Spatial pattern of lithorheophile macrobenthos (by the example of a stream in Moscow region)

The distribution of lithorheophil macrobenthos was studied in the range of scales from decimeter (regions in the scope of one stone) up to seven kilometers on the basis of 153 quantitative samples from oligosaprobic stream in Moscow region. Community shows significant spatial heterogeneity even at the small scale: life forms inhabit different sides of each stone and different sites of the riffle depending on current. At the scale of tens and hundreds of meters (between different riffles, within one stream) spatial heterogeneity of benthos is low, distribution of common species is independent from each other and riffs are similar by community structure. At the scope of kilometers heterogeneity increase and the alterations of community appear due to changes in stream size. Seasonal differences of benthos distribution are mentioned. The impact of various environmental factors on the distribution of lithorheophile macrobenthos is discussed.     

Quantitative ballistocardiography (Q-BCG) for measurement of cardiovascular dynamics

In the seventies of the past century ballistocardiography had been thought to be obsolete in cardiology for impossibility of objective calibration. In the present work the quantitative ballistocardiography (Q-BCG) for measurement of systolic force (F) and minute cardiac force (MF) in sitting subject was described. The new principle of piezoelectric transducer enabled to register the force caused by the heart and blood movement, which was not measured before. The calibration proved that the action of the force on the transducer was expressed quantitatively without the amplitude-, time-, and phase deformation. The close relationship of skeletal muscle force and F was proved. The F and MF changed under different physiological conditions (age, partial pressure of oxygen, body weight, skeletal muscle force). It was shown that the systolic force (F) and minute cardiac force (MF) are the physiological parameters neurohumorally regulated similarly as the heart rate or systolic volume.     

Studies on adventive embryo formation in the petiole expiants of coriander (Coriandrum sativum)

Summary The petiole expiants of coriander when cultured on a solid or liquid Murashige and Skoog's medium supplemented with 0.5 mg/l 2,4-D developed a large number of meristemoids. These meristemoids could then be induced to form adventive embryos when transferred into a liquid MS-medium without 2,4-D. The development of the expiants leading to the formation of meristemoids was followed anatomically and by using SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of soluble proteins at various days of culture.     

Quantitative and qualitative study of the bacterial flora of farmed freshwater prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii) larvae

Quantitative and qualitative studies of the bacterial flora of farmed freshwater prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii) larvae in Saudi Arabia were performed, and isolates identified where possible. Physico‐chemical characteristics, bacterial counts, and the nature of the bacterial flora of larvae rearing tank water, sediment, tank wall surfaces, larval surface, supplied water, and feed were investigated. Bacterial counts ranged from 2.1 ± 1.3 × 10⁵ to 2.2 ± 0.8 × 10⁷ colony forming units (CFU) ml^?1 in tank water; 4.4 ± 0.9 × 10⁷ to 8.3 ± 1.7 ×10⁹ CFU g^?1 in tank sediment; 8.6 ± 1.0 × 10² to 9.8 ±0.7 × 10⁴ CFU cm^?2 on the tank wall surface; 1.3 ± 1.1 × 10⁴ to 7.7 ± 1.6 × 10⁶ CFU per larva surface, 7.9 ± 1.2 × 10⁵ to 5.0 ± 1.5 × 10⁷ CFU g^?1 in washed larval tissue slurries, 9.1 ± 0.7 × 10³ CFU ml^?1 in supplied water, and 2.4 ± 1.9 ×10¹⁰ CFU g^?1 in mixed feed. Fourteen bacterial genera were identified, including Chryseomonas sp., Vibrio spp., Cellulomonas sp., Aeromonas hydrophila, and Pasteurella sp. The tank water and sediment had similar bacteria to those on the prawn larvae. Chryseomonas sp., Cellulomonas sp. and Vibrio sp. were the most dominant species (prevalence >10%) in tank water; Chryseomonas sp., Pseudomonas alcaligenes and Shewanella putrefaciens in the sediment; Ps. alcaligenes and Cellulomonas sp. on the tank wall surface; Chryseomonas sp., and Cellulomonas sp. on the larval surface; and Chryseomonas sp., Vibrio vulnificus, Sh. putrefaciens and V. alginolyticus in the washed larval tissue slurries (prevalence 10%). Pseudomonas alcaligenes, Moraxella sp., Serratia liquefaciens, Gordona sp. and Burkholderia glumae were absent in larvae but identified in the culture water, tank sediment, and tank wall surface. Pseudomonas sp., Chryseomonas sp., Pasteurella sp. and V. alginolyticus were the prevalent bacteria (>12%) in supplied water. The feed contained V. alginolyticus, A. hydrophila and Cellulomonas sp. as the dominant bacteria (>13%). In the culture water and larvae samples, 83% of the feed and supplied water bacteria were identified.     

