Some Amino Acid-Folic Acid Interrelationships in Tetrahymena pyriformis

DL-serine, DL-methionine or DL-serine + DL-methionine in excess inhibited the growth of Tetrahymena pyriformis H. Excess serine was most inhibitory at high concentration of folic acid, whereas the effect of excess methionine or methionine + serine was most pronounced at low levels of folic acid. Inhibition due to excess serine was relieved by raising the level of methionine or by adding pyrimethamine to lower the effective folic acid level, and was intensified by adding Dl.-ethionine or by raising the level of folic acid. Similarly, inhibition due to excess methionine was relieved by supplying more serine or adding DL-ethionine (which reduced the amount of available methionine) and was intensified by adding pyrimethamine. Inhibition by excess methionine + serine was reversed by increasing threonine, provided there was ample guanine present. Low levels of guanine or the presence of 8-azaguanine prevented this reversal. Comparisons are made with the work of others.     

Extracellular Matrix Augments Mechanical Properties of Pseudopodia in the Carnivorous Foraminiferan Astrammina rara: Role in Prey Capture

The seemingly delicate, strand-like pseudopodia of Astrammina rara , a carnivorous benthic foraminiferan, adhere to and withstand the rigorous movements of meiofaunal prey. Previous electron microscopic studies identified two novel structures that might account for the unusual tensile properties of these pseudopodia: 1) an extensive, coiled microtubule cytoskeleton and 2) a fibrous extracellular matrix vesting the pseudopodial surface. In the present study, we found that pseudopodial networks microsurgically removed from A. rara's cell body captured Artemia metanauplii as efficiently as intact organisms, and therefore used them to test the role of microtubules and extracellular matrix components in augmenting pseudopodial strength. Agents that specifically disassemble micro-tubules (1 mM colchicine or 20 μM nocodazole) or generally disrupt pseudopodial integrity (heat, 10 mM formaldehyde, 1 mg/ml saponin) failed to inhibit prey capture. All of these treatments left the extracellular matrix intact as revealed by immunofluorescence and scanning electron microscopy. The elastic and tensile properties of the extracellular matrix, isolated by solubilization of pseudopodial cytonhsm using the nonionic detergent Triton X-100, were similar to those of intact pseudopodial networks when assayed with calibrated microneedles or a flexible rubber substrate. These observations indicate that A. rara uses a fibrous extracellular matrix to augment cytoplasmic tensile properties.     

Martiodrilus olivaceous and M. panamensis, new earthworms from Colombia and Panama (Oligochaeta, Glossoscolecidae)

Two large (500-700 mm) species of Martiodrilus Michaelsen, 1937 are described from central Panama and southern Colombia. Both have polystomate nephridia, some reduced head segments, and complex folded typhlosoles. The first two conditions arc known from M. crassus Rosa 1896 and Thamnodriloides yunkeri Gates 1968. The systematic importance of polystomate nephridia and segment loss cannot be resolved without further information. Segment loss is common and variable within other glossoscoleeid genera. The two species differ as follows, the characteristics of M. olivaceous given first: tubercula pubertatis in xvii-xxv vs xviii-xxiv; small blood vessels parallel to the commissures and connected to the calciferous glands in vii-ix vs lacking these vessels; dorsal trunk ending in v vs ending in vii; intestinal nephridia with 40-50 nephrostomes vs 20-30; peptonephridia all stomate vs peptonephridia astomate in iv-vii; genital setae with 11 gouges in each of three rows, gouges ending 75 microns from tip vs 9 or 10 gouges per row, ending 200 microns from tip; spermathecae 1-4 pairs per segment each with its own duct vs 2 pairs per segment, the two of a side sharing a common duct.     

Molecular genetics and speciation in Elliptio and its relationships to other taxa of North American Unionidae (Bivalvia)

The genetic relationships among 30 populations of 11 species and five genera of North American Unionidae were assessed by using standard allozyme procedures. Emphasis was on relationships among populations and species of Elliptio and Fusconaia. Multi-dimensional scaling based on a matrix of Nei's (1972) genetic distances substantiated the immunoelectrophoretic results of Davis&Fuller 1981, which demonstrated the distinct and divergent taxonomic groups Anodontinae, Margaritiferinae, and Ambleminae, plus die close relationship of Elliptio and Fusconaia , which justifies their inclusion within the same tribe. Genetic distance appears to increase regularly with time since divergence of taxa. The E. complanata species group is an apparently recent radiation and probably is actively radiating today. The I values among species of this group range from 0.90 to 0.99. Considerable heterozygosity, numerous polymorphic loci, and much interpopuladon phenotypic diversity was also recorded for this group. Some taxa mat have been considered synonyms are demonstrated to be valid species. Reasons for the low genetic distances among unionid taxa are discussed. Standard allozyme analyses are shown to be of great value for assessing relationships among unionid taxa.     

Tests for adaptive RAPD variation in population genetic structure of wild barley, Hordeum spontaneum Koch.

