A new species of Anaphalis（Compositae）from Xizang，China

Anaphalis yangii Y. L. Chen&Y. L. Lin,a new species of Compositae from Gongbo’gyamda County,Xizang,is described and illustrated. The new species is quite similar to A. spodiophylla Ling & Y. L. Chen,but can be easily distinguished by its thicker,bro     

The finding of the genus Clonostachys （Hyphomycetes） in China

Clonostachys phyllophila and Clonostachys rogersoniana were isolated from rhizosphere soil of Allium tuberosum in Chaoyang, Liaoning Province. It is the first report of the genus in China. The species was described morphologically and illustrated in this paper, the culture was stored in the Culture Collection of Liaoning Center of Culture Collection （LCCC）.     

Athalamia glauco-virens Shim. & Hatt. （Cleveaceae）， a new record to China

Athalamia glauco-virens Shim. & Hatt. was previously recorded to occur only in Japan. It has been discovered on Taishan Mt. ,Shandong Province,East China,representing its first record in this country.     

Geographical variation in reproductive biology is obscured by the species problem: a new record of brooding in Porites cylindrica,or misidentification?

Little is known about the reproductive biology of corals from the Philippines, despite this archipelago being at the center of coral reef biodiversity. Here, we report on the reproductive biology of a branching poritid species provisionally identified as Porites cf. cylindrica in the Bolinao‐Anda reef complex (BARC), northwestern Philippines. Histological examination and ex situ planulation observations reveal P.cf. cylindrica colonies to be gonochoric brooders that release actively swimming zooxanthellate larvae. Planulation appeared to occur throughout the year and there was significant lunar periodicity in planular release. The mean peak of release occurred from the 25th to 29th lunar day or just before the new moon, while peak in diel timing in planulation occurred during daytime between 08:00–11:00 h. Elsewhere in the Pacific, Porites cylindrica colonies are reported to broadcast spawn. If our species identification is correct, then this is the first report of brooding in P. cylindrica. Although there are no apparent morphological differences between the coral in this study and P. cylindrica reported from other sites, an alternative explanation for our findings is that our provisionally identified Porites cf. cylindrica is a different species. If so, our findings further highlight how difficulties with species identification in corals can influence our understanding of geographical variation in reproductive biology.     

The occurrence of “wasting disease” of Zostera in Ireland in the 1930's

There is only one publication quoted in connection with “wasting disease” of Zostera marina L. in Ireland. This was examined and it was concluded that in fact, it did not describe “wasting disease”, but merely the normal seasonal changes of Zostera. However, another report which has not been quoted before did give an account of the disease in County Down. Evidence that the disease occurred in County Mayo is presented for the first time.     

The alternative occurrence of (−)-kaurene or (+)-phyllocladene in the leaves of cryptomeria japonica D. Don

Foliage from Cryptomeria japonica D. Don was analysed for diterpenoid hydrocarbons. Samples grown from some seed sources furnished (−)-kaurene as the sole product of this type, whilst those from other sources yielded only (+)-phyllocladene. These observations were found to be seasonally independent and it is concluded that C. japonica exists in two chemically distinct forms.     

The biochemical effects of potassium chloride on the silkworm, （ Bombyx mori L.）

The supplementation with 50, 100 and 150μg/mL potassium chloride to the fifth instar larvae of the silkworm Bombyx mori on fat body glycogen, protein, total lipids and haemolymph protein and trehalose were analyzed. The fat body glycogen and protein and haemolymph protein were increased significantly in all the treated groups; whereas fat body total lipids increased only in 100 and 150μg/mL and haemolymph trehalose increased only in 150μg/mL potassium chloride-treated groups when compared with those of the corresponding parameters of the carrier controls.     

New combination in Veronica （Scrophulariaceae s.l.） based on morphological characters and the seed storage protein polymorphism

Veronica erciyasdagi （M. A. Fischer） C. Vural comb. ＆ stat. nov., previously regarded as a variety, is proposed as a new combination, based on the morphological characters and seed storage protein polymorphism presented in this study. In addition, information about the ecology and conservation status of Veronica erciyasdagi was reported. This taxon is endemic to central Anatolia, Turkey and is critically endangered.     

