Adult Female Length Research Articles

Characterization of a novel dipeptidyl peptidase 1 of Trichinella spiralis and its participation in larval invasion

The research aimed to describe a new Trichinella spiralis dipeptidyl peptidase 1 (TsDPP1) and investigate its functions in the larval invasion of intestinal epithelial cells (IECs). The gene TsDPP1 was successfully replicated and produced in Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3), showing a strong immune response. TsDPP1 was detected in diverse stages of T. spiralis and showed significant expression in the intestine infective larvae (IIL) and adult worms at 6 days post infection, as confirmed by qPCR and Western blot analysis. The primary localization of TsDPP1 in this parasite was observed in cuticles, stichosomes, and embryos by using the indirect immunofluorescence assay (IIFA). rTsDPP1 exhibited the enzymatic function of natural dipeptidyl peptidase and showed specific binding to IECs, and the binding site was found to be localized on cell membrane. Following transfection with dsRNA-TsDPP1, the expression of TsDPP1 mRNA and protein in muscle larvae (ML) were decreased by approximately 63.52 % and 58.68 %, correspondingly. The activity of TsDPP1 in the ML and IIL treated with dsRNA-TsDPP1 was reduced by 42.98 % and 45.07 %, respectively. The acceleration of larval invasion of IECs was observed with rTsDPP1, while the invasion was suppressed by anti-rTsDPP1 serum. The ability of the larvae treated with dsRNA-TsDPP1 to invade IECs was hindered by 31.23 %. In mice infected with dsRNA-treated ML, the intestinal IIL, and adults experienced a significant decrease in worm burdens and a noticeable reduction in adult female length and fecundity compared to the PBS group. These findings indicated that TsDPP1 significantly impedes the invasion, growth, and reproductive capacity of T. spiralis in intestines, suggesting its potential as a target for anti-Trichinella vaccines.

THE FIRST RECORD OF <i>STENOTHOE</i> CF. <i>TERGESTINA</i> (NEBESKI 1881) (CRUSTACEA, AMPHIPODA, STENOTHOIDAE) IN THE BLACK SEA

Numerous individuals of an amphipod previously unreported from the Black Sea were found in 2017 on structures of a mussel and oyster marine farm, near the outer roadstead of the Sevastopol Bay, Crimea. The species discovered was morphologically especially similar to Stenothoe tergestina (Nebeski 1881), provisionally identified as Stenothoe cf. tergestina. The morphology, population structure and ecology of this species were studied. An analysis of the population structure of S. cf. tergestina in 2017–2022 showed that adult females, males and juveniles were present in the samples all over the year. The animals preferred to dwell on surfaces overgrown with periphyton colonies of the hydroid polyp genus Aglaophenia Lamouroux 1812. In the collections of amphipods from the periphyton of the farm structures, S. cf. tergestina turned out to be the most abundant (70–90% of the total number of identified amphipod individuals). The length of adult females was up to 4.5 mm, vs up to 3.6 mm in males.

Characterization of a novel cysteine protease in Trichinella spiralis and its role in larval intrusion, development and fecundity

The aim of this study was to investigate the biological properties of a novel gut-specific cysteine protease in Trichinella spiralis (TsGSCP) and its role in larval intrusion, development and fecundity. TsGSCP has a functional C1 peptidase domain; C1 peptidase belongs to cathepsin B family. The TsGSCP gene cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli BL21 showed intensive immunogenicity. qPCR and Western blotting revealed that TsGSCP mRNA and protein were expressed at various T. spiralis stages, but their expression levels in intestinal infectious larvae (IIL) were clearly higher than those in muscle larvae (ML), adult worms (AWs) and new-born larvae (NBL). Indirect immunofluorescence (IIF) analysis showed that TsGSCP was primarily located at the outer cuticle and the intrauterine embryos of this parasite. rTsGSCP showed the ability to specifically bind with IECs, and the binding site is within the IEC cytoplasm. rTsGSCP accelerated larval intrusion into host intestinal epithelial cells (IECs), whereas anti-rTsGSCP antibodies suppressed larval intrusion; the acceleration and suppression was induced by rTsGSCP and anti-rTsGSCP antibodies, respectively, in a dose-dependent manner. When ML were transfected with TsGSCP-specific dsRNA, TsGSCP expression and enzymatic activity were reduced by 46.82 and 37.39%, respectively, and the capacity of the larvae to intrude into IECs was also obviously impeded. Intestinal AW burden and adult female length and fecundity were significantly decreased in the group of mice infected with dsRNA-transfected ML compared to the control dsRNA and PBS groups. The results showed that TsGSCP plays a principal role in gut intrusion, worm development and fecundity in the T. spiralis lifecycle and might be a candidate target for vaccine development against Trichinella intrusion and infection.

