PAGODATROCHUS, A NEW GENUS FOR MINOLIA VARIABILIS H. ADAMS, 1873 (GASTROPODA: TROCHIDAE)

Nomenclaturel confusion surrounding the name Minolia variabilisH. Adams, 1873 is clarified. Joint consideration of overallshell morphology and radula structure indicates previous subfamilialand generic referral of the taxon to be incorrect. This necessitatesthe proposal of Pagodatrochus gen. nov. which is provisionallyplaced in the Gibbulinae. Trochus mariei Fischer, 1886, andMinolia eutyches Melvill, 1918, are shown to be synonyms. Lectotypesof the following species are designated and figured: M. eutyches,Gibbula holdsworthana G. & H. Nevill, 1871, and Vanitrochustragema (Melvill & Standen, 1896); the holotype of Trochusmariei is also figured. Minolia charmosyne Melvill, 1918, issynonymised with Gibbula holdsworthana G. & H. Nevill, 1871. (Received 24 April 1988; accepted 26 May 1988)     

ERRATA

p. 136, 1. 25, for bombayana (Melvill) read bombayana (Sowerby). p. 138, 1. 24, for Trophora read Triphora. p. 255, 1. 6, for 1853 read 1856.      

ANATOMY OF SOME PILL CLAMS (BIVALVIA: PISIDIOIDEA) FROM AFRICA, WITH THE DESCRIPTION OF NEW TAXA

The anatomy of 4 species of pisiid clam sampled in Ethiopia,Zimbabwe and South Africa was studied. The new species Pisidiumethiopicum is described, including the Ethiopian form regardedearlier as a variety of P. casertanum (Poli). P. incomitatumKuiper is included in the genus Musculium as type species ofa new subgenus Pseudopisidium. Anatomical characters of PisidiumkenianumPreston and P. langleyanum Melvill & Ponsonby arealso discussed. (Received 22 March 1994; accepted 23 August 1994)     

GEOGRAPHIC VARIATION AND HETEROCHRONY IN TWO SPECIES OF COWRIES (GENUS CYPRAEA)

Geographic variation in the marine, Indo-Pacific cowry, Cypraea caputserpentis, involves clinal variations that parallel the ontogenetic development of adult shell characteristics. Cypraea caputdraconis, a closely related species endemic to Easter Island and Sala y Gómez, is morphologically similar to juvenile C. caputserpentis. Using multivariate measures of size and shape, I examine these patterns as a possible outcome of heterochrony, or changes in the timing of developmental events in ontogeny. Whorl-expansion rates of juvenile shells are significantly higher in C. caputdraconis when compared to C. caputserpentis and are negatively correlated with surface seawater temperatures among populations of C caputserpentis. High expansion rates, often associated with slow growth, result in a delay in the onset of lateral callus development and subsequent paedomorphosis. Ontogenetic trajectories calculated from growth series of adult and preadult shells indicate that paedomorphosis results from the combined effects of neoteny and post-displacement. Paedomorphosis among cowries may result from the advantages of larger body size relative to shell size under reduced predation intensities and associated increases in fecundity.     

A REVISION OF BENTHOBROOKULA CLARKE, 1961 (GASTROPODA, TROCHOIDEA) IN THE SOUTHWESTERN ATLANTIC OCEAN

A systematic revision of the species of Benthobrookula Clarke,1961 from the Southwestern Atlantic Ocean was carried out. Theglobose protoconch, sculptured with a reticulate pattern, isrecognized as a diagnostic character for the genus. Benthobrookulaexquisita Clarke, 1961 and B. powelli Clarke, 1961 are redescribedand Cyclostrema calypso Melvill & Standen, 1912, Brookulapfefferi Powell, 1951 and Brookula strebeli Powell, 1951 areredescribed and allocated to Benthobrookula. Benthobrookulastrebeli is validated on the basis of the study of topotypicalspecimens. Two new species are described: Benthobrookula argentinafrom South Georgia and Benthobrookula paranaensis from off Brazil.A new allocation of Scalaria brevis d'Orbigny, 1840 to Benthobrookulais proposed. (Received 14 October 2004; accepted 20 May 2005)     

Effect of Root Temperature on the Infection Processes and Nodulation in Lotus and Stylosanthes

