Further studies of the sieve-element plastids of theCaryophyllales includingBarbeuia,Corrigiola, Lyallia,Microtea, Sarcobatus,andTelephium

The sieve-element plastids of 69 species of theCaryophyllales were investigated by transmission electron microscopy. All contained the specific subtype-P3 plastids characterized by a peripheral ring of protein filaments. The presence or absence of an additional central protein crystal and their shape being either polygonal or globular as well as the average sizes of the sieve-element plastids are useful features in the characterization of some families.—Barbeuia contains sieve-element plastids that confirm its placement within thePhytolaccaceae. Lyallia differs fromHectorella by including small starch grains in their sieve-element plastids, which otherwise by their globular crystals negate a closer connection to theCaryophyllaceae. The lack of a central protein crystal in its form-P3fs plastids placesMicrotea best within theChenopodiaceae. Sarcobatus, a so far uncontested member of theChenopodiaceae, contains form-P3cf plastids, i.e., including a central crystal not found elsewhere in this family.Telephium andCorrigiola, shifted back and forth betweenMolluginaceae andCaryophyllaceae, have form-P3cf(s) plastids with a polygonal crystal which favor their placement within theCaryophyllaceae.     

Synopsis of the tribe Bocageeae (Annonaceae), with revisions of Cardiopetalum,Froesiodendron, Trigynaea,Bocagea, and Hornschuchia

The tribal name Bocageeae Endlicher is reestablished and the tribe is circumscribed on the basis of solitary internodal ebracteate pedicels that are articulated at the base, and pollen shed in polyads of eight or more grains. Septate anther locules, large pollen size, and seed appendages are prevalent in the tribe. Intectate pollen with free-standing columellae, rare in Annonaceae, occurs not only in the genusTrigynaea but also in some species ofBocagea andHornschuchia. As defined here, the Bocageeae include seven neotropical genera:Cymbopetalum, Porcelia, Bocagea, Cardiopetalum, Froesiodendron, Hornschuchia, andTrigynaea. The latter five genera are revised and the treatments include ten new species:Cardiopetalum plicatum, Froesiodendron urceocalyx, Hornschuchia lianarum, H. santosii, H. leptandra, Trigynaea cinnamomea, T. lanceipetala, T. triplinervis, T. lagaropoda, andT. axilliflora, all from tropical South America. A new combination,Froesiodendron longicuspe, changes the rank of that taxon from subspecies to species.Cardiopetalum surinamense is removed fromFroesiodendron and reassigned toCardiopetalum on the basis of its connate petals, dehiscent monocarps, and seeds with bilobed arils. A cladogram provides an explicit hypothesis of intergeneric relationships in the tribe. The new combinationOnychopetalum periquino, based onTrigynaea periquino, is made.     

A reconsideration of the genusRabdosiella (Lamiaceae,Nepetoideae, Ocimeae)

The two generaPlectranthus andIsodon are compared and found to be very dissimilar.Isodon ist considered to be misplaced inOcimeae subtribePlectranthinae and apparently is more closely related to subtribeHyptidinae. The disjunct genusRabdosiella is compared to these two genera and regarded to be polyphyletic. The AfricanR. calycina (Benth.)Codd is returned toPlectranthus and calledP. calycinus Benth., while the AsianR. ternifolia (D. Don)Codd is placed inIsodon sect.Pyramidium and calledI. ternifolius (D. Don)Kudo.     

