Two new and two resurrected species of the sciaenid genusJohnius (Johnius) from the West Pacific

Two new species of the sciaenid genusJohnius (Johnius) are described:J. trewavasae from Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Singapore, differs from all other congeners in having 24–27 dorsal soft rays, 5–6 scales above and 7–10 scales below the lateral line, 6–8 obtuse lower gill rakers, the last pleural rib on the 11th vertebra, and a shorter lower jaw (33.8–38.4% HL);J. latifrons from Thailand and Java is characterized by 25–29 dorsal soft rays, 7–9 scales above and 11–14 scales below the lateral line, 7–9 obtuse lower gill rakers, a wide interorbital width (26.1–30.6% HL), a small eye (16.7–26.4% HL), and a short, second anal spine (25.9–37.1% HL). Two related species,J. heterolepis Bleeker from “Suriname” andJ. cantori Bleeker from Malaya, are resurrected as valid West Pacific species of Johnius (Johnius).     

Mesopristes iravi, a new terapontid fish (Perciformes: Terapontidae) from rivers of Iriomote Island, the Ryukyu Islands

 A new terapontid fish, Mesopristes iravi, is described based on 13 specimens collected on Iriomote Island, the Ryukyu Islands, Japan. This species closely resembles M. argenteus (Cuvier in Cuvier and Valenciennes, 1829) in having dark stripes on the body, but differs from that species in retaining the stripes even in adults (vs. stripes disappearing ontogenetically in the latter species), having the median stripe passing through the eye interrupted on the postorbital region (vs. continuous when the stripe present), a shorter fifth (longest) dorsal spine (14.6–19.7% SL vs. 18.0–22.2% SL), and a longer postorbital length (40.0–43.0% HL vs. 37.8–40.7% HL). Mesopristes iravi has been confused with M. argenteus in previous reports, and on the basis of the literature it may extend from the Ryukyu Islands, Japan, southward to Borneo, Indonesia, and New Guinea. Received: August 6, 2001 / Revised: February 24, 2002 / Accepted: March 7, 2002     

Johnius (Johnius) laevis,a new sciaenid from northern Australia and Papua New Guinea

A new sciaenid,Johnius (Johnius) laevis, is described from northern Australia and Papua New Guinea. Amongst theJohnius (Johnius) species with no mental barbel, ctenoid body scales, and more than 10 lower gill rakers, the new species is distinguished by the combination of the following characters: dorsal soft rays 29–34; scales above the lateral line 5–6, and below 8–10; eye diameter 22.4–30% HL; interorbital width 24.6–29.8% HL; and body scales with weakly developed ctenii.     

A comparative study of positional behavior in three species of tamarin monkeys

Tamarins of the genusSaguinus are small-bodied New World monkeys that exhibit clawlike or modified nails. Patterns of positional behavior and habitat utilization are presented for three species,Saguinus fuscicollis, S. geoffroy, andS. mystax. These data were collected on free-ranging tamarin populations in Panama and Peru. Despite considerable differences in body weight, all three species exhibited very similar patterns of positional behavior, with quadrupedal bounding and running accounting for 43 – 52% of travel time. Leaping was the second most common locomotor activity and accounted for 31 – 41% of travel. Although each species leaped principally on small supports in the perimeter of the tree crown, approximately 20% of all leaps inS. fuscicollis involved moderate to large sized vertical trunks located in the undercanopy. Leaping between trunks was rare in the two larger tamarin species. Measurements taken on live wild-trapped adults reveal that compared toSaguinus geoffroyi andS. mystax, S. fuscicollis is characterized by a long legspan and an especially long armspan. It is proposed that inS. fuscicollis, elongated forelimbs play an important role in maneuvering and rotating the body during the in-air phase of trunk-to-trunk leaping, and increase the breaking distance needed to decelerate the body upon impact. Additional relationships between body size, substrate preference, and positional behavior in callitrichines are discussed.     

