Electrophoretic Variation in Esterases, Peroxidases and Acid Phosphatases in Some Native Greek Taxa of the Genera Hordeum and Taeniatherum

Horizontal starch gel electrophoresis has been applied to thestudy of esterase, peroxidase and acid phosphatase patternsin seven taxa, namely Hordeum diploids (2n=14) (H. marinum,H. marinum I and H. hystrix), tetraploids (2n=28) (H. bulbosumand H. murinum subsp. leporinum) and Taeniatherum (2n=14) (T.caput-medusae and T. caput-medusae I) in order to elucidatetheir phylogenetic relationships. On the basis of our experimentalresults the seven taxa may be placed in the following threegroups; (1) diploid Hordeum (H. marinum, H. marinum I, H. hystrix);(2) tetraploid Hordeum (H. bulbosum, H. murinum subsp. leporinum);(3) Taeniatherum (T. caput-medusae, T. caput-medusae I). Esterase, peroxidase and acid phosphatase patterns of the twoHordeum diploid taxa (H. marinum and H. marinum I) are verysimilar suggesting their close phylogenetic relationship; thesame is true for both the taxa of the genus Taeniatherum (T.caput-medusae and T. caput-medusae I). The taxa of the Taeniatherumgroup compared with the diploid Hordeum (H. marinum, H. marinumI, H. hystrix) and the tetraploid Hordeum (H. bulbosum, H. murinumsubsp. leporinum) show a lower degree of phylogenetic relationshipand seem to be equally distant from them. The tetraploid Hordeumgroup shows a higher phylogenetic relationship with diploidHordeum group than with the Taeniatherum group. These results confirm that the genus Taeniatherum, previouslyconsidered as part of the genus Hordeum, should be regardedas a separate genus. Gramineae (Poaceae), Hordeum L., Taeniatherum Nevski., esterase, peroxidase and acid phosphatase patterns, phylogenetic relationships     

A Study of the Evolutionary Relationships of Fundulus Topminnows (Teleostei: Fundulidae)

A hypothesis of the evolutionary relationships of thirty-fourspecies of Fundulus and their closer relatives is presented.The study is restricted to morphological characters which couldbe determined to be primitive or derived using the methods ofphylogenetic systematics. Following Parenti, a family Fundulidaeis recognized. It is composed of four genera of North Americankillifishes. (Cyprinodontidae as usually constitutedis polyphyletic.)No convincing characters demonstrate that Fundulus is a naturalgroup (a monophyletic group). However, all species of Fundulusshare four derived characters with Lucania. The sister group(closest genealogical relative) of Fundulus plus Lucania isa group composed of the genera Adinia and Leptolucania. Fourmonophyletic groups of Fundulus can be recognized based on sharedderived characters: (1) subgenus Fundulus (seven species excludingthree species placed in Fontinus); (2) subgenus Fonlinus (sixspecies); (3) subgenus Xensima (five species); and (4) subgenusZygonectes (thirteen species). Three species, F. (Plancterus)zebrinus, F. lima, and F. parvipinnis are of uncertain affinitieswithin the Lucania-Fundulus clade     

Molecular Phylogeography of Oncomelania Lindoensis (Gastropoda: Pomatiopsidae), the Intermediate Host of Schistosoma Japonicum in Sulawesi

Oncomelania lindoensis from Lake Lindu, Sulawesi, was characterizedfor genetic variation at 21 allozyme loci and compared withO. hupensis (China) and O. quadrasi (Philippines). Geneticdistances and interpopulation patterns of allele-sharing pointto a closer relationship between Sulawesi and the Philippines(Nei's unbiased genetic distances (D) averaged 0.50) than betweenSulawesi and China (D= 0.79). These data, coupled with a considerationof the geographic distribution of the genus, support the hypothesisthat the Sulawesi Oncomelaniaoriginated by avian-facilitated colonizationfrom the Philippines about two million years ago. Oncomelania from Sulawesi were originally described as subspecificallydistinct: Oncomelania hupensis lindoensis. However, the allopatricdistribution, unique alleles at five loci, and significant geneticdistances from congeners in Mindanao and elsewhere in the Philippinessuggest that this taxon should be distinguished as a full specieswithin the Oncomelania hupensis species group, namely: O. lindoensisDavis & Carney 1973. Comparison with published data on variationwithin quadrasi and in three Chinese subspecies of hupensisshowed that D values increase with taxonomic level in this speciesgroup. D averaged 0.15 (0–0.26) within Chinese subspeciesand 0.04 (0–0.13) within the Philippines, but was 0.30(0.20–0.45) between Chinese subspecies, and 0.48–0.80between the three species (hupensis, quadrasi and lindoensis).The genotypic cluster species concept and these multilocus geneticdistances can be used to help define species and subspeciesin these medically important snails. (Received 14 May 1997; accepted 20 April 1998)     

