Stem Fragments Research Articles

Do eligulate herbaceous lycopsids occur in Carboniferous strata? Hestia eremosa gen. et sp. nov. from the Mississippian of Oxroad Bay, East Lothian, Scotland

A new lycopsid, Hestia eremosa R.M. Bateman, Kenrick and Rothwell gen. et sp. nov., is described based on three fragmentary permineralised axes from separate horizons of the Lower Carboniferous (Tn3) sequence of tuffs and lacustrine deposits at Oxroad Bay, East Lothian, Scotland. These stem fragments are used to test the feasibility of employing pre-existing cladistic matrices to determine the range of credible phylogenetic placements of poorly known fossils. Hestia is unusual for a post-Devonian fossil lycopsid in being putatively herbaceous and phylogenetically primitive. As currently understood, this stem-genus lacks autapomorphies, but can be diagnosed by the combination of a stellate stele, scalariform xylem pits and perforate sheets of wall material partially infilling the pits. Review in the context of previous morphological and molecular phylogenetic analyses of Lycopsida suggests that Hestia bears a suite of vegetative anatomical characters largely consistent with Huperzia, the most plesiomorphic extant genus of Lycopodiaceae; this observation is particularly noteworthy as Lycopodiales appear surprisingly under-represented in the fossil record. However, the limited number of characters that can be scored from these fragmentary fossil axes cannot preclude placement of Hestia within the mono- or paraphyletic Drepanophycales s.l., which are generally viewed as being exclusively Devonian. Taphonomic inference suggests scorching (presumably volcanically induced) followed by medium-distance transport. Nonetheless, Hestia persisted on this volcanigenic landscape throughout a series of substantial environmental perturbations.

Identification and colonization of endophytic fungi from soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merril) under different environmental conditions

A total of 297 endophytic fungi were isolated from 1728 leaf and stem fragments collected about twenty and forty days after germination from soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merril) plants grown in the field and a greenhouse. The fungi belonged to eight groups, six dematiaceous genera (Alternaria, Cladosporium, Chaetomium, Curvularia, Drechslera and Scopulariopsis) and the non-dematiaceous genera Acremonium, Aspergillus, Colletotrichum, Fusarium, Paecilomyces and Penicillium along with some Mycelia sterilia.. There were qualitative and quantitative differences in the type and number of isolates obtained from greenhouse and field-grown plants, with more isolates being obtained from the latter. No difference was found in the number of fungi isolated from leaves and stems irrespective of where the plants was grown. For was field-grown plants, the number of isolates decreased as the plants aged and more fungi were found in tissues near the soil, while for greenhouse-grown plants the number of isolates increased as the plants aged but in this case no more fungi were isolated from those tissues nearer the soil. These results could have biotechnological relevance for the biological control of pests or plant growth promotion.

SCARNA: fast and accurate structural alignment of RNA sequences by matching fixed-length stem fragments

The functions of non-coding RNAs are strongly related to their secondary structures, but it is known that a secondary structure prediction of a single sequence is not reliable. Therefore, we have to collect similar RNA sequences with a common secondary structure for the analyses of a new non-coding RNA without knowing the exact secondary structure itself. Therefore, the sequence comparison in searching similar RNAs should consider not only their sequence similarities but also their potential secondary structures. Sankoff's algorithm predicts the common secondary structures of the sequences, but it is computationally too expensive to apply to large-scale analyses. Because we often want to compare a large number of cDNA sequences or to search similar RNAs in the whole genome sequences, much faster algorithms are required. We propose a new method of comparing RNA sequences based on the structural alignments of the fixed-length fragments of the stem candidates. The implemented software, SCARNA (Stem Candidate Aligner for RNAs), is fast enough to apply to the long sequences in the large-scale analyses. The accuracy of the alignments is better or comparable with the much slower existing algorithms. The web server of SCARNA with graphical structural alignment viewer is available at http://www.scarna.org/.