We examined the adaptive importance of RAPD variation in the population genetic structure of wild barley, Hordeu m spontaneum. The test involved (1) a nested sampling design with four population groups representing four distinct environments; and (2) a comparison of observed variation with that expected as a result of natural selection. Analyses of selection on fitness-related traits by reciprocal introductions served as guidelines for the expected pattern of RAPD variation. We found no concordance between the observed pattern of population genetic structure and that expected under the null hypothesis of environment-specific natural selection. There was no relationship between genetic distance and environmental similarity; none of 54 putative loci exhibited an allele distribution in accordance with that expected and no favoured epistatic allele combinations were detected across the four environments. The fact that environmentally induced adaptation, detected by fitness-related traits, was not reflected in inter-population RAPD structure (1) strongly enhances the neutralist viewpoint and (2) casts doubt on the notion that significant correlations between some environmental parameters and allele frequencies in one or more loci are evidence of selection on the latter.     

ROOTING PHYLOGENIES OF PROBLEMATIC FOSSIL TAXA; A CASE STUDY USING CINCTANS (STEM-GROUP ECHINODERMS)

Abstract:  Extinct clades whose higher-level relationships are problematic or disputed pose a particular problem for phylogenetic analysis because of the difficulty of establishing a convincing root. Cinctans are a problematic group of primitive preradiate echinoderms whose morphology is so distinct that few characters can be usefully homologized with any other group. Here we use a two stage approach, first constructing an unrooted network using the totality of phylogenetically informative characters in which individual plates are homologized, and then determining the root position with a much smaller set of recast characters that can be polarized by outgroup and/or ontogenetic criteria. Furthermore, when rooting is based on stratigraphic criteria the same two major derived clades are identified, although basal relationships are somewhat different. We contend that the congruence of results obtained using our various approaches provides confidence that we have correctly rooted the cladogram. A revised taxonomy for Cincta is presented.     

No inhibitory effect on receptor neurone activity by sulphur analogues of the sex pheromone component (Z)-5-decenyl acetate in the turnip moth, Agrofis segetum (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Abstract. Olfactory responses from the entire antenna and from single antennal sensilla of the male turnip moth, Agrotis segetum (Lepidoptea: Noctuidae Schiff.), were recorded after stimulation of the antenna with the sex pheromone component, (Z)-5-decenyl acetate (Z5-10:OAc), and three sulphur analogues of this compound. Adaptation of olfactory receptor neurones tuned to Z5-10:OAc was investigated after pre-exposure of these receptor neurones to the key stimulus and to the three sulphur analogues. Both electro-antennographic and single sensillum recordings revealed that the sulphur analogues had a significantly decreased effect compared to the natural stimulus. The pre-exposure experiments demonstrated that no further inhibition of neural activity was observed than could be expected from receptor neurone adaptation. Earlier reports, describing sulphur analogues as possible hyperagonists acting on moth pheromone receptor neurones, are not supported by the present study.     

Nine new species of Dichogaster (Oligochaeta, Megascolecidae) from Guadeloupe (French West Indies)

Nine species belonging to two distinct groups within the genus Dichogaster Beddard, 1888 are described from material collected on the volcanic section of the island of Guadeloupe. The species Dichogaster arborea, D. caesitifusca, D. callaina, D. girija and D. basseterrensis all inhabit the leaf tanks of bromeliads and share the following anatomical characteristics: spermathecal pores on the trailing edges of segments, spermathecal axis differentiated into ampulla, internally fluted central chamber and duct, penial setae long and slender, testes and funnels free, prostomium undivided or divided by two grooves, simple single typhlosole and a pair of dorsal caeca on the mid-intestine. Dichogaster athena also inhabits bromeliads, but lacks the above characteristics and male reproductive organs, and is more similar to the remaining species. The three remaining species, D. guadeloupensis, D. matoubensis and D. musciphila , with lateral typhlosoles, no intestinal caeca, simpler spermathecal structure, prostomiums divided by a single groove and short penial setae, all inhabit soils of montane forests. The division of Dichogaster based on muscularity of the proventriculus wall is shown to be unsupportable, since thickness of the wall is size-related.     

Invasive Activity of Allogromia Pseudopodial Networks: Skyllocytosis of a Gelatin/Agar Gel1

Time-lapse phase-contrast videomicroscopy revealed that the psudopodial network of two allogromiid foraminiferense display an invasive behaviour, previously undescribed, which I term Skyllocytosis (Greek: skylo—to rend, tear, pluck). When these networks encounter an interface between a gelatin/agar overlay and a glass substratum, portions of the overlay are penetrated and partly surrounded by reticulopodia. By the coordinated activity and contraction of these reticulopodia, small segments of the overlay are ripped away. Manageable portions of the overlay are subsequently transported towords the cell body. In carnivorous foraminifera skyllocytosis may account for the removal of soft, autolysed tissues from dead invertebrate prey.