Simaba guianensis subsp. huberi, a new Venezuelan taxon of Simaroubaceae

Simaba guianensis subsp.huberi (Simaroubaceae), restricted to the savannas of the Venezuelan State of Amazonas, is described and illustrated. The new subspecies is distinguished from the other two subspecies ofS. guianensis by its smaller size, characteristics of the leaflets (size, texture, apex shape, and margin curvature), and fruit color.     

On the differences between Bryum creberrimum Tayl. and B. pallescens Schleich. ex Schwaegr

Abstract

The similarities and differences between Bryum creberrimum Tayl. and B. pallescens Schleich. ex Schwaegr. are discussed. The most reliable characters for distinguishing the two species are spore size, and shape of process perforations.     

African Hepatics: VIII. Diplasiolejeunea albifolia (Taylor) E. W. Jones comb.nov.

Abstract

The new combination Tetralophozia filiformis (Steph.) E. Urmi is proposed for Chandonanthus filiformis Steph. So far this species has been known only from Asia and N. America. Recent collections show it to occur also in Europe, in the Cantabrian Mts., Spain. Here it grows in sheltered places on siliceous rocks in oceanic conditions. From Tetralophozia setiformis (Ehrh.) Schljak. (=Chandonanthus setiformis) it is distinguished by its smaller size, the leaf lobes are always more than twice as long as wide and their margins are not inflexed towards the stem.     

The male gametophores of Leucobryum glaucum (Hedw.) Ångstr. and L. juniperoideum (Brid.) C. Muell. in two Welsh woodlands

Abstract

The distribution and variation in size of male gametophores associated with fertile, female cushions of Leucobryum glaucum and L. juniperoideum in two Welsh localities are described. Both dwarf and larger males were present in fruiting cushions of both species; no independent male plants were found. It is suggested that the scarcity of functional males might be a factor limiting sporophyte production in these species.     

Sphagnum subsecundum Nees and S. auriculatum Schimp. in Britain

Abstract

S. subsecundum Nees and S. auriculatum Schimp. are distinct species which can always be separated when well grown. Poorly grown S. auriculatum can resemble S. subsecundum, but can almost invariably be distinguished by careful selection of the larger stem leaves in any gathering. When the size of both stem and branch leaves is taken into account, confusion can hardly ever arise, even with depauperate forms. S. inundatum Russ. is not specifically distinct from S. auriculatum, and is recombined as S. auricula tum Schimp. var. inundatum (Russ.) M. O. Hill.     

Itaquascon unguiculum and Itaquascon cambewarrense. two new species of eutardigrades from Australia

Abstract

Two new species of eutardigrade, Itaquascon unguiculum and Itaquascon cambe‐warrense, are described from Australia. Itaquascon unguiculum differs from the other species of the genus by having small claws with respect to the body size, and in other quantitative characters. Itaquascon cambewarrense is characterised by stylet furcae which are triangular in shape, with apices thickened but not prolonged to form postero‐lateral processes.     

Barbula sardoa (Schimp.) J.-P.Frahm,a new name for Barbula convoluta Hedw. var. commutata (Jur.) Husn.

Abstract

Barbula convoluta Hedw. var. commutata (Jur.) Husn. differs from var. convoluta not only by characters such as larger size, darker colour and undulate leaf margins, as mentioned in the literature, but, in addition, by a different transverse section of the stem, different basal laminal cells, different papillae on the leaf surface, a different spore ornamentation and different isozyme systems. It should therefore be regarded as a separate species. In this case, the legitimate name would be Barbula sardoa (Schimp.) J.-P. Frahm, since Barbula convoluta var. sardoa Schimp. is revealed to be an earlier synonym of var. commutata.     

Ricerche Morfologiche e Anatomiche Su Mimosa Pudica L.

Summary

Firstly, the author describes the anatomical and histological structures of Mimosa pudica L. during the stages of development of the young plant prior to the appearing of cambium. She then discusses, in the light of previous literature on the subject, the three principal features of Mimosa pudica: herbaceous bearing, stable tetrarchy with intercotyledonal bundles along the plumule, and small sized germination.

