Importance of biological and abiotic factors for geochemical cycling in a freshwater eutrophic lake

Here we report the results of a comprehensive biogeochemical monitoring of Rostherne Mere in 1998, including changes in dissolved oxygen, organic carbon and nitrogen, nitrate/nitrite, ammonia, Al, Na, S, K, Mg, Ca, Si, Fe, Mn, orthophosphate, particulate N & P, suspended solids, temperature, pH, chlorophyll-a and zooplankton. The results demonstrated the major influence of primary producers on the overall geochemical cycling of N, P and Si, and suggested that the significance of zooplankton might have been previously underestimated. For major anions and cations, however, the influence of biota on lake water concentrations appeared to be negligible, reflecting the fact that these chemicals were present far in excess of plankton requirements. Thus changes in concentrations of Ca, K, Na, Mg and S were rather limited and must have reflected changes in hydrological and meteorological parameters. K, however, demonstrated a transitional pattern, reflecting some influence of biological uptake. During the stratification period, the slow processes of bacterial decomposition in the hypolimnion gradually released chemicals contained in the materials accumulated in the bottom layer, remarkably increasing the concentrations of dissolved compounds of those elements present in amounts comparable with the pool stored in the sedimenting detritus (e.g. orthophosphate P, ammonia N, Si and DOC). The decomposition also resulted in a drop in the redox potential, followed by partial denitrification and chemical release from the sediments. The hypolimnion of the Mere was confirmed to remain at the stage of Mn release, characterised by accumulation of DOC, orthophosphates, ammonia and initial stages of denitrification. High levels of P released from the sediments during the stratification period suggest that the lake’s recovery after sewage diversion might be further delayed.     

派伦螨属1新种和革板螨属1新种及都匀革板螨雄螨描述(蜱螨亚纲:中气门目:派盾螨科)

记述派伦螨属1新种:遵义派伦螨Parholaspulus zunyiensis sp.nov.和革板螨属1新种:江西革板螨Gamasholaspis jiangxiensissp.nov.,并描述都匀革板螨Gamasholaspis duyunensis Chen,Guo et Gu,1994雄螨.     

Seed-coat anatomy in Fumariaceae-Fumarioideae

Seed-coat anatomy is described in 122 species of Fumarioideae, which represent all the genera, subgenera, and most sections. Nine seed-coat types were recognized: (I) Dicentra subg. Hedycapnos , (II) Dicentra subg. Chrysocapnos , (III) Dicentra subg. Macranthos , (IV) Dicentra subg. Dicentra , (V) Corydalis p.p. , (VI) rest of Corydaleae, Cysticapnos, Pseudofumaria and Ceratocapnos , (VII) Discocapnos and Sarcocapnos p. p. , (VIII) Sarcocapnos p. p., Platycapnos and Trigonocapnos , and (IX) Fumariinae. Variable characters are polarized based on the comparison with Fumariaceae Hypecooideae, Papaveraceae and Pteridophyllaceae. It is assumed that endotestal seed-coat type (I) is most primitive, that exotestal seed coat types (II—VIII) are derived therefrom, and that the reduction of the mechanical layer, including the origin of thin seed-coat type (IX) occurred repeatedly in combination with indehiscent, hard-walled fruits. Dicentra subg. Hedycapnos (with type I) possesses a combination of primitive testal characters unique within the subfamily, suggesting it represents a sister group to the rest of the subfamily. Each of the other subgenera (with II, III or IV) is also characterized by a unique combination of seed-coat characters, which are found in the outgroups but not in the other genera. Seed-coat characters support the monophyly of Fumarioideae exclusive of Dicentra subg. Hedycapnos , Fumarioideae exclusive of Dicentra , of Dicentra subg. Dicentra , of Corydalis p.p. , and of Fumariinae.     

