The ‘Orsten’—More than a Cambrian Konservat-Lagerstätte yielding exceptional preservation

In several areas of southern Sweden, limestone nodules, locally called Orsten occur within bituminous alum shales. These shales and nodules were deposited under dysoxic conditions at the bottom of what was most likely a shallow sea during the late Middle to Upper Cambrian (ca. 500 million years ago). Subsequently, the name ‘Orsten’ has been referred to particular, mainly arthropod, fossils from such nodules, and, in a wider sense, to the specific type of preservation of minute fossil through secondarily phosphatization. This preservation is exceptional in yielding uncompacted and diagenetically undeformed three-dimensional fossils. ‘Orsten’-type preservation resulted from incrustation of a thin external layer and also by impregnation by calcium phosphate and, therefore, mineralization of the surface of the former animals during early diagenesis. Primarily, this type of preservation seems to have affected only cuticle-bearing metazoans such as cycloneuralian nemathelminths and arthropods. ‘Orsten’ preservation in this sense seems to be limited by size, in having yielded no partial or complete animals larger than 2 mm. On the other end of the scale, even larvae 100 μm long are preserved, often more complete than larger specimens, and details such as setules and pores smaller than 1 μm can be observed. Fossils preserved in such a manner are almost exclusively hollow carcasses, but can be filled secondarily; less common are completely phosphatized compact specimens. The high quality of preservation makes the Swedish ‘Orsten’ a typical Konservat-Lagerstätte. Yet, its special type of preservation is more widespread in time and geographical distribution than assumed initially, and the origin of the phosphate is not necessarily restricted just to one source. Subsequent to the first discoveries of limb fragments of Cambrian arthropods in 1975, animals in this special preservational type have been discovered in several continents and across a broad stratigraphic range including even Proterozoic strata. The latter have yielded early cleavage and metazoan embryonic stages, expanding knowledge on the preservational capacities of the ‘Orsten’. Here, we report the recent status of our research on the ‘Orsten’ and give perspectives for future exploration on a worldwide scale, particularly in light of a recently formed international research group named Center of Orsten Research and Exploration (C.O.R.E.).     

“Menstrual induction” with sulproston

The PGE₂-analogue Sulproton (16-phenoxy·ω-17,18,19,20-tetranor-PGE₂-mythylsulfonylamide) was administered to 200 medically and gynecologically normal women who were 17±0.4 days beyond their expected menstrual period and who had a positive pregnancy test. The intramuscular impact dose (500 μg repeated after 4 hours) caused an immediate tonic uterine contraction which compromised the estradiol 17β, progesterone and chorionic gonadotropin production within the fetoplacental unit, and thereby allowed the evolution of cyclic uterine activity, cervical dilatation and tissue expulsion.Pregnancy termination was complete in 92% of women, 5.5% required surgical curettage and 2.5% were given a second Sulproston treatment 2–3 weeks after the first to remove retained tissue from the uterus. The medical induction of menstruation was preferred by 83% of the women who had previously experienced surgical termination of pregnancy. Normal menstruation resumed in all women after 36±0.9 days. The majority of 42 women questioned found Sulproston a satisfactory, safe, simple and effective drug regimen for “menstrual induction”.     

William Bateson from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Balanoglossus</Emphasis> to <Emphasis Type="Italic">Materials for the Study of Variation</Emphasis>: The Transatlantic Roots of Discontinuity and the (un)naturalness of Selection

William Bateson (1861–1926) has long occupied a controversial role in the history of biology at the turn of the twentieth century. For the most part, Bateson has been situated as the British translator of Mendel or as the outspoken antagonist of W.␣F. R. Weldon and Karl Pearson’s biometrics program. Less has been made of Bateson’s transition from embryologist to advocate for discontinuous variation, and the precise role of British and American influences in that transition, in the years leading up to the publication of his massive Materials for the Study of Variation (1894). In this paper, I first attempt to trace Bateson’s development in his early career before turning to search for the development of the moniker “anti-Darwinist” that has been attached to Bateson in well-known histories of the neo-Darwinian Synthesis.     

