Philotrypesis, a major component of the fig wasp community (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae), is a model taxon for studying male fighting and mating behaviour. Its extreme sexual dimorphism and male polymorphism render species identification uncertain and in-depth research on its ecology, behaviour and other evolutionary topics challenging. The fig wasps' enclosed habitat within the syconia makes the...

Depression continues to be a major global health problem. Although antidepressants are used for its treatment, efficacy is often inconsistent. Thus, the search for alternative therapeutic medicines for its treatment is still important. In this study, the antidepressant-like effect of Pseudospondias microcarpa extract (30-300 mg kg(-1), p.o.) was investigated in two predictive models of depressi...

A study on the variation of leaf venation patterns was conducted on 21 taxa of the genus Ficus in Peninsular Malaysia. The results showed the existence of eight leaf venation patterns based on veinlets, the ultimate marginal and areolar venation. The majority of species, such as F. annulata, F. benghalensis, F. benjamina, F. deltoidea var. angustifolia, F. deltoidea var. kunstleri, F. depressa,...

Background and objectives: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is an age dependent disorder. AD is associated with decrease of brain acetylcholine level. Nowadays, one of the methods for progression inhibition of AD is using acetylcholinesterase inhibitors. Rosaceae is a large plant family. Different biological effects of some species of this family have been reported. The aim of the present study was to ...

Three chitinases, designated gazyumaru latex chitinase (GLx Chi)-A, -B, and -C, were purified from the latex of gazyumaru (Ficus microcarpa). GLx Chi-A,-B, and -C are an acidic class III (33 kDa, pI 4.0), a basic class I (32 kDa, pI 9.3), and a basic class II chitinase (27 kDa, pI > 10) respectively. GLx Chi-A did not exhibit any antifungal activity. At low ionic strength, GLx Chi-C exhibited s...