The tempo and mode of barnacle evolution

Previous phylogenetic attempts at resolving barnacle evolutionary relationships are few and have relied on limited taxon sampling. Here we combine DNA sequences from three nuclear genes (18S, 28S and H3) and 44 morphological characters collected from 76 thoracican (ingroup) and 15 rhizocephalan (outgroup) species representing almost all the Thoracica families to assess the tempo and mode of barnacle evolution. Using phylogenetic methods of maximum parsimony, maximum likelihood, and Bayesian inference and 14 fossil calibrations, we found that: (1) Iblomorpha form a monophyletic group; (2) pedunculated barnacles without shell plates (Heteralepadomorpha) are not ancestral, but have evolved, at least twice, from plated forms; (3) the ontogenetic pattern with 5-->6-->8-->12+ plates does not reflect Thoracica shell evolution; (4) the traditional asymmetric barnacles (Verrucidae) and the Balanomorpha are each monophyletic and together they form a monophyletic group; (5) asymmetry and loss of a peduncle have evolved twice in the Thoracica, resulting in neither the Verrucomorpha nor the Sessilia forming monophyletic groups in their present definitions; (6) the Scalpellomorpha are not monophyletic; (7) the Thoracica suborders evolved since the Early Carboniferous (340mya) with the final radiation of the Sessilia in the Upper Jurassic (147mya). These results, therefore, reject many of the underlying hypotheses about character evolution in the Cirripedia Thoracica, stimulate a variety of new thoughts on thoracican radiation, and suggest the need for a major rearrangement in thoracican classification based on estimated phylogenetic relationships.     

Cladistic analysis of the Cirripedia Thoracica

We present a cladistic analysis of the Cirripedia Thoracica using morphological characters and the Acrothoracica and Ascothoracida as outgroups. The list of characters comprised 32 shell and soft body features. The operational taxonomic units (OTUs) comprised 26 well-studied fossil and extant taxa, principally genera, since uncertainty about monophyly exists for most higher ranking taxonomic units. Parsimony analyses using PAUP 3.1.1 and Hennig86 produced 189 trees of assured minimal length. We also examined character evolution in the consensus trees using MacClade and Clados. The monophyly of the Balanomorpha and the Verrucomorpha sensu stricto is confirmed, and all trees featured a sister group relationship between the ‘living fossil Neoverruca and me Brachylepadomorpha. In the consensus trees the sequential progression of ‘pedunculate‘sister groups up to a node containing Neolepas also conforms to current views, but certain well-established taxa based solely on plesiomorphies stand out as paraphyletic, such as Pedunculata (= Lepadomorpha); Eolepadinae, Scalpellomorpha and Chthamaloidea. The 189 trees differed principally in the position of shell-less pedunculates, Neoverruca, the scalpelloid Capitulum, and the interrelationships within the Balanomorpha, although the 50% majority rule consensus tree almost fully resolved the latter. A monophyletic Sessilia comprising both Verrucomorpha and Balanomorpha appeared among the shortest trees, but not in the consensus. A tree with a monophyletic Verrucomorpha including Neoverruca had a tree length two steps longer than the consensus trees. Deletion of all extinct OTUs produced a radically different tree, which highlights the importance of fossils in estimating cirripede phylogeny. Mapping of our character set onto a manually constructed cladogram reflecting die most recent scenario of cirripede evolution resulted in a tree length five steps longer than any of our shortest trees. Our analysis reveals that several key questions in cirripede phylogeny remain unsolved, notably the position of shell-less forms and the transition from ‘pedunculate‘to ‘sessile‘barnacles. The inclusion of more fossil species at this point in our understanding of cirripede phylogeny will only result in even greater levels of uncertainty. When constructing the character list we also identified numerous uncertainties in the homology of traits commonly used in discussing cirripede evolution. Our study highlights larval ultrastructure, detailed studies of early ontogeny, and molecular data as the most promising areas for future research.     

