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Bacterial and fungal biomass responses to feeding by larval Aedes triseriatus (Diptera: Culicidae).

We investigated the effect of different densities (0, 20, or 40) of developing larval Aedes triseriatus (Say) on bacterial abundance, bacterial productivity, and leaf fungal biomass in a microcosm experiment. Larvae in the low-density treatment developed normally, but larvae at the high density were significantly slower to develop. Both bacterial abundance (direct microscopic counts) and bacterial productivity (3H-leucine incorporation rates) on leaf material were significantly lower in the presence of larvae. Bacterial abundance in the water column did not change significantly with treatment, but bacterial productivity varied with time and declined significantly at both larval densities. Bacteria on the walls and bottom of the containers also were less abundant and significantly less productive in the presence of larvae. Aside from presence/absence effects, there was no clear evidence that larval impacts were density-dependent. Leaf-associated fungal biomass, as measured by ergosterol levels, varied with time but was not significantly affected by any treatment, suggesting most fungal tissue was incorporated in the leaf matrix and unavailable to larvae. Based upon estimated biomass accrual and respiration of larvae, it appears that bacterial biomass and production were insufficient to account for carbon demands of growing larvae. Because fungal biomass and leaf mass likely contributed little to gross larval demands, other carbon sources (e.g., protozoa and extracellular microbial components) were probably used by larvae. Although apparently insufficient for all larval carbon demands, bacterial and leaf fungal biomass may be adequate for other larval nutritional needs (i.e., nitrogen and essential lipids).

Aedes↗

Parasites of domestic and wild animals in South Africa. XI. Helminths in cattle on natural pastures in the Northern Transvaal.

After being exposed to infestation for 4 to 6 weeks, pairs of tracer calves were slaughtered to determine the seasonal incidence of helminth infestation in cattle on natural pasture. Haemonchus placei was recovered from March-July and from November-February, and peak burdens were recorded during December and January. There was marked inhibition in larval development from April-July. Trichostrongylus spp. were recovered from March-June and from November-February, the greatest number of worms being recorded during December. Cooperia spp. infestation occurred from March-August and November-February with peak burdens during April-June and December. From February-August more than 50% of the worms recovered were in the 4th larval stage of development. The greatest number of Oesophagostomum radiatum were recovered from June-January. Longistrongylus sabie and Impalaia tuberculata, parasites normally found in impala, were recovered from many of the survey animals, this being the first record of their occurrence in cattle.

Animals↗

[Development of the filaria Monanema martini in the epidermis of ixodid ticks].

Morphological and histological analysis of the larval development of Monanema martini, a filaria with skin dwelling microfilariae. The vectors are the hexapod larvae of Rhipicephalus sanguineus, R. turanicus and H. truncatum; the filarial infective stages appear during the larval-nymph moult of the vector (11 days at 26 degrees C). This species, and in our opinion the other species of Monanema, have a complete development in the epidermis of the ticks. Hard-ticks (Ixodidae) appear to be the main vectors of filariae with skin-dwelling microfilariae belonging to Dipetalonema evolutionary line: Yatesia, Cherylia, Cercopithifiliaria, Monanema.

Animals↗

The nature and development of sex attractant specificity in cockroaches of the genus Periplaneta. IV. electrophysiological study of attractant specificity and its determination by juvenile hormone.

The antennae of male Periplaneta americana acquire a large number of olfactory receptors at the adult stage. Electrophysiological methods (single unit and electroantennogram recording) show that a portion of the receptors added at the adult ecdysis are sex attractant receptors. Sex attractant receptors are not present in large numbers on larval and adult female antennae. The differentiation of pheromone receptors is inhibited during normal larval development by juvenile hormone. Topical application of juvenile hormone-mimic to male antennae during the terminal larval instar inhibits their development. Comparative electrophysiological studies indicate a high degree of cross-reactivity of the P. americana sex attractant among four other species within the genus Periplaneta.

Action Potentials↗

pH tolerances and regulatory abilities of freshwater and euryhaline Aedine mosquito larvae.

