bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of chronic prenatal ethanol exposure on NMDA receptor number and affinity for [3H]MK-801 in the cerebral cortex of the young postnatal and adult guinea-pig
Authors: Puri Rajan K. , Reynolds James N. , Brien James F.
Published: August 2003

The objective of this study was to test the hypothesis that chronic prenatal ethanol exposure (CPEE) produces changes in the number and/or affinity of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors in the cerebral cortex that are developmental-age-dependent. Timed, pregnant Dunkin–Hartley-strain guinea-pigs received oral intubation of one of the following regimens, given daily as two equally divided doses 2 h apart, from gestational day (GD) 2 to GD 67 (term, ∼GD 68): (i) 4 g ethanol kg−1 maternal bodyweight; (ii) isocaloric sucrose with pair feeding; or (iii) water. Maternal blood ethanol concentration was measured on GD 57 or 58 at 1 h after the daily dose, and was 51.1 ± 8.5 mM (235 ± 39 mg dL−1; n = 8). At postnatal day (PD) 11 (pre-weaning) and PD 61 (adulthood), body, brain and cerebral cortical weights of the offspring were measured. The number of NMDA receptors and their affinity for [3H]MK-801 were measured in a crude cerebral cortical membrane preparation using saturation isotherm analysis to determine the Bmax and KD. Chronic prenatal ethanol exposure decreased offspring brain and cerebral cortical weights at PD 11 and PD 61. At PD 11, there was no CPEE-induced change of [3H]MK-801 binding characteristics in the cerebral cortex. At PD 61, both Bmax and KD for [3H]MK-801 binding to cerebral cortical NMDA receptors were decreased by CPEE compared with the isocaloric sucrose/pair-fed and water treatment groups. Loss of cerebral cortical NMDA receptors and increased affinity of the remaining receptors for [3H]MK-801 in the adult guinea-pig, compared with no change in the number or affinity of these receptors in the young postnatal offspring, demonstrated that the effects of CPEE on these ionotropic glutamate receptors are developmental-age-dependent.
Effect of ovarian steroids on basal and oxytocin-induced prostaglandin F2α secretion from pig endometrial cells
Authors: Hu Jianbo , Braileanu Gheorghe T. , Mirando Mark A.
Published: August 2003

These studies were undertaken to determine how treatment with 100 nM progesterone and/or 10 nM oestradiol-17β acutely (3 h; Experiment 1) or chronically (72 h; Experiments 2–4) influenced basal and oxytocin (OT)-stimulated prostaglandin (PG) F2α secretion, in enriched cultures of pig endometrial luminal epithelial, glandular epithelial and stromal cells obtained on Day 16 (Experiments 1, 2 and 4) or Day 12 (Experiment 3) after oestrus. In Experiment 1, acute treatment with progesterone stimulated PGF2α secretion from each cell type on Day 16, whereas acute oestradiol treatment inhibited the stimulatory action of progesterone on PGF2α secretion only in glandular epithelial cells. In Experiment 2, OT stimulated phospholipase (PL) C activity in luminal epithelial cells on Day 16 only in the presence of chronic oestradiol treatment. For glandular epithelial cells on Day 16, OT stimulated PLC activity only in the presence of chronic treatment with steroid. In stromal cells on Day 16, OT stimulated PLC activity in the absence of steroids and the response to OT was further enhanced by oestradiol. In the absence of chronic treatment with steroid, OT did not stimulate PGF2α secretion from luminal epithelial cells, but oestradiol induced a response to OT. For glandular epithelial cells, OT-induced PGF2α secretion was not altered by steroids, whereas the stimulatory response to OT was inhibited by oestradiol or progesterone in stromal cells. For endometrial cells obtained on Day 12 after oestrus in Experiment 3, OT only stimulated PGF2α release from glandular epithelial and stromal cells. For luminal epithelial cells obtained on Day 16 after oestrus and cultured under polarizing conditions in Experiment 4, secretion of PGF2α occurred preferentially from the basolateral surface and was stimulated by OT more from the basolateral surface than from the apical surface. Oxytocin-induced PGF2α secretion from the apical surface was enhanced by chronic treatment with oestradiol, whereas that from the basolateral surface was enhanced by chronic treatment with progesterone. In summary, oestradiol enhanced OT-induced PGF2α secretion from the apical surface of luminal epithelial cells and reduced the response of stromal cells to OT, actions that may contribute to the reorientation of PGF2α from endocrine secretion (i.e. towards the uterine vasculature) to exocrine secretion (i.e. towards the uterine lumen) during pregnancy recognition in pigs.
Taxonomy of Sarga, Sorghum and Vacoparis (Poaceae: Andropogoneae)
Authors: Spangler Russell E.
Published: August 2003

Sorghum taxa are evaluated in light of recent molecular and morphological evidence. The data suggest that three distinct lineages exist, but relationships among these lineages are unresolved. Each lineage is recognised here as a distinct genus in the context of overall variation in tribe Andropogoneae. The type species for the name Sorghum is S. bicolor, the cultivar. S. halepense and S. nitidum are also retained in Sorghum. The name Sarga is resurrected to encompass the set of species formerly making up the bulk of subgenera Parasorghum and Stiposorghum. A new genus, Vacoparis, is defined to include the cytologically and morphologically distinct Australasian taxa, V. macrospermum and V. laxiflorum. The taxonomy proposed is contrasted with a rankless alternative to illustrate the smaller number of name changes that can be accomplished when rank constraints are not enforced. Uncertain relationships among the three lineages as well as among a large number of taxa comprising subtribe Saccharinae exemplifies the difficulties in assigning ranks to taxa that may have future dramatic name changes with new data. As discussions progress concerning the validity and utility of rankless classifications, concrete examples, such as the revision presented here, can provide insights into specific cases where strengths and weaknesses can be evaluated. Species boundaries in Sarga are different from those formerly defined. Continuous variation across specimens in characters used to distinguish taxa in the past led to the decision to broaden species limits so that fewer and morphologically variable species are recognised.
A revision of the genus Pultenaea (Fabaceae). 2. Eastern Australian species with velutinous ovaries and incurved leaves
Authors: Kok R. P. J. de , West J. G.
Published: August 2003

