A Conserved Ethylene Biosynthesis Enzyme Leads to Andromonoecy in Two Cucumis Species

Andromonoecy is a widespread sexual system in angiosperms, characterized by plants carrying both male and bisexual flowers. Monoecy is characterized by the presence of both male and female flowers on the same plant. In cucumber, these sexual forms are controlled by the identity of the alleles at the M locus. In melon, we recently showed that the transition from monoecy to andromonoecy result from a mutation in 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid synthase (ACS) gene, CmACS-7. To isolate the andromonoecy gene in cucumber we used a candidate gene approach in combination with genetical and biochemical analysis. We demonstrated co-segregation of CsACS2, a close homolog of CmACS-7, with the M locus. Sequence analysis of CsACS2 in cucumber accessions identified four CsACS2 isoforms, three in andromonoecious and one in monoecious lines. To determine whether the andromonoecious phenotype is due to a loss of ACS enzymatic activity, we expressed the four isoforms in Escherichia coli and assayed their activity in vitro. Like in melon, the isoforms from the andromonoecious lines showed reduced to no enzymatic activity and the isoform from the monoecious line was active. Consistent with this, the mutations leading andromonoecy were clustered in the active site of the enzyme. Based on this, we concluded that active CsACS2 enzyme leads to the development of female flowers in monoecious lines, whereas a reduction of enzymatic activity yields hermaphrodite flowers. Consistent with this, CsACS2, like CmACS-7 in melon, is expressed specifically in carpel primordia of buds determined to develop carpels. Following ACS expression, inter-organ communication is likely responsible for the inhibition of stamina development. In both melon and cucumber, flower unisexuality seems to be the ancestral situation, as the majority of Cucumis species are monoecious. Thus, the ancestor gene of CmACS-7/CsACS2 likely have controlled the stamen development before speciation of Cucumis sativus (cucumber) and Cucumis melo (melon) that have diverged over 40 My ago. The isolation of the genes for andromonoecy in Cucumis species provides a molecular basis for understanding how sexual systems arise and are maintained within and between species.     

Growth and Survival Responses of Rumex Species to Flooded and Submerged Conditions: The Importance of Shoot Elongation, Underwater Photosynthesis and Reserve Carbohydrates

Plants of Rumex thyrsiflorus Fingerh., R. crispus L. and R.maritimus L., which are zoned along a gradient of elevationin a river foreland ecosystem, and differ in their flood-tolerance,were subjected to different flooding levels. Under conditionsof soil flooding, the growth rates of the flood-tolerant R.crispus and R. maritimus were as high as under drained conditions,but that of the flood-intolerant R. thyrsiflorus was halved.Upon submergence, the low elevation species R. maritimus showedrapid shoot elongation; when elongation resulted in a protrusionof leaves above the water surface, the plants survived. Alternatively,underwater photosynthesis also led to a 100% survival of submergedR. maritimus plants, provided that enough inorganic carbon wasmade available in the water. This could be attributed in partto the use of photosynthetically-derived oxygen for root respiration;in a hydroculture experiment, with 5.0 mM CO₂ in the water inthe shoot environment, photosynthetically-derived oxygen contributedmore than 50% to root oxygen consumption at low oxygen concentrationsin the root environment. The intermediately elevated species R. crispus appeared to bemuch more tolerant towards conditions of prolonged total submergence:older plants survived eight weeks submergence in the dark. Thisresponse was explicable in terms of a dormancy-strategy, whichis characterized by a slow consumption of carbohydrates storedin the tap-root. The differential responses of R. maritimusand R. crispus to total submergence reveal the limitations offlood-tolerance and reflect the different life-histories ofthe species. Key words: Photosynthesis, Rumex, submergence, carbohydrates, growth rate, shoot elongation     

Diffuse Coevolution between Two Epicephala Species (Gracillariidae) and Two Breynia Species (Phyllanthaceae)