First record of the adventive oriental aphid Schizaphis piricola (Matsumura, 1917) (Hemiptera, Aphididae) in Europe

The oriental aphid Schizaphis piricola (Matsumura) is recorded for the first time in Europe, on the ornamental pear tree Pyrus calleryana in landscaped areas in Madrid (Spain). Data on the morphology of the forms on primary host (apterous and alate fundatrigeniae and fundatrices), and their biology and distribution are given. The keys for identifying species of Schizaphis (Schizaphis) in the Iberian Peninsula are updated. Two species of aphids are also recorded for the first time on Pyrus calleryana: Schizaphis piricola and Aphis pomi.     

Quantitative estimation of gibberellic acid by paper chromatography

Метод для количественного определения от gibberellic кислоты в процессе брожения средства массовой информации, с использованием бумаги по убыванию хроматографии в butylacetate воды описана. Образца корректируется, чтобы рН 2.5-3.0, добыто с н-бутанола, и 0,05 мл. органического слоя пятнами на Хроматографический бумагу. После equilibration от Атмосфера в банке, chromatogram Разработана в butylacetate насыщенных с водой, за 7 часов, и растворитель разрешено покинуть капельного нижней части листа. Обнаружение осуществляется путем опрыскивания с 3% раствор серной кислоты в метаноле и после сушки бумаги, пятна с синий u.v. флуоресценции наблюдается. Определенный артикль площадь пятна оценивается с помощью калибровочной кривой, заговор с ценностей, стандартов, соответствующих 20, 60 и 120 μ g. gibberellic кислоты. Погрешность оценки составляет ± 10-15% когда оценки выполняются тщательно. Низкий предел чувствительности 5 μg.     

Quantitative estimation of population numbers of shrews (mammalia,insectivora) after wintering

Autumn-winter mortality in shrews (Sorex araneus, S. caecutiens, S. minutus) was estimated on the basis of long-term (12 years) live-trapping on the permanent transect lines in Tver oblast. Relative as well as absolute population numbers were estimated. Lesser shrew (S. minutus) has permanently low population numbers. Fall in this species made 40.1%, and it was scattered through this term. Common shrew (Sorex araneus) lose 89.3% of population and in masked shrew (S. caecutiens) those lost was 73.6%. The most lost was found in autumn and winter fall was as least as 38,2% and 30.4% in the latter two species. The mortality is positively dependent on population density in preceding summer and with severity of winter.     

Quantitative estimation of islet tissue of pancreas in water rat (Hydromys chrysogaster)

Pancreases from three male and three female adult water rats ( Hydromys chrysogaster ) were studied. Estimations of islet tissue mass and of individual cell types were made on paraffin sections of Bouin-fixed tissue taken from head, neck, body and tail regions of the pancreas of each animal. Islet tissue mass was assessed using a linear scanning technique (Carpenter & Lazarow, 1962) on sections stained with haematoxylin and eosin. Specific cell types were assessed using a point-intercept method (Weibel, Kistler & Scherle, 1966) on sections stained with aldehyde-fuchsin for beta (β) cells, phosphotungstic acid haematoxylin for alpha (α) cells and an immunoperoxidase method for somatostatin for delta ( δ ) cells. Positive regional differences noted were a greater percentage proportion of islet tissue in the tail region and a lower proportion of a cells in the head region. Alpha cells were peripherally situated in the islets.
These results show some elements of agreement with a previously proposed hypothesis (Bonner-Weir & Weir, 1979) regarding the general pattern of arrangement of the mammalian endocrine pancreas.     

Seasonal dynamics of the helminths of bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus) in a subtropical region

Seasonal prevalence and abundance of the helminths of bluegill sunfish in a Louisiana oligohaline bayou were measured by a survey and a field "live-box" experiment. The survey took place from the spring of 1997 to the summer of 1998 and examined fish that were <7 cm. Three trematode species, Phagicola nana (Heterophyidae), Ascocotyle tenuicollis (Heterophyidae), and Posthodiplostomum minimum (Diplostomatidae), and 2 nematode species, Camallanus oxycephalus (Camallanidae) and Spinitectus carolini (Cystidicolidae), were examined. Camallanus oxycephalus was the only helminth that showed a distinct seasonal pattern. Abundance and prevalence peaked in summer, which was likely driven by concerted reproductive cycles of females. The survey data indicated that the other helminths fluctuated over time but did not seem to follow a distinct seasonal pattern. The fluctuations could be attributed to the variable nature of the habitat or to the stochastic events that influence transmission dynamics, particularly isolated events such as tropical storms, which cause dramatic changes in salinity. The live-box experiment successfully measured recruitment of A. tenauicollis and suggested a seasonal component of the distribution of this species, which was possibly caused by temperature-dependent emergence of cercariae from the snail intermediate host.     

Contributions to the Caloplaca flora of the western Antarctic region

Fourteen species of the lichen genus Caloplaca are recorded from the western Antarctic region and described morphologically and anatomically, viz.: C. ammiospila, C. approximata, C. athallina, C. cirrochrooides, C. citrina, C. isidioclada, C. lucens, C. millegrana, C. regalis, C. sublobulata, C. tenuis, C. aff. anchon-phoeniceon. Type specimens of critical species have been studied. A key is provided to the species. Caloplaca ammiospila and C. approximata are reported as new to the Antarctic region.     

