Über Cyanotrophie bei Flechten

In contrast to the well-known blue-green algal containing lichens several green algal containing lichens, belonging to very different genera, show regular connections to free-living or ± lichenized blue-green algae, mainlyStigonema. Most of these lichens have squamulose thalli. This lichen-algal relationship, regarded as cyanotrophy, may be either facultative or obligate. Some of the species occur only on very poor, acidic rocks onStigonema, while they occur independent ofStigonema in high nutrient biotops. Obligate species cover the blue-green algae with hyphae and some of these species cover the algae so extensively that one can call these connections paracephalodia. — Two species and one variety are new to science from the mainly Himalayan genusBryonora. They occur in high elevations in Nepal and are cyanotrophic.Bryonora selenospora has thick, halfmoon-shaped to slightly twisted ascospores. The other two new taxa areB. reducta andB. rhypariza var.cyanotropha. There are several other cyanotrophic lichen taxa besides the ones described here. They will be introduced at a later occasion.

Frau Prof. Dr.Elisabeth Tschermak-Woess zu ihrem 70. Geburtstag gewidmet.     

NORTH CAROLINA MARINE ALGAE. XI. A NEW SPECIES OF HELMINTHOCLADIA (LIAGORACEAE,NEMALIALES, RHODOPHYTA) WITH A REAPPRAISAL OF THE GENERIC LIMITS OF HELMINTHOCLADIA AND HELMINTHORA1

A new species in the Liagoraceae (Nemaliales) having vegetative and male reproductive characteristics usually associated with the genus Helminthora is assigned to Helminthocladia (as Helminthocladia andersonii Searles & Lewis) on the basis of the shape of the conical carpogonial protoplast, three-celled carpogonial filament, development of the carposporophyte from both cells formed by division of the zygote and development of the involucre without the formation of a bridge around the zygote or formation of rhizoids from the involucre. All of these are consistent characteristics of Helminthocladia and distinguish its species from those of Helminthora.     

Phylogenetic relationships among various helical bacteria

Helical bacteria from the generaSpirillum, Oceanospirillum, Aquaspirillum, andAzospirillum—as well asSerpens flexibilis—were characterized by oligonucleotide cataloging of 16S rRNA in order to establish their phylogenetic relationships to one another and to Gramnegative bacteria in general. The various genera of helical bacteria are not specifically related to one another (to the exclusion of nonhelical bacteria) and, where tested, the individual genera as presently constituted are not phylogenetically coherent (with the possible exception ofOceanospirillum, which may form a deep grouping).     

Zwei neue Arten der GattungSaponaria (Caryophyllaceae) aus Afghanistan und Pakistan

Saponaria stenopetala sp.n. in Eastern Afghanistan is close toS. pachyphylla Rech. f. andS. subrosularis Rech. f.—The nearest allies ofS. makranica sp.n. from Western Pakistan and Southeastern Iran areS. kermanensis Bornm. andS. floribunda (Kar. & Kir.)Boiss.

Flora Iranicae praecursores 36–37. — Praecursores praecurrentes in Pl. Syst. Evol.139, 313–317 (1982).     

Modern freshwater microbial carbonates: thePhormidium stromatolites (tufa-travertine) of southeastern Burgundy (Paris Basin,France)

Summary The relationships of microstructure and vegetal remains, obtained by decalcification, were studied in Modern tufa from Burgundy, in order to try to link a given species with a particular crystal habitus. The edifices have various shapes (coatings on floors; encrusted pebbles, shells, vegetal shoots, mosses; oncolites; hydrodynamically shaped tufts). The biological content is rich in algae and animals, mainly at the proximity of springs, even ifPhormidium incrustatum is the predominant species. It is associated with several species ofGongrosira, Schizothrix, andOocardium stratum, the latter only known by its specific crystallizations. Among the animals, we point the galleries ofPsychomiidae (Trichoptera= Phrygan) larvae. The algae and animals are associated within a “biological felt” (in the sense ofForel, 1901). Some species are encrusted by calcite crystals of typical habitus (micrite:Phormidium incrustatum, Gongrosira andSchizothrix, ssp; sparite:Oocardium andBatrachospermum), and there are very little diagenetic modifications. The fabric results in an alternation of seasonal light laminations composed of juxtaposed bundles ofPhormidium incrustatum α, and dark laminations due to parallel filaments ofPhormidium incrustatum β. The influence of other algal species on shape and the internal fabric of the laminations is negligible.Phormidium incrustatum tufa are common in Western Europe, and probably have some fossil analogue in the Upper Cretaceous and Tertiary; the strongly differ from most older stromatolitic microstructures. Half of the studied tufa can suffer summer exposure and winter frost but related particular features do not seem to be preserved in the stromatolitic edifices.     

