The amino acid sequence of a snail cytochrome c has been determined. The molecule consists of a single polypeptide chain of 104 residues, and is homologous with other mitochondrial cytochromes c. Unlike the cytochromes c from vertebrates, there is no acetyl blocking group at the N-terminus. A change in an otherwise invariant position has been observed in position 87. Comparison with amino acid ...

Advances in phylogeography are of great value for understanding the population structure and origins of invasive genotypes. Such insights provide constructive information for current or future biological control research efforts. In this study, we investigated a highly variable chloroplast DNA (cpDNA) marker for populations of the weed Lepidium draba (Brassicaceae) in its native Eurasian and in...

A collection of 11 natural and synthetic podolactones have been tested as allelochemicals in a range between 10(-4) and 10(-9) M, and their potential use as natural herbicide models is discussed. Their effects on the germination and growth of the dicots Lactuca sativa (cv. Nigra and cv. Roman), Lepidium sativum, and Lycopersicon esculentum and the monocots Allium cepa, Hordeum vulgare, and Trit...

The nucleus of eukaryotic organisms is highly dynamic and complex, containing different types of macromolecules including DNA, RNA, and a wide range of proteins. Novel proteomic applications have led to a better overall determination of nucleus protein content. Although nuclear plant proteomics is only at the initial phase, several studies have been reported and are summarized in this review us...

The chemical composition of the essential oil of Helichrysum italicum (Roth) Don ssp. italicum, collected in the National Park of Cilento and Diano Valley, Southern Italy, was studied by means of GC and GC/MS. Forty four compounds of 45 constituents were identified in the oil, mainly oxygenated sesquiterpenes. The essential oil was evaluated for its potential in vitro phytotoxic activity agains...

The aim of this study was to determine the presence and prevalence of larval stages of Dicrocoelium dendriticum and Brachylaima sp. in the first intermediate host, a species of land snail, Helix aspersa, in Turkey. A total of 211 snails were collected in April-May 2014 from pastures in Mersin District. Larval stages of D. dendriticum were identified under a light microscope. Hepatopancreas from...

We have investigated the role of the right mesocerebrum in the expression of mating behaviour in the garden snail Helix aspersa. Using an in vivo stimulation and recording technique, we provide evidence for both sensory and motor functions in the mesocerebral neuronal population. Some neurones were specifically sensitive to tactile stimuli delivered to the skin on the superior tentacles and aro...

In the present work we report a new combination of fractal analysis and some advanced statistical methods and their application for the quantitative detection of the effects of a static magnetic field of 2.7 mT on fractal complexity changes of Br neuron activity in the subesophageal ganglia of the garden snail Helix pomatia. We used factor analysis (FA) in the analysis of the empirical distribu...