Recent multiple introductions of the gall‐forming aphid Pemphigus bursarius into Japanese islands

Recently, the number of collection records of Pemphigus galls from Populus nigra has been increasing in Japan. To identify the galls on P. nigra, mitochondrial COI sequences were analyzed from galling aphid samples collected on P. nigra in Tokyo and Hokkaido. From the BLAST search and neighbor‐joining (NJ) analysis, the aphid samples were identified as Pemphigus bursarius, which has not been recorded from Japan. Two samples from Tokyo and Hokkaido showed a genetic difference of 0.30%. This result suggests that different strains of P. bursarius might have been introduced into the Japanese islands at least twice.     

The Friesner Herbarium (BUT) of Butler University

The Friesner Herbarium (BUT) of Butler University is a collection of over 100,000 specimens built from the personal herbarium of Ray C. Friesner. He and other botanists at Butler amassed one of the largest and most complete collections of Indiana plants. Active exchange from the 1920’s through the 1940’s increased the holdings of plants from other states. Although the collection does not contain many type specimens, it is rich in vouchers from floristic and ecological studies conducted in the first half of the 20th century and published in the scientific journal,Butler University Botanical Studies.     

Species identification and tree-ring dating of wood boxes excavated from the Shinan shipwreck,Korea

The Shinan shipwreck, which was excavated in the southwestern sea of Korea in the 1970s, was a Chinese trade ship from the Yuan Dynasty, traveling from China to Japan in the early 14th century (A.D. 1323). Anatomical examination indicated that the wood boxes carrying thousands of Chinese porcelain pieces on the Shinan shipwreck were made of either Cryptomeria japonica or Cunninghamia spp. The former grows in South China and Japan, and the latter in China and Taiwan. Therefore, we could not confine the origin of the wood to a single country by wood identification. However, we could date 21 wood boxes using tree-ring chronologies of C. japonica from western Japan. The outermost ring with sapwood was dated to A.D. 1316. The results from the tree-ring dating indicated that the wood boxes on the Shinan shipwreck were of Japanese rather than Chinese origin.     

Correlation between pathogenicity and molecular characteristics in the willow leaf rusts <Emphasis Type="Italic">Melampsora epitea</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">M. humilis</Emphasis> in Japan

 We studied the correlation between pathogenicity and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) type, which was determined by polymerase chain reaction-based RFLP analysis of the internal transcribed spacer regions of ribosomal DNA, in the willow leaf rust fungi Melampsora epitea and M. humilis. Eighteen clones of eight Salix species were inoculated with urediniospores from seven collections of the two rust species. M. epitea and M. humilis (RFLP type-5 collections) were pathogenic to six to eight Salix species. RFLP type-7 collections of M. epitea were pathogenic to only two Salix species. The taxonomic relationships of the two rust species are discussed. Received: December 11, 2002 / Accepted: February 17, 2003 RID="*" ID="*" Contribution no. 179, Laboratory of Plant Parasitic Mycology, Institute of Agriculture and Forestry, University of Tsukuba, Japan Acknowledgments We thank K. Katsuya, former professor at the University of Tsukuba, for his encouragement in this study. We are also grateful to M. Yashima, Botanical Garden, University of Tohoku, for his assistance in collecting materials and to R. Suzuki, University of Tsukuba, for providing a rust isolate.     

Short review of human prolonged horizontal bed rest studies in Japan

As many as 700,000-1,000,000 Japanese are spending a substantial part of their life in bed not being able to resume standing position due to disease and/or accident. Our objectives were urgently derived from that fact. The research project group at Faculty of Medicine, University of Tokyo, in Japan have studied effects of prolonged horizontal bed rest on humans since 1990. Financial supports from the Japanese Ministry of Education (Grant-in aide for scientific research), National Aero Space Development Agency of Japan and Japan Federation for Health Sciences have enabled us to perform five prolonged bed rest experiments for 5 years from 1990 to 1994. Many scientists in Europe, America and Russia have already made a heap of studies on this subject since the latter half of 1940s (eg. 39). However, our studies mainly focused upon the effects of inactivity on human health to determine how to bring a human from inactivity back to an unrestricted active life. This short review is going to summarize our results obtained from 1990 to 1993.     

