Zur Morphologie und Entwicklungsgeschichte vonEunotia-Arten (Bacillariophyceae)

After allogamous pairingEunotia tenella produces in each partner cell one gamete containing the two chromatophores of the mother cell and one abortive protoplast without chromatophores. This distribution results from a differential cytokinesis which exhibits the same constant orientation in regard to the epi- resp. hypotheka as in other species ofEunotia. Moreover inEu. tenella andEu. spec. the significant right hand—left hand dissymmetry during the growth of the daughter chromatophores in vegetative cytokinesis is the same as in other species. Both phenomena are significant for the genus and unique. In connection with the diminution of cell size in vegetative divisions the bending of the valvae increases to a certain degree.

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Zur Morphologie und Entwicklungsgeschichte vonEunotia-Arten (Bacillariophyceae)

     

Diatoms of Dindifelou fall (upper Basin of the Gambia River,Senegal): floristic inventory

The Dindifelou fall, located in south‐eastern Senegal, receives its water from discharging springs located in Dande plate‐land. These waters form, at the foot of the cliff, a pond that drains into the Thiokoye, a tributary of the Gambia River. The water quality of the pond and the stream is very good based on physicochemical analyses. Around the pond region, a microclimate characterized by a higher humidity and a lower temperature compared with the surrounding area is present. Diatoms study is carried out in different habitat types associated with this fall. The samples were taken by scraping the surface of rocks and rinsing fern leaves with sparkling water. Dande plate‐land is made of Upper Proterozoic sandstones whose gravity accumulations litter the bottom of the pond and the stream. This study allowed us to inventory 61 species and varieties of diatoms belonging to 28 genera. The most represented genera are Achnanthidium (ten species), Eunotia and Pinnularia (eight species each). Twelve species and varieties are reported for the first time in Senegambia including five of the genera Achnanthidium. The microflora is dominated by Achnantidium minutissimum and Achnanthidium catenatum, followed by Ulnaria ulna and various species of the genera Eunotia and Brachysira. Aerial habitats are more diversified here than the epilithic samples.     

Bewegungs- und Teilungsverhalten der Chromatophoren vonEunotia pectinalis var.polyplastidica und andererEunotia-Arten bei der Zellteilung

Summary The correlation between the start of chromatophore division and cell division is very different in various species ofEunotia. In some species the chromatophore division occurs before, in others after cell division. Eunotia pectinalis var.polyplastidica, with eight chromatophores per cell, represents an extreme type of behaviour in so far as two of the four plastids in each daughter cell prior to their division are shifted to the new hypovalve while the other two rest in situ. There occur two patterns of distribution of the four plastids, and that in the ratio 11, whereas the theoretically possible third pattern is never realized. The cause of that phenomenon is discussed. The division of the four plastids, in the meantime grown to full size, is performed not before they have reached their definitive equilibrium position at the epivalve or, respectively, at the hypovalve in twos. InEunotia pectinalis var.polyplastidica, by its mode of chromatophore division, the constant dissymmetric (right-left-handed) arrangement of the growing chromatophores, established inEunotia arcus, is not to be expected and is in fact not realized. InEunotia lunaris, however, the shift of the daughter chromatophores, in relation to the dorsiventrality of the cell, shows not only the same kind of dissymmetry as inEunotia arcus but also the same direction of shifting.The four and four chromatophores inEunotia pectinalis var.polyplastidica correspond to the two chromatophore plates in other species but the are not comparable with the numerous little chromatophore discs of Diatomaceae and other species the number of which decreases with the reduction of cell size.Cells ofEunotia pectinalis var.polyplastidica are capable to move by raphe action.

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Herrn Dr.Franz Berger zum 70. Geburtstag gewidmet.     