An in vitro propagation protocol of two submerged macrophytes for lake revegetation in east China

Thirty-six programs have been set up to revegetate the degraded lake wetlands in east China since 2002. Most projects however faced deficiency of submerged macrophyte propagules. To solve the problem, alternative seedling sources must be found besides traditional field collection. This paper deals with an in vitro propagation protocol for two popularly used submerged macrophytes, Myriophyllum spicatum L. and Potamogeton crispus L. Full strength Murashige and Skoog-based liquid media (MS) plus 3% sucrose in addition to 0–2.0 mg l −1 6-benzylaminopurine (BA) and 0–1.0 mg l −1 indoleacetic acid (IAA) were tried for shoot regeneration. Meanwhile, full, half or quarter strength MS in addition to 0, 0.1 or 0.2 mg l −1 naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) were tested for root induction, respectively. Results indicated that both species had the ability of regeneration from stem fragments in MS without further regulators. However, the addition of 2.0 mg l −1 BA with 0.2 or 1.0 mg l −1 IAA in MS drastically stimulated the regeneration efficiency of M. spicatum, while the addition of 2.0 mg l −1 BA with 0.2 or 0.5 mg l −1 IAA in MS significantly stimulated that of P. crispus. For root induction, full strength MS in combination with 0.1or 0.2 mg l −1 NAA was preferred by M. spicatum, and the same MS without or with 0.1 mg l −1 NAA was preferred by P. crispus. Seedlings of each species produced from tissue culture room had a 100% survival rate on clay, sandy loam or their mixture (1:1) in an artificial pond, and phenotypic plasticity was exhibited when the nutrient levels varied among the three types of sediments. This acclimation of seedlings helped develop the shoot and root systems, which ensured seedling quality and facilitated the transplantation. Our study has established an effective protocol to produce high quality seedlings for lake revegetation programs at a larger scale. Since the two species we tested represent different regeneration performances in nature but shared similar in vitro propagation conditions, this study has indicated a potentially wide use of the common media for preparing seedlings of other submerged macrophytes.

Fibre-tempered pottery of the Stallings Island Culture from the Crescent site, Beaufort County, South Carolina: a mineralogical and petrographical study

Abstract Late Archaic to Early Woodland (4500–3000 years bp ) Stallings Island Culture fibre-tempered plainware pottery is found from northern North Carolina to NW Florida and is often separated into two temper groups (Stalling and Orange series) based upon fibre type. Thirty-four sherds were studied to determine textural or mineralogical characteristics to assist in form and type separation. This study finds that only a few of the sherds were dominated by fibre. The fibre is visible as secondary porosity (voids) with some carbonized remains and exhibits specific shape and orientation at different locations within the sherd. Only two sherds had carbonized stem fragments that allowed identification of the Spanish moss ( Tillandsia usnedoides ). The remainder of the Crescent site plainware pottery has such low (to no) fibre contents as to be indistinguishable from similar age sand-tempered Thom’s Creek wares. The identity and textural features of the fine-grained aplastic minerals (quartz, feldspar, biotite and opaque minerals) in the paste are similar in both fibre- and non-fibre-tempered sherds, and this suggests that the materials used are consistent with sediment extraction from a fluvial coastal plain or estuarine setting. These observations indicate that the degree of fibre incorporation in these sherds may be related to the specific clay source (or manufacturing location) or represent examples of an evolving pottery manufacturing process within the Stallings Island Culture.