Effects of environmental factors on ichthyoplankton communities in the Miramichi estuary, Gulf of St Lawrence

Ichthyoplankton in 20 taxa (17 identified to species, threeto genus) representing 14 families were collected in 10 surveysof the Miramichi estuary between May and September 1992. Thetaxonomic composition was typical of other estuaries in theGulf of St Lawrence and Gulf of Maine. Larvae of three anadromousspecies [rainbow smelt (Osmerus mordax), alewife (Alosa pseudoharengus)and blueback herring (Alosa aestivalis)] were several ordersof magnitude more abundant than any other taxon. The upper estuary(Miramichi River and its tributaries) probably serves as a nurseryground for larvae of these species and others such as Atlantictomcod (Microgadus tomcod). The species composition of the lowerestuary (Miramichi Bay) was dominated by typically marine formsand probably serves as a nursery ground for winter flounder(Pleuronectes americanus), smooth flounder (Pleuronectes putnami).sculpin (Myoxocephalus sp ) and sand lance (Ammodytes sp) Ofthe environmental factors investigated, salinity was the mostuseful predictor of larval distribution in the estuary.     

Promotive Effect of Cytokinin-Active Ureas in Rice Seedling Growth

Three cytokinin-active ureas, N-phenyl-N'-(2-hydroxy-4-pyridyl)urea,N-2-methylphenyl- N'-(2-hydroxy-4-pyridyl)urea and N-pbenyl-N'-(6-hydroxy-4-pyridazinyl)urea,were found to have growth-stimulating activity in the rice seedlingtest. Their structure-activity relationships are discussed. (Received November 27, 1982; Accepted February 28, 1983)     

Effects of two Triethylamines on the Carotenoids of Strelitzia reginae and of Hemerocallis flava

A method for the successful uptake of two triethylamines, 2-(4-chlorophenylthio)-triethylaminehydrochloride (CPTA) and 2-(4-ethylphenyloxo)-triethylamine(EPOT), by flowers of Hemerocallis flava (yellow day-lily) andby sepals of Strelitzia reginae is described. CPTA is more effectivethan EPOT in causing lycopene accumulation which appears tobe through a different mechanism in the two plants studied.Whereas inhibition of cyclase(s) may account for lycopene accumulationin H. flava, this is not so in S. reginae. The permeabilityof the cell wall to the triethylamines may be one of the reasonsfor the differences observed. Strelitzia reginae, Hemerocallis flava, day-lily, triethylamine, lycopene, carotenoids     

Nuclear DNA Content in Twelve Species of Alstroemeria L. and Some of their Hybrids