Involvement of Poly(ADP-Ribose) Synthesis in Transdifferentiation of Isolated Mesophyll Cells of Zinnia elegans into Tracheary Elements

The relationship between poly(ADP-ribose) synthesis and cytodifferentiationwas studied in the well characterized Zinnia system, in whichisolated mesophyll cells of Zinnia elegans transdifferentiateinto tracheary elements (TE) in a suspension culture in thepresence of both auxin and cytokinin. The rate of poly(ADP-ribose)synthesis was measured in nuclei isolated from cells that hadbeen induced to undergo transdifferentiation, and activationof such synthesis was observed before the appearance of TE duringculture. In cultures without auxin or cytokinin, poly-(ADP-ribose)synthesis appeared to proceed much more slowly. Treatment of cells with a potent inhibitor of poly-(ADP-ribose)polymerase, namely, 6(5H)-phenanthridinone (PT), resulted inthe blockage of TE formation and a decrease in the frequencyof cell division. PT was very effective in interfering withtransdifferentiation, in particular, when supplied between the24th hour and the 36th hour of culture. Repair-type DNA synthesis,which has been proposed to participate in transdifferentiation,was suppressed by the treatment with PT. These results suggestthat poIy(ADP-ribose) synthesis and subsequent repair-type DNAsynthesis might play a critical role in the transdifferentiationof Zinnia cells. ³Present address: Botanical Gardens, Faculty of Science, Universityof Tokyo, Hakusan, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 112 Japan. ⁴Present address: Department of Chemical and Biological Sciences,Faculty of Science, Japan Women's University, Mejirodai, Bunkyo-ku,Tokyo, 112 Japan.     

Discovery of wood nesting by a subterranean halictine bee,Lasioglossum (Evylaeus) vulsum (Hymenoptera: Halictidae)

An unusual nesting substrate of a subterranean halictine bee, Lasioglossum (Evylaeus) vulsum (Vachal), was found at Mt Ishizuchi‐san, Ehime, Japan. Two nests were obtained from a decaying log in a display sign for a local restaurant. Brood cells, forming a cell cluster, were constructed in a wood hollow with rotted wood fibers pressed together. Nests in the decaying log show the same structural elements as those made in soil. This is the first report of wood nesting by subterranean halictine bees belonging to the subgenus Evylaeus.     

Artificial seeding of the green seaweed Monostroma for cultivation

In Japan, the green seaweed Monostroma is an important source of humanfood. Monostroma nitidum Wittrock (Japanese name: hitoegusa) is cultivated in brackish waters and estuaries of central to southern Japan. The green seaweed Monostroma grows in the brackish water area in the upper part of the intertidal zone in the warm waters. Artificial seed culture began with the collection of many gametes in April. The resultant zygotes were allowed to adhere to plastic settlement boards (20 cm long and 10 cm wide). The zygoteboards were then cultured in tanks (1 ×2 ×0.5 m) with fertiliser in a controlled growth room (10–87 μmol photon m^-2s^-1). The cultivated zygotes on the board in the indoor tanks gradually increased in size from 10 to 40 μm in diameter during May to early August. Zygote growth became slowed at the end of August. The zygotesmatured in early September, and the plates were transferred into culture tanks in a dark room for dark treatment. Maturation of the zygote was promoted by providing dark conditions for two weeks. The production of a concentrated zoospore solution from the mature blades was achieved by adding fresh water at temperature 2–3 °C above that of the seeding vats. Zoospores were released in large numbers when exposed to strong irradiance of 100 μmol photon m^-2 s^-1 for 30 min. The zygotes produced flat unicellular fronds at the germling stage. The technology of artificial seed culture and zoospore release from the zygotes is based mainly on these experiments. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Fungal diversity on submerged wood in a tropical stream and an artificial lake

Two collections of submerged wood were made from the Mushroom Research Centre in northern Thailand. One collection comprising 100 samples was made from an artificial lake, which had been made by damming a stream running through a secondary forest. The other collection comprising 90 samples was made from an adjacent non dammed shallow stream running through a similar forest. A total of 68 fungal taxa were recorded during the study and the Shannon–Weiner index (H′) was applied to evaluate the diversities of freshwater fungi. Sørensen’s index (S′) was calculated to evaluate the similarity of different fungal communities. The variation of freshwater fungi on submerged wood between lentic and lotic habitat is discussed and compared with previous studies. A dramatic decrease in species richness and diversity, with significantly changed species composition were observed in the artificial lake as compared to the non dammed stream.     

