Effects of photophase entrainment on mating of the codling moth

Only 25.6% and 15.4% of adult male laboratory-reared diet-fed codling moths, Laspeyresia pomonella (L.), of a Polish strain mated in a field cage when they were reared from egg to adult with regimens of 1800–2400 or 2200–0400 hr darkness, respectively. However, 38.5%, 29.5%, and 29.4% of similar males mated (apple-reared from egg through larva in a 2200–0400 hr dark regime) after shifting the dark regimen in the late 5th instar to 1800–0400, 2200–0400 hr, or continuous dark, respectively.

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Résumé Une souche polonaise de Laspeyresia pomonella est élevée en laboratoire sur aliment artificiel, et soumise, de l'uf à l'adulte, à deux types de régime 1800–2400 h ou 2200–0400 h d'obscurité. Les adultes mâles issus de ces élevages et testés pour l'aptitude à l'accouplement dans des cages en nature, ne s'accouplèrent respectivement que dans la proportion de 25,6% et 15,4%. Toutefois on observe 38,5%, 29,5% et 29,4% d'accouplement avec des mâles comparables provenant d'élevages nourris sur pommes, et selon un régime de 2200–0400 h d'obscurité remplacé au cours du 5ème et dernier stade larvaire par 1800–0400, 2200–0400 h ou par l'obscurité continue.

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Financial support for this investigation was provided by the USDA under PL-480 Project PL-ARS-15 and the International Atomic Energy Agency Contract 13072. Mention of a proprietary product in this paper does not constitute an endorsement of this product by the USDA.     

TLR9 -1486T/C and 2848C/T SNPs Are Associated with Human Cytomegalovirus Infection in Infants

Toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9) recognizes non-methylated viral CpG-containing DNA and serves as a pattern recognition receptor that signals the presence of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV). Here, we present the genotype distribution of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the TLR9 gene in infants and the relationship between TLR9 polymorphisms and HCMV infection. Four polymorphisms (-1237T/C, rs5743836; -1486T/C, rs187084; 1174G/A, rs352139; and 2848C/T, rs352140) in the TLR9 gene were genotyped in 72 infants with symptomatic HCMV infection and 70 healthy individuals. SNP genotyping was performed by using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). Digested fragments were separated and identified by capillary electrophoresis. The HCMV DNA copy number was measured by a quantitative real-time PCR assay. We found an increased frequency of heterozygous genotypes TLR9 -1486T/C and 2848C/T in infants with HCMV infection compared with uninfected cases. Heterozygous variants of these two SNPs increased the risk of HCMV disease in children (P = 0.044 and P = 0.029, respectively). In infants with a mutation present in at least one allele of -1486T/C and 2848C/T SNPs, a trend towards increased risk of cytomegaly was confirmed after Bonferroni’s correction for multiple testing (Pc = 0.063). The rs352139 GG genotype showed a significantly reduced relative risk for HCMV infection (Pc = 0.006). In contrast, the -1237T/C SNP was not related to viral infection. We found no evidence for linkage disequilibrium with the four examined TLR9 SNPs. The findings suggest that the TLR9 -1486T/C and 2848C/T polymorphisms could be a genetic risk factor for the development of HCMV disease.     

Differences in the Metabolic Rates of Exploited and Unexploited Fish Populations: A Signature of Recreational Fisheries Induced Evolution?

Non-random mortality associated with commercial and recreational fisheries have the potential to cause evolutionary changes in fish populations. Inland recreational fisheries offer unique opportunities for the study of fisheries induced evolution due to the ability to replicate study systems, limited gene flow among populations, and the existence of unexploited reference populations. Experimental research has demonstrated that angling vulnerability is heritable in Largemouth Bass Micropterus salmoides, and is correlated with elevated resting metabolic rates (RMR) and higher fitness. However, whether such differences are present in wild populations is unclear. This study sought to quantify differences in RMR among replicated exploited and unexploited populations of Largemouth Bass. We collected age-0 Largemouth Bass from two Connecticut drinking water reservoirs unexploited by anglers for almost a century, and two exploited lakes, then transported and reared them in the same pond. Field RMR of individuals from each population was quantified using intermittent-flow respirometry. Individuals from unexploited reservoirs had a significantly higher mean RMR (6%) than individuals from exploited populations. These findings are consistent with expectations derived from artificial selection by angling on Largemouth Bass, suggesting that recreational angling may act as an evolutionary force influencing the metabolic rates of fishes in the wild. Reduced RMR as a result of fisheries induced evolution may have ecosystem level effects on energy demand, and be common in exploited recreational populations globally.     

