White Belly Research Articles

Blue Behemoth Bounds Back

They grow longer than two city buses and are powered by a taxicab-sized heart. These whales have blue-gray backs and sides and white bellies, but in colder waters, their bellies acquire coats of diatoms. The single-celled algae gives them a yellowish cast and has earned the big blues a second name: sulfur-bottom whales. In summer and fall, the blues bellow out their massive pleated throats and suck in up to 45 tons of water at a gulp, straining it through mouths full of 500 to 800 baleen (whale bone) plates to extract three to four tons of krill each day. The fast-swimming, spindle-shaped leviathan easily eluded sail-powered whaling ships for 300 years. Then, in the 1860s, an enterprising Norwegian captain combined a steam-powered ship with a cannon-fired harpoon. For the next century, whalers vigorously pursued the blue whale and depleted its populations, first in the North Atlantic, then the North Pacific, and finally in its region of greatest abundance, the southern oceans. There, perhaps 190,000 blue whales once had roamed. The hunt reached its peak in the

Practical Studies on the Improvement for Qualities and Eating Quality of Rice cv. Sasanishiki. 5. Varietal Difference in White Core Rice Kernel and White Belly Kernel of Brown Rice

Practical Studies on the Improvement for Qualities and Eating Quality of Rice cv. Sasanishiki. 5. Varietal Difference in White Core Rice Kernel and White Belly Kernel of Brown Rice

Ocorrência de grãos gessados em três cultivares de arroz

Foi avaliada a ocorrência de grãos gessados em grãos de arroz de três genótipos de arroz irrigado, em diferentes ambientes, proporcionados pela realização de semeaduras durante a época recomendada. Os experimentos foram realizados durante o ano agrícola de 1988/89 no campo experimental do Departamento de Agricultura da Escola Superior de Agricultura "Luiz de Queiroz" (ESALQ/USP). Utilizou-se os cultivares IAC-4440, PESAGRO-104 e a linhagem CNA-3771, realizando-se quatro semeaduras, entre 04/10 a 09/12/88, período correspondente à época recomendada para o Estado de São Paulo. A avaliação de grãos gessados foi feita em arroz beneficiado utilizando-se 100 grãos, retirados ao acaso, da amostra de grãos inteiros, que foi colhida com teor de água em torno de 20%. Constatou-se que há diferenças entre genótipos quanto ao gessamento de grãos. A linhagem CNA-3771 apresenta índice de grãos gessados acima do tolerado em programas de fitomelhoramento.

Effect of the W mutation, for white belly spot, on testicular germ cell differentiation in mice

The effect of the mutation for white belly spot controlled by the dominant gene W on spermatogenesis in mice was examined by experimental cryptorchidism and its surgical reversal. The course of spermatogenesis from spermatogonia to spermatid was normal in intact testes of W/+ mice. In cryptorchid testes, there was no difference in the number and activity of Type A spermatogonia between the testes of W/+ and +/+ mice, in mitotic and labelling indices. Although surgical reversal of the cryptorchid testis resulted in regenerative differentiation of germ cells in both genotypes, the recovery of cell differentiation in the W/+ testis was slower than in the +/+ testis. There were fewer germ cells, such as intermediate-Type B spermatogonia or more advanced ones, in W/+ testes. On Day 17 after surgical reversal, cell associations in W/+ testes were abnormal and the numbers of intermediate-Type B spermatogonia, spermatocytes and spermatids were approximately 70, 50 and 15%, respectively, of those in +/+ testes. These results indicate that the W gene affects spermatogenic cell differentiation in adult mice.

