Further studies of the sieve-element plastids of theCaryophyllales includingBarbeuia,Corrigiola, Lyallia,Microtea, Sarcobatus,andTelephium

The sieve-element plastids of 69 species of theCaryophyllales were investigated by transmission electron microscopy. All contained the specific subtype-P3 plastids characterized by a peripheral ring of protein filaments. The presence or absence of an additional central protein crystal and their shape being either polygonal or globular as well as the average sizes of the sieve-element plastids are useful features in the characterization of some families.—Barbeuia contains sieve-element plastids that confirm its placement within thePhytolaccaceae. Lyallia differs fromHectorella by including small starch grains in their sieve-element plastids, which otherwise by their globular crystals negate a closer connection to theCaryophyllaceae. The lack of a central protein crystal in its form-P3fs plastids placesMicrotea best within theChenopodiaceae. Sarcobatus, a so far uncontested member of theChenopodiaceae, contains form-P3cf plastids, i.e., including a central crystal not found elsewhere in this family.Telephium andCorrigiola, shifted back and forth betweenMolluginaceae andCaryophyllaceae, have form-P3cf(s) plastids with a polygonal crystal which favor their placement within theCaryophyllaceae.     

Synopsis of the tribe Bocageeae (Annonaceae), with revisions of Cardiopetalum,Froesiodendron, Trigynaea,Bocagea, and Hornschuchia

The tribal name Bocageeae Endlicher is reestablished and the tribe is circumscribed on the basis of solitary internodal ebracteate pedicels that are articulated at the base, and pollen shed in polyads of eight or more grains. Septate anther locules, large pollen size, and seed appendages are prevalent in the tribe. Intectate pollen with free-standing columellae, rare in Annonaceae, occurs not only in the genusTrigynaea but also in some species ofBocagea andHornschuchia. As defined here, the Bocageeae include seven neotropical genera:Cymbopetalum, Porcelia, Bocagea, Cardiopetalum, Froesiodendron, Hornschuchia, andTrigynaea. The latter five genera are revised and the treatments include ten new species:Cardiopetalum plicatum, Froesiodendron urceocalyx, Hornschuchia lianarum, H. santosii, H. leptandra, Trigynaea cinnamomea, T. lanceipetala, T. triplinervis, T. lagaropoda, andT. axilliflora, all from tropical South America. A new combination,Froesiodendron longicuspe, changes the rank of that taxon from subspecies to species.Cardiopetalum surinamense is removed fromFroesiodendron and reassigned toCardiopetalum on the basis of its connate petals, dehiscent monocarps, and seeds with bilobed arils. A cladogram provides an explicit hypothesis of intergeneric relationships in the tribe. The new combinationOnychopetalum periquino, based onTrigynaea periquino, is made.     

A reconsideration of the genusRabdosiella (Lamiaceae,Nepetoideae, Ocimeae)

The two generaPlectranthus andIsodon are compared and found to be very dissimilar.Isodon ist considered to be misplaced inOcimeae subtribePlectranthinae and apparently is more closely related to subtribeHyptidinae. The disjunct genusRabdosiella is compared to these two genera and regarded to be polyphyletic. The AfricanR. calycina (Benth.)Codd is returned toPlectranthus and calledP. calycinus Benth., while the AsianR. ternifolia (D. Don)Codd is placed inIsodon sect.Pyramidium and calledI. ternifolius (D. Don)Kudo.     

Entwicklungsgeschichte und Ultrastruktur von Pollenkitt und Exine bei nahe verwandten entomophilen und anemophilen Angiospermensippen derAlismataceae,Liliaceae, Juncaceae,Cyperaceae, Poaceae undAraceae

Some closely related members of the monocotyledonous familiesAlismataceae, Liliaceae, Juncaceae, Cyperaceae, Poaceae andAraceae with variable modes of pollination (insect- and wind-pollination) were studied in relation to the ultrastructure of pollenkitt and exine (amount, consistency and distribution of pollenkitt on the surface of pollen grains). The character syndromes of pollen cementing in entomophilous, anemophilous and intermediate (ambophilous or amphiphilous) monocotyledons are the same in principal as in dicotyledons. Comparing present with former results one can summarize: 1) The pollenkitt is always produced in the same manner by the anther tapetum in all angiosperm sub-classes. 2) The variable stickiness of entomophilous and anemophilous pollen always depends on the particular distribution and consistency of the pollenkitt, but not its amount on the pollen surface. 3) The mostly dry and powdery pollen of anemophilous plants always contains a variable amount of inactive pollenkitt in its exine cavities. 4) A step-by step change of the pollen cementing syndrome can be observed from entomophily towards anemophily. 5) From the omnipresence of pollenkitt in all wind-pollinated angiosperms studied one can conclude that the ancestors of anemophilous angiosperms probably have been zoophilous (i.e. entomophilous) throughout.

