Diapause influenced oviposition behavior and physical egg hatch cues of Aedes atropalpus (Diptera: Culicidae): traits that may influence successful colonization of riverine rock pools.

Mosquitoes have developed specialized oviposition strategies that allow them to develop in a wide variety of aquatic habitats. Environmentally cued hatching traits may also play an important role in the successful colonization of some larval habitats, but this subject has remained largely unexplored in Culicidae. Aedes atropalpus (Coquillett) is an autogenous rock pool specialist that may maintain unique adaptations for oviposition and egg hatching.

Size of Openings in Water-Holding Containers: Impact on Oviposition by Mosquitoes.

To assess how a grate covering a catch basin impacts oviposition by mosquitoes, a field study was conducted in south Florida using containers with two types of covers, with openings of equal area, but different configurations. One opening mimicked a catch basin grate with 16 small openings, while the other cover had just one large opening. The number and presence of egg rafts in six of each container and cover combination was recorded over 18 nights at two field sites, consisting of a wastewater management facility area and residential subdivision.

Aquatic thermal conditions predict the presence of native and invasive rock pool Aedes (Diptera: Culicidae) in the southern Appalachians, U.S.A.

The native rock pool mosquito, Aedes atropalpus (Coquillett), and the invasive Aedes japonicus (Theobald) have been found in many types of artificial and natural containers throughout North America. Little is known about the ecology of these two species in habitats where they co-occur, although multiple investigators have reported the decline of the native species concurrent with the introduction and spread of the invasive species. Here we report the results of riverine rock pool collections (n=503) in the southern Appalachian Mountains between 2009-2015.

Reproductive biology and susceptibility of Florida Culex coronator to infection with West Nile virus.

Abstract Ornithophilic Culex species are considered the primary amplification vectors of West Nile virus (WNV) in bird hosts as well as vectors responsible for epidemic transmission. Culex coronator was first collected from Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, Walton, and Washington Counties in Florida in 2005 and has since spread throughout the state. The vector competence of Cx.

Differential Survivorship of Invasive Mosquito Species in South Florida Cemeteries: Do Site-Specific Microclimates Explain Patterns of Coexistence and Exclusion?

Within 2 yr of the arrival of the invasive container mosquito Aedes albopictus (Skuse), the previously dominant invasive mosquito Aedes aegypti (L.) disappeared from many Florida cemeteries. At some cemeteries, however, Ae.

Seasonal variation in the abundance of Culex nigripalpus and Culex quinquefasciatus in wastewater ponds at two Florida dairies.

Patterns of seasonal variation in the relative abundance of immature Culex mosquitoes in wastewater ponds at dairies located in 2 different regions of peninsular Florida were compared. Culex nigripalpus and Cx. quinquefasciatus were by far the most common mosquitoes collected during the study (99,344 and 106,225 individuals, respectively).

Interpopulation divergence in competitive interactions of the mosquito Aedes albopictus.

Geographic variation in species interactions can have major effects on distributions. Effects of such variation can be particularly evident for invasive species, in which variation in competitive ability can influence invasive success and impacts. We tested the hypothesis that coexistence or exclusion of the resident mosquito Aedes aegypti results from variation among local populations of the invasive Aedes albopictus in competitive interactions with A.

Factors affecting mosquito production from stormwater drains and catch basins in two Florida cities.

Mosquito production from drains and catch basins in the cities of Vero Beach and Key West, FL were monitored from May 2004 through August 2005. A total of 48,787 mosquitoes were captured during the study. Of these, over 99% belonged to two species, Culex nigripalpus Theobald (2,630) and Culex quinquefasciatus Say (45,946).

Differential contribution of GABA(A) receptor subtypes to the anticonvulsant efficacy of benzodiazepine site ligands.

Non-selective benzodiazepines, such as diazepam, interact with equivalent affinity and agonist efficacy at GABA(A) receptors containing either an alpha1, alpha2, alpha3 or alpha5 subunit. However, which of these particular subtypes are responsible for the anticonvulsant effects of diazepam remains uncertain. In the present study, we examined the ability of diazepam to reduce pentylenetetrazoLe (PTZ)-induced and maximal electroshock (MES)-induced seizures in mice containing point mutations in single (alpha1H101R, alpha2H101R or alpha5H105R) or multiple (alpha125H-->R) alpha subunits that render the resulting GABA(A) receptors diazepam-insensitive.

Mosquito production from four constructed treatment wetlands in peninsular Florida.

Several techniques were used to sample adult and immature mosquitoes in 4 constructed treatment wetlands in Florida. Adults of 19 species (7 genera) of mosquitoes were collected, and immatures of the most abundant species and of 60% of all species also were collected. Few significant differences between sites and stations in the numbers of mosquitoes collected were discovered.

Potential and limitations of genetic manipulation in animals.

Over the last decade, sequencing and characterisation of the mouse genome has been accompanied by unparalleled advances in functional genomics. In the context of drug action, we analyse the strengths and limitations of classical mutagenesis and gene targeting techniques, as well as alternative approaches such as chemical mutagenesis, gene trap, recombineering, transposon-mediated mutagenesis, chromosomal engineering, viral transgenesis and RNA interference. This review also focuses on the emerging importance of genetic manipulation in other species and related logistical issues of experimental work using mutants.

