Manganese accumulation in the leaf mesophyll of four tree species: a PIXE/EDAX localization study

Little is known about the spatial distribution of excess manganese (Mn) in the leaves of tolerant plants. Recently, the first such study of a Mn hyperaccumulator showed that the highest localized Mn concentrations occur in the photosynthetic tissue. This is in contrast to reports based on localization of foliar accumulation of other heavy metals. Here, four tree species, Gossia bidwillii, Virotia neurophylla, Macadamia integrifolia and Macadamia tetraphylla, which hyperaccumulate or strongly accumulate Mn, were studied. Cross-sectional foliar Mn localization was carried out in situ using proton-induced X-ray emission/energy dispersive X-ray analysis (PIXE/EDAX). All four species contained photosynthetic tissues with multiple palisade layers. These were shown to be the primary sequestration sites for Mn. Mn was not detected in the epidermal tissues. The findings of this study demonstrate a concurrence of three traits in four tree species, that is, accumulation of excess Mn in the leaves, its primary sequestration in the photosynthetic tissues, and multiple-layer palisade mesophyll.     

Cyanogenic glycosides from the rare Australian endemic rainforest tree Clerodendrum grayi (Lamiaceae)

The cyanogenic diglycoside lucumin ((R)-mandelonitrile-β-d-primeveroside) and monoglucoside prunasin ((R)-mandelonitrile-β-d-glucoside) were isolated from the foliage of the rare Australian rainforest tree species Clerodendrum grayi (Lamiaceae). This is the first reported isolation of the diglycoside lucumin from vegetative tissue (foliage), and the first reported co-occurrence of lucumin and prunasin. Furthermore, unusually, the diglycoside lucumin was the most abundant cyanogen accounting for approximately 60% of total cyanide in a leaf tissue.     

Problems of species and genera inEucalyptus (Myrtaceae)

Eucalyptus is recognised as containing somewhat more than 450 species, but this number could reasonably be either decreased or increased considerably by slight variations of species concept. Recognition of taxa, at least in the wild, is less difficult than supposed but their ranking depends on degree and nature of discontinuities or steepened gradients of correlated variation, in this group of diploid sexual outbreeding trees of the dominant stratum. Some 8–10 rather distinct lines marked by different character constellations are discernible inEucalyptus s. lat. (incl.Angophora), and it is clear that the floral operculum is of diverse nature and multiple origin. The advisability of recognising several distinct genera depends on the wideness of polyphylesis in relation to other Myrtaceous genera, and (unfortunately) on practical convenience.Presented at the symposium Speciation and the Species Concept during the XIIth International Botanical Congress, Leningrad, July 8, 1975.     

Curitiba (Myrtaceae): A new genus from the Planalto of southern Brazil

In the course of monographic work in Myrtaceae it has become evident thatEugenia prismatica cannot be accommodated within any existing genus in the family. Therefore, a new genus,Curitiba, is described to contain it and the new combinationCuritiba prismatica is made.Curitiba is diagnosed by a combination of 4-angled hypanthia and fruits, ovules radiating from a central protruding placenta, and seed coats with wavy rows of papillae. A key is provided to distinguishCuritiba from the Caribbean and Mesoamerican genusMosiera, where the species also had been placed before this transfer, and from other 4-merous genera in Brazil of subtribe Myrtinae. In the Atlantic Forest of Brazil where the family Myrtaceae is one of the most species rich and ecologically important plant families, the discovery ofCuritiba reveals a unique evolutionary lineage, highlights the endemism present in the Atlantic Forest, and underscores, the urgent need for conservation of this rapidly disappearing and highly endangered biome.     

Perianth development inAngophora and the bloodwood Eucalypts (Myrtaceae)

The petals ofAngophora flowers are compound structures consisting of two morphologically distinct components that develop along separate morphogenetic pathways. These two components are also evident in the corolline parts of the bloodwood eucalypts. In occasional flowers ofAngophora and some bloodwoods, several adjacent corolline primordia may become continuous due to interprimordial growth, but the petals are mostly free at anthesis. In other bloodwood eucalypt species all the primordia in the corolline whorl become continuous at some stage in development, resulting in an operculum that is anatomically unresolvable into its original petaline parts. The varying degrees of this continuity that are evident within individual trees (and even within single flowers) suggests that operculum formation is an epigenetic event that is determined by morphogenetic processes within the flower. It is suggested that these may relate to differing rates of growth in different regions of the bud.     

