Alginate encapsulation of axillary buds of Ocimum americanum L. (hoary basil), O. Basilicum L. (sweet basil), O. Gratissimum L. (shrubby basil), and O. Sanctum. L. (sacred basil)

Summary Propagation and conservation of four pharmaceutically important herbs, Ocimum americanum L. syn. O. canum Sims. (hoary basil); O basilicum L. (swett basil); O. gratissimum L. (shrubby basil); and O. sanctum L. (sacred basil) was attempted using synthetic seed technology. Synthetic seeds were produced by encapsulating axillary vegetative buds harvested from garden-grown plants of these four Ocimum species in calcium alginate gel. The gel contained Murashige and Skoog (MS) nutrients and 1.1-4.4 μM benzyladenine (BA). Shoots emerged from the encapsulated buds on all six planting media tested. However, the highest frequency shoot emergence and maximum number of shoots per bud were recorded on media containing BA. Of the six planting media tested, both shoot and root emergence from the encapsulated buds in a single step was recorded on growth regulator-free MS medium as well as on vermi-compost moistened with halfstrength MS medium. Rooted shoots were retrieved from the encapsulated buds of O. americanum, O. basilicum, and O. sanctum on these two media, whereas shoots of O. gratissimum failed to root. The encapsulated buds could be stored for 60 d at 4°C. Plants retrieved from the encapsulated buds were hardened off and established in soil.     

Organolanthanoids. XIII. Bis(pentadeuterocyclopentadienyl)ytterbium(II)

The complex (C₅D₅)₂Yb(dme) (dme = 1,2- dimethoxyethane) has been prepared by reaction of Tl(C₅D₅) with ytterbium metal in dme and is isostructural with (C₅H₅)₂Yb(dme). Thermal desolvation under vacuum yields (C₅D₅)₂Yb, for which essentially identical high resolution neutron powder diffraction data were obtained at 294 K and 77 K, but the structure could not be determined.     

Monograph of the moss genus Macrodictyum (Broth.) E.H.Hegew. (Dicranaceae)

Abstract

Macrodictyum is a small acrocarpous moss genus of three species (M. latifolium (E.B.Bartram) M.J.Price, M. proliferum (Mitt.) E.H.Hegew., M. wrightii (Sull.) E.H.Hegew.). It grows in tufts and mats on trees or rocks at 450–1500 m in the Neotropics. The genus has a restricted distribution within the Neotropics and is currently known from only a few localities in Cuba, the Dominican Republic, and southeastern Brazil. Macrodictyum is characterized by four main features: 1) appressed, non-crispate, ovate–oblong, lingulate to ligulate or linear leaves; 2) large, rhomboidal, thin-walled cells in the upper leaf; 3) large, irregular, multicellular apical teeth; and 4) guide cells that are ventral at and above mid-leaf. These features are atypical of the Dicranaceae. However, Macrodictyum shares pseudautoicous sexuality, sheathing perichaetial leaves, and peristome structure with the large pantropical Dicranaceous genus Holomitrium Brid. In these two genera the peristome consists of 16 single, triangular, entire or weakly divided, fenestrate, striate teeth that are papillose throughout on both the inner and outer surfaces. Macrodictyum is retained in the Dicranoideae (Dicranaceae), close to Holomitrium, based on its pseudautoicous sexuality, sheathing perichaetial leaves, and peristome structure.     

Chemical constituents from roots of Duguetia furfuracea (A. St.-Hil.) Saff. (Annonaceae)

The phytochemical investigation of roots of Duguetia furfuracea (A. St.-Hil.) Saff. (Annonaceae) led to the isolation of α-asarone (1), asaraldehyde (2), staudine (3) and a mixture of β-sitosterol 3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (4) and stigmasterol 3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (5). Structure elucidation of these compounds was performed on the basis of NMR spectral data and MS. Chemotaxonomic significance of (3) was explained.     

