Myosatellite cells associated with different muscle fibre types in the Atlantic hagfish (Myxine glutinosa,L.)

Summary The incidence of myosatellite cells associated with white and red muscle fibres of the parietal muscle and red fibres of the craniovelar muscle was estimated by quantitative electron microscopy in the Atlantic hagfish (Myxine glutinosa, L.). Myosatellite cell nuclei constitute 3, 11 and 23 % of the total number of nuclei inside the basal lamina of the three types of muscle fibres, respectively. However, the total number of nuclei is highest in white fibres, most of the nuclei belonging to striated muscle cells. Myosatellite cell profiles in transverse sections constitute 23, 41 and 61 % of the number of muscle fibre profiles of the three types, respectively. The intervals between adjacent myosatellite cells are 135 m in white fibres, 55 m in red parietal fibres, and only 25 m in craniovelar fibres. Since craniovelar fibres are also comparatively thin, myosatellite cells constitute a significant fraction of the volume inside the basal lamina in these fibres. The myosatellite cells are 30–50 m long and up to 5 m thick. Some myosatellite cells possess few organelles, whereas others appear to contain many free ribosomes, granular endoplasmic reticulum, prominent Golgi apparatus and lysosome-like bodies.This investigation was supported by the Norwegian Research Council for Science and the Humanities (NAVF grant No. C20.30–37). The authors are indebted to Jorunn Line Vaaland and Berit Branil for technical assistance, and to Dr. Finn Walvig, Biological Station, University of Oslo, Drøbak, for supplying the hagfish     

Ultrastructure and behaviour of the spindle pole body of the aphid-pathogenic fungusErynia neoaphidis

Summary A detailed account of the ultrastructure and behaviour of the spindle pole body (SPB) of the entomophthoraceous fungusErynia neoaphidis is presented for the first time.The SPB consists of extranuclear (ENC) and intranuclear (INC) components. The ENC is a saucepan-shaped structure which lies in a pocket of the nuclear envelope. It is composed of a forked, fibrillar handle and a shallow, cylindrical pan. The pan has a wall of two layers, both of which are thickened with a regular periodicity so that they appear to be beaded. It is postulated that the pan is formed from rough endoplasmic reticulum and that it synthesizes the amorphous, electron-dense material coating the ENC.The INC is a saucer-shaped, electron-dense plaque in which the ends of the spindle microtubules terminate. During metaphase, a clear zone separates the INC from the nuclear envelope and persists until telophase. The roles of the amorphous, electron-dense material and the clear zone as well as the method of SPB replication are discussed.     

A Cytogenetic Study of the Leaf Beetle Genus Cyrtonus (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae)

The chromosomes of ten species of Cyrtonus and the genome sizes of six are surveyed. Among the total of 15 chromosomally studied species, 11 have 2n=28 chromosomes and a 13+Xy_p male meioformula, three have 2n=40 and 19+Xy_p and one 2n=46 and 22+Xy_p. All but one species with 28 chromosomes show only metacentric or submetacentric chromosomes, whereas the species with 40 and 46 chromosomes display some telocentrics or subtelocentrics, that are probably derived from the former by centric fissions. However, since the number of major chromosome arms is strikingly higher in these latter species (NF=70 and 78) than in the 28-chromosome species (mostly NF=56), other chromosomal rearrangements such as pericentric inversions or heterochromatin accretions could also be involved. The genome sizes display a narrow range, from 1C=0.6–1.22pg, and they are not significantly correlated with the chromosome numbers. Some possible factors implied in the rough chromosomal evolution of Cyrtonus are discussed in relation to a few other genera of the subfamily Chrysomelinae.     

Chemotaxonomic study of the genusTabernaemontana (Apocynaceae) based on their indole alkaloid content

According to their alkaloidal products species of the new genusTabernaemontana can be partly differentiated. This differentiation is in agreement with the old genera classification. From the chemotaxonomic point of view a subdivision of subfam.Plumerioideae of theApocynaceae is proposed.     