Embryology of Swertia (Gentianaceae) relative to taxonomy

The embryological features of three species of Swertia ( s.l.) – S. erythrosticta , S. franchetiana , and S. tetraptera – were characterized, and the observations were used, together with previously gathered data on other species, to evaluate a recently proposed polyphyly, based on molecular data, of Swertia s.l. Comparisons of species within the genus showed that they have diversified embryologically, and there are significant between-species differences. Notable features that vary between species include the number of cell layers that form the anther locule wall, the construction of the wall of the mature anther, tapetum origin, the cell number in mature pollen grains, the structure of the fused margins of the two carpels, the ovule numbers in placental cross-sections, the shape of the mature embryo sac, the degree of ovule curvature, antipodal variation and the presence of a hypostase, and seed appendages. They share characters that are widely distributed in the tribe Gentianeae, such as a dicotyledonous type of anther wall formation, a glandular tapetum with uninucleate cells, simultaneous cytokinesis following the meiosis of the microsporocytes, tetrahedral microspore tetrads, superior, bicarpellary and unilocular ovaries, unitegmic and tenuinucellar ovules, Polygonum -type megagametophytes, progamous fertilization, nuclear endosperm, and Solanad-type embryogeny. The presence of variation in embryological characters amongst the species of Swertia s.l. strongly supports the view that Swertia s.l. is not a monophyletic group. Frasera is better separated from Swertia s.l. as an independent genus, and is only distantly related to Swertia s.s. judging from the numerous differences in embryology. Swertia tetraptera is very closely related to Halenia , as they show identical embryology.  © 2007 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2007, 155 , 383–400.     

Early Cretaceous Palynofloras from Tarim Basin,Xinjiang

One hundred and eight species of fossil spores and pollen referred to 55 genera found from the Lower Cretaceous Kapushaliang (Kizilsu) Group in the Tarim Basin of Xinjiang have been studied in this paper. The Kapushaliang Group may be divided into the Yageliemu Formation, the Shushanhe Formation and Baxigai Formation in ascending order. The Yageliemu palynoflora is characterized by the predominance of gymnospermous pollen, the relative abundance of pteridophytic spores and the absence of angiospermous pollen. Coniferae is dominant, while Lygodiaceae and Schizaeaceae are important in the flora. The most common species of palynomorphs are Todisporites minor, Cicatricosisporites dorogensis, C. australiensis, Lygodiumsporites subsimplex, Schizaeoisporites cretacius, S. zizyphinus, S. certus. Cibotiumspora paradoxa, Cyathidites australis, C. minor, Biretisporites potoniael, Cycadopites minimus, Pseudowalchia hiangulina, Parvisaccites radiatus, Podocarpidites multesimus, P. canadensis, Alisporites bilateralis, Cedripites cretaceus, C. canadenris, Abietineaepollenites microalatus, Clarsopollis classoides, C annulatus, C. xinjiangensis (sp. nov.), Ephedripites multicostatus, E. tarimensis (sp. nov.), etc . The palynoflora is comparable with those of the lower part of the Lower Xinminbu Formation in northwestern China and the lower part of the Lower Mannville Formation in western Canada, which is considered corresponding from Berriasian to Valanginian in age. The Shushanhe palynoflora is also characterized by dominance of gymnosperms and subdominance of pteridophyta. Some primitive angiospermons pollen grains are found in the upper part of the formation. In addition to the most common species of the above mentioned palynoflora, the important species in the present palynoflora comprise Cicatricosisporites potomacensis, C. orbiculatus, C. subrotundus, Concavissimisporites punctatus, C. verrucosus, C. globosus, lmpardecispora apiverrucata, Trilobosporites crassus, T. trioreticulosus, Pilosisporites verus, P. trichopapillosus, Klukisporites pseudoreticulatus, Verrucosisporites obscurilaesuratur, Converrucosisporites saskatchewanensis, Foraminisporis wonthaggiensis, Cingulatisporites valdensis, C. ruginosus, Jiaohepollis verus, Pityosporites constrictus, etc. More than 40 in dicative species of Early Cretaceous occur in the assemblage. The palynoflora compares clcsely with those of the middle part of the Lower Xinminbu Formation and the Quartz Sand Member of the Lower Mannville Formatton. It is suggested that the Shushanhe Formation should belong to Hauterivian of Barremian in age. The Baxigai palynoflora is basically similar to the Shushanhe palynoflora. But the palynoflora shows an obvious increase in abundance of lygodiaceous spores and angiospermous pollen accompanied by a great reduction of Classopollis and Ephedripltes. Most of the Early Cretaceous species occurring in the above mentioned palynofloras are present. In addition, some Cretaceous species recorded from Aptian and Albian Stages in Europe, North America and Australia, such as Trilobosporites tribotrys, T. trioreticulosus, Coptospora paradoxa, Camarozonosporites insignis, Crybelosporites punctatus, etc., appear in the assemblage. In comparison with the microfloras of the upper part of the Lower Xinminbu Formation, the Upper Mannville Formation and the lower part of the Lower Colorado Group, the Baxigai Forma- tion should be referred to Aptian to Albian in age. Judging from the palynofloras, the early Cretaceous palaeoclimate in the basin should belong to the arid or semi-arid type of the subtropic zone. However, from Barremtan through Albian the climatic conditions might appear relatively wet.     

