THE SEXUAL CYCLE OF NETRIUM DIGITUS

The life cycle of 2 varieties of Netrium digitus, a saccoderm desmid, was studied in pure culture on mineral media. Netrium digitus var. digitus from Indiana is homothallic, and Netrium digitus var. lamellosum from Minnesota is heterothallic. Previous observations by other investigators on the events of the sexual cycle are confirmed and extended. Zygospores of both varieties are formed in the conjugation tube. Fusion of gametic nuclei occurs after the dormant period of zygospores, and meiosis occurs at the time of germination. Conjugation is induced in a reliable manner in both varieties by omitting nitrogen from the medium and by exposing the cultures to the proper conditions of light and temperature. The relationship between photoperiod, nitrogen depletion, and induction of conjugation is discussed.     

PATTERNS OF CHARACTER DIVERGENCE AND THE EVOLUTION OF REPRODUCTIVE ECOTYPES OF DALECHAMPIA SCANDENS (EUPHORBIACEAE)

The variation of four floral characters (resin-gland area, gland-stigma distance, gland-anther distance, and anther-stigma distance) was analyzed across 15 populations of Dalechampia scandens occurring sympatrically, in various combinations, with five other congeners. Univariate and multivariate analysis of variance and a posteriori comparison tests indicate that there are significant statistical patterns of character divergence away from sympatric congeners for three of the floral characters. These characters, which on the basis of common garden studies appear to be under genetic control, may not vary independently; i.e., genetic control may be overlapping. The characters appear to be functionally related. Populations of Dalechampia scandens occurring sympatrically with congeners possessing relatively large resin glands, large gland-stigma distances and large anther-stigma distances (e.g., D. dioscoreifolia and D. affinis) have significantly smaller resin glands, gland-stigma distances and anther-stigma distances than do populations occurring sympatrically with congeners with relatively small resin glands, gland-stigma distances, and anther-stigma distances (e.g., D. cissifolia, D. heteromorpha and D. schottii). Populations of D. scandens not sympatric with other Dalechampia species generally have intermediately sized structures. The pattern of bidirectional divergence is consistent with the evolutionary scenario that selection against interspecific pollination has resulted in local ecotypic differentiation and character displacement in populations sympatric with ecologically similar congeners.     

QUANTITATIVE DETERMINATION OF CANNABINOIDS IN INDIVIDUAL GLANDULAR TRICHOMES OF CANNABIS SATIVA L. (CANNABACEAE)

Cannabinoid levels of individual mature glandular trichomes from two clones and two strains of Cannabis sativa L., which included both drug and fiber phenotypes, were investigated by gas-liquid chromatographic analyses. Capitate-stalked glands were selectively harvested from vein and nonvein areas of pistillate bracts while capitate-sessile glands were harvested from these areas of leaves. The qualitative cannabinoid profile characteristic of the strain or clone was maintained in the individual capitate-stalked glands while the quantitative cannabinoid profiles varied with each strain or clone and between vein and nonvein areas as well. Capitate-sessile glands were found to contain conspicuously lower levels of cannabinoids than capitate-stalked glands. This study emphasizes that glands of Cannabis represent a dynamic system within the cannabinoid synthesizing activities of this plant.     

A REVISION OF PASSIFLORA SECTION DYSOSMIA

Revision of Passiflora subgenus Passiflora section Dysosmia DC. (Passifloraceae). The twenty one species and 10 varieties (31 taxa) comprising subgenus Passiflora section Dysosmia DC are described and some are illustrated with photographs and line drawings. Two species, Passiflora vesicaria L. and Passiflora ciliata (Dryand) Mast., are removed from synonymy and reinstated to species rank. Passiflora baraquiniana Lemaire is removed from synonymy and given varietal status. The species Passiflora santiagana (Killip) Borhidi is reduced in rank to varietal status. Of the 38 varieties of Passiflora foetida L. described by E. P. Killip in his 1938 monograph, 28 are reduced to synonymy, four are reassigned as varieties of other species and four remain as varieties of P. foetida. A new variety, Passiflora foetida var. ellisonii Vanderplank, is described with photographs and line drawings.     

