On the use of association-analysis and principal component analysis in interpreting a Braun-Blanquet phytosociological table of a Dutch grassland

Summary Field data of a detailed vegetation survey, undertaken in a wet grassland in the nature reserve “De Kampina”, near Boxtel, Netherlands, were used to prepare aBraun-Blanquet phytosociological table. From this table two associations could be derived: Cirsio-Molinietum and Senecioni-Brometum racemosi. Association-analysis and principal component analysis of a species correlation coefficient matrix was carried out on the same data in order to test their usefulness in a further ecological interpretation of theBraun-Blanquet phytosociological table. It was found that association-analysis, although it was able to detect a similar pattern in vegetation, did not allow a further interpretation of the phytosociological table. Principal component analysis proved to be very useful in the ecological interpretation of details of the table and in the correct placing of less representative and intermediate stands.

---

Zusammenfassung Aufnahmen einer detaillierten Untersuchung einer sumpfigen Wiese im Naturschutzgebiet “De Kampina”, bei Boxtel, Niederlande, sind dargestellt worden in einer pflanzensoziologischen Tabelle. Zwei Assoziationen konnten herausgearbeitet werden: Cirsio-Molinietum und Senecioni-Brometum racemosi. Dieselben Daten wurden für eine “Assoziationsanalyse” und eine prinzipale Komponentenanalyse benutzt, um ihre Brauchbarkeit für eine weitere ?kologische Interpretation der pflanzensoziologischen Tabelle zu prüfen. Obwohl mit der “Assoziationsanalyse” ein ?hnliches Muster in der Vegetation zu entdecken war wie mit der pflanzensoziologischen Tabelle, erm?glichte sie keine weitere ?kologische Interpretation. Die prinzipale Komponentenanalyse zeigte sich sehr nützlich sowohl bei der ?kologischen Interpretation von Einzelheiten der Tabelle als auch bei der Einordnung nicht v?llig typischer bzw. intermedi?rer Aufnahmen.

     

A three thousand year succession of plant communities on a valley bottom in the Vosges Mountains, NE France, reconstructed from fossil pollen, plant macrofossils, and modern phytosociological communities

Pollen and macrofossils were studied in a core from a fen at the foot of a slope in the Vosges Mountains, NE France. The present-day vegetation of little disturbed Abies, Fagus, and Picea forest and wetlands has been described in detail in terms of phytosociological communities using the Braun-Blanquet approach. Past ecological conditions are reconstructed in five steps: (1) The modern vegetation types are described as combinations of phytosociological species groups. (2) Micro- and macrofossils are assigned to these groups. (3) These in combination determine the past vegetation types at the site; there were simultaneously several such types in some biozones. (4) The sequence of past vegetation types is interpreted as successional pathways. (5) Past ecological conditions are inferred from these pathways. Results are: (1) The types of local forest and fen were the same around 1000 b.c. as today. (2) Rising groundwater around 650 b.c. caused a natural wet meadow to develop at the site. (3) Trees were felled near the site in the first century b.c. (Late Iron Age), facilitating the immigration of Picea. (4) Groundwater level rose during early Medieval times because of a wetter climate and alder carr replaced the dry-soil forest close to the site. (5) During High Medieval Times (10th–13th century) the nearby raised bog expanded over the site. (6) Forestry starting around a.d. 1750 caused nutrient-rich water to reach the site, resulting in abrupt vegetation change. (7) The creation of a forest road around a.d. 1855 (historical information) caused further nutrient enrichment of the site. The validity of the method used depends on the assumption that past and present vegetation types are virtually identical, which is true in our study area and study period, according to all the indications that we have.     

The terrestrial ruderal and segetal vegetation of North Korea: A synthesis

267 published and 32 unpublished phytosociological relevés from North Korea were synthesized. As a result, a revision of the units of the ruderal and segetal terrestrial vegetation known so far, and a discussion of their relationship to the analogous Japanese and European vegetation are presented. 17 associations and 4 communities at association level have been distinguished. They are assigned to the classesBidentetea (Bidentetalia, Panico-Bidention), Stellarietea mediae (Commelinetalia, Cassio-Phyllanthion, Cosmo-Humulion), Plantaginetea majoris (Plantaginetalia asiaticae, Plantaginion asiaticae) andMiscanthetea sinensis (Caricetalia nervatae; Zoysion japonicae).     

