Depression of legume growth by liming

Summary Early growth or nodulation of certain species was depressed when a Hawaiian Oxisol was limed at rates above 6 tons/ha (pH 6). In 8 legumes, the depression later gave way to positive response. This was evident in plant weights of Desmodium intortum and Glycine wightii var. Cooper, and in pod weights of Phaseolus vulgaris. A transient depression was observed visually in Desmodium canum, Dolichos axillaris, Glycine wightii var. Tinaroo, and Trifolium subterraneum. In Stylosanthes guyanensis and S. fruticosa, the depression persisted throughout the experiment (6 months). Growth was not depressed in Arachis hypogea, Coronilla varia, Glycine max, Leucaena leucocephala, Medicago sativa, Trifolium repens, or Vigna sinensis. Journal Series No. 1953 of the Hawaii Agr. Exp. Station Journal Series No. 1953 of the Hawaii Agr. Exp. Station     

Phylogeny of the Pyretophorus Series of Anopheles subgenus Cellia (Diptera: Culicidae)

A cladistic analysis based on morphological characters is presented for the Pyretophorus Series of subgenus Cellia of Anopheles. The cibarial armature was investigated for the first time since the pioneering work of Christophers (1933) , which is still used to define taxonomic series within Cellia, and for the first time ever using scanning electron microscopy. Christophers’ observations of characters of the cibarial armature were corroborated and several novel characters discovered. Despite difficulties in delimiting and encoding morphological characters at the species level, the analysis provided insights into relationships within the Pyretophorus Series. The data support the monophyly of the Series and establish the Oriental species as a monophyletic group. The Afrotropical species are basal and paraphyletic relative to the Oriental species, with Anopheles christyi placed in the most basal position. The pattern of relationships suggests that the capacity to transmit malaria is an ancestral condition subsequently lost independently in several lineages.     

Streptomyces thermonitrificans sp.n., a thermophilic streptomycete

A new species of thermophilicStreptomyces has been isolated from a soil sample collected in Bombay. Its morphological characteristics and physiological behaviour have been studied in detail. It has thus been found to belong to Series XVI-Thermophilus of Waksman's scheme of classification (1961). Its similarity to and differences from a few known species are described. It has been designated asStreptomyces thermonitrificans.     

A NEW TITANOSAUR FROM WESTERN SÃO PAULO STATE, UPPER CRETACEOUS BAURU GROUP, SOUTH-EAST BRAZIL

Abstract: Material from a new titanosaur from the Bauru Basin (Bauru Group), Brazil is described and compared with well‐known titanosaurs. Adamantisaurus mezzalirai gen. et sp. nov. is based on six articulated anterior caudal vertebrae and two haemapophyses collected from the Adamantina Formation, which is considered to be Campanian–Maastrichtian? in age. Adamantisaurus mezzalirai is characterized by the following combination of characteristics: anterior caudal vertebrae with straight or slightly backwardly‐projecting neural spines with strongly expanded distal ends, stout prespinal lamina, very wide pre‐ and postzygapophyseal articular facets, and concave postzygapophyseal articular facets on anterior caudal vertebrae. Although our cladistic analysis has produced equivocal results, Adamantisaurus mezzalirai shares with DGM ‘Series B’ (Peirópolis titanosaur) and Aeolosaurus the presence of postzygapophyses with concave articular facets, and shares with DGM ‘Series B’ the presence of laterally expanded neural spines and stout prespinal lamina. Additionally, A. mezzalirai shares with DGM ‘Series’ C (other titanosaur from Peirópolis) the presence of short neural spines.     

EMBRYO AND ORGAN CULTURES OF THE HORSESHOE CRAB,TACHYPLEUS TRIDENTATUS*

This paper deals with some preliminary technical experiments on cultures of the embryos and organs of Tachypleus tridentatus. In embryo culture, using the embryos at various stages of development, embryonic areas with hardly any yolk remaining in them were cultured in various media and by various methods (Series A); hemispheres of embryos containing the embryonic area (Series B) and whole embryos without egg membranes (Series C) were cultured in sterilized sea water. The suitability of the culture media and methods is described; the medium containing calf serum or 199, and the hanging-drop method were found to be the most appropriate of those used in respective series of experiments. The changes in external and internal structures of the explants from embryos at various developmental stages cultured in various media and by various methods are described; dorsal closure, secretion of inner egg membrane, thickening of the cell layer and the elongation of limb buds were all observed in the Series A experiments. In Series B and C, coelom formation and also normal development of the embryos cultured after the 2nd embryonic moulting were observed. In organ culture, fragments of the embryonic heart were cultured in various media and by various methods. The hanging-drop method resulted in longer survival than the method using agar media.     

