The Identification of the Seeds of the British Papaveraceae

The morphology of seeds of British wild, introduced, and commonlycultivated members of the Papaveraceae has been examined, anda key to the identification of the seeds is presented. Quantitative data on size and weight as well as informationabout shape, colour and surface features of the seeds are givenfor Papaver rhoeas L., P. dubium L., P. lecoqii lamotte, P.hybridum L., P. argemone L., P. somniferum L., P. lateritiumC. Koch, P. atlanticum (Ball) Coss., P. orientale L., P. nudicauleL., Meconopsis cambrica (L.) Vig., M. betonicifolia French,Roemeria hybrida (L.) DC., Glaucium flavum Crantz., G. corniculatum(L.) Rudolph, Chelidonium majus L., Eschscholzia californicaCham., E. erecta cv. compacta and E. erecta cv. miniature. Arepresentative sample of each seed is illustrated.     

Physical Characterization of the Chromosomal DNA of the Yeast Saccharomyces exiguus

The number of chromosomes in the yeast Saccharomyces exiguuswas determined to be thirteen by two-dimensional pulsed-fieldgel electrophoresis. The thirteen chromosomes ranged in DNAsize from 520 to 2,600 kbp, with a total length of approximately14 Mbp. Numbers I to XIII were assigned to the chromosomes indecreasing order of DNA length. Southern hybridization analysisusing total DNAs from S. exiguus and S. cerevisiae as probesshowed that there was no significant homology between the chromosomalDNAs of the two species, except in the case of the chromosomalDNA that included rDNA. When rDNA and genes LEU2, TRP1, URA3and HO of S. cerevisiae were used as hybridization probes, itwas apparent that S. exiguus had DNA sequences homologous tothe rDNA and to the LEU2 and HO genes. In S. exiguus, rDNA-likeand LEU2-like DNAs were located on chromosomes I and IX, respectively,and HO-like DNA was located on chromosome VI or VII. (Received May 17, 1993; Accepted July 15, 1993)     

Structure of the dnaA region of the endosymbiont, Buchnera aphidicola, of aphid Schizaphis graminum

Buchnera aphidicola is an intracellular prokaryote (endosymbiont)that lives in the body cavity of the aphid. Phylogenetic studiesindicated that it is closely related to Escherichia coli andmembers of Enterobacteria. The gene order of the region containingthe dnaA gene is well conserved in many bacteria. Seven genesof the endosymbiont of the aphid Schizaphis graminum, gyrB,dnaN, dnaA, rpmH, rnpA, yidD, and 60K, were found to be homologousin sequence and relative location to those of E. coli. We havefurther sequenced the region downstream of the 60K gene to elucidatethe boundary of the conserved region, and found that one moregene, thdF , is conserved. The comparison of gene organizationsof the dnaA region of the related bacteria supported the closephylogenetic relationship of B. aphidicola to E. coli. In addition,we have identified groES and groEL genesnext to the thdF gene.GroEL protein was reported to be expressed at an elevated levelin the endosymbionts of aphids, and is considered to play animportant role in their association with the aphid host. Comparisonof the structure of the groE operon with that of the endosymbiontof the aphid Acyrthosiphon pisum revealed the conservation ofa sequence resembling the E. coli consensus heat shock promoter,and this sequence may be responsible for the high expressionof the groEL gene in aphid endosymbionts.     

The Identification of the Seeds and Achenes of the British Plantaginaceae

The morphology of seeds and achenes of the British members ofthe Plantaginaceae has been examined. Keys to the identificationof seeds in the genera Plantago and Littorella are presented.Quantitative data on size and weight, as well as informationabout shape, colour and surface features of the seeds are givenfor: Plantago major L., P. media L., P. lanceolata L., P. martimaL., P. coronopus L., P. indica L., P. sempervirens Crantz, andLittorella uniflora (L.) Aschers. A representative sample ofeach seed is illustrated.     