The gynostemium of Bulbophyllum ecornutum (J. J. Smith) J. J. Smith (Orchidaceae)

RASMUSSEN, F. N., 1985. The gynostemium of Bulbophyllum ecornutum (J. J. Smith) J.J. Smith (Orchidaceae) . Stages in the development of the gynostemium of Bulbophyllum ecornutum demonstrate that the pollinium stalk is a hamulus in this and in a closely related species, B. gibbolabium . A hamulus arises by apical growth and reflexion of the median carpel. Hamuli have recently been discovered in several orchid genera, and a transverse fold of the rostellar apex is already known from a large group of orchids. The closely related B. cornutum has a quite different gynostemium structure.     

Rhus neoglutinosa sp. nov. (Anacardiaceae) and Teclea borenensis sp. nov. (Rutaceae) from Ethiopia.

Two new species, Rhus neoglutinosa M. Gilbert (Anacardiaceae) and Teclea borenensis M. Gilbert (Rutaceae) are described in preparation for the forthcoming Flora of Ethiopia.     

Chemical constituents of Medinilla septentrionalis (W. W. Sm.) H. L. Li (Melastomataceae)

Our phytochemical investigation of the whole plants of Medinilla septentrionalis (W. W. Sm.) H. L. Li led to the isolation of five tannins (1–5), five phenolic acids and phenolic acid derivatives (6–10), four flavonoids (11–14), two triterpenes (15 and 16), and one hydantoin derivative (17). The structures of the obtained compounds were identified using spectrometric methods (¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR and MS). This is the first study reporting on the chemical constituent of M. septentrionalis and the chemotaxonomic relationships between Medinilla and other genera of Melastomataceae.     

The genus Hyalomma. VI. Systematics of H. (Euhyalomma) truncatum and the closely related species, H. (E.) albiparmatum and H. (E.) nitidum (Acari: Ixodidae)

The geographic distribution of three closely related Hyalomma species, namely Hyalomma (Euhyalomma) truncatum Koch, 1844, Hyalomma (Euhyalomma) albiparmatum Schulze, 1919 and Hyalomma (Euhyalomma) nitidum Schulze, 1919 is confined to Africa. A detailed comparison of all stages of development of the three taxa reveals that they possess many more shared than distinguishing characters. In fact differentiation between these species is based on single or dual qualitative characters on their adults. These are a conspicuous, ivory-coloured parma on H. (E.) albiparmatum males, and the absence or reduction in clarity of ivory-coloured bands on the leg segments of H. (E.) nitidum adults, as well as the shape of the external cuticular preatrial fold of the genital operculum of females of the latter species. The adults of all three species and the larva of H. (E.) truncatum are redescribed. The nymph of H. truncatum and the larva and nymph of H. (E.) albiparmatum and H. (E.) nitidum are described for the first time. Data on their geographic distributions and hosts are provided.     

An ultrastructural study of the spermatozoa ofEulalia sp. (Phyllodocidae),Lepidonotus sp. (Polynoidae),Lumbrineris sp. (Lumbrineridae) andOwenia fusiformis (Oweniidae)

The ultrastructure of the mature spermatozoa of four polychaetes is described:Eulalia sp. (Phyllodocidae),Lepidonotus sp. (Polynoidae),Lumbrineris sp. (Lumbrineridae) andOwenia fusiformis (Oweniidae). All the sperm show features typical of externally fertilizing sperm in having a rounded nucleus, a short unmodified midpiece, and a simple flagellum with a 9+2 axoneme.Owenia fusiformis andLepidonotus sp. have a nuclear cone extending into the subacrosomal space that may act to present the inner acrosomal membrane to the egg during fertilization. The acrosome ofLumbrineris sp. is flattened and crenulated. The sperm ofEulalia sp. is unusual in having the four mitochondria of the midpiece ensheathed by a membrane. Comparisons are made with other polychaete sperm, and the use of sperm ultrastructure as a taxonomic tool within the Polychaeta is discussed.     

Bathygrillotia n. g. (Cestoda: Trypanorhyncha), with redescriptions of B. rowei (Campbell, 1977) n. comb. and B. kovalevae (Palm, 1995) n. comb.