Moniligerum blairi n. g., n. sp. and Nudacotyle undicola n. sp. (Trematoda: Digenea) from the West Indian Manatee,Trichechus manatus L.

Moniligerum n. g. is erected for Moniligerum blairi n. sp. (Opisthotrematidae) and Nudacotyle undicola n. sp. (Nudacotylidae) is described, both from the small intestine of Trichechus manatus L. from Martin County, Florida. The new genus is placed in the family Opisthotrematidae Poche, 1926, subfamily Lankatrematinae Yamaguti, 1958. Moniligerum differs from other genera in the subfamily (Lankatrema Crusz & Fernand, 1954, and Lankatrematoides Blair, 1981) by the possession of an anterior collar and in the form of the ovary (compact and not transversely elongated) and vitellarium (single median lobed mass). Nudacotyle undicola differs from N. valdevaginatus, the most similar species, in body size, the length of the caeca, the shape of the vitellarium and the position of the genital pore, cirrus pouch and ovary.Supported in part by Cooperative Agreement No. 14-16-0008-1204 from the US Department of Interior, Fish and Wildlife Serivice. Florida Agricultural Experimental Stations Journal Series No. 3820.Supported in part by Cooperative Agreement No. 14-16-0008-1204 from the US Department of Interior, Fish and Wildlife Serivice. Florida Agricultural Experimental Stations Journal Series No. 3820.     

A high-precision global biostratigraphy of myodocope ostracods for the Silurian upper Wenlock Series and Ludlow Series

The wide, trans-oceanic geographical distribution of myodocope ostracods during the Silurian (especially during the Ludlow and Pridoli epochs), and their widespread preservation in rocks of that age, permits the establishment of a transcontinental biostratigraphy of comparable resolution to coeval graptolite/chitinozoan/conodont biozones. Seven myodocope biozones, extending from the Homerian Stage, upper Wenlock Series Cyrtograptus lundgreni graptolite biozone to the middle part of the Ludfordian Stage of the Ludlow Series, enable a time-resolution for each biozone of circa 1 million years. These biozones can provide high-resolution correlation across Europe into Arctic Russia and Central Asia. There is also the potential for a myodocope biostratigraphy applicable from the uppermost Silurian (Pridoli) to the Carboniferous.     

Abhängigkeit der Kompetenz des Amphibien-Ektoderms von der Proteinsynthese

Zusammenfassung Isoliertes Gastrula-Ektoderm des Amphibienkeimes wurde nach unterschiedlicher vorhergehender Behandlung mit einer mesodermal/neural induzierenden Rohfraktion (Versuchsreihe I) und einer mesodermal/entodermal induzierenden Fraktion (Versuchsreihe II) behandelt (Sandwich-Methode).In der Kontrollserie (K₀) wurde frühes Gastrula-Ektoderm sofort mit dem Induktor versehen.Die Explantate der Serie K₁ wurden 20 Std (Versuchsreihe I) bzw. 24 Std (Versuchsreihe II) in vitro kultiviert und dann erst mit dem Induktor versehen.In einer dritten Serie wurden die Explantate über 20 bzw. 24 Std mit einem Hemmer der Proteinsynthese (2g/ml Aktidion = Cycloheximid) behandelt und anschließend mit Induktor in normaler Holtfreter-Lösung aufgezogen.Während gealtertes Ektoderm (Serie K₁) seine Reaktionsfähigkeit (Kompetenz) nach 24stündiger in vitro-Kultivierung verliert, weisen die ebensolange mit Aktidion behandelten Explantate keinen Kompetenzverlust auf.