Finally, the author concludes that Mimosa pudica appears to be an individual with tree-like rather than herbaceous symmetry (stable tetrarchy), in which the size of germination has diminished parallelly to reduction in size of the adult individual.     

Cloning of acryIIIA endotoxin gene ofBacillus thuringiensis var.tenebrionis and its transient expression inindica rice

Damage caused to rice production by coleopteran insects like rice weevil (Sitophilus oryzae), a stored grain insect pest and rice hispa (Dicladispa armigera), a pest of the growing plant is quite high. In order to combat the damage, generation of insect resistant transgenic rice plant was considered desirable. CryIIIA endotoxin ofBacillus thuringiensis var.tenebrionis, a 65 kDa protein toxic to coleopteran insects, figured as the candidate gene product. Thus, the cryIIIA gene was isolated from a local isolate ofBacillus thuringiensis var.tenebrionis. The gene was tailored at the N-terminal end to its minimal size by using a synthetic ATG codon which replaced the first codon next to ATG of threonine to proline. This modification did not affect the functional property of the gene product. A chimeric construct of the modifiedcryIIIA gene was developed containing CaMV35S promoter andnos terminator for plant expression. The expressibility of thecryIIIA gene inindica rice was judged through test for transient expression in indica rice protoplasts.     

Morphological and sexual traits in Atlas and Iberian Pied Flycatchers Ficedula hypoleuca speculigera and F. h. iberiae: a comparison

Capsule: There are significant biometric differences between Pied Flycatchers from Iberian and north African populations which are consistent with proposals to classify the two forms into separate species.

Aims: To determine the similarities and differences in the main biometrical and plumage sex traits between populations of the Iberian Pied Flycatcher Ficedula hypoleuca iberiae and the Atlas Flycatcher Ficedula hypoleuca speculigera.

Methods: Biometric and plumage traits of 193 breeding individuals of Iberian Pied Flycatchers and 43 Atlas Flycatchers were measured in 2014 with standardized protocols.

Results: Both sexes of Atlas Flycatchers were larger than Iberian Pied Flycatchers in skeletal (tarsus) and wing size and also differed in bill morphology, which was wider but shallower in speculigera than iberiae, with females (but not males) having shorter bills than iberiae females. Males differed in mantle colour and forehead patch size, with speculigera males being darker and displaying larger forehead patches than iberiae males. As in populations of iberiae, some speculigera females also expressed a white forehead patch.

Conclusion: We demonstrate significant phenotypic differences between Iberian Pied Flycatchers and Atlas Flycatchers with respect to size and traits of ecological and evolutionary relevance, supporting the recently proposed scenarios on their independent evolution.     

Is the variation of floral elaiophore size in two species of Stigmaphyllon (Malpighiaceae) dependent on interaction with pollinators?

Background: Intraspecific variations in floral traits of species over its geographic range can be associated with differences in pollinator assemblages and/or with environmental conditions.

Aims: We evaluated the area of elaiophores in different populations of Stigmaphyllon bonariense (n = 9) and S. jatrophifolium (n = 6), and we hypothesised a marked reduction in their size towards their southern limits of distribution, associated with different oil-collecting bee assemblages.

Methods: Area of elaiophores was calculated and we carried out linear correlations with floral size, pollinators, visitation rate and pollinator size along the latitudinal gradient of the plants’ distributions. Moreover, we examined the relative size relationships using allometric analyses, to verify this reduction.

Results: Floral elaiophore area decreased with latitude. However, for S. bonariense we observed an allometric reduction in elaiophore area with respect to floral size, while for S. jatrophifolium an isometric reduction was found. In both species, pollinator richness and visitation rate did not diminish with latitude, but pollinator size for S. bonariense varied.

Conclusions: Our results show a reduction in the size of elaiophores in both species along their distribution range, with dissimilar tendencies, suggesting that these species may have different selection pressures that cause variation of their phenotypic traits.     

