Island Plant Research Articles

Mortality among the residents of the Three Mile Island accident area: 1979-1992.

The largest U.S. population exposed to low-level radioactivity released by an accident at a nuclear power plant is composed of residents near the Three Mile Island (TMI) Plant on 28 March 1979. This paper (a collaboration of The University of Pittsburgh and the Pennsylvania Department of Health) reports on the mortality experience of the 32,135 members in this cohort for 1979-1992. We analyzed standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) using a local comparison population and performed relative risk regression modeling to assess overall mortality and specific cancer risks by confounding factors and radiation-related exposure variables. Total mortality was significantly elevated for both men and women (SMRs = 109 and 118, respectively). All heart disease accounted for 43.3% of total deaths and demonstrated elevated SMRs for heart disease of 113 and 130 for men and women, respectively; however, when controlling for confounders and natural background radiation, these elevations in heart disease were no longer evident. Overall cancer mortality was similar in this cohort as compared to the local population (male SMR = 100; female SMR = 101). In the relative risk modeling, there was a significant effect for all lymphatic and hematopoietic tissue in males in relation to natural background exposure (p = 0.04). However, no trend was noted. We found a significant linear trend for female breast cancer risk in relation to increasing levels of TMI-related likely [gamma]-exposure (p = 0.02). Although such a relationship has been noted in other investigations, emissions from the TMI incident were significantly lower than in other documented studies. Therefore, it is unlikely that this observed increase is related to radiation exposure on the day of the accident. The mortality surveillance of this cohort does not provide consistent evidence that radioactivity released during the TMI accident has a significant impact on the mortality experience of this cohort to date. However, continued follow-up of these individuals will provide a more comprehensive description of the morbidity and mortality experience of the cohort.

Evolution and Speciation of Island Plants. Tod F. Stuessy , Mikio Ono

<i>Evolution and Speciation of Island Plants</i>. Tod F. Stuessy , Mikio Ono

Quantitative morphological variation inTetramolopium (Asteraceae) in Hawaii and the Cook Islands

Multivariate analyses of quantitative characters were undertaken to examine the pattern of variation resulting from adaptive radiation ofTetramolopium in Hawaii and to investigate the systematics of an undescribed species in the Cook Islands and a group of populations of uncertain affinity on Kalaupapa Peninsula in Hawaii. Taxa differentiated on quantitative characters in the absence of qualitative characters. Differentiation was observed in multiple characters which could be organized into a few principal components. The analyses supported the species rank of the Cook Islands plants. The relationship of the Kalaupapa Peninsula populations to the rest of the taxa needs further study.

Evolution and Speciation of Island Plants.

List of contributors Preface Acknowledgements Part I. Hawaiian Islands: Introduction 1. Chromosome evolution and speciation in Hawaiian flowering plants Gerald D. Carr 2. Evolution in the endemic Hawaiian Compositae Bruce G. Baldwin Part II. Juan Fernadez Islands: Introduction 3. Isolating mechanisms and modes of speciation in endemic angiosperms of the Juan Fernandez Islands Tod F. Stuessy, Daniel J. Crawford, Clodomiro Marticorena and Mario Silva O. 4. Dendroseris (Asteraceae: Lactuceae) and Robinsonia (Asteraceae: Senecioneae) on the Juan Fernandez Islands: similarities and differences in biology and phylogeny Daniel J. Crawford, Tao Sang, Tod F. Stuessy, Seung-Chul Kim and Mario Silva O. 5. Island biogeography of angiosperms of the Juan Fernandez archipelago Tod F. Stuessy, Daniel J. Crawford, Clodomiro Marticorena and Roberto Rodriguez Part III. Southern and Western Pacific Islands: Introduction 6. Genetic diversity of the endemic plants of Bonin (Ogasawara) Islands Motomi Ito, Akiko Soejima and Mikio Ono 7. Evolution of cryptic dioecy in Callicarpa (Verbenaceae) on the Bonin Islands Nobumitsu Kawakubo 8. Conservation of the endemic vascular plant species of the Bonin (Ogasawara) Islands Mikio Ono 9. Preliminary observations on the evolution of endemic angiosperms of Ullung Island, Korea Byung-Yun Sun and Tod F. Stuessy 10. Evolution in Crossostylis (Rhizophoraceae) on the South Pacific Islands Hiroaki Setoguchi, Hideaki Ohba and Hiroshi Tobe Part IV. General Evolutionary Patterns and Processes on Oceanic Islands: Introduction 11. Secondary compounds and evolutionary relationships of island plants Bruce A. Bohm 12. Chromosomal stasis during speciation in angiosperms of oceanic islands Tod F. Stuessy and Daniel J. Crawford 13. The current status of our knowledge and suggested research protocols in island archipelagos Tod F. Stuessy and Mikio Ono Author index Taxon index Subject index.

