Analysis of chemical and morphological variation in the Ramalina siliquosa species complex

In an attempt to clarify the taxonomy of the polymorphic maritime lichens of theRamalina siliquosa group in Europe, variation was analyzed in visible and chemical characteristics of 1042 specimens from four localities (one station each in Scotland, Wales, England, and Brittany). The plants belong to six major chemical types representing a replacement series of closely related medullary depsidones. There is a broad correlation of chemical and visible traits. The narrower-lobed often basally blackened individuals (corresponding approximately to the usual concept of “R. curnowii”) produce no medullary constituents nor norstictic or stictic acids. The broader-lobed unblackened ones (corresponding approximately to the usual concept of “R. siliquosa”) produce stictic, salazinic, protocetraric, or hypoprotocetraric acids. The proportion of each chemical type in the four populations studied varies markedly. The southern (English and French) populations together contain all six chemical variants in roughly similar proportions. However, to the north, in Wales and Scotland, the populations become simpler as some chemical races drop out and salazinic acid-producing plants predominate. These findings correlate well with the general geographic distribution of the chemical variants from a study of 117 herbarium specimens. The chemically distinct plants have different amplitudes of ecologic tolerance which appear to regulate niche selection in theRamalina zone, the conspicuous vegetational belt which these lichens form above the intertidal zone on the Atlantic and Baltic coasts of Europe. The complex is interpreted as a set of six species differing to an extent by visible traits but primarily by chemical, geographical, and ecological ones. Three of the species are new:Ramalina atlantica Culb.,R. stenoclada Culb., andR. druidarum Culb. A hypothetical scheme is suggested to explain the evolutionary origin of the species recognized.     

Vergleichende cytotaxonomische Untersuchungen anRanunculus seguieri und der Artengruppe desR. alpestris (Ranunculaceae)

Morphological and cytological investigations as well as crossing experiments were carried out withRanunculus seguieri Vill. and 4 species of theRanunculus alpestris L. group (R. alpestris L.,R. traunfellneri Hoppe,R. bilobus Bertol.,R. crenatus Waldst. & Kit.). ForR. seguieri andR. alpestris, localities and distribution are given in addition to extensive diagnoses. A key to the species includes morphological characteristics and distribution data forR. traunfellneri, R. bilobus, andR. crenatus. New diagnostic characters are described. Crossing experiments betweenR. seguieri and the species of theR. alpestris group were unsuccessful. All 5 species have a chromosome number of 2n = 16, the record forR. bilobus is new. There is no statistically significant difference between the karyotypes ofR. seguieri andR. alpestris s. str. Nevertheless, according to morphological evidence and crossing experiments,R. seguieri is not closely related to theR. alpestris group.

     

Epibiota communities of the introduced and indigenous macroalgal relatives<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Sargassum muticum</Emphasis> and<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Halidrys siliquosa</Emphasis> in Limfjorden (Denmark)

Sargassum muticum (Phaeophyceae, Fucales) has recently been introduced to Limfjorden (Denmark) where its closest relative is the indigenous Halidrys siliquosa. Previous studies have demonstrated large quantitative (canopy biomass) and qualitative (canopy persistence) differences in the habitat available to epibiota within the canopies of these two macroalgae. We therefore hypothesised that these algae would support different epibiota communities and tested this by sampling the epibiota of S. muticum and H. siliquosa on seven occasions throughout 1997 by enclosing entire thalli in mesh bags. We found 53 epibiota taxa and, with only one exception, they were all recorded on both host species. Species richness and abundance of epibiota exhibited clear seasonal variation on both host species, although epibiota biomass was seasonally constant on H. siliquosa but not on S. muticum. These patterns were consistent with the different life histories of the host species. There was a weakly negative correlation between thallus size and epibiota biomass for both host species. When taking species-specific seasonal variation in thallus size into consideration, S. muticum and H. siliquosa were found to support significantly different epibiota biomasses. Multivariate analyses showed that epibiota community structure was different, although highly overlapping, between the two species, whereas there was an almost parallel temporal development in epibiota community structure. We conclude that it is unlikely that the introduction of S. muticum to Limfjorden has caused major changes in local epibiota community structure. However, the standing stock of epibiota is likely to have increased.Communicated by H.-D. Franke     

