The effects of kaolin particle film on Plutella xylostella behaviour and development

Studies were conducted to evaluate the effect of a kaolin-based particle film against the diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae). The effect of the particle film on development, survival and host plant selection was tested on calabrese seedlings, Brassica oleracea italica Plenck cv. Fiesta F(1), under controlled environmental conditions in the laboratory. Survival to adulthood was significantly reduced and development time increased on kaolin-treated compared with water-treated host plants. The hatch rate of neonate P. xylostella larvae from eggs laid on an artificial substrate was unaffected by the particle film applied after oviposition. Experiments showed that, when given the choice, significantly fewer larvae first made contact with the kaolin-treated compared with the water-treated plant material and that after 24 h there were still significantly fewer larvae present on kaolin-treated leaves. Adult females, however, deposited more eggs on host plants coated with the kaolin particle film. As part of this series of experiments the water control treatment was compared with plant material which had been sprayed with kaolin on the upper surface only and on both leaf surfaces. In general, any observed treatment effect was enhanced with an increase in the particle film coverage. The results warrant the extension of investigations of kaolin-based particle films to field-based P. xylostella management strategies.     

Predictive modelling and ground validation of the spatial distribution of the New Zealand long-tailed bat (Chalinolobus tuberculatus)

The use of predictive models is continually increasing, but few models are subsequently field-checked and evaluated. This study evaluates the statistical strength and usefulness for conservation purposes of a predictive habitat use model developed for Chalinolobus tuberculatus, a threatened microchiropteran bat species found in the temperate rainforests of New Zealand. The relationship between various environmental variables and the presence/absence of the species was investigated using generalised linear modelling. The model developed was coupled with GIS data to develop maps of predicted occurrence within the West Coast region of New Zealand’s South Island. It was found that distance to forest boundary, slope, presence of Nothofagus, general land cover, variability in mean annual solar radiation, and mean ambient winter minimum temperature were significantly associated with the occurrence of the species. Evaluation of the statistical strength of the distribution model with independent data of species’ occurrence collected at 152 sites found that the C. tuberculatus model showed a moderate ability to predict both species presence and absence (τ(b) coefficient = 0.37). The field detection rate (0.45) using this model was significantly higher than that of historical surveys (0.12). The value of the species habitat model and the need to evaluate its utility in the development of conservation strategies is discussed.     

GC-olfactometric characterization of aroma volatiles from the thermal degradation of thiamin in model orange juice

Model orange juice solutions containing 0.024 mM thiamin hydrochloride were stored for up to 8 weeks at 35 degrees C in amber glass containers. Volatiles were evaluated, primarily, using gas chromatography (GC) with olfactometry but also with flame ionization detector, pulsed-flame photometer detector (PFPD) (sulfur specific), and MS detection. Both 2-methyl-3-furanthiol (MFT) and its dimer, bis(2-methyl-3-furyl) disulfide (MFT-MFT) were identified thus confirming that thiamin could serve as the precursor to these potent off-flavors in thermally degraded citrus juices. Thirteen aroma active components were observed. MFT and MFT-MFT were observed after only a few days storage, and produced 33% of the total aroma activity after 7 d storage. Both compounds were observed olfactometrically earlier than they could be detected using PFPD. Other aroma-active compounds included 4,5-dimethylthiazole (skunky, earthy), 3-thiophenethiol (meaty, cooked), 2-methyl-4,5-dihydro-3(2H)-thiophenone (sour-fruity, musty, green), 2-acethylthiophene (burnt), 2-formyl-5-methylthiophene (meaty), and 2-methyl-3-(methyldithio) furan (meaty).     

Diatom Inferred Acidity History Of 32 Lakes On The Kola Peninsula,Russia

The Kola Peninsula is characterised by vast environmental contrasts. Large areas are almost in pristine condition. However, mining and associated industrial activity generate one of the largest sources of heavy metal and sulphur emissions in the world and create `technogenic wastelands' around smelters. Due to the lack of monitoring data, insufficient knowledge is available regarding the acidification history of lakes on the peninsula. In this study, palaeolimnological techniques were used to reveal the pre-industrial pH status of 32 small lakes in order to evaluate the role of human impacts on freshwater ecosystems. Diatom-inferred pH reconstructions demonstrated that for 22 (68.75%) of the lakes, the pH was below 6.5 and in eight (25%) below 6.0 during the pre-industrial period; signs of recent acidification could be detected only in seven lakes of which five are located relatively close to current pollution sources. Furthermore, no substantial changes between the pre-industrial and modern species richness and composition were observed, indicating relatively stable environmental conditions. Most of the lakes seem to have undergone long-term acidification and are mainly affected by natural acidifying factors (e.g., vegetation, bedrock, climate, sea salt). The effect of anthropogenic emissions seems to be surprisingly geographically restricted and controlled mainly by the surrounding topography and prevailing winds. However, although many lakes seem to be in relatively pristine condition, only a significant reduction in heavy metal and sulphur emissions will prevent the lakes from acidifying in the future.     

