Pollen and spore keys for Quaternary deposits in the northern Pindos Mountains,Greece

Keys for identification of pollen and spores of extant plants in Grevena´Province, northwestern Greece are presented at the lowest commonly achievable taxonomic rank, based on light microscope observation. As the Province includes a range of vegetation from lowland evergreen oak woods, through semi-deciduous and deciduous oak and mixed deciduous forests at middle elevations, to higher altitude beech and pine woods and alpine meadows, the keys cover most common pollen and spores encountered in Quaternary deposits in upland areas of southeastern Europe. Special attention has been paid to closely identifying pollen and spores of particular interest to the archaeologist. Based on compilations of existing data and new observations, separate special keys are included for Caryophyllaceae, Cyperaceae, Gramineae, Malvaceae, Plantaginaceae, and Rosaceae. A full list of species included in each pollen type is provided.     

Fluorescence microscopy of pollen and spores: a tool for investigating environmental change

Fluorescence microscopy of fossil pollen and spores has only been exploited by palynologists for geological time scales. A reconstruction of ecological change, blanket peat erosion and consequent sediment flux within an area of moorland in the north of England during the late Holocene has provided an opportunity to evaluate whether fluorescence microscopy of pollen and spores can be used as a tool for reconstructing environmental change at shorter and more recent timescales.The fluorescence properties of pollen and spores in samples of blanket peat (sediment source) and reservoir sediments (sediment sink) were assessed during routine pollen counts. Fluorescence varied with taxon. Bog surface processes such as moorland fire and dessication were observed to have no visible effect on fluorescence, but air pollution deposition (indicated by Pb) did have an effect, although exactly which pollutant(s) is responsible is unclear.The effect on fluorescence of the physical processes associated with peat erosion and re-sedimentation in reservoirs was examined. Spores of lower plants found in reservoir sediment samples with a high content of eroded peat were well preserved (fluorescing at blue-green wavelengths), suggesting that the eroded peat was transported from the bog surface to the reservoir as peat fragments containing pollen and spores. There is a direct correlation between the proportions of pollen and spores with extinguished fluorescence (very poor preservation state) in sediment samples, and sediment accumulation rate. This relationship is probably not applicable for quantitatively estimating sedimentation rate at other sites due to the effect of local factors. However, the relationship can provide the basis for a simple, quick and relatively inexpensive method of examining qualitative shifts in sediment flux, which can be conducted during routine pollen counts.     

The Occurrence of <Emphasis Type="Italic">p</Emphasis>-coumaric Acid and Ferulic Acid in Fossil Plant Materials and their Use as UV-proxy

The applicability of p-coumaric acid and ferulic acid concentrations or ratios in (sub)fossil plant remnant as UV-B proxies relies on various aspects, which are discussed in this paper and will be illustrated with some experimental data. A newly developed THM-micropyrolysis–gas chromatography–mass spectrometry method was tested on various spores, pollen and other plant remains, which were analysed for the presence of the UV-absorbing compounds p-coumaric acid and ferulic acid. This revealed that these supposed building-blocks of sporopollenin appear to be present in pollen of many plant species but also in moss spores. The development of this micropyrolysis method paved the way for the quantitative analysis of UV-absorbing compounds in case only a small amount of analyte is available, for example for fossil pollen and spores but also other small palynomorphs and plant fossils. The use of this technique will provide a better insight in the plant responses to UV-radiation, the chemistry of pollen and spores, their fossil counterparts and furthermore the means for a further development of a proxy for the reconstruction of past UV-B radiation.     

