Cuticular Striations Research Articles

Epidermal and seed surface characters of plants: systematic applicability and some evolutionary aspects

Based on SEM examinations of about 5000 species of seed plants, this is a survey of their epidermal surface characters with an aim to application in taxonomy. Surface characters may be grouped into four categories: (1) Cellular arrangement or cellular pattern. (2) Shape of cells (the “primary sculpture” of a surface). (3) Relief of outer cell walls (the “secondary sculpture” superimposed on the primary sculpture), caused mainly by cuticular striations and superficially visible wall inclusions and wall thickenings. (4) Epicuticular secretions (the “tertiary sculpture” superimposed on the secondary sculpture), i.e. mainly waxes and related substances.The systematic applicability is discussed for each of these structural groups. Epidermal characters are only slightly influenced by environmental conditions. Their high structural diversity provides most valuable criteria for the classification between species and family level. There is also some evidence for their systematic applicability above the family level.The possible evolutionary–ecological significance of surface sculpturing is discussed briefly. There is evidence that these features may be seen primarily under the aspects of reduced ability of plants to contaminate and as temperature control mechanisms of the surfaces.

Differentiation of Nine Crabapples Based on Bud and Leaf Surface Features1

Abstract Leaf and terminal bud samples from 9 crabapples were examined using the scanning electron microscope (SEM) for the purpose of establishing consistent, identifying morphological detail Crabapples utilized in the study included: Malus × purpurea (Hort. Barbier) Redh.; M. × purpurea ‘Aldenhamensis’; M. × purpurea (Hort. Barbier) Rehd.; M. × purpurea ‘Aldenhamensis’; M. × purpurea ‘Lemoinei’; M. baccata var. mandshurica (Maxim.) C. K. Schneid.; M. floribunda Seibold ex Van Houtte; M. hupehensis (Pamp.) Rehd.; M. × robusta (Carriere) Rehd.; M. sargentii Rehd.; and M. × zumi var. calocarpa (Matsum.) Rehd. Overall, characters observed on terminal buds were less useful than leaf features. Only 4 species exhibited distinctive bud characters. Terminal bud surfaces of M. × robusta displayed unique networks of fibrillar wax. M. baccata var. mandshurica and M. × zumi var. calocarpa buds had defined stomatal structures. M. hupehensis exhibited singular invaginations in the bud epidermis. All crabapple leaves examined were hypostomatic, and all stomata appeared anomocytic. Stomatal characteristics most definitive for categorization were size and frequency. Adaxial and abaxial trichomes were similar in structure and were uniform among all species and cultivars. Observed types of abaxial cuticular striations were very useful as identification aides. Seven of the 9 crabapples could be characterized by foliage features alone.

Species of Aphanolaimus (Nematoda, Araeolaimida) from Africa

Aphanolaimus louisae sp.n. from mountain lakes on Mt. Kenya is described and figured in detail. Examination by scanning electron microscopy revealed some interesting morphological characters, such as the structure of the amphideal fovea, extremely small mouth opening, cuticular striation, lateral field, cuticular pores and setae and male supplements. A. louisae most closely resembles A. aquaticus Daday, 1894, but differs in the number of preanal supplements and shape of the spicules. A specimen from Zaïre comes close to the new species and is described as Aphanolaimus sp. Finally A. microlaimus De Coninck, 1935 is redescribed on the basis of the type material.

Air pollutants and epidermal traits in Ricinus communis L.

Eighty-five samples of leaves of Ricinus communis L. (Euphorbiaceae) representing five populations—four collected from healthy, and one from polluted, environments—were studied to establish the relationship between environmental pollution and foliar epidermal features. The data obtained were analysed statistically. Stomatal frequency per square millimetre and the percentage of abnormal stomata (single guard cell or both the guard cells aborted) on both the upper and the lower epidermis showed a marked increase in plants growing ni polluted areas. One or two per cent of stomata on the lower epidermis also showed a slight decrease in size. A correlation between idioblast frequency and pollution was also observed. Scanning electron microscopic studies of the foliar surface revealed that stomatal openings were larger and cuticular striations more conspicuous in leaves of polluted populations than in those of healthy ones.

