Factors controlling rates of nonphotochemical transformation of Pisum phytochrome in vitro

Nonphotochemical transformations of the far-red absorbing formof phytochrome, such as its decay or dark reversion to Pr, werestudied with solutions obtained from etiolated pea epicotyltissues at various steps of purification. At pH 7.8, the rateof dark Pfr reversion became significantly faster after thecrude extract was purified by gel filtration, but that of wellpurified solutions was quite low. Decay of Pfr was not seenduring any purification step at an alkaline pH, but it occurredin the acidic range of pH even in the presence of sulfhydrylcompounds. The rate of Pfr reversion was also influenced bypH; it increased with an increasing pH. Dark reversion of Pisum Pfr was confirmed to proceed in a short,rapid initial phase followed by a slow phase. (Received September 9, 1970; )     

Relationship between plant cover type and soil properties on Syunkunitai coastal sand dune in eastern Hokkaido

A survey of soils and trees was conducted on Syunkunitai coastal sand dune in eastern Hokkaido to clarify the relationships between the soil properties and the plant cover type. A belt transect of 360m in length was established across the dune. Three community types, that is, a Picea glehnii forest, an Abies sachalinensis forest, and a salt marsh were recognized. Soil types at the study area were determined to be sandy immature soil and peat soil. Their horizon sequences were described as A₀–V–C or T–V–C layers (A₀, T, V, and C indicate layers of leaf litter, peat, volcanic deposit, and parent material, respectively). The Abies sachalinensis forest was characterized by a relatively high calcium concentration in the surface soil layer and a tendency for podzolization in the volcanic deposit layer. The Picea glehnii forest was characterized by peat accumulation because of the high ground water table, volcanic deposits in the soil profile, and the strong influence of sea salt on the soil chemistry. The roots in the Picea glehnii forest were distributed more shallowly than those in the Abies sachalinensis forest, thus avoiding the high water table level as well as the influence of seawater in the soil. The salt marsh showed an extremely high sodium concentration and base saturation, indicating that this area was directly affected by seawater. Recently, the periphery of the Picea glehnii forest on Syunkunitai sand dune has been declining because of seawater inundation caused by ground subsidence.     

DIFFERENTIATION OF PARTIALLY MESODERMALIZED ECTODERM; HOMOIOGENETIC AND HETEROGENETIC INDUCTION BY PRIMARILY INDUCED PART OF THE ECTODERM

Using embryos of the Japanese newt, Cynops pyrrhogaster , homoiogenetic and heterogenetic induction were investigated in the partially mesodermaelzed presumptive ectoderm. Half of the isolated presumptive ectoderm was placed in contact with the swimbladder of the crucian carp, Carasius auratus , for 15 or 60 min, while the other half was stained with Nile blue sulfate at the same time. The distribution of the stained cells in the tissues evoked in the explants was examined after cultivation for 10 days.
Some mesodermal tissues were composed of both stained and unstained cells. This indicates homoiogenetic induction by the primarily induced part of the ectoderm on the other half. The neural and epidermal tissues in the explants were composed of stained cells only, except in one case. We conclude that the neural tissues are derived from cells not placed in contact with the swimbladder and that they are induced by the primarily induced part of the ectoderm.     

Axiid collections of the Zoological Museum, Copenhagen, with the description of one new genus and six new species (Axiidae, Thalassinidea, Crustacea)

The collections of the family Axiidae in the Zoological Museum. Copenhagen. were examined: seven genera including one new genus, Eucalastacus gen.n. and 14 Indo-Pacific species containing five species, Eiconaxius farreae, E. weberi, E. sibogae, Axius australiensis and Axiopsis serratifrons ; six new species, Eiconaxius demani sp.n., E. mortenseni sp.n., Bouvieraxius keiensis sp.n., Eucalastacus torbeni sp.n., Axiopsis tsushimaensis sp.n., and Calocarirdes vigila sp.n.; and three uncertain species. Eutrichocheles aff. brocki, Eutrichochelts sp. and Axiopsis sp. Postorlocaris. Sakaiocaris and Ca1listocaris are referred, respectively. as junior synonyms of Bouvieraxius. Spongiaxius and Ambiaxius .