Staurastrum dilatatum var.thomassonii var. nov.

The new varietyStaurastrum dilatatum Ehr. var.thomassonii is described and illustrated.     

Floral sex ratio variation in hermaphrodites of gynodioeciousChionographis japonica var.kurohimensis Ajima et Satomi (Liliaceae)

Intrapopulation and interpopulation variations in floral sex ratio in hermaphrodites of gynodioeciousChionographis japonica var.kurohimensis (Liliaceae) were examined. The relative ratio of male flowers to total flowers (male and perfect flowers) decreased with plant size, suggesting size-dependent gender modification. The relative ratio of male flowers per population-basis is negatively correlated with the mean number of perfect flowers. Since the number of perfect flowers proportionally increased with plant size, populations showing low maleness consist of relatively bigger plants and are considered to be in high-quality environment. On the other hand, the relative ratio of male flowers per population basis is independent of female frequency in the population. Plasticity in gender expression probably plays an important role of maintenance of gynodioecy inC. japonica var.kurohimensis.     

First environmental isolation of Cryptococcus neoformans var. neoformans and var. gatti from the Gharbia Governorate,Egypt

Flowers from two Eucalyptus camaldulensis trees in the Qutur area and one tree from the Tanta area yielded three isolates of Cryptococcus neoformans var. gattii. Pigeon and sparrow droppings were also investigated for the occurrence of C. neoformans within the study area. Ninety five isolates of the neoformans variety of C. neoformans were recovered from 550 samples of avian droppings. This revised version was published online in October 2005 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) diversity within Monarda fistulosa var. brevis (Lamiaceae) and divergence between var. brevis and var. fistulosa in West Virginia

Inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) banding patterns were used to examine genetic diversity within and among populations ofMonarda fistulosa var.brevis, a rare taxon restricted to several populations in limestone glades and barrens in eastern West Virginia and Virginia. More than 34% of the total ISSR diversity in var.brevis occurred among populations, which is high when compared to the few other rare species that have been examined for ISSR variation. Prior studies demonstrated that var.brevis is morphologically distinct from the more widespread var.fistulosa, and that the differences are maintained when the two varieties are grown together in a uniform environment. The present study utilizing ISSR markers indicated that the two varieties are distinct, though quite similar genetically, and this is concordant with prior investigations documenting their morphological and habitat differences. However, the ISSR results suggest that the two varieties have diverged relatively recently and/or there is a low level of gene flow between them.     

Comparative study of leaf carbon gain in saplings ofThujopsis dolabrata var.hondai andQuercus mongolica var.grosseserrata in a cool-temperate deciduous forest

Seasonal courses of leaf CO₂ gas exchange in a growing season were examined in saplings ofThujopsis dolabrata var.hondai andQuercus mongolica var.grosseserrata in a cool temperate deciduous forest. Between the two tree species there were no large differences in the light compensation point of leaf photosynthesis, except for the season of new leaf expansion. However, light-saturated rates of net photosynthesis were obviously high inT. dolabrata var.hondai. EvergreenT. dolabrata var.hondai saplings had large photosynthetic production in two seasons, before the emergence of new foliage and after foliage fall of the overstory deciduous trees, because of the significantly high solar radiant energy penetrating under the forest canopy during the seasons. Saplings of deciduousQ. mongolica var.grosseserrata were heavily shaded throughout the growing season by foliage of the overstory trees, which resulted in a low daily surplus production. The annual surplus production of leaves in the growing season was estimated to be 2300 mmol CO₂ m⁻² inT. dolabrata var.hondai and −100 mmol CO₂ m⁻², slightly negative, inQ. mongolica var.grosseserrata. These results supported the high survivability ofT. dolabrata var.hondai saplings and the high mortality ofQ. mongolica var.grosseserrata in the deciduous forest.     