Susceptibility genes for schizophrenia: characterisation of mutant mouse models at the level of phenotypic behaviour.

A wealth of evidence indicates that schizophrenia is heritable. However, the genetic mechanisms involved are poorly understood. Furthermore, it may be that genes conferring susceptibility interact with one another and with non-genetic factors to modulate risk status and/or the expression of symptoms.

STOP knockout and NMDA NR1 hypomorphic mice exhibit deficits in sensorimotor gating.

Schizophrenia is a chronic and debilitating disease which is thought to arise from a neuro-developmental disorder. Both the stable tubule-only polypeptide (STOP) protein and the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) NR1 subunit are involved in neuronal development and physiology. It has therefore been postulated that transgenic mice lacking either the STOP or the NMDAR1 gene would show a 'schizophrenic-like' phenotype.

The GABA-A beta3 subunit mediates anaesthesia induced by etomidate.

The i.v. agent etomidate exerts its anaesthetic actions through potentiation of gamma-aminobutyric acid-A receptors containing beta2 and beta3 subunits.

Gamma-aminobutyric acid type A receptor beta 2 subunit mediates the hypothermic effect of etomidate in mice.

Background: The authors have previously described that the gamma-aminobutyric acid type A (GABAA) receptor beta 2N265S mutation results in a knock-in mouse with reduced sensitivity to etomidate. After recovery from etomidate anesthesia, these mice have improved motor performance and less slow wave sleep. Because most clinically used anesthetics produce hypothermia, the effect of this mutation on core body temperature was investigated.

Differentiating the role of gamma-aminobutyric acid type A (GABAA) receptor subtypes.

The inhibitory tone maintained throughout the central nervous system relies predominantly on the activity of neuronal GABAA (gamma-aminobutyric acid type A) receptors. This receptor family comprises various subtypes that have unique regional distributions, but little is known about the role played by each subtype. The majority of the receptors contain a gamma2 subunit and are sensitive to modulation by BZs (benzodiazepines), but differ with regard to alpha and beta subunits.

A field test for competitive effects of Aedes albopictus on A. aegypti in South Florida: differences between sites of coexistence and exclusion?

We tested whether interspecific competition from Aedes albopictus had measurable effects on A. aegypti at the typical numbers of larval mosquitoes found in cemetery vases in south Florida. We also tested whether the effect of interspecific competition from A.

Sedation and anesthesia mediated by distinct GABA(A) receptor isoforms.

The specific mechanisms underlying general anesthesia are primarily unknown. The intravenous general anesthetic etomidate acts by potentiating GABA(A) receptors, with selectivity for beta2 and beta3 subunit-containing receptors determined by a single asparagine residue. We generated a genetically modified mouse containing an etomidate-insensitive beta2 subunit (beta2 N265S) to determine the role of beta2 and beta3 subunits in etomidate-induced anesthesia.

Bromeliad-inhabiting mosquitoes in south Florida: native and exotic plants differ in species composition.

At several locations in south Florida, water impounded by the leaf axils of native or exotic bromeliads was sampled for immature mosquitoes. Culex biscaynensis was the most commonly collected mosquito from exotic bromeliads at study sites in southeastern Miami-Dade County, whereas at nearby sites with native bromeliads, immature Wyeomyia mitchellii were more abundant than immature Culex biscaynensis. Aquatic habitat size and persistence may be important factors favoring Culex biscaynensis in exotic bromeliads.

GABA(A) alpha 1 subunit knock-out mice do not show a hyperlocomotor response following amphetamine or cocaine treatment.

The GABA(A) receptor system provides the major inhibitory control in the CNS, with the alpha 1 beta 2 gamma 2 subunit combination being the most abundant and widely distributed form of the receptor. The alpha1 subunit knock-out (alpha1 KO) mice had a surprisingly mild overt phenotype, despite having lost approximately 60% of all GABA(A) receptors. The alpha1 KO mice had normal spontaneous locomotor activity, but were more sensitive to the sedating/ataxic effects of diazepam than wildtype (WT) mice.

Desiccation and thermal tolerance of eggs and the coexistence of competing mosquitoes.

We tested the hypothesis that differences in temperature and desiccation tolerances of eggs of the container-dwelling mosquitoes Aedes albopictus and Aedes aegypti influence whether invading A. albopictus coexist with or exclude A. aegypti in Florida.

Loss of the major GABA(A) receptor subtype in the brain is not lethal in mice.

The alpha1beta2gamma2 is the most abundant subtype of the GABA(A) receptor and is localized in many regions of the brain. To gain more insight into the role of this receptor subtype in the modulation of inhibitory neurotransmission, we generated mice lacking either the alpha1 or beta2 subunit. In agreement with the reported abundance of this subtype, >50% of total GABA(A) receptors are lost in both alpha1-/- and beta2-/- mice.