Ventral Bundle Research Articles

Interhemispheric Connectivity of the Human Temporal Lobes.

Interhemispheric connections of the human temporal lobes were visualized using high angular resolution diffusion tensor imaging tractography.Results are displayed on serial orthogonal sections to reveal detailed spatial relationships.Corpus callosum projections through the splenium form distinct dorsal and ventral bundles and are absent from the caudal splenium.The transcallosal pathway consists of distinct medial and lateral divisions.The results reveal projections to the external capsule and claustrum not previously described.Transcallosal and anterior commissural pathways show complex patterns of overlap and interdigitation.Surface mapping revealed areas with relatively high density of projections to the cortical surface.

The Phylogenetic Significance of Fruit Structures in the Family Cornaceae of China and Related Taxa.

The fruit morphological structures of the Cornaceae of China and related taxa were studied using the wax GMA semi-thin section method and other methods to identify characters useful in delimiting clades circumscribed in previous molecular phylogenetic studies. Maximum parsimony analyses of 27 fruit structural characters resulted in a generally poorly resolved strict consensus tree, yet one whose major clades matched those revealed previously. Cornaceae of China and related taxa are recognized in four significant clades with the following fruit structural features: (1) Helwingia, fruits lack trichome, the abdominal vascular bundles are close to the endocarp, and the endocarp sclereid is elongated; (2) Aucuba, single-cell lanceolate trichomes, pericarp without secretory structure; (3) Torricellia, polygon and elongated sclereids in the endocarp, pericarp without crystal and tannin; and (4) Cornus sensu lato, the trichome is T-shaped, the abdominal ventral bundle is absent, and the endocarp sclereid is nearly round. In Cornus sensu lato, this document supported that the cornelian cherries (CC, subg. Cornus) and the big-bracted dogwoods (BB, subg. Syncarpea) are sister groups. The dwarf dogwoods (DW, subg. Arctocrania) are sister to them, and the blue- or white-fruited dogwoods (BW, subg. Kraniopsis, subg. Yinquania, and subg. Mesomora) are the base of the Cornus sensu lato clade. The number of cell layers of endocarps and the types of crystals afford sound evidence for identifying their relationship. This study indicated that the fruit structures of Cornaceae might provide morphological and anatomical evidence for molecular phylogeny.

МОРФОЛОГІЯ ТА ВАСКУЛЯРНА АНАТОМІЯ КВІТКИ ZEPHYRANTHES CITRINA BAKER. (AMARYLLIDACEAE J. ST.-HIL.)

In the gynoecium of Zephyranthes citrina Baker. there are synascidiate, symplicate, and hemisymplicate vertical zones. The longest zone is the fertile hemisymplicate zone and the shortest one is the sterile synascidiate zone in the ovary. It was determined that in Z. citrina the peduncle consists of 12 vascular bundles, which gather above the center in a dense circle, but do not form a vascular cylinder, and at the level of receptacle septal vascular bundles and dorsal vascular bundles depart, from which above traces of tepal depart. Dorsal and septal vascular bundles of the carpel are two-bundle. In the center of the ovary at the level of the locules there is a glandular slit which points to the presence of a symplicate zone and a circle of small vascular bundles – the roots of the ventral complex. Higher these bundles are reorganized into 6 massive vascular bundles and supplied the ovules – the ventral bundles of carpels. There are 14-20 ovules in each locul, the trace of the ovule is one-bundle. Traces of outer tepals have 12 vascular bundles, traces of inner tepals have 10 vascular bundles. Traces of stamens are single- bundle.

Dinophiliformia early neurogenesis suggests the evolution of conservative neural structures across the Annelida phylogenetic tree.