All 32 species of the genus Pultenaea Sm. occurring in the eastern states of Australia with velutinous ovaries and incurved leaves are revised and seven names are reduced into synonymy for the first time. Two new species are described, Pultenaea penna de Kok and Pultenaea rodwayii Tindale ex de Kok, and one former variety of P. muelleri is raised to species level (P. reflexifolia). Eleven species (P. acerosa, P. costata, P. divaricata, P.�laxiflora, P. muelleri, P. prolifera, P. prostrata, P. subalpina, P. trifida, P. trinervis and P. vestita) are lectotypified and a key to the group is provided. The legitimacy of treatment of the presented species as a separate group and the species concept used is briefly discussed.
Worth the risk? Introduction of legumes can cause more harm than good: an Australian perspective
Authors: Paynter Q. , Csurhes S. M. , Heard T. A. , Ireson J. , Julien M. H. , Lloyd J. , Lonsdale W. M. , Palmer W. A. , Sheppard A. W. , Klinken R. D. van
Published: August 2003

Weeds are serious threats to Australia's primary production and biodiversity conservation. For example, a recent Australia Bureau of Statistics survey found that 47% of farmers across Australia have a significant weed problem. A literature review revealed that legumes represent a significant proportion of the national weed problem and most serious Australian legume weeds are exotic thicket-forming species that were deliberately introduced for their perceived beneficial properties, such as for shade and fodder, or even quite trivial reasons, such as garden ornamentals. The low economic value of the rangelands most of these species infest, compared with control costs, hinders chemical and mechanical control of these weeds, such that biological control, which takes time, is expensive to implement and has no guarantee of success, may represent the only economically viable alternative to abandoning vast tracts of land. We argue that, because the behaviour of an introduced species in a novel environment is so hard to forecast, better predictive techniques should be developed prior to further introductions of plant species into novel environments. We also discuss the potential of legumes currently being promoted in Australia to become weeds and suggest the recent trend of exporting Australian Acacia spp. to semiarid regions of Africa risks history repeating itself and the development of new weed problems that mirror those posed by Australian Acacia spp. in southern Africa.
Geographical patterns in neotropical Acacia (Leguminosae: Mimosoideae)
Authors: Rico-Arce Lourdes
Published: August 2003

Native neotropical species of Acacia, totalling 230 species, are represented by two subgenera, Acacia and Aculeiferum. The number of taxa per country and their distribution are presented. For subgenus Aculeiferum, the species of section Filicinae are the richest in Mexico, while species of section Monacanthea are the most diverse in Brazil, Bolivia and Mexico. The species of subgenus Acacia have three main areas of diversity, with Mesoamerica being the most important region for the myrmecophyllous species and Mexico, the United States and Cuba for the non-myrmecophyllous species.
Phylogenetic analysis of ITS sequences suggests a Pliocene origin for the bipolar distribution of Scleranthus (Caryophyllaceae)
Authors: Smissen R. D. , Garnock-Jones P. J. , Chambers G. K.
Published: August 2003

Scleranthus is a genus of about 12 species of herbaceous plants or subshrubs native to Eurasia and Australasia. Here Scleranthus is shown to consist of European and Australasian clades, which diverged within the last 10 million years. Biogeographic implications of this dating and alternative hypotheses explaining the disjunct north–south distribution of the genus, are discussed. The trans-Tasman distributions of S. biflorus and S. brockiei are of recent origin and therefore consistent with long-distance dispersal rather than vicariance explanations. Morphological and ITS sequence data sets are significantly incongruent and trees derived from them differ over relationships among Australasian species. Hybridisation and introgression or lineage sorting are invoked to explain this discordance. Within the family Caryophyllaceae, Scleranthus ITS2 sequences have greater similarity to sequences from representatives of the subfamilies Alsinoideae and Caryophylloideae than to sequences from representatives of the subfamily Paronychioideae.
Molecular phylogenetics of Acacia subgenera Acacia and Aculeiferum (Fabaceae : Mimosoideae), based on the chloroplast matK coding sequence and flanking trnK intron spacer regions
Authors: Miller Joseph T. , Bayer Randall J.
Published: August 2003

The genus Acacia is subdivided into the following three subgenera: subg. Acacia, subg. Aculeiferum and the predominantly Australian subg. Phyllodineae. Morphological and molecular studies have suggested that the tribe Acacieae and genus Acacia are artificial and have a close affinity to the tribe Ingeae. Sequence analysis of the chloroplast trnK intron, including the matK coding region and flanking non-coding regions, were undertaken to examine taxon relationships within Acacia subgenera Acacia and Aculeiferum. Subgenus Acacia is monophyletic while subgenus Aculeiferum is paraphyletic. Within the subgenera, major divisions are found based on biogeography, New World versus African–Asian taxa. These data suggest that characters such as inflorescence and prickle and/or stipule type are polymorphic and homoplasious in cladistic analyses within the subgenera.
Genetic diversity and the utilisation of Acacia species complexes in agroforestry in Western Australia
Authors: Byrne M. , Broadhurst L.
Published: August 2003

