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Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons

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University of Wollongong

2009

Physical Sciences and Mathematics

Species

Articles 1 - 5 of 5

Full-Text Articles in Social and Behavioral Sciences

Establishment And Persistence Of Species-Rich Patches In A Species-Poor Landscape: Role Of A Structure-Forming Subtidal Barnacle, A. R. Davis, David. W. Ward Jan 2009

Establishment And Persistence Of Species-Rich Patches In A Species-Poor Landscape: Role Of A Structure-Forming Subtidal Barnacle, A. R. Davis, David. W. Ward

Faculty of Science - Papers (Archive)

Some sessile invertebrates are capable of maintaining space in barren habitats produced by sea urchins, thereby creating species-rich patches in a species-poor landscape. We sought to determine the role of a large and common barnacle, Austrobalanus imperator, in the establishment and persistence of these species-rich patches. Barnacle density was modified in 2 experiments at sites in southeastern Australia. The first experiment concerned community establishment and involved the addition of barnacles in 4 densities (zero [control], low, medium and high) to plots on vertical rock surfaces. The addition of barnacles at ecologically realistic densities and spatial arrangements rapidly resulted in statistically …


Thermal Attributes Of Chrysomya Species, James F. Wallman, Leigh Nelson, Mark P. Dowton Jan 2009

Thermal Attributes Of Chrysomya Species, James F. Wallman, Leigh Nelson, Mark P. Dowton

Faculty of Science - Papers (Archive)

The correct identification of forensically important arthropods for post-mortem interval estimation is crucial, as the rate of larval development can vary substantially between species. The identification of forensically important blowflies of the genus Chrysomya (Diptera: Calliphoridae) may be hampered by their close morphological similarities, especially as immatures. The aim of this study was to establish whether genetically closely related blowfly species would share similar developmental profiles. This could permit the application of developmental data to a number of closely related species, including those for which thermodevelopmental studies are lacking. If Australian Chrysomya were found to share developmental profiles, identification of …


Plasma Cholinesterase Characteristics In Native Australian Birds: Significance For Monitoring Avian Species For Pesticide Exposure, Karen J. Fildes, Judit K. Szabo, Lee Astheimer, Michael Hooper, William A. Buttemer Jan 2009

Plasma Cholinesterase Characteristics In Native Australian Birds: Significance For Monitoring Avian Species For Pesticide Exposure, Karen J. Fildes, Judit K. Szabo, Lee Astheimer, Michael Hooper, William A. Buttemer

Faculty of Science - Papers (Archive)

Cholinesterase-inhibiting pesticides are applied throughout Australia to control agricultural pests. Blood plasma cholinesterase (ChE) activity is a sensitive indicator of exposure to organophosphorus insecticides in vertebrates. To aid biomonitoring and provide reference data for wildlife pesticide-risk assessment, plasma acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) activities were characterised in nine species of native bird: King Quails (Excalfactoria chinensis), Budgerigars (Melopsittacus undulatus), White-plumed Honeyeaters (Lichenostomas penicillatus), Yellow-throated Miners (Manorina flavigula), Willie Wagtails (Rhipidura leucophrys), Australian Reed-Warblers (Acrocephalus australis), Brown Songlarks (Cincloramphus cruralis), Double-barred Finches (Taeniopygia bichenovii) and Australasian Pipits (Anthus novaeseelandiae). Plasma ChE activities in all species were within the range of most …


Molecular And Morphological Description Of A Hepatozoon Species In Reptiles And Their Ticks In The Northern Territory, Australia, Inger-Marie E. Vilcins, Beata Ujvari, Julie M. Old, Elizabeth Deane Jan 2009

Molecular And Morphological Description Of A Hepatozoon Species In Reptiles And Their Ticks In The Northern Territory, Australia, Inger-Marie E. Vilcins, Beata Ujvari, Julie M. Old, Elizabeth Deane

Faculty of Science - Papers (Archive)

Ticks, representing 3 species of Amblyomma, were collected from the water python (Liasis fuscus) and 3 additional reptile species in the Northern Territory, Australia, and tested for the presence of Hepatozoon sp., the most common blood parasites of snakes. In addition, blood smears were collected from 5 reptiles, including the water python, and examined for the presence of the parasite. Hepatozoon sp. DNA was detected in all tick and reptile species, with 57.7% of tick samples (n = 187) and 35.6% of blood smears (n = 35) showing evidence of infection. Phylogenetic analysis of the 18S rRNA gene demonstrated that …


Macroglobulin And Haptoglobin Suppress Amyloid Formation By Interacting With Prefibrillar Protein Species, Justin J. Yerbury, Janet R. Kumita, Sarah Meehan, Christopher M. Dobson, Mark R. Wilson Jan 2009

Macroglobulin And Haptoglobin Suppress Amyloid Formation By Interacting With Prefibrillar Protein Species, Justin J. Yerbury, Janet R. Kumita, Sarah Meehan, Christopher M. Dobson, Mark R. Wilson

Faculty of Science - Papers (Archive)

α2-Macroglobulin (α2M) and haptoglobin (Hp) are both abundant secreted glycoproteins that are best known for their protease trapping and hemoglobin binding activities, respectively. Like the small heat shock proteins, both these glycoproteins have in common the ability to protect a range of proteins from stress-induced amorphous aggregation and have been described as extracellular chaperones. Using an array of biophysical techniques, this study establishes that in vitro at substoichiometric levels and under physiological conditions α2M and Hp both inhibit the formation of amyloid fibrils from a range of proteins. We also provide evidence that both …