Despite the increasing data concerning the structure of the adult nervous system in various Lophotrochozoa groups, the early events during the neurogenesis of rare and unique groups need clarification. Annelida are a diverse clade of Lophotrochozoa, and their representatives demonstrate a variety of body plans, lifestyles, and life cycles. Comparative data about the early development are available for Errantia, Sedentaria, Sipuncula, and Palaeoannelida; however, our knowledge of Dinophiliformia is currently scarce. Representatives of Dinophiliformia are small interstitial worms combining unique morphological features of different Lophotrochozoan taxa and expressing paedomorphic traits. We describe in detail the early neurogenesis of two related species: Dimorphilus gyrociliatus and Dinophilus vorticoides, from the appearance of first nerve cells until the formation of an adult body plan. In both species, the first cells were detected at the anterior and posterior regions at the early trochophore stage and demonstrated positive reactions with pan-neuronal marker anti-acetylated tubulin only. Long fibers of early cells grow towards each other and form longitudinal bundles along which differentiating neurons later appear and send their processes. We propose that these early cells serve as pioneer neurons, forming a layout of the adult nervous system. The early anterior cell of D. vorticoides is transient and present during the short embryonic period, while early anterior and posterior cells in D. gyrociliatus are maintained throughout the whole lifespan of the species. During development, the growing processes of early cells form compact brain neuropile, paired ventral and lateral longitudinal bundles; unpaired medial longitudinal bundle; and commissures in the ventral hyposphere. Specific 5-HT- and FMRFa-immunopositive neurons differentiate adjacent to the ventral bundles and brain neuropile in the middle trochophore and late trochophore stages, i.e. after the main structures of the nervous system have already been established. Processes of 5-HT- and FMRFa-positive cells constitute a small proportion of the tubulin-immunopositive brain neuropile, ventral cords, and commissures in all developmental stages. No 5-HT- and FMRFa-positive cells similar to apical sensory cells of other Lophotrochozoa were detected. We conclude that: (i) like in Errantia and Sedentaria, Dinophiliformia neurogenesis starts from the peripheral cells, whose processes prefigure the forming adult nervous system, (ii) Dinophiliformia early cells are negative to 5-HT and FMRFa antibodies like Sedentaria pioneer cells.

A new species of the genus Aeolosoma (Annelida: Aphanoneura: Aeolosomatidae) with peculiar sigmoid chaetae from fresh waters of Vietnam.

A new species of the Aeolosomatidae, Aeolosoma vietnamicum sp. n., found in freshwater bodies of Vietnam, is illustrated and described. The new species differs from its congeners in the presence of specific sigmoid chaetae in the dorsal and ventral bundles of all segments, beginning from II. These chaetae are characterized by tips with two apical teeth and an additional row of three to nine distinct denticles on the concave side of the chaetaes distal part. Aeolosoma vietnamicum sp. n. also differs from closely related species in the length, pattern and number of hair chaetae per bundle.

Comparative flower morphology of Agapanthus africanus and A. praecox (Amaryllidaceae)

The structure of Agapanthus africanus and A. praecox flowers was studied on permanent cross-sectional and longitudinal sections using a light microscope. The genus Agapanthus belongs to the subfamily Agapanthoideae, the family Amaryllidaceae, which is characterized by the presence of the upper ovary, septal nectaries and fruit – fleshy capsule. Micromorphological studies of the flower are considered as a way for detection of unknown plant features, adjustment of plants to specialized ways of pollination and determining the first stages of morphogenesis of fruit, and further use these features in taxonomy. 10 flowers of A. africanus and A. praecox were sectioned using standard methods of Paraplast embedding and serial sectioning at 20 micron thickness. Sections were stained with Safranin and Astra Blau and mounted in Eukitt. It was found that in the studied species the tepals have single-bundle traces. The vascular system of the superior ovary consists of a three bundle dorsal vein, of the ventral roots complex, which are reorganized into paired ventral bundles of the carpel, which form traces to ovules. For the first time, the following gynoecium zones were detected in A. africanus: a synascidiate structural zone with a height of about 560 μm and a fertile symplicate structural zone with a height of about 380 μm and a hemisymplicate zone of 2580 μm. In A. praecox gynoecium, there is a synascidiate structural zone with a height of 200 μm and a symplicate structural zone of 600 μm and a hemisymplicate zone of 620 μm. Septal nectaries appear in the hemisymplicate zone and open with nectar fissures at the base of the column, with a total septal nectar height of 2880 μm in A. africanus and 820 μm in A. praecox. The ovary roof is 300 µm in A. africanus and 200 µm in A. praecox. Triple dorsal bundles of carpels in A. africanus have been identified, which could be considered as adaptation of different stages of morphogenesis of fruit to dehiscence. The new data obtained by the vascular anatomy of the flower and the presence of different ovary zones significantly add to the information about anatomical and morphological features of the studied species, which can be further used in the taxonomy of the family Amaryllidaceae.

