Two new rhabdocoel turbellarians, Umagilla pacifica sp.n. and U. karlingi sp.n. (Umagillidae), endosymbiotic with holothurians (Echinodermata) from the Great Barrier Reef; and a discussion of sclerotic structures in the female system of the Umagillidae

Umagilla pacifica sp.n. and U. karlingi sp.n. are described. A revised definition of the genus Umagilla Wahl, 1909 is given and Notothrix Hickman, 1955 is reduced to a synonym of Umagilla . The nature of the hard or sclerotic structures associated with the female system, especially the bursa, of umagillids is discussed and compared to similar structures in other turbellarians. Syndesmis evelinae Marcus, 1968, S. glandulosa Hyman, 1960, S. compacta Komschlies & Vande Vusse, 1980, S. mamillata Komschlies & Vande Vusse, 1980 and s. alcalai Komschlies & Vande Vusse, 1980 are all transferred to Syndisyrinx .     

Enzyme etching treatment as an aid in the study of seed surface sculpture in Justicia and Rue Ilia (Acanthaceae)

LESTER, R. N. & EZCURRA, C, 1991. Enzyme etching treatment as an aid in the study of seed surface sculpture in Justicia and Ruellia (Acanthaceae). Enzyme etching treatment of seeds of Justicia was tested before scanning electron microscope examination. On all species tested the treatment removed the outer periclinal walls of the epidermal cells of the seeds, revealing the shape and morphology of the anticlinal walls. This treatment provides additional characters of the structure of the testa that may be useful in assessing relationships between species in this large and complex genus, but it proved useless in Ruellia. Here the seeds produce a coat of mucilage when moistened that completely protects the testa from the action of even extensive enzyme treatment.     

Detection of the Microtubule Cytoskeleton of the Coccidian Toxoplasma gondii and the Hemoflagellate Leishmania donovani by Monoclonal Antibodies Specific for β-Tubulin1

Seven monoclonal antibodies specific for mammalian β-tubulin demonstrate the microtubule cytoskeleton of Toxoplasma gondii and Leishmania donovani by indirect immunofluorescence microscopy. Immunoblots of T. gondii and L. donovani proteins separated by SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis confirm the specificity of the monoclonal antibodies for tubulin. Differential staining of flagellar and subpellicular microtubule populations was not seen in L. donovani with these antibodies. All seven antibodies also detected the subpellicular microtubules of T. gondii, but the polar ring and conoid of this organism was not visualized by any of them. This technique provides a rapid and specific way to assess microtubular organization in whole organisms.     

A polypharyngeal marine flatworm (Platyhelminthes, Proseriata, Archimonocelididae) from eastern Australia

Archimonocelis medusa sp. nov. is described from eastern Australia. The species is characterized by numerous (15–25) pharynges, as well as by details of sclerotized organs and karyotype. It is the first polypharyngeal marine flatworm known, and the first record of polypharyngy outside the Tricladida. Polypharyngy is interpreted as a disruption of the processes of pharyngeal induction and inhibition during development. Its possible adaptiveness is discussed.