四溴联苯醚(BDE-47)对两种海洋桡足类动物的毒性效应

为了研究四溴联苯醚(BDE-47)对海洋桡足类的毒性效应,以太平洋真宽水蚤和日本虎斑猛水蚤为受试生物,依据急性毒性实验96 h-LC₅₀值,设置5个浓度组和1个对照组,测定摄食率、滤水率、耗氧率、排氨率和抗氧化防御系统中SOD、GST、GPx活性以及GSH含量。结果显示：BDE-47对太平洋真宽水蚤和日本虎斑猛水蚤的96 h-LC₅₀分别为
57和851 μg·L^-1,后者明显高于前者。2种桡足类在BDE-47作用下,其能量摄入和代谢均受到不同程度的诱导或抑制。太平洋真宽水蚤在中浓度(1.425 μg·L^-1)下摄食率和排氨率受到促进,高浓度(5.70和11.40 μg·L^-1)下耗氧率明显抑制;日本虎斑猛水蚤高浓度下(170.20 μg·L^-1)摄食率受到抑制,中浓度(21.28 μg·L^-1)下耗氧率受到促进,各个浓度的BDE-47对其排氨率均有明显促进作用。太平洋真宽水蚤SOD活性在BDE-47暴露96 h过程中均低于对照组(P<0.05),受到明显抑制;GST活性随暴露时间延长先升高后降低;GSH含量和GPx活性低浓度(0.7125和1.425 μg·L^-1)下随时间先升高后降低,而高浓度(5.70和11.40 μg·L^-1)下则相反。日本虎斑猛水蚤SOD活性随BDE-47浓度的升高先降低后升高再降低;GST活性和GSH含量在低浓度(10.64和21.28 μg·L^-1)BDE-47中与对照组相比无显著差异(P>0.05),而高浓度(85.10和170.20 μg·L^-1)
BDE-47下,GST活性随时间先升高后降低,GSH含量则先降低后升高再降低;GPx活性呈现先降低后升高趋势。由此可见,BDE-47与这2种桡足类的能量摄入、代谢和抗氧化防御系统存在一定时间及剂量效应,并具有明显的物种差异性。     

镉胁迫对不同镉富集能力海水养殖贝类抗氧化能力的影响——以扇贝和菲律宾蛤仔为例

为研究具有不同镉(Cd)富集能力的扇贝和菲律宾蛤仔在相同镉胁迫环境下的抗氧化能力反应的差异,将2种贝类于0.05mg·L-1Cd环境中暴露10 d,分别于第0天、2天、4天、6天、8天、10天分别取样检测内脏团中SOD、CAT、GPx、GST酶活性和GSH含量,同时分析内脏团中Cd的含量。结果表明,对于Cd胁迫组,扇贝和菲律宾蛤仔内脏团中SOD和CAT酶活反应相似,均呈先被诱导后被抑制的规律,且2种贝类的SOD和CAT活性差异较小。2种贝类内脏团中GSH含量、GST和GPx活性变化差异较大:扇贝内脏团中GSH含量显著降低(p0.05),GST和GPx活性均在第2天和第4天时处于显著诱导状态(p0.05),从第6天时处于抑制状态,而菲律宾蛤仔内脏团中GSH含量、GST和GPx活性在Cd暴露期间无显著变化,且2种贝类间比较,扇贝内脏团中GSH含量和GST活性在整个实验期间始终显著高于菲律宾蛤仔(p0.05),GPx活性从第4天开始高于菲律宾蛤仔;对于无镉污染的对照组,扇贝和菲律宾蛤仔内脏团中SOD、CAT和GPx活性无显著差异,但扇贝内脏团中GSH含量和GST活性显著高于菲律宾蛤仔,其中前者GSH含量约为后者的22倍。研究同时表明在相同镉环境下扇贝内脏团对Cd的富集浓度和富集速率均远高于菲律宾蛤仔。本研究明确了2种贝类在相同镉环境下的抗氧化反应的差异,推断出扇贝内脏团中高含量的GSH以及较高的GST和GPx活性可能在扇贝高富集、高耐受Cd方面起重要作用。     