Dryland salinity is a major problem in the agricultural areas of Western Australia, having significant detrimental impacts in both agricultural and non-agricultural arenas. Development of new woody perennial tree crops is an option for recharge control in the management of salinity and there is a focus on development of native species that are adapted to low-rainfall areas, with potential for commercial production. Acacia is an important genus for utilisation of woody perennials as there is a large number of species occurring in a wide variety of habitats, and many Acacia species are utilised throughout the world for a range of purposes. In Western Australia, the following three species are of interest for development for commercial utilisation in agroforestry plantings: A.�microbotrya, A. acuminata and A. saligna. All three species show a high degree of morphological variation and are likely to consist of several taxa. Lack of understanding of taxonomic entities and their genetic relationships will hinder the utilisation and development of these species. A combined genetic and taxonomic study has defined the morphological and genetic variation within the A. acuminata complex and identified several taxa. Similar studies will also be expected to define taxa within the A. microbotrya and A. saligna complexes.
Domestication and use of Australian acacias: case studies of five important species
Authors: Midgley S. J. , Turnbull J. W.
Published: August 2003

Some Acacia species native to Australia and neighbouring countries are significant in the rural economy of many countries. Aspects of the domestication process and uses of A. mangium, A. crassicarpa, A. mearnsii, A.�saligna and A. colei are reviewed. Commercial plantations of A. mearnsii in tropical highlands and temperate areas provide high quality tannins for adhesives and leather making and wood for paper pulp, rayon, charcoal and small-utility timbers. Plantations of A. saligna in warm-temperate and semi-arid areas provide stock fodder, soil stabilisation, fuelwood and charcoal. In the humid tropical lowlands of South-east Asia, pulpwood is produced in extensive plantings of A. mangium and in smaller-scale plantations of A. crassicarpa in Indonesia. The human food value of seeds of some dry-zone Australian acacias, such as A. colei, is recognised. Domestication of these and other Australian acacias is at various stages and is influenced by the characteristics of the species, extent of planting and the commercial value of the products. The potential for many acacias to become weeds is recognised. The case studies highlight a number of important aspects in domesticating acacias.
Taxonomic significance of seed protein profiles in Acacia, with special reference to Acacia emilioana
Authors: Lamarque Alicia L. , Fortunato Renée H.
Published: August 2003

Total seed proteins of 10 Acacia species were examined by SDS–PAGE. The protein patterns showed qualitative and quantitative differences among the taxa analysed. The main protein components of most species examined had MW's in the range of 38.5–49.0 × 103. Subgenus Aculeiferum differed from subg. Acacia in the presence of a high concentration of proteins in the range of 20–24.5 × 103. Hierarchical clustering of the 10 taxa was undertaken, based on Jaccard distances calculated from electrophoretic data. The species grouped in two main clusters, representing the two subgenera of Acacia that occur in America, namely subg. Acacia and subg. Aculeiferum. The taxonomic placement of Acacia emilioana, a species with uncertain sectional affinity within subg. Aculeiferum, is discussed.
Molecular phylogeny of Acacia subgenus Phyllodineae (Mimosoideae : Leguminosae) based on DNA sequences of the internal transcribed spacer region
Authors: Murphy Daniel J. , Miller Joseph T. , Bayer Randall J. , Ladiges Pauline Y.
Published: August 2003

The largest monophyletic group within Acacia is subgenus Phyllodineae, with more than 950 predominately Australian species, the majority characterised by adult foliage consisting of phyllodes. Molecular sequence data from the internal transcribed spacers (ITS) of the nuclear ribosomal DNA repeat were used to investigate the monophyly of seven sections within the subgenus. A nested PCR approach was used to amplify the ITS region. Fifty-one species representative of all sections were sequenced together with one outgroup taxon Lysiloma divaricata (Ingeae).Phylogenetic parsimony analysis suggested that there are two main clades within Phyllodineae but that only one section, Lycopodiifoliae, is apparently monophyletic. In one of the main clades, Lycopodifoliae is related to some taxa in sections Alatae and Pulchellae and some members of section Phyllodineae. In the second main clade, sections Juliflorae, Plurinerves and Botrycephalae cluster with other members of section Phyllodineae. The two sections that are characterised by bipinnate foliage, Botrycephalae and Pulchellae, are nested within phyllodinous clades, indicating that at least two separate reversals to bipinnate leaves have occurred. Botrycephalae is paraphyletic with respect to taxa from section Phyllodineae that have single-nerved phyllodes and racemose inflorescences.
Genetic, cytogenetic and morphological patterns in a mixed mulga population: evidence for apomixis
Authors: Andrew Rose L. , Miller Joseph T. , Peakall Rod , Crisp Michael D. , Bayer Randall J.
Published: August 2003

