Common Primordium Research Articles

Early development of leg and wing primordia in the Drosophila embryo

The development of the leg and wing primordia in the Drosophila embryo has been traced using molecular markers. Distal-less and disconnected gene expression provide molecular labels for the leg primordia throughout embryonic development. disconnected expression in the developing leg primordia depends on Distal-less activity. The leg primordia arise as discrete clusters of cells that occupy well defined positions in the embryonic ectoderm. At later stages of embryogenesis the primordia become morphologically recognizable and are intimately associated with the development of the Keilin's organs. The presumptive leg disc and the Keilin's organ appear to derive from a common primordium. Similarly the Abnormal leg pattern gene provides a molecular label for the wing and haltere primordia. The dorsal thoracic primordia appear to be of independent origin from the legs.

Common primordia and the double-headed inflorescence in ‘Renova’ red clover (Trifolium pratenseL.), a papilionoid legume

SUMMARY Double-headed inflorescences subtended by one pair of bracts were commonly observed on ‘Renova’ red clover grown under experimental conditions. The early ontogeny of these double-headed inflorescences was investigated using scanning electron microscopy. The inflorescence was initiated as an outgrowth of the vegetative apical meristem in the axil of the penultimate bract. This outgrowth (the inflorescence meristem) was elongated along an axis drawn between the stem centre and the bract. While still small and before floret initiation had begun, it became divided by a median furrow into two inflorescence meristems. These two inflorescence primordia then developed asynchronously and with mirror symmetry. The primordium proximal to the penultimate bract showed enhanced growth and initiated florets earlier than its counterpart. The other primordium enlarged and initiated florets only after the ultimate bract primordium had formed. The inflorescence apices were progressively reduced by the initiation of florets as hemispherical protuberances. These two remnant apices were each ellipsoidal in shape and their long axes were tilted relative to the flowering stem axis, such that they faced each other. Florets were initiated in elliptical whorls and their organogenesis was zygomorphic. At maturity, the mirror symmetrical pattern of development was not evident, and no vegetative tissue could be seen between the adjacent inflorescences.

Floral Development in Sonja White Clover (Trifolium repens) a Papilionoid Legume

Floral development in Sonja white clover was examined using scanning electron microscopy. Florets and bracts were found to arise from common primordia initiated as protuberances from the apical meristematic area of the inflorescence. The pattern of floret initiation on the inflorescence was acropetal, the oldest florets resting basally. Floral organ initiation within each floret was acropetal, petals being initiated before stamens. Floret development was zygomorphic, each whorl of floral organs developing unidirectionally from the abaxial side. There was found to be overlapping in the timing of initiation and development of these organs. Antesepalous stamens were found initially to outgrow their antepetalous counterparts. Early petal development was synpetalous. Eglandular hairs were found basally on the calyx cup and on the pedicel. Procumbent hairs were found to be more numerous and randomly distributed on the abaxial surfaces of the mature calyx cup.

INFLORESCENCE DEVELOPMENT IN TWO ANNUAL TEOSINTES: ZEA MAYS SUBSP. MEXICANA AND Z. MAYS SUBSP. PARVIGLUMIS.

The ontogeny of tassels and ears in two annual Mexican teosintes, Zea mays subsp. mexicana and Z. mays subsp. parviglumis, was examined using scanning electron microscopy and light microscopy. Ear development in these annual teosintes follows a pattern previously described as leading to the bisexual mixed inflorescence in Z. diploperennis. Common bud primordia are initiated in the axils of distichously arranged bracts along the ear axis. These common primordia bifurcate to form paired sessile and pedicellate spikelet primordia. Development of pedicellate spikelets is arrested leaving the sessile spikelets, along with the adjoining rachis segment, to form solitary grains enclosed within cupulate fruitcases. Development of the central tassel spike is similar to that previously described in the Z. diploperennis tassel, except that the first formed axillary bud primordia form precocious tassel branches. The origin of these tassel branches suggests a possible mechanism for the transition from a distichous spike, characteristic of teosinte, to a polystichous spike, typical of maize.