The effect of pollen grains on infections caused by Botrytis cinerea Fr

The addition of pollen to spores of Botrytis cinerea Fr. in droplets of distilled water stimulates spore germination, growth of germ tubes and lesion development. Aqueous diffusate from pollen is as effective as pollen grains, and frozen pollen is more stimulatory than freshly collected pollen. The presence of pollen grains reduces considerably the number of spores needed to allow infection to occur. The lost germination ability and infectivity of old spores is restored by pollen. The stimulatory effect of the presence of pollen has been demonstrated both in vitro and on the surfaces of strawberry petals, strawberry fruits and broad bean leaves. Complete removal of the source of pollen, the anthers from strawberry fruits, markedly affected the speed and severity of infections of strawberry fruits. On broad bean leaves the addition of pollen grains to spores induced the development of spreading aggressive lesions. Preliminary work indicates that the effective principle in pollen is water-soluble, dialysable and heat-stable. Although glucose and fructose are important components of diffusate, neither glucose solution nor fructose solution nor a mixture of the two showed as marked effects as did pollen. Orange juice produces similar effects.     

黄土孢粉分析方法的研究

根据黄土的化学成分等特点,采取相应的化学及物理相结合的处理方法,把孢粉离析出来。在黄土最为发育的陕西、甘肃７ 个黄土剖面计９０ 多个样品中均获得丰富的孢粉,观察１—３ 张玻片,孢粉总数可达２０４—５９４ 粒以上,２５０ ｇ 的土样可获得３．９—５５．１ 万粒孢粉     

Petroleum Sporo-Pollen Assemblages and Oil Source Rock of Yumen Oil bearing Region in Gansu

Twenty-six species (or forms) of fossil pollen and spores referred to 24 genera extracted from the crude oil samples collected from the Yumen oil-bearing region in West Gansu are observed and the definition of the petroleum sporo-pollen assemblage is given by the authors. On the basis of palynological investigation, the oil source rock of this oil-bearing region is tentatively discussed in this paper. The fossil pollen and spores found from the Tertiary petroleum in this region may be divided into two groups, because they are extremely different in fossilized state. The group of spores and pollen with higher fossilized state is mainly consisted of Schizaeoisporites zizyphinus, Gibotiumspora paradoxa, Monosulcites minimus and Bennettiteaepollenites sp. The other group comprises Pinus, Picea, Ephedra, Potamogeton, Lilium, Ulmus, Chenopodium, Nymphaea, Eutrema, Lens, Nitraria, Tamarix, Achillea, Artemisia, Solidago, Bidens, Graminidites, Cypheraceaepollis, etc. The above mentioned petroleum sporo-pollen assemblage of the tertiary oil reservoir rock is a gathering of fossil pollen and spores brought from the Lower Cretaceous deposits and the tertiary deposits respectively. The appearance of the Early Cretaceous pollen and spores bearing in the black shales of the Lower Xinminbu Formation in the tertiary petroleum may be considered to be a result of petroleum migration. And it reflects that the oil source rock might belong to Early Cretaceous Series. The fossil pollen and spores extracted from the Early Cretaceous petroleum in this region contain merely Schizaeoisporites zizyphinus, Monosulcites minimus, Bennettiteaepollenites sp., Psophosphaera, etc. The tertiary pollen and spores are completely absent there. So it indicates that both the oil source rock and the oil reservoir rock should belong to the fossil-bearing Lower Xinminbu Formation. In addition, there are some pollen of Monosulcites and Psophosphaera in the petroleum reserved in the fissures of the Silurian metamorphic rock. They are also probably brought from the Lower Xinminbu Formation by oil and gas in the process of their migration. In any case, judging from the pollen and spores found from the crude oil, the oil source rock of this oil-bearing region is deduced to be the black shales of the Lower Xinminbu Formation referred to as Early Cretaceous Epoch.     