Morphology and Molecular Phylogeny of a New Marine,Sand-dwelling Dinoflagellate Genus,Pachena (Dinophyceae), with Descriptions of Three New Species

Marine benthic dinoflagellates are interesting not only because some epiphytic genera can cause harmful algal blooms but also for understanding dinoflagellate evolution and diversification. Our understanding of their biodiversity is far from complete, and many thecate genera have unusual tabulation patterns that are difficult to relate to the diverse known phytoplankton taxa. A new sand-dwelling genus, Pachena gen. nov., is described based on morphological and DNA sequence data. Three species were discovered in distant locations and are circumscribed, namely, P. leibnizii sp. nov. from Canada, P. abriliae sp. nov. from Spain, and P. meriddae sp. nov. from Italy. All species are tiny (about 9–23 μm long) and heterotrophic. Species are characterized by their tabulation (APC 4′ 3a 6′′ 5c 5s 5′′′ 2′′′′), an apical hook covering the apical pore, an ascending cingulum, and a sulcus with central list. The first anterior intercalary plate is uniquely “sandwiched” between two plates. The species share these features and differ in the relative sizes and arrangements of their plates, especially on the epitheca. The ornamentation of thecal plates is species-specific. The new molecular phylogenies based on SSU and LSU rDNA sequences contribute to understanding the evolution of the planktonic relatives of Pachena, the Thoracosphaeraceae.     

A survey of thecal fine structure in the Dinophyceae

The structure of the theca of some 30 marine and freshwater members of the Dinophyceae has been examined by light and electron microscopy. The basic arrangement of membranes, an outer continuous plasma-membrane beneath which lies a single layer of flattened vesicles, is the same in all flagellated forms. The periplast of coccoid and encysted forms is somewhat different. Thecae have been found to fall into eight reasonably distinct categories as follows: (1) Outer membrane underlain by irregular vesicles. (2) Membrane underlain by close-packed vesicles. (3) As Group 2 but with plug-like structures attached to the inner membrane of the vesicles. (4) As Group 2 but with thin plates within the vesicles and all plates of more or less similar shape. (5) As Group 4 but plates have slight overlap. (6) Similar to Group 5 but plates are reduced in number and can be individually recognized. (7) As Group 6 but plates have elaborate flanges and their surfaces are covered by reticulations. (8) Theca mainly consisting of only two plates. It is suggested that the thecal types could from the basis for some revision of the taxonomy of the class.     

Unraveling the evolutionary radiation of the thoracican barnacles using molecular and morphological evidence: a comparison of several divergence time estimation approaches

The Thoracica includes the ordinary barnacles found along the sea shore and is the most diverse and well-studied superorder of Cirripedia. However, although the literature abounds with scenarios explaining the evolution of these barnacles, very few studies have attempted to test these hypotheses in a phylogenetic context. The few attempts at phylogenetic analyses have suffered from a lack of phylogenetic signal and small numbers of taxa. We collected DNA sequences from the nuclear 18S, 28S, and histone H3 genes and the mitochondrial 12S and 16S genes (4,871 bp total) and data for 37 adult and 53 larval morphological characters from 43 taxa representing all the extant thoracican suborders (except the monospecific Brachylepadomorpha). Four Rhizocephala (highly modified parasitic barnacles) taxa and a Rhizocephala + Acrothoracica (burrowing barnacles) hypothetical ancestor were used as the outgroup for the molecular and morphological analyses, respectively. We analyzed these data separately and combined using maximum likelihood (ML) under "hill-climbing" and genetic algorithm heuristic searches, maximum parsimony procedures, and Bayesian inference coupled with Markov chain Monte Carlo techniques under mixed and homogeneous models of nucleotide substitution. The resulting phylogenetic trees answered key questions in barnacle evolution. The four-plated Iblomorpha were shown as the most primitive thoracican, and the plateless Heteralepadomorpha were placed as the sister group of the Lepadomorpha. These relationships suggest for the first time in an invertebrate that exoskeleton biomineralization may have evolved from phosphatic to calcitic. Sessilia (nonpedunculate) barnacles were depicted as monophyletic and appear to have evolved from a stalked (pedunculate) multiplated (5+) scalpelloidlike ancestor rather than a five-plated lepadomorphan ancestor. The Balanomorpha (symmetric sessile barnacles) appear to have the following relationship: (Chthamaloidea(Coronuloidea(Tetraclitoidea, Balanoidea))). Thoracican divergence times were estimated under ML-based local clock, Bayesian, and penalized likelihood approaches using an 18S data set and three calibration points: Heteralepadomorpha = 530 million years ago (MYA), Scalpellomorpha = 340 MYA, and Verrucomorpha = 120 MYA. Estimated dates varied considerably within and between approaches depending on the calibration point. Highly parameterized local clock models that assume independent rates (r > or = 15) for confamilial or congeneric species generated the most congruent estimates among calibrations and agreed more closely with the barnacle fossil record. Reasonable estimates were also obtained under the Bayesian procedure of Kishino et al. (2001, Mol. Biol. Evol. 18:352-361) but using multiple calibrations. Most of the dates estimated under the Bayesian procedure of Aris-Brosou and Yang (2002, Syst. Biol. 51:703-714) and the penalized likelihood method using single and/or multiple calibrations were inconsistent among calibrations and did not fit the fossil record.     