全氟辛烷磺酸盐(PFOS)胁迫对翡翠贻贝抗氧化酶的影响

为了解全氟辛烷磺酸盐(PFOS)对海洋贝类抗氧化防御系统的毒性效应及致毒机理,在实验室条件下研究了PFOS对翡翠贻贝的96h急性毒性,同时探讨PFOS胁迫和净水恢复过程中翡翠贻贝外套膜和内脏团组织中抗氧化指标(SOD活性、GSH和MDA含量)的变化。结果显示,PFOS对翡翠贻贝的96h半致死浓度(LC50)为68.3mg·L-1,安全浓度为6.83mg·L-1。在PFOS胁迫阶段,1mg·L-1浓度组外套膜SOD活性显著性升高(p<0.05),内脏团SOD酶活性显著降低(p<0.05);而PFOS浓度高于1mg·L-1时,外套膜SOD活性显著性降低(p<0.05),内脏团SOD活性显著升高(p<0.05)。PFOS胁迫对翡翠贻贝外套膜和内脏团中GSH含量均有显著的诱导作用(p<0.05),PFOS胁迫15d后各浓度组GSH含量均受到显著的抑制(p<0.05)。翡翠贻贝外套膜MDA含量受PFOS胁迫后显著升高(p<0.05),内脏团MDA含量的变化呈先降低、后升高的规律。净水释放阶段,翡翠贻贝两组织中SOD活性在释放7d后均恢复至对照组水平,GSH含量和MDA含量呈显著升高的趋势(p<0.05)。研究结果表明,PFOS暴露能够引起翡翠贻贝外套膜和内脏团氧化胁迫,但这种损伤的效果不明显,释放短时间后即可自我恢复。     

非致死剂量的四溴双酚A胁迫下蚯蚓的生长和抗氧化防御反应

以自然土壤为介质,考察赤子爱胜蚓(Eisenia fetida)的生长抑制率、蛋白质含量、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性、谷胱甘肽转移酶(GST)活性等指标,进行了急性(14 d)、亚急性(28 d)暴露下四溴双酚A(tetrabromobisphenol A,TBBPA)非致死剂量胁迫对蚯蚓的生长和抗氧化防御效应研究。结果表明:在急性试验中TBBPA对蚯蚓的生长抑制均存在显著的剂量效应关系,而在亚急性暴露期,400 mg·kg~(-1)时显著抑制蚯蚓的生长(P<0.05);TBBPA对蚯蚓体内蛋白含量影响,在急性试验中各处理间差异不显著(P=0.712),进入亚急性期蛋白质含量在400 mg·kg~(-1)时被显著诱导(P=0.039,P<0.05);TBBPA对蚯蚓SOD酶活性的影响,在急性试验中50 mg·kg~(-1)时被显著诱导(P<0.01),在亚急性试验中400 mg·kg~(-1)时SOD酶活性显著升高(P<0.05);TBBPA对蚯蚓GST酶活性影响,在急性试验中400 mg·kg~(-1)时呈现显著诱导效应(P<0.05),在亚急性期各处理间差异不显著(P=0.428)。蚯蚓生长抑制率、蛋白质含量、体内各生化酶系对TBBPA暴露的时间效应和剂量效应的敏感性存在不同程度差异,应依据污染暴露指标的有效性和敏感性选择多时间段检测和多指标进行土壤安全评价诊断。     

四溴双酚A对赤子爱胜蚓的急性毒性及抗氧化防御系统酶的影响

以赤子爱胜蚓(Eisenia fetida)为研究对象,根据OECD指南中的滤纸接触法和人工土壤法研究了四溴双酚A(TBBPA)的急性毒性和对蚯蚓体内抗氧化防御系统酶的影响.结果表明,滤纸接触法和人工土壤法检测TBBPA对蚯蚓的半致死浓度LC50分别为4.90mg·L-(148h)和16.7mg·kg-(114d),TBBPA对蚯蚓具有低等毒性.当TBBPA的浓度在0.05和0.1mg·kg-1时对蚯蚓超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)产生显著诱导;在0.05mg·kg-1时,对过氧化氢酶(CAT)和谷胱甘肽硫转移酶(GST)也产生显著诱导;脂质过氧化产物丙二醛(MDA)随TBBPA浓度的升高逐渐增加,呈良好的剂量效应关系(R2=0.97,p<0.01).SOD、CAT、GST和MDA可以作为土壤生态早期预警中潜在的敏感的生物标志物.     

