Phylogenetic Position of Amblyospora Hazard & Oldacre (Microspora: Amblyosporidae) Based on Small Subunit rRNA Data and Its Implication for the Evolution of the Microsporidia

ABSTRACT. Sequences of the small subunit rRNA genes of Amblyospora californica and an Amblyospora sp. from Culex salinarius were determined. These sequences were compared phylogenetically with 16 other microsporidia. The results suggest Amblyospora forms a sister taxon to the rest of the microsporidia examined. The basal position of Amblyospora is discussed with respect to the evolution of microsporidian life cycles. These sequences represent the longest microsporidian small subunit rRNA genes sequenced to date, 1,359 and 1,358 bp, respectively. Structural features and GC content (49% for both) are comparable to those of other microsporidia which have been sequenced.     

Non-target effects of repeated methiocarb slug pellet application on carabid beetle (Coleoptera: Carabidae) activity in winter-sown cereals

The effects of repeated annual application of methiocarb-based slug pellets, broadcast on the soil surface and drilled into the seed bed, on carabid beetle activity were investigated over a four year period on a winter-sown cereal field using pitfall traps in barriered plots. Following applications in late autumn all winter-active carabid populations were severely depressed; total carabid activity falling to less than 5% and 10–15% following broadcast and drilled applications, respectively, compared with untreated plots. Spring and summer-active species, not active at the time of application, were largely unaffected by applications and were responsible for a gradual recovery of total activity from early spring onwards. Activity of all affected winter species remained demonstrably depressed on treated areas for the remainder of their seasonal incidence. However, all except one species, Bembidion obtusum, recovered to normal activity levels in the following season prior to reapplication. Recovery patterns are discussed in terms of the known biology of the species involved. Evidence that a minority of summer-active species were also affected by treatments, sometimes positively and sometimes negatively, were attributed to indirect effects possibly involving prey availability and foraging behaviour. The long-term ecological and short-term agronomic implications of methiocarb effects on carabid populations in winter-sown cereals are discussed.     

Colonization of rivers and canals in Great Britain by Dugesia tigrina(Girard) (Platyhelminthes: Tricladida)

SUMMARY. 1. Prior to 1975 Dugesia tigrina , an Americati immigrant triclad, was known from only a few flowing water sites in Great Britain. Since then it has been found in a large number of lowland rivers and canals in England and Wales, and in 1985 it was reported from the lower reaches of the River Tweed in Scotland.
2. This note gives the recorded distribution of D. tigrina up to the end of 1985 (115 10 km squares now occupied) and summarizes the environmental conditions at a subset of twenty-five sites where D. tigrina occurs.
3. Information on the native triclads at sites recently colonized by D. tigrina is used as a basis for speculating on the rivers most vulnerable to the future spread of this species.
4. Possible methods of dispersal of D. tigrina and the features which make it a successful colonist are discussed.     

Ion Transport and the Effects of Acetic Acid in White Clover: I. PHOSPHATE ABSORPTION

Dunlop, J., Knighton, M. V. and White, D. W. R. 1988. Ion transportand the effects of acetic acid in white clover. I. Phosphateabsorption.—J. exp. Bot. 39: 79–88. The effect of acetic acid on phosphate absorption by white clovertissue has been examined. At 1·0 mol m³ acetic acid phosphateabsorption by roots of intact plants was stimulated by 36% (P< 0.001). At 5.0 and 10 mol m^–3 acetic acid there wasmarked inhibition of absorption by both suspension culturesof cells and the roots of intact plants. The inhibition waspH dependent with decreasing pH causing increased inhibition.Acetic acid caused changes in the membrane electropotential(E) with concentrations of 2·0 mol m^–3 or lesscausing persistent polarization whereas at 5·0 mol m^–3and higher concentrations the polarization was followed by agreater depolarization. Intracellular pH as measured by thefluorescence of fluorescein was lowered by acetic acid. Calculationsindicate that for white clover roots the proton motive force(pmf) appears to provide sufficient energy for phosphate absorption.It is proposed that acetic acid influences phosphate absorptionthrough its dependence on proton cotransport and that changesin J E affect the rate of phosphate absorption because of thedependence of the pmf on E. Key words: Phosphate absorption, intracellular pH, acetic acid, proton motive force, Trifolium repens, membrane electropotential     

Ion Transport and the Effects of Acetic Acid in White Clover: II. POTASSIUM ABSORPTION

Dunlop, J., Knighton, M. V. and White, D. W. R. 1988. Ion transportand the effects of acetic acid in white clover. II. Potassiumabsorption.—J. exp. Bot. 39: 89–96. Acetic acid stimulated K⁺ influx into cells of white cloverin suspension culture and net K⁺ influx by roots of intact whiteclover plants. At concentrations of acetic acid up to 2·0mol m^–3 the stimulation continued unabated for at least2 h. However, at higher concentrations the rate of absorptiondeclined to near zero values after 2 h. When acetic acid wasremoved from the solution there was a net efflux of K⁺. Thestimulation was pH dependent with a maximum at pH 5·0.There was maximum stimulation at an acetic acid concentrationof 2·0 mol m^–3 Net H⁺ efflux was reduced by 1·0 mol m^–3 aceticacid. When Rb⁺ uptake and H⁺ efflux were measured at a rangeof RbCl concentrations Rb⁺ uptake increased with concentrationwhereas H⁺ efflux was maximum in the absence of Rb⁺ (and K⁺)and decreased as RbCl concentration was increased Acetic acid caused a hyperpolarization of the membrane electricalpotential difference (E) of about 25 mV. In 1·0 mol m^–3acetic acid the hyperpolarization persisted for at least 2 hwhereas at 10 mol m^–3 d E subsequently depolarized tovalues around –80 mV. With a slight lag, the time courseof the stimulation of the rate of K⁺ absorption followed thepolarization and depolarization of E. These results imply thatthe linkage between K⁺ and H⁺ movements is probably throughE. Key words: Proton efflux, membrane electrical potential difference, Trifolium repens     

The Physiology and Nitrogen-fixing Capability of Aquatically and Terrestrially Grown Neptunia plena: The Importance of Nodule Oxygen Supply

The aquatic legume Neptunia plena (L.) Benth. was grown in non-aeratedwater culture or vermiculite. Growth, nodulation, nitrogen fixationand nodule physiology were investigated. Over an 80-d period,plants grew and fixed nitrogen and carbon equally well in bothrooting media, although distribution of growth between plantparts varied. Total nodule dry weights and volumes were similarbut vermiculite-grown plants had three times as many (smaller)nodules than those grown in water. Oxygen diffusion resistanceof nodules exposed to 21% oxygen and 10% acetylene did not differsignificantly. Both treatments showed similar declines in rootrespiration and acetylene reduction activity (approx. 10%) whenroot systems were exposed to stepped decreases and increasesin rhizosphere oxygen concentration. However, nitrogenase activityof aquatically grown plants was irreversibly inhibited by rapidexposure of nodules to ambient air, whereas vermiculite-grownplants were unaffected. Aeration of water-cultured N. plenareduced stem length (but not mass) and number of nodules perplant. The concentration of nitrogen fixation by 163%. PossibleO₂ transport pathways from the shoot atmosphere to roots andnodules are discussed. Aquatic legume, diffusion resistance, Neptunia plena, nitrogen fixation, oxygen, root nodules