Anaerobic Fish Spoilage by Bacteria II. Kinetics of Bacterial Growth and Substrate Conversions in Herring Extracts

The time course of the conversions of chemical components in herring extracts during anaerobic growth of Proteus sp., str. NTHC 153, Aeromonas sp., str. NTHC 154, and Enterobacter sp., str. NTHC 151 (Strøm & Larsen 1979) has been studied. When the Proteus sp. or the Aeromonas sp. were inoculated into the herring extracts and incubated at 15°C under anaerobic conditions, the sugar components (i.e. mainly ribose, free and bound) were the first substrates utilized. These compounds were converted to acetate and CO₂ by the use of trimethylamine oxide (TMAO) as an external hydrogen acceptor. Growth of bacteria ceased when all TMAO was reduced to trimethylamine (TMA). By adding an extra amount of TMAO to the herring extracts an increased growth of the Proteus sp. and the Aeromonas sp. ensued. The increased growth occurred concomitantly with a further conversion of TMAO to TMA and of lactate to acetate and CO₂. The Enterobacter sp., which did not utilize lactate, did not give an increased growth in herring extracts enriched with TMAO.     

Gibberellins, Amylase, and the Onset of Heterosis in Maize Seedlings

Rood, S. B. and Larsen, K. M. 1988. Gibberellins, amylase, andthe onset of heterosis in maize seedlings.—J. exp. Bot.39: 223–233. The possible involvement of gibberellins and amylase in heterosisof maize seedlings was investigated in two parental inbreds,CM7 and CM49, and their single cross F₁ hybrid, CM7xCM49. Germinationof all three genotypes was complete within 36 h after the onsetof imbibition. By 48 h, heterosis (hybrid vigour) for increasedshoot and root length was consistently observed. The endogenousconcentration of gibberellin A₁ (GA₁) was measured in 48 h seedlingsby gas chromatography-mass spectrometry with selected ion monitoring(GC-SIM) using [²H₂]-GA₁ as an internal standard. The GA₁ concentrationwas highest in the hybrid (59 ng g^–1 dry wt.), intermediatein CM49 (9.0 ng g^–1), and lowest in CM7 (<5.0 ng g^–1).Amylase activities in all three genotypes were very low at 24h, but increased during the next 24 h, after which time amylaseactivity in the hybrid was significantly higher than that ofeither parental inbred. Inhibitors of gibberellin (GA) biosynthesis,AMO-1618 or CCC, inhibited germination, shoot and root growth,and amylase activity in all three genotypes. Conversely, exogenousgibberellic acid (GA₃) increased amylase activity, particularlyin the inbred CM7. Amylase isozymes were separated through polyacrylamidegel electrophoresis and generally similar profiles of starchdegrading enzymes were observed in the three genotypes. SinceGA is known to control a-amylase biosynthesis in some cereals,these results are consistent with the hypothesis that GAs areinvolved in the regulation of heterosis in maize. A higher endogenousGA₁ concentration in the hybrid could result in increased amylaseactivity in the hybrid seedlings and consequently, more rapidstarch hydrolysis which fuels heterosis for early growth. Key words: Amylase, germination, gibberellic acid, Gibberellin A₁, heterosis, hybrid vigour, Zea mays     

Vibration and sound communication in solitary bees and wasps

ABSTRACT. Females of solitary bees ( Colletes cunicularius L.) and of digger wasps ( Bembix rostrata L.) produce buzzing sounds and are known to secrete volatile odours when digging their way from the subterranean nests to the soil surface. The odours allow patrolling males to determine the approximate position of the digging virgin female. The buzzes are measured as substrate-borne sound (soil buzz vibrations) and as air-borne sound (soil buzz sounds). Play-back experiments suggest that the soil buzzes are used by the males as additional cues for localization. Faint buzz sounds are emitted regularly by the male during genital contact in copulation. They may serve to change the receptivity of the female. Intense and broadband buzz sounds are produced by bees of either sex, if restrained from moving, perhaps serving to deter predators.     

Low Levels of Genetic Diversity within Populations of Hosta clausa (Liliaceae)

Abstract Genetic diversity of Korean populations in Hosta clausa was investigated using starch gel electrophoresis. Hosta clausa is widespread, grows only along streamsides, and has both sexual and asexual reproduction. Populations of the species are small and isolated. Thirty-two percent of the loci examined were polymorphic, and mean genetic diversity within populations (He_p=0.082) was lower than mean estimates for species with very similar life history characteristics (0.131), particularly for its congener H. yingeri (0.250). The mean number of multilocus genotypes per population was 8.7, and genotypic diversity index (D_G) was 0.84. Significant differences in allele frequencies among populations were found in all seven polymorphic loci (P < 0.001). About one-fifth of the total allozyme variation was among populations (G_ST=0.192). Indirect estimate of the number of migrants per generation (Nm=0.48, calculated from mean G_ST) and nine private alleles found indicate that gene movement among populations was low. The low levels of genetic diversity within populations and the relatively high levels of genetic diversity among populations suggest that strong moist habitat preferences, clonal reproduction, low level of gene flow among populations, genetic drift, and historical events may have played roles in the genetic structuring of the species.     