十溴二苯乙烷对草鱼幼鱼肝脏和肌肉组织氧化应激效应的影响

十溴二苯乙烷(DBDPE)是目前在全球范围内广泛使用的新型溴代阻燃剂,其环境风险已引起广泛关注,但目前仍缺乏针对水生生物的毒性研究数据。作者通过饲料中添加十溴二苯乙烷暴露的方式对草鱼幼鱼进行长期暴露实验,研究500、1 000和3 000 mg·kg~(-1)三个饲料添加剂量暴露组和1个对照组长期暴露对草鱼幼鱼肝脏和肌肉组织中氧化应激酶(SOD、CAT和GSH-PX)活性和抗氧化物质(GSH)含量的影响。结果显示:暴露8周后,随着DBDPE暴露水平的升高,草鱼幼鱼肝脏组织中氧化应激酶(SOD、CAT和GSH-PX)和抗氧化物质(GSH)均表现出低浓度诱导及高浓度抑制的效应。500和1 000 mg·kg~(-1)剂量组草鱼幼鱼肝脏组织中SOD、CAT和GSH-PX活性和GSH含量均显著高于对照组(P0.05),且均在500 mg·kg~(-1)剂量组达到最高。3 000 mg·kg~(-1)剂量组SOD、CAT和GSH-PX活性和GSH含量低于500和1 000 mg·kg~(-1)暴露组,但与对照组无显著性差异(P0.05)。草鱼幼鱼肌肉组织中氧化应激酶活性变化甚微,3个浓度剂量组肌肉组织中SOD、CAT活性和GSH含量以及500 mg·kg~(-1)剂量组GSH-PX活性与对照组均无显著性差异(P0.05)。研究成果表明DBDPE暴露影响草鱼幼鱼肝脏组织的抗氧化防御系统,可以诱导草鱼幼鱼产生氧化应激效应。     

乙酸铜对银鲳幼鱼急性毒性及抗氧化酶活性的影响

为评价乙酸铜对银鲳的安全性及毒性效应,采用静水急性暴露实验,研究了8个乙酸铜浓度梯度(0、0.150、0.206、0.282、0.387、0.531、0.729、1.00 mg·L~(-1))对银鲳幼鱼的急性毒性,以肝脏和鳃组织的超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)、谷胱甘肽过氧化酶(GSH—PX)以及谷胱甘肽巯基转移酶(GST)活性为指标研究乙酸铜对银鲳幼鱼的毒理作用,并进行安全评价。结果表明,高浓度乙酸铜会对银鲳幼鱼产生了较大的毒性,48 h和96 h-LC_(50)分别为0.898 mg·L~(-1)、0.264 mg·L~(-1),安全质量浓度为0.026 mg·L~(-1);不同浓度乙酸铜胁迫下银鲳幼鱼组织中的SOD、CAT、GSH-PX和GST活性均表现为低浓度被诱导而高浓度受抑制的规律,与乙酸铜浓度呈抛物线型剂量效应关系,此外,肝脏中4种抗氧化酶活性普遍高于鳃组织。研究发现,乙酸铜胁迫对抗氧化酶的影响,可以反映银鲳幼鱼机体的受损状况,其中SOD可较灵敏地指示早期低浓度的铜污染。     

