Chemical control of Haematobia irritans with 0.5% topical ivermectin solution in cattle.
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A field trial was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of a topical formulation of ivermectin administered at the dose of 500 micrograms/kg against horn flies (Haematobia irritans) in cattle. Eighty-eight cattle in four herds naturally exposed to horn flies were used in the trial. Replicates were formed of two herds. Within replicates, one herd was randomly allocated to the untreated control and the other to the ivermectin treatment group. Horn fly counts were taken on the treatment day (Day 0) and on Days 7, 14, 21, 28, and 35 post-treatment. There were no horn flies on any cattle in the treatment group, whereas all the control cattle were continuously infested by horn flies on each examination day. (+info)
Hyperactive transposase mutants of the Himar1 mariner transposon.
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Mariner-family transposable elements are active in a wide variety of organisms and are becoming increasingly important genetic tools in species lacking sophisticated genetics. The Himar1 element, isolated from the horn fly, Haematobia irritans, is active in Escherichia coli when expressed appropriately. We used this fact to devise a genetic screen for hyperactive mutants of Himar1 transposase that enhance overall transposition from approximately 4- to 50-fold as measured in an E. coli assay. Purified mutant transposases retain their hyperactivity, although to a lesser degree, in an in vitro transposition assay. Mutants like those described herein should enable sophisticated analysis of the biochemistry of mariner transposition and should improve the use of these elements as genetic tools, both in vivo and in vitro. (+info)
Age structure and abundance in populations of muscoid flies from a poultry facility in Southeast Brazil.
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Muscina stabulans, M. domestica, Chrysomya putoria, C. megacephala and Stomoxys calcitrans were the most abundant muscoid flies captured in a poultry facility in southeastern Brazil. We examined the gonadotrophic profiles of the females caught at different sites and different times and found that Mu. stabulans and M. domestica, the predominant species, presented similar gonadotrophic profiles only when captured on the manure under the cages, but very different and sometimes opposite gonadotrophic profiles when sampled from wooden posts, vegetation or electric cords. We also determined sex ratios and relative abundance for these two species and found significant differences between them. More than 50% of the females of both species of Chrysomya captured on manure carried eggs or exhibited signs of recent oviposition. The vast majority of S. calcitrans presented ovaries with eggs or signs of recent oviposition. A small proportion of them had ovaries in the recent emerged condition. Our data on ovarian stages, sex ratio and relative abundance allowed us to associate different gonadotrophic profiles with each site and characterize each site as a resting, ovipositing or mating site. (+info)
Mammary gland lesions characterized primarily as mammary teat atresia were observed in a Limousin beef cattle herd in eastern Texas. Atresia of multiple teats per mammary gland was reported in first-calf heifers at the time of calving. Pathogens were not identified in eight mammary glands collected at slaughter. Histology of affected glands demonstrated superficial and deep perivascular inflammation and fibrosing dermatitis of teat and mammary gland skin that resulted in formation of the atretic lesions of glandular tissue. Institution of a horn fly (Haematobia irritans irritans (L.)) control program using insecticide-impregnated ear tags was associated with elimination of the problem from the herd. (+info)
The Drosophila melanogaster homologue of an insect calcitonin-like diuretic peptide stimulates V-ATPase activity in fruit fly Malpighian tubules.
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The Drosophila melanogaster homologue of an insect calcitonin-like diuretic hormone was identified in a BLAST search of the Drosophila genome database. The predicted 31-residue amidated peptide (D. melanogaster DH31; Drome-DH31) was synthesised and tested for activity on fruit fly Malpighian tubules. It increases tubule secretion by approximately 35 % of the response obtained with a myokinin from the housefly Musca domestica (muscakinin; Musdo-K) and has an EC50 of 4.3 nmol x l(-1). The diuretic activities of Drome-DH31 and Musdo-K were additive when tested at threshold and supra-maximal concentrations, which suggests that they target different transport processes. In support of this, Drome-DH31 increased the rate of secretion by tubules held in bathing fluid with a reduced Cl- concentration, whereas Musdo-K did so only in the presence of Drome-DH31. Stimulation with Drome-DH31 increased the lumen-positive transepithelial potential in the main secretory segment of the tubule. This was attributed to activation of an apical electrogenic proton-translocating V-ATPase in principal cells, since it was associated with hyperpolarisation of the apical membrane potential and acidification of secreted urine by 0.25 pH units. Exogenous 8-bromo-cyclic AMP and cyclic GMP increased tubule secretion to the same extent as Drome-DH31 and, when tested together with the diuretic peptide, their activities were not additive. Stimulation with Drome-DH31 resulted in a dose-dependent increase in cyclic AMP production by tubules incubated in saline containing 0.5 mmol x l(-1) 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine, whereas cyclic GMP production was unchanged. Taken together, the data are consistent with Drome-DH31 activating an apical membrane V-ATPase via cyclic AMP. Since the K+ concentration of the secreted urine was unchanged, it is likely that Drome-DH31 has an equal effect on K+ and Na+ entry across the basolateral membrane. (+info)
Application of deterministic model of isothermals for population dynamics of Synthesiomyia nudiseta (Diptera, Muscidae).