Pflanzensoziologische Studie der Fynbosvegetation am Kap der guten Hoffnung

Zusammenfassung Im Swartboschkloof-Naturschutzgebiet am Kap der Guten Hoffnung wurden pflanzensoziologische Methoden ausprobiert und ergaben eine vorl?ufige Klassifikation der dortigen Fynbos-(Macchia), Flu?saum- und Wald vegetation. Acht Gesellschaften sind floristisch beschrieben und mit Standortfaktoren korreliert worden. Die Ergebnisse sind vielversprechend, und die M?glichkeiten einer Klassifikation der kapl?ndischen Fynbos-Vegetation in ein formelles pflanzensoziologisches System werden diskutiert.

---

Summary TheBraun-Blanquet phytosociological method was tested in the complex Fynbos (Macchia) vegetation of the Cape of Good Hope, South Africa. In Swartboschkloof Nature Reserve the Fynbos, riverine scrub and forest vegetation was classified preliminarily into eight communities, which are described floristically and related to habitat. The results hold promise, and the possibilities of classifying the Cape Fynbos in a formal phytosociological system are discussed.

     

Display behavior of three troops of Japanese monkeys (Macaca fuscata)

In this paper the display (i.e., “branch-shaking”) behavior of three troops of Japanese monkeys—the confined Oregon troop as reported byModahl andEaton (1977), the semi-free-ranging Arashiyama West troop and the free-ranging Arashiyama B troop—are compared. The comparison reveals several similarities and dissimilarities between the Oregon troop and the two genetically related Arashiyama troops. The similarities include three display postures (shaking, kicking and leaping) and an increased frequency of male but not female displaying during the breeding season. The dissimilarities include the absence of two Oregon display postures (tossing and swinging) and collective displaying among Arashiyama monkeys. The hypothesis ofModahl andEaton (1977) that male displaying influences the females' choice of male mating partners is discussed. The evidence suggests the Oregon monkeys have incorporated male displaying into their socio-sexual behavior to a greater extent than Arashiyama monkeys. However, field observations indicate that males who migrate to the Arashiyama B site during the breeding season can influence female choice by “advertizing” their location with displays.     

The fine structure of the synaptic membrane adhesions on Octopus synaptosomes

Summary Synaptosomes (nerve-ending particles), derived by homogenization and centrifugation fromOctopus andEledone brains, have been examined after OsO₄-fixation and PTA-staining, to determine the structure of the synaptic apparatus which holds together the synaptosomes and their postsynaptic processes. Both synaptic membranes are well-defined, with branching processes passing from the presynaptic membrane into the cytoplasm of the synaptosome, where synaptic vesicles apparently adhere to them. Small projections, with occasional web-like extensions, are seen along the cytoplasmic surface of the postsynaptic membrane. In transverse and oblique views of the cleft, bars are seen between the synaptic membranes. In frontal view, this part of the synaptic apparatus has a lattice arrangement of quadrilateral and pentagonal facets.A possible interpretation of these findings is discussed, and the functions of the synaptic apparatus are considered in the light of this.I am grateful to ProfessorsJ. Z. Young, F. R. S. andE. G. Gray for their advice and encouragement, and to Mr.S. Waterman for skilled photography.     

The plant communities of theAsplenietea trichomanis in the SW Iberian Peninsula

The rupicolous vegetation of theAsplenietea trichomanis in the south-western Iberian Peninsula is analysed using the methods of the Zürich-Montpellier School. Phytosociological tables, and biogeographical, ecological and floristic data are given for a number of syntaxa. A phytosociological synopsis of the studied vegetation was made for the entire region. Four new syntaxa are described: theCoincyo logirostri-Dianthetum lusitani, Jasiono marianae-Dianthetum lusitani jasionetosum tomentosae, Digitali thapsi-Dianthetum lusitani conopodietosum ramosi andSedo hirsuti-Polypodietum cambrici polypodietosum interjecti.     

Annual nitrophilous pond and river bank communities in north part of Korean peninsula

The article deals with the herbal vegetation of flow and basin watersides in North Korea. Characterizations of associationsPolygonetum thunbergii Lohm. etMiyawaki 1962 andPolygonetum sieboldii-hydropiperis Okuda 1978 are given.Persicarietum posumbu, Aeschynomeno-Kummerowietum, Bidens bipinnata-community,Hemarthria sibirica-community,Persicaria dissitiflora-community andBidens tripartita-community are newly described. All phytosociological relevés were numerically classified by the computer program NUMCLAS. Brief notes on development, ecology and classification of waterside vegetation are mentioned.     