Dispersal of plant fragments in small streams

Summary1. Streams are subject to frequent natural and anthropogenic disturbances that cause sediment erosion and loss of submerged vegetation. This loss makes downstream transport and retention of vegetative propagules on the streambed very important for re‐establishing vegetation cover. We measured dispersal and retention of macrophyte stem fragments (15–20 cm long) along 300 m long reaches of four small to medium sized Danish lowland streams.2. The number of drifting stem fragments declined exponentially with distance below the point of release. This finding makes the retention coefficient (k, m−1) in the exponential equation a suitable measure for comparisons among different macrophyte species, and between stream reaches of different hydrology and vegetation cover.3. Buoyancy of macrophyte tissue influenced retention.Elodea canadensisstems drifted below the water surface, and were more inclined to be retained in deeper water associated with submerged plants and obstacles in the streambed.Ranunculus peltatusstems were more buoyant, drifted at the water surface, and were more inclined to be trapped in shallow water and in riparian vegetation.4. The retention coefficient of drifting stems increased with the relative contact between the flowing water and streambed, bank and vegetation. Thus, the retention coefficients were highest (0.02–0.12 m−1) in shallow reaches with a narrow, vegetation‐free flow channel. Here there were no significant differences betweenE. canadensisandR. peltatus. Retention coefficients were lowest (0.0005–0.0135 m−1) in deeper reaches with wider vegetation‐free flow channels. Retention ofE. canadensiswas up to 16 times more likely than retention ofR. peltatus.5. Overall, the longitudinal position in the stream system of source populations of species capable of producing numerous stems, the species‐specific retention coefficients of stems, and the retention capacity of stream reaches should be important for species distribution in perturbed stream systems. Retention of stems is probably constrained in headwaters by the small downstream flux of stem fragments because of the restricted source area, and constrained in downstream reaches by small retention coefficients. Macrophyte retention may, consequently, peak in medium‐sized streams.

Leaf and stem spot of Alternanthera philoxeroides (alligatorweed) in Australia caused by Nimbya sp.

A foliar and stem disease of Alternanthera philoxeroides (alligatorweed) occurred from Sydney to Bulahdelah in central-coastal New South Wales (NSW) in summer 2003. Foliar symptoms were purple/red circular lesions 1–3 mm in diameter and larger, often irregular lesions up to 10 mm, with a brown centre and a purple/red border. Spots were usually discrete but sometimes grouped along the mid-rib or originating from the margin. Stem lesions were relatively rare and were elongate, often raised, purple/red with a small brown centre. There was occasional chlorosis around lesions, and in some instances the whole leaf yellowed with premature abscission. A Nimbya species was exclusively isolated from the lesions (DAR76189, DAR76190 and DAR76191). On potato-carrot agar conidia exhibited an even, minutely punctiform ornamentation with an average of eight body cells and a slender, septate apical beak of up to 2·5 times the conidium body length. Conidium body dimensions were 62–112 × 14–19 μ m (average 87 × 16 μ m). Overall length averaged 245 μ m and many beaks exhibited an apical swelling of 4–5 μ m diameter. Koch’s postulates were satisfied by inoculating alligatorweed with 5 × 10 4 conidia mL − 1 in the glasshouse. Purple/ red leaf lesions with a pale centre developed within 3 days, and elongate lesions on stems by day five. Some isolates caused chlorosis, leaf abscission and stem fragmentation. The Nimbya species was exclusively reisolated from these lesions. Nimbya alternantherae causes similar symptoms on alligatorweed in South America (Barreto & Torres, 1999), USA (Holcomb & Antonopoulos, 1976) and China (Xiang et al ., 1998). However, conidial morphology (beak length, body length, width, shape, septation and ornamentation) of the NSW isolates does not fit the description of N. alternantherae (Simmons, 1995 and personal communication). This is the first report of Nimbya associated with alligatorweed in Australia. Taxonomic studies and research into the use of Nimbya isolates for biological weed control are continuing.

Estudo anatômico de folha e caule de Pereskia aculeata Mill. (Cactaceae)

Pereskia aculeata Mill. (Cactaceae) é uma trepadeira arbustiva conhecida comumente como ora-pro-nobis. Apresenta elevado teor de mucilagem e proteína, sendo empregada na indústria alimentícia e farmacêutica. Na medicina popular, é utilizada externamente como emoliente. Este trabalho teve por objetivo estudar a anatomia foliar e caulinar da planta, a fim de fornecer informações complementares à sua identificação e aplicáveis ao seu controle de qualidade. Folhas adultas e fragmentos de caules foram fixados, seccionados à mão livre e corados com azul de astra e fucsina básica ou com azul de toluidina. Testes histoquímicos e análise ultra-estrutural de superfície foram realizados. A folha é simples e elíptica. Possui epiderme uniestratificada, estômatos paracíticos em ambas as faces, mesofilo que tende a ser dorsiventral, contendo numerosas drusas de oxalato de cálcio e células isodiamétricas grandes com conteúdo mucilaginoso. A nervura central é percorrida por um feixe vascular colateral em arco aberto. O pecíolo tem secção plano-convexa e um feixe colateral em formato de arco fechado. O caule, em estrutura secundária incipiente, possui epiderme unisseriada, colênquima angular, parênquima cortical com muitos amiloplastos, calotas de fibras perivasculares e organização vascular colateral. No córtex e na medula, são observadas numerosas cavidades com conteúdo mucilaginoso e drusas de oxalato de cálcio, estas também presentes no floema.