‘Candidatus Phytoplasma asteris’ and ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma aurantifolia’, New Phytoplasma Species Infecting Apple Trees in Iran

During several surveys in extensive areas in central Iran, apple trees showing phytoplasma diseases symptoms were observed. PCR tests using phytoplasma universal primer pairs P1A/P7A followed by R16F2n/R16R2 confirmed the association of phytoplasmas with symptomatic apple trees. Nested PCR using 16SrX group‐specific primer pair R16(X)F1/R1 and aster yellows group‐specific primer pairs rp(I)F1A/rp(I)R1A and fTufAy/rTufAy indicated that apple phytoplasmas in these regions did not belong to the apple proliferation group, whereas aster yellows group‐related phytoplasmas caused disease on some trees. Restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analyses using four restriction enzymes (HhaI, HpaII, HaeIII and RsaI) and sequence analyses of partial 16S rRNA and rp genes demonstrated that apple phytoplasma isolates in the centre of Iran are related to ‘Ca. Phytoplasma asteris’ and ‘Ca. Phytoplasma aurantifolia’. This is the first report of apples infected with ‘Ca. Phytoplasma asteris’ in Iran and the first record from association of ‘Ca. Phytoplasma aurantifolia’ with apples worldwide.     

<i>Streptomyces</i> PRIO41 as plant growth promoter of jalapeño pepper plants and as biocontrol agent of <i>Fusarium</i>

Chili pepper is one of the main crops of economic importance in Mexico, and Fusarium wilting is a disease that limits its production. In addition, the inappropriate use of agrochemicals in farming activities generate environmental and health problems. Therefore, in this study the effectiveness of Streptomyces sp PRIO41 was evaluated as a (1) biocontrol agent of Fusarium spp and (2) plant growth promoter bacteria. Assays of pathogenicity and virulence of Fusarium spp. in jalapeño pepper seeds, and interactions of these pathogens with Streptomyces PRIO41 were evaluated under two nutritional conditions. In the greenhouse, the effectiveness of Streptomyces sp. PRIO41 was determined as a (1) biocontrol of Fusarium, and (2) plant growth promoter of wilt of pepper plants. The results showed that all fungal isolates caused symptoms in pepper seeds and seedlings with different degrees of virulence. Interactions in vitro showed that Streptomyces showed the most effective range of virulence against Fusarium isolates in the poor medium (37.6%-100%), with fungicidal effects in some cases. In the greenhouse, Streptomyces PRIO41 reduced Fusarium wilting up to a 40%, and positively affected all vegetative growth parameters, particularly plant height, leaf area, root length, and leaf and root dry biomasses. This study showed the potential of Streptomyces PRIO41 as a biocontrol agent of Fusarium spp., and as a biofertilizer of pepper plants.     

Torulaspora quercuum sp. nov. and Candida pseudohumilis sp. nov., novel yeasts from human and forest habitats

Strains XZ-46A, XZ-105, XZ-129 and XZ-281^T isolated from the oral cavities of healthy Tibetan volunteers were revealed to represent two novel ascomycetous yeast species by molecular taxonomic characterizations. Strain XZ-281^T was most closely related to Candida humilis , but differed from the type strain of the species by eight (1.2%) substitutions in the 26S rRNA gene D1/D2 domain and by >100 (>20%) mismatches in the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region. Strains XZ-46A, XZ-105 and XZ-129 had identical or similar D1/D2 and ITS sequences with each other and with strain 17YF^T isolated from a leaf of an oak tree ( Quercus sp.). The closest relative of this group was Torulaspora microellipsoides . They differed from the type strain of the species by five (0.9%) substitutions in the D1/D2 domain and >70 (>15%) mismatches in the ITS region. A sexual state was observed in strain 17YF^T, but not in the other four oral strains. An anamorphic name Candida pseudohumilis sp. nov. is proposed for strain XZ-281^T (=AS 2.3956^T=CBS 11404^T) and a teleomorphic name Torulaspora quercuum sp. nov. is proposed for strain 17YF^T (=AS 2.3768^T=CBS 11403^T) and the other three oral strains.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Haploporus subtrameteus</Emphasis> (Polyporaceae,Basidiomycota) found in Japan