     

Identification of b,c, and d cytochromes in the membrane of Vitreoscilla

Cytochromes b, c, d, and o were identified by spectroscopic analysis of respiratory membrane fragments from Vitreoscilla sp., strain C1. Carbon monoxide difference spectra of the reduced membranes had absorption maxima at 416, 534, and 571 nm (ascribed to cytochrome o) and 632 nm (cytochrome d). Derivative spectra of the pyridine hemochromogen spectra of the membranes identified the presence of b- and c-type cytochromes in Vitreoscilla. The cyanide binding curve of the membranes was biphasic with dissociation constants of 2.14 mM and 10.7 mM which were assigned to cytochrome o and cytochrome d, respectively. Membranes bound carbon monoxide with dissociation constant 3.9 M, which was assigned to cytochrome o. Cytochrome c ₅₅₆ and a NADH-p-iodonitrotetrazolium violet reductase component were partially purified from Vitreoscilla membranes.Abbreviations INT p-iodonitrotetrazolium violet - RMF respiratory membrane fragments - K _d dissociation constant - CHAPS 3-[(3-cholamido propyl) dimethylammonio]-1-propanesulfonate - DOC sodium deoxycholate - PAGE polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis - SDS sodium dodecyl sulfate     

Antibiotic Susceptibility as a Taxonomic Characteristic of Proteobacteria of the Genera Alteromonas, Pseudoalteromonas, Marinomonas, and Marinobacter

Type strains of bacteria of the genera Alteromonas, Pseudoalteromonas, Marinomonas, and Marinobacterand symbiotrophic bacteria isolated from the Far Eastern bivalve mollusks Crenomytilus grayanusand Mizuhopecten yessoensisand identified as Pseudoalteromonas nigrifaciensand P. citreawere tested for susceptibility to antibiotics. Of the ten antibiotics used in this study, benzylpenicillin, polymyxin, lincomycin, and oleandomycin were valuable for the polyphasic taxonomy of marine aerobic proteobacteria. Marine bacteria of the genera studied exhibited characteristic antibiotic susceptibility profiles, which were useful for the differentiation of the genera.     

Fossil wood flora of the early Miocene Nawamata formation of Monzen,Noto Peninsula,central Japan

Silicified wood collected from the Lower Miocene Nawamata Formation at two localities, Nakaya and Nigoriike, Monzen-machi, Noto Peninsula, central Japan, were identified. Among the 58 specimens there are two species of conifers and eleven species of dicotyledons:Taxodioxylon cunninghamioides (Watari) Watari andT. sequoianum (Merckl.) Gothan (both Taxodiaceae),Carya protojaponica Watari (Juglandaceae),Pterocarya rhoifolia Siebold et Zucc. (Juglandaceae),Ostrya monzenensis sp. nov. (Betulaceae),Quercus anataiensis (Watari) Watari (Fagaceae),Liquidambar hisauchii comb. nov. (Hamamelidaceae),Prunus iwatense (Watari) Takahashi et Suzuki (Rosaceae),Gleditsia paleojaponica comb. nov. (Leguminosae),Acer watarianum Takahashi et Suzuki (Aceraceae),Meliosma mio-oldhami sp. nov. (Sabiaceae),Reevesia miocenica Watari (Sterculiaceae), andFraxinus notoensis sp. nov. (Oleaceae). The fossil wood floras at the two localities are compared to the Daijima Flora, and warm-and/or cool-temperate mesic forests are suggested to occur in the Early Miocene of Monzen.     

Isolation,Biological Properties,and Spatial Structure of Antibiotic Loloatin A

A peptide antibiotic with cyanolytic activity was isolated from the IGM52 strain of the Brevibacillus laterosporus Gram-positive spore-forming bacteria. By ¹H NMR spectroscopy, this antibiotic was identified as loloatin A, a cyclic decapeptide cyclo(-Asn-Asp-Tyr-Val-Orn-Leu-D-Tyr-Pro-Phe-D-Phe-). The spatial structure of loloatin A in solution was determined.     

rbcL sequences support exclusion ofRetzia,Desfontainia, andNicodemia from theGentianales

The taxonomic positions ofRetzia, Desfontainia, andNicodemia have been much discussed, and all three genera have been included inLoganiaceae (Gentianales). We have made a cladistic analysis ofrbcL gene sequences to determine the relationships of these taxa toGentianales. Four newrbcL sequences are presented; i.e., ofRetzia, Desfontainia, Diervilla (Caprifoliaceae), andEuthystachys (Stilbaceae). Our results show thatRetzia, Desfontainia, andNicodemia are not closely related toLoganiaceae or theGentianales. Retzia is most closely related toEuthystachys and is better included inStilbaceae. The positions ofDesfontainia andNicodemia are not settled, butDesfontainia shows affinity for theDipsacales s.l. andNicodemia for theLamiales s.l.     