Nuclear DNA content (2C-value), estimated through flow cytometryusing propidium iodide (PI), was shown to vary from 36.5 pgto 78.9 pg among 29 accessions of 12Alstroemeria species (2n=2x =16). The extremes were found inA. magnifica ssp.magnificaand inA. ligtu ssp.simsii , both belonging to the Chilean speciesgroup. The four Brazilian species exhibited less variation innuclear DNA content (49.8–56.4 pg), than the eight Chileanspecies (36.5–78.9 pg). Nuclear DNA content was positivelycorrelated (r =0.92,n =7,P <0.01) with the total chromosomelength. It was also positively correlated (r =0.85,n =5,P <0.01)with the length of C-bands, when only the Chilean species wereconsidered. When both karyotype parameters, length of non-C-bandedchromosome regions (x) and length of C-bands (y) were determined,it was possible to predict the nuclear DNA content (z) withthe formula z=0.65x +1.31y-0.45 (R ²=0.97,P =0.004). The DAPI fluorescence of most accessions was proportional tothe PI fluorescence (r =0.98,P <0.001), except for one accessionofA. ligtu , that had a relatively high PI/DAPI ratio (1.88).The PI/DAPI ratios of the Brazilian species were lower (1.59–1.67)than those of the Chilean species (1.68–1.88), which mightreflect a difference in base pair composition. Four groups ofspecies could be distinguished on the basis of fluorescencevalues. Diploid interspecific hybrids were shown to have a DNAcontent intermediate to the values of the parents involved.Both the PI and the DAPI fluorescence values of these hybridsapproximated the mid parent values. Tetraploids, derived fromselfing of diploids, had PI and DAPI fluorescence values thatwere twice that of the diploid hybrids. It was possible to distinguishaneuploids from euploids based on fluorescence values. Alstroemeria ; aneuploidy; C-banding; DAPI; evolution; flow cytometry; genome size; geophytes; karyotypes; Inca Lily; nuclear DNA; propidium iodide     

Variety of responses of plant phenolic concentration to CO2 enrichment

Leaf area index (LAI) of a stand of adult black alder trees(Alnus glutinosa L., Gaertn.) was determined by means of threeindependent methods. (1) The seasonal course of LAI was directlyobtained by counting leaves in situ and adding up their areas,estimated from harvested subsamples of leaves. (2) The seasonalvariation of LAI in the stand was estimated using the Li-CorLAI-2000 PCA in parallel and with this instrument a VegetationArea Index (VAI, projected area of all phyto-elements) was actuallymeasured. (3) Maximum LAI was calculated from leaf litter collectionstaking into account specific leaf area within different layersof the alder crown. Direct LAI estimates (1) and calculationsfrom leaf litter (3) revealed the same figure of maximum LAI(4.8). This LAI was reached in August. The LAI-2000 PCA capturedthe seasonal variation and underestimated, by 11% on average,the LAI obtained directly. Compared with results gained withother broad-leaved tree species the LAI-2000 PCA values foralder were reliable. It is suggested that this is due to thehorizontal homogeneous structure of the main leaf layer. Thisis in the periphery of the crown, where 90% of the light interceptionoccurs. Taking the het-erogeneity into account a satisfactorycompatibility of the three methods applied to the alder standwas achieved. Key words: Alnus glutinosa, leaf area index, in situ counting, LAI-2000 PCA, litter collections     

Rapid Evaluation of Least-Squares and Minimum-Evolution Criteria on Phylogenetic Trees

We present fast new algorithms for evaluating trees with respectto least squares and minimum evolution (ME), the most commonlyused criteria for inferring phylogenetic trees from distancedata. The new algorithms include an optimal O(N2) time algorithmfor calculating the edge (branch or internode) lengths on atree according to ordinary or unweighted least squares (OLS);an O(N3) time algorithm for edge lengths under weighted leastsquares (WLS) including the Fitch-Margoliash method; and anoptimal O(N4) time algorithm for generalized least-squares (GLS)edge lengths (where N is the number of taxa in the tree). TheME criterion is based on the sum of edge lengths. Consequently,the edge lengths algorithms presented here lead directly toO(N2), O(N3), and O(N4) time algorithms for ME under OLS, WLS,and GLS, respectively. All of these algorithms are as fast asor faster than any of those previously published, and the algorithmsfor OLS and GLS are the fastest possible (with respect to orderof computational complexity). A major advantage of our new methodsis that they are as well adapted to multifurcating trees asthey are to binary trees. An optimal algorithm for determiningpath lengths from a tree with given edge lengths is also developed.This leads to an optimal O(N2) algorithm for OLS sums of squaresevaluation and corresponding O(N3) and O(N4) time algorithmsfor WLS and GLS sums of squares, respectively. The GLS algorithmis time-optimal if the covariance matrix is already inverted.The speed of each algorithm is assessed analytically—thespeed increases we calculate are confirmed by the dramatic speedincreases resulting from their implementation in PAUP* 4.0.The new algorithms enable far more extensive tree searches andstatistical evaluations (e.g., bootstrap, parametric bootstrap,or jackknife) in the same amount of time. Hopefully, the fastalgorithms for WLS and GLS will encourage the use of these criteriafor evaluating trees and their edge lengths (e.g., for approximatedivergence time estimates), since they should be more statisticallyefficient than OLS.     