Demography, distribution, and threat assessment of the Spur-thighed Tortoise (Testudo graeca) in the Gediz Delta, Turkey (Reptilia: Testudines)

The Spur-thighed tortoise (Testudo graeca) is listed as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, with small and fragmented populations located around the Mediterranean basin. In Turkey, this species has remained poorly studied which hampers solid assessment of threats and conservation measures. We studied the spatial distribution, habitat use, and demography of the species in the Gediz Delta (Aegean coast of Turkey) between 2015 and 2017 with a specific capture-mark-recapture survey made in the Sazlıgöl marshes. A total of 114 individuals (20 juveniles, 62 males and 32 females) were captured and released in that period. Carapace length of adult females was on average higher (205.2±3.2 mm) than in adult males (190.9±2.3 mm). Sex ratio was biased with 1.94 males per female. Based on the capture-recapture histories of 65 individuals (3 juveniles, 37 males and 25 females) marked in 2015, we estimated the population size of the Sazlıgöl marsh population to be 137±23 individuals, which corresponds to a density of 5.7 individuals per ha. The main threats detected were agricultural activities, urbanisation and captures for the pet trade.

Identification and Prevalence of Globocephalus samoensis (Nematoda: Ancylostomatidae) among Wild Boars (Sus scrofa coreanus) from Southwestern Regions of Korea.

This study describes the first record of Globocephalus samoensis (Nematoda: Ancylostomatidae) recovered in wild boars from southwestern regions of Korea. Gastrointestinal tracts of 111 Korean wild boars (Sus scrofa coreanus) hunted from mountains in Suncheon-si, Gwangyang-si, and Boseong-gun between 2009 and 2012 were examined for their visceral helminths. G. samoensis, as identified by morphological characteristics of the head and tail, were recovered from the small intestine of 51 (45.9%) wild boars. Worms were found from 7 of 28 wild boars (25.0%) from Suncheon-si, 40 of 79 (50.6%) from Gwangyang-si, and all 4 (100%) from Boseong-gun. The length of adult females was 7.2±0.5 mm, and the thickest part of the body measured the average 0.47±0.03 mm, while those of males were 6.52±0.19 and 0.37±0.02 mm, respectively. The buccal cavity was equipped with a pair of large and bicuspid subventral lancets near the base of the capsule. The average length of spicules of males was 0.45±0.02 mm. By the present study, G. samoensis is recorded for the first time in southwestern regions of Korea. Additionally, morphological characteristics and identification keys provided in the present study will be helpful in the faunistic and taxonomic studies for strongylid nematodes in both domestic and wild pigs. The infection of G. samoensis apparently did not elicit pathologic lesions, as revealed by macroscopic observation during the autopsy of all wild boars in this study.

Consequences of Intraspecific Variation in Female Body Size inStagmomantis limbata(Mantodea: Mantidae): Feeding Ecology, Male Attraction, and Egg Production

Body size is an important feature of organisms, influencing many components of life history and fitness, such as feeding success and reproductive output. Body size is considered especially salient for solitary predators, whose food intake hinges on individual predation success, which in turn is often driven by the relative sizes of predator and prey. The current study examined intraspecific variation in adult female length and its fitness consequences in a solitary predator, the praying mantid Stagmomantis limbata Hahn. Through a 5-yr integration of observational and experimental work in the field and captivity, we investigated the relationship between female pronotum length and prey size, diet breadth, male attraction, and measures of egg production (fecundity and ootheca mass). We found that longer females ate longer prey in the field and showed greater breadth of prey size than shorter females. Longer females did not necessarily feed at higher rates in the field, as measured by the rate of abdominal expansion. Female length failed to show significant effects on male attraction or on the incidence of cannibalism. Longer females had higher fecundity (mature eggs in body at death) and laid heavier oothecae than shorter females. In nature, longer females consistently emerged as adults earlier in the season than shorter females. Shorter female adults emerged when feeding rates were higher in the field, suggesting an incidental ecological benefit of shorter adult size.

An Appraisal of Life History Features of Kiefferulus calligaster (Kieffer, 1911) (Diptera: Chironomidae) from Kolkata, India

Life history parameters of the freshwater chironomid species Kiefferulus calligaster (Kieffer, 1911) were investigated under laboratory conditions, with the use of larval development time and wing length as key features. An index of fitness was derived using these two parameters to represent the fitness of adults as a function of the larval development. Survivorship, deduced from the data on the mortality of larval stages, was related to developmental time as—(survivorship, lx) y = 1.16 − 0.04 × (days). The larval development time varied between males and females with a minimum of 8 and a maximum of 12 days from first instar larva to eclosion of imagine. The average wing length of adult females was larger than males (3.9 mm ± 0.03 S.E. vs. 3.36 mm ± 0.02 S.E.), for both early and late emerging individuals. The degree of dimorphism between the sexes was prominent for wing length and larval development time. The index of fitness for the early and late emerging adults differed significantly (P < 0.05) in both the sexes.