Lack of relationship between gliding cyanobacteria and filamentous gliding heterotrophic eubacteria: comparison of 16S rRNA catalogues of Spirulina,Saprospira, Vitreoscilla,Leucothrix, and Herpetosiphon

Spirulina platensis and Spirulina maxima were characterized by 16S ribosomal RNA oligonucleotide cataloguing. Both species are highly related. They fall into the main group of the cyanobacteria, showing a remote relationship to Nostoc, Fischerella, Aphanocapsa, and also to Prochloron. Low similarity coefficients were found between the Spirulina species and certain organotrophic and sulfide oxidizing bacteria, viz. Saprospira grandis, Vitreoscilla stercoraria, Leucothrix mucor, Herpetosiphon aurantiacus, and Beggiatoa leptomitiformis, respectively. This result does not support the classical hypothesis that certain filamentous gliding bacteria are apochlorotic cyanobacteria.     

A new fungal genus, Teracosphaeria, with a phialophora-like anamorph (Sordariomycetes, Ascomycota)

The new genus and species Teracosphaeria petroica is described for a perithecial ascomycete and its anamorph occurring on decayed wood collected in New Zealand. The fungus produces immersed, non-stromatic ceratosphaeria-like perithecia in nature, with hyaline, septate ascospores produced in unitunicate, non-amyloid asci. The anamorph produced in vitro is phialophora-like with lightly pigmented phialides terminating in flaring, deep collarettes that are often noticeably brown with conspicuous periclinal thickening. Phylogenetic analysis of LSU rDNA sequence data indicates that this fungus is distinct from morphologically similar fungi classified in the Chaetosphaeriales, the Trichosphaeriales or the Magnaporthaceae. It forms a monophyletic group with recently described, chaetosphaeria-like ascomycetes, such as the pyrenomycete genus Mirannulata, and shows affinity with the anamorphic species Dictyochaeta cylindrospora. The usefulness of describing anamorph genera for morphologically reduced anamorphs, when anamorph characteristics are actually part of the holomorph diagnosis, is discussed. An apparently contradictory example of the so-called Cordana and Pseudobotrytis anamorphs of Porosphaerella spp. is also discussed.     

Enhancement of sporulation in species of Bipolaris, Curvularia, Drechslera, and Exserohilum by growth on cellulose-containing substrates

Nine species of Bipolaris, Curvularia, Drechslera, and Exserohilum were compared for sporulation on agar media and for enhancement of sporulation by growth on four cellulose-containing substrates (index card, filter paper, cheesecloth, cotton fabric). On two natural and one synthetic agar media, sporulation varied from profuse to nonexistent among three isolates of each species. Growth of all species on cellulose substrates resulted in large and significant increases in sporulation. Growth on index card pieces often provided the greatest increases, but no single substrate was superior for all species, and significant substrate × isolate interactions were observed within species. Overlay of filter paper onto whole colonies in agar plates resulted in 2 to 18-fold increases in sporulation for eight of nine species and production of spores in sufficient quantity for most experimental purposes. Overlay of soil dilution plates with filter paper to promote sporulation of colonies enabled detection of B. spicifera, B. hawaiiensis, C. lunata, and E. rostratum at relatively low population levels (≤1.3 × 10³ colony-forming units per gram of soil) in samples of a naturally infested soil. Results indicate that enhancement of sporulation by growth of species of Bipolaris, Curvularia, Drechslera, and Exserohilum on cellulose substrates may facilitate (i) their identification in culture, (ii) production of spores at relatively high concentrations, and (iii) detection and enumeration of these fungi in soil.     

Kleptoparasitism of freshwater crabs by cichlid fishes endemic to Lake Barombi Mbo,Cameroon, West Africa

Synopsis Although kleptoparasitism, or food-stealing, is common in birds and some carnivorous mammals, reported instances are exceedingly rare in fishes. We studied the behaviour and ecology of the 11 endemic tilapiine cichlids of Lake Barombi Mbo, Cameroon, West Africa. Here we report that six of the Barombi cichlids (Stomatepia mariae, S. pindu, Konia eisentrauti, Pungu maclareni, Sarotherodon lohbergeri, andS. linnellii) kleptoparasitize freshwater crabsPotamon africanus.     