Sequence Organization of Simple, Highly Repetitive DNA Elements in Brassica species

The amphidiploid (AACC) nuclear genome of Brassica napus (oil-seedrape) contains c. 5 ? 10⁵ copies of a simple, highly repetitiveDNA element; each repeat is 176 or 177 base pairs long and isdefined by Hind III cutting sites. The diploid (AA) Brassicacampestris (turnip) possesses a very similar repetitive DNA,the consensus sequence of which does not differ from that inB. napus. The 176/177 bp unit consists of three 59 bp sub-units,defined by vestigial EcoRII sites. Analysis of the distributionof variants from consensus in adjacent and non-adjacent unitsprovides evidence for homogenization of sequences by the fixationof independent mutations and for tandem duplication of units.Within units, there is also evidence for inversion and tandemduplication of short (5–8 bp) motifs. Previously published data show that 176/177 base pair repetitiveDNA elements, defined by Hind III cutting sites, are also presentin Sinapis and Raphanus. There is a sequence homology betweenBrassica and Sinapis, and between Brassica and Raphanus, of75%. Sequence homology between Raphanus and Sinapis is 73%. Key words: Repetitive DNA, Brassica, Cruciferae     

繁殖寄主对赤眼蜂羧酸酯酶和乙酰胆碱酯酶的影响

通过测定赤眼蜂Trichogramma羧酸酯酶和乙酰胆碱酯酶的活性、对底物的亲和力以及对抑制剂的敏感度研究了繁殖寄主对松毛虫赤眼蜂T.dendrolimi和螟黄赤眼蜂T.chilonis的影响。柞蚕卵和米蛾卵繁殖的赤眼蜂羧酸酯酶对底物的亲和力有不同程度的影响,柞蚕卵繁殖的赤眼蜂羧酸酯酶对α-乙酸萘酯或β-乙酸萘酯的亲和力最高是米蛾卵的2倍以上。繁殖寄主对乙酰胆碱酯酶对底物亲和力没有明显的影响。米蛾卵繁殖的松毛虫赤眼蜂羧酸酯酶活性明显高于柞蚕卵繁殖的种群,而米蛾卵繁殖的螟黄赤眼蜂种群羧酸酯酶的活性明显低于柞蚕卵繁殖的种群。用柞蚕卵繁殖的松毛虫赤眼蜂种群对对氧磷的敏感度明显低于米蛾卵繁殖的种群,而增效磷则正好相反。繁殖寄主对松毛虫赤眼蜂吉林种群乙酰胆碱酯酶对DDVP和毒扁豆碱的敏感度没有明显的影响,而在松毛虫赤眼蜂广东种群和螟黄赤眼蜂中,柞蚕卵繁殖的种群乙酰胆碱酯酶对DDVP和毒扁豆碱的敏感度明显低于米蛾卵繁殖的种群。     

4-Methylumbelliferyl glycosides of N-acetyl 4-thiochito-oligosaccharides as fluorogenic substrates for chitodextrinase from Vibrio furnissii

The degradation of chitin involves a diverse array of enzymes,some with overlapping substrate specificities. In order to distinguishbetween different types of enzymes, specific substrates areneeded. Toward this end, two new fluorogenic substrates containingthio-glycosidic linkages, 4-methylumbelliferyl N,N'-diacetyl-4-thio-ß-chitobioside(Mu-TCB) and N,N',N'-triacetyl-4,4'-dithio-ß- chitotrioside(Mu-TCT) are described. The substitution of the glycosidic oxygens(except the one that links oligosaccharide with the fluorogenicaglycon) with a sulfur atom resulted in resistance of thesecompounds to N-acetyl-hexosaminidases while they were specificsubstrates for the newly discovered chitodextrinase from Vibriofurnissii (Keyhani,N.O. and Roseman,S. (1996) J. Biol. Chem.,271, 33414–33424) and some bacterial chitinases. The enzymekinetics of these 4-S-linked substrates, Mu-TCB and MuTCT, aswell as the O-linked 4-methylumbelliferyl N,N'diacetyl-ß-chitobioside(Mu-CT) and N,N',N'-triacetyl-ß-chitotrioside (Mu-CT)with the chitodextrinase were studied and compared. The usefulnessof the substrates for screening for chitodextrinase and/or chitinaseactivity was demonstrated. chitodextrinase chitinase fluorometric assay 4-methylumbelliferyl glycoside thiochitooligosaccharide     

