单花、有侧花牡丹品种花芽分化特点及内源激素变化

为比较单花牡丹品种‘梨花粉’、有侧花牡丹品种‘姊妹游春’和‘云鄂粉’的花芽分化进程、形态特征差异及花芽分化期内源激素的变化,该研究通过解剖和石蜡切片,观察‘梨花粉’‘姊妹游春’和‘云鄂粉’的花芽分化过程,采用酶联免疫吸附分析法测定不同分化阶段‘梨花粉’和‘姊妹游春’的生长素(IAA)、脱落酸(ABA)、赤霉素(GA₃)及玉米素核苷(ZR)的含量。结果表明：(1)‘梨花粉’花芽分化仅6个时期;有侧花品种‘姊妹游春’和‘云鄂粉’花芽分化为11个时期,顶花原基先分化,侧花原基后分化。(2)叶原基分化期至苞片原基分化期,‘姊妹游春’和‘梨花粉’花芽中ABA、GA₃及ZR的含量均升高,IAA含量降低;‘姊妹游春’侧花原基分化起始阶段,ABA、GA₃含量降低,ZR、IAA含量升高。(3)‘梨花粉’ABA/IAA比值在形态分化期时最低。综上认为,有侧花牡丹品种花芽分化比单花牡丹品种早,分化时间长,顶花和侧花部分花器官分化期重叠;较高水平的ZR、IAA以及较低的ABA、GA₃有利于启动侧花原基分化。该研究结果为牡丹...     

同株紫斑牡丹中单瓣与重瓣花芽分化及内源激素含量比较北大核心CSCD

该研究以紫斑牡丹‘关公红’为试验材料,通过调查‘关公红’的开花情况,采用光学显微镜、扫描电镜技术考察花芽分化和花瓣发育过程的结构特征,并测定同株‘关公红’单、重瓣花朵的花芽在不同分化阶段内源激素含量,分析单、重瓣花朵的花芽分化及内源激素含量的变化特征,为紫斑牡丹不同花型的培育奠定理论基础。结果表明:(1)‘关公红’单瓣花朵比重瓣花朵花期长,单瓣花朵花瓣表皮细胞光滑平整无明显褶皱,而重瓣花朵花瓣的表皮有明显的褶皱;重瓣花的花芽分化时间明显早于单瓣,花瓣原基的体积也明显增大,这可能与重瓣花中雄蕊瓣化有关系。(2)低浓度GA_(3)有利于‘关公红’单瓣花朵和重瓣花朵的花芽分化;高浓度的ABA促进重瓣花原基的形成;ZR含量增加有助于紫斑牡丹的花芽分化。(3)较高ZR/IAA、ZR/GA_(3)、ABA/GA_(3)、ABA/IAA比值有利于‘关公红’重瓣花朵的花芽分化;ABA/IAA、ZR/IAA比值的增加有利于‘关公红’单瓣花朵花芽分化;(GA_(3)+IAA+ZR)/ABA与(IAA+ZR)/GA_(3)比值减小分别促进重瓣花朵花瓣原基和雄蕊原基的形成。     

