Heteropolarity in unicellular cyanobacteria: structure and development ofCyanocystis violacea

Cyanocystis violacea isolated from a marine rock sample conforms with the diagnosis ofDermocarpa violacea Crouan in all significant characteristics. The distinct heteropolarity of the cells and simultaneous cell divisions, are stable characters in culture. Development and growth of cells, simultaneous cell division and nanocyte formation have been documented by single-cell slide cultures and fine structural studies. The reddish violet color of the cytoplasm is due to the abundance of phycoerythrin.This paper is dedicated to Prof. DrLothar Geitler, whose monumental contribution to the knowledge of blue-green algae will remain the basis for future studies on these organisms for many years to come. One of us (EIF) was fortunate enough to have had Prof.Geitler as his major professor. All of us consider Prof.Geitler our teacher.     

Ein Beitrag zur Kenntnis vonApatococcus lobatus (Chlorophyta,Chaetophorales, Leptosiroideae)

Comparative investigations on the morphology, life-history, and reproduction of 3 cultivated strains of the atmophytic green algaApatococcus lobatus are presented. Some ultrastructural features are added to the results of earlier investigations, and comments on the systematics and ecology are given. Morphology and cytology of each strain is variable and shows considerable overlapping. The results support the view thatApatococcus consists of a single variable species (A. lobatus) only. For the epiphytic algal associationPleurococcetum vulgaris the more significant termApatococcetum lobati is proposed.

Herrn Prof. Dr.Lothar Geitler zu seinem 90. Geburtstag gewidmet.     

Ultrastructure ofCyanoptyche gloeocystis f.dispersa (Glaucocystophyceae)

Cyanoptyche gloeocystis f.dispersa (Geitler)Starmach is a palmelloid colonial alga that contains prokaryotic blue-green endocytobionts (cyanelles) instead of chloroplasts. The periphery of the host cell shows a peculiar lacunae system with underlying microtubules. Vegetative cells possess two rudimentary flagella. Zoospores are dorsiventrally shaped with two heterokont and heterodynamic flagella which originate from a subapical depression. This depression can also be seen in vegetative cells. Both flagella possess non-tubular mastigonemes. Main reserve product is starch lying freely in the cytoplasm. Cyanelles, enclosed singly in a host vesicle, are provided with a remnant cell wall. Thylakoids are arranged concentrically. The central part of each cyanelle harbours its DNA and one large polyhedral body, probably a carboxysome.Cyanoptyche gloeocystis f.dispersa shares all taxonomically essential characters with the monadoidCyanophora, the palmelloidGloeochaete, and the coccoidGlaucocystis. All of them are members of the cyanelle-bearing small algal classGlaucocystophyceae. Members of this class serve as model organisms for the evolution of chloroplasts from cyanophycean ancestors.Dedicated to Prof. DrLothar Geitler on the occasion of his 90th birthday.     

New observations onPorphyridium griseum Geitler =Rhodella grisea (Geitler) comb. nova (Porphyridiales,Rhodophyceae)

The rare unicellular rhodophytePorphyridium griseum has been collected and isolated from basins, fed with thermal water, in Piestany, Czechoslovakia. This is the first report ofP. griseum sinceGeitler's find in the Neusiedler See, Austria. Ultrastructural investigations of the new strain demonstrate thatP. griseum belongs to the closely related genusRhodella. Comparison with current species ofRhodella and pigment analyses show thatP. griseum is identical to the marineR. reticulata and a new combination,Rhodella grisea (Geitler) comb. nov., is proposed to include both organisms.Dedicated to Prof. DrLothar Geitler on the occasion of his 90th birthday.     

Artificial cultures of the cyanobacterial lichenPeltigera didactyla (Peltigeraceae) in the natural environment

Soredia of the cyanobacterial lichenPeltigera didactyla were cultivated on soil substratum in the natural environment. Various developmental stages (germination, formation of a soredia field, differentiation of thallus lobes with soralia and fruiting bodies) were attained during a cultivation period of 6–7 months. Our field experiments revealed that the ephemeral pioneer lichenPeltigera didactyla has a short life cycle. Thus this lichen is a well-suited object for further investigations on thallus morphogenesis of lichens with cyanobionts.Dedicated to Prof. DrLothar Geitler on the occasion of his 90th birthday.     