Effects of the new plant growth retardants of quaternary ammonium iodides on gibberellin biosynthesis in Gibberella fujikuroi

The effects of twelve quaternary ammonium iodides, synthesizedas plant growth relardants, on the biosynthesis of gibberellinsin the culture of Gibberella fujikuroi were investigated. Ofthe two compounds with the strongest growth-retarding activity,N,N,N-trimethyl-1-methyl-(3',3',5'-trimethylcydohexyl)-2-propenylammonium iodide (1) was found to inhibit the biosynthesis, whileN,N,N-trimethyl-l-methyl-(3',3',5'5'- tetramethylcyclohexyl)-2-propenylammonium iodide (2) was not. The results on examination of thetwelve analogues indicate that their plant growth-retardingactivity is not related to the inhibition of gibberellin biosynthesis. (Received July 18, 1978; )     

Leaf area index determination in an alder forest: a comparison of three methods

Leaf area index (LAI) of a stand of adult black alder trees(Alnus glutinosa L., Gaertn.) was determined by means of threeindependent methods. (1) The seasonal course of LAI was directlyobtained by counting leaves in situ and adding up their areas,estimated from harvested subsamples of leaves. (2) The seasonalvariation of LAI in the stand was estimated using the Li-CorLAI-2000 PCA in parallel and with this instrument a VegetationArea Index (VAI, projected area of all phyto-elements) was actuallymeasured. (3) Maximum LAI was calculated from leaf litter collectionstaking into account specific leaf area within different layersof the alder crown. Direct LAI estimates (1) and calculationsfrom leaf litter (3) revealed the same figure of maximum LAI(4.8). This LAI was reached in August. The LAI-2000 PCA capturedthe seasonal variation and underestimated, by 11% on average,the LAI obtained directly. Compared with results gained withother broad-leaved tree species the LAI-2000 PCA values foralder were reliable. It is suggested that this is due to thehorizontal homogeneous structure of the main leaf layer. Thisis in the periphery of the crown, where 90% of the light interceptionoccurs. Taking the het-erogeneity into account a satisfactorycompatibility of the three methods applied to the alder standwas achieved. Key words: Alnus glutinosa, leaf area index, in situ counting, LAI-2000 PCA, litter collections     

Growth of Individuals in Plant Populations

Relationships between individual plant weight and net photosynthesisper day (G(t, x) function of plant weight) in plant populationsof various stand structures were simulated based on a canopyphotosynthesis model. The G(t, x) functions of plant weightare determined mainly by LAI (leaf area index), the relationshipbetween individual plant weight and leaf area, canopy structureand extinction coefficient. The concave relationship betweenindividual plant weight and leaf area at small LAI (<2),at small extinction coefficient (< 0.5), or at the canopystructure having the maximum leaf area density at the bottomproduces a concave G(t, x) function, which generates negativeskewness of plant weight. The linear relationship between individualplant weight and leaf area at large LAI (> 2) produces aconvex G(t, x) function, which generates positive skewness ofplant weight. These simulation results coincide with G(t, x)functions obtained experimentally and with the well-known phenomenonof stand dynamics in which skewness of plant weight becomesnegative in the early growth stage and then increases to a positivevalue as a stand grows and becomes crowded. Helianthus annuus L., individual plant size, mean growth rate, canopy photosynthesis model, skewness, stand structure     

Differential expression pattern of C4 bundle sheath expression genes in rice, a C3 plant

