New interspecific hybrids in Lathyrus (Leguminosae): Lathyrus annuus× L. hierosolymitanus

Experimental hybridization, cytogenetic observations, flower pigment analyses and scanning electron microscope observations of seed coat features were used to investigate the relationship between L. annuus L. and L. hierosolymitanus Boiss. Pod width, seed size, shape and surface ornamentation proved to be good diagnostic criteria for distinguishing the two taxa. Hybridization between various accessions of the two species revealed variation both between and within accessions. Enhanced anthocyanin levels were detected in the standard petals of the reciprocal hybrids made between two specific accessions of L. annuus and L. hierosolymitanus. The results of the investigations support the retention of L. annuus and L. hierosolymitanus as separate species.     

A biomechanical approach to Ediacaran hypotheses: how to weed the Garden of Ediacara

Flume experiments and analytical approaches are undertaken to determine the stability of flat-lying Ediacaran organisms in fluid flow. Organisms such as Dickinsonia would not have been viable if reconstructed as free-living worms or syncytia. Models of flat-lying Ediacarans occupying a range of densities well beyond those of suggested modern analogs were dislodged by fluid flow taken as typical of Ediacaran paleoenvironments. Analytical tests suggest that parameters such as thickness of the organism and its coefficient of friction have little effect over the range of flows being considered here. These results lead to four non-exclusive interpretations of fossils of flat-lying Ediacarans: (1) The organisms have been transported from a quieter environment (in which case their pristine preservation is similarly puzzling); (2) they had a density approaching that of a flatfish; (3) they were secured to the substrate in some manner; (4) they lived partially or wholly beneath the substrate surface.     

Affinities in C3Cyperus lineages (Cyperaceae) revealed using molecular phylogenetic data and carbon isotope analysis

Maximum likelihood and Bayesian analyses of nrDNA (ETS1f) and plastid DNA (rpl32‐trnL, trnH‐psbA) sequence data are presented for ‘C₃Cyperus’ (Cyperaceae). The term ‘C₃Cyperus’ indicates all species of Cyperus s.l. that use C₃ photosynthesis linked with eucyperoid vegetative anatomy. Sampling comprises 77 specimens of 61 different taxa, representing nearly all previously recognized subdivisions of C₃Cyperus and the segregate genera Courtoisina, Kyllingiella and Oxycaryum. According to our results, the Cyperus clade is divided in six well‐supported clades. The first of these clades (clade 1) forms three subclades largely corresponding to Cyperus sections Haspani, Incurvi and Diffusi. Clade 2 comprises the entirely New World C. section Luzuloidei sensu Denton (1978). Clade 3 is a highly diverse clade including two subclades: clade 3a, C. sections Pseudanosporum and Anosporum plus the segregate genera Courtoisina and Oxycaryum; and clade 3b, C. section Fusci. Clade 4 corresponds to C. section Alternifolii and clade 5 to C. section Leucocephali plus the segregate genus Kyllingiella. The sixth clade is a well‐supported monophyletic clade encompassing all C₄Cyperus s.l. species (‘C₄Cyperus’). This study establishes a phylogenetic framework for future studies. © 2011 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2011, 167 , 19–46.     

Direct Estimation of Early Survival and Movements in Eastern Wolf Pups

Abstract: Determining juvenile survival and recruitment rates is essential to assess status and viability of animal populations. Currently, the demographic attributes of juvenile carnivores, specifically wolves (Canis lycaon), are poorly known but of considerable conservation interest. We measured survival and dispersal rates for 51 juvenile (age 3.5–31 weeks) wolves in Algonquin Provincial Park, Canada, from 2004 to 2005, using implantable very high frequency transmitters. Monthly pup survival was high (0.970, 95% CI = 0.951–0.990) and constant from June to November, and most pup mortality was from natural causes. Pups dispersed as early as age 15 weeks, and monthly dispersal rates were high for young pups (min. = 0.008, 95% CI = 0.000–0.019; max. = 0.030, 95% CI = 0.010–0.050). We failed to detect any influence of pack or litter size on pup survival or probability of dispersal. Radiotelemetry offers an individual-based monitoring technique capable of providing direct assessment of wolf pup survival and movements, with rigorous estimation of survival and dispersal rates and quantification of cause-specific mortality.     

