Studies on the Metabolic Products of Oospora sp.

A microorganism was isolated from the air of a patient-room and classified in the genus Oospora. This microorganism was cultured on a malt extract medium, and the mycellium was separated from the culture filtrate. A new compound (O-1), m.p. 129°C, C₁₁H₁₀O₃, and eburicoic acid, m.p. 290°C, C₃₁H₅₀O₃ were obtained from the dried mycellium. Another new compound (O-2), m.p. 176°C, C₁₁H₈O₅ was obtained from the culture filtrate.     

Studies in Montia L. and Claytonia L. and Allied Genera

The pollen morphology of several genera in Portulacaceae is described. Particular attention has been paid to the genera of the subfamily Montioideae, as a stage of continued monographical studies. Among genera especially dealt with are Claytonia, Montia, Crunocallis, Naiocrene, Neopaxia, Mona, Maxia, Limnalsine, and Montiastrum. In the taxonomical treatment of these genera the pollen morphology has proved to afford many important additional characters.

The pollen grains of Claytonia are distinguished from those of the remainder in being 3-colpate. The grains of the Claytonia-type have many similarities with those of Lewisia, a genus of the subfamily Portulacoideae. The other genera of Montioideae have pantocolpate pollen grains. Among these genera several different pollen types are distinguished, chiefly with regard to the sexine structures and the aperture membranes. The Montiastrum-type is especially interesting, with tholate grains, a particular pollen type not met with in any other genus in the family. The pollen morphology of some genera in the Portulacoideae is also treated. In some species in Calandrina and Talinum pantotreme pollen grains are observed with apertures transitional between pori and colpi. The apertures of the pantotreme grains are arranged in characteristic patterns.

Particular attention has been given to the variation of the pollen morphological characters. This variation has been examined with regard to the differences between different populations of the same species as well as between different species. The greatest variation has been observed in the shape and size of the grains. The structure and sculpture and thickness of the sexine and the aperture membranes are less variable. Some polyploid taxa are connected with the occurrence of pollen grains with divergent and varying aperture numbers.

In a survey of the genera the taxonomical results of the investigation are presented with particular regard to the pollen morphology. The new genus, Maxia Ö. Nilss., is described. One new species, Montia clara Ö. Nilss., is described and some new combinations are made.

Pollen morphological diagnoses are given for 46 different taxa. The aperture conditions for 96 different species are presented.     

Studies on the Metabolic Products of Oospora sp. (Oospora astringenes)

The chemical structure of another metabolic product (0-2) which was isolated from the culture filtrate of Oospora astringenes was studied. This compound irritates the skins and has the constrictive actions on the tracheal muscle of the guinea pigs. It has ketone and hydroxyl groups, and thereby has been named oosponol. From the results of the degradation experiments, oosponol is supposed to have the following structure (II).     

Phagnalon Metlesicsii Nova Sp. Aus Westsizilien,Mit Einem Überblick Über Die Gruppe Von Phagnalon Rupestre Im Mittelmeerraum

Abstract

«Phagnalon metlesicsii», a new species from Western Sicily, with a survey of the «Ph. rupestre» — group in the Mediterranean Region. — Phagnalon metlesicsii, a new species of the complex Ph. rupestre — Ph. graecum, is described. It is entirely glabrous and occurs in Western Sicily (M. Cofano) on vertical limestone rocks, nearly 200 mts. above the sea, in community with a flora particularly rich on endemics. The variability of the whole complex is discussed and some infraspecific taxa are proposed.     

A New Species of Ctenomys (Rodentia: Ctenomyidae) from Patagonia Related to C. sociabilis

The genus Ctenomys includes a high number of taxa, with at least ten species from Patagonia and three recently described species for northeastern Chubut Province (Argentina). Ctenomys sociabilis is a social species of the genus Ctenomys and is currently distributed in the surrounding area of Sierra Cuyin Manzano (Neuquén Province), with a recently extinct population that occurred in Laguna Nahuelquir (Cushamen, Chubut Province). Molecular analyses have placed C. sociabilis at the base of Ctenomys clade, as the sister species to all other Ctenomys. Based on a morphological assessment (qualitative and quantitative) and DNA sequencing, we describe a new species of Ctenomys from Esquel, Chubut Province. Phylogenetic analysis shows the new species to be closely related to C. sociabilis, with evidence of solitary behavior. This new species is the first reported to be closely related phylogenetically to Ctenomys sociabilis at the base of the Ctenomys phylogeny. We provide anatomical comparisons between the new species and other species of Ctenomys from Patagonia, especially C. sociabilis.

