Biosystematic studies on the Muellerianella complex (Delphacidae Homoptera Auchenorrhyncha)

The genus Muellerianella comprises the species: M. farmairei, M. brevipennis, M. relicta and one pseudogamous all-female biotype M. fairmairei (3n). The bisexual species M. fairmairei and M. brevipennis as well as the unisexual M. fairmairei (3n) were investigated from a biosystematic point of view. The males of the two bisexual species are morphologically distinct but their females, the female hybrids of both way-crossings between the two bisexual species and the unisexual biotype are morphologically indistinguishable.The bisexual species M. fairmairei and M. brevipennis are diploid (2n = 28) and their sex determination system is XY. F1 hybrids also have 28 chromosomes. The pseudogamous unisexual biotype is triploid (3n = 41) reproducing apomictically, but it requires sperm derived from the males of the two bisexual species to initiate embryogenesis (pseudogamy).The host plants of the Muellerianella complex are Holcuslanatus or H.mollis for the bisexual and unisexual M. fairmairei, and Deschampsia caespitosa for M. brevipennis.The distributions of the two species and their host plants overlap widely in West and Central Europe. M. fairmairei and its host plant are distributed more to the south, while M. brevipennis and its host extend more to the north. There is evidence that the unisexual M. fairmairei (3n) occurs in the overlapping area of the two bisexual species, but is absent from the peripheral areas where one of the other species is also absent.In the area of Leersum-Langbroek (prov. of Utrecht) in Holland both species are common, and their respective host plants grow in reasonable numbers. In a few localities where the two hosts are closely intermixed both delphacid species occur syntopically.Samples of the two species were taken bij the sweep-net and suction methods. M. fairmairei is more frequent in wet biotopes of noncultivated meadows in West Europe. M. brevipennis is more frequent in the north of Europe and is a stenotopic species typical of fresh biotopes of wooded areas.In Northern Europe both species are univoltine while in West and Central Europe M. fairmairei has two distinct generations in contrast to M. brevipennis which has an incomplete second generation. However, there is no important seasonal isolation between the two species. In Southern Europe M. fairmairei is probably polyvoltine.Populations of M. fairmairei from regions where M. brevipennis does not occur (S. Greece, S. France?, Ireland) have a sex ratio of 1 : 1, while populations occurring sympatrically with M. brevipennis (England, France, Holland) have a high proportion of females, comprising a mixture of diploid and triploid individuals. In Holland M. brevipennis has a sex ratio of1 : 1, while populations of this species in Finland have a high proportion of females.Both diploid species maintained a 1:1 sex ratio in the laboratory rearings. Crossings between triploid females and males of M. fairmairei resulted in absolute all-female triploid progenies. Diploid and triploid females of M. fairmairei coexist in Holland. In one biotope (in Leersum), the proportion of the two female biotypes of M.fairmairei was 1:1, while in others triploid females were more numerous than the diploid ones. It is not clear, whether both female populations of M. fairmairei occupy exactly the same ecological niche.Regarding the wing form of the two bisexual species and the unisexual biotope, long photoperiod (L:D = 18:6) favors the development of the long wings, while short photoperiod (L:D = 10:14) completely suppresses it. Under long photoperiod the macropterous form of M. brevipennis was more common than that of M. fairmairei. Under long photoperiod, when the larval density was increased M. fairmairei (2n) had proportionately more