Glycerol-, inositol-, and reducing end hexose-containing oligosaccharides in human urine

Ten previously unreported oligosaccharides have been purified from the urines of human subjects using a combination of gel filtration, ion exchange, and thin-layer chromatographies. Their structures were determined by direct probe mass spectrometry, methylation analysis, and proton NMR spectroscopy of the permethylated oligosaccharide alditols.On the basis of composition, the oligosaccharides could be divided into three groups. Five oligosaccharides containing glycerol were characterized as glucosyl1-1glycerol; glucosyl1-1glycerol; galactosyl1-1glycerol; glucosyl-1-1(fucosyl-1-2)glycerol and/or fucosyl-1-1(glucosyl-1-2)glycerol; and glucosyl-1-1(galactosyl-1-2)glycerol or galactosyl-1-1(glucosyl-1-2)glycerol. Four inositol-containing oligosaccharides were characterized as galactosyl1 (fucosyl1)inositol,N-acetylgalactosaminyl1 (fucosyl1)inositol, fucosyl1-2galactosyl1 (N-acetylgalactosaminyl1)inositol and fucosyl1-2galactosyl1-4-N-acetylglucosaminyl1(N-acetylgalactosaminyl1)inositol. Finally, galactosyl1-3(fucosyl1-2)galactosyl1-6galactosyl1-4(fucosyl1-3)glucose, an oligosaccharide with glucose at its reducing end, was tentatively identified. The significance and possible origins of the carbohydrate structures are discussed.     

Electrophoretic analysis of the high-molecular-weight glutenin subunits of Triticum monococcum,T. urartu,and the A genome of bread wheat (T. aestivum)

Summary The high molecular weight (HMW) subunit composition of glutenin was analysed by sodium dodecyl sulphate, polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) in the A genome of 497 diploid wheats and in 851 landraces of bread wheat. The material comprised 209 accessions of wild Triticum monococcum ssp. boeoticum from Greece, Turkey, Lebanon, Armenia, Iraq, and Iran; 132 accessions of the primitive domesticate T. monococcum ssp. monococcum from many different germplasm collections; one accession of free-threshing T. monococcum ssp. sinskajae; 155 accessions of wild T. urartu from Lebanon, Turkey, Armenia, Iraq, and Iran; and landraces of T. aestivum, mainly from the Mediterranean area and countries bordering on the Himalayan Mountains. Four novel HMW glutenin sub-units were discovered in the landraces of bread wheat, and the alleles that control them were designated Glu-Ald through Glu-Alg, respectively. The HMW subunits of T. monococcum ssp. boeoticum have a major, x subunit of slow mobility and several, less prominent, y subunits of greater mobility, all of which fall within the mobility range of HMW subunits reported for bread wheat. In T. monococcum ssp. monococcum the range of the banding patterns for HMW subunits was similar to that of ssp. boeoticum. However, two accessions, while containing y subunits were null for x subunits. The single accession of Triticum monococcum ssp. sinskajae had a banding pattern similar to that of most ssp. boeoticum and ssp. monococcum accessions. The HMW subunit banding patterns of T. urartu accessions were distinct from those of T. monococcum. All of them contained one major x and most contained one major y subunit. In the other accessions a y subunit was not expressed. The active genes for y subunits, if transferred to bread wheat, may be useful in improving bread-making quality.     

The genetics of phototaxis in Daphnia magna: Existence of three phenotypes for vertical migration among parthenogenetic females

Using a cloning technique, we revealed the existence of three phototactically distinct types in Daphnia magna, viz. negatives, positives, and gipsies. The latter migrate continuously between a low and a high light intensity. The expression of this behaviour is genetically determined, although positives and negatives can reversibly switch into gipsies.It is proposed that two opposite genotypes exist, with the gipsy behaviour epigenetically induced. All juveniles behave more or less uniformly, irrespective of their origin. The phototactic responses develop rather late during ontogenesis.     

