The reproductive system of Osedax (Annelida,Siboglinidae): ovary structure,sperm ultrastructure,and fertilization mode

Osedax is a genus of siboglinid annelids in which the females live on dead vertebrate bones on the seafloor. These females have a posterior end that lies within the bone and contains the ovarian tissue, as well as the “roots” involved with bone degradation and nutrition. The males are microscopic and live as “harems” in the lumen of the gelatinous tube that surrounds the female trunk, well away from the ovary. Females are known to spawn fertilized primary oocytes, suggesting internal fertilization. However, little is known about sperm transfer, sperm storage, or the location of fertilization, and the morphology of the female reproductive system has not been described and compared with the reproductive systems of other siboglinids. A 3D‐reconstruction of the ovisac of Osedax showed ovarian tissue with multiple lobes and mature oocytes stored in a “uterus” before being released through the single oviduct. The oviduct emerges as a gonopore on the trunk and travels along the trunk to finally open to the seawater as a thin cylindrical tube among the crown of palps. Light and transmission electron microscopy of mature Osedax sperm revealed elongate heads consisting of a nucleus with helical grooves occupied by mitochondria. In contrast to other Siboglinidae, Osedax sperm are not packaged into spermatophores or spermatozeugmata, and Osedax females lack a discrete region for sperm storage. Transmission electron microscopy and fluorescence microscopy allowed detection of sperm associated with ovarian tissue of the female ovisac of four different Osedax species. This provides the first evidence for the site of internal fertilization in Osedax. A heart body was found in the circulatory system, as seen in other siboglinids and some other annelids. The possible presence of nephridia in the anterior ovisac region was also documented. These morphological features provide new insights for comparing the regionalization of Osedax females in relation to other siboglinids.     

A RAPD study of the Sarcostemma group of Cynanchum (Apocynaceae-Asclepiadoideae-Asclepiadeae)

One hundred and thirty-seven accessions of Cynanchum viminale and its relatives, formerly known as Sarcostemma, were studied using randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD). A fingerprinting technique was used because sequencing had failed to differentiate between morphologically separable groups. Chromosome counts were conducted to establish the ploidy level of the accessions. The banding patterns resulting from RAPD analysis were evaluated with Canonical Analysis of Principal Coordinates, Permanova and neighbour-joining. A strong geographic component was found in the structure of the group. Taxa considered species or subspecies based on morphology often formed coherent groups. The data are interpreted to reflect at least two cycles of diversification: the first one from Madagascar and the second one most likely from the East African–Arabian region, reaching Madagascar again. In mainland Africa, polyploidisation has occurred several times.     

Diet and dietary selectivity of Cane Toads (Rhinella marina) in restoration sites: a case study in Far North Queensland,Australia

Cane Toads (Rhinella marina, formerly Bufo marinus) in restoration sites on the Atherton Tableland in NE Australia consumed invertebrates belonging to 11 different taxa with ants being the most abundant prey item. Principal component analyses showed that the composition of invertebrates in Cane Toad diet is largely a reflection of invertebrates found in pitfall and leaf litter samples suggesting that the species is an indiscriminant feeder. However, pitfall samples contained more Collembola and Isopoda than were found in Cane Toad stomachs. The Cane Toad may benefit from restoration management practices by utilizing food resources enhanced by mulching and providing microhabitats (e.g. rock piles, logs) as shelter. While further studies would be needed to test this practitioners working in areas where the Cane Toad is problematic may consider trade‐offs between attracting invertebrates and Cane Toads by monitoring provided microhabitat features.     

Ammonium uptake in Lemna gibba G 1, related membrane potential changes, and inhibition of anion uptake

In N-starved (?N) fronds of Lemna gibba L. G 1, NH₄⁺ uptake rates were several-fold those of NO₃^?-supplied (+N) fronds. NO₃^?, uptake in +N-plants was slow and not inhibited by addition of NH₄⁺. However, in ?N-plants with higher NO₃^? and still higher NH₄⁺ uptake rates, addition of NH₄⁺ immediately reduced the NO₃^? uptake rates to about one third until the NH₄⁺ was consumed. The membrane potential (E_m) decreased immediately upon addition of NH₄⁺ in all fronds, but whereas depolarisation was moderate and transient in +N-plants, it was strong, up to 150 mV, in N-starved plants, where E_m remained at the level of the K⁺ diffusion potential (E_D) until NH₄⁺ was removed. In N-starved plants NH₄⁺ uptake and membrane depolarisation showed the same concentration dependence, except for an apparent linear component for uptake. Phosphate uptake was inhibited by NH₄⁺ similarly to NO₃^? uptake, but only in P- and N-starved plants, not after mere P starvation. Influx of NO₃^? and H₂PO ₄^? into the negatively charged cells of Lemna is mediated by anion/H⁺ cotransport, but NH₄⁺ influx can follow the electrochemical gradient. Its saturating component may reflect a carrier-mediated NH₄⁺ uniport, the linear component diffusion of NH₄⁺ or NH₃. Inhibition of anion/H⁺ cotransport by high NH₄⁺ influx rates may be due to loss of the proton-driving force, Δμ?H⁺, across the plasmalemma. Reversible inhibition by NH₄⁺ of the H⁺ extrusion pump may contribute to the finding that Δμ?H⁺ cannot be reconstituted in the presence of higher NH₄⁺ concentrations.     

