Uncommon Pollen Walls: Reasons and Consequences*)1)
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Alteration of Rocks by Endolithic Organisms Is One of the Pathways for the Beginning of Soils on Earth Received: 19 September 2017 Nikita Mergelov1, Carsten W
www.nature.com/scientificreports OPEN Alteration of rocks by endolithic organisms is one of the pathways for the beginning of soils on Earth Received: 19 September 2017 Nikita Mergelov1, Carsten W. Mueller 2, Isabel Prater 2, Ilya Shorkunov1, Andrey Dolgikh1, Accepted: 7 February 2018 Elya Zazovskaya1, Vasily Shishkov1, Victoria Krupskaya3, Konstantin Abrosimov4, Published: xx xx xxxx Alexander Cherkinsky5 & Sergey Goryachkin1 Subaerial endolithic systems of the current extreme environments on Earth provide exclusive insight into emergence and development of soils in the Precambrian when due to various stresses on the surfaces of hard rocks the cryptic niches inside them were much more plausible habitats for organisms than epilithic ones. Using an actualistic approach we demonstrate that transformation of silicate rocks by endolithic organisms is one of the possible pathways for the beginning of soils on Earth. This process led to the formation of soil-like bodies on rocks in situ and contributed to the raise of complexity in subaerial geosystems. Endolithic systems of East Antarctica lack the noise from vascular plants and are among the best available natural models to explore organo-mineral interactions of a very old “phylogenetic age” (cyanobacteria-to-mineral, fungi-to-mineral, lichen-to-mineral). On the basis of our case study from East Antarctica we demonstrate that relatively simple endolithic systems of microbial and/or cryptogamic origin that exist and replicate on Earth over geological time scales employ the principles of organic matter stabilization strikingly similar to those known for modern full-scale soils of various climates. Te pedosphere emergence is attributed to the most ancient forms of terrestrial life in the Early Precambrian which strongly aided the abiotic decay of rocks. -
Organic Microfossil Geothermal Alteration and Interpretation of Regional Tectonic Provinces
Journal of the Geological Society, London, Vol. 143, 1986, pp. 219-220. Printed in Northern Ireland Organic microfossil geothermal alteration and interpretation of regional tectonic provinces K. J. DORNING Pallab Research, International palynological consultants, 58 Robertson Road, Shefield S6 SDX, UK Abstract: Optical analyses for colour, transparency and reflectance of all organic fossils may be used €or palaeotemperaturedata. Of theorganic-walled fossils, acritarchs, chitinozoans, dinoflagellate cysts,graptolites, pollen and spores are of particularvalue in geothermometry. At increasing temperatures, fossil organic material shows progressive changes in colouration and increasing reflec- tance. Palaeoternperatures of sedimentary rocks may be derived from the optical characteristics of the main organic fossil groups recorded. Regional palaeotemperature values are associated with variations in overburden thickness and heat flow. Regional tectonic provinces typically record a restricted range of palaeotemperature values that may be related to sediment thickness and phases of igneous and tectonic activity. There is potential for the preservation of the organic 1. Bacteria, blue-green algae, green algae. Coccoid and material from most organisms in the fossil record. Many of filamentous algae are common in shallow water environ- the organic materials are sufficiently stable for the structure ments.Remains of bacteriaprobably form a significant to be preserved in fine detail over thousands of millions of element of the fine organic debrisformed from organic years,though theparts of organismscontaining complex decay in anoxic sediments. The colourless to pale yellow organic materials including polymers such as sporopollenin materials are essentially of cellulosic composition and and chitin are considerably more resistant to decay than soft rapidly change in colour through increasingly dark browns tissues. -
(Araceae: Tribe Spathicarpeae). Aroideana 22