Infection threads were observed abundantly in the root hairsof Lotus corniculatus L., but very rarely in L. hispidus, Desf.,in response to infection by Rhizobium strains 3001 and 3002.Numbers of infections differed between species and strains andwere also affected by temperature. In L. corniculatus all thenodules originated from infection threads, but in L. hispidusmost nodules appeared to originate by direct bacterial penetrationthrough the epidermis, and infected root hairs were very rarelyseen. Both species of Lotus were tolerant to cold temperatures,the minimum temperature for nodulation being 10 ?C. The optimumtemperature for nodulation of L. corniculatus was 20 ?C with3001 and between 27 and 30 ?C with 3002, a few nodules beingformed with both strains at 35 ?C. L. hispidus formed more nodulesthan L. corniculatus and the optimum temperature for both thestrains was between 25 and 27 ?C. No infection threads were seen in root hairs or nodules of Stylosanthesguyanensis (Aubl.) S. W. and S. humilis H.B.K. infected withRhizobium strain CB1552, and all the nodules were formed inthe axils of lateral roots. Optimum temperature for nodulationin S. guyanensis and S. humilis was around 27 ?C; nodulationwas completely inhibited at 15 ?C and very few nodules wereformed at 35 ?C. Both in Lotus and Stylosanthes the transfer of plants from suboptimalto optimal and supraoptimal temperatures increased nodulation.Delayed inoculation and excision of root tips increased nodulation.     

The Dry Storage of Citrus Seeds

The survival of seeds of lemon (Citrus limon L.), lime [C. arantifolia(Christm.) Swing.] and sour orange (C. aurantium L.) was examinedunder a wide range of constant moisture contents and temperatures.Seed longevity was increased by decreasing the moisture contentand temperature of the storage environment. Maximum viabilitywas maintained in the combination of storage conditions includingthe lowest moisture content (5 per cent) and lowest temperature(–20 °C) investigated. The practicality of dry storageof citrus seed for genetic conservation is discussed. Citrus limon L., lemon, Citrus aurantifolia (Christm.), Swing, lime, Citrus aurantium L., sour orange, dry storage, moisture content, temperature, seed viability, seed longevity     

Relative Embryo Growth Rates in the Annual Cicer L. Species

Early embryo growth rates were studied in the nine annual speciesof Cicer L., namely, C. arietinum L., C. bijugum Rech., C. chorassanicum(Bge.) M. Pop., C. cuneatum Rich., C. echinospermum Dav., C.judaicum Boiss, C. pinnatifidum J. and S., C. reticulatum Lad.and C. yamashitae Kit. The number of embryo cells increasedexponentially with time and was log linear in all the species.Species differed in their mean cell doubling time (MCDT). Cicerechinospermum and C. yamashitae had, respectively, the longestand the shortest MCDT which ranged from 9.67 to 16.15 h forthe nine species. Failure of successful interspecific hybridizationbetween C. arietinum and the wild annual species was only partlyexplained by differences in MCDT of the parental species. Relativegenetic closeness still plays the major role in determiningsuccess of interspecific hybridization in Cicer. Chickpea, Cicer, embryo, interspecific hybridization, suspensor     

Temperature and Seed Storage Longevity

Seed survival data for eight diverse species, namely the cerealbarley (Hordeum vulgare L.), the grain legumes chickpea (Cicerarietinum L.), cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.] and soyabean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.], the timber trees elm (Ulmus carpinifoliaGleditsch.), mahogany (Swietenia humilis Zucc.), and terb (Terminaliabrassii Exell.), and the leaf vegetable lettuce (Lactuca sativaL.) were compared over a wide range of storage environments(temperatures from –13 °C to 90 °C, seed moisturecontents from 1.8 to 25% f. wt) using a viability equation developedpreviously. In accordance with that equation, the effect oftemperature on seed longevity was dependent upon the temperaturerange. The temperature coefficients of the viability equationdid not differ significantly (P > 0.05) among the eight speciesdespite their contrasting taxonomy. Thus the quantitative relationbetween seed longevity and temperature does not vary among diversespecies. The same conclusion was obtained for the coefficientsof a proposed alternative model of the relation between seedlongevity and temperature. The implications of the two temperaturemodels in the viability equation for extrapolations to low andvery low temperatures are discussed. Seed storage, seed longevity, seed moisture, temperature, viability equation, genetic resources conservation, Cicer arietinum L., Glycine max (L.) Merr., Hordeum vulgare L., Lactuca sativa L., Swietenia humilis Zucc., Terminalia brassii Exell., Ulmus carpinifolia Gleditsch., Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp     

