DISJUNCT DISTRIBUTION OF THE XANTHOPHYLL LOROXANTHIN IN THE GREEN ALGAE (CHLOROPHYTA)1

Thirty-five green algal species, representing 17 orders in 5 classes, were examined for the presence of the xanthophyll loroxanthin by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography. Of these, 16 possessed loroxanthin, including at least one member of each class of green algae. The distribution of loroxanthin as established by this and previous studies is disjunct within the Chlorophyta and does not appear to have any taxonomic significance. Most of the green algae examined possessed one or more xanthophyll pigments that have not been found in land plants.     

REPRODUCTIVE ASSURANCE MECHANISMS IN THREE TAXA OF THE MIMULUS GUTTATUS COMPLEX (SCROPHULARIACEAE)

The evolution of inbreeding in plants has often been attributed to selection for the ability to set seed in the absence of mates or pollinators. Mechanisms of reproductive assurance in five populations of mixed mating Mimulus guttatus, three populations of inbreeding M. platycalyx, and two populations of inbreeding M. nasutus were examined in a pollinator-free greenhouse. Reproductive assurance was manifested in all populations by autofertility, vegetative reproduction, or both. The inbreeding taxa had significantly greater levels of autofertility and less vegetative reproduction. Three modes of autofertility were identified: 1) due to corolla abscission only, occurring in three M. guttatus populations; 2) due to both corolla abscission and direct anther-stigma contact by curling of the lower stigmatic lobe into the anthers, occurring in two M. guttatus populations; and 3) direct stigma-anther contact by stigma curling alone prior to corolla abscission, found in each M. platycalyx and M. nasutus population. Stigma-anther distance and its interaction with stigma curling contributed to differences in autofertility among populations. Significant levels of intrapopulation quantitative genetic variation were found for seven of ten traits examined; average levels were similar between inbreeding and mixed mating populations. Genetic variation within populations for autofertility per se was not detected, but significant levels controlling stigma-anther distance were found in two M. guttatus populations. These results show that evolution of inbreeding by natural selection for reproductive assurance is possible in Mimulus, and illustrate the complex changes in floral dynamics and morphology it may involve.     

REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY OF THE CERRO CUADRADO (JURASSIC) FOSSIL CONIFERS: PARARAUCARIA PATAGONICA

Seventy-two silicified cone specimens of Pararaucaria patagonica Wieland from the Cerro Cuadrado (Jurassic) petrified forest in Patagonia were studied by use of thin sections and reflected light. Traces from the cone axis stele to the bract and ovuliferous scale are separate at their origins. In cross section the abaxially concave ovuliferous scale trace and massive circular bract trace branch half-way out into the cone-scale complex. Two triangular-shaped bundles of fibers follow the scale trace into the laminar part of the ovuliferous scale. Both surfaces of the ovuliferous scale possess hairs which may have assisted in cone closure. Cones typically contain one flattened, winged seed per ovuliferous scale. Multi-layered seed integuments are represented by an inner fleshy layer of large cells filled with a black amorphous material, a sclerotesta consisting of wedges or fan-shaped groups of sclereids oriented at right angles to the seed surface, and a thin, often crushed fleshy layer. Seed wings consist of anastomosing, branched cells resembling glandular hairs and containing many intercellular spaces. Well-preserved polycotyledonous embryos containing up to eight cotyledons are present in several cones. Tissues of the embryo including the shoot apex, calyptroperiblem, hypocotyl, and cotyledons are described. On the basis of anatomical and morphological features, specimens of P. patagonica are compared to members of both extant and extinct families of conifers including the Araucariaceae, Taxodiaceae, Pinaceae, Cupressaceae, and Cheirolepidaceae.     