Ultrastructural changes in the spore and mycelia of Ascosphaera apis after treatment with benomyl (Benlate 50 W)

In Ascosphaera apis, after 8 days growth in darkness at 28° C, numerous sporocysts were observed, within which mature spores were seen aggregated into a spore ball. The mature spore of A. apis had a thick spore wall with an electron-opaque outer layer, a spore membrane with many depressions, and sporoplasm containing numerous ribosomes and mitochondria. In the cytoplasm of the mycelium, mitochondria with well-defined cristae and numerous ribosomes were observed. At a concentration of 1 g/ml of culture medium, benomyl appeared to inhibit colony growth of A. apis, but some sporocysts containing deformed spores were found. Deformed spores possessed a thick spore wall with a grainy matrix, and depressions were no longer detected in the spore membrane. Ribosomes were lacking in the sporoplasm and mitochondria appeared degenerate. The mycelium from the treated culture contained mitochondria with an electron-lucid matrix and no well defined cristae, while ribosomes were completely depleted. The significance of these observations in relation to the use of benomyl to control chalkbrood disease in the honey bee is discussed.     

Effect of L-cystine on macromolecular changes during spore and parasporal crystal formation inBacillus thuringiensis var.thuringiensis

High concentration of L-cystine (0.25%) when present in a glucose-mineral salt medium inhibited sporulation-specific events like protease production, calcium uptake and dipicolinic acid synthesis inBacillus thuringiensis var.thuringiensis. In addition, the enzymes of the Krebs cycle from aconitase onwards were completely inhibited by a high concentration of cystine. At a low concentration of cystine (0.05%), none of the above mentioned macromolecular changes were affected. Lipid synthesis monitored by [1,2¹⁴ C]-acetate incorporation into lipid as well as into whole cells was completely inhibited.     

Materials for the fungus flora of Japan (56)Mariannaea camptospora andM. elegans var.punicea from Japan

One additional species and a variety ofMariannaea, M. camptospora andM. elegans var.punicea, were recorded for the first time in Japan.Mariannaea camptospora formed two types of conidiophores. One type was characterized by simple verticillate phialides sometimes with punctuate walls at the base, producing long oblique conidial chains, and symmetrical spindle-shaped conidia. The other type was characterized by more crowded and shorter phialides with small conidial droplets and hemispherical to concave smaller conidia.Mariannaea elegans var.punicea was characterized by distinct red purple pigmentation in agar media. (55): Udagawa, S. and Uchiyama, S., Mycoscience41: 263–267, 2000.     

Population Genetic structure ofPotentilla fragariodes var.major (Rosaceae) in Korea

The genetic diversity and population structure of eighteenPotentilla fragariodes var.major (Rosaceae) populations in Korea were determined using genetic variations at 22 allozyme loci. The percent of polymorphic loci within the enzymes was 66.7%. Genetic diversity at the species level and at the population level was high (Hes = 0.203; Hep = 0.185, respectively), whereas the extent of the population divergence was relatively low (G_ST = 0.069). F_IS, a measure of the deviation from random mating within the 18 populations, was 0.075. An indirect estimate of the number of migrants per generation (Nm = 3.36) indicated that gene flow was high among Korean populations of the species. In addition, analysis of fixation indices revealed a slight heterozygote deficiency in some populations and at some loci. Wide geographic ranges, perennial herbaceous nature and the persistence of multiple generations are associated with the high level of genetic variation. AlthoughP. fragariodes var.major usually propagated by asexually-produced ramets, we could not rule out the possibility that sexual reproduction occurred at a low rate because each ramet may produce terminal flowers. Mean genetic identity between populations was 0.983. It is highly probable that directional movement toward genetic uniformity in a relatively homogeneous habitat operates among Korean populations ofP. fragariodes var.major.     

The influence of various physical parameters on anther culture of broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica)

Embryo formation by cultured broccoli (Brassica oleracea L. var. italica) anthers was best in the pH range of 5.5 to 5.8. Manipulation of the initial medium pH showed, however, that embryos could be recovered throughout the entire pH range tested. Experiments designed to test the influence of anther density on embryo production exhibited an apparent population effect. Comparison of anthers cultured with and without filaments showed a significantly lower level of embryo formation with filaments attached. The importance of anther orientation with the adaxial surface up was also demonstrated. Detailed studies of the effect of temperature on anther response showed the importance of 35°C treatments. Other temperatures and a variety of temperature manipulations were either comparatively ineffective or inhibitory. The duration of 35°C exposure required for optimal response varied widely between 18 and 48 h. Wide variation in plant to plant response was observed despite attempts to optimize the manipulation of physical parameters. Individual plants were identified that reliably formed many thousands of embryos, whereas other plants failed to form embryos under all tested conditions.     