Claw Function of Hatchling and Adult Red-Eared Slider Turtles (Trachemys scripta elegans)

ABSTRACT We examined variation in claw length of hatchling and adult red-eared slider turtles (Trachemys scripta elegans). Hind claw length of adult females was greater than that of adult males, and we suggest that increased hind claw length in females (a previously unrecognized sexually dimorphic trait) may serve as an adaptation for nest construction. In addition, front and hind claws of hatchlings newly emerged from their eggs were longer than the front and hind claws of hatchlings that were captured during their migration toward aquatic habitats; relatively long claws could aid hatchlings in their escape from nests and migration to aquatic habitats.

Reliable methods for estimating relative vocal tract lengths from formant trajectories of common words

This paper describes reliable methods for estimating relative vocal tract lengths from speech signals. Two proposed methods are based on the simple principle that resonant frequencies in an acoustic tube are inversely proportional to the tube length in cases where the configuration is constant. We estimated the ratio between two speakers' vocal tract lengths using first and second formant trajectories of the same words uttered by them. In the first method, which is referred to as "strict estimation method", we sought instances at which the gross structures of two vocal tracts are analogous by applying dynamic time-warping to formant-trajectories of common words that were uttered at different speeds. In those instances, which were found from among more than 100 common words by two speakers, an average formant ratio proved to be an excellent estimate (about plusmn0.1% in errors) for a reciprocal of the vocal tract length ratio. Next, we examined a simplified method for estimating those ratios using all corresponding points of two formant-trajectories: it is the "direct estimation method". Estimation errors in the direct estimation were evaluated to be about plusmn0.3% at equal utterance-speeds and plusmn2% at most, within 2.0 of the ratios of "fast" to "slow". Finally, we estimated relative vocal tract lengths for four Japanese speaker groups, whose members differed in terms of age and gender. Experimental results showed that the average vocal tract length of adult females and that of 7-10-year-old boys and girls are 21%, 27%, and 30%, respectively, shorter than adult males'

Genetic resistance to Teladorsagia circumcincta: IgA and parameters at slaughter in Churra sheep

SUMMARY Previous experiments have shown that genetic resistance to infection by Teladorsagia circumcincta in sheep can be measured by the level of IgA in gastric mucus, jointly with other parameters. The aim of this study has been to observe the influence of IgA on adult worms. The experiment was carried out with Churra sheep experimentally infected with T. circumcincta. At slaughter, gastric content, gastric mucus, blood samples and faeces were recovered to determine the number of eggs in utero, length of adult females, worm burden, number of L4, titre of serum pepsinogen, peripheral eosinophilia and eggs per gram (epg). IgA activity in gastric mucus, serum, nasal secretions and saliva were tested against somatic antigen from fourth-stage larvae (L4), somatic antigen from the adult stage and excretory-secretory (E/S) antigen from the adult stage. The results showed a significant correlation between serum IgA and gastric mucus (P<0.01) as well as in nasal secretions (P<0.01). We found negative correlations between IgA activity in gastric mucus with the eggs in utero and with adult female length. Furthermore there were also strong relationships between the peripheral eosinophilia with serum (P<0.01) and gastric mucus IgA activity (P<0.01). Moreover serum pepsinogen and the number of L4 at slaughter were related (P<0.01).

Parthenogenetic reproduction of Diaphanosoma celebensis (Crustacea: Cladocera). Effect of algae and algal density on survival, growth, life span and neonate production

The cladoceran Diaphanosoma celebensis Stingelin is reported on for the first time from Indian waters (Mandovi estuary, Goa). Amictic females were maintained in the laboratory (temperature 24 ± 1 °C and salinity 17 psu) for three successive generations in order to follow the parthenogenetic reproductive behaviour, growth, survival and neonate production. The mean life span and body length of adult females in the three generations showed some variations and ranged from 9 to 12.5 d and 842 to 932 μm, respectively. The mean length of the neonates produced also varied (283 to 446 μm) in the three generations. Cladoceran preference for three phytoplankton food sources, i.e. Isochrysis galbana (Parke), Chaetoceros calcitrans (Paulsen) and Tetraselmis gracilis (Kylin), was determined. Growth was faster in the initial stage with all three diets but slowed down in later life. Increased food concentrations resulted in higher neonate production but reduced the life span of females. However, long-term feeding experiments revealed that the percentage survival was high with I. galbana and low with C. calcitrans.