Effects of a ferrate-containing preparation on diverse metabolic processes in yeast

A plant-sap-derived preparation containing bi-and tervalent ferrate anions was tested on growth, respiration on glucose, and membrane transport of 6-deoxy-d-glucose (6-dGlc) and 2-aminoisobutyric acid (Aib) in several yeast species,Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Schizosaccharomyces pombe, Lodderomyces elongisporus, Rhodotorula gracilis, andDipodascus magnusii. Growth was enhanced by as much as 65%, respiration was not affected significantly except for a decrease inR. gracilis, transport of 6-dGlc was not affected while that of Aib was increased by up to 45% inR. gracilis and up to 27% inL. elongisporus.     

Studies on aspergilli. VI. The utilization of amino acids in mixtures by some ascosporic members of the aspergillus nidulans group

Summary The utilization of certain amino acids when supplied in three different combinations, (a) glycine, serine, valine, histidine (b) methionine, valine, alanine, arginine (c) leucine, tryptophane, glutamic acid, aspartic acid, byA. nidulans (Eidam)Wint;A. rugulosus Thom andRaper;A. variecolor (Berk. andBr.)Thom andRaper;A. quadrilineatus Thom andRaper andA. violaceus Fennel andRaper was studied through circular partition chromatography. It was found that these Aspergilli which are so closely related morphologically exhibited different rate of assimilation of amino acids. Amino acids in mixtures were utilized better than when supplied singly. Although different species had their own preference to certain amino acids yet there was a simultaneous utilization of both good and poor amino acids.     

Edwardsiella hoshinae,a new species of enterobacteriaceae

Eight strains isolated from birds, reptiles, and water constitute a new DNA hybridization group that is 37–58% related toEdwardsiella tarda and less than 10% related to other species of Enterobacteriaceae (SI nuclease method). This homogeneous group (78–100% relatedness within the group) constitutes a new species that is namedEdwardsiella hoshinae sp. nov. (type strain, CIP 78.56 ATCC 33379). Strains of this species produce acid fromd-mannitol, sucrose,d-trehalose, and salicin, and give a positive malonate test. Seven other strains that produced acid fromd-mannitol and sucrose (but not fromd-trehalose and salicin) and were malonate negative were found to belong to theEdwardsiella tarda DNA hybridization group. The base composition of the DNAs ofE. tarda andE. hoshinae is 55–58 mol% G+C.     

Protein variation,taxonomy and differentiation in five species of marmosets (genusCallithrix Erxleben, 1777)

The electrophoretic patterns of 15 protein systems codified for 20 genetic loci were investigated using horizontal electrophoresis. A total of 150 blood samples, from five species of the genusCallithrix were analyzed. Polymorphic variation was observed in 10 out 20 loci analyzed. The genotypic distributions are in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. The average heterozygosity (H) varied from 1% to 5%, similar to those observed for other Neotropical primates. The genetic distance coefficients revealed a phylogenetic separation of these species into two groups: (1) “argentata” (C. humeralifer andC. emiliae); (2) “jacchus” (C. jacchus, C. penicillata, andC. geoffroyi). This arrangement is according to the taxonomic arrangement proposed byHershkovitz (1977),de Vivo (1988), andMittermeier et al. (1988). The results in each group are compatible with the subspecies values recorded for the Platyrrhini. These values showed that:C. humeralifer andC. emiliae are subspecies ofC. argentata;C. jacchus, C. penicillata, andC. geoffroyi are subspecies ofC. jacchus. These results also suggest thatC. j. geoffroyi is the “jacchus” group taxon, most similar genetically to the “argentata” group.     

Observations on pollination inSarcostemma (Asclepiadaceae)

Field observations on pollination in New World species of the genusSarcostemma R. Br. sensuHolm are reported. Morphological and anatomical comparisons of pollinated flowers ofSarcostemma subg.Ceramanthus Kuntze (New World) andSarcostemma subg.Sarcostemma (Old World) are presented.     

