Genetics of decayed sexual traits in a parasitoid wasp with endosymbiont-induced asexuality.

Trait decay may occur when selective pressures shift, owing to changes in environment or life style, rendering formerly adaptive traits non-functional or even maladaptive. It remains largely unknown if such decay would stem from multiple mutations with small effects or rather involve few loci with major phenotypic effects. Here, we investigate the decay of female sexual traits, and the genetic causes thereof, in a transition from haplodiploid sexual reproduction to endosymbiont-induced asexual reproduction in the parasitoid wasp Asobara japonica. We take advantage of the fact that asexual females cured of their endosymbionts produce sons instead of daughters, and that these sons can be crossed with sexual females. By combining behavioral experiments with crosses designed to introgress alleles from the asexual into the sexual genome, we found that sexual attractiveness, mating, egg fertilization and plastic adjustment of offspring sex ratio (in response to variation in local mate competition) are decayed in asexual A. japonica females. Furthermore, introgression experiments revealed that the propensity for cured asexual females to produce only sons (because of decayed sexual attractiveness, mating behavior and/or egg fertilization) is likely caused by recessive genetic effects at a single locus. Recessive effects were also found to cause decay of plastic sex-ratio adjustment under variable levels of local mate competition. Our results suggest that few recessive mutations drive decay of female sexual traits, at least in asexual species deriving from haplodiploid sexual ancestors.

Bacillus and Serratia species for Scarab control

Few microorganisms are commercially available for use against white grubs (larvae of Scarabaeidae). Entomopathogenic bacteria, particularly Bacillus popilliae, have been used the longest for white grub suppression. Other bacteria, namely B. thuringiensis and Serratia spp. offer promise for future control. This papes examines two genera of bacteria (Bacillus and Serratia) from the historical and current perspective. Bacillus popilliae, the firs microbial control agent registered in the United States, has a long history of use in suppressing populations of the Japanese beetle, Popillia japonica. However, lack of in vitro production and the slow and sporadic nature of its activity, severely limits its utilization. B. thuringiensis, the most widely used microbial pesticide, has not been used for scarab, control. However, strains with scarab activity have recently been discovered. Scarab larvae have been collected in the United States with signs and symptoms similar to those characteristic of amber disease (caused by Serratia entomophila) in the New Zealand grass grub, Costelytra zealandica. A total of 147 bacteria have been obtained from the digestive tracts of larvae of the Japanese beetle and masked chafers, Cyclocephala spp., as well as from larvae and soil collected in Japan and China. Seventy five of these have been identified as Serratia spp. Most (40) of the remaining bacteria are in the genus Enterobacter. A majority of the bacteria (73) and of the Serratia (38) came from P. japonica.

Schistosomiasis control in China

After three decades' efforts, schistosomiasis japonica were controlled in one-third (4/12) of endemic provinces and 68.2 (259/380) of endemic counties throughout the country. The remaining 121 endemic counties are located primarily in the lake and mountainous regions. The epidemiological and ecological features of the lake and mountainous areas are different from the other endemic areas. The major schistosomiasis control efforts in China can be characterized as follows: (1) Application of centralized leadership and management, since schistosomiasis control is a task not only of the Ministry of Public Health, but also of all local governments in the endemic areas; (2) Integration of actions taken by various departments or bureaus, such as agriculture, water conservation and public health; (3) Promotion of mass participation; (4) Organization of strong professional teams; (5) Raising sufficient funds. Strategies on schistosomiasis control applied in different areas are divided into three levels: (1) In the areas where the schistosomiasis has been successfully controlled, surveillance must be maintained and immediate action should be taken where new infections occur and/or vector snails are found, so that control can be reestablished quickly; (2) In the areas where schistosomiasis has been partially controlled, any residents and/or live-stock infected should be examined and treated promptly with due care, and environment modifying and/or mollusciding must be used to eliminate the remaining snails; (3) In the areas where transmission has not been controlled, the main strategy is to control morbidity. Mass or selective chemotherapy with praziquental should be applied to both infected persosns and the live-stock, and environment modification for the snail-ridden areas should be taken but should be coordinated with agriculture where possible. Advance cases must be treated; and epidemics of Katayama fever prevented; water supply and sanitation shoud be improved and health education emphasized. Annual mass or selective chemotherapy with praziquental both reduces the prevalence rate and decreases the intensity of the infection for inhabitants and live-stock. As a consequence of the therapy a low prevalence rate can be obtained in a short time. The length of such arrangement period can be decided in accordance with the prevalence of the infection before the drug program is begun. Therefore,a maintenance phase is urgently needed. As China's ecomony expands and people's living standard rises, schistosomiasis will be controlled more effectively and successfully.

