“Lucy” (A.L. 288‐1) had five sacral vertebrae

A “long‐backed” scenario of hominin vertebral evolution posits that early hominins possessed six lumbar vertebrae coupled with a high frequency of four sacral vertebrae (7:12‐13:6:4), a configuration acquired from a hominin‐panin last common ancestor (PLCA) having a vertebral formula of 7:13:6‐7:4. One founding line of evidence for this hypothesis is the recent assertion that the “Lucy” sacrum (A.L. 288‐1an, Australopithecus afarensis) consists of four sacral vertebrae and a partially‐fused first coccygeal vertebra (Co1), rather than five sacral vertebrae as in modern humans. This study reassesses the number of sacral vertebrae in Lucy by reexamining the distal end of A.L.288‐1an in the context of a comparative sample of modern human sacra and Co1 vertebrae, and the sacrum of A. sediba (MH2). Results demonstrate that, similar to S5 in modern humans and A. sediba, the last vertebra in A.L. 288‐1an exhibits inferiorly‐projecting (right side) cornua and a kidney‐shaped inferior body articular surface. This morphology is inconsistent with that of fused or isolated Co1 vertebrae in humans, which either lack cornua or possess only superiorly‐projecting cornua, and have more circularly‐shaped inferior body articular surfaces. The level at which the hiatus' apex is located is also more compatible with typical five‐element modern human sacra and A. sediba than if only four sacral vertebrae are present. Our observations suggest that A.L. 288‐1 possessed five sacral vertebrae as in modern humans; thus, sacral number in “Lucy” does not indicate a directional change in vertebral count that can provide information on the PLCA ancestral condition. Am J Phys Anthropol 156:295–303, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

“Laughter” and “Smile” in Barbary Macaques (Macaca sylvanus)

In an observational study on semi-free Barbary macaques it was investigated whether the phylogenetic roots of human laughter and smile can be traced back to the genus Macaca. On the basis of morphological similarity a ‘relaxed open-mouth display’ as the phylogenetic precursor of the laughter, and a ‘silent bared-teeth display’ as the possible ancestor of the smile can be distinguished in the repertory of the Barbary macaque. Behavioural sequences from focal animal protocols were analyzed in order to establish message and meaning of both displays. Relaxed open-mouth display is regularly observed in the play interactions of juveniles. It is associated with partner-directed behaviour, it is frequently answered by a relaxed open-mouth display of the receiver, and accompanied by a special vocalization. Although up to 50% of the juvenile's play partners were higher ranking than themselves voluntary participation was the rule. Most characteristically, the behaviour patterns shown by both play partners are highly symmetrical and synchronized. Silent bared-teeth display is typically accompanied by evasive or submissive body movements, and occurs primarily in dyadic interactions, mainly by the lower ranking individual. It is not an unidirectional sign of a linear dominance hierarchy, though. Silent bared-teeth display is a frequent answer to aggressive behaviour shown by the receiver. After its performance, an increase of body contact between sender and receiver was observed. Behavioural sequences of senders and receivers are complementary, but lose their asymmetry after occurrence of the display. It is concluded that these results further support Van Hooff 's (1972) view that human laughter and smile have different phylogenetic roots: while silent bared-teeth display is a signal of submission and appeasement, relaxed open-mouth display is rightly called the ‘play face’, and is an expression of fun.     

An Artificial “gum-tree” for marmosets (Callithrix j. jacchus)

Marmosets (Callithrix, Cebuella) in the wild gouge wells in trees and eat the exudates that accumulate there. An artificial gum-tree was made of wooden dowel and filled with Acacia Senegal exudate (gum arabic) dissolved in water. Three families of marmosets avidly gouged and consumed gum from this device, showing all of the behavioral patterns described in nature. The gum-tree cost little and was easy to make.     

