中国卫矛属植物叶表皮微形态特征及其分类学意义

利用光学显微镜和扫描电子显微镜对中国卫矛属(Euonymus L.)24种以及沟瓣属（Glyptopetalum Thw.）3种植物的叶表皮微形态特征进行了观察研究,测量并统计了气孔器长宽比、密度和气孔指数。结果显示,两属植物叶表皮微形态特征基本一致：叶上、下表皮细胞形状多为多边形,垂周壁平直-弓形;气孔器通常仅分布在叶下表皮;均具有无规则型气孔器,部分种还具环列型气孔器。扫描电镜下角质膜纹饰、表皮细胞界限及气孔特征在一些种间存在差异,可以作为区分部分近缘种类的参考依据。     

中国秋海棠属植物的叶表皮特征及其分类学意义

在光学显微镜下,对中国秋海棠属(Begonia)植物7组52种2变种的叶表皮进行观察。结果表明秋海棠属植物叶表皮形态在属内组间具有较大的相似性,表皮细胞为多边形或近多边形,垂周壁平直或弓形,大多数种类表皮细胞内具有晶体,气孔器仅分布于下表皮,且以不等型为主。叶表皮综合特征,例如表皮细胞形状,表皮毛类型,表皮细胞内晶体的类型和形态,气孔器形态以及与一些种类独有特征的组合,在种间,尤其在近缘种之间具有明显的差异。     

14种木犀榄族植物叶表皮微形态的研究

利用光学显微镜和扫描电子显微镜对木犀榄族（Oleeae）5属14种植物的叶表皮微形态特征进行了观察,结果表明：（1）叶表皮细胞形状有无规则形和多边形两种;下表皮腺点的数目远远大于上表皮,流苏树上表皮细胞没有腺点;叶下表皮有气孔器,形状为圆形、椭圆形;气孔器均为不规则型;气孔器外围角质层有放射状、条状、环状、颗粒状等多种类型;（2）气孔器和叶表皮细胞许多特征具有明显的种间差异,可以作为种间鉴定的重要依据;（3）叶表皮微形态结构上的许多共同特征,表明木犀榄族植物是单独一自然类群。上述特征可为木犀榄族植物属及物种的划分与鉴定、系统演化关系的探讨等提供参考。     

药用植物苦丁茶与近缘种的微形态研究——叶表皮特征的扫描电镜观察

在扫描电镜下对药用植物苦丁茶 (Ilex kudingcha C.J.Tseng)与 4个近缘种的叶表皮微形态进行了观察。结果显示这些材料的叶表皮仅远轴面有气孔器存在 ,气孔圆形至椭圆形 ,气孔外拱盖表面多平滑 ,拱盖内缘近平滑 ,浅波状或波状 ,外缘角质膜在气孔周围呈环形包着气孔。但各种间叶表皮的微形态特征具有较为明显的差异 ,有一定的分类鉴定意义。本研究结果支持将五棱苦丁茶 (I.pentagona S.K.Chen,Y.X.Feng et C.F.L iang)从苦丁茶中独立出来建立一新种 ,但因苦丁茶具有 2种类型气孔器外缘角质膜排列 ,而不支持对扣树 (I.kaushue S.Y.Hu)与苦丁茶的合并     

果皮和种皮微形态特征在杜鹃花属系统学研究中的应用

采用扫描电子显微镜对国产杜鹃花属Rhododendron6个亚属的代表种和近缘类群杜香属Ledum杜香L.palustre的果皮和种皮微形态特征进行观察,对杜鹃花属植物果皮微形态特征进行了系统描述,并通过比较现存杜鹃花属植物和种子化石,新发现一些居间的种子类型。结果表明,果皮和种皮微形态特征具有一定的系统学意义。叶状苞亚属subgen.Therorhodion的叶状苞杜鹃R.redowskianum的果实有短而疏的刺毛,无气孔,种子为无翅类,扁平,外围轮廓长椭圆形。杜鹃亚属subgen.Rhododendron植物果皮为百合花杜鹃型,具有鳞片,气孔器散生于指状突起之间,与叶表皮的微形态特征一致,其种子为百合花杜鹃型,表面具宽而浅的沟,呈脑纹状,有别于无鳞类杜鹃花。常绿杜鹃亚属subgen.Hymenanthes果皮为云锦杜鹃型,其角质层表面不规则,无表皮毛,偶见气孔;种子为云锦杜鹃型。映山红亚属subgen.Tsutsusi果皮为岭南杜鹃型,密生长表皮毛,角质层致密;种子为南边杜鹃型和岭南杜鹃型。微形态特征与“常绿杜鹃亚属和(国产)映山红亚属均为内部支持率很高的单系类群”的分子系统发育研究结果一致。马银花亚属subgen.Azaleastrum的马银花组sect.Azaleastrum和长蕊杜鹃组sect.Choniastrum微形态区别明显,支持各自为独立的单系类群。羊踯躅亚属subgen.Pentanthera的羊踯躅R.molle果皮特征明显,可与其他亚属区分,但种子类型更接近常绿杜鹃亚属。本研究结合分子系统发育资料和叶表皮微形态特征讨论了一些近缘类群的系统发育关系;研究结果支持将腺萼马银花处理为独立的种。     