Temperature and Endogenous Factors Cause Seasonal Patterns in Rooting by Stem Fragments of the Invasive Giant Reed,Arundo donax(Poaceae)

The effects of upright and plagiotropic stem orientation, temperature, and season on the regeneration of Arundo donax (giant reed) from stem fragments were studied for a period of more than 1 yr. In a temperature‐controlled experiment (16/8 h at 28°/16°C), successful regeneration (30%–80%) occurred from stem fragments with lengths ranging from 1 through 10 cm, even if split lengthwise, but only when the axillary bud was present and intact. Seasonal patterns in regeneration were observed in experiments in an unheated greenhouse with 0%–20% regeneration in the winter and 90%–100% regeneration in summer. During spring, fragments from plagiotropic, or hanging, stems showed 30%–40% regeneration under the temperature‐controlled conditions, while only 0%–10% of fragments from upright stems completed regeneration by rooting. Regeneration success and speed increased toward summer for both plagiotropic and upright stems, with 80%–90% and 80% regeneration rates, respectively. Exogenous indole‐3‐acetic acid (IAA) increased rooting by upright stem fragments in spring to 30%–40%. The seasonal pattern of endogenous IAA in the new stems that grew from fragments of plagiotropic and upright stems was similar to the regeneration patterns but displayed a 4–6‐wk lag period. Distribution of stem fragments could lead to the establishment of new A. donax stands.

Accuracy assessment of the Bamboo Stem Fragment distinguishing method used in panda population surveys

Accuracy assessment of the Bamboo Stem Fragment distinguishing method used in panda population surveys

Densoisporites polaznaensis sp. nov. with comments on its relation to Viatcheslavia vorcutensis Zalessky

A new species of lycopsid microspores, Densoisporites polaznaensis., is described. The spores were extracted from clayey matrix containing stems and phylloids of Viatcheslavia vorcutensis Zalessky, a characteristic lepidophyte of the lowermost Upper Permian (Solikamskian) of the Ural Mountains and Russian Platform. The fossils studied came from the Polazna Locality of the Ufimian (Roadian) age, situated near Perm City, Russia. The spores of D. polaznaensis are 30-69 µm, round to subtriangular, having almost smooth proximal side with clearly visible trilete scar with rays extended to the spore equator. Distal side of the spores has a fine granulate relief, formed by widely spaced distinct granulae. The sporoderm is two-layered; the outer layer consists of numerous interlaced lamellae and the inner layer includes a single lamella. At some sections, in the central region of spores, "laminated zones" were detected in the inner layer. There is a weakly developed cavity in the sporoderm. Viatcheslavia vorcutensis is represented by wide stem fragments (up to 30 cm in diameter). Leaf cushions are present on old lowermost stem parts, but any attached phylloids/sporophylls were not found, the phylloids/sporophylls obviously were shed. Leaf cushions usually are round, with clear scar of leaf attachment and ligular depression on the upper margin of the cushion. Two small areas of parenchymatous tissues (possible parichnos) are occasionally seen. On the basis of cooccurrences and typological extrapolation with related taxa of lycophytes belonging to the family Pleuromeiaceae, it is suggested that microspores of Densoisporites polaznaensis were produced by Viatcheslavia vorcutensis. The palaeoecology of Viatcheslavia vorcutensis interpreted as a halophytic plant is discussed.

