“Missing perikymata”—fact or fiction? A study on chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes verus) canines

Recently, a lower than expected number of perikymata between repetitive furrow‐type hypoplastic defects has been reported in chimpanzee canines from the Fongoli site, Senegal (Skinner and Pruetz: Am J Phys Anthropol 149 (2012) 468–482). Based on an observation in a localized enamel fracture surface of a canine of a chimpanzee from the Taï Forest (Ivory Coast), these authors inferred that a nonemergence of striae of Retzius could be the cause for the “missing perikymata” phenomenon in the Fongoli chimpanzees. To check this inference, we analyzed the structure of outer enamel in three chimpanzee canines. The teeth were studied using light‐microscopic and scanning‐electron microscopic techniques. Our analysis of the specimen upon which Skinner and Pruetz (Am J Phys Anthropol 149 (2012) 468–482) had made their original observation does not support their hypothesis. We demonstrate that the enamel morphology described by them is not caused by a nonemergence of striae of Retzius but can be attributed to structural variations in outer enamel that result in a differential fracture behavior. Although rejecting the presumed existence of nonemergent striae of Retzius, our study provided evidence that, in furrow‐type hypoplastic defects, a pronounced tapering of Retzius increments can occur, with the striae of Retzius forming acute angles with the outer enamel surface. We suggest that in such cases the outcrop of some striae of Retzius is essentially unobservable at the enamel surface, causing too low perikymata counts. The pronounced tapering of Retzius increments in outer enamel presumably reflects a mild to moderate disturbance of the function of late secretory ameloblasts. Am J Phys Anthropol 157:276–283, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

A colorimetric chiral sensor based on chiral crown ether for the recognition of the two enantiomers of primary amino alcohols and amines

A new colorimetric chiral sensor material consisting of three different functional sites such as chromophore (2,4-dinitrophenylazophenol dye), binding site (crown ether), and chiral barrier (3,3'-diphenyl-1,1'-binaphthyl group) was prepared and applied to the recognition of the two enantiomers of primary amino alcohols and amines. Among five primary amino alcohols and two primary amines tested, the two enantiomers of phenylalaninol show the highest difference in the absorption maximum wavelength (Δλ(max)=43.5 nm) and in the association constants (K(S)/K(R)=2.51) upon complexation with the colorimetric chiral sensor material and, consequently, the two enantiomers of phenylalaninol were clearly distinguished from each other by the color difference.     

THE IMPACT OF REGIONAL CLIMATE ON THE EVOLUTION OF MAMMALS: A CASE STUDY USING FOSSIL HORSES

One of the classic examples of faunal turnover in the fossil record is the Miocene transition from faunas dominated by anchitheriine horses with low-crowned molar teeth to faunas with hipparionine horses characterized by high-crowned teeth. The spread of hipparionine horses is associated with increased seasonality and the expansion of open habitats. It is generally accepted that anchitheriine horses did not display an evolutionary increase in tooth crown height prior to their extinction. Nevertheless, to test whether anchitheriines showed any changes interpretable as adaptation to local conditions, we analyzed molar teeth from multiple populations of Anchitherium in three dimensions. Our results show differences in tooth morphology that suggest incipient hypsodonty in Spain, the first region experiencing increasingly arid conditions in the early Miocene of Europe. Furthermore, analyses of tooth wear show that Spanish specimens cluster with present ungulates that eat foliage together with grasses and shrubs, whereas German specimens cluster with present-day ungulates that eat mostly foliage. Taken together, even a taxon such as Anchitherium , with a long and successful history of forest adaptation, did respond to regional environmental changes in an adaptive manner.     

Responses of crown development to canopy openings by saplings of eight tropical submontane forest tree species in Indonesia: a comparison with cool-temperate trees

