Aeolid opisthobranch molluscs (Glaucidae) from the Indian Ocean and the south-west Pacific

Eight aeolid opisthobranch molluscs of the subfamilies Facelininae, Favorininae, and Herviellinae are reported from Tanzanian waters, and two species from Northwestern India. New records from Queensland, Australia greatly extend the range of two species reported from Tanzania. Phidiana militaris (Alder & Hancock) and P. indica (Bergh) are shown to be distinct and a species from New Zealand, originally identified as P. militaris , is shown to be new. P. bourailli (Risbec), previously reported only from New Caledonia, is described from Tanzania, as is a new species of Phidiana. Favorinus japonicus Baba is reported from Tanzania, the first published record outside Japan, a new species of Godiva is described from Tanzania and Queensland, and three new species of Sakuraeolis are described, one from India and two from Tanzania. A new species of Herviella is described from Tanzania.     

PERMANENT GENETIC RESOURCES: Fifteen polymorphic microsatellite DNA loci from Hawaii's Metrosideros polymorpha (Myrtaceae: Myrtales), a model species for ecology and evolution

We developed 15 polymorphic microsatellite loci from the Hawaiian tree Metrosideros polymorpha. These loci were screened against two varieties from several populations and from 23 individuals from one mid-elevation population on Hawaii Island. Loci were variable with the number of alleles per locus ranging from three to 24. Polymorphic information content ranged from 0.222 to 0.941, and observed heterozygosity ranged from 0.261 to 0.955.     

不同群体鳙的生长性能与遗传分析

1982至1986年,在上海与广东两地精养鱼池中,对来源于不同繁殖群体的鳙,即长江水系天然繁殖的鳙和人工繁殖的鳙,珠江水系天然繁殖和人工繁殖的鳙,用随机区组成试验法观察比较了2龄和3龄阶段的生长速度,结果一致表明：在同一环境里,天然繁殖鳙比人工繁殖鳙长得快,长江天然繁殖鳙比珠江天然繁殖鳙长得快,长江人工繁殖鳙比珠江人工殖鳙长得快,差距约5％左右,方差组分和遗传相关分析进一步揭示,遗传因子在不同繁殖群体鳙的生长差异上起有重要作用。     

GEOGRAPHIC VARIATION IN SKULL MORPHOLOGY OF ADULT STELLER SEA LIONS (EUMETOPIAS JUBATUS)

Data from cranial specimens of adult E. jubatus were analyzed to compare intraspecific morphology of skulls. Males and females were grouped separately to avoid bias from sexual dimorphism. Geographic variation was observed in adult male E. jubutus , indicating the potential presence of three morphologically disparate groups: those from Alaska, those from California, and those from Japan and Russia. Although sample sizes were small, results from cluster and discriminant function analyses indicated that specimens from eastern and western Alaska were morphologically similar, and that the most divergent specimens for the species appeared to be those from Japan. Skulls from Alaska possessed a typically longer, less robust skull, whereas those from Japan appeared smaller, yet most robust. Skulls from California were intermediate.     

Isolation of vegetable wasps and plant worms, Cordyceps nutans, from fruit-body tissue

We isolated Cordyceps nutans from the stipe and abdominal tissues of fruit bodies using a surface sterilization method. Hyphal growth was observed in inocula from both the stipe and abdominal tissue. Some strains from discharged ascospores were obtained and colony characteristics were compared to the strains isolated from the tissues. Colonies of isolates from ascospores grew quite slowly. Isolates of 43 from the 52 examined fruit bodies formed colonies similar to those from ascospores. To confirm the success of isolation, we analyzed by PCR-RFLP of the ITS regions of rDNA samples from fruit bodies, isolates from fruit bodies, and isolates from ascospores. All the isolates obtained from stipe and abdominal tissues presented identical patterns. In this study, we report the first successful isolation of C. nutans from fruit-body tissue using a surface sterilization method.     