Evolution and Speciation of Island Plants

Evolution and Speciation of Island Plants

Evolution and speciation of island plants

List of contributors Preface Acknowledgements Part I. Hawaiian Islands: Introduction 1. Chromosome evolution and speciation in Hawaiian flowering plants Gerald D. Carr 2. Evolution in the endemic Hawaiian Compositae Bruce G. Baldwin Part II. Juan Fernadez Islands: Introduction 3. Isolating mechanisms and modes of speciation in endemic angiosperms of the Juan Fernandez Islands Tod F. Stuessy, Daniel J. Crawford, Clodomiro Marticorena and Mario Silva O. 4. Dendroseris (Asteraceae: Lactuceae) and Robinsonia (Asteraceae: Senecioneae) on the Juan Fernandez Islands: similarities and differences in biology and phylogeny Daniel J. Crawford, Tao Sang, Tod F. Stuessy, Seung-Chul Kim and Mario Silva O. 5. Island biogeography of angiosperms of the Juan Fernandez archipelago Tod F. Stuessy, Daniel J. Crawford, Clodomiro Marticorena and Roberto Rodriguez Part III. Southern and Western Pacific Islands: Introduction 6. Genetic diversity of the endemic plants of Bonin (Ogasawara) Islands Motomi Ito, Akiko Soejima and Mikio Ono 7. Evolution of cryptic dioecy in Callicarpa (Verbenaceae) on the Bonin Islands Nobumitsu Kawakubo 8. Conservation of the endemic vascular plant species of the Bonin (Ogasawara) Islands Mikio Ono 9. Preliminary observations on the evolution of endemic angiosperms of Ullung Island, Korea Byung-Yun Sun and Tod F. Stuessy 10. Evolution in Crossostylis (Rhizophoraceae) on the South Pacific Islands Hiroaki Setoguchi, Hideaki Ohba and Hiroshi Tobe Part IV. General Evolutionary Patterns and Processes on Oceanic Islands: Introduction 11. Secondary compounds and evolutionary relationships of island plants Bruce A. Bohm 12. Chromosomal stasis during speciation in angiosperms of oceanic islands Tod F. Stuessy and Daniel J. Crawford 13. The current status of our knowledge and suggested research protocols in island archipelagos Tod F. Stuessy and Mikio Ono Author index Taxon index Subject index.

Intervention analysis on the effect of two sewage screening plants on the BOD5 levels in the Hong Kong Victoria Harbour and vicinity

In this paper, we applied the technique of intervention analysis to assess the changes in BOD5 levels in marine water of Victoria Harbour and its vicinity in Hong Kong, after the commissioning of two sewage screening plants located in the central and western part of the Harbour. Data for this analysis were collected from 10 stations along an east-west transect from Junk Bay to Tsing Yi Island during the period from January 1988 to December 1995. Our analysis shows that the BOD5 levels at four of the five stations near the To Kwa Wan Sewage Screening Plant decreased immediately after the commissioning of the Plant in July 1990. The reduction ranged from 6.76% in Station VM5 to 15.44% in Station VM1. For the five stations located near the Stonecutters Island Sewage Screening Plant, their respective BOD5 levels also decreased by amounts ranging from 6.5% in Station WM2 to 21.54% in Station VM8, immediately after the commissioning of the Plant in August 1992. The stations closest to the outfalls of the two respective Plants showed a greater reduction in BOD5 level compared with the stations that are further away from the outfalls. Moreover, the stations near the larger Stonecutters Island Plant outfall also showed a greater decrease in BOD5 level compared with the stations near the smaller To Kwa Wan Plant outfall. These results are consistent with those obtained by a simple descriptive analysis.

Genetics of adaptive radiation in Hawaiian and Cook Islands species of Tetramolopium (Asteraceae). II. Genetic linkage map and its implications for interspecific breeding barriers.