The pH regulatory abilities of two members of the mosquito tribe Aedini, known to have dramatically different saline tolerances, are investigated. The freshwater mosquito Aedes aegypti and the euryhaline Ochlerotatus taeniorhynchus tolerate very similar pH ranges. Both species complete larval development in waters ranging from pH 4 to pH 11, but naïve larvae always die in water of pH 3 or 12. Across the pH range 4-11, the hemolymph pH of O. taeniorhynchus is maintained constant while that of A. aegypti varies by 0.1 pH units. The salt composition of the water (3.5 g l(-1) sea salt, 3.5 g l(-1) NaCl, or nominally salt-free) has no effect on the range of pH tolerated by A. aegypti. In both species, the effects of pH on larval growth and development are minor in comparison with the influence of species and sex. Acclimation of A. aegypti to pH 4 or 11 increases survival times in pH 3 or 12, respectively, and allows a small percentage of larvae to pupate successfully at these extreme pH values. Such acclimation does not compromise survival at the other pH extreme.

Acclimatization↗

The expression of epidermal antigens in Xenopus laevis.

Five kinds of monoclonal antibodies that are specific for the epidermis of Xenopus embryos were produced. Epidermis-specific antibodies were used to investigate the spatial and temporal expressions of epidermal antigens during embryonic and larval development. The cells that were recognized by the antibodies at the larval stage are as follows: all of the outer epidermal cells and cement gland cells were recognized by the antibody termed XEPI-1, all of the outer and inner epidermal cells, except the cement gland cells, were recognized by XEPI-2 antibody, the large mucus granules and the apical side of the outer epidermal cells, except for the ciliated epidermal cells, were recognized by XEPI-3 antibody, the large mucus granules and basement membrane were recognized by XEPI-4 antibody, and the small mucus granules contained in the outer epidermal cells as well as extracellular matrices were recognized by the antibody termed XEPI-5. All of the epidermal antigens, except XEPI-4, were first detected in the epidermal region of the late gastrula or early neurula. The XEPI-4 antigen was first detected in stage-26 tail-bud embryos. None of these antigens were expressed by the neural tissues at any time during embryonic development. Only the XEPI-2 antigen continued to be expressed after metamorphosis, while the expression of the other antigens disappeared during or before metamorphosis. The specificity of the antibodies allowed us to classify the epidermal cells into four types in early epidermal development. The four types of epidermal cells are (1) the outer epidermal cells that contain small mucus granules, (2) the ciliated epidermal cells, (3) the outer epidermal cells that contain large mucus granules and (4) the inner sensorial cells.

Animals↗

Natural infections of Omphiscola glabra (Lymnaeidae) with Fasciola hepatica in central France.

As larval forms of Fasciola hepatica have periodically been detected in Omphiscola glabraafter their collection from watercress beds or from meadows since 1995, field investigations in 37 populations of O. glabra were carried from 1996 to 2002. This was done in order to determine the changes in prevalences and intensities of these natural infections with F. hepatica in relation to the type of snail habitat and the year of snail collection. Snails infected with F. hepatica were found in all samples made in swampy meadows and roadside ditches in all years. In fenced pools and walled gardens, snail infections were only found from 1998 and 1999 onwards, respectively. In the four types of habitats, the prevalences of F. hepatica infections increased slightly over time (0.8-2.1% for snails sampled in swampy meadows, for example) but this increase varied with the habitat. The mean shell heights of infected snails (6.2-7.8 mm) were similar whatever the type of habitat. The numbers of cercariae-containing rediae counted in snails sampled in swampy meadows, roadside ditches, and fenced pools significantly increased over time. Significant numerical variation between these redial burdens was also observed in relation to snail habitat. As the larval development of F. hepatica is facilitated by the presence of another trematode larval form ( Paramphistomum daubneyi), the finding of some naturally infected O. glabra in watering places known to have no contact with domestic or wild large mammals might be explained by the development of P. daubneyi in small mammals such as lagomorphs. However, a progressive adaptation of F. hepatica miracidia to O. glabra over time, which would permit the infection of snails at sizes larger than 2 mm, could not be excluded.

Animals↗

Determination of hemoglobin expression patterns in erythroid cells of Rana catesbeiana tadpoles.

