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At least 343 records · Page 19Linked to original sources
PubMed2005

Pollinating fig wasps: genetic consequences of island recolonization.

The levels of genetic diversity and gene flow may influence the long-term persistence of populations. Using microsatellite markers, we investigated genetic diversity and genetic differentiation in island (Krakatau archipelago, Indonesia) and mainland (Java and Sumatra, Indonesia) populations of Liporrhopalum tentacularis and Ceratosolen bisulcatus, the fig wasp pollinators of two dioecious Ficus (fig tree) species. Genetic diversity in Krakatau archipelago populations was similar to that found on the mainland. Population differentiation between mainland coastal sites and the Krakatau islands was weak in both wasp species, indicating that the intervening 40 km across open sea may not be a barrier for wasp gene flow (dispersal) and colonization of the islands. Surprisingly, mainland populations of the fig waSPS may be more genetically isolated than the islands, as gene flow between populations on the Javan mainland differed between the two wasp species. Contrasting growth forms and relative 'immunity' to the effects of deforestation in their host fig trees may account for these differences.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Oral allergy syndrome to fig.

BACKGROUND: The few cases of food allergy to fig reported to date, whose main manifestations were anaphylactic reactions, have been related to a cross-sensitisation to weeping fig (Ficus benjamina) or to the 'latex-fruit syndrome'. Here we report on two cases of the oral allergy syndrome (OAS) to fig in patients whose main allergic manifestations were related to sensitisation to grass and birch pollens. METHODS: The patients were characterised by clinical history, skin prick tests (SPT) with commercial and in-house extracts, prick-by-prick test, specific IgE measurements and challenge tests. PBS-soluble and insoluble extracts of both fig skin and pulp were examined for the presence of potential allergens by IgE immunoblotting. RESULTS: Both patients showed OAS followed by respiratory symptoms when challenged with fig. They were negative in both specific IgE detection and SPT with commercial extracts of fig and many other plant materials, including F. benjamina and Hevea Brasiliensis, while grass and birch pollens gave positive results. Prick-by-prick tests and SPT with in-house extracts indicated that the fig skin had a much higher allergenicity than the pulp. Despite negative IgE detection by the CAP assay, immunoblotting experiments showed that potential fig allergens were PBS-soluble and present only in the skin of the fruit. CONCLUSIONS: OAS to fig followed by respiratory symptoms can be present in patients not sensitised to weeping fig or having the latex-fruit syndrome. Different parts of the fig can have different allergenicities, the most important allergens being proteins related to the skin of the fruit. Improved commercial fig extracts to be used for the diagnosis of this type of allergy have to be developed.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Deep mtDNA divergences indicate cryptic species in a fig-pollinating wasp.

BACKGROUND: Figs and fig-pollinating wasps are obligate mutualists that have coevolved for ca. 90 million years. They have radiated together, but do not show strict cospeciation. In particular, it is now clear that many fig species host two wasp species, so there is more wasp speciation than fig speciation. However, little is known about how fig wasps speciate. RESULTS: We studied variation in 71 fig-pollinating wasps from across the large geographic range of Ficus rubiginosa in Australia. All wasps sampled belong to one morphological species (Pleistodontes imperialis), but we found four deep mtDNA clades that differed from each other by 9-17% nucleotides. As these genetic distances exceed those normally found within species and overlap those (10-26%) found between morphologically distinct Pleistodontes species, they strongly suggest cryptic fig wasp species. mtDNA clade diversity declines from all four present in Northern Queensland to just one in Sydney, near the southern range limit. However, at most sites multiple clades coexist and can be found in the same tree or even the same fig fruit and there is no evidence for parallel sub-division of the host fig species. Both mtDNA data and sequences from two nuclear genes support the monophyly of the "P. imperialis complex" relative to other Pleistodontes species, suggesting that fig wasp divergence has occurred without any host plant shift. Wasps in clade 3 were infected by a single strain (W1) of Wolbachia bacteria, while those in other clades carried a double infection (W2+W3) of two other strains. CONCLUSION: Our study indicates that cryptic fig-pollinating wasp species have developed on a single host plant species, without the involvement of host plant shifts, or parallel host plant divergence. Despite extensive evidence for coevolution between figs and fig wasps, wasp speciation may not always be linked strongly with fig speciation.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Effects of oral administration of some herbal extracts on food consumption and blood glucose levels in normal and streptozotocin-treated diabetic rats.

