Volatile components of developing tomato fruit grown under field and greenhouse conditions

Volatile components of field- and glass greenhouse-grown tomatoes(Lycopersicon esculentum MILL., variety, V. R. Moscow) of differentmaturities were studied by gas-liquid and thin-layer chromatography.The following components were separated and identified: isobutylalcohol, isopentyl alcohol, hexyl alcohol, 2-methyl-3-hexanol,isovaleraldehyde, caproaldehyde, benzaldehyde, furfural, isopentylacetate, isopentyl butyrate, isopentyl isovalerate, butyl hexanoate,hexyl hexanoate, methyl salicylate and -pinene. Chromatogramswere consistent for both field- and greenhouse-grown tomatoesat all stages of maturity. Except for isovaleraldehyde and hexylalcohol, the biosynthesis of volatile components increased alongwith the growth of fruit. Isovaleraldehyde and hexyl alcohol,presumed to give the "green leafy" aroma of tomatoes, were foundto be in their highest concentrations at the breaker and thelarge-green stages, respectively. ¹This research was supported by a research grant—UI 00449—fromthe National Center for Urban and Industrial Health, U. S. PublicHealth Service.     

The Middle Ear--Morphological Types in Amphibians and Reptiles

The middle ear regions of reptiles and amphibians frequentlyare grouped into morphological types on the basis of structuralresemblances. The arrays of animals resulting from such a groupinghave a fair degree of taxonomic continuity. The types in mostinstances include a "central" pattern, presumed to be primitive,and modifications that are considered to have been derived fromthe "central" type by evolutionary processes. Some understandingof phylogeny, thus, is a necessary precursor to the formationof the groups. This raises problems when, as is often the case,the groups based on ear structures are used as a basis for phylogeneticinterpretations. Among reptiles the theropsid-sauropsid caseis the best known. The principal morphological types are described and discussed.The middle ear, as a sound-transmitting apparatus and in itsassociations with the masticatory apparatus, is highly susceptibleto adaptive modifications. Some morphological types, such asthose in archosaurs and labyrinthodonts, are quite stable. Othersshow marked evolutionary diversity. The middle ear structures,hence, appear quite useful as phylogenetic indicators withinmorphological types but less so when relationships between typesare considered.     

Systematic status of the Black-collared Bulbul Neolestes torquatus

The Afrotropical monotypic genus Neolestes has been treated variously as a bulbul (Pycnonotidae) or a 'shrike' (Malaconotidae, Laniidae or Prionopidae). Recent field observations and fresh laboratory material have enabled a multi-disciplinary review incorporating biology, anatomy and DNA. The DNA analysis suggests that N. torquatus represents a deep branch of the pycnonotid clade. The plumage of Neolestes is unlike that of any bulbul, although the juvenile plumage is more bulbul-like than shrike-like. Evidence from the syrinx, skull, humerus and carpometatarsus eliminates a relationship between Neolestes and the shrikes and mainly points to one with the Pycnonotidae. Neolestes could be the primitive sister-group of the Pycnonotidae, or a member of some larger group of which the bulbuls are but one manifestation. The vocalizations are not shrike-like but are reminiscent of those of the African species of Pycnonotus ; other aspects of its behaviour point in this direction. We believe there is no evidence for considering Neolestes to be a 'shrike', and recommend treating it as a primitive member of the Pycnonotidae, although as incertae sedis.