Recruitment of stock of deepwater redfish <Emphasis Type="Italic">Sebastes mentella</Emphasis> (Scorpaeniformes,Scorpaenidae) in the pelagial of the Irminger Sea and adjacent waters

Results of comparative analysis of several ecologo-populational characteristics and fauna of parasites of deepwater redfish Sebastes mentella from the pelagial of the Irminger Sea and slopes of Greenland are provided. It was established that the nursery area of the species in this part of the northern Atlantic is located in the shelf and shallow-water sites of the Greenland slopes. Near the nursery area, at deepwater sites of the Greenland slope, aggregations of mainly immature specimens (68–86%) with an average length of 35–38 cm are located, and, in the oceanic pelagial, there are mainly mature specimens (91–95%) with a length of more than 30 cm. Considerable similarity and specific features of fauna of parasites of S. mentella from the southeastern slope of Greenland and the pelagial of the Irminger Sea indicate the belonging of fish aggregations in these areas to a single intraspecies group and the migration of maturing specimens from the slope to the pelagial. A conclusion is made that the aggregations of S. mentella in the pelagial of the Irminger and Labrador seas represent a pelagic ecological group formed by rapidly maturing specimens; a near-bottom ecological group at deepwater sites of the slope of Greenland is formed by slowly maturing specimens. No mass migration of the redfish from deepwater areas to shallow sites of the slope and to the oceanic pelagial of the northern Atlantic was recorded.     

The distribution and specific features of the biology of deepwater redfish <Emphasis Type="Italic">Sebastes mentella</Emphasis> (Scorpaenidae) during mating in the pelagial of the northern Atlantic

Data on the spatial-bathymetric distribution, size and age composition, sex ratio, and feeding of deepwater redfish Sebastes mentella in the pelagial of the northern Atlantic (Irminger and Labrador seas) during mating are provided. From 1982 to 1999, the mating of S. mentella took place in the central and southern parts of the Irminger Sea (56°–62° N, 30°–43° W); since 2000 it took place in two geographically isolated areas: in the water area of the open part of the Labrador Sea, at sites of the south of the Irminger Sea adjacent to it (54°–58° N, 38°–50° W), and above the western slopes of the Reykjanes Ridge (62°–65° N, 25°–34° W). It is assumed that during mating in the northern area mixed aggregations of two ecological groups of S. mentella—an oceanic group that distributes in the pelagial and a bottom group that inhabits the slopes of Iceland—are formed. The formation of isolated areas of mating of the species is determined by the orientation of feeding migrations that are simultaneously migrations to spawning grounds. Fish of medium sizes migrate to spawning grounds in the southwestern direction, while large fish migrate in the northern direction; the fertilization of females in these areas occurs at the end of summer. In S. mentella, the seasonal and age differences in food composition are clearly pronounced. With the onset of mating, the males’ intensity of feeding in both regions decreases by a factor of 1.5–2.0, while females continue to feed actively.     

Structure of aggregations and principal populational characteristics of redfish <Emphasis Type="Italic">Sebastes mentella</Emphasis> (Scorpaeniformes: Scorpaenidae) in the pelagic zone of the Irminger Sea and adjacent waters

The spatial distribution of redfish Sebastes mentella in the pelagic zone of the northern part of the Atlantic Ocean (the Irminger Sea and the Labrador Sea) is investigated. Analysis of the data on size-age composition, sex ratio, ratio of mature and immature specimens, rate of maturation, composition of the parasite fauna, infestation level, infestation with the copepod Sphyrion lumpi, and occurrence of pigment formations on the body of redfish from the investigated areas indicate the absence of stable isolated aggregations of this species in the oceanic pelagial of the North Atlantic. Pelagic aggregations are formed of rapidly maturating specimens migrated from the slopes of Greenland. The spatial variation of the size-age composition of redfish depends on the life cycle and regional hydrological conditions.     