The paternal genome in mouse zygotes is less sensitive to ENU mutagenesis than the maternal genome

The two parental genomes lie separate within the zygote and may be differentially affected by environmental influences. We have shown earlier (Russell et al., 1988) tha the maternal genome within the mouse zygote is exquisitely sensitive to the induction of point mutatinos by N-ethyl- N-nitrosourea (ENU), and the the initial lesion probably occurs in one strand of the DNA. The present experiment measured specific-locus mutation induction in the paternal genome. Zygotes containing a multiple-recessive maternal genome ( a; b; p c ch ; d se; s) and the corresponding wild-type alleles in the paternal one were exposed to 50 mg ENU/kg in vivo at one of two stages: the presumed times of sperm entry and early pronuclear stage. At weaning age, the resulting mice were examined for mutations at the marked loci as well as for other mutations producing externally visible phenotypes. At the marked loci, one possible mosaic (for b) was observed among 2113 classified offspring that has been treated with ENU as zygotes; this animal failed to transmit a mutation. By contrast, in the reciprocal cross (which tests the maternal genome) we had observed 8 specific-locus mutations (6 of them mosaics) among 1555 offspring that had received the same dose of ENU during sperm entry (and completion of oocyte meiosis II). In the present experiment, we also found on mutation at other loci (two at other loci in the reciprocal cross). The frequency of offspring with small white belly spots was significantly greater in the treated groups (3.5 and 1.9% at the earlier and later stage, respectively) than in the control. (1.0%), the excess being almost entirely due to daughters. Genetic tests of a large number of such offspring failed to find a genetic cause. Instead, it appears that this phenotype may be influenced by factors in the intrauterine environment. It is concluded that shortly after sperm entry, the paternal genome of the zygote is less sensitive than the maternal one to the induciton of mutations by ENU.

Basis for varietal difference in popping expansion of rice

Twenty-five varieties of paddy differing widely in their popping expansion were analysed for their chemical and physical characteristics. Non-starchy polysaccharides (tested in 10 varieties), amylose and protein; grain length, thickness and weight; huskto- kernel gap; and thickness of pericarp and aleurone layer (in 10 varieties) were unrelated to popping expansion. Tightness of husk (lemma-palea) interlocking and grain hardness were strongly positively correlated with popping and 'white belly' (grains containing opaque, chalky regions) was negatively correlated. Multiple correlation analysis showed that these three Cactors could explain 80% of the variation in popping expansion among the variations; these factors along with the content and thickness of husk, equilibrium moisture of paddy, and cracked grains together explained over 95 % of the variation. Grain breadth was positively correlated to white belly and thus indirectly affected popping inversely.

Histological and ultrastructural studies of the marsupial Didelphis albiventris Peyer's patches

Differing from the studied Eutheria the white belly opossum Peyer's patches do not present a conspicuous dome. M cells are located in the inner layer of bilaminal formed at the bottom of the villi. A great variation in the morphology of M cells was observed. The enterocytes located at the epithelial inner layer may present endocytic vesicles, and the microvilli are shorter than the microvilli of enterocytes lining the small intestine. As these morphological aspects have been described to exist in the enterocytes of the lactent opossum small intestine it was surmised that the opossum Peyer's patches special epithelium could represent the persistence in adult animals of a cellular pattern established before the intestinal maturation had occurred.

Heterozygote Effects inDreherMice

The dreher mutation (gene symbol: dr) is an autosomal recessive mutation located on chromosome 1 of the mouse. Homozygous dreher mice (dr/dr) are ataxic, have a white belly spot, a short-tail, inner ear and skeletal malformations, and a variety of CNS abnormalities. Recently in our dreher colony (the drsst-J allele on a B6C3Fe background), we noticed mice with one or more white belly spots typical of drsst-J/drsst-J mice but which were non-ataxic and had a normal tail length; wild-type mice (+/+) of the same genetic background do not have simialr belly spots. Results of three breeding experiments indicate that a new mutation had not occurred, but rather that the spotted, non-ataxic mice are heterozygous dreher mice (drsst-J/+). Histological examination showed that drsst-J/+ mice have abnormalities in the hippocampal formation that are qualitatively similar to those found in drsst-J/drsst-J mice. Most frequently there is an increase in the number of pyramidal cells in CA3 and a marked thickening of the pyramidal cell layer. In contrast to dreher homozygotes the cerebellum appears to have a normal foliation pattern and no discernible laminar abnormalities. Thus, both breeding experiments and histological examination indicate that drsst-J is semidominant. We speculate that drsst-J is a "loss of function" mutation, but, in any event, the presence of phenotypic abnormalities in drsst-J/+ mice may be useful in identifying the primary developmental defect in dreher mice.

