氨态氮对菲律宾蛤仔毒理机制研究的内参基因筛选

为了准确和系统地分析NH_3-N对菲律宾蛤仔(Ruditapes philippinarum)毒性的分子机制,并对相关基因的转录组学数据进行验证,利用ge Norm和Normfinder这2种软件,以暴露30 d中不同时间点的鳃组织c DNA为模板,从18S r RNA(18S)、beta-actin(Actin)、beta-tubulin(Tubu)、elongation factor 1-alpha(EF1α)、cyclophilin A(Cy PA)、Ubiquitin(Ub)等6个备选管家基因中,筛选可以稳定表达的内参基因,作为转录组学分析的内参基因。以稀释50倍的鳃组织c DNA模板作为检测模板,ge Norm软件分析获得6对备选内参基因的表达稳定性依次为:EF1αCy PAActinTubuUb18S,较优内参为EF1α和Cy PA;Norm Finder软件分析获得6对备选内参基因的表达稳定性为:EF1αActinTubuCy PAUb18S,最优内参基因为EF1α。为了验证上述筛选结果,分别以EF1α和Cy PA作为内参基因研究unigene1的表达趋势,发现以EF1α为内参基因时,unigene1的q RT-PCR的表达趋势与其转录组表达倍数的变化趋势一致。因此确定NH_3-N暴露菲律宾蛤仔后,鳃组织中表达最为稳定的内参基因为EF1α。     

不同光质条件下刺葡萄红色愈伤组织的RT-qPCR内参基因筛选

不同光质对刺葡萄红色愈伤组织(DLR)花青素的积累以及细胞生长具有重要影响.利用RT-qPCR进行不同光质培养的刺葡萄红色愈伤组织功能基因的表达分析,筛选适用于不同光质下RT-qPCR分析的内参基因.以9种光质(黑暗、白光、红光、黄光、蓝光、绿光、紫光、暖白光、暖黄光)下培养获得的刺葡萄红色愈伤组织为材料,对10个葡萄中常用的内参基因进行RT-qPCR分析.结果显示,geNorm、Normfinder、BestKeeper等3个内参分析软件因算法不同,内参稳定性排名具有一定差异. ge Norm评估排名前5的内参基因为α-Tubulin=AP-2 60SRP EF1-α UBQ;Normfinder计算排名前5的内参为60SRP AP-2α-Tubulin EF1-α GAPDH;BestKeeper分析的前5个基因依次为UBQα-Tubulin 60SRP EF1-α SAND.α-Tubulin、60SRP在3个软件评估中排名最为稳定靠前,NAD5则为最不稳定候选内参基因.拟定α-Tubulin、60SRP为最适内参,对目的基因UFGT进行验证,验证结果显示α-Tubulin、60SRP表达趋势相似,具有较高的稳定性,其组合可获得较为精准的表达分析结果.本研究结果可为后续光质处理刺葡萄红色愈伤组织的基因表达研究提供理论基础.(图5表2参39)     

微塑料对双齿围沙蚕生理代谢的影响研究

为探讨微塑料对双齿围沙蚕生理代谢的影响,本文研究了聚丙烯(PP)、聚酰胺(PA)和聚氯乙烯(PVC)3种微塑料在不同浓度(0.1％、1％和5％)和暴露时间下对双齿围沙蚕体内过氧化氢酶(CAT)、乙酰胆碱酯酶(AchE)活性以及代谢指标排氨率和呼吸速率的影响.结果表明,随微塑料浓度的升高,双齿围沙蚕体内CAT活性显著提升,5％浓度下双齿围沙蚕体内CAT活性最高;PVC对双齿围沙蚕体内AchE活性表现为低浓度(0.1％)抑制、高浓度(5％)促进的作用;PP和PA在不同浓度下对双齿围沙蚕体内AchE酶活性均表现为促进作用;随着微塑料浓度的升高,双齿围沙蚕的排氨率和呼吸速率显著升高(P<0.05).综上,微塑料在高浓度条件下,在一定时间内可以对双齿围沙蚕产生氧化胁迫作用,并一定程度上影响其排氨率和呼吸速率.     

双齿围沙蚕对芘的生物可利用性研究

为近海岸沉积质中PAHs的生态风险评价及其污染生境的修复提供理论依据,以双齿围沙蚕为研究对象,以芘为暴露污染物,开展双齿围沙蚕对芘的生物可利用性研究,分别考察了芘对双齿围沙蚕抗氧化酶活性的影响以及芘在双齿围沙蚕体内的生物富集特征。结果表明,双齿围沙蚕SOD、CAT和GSH-PX活性均随诱导时间的增加而升高,且SOD活性随芘浓度的增加出现显著性抑制,CAT和GSH-PX活性则随芘浓度的增加出现显著性升高。芘在双齿围沙蚕体内的生物富集特征如下:双齿围沙蚕体内芘的蓄积量随暴露浓度的增加而增加,各处理组双齿围沙蚕体内芘的蓄积量随时间的变化均呈类凸形的二次曲线关系,在第10天达到蓄积的最大值,最大蓄积量依次为(6.18±0.62)mg·kg~(-1)、(12.37±1.23)mg·kg~(-1)和(24.76±1.51)mg·kg~(-1)。生物富集系数BCF随芘浓度的增加而减小,分别为0.0692、0.0684和0.0674。上述研究结果表明,在一定浓度范围内,双齿围沙蚕抗氧化酶活性对芘的暴露具有很好的指示作用;此外,在短期内,双齿围沙蚕对芘具有明显的富集效应。     