Gene rearrangement and sequence analysis of mitogenomes suggest polyphyly of Archaeobalanid and Balanid barnacles (Cirripedia: Balanomorpha)

The acorn barnacles (Cirripedia, Thoracica, Balanomorpha) are a diverse group of crustaceans found in virtually all marine and estuarine habitats. Barnacles are important model species in various biological researches, including evolution, intertidal ecology, larval biology and antifouling. However, there remains a lack of a thorough understanding of the phylogeny for this group of animals, particularly at higher taxonomic levels. In this study, we attempt to determine the phylogenetic relationships among balanomorphan families based on analysis of complete mitochondrial genome from various barnacle families and investigate the evolution of mitogenome in barnacles. Whole mitogenomes of six barnacles were newly sequenced, including Acasta sulcata (Archaeobalanidae), Armatobalanus allium (Archaeobalanidae), Chelonibia testudinaria (Chelonibiidae), Octomeris sp. (Chthamalidae), Savignium biporata (Pyrgomatidae) and Tetraclitella divisa (Tetraclitidae), which exhibit five different gene arrangements. Phylogenetic analysis on 15 complete mitochondrial genome sequences from major barnacle families supported Chthamalidae, Pyrgomatidae and Tetraclitidae formed monophyletic units, but suggested polyphyly of both Archaeobalanidae and Balanidae. Chthamalidae was the earliest diverged lineage in Balanomorpha. Chelonibiidae + Tetraclitidae formed the sister taxon to the monophyletic superfamily Balanoidea (Archaeobalanidae + Balanidae + Pyrgomatidae). The members of Archaeobalanidae and Balanidae intermingled in the inferred topology with the monophyletic Pyrgomatidae deeply nested within. Two Megabalanus species from the family Balanidae and A. sulcata from the family Archaeobalanidae share the same six‐gene‐cluster inversion as compared to the other ten balanomorphan barnacles, providing further evidence for the non‐monophyly for the two families. We showed here that the informativeness of the complete mitogenome sequence and rare genomic events in resolving various questions concerning Balanomorpha relationships. The non‐monophyletic status of Archaeobalanidae and Balanidae falsified many previous hypotheses concerning the complex evolution of Balanomorpha and call for further investigations and careful revision on the taxonomy of the group. Future study focusing on the enigmatic and tentatively basal lineages, for example, Chionelasmatoidea Pachylasmatoidea and Catophragmidae, would be most helpful in fully resolving the phylogeny and mitogenome evolutionary history of acorn barnacles.     