Phycobionts of some Japanese species ofPertusaria (Pertusariaceae)

12 species ofPertusaria DC. were collected from various areas in Japan. Their phycobionts were isolated and studied taxonomically. The phycobionts of these species were indentified asTrebouxia potteri Ahmadjian exGärtner.Dedicated to Prof. DrLothar Geitler on the occasion of the 90th anniversary of his birthday.     

Antheseabhängige UV-Muster in Blütenständen von Asteraceen

The pseudanthia ofHeliopsis scabra andRudbeckia vulgaris (Asteraceae) were examined during the anthesis for differences in their UV patterns. Distinct changes in the reflectance and absorbance properties could be observed. The results suggest a close correlation between different stages of floral development and pollinator attraction.

Herrn Prof. Dr.Lothar Geitler zum 90. Geburtstag gewidmet.     

Geitler's “Plattenband” in the diatomSynedra cf.ulna in the light of TEM investigations

The ultrastructure of the diatomSynedra cf.ulna was examined paying special attention to the Plattenband (platelet band). This structure was first described byGeitler in 1948 on the basis of LM observations and denotes a linear array of dictyosomes along the apical axis of the cell. The present investigation confirmsGeitler's observations in all essential details and demonstrates that the dictyosomes are arranged along polarized nuclear extensions running towards the cell poles. Laterally the extensions are accompanied by a number of microtubules. In large cells the total length of the nucleus thus may reach 400 µm and more. Since only the central part of the nucleus is DNA-positive with DAPI and acridine orange, the nuclear nature of the backbone of the Plattenband cannot be recognized by LM techniques. TEM investigation of serial apical and transapical sections, however, prove unambiguously the identity with extended parts of the nucleus.Dedicated to Prof. DrLothar Geitler on the occasion of his 90th birthday.     

Patterns of endopolyploidy and 2C nuclear DNA content (Feulgen) inScilla (Liliaceae)

The Feulgen-DNA content of 3558 nuclei from 21 different tissues and organs ofScilla decidua (Liliaceae) was measured by a scanning cytophotometer interfaced to a computer. The basic nuclear DNA content (2 C value) was 13.62 pg, and 71 per cent of the nuclei were polyploid. The highest DNA values were found in the antipodal cells of the ovule, and the elaiosomes of the seeds (512 C). In addition to polyploidy, the 2 C values exhibited tissue-specific variation which was statistically significant (0.05% level of probability), It is suggested that differential DNA replication and endopolyploidization may be basic factors in the complex mechanism of cell and tissue differentiation.Dedicated to Professor Dr.Lothar Geitler in honour of his 80th birthday.     

Three new green coccoid zoospore-producing algae from the Great Smoky Mountains National Park,Tennessee, U.S.A.

Three new coccoid zoospore-producing green algae includingAxilococcus clingmanii gen. & spec. nov.,Lautosphaeria monsfumosa gen. & spec. nov., andDictylochloris pulchra spec. nova (Chlorococcales, Chlorophyceae) are described.Dedicated to Prof. DrLothar Geitler on the occasion of his 90th birthday.     

The species concept in diatoms: Evidence for morphologically distinct,sympatric gamodemes in four epipelic species

Reproductive isolation is demonstrated between morphologically distinct, sympatric demes of four epipelic diatom species inhabiting a small pond. The six demes ofSellaphora pupula, four of them allogamous, one probably autogamous, and one apparently asexual, differ morphologically with respect to size, shape, stria density and pattern. In the pond,Caloneis silicula, Cymatopleura solea, andNeidium ampliatum each contain two allogamous demes, differing principally in size. There are intrinsic barriers to hybridization between the demes, which operate at the earliest stages of sexual reproduction. Such gamodemes are perhaps best treated taxonomically as separate species.Dedicated to Prof. DrLothar Geitler on the occasion of his 90th birthday. I gratefully acknowledge the debt I owe Prof.Geitler for the insights and inspiration I have gained from his papers. I account myself fortunate to have visited him briefly in 1983, at Lunz, and to have seen the rivers where his work on diatom species began in 1922.     

