗的地上部、根系和整株干重以及根冠比均随着锰浓度的增加呈先升后降的单峰曲线变化,并在0.06 g/L处理下达到最大,且显著高于对照。研究表明,适宜浓度锰素浸种能够有效提高小麦苗期的光合特性,促进根系发育,进而促进小麦出叶和冬前分蘖,但过高浓度的锰素浸种则会抑制小麦生长;综合考虑小麦幼苗光合特性、根系和生物量的表现,当地缺锰地区可通过适当浓度锰素（0.06 g/L）浸种有效促进小麦苗期生长。     

30份普通菜豆苗期抗旱性鉴定及抗旱指标的确定

以30份普通菜豆为试验材料,采用PEG6000溶液模拟干旱胁迫处理种子和苗期盆栽自然干旱法,研究了干旱胁迫对种子发芽率、植株地上部鲜重、地下部鲜重、叶片含水量、电导率和叶绿素荧光参数等11个指标的影响,通过隶属函数法和灰色关联分析法对普通菜豆进行抗旱性和抗旱指标综合评定。结果显示,每个抗旱指标在不同材料之间都具有明显差异,说明材料之间存在明显的抗旱差异性;发芽率、地下鲜重、地上鲜重、全株鲜重、电导率和Fv/Fm的关联度均大于0.8,与综合抗旱指数的关系较为紧密,可以作为普通菜豆苗期抗旱性筛选的主要鉴定指标;鉴定出F1863、F2973、F3992和F3057抗旱性较强的普通菜豆。以上结果表明应用多抗旱指标综合分析法能很好地评价材料的抗旱性。