In a study of the genetic mechanisms associated with adaptive radiation in Hawaiian Tetramolopium, a genetic linkage map was constructed in an interspecific cross. A total of 125 RFLP and RAPD markers were mapped into 117 different loci on nine linkage groups for a map length of 665.7 cM. Segregation distortion occurred in 49% of the mapped probes, located primarily in four linkage groups. High percentages of one parental species genotype (Tetramolopium rockii) were recovered in three of these blocks and the second parental species (T. humile) in the remaining block. The high degree of distorted segregation suggests the buildup of internal crossing barriers, even though island plant species are typically characterized as highly cross compatible with few to no internal crossing barriers. This work and a review of previous crossing studies in island plants show that internal (postmating) crossing barriers do exist. The weak crossing barriers have likely been overlooked because the main focus has been on diversification and speciation through adaptation to extremely diverse environments.

Impact of gull colonies on the flora of the Riou archipelago (Mediterranean islands of south-east France)

The effects of an increasingly large yellow-legged gull Larus cachinnans colony on the flora of a Mediterranean limestone archipelago (south-east France) were studied through the analysis of floristical changes which have occurred in the past 36 years. Island plant lists can be distinguished first according to the island area, but all the islands show a common pattern of historical changes in flora. This floristical change appears to be correlated with the gull density and the percentage of ruderal plant species. Disturbance by gulls favours the massive establishment of non-native plant species which has led to the extinction of some endangered taxa through this plant species ‘enrichment’. Small islets appear to be more affected than large islands. Some preliminary conservation measures are presented.

Molecular evidence for a Mediterranean origin of the Macaronesian endemic genus Argyranthemum (Asteraceae)

The internal transcribed spacers (ITS) of nuclear ribosomal DNA were sequenced for 52 species from 32 genera and eight subtribes of Anthemideae. Phylogenetic analyses of ITS data generated trees that are largely incongruent with the recent classification of Anthemideae; most of the subtribes examined are not resolved as monophyletic. However, ITS trees are congruent with morphological, isozyme, phytochemical, and chloroplast DNA (cpDNA) restriction site data in supporting a Mediterranean origin for Argyranthemum, the largest endemic genus of the Atlantic oceanic islands. A combined analysis of ITS sequences and cpDNA restriction sites indicates that Argyranthemum is sister to the other three genera of Chrysantheminae (i.e., Chrysanthemum, Heteranthemis, and Ismelia). Times of divergence of Argyranthemum inferred from the ITS sequences ranged between 0.26 and 2.1 million years ago (mya) and are lower than values previously reported from isozyme and cpDNA data (1.5-3.0 mya). It is likely that rate heterogeneity of the ITS sequences in the Anthemideae accounts for the low divergence-time estimates. Comparison of data for 20 species in Argyranthemum and Chrysantheminae indicates that the cpDNA restriction site approach provided much more phylogenetic information than ITS sequences. Thus, restriction site analyses of the entire chloroplast genome remain a valuable approach for studying recently derived island plants.

Waste-water treatment and renewable energy potential in the Aegean islands

The introduction of wind-power generators to cover the energy needs of waste-water treatment plants in small, medium and large islands in the Aegean archipelagos has been investigated. Simple algorithms linking population with the additional electricity needed are developed. The availability of wind-power generation is estimated for the Weibull distribution and various sizes of wind turbines. Wind turbines with rated capacity around 300 kW are the best candidates for electricity production. The need for interconnecting the electricity grids of the small, autonomous systems of the islands is emphasized. We find that the area can become a net energy exporter to the mainland of Greece and other countries.