Previous studies in our laboratories suggest that oral administration of some herbal extracts reduce blood glucose concentrations in rats, possibly by interfering with food consumption and/or gastrointestinal absorption of food. Accordingly, we monitored the amounts of food consumed and body weights in separate groups of nondiabetic and streptozotocin-treated diabetic rats, orally treated with some plant extracts (20 mg 100 g -1 body weight) daily for 5 weeks. Control animals were administered the vehicle, citrate buffer (0.1 ml 100 g -1 body weight). Separate groups of rats administered allopathic hypoglycemic drugs metformin (50 mg 100 g -1 body weight) or glibenclamide (5 microg 100 g -1 body weight) acted as positive control animals. After 5 weeks, blood glucose concentrations were reduced in all the groups. Tapinanthus nyasicus leaf, Ficus thoningii bark, Solanum incanum fruit, and Morus alba leaf extracts decreased weekly food consumption throughout the 5-week study period. Similar results were obtained for the groups treated with metformin or glibenclamide. However, food consumption was increased by S. incanum root, Aloe chabaudii leaf, or Allium sativum bulb extracts, and this was associated with high prevalence of diarrhea. The herbal extracts and metformin did not affect serum insulin concentration in nondiabetic rats, while glibenclamide increased serum insulin concentration. In conclusion, it may be inferred that the herbal extracts examined produced hypoglycemia, probably by interfering with either food intake or gastrointestinal glucose absorption (as reported for metformin). These findings merit long-term investigation.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

[Decomposition interaction of mixed litter between Chinese fir and various accompanying plant species].

Studies on the decomposition of mixed litter between Chinese fir and 8 accompanying plant species showed that the decomposition of Chinese fir litter was promoted to different degrees by 8 mixed plant species, in which Angiopteris fokiensis had the greatest effect, while Schima superba had certain promotion first, but then, weak inhibition. The order of promotion was Angiopteris fokiensis > Maesa japonica > Ficus simplicissima > Woodwardia japonica > Boehmeria nivea > Castanopsis fargesii > Castanopsis fissa > Dicranopteris dicotoma. Chinese fir litter had a certain inhibition to litter decomposition of Schima superba and Castanopsis fissa, and certain promotion to litter decomposition of Castanopsis fargesii, but the interactions were not significant. There existed an interaction between Chinese fir and some plant species in the course of mixed decomposition. Therefore, rational protection and restoration of understory plant was important to fasten nutrient cycling of Chinese fir plantation ecosystem and to maintain soil fertility.

Abies↗
PubMed1999

Life history of Eulemur fulvus rufus from 1988-1998 in southeastern Madagascar.

In this study, we compare the life-history patterns of male and female Eulemur fulvus rufus based on longitudinal data collected on individuals from two study groups from 1988-1998 in southeastern Madagascar. Mean group size was 9.5 individuals, and groups either contained more adult males than females or equal numbers of both sexes. Females reproduced for the first time between 2 and 4 years of age and reproduced each year, although the mean interbirth interval between surviving offspring was 2.1 years. An average of two adult females reproduced annually in each social group, and age and body weight may positively influence reproductive success. Females also appear to be philopatric but not female-bonded. Young natal males immigrated between 3 and 4.5 years of age and may join a new group within 612 months based on the age of emigrants. Once in a social group, they remained until old age, although a male's spatial position in the social group varied with age. Young nonnatal males were members of the social core and had the first opportunity to mate with all estrous females. Older males were peripheral to the social group and mated with females later in their cycle. We hypothesize that group size, the number of females in the group, and individual variation in reproductive success is influenced by several ecological conditions at this site: extreme variability in food availability during reproductive periods, the lack of large food patches, low plant species diversity, and small numbers of important aseasonal food sources such as Ficus species.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Effects of black howler monkey (Alouatta caraya) seed ingestion on insect larvae.

