Lo Sviluppo Del Fiore in Bupleurum Dianthifolium Guss. Con Particolare Riguardo Ad Un Corpo Citoplasmatico Fibrillare Nella Megasporogenesi

Summary

Bupleurum dianthifolium Guss., an endemic species of the small island of Marettimo just West of Sicily, is one of the few constantly hermaphroditic Umbelliferae. It is markedly protandrous. Its chromosome number is n = 8.

The flower develops acropetally from the petals to the stamens, and the carpels; the development of the sepals stops very soon.

The microspores individualise simultaneously and the reproductive nucleus divides while the pollen grain is still in the anther; the tapetum is of the secretory type.

The two carpels fuse at their tips and the ovary is divided into two chambers by the carpophore which develops from the bottom central part of the cavity. Two ovules start developing in each chamber; the upper ones cease their development while the lower ones grow into pendulous, anatropous ovules with only one integument. The ovule is tenuinucellate. The archesporium is unicellular. No parietal cell is formed.

A group of cells trophic in function is present at the basis of the embryo sac, and disappears after fertilisation has occurred. The female gametophyte is of the normal type, monosporic, 8-nucleated, with the antipodal cells sunken in the chalazal nutritive apparatus and disappearing before the polar nuclei fuse. The albumen is nuclear.

A fibrillary body has been observed in the cytoplasm of the megaspore mother-cell. This body after the meiosis remains as an exclusive property of the chalazal megaspore, i. e. the spore that will give the embryo sac. This body can still be seen in the binucleate gametophyte, and disappears during the 4-nucleated gametophyte stage.     

Ricerche Cito-Embriologiche E Distribuzione Geografica di Cirsium Casabonae Lam. ET DC. (Compositae)

Abstract

Cyto-embryological study and geographical distribution of CIRSIUM CASABONAE Lam. et DC. — The mature megagametophyte of Cirsium Casabonae Lam. et DC. (Compositae) is eight nucleate of the normal or Polygonum type.

In the nucellus there is only one megaspore mother cell. After meiosis the three micropylar megaspores degenerate. The three antipodal cells start to degenerate as soon as the gametophyte reaches maturity. Microsporogenesis is regular.

The chromosome number of Cirsium Casabonae Lam. et DC. is 2n = 32. This shows that also in Europe, as in America, there is at least one species of Cirsium with basis number × = 16.

The study of the geographical distribution of Cirsium Casabonae Lam. et DC. shows it to be an Atlantic-West Mediterranean endemism.     

Taxonomy of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Koeberlinia</Emphasis> (Koeberliniaceae)

Koeberlinia has a natural amphitropical distribution that includes the deserts of central Bolivia, northern Mexico, and the southwestern United States. Despite the long recognition of only one species, K. spinosa, field, herbarium, and SEM studies support the recognition of two species. Koeberlinia spinosa of northern Mexico and adjacent United States is recognized to consist of three varieties: K. spinosa var. spinosa of northeastern Mexico and the adjacent United States, K. spinosa var. tenuispina of the Sonoran Desert of southwestern Arizona, adjacent California, and northwestern Mexico, and K. spinosa var. wivaggii from south central Texas and northern Mexico to Arizona, which is described as new. Koeberlina holacantha, endemic to the deserts of Bolivia, is proposed as new.     

Ricerche Sullo Sviluppo Embriologico Di Erigeron Speciosus DC. (Compositae)

Abstract

The embryological development of Erigeron speciosus DC. — The Author refers on the embryology of Erigeron speciosus DC. listing the most important characteristics of the development of this gametophyte

a) a pluricellular archesporium is formed, with fertile and sterile cells.

b) several mother cells develop inside a single nucellus leading to the formation more than one gametophyte;

c) at the end of the meiotic process different conditions may be reached; that is: tetramegasporial apocitium; II) trimegasporial apocitium plus a megaspore; III) dimesporial apocitium plus two megaspores at the two ends of the apocitium;

d) the gametophyte may vacuolate with different patterns.

e) different types of development may occur in the gametophyte, that is: I) from tetrasporic cell of a 16-nucleate gametophyte with a monosporial oangium; II) from trisporic cell of a 12-nucleate gametophyte with a monosporial oangium; III) from disporic cell of a 8-nucleate gametophyte with a monosporial oangium.

f) Erigeron speciosus has a cromosomic set of n = 9.     

