bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Influence of glucose on the sex ratio of bovine IVM/IVF embryos cultured in vitro
Authors: Gutiérrez-Adán A. , Granados J. , Pintado B. , De La Fuente J.
Published: September 2002

The effect of glucose in the medium used during in vitro
culture on the sex ratio of bovine blastocysts derived from
in-vitro-matured
andin-vitro-fertilized oocytes was evaluated. Oocytes
were matured and inseminated with mixed sperm from three bulls and were
cultured in vitro in modified synthetic oviducal fluid
medium with 10% fetal calf serum, with or without glucose
supplementation. The overall rate of cleaved embryos that developed to
expanded blastocyst in the medium without glucose (27.0%) was
significantly greater (P<0.05) than the percentage
observed when embryos were cultured in medium with glucose (17.5%).
Analysis of variance was performed to analyse the effect of glucose on the
proportion of male embryos reaching the blastocyst stage (or arrested at the
morula stage) during Days 7 to 10. Regardless of the presence or absence of
glucose in the medium, significantly (P<0.05) more
male than female embryos were harvested as expanded blastocysts on Day 7 and
on Day 8 of culture. On Days 9 plus 10 of culture, a sex ratio imbalance only
occurred in the absence of glucose in the culture medium
(P<0.05). Glucose did not produce any significant
effect on the sex ratio of the overall number of expanded blastocysts
harvested by Day 10 of in vitro culture. However a
significantly greater proportion of females (P<0.01)
were found among those embryos that developed only to the morulae stage after
10 days in vitro. These results show that glucose
supplementation of culture media produces a preferential loss of female
embryos during culture to the blastocyst stage.
Characterization of the spermiation response, luteinizing hormone release and sperm quality in the American toad (Bufo americanus) and the endangered Wyoming toad (Bufo baxteri)
Authors: Obringer Amy R. , O'Brien Justine K. , Saunders Robin L. , Yamamoto Kazutoshi , Kikuyama Sakae , Roth Terri L.
Published: September 2002

Spermiation and LH release in response to several methods of LHRH
administration were assessed in the American toad
(Bufo americanus), and the most successful method was
tested in the endangered Wyoming toad (Bufo baxteri).
Specific objectives were to: (1) compare spermiation
responses and plasma LH concentration after invasive and non-invasive LHRH
treatments; (2) evaluate sperm production in response to
different LHRH dosages; (3) characterize the timing of
sperm release post LHRH treatment; and (4) assess sperm
quality (motility, viability, morphology and acrosomal status). Male American
toads were administered 4 g LHRH by one of four routes:
(1) intraperitoneal injection (IP);
(2) subcutaneous injection (SQ);
(3) dorsal dermis absorption (DDA); and
(4) ventral dermis absorption (VDA). Aspermic urine only
was collected from saline-treated controls and DDA animals. Several VDA
animals released spermic urine; however, all LHRH-injected toads released
spermatozoa. IP animals produced higher sperm and LH concentrations than SQ
animals. The spermiation response in animals treated IP with 1 g LHRH was
similar to that in animals treated with 4 g, but lower LHRH dosages tested
produced inferior responses. Sperm production in responsive animals increased
over time during the 12-h sampling interval. Regardless of treatment, most
American toad spermatozoa were motile, viable, and acrosome-intact. Endangered
Wyoming toads were treated IP with 4 g LHRH, and spermic urine was collected.
Although most spermatozoa were viable and acrosome-intact, a considerable
percentage possessed structurally abnormal heads. A single IP injection of
LHRH appears to be a reliable and safe method for controlling spermiation in
toads and may be useful for assisting endangered amphibian propagation.
Estrogens and epididymal function
Authors: Hess Rex A. , Zhou Qing , Nie Rong , Oliveira Cleida , Cho Hyun , Nakai Masaaki , Carnes Kay
Published: September 2002

Estrogen is synthesized in the male reproductive system and is found in high
concentrations in rete testis and seminal fluids. This luminal estrogen
targets estrogen receptors (ER) along the male reproductive tract, and in
particular the efferent ductules, where ERα is abundant. However,
both ERα and ERβ are found in various regions of the male
reproductive tract. The transgenic ER knockout mice (αERKO and
‚ βERKO) have been used to help define the role of ER in the
male. In the αERKO animal model, the efferent ductules are
dramatically altered, forming an epithelium in which fluid reabsorption is
inhibited and epithelial cells have greatly reduced numbers of lysosomes and
organelles associated with endocytosis. The βERKO male reproductive
tract appears normal. Because these animals are transgenic and lack ER
throughout development, we developed animal models using pure antiestrogen ICI
182,780 treatments in adult males. The data show that ERα
participates in the regulation of the apical cytoplasm of non-ciliated cells
of the efferent ductules, narrow cells of initial segment epididymis and clear
cells in the remaining segments of the epididymis. There appears to be no
effect on vas deferens. The inhibition of ERα function in the male
leads to decreases in sperm concentrations and eventually to infertility. The
current literature leaves the mechanisms of estrogen action in the male
reproductive tract unsettled and raises the question of androgen’s
contribution to the regulation of fluid transport, especially in the efferent
ductules.
Protein tyrosine phosphatase activity in human endometrium
Authors: Partanen Seppo
Published: September 2002

