A chemotaxonomic survey of flavonoids in leaves of the Oleaceae

Leaves of 97 taxa representing all the genera at present recognized in the family Oleaceae were surveyed for flavonoids. Four flavonol glycosides were found to be common, the 3-glucmides and 3-rutinosides of quercetin and kaempferol, as were four flavone glycosides, namely the 7-glurosides arid 7-rutinosides of luteolin and apigenin. Among rarer constituents detected were luteolin 4'-glucoside, eriodictyol 7-glucoside, chrysoeriol 7-glucoside, an apigenin-di-C-glycoside and several higher glycosides of quercetin. The species and genera surveyed fell into two groups: those with flavonol glycosides alone; and those with both flavonol and flavone glycosides. The most striking correlation was with chromosome number (and subfamily division) since almost all taxa with a basic number of 11, 13 and 14 had only flavonol glycosides, whereas most taxa with x = 23 had both types of flavonoid. Evolutionary advancement in the family appears to involve the gradual replacement of flavonol by flavone glycosides. Indeed, a few tam, notably Nestegis apelala, Picconia excelsa and Tesserandra fluminense , lacked flavonol glycosides in the leaves completely. At the lower levels of classification, the distribution of flavonoids is of less interest. However, the patterns in Linociera and Chionanthus , two taxa recently made congeneric, are sufficiently different to suggest that this decision might have to be reconsidered when more is known of their chemistry. Otherwise leaf patterns generally fit in with the existing generic classification in the family.     

Notes on the genus Dendroceros in West Africa and South Atlantic Islands

Abstract

Following revision of Dendroceros specimens from West Africa and South Atlantic islands, three species are recognized for this geographical area: Dendroceros adglutinatus, D. africanus and finally D. herasii which is described as new. On the other hand, D. crispatus is excluded from Africa while Folioceros fuciformis (Megaceros lacerus, Anthoceros fuciformis) is excluded from Equatorial Guinea. A preliminary key to the five Dendroceros species known to occur in Africa is included.     

Investigation of the link between visceral surface rib lesions and tuberculosis in a Medieval skeletal series from England using ancient DNA

Seven human skeletons from a large assemblage from a rural English Medieval burial site show lesions, predominantly proliferative in nature, on the visceral surfaces of the ribs. In order to investigate whether these rib lesions were regularly associated with tuberculous infection, these individuals, together with a group of age- and sex-matched control skeletons without bony signs of infection, were subjected to polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays aimed at detecting traces of DNA from infecting microorganisms of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex. The results provided no evidence for any regular association between visceral surface rib lesions and the presence of M. tuberculosis complex DNA in the study group. The significance of these findings for the paleopathological interpretation of visceral surface rib lesions is discussed.     

The genetic basis of behavioral isolation between Drosophila mauritiana and D. sechellia

Understanding how species form is a fundamental question in evolutionary biology. Identifying the genetic bases of barriers that prevent gene flow between species provides insight into how speciation occurs. Here, I analyze a poorly understood reproductive isolating barrier, prezygotic reproductive isolation. I perform a genetic analysis of prezygotic isolation between two closely related species of Drosophila, D. mauritiana and D. sechellia. I first confirm the existence of strong behavioral isolation between D. mauritiana females and D. sechellia males. Next, I examine the genetic basis of behavioral isolation by (1) scanning an existing set of introgression lines for chromosomal regions that have a large effect on isolation; and (2) mapping quantitative trait loci (QTL) that underlie behavioral isolation via backcross analysis. In particular, I map QTL that determine whether a hybrid backcross female and a D. sechellia male will mate. I identify a single significant QTL, on the X chromosome, suggesting that few major-effect loci contribute to behavioral isolation between these species. In further work, I refine the map position of the QTL to a small region of the X chromosome.     

Pterygoneurum papillosum (Bryopsida: Pottiaceae), a new moss species from Germany

Abstract

Pterygoneurum papillosum is described as a new species from southwestern Germany. It is widespread in vineyards on calcareous, waterlogged, marly soils and is characterized by papillose cells dorsally, the papillae usually being bifurcated. The costal lamellae are narrow, divided into 2-4 segments and not reaching the leaf base. In addition, a key to the European species of Pterygoneurum is given.     

