Scientific consequences of the wreck of the “Torrey Canyon”

Summary 1. The re-deployment of the resources of the Plymouth Laboratory required to observe the consequences of the Torrey Canyon disaster were described. Some excerpts were taken from the report (Smith 1968) to be published by the Marine Biological Association of U. K. on 18 March, 1968.2. Field studies were made at sea and on the polluted shores, as well as laboratory studies of the toxicity of the detergents employed to disperse the oil.3. The drift of the oil, established by aerial reconnaissance, was found to be directly ahead of the wind at 3.3 % of the wind speed.4. Now that the 3.3 % factor has been established by direct observation at sea, a limited aerial survey of the area where the oil was predicted to be would have been of more value than the blanket survey of a limited area close to the coast.5. When known, strong surface currents should be added vectorially to the calculated wind-drift. Two examples are quoted, one explaining the differences between calculated drift and the drift observed by the French while oil was northwest of Ushant. The results in the Helgoland Bight were compared.6. The value of craie de Champagne used by the French to sink the oil at sea and the possible part played by the phagotrophic flagellate,Noctiluca miliaris, were discussed.7. Implications of the Torrey Canyon disaster affecting international law and enforcement were developed. The need was stated for an international fire brigade ready to deal with pollution of the sea by an accident on the high seas or on a coast.

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Wissenschaftliche Konsequenzen des Schiffsunglücks der Torrey Canyon

Kurzfassung Einige Gesichtspunkte ozeanographischer und biologischer Untersuchungen, die unmittelbar nach dem Auflaufen des Öltankers Torrey Canyon im Englischen Kanal (März 1967) in Angriff genommen worden sind, werden geschildert. Unter anderem werden die Ölverdriftung durch Wind und Fragen der Toxizität der Detergentien, welche zur Dispergierung des ausgelaufenen Öls benutzt wurden, behandelt. Im Großeinsatz hat sich französische Kreide (craie de Champagne) als besonders wirksam erwiesen. Die Beteiligung von Mikroorganismen und des FlagellatenNoctiluca miliaris beim Ölabbau wird diskutiert. Auf eine zusammenfassende, von der Marine Biological Association herausgegebene Darstellung der wissenschaftlichen Ergebnisse, welche nach dem Tankerunglück erarbeitet worden sind, wird hingewiesen.

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The two papers which I presented at the International Symposium 1967 of the Biologische Anstalt Helgoland were not scientific papers in the usual sense but news reports of much interest only at the time. The colour photographs had all been lent by colleagues. Seven of these in black and white, have been published in Penn ar Bed which contains the article byBrusson (1967). Close counterparts of others are appearing in the Plymouth Report (Smith 1968). There seems no point in duplicate publication. The appearance of the Breton publication Penn ar Bed (in French) and further information has made it possible to add to some of the interim reports. The paper byBrusson (1967) has been especially useful. It has been thought better to give the latest views rather than a verbatim account from the tape recordings taken at the Symposium. The two addresses given at the Symposium have therefore been combined and condensed and then developed with the help of new material.     

Photoreversion und Photoprotektion bei UV-induzierten Mutationen des nichtphotoreaktivierbaren Bacteriums E.coli phr?

Summary Stationary phase cells of strain phr^–/MC 2 ofE. coli are not photoreactivable but the frequency of UV-induced mutations to low Streptomycine-resistance (S 3, 3/ml) is decreased strongly by illumination with light of fluorescence tubes (310 to 500 nm) after UV-irradiation. Also dark-reversion (DRM) of these mutations due to keeping UV-irradiated cells in saline is observed. Illumination before UV-irradiation decreases the frequency of the mutations (photoprotection against mutation=PPM) to the same extent as the combined action of photoreversion (PRM) and DRM. The lag-phase of cell division is prolonged strongly by illumination from 80 min without light to 150 min by the light-dose of highest activity. The additional lag is nearly the same if the illumination is done before, after or without UV-irradiation; this lag is about additive to the small lag caused by UV. Pre-illumination of the stationary-phase cells does not cause photoprotection against killing (PP), it even decreases the survival after high UV-doses. The observations support the hypothesis that PRM in this strain may be indirect, i.e. caused by the light-induced additional division lag which enhances the dark repair of UV-premutations. Also spontaneous premutations which are apparently present in the stationary-phase cells seem to be influenced by the light in this way.     

