Evaluation of the possible role of five enzymes in the metabolism of IBA in mustard aphid, Lipaphis erysimi (Kalt.)

The enzymatic activity of five enzymes viz. Glutathione S-transferases, Esterases, NADH dehydrogenase, NADH oxidase and Glutathione reductase were assessed under the influence of Indole butyric acid (IBA) (400 ppm) in the nymphs (48-52h old) of mustard aphid, Lipaphis erysimi fed on radish plants treated for 13, 25 and 37h. The activity of Glutathione S-transferases, Esterases and NADH dehydrogenase increased compared to that found in the control of the same age group of nymphs and it was concluded that these enzymes might be involved in the metabolism of IBA. The other two enzymes, NADH oxidase and Glutathione reductase showed no significant increase in their activity compared to that in the control of the same age group. It was hypothesized that the latter enzymes do not play any significant role in the metabolism of IBA.     

Evaluation of the pesticidal potential of the congress grass,Parthenium hysterophorus Linn. on the mustard aphid,Lipaphis erysimi (Kalt.)

Petroleum ether extracts of leaves, stem and inflorescence of Parthenium hysterophorus Linn. at 500, 1000, 2000 and 5000 ppm concentrations were tested in the laboratory for their toxic effects on the mean life span and progeny production of adults of the mustard aphid, Lipaphis erysimi (Kalt.). The investigations revealed a significant decrease in life span and progeny production with treatment. Among the three plant parts tested for their efficacy, the leaf extract showed the most significant effect in causing a dose dependent decline in both the life span and progeny production.     

The sex pheromone of the grain aphid,Sitobion avenae (Fab.) (Homoptera,Aphididae)

Summary The sex pheromone of the grain aphid,Sitobion avenae (Fab.), is identified as (4aS,7S,7aR)-nepetalactone, for which specific olfactory cells are located in the secondary rhinaria of the male antenna. The related (1R,4aS,7S,7aR)-nepetalactol was not produced by females in significant amounts (ca 10,000-fold less than the nepetalactone), although cells in the male antenna were found that responded specifically to this compound. Behavioural activity in the linear track ol-factometer showed attraction of males to the nepetalactone, but not to the nepetalactol.     

基于MSIASM方法的中国不同区域社会代谢分析

通过社会代谢多尺度综合分析方法,评价东北、华北、西北、西南、华中、华东2003年和2007年的社会代谢状况,并结合社会代谢多尺度综合分析与因素分解等方法进行对比分析,识别出限制区域可持续发展的关键因素。结果表明,华北、东北、西北、华中和华东区迫切需要采取措施调整区域产业结构;西南区亟需加大资本技术的引进力度,以解决不同区域经济发展中的资本技术聚集与区域产业结构的不协调问题。从与2003年的对比来看,2007年社会负担出现南方转移到北方的倾向,而且除东北地区外其他地区的资源品质和数量与技术水平的改善状况与社会发展需求不相协调,致使六大区的社会代谢状况略显异常。     

Studies on nest construction and nest microclimate of the Baya weaver, Ploceus philippinus (Linn.)

The nest construction pattern at different stages of nest and variations in the nest microclimate, i.e., temperature and light intensity were assessed in different nests of Baya weaver (Ploceus philippinus) between November 2002 and March 2003 in Nagapattinam and Tiruvarur District of Tamil Nadu, India. The Baya weaver constructed nests in palm (Borassus flabellifer), coconut (Cocos nucifera) and date palm trees (Phoneix psuilla) and majority of the nests were found in the solitary palm. The male bird only involved in the construction and took 18 days to construct a single nest. The birds spent different amount of working hours (in terms of days) for completing various stages of nests viz., wad, ring and helmet stage and in which the 'helmet stage took a maximum of eight days. Furthermore, totally eight active nests were selected and once in a week the variations in the nest microclimate was investigated with reference to atmospheric temperature and light intensity (two active nests) across day throughout the study period. The mean temperature of the nests ranged from 25 degrees C to 29 degrees C and light intensity varied between 25 Lux and 625 Lux. The analysis of variance (ANOVA and ANCOVA) indicated that the nest microclimate varied among the nests in different hr of a day     

Studies on the lipid metabolism of some oceanic crustaceans

Mid-water, oceanic crustaceans were either fed food labelled with (¹⁴C) palmitic acid under controlled conditions, or injected directly with (¹⁴C) palmitic acid. Lipid classes and their constituent fatty acids and fatty alcohols were subsequently separated and assayed for radioactivity. Significant levels of radioactivity were present in the 16:0¹ alcohols and 18:1 acids of wax esters, and in the 16:0/16:1, 18:0/18:1, 20:5 and 22:6 acids of both triglycerides and phospholipids. It was concluded that these crustaceans were capable of biosynthesis of wax esters and higher polyunsaturated fatty acids.     