甲氨基阿维菌素苯甲酸盐对海洋桡足类日本虎斑猛水蚤的急慢性毒性效应

甲氨基阿维菌素苯甲酸盐(简称甲维盐)是一种广泛应用于农业和水产养殖业的高效抗生素杀虫剂,会进入近海海洋环境从而对海洋生物造成影响。为初步探讨甲维盐对海洋桡足类产生的生物效应,研究了甲维盐对日本虎斑猛水蚤(Tigriopus japonicus Mori)的死亡率、摄食率、滤水率、神经传导关键性酶和抗氧化防御系统中多种酶活性以及生殖、发育的影响。结果显示,甲维盐对于日本虎斑猛水蚤有显著的急性毒性影响,雌性成体和雄性成体的96 h-LC_(50)分别为7 156μg·L~(-1)和3 637μg·L~(-1);雌性成体的24 h-EC_(50)为3.5μg·L~(-1)。暴露在不同甲维盐浓度(0.5、1、2、3.5和5μg·L~(-1))条件下24 h后,日本虎斑猛水蚤的摄食率和滤水率随甲维盐浓度升高逐渐降低,乙酰胆碱酯酶(AchE)活性、抗氧化酶超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)和谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GPx)活性均随甲维盐浓度的升高先升高后趋于平稳,而过氧化氢酶(CAT)活性无显著变化。日本虎斑猛水蚤连续暴露2个世代,随着甲维盐浓度的升高,发育率逐渐降低;当甲维盐浓度达到0.5μg·L~(-1)时,10 d产卵量受到显著抑制,这说明甲维盐对其种群繁衍能力产生了显著影响。将第3代无节幼虫置于海水中进行恢复培养后发现,高浓度甲维盐暴露(0.5μg·L~(-1))对日本虎斑猛水蚤发育和生殖均造成了不可逆的影响,毒性可能具有不可恢复性。本文可为评估甲维盐对海洋桡足类的潜在影响提供基础数据和依据。     

壬基酚聚氧乙烯醚暴露下赤子爱胜蚓（Eisenia foetida）的生理损伤

利用急性接触试验和人工土壤试验分别研究了壬基酚聚氧乙烯醚（NPEO）对赤子爱胜蚓（Eisenia foetida）的致死性和氧化损伤.急性接触试验结果显示,NPEO对赤子爱胜蚓的48 h毒性半致死剂量p（48 h,LD50）为0.58 mg·L^-1;人工土壤试验结果显示,NPEO可诱导赤子爱胜蚓CAT酶活力、GST酶活力、GSH含量和氧化产物（MDA）含量上升,暴露28 d时,NPEO浓度与赤子爱胜蚓CAT酶活力、GST酶活力、GSH含量和MDA含量呈正相关,且均存在显著的剂量-效应关系（P＜0.05）,NPEO剂量增加对赤子爱胜蚓SOD酶活性和Cu-Zn SOD酶活性有轻微抑制作用.以上结果表明NPEO在亚致死暴露浓度下＜0.50 mg· kg^-1）会对赤子爱胜蚓产生生理胁迫并导致一定程度的氧化损伤.     

Cu2+对羽摇蚊幼虫(Chironomus plumosus)口器致畸作用和抗氧化酶活性的影响

采用静水生物测试法研究Cu2+对羽摇蚊幼虫的急性毒性效应.设定0.005、0.010和0.020g·L-1 3个Cu2+浓度梯度进行急性暴露试验,分别于试验24、48、72和96h时测定摇蚊幼虫组织匀浆超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)和谷胱甘肽-S转移酶(GST)的活性.结果表明,Cu2+对羽摇蚊幼虫体组织CAT和SOD有明显影响,表现出剂量-效应关系.GST活性在暴露72h后表现为受诱导作用(P＜0.05),并在96h时达到最高值(P＜0.01).对经0.005、0.010和0.020g·L-1 3个Cu2+浓度梯度刺激7d后摇蚊幼虫的口器致畸情况的研究结果表明,致畸率与Cu2+暴露浓度之间呈显著正相关关系(P＜0.05).     

Antennal responses of four species of tree-killing bark beetles (Coleoptera: Scolytidae) to volatiles collected from beetles,and their host and nonhost conifers