MATING SYSTEM,SEXUAL REPRODUCTION,AND AUXOSPORULATION IN THE ANOMALOUS RAPHID DIATOM EUNOTIA (BACILLARIOPHYTA)1

The diatom genus Eunotia is unusual among raphid diatoms in having a raphe system consisting of two short slits that are not integrated into the primary pattern center. This and other characteristics, particularly the presence of rimoportulae, are consistent with the hypothesis that Eunotia is a basal lineage within the raphid group. We studied auxosporulation in E. bilunaris (Ehrenberg) Mills and E. tropica Hustedt for comparison with other raphid pennate diatoms and with araphid pennates; E. bilunaris was studied in parental and F1 generations. Like araphid pennates, E. bilunaris and E. tropica are heterothallic. Clones of the same mating type did not interact sexually, and intraclonal sexual reproduction was absent or very rare. Clones retained the same sex throughout the life cycle, as shown by experiments using abrupt size reduction to produce clones of similar age but different size and using subclones derived from a single initial cell within six mitotic generations. Unlike in araphid pennate diatoms, in the Eunotia species the gametes are not visibly or behaviorally differentiated. Gametogenesis is merogenous, because the gametangium formed a supernumerary cell as well as a single gametic cell, both undergoing meiosis II to form a surviving functional nucleus and a nucleus that quickly degenerated. Plasmogamy is via papillae that grew out toward each other from the ends of the gametangia to create a copulation canal. After plasmogamy, the gametes moves bodily into the copulation canal, producing an elongate zygote, which expands to form a curved sausage‐like auxospore.     

Eunotia amazonica sp. nov. (Bacillariophyta), a common stalk-forming species from the Rio Negro basin (Brazilian Amazon)

A new stalk-forming diatom was observed at high relative abundances on periphytic samples collected in the Rio Negro hydrographic basin (Brazilian Amazon) and is here described using light and scanning electron microscopy. We also present ecological preferences of the new species. Eunotia amazonica sp. nov. co-dominated periphytic samples collected during the rainy seasons of 2013 and 2014 near the city of Manaus (Amazonas, Brazil). The main diagnostic feature of the new species is the stalk-forming growth form (‘Cymbella-like’) illustrated here for the first time in the genus Eunotia Ehrenberg. Previous reports on growth forms in common European databases for this genus included colonial (‘ribbon-like’) but also ‘mobile’, ‘fixed by pads’ or ‘without structures of fixation’. We demonstrated that the three dominant Eunotia species in periphytic samples from the Rio Negro all exhibited distinct ‘growth forms’ or habits: Eunotia amazonica sp. nov. (stalked), Eunotia intricans Metzeltin & Lange-Bertalot (ribbon-like) and Eunotia rabenhorstiana (Grunow) Hustedt (branched-arborescent). The high diversity of species, many of which are unknown to science, as well as the poorly known life-forms and habits of the Eunotiaceae in the region, partially prevent the use of metrics based on life-form to assess ecological changes. Generic assumptions based on robust statistical methods may obscure reality and lead to biased conclusions of diatom community changes in poorly explored regions such as Neotropical freshwater rivers, where the Eunotiaceae are largely dominant, particularly in the Amazon basin.     

Diatoms and water quality in lowland streams in the province of northern Brabant (The Netherlands)

Summary The diatoms of two Dutch lowland streams were studied. The stream Beerze is heavily polluted by the effluent of a sewage treatment plant, causing a change in the pH from less than 4 to more than 6. The acidobiontic diatomEunotia exigua is replaced by more alkaline and eutraphentic species such asGomphonema parvulum, Cyclotelia meneghiniana andFragilaria capucina. The Simpson diversity index rises from 0.2 in the upper course to 0.9 in the middle course and maintains this level in the lower course.From stream Rosep samples of 1919–1930 and recent ones were studied. This stream is polluted now by agriculture. In the earlier samples oligo-mesotraphentic species dominated (Eunotia spp.,Melosira distans). In 1976 the species of organically polluted waters were most abundant. The oligo-mesotraphentic species were hardly recovered.In spite of the severe pollution the number of rare species in both streams is still high, compared with that in stagnant waters. Only in mesotrophic moorland pools and mesotrophic quivering bogs, which are situated in trophic gradients just like both streams, a comparable number of rare species may be found.     

