利用GISH和RAPD检测黄毛草莓×凤梨草莓种间杂种

以地高辛(DIG)标记的黄毛草莓基因组DNA为探针、凤梨草莓基因组DNA为封阻对黄毛草莓×凤梨草莓杂种F1的五倍体植株根尖染色体进行基因组原位杂交(GISH),结果表明利用GISH可将黄毛草莓染色质从凤梨草莓中检测出来,从而证实了黄毛草莓与凤梨草莓种间杂交的真实性.利用RAPD技术对来自黄毛草莓与凤梨草莓不同品种的2个杂交组合获得的14个株系及其亲本的DNA指纹图谱进行分析.结果表明,不同株系之间在基因组水平上具有高度异质性,以引物S1371和S1405能将黄毛草莓×春霄组合的10个杂交后代株系加以区别,以单一引物S1371、S1380、S1397、S1404、S1405可使黄毛草莓×硕香后代株系之间相互区别.在杂交后代中观察到了亲本黄毛草莓与凤梨草莓不同栽培品种的特征带,从而进一步证实黄毛草莓与凤梨草莓种间杂交后代的真实性.     

圈养林麝粪样类固醇激素水平与麝香分泌的关系

基于非损伤取样和放射免疫法（RIA）,于2018年9月1日-10月15日期间对四川马尔康林麝繁育场的36头雄性圈养林麝（Moschus berezovskii）的粪样类固醇激素水平进行了检测,结合麝香分泌数据采集,探究了林麝的粪样睾酮和皮质醇水平与其麝香分泌的关系,结果表明：四川马尔康圈养林麝的麝香分泌（12.53±0.76）g（n=36）与粪样睾酮水平（106.03±12.34）ng/g（n=36）呈显著正相关（r=0.436,P < 0.01）,泌香较多雄麝（16.50±0.61）g（n=17）的睾酮水平（141.51±21.86）ng/g（n=17）显著地高于泌香较少（8.98±0.59）g（n=19）雄麝（74.27±7.93）ng/g（n=19）（t=-3.252,df=34, P < 0.01）,方程y=0.021x+10.270（R²=0.120,P < 0.05）可较好地拟合二者间关系。麝香分泌与皮质醇浓度（47.49±1.53）ng/g（n=36）相关不显著（r=0.078,P > 0.05）,泌香较多雄麝的皮质醇浓度（48.98±2.28）ng/g（n=17）略高于泌香较少雄麝（46.17±2.14）ng/g（n=19）,差异不显著（P > 0.05）,方程y=0.038x+10.730（R²=0.023,P > 0.05）可近似拟合皮质醇与泌香量间的关系。此外,雄麝睾酮水平对泌香量有显著影响（P < 0.05）,睾酮水平较高林麝泌香量（14.97±1.17）g（n=12）显著高于睾酮水平较低个体的泌香量（11.32±0.90）g（n=24）（F=4.79,P < 0.05）,而睾酮、皮质醇和年龄对麝香分泌的综合效应及变量间的交互作用均不显著（P > 0.05）。研究确定了圈养林麝粪样睾酮和皮质醇水平与麝香分泌量间的关系,可用于麝类驯养实践的麝香产量预测及品系选育。     

黄毛草莓FnMYB24转录因子基因和启动子的克隆及表达分析

该研究以黄毛草莓(Fragaria nilgerrensis Schltdl.)为材料,采用RT PCR技术克隆了黄毛草莓FnMYB24基因的cDNA和启动子序列。生物信息学分析表明,FnMYB24的cDNA序列长为1 033 bp(GenBank登录号为MN879283),其开放阅读框(ORF)长为609 bp,编码202个氨基酸,含有1个保守的MYB_DNA binding结构域。同源分析结果显示,黄毛草莓FnMYB24基因编码的氨基酸序列与森林草莓(Fragaria vesca)编码的氨基酸相似性较高;同时进一步克隆了该基因编码起始位点上游长度为718 bp启动子序列(GenBank登录号为MN879285),预测该序列包含激素响应元件、光调控元件等多个顺式作用元件。通过构建pFnMYB24∷GUS表达载体进行烟草瞬时转化,发现pFnMYB24启动子具有转录活性且能够驱动FnMYB24基因表达。实时荧光定量PCR结果显示：抗病品种黄毛草莓和易感病栽培品种‘妙香3号’的叶片接种胶孢炭疽菌(Colletotrichum gloeosporioides)后MYB24基因表达量均有上调,但‘妙香3号’的MYB24表达量始终低于黄毛草莓的表达量;SA处理后2个草莓品种的MYB24表达量均高于对照组,表明MYB24基因受水杨酸(SA)的诱导表达。研究表明,草莓MYB24基因可能参与调控抗炭疽病,为进一步研究MYB24基因在草莓抗炭疽病中的功能奠定了基础。     

