Control of hypocotyl phototropism by phytochrome in a dicotyledonous seedling (Sesamum indicum L.)

Abstract The phototropic response in stems of higher plants is brought about by blue/UV light. The problem studied here is to what extent long-wavelength light, which is absorbed by phytochrome, affects the phototropic response. A refined measurement of phototropism — a curvature index — was applied to the hypocotyl of the sesame seedling (Sesamum indicum L.). The time course of the phototropic response was followed in continuous unilateral weak blue light (B, 460 nm, 8 mW m^?2). Long term red light (R) pretreatments, operating through phytochrome, strongly increase the rate and extent of the phototropic response once it is elicited by unilateral B, while the pretreatments decrease the sensitivity towards B. If a R pulse is given immediately prior to the onset of unilateral B, the rate of the response is strongly reduced compared to the time course of curvature observed when the pretreatment was terminated with a long wavelength far-red light (FR) pulse. R and FR were then applied simultaneously with unilateral B to manipulate the status of the phytochrome system during actual curvature. It was found that a low Pfr/P ratio (established by FR) stimulates the phototropic response far above the control (B alone), while a high Pfr/P ratio (established by R) reduces the response below the control. During bending a positive effect of phytochrome on the rate and extent of the phototropic response, which is saturated at a low level of Pfr, appears to be counteracted by an inhibitory effect which dominates at higher levels of Pfr, such as established by omnilateral R. However, if R is applied unilaterally from the same direction as B, R increases the rate of curvature. Apparently the sesame seedling is capable of detecting the direction of R relative to the direction of B. While a mechanistic explanation of these effects cannot be advanced at present, it is clear that the seedling is capable of super-imposing information about the actual light conditions during bending on a ‘memory’ of the light conditions prior to the onset of bending. Thus, the previous as well as the actual light conditions determine its phototropic responsiveness.     

FOSSIL DIAGENESIS IN THE BURGESS SHALE

Abstract:  Current models for the exceptional preservation of Burgess Shale fossils have focused on either the HF-extractable carbonaceous compressions or the mineral films identified by elemental mapping. BSEM, EDX and microprobe analysis of two-dimensionally preserved Marpolia , Wiwaxia and Burgessia identifies the presence of both carbonaceous and aluminosilicate films for most features, irrespective of original lability. In the light of the deep burial and greenschist facies metamorphism documented for the Burgess Shale, the aluminosilicate films are identified as products of late-stage volatilization and coincident mineralization of pre-existing compression fossils, whereas the three-dimensionally preserved gut-caecal system of Burgessia is interpreted as an aluminosilicate replacement of a pre-existing carbonate phase. The case for late diagenetic emplacement of aluminosilicate minerals is supported by the extensive aluminosilicification of trilobite shell and (originally) calcareous veinlets in the Burgess Shale, as well as documentation of other secondarily aluminosilicified compression fossils. By distinguishing late diagenetic alteration from the early diagenetic processes responsible for exceptional preservation, it is possible to reconcile the range of preservational modes currently expressed in the Burgess Shale.     

Historical DNA from museum type specimens clarifies diversity of Asian leaf turtles (Cyclemys)

Species boundaries in Asian leaf turtles of the genus Cyclemys are difficult to define on the basis of morphology, primarily because many populations exhibit considerable ontogenetic variation in shell and head coloration. Two recent molecular phylogenetic hypotheses of Cyclemys species relationships, based largely on market and pet-trade samples of uncertain provenance, were highly incongruent. We used historical DNA methods to sequence fragments of the mitochondrial cytochrome  b gene from eight type specimens of Cyclemys (including one collected by Alfred Russel Wallace), and phylogenetically placed these type sequences into the context of published cytochrome  b variation. Our phylogenetic hypothesis supports the recognition of four named species ( Cyclemys atripons , Cyclemys dentata , Cyclemys oldhamii , and C. pulchristriata ), as well as a fifth species of unknown geographical provenance obtained from the Hong Kong pet trade. The type sequences show that previous molecular phylogenetic studies were hampered by misidentifications, supporting the notion that Cyclemys of unknown provenance are not reliably identified to species solely on the basis of morphology.  © 2008 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society , 2008, 94 , 131–141.     

Shell structure, ontogeny and affinities of the Lower Cambrian bivalved problematic fossil Mickwitzia muralensis Walcott, 1913

Exceptionally preserved carbonate- and shale-hosted Mickwitzia muralensis from the Lower Cambrian Mural Formation, southern Canadian Rocky Mountains, complement one another to yield an unusually complete account of its ontogeny, ecology and phylogenetic relationships. The shell of M. muralensis is composed of dense phosphatic layers interspersed with porous organic-rich layers. At the insertion of shell-penetrating tubes, shell layers deflect inwards to produce inwardly pointing cones. The tubes are interpreted as having hosted setae that were secreted by outer-epithelial follicles. Follicular setae also occurred at the mantle margin, where they were oriented within the plane of the shell as in modern brachiopods. During ontogeny, the initial setae oriented in the plane of the shell occurred before the first shell-penetrative setae. In the juvenile and early-mature stages of shell secretion, a posterior opening was present between both valves and was used for the protrusion of an attachment structure. In the late-mature shell, this opening became fixed in the ventral valve. Based on the posterior margin and the shell microstructure, a close relationship between Mickwitzia and the paterinids is proposed with differences interpreted as heterochronic. The shell-penetrative setal apparatus of M. muralensis is distinct from that previously described of Micrina, though both types are conceivably homologous to adult and juvenile setae of modern brachiopods.     

Oenothorachona ectenolaemus n.g., n.sp. and Spirochona halophila n.sp., Two New Marine Chonotrichous Ciliates

SYNOPSIS. Two new species of chonotrichous ciliates, Oenophorachona ectenolaemus n.g., n.sp. and Spirochona halophila n.sp. were found on Anisogammarus sp. collected from the waters of Humboldt County, California and Argyle Bay, San Juan Island, Washington. This is the 1st reported occurrence of 2 genera of chonotrichous ciliates on a single host species as well as the 1st of the occurrence of Spirochona in marine and brackish water environments.