Identification of b,c, and d cytochromes in the membrane of Vitreoscilla

Cytochromes b, c, d, and o were identified by spectroscopic analysis of respiratory membrane fragments from Vitreoscilla sp., strain C1. Carbon monoxide difference spectra of the reduced membranes had absorption maxima at 416, 534, and 571 nm (ascribed to cytochrome o) and 632 nm (cytochrome d). Derivative spectra of the pyridine hemochromogen spectra of the membranes identified the presence of b- and c-type cytochromes in Vitreoscilla. The cyanide binding curve of the membranes was biphasic with dissociation constants of 2.14 mM and 10.7 mM which were assigned to cytochrome o and cytochrome d, respectively. Membranes bound carbon monoxide with dissociation constant 3.9 M, which was assigned to cytochrome o. Cytochrome c ₅₅₆ and a NADH-p-iodonitrotetrazolium violet reductase component were partially purified from Vitreoscilla membranes.Abbreviations INT p-iodonitrotetrazolium violet - RMF respiratory membrane fragments - K _d dissociation constant - CHAPS 3-[(3-cholamido propyl) dimethylammonio]-1-propanesulfonate - DOC sodium deoxycholate - PAGE polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis - SDS sodium dodecyl sulfate     

Antibiotic Susceptibility as a Taxonomic Characteristic of Proteobacteria of the Genera Alteromonas, Pseudoalteromonas, Marinomonas, and Marinobacter

Type strains of bacteria of the genera Alteromonas, Pseudoalteromonas, Marinomonas, and Marinobacterand symbiotrophic bacteria isolated from the Far Eastern bivalve mollusks Crenomytilus grayanusand Mizuhopecten yessoensisand identified as Pseudoalteromonas nigrifaciensand P. citreawere tested for susceptibility to antibiotics. Of the ten antibiotics used in this study, benzylpenicillin, polymyxin, lincomycin, and oleandomycin were valuable for the polyphasic taxonomy of marine aerobic proteobacteria. Marine bacteria of the genera studied exhibited characteristic antibiotic susceptibility profiles, which were useful for the differentiation of the genera.     

Paleosols and paleoenvironments of the middle Miocene,Maboko Formation,Kenya

The middle Miocene (15 Ma) Maboko Formation of Maboko Island and Majiwa Bluffs, southwestern Kenya, has yielded abundant fossils of the earliest known cercopithecoid monkey (Victoriapithecus macinnesi), and of a kenyapithecine hominoid (Kenyapithecus africanus), as well as rare proconsuline (Simiolus leakeyorum, cf. Limnopithecus evansi) and oreopithecine apes (Mabokopithecus clarki, M. pickfordi), and galagids (Komba winamensis). Specific habitat preferences can be interpreted from large collections of primate fossils in different kinds of paleosols (pedotypes). Fossiliferous drab-colored paleosols with iron-manganese nodules (Yom pedotype) are like modern soils of seasonally waterlogged depressions (dambo). Their crumb structure and abundant fine root-traces, as well as scattered large calcareous rhizoconcretions indicate former vegetation of seasonally wet, wooded grassland. Other fossiliferous paleosols are evidence of nyika bushland (Ratong), and early-successional riparian woodland (Dhero). No fossils were found in Mogo paleosols interpreted as saline scrub soils. Very shallow calcic horizons (in Yom, Ratong, and Mogo paleosols) and Na-montmorillonite (in Mogo) are evidence of dry paleoclimate (300-500 mm MAP=mean annual precipitation). This is the driest paleoclimate and most open vegetation yet inferred as a habitat for any Kenyan Miocene apes or monkeys. Victoriapithecus was abundant in dambo wooded grassland (Yom) and riparian woodland (Dhero), a distribution like that of modern vervet monkeys. Kenyapithecus ranged through all these paleosols, but was the most common primate in nyika bushland paleosols (Ratong), comparable to baboons and macaques today. Mabokopithecus was virtually restricted to riparian woodland paleosols (Dhero), and Simiolus had a similar, but marginally wider, distribution. Habitat preferences of Mabokopithecus and Simiolus were like those of modern colobus monkeys and mangabeys. A single specimen of Komba was found in dambo wooded grassland paleosol (Yom), a habitat more like that of the living Senegal bushbaby than of rainforest galagids. A shift to non-forest habitats may explain the terrestrial adaptations of Victoriapithecus, basal to the cercopithecid radiation, and of Kenyapithecus, basal to the hominoid radiation. Both taxa are distinct from earlier Miocene arboreal proconsulines, oreopithecines and galagids.     

