Comparative floral structure and systematics in Rhizophoraceae,Erythroxylaceae and the potentially related Ctenolophonaceae,Linaceae, Irvingiaceae and Caryocaraceae (Malpighiales)

Within the rosid order Malpighiales, Rhizophoraceae and Erythroxylaceae (1) are strongly supported as sisters in molecular phylogenetic studies and possibly form a clade with either Ctenolophonaceae (2) or with Linaceae, Irvingiaceae and Caryocaraceae (less well supported) (3). In order to assess the validity of these relationships from a floral structural point of view, these families are comparatively studied for the first time in terms of their floral morphology, anatomy and histology. Overall floral structure reflects the molecular results quite well and Rhizophoraceae and Erythroxylaceae are well supported as closely related. Ctenolophonaceae share some unusual floral features (potential synapomorphies) with Rhizophoraceae and Erythroxylaceae. In contrast, Linaceae, Irvingiaceae and Caryocaraceae are not clearly supported as a clade, or as closely related to Rhizophoraceae and Erythroxylaceae, as their shared features are probably mainly symplesiomorphies at the level of Malpighiales or a (still undefined) larger subclade of Malpighales, rather than synapomorphies. Rhizophoraceae and Erythroxylaceae share (among other features) conduplicate petals enwrapping stamens in bud, antepetalous stamens longer than antesepalous ones, a nectariferous androecial tube with attachment of the two stamen whorls at different positions: one whorl on the rim, the other below the rim of the tube, the ovary shortly and abruptly dorsally bulged and the presence of a layer of idioblasts (laticifers?) in the sepals and ovaries. Ctenolophonaceae share with Rhizophoraceae and/or Erythroxylaceae (among other features) sepals with less than three vascular traces, a short androgynophore, an ovary septum thin and severed or completely disintegrating during development, leading to a developmentally secondarily unilocular ovary, a zigzag‐shaped micropyle and seeds with an aril. Special features occurring in families of all three groupings studied here are, for example, synsepaly, petals not retarded and thus forming protective organs in floral bud, petals postgenitally fused or hooked together in bud, androecial tube and petals fusing above floral base, androecial corona, apocarpous unifacial styles, nucellus thin and long, early disintegrating (before embryo sac is mature), and nectaries on the androecial tube. Some of these features may be synapomorphies for the entire group, if it forms a supported clade in future molecular studies, or for subgroups thereof. Others may be plesiomorphies, as they also occur in other Malpighiales or also in Celastrales or Oxalidales (COM clade). The occurrence of these features within the COM clade is also discussed. © 2011 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2011, 166 , 331–416.     

Eradication of Feral Pigs From Pinnacles National Monument

Abstract: Feral pigs (Sus scrofa) have caused considerable damage where they have been introduced around the world. At Pinnacles National Monument, California, USA, managers were concerned that feral pigs were damaging wetland habitats, reducing oak regeneration, competing with native wildlife, and dispersing nonnative plant species through soil disturbance. To address these threats the National Park Service constructed an exclosure around 57 km² of monument land and through cooperation with the Institute for Wildlife Studies eradicated all feral pigs within the area. Trapping, ground-hunting, hunting dogs, and Judas techniques were used to remove feral pigs. Trapping techniques removed most pigs, but a combination of techniques was required to cause eradication. A series of bait sites and transects across the monument helped focus removal efforts and facilitated detection of the last remaining feral pigs in the exclosure. Consistent funding and cooperation from the National Park Service allowed for a seamless and comprehensive program that provided intensive removal of feral pigs. The successful eradication of feral pigs at Pinnacles National Monument should encourage managers in other areas to implement future control or eradication programs.     

Systematics and Ecology of Shell-Boring Polychaetes from New England

In a survey of shell-boring polychaeles of New England, representativesof five families were found: Spionidae, Cirratulidae, Capitellidae,Terebellidae, and Sabellidae. The five spionid species were studied extensively. These includePolydora commensalis Andrews, found only in shells occupiedby hermit crabs, P. concharum Verrill, P. socialis (Schmarda), P. websleri Hartman, and Boccardia hamata (Webster) , foundin various types of shell. Breeding periods were defined andthe larval development described for each species. Polydoraconcharum deposits egg capsules inwinter months, while the oilierpolydorids spawn in spring or summer. Morphology of planktoniclarvae is distinct in each species, although P. websteri larvaemay be confused with non-boring species such as P. ligni Webster.Polydora socialis adults are found in both shells and sedimentand have a unique grinding apparatus, a gizzard, between theesophagus and intestine. The cirratulid, Dodecaceria sp., follows an asexual mode ofreproduction. The syslematics of Dodecaceria is complex owingto multiple modes of reproduction. No sexually mature individualswere observed during the course of this study. Asexual budswerefound in the Fall. A sabellid, Pseudopolamilla reniformis (Miiller), is commonlyfound in theshells of Placopeclen magellanicits (Gmelin) inMaine waters. Its reproductionis unknown.     