百部科植物叶表皮特征及其分类学意义

利用光学显微镜和扫描电子显微镜,对百部科4属30种植物的叶表皮微形态特征进行了观察研究。结果显示,叶表皮细胞形状仅有无规则形和多边形2种,垂周壁式样有深波状、浅波状和平直-弓形3种;表皮角质层纹饰微形态多样化,绝大多数物种的叶片表面不具有毛被,仅少数植物叶片表面具单细胞毛;气孔器主要分布在下表皮,仅Stemona prostrata I.R.H.Telford、S.cochinchinensis Gagnep、S.rupestris Inthachub、S.pierrei Gagnep和S.involuta Inthachub 5个种上下表皮均有气孔器;气孔形状均为椭圆形,而气孔器类型均为无规则型。百部科叶表皮微形态特征在属间有一定差异,但在属内各种间没有明确规律,表明该类群应该是一个自然的单系类群。由于百部科植物采样困难,在缺乏系统进化树数据的情况下,这些微形态特征可为探讨百部科不同种类的分类学、生物地理及其生态适应性提供部分新证据。     

山东广义苦荬菜属(菊科)叶表皮微形态的研究

对山东广义苦荬菜属植物叶表皮微形态进行了光镜下的观察研究。结果表明:山东广义苦荬菜属9种植物叶表皮微形态可分为四种类型:(1)小苦荬型:上、下表皮均有气孔器,气孔器为不规则型,偶有非典型不等型,上、下表皮细胞为不规则形,垂周壁波状;(2)黄瓜菜型:上表皮无气孔器,下表皮气孔器为不规则型,偶有非典型不等型,上、下表皮细胞为不规则形,垂周壁深波状;(3)沙苦荬型:上、下表皮均有气孔器,气孔器为不规则型,偶有非典型不等型,上、下表皮细胞为多边形,垂周壁平直、弓形;(4)苦荬菜型:上、下表皮均有气孔器,气孔器为不规则型,偶有非典型不等型,上表皮细胞为不规则形,垂周壁波状,下表皮细胞为多边形,垂周壁弓形;与中国植物志把广义苦荬菜属划分为4个属的意见相一致。     

新疆委陵菜属不同花柱组植物叶表皮微形态结构的研究

利用光学显微镜和扫描电子显微镜,观察了新疆委陵菜属5组不同花柱组10种4变种植物叶表皮的微形态特征,测量统计叶表皮毛的类型、表皮细胞的形状及大小、气孔器的分布及类型、气孔的形状、大小、密度及指数、气孔外拱盖形态及其纹饰等指标。结果显示:新疆委陵菜属10种4变种植物叶的下表皮均有气孔器的分布,形状为长椭圆形、椭圆形、宽椭圆形和近圆形;气孔器的类型多为无规则四细胞型、无规则型、围绕型和辐射型;表皮毛的类型为针状毛、带状柔毛和腺毛;表皮细胞的形状分为不规则形和多边形2种类型。研究表明,新疆委陵菜属植物表皮毛特征、叶片表皮细胞的形状、垂周壁式样、气孔器的形状类型、气孔密度指数及外围蜡质纹饰等存在差异,对属以下等级的划分有重要价值,可作为物种分类及鉴别的依据,同时也为本属一些分类群间的系统关系的探讨提供佐证。     