Factors Affecting the Growth of Daughter Bulbs in the Tulip

The relative growth rate (R_w) of daughter bulbs of the tulipcultivar Rose Copland was remarkably constant during the springperiod of growth in four seasons at two sites. The Q₁₀ of R_wwas 2.2, and the long period of constant R_w is attributed tocompensation of a fall with age by increasing temperatures inthe spring. Final bulb weight differed among four cultivarsbecause of differences in R_w and in initial daughter bulb weights. Partial defoliation reduced R_w roughly in proportion to theleaf area removed, and removal of mother bulb scales resultedin reduced leaf area, fewer daughter bulbs, and a lower daughterbulb R_w. Heat-treatment of mother bulbs before planting (blindstoken)killed the flower within the bulb, inactivated the apical dominanceexerted by the flower, and resulted in a higher initial daughter-bulbweight at the start of the spring period of exponential growth.The R_w of heat-treated and control daughter bulbs were not different,neither were the leaf areas, so it is assumed that final daughter-bulbweights were higher following treatment because of increasedsink strength. The economic implications of these findings arediscussed.     

Interactions Between Physical and Biological Constraints in the Structure of the Inflorescences of the Araceae

A study of the inflorescences ofMonsteraandAnthuriumwas usedto establish a relationship between biological and physicalconstraints for the structure of plant organs. The physicalconstraint between flowers in the compact inflorescences ofAnthuriumandMonsteraisexpressed by Aboav-Weaire's law. The application of this lawto inflorescences indicates a linear relationship between thenumber of sides of a flower and the number of sides of neighbouringflowers. However, the slope of this straight line is significantlyhigher forAnthuriumandMonsterathan that expected in theory.This deviation from the law is attributable to a biologicalcause that can be estimated using Aboav-Weaire's law. Actingalone, the biological constraint tends to produce four-sidedflowers. The equilibrium between biological and physical constraintsreduces the number of sides per flower from six (theoreticalvalue) to 5.9 (inAnthurium) or 5.8 (inMonstera) with a varianceof the measures less than that expected in theory. Furthermore,when flower density in an inflorescence increases (towards themiddle of the inflorescence inMonsteraand towards the lowersection forAnthurium) the number of sides approaches six (i.e.the physical constraint dominates). When flower density decreases(towards the top of the inflorescence) the number of sides approaches5.5 (i.e. the biological constraint dominates). The geometryof the inflorescences ofAnthuriumandMonsterais the result ofthe joint action of biological and physical constraints.Copyright1998 Annals of Botany Company Monstera,Anthurium, Araceae, Aboav-Weaire, inflorescence, constraint, flower.     

Effects of Acriflavine on the Formation of the Plasma Membrane of Escherichia coli

When cells of acriflavine-sensitive (acrA) and acriflavine-resistant(acrA⁺) Escherichia coli K-12 strains were treated with a ratherhigh concentration (100 µg ml^-1) of acriflavine in mediumthat had been adjusted to pH 8.1, distinct whirlpool-like structuresderived from the plasma membrane appeared not only in the acrAcells but also in the acrA⁺ cells. Chemical analysis was performedto determine the lipid composition of the cells by thin-layerchromatography on silica gel and gas-liquid chromatography.The amount of total fatty acids was significantly higher inthe acrA cells than in the acrA⁺ cells, when cells were culturedin the presence of acriflavine. This difference seems to becaused by the greater accumulation of unsaturated fatty acids(palmitoleic and cis-vaccenic acid) in the acrA mutant cellsthan in the acrA⁺ cells and by the acceleration of this accumulationas a result of the presence of the dye. A comparison of phospholipidcontents between the acrA and acrA⁺ cells cultured under acriflavine-freeconditions showed that the former cells contained more phosphatidylethanolamine(PE) and, in particular, more cardiolipin (CL) than the lattercells. However, the situation was reversed in the case of phosphatidylglycerol(PG). Addition of acriflavine to the medium led to a markedincrease in levels of PE and CL in both acrA and acrA⁺ cellsbut an increase in levels of PG was found only in the acrA⁺cells. (Received October 13, 1992; Accepted May 31, 1993)     

Sequence Analysis of the groESL-cotA Region of the Bacillus subtilis Genome, Containing the Restriction/Modification System Genes

We have determined a 35-kb sequence of the groESL-gutR-cotA(45°–52°) region of the Bacillus subtilis genome.In addition to the groESL, gutRB and cotA genes reported previously,we have newly identified 24 ORFs including gutA and fruC genes,encoding glucitol permease and fructokinase, respectively. Theinherent restriction/modification system genes, hsdMR and hsdMM,were mapped between groESL and gutRB, and we have identifiedtwo open reading frames (ORFs) encoding 5-methylcytosine formingDNA methyl transferase and an operon probably encoding a restrictionenzyme complex. The unusual genome structure of few ORFs andlower GC content around the restriction/modification genes stronglysuggests that the region originated from a bacteriophage integratedduring evolution.     