Productional characteristics of redfish <Emphasis Type="Italic">Sebastes mentella</Emphasis> (Scorpaeniformes,Sebastidae) in the Barents Sea and adjacent waters

The annual production of redfish Sebastes mentella of the Norway-Barents Sea population is estimated. The main contribution to the formation of production is made by specimens of the 10–15 year age and in the period of high abundance of recruitment the main contribution is by immature specimens of the 1–8 year age. The generative production of redfish is, on average, by four times lower than the somatic production. The ratio between generative and somatic production is estimated in relation to the population structure. The value of P/B coefficient is in reverse relationship with the individual age and weight. As the part of the junior age groups in the population decreases P/B coefficient increases, and with the increase of the individual average weight in the population it decreases. The relationship between the specific rate of weight growth of redfish and the value of P/B coefficient is shown. The average value of P/B coefficient for the Norway-Barents Sea population of redfish is 0.3.     

Intraspecies structure of beaked redfish <Emphasis Type="Italic">Sebastes mentella</Emphasis> of the Atlantic and Arctic oceans

On the basis of the results of complex interdisciplinary investigations of the population composition and structure of the beaked redfish Sebastes mentella of the Atlantic and Arctic oceans, its three populations are discerned relatively isolated from each other by the system of permanent marine currents—North Atlantic, Flemish-Cape, and Norway-Barents Sea. The population structure of the species in the southern part of its area corresponds to the model of a local stock. Interaction of the North Atlantic and the Norway-Barents Sea populations well correspond to the model of fluctuating stocks. Redfish aggregations in different biotopes (mesobenthal and mesopelagial) are intrapopulational epigenetic groups. In the period of warm and anomalously warm years, a part of mature specimens from the pelagial of the North Irminger Sea make an irreversible migration to the southern part of the Norwegian Sea and form there mixed aggregations of fish from the North Atlantic and Norway-Barents Sea populations. With consideration of the effect of climatic–oceanological processes, a principally new scheme is elaborated describing the process of seasonal migrations of redfish in the mesobenthal and mesopelagial. The previous views on direction of return migrations of redfish of the Norway-Barents Sea population are reconsidered. Juveniles from the western part of the Barents Sea and Spitsbergen not only supplement the demersal aggregations but also migrate to the pelagial of the Norwegian Sea.     

Population structure of beaked redfish (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Sebastes mentella</Emphasis> Travin, 1951) in the Irminger Sea and adjacent waters inferred from microsatellite data

Samples of beaked redfish from the Irminger Sea and adjacent waters were examined for polymorphism at ten microsatellite loci. The strategy of the material collection enabled investigation of geographic, bathymetric, and temporal variation of this species. The results did not support the evidence on spatial differentiation and temporal stability of the species distribution, favoring the idea that the water area examined was inhabited by a single pelagic population of beaked redfish.     

Features of the reproductive cycle in females of the beaked redfish <Emphasis Type="Italic">Sebastes mentella</Emphasis> (Sebastidae)

The reproductive status of some categories of females of the beaked redfish Sebastes mentella has been determined as a result of the histological analysis. The histological characteristic of gonads of large nonreproductive females of redfish is presented for the first time. Gonads of mature females that skip spawning are studied. The cytomorphological characteristic of ovaries after larvae extrusion is specified. A broadened maturity scale for gonads of females of S. mentella supplemented with stages that characterize fish that skip spawning and large nonreproductive females is proposed.     

Ecologal and parasitological chracteristics of redfish <Emphasis Type="Italic">Sebastes mentella</Emphasis> (Scorpaeniformes: Sebastidae) from the Norwegian Sea and adjacent waters

Special traits of ecology, zoogeography, formation of fauna of parasites, and occurrence of external lesions are investigated in redfish Sebastes mentella from the Norwegian Sea and the adjacent area of the Barents Sea. A considerable weakening of connection with bottom biocenoses in redfish in the pelagial of the Norwegian Sea indicates that it lives here for most of its annual life cycle. In redfish from south of the open part of the Norwegian Sea, there are noticeable differences in the fauna of parasites and in occurrence of external lesions from those in the fish from the north and east of this sea while traits characteristic of redfish from the Irminger Sea are present.     