Intramembranous ossification of scleral ossicles in Chelydra serpentina

Scleral ossicles are present in many reptiles, including turtles and birds. In both groups the sclerotic ring situated in the eye is composed of a number of imbricating scleral ossicles or plates. Despite this gross morphological similarity, Andrews (1996. An endochondral rather than a dermal origin for scleral ossicles in Cryptodiran turtles. J. Herpetol. 30, 257-260) reported that the scleral ossicles of turtles develop endochondrally unlike those in birds, which develop intramembranously after a complex epithelial-mesenchymal inductive event. This study re-explores one of the species examined by Andrews in order to determine the mode of ossification of scleral ossicles in turtles. A growth series of Chelydra serpentina embryos, including the stages examined by Andrews, were examined by staining separately for cartilage and bone. Results clearly contradict Andrews (1996) and show that the scleral ossicles of Chelydra serpentina develop similarly to those in birds. That is, they develop intramembranously without a cartilage precursor and are likely induced by transient scleral papillae. The sequence of scleral papillae development is broadly similar, but the papillae themselves are not as distinct as those seen in chicken embryos. This study has important consequences for understanding the homology of scleral ossicles among tetrapods.     

Reconstructing the Anomalodesmata (Mollusca: Bivalvia): morphology and molecules

The extant anomalodesmatan bivalves have always proved rather enigmatic and difficult to interpret, both in terms of their relationships to other bivalve taxa and the interrelationships of the constituent families. These difficulties stem from their diverse and often highly specialized life habits which have resulted in a wide array of disparate morphologies, and also from the fact that many are extremely rare. Classifications based on morphological characters have been dogged by fears that convergent and parallel evolution has masked phylogenetic signals. Molecular surveys of members of 12 of the 15 constituent families, using the 18S rRNA gene, have revealed that anomalodesmatans are robustly monophyletic and lie within the basal heterodonts. The Anomalodesmata should no longer be regarded as a subclass, but as a part of the Heterodonta. Here we present an enhanced analysis of 32 anomalodesmatan species (representatives of 12 families). Our results, subjected to Maximum Parsimony, Maximum Likelihood and Bayesian analyses, challenge our understanding of the internal relationships within the Anomalodesmata. In particular they indicate the need for a re-distribution of the families traditionally placed in the Thracioidea and Pandoroidea into a 'thraciid' lineage (Thraciidae + Cleidothaeridae + Myochamidae) and a 'lyonsiid' lineage (polyphyletic Lyonsiidae + Clavagellidae + Laternulidae + Pandoridae). The endolithic Clavagella and endobenthic Brechites and Penicillus form a robust clade. The hypothesis that the carnivorous septibranchs are monophyletic can, thus far, be neither supported nor rejected. Mapping critical morphological characters onto our molecular results provides evidence of multiple loss of some characters (e.g. prismato-nacreous shell microstructure and shell spicules) and also multiple gain of others (e.g. chondrophores).  © 2006 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society , 2006, 148 , 395–420.     

A new species and genus of the Aglajidae and the evolution of the philinacean opisthobranch molluscs

Cylichna fills many of the requirements of an hypothetical common ancestor of the Philinaceae. From such an ancestor, five distinct lines have evolved, each separately specializing different aspects of their anatomy (Fig. 6).
In the Tomatina-Cylichnella group, the development of a monaulic reproductive system and calcification and elaboration of the gizzard plates, seems to be the only major advances.
In the Scaphander-Paracteocina group we see a tendency to detort with accompanying degeneration of the shell. Monaulism and the calcification and elaboration of the gizzard plates has also occurred.
In Philine, bilateral symmetry of the body has evolved, the shell is internal and the reproductive system is monaulic. The alimentary canal in advanced forms shows great elaboration. We find species showing all stages in the evolution of the P. aperta-type gut from the primitive P. falklandica-type.
In the Gastropteridae, jaw-plates have been retained, but the gizzard has been lost. The greatest development has been in external body form, with loss of the mantle cavity and presence of an external gill and large wing-like parapodia for swimming.
In the Aglajidae we find the greatest degree of modification. In all but Odontoglaja the radula and gizzard have been lost, and in all cases the body is very stream-lined, the shell being reduced and internal. Aglajids are capable of infaunal burrowing, but most species are usually epifaunal. Unlike the other families there is a diversity in the structure of the reproductive system.     

