Notes on two interesting specimens of Hippotion celerio (Linnaeus) (Lepidoptera, Sphingidae)

Moths of the genus Hippotion Hübner, 1822 (Family: Sphingidae) are distributed in Africa, Central and southern Asia and as migrants in southern Europe and Australia. Currently, around 30 species are accommodated in this genus. Hippotion celerio is a regular migrant to the Maltese Islands. On the onset of warmer weather conditions, colonies establish themselves in North Africa and Europe. It is a resident species in the Azores and the Atlantic coast of Morocco and most probably also in the Levant, the Arabian Peninsula and Egyptpeer-reviewe

Tuta absoluta (Povolny, 1994), an important agricultural pest in Malta (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae)

Tuta absoluta appeared for the first time in the Maltese Islands in April 2009. Details of the morphology and biology of this agricultural pest are provided. The damage caused on tomatoes and the possible impact on Maltese agriculture is discussed.peer-reviewe

Preliminary notes on the early stages of Isturgia pulinda (Walker, 1860) (Lepidoptera: Geometridae)

The early stages, larval hostplant and voltism of Isturgia pulinda in the Maltese Islands are documentedpeer-reviewe

On the occurrence of two subspecies of Hypsopygia costalis in Malta (Lepidoptera, Pyralidae)

Hypsopygia costalis (Fabricius, 1775), has been recorded for the Maltese islands from two specimens collected by one of us (AS) on May 16 and June 7, 1998 from Naxxar (SAMMUT, 2000) and seems to represent a rare species. These two specimens proved to belong to the nominal subspecies.peer-reviewe

New records of Noctuidae (Lepidoptera) from the Maltese Islands

Six species of Noctuidae (Lepidoptera) are reported for the first time from the Maltese Islands. These are Heteropalpia acrosticta (Pungeler, 1903), Araeopteron ecphaea (Hampson, 1914), Chi/odes maritima (Tauscher, 1806), Mormo maUl'a (Linnaeus, 1758), Spudea ruticilla (Esper, [1791]) and Aporophila australis Boisduval, 1829. Distribution, habits of adults and larval host plant are included. A Maltese name is proposed for each of the six species.peer-reviewe

Preliminary findings on the presence of a taxon with morphological traits of Papilio saharae Oberthür, 1879 in Lampedusa (Italy) (Lepidoptera: Papilionidae)

Research visits to the island of Lampedusa yielded a number of adult specimens belonging to the “machaoncomplex”, which, on closer examination of specific diagnostic features (including antennal segments, ocelli and number of teeth on the male harpe) have been found to possess morphological characters akin to Papilio saharae Oberthür, 1879, as well as to P. machaon Linnaeus, 1758, and including intermediate forms. Early stages, comprising ova and larvae, were also collected and reared, while several ova deposited by a gravid female taken in the field subsequently reached pupal stage. Ova are noticeably smaller, while larvae and pupae exhibit characters atypical of P. machaon. The present work examines a number of potential scenarios and provides a critique based on morphometric features of a suite of specimens examined, as well as on the history of eustatic sea-levels changes during the Quaternary Period that may potentially have abetted the species to reach Lampedusa during low-stands, before being left isolated during interglacial high-stands as sea-levels fluctuated during the Pleistocene epoch.peer-reviewe

A new subspecies of Papilio saharae Oberthür, 1879 (Lepidoptera: Papilionidae) from Lampedusa, Italy

An investigation into the only representative of the genus Papilio on the island of Lampedusa, the largest island of the Pelagian group, was conducted as part of a broader Mediterranean-wide study on the machaon complex. Over a three-year period, adults, larvae and ova were collected for further research during field visits, while an in-house breeding programme involving wild-collected gravid females was initiated with a view to examine an adequately sized series of specimens. A total of 38 adults, including 23 male specimens, >150 ova, 233 larvae, and 220 pupae were examined. In addition to a thorough morphometric assessment, statistical tests were performed using one-way ANOVA and multivariate analysis. Results demonstrate morphological characters of P. saharae and, to a lesser degree, of P. machaon, suggesting that the taxon is plausibly the outcome of a hybrid swarm whose occurrence on the island was facilitated by Pleistocene lowstands (when the island was physically connected with the north African continental landmass, the taxon’s centre of origin). Based on results, involving all four stages of metamorphosis, it is proposed to ‘anchor’ the taxon to Papilio saharae Oberthür, 1879 and assign it subspecific status, aferpilaggi ssp. nov.peer-reviewe

DNA analysis supports the presence of Pontia edusa (Fabricius, 1777), Zizeeria karsandra (Moore, 1865) and Polyommatus celina (Austaut, 1879) in Malta : a seasonal and multi-location investigation with additional notes on the central Mediterranean area

