Digestive enzymes in ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) : a short review

The literature data on the digestive enzymes present in different taxonomic groups of ants are reviewed and their patterns of occurrence across the various groups are tested. Data are available on 32 digestive enzymes from 62 ant species from 15 tribes belonging to seven subfamilies (Dolichoderinae, Ecitoninae, Formicinae, Myrmicinae, Paraponerinae, Ponerinae, and Pseudomyrmecinae). Leaf-cutter ants (Myrmicinae, higher Attini) are the best-investigated group. Nearly all analysed enzymes were present in all the species investigated, irrespective of taxonomic group. The only significant difference across taxonomic groups concerns enzymes that attack plant structural polysaccharides (cellulases, pectinase, xylanase). These were more frequent in leaf-cutter ants than in other groups. To detect potential additional differences between groups differing in their feeding habits, more comprehensive qualitative data acquisition will be necessary

Příjem potravy a metabolická aktivita .i.Galumna elimata./i. (C.L. Koch, 1841) (Acari: Oribatida) při různých teplotách

The ability of the physiological compensation of respiration rate and feeding activity for temperature was tested in oribatid mite .i.Galumna elimata./i. to evaluate significance of the increase of amylolytic activity in the whole body homogenates of mite exposed to cold acclimation. Mites were reared on green bark algae (.i.Protococcus viridis./i.) at different constant temperatures (5-30°C) for 21 days. The temperature relationships of respiration rate, presence of animals on food and defecation were compared before acclimation (quick response to temperature change) and after acclimation to constant temperature (effects of adaptation). The relationship of oxygen consumption on temperature was similar in control and acclimated mites. Presence of animals on food increased exponentially with temperature before acclimation. It was higher at 15°C after acclimation at constant temperature

Vybrané fyziologické parametry žížaly .i.Dendrobaena mrazeki./i. (Černosvitov, 1935)

.i.Dendrobaena mrazeki./i. shows preferences for xerothermic habitats, i.e. behaviour unusual for Central European earthworms. Several ecophysiological parameters of .i.D. mrazeki./i. were measured as a basis for further investigation of its environmental adaptations. pH about 7 prevailed in the gut of the species. The profile of digestive enzymes included all important saccharolytic enzymes and did not differ from those of other earthworms indicating no exclusivity in .i.D. mrazeki./i. feeding habits. Melting and supercooling points of body fluid were similar to those of relative species .i.D. octaedra./i.. The adaptation of .i.D. mrazeki./i. to xerothermic habitats may result from its desiccation tolerance, ability of quiescence and/or from its partly endogeic mode of life. Quiescent adult individuals were found to survive about 60 days at 15 % soil moisture

Modelování evakuace osob z postižených oblastí

There is presented a software product intended for evacuations by using road transport while keeping to all the binding conditions. This software displays all the points important for evacuation and its process by means of digital maps, puts out routes in dependence on extraordinary event. It is possible to manually control inputs, parameters and process of the solution.V článku je prezentován produkt určený k evakuaci pom,ocí silniční dopravy při dodržení všech vstupních podmínek. Tento produkt vyhodnocuje všechny důležité body pro evakuaci a její proces za použití prostředků jako jsou digitální mapy, průchodnost dopravní sítě v závislosti na mimořádných událostech. Pokud je to možné, jsou řízeny vstupy, parametry a proces řešení

Systém kontinuity činností v dopravě

Continuity of Undertaking in the Transport Companies is an activity which aims at minimizing necessary time to restore the operations. The reduction of time of the disruption of the undertaking is vital in order to prevent a crisis. The seriousness of such a crisis usually grows exponentially and fast reaction and reduction of time to solve the problem is essential. The Continuity of Undertaking can Help solve possible critical situation which may disrupt the activities of the transport companies. Furthermore, it can ameliorate possible consequences and efficiently smooth away possible aftermath of disruption of transport operation. The analysis and evaluation of BCMS is to strengthen the resilience of a transport company in order to better reach its key objectives.Continuity of Undertaking in the Transport Companies is an activity which aims at minimizing necessary time to restore the operations. The reduction of time of the disruption of the undertaking is vital in order to prevent a crisis. The seriousness of such a crisis usually grows exponentially and fast reaction and reduction of time to solve the problem is essential. The Continuity of Undertaking can Help solve possible critical situation which may disrupt the activities of the transport companies. Furthermore, it can ameliorate possible consequences and efficiently smooth away possible aftermath of disruption of transport operation. The analysis and evaluation of BCMS is to strengthen the resilience of a transport company in order to better reach its key objectives

Transport Modelling of Citizens Evacuation

There is presented a software product intended for evacuations by using road transport while keeping to all the binding conditions. This software displays all the points important for evacuation and its process by means of digital maps, puts out routes in dependence on extraordinary event. It is possible to manually control inputs, parameters and process of the solution. V článku je prezentován produkt určený k evakuaci pom,ocí silniční dopravy při dodržení všech vstupních podmínek. Tento produkt vyhodnocuje všechny důležité body pro evakuaci a její proces za použití prostředků jako jsou digitální mapy, průchodnost dopravní sítě v závislosti na mimořádných událostech. Pokud je to možné, jsou řízeny vstupy, parametry a proces řešení

Functional similarity, despite taxonomical divergence in the millipede gut microbiota, points to a common trophic strategy

Abstract Background Many arthropods rely on their gut microbiome to digest plant material, which is often low in nitrogen but high in complex polysaccharides. Detritivores, such as millipedes, live on a particularly poor diet, but the identity and nutritional contribution of their microbiome are largely unknown. In this study, the hindgut microbiota of the tropical millipede Epibolus pulchripes (large, methane emitting) and the temperate millipede Glomeris connexa (small, non-methane emitting), fed on an identical diet, were studied using comparative metagenomics and metatranscriptomics. Results The results showed that the microbial load in E. pulchripes is much higher and more diverse than in G. connexa. The microbial communities of the two species differed significantly, with Bacteroidota dominating the hindguts of E. pulchripes and Proteobacteria (Pseudomonadota) in G. connexa. Despite equal sequencing effort, de novo assembly and binning recovered 282 metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) from E. pulchripes and 33 from G. connexa, including 90 novel bacterial taxa (81 in E. pulchripes and 9 in G. connexa). However, despite this taxonomic divergence, most of the functions, including carbohydrate hydrolysis, sulfate reduction, and nitrogen cycling, were common to the two species. Members of the Bacteroidota (Bacteroidetes) were the primary agents of complex carbon degradation in E. pulchripes, while members of Proteobacteria dominated in G. connexa. Members of Desulfobacterota were the potential sulfate-reducing bacteria in E. pulchripes. The capacity for dissimilatory nitrate reduction was found in Actinobacteriota (E. pulchripes) and Proteobacteria (both species), but only Proteobacteria possessed the capacity for denitrification (both species). In contrast, some functions were only found in E. pulchripes. These include reductive acetogenesis, found in members of Desulfobacterota and Firmicutes (Bacillota) in E. pulchripes. Also, diazotrophs were only found in E. pulchripes, with a few members of the Firmicutes and Proteobacteria expressing the nifH gene. Interestingly, fungal-cell-wall-degrading glycoside hydrolases (GHs) were among the most abundant carbohydrate-active enzymes (CAZymes) expressed in both millipede species, suggesting that fungal biomass plays an important role in the millipede diet. Conclusions Overall, these results provide detailed insights into the genomic capabilities of the microbial community in the hindgut of millipedes and shed light on the ecophysiology of these essential detritivores. Video Abstrac