Abstract: Ants have evolved venoms rich in peptides and proteins used for predation, defense, and communication. However, they remain extremely understudied due to the minimal amount of venom secreted by each ant. The present study investigated the differences in the proteome and peptidome of the venom from the bullet ant, Paraponera clavata. Venom samples were collected from a single colony either by manual venom gland dissection or by electrical stimulation and were compared using proteomic methods. Venom proteins were separated by 2D-PAGE and identified by nanoLC-ESI-QTOF MS/MS. Venom peptides were initially separated using C18 reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography, then analyzed by MALDI-TOF MS. The proteomic analysis revealed numerous proteins that could be assigned a biological function (total 94), mainly as toxins, or roles in cell regulation and transport. This investigation found that ca. 73% of the proteins were common to venoms collected by the two methods. The peptidomic analysis revealed a large number of peptides (total 309) but with <20% shared by the two collection methods. There was also a marked difference between venoms obtained by venom gland dissection from different ant colonies. These findings demonstrate the rich composition and variability of P. clavata venom.

Abstract: Aims One critical challenge for plants is to maintain an adequate nutrient supply under fluctuating environmental conditions. This is particularly true for epiphytic species that have limited or no access to the pedosphere and often live in harsh climates. Bromeliads have evolved key innovations such as epiphytism, water-absorbing leaf trichomes, tank habit and Crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM) photosynthesis that enable them to survive under various environmental conditions. Bromeliads encompass diverse ecological types that live on different substrates (they can be terrestrial, epilithic or epiphytic) and vary in their ability to retain water (they can be tank-forming or tankless) and photosynthetic pathway (i.e. C3 or CAM). In this review, we outline the nutritional modes and specializations that enable bromeliads to thrive in a wide range of nutrient-poor (mostly nitrogen-depleted) environments. Important Findings Bromeliads have evolved a great diversity of morphologies and functional adaptations leading to the existence of numerous nutritional modes. Focusing on species that have absorptive foliar trichomes, we review evidence that bromeliads have evolved multi-faceted nutritional strategies to respond to fluctuations in the supply of natural nitrogen (N). These plants have developed mutualistic associations with many different and functionally diverse terrestrial and aquatic microorganisms and metazoans that contribute substantially to their mineral nutrition and, thus, their fitness and survival. Bacterial and fungal microbiota-assisted N provisioning, protocarnivory, digestive mutualisms and myrmecotrophic pathways are the main strategies used by bromeliads to acquire nitrogen. The combination of different nutritional pathways in bromeliads represents an important adaptation enabling them to exploit nutrient-poor habitats. Nonetheless, as has been shown for several other vascular plants, multiple partners are involved in nutrient acquisition indicating that there have been convergent adaptations to nutrient scarcity. Finally, we point out some gaps in the current knowledge of bromeliad nutrition that offer fascinating research opportunities. © The Author 2015. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Botanical Society of China.

Abstract: The genus Nasutitermes is among the most abundant wood-feeding Termitidae and an extremely diverse and heterogeneous group in terms of its biogeography and morphology. Despite the major role of several Nasutitermes species as structural pests, the phylogenetic status of this genus is still unclear, along with a confused taxonomy and species identification remaining difficult. The first aim of this review was thus to gather and discuss studies concerning the taxonomic status of the genus Nasutitermes in order to clarify this crucial point. Then, our goal was to gain new insights into the management of N. corniger, considered to be the most economically detrimental pest of this genus in South America and a Nasutitermes model species, while filtering available information concerning its biology through the prism of termite control, as well as critically examine the existing methods. We indeed strongly believe that increasing our knowledge of this species’ biological strategies is the key to progress in the challenging question of their sustainable management. © 2016, Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.

Abstract: We report in this paper the preparation and use of stannanes 11, 12a, and 12b, compounds whose 3-pyrenylpropyl side chain affinity for activated carbon simplifies tin removal and product isolation. Our pyrene-supported reagents can be used for radical reductions and cyclizations (11), radical and cationic allylations (12a), and Stille couplings (12b) in much the same way as tributyltin derivatives.

Abstract: Rosewood (Aniba rosaeodora) essential oil is a valuable ingredient that has long been used in the perfume and cosmetic industries. The main rosewood timber quality parameters are its essential oil yield and quality. A hydrodistillation method has been developed for yield determination, but it is time consuming. Here we tested the applicability of near infrared (NIR) spectroscopy for determining essential oil yield directly from wood powder. Essential oil from 139 wood powders was extracted via hydrodistillation. The measurements were based on the ratio between the extracted essential oil mass and the oven-dried wood mass and were correlated with the wood powder NIR spectra. The calibration model statistical findings demonstrated that NIR could be a fast and feasible alternative method for selecting trees with a high essential oil yield potential. NIR-based predictions obtained in an independent validation set indicated a high correlation (r2e = 0.92) with laboratory essential oil yield measurements. This NIR model could help wood managers in selecting trees with a high essential oil yield potential and in developing sustainable rosewood management strategies. © IM Publications LLP 2016. All rights reserved.