FLORAL DEVELOPMENT IN GYMNOTHECA CHINENSIS (SAURURACEAE)

The development of the inflorescence and flowers are described for Gymnotheca chinensis Decaisne (Saururaceae), which is native only to southeast China. The inflorescence is a short terminal spike of about 50–70 flowers, each subtended by a small bract. There are no showy involucral bracts. The bracts are initiated before the flowers, in acropetal order. Flowers tend to be initiated in whorls of three which alternate with the previous whorl members. No perianth is present. The flower contains six stamens, and four carpels fused in an inferior ovary containing 40–60 ovules on four parietal placentae. Floral symmetry is dorsiventral from inception and throughout organ initiation. Floral organs are initiated in the following order: 1) median adaxial stamen, 2) a pair of lateral common primordia which bifurcate radially to produce two stamen primordia each, 3) median abaxial stamen, 4) a pair of lateral carpel primordia, 5) median adaxial carpel, 6) median abaxial carpel. This order of initiation differs from that of any other Saururaceae previously investigated. The inferior ovary results from intercalary growth below the level of stamen attachment; the style elongates by intercalary growth, and the four stigmas remain free. The floral structure of Gymnotheca is relatively advanced compared to Saururus, but its assemblage of specializations differs from that of either Anemopsis or Houttuynia, the other derived genera in the Saururaceae.

Floral Development in Gymnotheca chinensis (Saururaceae)

The development of the inflorescence and flowers are described for Gymnotheca chinensis Decaisne (Saururaceae), which is native only to southeast China. The inflorescence is a short terminal spike of about 50–70 flowers, each subtended by a small bract. There are no showy involucral bracts. The bracts are initiated before the flowers, in acropetal order. Flowers tend to be initiated in whorls of three which alternate with the previous whorl members. No perianth is present. The flower contains six stamens, and four carpels fused in an inferior ovary containing 40–60 ovules on four parietal placentae. Floral symmetry is dorsiventral from inception and throughout organ initiation. Floral organs are initiated in the following order: 1) median adaxial stamen, 2) a pair of lateral common primordia which bifurcate radially to produce two stamen primordia each, 3) median abaxial stamen, 4) a pair of lateral carpel primordia, 5) median adaxial carpel, 6) median abaxial carpel. This order of initiation differs from that of any other Saururaceae previously investigated. The inferior ovary results from intercalary growth below the level of stamen attachment; the style elongates by intercalary growth, and the four stigmas remain free. The floral structure of Gymnotheca is relatively advanced compared to Saururus, but its assemblage of specializations differs from that of either Anemopsis or Houttuynia, the other derived genera in the Saururaceae.

OVERLAPPING ORGAN INITIATION AND COMMON PRIMORDIA IN FLOWERS OF PISUM SATIVUM (LEGUMINOSAE: PAPILIONOIDEAE)

The floral ontogeny of Pisum sativum shows a vertical order of succession of sepals, petals plus carpel, antesepalous stamens, and antepetalous stamens. Within each whorl, unidirectional order is followed among the organs, beginning on the abaxial side of the flower, as in most papilionoids. Unusual features include the four common primordia which precede initiation of discrete petal and antesepalous stamen primordia, and the marked overlap of organ initiations between whorls which are usually separately initiated. The stamens arise in free condition, then become diadelphous by intercalary growth at the base of nine stamens, and finally become pseudomonadelphous by surface fusion between the vexillary stamen filament and the adjacent edges of the filament tube. The early initiation of the carpel is not unique among papilionoids, but is somewhat unusual.

Overlapping Organ Initation and Common Primordia in Flowers of Pisum sativum (Leguminosae: Papilionoideae)

Overlapping Organ Initation and Common Primordia in Flowers of Pisum sativum (Leguminosae: Papilionoideae)

Aspects of Cone and Ovule Ontogeny in Cryptomeria (Taxodiaceae)

The axillary complex of female cones of Cryptomeria is initiated as a tangentially extended triangular structure with a rounded apex. It is bilaterally symmetrical. Structures interpreted as prophylls are differentiated first, but they become insignificant in later development. They are succeeded by two successive pairs of lobes, each lobe being the common primordium for an adaxial ovule and a tooth. The ovule initially much exceeds the tooth. The apex of the complex has a diversity of fates and may differentiate as an ovule-tooth pair. A one-to-one relation between teeth and ovules may be lost by abortion of ovules. The initial relation between teeth and ovules is obscured in later development due to extension of tissues at the base of the complex associated with considerable enlargement of the teeth. Histogenesis of the various parts is described, together with the vascular system. There is a vascular supply to the tooth but not the ovule. The results support a direct comparison with the extinct transition conifers Pseudovoltzia and Aethophyllum but do not fully support Florin's generalized model for the arrangement of parts in the axillary complex of conifers.