Evolution alpiner Populationen vonEuphrasia (Scrophulariaceae): Die mittel- bis kleinblütigen,drüsenhaarigen Arten

A more precise taxonomic concept ofE. hirtella and its infraspecific synonymy is presented. Its diploid nature (2n = 22) is confirmed. Within the European area ofE. hirtella five different races may be recognised: typical, brandisii, capitulata, Rofan and Bretagne. Taxonomic rank is not yet attributed to these races. The heterogeneous taxonomic assembly E. drosocalyx is disentangled. The type refers to products of hybrid introgression ofE. rostkoviana-characters (long glandular hairs) intoE. minima.

Former contributions of this series areEhrendorfer & Vitek (1984) andGreilhuber & al. (1984).     

Satellited chromosomes,systematics and phylogeny inTaraxacum (Asteraceae)

A survey is made of the occurrence, nature and frequency of satellited chromosomes in the agamospermous genusTaraxacum. Species belonging to the 10 sections thought to be most primitive in the genus lack satellited chromosomes. In most other sections, a characteristic satellited chromosome is seen with a large euchromatic region distal to the presumed nucleolar oraniser region (NOR). In sections of a precursor type, there is always one chromosome of this Taraxacum type per haploid genome. In sections thought to be of an advanced type the number of such satellited chromosomes is very unstable, sometimes even within the same tissue. In sectionHamata, two such satellited chromosomes are invariably found in triploids. This finding strongly supports the integrity of this section, suggests that the species of the section are monophyletic, and have evolved from a single ancestor subsequent to the occurrence of obligate agamospermy. In three sections of the genus, satellited chromosomes of the conventional type with a very small distal euchromatic region distal to the NOR are reported for the first time in the genus.     

Alleles at plasma alpha-amylase locus(Amy-1) of the house musk shrew(Suncus murinus): frequency distribution and new variants in laboratory lines and local Asian populations

Among nine laboratory shrew lines originating from the Japanese islands (Nag, Tok, TKU, Ize, Tr and OKI lines), West Java (Bog), Bangladesh (BAN) and Sri Lanka (SRI), Nag, Tr and Bog were fixed with Amy-1b and SRI with Amy-1a. The remaining lines were still highly polymorphic with the two alleles. A new electrophoretic band C was found in the BAN line and concluded to be expressed by a codominant allele, Amy-1c, which was carried by a single heterozygous female from among eleven wild shrews of the original breeding stock. In most local populations of the Asian shrews surveyed, Amy-1b was more common than Amy-1a. The Sri Lanka population was clearly distinguishable from the others, being nearly fixed with Amy-1a. The C band was found in eleven (one homozygous) of 86 wild shrews caught in Bangladesh. Of a total of 234 wild shrews collected from four Japanese and two Indonesian islands, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka, only two showed different AMY-bands from AMY-A, -B and -C, and such bands were not found in the laboratory-bred shrews examined.     

Phylohydrax (Rubiaceae-Spermacoceae)—a new genus to accommodate the African and Madagascan“Hydrophylax” species

Hydrophylax, a genus of maritime strand or dune plants, was previously thought to comprise three species, one from India, Sri Lanka and Thailand (H. maritima), and two from Africa and Madagascar (H. carnosa and H. madagascariensis respectively). Evidence is presented that the African and Madagascan species are better placed into a separate genus (Phylohydrax). Differential characters betweenH. maritima andP. carnosa—P. madagascariensis, the relationships between the three species, and the affinities ofPhylohydrax andHydrophylax to otherSpermacoceae are discussed in detail.     

Ultrastructure of Haller's organ in the tick Amblyomma americanum (L.)

