Plantigrady and foot adaptation in African apes: implications for hominid origins.

In living primates, except the great apes and humans, the foot is placed in a heel-elevated or semi-plantigrade position when these animals move upon arboreal or terrestrial substrates. Heel placement and bone positions in the non-great ape primate foot are designed to increase mobility and flexibility in the arboreal environment. Orangutans have further enhanced foot mobility by adapting their feet for suspension and thus similarly utilize foot positions where the heel does not touch the substrate. Chimpanzees and gorillas represent an alternative pattern (plantigrady), in which the heel contacts the surface of the support at the end of swing phase, especially during terrestrial locomotion. Thus, chimpanzees and gorillas possess feet adapted for both arboreal and terrestrial substrates. African apes also share several osteological features related to plantigrady and terrestrial locomotion with early hominids. From this analysis, it is apparent that hominid locomotor evolution passed through a quadrupedal terrestrial phase.     

巨桉SuSy基因家族的生物信息学分析

为了解EgrSuSy基因家族的生物学功能,从巨桉(Eucalyptusgrandis)基因组数据库中筛选出18个SuSy基因家族成员(EgrSuSy1～EgrSuSy18),采用生物信息学方法对其基因特征与表达模式进行分析。结果表明,EgrSuSy基因分布在7条染色体上,EgrSuSy蛋白均定位在细胞质膜上,EgrSuSy家族成员均不具备信号肽。EgrSuSy蛋白质由α-螺旋、延伸链、无规则卷曲、β-转角组成。EgrSuSy蛋白与毛果杨(Populustrichocarpa)的SuSy蛋白亲缘关系相近。18个EgrSuSy基因在巨桉未成熟木质部、成熟叶片、韧皮部、茎尖、木质部以及幼叶组织中的表达模式不同。因此,EgrSuSy在巨桉不同组织和发育时期的功能可能存在差异。     

An integrative anatomical,morphological, micromorphological and molecular approach to Turkish epidendroid and orchidoid species (Orchidaceae)

We aimed to describe and analyse the morphological, anatomical and micromorphological traits of 36 Turkish orchids representing 12 genera (e.g. Anacamptis, Cephalanthera, Dactylorhiza, Orchis, Serapias) in detail and analyse their usability for solving phylogenetic and taxonomic issues. We applied UPGMA cluster analysis to anatomical, morphological and micromorphological characters such as root tubers, leaf and flower structures, pit, sclerenchymatic sheath, vascular bundle shape, crystal and starch, exodermis and endodermis structure, stomata type, bulliform cells in roots, shoots and leaves, surface structures like papillae, hairs and ornamentation on flower parts, leaves, fruits and seeds. Furthermore, in a phylogenetic framework, we analysed nuclear ribosomal ITS diversity in the same orchid species belonging, and in a combined Bayesian phylogenetic analysis based on anatomical, morphological, micromorphogical and ITS data we confirmed the usefulness of multiple data sets for effectively assessing taxonomically critical orchids. In the combined analysis, all genera were resolved as monophyletic with topologies congruent with recently published more thorough molecular phylogenetic reconstructions, while the trees obtained by seprately analysing the ITS and the anatomical, morphological, micromorphogical data were less resolved and partly inconclusive.     

Membrane Potentials,Synaptic Responses,Neuronal Circuitry,Neuromodulation and Muscle Histology Using the Crayfish: Student Laboratory Exercises

The purpose of this report is to help develop an understanding of the effects caused by ion gradients across a biological membrane. Two aspects that influence a cell''s membrane potential and which we address in these experiments are: (1) Ion concentration of K⁺ on the outside of the membrane, and (2) the permeability of the membrane to specific ions. The crayfish abdominal extensor muscles are in groupings with some being tonic (slow) and others phasic (fast) in their biochemical and physiological phenotypes, as well as in their structure; the motor neurons that innervate these muscles are correspondingly different in functional characteristics. We use these muscles as well as the superficial, tonic abdominal flexor muscle to demonstrate properties in synaptic transmission. In addition, we introduce a sensory-CNS-motor neuron-muscle circuit to demonstrate the effect of cuticular sensory stimulation as well as the influence of neuromodulators on certain aspects of the circuit. With the techniques obtained in this exercise, one can begin to answer many questions remaining in other experimental preparations as well as in physiological applications related to medicine and health. We have demonstrated the usefulness of model invertebrate preparations to address fundamental questions pertinent to all animals.     