macropterous adults than M. fairmairei (3n).Summer and winter eggs of the two species were parasitized by Anagrus sp. However, eggs of the second generation were more frequently parasitized (up to 40%) that those of the first.The higher population densities of M. fairmairei than of M. brevipennis in the field were interpreted from laboratory observations by the fact that M. fairmairei has higher egg production than M. brevipennis. The triploid females of M. fairmairei are assumed to be more prolific than the diploid ones. Also, the rate of egg production of M. fairmairei was higher than that of M. brevipennis. Females of M. fairmairei mated once produced a few unfertile eggs at the end of their oviposition period, in contrast to M. brevipennis which always produced fertile eggs. Males of M. fairmairei appeared to have greater longevity than the females.During the first generation and in colonies under long photoperiod M. fairmairei oviposits in its food plant H. lanatus, while during the second generation and in colonies under short photoperiod in Juncus effusus. M. brevipennis was found to oviposit in the field only in its food plant, namely D. caespitosa, but in the laboratory it also oviposited in J. effusus. The egg-group size of both species depends upon the oviposition substrate.Embryonic development of both species is continuous during the first generation and in colonies under long photoperiod, but embryonic diapause (arrest of development before blastokinesis) takes place during the second generation and in laboratory rearings under short photoperiod. The intensity of diapause is higher in M. brevipennis as compared to M. fairmairei. Continuous rearings of the unisexual and bisexual M. fairmairei were possible under short photoperiod.The rate of larval development of both species under long photoperiod at 20- 25°C was approximately the same. Under short photoperiod the duration of the last instar larva of females is longer than that under long photoperiod. Temperature, humidity and crowding had an influence upon the rate of larval development.In laboratory experiments, development and reproduction of M. fairmairei occurred on several grass species, in contrast to M. brevipennis which appeared to be monophagous. Mature grasses were more suitable as food plants than seedlings.Some unmated females of M. fairmairei (2n) placed in cages containing H. lanatus and D. caespitosa, and males of M. brevipennis ultimately produced a few male and female hybrids. The reciprocal cross resulted in more female hybrids than males. Egg-fertility of these crosses was variable (0-100%) during the course of the oviposition period. Hybrid larvae can develop on both grass species, but they prefer D. caespitosa to H. lanatus. Males were sterile but females were often fertile and some of them crossed back with M. fairmairei produced a triploid pseudogamous biotype very similar to that collected in the field. The all-female progeny of the triploid M. fairmairei was greater when it was crossed with M. fairmairei males than with M. brevipennis males. Hybrids were obtained even when unmated females (2n + 3n) of both species together were caged with males of one species.In conformity with these results it is proposed that the two bisexual species should be called 'allomorphic-related species' instead of 'sibling species'. Allopatric speciation is considered as the most probable cause of divergence between both species. It is suggested that M. brevipennis originated from an isolated population of M. fairmairei during a period of glaciation and has survived on D. caespitosa.It is proposed to call the unisexual biotype M.2 fairmairei-brevipennis, following the nomenclatorial system of hybrids. In this context, it has been demonstrated that in insects hybridization may lead to unisexuality followed by polyploidy.<br/