Diet of blue cod,Parapercis colias,living on undisturbed biogenic reefs and on seabed modified by oyster dredging in Foveaux Strait,New Zealand

• 1. Little has been done to assess the potential impact of habitat modification by bottom fishing gear on the feeding habits of demersal fishes. An analysis is presented of the diet of blue cod in Foveaux Strait, southern New Zealand, based on the gut content of fish taken in winter 1999 from two sites where each site consisted of both undisturbed biogenic reefs and reefs modified by oyster dredging.
• 2. Of the 420 guts collected, 13% were empty. The overall mean wet weight of gut content was <4 g. No significant habitat or site effects were detected for the proportion of empty guts or the amount of food consumed.
• 3. A pattern was detected that blue cod on dredged habitats generally fed on more crustaceans than those on undistributed habitats. Blue cod from undisturbed habitat also displayed a more diverse diet than those taken from dredged habitat. These results suggest that long‐term disturbance of seabed habitat by the oyster fishery in Foveaux Strait has caused changes to the diet of blue cod. The findings also suggest that actions should be taken to protect the biogenic reefs from further damage if the blue cod fishery and related resources are to be effectively managed.
• 4. Changes in prey diversity with increasing fish size were also found, with prey diversity (Shannon–Wiener index) increasing from 0.83 to 1.35 over a range of fish size from <25 cm to larger than 34 cm. A total of 52 prey taxa were identified in the diet of blue cod. Crustaceans were the main component, followed by mollusca and polychaeta. Fish, echinodermata and ‘other’ were less important in the diet.

Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The role of glycogen phosphorylase in the regulation of glycogenolysis by insulin and glucagon in isolated eel (Anguilla rostrata) hepatocytes

The effects of porcine, scombroid, and salmon insulins, and bovine and anglerfish glucagons on glycogen depletion and glycogen phosphorylase (GPase) activities were examined in freshly isolated American eel (Anguilla rostrata) hepatocytes. Eel liver GPase in crude homogenates was activated (increase in % GPase a) by phosphorylating conditions and was rapidly inactivated (less than 1 h) when a phosphatase inhibitor (fluoride) was absent. Caffeine inhibits, and AMP activates, the b form of GPase consistent with their effects on rat liver GPase. Both mammalian and fish glucagons increased glucose production in eel hepatocytes, but had more ambiguous effects on glycogen levels and GPase activities. The magnitude of bovine glucagon effects were dependent on the initial glycogen content of the cells; only at glycogen concentrations less than approximately 70 μmoles.g⁻¹ did glucagon significantly increase % GPase a. Anglerfish glucagon significantly increased cyclic AMP (cAMP) concentrations by 90% at 10⁻⁷ M, but had no effects at 10⁻⁹ M and 10⁻⁸ M. Scombroid and salmon insulins maintained hepatocyte glycogen concentrations and decreased glucose production, with these effects more pronounced at low (10⁻⁹ to 10⁻⁸ M) rather than high (10⁻⁷ M) hormone concentrations. Porcine and salmon insulins decreased total GPase and % GPase a activities, and salmon insulin decreased CAMP levels, but only at 10⁻⁸ M (by 44%). Glycogen is, therefore, depleted by glucagon and maintained by insulin in freshly isolated American eel hepatocytes, and these changes are accomplished, at least in part, by changes in the activities of GPase. Changes in cAMP do not explain all of the observed hormone effects.     

Dopamine inhibits gonadotropin secretion in the Chinese loach (Paramisgurnus dabryanus)

The effects of dopamine on gonadotropin (GtH) secretion in sexually mature Chinese loach were investigated. Spontaneous secretion of GtH was inhibited within 1 h following an intramuscular injection of dopamine (100 g/g body wt). Similarly, dopamine (50 and 100 g/g body wt) caused a significant reduction in serum GtH in fish with elevated GtH levels as a result of pretreatment with gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) analogs either alone or in combination with the dopamine receptor antagonist domperidone. In summary, the present study provides direct evidence that dopamine functions as a gonadotropin-release inhibitory factor in the Chinese loach by blocking spontaneous and GnRH-stimulated GtH release.     

Evaluation of peripheral lymphocytes after weaning and vaccination for Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae

This study evaluated immune cell populations in pigs following weaning and vaccination for Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae. Piglets (n = 24) were weaned (day 0) at 16 (±1) days of age, and randomly assigned to the vaccination group (n = 16) or control group (n = 8). Complete blood cell counts, flow cytometry and serology were completed for blood samples collected on days 0 (within hours of weaning), 3, 7, 14, 30 and 60. The M. hyopneumoniae S:P ratios (sample optical density: positive control optical density) were negative in the vaccination group until days 30 and 60, when the S:P ratios were 1.3 and 1.0, respectively. Control animals remained serologically negative. The percentage of CD4⁺ T cells was less (P < 0.01) in control pigs than vaccinated pigs at day 3. In contrast, numbers of CD8⁺ and CD4⁺CD8⁺ T cells were greater (P < 0.01) in control pigs than in vaccinated pigs at days 3 and 7. After day 7, few differences in immune cell types were evident between the groups. Differences in lymphocyte populations could not be solely attributed to vaccination, due at least in part, to the confounding influence of weaning. It was difficult to distinguish the influence of vaccination from the impact of weaning on peripheral immune cell populations.