Contribution to the karyological knowledge of Echinops (Asteraceae, Cardueae) and related genera

Twenty-six chromosome counts were made of several genera of the tribe Cardueae from various European and Asian provenances: Acantholepis (one species studied), Amphoricarpus (1), Chardinia (1), Echinops (14 species, 15 populations), Siebera (1), Staehelina (3) and Xeranthemum (4). Eleven of the reports are made for the first time, ten confirm previous counts, while the remainder report disparities with earlier records. The existence of different basic chromosome numbers and ploidy levels suggests dysploidy and polyploidy as the main mechanisms of chromosomal evolution in the taxa considered.  © 2004 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2004, 145 , 337−344.     

Development of simple sequence repeat markers for Botryosphaeria spp. with Fusicoccum anamorphs

We report the development of eight sets of microsatellite markers for the ascomycete fungus and tree pathogen, Botryosphaeria parva. The primers were identified after cloning and sequencing of fragments amplified using simple sequence repeat (SSR) primers. Genome walking was used to determine unknown sequences on either side of new SSRs. The primers were tested and proved useful in nine other Botryosphaeria species that all have Fusicoccum anamorphs, similar to B. parva.     

THE ETHICS OF SHAM SURGERY IN PARKINSON'S DISEASE: BACK TO THE FUTURE?

Despite intense academic debate in the recent past over the use of ‘sham surgery’ control groups in research, there has been a recent resurgence in their use in the field of neurodegenerative disease. Yet the primacy of ethical arguments in favour of sham surgery controls is not yet established. Preliminary empirical research shows an asymmetry between the views of neurosurgical researchers and patients on the subject, while different ethical guidelines and regulations support conflicting interpretations. Research ethics committees faced with a proposal involving sham surgery should be aware of its ethical complexities. An overview of recent and current placebo‐controlled surgical trials in the field of Parkinson's Disease is provided here, followed by an analysis of the key ethical issues which such trials raise.     

A review of the genus Semele (Ruscaceae) systematics in Madeira

The present study attempts to review the systematics of Semele (Ruscaceae) in Madeira, based on phenotypic diversity. The variation in some vegetative (climbing shoot, second-order branches or 'phylloclades') and sexual (inflorescence and flowers) characters was analysed in 115 plant specimens from 30 field populations, herbaria of the Costa collection and Madeira Botanical Garden (MADJ) and certain gardens. Thirty-one quantitative and qualitative characters have been utilized in the analysis. Kaiser–Meyer–Olkin (KMO) analysis indicates adequate sampling. Principal component analysis (PCA) reveals that the spatial distribution of individuals has a discontinuous behaviour. Principal coordinate analysis (PCO) utilizing the Gower coefficient on standardized data revealed a significantly discontinuous distribution of individuals, such that two different clusters can be defined. The Student's t -test and Tukey test on separate characters, when individuals were classified according to the Costa classification, confirms the significant differences between grouping accessions. This leads to the recognition of two species within the genus in Madeira. Literature and herbarium studies show that these two taxa are conspecific with Semele androgyna (L.) Kunth sensu stricto (s.s.) and Semele menezesi Costa sensu lato (s.l.) . A separated statistical analysis of the S. androgyna cluster shows the possible existence of additional subgroups. Based on field population distribution, ecological behaviour and variation in features, we propose the recognition of two species, S. androgyna (L.) Kunth and S. menezesi (Costa) Pinheiro de Carvalho, and two subspecies S. androgyna (L.) Kunth androgyna Pinheiro de Carvalho and S. androgyna (L.) Kunth pterygophora Pinheiro de Carvalho.  © 2004 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2004, 146 , 483–497.     

CONSULTANT'S CORNER PROPOSING THE INTERNATIONAL SENSORY JUDGES DAY

A panel of trained sensory judges is a sensitive and valuable instrument. and a lot of time and work is invested in their selection and training. The importance of internal motivation and external stimulation to maintain the interest and wellbeing of these human instruments is supported by major food scientists and behavioral psychologists. Current stimulation procedures for sensory judges are listed. A new procedure is proposed, consisting of an annual celebration party on November 20 in recognition of sensory judges. Advantages of holding this day on an international level are discussed: mainly, promotion of fellowship among sensory judges from different groups and countries, and also its help in increasing cooperation in sensory evaluation. Actions to promote International Sensory Judges Day are listed. Suggestions for the actual celebration party are put forward: an open house luncheon, presentation of awards, greeting cards and letters from other sensory panels; and last but not least, a set of proven “sensory” games where everyone joins in.     