20 AROIDEANA, Vol. 22 The Genus Gearum N. E. Brown (Araceae: Tribe Spathicarpeae) Josef Bogner Menzinger straSe 63 D-80638 Miinchen Germany Eduardo G. Gon~a1ves Universidade de Brasilia, Depto. de Botanica Caixa Postal 04457 CEP 70719-970 Brasilia-DF-Brazil INTRODUCTION construct roughly the route of his journey. The Rio Palma is a river in this area and Gearum brasiliense N. E. Br. was first there is still today a village called Sapo, collected in October 1828 by W. J. Bur which could well be Burchell's Sape. Fur chell. N. E.Brown(1882) gave a very ac thermore, Burchell himself mentioned a curate description of the inflorescence and Rio Palma. Although there was a new flower structure, although Burchell's spec bridge under construction over the Rio imen was heavily damaged by insect feed Palma during J.B.'s visit in 1996, the ferry ing, but until recently this monotypic ge was still there. nus remained incompletely known, due to Although a second collection of Gear lack of leaf material definitely attrihutable um was made by Burchell (Burchell to Gearum. 8598-leaves only), around the time ofthe The exact locality of Burchell's collec holotype gathering, it was not until 150 tion remained undiscovered until recently. years later that a third collection was made Smith & Smith (1967) in their paper 'Itin by Alfeu de Araujo Dias (Vias 41), a Bra erary of William John Burchell in Brazil' zilian botanist working for the Projeto RA gave the wrong coodinates. When one of DAMBRASIL. This collection, made in the authors (J.B.) was in Brazil ten years 1978, remained unrecognized for several ago it was realized that the locality cited years as Xanthosoma cf. -
The Genus Amorphophallus
The Genus Amorphophallus (Titan Arums) Origin, Habit and General Information The genus Amorphophallus is well known for the famous Amorphophallus titanum , commonly known as "Titan Arum". The Titan Arum holds the plant world record for an unbranched single inflorescence. The infloresence eventually may reach up to three meters and more in height. Besides this oustanding species more than 200 Amorphophallus species have been described - and each year some more new findings are published. A more or less complete list of all validly described Amorphophallus species and many photos are available from the website of the International Aroid Society (http://www.aroid.org) . If you are interested in this fascinating genus, think about becoming a member of the International Aroid Society! The International Aroid Society is the worldwide leading society in aroids and offers a membership at a very low price and with many benefits! A different website for those interested in Amorphophallus hybrids is: www.amorphophallus-network.org This page features some awe-inspiring new hybrids, e.g. Amorphophallus 'John Tan' - an unique and first time ever cross between Amorphophallus variabilis X Amorphophallus titanum ! The majority of Amorphophallus species is native to subtropical and tropical lowlands of forest margins and open, disturbed spots in woods throughout Asia. Few species are found in Africa (e.g. Amorphophallus abyssinicus , from West to East Africa), Australia (represented by a single species only, namely Amorphophallus galbra , occuring in Queensland, North Australia and Papua New Guinea), and Polynesia respectively. Few species, such as Amorphophallus paeoniifolius (Madagascar to Polynesia), serve as a food source throughout the Asian region. -
Disentangling the Phenotypic Variation and Pollination Biology of the Cyclocephala Sexpunctata Species Complex (Coleoptera:Scara
DISENTANGLING THE PHENOTYPIC VARIATION AND POLLINATION BIOLOGY OF THE CYCLOCEPHALA SEXPUNCTATA SPECIES COMPLEX (COLEOPTERA: SCARABAEIDAE: DYNASTINAE) A Thesis by Matthew Robert Moore Bachelor of Science, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2009 Submitted to the Department of Biological Sciences and the faculty of the Graduate School of Wichita State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science July 2011 © Copyright 2011 by Matthew Robert Moore All Rights Reserved DISENTANGLING THE PHENOTYPIC VARIATION AND POLLINATION BIOLOGY OF THE CYCLOCEPHALA SEXPUNCTATA SPECIES COMPLEX (COLEOPTERA: SCARABAEIDAE: DYNASTINAE) The following faculty members have examined the final copy of this thesis for form and content, and recommend that it be accepted in partial fulfillment of the requirement for the degree of Master of Science with a major in Biological Sciences. ________________________ Mary Jameson, Committee Chair ________________________ Bin Shuai, Committee Member ________________________ Gregory Houseman, Committee Member ________________________ Peer Moore-Jansen, Committee Member iii DEDICATION To my parents and my dearest friends iv "The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all true art and all science. He to whom this emotion is a stranger, who can no longer pause to wonder and stand rapt in awe, is as good as dead: his eyes are closed." – Albert Einstein v ACKNOWLEDMENTS I would like to thank my academic advisor, Mary Jameson, whose years of guidance, patience and enthusiasm have so positively influenced my development as a scientist and person. I would like to thank Brett Ratcliffe and Matt Paulsen of the University of Nebraska State Museum for their generous help with this project. -
History and Current Status of Systematic Research with Araceae
HISTORY AND CURRENT STATUS OF SYSTEMATIC RESEARCH WITH ARACEAE Thomas B. Croat Missouri Botanical Garden P. O. Box 299 St. Louis, MO 63166 U.S.A. Note: This paper, originally published in Aroideana Vol. 21, pp. 26–145 in 1998, is periodically updated onto the IAS web page with current additions. Any mistakes, proposed changes, or new publications that deal with the systematics of Araceae should be brought to my attention. Mail to me at the address listed above, or e-mail me at [email protected]. Last revised November 2004 INTRODUCTION The history of systematic work with Araceae has been previously covered by Nicolson (1987b), and was the subject of a chapter in the Genera of Araceae by Mayo, Bogner & Boyce (1997) and in Curtis's Botanical Magazine new series (Mayo et al., 1995). In addition to covering many of the principal players in the field of aroid research, Nicolson's paper dealt with the evolution of family concepts and gave a comparison of the then current modern systems of classification. The papers by Mayo, Bogner and Boyce were more comprehensive in scope than that of Nicolson, but still did not cover in great detail many of the participants in Araceae research. In contrast, this paper will cover all systematic and floristic work that deals with Araceae, which is known to me. It will not, in general, deal with agronomic papers on Araceae such as the rich literature on taro and its cultivation, nor will it deal with smaller papers of a technical nature or those dealing with pollination biology. -
Palynology.Pdf
762 Palynology Physical properties of palladium 0.03 to 0.11 in. (0.7 to 3 mm) in length, that live under stones, in caves, and in other moist, dark Property Value places. The elongate body terminates in a slender multisegmented flagellum set with setae. In a curi- Atomic weight 106.4 Naturally occurring isotopes 102 (0.96) ous reversal of function, the pedipalps, the second (percent abundance) pair of head appendages, serve as walking legs. The 104 (10.97) first pair of true legs, longer than the others and set 105 (22.23) 106 (27.33) with sensory setae, has been converted to tactile ap- 108 (26.71) pendages which are vibrated constantly to test the 110 (11.81) substratum. See ARACHNIDA. Willis J. Gertsch Crystal structure Face-centered cubic Thermal neutron capture cross 8.0 section, barns Density at 25 C (77 F), g/cm3 12.01 Melting point, C ( F) 1554 (2829) Palynology Boiling point, C ( F) 2900 (5300) Specific heat at 0 C (32 F), cal/g 0.0584 The study of pollen grains and spores, both extant Thermal conductivity, 0.18 and extinct, as well as other organic microfossils. (cal cm)(cm2 s C) Although the origin of the discipline dates back to Linear coefficient of thermal 11.6 expansion, (µin./in./)/ C the seventeenth century, when modern pollen was Electrical resistivity at 0 C (32 F), 9.93 first examined microscopically, the term palynology µΩ-cm was not coined until 1944. Young’s modulus, lb/in.2, static, at 16.7 106 20 C (68 F) The term palynology is used by both geologists Atomic radius in metal, nm 0.1375 and biologists. -
Identification of Sporopollenin As the Outer Layer of Cell Wall in Microalga Chlorella Protothecoides
