A modified thermal convection drying technique for herbarium preservation

A simple and efficient installation for drying plants that is both rapid and preserves colour, and which works on the principle of autonomous thermal convection, is presented. The described apparatus offers significant advantages including: uniform heat distribution and short drying times; a system for applying pressure to prevent shrinkage, which uses polyurethane foam sheets and elastic straps; a compact, space-saving system suitable for field or laboratory applications; absorbent materials which can be re-used immediately; ability to run off differing power supplies (110/220 V) and to use infra-red lamps of varying specifications; low cost and ease of use.     

Differences in allozyme patterns between Diaphanosoma brachyurum and Diaphanosoma mongolianum,as revealed in Central European populations

Recent taxonomic revisions in the genus Diaphanosoma have made the uncertainty in species discrimination with morphological characters obvious. Therefore species characterization on a genetic basis seems to be required.Here we examined the genetic structure of two Diaphanosoma mongolianum populations and three Diaphanosoma brachyurum populations in Central Europe by allozyme electrophoresis. A genetic differentiation between both species was evident. 5 out of 9 tested loci carried diagnostic alleles. Both species differed in their habitat choice: D. mongolianum was adapted to higher trophic levels than D. brachyurum. Co-occurrence was observed in a eutrophic lake. Populations sampled from their preferred habitats showed high genotype diversities.Most genotype frequency distributions were in agreement with Hardy-Weinberg expectations and temporal (between years) changes in genotypic compositions were not common. This indicated annually occurring bouts of sexual reproduction, similar to intermittent Daphnia populations. Genetic differentiation among lakes suggested restricted gene flow.     

Garra tibanica ghorensis subsp.nov. (Pisces: Cyprinidae), an African element in the cyprinid fauna of the Levant

Garra tibanica ghorensis subsp. nov. is described from the southern Dead Sea Valley. In the Levant it represents the only cyprinid fish with African affinities known to date. It is suggested that G. t. ghorensis reached the area of its present distribution from the south and is not to be regarded as a relict of an earlier migration of the species to Africa via the Levant.Results of the travels of R. Kinzelbach to the countries of the Middle East, No. 18.Results of the travels of R. Kinzelbach to the countries of the Middle East, No. 18.     

Isolation of chlorophyll-protein complexes and quantification of electron transport components in Synura petersenii and Tribonema aequale

The chlorophyll-protein complexes of the yellow alga Synura petersenii (Chrysophyceae) and the yellow-green alga Tribonema aequale (Xanthophyceae) were studied. The sodiumdodecylsulfate/sodiumdesoxycholate solubilized photosynthetic membranes of these species yielded three distinct pigment-protein complexes and a non-proteinuous zone of free pigments, when subjected to SDS polyacrylamid gel electrophoresis. The slowest migrating protein was identical to complex I (CP I), the P-700 chlorophyll a-protein, which possessed 60 chlorophyll a molecules per reaction center in Tribonema and 108 in Synura. The zone of intermediate mobility contained chlorophyll a and carotenoids. The absorption spectrum of this complex was very similar to the chlorophyll a-protein of photosystem II (CP a), which is known from green plants. The fastest migrating pigment protein zone was identified as a light-harvesting chlorophyll-protein complex. In Synura this protein was characterized by the content of chlorophyll c and of fucoxanthin. Therefore this complex will be named as LH Chl a/c-fucocanthin protein. In addition to the separation of the chlorophyll-protein complexes the cellular contents of P-700, cytochrome f (bound cytochrome) and cytochrome c-553 (soluble cytochrome) were measured. The stoichiometry of cytochrome f: cytochrome c-553:P-700 was found to be 1:4:2.4 in Tribonema and 1:6:3.4 in Synurá.Abbreviations CP a chlorophyll a-protein of photosystem II - CP I P-700 chlorophyll a-protein - FP free pigment - LH Chl a/c light-harvesting chlorophyll a/c-protein - PAGE polyacrylamidgelelectrophoresis - SDS Sodiumdodecylsulfate - SDOC sodium-desoxycholate     

Correlation of carnassial tooth size and body weight in recent carnivores (mammalia)

The correlation between the lower carnassial crown area and the body weight is examined for modern carnivores. It is very high, but the ursids and felids show a relationship different from the other carnivore families. Some exceptions are discussed. The possibility of predicting body weight for fossils is given.