The Yellow Spot Pattern of Salamander (Salamandra infraimmaculata) in Various Habitats at the Southern Border of Its Distribution in Israel

The present study describes the different color-pattern phenotypes of yellow spots on the black back of Salamandra infraimmaculata in various habitats at the southern border of its distribution in Israel. At Tel Dan, we photographed 454 salamanders in moist habitats where water flows year round;100 of these were sampled to measure the percentage of yellow and black color on the back, and the number of spots on the head. At Kibbutz Sasa, 201 salamanders were photographed, of which 62 were sampled for the measurements. In Kibbutz Yehiam, 200 salamanders were photographed, and 60 were sampled for the measurements. At all sites, about a third of the salamanders were photographed more than once. For all three populations, yellow spots on the salamander back were found in one row, two rows or scattered. For two indices (proportion of yellow/black and number of spots on the head), the Dan population (under wet, running water all year round conditions) differed from the two other populations of salamanders (under semi-arid mountain conditions). The number of yellow spots on the head of the salamanders in the three populations varied from 1 to 7. In all populations, 4 spots pattern was the most common. In the Dan population, there were significantly more salamanders with 1 to 3 spots on their head than in the Sasa or Yehiam populations. No difference was found in the number of head spots for Sasa vs. Yehiam salamanders. The percentage of yellow on the black back was significantly larger for the Dan salamanders vs. the two other populations. The main question examined was whether there is an effect of the habitat conditions in isolated populations on the spot pattern on the salamander back. The answer is positive and is supported by previous studies.

Construction of a Constitutively Activated Gα Mutant in the Maize Pathogen <i>Cochliobolus heterostrophus</i>

Conserved eukaryotic signaling proteins participate in development and disease in plant pathogenic fungi. Mutants in CGA1, a heterotrimeric G protein Ga subunit gene of the maize pathogen Cochliobolus heterostrophus, are defective in several developmental pathways. Conidia from CGA1 mutants germinate as abnormal, straight-growing germ tubes that form few appressoria, and the mutants are female-sterile. The CGA1, Gα subunit, is also thought to act as a down regulator of hydrophobin expression and secretion in this fungus and in related Ascomycete species. Although cga1 mutants can cause normal lesions on plants there are host physiology conditions under which full virulence requires signal transduction through CGA1-mediated pathways. A Gα activated mutant, cga1Q204L was created to help establish the role of CGA1 in growth and development, and in mediating hydrophobin secretion and expression. The activated Gα allele was transformed into a cga1 mutant strain. The transgenic lines showed phenotypes resembling the null mutant in development, sporulation and hydrophobicity, indicating a possible role for CGA1 as a stabilizer of these traits.

Damage to <i>Salamandra infraimmaculata</i>Populations by Human Activity in Creating Water Pits Is a Death Trap in Semi-Arid Habitats

The different breeding sites of Salamandra infraimmaculata on the southern border of its distribution were examined and mapped in order to estimate the damage caused by water holes that could represent death traps for salamanders in xeric habitats. Among the various types of breeding sites (springs, streams, water holes, winter pools and reservoirs), the larvae of salamanders were detected in high numbers in springs and streams (503) and water holes (48), and in relatively low numbers in winter pools. Two water holes were examined in detail to estimate the damage caused to S. infraimmaculata where breeding places are limited. During the winter, both males and females enter a water hole for breeding. The percentage of males in and around the water hole was 42% and that of females 29%. After the salamanders’ oviposition in the water, they try to return to terrestrial habitats, but are unable to do so and lose weight and die. The body mass index (BMI) of salamanders decreases from winter (December) after they move to the water hole to spring (April), when they are found in the water hole. The estimation of potential damage is about 300 mature salamanders annually.

Sturgeon (Acipenser gueldenstaedtii) Acclimatization to Optimal Growth Conditions—A Case Study of Adaptation, Nutrition, Reproduction, and Sex Determination

The development of new agricultural industries is an important challenge for a region’s economic establishment. The connection between a research department at MIGAL Institute and biotechnology in aquaculture is an example (case study) of the interrelationships that also exist in other departments. This article describes the research conducted by the institute supporting the development of the aquaculture industry in Israel through the introduction of a relatively new fish species—the Russian sturgeon (Acipenser gueldenstaedtii), with the relevant information to be used for acclimatization to aquaculture conditions in northern Israel. Many aspects related to bringing a new species to Israel and working with this new industry to study its adaptation to existing conditions in the north of the country influenced the economic success of this new type of precision agriculture. This article describes the research on various aspects affecting the successful acclimatization of Russian sturgeon in northern Israel: introduction, food development, reproduction, hormone systems that control reproduction and growth, gonadal development, and molecular markers for sex determination, differentiation, and economic assessment of caviar production.

Changes in Tree Frog (<i>Hyla savignyi</i>) Coloration in Unstable Habitats at the Southern Border of Its Distribution

This study examined the relationship between tree frog (Hyla savignyi) coloring and its different seasonal habitats at the southern border of its distribution. The results show that tree frog color is affected by the dominant colors in its habitat, which vary seasonally, especially between winter and summer. Tree frog colors were various shades of green, white, brown, and black. No genetic marker was found to characterize the color. The ability of a small frog to infer its own time with the help of color changes occurring in the habitat on the southern border of its distribution, which are relatively broad, gives this species an advantage.