The Physiological Ecology of a Migratory Noctuid Moth, the Velvetbean Caterpillar (Anticarsia Gemmatalis Hubner) (Density, Plant Age, Juvenile Hormone).

Velvetbean caterpillars, Anticarsia gemmatalis Hubner, were reared at different densities on soybean. The degree of dark pigmen- tation was density-dependent under field and laboratory conditions. The highest degree of dark pigmentation was expressed in the last instar when larvae were crowded throughout development. Soybean plant age had no effect on the degree of dark pigmentation. Larval development was delayed and one-day-old adult weight was decreased as the larval density and plant age increased. Size and biochemical composition of one-day-old A. gemmatalis adults was investigated in relation to larval pigmentation, larval den- sity and plant age. Wet, dry and protein weights of adults declined with increases in larval pigmentation, larval density and plant age but these factors did not affect carbohydrate and lipid weights. The observed linear relationships between adult weight and the protein or lipid weights reflect the size-dependent nature of nutrient accumulation by the larvae. Hemolymph concentration of carbohydrate in A. gemmatalis adult females decreased to a level of no further change after 60 min of flight. Total fatty acid concentration in the hemolymph increased during the first 30-60 min of flight and then declined to preflight levels. After four hours of flight, whole body lipid content had not changed but whole body carbohydrate was reduced 77.4%. These observations suggest that lipid is utilized more efficiently than carbohydrate during A. gemmatalis flight. Growth and development of cumulatively aged A. gemmatalis larvae were characterized on the basis of weight, instar and gate. Using this information, criteria were developed for the selection of synchronous last instar larvae with 94.5% certainty. The ability to obtain synchronous larvae enabled last instar development to be related with hemolymph titers of juvenile hormone esterase (JHE) activity, alpha-naphthyl acetate esterase activity and protein concentration. Phase variation in size, pigmentation and development of A. gemmatalis was investigated in relation to density and juvenile hormone (JH) application. Increasing the JH level of crowded larvae resulted in larvae that were similar to uncrowded larvae in color, developmental rate, size and JHE activity. These results suggest that the JH titer of crowded A. gemmatalis larvae is lower than uncrowded larvae

A time- and cost-effective strategy to sequence mammalian Y Chromosomes: an application to the de novo assembly of gorilla Y

The mammalian Y Chromosome sequence, critical for studying male fertility and dispersal, is enriched in repeats and palindromes, and thus, is the most difficult component of the genome to assemble. Previously, expensive and labor-intensive BAC-based techniques were used to sequence the Y for a handful of mammalian species. Here, we present a much faster and more affordable strategy for sequencing and assembling mammalian Y Chromosomes of sufficient quality for most comparative genomics analyses and for conservation genetics applications. The strategy combines flow sorting, short- and long-read genome and transcriptome sequencing, and droplet digital PCR with novel and existing computational methods. It can be used to reconstruct sex chromosomes in a heterogametic sex of any species. We applied our strategy to produce a draft of the gorilla Y sequence. The resulting assembly allowed us to refine gene content, evaluate copy number of ampliconic gene families, locate species-specific palindromes, examine the repetitive element content, and produce sequence alignments with human and chimpanzee Y Chromosomes. Our results inform the evolution of the hominine (human, chimpanzee, and gorilla) Y Chromosomes. Surprisingly, we found the gorilla Y Chromosome to be similar to the human Y Chromosome, but not to the chimpanzee Y Chromosome. Moreover, we have utilized the assembled gorilla Y Chromosome sequence to design genetic markers for studying the male-specific dispersal of this endangered species.National Science Foundation/[DBI-ABI 0965596]/NSF/Estados UnidosNational Science Foundation/[DBI-1356529]/NSF/Estados UnidosNational Science Foundation/[IIS-1453527]/NSF/Estados UnidosNational Science Foundation/[IIS-1421908]/NSF/Estados UnidosNational Science Foundation/[CCF-1439057]/NSF/Estados UnidosNational Institutes of Health/[1T32GM102057-0A1]/NIH/Estados UnidosUCR::Vicerrectoría de Investigación::Unidades de Investigación::Ciencias Básicas::Centro de Investigación en Biología Celular y Molecular (CIBCM

Data from: Genetic variation in HIF signaling underlies quantitative variation in physiological and life history traits within lowland butterfly populations

Oxygen conductance to the tissues determines aerobic metabolic performance in most eukaryotes but has cost/benefit tradeoffs. Here we examine in lowland populations of a butterfly a genetic polymorphism affecting oxygen conductance via the hypoxia inducible factor (HIF) pathway, which senses intracellular oxygen and controls the development of oxygen delivery networks. Genetically distinct clades of Glanville fritillary (Melitaea cinxia) across a continental scale maintain, at intermediate frequencies, alleles in a metabolic enzyme (succinate dehydrogenase, SDH) that regulates hypoxia inducible factor (HIF-1α). One Sdhd allele was associated with reduced SDH activity rate, two-fold greater cross-sectional area of tracheoles in flight muscle, and better flight performance. Butterflies with less tracheal development had greater post-flight hypoxia signaling, swollen, disrupted mitochondria and accelerated aging of flight metabolic performance. Allelic associations with metabolic and aging phenotypes were replicated in samples from different clades. Experimentally elevated succinate in pupae increased the abundance of hypoxia inducible factor (HIF-1α) and expression of genes responsive to HIF activation, including tracheal morphogenesis genes. These results indicate that the hypoxia inducible pathway, even in lowland populations, can be an important axis for genetic variation underlying intraspecific differences in oxygen delivery, physiological performance and life history

Spain flight metabolism

Spain flight metabolis

French males flight metabolism etc

French males flight metabolism et

Phd_Noc_Nrv2_Hif1a in pupae

Phd_Noc_Nrv2_Hif1a in pupa

Comparative Phenotypic Analysis of the Bordetella parapertussis Isolate Chosen for Genomic Sequencing

The genomes of three closely related bordetellae are currently being sequenced, thus providing an opportunity for comparative genomic approaches driven by an understanding of the comparative biology of these three bacteria. Although the other strains being sequenced are well studied, the strain of Bordetella parapertussis chosen for sequencing is a recent human clinical isolate (strain 12822) that has yet to be characterized in detail. This investigation reports the first phenotypic characterization of this strain, which will likely become the prototype for this species in comparison with the prototype strains of B. pertussis (Tohama I), B. bronchiseptica (RB50), and other isolates of B. parapertussis. Multiple in vitro and in vivo assays distinguished each species. B. parapertussis was more similar to B. bronchiseptica than to B. pertussis in many assays, including in BvgS signaling characteristics, presence of urease activity, regulation of urease expression by BvgAS, virulence in the respiratory tracts of immunocompromised mice, induction of anti-Bordetella antibodies, and serum antimicrobial resistance. In other assays, B. parapertussis was distinct from all other species (in pigment production) or more similar to B. pertussis (by lack of motility and cytotoxicity to a macrophage-like cell line). These results begin to provide phenotypes that can be related to genetic differences identified in the genomic sequences of bordetellae

Nrv2 and Phd expression in new adults

Nrv2 and Phd expression in new adult