1. Rana catesbeiana (bullfrog) tadpoles are heterogeneous in the relative amounts of four major tadpole hemoglobins (Hbs), as well as in the relative amounts of two tadpole red blood cell types in the peripheral blood. 2. Previous work has shown that this heterogeneity is present at all stages of larval development and growth. 3. Although some tadpoles lack one of the Hbs in their peripheral blood (i.e. the electrophoretically slowest form, Td-4), the missing Hb can be found in the erythropoietic organ from which it emanates (the kidneys), indicating that the heterogeneity results from quantitative differences in gene expression. 4. We wished to know whether this in vivo regulation is subject to external environmental perturbation and report that tadpoles of known Hb phenotypes regenerate precisely the pre-anemia Hb profile during early as well as late stages of recovery from phenylhydrazine-induced anemia. 5. These and other results indicate that the in vivo mechanism for regulating the pattern of Hb expression has become firmly determined in the erythropoietic system by the earliest larval stage of development.

Anemia↗

Fatty acid synthetase complex from the insect Ceratitis capitata.

Fatty acid synthesis capacity of the insect Ceratitis capitata has been investigated in vitro from [1-14C]acetyl-CoA using homogenates at different stages of development. A maximum activity was observed after 5--6 days of larval development. But homogenates of the pharate adult insect did not show synthetic capacity of fatty acids. Fatty acid synthetase complex has been isolated from the particle-free supernatant fraction of homogenates from the 6-day C. capitata larvae. The enzyme complex was purified 182-fold with respect to the protein contained in the crude extract. The complex was homogeneous when analysed by gel filtration and by polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis. The molecular weight was 5.2X10(5). The enzyme was dissociated into half-molecular subunits. Amino acid analysis, general properties, stability and kinetic constants (V and Km) for the substrates are reported. The fatty acid synthetase complex from the insect contains 42+/-1-SH residues and one phosphopatetheine moiety per 5.2X10(5). Activity was dependent on the presence of NADPH; FMN strongly inhibited the enzyme activity promoted by NADPH. The enzyme complex synthesized a range of fatty acid (10:0--18:0), palmitate being the predominant end product. The proportions of fatty acids synthesized varied with substrate concentrations. Fatty acids released from the complex were almost completely in the free form.

Amino Acids↗

The experimental receptivity of Helicella (Helicella) itala and Cepaea nemoralis (Mollusca, Helicidae) to larvae of Muellerius sp. and Neostrongylus linearis (Nematoda, Protostrongylidae) from chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra).

Two batches of Helicella (H.) itala (adult specimen) and two of Cepaea nemoralis (adult and young specimens) were experimentally infected with larvae I (L-I) of Muellerius sp. and Neostrongylus linearis obtained from the lungs and faeces of Rupicapra rupicapra. In assess larval development, the number and percentage of the total number of larvae (L-I + L-II - L-III) per mollusc were studied, together with the number and percentage of L-III per snail and the days on which the different larval stages were reached. The development of Muellerius sp. and N. linearis was greater in larvae from faeces. For both species of molluscs, the values for the percentages of the total number of larvae and L-III were higher in N. linearis than in Muellerius sp., but there were no notable differences in the days on which the various larval stages were reached. Both nematodes achieved a greater degree of development in young specimens of C. nemoralis than in adults. Whether the larvae came from faeces or the lungs, H. (H.) itala was a better intermediate host than C. nemoralis for Muellerius sp. and N. linearis.

Animals↗

Embryonic and post-embryonic utilization and subcellular localization of the nuclear receptor SpSHR2 in the sea urchin.

SpSHR2 (Strongylocentrotus purpuratus steroid hormone receptor 2) is a nuclear receptor, encoded by a maternal RNA in the sea urchin embryo. These maternal SpSHR2 transcripts, which are present in all cells, persist until the blastula stage and then are rapidly turned over. A small fraction of the embryonic SpSHR2 protein is maternal, but the majority of this nuclear receptor in the embryo is the product of new synthesis, presumably from the maternal RNA after fertilization. In agreement with the mRNA distribution, the SpSHR2 protein is also detected in all embryonic cells. Contrary to the RNA though, the SpSHR2 protein persists throughout embryonic development to the pluteus stage, long after the mRNA is depleted. Following fertilization and as soon as the 2-cell stage, the cytoplasmic SpSHR2 protein enters rapidly into the embryonic nuclei where it appears in the form of speckles. During subsequent stages (from fourth cleavage onward), SpSHR2 resides in speckled form in both the nucleus and the cytoplasm of the embryonic cells. The cytoplasmic localization of SpSHR2 differs between polarized and non-polarized cells, maintaining an apical position in the ectoderm and endoderm versus a uniform distribution in mesenchyme cells. Following the end of embryonic development (pluteus stage), the SpSHR2 protein is depleted from all tissues. During the ensuing four weeks of larval development, the SpSHR2 is not detected in either the larval or the rudiment cells which will give rise to the adult. Just prior to metamorphosis, at about 35 days post-fertilization, the protein is detected again but in contrast to the uniform distribution in the early embryo, the larval SpSHR2 is specifically expressed in cells of the mouth epithelium and the epaulettes. In adult ovaries and testes, SpSHR2 is specifically detected in the myoepithelial cells surrounding the ovarioles and the testicular acini. Nuclear SpSHR2 in blastula extracts binds to the C1R hormone response element in the upstream promoter region of the CyIIIb actin gene indicating that the latter may be a target of this nuclear receptor in the sea urchin embryo.

