Salinity Effects on Survival,Growth and Morphometry of Four Egyptian Artemia Populations (International Study on Artemia. LXVII)

Hydrobiologia - Four Artemia populations from northern Egypt, a bisexual one from Wadi El-Natrun Lake, two coastal parthenogenetic ones from Borg El-Arab and El-Max saltworks and an inland...     

Pretrichodermamide C and N-methylpretrichodermamide B,two new cytotoxic epidithiodiketopiperazines from hyper saline lake derived Penicillium sp.

Two new epidithiodiketopiperazines, pretrichodermamide C (1) and N-methylpretrichodermamide B (2) were isolated from the fungus Penicillium sp., derived from the sediment of a hyper saline lake located at Wadi El-Natrun in Egypt. The structures of 1 and 2 were unambiguously determined on the basis of one- and two-dimensional NMR spectroscopy and by high-resolution mass spectrometry, as well as by comparison with the literature. Compound 2 showed pronounced cytotoxicity against the murine lymphoma L5178Y cell line with an IC₅₀ value of 2 μM.     

Xanthone,benzophenone and bianthrone derivatives from the hypersaline lake-derived fungus Aspergillus wentii

Five new metabolites, including the xanthone derivative wentixanthone A (1), the benzophenone wentiphenone A (2), the diastereomeric mixtures of the bianthrones wentibianthrone A (3a, b) and wentibianthrone B (4a, b), as well as (10R,10′S)-wentibianthrone C (5a) and (10R,10′R)-wentibianthrone C (5b) were obtained from the fungus Aspergillus wentii, isolated from soil of the hypersaline lake El Hamra in Wadi El-Natrun, Egypt. The structures of the isolated compounds were established by one and two-dimensional NMR and MS spectroscopic analysis. The relative configuration of bianthrones (3–5) was elucidated by comparison of experimental and computed ¹H NMR chemical shifts. Results of biological assays are reported.     

Airborne Pollen Grains of Afyon,Turkey

The airborne pollen grains of Afyon have been studied for a two-year period(1999-2000)with a Durham sampler,A total of 14367 pollen grains belonging to 40 taxa have been identified and recorded with some unidentified ones.Of them,6732 were identified in 1999 and 7635 in 2000.Of the total pollen grains,69.67% were arboreal,26.64% on-arboreal and 3.68% unidentified.The majority of the investigated pollen grains were from Pinus,Granineae,Cupressaceae,Platamus,Chenopodiaceae/Amaranthaceae,Quercus,Ailanthus,Moraceae,Juglans,Salix,Cedrus and Rosaceae.The highest level of pollen grains was in May.     

Isochroman and isocoumarin derivatives from hypersaline lake sediment-derived fungus Penicillium sp.

Chromatographic analysis of the ethyl acetate extract of the fungus Penicillium sp., which was isolated from the sediment of the hyper saline lake Wadi El-Natrun in Egypt, afforded two new isochromans (1 and 2) and a new isocoumarin derivative (3), along with six known compounds (4–9). The planar structures of new compounds were unequivocally elucidated on the basis of extensive 1D- and 2D-NMR spectroscopy as well as HRESIMS. The relative configurations of the new compounds were established by analysis of the coupling constants as well as through ROESY experiments, while the absolute configurations were determined by comparison of the [α]_D values and by plausible biosynthetic considerations. Compounds (1–6) were found to share (3S) configuration. All compounds demonstrated a weak to moderate cytotoxic activity against the murine lymphoma L5178Y cell line.     

Airborne Pollen Grains Of Afyon, Turkey

The airborne pollen grains of Afyon have been studied for a two-year period (1999-2000) with a Durham sampler. A total of 14 367 pollen grains belonging to 40 taxa have been identified and recorded with some unidentified ones. Of them, 6 732 were identified in 1999 and 7 635 in 2000. Of the total pollen grains, 69.67% were arboreal, 26.64% non-arboreal and 3.68 % unidentified. The majority of the investigated pollen grains were from Pinus, Gramineae, Cupressaceae, Platanus, Chenopodiaceae/Amaranthaceae, Quercus, Ailanthus, Moraceae, Juglans, Salix, Cedrus and Rosaceae. The highest level of pollen grains was in May.     