The mulga complex (Acacia aneura and closely related taxa) is a widespread group that is dominant in much of arid Australia. The group is taxonomically difficult, due to a complex interaction of sympatry and putative hybridisation between the major species, geographic variation within species and sympatric variation within A. aneura. Mulga is highly variable in a wide range of vegetative and reproductive characters and it is not unusual to find five or six distinct forms growing side by side. The aim of this project was to gain a better understanding of the relationships among mulga species and A. aneura varieties, as well as the maintenance of this variation. A single site in the Northern Territory, containing A. ayersiana, A. minyura and two varieties of A. aneura, was sampled intensively. Six morphotypes were observed in the field and five were strongly supported by morphometric analysis. Although the mulga complex is generally tetraploid (2n = 52), triploid (2n = 39) and pentaploid (2n =  65) seedlings were produced in the study population. Microsatellite primers developed for A. mangium (sect. Juliflorae) were amplified in individuals of each morphotype, resulting in genetic marker patterns consistent with polyploidy. Genetic and morphometric distances were correlated and differences between morphotypes account for 63% of the total genetic variation (ΦPT = 0.63, P < 0.001). Allele sequences confirmed the presence of genuine heterozygosity and clonality was suggested by the low genotypic diversity and the lack of allele segregation. Seedlings had identical genotypes to the maternal plants and polyembryony was observed in each taxon, consistent with apomictic reproduction. Both variation of the ploidy level and apomixis may restrict gene flow among morphotypes, playing a role in the maintenance of morphological diversity at the study site. The success of the group in arid and semi-arid Australia may also be due, in part, to these factors.
Clinal variation and genetic divergence in Acacia tumida (Mimosaceae)
Authors: McDonald M. W. , Butcher P. A. , Bell J. C. , Nguyen C. V.
Published: August 2003

Acacia tumida F.Muell ex. Benth. is a morphologically variable species from north-western Australia. Variants range from low, multi-stemmed shrubs to single-stemmed trees. Acacia tumida is cultivated for firewood, windbreaks and sand stabilisation. To examine patterns of genetic variation that could be utilised in domestication programs, 22 populations representing its natural distribution were surveyed by using allozymes. Estimates of genetic diversity (HE = 0.149) were within the range of other tropical, widespread woody plants, but varied widely among populations (HE = 0.064–0.203). There were strong clinal trends in diversity estimates; A, P, HO, HE were correlated with longitude and declined from west to east. HE decreased as mean monthly maximum temperatures increased and allelic richness (A) increased with mean minimum monthly temperatures. There were also significant correlations between allele frequencies at certain loci and geographic and climatic parameters. Significant isolation-by-distance and relatively high levels of differentiation (θ = 0.176) were detected among populations. Populations of the narrow-phylloded form (Pilbara region) were the most genetically divergent, despite their geographic proximity to other populations. The low-shrub and tall-tree forms could not be distinguished by allozyme profiles. Slight genetic differences were detected between the non-pruinose and pruinose forms from within one population. Phylogenetic analysis supported morphological evidence of hybridisation between A. tumida and A. difficilis Maiden in their zone of overlap. The results are discussed in relation to the taxonomy and domestication of A. tumida.
A taxonomic review of Hibiscus sect. Furcaria (Malvaceae) in Western Australia and the Northern Territory
Authors: Craven L. A. , Wilson F. D. , Fryxell P. A.
Published: August 2003

Recent collections have extended significantly the known morphological diversity in Hibiscus sect. Furcaria in north-western Australia. This additional knowledge required a review of the taxonomy, as a result of which several new taxa are described, namely H. aneuthe, H. aphelus, H. bacalusius, H. fallax, H. fryxellii var. mollis, H. inimicus, H. kenneallyi, H. marenitensis, H. petherickii, H. reflexus, H. riceae, H. squarrulosus, H.�stewartii and H. thegaleus. Hibiscus mustiae is included in H. zonatus. An identification key, synoptic treatments and distribution maps are provided for all taxa occurring in the region. In addition, all new taxa are described and all, with the exception of H. thegaleus, are illustrated. An exsiccatae list is provided.
Cajaninae of Australia (Leguminosae: Papilionoideae)
Authors: Maesen L. J. G. van der
Published: August 2003

An overview is given of the tribe Cajaninae in Australia. The number of species of the papilionoid tribe Cajaninae for the Flora of Australia is 34. Cajanus is represented by 17 species, most of these are endemic to Australia. Dunbaria has two species, Eriosema one and Flemingia eight, most of which are endemic apart from two widely distributed species that were introduced into Australia. Rhynchosia contributes six species, with the pantropical R. minima represented with four varieties. Several varieties distinguished by Domin have been upheld, one is relegated to synonymy.Four new species are described: Cajanus hirtopilosus Maesen, C. geminatus Pedley ex Maesen, Rhynchosia bungarensis Maesen and R. filiformis Maesen. Typification of Dunbaria punctata is discussed and a neotype is designated.
Field inoculation with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in rehabilitation of mine sites with native vegetation, including Acacia spp.
Authors: Bell J. , Wells S. , Jasper D. A. , Abbott L. K.
Published: August 2003

Field experiments were conducted at rehabilitation sites at two contrasting mines in Western Australia. At both mines, Acacia spp. are important components of the rehabilitation ecosystem. At a mineral sands mine near Eneabba, dry-root inoculum of the arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungus Glomus invermaium (WUM 10) was introduced into riplines with three rates of phosphate fertiliser application. Plants were assessed for mycorrhizal colonisation and phosphorus status. There was no plant growth benefit from inoculation. A considerable number of infective propagules of indigenous AM fungi was already present in the topsoil. The inoculant fungus as well as the indigenous AM fungi formed mycorrhizas, but only in a small number of Acacia and other native plant species. In a study of AM fungal inoculation at a gold mine rehabilitation site at Boddington, dry-root inoculum of G.�invermaium was applied to riplines prior to seeding. Despite apparently ideal environmental conditions, colonisation of native seedlings was limited. Possible reasons for this were investigated in further experiments that addressed environmental factors such as soil temperature and moisture and factors such as the age of the plant and presence of a colonised cover crop. Inoculum remained infective even under moist conditions in field soil for at least 4 months. Its infectivity decreased in parallel with falling temperatures. However, the level of infectivity present did not ensure extensive colonisation of native plants such as Acacia seedlings in the field. Susceptibility of Acacia seedlings to colonisation by AM fungi appeared to be seasonal, as colonisation increased with increasing daytime temperatures and daylight hours.
Review of pollen - pistil interactions and their relevance to the reproductive biology of Acacia
Authors: Kenrick J.
Published: August 2003