Summary. Host selection in tree-killing bark beetles (Coleoptera: Scolytidae) is mediated by a complex of semiochemical cues. Using gas chromatographic-electroantennographic detection (GC-EAD) and GC-mass spectrometric analyses, we conducted a comparative study of the electrophysiological responses of four species of tree-killing bark beetles, the Douglas-fir beetle, Dendroctonus pseudotsugae, Hopkins, the mountain pine beetle, D. ponderosae Hopkins, the spruce beetle, D. rufipennis Kirby, and the western balsam bark beetle, Dryocoetes confusus Swaine, to volatiles captured by aeration of 1) bole and foliage of four sympatric species of conifers, Douglas-fir, Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco, lodgepole pine, Pinus contorta var. latifolia Engelm., interior spruce, Picea engelmannii x glauca, and interior fir, Abies lasiocarpa x bifolia, and 2) con- and heterospecific beetles at three stages of attack. We identified 13 monoterpenes in the conifers and nine compounds in the volatiles of beetles that elicited antennal responses. There was no qualitative difference in the terpene constitution of the four species of conifers and very little difference across beetle species in their antennal response to compounds from conifers or beetles. The lack of species-specific major or minor components in conifers suggests that beetles would need to detect differences in the ratios of different compounds in conifers to discriminate among them. Attraction to hosts and avoidance of nonhost conifers may be accentuated by perception of compounds emitted by con- and heterospecific beetles, respectively. The 22 compounds identified are candidate semiochemicals with potential behavioural roles in host location and discrimination.     

Diet-induced chemical phytomimesis by twig-like caterpillars of Biston robustum Butler (Lepidoptera: Geometridae)

Summary. Polyphagous caterpillars of the giant geometer Biston robustum resemble the twigs of their respective food sources in color and shape. Common predatory ants, including Lasius and Formica, were often observed to freely prowl directly on caterpillars bodies, even after antennal contact. This suggests that the cuticular chemicals of the caterpillars resemble those of the twigs of the foodplants, so we analyzed both by GC and GC-MS. The chemical compositions differed among caterpillars fed on a cherry, Prunus yedoensis, a chinquapin Castanopsis cuspidata, and a camellia Camellia japonica. The cuticular chemicals of the caterpillars resembled those of their corresponding food sources. When the caterpillar diets were switched from the cherry to camellia or chinquapin at the 4^th instars, the caterpillars cuticular chemicals changed after molting to resemble those of their respective foods. Caterpillars also changed their cuticular chemicals when they perched on cherry twigs and fed on camellia or chinquapin leaves, but not when they perched on camellia or chinquapin twigs and fed on cherry leaves. The chemical similarities between the caterpillars and the twigs were due to the digestion of host leaves, which indicates that this is a diet-induced adaptation.     

Some polyphagous Homoptera gain protection from their natural enemies by feeding on the toxic plantsSpartium junceum andErythrina corallodendrum (Leguminosae)

Summary Interactions were studied among alkaloid-containing legumes (Erythrina corallodendrum andSpartium junceum) and non-toxic plants (Citrus sinensis, Cucurbita moschata andEuphorbia tirucalli), several polyphagous homopterans,Aphis craccivora (Aphididae),Icerya purchasi, I. aegyptiaca (Margarodidae),Lepidosaphes ulmi (Diaspididae) andPlanococcus citri (Pseudococcidae), and some major natural enemies of these homopterans. Significant reductions in survival due to negative effects of alkaloid containing as compared with non-alkaloidal plants were recorded for the predatorsRodolia cardinalis andChilocorus bipustulatus, but not forCryptolaemus montrouzieri (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae),Chrysoperla carnea (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) andSympherobius sanctus (Neuroptera: Sympherobiidae). The development time of the larvae or pupae ofR. cardinalis, C. carnea andS. sanctus was longer on the toxic plants than on the non-toxic ones. The percentage of parasitism ofA. craccivora collected from the non-alkaloidal plantsVicia palaestina andMelilotus albus was much higher than that onS. junceum. The parasitoid complexes ofA. craccivora differed between both plant groups. The nutritive value of honeydew ofI. purchasi andA. craccivora, as expressed by the life span ofEncyrtus infelix (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) adults, was also investigated. Life spans were significantly longer when the wasps fed on honeydew produced on non-alkaloidal plants (C. sinensis andPittosporum tobira) than on alkaloid containing plants whenI. purchasi — but notA. craccivora — was the producer. It is suggested that the chemical defense ofE. corallodendrum andS. junceum is exploited by polyphagous phytophages to reduce predation. In nature, population growth and density of four of the investigated homopterans are conspicuously high when they developed on the alkaloid containing plant species, and very low on non-alkaloid plants. The efficiency of their natural enemies may be reduced by sequestration of alkaloids (or other toxic plant compounds) or their transfer into excreted honeydew. Therefore it is assumed that a generalist phytophagous homopteran may be protected from its natural enemies, although at different rates of efficiency, if it can safely sequester the host allelochemical when it develops on toxic species within its host range.     