NADP-malic enzyme (NADP-ME) and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase(PCK) are specifically expressed in bundle sheath cells (BSCs)in NADP-ME-type and PCK-type C₄ plants, respectively. Unlikethe high activities of these enzymes in the green leaves ofC₄ plants, their low activities have been detected in the leavesof C₃ plants. In order to elucidate the differences in the geneexpression system between C₃ and C₄ plants, we have producedchimeric constructs with the ß-glucuronidase (GUS)reporter gene under the control of the maize NADP-Me (ZmMe)or Zoysia japonica Pck (ZjPck) promoter and introduced theseconstructs into rice. In leaves of transgenic rice, the ZmMepromoter directed GUS expression not only in mesophyll cells(MCs) but also in BSCs and vascular cells, whereas the ZjPckpromoter directed GUS expression only in BSCs and vascular cells.Neither the ZjPck nor ZmMe promoters induced GUS expressiondue to light. In rice leaves, the endogenous NADP-Me (OsMe1)was expressed in MCs, BSCs and vascular cells, whereas the ricePck (OsPck1) was expressed only in BSCs and vascular cells.Taken together, the results obtained from transgenic rice demonstratethat the expression pattern of ZmMe or ZjPck in transgenic ricewas reflected by that of its counterpart gene in rice. (Received August 8, 2004; Accepted February 20, 2005 )     

ON THE STATUS OF THE GENERIC NAMES OF THE NUDIBRANCH GENERA CATRIONA, CRATENA, HERVIA, RIZZOLIA AND TRINCHESIA

The genus Catriona Winckworth (1941) is synonymous with TrinchesiaPruvot-Fol (1951) but not with Trinchesia von Jhering (1879). It has priority over Trinchesia Pruvot-Fol. The genus Cratena Bergh (1864) is valid and synonymous withRizzolia Trinchese (1877) but not with Hervia Bergh (1871). The genus Hervia Bergh (1871) is synonymous with Facelina Alderand Hancock (1855), but not all species of Hervia can be includedin the latter genus, and these should, therefore, be distributedamong other genera, some of which are listed. (Received 8 October 1954;     

Identification of Cytokinins in Root Exudate of the Rice Plant

Cytokinins, cis-zeatin and cis- and (trans-ribosylzeatin, wereidentified in the root exudate of the rice plant (Oryza sativa,indica cultivar IR-24) after several chromatographic separationsand combined gas-liquid chromatography-selected ion monitoring(GC-SIM) analysis. The presence of trans-zeatin ribotide wassuggested by enzyme hydrolysis, subsequent chromatographic separationand GC-SIM. The comparatively high content of the ribotide inthe root exudate suggests the form of cytokinins to be transportedfrom roots to other parts in the rice plant. (Received July 22, 1982; Accepted November 25, 1982)     

Molecular Cytogenetics of the Genus Arabidopsis: In situ Localization of rDNA Sites, Chromosome Numbers and Diversity in Centromeric Heterochromatin

We have used in situ hybridization to determine the number ofsites of rDNA in species in the genus Arabidopsis. A. wallichii(2n = 16) has one major pair of sites and one minor pair ofsites, while A. pumila and A. griffithiana (both 2n = 32) havesix major and two minor rDNA sites. A. thaliana (2n = 10) isknown to have two pairs of rDNA sites. a highly repeated para-centromericsequence from A. thaliana, pAL1, is absent in the other threespecies. Hence the A.thaliana genome is not present (or thecentromeric DNA has evolved substantially) in the polyploidspecies A. pumila and A. griffithiana. Analysis of Arabidopsisspecies is a valuable complement to the large programmes forgenetic analysis of A. thaliana.Copyright 1993, 1999 AcademicPress Arabidopsis, centromeric DNA, maps (genetic), nuclear architecture, repetitive DNA, ribosomal DNA, rDNA, evolution, Brassicaceae, Crucifereae, in situ hybridization     

The Scaling of Plant Height: A Comparison Among Major Plant Clades and Anatomical Grades

The scaling plant height h (m) with respect to stem diameterd (m) was determined for a total 610 species (mosses, n = 40;pteridophytes, n = 16; dicotyledonous herbs, n = 117; palms,n = 17; gymnosperms, n = 105; dicotyledonous trees, n = 315);axial length or mass vs. d was determined for the pteridophytePsilotum nudum ; and the scaling of critical buckling heighth_crit of gymnosperm and dicotyledonous trees was calculatedbased on the record trunk d and average Young's modulus E anddensity p of 33 wood species. The scaling exponents (based onleast squares and reduced major axis regressions;