Urine-marking during agonistic encounters in the bush dog (Speothos venaticus)

During staged encounters, bush dogs of the same sex showed a high level of aggressive-defensive behaviors and a higher than normal frequency of urine-marking. Where dominance was established during encounters, dominant individuals marked more than subordinates. Where dominance was not clearly established, both participants remained aggressive and showed higher than normal levels of marking. Urine-marking appears to communicate aggressiveness and may be used to compensate for the otherwise relatively inconspicuous aggressive and dominance displays of this species.     

Comparative analysis of the lipopolysaccharides of a rough and a smooth strain of Pseudomonas syringae pv. phaseolicola

The lipopolysaccharides (LPS) of a rough (R) and a smooth (S) strain of Pseudomonas syringae pv. phaseolicola were analysed. The S-LPS revealed markedly more rhamnose and fucose, but less glucose, than the R-LPS. The presence of 3-O-methyl-rhamnose (acofriose) in the S-LPS was confirmed by cochromatography with authentic acofriose. SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of the S-LPS demonstrated a cluster of regularly spaced high molecular weight fractions, which was almost lacking in the R-LPS. The main fatty acids of the lipid A of both LPS species were 3-OH-10:0,3-OH-12:0,2-OH-12:0, and 12:0. Two N-linked diesters were demonstrated: 3-O(12:0)-12:0 and 3-O(2-OH-12:0)-12:0. S-LPS was subjected to mild hydrolysis and the degraded polysaccharide separated into three fractions by gel permeation chromatography on a Fractogel TSK HW-50 column. Fraction I, representing nearly only the O-specific side chain, consisted of rhamnose and fucose in a molar ratio of 4:1, with 4% of the rhamnose being 3-O-methylated (acofriose). Fraction II, representing mostly core material, was composed of glucose, rhamnose, heptose, glucosamine, galactosamine, alanine, and a still unidentified amino compound, in an approximate molar ratio of 3:1:1:1:1:1:1, and KDO. Fraction III consisted of released monomers and salts. The LPS was highly phosphorylated (3.28% phosphorus in the core fraction). The thus characterized composition of the LPS O-chain seems to be unique for the pathovar phaseolicola of P. syringae, although many similarities exist to other pathovars as well as to other bacterial species.Abbreviations LPS lipopolysacchairdes - GC/MS combined gas liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry - HVE high voltage electrophoresis - KDO 2-keto-3-deoxyoctonic acid - PAGE polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis - SDS sodium dodecylsulfate P.s. pv. phaseolicola is termed P. phaseolicola in the text     

田螺科五种螺的核型研究

以早期胚胎细胞为材料,用火焰干燥法制片,对分布于我国湖北省武汉市近郊的常见田螺科(Viviparidae)五种螺的核型进行了分析。结果:两种圆田螺的染色体数和国外报道的同一属的种类的一致。而三种环棱螺的染色体数,则较国外报道的另两种的少得多。在铜锈环棱螺的核型中,其m组的第一对和sm组的第四对染色体上,具有明显的随体,出现频率甚高。     

Chronobiological aspects of the host-parasite relationships between Biomphalaria glabrata and Schistosoma mansoni: cercarial production and infectivity, and growth kinetics of the host

In the Biomphalaria glabrata-Schistosoma mansoni association, variations in cercarial production, in cercarial infectivity, and in the growth of infected snails are rhythmic. These chronobiological aspects are correlated with the dynamics of the intramolluscan larval stages of the parasite during the course of the infection. Rhythmic variations in the growth kinetics of infected snails are interpreted in terms of host-parasite metabolic exchanges.     

Notes on the use of wood refugia by Physella heterostropha (say) in a thermally disturbed swamp

Physella heterostropha size distributions and densities were measured in Pen Branch delta, a thermally altered swamp of the Savannah River, South Carolina. During cessation of thermal input, measurements were taken in a highly impacted area and more natural area. Of the three substrates sampled, logs, small woody material and benthos, snail density was highest on small pieces of submerged wood and < 20% of the snails on logs were out of the water. Following resumption of thermal input, snail density was four times higher on logs than previously measured. Snails responded to elevated water temperatures by congregating in a narrow band slightly above the water. Snail size did not appear to affect their response. However, the thermal history of the snails influenced their behaviour and survival rates. Logs may be a potential refuge for snails when water temperature are greater greater than 38°C. However, our results indicate that long-term survival in this manner may be impossible.     

Physiological and growth responses of two African species, Acacia karroo and Themeda triandra, to combined increases in CO2 and UV-B radiation

