Effects of indole-3-acetic acid and auxin transport inhibitors on the style curvature of three Alpinia species (Zingiberaceae)

The effects of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) and the auxin transport inhibitors 2, 3, 5-triiodobenzoic acid (TIBA) and 1-N-naphthylphthalamic acid (NPA) on the style curvature of Alpinia platychilus, A. blepharocalyx, and A. mutica were studied. Exogenous IAA stimulated the style curvature movement of the anaflexistylous morph (ana-morph) and cataflexistylous morph (cata-morph) of three Alpinia species in light, but had no effect in the dark. Treatment with auxin efflux inhibitors (NPA and TIBA) before flower opening did not affect the first curvature of the two morphs in darkness; however, the subsequent second movement of the ana-morph was enhanced by NPA or TIBA, while the second movement of the cata-morph was completely inhibited. After the first curvature, NPA and TIBA treatments at 06:00?hours (before significant illumination) and 11:00?hours (after the styles were illuminated for 4?h) increased the second curvature of the ana-morph, but significantly decreased that of the cata-morph. The effect at 06:00?hours was more significant than the effect at 11:00?hours. These results suggested that auxin and auxin transport affected the style curvature in a different way in the two morphs, and two morphs had distinct mechanisms for style movement at different times.     

Light Effects on the Style Curvature and Anther Dehiscenceof Alpinia mutica (Zingiberaceae)

We studied the light effects on style curvature and anther dehiscence of Alpinia mutica. The results showed that light did not change the style movement directions of cata morph, neither the anther opening time. The first style curvature of ana morph moved downwards in darkness, and moved upwards in light.Meanwhile, the anther did not dehisce in darkness, but dehisced in light. The second style curvature of ana morph depended on the light condition of first curvature. If kept in darkness all the time after first downward curvature, the styles did not move upwards and the anther did not dehisce. If first curvature occurred in light, the styles curved downwards both in darkness and light conditions. This research indicated that under different light conditions the combinations of style and anther states in two morphs made the stigma untouch the pollen from the same flower and therefore guaranteed the herkogamy and dichogamy. Although the behavior of style and anther in two morphs were similar, the mechanisms that regulated these behavior were different.     

Adaptive significance of flexistyly in Alpinia blepharocalyx (Zingiberaceae): a hand-pollination experiment

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Flexistyly is a sexual dimorphism where there are two morphs that differ in the temporal expression of sexual function and also involve reciprocal movement of the stigmatic surface through a vertical axis during the flowering period. The adaptive significance of flexistyly has been interpreted as a floral mechanism for outcrossing, but it may also function to reduce sexual interference in which styles and stigmas impede the pollen export. Here these two explanations of flexistyly were tested in Alpinia blepharocalyx through a hand-pollination experiment. METHODS: Hand-pollinations were performed in two temporal morphs and consisted of two sequential pollination treatments, namely self-pollination in the morning and inter-morph pollination in the afternoon (treatment 1) or conversely inter-morph pollination in the morning and self-pollination in the afternoon (treatment 2), and two simultaneous self- and inter-morph cross-pollination treatments either in the morning (treatment 3) or in the afternoon (treatment 4). Seed paternity was then determined to assess relative success of self- versus cross-pollen using allozyme markers. KEY RESULTS: In the sequential pollination treatments, whether the stigmas of recipients are receptive in the morning is crucial to the success of the pollen deposited. When the cataflexistylous (protandrous) morph served as pollen recipient, early-arriving pollen in the morning can sire only a very small proportion (<15%) of seeds because the stigmas were then unreceptive. However, when the anaflexistylous (protogynous) morph served as pollen recipient, early pollen did gain a large competitive advantage over the late pollen, particularly when cross-pollen arrived first. Simultaneous self- and inter-morph cross-pollination indicated that outcross-pollen is more competitive than self-pollen on receptive stigmas. CONCLUSIONS: Differential maturing of male and female organs in Alpinia blepharocalyx is sufficient for selfing avoidance, obviating the need for style movements. Instead, the upward style curvature of the cataflexistylous morph in the morning and the anaflexistylous morph in the afternoon most likely represents a means of reducing interference with pollen export.     

