明代古沉船饱水木材的原核微生物多样性分析

微生物是引起饱水木材降解劣化的主要因素之一。本文利用Illumina MiSeq高通量测序技术,分析明代"南澳Ⅰ号"古沉船船体饱水木材样品的原核微生物群落多样性,探讨饱水木材的原核微生物降解机制。结果表明:饱水木材样品与沉积物中的原核微生物种群丰富,且在含量上存在一定差异。在门水平上存在7个共有的优势菌门,分别为变形菌门(Proteobacteria)、绿弯菌门(Chloroflexi)、拟杆菌门(Bacteroidetes)、螺旋体门(Spirochaetes)、厚壁菌门(Firmicutes)、酸杆菌门(Acidobacteria)和奇古菌门(Thaumarchaeota)。海底现场取的木材样品的菌群种类相似,存在丰富的厌氧、可以降解木材的菌群,但是含量存在着明显的差异;海底沉积物的细菌多样性及含量与木材样品存在明显的差异。脱盐过程中的木材样品含有大量好氧的铁氧化细菌(Ferritrophicum,8%)和脱硫菌(Desulfurivibrio,5.27%),可能参与铁硫元素的转化。结果表明原核微生物多样性是饱水木材保护过程中需重点关注的问题。     

四种类型栓皮栎栲胶含量

为了阐明不同类型(薄皮深裂、薄皮浅裂、厚皮深裂、厚皮浅裂)栓皮栎各器官栲胶含量,系统采集了秦岭南坡商州区4种类型的栓皮栎不同径级植株根、主干木材、叶片、枝条和树皮样品,用紫外光分光光度法(UV Spectrophotometry)测定了4种类型栓皮栎不同器官栲胶含量,分析了林木生长与栲胶含量的关系。结果表明,(1)4种类型栓皮栎的根、主干木材、叶片、枝条和树皮单宁含量平均值分别为2.64%—3.02%、1.74%—2.02%、6.63%—7.21%、4.69%—5.10%、8.87%—9.46%,叶片、枝条和树皮均可以作为栲胶生产主要原材料。(2)不同类型各器官单宁含量存在极显著差异(P0.01),4种类型的树皮、叶片、枝条单宁含量均表现为:厚皮深裂型厚皮浅裂型薄皮深裂型薄皮浅裂型;根部和主干木材在4种类型间单宁含量表现为:薄皮深裂型薄皮浅裂型厚皮深裂型厚皮浅裂型;厚皮深裂类型的栓皮栎是提取栲胶的最佳类型。(3)4种类型栓皮栎各器官单宁含量与胸径呈显著正相关,各器官单宁含量随着栓皮栎胸径增大而增多,并最终趋于稳定,在第Ⅳ径级(胸径20.1—25cm)时,栲胶含量均值最大。因此,栲胶生产可以高效利用第Ⅳ径级及其以上径级的栓皮栎,并对第Ⅳ径级以下栓皮栎进行定向培育和重点保护。     

3个香蕉品种的果实淀粉形状与含量及风味物质比较

采用扫描电子显微镜对巴西蕉、宝岛蕉、红香蕉3个品种(AAA基因型)的淀粉颗粒形状及大小进行观察,并测定果实中总淀粉、直链淀粉、支链淀粉及风味物质的含量,以揭示不同品种间香蕉果实品质差异的内在机理。结果显示:(1)巴西蕉、宝岛蕉、红香蕉淀粉颗粒的形状分别为不规则三角形、圆形、棒形,大小分别为8.20~35.70μm、6.90~29.80μm、5.47~23.80μm。(2)巴西蕉、宝岛蕉、红香蕉总淀粉含量分别为(66.93±2.48)%、(90.38±2.46)%、(48.91±2.49)%;直链淀粉含量分别为(20.48±1.09)%、(21.48±1.08)%、(14.67±1.10)%;支链淀粉含量分别为(46.45±1.85)%、(68.90±1.25)%、(34.24±1.45)%;且3个品种总淀粉、支链淀粉及直链淀粉含量差异均达到显著水平。(3)巴西蕉、宝岛蕉、红香蕉Vc含量分别为(15.54±1.10)、(17.63±1.14)、(16.76±1.03)mg/100g FM;可溶性固形物含量分别为(15.50±0.22)%、(15.67±0.30)%和(16.17±0.30)%;糖/酸比分别为2.75∶1、2.74∶1、3.15∶1;差异显著性分析发现,3个品种Vc及可溶性固形物含量差异分别达到极显著、显著水平;巴西蕉和宝岛蕉糖/酸比差异不显著。研究认为,同一基因型(AAA)不同品种香蕉果实的淀粉形状、大小、总淀粉、直链淀粉、支链淀粉以及Vc和可溶性固形物含量均存在明显差异,为解释不同品种间香蕉果实品质差异提供了理论依据。     