The effect of air humidity on nutrient uptake of some greenhouse plants

Young plants of nine different greenhouse species were grown for 24 to 100 days at 55–60, 70–75, and 90–95% relative air humidity (RH) in growth rooms. They were given a complete nutrient solution twice a week. Transpiration rate decreased significantly by increasing RH from the lowest to the highest level inEuphorbia pulcherrima (60%), Begonia × hiemalis (54%), Saintpaulia ionantha (54%), Nephrolepis exaltata (48%), andLycopersicon esculentum (44%). The content of macro nutrient elements in the plant leaves decreased by increasing RH. This decrease was significant only for K and Ca in Lycopersicon and Kjeldahl-N in Nephrolepis. The content of the macro nutrient elements in the growth medium at the end of the experiment was lowest when the plants had been growing at high RH. The elements mainly affected were N and K. Report No. 342     

Incidence of mycoflora and mycotoxins in some edible fruits and seeds of forest origin

Twelve fungi namelyAlternaria alternata, Aspergillus flavus, A niger, A ochraceus, Actinomucor repens, Capnodoium spp., Curvularia lunata, Fusarium pallidoroseum, F solani, F verticillioides, Penicillium citrinum and Rhizopus stolonifer were recorded from samples ofAegle marmelos, Aesculus indica, Buchanania lanzan andPinus gerardiana. In case ofPrunus amygdalus only Rstolonifer was recorded. A significant variation in pattern of mycoflora incidence was observed in terms of source and season. Fungal infestation in most of the substrates was found to be highest during monsoon. Aflatoxins were the most common mycotoxins elaborated by different isolates ofA flavus obtained fromA marmelos, B lanzan andP gerardiana. The amount of aflatoxins produced by the toxigenic isolates ofA flavus was in the range of traces to 0.9–26.0 μg/ml inA marmelos, 0.8–17.5 μg/ml inP gerardiana and 0.65–13.2 μg/ml inB lanzan. The percentage toxigenicity was comparatively lower in the isolates of other mycotoxigenic fungi. Aflatoxins were detected almost in all the samples analyzed for mycotoxin contamination. However, traces of zearalenone were detected inA marmelos. The concentration of aflatoxin B₁ was in the range of 0.13–0.75 μg/g inA marmelos, 0.09–0.60 μg/g inP gerardiana and 0.01–0.20 ug/g inB lanzan. Mycotoxins were not detected inAesculus indica andPrunus amygdalus.     

Mechanism of action of aflatoxin B1

The inhibitory effects of aflatoxin B₁ were found to be related to the gram character in procaryotes, used in this study. Ethylene diamine tetra chloroacetic acid (0.05% w/v) or Tween-80 (0.05 % v/v) addition accentuated the aflatoxin B₁ growth inhibition inSalmonella typhi andEscherichia coli at different pH values. The inhibition of lipase production was only 5–20 % inPseudomonas fluorescence ca. 25–48% inStaphylococcus aureus andBacillus cereus at different aflatoxin B₁ concentrations (4–16μg/ml).However, inhibition of α-amylase induction was complete in1Bacillus megaterium whereas the inhibition was partial inPseudomonas fluorescence (27–40%) at 32μg aflatoxin B₁ concentration. An increase in leakage of cell contents and decreased inulin uptake were observed in toxin incubated sheep red blood cell suspension (1 %) with increased aflatoxin B₁ concentration     

Erythrocles microceps, a new emmelichthyid fish from kochi, japan

A new emmelichthyid,Erythrocles microceps, is described from 15 specimens collected in Mimase Fish Market and Tosa Bay, Kochi Prefecture, Japan. It differs from its most similar congener,E. acarina, in having a greater number of lateral line scales (70–72 vs. 62–67 inacarina), more elongate body (body depth 23.8–25.9% SL vs. 27–29% SL), and smaller head (head) length 26.8–28.4% SL vs. 34–36% SL).     

Redescription of the trichiurid fish, Trichiurus nitens Garman, 1899, being a valid of species distinct from T. lepturus Linnaeus, 1758 (Perciformes: Trichiuridae)

Trichiurus nitens Garman, 1899 was reassessed on the basis of the syntype and non-type specimens, and considered to represent a valid species. Although difficult to distinguish from T. lepturus Linnaeus, 1758 in most head and body proportions, T. nitens differs from the former in having lower number of dorsal fin rays (range 121–124 vs. range 132–135), caudal fin vertebrae (116–120 vs. 128–134), total vertebrae (153–156 vs. 168–173), larger dermal eye opening (mean 18.8% vs. 16.1% of HL), shorter upper jaw length (36.2% vs. 38.6% of HL), and shorter snout length (32.9% vs. 34.9% of HL). T. nitens is currently known only inhabit from the Northeast Pacific to Southeast Pacific (from California, Mexico, Panama to Peru). The text was submitted by the authors in English.     