草豆蔻传粉生物学的研究

比较研究了花柱卷曲性植物草豆蔻 Alpinia hainanensis两种表型(上举型和下垂型)的传粉生物学特性。结果表明:草豆蔻的花柱卷曲运动节律与其他已报道的山姜属Alpinia植物基本一致,而下垂型花的花柱卷曲运动明显滞后于上举型花约2 h。草豆蔻的花柱卷曲运动中存在一些不同步的现象,甚至在同一花序上的两朵花的花柱运动节律亦会表现出不一致的现象,但上举型花的花药开裂时间却严格同步,都发生在同类型个体的柱头全部位于花药上方之后进行。草豆蔻上举型花的花蜜分泌量、单花花粉量、花粉/胚珠比率(P/O)均明显比下垂型花多,而两种表型的胚珠数、花蜜糖含量、氨基酸含量无显著差异。在草豆蔻的单花期内不同时间段进行人工授粉,上举型花在其柱头位于花药下方时进行人工授粉,其结实率明显比柱头位于花药上方时人工授粉的处理高,下垂型花则没有显著差异。在自然居群中,草豆蔻的主要传粉者是无垫蜂Ameglla sp.和两种木蜂Xylocopa sp.,但存在传粉者不足而影响结实率的现象。完全套袋、去雄和去雌(去柱头)处理的均不结实,表明草豆蔻中不存在无融合生殖、主动自花授粉和滞后自交的生殖保障现象。而人工自交和异交均具有较高的结实率,表明草豆蔻为自交亲和植物。草豆蔻的繁育系统是具花柱卷曲性运动的异花授粉的交配系统。     

Similar behavior,different mechanisms: the research of the style bending of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Alpinia</Emphasis> species

The styles of the plants of genus Alpinia show a similar bending behavior. Each species has two types—hyper-type and cata-type. The styles of hyper-type bend downward first, and then bend upward second. The styles of cata-type also bend twice, but the bending direction is opposite to hyper-type. We tested the effects of light, IAA, and NPA on the style movement of Alpinia oxyphylla and Alpinia galanga, and analyzed the IAA distribution in their styles. We found that the effects of light were similar for the two species, but the two types of each species responded differently. The first style bending of hyper-type was downward when it was in dark, and was upward when in light; the second bending was upward if in light, and did not move if in dark. The two bendings of cata-type showed no obvious difference between in dark and in light. Effects of IAA and NPA were different for two species. For A. galanga, neither IAA nor NPA had obvious effects on the style bending. For A. oxyphylla, IAA enhanced the second bending of hyper-type and the two bendings of cata-type. NPA enhanced the second bending of hyper-type and the first bendings of cata-type, and significantly inhibited the second bending of cata-type. The results of IAA immunolocalization indicated that IAA was symmetrical in the styles of A. galanga both before the first bending and before the second bending in two types. However, in A. oxyphylla, IAA asymmetry was found in two types. Therefore, we hypothesize that the mechanisms of the style bending of Alpinia plants are different, not only between two types of each species, but also among species.     

The concrete evidence of flexistyly in Plagiostachys: pollination biology of a wild ginger on Hainan Island,China

Flexistyly in Plagiostachys was first reported by Takano et al., while they provided no detailed study on pollination biology and breeding system. In this study, we tested this suspicion in one species of Plagiostachys (Plagiostachys austrosinensis). Field observations suggested that flexistyly was present in this species, and stigmatic behavior was similar to that reported for Alpinia and Amomum species. Two phenotypes (anaflexistylous and cataflexistylous) occurred in a ratio of 1:1 in natural populations. Anthesis began around 1530–1600 h and lasted for about 24 h. Pollen viability and stigma receptivity remained high throughout the flowering process. Mean nectar volume (4.15–11.30 μL) and mean sugar concentration (>32%) also remained at a high level during the flowering process. No fruit set occurred in unpollinated bagged plants. Two pollinators (Bombus pyrosoma and Vespidae spp.) and one pollen robber (Mutillidae spp.) were found as flower visitors. Fruit set following self‐pollination and cross‐pollination did not differ significantly in the cataflexistylous morph. Partial self‐incompatibility was apparent in the anaflexistylous morph. These results provide the concrete evidence of flexistyly in Plagiostachys and a more thorough understanding of its evolutionary origin in gingers.     

