Evidence for DNA Synthesis in Pneumocystis carinii Trophozoites Treated with the β‐1,3‐Glucan Synthesis Inhibitor Pneumocandin L‐693,989

ABSTRACT. Pneumocandins inhibit β‐1,3‐glucan synthesis preventing the development of Pneumocystis cysts that are absent from the lungs of treated rats. To determine whether treated trophozoites are capable of DNA replication, cytochemical analyses were performed on 4′,6‐diamidino‐2‐phenylindole (DAPI)‐ and DB181‐stained Pneumocystis carinii isolated from pneumocandin L‐693‐989‐treated rats. Fluorescence intensities of trophozoite nuclei from drug‐treated rats were greater than those of untreated controls, suggesting that DNA replication was not inhibited but that cytokinesis and perhaps karyokinesis were blocked.     

Organization of the Euplotes crassus Micronuclear Genome1

Euplotes crassus, like other hypotrichous ciliated protozoa, eliminates most of its micronuclear chromosomal DNA in the process of forming the small linear DNA molecules that comprise the macronuclear genome. By characterizing randomly selected lambda phage clones of E. crassus micronuclear DNA, we have determined the distribution of repetitive and unique sequences and the arrangement of macronuclear genes relative to eliminated DNA. This allows us to compare the E. crassus micronuclear genome organization to that of another distantly related hypotrichous ciliate, Oxytricha nova. The clones from E. crassus segregate into three prevalent classes: those containing primarily eliminated repetitive DNA (Class I); those containing macronuclear genes in addition to repetitive sequences (Class II); and those containing only eliminated unique sequence DNA (Class III). All of the repetitive sequences in these clones belong to the same highly abundant repetitive element family. Our results demonstrate that the sequence organization of the E. crassus and O. nova micronuclear genomes is related in that the macronuclear genes are clustered together in the micronuclear genome and the eliminated unique sequences occur in long stretches that are uninterrupted by repetitive sequences. In both organisms a single repetitive element family comprises the majority of the eliminated interspersed middle repetitive DNA and appears to be preferentially associated with the macronuclear sequence clusters. The similarities in the sequence organization in these two organisms suggest that clustering of macronuclear genes plays a role in the chromosome fragmentation process.     

Variation in reproductive characteristics of colonies of the freshwater bryozoan Cristatella mucedo

1. We studied relationships between different forms of reproduction and local variation in the reproductive state of colonies of a common freshwater bryozoan Cristatella mucedo Cuvier (Bryozoa: Phylactolaemata). Four sampling locations in central Finland, including both lotic and lentic habitats, were sampled by scuba diving. The traits studied were occurrence of sexual larvae, colony size, number of resting stages (statoblasts) and number of zooids. 2. While 76.9% of the sampled colonies carried statoblasts at the time of sampling, only 4.5% of the colonies were brooding sexual larvae. Most of the colonies were relatively small with a mean colony size of 16.6 mm. 3. In colonies brooding larvae, the number of statoblasts was positively correlated with the number of larvae. We did not detect a colony size threshold for sexual reproduction or formation of statoblasts. Colonies carrying statoblasts had a lower number of zooids per unit dry weight. 4. We found significant variation in reproductive traits of colonies among the sampling locations, and among lotic and lentic habitats. The observed phenotypic differences may reflect broadly distributed, phenotypically plastic clones. Differences in clonal composition of local populations cannot, however, be ruled out and factors that may provide clonal diversity are discussed.     

2,3-BUTANEDIONE INACTIVATES THE [H]NITRENDIPINE BINDING SITES, WHEREAS DIETHYLPYROCARBONATE DOES NOT

The modification of [³H]nitrendipine binding sites in rabbit brain membranes with 2,3-butanedione and diethylpyrocarbonate was investigated. 2,3-Butanedione, an arginine-specific reagent, causes a dose- and time-dependent decrease in the number of [³H]nitrendipine binding sites without altering its dissociation constant. Scatchard analysis of the binding data shows that 50 mM 2,3-butanedione decreases the binding capacity of [³H]nitrendipine from a control value of 71 ± 6 fmol/mg of protein to 40 ± 3 fmol/mg of protein. Complete and selective protection against inactivation is provided by nifedipine. No decrease of [³H]nitrendipine binding occurs when membranes are pretreated with selective histidine reagent diethylpyrocarbonate. The results indicate that arginine but not histidine residue in

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-type calcium channel domain is critical for [³H]nitrendipine binding. Copyright © 1996 Elsevier Science Ltd     

Spatial distribution, seston removal, and potential competitive interactions of the bivalves Corbicula fluminea and Elliptio complanata, in a coastal plain stream

SUMMARY.