Antioxidant activities of Ptychopetalum olacoides (“muirapuama”) in mice brain

Ptychopetalum olacoides (PO) roots are used by Amazonian peoples to prepare traditional remedies for treating various central nervous system conditions in which free radicals are likely to be implicated. Following the identification of PO ethanol extract (POEE) free-radical scavenging properties in vitro, the aim of this study was to verify the in vivo antioxidant effect of POEE. Aging mice (14 months) were treated (i.p.) with saline, DMSO (20%) or POEE (100mg/kg body wt.), and the hippocampi, cerebral cortex, striata, hypothalamus and cerebellum dissected out 60 min later to measure antioxidant enzyme activities, free-radical production and damage to macromolecules. POEE administration reduced free-radical production in the hypothalamus, lead to significant decrease in lipid peroxidation in the cerebral cortex, striatum and hypothalamus, as well as in the carbonyl content in cerebellum and striatum. In terms of antioxidant enzymes, catalase activity was increased in the cortex, striatum, cerebellum and hippocampus, while glutathione peroxidase activity was increased in the hippocampus. This study suggests that POEE contains compounds able to improve the cellular antioxidant network efficacy in the brain, ultimately reducing the damage caused by oxidative stress.     

A stable, “near-haploid” mammalian cell line (Dipodomys ordii)

An established SV40-transformed cell line of Dipodomys ordii was cloned for selective loss of chromosomal material. A clone is described which has a modal chromosome number of 50 (in the normal diploid 2n=72), and has about 66% of the DNA content of normal diploid cells. Karyotype analysis shows that, although some chromosome rearrangement has taken place, 23 chromosomes are completely unpaired and 7 chromosomes are partially unpaired. Buoyant density analysis in neutral CsCl and Cs₂SO₄+Ag gradients of the DNA of this clone shows that there has been no selective retention or loss of any of the satellite DNA components present in D. ordii during the elimination of 34% of the genetic material.     

Sphenophyllum miravallis Vetter and Bowmanites cupulatus sp.n. from the “Illinger Flözzone” (“Heusweiler Schichten”, Lower Stephanian, Saar Basin, German Federal Republic)

This paper deals with a detailed study of Sphenophyllum miravallis Vetter, a member of the “Sphenophyllum thonii group”. New material from the Reisbach colliery, working the “Illinger Flözzone” of the “Heusweiler Schichten” (Lower Stephanian, Saar Basin, German Federal Republic), is described morphologically and anatomically, and the species is discussed. The new material enlarges the known range of variability of the normal aspect of the foliage, i.e. the foliage of the thinner branches. Thicker stems with their aberrant polymorphous foliage, and cellular details, are described for the first time. An emended diagnosis is given. Comparisons with other species are made.

The new species Bowmanites cupulatus is introduced to accommodate fructufications most probably belonging to Sphenophyllum miravallis.

S. crenulatum Knight ex Wagner is considered to be a heterotypic synonym of S. miravallis, the latter name having priority.     

The Exceptional “Blind” Gut of Appendicularia sicula (Appendicularia, Tunicata)

In this work, we studied for the first time the histology and ultrastructure of the gut of Appendicularia sicula and demonstrated the absence of any trace of anus. Appendicularians are small holoplanktonic tunicates, characterised by very fast ingestion and quick food transfer along their gut. The high production of faecal pellets released in the aqueous environment, associated with a high filtration rate, highlights their important role in marine ecosystems. Due to the absence of an anus, in contrast with other appendicularians, A. sicula, one of the smallest species, accumulates undigested faecal material within its body, with consequent extreme enlargement of its rectum. The gut, the epithelium of which is generally extremely reduced, is formed of an oesophagus, a globular stomach, thin proximal and mid-intestine, and a huge rectum. The latter, when filled with faecal material, may occupy most of the volume of the trunk in fully grown specimens. Although profoundly altered, the gut of these animals does show several similarities to that of Fritillaria (a genus of the same family, Fritillariidae), with which it has in common many features such as specialised mitochondrial pump cells. In A. sicula, the structural simplifications of organs seem to reach their extreme condition in comparison to other appendicularians.