Évaluation des rythmes et des vitesses d’évolution chez les Mammifères

The natural selection proceeds to very different time paces according to the hierarchical level of the observations. Two methods are used by palaeontologists for reporting how fast is evolution through geological time: the taxonomical and the morphological rates of evolution. However, the interpretation and the understanding of these rates of evolution are not easy. So, there were and still are many debates, and even controversies, concerning the tempo of the history of life as depicted by fossils. Examples from European Palaeogene fossil mammals illustrate some aspects of this problem.     

Micro-organismes de type mycoplasme chez les Coléoptères

Résumé Des micro-organismes présentant les caractères des mycoplasmes ont été observés dans les tissus adipeux et cardiaques de larves du Coléoptère ScarabeideMelolontha melolontha, soit sur des tissus prélevés directement sur larves, soit maintenus en culture d'organes pendant 15 jours à 3 semaines.

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Summary Microorganisms with characteristics usually observed in mycoplasms when examined under the electron microscope have been seen in fat and cardiac cells from larvae ofMelolontha melolontha, [Scarabaeidae Coleoptera]. These observations have been made either on tissues taken directly from larvae or kept in organotypic culture for 15 days to 3 weeks.

     

Les tissus élaborateurs d'hormones stéroïdes chez les amphibiens urodèles

Résumé Les cellules du tissu glandulaire du testicule et de la glande interrénale de pleurodèle montrent les caractères généralement observés dans les cellules stéroïdogènes. Des différences existent entre les deux tissus. Le reticulum endoplasmique du tissu glandulaire est très développé et présent dans toutes les cellules qui sont d'aspect homogène. Au contraire, le tissu interrénal montre deux aspects cellulaires différents. Le premier se caractérise par un reticulum endoplasmique lisse relativement peu développé par rapport au tissu glandulaire, par des mitochondries petites et nombreuses, enfin par des liposomes denses et petits. Le deuxième aspect au contraire, se distingue par le petit nombre de mitochondries souvent géantes et à crêtes plus fréquemment organisées en faisceaux, par des liposomes nombreux de grandes dimensions et peu denses aux électrons.Le tissu glandulaire est très peu touché par l'hypophysectomie. Le reticulum persiste plusieurs mois comme d'ailleurs l'activité 5-3 -hydroxystéroïde deshydrogénase. Dans le tissu interrénal, la proportion des cellules d'aspects différents varie au profit des cellules à lipides abondants et à grandes mitochondries. L'activité 5-3 -hydroxystéroïde deshydrogénase est longtemps décelable.Le rôle du reticulum endoplasmique du tissu glandulaire est discuté en fonction des observations réalisées dans d'autres cellules stéroïdogènes à reticulum abondant. La signification des deux aspects cellulaires observés dans l'interrénale est discutée en relation avec les résultats expérimentaux obtenus en particulier chez le rat.Cette étude révèle que les critères d'activité d'une cellule stéroïdogène sont délicats à établir et doivent être différents d'un tissu à l'autre.

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Tissues secreting steroid hormones in urodele amphibians

Summary The fine structure of testis glandular tissue and interrenal gland cells of Pleurodeles shows the general features observed in other steroïdogenic cells. Certain differences exist between the two tissues. The agranular endoplasmic reticulum of the glandular tissue cells is well developed and present in all cells of similar appearance. On the contrary, the interrenal tissue cells show two different features. The first is characterised by a poorly developed smooth endoplasmic reticulum, compared with that of the glandular tissue, by small and numerous mitochondria, and finally by small electron dense lipid droplets. The second feature is the small number of mitochondria often giant and with fascicles of straight tubular cristae and numerous large lipid droplets of low electron density.The effect of hypophysectomy on the glandular tissue cells seem very slight. The endoplasmic reticulum and the 5-3 -hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity persists for several months. In the interrenal tissue, the proportions of the two different cellular features are modified. Cells rich in lipids and with large mitochondria are more abundant. It is possible to demonstrate a 5-3 -hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity for a long time after hypophysectomy. The functional significance of the agranular endoplasmic reticulum is discussed in relation to some other observations on different steroidogenic cells with a well developed agranular endoplasmic reticulum. The significance of the two cellular features observed in the interrenal gland is discussed in connection with experimental data obtained in the frog and the rat.This study shows that it is difficult to define criteria of cellular activity, which probably differ from one tissue to another.

Equipe de Recherche associée au C. N. R. S. Cytologie Ultrastructurale n 129.     

Les gisements fossilifères

The papers published in the Annales de Paléontologie over the past hundred years, illustrate the evolving views relevant to the interpretation and excavation of fossil sites. Because of the abundance and quality of their fossil record, the “Fossillagerstätte” has certainly contributed to a boom in palaeontology. These localities have enriched our knowledge about the biodiversity of animals and plants from the different geological periods. At the same time, they have played an important role in reconstructions on ancient environments. The prerequisite for palaeoecological synthesis requires a critical investigation of the geological conditions of the selected localities. Thus, is the goal of taphonomic analysis which has led to the development of the excavation sites. Over time, the palaeontological data has been complemented by observations from the ichnological, sedimentological and geochemical record. Recently, more sophisticated techniques related, for example, to palaeochemistry or to geomicrobiology, have strengthed the message delivered by the fossiliferous localities. One problem, however, is that the growing success of palaeontology with general public, has gained the attention of illicit fossil collectors and the covetousness of traders, resulting in detrimental pillage of the palaeontological sites.     

Action de la «densonucléose» de Lépidoptères sur les mammifères

Summary The virus of Densonucleosis ofGalleria mellonella (Lepidoptera) is not virulent for mice and rabbits by inoculation and by feeding. Newly born mice are not contamined by intracerebral inoculation. These data are important for comparison of this virus with some Arthropod born viruses and for biological control.