水分胁迫下不同油松种源SOD、POD、MDA及可溶性蛋白比较研究

采用盆栽控水试验方法,设置正常水分（T1,田间持水量的70%~80%）、轻度胁迫（T2,田间持水量的50%~60%）和严重胁迫（T3,田间持水量的30%~40%）3个水分梯度,对6个油松Pinus tabulaeformis Carr.种源幼苗（陕西洛南LN,陕西桥山QO,山西灵空山LK,山西芦芽山LY,河北雾灵山WL和辽宁千山QN）的保护酶参数进行了分析。结果表明,在T3下,各种源的可溶性蛋白质含量、超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）活性、过氧化物酶（POD）活性和丙二醛（MDA）含量差异均极显著（P〈0.01）;LK种源的可溶性蛋白质含量显著高于其它种源,种源LK、WL和LN依靠提高可溶性蛋白质含量来调节细胞渗透势以抵抗干旱胁迫的能力较强;种源QN和QO的SOD活性达到最大,它们通过增加SOD活性来清除O2.-用以抵抗膜脂过氧化的能力较强。整个水分处理过程中,种源LN和LY的POD活性均较高,而QN的POD活性较低,LN和LY通过增加POD活性分解H2O2对细胞破坏的能力较强;各油松种源的膜脂质过氧化程度在T3下均有所降低。     

The role of the queen in circadian rhythms of honeybees (Apis mellifera L.)

Summary Colonies and smaller social groups of honeybees (Apis mellifera carnica L.) show distinct free-running circadian rhythms similar to that of individual organisms. The workers of a colony synchronize their individual rhythms to one overall group rhythm. Caste plays an important role in this synchronization process. Queens were introduced into worker groups which were entrained to a phase-shifted light/dark cycle. The introduction of the queen caused a shift in the free-running phase under constant dark conditions. Single introduced workers had no effect on the free-running rhythms. This indicates that the queen plays an important role in the synchronization of circadian rhythms of honeybee colonies.     

Marine-derived nutrients, bioturbation, and ecosystem metabolism: reconsidering the role of salmon in streams

In coastal areas of the North Pacific Ocean, annual returns of spawning salmon provide a substantial influx of nutrients and organic matter to streams and are generally believed to enhance the productivity of recipient ecosystems. Loss of this subsidy from areas with diminished salmon runs has been hypothesized to limit ecosystem productivity in juvenile salmon rearing habitats (lakes and streams), thereby reinforcing population declines. Using five to seven years of data from an Alaskan stream supporting moderate salmon densities, we show that salmon predictably increased stream water nutrient concentrations, which were on average 190% (nitrogen) and 390% (phosphorus) pre-salmon values, and that primary producers incorporated some of these nutrients into tissues. However, benthic algal biomass declined by an order of magnitude despite increased nutrients. We also measured changes in stream ecosystem metabolic properties, including gross primary productivity (GPP) and ecosystem respiration (ER), from three salmon streams by analyzing diel measurements of oxygen concentrations and stable isotopic ratios (delta O-O2) within a Bayesian statistical model of oxygen dynamics. Our results do not support a shift toward higher primary productivity with the return of salmon, as is expected from a nutrient fertilization mechanism. Rather, net ecosystem metabolism switched from approximately net autotrophic (GPP > or = ER) to a strongly net heterotrophic state (GPP < ER) in response to bioturbation of benthic habitats by salmon. Following the seasonal arrival of salmon, GPP declined to <12% of pre-salmon rates, while ER increased by over threefold. Metabolism by live salmon could not account for the observed increase in ER early in the salmon run, suggesting salmon nutrients and disturbance enhanced in situ heterotrophic respiration. Salmon also changed the physical properties of the stream, increasing air-water gas exchange by nearly 10-fold during peak spawning. We suggest that management efforts to restore salmon ecosystems should consider effects on ecosystem metabolic properties and how salmon disturbance affects the incorporation of marine-derived nutrients into food webs.     