小麦品系CP98(11)不同器官表皮蜡质组分和蜡质晶体结构的差异分析

为明确小麦不同器官表皮蜡质晶体结构和蜡质组分的差异,该研究以小麦品系CP98(11)为材料,在小麦扬花期分别取小麦的旗叶、叶鞘、穗下茎、花药和颖壳,利用气相色谱技术对各器官表皮蜡质组分进行鉴定,并通过扫描电镜观察其蜡质晶体结构。结果表明:(1)小麦不同器官的蜡质成分共鉴定出30种,主要为初级醇、二酮、烷烃、脂肪醛、脂肪酸、酯。(2)叶鞘、穗下茎、颖壳的蜡质中二酮含量最高,分别占蜡质总量的78.96%、67.03%和68.6%;花药的蜡质中烷烃含量最高(75.82%);旗叶的蜡质中初级醇含量最高(45.91%),其次为烷烃33.19%。(3)扫描电镜观察显示,旗叶正面的蜡质晶体呈片状结构,旗叶反面和颖壳的蜡质晶体结构呈片状与柱状混合的结构,花药的蜡质呈明显的波浪状结构,穗下茎和叶鞘的蜡质晶体呈柱状结构。     

斑点叉尾鲖对不同形式赖氨酸利用的比较研究

为比较斑点叉尾鲖(Ictalurus punctatus)对不同形式赖氨酸的利用效果, 设置了鱼粉含量5%、豆粕含量15%的正对照饲料, 及鱼粉含量2.5%、豆粕含量0的负对照饲料, 在负对照饲料基础上, 分别添加晶体赖氨酸盐酸盐、晶体赖氨酸硫酸盐以及微囊赖氨酸盐酸盐, 使其赖氨酸含量达到与正对照饲料一致的水平, 共配制5组等氮等能饲料, 饲养平均体重为(54.40.1) g的斑点叉尾鲖60d, 考察不同形式赖氨酸对斑点叉尾鲖生长、血清生化指标和蛋白质消化酶活性的影响。结果表明, 与负对照组相比, 添加晶体赖氨酸盐酸盐和晶体赖氨酸硫酸盐对斑点叉尾鲖的生长性能影响不显著(P0.05), 而添加微囊赖氨酸盐酸盐提高斑点叉尾鲖增重率20.7% (P0.05), 降低饲料系数16.0% (P0.05), 在增重率与饲料系数方面达到与正对照组基本一致的水平(P0.05)。与负对照组相比, 在饲料中添加晶体赖氨酸盐酸盐、晶体赖氨酸硫酸盐以及微囊赖氨酸盐酸盐对血清谷丙转氨酶、谷草转氨酶、碱性磷酸酶及肠蛋白酶活性的影响均不显著(P0.05), 但显著提高了胃蛋白酶活性(P0.05)。此外, 添加微囊赖氨酸盐酸盐还显著提高了肝胰脏蛋白酶活性(P0.05)。上述结果表明, 在低赖氨酸实用饲料中补充晶体赖氨酸盐酸盐或赖氨酸硫酸盐对斑点叉尾鲖的生长性能改善作用不显著(P0.05), 而补充微囊赖氨酸盐酸盐则能显著提高斑点叉尾鲖增重率, 降低饲料系数。     