Some of the published work on the reproductive biology of acacias is reviewed. The material selected refers to a few members of each of the three subgenera: Acacia, Aculieferum and Phyllodineae. Particular reference is made to anatomy, floral development and pollen–stigma interactions. Factors relevant to reproduction, including pollinators, self-incompatibility and fruit set are discussed.
Three new graminicolous species of Curvularia (anamorphic fungi) from Queensland, Australia
Authors: Sivanesan Asaipillai , Alcorn John L. , Shivas Roger G.
Published: August 2003

Three new species of Cuvularia, C. bothriochloae sp. nov., C. micrairae sp. nov. and C. queenslandica sp. nov., isolated from grass hosts in Queensland are described, illustrated and compared with closely related species.
Overview of the generic status of Acacia (Leguminosae: Mimosoideae)
Authors: Maslin B.  R. , Miller J. T. , Seigler D. S.
Published: August 2003

The systematic treatment and circumscription of the group of plants presently recognised as the genus Acacia has a complex history. The genus was first described by Philip Miller in 1754 and until 1842, when George Bentham clearly defined it's generic limits (by restricting the name Acacia to mimosoid plants having numerous free stamens), a number of species which are now referable to genera within tribes Ingeae and Mimoseae had been referred to it. As presently defined, Acacia is a cosmopolitan genus containing in excess of 1350 species and together with the monotypic genus Faidherbia Chev. (which occurs in Africa and the Middle East), comprises tribe Acacieae within subfamily Mimosoideae. The current classification of Acacia views the genus as comprising three large subgenera, namely subg. Acacia (c. 161 species, pantropical), subg. Aculeiferum Vassal (235 species; pantropical) and subg. Phyllodineae (DC.) Seringe (syn. subg. Heterophyllum Vassal) (960 species, largely confined to Australia). In 1986, Pedley proposed that these three subgenera be attributed generic rank, namely Acacia, Senegalia Rafinesque and Racosperma C.Martius, respectively, but this proposal was not widely adopted. Subsequently, the results of monographic and floristic works have greatly expanded knowledge, not only of Acacia, but also of its presumed relatives in tribes Ingeae and Mimoseae. Cladistic analyses of chloroplast genes have been especially informative in developing a better understanding of phylogenetic relationships of the group. The new data clearly show that the genus as presently defined (i.e. Acacia sens. lat.) is not monophyletic. Furthermore, five separate monophyletic groups can be recognised within Acacia sens. lat. and it is recommended that these each be recognised as a distinct genus. The five genera correspond to those recognised by Pedley, except that Senegalia sens. lat. is now regarded as comprising three genera, namely Senegalia sens. str., Acaciella Britton & Rose [based on Acacia subg. Aculeiferum sect. Filicinae (Benth.) Pedley] and an undescribed genus based on a group of species related to Acacia coulteri Benth. Acacia subg. Acacia appears to be located in tribe Mimoseae. The relationships of subg. Phyllodineae, subg. Aculeiferum sens. str., sect. Filicinae, the 'Acacia coulteri' group and Faidherbia are not fully resolved, although in all studies these groups are shown to be monophyletic. Although it is appropriate that each be recognised as a distinct genus, the application of the names Acacia and Racosperma is currently under consideration and it is therefore not appropriate to use these names until this matter is resolved.
Phylogeny of the Sporobolus indicus complex, based on internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequences
Authors: Shrestha Sangita , Adkins Stephen W. , Graham Glenn C. , Loch Donald S.
Published: August 2003

The entire internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region, including the 5.8S subunit of the nuclear ribosomal DNA (rDNA), was sequenced by direct double-stranded sequencing of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplified fragments. The study included 40 Sporobolus (Family Poaceae, subfamily Chloridoideae) seed collections from 14 putative species (all 11 species from the S. indicus complex and three Australian native species). These sequences, along with those from two out-group species [Pennisetum alopecuroides (L.) Spreng. and Heteropogon contortus (L.) P. Beauv. ex Roemer & Schultes, Poaceae, subfamily Panicoideae], were analysed by the parsimony method (PAUP; version 4.0b4a) to infer phylogenetic relationships among these species. The length of the ITS1, 5.8S subunit and ITS2 region were 222, 164 and 218 base pairs (bp), respectively, in all species of the S. indicus complex, except for the ITS2 region of S. diandrus P.Beauv. individuals, which was 217 bp long. Of the 624 characters included in the analysis, 245 (39.3%) of the 330 variable sites contained potential phylogenetic information. Differences in sequences among the members of the S. pyramidalis P.Beauv., S. natalensis (Steud.) Dur & Schinz and S. jacquemontii Kunth. collections were 0%, while differences ranged from 0 to 2% between these and other species of the complex. Similarly, differences in sequences among collections of S. laxus B.K.Simon, S. sessilis B.K.Simon, S. elongatus R.Br. and S. creber De Nardi were 0%, compared with differences of 1–2% between these four species and the rest of the complex. When comparing S. fertilis (Steud.) Clayton and S. africanus (Poir.) Robyns & Tourney, differences between collections ranged from 0 to 1%. Parsimony analysis grouped all 11 species of the S.�indicus complex together, indicating a monophyletic origin. For the entire data set, pair-wise distances among members of the S. indicus complex varied from 0.00 to 1.58%, compared with a range of 20.08–21.44% among species in the complex and the Australian native species studied. A strict consensus phylogenetic tree separated 11 species of the S. indicus complex into five major clades. The phylogeny, based on ITS sequences, was found to be congruent with an earlier study on the taxonomic relationship of the weedy Sporobolus grasses revealed from random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD). However, this cladistic analysis of the complex was not in agreement with that created on past morphological analyses and therefore gives a new insight into the phylogeny of the S.�indicus complex.
Revision of Acacia tumida (Leguminoseae: Mimosoideae) and close allies, including the description of three rare taxa
Authors: McDonald M. W.
Published: August 2003

