七星瓢虫唇须感器分布和统计特征的雌雄差异(英文)

应用扫描电镜观察七星瓢虫Coccinella septempunctata的唇须和附节,以便确认在感应农药残留时起主要作用的化学感受器。研究证明分布在下颚须上的感器类型包括两种锥形感器（兼有机械感受器和化学感受器的功能）和一种钟形感器。同时本文首次报道了对这些感器精确的形态测量,明确了其性二型性。对下颚须的测量表明其左右末节的长度差异与七星瓢虫的性别之间有明显的相关性。文中还记述了下唇须上一种新的钟形感器,其在每个下唇须上的数量大约为12 ~17个。经测量这些机械感受器的平均直径为2.4μm。早期研究中所记述的锥形感器被证实是下唇须上仅有的化学感应器,并且首次证明这些锥形感器的数量与性别相关,雄性平均为18个,雌性平均为16个。附节上也存在性别差异：第2跗节跗垫的宽度在雄性中是从后向前逐渐增大,而在雌性中刚好相反。本文还就这些差异的意义以及新发现感器的功能进行了讨论。

X-Ray Powder Diffraction Data—Identification and Structure Elucidation of Unknown Stone—Rietveld Refinement Approach

A dark and lead to silver grey soft irregular-shaped with heavy weight stone has been analysed as a part of research work for determining the components of the stone thereby leading to identify curiously to pinpoint whether the stone is in a category of gemstone, radioactive elements, raw or ingredients for making a powerful bomb or otherwise. In addition to the physical and optical parameters measured such as specific gravity, hardness, luster, transparency, cleavage, streak and other associated minerals for identification of unknown stone, Powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) is one of the primary techniques in identification of minerals to examine the physico-chemical make-up of unknown materials, and has also been employed using Philips, DY993 X-ray Powder Diffractometer. The diffraction spectrum has been measured with the proportional counter in the 2°to 100°range at room temperature 300 K. This study reveals that the stone is not a category of precious stone;instead it is a category of mineral deposition, PbS, Galena.

Water Molecules in the Carbon C60 Confined Space

Experimental scenario of the world being successful in planting water molecule at binary level in fullerene C70 is of utmost importance to pursue the theoretical properties of predictive triple water molecules and poly water molecules in Vander Waals confined space like fullerenes. Here, we present a paper in these lines of exploration of embedding triple water molecules in a Carbon confined space through the studies of behavior of three water molecules in Fullerene C60 by ab-initio methods. This heterogeneous system manifests cyclic hydrogen bonds which may be working with flipping actions. The unusual structural property of water trimers is reported. There exists a dipole moment of 0.9 ± 0.1 Debye which indicates the probable semiconductor properties.

Further compatibility tests of the entomopathogenic fungus Lecanicillium muscarium with conventional insecticide products for control of sweetpotato whitefly, Bemisia tabaci on poinsettia plants

The effect on spore germination of the entomopathogenic fungus Lecanicillium muscarium following direct exposure for 24 h to the insecticides Majestik, Spray Oil, Agri- 50E, Savona and Oberon for the control of both egg and second instar stages of the sweetpotato whitefly, Bemisia tabaci, was determined. Exposure to both Agri-50E and Oberon was followed by acceptable spore germination. Infectivity rates ofL. muscarium on poinsettia foliage in the presence of dry residues of the insecticides were also investigated. No significant detrimental effects on the levels of control of B. tabaci were recorded compared with fungus applied to residue-free foliage. Sequential application of the chemicals Savona, Spray Oil and Majestik with the fungus all produced mortalities of second instar B. tabaci above 90%. Incorporation of these chemicals with L. muscarium into integrated control programs for B. tabaci is discussed.