Portulal: a rooting promoting substance in Portulaca leaves

A new bioassay which employs disbudded epicotyl cuttings takenfrom light grown Azukia seedlings (A. angularis) was devisedfor testing rooting promotion activity. By use of this method,the rooting promoting principle in leaves of Portulaca grandiflorawas isolated and identified with portulal which had been previouslyobtained. Portulal was reported as an inhibitor of rooting inetiolated Raphanus cuttings and has recently been determinedto be a bicyclic diterpene containing a perhydroazulene nucleus.Portulal promoted the adventitious root formation in severalkinds of plants, i.e. Azukia angularis, Vigna Catiang var. sinensis,Phaseolus Mungo and Raphanus sativus var. acanthiformis ‘Risodaikon’. The rooting process in Azukia and Raphanus cuttings seems toinclude at least two phases; a "preparatory phase" or a portulal-and gibberellin-sensitive phase and a "main phase" or an auxin-sensitiveand portulal-insensitive phase. ¹Contribution No. 16 from the Botanical Gardens, Faculty ofScience, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan. (Received April 3, 1969; )     

Worldwide core collections of tea (Camellia sinensis) based on SSR markers

Tea (Camellia sinensis (L.) O. Kuntze) is the world’s most popular beverage crop. However, to date, no core collection has been selected from worldwide germplasm resources on the basis of genotype data. In this study, we analyzed 788 tea germplasm accessions using 23 simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers. Our population structure analysis divided the germplasms into a Japanese group and an exotic group. The latter could be divided into var. sinensis and var. assamica. The genetic diversity was higher in germplasms from China, Taiwan, India, and Sri Lanka than in those from other countries, and low in germplasms from Japan. Using the number of SSR alleles as a measure of genetic diversity, we developed a core collection consisting of 192 accessions and three subcore collections with 96, 48, and 24 accessions. Although the results might be affected by marker-selection bias, the core 192 collection adequately covered the range of variation of the 788 accessions in floral morphology, and the chemical composition of first-flush leaves. These collections will be powerful tools for breeding and genetic research in tea.     

上海辰山植物园植物收集的现状和展望

上海辰山植物园于2005年开始筹建,与此同时启动了的植物收集工作。本文就辰山植物园基本情况、植物收集中长远规划、进展及技术策略进行了论述。活植物收集和标本收集是辰山植物园植物收集工作的两个方面。活植物收集包括以华东植物区系植物为主的物种收集和以上海适生的观赏植物为主的园艺品种收集,如鸢尾属、绣球属、荚蒾属、锦带属和绣线菊属的观赏园艺品种。截止到2010年,辰山植物园共收集了9000种和园艺品种。其中,华东植物区系物种有1700种,来自世界范围专业苗圃的园艺品种有2800个,另有4500种和品种是种植于温室的热带和亚热带植物。目前共收集了近10000份标本,多数为研究和活植物收集的凭证标本,全部存放于上海辰山植物园标本馆（CSH）。     

Collecting collections: building the library of The New York Botanical Garden

The history of the collections in the Library of The New York Botanical Garden includes the acquisition of previously accumulated collections as well as individual items acquired in the normal course of collection development. Particularly during the first 50 years of the institution, collections of library materials were acquired along with herbaria specimens, and, occasionally, collections of living plants, assembled by an individual as part of his or her personal research interests. While curatorial practice dictates that such an assemblage of research materials be separated when shifted from individual to institutional curatorship, the knowledge of the whole of the collection as received may fill in the background pattern of institutional collection development. A chronological table of these collections is appended, including reference to any extended discussion or listing.     

上海辰山植物园植物收集的现状和展望

上海辰山植物园于2005年开始筹建,与此同时启动了的植物收集工作。本文就辰山植物园基本情况、植物收集中长远规划、进展及技术策略进行了论述。活植物收集和标本收集是辰山植物园植物收集工作的两个方面。活植物收集包括以华东植物区系植物为主的物种收集和以上海适生的观赏植物为主的园艺品种收集,如鸢尾属、绣球属、荚蓬属、锦带属和绣线菊属的舭赏园艺品种。截止到2010年,辰山植物园共收集了9000种和园艺品种。其中,华东植物区系物种有1700种,来自世界范围专业苗圃的园艺品种有2800个,另有4500种和品种是种植于温室的热带和亚热带植物。目前共收集了近10000份标本,多数为研究和活植物收集的凭证标本,全部存放于上海辰山植物园标本馆（CSH）。     

Action Spectrum in Ultraviolet and Blue Light Region for the Inhibition of Red-Light-Induced Spore Germination in Adiantum capillus-veneris L.