Actins↗

Purification and primary structural characterization of prophenoloxidases from Aedes aegypti larvae.

There are more prophenoloxidase (proPO) genes in mosquitoes than other model insect species studied to date. The high sequence similarity among mosquito proPOs makes it extremely difficult to use histochemical methods to determine the presence of individual proPOs in different stages of mosquito development or their tissue locations. As a consequence, there always are questions when attempting to assign any observed functions to a particular proPO. By following the PO fractions of Aedes aegypti larval proteins during chromatographic separations, we were able to isolate two proPO fractions. Each displayed a single protein band on SDS-PAGE gel. The two fractions showed relative molecular weights of 75 and 60k Da. In-gel trypsin-digestion of the two protein bands and subsequent mass spectrometry of their tryptic peptides confirmed their proPO identities. The 75 kDa protein was a new Aedes aegypti proPO that has not been described in databases, whereas the 60 kDa band contained three previously described Aedes aegypti proPO sequences, with the absence of approximately 125-128 residues at their carboxyl end as compared with their deduced sequences, which suggests that some proPOs might undergo specific proteolytic processing after synthesis. Comparison between the transcriptional profiles of different proPOs and the number of isolated proPO proteins in late-stage larvae indicates that individual proPOs might be transcribed during the earlier stages of larval development, and that resulting proPO proteins persist through all larval stages. Results of this study provide a basis for developing a comprehensive understanding of structure/function relationships of individual proPOs in mosquitoes.

Aedes↗

Development of Tetrapetalonema llewellyni to the infective stage in Culicoides hollensis.

The vector requirements and course of larval development for tetrapetalonema llewellyni Price, 1962, a common filaria of raccoons in Louisiana, are described for the first time. Development (from microfilaria to infective stage) took place in the thoracic muscles of the biting midge, Culicoides hollensis (Melander and Brues, 1902) Foote and Pratt, 1954, and required 9 days under laboratory conditions. The findings of this study suggest that species of Culicoides may serve as natural vectors of T. llewellyni.

Animals↗

Parental care improves offspring survival and growth in burying beetles

Burying beetles (genus Nicrophorus) provide elaborate parental care to their offspring. Parental beetles defend a small vertebrate carcass, which constitutes the sole food source for the larvae. They also manipulate the carcass in various ways and directly regurgitate pre-digested carrion to the young. The benefits of carcass manipulation and regurgitation have been the subject of a few small-scale studies that have yielded conflicting results. In this study, we investigated the benefits of these behaviours and tested for possible beneficial effects on larval survival rates and final body mass in N. vespilloides. In this species: (1) larval survival and mass were significantly higher in broods receiving parental care throughout larval development on the carcass than in broods developing in the absence of adults; (2) parental presence immediately subsequent to larval hatching greatly improved larval survival rates; (3) continued parental presence for several days further improved larval growth, leading to a greater final mass of individual larvae; (4) larval survival and growth were improved by parental preparation of carcasses and by an excision made in the integument of the carcass surface by the parents that allows the larvae ready access to their food; (5) positive effects of parental feeding on larval survival and growth were not mediated by the transfer of symbionts. Copyright 1998 The Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour.

Journal Article↗

Impact of endocrine toxicants on survival, development, and reproduction of the estuarine copepod Eurytemora affinis (Poppe).

