Myxomycete biodiversity of the Colorado Plateau

A rapid biodiversity assessment for myxomycetes (plasmodial slime moulds) was carried out during a two-week field trip to the Colorado Plateau (western U.S.A.). Due to the very arid climate of the region, the moist chamber culture technique formed a major part of the survey. A total of 1165 records belonging to 93 species and 1 variety from 27 genera was collected from the 433 moist chamber cultures prepared with the bark surface of living plants, litter and weathered dung of herbivorous animals. Only 31 specimens of 16 wood-inhabiting species were collected in the field, mainly at higher elevations. Subsequent moist chamber cultures produced numerous bark-inhabiting species that are usually considered to be rare, including Echinostelium coelocephalum, Protophysarum phloiogenum, and Macbrideola declinata. The most common litter-inhabiting species were Didymium mexicanum and Badhamia melanospora (mainly on decaying parts of Opuntia spp. and Agave spp.); the most abundant coprophilous species were Badhamia cf. apiculospora, Fuligo cinerea, Perichaena liceoides, and Licea tenera. Both, species richness and diversity, increase from sagebrush desert to pine-juniper open woodland and pine-oak woodland. The myxomycete biota of the Colorado Plateau displays a high level of similarity to those of other arid regions of the world (mean coefficient of community C_s = 0.67), differing considerably from temperate (mean C_s = 0.34), boreal (mean C_s = 0.49) and tropical biotas (mean C_s = 0.42).     

Starvation and Cell Wall Formation in the Myxomycete physarum polycephalum

Microplasmodia of the myxomycete physarum polycephalum weregrown in submersed agitated culture. When transferred from vigorouslygrowing cultures to non-nutrient balanced salt solution, theybegan to subdivide approximately 12 hours later and to formcell walls in a manner similar to that previously describedfor ‘aging’ cultures and for the formation of typicalsclerotia.     

无饲培养细柄半网菌Hemitrichia calyculata

报道了细柄半网菌在无饲培养条件下的完整生活史过程,描述了孢子萌发、游动胞、黏变形体、原质团及孢囊形成过程中的主要发育特点。结果表明：孢子预处理可以提高萌发率;游动胞鱼形,具有一根较短的鞭毛;黏变形体前缘具有较厚的透明外质,滑动运动方式。原质团属于“发达的中间类型”原质团。     

Primary fluorescence (Autofluorescence) of fruiting bodies of the wood-rotting fungusFomes fomentarius

Autofluorescence of fruiting bodies of the wood-rotting fungus Fomes fomentarius has been observed and is described among native macrofungi for the first time. The strongest yellow autofluorescence with blue excitation was displayed by pith sets, a weaker yellow, yellow-green to yellow-red fluorescence was due to generative thin-walled hyphae while the weakest yellow-reddish fluorescence was emitted by thick-walled skeletal hyphae (though their parts may emit a more intensive yellow fluorescence). This yellow, yellow-green to yellow-red autofluorescence was assessed to be more intensive than the emission described so far in bacteria and fungi (except for lysed hyphae of the fungus Trametes versicolor). With green excitation all F. fomentarius cells emitted strong red autofluorescence.     

Ultrastructure of the genus Schizoplasmodiopsis (Protostelia)

Two basic types of spore wall structures were observed in ultrastructural examination of Schizoplasmodiopsis micropunctata, Schizoplasmodiopsis pseudonendospora, Schizoplasmodipsis reticulata, and Schizoplasmodipsis vulgare. The spores of S. micropunctata, S. pseudoendospora, and S. vulgare had walls bearing electron-dense protrusions, while those of S. reticulata had walls with irregular thickenings. Prominent cytoplasmic features included 2 types of vesicles and electron-dense bodies studded with ribosomes. The ameboid phase of all species lacked the electron-dense bodies and, unlike the dormant phases, did not have mitochondrial surfaces covered with ribosomes.     

Ultrastructure of the asexual apparatus in Mycotypha (Mucorales)

The development of the asexual apparatus of Mycotypha africana and Mycotypha poitrasii observed by means of scanning electron microscopy is reported. Using ultrathin sections and freeze-fracture replicas, sporangiole structure is described. Sporangiospore structure is compared with that of other members of the Thamnidiaceae.     

