A new compsognathid dinosaur, Sinocalliopteryx gigas gen. et sp. nov., is erected based on a complete skeleton from the Early Cretaceous Yixian Formation of western Liaoning, northeastern China. It shares the features...A new compsognathid dinosaur, Sinocalliopteryx gigas gen. et sp. nov., is erected based on a complete skeleton from the Early Cretaceous Yixian Formation of western Liaoning, northeastern China. It shares the features with Huaxiagnathus orientalis in having a manus as long as the humerus plus radius, very large and subequally long manual claws I and H, and reduced olecranon process on the ulna. But it differs from Huaxiagnathus orientalis in having the much large size, a very long maxillary process of premaxilla not extending the vertical level of the maxillary antorbital fossa, and the proportionally longer ulna and so on. Sinocalliopteryx gigas gen. et sp. nov. represents the largest species among the known compsognathid dinosaurs, suggesting the tendency of the body enlargement in compsognathids to some extent. The long filamentous integuments are attached to the whole body of this compsognathid, confirming that such integuments evolved firstly in the basal coelurosaurs. This new giant compsognathid was a fierce carnivorous theropod, as shown further by an incomplete dromaeosaurid leg inside its abdominal cavity.展开更多
Ustilaginoidea virens is a flower-infecting fungus that forms false smut balls in rice panicle. Rice false smut has long been considered a minor disease, but recently it occurred frequently and emerged as a major dise...Ustilaginoidea virens is a flower-infecting fungus that forms false smut balls in rice panicle. Rice false smut has long been considered a minor disease, but recently it occurred frequently and emerged as a major disease in rice production. In vitro co-cultivation of U. virens strain with young rice panicles showed that U. virens enters inside of spikelets from the apex and then grows downward to infect floral organs. In response to U. virens infection, rice host exhibits elevated ROS accumulation and enhanced callose deposition. The secreted compounds of U. virens can suppress rice pollen germination. Examination of sectioning slides of freshly collected smut balls demonstrated that both pistil and stamens of rice flower are infected by U. virens, hyphae degraded the contents of the pollen cells, and also invaded the filaments. In addition, U. virens entered rice ovary through the thin-walled papillary cells of the stigma, then decomposed the integuments and infected the ovary. The invaded pathogen could not penetrate the epidermis and other layers of the ovary. Transverse section of the pedicel just below the smut balls showed that there were no fungal hyphae observed in the vascular bundles of the pedicel, implicating that U. virens is not a systemic flower-infecting fungus.展开更多
Scientists have found few cluesabout the origin of feathersfrom the structurally modemfeathers of Archaeopteryx, the ear-liest bird known to date. A new hy-pothesis was recently proposed
Using scanning electron microscopy and optical microscopy,we studied the structure of the integument and wax glands of the mealybug,Phenacoccus fraxinus Tang(Hemiptera:Coccoidea:Pseudococcidae).We observed the ultrast...Using scanning electron microscopy and optical microscopy,we studied the structure of the integument and wax glands of the mealybug,Phenacoccus fraxinus Tang(Hemiptera:Coccoidea:Pseudococcidae).We observed the ultrastructure of four wax pores including trilocular,quinquelocular,and multilocular pores as well as tubular ducts,recording characteristics of their structure,size and distribution.We found that that the integument of the mealybug consists of three main layers-the procuticle,epidermis and basement membrane-and four sub-layers of the procuticle-the epicuticle,exocuticle,endocuticle and formation zone.The waxsecreting gland cells were closely arranged in epidermis.All of them were complex and composed of one central cell and two or more lateral cells.These complex cells possess a large common reservoir for collection and storage.Synthesized by the glandular cells,the wax is excreted outside integument through canals.展开更多
A fiberless seed mutant (fl) was identified in a commercial cotton ( Gossypium hirsutum L.) variety Xu Zhou 142 (FL). This phenotype is associated with lack of fiber cell initiation in the outer integument of the ...A fiberless seed mutant (fl) was identified in a commercial cotton ( Gossypium hirsutum L.) variety Xu Zhou 142 (FL). This phenotype is associated with lack of fiber cell initiation in the outer integument of the ovule, as was characterized by analysis of genes related to fiber differentiation and development. Two genes, fl E6 and FL E6, were cloned from fl integument cells and FL fiber or integument cells, respectively. Compared with FL E6, fl E6 showed a dramatic change in nucleotide sequence: (1) FL E6 contained a tandem repetitive sequence in which GGCTCA (Gly Ser) is repeated five times between the 82nd and the 93rd codon from the first ATG codon, while in fl E6 the same sequence is repeated four times; (2) The fl E6 gene encodes a polypeptide of 241 amino acids but lacks two codons between the 90th and 93rd codon and three between the 171st and 174th relative to FL E6; (3) There are also 12 nucleotide substitutions which would result in 7 amino acid differences between fl E6 and FL E6. Analysis of RT PCR and Northern Blot showed that expression of the fl E6 gene is suppressed in the fl integument cells, but highly expressed in FL fiber cells. The difference between fl E6 and FL E6 may be associated with lower expression of fl E6 in the fl integument cells. Searches of protein databases with the FL E6 gene sequence showed similarity to the protein backbones of two arabinogalactan proteins (AGPs), one from the filtrate of suspension cultured cells of Pyrus communis (AGPPc2) and the other from Nicotiana alata (AGPNa2). Although the function of the FL E6 protein in differentiation and development of cotton fiber cells is not known, the data indicate that the mutation of fl E6 gene from FL E6 gene may inhibit the fiber cell initiation from epidermal cells of the outer integument of the ovule.展开更多