Evolution,pollination, and systematics of the tribeNeottieae (Orchidaceae)

The various classifications of the orchid tribeNeottieae are reviewed and a new classification is proposed that divides the tribe into three subtribes,Neottiinae, Limodorinae, andCephalantherinae, based primarily on characters of the column (gynostemium). A cladistic analysis illustrates that these three subtribes are more closely related to one another than either is to any other group in subfam.Neottioideae, although there are very few apomorphic characters for the tribe. Pollination biology is also discussed showing links between breeding systems and distribution. There is also a possible role between column and labellum morphology and the emergence of a deceptive pollination syndrome from one of reward.     

Production of the taste/odor-causing compound,trans-2,cis-6-nonadienal,within the Synurophyceae

Although several species of the Synurophyceae have been associated with taste and odor problems in potable water supplies, electron microscopic-based field studies linked problematic blooms only toSynura petersenii Korshikov. Eventually, the organic compoundtrans-2,cis-6-nonadienal was implicated to cause the associated cucumberlike odors. The objective of this study was to survey unialgal cultures of various Synurophycean species for the occurrence oftrans-2,cis-6-nonadienal. The compound was detected throughout a 24-day growth assay with aS. petersenii isolate, but was not detected in an identical assay withSynura sphagnicola (Korshikov) Korshikov. In separate 24-day cultures,trans-2,cis-6-nonadienal was detected in two isolates from theS. petersenii species complex, but was not detected in isolates of twoMallomonas or fourSynura taxa not from theS. petersenii complex. These results support the hypothesis that production oftrans-2,cis-6-nonadienal is unique to taxa within theS. petersenii complex. When contrast-enhancing optics and specific specimen preparation techniques are employed, light microscopy can be used to distinguish taxa in theS. petersenii complex from all other Synurophycean taxa. These methods are suggested as an efficient way to monitortrans-2,cis-6-nonadienal-producing taxa in potable water supplies.Author for correspondence     

Expression of the autofluorescent protein, DsRed2, in the recombinants of the ectomycorrhizal basidiomycete, Suillus grevillei, generated by Agrobacterium-mediated transformation

Recombinants were generated from the ectomycorrhizal basidiomycete, Suillus grevillei, through agroinfection using a binary vector carrying the hygromycin B resistance and the autofluorescent protein, DsRed2, markers. DsRed2 was driven by a cis-regulatory region of the glyceraldeyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase gene (gpd) from the wood-rotting basidiomycete, Coriolus hirsutus, which contains promoters and 5′ gpd sequences with first through fourth exons and expressed for the first time in Suillus spp. The transformation system and recombinants expressing an autofluorescent protein may be useful in genetic analysis of the symbiosis.     

Desert Truffles of the Australian Outback: Ecology,Ethnomycology, and Taxonomy

Desert Truffles of the Australian Outback: Ecology, Ethnomycology, and Taxonomy. The Aborigines of central Australia have traditionally used desert truffles as food. Truffle hunting in the desert requires substantial ecological knowledge, as truffles occur sporadically and only with adequate and properly distributed rainfall as well as the presence of necessary soil conditions and mycorrhizal hosts. Truffles are hunted primarily by women, who look for cracks or humps in the soil caused by expansion of the truffles, which are then extracted with digging sticks. The truffles are typically eaten raw or baked or roasted in ashes. Seven truffle species are recorded from the Australian Outback, including three that have been only recently described.     

Seed dispersal of the Korean pine,Pinus koraiensis,by the red squirrel,Sciurus vulgaris

Seed hoarding behavior of the red squirrel,Sciurus vulgaris, was studied in relation to the amount of dispersed seeds of the Korean pine,Pinus koraiensis, and the distribution of its seedlings. After removing a cone from a tree, squirrels sat on the ground and ripped off its cone scales before transporting it. A mean of 3.2 seeds were scatter-hoarded per hole. Of 7.7×10⁴ mature seeds produced in a 0.21 ha planted Korean pine forest, 22% were estimated to be directly eaten by four squirrels, 9% were hoarded by them in the pine forest and 65% were cached outside the forest. Squirrels rediscovered hoarded seeds frequently, until the ground was covered with snow, during the period from snow fall until seed germination the next spring, few hoarded seeds were utilized. Korean pine seedlings were found up to 600 m from their mother trees. Scatter-hoarding by squirrels extensively contributes to seed dispersal to places suitable for the regeneration of the Korean pine. The large size of the cone, the absciss-layer at the cone penduncle, the infrequent dehiscence of cone scales, the large and wingless seeds, and the thick seed-coats have probably all been specialized to facilitate utilization by GenusSciurus.     

