Characterization of 36 polymorphic microsatellite loci in the Kentish plover (Charadrius alexandrinus) including two sex‐linked loci and their amplification in four other Charadrius species

We isolated 45 new Kentish plover (Charadrius alexandrinus) microsatellite loci. These were tested for polymorphism in 42 Kentish plovers breeding in the Çukurova Delta, Turkey. Thirty‐six of the 45 loci were polymorphic with observed heterozygosity varying between 0.22 and 0.93. Genotypes of individuals of known sex indicated that two loci were sex‐linked (Calex‐26 is located on the Z chromosome and Calex‐31 on the W chromosome). Additionally, we tested all loci for amplification in four other species of Charadridae (Kittlitz's plover, Madagascar plover, three‐banded plover and white‐fronted plover). On average 34 loci amplified per species (range 29–36).     

The Ultrastructure of Zosterodasys agamalievi (Ciliophora: Synhymeniida)

ABSTRACT. The cell surface of the synhymeniid ciliate, Zosterodasys agamalievi , consists of shallow kinetal grooves separated by low cortical ridges. Numerous electron-opaque bodies are located in the cortical ridges, inside the kinetal grooves, and are distributed in parallel rows between adjacent kineties. Well-developed alveoli are present beneath the cell surface membrane. Zosterodasys agamalievi has a single micronucleus and a homomerous macronucleus. The infraciliature of the somatic monokinetid consists of an anteriorly-directed kinetodesmal fiber, a well-developed divergent postciliary microtubular ribbon, radially-oriented transverse microtubules, and a short striated rootlet, which extends anteriorly from the base of the kinetosome into the cell. Zosterodasys agamalievi has a perioral band of paired cilia, the synhymenium, that winds obliquely across the ventral surface of the body, just posterior to the cytostome. The infraciliature of the anterior kinetosome of the synhymenium consists of two postciliary microtubules; a well-developed, divergent post-ciliary ribbon of microtubules and a short kinetodesmal fiber are associated with the posterior kinetosome. The cytopharynx is supported by 14-16 nematodesmata which are capped distally by a capitulum. The cytopharynx is bound proximally by a fibrous sheath and is lined by radially-arranged microtubular ribbons. No obvious oral ciliature is present.     

Electron microscope study of lens fibers

The in vitro swelling action of L-thyroxine on rat liver mitochondria as examined photometrically represents an acceleration of a process which the mitochondria are already inherently capable of undergoing spontaneously, as indicated by the identical kinetic characteristics and the extent of thyroxine-induced and spontaneous swelling, the nearly identical pH dependence, and the fact that sucrose has a specific inhibitory action on both types of swelling. However, thyroxine does not appear to be a "catalyst" or coenzyme since it does not decrease the temperature coefficient of spontaneous swelling. The temperature coefficient is very high, approximately 6.0 near 20 degrees . Aging of mitochondria at 0 degrees causes loss of thyroxine sensitivity which correlates closely with the loss of bound DPN from the mitochondria, but not with loss of activity of the respiratory chain or with the efficiency of oxidative phosphorylation. Tests with various respiratory chain inhibitors showed that the oxidation state of bound DPN may be a major determinant of thyroxine sensitivity; the oxidation state of the other respiratory carriers does not appear to influence sensitivity to thyroxine. These facts and other considerations suggest that a bound form of mitochondrial DPN is the "target" of the action of thyroxine. The thyroxine-induced swelling is not reversed by increasing the osmolar concentration of external sucrose, but can be "passively" or osmotically reversed by adding the high-particle weight solute polyvinylpyrrolidone. The mitochondrial membrane becomes more permeable to sucrose during the swelling reaction. On the other hand, thyroxine-induced swelling can be "actively" reversed by ATP in a medium of 0.15 M KCl or NaCl but not in a 0.30 M sucrose medium. The action of ATP is specific; ADP, Mn(++), and ethylenediaminetetraacetate are not active. It is concluded that sucrose is an inhibitor of the enzymatic relationship between oxidative phosphorylation and the contractility and permeability properties of the mitochondrial membrane. Occurrence of different types of mitochondrial swelling, the intracellular factors affecting the swelling and shrinking of mitochondria, as well as the physiological significance of thyroxine-induced swelling are discussed.     

