Ultrastructure comparée de la spermiogenèse et du spermatozoïde de trois espèces de Paravortex (Rhabdocoela, "Dalyellioida", Graffillidae), Turbellariés parasites intestinaux de Mollusques

Three species of the genus Paravortex were studied. Spermiogenesis involves progressive lengthening of the spermatid. No centriole nor axoneme were found. Thc mature spermatozoon is threadlike, 30μm long and aflagellate. It contains a nucleus, two longitudinal parallel mitochondria, numerous dense bodies limited by a membrane, a row of cortical microtubules and granules. The spatial arrangement of the microtubules wah deduced from a statistical analysis of their number in transverse section. The microtubules are continuous along the length of the spermatozoon and are arranged along a long cone. The granules, not limited by a membrane, are about 25 nm in diameter. They are arranged in a semicircle and represent a new structure for sperm of Platyhclminthes. A statistical comparison demonstrated that two species may be distinguished by the number of their cortical sperm microtubules. This is the tirst ultrastructural study of an aflagellate spermatozoon in the Rhabdocoela. A rickettsia was found in P. cardii .     

Implications phylogénétiques de I'ultrastructure de la spermatogenèse, du spermatozoïde et de I'ovogenèse du TurbellariéUrastoma cyprinae ("Prolecithophora", Urastomidae)

Spermiogenesis in Urastoma cyprinae (Graff. 1882) involvcs a progressive lengthening of the spermatid. Free flagella are only transitory. The mature spermatozoon is fusibrm. 45μm in length and 2.5 μm in width. It contains two incorporated axonermes of the flatworm 9+"1" pattern, two elongated mitochondria. an elongated nucleus and a row or cortical longitudinal microtubules. Observations on oogenesis concerncd only the immuturc ovary. lmmature oocytes contain few dense granules and accssory cells were not ohserved. Phylogenetic implications of a biflagellate spermatozoon in a Prolecithophora are important. The presence of two 9 +"1" axonemes confirms that Urastoma (and the Prolecithophora) belongs to the taxon Trepaxonemata Ehlers. Previous electron microscope studies on spermitozoa of Prolecithophora (four genera) only dealt with aflagellate spermatozoa. On this basis, Ehlers (1985) proposed two autapomorphics for the taxon Prolecithophora: aflagellate spermatozoon and spermatozoal mitochondrial derivatives with abundant membranes. The present observations on Urastoma contradict these two autapomorphics. The taxon Prolecithophora cannot be defined by autapomorphies of the spermatozoon.     

Modalités de l'inhibition de la croissance et de la synthèse des acides nucléiques des plantules de blé par l'acide abscissique

The growth of wheat seedlings (Triticum sativum) is inhibited by abscisic acid (ABA). The inhibition increases with the concentration of ABA (from 10^-6M to 5 × 10^-5M) and is stronger in the case of coleoptiles and first leaves than in roots. In contrast, naphthaleneacetic acid (ANA), at 10^-5M, exerts its greatest inhibitory effect on the roots. The inhibitory effect of ABA on coleoptiles can be partially overcome by kinetin and to a much smaller degree by gibberellic acid. Neither of these two compounds, at 10^-5M, had any effect on the ABA-induced inhibition of root growth. The RNA and DNA contents per plant organ are considerably reduced after treatment of the seedlings with ABA, particularly in the coleoptiles and the first leaves. The incorporation of uracil-2-¹⁴C and uridine T (G) into RNA of treated seedlings is reduced in the case of coleoptiles and first leaves, but considerably enhanced in roots. The mechanism of the action of ABA is discussed in the light of these results.     

Synthèse des RNA au cours de la germination du radis

RNA synthesis in radish is studied during the first stages of germination. The radish seeds allowed to germinate in the dark, on distilled water, synthesize ribosomal RNA and accumulate a particular RNA, not incorporated in ribosomes. The results of ³²P incorporation in RNA of radish seedlings indicate a progressive formation of ribosomal RNA. Two species of rapidly labelled RNA are synthesized. With labelling time, their chromatographic behaviour on MAK columus evolves, while their electrophoretic characteristics remain stable. It is assumed that these two species are involved in ribosome formation. In vivo experiments with chloramphenicol support this conclusion. RNA which accumulates during germination, could be a particular type of ribosomal RNA which could be enable, under the definite culture conditions, to enter into ribosomal structures.     