3D seismic facies characterization and geological patterns recognition (Australian North West Shelf)

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY This PhD research, funded by the Swiss Sciences Foundation, is principally devoted to enhance the recognition, the visualisation and the characterization of geobodies through innovative 3D seismic approaches. A series of case studies from the Australian North West Shelf ensures the development of reproducible integrated 3D workflows and gives new insight into local and regional stratigraphic as well as structural issues. This project was initiated in year 2000 at the Geology and Palaeontology Institute of the University of Lausanne (Switzerland). Several collaborations ensured the improvement of technical approaches as well as the assessment of geological models. - Investigations into the Timor Sea structural style were carried out at the Tectonics Special Research Centre of the University of Western Australia and in collaboration with Woodside Energy in Perth. - Seismic analysis and attributes classification approach were initiated with Schlumberger Oilfield Australia in Perth; assessments and enhancements of the integrated seismic approaches benefited from collaborations with scientists from Schlumberger Stavanger Research (Norway). Adapting and refining from "linear" exploration techniques, a conceptual "helical" 3D seismic approach has been developed. In order to investigate specific geological issues this approach, integrating seismic attributes and visualisation tools, has been refined and adjusted leading to the development of two specific workflows: - A stratigraphic workflow focused on the recognition of geobodies and the characterization of depositional systems. Additionally, it can support the modelling of the subsidence and incidentally the constraint of the hydrocarbon maturity of a given area. - A structural workflow used to quickly and accurately define major and secondary fault systems. The integration of the 3D structural interpretation results ensures the analysis of the fault networks kinematics which can affect hydrocarbon trapping mechanisms. The application of these integrated workflows brings new insight into two complex settings on the Australian North West Shelf and ensures the definition of astonishing stratigraphic and structural outcomes. The stratigraphic workflow ensures the 3D characterization of the Late Palaeozoic glacial depositional system on the Mermaid Nose (Dampier Subbasin, Northern Carnarvon Basin) that presents similarities with the glacial facies along the Neotethys margin up to Oman (chapter 3.1). A subsidence model reveals the Phanerozoic geodynamic evolution of this area (chapter 3.2) and emphasizes two distinct mode of regional extension for the Palaeozoic (Neotethys opening) and Mesozoic (abyssal plains opening). The structural workflow is used for the definition of the structural evolution of the Laminaria High area (Bonaparte Basin). Following a regional structural characterization of the Timor Sea (chapter 4.1), a thorough analysis of the Mesozoic fault architecture reveals a local rotation of the stress field and the development of reverse structures (flower structures) in extensional setting, that form potential hydrocarbon traps (chapter 4.2). The definition of the complex Neogene structural architecture associated with the fault kinematic analysis and a plate flexure model (chapter 4.3) suggest that the Miocene to Pleistocene reactivation phases recorded at the Laminaria High most probably result from the oblique normal reactivation of the underlying Mesozoic fault planes. This episode is associated with the deformation of the subducting Australian plate. Based on these results three papers were published in international journals and two additional publications will be submitted. Additionally this research led to several communications in international conferences. Although the different workflows presented in this research have been primarily developed and used for the analysis of specific stratigraphic and structural geobodies on the Australian North West Shelf, similar integrated 3D seismic approaches will have applications to hydrocarbon exploration and production phases; for instance increasing the recognition of potential source rocks, secondary migration pathways, additional traps or reservoir breaching mechanisms. The new elements brought by this research further highlight that 3D seismic data contains a tremendous amount of hidden geological information waiting to be revealed and that will undoubtedly bring new insight into depositional systems, structural evolution and geohistory of the areas reputed being explored and constrained and other yet to be constrained. The further development of 3D texture attributes highlighting specific features of the seismic signal, the integration of quantitative analysis for stratigraphic and structural processes, the automation of the interpretation workflow as well as the formal definition of "seismo-morphologic" characteristics of a wide range of geobodies from various environments would represent challenging examples of continuation of this present research. The 21st century will most probably represent a transition period between fossil and other alternative energies. The next generation of seismic interpreters prospecting for hydrocarbon will undoubtedly face new challenges mostly due to the shortage of obvious and easy targets. They will probably have to keep on integrating techniques and geological processes in order to further capitalise the seismic data for new potentials definition. Imagination and creativity will most certainly be among the most important quality required from such geoscientists.