A Perspective on Protistan Nomenclature

ABSTRACT. The nomenclature of protists is more complicated than that of plants or animals because more than one code of nomenclature applies (i.e. the taxa may be ambiregnal), because of the frequent absence of type material, and because of changing perspectives of the phylogenetic relationships of various groups of protists. These factors often lead to uncertainty over the meaning of names of taxa. If nomenclatural instability is to be avoided, some changes in current practices are required. The nature of the problems and some possible changes are discussed.     

Cassava leaf harvesting as vegetables; a cause of vulnerability of cassava plant to cassava mosaic disease and eventual yield reduction: Ernte von cassavablättern als gemüse; eine ursache für die anfälligkeit der cassavapflanze für die cassava-mosaikkrankheit und für spätere ertragseinbußen

The consequence of harvesting young leaves of cassava as vegetable on the vulnerability of the crop to cassava mosaic disease (CMD) and on storage root yield was investigated using 30 cassava genotypes planted in IITA fields located in the humid forest (Port Harcourt?:?Onne), forest-savannah transition (Ibadan), southern guinea savannah (Mokwa) and northern guinea savannah (Zaria) agroecologies in Nigeria. Tender apical leaves and shoots of the cassava genotypes were removed from forty plants per cassava genotype with the same number of plants considered as control. Whitefly infestation, disease incidence (DI) and symptom severity (ISS) of the disease were assessed at monthly interval for six months and also at the ninth month after planting (MAP). Yield reduction due to this treatment was calculated as percentage harvest index (HI). Whitefly population fluctuated throughout the period of observation at all locations with higher population obtained generally for treated plants compared to control plants. Sprouting leaves of some treated genotypes were observed with severe mosaic symptoms, while corresponding control showed no mosaic symptoms. Contrarily, no remarkable difference was observed in Zaria between the mean ISS of treated and control cassava genotypes. There was a highly significant difference (P?<?0.01) in DI and ISS among cassava genotypes across all locations. Also, there was a highly significant interaction (P?<?0.01) in symptom severity between location (loc) and genotype, genotype and treatment (trt), loc and trt. Interaction between loc, genotypes and trt with regard to DI was highly significant at 2, 3 and 4 MAP, while with ISS, the interaction was highly significant all through the counting period. There was a positive relationship between DI and ISS on plants of genotypes 96/1039 and ISU. The percentage HI (27.4) of treated plants of genotype 95/0166 in Ibadan was remarkably lower than the value obtained for corresponding control (41.9) plants. Also, sharp distinction in% HI of treated (39.5) and control (43.8) ISU was observed in Onne with their respective ISS values as 3.7 and 3.2. Therefore, harvesting tender apical leaves and shoots of cassava as vegetables should be discouraged as it increases the severity of CMD infection in the regenerating shoots of cassava with attendant storage root yield reduction.     

Seasonal mortality trends in tree‐feeding insects: a field experiment

Abstract 1. The majority of general life‐history models treat the environment as being invariable through time, even though temporal variation in selective agents could dramatically change the outcomes, e.g. in terms of optimal size and time at maturity. For herbivorous insects, seasonal differences in food quality are reasonably well described, but seasonal dynamics of top‐down selective forces are poorly documented. 2. The present study attempted to quantify seasonal changes in predation risk of folivorous insect larvae in temperate forest habitats. In a series of field experiments, artificial larvae were exposed to predators, and the resulting bird‐inflicted damage was recorded. The trials were repeated regularly throughout the course of two summers. 3. A distinct peak of larval mortality was recorded in mid‐June (the nestling period for most insectivorous passerine birds), after which predation risk declined to a plateau of 20–30% below the peak value. 4. The recorded pattern is interpreted as a consequence of seasonal changes in the number and behaviour of insectivorous birds, and the abundance of alternative food resources for these predators. 5. A quantitative analysis based on field data indicated that considering temporal variation in mortality in life‐history models is crucial for obtaining realistic predictions concerning central life‐history traits, such as final body size in different generations.     

Influence of rodent density on nesting associations involving the Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica

The Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica rarely defends its nest aggressively against predators, but rather associates with other more aggressive species for protection. I studied the distribution of Bar-tailed Godwit nests relative to nests of the aggressive Longtailed Skua Stercorarius longicaudus, as well as to nests of two slightly less aggressive alternative 'protective umbrella' species, the Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus and the Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola. Rodents are the main prey of the Long-tailed Skua but, in years when numbers of rodents are low, Long-tailed Skuas also eat eggs and chicks of other birds. Data on rodent densities and nest distribution were collected on Finnmarksvidda, Northern Norway, in 1987, 1989, 1990, 1992 and 1997, and on Taimyr, Siberia, in 1994 and 1995. It is concluded that the Bar-tailed Godwit is able to evaluate the probability of nest predation from Long-tailed Skuas, based on direct or indirect information about the status of local rodent populations. This information is used to choose between Long-tailed Skuas and other potential species for protection against nest predators.