Guide to Native Bees of Australia

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Terry Houston
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle ◽  
Natural History ◽  
Plant Material ◽  
Morphological Characters ◽  
Native Bees ◽  
Nest Architecture ◽  
Form And Function ◽  
Genus Level ◽  
Life Cycle Stages ◽  
And Function

Bees are often thought of as yellow and black striped insects that live in hives and produce honey. However, Australia’s abundant native bees are incredibly diverse in their appearance and habits. Some are yellow and black but others have blue stripes, are iridescent green or wasp-like. Some are social but most are solitary. Some do build nests with wax but others use silk or plant material, burrow in soil or use holes in wood and even gumnuts! A Guide to Native Bees of Australia provides a detailed introduction to the estimated 2000 species of Australian bees. Illustrated with stunning photographs, it describes the form and function of bees, their life-cycle stages, nest architecture, sociality and relationships with plants. It also contains systematic accounts of the five families and 58 genera of Australian bees. Photomicrographs of morphological characters and identification keys allow identification of bees to genus level. Natural history enthusiasts, professional and amateur entomologists and beekeepers will find this an essential guide.

scholarly journals Mitochondrial Processes during Early Development of Dictyostelium discoideum: From Bioenergetic to Proteomic Studies

Genes ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. 638
Author(s):  
Monika Mazur ◽  
Daria Wojciechowska ◽  
Ewa Sitkiewicz ◽  
Agata Malinowska ◽  
Bianka Świderska ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle ◽  
Developmental Stages ◽  
Coupling Efficiency ◽  
Slime Mold ◽  
Intact Cells ◽  
Life Cycle Stages ◽  
Early Developmental Stages ◽  
Proteomic Study ◽  
And Function ◽  
Early Developmental

The slime mold Dictyostelium discoideum’s life cycle includes different unicellular and multicellular stages that provide a convenient model for research concerning intracellular and intercellular mechanisms influencing mitochondria’s structure and function. We aim to determine the differences between the mitochondria isolated from the slime mold regarding its early developmental stages induced by starvation, namely the unicellular (U), aggregation (A) and streams (S) stages, at the bioenergetic and proteome levels. We measured the oxygen consumption of intact cells using the Clarke electrode and observed a distinct decrease in mitochondrial coupling capacity for stage S cells and a decrease in mitochondrial coupling efficiency for stage A and S cells. We also found changes in spare respiratory capacity. We performed a wide comparative proteomic study. During the transition from the unicellular stage to the multicellular stage, important proteomic differences occurred in stages A and S relating to the proteins of the main mitochondrial functional groups, showing characteristic tendencies that could be associated with their ongoing adaptation to starvation following cell reprogramming during the switch to gluconeogenesis. We suggest that the main mitochondrial processes are downregulated during the early developmental stages, although this needs to be verified by extending analogous studies to the next slime mold life cycle stages.

scholarly journals Cytokinin Detection during the Dictyostelium discoideum Life Cycle: Profiles Are Dynamic and Affect Cell Growth and Spore Germination

Biomolecules ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (11) ◽  
pp. 702 ◽  
Author(s):  
Megan Aoki ◽  
Anna Kisiala ◽  
Shaojun Li ◽  
Naomi Stock ◽  
Craig Brunetti ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle ◽  
Dictyostelium Discoideum ◽  
Spore Germination ◽  
High Performance ◽  
Developmental Stages ◽  
Metabolomics Data ◽  
Life Cycle Stages ◽  
Cycle Growth ◽  
And Function ◽  
Exogenous Treatment