Morphological and anatomical development in the Vitaceae. II. Floral development in Vitis riparia

The anatomy, morphology, and ontogeny of the flowers of Vitis riparia are presented in this paper. The inflorescence is initiated as an uncommitted primordium, which in turn initiates a bract and then bifurcates to form inner and outer "arms." Both of the arms initiate inflorescence branches, first in a decussate pattern, then in a 2/5 phyllotactic spiral. These branches may initiate pairs of lateral primordia until a series of third- or fourth-order cymose inflorescence branches is initiated. Floral development begins when the calyx is initiated as three primordia, which first merge by meristem extension and then grow out to form an indistinctly five-toothed ring. The petals and stamens arise as five common primordia, alternating with the sepals. They divide into separate petal and stamen primordia. The gynoecium arises as a ring primordium. Two septae are initiated on the inner walls of the ring and grow together to form a two-loculed ovary. Two ovules arise from each septum. In male flowers the ovules form but do not mature, and the stigma and style fail to develop. The pollen is tricolporate. In female flowers the ovules are bitegmic and anatropous, the style is short, and the stigma is discoid or two parted. The pollen lacks furrows and pores. The yellowish disc arises from the base of the gynoecium and is more prominent in male flowers. The fruit is a one- to four-seeded bluish purple berry.

Discrete cis-active genomic sequences dictate the pituitary cell type-specific expression of rat prolactin and growth hormone genes.

The anterior pituitary gland, which is derived from a common primordium originating in Rathke's pouch, contains phenotypically distinct cell types, each of which express discrete trophic hormones: adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), prolactin, growth hormone, and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH)/luteinizing hormone (LH). The structurally related prolactin and growth hormone genes, which are evolutionarily derived from a single primordial gene, are expressed in discrete cell types--lactotrophs and somatotrophs, respectively--with their expression virtually limited to the pituitary gland. The pituitary hormones exhibit a temporal pattern of developmental expression with rat growth hormone and prolactin characteristically being the last hormones expressed. The reported co-expression of these two structurally related neuroendocrine genes within single cells prior to the appearance of mature lactotrophs, in a subpopulation of mature anterior pituitary cells, and in many pituitary adenomas raises the possibility that the prolactin and growth hormone genes are developmentally controlled by a common factor(s). We now report the identification and characterization of nucleotide sequences in the 5'-flanking regions of the rat prolactin and growth hormone genes, respectively, which act in a position- and orientation-independent fashion to transfer cell-specific expression to heterologous genes. At least one putative trans-acting factor required for the growth hormone genomic sequence to exert its effects is apparently different from those modulating the corresponding enhancer element(s) of the prolactin gene because a pituitary 'lactotroph' cell line producing prolactin but not growth hormone selectively fails to express fusion genes containing the growth hormone enhancer sequence.

INITIATION AND DEVELOPMENT OF INFLORESCENCE AND FLOWER IN ANEMOPSIS CALIFORNICA (SAURURACEAE)

All flowers of Anemopsis californica, the most specialized taxon of the family Saururaceae, are initiated as individual primordia subtended by previously initiated bracts, in contrast to the common‐primordium initiation of all flowers of Saururus cernuus and of most flowers of Houttuynia cordata. Floral symmetry is bilateral and zygomorphic, and the sequence of initiation among floral parts is paired or whorled. In A. californica, the six stamens arise as three common primordia, each of which later bifurcates to form a pair. The three common primordia occupy sites corresponding to the positions of the three stamens in H. cordata flowers. In Anemopsis, the filaments of each pair are connate. Each stamen pair is vascularized by a single bifurcating vascular bundle. The three carpels per flower are usually initiated simultaneously although there may be some variation. Adnation between stamens and carpels results from zonal growth. Downward extension of the locule, and proliferation and expansion of receptacular tissue and inflorescence cortical tissue around the locule below the bases of the carpels produce the inferior ovary. The inflorescence terminates its activity as a flattened apical residuum, surrounded by bracts subtending reduced flowers most of which have stamens only.