Cytogenetics of species of Chamaecrista (Leguminosae – Caesalpinioideae) native to southern Brazil

Chromosome numbers, karyotypes, meiotic behaviour and pollen analysis are presented for species of Chamaecrista Moench (Leguminosae, Caesalpinioideae, Cassieae ) native to southern Brazil: C. nictitans ssp. patellaria , C. nictitans ssp. disadena , C. repens , C. rotundifolia , C. flexuosa , C. vestita and C. desvauxii . Meiotic behaviour is reported for the first time for all the taxa and was very regular; only bivalents were formed at diakinesis and metaphase I, chromosome disjunction and segregation were regular at anaphases I and II, meiotic indexes were over 99% and pollen fertility was over 92%. Pollen grains were subprolate in C. flexuosa and C. vestita and prolate–spheroidal in the other taxa. Karyotypes were symmetrical in all six species and the data are original, except for C. nictitans ssp. p atellaria. Chromosome number is presented for the first time for C. repens (2 n  = 16) and has been confirmed for the other taxa: 2 n  = 14 for C. desvauxii , 2 n  = 32 for the tetraploid C. nictitans ssp. patellaria and C. nictitans ssp. disadena , and 2 n  = 16 for the other species. These two basic numbers found in the genus, x  = 7 and x  = 8, point to chromosome evolution by dysploidy, which has also been accompanied by polyploidy.  © 2006 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2006, 150 , 429–439.     

Does interference competition explain why White Terns of Aride Island,Seychelles, breed predominantly when marine productivity is lower?

White Terns Gygis alba breed throughout the year on Aride Island but show a marked preference to nest during the northwest monsoon (November–March), when interspecific competition and also marine productivity are considered to be lower. In this study we investigated and compared breeding and foraging parameters of White Terns between the northwest and southeast (May–September) monsoons to assess whether interspecific competition affected foraging activity and explained the timing of breeding of White Terns. Goatfish (Mullidae) dominated the diet of White Terns and no significant differences were found in diet composition between the northwest and southeast monsoons. Similar diets and patterns of food provisioning of White Terns between the two monsoons do not support the hypothesis of strong exploitation competition during the southeast monsoon. On the other hand, foraging behaviour and frequency of capture attempts of White Terns differed between the two monsoons. The percentages of multi‐species flocks with White Terns and of large flocks with more than 25 noddies Anous and terns Onychoprion were significantly higher during the southeast monsoon. Moreover, capture attempt frequencies of White Terns foraging in multi‐species flocks were lower than those of solitary individuals, and both solitary and flocking White Terns had significantly lower capture attempt frequencies during the southeast monsoon in comparison with the northwest monsoon. These results suggest that interference competition depresses foraging activity of flock‐foraging White Terns, particularly during the southeast monsoon, which could potentially explain why White Terns breed preferentially during the northwest monsoon. However, and despite avoiding interference competition, White Terns nesting during the northwest monsoon did not show higher breeding success than those nesting during the southeast monsoon. Other hypotheses that might explain the preference of White Terns for breeding during the northwest monsoon, such as avoidance of agonistic interactions with Lesser Noddies Anous tenuirostris at nest sites, should also be investigated.     

Influence of contrasting availabilities of water and nutrients on the radiation use efficiency in C3 and C4 grasses

The radiation use efficiency (RUE) model is one of the most used tools to generate large spatial and temporal scale net primary productivity (NPP) estimations by remote sensing. It involves two key issues to make accurate estimations of NPP: the estimation of the fraction of photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) intercepted by vegetation (fPAR) and the estimation of the plant RUE. The objectives of this work were to quantify the above‐ground RUE under optimal water and nutrient conditions in two C₃ and one C₄ grass species and to analyse the effect of restrictions in these factors upon RUE by comparing both metabolic pathways. Grasses were cultivated from seeds and four treatments combining contrasting availabilities of water and nutrients were applied. RUE values were calculated from measurements of the incoming PAR, fPAR and productivity. In each of the species, plants with sufficient water and nutrients showed the highest RUE (2.61–3.52 g MJ^?1), whereas those with deficiencies in both resources presented the lowest RUE (1.15–2.39 g MJ^?1). Cynodon dactylon (C₄) was the species with higher value of RUE and no significant differences were detected between treatments. However, no significant differences were detected between C. dactylon and D. glomerata under no stress treatment (N1W1) and between C. dactylon and L. perenne under water stress treatment (N1W0). RUE values of Dactylis glomerata (C₃) diminished if only one of the two stress factors was presented, while Lolium perenne (C₃) only when both stress factors were present. The decreases under stress treatments were between 35% and 60% compared with the no stress treatment. When regional NPP is estimated it is therefore important to take into account the decrease in the RUE, especially in areas under severe stress.