Acacia tumida F.Muell ex. Benth. is a wide-ranging species in north-western Australia, with high morphological variability. Overseas it is cultivated for firewood, windbreaks and sand stabilisation. To assist in its domestication, the taxonomy of A. tumida is revised and its close allies, A. difficilis Maiden and A. retinervis Benth., circumscribed. The following six new taxa in the A. tumida group are described: A. areolata M.W.McDonald, A.�dissimilis M.W.McDonald, A. seclusa M.W.McDonald (syn. A. tumida var. pubescens Maiden), A. tumida var. extenta M.W.McDonald, A. tumida var. kulparn M.W.McDonald and A. tumida var. pilbarensis M.W.McDonald. A lectotype is designated for A. retinervis. A key to the group, which also includes A. brassii Pedley, A. eriopoda Maiden & Blakely, A. meiosperma (Pedley) Pedley, A. mountfordiae Specht & A. torulosa Benth., is presented. Genetic variation and phylogeny in A. areolata and A. seclusa on the basis of allozymes are briefly discussed. On the basis of present knowledge, three of the new taxa (A. dissimilis, A. seclusa, A. tumida var. extenta) have restricted distributions and warrant formal legislative protection.
Chlorophyllum and Macrolepiota (Agaricaceae) in Australia
Authors: Vellinga Else C.
Published: August 2003

A checklist of and a key to seven species of Chlorophyllum Massee and Macrolepiota Singer in Australia are given. Two species are described as new: C. nothorachodes Vellinga & Lepp from Australian Capital Territory and M. eucharis Vellinga & Halling from Queensland. Chlorophyllum hortense (Murrill) Vellinga is adopted as name for Leucoagaricus fimetarius (Cooke & Massee → Sacc.) Aberdeen. Chlorophyllum brunneum (Farl. & Burt) Vellinga is the correct name for the species often referred to as M. rachodes in Australia. Macrolepiota clelandii Grgur. is variable in colour and especially in the number of spores per basidium and the shape of the cheilocystidia and encompasses all Australian collections under the names M. konradii, M. gracilenta, M. mastoidea and M. procera.
A new endemic Ozothamnus species (Asteraceae) from Tasmania, Australia
Authors: Leeson Kevin E. , Rozefelds Andrew C.
Published: August 2003

Ozothamnus reflexifolius sp. nov. is described from south-eastern Tasmania and is known from only one small, geographically restricted population. It is thought to be closely related to O. lycopodioides Hook.f., O.�scutellifolius Hook.f. and a 'presumed extinct' taxon, O. selaginoides Sond. & F.Muell., in having capitula in sessile clusters, conspicuously anauxotelic inflorescences and leaves with non-revolute or recurved margins. It differs from these species in its strongly reflexed adult leaves. A lectotype is designated for O. selaginoides.
Taxonomic revision of Guichenotia (Lasiopetaleae: Malvaceae s.l. or Sterculiaceae)
Authors: Wilkins C. F. , Chappill J. A.
Published: August 2003

Taxonomic revision of the endemic Western Australian genus Guichenotia J.Gay identified 17 taxa, including seven previously recognised species and 10 new species, which are G. asteriskos C.F.Wilkins, G.�astropletha C.F.Wilkins, G. basivirida C.F.Wilkins, G. glandulosa C.F.Wilkins, G. impudica C.F.Wilkins, G.�intermedia C.F.Wilkins, G. quasicalva C.F.Wilkins, G. seorsiflora C.F.Wilkins, G. tuberculata C.F.Wilkins and G. anota C.F.Wilkins.Cladistic analysis of morphological characters showed Guichenotia to be biphyletic with Guichenotia s.s., forming a clade that, although it has no bootstrap support, shares characters of 3–5 central prominent ribs on the outer surface of each calyx lobe, five carpels and petiolate bracts. G. apetala A.S.George and the closely related new species G. anota C.F.Wilkins ms form a strongly supported clade characterised by one central external rib on the outer surface of each calyx lobe, lobes with a rounded apex that are less than 40% of the total calyx length, leaves with prominent yellow venation on the adaxial surface, a tubular stigma with a rimmed pore where the apical 1/4 of the style is slightly wider than the base and no petals. These two clades are unresolved relative to Lasiopetalum by cladistic analysis of their morphology. Guichenotia s.s. is maintained as a genus, the species of which are revised here, pending clarification of its relationship to Lasiopetalum. The second clade will be described separately when the relationships of the Lasiopetalum–Guichenotia clade have been better resolved. A key is presented for all species of Guichenotia s.l. Descriptions, distribution maps, illustrations and anatomical findings are presented for Guichenotia s.s.
Australasian sequestrate (truffle-like) fungi. XIII. Cystangium (Russulales, Basidiomycota)
Authors: Lebel Teresa
Published: August 2003