罗汉果花芽分化过程中形态及其激素水平变化特征

采用石蜡切片和酶联免疫法(ELISA)对罗汉果雄性、雌性、两性花芽分化过程的形态和激素水平变化进行观测,为罗汉果开花调控和品种选育提供科学依据。结果表明:(1)罗汉果雄性、雌性、两性花的花芽分化过程均可分为花芽未分化期、花芽分化初期、花序分化期、萼片原基分化期、花瓣原基分化期、雄蕊原基分化期和雌蕊原基分化期7个阶段。雄蕊原基分化期前,3种花芽分化过程无明显差异,各时期形态特征均依次为:茎端呈圆锥状(花芽未分化期)→茎端经半球形变成扁平状(花芽分化初期)→距茎端5~7节位处分化出穗状花序(花序分化期)→小花原基周围形成5个萼片原基(萼片原基分化期)→萼片原基内侧形成5个花瓣原基(花瓣原基分化期)。雄蕊和雌蕊原基分化期,3种花芽分化过程存在明显差异,雄蕊原基内侧出现雌蕊原基后,雄花芽雄蕊原基继续发育成雄蕊,雌蕊原基停滞生长,退为一个小突起;雌花芽雌蕊原基继续发育成雌蕊,雄蕊原基生长缓慢,退化为小花丝;两性花芽雌蕊和雄蕊原基均继续发育,形成外观正常的雌蕊和雄蕊。(2)内源激素脱落酸(ABA)、赤霉素(GAs)和玉米素核苷(ZR)含量在3种花芽分化过程中变化规律相似,即ABA含量在花芽生理分化期降低,花芽形态分化期升高,而GAs和ZR含量则基本保持不变;吲哚乙酸(IAA)含量在3种花芽分化过程中变化存在明显差异,雌花芽IAA含量在花芽生理分化期升高,花芽形态分化期逐渐降低,而雄性和两性花芽的IAA含量则基本保持不变。ABA/GAs、ABA/IAA、ZR/IAA和ZR/GAs激素含量比值在3种花芽分化过程中变化规律相似,ABA/GAs在花芽生理分化期降低,花芽形态分化期升高,而BA/IAA、ZR/IAA和ZR/GAs则基本保持不变。研究认为,罗汉果花芽分化过程经历一个"两性期",高ABA含量和ABA/GAs比值有利于罗汉果花芽分化,IAA可能对罗汉果花性分化具有重要作用。     

油茶花芽分化形态结构及内源激素变化

以普通油茶(Camellia oleifera) 4个无性系为材料,结合油茶成花的动态观察和花芽分化过程的石蜡切片形态观察,采用酶联免疫吸附分析法测定花芽中玉米素核苷(ZR)、脱落酸(ABA)、生长素(IAA)、赤霉素(GA) 4种内源激素含量,探讨油茶花芽分化与内源激素的关系。油茶花芽分化过程可分为6个时期：前分化期(10 d)、萼片形成期(20 d)、花瓣形成期(30 d)、雌雄蕊形成期(20 d)、子房与花药形成期(10 d)和雌雄蕊成熟期(20 d),历时3～4个月。油茶不同无性系的花芽分化时间略有不同。油茶花芽中ZR含量相对较低(5.102～16.412 ng·g–1 FW),ABA含量相对较高(76.815～137.648 ng·g–1 FW)。其中,粤华5号和湘林8号的ZR、ABA含量变化趋势一致,岑软3号和岑软2号含量变化趋势一致。油茶花芽中IAA含量相对较高,为49.072～135.622 ng·g–1 FW,随着花芽分化进程,IAA含量均呈先升后降再升的变化趋势。GA含量相对较低,为5.616～13.720 ng·g–1 FW,随时间变化,呈现出不断降低的趋势。其中,不同无性系的IAA、GA含量变化趋势一致,而ZR、ABA含量变化趋势有所差异。ZR有利于花器官形成;高浓度IAA促进油茶花芽分化,低浓度IAA有利于开花;花芽中IAA与ABA存在明显的颉颃作用;GA抑制花芽分化。     

四季花金花茶花芽分化进程及叶片内源激素变化

四季花金花茶(Camellia perpetua)为山茶属中唯一几乎全年开花的珍稀濒危植物。为探究其花芽分化进程及不同花发育时期和年生长周期叶片内源激素变化,该研究通过石蜡切片,观察四季花金花茶花芽分化进程,采用酶联免疫吸附法测定不同花发育时期叶片及年生长周期内有花芽和无花芽叶片的脱落酸(ABA)、吲哚乙酸(IAA)、赤霉素(GA₃)和玉米素核苷(ZR)含量的变化规律。结果表明：(1)四季花金花茶花芽分化顺序由外向内进行,分为6个时期,共历时35 d,从花芽分化至开花约2个月。(2)花芽形态分化期叶片ABA、GA₃的含量及GA₃/ABA、(IAA+GA₃)/ZR的比值较高,IAA、ZR的含量及IAA/ABA、ZR/ABA的比值较低。(3)年生长周期内有花芽叶片ABA、IAA、ZR的含量整体上高于无花芽叶片;IAA/ZR及(IAA+GA₃)/ZR的比值整体上低于无花芽叶片。综上表明,四季花金花茶花芽分化至开花时间较短;高水平的ABA、GA₃及低水平的IAA、...     