Rearrangement,amplification, and assortment of mitochondrial DNA molecules in cultured cells of Brassica campestris

Summary We compared Brassica campestris mitochondrial and chloroplast DNAs from whole plants and from a 2-year-old cell culture. No differences were observed in the chloroplast DNAs (cpDNAs), whereas the culture mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) was extensively altered. Hybridization analysis revealed that the alterations are due entirely to rearrangement. At least two inversions and one large duplication are found in the culture mtDNA. The duplication element is shown to have the usual properties of a plant mtDNA high frequency recombination repeat. The culture mtDNA exists as a complex heterogeneous population of rearranged and unrearranged molecules. Some of the culture-associated rearranged molecules are present in low levels in native plant tissue and appear to have sorted out and amplified in the culture. Other mtDNA rearrangements may have occurred de novo. In addition to alterations of the main mitochondrial genome, an 11.3 kb linear mtDNA plasmid present in whole plants is absent from the culture. Contrary to findings in cultured cells of other plants, small circular mtDNA molecules were not detected in the B. campestris cell culture.     

Triads Synthesized from Deuteroporphyrin IX,Naphthoquinone, and Aromatic Amino Acids

Two triad systems were synthesized from deuteroporphyrin IX by tethering 1,4-naphthoquinone derivative and aromatic amino acids to its propionic groups using the method of mixed anhydrides. Physicochemical characteristics of the triads were studied, and the -electron systems of their chromophores were shown to interact.     

Paraveinal mesophyll: Review and survey of the subtribeErythrininae (Phaseoleae,Papilionoideae, Leguminosae)

Paraveinal mesophyll (PVM) is a distinctive anatomical feature of the leaf mesophyll of some plant taxa that may represent a specialized physiological compartment. A comprehensive review of the 42 published references that mention PVM or similar cell layers and a survey of 121 of the 272 species of all nine genera of thePhaseoleae subtribeErythrininae demonstrate that PVM is nearly exclusively found inLeguminosae. InLeguminosae, PVM is either rare or absent in subfamilyCaesalpinioideae, uncommon inMimosoideae, and extensively distributed amongPapilionoideae. In subtribeErythrininae, PVM is ubiquitous inErythrina, and occurs in four other genera. ThreeErythrininae genera (Apios, Mucuna, andCochlianthus) lack PVM. Unique chloroplast-poor, enlarged conical cells (pellucid palisade idioblasts) occur in 80 species ofErythrina but not in any other genus ofErythrininae.     

Species-specific albumin in fossil bones from Orce, Granada, Spain

A skull fragment (VM-0) from Orce, Granada, Spain, dated palaeomagnetically at about 1.6 Myr, is thought by some palaeontologist to be hominid, while others maintain it is equid. If hominid, it would be by far the oldest evidence ofHomo in Europe. Immunological studies on residual albumin in this fossil were carried out independently, and with different immunological methods, at the University of California, San Francisco (radioimmunoassay), and at the University of Granada, Spain (enzyme immunoassay). Other fossils attributed to hominids also studied wereVM1960 from Venta Micena, andCV-1 from Cueva Victoria, Murcia, Spain. Undisputed equid and bovid fossils from the same deposits and dated to a similar period as the Orce skull were also analyzed. Our results showed that species-specific albumin can be detected in 1.6 Myr-old hominid, equid and bovid fossils. The albumin from the Orce skull fragment and fromVM-1960 was immunologically closer to human albumin. These findings support the contention that theVM-0 andVM-1960 are hominid and that members of the genusHomo occupied southern Spain 1.6 Myr ago.     

A New Family,Alteromonadaceae fam. nov., Including Marine Proteobacteria of the Genera Alteromonas,Pseudoalteromonas, Idiomarina,and Colwellia

The taxonomic positions of the marine genera Alteromonas, Pseudoalteromonas, Idiomarina, and Colwellia within the gamma subclass of the class Proteobacteria were specified on the basis of their phenotypic, genotypic, and phylogenetic characteristics. Gram-negative aerobic bacteria of the genera Alteromonas, Pseudoalteromonas, and Idiomarina and facultatively anaerobic bacteria of the genus Colwellia were found to form a phylogenetic cluster with a 16S rRNA sequence homology of 90% or higher. The characteristics of these genera presented in this paper allow their reliable taxonomic identification. Based on the analysis of our experimental data and analyses available in the literature, we propose to combine the genera Alteromonas, Pseudoalteromonas, Idiomarina, and Colwellia into a new family, Alteromonadaceae fam. nov., with the type genus Alteromonas.