POLYMORPHISM IN THE DESMID XANTHIDIUM REGULARE AND ITS TAXONOMIC IMPLICATIONS

This paper refers to a case of polymorphism in the desmid genus Xanthidium Ehr. It is based on material from Lake Dais Irmaios, the main body of water in the Zoological and Botanical Garden in Recife, Pernambuco, northeastern Brazil, collected at 4 different times of the year during 1967 and 1968. A detailed examination of almost 1300 specimens showed an enormous variety in form of Xanthidium regulare Nordst., X. fragile Borge, and X. pseudoregulare Borge, thus allowing the authors to draw the following conclusions: (1) the name X. regulare Nordst. should be retained until further and more detailed studies on form variation within the species are available; (2) the names X. regulare Nordst. var. asteptum Nordst. in Borge, X. regulare Nordst. var. sexangulare Grönbl., X. regulare Nordst. var. sexangulare Grönbl. f. robustior Grönbl., X. fragile Borge, X. fragile Borge forma, and X. fragile Borge var. depauperatum Borge should be considered synonymous, all referring to a single variety of X. regulare Nordst., var. asteptum Nordst. in Borge emend. C. Bic. & L. M. Carv.; (3) X. pseudoregulare Borge must be treated as a variety of X. regulare Nordst. and must be called X. regulare Nordst. var. pseudoregulare (Barge) C. Bic. & L. M. Carv. Finally, a key is given to the 3 varieties of X. regulare Nordst. proposed in the present paper.     

TYPES OF LATICIFERS AND CRYSTALS IN JATROPHA AND THEIR TAXONOMIC IMPLICATIONS

Anatomical examination of 37 species of Jatropha (Euphorbiaceae) has revealed the occurrence of two distinct types of laticifers—articulated, and nonarticulated—in addition to idioblasts that are irregularly shaped individual cells. With the notable exception of J. augustii Pax & K. Hoffm. (section Peltatae (Pax) Dehgan & Webster), these idioblasts occur in the two most advanced sections of the subgenus Curcas (Adans.) Pax, namely Loureira (Cav.) Muell. Arg. ex Pax and Mozinna (Ortega) Pax. The presence of two laticifer types and “idioblastic laticifers” in the genus, in association with the morphological reduction series found with evolutionary advancement are, therefore, significant in the delimitation of sections and subsections. Further evidence is presented by the occurrence of “chambered crystalliferous cells” in subgenus Curcas, but not in subgenus Jatropha (=Adenorhopium Griseb.). Reexamination of laticifers in other genera of the Euphorbiaceae is suggested as a possible means of alleviating the long-standing taxonomic dilemma of this large and morphologically diverse family.     

VOCAL ONTOGENY OF NESTLING AND FLEDGLING BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEES POECILE ATRICAPILLA IN NATURAL POPULATIONS

ABSTRACT

We studied the vocal ontogeny of black-capped chickadees Poecile atricapilla from hatching through approximately age 40 days, at which time the juveniles dispersed from their hatching area. Development of three vocalisations (chick-a-dee call, fee-bee song, gargle call) was monitored by tape recording daily. Spectrographs quantification and comparison were carried out with Sound Analysis software. Developmental changes in offspring vocalisations were compared to the parent birds, allowing a measure of acoustic similarity between adults and young throughout early life. The chick-a-dee call developed all four of its component syllables (ABCD) from a single sound of day-old nestlings, but the four syllables emerged in adult form at different times in ontogeny. The fee-bee song was produced in impressively adult form starting at about age 20 days, with no precursor sounds to indicate gradual emergence. The principal difference between adult and juvenile fee-bee songs was the persistent production of three or four notes by juveniles rather than the adults' species-typical two notes. Gargle calls appear to develop from “subsong” strings of precursor gargle syllables. Juvenile gargles began to be identifiable at about age 33–35 days but did not match any of the gargle calls of the local adult population. Post-dispersal juveniles may develop gargles that match the gargle types of local birds where they settle.     

THE MEASUREMENT OF VOCAL AMPLITUDE AND VOCAL RADIATION PATTERN IN BLUE MONKEYS AND GREY-CHEEKED MANGABEYS

ABSTRACT

The substitution method was adopted from industrial acoustics (Francois and de Montussaint 1972) to “eliminate the influence of the environment” on measurements of the amplitude of vocalizations given by blue monkeysCercopithecus mitis and grey-cheeked mangabeysCercocebus albigena. Measurements were conducted of sound power and sound pressure level of representative utterances. Monkey vocal radiation patterns were also measured. The results showed that vocal amplitude ranged from 62 dB to 100 dB in sound pressure (re 1 pw). At a distance of 2 m, the loudest calls approached an amplitude of 110 dB SPL, a level about equal to the loudest human yell. The measurements of call amplitude conducted here exceeded those derived from the field by approximately 10 dB. It was shown that the discrepancy in amplitude between these laboratory based measurements and earlier measurements conducted under field conditions (Waser and Waser 1977) was probably due to destructive interference between the direct wave and the “ground wave”, a phase shifted wave reflected from the ground. Measurements of radiation patterns of primate vocalizations showed that, like human speech, directivity was a function of frequency, with high-frequency components being radiated more directionally than lower-frequency components. However, primate utterances were in general radiated more omnidirectionally than was human speech.     

