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Sheathed nuclear division in primary spermatocytes of Orgyia antiqua (Lepidoptera, Insecta).

The restructuring of spermatocytes during the first meiotic division is examined in the moth Orgyia antiqua (Lymantriidae, Lepidoptera) using transmission electron microscopy. Particular emphasis was placed on the behaviour of the perispindle membrane system. These membranes develop from layers of smooth endoplasmic reticulum wrapped around the prophase I nucleus and are retained until early telophase I. The original nuclear envelope is dissolved in metaphase I. Polar fenestrae in the perispindle membrane stacks are filled with numerous irregular membrane elements. The formation of new nuclear envelopes around the daughter nuclei takes place inside the perispindle membrane system. Finally, the membrane stacks rupture concomitantly with spindle elongation in late telophase I. Thus, division of primary spermatocytes in Orgyia antiqua has a surprising degree of similarity with the so-called closed mitosis. This mode of division is typical for many protozoa, algae and fungi. In the pertinent cells, the original nuclear envelope persists around the spindle area during nuclear division. In order to distinguish the closed mitosis from the situation in Orgyia antiqua spermatocytes, the term 'sheathed nuclear division' is suggested for the latter.

Animals

Functional multiplicity and structural correlations in the hemoglobin system of larvae of Chironomus thummi thummi (Insecta, Diptera): Hb components CTT I, CTT II beta, CTT III, CTT IV, CTT VI, CTT VIIB, CTT IX and CTT X.

Larvae of the dipteran insect Chironomus thummi thummi that burrow in fresh-water muds, contain at least 12 hemoglobin (Hb) components of which the functional properties have not been systematically documented, although their amino acid sequences have been elucidated, showing mutually distinct primary structures. We isolated eight components (the monomeric Hbs CTT I, CTT III and CTT IV and the dimeric Hbs CTT II beta, CTT VI, CTT VIIB, CTT IX and CTT X) and measured in each O2 affinity and cooperativity and their pH dependence, and the effects of temperature, NaCl and ATP. The O2 affinities, Bohr- and temperature effects of the isohemoglobins are discussed in relation to mode of life and the microenvironmental conditions to which the larvae are subjected in nature, and with regard to the molecular mechanisms underlying the Hb-oxygenation reactions.

Animals

Low allozyme variability in Bactrocera albistrigata (Insecta: Diptera: Tephritidae) from Peninsular Malaysia.

1. Population samples of Bactrocera albistrigata from Peninsular Malaysia were analyzed for 12 to 14 gene-enzyme systems comprising 15-18 loci. 2. Three loci, aMDH, PGD and PGM, were polymorphic. 3. Anodal malate dehydrogenase and phosphogluconate dehydrogenase were represented by two alleles each, while phosphoglucomutase was represented by three alleles. 4. Phosphoglucomutase had a higher heterozygosity than anodal malate dehydrogenase and phosphogluconate dehydrogenase. 5. B. albistrigata was characterized by low genetic variability, as measured by the proportion of polymorphic loci and heterozygosity.

Alleles

Neurons reactive to antibodies against serotonin in the stomatogastric nervous system and in the alimentary canal of locust and crickets (Orthoptera, Insecta).

Immunoreactive neurons in the stomatogastric nervous system and in the alimentary tract of the locust Schistocerca gregaria and the crickets Gryllus bimaculatus and Acheta domesticus have been examined using antibodies against serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine; 5-HT). For comparative anatomical analysis cobalt chloride infusion was applied. The innervation of the visceral muscles was studied electron microscopically. In all three species the majority of the 5-HT-immunoreactive cell bodies of the stomatogastric nervous system occur in the frontal ganglion in which 30-40% of the total number of cell bodies react with anti-5-HT. In the occipital ganglion only two to four cell bodies (1-2%) are 5-HT-immunoreactive. Single immunoreactive cell bodies were observed in the ventricular ganglia in only a few preparations. The 5-HT-immunoreactive neurons in the frontal ganglion are pseudounipolar or multipolar. The main process of the 5-HT-immunoreactive neurons of the frontal ganglion descend along the entire stomatogastric nervous system. Some arborizations of these processes ascend into the brain and others supply the neuropil of all stomatogastric ganglia. Side branches leave the stomatogastric nervous system and form a plexus along the surface of the entire intestinal tract from where 5-HT-immunoreactive fibers supply: all muscle layers of the muscularis; the external dilator muscles of the foregut and probably some somatic muscles, neurohaemal organs and Malpighian tubules (excretory system). Serotonin-immunoreactive fibers further proceed into salivary gland and the retrocerebral complex (corpora cardiaca and corpora allata). The retrocerebral glandular complex and the hindgut receive additional immunoreactive neurons from the central nervous system. Electron microscopic analysis of nerves innervating the muscle layers of the alimentary tract revealed one type of 5-HT-immunoreactive and one or two types of non-5-HT-immunoreactive fibers. All fiber types contact the sarcolemma of muscle fibers without any obvious synaptic membrane specializations. The 5-HT-immunoreactive fibers are in some regions in close contact with the haemolymph. These regions can be regarded as sites of neurohormonal release. The distribution of serotonin-immunoreactive neurons suggests that 5-HT acts as a neurotransmitter and/or modulator on intestinal muscles and some somatic muscles and glandular cells, and as a neurohormone released from neurohaemal sites into the body fluid.