Sexual dimorphism in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Sebastes owstoni</Emphasis> (Scorpaenidae) from the Sea of Japan

Morphological and genetic differences between red and yellow morphotypes of Sebastes owstoni were investigated, utilizing 277 males [84.0–194.3 mm in standard length (SL)] and 542 females (92.3–251.5 mm SL) from the Sea of Japan. All males smaller than 120 mm SL were characterized by red body color. The frequency of specimens with yellow body color thereafter increased gradually with SL, all specimens larger than 170 mm SL being yellow. The specimens with yellow body color were observed throughout the year. All females smaller than 170 mm SL were characterized by red body color, the frequency of specimens with yellow body color tending to slightly increase with SL. However, most females had red body color, except for 16 specimens (177.7–241.5 mm SL) that were yellow, growth-related color change from red to yellow being uncommon. Morphological analysis of 49 males (107.6–193.3 mm SL) and 68 females (108.7–241.5 mm SL) showed the head length, orbit diameter, lower jaw length, and predorsal length to be relatively greater, but the distance between the pelvic and anal fins less, in males. A discriminant analysis using Mahalanobis distances resulted in 100% correct assignment of specimens to sex, regardless of SL and body color. In addition, no genetic differences were apparent between red and yellow individuals in mitochondrial DNA sequence analyses from the threonine tRNA to the first half of the control region (498 bp). Accordingly, the differences in body color, maximum size, and the five morphometric characters listed above were considered to represent sexual dimorphism. That evidenced by body color was considered to appear after that shown by morphometric characters, some exceptions in the former occurring in females. This is the first report of permanent sexual dimorphism in body color in Sebastes.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Ty</Emphasis>1<Emphasis Type="Italic">/copia</Emphasis>- and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ty</Emphasis>3<Emphasis Type="Italic">/gypsy</Emphasis>-like DNA sequences in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Helianthus </Emphasis>species

Two repeated DNA sequences isolated from a partial genomic DNA library of Helianthus annuus, p HaS13 and p HaS211, were shown to represent portions of the int gene of a Ty3 /gypsy retroelement and of the RNase-Hgene of a Ty1 /copia retroelement, respectively. Southern blotting patterns obtained by hybridizing the two probes to BglII- or DraI-digested genomic DNA from different Helianthus species showed p HaS13 and p HaS211 were parts of dispersed repeats at least 8 and 7 kb in length, respectively, that were conserved in all species studied. Comparable hybridization patterns were obtained in all species with p HaS13. By contrast, the patterns obtained by hybridizing p HaS211 clearly differentiated annual species from perennials. The frequencies of p HaS13- and p HaS211-related sequences in different species were 4.3x10(4)-1.3x10(5) copies and 9.9x10(2)-8.1x10(3) copies per picogram of DNA, respectively. The frequency of p HaS13-related sequences varied widely within annual species, while no significant difference was observed among perennial species. Conversely, the frequency variation of p HaS211-related sequences was as large within annual species as within perennials. Sequences of both families were found to be dispersed along the length of all chromosomes in all species studied. However, Ty3 /gypsy-like sequences were localized preferentially at the centromeric regions, whereas Ty1/ copia-like sequences were less represented or absent around the centromeres and plentiful at the chromosome ends. These findings suggest that the two sequence families played a role in Helianthusgenome evolution and species divergence, evolved independently in the same genomic backgrounds and in annual or perennial species, and acquired different possible functions in the host genomes.     

Revision of the <Emphasis Type="Italic">Serrulati</Emphasis> species of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Penstemon</Emphasis> section <Emphasis Type="Italic">Saccanthera</Emphasis> subsection <Emphasis Type="Italic">Serrulati</Emphasis>

A revision of Penstemon sect. Saccanthera subsect. Serrulati includes a new species (P. salmonensis), a new variety (P. triphyllus var. infernalis), and the elevation of a subspecies to species (P. curtiflorus), bringing the total number of species to eight, which are keyed and described, complete with nomenclature and type citations.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Galleria</Emphasis><Emphasis Type="Italic">mellonella</Emphasis> are Resistant to <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pneumocystis</Emphasis><Emphasis Type="Italic">murina</Emphasis> Infection