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The isothermal deterministic model adherence was studied to evaluate the population dynamic of Synthesiomyia nudiseta (Diptera, Muscidae). The linear form of equation obtained for the experiments in the several phases, were for Egg: 1/D = -0.18 + 0.02. T; Larva: 1/D = -0.028 + 0.01. T; Pupa: 1/D = -0.069 + 0.01. T; and Adult: 1/D = -0.4178 + 0.02. T. In function of temperature, S. nudiseta can present from 4.18 to 8.95 and from 4.91 to 8.99 generations per year, when calculated through the equations of development and through the simulations, respectively. And the higher the temperature the larger the generation number. Through variance analysis it was verified the significance for the regression equations in relation to the annual generation number (Ng/year) of S. nudiseta in function of the isothermals, for two studied situations. It was obtained a significance of 0,1%. The regression equations obtained for these situations were: Ng/year = 5.4 + 0.5. T and Ng/year = 5.1 + 0.52. T. The number of generations of S. nudiseta varies linearly with the isothermal. Besides that, the number of annual generations for each isothermal does not differ statistically when calculated through the development equations or through the simulations. Such conditions suggest the adaptation of the deterministic model adopted. (+info)
Dynamics of Haematobia irritans irritans (Diptera: Muscidae) infestation on Nelore cattle in the Pantanal, Brazil.
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From June 1993 to May 1995, horn fly counts were conducted twice a month on untreated Nelore cattle raised extensively in the Pantanal. Horn fly population showed a bimodal fluctuation and peaks were observed every year after the beginning (November/December) and at the end (May/June) of the rainy season, which coincided with mid-late spring and mid-late fall, respectively. Horn flies were present on cattle throughout the year in at least 64% of the animals. Mean horn fly numbers on animals did not exceed 85 flies/cow during peaks and were under 35 flies/cow in most of the remaining periods. The highest infestations (population peaks) were short and dropped suddenly within two weeks. Less than 15% of the animals in both herds could be considered as "fly-susceptible" - showing consistently higher infestations, or "fly-resistant" - showing consistently lower infestations. (+info)
Sexual conflict selects for male and female reproductive characters.
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BACKGROUND: Strict genetic monogamy leads to sexual harmony because any trait that decreases the fitness of one sex also decreases the fitness of the other. Any deviation from monogamy increases the potential for sexual conflict. Conflict is further enhanced by sperm competition, and given the ubiquity of this phenomenon, sexual conflict is rife. In support of theory, experimentally enforced monogamy leads to the evolution of sexual benevolence. In contrast, with multiple mating, males evolve traits causing massive female fitness reductions when female evolution is restrained. Theory also predicts increased investment in spermatogenesis when sperm competition risk is high. While this supposition has correlational support, cause and effect has yet to be firmly established. RESULTS: By enforcing monogamy or polyandry in yellow-dung-fly lines, we have shown experimentally that males from polyandrous treatments evolved larger testes. Furthermore, females from this treatment evolved larger accessory sex glands. These glands produce a spermicidal secretion, so larger glands could increase female ability to influence paternity. Using molecular techniques, we have shown that, consistent with this idea, males' success as second mates is reduced in females from the polyandrous treatment. Nevertheless, males from polyandrous lines achieve higher paternity during sperm competition, and this finding further supports the testis evolution patterns. CONCLUSIONS: These results provide direct experimental support for macroevolutionary patterns of testis size evolution. Furthermore, we have shown that sperm competition selects for traits likely to be important in sexual conflicts over paternity, a result only previously demonstrated in Drosophila melanogaster. (+info)