Using scanning electron microscopy and optical microscopy,we studied the structure of the integument and wax glands of the mealybug,Phenacoccus fraxinus Tang(Hemiptera:Coccoidea:Pseudococcidae).We observed the ultrast...Using scanning electron microscopy and optical microscopy,we studied the structure of the integument and wax glands of the mealybug,Phenacoccus fraxinus Tang(Hemiptera:Coccoidea:Pseudococcidae).We observed the ultrastructure of four wax pores including trilocular,quinquelocular,and multilocular pores as well as tubular ducts,recording characteristics of their structure,size and distribution.We found that that the integument of the mealybug consists of three main layers-the procuticle,epidermis and basement membrane-and four sub-layers of the procuticle-the epicuticle,exocuticle,endocuticle and formation zone.The wax-secreting gland cells were closely arranged in epidermis.All of them were complex and composed of one central cell and two or more lateral cells.These complex cells possess a large common reservoir for collection and storage.Synthesized by the glandular cells,the wax is excreted outside integument through canals.展开更多
Entomopathogenic fungi may interact with insects’symbiotic bacteria during infection.We hypothesized that topical infection with Beauveria bassiana may alter the microbiota of the Colorado potato beetle(CPB)and that ...Entomopathogenic fungi may interact with insects’symbiotic bacteria during infection.We hypothesized that topical infection with Beauveria bassiana may alter the microbiota of the Colorado potato beetle(CPB)and that these modifications may alter the course of mycoses.We used a model with two concentrations of conidia:(1)high concentration that causes rapid(acute)pathogenesis with fast mortality followed by bacterial decomposition of insects;(2)lower concentration that leads to prolonged pathogenesis ending in conidiation on cadavers.The fungal infections increased loads of enterobacteria and bacilli on the cuticle surface and in hemolymph and midgut,and the greatest increase was detected during the acute mycosis.By contrast,stronger activation of IMD and JAK–STAT signaling pathways in integuments and fat body was observed during the prolonged mycosis.Relatively stable(nonpathogenic)conditions remained in the midgut during both scenarios of mycosis with slight changes in bacterial communities,the absence of mesh and stat expression,a decrease in reactive oxygen species production,and slight induction of Toll and IMD pathways.Oral administration of antibiotic and predominant CPB bacteria(Enterobacteriaceae,Lactococcus,Pseudomonas)led to minor and mainly antagonistic effects in survival of larvae infected with B.bassiana.We believe that prolonged mycosis is necessary for successful development of the fungus because such pathogenesis allows the host to activate antibacterial reactions.Conversely,after infection with high concentrations of the fungus,the host's resources are insufficient to fully activate antibacterial defenses,and this situation makes successful development of the fungus impossible.展开更多
Females of the ectoparasitoid Habrobracon hebetor attack and envenomate numerous host individuals during oviposition. The vectoring of the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana during the adhesion stage by ectopa...Females of the ectoparasitoid Habrobracon hebetor attack and envenomate numerous host individuals during oviposition. The vectoring of the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana during the adhesion stage by ectoparasitoid females among the wax moth larvae Galleria mellonella was explored under laboratory conditions. Vectoring occurred both from infected parasitoids to wax moth larvae and from infected to healthy wax moth larvae by parasitoids. The efficacy of vectoring in both cases was dose dependent. Parasitoid females were unable to recognize infected larvae in a labyrinth test. In addition, the presence of H. hebetor females significantly （1.5-13 fold） increased the mycoses level in clusters of G. mellonella, with 40% of the larvae infected with ftmgal conidia. Envenomation by H. hebetor increased conidia germination on the cuticles of the wax moth larvae by 4.4 fold. An enhanced germination rate （2 fold） was registered in the n- hexane epicuticular extract of envenomated larvae compared to that of healthy larvae. Both envenomation and mycoses enhanced the phenoloxidase （PO） activity in the integument of G. mellonella and, in contrast, decreased the encapsulation rate in hemolymphs. We hypothesize that changes in the integument property and inhibition of cellular immunity provide the highest infection efficacy of entomopathogenic fungi with H. hebetor.展开更多
基金This research was supported by the National Basic Research Program of China （973 Project, grant no. 2006CB701405）the National Natural Science Foundation of China （grant no. 40272008）the China Geological Survey.