Observations on the cotyledonary and hypocotyledonary stomata and trichomes in some Caesalpiniaceae with a note on their taxonomic

AbstractThe structure and ontogeny of stomata on cotyledons and hypocotyls and the trichomes on hypocotyl are accounted for in eighteen species of Caesalpiniaceae. Trichomes are eglandular, bi‐ rarely tri‐celled, smooth walled or walls wavy with cuticular striations or tubercles. Anomocytic, haplocytic, paracytic, diacytic, transitional, tetracytic, tricytic and cyclocytic stomata occur in different combinations even on the same surface of the cotyledon. In all, there are fourteen combinations. Inspite of the diversity, the most frequent type is anomocytic in most of the species and paracytic in some species of Cassia and Delonix (abaxial) but rarely it is haplocytic or anisocytic. In hypocotyls it is anomocytic. Ontogenetically anomocytic, tetracytic and cyclocytic stomata are perigenous, whereas other types are mesogenous or mesoperigenous. There is an increase in the number of subsidiary cells by their division or the neighbouring perigenes assuming their shapes. About eight such types are described. A pair of stomata has a common subsidiary cell. Twelve types of guard cell and stomatal approximation abnormalities are described. A range in the number, size and shape of the nuclei in guard cell are recorded. Megastomata (giant stomata) are observed in Parkinsonia and Tamarindus. The taxonomic significance of the stomata is also discussed.

Tissue pathology and comparative microanatomy of Onchocerca from a resident of Ontario and other enzootic Onchocerca species from Canada and the U.S.A.

The microanatomy of one male and one female specimen of a zoonotic Onchocera sp in a fibrous nodule excised from the wrist of an Ontario resident, two bovine Onchocerca from Saskatchewan and Manitoba, Canada, and O. cervicalis from the ligamentum nuchae of a horse in Georgia, U.S.A., were compared. In dimensions and cuticular morphology, the three Canadian specimens of Onchocera shared certain features and closely resembled both O. cervicalis and O. gutturosa. The number of cuticular striae in some species of Onchocerca, particularly in male worms, is briefly discussed and its taxonomic value questioned. The Canadian patient visited Radlett, Hertfordshire, England, and then her summer cottage in the Muskoka region, Ontario, prior to the appearance of her symptoms, so that it is uncertain where she acquired the infection. Zoonotic onchocerciasis has yet to be described from Ontario. All nine cases of bovine onchocerciasis (the two described here and seven others) have occurred in Manitoba and Saskatchewan.

Variation in the structure and development of foliar stomata in the Euphorbiaceae

The structure and ontogeny of foliar stomata were studied in 50 species of 28 genera belonging to 17 tribes of the family Euphorbiaceae. The epidermal cells are either polygonal, trapezoidal, or variously elongated in different directions and diffusely arranged. The epidermal anticlinal walls are either straight, arched or sinuous. The architecture of cuticular striations varies with species. The mature stomata are paracytic (most common), anisocytic, anomocytic and diacytic. Occasionally a stoma may be tetracytic, cyclocytic or with a single subsidiary cell. The ontogeny of paracytic stomata is mesogenous dolabrate or trilabrate, mesoperigenous dolabrate; that of diacytic stomata is mesogenous dolabrate, whereas that of anisocytic stomata is mesogenous trilabrate; rarely an anisocytic stoma may be mesoperigenous. Hemiparacytic stomata are mesoperigenous unilabrate; tetracytic stomata are mesoperigenous dolabrate and anomocytic stomata perigenous. Abnormalities encountered include four types of contiguous stomata, stomata with a single or both guard cells aborted and persistent stomatal initials. Cytoplasmic connections between the guard cells of two adjacent stomata or the guard cell of a stoma and an adjacent epidermal/subsidiary cell, or both types occurring in a species, were noticed. The stomatal development, distribution, diversity and basic stomatal type with reference to systematics are discussed.