Reproductive biology of Alpinia blepharocalyx (Zingiberaceae): another example of flexistyly

The floral biology and breeding system of Alpinia blepharocalyx were studied in Yunnan province, southwest China. Our results indicate that populations of A. blepharocalyx have two floral morphs, which differ in flowering behaviour: the cataflexistylous morph in which the stigma is held erect above the dehiscent anther when anthesis begins in the morning and becomes curved under the anther at afternoon, and the anaflexistylous morph in which the receptive stigma is curved under the indehiscent anther first and moves into a reflexed superior position above the anther as it begins to shed pollen in the afternoon; the flowering period of both floral morphs is 12 hours; the stylar movements in the two floral morphs are synchronous, and they have similar traits to those found in other Alpinia species previously reported. Also, on average, cataflexistylous flowers are larger than anaflexistylous flowers, especially the labellum and corolla tube length; moreover, the P/O ratio of the two floral morphs is significantly different: the cataflexistylous morph has more pollen grains and fewer ovules than the anaflexistylous morph; the evolutionary significance of this comparison is discussed. Cataflexistylous flowers were observed to produce a lower concentration of nectar than that of anaflexistylous flowers before 11:00 a.m., but they then have higher nectar concentration; cataflexistylous flowers always have more nectar than anaflexistylous flowers. Flowers of A. blepharocalyx were visited by fewer insects at a lower frequency, including honey bees (Apis cerana cerana) and two species of carpenter bees (Xylocopa spp.). No significant differences were found in the fruit set among the hand-pollination treatments regardless of selfing (geitonogamy and autogamy) or crossing (intermorph and intramorph); but all hand-pollination treatments exhibited much higher fruit set than the controls; meanwhile, no fruit set occurred in the unpollinated bagged plants. Pollen tube growth was examined using fluorescence microscopy following self, intramorph, and intermorph hand pollinations at different times of the day; the pollen tubes of both floral morphs have the same growth rate and the capability to reach the ovary. Both the results of pollen tube growth and fruit sets under different pollination conditions show that A. blepharocalyx is self-compatible and dependent upon insects for pollination. The distinctive flexistyly mechanism of A. blepharocalyx is likely a floral mechanism that promotes effective intermorph pollen transfer.     

光对马来良姜花柱运动和花药开裂的影响

以马来良姜(Alpinia mutica)花柱为研究对象,研究光对花柱卷曲运动和花药开裂的影响.结果表明下垂型花柱的两次运动在光下和暗处都能进行,花药的开裂也不受光照影响.上举型花柱的第一次运动在暗处时向下进行,在光下时向上进行;暗处的花药不开裂,光下的花药开裂.第二次运动的方向和幅度取决于第一次运动期间的光照条件,第一次运动在暗处时,若第二次也在暗处,第二次运动不会发生且花药不开裂;若在光处,花柱向上运动.第一次运动在光下时,第二次运动无论光下或暗处,都向下运动.本研究表明,在不同光照条件下,两种表型的花柱与花药状态的组合使柱头接触不到同花的花粉,从而保证了雌雄异位与雌雄异熟.尽管两种表型的花柱运动和花药开裂行为相似,却受不同的机制调控.     