罂粟科植物的分类,进化与分布

罂粟科有38属约700种,作者通过对科内各属的研究,根据其主要器官(雌蕊、雄蕊,花被、果和种子)的进化趋势,重新排列科内的分类系统,在3个亚科下,包括8个亚族。在此基础上,讨论各属可能的演化关系,分析它们的分布规律,最后探讨本科的起源。     

从线粒体DNA控制区核苷酸序列论达式鲟、亚洲和北美洲中吻鲟的分类地位

尽管古老的鲟形目鱼类的分类及系统演化一直是中外学者感兴趣的研究课题,但迄今仍有诸多谜团未解。其中,关于亚洲远东地区和北美地区的中吻鲟(Acipenser medirostris)的分类地位争论已久。长江水系的达式鲟(A.dabryanus)和中华鲟(A.sinensis)及其它鲟属(Acipenser)鱼类之间的亲缘关系近年来也有异议。为了给上述争议提供更多的科学依据,作者测定了线粒体DNA(mtDNA)控制区 (D-loop) 的核苷酸序列,并进行了分子系统学和遗传差异分析。研究结果表明：⑴UPGMA,NJ和MP分子系统学分析方法以及遗传差异分析都支持了亚洲远东地区中吻鲟和北美中吻鲟为一个有效种的观点;⑵同样研究方法并结合相关群体遗传资料表明,长江达式鲟与中华鲟关系最近,提出了达式鲟为中华鲟的一陆封类群的假说。最后,作者认为本文提出的观点和假说还需要更多的研究来证实。     

两株绿藻响应CO2浓度变化的生长和生理特性的研究

以小球藻FACHB-1580和栅藻FACHB-1618为研究对象,比较了两株绿藻在0.04%CO_2、5%CO_2和20%CO_2(v/v)三种通气培养条件下的生长和生理特性的响应,试图阐述与无机碳利用相关生理参数和微藻利用CO_2能力的关系。结果表明,两株绿藻均能高效利用CO_2,在5%(v/v)条件下均表现出最大生物量积累、最大比生长速率和最大二氧化碳固定速率。小球藻FACHB-1580和栅藻FACHB-1618最大生物量分别为3.5和5.4g/L,分别是0.04%CO_2(v/v)条件的1.41和1.46倍。在高达20%CO_2(v/v)条件下,两株绿藻的生物量均显著高于空气组(P0.05)。随着CO_2浓度的增加,两株绿藻的无机碳亲和力、胞内和胞外CA活性、初始Rubisco活性,及Rubisco活化度均有下降趋势,总的Rubisco活性变化不明显。另外,小球藻FACHB-1580存在较高的胞外和胞内CA活性;而栅藻FACHB-1618胞外CA活性几乎为零,胞内CA活性显著低于小球藻FACHB-1580。由此推测,小球藻FACHB-1580能同时吸收介质中的HCO_3~-和CO_2,其胞内CA催化胞内HCO?3快速转化为CO_2,从而为Rubisco提供充足的CO_2来源;而栅藻FACHB-1618主要吸收介质中的CO_2,其胞内CA活性较低,推测其通过提高胞内CA含量,或增强Rubisco对CO_2的亲和力等促进光合固碳作用。     

从线粒体DNA控制区核苷酸序列论达式鲟、亚洲和北美洲中吻鲟的分类地位

尽管古老的鲟形目鱼类的分类及系统演化一直是中外学者感兴趣的研究课题 ,但迄今仍有诸多谜团未解。其中 ,关于亚洲远东地区和北美地区的中吻鲟 (Acipensermedirostris)的分类地位争论已久。长江水系的达式鲟 (A .dabryanus)和中华鲟 (A .sinensis)及其它鲟属 (Acipenser)鱼类之间的亲缘关系近年来也有异议。为了给上述争议提供更多的科学依据 ,作者测定了线粒体DNA (mtDNA)控制区(D loop) 的核苷酸序列 ,并进行了分子系统学和遗传差异分析。研究结果表明 :⑴UPGMA ,NJ和MP分子系统学分析方法以及遗传差异分析都支持了亚洲远东地区中吻鲟和北美中吻鲟为一个有效种的观点 ;⑵同样研究方法并结合相关群体遗传资料表明 ,长江达式鲟与中华鲟关系最近 ,提出了达式鲟为中华鲟的一陆封类群的假说。最后 ,作者认为本文提出的观点和假说还需要更多的研究来证实。     