Micromorphology and anatomy of the flower of Zephyranthes candida (Amaryllidaceae)

The use of morphological features of flowers in the taxonomy of plants is becoming increasingly important. The structure of the Zephyranthes candida (Lindl.) Herb. flowers on permanent cross-sectional and longitudinal sections was studied using a light microscope. The genus Zephyranthes belongs to the subtribe Hippeastrinae Walp. tribe Hippeastreae Sweet., family Amaryllidaceae s.l. Microscopic studies of the flower are considered as a tool to identify hitherto unknown structural adaptations of plants to specialized pollination methods and to elucidate the first stages of fruit morphogenesis, as many features of the fruit appear at the flower stage. The morphometric parameters, morphology, anatomy, and vascular anatomy of the ovary were described by using the flower’s transverse sections. Ten flowers of Z. candida were sectioned using standard methods of Paraplast embedding and serial sectioning at 20 μm thickness. Sections were stained with Safranin and Astra Blau and mounted in Eukitt. It was found that in the studied species the tepals have multi-bundle traces of 10–12 leading bundles. We consider the gynoecium of the studied species to be eusincarpous. The vascular system of the inferior ovary consists of three dorsal and three septal bundles, paired ventral bundles of carpels, which form ovule traces. For the first time, the presence of the following gynoecium zones was detected: a synascidiate structural zone with a height of about 360 μm and a fertile symplicate structural zone with a height of about 1560 μm and a hemisymplicate zone of 480 μm. Septal nectaries appear in the hemisymplicate zone and open with nectary split at the base of the style, the total height of the septal nectary is 760 μm. The ovary roof is 280 μm. Bifurcated dorsal and septal bundles of carpels have been identified, which can be considered as adaptations of the early stages of fruit morphogenesis to opening. Anatomical features of the ovary of Z. candida are numerous vascular bundles in the pericarpium, non-lignified endocarp at the flower stage, we consider as adaptations to the formation of juicy fruit. New data on the anatomical structure of the flower are a significant addition to the information on antecological and post-anthetic features of the studied species. Also, these data can be used in the construction of parsimony branches of the family Amaryllidaceae.

МІКРОМОРФОЛОГІЯ ТА АНАТОМІЯ КВІТКИ LEUCOJUM AESTIVUM L. (AMARYLLIDACEAE J. ST.-HIL.)

In the gynoecium of L. aestivum there are synascidiate, hemisynascidiate, symplicate, and asymplicate vertical zones. The longest zone is the fertile hemisynascidiate zone and the shortest is the synascidiate zone in the ovary. It was discovered that in L. aestivum the peduncle consists of 12 vascular bundles, which are reorganized into two circles of bundles, the outer with massive leading bundles, departing as dorsal bundles of perianth, traces of perianth tepals and septal bundles of carpels and inner circle of bundles over the nests are divided into three groups of ventral carpel bundles are lined up on four, which are located in the center of the ovary and providing nutrition to the ovules. Dorsal carpels bundles are double. Above the locule, ventral bundles of the carpel, as well as the double septal bundles, merge with the dorsal bundles and form a dorsal vein. The outer tepals of the simple perianth have nine vascular traces, and the inner tepals of the perianth have eight vascular traces. Traces of stamens are single-bundle, formed from traces of perianth tepals. The ovary has features of the early stages of fruit morphogenesis and adaptation to disclosure, such as differentiation of mesocarp and endocarp cells, double dorsal bundles of carpels. Structural flower features related to pollen proposal as reward pollinators. Since ovary is a structural basis of the fruit, histological ovary wall differentiation reflects the features of the subsequent morphogenesis of the fruit.

