Ultrastructure des photorécepteurs de Lineus ruber (O. F. Müller) (Hétéronémertes Lineidae)

Résumé Lors de la régénération traumatique des yeux de Lineus ruber la différenciation biochimique des nouvelles cellules pigmentaires est séquentielle. On assiste à l'apparition successive des chaînes enzymatiques nécéssaires à la biosynthèse de porphyrine et de mélanine.Les études ultrastructurale et autoradiographique à haute résolution de ces phénomènes — montrent que la mélanisation s'opère au niveau d'organites cellulaires spécialisés (prémélanosomes, mélanosomes). La porphyrinogénèse se développe dans des vacuoles et organites d'origine golgienne qui participent également à la mélanogénèse.

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Ultrastructure of photoreceptors in Lineus ruber (O. F. Müller)

Summary In Lineus ruber the biochemical differentiation of the new pigmentary cells is sequential during the reparative regeneration of the eyes. The enzymatic pathways for porphyrin and melanin biosynthesis appear successively.Ultrastructural and high resolution radioautography studies, show that melanization occurs in specialized organelles called premelanosomes, melanosomes and melanin granules. Prophyrogenesis occurs in Golgi vesicles which are also involved in melanogenesis.

     

Ultrastructure des photorécepteurs de Lineus ruber (O. F. Müller) (Hétéronémertes Lineïdae)

Summary The eyes of the Nemertean worm Lineus ruber are situated on the dorsal face of the animal in two lateral bands in front of the cerebral ganglia. There are 6 or 8 ocelli per animal enclosed in the cephalic parenchyme. They consist of a pigmented eyecup in which 50 photoreceptor cells are present. The photoreceptrice cells have:dendritic processes which are full of mitochondria, neurotubules, vacuoles and only one axial filament;a pericaryon with rough endoplasmic reticulum, a Golgi apparatus and few mitochondria.

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Résumé Les yeux de la Némerte marine Lineus ruber sont situés sur la face dorsale de l'animal, en deux rangées parallèles à l'avant des ganglions cérébroïdes. On en dénombre 6 à 8 localisés dans le parenchyme céphalique. Ils consistent en une cupule pigmentaire entourant une cinquantaine de cellules visuelles qui rejoignent les centres nerveux supérieurs. Pour les cellules photoréceptrices on distingue:un processus dendritique riche en mitochondries, neurotubules, vacuoles et possédant un axe médian;un corps cellulaire où l'on trouve du réticulum endoplasmique rugueux, un appareil de Golgi développé mais peu de mitochondries.

     

Pleomorphism inScenedesmus quadricauda (Turp) Bréb. (Chlorophyceae)

A clone ofScenedesmus quadricauda, isolated from Tjeukemeer, exhibits a high degree of morphological variation in synchronized cultures. Cells are synchronized by light-dark cycles. During the photoperiod they build up the capacity to divide. First division into 2- and 4-celled coenobia is induced, then during the second half of the photoperiod the induction of division into 8 unicells takes place. Division itself and the subsequent liberation of daughter cells occur in the dark period.By giving a definite photoperiod the formation of either coenobia or unicellular stages is determined. The formation of both coenobia and unicells is followed using a light microscope. In both cases only the pattern of cytokinesis is similar. After cytokinesis the unicells become ovoid in shape and form two spines at each pole. They are released from the parental wall as separate cells and show remarkable similarity to theChodatella-like cells described by SWALE (1967) and FOTT (1968). The coenobial cells elongate, adhere to one another and each of the two outmost cells forms two spines (SMITH, 1914).     

Sur le développement abortif de certains embryons deLineus ruber (O.F. Müller) (Hétéronémertes)

Sommaire ChezLineus ruber on observe deux types de développement dans la même ponte: un développement normal et un développement abortif. Les ufs qui donnent des embryons normaux émettent deux globules polaires, les ufs qui donnent des embryons anormaux n'émettent qu'un globule polaire. Ils ne sont pas fécondés mais commencent à se diviser et arrivent tardivement au stade 16–32 blastomères, puis la segmentation s'arrête. On suggère l'existence d'une parthénogénèse abortive. Les facteurs du déclenchement du processus du développement abortif sont discutés.

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Abnormal development of some embryos of lineus ruber (O. F. Müller) (Heteronemertine)

Summary One can observe in the case ofLineus ruber, two types of development in the same egg string, a normal one and an abortive one. The eggs which give the normal embryos, give two polar bodies while the eggs which give the abnormal embryos, issue one polar body only, they are not fertilized but start to divide and belatedly reach the stade of 16–32 blastomeres.The existence of an abortive parthehogenesis is suggested and the mechanism of abnormal development is discussed.