Location,expression and orientation of the putative chlororespiratory enzymes,Ndh and IMMUTANS,in higher-plant plastids

The chloroplasts of many plants contain not only the photosynthetic electron transport chain, but also two enzymes, Ndh and IMMUTANS, which might participate in a chloroplast respiratory chain. IMMUTANS encodes a protein with strong similarities to the mitochondrial alternative oxidase and hence is likely to be a plastoquinol oxidase. The Ndh complex is a homologue of complex I of mitochondria and eubacteria and is considered to be a plastoquinone reductase. As yet these components have not been purified to homogeneity and their expression and orientation within the thylakoid remain ill-defined. Here we show that the IMMUTANS protein, like the Ndh complex, is a minor component of the thylakoid membrane and is localised to the stromal lamellae. Protease digestion of intact and broken thylakoids indicates that both Ndh and IMMUTANS are orientated towards the stromal phase of the membrane in Spinacia oleracea L. Such an orientation is consistent with a role for the Ndh complex in the energisation of the plastid membrane. In expression studies we show that IMMUTANS and the Ndh complex are present throughout the development of both Pisum sativum L. cv Progress No. 9 and Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) Heynh. leaves, from early expansion to early senescence. Interestingly, both the Ndh complex and the IMMUTANS protein accumulate within etiolated leaf tissue, lacking the photosystem II complex, consistent with roles outside photosynthetic electron transport.Abbreviations PQ plastoquinone - PSI, PSII photosystem I, II     

Analysis of the mutagenic properties of the UmuDC, MucAB and RumAB proteins, using a site-specific abasic lesion

ThemucAB andrumAB loci have been shown to promote mutagenesis to a greater extent than the structurally and functionally homologousEscherichia coli umuDC operon. We have analyzed the basis of this enhanced mutagenesis by comparing the influence of these operons, relative toumuDC, on the mutagenic properties of each of two abasic sites, specifically located in a single-stranded vector. Experiments with these vectors are useful analytical tools because they provide independent estimates of the efficiency of translesion synthesis and of the relative frequencies of each type of nucleotide insertion or other kind of mutagenic event. TheumuDC, mucAB, andrumAB genes were expressed from their naturalLexA-regulated promoter on low-copy-number plasmids in isogenic strains carrying aumuDC deletion. In addition, plasmids expressing the UmuD'C, MucA'B, or RumA'B proteins were also used. Compared toumuDC, the chief effect ofmucAB was to increase the efficiency of translesion synthesis past the abasic site. The enhanced capacity ofmucAB for translesion synthesis depended about equally on an inherently greater capacity to promote this process and on a greater susceptibility of the MucA protein to proteolytic processing. The RumA protein also appeared to be more susceptible to proteolytic processing, but the inherent capacity of theRum products for translesion synthesis was no greater than that ofUmuDC. dAMP was inserted opposite one of the two abasic sites studied at a somewhat greater frequency in strains expressingrum (82%) compared to those expressingumu (72%), which might result in higher mutation frequencies inrumAB than inumuDC strains.     

Some ecological aspects of the copepod parasites of the common hake, merluccius hubbsi, from the argentineuruguayan coasts

A total of 2164 common hake Merluccius hubbsi captured in the Argentine-Uruguayan Common Fishing Zone was examined for parasitic copepods. The fish were infested with Chondracanlhus palpifer and Neobrachietia insidiosa f. lageniformis, the former parasitizing the buccal cavity and the latter the branchial arches. C. palpifer showed an increase in both prevalence and intensity in relation to the host size; infestation with N. insidiosa f. lageniformis decreased with increasing length of hake. Attachment site preferences and variations in the parasite distribution patterns as related to the host biology were observed. Evidence of negative association between copepod species and seasonal changes in the parasite composition was also found.     