Efectos del Fenómeno «El Niño» sobre el Fitoplancton

El fenómeno «El Niño» (EN) que se caracteriza por la presencia de aguas de altas temperaturas y salinidades mayores de 35%0 o menos de 34,8%0 , de acuerdo a la masa de agua que ingresa, produce cambios significativos en la comunidad fitoplanctónica tanto en la abundancia, distribución, así como en la composición específica. La biomasa planctónica en la costa peruana normal­ mente es alta, presentando volúmenes promedios ma­ yores de 3 mi m -3, pero cuando se producen alteraciones como el fenómeno EN encontramos los volúmenes promedio bajos, menores que 1 mi m -3 . En cuanto a la distribución, el fitoplancton en épocas normales está constituido principalmente por las diatomeas, las mismas que se distribuyen a lo largo de la costa y en su mayoría hasta las 60 millas, afuera de ella el fitoplancton está representado por los dinotlagela­ dos; mientras que, en épocas consideradas como EN las diatomeas se distribuyen dentro de las 10 millas y los dinotlagelados propios de aguas calientes se acercan generalmente hasta las 10 millas de la costa. La composición del fitoplancton también varía. En años considerados normales la predominancia está dada por diatomeas como : Schroderella delicatula, Thalassionema nitzschioides, Skeletonema costatum, Asterionella japonica y Chaetoceros y los dinotlagela­ dos: Ceratiumfurca, Protoperidinium obtusum, etc. En épocas consideradas anormales se presentan otras especies como : Thalassiosira partheneia, Rhizosolenia temperei, Rh. castracanei, Streptotheca thamensis y Biddulphia sinensis ; dentro de los dinotlagelados : Cera­ tium breve, C. extensum, C. longirostrum, C. trichoceros, Ceratocorys horrida, Ornithocercus magnificus, O. qua­ dratus, O. steinii y Protoperidinium elegans.

Late Triassic phaeodarian Radiolaria from the Northern Chichibu Belt, Shikoku, Japan

A new genus (Triassiphaeodina gen. nov.) and two new species (Medusetta japonica sp. nov. and Triassiphaeodina niyodoensis sp. nov.) of Late Triassic (Rhaetian) phaeodarian Radiolaria are described from a phosphatic nodule found in melange rocks of the Northern Chichibu Belt, Shikoku, Japan. The Rhaetian age of the nodule and of the phaeodarian new taxa is based on co-occurring Polycystina Radiolaria, including Bipedis acrostylus Bragin, Livarella densiporata Kozur and Mostler, Fontinella primitiva Carter, and Ferresium sp. A of Carter (1993). This finding shows that phaeodarian Radiolaria were already represented in Late Triassic oceans, with morphologies similar to those known in the Late Cretaceous and Cenozoic, from which they have previously been reported. The new taxa described herein represent the oldest known phaeodarian fossils.

Triglicerideos sangüíneos e composição química da carne de codornas alimentadas com bixina e niacina suplementar

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o efeito de bixina do colorífico e niacina suplementar em rações, nos níveis plasmáticos de triglicerídeos e lipoproteínas de densidade muito baixa, na gordura da carne de peito, de coxa e sobrecoxa, e na carcaça de codornas. Utilizaram-se 240 codornas japonesas (Coturnix japonica) machos, em delineamento experimental inteiramente casualizado, com quatro tratamentos, cinco repetições e 12 codornas por unidade experimental. Os tratamentos foram: ração referência, à base de milho e farelo de soja, sem inclusão de colorífico e de niacina suplementar; ração com 4,5% de colorífico; ração com 0,08% de niacina suplementar e ração com 4,5% de colorífico e 0,08% de niacina suplementar. Não houve efeito de tratamento nos níveis plasmáticos de triglicerídeos e lipoproteínas de densidade muito baixa e nos teores de extrato etéreo na carne de coxa e sobrecoxa, e na carcaça das codornas. No 49º dia de idade, as codornas que receberam rações com 0,08% de niacina suplementar apresentaram maior teor de gordura na carne de peito (1,50%) do que as codornas alimentadas com a ração referência (0,85%). O uso de bixina do colorífico e niacina suplementar, em rações, não reduz os níveis de gordura no sangue, carne e carcaça de codornas japonesas machos.