     

Volatile constituents of Erodium cicutarium (L.) L’ Hérit. (Geraniaceae)

Essential oils from Erodium cicutarium were obtained by hydrodistillation (samples consisting of entire plants (ec1), leaves and stems (ec2)) and analyzed by gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS), resulting in a total of 177 components being identified. The essential oils were of a very similar chemical composition and consisted mainly of aliphatic compounds and their derivatives. Fatty acids and fatty acid derived compounds were the most common, 51.3% (ec1) and 60.1% (ec2), followed by carotenoid derived compounds, 12.6% (ec1) and 20.2% (ec2), and then terpenoids, 14.9% (ec1) and 14.2% (ec2). The main constituents in the oils were hexadecanoic acid, 22.8% (ec2) and 35.9% (ec1) and hexahydrofarnesyl acetone, 10.8% (ec2) and 11.6% (ec1). The results obtained differ markedly from those previously reported for the same species.     

Différenciation des cellules pigmentaires à porphyrines chez Lineus ruber (O. F. Müller) (Hétéronémertes Lineidae)

Résumé On a étudié le metabolisme des Porphyrines de la Némerte marine Lineus ruber à l'aide d'acide delta aminolévulinique 4 C¹⁴ ou 2–3 H³. Chez les animaux traités, le marqueur est retrouvé au niveau des uroporphyrines séparées par chromatographie sur papier. Ce résultat nous a permis l'étude autoradiographique de la mise en place des Uroporphyrines dans les cellules pigmentaires en régénération. Ce type de travail permet de suivre la différenciation biochimique des cellules pigmentaires avant que ne soit commencée leur différenciation morphologique.

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Summary The metabolism of porphyrins was studied in the marine Nemertean worm Lineus ruber with delta aminolevulinic acid 4 C¹⁴ or 2–3 H³. All the radioactivity was found in the uroporphyrins isolated by paper chromatography. This result permits us to do the autoradiographic study of the appearance of uroporphyrins in regenerating pigment cells. Such a work allows to see the biochemical differentiation of pigment cells before the starting of their morphological differentiation.

     

Rhodymenia delicatula P.J.L. Dangeard (Rhodophyta,Rhodymeniales) en Méditerranée

Abstract

Presence of Rhodymenia delicatula P.J.L. Dangeard in the Mediterranean. - The presence of Rhodymenia delicatula P.J.L. Dangeard (Rhodophyta, Rhodymeniales) in the southern Thyrrhenian sea is reported. Both cystocarpic and tetrasporic individuals have been collected. Anatomical features of the reproductive structures, as well as the position of these on the thallus allowed the identification of this species formerly known for the Atlantic coasts of Morocco and British Isles.     

Paramaritremopsis solielangi n. sp. et Microphallus kinsellai n. sp. (Digenea: Microphallidae) parasites de Charadrii (Aves) du Bélize (Amérique centrale)

The authors describe and illustrate two trematodes from Belize (Central America): Paramaritremopsis solielangi n. sp. from the small intestine of Arenaria interpres is characterised by a body length of 478 m, two short and pre-acetabular caeca, part of the uterus in close association with the cirrus-sac and left caecum, vitelline glands in the shape of a horseshoe, a short pre-ovarian cirrus-sac containing a long, cylindrical, voluminous and unarmed cirrus (size when evaginated: 150×20–30 m) and Microphallus kinsellai n. sp. from the caeca of Actitis macularia characterised by a body length of 370 m and a phallus which is 30 m in diameter and asymmetrical (basically a pad with a moderately developed accessory lobe) and a straight ejaculatory canal. Levinseniella carteretensis is another microphallid recovered from Arenaria interpres. The term of ``phallus' is proposed to name the male copulatory organ which characterizes the Microphallinae.     

Carotenoids in fish. XXVIII. Carotenoids in Micropterus salmoides (Lalépéde) Centrarchidae

The occurrence and contents of carotenoids in different body parts were investigated by column chromatography and TLC in Micropterus salmoides (Lalép).The following carotenoids were found: -carotene, -cryptoxanthin, -cryptoxanthin, echinenone, canthaxanthin, lutein, zeaxanthin, neothxanthin, tunaxanthin, -doradexanthin, -doradexanthin, idoxanthin, astaxanthin, astaxanthin ester, mutatochrome and mutatoxanthin.Their total contents varied within the range of 0.071–1.691 µg/g wet weight.     

Solving the identity of the large Plagiomnium (Musci) from Madeira (Portugal): P. undulatum var. madeirense T. Kop. & C. Sérgio

A new variety of Plagiomnium undulatum (Hedw.) T. Kop. var. madeirense T. Kop. & C. Sérgio is described from Madeira Island. The plants present an aquatic ecology and are characterised by broadly and longly decurrent leaves and by large size of laminal cells. This taxon is illustrated and the specimens studied are mapped.     

13. Lake Saloio (Nazaré, western Portugal)

The possible impact of altitude and the related microclimatic conditions on the total production of fruiting branches, inflorescences, flowers and pollen grains of olive trees Olea europaea was analysed. A total of 90 Picual cultivar trees, the most extensive olive cultivar in the Iberian Peninsula, were studied for a three-year period (2007–2009). The study shows that production of flowers and pollen grains in a cultivar of the olive tree varies according to the microclimate. Our study also indicates that the olive trees frequently can have up to half a million flowers per tree. Moreover, the total flower production differs between years and study areas. In the Picual cultivar, the average production of pollen grains per anther is usually more than 60?000 grains. The total production of pollen per tree is around 72?000 million on average. The most favourable microclimatic conditions for reproduction in olive trees are found in years and olive growing areas with low temperature and high precipitation records during the months prior to flowering of the olive trees. We hypothesise that olive trees tend to increase their pollen production rate as altitude increases, which can be interpreted as a reproductive strategy to ensure fertilisation.     