Zur Synonymie vonLitosiphon pusillus auf der Basis von Kulturversuchen

In June 1988,L. pusillus was collected for the first time in the Helgoland area. On the basis of observations in cultures, Pedersen's hypothesis that the microthalli ofL. pusillus are identical with those of threePilocladus species is discussed. The general morphology as well as the shape and dimensions of the unilocular sporangia are clearly different inPilocladus andLitosiphon microthalli. Therefore, Pedersen's opinion cannot be accepted.      

Phylogeny of Salmonine Fishes Based on Growth Hormone Introns: Atlantic (Salmo) and Pacific (Oncorhynchus) Salmon Are Not Sister Taxa

Though salmonid fishes are a well-studied group, phylogenetic questions remain, especially with respect to genus-level relationships. These questions were addressed with duplicate growth hormone (GH) introns. Intron sequences from each duplicate gene yielded phylogenetic trees that were not significantly different from each other in topology. Statistical tests supported validity of the controversial monotypic genusParahucho,monophyly ofOncorhynchus,and inclusion ofAcantholingua ohridanawithinSalmo.Suprisingly, GH1 intron C (GH1C) did not support the widely accepted hypothesis thatOncorhynchus(Pacific salmon and trout) andSalmo(Atlantic salmon and trout) are sibling genera; GH2C was ambiguous at this node. Previously published data were also examined for support ofSalmoandOncorhynchusas sister taxa and only morphology showed significant support. If not sister taxa, the independent evolution of anadromy—the migration to sea and return to freshwater for spawning—is most parsimonious. While there was incongruence with and among published data sets, the GH1C intron phylogeny was the best hypothesis, based on currently available molecular data.     

Balliella,a new genus of ceramiaceae (Rhodophyta)

Detailed studies of various aspects of the morphology and reproduction ofAntithamnion subcorticatum Itono andAntithamnion crouanioides Itono show that these species are incorrectly referred to as the genusAntithamnion. To include these species, a new genus,Balliella, is proposed. In addition, some other algae possibly referable to this genus are briefly discussed. The genusBalliella is here recognized as a member of the new tribeDelesseriopsieae which is most nearly related to the tribe Antithamnieae in the Ceramiaceae. The tribe Delesseriopsieae is now recognized to include the two genera, i.e.,Delesseriopsis andBalliella.     

New and noteworthyHabenaria spp. (Orchidaceae) from New Guinea and adjacent islands

5 new taxa ofHabenaria, namelyH. bougainvillae, H. elongata R. Br. var.leptophylla, H. ensigera, H. rechingeri andH. trichoglossa, are described and illustrated, with reference to affinities to related Australian and Indo-malayan species. The occurrence in New Guinea of severalHabenaria spp. typical for a savanna-like vegetation, led to look more thoroughly at these taxa:H. elongata R. Br. andH. ochroleuca R. Br., considered so far to be endemic in Northern Australia, andH. khasiana Hook. f., hitherto only known from southeastern Asia.Studies in the subtribeHabenariinae Bentham (Orchidaceae), 2.—Part 1: Candollea34, 357 (1979).Dedicated to Hofrat Prof. DrKarl Heinz Rechinger on the occasion of his 80th birthday. — On April 30, in the year 1927, the author and his brotherOtto Renz metKarl Heinz Rechinger on a small steam-boat in a stormy Aegaen Sea, travelling from Piraeus to the Northern Sporades Islands:Karl Heinz with destination to Chelidromia, the author andO. Renz to Skopelos. By this lucky chance a lasting friendship began.     

Selective effect of the herbicide DCMU on unicellular algae — a potential tool to maintain monoalgal mass culture ofNannochloropsis

The selective effect of DCMU on photosynthetic activity and growth rate was examined in several marine unicellular algae:Nannochloropsis sp. (Eustigmatohyceae),Dunaliella salina (Chlorophyceae)Isochrysis galbana (Prymnesiophyceae) andChaetoceros sp. (Bacillariophyceae). DCMU at 10^–7 M caused an immediate decrease in the photosynthetic rate ofDunaliella andIsochrysis (about 50% inhibition), whereas 10^–6 M imposed 80% inhibition in the photosynthetic rate ofChaetoceros. InNannochloropsis the rate was affected only when DCMU concentration exceeded 10^–6M. Cellular growth rate of all studied algae was affected by DCMU in a similar manner to photosynthesis. The differential effect of DCMU was further examined in mixed cultures in whichNannochloropsis was cultivated together with an additional species simulating a contamination situation of aNannochloropsis culture. When DCMU was added at concentrations higher than 10^–7 M, the growth of the competing algae significantly decreased, whileNannochloropsis maintained a relatively high growth rate. Consequently, after a growth period of 4 to 7 days a clear domination ofNannochloropsis was observed. These results demonstrate that DCMU and probably other herbicides of similar characteristics can be used effectively as a selective tool to suppress contaminating unicellular algae in open ponds in order to maintain a monoculture ofNannochloropsis.     