The compounds in Aloë leaf exudates: a review

The drug Bitter Aloes has been used for several thousands of years because of its purgative properties and later several species of the plant have been cultivated for horticultural interest. In addition, many more local therapeutic properties have been recorded. Research has been largely directed towards the physiologically active components during the 50s and 60s. Extensions to this work in the last decade have been made in Germany, Japan and South Africa. Compounds have been characterized from the dried exudate prepared for drug purposes and from a few species. A number of anthraquinones have been recognized both in the free state and as glycosides. Other compounds with phenolic groups include chromones and a phenyl-pyranone. Chromatographic methods have been developed for recognizing some of these compounds and estimating the levels of those of pharmacological interest. Distribution of some of the compounds among a number of species is described showing that among some groups it has taxonomic significance. The biology of secretion and exudation from Aloë leaves remains largely unknown although fragmentary evidence points to interesting and potentially useful activity in some of the components.     

Cross-site differences in foraging behavior of white-faced capuchins (Cebus capucinus)

Researchers have identified a variety of cross-site differences in the foraging behavior of free-ranging great apes, most notably among chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) and more recently orangutans (Pongo pygmaeus), that are not due to obvious genetic or ecological differences. These differences are often referred to as "traditions." What is not known is whether this high level of interpopulation variation in behavior is limited to hominoids. In this study, we use long-term data from three Costa Rican field sites that are geographically close and similar ecologically to identify potential foraging traditions in white-faced capuchins (Cebus capucinus). Foraging traditions are predicted in Cebus because of many behavioral and morphological convergences between this genus and the great apes. The processing techniques used for the same food species were compared across sites, and all differences found were classified as present, habitual, or customary. Proximity data were also analyzed to determine if social learning mechanisms could explain variation in foraging behavior. Of the 61 foods compared, we found that 20 of them are processed differently by capuchins across sites. The differences involve pound, rub, tap, "fulcrum," "leaf-wrap," and "army ant following." For most of the differences with enough data to analyze, the average proximity score of the "matched" dyads (two individuals within a group who shared a "different" processing technique) was statistically higher than the average proximity score of the remaining "unmatched" dyads.     

Genetic Variation in Captive Koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus): Parentage Determination and Individual Identification

Highly repeatable randomly amplified polymorphicDNA (RAPD) markers were developed for parentage studiesin the koala (Phascolarctos cinereus). Of the 25 RAPDprimers screened, 5 (20.0%) produced 32 repeatable polymorphic RAPD bands (average/primer = 6.4± 4.2). A high level of polymorphism was observedfor each group of koalas (Featherdale, 71.9%; Lone Pine,84.4%). All 25 koalas could be uniquely identified using either RAPD or microsatellite markers. Of the32 RAPD markers generated in koalas, 25 were informativefor parentage analyses. These RAPD markers successfullydetermined both parents to three offspring and a male parent to a fourth offspring.Paternity analysis (where the female parent is known)succeeded in assigning the correct male parent to sevenoffspring. Our RAPD–PCR method generatesinformative genetic markers that are useful for parentagedetermination and individual identification of captivekoalas. This would provide genetic analysis to zoos andwildlife parks as a low-cost alternative to the more expensive microsatellite markers.     

The structure and development of the jaw adductor musculature in the turtle Chelydra serpentina

The investigation of the development of the trigeminal jaw adductor musculature in the turtle Chelydra serpentina documents the early aggregation of muscle rudiments around the innervating nerve branches, probably a consequence of inductive interaction. This may explain the early continuity of the intramandibularis with the intermandibularis muscle. Several aspects of muscle development differ in the turtle as compared to lizards. These differences highlight the fact that conjectures of homology, based on a static topographical correspondence of adult structures, cannot capture the dynamics of the developmental process. The intramandibularis muscle of turtles, comparable to that of crocodiles, represents a plesiomorphous structure which is not homologous to the intramandibularis muscle of lacertoid lizards, a derived feature of the Lacertoidea. A derived feature of the chelonian jaw adductor musculature is the posterodorsal expansion of the external adductor along a supraoccipital crest, developing according to a pattern of Haeckelian recapitulation. Muscle development serves to corroborate the concept of a monophyletic Eureptilia, including diapsids and synapsids, as opposed to the (paraphyletic) Anapsida. The impact of the differentiation of the external adductor into a pulley system on cranial kinesis is analysed in biomechanical terms.