温度和湿度对草果花柱卷曲的影响

草果（Amomum tsaoko）为姜科植物,有花柱卷曲机制。研究表明温度和湿度均影响草果上举型花和下垂型花的花柱卷曲,相对恒定的低温和高湿可促使花柱的同步卷曲。当8∶00-19∶30期间的平均温度小于18℃、平均湿度大于90%时,花柱卷曲没有滞后现象,卷曲的同步性较好。当平均温度大于18℃、平均湿度小于90%时,随着温度的升高和湿度的降低,花柱卷曲滞后愈加明显。和上举型花相比,下垂型花的花柱卷曲对湿度变化更为敏感;可能两种花型之间存在一定的分化。居群初花期19.17~19.52℃的平均温度和51.00%~51.44%的平均湿度,导致单朵下垂型花的寿命由1d延长为2d。温度和湿度变化对花柱卷曲的影响导致在居群水平上没有完全形成功能上的雌雄异株,可能影响草果的繁育和降低其适合度。从不同角度对花柱卷曲机制的深入研究,有助于更好的探索其起源和进化。     

草果两型植株的繁育差异研究

草果(Amomum tsaoko)是具有柱头卷曲机制的姜科植物,该研究通过观察和分析传粉者的访花行为、草果的花蜜分泌和最终的结实率,探索其花蜜分泌模式与传粉行为的相互关系,以及对其两型植株繁殖的影响。结果表明:草果两型植株的花蜜分泌在1 d花期的16:40—19:00期间达到高峰;上举型花比下垂型花能够提供更多的花蜜,下垂型花的花蜜分泌受环境温度、光照、湿度的显著影响,其结实率也显著低于上举型花。中华蜜蜂(Apis cerean cerana)是观察点频率最高的有效传粉者,在1 d花期里访花频率呈现双峰模式,访花行为受到温度和湿度的显著影响,78%或18℃较适宜访花。1 d花期中温度、湿度的变化,以及花蜜的动态分泌模式共同促进这一双峰访花模式的形成。草果花蜜分泌模式和双峰访花模式均与草果的柱头卷曲运动匹配,对吸引昆虫精确传粉、维持柱头卷曲机制有重要意义。草果两型植株之间,环境因素对它们花蜜分泌的影响显著不同,导致传粉者不同的访花行为反应和繁殖结果。适当增加居群中上举型植株数量,可能是提高产量的一个有效方法。     

益智传粉生物学的研究

 益智（Alpinia oxyphylla）的花期从2月底至4月下旬;单株花期（花序）约为16～26 d,通常为23～26 d;单花花期一般为1 d。正常情况下,益智和其它山姜属植物一样,具有花柱卷曲性促进异花授粉的机制,表现出两种类型：花柱上举型和花柱下垂型,其花柱卷曲运动的节律与其它已报道的山姜属植物基本一致。但观察发现,当遭遇低温天气时(日最高气温<18℃),单花花期延长为2 d,无论是上举型个体还是下垂型个体,均只表现出一种花型——下垂型：上午开花时花柱弯向上,柱头位于已开裂散发出花粉的花药上方,直到第二天上午6∶30～11∶00间,花柱才陆续地慢慢向下运动,柱头下降至与花药等高或位于花药下方。益智的主要传粉昆虫是蜜蜂（Apidae sp.）、木蜂（Xylocopa sp.）,绝大多数的访花者的访花目的是吸蜜。益智的花蜜分泌量（8.37～15.79 μl）和花蜜含糖量（30.12%～32.83%）较高,花蜜是益智作为传粉者访花的最主要的报酬。实验结果还表明,益智花部中唇瓣对昆虫访花有显著的招引作用;益智的花蜜对蜜蜂的访花频率有显著的影响,对木蜂有一定的招引作用,但并不显著。而花粉（花药）则对昆虫的访花频率影响不大。人工授粉实验结果表明益智存在自交亲和性,无论是上举型或下垂型个体自交和异交均有较高的结实率;人工自交和异交的结实率在上举型植株中存在较大的差异,而在下垂型个体中则差异不明显;去雄套袋、去柱头套袋和完全套袋不授粉等处理均不结实,表明益智不存在无融合生殖现象和自动自花授粉现象。益智的繁育系统是异花授粉交配系统。     