Social significance of ventrolateral coloration in the fence lizard, Sceloporus undulatus

The blue ventral colour patches of the fence lizard, Sceloporus undulatus, long believed to be involved in intraspecific communication, allow males to recognize the sex of conspecifics. This was demonstrated experimentally by a field study in which tethered lizards were introduced singly to free-ranging adult males. Males identified those conspecifics having blue belly and throat patches as male, and those that had white belly and throat patches as female. Six experimental groups of tethered lizards consisted of unpainted lizards of each sex, lizards of both sexes painted to match their normal ventral colour patterns, and lizards of each sex painted to match the ventral coloration of the opposite sex. Males responded to unpainted lizards by directing agonistic behaviour to males and courtship to females. Their responses to lizards painted to match the ventral patterns of their own sex were virtually identical to their responses to unpainted lizards, indicating that painting alone did not alter their reactions. Males painted to resemble females in ventral coloration were courted in all but one trial; females painted with the ventral pattern of males were all subjected to aggressive behaviour. Responses to both groups bearing colours of the opposite sex were significantly different from those to unpainted members of their own sex, but were nearly identical to those normally elicited by the opposite sex.

Fissuring Characteristics of Parboiled and Raw Milled Rice

ABSTRACT THE minimum hydrothermal treatment which restored (healed) fissured grains, eUminated grains with opaque cores (white belly grains) and imparted minimum color was considered as the optimum for parboiling rice to be packaged. When subjected to higher relative humidity environments, parboiled milled rice fissured much less than raw milled rice. As the degree of gelatinization in parboiled rice was increased, the percentage of fissured grains decreased and time required for fissures to develop increased.

Gene-teratogen interaction and its morphological basis in retinoic acid-induced mouse spina bifida.

Homozygotes for the splotch (Sp) mutation in the mouse have spina bifida, whereas the heterozygotes have a white belly spot but otherwise appear normal. Spina bifida can be induced by maternal treatment with retinoic acid. Female SWV strain mice were treated intraperitoneally with retinoic acid suspended in peanut oil 8 days/12 hours after they had been mated to either Sp/+ or +/+ males. Probit analysis of the dose-response data suggests that the presence of the Sp gene causes an increased susceptibility of the embryo to the spina bifida-causing effects of retinoic acid. To study the nature of this increase litters were obtained on gestation day 9 from untreated SWV females mated as above. The mean length of the posterior neuropore (the length of the posterior neural tube that has not yet closed) was determined for each somite number between 14 and 26 and was found to be significantly greater in embryos from the Sp/+ cross. This delay of closure of the neural tube in Sp/+ cross embryos could explain the observed increase in their susceptibility to retinoic acid.

Heritability and Genetic Correlation of Kelnel Weight and White Belly Frequency in Rice

H-347×ユーカラ正逆交雑の無選抜で維持したF2～F7集団，および新2号×房吉と新2号×SesiaのF2集団に粒重と腹白米歩合の選抜を加え，選抜反応と相関反応から遺伝率と遺伝相関係数を推定した。供試した雑種集団の変異は玄米1000粒重で17～37g腹白米歩合で0～100%と広範であった。粒重の遺伝率は世代におよび材料にかかわらず。0.7前後であり，非相加的遺伝分散の割合は小さいとみられた。腹白米歩合の遺伝率はF2→F3選抜のO・3前後からF4→F5選抜の0.7前後まで漸増し，非相加的遺伝分散の大きいことが示唆された。両者の遺伝相関序数はおよそ0.7前後であった。また，遺伝相関係数は出代を追って変化しなかったので，相関の原因は遺伝子の連鎖ではないと見られた。大粒性主働遺伝子Lk-fは多面発現的に腹白米歩合をも支配していた。遺伝率および遺伝相関の大きさから，粒重による腹白米歩合の間接選抜が有効な場合もあった。

Breeding of California long-grain and pearl rice varieties with high yields and good grain quality.