EFFECTS OF GOSSYPOL ON GROWTH OF THE COTTON BOLLWORM AND DEVELOPMENT OF ITS PARASITOID CAMPOLETIS CHLORIDEAE*

Abstract The effects of gossypol, an important allelochemical in cotton, on growth of the cotton bollworm Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner) and development of its endoparasitoid Campoletis chlorideae (Uchida) in Huanghe River Valley were studied. Growth of H. armigera larvae was accelerated by adding 0.1% gossypol in the artificial diet, causing 10.75% reduction of the vulnerable period to C. chlorideae while the suppression activity of 0. 5 % gossypol to H. armigera larvae prolonged the vulnerable period by 28.15%. Negative effects of gossypol on the development of the parasitoid were demonstrated by using the artificial diet and cotton varieties WD-151 (glandless) and HG-BR-8 (glanded). Gossypol at 0.1% concentration in artificial diet did not remarkably increase the body weight of adult wasp, but significantly extended the egg-larval time and shortened the pupal time; 0. 5% gossypol and HG-BR-8 remarkably reduced the body weight of adult wasp, also significantly prolonged the egg-larval period and decreased the pupal period. Finally, the coordinate application of high gossypol resistant cotton varieties and C. chlorideae in H. armigera control is discussed.     

The Different Vascular Patterns of Slime Glands in the Hagfishes,Myxine glutinosa Linnaeus and Eptatretus stouti Lockington A Scanning Electron Microscope Study of Vascular Corrosion Casts*

The vascular patterns of the epidermally derived slime glands of the Atlantic hagfish, Myxine glutinosa, and of the Pacific hagfish, Eptatretus stouti, have been studied by scanning electron microscopy of vascular corrosion casts. In Myxine a simple two-dimensional vascular network sheaths the slime glands, while in Eptatretus there is also a great number of capillary loops of different lengths arising from the sheathing network and extending into the interior of the glands. These basic differences in slime glands vascular patterns are thought to reflect substantially different physiological behaviour of the slime glands in Myxine and Eptatretus.     

EVALUATION OF RELATIONSHIPS WITHIN ERIODICTYON (HYDROPHYLLACEAE) USING TRICHOME CHARACTERISTICS

All 13 taxa of Eriodictyon Bentham (Hydrophyllaceae) were examined to determine the range of variation in trichome characters within the genus. Four simple trichome types were found: short and straight, intermediate length and straight, long and straight, long and wavy. Glandular capitate trichomes were also found in some species. Sessile glands were also observed but not included in the study. Most taxa displayed unique combinations of trichome types on stems, leaves, inflorescence axes and flower parts that allowed those taxa to be identified using trichome types alone. Trichome data support most previous taxonomic treatments, but suggest that 1) the two varieties of E. traskiae are extremely similar, 2) the rare E. altissimum is most similar to the widespread E. californicum, 3) the rare E. capitatum is allied with E. crassifolium var. nigrescens or perhaps E. angustifolium, 4) E. crassifolium var. denudatum and E. crassifolium var. nigrescens are essentially indistinguishable using trichome characters and, coupled with variation in other characters, are best combined under the name E. crassifolium var. nigrescens. Trichome characters provide a wealth of taxonomically useful information and may prove useful in the study of related genera of Hydrophyllaceae.     