Descriptions and illustrations of 11 new species Cystangium bisporum, C. clavatum, C. flavovirens, C.�luteobrunneum, C. macrocystidium, C. pisiglarea, C. shultziae, C. sparsum, C. theodouri, C. trappei and C.�xanthocarpum from Australia are presented. Keys to the sequestrate Russulales genera and all known species of Cystangium from Australia are provided.
Australasian sequestrate (truffle-like) fungi. XIV. Gymnomyces (Russulales, Basidiomycota)
Authors: Lebel Teresa
Published: August 2003

Descriptions of 10 new species Gymnomyces boranupensis, G. clelandii, G. costatisporus, G. eburneus, G. furcatispinus, G. glarea, G. longisporus, G. pterospermus, G. rodwayi and G. westresii from Australia are presented. Illustrations and a key to all known species of Gymnomyces from Australia and New Zealand are provided.
Molecular phylogeny, taxonomy and biogeography of Malaccotristicha australis comb. nov. (syn. Tristicha australis) (Podostemaceae)
Authors: Kato Masahiro , Kita Yoko , Koi Satoshi
Published: August 2003

The systematic relationship of Tristicha australis C.Cusset & G.Cusset in northern Australia was investigated by comparative morphology and molecular phylogeny. Both lines of evidence show that it is most closely related to Malaccotristicha malayana (J.Dransf. & Whitmore) C.Cusset & G.Cusset and distinct from Tristicha trifaria (Bory ex Willd.) Sprengel and consequently the nomenclatural combination of Malaccotristicha australis is made. It is suggested that M. australis rapidly gained its characteristic morphology that is distinct from Malaccotristicha and resembles Tristicha. Phylogeographically, Australian Podostemaceae with two species, M.�australis and Cladopus queenslandicus (Domin) C.D.K. Cook & Rutishauser, are probably derived, compared with the tropical Asian sisters. A key is provided to the species of Tristichoideae to distinguish M. australis and the other species.
Pollination ecology of acacias (Fabaceae, Mimosoideae)
Authors: Stone Graham N. , Raine Nigel E. , Prescott Matthew , Willmer Pat G.
Published: August 2003

We review the pollination ecology of acacias worldwide, discussing (1) the rewards provided to flower visitors, (2) the temporal patterns of flowering and reward provision and (3) the taxonomic composition of flower visitors assemblages. The flowers of most acacias (including all members of the subgenus Phyllodineae) offer only pollen to flower visitors and floral nectar is limited to a minority of species in the subgenera Acacia and Aculeiferum. The most important pollinators of acacias are social and solitary bees, although other insects and nectar-feeding birds are important in specific cases. Acacias that secrete nectar attract far more species-rich assemblages of flower visitors, although many of these are probably not important as pollinators. Most acacias in the subgenus Phyllodineae have long-lived protogynous flowers, without clear daily patterns in reward provision and visitation. In contrast, most members of the other two subgenera have flowers that last for a single day, appear to be protandrous and have clear daily patterning in reward provision and visitation. The generality of these patterns should not be assumed until the pollination ecology of many more phyllodinous acacias has been studied, particularly in arid environments. The accessibility of the floral rewards in acacia flowers makes them important examples of two general issues in plant communities—the partitioning of shared pollinators and the evolution of floral ant repellents.
Simultaneous use of newly adopted simple sensors for continuous measurements of soil moisture and salinity
Authors: Konukcu F. , Istanbulluoglu A. , Kocaman I.
Published: August 2003

Methods available to measure salinity and moisture content in arid and semi-arid regions are limited because of the high salinities and very wide range of water contents (i.e. from saturation near the water table to air dry in the evaporation front). This paper is focused on the instrumentation employed in monitoring salt and moisture profiles in a column study which has wide applicability in salinity research. Experiments were conducted in a specially designed evaporation chamber which provided high evaporative demand as experienced in arid and semi-arid regions. Intensively instrumented soil columns with a constant shallow saline water table were used. Moisture content was measured by thermal conductivity and salinity by 4-electrode probe. In each case, instruments were manufactured specifically for the purpose in order to provide the desired degree of spatial resolution. Two soil types, sandy loam and clay loam, were used. Results indicated that thermal-conductivity probes measured water content over a wide range from saturation to 0.16 m3/m3 for clay loam and to 0.09 m3/m3 for sandy loam soil with great sensitivity (R2 > 0.95) and were unaffected by salt accumulation. The 4-electrode probes provided reliable measurements (R2 > 0.95) of the salinity of the soil solution for the range relevant to agricultural application. However, the accuracy of the probe decreased with the decreases in the water content after permanent wilting point.
The relationship of soil water repellency to aliphatic C and kaolin measured using DRIFT
Authors: McKissock I. , Gilkes R. J. , Bronswijk W. van
Published: August 2003

