基于基因组的一株土壤固氮菌分离菌株鉴定及其促生作用

[目的] 为获得高效固氮菌株,充分研究利用土壤固氮菌资源。[方法] 选取固氮能力较高的紫色土发育水稻土,采用富集纯化法分离固氮微生物菌株。通过16S rRNA基因系统发育分析和全基因组相关指数比较对新分离菌株进行物种鉴定。采用乙炔还原法和¹⁵N₂示踪法定量测定新分离菌株的固氮能力,通过培养特性和接种效果初步研究固氮菌株的促生作用。[结果] 从紫色土发育水稻土中分离得到1株可在无氮培养基上快速生长的菌株P208。基于16S rRNA基因和基因组92个核心基因的系统发育分析结果表明,新分离菌株P208与Azotobacter chroococcum IAM 12666^T（=ATCC 9043^T）系统发育距离最近（16S rRNA基因相似度为99.79%）。菌株P208与A.chroococcum ATCC 9043^T的基因组平均核苷酸一致性（ANI）、平均氨基酸一致性（AAI）和数字DNA-DNA杂交值（dDDH）高于物种分类阈值（ANI>95%-96%,AAI>95%-96%,dDDH>70%）,最大唯一匹配指数（MUMi）低于物种分类阈值（<0.33）,得出新分离菌株P208为褐球固氮菌（A.chroococcum）。A.chroococcum P208固氮活性为模式菌株A.chroococcum ATCC 9043^T的2.61倍。除固氮能力外,A.chroococcum P208具有IAA生成、溶磷活性和铁载体生成等促进植物生长潜力的培养特性,室内培养条件下接种A.chroococcum P208能够促进水稻、小麦幼苗根系的生长。[结论] 从固氮能力较强的水稻土中分离纯化得到1株具有较强固氮、促生潜力的固氮菌,具有潜在的开发应用价值,可为研究利用生物固氮提供微生物资源。     

胞外多糖产生菌的筛选鉴定及其促生改土作用

【背景】一些微生物具有较强的产胞外多糖潜力,在改良盐碱土壤、促进作物生长方面潜力巨大。【目的】筛选耐盐碱且产胞外多糖的微生物,为开发具有盐碱土壤改良效果的菌剂提供菌种资源。【方法】从滨海盐碱植物根际土中筛选可在盐碱土壤中增殖、产胞外多糖、解有机磷和钾等能力的微生物菌株,并通过形态、生理生化、基于16S rRNA基因序列和gyrB基因的分子鉴定确定菌株类别,分析该菌株的生长、产胞外多糖特性受盐碱胁迫的影响,考察该菌对盐碱土壤不同粒径团聚体比例的影响,并结合盐碱土壤番茄种植试验考察对植物生长指标和土壤指标的影响。【结果】从727株滨海盐碱土壤菌株中筛选出一株产胞外多糖、具有较强盐碱土壤增殖能力且能解有机磷和钾的芽孢杆菌GBW HF-98,确定该菌为枯草芽孢杆菌沙漠亚种(Bacillus subtilis subsp. inaquosorum)。该菌可耐受pH值达10.0和NaCl浓度达110 g/L,在改善轻和中盐度土壤中不同粒径团聚体比例的效果较为显著。该菌的高剂量浓度T2组,在中度盐碱土壤的番茄种植试验中,与对照相比显著增加了壮苗指数、根干重、全株干重、茎粗和株高等指标,增幅分别为33.8%、59.3%、37.2%、12.3%和15.6% (P<0.05);显著降低pH、全盐含量和土壤容重,降幅分别为8.9%、27.9%和17.9%;显著提升土壤速效磷和速效钾指标,增幅分别为36.0%和17.4% (P<0.05)。【结论】GBW HF-98菌株具有较强的胞外多糖产生能力,在中度盐碱土壤中促进番茄生长和改良土壤的效果显著,可用于盐碱土壤改良菌剂的研制。     