Création du genre Californiella N.gen. (Rhodophycophyta) et révision du genre DasyporellaStolley, 1893 (Dasycladales)

The genus Dasyporella was created by Stolley in 1893. Later, two different species were assigned to this genus under the same specific name Dasyporella norvegica. One of them was misinterpreted by Johnson & Konishi (1959) which introduced a confusion in the genus definition. The revision of the genus Dasyporella was therefore necessary and the study of new specimens belonging to the misinterpreted species have led to the creation of a new genus: Californiella. This new genus clarifies the concept of Dasyporella with the reinstatement of its original definition.     

Bioguided Fractionation and Isolation of an Antiplasmodial Saponin from the Roots of Nauclea xanthoxylon (A.Chev.) Aubrév. (Rubiaceae)

The root extract of Nauclea xanthoxylon (A.Chev.) Aubrév. displayed significant 50 % inhibition concentration (IC₅₀s) of 0.57 and 1.26 μg/mL against chloroquine resistant and sensitive Plasmodium falciparum (Pf) Dd2 and 3D7 strains, respectively. Bio-guided fractionation led to an ethyl acetate fraction with IC₅₀s of 2.68 and 1.85 μg/mL and subsequently, to the new quinovic acid saponin named xanthoxyloside ( 1 ) with IC₅₀s of 0.33 and 1.30 μM, respectively against the tested strains. Further compounds obtained from ethyl acetate and hexane fractions were the known clethric acid ( 2 ), ursolic acid ( 3 ), quafrinoic acid ( 4 ), quinovic acid ( 5 ), quinovic acid 3-O-β-D-fucopyranoside ( 6 ), oleanolic acid ( 7 ), oleanolic acid 3-acetate ( 8 ), friedelin ( 9 ), β-sitosterol ( 10a ), stigmasterol ( 10b ) and stigmasterol 3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside ( 11 ). Their structures were characterised with the aid of comprehensive spectroscopic methods (1 and 2D NMR, Mass). Bio-assays were performed using nucleic acid gel stain (SYBR green I)-based fluorescence assay with chloroquine as reference. Extracts and compounds exhibited good selectivity indices (SIs) of >10. Significant antiplasmodial activities measured for the crude extract, the ethyl acetate fraction and xanthoxyloside ( 1 ) from that fraction can justify the use of the root of N. xanthoxylon in ethnomedicine to treat malaria.     

El géneroJacquinia L. (Theophrastaceae) en Cuba

The term phyletic diversity is used here to denote the continued co-existence and evolution of separate major phyletic groups which have a similar mode of life (e.g. within the angiosperms). This work attempts to show that an understanding of the factors which determine the degree of phyletic diversity could contribute to understanding the nature and evolution of higher taxonomic categories, such as families. The opposite of phyletic diversity, phyletic uniformity (Fig. 1A—B), should result from unequal evolutionary rates of different groups and repeated adaptive radiations of the most successful groups; the following competition for essential, limiting resources should lead to the extinction of all less rapidly evolving, inferior groups. At least some plant families are shown to have specific adaptive specializations which give them competitive advantages for part of the environmental resources only. This ensures their co-existence and the maintainance of phyletic diversity. The nature of these family specializations is considered briefly. It is shown that physiological adaptations to particular conditions, symbioses which aid in obtaining nutrients and, especially, chemical defence mechanisms could be major components of these specializations and thereby the raison d'être of plant families.     

Recognition of biovar C of Fusobacterium necrophorum (Flügge) Moore and Holdeman as Fusobacterium pseudonecrophorum sp. nov., nom. rev. (ex Prévot 1940)

The cellular morphology, colonial morphology, biochemical properties, DNA base compositions, and DNA-DNA homolgies of three biovars of Fusobacterium necrophorum were examined. Some differences were found among the three biovars in cellular morphology, colonial morphology, and biochemical properties. The guanine-plus-cytosine contents of DNAs from biovar C strains Fn521T (T = type strain), Fn522, and Fn520 were 30.4, 29.3, and 28.0 mol%, respectively, and the guanine-plus-cytosine contents of DNAs from strains VPI 2891 (biovar A) and VPI 6161 (biovar B) were 31.3 and 32.0 mol%, respectively. Labeled DNA from biovar C strain Fn521T exhibited 96 and 82% relatedness to DNAs from biovar C strains Fn522 and Fn520, respectively; however, it exhibited only about 10% relatedness to DNAs from strains of biovars A and B. Labeled DNAs from strains VPI 2891 and VPI 6161 exhibited more than 70% relatedness to each other, but about 6 to 20% relatedness to DNAs from biovar C strains. Therefore, Fusobacterium pseudonecrophorum sp. nov., nom. rev. (ex Prévot 1940) is proposed for Fusobacterium necrophorum biovar C. The type strain is strain Fn521 (= JCM 3722).