Die Richtungen des Nahrungsflusses im Darmtrakt der Kleinzikade Euscelidius variegatus KBM. (Jassidae)

Zusammenfassung Der Verlauf des Nahrungsflusses im Darmtrakt der Kleinzikade Euscelidius variegatus wird nach Verfütterung von farbstoffhaltiger Nährlösung ermittelt. Es wird der Beweis erbracht, daß die aufgenommene Nahrungsmenge in der Filterkammer geteilt wird und die beiden Anteile den Darmtrakt auf zwei verschiedenen Wegen in Richtung Rektalblase passieren. Ein Anteil der aufgenommenen Nährlösung wird über einen Kurzschlußweg in der Filterkammer sowohl über den Filterkammerdarm als auch über die Kryptonephridien direkt in den Enddarm gepumpt, während die in der Magentasche der Filterkammer verbleibenden Nahrungsanteile über einen langen Verdauungsweg zum After gelangen. Hierbei wird der Magentascheninhalt in den Magen gedrückt. Von dort aus passiert er den Mitteldarm und erreicht über den Enddarm den After. Der Kurzschlußweg und der Verdauungsweg können gleichzeitig benutzt werden. Der Kurzschlußweg wird von der Nahrung jedoch in viel kürzerer Zeit durchströmt als der längere Verdauungsweg.

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The directions of the flow of food in the alimentary trad of the leafhopper Euscelidius variegatus KBM. (Jassidae)

Summary The leafhopper Euscelidius variegatus is fed with synthetic food, coloured with 1% Azorubin-S. Its flow in the alimentary tract has been studied. It has been found that the sucked-in food is divided into two parts in the filter chamber, each taking different way in the alimentary tract for its flow. One part of the food is pumped into the hindgut via the short circuit way going through the filter chamber once over the Filterkammerdarm and also over the kryptonephries. That part of the food, which remains in the pocket of the filter chamber takes the long digestion way to the anus over stomach, midgut and hindgut. Both the ways could be used at the same time. But the food takes much shorter time for its passage through the short circuit way as compared to the time needed for the long digestion way.

     

Primary structure of the marmoset (Saguinus fuscicollis) hemoglobin. I. Use of tryptic maleylated peptides in the solubilization and sequence elucidation of the α- and β-chains

The primary structure of adult marmoset hemoglobin has been determined. The - and -chains of HbA were separated on a CM23 column in 8 M urea using a sodium phosphate gradient. Tryptic digests of the - and -chains were fractionated on a Dowex 50W-X2 column using a pH and pyridine acetate gradient. Large peptide fragments were obtained by the cyanogen bromide cleavage of the - and -chains, as well as by tryptic digestion of the maleylated - and -chains. The sequence was derived from the amino acid compositions and sequences of the individual tryptic peptide, automated sequence determination of intact - and -chains, as well as automated sequence determination of cyanogen bromide fragments and tryptic maleylated peptides derived from the - and -chains. The complete structure of marmoset adult hemoglobin is closely homologous to that of other primate hemoglobins. The sequence of the marmoset -chain differs from the -chain of human HbA at positions 8, 19, 23, 68, and 116. The -chain from marmoset HbA differs from the -chain of human HbA at positions 5, 13, 21, 50, 87, and 125.This work was supported in part by funds from a Physicians' Medical Education and Research Foundation Grant of the University of Tennessee Memorial Research Hospital and by NIH General Research Support Grant FR-5541 to the institution.     