Airborne Pollen Grains of Burdur, Turkey

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Airborne Pollen Grains of Burdur, Turkey

The pollen grains in the atmosphere of Burdur have been studied for a two-year period (1996 through 1997) with a Durham sampler. A total of 11881 pollen grains belonging to 39 taxa have been identified and recorded with some unidentified ones. Of them, 5726 were identified in 1996 and 6155 in 1997. Of the total pollen grains, 76.51% were arboreal, 21.62% non-arboreal and 1.87% unidentified. The majority of the investigated pollen grains were from Pinus L., Cupressaceae, Gramineae, Quercus L., Platanus L., Chenopodiaceae/Amaranthaceae, Salix L., Cedrus L., Compositae, Juglans L. and Urticaceae respectively. The highest level of pollen concentration was in May.     

Salinity effects on maturation, reproductive and life span characteristics of four Egyptian Artemia populations (International Study on Artemia. LXVIII)

Three parthenogenetic Artemia populations, i.e. two coastal from Borg El-Arab and El-Max saltworks and one from the inland Qarun Lake, and a bisexual strain (Artemia salina) from the inland carbonate lake of Wadi El-Natrun, all from upper Egypt were assayed for their response in 5 salinities (i.e. 35, 80, 120, 150 and 200 g l^?1). The experimental procedure was carried out under laboratory conditions, where the effects of salinity on maturation and ten reproductive and life span characteristics were investigated. The parthenogenetic Egyptian populations are more euryhaline compared to the bisexual one. The two coastal parthenogenetic populations appeared to be very similar in maturation rate and reproductive output at all salinities tested. The inland asexual strain showed a different reproductive response to the elevation of salinity from the two coastal populations. Discriminant function analysis has proven to be a useful tool in determining the differential response of closely related Artemia populations. The bisexual population showed significantly lower reproductive output compared to the parthenogenetic ones and performed best at 35 g l^?1; this is the first record of an A. salina population inhabiting a carbonate lake. These findings may provide valuable information on Artemia biodiversity in an area where very little is known. %     

Airborne Pollen Grains of Bozuyuk （Bilecik, Turkey）

Airborne pollen grains in the atmosphere of Bozuyuk were investigated over a 2 yr period from 2000 to 2001 using a Durham sampler. A total number of pollen grains of 5 170 pollen grains belonging to 32 taxa were identified and recorded along with some unidentified pollen grains. Of all the pollen grains, 78.66% were arboreal, 19.20% were non-arboreal, and 2.12% were unidentified. The majority of pollen grains investigated were Pinus, Platanus, Quercus, Cupressaceae, Poaceae, Fagus, Salix, Rosaceae, Urticaceae, Asteraceae, and Chenopodiaceae. The maximum number of pollen grains was recorded in May.     

The genus Micatagla Argaman, 1994 in Egypt,with three new species and a new record (Hymenoptera,Bradynobaenidae, Apterogyninae)

The genus Micatagla Argaman (Bradynobaenidae: Apterogyninae) is reviewed from Egypt, based on specimens collected from Wadi Allaqi (Aswan, Southern Egypt) and Kom Osheim (Fayoum) and those deposited in Egyptian insect collections as well as recorded data from the literature. A single species, Micatagla klugi (André), was previously recorded from Egypt. Micatagla allaqiensis sp. n., Micatagla ezzati sp. n. and Micatagla pseudorainerii sp. n. are described here. Micatagla antropovi Pagliano is also newly recorded from the Egyptian fauna. An illustrated key and a faunistic list comprising all Micatagla species recorded from Egypt are given.     

Pollen morphology of the family Cistaceae in Egypt and its systematic significance

The pollen morphology of 11 species (including two subspecies and two varieties) belonging to two genera (Helianthemum and Fumana) of the family Cistaceae in Egypt was studied using light and scanning electron microscopy.Pollen grains of the studied taxa were found to be radially symmetrical and tricolporate.Pollen size,shape,apertures,and exine ornamentation characteristics were valuable parameters among the studied taxa.The largest pollen size was recorded in H.salicifolium and the smallest one observed in H.kahiricum subsp,schweinfurthii.Pollen shape in the Egyptian taxa varied from (sub-)prolate to prolate spheroidal,but F.arabica is different in having sub-oblate grains.The pollen data confirm that H.lippii and H.sessiliflorum are very closely related species.Pollen sculpture was useful in distinguishing between H.vesicarium var.vesicarium and H.vesicarium var.ciliatum.Three main pollen types of exine ornamentation were recognized:retipilate; reticulate to verrucate; and striate.Based on palynological data,a key for the studied taxa is suggested.     