Biomechanical Attributes of the Leaves of Pine Species

The flexural stiffness EI, elastic modulus E, second momentof area I, length L, and weight Wt of foliage leaves from 26species of pine were measured to determine the manner in whichEI is scaled to leaf size (L or Wt, or both) and to determineif the biomechanical attributes of foliage leaves could be juxtaposedwith the systematic affiliations of species within Pinus Biomechamcaland morphometric data were explored based on a model from engineeringtheory that predicts the relationships among EI, Wt and L providedthat the maximum tip-deflection _max of an untapered cantileveredbeam sustaining its own weight is maintained as the beam eitherincreases in length or weight, or both, I e _max = Wt L²/8EIThe data show that EI disproportionately increased as eitherWt or L, or both increased The allometry of leaves did not conformto that predicted by the model Rather, EI was proportional tothe product of Wt and L raised to an exponent slightly greaterthan one Thus, Omax was predicted not to be maintained as eitherWt or L, or both, increased, as verified by observations Therelationship between El and Wt(L) differed for species typicallyproducing two leaves per fascicle and those bearing more thantwo leaves per fascicle Also, El is geometrically constrainedby the number of leaves produced per fascicle, principally interms of the effects of the number of leaves per fascicle onI Pinus, pine, leaves, biomechanics, Young's modulus     

Variation in the DNA Content of Glycine Species

Nuclei were isolated from cotyledons of a range of accessionsfrom 14 species of Glycine. These were stained with ethidiumbromide and the relative fluorescence for each genotype wasmeasured by flow cytometry. The DNA content was estimated bycomparison of relative fluorescence with that from nuclei fromseedling leaves of Allium cepa, whose DNA content has been calculatedpreviously by chemical assay. The 4C amounts for diploid Glycineranged from 3.80 to 6.59 pg. Two groups of diploid species appearedfrom the analysis. The first consisted of species with amountsranging from 3.80 to 5.16 pg and included G. canescens (AA),G. argyrea (A₁ A₁), G. clandestina (A²A²), G. microphylla(BB),G. latifolia (B₁B₁), G. tabacina 2n=40 (B²B²), G. tomentella2n=38 (EE) and 2n=40 (DD), G. max and G. soja (GG), G. arenariaand G. latrobeana. A second group had higher DNA contents rangingfrom 5.27 to 6.59 pg, and consisted of G. curvata, G. cyrtoloba(CC), and G. falcata (FF). The polyploid species, G. tabacina2n=80 (AABB, BBB¹B¹), G. tomentella 2n=78 and 2n=80 (AAEE andDDEE, respectively) contained amounts approximating to the sumsof the respective parental diploid species thought to have givenrise to these allotetraploids. Intraspecific variation was detectedin the DNA content of G. canescens. Within the overall distributionof DNA amounts found in A genome species, each genome containeda range of DNA contents specific to that species. This phenomenonwas also detected amongst B genome species.     

Diet selection by copepods in the presence of cyanobacteria

Boeckella, the dominant calanoid in many Southern Hemispherelakes, can survive, grow and reproduce to varying extents onmonocultures of cyanobacteria. In this study, we determinedthe effects of algal and cyanobacterial foods of different nutritionalvalue and concentration on food preferences of adult femaleBoeckella trianiculata and Boeckella hamata. Four species ofcyanobacteria (Anabaena flos-aquae, Nostoc sp. 2, OscillatoriatenuisandMicrocystis aeruginosa) were offered alone and mixedwith equal biomasses of Cryptomonas sp., Choricystis or a cyanobacterium.Food preferences were calculated as ratios of the rates at whichthe copepods removed each food at high and low food concentrations.In high-concentration mixtures with cyanobacteria, Cryptomonaswas consistently preferred by both Boeckella spp. In low-concentrationmixtures, both Boeckella spp. preferred Anabaena and Nostoc,which they removed at high rates(81–142 ml mg^–1h^–1), although Cryptomonas was selected in preferenceto Oscillatoria and Microcystis. When fed mixtures of filamentouscyanobacteria, both species of Boeckella showed invariant discriminationagainst Nostoc, andshifts in preference between Anabaena andOscillatoria that were related to food concentration. Microcystis,the least favouredfood, appeared to have a toxic effect on B.triarticulata. ¹Present address: Nursing and Midwifery Department, Otago Polytechnic,Forth Street, Dunedin, New Zealand     

