Development and characterization of simple sequence repeat DNA markers for Zelkova serrata

We developed 14 microsatellite loci from an enriched genomic DNA library of a broad‐leaved deciduous tree, Zelkova serrata. Of 198 clones from the library, 112 contained microsatellite repeat regions. The M13‐tailed primer method was used for economy. Sequence‐specific primer pairs were designed for 58 of 76 candidate clones. Fourteen of these primer pairs successfully amplified polymorphic single loci among 34 individuals collected from the Kanto breeding region in Japan. The expected heterozygosity for the 14 microsatellite markers ranged from 0.378 to 0.876, suggesting that these will prove valuable for breeding and ecological studies on Z. serrata.     

The role of auxin in growth of the plumular hook section of etiolated pea seedling

Externally applied GA greatly promoted elongation of the plumularhook section of the etiolated Alaska pea seedling, but IAA hadno such effect when given either alone or with GA. PCIB inhibitedelongation of the plumular hook section both in the presenceand absence of applied GA. The PCIB effect in the absence ofGA was partially overcome by IAA, but not completely. On theother hand, the PCIB effect in the presence of GA was completelyovercome by IAA. No antagonic response was, however, obtainedbetween GA and PCIB. CCC also retarded elongation of the sectionand this inhibition was completely overcome by GA, but not byIAA. There was little difference in the amount of endogenous auxindetectable in GA treated and untreated sections. These resultssuggest that auxin is necessary for the growth of both GA treatedand untreated plumular hook sections and that auxin and gibberellinact differently on the growth of the section. (Received April 24, 1968; )     

Light-induced formation of fruit-bodies in a basidiomycete, Favolus arcularius (FR.) AMES

fruit-bodies in Favolus arcularius. The effect of light lastedfor about one day after transfer to darkness. The mycelium became sensitive to light about 2.5 days afterinoculation; i.e., at the beginning of the rapid growth phase.The site of fruiting was 2–5 mm inside the edge of colony(actively dividing zone) at the start of illumination. Whenone half of the plate culture was illuminated, fruiting wasrestricted to the illuminated half of the colony ; i.e., theeffect of light was localized. These results suggest that thecells sensitive to light are the actively dividing cells. Under a fixed light intensity, the total irradiation time requiredfor the initiation of fruiting was nearly constant, irrespectiveof the durations of pre-incubation in darkness and the dailyillumination period. With increasing light intensities, up toabout 500 lux, fruiting was promoted, however, a further increasein light intensity was inhibitory. (Received March 27, 1968; )     

On the role of sexual selection in ecological divergence: a test of body‐size assortative mating in the eastern newt Notophthalmus viridescens

Speciation processes initiated by divergent selection often fail to complete; yet, how sexual selection is involved in the progress of ecological speciation is rarely understood. Intraspecific body‐size variation affects mate preference and male–male competition, which can consequently lead to assortative mating based on body size. In the present study, we tested the importance of body size difference in the potential of assortative mating between the two eastern newt subspecies, larger Notophthalmus viridescens viridescens and smaller Notophthalmus viridescens dorsalis. Through differential expression of life‐cycle polyphenism, these two subspecies are adapted to contrasting environments, which has likely led to the subspecific body‐size difference. We found that males of both subspecies preferred larger females of N. v. viridescens as mates presumably because of the fecundity advantage of larger females. On the other hand, no evidence of female choice was found. Larger males of N. v. viridescens exhibited greater competitive ability and gained primary access to larger females of their own kind. However, smaller males were able to overcome their inferior competitive ability by interfering with larger males' spermatophore transfer and sneakily mating with larger females. Thus, the subspecific body‐size difference importantly affected sexual selection processes, resulting in nonrandom but not completely assortative mating patterns between the larger and smaller subspecies. Although life‐cycle polyphenism facilitates the intraspecific ecological divergence within N. v. viridescens sexual selection processes, namely smaller males' mate preference for larger females and sexual interference during spermatophore transfer, may be halting completion of the ecological speciation. © 2010 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2010, 101 , 884–897.