广西扶绥白头叶猴对栖息地的选择与利用

为了解白头叶猴（Trachypithecus leucocephalus）的栖息地利用规律及其影响因素,2016年2月至2017年1月,采用瞬时扫描取样法对广西崇左白头叶猴国家级自然保护区一群白头叶猴的栖息地利用进行了研究。结果表明,白头叶猴对山体不同部位的利用存在显著性差异（χ² =39.467,df=3,P<0.001）,其中,对崖壁（56.75±9.55）%的利用比例最大,其次是对山坡（39.42±10.93）%和山顶（2.98±2.54）%的利用,而对山脚（0.84±1.47）%的利用频率最低。白头叶猴对不同微生境类型的利用存在差异（χ²=27.709,df=3,P<0.001）,其中对乔木（49.37±12.31）%的利用比例最大,其次是裸岩（24.05±13.61）%,随后依次为藤本（15.48±8.01）%和灌木（10.87±5.45）%。白头叶猴主要在山坡上觅食,利用崖壁移动、休息,进行社会活动;主要利用裸岩进行社会活动,觅食、移动、休息主要发生在乔木上。从整体来看,白头叶猴在雨季对乔木的利用频率显著大于旱季（Z=-2.680,n=12,P=0.007）;雨季在山坡觅食频率显著大于旱季（Z=-2.517,n=12,P=0.012）,而在崖壁觅食频率刚好相反（Z=-2.842,n=12,P=0.004）;白头叶猴雨季在乔木休息的频率显著大于旱季（Z=-2.355,n=12,P=0.019）。白头叶猴对栖息地的利用受到温度的影响。白头叶猴对乔木的总体利用频率随着平均温度的升高而增加（r=0.664,n=12,P=0.018）;觅食时,对崖壁、裸岩的利用频率均与平均温度成负相关关系（崖壁：r=-0.685,n=12,P=0.014;裸岩：r=-0.600,n=12,P=0.039）;休息时,对乔木的利用频率与平均温度呈正相关关系（r=0.650,n=12,P=0.022）。不同季节,白头叶猴对栖息地的利用方式不同。白头叶猴的栖息地利用模式可能是在觅食利益和捕食风险之间作出的权衡,并受到环境温度的影响。     

蟛蜞菊属和孪花菊属(菊科-向日葵族)的细胞学研究

研究了菊科向日葵族鳢肠亚族蟛蜞菊属(Sphagneticola O. Hoffm.)和孪花菊属(Wollastonia DC. ex Decne.)各2种植物的染色体数目和染色体形态。蟛蜞菊[S. calendulacea (L.) Pruski]的染色体数目为2n=50, 核型公式为2n=18m+30sm+2st,南美蟛蜞菊[S. trilobata (L.) Pruski]的染色体数目为2n=56, 核型公式为2n=24m+28sm+4st, 孪花菊[W. biflora (L.) DC.]的染色体数目为2n=30,核型公式为2n=24m+4sm+2st,山孪花菊[W. montana (Blume) DC.]的染色体数目为2n=74, 核型公式为2n=37m+31sm+6st。根据上述结果并结合以前的有关资料,推测蟛蜞菊属的染色体基数可能为x=14和x=25,而不应是x=15。该属的3个新世界热带种[S. brachycarpa (Baker) Pruski、S. gracilis (Richard) Pruski和南美蟛蜞菊]可能都基于x=14, 其中S. gracilis为二倍体(2n=2x=28), S. brachycarpa和南美蟛蜞菊为四倍体(2n=4x=56); 唯一的亚洲种(蟛蜞菊)可能是基于x=25的二倍体(2n=2x=50)。染色体资料不支持将山孪花菊(x=37)这一植物置于孪花菊属(x=15)中。     