The diffuse coevolution between two moth species (Epicephala lativalvaris and E. mirivalvata) and two plant species (Breynia fruticosa and B. rostrata) is reported based on field observations and indoor experiments conducted in Hainan and Fujian, China. Study results showed that the two Epicephala species jointly pollinated the two Breynia species, which led to a unique obligate pollination mutualism of two-to-two species specificity. A single Epicephala larva exclusively fed on seeds of host plants and developed to maturity by consuming all six seeds of each fruit, whereas a fraction of intact fruits were left to ensure the reproduction of plants within the whole population. Larvae of the two Epicephala species are competitive for resources; the population of E. mirivalvata is much smaller than that of E. lativalvaris, which has resulted from the differences in the female ovipositor structures and oviposition mode. The life history of Epicephala species highly coincides with the phenology of Breynia plants, and different phenology of B. fruticosa resulted in the different life history of the two Epicephala species in Hainan and Fujian. The natural hybridization of two host plants, possibly induced by the alternate pollination of two Epicephala species, is briefly discussed.     

A Comparative Study of the Biological Activities of Two Molecular Species of Chloroplast-type Ferredoxins

Pairs of two molecular species of soluble chloroplast-type ferredoxins(Fd I and Fd II) from Nostoc muscorum and Aphanothece sacrumwere used to examine and compare the abilities of ferredoxinto substitute for spinach ferredoxin in the photoreduction ofNADP⁺ by spinach chloroplasts or N. muscorum membrane fragmentsand to link the reducing power of illuminated spinach chloroplaststo the Bacillus polymyxa nitrogenase system. Ferredoxins II of Nostoc and Aphanothece showed rather low activitiesin NADP⁺ photoreduction and nitrogenase system with spinachchloroplasts as the photosensitizer, compared to other ferredoxins.However, there was no difference between two ferredoxins (FdI and Fd II) from Nostoc in NADP⁺ photoreduction by photosyntheticmembrane fragments prepared from the same organism, N. muscorum. The biological significance of two molecular species of ferredoxinsin one organism could be ascribed to the different contributionof each ferredoxin to certain biological reactions in whichferredoxin functioned as an electron carrier. (Received November 4, 1980; Accepted January 9, 1981)     

The Translocation of Lead and Copper in Two Submerged Aquatic Angiosperm Species

The translocation of lead and copper was studied in two speciesof submerged aquatic angiosperm, Potamogeton crispus L. andPotamogeton pectinatus L. A perspex container incorporatinga potters' clay seal around the stems of intact plants was designedfor the chemical separation of the shoot and root environmentsduring 11–21 d treatment periods. Metal solutions wereadded to the root or shoot environments and concentrations weremonitored in waters and sediments. A technique was developedfor the direct quantitative analysis of metals in small (0.02–0.2mg) segments of water plant tissue, using the graphite rod attachmentto an atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Experimental resultsindicated minimal translocation of lead, but extensive acropetaltranslocation of copper to particular sites of accumulation.     

Distinguishing Energy Maximizers from Time Minimizers: A Comparative Study of Two Hummingbird Species

SYNOPSIS. The potential reproductive success of a food energymaximizer increases with foraging time, while that of a foragingtime minimizer increases with time spent in nonforaging activitiesgiven a set energy requirement has been met. How can these foraging"goals" be distinguished for nonbreeding animals in the field?If individuals of two species occupying the same habitat consumethe same foods, face similar foraging constraints, and havesimilar meal sizes (food intake per foraging bout), then relativeto a time minimizer, an energy maximizer should: (1) spend moretime foraging, with greater foragingbout frequency, but no differencein foraging-bout duration; (2) spend less time sitting, withlower sitting-bout duration yet greater sitting-bout frequency;(3) gain mass more rapidly, if net energy intake results inmass accumulation; and (4) exhibit no other differences in timebudgeting. These assumptions and predictions were verified bypopulation- and individual-level comparisons of immature malesof two species of nectar-feeding hummingbirds studied over threefield seasons. The results suggest that, relative to each other,migrant Rufous Hummingbirds are energy maximizers and nonmigrantCosta Hummingbirds are time minimizers. Despite significantdifferences in time budgeting, by far the most striking differencebetween the species was that the Rufous gained mass four toeight times as rapidly as the Costa. This was due to the Rufousentering torpor at night, resulting in relatively little overnightloss in body mass. These patterns underscore the importanceof measuring net energy intake as directly as possible (in thiscase by fat accumulation) in testing foraging theory. Indirectmeasures (such as time budgets) may not always provide the resolutionnecessary to detect important energetic differences betweendifferent foragers.     