The Regulatory Functions of the rolB and rolC Genes of Agrobacterium rhizogenes are Conserved in the Homologous Genes (Ngrol) of Nicotiana glauca in Tobacco Genetic Tumors

To compare patterns of expression between the Ngrol genes ofN. glauca and the Rirol genes of Agrobacterium rhizogenes, weperformed fluorometric and histochemical analysis of transgenicgenetic tumors on the hybrid of Nicotiana glauca x N. langsdorffü(Fl) that harbored a rß- glucuronidase (GUS) reportergene fused to the promoter of NgrolB, NgrolC, RirolB or RirolC The promoters of NgrolB and NgrolCNgrolC had 2- to 3-fold loweractivity than those of RirolB and RirolC However, the changesin patterns of GUS activity caused by deletion of NgrolB andNgrolCpromoters were similar to those of RirolB and RirolC promoters.This result suggests that the cis-acting sequences that regulatethe level of expression of RirolB and RirolC are conserved inthe NgrolB and NgrolC promoters. Furthermore, an auxin dependent(NAA-dependent) increase in GUS activity was observed in thecase of NgrolB-GUS and RirolB-GUS. Histochemical analysis showedGUS activity encoded by both NgrolB-GUS and RirolB-GUS in normal-typeFl transgenic plants was located in meristematic zones, whilethat encoded by NgrolC-GUS and RirolC-GUS was detected mainlyin vascular systems of various organs. Thus, the patterns ofexpression of the Ngrol genes were the same as those of theRirol genes in terms of promotion by auxin and tissue-specificity,indicating that regulatory mechanisms for both sets of geneshave been conserved during the evolution of the genus Nicotianaafter transfer from a progenitor of Agrobacterium to that ofNicotiana. (Received May 2, 1995; Accepted June 13, 1995)     

Revision of the Genus Goodallia (Bivalvia: Astartidae) with the Description of Two New Species

A revision of the Recent species of the genus Goodallia (Astartidae)is presented. Adult shell and prodissoconch morphology of allthe species are described and figured. In total, five speciesare recognized: G. triangularis (Montagu, 1803), G. pusilla(Forbes, 1844), G. macandrewi (Smith, 1881), G. micalii new species,and G. gofasi new species. G. triangularis and G. pusilla are widespreaddistributed in the Atlantic coasts of Europe and North Africa,and in the Mediterranean. G. macandrewi is restricted to thetype locality in the Canary Islands, while what has been calledG. macandrewi from the Mediterranean corresponds to an undescribedspecies here named G. micalii, distributed in the Central andEastern Mediterranean. A second undescribed species from offthe Atlantic Moroccan coast is named G. gofasi, and is knownonly from the type material of station B33 of the expedition CINECA CHARCOT III. The named forms, variability and distributionof G. triangularis are discussed. (Received 30 January 1998; accepted 27 August 1998)     

Competition, predation and the relative abundances of two species of Daphnia

We investigated the factors controlling the relative abundancesof two Daphnia species, D.pulex and D.laevis, in a small Wisconsinpond. D.pulex was the dominant Daphnia species in fall 1977and summer-fall 1978; D.laevis was the only Daphnia speciespresent in summer 1979. The abundance of D.laevis was positivelycorrelated with the abundance of the notonectid, Buenoa confusa.In predation trials, notonectides exhibited a distinct preferencefor D.pulex over similarly-sized D.laevis, but Chaoborus larvaefed at similar rates on both Daphnia species. Behavioral observationsrevealed that Buenoa adults were much less efficient at capturingD.laevis than D.pulex. Quantitative results of these predationtrials were combined with estimates of predator and prey densityand distribution to evaluate the effect of predation on thedaphnid populations. The effect of predation varied throughtime and microhabitat, and only infrequently could predationaccount for total prey mortality. D.laevis was most abundantat times and in places where Buenoa predation was most intense.Competition experiments illustrated the competitive superiorityof D.pulex over D.laevis. D.pulex was able to competitivelyexclude D.laevis in long term experiments, and D.pulex's fecunditywas higher than that of D.laevis in shorter experiments. Inlong-term experiments, Chaoborus larvae at natural densitieswere able to keep both Daphnia species at low, constant levelsand neither species clearly dominated when Chaoborus was present.The relative abundances of D.pulex and D.laevis were controlledby a complex of biotic and abiotic factors. Pond depth and predatordensity determined the intensity of predation on daphnid populations.When notonectid predation was intense, D.laevis dominated; whenthe intensity of predation by notonectids was low, D.pulex dominateddue to its superior competitive abilities. At different timesselective predation or high resource levels promoted the co-existenceof these two species. ¹Current address of both authors: Department of Biological Sciences,University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA     