Micromorphology and anatomy of the flowers of Galanthus nivalis and Leucojum vernum (Amaryllidaceae)

We studied the structure of flowers of Galanthus nivalis and Leucojum vernum using cross-sections and longitudal sections of permanent preparations using a light microscope. Genera Galanthus and Leucojum belong to the Galantheae tribe characterized by a unique combination of features of the family Amaryllidaceae, i.e. absence of septal nectaries, poricidal anthers and fruit – fleshy capsule. Both species are represented in the flora of Ukraine and have the life form of bulb ephemeroid of decidous forests. Microscopic surveys of flowers are considered as an instrument for determining yet unknown structural adaptations of plants to specialized ways of pollination and determining the first stages of morphogenesis of fruit, because many features of the fruit appear already at the stage of flower. We determined that the tepals of both studied species have multi-bundle traces of 8–9 vascular bundles. Apical dehiscence of the anthers occurs due to short longitudinal sutures in the upper part of the anthers. The nectar disk on the roof of the inferior ovary is poorly differentiated, and has no vascular bundles. We associate the indicated peculiarities of the flower structure with the offer of pollen as the main reward of the pollinator during buzz-polination, which has not reported for the studied species. Placentation is axile in the lower part of the ovary and parietal in the upper one. We consider that the gynoecium of the studied species is eusyncarpous. The vascular system of the inferior ovary is composed of three dorsal and three septal veins, paired ventral bundles of carpels, which form the traces of ovules, and also small additional bundles in the wall of the ovary. For the first time, we have determined the presence of airy parenchyma in the ovules, ovary roof, the style and anthers’ connectives and have confirmed their presence in the tepals and the wall of the ovary at the stage of flowering. We found differentiation of the mesocarp into photosynthesizing and airy parenchyma, small sizes of cells of the endocardium in the area of the dorsal vein, bifurcate dorsal bundles of the carpels, which could be considered as adaptation of different stages of morphogenesis of fruit to dehiscence. Anatomical peculiarities of the ovaries of G. nivalis and L. vernum: numerous vascular bundles in the pericarp, thick parenchyma mesocarp with air-filled cavities, non-lignified endocarp at the stage of the flower we consider adaptations to the formation of fleshy fruit. The new data we obtained on the anatomical structure of the flowers is a significant addition of information about anthecological and carpological (post-anthetic) peculiarities of the surveyed species.

Morphology of the clasper musculature in rays (Chondrichthyes; Elasmobranchii: Batoidea), with comments on their phylogenetic interrelationships

The subclass Batoidea comprise skates, electric rays, stingrays, guitarfishes, and sawfishes, and their interrelationships are still problematical despite recent morphological and molecular phylogenetic studies. The most recent morphological phylogeny indicates that guitarfishes are a polyphyletic group, and that the phylogenetic placement of Platyrhina and Platyrhinoidis is still unclear. Several molecular studies suggest that guitarfishes (except Zanobatus) and sawfishes comprise the monophyletic order Rhinopristiformes, and that thornback rays (Platyrhinidae, Platyrhina, and Platyrhinoidis) are more closely related to the electric rays (Torpediniformes); rhinopristiforms have recently been supported by morphological data as well. The clasper musculature of batoids suggests an alternative pattern of interrelationships for thornback rays, with the m. dilatator attached to the dorsal terminal 1 cartilage by a series of tendons found only in Rhinopristiformes and Platyrhinidae, suggesting that they are closely related. Furthermore, Rajiformes, Rhinopristiformes, and Platyrhinidae exclusively share a reduced m. extensor lateralis, suggesting that these taxa form a monophyletic group. This study identifies new synapomorphies that corroborate the separate monophyly of Rajiformes, Torpediniformes, and Myliobatiformes: the m. dilatator divided into dorsal and ventral bundles and the presence of a single m. flexor are found only in Rajiformes; the extensor lateralis with a laminar shape is a derived character of Torpediniformes; and the exclusive m. flexor medialis arising on the puboischiadic bar is derived for Myliobatiformes.