Analysis of Airborne Pollen Fall in Edirne,Turkey

In the atmosphere of Edirne 12 691 pollen grains belonging to 42 taxa were identified by using of Durham sampler in 2000 and 2001. A total of 6 189 pollen grains per cm2 were recorded in 2000 and a total of 6 502 pollen grains per cm2 in 2001. Total pollen grains consisted of 71.81% grains from arboreal plants, 25.88% grains from non-arboreal plants and 2.31% unidentified pollen grains. Pollen from the following taxa were also found to be prevalent in the atmosphere of Edirne: Gramineae, Pinus sp., Quercus sp.,Cupressaceae/Taxaceae, Platanus sp., Salix sp., Morus sp., Populus sp., Carpinus sp., Juglans sp.,Chenopodiaceae/Amaranthaceae, Fraxinus sp., Fagus sp., Ulmus sp., Ailanthus sp., Alnus sp., Ostrya sp.,Helianthus sp. The season of maximum pollen fall was from April to June, with a prevalence of arboreal pollen in the first month, and of pollen from non-arboreal plants in the last months of the year.     

Analysis of Airborne Pollen Fall in Edirne, Turkey

In the atmosphere of Edirne 12691 pollen grains belonging to 42 taxa were identified by using of Durham sampler in 2000 and 2001. A total of 6 189 pollen grains per cm~2 were recorded in 2000 and a total of 6502 pollen grains per cm~2 in 2001. Total pollen grains consisted of 71.81% grains from arboreal plants, 25.88% grains from non-arboreal plants and 2.31% unidentified pollen grains. Pollen from the following taxa were also found to be prevalent in the atmosphere of Edirne: Gramineae, Pinus sp., Quercus sp., Cupressaceae/Taxaceae, Platanus sp., Salix sp., Morus sp., Populus sp., Carpinus sp., Juglans sp., Chenopodiaceae/Amaranthaceae, Fraxinus sp., Fagus sp., Ulmus sp., Ailanthus sp., Alnus sp., Ostrya sp., Helianthus sp. The season of maximum pollen fall was from April to June, with a prevalence of arboreal pollen in the first month, and of pollen from non-arboreal plants in the last months of the year.     

Faunal correlation of Wadi Moghara, Egypt: implications for the age of Prohylobates tandyi

Wadi Moghara, Egypt, is an early Miocene fossil locality with a mammalian fauna that includes Prohylobates tandyi, one of the earliest known representatives of the Cercopithecoidea. Faunal correlations were conducted between Moghara, Gebel Zelten (Libya) and a series of East African fossil sites with established radiometric dates in order to estimate the age of the Moghara mammals, including P. tandyi. Results confirm hypotheses proposed in some previous studies that: (1) Moghara is about 18-17 Ma, approximately the same age as the Hiwegi fauna from Rusinga Island (Kenya); (2) Moghara is slightly older than Gebel Zelten (Libya) (17-15 Ma); and (3) the cercopithecoid tooth presently identified as Victoriapithecus sp. from Napak V (ca. 19 Ma) is currently the oldest known record of a fossil Old World monkey, followed by P. tandyi from Moghara (Egypt) (18-17 Ma) and Prohylobates sp. from Buluk (Kenya) (>17.2 Ma), P. simonsi from Gebel Zelten (Libya) (ca. 17-15 Ma), and V. macinnesi from Maboko (Kenya) (ca. 16-14.7 Ma).     

Phytogeographical significance of Wadi Wateer (Sinai), Egypt, with special reference to Cocculus hirsutus (L.) W.Theob.

The botanical survey of Wadi Wateer, located in the southeastern Sinai, revealed the presence of a plant that provides an important new record to the Flora of Egypt: Cocculus hirsutus (L.) Theob. This plant has not been recorded previously as existing in its wild form in the Flora of Egypt. The plant cover in Wadi Wateer is dominated by plant taxa belonging to the Saharo-Sindian phytogeographical element. However, many plants in the wadi have been attributed to the Sudanian chorotype, such as Acacia tortilis (Forssk.) Hayne subsp. raddiana (Savi) Brenan, Chrozophora brocchiana Vis., Lycium shawii Roem & Schult., Moricandia sinaica (Boiss.) Boiss., Cocculus hirsutus (L.) Theob. and Cocculus pendulus (J.R. & G. Forst.) Diels. The presence of Sudanian chorotype plant taxa [including the newly recorded Cocculus hirsutus (L.) Theob.] provides evidence that Wadi Wateer and Aqaba Gulf functioned as migratory tracks for these African plants, assisting their penetration into the Saharo-Sindian, Mediterranean and Irano-Turanian phytogeographical regions in the Sinai and Asia. This study suggests that Wadi Wateer should be declared a protected area for its habitat and climatic diversity as well as for its phytogeographical significance.     