Average phase difference theory and 1∶1 phase entrainment in interlimb coordination

The dynamics of coupled biological oscillators can be modeled by averaging the effects of coupling over each oscillatory cycle so that the coupling depends on the phase difference between the two oscillators and not on their specific states. Average phase difference theory claims that mode locking phenomena can be predicted by the average effects of the coupling influences. As a starting point for both empirical and theoretical investigations, Rand et al. (1988) have proposed d/dt= — K sin ), with phase-locked solutions =arcsin( /K), where is the difference between the uncoupled frequencies and K is the coupling strength. Phase-locking was evaluated in three experiments using an interlimb coordination paradigm in which a person oscillates hand-held pendulums. was controlled through length differences in the left and right pendulums. The coupled frequency _c was varied by a metronome, and scaled to the eigenfrequency _v of the coupled system K was assumed to vary inversely with _c. The results indicate that: (1) and K contribute multiplicatively to (2) =0 or = regardless of K when =0; (3) 0 or regardless of when K is large (relative to ); (4) results (1) to (3) hold identically for both in phase and antiphase coordination. The results also indicate that the relevant frequency is _c/_v rather than _c. Discussion high-lighted the significance of confirming =arcsin(/K) for more general treatments of phase-locking, such as circle map dynamics, and for the 11 phase-entrainment which characterizes biological movement systems.     

Purification and immunocytochemical localization of kafirins inSorghum bicolor (L. Moench) endosperm

Summary Kafirins are the storage proteins of sorghum and are found in protein bodies in the seed endosperm. They have been classified as -, -, and -kafirins according to differences in molecular weight, solubility, and structure. The kafirins were purified, amino acid composition was determined, and immunolocalization methods were used to determine the organization of the protein bodies and distribution of kafirins throughout the endosperm. All three groups of kafirins were low in lysine. -Kafirins and -kafirins were relatively high in cysteine, and -kafirins were relatively high in methionine. Transmission electron microscopy showed that protein bodies in the peripheral endosperm were spheroid with concentric rings and few darkly stained inclusions. In contrast, protein bodies of the central endosperm were irregularly shaped with a higher proportion of darkly stained material. The light staining regions of the protein bodies are composed primarily of -kafirins with minor portions of - and -kafirins. The dark staining regions, however, are composed primarily of - and -kafirins. Immunoelectron microscopy showed that protein bodies in the peripheral endosperm contain predominantly a-kafirin with minor amounts of - and -kafirin. Central endosperm protein bodies are also predominantly -kafirin, but have a higher proportion of -kafirin and -kafirin than the peripheral endosperm protein bodies.Abbreviations GAR-HRP Goat anti-rabbit horseradish peroxidase - IgG immunoglobulin G - 2-ME 2-mercaptoethanol - SDS-PAGE sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis - TBS Tris buffer saline - TBS-T Tris buffer saline with Tween - TBS-T-B Tris buffer saline with Tween and bovine serum albumin - TCA trichloroacetic acid - UV ultraviolet     

Aufnahme und Metabolisierung Radiculär Angebotenen Indols DurchSinapis Alba

Zusammenfassung Die beschriebenen experimentellen Befunde zeigen, daß die höhere Pflanze grundsätzlich in der Lage ist, organische Verbindungen aus dem Wurzelraum (Rhizosphäre) aufzunehmen, diese als Zwischenprodukte nutzt und in ihr biochemisches Zellgeschehen einschleust. Die organische Substanz (Humus) in natürlichen Standorten bietet somit unter Umständen vielfältige Möglichkeiten des direkten Einflusses organischer Verbindungen auf das Stoffwechselgeschehen der höhere Pflanze. Hier bieten sich eventuell auch Möglichkeiten, die Ausbildung von Ökotypen auf dieser Basis zu deuten.Mixotrophie der höheren Pflanze bedeutet also eine noch stärkere Verflechtung des Bio-Geo-Systems Pflanze-Boden und stellt den klassischen Begriff des Nährhumus unter einen neuen organodynamischen Gesichtspunkt.

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Summary The experimental results described above show, that the higher plant can take up organic compounds from the rhizosphere and utilize them in cell metabolism.Thus another type of chemical interaction between plant and the organic matter of soil is existing, by which the close integration of the bio-geosystem plant and soil can be demonstrated and a modern view of the classical concept of the nutritional functions of humus can be given.

