Trade-off relationships between some reproductive characteristics in plants with special reference to life history stragegy

Several reproductive triats in plants were studied in more than 200 populations of 61 wild species from diverse ecological conditions. As a result, it was found that there occur three distinct types of plants in the energy allocation patterns to reproductive structures (RA) and the propagule output per plant (P_N), i.e. (1) the number of propagules per plant increases in response to the increase in RA (Type I), (2) the number of propagules decreases in response to the increase in RA (Type II), and (3) the RA remains constant despite the great differences in the propagule number per plant. A conspicuous trade-off relationship was also discovered to occur between the RA to a single propagule (R_A) and the propagule output per plant (P_N), such that log R_A=logC−blot P_N, or R_A=C/P_N ^b =CP_N ^−b , where C is a constant. The three different ranges ofb-values were recognized, i.e.b<1.0,b>1.0, andb=1.0, which correspond to Type I, Type II, and Type III, respectively. Related problems to the concept ofr- andK-strategy are also discussed.     

The salt marsh vegetation at Vinjekilen,Bamble, SE Norway,with special reference to the Puccinellietum maritimae

In the proposed nature reserve Vinjekile the vegetation types have been studied by means of transects and vegetation samples. The transects have been levelled, their altitudes related to the National Zero Altitude, NN54. The study area, ca 5 ha, constitutes a bay where a small brook built a delta. Puccinellia maritima was found dominating in different zones from-8 to 40 cm NN54. On gently sloping marshes the Puccinellietum maritimae forms a pioneer vegetation in the lower geolittoral zone, descending towards the hydrolittoral mud flats. At higher altitudes, 30–40 cm NN54, Puccinellia was found in local depressions and associated with Juncus gerardii. The mean lower limit of the Puccinellietum corresponds with the mean annual water level, and forms a zero altitude. The 6 transects also show the horizontal and vertical distribution of Zosteretum marinae, Ruppietum maritimae, Salicornietum strictae, Bolboschoenetum maritimi, Bolboschoeno-Caricetum pa paleaceae, Juncetum gerardii and some other communities which have been described in a synoptic table.Nomenclature follows Lid (1974). The phytosociological classification follows mainly Beeftink (1965). The terms geolittoral, hydrolittoral and sublittoral are used according to Gillner (1960) and Borg (1980).Acknowledgements: I thank the following persons for information and assistance invarious ways; Sigmund Tvermyr, Skien; Per Skjøthaug, Norges geografiske oppmåling; Per Wiik, Bamble Oppmålingsvesen; Kristoffer Hvalvik and Ingrid Hagen. Vinjekilen.     

On the ecophysiology of Halimione portulacoides

Growth rate and salt accumulation were investigated in experiments on Halimione portulacoides with seven sodium chloride treatments, in water culture. The growth of Halimione was found to be stimulated by moderate, 85–170 mM NaCl, levels of salinity, but increasingly depressed by salinities from 410–690 mM NaCl, which is comparable to salinities in salt marshes during the growing season. Using the same technique, growth rate, chloride and nitrogen uptake experiments at four different sodium chloride and nitrate treatment levels were conducted, in order to study the effect of nitrogen and salt. At 8 mM NaCl in the growth medium growth was depressed at 16.2 mM nitrate treatment levels. At 137 mM, 410 mM and 684 mM of NaCl growth was stimulated by increasing levels of nitrogen. The results of these experiments are discussed in relation to the nitrogen and salt conditions prevailing in Halimione portulacoides salt-marsh communities.     

The improvement and utilization in forestry of nitrogen fixation by actinorhizal plants with special reference toAlnus in Scotland

