Chimeric spider silk proteins mediated by intein result in artificial hybrid silks

Hybrid silks hold a great potential as specific biomaterials due to its controlled mechanical properties. To produce fibers with tunable properties, here we firstly made chimeric proteins in vitro, called W2C4CT and W2C8CT, with ligation of MaSp repetitive modules (C) with AcSp modules (W) by intein trans splicing technology from smaller precursors without final yield reduction. Intein mediated chimeric proteins form fibers at a low concentration of 0.4 mg/mL in 50 mM K₃PO₄ pH 7.5 just drawn by hand. Hybrid fibers show smoother surface, and also have stronger chemical resistance as compared with fibers from W2CT (W fibers) and mixture of W2CT/C8CT (MHF8 fibers). Fibers from chimeric protein W2C4CT (HFH4) have improved mechanical properties than W fibers; however, with more C modules W2C8CT fibers (HFH8) properties decreased, indicates the length proportion of various modules is very important and should be optimized for fibers with specific properties. Generally, hybrid silks generated via chimeric proteins, which can be simplified by intein trans splicing, has greater potential to produce fibers with tunable properties. Our research shows that intein mediated directional protein ligation is a novel way to make large chimeric spider silk proteins and hybrid silks. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers 105: 385–392, 2016.     

Movement of the twospotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae, among hosts in a corn-peanut agroecosystem

A 3 year study of spider mites in a corn-peanut agroecosystem indicated that the persistance and pest status of mite populations depended on dispersal among a succession of temporarily suitable cultivated and non-cultivated hosts. In the spring, mites crawled from overwintering sites in vegetation along field margins into both peanut and corn fields, but became established only in corn. Initiation of aerial dispersal from corn was coincident with and appeared dependent upon mites moving to the top of the corn canopy, where they were exposed to the wind. Mites were first observed in peanut immediately following the onset of aerial dispersal from corn, and these aerial dispersers were the primary source of subsequent mite infestations in peanut. As populations grew in peanut, mites dispersed into vegetation along peanut field margins and became the nucleus of populations which persisted over the winter. This pattern of host utilization was reinitiated in the spring if corn was planted adjacent to infested field borders. This pattern commonly occurs since corn is planted following peanut in the predominant crop rotation sequence in this area.

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Résumé Des populations d'acariens ont été étudiées pendant 3 ans sur maïs, arachide et végétation spontanée, dans 7 fermes commerciales de Chowan Co., Caroline du Nord. Les déplacements d'acariens parmi ces plantes ont été notés en fonction de la croissance de la population et de la phénologie des hôtes. Un schéma cohérent de croissance de la population d'acariens et de leurs mouvements en découle, dont seule la taille change suivant les fermes et les années. Les acariens provenant de populations hivernantes sur la végétation spontanée bordant les champs migrèrent dans les champs cultivés adjacents quelle qu'en soit la nature de la culture. Cependant, à cette époque, les populations d'acariens ne s'établissaient que dans le maïs. Dans le maïs, les acariens se répandirent à travers le champ et se multiplièrent sur des pieds particuliers jusqu'à ce qu'ils eussent atteint le sommet de la canopée du maïs. Les premiers acariens transportés par le vent ont été capturés la semaine suivant la première apparition d'acariens au sommet de la canopée du maïs et aussitôt après la découverte des premiers acariens dans les arachides voisines. Ceci suggère que les acariens dispersés par le vent sont à l'origine des contaminations ultérieures des arachides voisines. Plus tard dans la saison, les acariens se dispersèrent à partir de l'arachide vers les sites d'hibernation dans la végétation spontanée poussant autour du champ d'arachide. Puisque des champs semés en arachides sont généralement semés en maïs l'année suivante, les acariens se dispersant au printemps depuis les sites d'hibernation rencontrèrent souvent du maïs qu'ils colonisèrent. Ce cycle répétitif d'utilisation de l'hôte et de dispersion est considéré comme fortement responsable de la pérennité des acariens et de leur danger potentiel dans les agroécosystèmes à maïs-arachide, caractéristiques du canton de Chowan (N.C.).Les problèmes potentiels posés par les acariens sur arachide ont paru être liés à l'intensité de l'attaque d'acariens sur le maïs voisin, qui sert de réservoir pour les populations d'acariens. Ceci suggère que le contrôle des populations d'acariens sur maïs peut être une stratégie viable pour limiter les infestations ultérieures sur arachide et, en dernier lieu, les populations hivernantes.