     

Ricerche Embriologiche Sul Genere Thalictrum. II. Embriologia e Cariologia Di Thalictrum Lucidum L. e di Thalictrum Minus L. Subsp. Minus

Abstract

Embryological researches in the «Thalictrum» genus. II. Embryology and caryology of «Thalictrum lucidum» L. and «Thalictrum minus» L. ssp. «minus». — In their development the female gametophytes of Thalictrum lucidum L. and Thalictrum minus L. ssp. minus follow the Normal type. In the female gametophytes of these species several types of antipodal cells occurs such as: their considerable enlargement, formation of many antipodals polyploid or polinucleated antipodal cells. In these various types, however, a rapid regression of the antipodals occurs. In T. lucidum some tendency to a disposition of the tetrapolarized type has been verified. The chromosome number has been confirmed to ben 2n=28 in besides, in the pollen development, many cases of regression of the microspores has been verified. The chromosome number has been confirmed to ben 2n=28 in Thalictrum lucidum L., and has been found to ben 2n=14 in Thalictrum minus L. ssp. minus, a new number in this species, which was earlier reported to have 2n=42.     

Sporobolus Poibetii (R. et S.) Hitch. e Oenothera Sinuata L. Nella Selva di San Rossore

Summary

The author describes a Sporobolus Poiretii (R. et S.) Hitchc. and Oenothera sinuata L. stand in the «Selva» (forest) of S. Rossore (near Pisa).

Earlier reports of these two adventive and perhaps naturalized species are mentioned.

The author discussues the critical and complex sistematic definition, nomenclature and sinonimy of Sporobolus Poiretii in connection with the nearly related species Sporobolus indicus R. Br.

The author prospects at the end how both Sp. Poiretii and Oe. sinuata can be inserted in the «Nuova Flora Analitica» of Italy, by Adriano Fiori.     

The Nucleolar Chromosome in Hepatics. I.

Abstract

1. In six species of hepatics belonging to the Marchantiales and Acrogynae the large heteropycnotic chromosome found in addition to the sex chromosome or microchromosome is the nucleolar chromosome.

2. The sex chromosomes and microchromosomes in these species, and in four of the five species of which the nucleolar chromosomes have been described by other authors, are not nucleolar chromosomes. Riccardia pinguis (L.) Gray appears to stand alone in having a nucleolar orpnizer on the sex chromosome in addition to that on an autosome bearing a heteropycnotic trabant.

3. The large heteropycnotic sex chromosomes of certain species of Frullania belonging to the subgenus Galeiloba Steph. are not apparently homologous with the large heteropycnotic chromosome of Frullania africana Steph., belonging to the subgenus Chonanthelia Spr. This is not in accordance with the suggestion of Tatuno (1941) that all ' H-chromosomes' are phylogenetically homologous.

4. It is argued that the nucleolar chromosomes throughout the hepatics, with the exception of the sex chromosome of Riccardia pinguis, may be phylogenetically homologous.     

Spartina Juncea Willd. nuova specie per la Sardegna

Abstract

SPARTINA JUNCEA WILLD.: A NEW SPECIES FOR SARDINIA. — The Author remarks the presence of a new species for Sardinia: Spartina juncea Willd at the month of Calich pool (Alghero) and on the neighbouring littoral, in a place reflecting its known edaphic necessities « sea dump sands and saltish marshes ».     

Isolation of Highly Radioresistant Bacterium,Arthrobacter radiotolerans nov. sp.

A highly γ-ray resistant bacterium, which has not been described hitherto, has been isolated from water containing mud, fur and moss at a radioactive hot spring, Misasa, Tottori Prefecture, Japan, This bacterium was Gram-positive, non-sporulating, pink to red colored and pleomorphic rod at young stage and predominantly coccoid or small short rod at old. The radiosensitivity of this bacterium was lower than that of well-known bacterium Micrococcus radio- durans. When its exponentially growing cells were irradiated in buffer solution aerated sufficiently at room temperature, shoulder dose and D₀ were calculated to be 6 × 10⁵ and 1 × 10⁶ rads, respectively. The morphological, cultural and physiological characteristics of the bacterium have been studied. These attributes suggested that the organism was a new species, and the name Arthrobacter radiotolerans has been assigned with respect to its high radioresistance.     