Synthesis of L(+) Tartaric Acid from 5-Keto-D-gluconic Acid in Pelargonium

5-Keto-D-[1-¹⁴C]gluconic acid, the most effective precursorof L(+)tartaric acid among all labeled compounds which haveever been tested in grapes, was found to be a good precursorof L(+)tartaric acid in a species of Pelargonium. The synthesisof labeled L(+)tartaric acid from D-[1-¹⁴C]glucose in Pelargoniumwas remarkably depressed when a 0.5% solution of D-gluconateor 5-keto-D-gluconate was administered continuously to leavestogether with D-[1-¹⁴C]glucose. Our results provide strong evidence that D-[1-¹⁴C]glucose ismetabolized in Pelargonium to give labeled L(+)tartaric acidvia (probably D-gluconic acid and) 5-keto-D-gluconic acid withoutpassing through L-ascorbic acid. Labeled L-idonic acid was found in young leaves of Pelargoniumwhich had been labeled with L-[U-¹⁴C]ascorbic acid. The synthesisof the labeled L-idonic acid increased when a 0.1% solutionof L-threonate was administered continuously to leaves togetherwith L-[U-¹⁴C]ascorbic acid. Specifically labeled compounds, recognized as the members ofthe synthetic pathway for L(+)tartaric acid from L-ascorbicacid via L-idonic acid in grapes, were administered to youngleaves of Pelargonium. Each compound (2-keto-L-[U-¹⁴C]idonicacid, L-[U-¹⁴C]idonic acid, 5-keto-D-[1-¹⁴C]gluconic acid and5-keto-D-[6-¹⁴C]gluconic acid) was partly metabolized, as ingrapes. The metabolic pathway starting from L-ascorbic acidto L(+)tartaric acid via L-idonic acid, however, did not actuallycontribute to the synthesis of L(+)tartaric acid in Pelargoniumprobably because the activity of each metabolic step was muchlower than that observed in grapes. (Received May 28, 1984; Accepted July 30, 1984)     

The Identification of the Seeds of the British Papaveraceae

The morphology of seeds of British wild, introduced, and commonlycultivated members of the Papaveraceae has been examined, anda key to the identification of the seeds is presented. Quantitative data on size and weight as well as informationabout shape, colour and surface features of the seeds are givenfor Papaver rhoeas L., P. dubium L., P. lecoqii lamotte, P.hybridum L., P. argemone L., P. somniferum L., P. lateritiumC. Koch, P. atlanticum (Ball) Coss., P. orientale L., P. nudicauleL., Meconopsis cambrica (L.) Vig., M. betonicifolia French,Roemeria hybrida (L.) DC., Glaucium flavum Crantz., G. corniculatum(L.) Rudolph, Chelidonium majus L., Eschscholzia californicaCham., E. erecta cv. compacta and E. erecta cv. miniature. Arepresentative sample of each seed is illustrated.     

A Low-Moisture-Content Limit to Logarithmic Relations Between Seed Moisture Content and Longevity

Seeds of quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.), sunflower (Helianthusannuus L.) and linseed (Linum usitatissimum L.) showed negativelogarithmic relations between longevity and moisture contentsbetween 4.4 and 15.4, 3.2 and 13.0, and 3.2 and 15.5%, respectively,in hermetic storage at 65 °C. However, between 1.8 and 3.1,1.1 and 1.9, and 1.1 and 2.1%, respectively, longevity did notvary. The critical moisture content, below which further reductionin moisture content no longer increased longevity in hermeticstorage at 65 °C, for each species was 4.1, 2.04 and 2.7%,respectively. Quinoa, Chenopodium quinoa Willd., sunflower, Helianthus annuus L., linseed, Linum usitatissimum L., seed storage, improved viability equation, seed longevity, seed moisture content     

Different growth responses of C3 and C4 grasses to seasonal water and nitrogen regimes and competition in a pot experiment