Photonastic and thermonastic opening of capitulum in dandelion,Taraxacum officinale andTaraxacum japonicum

The capitula ofTaraxacum officinale andT. japonicum open in response to temperature rise at lower temperatures (thermonasty), and in response to light at higher temperatures (photonasty), as was the case inT. albidum. The capitula ofT. officinale could respond to the same temperature rise more sensitively than those ofT. albidum orT. japonicum. The minimum temperature for photonastic opening is as low as 13 C forT. officinale, while that forT. albidum andT. japonicum is about 18 C. That is why the capitula ofT. officinale opened earlier than those ofT. albidum andT. japonicum in the morning in April under natural conditions. The capitulum continued to be open for about 13–14 hr inT. officinale and about 8–11 hr inT. japonicum and inT. albidum both under natural conditions in April and even under constant light-temperature conditions, suggesting that the time of capitula-closing in these three species is not controlled by changes in environmental factors (light and/or temperature).     

The world’s largest gharialsGryposuchus: description ofG. croizati n. sp. (Crocodylia, Gavialidae) from the Upper Miocene Urumaco Formation, Venezuela

A new fossil gharialGryposuchus species is described from the Upper Miocene Urumaco Formation, Venezuela.Gryposuchus croizati new species can be distinguished from other gavialoids, includingGryposuchus colombianus andGryposuchus neogaeus by the following combination of diagnostic characters: 1) slenderness of the parietal interfenestral bar; 2) dental formula, mainly the lesser number of maxillary teeth, with four premaxillary, 19 maxillary and 22 mandibular teeth; 3) large width of palatines between the reduced palatine fenestrae; 4) medial hemicondyle of the quadrate smaller but detached and much more posteriorly elongated than the lateral one and projected ventromedially; 5) pterygoid morphology, with two posterior vacuities. The polymorphism in the contour of the external naris inGryposuchus was evaluated for taxonomic significance. The body size ofG. croizati n. sp. was estimated in 10.15 m (9.67–10.67 m) using the dorsal skull length and the estimation of the body mass was 1,745 kg (1,280–2,379 kg) based on the braincase length. These maximal values placeG. croizati n. sp. among the world’s largest gharials and even Crocodyliforms as a whole.      

Water relations and gas exchange in Fagus sylvatica L. and Quercus petraea (Mattuschka) Liebl. in a mixed stand at their southern limit of distribution in Europe

Water status and gas exchange of beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) and sessile oak [Quercus petraea (Mattuschka) Liebl.] were studied in a mixed stand in the Montejo de la Sierra forest (central Iberian Peninsula), one of the southernmost locations of both species in Europe. Gas exchange and water potential were measured in leaves at different canopy levels over several days in two growing seasons. The daily variation pattern was established with the measurements of three selected dates per year, representative of the soil moisture content situations in early, mid- and late summer. A similar daily time course of leaf water potential was found for the two species. Nevertheless, beech showed a most noticeable decrease of water potential at midmorning and maintained lower leaf water potential than oak in the early afternoon. In 1994 the sessile oak saplings showed higher values of predawn water potential (Ψ_pd) than beech at the end of summer, when soil moisture content was lowest (20 cm depth). Beech showed a significantly lower net assimilation rate (A) than sessile oak for leaves under the same PPFD. Maximum net photosynthesis values (A _max) for beech and sessile oak on sunny leaves were 10.1±0.4 μmol m^–2 s^–1 and 17.8±1.7 μmol m^–2 s^–1 respectively, and those for water vapour stomatal conductance (g _wv) were 265±31 mmol m^–2 s^–1 and 438±74 mmol m^–2 s^–1. Differences in A and g _wv between the two species were maintained throughout the day on all measurement dates. No clear relationship was found between water status of saplings and stomata performance; there was only a negative correlation between Ψ_pd and g _wvmid in beech. Nevertheless, a significant response to the air vapour pressure gradient between leaf and air was translated into stomata closure on an hourly basis, more intensively in beech. Received: 4 March 1999 / Accepted: 21 December 1999     

Quantification of corrinoids in methanogenic bacteria

Corrinoids in several diverse species of methanogens were quantified by a bioassay utilizingEscherichia coli 113–3, a corrinoid auxotroph. All five species examined contained >0.65 nmol corrinoid/mg dry cells when grown on H₂/CO₂ as carbon and energy source. The highest corrinoid levels (4.1 nmol/mg cells) were found inMethanosarcina barkeri grown on methanol. The amount of corrinoids found in this species was dependent on growth conditions, but, regardless of energy source, metabolized levels inMethanosarcina barkeri were higher than those found in theMethanobacterium species examined (M. arbophilicum, M. formicium, M. ruminantium, andM. thermoautotrophicum).     

