Karyotypic variation between wood mouse species: banded chromosomes ofApodemus alpicola andA. microps

The banding pattern (G-, C-, AgNOR-staining) was described in karyotypes ofApodemus alpicola Heinrich, 1952 andA. microps Kratochvil et Rosicky, 1952 collected from the Alps and central Europe. Distinct differences between the two species were revealed in the distribution of C-heterochromatic regions in autosomes and the sex chromosomes, and the distribution of nucleolar organizer regions (NORs). Extensive variation in the distribution pattern of C-heterochromatin and NORs obviously exists among the wood mice of the subgenusSylvaemus, and individual species can be distinguished according to a specific variation pattern. However, it seems premature to designate individual karyotypic forms as separate species, because the extent of overall geographical interpopulation variation is still not sufficiently known.     

Mallomonas jejuensis sp. nov. (Synurophyceae) from Jeju Island,South Korea

A new species of Mallomonas (Synurophyceae), Mallomonas jejuensis sp. nov., has been found in Jeju Island, South Korea. This species is placed in the series Mangoferae (section Torquatae) because it has a collar of elongated domed scales, domeless body scales, rear scales with spines and all scales ornamented with papillae. The morphological characteristics of the scales and bristle of the new species are described by EM and compared with those reported for the other species of the series Mangoferae.     

Philodendron bernardopazii and P. ricardoi spp. nov. (Araceae) from Espírito Santo State,Brazil

Two new species of Philodendron– Araceae (Philodendron bernardopazii E. G. Gonç. and Philodendron ricardoi E. G. Gonç.), so far known to be endemic to the Espirito Santo State, Brazil, are here described and illustrated for the first time. Philodendron bernardopazii has been traded as an ornamental plant for more than 30 years, as one of several species popularly called Philodendron“Santa Leopoldina”, because of the Brazilian county where it has been collected. This new species is so far known from two cultivated stocks, both supposedly collected at the same location (around the village of Santa Leopoldina) and if it still exists in nature, it is probably threatened. Philodendron ricardoi has only been observed on rocks around the village of Estrela do Norte where huge populations can be seen growing in rocky outcrops in open areas.     

TETREUTREPTIA POMQUETENSIS GEN. ET SP. NOV. (EUGLENOPHYCEAE): A QUADRIFLAGELLATE,PHOTOTROPHIC MARINE EUGLENOID1

A new euglenoid genus and species, Tetreutreptia pomquetensis, is described from winter waters of Maritime Canada. This phototrophic species is characterized by four emergent heterodynamic flagella, two about the length of the cell and two less than one-half this length. Tetreutreptia pomquetensis has features in common with species of Eutreptiella while it differs in several respects from any of the described species of that genus. It could be assigned to the order Eutreptiales or Euglenamorphales sensu Leedale or the order Euglenales sensu Farmer. This new alga has a narrow range of temperature tolerance; it grows best from 0° to 7° C and dies at temperatures above 10° C. The optimum salinity for growth was near full-strength seawater. Growth conditions for the alga define the conditions whence this species was isolated.     

Agglutinins from marine macroalgae of the southeastern United States

Protein extracts from 22 species of marine macroalgae from Florida and North Carolina were compared for their abilities to agglutinate sheep and rabbit erythrocytes. Protein extracts from 21 algal species agglutinated rabbit erythrocytes compared to 19 for sheep erythrocytes. However, agglutination by brown algal extracts was variable. The agglutination produced by protein extracts from Dictyota dichotoma could be blocked by addition of polyvinylpyrrolidone. Protein extracts from North Carolina macroalgae were also tested against five bacterial species. Three of these agglutinated bacterial cells. Ulva curvata and Bryopsis plumosa agglutinated all five species. Protein extracts from five species of Florida algae were tested for their effects on mitogenesis in mouse splenocytes and human lymphocytes. Gracilaria tikvahiae HBOI Strain G-5, Ulva rigida and Gracilaria verrucosa HBOI Strain G-16S stimulated mitogenesis in mouse splenocytes, while Gracilaria tikvahiae HBOI Strain G-16stimulated mitogenesis in human lymphocytes.     

Sphagnum divinum (sp. nov.) and S. medium Limpr. and their relationship to S. magellanicum Brid.

