The relationships ofPisolithus (Sclerodermataceae) to other fleshy fungi with particular reference to the occurrence and taxonomic significance of hydroxylated pulvinic acids

In the light of the discovery of hydroxylated pulvinic acids in the gasteromycetePisolithus arhizus, a possible relationship with the boletoid fungi and their relatives is explored. Biogenetic inter-relationships are indicated, including the host range ofApiocrea chrysosperma, and the distribution of phenylpyruvate-derived pigments offered in schematic form.     

中国粘菌X:中国团毛菌科补记

本文补报了中国团毛菌科四个种,弱小团网菌Arcyria exigua sp. nov.和聚生团网菌Arcyria aggregata sp. nov.为新种,瑞士团网菌Arcyria helvetica和纹丝半网菌Hemitrichia intorta为中国新记录种。文中对二新种进行了描述,附有形态特征电镜扫描照片,并讨论了与相似种间的区别。新种的模式标本保存在中国科学院微生物研究所真菌标本室。     

Binding and penetration ofRhizobium japonicum to cultured soybean cells

A cultured soybean cell line, SB-1 was used to evaluate the initial interaction between the soybean cells andRhizobium japonicum. Co-culturing ofR. japonicum with SB-1 cells in suspension resulted in strain-specific polar attachment. This attachment can be inhibited by galactose and antibodies raised against seed soybean agglutinin (SBA). A lectin was purified from SB-1 cells which shares properties with SBA in terms of immunological reactivity, sugar binding activity, polypeptide molecular weight and peptide maps. When the SB-1 cells were co-cultured withR. japonicum for three weeks in solid agar medium, histological staining revealed bacterial penetration into certain SB-1 cells. Furthermore, there were focal regions of cells with prominent nuclei representing actively proliferating regions. These observations are analogous to that ofin vivo nodule initiation in soybean roots.     

Contribution to the orchid flora of South Central Africa

11 new taxa (8 new species, 3 new varieties) ofOrchidaceae are described from South Central Africa, including data on their habitat and distribution and discussions of their systematic affinities.     

Adaptive photosynthetic strategies of the Mediterranean maquis species according to their origin

In consideration of their origin the adaptive strategies of the evergreen species of the Mediterranean maquis were analysed. Rosmarinus officinalis L., Erica arborea L., and Erica multiflora L. had the lowest net photosynthetic rate (P_N) in the favourable period [7.8±0.6 mol(CO₂) m^–2s^–1, mean value], the highest P_N decrease (on an average 86 % of the maximum) but the highest recovery capacity (>70 % of the maximum) at the first rainfall in September. Cistus incanus L. and Arbutus unedo L. had the highest P_N during the favourable period [15.5±5.2 mol(CO₂) m^–2s^–1, mean value], 79 % decrease during drought, and a lower recovery capacity (on an average 54 %). Quercus ilex L., Phillyrea latifolia L., and Pistacia lentiscus L. had an intermediate P_N in the favourable period [9.2±1.3 mol(CO2) m^–2s^–1, mean value], a lower reduction during drought (on an average 63 %), and a range from 62 % (Q. ilex and P. latifolia) to 39 % (P. lentiscus) of recovery capacity. The Mediterranean species had higher decrease in P_N and stomatal conductance during drought and a higher recovery capacity than the pre-Mediterranean species. Among the pre-Mediterranean species, P. latifoliahad the best adaptation to long drought periods also by its higher leaf mass per area (LMA) which lowered leaf temperature thus decreasing transpiration rate during drought. Moreover, its leaf longevity determined a more stable leaf biomass during the year. Among the Mediteranean species, R. officinalis was the best adapted species to short drought periods by its ability to rapidly recover. Nevertheless, R. officinalis had the lowest tolerance to high temperatures by its P_N dropping below half its maximum value when leaf temperature was over 33.6°C. R. officinalismay be used as a bioindicator species of global change.This revised version was published online in March 2005 with corrections to the page numbers.     

The fern as a model system to study photomorphogenesis

The fern gametophyte is a good model system for studying cell biological, physiological, and photobiological aspects of the fundamental processes of plant development and physiological phenomena, because of its autotrophic characteristics and its simple structure. The cells, moreover, are not surrounded by tissue, so observation and manipulation of the cells are very easy. Here I summarize a part of my knowledge of fern systems, which I have studied for nearly 40 years. Masamitsu Wada is the recipient of the BSJ Research Award for 2004.     

When man began to speak

The origin of human language from the point of view of linguistic sicence. General linguistics. Ontogenesis of Language; antrhropology; human mind     

Three species ofCortinarius subgenusPhlegmacium new to Japan

Three species ofCortinarius subgenusPhlegmacium are described and illustrated for the first time in Japan:C. cumatilis var.cumatils, C. scaurus var.scaurus, C. xanthophyllus.     