罗非鱼对晶体蛋氨酸、包膜蛋氨酸利用的比较研究

为比较罗非鱼对晶体蛋氨酸、包膜蛋氨酸的利用效果, 设计了鱼粉含量为9%的鱼粉饲料、鱼粉含量为0%的无鱼粉饲料(以豆粕等蛋白替代鱼粉), 在无鱼粉饲料基础上分别添加晶体蛋氨酸、包膜蛋氨酸, 使其蛋氨酸含量与鱼粉饲料一致, 共4种饲料, 饲喂平均体重为(1.220.07) g/尾的奥尼罗非鱼(Oreochromis niloticus O. aureus) 8周。结果表明, 各组罗非鱼增重率分别为1642.7%、1250.3%、1362.0%、1451.7%, 饲料系数分别为1.08、1.45、1.30、1.21; 在无鱼粉饲料中添加晶体蛋氨酸、包膜蛋氨酸提高增重率8.9%、16.1% (P0.05), 降低饲料系数10.34%、16.55% (P0.05); 包膜蛋氨酸组较晶体蛋氨酸组具有更高增重率和更低饲料系数(P0.05)。对摄食后不同时间点肝脏和血浆谷草转氨酶(GOT)、谷丙转氨酶(GPT)活性变化的测定表明, 鱼粉饲料组、无鱼粉饲料组肝脏GOT、GPT活性分别在摄食后第2、第4h出现高峰; 晶体蛋氨酸组在摄食后1h出现高峰, 较无鱼粉组提前; 包膜蛋氨酸组在摄食后第5h出现高峰, 较无鱼粉组滞后; 血浆GOT、GPT活性变化趋势与肝脏的基本一致。消化率试验表明, 鱼粉饲料组干物质、粗蛋白质消化率最高, 无鱼粉饲料组最低; 在无鱼粉饲料中添加晶体蛋氨酸、包膜蛋氨酸后, 干物质、粗蛋白质消化率均得到显著提高(P0.05)。上述结果表明, 在蛋氨酸缺乏的实用饲料中补充晶体或包膜蛋氨酸, 均可显著提高罗非鱼生长性能和营养物质消化率, 包膜蛋氨酸较晶体蛋氨酸具有更高的利用效率和更好的促生长效果。       

不同地理种群红棕象甲前胸背板色斑分析

【目的】红棕象甲Rhynchophorus ferrugineus(Olivier)是棕榈科植物上重要入侵害虫之一,寄主及分布范围广。详细了解红棕象甲前胸背板色斑的特征,不仅能够从形态上快速正确地识别,从而为进行有效的监测和防控提供依据,同时为红棕象甲种群多样性在其入侵过程中的适应性和入侵性分析提供理论基础。【方法】本文通过对21个野外不同地理种群及室内两种体色型的红棕象甲样本的色斑数量、形状及分布位置进行统计分析。【结果】1)红棕象甲前胸背板色斑一般分前后两行排列,色斑数在2-11个不等;色斑形状有(近)椭圆形、圆形、心形、水滴状、线形、三角形、菱形和不规则形等。2)不同地理种群的色斑在数量,形状和位置分布存在差异。福建省11个地理种群中含有6个和7个色斑数的个体占87.7%,重庆(CQ)种群的个体全部是6个和7个色斑类型;四川(SC)、上海(SH)、云南(YN)、深圳(SZ)4个种群的优势色斑型为6个色斑型,分别占50.0%、45.0%、71.4%和70%;广西(GX)、美洲阿鲁巴岛(Aruba)和台湾地区(TW)种群中7个色斑型个体占大多数,分别为50.0%、77.8%和80%;海南(HN)种群的色斑数主要集中在6个和8个色斑(33.3%和56.7%);巴基斯坦种群2个色斑类型占68.2%。色斑形状和分布位置的聚类图结果显示地理位置与色斑的形状及位置没有规律性。3)不同地理种群优势色斑的分布没有雌雄特异性。4)经纬度和种群色斑数的相关性分析,结果显示色斑数与地理纬度间存在显著的低度负相关性(r=﹣0.312,P=0.010),而地理经度与色斑数间没有显著的相关性(r=﹣0.059,P=0.635)。5)实验室群体中,黑色型的红棕象甲的优势色斑数为7个,红色型的优势色斑数则为8个,其中,10个色斑类型仅在红色型中存在。色斑数高的色斑类型(色斑数大于7个)在红色型中存在的比例远远高于黑色型(红色型为55.6%,黑色型为2.3%),且红色型的色斑的大小一般为前排小,后排大,这与黑色型存在明显差异。【结论】不同地理种群的红棕象甲在色斑数量,色斑形状和色斑分布位置上存在差异,但这种差异并没有地理位置的规律性,但在海南和巴基斯坦种群中存在种群特异性,福建和台湾地区种群存在相似性;色斑数多的种群,其色斑形状多样性越高;色斑类型与体色之间存在联系。     