一株高效甘蔗内生固氮细菌GXS16的鉴定及其对甘蔗的促生长作用

[背景] 我国甘蔗生产中氮肥过量施用严重,导致生产成本居高不下,充分发挥甘蔗与内生固氮菌的联合固氮作用,减少氮肥施用量,对促进我国甘蔗产业可持续发展具有重要意义。[目的] 筛选优势甘蔗内生固氮菌,对其基本特性、联合固氮效率及促生长功能进行评价。[方法] 从甘蔗根系分离到一株内生固氮菌GXS16,利用乙炔还原法测定固氮酶活性,通过PCR扩增nifH基因确定菌株为固氮菌;通过形态观察、Biolog检测和16S rRNA基因序列分析等对菌株进行分类;通过接种盆栽甘蔗检测菌株的促生长作用,采用¹⁵N同位素稀释法检测菌株相对固氮效率。[结果] 菌株GXS16固氮酶活性为2.42μmol-C₂H₄/（h·mL）,根据菌株培养性状和菌体形态观察、Biolog检测、16S rRNA、nifH、acdS基因序列分析结果,菌株GXS16属于伯克氏菌属（Burkholderia）;菌株GXS16还具有1-氨基环丙烷-1-羧酸脱氨酶（1-Aminocyclopropane-1-Carboxylate Deaminase,ACC）活性及合成生长素吲哚乙酸（Indoleacetic Acid,IAA）、降解无机磷的功能;接种GXS16处理甘蔗植株的株高比对照增长15%以上,干重增长20%以上,¹⁵N同位素测定显示甘蔗根、茎、叶从空气中获得氮的百分比分别为7.69%、15.64%和8.72%,效率显著优于模式菌株G.diazotrophicus PAL5。[结论] Burkholderia sp.GXS16是一株高效甘蔗内生固氮菌,具有良好应用前景。     

耐盐碱微生物菌种的筛选鉴定及其功能性与促生性

【背景】近年来,甘肃省土地盐碱化的日益加剧已对当地农业生产和生态环境产生严重影响。【目的】从甘肃省兰州市兰州新区和张掖市黑河生态保护区盐碱土壤中分离筛选出耐盐碱菌株,并对其进行鉴定和部分功能性评价与促生性分析,从而为改良甘肃省盐碱地提供微生物资源和理论基础。【方法】利用不同盐碱浓度的改良培养基对分离后的菌落进行条件培养,筛选出具有高耐盐碱能力的菌种,通过16S rRNA基因序列鉴定菌种类型,并测试其在不同培养基条件下功能性和促生性的不同作用。【结果】共筛选得到5株高耐盐碱菌株,鉴定结果分别为巨大芽孢杆菌（Bacillus megaterium）、金黄节杆菌（Arthrobacter aurescens）、费氏中华根瘤菌（Sinorhizobium fredii）、地衣芽孢杆菌（Bacillus licheniformis）和不动杆菌属（Acinetobacter sp.）。经鉴定分析5株菌均具有溶磷和分泌吲哚乙酸的能力;金黄节杆菌和地衣芽孢杆菌具有解钾能力;金黄节杆菌、费氏中华根瘤菌和不动杆菌属具有固氮能力;地衣芽孢杆菌、巨大芽孢杆菌和费氏中华根瘤菌分泌的ACC脱氨酶活性分别达到0.272、0.217和0.159 U/mg,金黄节杆菌和不动杆菌属几乎无ACC脱氨酶活性。【结论】五株耐盐碱菌在溶磷、解钾和固氮功能方面各自具有不同的效果且兼具一定的促生作用,这为后期微生物改良盐碱地的应用提供了物种资源和理论基础。     