Ultrastructure of the spermatozoid in Halimeda tuna (chlorophyceae)

The mature Halimeda tuna spermatozoid was studied under the electron microscope. It is pear-shaped and biflagellate. The nucleus is an uncondensed structure except for a few opaque (chromatin) aggregations and shows a rounded profile. The endoplasmic reticulum is a rather well-developed system of rough cisternae engaged in synthesis and storage of proteins. Free ribosomes are numerous. A large mitochondrial apparatus shaped like a horseshoe lies in the anterior gamete region. Only one single plastid is found, and it exhibits a deeply indented outline, a partially structured matrix, osmiophilic globules, and three to four starch grains. The axoneme pattern is 9 + 2. B tubules show septate lumina. A peculiar structure provided with a three-layered shell covering materials of varying electrondensity lies on the upper surface of both basal bodies. The flagellar root system exhibits a cruciate pattern and sets having an inconstant number of microtubules – ie, three, four, or five.     

Ultrastructure of the body cavities in Phylactolaemata (Bryozoa)

Only species belonging to the bryozoan subtaxon Phylactolaemata possess an epistome. To test whether there is a specific coelomic cavity inside the epistome, Fredericella sultana, Plumatella emarginata, and Lophopus crystallinus were studied on the ultrastructural level. In F. sultana and P. emarginata, the epistome contains a coelomic cavity. The cavity is confluent with the trunk coelom and lined by peritoneal and myoepithelial cells. The lophophore coelom extends into the tentacles and is connected to the trunk coelom by two weakly ciliated coelomic ducts on either side of the rectum. The lophophore coelom passes the epistome coelom on its anterior side. This region has traditionally been called the forked canal and hypothesized to represent the site of excretion. L. crystallinus lacks an epistome. It has a simple ciliated field where an epistome is situated in the other species. Underneath this field, the forked canal is situated. Compared with the other species, it is pronounced and exhibits a dense ciliation. Despite the occurrence of podocytes, which are prerequisites for a selected fluid transfer, there is no indication for an excretory function of the forked canal, especially as no excretory porus was found. J. Morphol. 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Ultrastructure and adaptation in the retina of Aglais urticae (Lepidoptera)

Summary The apposition eye of Aglais urticae is composed of eucone ommatidia. Serial sectioning of blocks from the laterofrontal and lateroventral eye regions and mapping at different levels revealed that there is no torsion of whole ommatidia along their long axes.The sensory part of the ommatidium comprises nine retinula cells. The most significant features of the complicated rhabdom structure (diagrammed in Fig. 3) are as follows. The vertically aligned receptor cells V₁ and V₅, which become axonal at the level at which the ninth cell begins, have microvilli arranged in bundles. The microvilli bundles of these cells generally make an angle between 30 and 55° on one or the other side of the dorsoventral axis in the ommatidium cross section. The two orientations alternate regularly along the length of the rhabdom. The repeated sweeps of these bundles in regular intervals in combination with the curvature of the V-cell microvilli is considered to be a substitute for rhabdomere twisting. The four diagonally aligned receptor cells D_2,4,6,8 have rhabdomers that are continuous, though of variable size. These rhabdomeres, like those of the horizontally aligned cells (H₃ and H₇), extend along the entire rhabdom, though there is a small (1–2 m) interruption in the H-cell rhabdomeres; the latter have the most constant orientation. Pigment granules are most abundant in the D cells, followed by the H cells and finally the V cells. RC₉ lacks pigments.Light- and dark-adaptation experiments reveal marked horizontal migration of the retinula-cell pigment (pupil reaction) and slight vertical migration. Monochromatic adaptation experiments at wavelengths =342, 436, 522, 578, and 626 nm indicate special sensitivity of the D-cells around -520 nm. There are indications for sensitivity of V cells in the UV, and possibly of H cells in the blue. The H cells are regarded as suited for the detection of polarized light. The functional significance of these findings is discussed and compared with what is known of other butterfly eyes.This work was supported by grants from the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft and the Stiftung Volkswagenwerk     

Myxomycete diversity and distribution from the fossil record to the present

The myxomycetes (plasmodial slime molds or myxogastrids) are a group of eukaryotic microorganisms usually present and sometimes abundant in terrestrial ecosystems. Evidence from molecular studies suggests that the myxomycetes have a significant evolutionary history. However, due to the fragile nature of the fruiting body, fossil records of the group are exceedingly rare. Although most myxomycetes are thought to have very large distributional ranges and many species appear to be cosmopolitan or nearly so, results from recent studies have provided evidence that spatial distribution patterns of these organisms can be successfully related to (1) differences in climate and/or vegetation on a global scale and (2) the ecological differences that exist for particular habitats on a local scale. A detailed examination of the global distribution of four examples (Barbeyella minutissima, Ceratiomyxa morchella, Leocarpus fragilis and Protophysarum phloiogenum) demonstrates that these species have recognizable distribution patterns in spite of the theoretical ability of their spores to bridge continents. Special Issue: Protist diversity and geographic distribution. Guest editor: W. Foissner.     

