Notulae de Ranunculaceis sinensibus (ⅩⅩⅢ)

(1) In this paper, differences among the five genera constituting the tribe Cimi cifugeae of the family Ranunculaceae are discussed. Beesia, the first genus, with compound cymes and flowers bearing neither petals nor staminodes, is different from the other four genera with simple or compound racemes and flowers bearing either petals or staminodes, and may occupy a primitive position within the tribe. As to the other four genera, Souliea is characterized by the stem without basal leaf but with 2～5 sheath-like cataphylls, the sepals being deciduous but not caducous, moderate in size and petaloid, the petals being much smaller than sepals, but pink in color and more or less petaloid, the pollen grains being pan tocolpate or pantoporate, the carpels being 1～3 per flower, when mature forming dry linear follicles conspicuously reticulate on the surface and dehiscent along the ventral suture, and the seeds being reticulate-foveolate on the surface. These diagnostic characters indicate clear ly that Souliea might have deviated from the lineage formed by the next three genera, i. e. Anemopsis, Cimicifuga, and Actaea, which have their own well-recognizable diagnostic characters. Anemopsis is characterized by the normally developed basal leaf, the racemose inflorescence with sparse and few long pedicellate flowers, the sepals 7～10 in number, mod erate in size, and petaloid, the petals slightly smaller than sepals, the tricolpate pollen grains, the carpels 2～4 per flower, stalked, when mature forming dry oblong follicles with transverse veins on the surface, and the seeds with scaly membranous wings. Cimicifuga is distinguished by the normally developed basal leaf, the caducous, small, often sepaloid sepa ls, the organs of the second floral whorl sometimes with empty sterile anthers being stamin odes not petals, the tricolpate pollen grains, the carpels 1～8 per flower, when mature form ing dry oblong or ovoid follicles with transverse veins on the surface, and the seeds usually with scaly membranous wings. The last genus Actaea is different by the basal leaf trans formed into a small scale, the caducous, small, often sepaloid sepals, the organs of the sec ond floral whorl being clawed petals, the pollen grains with 3(4～6) colpi, carpel 1 per flow er, when mature forming a fleshy indehiscent berry smooth on the surface and without any veins, the seeds roughish or slightly rugose, neither foveolate nor winged on the surface, and the advanced most asymmetric karyotype. According to the diagnostic characters given above, we believe that Beesia, Souliea, Anemopsis, Cimicifuga, and Actaea do represent five independent genera, and the treatment of the tribe Cimicifugeae including these five genera in it by Hutchinson (1923), Janchen (1949) and some other authors, has precisely shown the taxonomic diversity within the tribe. We are therefore unable to accept the treatment published by Compton et al. (1998) to lump the two genera, Souliea and Cimicifuga, into the genus Actaea. (2) Compton et al. (1998, 1997) found out that the Chinese plants previously identified by various authors as Cimicifuga foetida L., in which the terminal and lateral racemes of the compound raceme flower more or less simultaneously, differ from the true C. foetida L. in northern Asia, in which the terminal raceme of the compound raceme flowers before the lateral ones, and thus restored the species name Cimicifuga mairei Lévl. , which was formerly reduced to the synonymy of C. foetida L. , for the Chinese plants. After examining the specimens collected from Siberia and from Southwest China we failed to find out any other differences in both vegetative and reproductive organs between the plants of the two regions, and we consider that it is better to treat the populations in Southwest and Central China as a geographical variety of Cimicifuga foetida L. A new combination, Cimicifuga foetida L. var. mairei (Lévl.) W. T. Wang & Zh. Wang, is thus made. (3) 3 species of Delphinium, 1 species and 1 variety of Clematis are described as new.     

Orthida (brachiopoda) de la formation de Postolonnec (Ordovicien) Finistère,France

Three species of Orthida are described from the «Schistes de Postolonnec Formation. The distribution of Crozonorthis musculosa n. g., n. sp. allows to improve the correlations between the Iberic Peninsula and the Armorican massif and supply new arguments for a Llandeilian age to a part of the «Schistes de Postolonnec Formation.     

Una nueva especie de Hypenia (Lamiaceae) de México

Hypenia violacea (Lamiaceae), a new species from Guerrero, Mexico, is described and illustrated. This species is characterized by glabrescent, coriaceous leaves, lax thyrsoid inflorescences with pedunculate and umbelliform cymules that have 3–6 violet flowers with corollas 0.8–1.6 cm long. The species is referred to the Southern American genus Hypenia.

---

Resumen  Se describe e ilustra Hypenia violacea (Lamiaceae), una especie nueva de Guerrero, México. Presenta hojas coriáceas, glabrescentes, inflorescencia tirsoide, laxa, con címulas umbeliformes, pedunculadas, con 3–6 flores por címula, flores de color violeta, de 0.8–1.6 cm largo. Las características observadas corresponden, en su mayoría, a Hypenia, un género de distribución sudamericana, por lo que se incluye en el mismo.

