New evidence of reproductive organs of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Glossopteris</Emphasis> based on permineralized fossils from Queensland,Australia. I. Ovulate organ <Emphasis Type="Italic">Homevaleia</Emphasis> gen. nov.

This study describes Homevaleia gouldii H. Nishida, Pigg, Kudo et Rigby gen. et sp. nov., an ovule-bearing glossopterid organ, based on a combination of recently collected permineralized specimens from the Late Permian Homevale Station locality in the Bowen Basin of Queensland, Australia, and on previously studied material from the 1977 Gould and Delevoryas study. Homevaleia, which resembles the compression–impression genus Dictyopteridium, is an inrolled megasporophyll with a distinct keel that bears numerous (over 70) stalked ovules on its adaxial surface. Ovules are small, oval, with an elaborate mesh-like structure that is developed from the outermost integumentary layers. Specimens interpreted as representing different developmental stages show there is an apparent interrelationship between megagametophyte development and the opening of the surrounding fertile structure for pollination. Together, new information provided by this material enables better understanding of glossopterid reproductive structure and its function in one distinctive form.     

New evidence of the reproductive organs of Glossopteris based on permineralized fossils from Queensland,Australia. II: pollen-bearing organ Ediea gen. nov

Ediea homevalensis H. Nishida, Kudo, Pigg & Rigby gen. et sp. nov. is proposed for permineralized pollen-bearing structures from the Late Permian Homevale Station locality of the Bowen Basin, Queensland, Australia. The taxon represents unisexual fertile shoots bearing helically arranged leaves on a central axis. The more apical leaves are fertile microsporophylls bearing a pair of multi-branched stalks on their adaxial surfaces that each supports a cluster of terminally borne pollen sacs. Proximal to the fertile leaves there are several rows of sterile scale-like leaves. The pollen sacs (microsporangia) have thickened and dark, striate walls that are typical of the Arberiella type found in most pollen organs presumed to be of glossopterid affinity. An examination of pollen organs at several developmental stages, including those containing in situ pollen of the Protohaploxypinus type, provides the basis for a detailed analysis of these types of structures, which bear similarities to both compression/impression Eretmonia-type glossopterid microsporangiate organs and permineralized Eretmonia macloughlinii from Antarctica. These fossils demonstrate that at least some Late Permian pollen organs were simple microsporophyll-bearing shoot systems and not borne directly on Glossopteris leaves.     

Evolution of the glossopterid gymnosperms from Permian Gondwana

Our understanding of the glossopterid gymnosperms from the Permian of Gondwana has recently been greatly enhanced through the study of anatomically preserved plant remains in cherts from several localities in Australia and Antarctica. Studies ofGlossopteris leaves, leaf-stem attachment, stem structure and wood anatomy,Vertebraria roots, ovule- and pollen-bearing reproductive structures and putative glossopterid pollen and ovules demonstrate that the glossopterids were a diverse group of sophisticated gymnosperms. Comparative studies of different Permian chert floras show that while some glossopterid elements are widespread, other taxa appear to be more localized in their distribution. As information from petrified plant-bearing cherts becomes available, it can be used to reconstruct whole glossopterid plants and establish their paleogeographic distribution.     

Floral development in Adonideae (Ranunculaceae)