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Relationship between competence and protein synthesis in amphibian ectoderm

Summary Isolated Amphibian gastrula ectoderm was pretreated in different ways and induced with a mesodermal/neural (Series I) or a mesodermal/endodermal (Series II) fraction (sandwich method).In the controls (K₀) the inducer was implanted directly into early gastrula ectoderm. The explants of series K₁ were cultured in vitro for 20 (Series I) or 24 hours, respectively (Series II), and then combinated with the inducer. In series Ak the explants were treated with an inhibitor of protein synthesis (2g/ml Actidion = Cycloheximid) for 20 or 24 hours and then cultured with inducer for 12 days.Ectoderm, cultured for 24 hours in vitro (Series K₁) lost its ability to respond to inducing factor. There is no loss of competence when ectoderm is treated with actidion for the same time and then treated with inducer.

     

Book reviews

Book reviewed in this article: Mani, M. S.: Ecology and Biogeography of High Altitude Insects. Series entomologica. T. R. E. Southwood (Editor): Insect Abundance.     

Edge-corrected Estimators for the Reduced Second Moment Measure of Point Processes

A new edge-corrected estimator is proposed for the second moment cumulative function K(t) introduced by Ripley (1977, Journal of the Royal Statistical Society, Series B 39, 172–212). This new estimator is compared by simulation methods with existing edge-corrected estimators in the context of both K(t) and L(t) functions which are used to study point patterns. The results of the simulation study suggests that the new estimator provides almost unbiased estimates of K(t) and L(t) and has a smaller mean squared error than its predecessors.     

The North China Steptoean positive carbon isotope excursion and its global correlation with the base of the Paibian Stage (early Furongian Series), Cambrian

The use of carbon isotope excursion in Cambrian stratigraphical correlation is a standard practice at both the intercontinental and intracontinental scales. The Steptoean positive carbon isotope excursion (SPICE) is one of the prime examples in this regard in correlating the base of the Paibian Stage and Furongian Series. A lack of definite SPICE evidence in the North China craton has been a challenge in precision correlation between North China and other palaeo‐continents. This study provides new carbonates carbon isotope data from the type locality of the Changshan Formation in Hebei Province, North China. Our new δ13C_carb data provide new objective evidence for the presence of the SPICE in North China. The sampling section is relatively condensed, and the interval of the SPICE curve is less than one and half‐metres after analysing 64 samples (the sampling interval within the SPICE is less than 10 cm). The onset of the SPICE curve in Tangshan, Hebei, occurs in the barren interval between the Neodrepanura and Chuangia trilobite zones. Based on this study and previous work, this could imply the middle part of the Prochuangia‐Paracoosia trilobite Zone in North China and can be correlated with the base of the Paibian Stage and Furongian Series.     

新起点，新态势 —— 《中国科学：生命科学》2010年述评

The year 2010 marks the sixtieth anniversary for the publication of Science in China series journals,and meanwhile the Science in China Series C: Life Sciences took a new name as Science China Life Sciences(SCLS in short).Simultaneously,it has been reformed to make a new start for this journal in its long history.The journal has appeared with a new face to the readers and authors in both the novel publishing style and the highly qualified articles.An extensive review was given to the journal’s specific progress in the year 2010 by highlighting some of the representative publications.     

Lack of specific binding of labeledRhizobium japonicum lipopolysaccharides to wild soybean (Glycine soja) roots

Summary Lipopolysaccharides (LPS) were extracted from two strains ofRhizobium japonicum (61A76NS and 3I1b110-I). The extracted LPS was purified by gel filtration column chromatography and the amount of 2-keto-3-deoxyoctonate (KDO) was determined. Column purified LPS from both strains were conjugated to rhodamine isothiocyanate on celite to examine binding of this purified, labeled surface component to aseptically grownGlycine soja (wild soybean) seedlings as a basis for symbiotic specificity using fluorescent microscopy. Rhodamine conjugated LPS from both strains ofRhizobium japonicum did not exhibit specific binding to wild soybean seedling roots.Paper no. 8130 of the Journal Series of the North Carolina Agricultural Research Service, Raleigh, NC 27650, USA.     