MOLECULAR DELINEATION OF SPECIES AND SYNGENS IN VOLVOCACEAN GREEN ALGAE (CHLOROPHYTA)1

Two species of the colonial green flagellate family Volvocaceae are worldwide in distribution yet exhibit contrasting species structure. Geographically disparate isolates of Gonium pectorale Mueller can interbreed while isolates of Pandorina morum Bory behave quite differently. More than 20 sexually isolated subpopulations occur within this species; these have been termed “syngens” (sensu Sonneborn). Because prezygotic barriers to mating cause intersyngen pairings to fail, breeding analyses cannot be used to estimate genetic relatedness among the syngens of P. morum. DNA comparisons provide an alternative method of assessing genetic relatedness. We compared the nucleotide sequence of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of the nuclear ribosomal repeat among clones of P. morum and of G. pectorale. Members of syngens of P. morum with distribution restricted to one small geographical area show great similarity. Likewise, members of any syngen of worldwide distribution show near uniformity, even those from different continents. However, the ITS sequence of each syngen differs from that of other syngens. In contrast, G. pectorale, which has an ITS region that is remarkably uniform throughout the world, appears to consist of a single syngen within North America and Europe by mating tests. The molecular data are in complete conformity with previous syngen assignment. Because the latter is based on mating affinity, with two complementary mating types per syngen, the evolution of new mating type pairs appears to be the basis of microevolution in these algae. We infer that either P. morum is a more ancient species than G. pectorale or that P. morum has a less stable genome. In either case, the biogeographic distribution of certain syngens may reflect climatological changes of the past.     

CULTURE STUDY OF REPRODUCTIVE CYCLES AND SYSTEMATICA IN MOUGEOTIA TRANSEAUI (CHLOROPHYTA)1,2

Asexual and sexual reproductive cyries are described and illustrated for a cultured homothallic strain of Mougeotia transeaui Collins. Reproduction is by aplanospores and zygospores. Aplanospore formation precedes zygospore formation and continues longer with regreening of older cultures occurring regularly from precocious germination of aplanospores. Aplanospores typically form when most of the protoplast moves into the central swollen region of a cell and two new cross walls form to delimit an aplanosporangium. Conjugation is scalariform without the movement and fusion of well-organized gametes. During zygospore maturation, three new cross walls form in the receptive gametangium and conjugation tube to produce a zygosporangium.     

THE OPTIMUM PH OF FOUR STRAINS OF ACIDOPHILIC SNOW ALGAE IN THE GENUS CHLOROMONAS (CHLOROPHYTA) AND POSSIBLE EFFECTS OF ACID PRECIPITATION1

Four axenic strains of snow algae were examined for optimum pH under laboratory conditions using M-1 growth medium. Growth was measured using cell counts, cell measurements and absorbance readings at 440 nm. Strains C204 and C479A of Chloromonas sp. from the Adirondack Mountains, New York, grew optimally at pH 4.0 to 5.0. Strains C381F and C381G, Chloromonas polyptera (Fritsch) Hoh., Mull. & Roem. from the White Mountains, Arizona, grew optimally at pH 4.5 to 5.0. Growth was significantly higher at pH 4.0 in the northeastern species (Chloromonas sp.), but no significant difference was observed in final growth at pH 4.5, 5.0 and 5.5 between species. It is postulated that the more acidic precipitation in the northeastern United States may be selecting for strains of snow algae with greater tolerance to acidity than in strains from the southwestern United States or that the different pH optima reported are simply species differences. New York strain C204 was also grown in heavily buffered AM medium where it had an optimum pH of 5.0, but cells became irregularly shaped and tended to clump at pH 6.0 to 7.0. Growth of C204 in AM medium was significantly lower than in M-1 medium for snow algae. These findings justify the use of M-1 medium for this type of experimentation.     

FREEZE-DRYING OF ALGAE: CHLOROPHYTA AND CHRYSOPHYTA1

Thirty-nine of 106 algal strains tested were successfully lyophilized using at least one of the following as suspending agents: 20% (w/v) skim milk, 12% (w/v) sucrose, 100% lamb serum and 100% horse serum. The majority of the Chlorella and Scenedesmusstrains tested (27/40) were amenable to freeze-drying. Much less success (3/18) occurred with the Chlamydomonas strains tested. At least one strain of Ankistrodesmus, Bracteacoccus, Characium, Trebouxia, Haematococcus, Coccomyxa, Interfilum, Hormidium and Nephrodiella were also recovered. More strains were recovered with 20% skim milk as the protective agent than with 12% sucrose; however, 12% sucrose generally provided higher yields. Freeze-drying appears to be an effective method of preservation far some algal strains.     