外源褪黑素提高草莓黑斑病抗性的效果和作用机制初探

该研究以黑斑病抗性较弱的草莓主栽品种‘红颊’为试验材料,先从病株中分离和鉴定草莓黑斑病的致病菌,然后进行外源喷施褪黑素和接种黑斑病菌处理,通过统计病菌致病性、褪黑素的抑菌效果和促进草莓的抗菌性能力,并测定各处理草莓发病过程中叶片相关酶活性和抗性基因的表达水平,初步探讨外源褪黑素提高草莓对黑斑病抗病性的作用机理。结果表明：(1)通过病菌分离、序列分析和侵染试验结果证明,‘红颊’草莓黑斑病致病菌为链格孢菌。(2)在含有不同浓度(1、2、4和8 mmol/L)褪黑素的 PDA培养基上链格孢菌菌丝的生长速度受到不同程度的抑制,褪黑素浓度越高病菌生长速度越慢,并在8 mmol/L褪黑素的培养基上链格孢菌菌丝的抑制率达 68.9%。(3)外源褪黑素预处理草莓叶片和匍匐茎24 h后接种致病菌(链格孢菌),侵染的草莓叶片和匍匐茎的黑斑病发病进程得到有效延缓,抑制效果随着褪黑素浓度的升高而升高, 并以0.5 mmol/L褪黑素抑制病原菌侵染的效果最佳。(4)0.5 mmol/L外源褪黑素预处理可显著提高接菌草莓叶片抗病相关酶 CAT、 POD、 PAL和 PPO的活性,其中 PPO活性变化最大,比对照显著提高了23.8%。(5)0.5 mmol/L外源褪黑素处理可显著提高草莓抗病相关基因 PR1A like、 PR10、 WRKY1、 PPO和 CCR等的表达量。研究发现,外源褪黑素能有效抑制黑斑病致病菌链格孢菌的菌丝生长,延缓其发病进程,并以0.5 mmol/L浓度最佳;WRKY1转录因子在提高草莓黑斑病抗性的过程中起到了重要的调控作用,外源褪黑素可能通过激活该转录因子的表达调控相关抗病基因的表达和相关抗氧化酶和防御酶的活性,从而提高草莓对黑斑病的抗性。     

四川地区猪源艰难梭菌分子分型调查

[背景] 艰难梭菌是一种重要的人畜共患肠道病原菌,可引起人和多种动物抗生素相关性腹泻或假膜性肠炎。四川作为我国主要的生猪产区,还未有猪源艰难梭菌流行病学调查的相关报道,对猪源艰难梭菌的防控及保障猪肉安全带来挑战。[目的] 调查四川地区猪源艰难梭菌的感染、流行情况,并对分离出的艰难梭菌进行分子分型研究。[方法] 收集来自四川生猪主要产区6个养殖场中猪的粪便标本（n=110）,采用厌氧培养技术在艰难梭菌鉴别培养基上进行分离培养;采用PCR方法扩增艰难梭菌4个毒素基因（tcdA、tcdB、cdtA、cdtB）和7个管家基因（adk、atpA、dxr、glyA、recA、sodA、tpi）,对分离株进行毒素基因分型和多位点序列分型。[结果] 从110份样品中,经革兰氏染色镜检及PCR鉴定,共分离出20株艰难梭菌,分离率高达18.18%;毒素基因分型结果显示共获得3种毒素基因型,包括tcdA⁺tcdB⁺cdtA/cdtB⁺（n=3）、tcdA⁺tcdB⁺cdtA/cdtB^—（n=6）、tcdA^—tcdB^—cdtA/cdtB^—（n=11）;多位点序列分型结果显示获得5个ST型,包括ST11（n=3）、ST3（n=1）、ST35（n=2）、ST36（n=4）、ST109（n=10）;进化树结果显示,所有分离株聚集为2个大群,分别为3个分支和17个分支。[结论] 四川主要生猪产区猪群存在艰难梭菌感染,分离株的分子分型呈多样性,主要流行型为ST11、ST3、ST35、ST36、ST109型,并且存在ST11型高毒力菌株流行的风险。     