Pioneer trees in Amazonian floodplains: Three key species form monospecific stands in different habitats

Three pioneer tree species —Salix humboldtiana, Cecropia latiloba, Senna reticulata — form monospecific stands in the Central Amazonian white-water flood plain. In contrast toterra firma forests where species composition is unpredictable even for pioneer species, in Central Amazonianvárzea the occurrence of the main colonizing species seems to be predictable. This predictability is linked to characteristic habitat conditions and the low number of pioneer species. This preference for different habitats is reflected by different germination and early growth, by the structural and physiological characteristics, as well as by the reproductive and morphological adaptations of the three main species. The germination rate was above 90% in all species, and the duration until germination ranged between one day inSalix and 14 days inCecropia. Stem elongation was more than 10 cm per month inSalix andCecropia, and about 50 cm per month inSenna. Wood specific gravity ranged from 0.33 g cm⁻³ inCecropia to 0.45 g cm⁻³ inSenna. The annual wood increment increased by 1.20 (Cecropia), 1.23 (Salix) to 2.14 cm per year (Senna). All species produced adventitious roots, lenticels and/or stem hypertrophy. Leaf photosynthesis was between 17 and 20 μmol m⁻²s⁻¹, and reached a maximum of 30 μmol m⁻²s⁻¹ inSenna. Flowering and fruiting inSalix occurred throughout the year, whereas inCecropia andSenna they were concentrated in the flooded period.Salix humboldtiana occurs mainly at low sites subjected to long periods of inundation and high sedimentation rates. OnceSalix has formed dense forest stands, sedimentation and water currents are reduced at these sites andCecropia latiloba may take over. This species grows on low to middle elevations in the flooding gradient at sites with lower current and sedimentation rates.Senna reticulata does not tolerate submergence and colonizes habitats that may have strong currents and high sedimentation on higher levels in the flooding gradient.     

Detailed characterization of the peptide binding specificity of five common Patr class I MHC molecules

The chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) is an important model for studying the immune response to several human pathogens, but the study of correlates of immunity has been hindered by the fact that little is known about the epitope-binding specificity of chimpanzee (Patr) class I MHC. In the present study we have characterized the peptide binding specificity of several common Patr class I molecules. Using single amino acid substitution analogs and large peptide libraries, quantitative peptide binding motifs have been derived for Patr A*0101, A*0701, A*0901, B*0101, and B*2401. Each molecule was found to bind peptides using position 2 and the C terminus as main anchor contacts. On the other hand, each Patr molecule is associated with a unique binding specificity, and the range of specificities is similar to that seen amongst HLA alleles. A high degree of cross-reactivity was noted between Patr A*0701 and Patr A*0901, suggesting the existence of a Patr-specific supertype. Consistent with previous studies suggesting that some cross-reactivity may exist between HLA and Patr alleles, Patr A*0901 was found to have an appreciable degree of cross-reactivity with molecules of the HLA A24-supertype. Finally, utilizing motif scans and peptide binding and intracellular cytokine staining assays, 77 hepatitis B virus (HBV)-derived epitopes were identified in five chimpanzees that were recently convalescent from acute HBV infection. Because the Patr alleles studied herein were found to be very common in two different chimpanzee populations, the present data should facilitate the use of chimpanzees for immunological studies.Electronic Supplementary Material Supplementary material is available for this article at and is accessible for authorized users.     

Allelic diversity at the primateMhc-G locus: Exon 3 bears stop codons in allCercophitecinae sequences