生长调节剂对春玉米氮素代谢关键酶活性的影响

采用大田小区试验,通过新型植物生长调节剂处理春玉米,研究了生长调节剂对玉米氮素代谢关键酶活性的影响,结果表明,喷施不同配方的生长调节剂能明显提高春玉米氮代谢过程中关键酶的活性。在生长调节剂PGR2处理下,玉米功能叶片中硝酸还原酶(NR)活性比对照提高了109.3%～138.3%,其它处理下硝酸还原酶活性也有不同程度的提高;无论在玉米功能叶片还是籽粒中,谷氨酰胺合成酶(GS)和谷氨酰胺转化酶活性在测定的各时期均高于对照;功能叶片中蛋白水解酶活性也均高于对照。在所有处理中,以PGR2处理效果最佳。     

双酚A和壬基酚对河蚬呼吸代谢和抗氧化酶活性的影响

为了研究双酚A（Bisphenol A,BPA）和壬基酚（Nonylphenol,NP）对河蚬（Corbicula fluminea）呼吸代谢能力和抗氧化酶活性的影响,探讨BPA和NP对河蚬的毒性作用。以河蚬为受试生物,采用半静态染毒法,研究了BPA和NP对河蚬的单一毒性等级、联合毒性作用类型和对河蚬耗氧率、排氨率以及抗氧化酶系统中SOD、CAT活性的影响。结果显示：① BPA、NP对河蚬的半致死质量浓度（96 h-LC50）分别为6.34和1.09 mg＆#183;L-1,毒性顺序为NP＞BPA,二者均为高毒物质;② BPA-NP对河蚬毒性作用类型为协同作用;③亚急性毒性指标耗氧率、排氨率以及超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）、过氧化氢酶（CAT）对BPA、NP及二者混合物均比较敏感,在本试验的质量浓度范围内（BPA：0.63、0.79、1.59、3.17 mg＆#183;L-1;NP：0.109、0.136、0.271、0.542 mg＆#183;L-1;BPA＋NP：（0.0782＋0.029）、（0.0978＋0.0363）、（0.196＋0.0725）、（0.391＋0.145） mg＆#183;L-1）,河蚬耗氧率、排氨率以及两种酶活性变化均呈现先下降后上升再下降的趋势,其中在BPA、NP和二者混合物的质量浓度较低时,河蚬的耗氧率和排氨率、SOD和CAT活性只有微小降低,随着质量浓度的升高,河蚬耗氧率和排氨率、两个酶活性相对均有所升高,而在质量浓度极高时其耗氧率和排氨率以及两个酶活性才又受到显著性或极显著性的抑制。实验结果显示河蚬耗氧率、排氨率和SOD、CAT活性对水体中酚类内分泌干扰物反应敏感,具有较好的一致性和规律性,耗氧率、排氨率和SOD、CAT活性与其他敏感性指标一起可以作为酚类内分泌干扰物污染的一项早期监测指标。     

Studies on the insecticidal activity,cytogenecity and metabolism of fatty acid rich fraction of Hydnocarpus laurifolia

The fatty acid rich fraction obtained from the petroleum ether extractable portion of Hydnocarpus laurifolia (PHL) seeds exhibited significant insecticidal action on rice bug, Leptocorisa acuta (LC₅₀ 8?mg/mL). Analysis of the fatty acid content of PHL by GC/MS showed that it contained chaulmoogric acid, hydnocarpic acid, gorlic acid, lignoceric acid, palmitic acid, oleic acid and stearic acid. Among these fatty acids chaulmoogric acid and hydnocarpic acid were present in highest amount. The PHL showed no genotoxic effect in bone marrow erythrocytes of Swiss mice as compared with methyl methane sulfonate. Metabolism of PHL was evaluated by monitoring the activities of xenobiotic metabolizing enzymes and on comparison with malathion (a synthetic pesticide) revealed that PHL was found to be metabolized and excreted from the body of Sprague-Dawley rats within 72?h of exposure.     