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Growth in trunk height in canopy openings is important for saplings. How saplings increase height growth in canopy openings may relate to crown architectural constraints. Responses of crown development to canopy openings in relation to trunk height growth were studied for saplings (0.2-2.5 m tall) of eight tropical submontane forest tree species in Indonesia. The results of this study were also compared with those of temperate trees in northern Japan. METHODS: The crown architecture differed among the eight tropical species, i.e. they had sparsely to highly developed branching structures. Crown allometry was compared among the eight species in each canopy condition (closed canopy or canopy openings), and between closed canopy and canopy openings within a species. A general linear regression model was used to analyse how each species increases height growth rate in canopy openings. Crown allometry and its plasticity were compared between tropical and temperate trees by a nested analysis of covariance. KEY RESULTS: Tropical submontane trees had responses similar to cool-temperate trees, showing an increase in height in canopy openings, i.e. taller saplings of sparsely branched species increase height growth rates by increasing the sapling leaf area. Cool-temperate trees have a wider crown projection area and a smaller leaf area per crown projection area to avoid self-shading within a crown compared with tropical submontane trees. Plasticity of the crown projection area is greater in cool-temperate trees than in tropical submontane trees, probably because of the difference in leaf longevity. CONCLUSIONS: This study concluded that interspecific variation in the responses of crown development to canopy openings in regard to increasing height related to the species' branching structure, and that different life-forms, such as evergreen and deciduous trees, had different crown allometry and plasticity.     

Development,morphology and ultrastructure of the branchial crown of Fabricia stellaris (Müller, 1774) (Polychaeta: Sabellida: Fabriciinae)

Randel, N. and Bick, A. 2011. Development, morphology and ultrastructure of the branchial crown of Fabricia stellaris (Müller, 1774) (Polychaeta: Sabellida: Fabriciinae). —Acta Zoologica (Stockholm) 93 : 409–421. Sabellidae and Serpulidae are well‐known tube‐building polychaetes with a distinctive and often spectacularly colourful branchial crown. Morphological investigations suggest that these taxa form the monophyletic clade Sabellida, with the adelphotaxa Sabellidae and Serpulidae, but the relationship between these taxa remains ambiguous. Molecular investigations have indicated that the Fabriciinae, major taxon of Sabellidae, belongs to Serpulidae, thereby making Sabellidae paraphyletic; however, morphological characters are absent to support this result. We investigate the development, anatomy and ultrastructure of the branchial crown of Fabricia stellaris (Müller, 1774), describing morphological characteristics useful not only for constructing morphological phylogenies but also for understanding the evolution of the branchial crown. The morphology of the radioles and pinnules does not differ from each other. The supporting tissue of the branchial crown consists of myoepithelial cells and a solid extracellular matrix (ECM). Both ciliated and non‐ciliated cells form the epidermal layer; ciliated cells shape the food groove. Most important is the result that radioles and pinnules within Sabellida may not be homologous, because the morphology and the branching of radioles and pinnules are completely different between Sabellinae, Fabriciinae and Serpulidae. The terms ‘primary branch’ for radioles and ‘secondary branch’ for pinnules are proposed for Fabriciinae. The phylogeny of the Sabellida is discussed.     

Predicting Douglas‐fir Sapling Mortality Following Prescribed Fire in an Encroached Grassland

Tree encroachment in fire‐maintained woodlands and grasslands is a major management concern, yet little information exists regarding the mechanisms of small tree mortality following prescribed burns. We sought to clarify the relative importance of tree size and fire‐induced injury in the post‐fire mortality of encroaching Douglas‐fir trees and to compare results with an existing mortality model for larger Douglas‐fir trees. Crown injury to small Douglas‐fir trees was a significant explanatory variable in post‐fire mortality models, with results suggesting a 20% threshold in crown scorch. Crown injury was strongly related to bole injury, and delayed mortality was important as we documented new mortality 20 months post‐burn. Mortality models for large Douglas‐fir tend to over‐predict small tree mortality, underscoring the need to better understand the mechanisms of fire‐caused mortality for small, encroaching trees.     