Protein tyrosine phosphatase (PTP) activity was demonstrated in human
endometrium by a histochemical method using phosphotyrosine as substrate. For
comparative purposes, non-specific acid phosphatase (AcP) activity was also
examined. Protein tyrosine phosphatase activity was very low in proliferative
and atrophic endometrium, but its activity was increased 9-fold in glandular
epithelium during the secretory phase, and 48-fold in predecidual endometrium,
induced by a progestagen-releasing intrauterine device, compared with the
proliferative endometrium. Thus, PTP activity appeared to be
progesterone-induced. Endometrial PTP appeared to be cellular rather than
secretory in origin; its activity was inhibited by vanadate, and its
histochemical properties were different from those of lysosomal AcP, but
similar to those of prostatic-type AcP. Endometrial PTP may functionally
counteract the effects of protein tyrosine kinases (PTKs) associated with
growth factor receptors and cellular oncoproteins. Cyclic endometrial
proliferation and differentiation are thought to be regulated by the autocrine
and paracrine pathways by growth factors such as epidermal growth factor,
insulin-like growth factor I and platelet-derived growth factors, and their
receptors. However, cessation of proliferation could not be explained by the
amounts of these growth factors present or their receptors, in that no
constant changes at the interface of the late proliferative and early
secretory phases were found. Down-regulation of stimulatory-signalling
pathways of PTKs by endometrial PTP induced by progesterone may explain the
decrease observed in proliferative activity of glandular cells in cyclic
endometrium.
The in vivo effect of red clover diet on ventral prostate growth in adult male mice
Authors: Risbridger Gail P. , Wang Hong , Frydenberg Mark , Husband Alan
Published: September 2002

The incidence of clinically significant prostate disease in Asian men is lower
than in Western men and appears to be influenced by dietary and environmental
factors. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of dietary
isoflavones on prostate growth in intact male mice using an extract of red
clover. The results demonstrated that prostate, but not testis, size was
significantly reduced over 28 days of a red clover isoflavone supplemented
diet. Histological examination revealed an increase in apoptotic cells, rather
than a reduction in proliferative activity in the epithelium. These findings
support the hypothesis that dietary red clover isoflavones can induce
apoptosis and lead to a reduction in prostate size.
Regulation of the expression and bioactivation of the epidermal growth factor receptor system by estradiol in pig oviduct and endometrium
Authors: Wollenhaupt Karin , Kettler Axel , Brüssow Klaus-Peter , Schneider Falk , Kanitz Wilhelm , Einspanier Ralf
Published: September 2002

Growth factors, such as epidermal growth factor (EGF), have been suggested to
mediate local effects of steroid hormones within female reproductive tissue.
In the present study, the influence of estrogen on the expression and
bioactivity of the EGF receptor (EGF-R) system was investigated in pigs.
Oviducal and endometrial tissue from gilts was analysed either at two
different time points after ovulation (Day 12 and Day 20), or from
ovariectomized animals, with or without steroid-replacement treatment.
Estrogen receptor protein concentrations were significantly down-regulated
both in oviducal and endometrial tissue under estrogen-influence, in contrast
to increased progesterone receptor concentrations. Transcript levels of EGF
and transforming growth factor α remained unchanged in both the oviduct
and endometrium during treatment. Oviducal EGF-R mRNA was found to be
increased after estradiol treatment with concurrent increases in EGF-R
protein. However, in endometrial tissue of estradiol-substituted
ovariectomized pigs, the receptor transcript was significantly reduced,
indicating a different regulation of EGF-R transcription within the
endometrium. The bioactivity of the EGF-R, analysed by tyrosine kinase assays,
was preserved throughout experiments in the porcine oviduct and endometrium
without obvious changes caused by the steroids. In conclusion, estradiol may
play a key role during the proliferation and differentiation of porcine
oviducal tissue by activating the important paracrine or autocrine EGF system
through its receptor. The cell-specific influence of progesterone during
regulation of the EGF-R expression in the endometrium requires further
investigation.
Technical report: Prediction of stage of pregnancy in prolific sheep using ultrasound measurement of fetal bones
Authors: Greenwood Paul L. , Slepetis Ramona M. , McPhee Malcolm J. , Bell Alan W.
Published: September 2002

The use of ultrasound to estimate stage of pregnancy was assessed in 32 ewes
of a prolific genotype carrying 7 singleton fetuses and 9 twin, 10 triplet and
6 quadruplet litters that were scanned on six occasions from 60 to 120 days of
gestation. At least one ultrasound measurement per ewe of fetal metacarpal
bone length (MCL), biparietal diameter (BPD), or of both bones was made on
over 90% of attempts (n = 152).
Measurement of MCL was made on 78% of attempts (n
= 371), of BPD on 73% of attempts, and of both bones on
62% of attempts. The equation developed from BPD (mean absolute error
(MAE) = 3.2 days) was similar to that developed from measurement of MCL
(MAE = 3.3 days) in its capacity to predict stage of pregnancy.
Accuracy of prediction was improved using equations that included mean values
within litters for BPD (MAE = 2.5 days) and MCL (MAE = 2.6
days). Further improvement in predictive capacity was achieved using multiple
regression equations developed from measurement of both bones (individual
fetuses: MAE = 2.6 days; equations including mean values within
litters: MAE = 2.2 days). The results demonstrate that ultrasound can
be used to estimate stage of pregnancy in prolific ewes, and that the use of
mean values for bone measurements from different fetuses within litters
and/or measurement of bones with different growth allometry can increase
the reliability of estimates. The utility of the procedure depends on the
number of fetuses measured per ewe, the number of bones measured per fetus
and, hence, the time required to measure bones and the degree of accuracy
required.
Male germ cell transplantation: promise and problems
Authors: Jiang Fang-Xu
Published: September 2002