Environmental calcium modifies induced defences in snails

Inducible defences are adaptive phenotypes that arise in response to predation threats. Such plasticity incurs costs to individuals, but there has been little interest in how such induced traits in animals may be constrained by environmental factors. Here, we demonstrate that calcium availability interacts with predation cues to modify snail shell growth and form. Small snails increased their growth and were heavier when exposed to fish chemical cues, but this response was calcium limited. There was also an interactive effect of fish cues and calcium on the shell growth of larger snails, but shell strength and aperture narrowness were affected by calcium alone. For small snails, behavioural avoidance was greatest for snails exhibiting least morphological plasticity, suggesting a trade-off. There was no trade-off of somatic growth with plasticity. We suggest that the expression of defensive traits in molluscs can be constrained by calcium availability, which has implications for molluscan ecology and evolution.     

Bioinformatic characterization of the 4-Toluene Sulfonate Uptake Permease (TSUP) family of transmembrane proteins

The ubiquitous sequence diverse 4-Toluene Sulfonate Uptake Permease (TSUP) family contains few characterized members and is believed to catalyze the transport of several sulfur-based compounds. Prokaryotic members of the TSUP family outnumber the eukaryotic members substantially, and in prokaryotes, but not eukaryotes, extensive lateral gene transfer occurred during family evolution. Despite unequal representation, homologues from the three taxonomic domains of life share well-conserved motifs. We show that the prototypical eight TMS topology arose from an intragenic duplication of a four transmembrane segment (TMS) unit. Possibly, a two TMS α-helical hairpin structure was the precursor of the 4 TMS repeat unit. Genome context analyses confirmed the proposal of a sulfur-based compound transport role for many TSUP homologues, but functional outliers appear to be prevalent as well. Preliminary results suggest that the TSUP family is a member of a large novel superfamily that includes rhodopsins, integral membrane chaperone proteins, transmembrane electron flow carriers and several transporter families. All of these proteins probably arose via the same pathway: 2→4→8 TMSs followed by loss of a TMS either at the N- or C-terminus, depending on the family, to give the more frequent 7 TMS topology.     

Molecular evolution of plant β-glucan endohydrolases

The evolutionary relationships of two classes of plant β-glucan endohydrolases have been examined by comparison of their substrate specificities, their three-dimensional conformations and the structural features of their corresponding genes. These comparative studies provide compelling evidence that the (1→3)-β-glucanases and (1→3,1→4)-β-glucanases from higher plants share a common ancestry and, in all likelihood, that the (1→3,1→4)-β-glucanases diverged from the (1→3)-β-glucanases during the appearance of the graminaceous monocotyledons. The evolution of (1→3,1→4)-β-glucanases from (1→3)-β-glucanases does not appear to have invoked ‘modular’ mechanisms of change, such as those caused by exon shuffling or recombination. Instead, the shift in specificity has been acquired through a limited number of point mutations that have resulted in amino acid substitutions along the substrate-binding cleft. This is consistent with current theories that the evolution of new enzymic activity is often achieved through duplication of the gene encoding an existing enzyme which is capable of performing the required chemistry, in this case the hydrolysis of a glycosidic linkage, followed by the mutational alteration and fine-tuning of substrate specificity. The evolution of a new specificity has enabled a dramatic shift in the functional capabilities of the enzymes. (1→3)-β-Glucanases that play a major role, inter alia, in the protection of the plant against pathogenic microorganisms through their ability to hydrolyse the (1→3)-β-glucans of fungal cell walls, appear to have been recruited to generate (1→3,1→4)-β-glucanases, which quite specifically hydrolyse plant cell wall (1→3,1→4)-β-glucans in the graminaecous monocotyledons during normal wall metabolism. Thus, one class of β-glucan endohydrolase can degrade β-glucans in fungal walls, while the other hydrolyses structurally distinct β-glucans of plant cell walls. Detailed information on the three-dimensional structures of the enzymes and the identification of catalytic amino acids now present opportunities to explore the precise molecular and atomic details of substrate-binding, catalytic mechanisms and the sequence of molecular events that resulted in the evolution of the substrate specificities of the two classes of enzyme.     