ORIGINAL RESEARCH published: 30 June 2016 doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2016.01047 Identification of Sporopollenin as the Outer Layer of Cell Wall in Microalga Chlorella protothecoides Xi He, Junbiao Dai * and Qingyu Wu * MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinformatics, Center for Synthetic and Systems Biology, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China Chlorella protothecoides has been put forth as a promising candidate for commercial biodiesel production. However, the cost of biodiesel remains much higher than diesel from fossil fuel sources, partially due to the high costs of oil extraction from algae. Here, we identified the presence of a sporopollenin layer outside the polysaccharide cell wall; this was evaluated using transmission electron microscopy, 2-aminoethanol treatment, acetolysis, and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy. We also performed bioinformatics analysis of the genes of the C. protothecoides genome that are likely Edited by: Youn-Il Park, involved in sporopollenin synthesis, secretion, and translocation, and evaluated the Chungnam National University, expression of these genes via real-time PCR. We also found that that removal of this South Korea sporopollenin layer greatly improved the efficiency of oil extraction. Reviewed by: Arumugam Muthu, Keywords: biodiesel, cell wall, Chlorophyta, oil-extraction, sporopollenin Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, India Won-Joong Jeong, INTRODUCTION Korea Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, South Korea Global fossil fuel consumption has been increasing due to both population and economic growth *Correspondence: (Lewis and Nocera, 2006), resulting in an energy shortage and a series of environmental problems Junbiao Dai such as global warming and effluent gas emissions (Chirinos et al., 2006). In response to [email protected]; Qingyu Wu these challenges, vigorous research programs are underway that to develop alternative biofuels, [email protected] which are considered necessary for environmental and economic sustainability (Turner, 1999). -
Sporopollenin, the Least Known Yet Toughest Natural Biopolymer
MINI REVIEW published: 19 October 2015 doi: 10.3389/fmats.2015.00066 Sporopollenin, the least known yet toughest natural biopolymer Grahame Mackenzie 1,2*, Andrew N. Boa 1, Alberto Diego-Taboada 1,2, Stephen L. Atkin 3 and Thozhukat Sathyapalan 4 1 Department of Chemistry, University of Hull, Hull, UK, 2 Sporomex Ltd., Driffield, UK, 3 Weill Cornell Medical College Qatar, Doha, Qatar, 4 Hull York Medical School, University of Hull, Hull, UK Sporopollenin is highly cross-linked polymer composed of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen that is extraordinarily stable and has been found chemically intact in sedimentary rocks some 500 million years old. It makes up the outer shell (exine) of plant spores and pollen and when extracted it is in the form of an empty exine or microcapsule. The exines resemble the spores and pollen from which they are extracted, in size and morphology. Also, from any one plant such characteristics are incredible uniform. The exines can be used as microcapsules or simply as micron-sized particles due to the variety of functional groups on their surfaces. The loading of a material into the chamber of the exine microcapsule is via multi-directional nano-diameter sized channels. The exines can be filled with a variety of polar and non-polar materials. Enzymes can be encapsulated within the shells and still remain active. In vivo studies in humans have shown that an encapsulated active substance can have a substantially increased bioavailability than if Edited by: José Alejandro Heredia-Guerrero, it is taken alone. The sporopollenin exine surface possesses phenolic, alkane, alkene, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Italy ketone, lactone, and carboxylic acid groups. -
Flora and Annual Distribution of Flowers and Fruits in the Ubajara National Park, Ceará, Brazil
Floresta e Ambiente 2020; 27(2): e20190058 https://doi.org/10.1590/2179-8087.005819 ISSN 2179-8087 (online) ORIGINAL ARTICLE - Conservation of Nature Flora and Annual Distribution of Flowers and Fruits in the Ubajara National Park, Ceará, Brazil Andréa Pereira Silveira1 0000-0001-6785-5319 Bruno Sousa de Menezes2 0000-0003-1134-8996 Maria Iracema Bezerra Loiola2 0000-0003-3389-5560 Luiz Wilson Lima-Verde2 0000-0002-6908-1692 Dalva Neta e Zanina2 0000-0002-4653-445X Ellen Cristina Dantas de Carvalho2 0000-0002-6887-3970 Bruno Cruz de Souza2 0000-0002-4746-2638 Rafael Carvalho da Costa2 0000-0002-0942-3128 Waldir Mantovani2 0000-0002-9394-6860 Marcelo Oliveira Teles de Menezes3 0000-0003-2129-6843 Lilian Maria Araújo