Trichome structure of fourAphanizomenon taxa (Cyanophyceae) from Czechoslovakia,with notes on the taxonomy and delimitation of the genus

The dimension and variation range of terminal and intercalary cells, heterocysts, and akinetes of fourAphanizomenon taxa occurring in Czechoslovakia were studied. Statistical and graphical procedures were used for evaluation. With regard toA. flos-aquae, the results support the distinction of two varieties (var.flos-aquae and var.klebahnii). In the samples determined asA. gracile two clearly distinguishable morphological types could be found; one of them is recognized as a new species:A. flexuosum. Its diacritical features are established and problems of the intrageneric taxonomy ofAphanizomenon and its demarcation from the genusAnabaena are discussed.Dedicated to Prof. DrLothar Geitler on the occasion of his 90th birthday.     

Mallomonas alphaphora (Chrysophyceae), a new species from Western Australia

A new species ofMallomonas, M. alphaphora (Chrysophyceae), was found in freshwater ponds in the Perth region, Western Australia. It is distinguished from other species ofMallomonas by its very distinctive scale and bristle morphology and is placed in a new section,Alphaphorae, of the genusMallomonas. Dedicated to Prof. DrL. Geitler on the occasion of the 90th anniversary of his birthday.     

Über Plastidenstapel beiBotrydiopsis alpina sowie Anlage und Vermehrung der Stigmen bei dieser undHeterococcus (Xanthophyceae)

Under certain conditions inBotrydiopsis alpina stacks of chloroplasts are formed. They consist of up to 8 elements. In contrast to what is known from other algae in zoosporangia of this species and ofHeterococcus caespitosus, stigmata are formed in early developmental stages. They are reproduced together with the chloroplasts, in which they occupy a position at the edge and near the existing or future incision. At the side of the old stigma a new one is formed, and partitioning of the chloroplast between these two leads to their distribution to the daughter chloroplasts. Young daughter cells in the zoosporangia ofBotrydiopsis alpina contain one chloroplast which undergoes a last unequal division giving rise to one astigmate and usually somewhat smaller and to one stigmate chloroplast. In both species the capacity for locomotion may be suppressed, the presumptive zoospores thereby becoming aplanospores. Autospores in the proper sense were not observed. Their development quite generally is different from that of aplanospores (and zoospores), and both types of spores should be distinguished.

Herrn Professor Dr.Lothar Geitler zum 80. Geburtstag in Verehrung gewidmet.     

Geitlerinema,a new genus of oscillatorialean cyanophytes

Certain related oscillatorialean species, originally attributed to the genusOscillatoria and recently assigned to subg.Geitlerinema of the genusPhormidium (Phormidiaceae-Phormidioideae), are revised and reclassified. Based on a reevaluation of the diacritical features, subg.Geitlerinema is raised to generic rank and assigned to the familyPseudanabaenaceae (tentatively to subfam.Pseudanabaenoideae). The individual species are reviewed and the necessary new combinations are made.Dedicated to Prof. DrLothar Geitler on the occasion of his 90th birthday.     