Studying Pneumocystis has proven to be a challenge from the perspective of propagating a significant amount of the pathogen in a facile manner. The study of several fungal pathogens has been aided by the use of invertebrate model hosts. Our efforts to infect the invertebrate larvae Galleria mellonella with Pneumocystis proved futile since P. murina neither caused disease nor was able to proliferate within G. mellonella. It did, however, show that the pathogen could be rapidly cleared from the host.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Agrobacterium</Emphasis><Emphasis Type="Italic">tumefaciens</Emphasis>-mediated transformation of callus cells of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Crataegus</Emphasis><Emphasis Type="Italic">aronia</Emphasis>

A genetic transformation system has been developed for callus cells of Crataegus aronia using Agrobacterium tumefaciens. Callus culture was established from internodal stem segments incubated on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 5 mg l⁻¹ Indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) and 0.5 mg l⁻¹ 6-benzyladenine (BA). In order to optimize the callus culture system with respect to callus growth and coloration, different types and concentrations of plant growth regulators were tested. Results indicated that the best average fresh weight of red colored callus was obtained on MS medium supplemented with 2 mg l⁻¹ 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and 1.5 mg l⁻¹ kinetin (Kin) (callus maintenance medium). Callus cells were co-cultivated with Agrobacterium harboring the binary plasmid pCAMBIA1302 carrying the mgfp5 and hygromycin phosphotransferase (hptII) genes conferring green fluorescent protein (GFP) activity and hygromycin resistance, respectively. Putative transgenic calli were obtained 4 weeks after incubation of the co-cultivated explants onto maintenance medium supplemented with 50 mg l⁻¹ hygromycin. Molecular analysis confirmed the integration of the transgenes in transformed callus. To our knowledge, this is the first time to report an Agrobacterium-mediated transformation system in Crataegus aronia.     

The <Emphasis Type="Italic">Caenorhabditis</Emphasis><Emphasis Type="Italic">briggsae</Emphasis> genome contains active <Emphasis Type="Italic">CbmaT1</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Tcb1</Emphasis> transposons

The maT clade of transposons is a group of transposable elements intermediate in sequence and predicted protein structure to mariner and Tc transposons, with a distribution thus far limited to a few invertebrate species. We present evidence, based on searches of publicly available databases, that the nematode Caenorhabditis briggsae has several maT-like transposons, which we have designated as CbmaT elements, dispersed throughout its genome. We also describe two additional transposon sequences that probably share their evolutionary history with the CbmaT transposons. One resembles a fold back variant of a CbmaT element, with long (380-bp) inverted terminal repeats (ITRs) that show a high degree (71%) of identity to CbmaT1. The other, which shares only the 26-bp ITR sequences with one of the CbmaT variants, is present in eight nearly identical copies, but does not have a transposase gene and may therefore be cross mobilised by a CbmaT transposase. Using PCR-based mobility assays, we show that CbmaT1 transposons are capable of excising from the C. briggsae genome. CbmaT1 excised approximately 500 times less frequently than Tcb1 in the reference strain AF16, but both CbmaT1 and Tcb1 excised at extremely high frequencies in the HK105 strain. The HK105 strain also exhibited a high frequency of spontaneous induction of unc-22 mutants, suggesting that it may be a mutator strain of C. briggsae.     

Taxonomic review of the <Emphasis Type="Italic">Sebastes inermis</Emphasis> species complex (Scorpaeniformes: Scorpaenidae)