     

Molecular screening and fetal diagnosis of β-thalassemia in the Italian population

Summary This paper reports our experience of molecular screening and fetal diagnosis of -thalassemia in 457 at risk couples of Italian descent. Molecular screening was carried out by dot blot analysis on amplified DNA with oligonucleotide probes complementary to the eight most common mutations in Italians [39 (CT); 6 (-A); ⁺-87 (CG); ⁺ IVSI nt 110 (GA); IVSI nt 1 (GA); ⁺ IVSI nt 6 (TC); IVSII nt 1 (GA); ⁺ IVSII nt 745 (CG)]. By using this approach, we have been able to define the mutation in 92.8% of cases. The rest (all but four) were defined by direct sequencing and this led to the detection of nine rare mutations [76 (-C); ⁺ IVSI nt 5 (GA); ⁺ IVSI nt 5 (GC); ⁺ IVSI -1 (cod 30) (GC); ⁺-87 (CT), -290 bp del.; ⁺-101 (CT)], and to the characterization of a novel mutation consisting of the deletion of the G at the invariant AG of the IVSII splice acceptor site of the -globin gene ( IVSII nt 850-1 bp). In the remaining four cases, the -globin gene showed entirely normal sequences and the -globin gene cluster was intact, as indicated by Southern blot analysis. Fetal diagnosis was carried out by dot blot analysis with the oligonucleotide probes defined in the parents. The procedure is simple and reliable, and the results can be obtained within 1 week of sampling. No misdiagnosis has so far occurred. The results indicate that fetal diagnosis of -thalassemia by DNA analysis may be obtained in practically all cases (even in a population showing marked heterogeneity of -thalassemia) by the combination of dot blot analysis for detecting common mutations, and direct sequencing for defining those that are uncommon.     

High D-glucose does not affect binding of α-tocopherol to human erythrocytes

The role of -tocopherol uptake system in human erythrocyte in the uptake of plasma -tocopherol has been suggested. However no information is available on -tocopherol uptake activity of human erythrocytes in the presence of high levels of D-glucose which is known to lead to pathological alterations in different cells including human erythrocytes. Therefore, in order to examine the effect of D-glucose on the binding of -tocopherol to human erythrocytes, the binding characteristics of -tocopherol to these cells were established first. Binding of [3H]-tocopherol to human erythrocytes was both saturable and specific. Scatchard analysis of -tocopherol binding to these cells showed the presence of two independent classes of binding sites with widely different affinities. The high affinity binding sites had a dissociation constant (Kd1) of 90 nM with a binding capacity (n1) of 900 sites per cell, whereas the low affinity binding sites had a dissociation constant (Kd2) of 5.2 M and a binding capacity (n2) of 105,400 sites per cell. Trypsin treatment abolished all the -tocopherol binding activity. Competition for the binding of -tocopherol to human erythrocytes was effective with other homologues of -tocopherol (-tocopherol, -tocopherol and -tocopherol) and their potency was almost equal to -tocopherol itself. The order of preference was -tocopherol > -tocopherol -tocopherol -tocopherol. Incubation of human erythrocytes with various concentrations of D-glucose did not affect -tocopherol uptake activity. Our data demonstrate the presence of an -tocopherol uptake system in human erythrocytes and that the -tocopherol uptake activity is not modulated by the presence of D-glucose.     

Identification of beta subunit of the rhesus monkey chorionic gonadotropin (rmCG)

Chorionic gonadotropin (CG) is a placental derived hormone that plays a crucial role in successful implantation and establishment of early pregnancy in the primates. The rhesus monkey was chosen as a model to understand the feasibility of developing human DNA immuno-contraceptive. The coding region of rhesus monkey CG -subunit (rmCG) was isolated by the TDRT-PCR method. The nucleotide sequence including the leader peptide was 499 nucleotide long and encoded 166 amino acids. In comparing with the previous known primates CG -subunits, the rmCG was the highest degree of homology with baboon CG -subunit at the deduced amino acid sequence (94%), 79.5% homology with human CG -subunit and 70.4% homology with marmoset monkey CG -subunit. The eukaryotic expression vector pCMV4-rmCG inserted full-coding cDNA sequence of rmCG was constructed, and the expression of rmCG -subunit in HeLa cells transient expressing system in vitro and BALB/c mice in vivo was determined. The results demonstrated that the recombinant PCMV4-rmCG eukaryotic expression vector could express rmCG -subunit in vitro and in vivo.     