Summary Haller's organ on the tarsus of the tick Amblyomma americanum (L.) (Acarina: Ixodidae; nymphal stage) was studied by scanning and transmission electron microscopy. It consists of a distal bristle group, (the anterior pit), and a proximal capsule which encloses several sensilla. The seven sensilla of the anterior pit (A1–A7) are all thick-walled and multi-innervated (2–9 neurons), but at least three different types can be differentiated. Sensilla A1 and A2 possess large, plugged pores (>1000 Å) and are the only sensilla with branching dendrites. A3 and A5 are characterized by a spoke-wheel arrangement of the cuticle wall and very fine pores (100–200 Å) penetrating the spokes centrally; A4, A6, and A7 do not exhibit any pore system but a single opening at the bristle tip is assumed.The capsule contains seven thin-walled, blunt-tipped sensilla, and several non-sensory cuticular projections (pleomorphs). All of these sensilla possess large plugged pores in the cuticle wall and numerous dendritic branches of several neurons (3–5) in the lumen. Glandular openings were found inside the capsule; their significance is discussed.The fine structure of Haller's organ supports the functions postulated by Lees (1948), namely olfaction for the capsule and humidity reception (among others) for the anterior pit.This research was supported in part by the Office of Naval Research, and by NIH Training grant ES 00069. Paper no. 3459 of the Journal Series of the North Carolina State University Agricultural Experiment Station, Raleigh.     

Cellular location,activity states,and macromolecular organization of glucoamylase in Clostridium thermosaccharolyticum

By application of immunocytochemical techniques at the electron microscope level, glucoamylase was localized to the cell periphery in Clostridium thermosaccharolyticum during and following growth on starch, sucrose or glucose. Levels of immunolabelling were found to be relatively independent of growth substrate and of phase of growth, whereas previous studies had demonstrated strong dependence of glucoamylase activity on growth conditions; previously high levels of glucoamylase activity had been detected after growth on starch (i.e. during the stationary phase after growth) and only very low activities detected during exponential growth and following growth on glucose. The results presented demonstrate that levels of the glucoamylase protein are independent of measurable enzyme activity, and imply that the protein is constitutive. This indicates that the protein can exist in active and inactive states in the cell. By analogy with similar systems, we consider it likely that maturation or activation of newly synthesized glucoamylase occurs during (or following) transport through the cytoplasmic membrane. Electron microscopy of individual protein molecules which had been subjected to negative staining revealed that the enzyme consists of two domains of approximately equal size which are linked by a hinge region.     

Evolution of a protein superfamily: Relationships between vertebrate lens crystallins and microorganism dormancy proteins

Summary A search of sequence databases shows that spherulin 3a, an encystment-specific protein ofPhysarum polycephalum, is probably structurally related to the - and -crystallins, vertebrate ocular lens proteins, and to Protein S, a sporulation-specific protein ofMyxococcus xanthus. The - and -crystallins have two similar domains thought to have arisen by two successive gene duplication and fusion events. Molecular modeling confirms that spherulin 3a has all the characteristics required to adopt the tertiary structure of a single -crystallin domain. The structure of spherulin 3a thus illustrates an earlier stage in the evolution of this protein superfamily. The relationship of - and -crystallins to spherulin 3a and Protein S suggests that the lens proteins were derived from an ancestor with a role in stressresponse, perhaps a response to osmotic stress.     

Ganglioside lactones:1H-NMR determination of the inner ester position of GD1b-ganglioside lactone naturally occurring in human brain or produced by chemical synthesis

