Die Stipeln derIrvingioideae undRecchioideae und ihre systematische Wertung nebst Bemerkungen zur Holzanatomie und Palynologie

TheSimaroubaceae generally have no true stipules. The stipule-like appendages of some genera proved to be pseudo- or metastipules (Weberling & Leenhouts 1965). There seem to be some exceptions, however: the generaCadellia (incl.Guilfoylia) andRecchia on the one hand, and theIrvingioideae on the other. As these taxa, with exception ofRecchia, have simple leaves, there are no indications that their stipule-like appendages might be pseudo- or metastipules. In regard to their position and ontogeny these appendages behave completely like true stipules. Assuming the view ofForman, one could conceive a morphological line from the long, broadly inserted axillary stipules of mostIrvingioideae to the small scaly triangular stipules ofIxonanthoideae. The similarities between the stipules ofIrvingioideae andErythroxylaceae (already emphasized byHallier and others), become even more evident when their ontogeny is investigated. TheIrvingioideae, therefore, might be regarded as a separate family (perhaps with some relation to theErythroxylaceae,Hallier) or as a subfamily ofIxonanthaceae (Forman).—In addition to data on stipules some results on the palynology and shoot anatomy of the generaCadellia (incl.Guilfoylia) andRecchia are reported. Their relationship with theSimaroubaceae also appears doubtful. If they are to be included, they represent a somewhat isolated group near the base of the family which otherwise has lost its stipules.

Herrn Univ.-Prof. Dr.Walter Leinfellner zum 70. Geburtstag gewidmet.     

Studies on transvection at the bithorax complex in Drosophila melanogaster

Summary We have studied the influence of some mutations in the bithorax complex on the observed synapsis dependent phenotype of the genotypes Cbx ¹Ubx¹/+ and bx ^34e/Ubx¹. The effect of these mutations is similar to that introduced by disruption of pairing or by the z ^a mutation. Among the bx mutations, we find that bx ⁸ behaves differently from most other bx mutations in its influence on the synapsis dependent phenotype. This observation induced us to map the position of bx ⁸ with respect to other bx mutations; we find that it maps between bx ^34e and bx ³. We show how some of the observations reported here can be fitted into a model of activation of the bithorax complex proposed by one of us.     

Auxospore formation inLicmophora (Bacillariophyta)

InLicmophora gracilis var.anglica two auxospores are produced per pair of mother-cells, through the allogamic fusion of migratory and stationary gametes. Both active gametes are produced from the same mother-cell and hence both zygotes are formed in the other mother-cell. Pairing can occur between two stalked cells, or between a stalked cell and a detached cell; in the latter case the migratory gametes derive from the detached cell. The auxospores expand parallel to one another and to the apical axis of the donor mother-cell. Behavioural anisogamy of this kind, which may be termed thecis-type, seems to be characteristic of most araphid pennates and contrasts with thetrans-type exhibited byCymbella, Gomphonema and some other raphid taxa, where each mother-cell produces one migratory and one stationary gamete.     

Phylogeny of cardinalfishes (Teleostei: Gobiiformes: Apogonidae) and the evolution of visceral bioluminescence

The cardinalfishes (Apogonidae) are a diverse clade of small, mostly reef-dwelling fishes, for which a variety of morphological data have not yielded a consistent phylogeny. We use DNA sequence to hypothesize phylogenetic relationships within Apogonidae and among apogonids and other acanthomorph families, to examine patterns of evolution including the distribution of a visceral bioluminescence system. In conformance with previous studies, Apogonidae is placed in a clade with Pempheridae, Kurtidae, Leiognathidae, and Gobioidei. The apogonid genus Pseudamia is recovered outside the remainder of the family, not as sister to the superficially similar genus Gymnapogon. Species sampled from the Caribbean and Western Atlantic (Phaeoptyx, Astrapogon, and some Apogon species) form a clade, as do the larger-bodied Glossamia and Cheilodipterus. Incidence of visceral bioluminescence is found scattered throughout the phylogeny, independently for each group in which it is present. Examination of the fine structure of the visceral bioluminescence system through histology shows that light organs exhibit a range of morphologies, with some composed of complex masses of tubules (Siphamia, Pempheris, Parapriacanthus) and others lacking tubules but containing chambers formed by folds of the visceral epithelium (Acropoma, Archamia, Jaydia, and Rhabdamia). Light organs in Siphamia, Acropoma, Pempheris and Parapriacanthus are distinct from but connected to the gut; those in Archamia, Jaydia, and Rhabdamia are simply portions of the intestinal tract, and are little differentiated from the surrounding tissues. The presence or absence of symbiotic luminescent bacteria does not correlate with light organ structure; the tubular light organs of Siphamia and chambered tubes of Acropoma house bacteria, those in Pempheridae and the other Apogonidae do not.     