Agouticarpa, a new neotropical genus of Tribe Gardenieae (Rubiaceae)

Agouticarpa, a new genus of the informalAlibertia group (Rubiaceae), is described and illustrated. It comprises six species, and occurs from Costa Rica to Bolivia. Three species are here described as new:Agouticarpa grandistipula, A. hirsuta, andA. velutina. Additionally, three new combinations are made:A. curvifolia andA. williamsii (previously inGenipa) andA. isernii (previously inAlibertia). Agouticarpa is characterized by being dioecious, having elliptic to abovate, membranaceous stipules, male flowers in a branched dichasial or thyrse-like inflorescence, a poorly developed cup-shaped calyx, pollen grains with 3–7 apertures, and large globose fruits.     

Application of a rapid thin section method for observations on decomposing litter in mor humus form in a subalpine coniferous forest

Morphological changes in the decomposing litter ofAbies spp. andBetula spp. in a mor humus form were studied by a rapid thin section method. According to the morphological characteristics, the epidermis, mesophyll and vascular bundleof Abies needle litter were classified into four types: (i) newly fallen; (ii) slightly decomposed; (iii) moderately decomposed; and (iv) greatly decomposed. The distribution of these tissue types along the profile of the forest floor was then investigated. The morphological changes in other litter types, such as branches, scales andBetula leaves during decomposition were observed directly with microscope and electron microscope. Five vertical thin sections and 80 horizontal thin sections were used for these observations and investigations. the decomposition ofAbies litter was slower than that ofBetula litter. The relative decomposition rate of the tissues was in the order of: mesophyll>vascular bundle >epidermis inAbies needles; mesophyll≥epidermis>vascular bundles inBetula leaves; and inner bark >xylem>outer bark in bothAbies andBetula branches. The last remains of the litter were usually stomata, segments of seminiferous scale and outer bark ofAbies. The decomposition of plant litter occurred mainly within the L and F layers of the soil (0–5 cm in depth).Abies needles andBetula leaves completely disappeared at depths of 0–6 cm and 0–4 cm, respectively. Branches disappeared within the top of 5 cm and 6–8 cm forBetula and forAbies, respectively. The scales ofAbies were most slowly decomposed in the soil layers.     

Aerobic and anaerobic metabolism during activity in snakes

Summary Oxygen consumption and blood lactate concentration in the snakesColuber constrictor, Crotalus viridis, Lichanura roseofusca andMasticophis flagellum and whole body lactate concentration inCrotalus viridis andMasticophis flagellum were determined under standard conditions and after a bout of maximal activity induced by a 5 min period of mechanical stimulation. Observations were made atT _b=35°C inColuber, Crotalus, andMasticophis and 32°C inLichanura. Maximal oxygen consumption inColuber andMasticophis was twice that ofCrotalus and 4 x that ofLichanura (Fig. 1). Post-active whole body lactate concentration inMasticophis was twice that ofCrotalus (Fig. 2). Immediately post-active and 30 min post-active blood lactate concentration inColuber andMasticophis was 1.5 x and 3.5 x that ofCrotalus andLichanura, respectively (Fig. 3). These data support conclusions that: (a) maximal energy production by these snakes correlates well with their respective modes of predation and defense, the highly active predatorsColuber andMasticophis being capable of the greatest net energy production during activity; (b)Coluber andMasticophis exhibit aerobic scopes as high or higher than any other comparably sized reptile heretofore investigated; (c) weight specific anaerobic metabolism probably does not decrease with increasing body size in reptiles; (d) anaerobic metabolism provides >50% of net energy production during five minutes of activity in all species examined (Table 1).     

Studies ontrichogramma buesi as a biocontrol agent againstPieris rapae in Egypt

Trichogramma buesi was reared in the laboratory on eggs of the Mediterranean flour moth,Anagasta kuehniella. The incubation period of the parasite's egg was 27 h at 23 °C and 22 h at 27 °C. The larval stage lasted 3.6 and 3.2 days, the pre-pupa lasted 16 and 23 h, and the pupa lasted 5.4 and 4.6 days at 23° and 27°C, respectively. The total developmental time (from egg to adult) averaged 9.2, 9.4, and 9.1 days when the parasite was reared on eggs ofPieris rapae, Spodoptera littoralis, andA. kuehniella, respectively, at 27 °C. Sex ratio inT. buesi was 1 ♂: 1 ♀ in nature and 1 ♂: 1.3 ♀ in the laboratory. The daily and total numbers or progeny produced/female were 5.1 and 98.2 adults, respectively. The parasite female, fed on honey, lived 10.7 days at 27 °C and 12.1 days at 23 °C. Percentages of parasitism byT. buesi on eggs ofP. rapae collected from cabbage fields ranged between 0 and 31.5 % in 1985 and betwcen 0 and 36.4% in 1986 during July through December. The respective figures on eggs collected from turnip fields were 16–42.2% and 12.5–32.1% during November and December.      