Natural re-colonization of experimental gaps by terricolous bryophytes in Central European pine forests

In northeastern German pine forests we studied re-colonization patterns of experimental gaps by four dominant bryophyte species (Dicranum scoparium, Hypnum jutlandicum, Pleurozium schreberi and Scleropodium purum) over three years. Both vegetation and litter layer were removed on 1 m(2) plots within +/- pure colonies of the experimental species, while the humus layer was left intact. All plots were vegetatively re-colonized by the species which was dominant before gap creation. Three mechanisms of re-colonization occurred and interacted: (1) advance of surrounding shoots from the edge into the gaps by clonal growth, (2) dispersal of detached single shoots as well as larger clumps of multiple shoots into the plots, resulting in new colonies by continuing growth, and (3) regeneration from a soil diaspore bank consisting of seemingly dead stem fragments in the humus layer of the gaps. Scleropodium purum, which occurs at locations with good water and nutrient supply, displayed the most rapid growth. Here, some plots were completely recovered after three years. Despite lower rates of advance from the edge, colonization of Hypnum jutlandicum was faster than and of Dicranum scoparium as fast than that of Pleurozium schreberi because of a larger diaspore bank. Thus, each bryophyte species was characterized by a different habitat occupation strategy. The different clonal colonization strategies account for the high competitive capacity and regeneration potential of the investigated bryophyte species in pine forests despite of the lack of generative reproduction. Experimental disturbance resulted in a temporary increase of bryophyte diversity, because short-lived Colonists with a low competitive capacity colonized the gaps, before they will be overgrown by the dominant Perennials

Beautés fatales: Acanthaceae species as invasive alien plants on tropical Indo‐Pacific Islands

ABSTRACTMost, if not all, alien plant species of the family Acanthaceae (acanths) found in tropical islands were intentionally introduced as garden ornamentals, because of their showy coloured flowers, bracts or leaves. Some have ‘escaped’ gardens and have naturalized in human‐disturbed areas as weeds, adventives, or ruderal species. A few species have successfully invaded secondary and relatively undisturbed native wet forests. This paper reviews the naturalized alien acanths in tropical islands, and focuses on the currently invasive and potentially invasive species. This study is based on recent (1994–2004) botanical surveys and field observations conducted in several tropical oceanic islands of the Pacific and Indian Oceans, and on bibliographical searches of other tropical islands and countries. A total of 52 acanth species are naturalized in the Indo‐Pacific islands; 26 of them are native to Asia, 18 to tropical America, and only 8 to Africa. The number of naturalized acanths in selected tropical oceanic and continental islands varied from 7 to 25 species and the rate of naturalized acanths (number of naturalized species/number of introduced species) from 27% to 62%. We recorded eight major invasive species: the erect herbs or shrubs Justicia carnea, Odontonema strictum, Phlogacanthus turgidus, Sanchezia speciosa and Strobilanthes hamiltonianus form dense monospecific thickets in the understorey of wet forests; the woody vine Thunbergia grandiflora smothers native trees; the creeping herb Hemigraphis alternata forms dense carpets that totally cover the ground; and the herb Ruellia brevifolia colonizes the understorey of closed‐canopy wet forest. We also discuss eight potentially or incipient invasive acanths which are subspontaneous or sparingly naturalized, but which are not yet considered invasive. Most of the currently invasive acanths are sterile, the lack of fruit production being explained by the absence of pollinators and/or to their particular floral structure and reproduction modes. They reproduce vegetatively by stem fragmentation or by root suckers, and their range expansion is thus relatively slow. Their success may be attributed to their long (50–100 years) residence times, and long‐distance dispersal by humans. Many potentially invasive acanths are newly introduced ornamentals that produce seeds, thus constituting potentially greater threats. The Acanthaceae is not yet recognized as an ‘aggressive’ plant family (e.g. compared to the Fabaceae, Melastomataceae, Poaceae, or Rosaceae). It is, however, one of the most popular ornamental families in the Tropics, and should receive more attention because of the increasing number of current and incipient invasive species found in tropical islands.