Isolation of protoplasts from somatic embryos of carrot

Protoplasts were isolated enzymatically from synchronously induced globular somatic embryos from a carrot suspension culture. Among the macerating enzymes tested, Driselase was the most effective for release of protoplasts from embryos. A higher medium osmolarity was required for the isolation of protoplasts from embryos than from undifferentiated cells. Protoplasts from embryos were smaller than protoplasts from undifferentiated cells. On step gradients of Ficoll, protoplasts from embryos gave one major band. Protoplasts from undifferentiated cells gave two major bands, one lighter and the other heavier than the protoplasts from embryos.     

New Spirorbidae (Polychaeta: Sedentaria) from the East Pacific, Adantic, Indian and Southern Oceans

Spirorbis bifurcatus, Spirorbis rothlisbergi, Spirorbis spatulatus, Pileolaria lateralis, Pileolaria marginals, Pileolaria spinifer, Pileolaria tiarata and Pileolaria potswaldi are described from California, Spirorbis strigatus from Madeira, Pileolaria dakarensis from W. Africa, Pileolaria (Duplicaria) zibrowii from Madagascar, Pileolaria alata and Pileolaria (Nidularia) nidica from Curacao, Pileolaria (Nidularia) palliata from S. Africa, Pileolaria (Jugaria) atlantica from north of the Azores, Romanchella bicava from Amsterdam Island, Romanchella pustulata from Chile and Helicosiphon platyspira from Marion Island. Of the new subgenera, Jugaria is proposed for forms having compound opercula (as in Pileolaria granulata L. and most Sinistrella species) and Nidularia for those with opercula that do not completely protect the embryos.
Some of the Californian forms have probably resulted from sympatric speciation in both the genera concerned. The morphology and zoogeography of spirorbids suggest division into the subfamilies Spirorbinae, Circeinae, Pileolariinae, Januinae, Romanchellinae and Paralaeospirinae.     

东方田鼠的同工酶与异构蛋白生化基因位点

目的观察四类东方田鼠在10个同工酶与异构蛋白生化基因位点上的基因分布特征,以研究它们间的遗传关系。方法应用乙酸纤维素膜电泳对四类东方田鼠的同工酶与异构蛋白生化基因位点进行测定分析。结果与结论黑龙江小体型东方田鼠与其他三类东方田鼠的电泳结果差异较大,在6个位点上都存在其所特有的等位基因,并且在其中的3个位点上它的基因型与其他三类鼠完全不同;湖南、宁夏和黑龙江大体型东方田鼠三者间的遗传距离在0.0633~0.2107之间,而黑龙江小体型东方田鼠与其他三类鼠的遗传距离在0.7068~0.8953之间;UPGMA聚类分析显示,湖南、宁夏和黑龙江大体型东方田鼠聚为一类,亲缘关系较近,而黑龙江小体型东方田鼠单独为一类,与其他三种鼠的亲缘关系均相对较远。     

Immunochemical detection with rabbit polyclonal and mouse monoclonal antibodies of different pools of phytochrome from etiolated and green Avena shoots