Evaluation of nitrogen fixation in the diatom genus Rhizosolenia Ehr. in the absence of its cyanobacterial symbiont Richelia intracellularis Schmidt

Aggregates of two species of Rhizosolenia (R. castracanei andR. imbricata var. shrubsolei) have been reported to containendosymbiotic bacteria and to fix nitrogen. The general importanceof this process to the genus is not known, although of greatpotential significance. Clonal cultures of five species of Rhizosolenia(R. alata, R. bergonii, R. calcar-avis, R. imbricata var. shrubsoleiand R. setigera) were examined for nitrogen fixation using acetylenereduction and compared to cyanobacterial controls. Mecososmaggregates of R. imbricata var. shrubsolei were tested, as wellas chains of R. debyana hand-collected using SCUBA. The Rhizosoleniaspecies did not contain the endosymbiotic cyanobacterium Richeliaintracellularis and were not examined for the presence of endosymbioticbacteria. Nitrogen fixation was not found in the Rhizosoleniaspp.; in contrast, the diazotrophic cyanobacterial controlsOscillatoria erythraea and Anabaena sp. reduced acetylene atsignificant rates. The absence of nitrogen fixation in the Rhizosoleniaspp. suggests diazotrophy by endosymbiotic bacteria is not widespreadin the genus Rhizosolenia, nor is it necessary for survivalof these large diatom cells in nutrient-poor, near-shore waters.     

Feeding interactions of the copepods Eurytemora affinis and Acartia bifilosa with the cyanobacteria Nodularia sp.

We measured ingestion and clearance rates of two Baltic Seacalanoid copepods, Eurytemora affinis and Acartia bifilosa,on toxic and non-toxic cyanobacteria Nodularia sp. using theisotope technique. Eurytemora affinis fed actively on the non-toxicstrain and moderately actively on the toxic strain, whereasA.bifilosa totally avoided feeding on both strains. This suggeststhat A.bifilosa rejected cyanobacterial filaments due to theirnutritional inadequacy or difficult manageability. The differentresponse of E.affinis to the non-toxic and toxic strains, inturn, shows that this copepod species was able to sense thepresence of the toxin in cyanobacterial filaments and thereforefed less on the toxic strain. The interaction between A.bifilosaand Nodularia sp. was further examined (with the particle countingmethod) by measuring the clearance rates of A.bifilosa on ediblegreen flagellates in the presence of cyanobacteria. The presenceor concentration of toxic Nodularia sp. did not affect grazingrates of A.bifilosa on Brachiomonas submarina. Since earlierstudies have shown that ingestion of Nodularia sp. decreasesegg production and increases mortality in E.affinis, we suggestthat the occurrence of Nodularia sp. blooms in the Baltic Seamay favour individuals of copepod species capable of selectivefeeding, such as A.bifilosa.     

Distribution of the cyanobacterium Richelia intracellularis as an epiphyte of the diatom Chaetoceros compressus in the western Pacific Ocean

The few available records on the association of the diazotrophheterocystous cyanobacterium Richelia intracellularis epiphyticallywith Chaetoceros compressus are restricted to the Indian andwestern Pacific Oceans, whereas the association of R. intracellularisas an endosymbiont in other diatoms is ubiquitous in warm oceans.From ten cruises in the western Pacific Ocean, the Richelia-Chaetocerosconsortia were exclusively observed in the periphery of thegeographic proliferations of C. compressus, coinciding withthe overlapping area of the populations of asymbiotic C. compressusand R. intracellularis as an endosymbiont in Rhizosolenia clevei.