A very early-maturing, intermediate plant height, long-grain rice variety, "Callfornla Bell" (NFD-69), and a very early-maturing, short-stature, pearl rice variety, "Calpearl" (NFD-62 C), were developed by hybridization. Yield trials were carried out with California long-grain, medium-grain and short-grain check varieties. Averaging three years' seeding dates in the Firebaugh breeding nursery, one year's small plot adaptation test in four different rice-growing areas, and one year in a large commercial-scale field of a major rice-growing area, Calpearl came out in the first class with significantly higher yields (>10%) than all check varieties. Averaging early, mid-season and late plantings, Calperal yielded more than 11 tons dried paddy per hectare. California Belle ranked in the second class, but there was no significant yield difference as compared with M-101, a very early-maturing short-stature check variety. Three early-maturing check varieties were included in the third class after Duncan's test. Calpearl had especially high produc-tivity after delayed planting, which makes it attractive as a second crop following winter crops of barley or wheat. Calpearl has a larger grain size than the California short-grain varieties and is the first pearl-type rice with attractive translucent kernels without white belly or chalkiness. California Belle has slender grain, translucence, also without white belly or chalkiness. Chemical analysis on milled rice starch showed that both Californla Belle and Calpearl were typical and met U. S. long-grain and short-grain standards, respectively. Cboked California Bell rice is extremely white with favorable texture and taste. The success of long-graln breeding introduces a new phase in the California rice industry. Indica genes incorporated in Japonica rice have made the highly-productive Calpearl possible.

Use of Age-Classes in Monitoring Population Stability of Brown Pelicans

The brown pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis) population on the west coast of Florida was censused for 8 years. Annual and seasonal fluctuations in total numbers of birds and age-class composition occurred. The population was highest in summer-fall and lowest in fall-winter. Adults were most common during the breeding season. The ratio of immatures to adults reflected productivity in nesting colonies and techniques for gathering accurate data are outlined. Fluctuations in the population were related to temperature, but additional data on food availability are needed to understand the population stability of this species. Total counts of individuals and age-class ratios are useful in determining population stability, but surveys of large geographic areas with sizable numbers of birds are required for accuracy. J. WILDL. MANAGE. 47(1):105-111 The brown pelican is a conspicuous and readily observed species in coastal regions of the southern United States, Central America, and north and western South America. The United States population was classified as an endangered species in the early 1970's (Schreiber 1980a) and intensive study was begun into all aspects of its reproductive biology because of concern for the continued existence of the species. As 1 aspect of an 8-year study on the biology of the brown pelican in Florida (Schreiber 1976a,b, 1977, 1979, 1980b), we gathered data on the habitat use (Schreiber and Schreiber 1982) and the size and age structure of the population. These data are vital for determining population stability, particularly in long-lived species. We also examined whether a population can be monitored over a long period of time in an inexpensive manner and without decreasing reproductive output in nesting colonies because of investigator intrusion. This work was financially and logistically supported by the Frank M. Chapman Memorial Fund, International Council for Bird Preservation, Boston Whaler Company, Outboard Marine Corporation, National Geographic Society, G. Watson, A. Connelly, S. Sprunt IV, National Audubon Society, and contributors to Seabird Research, Inc. J. Lincer and especially T. Below contributed data. Critical editorial comments by C. Braun, J. Ogden, and J. Jehl, Jr. clarified our presentation. METHODS AND STUDY AREA During 1969 and 1970 we made preliminary observations of the pelicans in Boca Ciega Bay, Tampa Bay, Florida (Fig. 1; Schreiber and Schreiber 1982: Fig. 1). We made weekly surveys of that region by small boat between January 1971 and July 1976 on a circuit that visited all mangrove (Avicennia germinans and Rhizophora mangle) keys, sand bars, and fishing piers in 2-4 hours to avoid duplicating counts of birds. At all locations we counted and classified all pelicans visible as adults, subadults, or immatures. Adults have black bellies, white or yellow heads, dark brown or white necks, and primarily gray backs and wings. Immatures, fledged birds less than 12 months old, have white bellies and brown heads, necks, and backs. Subadults, approximately 1-4 years old, are intermediate in plumage between adults and immatures, having speckled bellies and J. Wildl. Manage. 47(1):1983 105 This content downloaded from 207.46.13.184 on Fri, 29 Jul 2016 04:30:47 UTC All use subject to http://about.jstor.org/terms 106 MONITORING BROWN PELICAN POPULATION STABILITY * Schreiber and Schreiber

