Molecular Characterization of a Barley Gene Induced by Cold Treatment

A cDNA library was made from low positive temperature (6 ?C/2?C) grown barley shoot meristems. Several genes which are differentiallyexpressed, as measured by mRNA abundance, were selected fromthe library using a differential screen. This paper reportsan analysis of in vivo expression in several cultivars, theDNA sequence, copy number and chromosomal location of one gene(BLT14). In addition, genomic restriction fragment length polymorphismfor this gene in the 10 most widely UK-grown spring and 9 mostwidely UK-grown winter barley cultivars is analysed. Key words: Hordeum vulgare, low temperature, RFLP, differential expression, cDNA sequence     

Intermediary metabolism and shell growth in the brachiopod Terebratalia transversa

Juvenile Terebratalia transversa (Brachiopoda) metabolize carbohydrates in the anterior-most marginal mantle at a rate of 0.46 μM glucose/g/hr (in vitro incubation of mantle in C¹⁴-glucose in a carrying medium of 10^-3 M non-radioactive glucose). The rate declines to 0.18μM glucose/g/hr in full-grown specimens. Carbohydrate metabolism in the marginal (anterior-most) mantle averages approximately 3.7 times greater than metabolism in (a portion of the ‘posterior’) mantle situated between the coelomic canals and the marginal mantle. This ratio remains constant in specimens of all sizes (i.e. an ontogenetic trend in the ratio is absent at p≤ 0.05). Organic acids are not detectable within the mantle (HPLC techniques) even after simulated anoxia (N₂ bubbling during mantle incubation). Glucose metabolism in vitro declines in both the marginal and ‘posterior’ mantles during anoxia and the metabolic ratio between marginal/‘posterior’ mantles becomes 1/1. We found no difference (at p≤ 0.05) in mean metabolic activity or in sue-related metabolic trends among populations from depths ranging between mean sea level and 70 m. However, the activity within the ‘posterior’ mantle was more variable in specimens from 70 m than in those from shallower habitats (10 m - mean sea level). The size of the specimens analyzed was most variable in the groups obtained from the shallowest habitats and least variable at 70 m depth. Our results may help define the energetics of fossil as well as living brachiopod shell growth. Brachiopod shell growth is known to be very slow relative to that of bivalves and our results indicate that this is a result of the animals' slow metabolism. The inflation of the valves in T. transversa is, in part, a function of the high ratio of intermediary metabolism in the marginal vs‘posterior’ mantle (i.e. parallels the relative growth rates at the shell margin vs‘posterior’ areas). We found that the bivalve, Chlamys hastata, which is commonly associated with T. transversa, has a lower ratio of metabolic activities in the ventral/dorsal mantle areas than the brachiopod has in the anterior/posterior. The difference produces a flatter shell in the bivalve in accord with allometric principles. The higher metabolic rate in the marginal vs‘posterior’ brachiopod mantle and its more pronounced decline with anaerobiosis is reflected in the greater definition of growth increments in the outer shell layer. Our results do not support recent generalizations that correlate shell thickness of a wide variety of invertebrates inversely with metabolic rate. Growth rate as determined from width of shell growth increments is a better index of metabolic rate. Although the genetic basis of glucose metabolism is unknown, the observed metabolic variability is consistent with suggestions that populations of marine organisms living in stable offshore environments are genetically more variable but morphologically more uniform than populations from shallow water. Furthermore, our results support suggestions that bivalved molluscs and brachiopods are very different metabolically, but the data are neutral with respect to theories of competitive exclusion of the two taxa throughout geologic history.     

The use of protein A-sandwich ELISA as a means for quantifying serological relationships between members of the tobamovirus group

Indirect protein A sandwich ELISA (PAS-ELISA) was used to determine the serological relationship between eight tobamoviruses with antisera to 26 viruses and virus strains within the group. Very distant relationships were determined by trapping virus with heterologous antiserum and detecting it with homologous antiserum, while near and close relationships were differentiated by using heterologous antiserum each time. The results were esssentially consistent with previously recorded relationships determined by tube precipitin and other serological tests. Since PAS-ELISA requires much less antiserum than many conventional tests and does not require the purification of IgG or virus, it may offer many advantages in the detection of serological relationships.     

