Littoral diatoms as indicators for the eutrophication of shallow lakes

The littoral zone of shallow water bodies in the Czech Republic has been studied quite consistently at several fishponds. The use of algae, especially diatoms, for the monitoring of the state of lotic freshwater also has a long tradition. The main objective of the presented paper is to validate the feasibility of the use of littoral periphyton comunities for the biomonitoring of standing waters. At the investigated sites, littoral periphytic diatoms were studied together with selected enviromental variables (pH, conductivity, nutrients – especially total phosphorus) on three types of natural substrates (epilithon, epiphyton, epipelon). The evaluation of the diatom community was performed on the basis of the checklists of algal indicator species published by authors from the Czech Republic, Austria and the Netherlands. The data were subjected to statistical software NCCS 2000 (GLM Anova and ``Ward's minimum'' variance cluster analysis). Littoral periphytic diatoms appear to be good indicators of the fishpond water quality. The selected substrates show non-significant differences therefore the average values from all substrates were used. The best indicatory system for evaluation of Czech fishponds was van Dam's index.

     

Electron Microscopy of Ultrathin Sections of Sporosarcina ureae.

Mazanec, K. (J. E. Purkyne University, Brno, Czechoslovakia), M. Kocur, and T. Martinec. Electron microscopy of ultrathin sections of Sporosarcina ureae. J. Bacteriol. 90:808-816. 1965.-Ultrathin sections of Sporosarcina ureae cells were studied by means of electron microscopy. The cell wall consists of several layers and is 340 A thick. The cytoplasm is of globular structure and includes ribosomelike structures, occasional mesosomes, and inclusions not precisely identifiable. The nuclear area has various shapes and is formed by filaments 10 to 20 A thick which proceed in various directions. Cell division occurs similarly to that of sarcinate. Both synchronic and asynchronic cell division was observed. The spores of S. ureae consist of an outer coat having several layers, a cortex, a spore wall, and cytoplasm. The results of the present investigation substantiate our previous suggestion that S. ureae should be transferred from the family Micrococcaceae to the family Bacillaceae.     

Seasonal history ofTyphlodromus pyri (Acari: Mesostigmata: Phytoseiidae) in a commercial apple orchard in Czechoslovakia

The seasonal history and phenology of an indigenous field population ofTyphlodromus pyri Scheuten inhabiting a commercial apple orchard in South Bohemia are described. Data on population dynamics, number of generations, feeding, mating and reproductive habits as well as seasonal distribution within the apple tree canopy are discussed. Recommendations for mass retrieval ofT. pyri from apple orchards, their transfer to, and release in other orchards, are given. The conclusions and recommendations can be used for improving integrated pest management strategies in commercial apple orchards.     

The genusMicromeles revisited

Micromeles Decaisne emend.Koehne (Rosaceae, Maloideae) is shown to be generically distinct fromSorbus L. emend.Crantz. Problems in the taxonomy of the genus are reviewed. The genus appears to be most closely related toRaphiolepis Lindl. but is readily distinguished by a constant set of characters. Both genera may be derived fromSorbus L. emend.Crantz subg.Aria Pers. Analysis of morphological characters is provided. A survey for flavonoids revealed the presence of vitexin and/or luteolin 7-O-glucoside in some members of the genus in a pattern similar to that found in certain Asian species ofSorbus. There are also brief taxonomic notes on some of the species which were examined.     

Identification ofStaphylococcus andMicrococcus species with the STAPHYtest system

A collection of 216 well-characterized strains ofStaphylococcus, Micrococcus andStomatococcus was examined by a commercially available STAPHYtest system (Lachema, Brno, Czechoslovakia). The results of STAPHYtest agreed with those of conventional tests. The STAPHYtest permitted a clear-cut separation ofStaphylococcus fromMicrococcus andStomatococcus strains and correctly identified 104 of 145 (72%)Staphylococcus strains after 24 h of incubation. However, it allowed the identification only of 19 of 29 validly publishedStaphylococcus species. The STAPHYtest proved to be a simple and rapid system for the separation of staphylococci from micrococci and for the identification of most frequent clinically significant staphylococci.     

A 13c-n.m.r. study of 1,6:2,3- and 1,6:3,4-dianhydro-β-D-hexo-pyranoses and their O-acetyl and deoxy derivatives

¹³C-N.m.r. spectra of all possible 1,6:2,3- and 1,6:3,4-dianhydro-β-D-hexo-pyranoses and their O-acetyl and deoxy derivatives are presented. Relations between chemical shifts of certain carbon atoms and the structure of the dianhydrides are outlined, and their application in structural analysis is discussed. Inversion of configuration of the oxirane ring from the endo to the exo position is associated with typical upfield-shifts for oxirane-ring carbon atoms C-2 or C-4, respectively. Possible inter-relationships between ¹³C-chemical shifts and steric and polar interactions in the dianhydro derivatives are discussed.     

The fine structure of Micrococcus radiophilus and Micrococcus radioproteolyticus

The radiation resistant bacteria Micrococcus radiophilus and M. radioproteolyticus were studied by thin sectioning and freeze-etching techniques and the two species were found to be similar in the fine structure. The only significant difference was in the appearance of the surfaces of the cell walls in freeze-etched preparations.Since the two species, together with M. radiodurans, possess a unique cell wall structure and a cell wall peptidoglycan, which is different from that of other micrococci and Gram-positive cocci, it is recommended that they be reclassified into a new genus.