Comparison of the insecticidal effects of water extracted and intact aromatic plants onAcanthoscelides obtectus,a bruchid beetle pest of kidney beans

Summary Acanthoscelides obtectus (Say) is one of the most damaging pests of kidney beans,Phaseolus vulgaris L. worldwide. However, aromatic plants from the families Lamiaceae, Lauraceae, Myrtaceae and Poaceae can protect kidney beans by direct or delayed insecticidal effect, through increased adult mortality and inhibition of beetle reproduction (both oviposition and adult emergence). The efficiency of hydrodistillated and intact plants fromThymus vulgaris andT. serpyllum, Mentha piperata, Rosmarinus officinalis, Satureia hortensis, Eucalyptus globulus, Laurus nobilis, Origanum vulgare, andCymbopogon nardus was compared. For both extracts,Origanum vulgare had the best effect. The insecticidal effect was induced by more than the essential oils because no significant difference was noticed between distilled and intact plants extract. Inhibition of reproduction was particularly important. These results suggest that lipidic as well as non lipidic, allelochemicals, such as phenolics, or non-protein amino-acids, or flavonoids may be involved in the toxicity of aromatic plants to this beetle.     

Benthic macrophyte communities in the Ghar El Melh lagoon (North Tunisia)

This work deals with the biodiversity and distribution of benthic macrophytes in the Ghar El Melh lagoon, a Mediterranean coastal lagoon located in the North of Tunisia. An inventory was made of the benthic flora and submerged macrophyte communities were mapped during two successive campaigns (the summer of 1999 and the winter of 2000). The following 24 macrophyte species were identified: seven red algae, two brown algae, 11 green algae, and four marine angiosperms. The results were compared with available data from the literature. Ruppia cirrhosa is the most dominant species. It is found in all lagoon parts, except in the west sector.Ruppia beds are usually associated withCladophora forming heterogeneous communities. During summerRuppia cirrhosa shows a large distribution, covering an area of ca. 21.4 km², with dense, extensive beds covering 80–100%. In winter, severalCladophora species have a very large distribution as well, covering nearly an area of 28.5 km² with an average cover of 46%. The green algaeCaulerpa prolifera is confined to the eastern part of the lagoon which is mainly affected by seawater. In comparison with previous situations, many transformations were observed in biodiversity and spatial distribution of the dominant communities. Thus,Cymodocea nodosa andZostera beds, which dominated in the 1970s, were replaced byZostera andCaulerpa prolifera in the 1980s and are currently succeeded byRuppia cirrhosa andCladophora. Restoration of the Ghar El Melh lagoon will enable an increase in the exchange with the open sea and the circulation of water, in particular in the confined zones. This should considerably improve the water quality and would positively influence the phytobenthic communities.     

Absolute configuration of the major sex pheromone component of the satin moth, Leucoma salicis, verified by field trapping test in Hungary

Summary. Male satin moths, Leucoma (Stilpnotia) salicis L. (Lepidoptera, Lymantriidae) were attracted only to (3Z,6R,7S,9R,10S)-isomer out of the four (3Z)-cis-6,7-cis-9,10-diepoxy-3-henicosenes (leucomalure). This was demonstrated by field trapping test with a bivoltine population in a mixed poplar-willow forest along the flood area of the river Danube at Adony, Hungary.     

