A systematic assessment of Ophionella (Apocynaceae; Asclepiadoideae; Stapelieae)

An assessment of characters is carried out for Ophionella Bruyns to establish that it is monophyletic. It is also shown that Pectinaria sensu lata is paraphyletic. Two species are recognized: O. arcuata (N.E. Br.) Bruyns and O. willowmorensis Bruyns sp. nov. The status of O. arcuata var. mirkinii (Piians) Bruyns is changed to O. arcuata subsp. mirkinii (Pillans) Bruyns stat. nov.     

Genetics of the ability of Phyllotreta nemorum larvae to survive in an atypical host plant, Barbarea vulgaris ssp. arcuata

A polymorphism in host plant exploitation has been discovered in the flea beetle, Phyllotreta nemorum L. (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Alticinae) where one resistant population is able to use Barbarea vulgaris R.Br. ssp. arcuata (Opiz.) Simkovics (Brassicaceae) as a host plant while a susceptible population is not. Crosses (F1, F2, and backcrosses) between the two flea beetle populations were made, and survival of the progeny on B. v. ssp. arcuata was measured. The ability of P. nemorum larvae to survive in this plant species depended on the presence of major, dominant genes (R-genes). The two most abundant R-genes in the resistant flea beetle population were X- and Y-linked, respectively. The use of B. v. ssp. arcuata as a natural host plant by the resistant population of P. nemorum seems to be an extension of the host plant range of the species. The role of sex-linked genes in the evolution of host range is discussed.     

Alpha-proteobacterial symbionts of marine bryozoans in the genus Watersipora

Bacterial symbionts that resembled mollicutes were discovered in the marine bryozoan Watersipora arcuata in the 1980s. In this study, we used PCR and sequencing of 16S rRNA genes, specific fluorescence in situ hybridization, and phylogenetic analysis to determine that the bacterial symbionts of "W. subtorquata" and "W. arcuata" from several locations along the California coast are actually closely related alpha-Proteobacteria, not mollicutes. We propose the names "Candidatus Endowatersipora palomitas" and "Candidatus Endowatersipora rubus" for the symbionts of "W. subtorquata" and "W. arcuata," respectively.     

Form and environment of Gryphaea arcuata

Gryphaea arcuata is one of the most studied fossils, but its detailed palaeoecology has been largely neglected. Specimens were collected within a short stratigraphic range (three ammonite zones) in the 'Calcaire à gryphées' of Xeuilley (Lorraine, France) dated Hettangian to Lower Sinemurian. As far as possible, they were sampled from each marly bed of the section. A biometric study and an isotopic analysis are compared in regard to organic matter measurements and palynological data, the results demonstrating a clear relationship between the shape of G. arcuata and environmental parameters. Factors responsible for the various shapes are temperature, oxygen levels on the sea floor and nutrient levels. Two main morphotypes can be related to two kinds of environment. In the first, controlled by a relatively hot and humid climate and tending towards eutrophication, the growth rate of Gryphaea was low, and the shells small, wide and thin. In the second environment, cooler than the first one and closer to the optimal living conditions of G. arcuata, the shell was large, thick and narrow, and exhibited a high growth rate.     

Temperature-dependent changes of cell shape during heterophyllous leaf formation in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ludwigia </Emphasis><Emphasis Type="Italic">arcuata</Emphasis> (Onagraceae)

Although elongation of epidermal cells in submerged leaves is thought to be a common feature of heterophyllous aquatic plants, such elongation has not been observed in Ludwigia arcuata Walt. (Onagraceae). In this study we found that reduced culture temperature induced the elongation of epidermal cells of submerged leaves in L. arcuata. Since such submerged leaves also showed a reduction in the number of epidermal cells aligned across the leaf transverse axis, these data indicate that heterophyllous leaf formation in L. arcuata is partially temperature sensitive, i.e., the elongation of epidermal cells was temperature sensitive while the reduction in the number of epidermal cells did not show such temperature sensitivity. To clarify the mechanisms that cause such temperature sensitivity, we examined the effects of ethylene, which induced the formation of submerged-type leaves on aerial shoots at the relatively high culture-temperature of 28 degrees C. At 23 degrees C, ethylene induced both cell elongation and reduction in the number of epidermal cells across the leaf transverse axis, while cell elongation was not observed at 28 degrees C. Moreover, both submergence and ethylene treatment induced a change in the arrangement of cortical microtubules (MTs) in epidermal cells of developing leaves at 23 degrees C. Such changes in the arrangement of MTs was not induced at 28 degrees C. Factors involved in the temperature-sensitive response to ethylene would be critical for temperature-sensitive heterophyllous leaf formation in L. arcuata.     