Identification of asymmetrically winged samaras from the Western Hemisphere

A key is presented for use in identifying asymmetrically winged fruits (samaras) with either proximal or distal locules. It aids identification based on dispersed fuit morphology and can be used to identify undetermined extant herbarium specimens or fossil fruits to the correct extant family and genus. The 39 genera from 11 families (Aceraceae, Anacardiaceae, Fabaceae, Malpighiaceae, Phytolaccaceae, Polygalaceae, Polygonaceae, Rutaceae, Sapindaceae, Trigoniaceae, Ulmaceae) are distinguished on the basis of wing venation, size of fruit, presence and position of attachment surface, presence and type of subsidiary wings on the ovary wall. ornamentation, size and shape of the ovary, locule position, shape of locule cross section, style position and ornamentation, distinction between ovary wall and wing, and angle of attachment between individual samaras. The developmental origins of some of these features are discussed.     

Origin,Differentiation, and Geographic Distribution of the Chenopodiaceae

Numbers of species and genera,endemic genera,extant primitive genera,relationship and distribution patterns of presently living Chenopodiaceae(two subfamilies,12 tribes,and 118 genera)are analyzed and compared for eight distributional areas,namely central Asia,Europe,the Mediterranean region,Africa,North America,South America, Australia and East Asia． The Central Asia,where the number of genera and diversity of taxa are greater than in other areas,appears to be the center of distribution of extant Chenopodiaceae．North America and Australia are two secondary centers of distribution． Eurasia has 11 tribes out of the 12,a total of 70 genera of extant chenopodiaceous plants,and it contains the most primitive genera of every tribe． Archiatriplex of Atripliceae,Hablitzia of Hablitzeae,Corispermum of Corispermeae,Camphorosma of Camphorosmaea,Kalidium of Salicornieae,Polecnemum of Polycnemeae,Alexandra of Suaedeae,and Nanophyton of Salsoleae,are all found in Eurasia,The Beteae is an Eurasian endemic tribe,demonstrating the antiquity of the Chenopodiaceae flora of Eurasia．Hence,Eurasia is likely the place of origin of chenopodiaceous plants． The presence of chenopodiaceous plants is correlated with an arid climate．During the Cretaceous Period,most places of the continent of Eurasia were occupied by the ancient precursor to the Mediterranean,the Tethys Sea．At that time the area of the Tethys Sea had a dry and warm climate．Therefore,primitive Chenopodiaceae were likely present on the beaches of this ancient land．This arid climatic condition resulted in differentiation of the tribes Chenopodieae,Atripliceae,Comphorosmeae,Salicornieae,etc．,the main primitive tribes of the subfamily Cyclolobeae. Then following continental drift and the Laurasian and Gondwanan disintegration, the Chenopodiaceae were brought to every continent to propagate and develop, and experience the vicissitudes of climates, forming the main characteristics and distribution patterns of recent continental floras. The tribes Atripliceae, Chenopodieae, Camphorosmeae, and Salicornieae of recent Chenopodiaceae in Eurasia, North America, South America, southern Africa, and Australia all became strongly differentiated. However, Australia and South America, have no genera of Spirolobeae except for a few maritime Suaeda species. The Salsoleae and Suaedeae have not arrived in Australia and South America, which indicates that the subfamily Spirolobeae developed in Eurasia after Australia separated from the ancient South America-Africa continent, and South America had left Africa. The endemic tribe of North America, the tribe Sarcobateae, has a origin different from the tribes Salsoleae and Suaedeae of the subfamily Spirolobeae. Sarcobateae flowers diverged into unisexuality and absence of bractlets. Clearly they originated in North America after North America had left the Eurasian continent. North America and southern Africa have a few species of Salsola, but none of them have become very much differentiated or developed, so they must have arrived through overland migration across ancient continental connections. India has no southern African Chenopodiaceae floristic components except for a few maritime taxa, which shows that when the Indian subcontinent left Africa in the Triassic period, the Chenopodiaceae had not yet developed in Africa. Therefore, the early Cretaceous Period about 120 million years ago, when the ancient Gondwanan and Laurasian continents disintegrated, could have been the time of origin of Chenopodiaceae plants.The Chinese flora of Chenopodiaceae is a part of Chenopodiaceae flora of central Asia. Cornulaca alaschnica was discovered from Gansu, China, showing that the Chinese Chenopodiaceae flora certainly has contact with the Mediterranean Chenopodiaceae flora. The contact of southeastern China with the Australia Chenopodiaceae flora, however, is very weak.     