All hands on deck: An innovative approach to sustained and sustainable conservation funding for endangered plants and ecosystems

The Red List Project (TRLP) was founded in 2018 as an NGO [501(c)(3)], dedicated to preventing the extinction of the world's most endangered plant species and to protecting biodiversity hotspots. This approach is highlighted by an ongoing partner ship between TRLP, independent fragrance house Baruti Perfumes and the University of Palermo, to prevent the extinction of the Viola ucriana Erben and Raimondo, critically endangered. This violet is restricted to the slopes of Mt Pizzuta in the Serre della Pizzuta Nature Reserve in Sicily (Italy), between 950 and 1300 m s.l.m., where it grows in xeric prairies and is threatened by factors partly related to human disturbance (e.g., fires, grazing, etc.)

Optimization and analysis of frequencies of multi-scale graphene/fibre reinforced nanocomposite laminates with non-uniform distributions of reinforcements

Optimal design and analysis of three-phase graphene/fibre reinforced laminated nanocomposite plates with respect to maximizing the fundamental frequency is the subject of the present study. Optimal design solutions are given for four different sets of design parameters. First design problem determines the optimal graphene contents of individual layers, the second one both graphene and fibre contents, the third optimizes the graphene and fibre contents as well as the layer thicknesses of individual layers, and the fourth problem optimizes the graphene and fibre contents, layer thicknesses and fibre orientations. Purpose of this approach is to assess and compare different levels of optimization by means of a design efficiency index and as such to determine the effectiveness of different design parameters in maximizing the fundamental frequency. Optimization is implemented using a Sequential Quadratic Programming algorithm and the mechanical properties of graphene/fibre nanocomposite are determined via micromechanical relations. Vibration analysis is conducted by the finite element method using four-noded Mindlin plate elements. Results are obtained for simply supported (SSSS), clamped (CCCC) and simply supported-clamped boundary conditions for opposite edges (SCSC). It is observed that non-uniform distributions of graphene and fibre as well as fibre orientations are quite effective in improving the design efficiency

Anthropogenic Noise Changes Arthropod Abundances

Anthropogenic noise is a widespread and growing form of sensory pollution associated with the expansion of human infrastructure. One specific source of constant and intense noise is that produced by compressors used for the extraction and transportation of natural gas. Terrestrial arthropods play a central role in many ecosystems, and given that numerous species rely upon airborne sounds and substrate-borne vibrations in their life histories, we predicted that increased background sound levels or the presence of compressor noise would influence their distributions. In the second largest natural gas field in the United States (San Juan Basin, New Mexico, USA), we assessed differences in the abundances of terrestrial arthropod families and community structure as a function of compressor noise and background sound level. Using pitfall traps, we simultaneously sampled five sites adjacent to well pads that possessed operating compressors, and five alternate, quieter well pad sites that lacked compressors, but were otherwise similar. We found a negative association between sites with compressor noise or higher levels of background sound and the abundance of five arthropod families and one genus, a positive relationship between loud sites and the abundance of one family, and no relationship between noise level or compressor presence and abundance for six families and two genera. Despite these changes, we found no evidence of community turnover as a function of background sound level or site type (compressor and noncompressor). Our results indicate that anthropogenic noise differentially affects the abundances of some arthropod families. These preliminary findings point to a need to determine the direct and indirect mechanisms driving these observed responses. Given the diverse and important ecological functions provided by arthropods, changes in abundances could have ecological implications. Therefore, we recommend the consideration of arthropods in the environmental assessment of noise-producing infrastructure

Sleep Enforces the Temporal Order in Memory

BACKGROUND: Temporal sequence represents the main principle underlying episodic memory. The storage of temporal sequence information is thought to involve hippocampus-dependent memory systems, preserving temporal structure possibly via chaining of sequence elements in heteroassociative networks. Converging evidence indicates that sleep enhances the consolidation of recently acquired representations in the hippocampus-dependent declarative memory system. Yet, it is unknown if this consolidation process comprises strengthening of the temporal sequence structure of the representation as well, or is restricted to sequence elements independent of their temporal order. To address this issue we tested the influence of sleep on the strength of forward and backward associations in word-triplets. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Subjects learned a list of 32 triplets of unrelated words, presented successively (A-B-C) in the center of a screen, and either slept normally or stayed awake in the subsequent night. After two days, retrieval was assessed for the triplets sequentially either in a forward direction (cueing with A and B and asking for B and C, respectively) or in a backward direction (cueing with C and B and asking for B and A, respectively). Memory was better for forward than backward associations (p<0.01). Sleep did not affect backward associations, but enhanced forward associations, specifically for the first (AB) transitions (p<0.01), which were generally more difficult to retrieve than the second transitions. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: Our data demonstrate that consolidation during sleep strengthens the original temporal sequence structure in memory, presumably as a result of a replay of new representations during sleep in forward direction. Our finding suggests that the temporally directed replay of memory during sleep, apart from strengthening those traces, could be the key mechanism that explains how temporal order is integrated and maintained in the trace of an episodic memory

RNAi screen reveals synthetic lethality between cyclin G-associated kinase and FBXW7 by inducing aberrant mitoses.