Gliricoptes zapus sp. n. (Acari: Myocoptidae) from Zapus from Washington and British Columbia

A new species of myocoptid mite, Gliricoptes zapus, is described from Zapus trinotatus from Washington and British Columbia. The myocoptid mite genus Gliricoptes was previously represented by eight Old World species, six from various genera of dormice (Gliridae), one from a spiny dormouse (Platacanthomyidae), and one from Sicista betulina (Zapodidae) from Poland. The new species described here is the first representative of the genus from North America, and the first myocoptid from a North American zapodid. The occurrence of this genus on two zapodids as well as on the glirids could indicate evolutionary affinities between those groups. This opinion is reinforced by an observation made recently by Fain (1974). In the family Myobiidae the genus Radfordia subgenus Graphiurobia contains four species living on Gliridae, two species on Cricetidae and one species (R. (CG.) ewingi) on an American zapodid. Family Myocoptidae Gunther, 1942 Genus Gliricoptes Lawrence, 1956 Gliricoptes zapus sp. n. (Figs. 1-4) Male (holotype) (Figs. 1-2): Total length (gnathosoma and posterior lobes included) 255 /L, maximum width 156 ,u. Body broadly oval. Posterior lobes broad, longer than wide, posterior margins rounded. Dorsum: Small propodosomal shield present. Hysterosoma bearing a poorly and irregularly sclerotized shield. Setae sc e thick, finely attenuated apically. Venter: All epimera free. Two small adanal suckers. Aedeagus rather long and narrow. Base of genital organ forms a transverse sclerite reaching laterally nearly to g m setae. Legs IV normally developed. Female (allotype) (Figs. 3-4): Total length 324 A/, maximum width 168 A/. In allotype and Received for publication 6 May 1974. 2 paratypes cuticle macerated in posterior part of body. In this area the cuticle is detached and extends to some distance behind the body giving an artificial elongate aspect to the body. Moreover, the hairs which are normally inserted not far from the anus have been pulled posteriorly with the cuticle while their insertion bases remain at their normal places. Cuticular striation poorly visible. Dorsal shields as in male but hysterosomal shield shorter with posterior border slightly concave. Epimera as in the male. Legs: femora III and IV with transverse ventral thickening visible only at certain orientations of the leg. Systematic position of this new species In the relatively long and rounded posterior lobes of the male this species resembles G. graphiuri Fain, 1970, G. betulinus Kok et al., 1971, and G. eliomys Kok et al., 1971. It differs from G. graphiuri by the absence of triangular scales on coxae and trochanters IV, by the longer aedeagus, by the narrower shape of the posterior lobes, and by the smaller size of legs III and larger size of the body. It differs from G. betulinus by the much smaller and shorter size of the aedeagus, from G. eliomys by the presence of sh setae, the longer aedeagus, and the different shape of the postgenital sclerite.

Morphology of Onchocerca volvulus.

Onchocercal nodules from 18 Africans were studied. Each nodule contained adult worms of Onchocerca volvulus . Male and female worms were reconstructed from serial paraffin sections, and the morphologic features of the adult worms and microfilariae described. The location and relation of the various parts of the reproductive and digestive tubes were photographed and gametogenesis described. Diagnostic features of adults and microfilariae of O. volvulus are emphasized. The most readily recognized diagnostic feature is the presence of deep transverse cuticular striations.

The Genus Andrewsianthus in South America and the Falkland Islands

The Genus Andrewsianthus in South America and the Falkland Islands

Comparative Studies on Ancylostoma braziliense and Ancylostoma ceylanicum. I. The Adult Stage