Floral development and floral phyllotaxis in species of Adonis, Callianthemum, and Trollius (Ranunculaceae) were studied with scanning electron microscopy. The floral organs are initiated in spiral sequence and the flowers have spiral phyllotaxis. The sepal primordia are broad, crescent-shaped, and truncate, but those of petals, stamens, and carpels are rather hemispherical. A relatively long plastochron appears to be present between the last sepal and the first petal as compared with the short and equal plastochrones of all subsequent floral organs. Maturation of the stamens within the androecium appears to be centripetal. The carpels have a short ascidiate zone. Placentation is uniformly lateral, even in Adonis and Callianthemum, which have only one fertile ovule per carpel (versus median in other genera of Ranunculoideae with a single fertile ovule). In Adonis and Callianthemum at the tip of the carpel the ventral slit is gaping and the stigma is broadly exposed, whereas in Trollius the stigma is narrower and more pronouncedly decurrent along the ventral slit. The petals in Callianthemum and Trollius are more conspicuously delayed in development than those in Adonis as compared with sepals and stamens. A short carpel stipe is formed early in Callianthemum but later in Adonis and Trollius. In Trollius farreri (commonly having only five carpels in contrast to other species of Trollius) the carpels form a single (spiral) series. Thus floral development is similar in all three genera and, at a lower level, Adonis and Callianthemum are especially close but have different autapomorphies, which reflects the current classification of the genera.     

Trace fossils of the arthropod Camptophyllia from the Westphalian (Carboniferous) rocks of Lancashire, UK and their palaeoenvironmental context

Two arthropod trace fossils are described and analysed from the Carboniferous Lower Westphalian (C. communis and basal A. modiolaris chronozones) coal-bearing strata of Lancashire. The biserial trackway Diplichnites triassicus consists of five overlapping en echelon sets of 7–9 tracks preserved as epichnia and hypichnia in lacustrine siltstones. The trackway suggests subaqueous in-phase walking by a multi-segmented producer with a body length of 35–40 mm, width 17–22 mm, and 7–9 appendages. Curved, clustered, or laterally repeated, hypichnial lobes with transverse striations on the base of ripple cross-laminated sandstone are identified as Rusophycus versans. This trace fossil is interpreted as shallow resting or furrowing burrows of a homopodous arthropod, 30–60 mm long, 15–30 mm wide, and probably the same kind of arthropod as produced D. triassicus.A review of contemporary arthropod body fossils from Lagerstätten in Lancashire favours the onisciform, or Arthropleura like arthropod Camptophyllia as a potential producer of both of these trace fossils in a lacustrine palaeoenvironment.This study integrates the analysis of sediments, trace fossils and body fossils for reconstructing the arthropod biota and ecology in Westphalian lacustrine and crevasse splay fluvial palaeoenvironments.     

Phylogeny of cardinalfishes (Teleostei: Gobiiformes: Apogonidae) and the evolution of visceral bioluminescence

The cardinalfishes (Apogonidae) are a diverse clade of small, mostly reef-dwelling fishes, for which a variety of morphological data have not yielded a consistent phylogeny. We use DNA sequence to hypothesize phylogenetic relationships within Apogonidae and among apogonids and other acanthomorph families, to examine patterns of evolution including the distribution of a visceral bioluminescence system. In conformance with previous studies, Apogonidae is placed in a clade with Pempheridae, Kurtidae, Leiognathidae, and Gobioidei. The apogonid genus Pseudamia is recovered outside the remainder of the family, not as sister to the superficially similar genus Gymnapogon. Species sampled from the Caribbean and Western Atlantic (Phaeoptyx, Astrapogon, and some Apogon species) form a clade, as do the larger-bodied Glossamia and Cheilodipterus. Incidence of visceral bioluminescence is found scattered throughout the phylogeny, independently for each group in which it is present. Examination of the fine structure of the visceral bioluminescence system through histology shows that light organs exhibit a range of morphologies, with some composed of complex masses of tubules (Siphamia, Pempheris, Parapriacanthus) and others lacking tubules but containing chambers formed by folds of the visceral epithelium (Acropoma, Archamia, Jaydia, and Rhabdamia). Light organs in Siphamia, Acropoma, Pempheris and Parapriacanthus are distinct from but connected to the gut; those in Archamia, Jaydia, and Rhabdamia are simply portions of the intestinal tract, and are little differentiated from the surrounding tissues. The presence or absence of symbiotic luminescent bacteria does not correlate with light organ structure; the tubular light organs of Siphamia and chambered tubes of Acropoma house bacteria, those in Pempheridae and the other Apogonidae do not.     