三种蓝莓根际细菌的分离及其对蓝莓苗生长发育的影响

【目的】从3种蓝莓根际土壤中分离细菌,探究蓝莓根际土壤细菌多样性,并筛选具有产酸、促生长、抑菌性能的菌株,为蓝莓专用微生物肥料的研究提供优质菌株资源和理论基础。【方法】选用5种培养基分离3种蓝莓根际土壤细菌,并进行16S rRNA基因测序和系统发育分析。筛选产酸、产吲哚-3-乙酸（indole-3-acetic acid,IAA）和铁载体、固氮、溶磷和抑制灰葡萄孢生长的菌株,挑选最适菌株制备菌剂进行蓝莓苗盆栽实验验证促生能力,并检测菌剂对蓝莓元素吸收和根际土壤肥力的影响。【结果】从3种蓝莓根际土壤分离得到124株细菌,挑选70株代表性菌株进行16S rRNA基因测序,分布于3个门21个属,其中芽孢杆菌属（Bacillus）、假单胞菌属（Pseudomonas）、链霉菌属（Streptomyces）和红球菌属（Rhodococcus）为优势分离菌群。代表性菌株中,21.4%的菌株能产酸,21.4%的菌株产吲哚-3-乙酸,47.1%的菌株具有固氮潜力,65.7%的菌株具有解磷能力,14.3%的菌株能产铁载体。少量菌株同时具有产酸、产IAA、固氮、解磷和抑菌等能力。选取具有产酸和多种促生特征的菌株绿针假单胞菌CSM-70和双鱼假单胞菌CSM-129进行盆栽蓝莓苗处理,发现2株菌均能显著促进蓝莓苗的生长发育并调控根际土壤pH,其中菌株CSM-70处理还显著促进了蓝莓叶片氮、磷元素的吸收,提升了土壤速效钾、碱解氮的含量。【结论】蓝莓根际细菌多样性高且蕴藏着丰富的促生长菌株,绿针假单胞菌CSM-70和双鱼假单胞菌CSM-129能够促进蓝莓苗生长、调控根际土壤pH和肥力,并促进植株养分吸收,具有蓝莓专用微生物菌剂研制与应用的潜力。     

极端耐盐碱菌株的筛选及其菌肥对盐碱条件下小麦生长和土壤环境的影响

为获得具有盐碱地改良应用潜力的耐盐碱菌株,将采集于东营盐碱地的土样稀释涂布于pH 9、盐浓度100 g·L-1的Gibbson改良培养基上,共获得18株细菌.通过提高盐浓度、pH值,最终获得在pH 12、盐浓度20%的条件下仍然可以生长的极端耐盐碱菌株N14.对N14进行形态学、生理生化特征和16S rDNA序列分析鉴定,结果表明:菌株N14为马氏芽孢杆菌.盆栽试验结果表明,与盐碱土(CK)相比,N14菌肥可以显著提高小麦的生物量,株高、鲜重、干重分别提高了21.8%、57.9%、41.7%;显著增加小麦叶绿素a、叶绿素b、叶绿素总量,增长率分别为36.4%、20.0%、31.7%;显著提高盐碱土壤中的蔗糖酶、脲酶和碱性磷酸酶的活性,增长率分别为23.2%、68.8%、106.5%;显著提高小麦根系的超氧化物歧化酶、过氧化物酶和过氧化氢酶的活性,增长率分别为109.6%、17.8%、50%;显著减少小麦根系丙二醛的含量,减少率为39.8%.本研究为极端耐盐碱菌的应用提供了一条新思路,为盐碱地的改良提供了一条新途径.     

耐盐碱菌株的分离筛选及生物学特性和盐碱去除效率的研究

将采集于黑龙江省大庆市盐碱地的土壤样品经适当稀释后,涂布于高盐碱的培养基中,分离纯化获得41株菌。经过不断分别或同时提高培养基的盐、碱浓度进行耐盐碱菌株的筛选,获得1株耐盐碱菌株7,其在pH值13且盐(NaCl)浓度达到200g.L-1的培养基中仍可生长,该菌株既属于极端嗜盐微生物又属于极端嗜碱微生物。分别于不同碳源、氮源、碳氮比、初始pH值和培养温度条件下,对菌株7的生物学特性和盐、碱去除能力进行研究。结果表明,该菌株生长和去除盐碱的最佳碳源为牛肉膏;最佳氮源为蛋白胨;碳氮比为4:1时,最有利于菌株的生长和对盐、碱的去除;菌株生长的最适初始pH值为9.5,最适温度为20℃,而盐、碱去除的最佳温度则为30～35℃。     

