Search results for "Systematics"
showing 10 items of 6702 documents
Molecular phylogeny of Iberian Fordini (Aphididae: Eriosomatinae): implications for the taxonomy of generaFordaandParacletus
2009
Mediterranean representatives of the galling aphid tribe Fordini (Hemiptera: Aphididae: Eriosomatinae) are usually grouped under the subtribe term Fordina. Aphids within Fordina display two-year life cycles, alternating between Pistacia shrubs, where they induce conspicuous galls, and roots of Poaceae species. The high number of morphs present in a given species, the lack of knowledge of the complete cycle in some species, and the similarity between homologous morphs observed in different species pose many taxonomic problems in this group. We present results of a survey to elucidate the phylogenetic relationships among Fordini species present in the Iberian Peninsula and the Canary Islands.…
The unique skeleton of siliceous sponges (Porifera; Hexactinellida and Demospongiae) that evolved first from the Urmetazoa during the Proterozoic: a …
2007
Abstract. Sponges (phylum Porifera) had been considered as an enigmatic phylum, prior to the analysis of their genetic repertoire/tool kit. Already with the isolation of the first adhesion molecule, galectin, it became clear that the sequences of the sponge cell surface receptors and those of the molecules forming the intracellular signal transduction pathways, triggered by them, share high similarity to those identified in other metazoan phyla. These studies demonstrated that all metazoan phyla, including the Porifera, originate from one common ancestor, the Urmetazoa. The sponges evolved during a time prior to the Ediacaran-Cambrian boundary (542 million years ago (myr)). They appeared du…
Properties of locust muscle 6-phosphofructokinase and their importance in the regulation of glycolytic flux during prolonged flight
1987
6-Phosphofructokinase (PFK, EC 2.7.1.11) from the flight muscle of the locust (Locusta migratoria) was purified to a specific activity of 80 μmol min−1 (mg protein)−1 (at 25°C). 1. The enzyme is made up from subunits ofMr-81600, and the smallest catalytically active form is likely to be a tetramer. 2. PFK activity is markedly affected by the pH of the assay; the optimum pH was at about 8. 3. Physiological concentrations of ATP strongly inhibit locust PFK by shifting the S0.5 for fructose 6-phosphate (concentration required for 50% of maximum activity) out of the physiological concentration range. At pH 7.4 and about physiological concentrations of ATP, the curve of PFK activity against the …
Food-attraction conditioning in the snail, Helix pomatia
1995
Adult pulmonate snails (Helix pomatia) were released equidistant between two types of food, carrot and potato, respectively. Naive snails moved in different directions and did not locate either food above chance, although both foods were readily eaten upon direct contact. After a single carrot feeding episode, 75% of the carrot-fed snails moved directly towards the carrot and ate it. Conversely, potato-fed snails located the potato in 67% of the cases. Snails that were fed apple or lettuce behaved like naive animals, with the majority of animals (75% in both cases) locating neither the carrot nor the potato. The ability of snails to locate this particular food after a single feeding episode…
Kairomonal effect of walking traces from Euschistus heros (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) on two strains of Telenomus podisi (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae)
2003
. The semiochemical cues used by geographically isolated strains of the parasitoid, Telenomus podisi (Ashmed), to find eggs of the stink bug Euschistus heros were investigated. Two strains of Te. podisi, maintained on eggs of a South American host (E. heros) were studied. One parasitoid strain originated from specimens collected near Brasilia, Brazil (SA strain), and a second strain originated from specimens collected at Beltsville, Maryland (NA strain). Cold tolerance tests of adults from the NA and SA Te. podisi strains, analyses of the cuticular hydrocarbons between the two strains, and crossing experiments between strains each indicated consistent differences between the NA and SA stra…
Review of the shore-fly genus Oedenopiforma (Diptera: Ephydridae)
2012
The shore-fly genus Oedenopiforma Cogan is reviewed, including new information on Oedenopiforma argentea (distribution), Oedenopiforma javana (comb. nov. and O. orientalis syn. nov.), and Oedenopiforma vockerothi (sp. nov. from United Arab Emirates). Structures of the male terminalia of these three species, a diagnosis of the genus, and a key to the included genera of Dryxini and species of Oedenopiforma are presented. Resume´—Nous revisons le genre Oedenopiforma Cogan chez les ephydrides et apportons de nouvelles informations sur Oedenopiforma argentea (repartition), Oedenopiforma javana (nouvelle combinaison et O. orientalis nouvelle synonymie )e tOedenopiforma vockerothi (nouvelle espece…
Trichromatic color vision in the salamander (Salamandra salamandra)
1995
Spectral sensitivity functions were measured between 334 nm and 683 nm in Salamandra salamandra by utilizing two behavioral reactions: the negative phototactic response, and the prey catching behavior elicited by a moving worm dummy. The action spectrum of the negative phototactic response revealed 3 pronounced maxima: at 360–400 nm, at 520–540 nm, and at 600–640 nm. In the range around 450 nm, there was a “reaction gap” where sensitivity could not be measured. The action spectrum of the prey catching behavior was entirely different: maximal sensitivity was found at 500 nm and at 570 nm. Between 500 nm and 334 nm sensitivity decreased continuously for about 1 log unit (Fig. 6).
THERMOREGULATION CONSTRAINS EFFECTIVE WARNING SIGNAL EXPRESSION
2009
Evolution of conspicuous signals may be constrained if animal coloration has nonsignaling as well as signaling functions. In aposematic wood tiger moth (Parasemia plantaginis) larvae, the size of a warning signal (orange patch on black body) varies phenotypically and genetically. Although a large warning signal is favored as an antipredator defense, we hypothesized that thermoregulation may constrain the signal size in colder habitats. To test this hypothesis, we conducted a factorial rearing experiment with two selection lines for larval coloration (small and large signal) and with two temperature manipulations (high and low temperature environment). Temperature constrained the size and br…
Study of Pinna nobilis growth from inner record: How biased are posterior adductor muscle scars estimates?
2011
abstract Article history:Received 14 June 2011Received in revised form 19 July 2011Accepted 20 July 2011Available online 17 August 2011Keywords:BivalviaEndangered speciesMediterraneanSclerochronologySpain Previous studies have shown that the external growth records of the posterior adductor muscle scar (PAMS)ofthe bivalve Pinna nobilisareincomplete and donot produce accurate ageestimations. We havedeveloped anew methodology to study age and growth using the inner record of the PAMS, which avoids the necessity ofcostly in situ shell measurements or isotopic studies. Using the inner record we identified the positions ofPAMS previously obscured by nacre and estimated the number of missing recor…
Phytochemical Investigation of the Labiate Dorystoechas hastata
1988
Abstract Carnosol (11,12-dihydroxyabieta-8,11,13-trien-20-oic acid 20,7-lactone), and rosmanol (7α, 11, 12-trihydroxy-abieta-8, 11, 13-trien-20 oic acid-20, 6-lactone), two abietane diterpenes previously isolated from Rosmarinus officinalis, have been isolated from leaves of Dorystoechas hastata. Luteolin, luteolin-7-glucoside, 6-methoxyluteolin-7-glucoside, caffeic acid and chlorogenic acid have also obtained from the same source. The co-occurrence of carnosol, rosmanol and 6-methoxyluteolin-7-glucoside support the close relationship of these two genera.