To study the nature of adrenergic stimulation of ions and water reabsorption in the newt renal distal tubule, stationary microperfusion of the nephron and electron probe analysis were used. After application of norepinephrine (NE 10'6 M) to the tubule surface, the fractional reabsorption of fluid increased from 15.0±3.1 to 41.30±10.4 % (n = 7, p<0.01), of Na+ from 69.30 ±6.6 to 79.10±7.5 % (p<0.05), CT from 63.30±7.6 to 72.40 ±7.9 % (p<0.05). Instead of secretion (control), there was reabsorption of K+. Fractional reabsorption of Ca2+ decreased from 51.00±6.0 to 43.00±7.0 % (p<0.05). The nonspecific alpha-adrenergic antagonist dibenamine 10"6 M completely inhibited the effect of NE while, under the action of propranolol (2xl(76 M) NE increased ion and water reabsorption significantly. When applied alone, or with NE, the specific alpha2-adrenoblocker idazoxan, 2xl0‘6 M, did not interfere with reabsorption in the distal tubule. At the same time, under the action of alphai-adrenoblocker prazosin 2xl0'6 M NE, increased the fractional reabsorption of fluid from 24.10 ±3.4 to 44.40 ±4.0 % (n = 6, p<0.001). These results serve as evidence that there exist specific alpha^adrenoceptors in the newt distal tubule the stimulation of which increases membrane permeability of the distal tubule to water, Na+, K+, Cl', but not to Ca2+.
The notifiable freshwater pathogen Gyrodactylus salaris Malmberg, 1957 tends to be a generalist in contrast to other monogeneans. Whilst it causes most damage to its primary host, the Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar Linnaeus), transport and reservoir hosts likely play a key role in maintaining the parasite in the environment. Here, we tested the ability of G. salaris (strain River Lierelva, southern Norway) to infect and reproduce on a population of wild caught alpine bullhead (Cottus poecilopus Heckel). Exposure of alpine bullhead yearlings (0+) to G. salaris for 24 h at low (6.5 °C) or high temperature (11.5 °C) resulted in the establishment of 1 to 104 parasites per fish. Eight to nine days post-infection at high temperature, the infection of G. salaris was eliminated, indicative of innate host immunity. In contrast, at low temperature G. salaris infections persisted for 47-48 days. The relative lengthy infection of alpine bullhead with G. salaris compared to other non-salmonids tested may be due to low temperature and high initial infection load in combination with an epibiont infection. The present results suggest that this non-salmonid may function as a temperature-dependent transport or reservoir host for G. salaris.
Wetland vegetation in the sub(alpine) zone of the West Carpathians (Poland, Slovakia) was studied with particular reference to the following questions: (i) What are the main types of (sub)alpine fen, bog and spring vegetation above the timberline in the West Carpathians? (ii) Which major environmental gradients are associated with the variation in floristic composition? (iii) What determines the α-diversity of bryophytes and vascular plants in the different vegetation types? Vegetation plots were sampled and direct measurements of certain environmental characteristics recorded. Cluster analysis was used to distinguish the vegetation types, DCA and CCA to reveal the main vegetation gradients and environmental factors, and general regression models to identify the factors determining the α-diversity. Classification at the level of 12 clusters was ecologically and syntaxonomically interpretable. Two associations not mentioned in the most recent vegetation survey of Slovakia were distinguished and the syntaxonomical positions of others revised. The synthesis of collected and published vegetation data for the two countries has modified the classification concept of (sub)alpine wetlands in the West Carpathians. Whereas pH predominantly determined floristic differences among classes, different factors governed the species composition within classes. While the diversity of the vegetation of springs (Montio-Cardaminetea) was mostly determined by water chemistry, altitude and geomorphology appeared to be more important within fens and bogs. The species richness of spring vegetation was more influenced by mineral richness than water pH and for bryophyte richness the slope inclination was also important. The species richness of fens and bogs increased with pH. It is concluded that the ecological gradients influencing the floristic composition and species richness of (sub)alpine wetlands are strongly habitat-dependent.