Comparative structure of ovules and seeds inRafflesiaceae

The genera of theRafflesiaceae show a marked diversity in the structure of their ovules and seeds. Evolutionary trends are recognizable in ovule orientation and number of integuments. A change from anatropous ovules inApodantheae andMitrastemoideae towards incomplete anatropy inRafflesieae and orthotropy inCytineae occurs, next to a change from bitegmic ovules inApodantheae towards unitegmy with rudimentary outer integuments inRafflesieae andCytineae and full unitegmy inMitrastemoideae.—The differences in ovule structure are clearly reflected in the seeds. The seeds are essentially exotegmic, have very small embryos and an oily endosperm.—Seed structure strongly confirms the existing subfamilial classification and supports additional arguments for the generic status ofApodanthes. It does not support a separate status of the genusBerlinianche. InRafflesiaceae, seed micromorphology is only of limited use at the species level. As far as known seed dispersal is endo- or exozoochorous in all genera.     

Vergleichende Karyologie der Gräser-SubtribenAristaveninae undAirinae (Poaceae — Aveneae)

The chromosome numbers of nearly all species of the grass subtribesAristaveninae andAirinae from Europe and northern Africa are presented. Among theAristaveninae the genusAristavena has 2n = 14 chromosomes, whereasDeschampsia forms a polyploid series with the basic number x = 13. In the subtribeAirinae the basic number x = 7 predominates.Avenella includes a polyploid series up to dekaploidy, whilst the lowest diploid value so far known in grasses — caused by descending dysploidy — exists in the annual generaAiropsis andPeriballia with 2n = 8.From both subtribes 12 different karyotypes are described and depicted as idiograms. The basic karyotypes ofCorynephorus, Periballia andVahlodea differ from each other by different chromosome length. SAT-chromosomes in theAirinae vary somewhat. Some marker chromosomes eludicate phylogenetic relationships. Amphiplasty appears in various genera and was studied particularly in the amphidiploidAira caryophyllea. Karyological and genomatic trends are considered in relation to evolutionary strategies of annuals and perennials.The nuclear DNA content of some species has been determined cytophotometrically. In subtribeAirinae a positive correlation exists between chromosome volume, pollen diameter, and DNA content. A comparison of the duration of microsporogenesis and microgametogenesis in annual and perennial species with their nuclear DNA content has shown that a primary nucleotypic influence is not recognizable.

     

Novae Gesneriaceae Neotropicarum XI. New genera and species from the Guianas

Two new genera of Gesneriaceae are described,Lampadaria andCremersia, each with one new species:Lampadaria rupestris from Guyana andCremersia platula from French Guiana, both belonging to the tribe Episcieae. The placement ofLembocarpus in the Episcieae nearCremersia andRhoogeton is proposed.     

Elektronenmikroskopische Untersuchungen zur Frage der verwandtschaftlichen Beziehungen zwischenTheligonum undRubiaceae: Feinbau der Siebelement-Plastiden und Anmerkungen zur Struktur der Pollenexine

Theligonum cynocrambe and 13 species ofRubiaceae contain S-type sieve-element plastids, wide-spread in Dicotyledons. Alignment ofTheligonum toCaryophyllales (Centrospermae), especiallyPhytolaccaceae, is unlikely, because this order is characterized by specific P-type plastids. SEM investigations show the pollen exine ofTheligonum to be microreticulate, with additional supratectate spinules.Asperula and other genera of the tribeRubieae have a tectum perforatum (punctitegillate sexine), also with supratectate verrucae or spinulae.—Thus ultrastructure suggests (but not definitely proves) relationships betweenTheligonum andRubiaceae, while affinities betweenTheligonum andCaryophyllales are excluded.

     

The flavonoids ofBalanites aegyptiaca (Balanitaceae) from Egypt

Six flavonoid glycosides: quercetin 3-glucoside, quercetin-3-rutinoside; 3-glucoside, 3-rutinoside, 3-7-diglucoside and 3-rhamnogalactoside of isorhamnetin were extracted and identified from the leaves and branches of Egyptian material ofBalanites aegyptiaca. Only isorhamnetin: 3-rutinoside and 3-rhamnogalactoside were recorded from the fruits of the same plant.—Phytochemical aspects ofBalanites aegyptiaca and some genera ofZygophylaceae s. l. viz.Nitraria, Fagonia, Zygophyllum, Seetzenia andTribulus support its affinities with that family.     

Notes on the capsule dehiscence inAcanthophyllum (Caryophyllaceae) and allied genera

The shape and the mode of dehiscence of the capsule had been regarded as good differential characters betweenAcanthophyllum and related genera.—Studies of these characters, including the shape of the ovary, in species ofAcanthophyllum, Diaphanoptera, Ochotonophila andScleranthopsis show, however, that they cannot be used as differential characters for the genusAcanthophyllum. Dedicated to Prof.K. H. Rechinger on the occasion of his 80th birthday.     