Background F-box and WD40 repeat domain-containing 7 (FBXW7) is an E3 ubiquitin ligase involved in the ubiquitination and degradation of multiple oncogenic substrates. The tumour suppressor function is frequently lost in multiple cancers through genetic deletion and mutations in a broad range of tumours. Loss of FBXW7 functionality results in the stabilisation of multiple major oncoproteins, culminating in increased cellular proliferation and pro-survival pathways, cell cycle deregulation, chromosomal instability and altered metabolism. Currently, there is no therapy to specifically target FBXW7-deficient tumours.Methods We performed a siRNA kinome screen to identify synthetically lethal hits to FBXW7 deficiency.Results We identified and validated cyclin G-associated kinase (GAK) as a potential new therapeutic target. Combined loss of FBXW7 and GAK caused cell cycle defects, formation of multipolar mitoses and the induction of apoptosis. The synthetic lethal mechanism appears to be independent of clathrin-mediated receptor endocytosis function of GAK.Conclusions These data suggest a putative therapeutic strategy for a large number of different types of human cancers with FBXW7 loss, many of which have a paucity of molecular abnormalities and treatment options

Genetic differentiation among host-associated Alebra leafhoppers (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae)

The limited importance ascribed to sympatric speciation pro cesses via host race formation is partially due to the few cases of host races that have been reported among host populations. This work sheds light on the taxonomy of Alebra leafhoppers and examines the possible existence of host races among host-associated populations. The species of this genus show varying degrees of host association with deciduous trees and shrubs and, frequently, host popu lations of uncertain taxonomic status coexist and occasion ally become pests. Allozyme electrophoresis of 21 Greek populations including sympatric, local and geographically distant samples collected on 13 different plant species, show that they represent at least five species: A. albostriella Falle´n, A. viridis (Rey) (sensu Gillham), A. wahlbergi Bo Keywords: host races; leafhoppers; sympatric speciation; sibling species; allozymes; Alebra Introduction Sympatric speciation is a controversial subject in evol utionary biology (see Mayr, 1963; Futuyma and Mayer, 1980; Paterson, 1981; Via, 2001). One of the reasons for this controversy is that sympatric speciation seems to be an extremely rare phenomenon occurring only in very few groups of taxa, represented chiefly by phytophagous insects (Tauber and Tauber, 1977; Menken, 1981; Wood, 1993; Emelianov et al, 1995; Via, 1999; Finchak et al, 2000; Craig et al, 2001). The limited number of reported cases among organisms with sexual reproduction can be at least partially attributed to the fact that taxa undergoing sympatric speciation events must fulfill very restrictive biological and ecological requirements. Most sympatric speciation models demand that there is intraspecific genetic variation in traits that differentially affect the fitness of individuals that colonise new habitats or hosts (Dieckman and Doebeli, 1999; Hawthorne and Via, 2001 but see Higashi et al, 1999 and Takimoto et al, 2000). They assume that selection acting on these traits can prevent genetic exchange between populations (Bush, 1975; Tauber and Tauber, 1977; Diehl and Bush, 1989). In phytophagous insects, this means that host pref erences must be genetically determined and mating should occur on the host (Bush, 1975; Diehl and Bush, Correspondence: D Aguin-Pombo, Department of Biology, University of Madeira, Campus Universitario da Penteada, 9000 Funchal, Madeira, Portugal. E-mail: aguin uma.pt Received 12 December 2000; accepted 13 December 2001 heman and two new species. Of these, one is associated to Quercus frainetto and other is specific to Crataegus spp. Significant genetic differences among sympatric and local host populations were found only in A. albostriella, between populations on Turkey oak, beech and common alder. It is suggested that the last two of these host populations may represent different host races. The results show that both the host plant and geographical distance affect the patterns of differentiation in the genus. The formation of some spec ies seems to have been the result of allopatric speciation events while, for others, their origin can be equally explained either by sympatric or allopatric speciation.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

High Proliferation Rate and a Compromised Spindle Assembly Checkpoint Confers Sensitivity to the MPS1 Inhibitor BOS172722 in Triple-Negative Breast Cancers