Influence of local-scale abiotic and biotic factors on stress and nutrition in invasive silver carp

Community structure and dynamics in aquatic ecosystems are influenced by a variety of abiotic and biotic factors including productivity, species composition, and temperature. These factors may also affect local-scale community resilience to nonnative species invasions. We used habitat characteristics, zooplankton concentrations, fish abundances, and species composition and richness data collected by two fish population monitoring programs to define relationships that influence stress and nutrition in invasive silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix). We collected blood samples and quantified nutritional (alkaline phosphatase, cholesterol, protein, and triglycerides) and stress metrics (cortisol and glucose) from individuals across three distinct time periods. Nutritional patterns in silver carp were explained by temperature and food resources, indicating elevated feeding in warmer months. Patterns in blood-based stress parameters were most strongly driven by environmental characteristics, elevating with high water temperatures and increased turbidity. Nutrient levels and community richness parameters did not influence the stress or condition of silver carp, likely due to the absence of limiting resources or competition for this species. Together, our results provide insights into the factors that may influence the spread and distribution of silver carp, as well as the characteristics of habitats that could be vulnerable to future silver carp invasion.     

Climate and body size influence nest survival in a fish with parental care

1. The current study examined the effect of broad-scale climate and individual-specific covariates on nest survival in smallmouth bass over a 20-year period. 2. Large-scale climate indices [winter North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) and winter El Ni?o/Southern Oscillation (ENSO)] and body size of parental males were important covariates in nest survival along with nest age and a quadratic trend in survival. 3. We did not find an effect due to a habitat covariate (total effective fetch) or a phenology covariate (degree-days at start of nesting) on nest survival. 4. Male size in the second half of the nesting season was a more influential covariate on nest success than male size in the first half or throughout the nesting period. 5. We present evidence showing that winter NAO/ENSO indices establish limnological conditions the following spring that influence thermal stability of the lake during the nesting period. 6. The combined climate and body size covariates point to nest survival as a function of lagged climate-scale influences on limnology and the individual-scale influence of bioenergetics on the duration of parental care and nest success.     

Proteomic analysis of changes in protein expression in liver mitochondria in apoE knockout mice

The involvement of both apolipoprotein E (apoE) and mitochondria in lipid metabolism is widely recognized, however there is surprisingly scarce data about the putative mitochondrial action(s) of this protein. The aim of the study was to screen the alterations in liver mitochondrial proteome caused by apoE deficiency. We applied 2DE-LC-MS/MS methodology to investigate the changes in liver mitochondrial protein expression in 6-months old apoE(-/-) mice as compared to C57BL/6J controls. ApoE(-/-), but not C57BL/6J mice developed visible atherosclerotic changes in aorta and mild, diffuse steatosis of the liver. Collectively, 18 differentially expressed proteins were identified in mitochondria, related to apoptosis, antioxidant and detoxifying mechanisms of mitochondria, as well as lipid metabolism and transport. In conclusion, differential proteomic approach revealed several lines of proteomic evidence that mitochondrial function in the liver of apoE(-/-) mice could be altered as a result of overlapping of pathological and compensatory changes in expression of proteins.     

The physiological response of the Caribbean reef shark (Carcharhinus perezi) to longline capture

Longline fishing is the most common elasmobranch capture method around the world, yet the physiological consequences of this technique are poorly understood. To quantify the sub-lethal effects of longline capture in the commonly exploited Caribbean reef shark (Carcharhinus perezi), 37 individuals were captured using standard, mid-water longlines. Hook timers provided hooking duration to the nearest minute. Once sharks were landed, blood samples were taken and used to measure a suite of physiological parameters. Control data were obtained by sampling an additional three unrestrained Caribbean reef sharks underwater at an established shark feeding site. The greatest level of physiological disruption occurred after 120-180min of hooking, whereas sharks exposed to minimal and maximal hook durations exhibited the least disturbed blood chemistry. Significant relationships were established between hooking duration and blood pH, pCO(2), lactate, glucose, plasma calcium and plasma potassium. Longline capture appears more benign than other methods assessed to date, causing a shift in the stress response from acute at the onset of capture to a sub-acute regime as the capture event progresses, apparently facilitating a degree of physiological recovery. Continued investigation into the physiological response of elasmobranchs to longline capture is vital for the effective management of such fisheries.     

Metabolic response of bluegill to exercise at low water temperature: implications for angling conservation

The metabolic response of fish to exercise is highly dependent on environmental factors such as temperature. In addition to natural challenges that force exercise (foraging, avoiding predators, etc.), sportfish species are also subjected to exercise when they are hooked by anglers, leading to metabolic energy costs that may impact fitness. While several studies have examined the physiological response of fish to capture in warm conditions, little work has examined this response under cold winter conditions when fish are targeted by ice-anglers. To fill this gap, we examined the metabolic impacts of exercise duration and air exposure on bluegill, Lepomis macrochirus, at a temperature typical for ice angling. Thirty-two bluegill were subjected to a simulated angling session which included either a light (30 s) or exhaustive exercise procedure, followed by either 30 s or 4 min of air exposure. Fish were then assessed at 5 °C for the following metabolic metrics using intermittent-flow respirometry: standard metabolic rate (SMR), maximum metabolic rate (MMR), aerobic scope (AS), recovery time, and excess post-exercise oxygen consumption (EPOC). Fish exercised to exhaustion had higher EPOC compared to lightly exercised fish, however EPOC was not affected by air exposure time. No other metrics were impacted by air exposure or exercise duration. These results are directly applicable to physiological outcomes for fish captured by ice-anglers during the winter and suggest that both low temperatures and low durations of exercise serve to keep metabolic costs low for fish angled during the winter months.