Twenty-seven major histocompatibility complex (Mhc)-G exon 2, exon 3, and exon 2 and 3 allelic sequences were obtained together with 12 different intron 2 sequences.Homo sapiens, Pan troglodytes, Pan paniscus, Gorilla gorilla, Pongo pygmaeus, Macaca fascicularis, Macaca mulatta, andCercopithecus aethiops individuals were studied. Polymorphism does not follow the classical pattern of three hypervariable regions per domain and is found in all species studied; exon 3 (equivalent to the 2 protein domain) shows stop codons in theCercopithecinae group but not in thePongidae and human groups. Dendrograms show that cotton top tamarin (Saguinus oedipus) Mhc-G sequences are closer toHomo sapiens andPongidae than toCercopithecinae, probably due to the stop codons existing at exon 3 of the latter. There is a clear trans-species evolution of allelism inCercopithecinae and also in exon 2 of all the other apes studied, but a generation of allelism within each species may be present on exon 3 sequences. This discrepancy may be due to the preferential use of exon 2 over exon 3 at the mRNA splicing level within each species in order to obtain the appropriate functional G product.Mhc-G intron 2 shows conserved motifs in all species studied, particularly a 23 base pair deletion between positions 161 and 183 which is locus specific, and some of the invariant residues, important for peptide presentation, conserved in classical class 1 molecules from fish and reptiles to humans were not found inMhc-G alleles; the intron 2 Dendrogram also shows a particular pattern of allelism within each species. In summary,Mhc-G has substantial differences from other classical class I genes: polymorphism patterns, tissue distribution, gene structure, splicing variability, and probably an allelism variability within each species at exon 3. The G proteins may also be different. This indicates that theMhc-G function may not be peptide presentation to the clonotypic T-cell receptor.The nucleotide sequence data reported in this paper have been submitted to the GenBank nucleotide sequence data base and have been assigned the accession numbers L41362 (HLA-G*01012), L41363 (HLA-G*01013), U33307 (intron 2HLA-G sequence from BeWo cell line), L48999 (Patr-Mhc-G*I), U33291 [Patr Mhc-G*II(3)], L49003 (intron 2Patr Mhc-G*I sequence), L48998 (Gogo Mhc-G*I), L49002 (intron 2Gogo Mhc-G*I sequence), L49000 (Popy Mhc-G*I), L49001 (Popy Mhc-G*II), L49004 (intron 2Popy Mhc-G*I sequence), L49005 (intron 2Popy Mhc-G*II sequence), U33312 (Mafa Mhc-G*I), U33301 (Mafa Mhc-G*II), U33302 (Mafa Mhc-G*III), U33303 (Mafa Mhc-G*IV), L41257 [Mafa Mhc-G*V(3)], L41259 [Mafa Mhc-G*VI(3)], L41260 [Mafa Mhc-G*VII(3)], U33296 (intron 2Mafa Mhc-G*I/*II/*III sequence), U33297 (intron 2Mafa Mhc-G*IV sequence), U33304 (Mamu Mhc-G*I), U33305 (Mamu Mhc-G*II), U33306 (Mamu Mhc-G*III), U33295 (Mamu Mhc-G*IV), L41263 [Mamu Mhc-G*V(3)], L41261 [Mamu Mhc-G*VI(3)], L41264 [Mamu Mhc-G*VII(3)], U33298 (intron 2Mamu Mhc-G*I/III sequence), U33299 (intron 2Mamu Mhc-G*II sequence), U33300 (intron 2Mamu Mhc-G*IV sequence), U33310 (Ceae Mhc-G*I), U33311 (Ceae Mhc-G*II), U33308 (intron 2Ceae Mhc-G*I sequence), and U33309 (intron 2Ceae Mhc-G*II)The contribution by M.J. Castro and P. Morales is equal and the order of authorship is arbitrary     

DIATOMS LIVING INSIDE THE THALLUS OF THE GREEN ALGAL LICHEN COENOGONIUM LINKII IN NEOTROPICAL LOWLAND RAIN FORESTS1

Coenogonium linkii Ehrenb. is a very common filamentous lichen, growing on stems, hanging roots, and lianas in the understory of neotropical lowland rain forests. We investigated several thalli of this species from locations in Panama and French Guiana. All thalli were inhabited by various species of terrestrial diatoms, which were found between the thallus filaments on extracellular material of the mycobiont. We identified 18 species of diatoms belonging to nine genera: Diadesmis, Eunotia, Hantzschia, Luticola, Melosira, Nitzschia, Orthoseira, Pinnularia, and Stauroneis. The potential benefits both diatoms and lichens could derive from symbiosis in relation to water, irradiance, and nitrogen availability are discussed.     

Subfossil diatoms from Hann Park pond,Dakar, Senegal: floristic inventory and palaeoenvironmental reconstruction

Diatoms in a 100 cm-long core from a pond in Hann Forest Park, western Senegal, were studied with the aim of reconstituting this interdune depression’s history, particularly the human influence, during the last century. Sixty-three species and varieties of diatoms belonging to 32 genera were identified, of which twelve are reported for the first time in Senegambia. The genera most represented were Nitzschia (10 species), Eunotia (9 species) and Pinnularia (6 species). The microflora was characterised by a dominance of epipelic, epiphytic and aerophilic species. Diatom assemblage analyses, combined with lithological core data, showed that the pond has remained very shallow throughout its evolution. The disappearance of acidophilic species and the development of mesosaprobes and mesoeutrophic alkaliphilic species in the upper part of the core can be attributed to organic pollution caused by human activities, which resulted in eutrophication of the pond waters since the beginning of the 20th century.     

