The Ordovician-Silurian boundary stratotype: consequences of its approval by the IUGS

Lespérance, Pierre J., Barnes, Christopher R., Berry, William B. N., Boucot, Arthur J. & Mu En-zhi 1987 07 15: The Ordovician-Silurian boundary stratotype: consequences of its approval by the IUGS.
The Ordovician-Silurian stratotype at Dob's Linn, Scotland is the second systemic boundary approved by the International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS). A review of the internationally accepted criteria required of a stratotype shows that few of these are possessed by the Dob's Linn section. The strongest attribute of the section is the presence of zonal graptolites, although the boundary is recognized primarily on a single biological event (base of acuminatus Zone) for which the evolutionary relationships of the taxa are not established. In approving this boundary proposal in 1985, which received only simple majority support within the Ordovician-Silurian Boundary Working Group (OSBWG) and which fails to meet most of the accepted prerequisites for a stratotype, the International Commission on Stratigraphy (ICS) and the IUGS have established an unfortunate precedent. It follows that future systemic boundaries need not meet the accepted standards. It raises serious questions on the assessment and voting procedures of the International Commission on Stratigraphy and on the credence accorded the recommendations developed by the International Subcommission on Stratigraphic Classification of IUGS.     

中国豆科植物新资料

<正>一、虫豆属 Atylosia Wight et Arn,1.白蔓草虫豆 新变种图1Atylosia scarabaeoidea(Linn)Benth ,var aryrophylla Cheng f,var ,nov     

中国普通野生稻遗传分化的RAPD研究

多数学者已认定亚洲栽培稻（ＯｒｙｚａｓａｔｉｖａＬ．）的祖先是普通野生稻（Ｏ．ｒｕｆｉｐｏｇｏｎ）。然而栽培稻的籼、粳分化是发生在驯化之前还是在驯化之后,也即普通野生稻是否存在籼、粳分化的问题,是十几年来稻作起源研究中争论的热点之一。Ｓｅｃｏｎｄ［１］用多个同工酶位点的分析结果得出结论,普通野生稻在驯化为栽培稻之前就已经发生了籼、粳分化,即有籼型普通野生稻和粳型普通野生稻之分。Ｍｏｒｉｓｈｉｍａ和Ｇａｄｒｉｎａｂ［２］用２４个形态和生理性状及１２个同工酶位点和杂交亲合力等方法证明普通野生稻没有发…     

Effect of abscisic acid, osmolarity and partial desiccation on the development of recalcitrant mango somatic embryos

Inhibition of mango somatic embryo growth was inducedin vitro by treatments for 4 or more weeks with abscisic acid (0–100 M ABA) with and without high osmolarity provided by mannitol (0–10%). High osmolarity and ABA significantly affected somatic embryo length, precocious germination and the production of good quality secondary somatic embryos. High osmolarity also affected root elongation. Abscisic acid was more effective in suppressing growth and development of 0.5 cm-length somatic embryos than smaller somatic embryos. Development beyond the heart stage was significantly inhibited by both ABA and mannitol treatments. The recovery of good quality somatic embryos was enhanced by high levels of ABA (100 M) with and without mannitol (0–5%). Somatic embryos that had been pulsed with ABA were partially desiccated at different relative humidities. Weight loss was affected only by relative humidity; and ABA did not enhance desiccation tolerance.Abbreviations ABA Abscisic acid - 2,4-D 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid - MM1 Mango maturation medium - RH Relative humidity     

Diurnal variations of amino acids and organic acids in xylem fluid from Lagerstroemia indica: an endogenous circadian rhythm