斑点叉尾鲖对不同形式赖氨酸利用的比较研究

为比较斑点叉尾鲖(Ictalurus punctatus)对不同形式赖氨酸的利用效果,设置了鱼粉含量5%、豆粕含量15%的正对照饲料,及鱼粉含量2.5%、豆粕含量0的负对照饲料,在负对照饲料基础上,分别添加晶体赖氨酸盐酸盐、晶体赖氨酸硫酸盐以及微囊赖氨酸盐酸盐,使其赖氨酸含量达到与正对照饲料一致的水平,共配制5组等氮等能饲料,饲养平均体重为(54.4±0.1)g的斑点叉尾鲖60d,考察不同形式赖氨酸对斑点叉尾鲖生长、血清生化指标和蛋白质消化酶活性的影响。结果表明,与负对照组相比,添加晶体赖氨酸盐酸盐和晶体赖氨酸硫酸盐对斑点叉尾鲖的生长性能影响不显著(P0.05),而添加微囊赖氨酸盐酸盐提高斑点叉尾鲖增重率20.7%(P0.05),降低饲料系数16.0%(P0.05),在增重率与饲料系数方面达到与正对照组基本一致的水平(P0.05)。与负对照组相比,在饲料中添加晶体赖氨酸盐酸盐、晶体赖氨酸硫酸盐以及微囊赖氨酸盐酸盐对血清谷丙转氨酶、谷草转氨酶、碱性磷酸酶及肠蛋白酶活性的影响均不显著(P0.05),但显著提高了胃蛋白酶活性(P0.05)。此外,添加微囊赖氨酸盐酸盐还显著提高了肝胰脏蛋白酶活性(P0.05)。上述结果表明,在低赖氨酸实用饲料中补充晶体赖氨酸盐酸盐或赖氨酸硫酸盐对斑点叉尾鲖的生长性能改善作用不显著(P0.05),而补充微囊赖氨酸盐酸盐则能显著提高斑点叉尾鲖增重率,降低饲料系数。     

第三届国际植硅石研究会议在布鲁塞尔召开 (2000年8月21—25日,比利时)

“国际植硅石研究会议”为两年一度的国际性学术会议 ,其前身为“欧洲植硅石研究会议”,始于 1996年。鉴于“第一届欧洲植硅石研究会议”在西班牙举办时 ,吸引了世界各地植硅石工作者的参加 ,于是将 1998年在法国举办的第二届会议名称更改为“国际植硅石研究会议”,由当地研究机构和国际植硅石学会联名主办。　　第三届国际植硅石研究会议于 2 0 0 0年 8月 2 1日至 2 5日在比利时中非皇家博物馆隆重举行 ,来自世界各地 17个国家的42位代表出席了会议 ,包括比利时 (12 )、法国 (6 )、美国 (5 )、西班牙 (3)、英国 (2 )、澳大利亚 (2 )、墨西…     

几种红树植物木材热值和灰分含量的研究

在夏季对海南东寨港红树林自然保护区一些红树植物木材的灰分含量和热值进行了测定,并研究了夏季不同纬度的秋茄 (Kandelia candel)木材热值的变化.结果表明,红树植物木材的灰分含量较低,在2.43%～5.17%之间;干重热值在17.23～19.21kJ·g^-1之间,去灰分热值在 17.70～20.10kJ·g^-1之间;嗜热窄布种无瓣海桑 (Sonneratia apetala)木材的干重热值和去灰分热值均是最低;在夏季秋茄木材的热值随纬度升高而下降.     

