Effect of60Co gamma radiation on the rice weevil,Sitophilus oryzae (L.)

The effect of gramma radiation on the rice weevil,Sitophilus oryzae (L.) was studied. Adults were subjected to 12 doses ranging from 0 to 180 Gy of gamma radiation from a⁶⁰Co source. The time to onset of death and the duration of the period of mortality were investigated. Survival of the adults was decreased with increase of the doses. LD₅₀ and LD_99,9 values were calculated.With one figure and one table     

The effects of different rearing diet media on the irradiated pupae and adults of flour beetle,Tribolium confusum (J. du val)

In this study, gamma radiation was applied between 10–120 Gy at 10 dose levels for 2–4 days-old pupae; 10–150 Gy at 11 dose levels for 12–14 days-old adults ofT. confusum. All experiments were carried out in incubators maintained at 27±0.5°C and 70±5% relative humidity. The development of adults reared on different flours from irradiated pupae was not prevented by exposing these stages investigated doses. Rapidly developing confused flour beetle were more susceptible to killing by gamma radiation. Adults that emerged from treated pupa had elytral and other deformities. In barley flour, rate of deformed individuals were higher than the other rearing media. LD₅₀, LD_99,9 and SD_99,9 values for wheat flour were high compared with both barley and maize flour. For adult treatment, there were differences in survival among rearing diets especially at doses of 40, 50 and 60 Gys. But there were no differences for LD₅₀ and LD_99,9 values at adult stage, indicating little influence of rearing medium on susceptibility of adults. On the other hand, there were little differences between rearing diets for SD₅₀ and SD_99,9.With 6 tables and 4 figures     

Distribution of CD68‐, CD8‐, MHCI‐ and MHCII‐positive cells in the bull and ram testis and epididymis

The mammalian testis possesses a special immunological environment because of its properties of remarkable immune privilege and effective local innate immunity. The testicular immune privilege protects immunogenic germ cells from systemic immune attack, and local innate immunity is important in preventing testicular microbial infections. Thus, this study aimed to immunohistochemically demonstrate the distribution and localization of CD68‐, CD8‐, MHCI‐ and MHCII‐positive immune cells in the testes and epididymes. Negative immunoreactivity was detected in the seminiferous tubule epithelium and peritubular myoid cells of the testes upon staining in CD68, CD8 and MHC Class I. Positive CD68 immunoreaction was determined in the Sertoli cells and some Leydig cells. The detection of positive cells for CD8 clearly indicated the presence of lymphocytes. Furthermore, the staining with MHCI intensity was ascertained to vary from weak to moderate in the Sertoli and Leydig cells and connective tissue cells. MHCII‐positive immunoreactivity was determined in myoid cells and Leydig cells in the interstitial area. The epithelium of the epididymis showed positive staining for CD68 and CD8, but the stroma displayed a rather weak staining. In the ram epididymis, neither intraepithelial nor interstitial positive reaction was observed for MHCI. In the epididymis, the basal cells displayed a stronger staining for MHCII. In conclusion, these cells not only contribute to local immunity through their direct effects on the quality of fertility in males, but also contribute either directly or indirectly to immune privilege by minimizing the development of both autoimmune reactions and potentially harmful risks.     

Effects of gamma radiation on life stages of the Mediterranean flour moth, Ephestia kuehniella Zeller (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)

We report the results of experiments conducted with Ephestia kuehniella Zeller to determine the effects of gamma radiation on life stages. Eggs, larvae, pupae and adults were irradiated with increasing doses of gamma radiation (seven dose levels between 50 and 400 Gy for eggs and larvae, six dose levels between 50 and 350 Gy for pupae and four dose levels between 250 and 550 Gy for adults). All the experiments were conducted in a growth chamber maintained at 27 ± 1°C, 65 ± 5% r.h., and alternating 14 h light:10 h dark cycles. The number of adults that developed from irradiated eggs and larvae was lower than the untreated control. Doses of 200 Gy and above prevented adult emergence from irradiated eggs. Although a dose of 200 Gy was enough to prevent adult emergence from young larvae, 250 Gy should be used to prevent adult emergence completely from last instar larvae. Delayed developmental periods were observed for the treated eggs and larvae. Fecundity and egg hatchability were decreased depending on the doses applied. Decreased fecundity and egg hatchability were more prevalent when both the male and female pupae were treated compared to the treatment of female pupae only. There was no significant decrease in the fecundity of irradiated adults except 550 Gy, and no eggs hatched at doses of 300 Gy and above.     

A Macro‐Anatomical Investigation of the Some Skull Bones of Nehring's Blind Mole Rats (Spalacidae: Nannospalax nehringi)

This study was aimed to demonstrate the specific anatomical features of the skull bones of Nehring's blind mole rats. Eight skulls, belonging to animals of both sexes, were used. The occipital squama contributed to the formation of the caudal portion of the skull roof. The foramen magnum was quite large. The external occipital crest was present only in the males. The parietal bones formed the middle portion of the skull roof together with the well‐developed inter‐parietal bones. The zygomatic process of the temporal bone formed the zygomatic arch by extending to the temporal process of the zygomatic bone. The zygomatic process of the frontal bone and the frontal process of the zygomatic bone laterally bordered the orbit. There was a single septal process of the nasal bone. Each ramus of the mandibula had four processes. The mandibular ramus had an angular process on its caudal rim, which extended dorsolaterally. The dorsal free end of the mandibular ramus possessed a coronoid process. In the back, there were two other processes, situated medially and laterally. The medially situated process was referred to as a condylar process, and the laterally situated process was referred to as an alveolar process. The alveolar process detected on the mandibular ramus has not been reported in any rodent species, other than those of the family Spalacidae. Blind mole rats can be a real eye‐opener for evolutionary science. The burrowing rodents are key to answering a controversial question about how new species arise.