Expression pattern of Cubitus interruptus from the mulberry silkworm Bombyx mori in late developmental stages

A partial genomic clone of Bombyx mori homologue of the segment polarity gene Cubitus interruptus (BmCi), encoding the conserved zinc finger domain and harbouring two introns, has been characterized. BmCi was expressed in the silkglands of B. mori from embryonic to the late larval stages(3rd, 4th and 5th intermoults). The expression was confined to the anterior region of the middle silkglands, overlapping with the domain of sericin-2 expression and excluding the domains of Bm invected expression, namely the middle and posterior regions of the middle silkglands. In the wing discs, the expression was restricted to the anterior compartment, which increased from 4th to 5th larval intermoults and declined later in the pupal wing buds. In gonadal tissues (both ovaries and testes) BmCi was expressed from the larval to pupal stages. The transcripts were localized to the sperm tubes containing spermatogonia in the testis of Bombyx larvae. BmCi expression, however, was not detected in any of these tissues during the moulting stages. Expression of Ci in the wing discs and gonads is evolutionarily conserved, while the silkgland represents a novel domain. Our results imply that BmCi is involved in the specification and maintenance of micro-compartment identity within the middle silkglands.

Nature's Swiss Army Knives: Ovipositor Structure Mirrors Ecology in a Multitrophic Fig Wasp Community

Background: Resource partitioning is facilitated by adaptations along niche dimensions that range from morphology to behaviour. The exploitation of hidden resources may require specially adapted morphological or sensory tools for resource location and utilisation. Differences in tool diversity and complexity can determine not only how many species can utilize these hidden resources but also how they do so. Methodology and Principal Findings: The sclerotisation, gross morphology and ultrastructure of the ovipositors of a seven-member community of parasitic wasps comprising of gallers and parasitoids developing within the globular syconia (closed inflorescences) of Ficus racemosa (Moraceae) was investigated. These wasps also differ in their parasitism mode (external versus internal oviposition) and their timing of oviposition into the expanding syconium during its development. The number and diversity of sensilla, as well as ovipositor teeth, increased from internally ovipositing to externally ovipositing species and from gallers to parasitoids. The extent of sclerotisation of the ovipositor tip matched the force required to penetrate the syconium at the time of oviposition of each species. The internally ovipositing pollinator had only one type of sensillum and a single notch on the ovipositor tip. Externally ovipositing species had multiple sensilla types and teeth on their ovipositors. Chemosensilla were most concentrated at ovipositor tips while mechanoreceptors were more widely distributed, facilitating the precise location of hidden hosts in these wasps which lack larval host-seeking behaviour. Ovipositor traits of one parasitoid differed from those of its syntopic galler congeners and clustered with those of parasitoids within a different wasp subfamily. Thus ovipositor tools can show lability based on adaptive necessity, and are not constrained by phylogeny. Conclusions/Significance: Ovipositor structure mirrored the increasingly complex trophic ecology and requirements for host accessibility in this parasite community. Ovipositor structure could be a useful surrogate for predicting the biology of parasites in other communities.

Chronicle of Marine Diatom Culturing Techniques

Diatoms are regarded as useful neutral lipid sources, as liquid fuel precursors, as foods for marine culture of zooplankters, larval and post-larval shrimp, copepods, juvenile oysters and as micromachines in nanotechnology. Combining microscopic observation with in situ culturing has been useful in areas of taxonomy, ecology, biomonitoring, biotechnology, etc. This communication reviews various culturing techniques of marine diatoms with the relative merits.

A meta-analysis of the traits affecting dispersal ability in butterflies: can wingspan be used as a proxy?

