Dimorphism and Monomorphism in the Plumbaginaceae: II. Pollen and Stigmata In the Genus Limonium

A survey of pollen- and stigma-dimorphism and monomorphism inthe genus Limonium (as understood at present) reveals considerableheterogeneity which is useful for the solution of taxonomic,phylogenetic, and phytogeographic problems. Two main pollen types (A and B) and two main stigma types (coband papillate) occur in the genus. Capitate stigmata also occur. ‘Type A’ pollen has frequently been found in conjunctionwith ‘papillate’ stigmata as a secondarily monomorphic(self-compatible) combination and this must have arisen at leastfour times in the genus as well as in Armeria. ‘Type B’pollen and ‘cob’ stigmata are recorded togetherfor the first time (also as a secondarily monomorphic, self-compatiblecombination) in L. echioides. Apomixis, already discovered insubsections Densiflorae and Dissitiflorae, has been found inL. cosyrense of the subsection Steirocladae. The taxonomic and phylogenetic significance of the facts indiscussed.     

Theodoropoulos, D.I. Invasion biology. Critique of a pseudoscience.

The back cover of this book states that ‘contrary to theclaims of the nativists, research shows that man-dispersed speciesincrease biological diversity, benefit ecosystems, and act asan important force for healing the planet’. This is anuncompromising statement, and David Theodoropoulos divides hisdevelopment of the arguments supporting this statement intothree parts. Part I (Chapters 1–6) is ‘Nature, Dispersaland Reaction’. Part II (Chapters 7 and 8) is ‘Why?Psychology, Politics and Pseudoscience’. Part III (Chapters9–11) is ‘Humanity and Diversity’. There isalso an ‘Introduction’ including a summary of findingsand ‘An outline for a new theory of anthropogenic dispersal’,     

Factors Determining Petal Colour of Baccara Roses II: THE EFFECT OF PIGMENT CONCENTRATION

‘Blueing’ in young and senescing petals was comparedin the red rose cv. Baccara. The ‘blueing’ of senescingflowers is accompanied by a bathochromic shift in the lightreflectance curve, a rise in the pH value and a decrease inthe malic acid concentration of the petal tissue. These factorsindicate that a complex with a co-pigment is produced. Similarchanges were not found in the ‘blueing’ of youngflowers, where a decrease was found in pigment concentrationper unit weight as well as per unit area of petal. A similar‘blueing’ was achieved by diluting a solution ofcrystalline cyanin. The phenomenon of ‘blueing’by dilution is discussed in the light of Bougeur's law.     

Plant-Pathogen Interactions. Annual Plant Reviews Vol. 11 * Talbot NC. ed. 2004. * Oxford/Boca Raton: Blackwell Publishing/CRS Press {pound}89{middle dot}50 (hardback). 248 pp.

This book is the 11th volume inthe series ‘Annual Plant Reviews’, which is dedicatedto summarizing the most recent achievements in specific fieldsof plant biology. The volume comprises nine different thematicchapters, each written by distinguished experts     

Increase in the Activity of Phenylalanine Ammonia-Lyase during the Non-Photoperiodic Induction of Flowering in Seedlings of Morning Glory (Pharbitis nil)

The activity of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase in the seedlingsof Pharbitis nil strains ‘Violet’ and ‘Kidachi’during the non-photoperiodic induction of flowering increasedin close association with the accumulation of phenylpropanoidsand the induction of flower buds. This observation suggestedthat the increased activity of phenyalanine ammonia-lyase causedthe accumulation of the phenylpropanoids and that the activationof the biosynthesis of phenylpropanoids might be involved inthe non-photoperiodic induction of flowering in the seedlingsof ‘Violet’ and ‘Kidachi’. (Received September 6, 1994; Accepted December 15, 1994)     

Narrow-leafed Lupins with Restricted Branching

Crop phenology is one of the most important characters influencingproductivity in a given environment. Narrow-leafed lupin (Lupinusangustifolius L.) is a major grain legume crop in southern Australiawith general phenological adaptation to this Mediterranean-typeenvironment. However, it is an indeterminate crop with severalassociated limitations to productivity, such as overlappingvegetative and reproductive growth, late grain filling and sometimesexcessive vegetative growth. Here we studied two novel typesof narrow-leafed lupin with restricted branching, which mightbe useful for overcoming these problems. These restricted branchinglupins arose spontaneously within a breeding population, inthe case of ‘Tallerack’, and within a farmer's cropin the case of ‘ Hurst’ and we compared them withthe ‘Merrit’, which is widely grown and has thenormal indeterminate branching habit. The morphology and developmentof the main shoot of these genotypes were similar. However,‘Hurst’ had much larger leaves. There were alsostriking differences in the lateral branches of the restrictedbranching types; they had fewer leaves than ‘Merrit’and flowered earlier. These differences were most marked in‘ Hurst’, where the upper main stem branches werereduced to a single floret in the axil of main stem leaves,and these flowers often exhibited abnormal morphology. Copyright2000 Annals of Botany Company Lupinus angustifolius L., narrow-leafed lupin, adaptation, development, morphology, branching, leaves, mutant, plastochron, phyllochron, floral initiation, flowering.     

