Tatjana Savić

Surface modification of anatase nanoparticles with fused ring catecholate type ligands: a combined DFT and experimental study of optical properties

Surface modification of nanocrystalline TiO(2) particles (45 Å) with catecholate-type ligands consisting of an extended aromatic ring system, i.e., 2,3-dihydroxynaphthalene and anthrarobin, was found to alter the optical properties of the nanoparticles in a similar way to modification with catechol. The formation of inner-sphere charge-transfer (CT) complexes results in a red shift of the semiconductor absorption compared to unmodified nanocrystallites and the reduction of the band gap upon the increase of the electron delocalization on the inclusion of additional rings. The binding structures were investigated by FTIR spectroscopy. The investigated ligands have the optimal geometry for binding to surface Ti atoms, resulting in ring coordination complexes of catecholate type (binuclear bidentate binding-bridging) thus restoring the six-coordinated octahedral geometry of surface Ti atoms. From the Benesi-Hildebrand plot, stability constants in methanol/water = 90/10 solutions at pH 2 of the order 10(3) M(-1) have been determined. Quantum chemical calculations on model systems using density functional theory (DFT) were performed to obtain vibrational frequencies of charge transfer complexes, and the calculated values were compared with the experimental data.

THE EFFECT OF LEAD ON FITNESS COMPONENTS AND DEVELOPMENTAL STABILITY IN DROSOPHILA SUBOBSCURA

We analyzed the developmental time, egg-to-adult viability, and developmental stability (fluctuating wing size asymmetry) in Drosophila subobscura, maintained for six generations on different concentrations of lead. Development time is significantly affected by generation and lead concentration, but interaction of these factors is not a significant source of variability for this fitness component. Generation and the interaction generation x concentration of lead significantly affect egg-to-adult viability. Levenes test of heterogeneity of variance showed that variability of FA is not significant in any of the samples. Within both lead concentrations females showed significantly higher FA indices for the wing width than males. Within sexes, a significantly higher FA was found only in females for wing width FA between the control and the lower concentration of lead. The results show that if strong relationship between FA and the studied fitness components exists, it results in a stronger selection of unstable genotypes under lead as a stress factor and, consequently, FA needs to be used with caution as a biomarker in natural populations under environmental stress.

Mating success and wing morphometry in Drosophila melanogaster after long-term rearing on different diets

Different environmental factors are important for development, physiology, behaviour and, therefore, adaptation of Drosophila species. Additionally, the presence of genetic and phenotypic variation in traits affecting mate choice forms the basis for sexual selection that may lead to isolation between populations in different nutritive environments. The aim of this research was to determine mating success and wing morphometry of Drosophila melanogaster flies after more than a decade of growing on banana and carrot substrates. Males and females reared on carrot medium were more successful in mating than flies reared on banana diet. Females originating from banana medium rather chose males originating from carrot substrate, while females developed on carrot medium equally chose males developed on both substrates. Differences in wing size and shape were observed between sexes and nutritional strains. Furthermore, the results showed absence of ethological isolation between two ‘nutritional’ strains.

The embryonic and post-embryonic development in two Drosophila species exposed to the static magnetic field of 60 mT.

In this study, a static magnetic field influence on development and viability in two different species, Drosophila melanogaster and Drosophila hydei, was investigated. Both species completed development (egg–adult), in and out of the static magnetic field induced by double horseshoe magnet. Treated vials with eggs were placed in the gap between magnetic poles (47 mm) and exposed to the average magnetic induction of 60 mT, while control ones were kept far enough from magnetic field source. We found that exposure to the static magnetic field reduced development time in both species, but statistical significance was found only for D. hydei. Furthermore, we found that the average viability of both Drosophila species exposed to the magnetic field was significantly weaker compared to control ones. These results indicate that 60 mT static magnetic field could be considered as a potential stressor, influencing on different levels the embryonic and post-embryonic development of individuals.

'Does my Diet Affect my Perfume?' Identification and Quantification of Cuticular Compounds in Five Drosophila melanogaster Strains Maintained over 300 Generations on Different Diets.

Cuticular hydrocarbons (CHCs) in Drosophila melanogaster represent the basis of chemical communication being involved in many important biological functions. The aim of this study was to characterize chemical composition and variation of cuticular profiles in five D. melanogaster strains. These strains were reared for approximately 300 generations on five diets: standard cornmeal medium and substrates prepared with apple, banana, tomato, and carrot. Differences in quantity and/or quality in CHCs were assumed as a result of activation of different metabolic pathways involved in food digestion and adaptations to the particular diet type.