EQUATIONS FOR THE MOTION OF AIRBORNE POLLEN GRAINS NEAR THE OVULATE ORGANS OF WIND-POLLINATED PLANTS

A technique is presented that is capable of predicting the motion of airborne pollen grains and the probability of pollen capture by wind-pollinated plants. Equations for the motion of rigid-walled particles (= pollen grains, spores, or Sephadex beads) in a supporting, compressible fluid (= air) are derived from the first principles of fluid dynamics. These equations are incorporated into a computer program (MODEL) which can be used with a desktop computer. The operation of MODEL requires empirical data on the pattern of airflow or the motion of a pollen species around the surfaces of the taxonomically relevant ovulate plant organ. With this information, MODEL can predict the behavior of any pollen species for which physical properties (size and density) are specified or empirically known. The significance of this procedure lies in the quantification of physical phenomena that influence the mechanics and fluid dynamics of pollen capture in wind pollination. The technique is illustrated and tested by its application to two grass species (Setaria geniculata and Agrostis hiemalis) for which velocity fields of pollen motion have been previously reported.     

Characterizing Aeroallergens by Infrared Spectroscopy of Fungal Spores and Pollen

Background

Fungal spores and plant pollen cause respiratory diseases in susceptible individuals, such as asthma, allergic rhinitis and hypersensitivity pneumonitis. Aeroallergen monitoring networks are an important part of treatment strategies, but unfortunately traditional analysis is time consuming and expensive. We have explored the use of infrared spectroscopy of pollen and spores for an inexpensive and rapid characterization of aeroallergens.

Methodology

The study is based on measurement of spore and pollen samples by single reflectance attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (SR-ATR FTIR). The experimental set includes 71 spore (Basidiomycota) and 121 pollen (Pinales, Fagales and Poales) samples. Along with fresh basidiospores, the study has been conducted on the archived samples collected within the last 50 years.

Results

The spectroscopic-based methodology enables clear spectral differentiation between pollen and spores, as well as the separation of confamiliar and congeneric species. In addition, the analysis of the scattering signals inherent in the infrared spectra indicates that the FTIR methodology offers indirect estimation of morphology of pollen and spores. The analysis of fresh and archived spores shows that chemical composition of spores is well preserved even after decades of storage, including the characteristic taxonomy-related signals. Therefore, biochemical analysis of fungal spores by FTIR could provide economical, reliable and timely methodologies for improving fungal taxonomy, as well as for fungal identification and monitoring. This proof of principle study shows the potential for using FTIR as a rapid tool in aeroallergen studies. In addition, the presented method is ready to be immediately implemented in biological and ecological studies for direct measurement of pollen and spores from flowers and sporocarps.     

云南亚热带南部孢粉空间组合特征及其与环境分异的关系

以云南亚热带南部野外调研孢粉资料为基础,分析了7个样地的35个表土样品以及28个剖面样品孢粉组合的空间分异特征.结果发现:(1)表土孢粉无论是在科属种类、数量及优势科属还是在科属植物区系上,哀牢山山脉东西两侧的样地均具有较大的差异.孢粉科属种类和数量方面,哀牢山西侧样地要较东部丰富;优势科属方面,哀牢山山脉西侧植物群落的优势科属不明显,且较东部要复杂,而东部地区植物群落的优势科属则较为集中和突出;植物区系分布方面,世界广布、泛热带、热带亚洲至热带非洲以及北温带分布等4个植物区系,其数量和所占比例东西差异都很大.(2)剖面孢粉的分析结果显示,其空间变化趋势与表土孢粉基本一致,同样反映了孢粉组合的东西空间差异.(3)孢粉组合的空间组合与区域的地形、气候分异特征有关.纵向排列的山系对大气环流的"阻隔"作用,以及哀牢山东西侧不同的季风环流系统导致的水热组合条件的差异是造成孢粉组合空间分异格局的主要原因.云南亚热带南部孢粉空间组合反映了区内自然环境的区域差异.     

