RP-HPLC fractionation of the electrically stimulated skin secretion of the arboreal South American frog Hypsiboas albopunctatus ("spotted treefrog") led to the isolation of a cytolytic C-terminally amidated peptide. This novel peptide, named hylin a1 (Hy-a1), consists of 18 amino acid residues (IFGAILPLALGALKNLIK-NH(2)). The alpha-helical structure of the synthetic hylin a1 peptide was confirmed by CD spectroscopy in the presence of 60% (v/v) TFE. The synthetic peptide displayed broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity against Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria including Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, Bacillus subtilis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa and also against fungi (Candida albicans, C. krusei, C. parapsilosis and Cryptococcus neoformans). Hylin a1 was also able to disrupt human erytrocytes (HC(50)=18 microM). Similarity analysis using PSI-BLAST revealed 50-44% of identity to maximins Hv, H16, H15 and H10 from Bombina maxima and also to hylins b1 and b2 (Hy-b1 and Hy-b2) from Hypsiboas lundii (synonym: Hyla biobeba).
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Biol Open
December 2024
School of Animal, Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Wits 2050, Johannesburg, Gauteng 2000, South Africa.
Felid bone morphology is highly influenced by factors such as locomotion, body size, and foraging behaviour. Understanding how these factors influence bone morphology is important for interpreting the behaviour and ecology of such species. This study aimed to determine the extent to which Panthera pardus (i.
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December 2024
Department of Integrative Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA.
Many wingless arboreal arthropods can glide back to tree trunks following free falls. However, little is known about the behaviors and aerodynamics underlying such aerial performance, and how this may be influenced by body size. Here, we studied gliding performance by nymphs of the stick insect Extatosoma tiaratum, focusing on the dynamics of J-shaped trajectories and how gliding capability changes during ontogeny.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFZootaxa
June 2024
Incursion Investigation Plant Health Team; Ministry for Primary Industries; 14 Sir William Pickering Drive; Christchurch 8544; New Zealand.
Caledargiolestes janiceae Lieftinck, 1975 was erected on the basis of a single not-fully mature male. Eleven years later a female was captured but never described. Despite further searching, this species was only rediscovered in early 2022 with one female and two males (immature and mature) collected.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMov Ecol
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Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, 2601, Australia.
Background: Wildfires can have complex effects on wildlife populations. Understanding how post-fire conditions affect the movement ecology of threatened species can assist in better conservation and management, including informing the release of rescued and rehabilitated animals. The 2019-2020 megafires in Australia resulted in thousands of animals coming into care due to injury or concerns over habitat degradation.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFVet Res Commun
November 2024
Environmental Futures, School of Earth, Atmospheric and Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia.
Southern greater gliders (Petauroides volans) are endangered Australian marsupials for which there is little health data currently available. Chlamydia pecorum is the only reported pathogen of greater gliders and infects a broad range of hosts, including other marsupials, ruminants, swine and birds. Conjunctival and cloacal swabs collected from thirty-two southern greater gliders across southeastern New South Wales, Australia were screened for Chlamydia spp.
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