Trichomes and stomata,and their taxonomic significance in theUrticales

Structure and ontogeny of stomata and trichomes have been studied in 23 species and 3 varieties of theUrticales. Stomata are anomocytic, more rarely paracytic; anisocytic and sometimes helicocytic and transitorial types are found inUrticaceae andDorstenia, rarely inArtocarpus. The ontogeny of anomocytic and actinocytic stomata is perigenous, of paracytic either mesogenous or perigenous, of anisocytic either mesogenous or mesoperigenous, and of helicocytic and transitional types mesogenous. Among trichomes eglandular unicellular (wide spread), bicellular or uniseriate filiform (Cannabis); glandular capitate with uni- or bicellular (Moraceae, Ulmaceae, Cannabaceae), uniseriate filiform (Ulmaceae) or multiseriate stalk (Cannabis); sunken glands (Artocarpus); uniseriate glandular with uniseriate stalk (Celtis), and stinging emergences (Urticaceae) have been observed. It is concluded that theUrticales represent a natural order with four families:Ulmaceae, Moraceae, Urticaceae andCannabaceae which are distinct but interrelated with each other.     

Histology of mental and caudal courtship glands in three genera of plethodontid salamanders (Amphibia: Plethodontidae)

Salamanders in the family Plethodontidae exhibit a unique tail‐straddle walk during courtship that can include the use of sexually dimorphic mental and caudal courtship glands. This study presents novel histological and fine structure data on mental glands and caudal courtship glands in Plethodon mississippi, Desmognathus conanti and Eurycea quadridigitata using both light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. This study represents the first use of scanning electron microscopy to observe these glands. Both mental and caudal courtship glands were observed to vary seasonally in gland diameter and histology according to the breeding season of each species. Morphological variation was observed across the three species studied in both clustering and relative size of the glands compared to neighbouring mucous and granular glands. Hypertrophied mental glands are larger than mucous or granular glands in all species, but relationships among caudal courtship glands and other skin glands vary among species. In E. quadridigitata, active caudal courtship glands are larger than mucous and granular glands, but in D. conanti, caudal courtship glands are similar in size to granular glands and larger than mucous glands. In P. mississippi, caudal courtship glands are scattered among significantly larger granular glands and are similar in size to mucous glands.     

Testicular and androgen dependence of skin gland morphology in the anurans,Xenopus laevis and Rana pipiens

In anuran amphibians, there is increasing evidence that exocrine glands dispersed throughout the general integument are secondary sex characters (SSC). Following the recent discovery of sexually dimorphic “breeding glands” in the dorsum of male Rana pipiens, we studied the effects of castration and testosterone treatment on the dorsal skin glands of male Xenopus laevis and R. pipiens to determine whether the dorsal breeding glands, or any other dorsal skin glands, are androgen dependent. The dorsal skin glands of X. laevis were unaffected by androgen status. By contrast, in R. pipiens, breeding, mucous, and seromucous glands responded to testosterone stimulation. Mucous glands were significantly (P < 0.05) larger in testosterone-treated frogs than in castrates. There was a large, but statistically insignificant, increase in the size of the dorsal breeding glands. Testosterone treatment also increased the epithelial cell height of breeding and seromucous glands (P < 0.05). In the skins of castrated and testosterone-treated frogs, there was a reciprocal relationship between the abundance of seromucous and breeding glands: in castrates, seromucous glands were abundant and breeding glands virtually absent, whereas in testosterone-treated frogs, breeding glands were abundant and seromucous glands less common. The total number of the two gland types was similar in both treatment groups. Glands that appeared to be intermediate in form between seromucous and breeding glands were observed in some frogs. These data suggest that seromucous glands may be the regressed form of breeding glands in the dorsal skin of R. pipiens and that the dorsal skin of R. pipiens is a SSC. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

FLORAL AND FRUIT MORPHOLOGY OF NEPENTHES LOWII AND N. VILLOSA,MONTANE CARNIVORES OF BORNEO

Floral structure and function and some aspects of development are illustrated for Nepenthes lowii and N. villosa. The floral nectar glands are similar in structure to nectar glands and digestive glands of pitchers. The stamens are fused and form an anther-head, but identities of individual stamens are mostly retained. Placentation is laminar. Evidence of entomophily is presented. Only 4.5% of the seeds in the sample bore embryos, and fertile seeds lack endosperm. There is need of field observations on pollination.     