Culture studies onCaulerpa (caulerpales,chlorophyceae) III. Reproduction,development and morphological variation of laboratory-culturedC. racemosa var.peltata

Reproduction, development and morphological variation of the marine green algaCaulerpa racemosa var.peltata from the southern part of Japan were studied in culture in the laboratory. Anisogamous biflagellate male and female gametes were produced monoeciously and copulated with each other. Settled zygotes became spherical and increased in volume. After five weeks, they formed two germ tubes which extended in opposite directions. Both germ tubes became elongated and branched, resulting in the formation of creeping, filamentous, protonema-like plants. These plants formed primary shoots which differentiated into creeping rhizomes and upright axes. Each upright axis successively formed ramuli and developed into an assimilator. The morphology of assimilators, i.e., shape and arrangement of ramuli, varied with culture coditions. The effects of temperature and light intensity on the formation of assimilators were investigated with 25 combinations of 5 temperatures (20.0–30.0C) and 5 light intensities (0.5–8.0 klux). The morphological plasticity of this alga is identical to that ofCaulerpa racemosa var.laetevirens, which was previously described by the present authors. Thus, apparently, the plasticity of this taxon is correlated with environmental factors. It appears, moreover, thatC. racemosa var.peltata andC. racemosa var.laetevirens are ecophenes (ecads) of a single species.     

Spore and crystal formation inBacillus thuringiensis var.thuringiensis during growth in cystine and cysteine

The effect of the addition of different concentratons of cystine and cysteine on sporulation and parasporal crystal formation inBacillus thuringiensis var.thuringiensis was studied. The effect was well pronounced when the cystine/cysteine additions were made after the stationary phase. Heat stable spores and crystals were formed when the culture was provided with a low concentration of cystine/cysteine (0.05 per cent w/v). At a moderate concentration of cystine or cysteine (0.15%), only heat labile spores were formed without the production of the crystal. When the cystine/cysteine concentration was high (0.25%), spore and crystal formation were completely inhibited. Partial reversal of inhibition of sporulation was brought about by sodium sulphate or Zinc sulphate and lead, copper, cadmium or cobalt acetate at 0.2 mM or at 0.2% of sodium or potassium pyruvate, citrate, cisaconitate, oxalosuccinate, ∞ -keto-glutarate, succinate, fumarate, malate, or oxalacetate. Glutamate (0.2%) overcame the inhibitory effect of cystine/cysteine completely. The structural changes observed using phase contrast microscopy were dependent upon the concentration of cystine/cysteine.     

Inter- and intraplant C-banding polymorphism in one population ofAegilops comosa subsp.comosa var.comosa (Poaceae)

The Giemsa C-banding pattern of the chromosomes of the native self-pollinatedAegilops comosa subsp.comosa var.comosa was studied. Six of the seven chromosomes of the haploid genome were found to be polymorphic for C-banding patterns. Chromosome A had four variants, chromosome E three variants and each of the chromosomes B, D, and F two variants. Chromosomes E and G were polymorphic for arm length and arm ratio.This paper is part of the doctoral dissertation ofA. Georgiou.     

Leaf morphology of a facultative rheophyte,Farfugium japonicum var.luchuense (Compositae)

The gross morphology and anatomy of leaves in a facultative rheophyte,Farfugium japonicum var.luchuense, were examined in order to clarify how the two characters are correlated with one another and how the facultative rheophyte differs from obligate rheophytes in leaf morphology and anatomy. Most rheophytes of the variety have narrowly cuneate leaf base, while most inland plants usually have truncate to cordate one, although the habitat-morphology correlation is not so clear. The leaf shape or the divergence angle of leaf base is strongly correlated with the number of primary veins and intervein-distance dependent on the number of cells intervening between veins. This makes a marked contrast to many reported cases of obligate rheophytes in which the leaf shape is strongly correlated with cell size. There is a rough tendency that narrower leaves of rheophytes have a thicker cuticular layer. However, the cell size and the volume (area) of intercellular space differ only slightly with the leaf shape.     