Bioinformatics and Computational Biology Solutions Using R and Bioconductor. * Edited by Robert Gentleman, Wolfgang Huber, Vincent J. Carey, Rafael A. Irizarry and Sandrine Dudoit

This book guides through practical bioinformatics data analysisusing the Bioconductor toolkit, which is based on the statisticallanguage R. R itself is an open-source recreation of the languageS-Plus. The Bioconductor is a collection of R-packages for theanalysis of genomic and molecular biological data generatedin high-throughput experiments. High-throughput experimentsare characterized by large amounts of data generated in shortperiods of time on a sizable number of samples. This poses newchallenges to the analysis such as assessing and adjusting fornoise, exploration using cluster-analysis, visualization, andlinking to (or ‘annotating with’) biomedical knowledgebases. The book focuses on gene expression microarrays, the high-throughputtechnology for which statistical methods are best developedtoday. In addition, a     

Margaret Mee's Amazon. Diaries of an artist explorer. * Margaret Mee. 2003. * Woodbridge Suffolk, UK: Antique Collectors' Club. * {pound}29{middle dot}50 (hardback). 320 pp, 400 colour illustrations

‘Delight’ said CharlesDarwin in his diaries in 1832, ‘is a weak term to expressthe feelings of a naturalist who, for the first time, has wanderedby himself in a Brazilian forest’. These feelings musthave been those which drove Margaret Mee to explore the Brazilianjungles on numerous expeditions between 1958 and 1964, creatingwonderful pictures despite all kinds of difficulties encounteredin this hostile world. And these feelings were also those Ihad when I read this book: delight about her precise drawingsand life-like paintings, which are extremely expressive from     

The growing outer epidermal wall: design and physiological role of a composite structure

Background: The cells of growing plant organs secrete an extracellular fibrouscomposite (the primary wall) that allows the turgid protoplaststo expand irreversibly via wall-yielding events, which are regulatedby processes within the cytoplasm. The role of the epidermisin the control of stem elongation is described with specialreference to the outer epidermal wall (OEW), which forms a ‘tensileskin’. Novel Facts: The OEW is much thicker and less extensible than the walls ofthe inner tissues. Moreover, in the OEW the amount of celluloseper unit wall mass is considerably greater than in the innertissues. Ultrastructural studies have shown that the expandingOEW is composed of a highly ordered internal and a diffuse outerhalf, with helicoidally organized cellulose microfibrils inthe inner (load-bearing) region of this tension-stressed organwall. The structural and mechanical backbone of the wall consistsof helicoids, i.e. layers of parallel, inextensible cellulosemicrofibrils. These ‘plywood laminates’ containcrystalline ‘cables’ orientated in all directionswith respect to the axis of elongation (isotropic material).Cessation of cell elongation is accompanied by a loss of order,i.e. the OEW is a dynamic structure. Helicoidally arranged extracellularpolymers have also been found in certain bacteria, algae, fungiand animals. In the insect cuticle crystalline cutin nanofibrilsform characteristic ‘OEW-like’ herringbone patterns. Conclusions: Theoretical considerations, in vitro studies and computer simulationssuggest that extracellular biological helicoids form by directedself-assembly of the crystalline biopolymers. This spontaneousgeneration of complex design ‘without an intelligent designer’evolved independently in the protective ‘skin’ ofplants, animals and many other organisms.     

An Apparatus for the Measurement of Sap Flow in Unexcised Leafy Shoots

An apparatus is described for the measurement of water flowin shoots of woody plants by a steady-state heat-flow method.Two thermocouples are set up on either side of a heating elementinserted into the stem. The temperature difference between eachof these thermocouples and the surrounding air is measured.Theoretical considerations show that the logarithm of the ratioof this difference in the ‘downstream’ to that inthe ‘upstream’ position gives a measure of sap flow-rate.The apparatus provides a system that can be used in field orlaboratory conditions to follow water transport in the leafyshoot over periods of at least 24 h.     

