Monoclonal Antibodies against the Drosophila Nervous System

A panel of 148 monoclonal antibodies directed against Drosophila neural antigens has been prepared by using mice immunized with homogenates of Drosophila tissue. Antibodies were screened immunohistochemically on cryostat sections of fly heads. A large diversity of staining patterns was observed. Some antigens were broadly distributed among tissues; others were highly specific to nerve fibers, neuropil, muscle, the tracheal system, cell nuclei, photoreceptors, or other structures. The antigens for many of the antibodies have been identified on immunoblots. Monoclonal antibodies that identify specific molecules within the nervous system should prove useful in the study of the molecular genetics of neural development

Effect of aerial O-2 partial pressure on bimodal gas exchange and air-breathing behaviour in Trichogaster leeri

© The Company of Biologists Ltd 2007The effects of experimental alterations of aerial O2 partial pressure (PO2,air) on bimodal gas exchange and airbreathing behaviour were investigated in the aquatic airbreathing fish Trichogaster leeri in normoxic water. Fish responded to increasing PO2,air by decreasing air-breathing frequency, increasing aerial O2 consumption rate (VO2),increasing mean O2 uptake per breath (VO2/breath) and decreasing aquatic VO2 to maintain a constant total VO2. The rate of oxygen uptake from the air-breathing organ (ABO) during apnoea (VO2,ap) was derived on a breath-bybreath basis from VO2/breath and apnoea duration. VO2,ap and estimates of ABO volume were used to calculate the PO2 in the ABO at the end of apnoea. This increased with increasing PO2,air, suggesting that ABO-PO2 is not regulated at a constant level by internal chemoreceptors. Furthermore, mean VO2,ap increased with increasing PO2,air, indicating that the observed increase in VO2/breath with increasing PO2,air was facilitated not only by an increase in apnoea duration but also by an increase in the air–blood PO2 gradient.Lesley A. Alton, Craig R. White and Roger S. Seymou

NF526 Spring Millers

Biology, migration, and management of spring millers. Millers can be abundant in and around homes each year, especially in May and early June. At this time of year, the moths are most likely the adult stage of the army cutworm, a common pest of wheat and alfalfa. When millers emerge and begin to move westward in the spring, area residents have little recourse but to patiently await their departure. There are a few tactics, however, that can help lessen moth activity in and around homes: Keep outside lighting to a minimum. These night-flying moths are attracted to lights. A porch light, inadvertently left on, can attract hundreds or even thousands of these pests. Where lighting is necessary, use yellow light bulbs. Yellow light will not attract as many moths because insects do not sense this color very well. Seal cracks and crevices with caulking. Place weather stripping around doors and windows. Repair all screens in windows, doors, attic vents, etc. Consider using a landscape that minimizes flowering plants and dense vegetation near houses