中国革螨2新记录（蜱螨亚纲：裂胸螨科，角绥螨科）

报道中国革螨2新记录：半裂北绥螨Arctoseius semiseissus（Berlese,1892）和奥氏角绥螨Antennoseius oudemansi（S．Thor,1930）。     

Cuban Calisto (Lepidoptera, Nymphalidae, Satyrinae), a review based on morphological and DNA data

The Cuban species of Calisto are reviewed based on the morphology of adult and immature stages, as well as DNA sequences of six genes (COI, EF1α, wingless, GAPDH, RpS5, CAD). A new species, Calisto occultasp. n., is described from the northeastern Cuban mountains. Calisto smintheus Bates, 1935 and Calisto bruneri, Michener 1949 are revised and revalidated. A new status, the species level, is proposed for Calisto brochei, Torre 1973, Calisto muripetens, Bates 1939 and Calisto bradleyi, Munroe 1950. The immature stages of Calisto smintheus, Calisto brochei,and Calisto occulta are described for the first time, and those of Calisto herophile, Hübner 1823 are redescribed. Useful morphological characters for adults are the shape and conspicuousness of androconial patch, the number and relative size of white dots on underside of hindwing, the shape of aedeagus, the shape of digitiform projection of genitalia valve, the shape and relative size of tegumen and uncus, the relative size of female genitalia, the height of sterigmal ring dorsal crown of the latter, and the relative size of corpus bursae and ductus bursae. For the immature stages, the most important characters are the color pattern of head capsule, the number and width of longitudinal lines of body, in the larvae; and the color pattern and the absence or presence of dorsal ridges on the abdomen of pupae. The phylogenetic relationships between the Cuban Calisto species are quite robust and well-supported; however, conflict between mitochondrial and nuclear datasets was detected in Calisto brochei, Calisto muripetens and to a lesser degree in Calisto bradleyi.     

Further studies on the anatomy and ecology of opisthobranch molluscs feeding on the scleractinian coral Pontes

Three further species of opisthobranch molluscs are reported to feed on the scleractinian coral Pontes in Tanzania. Further information on Cuthona poritophages Rudman, 1979, is also included. The anatomy of the aeolid Phestilla lugubris {Bergh, 1870, = P. sibogae Bergh, 1905) and a new species of Phestilla is described, as is the anatomy of the arminacean Pinufius rebus. The new species of Phestilla , and Pinufius , are, for the first time, reported to feed on Porites. Notes on the anatomy of the type-species of Phestilla, P. melanobrachia Bergh, 1874, are included to make possible a definition of the genus Phestilla.
Aspects of the feeding biology, life history, defence mechanisms and habitat specificity of the four Porites-feeding opisthobranchs are described and discussed. The four species are shown to have evolved radular teeth of remarkably similar shape. Each species utilizes a different part of the coral tissue as food. The three aeolids have replaced functional cnidosacs at the tip of their cerata with batteries of large secretory cells.
Phestilla lugubris and Pinufius rebus are also reported for the first time from the Great Barrier Reef, Queensland and the new species of Phestilla is reported from Queensland and Hawaii.     

The exine ultrastructure of pollen grains in Gnetum (Gnetaceae) from China and its bearing on the relationship with the ANITA Group