Summary Alnus species are used widely in Britain for land reclamation, forestry and other purposes. Rapid juvenile growth of the AmericanAlnus rubra makes it an attractive species for planting on N-deficient soils, particularly those of low organic content. In small plot trials, this species is nodulated by indigenous soil frankiae as effectively asAlnus glutinosa. Over a three year period both species return similar amounts of N to the ecosystem, estimated at up to 10–12 kg N ha^–1. Several strains ofFrankia have been isolated from local (Lennox Forest)A. rubra nodules. These differ morphologically and in their growth on different culture media, both from each other and fromA. glutinosa nodule isolates. AllAlnus isolates, however, have a total cellular fatty acid composition qualitatively similar to some other Group B frankiae. Glasshouse tests in N free culture suggest thatA. rubra nodules formed after inoculation of seedlings with American spore (–) isolates are three times more effective in N fixation than those inoculated with LennoxA. rubra spore (+) nodule homogenates. By contrast, the early growth of seedlings inoculated with spore (–)Frankia strains suggests at best a 35% improvement in N fixing activity over seedlings inoculated with LennoxA. rubra nodule isolates. Nevertheless, this improvement in activity, together with the better performance of seedlings inoculated with isolates compared with those treated with crushed nodule preparations, suggest that it would be worthwhile commercially to inoculate nursery stock with a spore (–)Frankia strain.     

The role of alien plants in the natural coastal vegetation in central-northern Spain

Alien plants in coastal habitats and their influence on natural vegetation are studied. After 5 years working on this subject in the Basque Country and surrounding areas, a number of results from the coastal ecosystems are presented. These ecosystems are one of the most threatened and affected by the invasion of alien plants, especially shore dunes, saltmarshes and cliffs. These kinds of habitats, especially the dunes, experience significant pressure from human activities which favours the expansion of some of these species: Arctotheca calendula, Sporobolus indicus and Oenothera spp. The presence and abundance of these invasive plants and others such as Baccharis halimifolia, Cortaderia selloana, Spartina patens and Carpobrotus edulis in the plant communities in an area between the French border and the western part of the region of Cantabria have been studied. The degree of invasion of each plant in each syntaxonomic unit has been analysed.     

Extant and potential vegetation of an old-growth maritime Ilex opaca forest

The extant and potential (seed bank) vegetation of a rare maritime holly forest on Fire Island, New York was described to assess whether treefall gaps act as a mechanism for the persistence of the species composition of this plant community over time. The Sunken Forest overstory is dominated by Ilex opaca, Amelanchier canadensis and Sassafras albidum. A survey of canopy gaps indicated canopy openings compose 11.3% of the land within the Sunken Forest (16 ha). The composition and density of the seed bank were described using the emergence method. Germination from soil samples placed in the greenhouse was monitored over 2 years. Sixteen species germinated with an average propagule density of 215±41 germinants per square metre. An early successional species (Rhus copallinum) dominated the seed bank, but the late-successional, shade-tolerant I. opaca was also present. Though only one species in the seed bank did not appear in the current vegetation, species abundance differed between vegetation strata. The mean cover and density of the ground-layer flora were higher beneath treefall gaps than closed canopy. Sapling density did not differ between the two canopy conditions, but the dominant species differed with A. canadensis occupying several closed canopy plots and P. serotina saplings appearing more often in gap plots. Most of the dominant canopy species are present in the seed bank and ground layer but are not present in the shrub and sapling layer, with the exception of A. canadensis. Current (2002) sapling density is lower than three decades ago for all species except P. serotina, which is now the dominant woody species in the Sunken Forest understory. The results of this study indicate that if the cause of the sapling reduction is lessened or removed, the characteristic species of the overstory of this unusual plant community may rebound and redevelop a sapling and shrub layer akin to that present before the increase in Odocoileus virginianus on the island.     

Keratinization of fish skin with special reference to the catfish Bagarius bagarius

Summary Histochemical reactions indicating keratinization have previously been demonstrated in parts of the epidermis of Bagarius bagarius. Fluorescence histochemistry and electron microscopy have now confirmed these results. Elevated areas of the epidermis are capped by a layer of dead cells with altered contents. On the outer aspect of these cells a dense layer, 18 nm thick, beneath the plasma membrane corresponds to the resistant envelope found in keratinized cells in tetrapod vertebrates. In Bagarius this layer does not extend to all faces of the keratinized cells, but a similar envelope has been detected in two other sites of piscine keratinized epidermis investigated, namely in the breeding tubercles of Phoxinus phoxinus and in the teeth of Lampetra fluviatilis. In the elevated areas of Bagarius-epidermis, the epithelial cells undergo progressive changes in cytoplasmic organization as they become more superficial. The second tier from the surface is sealed by tight junctions and is separated from the overlying keratinized cells by a sub-corneal space resembling that found in keratinized amphibian epidermis. Histochemical evidence of a high lipid content in the outer layers of the epidermis correlates with the presence of lipid inclusions and lamellated membranous profiles in the material studied by electron microscopy. Histochemical results show that the fin skin of Blennius pholis is not keratinized, but secretes a cuticle, histochemically reactive for both proteins and glycoproteins.     