Bathygrillotia n. g. (Cestoda: Trypanorhyncha) is erected for B. rowei (Campbell, 1977) n. comb. and B. kovalevae (Palm, 1995) n. comb. The new genus is based on the possession of two bothria, an atypical, heteroacanthous, heteromorphous armature with longitudinal files of hooks on the external surface of the tentacle associated with each principal row, each consisting of a large anterior hook followed by two smaller hooks. Bathygrillotia is allocated to the Lacistorhynchoidea Guiart, 1927 and its relationships with Grillotia Guiart, 1927 are discussed.     

Rhabditis (Rhabditis) freitasi sp.n. and Rhabditis (Rhabditis) costai sp.n. (Nematoda-Rhabditidae) isolated from bovine otitis

The author described two new species of Nematoda-Rhabditidae collected from the auditory meatus of catle with ear infection: Rhabditis (Rhabditis) freitasi sp.n. from Formosa county in the state of Goiás and Rhabditis (Rhabditis) costai sp.n. from Sert?ozinho county in the state of S?o Paulo.     

Lindernia kinmenensis sp. nov. (Scrophulariaceae) from Kinmen (Taiwan)

Lindernia kinmenensis Y. S. Liang, C. H. Chen, & C. L. Tasi sp. nov. from Kinmen (Taiwan) is described. The new species belongs to section Torenioides and is most similar to L. crustacea. It differs from the latter by the following characters: calyx pubescent between the ridges (vs pubescent on ridges), with (2)3(4) bristles on the ridge near the apex of the calyx‐lobes (vs without such bristles), corolla shorter, 6–8 mm long (vs 7–11 mm long) and pale purple (vs purple or blue), posterior theca with obtuse (vs acute) apex. This species is usually found in sandy wetlands. A line drawing, colour photos and SEM micrographs of pollen and seed as aids for identification are provided.     

Sandfly (Diptera, Psychodidae, Phlebotominae) fauna of South-Western Pakistan. 1. Diagnostic morphology of Phlebotomus papatasi (Scopoli), Ph. bergeroti (Parrot) and Ph. salehi (Mesghali)

A survey was conducted to study the morphology of the sandfly fauna in South-Western Pakistan (Balochistan). During the revision of different genera of sandflies the specimens of Phlebotomus papatasi (Scopoli) (N = 720), Ph. bergeroti Parrot (N = 30) and Ph. salehi Mesghali (N = 70) were encountered in various localities. These localities appear to be new records of the subgenus in the literature to date. Ph. bergeroti is reported for the first time from Pakistan and Ph. salehi from Balochistan as well. Characters of these three Pakistanese Phlebotomus are compared with the published data of these species from other countries. Keys for the identification of Pakistanese Phlebotomus are also constructed. Two female Ph. papatasi collected from indoors out of 132 female flies (1.5%) were found positive with flagellate infection in pharynx and midgut. The possible vectorial role of these flies is also discussed. Further surveys are necessary in parts of the country that have not been systematically surveyed.     

Constituents of the leaves of Pseuderanthemum carruthersii (Seem.) Guill. var. atropurpureum (Bull.) Fosb.

A new iridoid, 5β,6β-dihydroxyantirrhide (1) was isolated from the dried leaves of Pseuderanthemum carruthersii (Seem.) Guill. var. atropurpureum (Bull.) Fosb. (Acanthaceae), together with 13 known compounds, including two iridoids, linarioside and antirrhinoside; five phenylethanoids, echipuroside A, verbascoside, isoverbascoside, isomartynoside and osmanthuside B; and six flavonoids, luteolin 7-O-β-d-glucopyranoside, luteolin 7-O-rutinoside, apigenin 7-O-rutinoside, apigenin 6-C-α-l-arabinopyranosyl–8-C-β-l-arabinopyranoside, apigenin 6,8-di-C-α-l-arabinopyranoside and apigenin 6-C-β-d-xylopyranosyl–8-C-α-l-arabinopyranoside. Their chemical structures were elucidated by 1D and 2D NMR as well as HR-ESI-MS spectroscopic analysis. Some purified compounds were evaluated the acetylcholinesterase inhibition and cytotoxic activities against the HeLa cervical cancer cell line and the MCF-7 breast cancer cell line at the concentration of 100 μg/mL. Luteolin 7-O-β-d-glucopyranoside exhibited cytotoxic activities against both the HeLa cervical cancer cell line and the MCF-7 breast cancer cell line. Verbascoside and isoverbascoside showed strong cytotoxic activity against the MCF-7 breast cancer cell line. The tested compounds showed the AChE inhibitory activity fairly weak.     