Aloe L. – a second plant family without (TTTAGGG)n telomeres

The physical ends of chromosomes are protected and stabilised by telomeres. The sequence of telomeric DNA normally consists of a simple repeating unit that is conserved in many organisms. Most plants examined have been shown to possess Arabidopsis-type telomeres consisting of many repeat copies of the sequence 5′-TTTAGGG-3′. Using fluorescent in situ hybridisation, slot blotting and the asymmetric polymerase chain reaction we demonstrate an absence of Arabidopsis-type telomeres in the genus Aloe (family Asphodelaceae). The only other plant genera so far reported without such telomeres are Allium, Nothoscordum, and Tulbaghia (family Alliaceae). As these genera and Aloe are petaloid monocots in the Asparagales, it is suggested that an absence of Arabidopsis-type telomeres may be characteristic of this related group of plants. Received: 6 September 1999; in revised form: 9 December 1999 / Accepted: 13 December 1999     

Ultrastructure and phototactic action spectra of two genera of cryptophyte flagellate algae,Cryptomonas and Chroomonas

Summary A comparative action spectroscopical study was made on phototaxis in two genera of cryptomonads (cryptophyte flagellate algae), namely,Cryptomonas (rostratiformis) andChroomonas (nordstedtii andcoeruled). The two genera differ in their characteristic phycobilin pigmentation and, among three species, onlyChroomonas coerulea possesses an eyespot. The two species with no eyespot,Cryptomonas rostratiformis andChroomonas nordstedtii, exhibited positive phototaxis, showing very similar action spectra characterized by a broad band in the region from 450 nm to 650 nm, with an action maximum at about 560 nm; these features are essentially the same as those observed previously forCryptomonas strain CR-1. InCryptomonas rostratiformis, a small peak was also found at 280 nm in the UV-B/C region.Chroomonas coerulea, with eyespot, did not exhibit distinct positive phototaxis in a wide spectral region at any given, even very low, light intensity, but exhibited negative phototaxis of spectral sensitivity maximal at 400–450 nm. These results indicate that the positive phototaxis ofCryptomonas (rostratiformis and CR-1) andChroomonas nordstedtii is mediated by the same, yet unidentified photoreceptor(s).Chroomonas nordstedtii, possessing no phycoerythrin absorbing at 545 nm, also exhibits positive phototaxis at ca. 560 nm, and this result disfavors the so far proposed possibility that the positive phototaxis of the cryptophytes may be mediated by phycobilin pigments. On the other hand, the spectral characteristics of negative phototaxis ofChroomonas coerulea can possibly be ascribed to the presence of an eyespot.     

NeueSilene-Arten (Caryophyllaceae) aus dem Gebiet der Flora Iranica

15 new species are described: Sect.Sclerocalycinae:S. farsistanica, S. stapfii. — Sect.Spergulifoliae:S. paktiensis. — Sect.Auriculatae:S. caroli-henrici, S. daënensis, S. gertraudiae, S. nizvana, S. oligophylla, S. persepolitana, S. pseudaucheriana, S. pseudonurensis, S. renzii, S. salangensis, S. sojakii. — Sect.Brachypodae:S. rasvandica. — All the new species are from Iran with exception ofS. paktiensis andS. parvanica which are from Afghanistan.

Florae Iranicae praecursores 46–60. — Praecursores praecurrentes in Pl. Syst. Evol.142: 239–246 (1983).     

Active MHC class Ib genes in rat are pseudogenes in the mouse

The most telomeric class I region of the MHC in rat and mouse is the M region, which contains about 20 class I genes or gene fragments. The central part carries three class I genes—M4, M5, and M6—which are orthologous between the two species. M4 and M6 are pseudogenes in the mouse but transcribed, intact genes in the rat. To analyze the pseudogene status for the mouse genes in more detail, we have sequenced the respective exons in multiple representative haplotypes. The stop codons are conserved in all mouse strains analyzed, and, consistent with the pseudogene status, all strains show additional insertions and deletions, taking the genes further away from functionality. Thus, M4 and M6 indeed have a split status. They are silent in the mouse but intact in the closely related rodent, the rat.GenBank accession numbers: AF057065 to AF057072 (exon 3 of H2-M4 of reported mouse strains), AF057976 to AF057985 (exon 3 of RT1.M4 of reported rat strains), AF058923 and AF058924 (exon 2 of RT1.M4 of strains PVG and BN), AY286080 to AY286092 (exon 4 of H2-M6 of reported mouse stains), and AY303772 (full-length genomic sequence of RT1.M6-1^l)