Isolation and characterization of nuclear microsatellite loci for the common green darner dragonfly Anax junius (Odonata: Aeshnidae) to constrain patterns of phenotypic and spatial diversity

Fourteen polymorphic microsatellite loci were developed from an enriched genomic library of the widely distributed migratory North American dragonfly species, the common green darner (Anax junius). For a group of 22 larvae, these loci averaged 16 alleles, with individual loci ranging from nine to 29 alleles. Observed heterozygosity averaged 0.784 per locus.     

Structure of Thermolysin

Results of the chemical and X-ray analyses are combined to locate the active site and the calcium binding sites.     

A Physical Explanation for Solute Leakage from Dry Pea Embryos During Imbibition

The pattern of solute leakage from imbibing dead pea (Pisumsativum L.) embryos was the same as that from living embryos,with an initially high leakage declining to a low constant rateof leakage in the first 3 min of imbibition. The same patternof leakage occurred during each imbibition phase of repeatedimbibe/dry cycles of dead embryos. Living and dead seeds alsoshowed this pattern of leakage. These observations are usedto argue that leakage during imbibition of embryos and seedsis a physical diffusion phenomenon. Vital staining of livingembryos after imbibition revealed positive staining for dehydrogenaseenzymes in the cells on the outer surface of the cotyledonsonly when 0.5 mM sodium succinate solution was present duringimbibition and/or staining. This is discussed in relation tothe effect of rapid water uptake on these cells.     

Expression of XET-related genes and its relation to elongation in leaves of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.)

Five cDNA clones were isolated from barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) that encoded mRNAs related to xyloglucan endotransglycosylase (XET). One of the clones encoded a protein with XET activity in vitro. Sequence comparisons revealed five families of XET-related sequences, one of which (containing two of the barley genes) was novel. Hybridization studies using clone-specific probes indicated that the corresponding genes were represented once, or possibly twice, in the barley genome. Treatment of dwarf mutants with gibberellic acid (GA₃), or homozygosity at the ‘slender’ (sln1) locus, resulted in a 2.5-fold (approximately) stimulation of blade elongation rate. Three of the five clones detected mRNAs that were maximally expressed towards the base of the blade, and present in greater quantities in GA₃-treated or slender seedlings. The remaining two clones detected mRNAs that were maximally expressed in the middle of the blade. Relative elemental growth rate (REGR) profiles of leaves growing with or without GA₃ treatment revealed similar maximal REGR values despite a 2.5-fold difference in leaf elongation rate. Segments of GA₃-treated leaves attained their maximal REGR values more rapidly, this being associated with enhanced expression of the three ‘basal’ XET-related mRNAs. Highest XET activities were detected in the base of the elongation zone, and in GA₃-treated seedlings a second activity peak was observed near the distal end of the elongation zone. We conclude that there are likely to be several XET isoenzymes with different expression patterns, and identify those XET-related proteins potentially involved in leaf elongation.     

Pale biological implications of some Upper Ordovician juvenile asteroids (Echinodermata)

Blake, D. B. 1990 10 15: Pale biological implications of some Upper Ordovician juvenile asteroids (Echinodermata). Lethaia , Vol. 23, pp. 347–357. Oslo. ISSN 0024–1164.
Two patterns have been recognized in the early dorsal skeletal development of modern asteroids. The skeleton of well-preserved juveniles of the Late Ordovician species Promopalaeaster finei is similar in fundamental ossiclar arrangement to one of these patterns, suggesting continuity of developmental sequence. Similarities include presence of large terminal ossicles and double rows of marginal ossicles. Ancient and modern juveniles differ in that in P. finei , podial pores leading to the interior of the arms are lacking, thus providing an ontogenetic argument that such pores are phylogenetically derived within the class. An unpaired interbrachial marginal, or axillary, is present distal to the oral frame; positioning supports earlier suggestions that the axillary is the homologue of the odontophore ossicle of modern asteroids. Comparisons between P. finei and another Ordovician species, Macroporaster matutinus , suggest the need for greater mouth frame flexibility contributed to the evolution of the modern odontophore. Axillary development is linked to the common absence of actinal ossicles from Paleozoic species. ▭ Asteroidea, Echinodermata, functional morphology, ontogeny, phylogeny, Ordovician, Paleozoic .