While two monoclonal antibodies directed to phytochrome from etiolated oat (Avena sativa L.) shoots can precipitate up to about 30% of the photoreversible phytochrome isolated from green oat shoots, most precipitate little or none at all. These results are consistent with a report by J.G. Tokuhisa and P.H. Quail (1983, Plant Physiol. 72, Suppl., 85), according to which polyclonal rabbit antibodies directed to phytochrome from etiolated oat shoots bind only a small fraction of the phytochrome obtained from green oat shoots. The immunoprecipitation data reported here indicate that essentially all phytochrome isolated from green oat shoots is distinct from that obtained from etiolated oat shoots. The data indicate further that phytochrome from green oat shoots might itself be composed of two or more immunochemically distinct populations, each of which is distinct from phytochrome from etiolated shoots. Phytochrome isolated from light-grown, but norflurazon-bleached oat shoots is like that isolated from green oat shoots. When light-grown, green oat seedlings are kept in darkness for 48 h, however, much, if not all, of the phytochrome that reaccumulates is like that from etiolated oat shoots. Neither modification during purification from green oat shoots of phytochrome like that from etiolated oat shoots, nor non-specific interference by substances in extracts of green oat shoots, can explain the inability of antibodies to recognize phytochrome isolated from green oat shoots. Immunopurified polyclonal rabbit antibodies to phytochrome from etiolated pea (Pisum sativum L.). shoots precipitate more than 95% of the photoreversible phytochrome obtained from etiolated pea shoots, while no more than 75% of the pigment is precipitated when phytochrome is isolated from green pea shoots. These data indicate in preliminary fashion that an immunochemically unique pool of phytochrome might also be present in extracts of green pea shoots.Abbreviation ELISA enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay - mU milliunit - Pfr far-red-absorbing form of phytochrome - Pr red-absorbing form of phytochrome     

Notulae de Gesneriaceie Sinensibus (IX)

Ten new species, three new varieties and a new section of the family Gesneriaceae are described from China in the present paper. They are Tremacron urceolatum K. Y. Pan from Muli of SW Sichuan, T. obliquifolium K. Y. Pan from Miyi and Yanyuan of SW Sichuan, T. aurantiacum K. Y. Pan from Mabian and Pinshan of S Sichuan, lsometrum Sect. Chorianthera W. T. Wang et K. Y. Pan (with I. eximium Chun as the section type), Isometrum eximium Chun ex K. Y. Pan from Jiulong, Muli and Jinyang of SW Sichuan; Ancylostemon mairei (Levl.) Craib var. emeiensis K. Y. Pan from Mt. Emei of Sichuan, A. aureus (Franch.) Burtt var. angustifolius K. Y. Pan from Zhenkang of SW Yunnan, A. gamosepalus K. Y. Pan from Hanyuan, Yanyuan and Yuexi of SW Sichuan, A. rhombifolius K. Y. Pan from Meigu of SW Sichuan, A. ronganensis K. Y. Pan from Rong an of Guangxi; Corallodiscus flabellatus) (Craib) Burtt var. puberulus K.Y. Pan from Zhongdian and Deqin of NW Yunnan, Nanchuan of S Sichuan and Zayü of Xizang (Tibet), Beccarinda minima K. Y. Pan from Jinxiu and Xiangzhou of Guangxi, Boeica stolonifera K. Y. Pan from Fangcheng, Shiwandashan, Pingnan and Dongxing of S Guangxi, B. multinervia K. Y. Pan from Yingjiang of W Yunnan, and Paraboea barbatipes K. Y. Pan from Napo of W Guangxi and Xichou of SE Yunnan.     

用SSR标记分析广西香稻与南亚香稻的遗传多样性

利用16对分布于水稻12条染色体上的SSR引物分析78份来自南亚的香稻资源和18份广西种植的香稻的遗传多样性。结果表明:在南亚的香稻资源中,每对引物检测到的等位基因数为3~13个,平均每个位点的等位基因数为5.31个,广西的香稻资源中,每对引物检测到等位基因数2~9个,平均每个位点的等位基因数为3.44个;南亚香稻资源平均多态信息含量(PIC)为0.55,广西香稻资源平均PIC为0.41;南亚香稻资源平均基因多样性(Hs)为0.60,广西香稻资源平均Hs为0.47;说明了南亚香稻资源比广西香稻资源具有更为丰富的遗传多样性。聚类结果表明,大部分的南亚香稻资源或大部分的广西香稻资源各自聚为一类,说明大部分南亚和广西的香稻种质资源存在遗传差异性和地理远缘性。     

A PCR primer-specific to Cylindrocarpon heteronema for detection of the pathogen in apple wood

Abstract An oligonucleotide primer (ChInt) was synthesised from the variable internally transcribed spacer (ITS) 1 region of ribosomal DNA (rDNA) of Cylindrocarpon heteronema . PCR with primers ChInt and ITS4 (from a conserved sequence of the rDNA) amplified a 470-bp fragment from several isolates of C. heteronema but not from various apple wood saprophytes. Amplification of this fragment was achieved from 1–2 pg of fungal DNA. These primers amplified a fragment of the same size from DNA extracted from cankered wood but only after impurities were removed from the DNA on a Qiagen tip-5 column. Southern hybridization analysis confirmed the 470-bp fragment from C. heteronema DNA and cankered wood to be identical.     

