Geographic variation in scalation of the lizard Gallotia stehlini within the island of Gran Canaria

The lacertid lizard ( Gallotia stehlini ), an endemic of Gran Canaria, shows no visually obvious geographic variation, yet all seven scalation characters that were examined exhibit significant geographic variation. The number of collar scales, scales along the ventral trunk and femoral pores are correlated with habitat type, while the number of femoral pores is correlated negatively with altitude. Mantel tests were used to compare simultaneously an observed pattern with three hypothesized patterns (habitat type, altitude and proximity). They indicate that, while several individual characters are significantly associated with the putative causal factors of habitat type and altitude, there is no association between an overall scalation distance matrix and habitat type, or altitude when the effect of proximity is removed. Consequently, one should consider the individual characters as well as the multivariate generalized distances. Some of the observed patterns of geographic variation in scalation are very similar to those of the small scincid lizard Chalcides sexlineatus on Gran Canaria and also parallel the altitudinal and latitudinal variation in the scalation of the Tenerife lacertid ( Galotia galloti ). The low level of congruence in patterns of geographic variation in individual characters (i.e. some vary with latitude, some with altitude and one varies with longitude) is consistent with the hypothesis that ecogenetically caused geographic variation may result in lower inter-character congruence than phylogenetically caused geographic variation.     

Emerging Applications of Bacteriocins as Antimicrobials,Anticancer Drugs,and Modulators of The Gastrointestinal Microbiota

The use of bacteriocins holds great promise in different areas such as health, food, nutrition, veterinary, nanotechnology, among others. Many research groups worldwide continue to advance the knowledge to unravel a novel range of therapeutic agents and food preservatives. This review addresses the advances of bacteriocins and their producer organisms as biocontrol agents for applications in the medical industry and agriculture. Furthermore, the bacteriocin mechanism of action and structural characteristics will be reviewed. Finally, the potential role of bacteriocins to modulate the signaling in host-associated microbial communities will be discussed.     

ISOLATION OF CYTOCHROME OXIDASE COMPLEX FROM SEA URCHIN MITOCHONDRIAL INNER MEMBRANES

Cytochrome oxidase complex has been isolated and purified from sea urchin mitochondrial inner membranes. The complex exhibited a discrete number of bands in PAGE and a 17 kDa band was recognized by an anti-human subunit IV antibody. No bands were recognized by an anti-yeast hsp60 antibody and an anti-sea urchin β ATPase subunit.     

Substrates Determine Spatial Distribution of Oxytricha bifaria (Ciliata Hypotrichida)

The extent to which a particular substrate (scratched glass) affects the distribution of a population ( Oxytricha bifaria ) that settled on it was measured, yielding the following results: (1) the species distinguishes among substrates slightly differing in the quality of their superficial scratches (average dimensions of 2, 2.8, 3.5, 6.5, 17 and 25 μm, respectively); (2) it "chooses" the preferred substrate by adopting specific differential behaviors; and (3) population cell density conditions its overall distribution.