Wood anatomy and uses of 7 tropical tree species from Mexico

The wood anatomy of Coccoloba cozumelensis Hemsl., Coccoloba spicata Lundell, Gymnanthes lucida Sw., Blomia cupanioides Miranda, Canella winterana (L.) Gaertn., Aspidosperma megalocarpon Müell Arg. and Ehretia tinifolia L., is described. One tree per species was collected in the tropical rain forest of Quintana Roo, Mexico. Their wood has important traditional uses in furniture, tools, rural buildings, posts, fences, railroads and firewood. Macroscopic and microscopic characteristics were described and measured in wood samples, permanent slides and macerated material. These species have diffuse porosity, alternate vessel pits, simple perforation plates, numerous and small rays; libriform fibres are common, as well as ergastic material in gum forms, calcium carbonate and silica crystals. These characteristics explain aesthetical, weight, hardness and resistance (to mechanical and biological damage) characters that fit traditional use by the Maya.     

草酸钙结晶在几种凤仙花属植物中的特征及其分类学意义

首次研究了7种凤仙花属(ImpatiensL.)植物茎的解剖学及细胞组织中草酸钙结晶的特征.结果表明,7种凤仙花属植物茎的解剖学结构非常近似,而茎中草酸钙结晶特征则差异显著,7种凤仙花属植物茎中均有草酸钙针晶,根据草酸钙结晶形态特征的不同,将针晶分为3种类型,即针晶束、针晶簇和散针晶.其中,黄金凤、长角凤仙花、锐齿凤仙花和红纹凤仙花有针晶束分布,而湖北凤仙花、紫花黄金凤和窄萼凤仙花则无针晶束分布,只有针晶簇或散针晶分布;此外,针晶的形态、长度、排列方式及丰富程度等在不同的物种中亦有差异.草酸钙结晶特征对凤仙花属植物的分类具有一定的科学意义.     

Anatomy of the Secondary Phloem and the Crystalliferous Phloem Fibers in the Stem of Torreya grandis

The structure of the secondary phloem and the development of the crystaleiferous phloem fibers in the stem of Torrey grandis were observed under the ligth microscope and SEM. The secondary phloem is composed of sieve cells, phloem parenchyma cells, crystalliferous phloem fibers and stone cells in the longitudinal system, and the uniserite homogeneous phloem rays consisting of parenchyma cells only in the radial system. In the cross section, there are 3–9 sieve cells in radial rows forming discontinuous tangential layers, the crystalliferous phloem fibers often in a single discontinuous tangential layer and the stone cells dispersed in rangential layer of phloem parenchyma. The developmental process of crystalliferous phloem fibers is as follows: initial cells appeared in the end of April and were well differentiated in the first week of May. Some crystals were deposited in the primary wall, while others were free in the cell. At the end of May, the secondary wall of most crysalliferous phloem fibers started to be thickened. With the thickening of the secondary wall, all the crystals were embedded in the wall from June to August From the end of September to the early days of October, the crystalliferous phloem fibers reached their full maturation. It is shown by microchemical identification and EDAX analysis that the crystals embedded in the wail of crystalliferous phloem fibers are calcium oxalate crystals.     

