Competitive and facilitative relationships among three shrub species,and the role of browsing intensity and rooting depth in the Succulent Karoo,South Africa

Abstract. The nearest‐neighbour technique is used to infer competition and facilitation between the three most abundant species in a semi‐arid region of western South Africa. Relationships among the shrubs Leipoldtia schultzei and Ruschia robusta, which are leaf‐succulent members of the Mesembryanthemaceae (‘mesembs’) and Hirpicium alienatum a non‐succulent Asteraceae, were compared on two adjacent sites with different histories of browsing intensity. Competition was more prevalent and more important than facilitation. The only evidence for facilitation was found at the heavily‐browsed site where the palatable Hirpicium was larger under the unpalatable Leipoldtia. Generally the prevalence and importance of competition was reduced at the heavily‐browsed site. Strong evidence was obtained for intraspecific competition in each of the three species; also, competition was evident between the two mesembs, where Leipoldtia was competitively dominant over Ruschia, although neither species inhibited Hirpicium. Minimal competition between the mesembs and the asteraceous shrub was interpreted in terms of differentiation in rooting depth, and competition within the mesembs, in terms of overlap in rooting depth. The mesembs had the bulk of their roots in the top 5 cm of soil, while the asteraceous shrub had the bulk of its roots, and all its fine roots, at greater depths. The shallow‐rooted morphology of the mesembs is well adapted to utilize small rainfall events, which occur frequently in the Succulent Karoo, and do not penetrate the soil deeply. Modifications of existing methods are applied for analysing nearest‐neighbour interactions.     

Revision ofVerbesina sect.Pseudomontanoa (Asteraceae)

Verbesina sect.Pseudomontanoa is revised. The last treatment of the group byRobinson & Greenman (1899) recognized 5 species; the present treatment recognizes 12 species, 3 of which (V. breedlovei, V. cronquistii andV. olsenii) are described as new. A key to species, phyletic diagram and distribution maps are provided.     

Body shape and differences between species

The variation of body shape among prosimians is reviewed. Special emphasis is placed on the selective advantages, that is the mechanical reasons, to which variants of the locomotor apparatus can be traced back. There are differences found in the cheiridia, but at present they cannot be explained in terms of mechanics; there is nearly no knowledge about the mechanical meaning of their diversity. Myological characteristics of taxa can be explained mechanically, but this has not yet been done. Well known are variations of body proportions. These discriminate higher taxa, and are largely coincident with the often-used locomotor categories. In spite of this, there are only few sound arguments about the real biomechanic value of characteristic proportions for a given locomotor mode. What is known on this field, is reviewed. Progress can be made only, if the mechanical conditions, set by postural behavior and locomotion, are understood completely. The subtle distinctions between lower taxonomic units can normally be identified only on the basis of detailed and quantified analyses of movements on one hand, and of biometrics on the other. In the few cases in which such studies have been made, the differences of morphology fit to the mechanical requirements of locomotion which also differ only in quantitative details.     

The genusPicris (Asteraceae,Lactuceae) in Tropical Africa

Three species of the genusPicris L. are native in Tropical Africa:P. abyssinica Sch. Bip. (Ethiopia),P. xylopoda Lack, spec. nova (Nigeria, Ethiopia) andP. humilis DC. (Senegal, Mali). There are indications that the two perennial species,P. abyssinica andP. xylopoda, are related to and have evolved from a primitive Central Asiatic stock in a manner parallel to many African species ofCrepis L.P. humilis, on the other hand, is a small annual plant with a high number of derived characters. The introduced species of European origin growing south of the Sahara are briefly mentioned.     