Diurnal variations in the concentrations of major organic compounds occurred in xylem fluid extracted from Lagerstroemia indica L. The concentration of amino acids and the N/C ratio was at a maximum and that of organic acids was at a minimum between 1230 and 2030 h. Since the concentrations of total organic nitrogen, total amino acids and most individual amino acids (but not organic acids or sugars) were also proportional to xylem tension two experiments were performed to discern whether variations in chemistry were a consequence of diurnal changes in moisture stress. In the first experiment, L. indica , exposed to variable levels of moisture stress during midday, manifested an increase in organic acids and a reduction in the N/C ratio. In the second experiment, chemical profiles of xylem fluid were collected and compared for plants exposed to a natural photoperiod, constant darkness or continuous light at noon and midnight. After 1 day amino acids increased in concentration during midday for all treatments; the variation was greatest (10-fold) for plants in constant darkness where xylem tension varied from 0.20 to 0.25 MPa. Only plants exposed to continuous light lost a diurnal rhythm after 3 days. Thus, the circadian rhythm was endogenous, terminated in continuous light and was not mediated by changes in moisture stress. Glutamine accounted for most of the diurnal variation in total amino acids, organic nitrogen and the N/C ratio in xylem fluid.     

RESEARCH ON INSECTICIDES FROM PLANTS IN CHINA

Abstract  An overview is presented on recent (1989–19911 investigations on insecticidal plants in China, specially in South China. The main emphasis was laid on studies of Meliaceae including Azadirachta indica, Melia azedarach and M. toosendan , as well as on Rhododendron molle, Derris elliptica, Tephrosia voglii, Ajuga nipponensis, Plumbago idea and Celastrus anplatus . Research work on the bioactivities and application of essential oils from plants for the control of stored-grain insects is also discussed. The results of these investigations reveal a great potential of the active ingredients of a number of Chinese plants for integrated pest management, as well as for using these natural product models as guides for the synthesis of a novel class of insecticides.     

中国蜡梅属植物过氧化物同工酶的研究

采用聚丙烯酰胺凝胶电泳系统,进行了蜡梅属8种植物过氧化物同工酶的研究。结果发现：该属8种植物的酶谱差异显著,每个种均有其特征酶谱。根据其种的酶谱酶带数目、Rf、宽度及其活性强弱的不同,可将各个种加以区别,但不支持保康蜡梅和突托蜡梅作为独立种的存在,也不支持蜡梅属分为蜡梅组和新蜡梅组的观点。同时,采用排序方法对蜡梅属8种植物酶谱的相似程度进行排序结果发现：与该属8种植物酶谱分类相吻合,并从分子水平上论证了它们的亲缘关系,即保康蜡梅为蜡梅的种内变异,以作蜡梅栽培品种处理;突托蜡梅作为浙江蜡梅的变种为佳,从而为蜡梅属植物种群的合理划分,提出了新的依据和手段。     

了哥王叶功能性状特征及其对土壤因子的响应

为探究了哥王Wikstroemiaindica的叶功能性状特征及其影响因素,在海岛植被调查的基础上对了哥王叶片进行取样并测定其功能性状指标,利用变异系数法和Pearson相关性分析探讨叶功能性状之间的差异与联系,运用冗余分析研究了哥王叶功能性状对土壤因子的响应。结果表明,了哥王的叶功能性状变异系数介于9.76%～23.73%,其中叶体积变异幅度最大(23.73%),叶干物质含量变异幅度最小(9.76%),整体上了哥王叶功能性状保持相对稳定。了哥王各项叶功能性状之间具有一定的相关性,联系较密切。了哥王叶功能性状主要受土壤中有机质、全氮、碱解氮的影响,土壤中有机质、全氮、碱解氮的含量与比叶面积呈正比,与叶厚度、叶体积成反比。了哥王的叶片可以通过一定的性状变异和组合来适应外部环境的变化,以较好地适应海岛恶劣的环境。该研究结果可为了哥王野生种质资源的保护、利用以及人工栽培提供参考。     

莎草属果皮微形态特征及其分类学上的意义

首次报道了在立体显微镜及扫描电子显微镜下对莎草属(Cyperus Linn.)14种、2变种植物果皮微形态特征的观察结果。根据纹饰特点的不同,可分为三种类型:(1)网——瘤状复合纹饰;(2)网状纹饰;(3)疣状纹饰。莎草属植物在果皮微形态特征上存在的种间差异可为种的划分提供依据,并为探讨该属的系统演化提供有价值的资料。