中国蔷薇属植物叶表皮微形态特征及其系统学意义

应用光学显微镜和电子显微镜,对30种中国蔷薇属植物叶表皮的微形态特征进行了观察。结果表明:叶表皮细胞一般为多边形或不规则形,垂周壁平直、平直弓状、波状、浅波状和深波状式样;该属植物的叶表皮细胞大小种间差异较大,总体来看上表皮几乎全为多边形细胞,且上表皮细胞比下表皮细胞略大;在扫描电镜下观察,大部分细胞的平周壁下陷,仅部分细胞的平周壁突起;叶表皮角质层纹饰多样、即使同一个种的上下表皮细胞角质层纹饰微形态特征也有差异;大多植物叶片表面具柔毛,均为单毛,有长柔毛和短柔毛,大部分种类的柔毛基部无特化,其基部由普通的表皮细胞围绕着,少部分种类的柔毛基部由几个特化的辐射状细胞围绕着,少数植物无毛;有些植物叶表面或叶脉上还分布有腺毛;除了单叶蔷薇亚属的小蘗叶蔷薇1个种的上下表皮均分布有气孔器外,其余蔷薇亚属的29种植物的气孔器均分布在下表皮,形状为椭圆形、宽椭圆形和长椭圆形三种,气孔器类型有无规则型、不规则四细胞型、对位四细胞型、环列型和辐射型;气孔器外拱盖内缘近平滑或呈深浅不同的波状、气孔器外拱盖纹饰光滑或粗糙,大多植物气孔器的保卫细胞两级T型加厚;另外,只有小蘗叶蔷薇的气孔器具双层外拱盖且仅上表皮被毛等特征也说明了其在演化上的特殊地位,蔷薇属植物叶表皮的这些微形态特征,在属内各组间无明确的规律性,但可为探讨该属种间的分类学及亲缘关系提供依据。     

新疆14种青兰属植物叶表皮微形态结构研究

应用光学显微镜和扫描电镜,对新疆14种青兰属(DracocephalumL.)植物叶片的微形态特征进行观察,结果表明:该属植物只有宽齿青兰(Dracocephalum paulsenii Briq.)叶的下表皮细胞为多边形,其余种植物叶的上、下表皮均为不规则形;垂周壁式样有深波状、波状、浅波状、平直-弓形;气孔器均为横列型;气孔形状有椭圆形、长椭圆形、宽椭圆形、近圆形;表皮毛的类型为小刺毛、短柔毛、长柔毛、头状腺毛和盾状腺毛。在不同种间甚至是同种植物叶的上、下表皮上,气孔器的大小、气孔密度、气孔指数、气孔外拱盖内缘、表皮毛、角质层纹饰等的微形态特征都存在很大的差异,可为探讨本属种间的分类、亲缘关系和演化趋势提供理论依据。     

Y-chromosome Data and Tribal Affiliations of Allenopithecus and Miopithecus

The phylogeny of Old World monkeys has remained unresolved in part because of a lack of resolution in the Cercopithecinae. Competing morphological hypotheses have had Allen's swamp monkey (Allenopithecus nigroviridis) and the talapoins (Miopithecus spp.) as basal branches of either the tribe Cercopithecini or the tribe Papionini. Previous molecular analyses have not adequately addressed the issue. To better understand the evolutionary history of these primates, we sequenced and subjected to phylogenetic analysis 3.1 kb of 2 loci (TSPY and SRY) from the non-recombining portion of the Y-chromosome. Individuals from the genera Allenopithecus, Miopithecus, Erythrocebus, Chlorocebus, and Cercopithecus were surveyed and their sequences compared with those previously published for the Papionini and Colobinae. The results suggest Allenopithecus and Miopithecus are more closely related to the Cercopithecini than Papionini. Our data also support the hypothesis that within the Cercopithecini, Erythrocebus and Chlorocebus share a close evolutionary relationship, distinct from the other members of the tribe.     

Nystatin and killer toxin sensitivity of free and immobilizedSaccharomyces cerevisiae

The inhibitory effect of nystatin and killer toxin on the growth of free and covalently-immobilizedSaccharomyces cerevisiae cells was studied. The resistance of immobilized cells to both agents was accompanied by increased amounts of phospholipids and sterols. The possible relationship between these changes in the membrane composition and the transduction of a signal across the cytoplasmic membrane is discussed.     