Seed germinability and its seasonal onset of Japanese knotweed (Polygonum cuspidatum)

Sexual reproduction is known to be an important means of propagation for native Japanese knotweed populations in Asia. For naturalized populations in the United States, however, its relative importance compared with propagation by rhizome and stem fragments has not been established. This article presents two related studies that address two basic questions regarding the potential for propagation by seed: (1) are seeds that are produced by Japanese knotweed in areas of Philadelphia, PA, capable of germinating in the field? If so, (2) when and how rapidly during the year do these seeds acquire germinability? Field germination experiments assessed germination of planted seeds at intervals during the growing season at two different study sites (one in 2000 and the other in 2002) and showed that germination was common at both sites. The 2002 experiment also demonstrated that germination occurred both within existing stands of Japanese knotweed and in areas well removed from existing stands, and that both planted and naturally occurring seeds germinated. Experiments on seasonal acquisition of seed germinability used batches of seeds collected weekly between early September and November 2000 from three different study sites. Results showed that at two of the study sites, a rapid increase in germinability from less than 10% to greater than 90% occurred between collection dates in mid-September and mid-October 2000. A smaller and more gradual change occurred at the third site, where maximum germinability was roughly 50%. Regarding management of Japanese knotweed, the field germination experiments suggest that spread of this plant by seed is a realistic possibility in the United States. Because of the rapidity with which germinability is acquired, the high germinability attained, and the large number of seeds produced, we recommend that female (male-sterile) plants or their inflorescences be removed from seed-producing populations before the formation of fruits to minimize spread by seed.

Stem morpho-anatomy of Baccharis cylindrica (Less.) DC. (Asteraceae)

Baccharis cylindrica (Less.) DC. (Asteraceae) is a three-winged stem species, which belongs to the Trimera group and is commonly named as carqueja, as well as several other species of Baccharis. It is employed in the traditional medicine as stomachic and diuretic. This work has carried out the stem morpho-anatomical analysis of the medicinal plant, in order to contribute to its identification and to the knowledge for the Trimera group. Stem fragments were collected, fixed and prepared according to usual optical and scanning electron microtechniques. The epidermis is uniseriate, coated by striated cuticle and has anomocytic stomata, pluricellular glandular and non-glandular trichomes. In the wings, chlorenchyma, composed of palisade parenchyma beneath both epidermal faces and spongy parenchyma in the middle, and collateral vascular bundles are seen. In the stem axis, angular collenchyma alternating with chlorenchyma, included phloem, secretory ducts and calcium oxalate styloids are also observed.

Interference competition between Ludwigia repens and Hygrophila polysperma: two morphologically similar aquatic plant species

The interference competition between Ludwigia repens and Hygrophila polysperma was investigated in a 12-week tank experiment. In monoculture, sprigs (stem fragments) of both species showed similar growth rate and growth form. However, the two species differed strongly in response to interference competition from the other species. In response to increasing interference, sprigs of H. polysperma produced plants that had fewer but longer and more highly branched stems. However, the relative growth rate (RGR) was not significantly affected by the interference and total biomass accumulation was the same regardless of interference level. In contrast, developing sprigs of L. repens were negatively affected by interference. L. repens sprigs facing interference competition grew more slowly and produced fewer and shorter stems and fewer branches per stem than those growing in monoculture. At the highest level of interference, L. repens sprigs produced only 5% of the total mass produced when grown alone. Furthermore, the continued growth of established L. repens plants was significantly affected by interference from H. polysperma sprigs. At the end of the experimental growth period, the biomass of established L. repens invaded by H. polysperma sprigs was only 57% of that of established L. repens continuing to grow alone. Results of these experiments suggest that both species should effectively colonize unvegetated habitats. However, in an equal mixture of sprigs of the two species colonizing new habitats, H. polysperma will have advantage. Furthermore, established L. repens will be susceptible to invasion by H. polysperma while established H. polysperma is unlikely to be invaded by L. repens. The continued expansion of the exotic H. polysperma in North America is predicted.