Science Summaries…

Ricciuti, Edward R. Plants in Danger New York: Harper &; Row, 1979 86 pp. $8.95. Reviewed by Emanuel D. Rudolph.

Dock, George, Jr. Audubon's Birds of America New York: Harry N. Abrams, Inc., 1979 170 pp. $19.95 hardcover, $7.95 paper. Reviewed by Karl L. Trever.

Hogg, Margaret E. Animals in Schools: Vertebrates Exeter, N. H.: Heinemann Educational Books, Inc., 1979 (U.S.) 100 pp. $6.25. Reviewed by Carl Gans.

Busch, Phyllis S. Cactus in the Desert New York: Thomas Y. Crowell Company, 1979 34 pp. $6.95, Reviewed by Emanuel D. Rudolph.

Ricciuti, Edward R. Wildlife of the Mountains (Wildlife Habitat Series) New York: Harry N. Abrams, Inc., 1979 232 pp. $16.95. Reviewed by Vagn Flyger.

Sutton, Ann and Myron Wildlife of the Forests (Wildlife Habitat Series) New York: Harry N. Abrams, Inc., 1979 232 pp. $16.95. Reviewed by Gilbert Wright.

Valenti, Christopher Keeping a Marine Aquarium: A Manual Newark: University of Delaware Sea Grant College Program, 1979 38 pp. $2.50 softcover (bulk discount). Reviewed by Donald J. Nash.

Simon and Schuster Complete Guide to Freshwater and Marine Aquarium Fishes New York: Simon and Schuster, 1977 295 pp., $6.95. Reviewed by Harold W. Puffer.     

Early flowering in Arabidopsis induced by DNA base analogs

Summary Various isogenic lines of Arabidopsis differing in a single factor controlling flower initiation were cultured aseptically on media containing bromodeoxycytidine and bromodeoxyuridine (10^-5 M). The wild type under short-day illumination (8 hours daily) and the late mutant gi ², in both continuous light and under short day, responded with dramatically earlier flower initiation. Another late mutant (ld) failed to respond. The effect of the DNA base analogs was nullified by the corresponding normal deoxyribonucleosides but not by the corresponding normal ribonucleosides.Contribution from the Missouri Agricultural Experiment Station. Journal Series No 4005. Approved by the Director.Supported by National Science Foundation Grant GB-1174.     

Nitrogen fertilizer replacement indexes of legume cover crops in the derived savanna of West Africa

Legume cover crops are a potential means for overcoming N depletion in the derived savanna of West Africa. A 3-year trial was, therefore, conducted near Ibadan, southwestern Nigeria to measure the N contribution of 13 legume cover crops as compared to urea –N, using a N fertilizer replacement index for a maize test crop. Two series of trials involved the following legume cover crop species: Aeschynomene histrix, Centrosema brasilianum, Centrosema pascuorum, Chamaecrista rotundifolia, Cajanus cajan, Crotalaria verrucosa, Crotalaria ochroleuca, Lablab purpureus, Mucuna pruriens, Psophocarpus palustris, Pseudovigna argentea, Pueraria phaseoloides and Stylosanthes hamata. Trials were undertaken using a complete block design. Cover crops were planted in 1994 (Series 1) and 1995 (Series 2) in separate sites and each series was subsequently slashed and planted for one season with maize (Zea mays) in 1995 and 1996. At the 50% flowering stage, N concentration of above-ground vegetation of cover crops ranged from 21 to 38 g N kg^–1. Nitrogen accumulated by 4.5-month old cover crops ranged from 14 to 240 kg N ha^–1, depending on species and year. Cover crops increased grain yield of the subsequent maize crop by 25–136% over the control without N application. Nitrogen uptake by the maize crop was higher following cover crops than after maize or natural grass. The N fertilizer replacement index of cover crops for maize ranged from 11 (A. histrix) to 96 kg N ha^–1 (C. cajan) in Series 2. Perennial (C. brasilianum, S. hamata, C. cajan, P. phaseoloides and C. verrucosa) and annual (C. rotundifolia, M. pruriens, C. ochroleuca and L. purpureus) species could potentially save 50 to 100 kg N ha^–1 for maize crops. The cover crops accumulated more N in the wetter than in the drier year. However, the N fertilizer replacement index was higher for subsequent maize grown in the drier year. The cover crop-N recovery in maize was also higher than the urea-N uptake in the drier year. The N fertilizer replacement indexes can be predicted using the above-ground biomass amount of cover crops at 20 weeks after planting (drier year) or the N concentration at that stage (wetter year).     