Male germ cell transplantation is a novel technique in which donor male stem
germ cells are surgically transferred to the seminiferous tubules of a
recipient testis by direct injection or via the rete testis or efferent duct.
All germ cells that are destined to become stem spermatogonia are defined as
male stem germ cells, including primordial germ cells from the gonadal ridges,
and gonocytes and stem spermatogonia from the testis, all of which are
transplantable and capable of undergoing normal spermatogenesis.
Xenotransplantation of male germ cells from one species into the testis of
another species, including human testicular cells in the mouse, has so far
proved to be unsuccessful. However, the immunodeficient mouse testis can
support rat spermatogenesis and produce apparently normal rat spermatozoa. The
underlying mechanisms remain elusive. The present mini-review will focus on
the importance of stem spermatogonial transplantation for testicular stem cell
biology and discuss the likelihood of immune rejection after transplantation,
which may limit the success of all male germ cell transplantation.
Meeting the contraceptive and AIDS prevention needs of people living on a dollar a day
Authors: Potts Malcolm
Published: September 2002

The new millennium sees the largest cohort of young people in history entering
its fertile years. Many of these people are too poor to pay the full cost of
modern contraception, but the money available for subsidizing their needs is
exceedingly limited. The AIDS pandemic is placing additional, unprecedented
demand on already overstretched resources. Existing methods of contraception
that are well established and off-patent can be produced in bulk at low cost,
and will remain the backbone of future programmes. The use of misoprostol as
an abortifacient is likely to spread rapidly. New methods must take into
account the limitations of the health infrastructure in developing countries
and the imperative of low cost. Given the constraints of money, skills and
facilities, it is essential to set realistic priorities for future
contraceptive research and development. It is suggested that the greatest
needs are for a woman-controlled method of preventing HIV transmission and for
a non-surgical method of female sterilization.
Uncertain breeding: a short history of reproduction in monotremes
Authors: Temple-Smith Peter , Grant Tom
Published: September 2002

Although much is known about the biology of monotremes, many important aspects
of their reproduction remain unclear. Studies over the last century have
provided valuable information on various aspects of monotreme reproduction
including the structure and function of their reproductive system, breeding
behaviour, sex determination and seasonality. All three living genera of
monotremes have been successfully maintained in captivity, often for long
periods, yet breeding has been rare and unpredictable. When breeding has
occurred, however, significant gains in knowledge have ensued; for example a
more accurate estimate of the gestation period of the platypus and the
incubation period for the Tachyglossus egg. One of the
great challenges for zoos has been to understand why breeding of monotremes is
difficult to achieve. Analysis of breeding successes of platypuses and
short-beaked echidnas provides some insights. The evidence suggests that
although annual breeding seasons are regionally predictable, individual adult
females breed unpredictably, with some showing breeding intervals of many
years. The reason for this variation in individual breeding intervals may be
resource-dependant, influenced by social factors or may even be genetically
induced. Better knowledge of factors that influence breeding intervals may
improve the success of monotreme captive breeding programmes. More certainty
in captive breeding is also an important issue for enterprises wishing to
trade in Australian wildlife since current legislation limits export of
Australian fauna for display to at least second-generation captive-bred
individuals. Given their unique evolutionary position, knowledge of
reproduction in monotremes needs to be gained in advance of any future
population declines so that appropriate strategies can be developed to ensure
their survival.
Assessment of the immunocontraceptive effect of a zona pellucida 3 peptide antigen in wild mice
Authors: Hardy C. M. , Have J. F. M. ten , Mobbs K. J. , Hinds L. A.
Published: September 2002

Immunizing laboratory mice against a short peptide to mouse zona pellucida protein 3 (mZP3; amino acids 328-342) reduces fertility in some strains. This antigen was therefore tested to see if it is suitable for use in an immunocontraceptive vaccine to control wild mice. Mouse zona pellucida protein 3 peptide conjugated to a carrier protein (keyhole limpet hemocyanin) was considerably more immunogenic and effective in reducing fertility in wild mice when compared with inbred BALB/c mice. Fertility of the immunized wild mice was reduced by over 50% compared with controls, whereas BALB/c mice showed no reduction. Variation in the responses between individual animals to mZP3 peptide was observed and infertility correlated to the presence of cross-reacting antibodies to native zona pellucida in wild, but not BALB/c, mice.
Effects of cycloheximide treatment and interval between fusion and activation on in vitro development of pig nuclear transfer embryos
Authors: Martinez-Diaz M. A. , Ikeda K. , Takahashi Y.
Published: September 2002

The effects of cycloheximide (CHX) treatment and the interval between fusion and activation on the development of pig nuclear transfer (NT) embryos constructed with enucleated oocytes and serum-starved granulosa/cumulus cells were examined. One group of couplets was fused and activated simultaneously (FAS) by a single electrical pulse (activation pulse). Another three groups of couplets were fused electricaly 1.5, 2.5 or 4.5 h before being subjected to the activation pulse (FBA). Each group was divided into two subgroups and incubated with or without CHX. The NT embryos treated with CHX showed a high and stable cleavage rate, regardless of the interval between fusion and activation; however, development to blastocysts was improved only when the NT embryos were subjected to FAS with CHX. These results indicate that CHX-sensitive events occurring shortly after FAS may be responsible for the development to blastocysts. Fusion pulse rarely activated M II oocytes, but rapidly dropped the p34cdc2 kinase activity in NT embryos. A pronucleus-like structure was observed 2-2.5 h after the activation pulse with CHX in NT embryos of both the FAS and FBA groups. Therefore, successive inactivation of M-phase promoting factor and cytostatic factor at a certain short interval may also play an important role in the development of NT embryos.
The effects of inbreeding on testicular sperm concentration in Peromyscus polionotus
Authors: Margulis Susan W. , Walsh Allison
Published: September 2002

