Purification and properties of the enzyme 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase from Dicentrarchus labrax L. liver

The enzyme 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (6-phospho-D-gluconate: NADP+ oxidoreductase, decarboxylating EC 1.1.1.44) from bass liver has been purified to over 95% of homogeneity by gel filtration, affinity and ion exchange chromatographies. The apparent molecular weight was estimated by gel filtration chromatography to about 100,000. Analysis of the enzyme on sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis showed to be a dimeric protein. The effect of pH and kinetic properties were studied.     

Using FTA® cards to store avian blood samples for genetic studies. Their application in sex determination

FTA® cards were used for long‐term storage of avian blood samples. Blood DNA was extracted by a simple method and used in PCR for sex identification of adult and nestling Great Grey Shrikes Lanius excubitor.     

Pollen-based biome reconstruction for southern Europe and Africa 18,000 yr bp

Pollen data from 18,000 ¹⁴C yr bp were compiled in order to reconstruct biome distributions at the last glacial maximum in southern Europe and Africa. Biome reconstructions were made using the objective biomization method applied to pollen counts using a complete list of dryland taxa wherever possible. Consistent and major differences from present‐day biomes are shown. Forest and xerophytic woods/scrub were replaced by steppe, both in the Mediterranean region and in southern Africa, except in south‐western Cape Province where fynbos (xerophytic scrub) persisted. Sites in the tropical highlands, characterized today by evergreen forest, were dominated by steppe and/or xerophytic vegetation (cf. today’s Ericaceous belt and Afroalpine grassland) at the last glacial maximum. Available data from the tropical lowlands are sparse but suggest that the modern tropical rain forest was largely replaced by tropical seasonal forest while the modern seasonal or dry forests were encroached on by savanna or steppe. Montane forest elements descended to lower elevations than today.