Ultrastructure of the flagellar apparatus inPleurochrysis (classPrymnesiophyceae)

Summary The ultrastructure of the flagellar apparatus of aPleurochrysis, a coccolithophorid was studied in detail. Three major fibrous connecting bands and several accessory fibrous bands link the basal bodies, haptonema and microtubular flagellar roots. The asymmetrical flagellar root system is composed of three different microtubular roots (referred to here as roots 1,2, and 3) and a fibrous root. Root 1, associated with one of the basal bodies, is of the compound type, constructed of two sets of microtubules,viz. a broad sheet consisting of up to twenty closely aligned microtubules, and a secondary bundle made up of 100–200 microtubules which arises at right angles to the former. A thin electron-dense plate occurs on the surface of the microtubular sheet opposite the secondary bundle. The fibrous root arises from the same basal body and passes along the plasmalemma together with the microtubular sheet of root 1. Root 2 is also of the compound type and arises from one of the major connecting bands (called a distal band) as a four-stranded microtubular root and extends in the opposite direction to the haptonema. From this stranded root a secondary bundle of microtubules arises at approximately right angle. Root 3 is a more simple type, composed of at least six microtubules which are associated with the basal body. The flagellar transition region was found to be unusual for the classPrymnesiophyceae. The phylogenetic significance of the flagellar apparatus in thePrymnesiophyceae is discussed.     

华东丘陵林地黏菌的物种多样性

为了探讨黏菌在华东丘陵地带森林中的生态作用,本文选择安徽滁州皇甫山和江苏南京紫金山两个国家森林公园作为华东地区丘陵林地的代表,分别设置针叶林和阔叶林样地各3个,调查研究了其中的黏菌物种多样性。共获得5目10科21属58种黏菌,其中从皇甫山获得5目9科17属41种黏菌,点状无丝菌(Licea punctiformis)、细筛菌(Cribraria tenella)和盖碗菌(Perichaena corticalis)等27种为安徽省首次发现;从紫金山获得5目10科20属51种黏菌,粗柄无丝菌(Licea pedicellata)、密筛菌(Cribraria intricata)和纹丝菌(Calomyxa metallica)等35种为江苏省首次发现。碎皮菌(Clastoderma debaryanum)和灰团网菌(Arcyria cinerea)是两地共有的相对多度最高的物种,相对多度分别为32.72%、30.59%和21.27%、26.30%。无丝菌目和发网菌目更多地在针叶林中发生,而团毛菌目和绒泡菌目更多地在阔叶林中发生,且阔叶林中黏菌的物种数量和多样性指数都高于针叶林。两地阔叶林之间黏菌物种组成的相似性为68.57%,针叶林之间的相似性为59.57%,均高于两地阔叶林和针叶林之间的相似性,表明林型对黏菌物种组成的影响大于距离的影响。     

Ultrastructure of the flagellate Cruzella marina (Kinetoplastidea)

The ultrastructure of a marine, free-living heterotrophic kinetoplastid Cruzella marina was investigated with special attention being paid to the mitochondrion and flagellar organization. The flagellates have a polykinetoplastidal mitochondrion. Two flagella emerge from the pocket; one of these turns anteriorly being forward-directed, while the other is posteriorly directed to be adjacent to the ventral cell surface. The transition zone of both the flagella includes central filaments. The cytostome opens on the tip of the rostrum. The cytostome leads to the channel of cytopharynx, which penetrates the rostrum and proceeds into the flagellate body cytoplasm. The comparison of the relevant morphological and molecular data suggest that C. marina may arise early in the Kinetoplastidea lineage, before divergence of the majority taxa of the kinetoplastid flagellates.     

