Background: Calcium homeostasis endoplasmic reticulum protein (CHERP) was originally identified as an integral endoplasmic reticulum membrane protein that regulates intracellular Ca 2ϩ channels. Results: In contrast, we show CHERP binds SR140 in nuclear subdomains. Conclusion: CHERP regulates Ca 2ϩ homeostasis indirectly, not as a binding partner of ryanodine receptors or IP 3 receptors. Significance: These data support an entirely new model for the cellular role of CHERP.

While foraging theory predicts that predatory responses should be determined by the energy content and size of prey, it is becoming increasingly clear that carnivores regulate their intake of specific nutrients. We tested the hypothesis that prey nutrient composition and predator nutritional history affects foraging intensity, consumption, and prey selection by the wolf spider, Pardosa milvina. By altering the rearing environment for fruit flies, Drosophila melanogaster, we produced high quality flies containing more nitrogen and protein and less lipid than low quality fruit flies. In one experiment, we quantified the proportion of flies taken and consumption across a range of densities of either high or low quality flies and, in a second experiment, we determined the prey capture and consumption of spiders that had been maintained on contrasting diets prior to testing. In both cases, the proportion of prey captured declined with increasing prey density, which characterizes the Type II functional response that is typical of wolf spiders. Spiders with similar nutritional histories killed similar numbers of each prey type but consumed more of the low quality prey. Spiders provided high quality prey in the weeks prior to testing killed more prey than those on the low quality diet but there was no effect of prior diet on consumption. In the third experiment, spiders were maintained on contrasting diets for three weeks and then allowed to select from a mixture of high and low quality prey. Interestingly, feeding history affected prey preferences: spiders that had been on a low quality diet showed no preference but those on the high quality diet selected high quality flies from the mixture. Our results suggest that, even when prey size and species identity are controlled, the nutritional experience of the predator as well as the specific content of the prey shapes predator-prey interactions.

Evidence for the the ability of birds to detect olfactory signals is now well documented, yet it remains unclear whether birds secrete chemicals that can be used as social cues. A potential source of chemical cues in birds is the secretion from the uropygial gland, or preen gland, which is thought to waterproof, maintain, and protect feathers from ectoparasites. However, it is possible that preen oil also may be used for individual recognition, mate choice, and signalling social/sexual status. If preen oil secretions can be used as socio-olfactory signals, we should be able to identify the volatile components that could make the secretions more detectable, determine the seasonality of these secretions, and determine whether olfactory signals differ among relevant social groups. We examined the seasonal differences in volatile compounds of the preen oil of captive white-throated sparrows, Zonotrichia albicollis. This species is polymorphic and has genetically determined morphs that occur in both sexes. Mating is almost exclusively disassortative with respect to morph, suggesting strong mate choice. By sampling the preen oil from captive birds in breeding and non-breeding conditions, we identified candidate chemical signals that varied according to season, sex, morph, and species. Linear alcohols with a 10-18 carbon chains, as well as methyl ketones and carboxylic acids, were the most abundant volatile compounds. Both the variety and abundances of some of these compounds were different between the sexes and morphs, with one morph secreting more volatile compounds in the non-breeding season than the other. In addition, 12 compounds were seasonally elevated in amount, and were secreted in high amounts in males. Finally, we found that preen oil signatures tended to be species-specific, with white-throated sparrows differing from the closely related Junco in the abundances and/or prevalence of at least three compounds. Our data suggest roles for preen oil secretions and avian olfaction in both non-social as well as social interactions.

Amphibian populations are in decline worldwide as they face a barrage of challenges, including infectious diseases caused by ranaviruses and the amphibian chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd). Here we describe seasonal dynamics of Bd and ranavirus detection in free-ranging post-metamorphic wood frogs Lithobates sylvaticus, boreal chorus frogs Pseudacris maculata/triseriata, and gray treefrogs Hyla versicolor/chrysoscelis, sampled over a 3 season gradient in Minnesota (USA) wetlands. We detected Bd in 36% (n = 259) of individuals sampled in 3 wetlands in 2014, and 33% (n = 255) of individuals sampled in 8 wetlands in 2015. We also detected ranavirus in 60% and 18% of individuals sampled in 2014 and 2015, respectively. Ranavirus and Bd were detected concurrently in 26% and 2% of animals sampled in 2014 and 2015, respectively. We report clinical signs and associated infection status of sampled frogs; of the clinical signs observed, skin discoloration was significantly associated with ranavirus infection. Using generalized estimating equations, we found that species, season, wetland, and a species × season interaction term were significant predictors of Bd detection, whereas test year approached significance as a predictor of ranavirus detection. The odds of detecting both pathogens concurrently was significantly influenced by species, season, a species × season interaction term, year, and environmental ammonia. We propose an amphibian health monitoring scheme that couples population size surveys with seasonal molecular surveys of pathogen presence. This information is crucial to monitoring the health of remaining strongholds of healthy amphibian populations, as they face an uncertain future of further anthropogenic change.

No abstract