Inbreeding effects on fitness have most often been quantified via juvenile
mortality. However, inbred adults may suffer from inbreeding depression if
their fertility or fecundity is compromised as a consequence of inbreeding.
Here, the effects of inbreeding on male fertility in oldfield mice,
Peromyscus polionotus, were examined. Testicular sperm
concentration was assessed in 93 males, 68 of which were paired for breeding.
Forty of the 68 paired males failed to produce offspring. Total testicular
sperm count, sperm count (g testis)–1 , and testis
mass all declined significantly with increasing inbreeding coefficient. Sperm
concentration did not significantly impact reproductive success. Although
sperm concentration in males of most species can decline to low levels before
reproductive impairment is detectable, the declines in testicular sperm
concentration found here suggest that inbreeding can affect fertility in adult
males. Furthermore, monitoring testicular sperm concentration could provide a
mechanism to monitor potential declines in reproductive performance before
population-level reproductive success is irreparably impaired. The
implications for the management of small, captive and wild populations may be
substantial.
Effect of protein supplementation on development to the hatching and hatched blastocyst stages of cat IVF embryos
Authors: Karja N. W. Kurniani , Otoi Takeshige , Murakami Masako , Yuge Minori , Fahrudin Mokhamad , Suzuki Tatsuyuki
Published: September 2002

The effects of protein supplementation in culture medium on development to the hatching and hatched blastocyst stages of cat in vitro-fertilized embryos were investigated. In the first experiment, presumptive zygotes derived from in vitro maturation and in vitro fertilization (IVF) were cultured in modified Earle's balanced salt solution (MK-1) supplemented with 0.4% bovine serum albumin (BSA) or 5% fetal bovine serum (FBS) for 9 days. There were no significant differences between the BSA and FBS groups with respect to the proportion of cleavage and development to the morula and blastocyst stages of zygotes. However, the presence of FBS in the medium enhanced development to the hatching blastocyst stage of zygotes compared with the BSA group (31.4% v. 7.8%). Moreover, 2.9% of zygotes cultured with FBS developed to the hatched blastocyst stage. The mean cell number of blastocysts derived from zygotes cultured with FBS was significantly higher (P<0.01) than that from zygotes cultured with BSA (136.6 v.101.5). In the second experiment, embryos at the morula or blastocyst stage, which were produced by culturing in MK-1 supplemented with 0.4% BSA after IVF, were subsequently cultured in MK-1 with 0.4% BSA or 5% FBS. Significantly more morulae developed to the blastocyst (P<0.05) and hatching blastocyst stages (P<0.01) in the FBS group than in the BSA group (71.5% and 53.6% v. 44.9% and 6.0%, respectively). Although none of the morulae cultured with BSA developed to the hatched blastocyst stage, 11.5% of morulae cultured with FBS developed to the hatched blastocyst stage. Moreover, the proportion of development to the hatching blastocyst stage of blastocysts was significantly higher (P<0.01) in the FBS group than in the BSA group (68.7% v. 9.8%). None of the blastocysts cultured with BSA developed to the hatched blastocyst stage, whereas 7.3% of blastocysts cultured with FBS developed to the hatched blastocyst stage. The results of the present study indicate that supplementation with FBS at different stages of early embryo development promotes development to the hatching and hatched blastocyst stages of cat IVF embryos.
Higher-level relationships among the eucalypts are resolved by ITS-sequence data
Authors: Steane Dorothy A. , Nicolle Dean , McKinnon Gay E. , Vaillancourt René E. , Potts Brad M.
Published: September 2002

This expanded survey of ITS sequences represents the largest analysis of
molecular data ever attempted on Eucalyptus. Sequences
of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of the nuclear ribosomal DNA
were included in an analysis of 90 species of
Eucalyptus s.s. and 28 species representing eight other
genera (Allosyncarpia, Angophora,
Arillastrum, Corymbia,
Eucalyptopsis, Stockwellia,
Lophostemon and Metrosideros). The
results of the study indicate that Angophora and
Corymbia form a well-supported clade that is highly
differentiated from Eucalyptus s.s. Corymbia species are
divided between two clades, one of which may be the sister to
Angophora. Allosyncarpia,
Arillastrum, Eucalyptopsis and
‘Stockwellia’ are also highly differentiated
from Eucalyptus s.s. If the genus
Eucalyptus is to be expanded to include
Angophora and
Corymbia(sensu Brooker 2000), ITS
data suggest that Allosyncarpia,
Eucalyptopsis,
‘Stockwellia’ and potentially
Arillastrum should also be included in
Eucalyptus s.l. The ITS data suggest that subg.
Symphyomyrtus is paraphyletic and that subg.
Minutifructus should be included within it. Within
subg.Symphyomyrtus, only sect.
Maidenaria appears to be monophyletic. Sections
Adnataria and Dumaria are probably
monophyletic; sections Exsertaria and
Latoangulatae are very close and probably should be
combined in a single section. Section Bisectae is
polyphyletic and is divided into two distinct lineages. The phylogenetic
groups depicted by ITS data are consistent with the frequency of natural
inter-specific hybridisations as well as data from controlled crosses within
subgenus Symphyomyrtus. The ITS data illustrate that
subg. Idiogenes and western Australian monocalypts are
early evolutionary lines relative to E. diversifolia,
E. rubiginosa (monotypic subg.
Primitiva) and the eastern monocalypts and that subg.
Primitiva should be sunk into subg.
Eucalyptus. Subgenus Eudesmia may
be monophyletic, grouping with subgenera Idiogenes and
Eucalyptus. Further work is required to confirm the
phylogenetic positions of the monotypic subgenera
Alveolata, Cruciformes,
Acerosae and Cuboidea.
The genus Zieria (Rutaceae): a systematic and
evolutionary study
Authors: Armstrong Jim A.
Published: September 2002