Ovule and gametophyte development in Nicotiana glauca Graham (Solanaceae)

Abstract

The development of ovule and megagametophyte is examined in Nicotiana glauca, using light microscopy. The ovules proved unitegmic, tenuinucellate and endothelial as in all the Solanaceae so far studied. The ovule primordia are of the three-zonate type. The integument, which is of dermal origin, is at first two-layered but later produces additional intermediate cells whose origin is not constant. The nucellus, whose initial curvature bears no relation to the origin of the integument, has, like other Solanaceae, a one or two-celled archesporium from which a single meiocyte develops. The gametophyte is confirmed to be bisporic in origin and its development follows the Allium type. Furthermore, the hypostase, which is rare in the family, is observed below the antipodal cells.     

Taxonomic re-evaluation of the Azolla genus in Portugal

ABSTRACT

The Portuguese and the European Flora refer to the presence of two or three Azolla species in Portugal: A. filiculoides Lam., A. caroliniana Willd. and/or Azolla mexicana Presl., the latter included in the last edition of Flora Europaea. In the present work, the taxonomy of Azolla species is reviewed using the two most important characters that can distinguish between these two/three species: papillae in the dorsal leaf lobe and perine architecture of the megaspore apparatus. Other characteristics, such as the hyaline border cells of the dorsal leaf lobes and the number of glochidia septa in microsporangium massulae, are also used. All the Azolla specimens, collected from several locations in Portugal, were identified as Azolla filiculoides Lam. This identification disagrees with previous published reports on Azolla taxonomy in Portugal as well as with herbarium identification.     

MEGASPOROGENESIS AND GAMETOPHYTE SELECTION IN PAEONIA CALIFORNICA

Walters , James L. (U. California, Goleta.) Megasporogenesis and gametophyte selection in Paeonia californica. Amer. Jour. Bot. 49(7): 787–794. Illus. 1962.—In the ovules of Paeonia californica, a massive archesporium produces numerous (estimated at 30–40) megasporocytes, many of which complete meiosis. Several continue into gametophyte development, which is of the Polygonum type, and at the time of fertilization there are from 1 to 4 gametophytes per ovule. Rarely does more than 1 seedling per seed appear in germination. This species is characterized by extensive translocation heterozygosity, and other meiotic irregularities, in its natural populations. It shows a complete range from plants forming only pairs to those with all their chromosomes in rings at meiosis. The latter types have as high as 90% bad pollen. The course of events in the ovules is compared with the “Renner-effect” found in Oenothera. The multiple megasporocytes and subsequent events are seen as a mechanism which insures each ovule a high probability of containing a viable egg in spite of meiotic behavior which can produce 90% sterility, and thus insures high seed set in the translocation heterozygotes.     

The co-occurrence of Artemia parthenogenetica and Branchinella spinosa (Branchiopoda: Anostraca) in a saline pond of south eastern Italy

The co-occurrence of Artemia parthenogenetica Bowen & Sterling, 1978 and Branchinella spinosa Milne-Edwards, 1840, was previously only supposed, on the basis of finding their cysts in the same lagoon, but active stages were never recorded together. In a saline lake in south eastern Italy, populations of the two species were observed for two years. A. parthenogenetica was typical of the early wet season (October–January), while B. spinosa, even if it was present before, developed in the late part of the wet season (February–May). Adult A. parthenogenetica were recorded only in the season 1999–2000. The seasonal distribution of A. parthenogenetica is probably controlled by abiotic conditions (i.e., photoperiod, temperature, conductivity, and rainfall); however, competition between specimens of similar body size (e.g., adults of A. parthenogenetica, and juveniles of B. spinosa) could explain the lower numbers of B. spinosa population in winter. The discovery of cysts of both species deep in the sediment of the lake suggests a long-lasting co-occurrence of these two Anostraca.     

