Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “Larval development”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 1,009 records · Page 56Linked to original sources

The preventive effect of the fungus Duddingtonia flagrans on trichostrongyle infections of lambs on pasture.

Four groups of 8 parasite-naive Dorset-crossbred lambs, 3-4 months old, were turned out on infected pasture on 2 May and allocated to 4 separate paddocks. From May to September, 2 groups received Duddingtonia flagrans (10(6) chlamydospores per kg body weight per lamb per day) mixed in 100 g of barley, while the other 2 groups received barley only. All groups remained set-stocked until slaughter for worm counts on 10 October. In late June, all lambs were treated with fenbendazole due to severe parasitic gastroenteritis in all groups. The faecal egg counts were comparable for the 2 treatments throughout the grazing period. Larval development of Ostertagia/Trichostrongylus spp. in faecal cultures was 1-28% in the fungi-fed groups compared with 60-80% in the untreated groups (P < 0.05). In September, pasture larval counts of Ostertagia/Trichostrongylus were 930 and 4400 L3 kg-1 on paddocks of fungi-fed and untreated groups, respectively. Corresponding figures for Nematodirus spp. were 7200 and 11600 L3 kg-1, respectively. At slaughter, the number of immature Ostertagia spp. was 62% lower in the fungi-fed groups compared with the untreated groups (P < 0.05). Four parasite-free lambs were introduced to each paddock during the period 3-23 October and slaughtered for worm counts after 3 weeks of housing. The total worm burden of tracers on paddocks previously grazed by fungi-fed lambs was reduced 86% (P < 0.05; geometric means) compared with control groups, while significant reductions were also seen in abomasal worm counts (68%; P < 0.05), N. spathiger (98%; P < 0.05) and for N. battus (97%; P < 0.01). It is concluded that dosing sheep with D. flagrans while grazing may limit the build up of pasture contamination in the late grazing season and subsequently limit the intake of larvae in sheep.

Animals↗

Responses of two ladybeetles to eight fungicides used in Florida citrus: implications for biological control.

Two ladybeetles, Cycloneda sanguinea and Harmonia axyridis, were exposed in the laboratory to eight fungicide formulations commonly used in citrus production in Florida. Both benomyl and the combination of copper and petroleum oil proved toxic to larvae of C. sanguinea that were exposed to concentrations corresponding to recommended field rates, either as leaf residues or in topical spray applications. Larvae of C. sanguinea also suffered significant mortality when exposed to neem oil as a leaf residue, but not after topical application. Larvae of H. axyridis exposed to these compounds completed development with the same success as control larvae in all trials. However, H. axyridis larvae exhibited slower development following exposure to leaf residues of ferbam applied at twice the recommended rate. Exposure to azoxystrobin as a leaf residue at twice the recommended concentration resulted in accelerated larval development in both species. No compounds appeared repellent to adult beetles of either species. Adult beetles of both species were observed resting on portions of filter paper treated with fosetyl-Al more often than on untreated, control portions. Azoxystrobin, ferbam and mefenoxam similarly arrested the movement of adult C. sanguinea, whereas benomyl and the copper and petroleum oil combination arrested the movement of adult H. axyridis. The differential sensitivity of the two coccinellid species is discussed in the context of the potential displacement of the indigenous C. sanguinea by the invasive H. axyridis.

Aerosols↗

[Duration of the mitotic cycle at the period of synchronous cleavage division (t0) in the starfish Asterina pectinifera (Müller et Troschel)].

The duration of a single division (tau 0) in a period of synchronous cleavage, time of development before the start of cleavage, and rotation, hatching and gastrulation stages in A. pectinifera at different temperatures were estimated. The range of temperatures optimal for embryonic and early larval development of the starfish was determined.

Animals↗

Effect of short-term exposure to methyl-tert-butyl ether and tert-butyl alcohol on the hatch rate and development of the African catfish, Clarias gariepinus.

Methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE), a synthetic chemical used as a fuel additive, has been detected more frequently in the environment than previously. In this study, we examine the effects of MTBE (up to 100 mg/L) and its primary metabolite tertbutyl alcohol (TBA) (up to 1,400 mg/L) on the hatch rate and larval development of the African catfish Clarias gariepinus. Exposure to higher MTBE concentrations resulted in deformed eyes, mouthparts, and spinal cord and in increased larval mortality. Methyl tert-butyl ether exposure had no significant impact on egg viability, whereas TBA induced a decline of hatch rate. The MTBE can be regarded as a pollutant with toxicological effects on catfish larvae at concentrations above 50 mg/L. Although such concentrations greatly surpass present-day concentrations found in surface water (0.088 mg/L), concentrations up to 200 mg/L have been detected in groundwater.

Abnormalities, Drug-Induced↗

Characterization of lethal Drosophila melanogaster alpha-actinin mutants.

We have partially characterized four Drosophila melanogaster alpha-actinin gene mutants, I(1)2Cb1, I(1)2Cb2, I(1)2Cb4, and I(1)2Cb5. We demonstrate that in each case the mutation is caused by a chromosomal rearrangement that precludes normal protein synthesis. In the absence of alpha-actinin, flies complete embryogenesis and develop into flaccid larvae that die within approximately 24 hr. These larvae have noticeable muscle dysfunction at hatching, although they, nevertheless, are capable of escaping from the egg membranes and of subsequent crawling movements. During larval development muscles degenerate, progressively limiting mobility and ultimately causing death. Electron microscopy of mutant muscle fibers reveals that myofibrils are grossly disrupted in one day old larvae and that electron-dense structures reminiscent of those seen in human nemaline myopathies are present throughout larval life. Our work rigorously demonstrates that alpha-actinin deficiencies are the cause of I(1)2Cb muscle defects. We anticipate that the alpha-actinin mutants described herein will facilitate in vivo tests of spectrin superfamily protein domain functions using a combination of directed mutagenesis and germline transformation.

Actinin↗

Limitation of size by hypoxia in the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster.

The size of an organism is of fundamental importance in all biological processes. It dictates many of the critical interactions and physical factors that delimit the envelope within which an organism can grow. We investigated the effects of reduced oxygen on size and development in the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster, and showed that limiting the oxygen in the environment limits both whole animal and cell size. When oxygen levels were reduced from 20% in nitrogen to 15%, 10% and 7.5%, there was a linear decrease in both male and female mass. Both cell size and cell number decreased in low oxygen, but changes in cell size accounted for a larger proportion of the overall change in fly size. Cell numbers decreased by a maximum of 11% between flies reared in 20% oxygen and those reared in 7.5% oxygen, whereas cell surface area decreased by 17%. Low oxygen levels increased development time and mortality, but reduced fecundity. Reducing the level of oxygen available significantly slowed development times, with flies reared in 10% oxygen emerging on average 1.5 days later than those in 20% oxygen. The effect of oxygen on size is reversible during embryonic and larval development up to the pupal stage, when final size is set.

Analysis of Variance↗

Complete cDNA-sequence of the receptor responsible for arylphorin uptake by the larval fat body of the blowfly, Calliphora vicina.

In late larvae of the blowfly Calliphora vicina the storage protein arylphorin is selectively taken up by the fat body cells from the haemolymph. We have demonstrated that arylphorin incorporation is mediated by a specific membrane-bound receptor which is activated by 20-hydroxyecdysone. In this study we report the construction of a cDNA expression library from mRNA isolated from 8-day-old Calliphora larvae. Using affinity-purified antibodies against the arylphorin receptor we identified two cDNA clones of 4044 and 4043 bp, respectively. Both clones code for a 1253 amino acid protein with a deduced molecular mass of 142 kDa, the potential arylphorin receptor precursor, as confirmed by immunoprecipitation of translation products in vitro. Southern blot analysis indicated a single copy gene with multiple alleles; Northern blotting revealed a single mRNA of about 4.5 kb that appeared stage specifically from day 4 to day 8 during larval development. The deduced amino acid sequence exhibits significant similarities to arylphorin, the ligand, as well as to Fbp 1, the product of an ecdysteroid-inducible gene in Drosophila melanogaster larval fat body.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Developmental ontogeny of prolactin and prolactin receptor in the sea bream (Sparus aurata).