Laboratory strains of Ancylostoma braziliense Gomes de Faria, 1910, and Ancylostoma ceylanicum Looss, 1911, originally obtained from domestic cats in Malaysia and Taiwan, respectively, were maintained in experimentally infected dogs and cats. Examination of adult worms revealed new morphological differences. When killed in hot water and preserved in 10% formalin, the female worms of A. braziliense usually were sharply flexed ventrally at the level of the vulva whereas those of A. ceylanicum were not, and in A. braziliense both sexes were relatively slender. In addition, the distance between transverse cuticular striations in A. ceylanicum was approximately twice that seen in A. braziliense. Moreover, a small tubercular process on the lateral margin of the buccal capsule in A. braziliense was not found in A. ceylanicum. By these features it was easy to distinguish A. braziliense from A. ceylanicum. Previously the size of the teeth was the only known differential feature in the female. The conclusion of Biocca (1951) that Ancylostoma braziliense Gomes de Faria, 1910, and Ancylostoma ceylanicum Looss, 1911, are distinct species has gained general acceptance among parasitologists (Yoshida, 1965). However, the described differences between these two hookworms are essentially limited to the shape of the teeth and copulatory bursa of the adult worms. Distinctive features of the bursa make species recognition of the male relatively easy, but the shape of the teeth is difficult to differentiate (Velasquez and Cabrera, 1968) and, therefore, the identification of females may be unreliable. The writer and his co-workers have carried out a series of studies to further characterize and differentiate A. braziliense and A. ceylanicum in both the adult and larval stages. The present report describes some new morphological differences in the adult worms.

Epidermal structure and development of stomata in some Polygonaceae

In the present paper, epidermal structure and development of stomata are described in 15 species of the Polygonaceae. Epidermal cells ofPolygonum species contain druses of calcium oxalate. Parallel cuticular striations are noticed. Six types of glandular, non-glandular trichomes and extra-floral nectaries are observed. The mature stomata are anisocytic, anomocytic and paracytic. The anisocytic and paracytic stomata may be monocyclic or amphicyclic. The anomocytic stomata are incompletely monocyclic. The increase in number of subsidiary cells in anisocytic and paracytic stomata is due to the divisions of the subsidiaries. The ontogeny of anisocytic and paracytic types is syndetocheilic or mesogenous, while that of anomocytic is haplocheilic or perigenous. Twin stomata are also noticed.

PHARMACOGNOSY OF THE LEAF AND ROOT OFBARRINGTONIA ACUTANGULA,GAERTN.

The macroscopic and microscopic characters of the leaf and root of Barringtonia acutangula Gaertn. are described and illustrated. These parts are used as drug in the Ayurvedic system of medicine in India. The juice of the leaves is considered useful in diarrhoea and the root cooling and aperient. Both the root and leaves are also used as a bitter tonic. The diagnostic histological features of the leaf include cuticular striations, irregular hypodermis and subepidermal cavities containing rosette crystals of calcium oxalate. The root has the secondary phloem arranged in wedge–shaped radiating arms, metatracheal bands of xylem parenchyma, fibres with thick and lamellated wall, tyloses in the vessels, and an eccentric pith of parenchymatous cells and fibres.

Pharyngodon armatus Walton, 1933 (Nematoda: Oxyuridae); Description of the Male and Redescription of the Female

Pharyngodon armatus was originally described from female specimens only. Male and female specimens have been recovered from the intestine of green frog tadpoles (Rana clamitans melanota). The male of the species is described for the first time and the female is redescribed. Male and female specimens of the genus Pharyngodon were recovered from the intestine of green frog tadpoles (Rana clamitans melanota) collected from Pond 26, Delaware Game Preserve, Delaware County, Ohio. Seven species of Pharyngodon have been reported from amphibians by Walton (1929, 1933, 1940), Baylis (1930), Yamaguti (1941), Johnston and Mawson (1942), and Ubelaker (1965). Only three of the seven species have been described on the basis of male and female specimens. Pharyngodon spinicauda, the type species, was originally described from the reptile, Lacerta muralis. It has since been recovered from Triturus vulgaris. Pharyngodon armatus was described from female specimens only by Walton (1933). While reviewing a type specimen of P. armatus obtained from the USNM Helm. Coll. No. 27061, I noted discrepancies in the original description of the females. Inconsistencies included the position of the excretory pore, operculum on the eggs, the prominence of the lips, and the beginning of cuticular striations. The newly recovered females were conspecific with the type specimen. Since the original description was incomplete and since male specimens were recovered, I have deposited the Ohio specimens and the following description of the male and redescription of the female are given. MATERIALS AND METHODS The nematodes were fixed in steaming 70% alcohol and cleared in alcohol-glycerine. Living and fixed specimens were examined with light and phase contrast microscopes. The 25 male and 25 female specimens used in this study were temporarily mounted under supported cover slips. All measurements are in microns, unless otherwise Received for publication 6 August 1968. indicated. The range is followed by the average in parentheses. Drawings were made with the aid of the camera lucida. Pharyngodon armatus Walton, 1933 (Figs. 1-8)