The Effect of Temperature, Salinity and Diet On Final Size of Female Tisbe Holothuriae (Copepoda, Harpacticoida)

[Tisbe holothuriae was collected from the Saronicos Gulf (Greece) and cultured in the laboratory at various conditions. Growth of females reared under 12 combinations of temperature (14-24°C) and salinity (26-44%o) and 7 different diets was evaluated. Adult female body length increased slightly with salinity and decreased greatly with temperature, with a maximum value (1.096 mm) at 14°C and 38‰. There were no apparent interactions between these factors. Length is related to temperature and salinity by the following equation, L = 1.39 + 0.0255 - 0.0003S2 - 0.071T + 0.0009T2 + 0.00005ST. There were no significant differences in length of adult females as a result of testing 7 different diets. Significant differences in length were found between the instars on successive days of development, except between the 4th and 5th day, when nauplii were transformed to copepodites., Tisbe holothuriae was collected from the Saronicos Gulf (Greece) and cultured in the laboratory at various conditions. Growth of females reared under 12 combinations of temperature (14-24°C) and salinity (26-44%o) and 7 different diets was evaluated. Adult female body length increased slightly with salinity and decreased greatly with temperature, with a maximum value (1.096 mm) at 14°C and 38‰. There were no apparent interactions between these factors. Length is related to temperature and salinity by the following equation, L = 1.39 + 0.0255 - 0.0003S2 - 0.071T + 0.0009T2 + 0.00005ST. There were no significant differences in length of adult females as a result of testing 7 different diets. Significant differences in length were found between the instars on successive days of development, except between the 4th and 5th day, when nauplii were transformed to copepodites.]

Simple Size-Structured Models of Recruitment and Harvest in Pacific Salmon (Oncorhynchusspp.)

Growing evidence suggests that in Pacific salmon (Oncorhynchus spp.), components of reproductive success besides fecundity are size dependent. However, managers setting escapement goals usually estimate reproductive potential of a stock in terms of total number of spawners, number of female spawners, or potential egg deposition given a mean size of spawners. Interannual variation in size composition of spawners may thus result in errors in assessing reproductive potential. Here, we develop models of recruitment and harvest and determine optimal size-selective harvesting strategies. These optimal strategies range from the current large-fish harvests (larger-than-average fish are caught, leaving smaller fish to spawn) to small-fish harvests, where the reverse is true. If the body mass (M) of individual spawners increases more rapidly than reproductive success (RS) with respect to increasing length of adult females (e.g., if number of eggs alone best measures RS), then sustainable biomass yield is maximized by the current large-fish harvest. However, if RS/M increases with increasing length of females (e.g., if total biomass of eggs best measures RS), then small-fish harvest maximizes sustainable yield. Evidence suggests that some salmon populations show this latter pattern; thus, large-fish harvests may generate suboptimal yields.

Patterns of life history among cyclopoid copepods of central Europe

SUMMARY Life history characters (body size of adults, egg diameter, egg sac length and breadth) of nineteen species of central European cyclopoid copepods were measured and sexual size dimorphism (adult female length x adult male length−1), relative egg size (egg weight X body weight−1), weight of adult females and of eggs, egg sac shape (egg sac length x egg sac breadth−1), and reproductive effort (clutch weight produced per female weight per day) were calculated to detect trends in life history strategies. Typical planktonic species exhibited the lowest reproductive effort. Among planktonic species, the value for egg sac shape increased with clutch size. Large species and small species exhibited different trends in life history characters. Large species had larger clutches, larger eggs, and a greater sex size dimorphism than small species. However, small species had a greater relative egg size. Large species live in cold water and reproduce during the spring bloom of phytoplankton where the production of large clutches with relatively small eggs is advantageous. Reserves are unnecessary for juveniles because food is abundant. Small species generally are most abundant during the warm season, when conditions are less predictable, and relatively large eggs, possibly provided with reserves, are advantageous.

Kultivierung vonCalanus helgolandicus unter kontrollierten Bedingungen

1.Calanus helgolandicus was grown from egg to adult in agitated seawater cultures at 15° C in the laboratory. 2. The chain-forming diatomsChaetoceros curvisetus, Skeletonema costatum, Lauderia borealis and the dinoflagellateGymnodinium splendens were offered as food. The concentration of food, resembling phytoplankton concentrations found in the ocean off La Jolla, ranged from 28µg to 800µg carbon per liter. 3. Depending on food quality and food concentration, the time from hatching to adulthood lasts between 18 and 54 days. Mortality from hatching to adulthood ranges from 2.3% to 58.2%. The length of adult females is directly related to the amount of food offered; it ranges from 3.03 mm to 3.84 mm. 4. The sex ratio in different batches of laboratory grown copepods varies considerably. The largest percentage of males (about 25%) was obtained withLauderia borealis orGymnodinium splendens as food source. 5. The fecundity of females grown and fertilized under laboratory conditions averages 1991 eggs per female with a hatching percentage of 84%. These values are close to those obtained from spermatophore-carrying females from the ocean (2267 eggs per female; hatching percentage 77%).