The action spectrum for the inhibition of red-light-inducedgermination of spores in the fern Adiantum capillus-veneriswas determined between 250 and 500 nm using the Okazaki largespectrograph. When monochromatic lights were given after red-lightirradiation, two prominent peaks for inhibition of spore germinationwere observed at 275 and 440 nm and a minor peak at ca. 390nm. ² Permanent address: Department of Botany, Faculty of Science,University of Tokyo, Hongo, Tokyo 113, Japan.     

Distribution of Asiablatta kyotensis in Korea

Asiablatta kyotensis (Asahina, 1976) is an endemic wood cockroach found in Far Eastern Asia, Korea, and Japan. A. kyotensis is found primarily outdoors in association with decaying wood, but it can also be found inside buildings. Wood cockroaches are not serious pests, but a possibility exists for them being a nuisance when many individuals live in a building.The detailed biology and distribution of A. kyotensis are almost unknown in both Korea and Japan. After a male A. kyotensis was found in a warehouse in Seoul, which is further north than previously reported in Korea, authors investigated A. kyotensis specimens from three Korean organizations (the National Institute of Biological Resources, Seoul National University, and Kangwon National University) and one Japanese organization (Kyushu University). All specimens found through the investigation were discovered in the western and southern areas of Korea, where the annual mean temperature ranges from 12 to 14 °C and are in warm temperate or subtropical climate zones. A. kyotensis populations in Korea live in warm temperate and subtropical regions and their geographic distribution in Korea is related with temperature conditions.     

JOHN BRADBY BLAKE AND JAMES KERR: HYBRID BOTANICAL ART,CANTON AND BENGAL,c. 1770

The collection of botanical paintings commissioned by John Bradby Blake (1745–1773) from a Chinese artist in Canton c. 1770, is one of the star items in the outstanding collection of botanical books and paintings assembled by Rachel Lambert Mellon and now housed in the library of the Oak Spring Garden Foundation. A remarkably similar collection, commissioned from several Indian artists by Dr. James Kerr (1737–1782) in Bengal and Bihar, is now scattered among the collections of the Natural History Museum London, the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh and the New York Botanical Garden. Discussion of the Blake and Kerr collections is preceded by some introductory background to the creation of such art – its hybrid nature, its role in the visual documentation of useful plants in European, Asian and colonial contexts, and the botanical and artistic networks in which the two collections were created.     

Anatomical and physiological aspects of developmental processes of adventitious root formation in Azukia cuttings

In Azukia stem cuttings, root primordia always appeared in theinterfascicular regions between the endodermis and the interfascicularcambium. Transverse cell divisions were observed as the first eventsin the process of root formation. They began to occur 10 hrafter cuttings had been made and were restricted to the interfascicularregions about 1 mm above the basal cut end of the cutting. Ineach of interfascicular region, 10 to 20 cells divided. Transversedivisions were followed by longitudinal divisions, which beganto occur 18 hr after cuttings had been made. The early process of root primordium formation is distinguishedby the following three phases: the first phase during whichno cell division occurs (0–8 hr), the second phase duringwhich transverse cell divisions occur (8–16 hr) and thethird phase during which longitudinal divisions occur (16–24hr). Cuttings in each phase responded differently to test substances. ¹Supported in part by Grant No. 139011 from the Ministry ofEducation, Japan. ² Present address: Junior College of Toyo University, Hakusan,Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 112, Japan. (Received October 24, 1977; )     

Importance of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Rhus verniciflua</Emphasis> Stokes (lacquer tree) in prehistoric periods in Japan,deduced from identification of its fossil woods

In Japan, lacquered artifacts and remains of lacquer processing became common items in the early Jomon period beginning at ca. 6300 b.p. (ca. 5300 cal b.c.). However, there was no archaeobotanical evidence that Rhus verniciflua (lacquer tree), which is thought to be a prehistoric introduction from China on botanical grounds, grew in Japan until its distinction in wood structure from those of native Rhus species was clarified in 2004. Based on this new refinement in identification, 573 Rhus fossil woods so far reported from various archaeological sites in Japan were re-identified. The results showed that R. verniciflua commonly grew in middle to northern Honshu since the early Jomon period and that it may have been introduced from China with other cultivated plants before that time. During the Jomon period, R. verniciflua trees were used not just for lacquer collection, but also for building in the lowland which exploited their durability in waterlogged conditions.