Effects of Inhibitory Concentrations of 3-Indolylacetic Acid and 3-Indolylacetonitrile on Cell Division and Tissue 2

Inhibitory concentrations of 3-indolylacetonitrile (IAN) cause,in cultured excised tomato roots, a marked decrease in the rateof cell division at the apical meristem but only a slight reductionin the lengths of mature exodermal and cortical cells. The reducedrate of cell division is associated with a decrease in the.number of meristematic cells at the root apex. By contrast,3-indolylacetic acid (IAA) causes marked reduction in the lengthsof mature cortical cells but does not markedly reduce cell-divisionrate at the apical meristem. Various lines of evidence indicate that both IAA and IAN causea relative increase in the number of longitudinal and a decreasein the number of transverse division walls in the meristematiczone of the root apex. Partial inhibition of the linear growth of excised tomato rootsby IAA and IAN is accompanied by increases in root and stelardiameters. These increases result from radial enlargement ofthe cortical cells and increase in the number of stelar cellsin the transverse section. The enlarged steles contain an increasednumber of lignified xylem elements, but only with the most inhibitoryconcentration of IAN (10^–4g./ml.) is there evidence ofthe development of secondary xylem. Both auxins increase significantlythe xylem vessel unit length.     

The speckled wood butterflies Pararge xiphia and P. aegeria (Satyridae) on Madeira: distribution, territorial behaviour and possible competition

Madeira is home to two species of speckled wood butterfly. Pararge xiphia is endemic and is common at mid to high altitudes, within and around the edges of the indigenous laurel forest. In 1976 P. aegeria colonized the island and anecdotal reports suggest that it may have been responsible for the loss of P. xiphia from some of its former haunts. The aims of this paper were (1) to provide comprehensive data on the distribution, habitat preferences and recent changes of range of the two species and (2) to examine territorial behaviour to see if inter-specific competition is taking place. Census results show that there are basic differences between the species in altitudinal range and habitat, but they are found together at high densities at habitat boundaries. Repetition of some of the census routes after a 4-year gap suggests that P. aegeria is expanding its range into the areas dominated by P. xiphia. Behavioural data demonstrate that the males may be competing by causing each other to expend more energy in defence of territories. Although competition may be present, it is not yet possible to establish which species is more affected and how competition may have contributed to the recent changes in the species' ranges.     

Genetic variation in three species in the Lampropholis delicata (Lacertilia: Scincidae) complex

The Lampropholis delicata complex consists of three closely related species, which have very different habitat requirements and geographic distributions. Percentage polymorphism and average heterozygosity per population are lowest in the species with the narrowest habitat requirements. Genetic differentiation between populations is also lowest in this species, which had a very limited and almost continuous distribution. For one species, which occurs in a very wide range of habitats, both natural and disturbed, genetic variability is compared between samples from disturbed and undisturbed habitats. Average heterozygosity is significantly lower in samples from disturbed than in those from undisturbed sites.     

Spatial sampling to detect slug abundance in an arable field

Overuse of molluscicides by farmers in arable systems can lead to environmental and product contamination. Here we assess a simple and inexpensive surface trapping method for monitoring populations of slugs (Deroceras reticulatum and Arion intermedius). This method was biased against small slugs, and against A. intermedius, when compared to direct soil sampling. Regression was used to model the relationship between the results of surface trapping and soil sampling methods. Spatial Analysis by Distance IndicEs (SADIE) algorithms were used to describe the spatial relationships between the two sets of samples. Using both traditional statistical methods and spatial statistics, the spatial information collected from surface traps was sufficient to identify patches and gaps in slug numbers and possibly to allow the spot application of slug control, and thus provide land managers who experience slug damage with a way of reducing molluscicides use, whilst maintaining slug control. Further improvements and applications of the model are discussed.     

Properties of Scottish isolates of cocksfoot mild mosaic virus and their comparison with others

Two isolates of cocksfoot mild mosaic virus obtained from cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata) in Scotland differed in symptomatology, and apparently in host range, from isolates obtained in Germany and Wales. They were serologically more closely related to a Dutch isolate from cocksfoot, and to a Scottish isolate from timothy (Phleum pratense), than was the German isolate from cocksfoot. The Scottish isolate from timothy was somewhat more virulent than, but serologically closely related to a Welsh isolate from timothy. Particles of Scottish isolates from cocksfoot and timothy were best preserved for electron microscopy by fixation with osmium tetroxide. In 1.0 m KCl or 0.01 m ethylene diamine tetraacetate they were stable at pH 5.2–5.3 but unstable above pH 7; they were disrupted by 0.5% sodium dodecyl sulphate. The particles contained major and minor RNA components of mol. wt c. 1.5. 10⁶(RNA-1) and 0.5. 10⁶(RNA-2) respectively, together with polydisperse RNA of intermediate mol. wt and protein of mol. wt c. 27 000. In CsCl gradients, major and minor nucleoprotein components of density 1.39 and 1.38 g/ml respectively were distinguished. The less dense particles contained a larger proportion of intermediate-sized RNA molecules and of RNA- 2 , and a smaller proportion of RNA- 1 , than did the denser particles. Particles seem to contain either RNA-1 or various combinations of smaller RNA molecules. Despite the differences in antigenic constitution, symptomatology and particle stability between virus isolates obtained from cocksfoot and timothy in different countries, these isolates seem sufficiently similar to be considered one virus.