Female Spider Wasps, Anoplius splendens Driesbach (Hymenoptera: Pompilidae), Learn to Associate the Odor of Host Feces With the Presence of the Host

2006 ◽  
Vol 41 (3) ◽  
pp. 202-210 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. Punzo

Laboratory studies were conducted to determine whether or not adult female wasps, Anoplius splendens (Dreisbach), can learn a chemical stimulus (host feces) associated with host microhabitats. In a two-choice, static-air olfactometer, wasps previously exposed to hosts only in association with one stimulus (filter paper conditioned with odors from feces of the host spider, Drassodes auriculoides Barrows) exhibited a greater tendency to visit exclusively, and spend more time in, chambers containing a source of that stimulus as compared to control wasps exposed to paper with no host odors. The capacity for learning olfactory cues based on previous encounters with hosts should enhance the ability of wasps to accurately identify microhabitats where suitable hosts are most likely to be located.

Author(s):  
Tarsis Tamar Pereira Silva ◽  
Aurea Vieira Teixeira ◽  
Alexandre de Almeida e Silva

Abstract In the search for new strategies to control Aedes aegypti Linnaeus (Diptera: Culicidae), several studies have successfully related pyriproxyfen (PPF) tarsal transference to breeding sites (autodissemination), as well as the sterilization potential of females exposed to PPF. Potential PPF autodissemination by mosquito feces after the ingestion of sugar baits has also been proposed. Therefore, the present work evaluated several parameters, e.g., fecal production, residuality under dry and aqueous conditions, PPF excretion affecting emergence inhibition (EI) by fecal deposits of Ae. aegypti fed with attractive toxic sugar baits (ATSBs) containing PPF as well as their reproductive potential. Females were fed with ATSBs offered as droplets and the feces were collected using filter paper and transferred to plastic cups with L3 larvae to evaluate EI. The residual effect of feces in aqueous and dry conditions and PPF excretion on EI was obtained by keeping the feces in water or dried for different time intervals and using feces collected at 24-h intervals, respectively. Females received a bloodmeal after feeding on ATSBs, eggs and larval counting expressed the reproductive potential. The fecal mass was not affected by PPF concentration, but EI increased from 33 to 54% as the PPF concentration increased. The PPF excretion in the feces exceeded 96 h. The residual effect in the EI for feces kept in water was reduced by more than 60% after 30 d but was not affected under dry conditions. The fecundity and fertility of the females were reduced up to 51% and 97%, respectively.


1997 ◽  
Vol 161 ◽  
pp. 179-187
Author(s):  
Clifford N. Matthews ◽  
Rose A. Pesce-Rodriguez ◽  
Shirley A. Liebman

AbstractHydrogen cyanide polymers – heterogeneous solids ranging in color from yellow to orange to brown to black – may be among the organic macromolecules most readily formed within the Solar System. The non-volatile black crust of comet Halley, for example, as well as the extensive orangebrown streaks in the atmosphere of Jupiter, might consist largely of such polymers synthesized from HCN formed by photolysis of methane and ammonia, the color observed depending on the concentration of HCN involved. Laboratory studies of these ubiquitous compounds point to the presence of polyamidine structures synthesized directly from hydrogen cyanide. These would be converted by water to polypeptides which can be further hydrolyzed to α-amino acids. Black polymers and multimers with conjugated ladder structures derived from HCN could also be formed and might well be the source of the many nitrogen heterocycles, adenine included, observed after pyrolysis. The dark brown color arising from the impacts of comet P/Shoemaker-Levy 9 on Jupiter might therefore be mainly caused by the presence of HCN polymers, whether originally present, deposited by the impactor or synthesized directly from HCN. Spectroscopic detection of these predicted macromolecules and their hydrolytic and pyrolytic by-products would strengthen significantly the hypothesis that cyanide polymerization is a preferred pathway for prebiotic and extraterrestrial chemistry.


Author(s):  
Linda M. Sicko ◽  
Thomas E. Jensen

The use of critical point drying is rapidly becoming a popular method of preparing biological samples for scanning electron microscopy. The procedure is rapid, and produces consistent results with a variety of samples. The preservation of surface details is much greater than that of air drying, and the procedure is less complicated than that of freeze drying. This paper will present results comparing conventional air-drying of plant specimens to critical point drying, both of fixed and unfixed material. The preservation of delicate structures which are easily damaged in processing and the use of filter paper as a vehicle for drying will be discussed.


