DasFestuca vivipara-Problem in den Alpen

The differences betweenFestuca vivipara (tetraploid) andF. ovina subsp.supina (diploid), two often confused taxa, are demonstrated in regard to morphology, leaf anatomy, ecology and distribution. New maps illustrate the distribution ofF. vivipara in the Alps and the Northern Hemisphere. The development of different polyploidy levels withinF. vivipara as a consequence of occasional sexual processes is discussed. (English Summary on p. 39.)

     

Predation as the primary selective force in recurrent evolution of gigantism in Poecilozonites land snails in Quaternary Bermuda

During the last half million years, pulses of gigantism in the anagenetic lineage of land snails of the subgenus Poecilozonites on Bermuda were correlated with glacial periods when lower sea level resulted in an island nearly an order of magnitude larger than at present. During those periods, the island was colonized by large vertebrate predators that created selection pressure for large size and rapid growth in the snails. Extreme reduction in land area from rising seas, along with changes in ecological conditions at the onset of interglacial episodes, marked extinction events for large predators, after which snails reverted to much smaller size. The giant snails were identical in morphology during the last two glacials when the predators included a large flightless rail Rallus recessus (marine isotope stages (MIS) 4-2) and a crane Grus latipes and a duck Anas pachysceles (MIS 6). In a preceding glacial period (MIS 10), when the fauna also included the tortoise Hesperotestudo bermudae, the snails were not only large, but the shells were much thicker, presumably to prevent crushing by tortoises. Evolution of Poecilozonites provides an outstanding example of dramatic morphological change in response to environmental pressures in the absence of cladogenesis.     

Chorologische phänomene in Wasserpflanzengesellschaften Mitteleuropas

On the basis of three selected examples chorological phenomena in waterplant communities of central, east and southern Europe are represented. Species of the Atlantic-oceanic floral element of the order Juncetalia bulbosi, like Pilularia globulifera, Eleocharis multicaulis and Deschampsia setacea are growing in markedly secondary sites near their eastern border, i.e. in the Lusatian district of central Europe, especially in sand, gravel and clay pits as well as in residue lakes of opencast mines. As a result of intensive recent human activities numerous new sites are being established now causing an expansion of their distribution area. With decreasing oceanity from the central part to the eastern border of the area a change in the floristic-sociological structure of the relevant plant communities and in the hydrochemical composition of the respective water bodies takes place. In western Europe the species grow in soft water poor in minerals, in the eastern part (central Europe) in mineral-rich, hard water with calcium and sulphate.At present Ceratophyllum submersum has a high frequency in the northeastern area in Mecklenburg. The sites are morainic lakes (kettle holes) and small waters and ponds near settlements, which are enriched in minerals and nitrales in consequence of the intensive agricultural use of inorganic fertilizers. Moreover the waters are alkaline and rich in minerals, especially bicarbonate and possess a high range of total hardness. The example of eight different sites of Aldrovanda vesiculosa illustrates a striking change of its diagnostic value in its disjunct north-south distribution. In the northern part of central Europe Aldrovanda is found in the communities of the Utricularietea intermedio-minoris, both in waters with a low acidity rich in sulphate and in alkaline waters rich in bicarbonate (Sphagno-Utricularion and Scorpidio-Utricularion respectively). In southern central Europe and in southeastern Europe Aldrovanda occurs in Lemnetea and Potametea communities. In northeastern Poland Aldrovanda is found together with Hydrilla verticillata, Chara mentosa, Myriophyllum verticillatum and Scorpidium scorpioides.

Die Sippennomenklatur richtet sich nach Rothmaler et al. (1970).     

On Some Nuisance Parameter Free Uniformly Most Powerful Tests

TAKEUCHI (1969) provides a uniformly most powerful (UMP) one side test for testing the location parameter of the two parameters exponential model when the scale parameter is unknown. The power of his similar size α test depends, however, on the unknown scale parameter. In this case and in more general situations when there exists a sufficient statistic for the nuisance parameter, the theory of generalized THOMPSON's distributions, more specifically, the Thompsonization of a test statistic, LAURENT (1959, 1972) provides a UMP test whose power does not depend on the nuisance parameter. Examples of application of the general nuisance parameter free test procedure include here the truncated exponential, the inverse Gaussian, and the geometric distributions.     