Fig (Ficus monckii) and laurel (Ocotea puberula) seeds were obtained from Alouatta caraya feces (ingested seeds) and from trees (noningested) in northeastern Argentina. Seeds were examined to detect the presence (infested) or absence (noninfested) of larvae. Sixty percent (N = 315) of noningested fig seeds were galls with insect larvae inside, while 23% (N = 331) were encountered in the ingested group. Eighty-two percent (N = 28) of noningested laurel seeds were infested, and only 19% (N = 63) of ingested seeds were infested. According to the present data, the insects' larvae are digested by howlers intaking animal protein, but the laurel seeds were not destroyed.

Alouatta↗
PubMed2002

Brief communication: arboreal bipedalism in Bwindi chimpanzees.

Evidence of the form and function of bipedal behavior in nonhuman primates provides critical evidence to test theories about the origins of hominid bipedalism. Bipedalism has long been considered an evolutionarily interesting but rare behavior in wild chimpanzees. During May 2001, chimpanzees of the Ruhija community in the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda, engaged in an exceptional frequency of arboreal bipedalism when feeding in large Ficus trees. Seventy-eight bipedal bouts of at least 5 sec duration were recorded for the entire community (0.49 bouts/hr), with a mean duration of 13.7 sec (+/-1.6 sec). The animals employed many variations on the bipedal postural theme, ranging from erect standing on the largest substrates while grasping overhead limbs for support, to standing on one leg while suspending the other leg in space, to extended-lean standing, in which bipedal standing transitioned into horizontal arm-leg suspension as the animal reached for more distant fruits. Bipedalism was used as part of a behavioral repertoire that integrated brachiation, four-limbed suspension, and forelimb-supported standing for effective small-fruit foraging. These observations suggest that under certain ecological conditions, arboreal bipedalism can be an important posture for wild chimpanzees, and may have been an important behavioral precursor to full terrestrial bipedalism.

Adaptation, Physiological↗
PubMed2006

Variability in habitat, diet, and social structure of Hapalemur griseus in Ranomafana National Park, Madagascar.

This study investigated the effects of habitat on the diet, population density, and social structure of a small-bodied folivore, Hapalemur griseus. Three groups of H. griseus were followed at two study sites (Tala and Vato) within Ranomafana National Park in southeastern Madagascar. These two sites differed in degree of habitat disturbance, forest composition, and forest structure, as determined by botanical plots (50 x 10 m) which were monitored twice monthly in the home ranges of three study groups (group T, n = 4; group V1, n = 4; group V2, n = 2). Tala has experienced more habitat disturbance compared to Vato, and this appeared to influence population density and group size. The H. griseus that inhabit Tala occur at much higher densities and in larger social groups than the H. griseus at Vato. These results may be attributable to: 1) a greater number of potential food sources, 2) a more dense resource base, and/or 3) higher-quality resources at Tala for this folivore. In general, dietary diversity for all groups was low, and groups exploited similar plant species. However, within this small range of food sources, each study group specialized in food sources found in the highest abundance within their home range. This resulted in dietary differences between groups within sites, as well as differences between sites. Introduced tree species such as Chinese guava (Psidium cattleyanum) may have greatly impacted the diet and social structure of those groups at Tala, whose home ranges included this food source. In contrast, Vato group 1 ingested more new and mature leaves of Ficus spp., and Vato group 2 primarily ate spider bamboo (Nastus elongatus). In conclusion, it seems that microhabitat differences, which may be related to habitat disturbance and/or other factors such as topography, influenced the food species ingested by H. griseus. Overall habitat quality, which is likely also affected by habitat disturbance, influenced general diet, population density, and group size.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Chemical and biochemical changes in prickly pears with different ripening behaviour.

Chemical and biochemical changes were studied in ripening prickly pears from three Opuntia morphospecies with different ripening behaviour: Naranjona (O. ficus-indica), Blanca Cristalina (Opuntia sp.), and Charola (O. streptacantha), of early, intermediate, and late ripening, respectively. At fullyripe stage (commercial maturity), Blanca Cristalina showed the biggest fruits, the hardest texture, and its pulp had the highest protein content. There were no significant differences among morphospecies in pH or total soluble solids in fully ripe fruits. The three species exhibited considerable levels of vitamin C, dietary fibre, and minerals such as calcium, iron, and zinc. Protein expression was analysed in pulp and skin from every species at physiological and commercial maturity. Some proteins appeared at both stages, while many others expressed differentially. This study evaluated prickly pear components important for human nutrition and health, and provided basic information on pricky pear ripening, with a view to its control and to improving shelf life.