花柱卷曲性的维持及功能性别特化

花柱多态型的型比通过选型交配形成的负频率依赖的选择来维持。种群空间格局对于频率依赖选择所维持的花柱多态型是至关重要的。该研究使用摆放实验构建不同型比的马来良姜(Alpinia mutica)人工种群, 以评价花柱卷曲性促进选型交配的功能。使用邻域模型调查了云南草蔻(Alpinia blepharaocalyx)种群中的目标植株的坐果数、结籽数及其邻域中花序的数量和型偏以探讨在局域尺度上目标植株的雌性适合度是否受负频率依赖的选择。通过比较云南草蔻上举型和下垂型各繁殖性状的差异以及两型的功能性别的计算以评估两型功能性别可能存在的特化趋势。摆放实验结果说明花柱卷曲性形成的二型种群可以促进型间花粉传递。在局域尺度上, 云南草蔻两型倾向于同型聚集分布, 这一分布特点反映出其克隆生长特性。统计结果说明: 邻域中异型花粉供体相对丰富度对两型目标植株都无影响; 目标植株雌性适合度在邻域中不受负频率依赖选择的影响。这一结果并不支持负频率依赖的选择在该研究尺度上是影响种群型比结构的主要机制。云南草蔻两型个体在花期和果期的繁殖指标上不存在显著差异; 功能性别计算结果显示选型交配是种群内唯一的交配模式时, 下垂型功能性别偏雌性而上举型功能性别偏雄性。这一功能性别特化的趋势可能是通过对上举型的雄性功能的选择而造成的, 并可能与种群型结构相关。当功能性别计算只考虑自交而忽略近交衰退时, 种群功能性别偏向雌性。     

Autonomous Self pollination under Dominant Flexistylous Outcorssing Mechanism in Alpinia galanga (Zingiberaceae)

Autonomous self pollination is considered to be a reproductive assurance mechanism for plants when facing extreme environments that scarce in pollinators, and it also has disadvantages like inbreeding depression and pollen/ovule discounting. In several genera of Zingiberaceae like Alpinia and Amomum, a specialized mechanism named flexistyly exists, precedent studies consider its significance as preventing unnecessary self pollination and sexual interference. However according to our field observation, if pollen grains on cataflexistylous (CATA) flowers remain on the anther when the style curves downwardly, potential exists that the stigma contacts the pollen, thus autonomous self pollination occurs. Here, we studied the breeding system of Alpinia galanga, the results show that (1) Alpinia galanga is self compatible in which inbreeding depression occurs to some degree; (2) The anaflexistylous (ANA) morph of Alpinia galanga allocates more resource into outcrossing than the CATA morph; (3) The P/O ratio of the ANA morph is significantly lower than that of the CATA morph, as Alpinia galanga has constant six ovules in each ovary, the significant difference in P/O value reflects the contrast in pollen production. This phenomenon may be interpreted as the ANA morph provides pollen exclusively for the CATA morph. But the CATA morph, despite delivers pollen to the ANA morph, also need its own pollen for potential autonomous self pollination. In summary, autonomous self pollination exists in Alpinia galanga, and while flexistyly functions to avoid unnecessary self pollination and sexual interference, it also provides advantages for delayed autonomous self pollination as a necessary reproductive assurance and preventing conflict among these three major features by controlling the time of autonomous self pollination. This peculiar mechanism in Alpinia galanga thoroughly demonstrates its adaptation to unfavorable surrounding during the evolutionary process.     

Correlations between Gravitropic Curvature and Auxin Movement across Gravistimulated Roots of Zea mays