1. Dispersal ability of a species is a key ecological characteristic, affecting a range of processes from adaptation, community dynamics and genetic structure, to distribution and range size. It is determined by both intrinsic species traits and extrinsic landscape-related properties. 2. Using butterflies as a model system, the following questions were addressed: (i) given similar extrinsic factors, which intrinsic species trait(s) explain dispersal ability? (ii) can one of these traits be used as a proxy for dispersal ability? (iii) the effect of interactions between the traits, and phylogenetic relatedness, on dispersal ability. 3. Four data sets, using different measures of dispersal, were compiled from published literature. The first data set uses mean dispersal distances from capture-mark-recapture studies, and the other three use mobility indices. Data for six traits that can potentially affect dispersal ability were collected: wingspan, larval host plant specificity, adult habitat specificity, mate location strategy, voltinism and flight period duration. Each data set was subjected to both unifactorial, and multifactorial, phylogenetically controlled analyses. 4. Among the factors considered, wingspan was the most important determinant of dispersal ability, although the predictive powers of regression models were low. Voltinism and flight period duration also affect dispersal ability, especially in case of temperate species. Interactions between the factors did not affect dispersal ability, and phylogenetic relatedness was significant in one data set. 5. While using wingspan as the only proxy for dispersal ability maybe problematic, it is usually the only easily accessible species-specific trait for a large number of species. It can thus be a satisfactory proxy when carefully interpreted, especially for analyses involving many species from all across the world.

Monograph on Essentials in Limnology and GIS

Aquatic ecosystems are dynamic and depend on various interdependent and inter-related factors that are vital for their existence and in maintaining the ecological balance. Various anthropogenic activities have impaired ecological conditions in many ecosystems. This monograph gives an account of the essentials in limnology, which helps in understanding the nature and extent of the problems and also provides an insight into the use of Geographic Information System as an effective tool for resource inventorying, monitoring and management. The monograph consists of four chapters, and the first one gives an overall view of the inland aquatic bodies as complex ecological systems. It begins with the formation of lakes, and the various physical, chemical and biological factors that determine these ecosystems. The physical factors covered include morphometry, density, light, etc., and the lake chemistry determined by various anions and cations are discussed in detail. The biological parameters include phytoplankton, zooplankton, waterfowl and fish communities that play an important role in freshwater biodiversity, and are presented with diagrams for easy understanding. The monograph gives an in depth view of the lake zones, productivity, and seasonal changes in the lake community with various energy relationships. The concept of food chain and food web in an aquatic ecosystem is also presented with illustrations. Lastly, the various anthropogenic activities that have deteriorated the quality of water are listed with the restoration strategies.

Function of the Dufour's gland in solitary and social Hymenoptera

The poison gland and Dufour's gland are the two glands associated with the sting apparatus in female Apocrita (Hymenoptera). While the poison gland usually functions as an integral part of the venom delivery system, the Dufour's gland has been found to differ in its function in various hymenopteran groups. Like all exocrine glands, the function of the Dufour's gland is to secrete chemicals, but the nature and function of the secretions varies in different taxa. Functions of the Dufour's gland secretions range from serving as a component of material used in nest building, larval food, and pheromones involved in communicative functions that are important for both solitary and social species. This review summarizes the different functions reported for the Dufour's gland in hymenopterans, illustrating how the Dufour's gland secretions can be adapted to give rise to various functions in response to different challenges posed by the ways of life followed by different taxa. Aspects of development, structure, chemistry and the evolution of different functions are also touched upon briefly.

A Kunitz-type serine protease inhibitor from Butea monosperma seed and its influence on developmental physiology of Helicoverpa armigera

A protease inhibitor from the seeds of Butea monosperma (BmPI) was purified, characterized and studied for its influence on developmental physiology of Helicover-pa armigera. BmPI on two-dimensional separations indicated the presence of a 14 kDa protein with an isoelectric point in the acidic region (pl 5.6). Multiple Sequence Analysis data suggested that the BmPI contains a sequence motif which is conserved in various trypsin and chymotrypsin inhibitors of Kunitz-type. The inhibitor exhibited trypsin inhibitory activity in a broad range of pH (4-10) and temperature (10-80 degrees C). The enzyme kinetic studies revealed BmPI as a competitive inhibitor with a K-i value of 1.2 x 10(-9) M. In vitro studies with BmPI indicated measurable inhibitory activity on total gut proteolytic enzymes of H. armigera (IC(50)2.0 mu g/ml) and bovine trypsin. BmPI supplemented artificial diet caused dose dependent mortality and reduction in growth and weight. The fertility and fecundity of H. armigera, declined whereas the larval-pupal duration of the insect life cycle extended. These detrimental effects on H. armigera suggest the usefulness of BmPl in insect pest management of food crops. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Dinámica de la garrapata (Boophilus microplus) en el municipio de Siuna, Región Autónoma del Atlántico Norte (RAAN)

