小泡巨鼠对森林种子选择和贮藏的观察

小泡巨鼠是四川省都江堰林区一种占优势的鼠种,取食多种林木种子和果实,可能影响这些树种的更新。于2001年秋季,调查了小泡巨鼠对栓皮栎、袍树、栲树、石栎、青冈和油茶等6种重要林木种子的选择和贮藏,并初步探讨了其对森林更新的影响。结果表明,小泡巨鼠对上述6种林木种子有很强的选择性,种子的营养价值和单宁含量是影响其选择和贮藏的主要因素。小泡巨鼠喜好取食和贮藏单宁含量较低的栲树、油茶和石栎种子,而不喜好取食和贮藏单宁含量较高的袍树、青冈和栓皮栎种子。小泡巨鼠在围栏内分散贮藏了部分种子(特别是石栎和油茶种子),且绝大部分贮藏点仅有1粒种子。小泡巨鼠对种子的选择和贮藏可能对有关林木的更新产生积极影响。     

青阳参种子的萌发

青阳参（Cynanchum otophyllum）种子在11月成熟时有休眠习性。收获后将其种子种植在自然温室内,到第二年的春天种子才会萌发,且大多数种子在3月28至4月4日间萌发,这期间的日平均最高和最低温度分别为19．0℃和9．9℃。层积能有效地打破青阳参种子的休眠,休眠种子通过大约1周的层积便能萌发。种子在有光的条件下层积1周后转移到25／15℃的黑暗条件下萌发率可达到75．4％。青阳参种子不论在有光的条件下还是在黑暗环境中层积2～3周后转入30／20和25／15℃进行变温处理,其萌发率最低能达到66．4％,而转入20／10℃变温处理其萌发率最多只能达到20．1％,但若层积6周,即便在20／10℃变温处理的情况下其萌发率也可以达到65．3％以上。     

Characterization of glycolytic initial metabolites and enzyme activities in developing sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) seeds

Unlike other oilseeds (e.g. Arabidopsis), developing sunflower seeds do not accumulate a lot of starch and they rely on the sucrose that comes from the mother plant to synthesise lipid precursors. Between 10 and 25 days after flowering (DAF), when sunflower seeds form and complete the main period of storage lipid synthesis, the sucrose content of seeds is relatively constant. By contrast, the glucose and fructose content falls from day 20 after flowering and it is always lower than that of sucrose, with glucose being the minor sugar at the end of the seed formation. By studying the apparent kinetic parameters and the activity of glycolytic enzymes in vitro, it is evident that all the components of the glycolytic pathway are present in the crude seed extract. However, in isolated plastids important enzymatic activities are missing, such as the glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, involved in the conversion of glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate into 1,3-biphospho-glycerate, or the enolase that converts 2-phosphoglycerate into phosphoenolpyruvate. Hence, phosphoenolpyruvate or one of its derivatives, like pyruvate and malate from the cytosol, may be the primary carbon sources for lipid biosynthesis. Accordingly, the glucose-6-P imported into the plastid is likely to be used in the pentose phosphate pathway to produce the reducing power for lipid biosynthesis in the form of NADPH. Data from crude seed extracts indicate that enolase activity increased during seed formation, from 16 days after flowering, and that this activity was well correlated with the period of storage lipid synthesis. In addition, while the presence of some glycolytic enzymes increased during lipid synthesis, others decreased, remained constant, or displayed irregular temporal behaviour.     

Luxury food and ornamental plants at the 15th century a.d. Renaissance court of the Este family (Ferrara, northern Italy)