Corolla and androecium development in someEudesmia eucalypts (Myrtaceae)

In the early stages of ontogeny, the corolline parts of theEudesmia eucalypts develop as compound structures directly comparable to the early stages of the petals ofAngophora and the bloodwood eucalypts, but with the onset of androecial formation a marked difference takes place. Rather than forming on the floral apex, the stamen primordia arise on the basal adaxial components of the young corolline parts; this basal component develops into the staminophore of the mature flower. The operculum consists only of the dorsal components of the corolline parts, the homologues of the dorsal keels of theAngophora petals. If the corolline parts remain more or less free in their early developmental stages, corresponding groups of stamens are produced. Early corolline continuity leads to a continuous ring of stamens. The staminophore is not an organ sui generis, but a derivative of the corolla. The bundles of stamens in some species are best referred to as epipetalous groups, not antepetalous fascicles.     

Photosynthesis in an Australian rainforest tree,Argyrodendron peralatum,during the rapid development and relief of water deficits in the dry season

Summary Rates of apparent photosynthesis were measured in situ at five positions between the upper crown and a lower branch of a 34 m tall Argyrodendron peralatum (F.M. Bailey) H.L. Edlin ex I.H. Boas tree, and on an understorey sapling of the same species growing in a northern Australian rainforest. At the end of the dry season, rapid reductions in photosynthetic rates occurred in the upper crown within three days after a rain event, but changes in the lower crown and the sapling were less marked. Complete recovery of photosynthesis followed a second rain event. At high photon flux densities, stomatal conductance to water vapour decreased in a curvilinear fashion as the vapour pressure difference between leaf and air increased. Apparent photosynthesis was linearly related to stomatal conductance on the first clear day after each rain event, but there was no relationship between these parameters at the end of a brief natural drying cycle. Under conditions of adequate water supply, stomatal conductances of both upper crown and understorey leaves increased linearly with increasing photon flux density up to about 300 mol m^-2 s^-1. During water deficits, stomatal conductances in leaves from the understorey increased much more rapidly at very low photon flux densities than did conductances in leaves from the upper canopy.     

Operculum development in theEudesmieae B eucalypts andEucalyptus caesia (Myrtaceae)

In theEudesmieae B eucalypts and inEucalyptus caesia, the perianth of the mature flower consists of a single, anatomically continuous, opercular structure that is crowned by the tips of the original free and separate calycine and corolline whorls. Ontogenetic and comparative evidence supports the hypothesis that this operculum is mostly corolline in composition, and that the calycine parts have been elevated distally onto the dorsal surface. In theEudesmieae B eucalypts this condition appears to be due to precocious initiation of the corolline primordia, followed by expansion and continuity of their growth centres which incorporates the areas at or below the base of the still differentiating calycine whorl. InEucalyptus caesia the corolline primordia are not precocious, but a similar situation is effected by a seemingly retarded increase in receptacle diameter relative to lateral expansion of the corolline growth centre(s). In these two examples the same final perianth form apparently derives from two different sets of growth processes which, nonetheless, result in the same allometric relationships within the developing flower. Although identical at maturity, the operculum form in these two taxa is best described in terms of convergence, rather than homology.     

A new species of Campomanesia (Myrtaceae) from southeastern Brazil

Campomanesia simulans, a new species from the states of São Paulo and Minas Gerais, Brazil, is described and illustrated.     

Variability of the inflorescence ofMicroseris laciniata (Compositae: Cichorieae)

Quantitative characters of the flowering head of a garden population ofMicroseris laciniata were scored during the second, third, and fourth season of growth. Number of achenes per head, number of phyllaries per head and the average number of pappus parts per achene in single heads show significant plant to plant variation. Achenes per head and pappus parts per achene were scored in identical plants in two subsequent seasons. The number of pappus parts per achene varies freely between five and ten. This contrasts with annual species ofMicroseris in which either five or ten pappus parts are found, depending on the species. In spite of a clear plant-specific average of pappus parts, both high and low pappus part determination can be demonstrated in all specimens. The number of pappus parts depends on the position of an achene on the receptacle, marginal achenes usually having fewer pappus parts than central ones. This gradient is not closely correlated with the position of an achene on the genetic spiral.     

Two new species of Eugenia (Myrtaceae) from Central French Guiana

Eugenia argyrophylla andE. morii from Saül in Central French Guiana are described and illustrated.     