Longer in the tooth,shorter in the record? The evolutionary correlates of hypsodonty in Neogene ruminants

The acquisition of hypsodont molars is often regarded as a key innovation in the history of ruminant ungulates. Hypsodont ruminants diversified rapidly during the later Neogene, circa 15-2 Myr ago, and came to dominate the ruminant fossil record in terms of species diversity. Here we show that hypsodont clades had higher speciation and diversification rates than other clades. Hypsodont species had, on average, shorter stratigraphic durations, smaller range size and lower occupancy than non-hypsodont species. Within hypsodont clades, some species were very common and acquired large geographical ranges, whereas others were quite rare and geographically limited. We argue that hypsodont clades diversified in an adaptive radiation-like fashion, with species often splitting cladogenetically while still in the expansive phase of their occupancy history.     

Plant polyphenols—XII. : The occurrence of tricin and of glycoflavones in grasses

Traces of free tricin have been detected in the leaves of sixteen grasses and two tricin glucosides (one being the 5-monoglucoside) have been isolated from Triticum dicoccum, T. monococcum and T. polonicum. However, the major phenolic constituents of grasses are glycoflavones and eight, present in Avena and Triticum, have been studied in detail. One is saponarin, another lutonaretin and the remainder are apigenin or luteolin derivatives having carbon-carbon linked sugars, which differ from those of vitexin and saponaretin. A report that tricin occurs free in lucerne leaves could not be confirmed; instead, two tricin glucuronides and chrysoeriol 7-glucuronide were isolated.     

Supplemental Cytogeographical Studies on the Scilla sinensis （Louriro） Merrill Complex in China

Seven hundred and fourteen individuals of the Scilla sinensis (Louriro) Merrill complex were sampled from 21 populations at 19 localities in 10 provinces and two cities of China and investigated cytologically in order to test its cytotype composition and cytogeographical variation still further. Five cytotypes were found (i.e. AA (2n = 16), BB (2n = 18), AABB (2n = 34), AAA (2n = 24), and AABB 9 (2n =43)). Until now, nine of the 12 cytotypes have been identified on the continent, which indicates that it is an important place for the cytotypic differentiation of the complex. The cytotype AABB 9 is a new record on the continent. AAA was recorded for the second time in this complex. The majority of populations are composed of only one cytotype (AA, BB, or AABB), whereas another four populations consist of more than two cytotypes involving AA, BB, AAA, AABB, and AABB 9. The distribution of BB covers the entire region south to Huai River, whereas AA populations are distributed in Taiwan, Fujian, Hong Kong, and Guangdong and are isolated from its major distribution. The appearance of AABB 9 is possibly evidence for the degeneration of the subglobular bulb type of AABB and the fact that AAA and AAAA exist in the interior border regions of the range of this complex probably suggests that drought is a major factor promoting plant polyploidization. In addition, the mean numbers of B chromosomes per individual, the percentage of individuals with the B chromosome in each population, and the correlation coefficients between the latter and their latitude/longitude were calculated. Generally speaking, the B chromosome number is higher in BB populations compared with AA populations and there is a prominent tendency that the B chromosome content in either AA or BB populations correlates with the latitude and longitude of the populations.     

The occurrence of the brown alga Streblonema oligosporum Strömfelt in Britain

The small brown alga Streblonema oligosporum Strömfelt (Ectocarpaceae, Ectocarpales) is reported for the first time in Britain growing on a toxic test panel in Langstone Harbour, south coast of England. An account of the vegetative and reproductive features of the plant is given along with its life history in laboratory culture.     

Effect of the rootstock on the occurrence of lime-induced chlorosis of potted Vitis vinifera L. cv. ‘Pinot blanc’

The chlorosis susceptible Vitis vinifera L. cv. Pinot blanc was grafted on two hybrid rootstocks with different iron efficiency, as follows: V. Berlandieri × V. rupestris 140 Ru (iron-efficient) and V. riparia × V. rupestris 101-14 (iron-inefficient). The grafted vines were grown in pots of a calcareous and a non-calcareous soil. The shoot growth was periodically checked and leaves, selected at two different times (at the middle of the annual growing period), were assayed for total chlorophyll, ferrous iron, ash alkalinity, percentage of dry matter and chlorosis score. At the end of the growing cycle the roots were oven-dried and weighed. The most significant findings of the trial were: (a) the soil strongly affected the shoot growth, with canes about twice as long in the non-calcareous soil; (b) the iron-efficient rootstock (140 Ru) did not induce chlorosis when growing on the calcareous soil, while the opposite occurred with the iron-inefficient rootstock (101=14); and (c) a high ash alkalinity occurred in light chlorotic leaves compared to green ones, under the same iron concentration.