     

Estimation of Successful Breeding Pairs for Wolves in the Northern Rocky Mountains,USA

Abstract: Under the Endangered Species Act, documenting recovery and federally mandated population levels of wolves (Canis lupus) in the Northern Rocky Mountains (NRM) requires monitoring wolf packs that successfully recruit young. United States Fish and Wildlife Service regulations define successful breeding pairs as packs estimated to contain an adult male and female, accompanied by ≥2 pups on 31 December of a given year. Monitoring successful breeding pairs will become more difficult following proposed delisting of NRM wolves; alternatives to historically intensive methods, appropriate to the different ecological and regulatory context following delisting, are required. Because pack size is easier to monitor than pack composition, we estimated probability a pack would contain a successful breeding pair based on its size for wolf populations inhabiting 6 areas in the NRM. We also evaluated the extent to which differences in demography of wolves and levels of human-caused mortality among the areas influenced the probability of packs of different sizes would contain successful breeding pairs. Probability curves differed among analysis areas, depending primarily on levels of human-caused mortality, secondarily on annual population growth rate, and little on annual population density. Probabilities that packs contained successful breeding pairs were more uniformly distributed across pack sizes in areas with low levels of human mortality and stable populations. Large packs in areas with high levels of human-caused mortality and high annual growth rates had relatively high probabilities of containing breeding pairs whereas those for small packs were relatively low. Our approach can be used by managers to estimate number of successful breeding pairs in a population where number of packs and their sizes are known. Following delisting of NRM wolves, human-caused mortality is likely to increase, resulting in more small packs with low probabilities of containing breeding pairs. Differing contributions of packs to wolf population growth based on their size suggests monitoring successful breeding pairs will provide more accurate insights into population dynamics of wolves than will monitoring number of packs or individuals only.     

乌丹地区文冠果生物学特性及物候观测

通过野外定枝追踪,对乌丹地区文冠果年生长周期的物候、生殖过程进行连续观测,研究了文冠果的果实生长进程与有效积温的关系、数量动态和落花落果率.结果表明：文冠果物候变化与有效积温之间存在极显著的线性函数关系;雄花花丝的伸长和花药的开裂在时间上具有先后性;文冠果果实生长发育过程中经历3次落果,授粉率为26.4%,落花率达73.6%,落果率可达92.9%,落花、落果现象十分严重;6月上中旬果实的纵径生长较快,6月中下旬果实横径生长较快,纵横径比可达2.17;个体间物候有一定的差异,不利于文冠果异株授粉和授粉率的提高.     

叶面肥对柑橘全爪螨生长发育和繁殖及柑橘苗生长的影响(英文)

【目的】柑橘全爪螨Panonychus citri在中国是一种重要的柑橘害虫,叶面肥在橘园的应用很普遍。本研究是为了明确柑橘施用尿素和复合氨基酸2种叶面肥对这种害螨生长发育和繁殖及柑橘苗生长的影响。【方法】在室内分别用尿素(0.50%)和复合氨基酸(0.17%)2种叶面肥喷施盆栽沙糖橘Citrus reticulata Blanco cv. Shatangju苗,以喷施清水为对照,探究叶面施肥对柑橘全爪螨生命表参数［净 增殖率(R₀)、平均代时(T)、内禀增长率(r_m)、周限增长率(λ)和种群趋势指数(I)］及柑橘苗生长参数(叶长、宽和面积, 茎长, 株高, 新梢的长度和数量)和叶片养分(N, P和K)含量的影响。【结果】柑橘全爪螨未成熟螨态的发育历期没有受到叶面肥的影响,但施用0.50%尿素的柑橘苗上第2若螨的存活率(95.40%)显著高于施用清水的对照(78.26%)和喷施0.17%复合氨基酸的处理(75.61%),其雌螨的繁殖力(42.1/♀)也显著高于对照(33.1/♀)。复合氨基酸处理柑橘苗上的雌螨寿命(19.5 d)显著长于尿素处柑橘苗上的雌螨寿命(14.8 d)和对照(14.5 d),复合氨基酸处理柑橘苗上的雄螨寿命(17.6 d)也显著长于对照(13.1 d)。总体上,在尿素处理的柑橘苗上柑橘全爪螨的净增殖率(R₀)(17.88)和种群趋势指数(I)(18.08)值最高,2个参数都显著高于对照(分别为10.08和11.17)。施用2种叶面肥显著促进了柑橘苗叶片生长(叶长、叶宽、叶面积),其N, P和K含量以及氮钾比(N/K)也显著增加。【结论】柑橘苗叶面喷施尿素和复合氨基酸都可促进柑橘苗生长,喷施尿素会导致柑橘全爪螨种群的显著增长,而喷施复合氨基酸没有导致柑橘全爪螨种群显著增长。因此,推荐使用复合氨基酸代替尿素作为柑橘的叶面肥施用。但是,喷施复合氨基酸可显著延长柑橘全爪螨成螨的寿命,所以在使用时还应该加强对其种群的监测。     

