While 11 species in the family Saturniidae are found in Japan, no sex pheromones of the native sp... more While 11 species in the family Saturniidae are found in Japan, no sex pheromones of the native species had been investigated previously. We collected larvae of Rhodinia fugax in Nagano and Tottori Prefecture, and of Loepa sakaei in Okinawa Prefecture, and extracted sex pheromones of these two species from virgin female moths. In gas chromatography-electroantennogram detection (GC-EAD) analyses, male antennae of each species responded to one component in the respective pheromone extracts of conspecific females. Chemical analyses of the extracts by GC/mass spectrometry revealed that the EAD-active compounds of R. fugax and L. sakaei were a hexadecadienal and a tetradecadienyl acetate, respectively. The two species belong to the subfamily Saturniinae, and the mass spectra of both were similar to that of the 6,11-hexadecadienyl acetate identified from Antheraea polyphemus, classified in the same subfamily, suggesting the same 6,11-dienyl structure for the C16 aldehyde and a 4,9-dienyl s...
The sex comb on the forelegs of Drosophila males is a secondary sexual trait, and the number of t... more The sex comb on the forelegs of Drosophila males is a secondary sexual trait, and the number of teeth on these combs varies greatly within and between species. To understand the relationship between the intra- and interspecific variation, we performed quantitative trait locus (QTL) analyses of the intraspecific variation in sex-comb tooth number. We used five mapping populations derived from two inbred Drosophila simulans strains that were divergent in the number of sex-comb teeth. Although no QTLs were detected on the X chromosome, we identified four QTLs on the second chromosome and three QTLs on the third chromosome. While identification and estimated effects of the second-chromosome QTLs depend on genetic backgrounds, significant and consistent effects of the two third-chromosome QTLs were found in two genetic backgrounds. There were significant epistatic interactions between a second-chromosome QTL and a third-chromosome QTL, as well as between two second-chromosome QTLs. The third-chromosome QTLs are concordant with the locations of the QTLs responsible for the previously observed differences in sex-comb tooth number between D. simulans and D. mauritiana.
ABSTRACT The distribution patterns of the X0/XX and neo-XY/neo-XX chromosome races, subraces, and... more ABSTRACT The distribution patterns of the X0/XX and neo-XY/neo-XX chromosome races, subraces, and "hybrids" between subraces of the grasshopper P. sapporensis were analyzed. The origin of the observed variation is Robertsonian translocations between a sex chromosome and an autosome, and chromosome rearrangements. The fixation levels of inversions varied depending on geographic regions. No hybrid population is known implying that a strong reproductive isolation system exists in hybrids between the different chromosomal races. The probable reasons for the purity of X0 and neo-XY chromosome races and high chromosome polymorphism in contact zones between chromosomal subraces are discussed. The presence of isolating barriers between chromosome races indicates a review of the taxonomic structure of P. sapporensis is required. It is proposed to divide P. sapporensis into two sibling species, which differ in the chromosome mechanisms of the sex determination system. The analysis of the distribution of chromosomal races and subraces of P. sapporensis allows a reconstruction of the history of this species in the Okhotsk sea region.