FLORAL ORGANOGENESIS IN FIVE GENERA OF THE MARANTACEAE AND IN CANNA (CANNACEAE)

The paired flowers of all species of the Marantaceae studied, except Monotagma plurispicatum, are produced through the division of an apical meristem with a tunica‐corpus structure. The solitary flowers of M. plurispicatum develop from a similar meristem which does not bifurcate. The paired flowers of Canna indica are produced in the axil of a florescence bract through the formation of a bract and an axillary flower on the side of the primordium which gives rise to the largest flower of the pair. The sequence of organ initiation for both families is: calyx, corolla and inner androecial whorl, outer androecial whorl, gynoecium. The sequence of sepal formation is opposite in the two families. In the Cannaceae it leads directly into the spiral created by the formation of the other organs, while in the Marantaceae the sequence of sepal formation follows a spiral opposite to that of the other floral organs. The members of the corolla and inner androecial whorl separate from common primordia. In general these common primordia separate into a petal and an inner androecial member through the initiation of two growth centers, at the same level, in the dorsal and ventral flanks of the primordium. In Ischnosiphon elegans and Pleiostachya pruinosa the stamen is initiated at a lower position than the petal in the ventral flank of the common primordium. A similar pattern of initiation is described for the callose staminode in Marantochloa purpurea and Canna indica. This pattern is interpreted as a variation on the more generalized pattern of inner androecial formation found in the other genera.

Floral Organogenesis in Five Genera of the Marantaceae and in Canna (Cannaceae)

The paired flowers of all species of the Marantaceae studied, except Monotagma plurispicatum, are produced through the division of an apical meristem with a tunica-corpus structure. The solitary flowers of M. plurispicatum develop from a similar meristem which does not bifurcate. The paired flowers of Canna indica are produced in the axil of a florescence bract through the formation of a bract and an axillary flower on the side of the primordium which gives rise to the largest flower of the pair. The sequence of organ initiation for both families is: calyx, corolla and inner androecial whorl, outer androecial whorl, gynoecium. The sequence of sepal formation is opposite in the two families. In the Cannaceae it leads directly into the spiral created by the formation of the other organs, while in the Marantaceae the sequence of sepal formation follows a spiral opposite to that of the other floral organs. The members of the corolla and inner androecial whorl separate from common primordia. In general these common primordia separate into a petal and an inner androecial member through the initiation of two growth centers, at the same level, in the dorsal and ventral flanks of the primordium. In Ischnosiphon elegans and Pleiostachya pruinosa the stamen is initiated at a lower position than the petal in the ventral flank of the common primordium. A similar pattern of initiation is described for the callose staminode in Marantochloa purpurea and Canna indica. This pattern is interpreted as a variation on the more generalized pattern of inner androecial formation found in the other genera.

ONTOGENY OF THE INFLORESCENCE OF SAURURUS CERNUUS (SAURURACEAE)

The spicate inflorescence of Saururus cernuus L. (Saururaceae) results from the activity of an inflorescence apical meristem which produces 200–300 primordia in acropetal succession. The inflorescence apex arises by conversion of the terminal vegetative apex. During transition the apical meristem increases greatly in height and width and changes its cellular configuration from one of tunica‐corpus to one of mantle (with two tunica layers) and core. Primordia are initiated by periclinal divisions in the subsurface layer. These are “common” primordia, each of which subsequently divides to produce a floral apex above and a bract primordium below. The bract later elongates so that the flower appears borne on the bract. All common primordia are formed by the time the inflorescence is about 4.4 mm long; the apical meristem ceases activity at this stage. As cessation approaches, cell divisions become rare in the apical meristem, and height and width of the meristem above the primordia diminish, as primordia continue to be initiated on the flanks. Cell differentiation proceeds acropetally into the apical meristem and reaches the summital tunica layers last of all. Solitary bracts are initiated just before apical cessation, but no imperfect or ebracteate flowers are produced in Saururus. The final event of meristem activity is hair formation by individual cells of the tunica at the summit, a feature not previously reported for apical meristems.