The expression of PRL and its receptor (PRLR) were characterised during sea bream embryonic and larval development, by semi-quantitative and quantitative RT-PCR, respectively, until 46 days post-hatch (DPH). Immunocytochemistry with antisera specific for sea bream PRLR was carried out with larval sections from hatching up to 46 DPH. A single transcript of PRL (1.35 Kb) and PRLR (2.8 Kb) identical to the transcripts previously characterised in adult tissue, are present in sea bream embryos and larvae. PRL expression is first detectable at neurula and in all samples collected thereafter. The lowest levels of PRL mRNA are detected in sea bream embryos up until neurula when expression starts to increase. The maximal levels of PRL expression were detected at 24 DPH. PRLR transcripts first appear at 12h post-fertilisation (0.002 rho mol/microg total larvae RNA) (blastula) and increase significantly during gastrulation (0.245 rho mol/microg total larvae RNA) reaching a maximum at 2 DPH (0.281 rho mol/microg total larvae RNA). After hatching a significant reduction in PRLR expression is observed which reaches a minimum at 4 DPH (0.103 rho mol/microg total larvae RNA), gradually increasing thereafter. Immunocytochemistry revealed the presence of PRLR in early post-hatching stages of larvae in tissues derived from all three germ layers.

Aging↗

Vector competence of Simulium exiguum for Onchocerca volvulus: implications for the epidemiology of onchocerciasis.

In the transmission of human onchocerciasis, competence of the black fly vector influences intensity of transmission by regulating how many infective-stage larvae are produced. The disease is intensifying in Ecuador where Simulium exiguum is a highly efficient limitation-type vector comparable with African forest species in terms of the percentage of flies developing infective-stage larvae and the numbers of larvae per infected fly. In contrast, the endemic foci in Guatemala and southern Mexico have remained stable and closely circumscribed around larval development sites for S. ochraceum, a vector that exhibits a facilitation type of competence and must feed on people with comparatively high microfiladeremia to develop significant numbers of infective-stage larvae. This comparison indicates that assessments of vector competence should be included when planning regional control programs for onchocerciasis.

Adult↗

Development of GABA-immunoreactive neuron patterning in the spinal cord.

In the frog Xenopus laevis, gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-immunoreactive spinal cord neurons (Kolmer-Agduhr cells) formed a dispersed pattern within two columns on either side of the midline. The cellular pattern became established during embryonic and larval development. The GABA-immunoreactive cells are cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)-contacting neurons that began to appear by 1.2 days (st 26) of development. This stage occurred shortly after neural tube closure (0.9 days, st 21) and followed the appearance of ultrastructural characteristics of CSF-contacting neurons. The pattern of GABA-immunoreactive cells emerged during embryogenesis, as their density increased. Each longitudinal column was heterogeneous, containing cells with and without GABA immunoreactivity. Spatial analysis at several embryonic and larval stages showed that the cells in each column formed a nonrandom, dispersed pattern even at early stages of differentiation. This one-dimensional pattern resembled that of dopamine-immunoreactive neurons, which are also located in the ventral spinal cord. The patterning of both cell types followed a different time course, but the ultimate spacing of the neurons remained comparable. These results suggested that the mechanism patterning the two cell types within the same region was similar but not identical and may involve related molecular mechanisms.

Aging↗

nos-1 and nos-2, two genes related to Drosophila nanos, regulate primordial germ cell development and survival in Caenorhabditis elegans.