Population dynamics of the water mite Unionicola arcuata (Unionicolidae) in the freshwater bivalve Cristaria plicata (Unionidae) in Poyang Lake, eastern China

Population dynamics of the water mite Unionicola arcuata were investigated in the freshwater bivalve Cristaria plicata during the period from January to December 2002 in Poyang Lake, East China. A pattern of seasonal variation was observed, with prevalence and abundance peaking in early spring and autumn. The number of mites in individual hosts was significantly correlated with the size, but not with the sex, of bivalves. The change in infection level of mites on different infection sites in C. plicata was significant, with >58% of the mites found on the outer and inner gills, indicating that U. arcuata shows site preference.     

Identification of Factors that Cause Heterophylly in Ludwigia arcuata Walt. (Onagraceae)

Abstract: The submerged leaves of Ludwigia arcuata are much narrower than the terrestrial leaves. Such heterophyllous changes in leaf shape have been observed in other aquatic angiosperms, such as Callitriche heterophylla, Hippuris vulgaris and Ranunculus flabellaris, but the cause of the formation of heterophyllous leaves in L. arcuata seems to be quite different. In contrast to other species, in which the shapes of epidermal cells have been changed, the change of leaf shape in L. arcuata was found to be due to changes in the numbers of epidermal cells aligned in transverse sections. The susceptibility of leaves to changes in shape above and below the water is dependent on the developmental stages: leaves younger than the fourth leaf responded to a change in environment, while leaves older than the fifth leaf did not. Treatment with ACC (1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid), a precursor to ethylene, induced the formation of submerged-type leaves on terrestrial shoots, implying that ethylene might be the endogenous factor responsible for the change in leaf shape. The results are discussed with reference to the significance of the acclimation of plants to environmental changes.     

Glucosinolates,flea beetle resistance,and leaf pubescence as taxonomic characters in the genus Barbarea (Brassicaceae)

Glucosinolate content of leaves and roots, diversity in leaf pubescence, and resistance to two near-isogenic lines of the flea beetle Phyllotreta nemorum with or without an R-gene, were determined for 27 accessions of 7 Barbarea taxa, i.e. B. stricta, B. orthoceras, B. intermedia, B. verna, B. vulgaris var. vulgaris, the G-type of B. vulgaris var. arcuata and the P-type of B. vulgaris var. arcuata. Four variable glucosinolate biosynthetic characters were deduced. For (formally) homophenylalanine-derived glucosinolates: (1). Presence or absence of 2-hydroxylation, and if present, R- or S-configuration of 2-hydroxylation; (2). presence or absence of p-hydroxylation; and for tryptophan-derived glucosinolates: (3). presence or absence of N-methoxyglucobrassicin; and (4). presence or absence of 1,4-dimethoxyglucobrassicin. Three phenotypes of leaf-pubescence were observed; (1). glabrous to glabrate leaves; (2). glabrous to glabrate leaves with hairs along the edge; (3). pubescent leaves. The hairs were characterized as simple by scanning electron microscopy. Full resistance to a flea beetle line (ST) was found in B. vulgaris var. vulgaris and in the G-type of var. arcuata; partial resistance was found in B. verna and B. intermedia, while the remaining taxa were fully susceptible to the ST line. All investigated Barbarea taxa were susceptible to larvae from another line containing an R-gene, indicating a similar flea beetle resistance mechanism in the three resistant species. Most Barbarea taxa could be characterized by a particular combination of the investigated characters. The most aberrant was the P-type of B. vulgaris var. arcuata, and the taxonomic status of this type should be reconsidered.     

A Mechanical Model for the Adhesion of Spiders to Nominally Flat Surfaces

In dry attachment systems of spiders and geckos, van der Waals forces mediate attraction between substrate and animaltarsus. In particular, the scopula of Evarcha arcuata spiders allows for reversible attachment and easy detachment to a broadrange of surfaces. Hence, reproducing the scopula’s roughness compatibility while maintaining anti-bunching features and dirtparticle repellence behavior is a central task for a biomimetic transfer to an engineered model. In the present work we model thescopula of E. arcuata from a mechano-elastic point of view analyzing the influence of its hierarchical structure on the attachmentbehavior. By considering biological data of the gecko and spider, and the simulation results, the adhesive capabilities of thetwo animals are compared and important confirmations and new directives in order to reproduce the overall structure are found.Moreover, a possible suggestion of how the spider detaches in an easy and fast manner is proposed and supported by the results.     