Cytokinins (CKs) are a family of evolutionarily conserved growth regulating hormones. While CKs are well-characterized in plant systems, these N6-substituted adenine derivatives are found in a variety of organisms beyond plants, including bacteria, fungi, mammals, and the social amoeba, Dictyostelium discoideum. Within Dictyostelium, CKs have only been studied in the late developmental stages of the life cycle, where they promote spore encapsulation and dormancy. In this study, we used ultra high-performance liquid chromatography-positive electrospray ionization-high resolution tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-(ESI+)-HRMS/MS) to profile CKs during the Dictyostelium life cycle: growth, aggregation, mound, slug, fruiting body, and germination. Comprehensive profiling revealed that Dictyostelium produces 6 CK forms (cis-Zeatin (cZ), discadenine (DA), N6-isopentenyladenine (iP), N6-isopentenyladenine-9-riboside (iPR), N6-isopentenyladenine-9-riboside-5′ phosphate (iPRP), and 2-methylthio-N6-isopentenyladenine (2MeSiP)) in varying abundance across the sampled life cycle stages, thus laying the foundation for the CK biosynthesis pathway to be defined in this organism. Interestingly, iP-type CKs were the most dominant CK analytes detected during growth and aggregation. Exogenous treatment of AX3 cells with various CK types revealed that iP was the only CK to promote the proliferation of cells in culture. In support of previous studies, metabolomics data revealed that DA is one of the most significantly upregulated small molecules during Dictyostelium development, and our data indicates that total CK levels are highest during germination. While much remains to be explored in Dictyostelium, this research offers new insight into the nature of CK biosynthesis, secretion, and function during Dictyostelium growth, development, and spore germination.

scholarly journals Alterations and Interchange of Morphometric Characters in Different Life Cycle Stages with Reference to Genomic Variations of Anopheles subpictus (Diptera; Culicidae) Sibling Species Complex in Sri Lanka

Insects ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 89 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dona Jayatunga ◽  
Iresha Harischandra ◽  
Naduviladath Chandrasekharan ◽  
Nissanka de Silva
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle ◽  
Sri Lanka ◽  
Sibling Species ◽  
Species Complex ◽  
Morphological Characters ◽  
Anopheles Subpictus ◽  
Pupal Exuviae ◽  
Morphological Variations ◽  
Genomic Variations ◽  
Life Cycle Stages

The species complex of the mosquito Anopheles subpictus is designated by the sibling species A–D, depending on morphological characters of life cycle stages and variations in polytene chromosomes. However, morphological aberrations in the life cycle stages make the identification of sibling species uncertain and imprecise. The objective of the present study is to determine the suitability of morphological variations of sibling species and their genomic variations to identify the sibling species status of an An. subpictus population in Sri Lanka. Life cycle stages of larvae, pupal exuviae, and adults were examined for previously reported distinctive morphological features. Five nuclear and mitochondrial genome regions, including the Internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) region, D3 region, white gene, cytochrome c oxidase I (COI), and Cytochrome b (Cyt-b), were sequenced and analyzed for variations. The eggs changed their distinct sibling morphological characters during metamorphosis (89.33%). The larvae, pupal exuviae, and adult stages showed deviation from their sibling characters by 26.10%, 19.71%, and 15.87%, respectively. However, all the species from the analysis shared two distinct sequence types for all regions, regardless of the morphological variations. In conclusion, the An. subpictus sibling species complex in Sri Lanka is not identifiable using morphological characters due to variations, and the genomic variations are independent from the morphological variations.

Application of Bio-Inspired Design to Minimize Material Diversity

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katie S. McCullar ◽  
Preston C. Rhodes ◽  
S. Austin Underhill ◽  
Jacquelyn K. S. Nagel
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle ◽  
Additive Manufacturing ◽  
Product Life Cycle ◽  
Life Cycle Management ◽  
Product Life Cycle Management ◽  
Form And Function ◽  
Sustainable Product ◽  
And Function ◽  
Material Utilization ◽  
Single Material

Bio-inspired design, or biomimicry, is an approach to innovation that takes nature’s time-tested patterns, forms, functions, processes, and materials and uses them to develop engineering solutions. In this project we take inspiration from biological morphologies to develop new forms for semi-recyclable products. Biological systems exhibit multi-functionality from form, not necessarily material, which offers inspiration for product life-cycle management. The goal is to better understand the connection between form and function as found in nature to enable sustainable product design and enhance additive manufacturing processes. Through the application of bio-inspired design product recyclability is increased through minimization of material diversity while still achieving desired functions. One inspiring biological morphology that has been utilized across multiple biological kingdoms and in this research is variations in hardness and flexibility found in alternating layers that are used to provide strength, durability and protection. Another inspiring morphology considered in this research is the backbone of water-diving birds, which consists of an intricately braided spine with parallel holes along each side. These holes allow for shock absorbance and force dispersion. These multi-function forms have resulted in the redesign of a semi-recyclable product fabricated using additive manufacturing to create a product that is made from a single material yet still achieves all necessary functions. Key contributions of this research include approaches for additive manufacturing strategies such as material utilization that align with a product’s life cycle, thus increasing the recyclability of the product.