Solution conformations of proline rings in proteins studied by NMR spectroscopy

Summary Three different conformations of proline rings in a protein in solution, Up, Down and Twist, have been distinguished, and stereospecific assignments of the pyrrolidine -, - and -hydrogens have been made on the basis of ¹H-¹H vicinal coupling constant patterns and intraresidue NOEs. For all three conformations, interhydrogen distances in the pairs -³, ³-³, ²-², ²-², and ³-³ (2.3 Å) are shorter than those in the pairs -², ²-³, ³-², ²-³, and ³-² (2.7–3.0 Å), resulting in stronger NOESY cross peaks. For the Up conformation, the ³-² and ²-³ spin-spin coupling constants are small (<3 Hz), and weak cross peaks are obtained in a short-mixing-time (10 ms) TOCSY spectrum; all other vicinal coupling constants are in the range 5–12 Hz, and result in medium to strong TOCSY cross peaks. For the Down form, the -², ²-³, and ³-² vicinal coupling constants are small, leading to weak TOCSY cross peaks; all other couplings again are in the range 5–12 Hz, and result in medium to strong TOCSY cross peaks. In the case of a Twist conformation, dynamically averaged coupling constants are anticipated. The procedure has been applied to bovine pancreatic trypsin inhibitor and Cucurbita maxima trypsin inhibitor-V, and ring conformations of all prolines in the two proteins have been determined.     

A proposito del llamado micetoma maduro-micosico del pulmon

Conclusiones Se efectúa el estudio de 5 observaciones del llamado Micetoma maduromicósico de pulmón en sus aspectos, histopatológico, micológico y clínico.Todas ellas pertenecen a mujeres y configuraron el cuadro de cavidad bronquial empastada, anotando el predominio de su localización en el lóbulo superior izquierdo.Se señala la uniformidad de los caracteres morfológicos que presenta la masa miceliana llamada grano en todos los casos estudiados, en los cuales no fué posible individualizar la existencia de órganos de fructificación que permitiéran una clasificación, cuando más no fuera, genérica del hongo observado.Se critica la aplicación del término Micetoma para éstos casos con igual criterio que el clásico, que supone una enfermedad micótica primitiva, razón por la cual se prefiere hablar de cavidad con contenido micótico o maduromicótico.En el único caso que se logró cultivar al hongo parásito, el estudio micológico del mismo permitió aislar una especie del GéneroAspergillua con caracteres morfológicos sumamente atípicos.

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Summary The author presents the study of five observations of the so-called Maduromycosis-mycetoma of the lungs in their clinical, histopathologic and mycologic aspects.The pathologic features in all these cases have been found in bronchial cavities of women, situated in the upper lobe of the lung. A compact mycelial mass, the grain, filled up these cavities.In one of the five cases a fungus was cultivated which was classified as belonging to the GenusAspergillus Michelii, with abnormal and atypical features.Short criticism is presented about the concept Maduromycosis mycetoma of the lung, applied by authors designating this process.