Insectivory and its significance to langur diets

Earlier studies on Hanuman langurs (Presbytis entellus) around Jodhpur found them entirely vegetarian (Mohnot, 1974;Winkler, 1988). However, recent observations in the open scrub forests of Jodhpur reveal that scale insects may constitute a regular part of their diet and that insectivory is particularly prevalent in the monsoon months July – September. The insect eating in this habitat seems to support the “Energy/nutrient maximization” hypothesis ofHamilton andBusse (1978).     

Classification of weed vegetation of arable land in the Czech Republic and Slovakia

Numerical classification of 2653 geographically stratified relevés of weed vegetation from the Czech and Slovak Republics was performed with cluster analysis. Diagnostic species were determined for each of the seven main clusters using statistical measures of fidelity. The classification reflected clear distinctions between lowland (mostly calcicole) and highland (mostly calcifuge) sites, spring and summer phenological stages, and cereals and root crops. The results of the cluster analysis were compared with traditional phytosociological units. Two clusters corresponded to calcifuge weed vegetation of theScleranthion annui alliance; one cluster represented the vegetation of root crops on moist soils of theOxalidion europaeae alliance; one cluster contained thermophilous weed vegetation of theCaucalidion lappulae alliance; two clusters included weed vegetation of root crops and of stubble fields, which can be assigned to theCaucalidion, Panico-Setarion,Veronico-Euphorbion andEragrostion alliances; one cluster included vernal weed vegetation in little disturbed habitats of theCaucalidion lappulae andScleranthion annui alliances. Our analysis did not support the concept of theSherardion andVeronico-Taraxacion alliances, which were included in earlier overviews of the vegetation units of the Czech Republic and Slovakia.     

Classification of ultracontinental boreal forests in central Yakutia

Using the Braun-Blanquet approach, five associations of boreal forests were distinguished in central Yakutia, the most continental part of eastern Siberia. Ecological features of the syntaxa were explained with the use of the DCA ordination of 50 relevés. All available data from eastern Siberia were involved in the study for syntaxonomic analysis. Central Yakutian boreal forests were classified into two classes:Rhytidio-Laricetea sibiricae Korotkov etErmakov 1999 — ultracontinental light coniferous hemiboreal forests, andVaccinio-Piceetea Br.-Bl. inBr.-Bl. et al. 1939 — typical coniferous taiga forests of northern Eurasia. A new concept of higher syntaxonomic units of the classVaccinio-Piceetea in eastern Siberia has been developed. Three orders represent the diversity of taiga forests: (1)Cladonio-Vaccinietalia Kielland-Lund 1967 (with alliancesHieracio umbellati-Pinion sylvestris Anenkhonov etChytry 1998 andSaxifrago bronchialis-Pinion sylvestris all. nov.) — light coniferous boreal forests occurring in dry and moderately dry oligotrophic sites in various climatic sectors of Northern Eurasia; (2)Lathyro humilis-Laricetalia cajanderi ord. nov. (with alliancesAulacomnio acuminati-Laricion cajanderi all. nov. andRhododendro daurici-Laricion gmelinii all. nov.) — zonal boreal forests with xeric elements, which are typical of regions of northern Asia with cold, dry ultracontinental climate; (3)Ledo-Laricetalia cajanderi ord. prov. (with allianceLedo-Laricion cajanderi prov.) — North Eurasian boreal forests occurring in cold sites with excessive soil moisture, sometimes water-logged. Phytogeography and ecology of these orders are discussed in comparison with other regions of northern Asia.     

On the glycocalyx,the external coat of the plasma membrane,of some secretory cells

Summary The free surface of epithelial cells of secretory organs (human placenta, lactating mammary gland of the rat, choroid plexus of man and rat) and of the accessory organs of the genital tract of the male rat is characterized by a plasmalemmal differentiation named glycocalyx or surface mucous coat. This structure is built up by filamentous or globular substructures.Two main ultrastructural types of the glyeocalyx were observed: 1) The filamentous type such as in the rat epididymis, which resembles the cat intestinal glyeocalyx (Ito, 1965) and that one of human transitional epithelium (Monis and Zambrano, 1968), and 2) The globular type, as observed in the lumen of the lactating mammary gland of the rat.Sialic acid was demonstrated histochemically in the luminal glyeocalyx of all organs studied. In addition, the glyeocalyx of acinar cells of the lactating mammary gland contains sulfate and phosphate groups which were identified by histochemical technics, using enzymatic digestion procedures, suggesting the chemical heterogeneity of this glyeocalyx.Present investigations follow the working hypothesis that the complex carbohydrates of glycocalyces become part of the product of activity of secreting cells.We thank Mr. Luis Iwakawa, Miss Silvia Falcón, Miss Elsa M. Orgnero for technical help, Miss Graciela Aliaga for secretarial assistance. Photography by Mr. H. Magnani. Dr. Hugo F. Carrer cooperated in the initial stages of this investigation.The authors acknowledge the use of the electron microscope of the Department of Pathology, Córdoba University Medical School, for which they thank Prof. E. Mosquera and Dr. E. Hliba. Dr. Hliba photographed picture number 4.     