No existe información sobre el tiempo que requiere la garrapata B. microplus para su desarrollo no parasítico en áreas ganaderas del municipio de Siuna, R.A.A.N. El estudio se realizo en 10 fincas localizadas en tres comunidades pertenecientes al lugar antes mencionado, con temperatura media anual de 26º C; 80% ±5% y 2000 mm de precipitación, se estudiaron las fases no parasíticas de preovopo sición, ovoposición, incubación y supervivencia larval de B. microplus a partir de huevos depositados por teleoginas. Se utilizó un diseño completamente aleatorio (DCA), para lo cual se tomaron 108 animales que se dividieron en tres categorías, 36 vacas en producción Láctea, 36 terneros (as) menores de un año y 36 vacas vacías, a los que se les realizaba recuento de garrapatas cada dos semanas para determinar la carga parasitaria existente en cada visita a la finca. La observación de los cultivos “ in vitro ” se realizó tres veces al día para determinar el desarrollo de las fases de: Preovoposición 2 a 5 días; ovoposición, de 13 a 22 días; incubación de 23 a 33 días; y supervivencia larval de 53 a 96 días. El análisis que se realizó fue descriptivo (AD) el cual determinó que existían diferencias significativas en las fechas de recuento. La máxima capacidad vital larvaria (MCV) observada aisladamente fue de 100 días. Los resultados están correlacionados con los factores en que fue realizado el estudio, esto puede variar al contraponerlo a los factores naturales. En relación a la aplicabilidad del presente estudio para programas de control bioecológico de la garrapata Boophilus microplus , se recomendaría un período de descanso de potreros superior a la MCV como estrategia de manejo sanitario, y la introducción de bovinos resistentes naturalmente a la garrapata, como medida de control racional.

Susceptibilidad relativa de tres especies del género Spodoptera (Lepidoptera: noctuidae) a una cepa del hongo entomopatógeno Nomuraea rileyi (Farlow) Samson

Bioensayos fueron conducidos para determinar la susceptibilidad relativa de larvas del II instar tres especies del género Spodoptera (Frugiperda, exigua y sunia) (Lepidoptera: Noctidae), Se usaron cinco concentraciones (44000, 4400, 440, 44 y4,4 conidias/mm2) de Nomuraea rileyi de la cepa NI-87 aislada de Spodoptera frugiperda. Para calcular una dosis letal media (DL) en cada especie. Además, se calculó el tiempo letal medio para efectos subletales del hongo sobre la duración del estado larval. S frugiperda resulto ser la especie con tendencia a ser más susceptible con una DL50 de 93.29 conidias/mm2 seguida de S exigua con 1918.25 conidias/mm2 y S Sunia con 20042569.5 conidias/mm2. Rangos de mortalidad variaron de 36.9-90% y 31.7-90%,23.8-80% y 23.8-79.9, 43-31.1 y 5.0-26.2% para S. frugiperda, S. exigua, S. sunia para la primera y segunda repetición del bioensayo respectivamente. El TL50 vario de 7.6-16.1 días para S. frugiperda y de 6.5-29.1 días para S. Exigua se encontraron diferentes significativas entre las concentraciones y no entre especies evaluadas: Al evaluar el efecto subletal de N. rileyi se encontró una disminución significativa en el número de días a parar conforme aumento la concentración de conidias de N. rileyi en larvas que sobrevivieron el tratamiento.

Parasitoides de huevos de Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: noctuidae) Dalbulus maidis (Delong y wolcott) (Homoptera: cicadellidae) y Peregrinus maidis (Ashm) (Homoptera: delphacidae) en maíz (Zea mays)