Haploporus subtrameteus, a rare polypore, is newly reported for Japan. This fungus was known only from three localities in the Russian Far East, Altai Mts., and three in China. The Japanese material was on a dead tree of Padus grayana around Aokigahara-marubi, Mt. Fuji. This article gives detailed morphology based on the Japanese collection and a photo in the natural habitat.     

Comparative studies on the structure and adhesion of setae in <Emphasis Type="Italic">G. gecko</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">G. swinhonis</Emphasis>

Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and histological techniques were used to observe and study the setae structures of two gecko species (G. gecko and G. swinhonis) and the relationships between these structures and the adhesive forces. The SEM results showed that the setae of these two species were densely distributed in an orderly fashion, and branched with curved tips. The setae of G. gecko had cluster structures, each cluster containing 4–6 setae whose terminal branches curved towards the center of the toes at ∼ 10°, the tips of the branches like spatulae and densely arrayed at an interval of less than 0.2–0.3 μm. On the contrary, the branch tips in the setae of G. swinhonis were curled, and the terminal parts of setae curved towards the center of the toes at various angles. Usually the setae of these gecko species branch twice at the top at intervals greater than that of G. gecko. The histological observation found that inside the setae of these two species there were plenty of unevenly distributed contents, such as epithelia, fat cells, pigmental cells and muscle tissue, but no gland cells existed. The results of functional experiments suggested that modifying the structure of gecko’s setae could reduce its adhesive ability dramatically, demonstrating the positive correlation between the structure of the gecko’s setae and its adhesive ability. The above results provide important information in designing bio-mimic setae and bio-gecko robots.     

Coumarins in Eremocitrus glauca; Rutaceae; chemotaxonomy; coumarins; artifact; MS fragmentation.

2′,3′-Dihydroxydihydrosuberosin its acetonide derivative and 7-hydroxycoumarin has been isolated from the extracts of Eremocitrus glauca. The s     

Ormieresia carcini gen. n., sp. n., Microsporidie du Crabe Méditerranéan, Carcinus mediterraneus Czerniavsky, 1884: Cycle Évolutif et Étude Ultrastructurale

RÉSUMÉ. Une nouvelle microsporidie, Ormieresia carcini gen. n., sp. n., est trouvée dans Carcinus mediterraneus Czerniavsky, 1884. Son évolution et ses ultrastructures sont étudiees.
Le cycle débute par un méronte limité par une membrane unitaire et possédant un diplocaryon. Toute la sporogonie se déroule dans la musculature de l'höte. Les stades sporogoniaux sont enveloppés dans une membrane pansporoblastique persistante. Dans chaque pansporoblaste, la sporoblastogenése (donnant naissance à 8 sporoblastes) est particulière; un plasmode sporogonial octonucléé manque. Au cours des divisions schizogoniques et sporogoniques, chaque centre cinétique est formé de 2 plaques, une incluse dans l'enveloppe nucléaire, l'autre occupant une position extranucléaire. Les sporontes en division et les sporoblastes sécrètent des substances métaboliques (granules, tubes) qui sont déposées dans l'espace pansporoblastique.
La spore uninucléée est longue et cylindrique (19,1 × 2,4 μm). Un manubrium rectiligne traverse la spore. Son extrémité postérieure se rétrécit brusquement en un filament polaire décrlvant 4 ou 5 tours de spire. L'extrémité antérieure du manubrium est attachée au capuchon polaire lui-même comprimé par un double anneau. La partie antérieure du manubrium est entourée par un polaroplaste formé d'une zone spongieuse et d'une zone lamellaire.     