In Drosophila, the posterior determinant nanos is required for embryonic patterning and for primordial germ cell (PGC) development. We have identified three genes in Caenorhabditis elegans that contain a putative zinc-binding domain similar to the one found in nanos, and show that two of these genes function during PGC development. Like Drosophila nanos, C. elegans nos-1 and nos-2 are not generally required for PGC fate specification, but instead regulate specific aspects of PGC development. nos-2 is expressed in PGCs around the time of gastrulation from a maternal RNA associated with P granules, and is required for the efficient incorporation of PGCs into the somatic gonad. nos-1 is expressed in PGCs after gastrulation, and is required redundantly with nos-2 to prevent PGCs from dividing in starved animals and to maintain germ cell viability during larval development. In the absence of nos-1 and nos-2, germ cells cease proliferation at the end of the second larval stage, and die in a manner that is partially dependent on the apoptosis gene ced-4. Our results also indicate that putative RNA-binding proteins related to Drosophila Pumilio are required for the same PGC processes as nos-1 and nos-2. These studies demonstrate that evolutionarily distant organisms utilize conserved factors to regulate early germ cell development and survival, and that these factors include members of the nanos and pumilio gene families.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

In vitro culture of Dirofilaria immitis third- and fourth-stage larvae under defined conditions.

The objective of the present study was to define culture conditions under which larval Dirofilaria immitis would molt, grow, and survive. Third-stage larvae (L3) survived for over 3 wk with a molt rate of up to 95% in a variety of media supplemented with fetal calf serum. Bovine albumin, added to several media at concentrations of 10-30 mg/ml, also proved to be an effective culture supplement for the induction of molting and for supporting larval survival. Two gas phases were tested, 5% CO2/95% N2 and 5% CO2/air; no differences were noted in larval development based on gas phase. Larvae, maintained in media with FCS or albumin for 48 hr, were capable of completing the molting process and growing in length in unsupplemented media. If the temperature at which cultures were maintained was changed from 37 C to 27 C, L3 did not molt but did survive for several weeks. Two factors required for larval D. immitis molting and growth have been identified, temperature of approximately 37 C and the presence of albumin in the culture medium. The defined culture system developed for D. immitis L3 may provide a source for collection of excretory-secretory antigens, which could prove useful in immunodiagnosis or immunoprophylaxis as well as provide a means of studying the process and requirements of filarial larval molting.

Animals↗

Decrease of fluctuating asymmetry among larval instars in an aquatic, holometabolous insect.

The use of fluctuating asymmetry (FA) to reveal environmental stress in natural populations has been investigated extensively over the past decade. In aquatic ecosystems, many investigations involve amphibiotic insects with larval development stages in freshwater. To explain the important variability in study results, we investigated the FA level of a natural Hydropsyche exocellata (Insecta: Trichoptera) population at four different stages, from first larval instar to adult. The level of FA decreased between larval stages, but remained constant between the last larval instar and the adult. The presence of a compensational growth mechanism and the elimination of asymmetric individuals by natural selection are two hypotheses that could explain this observation.

Algorithms↗

Differential effect of Agaricus host species on the population development of Megaselia halterata (Diptera: Phoridae).