Durante la época seca bajo riego y la época lluviosa de 1988 se llevó a cabo un sondeo de los parasitoides de huevos de spodoptera frugiperda en maíz, en el centro nacional de investigación de granos básicos “Humberto tapia” (depto. De Managua) y en la estación experimental “Raúl González” del valle de sebaco (depto. de Matagalpa). También se hizo una evaluación de la presencia de telenomus remus en alguno de los sitios de liberación de estas especies en el año 1976. En la calera (depto. De Managua), la trinidad (depto. De Estelí), valle de sebaco (depto. De Matagalpa) y camoapa (depto. De Boaco); en 1984 en la cartonera y santa clara (depto. De león). Durante el ciclo de postrera del año 1988 se llevó a cabo un sondeo de los parasitoides de huevos de dalbulus maidis y peregrinus maidis en el centro experimental “ Humberto tapia”, y en una finca en el km 93 y 98 de la carretera león- Chinandega, km 40 de la carretera Managua-león y en san juan de la concepción (depto. De Masaya). En la estación experimental “Humberto tapia” no se encontraron parasitoides de huevos ni parasitoides ovo-larvales de s. frugiperda. en la “Raúl González” tampoco se encontraron parasitoides de huevos sensuestricto de s. frugiperda, pero se detectó la presencia de parasitoide ovo-larval, chelonus insularis en las dos épocas de siembra se comprobó que en el estado fenológico de la planta durante las dos épocas ni la época de siembra influyeron significativamente sobre la tasa de parasitismo de c. insularis dentro y entre las masas de huevos de s. frugiperda ya no se encontró diferencias significativa en el porcentaje de masas de huevos parasitadas 27 días después de germinación (DDG) (45%) y 55 DDG (50%) en la época seca, ni en la lluviosa 26 DDG (20%), 43 DDG (29%) y 57DDG (0%). Tampoco hubo efecto de la época de siembra (seca, 47% y lluviosa, 19%) sobre el porcentaje de masas de huevos parasitadas. En el porcentaje promedio de huevos por masa parasitados a los 27 DDG (19%) y 55 DDG (8%) durante la época seca y la lluviosa 26 DDG (18%), 43 DDG (9%) y 57 DDG (0%) tampoco se encontró una diferencia significativa. La época (seca 17% y la lluviosa 19%) tampoco influyo sobre el porcentaje promedio de huevos por masas parasitadas. La edad de la masa de huevos de s. frugiperda (5-6 días de edad, 33.33. % y 3-4 días de edad 12.12%) influyo significativamente sobre el porcentaje de masas de huevos parasitadas por c.insulularis el cual afecto las poblaciones de s. frugiperda en la época seca y lluviosa en un 8.35 % y 5.32% respectivamente. Los anteriores resultados más el no aparente establecimiento aparente de t.remus en los sitio donde fue liberado, permiten recomendar la introducción nuevamente de raza especifica de este parasitoide para nuestra condiciones de clima, debiéndose realizar las liberaciones preferiblemente en sitio montañosos y de clima fresco. La presencia de parasitoides de D. maidis fue nula. Las cuatro especies parasíticas de huevos de p.maidis encontradas en esta investigación (anagrus spp, gonatocerus spp, paracentrobia spp y oligosita oophagus), se consideran como un nuevo hallazgo para Nicaragua. Estos resultados insinúan la necesidad de conocer los periodo crítico de infestación de d. maidis en el maíz , para realizar aplicaciones mínima de insecticida con el fin de controlarlo sin afectar las poblaciones de benéficos que atacan a p.maidis, evitando así que este insecto se convierta en una plaga peligrosa para el cultivo de maíz.

Estudio del crecimiento de larvas de Heliothis zea (Boddie) criadas en dieta artificial

En el periodo de los meses Enero-Febrero de 1973, se llevo a cabo el estudio del crecimiento de larvas de Heliothis zea en dieta artificial, en el Laboratorio de Biología de la Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Nicaragua (con sede en el Departamento de Leon). Habiendose antes hecho pruebas preliminares en el Laboratorio de Biología de la Escuela Nacional de Agricultura y Ganadería (con sede en el Departamento de Managua). Los objetivos eran: a) determinar el numero de mudas; b) la duración de su ciclo larval y c) la curva de crecimiento de Heliothis zea. Para ello se trabajo en el Laboratorio, con crianza del insecto, haciendo uso de la dieta artificial de Shorey modificada. Los datos a tomar fueron: a) longitud del cuerpo en mms.; b) tiempo transcurrido al tiempo de la muda; c) largo de capsula cefálica; d) ancho de capsula cefálica. De los resultados obtenidos, se detectaron seis mudas en el desarrollo de su ciclo larval. La duración de su ciclo larval vario desde 13 días hasta 21 días, encontrándose un promedio de 16.07 días como resultado de 28 observaciones que se tomaron. En la duración de su estado pupal se obtuvo un promedio de 10.06 días, resultado obtenido de 18 observaciones los análisis se efectuaron en el Instituto Interamericano de Ciencias Agrícolas, obteniéndose los siguientes resultados: a) A medida que aumentaba la edad de la larva, los periodos entre muda son mas variables. b) Siendo la variación del tiempo y longitud del cuerpo, máxima en la sexta muda. c) Los tamaños de las larvas son bastantes constante durante las dos primeras mudas; y se incrementa la variabilidad en las cuatro ultimas. d) Se logro ajuste a la ecuación logística en promedio de 99.10% y con los parámetros B0, B1, B2, se hizo curvas de crecimiento promedio de larvas de Heliothis zea. e) Análisis de correlación fueron efectuados, para conocer el grado de asociación de las variables largo del cuerpo vs. ancho de capsula cefálicas, no encontrándose correlación alguna.