膜翅目广腰亚目化石的研究简史与现状(昆虫纲)

详细回顾和综述了世界膜翅目广腰亚目昆虫化石研究简史,列出已发表的化石种类名录、分布及年代,说明了不同地质时期主要广腰亚目化石的分类单元以及分布特点.简要介绍了广腰亚目化石昆虫发展趋势及广腰亚目昆虫群落特征.初步分析了目前该类群所存在的一些问题,并对今后的研究工作进行了展望.     

DIVISION APPARATUS OF THE CHLOROPLAST IN NANNOCHLORIS BACILLARIS (CHLOROPHYTA)1

Chloroplast division in Nannochloris bacillaris Naumann (Chlorophyta) was examined by electron microscopy after preparation of samples by freeze-substitution. A pair of belts appeared on the surface of the outer and inner envelope membranes at the middle of the chloroplast. These belts seemed to be constructed of thin fibrils that run parallel to the longitudinal direction of the belts. The outer fibrillar belt increased in width as the constriction of the chloroplast advanced. It appears that the fibrillar belt is the division apparatus of the chloroplast. It encircles the chloroplast and finally divides the chloroplast in two as the diameter of the belt decreases.     

植物分类学在化石珊瑚藻(珊瑚藻目,红藻门)中的应用

最近有人认为将化石藻类的分类归入现生藻类分类单元有利于珊瑚藻作为古环境的标志,便于理解该类群的演化。然而,这样分类可能很难,因为并不是所有现生藻类分类特征都能在化石种中保存下来。Sporolithacea科的钙化部分(独立或者聚集的孢子囊群)的出现,可以把它们与这个类群的另一个现生科Corallinaceae区别开,这个科在生殖窠中产生孢子囊。节片的有无,丝间细胞的联系类型,生殖窠中孢子囊释放的数目都是用来划分Coral1inaceae科的亚科的标准,在化石样品中也可以用合适的条件进行观察。在大多数情况下,对现生珊瑚藻类属的划分特征可以在化石藻类中鉴别出来,但在几种现生珊瑚藻没有钙化的生殖结构或发育特征。因此,它们生殖结构无法与相应的化石藻类进行对比,也不能进行化石藻类的分类。近年来的趋势认为生殖结构和发育特征是对现生珊瑚藻进行分类的优先鉴定标准,然而,某些特征的稳定性在属的划分上仍然存在争论。在许多情况下,现生藻类的分类标准特征都不能在化石中保存,对古生物化石的分类标准的最佳选择是在化石藻类中选择辅助的,并且可以识别的其它鉴定特征,或者应用非正式的比现生藻类代表定义更宽的属名。     

REPRODUCTIVE BEHAVIOR OF FEMALE BUNTINGS: ISOLATING MECHANISMS IN A HYBRIDIZING PAIR OF SPECIES

The plumage characteristics of male Indigo and Lazuli Buntings are distinct, but the two species can learn each other's songs. Populations comprising Indigo, Lazuli and hybrid individuals occur in the Great Plains of North America, and assortative mating has been inferred from morphometric data. We devised a laboratory assay for determining female preferences for visual and vocal characteristics of conspecific and heterospecific males and for mixtures of these characteristics, such as might be encountered in an overlap population. Females of both species gave more copulation-solicitation displays when exposed to conspecific plumage and vocalizations than when exposed to heterospecific plumage and vocalizations. Females gave intermediate and similar responses to the combinations of conspecific plumage with heterospecific vocalizations and heterospecific plumage with conspecific vocalizations. Thus, in the absence of other potentially important variables, female reproductive behavior is consistent with the hypothesis of assortative mating, based upon both vocal and visual traits of the males and caused by female choice in this semispecies pair.     

THREE NEW GENERA OF FOSSIL NONCALCAREOUS ALGAE FROM VALMEYERAN (MISSISSIPPIAN) STRATA OF ILLINOIS

Three previously unknown algal forms are preserved as carbonaceous residue and impressions in basal St. Louis Formation (Valmeyeran Series) of Jersey County, Ill. On the basis of morphologic similarities the algae are considered to belong to Rhodophyta and Phaeophyta. The algae are associated with conularia. The algae and conularia probably lived in shallow marine water on the eastern flank of the Ozark Dome and southern margin of the Illinois Basin. This region would have been at approximately 20 south latitude during the Visean.     