Squash Techniques in the Cytological Investigation of Mosses

Abstract

Photosynthetic activity of attached sporophytes is very low (a few per cent or less) compared with that of associated gametophyte structures (perianth, bracts and uppermost leaves) in Cephalozia bicuspidata and Lophocolea heterophylla, or with even small areas of thallus in Pellia epiphylla. Photosynthetic uptake of ¹⁴CO₂ by developing sporophytes of P. epiphylla, C. bicuspidata and L. heterophylla is at most a few per cent of the ¹⁴C translocated subsequently from the gametophyte, and could be negligible. In L. heterophylla, the perianth, bracts and uppermost leaves appear to play only a limited role in nutrition of the sporophyte, the leafy shoots making a major contribution. In C. bicuspidata the perianth and leaves of the short archegonial shoot may provide a substantial part of the nutrition of the sporophyte. There is some indication in all three species that translocation from the gametophyte is most active when the sporophyte reaches full size but is still green, declining in the final stages of maturation of the capsule.     

Reproductive biology of twoPrunus species (Rosaceae) in the Northwest Iberian Peninsula

We studied the reproductive biology ofPrunus spinosa andPrunus mahaleb (Prunoideae, Rosaceae) in the northwest Iberian Peninsula. The two species flowered at the same time (peaking on March 9 and 11, respectively in 1990) but differ significantly in their fruit maturation times. Nectar volume peaked in the early morning in both species, and was ten times greater inP. spinosa than inP. mahaleb. Neither species shows apomixis, nor does fruit-set occur if pollinators are excluded. In both species self-pollination resulted in fewer fruits than open pollination. The principal pollinators belong to theApidae family (79% and 63% of visits toP. spinosa andP. mahaleb, respectively). Results are compared with those for other rosaceous plants with fleshy fruits.     

Pyrus ciancioi (Rosaceae), a new species from Sicily

Abstract

A new species of Pyrus L. from the Nebrodi Mountains (northeast Sicily) is described, named, and illustrated. It differs from Pyrus spinosa in the shape and diameter/length ratio of its fruits and in the width/length ratio of the leaf lamina. An analytical key to the Pyrus species growing in Sicily is provided.     

Embryology and embryogenesis of Spiranthes L.C.M. Richard (Orchidaceae): S. spiralis (L.) Cheval and S. aestivalis (Poiret) L.C.M. Richard

Abstract

The various stages of female gametophyte development and embryogenesis in S. spiralis and S. aestivalis are described. In both species the reproductive cycle is sexual. Some peculiarities are present: the female gametophyte is usually 6-7-8-nucleate; after double fertilization a single endospermatic cell is formed; the proembryo appears differentiated and is made up of different cells in the chalazal and micropylar ends; a single basal cell in the proembryo acts as suspensor.     

Revision of the plant bug genus Xenocylapus Bergroth (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Miridae: Cylapinae), with a description of Henryfulvius gracilis – a new cylapine genus and species from Ecuador

The genus Xenocylapus Bergroth, 1922 is revised. Nine new species, Xenocylapus aculeatus sp. nov., X. aquilonius sp. nov., X. bicolor sp. nov., X. globulus sp. nov., X. heissi sp. nov., X. panamaensis sp. nov., X. serrulatus sp. nov., X. tenuis sp. nov., and X. waorani sp. nov., are described from Brazil, Honduras, Mexico, and Panama. New genus and species Henryfulvius gracilis gen. nov., sp. nov. is described from Ecuador. Illustrations of the male genitalia, color photographs of dorsal and lateral views of the adult of most species, scanning electron micrographs of selected structures of X. tenuis, and keys to species of the genus Xenocylapus are provided.     