Seed morphology of Erica L. sect. Loxomeria Salisb. ex Benth., sect. Eremocallis Salisb. ex Benth. and sect. Brachycallis I. Hansen,and its systematic implications

Abstract

Several quantitative and qualitative seed characters of the seven European species of Erica sect. Loxomeria, Eremocallis and Brachycallis were studied. Two main seed types are found based on size and shape: regular ellipsoid or oblong seeds of ca. 0.4 mm for E. ciliaris and the E. tetralix group, and curved to kidney‐shaped seeds of 0.6–0.9 mm for E. cinerea, E. maderensis and E. terminalis. The testa surface in E. ciliaris is reticulate, with indented outer periclinal walls. Erica cinerea has inflated outer anticlinal walls. This character is exclusive for this species within the European (and nearby areas) species of the genus. The seeds of E. maderensis are similar to those of E. terminalis. According to seed morphology, the classical infrageneric classification, by which E. terminalis would be grouped with the E. tetralix group in sect. Eremocallis and E. maderensis in sect. Brachycallis with E. cinerea, is artificial.     

Size,shape and sex differences in three subspecies of Black-tailed Godwits Limosa limosa

ABSTRACT

Capsule: Black-tailed Godwits Limosa limosa show sexual size dimorphism and size differences between the subspecies. The shape varies slightly between the subspecies, but not between the sexes.

Aims: To investigate whether and how the three subspecies of Black-tailed Godwits, and the sexes of these subspecies, differ in size and shape.

Methods: We collected body dimensions (lengths of the bill, total head, tarsus, tarsus-toe and wing) of adult Black-tailed Godwits from three locations (Iceland, the Netherlands and northwest Australia) corresponding to the breeding or wintering grounds of three known subspecies (islandica, limosa and melanuroides, respectively). Determining sex by molecular assays, we computed degrees of sexual size dimorphism. Using principal component analysis (PCA), we compared differences in size and shape among the different subspecies.

Results: The limosa subspecies was the largest and also showed the most significant sexual size dimorphism. Sexual size dimorphism was smallest for wing length and largest for bill length. The first two axes of the PCA that included all subspecies of both sexes explained 94% of the total variation. Most body dimensions were highly correlated with each other, but wing length varied independently of the other dimensions. Males and females differed only in size (the first axis). However, one of the two small subspecies, islandica, also differed in shape (the second axis) from limosa and melanuroides.

Conclusions: In all three subspecies of Black-tailed Godwits, females are larger than males. The fact that subspecies differed in the degree of size dimorphism and slightly in shape hints at sex-related differences in the ecological selection pressures between the different flyways.     

The cupule-carpel theory. A defence

Background: Spatial patterns within forests reflect their formative processes. In Kamchatka, the dominant stone birch (Betula ermanii) forest exists in a primeval state. Betula species can reproduce via clonally produced ramets, leading to a clustered distribution of stems, or from seed on open ground, although subsequent mortality may obscure initial establishment patterns.

Methods: Spatial patterns of all trees and regenerating stems in a fully mapped 0.25 ha plot were analysed using the g(r) function and the pattern of trees modelled using a Matérn cluster process. Mark correlation analysis was used to detect patterns in stem sizes.

Results: Clustering of trees at scales up to 3 m occurred, with model parameters indicating a density of 180 clusters ha^?1, each containing on average three stems >1 cm diameter at breast height (DBH) within a 1.6 m radius. Stem size compensation was detected, with nearby trees smaller than expected by chance. Regenerating stems were strongly clustered at scales below 3.5 m and from 5–8 m, and were aggregated around small trees (<10 cm DBH) but not large trees (≥10 cm DBH), or in gaps.

Conclusions: These patterns are consistent with clonal reproduction followed by competition as the processes determining spatial structure in old-growth stone birch forests.     

Genecological notes on Allium schoenoprasum L.