Predator-prey interactions between Isochrysis galbana and Oxyrrhis marina. II. Release of non-protein amines and faeces during predation of Isochrysis

During the growth of Isochrysis galbana, several non-proteinamines may be detected in the growth medium. Of these, one (termed‘TTl’) accumulates in proportion to the numbersof cells present. The concentrations of ‘TTl’, andof another (termed ‘TA’), are 3–5 times higherin cultures in which Isochrysis is predated by Oxyrrhis marina.The lowest estimates of the concentration of extracellular ‘TTl’are an order of magnitude higher than those of any protein aminoacid. Of the protein amino acids, some like glycine are utilizedduring predation while others, like histidine, accumulate inthe medium Because of the unknown N-content and reactivity ofthe non-protein amines during HPLC, it is not possible to sayif these compounds (together with other components of dissolvedorganic N) form a significant proportion of the unaccountedfor N in the system after predatory activity. During predationin the absence of detectable free ammonium (when Isochrysismay be expected to be N-deprived), particles accumulate in themedium. Most of these are <2.5 µ.m in diameter andare suggested to be remains of digested prey. There is evidenceof a reassimilation of these particles by prey-deplete Oxyrrhis.     

Spatial variability of the mesozooplankton biomass and ichthyoplankton in the Canary region, in autumn 1991

In this paper, we study whether the variability introduced inthe Canary region by the Canary Islands on perturbing the generalflow of the Canary Current and trade winds, and by the NorthwestAfrican upwelling, is manifested in the mesozooplankton biomassdistribution and ichthyoplankton population. Two transects weresampled and two stations were occupied for 24 h during the firstpart of the cruise Canarias 9110. One transect and one stationwere located to the north, upstream of the Canary Islands, inthe ‘non-perturbed’ zone, and the other transectand station were to the south, downstream of the islands, inthe ‘perturbed’ zone. Oceanographic conditions,as represented by the vertical temperature structure, changedboth latitudinally, between upstream unperturbed and downstreamperturbed conditions, and longitudinally, between upwellingand oceanic situations. However, differences were evident onlyin mesozooplankton biomass and in the latitudinal sense. Likewise,the results obtained suggest that (i) there is an interconnectionbetween the neritic fish populations of the Macaronesian archipelagos,in a north–south sense and in a southerly direction, bymeans of the transport of fish larvae by the Azores and Canarycurrents, and (ii) this interconnection could affect both thosespecies whose larvae are well adapted for a long survival inthe pelagic environment, possessing morphological specializations,and those whose larvae do not present these characteristics.     

Ayala, F.J., Fitch, W.M. and Clegg, M.T. Variation and evolution in plants and microorganisms: toward a new synthesis 50 years after Stebbins

In January 2000, an impressive cohort of evolutionary biologistsconvened in Irvine, California, to celebrate the 50th anniversaryof the publication of G. Ledyard Stebbins’ Variation andevolution in plants. The brief introductory appreciation ofStebbins by Peter Raven describes Variation as ‘the mostimportant book on plant evolution of the 20th century’(p. 5). This strongly worded claim is not entirely without justification.Among the ‘New Synthesists’, Stebbins achieved forbotanists what Theodosius Dobzhansky (later to be a colleagueof Stebbins at UC Davis) had previously achieved for geneticists,Ernst Mayr for zoologists and G. G. Simpson for palaeontologists.Admittedly, the     

Comparative Studies of Seed Germination of two Newly Isolated Lines of Grand Rapids Lettuce

Two lines of Grand Rapids lettuce were isolated by self-pollinationof single plants. Seeds of one line, designated ‘A’,germinate in the dark at 25 °C. Seeds of the second line,designated ‘B’ germinate in a manner typical oftheir variety. The lines differ in sensitivity to red (R) andfar-red (FR) light, in the ability of their seeds to overcomeresistance of an external osmotically active medium, in theresponse of mature seeds to abscisic acid, and in the responseof young seeds to gibberellin and benzyl adenine. ‘A’seeds germinate faster than ‘B’ seeds in the darkor after R or FR irradiation.     