阔叶杨桐衍生胎座的发育特征(五列木科)

为观察五列木科阔叶杨桐子房中衍生胎座的发育过程,探明衍生胎座与心皮源胎座及特立中央胎座的关系,该研究采用扫描电子显微镜和体视显微镜相结合的方法,详细观察了阔叶杨桐的花芽和成熟果实。花芽采集后经FAA固定、酒精-乙酸异戊酯梯度脱水、液体CO_2干燥、扫描电子显微镜下观察;将成熟果实直接在体视显微镜下解剖观察。结果表明:阔叶杨桐花芽发育过程中,雄蕊原基发生后,5心皮快速发生,先愈合形成上部具有中轴胎座、下部是空腔的子房;接着心皮上长出胎座(心皮源胎座),在其下部空腔内与心皮相对的位置,花托顶端出现多个凸起,并逐渐愈合成半球形的衍生胎座,心皮源胎座和衍生胎座上出现多枚可育胚珠。成熟果实中,心皮源胎座和衍生胎座上均有种子,二者之间没有维管束联系。因此,衍生胎座与心皮源胎座独立发生,且晚于心皮源胎座;阔叶杨桐衍生胎座的发育过程不同于石竹科和商陆科的特立中央胎座(中轴胎座隔膜消失形成),而与杜鹃花目报春花科、假轮叶科、杜茎山科和紫金牛科的特立中央胎座类似(在花托顶端直接形成)。     

Floral development of Kingdonia (Ranunculaceae s. l., Ranunculales)

The flower of Kingdonia has a terminal position, thus the rhizome is sympodial. The floral organs initiate in spiral phyllotaxis. The androecium is centripetal in initiation but the sterile stamens are retarded in development compared with the fertile ones. The apex of the young carpel does not participate in the conduplication. The floral organs have single vascular traces and unilacunar nodes.The study was supported by the National Nature Science Foundation of China (No. 30370095 and 30130030).     

A new species of Solanum subgen. Leptostemonum (Solanaceae) from Argentina

Solanum homalospermum (Solanum subgen.Leptostemonum) is described and illustrated from central Argentina.Solanum homalospermum is characterized by having heteromorphic gynoecia, strongly flattened seeds, unequal anthers, and gemmiferous roots.     

秦岭石蝴蝶人工种群花器变异现象研究

以人工栽培的秦岭石蝴蝶为实验材料,通过观察并记录花器官形态和数目的变化,初步探讨秦岭石蝴蝶花器变异规律,并分析了导致其变异的诱因。结果显示:(1)在观察的1 996朵秦岭石蝴蝶花朵中,发现了17种花冠变异类型、5种萼片变异类型和7种可育雄蕊变异类型,总变异率分别为34.57%、38.38%和32.67%。(2)秦岭石蝴蝶花梗或可分支,花梗苞片数目2～3枚。(3)相关性分析结果表明,下唇数目与可育雄蕊数目呈正相关,相关系数为0.927 4,而上唇数目与可育雄蕊数目呈负相关,相关系数为-0.481 1,结合花型图示分析这可能与秦岭石蝴蝶雄蕊着生于花冠下唇内侧近基部有关。该研究统计的秦岭石蝴蝶变异类型丰富,可能对于今后秦岭石蝴蝶的系统进化、花器官发育、生殖生态以及分子遗传方面研究奠定了基础,也为培育不同观赏价值的品种提供思路。     

The Drosophila gene zfh2 is required to establish proximal-distal domains in the wing disc