Distribution of diploid sexual plants ofTaraxacum sect.Ruderalia in east-Central Europe,with special reference to Czechoslovakia

Herbarium specimens (c. 1 000) and population samples (76) have been screened for the occurrence of diploid representatives ofTaraxacum sect.Ruderalia (T. sect.Vulgaria, nom. illeg.). The area studied comprises German Democratic Republic, Poland, Czechoslovakia, Hungary and parts of Austria, Yugoslavia, and Rumania. Diploids are common from the Valley of the Moravia river on southwards. Isolated outpost localities are found in S. Poland and extend far to the north: neighbourhood of Berlin. Based on the pattern of distribution in Czechoslovakia, the Pannonian (thermophilous) phytogeographical character of the diploids is discussed. Special attention has been paid to morphological differences between di- and triploids in Czechoslovakia. The study provides a basis for further biosystematical and taxonomic studies in the relationships between diploids and polyploids as well as in the stability of agamospecies.     

The significance of life-form characters for systematics,with special reference to the familyCampanulaceae

The biomorphological radiation of theCampanulaceae is outlined. Certain aspects of ontogeny and life-form are specific and constant for the tribes and genera of the family, and for the sections, subsections and series ofCampanula. Therefore, a certain correlation exists between the biomorphological characters and the reproductive structures underlying the taxonomic system.     

Pollen evolution and systematics inAnnonaceae with special reference to the disulcate Australian endemic genera

All genera ofAnnonaceae endemic in Australia (Ancana, Fitzalania, Haplostichanthus) show almost exactly the same type of disulcate (disulculate) pollen with intact exine extending over the sulci. Tetrad stages inHaplostichanthus andAncana reveal a latudinal subequatiorial orientation of the two sulci at the proximal hemisphere. Sometimes they fuse into a ±zonosulcate aperture.Fissistigma pollen grains are ±globose and have a flattened pole with a central elevation and a concentric groove, covered by a somewhat reduced exine. This palynological characters give further support for separating the generaAncana andFissistigma. Germination was observed inHaplostichanthus where the pollen tube emerges at one of the two sulci and inFissistigma where the flattened part breaks up during germination. The aperture types described here are obviously transitional stages between aperturate and inaperturate pollen grains and are discussed in regard to pollen evolution.     

Fungal associations of Danish Calluna vulgaris roots with special reference to ericoid mycorrhiza

Fungi were isolated from young, serial-washed roots of Calluna sampled from a Danish heathland, Hjelm Hede. Of the 626 isolates, those that were dark, sterile and septate were divided into 13 morphological groups based on their appearance in culture on malt agar. Mycorrhizal synthesis in vitro showed that several groups formed typical ericoid mycorrhiza with seedlings of Calluna; these ericoid mycorrhizal fungi were morphologically similar to Hymenoscyphus ericae. The identities of the other dark, septate fungi are uncertain. Oidiodendron spp. were isolated in a very low frequency; these fungi also formed typical ericoid mycorrhiza. The Calluna root system on Hjelm Hede demonstrated a high morphological diversity among the associated dark, septate fungi suggesting that more than one fungus could coexist in the same host root system.     

Morphology and ultrastructure ofOlisthodiscus luteus (Raphidophyceae) with special reference to the taxonomy

A flattened discoid flagellate collected from the Seto Inland Sea, Japan, has been examined by light and electron microscopy. This alga agrees well withClisthodiscus luteus Carter. It has two heterodynamic flagella emerging from a furrow on the upward side of the cell that contains six to 13 yellow-green parietal chloroplasts. It does not rotate but smoothly glide while swimming. The cell has a thin periplast lying between the plasmalemma and chloroplasts. Neither lipid bodies nor mucocysts are seen in the periplast. The pyrenoid matrix being free from thylakoids is penetrated by several cytoplasmic canals from various directions. There are no vesicles of periplastidal network in the narrow space between chloroplast envelope and chloroplast ER. The ultrastructural features ofO. luteus are unique, sharing certain characters with the raphidophycean algae but others withPseudopedinella pyriformis, a unique member of the Chrysophyceae.     