Ascorbic Acid↗
PubMed2003

Screening South Indian medicinal plants for antifungal activity against cutaneous pathogens.

In this study, twenty-eight South Indian medicinal plants were screened for their anti-fungal activity against six species of fungi (Trichophyton mentagrophytes, T. rubrum, T. soudanense, Candida albicans, Torulopsis glabrata, and C. krusei). Three plant species extracts, Celastrus paniculatus, Eriodendron anfractuosum and Ficus glomerata showed inhibitory activity. An aqueous extract of galls of Terminalia chebula showed inhibitory effects on three dermatophytes (Trichophyton spp.) and three yeasts (Candida spp.). Seeds extract of T. chebula inhibited only the growth of T. glabrata. An aqueous extract of T. chebula showed inhibitory effects higher than those measured in ethanol extracts. It is therefore suggested that tannins are plausible candidates for the anti-dermatophytic effects of T. chebula. Chebulinic acid, a known tannin of T. chebula was tested and found not inhibitory, thus a search for the active compound is needed.

Antifungal Agents↗
PubMed2001

Evaluation of the flora of Puerto Rico for in vitro antiplasmodial and antimycobacterial activities.

The emergence of resistant strains of Plasmodium falciparum and Mycobacterium tuberculosis underscores the need for novel drugs that are effective against these microorganisms. As part of our screening programme of the flora of Puerto Rico, we tested a number of ethanol extracts of higher plants for antiplasmodial and antimycobacterial activities. A total of 40 extracts belonging to 23 plant families and 37 species were tested for antiplasmodial activity. Five extracts demonstrated activity against Plasmodium falciparum in vitro (50%-100% parasite suppression at 5 microg/mL). Another 63 extracts belonging to 30 plant families and 50 species were tested in vitro against Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Two extracts were found to be active, Ficus citrifolia and Pisonia borinquena (85% or more inhibition of microbial growth at 100 microg/mL of extract).

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Intersexual sibling interactions and male benevolence in a fig wasp.

We studied interactions between males and females of the Australian pollinating fig wasp, Pleistodontes imperialis (Chalcidoidea, Agaonidae), in Ficus platypoda (Moraceae). As for many other fig wasps, all mating occurs within the confines of a syconium before females depart. We show that initially there is scramble competition between males for access to virgin females. During this time males excavated a small hole into a female's gall to mate through. These holes were just large enough for insemination, but not large enough for females to exit their galls. Males ignored mated females, and as virgin females became scarce males switched strategies and began to enlarge insemination holes until they were large enough for females to escape, showing that males enhance female fitness by means other than just mating. Syconia with experimentally reduced numbers of males had fewer liberated females, suggesting that female fitness is strongly affected by the number of males present. Females may be unable to escape their galls unassisted because of morphological adaptations to syconium founding. We argue that sex allocation should be affected not only by competition among males but also by intersexual interactions between siblings. This could potentially offset the strong female bias predicted by local mate competition. Copyright 2000 The Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1998

Molecular evidence for parallel evolution of adaptive syndromes in fig-breeding Lissocephala (Drosophilidae).

Afrotropical Lissocephala (Drosophilidae) breed strictly in syconia (figs) of Ficus (Moraceae) and have accordingly evolved specific features including modified female and eggshell morphologies, ovipositing, larval foraging, and mating behaviors. These various traits may exist as two or three alternative states. Each species displays a specific suite of traits so closely coordinated with one another that alternative states of the overall suites of traits can be seen as "adaptive syndromes." Three clear-cut adaptive syndromes can be recognized while two taxonomic lineages (juncta and sanu species groups) are traditionally accepted on the basis of male terminalia. A crucial evolutionary question results from the consideration that ecological clusters and taxonomic groups have conflicting compositions: the three syndromes are found in the juncta group while two of them occur in the sanu group. To resolve this conflict, we present molecular data which provide a robust phylogeny: mitochondrial DNA (12S + 16S ribosomal DNA and cytochrome b) sequence data are in agreement with one another regardless of the algorithm used. All molecular data consistently support male terminalia dichotomy. Such a level of consistency unambiguously indicates that parallel evolution of adaptive syndromes occurred. Thus, homoplasy may affect morphological and behavioral traits concomitantly when these are involved in a network of functional relationships.