The complete definition of the chemical structure of G_D1b-ganglioside (G_D1b) lactone isolated from human brain has been given by means of spectrometric and spectroscopic analyses. G_D1h lactone contains a single ester linkage involving the external sialic acid carboxyl group and the C-9 hydroxyl group of the internal sialic acid unit. A synthetic lactone of G_D1b prepared treating G_D1b with glacial acetic acid characterized in the same way showed an identical chemical structure.Abbreviations: Ganglioside nomenclature is according to Svennerholm [16] and the IUPAC-IUB Recommendations [17] G_M1 G_M1-ganglioside, II³NeuAc-GgOse₄Cer, Gal1-3GalNac1-4[NeuAc2-3]Gal1-4Glc1-1Cer - G_D1b G_D1b-ganglioside, II³(NeuAc)₂GgOse₄Cer, Gal1-3GalNAc1-4[NeuAc2-8NeuAc2-3]Gal1-4Glc1-1Cer - G_D1b lactone G_D1b-L, Gal1-3GalNAc1-4[NeuAc(1-9)2-8NeuAc2-3]Gal1-4Glc1-1Cer - Cer ceramide - FAB-MS fast atom bombardment-mass spectrometry - ¹H-NMR proteon nuclear magnetic resonance - 1D-NMR one dimensional NMR - 2D-COSY two dimensional correlated spectroscopy - DMSO-d₆ deuterated dimethylsulfoxide     

The Use of the [13C]/[12C] Ratio for the Assay of the Microbial Oxidation of Hydrocarbons

The study deals with a comparative analysis of the relative abundances of the carbon isotopes ¹²C and ¹³C in the metabolites and biomass of the Burkholderia sp. BS3702 and Pseudomonas putida BS202-p strains capable of utilizing aliphatic (n-hexadecane) and aromatic (naphthalene) hydrocarbons as sources of carbon and energy. The isotope compositions of the carbon dioxide, biomass, and exometabolites produced during the growth of Burkholderia sp. BS3702 on n-hexadecane (¹³C = –44.6 ± 0.2) were characterized by the values of ¹³C_{CO 2} = –50.2 ± 0.4, ¹³C_biom = –46.6 ± 0.4, and ¹³C_exo = –41.5 ± 0.4, respectively. The isotope compositions of the carbon dioxide, biomass, and exometabolites produced during the growth of the same bacterial strain on naphthalene (¹³C = –21 ± 0.4) were characterized by the isotope effects ¹³C_{CO 2} = –24.1 ± 0.4, ¹³C_biom = –19.2 ± 0.4, and ¹³C_exo = –19.1 ± 0.4, respectively. The possibility of using the isotope composition of metabolic carbon dioxide for the rapid monitoring of the microbial degradation of petroleum hydrocarbons in the environment is discussed.     

Ecotoxicity of lead to the zebra musselDreissena Polymorpha,Pallas

The effect of lead on the filtration rate of the zebra musselDreissena polymorpha was investigated, together with the accumulation of Pb in the soft tissues of the mussels. The NOEC-filtration was 116 g.l^–1 (0,56 mol.l^–1) and the EC₅₀-filtration was 370 g.l^–1 (1.79 mol.l^–1). The NOEC-accumulation was the concentration found in the control water (1.4g.l^–1). These experiments show that the EC₅₀-filtration for Pb is similar to that for Cd, higher than that for Cu and lower than that for Zn. The water quality criteria for lead allow 25 g Pb.l^–1 in surface water. This will not cause short-term effects. Long-term effects may, however, occur, since an accumulation of Pb as low as 16 g.l^–1 was recorded in this study.     

Electron microscopic studies on the adenohypophysis of the White-Crowned sparrow,Zonotrichia leucophrys gambelii