Composition of the essential oils of Tanacetum argyrophyllum (C. Koch) Tvzel. var. argyrophyllum and Tanacetum parthenium (L.) Schultz Bip. (Asteraceae) from Turkey

The aerial parts of Tanacetum argyrophyllum (C. Koch) Tvzel. var. argyrophyllum and T. parthenium (L.) Schultz Bip. were hydro-distilled to produce the oils in the yields of 0.78% (v/w) and 0.43% (v/w), respectively. The oils were analysed by GC and GC/MS. Twenty-two and twenty-three components were identified representing 94.2% and 90.1% of the oils, respectively. The main compounds of T. argyrophyllum were cis-thujone (69.9%), trans-thujone (5.6%) and 1,8-cineole (3.2%), whereas camphor (56.9%), camphene (12.7%) and p-cymene (5.2%) were the major constituents of T. parthenium.     

Redescription of Monhystrella parvella (Filipjev) comb.n. (Nematoda, Monhysteridae)

The type of material of Monhystrella parvella (Filipjev, 1931) comb.n. from Abyssinia (Ethiopia) is redescribed and figured in detail. Data on the genital system and the ontogeny of this species are given. Monhystera filiformis sensu Gerlach, 1951 nec Bastian, 1865 of the Black Sea at Pomorie (Bulgaria) is synonymised with M. parvella . The Black Sea specimens have a shorter pharynx, a longer tail and differ also from the Abyssinian specimens in the shape of the tail and the spinneret outlet.     

Zur Cytotaxonomie vonArabis hirsuta agg. (Cruciferae). IV. Chromosomenzahlen vonA. sagittata (Bertol.) DC. undA. hirsuta (L.)Scop. s. str. aus Europa

Zusammenfassung A. sagittata (Bertol.) DC. von zehn Herkünften aus Europa ist mit 2 n=16 diploid.A. hirsuta (L.)Scop. s. str. einschließlich der sicherlich hierhergehörigen var.glaberrima Wahlenb. von 30 europäischen Herkünften ist mit 2 n=32 tetraploid; diploide Pflanzen konnten beiA. hirsuta s. str. nicht gefunden werden.

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Summary A. sagittata (Bertol.) DC. from 10 different places in Europe has 2 n=16 chromosomes and is diploid.A. hirsuta (L.)Scop. s. str., its var.glaberrima Wahlenb. being included, has been investigated from 30 provenances in Europe, it has the tetraploid chromosome number 2 n=32, diploid plants could not be found in this species.A. hirsuta var.glaberrima (2 n=32) is surely belonging toA. hirsuta s. str. and not toA. allionii (2 n=16).

     

N.m.r. and c.d. studies of the DNA fragments d(TATATATA) and d(TATATA) in solution

DNA fragments d(TATATATA) and d(TATATA) were studied in low-salt aqueous solutions and found to coexist in more than one conformer. 1H-n.m.r. demonstrates that single-stranded and double-stranded states are involved in the conformational coexistence. Circular dichroism spectroscopy indicates a global B-DNA stacking of bases in the fragments. 31P-n.m.r. resonances of the TpA and ApT phosphodiester bonds are substantially separated in the spectra of both d(TATATATA) and d(TATATA) duplexes to suggest an alternating architecture of their backbones. In fact, the oligonucleotide duplexes are much more alternating than the corresponding polynucleotide under the same solution conditions. The alternating character of the d(TATATATA) double helix is further enhanced in molar caesium fluoride solutions. The oligonucleotide isomerization into X-DNA is, however, accompanied by gel formation, which makes high resolution n.m.r. measurements impossible.