Ducellieria chodati — Alge oder Pilz?

Ducellieria chodati Teiling is an organism rarely mentioned from plankton samples. Its propagation was unknown, and all earlier authors have failed to see that it is a colourless organism. Because of its structure and some chemical reactions,Ducellieria was thought to be a member of theXanthophyceae. Many living coenobia ofD. chodati from several Austrian lakes and some steps of their reproduction have been studied: Zoospores with two unequal flagella are released. After a mobile phase they settle on coniferous pollen grains drifting in water. Inside the pollen grain, a tube or flask is developed from which zoospores are released again after one or two days. These aggregate to form newDucellieria coenobia. These observations suggest thatDucellieria chodati belongs to thePhycomycetes, perhaps to theSaprolegniales.

     

Molecular phylogeny of the genus Stereocaulon (Stereocaulaceae, lichenized ascomycetes)

In the present study phylogenetic relationships of the genus Stereocaulon (lichenized ascomycetes) were examined using DNA sequences from the ITS1–5.8 S–ITS2 rDNA gene cluster and from the protein-coding β-tubulin gene. In addition to the fruticose species traditionally classified in Stereocaulon, representatives of the crustose species that have recently been transferred to the genus were included. Muhria, a monotypic genus that is morphologically similar to Stereocaulon, differing only in apothecia ontogeny, was also incorporated. The analyses included 101 specimens from the ingroup representing 49 taxa. Sequences from both DNA regions were analysed simultaneously using direct optimization under the parsimony optimality criterion. The results support the inclusion of the crustose species and Muhria in Stereocaulon, while the current infrageneric classification is not supported. As Muhria is securely nested within Stereocaulon the new combination Stereocaulon urceolatum comb. nov. (syn. Muhria urceolata) is made. Further, species concepts need to be re-examined, as some species do not appear as monophyletic entities in the phylogeny.     

Partial resistance to late blight (Phytophthora infestans) in hybrid progenies of four South American Solanum species crossed with diploid S. tuberosum

Resistant genotypes of the diploid tuber-bearing South American species Solarium arnezii x hondelmannii, S. berthaultii, S. leptophyes and S. microdontum were crossed with three diploid genotypes of S. tuberosum that varied in resistance and maturity type. The progenies were field tested for 2 years for resistance to a complex race of Phytophthora infestans. A wealth of genetic variation for resistance was found in most of the progenies. At least two susceptibility groups could be distinguished in some progenies of S. microdontum. This could be explained by the presence of several major resistance genes in the wild parent and, unexpectedly, in the susceptible parent SH 82-44-111. In most of the wild parents and in the susceptible parent SH 77-114-2988 there appeared to be minor resistance genes. General combining ability effects were predominant; small specific combining ability effects were detected in some crosses of S. microdontum. Gene action appeared dominant in some crosses.     

Progress on the genetics of the N2-fixing actinorhizal symbiont Frankia

The actinomycete Frankia is of fundamental and ecological interests for several reasons including its wide distribution, its ability to fix nitrogen, differentiate into sporangium and vesicle (specialized cell for nitrogen-fixation), and to nodulate plants from about 24 genera. Here, we present a review on the genetics performed so far on Frankia. At the end of July 2001, 293 kbp of Frankia DNA sequences were found in the databases. Thirty five percent of these sequences corresponded to full gene or gene cluster sequences. These genes could be divided according to their role into 6 key activities: gene translation (rrnA and tRNA ^pro gene), proteolysis (pcr genes), assimilation of ammonium (glnA and glnII), protection against superoxide ions (sodF), nitrogen fixation (nif cluster), and plasmid replication. We present a review of these genetic islands; their function, expression, localization and particular properties are discussed. A comparative analysis of Frankia nif genes from various strains and species is presented. An improved nomenclature for some of these genes is suggested to avoid conflicts. Frankia plasmids DNA sequences are also presented. The novel trends in Frankia genetics are described.     