Animals

Studies on the toxicity of cypermethrin and fenvalerate in different strains of Drosophila melanogaster Meig. (Insecta, Diptera).

To improve our knowledge of pyrethroid toxicity mechanisms, Drosophila melanogaster was chosen as a model species, with well-defined characteristics. This study reports the results of the toxic effects of cypermethrin and fenvalerate on larvae and adults of four D. melanogaster strains. Our results show that cypermethrin is more toxic than fenvalerate at larval and adult stages, that growth on media containing insecticide significantly decreases the rate of preimaginal development, and that adult males are more sensitive than are females to both insecticides.

Animals

Production of larval tanypodinae (Insecta: Chironomidae) in the mud at Loch Leven, Kinross.

Life histories and production of the five common species of Tanypodinae (Pentaneura monilis, Procladius simplicistilus, P. crassinervis, P. choreus and Psilotanypus rufovittatus) in the mud at Loch Leven were measured from March 1971 to March 1972. The methods used to identify each species of larva are described. All were univoltine except Pentaneura monilis which had two generations per year, but the seasonal patterns of the life cycles were different. The average density of third and fourth instar Tanypodinae was 3100/m2 and densities of individual species exceeded 2500/m2 for short periods in Procladius crassinervis and P. choreus. Net annual dry weight production by this subfamily was 2-6 g/m2 (57 KJ/m2), with individual species ranging from 1-1 g/m2 (P. crassinervis) to 0-16 g/m2 (Pentaneura monilis). These results are discussed briefly and compared with production estimates for other zoobenthos.

Animals

[Fleas from the Neuguén Province (Argentina); description of 4 new taxa (Insecta, Siphonaptera)].

The collect of 973 Fleas on various small terrestrial mammals, from December 1987 till May 1988, in the Neuquén Province (Argentina), has given 20 taxa. Hectopsylla pascuali n. sp., Plocopsylla consobrina n. sp., Agastopsylla boxi gibbosa n. ssp., Chiliopsylla allophyla tonnii n. ssp. are described. Plocopsylla diana Beaucournu, Gallardo and Launay, 1986, Ctenoparia inopinata Rothschild, 1909, Neotyphloceras crassispina chilensis Jordan, 1936, Tetrapsyllus satyrus Beaucournu and Torrés-Mura, 1986, Ectinorus martini Lewis, 1976, are new from Argentina.

Animals

Apparent incompetence of Dermacentor variabilis (Acari: Ixodidae) and fleas (Insecta: Siphonaptera) as vectors of Borrelia burgdorferi in an Ixodes dammini endemic area of Ontario, Canada.

From April to October 1990, white-footed mice, Peromyscus leucopus (Rafinesque), were examined for ectoparasites on Long Point, Ontario, the only endemic area for Ixodes dammini Clifford, Spielman, Piesman & Corwin and Borrelia burgdorferi Johnson, Schmid, Hyde, Steigerwalt & Brenner known in Canada. Larval and nymphal I. dammini and Dermacentor variabilis (Packard), and adult fleas Orchopeas leucopus (Baker), Epitedia wenmanni (Rothschild), and Ctenophthalamus pseudagrytes Baker were common on trapped mice. Questing ticks were collected by dragging, near the sites of mouse trapping, from April to November 1990. Indirect immunofluorescent assay established that 58.3% of adult, 17.3% of nymphal, and 0.15% of larval I. dammini questing at Long Point were infected with B. burgdorferi, indicating that infected mammalian reservoir hosts are common. None of 593 adult, 2 nymphal, and 4 larval D. variabilis collected while questing were infected; and only 1 of 322 fleas (O. leucopus) removed from white-footed mice was infected. The fact that no unfed adult D. variabilis and only one flea were infected, in a situation where the probability of exposure of hematophagous ectoparasites is moderately high, suggests that this species of tick and the fleas examined are poor vectors for the Lyme disease spirochete.