Understanding temporal niche separation between C₃ and C₄ species(e.g. C₃ species flourishing in a cool spring and autumn whileC₄ species being more active in a hot summer) is essential forexploring the mechanism for their co-existence. Two parallelpot experiments were conducted, with one focusing on water andthe other on nitrogen (N), to examine growth responses to wateror nitrogen (N) seasonality and competition of two co-existingspecies Leymus chinensis (C₃ grass) and Chloris virgata (C₄grass) in a grassland. The two species were planted in eithermonoculture (two individuals of one species per pot) or a mixture(two individuals including one L. chinensis and one C. virgataper pot) under three different water or N seasonality regimes,i.e. the average model (AM) with water or N evenly distributedover the growing season, the one-peak model (OPM) with morewater or N in the summer than in the spring and autumn, andthe two-peak model (TPM) with more water or N in the springand autumn than in the summer. Seasonal water regimes significantlyaffected biomass in L. chinensis but not in C. virgata, whileN seasonality impacted biomass and relative growth rate of bothspecies over the growing season. L. chinensis accumulated morebiomass under the AM and TPM than OPM water or N treatments.Final biomass of C. virgata was less impacted by water and Nseasonality than that of L. chinensis. Interspecific competitionsignificantly decreased final biomass in L. chinensis but notin C. virgata, suggesting an asymmetric competition betweenthe two species. The magnitude of interspecific competitionvaried with water and N seasonality. Changes in productivityand competition balance of L. chinensis and C. virgata undershifting seasonal water and N availabilities suggest a contributionof seasonal variability in precipitation and N to the temporalniche separation between C₃ and C₄ species. Key words: Chloris virgata, competition, growth, Leymus chinensis, nitrogen seasonality, water seasonality Received 19 November 2007; Revised 29 January 2008 Accepted 4 February 2008     

An Uncommon Wall Thickening of Guard Cells

Four species of the family Zingiberaceae, Curcuma amada Roxb.,C. domestica Valet., Zingiber officinale Rose, Elettaria cardamomumMat.; one species of the family Cannaceae, Canna indica L.;one species of the family Rubiaceae, Coffea arabica L.; andone species of the family Theaceae, Camellia sinensis L. showedthe presence of wall thickening at the polar ends of the guardcells. This thickening may be restricted to the outer wall atthe polar regions or may also be extended to the common innercell wall (not the part of the inner wall abutting the stomatalpore). In C. sinensis the wall thickening may be restrictedonly to the common inner wall. The thick walls are PAS-positive.     

水菖蒲活性物质β-细辛醚对四种储粮害虫的熏蒸活性

植物性次生物质在植物-害虫的关系中起着非常重要的作用, 植物中的一些成分对害虫具有熏蒸、触杀和驱避等作用。水菖蒲Acorus calamus L.是一种常用中药, 它的主要杀虫活性成分为β-细辛醚。本研究通过室内生测试验研究了水菖蒲根茎提取物β-细辛醚对玉米象Sitophilus zeamais Motschulsky、谷蠹Rhyzopertha dominica (Fabricius)、赤拟谷盗Tribolium castaneum (Herbst)和四纹豆象Callosobruchus maculatus (Fabricius) 4种储粮害虫的熏蒸击倒和致死作用。结果表明: β-细辛醚对4种试虫的熏蒸击倒和致死作用明显。以50 μL/L的浓度处理120 h后, 对玉米象、谷蠹和四纹豆象的击倒作用均达到100%, 而对赤拟谷盗击倒率为50%; 玉米象、谷蠹和四纹豆象的死亡率分别为81.23%, 97.78%和100%, 而赤拟谷盗死亡率仅为8.89%。处理24 h, β-细辛醚对玉米象、谷蠹、赤拟谷盗和四纹豆象的KC50分别为49.38, 102.96, 124.04和1.07 μL/L; 处理120 h, β-细辛醚对玉米象、谷蠹、赤拟谷盗和四纹豆象的LC50分别为17.82, 4.42, 116.48和0.73 μL/L。结果显示水菖蒲根茎提取物β-细辛醚对4种储粮害虫均具有明显的熏蒸效果, 具有开发为储粮害虫熏蒸剂的潜力。     