Phylogenetic study of the Characinae (Teleostei: Characiformes: Characidae)

The Characinae is a subunit of the Characidae of special significance in including Charax, the type genus of the family and the order Characiformes. Twelve genera and 79 species have been traditionally assigned to the Characinae, but the subfamily still lacks a phylogenetic diagnosis. Herein, a data matrix including 150 morphological characters and 64 taxa (35 species representing all genera of the Characinae and 29 included in other lineages within the Characiformes) was submitted to two cladistic analyses that differ in the inclusion/exclusion of Priocharax due to the difficulty of coding most of the character states in the miniature species of this genus. Both analyses resulted in a non‐monophyletic Characinae and this subfamily is herein restricted to only seven of the original 12 genera forming the clade (Phenacogaster((Charax Roeboides)(Acanthocharax(Cynopotamus(Acestrocephalus Galeocharax))))), which is supported by ten non‐ambiguous synapomorphies and is more closely related to other genera of the Characidae than those traditionally placed in the subfamily. A second clade includes the members of the tribe Heterocharacini (Lonchogenys(Heterocharax Hoplocharax)) as the sister‐group of Gnathocharax, supported by seven non‐ambiguous synapomorphies. This clade is more closely related to a taxon formed by Roestes and Gilbertolus based on seven non‐ambiguous synapomorphies. Results do not corroborate a close relationship between Roestes–Gilbertolus and the Cynodontinae. Inclusion of the genus Priocharax suggests that it is related more closely to the Heterocharacini, but the profound modifications in its anatomy possibly related to ontogenetic truncations obscure a better understanding of its relationships. A new classification of the Characinae and the Heterocharacinae is proposed. © 2012 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2012, 165 , 809–915.     

Comparative Observation on Leaf Anatomy and Pollen of Vernicia Lour. and Aleurites J. R. et G. Forst.

The folial anatomy and pollen of one species of Aleurites and two species of Vernicia were studied. The former genus is characterized by the presence of echinolophate sculpture of pollen and a single outer stomatal ledge, curved cuticular ridges of peristomatal rim as well as large nodular ornamentation on the surface of epidermis beneath which there is no hypodermis. The latter one is characterized by the verruca-murate sculpture of pollen and the cuticular striate ornamentation on leaf surface of epidermis beneath which there is one layer of hypodermis, although they both have paracytic stomata and the Crotonic type of pollen. The genus Vernicia has not been accepted for a long time, but these micromorphological characters show as additional evidence that recent separation of the two genera by Airy Shaw (1966)^[6] is reasonable. Both genera possess very similar xeromorphic feature designated here as orbicular lustrous spot.     