Phylogenetic relationships of Auriculoscypha based on ultrastructural and molecular studies

The phylogeny of Auriculoscypha anacardiicola, an associate of scale insects in India, is investigated using subcellular characters and MP and Bayesian analyses of combined nuLSU-rDNA, nuSSU-rDNA and 5.8S rDNA sequence data. It has simple septa with a pulley-wheel-shaped pore plug, which is diagnostic of phytoparasitic members of the Pucciniomycetes, and hyphal wall break on branching, a phenomenon unique to some simple septate heterobasidiomycetes. The septal ultrastructure of A. anacardiicola is similar to that of the genus Septobasidium. The close relationship to Septobasidium is also confirmed by rDNA sequence analyses. The polyphyletic nature of the order Platygloeales, noted in earlier studies, is evident from the present molecular analysis as well. The placement of Auriculoscypha in the Platygloeales can no longer be justified and both ultrastructural and molecular evidence strongly support the placement of Auriculoscypha in the Septobasidiales.     

Über Cyanotrophie bei Flechten

In contrast to the well-known blue-green algal containing lichens several green algal containing lichens, belonging to very different genera, show regular connections to free-living or ± lichenized blue-green algae, mainlyStigonema. Most of these lichens have squamulose thalli. This lichen-algal relationship, regarded as cyanotrophy, may be either facultative or obligate. Some of the species occur only on very poor, acidic rocks onStigonema, while they occur independent ofStigonema in high nutrient biotops. Obligate species cover the blue-green algae with hyphae and some of these species cover the algae so extensively that one can call these connections paracephalodia. — Two species and one variety are new to science from the mainly Himalayan genusBryonora. They occur in high elevations in Nepal and are cyanotrophic.Bryonora selenospora has thick, halfmoon-shaped to slightly twisted ascospores. The other two new taxa areB. reducta andB. rhypariza var.cyanotropha. There are several other cyanotrophic lichen taxa besides the ones described here. They will be introduced at a later occasion.

Frau Prof. Dr.Elisabeth Tschermak-Woess zu ihrem 70. Geburtstag gewidmet.     

Molecular and Structural Characterization of Barley Vernalization Genes

Vernalization, the requirement of a period of low temperature to induce transition from the vegetative to reproductive state, is an evolutionarily and economically important trait in the Triticeae. The genetic basis of vernalization in cultivated barley (Hordeum vulgare subsp. vulgare) can be defined using the two-locus VRN-H1/VRN-H2 model. We analyzed the allelic characteristics of HvBM5A, the candidate gene for VRN-H1, from ten cultivated barley accessions and one wild progenitor accession (subsp. spontaneum), representing the three barley growth habits – winter, facultative, and spring. We present multiple lines of evidence, including sequence, linkage map location, and expression, that support HvBM5A being VRN-H1. While the predicted polypeptides from different growth habits are identical, spring accessions contain a deletion in the first intron of HvBM5A that may be important for regulation. While spring HvBM5A alleles are typified by the intron-localized deletion, in some cases, the promoter may also determine the allele type. The presence/absence of the tightly linked ZCCT-H gene family members on chromosome 4H perfectly correlates with growth habit and we conclude that one of the three ZCCT-H genes is VRN-H2. The VRN-H2 locus is present in winter genotypes and deleted from the facultative and spring genotypes analyzed in this study, suggesting the facultative growth habit (cold tolerant, vernalization unresponsive) is a result of deletion of the VRN-H2 locus and presence of a winter HvBM5A allele. All reported barley vernalization QTLs can be explained by the two-locus VRN-H1/VRN-H2 model based on the presence/absence of VRN-H2 and a winter vs. spring HvBM5A allele. Electronic Supplementary Material Electronic Supplementary material is available for this article at and accessible for authorised users.     