Produção de cultivares de nespereira na região Leste paulista

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a capacidade produtiva das cultivares de nêspera (Eriobotrya japonica Lindl.) Mizuho, Centenária, Mizumo, Mizauto e Néctar de Cristal, em Jundiaí, SP. As mudas, formadas com porta-enxertos de 'Mizumo', foram plantadas em campo em blocos ao acaso. Do terceiro ao sexto ano de plantio, quantificaram-se o número e a massa de matéria fresca dos frutos, a produção total por planta e as médias dos quatro anos de produção. Determinaram-se o comprimento, a largura, a relação sólidos solúveis totais (SST) e a acidez total titulável (ATT). As cultivares Mizuho, Mizumo, Mizauto e Néctar de Cristal apresentaram as maiores produções de frutos, acima de 14 kg por planta em média. 'Centenária' e 'Mizumo' apresentaram os maiores resultados de massa de matéria fresca dos frutos, acima de 30 g por fruto, e a melhor razão SST/ATT.

Desempenho produtivo de nespereiras enxertadas em marmeleiro 'Portugal'

O objetivo deste trabalho foi comparar o desempenho produtivo de cinco seleções de nespereiras enxertadas em marmeleiro e na própria nespereira. Foram utilizadas cinco seleções de nespereira: IAC 966-23, IAC 265-66, IAC 1467-25, Mizauto (IAC 167-4) e Mizumo (IAC 1567-411), enxertadas em estacas enraizadas de marmeleiro 'Portugal' (distribuídas no campo no espaçamento 4x2 m, densidade de 1.250 plantas ha-1) e em plântulas de nespereiras (em espaçamento 7x4 m, densidade de 357 plantas ha-1). O experimento foi conduzido no Município de Monte Alegre do Sul, SP. Nos três anos após o plantio das mudas no campo, avaliou-se a produção (quilograma e número de frutos por planta), massa média dos frutos (g) e a produtividade (Mg ha-1). Calculou-se a média dos quatro anos consecutivos de produção. A seleção IAC 265-66 apresentou o melhor desempenho em porta-enxertos de marmeleiro e da própria nespereira. Apesar da menor produção, não houve diferença na produtividade entre os porta-enxertos do marmeleiro e da própria nespereira. O emprego de porta-enxertos de marmeleiro para nespereiras é uma opção para reduzir o porte e, conseqüentemente, facilitar tratos culturais.

Physiological analysis of leaf senescence of two rice cultivars with different yield potential

The objective of this work was to evaluate the physiological changes that occur in different leaves during the early and late grain-filling stages of two rice genotypes (Oryza sativa subsp. indica , BRS Pelota cultivar, and O. sativa subsp. japonica , BRS Firmeza cultivar), which present differences in grain yield potential. The plants were cultivated in greenhouse. Pigment content, chlorophyll fluorescence, electron transport and oxygen evolution rate were determined in the grain-filling stage, from the first to the forth leaf (top to bottom). Pigment content, photochemical efficiency of photosystem II and electron transport decreased significantly according to the position of leaves in 'BRS Pelota'. The BRS Firmeza cultivar shows higher pigment content and higher activity of the photosynthetic apparatus in comparison to 'BRS Pelota' during the grain-filling stage.

Aumento do potencial de armazenamento refrigerado de nêsperas 'Fukuhara' com o uso de tratamento térmico

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a eficiência de tratamentos térmicos no aumento do potencial de frigoconservação de nêsperas 'Fukuhara' e os efeitos desses tratamentos na qualidade e nas propriedades físico-químicas e bioquímicas dos frutos. Os tratamentos de condicionamento térmico foram: armazenamento a 1ºC durante 60 dias (controle); armazenamento a 5ºC durante 60 dias (padrão); armazenamento a 5ºC, durante 7 dias, e 1ºC durante 53 dias; armazenamento a 10ºC, durante 7 dias, e 1ºC durante 53 dias; aquecimento intermitente, em ciclos de 6 dias a 1ºC + 1 dia a 15ºC, durante 60 dias; condicionamento dos frutos a 37ºC, durante 3 horas, e a 1ºC durante 60 dias; e condicionamento dos frutos a 37ºC, durante 6 horas, e a 1ºC durante 60 dias. Os frutos foram mantidos a 85-90% de umidade relativa, durante todo o armazenamento. Foram determinados: firmeza da polpa, índice de escurecimento, acidez titulável, pH, teor de sólidos solúveis, teor de ácido ascórbico, teor de compostos fenólicos, atividade das enzimas fenilalanina amônia-liase (PAL), polifenoloxidase (PPO) e peroxidase (POD) após 15, 30, 45 e 60 dias de armazenamento. Houve correlação entre firmeza de polpa e atividade de POD, após 60 dias de armazenamento refrigerado. O aquecimento intermitente e o aquecimento a 37ºC, durante 3 horas, foram eficientes no controle do escurecimento interno. Os tratamentos térmicos não evitaram o enrijecimento de polpa. Tratamentos térmicos aumentam o potencial de armazenamento de nêsperas sem alterar as características físico-químicas dos frutos.