Sea turtle species vary in their susceptibility to tropical cyclones

Severe climatic events affect all species, but there is little quantitative knowledge of how sympatric species react to such situations. We compared the reproductive seasonality of sea turtles that nest sympatrically with their vulnerability to tropical cyclones (in this study, “tropical cyclone” refers to tropical storms and hurricanes), which are increasing in severity due to changes in global climate. Storm surges significantly decreased reproductive output by lowering the number of nests that hatched and the number of hatchlings that emerged from nests, but the severity of this effect varied by species. Leatherback turtles (Dermochelys coriacea) began nesting earliest and most offspring hatched before the tropical cyclone season arrived, resulting in little negative effect. Loggerhead turtles (Caretta caretta) nested intermediately, and only nests laid late in the season were inundated with seawater during storm surges. Green turtles (Chelonia mydas) nested last, and their entire nesting season occurred during the tropical cyclone season; this resulted in a majority (79%) of green turtle nests incubating in September, when tropical cyclones are most likely to occur. Since this timing overlaps considerably with the tropical cyclone season, the developing eggs and nests are extremely vulnerable to storm surges. Increases in the severity of tropical cyclones may cause green turtle nesting success to worsen in the future. However, published literature suggests that loggerhead turtles are nesting earlier in the season and shortening their nesting seasons in response to increasing sea surface temperatures caused by global climate change. This may cause loggerhead reproductive success to improve in the future because more nests will hatch before the onset of tropical cyclones. Our data clearly indicate that sympatric species using the same resources are affected differently by tropical cyclones due to slight variations in the seasonal timing of nesting, a key life history process.     

The use of transgenic plants to understand transposition mechanisms and to develop transposon tagging strategies

This review compares the activity of the plant transposable elements Ac, Tam3, En/Spm and Mu in heterologous plant species and in their original host. Mutational analysis of the autonomous transposable elements and two-element systems have supplied data that revealed some fundamental properties of the transposition mechanism. Functional parts of Ac and En/Spm were detected by in vitro binding studies of purified transposase protein and have been tested for their importance in the function of these transposable elements in heterologous plant species. Experiments that have been carried out to regulate the activity of the Ac transposable element are in progress and preliminary results have been compiled. Perspectives for manipulated transposable elements in transposon tagging strategies within heterologous plant species are discussed.     

Additions to the genusXenidiocercus (coelomycetes) from Ghana

Two new species of the coelomycete genusXenidiocercus are described and illustrated,X. macrospora on leaves ofMacaranga rowlandii andX. pyriformis on leaves ofM. huraefolia. They differ from the type species in having wider and ellipsoidal or pyriform conidia. A key to species ofXenidiocercus andIdiocercus is provided.     

Species-specific acclimation to strong shade modifies susceptibility of conifers to photoinhibition

Photoinhibitory processes in the photosynthetic apparatus of the seedlings of Abies alba (Mill.), Picea abies (Karst.), and Pinus mugo (Turra) growing under strong shade (5 % of full solar irradiance) or full irradiance conditions were investigated in winter and spring using chlorophyll a fluorescence techniques. The extent of photoinhibition in needles as indicated by a decrease in maximum quantum yield of PS II photochemistry (F_v/F_m) depended on species, air temperature and acclimation to the light environment. Unexpectedly, shade-tolerant Abies alba was less affected by low-temperature photoinhibition compared to the other species. F_v/F_m recovered with increasing air temperature. During winter, the seedlings of Picea abies growing in shade showed higher F_v/F_m than those from full light. Non-photochemical quenching of fluorescence (NPQ) measured at the same levels of actinic light was higher in needles acclimated to full light except for Abies alba in February. Photosynthetic performance in term of ETR (apparent electron transfer rate) was also higher in full light-acclimated needles. In April, at ambient temperature, recovery of PS II efficiency from the stress induced by illumination with saturating light was faster in the needles of Picea abies than in those of Abies alba. The shade-acclimated needles of Abies alba and Picea abies showed greater down-regulation of PS II induced by high light stress.     

Relative susceptibility to predation of two species of caterpillar on plantain

Summary The relative susceptibility to predators of a cryptic generalist caterpillar (Spilosoma congrua: Arctiidae) and a non-cryptic specialist (Junonia coenia: Nymphalidae) using the same hostplant species (Plantago lanceolata) was examined. In a laboratory experiment using predatory stinkbugs (Podisus maculiventris), more Junonia caterpillars than Spilosoma caterpillars were killed (70% vs. 16%). This result was a consequence of the Spilosoma spending some time under cover, moving frequently, feeding on leaves while under or adjacent to them, and spending little time on the leaves. In a field experiment using predatory wasps (Polistes fuscatus), the wasps found 7 times as many of the Junonia as the Spilosoma, and overall 6 times as many Junonia were killed as Spilosoma. Initially, 71% of the Junonia caterpillars encountered by wasps were killed, but by the fourth day of the test, only 22% of the Junonia encountered by wasps were killed. Over three full days of observations, a constant 50% of the Spilosoma caterpillars encountered by the wasps per day were killed. For the Junonia, evasion of predators rested on passive chemical defense. For the Spilosoma, evasion depended on being unapparent, speedy movement between feeding and resting sites and, if found, on fleeing immediately and quickly. These results indicate that Spilosoma caterpillars, by way of cryptic and escape behaviors, can be less susceptible to insect predators than Junonia caterpillars.     