The integrated use of chemical insecticides and the entomopathogenic nematode, Steinemema carpocapsae （Nematoda： Steinernematidae）, for the control of sweetpotato whitefly, Bemisia tabaci （Hemiptera： Aleyrodidae）

The integration of chemical insecticides and infective juveniles of the entomopathogenic nematode Steinernema carpocapsae （Wesier） （Nematoda： Steinernematidae）, to control second instars of the sweetpotato whitefly, Bemisia tabaci Gennadius （Hemiptera： Aleyrodidae） was investigated. Using a sand bioassay, the effects of direct exposure of S. carpocapsae for 24 h to field rate dilutions of four insecticides （spiromesifen, thiacloprid, imidacloprid and pymetrozine） on infectivity to Galleria mellonella larvae were tested. Although all chemicals tested, except spiromesifen, produced acceptable nematode infectivity rates, they were all significantly less than the water control. The effect of insecticide treatment （dry residues of spiromesifen, thiacloprid and pymetrozine and soil drench of imidacloprid） on the efficacy of the nematode against B. tabaci was also investigated. Nematodes in combination with thiacloprid and spiromesifen gave higher B. tabaci mortality （86.5% and 94.3% respectively） compared to using nematodes alone （75.2%） on tomato plants. There was no significant difference in B. tabaci mortality when using the chemicals imidacloprid, pymetrozine and spiromesifen in conjunction with nematodes compared to using the chemicals alone. However, using thiacloprid in combination with the nematodes produced significantly higher B. tabaci mortality than using the chemical alone. The integration of S. carpocapsae and these chemical agents into current integrated pest management programmes for the control of B. tabaci is discussed.

Feeding of grey squirrels (Sciurus carolinensis) with the contraceptive agent DiazaCon^(TM):effect on cholesterol, hematology, and blood chemistry

Grey squirrels(Sciurus carolinensis)are an invasive species in Britain and Italy.They have replaced native red squirrels(Sciurus vulgaris)throughout most of Britain,and cause damage to trees.Currently,lethal control is used to manage grey squirrel populations in Britain,but nonlethal methods might be more acceptable to the public.One such method is contraception with 20,25-diazacholesterol dihydrochloride(DiazaCon^(TM)).DiazaCon^(TM) inhibits the conversion of desmosterol to cholesterol,resulting in increasing desmosterol concentrations and decreasing cholesterol concentrations.Because cholesterol is needed for the synthesis of steroid reproductive hormones,such as progesterone and testosterone,inhibition of cholesterol synthesis indirectly inhibits reproduction.Desmosterol is used as a marker of efficacy in laboratory studies with species that do not reproduce readily in captivity.Grey squirrels were gavaged with a DiazaCon^(TM) solution for 2 days,and then fed DiazaCon^(TM)-coated peanuts for an additional 8 days at target doses of 50 and 100 mg DiazaCon^(TM) per kg body weight.There was a significant difference in cholesterol concentrations in the treatment groups compared to the control group.Cholesterol was reduced by≥40%for 2 months in both treatment groups.There were no differences among groups with respect to blood chemistry and hematology parameters,and mean values are reported.The mean overall dose of DiazaCon^(TM) received was 29.0±1.6 and 55.3±4.3 mg/kg in the low(50 mg/kg)and high dose(100 mg/kg)groups,respectively.DiazaCon^(TM) might provide an effective,acceptable alternative to lethal control.

An evaluation of garlic lectin as an alternative carrier domain for insecticidal fusion proteins

The mannose-binding lectin GNA （snowdrop lectin） is used as a＂carrier＂ domain in insecticidal fusion proteins which cross the insect gut after oral ingestion. A similar lectin from garlic bulb, ASAII, has been evaluated as an alternative ＂carrier＂. Recombinant ASAII delivered orally to larvae of cabbage moth （Mamestra brassica; Lepidoptera） was subsequently detected in haemolymph, demonstrating transport. Fusion proteins comprising an insect neurotoxin, ButaIT （Buthus tamulus insecticidal toxin; red scorpion toxin） linked to the C-terminal region of ASAII or GNA were produced as recombinant proteins （GNA/ ButaIT and ASA/ButaIT） by expression in Pichia pastoris. In both cases the C-terminal sequence of the lectin was truncated to avoid post-translational proteolysis. The GNA- containing fusion protein was toxic by injection to cabbage moth larvae （LD50≈ 250μg/g）, and when fed had a negative effect on survival and growth. It also decreased the survival of cereal aphids （Sitobion avenae; Homoptera） from neonate to adult by 〉70% when fed. In contrast, the ASA-ButaIT fusion protein was non-toxic to aphids, and had no effect on lepidopteran larvae, either when injected or when fed. However, intact ASA-ButaIT fusion protein was present in the haemolymph of cabbage moth larvae following ingestion, showing that transport of the fusion had occurred. The stabilities of GNA/ButaIT and ASA/ButaIT to proteolysis in vivo after injection or ingestion differed, and this may be a factor in determining insecticidal activities.

