Biochemical and histological analysis were performed on 4 larval instar of the cotton leaf worm Spodoptera littoralis to determine the effect of abamectin (LC50) on the biomarkers acetylcholinesterase (AChE), glutathione S-transferase (GST), α-, βesterase and mixed function oxidase (MFO).Biochemical analysis showed a severe reduction in the enzymatic activities of GST and α-esterase, as compare...

Sinorhizobium meliloti and Sinorhizobium medicae are two closely related species of the genus Sinorhizobium showing a similar host range, nodulating leguminous species of the genera Medicago, Melilotus and Trigonella, but their phylogenic relationship has not been elucidated yet. In this paper we report the application of three different molecular markers, (i) RFLP of nodD genes, (ii) 16S-23S r...

Saponins isolated from Medicago sativa L. appeared to stimulate lipolytic activity and did not influence amylolytic or proteolytic activity of Neopancreatinum (extract of pancreatic enzymes: lipase, proteases and amylases). Saponins isolated from the aerial part of Medicago sativa L. were demonstrated to stimulate lipase activity more effectively than saponins separated from the root of this pl...

The ectoparasite fauna for island foxes (Urocyon littoralis) on Santa Cruz Island (California, USA) in April (wet season) and September (dry season) 1998 was evaluated. Three taxa of ectoparasites were identified. These were fleas (Pulex irritans), lice (Neotrichodectes mephitidis), and ticks (Ixodes pacificus). Ectoparasite abundances varied seasonally. Typical of insular endemic species, isla...

We describe a new Amphisbaena from the Brazilian coastal zone at the municipalities of Guamaré and Macau, state of Rio Grande do Norte. The new species, Amphisbaena littoralis sp. nov., is characterized by six precloacal pores, 252-264 body annuli, 30-34 tail annuli with autotomy on the 6th tail annuli, 20-22 dorsal and 21-24 ventral segments to the midbody annulus.

Gas-liquid chromatographic analysis of egg lipids during development of Spodoptera littoralis showed the presence of 13 fatty acids ranging in carbon chain length from caproic (C6:0) to linolenic acid (C 18:3). Palmitic, palmitoleic, stearic, oleic and linoleic acids composed over 90% of the total fatty acids. Palmitic acid was always the predominant fatty acid and oleic acid was the second mos...

There is an increasing appreciation of the importance of transgenerational effects on offspring fitness, including in relation to immune function and disease resistance. Here, we assess the impact of parental rearing density on offspring resistance to viral challenge in an insect species expressing density-dependent prophylaxis (DDP); i.e. the adaptive increase in resistance or tolerance to pat...