The karyotype,C-bands and AgNO3-bands of a lungless salamander from Korea:Onychodactylus fischeri (Boulenger) (Amphibia,Urodela)

The karyotype of a lungless salamander,Onychodactylus fischeri, from Korea was analyzed and compared with that of the Japanese congeneric species,O. japonicus. In both species the diploid karyotype consists of78 chromosomes, including 6 pairs of large chromosomes, 6 pairs of medium-sized ones, and the remaining 27 pairs of microchromosomes. The chromosome number ofO. fischeri, 2n=78, is, like that ofO. japonicus, the largest so far reported in the order Urodela. C-banding showed that constitutive heterochromatin inO. fischeri was mainly in the centromeric regions and near the secondary constrictions of the large chromosomes. AgNO₃-bands were located in the secondary constrictions associated with C-band heterochromatin.     

Na-pump sites in the oviduct of Salamandra salamandra (L.) (Amphibia, Urodela)

Using 3H-ouabain autoradiography, Na+-K+-ATPase has been localized on the basolateral membranes of ciliated and nonciliated cells in the oviduct (pars recta, p. convoluta I, II, III) of the European fire salamander, Salamandra salamandra. The mucous and seromucous gland cells of the p. convoluta I, II, III, however, do not show any significant labelling. An asymmetrical distribution of ouabain binding sites is a main feature of transporting epithelia.     

Na-pump sites in the oviduct ofSalamandra salamandra (L.) (Amphibia,Urodela)

Summary Using³H-ouabain autoradiography, Na⁺–K⁺-ATPase has been localized on the basolateral membranes of ciliated and nonciliated cells in the oviduct (pars recta, p. convoluta I, II, III) of the European fire salamander,Salamandra salamandra. The mucous and seromucous gland cells of the p.convoluta I, II, III, however, do not show any significant labelling. An asymmetrical distribution of ouabain binding sites is a main feature of transporting epithelia.     

Cytogenetic studies of Hynobiidae (Urodela). XIV. Analysis of the chromosome of a Chinese salamander, Batrachuperus pinchonii (David)

The chromosome number of a Chinese salamander, Batrachuperus pinchonii, was re-examined. Adults and embryonic specimens had a diploid number of 66, with 33 bivalents during meiosis, in contrast to previous reported results. Furthermore, when C-banding analysis was performed with embryos, chromosomes with banding patterns homoeologous to those of Salamandrella keyserlingii and Hynobius species were found. It appears, therefore, that Batrachuperus, Salamandrella and Hynobius might be derived from a common ancestral species in eastern Asia. Received 22 August 1997; received after revision 14 October 1997; accepted 20 November 1997     

Effects of tricaine methane sulphonate (M.S. 222) on the blood glucose levels in adult salamanders (Diemicytlus viridescens)

Summary Exposure to M. S. 222 results in hyperglycemia in adult newts (Diemicytlus viridescens). A combination of higher anesthetic concentrations with reduced exposure periods reduces the magnitude of this form of stress response.This work was supported by National Research Council of Canada Grant No. A9753 to S. Vethamany-Globus and No. A6933 to M. Globus.     

Comparative study of the karyotypes of two Egyptian species of bats,Taphozous perforatus andTaphozous nudiventris (Chiroptera: Mammalia)

A detailed karyotypic analysis of two Egyptian species of bats,Taphozous perforatus andTaphozous nudiventris, was made on the basis of conventional data and G-band patterns. No detectable karyotypic difference was found between the two species (2n=42, F.N. 64). By comparison of G-band patterns, some differences between the two species were seen in the corresponding autosomal pairs. These results are reported for the first time in Egypt.     

Alkaloids ofConoclinium coelestinum (L.) DC.,Eupatorium compositifolium walt., andE. altissimum L.: Isolation of crystalline intermedine fromC. coelestinum

Summary The isolation of crystalline intermedine fromConoclinium, coelestinum (L.) DC., notmixed with the diastereoisomeric congener base lycopsamine, is reported.E. compositifolium Walt. yielded the usual mixture of intermedine and lycopsamine; fromE. altissimum L. rinderine and 7-angelylheliotridine have been isolated.     

Ultrastructural localization of 3-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity in the glandular tissue cells of the testis of Pleurodeles waltlii Michach. (Amphibia, Urodela)]

With the potassium ferricyanide method, the localization of the sites of 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity has been investigated in the glandular tissue cells, previously fixed, of the Pleurodeles testis. An abundant copper ferrocyanide precipitate, the final reaction product, is observed in the vicinity of the external faces of the membranes of the smooth endoplasmic reticulum, or in contact with them. A very weak reaction occurs in mitochondrial cristae.     

Chromosomal and morphological diversity in 2 populations of Asian mountain vole,Alticola lemminus Miller (Rodentia,Cricetidae)

Summary Voles from Yakutia and Chukotka were found to differ in the morphology of 3 pairs of autosomes and sex chromosomes, as well as in M³-structure and skull dimensions. This makes their conspecificity doubtful. A variation in short arm lengths of the X- and Y-chromosomes has been discovered.     

The isolation,identification and synthesis of the alarm pheromone ofVespula squamosa (Drury) (Hymenoptera: Vespidae) and associated behavior

Summary A material that elicits alarm and attack behavior byVespula squamosa (Drury) workers was isolated from venom extracts and identified by spectroscopic methods as N-3-methylbutylacetamide. This compound elicited attack responses from worker wasps identical to those responses observed when venom was applied at the same dosage. This is the first behavioral role reported for this compound.The authors thank E. Adamak, R. Murphy and F. Takken for technical assistance. This article reports the results of research only. Mention of a proprietary product does not constitute an endorsement or the recommendation for its use by USDA.     

The chromosomes ofE. calcaratus and the karyological evolution of the genusEupsophus (Anura: Leptodactylidae)

Summary The karyotype of the Chilean frogEupsophus calcaratus is described for the first time. The evolutionary karyological trends of this genus are presented.Supported by Proyecto S-79-3, Dirección de Investigación, Universidad Austral de Chile.The technical assistence of Sonia Lacrampe is acknowledged with appreciation.     

The gross morphology of the stinging and non-stinging states of the antTetramorium caespitum L. (Hymenoptera,Formicidae, Myrmicinae)

Summary The change in sting morphology ofTetramorium caespitum is described in detail. The sting-tip may protrude/retract from the sting-ending during its stinging/non-stinging process respectively. A possible trail laying function of the stings terminal membranous sheath is proposed.     

Y chromosome in the sibling speciesAnopheles atroparvus (van Thiel, 1927) andA. labranchiae (Falleroni, 1926) (Diptera: Culicidae): Differential behaviour of the short arm after acid-alkaline treatment and Coriphosphine-O staining

Summary An acid-alkaline treatment followed by Coriphosphine-O staining was used for detecting chromosomal differences between the 2 sibling speciesAnopheles atroparvus (van Thiel) andA. labranchiae (Falleroni) (Diptera: Culicidae). The short arm of the Y chromosome was found to stain differently in the 2 species.The authors wish to thank the entomologist C. Contini for collecting and classifyingA. labranchiae larvae and Prof. U. Bianchi and Prof. U. Laudani for helpful discussions and suggestions on the subject.