Active Hydrocarbon Biosynthesis and Accumulation in a Green Alga,Botryococcus braunii (Race A)

Among oleaginous microalgae, the colonial green alga Botryococcus braunii accumulates especially large quantities of hydrocarbons. This accumulation may be achieved more by storage of lipids in the extracellular space rather than in the cytoplasm, as is the case for all other examined oleaginous microalgae. The stage of hydrocarbon synthesis during the cell cycle was determined by autoradiography. The cell cycle of B. braunii race A was synchronized by aminouracil treatment, and cells were taken at various stages in the cell cycle and cultured in a medium containing [¹⁴C]acetate. Incorporation of ¹⁴C into hydrocarbons was detected. The highest labeling occurred just after septum formation, when it was about 2.6 times the rate during interphase. Fluorescent and electron microscopy revealed that new lipid accumulation on the cell surface occurred during at least two different growth stages and sites of cells. Lipid bodies in the cytoplasm were not prominent in interphase cells. These lipid bodies then increased in number, size, and inclusions, reaching maximum values just before the first lipid accumulation on the cell surface at the cell apex. Most of them disappeared from the cytoplasm concomitant with the second new accumulation at the basolateral region, where extracellular lipids continuously accumulated. The rough endoplasmic reticulum near the plasma membrane is prominent in B. braunii, and the endoplasmic reticulum was often in contact with both a chloroplast and lipid bodies in cells with increasing numbers of lipid bodies. We discuss the transport pathway of precursors of extracellular hydrocarbons in race A.     

我国3种姬蛙Microhyla骨骼系统的比较研究Amphibian:Microhylidae

对分布于我国的3种姬蛙:饰纹姬蛙Microhyla ornata、粗皮姬蛙M. butleri和小弧斑姬蛙M. heymonsi的骨骼系统进行了比较研究.研究发现这3种蛙的第8椎体皆为双凹型,属参差型椎体;左、右上喙软骨在中线处愈合,属典型的固胸型肩带;3种姬蛙的前喙骨、锁骨以及前胸骨都不同程度地退化甚至缺失;后胸骨保留较为完整,并且3种姬蛙的后胸骨有较为明显的差异.对姬蛙科中相关的成员进行了简单比较.     

Two New Species of Ruscus (Liliaceae)

Two new species of Ruscus with unbranched stems are described. Their differences from R. hypoglossum, R. hypophyllum and R. microglossum (a taxon of uncertain status, known to the author only in the female form) are listed.     

Ethylene Sensitivity and Response Sensor Expression in Petioles of Rumex Species at Low O2 and High CO2 Concentrations

Rumex palustris, a flooding-tolerant plant, elongates its petioles in response to complete submergence. This response can be partly mimicked by enhanced ethylene levels and low O2 concentrations. High levels of CO2 do not markedly affect petiole elongation in R. palustris. Experiments with ethylene synthesis and action inhibitors demonstrate that treatment with low O2 concentrations enhances petiole extension by shifting sensitivity to ethylene without changing the rate of ethylene production. The expression level of the R. palustris gene coding for the putative ethylene receptor (RP-ERS1) is up-regulated by 3% O2 and increases after 20 min of exposure to a low concentration of O2, thus preceding the first significant increase in elongation observable after 40 to 50 min. In the flooding-sensitive species Rumex acetosa, submergence results in a different response pattern: petiole growth of the submerged plants is the same as for control plants. Exposure of R. acetosa to enhanced ethylene levels strongly inhibits petiole growth. This inhibitory effect of ethylene on R. acetosa can be reduced by both low levels of O2 and/or high concentrations of CO2.     

Simultaneous Inhibition of Ethylene Biosynthesis and Binding Using AVG and 1-MCP in Two Rose Cultivars with Different Sensitivities to Ethylene

Journal of Plant Growth Regulation - The primary factors that determine the longevity of cut roses are variable and depend on a cultivar’s sensitivity to ethylene. The vase life of...     