不同苹果砧穗组合的生长及光合特性

以‘垂丝海棠’（Malus halliana）和‘平邑甜茶’（Malus hupehensis）为基砧,分别嫁接品种‘烟富6号’和‘长富2号’接穗,测定4种砧穗组合的嫁接亲和性、接穗生长量、光合与荧光参数及叶绿素含量（SPAD）,并用主成分分析法综合评价砧穗组合的优劣,探讨不同苹果砧穗组合嫁接苗的生长及光合特性,为西北盐碱地选择适宜的苹果砧木提供理论依据。结果表明：（1）4种砧穗组合中‘垂丝海棠/烟富6号’的上下口粗度比最接近1,嫁接亲和性最好。（2）整个生长期内,以‘垂丝海棠’为基砧的2个组合嫁接苗的生长量、净光合速率（P_n）、最大荧光（F_m）、PSⅡ最大光能转化率（F_v/F_m）均显著大于‘平邑甜茶’为基砧的组合,但其胞间CO₂浓度（C_i）及初始荧光（F₀）显著低于‘平邑甜茶’为基砧的组合;光化学猝灭系数（qP）在4种砧穗组合中无显著差异。（3）在8月份光照强度较高时,‘垂丝海棠/烟富6号’ 嫁接苗的气孔导度（G_s）高于其他砧穗组合;以‘垂丝海棠’为基砧的2个组合嫁接苗叶片的蒸腾速率（T_r）和相对叶绿素含量（SPAD）显著高于‘平邑甜茶’ 基砧组合。（4）根据主成分分析对各项指标进行综合评价,按照4个砧穗组合的综合得分由高到低依次为：‘垂丝海棠/烟富6号’、‘垂丝海棠/长富2号’、‘平邑甜茶/长富2号’、‘平邑甜茶/烟富6号’。研究发现,基砧‘垂丝海棠’的适应性优于‘平邑甜茶’,且‘垂丝海棠/烟富6号’砧穗组合的嫁接亲和性高,长势强,光合能力优,为甘肃中部地区适宜的砧穗组合。     

盐度、温度和光照强度对针叶蕨藻的生长及光合活性的影响

为探究环境因子对针叶蕨藻（Caulerpa sertularioides）生长的影响,对不同盐度、温度和光照强度下针叶蕨藻的生长和叶绿素荧光参数进行了研究。结果表明：藻体日特定生长率（SGR）、最大光量子产量（F_v/F_m）、实际光合效率（Yield）、电子传递速率（ETR）和光化学淬灭（qP）随盐度升高呈先上升后下降的变化趋势,非光化学淬灭（qN）则呈相反的变化趋势,藻体光合活性和固碳效率在盐度27.5‰时达到最高,且与25‰和30‰盐度的差异显著（P<0.05,n=3）。藻体SGR、F_v/F_m、Yield、ETR和qP随温度升高而下降,qN则相反,藻体光合活性和固碳效率在26℃下达到最高,且与28℃和30℃的差异显著（P<0.05,n=3）。藻体的SGR、F_v/F_m、Yield、ETR和qP随光照强度升高呈先上升后下降的变化趋势,qN则相反,且在18.75 μmol/（m²·s）弱光照下出现轻微光抑制,藻体生长、光合活性及固碳效率在光照强度25.00 μmol/（m²·s）时达到最高,但与18.75和31.25 μmol/（m²·s）的差异不显著（P>0.05,n=3）。因此,针叶蕨藻在27.5‰盐度、26℃和25.00 μmol/（m²·s）光照强度下生长最快且光合作用能力最高。     

蝎毒素BmkTXKβ对家兔心房肌细胞瞬间外向钾电流的抑制作用

为研究蝎毒素BmkTXKβ对家兔心房肌细胞瞬间外向钾电流(I_to)的影响,采用全细胞膜片钳技术记录应用BmkTXKβ前后的I_to电流. 结果显示BmkTXKβ（1 μmol/L）使心房肌细胞I_to（刺激电压为+50 mV）从（13.63±0.87）pA/pF减少到（7.98±0.78）pA/pF,抑制率为41.4% (n=16, P＜0.001).冲洗后, I_to部分恢复至(11.18±0.82)pA/pF (n=6, P＜0.01,与给药后比较).在0.01～100 μmol/L范围内BmkTXKβ呈浓度依赖性地抑制I_to,IC₅₀的均值为0.95 μmol/L (n=10, P＜0.01),但无频率依赖性(n=6,P＞0.05). 1 μmol/L的BmkTXKβ可使I_to通道的失活动力学曲线明显左移,V_1/2分别为（－23.6±2.7） mV和（－35.3±3.6） mV（n=8,P＜0.05）,曲线斜率基本不变.同时可使I_to通道的恢复过程明显减慢,恢复曲线右移,τ值从（51.2±8.5） ms延长至（93.5±13.4） ms（n=9,P＜0.01）,但不影响其激活过程.据此推断BmkTXKβ对家兔心房肌细胞I_to具有显著的抑制作用,主要作用于失活过程,延长该通道的恢复时间.     

