<Emphasis Type="Italic">Pityopus californicus</Emphasis>: structural characteristics of seed and seedling development in a myco-heterotrophic species

Pityopus californicus (Eastw.) H. F. Copel., a monotypic member of the Monotropoideae in the family Ericaceae, is a myco-heterotrophic species with distribution limited to the Pacific Northwest of the USA. Young embryos of P. californicus developed mycorrhizal associations in seed packets that had been buried for up to 681 days, suggesting that seeds of P. californicus may require the presence of a fungus to achieve germination. Samples of nongerminated seeds and early stages in embryo and root development were subsequently processed for light microscopy, histochemistry, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Nongerminated seeds possessed a thick testa, lacked a shoot and root meristem, and consisted of an embryo with large parenchymatous cells containing protein bodies and starch grains as storage reserves. In the earliest developmental stage (seed coat still attached), fungal hyphae were present on the testa surface and between the testa and embryo. This stage was followed by embryo elongation, the organization of a root apical meristem, and the development of a well-developed fungal mantle surrounding the elongated embryo. At least two morphotypes were identified based on structural characteristics of the mantle. One of these, with ascomycetous septa, had Cenococcum-like features. Late-stage embryo/early root development revealed a typical mantle and Hartig net, with fungal pegs penetrating the outer tangential walls of epidermal cells. Transfer cell-like deposits of wall material, similar to those described in Monotropa spp., enclosed fungal pegs. The development of a Hartig net and fungal pegs suggests that nutrient exchange interfaces are required for seedling development.     

A complex history of introgression and vicariance in a threatened montane skink (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Pseudemoia cryodroma</Emphasis>) across an Australian sky island system

Species endemic to sky island systems are isolated to mountain peaks and high elevation plateaux both geographically and ecologically, making them particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change. Pressures associated with climate change have already been linked to local extinctions of montane species, emphasizing the importance of understanding the genetic diversity and population connectivity within sky islands systems for the conservation management of remaining populations. Our study focuses on the endangered alpine skink Pseudemoia cryodroma, which is endemic to the Victorian Alps in south-eastern Australia, and has a disjunct distribution in montane habitats above 1100 m a.s.l. Using mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and microsatellite loci, we investigated species delimitation, genetic connectivity and population genetic structure across the geographic range of this species. We found discordance between genetic markers, indicating historical mtDNA introgression at one of the study sites between P. cryodroma and the closely related, syntopic P. entrecasteauxii. Molecular diversity was positively associated with site elevation and extent of suitable habitat, with inbreeding detected in three of the five populations. These results demonstrate the complex interaction between geography and habitat in shaping the population structure and genetic diversity of P. cryodroma, and highlight the importance of minimising future habitat loss and fragmentation for the long-term persistence of this species.     

Structure and histochemistry of mycorrhizae synthesized between Arbutus menziesii (Ericaceae) and two basidiomycetes,Pisolithus tinctorius (Pisolithaceae) and Piloderma bicolor (Corticiaceae)

Arbutoid mycorrhizae were synthesized in growth pouches between Arbutus menziesii Pursch. (Pacific madrone) and two broad host range basidiomycete fungi, Pisolithus tinctorius (Pers.) Coker and Couch and Piloderma bicolor (Peck) Jülich. P. tinctorius induced the formation of dense, pinnate mycorrhizal root clusters enveloped by a thick fungal mantle. P. bicolor mycorrhizae were usually unbranched, and had a thin or non-existent mantle. Both associations had the well-developed para-epidermal Hartig nets and intracellular penetration of host epidermal cells by hyphae typical of arbutoid interactions. A. menziesii roots developed a suberized exodermis which acted as a barrier to cortical cell penetration by the fungi. Ultrastructurally, the suberin appeared non-lamellar, but this may have been due to the imbedding resin. Histochemical analyses indicated that phenolic substances present in epidermal cells may be an important factor in mycorrhiza establishment. Analyses with X-ray energy dispersive spectroscopy showed that some of the granular inclusions present in fungal hyphae of the mantle and Hartig net were polyphosphate. Other inclusions were either protein or polysaccharides.     

Synthesis and biological activity of a series of 4-aryl substituted benz[b]azepines: Antagonists at the strychnine-insensitive glycine site

A series of 4-arylbenz[b]azepine analogs were prepared and shown to act as antagonists at the strychnine-insensitive glycine receptor. The heteroaryl substituted benz[b]azepine derivative 11 also showed excellent in vivo activity.