ABSTRACT Invasive exotic ants often have a mutualistic relationship with other insects excreting ... more ABSTRACT Invasive exotic ants often have a mutualistic relationship with other insects excreting honeydew, and this is considered to play a key role in their invasion success. We investigated the multispecies association patterns between ants and hemipteran insects in the Yanbaru forests, Okinawa, Japan, an Asian biodiversity hotspot. We especially focused on roadside environments, which are the frontlines of invasion for exotic ants. We found that only a small number of herbaceous and pioneer plants were predominant on the roadsides. Four honeydew producers, Melanaphis formosana, Dysmicoccus sp. A, Heteropsylla cubana, and Sogata hakonensis, living on these roadside plants accounted for 94.9% of the total honeydew-producer aggregations observed. Only a few exotic ants, such as Technomyrmex brunneus and Anoplolepis gracilipes, were observed with these honeydew-producer aggregations, and densities of these ants and honeydew producers were often positively correlated. An ant exclusion experiment showed that exotic ant occurrence improved the survival of some of the hemipteran colonies. Interestingly, the abundance of native ants was not correlated with the abundance of honeydew producers, and the local density of Pheidole noda was negatively correlated with that of M. formosana. These findings, i.e., only a few ants, all exotic, tended to hemipteran honeydew producers despite the existence of many native ants, and the abundances of those exotic ants and those hemipteran insects had positive correlations, provide some insights into the mechanism of biological invasion and provide information for the management of exotic ants. Keywords Anoplolepis gracilipes–Pheidole megacephala–Technomyrmex brunneus–Trophobiosis–Honeydew producers–Multispecies analysis
Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part C: Toxicology & Pharmacology, 2007
We examined cytochrome P450 production and activity and circulating hormone concentrations in mal... more We examined cytochrome P450 production and activity and circulating hormone concentrations in male medaka exposed to 17beta-estradiol (E2) or 17alpha-ethinylestradiol (EE2). Intraperitoneal injection of E2 at 1, 10, or 100 microg/g-fish completely suppressed CYP3A38 protein production and suppressed CYP3A40 protein levels by 89%, 52%, or 47%, respectively. CYP3A38 and CYP3A40 mRNA expression was unaltered, and CYP3A enzymatic activity initially increased and then decreased with increasing E2 dose. Males co-cultured with females were exposed to a markedly high concentration (43 ng/L) of E2 secreted by females. CYP3A protein levels in co-cultured males were suppressed. Serum testosterone (TE) and 11keto-testosterone levels in co-cultured males were downregulated to 40% of pre-exposure levels. Serum E2 levels increased in co-cultured males or males exposed to EE2. Testicular CYP19, which converts TE to E2, increased by 9.5 times in males exposed to 50 ng/L EE2 and by 21.5 times in those exposed to 100 ng/L EE2. Male medaka exposed to EE2 showed increased serum Vtg levels. Estrogenic exposure induced Vtg production, suppressed CYP3A protein production, downregulated TE metabolism, and enhanced CYP19 activity. Serum E2 endogenously induced by CYP19 could contribute to Vtg induction in male medaka.
While 11 species in the family Saturniidae are found in Japan, no sex pheromones of the native sp... more While 11 species in the family Saturniidae are found in Japan, no sex pheromones of the native species had been investigated previously. We collected larvae of Rhodinia fugax in Nagano and Tottori Prefecture, and of Loepa sakaei in Okinawa Prefecture, and extracted sex pheromones of these two species from virgin female moths. In gas chromatography-electroantennogram detection (GC-EAD) analyses, male antennae of each species responded to one component in the respective pheromone extracts of conspecific females. Chemical analyses of the extracts by GC/mass spectrometry revealed that the EAD-active compounds of R. fugax and L. sakaei were a hexadecadienal and a tetradecadienyl acetate, respectively. The two species belong to the subfamily Saturniinae, and the mass spectra of both were similar to that of the 6,11-hexadecadienyl acetate identified from Antheraea polyphemus, classified in the same subfamily, suggesting the same 6,11-dienyl structure for the C16 aldehyde and a 4,9-dienyl s...
The sex comb on the forelegs of Drosophila males is a secondary sexual trait, and the number of t... more The sex comb on the forelegs of Drosophila males is a secondary sexual trait, and the number of teeth on these combs varies greatly within and between species. To understand the relationship between the intra- and interspecific variation, we performed quantitative trait locus (QTL) analyses of the intraspecific variation in sex-comb tooth number. We used five mapping populations derived from two inbred Drosophila simulans strains that were divergent in the number of sex-comb teeth. Although no QTLs were detected on the X chromosome, we identified four QTLs on the second chromosome and three QTLs on the third chromosome. While identification and estimated effects of the second-chromosome QTLs depend on genetic backgrounds, significant and consistent effects of the two third-chromosome QTLs were found in two genetic backgrounds. There were significant epistatic interactions between a second-chromosome QTL and a third-chromosome QTL, as well as between two second-chromosome QTLs. The third-chromosome QTLs are concordant with the locations of the QTLs responsible for the previously observed differences in sex-comb tooth number between D. simulans and D. mauritiana.
