Formulation of entomopathogenic nematodes for crop pest control – a review

The different materials and methods used to develop biopesticides with entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) still limit the quality of the final product, reducing field efficacy and complicating application strategies. Therefore, the objective of this review is to identify priority areas to improve the EPN formulation process based on the scientific and technological research developed so far. The results show great progress in the EPN survival time, from 7 days to 180 days, through two types of formulations: water dispersible granules and calcium alginate capsules. Also, EPNs formulated and applied as insect cadavers showed higher efficacy for the pest control than the EPNs applied in an aqueous solution. We consider that the priority areas of research are: automated massive formulation and exploration of new additives with better properties that may lead to increase the infectivity in the field. It is concluded that the study of these aspects requires a systemic approach with greater involvement of the invertebrate physiology and systems modelling disciplines.

Hemocytes/coelomocytes DNA content in five marine invertebrates: cell cycles and genome sizes

The hemocytes/coelomocytes DNA content in five selected marine invertebrates (sea mouse Aphrodita aculeata, spiny crab Maja crispata, sea star Echinaster sepositus, sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus, and tunicate Phallusia mammillata) was investigated by flow cytometry. The cell cycle analyses identified sea mouse coelomocytes as proliferating cells and revealed that spiny crab hemocytes and sea urchin coelomocytes complete their division in the hemolymph and coelom, respectively. The genome sizes of sea mouse and spiny crab are reported for the first time. The diploid DNA content (2C) in sea mouse A. aculeate was 1.24 pg, spiny crab M. crispata 7.76 pg, red starfish E. sepositus 1.52 pg and sea urchin P. lividus 1.08 pg. The mean diploid DNA content in tunicate P. mammillata was 0.11 pg with a high interindividual variability (45%). The presented results provide a useful database for future studies in the field of invertebrate physiology, ecotoxicology, biodiversity, species conservation and phylogeny.

Projected research trends in invertebrate physiology and biochemistry

The direction of future research is likely to be influenced by major conceptual advances and technological breakthroughs, neither of which can be predicted with certainty. However, it is possible to identify general areas in which conceptual advances may be anticipated as a result of studies on invertebrate physiology and biochemistry and, in this regard, neurobiology and developmental biology offer particular promise. It is reasonable to predict also that the technologies of modern molecular biology and the development of highly sensitive analytical instrumentation will greatly facilitate research progress. Increased activity may also be predicted in strategic research areas including those that will lead to the rational design of pesticides and the improvement of "farming" procedures for invertebrate species that are used as sources of food. Invertebrates are also expected to continue to be used as models for biomedical research.

Plant and invertebrate physiology: The growth and reproduction of Polytrichum alpestre Hoppe on South Georgia

It has long been realized that bryophytes are one of the most important groups in the flora of the Antarctic Peninsula-Scotia Ridge sector of Antarctica, being well represented both in number of species and in the contribution they make to the vegetation (Longton 1967, this Discussion, p. 213). Cardot (1908) pointed out that the bryophyte flora was made up of a number of phytogeographical elements, one being a group of bipolar species some of which are known from many localities throughout the area. Cardot also drew attention to the rarity of fruit on most specimens he had seen from Antarctica. As many bryophytes are known to show a marked decline in reproductive success towards the limit of their ranges, and as there was evidence that species of the bipolar group appeared to be behaving in this way, an investigation was started to determine the reproductive behaviour of selected species throughout the Antarctic Peninsula-Scotia Ridge area.

The Plymouth Laboratory of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom

In The Times of 31 March 1884, it was announced that a meeting would be held that day in the rooms of the Royal Society for founding a society having for its purpose ‘the establishment and maintenance of a well-equipped laboratory at a suitable point on the English coast, similar to, if not quite so extensive as, Dr Dohrn's Zoological Station at Naples’ (M.B.A., 1887a). With Prof. T. H. Huxley in the chair a gathering of distinguished gentlemen gave reasons why such a laboratory should be built. All stressed what its value would be from the purely scientific viewpoint, and all were agreed that both by fundamental research and by more direct investigations on our food fishes, knowledge of economic import would be gained. The last speaker, Mr George J. Romanes, said that there was one function of the proposed laboratory which had not received the attention it appeared to deserve; he meant the investigation of invertebrate physiology. ‘In the invertebrate forms of life’, he said, ‘we saw life in its simplest shape, and in the shape which best admitted of observation and experiment, with the view of throwing light upon most of the great questions relating to the processes of life’ (M.B.A., 1887b).