Three main events characterize the development of the proximal-distal axis of the Drosophila wing disc: first, generation of nested circular domains defined by different combinations of gene expression; second, activation of wingless (wg) gene expression in a ring of cells; and third, an increase of cell number in each domain in response to Wg. The mechanisms by which these domains of gene expression are established and maintained are unknown. We have analyzed the role of the gene zinc finger homeodomain 2 (zfh2). We report that in discs lacking zfh2 the limits of the expression domains of the genes tsh, nub, rn, dve and nab coincide, and expression of wg in the wing hinge, is lost. We show that zfh2 expression is delimited distally by Vg, Nub and Dpp signalling, and proximally by Tsh and Dpp. Distal repression of zfh2 permits activation of nab in the wing blade and wg in the wing hinge. We suggest that the proximal-most wing fate, the hinge, is specified first and that later repression of zfh2 permits specification of the distal-most fate, the wing blade. We propose that proximal-distal axis development is achieved by a combination of two strategies: on one hand a process involving proximal to distal specification, with the wing hinge specified first followed later by the distal wing blade; on the other hand, early specification of the proximal-distal domains by different combinations of gene expression. The results we present here indicate that Zfh2 plays a critical role in both processes.     

Protalveolate phylogeny and systematics and the origins of Sporozoa and dinoflagellates (phylum Myzozoa nom. nov.)

The protozoan infrakingdom Alveolata comprises the phyla Ciliophora and Miozoa. The name Myzozoa—sucking life—is introduced here to replace Miozoa (protalveolates, dinoflagellates, Sporozoa, apicomonads) as both subphyla (Dinozoa, Apicomplexa) are commonly or ancestrally myzocytotic feeders. We studied ultrastructurally two contrasting myzocytotic flagellates: Colpodella tetrahymenae sp. n. (predatory on Tetrahymena), with an inner membrane complex like Sporozoa, and Voromonas (=Colpodella) pontica gen. et comb. nov., with discrete cortical alveoli like Dinozoa; we also sequenced 18S rDNA of both of these flagellates and of two highly divergent isolates of Oxyrrhis. Phylogenetic analysis shows early divergence between Colpodella, Voromonas and Alphamonas edax and supports the independent origin of dinoflagellates, Perkinsea and Apicomplexa (Sporozoa, Apicomonadea) from myzocytotic protalveolate flagellates. Oxyrrhis is probably a highly modified dinoflagellate, not a protalveolate with primitive chromatin and ciliary organization. The rapid basal radiation of Myzozoa is poorly resolved; the predatory colpodellids sensu stricto are probably sisters of Sporozoa. We discuss early cellular diversification of Myzozoa (=Miozoa) and revise its classification, establishing a new class Myzomonadea for Voromonas, Alphamonas and Chilovora (=Bodo) perforans gen. et comb. nov., three new peridinean subclasses (Oxyrrhia, Gonaulacoidia, Suessioidia), and five new orders: Acrocoelida for Acrocoelus; Voromonadida for Voromonas and Alphamonas; Chilovorida for Chilovora; Rastromonadida for Rastromonas and Parvilucifera; and Algovorida for Algovora, a new genus for Colpodella turpis and Colpodella pugnax sensu Simpson and Patterson. We suggest that the flattened inner membrane complex of Apicomplexa evolved in association with trichocyst loss by fusion of already flattened myzomonad cortical alveoli as an adaptation for actomyosin-based host penetration and gliding motility.     

Morphological description of three marine ciliates (Ciliophora, Scuticociliatia), with establishment of a new genus and two new species

Three marine scuticociliates, Falcicyclidium fangi nov. gen., nov. spec., Falcicyclidium atractodes nov. spec., and Cristigera media Kahl, 1928 were investigated using live observation and silver impregnation methods. The genus Falcicyclidium is distinguished by the combination of: (i) dorsoventrally flattened body, (ii) hook-like (falciform) paroral membrane, (iii) anterior end of paroral membrane posterior to anterior end of membranelle 1, and (iv) multiple caudal cilia. Falcicyclidium fangi nov. spec., the type of the new genus, can be recognized by the combination of its large size, extremely dorsoventrally flattened (3:1) body, consistently 10 somatic kineties, and the broad, elongate buccal area occupying 60% of the body length. Falcicyclidium atractodes nov. spec. is mainly characterized by a unique spine projecting from both the anterior and posterior end. The uncommon form, Cristigera media is redescribed based on the population from Qingdao, the statistic data and additional features, especially the morphology of the living cells, are documented.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Drosophila</Emphasis> Bys is nuclear and shows dynamic tissue-specific expression during development