Chemical characteristics and gelling properties of agar from two Philippine Gracilaria spp. (Gracilariales, Rhodophyta)

The chemical structure of agars extracted from Philippine Gracilaria arcuata and G. tenuistipitata were determined by NMR and infrared spectroscopy. Agar with alternating 3-linked 6-O-methyl-β-D-galactopyranosyl and 4-linked 3,6-anhydro-2- O-methyl-α-L-galactopyranosyl units was isolated from G. arcuata, while the agar from G. tenuistipitata possesses the regular agarobiose repeating unit with partial methylation at the 6-position of the D-galactosyl residues. Both agars exhibit sulphate substitution at varying positions in the polymer. Chemical analyses reveal higher 3,6-anhydrogalactose and lower sulphate contents in alkali-modified than in native agar from both samples. Also, alkali modification enhanced agar gel strength and syneresis. Native G. arcuata agar produces a viscous solution (2000 cP at 75 °C) with a high gelling point (>60 °C) that forms a soft gel even after alkali modification (gel strength: <300 g cm⁻²). On the other hand, the agar from G. tenuistipitata exhibits gel qualities typical of most Gracilaria agars. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

大针茅草原蛴螬群落特征研究

内蒙古典型草原的主体植被类型——大针茅(Stipa grandis)草原中,有蛴螬4科9种．构成大针茅草原蛴螬群落的4个科中,以鳃金龟科种类数、个体数为最多,主要种群的重要值排序为黑皱鳃金龟、东方绢金龟、马铃薯鳃金龟及弓斑常丽金龟．几种蛴螬在发生上大致呈3种类型：春季和秋季大量发生．如东方绢金龟;一年中密度波动较小,如弓斑常丽金龟;秋季大量发生,如黑皱鳃金龟和马铃薯鳃金龟．大针茅草原蛴螬群落的多样性特征在于秋季群落多样性和物种的丰度较高,而夏季相对较低．春季蛴螬群落种群丰度较高,但群落结构相对较单调．     

Tetrahydroisoquinoline alkaloids and 2-deoxyribonolactones from Aristolochia arcuata

2-Deoxyribonolactones and four tetrahydroisoquinoline alkaloids were isolated from the acetone extract of the leaves of Aristolochia arcuata Mast., together with pinitol, sequoyitol, glycerol, fructose, sucrose, eupomatenoid-7, salsolinol, and 6,7-dihydroxy-1,1-dimethyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline. Their structures were determined on the basis of spectroscopic methods, mainly using 1H, 13C, 15N, and 31P NMR.     

新疆豆科短命植物弯果胡卢巴根瘤与根瘤菌的特性

[目的]对弯果胡卢巴根瘤增殖特性、根瘤显微结构、根瘤菌遗传聚类以及根瘤菌各种抗性进行观察、分析和鉴定.[方法]分别利用不同基质培养、石蜡切片和树脂半超薄切片以及16S rRNA基因序列扩增和序列分析等技术方法对弯果胡卢巴根瘤和根瘤菌进行研究.[结果]①在混合土(养花土:白杨林下土:沙土=1:1:1)中有明显结瘤且植株结荚最多,多数根瘤呈掌状和姜形;②显微结构显示根瘤由表及里分为表层、皮层、维管束、已侵染细胞与未侵染细胞几部分;③对根瘤菌16S rRNA基因全长序列(1377bp)测序并分析,结果显示其与苜蓿中华根瘤菌16S rRNA基因的同源性达99.9%;④根瘤菌抗逆性鉴定结果显示,在温度为4℃～60℃(20 Min)、pH值为6.0～12.0、NaCl浓度为0%～2%的范围内根瘤菌均可正常生长;低浓度的卡那霉素、链霉素及头孢霉素等抗生素(25μg/mL,)就能完全抑制根瘤菌的生长,但仍能在100μg/mL的氨苄青霉素中正常生长.[结论]弯果胡卢巴结瘤需要较好的土壤及通气条件;根瘤簇生,瘤内含大量被根瘤菌侵染的细胞;弯果胡卢巴根瘤菌与苜蓿中华根瘤菌(sinorhizobium meliloti,)同源性最高,是一类较耐高温和强碱的菌株.     

厦门凤林红树林湿地大型底栖动物群落

为摸清厦门集美凤林红树林湿地的大型底栖动物群落结构及其多样性现状,2002年1、4、7和10月在厦门集美凤林红树林区进行大型底栖动物调查,4个季度共获得大型底栖动物42种。生物量优势种是软体动物门的珠带拟蟹守螺(Cerithideacingulata)和节肢动物门的弧边招潮(Ucaarcuata)。密度优势种是软体动物门的短拟沼螺(Assimineabrevicula)和环节动物门的沼蚓(Limnodriloidessp.)。集美凤林红树林区大型底栖动物年平均密度和年平均生物量分别为1,990ind./m2和139.0g/m2。密度的季节变化是:1月>4月>10月>7月,生物量的季节变化是1月>10月>4月>7月。聚类分析和数量分布表明,优势种珠带拟蟹守螺、短拟沼螺、弧边招潮和沼蚓的季节变化各不相同。与2002年10月深圳湾福田红树林区大型底栖动物群落的物种多样性指数平均值(0.56)比较,厦门凤林红树林区的平均值较高(2.66)。文中分析了影响大型底栖动物多样性的环境因素。     