Quantitative estimation of islet tissue of pancreas in Spinifex hopping mouse (Notomys alexis)

Pancreases from three male and three female adult Spinifex hopping mice ( Notomys alexis ) were studied. No correlation was found between pancreas weight and body weight. Estimations of islet tissue mass and of individual cell types were made on paraffin sections of Bouin-fixed tissue taken from head, neck, body and tail regions of pancreas of each animal. Islet tissue mass was assessed using a linear scanning technique on sections stained with haematoxylin and eosin, and was compared with body weight. Specific cell types were assessed using a point-intercept method, on aldehyde-fuchsin-stained sections for beta (β) cells, and on immunoperoxidase labelled sections for alpha (α) cells (glucagon) and delta (δ) cells (somatostatin). Positive regional differences noted were a greater proportion of islet tissue in the tail region, and a lower proportion of α cells in the head region. Alpha cells were peripherally situated in the islets.
These results show some elements of agreement with a previously proposed hypothesis regarding the general patterns of arrangement of the mammalian endocrine pancreas.     

Quantitative estimation of islet tissue of pancreas in adult Grey kangaroos (Macropus fuliginosus)

Six Grey kangaroos, both male and female, were shot and weighed. The pancreas was isolated, weighed and samples fixed in Bouin's solution. Using a linear scanning technique (Carpenter & Lazarow, 1962) the mean islet tissue mass was estimated in head, neck, body and tail regions. A uniform distribution was found in all regions. The relationship between pancreas weight and body weight and islet mass in relation to body weight were calculated. Sections stained with aldehyde-fuchsin (Gomori, 1950), Mallory's phosphotungstic acid haemotoxylin and modified Davenport's technique (Epple, 1967) were prepared. Using a Wild-M501 semiautomatic sampling microscope and a Weibel graticule (Weibel et al., 1966) the percentage volume of β cells, α cells and δ cells were estimated respectively in the head, neck, body and tail regions of the six samples. The α cells or glucagon-producing cells were the most predominant as these macropodid marsupials are well adapted to dealing with hypoglycemic conditions. They were uniformly distributed in all regions.     

Temperature tolerance and biogeography of seaweeds: The marine algal flora of Helgoland (North Sea) as an example

Temperature tolerance (1 week exposure time) was determined at intervals during two successive years in 54 dominant marine benthic algae growing near Helgoland (North Sea). Seawater temperatures near Helgoland seasonally range between 3°C (in some years 0°) and 18°C. All algae survived 0°C, and none 33°C. Among the brown algae,Chorda tomentosa was the most sensitive species surviving only 18°C, followed by theLaminaria spp. surviving 20°, however not 23°C.Fucus spp. andCladostephus spongiosus were the most heat-tolerant brown algae, surviving 28°C. Among the red algae, species of the Delesseriaceae(Phycodrys rubens, Membranoptera alata) ranged on the lower end with a maximum survival temperature of 20°C, whereas the representatives of the Phyllophoraceae(Ahnfelitia plicata, Phyllophora truncata, P. pseudoceranoides) exhibited the maximum heat tolerance of the Helgoland marine algal flora with survival at 30°C. The latter value was also achieved byCodium fragile, Bryopsis hypnoides andEnteromorpha prolifera among the green algae, whereas theAcrosiphonia spp. survived only 20°C, andMonostroma undulatum only 10°C, not 15°C. Seasonal shifts of heat tolerance of up to 5°C were detected, especially inLaminaria spp. andDesmarestia aculeata. The majority of the dominant marine algal species of the Helgoland flora occurs in the Arctic, and it is hypothesized that also there the upper lethal limits of these species may hardly have changed even today. The data presented should provide a base for further analysis of the causes of geographical distribution of the North Atlantic algal species, but have still to be supplemented with similar investigations on other coasts, and supplemented with determinations of temperature requirements throughout the life cycle.Paper presented at the Seaweed Biogeography Workshop of the International Working Group on Seaweed Biogeography, held from 3–7 April 1984 at the Department of Marine Biology, University of Groningen (The Netherlands). Convenor: C. van den Hoek     

Materials for the fungus flora of Japan (51)

A discomycete in Sarcoscyphaceae is described and illustrated as new to Japan:Cookeina sulcipes (Berk.) Kuntze, found on decayed wood along the Aira River, Iriomote Island, Okinawa Pref., Japan. Hongo, T., Nippon Kingakukai Kaiho (Trans. Mycol. Soc. Japan)38: 99–100, 1997.     

Materials for the fungus flora of Japan (48)

A coelomycetePolymorphum quercinum, newly found on the branches ofFagus crenata in Japan, is described.(47): Kobayashi, T. et al., Mycoscience 35: 399–401, 1994.     

Materials for the fungus flora of Japan (49)

Two interesting microfungi are described as new to Japan:Talaromyces galapagensis (anam.Penicillium galapagense), isolated from soil in Shizuoka; andPenicillium megasporum, isolated from marine sludge in Nagasaki. Some observations are recorded, particularly on ascomatal initials ofT. galapagensis, which are similar to those described forTalaromyces flavus.(48): Kaneko, S., Mycoscience 36: 359–360, 1995.