丛枝菌根真菌对盐碱胁迫下杜梨幼苗生长和生理特性的影响

采用盆栽实验,设置梯度盐碱环境(0、1.5、3.0、4.5、6.0、7.5 g·kg^-1),接种根内根孢囊霉(Rhizophagus intraradices,Ri),对比分析杜梨幼苗苗高生长、叶片光合气体交换参数和叶绿素荧光参数及抗逆生理指标的变化,探讨在混合盐碱胁迫下接种菌根真菌对杜梨幼苗生长和抗逆性的影响,为盐碱地杜梨菌根化栽培提供理论依据。结果表明：(1)根内根孢囊霉能够与杜梨根系形成良好的共生,但在盐碱浓度6.0 和7.5 g·kg^-1时侵染率分别下降为47.98%和32.97%。(2)盐碱胁迫条件下,接种Ri显著提高了杜梨苗高生长量和生物量,同时显著提高了杜梨叶片光合色素的含量和净光合速率;尤其在高盐碱程度(6.0 g·kg^-1、7.5 g·kg^-1)下显著提高了气孔导度和胞间二氧化碳含量,有利于光化学淬灭系数提高和非光化学淬灭系数的降低,促进实际光化学效率提升。(3)接种Ri显著降低了杜梨幼苗叶片细胞膜透性和丙二醛的含量,显著增强了超氧化物歧化酶和过氧化物酶活性,并提高了可溶性糖和可溶性蛋白含量。研究发现,接种根内根孢囊霉能显著增强杜梨在盐碱胁迫下的抗氧化酶活性和渗透调解能力,有效提升其生长量和光合效能,缓解盐碱胁迫对杜梨造成的损伤;实施杜梨幼苗菌根化可有效提升苗木在盐碱地的生长和抗逆性能,有利于其在盐碱地综合治理中发挥更大作用。     

镉吸附细菌的分离及其对土壤镉的固定

[目的] 探究镉吸附细菌是否能够高效固定土壤有效镉（Cd）,为土壤有效Cd的微生物固定提供理论依据。[方法] 利用含Cd²⁺牛肉膏蛋白胨液体培养基对细菌进行Cd的耐受性测试筛选出镉抗性强的菌株;通过16S rRNA基因相似性及系统进化分析鉴定耐镉细菌,将菌细胞加入含CdCl₂溶液中进行Cd²⁺吸附效率测定;通过土培模拟实验,测定土壤pH、碱解氮、有效磷、速效钾、有机质、CEC、有效Cd及微生物数量来分析镉吸附细菌对镉污染土壤的影响。[结果] 从德阳鱼腥草根际土壤中分离获得的57株细菌对Cd²⁺表现出不同程度的抗性,并从中筛选出3株耐Cd优势细菌普罗威登斯菌属（Providencia）DY8、芽孢杆菌属（Bacillus）DY3和芽孢杆菌属（Bacillus）DY1-4。其对溶液中的Cd²⁺表现出较好的吸附作用,吸附效率随着Cd²⁺浓度升高而降低。DY8、DY3、DY1-4能使镉污染土壤中有效Cd含量分别降低72.11%、68.55%、62.32%,同时显著提高镉污染土壤中碱解氮、有效磷的含量。[结论] Cd污染农田土壤中含有丰富的耐Cd微生物资源,Cd吸附细菌能降低土壤中有效Cd的含量,且能有效改善土壤养分条件。     