Extremely low frequency magnetic field (50 Hz, 0.5 mT) modifies fitness components and locomotor activity of Drosophila subobscura

Abstract Purpose: Extremely low frequency (ELF) magnetic fields are essential ecological factors which may induce changes in many organisms. The aim of this study was to examine the effects in Drosophila subobscura exposed for 48 h to ELF magnetic field (50 Hz, 0.5 mT) at different developmental stages. Materials and methods: Egg-first instar larvae developmental stage of D. subobscura isofemale lines was exposed to ELF magnetic field, and fitness components (developmental time, developmental dynamics, viability and sex ratio) and locomotor activity of three-day-old males and females were monitored. Also, just eclosed D. subobscura isofemale adults were exposed to ELF magnetic field and their locomotor activity was monitored just after. Results: ELF magnetic field shortens developmental time, increases viability and does not affect sex ratio of D. subobscura. No matter which developmental stage is exposed, ELF magnetic field significantly decreases locomotor activity of adult flies, but after exposure of just eclosed adults observed change lasts longer. Conclusions: Applied ELF magnetic field modifies fitness components and locomotor activity of D. subobscura. Observed effects can be attributed to the influence of magnetic field on different stages of development where the hormonal and nervous systems play important role in the control of examined parameters.

Effects of Extremely Low Frequency (50 Hz) Magnetic Field on Development Dynamics of the Housefly (Musca domestica L.)

Metamorphosis time (pupa to adult eclosion time) and adult lifespan were observed in an alternating, sinusoidal, magnetic field, and compared to control. Pupae of the housefly, Musca domestica (Diptera), of approximately the same age were chosen randomly (groups of 50 individuals) and individually placed in separate glass tubes (70 mm × 11 mm) without food. The group exposed to an electromagnet (50 Hz, 6 mT) with poles of 9.3 cm × 4.8 cm (area 44.6 cm2), spaced at 7.2 cm, was placed with the magnet at a sufficient distance from the control group where the experimental magnetic field effects were not detected. The experiments were carried out successively at temperatures of 19°C and 24°C, and a 12 h light/12 h dark regime, with a controlled 60–70% relative humidity. The results show that the magnetic field significantly slowed down metamorphosis at both temperatures. The adult lifespan in the magnetic field at 24°C was statistically significantly extended with respect to control, whereas the same lifespan in the magnetic field at 19°C showed no statistically significant shortening.

Morphological analyses allow to separate Branchipus species (Branchiopoda, Anostraca) from different geographic regions

In Serbia, Branchipus Schaeffer, 1766 is especially common in the Pannonian lowlands, where Branchipus schaefferi and Branchipus serbicus were previously reported. In the southern parts of the country, at the foothills of the Stara Planina Mountains, a Branchipus intermedius population is reported to occur. We used multivariate analysis to assess the degree of morphological variability between Branchipus populations currently ascribed to different species. Morphometric characters contributed the most to the morphological differentiation. Populations were better defined on the basis of male morphometric characters. Our results indicate that individuals from the southeastern, mountainous part of the country had the highest level of differentiation. We confirmed that this population belongs to B. intermedius. The individuals of the presumed species B. serbicus exhibited a fairly lower level of morphological differentiation in the present study, and grouped together with other lowland Serbian populations ascribed to B. schaefferi. According to this study, B. serbicus is a junior synonym of B. schaefferi.

Sexual selection, sexual isolation and pheromones in Drosophila melanogaster strains after long-term maintaining on different diets

Evolution of reproductive isolation may be a consequence of a variety of signals used in courtship and mate preferences. Pheromones play an important role in both sexual selection and sexual isolation. The abundance of pheromones in Drosophila melanogaster may depend on different environmental factors, including diet. The aim of this study was to ascertain to which degree principal pheromones affect sexual selection in D. melanogaster. We used D. melanogaster strains reared for 14 years on four substrates: standard cornmeal substrate and those containing tomato, banana and carrot. We have previously determined that long-term maintaining of these dietary strains resulted in differences in their cuticular hydrocarbons profile (CHs). In this work, we have tested the level of sexual selection and sexual isolation between aforementioned strains. We found that the high levels of cis-vaccenyl acetate, 7-pentacosene and 7,11-nonacosadiene in the strain reared on a substrate containing carrot affected the individual attractiveness and influenced sexual isolation between flies of this strain and flies reared on a substrate containing banana. Based on these results, long-term different diets, may contribute, to sexual behaviour of D. melanogaster via the effects of principal pheromones.

Adaptive significance of amylase polymorphism in Drosophila: Effect of substrates with different carbohydrate composition on some life-history traits of Drosophila subobscura

The Amy locus polymorphism of Drosophila subobscura is used as a model system for an experimental population genetic study of adaptive significance of α-amylase activity on substrates of different carbohydrate compositions. So far, fitness components have not commonly been included in ecological-genetic studies of α-amylase polymorphism in this species. In the present paper, fitness components are analyzed in relation to different amylase activities in D. subobscura individuals homozygous for the “slow” and the “fast” Amy allele, associated with substrates of different carbohydrate compositions. The results indicate a significant effect of substrate carbohydrate composition on fitness components of the genotypes homozygous for S or F Amy allele in D. subobscura through their enzyme activity.