Two new species of Plinia (Myrtaceae) from coastal forests of Brazil

Plinia complanata andPlinia pauciflora, two new species from coastal forests of São Paulo state, southeastern Brazil, are described and illustrated.     

Pb hyperaccumulation and tolerance in common buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench)

Common buckwheat grown in Pb-contaminated soil was found to accumulate a large amount of Pb in its leaves (8,000 mg/kg DW), stem (2,000 mg/kg DW), and roots (3,300 mg/kg DW), without significant damage. This indicates that buckwheat is a newly recognized Pb hyperaccumulator, which is defined as a plant containing over 1,000 mg/kg of Pb in its shoots on a dry-weight basis. Moreover, it was shown that application of the biodegradable chelator methylglycinediacetic acid trisodium salt at concentrations of up to 20 mmol/kg resulted in a more than five times higher concentration of Pb in the shoot without notable growth inhibitation at up to 10 mmol/kg. These results indicate that buckwheat is a potential phytoremediator of Pb-contaminated soils.     

Constitutive polymorphic cyanogenesis in the Australian rainforest tree, Ryparosa kurrangii (Achariaceae)

Cyanogenesis, the liberation of volatile hydrogen cyanide from endogenous cyanide-containing compounds, is a proven plant defence mechanism and the particular cyanogens involved have taxonomic utility. The cyclopentenoncyanhydrin glycoside gynocardin was the only cyanogen isolated from foliar tissue of the rare Australian rainforest tree, Ryparosa kurrangii (Achariaceae). Mechanical damage simulating foliar herbivory did not induce a significant increase in the expression of cyanogenesis over a 24h period, indicating cyanogenic herbivore defence in R. kurrangii is constitutive. The cyanogenic potential of mature leaves was quantitatively polymorphic between trees in a natural population, ranging from 0.54 to 4.77 mg CN g(-1) dry wt leaf tissue.     

Variability in the 11S globulin fraction of seed storage proteins ofHelianthus (Asteraceae)

The seed storage globulins from sixHelianthus and four hybrids were studied using mono and bidimensional gel SDS electrophoresis (+ 2 mercaptoethanol). The polypeptide composition of each subunit was determined. Different pairs are specifically expressed according to the species studied. Three typical patterns were discriminated. All the studied species exhibit five subunits: two of them are expressed in all the species (₁₁ and ₂₂). The subunit corresponding to the ₁₁ pair is present inH. petiolaris and in the three populations ofH. annuus studied. The _2b2 pair is common toH. annuus andH. argophyllus. H. petiolaris presents two specific _2a2 and ₄₄ pairs andH. annuus a specific ₃₃ pair. InH. argophyllus _{11 33} or ₄₄ are never observed but are replaced by ₁₃ and ₃₁ pairs. Some globulins, poorly represented, are of forms but present chains of higher molecular weights (in the range 54–56 kDa). Expressing variations in the banding patterns between these species by the use of a similarity index reveals complete identity between the three populations ofH. annuus. Identity between the twoH. petiolaris studied is also observed.H. annuus andH. argophyllus appear to be closer to each other thanH. petiolaris concerning the seed storage globulins.     

Isolation and characterization of eight polymorphic microsatellite loci in the rainforest canopy tree,Syzygium sayeri (Myrtaceae)

Eight polymorphic microsatellite loci were isolated from the rainforest canopy tree, Syzygium sayeri, in order to study parentage and subsequently pollen dispersal among individuals in wild populations. Screening of one natural population (n = 64) mapped in a 500 × 500 m area at Cape Tribulation, north Queensland, Australia, yielded two to 11 alleles per locus with observed levels of heterozygosity ranging from 0.07 to 0.70. One locus was significantly out of Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium after Bonferroni correction for multiple tests. These loci should provide a useful tool in further understanding the dispersal patterns of this species.     