Comparative Study of Mitochondrial DNA in Two Greenling Species (Hexagrammidae: Pisces) and Their Hybrids from Peter the Great Bay (Sea of Japan)

Fragments of mtDNA from two greenling species, Hexagrammos octogrammusand H. agrammus, and their possible hybrids were amplified in PCR and examined using RFLP analysis. The inferred sequence difference between the species was 6.6%, which corresponds to about 3 Myr of their divergence. The reproductive contribution of males and females to the hybrids was estimated.     

Response of Two Wheat Cultivars to CO(2) Enrichment under Subambient Oxygen Conditions

Two cultivars of wheat (Triticum aestivum L. cvs Sonoita and Yecora Rojo) were grown to maturity in a growth chamber within four sub-chambers under two CO₂ levels (350 or 1000 microliters per liter) at either ambient (21%) or low O₂ (5%). Growth analysis was used to characterize changes in plant carbon budgets imposed by the gas regimes. Large increases in leaf areas were seen in the low O₂ treatments, due primarily to a stimulation of tillering. Roots developed normally at 5% O₂. Seed development was inhibited by the subambient O₂ treatment, but this effect was overcome by CO₂ enrichment at 1000 microliters per liter. Dry matter accumulation and seed number responded differently to the gas treatments. The greatest dry matter production occurred in the low O₂, high CO₂ treatment, while the greatest seed production occurred in the ambient O₂, high CO₂ treatment. Growth and assimilation were stimulated more by either CO₂ enrichment or low O₂ in cv Yecora Rojo than in Sonoita. These experiments are the first to explore the effect of whole plant low O₂ treatments on growth and reproduction. The finding that CO₂ enrichment overcomes low O₂-induced sterility may help elucidate the nature of this effect.     

Hemolysis and ATP Release from Human and Rat Erythrocytes under Conditions of Hypoxia: A Comparative Study

Red blood cells are involved not only in transportation of oxygen and carbon dioxide but also in autoregulation of vascular tone by ATP release in hypoxic conditions. Molecular mechanisms of the ATP release from red blood cells in response to a decrease in partial oxygen pressure still remain to be elucidated. In this work we have studied effects of hypoxia on red blood cell hemolysis in humans and rats and compared the effects of inhibitors of ecto-ATPase and pannexin on the release of ATP and hemoglobin from rat erythrocytes. The 20-min hypoxia at 37°C increased hemolysis of red blood cells in humans and rats 1.5- and 2.5-fold, respectively. In rat erythrocytes a significant increase in hypoxia-induced extracellular ATP level was found only in the presence of ecto-ATPase inhibitor ARL 67156. In these conditions we observed a positive correlation (R² = 0.5003) between the increase in free hemoglobin concentration and the ATP release. Neither carbenoxolon nor probenecid, the inhibitors of low-selectivity pannexin channels, altered the hypoxia-induced ATP release from rat erythrocytes. The obtained results indicate a key role of hemolysis in the ATP release from red blood cells.     

Comparative Studies on the Ecophysiological Differences of Two Green Tide Macroalgae under Controlled Laboratory Conditions

Yellow Sea green tides have occurred in coastal China almost every year from 2007 to 2011. Ulva prolifera (Müller) J. Agardh has been identified as the causative macroalgal species. U. intestinalis, however, has been observed in the bloom areas, co-occurring with U. prolifera, but it has not been found to be causative. The Yellow Sea green tide has shown consistent phases of development that match corresponding environmental changes. U. prolifera, not U. intestinalis, is dominant. Our experimental design was based on these observed phenomena, and the results of our field investigation indicated a close relationship between changes in principal environmental factors (irradiance, temperature, and salinity) and the development of each phase of the bloom. These main environmental factors were simulated to allow estimation and comparison of the physiological responses of U. prolifera and U. intestinalis. Ecophysiological differences were found between these two species. (1) More photosynthetic activity and plasticity were detected in U. prolifera. (2) U. prolifera was found to be more sensitive to dynamic environments, especially harsh and changing environmental conditions. U. intestinalis was found to be more stable, probably due to the higher stress tolerance given by its antioxidant system. (3) Markedly higher nutrient absorption activity was observed in U. prolifera. Comparisons of the ecophysiological traits of these two species in this present study may foster understanding of their natural ecological processes. Specifically, U. prolifera seemed to be more engaged with the ephemeral blooms, while U. intestinalis seemed to be directed toward persistence. This also suggests that the ecological success of U. prolifera may be inextricably linked to its higher capacity for photosynthesis, nutrient absorption, and nutrient assimilation.     