This paper reports the archaeobotanical data from the so-called Vasca Ducale (Ducal Pit), a brick rubbish pit discovered in the basal floor of the ducal palace of Ferrara, Emilia-Romagna, northern Italy. It was in use during the second half of the 15th century a.d. when the rich and powerful Este family inhabited the palace. Therefore, the results help to investigate the eating customs of a Renaissance court. The pit fill largely consisted of zoological remains, especially small bones and shellfish, with mainly waterlogged plant remains and some artefacts. Though the seed/fruit concentration was not high, a long list of taxa was identified of which the largest part belonged to food and ornamental plants. The data suggest that the pit was used for the disposal of dining waste and floor sweepings. The archaeobotanical data are compared with those obtained from other medieval sites in the city, and with two Renaissance sources of documentary evidence, the frescos in the Salone dei Mesi (Room of the months) in Ferrara’s Palazzo Schifanoia, and the cookbook by Cristoforo da Messisbugo, chef at the Este court. The archaeobotanical record of the Vasca Ducale (Ducal Pit) proved to be quite different from the other sites in Ferrara, especially because of the presence of luxury or exotic foods such as, for example, Punica granatum, Prunus armeniaca and Coriandrum sativum.     

The anatomical and micromorphological properties of three endemic and medicinal Salvia species (Lamiaceae) in Erzincan (Turkey)

In this study, we comparatively investigated three endemic Salvia species spreading in Erzincan (Turkey) in terms of anatomy and micromorphology. For anatomical investigation, cross sections taken from stems and leaves of the species were examined under light microscope. For micromorphological investigation, epidermal surface and nutlet structure were examined using scanning electron microscopy. The S. euphratica and S. divaricata species were examined anatomically and micromorphologically for the first time, and S. hypargea was examined micromorphologically for the first time. In anatomical examinations, it was seen that stem and leaf structures of the species were similar. In micromorphological analyses, it has been seen that hairiness of the nutlet surface and nutlet ornamentations (verrucate and rugose type) created a difference between the species.     

Seed and gland morphology in Euphorbia (Euphorbiaceae) with focus on their systematic and phylogenetic importance, a case study in Iranian highlands

A comprehensive study based on gland and seed micromorphology in Euphorbia (Euphorbiaceae) for species distributed in Iranian highlands is presented. A total of 86 species were studied. The gland structure was examined by direct field observations. Taxonomically important characters of glands were observed and measured: size, texture, shape, color, and horns. For species out of Iran herbarium materials were studied. Seed characteristics were examined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) as well as dissecting light microscopy. Significant features are: seed size, seed shape, presence of caruncle, shape of caruncle, and seed surface ornamentation. A phylogenetic study using Maximum Parsimony (MP) and Bayesian Inference (BI) was performed based on sequences of nuclear DNA internal transcribed spacers (ITS) for selected species representing the main clades known in Euphorbia and with special focus on the species distributed in Iranian highlands. ITS sequences for 20 accessions representing 19 species are provided for the first time, and 48 accessions of 47 species were used from GenBank. The topologies of both analyses were congruent. The results indicate: (1) four main clades with high supports in subgen. Esula which are appropriate to be recognized at sectional rank. (2) E. larica is nested within clade A including few members of subgen. Rhizanthium and is closely related to sect. Balsamis, which is suggested here to be transferred from subgen. Esula into subgen. Rhizanthium. (3) E. osyridea of the monotypic subsect. Osyrideae is closely related to E. buhsei and to the members of sect. Esula. Tracing morphological characters on the phylogenetic tree shows that several morphological characters, such as seed ornamentation applied in previous subgeneric classification of the subgen. Esula, are homoplasious, but the gland structure and capsule surface characters are more reliable for classification purposes.     

Systematic significance of tepal surface morphology in tribes Persicarieae and Polygoneae (Polygonaceae)