Floral vasculature and its variation for carpellary supply in Anthurium (Araceae, Alismatales).

Introduction and AimsAnthurium is the largest genus of Araceae, with 950 species distributed in the neotropics. Despite the great diversity of the genus, the knowledge of its floral vasculature is based on observations in only two species, viz. A. denudatum and A. lhotzkyanum, with remarkable variation in vascular carpellary supply: carpels are either vascularized by ventral bundles alone or by reduced dorsal bundles in addition to the ventral ones. Our main objective is to test this peculiar variation through a detailed anatomical study of the floral vasculature in taxa belonging to some sections of Anthurium designated as monophyletic groups in recent phylogenies.MethodsWe compare the floral vasculature of 20 neotropical species belonging to distinct sections of Anthurium, using both light and confocal laser scanning microscopies.ResultsThe number and position of vascular bundles are constant within the tepals and stamens, regardless of the species and sections studied. However, the gynoecium vasculature exhibits variation between species belonging to the same or different sections. Our results reveal two patterns of vasculature: carpels vascularized by synlateral bundles alone (Pattern A) and carpels vascularized by both dorsal and synlateral bundles (Pattern B). Pattern A is shared by the majority of species studied here and corroborates the previous data in the literature. Pattern B occurs in three species: A. affine (Anthurium sect. Pachyneurium series Pachyneurium), A. obtusum and A. scandens (Anthurium sect. Tetraspermium), described here for the first time for the genus.ConclusionsThe variation in the supply to the carpels in Anthurium is corroborated here. However, our results in addition to those from the available literature suggest the existence of three patterns (A, B and C) of carpellary vasculature. Based on the recent phylogeny of Anthurium it is possible to notice that the three patterns of carpellary vasculature occur in representatives of Clade B and deserve to be investigated in a larger number of species. Pattern A could be a plesiomorphy for the genus and the occurrence of dorsal bundles could be a derived character. Our data contributes to the taxonomy and to the understanding of the floral evolution of the largest neotropical genus of Araceae.

Floral development and vascularization help to explain merism evolution in Paepalanthus (Eriocaulaceae, Poales).

BackgroundFlowers in Eriocaulaceae, a monocot family that is highly diversified in Brazil, are generally trimerous, but dimerous flowers occur in Paepalanthus and a few other genera. The floral merism in an evolutionary context, however, is unclear. Paepalanthus encompasses significant morphological variation leading to a still unresolved infrageneric classification. Ontogenetic comparative studies of infrageneric groups in Paepalanthus and in Eriocaulaceae are lacking, albeit necessary to establish evolution of characters such as floral merism and their role as putative synapomorphies.MethodsWe studied the floral development and vascularization of eight species of Paepalanthus that belong to distinct clades in which dimery occurs, using light and scanning electron microscopies.ResultsFloral ontogeny in dimerous Paepalanthus shows lateral sepals emerging simultaneously and late-developing petals. The outer whorl of stamens is absent in all flowers examined here. The inner whorl of stamens becomes functional in staminate flowers and is reduced to staminodes in the pistillate ones. In pistillate flowers, vascular bundles reach the staminodes. Ovary vascularization shows ventral bundles in a commissural position reaching the synascidiate portion of the carpels. Three gynoecial patterns are described for the studied species: (1) gynoecium with a short style, two nectariferous branches and two long stigmatic branches, in most species; (2) gynoecium with a long style, two nectariferous branches and two short stigmatic branches, in P. echinoides; and (3) gynoecium with long style, absent nectariferous branches and two short stigmatic branches, in P. scleranthus.DiscussionFloral development of the studied species corroborates the hypothesis that the sepals of dimerous flowers of Paepalanthus correspond to the lateral sepals of trimerous flowers. The position and vascularization of floral parts also show that, during dimery evolution in Paepalanthus, a flower sector comprising the adaxial median sepal, a lateral petal, a lateral stamen and the adaxial median carpel was lost. In the staminate flower, the outer whorl of staminodes, previously reported by different authors, is correctly described as the apical portion of the petals and the pistillodes are reinterpreted as carpellodes. The occurrence of fused stigmatic branches and protected nectariferous carpellodes substantiates a close relationship between P. sect. Conodiscus and P. subg. Thelxinoë. Free stigmatic branches and exposed carpellodes substantiate a close relationship between P. sect. Diphyomene, P. sect. Eriocaulopsis and P. ser. Dimeri. Furthermore, the loss of nectariferous branches may have occurred later than the fusion of stigmatic branches in the clade that groups P. subg. Thelxinoë and P. sect. Conodiscus.