耐盐碱细菌DQSA1的分离鉴定及盐碱胁迫下对绿豆的促生作用

【背景】近年来,大庆地区土壤盐碱化程度逐渐加剧,而微生物改良盐碱土是当今的研究热点。【目的】从大庆盐碱土中筛选出耐盐碱菌株,验证其促生作用,为改良大庆盐碱土壤提供微生物资源。【方法】采用筛选培养基从大庆盐碱土中获得耐盐碱促生菌,对其进行形态学观察、生理生化和16S rRNA基因鉴定,并测试菌株在盐碱胁迫下对绿豆植株和土壤细菌群落结构的影响。【结果】筛选得到一株耐盐碱促生菌DQSA1,具有固氮、产ACC脱氨酶、产铁载体、产吲哚乙酸(Indole-3-Acetic Acid,IAA)功能;通过生理生化鉴定和系统发育分析,判定该菌株为卓贝尔氏菌属(Zobellella)。在盐碱土中种植绿豆后接种菌株DQSA1,处理后的绿豆较对照相比根系鲜重、根系干重及叶绿素含量分别增加了33%、32%和79%;植株叶部可溶性糖、脯氨酸和可溶性蛋白含量分别升高了10%、80%和73%;根系的脯氨酸及可溶性蛋白含量分别增加了78%和44%。对种植绿豆的土壤细菌进行高通量测序,发现菌株DQSA1可以在盐碱环境下定殖并促进根瘤菌和鞘氨醇杆菌等有益菌的生长。【结论】菌株DQSA1可以在盐碱条件下调节土壤细菌群落结构并促进植物生长,为改良盐碱土地提供了有效的微生物资源。     

Y-chromosome Data and Tribal Affiliations of Allenopithecus and Miopithecus

The phylogeny of Old World monkeys has remained unresolved in part because of a lack of resolution in the Cercopithecinae. Competing morphological hypotheses have had Allen's swamp monkey (Allenopithecus nigroviridis) and the talapoins (Miopithecus spp.) as basal branches of either the tribe Cercopithecini or the tribe Papionini. Previous molecular analyses have not adequately addressed the issue. To better understand the evolutionary history of these primates, we sequenced and subjected to phylogenetic analysis 3.1 kb of 2 loci (TSPY and SRY) from the non-recombining portion of the Y-chromosome. Individuals from the genera Allenopithecus, Miopithecus, Erythrocebus, Chlorocebus, and Cercopithecus were surveyed and their sequences compared with those previously published for the Papionini and Colobinae. The results suggest Allenopithecus and Miopithecus are more closely related to the Cercopithecini than Papionini. Our data also support the hypothesis that within the Cercopithecini, Erythrocebus and Chlorocebus share a close evolutionary relationship, distinct from the other members of the tribe.     

Ovule and seed anatomy ofCistaceae and relatedMalvanae

Ovule and especially seed anatomy of eight species ofCochlospermaceae, Bixaceae, Cistaceae, Monotoideae, Pakaraimaeoideae (two subfamilies ofDipterocarpaceae), andSarcolaenaceae were investigated. All representatives show a bixoid chalazal region in the seed as probable exclusive synapomorphy among angiosperms. The palisade layer of the exotegmen is curved inwards at its proximal end and forms a dome-shaped structure. A plug of hypostase tissue with an annulus/core structure fits into this dome. Moreover, two additional tissue types in the hypostase can be found in some representatives of the group. These and other micromorphological, wood anatomical, and floral morphological characters, indicate that the taxa form a monophyletic group close toMalvales s. str. The form of the starch grains in the endosperm is compared and is described for the first time forPakaraimaea (Dipterocarpaceae) andLeptolaena (Sarcolaenaceae). The position ofDiegodendron close toBixa and the presumably more distant positions ofMuntingia andNeuradaceae are discussed.     

Nystatin and killer toxin sensitivity of free and immobilizedSaccharomyces cerevisiae

The inhibitory effect of nystatin and killer toxin on the growth of free and covalently-immobilizedSaccharomyces cerevisiae cells was studied. The resistance of immobilized cells to both agents was accompanied by increased amounts of phospholipids and sterols. The possible relationship between these changes in the membrane composition and the transduction of a signal across the cytoplasmic membrane is discussed.     

