The fine structure of spermatozoa of Hydrolagus colliei (Chondrichthyes, Holocephali)

The ultrastructure of spermatozoa in Hydrolagus colliei is described. Basic similarities of structure to the sperm of the related elasmobranch fish are noted. The most significant features of sperm structure in Hydrolagus that differ from those of elasmobranch fish occur in the tail. The axoneme is eccentrically located and forms a double helix with a single longitudinal column. A second longitudinal column is reduced to a short remnant at the base of the tail. Microtubules within the axoneme are also helically disposed, a feature that is consistent with the rotating motion of the sperm. Abundant glycogen reserves are stored along the length of the tail.     

Wall-softening enzymes in the gynoecium and pollen of Hemerocallis fulva

Summary Variations in extractable cellulase and pectinase were followed during development of Hemerocallis (day lily) flowers. A peak in cellulase activity occurs in the pistil just prior to anthesis, followed by a 62% diminution in the enzyme activity at the time of anthesis. Cellulase activity, per mg protein, is about twice as high in the upper (stigma) portion as in the middle and lower one-third of the pistil tissues. No pectinase activity was detected in the pistil at all stages of development. Extractable pectinase is present at a maximum level in the very young ovary; it decreases rapidly as the ovary develops. Cellulase remains at a moderate level of activity throughout the development of the ovary, except for an increase of about 50% at pollination. Soluble cellulase and pectinase are found in mature pollen. The changes in the cell-wall hydrolytic enzymes in the pistil were pollen-tube growth. It may also promote changes in the cell walls of the pistil cells, although metabolism of the middle lamella during pollen germination is primarily controlled by pollen pectinases.A contribution of the Florida Agricultural Experiment Station, Journal Series No. 3070.     

Natural hybridization in the coccinellid genus chilocorus

A population of lady-bird beetles at the head of the Crowsnest River valley on the immediate east side of the Rocky Mountains has been sampled regularly over the years 1961 to 1964. The 389 individuals studied had chromosome numbers ranging from 2n = 14 (58%) to 2n = 20 (3%). The former is the diploid number of C. hexacyclus, the latter that of C. tricyclus, species otherwise known respectively only in the Prairie Provinces and the interior of British Columbia plus the adjoining part of the State of Washington. About 19% of the beetles had the intermediate number of 17 chromosomes, males possessing either a hexacyclus-type or a morphologically distinct tricyclus-type Y chromosome. — In all numerical categories meiotic pairing was virtually perfect but the trivalents in heterozygotes were frequently linearly aligned. This assures production of aneuploid (duplicationdeficiency) gametes, only complementary recombinations of which are viable. Segregational sterility resulting from triple (92%), double (84%) and single (50%) heterozygotes is estimated to be ca 40%. Of four neo-diploids, with zero chromosomal sterility, predicted in the F₂ only one materialized with certainty, the one with 13 + tricyclus-type Y. This is interpreted to mean that F₂ progeny are rare; rare because (1) random mating, complete introgression, is the rule and (2) Segregational sterility is severest in triple heterozygotes. — Despite the population-depressing effect of the inviable aneuploid zygotes, it is calculated that segregation and crossing-over generate a minimum of 148 × 10⁹ new recombinants (a minimum were crossing-over strictly localized); those acquiring beneficial attributes will be favoured by natural selection. — Topographically, it is evident that tricyclus adults invade the resident hexacyclus community year after year, borne on the prevailing westerly winds that funnel through Crowsnest Pass (elevation only 4463): hexacyclus is thereby constrained to the east of the Continental Divide and consequently does not penetrate into tricyclus territory.Dedicated to Prof. J. Seiler on the occasion of his eightieth birthday.