穗花牡荆花芽分化过程中形态和生理指标变化

以穗花牡荆为研究材料,通过探究其花芽分化进程和生理特性,为花期调控技术提供成花机理。采用物候期观察和石蜡切片相结合的方法并测定花芽分化过程中相关生理指标,研究花发育过程中的形态和生理变化。结果表明,穗花牡荆花芽分化为一年多次分化型,其进程可划分为七个时期：未分化期、总轴花序原基分化期、初级分轴花序原基分化期、次级分轴花序原基分化期、小花原基分化期、花器官分化前期和花器官分化后期。同一植株不同位置花芽及同一花序中不同单花分化的进程不同,第一季花期后各阶段的花芽分化形态常存在重叠。花芽分化过程中不同时期叶片和花芽的可溶性糖和可溶性蛋白质含量均有上升下降的变化,总体上叶片中营养物质含量高于花芽保证营养供应。花芽分化过程中,IAA、ABA、CTK和GA3整体水平上先升后降有利于花芽分化进行。研究认为,花芽中大量的可溶性糖和蛋白质积累及较高的碳氮比,有利于穗花牡荆花芽形态分化顺利完成。低水平的GA3/ABA和IAA/CTK有利于花序的形成,ABA/CTK和ABA/IAA比值升高促进小花原基和小花萼片原基的分化, GA3/CTK、GA3/ABA和GA3/IAA比值升高促进花瓣原基、雄雌蕊原基发育。     

光皮树花芽分化过程中内源激素含量变化的研究

以4年生光皮树嫁接苗为材料,采用酶联免疫吸附法（ELISA）测定同龄开花光皮树与不开花光皮树叶内4种内源激素生长素（IAA）、赤霉素（GA3）、玉米核苷素（ZR）、脱落酸（ABA）含量的动态变化,研究成花过程中叶片内源激素含量的变化与成花的关系。研究结果表明：在芽分化时期开花光皮树和未开花光皮树叶内4种内源激素含量动态变化存在显著差异。有花芽分化的光皮树保持相对较低和稳定IAA、GA3含量,ABA含量高且变化幅度较大,ZR含量相对较低,但随着花的形成含量逐渐升高;而在相同的生长季内,无花光皮树IAA、GA3含量先升高后降低,ABA含量先逐渐升高,然后下降,而ZR含量呈现出先逐渐升高然后降低,再升高再下降的变化趋势。因此,4种内源激素含量的动态变化影响光皮树的成花过程。     

不同成花量金花茶花果期果枝叶内源激素的变化

该研究运用酶联免疫法(ELISA)对不同成花量(花多、花少、无花)金花茶花果期果枝叶内源激素吲哚乙酸(IAA)、赤霉素(GA_3)、玉米素核苷(ZR)、脱落酸(ABA)含量进行了测定。结果表明:始花期金花茶果枝叶内源IAA先升高后降低,花多株含量低于花少株;有花株ZR含量高于无花株;GA_3含量呈现整体上升趋势,有花株高于无花株;ABA含量先降低后升高,无花株高于花多株。盛花期IAA、GA_3、ABA含量整体下降,ZR含量先降低后升高,花多株叶内源IAA、ZR、GA_3含量高于花少株或无花株,ABA含量低于花少株或无花株。花期内,有花株果枝叶IAA/ZR、IAA/ABA、ZR/ABA、GA_3/ABA比值均高于无花株,而(IAA+GA_3)/ZR比值低于无花株,说明金花茶花果的发育不仅和单个激素的含量有关,还和激素平衡有关。秋梢期营养生长旺盛时无花株IAA/ZR比值较大,花果期生殖生长强烈时比值较小,(IAA+GA_3)/ZR与之相反。这说明花蕾期高水平的内源IAA、ZR和ABA及低水平的内源GA_3有利于金花茶开花;末花期高含量的IAA、ZR和低含量的GA_3、ABA可减少落花落果,提高坐果率,有利于果实快速生长;果实生长后期高含量的ABA有利于果实成熟。该研究结果为生产上应用生长调节剂调控金花茶成花、坐果提供了理论依据。     