Compostos salicilados e tolerância de nêsperas ao frio

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o efeito da aplicação de compostos salicilados sobre a tolerância de nêsperas ao frio e verificar se este efeito eatá relacionado à modulação de enzimas do metabolismo secundário. Nêsperas foram imersas em água (controle) ou em soluções que continham ácido salicílico (1 ou 10 mmol L-1), ou foram expostas a 0,05 mmol L-1 de metil salicilato, antes de serem armazenadas a 1ºC por 60 dias. A inibição da atividade da fenilalanina amônia-liase, peroxidase e polifenoloxidase, pelo metil salicilato, aumenta a tolerância de nêsperas ao frio, o que torna possível estender o armazenamento dos frutos por até dois meses a 1°C.

Capacidade de enraizamento de variedades de nespereira submetidas à poda de renovação

O presente trabalho avaliou a capacidade de enraizamento de cinco variedades de nespereira (Eriobotrya japonica Lindl.), sendo Champagne, Precoce de Itaquera, Mizuho, Mogui e Tanaka, obtidas pela poda de renovação. Estacas tenras apicais, contendo um par de folhas e cerca de 15 cm, foram tratadas por cinco segundos com ácido indolbutírico (IBA) (0; 1.000; 3.000; 5.000 e 7.000 mg.L-1). O experimento foi conduzido em câmara de nebulização intermitente pertencente à UNESP/FCAV (21º15'22" S e 48º18'58" W). O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente casualizado, em esquema fatorial 5x5 (5 variedades e 5 concentrações de IBA), com 4 repetições e 10 estacas por parcela. As avaliações foram feitas após 90 dias. Os resultados indicaram um incremento de enraizamento e número de raízes crescente com a concentração de IBA utilizada, com exceção da variedade Mogui, que apresentou melhores resultados apenas quanto ao comprimento de raízes. Posterior ao transplantio, a sobrevivência das mudas foi alta (90%), apresentando condições de serem plantadas no campo, aos seis meses, ou de serem enxertadas aos oito meses, decorrido desde o estaqueamento.

Conservation and management of the Common Quail (Coturnix coturnix) in Europe: past, present and future.

En el presente estudio hacemos una revisión del estado de conservación y las tendencias poblacionales de la codorniz común (Coturnix coturnix) desde 1900 hasta nuestros días. Algunos de los datos de los que disponemos son contradictorios con respecto al estado de la especie, que presenta ciertas características que dificultan el poder proporcionar estimas poblacionales fiables. Datos recientes sugieren claramente, tanto a escala local como a escala transnacional, que las poblaciones atlánticas de codorniz común han permanecido estables en las dos últimas décadas y que la práctica de liberar codornices criadas en granjas (híbridas con la codorniz japonesa, Coturnix japonica) con finalidades cinegéticas, no afectan significativamente a nuestras estimas. Por otra parte, los complejos patrones de desplazamiento de esta especie requieren especial atención. En este sentido, el análisis de recuperaciones de anillas puede aportar información relevante, especialmente de los movimientos nomádicos de codornices a la búsqueda de hábitats adecuados, tras la destrucción de los cultivos invernales de cereales debido a la siega. Así, al desarrollar un modelo de distribución de cría para esta especie, se debe incorporar continuamente información actualizada de los cambios estacionales de hábitat y clima, con el fin de obtener unas predicciones óptimas. En este sentido, por ejemplo, la inclusión de datos quincenales de índices de vegetación en los modelos de distribución ha dado muy buenos resultados. La obtención de predicciones fiables de los cambios de la distribución de la especie y de sus desplazamientos durante la estación de cría puede ser muy útil para un mejor conocimiento del estado de conservación y las tendencias poblacionales de la especie, así como para el diseño de futuras medidas de gestión.