Ontogeny of the Inflorescence of Saururus cernuus (Saururaceae)

The spicate inflorescence of Saururus cernuus L. (Saururaceae) results from the activity of an inflorescence apical meristem which produces 200–300 primordia in acropetal succession. The inflorescence apex arises by conversion of the terminal vegetative apex. During transition the apical meristem increases greatly in height and width and changes its cellular configuration from one of tunica-corpus to one of mantle (with two tunica layers) and core. Primordia are initiated by periclinal divisions in the subsurface layer. These are “common” primordia, each of which subsequently divides to produce a floral apex above and a bract primordium below. The bract later elongates so that the flower appears borne on the bract. All common primordia are formed by the time the inflorescence is about 4.4 mm long; the apical meristem ceases activity at this stage. As cessation approaches, cell divisions become rare in the apical meristem, and height and width of the meristem above the primordia diminish, as primordia continue to be initiated on the flanks. Cell differentiation proceeds acropetally into the apical meristem and reaches the summital tunica layers last of all. Solitary bracts are initiated just before apical cessation, but no imperfect or ebracteate flowers are produced in Saururus. The final event of meristem activity is hair formation by individual cells of the tunica at the summit, a feature not previously reported for apical meristems.

Development of electric organs of Gymnarchus niloticus (Fam. Gymnarchidae). II. Formation of spindle.

The development of electric organ spindles of Gymnarchus niloticus has been investigated with respect to the exact time and place of origin and the process of formation of the adult plan. The results are compared with those of Dahlgren ('14). A common primordium for all the electroplates of of a spindle as held by Dahlgren ('14) is not supported by the present work.

Coelomic mesothelium-like cells in the ovarian stroma of patients with the polycystic ovary syndrome (Stein-Leventhal syndrome)

Cells resembling the early coelomic epithelium have been described in the ovaries of patients with the polycystic ovary syndrome. These undifferentiated cells were located deep in the loose ovarian stroma, scattered among various connective tissue elements. The possibility has been discussed that these cells may originate from the common primordium of the adrenogenital epithelium persisting in the ovary in a protodifferentiated state.

MORPHOLOGY AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE FLOWERS OF BOOTTIA CORDATA, OTTELIA ALISMOIDES, AND THEIR SYNTHETIC HYBRID (HYDROCHARITACEAE)

The inferior ovary of Boottia cordata, Ottelia alismoides, and their hybrid is appendicular in nature, the carpels are congenitally only slightly connate, and they are unsealed. All floral organs except the sepals originate from common primordia in the female and bisexual flowers. A flat residual floral apex is pressnt. There is a vestigial superior ovary of three ontogenetically fused carpels in the male flower of Boottia cordata. The hybrid is intermediate in many characteristics and has partially fertile stamens and staminodia. The sequence of development in all flowers is acropetal. These plants appear to be related to the Butomaceae and they show evolutionary tendencies parallel to those in the Nymphaeaceae.

Taxonomy of the Salivary Glands of Vertebrates

Consequently my attempts are directed towards systematisation of distinct and constant aggregations of the secretory cells of the oral cavity of vertebrates and of the anterior part of their digestive tract. The position and number of these glands differ greatly in various vertebrates. Furthermore, at present there is no satisfactory and uniform classification of the salivary glands of vertebrates. The difficulties in formulation of a suitable classification of the salivary glands of vertebrates have arisen chiefly from the lack of adequate data about their comparative embryology and from the use, especially by earlier investigators, of a number of inconsistent nomenclatures. The latter resulted in much confusion. To be more specific, it is very difficult to find, for instance, a detailed description of the development of the salivary glands in reptiles. I was unable to find anything other than a rather general account by Reichel (1883), who investigated a few embryos of Trepidonotus natrix (Ophidia). According to him, the glandular primordia of the salivary glands of snakes appears later than Jacobson's organ and could be seen in embryos of 6.4 cm in length (length of the head 6.2 mm); the superior labial gland had two distinct parts differing in colour, one grey and the other yellow; the superior labial gland and the rostral gland have a common primordium; while the posterior and anterior groups of the intermandibular gland develop from the same epithelial bud. Knowledge of the salivary gland's differentiation is essential for outlining the homologies between the salivary glands of vertebrates. Therefore, as long as the embryology of the reptilian oral cavity is so little known, so will our knowledge about differentiation and the phylogeny of the salivary glands of vertebrates be incomplete and insufficient to outline any taxonomical concept on a phylogenetic basis.