Padina pavonica is one of the common macro-algae that inhabit coastal inter-tidal zones around the world. It is one of the two brown algae known to science today that calcifies. It precipitates CaCO 3 in the microscopy form of Aragonite needle shape seen macroscopically as a vertical ventral stripes. Here we will summarize the information available since the beginning of the 20 th century, taking into consideration the algal distribution, macro and micro-morphology, cytology, reproduction, CaCO 3 bio-mineralization, and a slight reference to the commercial aspects, i.e., its use in the medical and cosmetic industries. This paper discusses the likely advantages that Padina gains by the calcification and the effect of pH caused by global climate changes on this calcification. We will describe the distribution of Padina, while focusing on the morphology of P. pavonica, as described in the literature, occasionally comparing it to another common species in Tel-Baruch-P. gymnospora. This review is somewhat prolog for the upcoming research.
Chemical communication via pheromones is an integral component in insect behavior, particularly for mate searching and reproduction. Aggregation pheromones, that attract conspecifics of both sexes, are particularly common and have been identified for hundreds of species. These pheromones are among the most ecologically selective pest suppression agents. In this study, we identified an activating effect of the aggregation pheromone of the red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) (Coleoptera: Tenibroidae) on a highly conserved circadian clock gene (Tctimeless). Tribolium castaneum is one of the most damaging cosmopolitan pest of flour and other stored food products. Its male produced aggregation pheromone, 4,8-dimethyldecanal (DMD), attracts both conspecific males and females and is used for pest management via monitoring and mating disruption. The Tctimeless gene is an essential component for daily expression patterns of the circadian clock and plays vital roles in eclosion, egg production, and embryonic development. In this study, we demonstrate that constant exposure to the species-specific aggregation pheromone led to Tctimeless up-regulation and a different pattern of rhythmic locomotive behavior. We propose that changing the well-adapted "alarm clock", using DMD is liable to reduce fitness and can be highly useful for pest management.
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