Author(s):  
D.R. Hill ◽  
J.R. McCurry ◽  
L.P. Elliott ◽  
G. Howard

Germination of Euonymous americanus in the laboratory has previously been unsuccessful. Ability to germinate Euonymous americanus. commonly known as the american strawberry bush, is important in that it represents a valuable food source for the white-tailed deer. Utilizing the knowledge that its seeds spend a period of time in the rumin fluid of deer during their dormant stage, we were successful in initiating germination. After a three month drying period, the seeds were placed in 25 ml of buffered rumin fluid, pH 8 at 40°C for 48 hrs anaerobically. They were then allowed to dry at room temperature for 24 hrs, placed on moistened filter paper and enclosed within an environmental chamber. Approximately four weeks later germination was detected and verified by scanning electron microscopy; light microscopy provided inadequate resolution. An important point to note in this procedure is that scarification, which was thought to be vital for germination, proved to be unnecessary for successful germination to occur. It is believed that germination was propagated by the secretion of enzymes or prescence of acids produced by microorganisms found in the rumin fluid since sterilized rumin failed to bring about germination.


Author(s):  
Randolph W. Taylor ◽  
Henrie Treadwell

The plasma membrane of the Slime Mold, Physarum polycephalum, process unique morphological distinctions at different stages of the life cycle. Investigations of the plasma membrane of P. polycephalum, particularly, the arrangements of the intramembranous particles has provided useful information concerning possible changes occurring in higher organisms. In this report Freeze-fracture-etched techniques were used to investigate 3 hours post-fusion of the macroplasmodia stage of the P. polycephalum plasma membrane.Microplasmodia of Physarum polycephalum (M3C), axenically maintained, were collected in mid-expotential growth phase by centrifugation. Aliquots of microplasmodia were spread in 3 cm circles with a wide mouth pipette onto sterile filter paper which was supported on a wire screen contained in a petri dish. The cells were starved for 2 hrs at 24°C. After starvation, the cells were feed semidefined medium supplemented with hemin and incubated at 24°C. Three hours after incubation, samples were collected randomly from the petri plates, placed in plancettes and frozen with a propane-nitrogen jet freezer.


2017 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 57-62
Author(s):  
Anna Maria Siciliano

This paper presents a successful behavioral case study in treatment of chronic refractory cough in a 60-year-old adult female. The efficacy for speech-language pathology treating chronic cough is discussed along with description of treatment regime. Discussion focuses on therapy approaches used and the patient's report of changes in quality of life and frequency, duration, and severity reduction of her cough after treatment.


1996 ◽  
Vol 1 (3) ◽  
pp. 166-179 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bo Molander ◽  
Lars Bäckman

Highly skilled miniature golf players were examined in a series of field and laboratory studies. The principal finding from these studies is that young and young adult players (range = 15-38 years) score equally well or better in competition than in training whereas older adult players (range = 46-73 years) perform worse in competitive events than under training conditions. It was also found that the impairment in motor performance on the part of the older players is associated with age-related deficits in basic cognitive abilities, such as memory and attention. These results support the hypothesis that older players may be able to compensate for age-related deficits under relaxed conditions, but not under conditions of high arousal. The possibility of improving the performance of the older players in stressful situations by means of various intervention programs is discussed.


2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 28-41 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert J. de Boer ◽  
Karel Hurts

Abstract. Automation surprise (AS) has often been associated with aviation safety incidents. Although numerous laboratory studies have been conducted, few data are available from routine flight operations. A survey among a representative sample of 200 Dutch airline pilots was used to determine the prevalence of AS and the severity of its consequences, and to test some of the factors leading to AS. Results show that AS is a relatively widespread phenomenon that occurs three times per year per pilot on average but rarely has serious consequences. In less than 10% of the AS cases that were reviewed, an undesired aircraft state was induced. Reportable occurrences are estimated to occur only once every 1–3 years per pilot. Factors leading to a higher prevalence of AS include less flying experience, increasing complexity of the flight control mode, and flight duty periods of over 8 hr. It is concluded that AS is a manifestation of system and interface complexity rather than cognitive errors.


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