Conservation Genetics: Case Histories from Nature

Contributors. Prologue. 1. Introduction: The Scope of Conservation Genetics Part I: Case Histories with a Focus on Particular Taxonomic Groups. 2. Population Structure, Molecular Systematics and Forensic Identification of Whales and Dolphins C.S. Baker, S.R. Palumbi 3. Conservation Genetics of the Felidae S.J. O'Brien, et al. 4. Conservation Genetics in the Canidae R.K. Wayne 5. Socioecology, Population Fragmentation and Patterns of Genetic Loss in Endangered Primates T.R. Pope 6. Avian Conservation Genetics S.M. Haig, J.C. Avise 7. Conservation Genetics of Marine Turtles B.W. Bowen, J.C. Avise 8. Conservation and Genetics of Salmonid Fishes F.W. Allendorf, R.S. Waples Part II: Case Histories that Involve a Regional or Ecosystem Perspective, or a Pattern and Process Orientation. 9. Conservation Genetics of Endemic Plant Species J.L. Hamrick, Mary J.W. Godt 10. Conservation Genetics of Endangered Island Plants L.H. Rieseberg, S.M. Swensen 11. Conservation Genetics of Fishes in the Pelagic Marine Realm J.E. Graves 12. Conservation Genetics of North American Desert Fishes: R.C. Vrijenhoek 13. A Landscape Approach to Conservation Genetics: Conserving Evolutionary Processes in the African Bovidae A.R. Templeton, N.J. Georgiadis 14. Toward a Regional Conservation Genetics Perspective: Phylogeography of Faunas in the Southeastern United States J.C. Avise 15. A Quantitative-Genetic Perspective on Conservation Issues M.Lynch Epilogue. Index.

Population genetic structure and levels of inbreeding depression in the Mediterranean island endemicCyclamen creticum(Primulaceae)

The variation and evolution of reproductive traits in island plants have received much attention from conservation and evolutionary biologists. However, plants on islands in the Mediterranean region have received very little attention. In the present study, we examine the floral biology and mating system ofCyclamen creticum, a diploid perennial herb endemic to Crete and Karpathos. Our purpose is to quantify (1) variation and covariation of floral traits related to the mating system, (2) the ability of the species to self in the absence of pollinators and its relative performance on selfing and outcrossing and (3) genetic diversity within and among populations. Pollen/ovule ratios were indicative of a xenogamous species. A controlled pollination experiment showed that the species is self-compatible but is unable to set seed in the absence of pollinators, probably due to stigma-anther separation. A multiplicative estimate of inbreeding depression based on fruit maturation, seed number and percentage seed germination gave δ=0.38. Population genetic diversity was high, 54.76% polymorphic loci, a mean of 1.78 alleles per locus and a mean observed heterozygosity of 0.053.F-statistics nevertheless indicated high inbreeding rates (meanFis=0.748) in natural populations, and low levels of population differentiation (meanFst=0.168).C. creticumthus appears to have a mixed-mating system with high levels of (pollinator) mediated inbreeding (either by facilitated selfing, geitonogamy or biparental inbreeding) in natural populations.

Population genetic structure and levels of inbreeding depression in the Mediterranean island endemic Cyclamen creticum (Primulaceae)

Abstract The variation and evolution of reproductive traits in island plants have received much attention from conservation and evolutionary biologists. However, plants on islands in the Mediterranean region have received very little attention. In the present study, we examine the floral biology and mating system of Cyclamen creticum , a diploid perennial herb endemic to Crete and Karpathos. Our purpose is to quantify (1) variation and covariation of floral traits related to the mating system, (2) the ability of the species to self in the absence of pollinators and its relative performance on selfing and outcrossing and (3) genetic diversity within and among populations. Pollen/ovule ratios were indicative of a xenogamous species. A controlled pollination experiment showed that the species is self-compatible but is unable to set seed in the absence of pollinators, probably due to stigma-anther separation. A multiplicative estimate of inbreeding depression based on fruit maturation, seed number and percentage seed germination gave δ=0.38. Population genetic diversity was high, 54.76% polymorphic loci, a mean of 1.78 alleles per locus and a mean observed heterozygosity of 0.053. F -statistics nevertheless indicated high inbreeding rates (mean F is =0.748) in natural populations, and low levels of population differentiation (mean F st =0.168). C. creticum thus appears to have a mixed-mating system with high levels of (pollinator) mediated inbreeding (either by facilitated selfing, geitonogamy or biparental inbreeding) in natural populations.

Pterygoneurum lamellatum, a Moss New to Greenland (Musci, Pottiaceae)