Forensic Identification of Four Indian Snake Species Using Single Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction

Among different endangered animal species,snakes are the most neglected creature looked at with apathy and therefore,are ruthlessly killed,illegally trafficked,and poached for their venom,lucrative skin,meat,and bones for manufacturing of medicines,accessories,and food items.Establishing the identity of the endangered snake species is important for punishing the offenders under Wildlife Protection Act(WPA)(1972)but morphological characters fail to establish identity as they are often altered.The technique of identification of snake species at molecular level holds very effective conclusion in punishing offender.Here,we have constructed and demonstrated a novel multiplexing polymerase chain reaction technique,using 16S rRNA and C-mos gene for identification of four Indian snake species,namely Ptyas mucosa,Daboia russellii,Naja naja,and Xenochrophis piscator.They are listed in Appendix-II and III of convention on international trade in endangered species of wild fauna and flora and Schedule II;Part II of Indian WPA,1972.Therefore,it may be considered a functional tool for establishing species-specific identity of four Indian snake species and promising to be useful for their conservation.

Asian Crocodile Poaching:A Review of Molecular Techniques Developed for Forensic Identification

Crocodiles,gharials and alligators(order Crocodilia),are aquatic reptiles that live in the tropics of Asia,America,Africa,and Australia.Asian countries such as India,Indonesia,Malaysia,and tropics of Australia are the stronghold of the family Crocodylidae.Among all 23 crocodile species,nine species occur in Asia and its surroundings,including the only member of Gavialidae and Alligatoridae family.They are“mugger”or“Crocodylus palustris,”“saltwater crocodile”or“Crocodylus porosus,”“Philippine crocodile”or“Crocodylus mindorensis,”“New Guinea crocodile”or“Crocodylus novaeguineae,”“Siamese crocodile”or“Crocodylus siamensis,”“gharials”or“Gavialis gangeticus,”“false gharial”or“Tomistoma schlegelii,”and“Chinese alligator”or“Alligator sinensis.”All of these species have been encompassed in“Appendix I”and“Appendix II”of the“Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora,”which prevents any kind of trade involving crocodilian species.However,it has been observed that these crocodiles are illegally poached and trafficked for their lucrative skin,meats,eggs,snouts,and bones in medicinal and cosmetic industries.Although many molecular biologists have come forward for the conservation of these species,lack of knowledge about the available,fast,and dependable techniques makes it difficult for forensic identification of seized or confiscated.It has been a major problem for the implementation of the“Wildlife Protection Law”on illegal trade.This article focuses on molecular techniques developed till date for the rapid and reliable species identification and conservation study of them.

Application of Molecular Markers in Wildlife DNA Forensic Investigations

Wildlife DNAForensic isthe application of regular DNAforensic methodsfor proper identification of wildlife parts and their products.Recent advances in molecular genetic studies have generated a new and exciting range of possible applications of genetic methods to wildlife research,conservation,and management.These advances have led to an explosion in genetic research on wildlife for their identification at molecular level and have increased interest among researchers working in other scientific disciplines for application of genetic technology in wildlife DNAforensic field.Different molecular markers have been developed and being routinely used for analysis,such as nuclear markers(variable number of tandem repeats,single-nucleotide polymorphisms),mitochondrial markers(cytochrome b,cytochrome c oxidase subunit I,16S rRNA,12S rRNA,and D‑Loop)and microsatellites.As soon as,a case is reported under Wildlife Protection Act(1972)the case exhibits are sent to forensic laboratories for proper analysis of species for appropriate application of law.