On the Structure of Wuchereria bancrofti Adults from India, with a Note on Male Specimens from British Guiana and Fiji

The present study of the morphology of a few specimens of W. bancrofti from India reveals no significant differences from previous published descriptions, with the exception of those of Maplestone (1929) and Maplestone & Rao (1939), which were also concerned with Indian specimens. In the writers' opinion, the male tail does not possess caudal alae supported by pedunculated papillae; moreover the grouping of the papillae in the Indian specimens follows the pattern originally outlined by Leiper (1913), and not the conjectured pattern of Maplestone (1929, 1939). The present description confirms that (1) there are 8 circumoral papillae forming 2 circles, an inner and an outer of 4 each, and that there are 2 lateral amphids; (2) there is an unpaired papilla immediately anterior to the cloacal aperture in the male; (3) There are cuticular striations in the male on the ventral surface only, anterior to the cloacal apertur; (4) there is a subterminal triangular piece, heavily cuticularised, at the distal end of the right spicule; (5) the female tail bears numerous minute cuticular bosses and on the left side, posterior to the anus, there is a single phasmid.

CUTICULAR STUDIES IN SOLANACEAE

Foliar cuticle and epidermis, including trichomes, of 26 species (17 genera) of Solanaceae from India and South America have been studied. Most of the species are amphistomatic and possess either 'cruciferous' stomata or both 'cruciferous' and 'ranunculaceous' types intermingled; only a few species show exclusively the ranunculaceous type of stomata. Several types of epidermal hairs (both glandular and non-glandular) are found and these appear to be of great diagnostic value. This fact is particularly important as many species are of pharmacognostic interest. Some interesting characters such as 'cuticular striations', 'single guard cells', and 'degenerated stomatal cells' have also been recorded in a number of species. Further subdivisions of the family have been evaluated in the light of the present investigations, and regrouping of different genera under various tribes has been suggested.

Longidorus Utriculoides N. Sp. (Nematoda: Dorylaimidae) From Nyasaland

Longidorus utriculoides n. sp. is described and figured from about the roots of tea seedlings in Nyasaland. It resembles L. leptocephalus Hooper, 1961, from which it differs in having wide slit-like amphid apertures, a more anteriorly placed vulva and a differently shaped tail. It also differs from other species by having fine transverse cuticular striations.

Two New Species of Nematoda, Strongyluris riversidensis and Pharyngodon mearnsi, from Lizard, Streptosaurus mearnsi