The taxonomy of Zieria Sm. is reassessed and a revised classification is presented. The history of taxonomic discrimination in Zieria is summarised and its cytology, phytochemistry and biology reviewed; the generic relationships and phylogeny are assessed. The monophyly of the genus is discussed and its recognised taxa assigned to six taxon groups. Of the 73 previously published names, 20 names are re-instated and four new combinations established; 20 new species1 and eight new subspecies are described, bringing the total for the genus to 51 taxa (i.e. 42 species and nine infraspecific taxa). Lectotypes and neotypes are chosen where necessary, for a number of earlier names. Keys to all taxa, distribution maps, illustrations of most taxa and electron micrographs of a range of morphological features are provided. Taxa described as new are as follows: Z. arborescens Sims subsp. decurrens J.A.Armstrong, Z. arborescens Sims subsp. glabrifolia J.A.Armstrong, Z. aspalathoides A.Cunn. ex Benth. subsp. brachyphylla J.A.Armstrong, Z.�baeuerlenii J.A.Armstrong, Z.buxijugum J.D.Briggs & J.A.Armstrong, Z. caducibracteata J.A.Armstrong, Z. citriodora J.A.Armstrong, Z. covenyi J.A.Armstrong, Z. floydii J.A.Armstrong, Z. formosa J.D.Briggs & J.A.Armstrong, Z. furfuracea R.Br. ex Benth. subsp. euthadenia J.A.Armstrong, Z. furfuracea R.Br. ex Benth. subsp. gymnocarpa J.A.Armstrong, Z. hindii J.A.Armstrong, Z. ingramii J.A.Armstrong, Z. lasiocaulis J.A.Armstrong, Z. littoralis J.A.Armstrong, Z. minutiflora Domin subsp. trichocarpa J.A.Armstrong, Z. montana J.A.Armstrong, Z. odorifera J.A.Armstrong, Z. oreocena J.A.Armstrong, Z. parrisiae J.D.Briggs & J.A.Armstrong, Z. prostrata J.A.Armstrong, Z. robertsiorum J.A.Armstrong, Z. smithii G.Jackson subsp. tomentosa J.A.Armstrong, Z. southwellii J.A.Armstrong, Z. tuberculata J.A.Armstrong, Z.�veronicea (F.Muell.) Benth. subsp. insularis J.A.Armstrong and Z. verrucosa J.A.Armstrong. The following new combinations are made: Z. adenodonta (F.Muell.) J.A.Armstrong, Z. fraseri Hook. subsp. compacta (C.T.White) J.A.Armstrong and Z. obovata (C.T.White) J.A.Armstrong.
Menegazzia (Parmeliaceae: Ascomycota) and an associated lichenicolous fungus, Abrothallus parmeliarum, from Patagonia, Argentina
Authors: Bernasconi E. , Calvelo S. , Adler M. T.
Published: September 2002

Menegazzia caliginosa P.James & D.J.Galloway, M. kantvilasii P.James and M. subbullata P.James & Kantvilas are reported for the first time from outside Australasia, and M. dispora (Nyl.) R.Sant. is noted here as a first record for Argentina. We also report the discovery of fertile specimens of M. kantvilasii, with the morphological and anatomical features of its apothecia described. A comparison of the characters of the species of Menegazzia in Argentina is presented. The lichenicolous fungus, Abrothallus parmeliarum (Sommerf.) Nyl., is reported for the first time on specimens of Menegazzia and is also new to the lichen mycobiota of Argentina.
Phylogeny and biogeography of southern hemisphere high-mountain Cardamine species (Brassicaceae)
Authors: Bleeker W. , Franzke A. , Pollmann K. , Brown A. H. D. , Hurka H.
Published: September 2002

The biogeography and phylogenetic relationships of Southern Hemisphere Cardamine L. species were analysed using nuclear rDNA ITS and cpDNA (trnL intron, trnL-F spacer) sequences. The analyses indicate that the montane species from Australia and New Zealand (C. corymbosa Hook.f., C. lilacina Hook. and C. debilis Banks ex DC.) are closely related to the South American C. glacialis (Forster) DC. Low sequence divergence between C. glacialis and the Australian and New Zealand species suggests relatively recent (less than 500 000 years ago) long-distance dispersal from South America to Australasia, or vice versa. The relationship of the New Guinean species, C. keysseri O.E.Schulz and C. africana L., to the Australian species remained unresolved. Accessions of the high-mountain, pan-continental species C. africana from Africa, South America and New Guinea differed widely in their positions on both the ITS tree and the cpDNA tree, suggesting a polyphyletic origin. The East African high-mountain species C. obliqua Hochst. grouped with European species on the cpDNA tree. The African species, C. trichocarpa Hochst., formed a sister group to all the other Cardamine species analysed.
Mid-cretaceous conifers from the Eromanga Basin, Australia
Authors: Pole Mike S.
Published: September 2002