Ultrastructure des capillaires dans le télencéphale du poulet au cours de l'embryogenèse et de la croissance postnatale

Resumé Une étude en microscopie électronique de la structure des capillaires et des formations cellulaires qui les entourent a été faite au niveau du télencéphale, chez le Poulet, au cours du développement embryonnaire et de la croissance postnatale.L'endothélium capillaire est présent au premier stade embryonnaire étudié (embryon agé de 8 jours). La membrane basale se différencie vers le dix-neuvième jour du développement embryonnaire, et elle est précédée de l'apparition des péricytes qui restent inclus définitivement dans sa structure.L'espace extracellulaire dans l'environnement des capillaires, constitué par de larges lacunes au cours du développement embryonnaire, se réduit dès l'éclosion à des intervalles de 150–200 Å de diamètre. Les astrocytes et leurs prolongements (pieds vasculaires) atteignent leur complet développement, et entourent totalement le capillaire, vers le vingtième jour de la croissance postnatale.Nos observations mettent en évidence la relation étroite existant entre le développement des structures gliales péricapillaires et l'apparition de certains mécanismes du système de la barrière hémo-encéphalique chez le Poulet.

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Ultrastructure of the capillaries in the developing telencephalon of the chicken

Summary An electron microscopical study was made of the structure of the capillaries and of the surrounding cell formations in the chick telencephalon, during embryonic development and postnatal growth.The capillary endothelium is present in the embryonic stage first studied (i. e. the 8-day old embryo). The basement membrane differentiates about the nineteenth day of embryonic development, and it is preceded by the appearance of the pericytes which are finally included in its structure.The extracellular space in the vicinity of the capillaries, made of large gaps during the embryonic development, is confined from hatching time to intervals 150–200 Å diameter. The astrocytes and their processes (vascular feet) reach their complete development, and entirely surround the capillaries, on about the twentieth day of the postnatal growth.Our observations reveal the close connection between the development of the pericapillary glial structures and the appearance of some mechanisms of the blood-brain barrier system in the chick.

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Les auteurs remercient Madame R. Hatier de son excellente collaboration technique.     

Biostratigraphie des Terebratulidae et des Zeilleriidaedu lias et du Dogger de la region toulonnaise (Var,France)

A lot of brachiopods have been sampled in stratigraphically well-defined beds of Liassic and Dogger periods in the region of Toulon (South of France). Now, numerous terebratulid and zeilleriid species are studied (in progress), the main biostratigraphic results of which are developed here in (fig. 1).     

Interaction du photopériodisme et des effets de la zéatine, du saccharose et de ľeau dans la floraison du Chenopodium polyspermum

Interaction of photoperiodism and zeatin, sucrose and water effects on the flowering of Chenopodium polyspermum Root removal in Chenopodium polyspermum, a quatitative short-day plant, enhances flowering under non-inductive conditions. Presence of roots may be mimicked by zeatin applications on buds. Induction of flowering by short days may be counteracted by applications of zeatin, and appearance of flowers depends on the balance between number of inductive short days and zeatin quantity applied. Sucrose added in the culture medium or applied on buds acts as zeatin. Applications of water on buds may also delay flowering. These results show the plurifactorial regulation of the floral development of this plant. The relations between the non-specificity of the induction and the specificity of the morphogenetic response are discussed.     

Les statues-menhirs du Rouergue et du Haut-Languedoc : la posture des jambes et la technique de représentation des effigies féminines et masculines

Wex (1993) observes through the statuary of great historical cultures how body language appears to reflect the evolution of the respective status of man and woman. On the other hand, Serres (1997) reports that the feminine statues-menhirs of his so called groupe rouergat are represented with legs spread out, while masculine statues show broad as well as narrow postures. We examined this observation more systematically and further applied to it the properly ethological reading grid of Wex as a contribution to the history of gender relationships. A preliminary quantitative analysis aimed to determine which attributes give certainty about the sexual identity of the statues-menhirs. Special attention is given to the figures who underwent a gender change.     

Chronostratigraphie de la fin de la derniere glaciation,a la lumiere des resultats de l'etude lithostratigraphique et palynologique du site de Maisieres-Canal (Belgique)

The upper part of the palaeoclimatic sequence of Maisières-Canal shows a succession of four mild episodes at thetransition between the Pleniglacial and the Late-Glacial. Those four mild fluctuations are respectively correlated with Langerie, Lascaux, Angles-sur-l'Anglin and Pré-Bölling oscillations.     

La symbiose du spermatozoide et de l'ovule,origine de l'ontogenese et de la phylogenese des metazoaires

The origin of metazoa implies the passage from an eukarote protozoan to a protozygote ancestor of a metazoan zygote. The most probable hypothesis is that of a symbiotic origin of the first zygote by association of two protists one signifying a spherical oocell and the other a flagellated spermatozoan; this could be the first step of the metazoan ontogenesis and therefore also of the phylogenesis. The genesis can also be explained by two haploid genomes NX NY, three gametes (two spermatozoa and one ovule), NX apparently being able to create both forms, and two zygotes. A double symbiosis, a chromosomic crossing-over and a selective expulsion can prove it.     