国产爵床科鳞花草族1属、穿心莲族2属和爵床族8属植物的花粉形态

报道了中国爵床科Acanthaceae爵床亚科Ruellioideae鳞花草族Lepidagathideae 1属、穿心莲族Andrographideae 2属和爵床族Justicieae 8属共14种植物的花粉形态。根据花粉萌发孔类型和外壁纹饰特征,可将这些植物的花粉归为4个类型: (1)具3孔沟,外壁具网状纹饰。该类型见于色萼花属Chroesthes (采自广西样品)和穿心莲属Andrographis植物。(2)具3孔沟及假沟(肋条带型)类型,外壁具网状纹饰,网眼纵向排列成行,网眼内有细网纹。该类型见于色萼花属(采自云南样品)和鳔冠花属Cystacanthus。(3)具3孔沟,沟两侧各有1条假沟,外壁具网状纹饰。该类型见于瑞丽山壳骨Pseuderanthemum shweliense、狗肝菜属Dicliptera和驳骨草属Gendarussa植物。(4)具2孔沟,沟两侧具斑块。该类型见于山壳骨属Pseuderanthemum 1种、纤穗爵床属Leptostachya、鳄嘴花属Clinacanthus、鸭嘴花属Adhatoda、杜根藤属Calophanoides和野靛棵属Mananthes植物。     

Pollen Analysis of Natural Honeys from the Central Region of Shanxi,North China

Based on qualitative and quantitative melissopalynological analyses, 19 Chinese honeys were classified by botanical origin to determine their floral sources. The honey samples were collected during 2010–2011 from the central region of Shanxi Province, North China. A diverse spectrum of 61 pollen types from 37 families was identified. Fourteen samples were classified as unifloral, whereas the remaining samples were multifloral. Bee-favoured families (occurring in more than 50% of the samples) included Caprifoliaceae (found in 10 samples), Laminaceae (10), Brassicaceae (12), Rosaceae (12), Moraceae (13), Rhamnaceae (15), Asteraceae (17), and Fabaceae (19). In the unifloral honeys, the predominant pollen types were Ziziphus jujuba (in 5 samples), Robinia pseudoacacia (3), Vitex negundo var. heterophylla (2), Sophora japonica (1), Ailanthus altissima (1), Asteraceae type (1), and Fabaceae type (1). The absolute pollen count (i.e., the number of pollen grains per 10 g honey sample) suggested that 13 samples belonged to Group I (<20,000 pollen grains), 4 to Group II (20,000–100,000), and 2 to Group III (100,000–500,000). The dominance of unifloral honeys without toxic pollen grains and the low value of the HDE/P ratio (i.e., honey dew elements/pollen grains from nectariferous plants) indicated that the honey samples are of good quality and suitable for human consumption.     

Pollen germinates precociously in the anthers of raring-to-go, an Arabidopsis gametophytic mutant

Pollen hydration is usually tightly regulated and occurs in vivo only when desiccated pollen grains acquire water from the female, thus enabling pollen tube growth. Pollen tubes are easily visualized by staining with decolorized aniline blue, a stain specific for callose. We identified a mutant, raring-to-go, in which pollen grains stained for callose before anther dehiscence. When raring-to-go plants are transferred to high humidity, pollen tubes dramatically elongate within the anther. As early as the bicellular stage, affected pollen grains in raring-to-go plants acquire or retain water within the anther, and precociously germinate. Thus, the requirement for contact with the female is circumvented. We used pollen tetrad analysis to show that raring-to-go is a gametophytic mutation, to our knowledge the first gametophytic mutation in Arabidopsis that affects early events in the pollination pathway. To aid in identifying raring-to-go alleles, we devised a new technique for screening pollen in bulk with decolorized aniline blue. We screened a new M(1) mutagenized population and identified several additional mutants with a raring-to-go-like phenotype, demonstrating the usefulness of this technique. Further, we isolated other mutants (gift-wrapped pollen, polka dot pollen, and emotionally fragile pollen) with unexpected patterns of callose staining. We suggest that raring-to-go and these other mutants may help dissect components of the pathway that regulates pollen hydration and pollen tube growth.