Wood and bark anatomy of Hypocalyptus support its isolated taxonomic position in Leguminosae

The wood and bark anatomy of all three species of Hypocalyptus from the monotypic South African endemic tribe Hypocalypteae were studied. Despite large morphological differences (especially in habit) the species were found to be similar in wood and bark structure. Discontinuities are quantitative only, relating mainly to differences in growth form between H. oxalidifolius, a short-lived shrublet, and the two other species, H. coluteoides and H. sophoroides, both of which are erect shrubs or small trees of up to 6 m tall. Hypocalyptus wood has a mesomorphic structure with vessels solitary or in small groups, reflecting relatively moist habitats in fynbos vegetation. In contrast to many genera of Leguminosae for which data are available, crystals are absent from the wood. This is the first report of tanniniferous tubes in the wood of Leguminosae (previously reported only in Myristicaceae and a genus from Ulmaceae). The presence of tanniniferous tubes and the absence of crystals in all three species of Hypocalyptus underline the isolated position of the genus and support its tribal status.     

The Occurrence, Type and Location of Calcium Oxalate Crystals in the Leaves of Fourteen Species of Araceae

The occurrence, type and location of calcium oxalate crystalsin the leaves of 14 species belonging to the family Araceaewere studied by light microscopy. The Pizzolato test and theRubeanic acid-silver nitrate test, used to chemically identifyand locate the crystals in cross sections of laminae, showedthe presence of four types of crystals: druses, raphides, prismaticsand crystal sand. Styloids were not observed in any of the species.Crystals identified as calcium oxalate were observed in eachtissue layer of the leaf blade, druses occurring more frequentlyin the palisade mesophyll layers, raphides more often in thespongy mesophyll. Prismatics were sparse, occurring in the mesophyllof only two species. Specialized spindle-shaped crystal idioblasts,located in the spongy mesophyll in all cases, were observedin seven of the 14 aroids. Crystal sand and variations in crystalforms were most frequently observed to be calcium compoundsother than calcium oxalate. Crystals, calcium oxalate, idioblasts, Araceae     

A calcium oxalate-secreting tissue in branchlets of the Casuarinaceae

Summary Deciduous branchlets of casuarina trees have an unusual calcium oxalate-secreting system in which the epidermal tissue deposits calcium oxalate crystals in cell walls of the branchlet surface. These prismatic crystals were identified by light and electron microscopy, histochemistry, and elemental X-ray analysis. This calcium oxalate-secreting tissue was found in all species of casuarinas examined, including three of the four genera of the Casuarinaceae:Allocasuarina sp.,Casuarina sp., andGymnostoma papuanum. Because crystals were present throughout the epidermis soon after it formed, the mechanism for their induction was likely to be different than that for calcium oxalate crystal idioblasts. Secreting cells had a complex endoplasmic reticulum that may be involved in the secretory process.Abbreviations EDS energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy - HPF/FS high pressure-frozen/freeze-substituted - SEM scanning electron microscopy - TEM transmission electron microscopy Dedicated to the memory of Professor John G. Torrey     

An enzymatic method for removal of phenol from industrial effluent

Phenols in an aqueous solution were removed after treatment with peroxidase in the presence of hydrogen peroxide. Phenols occur in wastewater of a number of industries, such as high temperature coal conversion, petroleum refining, resin and plastic, wood and dye industries, etc. It can be toxic when present at elevated levels and is known to be carcinogeneous. Thus, removal of such compound from these industrial effluents is of great importance. An enzymatic method for removal of phenols from industrial wastewater, using turnip peroxidase, has been developed. Phenol-containing industrial wastewater was treated with immobilized turnip peroxidase in the presence of hydrogen peroxide. In the reaction, a number of phenols are oxidized to form the corresponding free radicals in the presence of hydrogen peroxide as an oxidant. Free radicals polymerize to form substances that are less soluble in water than the original substances. The precipitates were removed by conventional methods and residual phenol was estimated. The present report describes the immobilization of turnip peroxidase on silica via covalent coupling, and its utility in phenol removal. A comparative study was also carried out with other immobilization techniques, viz., calcium alginate entrapment, polyacrylamide gel entrapment, etc. Peroxidase, covalently bound to silica, showed 95% removal of phenol, whereas naphthol was removed up to 99%.     