Systematization of ambiguous genitalia

ABSTRACTSex assignment in newborns depends on the anatomy of the external genitalia, despite this stage being the final in embryogenesis. According to the current view, the genital tubercle is the embryonic precursor of penis and clitoris. It originates from mesenchymal tissue, but mesenchymal cells are arranged across the embryonal body and do not have specific androgen receptors. The nature of the signal that initiates early derivation of the indifferent genital tubercle is unknown at present. The aims of this article are to improve surgical management of intersex disorders and investigate the development of the genital tubercle. Clinical examination of 114 females with various forms of DSD revealed ambiguous (bisexual) external genitalia in 73 patients, and 51 of them underwent feminizing surgery. Intersexuality (ambiguity) in 46,XY patients results from disruptors in the pathways of sex steroid hormones or receptors; in 46,XX females arises from excessive levels of androgens. Systematization of intersex disorders distinguishes the karyotype, gonadal morphology, and genital anatomy to provide a differential diagnosis and guide appropriate surgical management. Modified feminizing clitoroplasty with preservation of the dorsal and ventral neurovascular bundles to retain erogenous sensitivity was performed in females with severe virilization (Prader degree III-V). The outgrowth of the genital tubercle and the fusion of the urethral fold proceed in an ordered fashion; but in some cases of ambiguity, there was discordance due to different pathways. Speculation about the derivation of the genital tubercle have discussed with a literature review. The genital tubercle derives from the following 3 layers: the ectodermal glans of the tubercle, the mesodermal corpora cavernosa and the endodermal urogenital groove. According to the new hypothesis, during the indifferent stages, the 5 sacral somites have to recede from their segmentation and disintegrate: the sclerotomes form the pelvic bones, the fused myotomes follow with their genuine neurotomes and the angiotomes join to the corpora cavernosa of the genital tubercle. Sexual differentiation of external genitalia is final in gender embryogenesis, but surprisingly derivation of the indifferent genital tubercle from 5 somites occurs before gonadal and internal organs development.

Female flower and fruit anatomy ofTetroncium magellanicum: implications for gynoecium evolution in the early divergent monocot order Alismatales

Female flower and fruit anatomy, including vasculature, are studied for the first time in Tetroncium (Juncaginaceae: Alismatales). Other members of Juncaginaceae (and the relatively close Maundiaceae) possess a peculiar type of gynoecium with pronounced carpel fusion via the floral centre. Their carpels are supplied by individual vascular traces and can be interpreted either as synascidiate (if viewed as horizontally inserted) or free and plicate (if viewed as obliquely inserted on an elongated receptacle). In Tetroncium, the gynoecium is tetracarpellate and clearly has a well-developed synascidiate zone with septa formed by united flanks of adjacent carpels. The gynoecium of Tetroncium is supplied by a common ring of vascular tissue that splits into dorsal and heterocarpellary ventral (synventral) bundles, a condition that can be expected in a typical syncarpous gynoecium. The fruit is indehiscent and contains one or two seeds. The syncarpy of Tetroncium is of functional significance for fruit formation, as it allows the thin septa to be distorted, thus providing more space for the developing seed(s). The occurrence of typical syncarpy in Tetroncium provides further evidence for the highly homoplastic evolution of gynoecium characters in the early-divergent monocot order Alismatales. Either the similarity between gynoecia of Maundiaceae and Triglochin (Juncaginaceae) is due to parallel evolution or the syncarpy of Tetroncium should be viewed as secondarily derived. In the latter scenario, fusion via the floral centre is probably a synapomorphy of core Alismatales (Helobiae) and more typical syncarpy evolved independently in several lineages, such as Scheuchzeria, Tetroncium and Butomus/Hydrocharitaceae. In total, Tetroncium differs from other Juncaginaceae in 13 structural characters, including ensiform leaves that are similar to those of Tofieldiaceae. © 2015 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2015, 179, 712–724.

