Polymorphism in the protein of the thoracic muscle of an endemic bee (Anthophora pauperata) in the St Katherine Protectorate

Genetic variability of the solitary bee Anthophora pauperata, endemic to the St Katherine Protectorate, was assessed within and between seven wadis in South Sinai, Egypt. Low levels of variation were found, with most diversity within rather than between sites. There were a total of 34 bands, of which only seven were polymorphic among individuals

Genetic structure of the populations of Spilostethus pandurus in the wadis of the St Katherine Protectorate, South Sinai

The genetic diversity of Spilostethus pandurus was studied using RAPD markers in individuals sampled from four wadis within the St Katherine area. A total of 109 different RAPD bands were generated for the whole sample: site-specific bands occurred at low frequency. Even though there were many genetic differences among individuals within sites, the sites were statistically distinct. Thus even in thus fairly long-lived and apparently fairly mobile insect, there is evidence of genetic isolation among the wadis of this highly dissected environment. Keywords: aposematism, gene flow, genetic diversity, RAPD, Sinai Egyptian Journal of Biology Vol. 10 2008: pp. 87-9

Genetic variability in the population of the endemic bee Anthophora pauperata in St Katherine Protectorate

The genetic diversity and spatial genetic population structure of the solitary bee Anthophora pauperata Walker 1871, a species endemic to St Katherine Protectorate, were studied by RAPD markers in seven wadis in the St Katherine Protectorate, South Sinai, Egypt. High levels of genetic diversity were found, mostly within rather than among wadis, but there were highly significant genetic differences among sites, unrelated to geographic distances between them. Reasons for these patterns may lie in the territoriality and mating behaviour of these bees. Keywords: genetic differentiation, gene flow, RAPD Egyptian Journal of Biology Vol. 10 2008: pp. 77-8

The effect of mulberry varieties and nutritional additives on the protein patterns of the silkworm Bombyx mori

Two mulberry varieties Morus alba var. Kokuso-27 and Morus indica var. Kanva-2 were compared with Morus alba var. Balady (native) in their effects on the protein banding patterns of 5th-instar larvae of Bombyx mori. There was an obvious variation in the number and position of the bands, with many bands specific to a particular treatment. Protein of larvae fed on Kokuso-27 was characterized by the presence of 29 and 10 KDa bands; Kanva-2 produced bands at 251, 74 and 8 KDa; and Balady was characterized by bands at 38 and 11 KDa. When Kokuso-27 was enriched with vitamins C or B, or any of three kinds of bee-honey (clover, cotton and citrus honey) at various concentrations, new protein bands appeared relative to controls. Vitamin C produced bands at 56 and 43 KDa; protein bands at 290, 35 and 7 KDa were present in the control but absent in vitamin B treatments. Feeding with clover honey showed characteristic bands at 303, 49, 44, 37 and 21 KDa which were absent in the control. Cotton honey produced characteristic bands with molecular weights of 160, 52 and 13 KDa. Citrus honey produced bands at 73, 33, 29 and 8 KDa. Keywords: Morus alba var. Kokuso-27, Morus indica var. Kanva-2, Morus alba native, vitamin C, vitamin B, bee-honey, SDS-PAGE. Egyptian Journal of Biology Vol. 10 2008: pp. 11-1

Biological and technological effects of mulberry varieties and nutritional additives on silkworm Bombyx mori development

The efficiency of two varieties of mulberry leaves, Morus alba var. Kokuso-27 and Morus indica var. Kanva-2, was investigated and compared with Morus alba var. Balady (native), the common local variety in Egypt. Mulberry varieties were offered to silkworm larvae in two, three or four feeds per day. Rearing with Kokuso-27 leaves, especially with the feeding schedule of four feeds per day, exhibited significantly shorter larval duration, lower larval mortality rate and increased larval fitness, cocooning percentage, fecundity and hatchability. It also yielded higher cocoon weight, silk content ratio and silk filament size. Kanva-2 showed the lowest performance. Kokuso-27 leaves were enriched with nutritional additives such as vitamins C (1%) and B (0.2%), and three kinds of honey (from clover, cotton and citrus, 50%) and offered once per day. Significant enhancement occurred in all tested groups compared with the control, especially for vitamin C and clover and citrus honey, in most variables except larval duration and fitness. Keywords: Morus alba var. Kokuso-27, Morus indica var. Kanva-2, Morus alba native, Vitamin C, Vitamin B, Bee-honey. Egyptian Journal of Biology Vol. 10 2008: pp. 1-1