5种寄生蚌螨COI基因片段序列及系统发育分析

采用PCR技术对5种寄生蚌螨COI基因片段进行序列测定.序列分析的结果表明,比对后的序列总长度均为658 bp;其中A、G、C、T 4种碱基的平均含量分别为34.6%、20.2%、14.3%、30.9%,平均嘧啶含量（65.5%）明显高于嘌呤含量（34.5%）,说明碱基存在偏向性.弯弓蚌螨Unionicola arcuata与Y纹蚌螨U.ypsilophora 的种间遗传差异为26.4%,达到属间分类水平,结果支持Vidrine将沃蚌螨亚属从寄蚌螨亚属中分离的修订;螫爪蚌螨U.chelata与敏捷蚌螨U.agilex之间遗传差异为23.3%,达到属间分类水平,结果支持文春根等将敏捷蚌螨与其姊妹种腰蚌螨U.lumbaria放入韦蚌螨亚属中的修订.以营自由生活的厚蚌螨U.crassipes作为外类群,使用PAUP4.0b 10软件中的最大似然法（ML）和邻接法（NJ）构建系统树,结果显示：在5种寄生蚌螨中敏捷蚌螨可能是最早从祖先种分化出来的种;弯弓蚌螨与Y纹蚌螨可能起源于蚌螨属的同一个祖先.     

广东湛江红树林保护区大型底栖动物群落的空间分带

用生态样带研究了广东湛江红树林保护区高桥镇核心区大型底栖动物的空间分带。结果表明：德耀村红树剖面中出现的大型底栖动物优势种类为琵琶拟沼螺、悦目大眼蟹、扁平拟闭口蟹、宽身闭口蟹、黑口滨螺、等齿角沙蚕、弧边招潮和中华伪露齿螺。该剖面大型底栖动物从高潮位到低潮位可分为3个分布带：琵琶拟沼螺-弧边招潮-浓毛拟闭口蟹带;宽身闭口蟹．悦目大眼蟹．黑口滨螺带;扁平拟闭口蟹-珠带拟蟹手螺带。群落生物量的变化主要由软体动物所主导,栖息密度的变化主要由软体动物和甲壳动物所主导,多样性指数变化主要由软体动物所主导。红寨村红树剖面中出现的大型底栖动物优势种类为琵琶拟沼螺、蝼姑虾、扁平拟闭口蟹、宽身闭口蟹、耳螺科的一种、黑口滨螺、中华伪露齿螺、哈氏仿对虾、弧边招潮和等齿角沙蚕。该剖面大型底栖动物也可分为4个分布带：黑口滨螺-中华伪露齿螺-等齿角沙蚕带;琵琶拟沼螺-宽身闭口蟹-耳螺科的一种带;蝼蛄虾．扁平拟闭口蟹带;沈氏长方蟹-珠带拟蟹守螺带。群落生物量的变化也主要由软体动物所主导,栖息密度的变化主要由甲壳动物所主导,多样性指数变化主要由软体动物所主导。底栖动物群落的等级聚类和非参数多变量标序显示,大型底栖动物分带与红树植物群落类型相一致。大型底栖动物分带受红树植物群落类型影响的主要原因是不同红树植物群落间的群落特征、沉积物性质和所处潮位线存在差异。     

The genera Ceratomyxa Thélohan, 1892, Leptotheca Thélohan, 1895 and Sphaeromyxa Thélohan, 1892 (Myxosporea: Bivalvulida) in gadid fish of the Northeast Atlantic

The gall-bladders of four species of gadid fish from the North Sea and Norwegian waters were examined for myxosporeans. The host species were cod Gadus morhua L. (350 examined), haddock Melanogrammus aeglefinus (L.) (592 examined), saithe Pollachius virens (L.) (205 examined) and whiting Merlangius merlangus (L.) (368 examined). Four species of myxosporeans are redescribed from these fish. Ceratomyxa arcuata Thélohan, 1892 was the most common species and was found in whiting (42.8%) and cod (0.6%). Leptotheca informis Auerbach, 1910 was found only in whiting (6.5%). L. longipes Auerbach, 1910 was found only in haddock (6.2%). Sphaeromyxa hellandi Auerbach, 1909 was found in haddock (9.1%) and whiting (0.3%). None of the saithe examined, and no cod or haddock from Norwegian waters, was infected with these myxosporeans. All four species appear to have distributions limited to the Northeast Atlantic, with S. hellandi having a more northern distribution than the other three. The validity of reports of C. arcuata, L. informis and L. longipes from outside this area is discussed.