Feeding behaviour of a new worm (Priapulida) from the Sirius Passet Lagerstätte (Cambrian Series 2, Stage 3) of North Greenland (Laurentia)

Singuuriqia simoni gen. et sp. nov. represents the first record of a priapulid worm from the Sirius Passet Lagerstätte (Cambrian Series 2, Stage 3) of North Greenland (Laurentia). It is defined by an unusually broad, longitudinally folded, foregut which tapers through the pharynx towards the anterior mouth; posteriorly, the same longitudinal folding is evident in the narrow gut. The slender, smooth, trunk in the unique specimen passes anteriorly into an oval proboscis which culminates in a smooth, extensible, pharynx with pharyngeal teeth. The capacity for substantial expansion of the foregut permitted rapid ingestion of food prior to digestion at leisure. Cololites suggest both carnivorous and deposit feeding behaviour, indicating that Singuuriqia, like the present day Priapulus, was probably omnivorous.     

Reviews

Book reviewed in this article: Chapman , R. F., E. A. Bernays , & J. G. Stoffolano , Jr., eds. (1986): Perspectives in chemoreception and behavior (Geruch, Geschmack und Verhalten). Wilczynski , W., ed. (1986): Common principles in the neuroethology of acoustic and electric communication (Übereinstimmungen in der Neuroethologie akustischer und chemischer Kommunikation). Ganzer , J., J. Schmidtmayer , & H. Laudien (1984): Das Kampfverhalten der Männchen von Betta splendens Regan (Pisces, Belontiidae) — eine etho-physiologische Studie (Fighting in male B. s. — an etho-physiological study). Redfern , P. H., I. C. Campbell , J. A. Davis , & K. F. Martin, eds. (1985): Circadian rhythms in the central nervous system (Circadiane Rhythmen im Zentralnervensystem). Ingold , T. (1986): Evolution and social life (Evolution und menschliche Gesellschaft). Series: Themes in Social Sciences.     

Presence of Anopheles culicifacies B in Cambodia established by the PCR-RFLP assay developed for the identification of Anopheles minimus species A and C and four related species

Abstract A polymerase chain reaction‐restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR‐RFLP) assay developed for identification of five species of the Anopheles minimus Theobald group and a related mosquito species of the Myzomyia Series (Diptera: Culicidae) was applied to morphologically identified adult female specimens collected in Ratanakiri Province, north‐eastern Cambodia. In addition to finding An. aconitus Dönitz, An. minimus species A and An. pampanai Büttiker & Beales, some specimens showed a new restriction banding pattern. Siblings of specimens that exhibited this new PCR‐RFLP pattern were morphologically identified as An. culicifacies James sensu lato. Based on nucleotide sequences of the ribonuclear DNA internal transcribed spacer 2 region (ITS2) and the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I gene (COI), these specimens were recognized as An. culicifacies species B (sensu Green & Miles, 1980 ), the first confirmed record of the An. culicifacies complex from Cambodia. This study shows that the PCR‐RFLP assay can detect species not included in the initial set‐up and is capable of identifying at least seven species of the Myzomyia Series, allowing better definition of those malaria vector and non‐vector anophelines in South‐east Asia.     

Signal Transduction Protocols (R. C. Dickson and M. D. Mendenhall (eds.), in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Methods in Molecular Biology</Emphasis>, Vol. 284, J. M. Walker (Series Editor), Humana Press,Totowa-New Jersey, 2004, 327 p., $ 99.50)

Book Review

Signal Transduction Protocols (R. C. Dickson and M. D. Mendenhall (eds.), in Methods in Molecular Biology, Vol. 284, J. M. Walker (Series Editor), Humana Press, Totowa-New Jersey, 2004, 327 p., $ 99.50)