Parboiling of paddy by simple soaking in hot water

SummaryParboiling of paddy by mere hot water soaking, without steaming, has the advantage of not requiring a boiler. Soaking at a temperature 10–15°C above the gelatinization temperature (i.e. generally at about 80–85°C) is necessary to achieve fair to moderate gelatinization (i.e. parboiling). However, soaking at such temperatures for a time sufficient for the water to penetrate and gelatinize the grain core invariably leads to over‐imbibition of moisture, husk splitting and leaching; soaking for less time, on the other hand, leaves many grains with ‘white belly’. The best method therefore is to soak the grain for such time as to imbibe about 30% moisture (wet basis) (i.e. for about 1 1/2–2 hr), drain out the water, and temper the hot paddy for another 1–2 hr. This process yields optimally parboiled paddy without ‘white belly’ or grain splitting and with reasonably good milling quality and colour.

Studies on the Texture of Cooked Rice : II. Effects of kernel size, apparent quality of brown rice and degree of kernel maturation

Effects of kernel size, apparent quality of brown rice and grain maturity on the texture of cooked rice were investigated using a General Foods Texturometer. The results obtained are summarized as follows: 1. Primary parameters of texture such as hardness, adhesiveness and viscousness which are shown as the strength of force or the amount of work were sharply affected by the size of the test kernel, although the other primary parameters were not affected (Table 1). And it was revealed that the degree of these effects were just proportional to the kernel weight of test rice. Consequently, revising of texture value in consideration of the kernel weight was thought to be necessary for an accurate measurement of rice texture. 2. Rice texture was also affected by apparent quality of brown rice from which the test rice had been made. Cooked rice from white belly kernels and white core kernels showed lower values of stickiness and the textural palatability index (TPI) as compared with normal perfect kernels. Green kernels and rusty kernels were a little low in hardness and chewiness, though they showed rather high values in stickiness. Thus their TPI values were not inferior to the perfect kernels (Table 2). 3. Texture values markedly changed with the progress of maturation (Fig. 1-3). Values of hardness and chewiness were very high at the early stage of ripening, but they were rapidly decreased with maturity. On the other hand, adhesiveness, viscousness and stickiness increased during maturation, and showed their peak values at the right stage of maturity. Overripening seemed to increase the values of hardness and chewiness and decrease those of adhesiveness, viscousness and stickiness. TPI, therefore, were almost the highest at the right time of maturation (Fig. 4). Above results suggest that harvest of rice should be done at the right time of grain maturation to secure the palatability of cooked rice.