Mid-Cretaceous (latest Albian–earliest Cenomanian) sediment in sevenbore cores from the Eromanga Basin (south-western Queensland) was sampled fororganically preserved plant macrofossils. Among those recovered, 26 taxa ofconifers have been distinguished. Families Araucariaceae, Podocarpaceae, andCheirolepidiaceae were prominent. The Araucariaceae includeAraucaria sp., while the remainder are considered torepresent extinct genera. Podocarpaceae are all species of extinct genera andtwo new genera are described: Eromangia andThargomindia. There are two species ofCheirolepidiaceae. One of these, Geinitzea tetragonaCantrill & Douglas, is made the type of a new genus,Otwayia, with two species,O. tetragona and O. cudgeloides,both occurring in the Eromanga Basin. No unequivocalCupressaceae/Taxodiaceae were recognised.
Comparative morphology of Anodopetalum (Cunoniaceae)
Authors: Barnes Richard W. , Rozefelds Andrew C.
Published: September 2002

The vegetative and floral morphology of the Tasmanian endemic
Anodopetalum biglandulosum is re-examined and
illustrated. A detailed study of herbarium and fresh material identified a
number of characters that have, in the past, been misinterpreted. The
subsidiary cell arrangement around the stomates is brachyparacytic, and not
anomocytic; the petals are shown to be notched, and not entire; the fruit is a
weakly lignified, septicidally dehiscent capsule, not a berry, and the pollen
is dicolporate, not tricolporate as has been previously reported. The two- and
three-flowered inflorescences and solitary flowers are interpreted as a
reduced cyme, while the leaf is interpreted as a unifoliolate compound leaf.
The vegetative and floral morphology in Anodopetalum is
compared with the closely related genera Schizomeria,
Platylophus and Ceratopetalum.
Features including notched/fringed petals, dicolporate pollen with a
discontinuous (heterogeneous) tectum and weakly heterogeneous wood rays
provide support for interpreting Anodopetalum,
Schizomeria, Platylophus and
Ceratopetalum as a monophyletic group.
Anodopetalum differs from these genera in its strongly
dehiscent fruits and winged seeds.
Lactarius (Basidiomycota) in Papua New Guinea 2. Species in tropical-montane rainforests
Authors: Verbeken A. , Horak E.
Published: September 2002

Collections of Lactarius Pers. from tropical-montane
rainforests of Papua New Guinea (dominated by fagaceous, ectomycorrhizal
trees) are described. Nineteen new taxa are proposed, and three previously
described species are included. A key to the species, illustrations and
discussion about the infrageneric position of the presently known Papuan
Lactarii are presented.
Beneficiation of apatite rock phosphates by calcination: effects on chemical properties and fertiliser effectiveness
Authors: Lim H. H. , Gilkes R. J.
Published: September 2002

Apatitic rock phosphates (RP) are commonly calcined to remove impurities and
to increase phosphorus (P) concentration but calcination decreases the
agronomic effectiveness of RPs used for direct application to soils. This
study investigated the effect of calcination on 6 apatite RPs (Christmas
Island A-ore, Egypt, Morocco, North Carolina, Queensland, and Sechura). RPs
were uncalcined (25°C) and calcined at 500°C, 900°C,
and 1100°C. They were evaluated by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and BET-N
2 surface area technique. P dissolution in 2%
citric acid with a 128 h extraction time was measured. Chemical results were
compared with those from a plant growth experiment, where wheat was fertilised
with the calcined RP products.
Calcination at 1100°C reduced the agronomic effectiveness of apatite
RPs by about 90%, by altering the crystal properties and the particle
size of the RPs. Unit-cell a dimension increased from
values of 9.324—9.375 Å to approximately 9.38 Å,
indicating that the carbonate containing apatite RPs altered to less-soluble
fluorapatite. Apatite average crystal size (coherently diffracting zone) more
than doubled and BET-N 2 specific surface area decreased
by 95%, due to crystal growth and sintering. Consequently, the extent
of dissolution in 2% citric acid and agronomic effectiveness decreased
substantially. Calcination at 500°C and 900°C produced similar
but smaller changes in mineral properties.
It is concluded that beneficiation of apatitic RP by calcination will
adversely affect the agronomic effectiveness of RP used for direct application
to soils.
Tillage and traffic effects on runoff
Authors: Tullberg J. N. , Ziebarth P. J. , Li Yuxia
Published: September 2002

Traffic and tillage effects on runoff and crop performance on a heavy clay
soil were investigated over a period of 4 years. Tillage treatments and the
cropping program were representative of broadacre grain production practice in
northern Australia, and a split-plot design used to isolate traffic effects.
Treatments subject to zero, minimum, and stubble mulch tillage each comprised
pairs of 90-m 2 plots, from which runoff was recorded. A
3-m-wide controlled traffic system allowed one of each pair to be maintained
as a non-wheeled plot, while the total surface area of the other received a
single annual wheeling treatment from a working 100-kW tractor.
Rainfall/runoff hydrographs demonstrate that wheeling produced a large and
consistent increase in runoff, whereas tillage produced a smaller increase.
Treatment effects were greater on dry soil, but were still maintained in large
and intense rainfall events on wet soil. Mean annual runoff from wheeled plots
was 63 mm (44%) greater than that from controlled traffic plots,
whereas runoff from stubble mulch tillage plots was 38 mm (24%) greater
than that from zero tillage plots.
Traffic and tillage effects appeared to be cumulative, so the mean annual
runoff from wheeled stubble mulch tilled plots, representing conventional
cropping practice, was more than 100 mm greater than that from controlled
traffic zero tilled plots, representing best practice. This increased
infiltration was reflected in an increased yield of 16% compared with
wheeled stubble mulch.
Minimum tilled plots demonstrated a characteristic midway between that of zero
and stubble mulch tillage. The results confirm that unnecessary energy
dissipation in the soil during the traction process that normally accompanies
tillage has a major negative effect on infiltration and crop productivity.
Controlled traffic farming systems appear to be the only practicable solution
to this problem.
Effects of agricultural management on sodosols in northern Tasmania
Authors: Cotching W. E. , Cooper J. , Sparrow L. A. , McCorkell B. E. , Rowley W.
Published: September 2002