Interspecific hybridizations among species of theElymus semicostatus andElymus tibeticus groups (Poaceae)

Interspecific hybridizations were made between species of theE. semicostatus group, viz.,E. semicostatus (Nees exSteud.)Meld.,E. validus (Meld.)B. Salomon,E. abolinii (Drob.)Tzvel., andE. fedtschenkoi Tzvel., and species of theE. tibeticus group, viz.,E. pendulinus (Nevski)Tzvel.,E. tibeticus (Meld.)Singh,E. shandongensis B. Salomon, andE. gmelinii (Ledeb.)Tzvel., as well as among species within theE. tibeticus group. All species are tetraploid (2n = 4x = 28) and possess SY genomes. Meiotic pairing data from 24 hybrids involving 17 interspecific combinations are presented. The average number of chiasmata per cell ranged from 17.91 to 26.20 in hybrids within theE. tibeticus group, compared with 7.26 to 22.04 in hybrids between the two species groups. Despite the extensive collection of cytological data, there was no definite evidence for confirming or disproving the separate existence of the two groups.     

New and noteworthyHabenaria spp. (Orchidaceae) from New Guinea and adjacent islands

5 new taxa ofHabenaria, namelyH. bougainvillae, H. elongata R. Br. var.leptophylla, H. ensigera, H. rechingeri andH. trichoglossa, are described and illustrated, with reference to affinities to related Australian and Indo-malayan species. The occurrence in New Guinea of severalHabenaria spp. typical for a savanna-like vegetation, led to look more thoroughly at these taxa:H. elongata R. Br. andH. ochroleuca R. Br., considered so far to be endemic in Northern Australia, andH. khasiana Hook. f., hitherto only known from southeastern Asia.Studies in the subtribeHabenariinae Bentham (Orchidaceae), 2.—Part 1: Candollea34, 357 (1979).Dedicated to Hofrat Prof. DrKarl Heinz Rechinger on the occasion of his 80th birthday. — On April 30, in the year 1927, the author and his brotherOtto Renz metKarl Heinz Rechinger on a small steam-boat in a stormy Aegaen Sea, travelling from Piraeus to the Northern Sporades Islands:Karl Heinz with destination to Chelidromia, the author andO. Renz to Skopelos. By this lucky chance a lasting friendship began.     

Nutritional studies on species and mutants of Lepista,Cantharellus, Pleurotus and Volvariella

The purpose of this study is to determine the ability of select Agaricales species to utilize various sources of carbon, nitrogen, vitamins, and growth hormones. Fungi selected for the studies include:Cantharellus clavatus Fries,C. cibarius Fries,Lepista nuda (Bull. ex. Fries)Cooke,Pleurotus ostreatus (Jacq. ex. Fries)Kummer, andVolvariella volvacea (Bull. ex. Fries)Singer. Three strains ofC. cibarius and one mutant ofV. volvacea (V135), V134, were employed to determine if nutritional requirement differences occurred. One species,V. volvacea, is grown commercially as a cottage industry in the Orient (Alicbusan &Ela, 1961) while the other species currently have no commercial value. All species studied possess pleasing flavors and have potential use in the mushroom production industry.A literature compilation of the nutritional regulation of basidiocarp formation and vegetative growth of Agaricales was made with specific mention to the named species (Volz &Beneke, 1969). Recent nutritional studies with one or more of the specific species include those byYusef &Allam (1967), andEger (1970).     

Monocentric fungi on species of rhizosolenia from saline habitats

Summary Eight monocentric fungi are reported in two provisionally identified species ofRhizosolenia from sea-water. Only two species are assigned specific names. These areRhizophydium planktonicum Canter andR. fragilariae Canter. A fungus with depressed-globose sporangia is included as a form ofR. fragilariae. Two unidentified species ofChytridium are reported. A fungus tentatively assigned toZygorhizidium and a form provisionally assigned toPetersenia are also reported and described insofar as their characteristics are known.     

