Ionic currents of smooth muscle cells isolated from the ctenophore Mnemiopsis

The ionic currents of smooth muscle cells isolated from the ctenophore Mnemiopsis were examined by using conventional two-electrode voltage clamp and whole-cell patch clamping methods. Several separable currents were identified. These include: (1) a transient and (2) a steady-state voltage-activated inward current; both are tetrodotoxin (TTX) and saxitoxin (STX) insensitive, partly reduced by decreasing external Ca2+ or Na+ or by addition of 5 mM Co2+, D-600 or verapamil and are totally blocked with 5 mM Cd2+; (3) an early, transient, cation-dependent, outward K+ current (IKCa/Na); (4) a transient, voltage-activated, outward K+ current provisionally identified as IA; (5) a delayed, steady-state, voltage-activated outward K+ current (IK) and (6) a late, transient, outward K+ current which is blocked by Cd2+ and evident only during long voltage pulses. Despite their phylogenic origin, most of these currents are similar to currents identified in many vertebrate smooth and cardiac muscle preparations, and other excitable cells in higher animals.     

THE POLLINATION BIOLOGY OF TILIA

An anthecological study of Tilia in the Great Plains and New England was undertaken for both native and introduced species. The floral bracts are postulated as being at least as important in pollinator attraction as they are in fruit dispersal. A characteristic sweet odor is always present, but becomes stronger at dusk. Flowers are protandrous with anthers opening for the first time late in the afternoon and releasing pollen abundantly for about 24 hr. Initial nectar production coincides with stigma receptivity which begins late in the afternoon, but on the second day a flower is open. Sixty-six species of insects in 29 families were collected. Bees and flies are the most common diurnal visitors and moths are the primary nocturnal visitors. Samples of pollen taken from the insects indicate a relatively high constancy. Experimental tests show that Tilia is not apomictic or self compatible. Anemophily plays a secondary role to entomophily in pollination. Nocturnal pollinators are slighly less effective than diurnal pollinators in effecting fruit set. Although nocturnal pollinators are favored by the syndrome of floral characteristics, it is concluded that Tilia is a generalist in regard to pollination. It is proposed that the lack of clear morphological differences between Tilia species leads to pollinator inconstancy and thus hybridization.