Pollen grains of six species of Gnetum , G. parvifolium , G. hainanense , G. luofuense , G. pendulum , G. cleistostachyum and G. montanum , collected from China were examined using light, scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Pollen grains of Gnetum are subspheroidal or irregular-apolar, inaperturate, 11.21–22.44 µm in long axis and 9.34–20.47 µm in short axis. The exine surface is covered with spinules, 0.50(0.30–0.71) µm long spaced on average 1.12(0.81–1.46) µm apart. The exine is about 0.55 µm thick and comprises ectexine and endexine. The ectexine includes a thin tectum and an infratectal granular layer. The tectum protrudes outwards, forming the spinules. The endexine is composed of discontinuous lamellae, with lacunae between lamellae. The pollen grains of Gnetum are compared with those of Ephedra and Welwitschia , and also those of the ANITA Group of angiosperms, including Amborellaceae, Nymphaeales, Illiciales, Trimeniaceae and Austrobaileyaceae. The exine ultrastructures of Gnetum , Ephedra and Welwitschia are quite similar, consisting of tectum, granular layer and lamellated endexine. The exine ultrastructure of Gnetum is also similar to that of Nymphaea colorata (Nymphaeaceae) in the transitional region between the proximal and distal poles, but differs from that of Amborellaceae, Illicium religiosum (Illiciaceae), Schisandra (Schisandraceae), Trimeniaceae and Austrobaileyaceae. This comparison of exine ultrastructure provides new evidence for consideration of the relationship between Gnetum and the ANITA Group.  © 2004 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2004, 146 , 415–425.     

Pattern and rate of ovary differentiation with reference to somatic development in anuran amphibians

The rate of somatic development of anuran amphibians is only roughly correlated with the rate of gonad differentiation and varies among species. The somatic stage of a tadpole often does not reflect its age, which seems to be crucial for gonad differentiation rate. We compared the morphology and differentiation of developing ovaries at the light and electron microscopy level, with reference to somatic growth and age of a female. Our observations were performed on 12 species of six families (Rana lessonae, R. ridibunda, R. temporaria, R. arvalis, R. pipiens, R. catesbeiana, Bombina bombina, Hyla arborea, Bufo bufo. B. viridis, Xenopus laevis, Pelobates fuscus) and compared with the results obtained by other authors. This allowed us to describe the unified pattern of anuran female gonad differentiation. Ovary differentiation was divided into 10 stages: I-III, undifferentiated gonad; IV, sexual differentiation; V, first nests of meiocytes; VI, first diplotene oocytes; VII-IX, increasing number of diplotene oocytes and decreasing number of oogonia and nests; X, fully developed ovary composed of diplotene oocytes with rudimental patches of oogonia. We distinguished three types of ovary differentiation rate: basic (most species), retarded (genus Bufo), and accelerated (green frogs of the subgenus Pelophylax genus Rana).     

Comparative morphology of male reproductive systems in Mediterranean blennies (Blenniidae)

The male reproductive organs of 16 species of Mediterranean Blenniidae ( Aidablennius sphynx, Blennius ocellaris, Coryphoblennius galerita, Lipophrys adriaticus, L. canevae, L. dalmatinus, L. nigriceps, Parablennius gattorugine, P. incognitus, P. sanguinolentus, P. rouxi, P. tentacularis, P. zvonimiri, Paralipophrys trigloides, Salaria pavo and Scartella cristata ) consist of pairs of testes, testicular glands, spermatic ducts, and blind pouches. Three main types of accessory sex organs were found by comparing the external morphology of the male gonads. Differences between species were observed in the volume of the testicular gland in relation to the volume of the testis and in the size and length of the spermatic ducts, and blind pouches. The anatomy of the testicular glands of all species investigated do not differ. Each gland consists of ducts that appear to be tubules which terminate at the testis periphery on one side and at the spermatic duct on the other side. Contrary to previous claims, A. sphynx has no fat body in place of the testicular gland; the gland of this species was not distinguishable from that of the other species investigated. In the Lipophrys species, in P. trigloides , and in B. ocellaris , a transition zone between testis and testicular gland is present. The testicular blind pouches empty into the spermatic ducts, into the ureter, or separately on the genital papilla. In most species, the epithelium has no or low folds, while in S. pavo it possesses high folds that nearly fill the lumen of the blind pouches. The morphological results are discussed in connection with taxonomy, ecology, and behaviour of the fishes.     