     

Jean Louis Armand de Quatrefages de Breau (1810–1892)

Biographies of European Anthropologists by D. Ferembach

Jean Louis Armand de Quatrefages de Breau (1810–1892)     

Le zooplancton de la baie de Sh?diac (Nouveau-Brunswick)

Analyses of boreal zooplankton of Shediac Bay demonstrate theabundance of copepods (81%) and meroplankters (18%). Whetherexclusively pelagic or not, 67 species are mentioned for thefirst time in this Northumberland Strait area, out of 76 recordedwithin 23 higher taxa. The fluctuations were observed from Mayto November and pointed out the dominance of such copepods asAcartia tonsa, A. clausi, Oithona similis and Centropages hamatusin relation with temperature, salinity and food distributions. ¹Adresse actuelle: Station marine de Tul?ar, B.P. 141, Universit?de Madagascar, (R?p. Malgache)     

Les Brachiopodes de la craie blanche de Meudon (Campanien supérieur) de la collection dˈOrbigny (MNHN,Paris)

Brachiopods from the White Chalk of Meudon (Upper Campanian), listed in the catalogue of dˈOrbigny collection, are presented following the revised classification. This is not without difficulty, due to the few specimens found and/or to the heterogeneity of sets listed under the same number and labelled with the same name. The Brachiopod fauna in the Belemnitella mucronata Zone is well represented, considering the Invertebrate fauna as a whole. Two representatives of Craniiformea and about ten species of Rhynchonelliformea, from several superfamilies shared by two orders, are critically described, considering the recent observations and the last works after dˈOrbigny.     

Alteraciones del metabolismo glucídico en el estudio de control de factores de riesgo de Extremadura (estudio COFRE)

AimsTo assess the prevalence and control of glucose metabolism disorders in a population of Extremadura (Spain) with at least one cardiovascular risk factor and to compare the characteristics of these patients with those who were normoglycemic in the risk factor control in Extremadura (COFRE study).Patients and methodsThe prevalence and control of cardiovascular risk factors were recorded in a sample of 1,022 patients with at least one cardiovascular risk factor consecutively visiting a primary care office. Of these, 951 patients were included in the analysis. In all patients, fasting glycemia was recorded. Glycated hemoglobin was recorded in diabetic patients.ResultsA total of 320 patients (33.6%) were previously known to be diabetic (DM) and 84 (8.8%) had glycemia ≥126 mg/dl without a previous diagnosis of diabetes (12 with glycemia above 200 mg/dl). Impaired fasting glycemia (IFG) was found in 211 (22.2%) and normoglycemia (NG) in 336 (35.3%). Within the DM group, glycemia <126 mg/dl was found in only 31.4% but glycated hemoglobin lower than 7% was found in 46.8%. Triglyceride concentrations were higher in the IFG group than in the NG group (137±65 mg/dL vs 124±65 mg/dL, p=0,041). Pulse pressure was also higher, but no differences were found in diastolic blood pressure (DBP) or heart rate. Differences in systolic blood pressure (SBP) were at the limit of significance (DM 139.5±17 vs NG 136.5±16 mmHg; p=0.056). No significant differences were found in any of these parameters between the DM and IFG groups.ConclusionsThe prevalence of glucose metabolism disorders was very high in the recruited sample. Patients with IFG showed higher pulse pressure and triglyceride concentrations than those with NG but there were no differences in comparison with DM patients. Diabetic control was poor when assessed by fasting glycemia but glycated hemoglobin showed better control.     

Nouveaux genres de Squaliformes (Chondrichthyes) du Paléogène des Landes (Sud-Ouest de la France)

Résumé  Parmi les nombreux squaliformes récoltés dans le Lutétien des Landes (SO de la France), deux genres et espèces nouveaux ont été reconnus:Squaliodalatias weltoni n. gen. n. sp. etAngoumeius paradoxus n. gen. n. sp. La morphologie dentaire du premier permet de le rapprocher des Dalatiidae. Les relations phylétiques du second taxon sont pour 1’instant moins claires, en raison de sa denture supérieure inhabituelle pour un Dalatiiforme aussi évolué au niveau de la denture inférieure. Ces taxa nouveaux viennent enrichir nos connaissances sur un groupe encore mal connu à l’état fossile en raison de son habitat bathyal ainsi que sur la mise en place et la radiation, encore trop peu documentée, des faunes profondes.      