The distribution,density and biomass density of lizards in a semi–arid environment of northern Kenya*

An attempt was made to determine the species composition, density and biomass density of lizards in some of the principal land units in South Turkana. Thirteen species were recorded. Density estimates were determined from quadrat sampling in representative habitats. Because the number of lizards active was found to vary with time of day and temperature, minimum density estimates were obtained by confining counts to peak activity periods. Biomass density was calculated from the product of species density and the mean population weight measured from shot specimens. The biomass density estimate of the lizard fauna was found to be about 4–5% of the large mammal fauna, and appreciably more in the more arid land units. The species composition of South Turkana lizards show affinities to the Somali fauna, though not to the extent of the East Rudolf fauna, suggesting a more recent penetration of arid–adapted species.     

An investigation of some sources of bias in aerial transect sampling of large mammal populations

(1) Aerial transect sample censuses were undertaken in the Masai Amboseli Game Reserve, counting several species simultaneously. The following comparisons were made between different variants of the census technique: (a) Flying height–500 ft (152 m) versus 300 ft (91 m). (b) Strip-width–371 m versus 197 m. (c) Viewing angle–inner versus outer half of the wide strip used in (b). (2) In each comparison, transects representing the two treatments to be compared were randomly interspersed. Two population estimates, with variances, were obtained for each species, one for each of the treatments being compared. (3) A rf-test was used to see whether the two estimates for each individual species differed from each other. In addition, a Wilcoxon matched-pairs signed-ranks test was applied to the complete list of pairs of estimates, obtained from each comparison of treatments. (4) Significant differences were found, indicating that the low flying height gave bigger estimates than the high, and that the narrow strips gave bigger estimates than the wide. No difference was found between the inner and outer strips. (5) Measurements of variations in the aircraft's angle of bank were made in smooth and in rough air. The amount of upward bias attributable to this source was estimated for the combinations of height and strip-width used, and a general formula is also given, from which this bias can be estimated for other combinations. (6) A flying height of 300 ft (91 m), and a strip-width of 300 m were finally selected as most suitable for multi-species counts in the partially-wooded habitat of Amboseli.     

Family‐level relationships of the spittlebugs and froghoppers (Hemiptera: Cicadomorpha: Cercopoidea)

The spittlebug superfamily Cercopoidea (Hemiptera: Cicadomorpha) comprises approximately 3000 phytophagous species (including some economically important pests of grass crops) classified among the families Cercopidae, Aphrophoridae, Epipygidae, Clastopteridae and Machaerotidae. However, the monophyly of these taxa has never been tested and the evolutionary relationships among these major lineages are unknown. Presented here are the results of the first ever phylogenetic investigation of the higher‐level relationships within Cercopoidea, based on DNA nucleotide sequence data from six loci (18S rDNA, 28S rDNA, histone 3, wingless, cytochrome oxidase I and cytochrome oxidase II) generated from exemplars of 109 spittlebug species representing all five described families, seven of eight subfamilies and 61 genera (eight additional exemplars, representing a selection of other Auchenorrhyncha taxa, were included as outgroups). The resulting topologies are used to evaluate the monophyly of each cercopoid family, and further to calculate divergence date estimates to examine the chronological origins and historical diversification of Cercopoidea. The results of this investigation suggest that: (i) four of the five described families are monophyletic; Epipygidae was recovered consistently as originating within Aphrophoridae; (ii) the exclusively Old World Machaerotidae is the most anciently diversified family of extant spittlebugs; (iii) New World Cercopidae (i.e. Ischnorhininae) constitute a derived monophyletic lineage; (iv) the genus Microsargane Fowler, classified currently within Aphrophoridae, actually belongs within Cercopidae; and (v) the origins of the major spittlebug lineages probably coincided with the breakup of Pangaea and, subsequently, Gondwana, as well as major floristic diversification such as the rise of angiosperms.