Given recent reports suggesting that certain contaminants may be present in sewage effluents at levels, which may exert a deleterious impact on fish, it seems pertinent to extend ecological hazard evaluation for such substances to aquatic invertebrates. For this reason, we sought to determine whether 17beta-estradiol (E2), benzo(a)pyrene (BaP), 4-nonylphenol (NP), di(ethyl-hexyl)-phthalate (DEHP), and atrazine (A), individually or in binary mixture, can inhibit the survival, development, or reproductive output of the estuarine copepod Eurytemora affinis. In the first experiment nauplii were exposed to graded concentrations of individual contaminants to determine the 96-h LC50, 10-day no observed effect concentration (NOEC) and 10-day lowest observed effect concentration of each compound. In the second experiment newly released (<24-h-old) nauplii were exposed either to an individual contaminant at the NOEC or to binary mixtures, where each compound was used at half NOEC. The effects were monitored daily for development and sex ratio. After 10 days of exposure, adult males and females were paired and exposures continued to investigate effects on reproductive output (maximum 28 day total exposure). Based on these life cycle parameters the lowest 10-day NOECs were 6+/-4 microg L(-1) for E2, 7+/-3 microg L(-1) for NP, 12+/-3 microg L(-1) for BaP, 25+/-3 microg L(-1) for A, and 109+/-29 microg L(-1) for DEHP. BaP, NP, and DEHP inhibited naupliar development, but in binary mixture with E2 these compounds did not inhibit larval development. The results suggest that endocrine disruption could occur in copepods following exposure to estrogenic compounds, especially if they are exposed starting from embryonic development.

Animals↗

Growth, development, and survival of Nosema pyrausta-infected European corn borers (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) reared on meridic diet and Cry1Ab.

Transgenic corn, Zea mays L., hybrids expressing crystal protein endotoxin genes from Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner are an increasingly popular tactic for managing the European corn borer, Ostrinia nubilalis (Hübner), in North America. O. nubilalis populations also are often vulnerable to the ubiquitous entomopathogenic microsporidium Nosema pyrausta (Paillot). We examined the effect of feeding meridic diet incorporated with purified Cry1Ab on growth, development, and survival of Nosema-infected and uninfected neonate O. nubilalis. Infected larvae developed more slowly than uninfected larvae. Increasing the concentration of Cry1Ab in diet reduced larval development, and this effect was amplified by microsporidiosis. Infected larvae weighed significantly less than uninfected larvae. The relationship among Nosema infection, Cry1Ab concentration, and larval weight was fitted to an exponential function. The LC50 of infected larvae was one-third that of uninfected larvae, indicating that infected larvae are more vulnerable to toxin. This work has implications for resistance management of O. nubilalis and demonstrates that it is important to determine whether N. pyrausta is present when testing susceptibility of larvae to transgenic corn hybrids.

Animals↗

Vestigial prototroch in a basal nemertean, Carinoma tremaphoros (Nemertea; Palaeonemertea).

Nemerteans have been alleged to belong to a protostome clade called the Trochozoa that includes mollusks, annelids, sipunculids, echiurids, and kamptozoans and is characterized by, among other things, the trochophore larva. The trochophore possesses a prototroch, a preoral belt of specialized ciliary cells, derived from the trochoblast cells. Nemertea is the only trochozoan phylum for which presence of the trochophore larva possessing a prototroch had never been shown. However, so little is known about nemertean larval development that comparing it with development of other trochozoans is difficult. Development in the nemertean clade Pilidiophora is via a highly specialized planktonic larva, the pilidium, and most of the larval body is lost during a drastic metamorphosis. Other nemerteans (hoplonemerteans and palaeonemerteans) lack a pilidium, and their development is direct, forming either an encapsulated or planktonic "planuliform" larva, producing a juvenile without a dramatic change in body plan. We show that early in the development of a member of a basal nemertean assemblage, the palaeonemertean Carinoma tremaphoros, large squamous cells cover the entire larval surface except for the apical and posterior regions. Although apical and posterior cells continue to divide, the large surface cells cleavage arrest and form a contorted preoral belt. Based on its position, cell lineage, and fate, we suggest that this belt corresponds to the prototroch of other trochozoans. Lack of differential ciliation obscures the presence of the prototroch in Carinoma, but differentiation of the trochoblasts is clearly manifested in their permanent cleavage arrest and ultimate degenerative fate. Our results allow a meaningful comparison between the development of nemerteans and other trochozoans. We review previous hypotheses of the evolution of nemertean development and suggest that a trochophore-like larva is plesiomorphic for nemerteans while a pilidium type of development with drastic metamorphosis is derived.

Animals↗