The production of chimeric rats and their use in the analysis of the hooded pigmentation pattern

AbstractNew, improved media and procedures for making rat chimeric embryos and culturing them in vitro have been developed. We have produced 27 rat chimeras: 20 males and 7 females. This ratio of males to females is consistent with that seen in mouse chimeras, suggesting that rat sex chimeras develop as phenotypic males. By aggregating embryos containing appropriate genetic markers for pigment cell differentiation, it is possible to produce chimeras that elucidate the site of action of the hooded gene. The coat color patterns of black ↔ black hooded chimeras display a white belly spot. In black ↔ albino hooded chimeras, small patches of white hair appear on the head and a large white spot occurs on the belly. Black ↔ agouti hooded chimeras display both agouti and nonagouti pigmentation over the entire surface of the chimera. These animals are fully pigmented with no white spots. In black ↔ albino non‐hooded chimeras, rather small irregular patches of black and white hairs are distributed throughout the pelage. Histological examination of sections of hair follicles obtained from the white areas in the head of black ↔ albino hooded chimeras revealed amelanotic melanocytes. On the other hand, hair bulbs from the white belly spots do not contain any such melanocytes. Thus the white hairs of the head are due to the presence of albino melanocytes, but the white hairs of the belly are due to the total absence of melanocytes. All these observations are consistent with the conclusion that the hooded gene acts within melanoblasts, probably to retard their migration from the neural crest and/or to prevent their entrance into the hair follicles of the white areas of hooded rats.

Studies on white-belly rice kernel. VII. The most vulnerable stages of kernel development for the occurrence of white belly.

Studies on white-belly rice kernel. VII. The most vulnerable stages of kernel development for the occurrence of white belly.

Studies on the Charecters of the Improved Semi-Dwarf, High-Yielding Indica Rice Varieties : VI. Shape of opaque part of white belly kernels and difference in the development of starch granules on dorsal and ventral sides in developing kernels in the variety making many white belly kernels "Chosaeng Tongil"

1. Shape of opaque part of white belly kernels. Most of the opaque part of the white belly kernels of this variety extended near the dorsal side. In this variety, white belly and white milky occurred in the kernel at the same time. 2. Starch granules on the ventral and dorsal sides in developing rice kernel of Chosaeng Tongil were observed using scanning electron microscope. In this study, the observed points were 250 μm to 300 μm interior from pericarp. (a) On the dorsal side: 8 days and 12 days after flowering, small and large starch granules were observed. Their shapes were irregularly spherical, and air-spaces were observed among the granules. 16 days after flowering, the air-spaces were not observed, and starch granules showed sharp edges. And on the surface of the starch granules, the pits due to protein body were observed. (b) On the verltral side: In spite of the passing of the time after flowering, at least after 8 days after flowering, starch granules almost never developed, and their diameters were 2 to 5 μm 30 days after flowering. After 16 days, on the surface of the starch granules, the pits due to enzymes in kernel were observed. But the pits due to protein body were not observed. Their shapes were irregularly spherical, and air-spaces were observed among the starch granules during the whole ripening period.

Electron Microscopic Observation of Rice Grain

Rice starch granules are spherical to ellipsoidal in shape with varying size from 7 to 25μ in diameter. A starch granule is composed of about 20 to 60 small polygonal shaped granula of 4 to 6p in size. Scanning electron microscopy of purified starch of 12 varieties (including glutinous type) of rice grown in Niigata Prefecture revealed pits on the surface of the granula. No significant differences in starch morphology among the varieties were observed. The central portion (0.4-0.5μ) of starch granulum was stained by osmic acid differently from the exterior portion. The starch tissue was observed to be of a coarse structure. Three types of protein bodies were observed by osmium stainning; spherical granules 1-3μ in diameter with highly stained center; and spherical or square granules 1-3 p in diameter; and granules unevenly stained by osmic acid, with a diameter of about 0.5μ. Starch granula were observed to be covered with a thin electron dense matrix, which was in contact with protein-like bodies. Protein bodies were observed to be embedded in the starch granules near the surface of the endosperm. At the central portion of endosperm, starch granules and protein bodies were in contact to each other in a wedge-wise manner, and parts of the starch granules appeared to have been eroded. The pits, presumedly formed by the removal of protein bodies, were not observed in the starch granules from the white belly of rice grain.