光照强度对曼陀罗和紫花曼陀罗生长发育的影响

以曼陀罗(Datura stramonium)及其变种紫花曼陀罗(Datura stramonium var. tatual)为研究材料, 采用光照培养箱对盆栽苗进行5个光照强度的处理, 研究其生长发育、叶片解剖结构、叶片及茎色素含量对不同光照强度的响应。结果表明: (1)在试验设置的光照强度范围内, 增强光照强度有利于曼陀罗和紫花曼陀罗的发育及茎、叶生物量的积累; 13 000和18 000 lx两个光照强度下两供试曼陀罗长势最好; 同等光照强度下紫花曼陀罗的株高、基茎粗、叶片数目、茎叶生物量大于曼陀罗, 但差异性不显著。(2)两供试曼陀罗叶片厚度、栅栏组织厚度、海绵组织厚度及气孔密度、气孔指数均随着试验光照强度的增强而增加; 紫花曼陀罗气孔密度及气孔指数明显高于曼陀罗。(3)两供试曼陀罗叶片中叶绿素含量均随试验设置光照强度的增强呈先升后降的趋势; 随试验设置光照强度的增强, 两供试曼陀罗茎中叶绿素a、b及类胡萝卜素含量变化趋势不一致; 茎中花色素苷、类黄酮及总酚含量的变化情况是: 两供试曼陀罗均与光照强度呈正相关, 但紫花曼陀罗比曼陀罗含量高, 这也是紫花曼陀罗花、茎等器官呈紫色的物质基础, 加上气孔密度和气孔指数较大等特性, 使紫花曼陀罗较曼陀罗适应性更强。     

Contribution of vegetative anatomy to the systematics of the Zygophyllaceae R.Br

SHEAHAN, M. C. & CUTLER, D. F., 1993. Contribution of vegetative anatomy to the systematics of the Zygophyllaceae R.Br. The Zygophyllaceae sensu lato are a heterogeneous family of trees, shrubs and herbs growing in arid and semi-arid areas of the world. There has been disagreement about the systematic status of some groups within the family, and the position of Balanites has also been disputed. The vegetative anatomy of the family was examined to see if it could throw light on current systems of classification. The anatomy of 37 species in 19 genera is described, and the results of tests of C₄ activity in 27 species are given. There is anatomical evidence to support the exclusion of Balanites into a separate family, and some groups (Engler's Peganoideae and Nitrarioideae) have characteristics which set them apart from the rest of the family. This is in accordance with other analyses of the family based on morphological, palynological and biochemical studies. There is also evidence that the tribuloid genera Tribulus, Kallstroemia and Kelleronia should be separated from the zygophylloid genera, at least at subfamily level; however, Neoluederitzia and Sisyndite should remain in the Zygophylloideae. Brief reference is made to relationships with other families in the Geraniales.     

9种芦荟属植物叶的结构和芦荟素含量的比较研究

9种芦荟属植物叶的比较解剖研究结果表明,它们都具有明显的旱生叶的结构特征,其维管束的韧皮部内都有大型薄壁细胞,但其表皮角质膜的厚度,表面纹饰,气孔上,下腔的形状和大小,同化组织 导 ,细胞分化情况,维管束的大小,分布密度和其大型薄壁细胞占维管束的比例,中央贮水组织占叶横切面的比例等特征,在各种间存在差异,且性状稳定,可以作为该属内种间分类的解剖学指标,植物化学分析结果表明,9种植物叶内蒽醌类物质的主要种类和含量不同,其含量高,低与叶内维管束密度,大型薄壁细胞占维管束的比例以及同化组织的厚度密度切相关,从而为芦荟属植物选育商业用良种提供了植物解剖学依据。     

蕨类植物的鳞片特征及演化I: 凤尾蕨科

鳞片是蕨类植物体表常见附属物, 是蕨类植物非常显著的分类学特征。凤尾蕨科(Pteridaceae)在蕨类植物系统发育中的位置关系多次发生了变化, 不同学者对该科中包含的类群也有着不同的观点。通过对该科76种植物的鳞片进行取材, 利用解剖镜观察拍照, 对各属鳞片特征进行描述。结果显示, 鳞片特征在不同的属和亚科之间具有明显的形态差异。用GenBank数据库中的rbcL基因序列对所研究物种进行系统发育重建, 并对鳞片的边缘特征和筛孔类型进行祖先性状重建, 结果表明, 全缘型鳞片和均质型鳞片是凤尾蕨科鳞片的祖征性状, 非全缘类型和透明筛孔类型的鳞片是在后期演化过程中形成的特征。此外, 透明和不透明类型的筛孔其形成可能与蕨类植物生活环境中的光照强度有关。