Summary

Ajuga pyramidalis is a polycarpic, perennial herb which is variable in flowering and population size. It has been recorded from over 200 sites in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland, one in the Lake District and in twelve coastal sites in Ireland. It grows mainly on circum-neutral soils (pH 4.9–6.9) in open grassland and heathland, and upland rock ledges. It does not appear to be under any particular threat in Britain.     

The effects of quantity and quality of prey on population fluctuations in three seabird species

Capsule Population sizes of Common Guillemots Uria aalge, Razorbills Alca torda and Lesser Black‐backed Gulls Larus fuscus were associated with prey abundance but not prey quality.

Aims To examine how the abundance and quality of prey fish affects seabird population size and to test the ‘junk‐food’ or nutritional stress hypothesis.

Methods Analysis of long‐term seabird population size data and Sprat Sprattus sprattus biomass and age‐related weight data using a correlative approach.

Results De‐trended seabird and Sprat population data showed that the abundance of Sprat, the main prey species, was associated with the abundance of seabirds, while no effect of age‐related size of prey on seabird population size was found.

Conclusion As the Sprat population increased so did the seabird populations, regardless of decreases in ‘quality’ of Sprats, implying that more prey fish simply seem to mean more food in this marine ecosystem. No support for the ‘junk‐food’ hypothesis was found and the results contradict suggestions from earlier studies that prey quality is important to top‐predators in the Baltic Sea.     

Taenidium and Associated Ichnofossils in Fluvial Deposits,Cretaceous Tuscaloosa Formation,Eastern Alabama,Southeastern U.S.A

Casts of the foraging tunnels of eastern American moles ( Scalopus aquaticus ) show impressions from the moles' mani along the lateral walls. The number of discernable impressions ranges from one to five, each showing two or three long, flat, blunt-ended claws. The size and shape of the impressions matches the claws on the paddle-like manus of S. aquaticus . The impressions are spaced at regular intervals of about two cm, and probably represent points at which the mole pushed off from the tunnel wall with alternating laterad digging strokes. Tunnel width generally exceeds height by about 15%, reflecting the laterally compressed body of the mole. These tunnel casts help show that clear, recognizable traces can be preserved in loose, humic soils, and demonstrate the type of traces left by a “lateral-thrust” digger with fully sprawled stance, such as S. aquaticus . Identification of traces on the tunnels of living moles may be applied to the fossil record, in which fossilized burrows with similar marks could be attributed to extinct burrowing moles or mole-like locomotion.     

From Gel Filtration to Adsorptive Size Exclusion

Adsorption and size exclusion in starch and cross-linked dextran were phenomena discovered in Uppsala in the 1950s [Porath (1979), Biochem. Soc. Trans. 7, 1197; Porath (1981), Current Content 19, 21; Porath (1981), J. Chromatogr. 218, 241; Janson (1987), Chromatographia 23, 361; Laurent (1993), J. Chromatogr. 633, 1]. These discoveries were the background to the development of a variety of affinity chromatographic methods. At present attempts are being made to combine size exclusion chromatography (SEC) with adsorption into a single operation that we call adsorptive SEC (AdSEC).     

Micromorphological observations on leaf and pollen of Capparis L. sect. Capparis (Capparaceae)

Sect. Capparis is represented by a single species, Capparis spinosa L., divided into several intraspecific taxa showing plesiomorphic features and disjunct distributions in the Old World. Leaf surface and pollen features were investigated in the whole group by SEM and light microscope observations. The section is characterized by simple hairs, a reticulate to undulate cuticle, anomocytic stomata surrounded by a peristomal rim, and trizonocolporate, prolate pollen grains. The characteristics of the indumentum appear constant, while the studied taxa are fairly differentiated with respect to cuticular patterns and dimensions of the stomata, and show slight differences in pollen size and exine surface. This micromorphological evidence, coupled with other phenotypic features, supports the placement of this section at the base of the genus Capparis in the paleotropical area. Considering the striking geographic disjunction and symplesiomorphies of the group, its biogeographical and systematic aspects are also discussed.