Étude complémentaire de la structure de trois galactoxyloglucanes (amyloïdes) de graines

D-Galacto-D-xylo-D-glucans (amyloids) from Balsamina, Tropaeolum, and Tamarindus seeds behave in a similar manner in the presence of various glycosidase preparations: slow depolymerization by enzymes from several germinated or non-germinated seeds, and hydrolysis into monosaccharides and oligosaccharides by commercial cellulase and hemicellulase preparations from fungi. A purified cellulase from Penicillium notatum gave a dialyzable fraction almost exclusively composed of α-D-xylopyranosyl-(1→6)-D-glucose residues and a nondialyzable fraction composed of chains of β-D-(1→4)[withsome (1→3)]-glucopyranosyl residues; β-D-galacto-pyranosyl-(1→2)-α-D-xylosyl groups are linked to some of the β-D-glucosyl residues at 0-6. The presence of (1→3)-linkages in the D-glucan chain of the Balsamina was verified by methylation and sequential periodate oxidation-borohydride reduction; the distribution of the substituents on the D-glucan chain is not regular. The main D-glucan backbone, where the β-D-glucosyl residues are partly linked at 0-6 to β-D-galactosyl-(1→2)-D-xylosyl groups, is linked to D-glucan chains where almost all the D-glucose units are linked at 0-6 by one α-D-xylosyl group. The presence of 3,6-di-O-methyl-D-glucose after permethylation and hydrolysis suggests that the xyloglucan chains are linked to 0-2 of the D-glucosyl units of the galactoxyloglucan backbone.     

Localization of hydrogen peroxide in pumpkin (Cucurbita ficifolia bouché) seedlings exposed to high-dose gamma ray

Hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) was detected cytochemically, via transmission electron microscopy (TEM), in pumpkin tissues exposed to high-dose gamma ray. Its reaction with cerium chloride produced electron-dense precipitates of cerium perhydroxides. Their patterns of deposition in the tissues of both control plants and those irradiated with gamma ray (PIG) were typically found in the plasma membranes and cell walls. However, gamma irradiation remarkably increased the intensities of cerium perhydroxide deposits (CPDs) in the plasma membranes and cell walls for all tissue types, but especially the leaves. The only exception was for vessels in the cotyledons. After gamma irradiation, the (H₂O₂) content in all tissues was higher than in the control samples, except for the cotyledons of PIG, where the (H₂O₂) content was lower than for all others. The increased appearance of CPDs may have been due to the enhancement of (H₂O₂) accumulation by gamma radiation. This accumulation also varied according to the cell or tissue type examined.     

Premiers stades de l'oogenèse de Rhabdophaga saliciperda (Cecidomyiidae,Diptera)

The females of Rhabdophaga saliciperda have in their somatic cells 8 chromosomes and the males 6. The type of sex determination is therefore: X₁X₁X₂X₂—♀; X₁X₂—♂. The cells of the germinal line have 46 chromosomes, but a variation of their number was observed. In the oogonia and spermatogonia the number of heterochromatic chromosomes may exceed the number of E chromosomes, i.e. 8. In the beginning of the growth stage of the oocytes an incorporation of somatic cells was observed. The nuclei of these somatic cells persist in the cytoplasm of the oocytes until the maturation divisions. The possibility of their participation in the reconstruction of the nucleus of the mature egg is envisaged. The metaphase of the I segmentation division has a complex character. During prophase of the first meiotic division the E chromosomes form 4 bunches of 6–8 chromosomes each. Some univalents may also be present. The 8 S chromosomes form 4 regular bivalents. The 4 groups of E chromosomes persist until metaphase I. During metaphase I a phenomenon of expulsion of the majority of E chromosomes from the metaphase spindle was observed. The 4 bivalents remain in the equatorial plain of the spindle with some E Chromosomes. After this expulsion 2 groups of chromosomes are formed. In connection with them 2 spindles develop. An irregular distribution of E chromosomes follows without their division. The bivalents are probably separated in regular manner. These 2 spindles correspond to the I maturation division. The II maturation division was not observed because of lack of respective stages.     

Mycologie medicale dans l'ouest de la France: Contribution du service de Parasitologie de l'Universite de NANTES (1963–1973)