The Sensitivity of Net Photosynthesis in Several Plant Species to Short-term Fumigation with Sulphur Dioxide

The effects of exposure of up to 2 h with sulphur dioxide ona range of plant species was observed by measuring changes inthe rate of net photosynthesis under closely controlled environmentalconditions. Ryegrass, Lolium perenne ‘S23’ was thespecies most sensitive to SO₂; significant inhibition was detectedat 200 nl l^–1. Fumigations at 300 nl l^–1 also inhibitedphotosynthesis in field bean (Vicia faba cv. ‘Three FoldWhite’ and ‘Blaze’) and in barley (Hordeumvulgare cv. ‘Sonja’). No effect was detected inwheat (Triticum aestivum cv. ‘Virtue’) at concentrationsup to 600 nl l^–1 SO₂, or in oil-seed rape (Brassica napuscv. ‘Rafal’) except at 800 nl l^–1 SO₂). Recoverycommenced immediately after the fumigation was terminated andwas complete within 2 h when inhibition had not exceeded 20%during the SO₂ treatment. Key words: Sulphur dioxide, short-term fumigation, photosynthesis     

ERRATA

WARBURG, M. R., 1965. On the water economy of some Australianland snails. Proc. malac. Soc. Lond. 36, 297–305. Page 298: second line from bottom, should read ‘within± 1 µg for Themapupa’. Page 300: Fig. 2 legend, should read ‘Evaporative waterloss from Sinumelon remissum (a), Pleuroxia sp. (b) and Themapupaadelaidae (c)’. Page 300: section 4 heading, should read ‘Continuous curvesfor water loss’. Page 301: second line, for ‘Fig. 9’ read ‘Fig.3’. Page 301: Table 1, last line, for ‘0.120024’ read‘0.12024’. Present address: Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness-Ziona,Israel.     

Nitrogen budget in the euphotic zone of Lake Biwa from spring to summer, 1986

The production rate of participate nitrogen (PN) in Lake Biwafrom March to June 1986 was calculated by monthly measurementsof the proteinaceous nitrogen production rates. The ‘new’production rate was estimated from the decrease in nitrate inthe euphotic zone; during this period (91 days) it was estimatedas 93 mg atoms m^–2, and accounted for 20% of the ‘total’PN production (460 mg atoms m^–2). This implies that {smalltilde}80% of the PN produced might be recycled in the euphoticzone. The increase in PN in the euphotic zone during this period(27 mg atoms m^–2) accounted for 5.9% of the ‘total’PN production. This indicates that the remaining 14% of PN producedin the euphotic zone was vertically transported. Sediment trapexperiments at 30 m depth indicate that 8.1% of the PN producedin the euphotic zone was measured as downward flux at 30 m depthduring the stagnation period. Decompositional loss of PN between12.5 (bottom of the euphotic zone) and 30 m depth was estimatedas 17 mg atoms m^–2. This was calculated on the basis ofaccumulation of ammonium, which accounted for 3.7% of the ‘total’PN production. The flux from the euphotic zone thus accountedfor 12% of the ‘total’ PN production, suggestingthe validity of the production model.     

Stochastic Modelling for Systems Biology. * Darren J. Wilkinson

‘Stochastic Modelling for Systems Biology’ was designedto fill an important gap in the educational materials availablefor students learning about modelling methods for biologicalsystems. Specifically, while stochastic models are emergingas perhaps the preferred method for modelling cellular and subcellularbiochemistry in research practice, they remain unfamiliar tomost of those who are not specialists in the field. The underlyingmathematical and computational methods are well described inthe literature of other fields, but the translation to biologicalpractice is largely documented only in the current scientificliterature. There are few teaching materials available for thesemodels, particularly     

Uptake and Metabolism of Sugars by Suspension cultured Catharanthus roseus Cells

p. 186, right column line 11 ‘27.2 KBq’ change to‘37.2 MBq’ p. 187, left column line 8 ‘27.2 KBq’ change to‘37.2 MBq’ line 10 ‘13.6 KBq’ change to ‘18.6 MBq’ line 11 ‘13.6 KBq’ change to ‘18.6 MBq’ line 21 ‘89%’ change to ‘80%’ right column line 24 ‘CLC-NH₄’ change to ‘CLC-NH₂’ P. 189, Table 1 appeared incorrectly: it should appear as indicated.     

The Sensitivity of Light Modulation of Enzyme Activity to Arsenite and Sulphite and of Photosynthetic Induction toArsenite is Determined by a Cytoplasmic Gene

Muschinek, G., Alscher, R. and Anderson, L. E. 1987. The sensitivityof light modulation of enzyme activity to arsenite and sulphiteand of photosynthetic induction to arsenite is determined bya cytoplasmic gene—J. exp. Bot. 38: 1069–1075. The membrane component of the light modulation system was moresensitive to arsenite and to sulphite in the Pisum cultivar‘Nugget’ than in the cultivar ‘Progress No.9’. Likewise, the induction phase of CO₂ fixation wasmore arsenite sensitive in chloroplasts isolated from ‘Nugget’plants. Sensitivity was controlled by a cytoplasmic gene. Key words: Induction, light modulation, arsenite sensitivity