文摘A new compsognathid dinosaur, Sinocalliopteryx gigas gen. et sp. nov., is erected based on a complete skeleton from the Early Cretaceous Yixian Formation of western Liaoning, northeastern China. It shares the features with Huaxiagnathus orientalis in having a manus as long as the humerus plus radius, very large and subequally long manual claws I and H, and reduced olecranon process on the ulna. But it differs from Huaxiagnathus orientalis in having the much large size, a very long maxillary process of premaxilla not extending the vertical level of the maxillary antorbital fossa, and the proportionally longer ulna and so on. Sinocalliopteryx gigas gen. et sp. nov. represents the largest species among the known compsognathid dinosaurs, suggesting the tendency of the body enlargement in compsognathids to some extent. The long filamentous integuments are attached to the whole body of this compsognathid, confirming that such integuments evolved firstly in the basal coelurosaurs. This new giant compsognathid was a fierce carnivorous theropod, as shown further by an incomplete dromaeosaurid leg inside its abdominal cavity.
文摘Ustilaginoidea virens is a flower-infecting fungus that forms false smut balls in rice panicle. Rice false smut has long been considered a minor disease, but recently it occurred frequently and emerged as a major disease in rice production. In vitro co-cultivation of U. virens strain with young rice panicles showed that U. virens enters inside of spikelets from the apex and then grows downward to infect floral organs. In response to U. virens infection, rice host exhibits elevated ROS accumulation and enhanced callose deposition. The secreted compounds of U. virens can suppress rice pollen germination. Examination of sectioning slides of freshly collected smut balls demonstrated that both pistil and stamens of rice flower are infected by U. virens, hyphae degraded the contents of the pollen cells, and also invaded the filaments. In addition, U. virens entered rice ovary through the thin-walled papillary cells of the stigma, then decomposed the integuments and infected the ovary. The invaded pathogen could not penetrate the epidermis and other layers of the ovary. Transverse section of the pedicel just below the smut balls showed that there were no fungal hyphae observed in the vascular bundles of the pedicel, implicating that U. virens is not a systemic flower-infecting fungus.
文摘Scientists have found few cluesabout the origin of feathersfrom the structurally modemfeathers of Archaeopteryx, the ear-liest bird known to date. A new hy-pothesis was recently proposed
基金National Natural Science Foundation of China(31070584)Natural Science Foundation of Shanxi Province(2010011042-12011021029-2)
文摘Using scanning electron microscopy and optical microscopy,we studied the structure of the integument and wax glands of the mealybug,Phenacoccus fraxinus Tang(Hemiptera:Coccoidea:Pseudococcidae).We observed the ultrastructure of four wax pores including trilocular,quinquelocular,and multilocular pores as well as tubular ducts,recording characteristics of their structure,size and distribution.We found that that the integument of the mealybug consists of three main layers-the procuticle,epidermis and basement membrane-and four sub-layers of the procuticle-the epicuticle,exocuticle,endocuticle and formation zone.The waxsecreting gland cells were closely arranged in epidermis.All of them were complex and composed of one central cell and two or more lateral cells.These complex cells possess a large common reservoir for collection and storage.Synthesized by the glandular cells,the wax is excreted outside integument through canals.