The surface of the leaf in normal and glossy maize seedlings

Summary The wettability of leaf surface in maize seedlings may vary according to the genotypes,Gl orgl. Techniques in electron microscopy have made it possible to resolve the fine structure of theGl—surface as contrasted with those ofgl ₁,gl ₂,gl ₃, andgl ^H . The normal surface, shows minute projections which are almost absent in the glossy surface of young seedlingsgl ₁; thegl ₂,gl ₃ andgl ^H seedlings present a somewhat intermediate situation.With 1 Figure in the Text     

Segetal vegetation of Central Yakutia

Seven associations of segetal vegetation are distinguished for the vast arable lands of Central Yakutia. Low species richness and the prevalence of annual weeds are the main features of these communities. Only two dominant speciesSphallerocarpus gracilis andSaussurea amara represent Asian types of areals. Other dominantsFallopia convolvulus, Elytrigia repens, Chenopodium album, Brassica campestris, Lappula squarrosa, Scutellaria galericulata, Thlaspi arvense, Avena fatua andCrepis tectorum are typically cosmopolitan. The phytosociological system of the segetal communities is described.     

The high-rank syntaxa of the rock-cliff and scree vegetation of the mainland Greece and Crete

A revision was undertaken of the high-rank syntaxa of the vegetation occurring in rock fissures, ledges and screes of mainland Greece and Crete. All published phytosociological relevés available were collected and subjected to numerical classification and ordination. Four orders (Androsacetalia vandelii, Onosmetalia frutescentis, Potentilletalia speciosae andPetromaruletalia pinnatae) comprising 8 alliances (one of them new) were distinguished within theAsplenietea trichomanis (rock fissures, clefts, and ledges). The scree vegetation was classified partly within theThlaspietea rotundifolii (Drypidetalia spinosae with 2 alliances) and partly within theDaphno-Festucetea (Saturejo-Scutellarietalia—a new order, with 2 alliances). Ordination revealed clear differences in floristic composition of the alliances distinguished. The studied chasmophytic vegetation of Greece contains a very high proportion of endemics which serve as diagnostic species of the syntaxa. Further, an analysis of chorological species spectra suggested that the chorological homogeneity of a syntaxon should be considered an important diagnostic feature at high-syntaxon levels.     

Uptake of amino acids by actidione-treated yeast cells

The steady-state levels of distribution of glycine,l-aspartic acid,l-leucine and, to a lesser extent, ofl-lysine andl-methionine, in actidione-treated baker’s yeast cells are significantly altered (usually decreased) in the presence ofd-glucose,d-mannose,d-fructose, 2-deoxy-d-glucose, maltose, sucrose and, after induction,d-galactose. Stimulatory effects ofd-ribose,l-sorbose andd-xylose are not highly significant. Pronounced effects of sugars were also found anaerobically. No effect of amino acids on sugar uptake was observed. Three types of interaction appear to be present: (1) increase of energy reserves by metabolized sugars; (2) increased rate of carrier breakdown in the presence of metabolized sugars; (3) interaction at the carrier level in a “heteropolyvalent” membrane complex.     

Chromosome breakage by ethylenimines and related compounds

Primary roots ofPisum sativum andVicia faba were treated for 1/2 hour with several ethylenimines and related compounds. Root samples were removed periodically for several mitotic cycles, and squash preparations were made and scored for anaphase damage as indicated by bridges and fragments. It was observed that maximum damage did not appear until after a delay which varied from 2 to 3 mitotic cycles after treatment, then dropped off in some cases, and persisted in others. The mitotic delay was estimated to be about 3 hours inPisum, and 6–7 hours inVicia. This delay is attributed to one or more of the following: (1) the number of strands in a chromosome, (2) the unit of breakage, and (3) the type of assortment of the chromatids, whether random or not. Some chemicals were mutagenic, although they did not induce any detectable chromosome damage. Experiments in which 5-amino-uracil was used did not indicate that any particular stage of the mitotic cycle was especially susceptible to damage. Preliminary experiments with DNP show that ATP is required either for uptake or site binding of the chemicals before actual breakage.Results of investigations carried out under NIH grant CA 06865-04 and project 99, Michigan Agricultural Experiment Station, East Lansing. Published with the approval of the Director as Journal Article 4450. We wish to thank Mrs.Jill Oakley, MissCarole Belcher, Mr. B. N. Singh, andMr. Roosevelt Alcorn for technical assistance, andDr. Roger Hoopingarner for many helpful discussions.Post doctoral fellow, Department of Crop Science, Michigan State University, and Professor of Botany, deceased January 18, 1968.     