DISTRIBUTION OF THE XANTHOPHYLL LOROXANTHIN IN DESMIDS (CHAROPHYCEAE,CHLOROPHYTA)1

Forty-seven species of desmids, representing all four families, were examined for the presence of the xanthophyll loroxanthin by reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography. In the Desmidiaceae 28 of the 35 species examined possessed loroxanthin, and in the Mesotaeniaceae two of the six examined had loroxanthin present. All six species of the families Peniaceae and Closteriaceae examined possessed loroxanthin. Although the distribution of loroxanthin appears to be disjunct in the desmids and does not have strict taxonomic significance, it does follow a coherent pattern consistent with current ideas on desmid phylogeny. This pattern suggests that loroxanthin synthesis probably evolved once in the desmid lineage, with one or more subsequent reversals.     

IMMUNOLOGICAL IDENTIFICATION OF THE ALTERNATIVE OXIDASE IN CHLAMYDOMONAS REINHARDTII (CHLOROPHYTA)1

Using a monoclonal antibody to the alternative oxidase from voodoo lily, we provide evidence that the green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii Dang, possesses a protein that is immunologically related to the higher plant alternative oxidase. Mitochondria were isolated from a cell wall-less mutant strain (CW-15), and the presence of cyanide-resistant oxygen consumption was confirmed in these mitochondria. The voodoo lily antibody was used as a probe for immunoblotting of sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis gels of mitochondrial proteins of C. reinhardtii. The antibody reacted with a protein from C. reinhardtii with the same molecular mass (36 kDa) as the alternative oxidase from voodoo lily and tobacco mitochondria. These results suggest that cyanide-resistant respiration in C. reinhardtii is mediated by a higher plant-type alternative oxidase.     

THE SIGNIFICANCE OF REPRODUCTIVE AND SPORE GERMINATION CHARACTERISTICS TO THE SYSTEMATIC OF THE CORALLINACEAE: NONARTICULATED CORALLINE ALGAE12

This paper deals with reproductive and spore germination characteristics to the systematics of the nonarticulated coralline algae. As can the articulated coralline algae, the nonarticulated coralline algae may also he divided into 2 groups on the basis of their yearly reproductive cycles, spore dimensions, and spore germination characteristics: the Lithophyllum group and the Lithothamnium group. These 2 groups are basically identical with the Amphiroa and Corallina groups of the articulated coralline algae, respectively, so far as these 3 characters are concerned. The grouping of these representatives of the Corallinaceae into 2 groups—Amphiroa—Lithophyllum and Corallina–Lithothamnium—coincides with a grouping based on the manner of connection between cells of adjacent filaments.     

REPRODUCTIVE SUCCESS OF FUCUS VESICULOSUS (PHAEOPHYCEAE) IN THE BALTIC SEA

Marine organisms colonizing brackish habitats such as the Baltic Sea must cope with the negative effects of low salinities on reproductive success because these may reduce gamete viability and/or increase polyspermy. Reproductive characteristics of the marine seaweed Fucus vesiculosus L. were studied in several brackish habitats, particularly in the northern Baltic Sea, to understand its ability to reproduce where few other marine species survive. Polyspermy and fertilization success were variable at the boundary of the continuous distribution of F. vesiculosus in the Baltic Sea, and polyspermy was high (10%–30%) when fertilization was successful. A strong female bias (80%–86%, ca. 5.5:1) was found at the northernmost limit of Baltic F. vesiculosus. Electrophysiological studies showed that many eggs have a high input resistance (519 ± 150 MΩ[mean ± SE, n = 14] at Drivan, 1995), which may be helpful in preventing polyspermy in this brackish habitat. The polyspermy block remains sodium-dependent in the northern Baltic. Sperm bound quickly to northern Baltic eggs in natural water, but fertilization was delayed compared to marine F. vesiculosus. A subset of northern Baltic eggs studied during an optimal reproductive period (7–11 July 1995) had a membrane potential (E_m) of ca. −100 mV and an effective fertilization potential (FP) of ca. 2 min with a plateau of −25 mV, but repolarized too rapidly for the FP to be protective. Pronuclear migration and cell wall secretion occurred more slowly in Baltic than in marine zygotes. The reproductive success of theseboundary populations may be dependent upon windows of opportunity when there are favorable combinations of the levels of salinity, water motion, population density, and sex ratio. These factors and the short duration of the reproductive season in the northern Baltic Sea may result in reproductive failure in some years.