有瓣蝇类分类、系统发育及演化

有瓣蝇类(Calyptratae)隶属于昆虫纲(Insecta)四大超适应辐射类群之一的双翅目(Diptera),占双翅目已知物种多样性的近20%。有瓣蝇类分布广泛,生物学习性极为多样,在维系生态系统稳定中发挥着重要作用,是媒介、法医、传粉和天敌昆虫学研究领域的热点类群,也是探究双翅目系统演化及其成功适应辐射的关键类群。为了还原有瓣蝇类的演化历史,许多著名昆虫学者先后对该类昆虫开展过不同层面的研究。有瓣蝇类的单系性得到了普遍支持,并被分为3个总科——虱蝇总科(Hippoboscoidea)、蝇总科(Muscoidea)和狂蝇总科(Oestroidea),其中单系的狂蝇总科与多系的蝇总科聚为一支,再与虱蝇总科成为姐妹群。在科级阶元水平,蝠蝇科(Streblidae)(虱蝇总科)、花蝇科(Anthomyiidae)(蝇总科)、丽蝇科(Calliphoridae)(狂蝇总科)、邻寄蝇科(Rhinophoridae)(狂蝇总科)等类群的单系性仍有待验证,且新的科仍在不断被建立［如粉蝇科(Polleniidae)、乌鲁鲁蝇科(Ulurumyiidae)］,因此,有瓣蝇类科级系统发育关系仍不十分明晰。已有研究对虱蝇总科虱蝇科(Hippoboscidae)、蝠蝇科、蛛蝇科(Nycteribiidae),蝇总科蝇科(Muscidae)、粪蝇科(Scathophagidae),狂蝇总科麻蝇科(Sarcophagidae)、狂蝇科(Oestridae)胃蝇亚科(Gasterophilinae)的演化历史进行研究,明确了起源与扩散、寄主转移、取食策略等关键生物学习性的演化历史。但由于部分关键类群生活史信息的缺失,以及尚未有效解决的系统发育关系,有瓣蝇类演化历史仍有许多待解之谜。本文综述了有瓣蝇类分类、系统发育及演化研究进展,是在系统学研究进入系统发育基因组学时代后对该类群相关研究进展的首次全面总结。     

草鱼鳃上寄生毛管虫一新种——变异毛管虫的研究

吸管亚纲(Subclass suctoria)中,多数种类具有或长或短的炳,附着它物上营固着生活。寄生在鱼类体表、鳃丝内的毛管虫(Trichophrya)和簇管虫(Erastophrya)的种类中,至今未见报道有固着柄的代表。       

Vegetation dynamics: patterns in time and space

This paper introduces the collection of contributions in this special volume on temporal and spatial patterns of vegetation dynamics. First, it is pointed out that the dynamics of any piece of vegetation, large or small, is always dependent on the degree of isolation of that piece towards its environment. Then ten types of island situation are treated ranging from very much to very little isolated: remote species-rich oceanic islands, remote species-poor islands, young big islands near a continent, small off-shore islands, emerging islands, isolated hills, landscape islands, isolated patches of vegetation, and gaps in stands of vegetation.Also, eight forms of vegetation dynamics are treated, ranging from short-term to long-term changes and involving larger and larger units: individuals, patches, communities, landscapes and vegetation regions. The forms of dynamics are fluctuation, gap dynamics, patch dynamics, cyclic succession, regeneration succession, secondary succession, primary succession, and secular succession. Each form of dynamics may occur under varying degrees of isolation.The general conclusion is that processes and patterns of vegetation dynamics cannot be generalized in any simple manner. The 20 papers collected in this volume, divergent as they are, express the complexity of vegetation dynamics.     

Small Subunit rRNA Phylogenies Show that the Class Nassophorea is Not Monophyletic (Phylum Ciliophora)

ABSTRACT. The hypostome ciliates have been generally classified into two classes, Phyllopharyngea and Nassophorea. The status of Nassophorea and its relationship with Phyllopharyngea is one of the most controversial issues in ciliate systematics. Here we focus on the phylogenetic interrelationships of Nassophorea and Phyllopharyngea based on small subunit ribosomal RNA gene sequences. The three nassophorean subgroups, synhymeniids, microthoracids, and nassulids, each emerged as monophyletic, with synhymeniids as a sister group of Phyllopharyngea, and microthoracids as a sister of the synhymeniids+Phyllopharyngea clade in all phylogenies. The exact placement of the nassulids, however, remains uncertain. Following a detailed analysis of phenotypic characters, we hypothesize that: (1) the Phyllopharyngea could have evolved from synhymeniids, with the further development of their subkinetal microtubules as one of the major events; and (2) the development of monokinetid structures, as well as the reduction and specialization of the cyrtos and cortex, might have occurred during the diversifications of the microthoracids, synhymeniids, and Phyllopharyngea from a common ancestor. Expanding the class Phyllopharyngea to include the synhymeniids as a subclass, and designating a new subclass Subkinetalia n. subcl. for the group comprising cyrtophorians, chonotrichians, rhynchodians, and suctorians, are proposed.     