We compared the kinetics of auxin redistribution across the caps of primary roots of 2-day-old maize (Zea mays, cv Merit) seedlings with the time course of gravitropic curvature. [³H] indoleacetic acid was applied to one side of the cap in an agar donor and radioactivity moving across the cap was collected in an agar receiver applied to the opposite side. Upon gravistimulation the roots first curved upward slightly, then returned to the horizontal and began curving downward, reaching a final angle of about 67°. Movement of label across the caps of gravistimulated roots was asymmetric with preferential downward movement (ratio downward/upward = ca. 1.6, radioactivity collected during the 90 min following beginning of gravistimulation). There was a close correlation between the development of asymmetric auxin movement across the root cap and the rate of curvature, with both values increasing to a maximum and then declining as the roots approached the final angle of curvature. In roots preadapted to gravity (alternate brief stimulation on opposite flanks over a period of 1 hour) the initial phase of upward curvature was eliminated and downward bending began earlier than for controls. The correlation between asymmetric auxin movement and the kinetics of curvature also held in comparisons between control and preadapted roots. Both downward auxin transport asymmetry and downward curvature occurred earlier in preadapted roots than in controls. These findings are consistent with suggestions that the root cap is not only the site of perception but also the location of the initial redistribution of effectors that ultimately leads to curvature.     

Time-lapse analysis of gravitropism in Ceratodon protonemata

The tip cell of the protonema of the moss Ceratodon purpureus (Hedw.) Brid. is negatively gravitropic when grown in the dark on supplemented agar. Gravitropism, plastid distribution, and plastid movement were studied in living cells using time-lapse video microscopy and infrared light. A wrong-way (downward) curvature preceded upward curvature and was detected as early as 2 minutes after reorientation. Upward curvature began 30-45 minutes after reorientation to the horizontal. Cell division temporarily reversed upward curvature, but did not inhibit wrong-way curvature. Since significant amyloplast sedimentation always occurred before the start of upward curvature, it is possible that these amyloplasts function as statoliths for upward curvature. However, no significant amyloplast sedimentation occurred before wrong-way curvature. Thus, this early phase of gravitropism cannot require plastid sedimentation for gravity sensing. Most plastids moved within and between zones, and plastid zonation was highly dynamic. Plastids moved toward the apex and toward the base of the cell at rates much slower than cytoplasmic streaming. Despite the dynamic nature of plastid movement and zonation, during upward curvature the distance between sedimented plastids and the apex stayed constant. Time-lapse analysis has revealed intriguing events not readily seen previously using destructive sampling.     

Wirkung von Vorbestrahlung mit Rot- oder Blaulicht auf die geotropische Empfindlichkeit von Maiskoleoptilen

The early geotropic downward bending of corn (Zea mays L.) coleoptiles was found to be influenced by red and blue light. The coleoptiles were illuminated from above and kept in the dark for defined intervals; afterwards they were positioned horizontally and their curvature was monitored for 40 min. After illumination with red light and a 120 min interval and early upward bending instead of an early downward bending was found. This effect was nullified by a far-red illumination administered immediately after exposure to red light. These results indicate that the phytochrome system influences the geotropic reaction. After illumination with blue light and a 30 min interval little downward bending was found. This result corresponds well with the findings of earlier authors who measured the late geotropic reaction, on the basis of the hypothesis that the strength of the early downward bending is a measure of the geotropic sensitivity. The dose-effect curve of the blue light influence on geotropic sensitivity, measured by early downward bending, is very similar to the dose-effect curve of the phototropic curvature of corn coleoptiles. This fact together with the earlier finding of similar adaptation times of about 30 min suggests the existence of some common transducers in the reaction chain of phototropism and geotropism.

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Abkürzungen HR Hellrot - DR Dunkelrot - D Dunkel - WT Wartezeit - DK Dunkelkontrolle     

The interstitial nucleus of Cajal of the cat. II. Effects of kainic acid lesion on vertical optokinetic nystagmus and after-nystagmus