Sphagnum magellanicum has been viewed as being a predominantly circumpolar species in the northern hemisphere, but it occurs in the southern hemisphere and was originally described from the southern parts of Chile. It is an ecologically important species in mire ecosystems and has been extensively used as a model to study processes of growth, carbon sequestration and peat decomposition. Molecular and experimental studies have, however, revealed genetic structure within S. magellanicum, and morphological differences associated with these genetic groups. Here we describe Sphagnum divinum in Sphagnum subgenus Sphagnum (Sphagnaceae, Bryophyta) as a new species, based on molecular and morphological evidence. Sphagnum medium is reinstated as a distinct species and is epitypified. Consequently, a new species concept of S. magellanicum is presented including an epitypification. Important morphological characters to separate these three species in the field and under the microscope are presented. Ecology and distribution differ among the species; S. divinium has a wide habitat range including mire margin, forested peatlands and moist heaths, and a circumpolar distribution around the northern hemisphere. Sphagnum medium seems to be more restricted to ombrotrophic mire expanse habitats and shows an amphi-Atlantic distribution in the northern hemisphere. Sphagnum magellanicum has a very broad ecological niche in peatlands and is found in most mire habitats in Tierra del Fuego on the southern tip of South America.     

Genetic polymorphism of glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (E.C.: 1.1.1.8)

Summary By means of starchgel electrophoresis several distinct proteins with G-3-PD activity can be detected in Primates. The relative activities of these isoenzymes are found to vary markedly from tissue to tissue. It is presumed that the G-3-PD proteins are dimers composed of two nonidentical polypeptide subunits (chain A and B), which are determined by two separate gene loci (G-3-PD _A and G-3-PD _B). In liver, kidney and skeletal muscle the subunit B is in great excess, while in heart and brain both subunits A and B are present in almost equal proportions. It is concluded, that the various isozyme patterns are the consequence of random combinations of different polypeptide chains. The results obtained so far indicate, that in Primates 2 alleles occur at the G-3-PD _A locus and 5 alleles at the G-3-PD _B locus. Formal notations are given, and a study on population genetics is reported.

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Zusammenfassung Bei den Primaten können mit der Stärkegelelektrophorese verschiedene G-3-PD-aktive Proteine nachgewiesen werden. Die transspezifische Variabilität ist beträchtlich. Für eine formalgenetische Interpretation ist das Modell zu unterlegen: zwie Cistrons G-3-PD _A und G-3-PD _B mit Information für G-3-PD-Polypeptidketten. Homozygote Individuen besitzen 3 Isoenzymbanden, da die beiden Polypeptidketten zu Dimermolekülen frei assoziieren. Heterozygote Individuen für das Cistron G-3-PD _A bzw. G-3-PD _B besitzen jeweils 6 Isoenzymbanden. Bei doppelt heterozygoten Individuen (sowohl für das Cistron G-3-PD _A als auch für G-3-PD _B) sind insgesamt 10 Isoenzymbanden zu erwarten. Unterschiede in den Syntheseraten für A- und B-Polypeptidketten bedingen eine stark ausgeprägte organspezifische Variabilität. In Leber, Niere und skeletmuskel überwiegt die Synthese für B-Ketten, im Herzmuskel und Gehirn werden A- und B-Ketten in annähernd gleicher Menge gebildet. Auf Grund der bisher vorliegenden Ergebnisse ist bei den Primaten mit 2 allelischen Varianten für das Cistron G-3-PD _A und mit 5 allelischen Varianten für das Cistron G-3-PD _B zu rechnen.

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(Director: Prof. Dr. Dr. H. Ritter)

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Supported by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft.     

Chromosomes of antelope squirrels (genus Ammospermophilus): A systematic banding analysis of four species with unusual constitutive heterochromatin

The G- and C-banding patterns of mitotic chromosomes from four species of antelope squirrels (Ammospermophilus harrisi, interpres, leucurus and nelsoni) are discussed with special attention payed to the unusual quantities and position of constitutive heterochromatin. Heterochromatin appears to be responsible for the observation that cells from antelope squirrels contain over 70% more DNA than cells from another ground squirrel. A substantial fraction of this excess DNA consists of sequences that band as satellites in neutral CsCl or Cs₂SO₄-Ag⁺ density gradients. Interspecies similarities in the distribution of heterochromatin suggest that it has a function of some importance to these species and has therefore been conserved.     