A Study of the Influence of Sociohistorical Conditions on Child Development (Comparative Investigation, 1929 and 1966)

In the late 1920s, primarily in connection with L. S. Vygotsky's theory concerning the social and historical antecedents of the development of the mind, there was great interest in comparing the development of children reared in different social and cultural environments. One such study was A. R. Luria's Speech and intellect of rural, urban, and orphan children (Moscow, 1930). Zaporozhets, and then Luria, made trips to Central Asia as a part of this research effort. Although cross-cultural studies of human development enjoy some popularity in Western European and American psychology, this is one of the rare published accounts of such work from the USSR.     

Comparison of Aerial and Submerged Leaves in Two Amphibious Species,Myosotis scorpioides and Ranunculus trichophyllus

Both amphibious species, Myosotis scorpioides and Ranunculus trichophyllus, thrive in a stressful environment (alternated flooding and drying), which is variable regarding water and radiation regimes. Plants from the field and plants grown under controlled water table maintained at 40 cm were analysed for content of chlorophyll (Chl) and UV-B screening compounds, and the efficiencies of PS2 and electron transport systems. We detected no significant differences in contents of Chl and UV-B screening compounds between submerged and aerial leaves. The measurements of respiratory potential and photochemical efficiency revealed the presence of permanent stress in M. sporpioides in the natural environment. Differences in physiological responses of submerged and aerial leaves indicated that the terrestrial environment was more favourable for M. scorpioides than for R. trichophyllus. Characteristics of both species suggested that R. trichophyllus might be a phylogenetically older aquatic plant than M. scorpioides.     

Comparative Morphometrics and Associated Growth Trends of Two Benthophagous Cichlid Species from Lake Malawi (Pisces, Perciformes)

Body shape differences between two benthophagous, sympatric cichlid species, Ctenopharynx pictus and Otopharynx sp. “heterodon nankhumba” were examined for 14 morphometric characters using measurements obtained from 11 morphological landmarks and additional 6 characters from the head region using principal component and regression analyses. The two species, though not closely related, superficially resemble each other and, being benthic feeders, directly compete for food resources unless morphological differences lead to trophic specialization. Hence, the present study explores the presence of such morphological variations. Principal component analysis (PCA), revealed that only four characters loaded highly on PC II and, therefore, account for most of the variations in the external morphology between the two species. C. pictus has longer lower jaws reflecting longer gape, and a shorter abdominal cavity than O. sp. “heterodon nakhumba”. The regression analyses showed significant differences in the allometric coefficients of the lower jaw and abdominal cavity, which might have contributed to differences in overall shape detected between the two species. The difference in gape size between the two species may be related to different feeding habits employed by each species, and such specializations are suggested to reduce interspecific competition for food resources. We suggest that the ensuing ecological separation promotes sympatry of these two species.     

两种髭蟾的Ag—NORs,C—带及核型的研究

本文叙述和比较了峨眉髭蟾和哀牢髭蟾的核型,C-带和Ag-NORs,结果表明两者有下列相同方面:2n=26(6+7)、除No.3为SM外,其余诸对概为M,次缢痕和Ag-NoRs位于6q,并都表现出异形现象,No.1长臂有长度异形,但所增染色体片断不呈现C-带正染,C-带正染主要是在各对染色体的着丝点区域,另外No.2短臂近着丝区域亦为正染。这些表明二者之间有很大的核带型同源性。但是二者间在核型的某些对应染色体之间,在相对长度(6对)和臂比值(2对)方面有显著性差异,故可推测其机制是相互易位和臂间倒位。另外,哀牢髭蟾未发现与性别相关的异形性染色体。