scholarly journals Coupling between Ribotypic and Phenotypic Traits of Protists across Life Cycle Stages and Temperatures

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Songbao Zou ◽  
Rao Fu ◽  
Huiwen Deng ◽  
Qianqian Zhang ◽  
Eleni Gentekaki ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Markers ◽  
Life Cycle ◽  
Growth Potential ◽  
Phenotypic Traits ◽  
Rrna Gene ◽  
Ecological Studies ◽  
Life Cycle Stages ◽  
And Function

Based on phenotypic traits, traditional surveys usually characterize organismal richness, abundance, biomass, and growth potential to describe diversity, organization, and function of protistan populations and communities. The rRNA gene (rDNA) and its transcripts have been widely used as molecular markers in ecological studies of protists.

scholarly journals Curious Caddis Couture: Form and function among cases of Australian Hydroptilidae

Zoosymposia ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 24-33
Author(s):  
ALICE WELLS
Keyword(s):  
Endemic Species ◽  
Oceanic Island ◽  
Wheat Seed ◽  
Endemic Genus ◽  
Form And Function ◽  
Genus Level ◽  
And Function ◽  
Silk Secretion

Trichoptera larvae that construct portable cases occur worldwide, in some groups building highly distinctive cases. Fifth instar larvae of several genera in the micro-caddisfly family Hydroptilidae always build cases of the same form, thus affording ready identification of their larvae and pupae to genus level. Examples are Oxyethira and Orthotrichia: the former have transparent flask-shaped silk (secretion) cases, the latter ‘wheat seed’-shaped silk cases that are generally dark brown to black in colour. Additionally, in the fauna of mainland Australia, cases of the endemic genus Orphninotrichia are unmistakable in form; enigmatically, however, quite different forms are seen in two of the four locally endemic species on the small, off-shore, oceanic island of Lord Howe. The larval cases of some other Australian genera also vary considerably, some in materials (e.g., Hydroptila) and others in both materials and shape (e.g., Hellyethira and an Australian endemic genus, Maydenoptila). Known larvae of microcaddisfly species in the Australian fauna are examined in search of patterns in the three most obviously variable attributes of cases: mode of construction, shape, and materials. Possible relationships between form and function are postulated for some of the cases.

scholarly journals Natural history of Large Cabbage White Pieris brassicae nepalensis Gray, 1846 (Lepidoptera: Pieridae) on Nasturtium, Tropaeolum majus (Tropaeolaceae) in Uttarakhand, India

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 11815
Author(s):  
Bhawana Kapkoti Negi ◽  
Ravindra K. Joshi
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle ◽  
Natural History ◽  
Food Preferences ◽  
Pieris Brassicae ◽  
Ornamental Plant ◽  
Larval Food ◽  
Life Cycle Stages ◽  
History Of ◽  
Tropaeolum Majus

Larval food preferences and various life cycle stages of Pieris brassicae nepalensis, a white butterfly of family pieridae was observed on Tropaeolum majus, nasturtiun, the Indian Cress an orange coloured, garden ornamental plant, in district Almora, Uttrakhand. 

scholarly journals Understanding geometrical features of Nuaulu shield design

2018 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 210-231
Author(s):  
Roy Ellen
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle ◽  
Design Elements ◽  
Geometric Characteristics ◽  
Form And Function ◽  
Geometrical Features ◽  
Limited Application ◽  
And Function ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Shield Design

This article seeks to elucidate the form and function of decorative designs on Nuaulu parrying shields from Seram, Indonesia. It builds on earlier work focusing on the shield as a sacred anthropomorphized entity with its own life-cycle, the reproduction of which mirrors the reproduction of sacred houses. It has previously been suggested that diversity in design elements is deliberately cultivated as part of a general aesthetic, connecting individuality, personhood and effervescence as features of living entities. Here the author examines the materiality of shields, documenting variation in design – especially patterns of ceramic and shell discs – and asks what significance should be attached to these. He concludes that the attribution of specific meanings to individual elements is of limited application, while the impact of the shields lies in variation itself, the perceptual affects shields have on viewers, and in abstract geometric characteristics that make them fit for ritual purpose.

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