Heterostyly in species ofNarcissus (Amaryllidaceae) andHugonia (Linaceae) and other disputed cases

The hypothesis ofHenriques andFernandes that several Iberian species ofNarcissus (Amaryllidaceae) are tristylous is reconsidered. Contrary to the opinion ofBateman and most subsequent authors, we believe that the available evidence indicates that some populations ofN. triandrus andN. fernandesii, at least, are tristylous; other populations ofN. triandrus are distylous.Hugonia cf.penicillanthemum (Linaceae) from new Caledonia is distylous, but it remains possible that other species ofHugonia are tristylous. The disputed occurrence of heterostyly in S. African species ofBauhinia (Leguminosae),Cleome (Capparaceae) andAneilema (Commelinaceae), and inAgelaea (Connaraceae) is discussed.     

Morphometric analysis ofMacaca arctoides andM. thibetana in relation to other macaque species

As a first step in reviewing the classification of the two stump-tailed macaque species,Macaca arctoides andM. thibetana, as compared with other species of the genusMacaca, 72 linear dental and cranial variables of 11 macaque species were examined by morphometric analyses. The results indicate that the two stump-tailed species are the largest of the macaques and although rather similar overall, they exhibit significant differences in the pattern of variation in most of the five skull regions as shown by Principal Components and Canonical Variate Analyses. Euclidean Distances based on Canonical Variate scores indicate that the females ofM. arctoides andM. thibetana are more widely separated than eight other pairs of macaque species, and that the separations of the respective males are greater than those of three other pairs of species. These findings are consistent withFooden's classification of the stump-tailed macaques as two separate species (Fooden, 1976;Fooden et al., 1985). The present results suggest, as other researchers have proposed on the basis of external features, biochemistry and genetics, that the two stump-tailed macaque species andM. assamensis are closely related. The results also tentatively imply associations withM. fuscata andM. sylvanus but these require further study. The findings have implications for the assessment of the various Chinese Pleistocene macaque fossils.     

Two new species ofPhyllagathis related toP. tuberculata (Melastomataceae) from Peninsular Malaysia

Phyllagathis tuberculata King and two closely allied new species,P. magnifica A. Weber andP. stonei A. Weber, are described and illustrated. Within the genus, these species form a distinct and isolated group which is restricted to Peninsular Malaysia.P. tuberculata occurs in Perak (probably confined to G. Bujang Melaka),P. magnifica andP. stonei are found in the mountains on the Pahang/Selangor border (Genting Highlands, Gombak valley). The distinctive characters of the three species are listed and some general information relating to inflorescence morphology, tubercle anatomy, fruit structure and seed dispersal is provided.     

“Australopithecus afarensis”: A composite species

In response to a critique byFerguson (1989),Leonard (1991) reiterates most of his original arguments for supporting “Australopithecus afarensis”Johanson, White, andCoppens, 1978 as a single species. He disregards the principle of morphological equivalence by comparing the dental metrics and morphology of a hominid with those of species of the Pongidae, which do not correspond with the degree of variation in hominids, instead of with those of species of the Hominidae. He fails to refute clear evidence that the range of variation of dental metrics and morphology in “A. afarensis” exceeds that seen in species of the Hominidae. On the basis of extreme variation, “A. afarensis” is, therefore, interpreted as representing a composite species.     

Saccharomyces Marxianus Hansen

III Conclusion and Summary Zygosaccharomyces Marxianus andSaccharomyces macedoniensis belong to the same species. This species is met with in the haplophase (Z. Marxianus) as well as in the diplophase (S. macedoniensis). It was possible to bring this yeast from the haplophase into the diplophase and vice versa. By keeping this yeast during long times on maltagar it showed a tendency to change from the haplophase into the diplophase, but not into the opposite direction.It seems quite possible thatHansen, who did not describe a conjugation in this yeast, had met with the diplophase.It has been once more emphasized — at whichWinge andLaustsen and alsoLindegren andLindegren have pointed —, that the genusZygosaccharomyces is no valid genus.The yeast studied here belongs to the genusSaccharomyces and must be designated with the original name given to it byHansen:Saccharomyces Marxianus.For the sake of completeness it is mentioned here that also an imperfect stage ofS. Marxianus has been describedviz., Candida macedoniensis (A. Castellani) Berkhout (I).Saccharomyces fragrans Beijerinck has to be considered as its synonym.     

