Axoneme patterns of spermatozoa of Asian horseshoe crabs

Summary Ultrastructural studies of flagella of spermatozoa of horseshoe crabs revealed that three Asian species (Tachypleus tridentatus, T. gigas andCarcinoscorpius rotundicauda) had a 9+0 axoneme pattern that was different from the usual 9+2 pattern ofLimulus polyphemus. This difference is consistent with the phylogeny of horseshoe crabs.Contribution No. 40 from the Shimoda Marine Research Center. Supported in part by a Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research from the Ministry of Education, Science and Culture of Japan.     

Action de la pepsine sur un flagelle du type «9+1»

Summary Enzymatic extraction with pepsin was carried out on ultrathin sections of the 9 + 1 flagella ofDugesia tigrina, using the method ofMonneron andBernhard. The 9 peripheral fibrils and the axial zone of its unique central cylinder become altered within 40 min exposure; following 1 h of incubation these same elements are badly damaged, whereas the cortical sheath and associated radial spokes remain fairly well preserved inside the flagellar membrane. Control sections do not show any sensible alteration. The protein nature of peripheral doublets and axial element of the central cylinder seems therefore indicated; the cortical sheath and the spokes have a very similar, if not identical nature, though their chemical constitution still remains to be investigated.     

Halbe haploide Chromosomenzahl im Hoden vonMyrmica sulcinodis Nyl. (Formicidae)

Summary In the testes ofMyrmica sulcinodis there are not only haploid and some diploid cells to be found, as in the testes ofM. ruginodis, M. sabulsti andM. rubida, but a large mass of cells that have only half the haploid chromosome number. The diploid chromosome number ofM. sulcinodis is 56, those of six otherMyrmica species are between 42 and 48.     

The infectivity of polyhedra of nuclear polyhedrosis virus (N.P.V.) after passage through gut of an insectpredator

Summary Polyhedral inclusion bodies (P.I.B.) of a nuclear polyhedrosis virus ofHeliothis punctigera (Lep.) were found in excreta ofNabis tasmanicus (Het.), a predator ofH. punctigera. An immunofluorescent counting method was used to estimate numbers of P.I.B. Bioassays demonstrated that no loss of infectivity occurred during passage through the gut.Acknowledgment. I am grateful for the comments and criticism offered by Dr D.E. Pinnock, I thank D.J. Cooper for preparation of materials for the immunofluorescent counting method and J. Hardy for supplying me with eggs ofH. punctigera; all of Department of Entomology, Waite Agricultural Research Institute, Glen Osmond, South Australia.     

In situ hybridization of rDNA on chromosomes of the honeybee,Apis mellifera L.

DNA probes containing the repeated rDNA region ofDrosophila melanogaster (coding for e.g. 28S and 18S rRNA) hybridized in situ to distinct regions of two heterologous mitotic chromosomes of the honeybee, identifying the nucleolus organizing regions (NORs). The method allows a rapid establishment of a physical map ofApis mellifera using other DNA probes ofDrosophila. This is the first report on well-defined chromosomal markers in the honeybee.     

La formule chromosomique deSorex minutus L. (Mammalia-Insectivora)

Summary The chromosome complement ofSorex minutus L. has been determined. The caryotype is characterized by a diploid number of 42 and by aNF (fundamental number) of 56. The sex-chromosomes are of theX−Y type usual in mammals. The origin and the evolution of the chromosome set ofS. minutus, S. unguiculatus, andS. araneus have been discussed.      

Über die Membransubstanzen vonChlorochytridion tuberculatum W. Vischer

Summary The membrane ofChlorochytridion tuberculatum (nov. gen., nov. spec.) W. Vischer is analyzed by X-ray spectrography. Cellulose, quartz, and calcite are detected. It is remarkable that quartz, which does not crystallize under physiological conditionsin vitro, is formed in the cell wall ofChlorochytridion.     

Feinstruktur von Pilzzellen. II. Endogene Konidienbildung beiPenicillium cyclopium

Summary On investigation by electron microscope of the phialides of a strain ofPenicillium cyclopium endogenous layed proconidia could often be observed.     

Effect ofBlumea eriantha (compositae) oil on reproduction inEarias vittella F.

Summary Exposure ofEarias vittella adults to vapors ofBlumea eriantha oil reduced their mating ability, predominantly the males were affected.     

Genetic variability ofApis mellifera ligustica Spin. in a marginal area of its geographical distribution

Summary Marginal populations ofApis mellifera ligustica differ from the central populations of this subspecies in allele frequencies at theMdh-1 locus. The difference seems to be due to gene flow from French populations ofA. m. mellifera.     

Lysozymempfindlichkeit der SpeziesB. megaterium

Summary The 54 strains ofB. megaterium examined could be divided broadly into 2 groups on the basis of their lysozyme sensitivity. In most of the large-celled strains the cell walls were incompletely digested. Loss of turbidity on addition of lysozyme was comparatively slight and few free protoplasts were formed in the presence of saccharose. In contrast, the small-celled strains usually showed a marked drop in turbidity and complete protoplast formation could be obtained.These results suggest that, in some strains ofB. megaterium, particularly those possessing very large cells, certain substances are included in the cell walls which are not depolymerized by lysozyme.     

