New Species of Meconopsis (Papaveraceae) from Mianning,Southwestern Sichuan

Two new species of Meconopsis, Mpulchella and Mheterandra are described and characterized. Differences with similar species are discussed and photos showing the diagnostic features are provided.     

Development of Sea Urchin Embryos in Artificial Sea Water Containing Br−in Place of Cl−

In artificial sea water in which the Cl⁻concentration was reduced to less than 10% of that in normal sea water by its replacement with Br⁻, sea urchin eggs were fertilized and developed into abnormal plutei following almost the same time schedule as in natural sea water. These embryos had poorly developed spicules, short pluteus arms, somewhat jagged embryo-walls and quasi-normal archenterons. Similar embryos were obtained in another artificial sea water in which 90% of the Cl⁻concentration in normal sea water was reduced by Br⁻and 10% by acetate. In artificial sea water, in which either 90% of the Cl⁻was replaced by Br⁻or 10% was replaced by acetate, embryos developed into plutei with quasi-normal spicules, pluteus arms and archenterons. These findings indicate that deficiency of Cl⁻results in somewhat abnormal sea urchin embryos. When cells derived from isolated micromeres, were cultured in these Cl⁻-deficient artificial sea waters, containing Br⁻in place of more than 70% of the normal Cl⁻concentration in sea water, spicule formation was strongly inhibited, but pseudopodial cables were well developed. Thus, external Cl⁻seems to be necessary for at least normal formation of spicule rods.     

Probable Role of Allylisothiocyanate-Sensitive H+, K+-ATPase in Spicule Calcification in Embryos of the Sea Urchin, Hemicentrotus pulcherrimus

In embryos of the sea urchin, Hemicentrotus pulcherrimus , as well as in cultured cells derived from isolated micromeres, spicule formation was inhibited by allylisothiocyanate, an inhibitor of H⁺, K⁺-ATPase, at above 0.5 μM and was almost completely blocked at above 10 μM. Amiloride, an inhibitor of Na⁺, H⁺ antiporter, at above 100 μM exerted only slight inhibitory effect, if any, on spicule formation. Intravesicular acidification, determined using [ dimethylamine -¹⁴C]-aminopyrine as a pH probe, was observed in the presence of ATP and 200 mM KCl in microsome fraction obtained from embryos at the post gastrula stage, at which embryos underwent spicule calcification. Intravesicular acidification and K⁺-dependent ATPase activity were almost completely inhibited by allylisothiocyanate at 10 μM. Allylisothiocyanate-sensitive ATPase activity was found mainly in the mesenchyme cells with spicules isolated from prisms. H⁺, K⁺-ATPase, an H⁺ pump, probably mediates H⁺ release to accelerate CaCO₃ deposition from Ca²⁺, CO₂ and H₂O in the primary mesenchyme cells. Intravesicular acidification was stimulated by valinomycin at the late gastrula and the prism stages but not at the pluteus stage. K⁺ permeability probably increases after the prism stage to activate H⁺ release.     

Genetic variation and population structure of the Japanese sika deer (Cervus nippon) in Hokkaido Island, based on mitochondrial D-loop sequences

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) D -loop region sequences (602 bp) from 141 samples of the sika deer Cervus nippon collected from Hokkaido Island of Japan were investigated to elucidate population genetic structure. All animals possessed seven repeat units (38 or 39 bp each) in the sequences. Comparison of the 602-bp sequences showed four sites of transitional mutations (A↔G or C↔T). Based on combination of the substitutions, six D -loop haplotypes (a–f types) were identified in the Hokkaido population, suggesting the occurrence of at least six maternal lineages. Distribution maps of the haplotypes constructed using the Geographic Information System showed that the distribution patterns differed from haplotype to haplotype. In particular, distribution of the major three types (a-, b-, and c-types) almost overlapped with three main areas of coniferous forests in Hokkaido. These results suggest that expansion of the sika deer population could have occurred through the habitat of coniferous forests after the historical bottleneck in Hokkaido.     

Physiological activity of a viridicatin derivative, 3-(4-phenylcarbostyriloxy) acetic acid

A carboxymethylene derivative (V-OCH₂COOH) of viridicatin (V-OH)promoted the root growth of rice and sesame seedlings. V-OCH₂COOHhad no known hormonal activities, per se, but did have an inhibitoryeffect on IAA and 2,4-D-induced growth of Avena coleoptile sectionsand of carrot root callus. However, inhibition by VOCH2COOHof 2,4-D-induced growth in carrot root callus was to some extentreversed by increasing the concentration of 2,4-D. V-OCH₂C0OHseemed to competitively inhibit IAA-induced elongation of Avenacoleoptile sections. (Received September 14, 1970; )     

Herpetomonas mariadeanei sp. n. (Protozoa,Trypanosomatidae) from Muscina stabulans (Falléen, 1816) (Diptera,Muscidae)*

SYNOPSIS. A trypanosomatid flagellate was isolated from the musciod fly Muscina stabulans (Fallén). Cloned cultures of this organism contained promastigotes, opisthomastigotes, and froms containing a long flagellum doubled or coiled within the cell but not protruding outside. These latter forms we are designating endomastigotes. The presence of these hitherto underscribed endomastigotes along with other morphologic and growth characteristics suggest that this is a new species for which the name Herpetomonas mariadeanei is proposed.     

Isolation and characterization of the 337 m{micro} UV-absorbing substance in red alga, Porphyra yezoensis UEDA

Using a variety of Sephadex gel filtrations, starch block zoneelectrophoresis, Avicel SF preparative TLC and DEAE cellulosecolumn chromatography, the characteristic 337 mµ UV-absorbingsubstance from marine red alga, Porphyra yezoensis UEDA wasisolated. The molecular weight of this substance was about 1,000,and its chemical composition was 43.11% C, 5.85% H, 7.23% N,34.73% O and 9.08% Na. In vivo it is located in the chloroplast.On irradiation at 378 mµ, it has a fluorescence actionspectrum peak at 470 mµ. Structural studies on this substanceare still underway, but it could be a kind of aminosugar judgingfrom NMR, IR spectra and other chemical properties. ¹This work was partially supported by the grant of the Ministryof Education in 1969 ²Present address: Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics,University of Hawaii, Honolulu, Hawaii 96822, U.S.A. (Received December 21, 1969; )