Sex attractants for maleHeliothis armigera (Hbn.)

Summary (Z)-11-Hexadecenal and (Z)-11-tetradecenal were found to be sex attractants of maleHeliothis armigera (Hbn.).This research was supported by a grant from the United States-Israel Binational Science Foundation (BSF), Jerusalem, Israel.     

Karyotype and chromosome banding in the reed frogHyperolius viridiflavus ommatostictus (Amphibia,Anura, Hyperoliidae)

Summary C-banding and mithramycin staining were used to characterize the karyotypes of 10 specimens of the African reed frogHyperolius viridiflavus ommatostictus from Tanzania. The diploid chromosome number is 2n=24. Although no heteromorphic sex chromosomes were present in the mitotic karyotypes, in many diakineses of male meiosis one or two bivalents exhibited an end-to-end arrangement. In the laboratory 7 out of 24 females changed sex spontaneously. This indicates that an XY/XX system of sex determination operates inH. viridiflavus ommatostictus.This study was supported by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (Schm 484/2-4). We thank K. E. Linsenmair and C. M. Richards for helpful comments on an earlier draft.     

The male pheromone of the old house borerHylotrupes bajulus (L.) (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae): Identification and female response

We report here the identification of the long-range, male-produced sex pheromone of the Old house borerHylotrupes bajulus. Chemical analysis of hexane extracts obtained by surface extraction from dissected prothoracic glands and from headspace samples of the two sexes, revealed male-specific compounds: (3R)-3-hydroxy-2-hexanone, 2-hydroxy-3-hexanone, the diastereomeric diols (2R, 3R)-2,3-hexanediol and (2S, 3R)-2,3-hexanediol, 2,3-hexanedione, as well as 1-butanol.In wind tunnel bioassays we tested the influence of these male-specific compounds from the prothoracal glands on the behaviour of unmated and mated females. Specific behavioural sequences of the tested females (activity, running behaviour, searching, cleaning, flying, extension of ovipositor) were recorded. Unmated females were attracted by male beetles, headspace extracts of males, synthetic blends of the major pheromone compounds as well as by the components (3R)-3-hydroxy-2-hexanone, and the diastereomeric diols. Hexane, female beetles and 2,3-hexanedione did not attract unmated females. The reactions of mated females to male beetles and headspace samples did not differ significantly from those of the controls.The results of the bioassays show that the two-stage premating behaviour is initiated by emission of a long-range sex pheromone from the male prothoracal glands, which functions as an activator, attractant, and possibly aphrodisiac for unmated females.     

Sex determining mechanisms: An evolutionary perspective

Summary Theories on the evolution of sex determining mechanisms are reviewed for male and female heterogamety, environmental sex determination, and briefly, haplo-diploidy and hermaphroditism. Because of their discrete and well-defined nature, sex determining mechanisms lend themselves to three types of evolutionary questions:what variety occurs and might be expected but does not occur,how do changes occur from one mechanism to another, andwhy do certain changes occur? All three approaches were illustrated for these different sex determining mechanisms. A generality emerging from these studies is that, at the level of selection on the sex ratio, there are no intrinsic problems in evolving from one sex determining mechanism to another: straightforward transitions between different mechanisms exist under various conditions.     

Instances of sex inversion in the domesticated swordtail,Xiphophorus helleri heckel (pisces,osteichthyes)

Summary 3 protogynous hermaphrodites were found in a domesticated strain ofXiphophorus helleri, confirming much doubted observations by older authors. It therefore seems that sex determination may vary between strains, certain strains being strictly gonochoristic but others being capable of true hermaphroditism.     

(E,E)-10,12-Hexadecadienal: A component of the female sex pheromone of the spiny bollworm,Earias insulana (Boisd.) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Summary (E,E)-10,12-Hexadecadienal has been identified as a component of the sex pheromone of the female spiny bollworm moth,Earias insulana, by gas-chromatographic, electroantennographic and microchemical studies of abdominal tip extracts and entrained volatiles from female moths.This work was carried out under Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food licence HH 11599/139, issued under the Destructive Pests and Diseases of Plants Order 1965.     

