Quantitative Studies on the Growth of Allogromia laticollaris (Foraminifera)

SYNOPSIS. The growth and reproduction of Allogromia laticollaris was studied. More schizozoites were generally produced in mixtures of food organisms than on single algal foods. In the presence of moderate numbers of bacteria, cultures with Phaeodactylum tricornutum, Chlorococcum sp., Nannochloris sp., and an unidentified chlorophyte (BL-1), added singly, were also highly productive. Schizogony was the dominant asexual form of reproduction. Binary fission and cytotomy also occurred in bacterized otherwise unfed controls. ³⁵S and ³²P are convenient labels for measuring growth of A. laticollaris when introduced into the system in the range of 1 × 10⁴ - 1 × 10⁵ dpm/ml (³²P specific activity ～ 2.03 MCi/g; ³⁵S specific activity ～ 95 μCi/g). Small allogromiids grew faster than did larger ones. By means of the Taylor series modification of the classical least-squares method, a continuous life-cycle representation was calculated for A. laticollaris for the conditions of the experiment. Four points of cell volume growth were maxima for reproduction: 1.0 × 10⁷μ per organism for curve I; 2.2 × 10⁷μ³ and 1.2 × 10⁷μ³ for curve II; and 6.7 × 10⁷μ³ for curve III.     

How internal waves influence the vertical distribution of zooplankton

1. We present data with a high spatio‐temporal resolution from a 72‐h field survey in Bautzen Reservoir (Saxony, Germany). The aims of this survey were to observe hydrophysical processes during a period of unstable stratification in spring and investigate the effect of wind‐induced internal waves on the vertical distribution of zooplankton. 2. Wind velocities up to 10 m s⁻¹ caused a strong downwelling event of warm water at the sampling site and led to the generation of internal waves with an amplitude of 4 m. 3. The zooplankton community, which was dominated by Daphnia galeata, inhabited epilimnetic waters. Downwelling enlarged the thickness of the epilimnetic layer and, hence, led to high zooplankton abundances down to relatively deep water strata indicating lateral transport of zooplankton. As a consequence, area‐specific zooplankton abundances increased considerably (max. fourfold) during downwelling. 4. We conclude that classical limnological field sampling, such as for monitoring purposes, can lead to severely biased estimates of zooplankton abundance due to the interfering effects of hydrophysical processes like internal waves. 5. Backscattering strengths measured by a simultaneously deployed Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (600 kHz) were found to be correlated with estimated zooplankton abundances based on plankton samples.     

Fine Structure of the Accessory Boring Organ of the Gastropod, Urosalpinx

Penetration of shell by the muricid gastropod, Urosalpinx cinereafollyensis, is accomplished by successive alternating periodsof radular rasping and chemical activity by the accessory boringorgan (ABO) . This paper reports on thehistology of the ventralsecretory disc of the ABO in relation to the functional stateof the organ. The secretory disc is composed of tall columnarepithelial cells which are arranged in groups and only forma continuum over the ABO surface at their distalmost end. Theinterstitial spaces between the epithelial cell groups containmuscles and capillaries and also form the link between the distallyopen capillaries and the sinus of the ABO stalk. Abundant nervefibers are found interstitially as well as in close relationshipto the epithelium. The epithelial cells possess cytological features characteristicof secretory cells. The increased differentiation especiallyof the Golgi complex during periods of active boring indicatesthat the cells elaborate a product which plays a rolein thechemical dissolution of the shell of prey. The cells also appearcapable of regulating secretory overproduction and of storingglycogen during inactive periods for subsequent use.     

Phylogeny of cockroaches (Insecta,Dictyoptera, Blattodea), with placement of aberrant taxa and exploration of out‐group sampling

We addressed the phylogeny of cockroaches using DNA sequence data from a broad taxon sample of Dictyoptera and other non‐endopterygotan insect orders. We paid special attention to several taxa in which relationships are controversial, or where no molecular evidence has been used previously: Nocticolidae, a family of small, often cave‐dwelling cockroaches, has been suggested to be the sister group of the predaceous Mantodea or of the cockroach family Polyphagidae; Lamproblatta, traditionally placed in Blattidae, has recently been given family status and placed as sister to Polyphagidae; and Saltoblattella montistabularis Bohn, Picker, Klass & Colville, a jumping cockroach, which has not yet been included in any phylogenetic studies. We used mitochondrial (COI + COII and 16S) and nuclear (18S and 28S) genes, and analysed the data using Bayesian inference (BI) and maximum likelihood (ML). Nocticolidae was recovered as sister to Polyphagidae. Lamproblatta was recovered as sister to Blattidae, consistent with the traditional placement (not based on phylogenetic analysis). However, because of the limited support for this relationship and conflict with earlier morphology‐based phylogenetic hypotheses, we retain Lamproblattidae. S. montistabularis was consistently placed as sister to Ectobius sylvestris Poda (Blaberoidea: Ectobinae), indicating that the saltatorial hindlegs of this genus are a relatively recent adaptation. Isoptera was placed within Blattodea as sister to Cryptocercidae. Nocticolidae + Polyphagidae was sister to Isoptera + Cryptocercidae, and Blaberoidea was sister to the remaining Blattodea.     