文摘A fiberless seed mutant (fl) was identified in a commercial cotton ( Gossypium hirsutum L.) variety Xu Zhou 142 (FL). This phenotype is associated with lack of fiber cell initiation in the outer integument of the ovule, as was characterized by analysis of genes related to fiber differentiation and development. Two genes, fl E6 and FL E6, were cloned from fl integument cells and FL fiber or integument cells, respectively. Compared with FL E6, fl E6 showed a dramatic change in nucleotide sequence: (1) FL E6 contained a tandem repetitive sequence in which GGCTCA (Gly Ser) is repeated five times between the 82nd and the 93rd codon from the first ATG codon, while in fl E6 the same sequence is repeated four times; (2) The fl E6 gene encodes a polypeptide of 241 amino acids but lacks two codons between the 90th and 93rd codon and three between the 171st and 174th relative to FL E6; (3) There are also 12 nucleotide substitutions which would result in 7 amino acid differences between fl E6 and FL E6. Analysis of RT PCR and Northern Blot showed that expression of the fl E6 gene is suppressed in the fl integument cells, but highly expressed in FL fiber cells. The difference between fl E6 and FL E6 may be associated with lower expression of fl E6 in the fl integument cells. Searches of protein databases with the FL E6 gene sequence showed similarity to the protein backbones of two arabinogalactan proteins (AGPs), one from the filtrate of suspension cultured cells of Pyrus communis (AGPPc2) and the other from Nicotiana alata (AGPNa2). Although the function of the FL E6 protein in differentiation and development of cotton fiber cells is not known, the data indicate that the mutation of fl E6 gene from FL E6 gene may inhibit the fiber cell initiation from epidermal cells of the outer integument of the ovule.
基金National Natural Science Foundation of China(31070584)Natural Science Foundation of Shanxi Province(2010011042-1,2011021029-2)。
文摘Using scanning electron microscopy and optical microscopy,we studied the structure of the integument and wax glands of the mealybug,Phenacoccus fraxinus Tang(Hemiptera:Coccoidea:Pseudococcidae).We observed the ultrastructure of four wax pores including trilocular,quinquelocular,and multilocular pores as well as tubular ducts,recording characteristics of their structure,size and distribution.We found that that the integument of the mealybug consists of three main layers-the procuticle,epidermis and basement membrane-and four sub-layers of the procuticle-the epicuticle,exocuticle,endocuticle and formation zone.The wax-secreting gland cells were closely arranged in epidermis.All of them were complex and composed of one central cell and two or more lateral cells.These complex cells possess a large common reservoir for collection and storage.Synthesized by the glandular cells,the wax is excreted outside integument through canals.
基金support from the Russian Science Foundation(No.20-74-10043)continued with the same funding(No.22-14-00309).
文摘Entomopathogenic fungi may interact with insects’symbiotic bacteria during infection.We hypothesized that topical infection with Beauveria bassiana may alter the microbiota of the Colorado potato beetle(CPB)and that these modifications may alter the course of mycoses.We used a model with two concentrations of conidia:(1)high concentration that causes rapid(acute)pathogenesis with fast mortality followed by bacterial decomposition of insects;(2)lower concentration that leads to prolonged pathogenesis ending in conidiation on cadavers.The fungal infections increased loads of enterobacteria and bacilli on the cuticle surface and in hemolymph and midgut,and the greatest increase was detected during the acute mycosis.By contrast,stronger activation of IMD and JAK–STAT signaling pathways in integuments and fat body was observed during the prolonged mycosis.Relatively stable(nonpathogenic)conditions remained in the midgut during both scenarios of mycosis with slight changes in bacterial communities,the absence of mesh and stat expression,a decrease in reactive oxygen species production,and slight induction of Toll and IMD pathways.Oral administration of antibiotic and predominant CPB bacteria(Enterobacteriaceae,Lactococcus,Pseudomonas)led to minor and mainly antagonistic effects in survival of larvae infected with B.bassiana.We believe that prolonged mycosis is necessary for successful development of the fungus because such pathogenesis allows the host to activate antibacterial reactions.Conversely,after infection with high concentrations of the fungus,the host's resources are insufficient to fully activate antibacterial defenses,and this situation makes successful development of the fungus impossible.
文摘Females of the ectoparasitoid Habrobracon hebetor attack and envenomate numerous host individuals during oviposition. The vectoring of the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana during the adhesion stage by ectoparasitoid females among the wax moth larvae Galleria mellonella was explored under laboratory conditions. Vectoring occurred both from infected parasitoids to wax moth larvae and from infected to healthy wax moth larvae by parasitoids. The efficacy of vectoring in both cases was dose dependent. Parasitoid females were unable to recognize infected larvae in a labyrinth test. In addition, the presence of H. hebetor females significantly （1.5-13 fold） increased the mycoses level in clusters of G. mellonella, with 40% of the larvae infected with ftmgal conidia. Envenomation by H. hebetor increased conidia germination on the cuticles of the wax moth larvae by 4.4 fold. An enhanced germination rate （2 fold） was registered in the n- hexane epicuticular extract of envenomated larvae compared to that of healthy larvae. Both envenomation and mycoses enhanced the phenoloxidase （PO） activity in the integument of G. mellonella and, in contrast, decreased the encapsulation rate in hemolymphs. We hypothesize that changes in the integument property and inhibition of cellular immunity provide the highest infection efficacy of entomopathogenic fungi with H. hebetor.