• 1 Within the past 10 years the introduced exotic bivalve, Corbicula fluminea, has spread from the Savannah River through a riverine swamp into a third-order blackwater tributary on the Savannah River Site (SRS). We examined the effects of this invasion on a native bivalve, Elliptio cornplanata, and on seston concentration in the stream.
• 2 Corbicula fluminea has not yet colonized the entire stream and its distribution limit is coincident with the occurrence of gravel beds.
• 3 Corbicula fluminea appears to cause localized reduction of seston concentration and may rapidly clear the sediment boundary layer of food. There was no evidence of a negative impact on the distribution of the native bivalve in spite of high measured rates of water clearance by C. fluminea.

     

Testing the host‐finding ability of a monophagous caterpillar in the field

1. Relatively few studies of the host‐finding ability of specialised, phytophagous insects involve direct observations of individual insects moving among intact hosts and non‐hosts. Information from such studies can inform the design of restoration programmes for species of conservation concern. 2. The movement of caterpillars of the threatened Oregon silverspot butterfly, Speyeria zerene hippolyta (Edwards) (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae) was studied in the field in cleared arenas with 10 cm radii. Caterpillars were placed in the centre, surrounded by three individuals of their host, Viola adunca, and three different non‐host individuals, separated by bare ground. In a second experiment, second instars were placed between a host and a non‐host, 3–6 cm away. Caterpillars were observed to determine if they walked to their host more often than expected by chance. 3. Caterpillars walked to vegetation significantly more often than expected by chance. They did not, however, reach their hosts more often than expected, based on plant availability. 4. It is concluded that S. z. hippolyta caterpillars can distinguish vegetation from bare ground from 10 cm away. There is no evidence that they can distinguish their host plant from other herbaceous species at distances of 3 cm.     

The Politics of Egalitarianism: Theory and Practice

The Politics of Egalitarianism: Theory and Practice . Jacqueline Solway, ed. New York: Berghahn, 2006. 260 pp.     

Orobanche icterica (Orobanchaceae) revisited

Orobanche icterica Pau, frequently regarded as a synonym for O. elatior Sutton, is lectotypified on Pau's original material from the herbarium of the Real Jardín Botánico in Madrid (MA 115079!). Its morphology is described with special emphasis on those characters which distinguish it from O. elatior. O. icterica is mainly found in the east of the Iberian Peninsula and sporadically in the south and north-west. It is considered to be close to O. elatior but deserving recognition at specific level.  © 2005 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2005, 148 , 117–124.     

The pollen morphology of Phyllanthus (Euphorbiaceae) section Choretropsis

The pollen grain morphology of the eight South American species of the genus Phyllanthus , subgenus Phyllanthus , section Choretropsis , endemic to Brazil, was investigated using light and scanning electron microscopy. The high homogeneity in pollen shape, as well as aperture number and configuration, allowed the definition of a basic pollen type for this section, viz. prolate spheroidal or subprolate, zonocolporate with 4–5 invaginated colpi, sexine reticulate. Two subtypes have been observed, based on pollen grain apertures and exine sculpture. The first subtype is characterized by straight and narrow colpi provided with costae, lalongate endoapertures and a reticulum of rectilineous muri as in P. choretroides and P. spartioides . The second subtype has wider colpi without costae, circular endoapertures and a reticulum with curvilineous muri as in P. flagelliformis , P. goianensis and P. scoparius , or curvilineous-rectilineous muri as in P. angustissimus , P. gladiatus and P. klotzschianus . It was demonstrated that the pollen shape and the number of colpi varied within and between some of the species. The results suggest that pollen grain morphology, in association with plant architecture and the presence of phylloclades, constitute additional evidence to delimit the species of the section Choretropsis and to further understand their evolutionary origin within the genus Phyllanthus.  © 2004 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2004, 144 , 243–250.