Chromosomal evolution within the family Estrildidae (Aves) I. The Poephilae

Eleven species of estrildid finches were examined cytogenetically with G- and C-banding. The analysis revealed a preponderance of pericentric inversions at both the inter- and intraspecific levels. In addition, considerable variation in the pattern of heterochromatin distribution, particularly in the sex-chromosomes, was recorded as polymorphisms and interspecific differences. This variation was not found to be associated directly with either speciation or morphological change. Rather, it is argued that only those rearrangements which do not lead to meiotic problems survive in avian lineages.The chromosomal data were also used to clarify systematic relationships within the Poephilae, demonstrating that the monotypic genera Aegintha and Aidemosyne are allied to the Neochmia group.     

Serological Distinctness of Bromus pseudosecalinus P. SMITH sp. nov.

Immunoelectrophoretic studies of the seed proteins of material provisionally referred to B. secalinus var. or f. hirsutus have revealed that it is serologically distinct from B. secalinus. The plant has many of the characters of B. secalinus fitting that species to life as a contaminant of cereal fields, but the floret and seed sizes are much smaller, and the sheaths are normally hairy. In Britain the plant appears to contaminate small-seeded pasture grasses which are sown on roadsides. The chromosome number of this plant is 2n = 14, unlike typical B. secalinus which has 2n = 28. The plant seems to be introduced in Britain, but its native distribution is not known. In view of its distinctive morphology and its serological difference from B. secalinus and other bromes, it is proposed to name it as a new species: Bromus pseudosecalinus P. SMITH sp. nov.     

Implications of the changing phylogenetic relationships of Acacia s.l. on the biological control of Vachellia nilotica ssp. indica in Australia

Plant relationships have implications for many fields including weed biological control. The use of DNA sequencing and new tree building algorithms since the late 1980s and early 1990s have revolutionised plant classification and has resulted in many changes to previously accepted taxonomic relationships. It is critical that biological control researchers stay abreast of changes to plant phylogenies. One of the largest plant genera, Acacia, has undergone great change over the past 20 years and these changes have ramifications for weed biological control projects in a number of countries. Vachellia nilotica (prickly acacia) is a major weed in Australia, originating from the Indian subcontinent and Asia, and it has been a target for biological control since 1980. Once a member of Acacia, a large (>1,000 spp.) and iconic group in Australia, prickly acacia is now part of the genus Vachellia. Current knowledge suggests that Vachellia is more closely related to mimosoid genera than it is to Acacia s.s. There has also been a recent reclassification of legume subfamilies with subfamily Mimosoideae now part of subfamily Caesalpinioideae, and four new subfamilies. In this paper we review the changes that have occurred to this group since the prickly acacia biological control project began and discuss the implications for the project. A new host test list for quarantine testing is proposed. Developed following the modernisation of the centrifugal‐phylogenetic method, it is shorter than past lists, containing 46 species, although still lengthy because of the expectations of regulatory bodies, which are slower to accept advances in scientific knowledge. The list includes five Vachellia species, six “Mimoseae” species and 26 Acacia species. The number species from legume subfamilies other than the new Caesalpinioideae is greatly reduced.     

Impatiens maculifera sp. nov. (Balsaminaceae) Yunnan,China

Impatiens (Balsaminaceae) is a notoriously difficult genus to study for reasons that include small, remote and endemic areas of occurrence, and difficulty in obtaining well‐dried herbarium specimens and separating and reconstructing floral parts from available dried specimens. Impatiens has also been notoriously difficult when it comes to phylogenetic resolution at the infrageneric level, but a new system with two subgenera (Impatiens and Clavicarpa) was recently proposed by Yu et al. and it has made it easier to classify newly discovered species. Impatiens maculifera, a new species of Balsaminaceae from Malipo County, Yunnan, China described here, is similar to I. parvisepala S.X. Yu & Y.T. Hou in having racemose inflorescences, four lateral sepals, clavate capsules and ellipsoid seeds, but differs in having leaves narrowly oval or with elliptic–lanceolate blades (versus obovate or obovate–lanceolate), obvious petioles (versus leaves subsessile), racemose inflorescence with 8–12 flowers (versus 6–8 flowers), flowers greenish yellow (versus yellow), lateral united petals and lower sepal with dense red spots (versus red spots absent), and dorsal petal with apparent stalk at base (versus unapparent stalk). Morphological characters and molecular phylogenetic analyses of DNA sequences from both nuclear ribosomal and plastid genes show that the new species differs distinctively from I. parvisepala. Furthermore, I. maculifera is distinguished from other Impatiens species based on morphological, micromorphological and palynological evidence, and molecular data.     