Pollination by ants: consequences of the quantitative effects on a mutualistic system

Summary We have analysed the importance of worker ants (Proformica longiseta, Formicidae) as pollinators of a mass-flowering woody plant (Hormathophylla spinosa, Cruciferae) in the high-mountain area of the Sierra Nevada (southern Spain). We have quantified the abundance and foraging behavior of P. longiseta in comparison with winged flower visitors. We have also examined, by means of selective exclusion experiments, the role of ants as true pollinators, comparing them with the winged flower visitors. A total of 39 species belonging to 18 families visited the flowers of H. spinosa. All the visitors were winged insects, except P. longiseta, a species which alone made up more than 80% of the total number of insects found on the flowers. All pollinators of H. spinosa had similar foraging patterns, with 98% of total movements made between flowers within the same plant. Ants always made contact with the plant reproductive organs when foraging for nectar, and transferred large numbers of pollen grains. However, pollen exposed to ants for brief periods exhibited reduced percentage of germination. P. longiseta is both the most abundant and spatio-temporally predictable flower visitor of H. spinosa. These characteristics, weighted by their flower visitation rate, make worker ants the pollinator that maintains the strongest mutualistic interaction with H. spinosa. The exclusion experiments show that workers behave as true pollinators, since they contribute to increase the number of viable seeds produced by H. spinosa. The key factor of this interaction is mainly the great density of workers throughout the flowering period. In short, the H. spinosa-P. longiseta mutualistic interaction mainly depends on its high probability of occurrence.     

STEEREELLA,A NEW GENUS OF HEPATICAE FROM THE WEST INDIES

In addition to the complete lack of the usual spiral bands of thickenings in the elaters, the new genus Steereella is unique among the Hepaticae for the resemblance of its cellular organization in the thalloid gametophyte to that of some moss leaves. The taxon recognized is one genus, Steereella, gen. n., and one species S. linearis (Swartz) Kuwah. comb. nov., in which the variable nature of the gametophyte is particularly noted. The genus appears to be restricted to the West Indies.     

Water flow controls distribution and feeding behavior of two co-occurring coral reef fishes: I. Field measurements

The interaction of flowing water with reef topography creates a continuum of flow microhabitats that can alter species distributions directly via transport of organisms or propagules, or indirectly by modulating the availability of critical resources. To examine how water flow affects the distribution and feeding performance of two species of planktivorous tube blennies (Chaenopsidae), flow speed and turbulence were measured within the feeding areas of Acanthemblemaria spinosa and A. aspera at three sites within Glover’s Reef, Belize. Although co-occurring, A. spinosa occupies topographically high locations (e.g., upright coral skeletons) while A. aspera occupies topographically low shelters in the coral pavement. Boundary layer theory predicts that A. spinosa should experience higher flow (and a higher flux of planktonic food) relative to A. aspera; however, complex topography and oscillatory flow require that this prediction is tested directly in the field. Within each site, the flow experienced by A. spinosa was, indeed, faster and more turbulent than that experienced by A. aspera at site-specific intermediate wave heights. When waves were small, gentle velocity gradients produced similar flows for the two species. When waves were high, flow was uniformly fast through the water column due to thinning of the benthic boundary layer. Plankton availability was similar for the species, with the exception of a greater abundance of harpacticoid copepods at the shelters of A. aspera. Quantitative behavioral observations suggest that the foraging strategies employed by the two fishes exploit the prevailing hydrodynamic conditions. For example, A. spinosa, the stronger swimmer of the two, attacks nearly 100% of the time in the water column where it can exploit the higher flux of plankton associated with faster flows, while A. aspera attacks primarily toward the reef surface where currents are likely to be slower and it can exploit more abundant benthic prey. Communicated by Biology Editor Dr. Mark McCormick     

Comparative pollen morphology of sect. <Emphasis Type="Italic">Quinqueloculares</Emphasis> (Campanulaceae) in Turkey

The pollen morphology of Turkish species belonging to sect. Quinqueloculares (Boiss.) Phitos (Campanulaceae) were investigated with a light microscope (LM) and scanning electron microscope (SEM). All examined species are endemic, except Campanula crispa Lam. According to the results of this study, pollen grains of the examined taxa were triporate and spheroidal. Their sculpture was spinose and baculate (C. crispa Lam.); spinulose and microperforate (C. tomentosa Lam.); microperforate (C. vardariana Bocquet) or more commonly, microechinate (C. iconia Phitos, C. lyrata Lam. subsp. lyrata, C. hagielia Boiss., C. sorgerae Phitos, C. betonicifolia SM., C. karadjana Bocquet, C. telmessi Hub.-Mor. & Phitos, C. davisii Turrill).