Adaptation, Physiological↗
PubMed1994

Genetic structure is determined by stochastic factors in a natural population of Drosophila buzzatii in Argentina.

D. buzzatii is a cactophilic species associated with several cactaceae in Argentina. This particular ecological niche implies that this species is faced with a non-uniform environment constituted by discrete and ephemeral breeding sites, which are colonized by a finite number of inseminated females. The genetic consequences of this population structure upon the second chromosome polymorphism were investigated by means of F-statistics in a natural endemic population of Argentina. The present study suggests that differentiation of inversion frequencies in third instar larvae among breeding sites has taken place mainly at random and selection is not operating to determine the structure of this population. The average number of parents breeding on a single pad seems to be similar to the number colonizing Opuntia ficus indica rotting cladodes in Carboneras, a derived population from Spain. There is no significant excess of heterokaryotypes within pads or in the population as a whole. The results obtained in the present study suggest that the potential role of selective versus stochastic factors relative to the among pad heterogeneity in the population here studied is different from that of the Spanish population previously reported. Potential mechanisms responsible for these differences are discussed.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

Developmental changes in composition and quality of prickly pear cactus cladodes (nopalitos).

The composition and quality of edible tender stems or cladodes of 3 Prickly Pear Cactus species (Opuntia amyclaea, O. ficus-indica, and O. inermis) were studied at different stages of development. This traditional Mexican vegetable is called "nopalitos" in Spanish and "cactus leaves" in English. Cladodes harvested when 20 cm in length have the following average composition per 100 g: 91.7 g of water, 1.1 g of protein, 0.2 g of lipid, 1.3 g of ash, 1.1 g of crude fiber, 4.6 g of complex carbohydrates and 0.82 g of simple sugars, 12.7 mg of ascorbic acid and 28.9 micrograms of carotenes. The cladode's juice has an average pH of 4.6, 0.45% titratable acidity and 6.9% soluble solids. The components which varied most during development of the cladodes were: carotenes, acidity and total carbohydrates which increased, and protein and crude fiber (acid-detergent) which decreased. The nutritive value of the tender cladodes in the stages of growth at which they are commonly harvested and consumed (15 to 25 cm long weighing 50 to 80 g per stem), was similar for the 3 species.

Ascorbic Acid↗
PubMed1995

Isolation of Cryptococcus neoformans var. neoformans from bird droppings, fruits and vegetables in Mexico City.

The presence of Cryptococcus neoformans in various natural sources, such as bird droppings, fruits and vegetables, was investigated. A total of 711 samples were analyzed; C. neoformans var. neoformans was isolated from seven out of 74 bird droppings (9.5%), with parrots as one of the most significant sources. Fruits were positive in 9.5% of the 169 samples studied, specially citrus fruits, particularly grapefruit, in which the highest frequency was found. From the 468 vegetable samples, only 20 were positive (4.2%). It is emphasized that five of the positive vegetables species are autochthonous to Mexico: avocado (Nectandra salicifolia), beet (Beta vulgaris var. quinopodiace), chayote (Sechium edule), stringbean (Cassia sp), and nopal (Opuntia ficus-indica).

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Properties of a filamentous virus isolated from grapevines affected by corky bark.

A virus with highly flexuous filamentous particles c. 800 nm long, showing distinct transverse striations was isolated with high frequency (60%) by inoculation of Nicotiana occidentalis with sap from grapevine accessions indexing positive for corky bark. The virus, for which the name grapevine virus B (GVB) is proposed, has an ssRNA genome with mol. wt. of c. 2.5 x 10(6) Da (c. 7600 nt) and coat protein subunits with mol. wt. of c 23,000 Da. GVB has a very restricted herbaceous host range and was experimentally transmitted by the mealybug Pseudococcus ficus. The physicochemical and ultrastructural properties of GVB resemble those of closteroviruses. However, it is serologically unrelated to other grapevine closteroviruses including grapevine virus A, with which it shares some biological and physicochemical properties.

Capsid↗