Stratigraphie, paléoécologie et foraminifères du paléogène des Alpes Maritimes et des Alpes de Haute-Provence (Sud-Est de la France)

Paleogene sedimentation in the Alpes Maritimes and Alpes de Haute Provence regions is composed of one complete sedimentary sequence. This sequence begins with the continental Formation from Microcodium and continues with the Cerithium layers, the Calcaires Nummulitiques and the Marnes Bleues, which are overlaid by the turbidites of the Grès d’Annot Formation. Sedimentation starts in the Nummulites perforatus zone close to the base of ‘the Truncorotaloides rohri zone (P 14) and ends in the Cassigerinella chipolensis-Pseudohastigerina micra zone (P 18) and the NP21 zone in the upper part of the Grès d’Annot. More biomarkers were used in order to define a more detailed local biozonation (biozones AMP 1 to AMP 7). Four local zones were also defined by the last occurrence of Nummulites millecaput and N. perforatus-N. ptukhiani and then by the first appearance of N. retiatus (AMGF 1-4). The evolution of benthic foraminiferal assemblages shows an increase in bathymetry from the internal platform in the Cerithium layers to the calcareous platform with large foraminifers, then to the external platform and the deep offshore environment of the Marnes Bleues and Grès d’Annot. Low faunal diversity in the Grès d’Annot together with the predominance of agglutinated species indicates a poorly oxygenated, organic rich and turbidite environment. Seven steps (SD 1 to SD 7) in the Eocene marine transgression are shown from East to West by detailed local biozonation and sequence analysis. Grès d’Annot sedimentation is also diachronous, beginning within the Truncorotaloides rohri zone (P 14, AMP 1) in the East and ending within the Pararotalia opima opima zone (P 20, middle Rupelian) in the West (Barrême). Small foraminifer Paleogene fauna from the Alpes Maritimes and Alpes de Haute Provence was studied from 400 samples. It is composed of 378 species. Two new taxa are proposed: Fissurina niceana n. sp. and Globocassidulina alpina n. sp. The species from the Escarène and Gorbio neighborhood described by M. von Hantken (1884) were re-examined.     

Ultrastructure du labium de la larve du Speophyes lucidulus delarouzeei (Coleoptera,Catopidae)

We successively examined the two main parts of the labium: the ligula and the palps. The organs located on the ligula have a simple innervation and may represent various types of mechanoreceptors. The palps are crowned by 13 different sensilla which have various receptions (mechanoreception, olfaction, gustation). Several described sensilla hold an unknown function.     

Acides-aminés et amines libres ďexplants foliaires de Nicotiana tabacum cultivés in vitro sur des milieux induisant la rhizogenèse ou la caulogenèse

Free amino acids and amines in leaf explants of Nicotiana tabacum cultivated in vitro on media inducing rhizogenesis or caulogenesis.
Foliar explants of Nicotiana tabacum cv. Xanthi n.c. were cultivated on three different media: (1) a basal medium without hormone, so that no differentiation occurred in the explants; (2) with auxin added; and (3) with auxin plus cytokinin added, where the additions (2) and (3) promote rhizogenesis and caulogenesis, respectively. The content of free amino acids and amines of the three kinds of explants were investigated. In the two media lacking cytokinin, the explants contained great amounts of five amino acids (asparagine, glutamine, proline, glutamic acid and histidine) and of one aromatic amine, tyramine. In the cytokinin containing medium, only two amines accumulated in the explants: one aliphatic polyamine (putrescine) and one aromatic amine (phenethylamine). The increase in amino acids began immediately on the first days of culture. It was related neither to a more active proteolysis nor to the breaking of the correlations from the mother plant. It was induced by the addition of nutritional elements into the medium. On the other hand, the accumulation of aromatic amines occurred after a few days of culture and was transitory. A decrease was observed after the first emergence of new organs. The relation between the accumulations of these aromatic compounds and formation of roots or shoots is discussed.     

Synthèse sur la flore des nodules du Lagerstätte de Montceau-les-Mines (Carbonifère supérieur,France)

The flora from the Montceau-les-Mines Lagerstätte (Late Pennsylvanian, Stephanian, France) is preserved in small sideritic nodules and was studied in three locations in the (1) Saint-Louis, (2) Saint-François, and (3) Sainte-Hélène opencast mines. Qualitative and quantitative analyses of plant diversity and floristic composition in about 7000 nodules indicate substantial variations in the floral composition of these opencast mines. More than 50 taxa are recognized and belong to groups typical of the Late Carboniferous flora (lycopsids, sphenopsids, tree ferns, and pteridosperms). Arborescent sphenopsids and tree ferns were the major components at Saint-Louis, whereas the flora from Saint-François consisted mainly of pteridosperms; the one from Sainte-Hélène has a more balanced composition. Taphonomic and sedimentological data show that the flora contained in the nodules was hypoautochthonous to parautochthonous. The Montceau Basin displayed a mosaic of paleoenvironments (e.g., deltaic lacustrine, paludal to fluvial) which favored colonization by plants and animals.