Although the bys-like family of genes has been conserved from yeast to humans, it is not apparent to what extent the function of Bys-like proteins has been conserved across phylogenetic groups. Human Bystin is thought to function in a novel cell adhesion complex involved in embryo implantation. The product of the yeast bys-like gene, Enp1, is nuclear and has a role in pre-ribosomal RNA (pre-rRNA) splicing and ribosome biogenesis. To gain insight into the function of the Drosophila melanogaster bys-like family member, termed bys, we examined bys mRNA expression and the localization of Bys protein. In embryos, bys mRNA is expressed in a tissue-specific pattern during gastrulation. In the larval wing imaginal disc, bys mRNA is expressed in the ventral and dorsal regions of the wing pouch, regions that give rise to epithelia that adhere to one another after the wing disc everts. The bys mRNA expression patterns could be interpreted as being consistent with a role for Bys in events requiring cell-cell interactions. However, embryonic bys mRNA expression patterns mirror those of genes that are potential targets of the growth regulator Myc and encode nucleolar proteins implicated in cell growth. Additionally, in Schneider line 2 (S2) cells, an epitope-tagged Bys protein is localized to the nucleus, suggesting that Drosophila Bys function may be conserved with that of yeast Enp1.Edited by D.A. Weisblat     

Regulation of Krüppel expression in the anlage of the Malpighian tubules in the Drosophila embryo

The expression of most Drosophila segmentation genes is not limited to the early blastoderm stage, when the segmental anlagen are determined. Rather, these genes are often expressed in a variety of organs and tissues at later stages of development. In contrast to the early expression, little is known about the regulatory interactions that govern the later expression patterns. Among other tissues, the central gap gene Krüppel is expressed and required in the anlage of the Malpighian tubules at the posterior terminus of the embryo. We have studied the interaction of Krüppel with other terminal genes. The gap genes tailles and huckebein, which repress Krüppel in the central segmentation domain, activate Krüppel expression in the posterior Malpighian tubule domain. The opposite effect on the posterior Krüppel expression is achieved by the interposition of another factor, the homeotic gene fork head, which is not involved in the control of the central domain. In addition, Krüppel activates different genes in the Malpighian tubules than in the central domain. Thus, both the regulation and the function of Krüppel in the Malpighian tubules differ strikingly from its role in segmentation.     

Liaoxia Cao et S.Q. Wu (Gnetales): ephedroids from the Early Cretaceous Yixian Formation in Liaoning, northeastern China

Gnetalean compression-impression fossils are described from the Early Cretaceous Yixian Formation, Liaoning Province, north-eastern China, and assigned to six species of Liaoxia Cao et S.Q. Wu. The fossils have opposite-decussate phyllotaxis and cones comprising 2–12 pairs of bracts. Ovulate cones have seeds typically in a distal position. The species differ from each other and from previously described fossils in the absence or presence of leaves, shape of cones and seeds, and shape and position of cone bracts. The species of Liaoxia are probably close relatives of extant species of Ephedra L., but diagnostic reproductive details that could confirm this hypothesis are not preserved. The restricted information in the fossils and the poorly understood morphological diversity of extant Ephedra, prevent assignment of the fossils to any particular subgroup of Ephedra, as well as an explicit exclusion of them from the extant genus.     