Foreign exploration for Scirtothrips perseae Nakahara (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) and associated natural enemies on avocado (Persea americana Miller)

Scirtothrips perseae Nakahara was discovered attacking avocados in California, USA, in 1996. Host plant surveys in California indicated that S. perseae has a highly restricted host range with larvae being found only on avocados, while adults were collected from 11 different plant species. As part of a management program for this pest, a “classical” biological control program was initiated and foreign exploration was conducted to delineate the home range of S. perseae, to survey for associated natural enemies and inventory other species of phytophagous thrips on avocados grown in Mexico, Guatemala, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Trinidad, and Brazil. Foreign exploration efforts indicate that S. perseae occurs on avocados grown at high altitudes (>1500 m) from Uruapan in Mexico south to areas around Guatemala City in Guatemala. In Costa Rica, S. perseae is replaced by an undescribed congener as the dominant phytophagous thrips on avocados grown at high altitudes (>1300 m). No species of Scirtothrips were found on avocados in the Dominican Republic, Trinidad, or Brazil. In total, 2136 phytophagous thrips were collected and identified, representing over 47 identified species from at least 19 genera. The significance of these species records is discussed. Of collected material 4% were potential thrips biological control agents. Natural enemies were dominated by six genera of predatory thrips (Aeolothrips, Aleurodothrips, Franklinothrips, Leptothrips, Scolothrips, and Karnyothrips). One genus each of parasitoid (Ceranisus) and predatory mite (Balaustium) were found. Based on the results of our sampling techniques, prospects for the importation of thrips natural enemies for use in a “classical” biological control program in California against S. perseae are not promising.     

Phylogeny of cardinalfishes (Teleostei: Gobiiformes: Apogonidae) and the evolution of visceral bioluminescence

The cardinalfishes (Apogonidae) are a diverse clade of small, mostly reef-dwelling fishes, for which a variety of morphological data have not yielded a consistent phylogeny. We use DNA sequence to hypothesize phylogenetic relationships within Apogonidae and among apogonids and other acanthomorph families, to examine patterns of evolution including the distribution of a visceral bioluminescence system. In conformance with previous studies, Apogonidae is placed in a clade with Pempheridae, Kurtidae, Leiognathidae, and Gobioidei. The apogonid genus Pseudamia is recovered outside the remainder of the family, not as sister to the superficially similar genus Gymnapogon. Species sampled from the Caribbean and Western Atlantic (Phaeoptyx, Astrapogon, and some Apogon species) form a clade, as do the larger-bodied Glossamia and Cheilodipterus. Incidence of visceral bioluminescence is found scattered throughout the phylogeny, independently for each group in which it is present. Examination of the fine structure of the visceral bioluminescence system through histology shows that light organs exhibit a range of morphologies, with some composed of complex masses of tubules (Siphamia, Pempheris, Parapriacanthus) and others lacking tubules but containing chambers formed by folds of the visceral epithelium (Acropoma, Archamia, Jaydia, and Rhabdamia). Light organs in Siphamia, Acropoma, Pempheris and Parapriacanthus are distinct from but connected to the gut; those in Archamia, Jaydia, and Rhabdamia are simply portions of the intestinal tract, and are little differentiated from the surrounding tissues. The presence or absence of symbiotic luminescent bacteria does not correlate with light organ structure; the tubular light organs of Siphamia and chambered tubes of Acropoma house bacteria, those in Pempheridae and the other Apogonidae do not.     

Biological control of three floating water weeds,<Emphasis Type="Italic">Eichhornia crassipes,Pistia stratiotes</Emphasis>, and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Salviniamolesta</Emphasis> in the Republic of Congo

Since 1999, four specific weevils (Coleoptera, Curculionidae) were released in the Republic of Congo against three exotic floating water weeds: Neochetina eichhorniae Warner and N. bruchi Hustache against water hyacinth, Neohydronomus affinis Hustache against water lettuce, and Cyrtobagous salviniae Calder and Sands against water fern. Recoveries of exotic weevils were made from all 24 release sites except one, and all four species have established and spread (up to 800 km for water hyacinth weevils). Within a few years of releases, control of water fern and water lettuce was such that fishing and navigation could be resumed, while reductions of water hyacinth populations were only beginning.     