A phytosociological classification of Swiss mire vegetation

The mapping and monitoring of Swiss mires has so far relied on a classification system based on expert judgement, which was not supported by a quantitative vegetation analysis and which did not include all wetland vegetation types described in the country. Based on a spatially representative sample of 17,608 relevés from 112 Swiss mires, we address the following questions: (1) How abundant are wetland vegetation types (phytosociological alliances) in Swiss mires? (2) How are they distributed across the country––is there a regional pattern? (3) How clearly are they separated from each other? (4) How clear and reliable is their ecological interpretation? Using published wetland vegetation relevés and lists of diagnostic species for phytosociological units (associations and alliances) established by experts, we developed a numerical method for assigning relevés to units through the calculation of similarity indices. We applied this method to our sample of 17,608 relevés and estimated the total area covered by each vegetation type in Switzerland. We found that vegetation types not included in previous mapping were either rare in Switzerland (partly due to mire drainage) or poorly distinguished from other vegetation units. In an ordination, the Swiss mire vegetation formed a triangular gradient system with the Sphagnion medii, the Caricion davallianae and the Phragmition australis as extreme types. Phytosociological alliances were clearly separated in a subset of 2,265 relevés, which had a strong similarity to one particular association, but poorly separated across all relevés, of which many could not be unequivocally assigned to one association. However, ecological gradients were reflected equally well by the vegetation types in either case. Overall, phytosociological alliances distinguished until now proved suitable schemes to describe and interpret vegetation gradients. Nevertheless, we see the urgent need to establish a data base of Swiss wetland relevés for a more reliable definition of some vegetation units.     

Glucose-2-oxidase activity and accumulation of D-arabino-2-hexosulose in cultures of the basidiomyceteOudemansiella mucida

Submerged cultures of the basidiomyceteOudemansiella mucidd, strain III, accumulate D-arabino-2-hexosulose. The maximum yields during cultivations in shaker flasks or in a laboratory fermentor are 6–12 and 15 mg/ml, respectively (20–50 % conversion of substrate glucose). The accumulation is transient, the aldoketose being again utilized after glucose exhaustion. Its production is stimulated by fluoride ions. The enzyme responsible for the C₍₂₎-specific oxidation ofd-glucose acts as an intracellular oxidase with a maximum activity in the exponential phase of growth.d-arabino-2-Hexosulose was also detected in the cultivation medium of the wood-rotting fungiPleurotus ostreatus, Laetiporus sulphureus, andPhellinus abietis. Part III of the series Enzymatic activity of Basidiomycetes; part II:Folia Microbiol. 13, 334 (1968).     

Protein variation,taxonomy and differentiation in five species of marmosets (genusCallithrix Erxleben, 1777)

The electrophoretic patterns of 15 protein systems codified for 20 genetic loci were investigated using horizontal electrophoresis. A total of 150 blood samples, from five species of the genusCallithrix were analyzed. Polymorphic variation was observed in 10 out 20 loci analyzed. The genotypic distributions are in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. The average heterozygosity (H) varied from 1% to 5%, similar to those observed for other Neotropical primates. The genetic distance coefficients revealed a phylogenetic separation of these species into two groups: (1) “argentata” (C. humeralifer andC. emiliae); (2) “jacchus” (C. jacchus, C. penicillata, andC. geoffroyi). This arrangement is according to the taxonomic arrangement proposed byHershkovitz (1977),de Vivo (1988), andMittermeier et al. (1988). The results in each group are compatible with the subspecies values recorded for the Platyrrhini. These values showed that:C. humeralifer andC. emiliae are subspecies ofC. argentata;C. jacchus, C. penicillata, andC. geoffroyi are subspecies ofC. jacchus. These results also suggest thatC. j. geoffroyi is the “jacchus” group taxon, most similar genetically to the “argentata” group.