In order to improve understanding of the systematic relationships between taxa and of tepal-pollinator and tepal-habitat relationships, a detailed scanning electron microscopy (SEW study of the adaxial tepal surface of 135 taxa belonging to c. 14 genera in the tribes Persicarieae and Polygoneae (Polygonoideae-Polygonaceae) was carried out. The tepal surfaces have revealed some striking differences among the genera studied. Three main patterns of sculpturing and cell shape can be recognized. Type I: mostly rectangular to elongate cells with straight or undulating anticlinal walls; the cuticles smooth or striate in longitudinal direction and often continuous (Persicaria, Bistortu, Aconogonon, Koenigia and some species of Fagopyrum). Type II: irregular tesselated to elongated cells, rarely rectangular with mostly sinuate anticlinal walls; the cuticles rarely with longitudinal striation, but with strong orthogonal to reticulate ridges or striae, often without correlation between cells (Polygonum s.s., Polygonella, Fallopia, Parapteropyrum, Pteropyrum, Atraphaxis and Calligonum). Type III: mostly irregular, mammilliform, papillose cells with either longitudinal tightly pressed or randomly ridged cuticles (some species of Fagotyrum and Oxygonum). The present data generally support the division of Polygoneae and Persicarieae by Ronse Decraene & Akeroyd. The mammilliform, papillate epidermis of tepals in Oxygonum and some Fagopyrum is probably well-adapted to entomophily either as a foothold or even as a light-trap, and also shows some correlation with heterostyly. It is noteworthy that the tepal structure of Polygonella (tesselated form) is highly similar to that of Polygonum s. s. (especially P. sect. Duravia). Cuticular striation alone does not appear to have much systematic value, but has a mechanical function in affording extra strength to the cell walls. Some correlations between the degree/shape of cuticles and the pollination mechanisms or the habitat of each taxon are also briefly discussed. It is concluded that the studied tepal characters can be useful in improving the classification of tribes Persicarieae and Polygoneae, arid give additional support at the infrageneric level.     

Distribution of low molecular weight carbohydrates in the subgenusCeratotropis of the genusVigna (Leguminosae)

The seeds of 9 members of the subgenusCeratotropis (Piper) Verdc., namelyVigna aconitifolia (Jacq.) Maréchal,V. angularis (Willd.) Ohwi et Ohashi,V. minima (Roxb.) Ohwi et Ohashi,V. nakashimae (Ohwi) Ohwi et Ohashi,V. reflexo-pilosa Hayata,V. umbellata (Thumb.) Ohwi et Ohashi,V. mungo (L.) Hepper,V. radiata (L.) Wilczek andV. sp., have been examined. On their low molecular weight carbohydrate compositions, this subgenus has been divided into 2 subgroups, mungo-radiata group and angularis group. Four other species referred to the subgeneraPlectotropis (Schumach.) Bak.,Lasiospron (Benth. emend Piper) Maréchal, Mascherpa et Stainier andVigna, V. vexillata (L.) A. Rich.,V. lasiocarpa (Benth.) Verdc.,V. marina (Burm.) Merr. andV. unguiculata (L.) Walp., were also analyzed and they had distinctive carbohydrate compositions. 1d-4-O-methyl-myo-inositol and 1d-5-O-(α-d-galactopyranosyl)-4-O-methyl-myo-inositol were detected in all species examined exceptV. vexillata, V. mungo andV. radiata.     

Functional anatomy reveals secretory activity in papillose anthers of a buzz‐pollinated Solanum species (Cyphomandra clade – Solanaceae)

• Pollination in Solanum (Solanaceae) species is commonly performed by female bees, which vibrate anthers to extract pollen. Another pollen removal type is by male euglossine bees, milking the anthers when searching for floral scents produced by secretory tissues (osmophorous) at the swollen connective of the anthers of species in the Cyphomandra clade. Some species of this clade, however, are buzz‐pollinated and present papillate anthers that should also have secretory activity, a hypothesis here tested.
• The anthers of Solanum luridifuscescens were fixed at different stages of development and analysed under light microscopy, SEM and TEM. Histochemical tests for the detection of starch and lipids were done.
• Epidermal cells of the abaxial surface of the anthers were visibly papillose, had large nuclei and dense cytoplasm rich in organelles such as mitochondria and plastids, typical features of secretory tissues. In this site, lipid droplets were detected, concomitantly with starch consumption, compatible with the secretory process in osmophores. No exudate or accumulation of substances was seen on the surface; in agreement with a previous pollination study performed in field conditions, where no pollinators were observed collecting floral scents, only pollen. The histochemical and structural analyses have evidenced the lipidic composition of the secretion, strongly pointing to terpenes as the secreted compounds.
• Ours findings show that papillae of the anthers have secretory activities that produce lipophilic compounds. This does not result in resources for bees, but could be an evolutionary step to the development of more specialised anthers in the Cyphomandra clade.