Upper Carboniferous flora from the Mecsek Mts (Southern Hungary) - summarized results

Upper Carboniferous pebbles are known from Miocene conglomerates (Szászvár Formation) in the Mecsek Mts. Some pebbles may contain floral elements. Fine-grained siltstone is the most common fossiliferous rock. There are known leaf and stem fragments and some silicified wood-trunk fragments. These floral elements show Namurian to late Westphalian ages, but primarily the Westphalian B and C. The floral elements could be related to the Polish Carboniferous flora, particularly that of Silesia.

Analysis of the feed-forward effects of sink activity on the photosynthetic source-sink balance in single-rooted sweet potato leaves. I. Activation of RuBPcase through the development of sinks.

Single-rooted sweet potato leaves having a petiole with a fragment of stem allocated exceptionally large amounts of photosynthates to tuberous roots, the only major storage organ, throughout an experimental period of 50 d. The increase in photosynthetic activity for CO(2) fixation depended exclusively on the development of sink activity due to the growth of tuberous roots. Thus this model expressed a remarkable feed-forward effect on the photosynthetic source-sink balance. The level of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase (RuBPcase) protein in the leaves increased continuously during the period. The lowered initial as well as total activity of RuBPcase observed at the start of the experiment was raised with the cancellation of the sink-limited state due to the development of tuberous roots. The maximum activity determined after removing some inhibitor(s) from the enzyme by treating the leaf extract with SO(4)(2-) was much greater than the total activity and remained approximately constant throughout the experimental period. The clear decrease in the difference between maximum and total activities with the development of tuberous roots might reflect the reactivation of RuBPcase due to the removal of some inhibitor(s) from the enzyme through the cancellation of the sink-limited state.

Status and habitat associations of birds on Lembata Island, Wallacea, Indonesia, with reference to a simple technique for avifaunal survey on small islands

The islands of Wallacea were surveyed most intensely by field ornithologists in the nineteenth century, and again in the 1990s. However, the status and habitat use of bird species on many islands remains unknown. This study examined birds in several natural and disturbed habitats on Lembata (also known as Lomblen) Island, Indonesia. A total of 78 bird species were recorded including six endemic to the Lesser Sundas, an additional three Wallacean endemics and a total of 27 resident forest species. Including published records, 91 bird species have been recorded for Lembata. Extrapolation from the cumulative number of new species in the 45 samples gave an expected Total Bird Richness of 103.4 species. The frequency of occurrence of Lesser Sundas endemic bird species, all Wallacean endemics and Lesser Sundas endemic subspecies, forest-dependent species and frugivores was greatest in closed canopy forest (at higher elevations). Conversely, generalist “Australo-Papuan” species, granivores and nectarivores occurred more frequently in lowlands (including human-modified habitats). Protected area proposals were made in 1982, but there has been no management of natural areas for biological conservation on Lembata. Conservation activities aiming to stem forest loss and fragmentation in an Important Bird Area in southern Lembata, which includes significant populations of the Flores Green Pigeon Treron floris (Globally Vulnerable), may be an important step. Merits of the “Species list” survey method are discussed.

Epizoochorous dispersal of bryophyte stem fragments by roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) and wild boar (Sus scrofa)

Epizoochory of bryophyte stem fragments by roe deer and wild boar was studied in deciduous forests in Germany. Twenty-five shot roe deer and nine wild boar were investigated. In total, the animals transported 106 fragments (102 stem fragments and four leaves) in their coats and hooves. The fragments came from 12, mainly terricolous, bryophyte species and had a mean length of 3.6 mm (0.5–35 mm). The most abundant species were Brachythecium velutinum, Hypnum cupressiforme and Eurhynchium hians, for which epizoochorous dispersal of stem fragments was previously unknown. While slender pleurocarpous species with erect and acute leaves growing in wefts were commonly found on large mammals, robust acrocarpic species growing in tall turfs were extensively excluded because of their morphological characters. This was also shown by a roe deer dummy, which was placed 300 times on the forest floor. As the transported fragments can function as diaspores, epizoochorous transport of unspecialized gametophyte fragments may play a significant, but so far under-estimated role in the dispersal of bryophyte species, especially those without specialized asexual propagules and with rare sexual reproduction.