Spore Germination and Gametophyte Development in Three Species of Asplenium

Laboratory and field experiments involving Asplenium ruta-murariaL., Asplenium trichomanes L. subsp. quadrivalens D.E. Meyeremend. Lovis and Asplenium scolopendrium L. [= Phyllitis scolopendrium(L.) Newm.] revealed differences in their temperature requirementsfor germination and in their sexual development on soil. Thegermination responses of A. trichomanes and A. scolopendriumto culture temperatures of 10, 15, 20 and 25 °C were verysimilar and all spores were able to germinate at 10 °C.Spores of A. ruta-muraria differed in that germination was slowerat 15-25 °C and very much delayed, or even inhibited, at10 °C. Both laboratory and field cultures of A. trichomanesand A. scolopendrium produced male, female and bisexual gametophyteswhereas those of A. ruta-muraria produced only males and bisexuals.The ecological significance of these differences is discussed.Copyright1994, 1999 Academic Press Fern, Asplenium ruta-muraria, Asplenium trichomanes, Asplenium scolopendrium, Phyllitis scolopendrium, spore germination, gametophyte, reproductive biology, temperature effects, field experiments     

Silica and Ash in Tissues of Some Plants Growing in the Coastal Area of Mississippi, USA

Ash and silica contents and their depositional patterns in differenttissues of 27 plants growing in the Ocean Springs area of Mississippi(many grow elsewhere), were determined. Silica content of driedplant parts varied from no more than 0 per cent in Borrichiafrutescens (L.) D.C. stems to 18.76 per cent in Arundinariagigantea (Walt.) Muhl. leaves. Ash content varied from 0·73per cent in Cliftonia monophylla (Lam.) Britt. ex Sarg. stemsto 44·02 per cent in Batis maritima L. leaves. Plantssuch as Batis maritima L., Borrichia frutescens (L.) D.C., Salicorniabigelovii Torr. and Salicornia virginica L. which grew in salinemarshes had high ash contents due NaCl in their tissues. Morusrubra L. leaves had a high silica content for a dicotyledonousplant (3·12 per cent). Energy-dispersive X-ray analysisshows that the distribution of the element silicon is clearlyrelated to certain epidermal structures such as ridges, cellwalls, rows of irregular shaped structures lengthwise of theleaf, dumb-bell shaped ones and especially in trichomes. Therewas a high concentration of silica containing trichomes alongthe veins on the underside of Morus rubra L. leaves and thiswould protect them from insects. The outer parts of the inflorescencesof Ctenium aromaticum (Walt.) Wood, Elymus virginicus L., Juncuspolycephalus Michx. and phragmites communis Trin. were highlysilicified. This should give the seed some protection from insects.The sharp particles would be irritating to oesophageal tissuesand might be implicated in such a cancer.     

The Effect of Temperature on Photosynthesis of Ryegrass and White Clover Leaves

The rate of photosynthesis of leaves of perennial ryegrass (Loliumperenne L.) and white clover (Trifollum pratense L.) grown atdifferent temperatures was measured at a range of temperatures.There was a small effect of the temperature at which a leafhad grown on its photosynthetic rate, but a large effect ofmeasurement temperature, especially in bright light, where photosyntheticrates at 15°C were about twice those at 5°C. It appearsthat temperature could affect sward photosynthesis in the field.Ryegrass and clover had similar photosynthetic rates which respondedsimilarly to temperature. Lolium perenne L., ryegrass, Trifolium pratense L., white clover, photosynthesis, temperature, irradiance     

Effects of Fluctuating Temperatures on Germination

Germination responses to alternating daily cycles involvingtransfers between different temperatures over the range 0 toc. 40?C were investigated in four species: Lycopus europaeusL., Clarkia unguiculata Lindl., Apium graveolens L. cv. GiantRed, and Silene dioica (L.) Clairv. Comparisons of the germination of these species revealed distinctivedifferences which could be related to particular features ofthe geographical regions or ecological habitats in which theyoccur naturally. The effects of fluctuating as opposed to constant temperaturesvaried from one species to another. L. europaeus depended almostabsolutely on fluctuating temperatures for germination. Germinationof S. dioica was greatly increased by fluctuating temperatures.Moderate increases occurred over a restricted temperature rangein A. graveolens cv. Giant Red and C. unguiculata was affectedin only minor ways. These results are discussed in relationto previous attempts to explain the mechanisms responsible forthe frequently beneficial effects of fluctuating temperatureson germination.