BIOGEOGRAPHY AND SPECIATION IN THE PANDORINA/VOLVULINA (CHLOROPHYTA) SUPERCLADE

Mating affinity, nuclear rDNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequence, and geographic distribution of more than 100 isolates of Pandorina , Volvulina , and Yamagishiella were determined. Comparative analysis of ITS sequences reaffirmed the unity of Pandorina morum and its separation from all other species of Volvocaceae except those of Volvulina. This latter genus, represented by four species, appears to represent only morphological variants of several P. morum subclades. The P. morum clade (including also additional species such as P. smithii and P. colemaniae ) encompasses an evolutionary span, as determined by comparison of ITS, greater than either of the multispecies genera Gonium or Eudorina. There are at least 30 Pandorina / Volvulina syngens, sexually isolated groups, so far as can be determined, among the current collection of strains. In addition, as in other volvocacaean genera, two clones are homothallic, capable of forming zygotes within a genetic clone. The existence of so many syngens suggests that considerable evolutionary diversification of the genes controlling gamete compatibility and intercross survival has occurred, unaccompanied by significant morphological change. Within each syngen, genetic distance increases with geographic distance between collection sites. At least half of the isolates studied must have been introduced northward since the Pleistocene. Although we probably know more about characters in this group of algae than any other algal group, in part because they are so easy to culture, we are still largely ignorant of what circumscribes their niche in nature. The study of all these organisms, distributed throughout the world presumably by the activities of shorebirds, emphasizes the evolutionary role of mating genes in the inevitable formation of new genetically isolated subclades in these eukaryotes and provides initial data on their rate of appearance versus their rate of distribution over the earth.     

Pollen morphology of the Swertiinae (Gentianaceae): phylogenetic implications

Recent molecular surveys of the Swertiinae (Gentianaceae–Gentianeae) revealed unexpected phylogenetic relationships, including polyphyly of the genera Gentianella , Jaeschkea , Lomatogonium and Swertia . To find new non-molecular characters supporting the phylogeny, we examined the exine variation of 73 species of all major lineages of subtribe Swertiinae using environmental scanning electron miscroscopy supplementing older, mainly light microscopical, studies. In contrast to previous studies, we were able to pick out taxa from phylogenetic key positions with particular focus on Swertia . Many distantly related taxa such as parts of Frasera , Gentianopsis , Halenia , Gentianella , Megacodon and several lineages of Swertia share a striate–reticulate or reticulate exine pattern. This is interpreted as the plesiomorphic character state of Swertiinae. There is also considerable variation of derived patterns; for example, different types of microechinate or almost smooth pollen was repeatedly observed in distantly related groups. Another extreme was the ring-shaped reticulation found in a North American species of Gentianopsis . Unfortunately, major relationships as revealed by molecular analyses were rarely supported because of the abundance of the plesiomorphic type and homoplasy even on low taxonomic levels; for example, within Lomatogonium . Exine variation was particularly useful in characterizing independent lineages of Swertia . For example, according to pollen characters and in agreement with other data, the Asian Swertia cuneata is a sister group of a strongly diversified African lineage and Swertia yunnanensis , which is rather aberrant in flower morphology, seems close to parts of Lomatogonium .  © 2008 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2008, 157 , 323–341.     

小鼠基因组中的微卫星重复序列的数量、分布和密度

作者分析了老鼠基因组中各染色体及其内含子、外显子和基因间区上各种类型的微卫星(1-6个碱基的重复序列)的数量及其密度。SSR约占老鼠基因组的2.85%,其中46.2%存在于基因间区,4.75%存在于外显子,49.05%在内含子区域,即非编码区富含微卫星。微卫星的数量与染色体或基因区域的大小有关,但密度与染色体或基因区域的大小的关系并不十分密切。第4染色体的外显子区域中6种类型的SSR含量都比其它区域少。A,T,AC,AG,AT,AAC,AAG,AGG,AAAC,AAAG,AAAT,AACC,AAAAC,AAAAG,AAAAT,AAACC,AAAGG,AAGAG,AAAAAC,AAAAAG,AAAAAT,AAAGAG,ACACAT,ACAGAG,ACAGGC,ACATAT是老鼠基因组中主要的SSR类型,而一些5碱基重复单元的SSR在老鼠基因组的某一条甚至某几条染色体都不存在