Pterygoneurum lamellatum (Lindb.) Jur. is reported new to the Greenland bryoflora based on two finds from west central Greenland. The specimens were found 350 km apart, both on frost boils of clay on raised marine sediments of Holocene age. These findings support the thesis that openland has existed in West Greenland during one or more glaciations. While preparing for the 1996 field season in Greenland we came across a specimen from the vicinity of Sendrestr0mfjord, central West Greenland initially named Stegonia latifolia Vent. Closer examination revealed this specimen to belong to Pterygoneurum lamellatum that had no previous record from Greenland. This specimen was collected in 1977 between the mountain Keglen and 7 km to the northwest, in the area located north of Sendrestr0mfjord Airport, at the Polar Circle, inland, and about 25 km from the Inland Ice Cap in an continental climatic regime. The specimen consists of a few plants with well developed sporophytes. The habitat is open clay on a frost boil located on raised marine sediments of Holocene age. On July 11, 1996, two of us found a second population, also consisting of few mature sporophytes and some sterile gametophytes. This population occurred 350 km to the north just outside the airport of Jakobshavn/Illulisat at 70014'N, 51001'W (Fig. 1). Geographically, Pterygoneurum lamellatum has its main distribution outside the Arctic, being a predominantly steppe and warm semi-desert species. Its discovery in the Nearctic is of fairly recent date. Steere (1959) reported this species from arctic Alaska, as P. arcticum Steere, which he subsequently synonymized with P. lamellatum (Steere 1976, 1978). Kuc (1973) reported three sites of P. lamellatum (also as P. arcticum) from the Queen Elisabeth Islands, and Brassard (1976) reported it from Alert, Ellesmere Island. Miller and Ireland (1978) reported Pterygoneurum ovatum (Hedw.) Dix. from Bathurst Island. Our plants from Greenland matches well with the description of P. arcticum given by Steere (1959), although we have not seen the type specimen. We have seen the specimen (FH) collected by Miller on Bathurst Island but we are hesitant to refer these plants to either P. lamellatum or P. ovatum due to variations in spore sizes. While spores of P. lamellatum vary between 14-22 ptm, and spores of P. ovatum are 20-27 ptm (Fig. 2), spores of the Bathurst Island plants fall within 20-31 Im. Actual varia ion in spore size range as shown by a large number of measurements may, however, be larger than wh n measurements are expressed as simple ranges. We feel certain about the taxonomic placement of our own two specimens from Greenland as P. lamellatum, but we find that a detailed taxonom-

Plants of the Perth coast and islands

Plants of the Perth coast and islands

The reproductive biology and genetics of island plants

Island and mainland populations of plants often differ in their reproductive biology and genetics. The differences become more pronounced the further islands are from mainland sources. Altered pollination conditions have influenced the floral biology and mating systems of island plants in distinct ways. Insufficient pollination has favoured selection of floral traits promoting selfing. In contrast, inferior pollinator service resulting in selfing and inbreeding depression appears to be a factor involved in the evolution of sexual dimorphisms. Stochastic forces play a major role in governing patterns of genetic variation. Island populations are usually more differentiated and contain less diversity than comparable mainland samples. Many general issues in evolutionary biology can be addressed by studies of reproduction and genetics in island plants.

Short-Term Evolution of Reduced Dispersal in Island Plant Populations

1 Dramatic reductions in dispersal potential are characteristic of many diverse taxa, both plants and animals, on oceanic islands. This paper documents the same trend of reduced dispersal ability over the course of just a few generations in some weedy, short-lived and wind-dispersed plants of inshore islands in British Columbia, Canada. 2 We measured dispersal-related morphological characteristics of diaspores from island populations of known ages, and from mainland populations. In two of three species with sufficiently large sample sizes, older island populations show increasingly reduced dispersal potential relative to mainland populations or to young island populations. 3 These and other morphological differences are consistent with results expected from strong selection for reduced dispersal potential, and may be striking examples of short-term evolution in small and isolated natural populations.

Characteristic Features of Damage to the Public Sewerage Systems in the Hanshin Area

ABSTRACT Damage to the public sewerage systems for six cities in the Hanshin area due to the 1995 Hyogoken-Nanbu earthquake was summarized as 140 km pipelines, 19 treatment plants and 32 pumping stations. Characteristic features of the damage compared to those in past earthquakes were as follows: 1) distribution of damaged pipelines in Nishinomiya was concentrated both in liquefied zones of the coastal area and in an area surrounded by two faults, 2) three large concrete pipelines were heavily cracked longitudinally, 3) internal concrete linings in sewerage shield tunnels were cracked causing water leakage, and 4) the Higashinada treatment plant suffered serious damage due to liquefaction, whereas the Port Island plant was sound due to soil improvement to increase the soil’s resistance for liquefaction.

Plants of the Tres Marias Islands, Nayarit, Mexico

Plants of the Tres Marias Islands, Nayarit, Mexico