Die Gattung Megaleuctra (Plecopt., Ins.)

Ohne ZusammenfassungHerrn Prof. Dr. W. E. Ankel in Verehrung zum 70. Geburtstag gewidmet.     

The Taxonomy of Sphacelaria cirrosa (Roth.) Ag., Sphacelaria fusca (Huds.) Ag., and Sphacelaria furcigera (Kutz.) Sauv: A Simple Statistical Approach

An attempt has been made to apply some simple statistical techniquesto the taxonomy of a problematical group of species within thegenus Sphacelaria Lyngb. Measurements were carried out on materialcollected from the field, material made available from Herbariumcollections and on material grown under experimental conditionsThe main characteristics considered are cell and filament dimensions,although certain reproductive structures have also been measured. It has been found that the number of longitudinal divisionsin each segment of the main axes and the primary branches hasa profound effect on the over-all appearance of the fronds ofthe three species investigated. Segment length breadth ratioand frond stiffness have been shown to be dependent on the numberof longitudinal walls. This characteristic has enabled one ofthe species, S. cirrosa (Roth) Ag., to be readily distinguishedfrom the other two. Another factor shown to be important is the determinate patternof growth displayed by S. cirrosa as opposed to the indeterminatepattern displayed by S. fusca (Huds ) Ag. and S. furcigera (Kutz.)Sauv. The pattern of growth affects the number of longitudinalwalls, filament width, and the relative lengths of the primarybranches. The angle at which branches emanate from the main axes has beenshown to be a useful characteristic in this group of species. The variability in the number of arms produced by each propagulepresents an interesting problem which has only been described,experimental work suggesting no explanation for this phenomenon.The degree of variability is clearly different in each speciesand is useful taxonomically if a large enough sample is availablefor examination.     

Zur Frage der Monogynie oder Polygynie beiMyrmecina graminicola (Latr.) (Hym., Form.)

Zusammenfassung Untersuchungen an 8 Kolonien vonMyrmecina graminicola ergaben, dass bei dieser Art neben monogynen auch echt polygyne Völker vorkommen. Im Gegensatz zu den Ergebnissen vonBaroni-Urbani (1968) ist daher eine funktionelle Monogynie beiMyrmecina nicht anzunehmen Ebenso kann eine obligatorische Monogynie ausgeschlossen werdent. Ob diese Art fakultative polygyn oder — wahrscheinlicher — regalmässig monogyn ist, kann noch nicht sicher entschieden werden.

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Summary By investigation on 8 colonies ofMyrmecina graminicola monogyny as well as real polygyny was proved in this species. Therefore contrary to the results ofBaroni-Urbani (1968) a functional monogyny ofMyrmecina cannot be supposed. An obligatory monogyny as well can be excluded. Whether this species is facultatively polygynous or—more likely—regularely monogynous, can't yet surely be decided.

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an der Immenburg 1, 53 Bonn, Rép. Féd. All.     

THE GROWTH OF BOTRYTIS CINEREA PERS., FUSARIUM CAERULEUM (LIB.) SACC., AND PHOMA FOVEATA FOISTER IN THE PRESENCE OF TETRACHLORONITROBENZENE ISOMERS

The linear growth of Botrytis cinerea, Fusarium caeruleum and Phoma foveata in culture was reduced in the presence of vapour from any of the three isomers of tetrachloronitrobenzene. The isomers were fungistatic but not fungicidal.
Differences in activity were observed amongst the isomers. The 2:3:4:6 isomer was the most active against all three test fungi. 2:3:5:6-TCNB (tecnazene) was more active than 2:3:4:5-TCNB against Botrytis cinerea , but less active against Fusarium caeruleum and Phoma foveata . Two strains of Fusarium caeruleum resistant to the 2:3:5:6 isomer were not resistant to the other two isomers, although they were more resistant than their 2:3:5:6-TCNB sensitive parent strains.
Sporulation and sclerotial production by Botrytis cinerea were completely suppressed by 2:3:5:6-TCNB and 2:3:4:6-TCNB but not by the 2:3:4:5: isomer.     

Zur Systematischen Stellung der Bactritina (Ammon., Cephalop.)