The effects of the interaction between salinity and nitrogen limitation in Agrostis stolonifera L.

Salt-tolerant Agrostis stolonifera ecotypes commonly grow on upper salt marshes, environments regarded as having a limited nitrogen supply. The interaction between salinity and nitrate supply limitation was studied in two ecotypes of A. stolonifera, one isolated from an upper salt marsh and one from an inland habitat. The ion, amino acid, glycine betaine and sugar contents of the two ecotypes were determined over a range of external salt concentrations and levels of nitrate supply. In vivo nitrate reductase activity was also measured. Several low molecular weight nitrogenous compounds accumulated in the salt-stressed plants. Nitrogen supply limitation had a great effect on the way in which the plants responded to salt stress. In particular, the concentrations of the soluble organic nitrogenous compounds were reduced. The results are discussed with respect to the salt marsh environment, and possible models for cytoplasmic osmoregulation are presented.Acknowledgements: One of us (MJH) gratefully acknowledges the receipt of a research studentship from the Science Research Council, U.K. We would also like to thank Mrs E. E. Griffiths for skilled technical assistance, and Dr I. Ahmad for help with the amino acid analysis.     

Rupicolous vegetation of the betic ranges (south Spain)

On rupicolous vegetation (cl. Asplenietea trichomanis) of the Betic ranges in south Spain. The endemic alliance Saxifragion camposii developed in the upper zones of this area is here thoroughly examined. Phytosociological tables with records of all the syntaxa and biogeographical, ecological and floristic data among others are shown. Finally, as a result of a profound syntaxonomical discussion and the last data available the synopsis of this alliance is completed with four new associations: Hieracio texedensi-Moehringietum tejedensis, Athamanto hispanicae-Sideritetum stachydioidis, Sileno andryalifoliae-Saxi-fragetum camposii, Jasiono minutae-Saxifragetum rigoi.

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Resumen Se estudia la vegetación rupícola (cl. Asplenietea trichomanis) de las Cordilleras Béticas, emplazadas en el sur de España. En los territorios más elevados de estas se desarrolla la alianza endémica Saxifragion camposii, cuya revisión completa se realiza en este trabajo. Se aportan tablas fitosociológicas de todos los sintáxones, así como datos de tipo biogeográfico, ecológico, florístico, etc. Como resultado de una profunda discusión sintaxonómica y con los nuevos datos disponibles, se completa el esquema de la mencionada alianza con cuatro asociaciones nuevas (ver resumen en inglés).

     

The vascular and epithelial serotonergic innervation of the actinopterygian gill filament with special reference to the trout,Salmo gairdneri

Summary Antibodies against serotonin and 5-methoxytryptamine reveal indolaminergic neurons innervating the proximal part of the efferent arterial vasculature, the filament epithelia, the central venous sinus, and certain other serotonergic cells of the teleost gill filament. In the same area, acetylcholinesterase-positive and indoleaminergic neurons have already been described. We propose that these populations of neurons belong to a single neuronal type but express different agents. Our current results support this idea; in particular, they point to the presence of a single type of serotonin-containing nerve terminal, impinging on vascular smooth muscle. These results are in agreement with physiological data showing (i) the existence of non-cholinergic (atropine-resistant) vasoconstriction of the gill vasculature after nerve stimulation, and (ii) a potent vasoconstrictory action of infused serotonin. In addition, the above-mentioned serotonergic neurons have synaptic contacts with catecholaminergic nerve fibers, suggesting the existence of a modulatory relationship between the sympathetic and the cranial autonomic nerves supplying the teleost gill. Finally, these neurons show morphological relationships with a previously undescribed type of branchialserotonergic cell. The role of the parasympathetic nerve plexus of the teleost gill filament in the control of respiration and ionoregulation is discussed.     