The Coccidian Genus Calyptospora n. g. and Family Calyptosporidae n. fam. (Apicomplexa), with Members Infecting Primarily Fishes1

Calyptospora n. g. was erected for Eimeria funduli because the sporocyst of that species lacks Stieda and sub-Stieda bodies, has a veil supported by sporopodia, and has an anterior apical opening. A suture may be present, but it does not completely divide the sporocyst into two valves. Because C. funduli has an obligatory invertebrate intermediate host, we established Calyptosporidae n. fam. to accommodate Calyptospora and tentatively to accept Goussia. A new subgenus, Plagula, is erected for species of Goussia with a sporocystic veil not supported by sporopodia. We consider the family more primitive than Eimeriidae, Sarcocystidae, and possibly Lankesterellidae.     

Fusarium kyushuense sp. nov. from Japan

Four trichothecene-producing strains originally isolated from diseased wheat and a vinyl plate in Kyushu and Shikoku, Japan are described and illustrated as a new species,Fusarium kyushuense. This species does not produce chalamydospores, which is the key morphological character which distinguishes it fromF. sporotrichioides with which it has been mistaken.Fusarium kyushuense is also differentiated from another morphologically similar species,F. arthrosporioides, by absence of sclerotia and by differences in conidiogenesis of obovate, conidia. InF. arthrosporioides conidia are partly holoblastic from the aerial conidiophores and mostly phialidic from the sporodochial conidiophores, while inF. kyushuense conidia are mostly holoblastic and only produced from aerial conidiophores.     

Cochliopodium arabianum n. sp. (Amorphea,Amoebozoa)

A new species of Cochliopodium isolated from freshwater at Arabia Lake in Lithonia, GA, USA is described based on light microscopic morphology, fine structure, and molecular genetic evidence. Cochliopodium arabianum n. sp., previously labeled as “isolate Con1” in prior publications, has been shown to group within the genus Cochliopodium in our molecular phylogenetic analysis. Light microscopy and fine structure evidence indicates the new isolate not only shares characters of the genus but also unique distinctive features. Cochliopodium arabianum n. sp. is typically round when stationary; or oval to sometimes broadly flabellate or triangular in shape during locomotion, with average length of 35 μm and breadth of 51 μm. Fine structure evidence indicates C. arabianum n. sp. has tower‐like scales, lacking a terminal spine, sharing high similarity with its closest relative C. actinophorum. However, the scales of C. arabianum n. sp. are unique in height and the breadth of the base plate. Both morphological and molecular data, including SSU‐rDNA and COI, indicate that this new species falls in a clade sufficiently different from other species to suggest that it is a valid new species.     

Glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-3-PDH; EC 1.1.1.8) variation in Brazilian stingless bees and in wasp species

In only 1 bee species(Tetragona clavipes) of 24 sampled in 145 colonies (0.69%) did we detect the presence of more than one allele for glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.8), an enzyme that is involved in flight. In 34 colonies containing 9 wasp species, 5 colonies of only 2 species(Polybia paulista andP. sericea) showed variation in larval G-3-PDH (14.7%). The small amount of variation observed for theG-3-PDH-1 locus in the bee and wasp species analyzed in the present study agrees with that reported for the G-3-PDH system in other insects.Research supported by FAPESP and CNPq-PIG IV.     

Campylocentrum guarinae sp. nov. (Vandeae,Orchidaceae) from Colombia

A new species of Campylocentrum from the Colombian Andes, C. guarinae, is described, illustrated and placed within a key to Colombian species of the genus. The new species resembles C. lansbergii from which it differs in vegetative and floral characters. The main differences between these species are described and illustrated.     

Paramecium sonneborni n. sp., a New Member of the Paramecium aurelia Species-Complex1

ABSTRACT. From an intermittent stream in College Station, Texas, a Paramecium was isolated that did not appear to belong to any recognized species. On the basis of nuclear and whole-body morphology, it can be assigned to the Paramecium aurelia species-complex, and it can be distinguished from other members of that complex on the basis of mating-type reactivity and isoenzyme patterns. These characteristics are felt sufficient to justify a new species assignment. The new species has been named Paramecium sonneborni n. sp. in honor of the late Dr. Tracy M. Sonneborn of Indiana University.