Patterns of intraspecific variation inAntennaria alborosea,A. corymbosa,A. marginata,A. microphylla,A. parvifolia,andA. umbrinella (Asteraceae:Inuleae)

Patterns of intraspecific variation were examined inAntennaria alborosea A. E. Porsild,A. corymbosa E. Nels,A. marginata Greene,A. microphylla Rydb.,A. parvifolia Nutt., andA. umbrinella Rydb. AlthoughA. alborosea was initially considered arctic in distribution, it became apparent that a southern montane element also exists. Our results suggest that morphological differences between arctic and southern montane specimens represent clinal variation. The additional morphological data for specimens that occur more than 1,500 km south of the species' range as it was initially described result in a better understanding of this once presumed arctic taxon. Morphological variation in the dioecious speciesA. corymbosa, A. marginata, A. microphylla, A. parvifolia, andA. umbrinella was greater between the genders than was geographic variation within each gender. These results demonstrate that both pistillate and staminate specimens must be examined in dioecious species ofAntennaria if morphological variation in the respective species is to be fully understood. Character size or number of broadly distributed species (A. microphylla andA. parvifolia) generally decreased with increasing longitude, whereas characters of species with more restricted distributions (A. alborosea, A. corymbosa, andA. marginata) generally increased in size or number with increasing latitude or longitude.Antennaria umbrinella was an exception in this respect.     

Differential effects of amino acid analogs on growth and heterocyst differentiation in two nitrogen-fixing blue-green algae

Effects of a few amino acid analogs on growth and heterocyst differentiation have been studied in two nitrogen-fixing species ofAnabaena. All the analogs except α-methyl-dl-aspartic acid inhibited growth. Exposure ofAnabaena doliolum, todl-5-fluorotryptophan anddl-p-fluorophenylalanine caused pronounced fragmentation of filaments into single cells. At low concentrations (0.01 mM), α-methyl-dl-aspartic acid stimulated growth of the strain ofA. doliolum as well as the strain of the second (unidentified)Anabaena species. Ethionine,dl-p-fluorophenylalanine,dl-5-fluorotryptophan, and canavanine blocked heterocyst differentiation, whereas α-methyl-dl-aspartic acid, α-methyl-dl-methionine,N-o-nitrophenylsulfenyl-l-tryptophan, norleucine, andS-2-aminoethyl-l-cysteine did not show any significant effect. Treatment with 7-azatryptophan,dl-β-hydroxynorvaline,l-methionine-dl-sulfoximine,l-methionine sulfone, and β-2-thienyl-dl-alanine led to a twofold increase in heterocyst frequency. Possible modes of action of the analogs in growth inhibition and changes in heterocyst frequency are discussed.     

History and nomenclature of the Conocardioidea (Mollusca: Rostroconchia)

In this nomenclatural-historical account of the genera of the Conocardioidea (Mollusca: Rostroconchia) several inconsistencies and errors in the taxonomy and nomenclature of the Conocardioidea are clarified.Cardium aliforme J. de C.Sowerby, 1827, is recognised as type species of the genusConocardium Bronn, 1835, according to the ICZN 4^th edition. Based on subsequent incorrect spelling which is in prevailing use, the spellingC. aliforme takes precedence overC. alaeforme andC. aliformis. Further nomenclatural difficulties concerning the generaHippocardia Brown,Pleurorhynchus Phillips,Lichas Steininger andRhipidocardium Fischer are settled. All genus group names and all higher taxa of the Conocardioidea until 2003 are checked from a nomenclatural point of view. The order name Conocardioida is emended herein into Conocardiida as originally used byNeumayr and because it does not conform with Latin grammar.