温度对蜘蛛繁殖力和实验种群的影响

从我国常见10科18种蜘蛛的温度实验数据中,找出温度对蜘蛛繁殖和实验种群增长影响的一般规律和不同种类蜘蛛繁殖的最佳温度。根据实验可以看出：大多数蜂蛛在1－35℃温区内均可产卵和孵化;由于蜘蛛种类不同,雌蛛产卵袋数最多、卵袋内含卵量最高、产卵间隔时间最短、产卵率最高、单雌产卵量最多、孵化率最高和种群增长指数最大的最适温度也表现出差异;大多数种类雌蛛产卵袋数最多的温区是25－32℃;产卵间隔最短的温区是30－37℃;产卵率最高的温区是25－32℃;孵化率最高的温区在25℃左右;种群数量增长最多的温区是25－29℃。温度与蜘蛛繁殖力的关系可以用曲线方程和数学模型表示。     

Variation in offspring size within a population of the web-building spiderAgelena limbata

Within a population of the web-building spiderAgelena limbata, the weight of the first instar nymphs ranged from 1.187 to 6.559 mg. Both intraclutch and interclutch variation were recorded. The mean weights were different among clutches and the coefficients of variation within a clutch ranged from 3.3 to 29.2%. Variation in the nymphal weight was certainly derived from variation in the egg weight because there was a high correlation between the two weights. Factors affecting interclutch variation in nymphal weight were examined by multiple regression analysis. Nymphal weight was positively correlated with the body size and food conditions of female parents, and negatively correlated with the clutch size. Among these three factors, the food conditions of female parents had the largest apparent effect on the interclutch variation. The results suggest that females with larger body size and more food produce larger offspring, and that there is a trade-off between offspring size and clutch size. Heavier nymphs had larger body size (carapace width) and may have larger energy reserves. Heavier nymphs survived experimental starvation for a significantly longer period.     

Foliage Density of Branches and Distribution of Plant‐Dwelling Spiders1

We compared the abundance of foliage‐living spiders among seven widespread plant species comprising a gradient of levels of structural complexity in a tropical savannah‐like region in southeastern Brazil. Spider abundance among plant species was positively related to the foliage density of their branches. A field experiment using artificial branches was carried out to isolate foliage density effects on spider abundance, thus controlling both biomass and texture effects. Artificial branches were attached to branches of three plant species with similar foliage density, Baccharis dracunculifolia, Diplusodon virgatus, and Microlicia fasciculata. Two treatments were set up: artificial branches with higher foliage density attracted more spiders than those with lower foliage density. The guild structure of hunting spiders was compared among vegetative branches of three plant species with different levels of foliage density: B. dracunculifolia, D. virgatus, and Bidens gardneri. Stalker, and ambusher spiders were more abundant on branches of B. dracunculifolia, which had the highest foliage density. Foliage‐runners constituted the dominant guild on D. virgatus and B. gardneri, which have lower foliage density branches. Our results suggest that branch architecture is the most important factor determining the abundance of plant‐dwelling spiders in the study area independently of branch biomass, leaf surface area or texture.     

Ultrastructure of spider thread anchorages

Spiders attach silken threads to substrates by means of glue-coated nanofibers (piriform silk), spun into disc-like structures. The organization and ultrastructure of this nano-composite silk are largely unknown, despite their implications for the biomechanical function and material properties of thread anchorages. In this work, the ultrastructure of silken attachment discs was studied in representatives of four spider families with Transmission Electron Microscopy to facilitate a mechanistic understanding of piriform silk function across spiders. Based on previous findings from comparative studies of piriform silk gland morphology, we hypothesized that the fibre-glue proportion of piriform silk differs in different spiders, while the composition of fibre and glue fractions is consistent. Results confirmed large differences in the relative proportion of glue with low amounts in the orb weaver Nephila senegalensis (Araneidae) and the hunting spider Cupiennius salei (Ctenidae), larger amounts in the cobweb spider Parasteatoda tepidariorum (Theridiidae) and a complete reduction of the fibrous component in the haplogyne spider Pholcus phalangioides (Pholcidae). We rejected our hypothesis that glue ultrastructure is consistent. The glue is a colloid with polymeric and fluid fractions that strongly differ in proportions and assembly. We further confirmed that in all species studied both dragline and piriform silk fibres do not make contact with the environmental substrate. Instead, adhesion is established by a thin dense skin layer of the piriform glue. These results advance our understanding of piriform silk function and the interspecific variation of its properties, which is significant for spider biology, web function and the bioengineering of silk.