旱生和湿生生境对蒲公英体内抗氧化物质的影响

选择旱生和湿生生境中生长的蒲公英(Taraxacum mongolicum Hand.-Mazz)分根、叶、花序分别测定抗氧化成分及总抗氧化能力,并比较了SOD同工酶谱的变化情况。结果表明不同生境选取的蒲公英叶片中抗氧化物质以SOD、POD、CAT等抗氧化酶和Vc等小分子为主,花序中可溶性糖、类黄酮和绿原酸含量最高;湿生蒲公英各器官尤其是根中的SOD、CAT、POD活性高于旱生蒲公英对应器官中的酶活性,旱生蒲公英各器官尤其是花序中的可溶性糖、类黄酮和绿原酸含量高于湿生蒲公英对应器官中的含量;旱生和湿生生境未诱导出新的SOD同工酶带;旱生和湿生蒲公英对应器官的总抗氧化能力接近。     

Microsatellite markers isolated from barn swallows (Hirundo rustica)

Fifteen polymorphic microsatellite DNA loci were isolated from barn swallow (Hirundo rustica) and optimized for future studies of radiation‐induced mutations in populations from Ukraine. The loci were screened for variability among 25 individuals from two populations. The primers amplified loci with relatively high numbers of alleles ranging from five to 32 alleles per locus and polymorphic information content from 0.481 to 0.951. Observed heterozygosity varied from 0.458 to 0.960. None of the loci showed deviations from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium in either population.     

Detection of Nitrosomonas spp. by polymerase chain reaction

Abstract A unique genomic DNA fragment was isolated from Nitrosomonas europaea ATCC 19718. Based on the sequence of this fragment, oligonucleotide primers for polymerase chain reaction amplification were prepared which amplify sequences of 775 and 658 bp. The predicted DNA fragments were both amplified from the genome of N. europaea and a Nitrosomonas spp. isolated from a local oxidation pond. The primers failed to amplify DNA from the genomes of the ammonia oxidiser Nitrosolobous multiformis , the nitrite oxidiser Nitrococcus mobilis as well as from the genomes of other unrelated heterotrophic bacteria. These DNA sequences could be amplified from 0.01 ng of N. europaea genomic DNA or from 100 intact cells, and it was possible to detect Nitrosomonas DNA in a DNA mixture extracted from water samples drawn from a local oxidation pond.     

General Stress Protein CTC from Bacillus subtilis Specifically Binds to Ribosomal 5S RNA

Two recombinant proteins of the CTC family were prepared: the general stress protein CTC from Bacillus subtilis and its homolog from Aquifex aeolicus. The general stress protein CTC from B. subtilis forms a specific complex with 5S rRNA and its stable fragment of 60 nucleotides, which contains internal loop E. The ribosomal protein TL5 from Thermus thermophilus, which binds with high affinity to 5S rRNA in the loop E region, was also shown to replace the CTC protein from B. subtilis in its complexes with 5S rRNA and its fragment. The findings suggest that the protein CTC from B. subtilis binds to the same site on 5S rRNA as the protein TL5. The protein CTC from A. aeolicus, which is 50 amino acid residues shorter from the N-terminus than the proteins TL5 from T. thermophilus and CTC from B. subtilis, does not interact with 5S rRNA.     