Biología del Chrysopa sp. en la zona algodonera Nicaragua

Este estudio biológico es el primero realizado en Nicaragua, como aporte al programa de Control de Plagas del Algodón. Para detectar la localización geográfica del Chrysopa spp. en Nicaragua se hicieron un total de 180 visitas en 29 municipios, repartidas proporcionalmente según el área sembrada en el municipio algodonero. Se encontró en un 98.4 por ciento de visitas, presencia de Chrysopa spp. Se observo ademas mayor densidad de poblaciones en los meses de enero, febrero y marzo. La obtención del ciclo biológico se obtuvo criando larvas y adultos de este insecto en vasos entomologicos y jaulas recubiertas de cedazo fino respectivamente. El periodo larval fue de 9.75 días, periodo pupal seis días, imagen o adulto 22 a 23 días y huevo 3.5 días. La acción depredadora de las larvas fue verificada suministrando huevos y larvas de Heliothis sp Provewa sp Ephestia sp y Aphis sp. Se encontró que es muy grande la cantidad de insectos depredados y que potencialmente pueden dar un gran beneficio al agricultor.

PICES-GLOBEC International Program on Climate Change and Carrying Capacity: Report of the 1999 MONITOR and REX Workshops, and the 2000 MODEL Workshop on Lower Trophic Level Modelling

Table of Contents [pdf, 0.11 Mb] Executive Summary [pdf, 0.07 Mb] MODEL Task Team Workshop Report Final Report of the International Workshop to Develop a Prototype Lower Trophic Level Ecosystem Model for Comparison of Different Marine Ecosystems in the North Pacific [pdf, 11.64 Mb] Report of the 1999 MONITOR Task Team Workshop [pdf, 0.32 Mb] Report of the 1999 REX Task Team Workshop Herring and Euphausiid population dynamics Douglas E. Hay and Bruce McCarter Spatial, temporal and life-stage variation in herring diets in British Columbia [pdf, 0.10 Mb] Augustus J. Paul and J. M. Paul Over winter changes in herring from Prince William Sound, Alaska [pdf, 0.08 Mb] N. G. Chupisheva Qualitative texture characteristic of herring (Clupea pallasi pallasi) pre-larvae developed from the natural and artificial spawning-grounds in Severnaya Bay (Peter the Great Bay) [pdf, 0.07 Mb] Gordon A. McFarlane, Richard J. Beamish and Jake SchweigertPacific herring: Common factors have opposite impacts in adjacent ecosystems [pdf, 0.15 Mb] Tokimasa Kobayashi, Keizou Yabuki, Masayoshi Sasaki and Jun-Ichi Kodama Long-term fluctuation of the catch of Pacific herring in Northern Japan [pdf, 0.39 Mb] Jacqueline M. O’Connell Holocene fish remains from Saanich Inlet, British Columbia, Canada [pdf, 0.40 Mb] Elsa R. Ivshina and Irina Y. Bragina On relationship between crustacean zooplankton (Euphausiidae and Copepods) and Sakhalin-Hokkaido herring (Tatar Strait, Sea of Japan) [pdf, 0.14 Mb] Stein Kaartvbeedt Fish predation on krill and krill antipredator behaviour [pdf, 0.08 Mb] Nikolai I. Naumenko Euphausiids and western Bering Sea herring feeding [pdf, 0.07 Mb] David M. Checkley, Jr. Interactions Between Fish and Euphausiids and Potential Relations to Climate and Recruitment [pdf, 0.08 Mb] Vladimir I. Radchenko and Elena P. Dulepova Shall we expect the Korf-Karaginsky herring migrations into the offshore western Bering Sea? [pdf, 0.75 Mb] Young Shil Kang Euphausiids in the Korean waters and its relationship with major fish resources [pdf, 0.29 Mb] William T. Peterson, Leah Feinberg and Julie Keister Ecological Zonation of euphausiids off central Oregon [pdf, 0.11 Mb] Scott M. Rumsey Environmentally forced variability in larval development and stage-structure: Implications for the recruitment of Euphausia pacifica (Hansen) in the Southern California Bight [pdf, 3.26 Mb] Scott M. Rumsey Inverse modelling of developmental parameters in Euphausia pacifica: The relative importance of spawning history and environmental forcing to larval stage-frequency distributions [pdf, 98.79 Mb] Michio J. Kishi, Hitoshi Motono & Kohji Asahi An ecosystem model with zooplankton vertical migration focused on Oyashio region [pdf, 33.32 Mb] PICES-GLOBEC Implementation Panel on Climate Change and Carrying Capacity Program Executive Committee and Task Team List [pdf, 0.05 Mb] (Document pdf contains 142 pages)