牛心朴子须根的化学成分研究

从采自宁夏的萝摩科鹅绒藤属植物牛心朴子 (CynanchumkomaroviiAl.Iljinski.)须根的乙醇提取物中分离鉴定了十个非C2 1 甾体类化合物 :β D 呋喃果糖基 (2→ 1) α D [6 O 芥子酰基 ] 吡喃葡萄糖甙 (1) ,β D (3 O 芥子酰基 ) 呋喃果糖基 (2→ 1) α D [6 O 芥子酰基 ] 吡喃葡萄糖甙 (2 ) ,[6 O β D 吡喃葡萄糖基 (1→ 6 ) β D 吡喃葡萄糖基 1,2 双氧 (4 羟基 3,5 二甲氧基肉桂酰 ) (3) ,7 脱甲氧基娃儿藤碱 (4) ,9 羟基 芳樟醇 3 O β D 吡喃木糖基 (1→ 6 ) β D 吡喃葡萄糖甙 (5 ) ,(2E ,6R) 2 ,6 二甲基 2 ,7 辛二烯 1,6 二醇 (6 ) ,[(+) 丁香素 ](7) ,4′ O demethylepiyangambin(8) ,4′ 羟基 2′ 甲氧基苯乙酮 (9) ,(2S ,3S ,4R ,12E) N [2′ (R) 羟基二十二碳烷基 ] 1,3,4 三羟基 2 酰胺 二十碳烷基 12 烯 (10 )。除化合物 4和 9外 ,其余化合物均为首次从该植物中分离得到。     

Morphology and angiosperm systematics in the molecular era

Several ways in which morphology is used in systematic and evolutionary research in angiosperms are shown and illustrated with examples: 1) searches for special structural similarities, which can be used to find hints for hitherto unrecognized relationships in groups with unresolved phylogenetic position; 2) cladistic studies based on morphology and combined morphological and molecular analyses; 3) comparative morphological studies in new, morphologically puzzling clades derived from molecular studies; 4) studies of morphological character evolution, unusual evolutionary directions, and evolutionary lability based on molecular studies; and 5) studies of organ evolution. Conclusions: Goals of comparative morphology have shifted in the present molecular era. Morphology no longer plays the primary role in phylogenetic studies. However, new opportunities for morphology are opening up that were not present in the premolecular era: 1) phylogenetic studies with combined molecular and morphological analyses; 2) reconstruction of the evolution of morphological features based on molecularly derived cladograms; 3) refined analysis of morphological features induced by inconsistencies of previous molecular and molecular phylogenetic analyses; 4) better understanding of morphological features by judgment in a wider biological context; 5) increased potential for including fossils in morphological analyses; and 6) exploration of the evolution of morphological traits by integration of comparative structural and molecular developmental genetic aspects (Evo-Devo); this field is still in its infancy in botany; its advancement is one of the major goals of evolutionary botany.     

Pregnane steroidal glycosides and their cytostatic activities

Four new steroidal glycosides such as 3-O-6-deoxy-3-O-methyl-β-D-allopyranosyl-(1 → 4)-β-D-oleandropyranosyl-(1 → 4)-β-D-cymaropyranosyl-(1 → 4)-β-D-cymaropyranoside-12-β-tigloyl-14-β-hydroxy-17-β-pregnane (1), 3-O-6-deoxy-3-O-methyl-β-D-allopyranosyl-(1 → 4)-β-D-oleandropyranosyl-(1 → 4)-β-D-cymaropyranosyl-(1 → 4)-β-D-cymaropyranoside-12-β-(2'-amino)-benzoyl-14-β-hydroxy-17-β-pregnane (2), 3-O-6-deoxy-3-O-methyl-β-D-allopyranosyl-(1 → 4)-β-D-oleandropyranosyl-(1 → 4)-β-D-cymaropyranosyl-(1 → 4)-β-D-cymaropyranoside-12-β-14-β-dihydroxy-17-α-pregnane (3) and 3-O-6-deoxy-3-O-methyl-β-D-allopyranosyl-(1 → 4)-β-D-oleandropyranosyl-(1 → 4)-β-D-cymaropyranosyl-(1 → 4)-β-D-cymaropyranoside-12-β-14-β-dihydroxy-17-β-pregnane (4) were isolated from the aerial parts of Ceropegia fusca Bolle (Asclepiadaceae), a crassulacean acid metabolism plant, an endemic species to the Canary Islands that has been used in traditional medicine as a cicatrizant, vulnerary and disinfectant. The dichloromethane extract exhibited significant cytostatic activity against HL-60, A-431 and SK-MEL-1 cells, human leukemic, epidermoid carcinoma and melanoma cells, respectively. As shown in Table I, compounds 1 and 2 showed very similar IC(50) values. The acetylation of 1 to give the diacetate 5 increases 5-fold the cytotoxicity against HL-60 cells. Compounds 3 and 4 did not show cytotoxicity at the assayed concentrations. With respect to the compounds containing only the steroid ring (6-8), the presence of a charged O-amino-benzoyl but not a tigloyl group improved the cytotoxicity.     