The hernandez and fernandez genes of Drosophila specify eye and antenna

The formation of different structures in Drosophila depends on the combined activities of selector genes and signaling pathways. For instance, the antenna requires the selector gene homothorax, which distinguishes between the leg and the antenna and can specify distal antenna if expressed ectopically. Similarly, the eye is formed by a group of "eye-specifying" genes, among them eyeless, which can direct eye development ectopically. We report here the characterization of the hernandez and fernandez genes, expressed in the antennal and eye primordia of the eye-antenna imaginal disc. The predicted proteins encoded by these two genes have 27% common amino acids and include a Pipsqueak domain. Reduced expression of either hernandez or fernandez mildly affects antenna and eye development, while the inactivation of both genes partially transforms distal antenna into leg. Ectopic expression of either of the two genes results in two different phenotypes: it can form distal antenna, activating genes like homothorax, spineless, and spalt, and it can promote eye development and activates eyeless. Reciprocally, eyeless can induce hernandez and fernandez expression, and homothorax and spineless can activate both hernandez and fernandez when ectopically expressed. The formation of eye by these genes seems to require Notch signaling, since the induction of ectopic eyes and the activation of eyeless by the hernandez gene are suppressed when the Notch function is compromised. Our results show that the hernandez and fernandez genes are required for antennal and eye development and are also able to specify eye or antenna ectopically.     

Ovule and seed anatomy ofCistaceae and relatedMalvanae

Ovule and especially seed anatomy of eight species ofCochlospermaceae, Bixaceae, Cistaceae, Monotoideae, Pakaraimaeoideae (two subfamilies ofDipterocarpaceae), andSarcolaenaceae were investigated. All representatives show a bixoid chalazal region in the seed as probable exclusive synapomorphy among angiosperms. The palisade layer of the exotegmen is curved inwards at its proximal end and forms a dome-shaped structure. A plug of hypostase tissue with an annulus/core structure fits into this dome. Moreover, two additional tissue types in the hypostase can be found in some representatives of the group. These and other micromorphological, wood anatomical, and floral morphological characters, indicate that the taxa form a monophyletic group close toMalvales s. str. The form of the starch grains in the endosperm is compared and is described for the first time forPakaraimaea (Dipterocarpaceae) andLeptolaena (Sarcolaenaceae). The position ofDiegodendron close toBixa and the presumably more distant positions ofMuntingia andNeuradaceae are discussed.     

Development and function of Pisolithus and Scleroderma ectomycorrhizas formed in vivo with Allocasuarina,Casuarina and Eucalyptus

The effect of inoculating seedlings of Eucalyptus grandis, Allocasuarina littoralis and Casuarina equisetifolia with two isolates of Pisolithus and two isolates of Scleroderma from under eucalypts was examined in a glasshouse trial. Ectomycorrhizas formed extensively on Eucalyptus (23–46% fine roots ectomycorrhizal) and Allocasuarina (18–51% fine roots ectomycorrhizal). On Casuarina, the fungi were either unable to colonize the rhizosphere (one isolate of Pisolithus), or sheathed roots, resembling ectomycorrhizas, formed on 1–2% of the fine roots. Colonization of roots by one isolate of Scleroderma resulted in the death of Casuarina seedlings. Inoculation with fungi increased shoot dry weight by up to a factor of 32 (Eucalyptus), 4 (Allocasuarina) and 3 (Casuarina). Ectomycorrhizas formed in associations with Eucalyptus and Allocasuarina had fully differentiated mantles and Hartig nets in which the host and fungal cells were linked by an extensive fibrillar matrix. Sheathed roots in Casuarina lacked a Hartig net, and the epidermis showed a hypersensitive reaction resulting in wall thickening and cell death. The sheaths are described as mantles since the density and arrangement of the hyphae in the sheaths was similar to that in mantles of the eucalypt ectomycorrhizas. The intercellular carbohydrate matrix was not produced in the Casuarina mantle in association with Pisolithus, hence the mantle was not cemented to the root. These structures differ from poorly compatible associations described previously for Pisolithus and Eucalyptus. The anatomical data indicate that ectomycorrhizal assessment based on surface morphological features may be misleading in ecological studies because compatible and incompatible associations may not be distinguishable.     