A comparison of reproductive allocation and reproductive effort between semelparous and iteroparous fucoids (Fucales,Phaeophyta)

Reproductive allocation, the proportion of total dry weight allocated to receptacle tissue and reproductive effort, the proportion of reproductive carbon requirement contributed by receptacle photosynthesis, were measured in two fucoid algal species Fucus serratus and Himanthalia elongata at sites in NE Scotland. Reproductive development takes over ten months in H. elongata, a semelparous (single reproductive event) species, and reproductive allocation at receptacle maturity is over 98%. Following gamete release, the whole thallus dies. In contrast, reproductive development in F. serratus takes four months. Fucus serratus is iteroparous (capable of multiple reproductive events), reproductive allocation is 38.6% for the first reproductive event and 50.5% for the following year's event. In Fucus serratus, the receptacles appear to make a major contribution to their own carbon requirements after the first month of reproductive development. The receptacles of Himanthalia elongata contribute only a small proportion of the receptacle carbon requirements in the first four months of reproductive development, after which the contribution made through receptacle photosynthesis increases.     

Mating-type Distribution and Fertility Status in Magnaporthe grisea Populations from Argentina

Isolates of Magnaporthe grisea causing gray leaf spot on rice were collected in Argentina and analyzed for mating distribution and fertility. One hundred and twenty-five isolates of M. grisea were collected from rice plants between 2000 and 2003. Each isolate was tested for mating type through a polymerase chain reaction based assay. All M. grisea isolates from Argentina belonged to a single mating type, MAT1.1. The fertility status of isolates was determined using controlled crosses in vitro, pairing each isolate with GUY11 and KA9 (MAT1.2 standard hermaphroditic testers). Production of perithecia was scarce among isolates of the blast pathogen since a low percentage of them (7.2%) developed perithecia with only one of the fertile tester (KA9); all crosses failed with the other tester strain. Asci and ascospores were not observed. The presence of only one mating type and the absence of female fertile isolates indicate that sexual reproduction is rare or absent in M. grisea populations associated with rice in Argentina.     

Relations between submarginal and marginal sori in ferns

In contrast to the generally favoured hypothesis that the marginal position of sporangia and sori is the primitive condition, Hagemann (e.g. 1984a) holds the view that the superficial position of reproductive organs is primitive. Marginal reproductive organs correlate with a distinct succession of a vegetative and a reproductive developmental phase in the sporophyll (phase differentiation in leaf development). Since phase differentiation means an increase in complexity, marginal reproductive organs are considered advanced. In order to examine the relations between submarginal and marginal sori in the light of Hagemann's hypothesis, various soral forms of ferns were analysed using the methodological framework of construction morphology sensu Weber (1958). The sorus is regarded as a reproductive region of the leaf surface that comprises not only the sporangia but also the receptacle as an essential component. The growth pattern of the receptacle, the developmental succession of the sporangia, and the formation of the indusia lead to the recognition of several sorus types.In the present paper the basipetal marginal sorus is presented and defined as the combination of (a) a ridge-, cushion-, or rod-shaped receptacle, (b) a basipetal sequence of sporangia initiation, and (c) the presence of a lower and an upper indusium or of a cup-shaped indusium. As the first examples of this type, the sori of selected Hypolepidaceae and Dennstaedtiaceae are treated in detail. Regarding the phylogenetic relationships of the present families, the following conclusions can be drawn: (1) Owing to the meristem fusion of the indusia the sorus ofDennstaedtia possesses a new quality as compared to that of the Hypolepidaceae. Therefore, the Hypolepidaceae and the Dennstaedtiaceae should not be combined in a single family, as suggested by some authors. (2) The marginal position of the sori, and, in addition, the highly complex soral construction of the Dennstaedtiaceae, are not in support of the primitiveness of the two families, as sometimes assumed. (3) A sorus construction as found inDennstaedtia glauca can be gradually derived from a less elaborate one, such as that found, e.g., inPteridium. The continuous increase in the perfection of the soral construction (Pteridium Dennstaedtia) suggests a placement of the Dennstaedtiaceae after the Hypolepidaceae.