General relationships of mammalian orders and evolutionary development of primates inferred from best-fit α-globin phylogenies

A best-fit α-globin phylogeny was identified by means of a global minimization approach from among the topologies generated by a parsimony strategy. Zip parsimony method was used to derive a set of near-parsimonious trees. For each of these topologies, a difference matrix was computed; and the topology with the best goodness of fit with the original matrix was retained as the best tree. Based on this phylogenetic scheme inter-relationships among eutherian orders and the evolutionary development of primates has been discussed.     

Contemporary Bushman Art: The Work of the !Xun Artist Flai Shipipa

Contemporary !Xun artists of South Africa’s Northern Cape Province have produced art that has been described as nostalgic and primitive. Yet the content of these artworks highlights astute political commentary, asserting belonging and immediacy in a political milieu where historically Bushman groups have been ostracized and delegitimized. The !Xun artist Flai Shipipa has created art that is a hybrid spiritual expression with inferences to Bushman cosmology and Christianity. Through this religio-political imagery Shipipa’s canvases are a tangible cultural record of assertions of identity, authenticity, belonging, faith, ambiguity and memory.     

Phylogenetic position and revised classification of Acacia s.l. (Fabaceae: Mimosoideae) in Africa,including new combinations in Vachellia and Senegalia

Previous phylogenetic studies have indicated that Acacia Miller s.l. is polyphyletic and in need of reclassification. A proposal to conserve the name Acacia for the larger Australian contingent of the genus (formerly subgenus Phyllodineae) resulted in the retypification of the genus with the Australian A. penninervis. However, Acacia s.l. comprises at least four additional distinct clades or genera, some still requiring formal taxonomic transfer of species. These include Vachellia (formerly subgenus Acacia), Senegalia (formerly subgenus Aculeiferum), Acaciella (formerly subgenus Aculeiferum section Filicinae) and Mariosousa (formerly the A. coulteri group). In light of this fragmentation of Acacia s.l., there is a need to assess relationships of the non‐Australian taxa. A molecular phylogenetic study of Acacia s.l and close relatives occurring in Africa was conducted using sequence data from matK/trnK, trnL‐trnF and psbA‐trnH with the aim of determining the placement of the African species in the new generic system. The results reinforce the inevitability of recognizing segregate genera for Acacia s.l. and new combinations for the African species in Senegalia and Vachellia are formalized. © 2013 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2013, 172 , 500–523.     

Solasodine production by immobilized cells and suspension cultures of Solanum surattense

Summary Immobilized cells ofSolanum surattense Burm release far more solasodine into the medium than free cell suspension cultures. This enhancement is probably due to stabilization of cells after immobilization as well as the effect of growth hormones in the medium.     

Ultrastructural studies on pollen embryogenesis in maize (Zea mays L.)

Maize anthers have been induced on modified N6 medium to produce embryoids. Different stages from the cultures were sampled and prepared for microscopical examination. The microspores at the onset of culture were in an early developmental stage, with the nucleus and numerous organelles centred in the middle, surrounded by many small vacuoles with a lipid content. The binuclear pollen grains contained small vesicles and much starch. The partially condensed vegetative nucleus indicated participation of the vegetative component in the formation of multicellular pollen grains (MPGs). Several MPGs have been observed which differed in morphology. We suggest, on the basis of these ultrastructural observations, that in maize mainly the vegetative cell contributes to the MPG which further develops directly into embryoids.