Protein content and amino acids composition of bee-pollens from major floral sources in Al-Ahsa,eastern Saudi Arabia

Protein content and amino acids composition of bee-pollens from major pollen floral sources in Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia were determined to investigate the nutritive value of pollen protein relative to requirements of honeybees and adult humans. The major pollen sources were alfalfa, date palm, rape, summer squash, and sunflower. Bee-pollens from alfalfa and date palm showed high content of crude protein and amino acid concentrations. Bee-pollen from sunflower had low content of those components. Eighteen amino acids were found in bee-pollens from the five major floral sources. The highest concentrations of individual amino acids valine, leucine, isoleucine, phenylalanine and proline were obtained from alfalfa bee-pollen; lysine, arginine, cysteine, tryptophan and tyrosine from date palm; methionine, histidine, glycine and alanine from summer squash; threonine, serine and glutamic acid from sunflower; and aspartic acid from rape bee-pollen. The amino acid composition obtained from sunflower bee-pollen showed the lowest concentrations of the essential amino acids: isoleucine, leucine, methionine, phenylalanine and valine. Apart from methionine, arginine and isoleucine, the essential amino acids of bee-pollen from alfalfa, date palm, summer squash and rape exceeded the honeybees’ requirements. Methionine was the limiting amino acid in bee-pollens from the five selected sources. Concentrations of essential amino acids in the tested bee-pollens were variable and significantly correlated to their botanical origin of pollen. Bee-pollens from alfalfa, date palm and summer squash was found to be rich source of protein and amino acids for bees and for humans.     

Fusarium Species From Plant Debris Associated With Soils From Maize Production Areas in the Transkei Region of South Africa

Fusarium species were isolated from plant debris in soil samples collected from cultivated maize fields and from undisturbed grasslands in two areas of the Transkei region. A total of 1205 Fusarium isolates were recovered from 27 soil samples. Fifteen Fusarium species were recovered from plant debris from Bizana soils and 13 Fusarium species from plant debris from Centane soils. The two dominant Fusarium species in both areas were F. oxysporum and F. equiseti. Very few isolates of F. moniliforme and F. subglutinans were recovered, but both of these species had significantly higher relative densities in cultivated soils than in undisturbed soils. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Water and energy economy of an omnivorous bird: population differences in the Rufous-collared Sparrow (Zonotrichia capensis)

We investigated the intraspecific variation in basal metabolic rate (BMR) and total evaporative water loss (TEWL) in the omnivorous passerine Zonotrichia capensis from two populations inhabiting regions with different precipitation regimes and aridity indices. Values of TEWL in birds from the semi-arid region were significantly lower than those found in sparrows from the mesic region. TEWL in birds from the semi-arid site was 74% of the expectation based on body mass for passerines from mesic areas and similar to the allometric expectation for passerines from arid environments. In sparrows from the mesic area, TEWL was higher than predicted by their body mass for passerines from arid environments (133%), but very close (97%) to the expectation for passerines from mesic areas. BMR values were 25% lower in sparrows from the semi-arid region. The lower TEWL and BMR of birds from the semi-arid region may be a physiological adjustment that allows them to cope with fewer resources and/or water. We propose that the lower endogenous heat production in birds from the semi-arid environment may decrease their water requirements.     

Screening environmental samples for source-specific bacteriophage hosts using a method for the simultaneous pouring of 12 petri plates

A simple apparatus was developed to allow 12 petri plates to be poured simultaneously by hand. It was used when screening bacterial isolates from sewage and dog feces for their ability to detect phages from these sources. This was done to assess the ease with which source-specific phage hosts can be isolated from these sources of fecal pollution. Host bacteria that consistently detected phages from sewage were easily isolated from sewage. These bacterial isolates did not detect phages from dog feces. Host bacteria were not isolated from dog feces even after screening hundreds of colonies from fecal samples from six dogs. Journal of Industrial Microbiology & Biotechnology (2000) 24, 124–126. Received 06 July 1999/ Accepted in revised form 05 November 1999