Indications of species status from total protein signatures in Callithamnion (Ceramiaceae)

Lead mining in Wales originated before the Roman Occupation. The main active period was from 1750–1900 when zinc and copper were also mined and during this period only simple and inefficient ore processing methods were available. Consequently large amounts of copper, lead and zinc compounds were lost to the environment and have since become incorporated in sediments and soils. Locally, pollution may still occur from drainage from abandoned mines and by mobilization of mine tailings. This paper describes the present state of Welsh rivers and reviews the distribution of contaminants in sediments and soils. The uptake of heavy metals by plants and the consequences for human health are alto discussed.     

Hirschmanniella pomponiensis n. sp. (Nemata: Pratylenchidae), Parasitic on Bulrush,Scirpus robustus Pursh

A new species of Hirschmanniella was found in bulrush roots; LM and SEM morphological studies revealed that it is distinct from other species in the genus. Therefore, it is designated Hirschmanniella pomponiensis n. sp. Six lips are fused to form a hexagonal labial plate, six inner sensilla encircle the stoma opening, and four cephalic sensilla open in the corners of subdorsal and subventral lips. Cephalic lip region consists of six or seven annuli. The female has incomplete areolation in the lateral field, the intestine overlaps the rectum, the tail tip is pointed and without annulation.     

A light and electron microscopic study of the quadriflagellate green algaSpermatozopsis exsultans

The green flagellateSpermatozopsis exsultans Korshikov has been studied in culture by light and electron microscopy. The organism is naked, bears four flagella and is conspicuously spirally twisted. The ultrastructure and location of cell organelles (except the flagellar apparatus) has been investigated in detail using an absolute configuration analysis. With the exception of a doubling of the flagella and of the secondary cytoskeletal microtubule system,S. exsultans has the exact same complement of organelles occupying the same relative positions as has been described forS. similis. The two species are therefore correctly placed in the same genus. The usefulness of absolute orientations of cell organelles for green algal taxonomy and phylogeny is stressed.Dedicated to Prof.M. Mix on the occasion of her 60th birthday.     

A re-appraisal of two members of the genus Notholca from the Andes,with a note on the fine structure of the lorica of N. foliacea (Ehrenberg)

Rotifers described from the Andes by Murray (1913) and De Beauchamp (1939) as Notholca foliacea (Ehrenberg) are reviewed and re-assessed as Notholca walterkostei De Paggi, 1982. They are compared with N. foliacea and details of the lorica of this species seen with the scanning electron microscope are presented.     

Body wall organization in enchytraeids

The muscle organization of the body wall in some species of oligochaetes belonging to the Enchytraeus genus is described. No differences have been detected in their circular muscles, whereas longitudinal muscles show significant differences, allowing an easy identification of the various worm species. In particular, differences are noticeable in the external longitudinal layer. These observations suggest that structural and ultrastructural muscle fiber organizations can be used as a taxonomic tool.     

Chromosomal distinction between the red-faced and black-faced black spider monkeys (Ateles paniscus paniscus and A. p. chamek)

The two subspecies of the black spider monkey, Ateles paniscus paniscus and A. p. chamek, can be distinguished by their chromosome number, 2n = 32 in the former and 2n = 34 in the latter. This difference most probably is the result of a tandem fusion between chromosomes 4 and 13 of the original Ateles karyotype (2n = 34) to form a unique metacentric chromosome in A. p. paniscus. Further differences between the subspecies concern the presence of additional interstial or terminal C-bands in chromosomes 3, 5, and 12 of A. p. paniscus. A third difference is that chromosome 12 is metacentric in A. p. paniscus but is submetacentric in A. p. chamek. A. p. chamek shows dimorphisms caused by pericentric inversions in pairs 1, 5, 6, and 7 as well as in the Y chromosome. Since the dimorphisms in pairs 5 and 7 are only found in homozygous condition, they may indicate the existence of geographic variation within this subspecies. Differences in external characteristics possibly reflect these chromosomal difference. The necessity to lend A. p. paniscus full specific status should be considered, since karyologically this is the most distinct one of all forms of Ateles. In captive breeding A. p. paniscus should evidently be treated as a separate population, as hybridization with A. p. chamek may result in offspring with reduced fertility. The intra-subspecific karyological variation in A. p. chamek and its possible consequences for taxonomy and captive breeding require further investigation.     

Lampetra (Eudontomyzon) gracilis,a synonym of Eudontomyzon danfordi

Synopsis Evidence is presented which suggests that the nonparasitic lamprey, Lampetra (Eudontomyzon) gracilis Kux, 1965, is conspecific with the parasitic lamprey Eudontomyzon danfordi Regan, 1911. The diagnostic characters of the holotype and of the non-type material of E. gracilis are features found in E. danfordi specimens in their second and final year of adult life, thereby making the former a junior synonym of the latter.     

Phenetic relationships inClerodendrum (Verbenaceae) and some phylogenetic considerations

Cluster analyses by different methods and a minimum spanning tree were used to study phenetic relationships in the genusChlerodendrum. 129 species were scored for 52 morphological characters corresponding to 119 character states. The phenetic results suggest a classification into 7 distinct groups, which may be grouped into two subgenera. This classification is supported by the iridoid distribution as well as by some phylogenetic considerations.     

Isolation and identification ofMicrococcus roseus andPlanococcus sp. from schirmacher oasis,antarctica

Five cultures isolated from soil samples collected in Schirmacher oasis, Antarctica, have been identified as members of the familyMicrococcaceae, with 3 belonging to the genusMicrococcus and two toPlanococcus. The 3Micrococcus isolates (37R, 45R and 49R) were red-pigmented and h a d ∼ 75 mol% G + C in their DNA; they were identified asMicrococcus roseus. The twoPlanococcus isolates (30Y and Lz3OR) were yellow and orange in colour, and had 43.5 and 40.9 mol % G + C in their DNA respectively; they were identified asPlanococcus sp.     

Meloidogyne mayaguensis n. sp. (Meloidogynidae), a Root-knot Nematode from Puerto Rico

Meloidogyne mayaguensis n. sp. is described and illustrated from specimens obtained from galled roots of eggplant, Solanum melongena L., from Puerto Rico. The perineal pattern of females is round to ovoid with fine, widely spaced striae. It has occasional breaks of striation laterally and a circular tail tip area lacking striae. The stylet, 15.8 μm long, has reniform knobs that merge gradually with the stylet shaft. Males have a high, rectangular, smooth head region, not set off from the body contour. The labial disc is continuous with the medial lips which do not slope posteriorly. The styler, 22.9 μm long, has large rounded backward sloping knobs; the shaft is of uneven diameter. Mean body length of second-stage juveniles is 453.6 μm. The truncate head region is not annulated, and the rounded, slightly raised labial disc and the crescentic medial lips form dumbbell-shaped lip structures. The stylet, 11.6 μm long, has rounded, posteriorly sloping knobs. The slender tail, 54.4 μm long, gradually tapers to a bluntly pointed tip. Tomato, tobacco, pepper, and watermelon are good hosts; cotton and peanut are not hosts. M. mayaguensis n. sp. reproduces by mitotic parthenogenesis and has a somatic chromosome number of 2n = 44-45. The enzyme patterns are unique among Meloidogyne species.