Endophytic Bacillus sp. Isolated from the Interior of Balloon Flower Root

A bacterial strain, designated CY22, was isolated from the interior of balloon flower (Platycodon grandiflorum) root in the Republic of Korea. The isolate coproduced an iturin-like antifungal compound and a surfactin-like potent biosurfactant. Analysis of the 16S-rDNA of strain CY22 showed that the isolate was a member of Bacillus. High similarities were observed between strain CY22 and Bacillus sp. TKSP 24, and between strain CY22 and B. subtilis 168. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S-rDNA sequences showed that strain CY22 was closely related to Bacillus sp. The main whole-cell fatty acids were anteiso-C_15:0 (37%), C_17:0 (5.1%), and iso-C_15:0 (27.7%). DNA G + C content was 54 mol%. Based on phylogenetic inference, phenotypic and chemotaxonomic characteristics, this endophytic strain Bacillus sp. CY22 was assigned to the genus Bacillus.     

Restriction on Conjugational Transfer of pLS20 in Bacillus subtilis 168

Conjugational transfer of pLS20 in Bacillus subtilis Marburg 168 is restricted by the BsuM restriction-modification system. Restriction efficiency was measured using pLS20 derivatives possessing various numbers of XhoI sites, which are known to be recognized by BsuM. An increase in XhoI sites clearly reduced the conjugational efficiency of pLS20 as compared with that of pUB110 plasmid lacking XhoI.     

Transfer and expression of the cryIVB and cryIVD genes of Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. israelensis in Bacillus sphaericus 2297

Abstract The genes encoding the CryIVB and CryIVD crystal polypeptides of B. thuringiensis subsp. israelensis were cloned indepently on a stable shuttle vector, and transfered into B. sphaericus 2297. Recombinant cells expressed the B. thuringiensis toxins during sporulation and were shown to be toxic to Aedes aegypti fourth instar larvae, whereas the parental strain was not.     

Geometric morphometric analysis of the effect of temperature on wing size and shape in Aedes albopictus

Wing geometry helps to identify mosquito species, even cryptic ones. On the other hand, temperature has a well‐known effect on insect metric properties. Can such effects blur the taxonomic signal embedded in the wing? Two strains of Aedes albopictus (laboratory and field strain) were examined under three different rearing temperatures (26, 30 and 33 °C) using landmark‐ and outline‐based morphometric approaches. The wings of each experimental line were compared with Aedes aegypti. Both approaches indicated similar associations between wing size and temperature. For the laboratory strain, the wing size significantly decreased as the temperature increased. For the field strain, the largest wings were observed at the intermediate temperature. The two morphometric approaches describing shape showed different sensibilities to temperature. For both strains and sexes, the landmark‐based approach disclosed significant wing shape changes with temperature changes. The outline‐based approach showed lesser effects, detecting significant changes only in laboratory females and in field males. Despite the size and shape changes induced by temperature, the two strains of Ae. albopictus were always distinguished from Ae. aegypti. The present study confirms the lability of size. However, it also suggests that, despite environmentally‐induced variation, the architecture of the wing still provides a strong taxonomic signal.     

Effect of nonionic detergents on the activity of a thermostable lipase from Bacillus stearothermophilus MC7

The influence of nonionic surfactants on the activity of a novel thermostable lipase from Bacillus stearothermophilus MC7 was investigated with a view to its potential for synthesis of structured lipids. A large number of modifiers within a broad concentration range were applied. The activity of the enzyme was measured at a relatively high reaction temperature. Highest degree of activation was observed when PEG₆₀₀₀ was applied (up to 2.3-fold increase). Modification essentially changed the performance of the lyophilised preparations—they keep up to 80% of the activity of the native enzyme in the presence of a detergent against 30% in its absence. The effect of sorbitan esters (spans) and polyoxyethylene derivatives of sorbitan esters (tweens) on lipase MC7 was estimated, their HLB value varying within the interval 2.1–16.7. Tweens were strong inhibitors at higher concentrations. For all spans, excepting span 60, an increase of enzyme activity with concentration was observed. All studied additives slow down the process of thermal denaturation. Lipase preparations preserve more than 60% of their activity after 30-min incubation at 75 °C in the presence of tween 60 or PEG₄₀₀₀.     

A simple,band‐mounted device to measure behaviorally modified thermal microclimates experienced by birds

Birds encounter climate at the scale of microclimates that can vary rapidly in time and space and so understanding potential vulnerability and adaptations to those microclimates requires fine‐scale measurements that accurately track thermal exposures. However, few options exist for recording the microclimates actually experienced by birds (realized microclimates). We constructed and tested a simple, low‐cost, temperature logger for recording the realized microclimates of ground‐nesting birds. We developed attachment protocols for band‐mounting Thermochron iButtons on Ring‐billed Gull (Larus delawarensis) chicks. We tested these mounted, temperature‐logging devices on 20 chicks weighing > 200 g (device weight was 4 g), attaching devices for 48 h and observing behavior before and after attachment and removal. Devices recorded temperature immediately surrounding the leg at 2‐min intervals. Recorded temperatures were strong predictors of observed thermoregulatory behaviors (panting and sitting), outperforming predictions based on air temperatures measured by basic, static approaches. Through comparison with matched controls (chicks with just a band), we detected no adverse physiological effects of devices, no effects on social or feeding behavior, and only a short‐term decrease in inactivity immediately after device attachment (likely due to increased preening). By attaching iButtons to the legs of birds, we quantified realized thermal exposure, integrating air temperature, modes of environmental heat transfer, and bird behavior at microclimatic scales. Although not yet validated for broader use, our approach (including possible miniaturization) should be suitable to measure thermal exposure of adults, not just chicks, allowing collection of data concerning thermal exposures during flight under field conditions. At ~ $25 USD per device, our approach facilitates experimental protocols with robust sample sizes, even for relatively modest budgets.