A taxonomic review of three color morphotypes of the Sebastes inermis species complex established the existence of three valid species, viz. S. inermis, S. ventricosus, and S. cheni. The complex is defined by having two sharp lachrymal spines, the head weakly armed with nasal, preocular, supraocular and parietal spines, and the caudal fin not distinctly emarginated. Sebastes inermis, known from southern Hokkaido southward to Kyushu, Japan, and the southern part of the Korean Peninsula, is characterized as follows: body dark red or light brown dorsally and laterally when fresh, pectoral fin extending beyond level of anus when depressed, pectoral-fin rays 15, anal-fin rays 7, pored lateral line scales 36–44 and gill rakers 31–37. Sebastes ventricosus, known from Iwate and Ishikawa Prefecture southward to Kyushu, Japan, and the southern part of the Korean Peninsula, is characterized as follows: body somewhat greenish-black dorsally and dark silver ventrally when fresh, pectoral-fin rays 16, anal-fin rays 7–8, pored lateral line scales 43–49, and gill rakers 35–39. Sebastes cheni, known from Iwate and Akita Pref. southward to Kyushu, Japan, and the southern part of the Korean Peninsula, is characterized as follows: body dark golden-brown dorsally and laterally when fresh, pelvic fin extending beyond anus when depressed, pectoral-fin rays 17, anal-fin rays 8, pored lateral line scales 37–46 and gill rakers 32–37. In the genetic analysis, the presence or absence of two AFLP fragments was completely fixed among the three species. Sebastes tokionis and S. guentheri are regarded as junior synonyms of S. inermis and S. ventricosus, respectively. A lectotype is designated for S. cheni, and a key to the three species of the S. inermis species complex provided.     

The ecological and parasitological characteristics of the golden redfish, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Sebastes norvegicus</Emphasis> (Ascanius, 1772) (Teleostei: Scorpaenidae) that inhabit the Arctic Ocean Seas

An ecological, faunistic, and zoogeographical analysis of the parasite fauna of the golden redfish Sebastes norvegicus (Ascanius, 1772) that inhabit the Barents, Norwegian, and Greenland seas, has been performed. The specifics of formation of the parasite fauna in this species have been studied.     

New combinations and typifications in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bistorta</Emphasis>, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Persicaria</Emphasis>, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Polygonum,</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Rumex</Emphasis> (Polygonaceae)

New combinations are proposed in anticipation of the Polygonaceae treatment in the forthcoming volume of Intermountain Flora: Polygonum kelloggii var. esotericum, P. kelloggii var. watsonii , Rumex densiflorus var. pycnanthus , R. salicifolius var. utahensis, and R. occidentalis var. tomentellus. Typifications are proposed to facilitate ongoing studies in Polygonaceae and to maintain current usage.     

In planta transformation of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Notocactus scopa</Emphasis> cv. <Emphasis Type="Italic">Soonjung</Emphasis> by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Agrobacterium </Emphasis><Emphasis Type="Italic">tumefaciens</Emphasis>

Notocactus scopa cv. Soonjung was subjected to in planta Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation with vacuum infiltration, pin-pricking, and a combination of the two methods. The pin-pricking combined with vacuum infiltration (20-30 cmHg for 15 min) resulted in a transformation efficiency of 67-100%, and the expression of the uidA and nptII genes was detected in transformed cactus. The established in planta transformation technique generated a transgenic cactus with higher transformation efficiency, shortened selection process, and stable gene expression via asexual reproduction. All of the results showed that the in planta transformation method utilized in the current study provided an efficient and time-saving procedure for the delivery of genes into the cactus genome, and that this technique can be applied to other asexually reproducing succulent plant species.     

A new methanol assimilating yeast, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ogataea</Emphasis><Emphasis Type="Italic">parapolymorpha</Emphasis>, the ascosporic state of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Candida</Emphasis><Emphasis Type="Italic">parapolymorpha</Emphasis>

Ogataea parapolymorpha sp. n. (NRRL YB-1982, CBS 12304, type strain), the ascosporic state of Candida parapolymorpha, is described. The species appears homothallic, assimilates methanol as is typical of most Ogataea species and forms hat-shaped ascospores in asci that become deliquescent. O. parapolymorpha is closely related to Ogataea angusta and Ogataea polymorpha. The three species can be resolved from gene sequence analyses but are unresolved from fermentation and growth reactions that are typically used for yeast identification. On the basis of multiple isolates, O. angusta is known only from California, USA, in association with Drosophila and Aulacigaster flies, O. parapolymorpha is predominantly associated with insect frass from trees in the eastern USA but O. polymorpha has been isolated from various substrates in the USA, Brazil, Spain and Costa Rica.