萘乙酸与多效唑对茉莉成花及新梢内源激素含量的影响

在茉莉开花前期分别使用不同浓度NAA与PP333均匀喷施于植株茎、叶片等生长部位,对其新梢与花蕾生长及其4种内源激素--生长素(IAA)、赤霉素(GA)、脱落酸(ABA)、玉米素核苷(ZR)的含量变化进行分析.结果表明:(1)NAA处理使茉莉新梢徒长,成花比对照推迟2～4 d;PP333处理的茉莉新梢矮化,而成花比对照提早2～4 d.(2)NAA处理后,茉莉新梢中IAA与ABA含量处理初期较高,后快速下降,后期稳定在较高水平;GA含量稍低于对照,ZR含量降低并稍低于对照.PP333处理后,茉莉新梢中IAA与ABA含量初期较高,而后缓慢下降;GA含量与对照一样快速上升;ZR含量在初期含量较高,后缓慢下降,但较对照稳定在较高水平.(3)PP333处理的茉莉植株新梢中ABA/IAA、GA/IAA、ZR/IAA比值在处理后迅速上升,特别是GA/IAA、ZR/IAA比值明显高于对照,而相应NAA处理的3个比值与对照无明显差异.可见,经NAA与PP333处理能明显调节茉莉新梢及花蕾生长进程,保持较高水平的内源激素GA、ZR、GA/IAA、ZR/IAA比值在茉莉新梢及花蕾生长过程中起关键作用.     

小叶丁香花芽分化进程及内源激素的变化

观察小叶丁香花芽分化过程,明确花芽外部形态与内部解剖结构的对应关系,解析内源激素的动态变化,为小叶丁香开花调控和栽培管理提供科学依据。本研究以小叶丁香花芽为试验材料,外部形态观察和石蜡切片技术观测花芽分化过程及开花特性,酶联免疫法(ELISA)测定内源激素含量。解剖结构观察发现,小叶丁香春季开花的花芽分化始于5月下旬,至10月上旬结束,过程分为未分化期、总苞原基分化期、花序原基和小花原基分化期、萼片原基分化期、花瓣原基分化期、雄蕊原基分化期、雌蕊原基分化期7个时期,分化各时期存在重叠现象;吲哚乙酸(IAA)、脱落酸(ABA)、玉米素核苷(ZR)含量波动较大,分别呈现“降低-升高-降低”、“升高-降低-升高-降低”、“升高-降低”的变化趋势,赤霉素(GA₃)含量维持在低水平且变化幅度不大;ABA/GA₃峰值出现在总苞原基、萼片原基及花瓣原基分化期;IAA/GA₃峰值出现在未分化期、花序原基和小花原基分化期、花瓣原基分化期;ABA/IAA在萼片原基分化期最高;ZR/GA₃与ZR/IAA峰值出现在萼片原基...     

Foreign exploration for Scirtothrips perseae Nakahara (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) and associated natural enemies on avocado (Persea americana Miller)

Scirtothrips perseae Nakahara was discovered attacking avocados in California, USA, in 1996. Host plant surveys in California indicated that S. perseae has a highly restricted host range with larvae being found only on avocados, while adults were collected from 11 different plant species. As part of a management program for this pest, a “classical” biological control program was initiated and foreign exploration was conducted to delineate the home range of S. perseae, to survey for associated natural enemies and inventory other species of phytophagous thrips on avocados grown in Mexico, Guatemala, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Trinidad, and Brazil. Foreign exploration efforts indicate that S. perseae occurs on avocados grown at high altitudes (>1500 m) from Uruapan in Mexico south to areas around Guatemala City in Guatemala. In Costa Rica, S. perseae is replaced by an undescribed congener as the dominant phytophagous thrips on avocados grown at high altitudes (>1300 m). No species of Scirtothrips were found on avocados in the Dominican Republic, Trinidad, or Brazil. In total, 2136 phytophagous thrips were collected and identified, representing over 47 identified species from at least 19 genera. The significance of these species records is discussed. Of collected material 4% were potential thrips biological control agents. Natural enemies were dominated by six genera of predatory thrips (Aeolothrips, Aleurodothrips, Franklinothrips, Leptothrips, Scolothrips, and Karnyothrips). One genus each of parasitoid (Ceranisus) and predatory mite (Balaustium) were found. Based on the results of our sampling techniques, prospects for the importation of thrips natural enemies for use in a “classical” biological control program in California against S. perseae are not promising.     