Résumé Le service de Parasitologie de l'Université de NANTES s'est intéressé aux problèmes de Mycologie hospitalière, d'épidémiologie des mycoses ainsi que d'expérimentation sur les affinités fongiques, à l'échelon régional, et de 1963 à 1973.La contribution clinique a porté essentiellement sur les levuroses étudiées soit au niveau des cavités buccales irradiées, soit chez les malades des services de Réanimation où l'interprétation du rôle pathogène de Candida parapsilosis nécessite des épreuves immunologiques.Nous avons décrit une forme de Blastomycose chéloïdienne à Aureobasidium pullulans.Nos études morphologiques ont surtout porté sur l'observation au microscope électronique à balayage des ultrasculptures présentées par les champignons kératinophiles, ce qui nous a permis de distinguer les différentes espèces du complexe Microsporum gypseum. Il ne semble pourtant pas que cette technique d'observation permette de résoudre tous les problèmes. La conservation des Dermatophytes en eaudistillée par la méthode de Castellani s'est révélée particulièrement remarquable: une souche de M. gypseum a été récupérée après 6 ans de conservation par ce procédé.Notons, en matière d'épidémiologie la prédominance de Trichophyton rubrum sur T. mentagrophytes, survenue récemment: la recrudescence passagère d'Epidermophyton floccosum; la présence d'Arthroderma simii sur une plage. Une étude des champignons kératinophiles telluriques du massif armoricain a porté sur près de 3000 échantillons de terre, ce qui a permis de retrouver, assez rarement d'ailleurs, Arthroderma benhamiae.Nos expérimentations ont porté sur les réponses sérologiques et histologiques de lapins à une imprégnation aspergillaire par instillation intra-trachéale: les résultats obtenus ont été comparés aux examens sérologiques obtenus chez l'homme atteint d'aspergillose. Enfin, nous avons remarqué que le contact levures-cellules sarcomateuses opéré in vitro permet aux levures d'acquérir un pouvoir immunisant antitumoral par emprunt antigénique. La création d'un service de Parasitologie, Mycologie et Immunologie Parasitaire à l'Unité d'Enseignement et de Recherche des Techniques Médicales de NANTES nous a permis non seulement d'aborder les problèmes du diagnostic biologique des mycoses humaines, mais aussi d'entreprendre des enquêtes épidémiologiques dans la région nantaise ainsi que des expériences sur les affinités fongiques.

---

     

La première observation in natura de l’entomophagie de Panstrongylus geniculatus (Latreille 1811) hématophage vecteur de la maladie de Chagas (Hemiptera: Reduviidae)

Le comportement entomophage de Panstrongylus geniculatus (Latreille 1811), vecteur de la maladie de Chagas, est observé pour la première fois dans la nature, sur un Lépidoptère (Eacles sp., Lepidoptera: Saturniidae) au cours d’une chasse à la lumière dans une forêt de Guyane française.     

Evaluación de la toxicidad de Psilocybe cubensis (Agaricales,Basidiomycota) sobre Artemia franciscana (Crustacea,Anostraca)

BackgroundPsilocybe cubensis is a species with psychodysleptic action that grows on cattle dung in pastures in the tropics and subtropics. This fungus has been widely used in Mexico since ancient times both for ceremonies and rituals, as well as for healing or medicinal purposes. Artemia franciscana is a crustacean frequently used as a model organism for toxicity testing.AimsWith the objective of determining the toxicity of P. cubensis, the results of a study with the extract of P. cubensis on nauplii and adults of the brine shrimp A. franciscana are presented.MethodsSpecimens were collected at Bahía de Banderas, Jalisco, Mexico, and were dried and homogenized in artificial sea water. Bioassays were carried out on crystal vials filled with different concentrations of the extract of P. cubensis (EAP), and with potassium dichromate as reference toxic compound. The median lethal concentration (LC₅₀) in nauplii and adults and the inhibition of cysts hatching in A. franciscana were calculated.ResultsNauplii showed a LC₅₀ = 135 μg/ml, while adults a LC₅₀ = 172 μg/ml. Cysts’ hatching was inhibited by the EAP at all tested concentrations.ConclusionsUnder the conditions of this study, the extract of P. cubensis was toxic for nauplii and adults of A. franciscana.     

La paléoflore autuno-stéphanienne de la région de Demnate(Est de Marrakech-Maroc)

The paleoflora described and pictured in this paper has been collected in two deposits of the area of Demnate: the OT6 bis drilling in the oriental Haouz and an exposure in the Rhojdamas (High-Atlas). Two completely different associations have been characterized: one hygrophilous and autochtonous of the «Stephanian type and the other mesoxerophilous and allochtonous (vegetation of the upland?) of the «Autunian type. In the OT6 bis drilling, the two floras alternate so that it is impossible to draw a precise boundary between the Stephanian and Autunian. In the Rhojdamas, only the Autunian flora has been identified. Such a combination of the two floras has similarly been recorded in several stephanian basins of the French Massif Central.     

Una nueva especie de Chusquea (Poaceae: Bambusoideae) de la Cordillera de Mérida, Venezuela

A new species of woody bamboo (Poaceae: Bambusoideae),Chusquea guirigayensis, is described and illustrated. This species is placed inChusquea sect.Swallenochloa (McClure) L. G. Clark because of its shrubby habit, short waxy internodes, intravaginal branching, and linearly arranged subsidiary buds/branches. In addition, we discuss related species, and describe the ecology and distribution of the new species. Separate keys based on sterile and fertile material of the Venezuelan species ofC. sect.Swallenochloa are provided.