Regulation of male sex determination: genital ridge formation and Sry activation in mice

Sex determination is essential for the sexual reproduction to generate the next generation by the formation of functional male or female gametes. In mammals, primary sex determination is commenced by the presence or absence of the Y chromosome, which controls the fate of the gonadal primordium. The somatic precursor of gonads, the genital ridge is formed at the mid-gestation stage and gives rise to one of two organs, a testis or an ovary. The fate of the genital ridge, which is governed by the differentiation of somatic cells into Sertoli cells in the testes or granulosa cells in the ovaries, further determines the sex of an individual and their germ cells. Mutation studies in human patients with disorders of sex development and mouse models have revealed factors that are involved in mammalian sex determination. In most of mammals, a single genetic trigger, the Y-linked gene Sry (sex determination region on Y chromosome), regulates testicular differentiation. Despite identification of Sry in 1990, precise mechanisms underlying the sex determination of bipotential genital ridges are still largely unknown. Here, we review the recent progress that has provided new insights into the mechanisms underlying genital ridge formation as well as the regulation of Sry expression and its functions in male sex determination of mice.     

Male sex-comb teeth number in four species of theDrosophila bipectinata complex and their hybrids

Summary The number of teeth in the sex-combs of males of theDrosophila bipectinata complex differentiates species. In addition, the character distinguishes a majority of hybrids. A polygenic model of inheritance is proposed.     

The oak processionary caterpillar (Thaumetopoea processionea L.) an urticating caterpillar related to the pine processionary caterpillar (Thaumetopoea pityocampa Schiff.) (Lepidoptera,Thaumetopoeidae)

Summary The hairs ofThaumetopoea processionea caterpillars (Lepidoptera) provoke a cutaneous reaction in man and animals. The urticating apparatus, the urticating gland which produces hairs, and the urticating hairs, are similar to those of theT. pityocampa caterpillar. The irritant fraction extracted from hairs contains soluble proteins; one of these shows immunological identity with thaumetopoein, the urticating protein of theTh. pityocampa caterpillar. This thaumetopoein-like protein is currently undergoing isolation and will be subjected to dermatological tests.     

Nouvelles données sur la cytogénétique et la spéciation des Leggada (Mammalia-Rodentia-Muridae)

Summary To the 237 pigmy-mice studies in his previous papers, the author brings new data concerning the cytogenetics of 25 Leggada. One first set of 12 mice from Nigeria belongs to the same polymorphic series containing themusculoides from the Ivory Coast and the Central African Republic.A small sample from Ippy (Central African Republic), although the individuals are morphologically all alike and referable tomusculoides, shows an amazing diversity: /259.2N=28, N.F.=36, sex chromosomes of the translocated type (TR). We meet here a new robertsonian combination in the polymorphic series, 34/33/32/31 ... 28/... 22/... 19/18./260.2N=32, N.F.=36, sex chromosomesTR. Both big biarmed autosomes are metacentric — submetacentric with a centromeric index of about 0.25 by the typicalmusculoides having the same diploid number./261.2N=19, N.F.=36, sex chromosomesX/Y ₁ Y ₂. The first occurrence of such sex chromosomes by the Leggada. By themusculoides from Rhodesia we were dealing with the typeX ₁ X ₂ /Y. /262.2N=18, N.F.=36, sex chromosomesX/X. Very likely the female of /261.In the complexminutoides-musculoides, we meet many different caryotypes and it is obvious that the chromosomal mutations play here the part of a primary factor of isolation, previous to the gene mutations which later will allow the taxonomic determination of the species actually in statu nascendi.     

Post-infection changes in sugar and organic acid contents of chilli (Capsicum annuum L.) and mango (Mangifera indica L.) leaves

Zusammenfassung Die Infektion der Blätter vonCapsicum annuum undMangifera indica mit den BlattpilzenCurvularia ovoidea beziehungsweiselunata hat zur Folge, dass die freien Zucker Saccharose, Glukose und Fruktose verschwinden und dass der Gehalt an organischen Säuren (Apfelsäure, Zitronensäure, Oxalsäure) vermindert wird.     

La question des hétérochromosomes chez les Sauropsidés. Oiseaux

Summary The chromosomes of the fowl were studied with the aid ofMakino's andNishimura's water pretreatment squash technique, modified byMatthey, in embryonic spleen and gonads of both sexes. The number of chromosomes was found to be about 78; the numerical variations are to be ascribed to technical difficulties, caused by the extremely small size of the microchromosomes, rather than to an unchromosomelike behaviour of the latter, as was supposed byNewcomer andBrant. As to the exact number of chromosomes, we consider its determination beyond the possibilities of cytology. The 5^th largest pair of the male, represented by a single element in the female, could be identified as the sex chromosome pair, in accordance with the findings ofYamashina. The digamety might be of theZ-O orZ-W type.     