Effects of abstinence from chronic cocaine self-administration on nonhuman primate dorsal and ventral noradrenergic bundle terminal field structures.

Repeated exposure to cocaine is known to dysregulate the norepinephrine system, and norepinephrine has also been implicated as having a role in abstinence and withdrawal. The goal of this study was to determine the effects of exposure to cocaine self-administration and subsequent abstinence on regulatory elements of the norepinephrine system in the nonhuman primate brain. Rhesus monkeys self-administered cocaine (0.3mg/kg/injection, 30 reinforcers/session) under a fixed-interval 3-min schedule of reinforcement for 100 sessions. Animals in the abstinence group then underwent a 30-day period during which no operant responding was conducted, followed by a final session of operant responding. Control animals underwent identical schedules of food reinforcement and abstinence. This duration of cocaine self-administration has been shown previously to increase levels of norepinephrine transporters (NET) in the ventral noradrenergic bundle terminal fields. In contrast, in the current study, abstinence from chronic cocaine self-administration resulted in elevated levels of [(3)H]nisoxetine binding to the NET primarily in dorsal noradrenergic bundle terminal field structures. As compared to food reinforcement, chronic cocaine self-administration resulted in decreased binding of [(3)H]RX821002 to α2-adrenoceptors primarily in limbic-related structures innervated by both dorsal and ventral bundles, as well as elevated binding in the striatum. However, following abstinence from responding for cocaine binding to α2-adrenoceptors was not different than in control animals. These data demonstrate the dynamic nature of the regulation of norepinephrine during cocaine use and abstinence, and provide further evidence that the norepinephrine system should not be overlooked in the search for effective pharmacotherapies for cocaine dependence.

Relationship Between Peach Pit-Splitting and Specific Vascular Bundle Development and Nitrogen Application

Vascular bundles play an important role in fruit development and quality. Each set of bundles has its own specific functions. In order to learn the relationship between endocarp cracking and vascular bundles, specific vascular bundle development was investigated during fruit growth after a range of N treatments. The results show that embryo bundle and ventral bundle development are closely related to pit-splitting. The pit-splitting was caused by interaction of the over-expanded seed (or double seeds) and the weakened endocarp. The rapid development of the seed was controlled by an abnormally thickened embryo vascular bundle. The weakened endocarp was caused by an abnormal thickening of the ventral vascular bundles that formed two grooves on the endocarp of the abdominal suture, thus rendering the endocarp weak and fragile. Once the expansion force of the seed is too large, the endocarp will rupture due to a weak position of the grooves, a phenomenon known as pit-splitting. The results demonstrate that the over-development of the embryo bundle and ventral bundles is the key cause of pit-splitting, and nitrogen application promoted over-development of these bundles.

Generative ontogeny inTiquilia(Ehretiaceae: Boraginales) and phylogenetic implications

Tiquilia is very different from the other members of the Ehretiaceae (Boraginales) in many aspects of morphology and ecology. Because detailed knowledge about flower and fruit traits is necessary to reliably infer character evolution of and within Tiquilia, we investigated flower to fruit ontogeny in eight species of Tiquilia using light and electron microscopy. Tiquilia accumulated a number of autapomorphies such as the prostrate growth form, the lack of lateral and ventral bundles in the gynoecium, and the formation of nutlet-like mericarpids as dispersal units instead of more or less succulent drupes. The internal architecture of the superior bicarpellate ovary resulted from the development of several secondary septa including apical, basal and false septa, as it has been reported also from other Boraginales. However, no character found in Tiquilia can be regarded as synapomorphic with any other taxon of the Ehretiaceae. © 2014 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2014, 112, 520–534.