Maternal attendance behaviour of sympatrically breeding Antarctic and subantarctic fur seals,Arctocephalus spp., at Macquarie Island

Maternal attendance behaviour was studied in Antarctic (Arctocephalus gazella) and subantarctic fur seals (Arctocephalus tropicalis) which breed sympatrically at subantarctic Macquarie Island. Data on attendance were obtained using telemetric methods. Both species undertook two types of foraging trips: overnight foraging trips which were of less than 1 day duration and occurred exclusively overnight, and extended foraging trips which lasted longer than 1 day. The mean duration of overnight foraging trips was 0.43 and 0.39 days, while the duration of extended foraging trips was 3.6 and 3.8 days in A. gazella and A. tropicalis, respectively. The duration of overnight and extended foraging trips did not differ significantly between species. Two types of shore attendance bouts that differed in duration were also observed in these species. Short attendance bouts lasted less than 0.9 days, while long attendance bouts lasted longer than 0.9 days. Short attendance bouts lasted 0.4 and 0.5 days, while long attendance bouts lasted 1.6 and 1.7 days in A. gazella and A. tropicalis, respectively, and did not differ significantly between species. The most significant differences between the attendance behaviour of both species was in the percentage of foraging time allocated to overnight foraging trips (15% and 25% in A. gazella and A. tropicalis, respectively), and the percentage of time spent ashore (30% and 38% in A. gazella and A. tropicalis, respectively). The nearness of pelagic waters to Macquarie Island is considered to be the main reason that lactating females are able to undertake overnight foraging trips. These trips may be used by females as a means of optimising the costs of fasting and nursing ashore. Females may be able to save energy by only nursing pups when milk transfer efficiencies are high, and reduce the time and energy costs of fasting ashore when milk transfer efficiency is low. Of the female A. gazella that still carried transmitters at the end of lactation, 83% continued regular attendance for between 21 and 150 days post-lactation (when data collection ceased). Overwintering of A. gazella females at breeding sites has not been previously reported in other populations. Accepted: 10 November 1998     

Johnius (johnieops) philippinus, a new sciaenid from the philippines, with a synopsis of species included in the subgenusjohnieops

A new sciaenid,Johnius (Johnieops) philippinus, is described from the Davao Gulf, Mindanao Island Philippines. It differs from all known species of the subgenus in the combination of 29–32 dorsal fin soft rays, 5–6 scales above and 10–13 scales below the lateral line, 10–12 lower gill rakers, a broadly rounded anterior snout margin (from dorsal aspect), large eyes (28–35% HL), a narrow interorbital space (23–28% HL) and well-developed pleural ribs on 11th vertebra. A synopsis of species included in the subgenusJohnieops is provided.     

Light environment and carbon gain of understory herbs associated with sunflecks in a warm temperate deciduous forest in Japan

Seasonal variation in the light environment on the forest floor of a deciduous forest was investigated with special reference to sunflecks. Diurnal variations and seasonal changes in frequency and irradiation period of the sunflecks (sunfleck duration) were measured. The hourly total sunfleck duration varied seasonally; that is, 30–40 min in spring and autumn and about 15–20 min in summer. There was no large variation in the hourly sunfleck duration during daytime hours (from 9.00 to 15.00 h). The emergence frequency of sunflecks was 1.3–4.8 per h with two peaks, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. The mean duration of a sunfleck, however, showed a characteristic daily pattern with a peak around noon. Sunfleck duration was long around noon, ranging from 12 to 18 min, and short around 10.00 and 14.00 h, ranging from 6 to 10 min. Using the light photosynthesis curves ofPyrola japonica andSyneilesis palmata (Koizumi & Oshima 1985), the contribution of sunflecks to the dry matter production of these understory species was evaluated. It was shown that the sunflecks contributed 7–10% of the carbon gain inS. palmata, but only 2–3% of that inP. japonica.