A molecular phylogeny of Hebeloma species from Europe

In order to widen the scope of existing phylogenies of the ectomycorrhizal agaric genus Hebeloma a total of 53 new rDNA ITS sequences from that genus was generated, augmented by sequences retrieved from GenBank, and analysed using Bayesian, strict consensus and neighbour joining methods. The lignicolous Hebelomina neerlandica, Gymnopilus penetrans, and two species of Galerina served as outgroup taxa. Anamika indica, as well as representatives of the genera Hymenogaster and Naucoria, were included to test the monophyly of Hebeloma, which is confirmed by the results. Hebeloma, Naucoria, Hymenogaster and Anamika indica cluster in a strongly supported monophyletic hebelomatoid clade. All trees largely reflect the current infrageneric classification within Hebeloma, and divide the genus into mostly well-supported monophyletic groups surrounding H. crustuliniforme, H. velutipes, H. sacchariolens, H. sinapizans, and H. radicosum, with H. sarcophyllum being shown at an independent position; however this is not well supported. The section Indusiata divides with strong support into three groups, the position of the pleurocystidiate Hebeloma cistophilum suggests the possible existence of a third subsection within sect. Indusiata. Subsection Sacchariolentia is raised to the rank of section.     

Taxonomic status of the species of the green algal genusNeochloris

Komárek has recently reviewed the various species assigned to the green algal genusNeochloris Starr (Chlorococcales, Chlorococcaceae) and removed those with uninucleate vegetative cells to a new genus,Ettlia. Watanabe & Floyd, unaware ofKomárek's work, also reviewed the species ofNeochloris and distributed them among three genera—Neochloris, Chlorococcopsis gen. nov., andParietochloris gen. nov.—on the basis of details of the covering of the zoospore and the arrangement of the basal bodies of the flagellar apparatus. This paper reconciles these two treatments and makes additional recommendations at the ranks of genus, family, order, and class.     

Die GattungKarschia — Bindeglied zwischen bitunicaten Ascomyceten und lecanoralen Flechtenpilzen?

The genusKarschia, in the earlier sense, including saprophytes and parasites on lichens, has been thought to be a non-lichenized parallel genus of the lichen genusBuellia. Modern workers included it on the one hand inBuellia, on the other hand combined it with bitunicate ascomycetes. It is now proved thatKarschia is heterogeneous and contains but superficially similar members both of the genusBuellia of theLecanorales and of typical or masked bitunicateAscomycetes. Therefore, it can not be regarded as a link betweenLecanorales andDothideales. The type species ofKarschia belongs to theDothideales.

     

Demographic characteristics of an intertidal bay goby (Lepidogobius lepidus)

Synopsis In a fourteen month study (May 1976 – June 1977) I examined the following characteristics of an intertidal bay goby (Lepidogobius lepidus) in Morro Bay, California, U.S.A.: annual and seasonal patterns of abundance, age composition and growth rates, survivorship and mortality patterns, and the reproductive cycle for female gobies. Fishes were collected with the aid of quinaldine and otoliths and ovaries removed. Age and growth rates were estimated from otolith annuli using a back calculation formula and a Brody-Bertalanffy growth curve. Mortality rates were derived using the methods of Heincke (1913), Robson & Chapman (1960), mean age, and a catch curve (Ricker 1975). A gonad index was used to describe the annual reproductive cycle. Results indicated that abundance fluctuated seasonally and that these fluctuations appeared to be caused by reproductive emigrations. Bay gobies reached an age of 7+ and a standard length of 87 mm. Growth was relatively constant (6 mm yr⁻¹) until age 5, at which point it began to decline. The mean rates of survivorship, mortality, and instantaneous mortality were 0.75, 0.25, and 0.29 respectively. Mortality rates for individual age classes ranged from 0.13 to 0.51 and increased with age. This stock appears to reproduce mainly during the winter.     

Systematic significance of mature embryo of bamboos

The mature embryo of seven species belonging to five genera of Indian bamboos is described. In all these the basic pattern of embryo organisation is same: the scutellar and coleoptilar bundles are not separated by an internode, the epiblast is absent, the lower portion of the scutellum and the coleorhiza are separated by a cleft and the margins of embryonic leaves overlap. The features unique to fleshy fruited bamboos are: presence of a massive scutellum, the juxtaposition of plumule and radicle and the occurrence of a bud in the axil of the coleoptile. The fleshy fruit bearing bamboos should be classified into one group, the tribeMelocanneae. Evidence is provided to recognise additional groups in the subfamilyBambusoideae.