Amino acids and sugars in nectar,and their putative evolutionary significance

Individual amino acids and sugars from flower nectar of 32 plant species with different pollination systems were quantified and compared. Data show that there is no correlation between sugar and amino acid concentration. Furthermore there is no correlation between composition and concentration of amino acids and evolutionary advancement, nor any direct relation with pollination systems. However, higher sugar concentrations are often linked with more advanced morphological characters. Nectars from pierced or damaged flowers or nectars contaminated with pollen exhibit modifications and increases in amino acid composition. The presence of proline probably indicates such pollen contamination. Most pollinating animals depend on flower nectar in their energetic requirements, yet innumerable alternative amino acid and protein sources exist. Future research has to consider the relationship between nutritional requirements of pollinating animals and dependence on flower nectars.Dedicated to Prof. Dr.L. van der Pijl, Den Haag, in honour of his 80th birthday.     

Cyclooxygenase inhibitory and antioxidant cyanidin glycosides in cherries and berries

Anthocyanins from tart cherries, Prunus cerasus L. (Rosaceae) cv. Balaton and Montmorency; sweet cherries, Prunus avium L. (Rosaceae); bilberries, Vaccinum myrtillus L. (Ericaceae); blackberries, Rubus sp. (Rosaceae); blueberries var. Jersey, Vaccinium corymbosum L. (Ericaceae); cranberries var. Early Black, Vaccinium macrocarpon Ait. (Ericaceae); elderberries, Sambucus canadensis (Caprifoliaceae); raspberries, Rubus idaeus (Rosaceae); and strawberries var. Honeoye, Fragaria x ananassa Duch. (Rosaceae), were investigated for cyclooxygenase inhibitory and antioxidant activities. The presence and levels of cyanidin-3-glucosylrutinoside 1 and cyanidin-3-rutinoside 2 were determined in the fruits using HPLC. The antioxidant activity of anthocyanins from cherries was comparable to the commercial antioxidants, tert-butylhydroquinone, butylated hydroxytoluene and butylated hydroxyanisole, and superior to vitamin E, at a test concentration of 125 microg/ml. Anthocyanins from raspberries and sweet cherries demonstrated 45% and 47% cyclooxygenase-I and cyclooxygenase-II inhibitory activities, respectively, when assayed at 125 microg/ml. The cyclooxygenase inhibitory activities of anthocyanins from these fruits were comparable to those of ibuprofen and naproxen at 10 microM concentrations. Anthocyanins 1 and 2 are present in both cherries and raspberry. The yields of pure anthocyanins 1 and 2 in 100 g Balaton and Montmorency tart cherries, sweet cherries and raspberries were 21, 16.5; 11, 5; 4.95, 21; and 4.65, 13.5 mg, respectively. Fresh blackberries and strawberries contained only anthocyanin 2 in yields of 24 and 22.5 mg/100 g, respectively. Anthocyanins 1 and 2 were not found in bilberries, blueberries, cranberries or elderberries.     

Pollen morphology ofSonchus and related genera,and a general discussion

The pollen morphology of the taxa belonging to the generaAetheorhiza Cass.,Launaea Cass.,Reichardia Roth andSonchus L. in the Iberian Peninsula has been studied with light and electron microscopy. The pollen is 3(-4)-zonocolporate and echinolophate (without polar lacunae, but in general with prelacunae), with equatorial ridges and 15–20 lacunae: 3–4 poral, 6–8 abporal and 6–8 paraporal. Small to medium size, P × E = 19–36 × 23–42 µm; sometimes two different sizes have been found. Exine 3–9 µm thick and ornamentation microreticulate and echinate. The results clearly show the relationships between genera. Moreno-Socías, E., Mejías, J. A., Díez, M. J., 1994: Morfología polínica deLactuceae (Asteraceae) en la Península Ibérica, I.Lactuca y géneros relacionados. — Acta Bot. Malacitana.19: 103–113.     