Ultrastructure of the metanephridial system in Aeolosoma bengalense (Annelida)

Summary The excretory system of Aeolosoma bengalense has been examined by light and electron microscopy. The system consists of seven serially arranged paris of metanephridia and six pairs of podocytes (referring to the first zoid of an animal chain). The podocytes surround blood spaces of the alimentary canal forming dorsoventrally running loops that emerge on both sides of it. The two elements of the system have a correlative position, each podocyte extending in close proximity to the funnel of a metanephridium. Only in the region of the first metanephridia are podocytes lacking. The nephrostome of the metanephridia consists of two cells, an inner one, the terminal duct cell, and an outer one enwrapping it, called the mantle cell. Nephrostomal cilia that extend into the coelomic space arise exclusively from the rim of the mantle cell whereas those of the terminal duct cell arranged on its luminal surface protrude into the canal forming a flame. The nephridial canal is ciliated throughout and is either intra- or extracellular. Its initial loops aggregate to form a compact organ, the nephridial body. The middle part of the duct constitutes a loop that ascends at each side of the alimentary canal where it is in intimate contact with its blood spaces. Ultrastructural features of the duct cells suggest a reabsorptive function in two regions, the nephridial body and the uppermost part of the loop. The terminal part of the duct passes through the nephridial body and opens ventrolaterally. Generally, the transverse vascular loops at the gut consist of one podocyte each. In the oesophageal region, where only one pair of podocytes is present, the loops connect the dorsal with the ventral longitudinal vessel. Three pairs of podocytes are present in the dilated region of the intestine emerging from its lateral wall and joining the median ventral vessel or blood spaces near by. In the hind gut, where two pairs of podocytes occur, the loops arise from the dorsolateral part and enter directly the ventral vessel. Cytological features of podocytes resemble those of other animals. The results are discussed on the basis of current theories on the function and the phylogenetic significance of excretory systems in the Annelida.Abbreviations bl basal lamina - bs blood space - bv blood vessel - cf ciliary flame - ci cilia - co connection of the vascular loop with the intestinal blood space - cu cuticle - db dense body - dc duct cell - di dictyosome - za zonula adhearens - dv dorsal vessel - ecb epicuticular body - ev endocytotic vesicle - ic intestinal cell - ici inner cilia - iv intestinal vessel - lm longitudinal muscle - mc mantle cell - mg midgut - mi mitochondrion - mv microvilli - nu nucleus - oci outer cilia - oe oesophagus - pc podocyte - pe pedicel - pel primary elongation of the podocyte - sm slit membrane - tc terminal duct cell - ve vesicle with heterogeneous contents - vv ventral vessel     

Ultrastructure of venom glands in the frog (Rana esculenta)

Electron microscopic study of skin venom glands in the frog, Rana esculenta, revealed the syncytial structure of the inner (secretory) wall which presents two distinct zones: a basal (juxtamuscular) one, which contains nuclei and major cytoplasmic organelles, and an apical one where large electron-dense granules form and accumulate. Granules are seen to arise inside clusters of tightly packed smooth endoplasmic reticulum (SER) elements, which suggests that the SER system is mainly involved in synthesis of this material. A high glutaraldehyde concentration (5%) also reveals a poorly defined material filling the intergranular cytoplasm. No apical limits to the syncytium could be traced, which suggests massive holocrine secretion. Nerves insinuate between the muscle cells and occur all along the internal face of the muscular layer, sometimes in close contact with the syncytium. The gland duct, the wall of which consists of epidermal cells, is blocked, in contact with the gland, by an epidermal bud linked externally to the muscle layer surrounding the gland. Thus, only strong muscle tension such as to expel all or part of the epidermal bud can trigger granule release. This phenomenon can be induced by the subcutaneous injection of epinephrine, but the high and distressing dose needed to provoke appreciable changes in venom glands renders unlikely any natural intense venom release triggered by epinephrine in the frog.     

Ultrastructure of sustentacular (Sertoli) cells in the bovine testis

In the present communication, ultrastructural and cytochemical aspects of mature bovine Sertoli cells and their relationship to the different stages of germ cell development are described. As in other mammalian species, different types of junctional specializations exist between Sertoli and germ cells in the bovine seminiferous epithelium, including desmosome-like junctions, Sertoli cell ectoplasmic specializations and tubulobulbar complexes. The functional significance of the morphological results and the interactions of Sertoli and germ cells during spermatogenesis are discussed.