Molecular phylogeny of Phebalium (Rutaceae: Boronieae) and related genera based on the nrDNA regions ITS 1+2

Parsimony analyses of the internal transcribed spacer regions of nuclear ribosomal DNA (ITS 1 & ITS 2) for 38 taxa sampled from the Phebalium group (Rutaceae: Boronieae) and two outgroups confirm that, with the exception of Phebalium sensu stricto and Rhadinothamnus, six of the currently recognised genera within the group are monophyletic. The data indicate that Phebaliums. str. is paraphyletic with respect to Microcybe, and Rhadinothamnus is paraphyletic with respect to Chorilaena. Rhadinothamnus and Chorilaena together are the sister group to Nematolepis. Drummondita, included as an outgroup taxon, clustered within the ingroup as sister to Muiriantha and related to Asterolasia.The phylogeny suggests that the evolution of major clades within a number of these genera (e.g. Phebalium) relates to vicariance events between eastern and south-western Australia. Leionema is an eastern genus, with the most basal taxon being the morphologically distinct Leionema ellipticum from northern Queensland. Leionema also includes one species from New Zealand, but this species (as with some others) proved difficult to sequence and its phylogenetic position remains unknown. Taxonomic changes at the generic level are recommended.The authors wish to thank Paul G.Wilson, PERTH, for advice and discussion, and Paul Forster, BRI, for collecting and providing material of Leionema ellipticum. The project was supported by a Melbourne University Postgraduate Award (to BM), the Australian Biological Resources Study (ABRS), Australian Systematic Botany Society and Wolf Den (Australia) Investments.     

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.     

Phylogeny of cardinalfishes (Teleostei: Gobiiformes: Apogonidae) and the evolution of visceral bioluminescence

The cardinalfishes (Apogonidae) are a diverse clade of small, mostly reef-dwelling fishes, for which a variety of morphological data have not yielded a consistent phylogeny. We use DNA sequence to hypothesize phylogenetic relationships within Apogonidae and among apogonids and other acanthomorph families, to examine patterns of evolution including the distribution of a visceral bioluminescence system. In conformance with previous studies, Apogonidae is placed in a clade with Pempheridae, Kurtidae, Leiognathidae, and Gobioidei. The apogonid genus Pseudamia is recovered outside the remainder of the family, not as sister to the superficially similar genus Gymnapogon. Species sampled from the Caribbean and Western Atlantic (Phaeoptyx, Astrapogon, and some Apogon species) form a clade, as do the larger-bodied Glossamia and Cheilodipterus. Incidence of visceral bioluminescence is found scattered throughout the phylogeny, independently for each group in which it is present. Examination of the fine structure of the visceral bioluminescence system through histology shows that light organs exhibit a range of morphologies, with some composed of complex masses of tubules (Siphamia, Pempheris, Parapriacanthus) and others lacking tubules but containing chambers formed by folds of the visceral epithelium (Acropoma, Archamia, Jaydia, and Rhabdamia). Light organs in Siphamia, Acropoma, Pempheris and Parapriacanthus are distinct from but connected to the gut; those in Archamia, Jaydia, and Rhabdamia are simply portions of the intestinal tract, and are little differentiated from the surrounding tissues. The presence or absence of symbiotic luminescent bacteria does not correlate with light organ structure; the tubular light organs of Siphamia and chambered tubes of Acropoma house bacteria, those in Pempheridae and the other Apogonidae do not.     

Biological control of three floating water weeds,<Emphasis Type="Italic">Eichhornia crassipes,Pistia stratiotes</Emphasis>, and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Salviniamolesta</Emphasis> in the Republic of Congo

Since 1999, four specific weevils (Coleoptera, Curculionidae) were released in the Republic of Congo against three exotic floating water weeds: Neochetina eichhorniae Warner and N. bruchi Hustache against water hyacinth, Neohydronomus affinis Hustache against water lettuce, and Cyrtobagous salviniae Calder and Sands against water fern. Recoveries of exotic weevils were made from all 24 release sites except one, and all four species have established and spread (up to 800 km for water hyacinth weevils). Within a few years of releases, control of water fern and water lettuce was such that fishing and navigation could be resumed, while reductions of water hyacinth populations were only beginning.     