亚硝态氮胁迫下菲律宾蛤仔实时定量P CR内参基因的筛选

为了更好地从基因角度研究亚硝态氮对贝类的生态毒性,需要筛选一个合适的内参基因作为参考,对其毒性相关基因进行定量表达分析。本研究以菲律宾蛤仔(Ruditapes philippinarum)作为研究对象,以亚硝态氮胁迫的鳃组织cDNA作为模板,利用geNorm软件和NormFinder软件对6个候选内参基因进行表达稳定性分析,并对2个结果做了综合赋权分析。结果显示,geNorm分析的基因表达稳定性结果为ActinCyPAEF1αUbi18STubu,NormFinder软件分析的结果为ActinUbiCyPAEF1α18STubu,最后经加权赋值法综合分析获得6个候选基因的表达稳定性为ActinCyPAUbiEF1α18STubu,即Actin为表达最稳定的基因。因此,Actin可以作为衡量亚硝态氮胁迫后菲律宾蛤仔鳃组织中基因表达的内参基因。     

PFOS对多齿围沙蚕CYPs、GST基因转录及酶活性的毒性效应

多毛类沙蚕已经广泛应用于海洋环境污染的生物监测,但其对新型持久性有机污染物全氟辛烷磺酰基化合物PFOS的毒理学研究尚无报道。本研究以潮间带优势种多齿围沙蚕(Perinereis nuntia)为研究对象,以细胞色素P450(CYP)、谷胱甘肽硫转移酶(GST)的基因和酶作为联合指标,研究了在PFOS亚致死浓度(4、8、16 mg·L-1)暴露第1、4、7、14天及净水恢复5 d后多齿围沙蚕CYP431A1、CYP424A1基因转录水平和EROD酶活性、GST omega基因转录水平和GST酶活性的响应情况。结果表明,PFOS暴露对EROD的抑制具有明显的时间-效应关系;CYP2系成员CYP431A1基因转录水平对PFOS的响应具有良好的剂量-效应关系并在胁迫第14天表现出最高的可诱导性;CYP4系基因CYP424A1的转录在4、8 mg·L-1处理组中与PFOS暴露时间正相关。II相解毒系统成员GST酶活和GST omega基因的响应均表现出随着PFOS胁迫时间的延长先下降,后上升的规律;多齿围沙蚕在高强度PFOS胁迫下仍可加速新陈代谢,表现出对PFOS的耐受性;净水恢复阶段,各指标都有向对照组水平恢复的趋势。总之,基因和蛋白的响应表明CYPs和GST在多齿围沙蚕PFOS新陈代谢中发挥重要作用,这些基因和酶具有作为生物标志物监测海洋潮间带PFOS污染效应的潜力。     

重金属Cr(VI)、Pb及Cu胁迫对双齿围沙蚕体腔细胞的DNA损伤

为探讨重金属Cr(VI)、Pb以及Cu对沙蚕体腔细胞DNA的毒性效应,以双齿围沙蚕为受试动物,重金属按不同剂量水平,Cr(VI):10、100和200 mg·L~(-1),Pb:5、50和100 mg·L~(-1),Cu:1、10和20 mg·L~(-1),分别胁迫沙蚕24 h,以不加任何重金属离子的海水为对照,采用单细胞凝胶电泳技术,检测其体腔细胞DNA损伤程度。结果表明,与空白对照组相比,3种重金属离子的各浓度组都能引起沙蚕体腔细胞DNA损伤,且3种重金属胁迫浓度与细胞DNA损伤程度之间存在显著的剂量-效应关系。双齿围沙蚕可以作为单细胞凝胶电泳的实验材料用于重金属所致环境污染的生物监测指示生物。     

重金属Cr(Ⅵ)、Pb及Cu胁迫对双齿围沙蚕体腔细胞的DNA损伤

为探讨重金属Cr(Ⅵ)、Pb以及Cu对沙蚕体腔细胞DNA的毒性效应,以双齿围沙蚕为受试动物,重金属按不同剂量水平,Cr(Ⅵ):10、100和200 mg· L-1,Pb:5、50和100 mg·L-1,Cu:1、10和20 mg· L-1,分别胁迫沙蚕24 h,以不加任何重金属离子的海水为对照,采用单细胞凝胶电泳技术,检测其体腔细胞DNA损伤程度.结果表明,与空白对照组相比,3种重金属离子的各浓度组都能引起沙蚕体腔细胞DNA损伤,且3种重金属胁迫浓度与细胞DNA损伤程度之间存在显著的剂量-效应关系.双齿围沙蚕可以作为单细胞凝胶电泳的实验材料用于重金属所致环境污染的生物监测指示生物.     