Animals

Laboratory and field trials of permethrin-treated cotton used as nesting material to control fleas (Insecta: Siphonaptera) on cricetid rodents.

Upholstery cotton treated with four different concentrations (0.25-2.0%) (2,500-20,000 ppm) of an aqueous permethrin solution, used as nesting material by white mice, was laboratory-tested against the potential plague vectors Oropsylla montana (Baker), Thrassis bacchi (Rothschild), and Orchopeas howardi (Baker) and found highly effective (P less than 0.001) for 1 yr. Similarly treated cotton gauze was tested under ambient and 75% RH and was found to be highly effective (P less than 0.001) in both environments for 1 yr. A separate test determined that the LD50 of permethrin-treated cotton was less than 10 ppm. Cotton tested with 0.5% permethrin and distributed under field conditions to cricetid rodents for use as nesting material was found to be highly effective (P less than 0.001 as a pulicide for greater than 4 mo when tested during winter in Larimer County, Colo. Permethrin-treated cotton was less successful in controlling fleas on cricetid rodents during the summer months in a New Mexico hyperendemic plague area.

Animals

Chemical distribution of glycosphingolipids in third-instar larval organs of the blowfly, Calliphora vicina (Insecta: Diptera).

As a first approach to testing the working hypothesis that glycosphingolipids are functionally involved in the ontogeny of insects, their chemical distribution in larval organs was determined and any stadium-correlated differences documented. Selected organs, i.e., the fatbody, striated muscle, intestinal tract, salivary glands, imaginal discs, and central nervous system, were dissected from seven-day-old larvae of the blowfly, Calliphora vicina, and their glycolipids isolated. Two-dimensional, high-performance thin-layer chromatography was used to separate the neutral and acidic glycolipids of each organ. Significantly different total glycolipid component-patterns were obtained for the individual organs, whereby, except for a number of additional uncharacterized components in the intestinal tract, the neutral glycolipids of all organs were found to be qualitatively similar. However, major quantitative differences between the selected organs were found in their total glycolipid-carbohydrate contents, as well as the respective quantitative neutral glycosphingolipid-component distributions. The acidic glycolipids showed pronounced qualitative as well as quantitative organ-dependent variations. Whereas the highest proportion of uncharged glycolipids was characteristic of the fatbody, a high proportion of zwitterionic glycolipid-components was observed to be typical of the central nervous system and imaginal discs, i.e., of organs persisting during larval life and throughout metamorphosis. Imaginal disc glycolipids were distinguished by their high content of acidic glycolipids, a putative reflection of the functional role of these glycoconjugates in regulated cell reorganization during metamorphosis.

Animals

Uptake of 226Ra by established vegetation and black cutworm larvae, Agrotis ipsilon (class Insecta: order Lepidoptera), on U mill tailings at Elliot Lake, Canada.

Radium-226 levels in samples from an inactive U tailings site at Elliot Lake, Ontario, Canada, were: 9,140 +/- 500 mBq g-1 dry weight in the substrate; 62 +/- 1 mBq g-1 dry weight in rye, Secale cereale, and less than 3.7 mBq g-1 dry weight in oats, Avena sativa, the dominant species established by revegetation of the tailings; and 117 +/- 7 mBq g-1 dry weight in washed and unwashed black cutworm larvae. Concentration ratios were: vegetation to tailings 0.001-0.007; black cutworms to vegetation 3.6 and black cutworms to tailings 0.01. The values are considered too low to be considered a hazard to herring gulls, Larus argentatus, which occasionally feed on cutworms.

Animals

Glycosphingolipids in insects. Chemical structures of ceramide monosaccharide, disaccharide, and trisaccharide from pupae of Calliphora vicina (Insecta: Diptera).

The presence of glycosphingolipids in the pupae of the blowfly, Calliphora vicina, was established. The thin layer chromatographic pattern of the total neutral glycolipids revealed the presence of more than 13 components, the major one being ceramide monohexoside. By the use of high performance liquid chromatography, the three simplest components were isolated and their chemical structures determined: Glc(beta 1-1)Cer, Man(beta 1-4)-Glc(beta 1-1)Cer [with minor component Gal(beta 1-4)Glc(beta 1-1)Cer] and GlcNAc(beta 1-3)Man(beta 1-4)Glc(beta 1-1)-Cer. The ceramide composition of the parent insect glycosphingolipids is dominated by the 20:0 fatty acid, arachidic acid, and the sphingoid tetradecasphing-4-enine.

Animals