Evolutionary and ecological implications of cardenolide sequestration in the monarch butterfly

Summary Monarch butterflies sequester cardenolides from their larval host plants in the milkweed genusAsclepias for use in defense against predation. Of 108Asclepias species in North America, monarchs are known to feed as larvae on 27. Research on 11 of these has shown that monarchs sequester cardenolides most effectively, to an asymptote of approximately 350 g/0.1 g dry butterfly, from plants with intermediate cardenolide contents rather than from those with very high or very low cardenolide contents. SinceAsclepias host plant species are distributed widely in space and time across the continent, monarchs exploit them by migration between breeding and overwintering areas. After overwintering in central Mexico, spring migrants east of the Rocky Mountains exploit three predominantAsclepias species in the southern USA that have moderately high cardenolide contents. Monarchs sequester cardenolides very effectively from these species. First generation butterflies are thus well protected against predators and continue the migration north. Across the northern USA and southern Canada most summer breeding occurs on a fourthAsclepias species and in autumn most of these monarchs migrate back to Mexican overwintering sites. The ecological implications of this cycle of cardenolide sequestration for the evolution of monarch migration are discussed.     

Chemical ecology of oviposition in phytophagous insects

Summary Selection of a suitable site for oviposition by phytophagous insects is critical for successful development of the offspring. The behavioral events leading to oviposition are mediated to a large extent by chemical cues associated with potential host plants. Orientation and landing are primarily guided by volatile constituents of a plant, whereas assessment of a leaf surface depends on contact stimuli. Chemical mechanisms that ensure adequate spacing of progeny on limited resources include the production of oviposition-deterring pheromones as well as recognition of plant constituents released as a result of previous damage. Perception of chemical cues that affects oviposition involves receptors on antennae, tarsi, mouthparts or the ovipositor. Complex behavior such as tarsal drumming or stem runs may serve to provide increased receptor contact with chemical stimuli. Abiotic and biotic environmental factors often influence the production or release of behavior-modifying chemicals by a plant, and therefore affect oviposition preferences. Plant chemistry may be involved in associative learning, but may also lead to mistakes. Thus a clear correlation between oviposition preference and offspring success does not always exist.     

切削刀具倒棱刃口挤压力的理论计算

根据试验观察．揭出了刀具刃口带负倒棱时的切削模型。在此模型中,刀具刃口 存在一个“金属死区”。以新模型为基础．采用能量法,对高温、高应变率下刀具刃 口的挤压力进行了理论计算。所做工作的特点是：１）在材料变形分析中计入了挤压 层金属绕过刀具刃口时的过剩变形;２）进行有关材料变形与物理特性的计算时,考 虑了温度与应变率的影响。利用新研制的压电式切削测力仪进行验证试验,其结果表 明,理论计算值与实测数据较好一致。     

空间机构的位置分析

本文以“基本方向”确定空间机构中各构件的位置,并基于“基本方向”之间的关系以及机构的环路封闭条件,建立了机构位置分析的数学模型。将优化技术和求解非线性方程组迭代技术结合起来,提高了解决问题的可靠性及效率。     

东北特产药用植物—东北龙胆的研究

东北龙胆是我省西部重要资源植物,著名的中药。值得注意的是这一自然资源已经遭到破坏,而且因其种子萌发条件和现有生态环境不一致,看来难以恢复。本文研究了东北龙胆的生态分布,形态解剖特征和生物学特征,以及恢复这一资源的途径和技术关键。本文指出了东北龙胆的某些重要特征:一般生境为“洼中岗”,种子萌发时需光:以赤霉素处理种子经水洗后浮水培养可加快种子萌发并提高发芽率。此外,子叶出现之后约两周以上才出现第一对真叶;根可在切断的根或茎的断面上直接再生而不经过脱分化阶段;新根首先在形成层处发生,如果由于某种原因未能在这里发生,则其次在皮层或其它薄壁组织中发生;在发育节律上的特点是8月末开花,而且一直生长到因霜冻而死。所有这些被揭露的特点。从理论到应用,为这一药用植物的种质保存和资源恢复提供了某种保证。     

The contents of the pygidial gland of the primitive antNothomyrmecia macrops (Hymenoptera:Formicidae)

Summary The principal constituent of the pygidial gland ofNothomyrmecia macrops is 3,7-dimethyloct-6-en-2-one, a substance not previously identified in insects. Also identified were 2,6-dimethylhept-5-enal, 2-nonanone, indole, -dodecalactone, and the hydrocarbons pentadecane, heptadecane, heptadecene and heptadecadiene, all in low nanogram quantities.     

Pharmacodynamic profile of CQP 201-403, a novel 8α-amino-ergoline

Summary The profile of action in animals of CQP 201-403, a novel 8-amino-ergoline, is in most aspects that of a very potent dopaminomimetic, both as a prolactin secretion inhibitor, and at the levels of the CNS and the cardiovascular system. Qualitatively CQP 201-403 differs slightly from bromocriptine and apomorphine in its effects on the CNS (no influence on serotonin metabolism in the rat cortex; induction of masculine mounting behavior in rats) and the cardiovascular system of the dog (reflex tachycardia in response to a blood-pressure fall). In man the new compound proved to be highly active in lowering prolactin serum levels and to be more potent than bromocriptine (Parlodel^®).In memory of Dr Annemarie Closse, who died 14 June 1987.     

Proopiomelanocortin expression in the skin during induced hair growth in mice

We demonstrate for the first time a hair cycle-dependent gene and protein expression of proopiomelanocortin in mouse skin in vivo. Northern blot detected POMC mRNA with an apparent size of 0.9 kb in anagen but not telogen skin. Western blot emphasized a specific protein of 30–33 kDa recognized by anti -endorphin in late but not early anagen or telogen skin. By immunocytochemistry, -endorphin antigen was localized in the sebaceous gland in a hair cycle dependent manner.     

Preferential excretion of glycated albumin in C57BL-Ks-J mice: Effects of diabetes

Urinary excretion of glycated albumin was quantitated in genetically hyperglycemic mice (C57BL-Ks-J, db/db mice), a model for non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, and compared with their non-diabetic littermates. The data indicated a preferential excretion of glycated albumin in non-diabetic mice. This phenomenon of editing of glycated albumin is decreased significantly in diabetic mice. Quantitative measurements of overall excretion of glycated albumin suggested that the loss of editing in diabetic mice is due to the dilution of glycated albumin by the unmodified albumin which is excreted in large amounts in diabetic mice. Therefore, the loss of editing observed in this model resembled the one we characterized in insulin-dependent diabetic humans and a streptozotocin-diabetic rat model³.