Comparing Accuracy of Wrist Intra-articular Needle Placement Via Ulnocarpal Approach by Training Level: A Cadaveric Study

BackgroundIntra-articular injections are a standard therapy and diagnostic tool for a variety of wrist conditions. Accurate needle placement is crucial for proper therapeutic benefit and prevention of complications. While some studies claim accurate needle placement requires imaging, others conclude that anatomical guidance is sufficient. This study aimed to evaluate the accuracy of intra-articular wrist needle placement with the ulnocarpal approach across differing levels of training using clinical anatomy alone.MethodsFourteen fresh-frozen, above-elbow cadaveric specimens were used. Intra-articular needle placement into the wrist via an ulnocarpal approach was attempted by nine study participants: two interns, two junior-level residents, two senior-level residents, two hand fellows, and one attending hand surgeon. Each injection was performed based on clinical examination and landmarks alone. The number of attempts and total time taken for each injection was recorded.ResultsOverall success rate was 71%, (89 of 126 attempts) and did not vary significantly across levels of training. Average time for needle placement among all participants was 10.9 ± 6.5 seconds. Timing of successful intra-articular needle placement (10.4 ± 5.2 seconds) significantly differed between levels. However, timing did not trend in any direction with more or less training. No significant difference was noted in total attempts or attempts with successful outcomes when comparing level of training.ConclusionThe ulnocarpal approach is a viable option for injection or aspiration of the wrist without image guidance. We were unable to show any relevant trends with timing or number of attempts in comparison to level of training. Level of Evidence: V     

Development of a 16S rRNA gene-based prototype microarray for the detection of selected actinomycetes genera

Actinomycetes are known for their secondary metabolites, which have been successfully used as drugs in human and veterinary medicines. However, information on the distribution of this group of Gram-positive bacteria in diverse ecosystems and a comprehension of their activities in ecosystem processes are still scarce. We have developed a 16S rRNA-based taxonomic microarray that targets key actinomycetes at the genus level. In total, 113 actinomycete 16S rRNA probes, corresponding to 55 of the 202 described genera, were designed. The microarray accuracy was evaluated by comparing signal intensities with probe/target-weighted mismatch values and the Gibbs energy of the probe/target duplex formation by hybridizing 17 non-actinomycete and 29 actinomycete strains/clones with the probe set. The validation proved that the probe set was specific, with only 1.3% of false results. The incomplete coverage of actinomycetes by a genus-specific probe was caused by the limited number of 16S rRNA gene sequences in databases or insufficient 16S rRNA gene polymorphism. The microarray enabled discrimination between actinomycete communities from three forest soil samples collected at one site. Cloning and sequencing of 16S rRNA genes from one of the soil samples confirmed the microarray results. We propose that this newly constructed microarray will be a valuable tool for genus-level comparisons of actinomycete communities in various ecological conditions.     

基于结构比较的蛋白质同源模建系统及其评估Ⅱ侧链的安装

至今,有关蛋白质侧链的同源模建,除了在本体模板上安装侧链和少数限制条件下在同源模板上安装侧链的报道外,系统的研究和实施似乎还未见报道。本软件系统ＰＭＯＤＥＬＩＮＧ采用同源移植和“死端排除“相结合的侧链安装策略,对与模板蛋白相应践基具有相似大小和形状的目标残基采用直接移植的方法。其余铡链则用广义“死端排除定则”安装。经众多蛋白的测试,达到了较好的模建品质。     

淫羊藿属植物中的黄酮类成分及其分类学意义

用HPLC法研究了具8位异戊烯基的黄酮醇甙类(A类)及一般结构的黄酮醇甙类(B类)在淫羊 藿属Epimedium L.中的存在和含量情况,得到一些具分类学意义的结论。1)依据化学成分可将 Epimedium 分为3群：A群,主要含A类成分;B群,主要含B类成分;AB群,两类化合物含量都高。B 群的8个类群(种或亚种)有多项演化程度较高的形态特征,它可能是Epimedium发展演化中较为进化 的一个分支群。—朋群的种类为本屑较原始的类群,因而在化学性状上有朋群→A群、AB群→B群的 演化趋势,与形态演化趋势基本相关。A、B、AB群的划分与现有分类系统不一致,也与花粉、染色体C 带的结果不很吻合。2)分布于地中海的E. alpinum因有较高含量的厶2类成分(A类中4'-OH的一类 化合物)而体现了与中国的原始类群的一些联系。3)E. davidii和E. ecalcaratum的化学成分几乎相 同,表明花瓣距的有无在Epimedium中的原始类群可能不具重要的分类价值。4)HPLC图谱为E.Х fanjingshanense这一杂交种的亲本来源提供了可靠的证据。本研究结果为建立一个合理的Epimedium的分类系统提供了新的依据。