     

Molecular mapping of a new gene Rrs4 CI 11549 for resistance to barley scald (Rhynchosporium secalis)

Doubled haploid (DH) progeny from a cross between the scald susceptible barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) cultivar Ingrid and the resistant accession CI 11549 (Nigrinudum) was evaluated for resistance in the pathogen Rhynchosporium secalis (Oudem) J.J. Davis. Two linked and incompletely dominant loci confer resistance CI 11549 against isolate 4004. One is an allele at the complex Rrs1 locus on chromosome 3H close to the centromere; the other is located 22 cM distally on the long arm. The latter locus is designated Rrs4. In BC₃-lines into Ingrid from CI 2222 (another Nigrinudum) resistance seems governed by one locus close to the telomeric region of chromosome 7H, probably allelic to Rrs2. In neither case did we find any trace of the recessive gene rh8 reported to be present in Nigrinudum. Various resistance donors of Ethiopian origin designated as Nigrinudum, Jet or Abyssinian were identical to a great extent with respect to markers, but differed in resistance to different isolates of scald or in barley yellow dwarf virus (BYDV) resistance. The implications for their use as differentials in scald tests and screening of germplasm collections are discussed.     

Hippocampal GABAergic Interneurons: A Physiological Perspective

Oscillations within and across neuronal systems are believed to serve various complex functions, such as perception, cognition, movement initiation, plasticity and memory. GABAergic interneurons and their inhibitory synapses play a major role in these oscillatory patterns. Networks of inhibitory interneurons impose a coordinated oscillatory context for the content carried by networks of principal cells. This hypothesis implies that GABAergic neuronal supernetworks may cooperatively entrain large populations of pyramidal cells throughout the forebrain. Experiments on hippocampal interneurons are reviewed and possible solutions for some of these complex functions are illustrated.     

Intron III-Specific Markers for Screening of β-amylase Alleles in Barley Cultivars

In modern malting barley breeding it is important to increase the level of -amylase activity level in barley. The aim of this study was to investigate if a PCR method for screening -amy1 alleles can be used as an indicator for -amylase activity level in barley. Activity was assayed from 24 cultivars, 7 lines, and a Hordeum spontaneum PI 296897 strain grown in the same field. The -amy1 alleles were identified by amplifying the intron III-specific region of the gene using PCR. No new alleles were detected in addition to the three alleles found earlier: cv Adorra-like, cv Haruna Nijo-like and PI 296897-like -amy1 allele. Samples were grouped according to the nature of their -amy1 locus and enzyme activities were compared between the groups. Cultivars carrying a cv Haruna Nijo-like -amy1 allele had 1.3 times and lines carrying a PI 296897-like -amy1 allele had 2.1 times higher -amylase activity than cultivars carrying a cv Adorra-like -amy1 allele. The mean activities are significantly different in the allele groups (Kruskal–Wallis: for protein H= 11.54, P< 0.01; for meal H= 12.74, P< 0.01). PCR fragments can be used as allele specific markers to predict the level of -amylase activity in breeding when such variation of the intron III is concerned.     

Über das Wachstum der Pankreaszellen von Säugetieren als Monolayer Cultures

Zusammenfassung Fetale menschliche Pankreaszellen bilden sowohl spontan auf zuerst gewachsenem Zellrasen (self-aggregation) als auch in Rollröhrchen (48 rph) (rotation-mediated-aggregation) histotypische Aggregate, die A- und B-Zellen enthalten. In der Nährlösung dieser 6–17 Tage lang gewachsenen Gewebestückchen konnte, Insulin (=IRI=immunoreactive-insulin) nachgewiesen werden.

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Monolayer cultures of pancreatic tissueII. Formation of histotypic aggregates from cell suspensions of fetal human pancreas

Summary Fetal Pancreas cells of man, whether in self-aggregation or rotation-mediated-aggregation, form spontaneously histotypical aggregates containing A- and B-cells. It is possible by means of an immunological method to determine insulin (=IRI=immuno-reactive-insulin) in the nutrient medium of these 6 to 17 days old tissue aggregates.

     

Two rare GPT phenotypes in a Norwegian family

Summary Phenotypes of members of one Norwegian family have revealed a new allele in the GPT system: Gpt ⁷. Quantitative data of the phenotypes are given.

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Zusammenfassung Phenotypen bei Mitgliedern einer norwegischen Familie haben ein neues Allel im GPT-System gezeigt: Gpt ⁷. Es werden quantitative Daten dieser Phenotypen gegeben.

     

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.