The exchange (release resp. uptake) of K+, Rb+, and Na+ ions in the isolated retina of the crayfish Astacus leptodactylus with the surrounding medium was measured using flame photometry and radioisotopic techniques. 1. The net release of K+ into a Na+ and K+ free, choline containing medium, as measured by means of flame photometry, is increased by illumination. 2. The release of 86Rb+, used as ...

Here we present the development and first validation of a TaqMan minor groove binder (MGB) real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) method for quantitative and highly specific detection of Aphanomyces astaci, the causative agent of crayfish plague. The assay specificity was experimentally assessed by testing against DNA representative of closely related oomycetes, and theoretically assessed...

The copper containing oxygen carrier haemo­ cyanin is the predominant protein in the hemolymph of most molluscs, crustaceans and spiders. Despite its abundance and the detailed knowledge on physiological aspects, relatively little informa­ tion exists on haemocyanin synthesis and its regu­ lation [1-4], In analogy to haemoglobin, where the addition of haeme influences the haemoglobin production...

1. Benzoic acid and p-nitrobenzoic acid were converted in the scorpion Palamnaeus into N(1)-benzoylagmatine and N(1)-p-nitrobenzoylagmatine. 2. Some benzoyl- and p-nitrobenzoyl-arginine were also formed and these compounds were probable precursors of the agmatine derivatives. 3. p-Nitrobenzoyl- and p-aminobenzoyl-arginine were formed in millipedes dosed with the aromatic acids. 4. Woodlice excr...

Juvenile noble crayfish, Astacusastacus (Crustacea, Astacidea) in the second year of age were kept in the laboratory for a twelve-month period under continuing "summer conditions" (LD 16:8, 19°C). Molting processes in this population could be synchronized by artificial moonlight cycles. Peaks of exuviations occurred at "new moons". Males showed a slightly higher degree of synchronization than f...