On the sole basis of morphometric analysis, it was routinely presumed that Pontia daplidice (Linnaeus, 1758), Zizeeria knysna (Trimen, 1862) and Polyommatus icarus (Rottemburg, 1775), occur in Malta. Recent DNA-based investigations (in-part combined with morphometric analysis) on islands and continental landmasses in the central Mediterranean shed light on the phylogeography of these and other, closely related, species. The present contribution focuses on seasonal and multi-location investigations within Malta of the genera Pontia, Zizeeria and Polyommatus. Voucher specimens from Sicily, Lampedusa and Spain are also analysed. A total of 43 specimens, in the following configuration are examined: Pontia (n = 21), Polyommatus (n = 11), Zizeeria (n = 11). DNA results obtained confirm the presence in Malta of Pontia edusa (Fabricius, 1777), Zizeeria karsandra (Moore, 1865) and Polyommatus celina (Austaut, 1879); conversely, Z. knysna and P. icarus are not reported from within the suite of specimens sequenced, while the presence of P. daplidice is confirmed from Lampedusa and, predictably, from the arid Monegros region in Spain.peer-reviewe

Co-Regulation of Expression of Phase II Metabolizing Enzymes and Multidrug Resistance-Associated Protein 2

Treatment of experimental animals with prototypical enzyme inducers represents a useful tool to characterize the role of different isozymes in drug metabolism and to improve our knowledge on factors regulating their synthesis at the transcriptional level. The effect of model enzyme inducers on phase II (conjugating) enzyme families, including UDP-glucuronosyltransferase’s and glutathione-S-transferase’s, has been well characterized in rodent liver. More recently, the effect of inducers on the expression of canalicular multidrug resistance-associated protein 2 (Mrp2) has been focused upon. The identification of a number of conjugated drugs as Mrp2 substrates suggests that both the conjugation and transport systems act coordinately to improve drug elimination from the body. We provide evidence about circumstances resulting in the simultaneous upregulation of phase II enzymes and Mrp2 in hepatic and extrahepatic tissues, most likely involving activation of common nuclear receptors (e.g., FXR, PXR). Additionally, we provide an analysis of examples of drug-induced toxicity leading to the simultaneous downregulation of both systems. Potential therapeutic strategies based on the modulation of expression of these systems are also briefly commented upon

Induction of hepatic multidrug resistance-associated protein 3 by ethynylestradiol is independent of cholestasis and mediated by estrogen receptor

Multidrug resistance–associated protein 3 (Mrp3; Abcc3) expression and activity are up-regulated in rat liver after in vivo repeated administration of ethynylestradiol (EE), a cholestatic synthetic estrogen, whereas multidrug resistance-associated protein 2 (Mrp2) is down-regulated. This study was undertaken to determine whether Mrp3 induction results from a direct effect of EE, independent of accumulation of any endogenous common Mrp2/Mrp3 substrates resulting from cholestasis and the potential mediation of estrogen receptor (ER). In in vivo studies, male rats were given a single, noncholestatic dose of EE (5 mg/kg s.c.), and basal bile flow and the biliary excretion rate of bile salts and glutathione were measured 5 hours later. This treatment increased Mrp3 mRNA by 4-fold, detected by real-time polymerase chain reaction, despite the absence of cholestasis. Primary culture of rat hepatocytes incubated with EE (1–10 µM) for 5 hours exhibited a 3-fold increase in Mrp3 mRNA (10 µM), consistent with in vivo findings. The increase in Mrp3 mRNA by EE was prevented by actinomycin D, indicating transcriptional regulation. When hepatocytes were incubated with an ER antagonist [7α,17β-[9-[(4,4,5,5,5-Pentafluoropentyl)sulfinyl]nonyl]estra-1,3,5(10)-triene-3,17-diol (ICI182/780), 1 µM], in addition to EE, induction of Mrp3 mRNA was abolished, implicating ER as a key mediator. EE induced an increase in ER-α phosphorylation at 30 minutes and expression of c-Jun, a well-known ER target gene, at 60 minutes, as detected by Western blotting of nuclear extracts. These increases were prevented by ICI182/780. In summary, EE increased the expression of hepatic Mrp3 transcriptionally and independently of any cholestatic manifestation and required participation of an ER, most likely ER-α, through its phosphorylation.Fil: Ruiz, Maria Laura. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Rosario. Instituto de Fisiología Experimental (i); ArgentinaFil: Rigalli, Juan Pablo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Rosario. Instituto de Fisiología Experimental (i); ArgentinaFil: Arias, Agostina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Rosario. Instituto de Fisiología Experimental (i); ArgentinaFil: Villanueva, Silvina Stella Maris. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Rosario. Instituto de Fisiología Experimental (i); ArgentinaFil: Banchio, Claudia Elena. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas; ArgentinaFil: Vore, Mary. University Of Kentucky; Estados UnidosFil: Mottino, Aldo Domingo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Rosario. Instituto de Fisiología Experimental (i); ArgentinaFil: Catania, Viviana Alicia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Rosario. Instituto de Fisiología Experimental (i); Argentin