Genetic variability in two hydrophilous species ofPotamogeton,P. pectinatus andP. filiformis (Potamogetonaceae)

Genetic variability inPotamogeton pectinatus andP. filiformis was studied by means of isozymes. The overall levels of variability were similar to some other well studied hydrophilous species, and were shown to be distributed more between than within populations. This partitioning of variability was attributed to three main factors. (1) Clonal growth (as measured by the frequency of multi-enzyme phenotypes) was shown to be a major factor in both species, although more important inP. pectinatus. (2) Low levels of sexual reproduction were shown to be a likely contributor to the partitioning of variability inP. pectinatus; such reproduction is probably limited by seedling recruitment rather than by infrequent flowering. (3) Geographical isolation was indicated as a factor regulating gene flow at distances of more than about 1000 km in both species, with the data suggesting that dispersal between populations is mainly by seed rather than by vegetative means.     

Genotypic diversity and differentiation among populations of two benthic freshwater diatoms as revealed by microsatellites

Given their large population sizes and presumed high dispersal capacity, protists are expected to exhibit homogeneous population structure over large spatial scales. On the other hand, the fragmented and short‐lived nature of the lentic freshwater habitats that many protists inhabit promotes strong population differentiation. We used microsatellites in two benthic freshwater diatoms, Eunotia bilunaris ‘robust’ and Sellaphora capitata, sampled from within a pond and connected ponds, through isolated ponds from the same region to western Europe to determine the spatial scale at which differentiation appears. Because periods of low genotypic diversity contribute to population differentiation, we also assessed genotypic diversity. While genotypic diversity was very high to maximal in most samples of both species, some had a markedly lower diversity, with up to half (Eunotia) and over 90% (Sellaphora) of the strains having the same multilocus genotype. Population differentiation showed an isolation‐by‐distance pattern with very low standardized F_ST values between samples from the same or connected ponds but high values between isolated ponds, even when situated in the same region. Partial rbcL sequences in Eunotia were consistent with this pattern as isolated ponds in the same region could differ widely in haplotype composition. Populations identified by Structure corresponded to the source ponds, confirming that ‘pond’ is the main factor structuring these populations. We conclude that freshwater benthic diatom populations are highly fragmented on a regional scale, reflecting either less dispersal than is often assumed or reduced establishment success of immigrants, so that dispersal does not translate into gene flow.     

Temporal variation in pollinarium size after its removal in species of Bulbophyllum: A different mechanism preventing self-pollination in Orchidaceae

InBulbophyllum involutum andB. ipanemense (Orchidaceae), two closely related species, shortly after removal the pollinarium has a diameter of approximately twice that of the entrance of the stigmatic cavity, requiring a mean time of 105 to 135 minutes to shrink in width and allow pollination. Because the pollinators of these species remain for some minutes in the same flower after removing the pollinia this mechanism, previously unknown inOrchidaceae, may be very important in preventing self-pollination. This mechanism does not occur inB. weddellii, and the pollinator does not remain in the flower after removing the pollinia. The smaller diameter of the stigmatic cavity inB. involutum reduces by 50% the chances of interspecific pollination withB. weddellii, and interspecific crossing is strictly unidirectional. This is important in maintaining isolation between these sympatric species, which share the same pollinators and have synchronized flowering.     

Hyphomorpha als Phycobiont in Flechten

Hyphomorpha, a genus of theStigonematales, is confirmed to be a phycobiont in twoSpilonema species (Coccocarpiaceae). The morphology of the symbiotic algae inSpilonema dendroides andS. schmidtii is described. The phycobiont inS. dendroides is possiblyHyphomorpha antillarum, the alga inS. schmidtii might be a species related toH. perrieri. New localities for the rare lichens are reported: Alaska forS. dendroides and Ceylon forS. schmidtii.

     

Distribution and Morphology of Diatoms in High Altitude Streams on Kauai (Hawaii)

Diatom samples collected from Kawaikoi Stream differ in species composition and relative abundance from those in Kokee Stream. Kuwaikoi collects drainage from the Alakai Swamp, which developed on a 1200–1500 m elevation ridge of Mt. Waialeale extending at a right angle to the NE winds. Kokee lies about 2000 m further west at about 1100 m elevation. Frustulia and Eunotia species characteristic of low conductivity waters predominate. Greater diversity of Achnanthes, Navicula, Pinnularia and Surirella taxa occurs in the somewhat more conductive waters of Kokee. The morphological species observed bear a close, but not exact, resemblance to mainland taxa described in the literature. Morphological variations are documented using light and scanning electron microscopy.     