Sex linkage of malic enzyme inXenopus laevis

Genetic analysis of mME variants (mitochondrial malic enzyme, E.C. 1.1.1.40) inXenopus laevis revealed sex linkage of the mMe locus and indicated a WZ/ZZ type of sex determination. Codominant mMe alleles occur on both W and Z chromosomes, with a recombination frequency of 6.1%±1.5% between mMe and the sex-determining locus (or region).     

Identification and biological significance of 4-methyl-3Z,5-hexadienoic acid produced by males of the gall-forming tephritidsUrophora cardui (L.) andUrophora stylata (Fab.) (Diptera: Tephritidae)

Summary A new natural substance has been identified in the rectal ampullae of gall-forming fruit flies. The substance was found to be the only volatile compound in the rectal ampulla of maleUrophora cardui andUrophora stylata. GC-MS methods were used to characterize its structure as 4-methyl-3Z,5-hexadienoic acid. Physiological parameters such as the amount of the acid at different ages and under different conditions were investigated. The biological significance of the new volatile as an arresting pheromone was tested in several bioassays. The arrestant function could not be established, but the results gave hints of a territorial function between conspecific males. The results are discussed with respect to gland morphology and predictions of communication models among fruit flies.     

Attraction ofScolytus scolytus (F.) to the components of Multilure,the aggregation pheromone ofS. multistriatus (Marsham) (Coleoptera: Scolytidae)

Summary The attraction ofS. scolytus to the components of Multilure is described. 4-Methyl-3-heptanol is an attractant which is synergised bya-cubebene. Multistriatin appears to be an inhibitor. A combination of 4-methyl-3-heptanol and cubeb oil is more effective as a bait forS. scolytus than Multilure.We thank Mr A. K. Hughes and Mr J. Boswell for their cooperation in allowing us to conduct experiments on Parham Estate; Mr D. Mobbs and Mr C. Thorne for the statistical analyses; Dr J. W. Peacock for samples of mixed isomers of multistriatin and distilled cubeb oil; Mrs J. Allsop and Mr N. J. Fielding for technical assistance. We are grateful to Mr D. Bevan, Dr J. H. Borden, Dr J. F. Grove and Prof. A. W. Johnson for their interest and encouragement.     

Neuromuscular transmission inElectrophorus electricus (L.)

Résumé Le système neuromusculaire dansElectrophorus electricus est étudié avec des électrodes intracellulaires. La transmission neuromusculaire est supprimée avec D-tubocurarine (5 · 10^–7 p/v) ou avec un excès des ions Mg⁺⁺ (12 mM) dans la solution.     

The acceptance response ofEphestia cautella (Walker) (lepidoptera: Phycitidae) females,obtained in the absence of courting males

Summary Ephestia cautella females will respond to a jet of air with an acceptance posture, and will respond more frequently when the air carries volatiles, probably male sex pheromones, from the male wings.     

Co-enzyme a content in the American cockroach (Periplaneta Americana L.) and the housefly (Musca domestica L.)

Riassunto Gli autori hanno dosato il CoA nei muscoli della coxa diPeriplaneta americana ed inMusca domestica in toto. Vengono messe in evidenza le differenze del contenuto in CoA dei muscoli bianchi e rossi della coxa di blatta. Viene inoltre messo in evidenza l'aumento progressivo del CoA, durante i primi 9 giorni di vita dell'adulto, inM. domestica.     

Mating attempts between the Scarlet Tiger Moth,Callimorpha dominula L., and the Cinnabar Moth,Tyria jacobaeae L. (Lepidoptera: Arctiidae), involve a common sex pheromone composition

It has been suggested that a common sex pheromone composition may account for interspecific sexual interactions observed with certain moths in the Arctiidae. In this study, it is demonstrated that the sex pheromones released by females of the Scarlet Tiger Moth,Callimorpha dominula L., and the Cinnabar Moth,Tyria jacobaeae L., have similar activities and elute at the same retention time on analysis by coupled gas chromatography (GC)-electrophysiology with males from each species. Peak enhancement on GC, chiral GC and coupled GC-mass spectrometry using authentic compounds show that the sex pheromone for bothC. dominula andT. jacobaeae is (3Z,6Z,9S,10R)-9,10-epoxyheneicosa-3,6-diene.     

Preformed azulene pigments ofLactarius indigo (Schw.) Fries (Russulaceae,Basidiomycetes)

Summary The structure of a new naturally-occurring azulene, 1-stearoyloxymethylene-4-methyl-7-isopropenylazulene, obtained from an acetone extract of the blue mushroomLactarius indigo, has been determined by chemical and spectral methods.This paper is dedicated to Prof. André Dreiding, Zürich, on the occasion of his 60th birthday.