On the associations between Haplosyllis (Polychaeta, Syllidae) and gorgonians (Cnidaria, Octocorallaria), with the description of a new species

The present paper includes a morphological, ecological and biological updating of the three gorgonian associated species of Haplosyllis (Polychaeta, Syllidae) known to date: H. chamaeleon (symbiont with Paramuricea clavata in the Mediterranean), H. anthogorgicola (symbiont with Anthogorgia bocki in the Japanese seas) and H. villogorgicola , a new species living symbiotically with Villogorgia bebrycoides which is only known from Tenerife (Canary Islands, Eastern Central Atlantic). The new species is described on the basis of ecological, morphological, morphometric and statistical analysis of relevant characteristics. Each host colony harboured about 15 pale-yellowish worms, whose cryptic colouration mimicked that of the host. They occurred either on the host branches or partly hidden inside cavities formed by the fusion of two branches. The new species is characterized by the presence of simple chaetae with clearly bidentate tips all along the body, the presence of gland pore aggregates distributed in two lateral rows and two ventral patches on each palp and the absence of ciliary tufts on the pharyngeal papillae. H. villogorgicola sp. nov. is closely related to H. chamaeleon . Thus, it is compared with two populations of this species collected in the north-west and south-west Mediterranean. Stolons of H. chamaeleon are re-described as tetracerous and a peculiar posterior end regeneration process occurring in adult worms during the stolon formation is described. H. anthogorgicola is also re-described, with particular emphasis on its appendage and chaetal arrangements. The main features of the three associations are discussed in light of the current knowledge on symbiotic polychaetes, particularly cnidarian-associated syllids.  © 2002 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society , 2002, 77 , 455–477.     

Pollen morphology of the tribes Eritrichieae and Cynoglosseae (Boraginaceae) in the Iberian Peninsula and its taxonomic significance

DÍEZ, M. J. & VALDÉS, B., 1991. Pollen morphology of the tribes Eritrichieae and Cynoglosseae (Boraginaceae) in the Iberian Peninsula and its taxonomic significance.
The pollen morphology of 33 species of Boraginaceae from the Iberian Peninsula belonging to the tribes Eritrichieae and Cynoglosseae has been studied by light and scanning electron microscopy. The results confirm the eurypalinous character of this family, in which a large number of species can be recognized by their pollen characters.
The pollen of these two tribes is basically heterocolpate, a type which is very uncommon in the angiosperms, with 6, 8 or 10 apertures, sometimes with ectoapertures anastomosed at the equator (ectocingulum), or diorate, minute or small in size, outline elliptic or rectangular-elliptic in equatorial view, with or without a constriction at the equator, exine 0.5-1.0 urn thick and the tectum psilate with granules around the colpi. The similarity in shape and apertural system found in several genera such as Asperugo, Gyrocarion and Omphalodes, and some species of Myosotis, does not permit the two tribes to be distinguished on pollen characters. The generic limits of Cynoglossum and the infrageneric classification of Myosotis are discussed.     

Foraging by honeybees on Carduus acanthoides: pattern and efficiency

Abstract.

• 1 The relationship between the fluctuation in total quantity of sugar available in the nectar of Carduus acanthoides inflorescences and the foraging behaviour of honeybees Apis mellifera ligustica was studied in a patch under natural conditions.
• 2 Every day, three inflorescence populations coexisted, one for each day of the inflorescence life-span. The maximum availability of sugar occurred in second-day capitula from 12.00 to 15.00 hours.
• 3 Bee arrivals at the patch were positively correlated with the total availability of sugar as determined by sampling.
• 4 Bees responded to variation in the availability of sugar by visiting the inflorescence stage that was most rewarding at that time of day. Early in the morning, when the frequency of visits was low, the bees worked the third-day capitula, which were the best available choice at that time. Similarly, beginning at 12.00 hours, bees switched to second-day capitula. At the end of the day, some bees switched to third-day capitula where a slightly superior quantity of sugar could be obtained from a small number of florets although other bees continued to work the second-day capitula.
• 5 Individual bees switched to another inflorescence stage after a high proportion of their visits to a small number of capitula of one kind had provided a low reward.
• 6 The number of florets visited per minute per bee varied throughout the day and was positively correlated with the availability of sugar.

     

Identification and Expression Analysis of the <Emphasis Type="Italic">YABBY1</Emphasis> Gene in Wild Tomato Species

The YABBY1 genes were identified in one cultivated and ten wild tomato species of the Lycopersicon section of the Solanum genus. The structural analysis of genes and encoded proteins was carried out, and the YABBY1 interspecies functional conservation in tomato was proposed. It was shown that the YABBY1 gene sequence can be used for phylogenetic dividing of tomatoes into self- and cross-pollinated species, as well as green- and red-fruited species. The significant YABBY1 expression level was detected in S. peruvianum fruits, indicating the possibility of abaxial properties preservation in the fruit skin. The obtained data confirmed the conservation of the YABBY1-mediated organ polarity control during the process of the evolutionary diversification and domestication of tomato species.     

Morphological and allozyme variation of Eidolon helvum (Mammalia: Megachiroptera) in the islands of the Gulf of Guinea

Morphological and genetic variation is evaluated among populations of the bat, Eidolon helvum , in the islands of the Gulf of Guinea (Central Africa). The populations from the islands of Bioko, Principe, and Sao Tome do not show significant phenetic differentiation, although a trend towards a reduction of size is found in the latter two islands. The low genetic distances between populations, as well as their values of Wright's fixation indexes, suggest that gene flow has hampered differentiation on these islands. In contrast, the population from Annobon, the smallest and farthermost island, shows remarkable morphological and genetic differentiation. On the mainland, E. helvum displays unique migratory and dispersal behaviours, but migratory behaviour was not found in any of the island populations. The combination of selective forces in harsher oceanic environments and restricted gene flow among populations appears to have favoured the high degree of morphological differentiation of E. helvum on Annobon. Due to the extended length of the dry season in Annobon, an earlier achievement of sexual maturity–and consequently smaller size—may be advantageous in the absence of migration. The differentiation is more marked among females, which also suggests that selection may be linked to the reproductive pattern. The population of the island of Annobon is herein described as a new subspecies, Eidolon helvum annobonensis subsp. nov.     

A new species of Festuca L.from Spain

A new species of Festuca (Festuca rivas-martinezii de la Fuente & Ortúñez) is described from the Sierra de Ayllón, Sierra de Guadarrama, Sierra de Gredos and associated chains (northcentral Spain: provinces of Avila, Guadalajara, Madrid and Segovia. Some morphological, anatomical and cytological characters of the taxon are presented.