Evaluation of the floral vasculature of the Janusia, Mascagnia and Tetrapterys species as a tool to explain the decrease of floral organs in Malpighiaceae

The family Malpighiaceae is considered monophyletic, but the intra-family classification is conflicting. Analyses of floral vasculature allow the identification of reductions, connations and adnations and can even reveal evolutionary steps prior to current floral morphology. The present work analysed the floral vasculature of Janusia mediterranea, Mascagnia cordifolia and Tetrapterys chamaecerasifolia using material processed by traditional methods for light microscopy. A general pattern was observed of three bundle traces supplying each sepal and one trace per petal and stamen; Mascagnia is an exception, as its eglandular sepal has only a median trace but shares lateral traces with adjacent sepals. No dorsal traces are emitted to the carpels; however, three intercarpellary complexes are emitted that divide into six ventral bundles, supplying the ovule. Mascagnia demonstrates connation between the anterior and adjacent sepal glands; reductions of the anterior sepal glands were registered in Tetrapterys and Janusia. This work reveals two distinct processes for gland loss in non-related groups of the family that resulted in similar present appearances. Our evaluation of the number of calyx glands and the processes of glandular loss in species with less than ten glands improves our understanding of the evolution of calyx glands in Malpighiaceae.

Морфологія та васкулярна анатомія квітки Sansevieria suffruticosa N. E. Br. (Asparagaceae Juss.)

The results of studing flower morphology, vascular anatomy and gynoecium micromorphology of Sansevieria suffruticosa N. E. Br. are presented. In this species, there is a flower tube of semiadnated tepals and stamens and also syncarpous gyno­ecium having septal nectaries. According to our data, the vascular system of this flower is comparable with the vascular system of the flower having free tepals, stamens and carpels because all of them have independent innervation. The carpel trace consists of dorsal bundle and a median ventral bundle which bifurcated in two ventral bundles, fused with dorsal bundle in the ovary roof. The ovule is innervated from the median ventral bundle. The gynoecium of Sansevieria suffruticosa is hemisyncarpous, but it has a short synascidiate zone which is typical for the eusyncarpous gynoecium. The hemisynascidiate (fertile), hemisymplicate (higher part of the ovary) and asymplicate (style and stigma) zones are located above a synascidiate zone. The septal nectary in the ovary corresponds to the inner non-labyrinthine distinct type, and in the ovary roof – to the outer labyrinthine type. The high base and roof of the ovary, and also long septal nectary are characteristic features of the inner gynoecium structure of this species. Keywords : Sansevieria , flower morphology, vascular anatomy, gynoecium, septal nectaries.

Морфологія та васкулярна анатомія квітки Scilla bifolia L. (Hyacinthaceae)

Morphology and vascular anatomy of the flower of Scilla bifolia L. (Hyacinthoideae) were studied. Based on the concept of vertical zonation of gynoecium, proposed by W. Lein­fellner [7], it is established that the gynoecium has the following structural zones: synascidiate, symplicate, hemisymplicate, and asymplicate. In a broad sense gynoecium of Scilla bifolia can be determined as syncarpous. The septal nectary has three fissures lying in a septal radius which extend from its base to the roof and open outward at the base of the style; nectariferous tissue lines a septal slit completely except output channels. Structural type of septal nectaries of Scilla bifolia corresponds to the type a, the type of glandular epidermis is determined as type a by E. Daumann [6]. All tepals and stamens are supplied by single bundle. Vascular system of the gynoecium has six ventral and three dorsal veins which branch lateral veins. Ventral bundles coalesce with dorsal bundles at the top of the ovary. The septal nectary is innervated by lateral carpel veins. Keywords: Hyacinthoideae, Scilla bifolia , flower, morphology, vascular anatomy, septal nectary, gynoecium.