Impact of electrostatics in redox modulation of oxidative stress by Mn porphyrins: protection of SOD-deficient Escherichia coli via alternative mechanism where Mn porphyrin acts as a Mn carrier

Understanding the factors that determine the ability of Mn porphyrins to scavenge reactive species is essential for tuning their in vivo efficacy. We present herein the revised structure-activity relationships accounting for the critical importance of electrostatics in the Mn porphyrin-based redox modulation systems and show that the design of effective SOD mimics (per se) based on anionic porphyrins is greatly hindered by inappropriate electrostatics. A new strategy for the beta-octabromination of the prototypical anionic Mn porphyrins Mn(III) meso-tetrakis(p-carboxylatophenyl)porphyrin ([Mn(III)TCPP](3-) or MnTBAP(3-)) and Mn(III) meso-tetrakis(p-sulfonatophenyl)porphyrin ([Mn(III)TSPP](3-)), to yield the corresponding anionic analogues [Mn(III)Br(8)TCPP](3-) and [Mn(III)Br(8)TSPP](3-), respectively, is described along with characterization data, stability studies, and their ability to substitute for SOD in SOD-deficient Escherichia coli. Despite the Mn(III)/Mn(II) reduction potential of [Mn(III)Br(8)TCPP](3-) and [Mn(III)Br(8)TSPP](3-) being close to the SOD-enzyme optimum and nearly identical to that of the cationic Mn(III) meso-tetrakis(N-methylpyridinium-2-yl)porphyrin (Mn(III)TM-2-PyP(5+)), the SOD activity of both anionic brominated porphyrins ([Mn(III)Br(8)TCPP](3-), E(1/2)=+213 mV vs NHE, log k(cat)=5.07; [Mn(III)Br(8)TSPP](3-), E(1/2)=+209 mV, log k(cat)=5.56) is considerably lower than that of Mn(III)TM-2-PyP(5+) (E(1/2)=+220 mV, log k(cat)=7.79). This illustrates the impact of electrostatic guidance of O(2)(-) toward the metal center of the mimic. With low k(cat), the [Mn(III)TCPP](3-), [Mn(III)TSPP](3-), and [Mn(III)Br(8)TCPP](3-) did not rescue SOD-deficient E. coli. The striking ability of [Mn(III)Br(8)TSPP](3-) to substitute for the SOD enzymes in the E. coli model does not correlate with its log k(cat). In fact, the protectiveness of [Mn(III)Br(8)TSPP](3-) is comparable to or better than that of the potent SOD mimic Mn(III)TM-2-PyP(5+), even though the dismutation rate constant of the anionic complex is 170-fold smaller. Analyses of the medium and E. coli cell extract revealed that the major species in the [Mn(III)Br(8)TSPP](3-) system is not the Mn complex, but the free-base porphyrin [H(2)Br(8)TSPP](4-) instead. Control experiments with extracellular MnCl(2) showed the lack of E. coli protection, indicating that "free" Mn(2+) cannot enter the cell to a significant extent. We proposed herein the alternative mechanism where a labile Mn porphyrin [Mn(III)Br(8)TSPP](3-) is not an SOD mimic per se but carries Mn into the E. coli cell.     

Induction of pollen callus in anther cultures of Feijoa sellowiana Berg. (Myrtaceae)

Summary Anthers of Feijoa sellowiana Berg. (feijoa) produced pollen callus when cultured in Murashige and Skoog medium containing 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid and benzyladenine or in nurse cultures. Somatic callus was also formed in large amounts from the connective and from the cut end of the filament. Anthers containing microspores at the stage immediately prior to the first pollen mitosis cultured in the presence of 3% sucrose, presented the highest frequencies of induction. Androgenetic divisions were initiated by the formation of two morphologically equal cells, the so-called B-pathway. Attempts to regenerate pollen plants were unsuccessful but leaf-like structures could be obtained in regeneration media containing combinations of gibberellic acid and benzyladenine.Abbreviations 2,4-D 2,4-diclorophenoxyacetic acid - BA benzyladenine - FDA fluorescein diacetate - GA₃ gibberellic acid - Kn kinetin - MS Murashige and Skoog (1962) medium     

Biogeography and ecology of Anostraca (Crustacea) in middle Paroo catchment of the Australian arid-zone

Fourteen species of Branchinella and one each of Parartemia, Streptocephalus (Parastreptocephalus) and an undescribed branchipodid genus occur in a limited area (2000 km²) of the Paroo in northwestern New South Wales and southwestern Queensland. Syntopic coexistence was common (55% of collections) but to a large degree species interactions are minimized by habitat factors of turbidity, salinity and length of the wet phase in decreasing order of importance, and by a species factor of relative size. Discrete habitats such as claypans had a similar species composition each time they filled, but creek pools and other connected sites had variable species composition over time. The high biodiversity is explained by the presence of many distinct types of wetlands, each with their own characteristic anostracans.