The effects of bilateral lesions of the interstitial nucleus of Cajal (INC) by ka?nic acid on vertical optokinetic nystagmus (OKN) and after-nystagmus (OKAN) were studied in four cats: in three cats, in the acute stage from 1 to 60 days after the lesions; in the fourth cat, they were studied 3 years after the lesions were made. Histological control of lesions showed that the whole INC was bilaterally destroyed in two cats of the acute group and only the upper part of INC in the third cat. In the chronic cat, the density of cell bodies in both INC was lower than normal. In the acute group, the cats exhibited a spontaneous downward eye drift in light and in darkness. During an upward optokinetic stimulation, the effect of INC lesions was dramatic: upward slow phases and downward quick phases of OKN were abolished. Sixty days post lesions, small upward slow eye movements were again observed. During a downward optokinetic stimulation, the defect was much less; in particular, after a slight impairment of downward slow phases, during the first days post lesions, they recovered quickly. The secondary optokinetic after nystagmus (OKAN II) ensuing a downward OKN was cancelled and did not reappear 60 days post lesions. In the chronic stage, three years after the lesions, during an upward optokinetic stimulation, the cat showed upward slow phases with velocities close to normal. However, upward slow phases were curved: the velocity at the end of the slow phases was lower than at the beginning. After an upward OKN (the direction of slow phases gives the direction of the OKN and OKAN), the ensuing OKAN was present but abnormal.     

Ultrastructure of the epidermis of Meara stichopi (Platyhelminthes,Nemertodermatida) and associated extra-epidermal bacteria

This preliminary mechanistic model of normal swimming and phototactic behaviour in individual Daphnia was constructed using data and assumptions based on experiments and observations. Swimming under constant light intensity is characterized by short periods of upward movements alternating with equal periods of downward movements. Two oscillators are proposed that generate these phases in swimming. Unexpected shifts in depth, as observed in D. magna and D. longispina, are also present in the swimming of the computer daphnid and thus seem to be inherent to the underlying mechanism. As in real daphnids, during relative decreases in light intensity of low velocity, positive phototactic upward swimming is stepwise. With increasing velocity in the change in light, these steps disappear. When the model is triggered by a natural increase in light at dawn, a small downward movement results. Migration distance can be increased to commonly found depths of migrating Daphnia by the introduction of a fish exudate factor into the model, which enhances the phototactic response. Since attenuation of light in the water affects the phototactic swimming response, it also influences migration distance. The results of model calculations agree quite well with an empirical relationship between Secchi disc depth and amplitude of diel vertical migration in a number of lakes.     

Effect of temperature and temperature fluctuation on thermophilic anaerobic digestion of cattle manure

The influence of temperature, 50 and 60 degrees C, at hydraulic retention times (HRTs) of 20 and 10 days, on the performance of anaerobic digestion of cow manure has been investigated in completely stirred tank reactors (CSTRs). Furthermore, the effect of both daily downward and daily upward temperature fluctuations has been studied. In the daily downward temperature fluctuation regime the temperatures of each reactor was reduced by 10 degrees C for 10 h while in the daily upward fluctuation regime the temperature of each reactor was increased 10 degrees C for 5 h. The results show that the methane production rate at 60 degrees C is lower than that at 50 degrees C at all experimental conditions of imposed HRT except when downward temperature fluctuations were applied at an HRT of 10 days. It also was found that the free ammonia concentration not only affects the acetate-utilising bacteria but also the hydrolysis and acidification process. The upward temperature fluctuation affects the maximum specific methanogenesis activity more severely as compared to imposed downward temperature fluctuations. The results clearly reveal the possibility of using available solar energy at daytime to heat up the reactor(s) without the need of heat storage during nights, especially at an operational temperature of 50 degrees C and at a 20 days HRT, and without the jeopardising of the overheating.     

Subcellular localization of calcium during Alpinia mutica Roxb. (Zingiberaceae) style movement

The subcellular localization of calcium in Alpinia mutica Roxb. during style movement was studied in two morphs. In the styles, Ca-antimonate precipitates (ppts) were principally located in apoplasts, with some minimal accumulation in the nucleus. At different movement, stages of movement, the ppts in the abaxial and adaxial sides changed, and no lateral gradient of ppts in the apoplast was established. The increase or decrease of ppts in the apoplast was not accompanied with equivalent changes in the cytoplasm. These results indicate that calcium could not affect the curvature by inhibiting cell elongation but may play a role in style movement by acting as a secondary messenger. EGTA-treatment affected style movement, providing further evidence supporting a role for calcium as a secondary messenger