The antennae of neopseustid moths: Morphology and phylogenetic implications, with special reference to the sensilla (Insecta, Lepidoptera, Neopseustidae)

The antennae of Lepidoptera Neopseustidae were examined with the scanning electron microscope. The studied species, Nematocentropus cfr. omeiensis, Neopseustis meyricki, Synempora andesae, Apoplania valdiviana and Apoplania penai possess nine types of antennal flagellum sensilla: multiporous large sensilla basiconica, multiporous thin sensilla basiconica, multiporous small sensilla basiconica, multiporous sensilla trichodea, multiporous sensilla coeloconica; uniporous sensilla chaetica; aporous sensilla chaetica, aporous stylus-shaped sensilla chaetica, aporous sensilla styloconica.The multiporous sensillum type here termed “multiporous large sensillum basiconicum” is unknown from other Lepidoptera and probably constitutes an autapomorphy of the family Neopseustidae. This sensillum type is remarkable by having a single base in female Apoplania and Synempora while in male Apoplania it has a bifid or trifid base, and in male Synempora it is composed of two or three incompletely separated hairs. This may be the first recorded example of a sexually dimorphic lepidopteran sensillum type. The stylus-shaped sensillum chaeticum is a primitive type which occurs only in some lower Lepidoptera.     

The fine structure of motile cells in the generaUlvaria andMonostroma,with special reference to the taxonomic position ofMonostroma oxyspermum (Ulvophyceae,Chlorophyta)

The zoospores and isogametes ofUlvaria obscura var.blyttii, the isogametes ofMonostroma bullosum, and the anisogametes ofM. grevillei have a flagellar apparatus with counterclockwise absolute orientation and terminal caps, and therefore belong to theUlvophyceae. On the basis of the absence or presence of body scales and the morphologies of certain flagellar apparatus components,Ulvaria obscura var.blyttii is retained in theUlvales, whileM. bullosum, M. grevillei andM. oxyspermum are referred to theUlotrichales. Differences in scale morphology, certain flagellar apparatus components, and early thallus ontogeny support the transfer ofM. oxyspermum to the genusGayralia. Mating structures and their positional relationships within the cell are described from the gametes examined. A plasmalemma-associated plaque that may be a degenerate mating structure occurs in someG. oxysperma motile cells.     

Observations on the gastric epithelium of ascidians with special reference to Styela clava

Summary Transmission electron microscopy shows the gastric epithelium of Styela clava to comprise at least three distinct cell types. Ciliated mucous cells which form the crest of each stomach ridge produce mucus by an unexpected route. Vacuolated cells lining the ridge sides appear to be absorptive in function. Gastric enzymes are produced by typical protein secreting cells scattered amongst the vacuolated cells. Undifferentiated cells are found in the crypts between ridges. The structure and function of the gastric epithelium in Styela is discussed with special reference to the wider concepts of ascidian gut organization.The author is grateful to Mrs. L. Rolph for technical help with scanning electron microscopy and Mr. J. Calvert and Mr. R. Jones for assistance with the transmission electron microscopy. Animals were collected through the kind offices of Mr. J. Sturges and other staff of the Admiralty Marine Trials Station, Portsmouth. This research was carried out during the tenure of SRC grant No. B/RG 82919 -The localization of polypeptide hormones in the pharynx and gut of Protochordates     

The fine structure of Crithidia fasciculata with special reference to the organelles involved in the ingestion and digestion of protein

Summary As in other trypanosomatids, the cell membrane of Crithidia fasciculata overlies a single layer of microtubules. Each microtubule possesses a large number of periodically arranged drumstick-like appendages and adjacent microtubules are joined by fibrillar connectives. Anteriorly, the microtubules gradually taper to terminate just before or just after entering the reservoir. An attempt is made to correlate microtubule tapering with maintenance of form of the truncated anterior end of the cell. Smooth and coated vesicles are proliferated from the Golgi saccules and the prominent contractile vacuole lies nearby. The single mitochondrion is extensive and expanded at one point to form a capsule for the kinetoplast. The cristae are predominantly plate-like but other configurations do occur. The cytostome, a shallow invagination of the reservoir membrane, is found between two constrictions in the reservoir wall. Supporting the cytostome are several microtubules which penetrate deeply into the cytoplasm. Ingestion of ferritin occurs by pinocytosis from the cytostome and by coated vesicle formation from the reservoir membrane. Digestion probably occurs in multivesicular bodies which contain acid phosphatase activity.