Taxonomic status of the species of the green algal genusNeochloris

Komárek has recently reviewed the various species assigned to the green algal genusNeochloris Starr (Chlorococcales, Chlorococcaceae) and removed those with uninucleate vegetative cells to a new genus,Ettlia. Watanabe & Floyd, unaware ofKomárek's work, also reviewed the species ofNeochloris and distributed them among three genera—Neochloris, Chlorococcopsis gen. nov., andParietochloris gen. nov.—on the basis of details of the covering of the zoospore and the arrangement of the basal bodies of the flagellar apparatus. This paper reconciles these two treatments and makes additional recommendations at the ranks of genus, family, order, and class.     

Phylogenetic investigations of Sordariaceae based on multiple gene sequences and morphology

The family Sordariaceae incorporates a number of fungi that are excellent model organisms for various biological, biochemical, ecological, genetic and evolutionary studies. To determine the evolutionary relationships within this group and their respective phylogenetic placements, multiple-gene sequences (partial nuclear 28S ribosomal DNA, nuclear ITS ribosomal DNA and partial nuclear β-tubulin) were analysed using maximum parsimony and Bayesian analyses. Analyses of different gene datasets were performed individually and then combined to generate phylogenies. We report that Sordariaceae, with the exclusion Apodus and Diplogelasinospora, is a monophyletic group. Apodus and Diplogelasinospora are related to Lasiosphaeriaceae. Multiple gene analyses suggest that the spore sheath is not a phylogenetically significant character to segregate Asordaria from Sordaria. Smooth-spored Sordaria species (including so-called Asordaria species) constitute a natural group. Asordaria is therefore congeneric with Sordaria. Anixiella species nested among Gelasinospora species, providing further evidence that non-ostiolate ascomata have evolved from ostiolate ascomata on several independent occasions. This study agrees with previous studies that show heterothallic Neurospora species to be monophyletic, but that homothallic ones may have a multiple origins. Although Gelasinospora and Neurospora are closely related and not resolved as monophyletic groups, there is insufficient evidence to place currently accepted Gelasinospora and Neurospora species into the same genus.     

A molecular phylogeny of Hebeloma species from Europe

In order to widen the scope of existing phylogenies of the ectomycorrhizal agaric genus Hebeloma a total of 53 new rDNA ITS sequences from that genus was generated, augmented by sequences retrieved from GenBank, and analysed using Bayesian, strict consensus and neighbour joining methods. The lignicolous Hebelomina neerlandica, Gymnopilus penetrans, and two species of Galerina served as outgroup taxa. Anamika indica, as well as representatives of the genera Hymenogaster and Naucoria, were included to test the monophyly of Hebeloma, which is confirmed by the results. Hebeloma, Naucoria, Hymenogaster and Anamika indica cluster in a strongly supported monophyletic hebelomatoid clade. All trees largely reflect the current infrageneric classification within Hebeloma, and divide the genus into mostly well-supported monophyletic groups surrounding H. crustuliniforme, H. velutipes, H. sacchariolens, H. sinapizans, and H. radicosum, with H. sarcophyllum being shown at an independent position; however this is not well supported. The section Indusiata divides with strong support into three groups, the position of the pleurocystidiate Hebeloma cistophilum suggests the possible existence of a third subsection within sect. Indusiata. Subsection Sacchariolentia is raised to the rank of section.     

Die GattungKarschia — Bindeglied zwischen bitunicaten Ascomyceten und lecanoralen Flechtenpilzen?

The genusKarschia, in the earlier sense, including saprophytes and parasites on lichens, has been thought to be a non-lichenized parallel genus of the lichen genusBuellia. Modern workers included it on the one hand inBuellia, on the other hand combined it with bitunicate ascomycetes. It is now proved thatKarschia is heterogeneous and contains but superficially similar members both of the genusBuellia of theLecanorales and of typical or masked bitunicateAscomycetes. Therefore, it can not be regarded as a link betweenLecanorales andDothideales. The type species ofKarschia belongs to theDothideales.