Molecular identification and differentiation of Brevibacterium species and strains

Amplified ribosomal DNA restriction enzyme analysis (ARDRA), pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) and ribotyping were used to differentiate among 24 strains of Brevibacterium linens, Brevibacterium casei and Brevibacterium epidermidis obtained from type culture collections or isolated from various smear ripened cheeses. ARDRA was applied to the 16S rDNA. B. linens was shown to be a quite heterogenic group with 2 to at least 4 copies of rrn operons per strain with aberrant nucleotide sequences. AccI gave genus specific restriction patterns and was used to separate Brevibacterium from Corynebacterium species. The expected species specificity of TaqI applied to B. linens type culture strains, but not to all strains isolated from cheese. By AvaI restriction, B. casei and B. linens were differentiated from B. epidermidis and the orange pigmented Arthrobacter casei, a new species of coryneform bacteria; by XmnI restriction, B. linens and B. epidermidis were differentiated from B. casei. One of 4 B. linens genotypes could not be distinguished from B. casei by this method. Here, the typical orange B. linens pigments were used for classification, which was confirmed by partial sequencing of the 16S rDNA.     

Utilized and potentially utilizable seaweeds on the Namibian coast: biogeography and accessibility

Of the 1500 km coast of Namibia, only 80 km is predominantly rocky, the remaining 1420 km being sandy with only minor rocky outcrops. At present two species are utilized, Gracilaria verrucosa for agar and Laminaria schinzii for human consumption. Other potentially utilizable seaweeds occurring on the coast are Ecklonia maxima for alginates, Suhria vittata for agar, Gigartina radula, G. stiriata and Aeodes orbitosa for carrageenans and Porphyra capensis for human consumption. Laminaria schinzii also can be used for alginate production. Due to the diamond-mining areas around the 80 km rocky area at Luderitz (26° 39 S), only 20 km are accessible; hence, at present the seaweeds are being exploited almost to their full potential. The species currently not being utilized could be used, however, to support the industry that already exists at Luderitz. To increase production, access to the diamond areas would have to be gained or a cultivation program initiated.     

New species and new combinations in Peruvian Orchidaceae

seventeen new species and combinations are proposed in the generaChondrorhyncha, Cischweinfia, Cochlioda, Eloyella, Encyclia, Kefersteinia, Koellensteinia, Macroclinium, Rodriguezia, Solenidiopsis, andStenia. All new species are illustrated. A key is provided for 2-flowered species ofMacroclinium, PeruvianSigmatostalix, and PeruvianStenia. Solenidium (Solenidiopsis) peruvianum Schltr. is lectotypified.     

The hernandez and fernandez genes of Drosophila specify eye and antenna

The formation of different structures in Drosophila depends on the combined activities of selector genes and signaling pathways. For instance, the antenna requires the selector gene homothorax, which distinguishes between the leg and the antenna and can specify distal antenna if expressed ectopically. Similarly, the eye is formed by a group of "eye-specifying" genes, among them eyeless, which can direct eye development ectopically. We report here the characterization of the hernandez and fernandez genes, expressed in the antennal and eye primordia of the eye-antenna imaginal disc. The predicted proteins encoded by these two genes have 27% common amino acids and include a Pipsqueak domain. Reduced expression of either hernandez or fernandez mildly affects antenna and eye development, while the inactivation of both genes partially transforms distal antenna into leg. Ectopic expression of either of the two genes results in two different phenotypes: it can form distal antenna, activating genes like homothorax, spineless, and spalt, and it can promote eye development and activates eyeless. Reciprocally, eyeless can induce hernandez and fernandez expression, and homothorax and spineless can activate both hernandez and fernandez when ectopically expressed. The formation of eye by these genes seems to require Notch signaling, since the induction of ectopic eyes and the activation of eyeless by the hernandez gene are suppressed when the Notch function is compromised. Our results show that the hernandez and fernandez genes are required for antennal and eye development and are also able to specify eye or antenna ectopically.