DIFFERENTIAL RESPONSES TO MAGNESIUM AND CALCIUM BY NATIVE POPULATIONS OF AGROPYRON SPICATUM

Plants of Agropyron spicatum (Pursh) Scribn. and Smith. from populations native to serpentine and nonserpentine soils were grown at varying levels of magnesium and calcium in culture solutions. The yields of plants from the two populations were different. At high Mg levels (low Ca) the yield of the serpentine population was significantly higher than that of the nonserpentine population. At low Mg the yield of the serpentine population leveled off at a Mg: Ca ratio of 1:2, while the yield of the nonserpentine population increased up to a Mg:Ca ratio of 1:8 and showed no leveling off. Chemical analyses of tissue showed that the Ca uptake of plants from the serpentine population was significantly higher than that of the nonserpentine population. In addition, the serpentine population maintained a lower Mg concentration in the shoots than the nonserpentine population at comparable Mg substrate levels. The two populations showed differences in Ca and Mg uptake efficiency and Mg/Ca, Ca + Mg/K + Na, and Ca + Mg + K + Na in the shoots. The ecotypic differentiation with respect to Mg and Ca between native populations of serpentine and nonserpentine A. spicatum does not appear to be due to any single mechanism but, rather, a combination of several possible mechanisms, i.e., differences in root morphology, uptake mechanisms, translocation of nutrients, and interactions between cations.     

TAXONOMIC IMPLICATIONS OF A COMPARATIVE ANATOMICAL STUDY OF INULOIDEAE-COMPOSITAE

Thirty-seven species representing eight of the nine subtribes of the tribe Inuloideae-Compositae were examined for the presence of crystals in the achene wall, fibers within the phloem, and schizogenous resin canals in the aerial stem. Leaf hair type and the size of the widest xylem element were also recorded for each species. These comparative observations point to the presence of two major groups which are completely obscured by current taxonomic practice. Comparative palynological and cytological data already in the literature are readily interpreted in the light of this suggested grouping.     

竹叶臭蛙的分类学研究I.各地理居群的分类探讨(两栖纲:蛙科)

采用形态特征比较,对7省13个居群的竹叶臭蛙Odorrana ve,rsabilis的标本进行了研究,结果表明:它们的形态特征差异明显,可以分为3个形态型;同时经数值性状标准判别分析和DNA指纹分析印证其结果与形态学研究结果相吻合.据此将3个形态型标本确定为3个种,其中包括2新种.本文重新界定了3个种的分布范围.     

PHOTOSYNTHETIC PIGMENTS OF PSEUDOSCOURFIELDIA MARINA AND SELECT GREEN FLAGELLATES AND COCCOID ULTRAPHYTOPLANKTON: IMPLICATIONS FOR THE SYSTEMATICS OF THE MICROMONADOPHYCEAE (CHLOROPHYTA)1

Photosynthetic pigments of the green flagellate Pseudoscourfieldia marina (Throndsen) Manton (Micromonadophyceae) are similar to those of the coccoid Pycnococcus provasolii Guillard; prasinoxanthin is the predominant carotenoid. Other organisms that possess prasinoxanthin also possess additional pigments not found in either P. marina or P. provasolii. Uriolide, a xanthophyll previously described from the coccoid done URI 266G, was also found in Mantoniella squamata (Manton et Parke) Desikachary, Micromonas pusilla Manton et Parke and Mamiella gilva (Parks et Rayns) Moestrup, all flagellate members of the Mamiellales, and the coccoid clone IV E5G. Other unidentified carotenoids were also present in M. squamata, M. pusilla, and M. gilva. These results suggest that P. marina and the coccoid organisms URI 266G and IV E5G may be related to the Mamiellales, and that P. provasolii may be more closely related to P. marina than to M. squamata, M. pusilla, and M. gilva.     

PERSISTENCE OF AMBROSIA TRIFIDA POPULATIONS IN OLD FIELDS AND RESPONSES TO SUCCESSIONAL CHANGES

A population of Ambrosia trifida L. (Asteraceae) in an annually ploughed field and an adjacent 15-year old population in an old field were compared to determine how plant responses, genotypic composition, and genetic variability change in populations over successional time. The two populations were originally part of a large contiguous population in an annually ploughed field. When individuals from the two populations were grown from seed in a common garden, they showed several significant differences in characteristics indicating different genotypic compositions in the two populations. Individuals from the old field population showed earlier emergence, lower leaf mortality, and greater numbers of leaves, biomass, seed production, and reproductive allocation relative to plants from the annually ploughed field. When sown in the field in a reciprocal transplant experiment, individuals from the two populations also differed in patterns of emergence, survivorship, yield, and fecundity. When grown together in a pairwise competition experiment, individuals from the old field population showed competitive superiority with respect to growth and seed production. This genetic differentiation between populations of different successional ages may be explained by natural selection imposed by the changing environment over successional time. However, the history and characteristics of these populations are such that founder effects may also be important in explaining the differences between them. A comparison of levels of variability in 14 different characters of individuals of the two populations showed no evidence that genetic variability in A. trifida populations declined over successional time.