Attributes of 25 Tasmanian sodosols were assessed using field and laboratory
techniques to determine changes associated with 4 typical forms of
agricultural management [long-term pasture, cropping with shallow
tillage using discs and tines, cropping (including potatoes) with more
rigorous and deeper tillage including deep ripping and powered implements, and
cropping (including potatoes) where the potatoes were harvested when the soil
was wet]. Soil organic carbon in the top 150 mm was 2.7% under
long-term pasture compared with 1.8% in rigorously tilled cropping
paddocks, and microbial biomass C values were 194 and 129 mg/kg,
respectively. Readily oxidisable organic C concentrations were 1.8 mg/g
and 1.3 mg/g, respectively. Infiltration rate was greater in paddocks with
shallow tillage cropping than long-term pasture but was 43% less in
paddocks which had grown potatoes and 70% less after a wet potato
harvest. Dry aggregate-size showed no change under shallow tillage cropping
compared with long-term pasture but decreased significantly in more rigorously
tilled potato cropping paddocks. Aggregate stability in all cropped paddocks
was nearly 50% less than in long-term pasture paddocks, with values in
intensively tilled potato cropping paddocks approaching relatively low levels.
Colwell extractable phosphorus (P) increased with all cropping, particularly
after potatoes. Lower organic carbon and poorer physical properties were
associated with paddocks which had grown potatoes, which adds weight to the
view that cropping rotation and associated soil management practices are
critical for sustainable management of Tasmanian sodosols. Farmers were
surveyed about their views of the condition of their paddocks. They identified
more healthy than unhealthy soil attributes under all management histories but
reported more unhealthy soil attributes when potatoes were included in their
rotation.
Carbon and phosphorus losses from dairy pasture in South Australia
Authors: Fleming N. K. , Cox J. W.
Published: September 2002

Runoff (overland flow and A/B horizon interflow) was measured from 2
grazed dairy pastures at Flaxley, South Australia, from 1996 to 1998. Runoff
ranged from 0.4% to 10% of annual rainfall and
>90% of this was overland flow. Phosphorus and carbon were
measured in runoff. As much as 2.3 kg/ha of phosphorus and 10.7 kg/ha
of total dissolved carbon were lost from the subcatchments in the wettest
year. Over the study period, 98% of total phosphorus and
86% of total dissolved carbon were lost in overland flow. Around
45% of phosphorus was dissolved and 69% of total
dissolved carbon was dissolved organic carbon. The proportion of phosphorus
present in the particulate form decreased during each runoff season, and was
highest in the wettest year. There was no consistent trend in the proportion
of total dissolved carbon present as dissolved organic carbon because the
factors found to affect dissolved organic carbon loss were different from
those affecting dissolved inorganic carbon loss. Predictive relationships
based on factors such as the time of year when the storm occurred and runoff
volume have been developed from the 3 years of data and they explain a high
proportion of variability of phosphorus and carbon loads.
Prewetting rate and sodicity effects on the hydraulic conductivity of soils
Authors: Shainberg I. , Levy G. J. , Goldstein D. , Mamedov A. I. , Letey J.
Published: September 2002

Contribution from the Agricultural Research Organization (ARO), The Volcani
Center, Bet Dagan, Israel. No. 604/2000 series.
Exchangeable sodium deteriorates the hydraulic conductivity of soils. The
susceptibility of soils to sodicity depends on the soils’ inherent
properties, and is known to increase with an increase in clay content and the
presence of 2:1 clay minerals, and decrease with an increase in sesquioxides
content. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of an
extrinsic time-dependent property, such as soil prewetting rate (PWR), on the
hydraulic conductivity (HC) of smectitic soils varying in their exchangeable
sodium percentage (ESP) between 1 and 10 and in clay content. Five soils were
studied: a loamy sand, a loam, a sandy clay, and 2 clay soils. Air-dried soil
samples with ESP of 2, 6, and 10 were packed in plexiglass columns and were
prewetted from below at 3 rates (1.7, 4.25, and 50 mm/h) with deionised
water. The columns were then leached at constant hydraulic head with deionised
water, and flow rates were measured. The reference hydraulic conductivity
(HC0) of the loamy sand was not affected by both PWR and
sodicity. In the loam, HC0 was not affected by rate of
wetting. However, increasing the ESP from 2.1 to 9.5 decreased
HC0 from 15.8 to 5.0 mm/h for the fast wetting.
Similar decreases were noted in the other 2 wetting rates. The hydraulic
conductivity of the sandy clay and the 2 clay soils were effected by PWR. In
the sandy clay with ESP 5.5, increasing PWR from 1.7 to 50 mm/h resulted
in a decrease in HC0 from 78.7 to 3.2 mm/h The
decrease in HC0 in these soils with the increase in
wetting rate was ascribed to aggregate slaking. The effect of PWR on
HC0 was more notable, especially at the low ESP, as clay
content increased. The hydraulic conductivity of the sodic soils leached with
distilled water decreased more steeply and to lower values with increasing
PWR. Fast prewetting, which increased breakdown of soil aggregates, increased
the susceptibility of the soils to sodicity
Charge characteristics of soil in a lowland tropical moist forest in Panama in response to dry-season irrigation
Authors: Yavitt Joseph B. , Wright S. Joseph
Published: September 2002