栉孔扇贝内参基因稳定性研究

合适的内参基因对准确定量目标基因表达水平非常重要。利用实时定量聚合酶链式反应(RT-qPCR)分析了不同发育阶段和雌激素暴露条件下栉孔扇贝性腺组织中β-actin、β-TUB、EF-lα、18SrRNA和GAPDH5个内参基因的表达水平,并利用RefFinder软件对其表达稳定性进行了分析。结果表明:在所考察的内参基因中,EF-lα在栉孔扇贝不同发育阶段和雌激素暴露下的表达均最为稳定,可作为定量目标基因表达水平的内参基因之一。     

生物扰动作用对河口沉积物中荧蒽去除的影响

通过室内微宇宙实验系统研究了天津厚蟹(Helice tientsinensis)和双齿围沙蚕(Perinereis aibuhitensis)生物扰动作用下河口沉积物中荧蒽的去除情况。实验结果显示,天津厚蟹扰动组中荧蒽的去除率显著高于沙蚕扰动组(P=0.05)和对照组(P=0.003),其中对表层(0~2 cm)和中层(3~5 cm)的促进效果最为显著;虽然各实验组表层沉积物中荧蒽的去除率均超过50%,但扰动组的去除更快,在36 d时就达最高去除率68%;双齿围沙蚕扰动组底层沉积物中荧蒽的去除率高于厚蟹扰动组和对照组,但差异不显著。研究表明表层沉积物中的荧蒽易去除,厚蟹生物扰动对荧蒽去除有显著促进作用;在距离表层5cm以下的沉积物中荧蒽的持久性增强,但生物扰动作用可促进其去除。     

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.     

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.     

淡水双壳类背角无齿蚌AwHSP70基因克隆及多溴联苯醚-47对其表达的影响

热休克蛋白(HSP)参与蛋白质折叠、细胞膜转位和错误折叠蛋白质降解等过程,提高动物对环境的应激能力和适应能力。前期研究表明,多溴联苯醚-47(PBDE-47)对背角无齿蚌具有显著的氧化应激和急性毒性效应,为探讨PBDE-47慢性毒性效应;将背角无齿蚌随机分为对照组和PBDE-47处理组,处理组用3.36μg·L~(-1)浓度的PBDE-47进行处理,对照组用相同体积的二甲亚砜进行处理;克隆出AwHSP70基因,分析PBDE-47对AwHSP70表达的影响。结果显示,AwHSP70具有HSP70家族的标签序列,广泛分布于斧足、鳃、肝胰脏、闭壳肌、心脏、血淋巴和外套膜。PBDE-47处理可导致肝胰脏、鳃和血细胞中AwHSP70 mRNA水平显著升高。与对照组相比,PBDE-47处理组肝胰脏中AwHSP70 mRNA水平在1～15 d内增加2. 79倍(P<0.01)以上;鳃中AwHSP70 mRNA水平增加3.06倍(P<0.01)以上;血淋巴中AwHSP70表达增加1.81倍(P<0.05)以上。背角无齿蚌上调AwHSP70表达有助于增强动物对PBDE-47的耐受能力。     

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.     

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.     

2种烷基多环芳烃对仿刺参CYP450和p53基因表达的影响研究

海洋环境中多环芳烃类(PAHs)主要来源于海洋溢油事故以及沿海石油化工企业的废水排放,国内外大量研究发现海洋中的多环芳烃对海洋生物造成了潜在的生态风险。为了揭示不同浓度多环芳烃类污染物对海参的生态毒理效应,将仿刺参(Apostichopus japonicus)分别暴露于不同浓度的2种烷基多环芳烃3-甲基菲(5、10、100μg·L~(-1))和2-甲基蒽(5、10、50μg·L~(-1))中,检测暴露3 d、7 d和14 d后,3-甲基菲和2-甲基蒽胁迫下仿刺参CYP450和p53基因的相对表达量。结果表明,3-甲基菲和2-甲基蒽胁迫下,仿刺参CYP450和p53基因的表达均对毒物产生了不同程度的响应。与对照组相比,3-甲基菲各处理组对仿刺参CYP450和p53基因的表达均产生显著的抑制作用(P0.05); 2-甲基蒽各处理组对仿刺参CYP450和p53基因的表达影响作用不同,暴露7 d后,2-甲基蒽各处理组对仿刺参CYP450基因的表达表现出抑制作用,对p53基因的表达表现出诱导作用。相同浓度与时间胁迫下,2-甲基蒽对仿刺参CYP450和p53基因表达的影响比3-甲基菲的影响大。上述研究结果表明,3-甲基菲和2-甲基蒽均可不同程度影响仿刺参CYP450和p53基因的表达,且与3-甲基菲相比,2-甲基蒽对仿刺参CYP450和p53基因表达的影响较明显。上述结果为多环芳烃类污染物对仿刺参的生物毒性评价提供了基础数据。     

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.