Twelve isolates from the genus Agaricus (Fungi, Basidiomycota) were investigated for their ability to support development of the phorid fly, Megaselia halterata (Wood), which is an important pest of the commercial white button mushroom Agaricus bisporus. Combined effects of oviposition of adult female M. halterata and larval development in mushroom compost inoculated with Agaricus mycelium were determined using bioassays. The numbers of M. halterata offspring that developed were affected by the Agaricus isolate used, and there was a significant separation between resistant and susceptible isolates. In a bioassay where the female phorids had a choice of all 12 isolates for oviposition, three isolates produced >200 adults per 100 g compost pot while the remaining nine isolates had <20 adults per pot. Where there was no choice of Agaricus isolate for oviposition, five isolates resulted in >100 adults per 100 g compost pot while the remainder resulted in <4 adults per pot. With the susceptible isolates, there was a positive correlation between increasing concentration of mycelium in the substrate and phorid development until the concentration exceeded 40% after which numbers of emerging phorids declined. Genetic identity of Agaricus isolates was determined using ITS sequencing and phylogenetic methods, which revealed two major cluster groups. Isolates supporting the development of large populations of M. halterata were located in one of these clusters (group I), and were either Agaricus bisporus or other species from the same Agaricus section Duploannulatae. Isolates that did not support the development of M. halterata populations were located in a different cluster (group II) and were more genetically distant from A. bisporus, e.g. Agaricus sections Arvenses, Minores and Xanthodermatei. Species of Agaricus with resistance to M. halterata could have significant potential for the breeding and cultivation of phorid-free mushrooms.

Agaricus↗

Mass rearing methods for Galerucella calmariensis and G. pusilla (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), biological control agents of Lythrum salicaria (Lythraceae).

Purple loosestrife, Lythrum salicaria L., an invasive Eurasian perennial, is degrading wetlands across temperate North America. Because conventional control methods have proven ineffective, current emphasis is on the introduction and release of host-specific biological control agents. To increase the availability of control agents for distribution and thus the potential for faster control, mass rearing techniques for 2 leaf beetles, Galerucella calmariensis L. and G. pusilla Duftschmidt, were developed under greenhouse and field conditions. To evaluate the success of various rearing techniques on the number of beetles produced and the effect of these methods on offspring quality, female fecundity, larval development, and adult survival were monitored. Survival of adults maintained at 4 degrees C was approximately 60% and was independent of the type of material used for storage, duration of overwintering, and number of beetles per container. Survival rates increased with increasing numbers of dry stems offered as an overwintering substrate. Females in smaller cages had significantly higher oviposition rates, and with an increase in the number of beetles per cage, female fecundity doubled. Continuous rearing in the greenhouse reduced female fecundity. Allowing beetles to overwinter significantly improved fecundity and rearing efficiency, independent of whether beetles overwintered in a controlled environment or in the field. Field rearings consistently produced 2-5 times more offspring with higher survival than greenhouse rearings.

Animals↗

Sublethal effects of chronic exposure to tebufenozide on the development, survival, and reproduction of the tufted apple bud moth (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae).

The lethal and sublethal effects of tebufenozide on the survival, development, and reproduction of a field strain of tufted apple bud moth, Platynota idaeusalis (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), were assessed by feeding first and third instars tebufenozide-treated diet until pupation. Larval mortality was 27.4 and 44.7% at 0.1 and 0.2 ppm for first instars and 21.9 and 57.8% at 0.2 and 0.4 ppm for third instars, respectively. Treated larvae exhibited higher pupal mortalities, lower pupal weights, and generally more deformed adults than untreated larvae. Larval development was not affected by tebufenozide when neonates were exposed, but development was accelerated slightly at 0.4 ppm for both males and females when third instars were exposed. All treatments produced sex ratios biased toward males. When paired with either treated or untreated males, females resulting from neonates treated at 0.2 ppm and from third instars treated at both 0.2 and 0.4 ppm laid from 37 to 65% fewer eggs. A reduction in fertility was only found when third instars were treated at the higher 0.4 ppm rate. These results suggest that tebufenozide can exhibit a significant effect on the population dynamics of the tufted apple bud moth.

Animals↗

Temporal and spatial utilization of the alcohol dehydrogenase gene promoters during the development of Drosophila melanogaster.