不同耕作方式对内蒙古旱作农田土壤侵蚀的影响

研究黄河流域内蒙古黄土高原丘陵区农田土壤侵蚀状况,对本区域生态农业建设具有重要的意义。试验于2006年在内蒙古呼和浩特市清水河县进行,设免耕(NT)、免耕覆盖(NS)和传统耕作(CT)3种耕作处理方式,种植作物为胡麻和燕麦,观测了全年降雨量和地表水径流量及土壤流失量。结果表明:免耕覆盖及免耕能显著减少降雨对土壤的侵蚀,与传统耕作相比,免耕覆盖处理的燕麦地地表水径流量和土壤的流失量分别减少21.9%和88.3%;3种耕作方式的土壤侵蚀量均受到坡度的影响,并随着坡度的增大而增大,相同环境条件下,不同作物存在一定差异;通过对3种耕作方式下,胡麻和燕麦田土壤侵蚀量与降雨量的关系符合幂函数,且拟合优度良好,均>0.9。     

Localization of 5''-Ribonucleotide Phosphohydrolase in Regenerating (and Normal) Limb Tissues of the Adult Newt Notophthalmus viridescens

The regenerating forelimb of the adult newt, Notophthalmus viridescens was investigated for 5'-nucleotidase (5' ribonucleotide phosphohydrolase, 3.1.3.5) acitivity. The newt's humeri were surgically removed, and after a twenty-one-day recovery period, the forelimbs amputated above the elbows. Regenerates were sampled at predetermined times for specific phases in the progress of regeneration, frozen, sectioned in a cryostat, and the sections fixed in 10% cold formol calcium. The Wachstein and Meisel [25] lead procedure at neutral pH was used predominately in these experiments, although tests were also conducted with Gomori's [14] calcium, Allen's [21] highly alkaline procedures. The substrates used to obtain specific enzyme reactions were adenine, cytosine, guanine, uracil and inosine 5'-monophosphate nucleotides. Sodium beta-glycerophosphate served as a non-specific phosphomonoesterase substrate, distilled water replaced substrate, and inhibitors such as zinc and cyanide ions were used as control measures to assist in increasing the precision in interpreting the results obtained. The most reactive 5'-nucleotidase (5'-Nase) loci were in the walls of the blood vascular system, mysial and neural sheaths, dermis, and periosteum: the principal cells involved were macrophages, endothelium of blood vessels, and fibrocytes of connective tissues. A moderate enzyme response was elicited from secretory cells of some of the subcutaneous glands, hypertrophied chondrocytes and osteogenic centers, chondrocytes in the articular regions and within red blood cells and leucocytes. Normal, injured and degenerating, or regenerating striated muscle and nerve fibers were judged unreactive for 5'-Nase. The epidermis and wound epithelium displayed negative responses for 5'-Nase. Cells forming the regeneration blastema were 5'-Nase reactive during the early formative phase, but with growth and development of the blastema into bulb and conic forms, these cells did not respond for this enzyme-activity. One suggestion offered is that the absence of 5'-Nase in cells of the blastema may be related to the lack of an adequate blood-vascular supply. Several functions of 5'-Nase in normal and regenerating tissues are discussed. A basic conclusion reached is that 5'-nucleotidase hydrolyses may be more involved in fundamental anabolic than in catabolic metabolism.     

The Diffusion of KCI from Micro-electrodes

The diffusion of salt from the tips of 3 M KCI filled micro-electrodesis measured. The leakage of KCI in 3 min is found to be 5.70x 10^–12–1.08 x 10^–11 mol for tips of 0.2–0.6µm diameter, and 2.70 x 10^–11 mol for tips of 0.6–1.0µm diameter. The observed leakages compare with estimatesbased on the diffusion coefficient of KCI and micro-electrodegeometry. The results confirm that the use of 3 M KCI in micro-electrodesmay lead to serious contamination of impaled cells providedthe electrode tips remain unoccluded.