Reconstructing Earth's Past Climates: The Hidden Secrets of Pollen

Palynology is the study of fossil pollen and spores, and these tiny grains can provide fundamental information about past climates on Earth. Among their many unique and useful properties, pollen and spores are composed of some of the most chemically resistant organic compounds found in nature. They are also produced in vast quantities and are unique to the specific plant from which they originate. All these features make them ideal to reconstruct past climates from both recent history as well as from the ancient past. The purpose of this activity is to get students familiar with palynology and how scientists study climate change. It is based on real palynological data acquired from Antarctic cores obtained recently from the ANDRILL and SHALDRIL drilling campaigns. In order for students to understand this research and its importance, they will separate and identify pollen and spores from a simulated core sample in which different species of plants are represented as different colors of glitter. Students will compare the types and abundance of pollen and spores found in each layer of the core sample and research the climate preferences of the types of plants recovered in order to reconstruct the past climates of Antarctica.     

东北长白山垂直林带下现代表土花粉与植被关系

在长白山北坡5个垂直植被带的林下采集29个表土(苔藓)样品进行孢粉分析，同时将其结果作对应分析。结果表明，除个别样品，在长白山垂直植被带的孢粉组合中乔木花粉占优势，其中以松属和桦木属最多，在各植被带均有分布。松属花粉最高含量出现在以红松为主的针阔混交林带的孢粉组合中；桦木属花粉则大量见于亚高山岳桦林带和以栎桦为主的阔叶落叶林带，但前者伴有耐寒、旱的小灌从杜鹃花属花粉，而在后者中则见有大量蕨类孢子。阔叶落叶林带的孢粉组合是以类型多、百分含量高的落叶乔木花粉和大量蕨类饱子为特征。亚高山针叶林带的孢粉组合中出现数量众多的云杉属花粉。在高山苔原带孢粉组合中虽然乔木花粉略占优势，但极少或不见蕨类孢子，与其他植被带比较，草本植物和小灌丛花粉明鲜较多，其中杜鹃属花粉含量在草本中占优势，其中出现苔原带的指示花粉——仙女木属。     

东北长白山垂直林带下现代表土花粉与植被关系

在长白山北坡5个垂直植被带的林下采集29个表土(苔藓)样品进行孢粉分析,同时将其结果作对应分析.结果表明,除个别样品,在长白山垂直植被带的孢粉组合中乔木花粉占优势,其中以松属和桦木属最多,在各植被带均有分布.松属花粉最高含量出现在以红松为主的针阔混交林带的孢粉组合中;桦木属花粉则大量见于亚高山岳桦林带和以栎桦为主的阔叶落叶林带,但前者伴有耐寒、早的小灌丛杜鹃花属花粉,而在后者中则见有大量蕨类孢子.阔叶落叶林带的孢粉组合是以类型多、百分含量高的落叶乔木花粉和大量蕨类孢子为特征.亚高山针叶林带的孢粉组合中出现数量众多的云杉属花粉.在高山苔原带孢粉组合中虽然乔木花粉略占优势,但极少或不见蕨类孢子,与其他植被带比较,草本植物和小灌丛花粉明鲜较多,其中杜鹃属花粉含量在草本中占优势,其中出现苔原带的指示花粉--仙女木属.     

蕨类植物孢子与种子植物花粉萌发的比较

蕨类植物孢子与种子植物花粉在有性生殖过程中都具有重要的作用。花粉作为种子植物的雄配子体,通过萌发后极性生长的花粉管将精细胞送到胚囊完成受精作用。蕨类植物孢子作为配子体的原始细胞,通过不对称的有丝分裂产生一大一小两个细胞,小细胞萌发出极性生长的假根,大细胞继续分裂发育为原叶体（配子体）。成熟的花粉和蕨类植物孢子都是代谢高度静止的细胞,两者的萌发过程不仅都受到各种不同环境因子的影响,而且在信号转导、极性建立和能量代谢等方面可能有着相似的调控机制。本文综述了蕨类植物孢子和种子植物花粉萌发过程的差异和保守性特征。     