Observations on the morphology of some North American nemertines with consequent taxonomic changes and a reassessment of the architectonics of the phylum

A majority of the nemertine species from the western North Atlantic were originally described from life in the nineteenth century. Many of these were established by A. E. Verrill who had ‘an eye for species’ no matter which phylum he was working with, and thus when living nemertines which he described are encountered, they can usually be recognized. The morphology of most of these species has never been reported; some may prove to be species described earlier from the eastern North Atlantic. Morphological observations on the nemertine species from the North East coast of the Pacific are inadequate and have prevented satisfactory comparison with species from Japan and eastern Russia. The morphology of some species collected in the Gulf of Maine and from Cape Cod, as well as a re-examination of some of the slides of type specimens of species from the west coast of North America, indicates that their generic placement must be re-examined. The architectonic plan of the heteronemertines postulated over 100 years ago can not be substantiated and is redescribed. Three new heteronemertean genera are described: Tenuilineus gen.n. Parvicirrus gen.n., Tarrhomyos gen.n.     

Entry and intracellular location of Mycoplasma hominis in Trichomonas vaginalis

The parasite Trichomonas vaginalis causes one of the most common non-viral sexually transmitted infections in humans. The coexistence of different sexually transmitted diseases in the same individual is very common, such as vaginal infections by T. vaginalis in association with Mycoplasma fermentans or Mycoplasma hominis. However, the consequences and behavior of mycoplasma during trichomonad infections are virtually unknown. This study was undertaken to elucidate whether mycoplasmas enter and leave trichomonad cells and if so how. M. hominis was analyzed in different trichomonad isolates and the process of internalization and the pathway within the parasite was studied. Parasites naturally and experimentally infected with mycoplasmas were used and transmission electron microscopy, cytochemistry and PCR analyses were performed. The results show that: (1) M. hominis enters T. vaginalis cells by endocytosis; (2) some mycoplasmas use a terminal polar tip as anchor to the trichomonad plasma membrane; (3) some trichomonad isolates are able to digest mycoplasmas, mainly when the trichomonads are experimentally infected; (4) some fresh virulent isolates are able to maintain mycoplasmas as cohabitants in the cell’s interior; (5) some mycoplasmas are able to escape from the vacuole to the trichomonad cytosol, and trichomonad plasma membrane budding suggested that mycoplasmas could leave the parasite cell.     

Species-specific albumin in fossil bones from Orce, Granada, Spain

A skull fragment (VM-0) from Orce, Granada, Spain, dated palaeomagnetically at about 1.6 Myr, is thought by some palaeontologist to be hominid, while others maintain it is equid. If hominid, it would be by far the oldest evidence ofHomo in Europe. Immunological studies on residual albumin in this fossil were carried out independently, and with different immunological methods, at the University of California, San Francisco (radioimmunoassay), and at the University of Granada, Spain (enzyme immunoassay). Other fossils attributed to hominids also studied wereVM1960 from Venta Micena, andCV-1 from Cueva Victoria, Murcia, Spain. Undisputed equid and bovid fossils from the same deposits and dated to a similar period as the Orce skull were also analyzed. Our results showed that species-specific albumin can be detected in 1.6 Myr-old hominid, equid and bovid fossils. The albumin from the Orce skull fragment and fromVM-1960 was immunologically closer to human albumin. These findings support the contention that theVM-0 andVM-1960 are hominid and that members of the genusHomo occupied southern Spain 1.6 Myr ago.     

The floral nectaries in theIrvingiaceae

TheIrvingiaceae generally possess large intrastaminal receptacular disc nectaries of the mesenchymatic histo-type, which receive numerous small phloematic bundles directly from the central stele. The non-glandular epidermis bears some 10 to 15 strictly localized stomata that are deeply sunken in the parenchyma. The nectar is assumed to be exposed on the disc surface. Flowers are of simple construction, lacking specialized organs to attract pollinators. A wide range of pollinators is thus expected. TheIrvingiaceae have more characters in common withSimaroubaceae thanIxonanthaceae and should therefore be retransferred as a family of their own next toSimaroubaceae. The floral nectaries of theGeraniales and their systematic implications V. For the fourth part seeLink (1992)     