Flores2 0000-0001-8037-6021 Francisco Carlos Barboza Nogueira4 Ligia Queiroz Matias2 0000-0002-1889-5354 Lívia Silvia Barbosa5 Fernanda Melo Gomes2 0000-0002-4213-6577 Luciana Silva Cordeiro2 0000-0001-5624-2285 Valéria da Silva Sampaio2 0000-0002-6551-8877 Maria Edenilce Peixoto Batista2 0000-0002-1239-0902 Raimundo Luciano Soares Neto6 0000-0002-5643-9464 Maria Arlene Pessoa da Silva7 0000-0001-8148-5350 Natália Barbosa Campos7 Arycelle Alves de Oliveira7 Francisca Soares de Araujo2 0000-0003-4661-6137 Abstract Although the conservation of tropical biodiversity depends on protected areas, there is still a very large ‘gap’ of knowledge on the flora of Brazilian reserves, especially in the Northeast region of Brazil. Field and herbarium surveys of the phanerogamic flora of the Ubajara National Park, located on the Brazilian Northeast, were made and analyses on phenology and dispersal syndromes were performed. -
Application for the Approval of Sporopollenin Exine Capsules from Lycopodium Clavatum Spores
APPLICATION FOR THE APPROVAL OF SPOROPOLLENIN EXINE CAPSULES FROM LYCOPODIUM CLAVATUM SPORES Under Regulation (EC) No 258/97 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27th January 1997 Concerning Novel Foods and Novel Food Ingredients January 2013 1 APPLICATION FOR THE APPROVAL OF SPOROPOLLENIN EXINE CAPSULES FROM LYCOPODIUM CLAVATUM SPORES Under Regulation (EC) No 258/97 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27th January 1997 Concerning Novel Foods and Novel Food Ingredients 2 Table of Contents ADMINISTRATIVE DATA 5 Summary 7 General Introduction 8 SPECIFICATIONS OF SPOROPOLLENIN EXINE CAPSULES (SEC) AS A NOVEL FOOD 10 1.a Description 10 1.b Empirical Formula 11 1.c Structural Formula 11 1.d Applicability to All Spore or Pollen Sources 12 2. EFFECT OF THE PRODUCTION PROCESS APPLIED TO SEC 12 2.a Raw Materials Used in the Manufacturing Process 13 2 a i Spores 13 2 a ii Extraction Process Reagents 13 2.b Exine Manufacturing Process 13 2 b i Preparation of SEC 13 2 b ii Encapsulation of Products 14 2.c i Stability of Sporopollenin 14 2.c ii Evidence for Release of Actives from SEC 15 3 HISTORY OF THE SOURCE OF SPOROPOLLENIN EXINE CAPSULES (SEC) 17 3.a Lycopodium clavatum spore source and GM status 17 3.b Information on Detrimental Health Effects 17 4 INTAKE/EXTENT OF USE OF SPOROPOLLENIN EXINE CAPSULES (SEC) 17 4 a Intended Uses 18 4.b Anticipated Intake 20 4.c Intake for Groups Predicted to be at Risk 22 4.d Geographic restriction of SEC release 22 4.e Will SEC replace other foods in the diet? 22 4.f Labelling 23 5 INFORMATION -
Two New Andean Genera for the Tribe Spathicarpeae (Araceae)
Willdenowia 35 – 2005 319 EDUARDO G. GONÇALVES Two new Andean genera for the tribe Spathicarpeae (Araceae) Abstract Gonçalves, E. G.: Two new Andean genera for the tribe Spathicarpeae (Araceae). – Willdenowia 35: 319-326. – ISSN 0511-9618; © 2005 BGBM Berlin-Dahlem. doi:10.3372/wi.35.35214 (available via http://dx.doi.org/) Two unispecific Andean genera are described as new to science in the tribe Spathicarpeae (Araceae) and illustrated, based on two species formerly placed in the genus Asterostigma. The genus Incarum is erected to accommodate A. pavonii that occurs in Andean Peru, Bolivia and Ecuador, and the new combination Incarum pavonii is validated. The genus Croatiella is erected to accommodate A. integrifolium from Ecuador and the new combination Croatiella integrifolia is validated. Incarum is considered related to the Andean genera Gorgonidium and Spathantheum, whereas Croatiella seems to be an isolated lineage within the core Spathicarpeae. The arguments to support these new genera come from cpDNA sequence data, as well as from biogeographical and morphological aspects. The neotropical genus Asterostigma Fisch. & C. A. Mey. was formerly known as having nine species, most of them distributed in coastal Brazil, but including two species with an Andean distribution (Gonçalves 1999). Asterostigma along with Gorgonidium Schott, Spathantheum Schott, Mangonia Schott, Taccarum Brongn. ex Schott, Gearum N. E. Br., Spathicarpa Hook. and Synandrospadix Engl. form the wholly neotropical tribe Spathicarpeae (sensu Mayo & al. 1997). For a taxonomic revision of this tribe (Gonçalves, in prep.), its members and putative al- lies have been evaluated by means of cpDNA phylogeny and morpho-anatomical studies (un- publ.