CHALONE CONTROL OF MITOTIC ACTIVITY IN SEBACEOUS GLANDS

Extracts of skin with sebaceous glands contain a substance which inhibits mitotic activity in sebaceous glands both in vivo and in vitro. This substance is neither the epidermal chalone nor the melanocyte chalone, both of which are also present in skin extracts. However, it resembles these other chalones in that it is water soluble, is precipitated by ethanol, is activated by the two stress hormones adrenalin and hydrocortisone, and is not species specific. It is present within the sebaceous glands, and it is evidently a sebaceous gland chalone.     

TRICHOMES OF CANNABIS SATIVA L. (CANNABACEAE)

The diversity of non-glandular and glandular hairs of Cannabis sativa L. (marihuana) are described by scanning electron microscopy. The non-glandular hairs are of two major types, as distinguished by size differences and locations, and all of them are highly silicified. The presence of silica as well as cystoliths of calcium carbonate help in the identification of marihuana even in its ash residues. X-ray microanalyses of Cannabis hairs are compared with those of Humulus lupulus and Lantana camera, whose hairs have been considered to resemble those of marihuana. Glandular hairs are found to be of two major categories. One group consists of glands whose heads are generally made up of eight cells and the other group whose heads are generally made up of two cells but never more than four cells. All glands of both categories are stalked. Some glands of the first category are massively stalked and these are restricted solely to anthers and bracts of staminate and pistillate plants. The massive stalk is considered to be made up of epidermal and hypodermal cells that have grown in response to some stimulation during anthesis. Fine details of the shoot system of Cannabis, such as cuticular ridges on epidermal cells, warty protuberances on non-glandular hairs, and surface views of glands in developing stages are also reported. Glandular hairs on the bracts of Humulus lupulus resemble those of Cannabis.     

ISOLATION OF HIGH-QUALITY RNA FROM GRAINS OF DIFFERENT MAIZE VARIETIES

The study of gene expression in maize varieties represents a powerful tool aiming to increase vitamin A precursors. However, the isolation of RNA from different maize varieties is challenging because these varieties show different levels of polysaccharides, and most methods available for RNA isolation are inappropriate for grain samples. The polysaccharides co-purify and co-precipitate with RNA during isolation, resulting in low-quality RNA, compromising the use of RNA in subsequent applications. Thus, a cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB)-based method was adapted in this study and compared with six methods for RNA isolation, including commercial reagents and RNA and DNA isolation kits, in order to identify the most appropriate for maize grains from different varieties. Most of the methods evaluated were considered inadequate due to limitations in terms of purity and/or quantity of the isolated RNA, which affected the efficiency of subsequent RT-qPCR analysis, resulting in nonamplification of β-carotene hydroxylase gene (HYD3) or high deviation among replicates. However, the CTAB modified method allowed the study to obtain intact RNA, with high quality and quantity, from 25 maize varieties. Furthermore, this RNA was successfully used to evaluate the expression of HYD3 gene by real-time qualitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), and thus represents a simple, efficient, and low-cost strategy.     

The tongue morphology and lingual gland histochemistry of Ligurian Sea odontocetes

The morphology and histomorphology of the tongue and the histochemistry of the lingual glands of eight specimens from four species of Ligurian Sea odontocetes (Stenella coeruleoalba, Tursiops truncatus, Grampus griseus, and Ziphius cavirostris) were studied. The shape of tongues and the appearance of their dorsal surfaces differed between species. The lingual glands differed in size, distribution, and histochemistry by species. In S. coeruleoalba and G. griseus, a strong alcianophilic mucous material was detected in the lingual glands, while neutral and acidic mucous substances were observed in the most proximal secretory acini. In G. griseus, small simple alveolar apocrine glands were also found, and the duct of the serous lingual glands in Z. cavirostris is of apocrine type. Numerous mechanoreceptors were observed. Only the tongue of the young specimens showed marginal papillae: their histomorphological composition is consistent with the hypothesis that they create a tight seal between the tongue and the roof of the cavity in order to create suction. This comparative study suggests that differences in tongue morphology and in the morphology and histochemistry of lingual glands might be related to feeding habits.     