塔里木河下游柽柳灌丛地上生物量估测

根据划分的柽柳灌丛大、中、小等级,在塔里木河下游英苏至喀尔达依区段进行地表采样、称重,采用统计相关法对柽柳年龄及地径关系进行分析,构建柽柳直立枝与单丛地上生物量估测模型,对模型精度进行检验,筛选最佳模型,并对模型估测值与实测值进行卡方检验。结果表明:(1)输水后柽柳新萌直立枝地径随年龄增加而增大,但输水前柽柳萌生直立枝的地径随年龄增加未呈现规律性变化。在地下水条件非一致性的干旱荒漠区,柽柳地径大小不能作为判断其年龄的依据。(2)根据柽柳标准枝和灌丛因子实测数据,用一元线性函数、幂函数、指数函数、对数函数4种函数进行柽柳直立枝生物量估测模型拟合结果表明,幂函数w=2.007(d2 h)0.837估测模型最优,其总体估测精度达89.92%。(3)以冠幅面积单变量、冠幅周长与丛高双变量构建的柽柳单丛生物量估测模型的精度分别为78.95%和80.09%。(4)以全收获法实测数据为真值对估测模型进行精度检验,柽柳冠幅面积为自变量模型的估测精度为80.54%,柽柳冠幅周长和丛高估测模型的精度为66.85%。(5)对柽柳单株及单丛生物量模型估测值与实测值进行卡方检验结果表明两者之间无显著差异。研究认为,由于柽柳冠幅在高分辨遥感数据上容易获取,柽柳冠幅面积估测模型在传统生物量估测和遥感生物量估测都具有实用价值。     

入闽台湾芒果树冠层节肢动物群落组成结构和多样性

【背景】台湾芒果是我国南方种植的最重要的热带水果之一,其分布广、产量高,极具经济价值。福建地处台湾海峡西岸,与台湾隔海相望,气候条件与台湾相仿,所以台湾芒果很容易在福建定植。然而,台湾芒果在福建的大面积种植,带来了新的虫害问题。因此,掌握台湾芒果园害虫发生的动态及规律对其防治具有重要意义。【方法】2006年8月～2007年8月对福建省惠安县台湾芒果树冠层节肢动物群落进行系统调查。【结果】共采集到28247头节肢动物,隶属于2纲15目79科145种。其中,害虫76种（占总群落物种数的52.41%）、天敌42种（占28.97%）、中性昆虫27种（占18.62%）。芒果园节肢动物的物种丰富度、个体数、群落多样性、均匀性和优势集中性等都呈明显的季节消长规律。多样性指数表现为总群落〉天敌亚群落〉中性昆虫亚群落〉害虫亚群落;均匀度表现为天敌亚群落〉中性昆虫亚群落〉总群落〉害虫亚群落;优势集中性指数表现为害虫亚群落〉中性昆虫亚群落〉总群落〉天敌亚群落。生态优势度测定显示：芒果小爪螨和茶黄蓟马是害虫中的优势种;主要天敌有腹管食螨瓢虫和园蛛科等,优势种是腹管食螨瓢虫;中性昆虫主要以双翅目的花翅摇蚊、啮虫目的凹翅单啮及膜翅目的中国小黑家蚁和红蚂蚁为主。【结论与意义】本研究为芒果园生物资源及天敌的保护与利用、芒果害虫的预测预报和持续控制提供了理论依据。     

不同烤瓷牙内冠材料对产生龈缘黑线影响的分析

目的：分析镍铬合金,金合金材料制作烤瓷内冠以及镍铬合金内冠涂制金粉对冠修复后产生龈缘黑线的影响。方法：对3052例烤瓷冠病例,分别用镍铬合金,金合金制作内冠以及运用金粉涂制镍铬合金内冠进行修复,经一年以上随访。对上述三种材料对产生龈缘黑线状况进行评价。结果：采用金合金制作内冠及对镍铬合金内冠粉制金涂制作烤瓷冠未产生龈缘黑线,而单纯用镍铬合金制作内冠,可能产生龈缘黑线。结论：镍铬合金烤瓷内冠不可避免会产生龈缘黑线,金合金烤瓷内冠避免了上述缺点,而镍铬合金内冠涂制金粉则是一条经济,实效的制作工艺。     

Redescription of Pseudoaugeneriella nigra (Langerhans, 1880), new combination (Polychaeta, Sabellidae), with remarks on some characters of Fabriciinae

The fabriciin sabellid species, Fabricia nigra Langerhans, 1880 from the Macaronesian region, is assigned to the genus Pseudoaugeneriella Fitzhugh, 1998, based on information provided by newly collected specimens. The species is redescribed, including the variability of key characters. Moreover, structures of the anterior end — dorsal lips, ventral filamentous appendages, peristomial rings — of Pseudoaugeneriella nigra and other species of Fabriciinae are studied histologically and by means of SEM. The systematic significance of these characters in Fabriciinae is discussed.