Studies on enzymes associated with calcification of the cuticle of the hermit crab Clibanarius olivaceous

In the anomuran Clibanarius olivaceous Henderson, the cuticle of the cephalic and thoracic regions is calcified, while that of the abdominal region is uncalcified. Histochemical observations have been made on the possible enzymes involved in the process of calcification of cuticle. The calcified regions show the presence of enzymes such as phosphorylase, alkaline phosphatase and carbonic anhydrase. The possible role of phosphorylase in calcification may be production of phosphoric esters, which form the required substrate for alkaline phosphatase. The latter appear to be associated with the production of phosphate ions from phosphoric esters. The carbonic anhydrase may be associated with the production of carbonate ions. The suggestion that these enzymes are involved in the process of calcification is further supported by experimental evidence of inhibition of the action of enzymes by enzyme inhibitors. The inhibition of enzymes leads to reduction in the amount of calcium added to the cuticle.This paper formed part of a thesis approved for the award of Ph. D. degree of the University of Madras.     

镉胁迫对龙葵幼苗氮代谢及其相关酶活性的影响

采用营养液培养方法,研究了系列镉浓度处理对龙葵（Solanum nigrumL）幼苗氮代谢的影响。结果表明：龙葵根系可溶性蛋白质较叶片受Cd影响更大。龙葵植株叶片和根系NO3--N含量、硝酸还原酶（NR）、谷氨酰胺合成酶（GS）活性均随镉浓度提高而先增后降,且随处理时间的延长而逐渐下降。叶片NO3--N含量和NR活性均在25μm镉处理8d后达到峰值,而根系NO3--N则在50μm镉处理8d后最高。叶片NO3--N含量受镉处理影响较根系稍大。然而,龙葵叶片中NH4＋-N含量随镉浓度升高和时间延长逐渐升高,100μm镉处理16d后最高,表明镉胁迫下龙葵叶片铵态氮富集效应明显。龙葵叶片和根系中谷氨酸脱氢酶（GDH）活性随镉处理浓度提高和处理时间延长而逐渐升高,100μm镉处理16d后达到峰值。     

Effect of cadmium on germination, coleoptile and root growth of barley seeds in the presence of gibberellic acid and kinetin

Effect of cadmium on barley seeds treated with kinetin and gibberellic acid was investigated. As usual, cadmium has inhibited seed germination, and showed important inhibitory effects on roots and coleoptile growth after germination. In general, increase in cadmium concentration caused a greater inhibition of germination, root and coleoptile growth. The adverse effect of cadmium on root and coleoptile growth was more pronounced than that on germination. While testa was pierced by radicle (an indication of germination), no root or coleoptile development was observed above at concentration of 3-9.5 mM CdCl2xH2O. Low concentrations of cadmium have inhibited the root growth more than it did on coleoptile growth. Treatment of seeds with gibberellic acid and kinetin did not show any significant difference on the effect of cadmium in germination. However, inhibition of coleoptile elongation by cadmium has decreased a very much after kinetin application. The same result, although with lower rates when compared to kinetin, has been obtained for GA3 as well. In addition, the inhibitory effect of cadmium on root growth increased even more after kinetin application. The results have been found statistically significant through the least significant different (LSD) test at levels ofp < 0.05 and p < 0.01.     

Sex pheromone of the tea aphid,Toxoptera aurantii (Boyer de Fonscolombe) (Hemiptera: Aphididae)

The tea aphid, Toxoptera aurantii, also called the “black citrus aphid”, is one of the most destructive insect pests in commercial tea plantations and gardens in southern China. In autumn, declining day length triggers production of winged T. aurantii sexuparae, which produce both winged males and wingless oviparae. Oviparous females then release sex pheromone that attracts potential mates. GC–MS analysis of volatile headspace extracts of T. aurantii oviparae revealed that they emit (4aS,7S,7aR)-nepetalactone (I) and (1R,4aS,7S,7aR)-nepetalactol (II) in a ratio of 4.3–4.9:1. Field-trapping experiments with synthetic I and II singly or as two-component blends of different doses and ratios showed significant attraction of T. aurantii males, as well as weak attraction of sexuparae. Identification of the T. aurantii sex pheromone provides a new opportunity for developing a pheromone-based monitoring and management strategy for the sexual phase of tea aphids and, possibly, the alate sexparous generation in late summer and fall.     