Beiträge zur Systematischen Anatomie derAnthemideae: Die Spaltöffnungsapparate

The subdivision of theAnthemideae into two subtribes purely on the grounds of the presence or absence of receptacular paleae can no longer be maintained. Anatomical data may serve as a basis for a more adequate division of the tribe. This survey of the stomatal apparatus types within theAnthemideae is based on the investigation of 29 species from 15 genera and the evaluation of literature data: Anomocytic stomatal apparatus occur in all species examined, anisocytic at least in all genera investigated by us. We even found representatives of some rare types, such as polo-, helico- or hemiparacytic apparatus, in nearly all species. Diacytic types were not found inOtanthus, Artemisia, Tripleurospermum, Tanacetum corymbosum, and they also appear to be lacking inSantolina andEriocephalus. Paracytic stomatal apparatus and a new type which links paracytic with actinocytic and cyclocytic was discovered inOtanthus maritimus andArtemisia stellerana.

     

The chromosomal distribution of the major and minor satellite is not conserved in the genusMus

The cytological distribution of the major and minor satellite first identified inMus musculus was studied in the karyotypes of three related subspecies and two other species of the genusMus. Both the major and minor satellite showed species dependent hybridization patterns. The major satellite is confined to the centromere region inM. musculus and related subspecies. However, inM spretus andM. caroli, the chromosomal arm regions contain this sequence class. In contrast the minor satellite is found at the kinetochore region inM. musculus and related subspecies but is distributed throughout the entire centromeric domain inM. spretus and appears to be excluded from the chromosomes ofM. caroli. There is an apparent correlation between the chromosomal location of these satellites and their phylogenetic relationship. Determination of the biological roles of the major and minor satellites fromM. musculus must take into account their differential chromosomal distribution in otherMus species.     

Quantitative nuclear DNA changes inEleusine (Gramineae)

2C nuclear DNA amounts were determined in 30 collections belonging to 10 species ofEleusine. About a 2.5-fold variation in genome size is evident in the genus. The 2C DNA amount in the diploid species ranged from 2.50 pg inE. verticillata to 3.35 pg inE. intermedia. In contrast, the tetraploid species showed a range from 4.95 pg inE. africana to 6.13 pg inE. floccifolia. At intraspecific level 10 collections ofE. coracana, 6 ofE. indica, 4 ofE. africana, 2 ofE. tristachya, and 2 ofE. kigeziensis did not show any significant variation. However, 2 collections ofE. floccifolia, connected with polyploidy, displayed about 90% variation. Polyploid species showed approximately double the genome size of that of their corresponding diploids. An evolutionary increase in DNA amount is evident inE. coracana during the course of its origin and domestication fromE. africana.     

Ecological wood anatomy of NepaleseRhododendron (Ericaceae). 2. Intraspecific variation

The intraspecific relationship of selected wood anatomical characters with stem diameter, plant height, and altitude was investigated in four NepaleseRhododendron species:R. anthopogon, R. lepidotum, R. campanulatum, andR. arboreum, i.e., two shrubs, one subtree, and one tree. We studied 23 to 27 specimens for each species.R. anthopogon grew from 3,380 to 4,950 m,R. lepidotum from 2,060 to 4,720 m,R. campanulatum from 2,790 to 4,140 m, andR. arboreum from 1,430 to 3,460 m. Multiple regression analysis and actual distribution of character values show that the wood anatomical characters having a significant correlation with non-anatomical factors differ between species. The number of significant characters are two inR. anthopogon andR. campanulatum, five inR. lepidotum, and nine inR. arboreum and tends to be small in species having smaller altitudinal ranges. Average pore area, most strongly correlated with non-anatomical factors in interspecific variation, is significantly correlated only inR. lepidotum andR. arboreum. The general trends in intraspecific variation among four NepaleseRhododendron species differ from the trends found in interspecific variation within the genus and are characteristic of each species.