Evolutionary change from induced to constitutive expression of an indirect plant resistance

Induced plant resistance traits are expressed in response to attack and occur throughout the plant kingdom. Despite their general occurrence, the evolution of such resistances has rarely been investigated. Here we report that extrafloral nectar, a usually inducible trait, is constitutively secreted by Central American Acacia species that are obligately inhabited by ants. Extrafloral nectar is secreted as an indirect resistance, attracting ants that defend plants against herbivores. Leaf damage induces extrafloral nectar secretion in several plant species; among these are various Acacia species and other Fabaceae investigated here. In contrast, Acacia species obligately inhabited by symbiotic ants nourish these ants by secreting extrafloral nectar constitutively at high rates that are not affected by leaf damage. The phylogeny of the genus Acacia and closely related genera indicate that the inducibility of extrafloral nectar is the plesiomorphic or 'original' state, whereas the constitutive extrafloral nectar flow is derived within Acacia. A constitutive resistance trait has evolved from an inducible one, obviously in response to particular functional demands.     

Proteorhodopsin in the ubiquitous marine bacterium SAR11

Proteorhodopsins are light-dependent proton pumps that are predicted to have an important role in the ecology of the oceans by supplying energy for microbial metabolism. Proteorhodopsin genes were first discovered through the cloning and sequencing of large genomic DNA fragments from seawater. They were later shown to be widely distributed, phylogenetically diverse, and active in the oceans. Proteorhodopsin genes have not been found in cultured bacteria, and on the basis of environmental sequence data, it has not yet been possible to reconstruct the genomes of uncultured bacterial strains that have proteorhodopsin genes. Although the metabolic effect of proteorhodopsins is uncertain, they are thought to function in cells for which the primary mode of metabolism is the heterotrophic assimilation of dissolved organic carbon. Here we report that SAR11 strain HTCC1062 ('Pelagibacter ubique'), the first cultivated member of the extraordinarily abundant SAR11 clade, expresses a proteorhodopsin gene when cultured in autoclaved seawater and in its natural environment, the ocean. The Pelagibacter proteorhodopsin functions as a light-dependent proton pump. The gene is expressed by cells grown in either diurnal light or in darkness, and there is no difference between the growth rates or cell yields of cultures grown in light or darkness.     

Zum Schlüpfprozess bei Fischen: I. Der Aufbau der Eihülle und ihre Veränderungen während der Keimesentwicklung bei der Forelle (Salmo trutta fario L.)

Summary The investigation of the egg shell ofSalmo trutta fario L. reveals several layers, which are chemically and physically different. During development of the egg, the chorion does not show notable changes in structure. Immediately at hatching the dissolution of the egg takes place as a result of the glands being on the head of the embryo.

---

---

FräuleinBarbara Blum danken wir für ihre technische Hilfe.

---

Der Deutschen Forschungsgemeinschaft sei für finanzielle Unterstützung gedankt.     

Sexual pheromones and gamete chemotaxis inAnalipus japonicus (Phaeophyceae)

Summary Female gametes of the marine brown algaAnalipus japonicus secrete a complex bouquet of olefinic C₁₁-hydrocarbons. The major compound is ectocarpene, while hormosirene and dictyotene are present at levels of 2%. Although a minor constituent of the pheromone bouquet, hormosirene is 100 times more active as a male-attractant than ectocarpene. Thus, sex attraction inAnalipus is mediated by two compounds, which diverge largely in concentration and biological activity.