The enzyme alcohol dehydrogenase of Drosophila melanogaster is encoded by a single structural gene (Adh) with two promoters, distal and proximal (PD and PP). During development these two promoters are used differently: the major Adh transcript of larvae is from PP, the major transcript of adult flies is from PD. At a few discrete times in development transcription occurs simultaneously from both promoters. In situ hybridization has been used to investigate the spatial and temporal aspects of promoter activity at these stages of development. Maternally inherited Adh transcripts are not localized in the embryo; they decay very rapidly after fertilization. Zygotic expression of Adh RNA begins after germ-band retraction, 10.5 hr after fertilization. Expression is confined to the fat body, but occurs from both distal and proximal promoters. By 15 hr expression is first seen in the gut, from PP. By the same time fat body expression from PD has ceased, and transcription in this tissue is exclusively from PP for the next 4 days. The steady-state level of Adh transcript begins to decline at the end of larval development. There is then the transient accumulation of transcripts from PD, but predominantly in the larval fat body, rather than in the gut. These data illustrate a surprising complexity in the tissue and temporal regulation of Adh expression in D. melanogaster. Moreover, they show that transcripts from two different promoters of the same gene can, at certain well-defined stages of development, accumulate in the same cells.

Alcohol Dehydrogenase↗

The development of Trichostrongylus colubriformis larvae on a range of herbage species or on plots of differing topographical aspect.

Five "contaminations", where faeces containing Trichostrongylus colubriformis eggs were deposited on pasture and serially recovered, were used to compare the rate of decline of faecal mass and larval development. In the first three contaminations, faeces from a common source were deposited on swards of browntop (Agrostis capillaris cv Grasslands Muster), ryegrass (Lolium perenne cv Grassland Nui), white clover (Trifolium pratense cv Grassland Tahora), or onto bare ground in the late spring, summer or autumn. The last two contaminations were done on the north facing aspect or south facing aspect of hill country pastures in summer and autumn. Number of free-living nematodes (first- and second-stage larvae (L(1) and L(2)) and soil dwelling nematodes) and third stage larvae (L(3)) recovered from faeces were counted. In spring there was a significant (P<0.01) effect of sward type on the mass of faeces remaining, with greatest mass remaining on browntop and ryegrass 28 days later, and less on bare ground and white clover. In summer there were more (P<0.05) faeces remaining on browntop than on other herbages which had little faeces remaining and which did not differ one from another. In autumn there was a rapid decline in faecal mass. All faeces were gone from white clover and ryegrass swards by day 10 and from browntop and bare ground by day 14. The number of free-living nematodes did not differ markedly between seasons, ranging from 5 to 8.5% of eggs deposited. The number of L(3) recovered was low in spring ( approximately 0.4% of eggs deposited) and did not differ between swards. In summer, more (P<0.05) L(3) were recovered from faeces deposited on swards of ryegrass and white clover than from bare ground or browntop. Most L(3) were recovered from days 7 to 14 ( approximately 1.3% of eggs deposited). In the autumn, low numbers of L(3) were recovered from browntop on day 3 and ryegrass on day 7 (0.2% of eggs deposited) with virtually no L(3) recovered from faeces placed on white clover or bare ground. There were significant (P<0.001) effects of aspect on the amount of faecal mass remaining in both summer and autumn with less faeces remaining on the south facing aspect than on the north. This was particularly evident during the summer when virtually all of the faeces were intact on the north facing aspect but only 40% was remaining on the south on day 28. In the autumn, while faeces were completely gone from both aspects by day 28 but there were less (P<0.05) faeces remaining on the south facing aspect from days 3 to 18 than from the north. There was no aspect effect in either season on the number of free-living nematodes recovered which averaged 8-11% of eggs deposited. In both seasons a greater number of L(3) were recovered from faeces on the south facing aspect than on the north, particularly 3-10 days after faecal deposition. In summer the rise in L(3) recovered in faeces was more rapid on south facing aspect than on the north but both attained a maximum level of approximately 4% of eggs deposited. In autumn on day 3 there was a rapid rise on south facing aspect to approximately 21% of eggs deposited followed by a gradual decline on day 10 while on the north facing aspect numbers of L(3) recovered only attained 10% of eggs deposited.

Agrostis↗