Patch area, population density and the scaling of migration rates: the resource concentration hypothesis revisited

Empirical research has for a long time observed that animal densities may both increase and decrease with patch size, and these variable responses have been difficult to explain using the current theoretical framework. The most influential hypothesis, the resource concentration hypothesis, predicts only positive density–area relations, as a consequence of different emigration and immigration rates in small and large patches, and empirical deviations have inspired a flurry of alternative explanations. In this paper, we use realistic rules for the relationship between patch size and migration rates and show a wider predictive range for density–area relations than previously believed. Comparisons with published data suggest that observed density–area relations may easily fit in a framework based on a minimum set of behavioural and population processes. This does not imply that other mechanisms are unimportant, but merely that their quantitative importance can only be evaluated relative to patch geometry and local growth.     

Microrépartition des populations de truite commune (Salmo trutta L.) de juvenile de saumon atlantique (Salmo salar L.) et des autres espès préntes dans la partie haute du Scorff (Bretagne)

Resume Une étude de la microrártition de la population de truite commune (Salmo trutta L.) et du juvénile de Saumon atlantique (Salmo salar L.) associée aux autres espès préntes est effectuée en fin d'été dans la partie amont du Scorff (distance source-estuaire 65 km).La population de saumon est composée uniquement d'individus d'âge 0⁺ alors que les truites ont entre 0⁺ et 3⁺ ans avec une majorité pour la classe d'âge des 1⁺ an. La densité de saumon augmente avec la vitesse de courant (r = 0,99) et la taille de la granulométrie du substrat. Un habitat trés favorable à l'espèce se caractérise par une faible profondeur (> 23 cm), une vitesse de courant élevée (61 cm/ s) et un substrat caillouteux. 75,4% de la population est recensée en plein courant.L'effet rive, est particulièrement important pour la truite quelque soit son âge (80,1%). L'absence de la truite 0⁺ du faciés à courant élevé et sa localisation près des berges dans les zones courantes (41 cm/ s) peu profondes entraînent une ségrégation spatiale avec le saumon de même âge. La truite d'au moins un an est présente dans des milieux plus profonds (27 cm) à vitesse de courant nulle à moyenne (< 28 cm/ s). L'effet rive est renforcée par la présence de nombreux courants en berge.Parmi les espéces d'accompagnement, le chabot a la distribution la plus large. La loche et la lamproie de Planer sont les espéces les plus abondantes et ont des densités très élevées dans des secteurs caractéristiques.L'ensemble de ces résultats est discuté en liaison avec les premières observations concernant la distribution de ces espèces sur le cours principal du Scorff.

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We describe the microdistribution of populations of Brown Trout (Salmo trutta L.) and of juvenile atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar L.) in the upstream part of the Scorff river (Brittany) at the end of summer.The Salmon population was composed of one age classe (0⁺) only while Trout age varied from 0⁺ to 3⁺ years, with a majority in age class 1⁺. Salmon density increased with current velocity (r = 0.99) and the nature of the substratum. A very favorable habitat for this species was characterized by reduced depth (< 23 cm), a high current velocity (61 cm s ¹) and a stony substrate. The largest part of the population (74%) was localized in the centre of the running open water.A bank effect was particularly important for brown trout, irrespective of age (80.1%). The trout 0⁺ is absent from shallow rifles and its presence in the few deep running water areas (41 cm s^–1) along the banks involved a spatial segregation with salmon 0⁺. The trout of one year and older were localized in deeper habitats (27 cm) with zero to medium current velocity (< 28 cm s^–1). The bank effect was intensified by the presence of many overhangs along the bank.Among the secondary species, sculpin had the widest distribution, but Stone-loach and brook lamprey were the most abundant species and reached high densities in characteristic areas.

     

Deanol Affects Choline Metabolism in Peripheral Tissues of Mice

Abstract: The enzymatic hydrolysis of UDP-galactose in rat and calf brain was studied. The hydrolysis occurs in two steps: The first is the conversion of UDP-galactose to galactose-1-phosphate catalyzed by nucleotide pyrophosphatase (EC 3.6.1.9), and the second is the conversion of the latter to free galactose by alkaline phosphatase (EC 3.1.3.1). The overall conversion has a pH optimum of 9.0, but there is considerable activity at pH 7.4, which is the optimum for UDP-galactose:ceramide galactosyltransferase in the synthesis of cerebrosides. Preparations from cytosol from calf brain cerebellum or stem that were enriched in UDP-galactose hydrolytic activity inhibit cerebroside synthesis under conditions optimal for the synthesis. Microsome-rich and nuclear debris fractions contain the highest apparent specific activity among the subcellular fractions studied. Hydrolysis of UDP-galactose occurs in all areas of brain, brainstem having the highest activity. The apparent specific activity in jimpy mouse brain homogenate is nearly twice as high as in the control brain homogenate.