The interactive effects of increased carbon dioxide (CO₂) concentration and ultraviolet-B (UV-B, 280–320 nm) radiation on Acacia karroo Hayne, a C₃ tree, and Themeda triandra Forsk., a C₄ grass, were investigated. We tested the hypothesis that A. karroo would show greater CO₂-induced growth stimulation than T. triandra, which would partially explain current encroachment of A. karroo into C₄ grasslands, but that increased UV-B could mitigate this advantage. Seedlings were grown in open-top chambers in a greenhouse in ambient (360 μmol mol^-1) and elevated (650 μmol mol^-1) CO₂, combined with ambient (1.56 to 8.66 kJ m^-2 day^-1) or increased (2.22 to 11.93 kJ m^-2 day^-1) biologically effective (weighted) UV-B irradiances. After 30 weeks, elevated CO₂ had no effect on biomass of A. karroo, despite increased net CO₂ assimilation rates. Interaction between UV-B and CO₂ on stomatal conductance was found, with conductances decreasing only where elevated CO₂ and UV-B were supplied separately. Increases in water use efficiencies, foliar starch concentrations, root nodule numbers and total nodule mass were measured in elevated CO₂. Elevated UV-B caused only an increase in foliar carbon concentrations. In T. triandra, net CO₂ assimilation rates were unaffected in elevated CO₂, but stomatal conductances and foliar nitrogen concentrations decreased, and water use efficiencies increased. Biomass of all vegetative fractions, particularly leaf sheaths, was increased in elevated CO₂. and was accompanied by increased leaf blade lengths and individual leaf and leaf sheath masses. However, tiller numbers were reduced in elevated CO₂. Significantly moderating effects of elevated UV-B were apparent only in individual masses of leaf blades and sheaths, and in total sheath and shoot biomass. The direct CO₂-induced growth responses of the species therefore do not support the hypothesis of CO₂-driven woody encroachment of C₄ grasslands. Rather, differential changes in resource use efficiency between grass and woody species, or morphological responses of grass species, could alter the competitive balance. Increased UV-B radiation is unlikely to substantially alter the CO₂ response of these species.     

Chromium-induced inhibition of ethylene evolution in bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) leaves

The influence of chromium concentration on ethylene production in bean plants ( Phaseolus vulgaris L. cv. Contender) was investigated. A Cr ion-induced inhibition of ethylene synthesis from endogenous 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) was observed within both leaf discs floated on 2 m M CrO²⁻₄ or Cr³⁺ and leaf discs from plants cultured in nutrient solutions containing 10, 20 or 40 μ M CrO²⁻₄. However, Cr ions supplied either to plants with the nutrient solution or to discs with the incubation medium rather increased the conversion of exogenous ACC to ethylene. Primary leaves of plants exposed to CrO²⁻₄-containing nutrient solutions showed a statistically insignificant decrease of ACC-synthase activity. In the trifoliolate leaves of plants exposed to 10 μ M CrO²⁻₄, in which a significant decrease of ethylene production from endogenous ACC was observed, a substantial increase of ACC synthase was found. These results indicate that Cr ion-induced inhibition of ethylene production is not due to a breakdown of membrane integrity, which is necessary for ethylene forming enzyme activity, but caused by metabolic alterations leading to decreased ACC availability. Chromium ions may act by inhibiting ACC synthase activity or by diverting a metabolic step prior to the ACC synthase catalyzed reaction.     

The prevalence of Fasciola hepatica in its snail intermediate host determined by DNA probe assay

Accurate snail intermediate host infection prevalence data have the potential to be extremely useful in determining seasonal transmission dynamics of Fasciola hepatica. Because the microscopic techniques currently used lack the sensitivity and specificity necessary to obtain meaningful infection prevalence data, we developed a highly accurate and efficient DNA probe assay. The assay has a sensitivity of 100%, a specificity of >99%, easily detects a single miracidia and does not cross-hybridize with DNA of Fascioloides magna, Paramphistomum liorchis or Heterobilharzia americana, trematodes that share the same intermediate host and enzootic range as Fasciola hepatica. Using this assay, we determined the prevalence of F. hepatica in its snail intermediate host, Fossaria cubensis, during the second year of a 2-year study on the epizootiology of Fasciola hepatica in Florida. The overall infection prevalence of snails assayed in this study (n = 5246) was 1.5% and ranged from 0.1% to 3.1% for individual cattle ranches. Additionally, infection prevalence differed significantly for successive size groupings of snails, varying from 0% for 1-mm snails to 18.5% for 9- and 10-mm snails. The accuracy and efficiency of the DNA probe assay reported here for determining snail infection prevalence offers an inexpensive alternative to tracer animal studies for determining the epizootiology of F. hepatica.     

Structure of the female reproductive tract of the apple snail. II. Scanning electron microscopy

The albumen gland of Pomacea paludosa, a prosobranch gastropod, contains two main ducts. The albumen gland duct consists of a single layer of secretory and non-secretory cells. The surface of the non-secretory cells is covered with cilia. Microvilli are associated with the luminal edges of the secretory cells. Globules of secretory products appear at the cell surfaces. The capsule gland duct coils through the albumen gland and is composed of two opposing faces each of two layers of cells. The upper layer consists of ciliated non-secretory cells and the microvilli covered necks of the goblet-shaped secretory cells. The bases of the secretory cells comprises the lower layer of cells. Differences in the arrangement of cellular processes and number exists between the duct epithelia.     

Shell-banding polymorphism of the land snail Xeropicta vestalis along the coastal plain of Israel

Along the coastal plain of Israel, shell darkness of the polymorphic land snail Xeropicta vestalis is positively related to the extent of perennial vegetation. It is not related to rain, temperature, geographic position or darkness of the ground.
White shells reflect more radiation than dark ones do, and therefore in Israel's coastal plain, where solar radiation is very strong, they are favoured. Perennial vegetation, where it occurs, shields the snails from the sun by absorbing radiation, so that snails amongst them can afford to be darker, and thus more cryptic. Hence, the more perennial vegetation in the habitat, the darker the shells.
Also during the Pleistocene, when temperatures were 5–10°C lower than today, the shells of the coastal plain were as pale as recent ones are. The distribution of a snail-predator, Gerbillus allenbyi , which is restricted to sandy biotopes where perennial bushes occur, and which was absent from Israel during the Pleistocene, could perhaps explain the distribution of X. vestalis morphs, both today and in the past.