Zusammenfassung Die systematische Stellung der primitiven Ammonitengruppe Bactritina wird anhand des Hennigschen Argumentationsschemas (Phylogenetische Systematik) überprüft. Eine gültige Synapomorphie mit den Ammonoidea findet sich in dem Merkmalskombinat von externem Sipho mit Siphonallobus. Die Bactritina müssen als Ammonoidea angesprochen werden.

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Summary The systematic position of the primitive ammonites-group Bactritina is tested by Hennig's argumentation plan (phylogenetic systematics). A reliable synamorphy with the Ammonoidea is given by the feature-combination of external siphuncle with siphuncular-lobe. The Bactritina must be interpreted as Ammonoidea.

     

Developmental changes caused by metyrapone and azadirachtin in Spodoptera littoralis (Boisd.) (Lep., Noctuidae) and Galleria mellonella (L.) (Lep., Pyralidae)

Larvae of Spodoptera littoralis and Galleria mellonella reared on standard laboratory food were used in experiments with metyrapone and azadirachtin. Metyrapone in S. littoralis caused high elevation of metabolic rate which resulted in a significant increase of body-mass. This phenomenon was associated with precocious transformation to pupal stage. The same results were obtained after application of azadirachtin or neem oil. Restriction of reproduction was also observed in S. littoralis . Both these compounds influenced body pigmentation: the treated larvae was light green or light gray. Synthesis of melanin was inhibited. In Galleria mellonella , the effect was not as prominent.     

Chromosome studies on some Turkish species of Grimmia Hedw.: G. laevigata (Brid.) Brid., G. ovalis (Hedw.) Lindb., G. pulvinata (Hedw.) Sm., G. trichophylla Grev.

In this research, mitotic chromosome numbers in four species of Grimmia Hedw. from Turkey were reported. Mitotic chromosome numbers of three species : Grimmia laevigata (Brid.) Brid. (n = 26), Grimmia ovalis (Hedw.) Lindb. (n = 10), Grimmia pulvinata (Hedw.) Sm. (n = 26) were reported for the first time. Grimmia trichophylla Grev. (n = 13) showed the same chromosome number as in a previous study.     

Field experiments on colony foundation byLasius niger (L.) andL. flavus (F.) (Hym., Formicidae)

Summary Queens ofLasius flavus (F.) andL. niger (L.) were observed to choose sunlit bare areas for colony foundation and shading was found to reduce their success in founding colonies. Large colonies of these species killed queens of the opposite species first thus favouring the co-existence brought about by their habitat selection.     

SEASONALITY OF MICROBIAL FOULING ON ASCOPHYLLUM NODOSUM (L.) LEJOL., FUCUS VESICULOSUS L., POLYSIPHONIA LANOSA (L.) TANDY AND CHONDRUS CRISPUS STACKH1

The nature and seasonal extent of microbial fouling on Ascophyllum nodosum (L.) LeJol., Fucus vesiculosus L., Polysiphonia lanosa (L.) Tandy and Chondrus crispus Stackh. were observed by scanning electron microscopy. Bacterial filaments and smaller rod and coccoid forms dominated the fouling communities on all species, with pennate diatoms constituting a minor component in contrast to results with plastic substrates on which pennate diatoms dominated and preceded bacterial colonization. The total percent microbial coverage on the surfaces of all four seaweed species was determined by monthly stereological analyses of representative composite micrographs. These showed a simultaneous decline between April and May which could represent the die-off of the cold water bacterial flora when water temperature increased past the threshold for obligate psychrophiles. Microbial colonization patterns were directly correlated (P = 0.005) with maximum coverage in April and November–December and reduced levels from May to October. Significant inverse (P < 0.041) correlations between total percent coverage and water temperature indicate distinct seasonal cycles, however, the patterns of dominance by filamentous bacteria and rod and coccoid forms were markedly different. Total coverage patterns of both rhodophytes showed no apparent seasonal cycle and were not related to water temperature. Rod and coccoid bacteria were apparently suppressed year round on P. lanosa relative to the other species. These interspecific differences in seasonal fouling patterns are discussed in light of possible modes of regulation, especially algal antibiosis.