Diagnosis: The body of the nematode is white in preserved material and fusiform except for the truncated end of the male. The cuticular cross striations are about 3 microns apart. The mouth is set off from the body by a well-marked constriction and is composed of three equal lips with a pair of papillae on each lip. The free cuticular border of each lip is curved inward and possesses a curved, forward projecting cuticular spike on the inner side of each lip. The lip lobe is rounded and indented at the junction of the papillae. Behind the lips the somatic papillae form a crown and approximately 0.11 mm from this crown are other scattered papillae. Female.-The female body length varies from 7.41 to 8.70 mm and the width at the vulva from 0.39 to 0.45 mm. The width at the head is 0.078 mm. The pharynx length ranges from 0.22 to 0.23 mm; the distance from the cephalic end to the caudal end of the esophagus from 1.19 to 1.30 mm. The esophageal bulb is 0.19 mm long by 0.21 mm wide. The excretory pore lies from 0.19 to 0.21 mm from the cephalic end. The distance from the anterior end to the vulva is from 4.80 to 5.21 mm. The tail is from 0.032 to 0.052 mm long. The uterus contains mature ova that are 0.059 by 0.065 mm. The female caudal ala bears a pair of caudal papillae which are approximately 0.037 mm from the proximal end of the tail. Male.-The male body ranges from 6.58 to 6.82 mm in length; the diameter of the head from 0.078 to 0.079 mm; the width of the body at the base of the esophagus from 0.32 to 0.36 mm; the pharynx length from 0.195 to 0.200 mm; the length of the esophagus from the cephalic end to the caudal end from 0.949 to 1.00 mm; the esophageal bulb from 0.15 to 0.19 mm by 0.16 to 0.17 mm; the excretory pore lies from 0.17 to 0.18 mm from the cephalic end. The tail is short, conical, and varies from 0.026 to 0.030 mm in length. The caudal ala is well developed and the chitinous wall of the sucker is deep with a diameter of 0.026 mm. The rim of the chitinous wall has a distinct notch on the caudal side. The

Two New Species of Neoschongastia with a Key to the Species of the World (Acarina: Trombiculidae)

Two new species of Neoschangastia, N. dalmati from Guatemala and N. kohlsi from western Montana, U.S.A., are described in this paper. A revised key to the world species adapted from Wharton and Hardcastle (1946) is included to assist in interpreting their systematic position. The genus Neoschiingastia Ewing, 1929 (genotype Schiingastia americana Hirst, 1921), based on larvae, has been defined and redefined, restricted and further restricted by various authors in recent years. The writer's concept of the genus is in accord with that of Wharton, et al (1951), i.e., larvae of the subfamily Trombiculinae having a claw-like empodium, cheliceral blade terminated by a tricuspid cap, 5 scutal setae, sensillae expanded distally, and the scutum partially submerged beneath the cuticular striae of the dorsum.

New North American Chiggers (Acarina, Trombiculidae)

Larvae, in life, orange, broad-elliptical. Size: Length, 500 to 643; width, 316 to 408. Capitulum (Fig. 1, B): Chelicerae moderately long, stout, with distinct subapical ventral tooth and inconspicuous dorsal tooth. Cheliceral base longer than wide, with few scattered punctations. Galeal seta forked or with two branches. Palpal claw trifurcate, the median prong largest; thumb with seven branched setae and a spur of moderate length; all palpal setae branched except the dorsal seta on article 4 which is either nude or forked. Scutum (Figs. 1-A and 8): Scutum punctate, as figured; about one and one-third times wider than long; roughly trapezoidal in shape with rounded, unexpanded corners and with poorly defined margins because of the encroachment of cuticular striae which, from the posterior margin, are projected perpendicularly on to the scutum between and as far as the sensillary bases. Setae plumose, all of similar form; length of anteromedian, anterolaterals and posterolaterals increases in the order cited. Sensillae capitate; the round head with few large, flattened setules; stem long, bare. Sensillary bases separated by somewhat more than the distance between anterolateral and posterolateral setae, and located far anterior to the posterolaterals. Standard measurements: Holotype: AW-57, PW-76, AP-36, SB-40, ASB-33, PSB-26, AM-36, AL-48, PL-52, S-32, DS-40 to 44. Average of ten specimens: AW-56, PW-72, AP33, SB-39, ASB-29, PSB-26, AM-32, AL-50, PL-56, S-32 (average of four), DS-40 to 45. Dorsum (Fig. 1, D) : Eyes 2/2, in ocular plate. Dorsal formula fairly constant, 2-8-6-6-42-2; the setae decreasing in length from anterior to posterior rows. Venter (Fig. 1, C): Two pairs of sternal setae. Ventrals 32 to 36, those posterior to the anus longest and similar in form to the dorsal setae. Legs: All legs with seven segments. Coxal setae, 1-1-1. Type data: Holotype and 15 paratypes, larvae from Odocoileus hemionus hemionus (Rocky Mountain mule deer), Sula, Montana, July 15, 1947, W. L. Jellison, AP23827.