LATICIFERS IN THE BULB SCALES OF ALLIUM

The structure and distribution of laticifers has been studied in the bulb scales of 52 species and varieties of Allium. Differences in laticifer position, shape, and pitting in the cross wall of the observed specimens support Traub's separation of the subgenera Amerallium and Allium within the genus Allium. If the species examined are representative, anatomical evidence also justifies the distinction of the section Melanocrommyum and the subsection Cepa.     

Comparative analysis of the male reproductive accessory glands of bats Noctilio albiventris (Noctilionidae) and Rhynchonycteris naso (Emballonuridae)

In eutherian mammals, the male reproductive accessory glands (RAGs) comprise the prostate, bulbourethral glands, ampullary glands, and the seminal vesicles. Their composition, anatomy and function vary widely between species. This study aimed to characterize histologically and compare the RAGs of bats. The RAGs of Noctilio albiventris (Noctilionidae) and Rhynchonycteris naso (Emballonuridae) were studied using anatomical and histological methods, and were reconstructed three dimensionally. The RAGs of N. albiventris and R. naso are composed of a compact glandular complex that surrounds the urethra and a pair of bulbourethral glands, which are extra‐abdominally located in the inguinal region. In both species, the glandular complex is composed of two well‐defined prostatic regions (ventral and dorsal). The ventral region showed an atypical epithelium (holocrine), where no obvious cellular limits were observed, and PAS‐positive secretion. The dorsal region had a pseudostratified cuboidal epithelium, with basal and secretory cells, and PAS‐negative secretion. Noctilio albiventris also had urethral glands (Littre glands) surrounding the urethra, however, R. naso had only muscles. Both species had bulbourethral glands, with simple columnar epithelium and PAS‐positive secretion. In conclusion, the RAGs of N. albiventris and R. naso comprised a pair of bulbourethral glands and an intra‐abdominal complex, composed of a prostate with two different regions (ventral and dorsal), while the ampullary glands and seminal vesicles were missing in both species. This morphology was more closely related between N. albiventris and R. naso, and to species of the family Phyllostomidae than to families Molossidae and Vespertilionidae. J. Morphol. 277:1459–1468, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

GLANDULAR LEAF STRUCTURE OF TRIPHYOPHYLLUM PELTATUM (DIONCOPHYLLACEAE): A “FLY-PAPER” INSECT TRAPPER

Certain leaves of Triphyophyllum peltatum (Hutch. & Dalz.) Airy Shaw (Dioncophyllaceae) have an extended, erect midrib covered with stalked and sessile glands exhibiting insect-trapping ability. The stalked glands secrete a sticky, acid mucilage to which numerous insects in various stages of decay were observed adhering. The morphology and anatomy of the glandular leaves were investigated with light and scanning electron microscopy. The midrib and the lamina in the lowermost part of the leaf bear stomata. Those of the midrib are transitional between actinocytic and cyclocytic in type. Parenchyma cells in mature and immature portions of the midrib and in the glands contain numerous crystals and amyloplasts. The anatomy of the stalked and sessile glands is remarkably similar to that of Drosophyllum lusitanicum (L.) Link. (Droseraceae). A distinct cuticle covers the gland head, but no pores are visible. Three distinct layers underlie the cuticle: a definite epidermal layer with irregularly thickened cell walls, and two layers of more loosely arranged cells. A fourth layer, endodermoid in nature with radially thickened cell walls, connects the head and stalk of the stalked glands and the head and midrib parenchyma of the sessile glands. Vascular elements (including helical and scalariform tracheary elements) reach the endodermoid layer. According to recent studies, Triphyophyllum and Drosophyllum have different phylogenetic origins; the morphological and anatomical similarities in the insect-trapping glandular leaves show more support for their convergent evolution rather than for an alliance of the Dioncophyllaceae with the Droseraceae.