Detection and distribution of six linear mitochondrial plasmids in the shiitake mushroom,Lentinula edodes

The presence of plasmids was surveyed in 90 wild isolates ofLentinula edodes collected from geographically different world regions. DNA plasmids of different sizes were found in about 80% of the isolates. The plasmids detected were of six kinds, designated as pLE1 (9.0 kb), pLE2 (11.1 kb,=pLLE1 described by other authors), pLE3A (9.8 kb), pLE3B (10.8 kb), pLE3C (12.1 kb), and pLE3D (12.3 kb). Hybridization analysis suggested that pLE1 and pLE2 were distinct plasmid types of different homology groups to each other, and the four other plasmids were variant types belonging to a third homology group. These plasmids had no homology with their host's and non-host's nuclear and mitochondrial genome DNAs. Restriction analysis and electron microscopy indicated that the plasmids are linear in form. Since all six plasmids were transmitted uniparentally in sexual crosses and were consistently associated with the DNA preparations from mitochondria fractionated from mycelia of representative isolates, they were suggested to be located in mitochondria, similar to many other known fungal DNA plasmids. Geographically, pLE1 and pLE2 were widely distributed in natural populations ofL. edodes, while the remaining four plasmids were uniquely present in delimited natural populations. Contribution No. 322 from the Tottori Mycological Institute.     

Keratella distribution in North Patagonian lakes (Argentina)

The distribution of Keratella species from 15 different lakes in North Patagonia (Argentina) was analysed. The genus was not present at altitudes above 1000 m. K. tropica was restricted to Patagonian Plateau lakes with a comparatively high conductivity. A morphometric analysis of the widely distributed K. cochlearis was performed. Results showed three groups of K. cochlearis corresponding to Andean lakes, Patagonian Plateau lakes and a Patagonian Reservoir.     

Some Eugregarines (Sporozoa, Apicomplexa) from the Stored Fruit Beetle, Oryzaephilus mercator Fauv. (Coleoptera) from India

Morphology and life history of 3 cephaline gregarines found in the gut of the pest of stored fruit, Oryzaephilus mercator. are described. Of these 3, 2 are new species. The 3 species are (1) Hirmocystis minuta (Ishii, 1914) (LP TL = 1:7 – 1:22, WP/WD = 1:1, 6–1:7); (2) Amsotobus indicus n. sp. (LP/TL = 1:3–1:6, WP/WD = 1:1 – 1:1.3); (3) Leidyana oryzaephili n. sp. (LP/TL = 1:2 – 1:12; WP/WD = 1:1–1:1.6).     

Diagnostic parameters for selecting against novel spruce (Picea abies) decline: IV. Response of photosynthesis and transpiration to SO2+NO2 exposures

The dose- and time-response effects of 3 days of 6 h day-time sequential exposures to NO₂, SO₂ and SO₂+NO₂ of 0.45–1.81 μl l⁻¹ (ppm) SO₂ and 1.50–7.65 μl l⁻¹ NO₂ on photosynthesis, transpiration and dark respiration were examined for nine Carpatho-Ukrainian half-sib families and a population from the GFR ('Westerhof') of Norway spruce [ Piecea abies (L.) Karst.], all in their 5th growing season.
SO₂+NO₂ inhibited photosynthesis and transpiration and stimulated dark respiration more than SO₂ alone. SO₂ and SO₂+NO₂ at the lowest concentrations inhibited night transpiration, but increased it at the highest concentration, the strongest effects being obtained with combined exposures. Photosynthesis of the different half-sib families was affected significantly differently by SO₂+NO₂ exposures. NO₂ alone had no effects.
Sensitivity to transpiration decline correlated negatively with branch density. Height of trees correlated postitively with decline sensitivity in the seed orchard. The distribution of photosynthesis and transpiration sensitivities over all tested half-sib families correlated negatively with the distribution of decline sensitivity of their parents in a rural Danish seed orchard. The relative photosynthesis and transpiration sensitivities may thus serve as diagnostic parameters for selecting against novel spruce decline.     

A Monte Carlo Test for Variance Homogeneity in Linear Models

A Monte Carlo procedure is proposed for testing homogeneity of variances in linear models. The method is applicable to a variety of common experimental designs. It is valid when errors are independently normally distributed. Under nonnormality the test is expected to behave robust in a similar fashion as Levene's test. Three examples are given to demonstrate the method.     

Stereology of the myocardium in Leontopithecus (Lesson, 1840) callitrichidae - primates

Rare morphological features of the Leontopithecus cardiovascular system have been reported in the literature. The samples analyzed in this study came from 33 specimens of Leontopithecus from the collection of the Center of Primatology of Rio de Janeiro-FEEMA (CPRJ-FEEMA). Morphometry and stereological data were obtained from all animals. Adult body weights of L. rosalia were the lowest, the greatest being those of L. chrysopygus caissara; body weights of L. chrysomelas and L. c. chrysopygus were similar and in between those of the two former species. Cardiomyocytes (left ventricular myocardium) were bigger in adults than in infants. The myocardium of L. rosalia showed focal fibrosis, fatty vacuoles, and hyalinization. In L. chrysomelas the myocardium showed areas of fibrosis and presence of mononuclear cells. Fibrosis and areas of congestion were observed in L. c. chrysopygus; areas of disorganization and vascular congestion were found in L. c. caissara. In L. rosalia infants, a greater density of vessels per myocardial area and a greater length density of vessels were observed as compared with those of L. chrysomelas. In adults, L. chrysomelas showed greater density of connective tissue in the myocardium than L. c. chrysopygus and L. c. caissara did. In L. rosalia, cardiomyocyte nuclei had a greater area density than those of the other forms of Leontopithecus. These characteristics may explain the faster development of L. rosalia infants as compared with that of L. chrysomelas and L. c. chrysopygus kept under the same handling conditions at the CPRJ-FEEMA.