<i>Trichoderma</i> spp. fostering growth on <i>Capsicum chinense</i> Jacq. seedlings and antagonistic against <i>Meloidogyne incognita</i>

Fourteen native strains of Trichoderma spp. from wildand agricultural pathosystems in the state of Yucatan, Mexico, with growth-promoting ability of Capsicum chinense Jacq. seedlings were evaluated and antagonistic effect of their filtrate against second-stage juveniles (J2) of Meloidogyne incognita. The strains Th05-02 and Th27-08 showed the best significant effects on plant hight variable increments 55.57 and 47.62%, theTh07-04 with 29.48% more root length, theTh02-01 and Th07-04 isolates increased from 48.71 to 84.61% in volume radical and 53.40% of total dry biomass. Statistical analysis (p≤0.001) of Th43 and Th43-13-14 filtrates caused 100% mortality at 24 and 48h. In the test of reversibility to 24 h after replacing the filtrates Th43-13, Th43-14, TH09-06 and TH20-07 by sterile distilled water, the J2 did not recover their viability, so they were considered as the best potential strains of Trichoderma spp. with antagonistic capacity in J2 of M.incognita.     

Survival of several <Emphasis Type="Italic">Rhizobium/Bradyrhizobium</Emphasis> strains on different inoculant formulations and inoculated seeds

The effect of a variety factors on the survival of several rhizobia strains on inoculants and inoculated seeds has been evaluated. Since the rhizobia strains showed different cell-density-evolution patterns on peat-based inoculants and on inoculated seeds, several inoculant formulations with highly effective Rhizobium/Bradyrhizobium strains (for Lupinus, Hedysarum, Phaseolus and Glycine max.) were monitored under the following storage conditions: (a) the inoculants were kept refrigerated (at 4 °C), or (b) at room temperature (25 °C). The effect of water content (30–50%, w/w) in the inoculants as well as that of several seed-coating adhesives were also investigated. Alternative carriers including perlite and vermiculite were tested. For all of the strains, survival on sterile peat-based inoculants was higher than on the corresponding unsterile peat formulation; for the latter, refrigerated storage conditions are recommended to ensure high bacterial densities. The water content of the inoculants had a differential effect on strain survival depending on the sterility of the peat, such that a high water content was more detrimental when unsterilized peat was employed. The best adherent for rhizobia survival was a gum arabic/water solution. Perlite was as effective as peat in maintaining a high population of rhizobia, at least for 6 months of storage. Electronic Publication     

Rhabdosargus haffara (Forsskål, 1775) and Sphyraena flavicauda Rüppell, 1833—new Red Sea immigrants in the Mediterranean

Two Red Sea species, the sparid Rhabdosargus haffara and the sphyraenid Sphyraena flavicauda , previously unrecorded in the Mediterranean, have been recently found in the vicinity of Tel-Aviv, coast of Israel.     

Carbon concentration in structures of <i>Arctostaphylos pungens</i> HBK: An alternative CO₂ sink in forests

Arctostaphylos pungens HBK is a dominant species with increasing abundance and distribution in chaparral ecosystems as a result of range management and, possibly, changes in climate. The value of this species for carbon (C) sequestration is unknown, and the standard 50% C out of total tree biomass is used as an approximate value. In this study, we aim to determine the C concentration of the primary components of A. pungens. The total C expressed as a percentage of biomass was determined with a Solids TOC Analyzer. We found the C concentration to vary among components. Leaves exhibited the highest C concentration (51.70%). Roots (46.11%), stems (47.30%), fruits (47.89%) and twigs (48.40%) had similar C concentration. These results provided superior estimates of C concentration, and reliable information concerning the potential use of A. pungens in climate-change mitigation programs.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Pleuroxus</Emphasis>-like chydorids (Crustacea: Anomopoda) from South Africa,with the description of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Dumontiellus africanus</Emphasis> gen. n., sp. n.

Five species of Pleuroxus-like chydorids are found in new material from South Africa or are known from the literature. One species is here described as Dumontiellus africanus gen. n., sp. n., endemic to South Africa. Handling editor: K. Martens