蕨类植物孢子与种子植物花粉萌发的比较

蕨类植物孢子与种子植物花粉在有性生殖过程中都具有重要的作用。花粉作为种子植物的雄配子体, 通过萌发后极性生长的花粉管将精细胞送到胚囊完成受精作用。蕨类植物孢子作为配子体的原始细胞, 通过不对称的有丝分裂产生一大一小两个细胞, 小细胞萌发出极性生长的假根, 大细胞继续分裂发育为原叶体(配子体)。成熟的花粉和蕨类植物孢子都是代谢高度静止的细胞, 两者的萌发过程不仅都受到各种不同环境因子的影响, 而且在信号转导、极性建立和能量代谢等方面可能有着相似的调控机制。本文综述了蕨类植物孢子和种子植物花粉萌发过程的差异和保守性特征。     

Dispersal of fungi spores by non‐specialized flower‐visiting birds

Birds are important biotic dispersers of a wide range of propagules. Fungi spores are mainly dispersed by wind. Nevertheless there are several animals known to disperse fungi spores, which might be particularly important if spores are delivered to particularly favourable sites i.e. directed dispersal. This may be especially important for fungi that require specific microsites such as flowers. We sampled birds for the presence of fungi spores and pollen grains during one year at two forest sites in central Portugal. We found that out of the 894 birds sampled, 131 individuals from 11 species carried spores from at least 6 morphological types, mainly during winter. The great majority of birds found to carry fungi spores was also found to carry pollen grains, suggesting that they were feeding on flowers which are the main origin of the spores. This co‐dispersion of pollen and fungi spores suggest that the latter are not randomly dispersed on the environment, but are likely to have an increased probability of being deposited on flowers propitious to fungi development. Our results suggest that directed dispersal of fungi by flower‐visiting birds might by a common and under‐appreciated phenomenon with potentially important ecological, biogeographic and even economic outcomes.     

First results of a study on airborne sporomorps in Budapest,Hungary

The first results of an aerobiological study, with the help of a Burkard spore trap in Hungary, are reported. A pollen calendar of 1989 is presented. Out of the total identified sporomorphs, the most relevant 16 types of pollen and 10 of fungal spores are reported. We have pointed out, that in Budapest Ambrosia and Artemisia pollen and some fungal spores are particularly responsible for the long lasting allergies to pollen and spores in the autumn. The pollen frequencies and the symptom scores of patients of the Pediatrics (Semmelweis Medical School, Budapest) showed a good correlation. Weekly reports are published in a newspaper and in television.     

Performance of the Coriolis air sampler,a high-volume aerosol-collection system for quantification of airborne spores and pollen grains

The Coriolis δ air sampler manufactured by Bertin Technologies (France) is a continuous air sampler, dedicated to outdoor monitoring of airborne spores and pollen grains. This high-volume sampler is based on patented Coriolis technology delivering a liquid sample. The air is drawn into a conical vial in a whirling type motion using suction; particles are pulled against the wall by centrifugal force. Airborne particles are separated from the air and collected in a liquid medium. This innovative solution allows rapid analysis by several techniques including PCR assay and serological assay in order to measure the antigenicity/allergenicity of pollen grains and fungal spores. Also, traditional counting of pollen grains or taxa identification by optical microscopy can be done. A study has been carried out by the Health Protection Agency (HPA), Porton Down, UK, to measure the physical efficiency of the Coriolis air sampler. The physical efficiency of the sampler for collection of micro-organism-laden particles of various sizes has been compared with that of membrane filter samplers using the techniques described by ISO 14698-1. The Coriolis was operated simultaneously with membrane filter samplers in a controlled room where they were challenged with uniform-sized particles of different diameters containing bacterial spores. For the larger particle sizes, it was found that the physical efficiency of the Coriolis was 92% for 10-μm particles. The biological performance of the Coriolis in the collection of airborne fungal spores and pollen grains was evaluated in comparison with a Hirst spore trap (one-week tape-on-drum type sampler) which is one of the most frequently used traps in the measurement of outdoor pollen grain concentrations. The advantages and limitations of both technologies are discussed. The Coriolis was operated simultaneously with a Hirst spore trap in the sampling station of Réseau National de Surveillance Aérobiologique, France (RNSA); the pollen grain and fungal spore counts were analysed by optical microscopy. The pollen grain count m⁻³ collected was compared for both devices. The dispersion values were obtained and statistical analysis was carried out. This study shows that the Coriolis air sampler provided equivalent recovery of pollen grain and fungal spores compared with the volumetric trap standard method (not significantly different, W test, α = 0.05). Nowadays, the French-led project, acronym MONALISA, with financial support from the European Commission––Life-Environment (LIFE05 ENV/F/000068), is testing this innovative air sampler in order to measure the antigenicity/allergenicity of the main aeroallergen particles, i.e. Betula (birch), Poaceae (grasses), Parietaria (pellitory), Olea spp (olive tree), and Artemisia (mugwort) pollen grains, and Alternaria (fungal spores) to validate a new approach of monitoring instead of quantifying pollen grains by their morphology. The robustness and efficiency of the MONALISA system is being demonstrated at a national level throughout Europe in eight different countries with different bio-climatic and topography characteristics: France, UK, Finland, Poland, Spain, Portugal, Switzerland, and Italy.     