Summary The pars distalis of the adenohypophysis of normal (78), thyroideotomized (6), adrenalectomized (6), and castrated (14) White-crowned Sparrows were observed with the electron microscope. Six types of glandular cells were identified and the ultrastructural characteristics of each have been described. To each has been assigned tentatively an endocrine function.STH cells are characterized by the presence of large, dense secretory granules ranging from 220–280 m, a poorly developed endoplasmic reticulum, and a fragmented Golgi apparatus; they occur only in the caudal lobe. They show no remarkable changes after adrenalectomy, castration, and thyroidectomy.Prolactin cells, whose identity is suggested by their responses to photostimulation and surgical experiments, are characterized by large, polymorphic, dense secretory granules; they have been found mainly in the cephalic lobe.ACTH cells, whose function is confirmed by their cytological responses to adrenalectomy, have a peculiar type of secretory granule (220 m) with high and low phases of electron density. They occur exclusively in the cephalic lobe and are transformed, after adrenalectomy to large, vacuolated adrenalectomy cells.TSH cells are so designated by their response to thyroidectomy. After thyroidectomy, they lose their specific fine secretory granules and are transformed into large, vacuolated thyroidectomy cells. We have found TSH cells and thyroidectomy cells only in the cephalic lobe.Two types considered to be gonadotropic cells from their responses to gonadectomy, occur in both the cephalic and caudal lobes. One of them contains spherical, dense secretory granules (180–220 m), prominent rough endoplasmic reticulum and a well developed Golgi apparatus; the other type contains dense secretory granules of variable size (150–350 m), a less extensively developed Golgi apparatus, and sac-like endoplasmic reticulum. Both types of gonadotropic cells show extreme enlargement and vacuolization after castration. However, they retain differences in appearance in the structure of cytoplasmic organelles and vacuolization.Dedicated to Professor Dr. H. Grau in honor of his 70th birthday.The investigation reported herein was supported by a research grant (HE 07240 NEUA) from the National Institutes of Health to Professor Vitums, by a research grant (5R01 NB 06187) from the National Institutes of Health to Professor Farner, and by a scientific research grant (No. 91049) from the Ministry of Education of Japan to Professor Mikami. The authors wish to thank Professor James R. King for his assistance in obtaining and maintaining the birds, and for his helpful advice concerning the experiments.     

Effects of population size on genetic diversity and seed production in the rare <Emphasis Type="Italic">Dictamnus albus</Emphasis>(Rutaceae) in central Germany

It is widely assumed that population size significantly affects the dynamics of plant populations. Smaller populations are threatened by genetic drift and inbreeding depression, both of which may result in a decrease of genetic variation and a resulting negative impact on plant fitness. In our study we analysed the patterns of random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) variation among 10 Dictamnus albuspopulations of varying size. The aim was to examine local differentiation in relation to spatial isolation resulting from limited population size and geographical distancing between populations. Significant correlations were noted between population size and both percentage of polymorphic loci (P <0.01) and genetic diversity (P<0.01). The matrix correlation between genetic and geographical distances revealed that geographical differentiation was reflected in the RAPD profile (Mantel test: r²=0.34, P<0.001). We found the highest level of molecular variance of RAPD patterns among individuals within the populations (72.6%), whereas among-population variation accounted for only 21.6% of variation. These results were highly significant in that they indicated a restricted population differentiation, as would be expected from outcrossing species. An additional analysis of seed production showed that there was significant variation among populations in terms of mean seed number per flower and mean seed mass per population which could be attributed to differences in population size as well as levels of genetic variation.     

Units of measurement for fractal extent,applied to the coastal distribution of bald eagle nests in the Aleutian Islands,Alaska

Summary Attempts to measure the nesting density or territory size of bald eagles led to a fundamental difficulty, inherent in all such measurements on organisms which are distributed along an irregular boundary, such as a coastline. The length of such a boundary is not a meaningful measure, and neither can a meaningful area be associated with each nest. Mandelbrot's (1983) fractal geometry applies to the problem, but has not previously supplied practical units of measurement for fractals such as coastlines or rugged surfaces. A practical method is given for measuring the extent of such fractals, introducing a unit of variable dimension, the metron, which includes the existing SI units of length, area and volume as special cases. A linear measure, the spacing allows densities on fractals of different dimensions to be compared directly. The method is applied to the distribution of bald eagle nests along the coastlines of two islands in the Aleutians, and an extension of the method to handle distributions on mountainsides and island surfaces is indicated.