Use of tree rings to study the effect of climate change on trembling aspen in Québec

In this paper, we present a new approach, based on a mixed model procedure, to quantify the tree‐ring‐based growth‐climate relationship of trembling aspen along a latitudinal gradient from 46 to 54 °N in eastern Canada. This approach allows breaking down the growth response into general intersite and local climatic responses, and analyzing variations of absolute ring width as well as interannual variations in tree growth. The final model also integrates nonclimatic variables such as soil characteristics and the occurrence of insect outbreaks into the growth predictions. Tree level random effects on growth were important as intercepts but were nonsignificant for the climatic variables, indicating that a single climate–growth relationship was justified in our case. The response of tree growth to climate showed, however, a strong dependence on the spatial scale at which the analysis was performed. Intersite variations in tree growth were mostly dependent on variations in the thermal heat sum, a variable that showed low interannual and high intersite variation. When variation for a single site was analyzed, other variables showed up to be important while the heat sum was unimportant. Finally, future growth under six different climate change scenarios was simulated in order to study the potential impact of climate change. Results suggest only moderate growth increases in the northern portion of the gradient and a growth decrease in the southern portion under future climatic conditions.     

Polymorphic microsatellites for the study of Aconitum napellus L. (Ranunculaceae), a rare species in France

Aconitum napellus is a perennial European Ranunculaceae that is currently decreasing in France. Six polymorphic microsatellite markers were characterized to study the polymorphism among individuals sampled from six populations in France. The total number of alleles per locus varied from two to four. Mean observed heterozygosities at each microsatellite locus ranged from 0.05 to 0.19. This set of microsatellites offers an efficient tool for more detailed investigations on population genetic structure of a rare species that can reproduce both sexually and by vegetative spread.     

Localization and Properties of Cell Wall Enzyme Activities Related to the Final Stages of Lignin Biosynthesis

Cell wall activities which are related to the final stages oflignin biosynthesis, that is the generation of hydrogen peroxideand peroxidase activity, were investigated using biochemicaland histochemical methods. Peroxidases involved in both reactionsappeared to be restricted to lignifying tissues. Isolated cellwalls exhibited a very high affinity for syringaldazine. Cellwalls were able, in vitro as well as in vivo, to oxidize guaiacolin the absence of H₂O₂ when NADH was present in the incubationmedium together with p-coumarate and MnCl₂ as cofactors. Theorigin of the NADH used to form H₂O₂ is discussed. Key words: Lignin biosynthesis, Oxidative polymerization, Peroxidases     

Cloning and Characterization of New Repetitive Sequences in Field Bean (Vicia faba L.)

Annals of Botany83: 535–541, 1999 It is regretted that Figure 1 of this paper was incorrect; itshould have appeared as follows: Fig. 1. Genomic organization of new repetitive sequences. Southernblots of field bean genomic DNA digested using various restrictionenzymes (H, Hind III; Hc, Hinc II; T,Taq I; A, Alu I; R, RsaI; M, Mbo I; F, Fok I) were probed with the individual repeats.The bands from which the sequences were isolated are markedby arrows. The bands from which full length sequence of T133and TIII17 repeats were isolated are marked by asterisks.     

Trophic dynamics within a hybrid zone – interactions between an abundant cyprinid hybrid and sympatric parental species

1. Recent proliferation of hybridisation in response to anthropogenic ecosystem change, coupled with increasing evidence of the importance of ancient hybridisation events in the formation of many species, has moved hybridisation to the forefront of evolutionary theory. 2. In spite of this, the mechanisms (e.g. differences in trophic ecology) by which hybrids co‐exist with parental taxa are poorly understood. A unique hybrid zone exists in Irish freshwater systems, whereby hybrid offspring off two non‐native cyprinid fishes often outnumber both parental species. 3. Using stable isotope and gut content analyses, we determined the trophic interactions between sympatric populations of roach (Rutilus rutilus), bream (Abramis brama) and their hybrid in lacustrine habitats. 4. The diet of all three groups displayed little variation across the study systems, and dietary overlap was observed between both parental species and hybrids. Hybrids displayed diet, niche breadth and trophic position that were intermediate between the two parental species while also exhibiting greater flexibility in diet across systems.