Fossil wood flora of the early Miocene Nawamata formation of Monzen,Noto Peninsula,central Japan

Silicified wood collected from the Lower Miocene Nawamata Formation at two localities, Nakaya and Nigoriike, Monzen-machi, Noto Peninsula, central Japan, were identified. Among the 58 specimens there are two species of conifers and eleven species of dicotyledons:Taxodioxylon cunninghamioides (Watari) Watari andT. sequoianum (Merckl.) Gothan (both Taxodiaceae),Carya protojaponica Watari (Juglandaceae),Pterocarya rhoifolia Siebold et Zucc. (Juglandaceae),Ostrya monzenensis sp. nov. (Betulaceae),Quercus anataiensis (Watari) Watari (Fagaceae),Liquidambar hisauchii comb. nov. (Hamamelidaceae),Prunus iwatense (Watari) Takahashi et Suzuki (Rosaceae),Gleditsia paleojaponica comb. nov. (Leguminosae),Acer watarianum Takahashi et Suzuki (Aceraceae),Meliosma mio-oldhami sp. nov. (Sabiaceae),Reevesia miocenica Watari (Sterculiaceae), andFraxinus notoensis sp. nov. (Oleaceae). The fossil wood floras at the two localities are compared to the Daijima Flora, and warm-and/or cool-temperate mesic forests are suggested to occur in the Early Miocene of Monzen.     

Reliability of the emotions profile index,primate form,withPapio hamadryas,Macaca fuscata,and twoSaimiri species

An evaluation of the reliability of the Emotions Profile Index (EPI), primate form, was carried out using two captive species of Old World monkeys (Papio hamadryas andMacaca fuscata) and two species (?) of New World monkeys (Saimiri sciureus andS. boliviensis). Observers, some familiar with the animals and some unfamiliar, rated members of the four groups at different times. Inter-rater reliability was high for most members of all species, but only when the observers were familiar with the animals. Assessments remained stable over at least one year.     

The Ectoparasites of the European Badger, Meles meles, and the Behavior of the Host-Specific Flea, Paraceras melis

The badger-specific flea, Paraceras melis, jumps repeatedly when separated from its host Meles meles; thereafter fleas settled into sheltered positions. After separation from badgers, some 42% of fleas (n = 63) voided their gut contents; this was associated with a significant increase in mean jumping distance. The maximum longevity of fleas away from the host was 89 days, with 50% mortality at around 35 days. Badger lice, Trichodectes melis, survived for up to 3 days postcapture. We conclude that the badger's habit of frequently swapping dens with a mean period of return of 6 days is unlikely to bring about significant mortality of adult fleas but may effectively eradicate lice. Fleas abandoned in bedding in a simulated badger sett were mobile, being drawn toward light and moving upward. This response would draw the fleas to the den entrance, which may be a suitable site to intercept returning badgers. The fleas responded to stimuli which might signal the proximity of the host: they jumped toward sources of carbon dioxide and of carbon dioxide in air current directed at the flea. The strongest response was seen when a mixture of stimuli consisting of carbon dioxide, a dark circle of card, and movement were tested; the majority of fleas jumped toward the mixed stimulus. Finally, fleas separated from the host responded to exhaled air by running and jumping; this is in marked contrast to their response to those stimuli when on the host, when fleas run downward and very rarely jump. These contrasting observations find adaptive explanation in the two contexts.     

Serial reconstruction of the mitochondrial reticulum in the antarctic flagellate,Pyramimonas gelidicola (Prasinophyceae,Chlorophyta)

Summary A serial reconstruction ofPyramimonas gelidicola McFadden, Moestrup andWetherbee has revealed a large reticulated mitochondrion branching throughout the cell. The possibility of single mitochondria in other members of thePrasinophyceae and the uniformity of the morphology of this organelle within the class is discussed.