ABSTRACT The distribution patterns of the X0/XX and neo-XY/neo-XX chromosome races, subraces, and... more ABSTRACT The distribution patterns of the X0/XX and neo-XY/neo-XX chromosome races, subraces, and "hybrids" between subraces of the grasshopper P. sapporensis were analyzed. The origin of the observed variation is Robertsonian translocations between a sex chromosome and an autosome, and chromosome rearrangements. The fixation levels of inversions varied depending on geographic regions. No hybrid population is known implying that a strong reproductive isolation system exists in hybrids between the different chromosomal races. The probable reasons for the purity of X0 and neo-XY chromosome races and high chromosome polymorphism in contact zones between chromosomal subraces are discussed. The presence of isolating barriers between chromosome races indicates a review of the taxonomic structure of P. sapporensis is required. It is proposed to divide P. sapporensis into two sibling species, which differ in the chromosome mechanisms of the sex determination system. The analysis of the distribution of chromosomal races and subraces of P. sapporensis allows a reconstruction of the history of this species in the Okhotsk sea region.
ABSTRACT Invasive exotic ants often have a mutualistic relationship with other insects excreting ... more ABSTRACT Invasive exotic ants often have a mutualistic relationship with other insects excreting honeydew, and this is considered to play a key role in their invasion success. We investigated the multispecies association patterns between ants and hemipteran insects in the Yanbaru forests, Okinawa, Japan, an Asian biodiversity hotspot. We especially focused on roadside environments, which are the frontlines of invasion for exotic ants. We found that only a small number of herbaceous and pioneer plants were predominant on the roadsides. Four honeydew producers, Melanaphis formosana, Dysmicoccus sp. A, Heteropsylla cubana, and Sogata hakonensis, living on these roadside plants accounted for 94.9% of the total honeydew-producer aggregations observed. Only a few exotic ants, such as Technomyrmex brunneus and Anoplolepis gracilipes, were observed with these honeydew-producer aggregations, and densities of these ants and honeydew producers were often positively correlated. An ant exclusion experiment showed that exotic ant occurrence improved the survival of some of the hemipteran colonies. Interestingly, the abundance of native ants was not correlated with the abundance of honeydew producers, and the local density of Pheidole noda was negatively correlated with that of M. formosana. These findings, i.e., only a few ants, all exotic, tended to hemipteran honeydew producers despite the existence of many native ants, and the abundances of those exotic ants and those hemipteran insects had positive correlations, provide some insights into the mechanism of biological invasion and provide information for the management of exotic ants. Keywords Anoplolepis gracilipes–Pheidole megacephala–Technomyrmex brunneus–Trophobiosis–Honeydew producers–Multispecies analysis
Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part C: Toxicology & Pharmacology, 2007
We examined cytochrome P450 production and activity and circulating hormone concentrations in mal... more We examined cytochrome P450 production and activity and circulating hormone concentrations in male medaka exposed to 17beta-estradiol (E2) or 17alpha-ethinylestradiol (EE2). Intraperitoneal injection of E2 at 1, 10, or 100 microg/g-fish completely suppressed CYP3A38 protein production and suppressed CYP3A40 protein levels by 89%, 52%, or 47%, respectively. CYP3A38 and CYP3A40 mRNA expression was unaltered, and CYP3A enzymatic activity initially increased and then decreased with increasing E2 dose. Males co-cultured with females were exposed to a markedly high concentration (43 ng/L) of E2 secreted by females. CYP3A protein levels in co-cultured males were suppressed. Serum testosterone (TE) and 11keto-testosterone levels in co-cultured males were downregulated to 40% of pre-exposure levels. Serum E2 levels increased in co-cultured males or males exposed to EE2. Testicular CYP19, which converts TE to E2, increased by 9.5 times in males exposed to 50 ng/L EE2 and by 21.5 times in those exposed to 100 ng/L EE2. Male medaka exposed to EE2 showed increased serum Vtg levels. Estrogenic exposure induced Vtg production, suppressed CYP3A protein production, downregulated TE metabolism, and enhanced CYP19 activity. Serum E2 endogenously induced by CYP19 could contribute to Vtg induction in male medaka.
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