Cleavage of oligosaccharides by rat kidney sialidase Influence of substrate structure

The specificity of the sialidase activity present in rat kidney cortex (12 000 × g pellet) was studied with various tritiated oligosaccharidic substrates: (i) αNeuAc2 → 3βGall → 4Glc-itol[³H], αNeuAc2 → 6βGall → 4Glc-itol[³H] and αNeuAc2 → 8αNeuAc2 → 3βGall → 4Glc-itol[³H] from bovine colostrum; (ii) α-NeuAc2 → 6βGall → 4βGlcNAc-itol[³H], αNeuAc2 → 3βGal1 → 4βGlcNAcl → 2αManl → 3βMan1 → 4GlcNAc-itol[³H]. αNeuAc2 → 6βGall → 4βGlcNAcl → 2αManl α 3(βGall → 4GlcNAcl → 2αManl → 6)βManl → 4GlcNAc-itol [³H]et αNeuAc2 → 6βGall → 4βGlcNAcl → 2αManl-3(αNeuAc2 → 6βGall → 4βGlcNAcl → 2αManl → 6)βManl 4GlNAc-itol[³H] isolated from the urine of a patient with mucolipidosis I. The enzyme cleaves α2 → 3 and α2 → 8 linkages at a greater rate than the α2 → 6 bonds. Its activity decreases with the length of the oligosaccharidic chain. Substitution of a glucose moiety by Nacetylglucosamine results in diminished activity. The specificity of rat kidney sialidase differs from that reported for other mammalian of viral sialidases.     

楼梯草属苞片形态和演化趋势

(Ⅰ)对荨麻科楼梯草属的苞片和小苞片的形态进行了全面研究。(Ⅱ)该属原始群疏伞楼梯草组的雄聚伞花序苞片在每花序为15-90枚,纸质,绿色,狭卵形、狭三角形或条形,长0.5-4mm,扁平,无任何突起,而与楼梯草族的冷水花属和赤车属的聚伞花序苞片极为相似,因此,上述各种形态可以视为楼梯草属苞片的原始特征,并据此观察到总苞苞片的以下演化趋势:(1)近等大,形状相似,在花序托边缘轮生形成一层→排列为二层,外层2苞片对生,较大,内层苞片较小,形状稍不同;(2)狭卵形,狭三角形或条形→宽卵形或宽三角形,或扁半圆形→由于长度强烈缩小,宽度增大而最终消失;(3)扁平→顶端兜形→船形→船形,顶端突起成细筒;(4)无任何突起0背面有1龙骨状突起,或有1-6条纵肋或狭翅1顶端具短到长的角状突起→背面顶端之下具角状突起;(5)分生→基部合生→由于长度强烈缩小,宽度强烈增大,总苞苞片合生成一横条形狭片;(6)在数目上,由每花序的7-45枚,一方面增加到50-180枚,另一方面则减少到5枚以下。同时,观察到小苞片形态以下演化趋势:(1)膜质,半透明,白色0具褐色线纹或呈褐色→呈黑色1薄膜质,透明,无色;(2)扁平→顶端兜形→船形;(3)无任何突起→顶端或在背面顶端之下具角状突起;(4)在数目上,由每花序的7-45枚一方面增加到100或数百枚,甚至达1千到数千枚,另一方面则减少到5枚以下,甚至到0枚。上述演化趋势有助于了解属下各级分类群的演化水平。     