Occurrence of ricinoleic acid in submerged cultures of variousClaviceps sp.

Summary Ricinoleic acid was found in differentClaviceps sp., indicating that it is neither specific chemotaxonomic marker ofClaviceps purpurea, nor a specific indicator of peptide alkaloid synthesis.     

Constituents of Egyptian Euphorbiaceae. IX. Irritant and cytotoxic ingenane esters fromEuphorbia paralias L.

Summary The irritant and cytotoxic constituents of the latex ofEuphorbia paralias L. were separated from the hydrocarbon fraction by means of solvent partition. 3 new ingenane esters were identified from the toxic ether fraction. The major compound was 3-angelyl-20-deoxyingenol and the 2 minor compounds were 3-hexanoyl-20-deoxyingenol and 3-angelylingenol. These compounds were of a similar potency to podophyllin in the inhibition of³H-thymidine uptake by TLX/5 mouse lymphoma cells. In addition the compounds produced a persistent erythema of the mouse ear in sub-microgram doses.Acknowledgments. F.J. Evans is grateful to the Royal Society for a travel grant.     

Flavonoide ausVitex agnus castus L.

Summary Leaves ofVitex agnus castus L. and of related species which are said to have hormonelike activities contain three flavonoids: casticin and luteolin-7-D-glucoside and aD-glucoside of an unknown 5-hydroxy-flavone derivative.     

Toxic substances produced byFusarium. VII. Control of fusarial wilt of safflower by root exudates and extractives ofRuellia tuberosa

Summary Exudates and extractives of roots ofRuellia tuberosa, containing 2,6-dimethoxyquinone, acacetin and a C₁₆-quinone, have been shown to produce significant protective and curative actions againstFusarium oxysporum-incited wilt of safflower. The potentiality of the root extractives as a foliar fungicide is appraised.     

IAA oxidase activity in relation to adventitious root formation on stem cuttings of some forest tree species

Summary IAA oxixase activity was very high in stem cuttings ofSalix tetrasperma andPopulus robusta, which rooted profusely, less in stem cuttings ofHibiscus rosa sinensis which rooted less, and insignificant in those ofEucalyptus citriodora which did not root at all. Protein(s) extracted from the stem cuttings ofE. citriodora inhibited the activity of IAA oxidase as well as root formation on hypocotyl cuttings ofPhaseolus mungo. The possibility of involvement of IAA oxidase activity in the process of adventitious root formation is discussed.The research has been financed by a grant from U.S. Department of Agriculture.     

Effect ofLantana camara L. extract on fern spore germination

Summary Extracts of root, stem, leaf and inflorescence ofLantana camara Linn., (Verbenaceae) inhibited exine bursting, rhizoid initiation and protonemal initiation of spores of the fernCyclosorus dentatus (Forsk.) Ching. The leaf extract was found to be qualitatively and quantitatively most potent in its inhibitory effect. Attention is drawn to the fact that further spread ofLantana camara at Mt. Abu, Rajasthan, India may lead to the complete destruction, of the sizeable pteridophytic component in this locality, the richest vegetationally in Rajasthan.     

Untersuchungen über Ultrastruktur und Aminosäurenzusammensetzung der Eischalen vonNatrix natrix

Summary The ultrastructures of eggshells ofNatrix natrix and the membrana testacea ofGallus gallus dom. are very similar, with the exception of cavity systems which only exist in eggshells of snakes (ringsnake) but not in the membrana testacea of birds. In the sheath of the fibres ofNatrix natrix, a positive ruthenium redreaction indicates the presence of mucopolysacharides, or proteoglycans. The eggshells ofNatrix natrix contain a high proportion of proline, but also of cystine, histidine and arginine. The high proline content is discussed with regard to the properties of poly-l-proline. Presumably proteins similar to collagen exist in eggshells ofNatrix natrix.     

Cytogenetic studies of Hynobiidae (Urodela). IX. Karyological characteristics ofHynobius abei Sato by means of R-and C-banding

Summary Chromosomal characteristics of the salamander speciesHynobius abei, from Ohimya (Kyoto) were revealed by the techniques of R-and C-banding. The karyotype ofH. abei was characterized by the shortness of an R-negative (C-positive) band in the terminal region of the long arm of chromosome 2 and a band encompassing the whole short arm of chromosome 10. These two bands inH. abei were the shortest among those of the variousHynobius species that have been examined. Otherwise no differences could be detected betweenH. abei and seven other pond-type species ofHynobius (2n=56) in terms of the banding patterns of 18 specifically identifiable pairs of their chromosomes.     

Estimation of serotonin and its action on oviducts and uteri of some oviparous and viviparous insects

Summary Serotonin was not found in the oviducts ofBlabera gigantea, Clitumnus extradentatus nor in the uterus ofGlossina, but it is present in the uterus ofBlabera. It is also found in the central nervous system of all three insects. In vitro experiments confirm these data by showing that serotonin increases the contractions of the uterus ofBlabera, but has no effect on the uterus ofGlossina.