Radial and vertical variation of wood nutrients in Bornean tropical forest trees

Nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, and magnesium concentrations in woody tissue are poorly documented, but are necessary for understanding whole-tree nutrient use and storage. Here, we report how wood macronutrient concentrations vary radially and along the length of a tree for 10 tropical tree species in Sabah, Malaysia. Bark nutrient concentrations were consistently high: 2.9–13.7 times greater than heartwood depending on the nutrient. In contrast, within the wood both the radial (sapwood vs. heartwood) and vertical (trunk bottom vs. trunk middle) variation was modest. Higher concentrations in sapwood relative to heartwood provide empirical support for wood nutrient resorption during sapwood senescence. Dipterocarp species showed resorption rates of 25.3 ± 7.1% (nitrogen), 62.7 ± 11.9% (phosphorus), and 56.2 ± 12.5% (potassium), respectively, while non-dipterocarp species showed no evidence of nutrient resorption in wood. This suggests that while dipterocarps have lower wood nutrient concentrations, this family is able to compensate for this by using wood nutrient resorption as an efficient nutrient conservation mechanism. In contrast to other nutrients, calcium and magnesium tended to accumulate in heartwood. Wood density (WD) showed little vertical variation along the trunk. Across the species (WD range of 0.33 to 0.94 mg/cm³), WD was negatively correlated with wood P and K concentration and positively correlated with wood Ca concentration. As our study showed exceptionally high nutrient concentrations in the bark, debarking and leaving the bark of the harvested trees on site during logging operations could substantially contribute to maintaining nutrients within forest ecosystems.     

Crystals in tapetal cells of the Leguminosae

In a survey of the Leguminosae (167 species of 89 genera), calcium oxalate crystals were found in tapetal cells in all three subfamilies (84 species of 52 genera). Crystal form ranged from small scattered crystals to lens-like to various large prismatic types, and included the first report of styloid crystals in the Caesalpinioideae. Over half of the caesalpinioid and papilionoid legumes examined had crystals. Crystals were not common in the Mimosoideae, however, but this may be because of the small sample. The distribution of species with various crystal types, and of species lacking crystals, did not reveal any patterns that conform to the presently defined taxa. Crystals in tapetal cells have previously been reported only in the Commelinaceae and Labiatae.     

Morphologies and elemental compositions of calcium crystals in phyllodes and branchlets of Acacia robeorum (Leguminosae: Mimosoideae)

Background and Aims

Formation of calcium oxalate crystals is common in the plant kingdom, but biogenic formation of calcium sulfate crystals in plants is rare. We investigated the morphologies and elemental compositions of crystals found in phyllodes and branchlets of Acacia robeorum, a desert shrub of north-western Australia.

Methods

Morphologies of crystals in phyllodes and branchlets of A. robeorum were studied using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and elemental compositions of the crystals were identified by energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Distributional patterns of the crystals were studied using optical microscopy together with SEM.

Key Results

According to the elemental compositions, the crystals were classified into three groups: (1) calcium oxalate; (2) calcium sulfate, which is a possible mixture of calcium sulfate and calcium oxalate with calcium sulfate being the major component; and (3) calcium sulfate · magnesium oxalate, presumably mixtures of calcium sulfate, calcium oxalate, magnesium oxalate and silica. The crystals were of various morphologies, including prisms, raphides, styloids, druses, crystal sand, spheres and clusters. Both calcium oxalate and calcium sulfate crystals were observed in almost all tissues, including mesophyll, parenchyma, sclerenchyma (fibre cells), pith, pith ray and cortex; calcium sulfate · magnesium oxalate crystals were only found in mesophyll and parenchyma cells in phyllodes.

Conclusions

The formation of most crystals was biologically induced, as confirmed by studying the crystals formed in the phyllodes from seedlings grown in a glasshouse. The crystals may have functions in removing excess calcium, magnesium and sulfur, protecting the plants against herbivory, and detoxifying aluminium and heavy metals.