Although the hot, moist tropics in the Republic of Panama receive more than
2000 mm of rain per year, soils dry considerably during the 4-month dry
season. We examined the effect of seasonal drought by irrigating two 2.25-ha
plots of lowland tropical moist forest on Barro Colorado Island (BCI) for 5
consecutive dry seasons. Irrigation decreased soil permeability and improved
soil nutrient status, which prompted this study of soil charge characteristics
in the irrigated and control plots. Soil was an Alfisol, and thus it was not
clear a prioriwhether variable-charge or
permanent-charge components dominated. Surface soil (0–15 cm) had a
pH(H2O) of 5.5 and pH(KCl) of 4.8. Subsurface soil
(30–45 cm) had a pH(H2O) of 4.8 and a pH(KCl) of
3.5. The point of zero salt effect (PZSE), measured by titration, varied from
3.7 to 5.0 in surface soil and from 3.5 to 4.2 in subsurface soil. Variable
charge of surface soil was 2.6 cmolc/kg.pH unit
after the dry season in April versus 3.2 cmolc/kg.pH
unit after the wet season in December in both control and dry-season irrigated
plots, reflecting seasonal differences in pH and PZSE. The point of zero net
charge (PZNC), measured by ion retention, was at pH <2.0, indicating that
permanent-charge components dominated the soil surface charge. Five years of
dry-season irrigation resulted in pH(H2O) increasing by
0.6 units and pH(KCl) increasing by 0.2 units. As well, irrigation increased
the amount of permanent charge and cation retention, leading to less sorption
of phosphate and sulfate. The results have important ecological implications,
showing mechanistically how wetter conditions affected soil surface charge
leading to improved soil nutrient status.
permanent charge, soil pH, tropical forest soil, variable charge, water
regime.
The Australian soil texture boomerang: a comparison of the Australian and USDA/FAO soil particle-size classification systems
Authors: Minasny Budiman , McBratney Alex. B.
Published: September 2002

The different classification of particle-size fractions used in Australia
compared with other countries presents a problem for the immediate adoption of
the exotic pedotransfer functions. Australia adopted the international system
which defined silt as particles with diameters in the range 2–20 m,
while the USDA/FAO define it as 2–50 m. We present empirical
equations to convert between the two systems. The USDA/FAO textural
classes were also plotted in the International system’s coordinate. The
USDA/FAO classes in the International system had a ‘boomerang’
shape and only occupy 60% of the triangle. Particle-size data showed
that the data are evenly distributed in the USDA/FAO triangle, while most
data are concentrated in the boomerang in the International system. We
therefore suggest that it would seem wise for most countries to consider
adopting the particle-size limits and texture classes of the USDA/FAO
system.
Application of mineral magnetism to describe profile development of toposequences of a sedimentary soil in south-eastern Australia
Authors: Crockford R. H. , Willett I. R.
Published: September 2002

Mineral magnetism and chemical properties of soil profiles across a valley
with an erosion gully in a Yellow Dermosol sedimentary soil suggest that the
magnetic profile resulted from a combination of alluviation and pedogenesis.
The concentration of soil magnetic minerals in a range of particle sizes
(3.36–2 mm to <2 μm) diminished from the surface downwards
to a minimum (referred to as layer P), then increased to high values (layer
H), after which it decreased to bed rock level at the base layer. It is
proposed that the H layer was the surface of a buried soil, and that the
ferrimagnetic mineral through the profiles was dominantly maghemite, formed by
fire enhancement.
The magnetic pattern of the profiles compressed as the soil became shallower
up-slope, from 3 m in depth at the lowest site to 0.7 m at a site 40 m
up-slope. Above this site the high susceptibility H layer was absent, which is
consistent with the H layer being an earlier soil surface. Except for the
profile at the very top of the slope (depth of 0.63 m), the magnetic grain
size did not vary with depth. In the P layers, there was a greater proportion
of paramagnetic minerals than in the other layers. The changes in magnetic
susceptibility through the profiles were influenced by ferrimagnetic,
paramagnetic, and canted anti-ferromagnetic material.
For all depths in all profiles the magnetic susceptibility changed
consistently through the particle size range, decreasing from the larger sizes
to the 10–20 m size then increasing slightly to the smallest size
(<2 μm). The mean magnetic grain size also decreased through the
particle size range. Magnetic particles of 3 concentration levels were
extracted by a hand magnet from the 4 largest particle sizes and showed the
same magnetic-particle size relationships, for both mass susceptibility and
magnetic grain size, as the other particle sizes. This showed that the
proportion of highly magnetic particles effectively determined the
susceptibility and magnetic grain size features of the bulk samples of each
particle size class.
The particle size/magnetic susceptibility pattern described in this paper
occurs in all sedimentary soils and derived river sediments studied in this
part of Australia. However, soils and sediments of granitic origin have an
inverse pattern. These differences are attributed to pedogenic and
geomorphological process. The difficulties in using mineral magnetic
properties as a means of sourcing mobile sediments in catchments are
discussed.