The role of macrophage subpopulations in autoimmune disease of the central nervous system

Summary In this review the role of various subpopulations of macrophages in the pathogenesis of experimental autoimmune encephalomyetitis is discussed. Immunohistochemistry with macrophage markers shows that in this disease different populations of macrophages (i.e. perivascular cells, microglia and infiltrating blood-borne macrophages) are present in the central nervous system. These subpopulations partially overlap in some functional activity while other activities seem to be restricted to a distinct subpopulation, indicating that these subpopulations have different roles in the pathogenesis of encephalomyelitis. The studies discussed in this review reveal that immunocytochemical and morphological studies, combined with new techniques such asin situ nick translation and experimental approaches like the use of bone marrow chimeras and macrophage depletion techniques, give valuable information about the types and functions of cells involved in central nervous system inflammation. The review is divided in three parts. In the first part the experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis model is introduced. The second part gives an overview of the origin, morphology and functions of the various subpopulations. In the third part the role of these subpopulations is discussed in relation to the various stages (i.e. preclinical, clinical and recovery) of the experimental disease.     

High-performance liquid chromatographic analysis of porphyrins and their isomers with radial compression columns

Porphyrin methyl esters and the isomers of uroporphyrin and heptacarboxylic porphyrin were separated by high-performance liquid chromatography. Isocoproporphyrin was also separated from coproporphyrin. By slight modifications to the solvent mixture, the separation of all biological polycarboxylic porphyrins was achieved. These separations were made possible through the high efficiency of 10- or 5-μm particle-size Radial-PAK cartridges, which have been used in the separation of porphyrins in various excreta and tissues in a number of porphyrias.     

The use of a replanted riparian habitat by the Lumholtz's Tree‐kangaroo (Dendrolagus lumholtzi)

This study describes the use of a section of a replanted riparian wildlife corridor by Lumholtz's Tree‐kangaroo (Dendrolagus lumholtzi) (referred to here as LTK) on the Atherton Tablelands in north‐east Queensland, Australia. Selection of plants for replanting had been adjusted to the seasonally inundated clay‐rich and acid soils of the site, and, in some cases, with the aim to establish wind breaks which resulted in a plant composition of this section that differs from known LTK habitats. Through semi‐regular daily observations of individual LTKs over eight years, it was found that LTKs were most commonly recorded on Tallowwood (Eucalyptus microcorys), Rose Gum (E. grandis), Caribbean Pine (Pinus caribaea) and Bunya Pine (Araucaria bidwillii) which were planted as wind breaks in the 1950s and 1980s. On a section planted in 1998, it was found that LTKs used certain tree species more frequently than would have been expected from the relative number in which these species had been planted. This may be associated with certain structural features of the used tree species. The presence of these structural habitat features may allow LTKs to establish home ranges within the restored habitat. Home ranges were calculated for four females, and it was found that they did not differ in size from those reported from other LTK habitats. However, home ranges showed extensive overlaps. The study reveals that LTK will colonise replanted habitat and may be adaptable in its spatial requirements in a restored landscape.     

Stage-Specific Sampling by Pattern Recognition Receptors during Candida albicans Phagocytosis

Candida albicans is a medically important pathogen, and recognition by innate immune cells is critical for its clearance. Although a number of pattern recognition receptors have been shown to be involved in recognition and phagocytosis of this fungus, the relative role of these receptors has not been formally examined. In this paper, we have investigated the contribution of the mannose receptor, Dectin-1, and complement receptor 3; and we have demonstrated that Dectin-1 is the main non-opsonic receptor involved in fungal uptake. However, both Dectin-1 and complement receptor 3 were found to accumulate at the site of uptake, while mannose receptor accumulated on C. albicans phagosomes at later stages. These results suggest a potential role for MR in phagosome sampling; and, accordingly, MR deficiency led to a reduction in TNF-α and MCP-1 production in response to C. albicans uptake. Our data suggest that pattern recognition receptors sample the fungal phagosome in a sequential fashion.