Systematic and functional anatomy of seedlings in mangrove Rhizophoraceae: vivipary explained?

The hypocotyl of viviparous seedlings of mangrove Rhizophoraceae (tribe Rhizophoreae) has a common suite of anatomical features but a range of anatomical structures that may be diagnostic at the generic or even specific level. This information is summarized in the form of a dichotomous key. A common and previously unreported anatomical feature is the presence of tension wood fibres developed eccentrically in secondary xylem at the distal pole of seedlings grown in both artificial and natural conditions. These fibres are apparently the source of the mechanism whereby an initially horizontal seedling becomes erected rapidly once it is rooted distally, even though this appears to be achieved at a considerable mechanical disadvantage. The morphological result is a distinct 'hook' at the distal end of the established seedling. This mechanism allows rapid erection of a horizontally stranded seedling, such that the plumule is raised, snorkel-like, above immediate tidal influence. This may be necessary, since gas exchange through the surface of the seedling is not possible via the thick, cutinized and stomata-free epidermis of the hypocotyl. We suggest that the need to produce an elongated propagule, with this self-erecting capability favours the evolution of vivipary in these plants because it permits the earliest development of the plumule in air rather than water. The suitability of mangrove seedlings for further experimental and anatomical study is emphasized. The study also exemplifies how anatomy can be placed in a dynamic context.     

Polyphyly of Limoniastrum (Plumbaginaceae): evidence from DNA sequences of plastid rbcL, trnL intron and trnL-F intergene spacer

Phylogenetic relationships of Limoniastrum and other genera of subfamily Staticoideae (Plumb-aginaceae) were studied using parsimony analysis of the plastid gene rbc L, the intron of trn L and the intergene spacer of trnL-trn F. Our analysis showed that Limoniastrum was polyphyletic. Limoniastrum ifniense , in both rbc L and combined data analyses, is sister to Armeria and Psylliostachys , whereas in the trn L-F (intron and spacer combined) analysis it is sister to a clade composed of Acantholimon, Dictyolimon and the remaining species of Limoniastrum . In all analyses, the five remaining species of Limoniastrum (excluding Limoniatrum ifniense ) formed a clade with two groups of species: L. monopetalum+L. guyonianum and those sometimes considered as the segregate genus Bubania ( L.feei, L. weygandiorum and L. rechingeri ). Levels of sequence divergence among these three groups of Limoniatrum were greater than for other well supported genera in the family and, in combination with morphological differences and paucity of synapomorphies, led us to conclude that separate generic status for each of the three clades is warranted.     

THE DETECTION OF PENICILLIN IN MILK

SUMMARY: Penicillin may be detected in milk in concentrations of 0·10 u/ml and upwards by its effect on the morphology of a strain of Streptococcus cremoris grown in the milk for 5 hr.     

The Plastic Growth Responses of Three Agamospecies of Dandelion to Two Levels of Nutrient

The ability of a genotype to produce different phenotypes inresponse to variable environments is a crucial aspect of lifehistory strategies as it determines the shape of the fitnessset for the population. Apomictic dandelions generate littlegenetic variation between parent and offspring and plasticityis the main strategy in the face of environmental variability.The plastic response of three coexisiting dandelions has beenmeasured over two nutrient regimes. Cyclical growth patternsare species specific and in some cases independent of nutrientlevels. Differences between the agamospecies are greater athigh nutrient levels and the agamospecies appear to produceonly one phenotype at low nutrient levels. Taraxacum, plasticity, phenotypes, nutrient level