Response ofLeucaena esculenta to Endomycorrhizae andRhizobium inoculation

Dual inoculations onLeucaena esculenta plants of eitherGlomus versiforme andRhizobium loti NGR 8 orGlomus sp. andR. loti ENCB 31, gave higher growth and phosphorus accumulation compared with treatments with a single micro-symbiont. The above combinations could be used in a re-forestation programme withL. esculenta in the highlands of Oaxaca State, Mexico. The use of endomycorrhized plants is recommended to alleviate the planting shock-phase, particularly in arid zones, and also the risk of root colonization by possibly less-efficient indigenous fungi.     

N-Acetyl-4-deoxy-d-neuraminic acid is activated and transferred on to asialoglycoprotein

The sialic acid analogue,N-acetyl-4-deoxy-neuraminic acid, is readily activated by CMP-sialic acid synthase from bovine brain. We also show that sialyl-transfer from CMP-N-acetyl-4-deoxy-neuraminic acid to asialo- ₁-acid glycoprotein is achieved at a high rate using Gal1-4GlcNAc (2.6)-sialyltransferase from rat liver.In contrast toVibrio cholerae sialidase, fowl plague virus sialidase liberates boundN-acetyl-4-deoxy-neuraminic acid from the glycoprotein. Thus, as opposed to the general view, the action of neither synthase nor transferase depends on the presence of the hydroxy group at C-4 ofN-acetylneuraminic acid.Abbrevations BSA bovine serum albumin - DTE dithioerythritol - HPLC high performance liquid chromatography - NeuAc N-acetyl-d-neuraminic acid - 4-deoxy-NeuAc N-acetyl-4-deoxy-d-neuraminic acid - 4-epi-NeuAc 4-acetamido-3,5-dideoxy-d-glycero-d-talononulosonic acid - CMP-NeuAc Cytidine-5-monophospho-N-acetylneuraminic acid - CMP-4-deoxy-NeuAc Cytidine-5-monophospho-N-acetyl-4-deoxy-neuraminic acid - FPV-sialidase Fowl plague virus sialidase - VCN Vibrio cholerae neuraminidase     

Phylogeny of theAsterales sensu lato based onrbcL sequences with particular reference to theGoodeniaceae

TherbcL gene of 25 taxa was sequenced and analyzed cladistically in order to define more precisely the orderAsterales s.l. and to reconstruct the phylogeny ofGoodeniaceae. The cladistic analyses show that theAsterales comprise the familiesAbrophyllaceae, Alseuosmiaceae, Argophyllaceae, Asteraceae, Calyceraceae, Campanulaceae s.l.,Donatiaceae, Goodeniaceae (includingBrunoniaceae),Menyanthaceae, Pentaphragmataceae, andStylidiaceae. Abrophyllaceae, Alseuosmiaceae, Brunoniaceae, andDonatiaceae have previously not been studied in this respect. Within theGoodeniaceae, four groups supported by therbcL data can be distinguished: the genusLechenaultia, theAnthotium-Dampiera-group, the genusBrunonia, and a group formed by the remaining genera, theScaevola-Goodenia-group.     

Susceptibility of Delia radicum to steinernematid nematodes

Isolates of different Steinernema species (S. affine, S. bicornutum, S. feltiae and Steinernema C1) were used in mortality assays with third instar larvae of Delia radicum (L.) (Diptera: Anthomyiidae). The nematode isolates had been obtained by baiting soil regularly grown with cabbage. One isolate (S. feltiae) was the result of a natural infection of a D. radicum puparium. The highest mortality (77%) was obtained with an isolate of S. feltiae (DK1). The isolate DK1 was also used in tests with all larval stages of D. radicum. Mortality around 60% was observed for second and third instar larvae, while first instar larvae showed very low or no susceptibility. Maximum mortality of second and third instar larvae was reached applying only 25 nematodes per larva. Observations of larvae that pupated revealed that some of these puparia contained nematodes. Experiments with hatching puparia showed that a high proportion was infected by nematodes if the flies were prevented from leaving nematode-containing soil. In addition to mortality, the ability of the nematodes to successfully reproduce in the insects was studied. It was found that the species S. feltiae and S. bicornutum reproduced in D. radicum larvae and adults with S. feltiae being the most successful.