Beiträge zur Systematischen Anatomie derAnthemideae: Die Spaltöffnungsapparate

The subdivision of theAnthemideae into two subtribes purely on the grounds of the presence or absence of receptacular paleae can no longer be maintained. Anatomical data may serve as a basis for a more adequate division of the tribe. This survey of the stomatal apparatus types within theAnthemideae is based on the investigation of 29 species from 15 genera and the evaluation of literature data: Anomocytic stomatal apparatus occur in all species examined, anisocytic at least in all genera investigated by us. We even found representatives of some rare types, such as polo-, helico- or hemiparacytic apparatus, in nearly all species. Diacytic types were not found inOtanthus, Artemisia, Tripleurospermum, Tanacetum corymbosum, and they also appear to be lacking inSantolina andEriocephalus. Paracytic stomatal apparatus and a new type which links paracytic with actinocytic and cyclocytic was discovered inOtanthus maritimus andArtemisia stellerana.

     

Distyly and pollen dimorphism inLinum suffruticosum (Linaceae)

The Mediterranean distylousLinum suffruticosum has dimorphic pollen. That from short-styled plants has sub-monomorphic surface excrescences with minute papillae; that from long-styled plants has strongly dimorphic excrescences with conspicuous papillae. The differences are much like those described in species of other sections of the genus. Pollen of the related homostylousL. tenuifolium has monomorphic pollen. It combines characteristics of bothL. suffruticosum types but resembles that of the long-styled plants somewhat more closely. Ribbonlike styles of long-styled plants ofL. suffruticosum provide another feature which seems to be controlled by the S supergene thought to be associated with distylic incompatibility. The pollen ofL. suffruticosum andL. tenuifolium is very similar to that of some species of sectionLinastrum and would support their placement in that section.     

Nutritional physiology of type isolates of currently accepted species ofExophiala andPhaeococcomyces

Nutritional physiological and tolerance tests were performed for all type strains of species currently classified in the black yeast generaExophiala andPhaeococcomyces, including some additional type strains of taxa recently reidentified asExophiala species. Most describedExophiala species can be distinguished by physiological characters.Exophiala jeanselmei with its varieties, andE. castellanii should all be retained as separate taxa. The pairs of strainsMycotorula schawii/Exophiala dermatitidis, Hormodendrum negronii/Exophiala jeanselmei var.lecaniicorni andSporotrichum gougerotii/Torula bergeri were found to be conspecific. Phenetic analyses of physiological data support the identity ofPhaeococcomyces exophialae as a yeast-like synanamorph ofExophiala spinifera. The taxonomic positions of the generaNadsoniella, Phaeoannellomyces andWangiella are discussed. The generaExophiala andPhaeococcomyces are unrelated.     

A newly constructed primer pair for the PCR amplification,cloningand sequencing of the flagellin (<Emphasis Type="Italic">flaA</Emphasis>) gene from isolatesof urease-negative <Emphasis Type="Italic">Campylobacter lari</Emphasis>

A newly constructed primer pair (lari-Af/lari-Ar) designed to generate a product of the flagellin (flaA) gene for urease-negative Campylobacter lari produced a PCR amplicon of about 1700 bp for 16 isolates from 7 seagulls, 5 humans, 3 food animals and one mussel in Japan and Northern Ireland. Nucleotide sequencing and alignments of the flaA amplicons from these isolates demonstrated that the deduced amino acid sequences of the possible open reading frame were 564–572 amino acid residues in length with calculated molecular weights of 58,804 to 59,463. The deduced amino acid sequence similarity analysis strongly suggested that the ORF of the flaA from the 16 isolates showed 70–75% sequence similarities to those of Campylobacter jejuni isolates. The approximate Mr of the flagellin purified from some of the isolates of urease-negative C. lari was estimated to range from 59.6 to 61.8 kDa. Thus, flagellin from the isolates of urease-negative C. lari was shown for the first time to have a molecular size similar to those of C. jejuni and Campylobacter coli isolates, but to be different from the shorter flaA and smaller flagellin of urease-positive thermophilic Campylobacter (UPTC) isolates. Flagellins from C. lari spp., consisting of the two representative taxa of urease-negative C. lari and UPTC, thus show genotypic and phenotypic diversity.