Permanence of Euscorpius carpathicus (L.) larvae on the mother's back (Scorpiones,Chatidae)

Summary The tendency of Euscorpius carpathicus larvae to remain on immobilized live or dried scorpions of the same or different species (Euscorpius flavicaudis) has been tested. Dried scorpions are less attractive than live ones, which are equally attractive regardless of species, sex or reproductive phase. The larvae find old (one year) dried specimens less attractive than freshly or recently (15 days) killed females, which are equally as attractive as live mothers (Table 1). A substratum treated with a chloroform extract of the mother's cuticle is consistently preferred by the larvae. The maternal behaviour (tolerating the larvae on the back) usually disappears about a week after the moult of the larvae, but it can be protracted if they are continually replaced by younger larvae (Table 2). The survival rate of larvae on live mothers is higher than on dried specimens.     

Larval biology of six species of the genus Conus (Gastropoda: Toxoglossa) in Hawaii,USA

Among the Hawaiian species in the genus Conus, larval life histories range from long-term planktotrophy to nonpelagic lecithotrophy. Prehatching developmental time, hatching size, pelagic period and total prejuvenile developmental time are all significantly correlated with egg size, while settling size is correlated with none of these larval characteristics. Therefore, larval life history patterns in the genus Conus appear to be determined by 2 sets of selective forces: the first influencing egg size, and the second stipulating settling size. As egg sizes become larger, hatching sizes and prehatching developmental time increase while pelagic periods and total prejuvenile developmental times decrease. Settling size appears to be related to water depth, but food requirements of newly metamorphosed juveniles may also be important.     

Feeding, metabolism and growth in the Antarctic limpet, Nacella concinna (Strebel 1908)

Post-prandial increases in metabolism, the specific dynamic action of feeding (SDA), were evaluated in the Antarctic limpet Nacella concinna. O₂ consumption rose to a peak value 2.3 times higher than pre-feeding standard metabolic rates. This peak rise is low for marine ectotherms, but is typical of polar species. There were three peaks in the SDA, the first lasted only for the 1st day, was caused by handling, and was minor. The second was the major peak. It lasted from post-prandial days 4–9 inclusive, and accounted for around 70% of the SDA response. The third peak lasted from day 11 to day 15 and accounted for 30% of the total SDA. A 15-day SDA is much longer than values for temperate species, but is again typical for polar marine ectotherms. NH₃ excretion declined post-prandially from around 0.4 μmol animal⁻¹ h⁻¹ to values between 0.025 and 0.223 μmol animal⁻¹ h⁻¹ throughout the SDA. The total O₂ consumed in the SDA was 90.2 μmol O₂, which converts to 44.7 J of energy. This was 45–50% of the energy consumed in the meal (93.5 J). Pre-feeding O:N ratios, after 26 days without food, were around 1, indicating protein as the sole metabolic substrate prior to initiating the SDA. After feeding, O:N ratios rose to between 2.5 and 19, indicating significant use of lipid or carbohydrate from the food. Experiments were conducted in ambient seawater with enhanced levels of Sr (SrCl added at 800 mg kg⁻¹), and limpets were fed microalgal films also grown in enhanced Sr media. Sr incorporated in the shells during the experiment allowed the measurement of shell increments deposited during the SDA. Between five and eight microgrowth bands were present in the Sr-enhanced increments, which was similar to the number of days in the second SDA peak. The mean shell increment laid down was 17.6 μm. Estimating tissue deposition from measured growth increments and published ash-free dry mass (AFDM) to length relationships produced a value of 0.81 mg AFDM, which converted to 26.4 J of energy, or 25–30% of the energy ingested in the meal. Estimates of growth increments associated with a single SDA have not previously been possible. Overall energy used in the SDA and tissue deposition accounted for 75–80% of the energy ingested; the remainder was probably accounted for by unmeasured costs such as mucus production. Received: 6 June 2000 / Accepted: 20 September 2000     

Study on the gill of field crab,Paratelphusa hydrodromus (Herbst.) exposed to nickel

Paratelphusa hydrodromus (Herbst.) was exposed to 50 ppm nickel chloride solution for a period of 10 days under laboratory conditions. The gills of the treated and non-treated animals were sectioned, stained and examined under a compound microscope and noticed significant changes such as enlargement of gill lamellae, lifting up and rupture of epithelial cells, enlargement of mid rachis, hyperplasia and hypertrophy, appearance of pyknotic nuclei and a general necrosis in the treated gills. Results suggest that a comparatively low concentration of nickel (50 ppm) is enough to elicit pathological changes in Paratelphusa hydrodromus.