关于尾尖奇蒿(菊科-春黄菊族)合格发表问题的一条简注

尾尖奇蒿(Artemisia anomala var. acuminatissima)(菊科-春黄菊族)1992年发表时未指定模式,故为不合格发表。该名称2011年得以合格发表,故2016年的再次合格发表纯属多余,是有关作者没有仔细查阅文献的结果。该名称的正确引证应为"Artemisia anomala var. acuminatissima Y. R. Ling, Bangladesh J. Plant Taxon. 18:203. 2011",而非"Artemisia anomala var.acuminatissima Y. R. Ling, Phytotaxa 273:213. 2016"。     

Responses of the macroalga Gracilaria tenuistipitata var. liui (Rhodophyta) to iron stress

Chlorophyll (Chl), phycoerythrin (PE), total nitrogen (TN% dw) and Fein tissues were measured in Fe-deficient cultures of Gracilariatenuistipitata var. liui over a period of 60 days. ⁵⁵Fe uptakeand photosynthetic carbon fixation (NaH¹⁴CO³) werecompared in Fe-rich and Fe-deficient cultures and analyzed the effects ofFe-deficiency on the ultrastructure. The maximum carbon fixationdecreased significantly (p < 0.01) under Fe-deficiency. Thechlorophyll and phycoerythrin contents also declined with decreasing tissueiron content, falling, respectively, to 7.9 and 33.8% of their originallevel. Photosynthesis in Fe-deficient cells became light-saturated at lowerirradiance than the control. Total N in tissue decreased from 3.65 to2.49%. ⁵⁵Fe uptake rate for cultures grown on NO₃ ^-was measured following resuspension in either NH₄ ⁺ orNO₃ ^- as N source. Enhanced Fe uptake developedunder Fe stress, especially with cells resuspended in NH⁺ ₄-N medium. The Vmaxfor Fe uptake was higher with NH₄ ⁺ thanNO₃ ^- (62.8 versus 12.1 pmol mg dw^-1 h^-1). The requirement for N accelerates further Fe uptake. Ultrastructuralobservations of Fe-deficient cells showed reductions in chloroplast number,degeneration of lamellar organization, decrease in mitochondrial matrixdensity and variation in accumulation body number and morphology. During Fe-deficiency, the growth rate continued to decline and after 40days of iron deficiency, no further growth was detectable, and eventuallyiron deficiency resulted in chlorosis. The results suggest that the lowergrowth rate of Gracilaria tenuistipitata var. liui underFe-deficiency may result from largely from inhibition of photosynthesis andnitrogen utilization.     

Efficient callus induction and plant regeneration from anther of Chinese narcissus (Narcissus tazetta L. var. chinensis Roem)

Callus culture has, to date, been reported only in a few species of Narcissus. We used anthers of Chinese narcissus (Narcissus tazetta L. var. chinensis Roem) as explants for callus induction and plant regeneration. A high percentage of anthers at the early- to mid-uninucleate microspore stage were responsive on the basal MS medium supplemented with 0.5–1 mg l^–1 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid and 0.5–2 mg l^–1 6-benzyladenine under dark conditions. Calli were initiated from anther connective tissue or anther wall tissue, and no division of microspores occurred during callus formation, as determined by histological observation. Using 20 random amplified polymorphic DNA primers, we verified the genetic integrity of the anther-derived plants of Chinese narcissus with respect to the donor plants. These results suggest that anther culture in vitro can provide an efficient new micropropagation technique for Chinese narcissus as well as a new strategy for in vitro mass propagation of other daffodils.     

四川重楼属（延龄草科）一新变种——短瓣凌云重楼

描述了四川延龄草科重楼属一新变种——短瓣凌云重楼[Paris cronquistii (Takht.)H.Li var.brevipetalata H.X.Yin et H.Zhang].新变种——短瓣凌云重楼与凌云重楼[P.cronquistii (Takht.)H.Li]相似,区别在于花瓣线形、长1.2～3.1 cm、远短于萼片、下垂,雄蕊较少、8～12枚,仅2轮,叶上表面深绿色,沿中脉具淡绿色斑纹.     

Plant regeneration from cotyledonary protoplasts of cauliflower (Brassica oleracea L. var.botrytis L.)

Summary Protoplasts isolated enzymatically from precultured cotyledonary leaves ofB. oleracea var.botrytis and cultured in KM8p medium (Kao andMichayluk 1975) underwent sustained divisions in about 0.1% population to eventually produce callus, whereas mesophyll protoplasts from either field grown orin vitro raised plants failed to divide. The callus readily differentiated on Murashige-Skoog medium as modified for shoot culture (Binding 1974) to give rise to shoot and roots.