Amino acids and sugars in nectar,and their putative evolutionary significance

Individual amino acids and sugars from flower nectar of 32 plant species with different pollination systems were quantified and compared. Data show that there is no correlation between sugar and amino acid concentration. Furthermore there is no correlation between composition and concentration of amino acids and evolutionary advancement, nor any direct relation with pollination systems. However, higher sugar concentrations are often linked with more advanced morphological characters. Nectars from pierced or damaged flowers or nectars contaminated with pollen exhibit modifications and increases in amino acid composition. The presence of proline probably indicates such pollen contamination. Most pollinating animals depend on flower nectar in their energetic requirements, yet innumerable alternative amino acid and protein sources exist. Future research has to consider the relationship between nutritional requirements of pollinating animals and dependence on flower nectars.Dedicated to Prof. Dr.L. van der Pijl, Den Haag, in honour of his 80th birthday.     

Theoretical Study of Antagonists and Inhibitors of Mammalian Adenosine Deaminase: I. Adenosine and Its Aza- and Deazaanalogues

Aza- and deazaanalogues of adenosine, including their 1-protonated forms (except for that of 1-deazaadenosine), were studied by computer computation to find a relationship between their molecular structures and substrate properties for the mammalian adenosine deaminase. The atomic charge distribution and maps of the electrostatic potential around their van der Waals molecular surface were calculated for these compounds using the ab initio STO-3G method. The conformational studies are carried out by the MM⁺ method of molecular mechanics. The mechanism that determines the substrate selectivity of mammalian adenosine deaminase is discussed.     

Cyclooxygenase inhibitory and antioxidant cyanidin glycosides in cherries and berries

Anthocyanins from tart cherries, Prunus cerasus L. (Rosaceae) cv. Balaton and Montmorency; sweet cherries, Prunus avium L. (Rosaceae); bilberries, Vaccinum myrtillus L. (Ericaceae); blackberries, Rubus sp. (Rosaceae); blueberries var. Jersey, Vaccinium corymbosum L. (Ericaceae); cranberries var. Early Black, Vaccinium macrocarpon Ait. (Ericaceae); elderberries, Sambucus canadensis (Caprifoliaceae); raspberries, Rubus idaeus (Rosaceae); and strawberries var. Honeoye, Fragaria x ananassa Duch. (Rosaceae), were investigated for cyclooxygenase inhibitory and antioxidant activities. The presence and levels of cyanidin-3-glucosylrutinoside 1 and cyanidin-3-rutinoside 2 were determined in the fruits using HPLC. The antioxidant activity of anthocyanins from cherries was comparable to the commercial antioxidants, tert-butylhydroquinone, butylated hydroxytoluene and butylated hydroxyanisole, and superior to vitamin E, at a test concentration of 125 microg/ml. Anthocyanins from raspberries and sweet cherries demonstrated 45% and 47% cyclooxygenase-I and cyclooxygenase-II inhibitory activities, respectively, when assayed at 125 microg/ml. The cyclooxygenase inhibitory activities of anthocyanins from these fruits were comparable to those of ibuprofen and naproxen at 10 microM concentrations. Anthocyanins 1 and 2 are present in both cherries and raspberry. The yields of pure anthocyanins 1 and 2 in 100 g Balaton and Montmorency tart cherries, sweet cherries and raspberries were 21, 16.5; 11, 5; 4.95, 21; and 4.65, 13.5 mg, respectively. Fresh blackberries and strawberries contained only anthocyanin 2 in yields of 24 and 22.5 mg/100 g, respectively. Anthocyanins 1 and 2 were not found in bilberries, blueberries, cranberries or elderberries.     

Molecular identification and differentiation of Brevibacterium species and strains

Amplified ribosomal DNA restriction enzyme analysis (ARDRA), pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) and ribotyping were used to differentiate among 24 strains of Brevibacterium linens, Brevibacterium casei and Brevibacterium epidermidis obtained from type culture collections or isolated from various smear ripened cheeses. ARDRA was applied to the 16S rDNA. B. linens was shown to be a quite heterogenic group with 2 to at least 4 copies of rrn operons per strain with aberrant nucleotide sequences. AccI gave genus specific restriction patterns and was used to separate Brevibacterium from Corynebacterium species. The expected species specificity of TaqI applied to B. linens type culture strains, but not to all strains isolated from cheese. By AvaI restriction, B. casei and B. linens were differentiated from B. epidermidis and the orange pigmented Arthrobacter casei, a new species of coryneform bacteria; by XmnI restriction, B. linens and B. epidermidis were differentiated from B. casei. One of 4 B. linens genotypes could not be distinguished from B. casei by this method. Here, the typical orange B. linens pigments were used for classification, which was confirmed by partial sequencing of the 16S rDNA.