First record of Ribes uva-crispa L. (Grossulariaceae) from the Madonie Mts., a new species of the Sicilian flora

Abstract

In this study, a first record of Ribes uva-crispa L. (Grossulariaceae) – a new species of the Sicilian flora – from the Madonie Mts. is reported. The autochthonous and relict new population of Ribes uva-crispa L. (Grossulariaceae) is found on Mount Carbonara (Madonie Mts., North-Central Sicily), which is several hundred kilometers away from the Central Apenninic and the South Mediterranean locations of its distribution range. R. uva-crispa shows a distribution similar to other taxa extending from the Euro-Asiatic area to the mountains of North Africa with disjunct populations on the main Sicilian reliefs (Madonie and Nebrodi Mts.), testifying ancient phytogeographical connections. This noteworthy record adds a new species – as well as a new genus and new family – to the vascular flora of Sicily. Based on the morphological characters, the population found is to be referred to Ribes uva-crispa L. subsp. austro-europaeum (Bornm.) Bech var. glanduligerum (Lindberg) Maire.     

Sulla cariologia di Gennaria diphylla (Link) Parl. (Coeloglossum diphyllum Fiori)

Abstract

OBSERVATIONS ON THE CARYOLOGY OF GENNARIA DIPHYLLA (LINK) PARL. (COELOGLOSSUM DIPHYLLUM FIORI) — Some caryological characters of Gennaria diphylla (Link) Parl, have been here investigated. Chromosome counts from somatic metaphases show a 34 chromosomes diploid set; the resting nuclei have been classified as half-reticulated with chromocenters (« noyaux semi-reticulé à chromocentres » according to Delay's classification); in prophases we have noticed that chromocenters often appear like prochromosomes. The chromosome number 17 (2n = 34) is new for the Ophrydinae.

The interest of this research lies in the fact that the species here dealt with has been differently classified by various Authors.     

Bryophytes of St Helena,South Atlantic Ocean. 1. Three new species of Cololejeunea (Jungermanniales,Lejeuneaceae), C. dianae sp. nov., C. sanctae-helenae sp. nov. and C. grossestyla sp. nov.

Abstract

Three new species of Cololejeunea, C. dianae M. Wigginton, C. sanctae-helenae M. Wigginton and C. grossestyla M. Wigginton are described and illustrated from St Helena, South Atlantic Ocean. Details of their distributions are provided, and differences between the new taxa and other species of Cololejeunea are discussed. This is also the first report of the genus Cololejeunea from St Helena.     

Description of Echthrogaleus spinulus n. sp. (Copepoda: Pandaridae) parasitic on a torpedo ray from the central Pacific Ocean utilising a morphological and molecular approach

A new species of parasitic copepod, Echthrogaleus spinulus n. sp. (Pandaridae), is described from the torpedo ray Tetronarce tokionis (Tanaka) (Torpedinidae) captured in pelagic Hawaiian waters. The new species has pediger 4 bearing large dorsal plates with denticles on posterior margin, genital complex with posterolateral lobes widely curved medially and overlapping, leg 4 exopod incompletely 3-segmented, and the largest body size (maximum length 16 mm from anterior rim of frontal plates to tip of caudal rami, excluding setae). This morphology does not match any of the seven valid species of Echthrogaleus Steenstrup & Lütken, 1861. Analysis of 28S rDNA sequences separated the new material from the Central Pacific from samples of E. coleoptratus in the Atlantic and Eastern Pacific Oceans. However, due to the lack of DNA sequences in the databases, the new 28S rDNA sequence cannot used to confirm the species identity. The unique morphological characteristics of the Central Pacific female copepods combined with 28S rDNA sequencing was used as a basis to validate the new species.

     

Lobatiriccardia yunnanensis,sp. nov. (Metzgeriales,Aneuraceae) from Yunnan,China

Abstract

The genus Lobatiriccardia Furuki is reported as new to China, from the Dulong River valley, Gaoligong Shan range, Yunnan Province and this material is described as a new species endemic to China, Lobatiriccardia yunnanensis Furuki & D.G. Long, the fifth known species in the genus. The differences between the new species and the other members of the genus are enumerated, along with a key to all known species of Lobatiriccardia.     

Description of Kiefferulus opalensis n.sp. (Diptera: Chironomidae)

A new species of Kiefferulus Goetghebuer is described and compared with species from Australia. This is the first record of the genus in New Zealand.     

Renauldia paradoxica Allen sp. nov. (Musci,Pterobryaceae)

Abstract

Renauldia paradoxica, a new Pterobryaceous moss from western Panama, differs from all other species of Renauldia by its long, narrowly acuminate leaves. This species fits somewhat uncomfortably in Renauldia and appears to occupy a position intermediate between Renauldia, Orthostichidium, and Pterobryopsis.