Aquaculture Asia, Vol. 11, No. 1, pp.1-36, January - March 2006

*Table of Contents* Research & farming techniques Nursery rearing of Puntius goniotus: A preliminary trial K.N. Mohnta, J.K. Jena & S.N. Mohanty Artemia enrichment and biomass production for larval finfish and shellfish culture A.S. Ninawe Vembanad Lake: A potential spawner bank of the giant freshwater prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii on the southwest coast of India Paramaraj Balamurugan, Pitchaimuthu Mariappan & Chellam Balasundaram Seed production of mud crab Scylla serrata at the Rajiv Gandhi Center for Aquaculture, Tamil Nadu, India Mohamed Shaji, Emilia T. Quinitio, Thampi Samraj, S. Kandan, K. Ganesh, Dinesh Kumar, S. Arulraj, S. Pandiarajan, Shajina Ismail and K. Dhandapan. Sustainable aquaculture Fish wastes in urban and suburban markets of Kolkata: Problems and potentials Kausik Mondal, Anilava Kaviraj & P.K. Mukhopadhyay People in aquaculture Peter Edwards writes on rural aquaculture: Farming carps in leased ponds by groups of poor women in Chandpur, Bangladesh Aquatic animal health Lymphocystis disease and diagnostic methods in China Jing Xing, Xiuzhen Sheng & Wenbin Zhan Asia-Pacific Marine Finfish Aquaculture Network Mesocosm technology advances grouper culture in northern Australia Elizabeth Cox, Peter Fry & Anjanette Johnston

Aquaculture Asia, Vol. 8, No. 2, pp.1-47, April-June 2003

*Table of Contents* Sustainable Aquaculture Peter Edwards writes on rural aquaculture: Peri-urban aquaculture in Kolkata A case of informal shrimp farmers association and its role in sustainable shrimp farming in Tamil Nadu, India M. Kumaran, N. Kalaimani, K. Ponnusamy, V.S. Chandrasekaran, D. Deboral Vimala Diffusion and adoption of shrimp farming technologies M. Kumaran, K. Ponnusamy and N. Kalaimani Farmers as Scientists: Aquaculture education in India - opportunities for global partnership M.C. Nandeesha Information system of fish germplasm resources in China Yang Ningsheng, Ge Chanshui, Ouyang Haiying, Yuan Yongming Status and development needs of freshwater crustacean aquaculture in China Xu Pao Research and Farming Techniques Aquaculture fundamentals: Getting the most out of your feed Part II: The role of macronutrients Simon Wilkinson Fish breeding in captivity - some innovative adaptations of technology by Bengal farmers N.R. Chattopadhyay Scientific guidelines for farmers engaged in freshwater prawn farming in India Vishal Saxena Marine Finfish Section News and publications Status and development of mariculture in Indonesia Ketut Sugama Aquatic Animal Health Use of probiotics in larval rearing of new candidate species Rehana Abidi Advice on aquatic animal health care: Problems in shrimp culture during the wet season (Thai/English languages) Pornlerd Chanratchakool