In general, water repellency by soil increases with the increase of total organic matter and decreases as the clay and silt contents of the soil increase. The prediction of water repellency from soil organic carbon (OC) content may be improved by examining the types of carbon associated with water repellency. This paper examines the hypothesis that measurement of aliphatic C can provide a better prediction of water repellency than measurement of total OC and also looks at the effects of soil texture on water repellency and the amount of aliphatic C in the soil. DRIFT (diffuse reflectance infrared fourier transform) spectra were measured on sandy soils from the West Midland Sandplains north of Perth in Western Australia. The areas of the aliphatic CH stretching signal (3000–2800/cm) and the OH stretching signal due to kaolin (3750–3570/cm) were used as relative measures of aliphatic carbon and kaolin contents. The relationships of aliphatic C and kaolin to water repellency have been examined and compared with the relationships of water repellency to total OC and clay contents of soil.Hydrophobic organic C as measured by DRIFT gave a better prediction of soil water repellency (r2 = 0.45) than did the total OC (r2 = 0.36). The specific hydrophobicity of organic matter (aliphatic C/OC ratio) increased as sand content increased. However, the direct influence of soil texture on water repellency was of more significance than its indirect influence on the amounts and forms of soil organic matter. A multivariate model including aliphatic C and clay + silt content was the best model for describing water repellency (r2 = 0.58). DRIFT is an effective, rapid method for screening soils for water repellent properties.For individual sand grains there was a weak positive relationship (r2 = 0.26) between the size of the aliphatic CH peak measured from surfaces of sand grains and the water repellency of the grains. A discontinuous aliphatic surface layer was present on the surface of individual sand grains.
Effects of addition of flavonoid signals and environmental factors on nodulation and nodule development in the pea (Pisum sativum) - Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. viciae symbiosis
Authors: Junior Mario de A. Lira , Costa Carlos , Smith Donald L.
Published: August 2003

The legume–Rhizobium symbiosis is the most important source of biologically fixed nitrogen in agricultural systems. However, it is complex and sensitive to environmental effects, including available mineral nitrogen, soil salinity, and low root-zone temperature. How these factors inhibit the symbiosis is not well understood. If the effects are mostly on the early stages of nodulation, addition of signal molecule(s) may overcome it. Pisum sativum seeds were germinated and the seedlings were inoculated with bacterial culture and cultivated under controlled environment conditions, studying each of the above nodulation-inhibitory factors, under 3 levels: control (little or no inhibitory condition), and moderately or severely inhibitory conditions. Aspects of nodule development (size and number) were measured with a scanner-based technology. All of the environmental conditions studied had effects on both nodule establishment and development. The addition of either hesperitin or naringenin frequently modified nodule development, most markedly under saline conditions. Flavonoid additions had only small effects under high nitrogen availability conditions, and stronger effects under saline and low root zone temperature conditions.
Interrelationships between edaphic factors potentially limiting cereal growth on alkaline soils in north-western Victoria
Authors: Nuttall J. G. , Armstrong R. D. , Connor D. J. , Matassa V. J.
Published: August 2003

Calcarosols of the Victorian southern Mallee comprise subsoils that are typically saline, sodic, and have high concentrations of soluble boron (B), which have the potential to restrict growth of rain-fed grain crops. This paper reports relationships between various soil factors, from 150 soil profiles over a survey area of 3600 km2, to determine if field texture, pH1:5, electrical conductivity (ECe), and Na+ could be used to estimate exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP) and B. Assessment of soil profiles across 5 layers to 1 m (n = 750) showed that exchangeable Na+ correlated well with both ESP (r = 0.96) and B (r = 0.88). High correlation also existed between ESP and ECe (r = 0.71) and between B and pH1:5 (r = 0.70). Using linear and asymptotic regression functions, ESP overall was defined by: ESP = 1.47 + 2.68 × Na+ (r2 = 93.9) or ESP = 26.53 – 29.84 × 0.84ECe (r2 = 75.5). Boron was described by: B = –0.34 + 3.93 × Na+ (r2 = 76.7) or B = 3.2 × 10–6 × 6.11pH1:5 (r2 = 68.5). Inclusion of multiple explanatory variates, using stepwise multiple regression, did not account for more variation; hence, prediction using several variables simultaneously appeared unnecessary. Rapidly determined Na+, by ion-specific electrode, could also accurately predict sodicity: ESP = 1.31 + 0.03 × Na+ (r2 = 95.1). Soils with a pH1:5 <8.1 were shown to have B levels not potentially toxic to cereal growth. Soil texture also provided valuable estimation of B. Soils in the sand to clay loam texture range did not have levels of B toxic to cereal growth, unlike soils in the light to heavy clay range that frequently had levels of B potentially toxic to cereal growth.
Dispersibility of glacial loess in particle size analysis, USA
Authors: Mays M. D , Nettleton W. D , Greene R. S. B. , Mason J. A.
Published: August 2003

Silt- to sand-size clay aggregates are absent or relatively rare in unweathered glacial loesses, but dominant in parna where they resist dispersion in particle size analysis (PSA). There are reports that some aggregates in glacial loesses also resist dispersion. However, one would expect freeze-dried aggregates to have mostly edge-to-face orientation of the platy clays and to be easily dispersed in PSA. We test this hypothesis in this paper. We selected Midwest and Alaskan soils formed in late-Pleistocene loess derived from glacial outwash and floodplains beyond the late-Pleistocene glacial boundary. Analytical methods are those in use by the National Soil Survey Laboratory. Soil A and B horizons dispersed well as shown by the 1.5 MPa water to clay ratios of <0.6. In the C horizon, silt-size, rounded, compound particles (aggregates) were few to common and randomly distributed. A few were volcanic glass. Other aggregates consisted of carbonates or layer silicates. Layer silicate aggregates dispersed well in PSA, as hypothesised; Fe and carbonate cemented aggregates did not. Most of these dispersed when given an ultrasonic dispersion treatment.