Developmental studies in trebouxioid algae and taxonomical consequences

In the genusTrebouxia (incl.Pseudotrebouxia) two sorts of nonmotile reproductive cells exist: autospores and aplanospores. In subg.Trebouxia small mother cells give rise to 4, 8, or 16 autospores, while comparatively large mother cells develop into zoosporangia or, if the release of zoospores is arrested, into aplanosporangia. Both zoo- and aplanosporangia contain (32) 64 or 128 daughter cells. The transformation of trophic cells into zoo-/ aplanosporangia starts with the formation of a local thickening of the cell wall that marks the prospective opening, and (in most species) with the disappearance of the pyrenoids; sooner or later strong starch deposition can be observed. In subg.Eleutherococcus autospores do not occur; zoo- and aplanosporangia are formed essentially in the same way as in subg.Trebouxia. Differences occur between the form and position of chloroplasts during successive divisions: flattened and parietal in subg.Eleutherococcus, not flattened and ± central in subg.Trebouxia. InEleutherococcus, besides large cells also relatively small cells may produce zoo- or aplanospores.—Dictyosomes could be observed in the living state in representatives of subg.Eleutherococcus under optimal conditions. In trophic cells they are arranged in a group surrounding a hyaline area at the side of the nucleus. In young uninuclear sporangia they are positioned between the nucleus and the local thickening of the cell wall. In somewhat older sporangia they occupy mainly those parts of the nuclear surface which is turned towards the cytoplasmatic cleavage furrow. In subg.Trebouxia dictyosomes could not be observed by light-microscopy. In several species the chloroplast lobation (observed under optimal conditions) differs from that described in the literature.Dedicated to Prof. DrLothar Geitler on the occasion of his 90th birthday, together with cordial thanks for initial scientific guidance and fifty years of stimulation and encouragement.     

Morphology,biology, and systematics ofCryptochlora perforans (Chlorarachniophyta), a phagotrophic marine alga

The life cycle ofCryptochlora perforans is described under culture conditions, including the following stages: Naked and walled amoebae, cysts, coccoid, palmelloid and flagellate stages. Phagotrophy of living diatoms, movement and reproduction are documented. Amoebae ofCryptochlora are chemotactically attracted by damaged algal filaments, perforate and penetrate such filaments, and subsequently engulf part of their contents. A comparison is made with a culture ofChlorarachnion reptans Geitler, according to earlier and own observations. Chloroplast structure as well as zoospore morphology confirm close affinities betweenCryptochlora andChlorarachnion. Generic characters as well as possible phylogenetic affinities with amoeboidXanthophyta andProtozoa are discussed.     

Weitere Untersuchungen über Proteinkörper in Zellkernen und ihre taxonomische Bedeutung

In 83 species of the familiesMonotropaceae, Apocynaceae, Oleaceae, Scrophulariaceae, Lentibulariaceae, Bignoniaceae, Martyniaceae, Myoporaceae, Verbenaceae, Lamiaceae, Campanulaceae, andLiliaceae, protein bodies in the cell nuclei have been found, in 68 of these species for the first time. On the basis of their structure in accordance with morphological characters the generaBurgsdorfia, Hesiodia, Olisia, andPhlomoides of theLamiaceae are accepted;Lamium is divided intoLamium, Lamiastrum andOrvala; two new combinations are established:Kickxia campyloceras (Rech. fil. &Esfandiari)Speta andEtornotus papilionaceus (Burm. in L.)Speta. Deviating shape or lack of protein bodies corroborate former taxonomic decisions, e.g. the transfer ofMonotropa toMonotropaceae or the separation ofGaleopsis andLadanum; Veronica schmidtiana should not be included inPseudolysimachion. Systematic affinities are discussed primarily withinScrophulariaceae because nuclear protein bodies have been studied already in many species of this family. ForCampanula patula two 2 x populations are reported.

Herrn Professor Dr. L.Geitler zum 80. Geburtstag gewidmet.     

Studies on the isolation and synthesis of bionts of the cyanolichenPeltigera canina (Peltigeraceae)

In contrast to lichens with green photobionts, the bionts of cyanolichens are difficult to culture and synthesize under laboratory conditions. Problems include difficulties in obtaining growth of the mycobionts, achieving axenic cultures of the photobiont, and maintaining mixed biont cultures for long periods of time.Dedicated to Prof. DrLothar Geitler on the occasion of the 90th anniversary of his birthday.     

Bryostigma leucodontis nov. gen. et spec., eine neue Flechte mit fast unsichtbaren Fruchtkörpern

The lichen genusBryostigma with the single speciesBr. leucodontis is described as new. It is characterized by the red or blue iodine staining of its hyphae, the undifferentiated excipulum, the type of asci, the small size of the fruiting bodies and its growth on moss. The taxonomic position remains open.

Herrn Prof. Dr. L.Geitler zum 80. Geburtstag gewidmet.