BOS172722 (CCT289346) is a highly potent, selective, and orally bioavailable inhibitor of spindle assembly checkpoint kinase MPS1. BOS172722 treatment alone induces significant sensitization to death, particularly in highly proliferative triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cell lines with compromised spindle assembly checkpoint activity. BOS172722 synergizes with paclitaxel to induce gross chromosomal segregation defects caused by MPS1 inhibitor-mediated abrogation of the mitotic delay induced by paclitaxel treatment. In in vivo pharmacodynamic experiments, BOS172722 potently inhibits the spindle assembly checkpoint induced by paclitaxel in human tumor xenograft models of TNBC, as measured by inhibition of the phosphorylation of histone H3 and the phosphorylation of the MPS1 substrate, KNL1. This mechanistic synergy results in significant in vivo efficacy, with robust tumor regressions observed for the combination of BOS172722 and paclitaxel versus either agent alone in long-term efficacy studies in multiple human tumor xenograft TNBC models, including a patient-derived xenograft and a systemic metastasis model. The current target indication for BOS172722 is TNBC, based on their high sensitivity to MPS1 inhibition, the well-defined clinical patient population with high unmet need, and the synergy observed with paclitaxel

Boosting Long-term Memory via Wakeful Rest: Intentional Rehearsal is not Necessary, Automatic Consolidation is Sufficient.

<div><p>People perform better on tests of delayed free recall if learning is followed immediately by a short wakeful rest than by a short period of sensory stimulation. Animal and human work suggests that wakeful resting provides optimal conditions for the consolidation of recently acquired memories. However, an alternative account cannot be ruled out, namely that wakeful resting provides optimal conditions for intentional rehearsal of recently acquired memories, thus driving superior memory. Here we utilised non-recallable words to examine whether wakeful rest boosts long-term memory, even when new memories could not be rehearsed intentionally during the wakeful rest delay. The probing of non-recallable words requires a recognition paradigm. Therefore, we first established, via Experiment 1, that the rest-induced boost in memory observed via free recall can be replicated in a recognition paradigm, using concrete nouns. In Experiment 2, participants heard 30 non-recallable non-words, presented as ‘foreign names in a bridge club abroad’ and then either rested wakefully or played a visual spot-the-difference game for 10 minutes. Retention was probed via recognition at two time points, 15 minutes and 7 days after presentation. As in Experiment 1, wakeful rest boosted recognition significantly, and this boost was maintained for at least 7 days. Our results indicate that the enhancement of memory via wakeful rest is <i>not</i> dependent upon intentional rehearsal of learned material during the rest period. We thus conclude that consolidation is <i>sufficient</i> for this rest-induced memory boost to emerge. We propose that wakeful resting allows for superior memory consolidation, resulting in stronger and/or more veridical representations of experienced events which can be detected via tests of free recall and recognition.</p></div

To Sleep, to Strive, or Both: How Best to Optimize Memory

While numerous studies have shown that a night of sleep profits memory relative to wake, we still have little understanding about what factors mediate this effect of sleep. A clear understanding of the dynamics of this effect of sleep beyond the initial night of sleep is also lacking. Here, we examined the effect of extrinsic rewards on sleep-dependent declarative memory processing across 12 and 24 hr training-retest intervals. Subjects were either paid based on their performance at retest ($1 for each correct answer), or received a flat fee for participation. After a 12 hr interval we observed pronounced benefits of both sleep and reward on memory. Over an extended 24 hr interval we found 1) that an initial night of sleep partially protects memories from subsequent deterioration during wake, and 2) that sleep blocks further deterioration, and may even have a restorative effect on memory, when it follows a full day of wake. Interestingly, the benefit imparted to rewarded (relative to unrewarded) stimuli was equal for sleep and wake subjects, suggesting that the sleeping brain may not differentially process rewarded information, relative to wake. However, looking at the overall impact of sleep relative to reward in this protocol, it was apparent that sleep both imparted a stronger mnemonic boost than reward, and provided a benefit to memory regardless of whether it occurred in the first or the second 12 hrs following task training