Three-dimensional structure of the shell plate assembly of the chiton Tonicella marmorea and its biomechanical consequences

This study investigates the three-dimensional structure of the eight plate exoskeletal (shell) assembly of the chiton Tonicella marmorea. X-ray micro-computed tomography and 3D printing elucidate the mechanism of conformational change from a passive (slightly curved, attached to surface) to a defensive (rolled, detached from surface) state of the plate assembly. The passive and defensive conformations exhibited differences in longitudinal curvature index (0.43 vs. 0.70), average plate-to-plate overlap (～62% vs. ～48%), cross-sectional overlap heterogeneity (60-82.5% vs. 0-90%, fourth plate), and plate-to-plate separation distance (100% increase in normalized separation distance between plates 4 and 5), respectively. The plate-to-plate interconnections consist of two rigid plates joined by a compliant, actuating muscle, analogous to a geometrically structured shear lap joint. This work provides an understanding of how T. marmorea achieves the balance between mobility and protection. In the passive state, the morphometry of the plates and plate-to-plate interconnections results in an approximately continuous curvature and constant armor thickness, resulting in limited mobility but maximum protection. In the defensive state, the underlying soft tissues gain protection and the chiton gains mobility through tidal flow, but regions of vulnerability open dorsally, due to the increase in plate-to-plate separation and decrease in plate-to-plate overlap. Lastly, experiments using optical and scanning electron microscopy, mercury porosimetry, and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy explore the microstructure and spatial distribution of the six layers within the intermediate plates, the role of multilayering in resisting predatory attacks, and the detection of chitin as a major component of the intra-plate organic matrix and girdle.     

Flavan-3-ols from the rhizomes of Drynaria fortunei

One monomer flavan-3-ol, 4α-carboxymethyl-(+)-catechin methyl ester, two monomer flavan-3-ol glycosides, (+)-afzelechin-3-O-β-allopyranoside, (+)-afzelechin-6-C-β-glucopyranoside, two dimer flavan-3-ols, (-)-epiafzelechin-(4β→8)-4β-carboxymethyl-(-)-epicatechin methyl ester, and -(-)-epiafzelechin-(4β→8)-4α-carboxymethyl-(-)epiafzelechin ethyl ester, and one trimer flavan-3-ol, (-)-epiafzelechin-(4β→8)-(-)-epiafzelechin-(4β→8)-4β-carboxymethyl-(-)-epiafzelechin methyl ester, together with thirteen known flavan-3-ols were isolated from the rhizomes of Drynaria fortunei (Kunze) J.Sm (Polypodiaceae). The structures were established by analysis of their HRESIMS, 1D, 2D NMR spectroscopic, and CD data. In order to obtain improved resolution, the high-resolution NMR spectra of the dimers and trimer were measured at -40 °C.     

国产球盖蕨科植物管状分子的比较研究

利用扫描电镜观察了国产球盖蕨科10种植物,鳞毛蕨科6种植物的管状分子,结果显示:它们的管状分子端壁和侧壁的形态及结构分别相同,且侧壁具有穿孔板。它们具有4种类型的管状分子:(1)梯状穿孔板,无穿孔板的二型性现象;(2)梯状穿孔板,具有二型性现象;(3)梯状-网状混合穿孔板;(4)大孔状穿孔板。穿孔板仅存在于端壁的管状分子为导管分子,而端壁和侧壁形态、结构相似,有或无穿孔板的管状分子为管胞,蕨类植物中的管状分子主要为管胞,这与传统观点不同。管状分子的形态特征表明:球盖蕨科是鳞毛蕨群的成员,但不是原始成员,可能属于其中较为进化的类群,与鳞毛蕨科有许多共同特征,但仍存在较大差异,所以将其作为独立的科是合理的,推测球盖蕨科中的鱼鳞蕨属是比较进化的属,柄盖蕨属相对原始,红腺蕨属的系统位置应介于二者之间。