Increase of multi-metal tolerance of three leguminous plants by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi colonization

A greenhouse pot experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of the colonization of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus (AMF) Glomus mosseae on the growth and metal uptake of three leguminous plants (Sesbania rostrata, Sesbania cannabina, Medicago sativa) grown in multi-metal contaminated soil. AMF colonization increased the growth of the legumes, indicating that AMF colonization increased the plant’s resistance to heavy metals. It also significantly stimulated the formation of root nodules and increased the N and P uptake of all of the tested leguminous plants, which might be one of the tolerance mechanisms conferred by AMF. Compared with the control, colonization by G. mosseae decreased the concentration of metals, such as Cu, in the shoots of the three legumes, indicating that the decreased heavy metals uptake and growth dilution were induced by AMF treatment, thereby reducing the heavy metal toxicity to the plants. The root/shoot ratios of Cu in the three legumes and Zn in M. sativa were significantly increased (P < 0.05) with AMF colonization, indicating that heavy metals were immobilized by the mycorrhiza and the heavy metal translocations to the shoot were decreased.     

Net energetic advantage drives honey bees (Apis mellifera L) to nectar larceny in Vaccinium ashei Reade

Carpenter bees (Xylocopa spp.) act as primary nectar thieves in rabbiteye blueberry (Vaccinium ashei Reade), piercing corollas laterally to imbibe nectar at basal nectaries. Honey bees (Apis mellifera L) learn to visit these perforations and thus become secondary nectar thieves. We tested the hypothesis that honey bees make this behavioral switch in response to an energetic advantage realized by nectar-robbing flower visits. Nectar volume and sugar quantity were higher in intact than perforated flowers, but bees (robbers) visiting perforated flowers were able to extract a higher percentage of available nectar and sugar so that absolute amount of sugar (mg) removed by one bee visit is the same for each flower type. However, because perforated flowers facilitate higher rates of bee flower visitation and the same or higher rates of nectar ingestion, they are rendered more profitable than intact flowers in temporal terms. Accordingly, net energy (J) gain per second flower handling time was higher for robbers on most days sampled. We conclude that the majority evidence indicates an energetic advantage for honey bees that engage in secondary nectar thievery in V. ashei.Communicated by R. Page     

Main nutrient compounds in food bodies of Mexican <Emphasis Type="Italic">Acacia</Emphasis> ant-plants

Summary. Myrmecophytic plants use obligate ant mutualists as a constitutive indirect defence mechanism. These plants often produce cellular food bodies (FBs) to nourish their resident ants. Lipids, proteins, and even highly specialised compounds such as glycogen have been reported from FBs, but detailed chemical analyses of FB composition have so far been presented only for Southeast Asian Macaranga and Central American Piper myrmecophytes. Here we report the chemical composition of FBs of five myrmecophytic Acacia (Fabaceae) species from Mexico using HPLC (carbohydrates and proteins) and GC-MS (lipids). Feeding experiments revealed no hints on any use of external food sources by the inhabiting Pseudomyrmex ants. These ants obviously rely completely on FBs and extrafloral nectar provided by their hosts. The total content of nutrients in Acacia FBs was 15-25% of FB dry mass, being much lower than in Macaranga or Piper FBs. Proteins were dominating (8-14 % dm) in Acacia FBs and thus were present in higher amounts than in Macaranga FBs, yet in lower amounts than in Piper. Lipids contributed 1-9 % of dry mass, showing a lower proportion than in FBs of Macaranga or Piper. Carbohydrates made up 3-11 % dm, reaching in most Acacia species the same range as observed in Macaranga and in Piper FBs. Water content was 18-24 % of FB fresh mass, and structural tissue obviously made up a much higher proportion in Acacia FBs than in Macaranga or Piper FBs. Both characters might represent an adaptation to producing FBs unprotected at the leaf tips under dry conditions. Acacia FBs contain all amino acids and all fatty acids that are considered essential for insects, and their contents of lipids and proteins are higher than in the leaves from which they are ontogenetically derived. This indicates a putatively adaptive enrichment of nutritionally valuable compounds in structures functioning as ant-food.     

Toxicity assays of ladybirds using natural predators

Nestling blue titsParus caeruleus L. were given diets containing homogenized ladybirds, to assess the effects of their chemical defences. The 2spot, 10spot and water ladybirds produced no apparent toxic effects when small numbers were given at regular intervals.The pine and kidney-spot ladybirds slightly inhibit growth and may be toxic to very young nestlings. The Water ladybird is extremely distasteful to this predator, despite its lack of toxicity. The results are discussed with reference to the proposed Müllerian and Batesian mimetic relationships between the ladybird species.