Reliability of measures of spores of Alternaria and pollen concentrations in air over two towns in rural Australia

We examined the reliability of measurements from a single Burkard volumetric trap to represent the distribution of airborne concentrations of spores of Alternaria and pollen across two towns in rural Australia. Each town was sampled with three traps, sited 2.0 to 4.9 km apart, simultaneously. Substantial intra-class correlation coefficients (ICC) were observed between all three sites (ICC～0.52, 95% CI 0.30-0.71 to 0.76, 95% CI 0.61-0.87) when counts of pollen and Alternaria spores were relatively high. The correlation was poor when counts were low. Highly variable distributions of cypress pollen were found to be location dependent. We further compared two central lengthwise microscopic traverses of Burkard trap samples collected daily over one year. Correlation was strong for Alternaria spores (ICC～0.95, 95% CI 0.94-0.96), grass pollen (ICC～0.94, 95% CI 0.91-0.96) and total non-grass pollen (ICC～0.91, 95% CI 0.89-0.93). We conclude that a single central traverse of a Burkard trap sample collected at one location provides an acceptable measure of the concentrations of spores of Alternaria and grass pollen across the two rural towns when counts are relatively high. The measure is less reliable when counts are low.     

Airborne pollen, spores, and dust across the East Mediterranean Sea

Airborne pollen and spores, as well as airflow directions, were continuously monitored during a cruise across the East Mediterranean from Tel Aviv, Israel, to Istanbul, Turkey. In spite of the fact that a high-altitude dust cloud moved, at that, time from North Africa, across the East Mediterranean, only a few dust particles were monitored on the boat. The numbers of counted airborne pollen along the cruise path were rather small. This is, in part, because the trip was taken after the main flowering season in the East Mediterranean region. Nevertheless, airborne pollen grains were still found, either as a result of remnant pollen releases by late-flowering plants or because of secondary lift-up of previously settled pollen. The presented pollen counts are average pollen counts /m³ air /6 h. The counts ranged between ∼5 pollen/m³ of air in mid-sea (July 16th–July 17th) or ∼6 pollen/m³ of air on the Israeli coast (July 16–July 17th), and 30 pollen/m³ of air near the coasts of Turkey and of the Greek Islands (July 18th–July 19th) and some 18 taxa of pollen were identified, most of them at the family level. Some 30 taxa of different spores were recorded. The numbers of airborne spores were relatively low in mid-sea (300–750 spores/m³ air), but were high near the coasts of Turkey (1,200–2,400 spores/m³ air) and of Israel (340–1,695 spores/m³ air).