In Vitro micropropagation of Acacia auriculiformis from selected juvenile sources

The effects of 6- Benzylaminopurine (BA), different basal medium, sucrose concentration and gelling agent were investigated for shoot induction and multiplication of Acacia auriculiformis. Nodal ex¬plants derived from 5-month-old seedlings yielded the highest shoot multiplication rate in Murashige and Skoog medium (MS) with 0.44 μM BA, 30 g/L sucrose and 2 g/L Gelrite. The highest mean number of shoots (10) and mean length of shoots (5.07mm) were also obtained in this medium. Qualitative obser¬vation of the shoots cultured in 0.44 μM BA were greener and vigorous in growth as compared to shoots cultured on higher concentrations of BA (22.2 μM). MS medium produced a significantly higher number of shoots (18) compared to Woody Plant Medium (WPM) (11) and B5 medium (10). Media solidified with different gelling agents also produced a significantly different number of shoots with 2 g/L Gelrite produced the highest number of shoots (23). The highest percentage of shoots rooted was found in the MS medium without any growth regulators (40.0%) followed by medium supplemented with Indole-3-bu¬tyric acid (IBA) at 9.84 μM and the combination of 9.84 μM IBA with 5.37 μM α-naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) (33.3%). MS medium without any plant growth regulators produced the highest mean root length (84.33mm), whereas medium supplemented with 9.84 μM IBA produced the highest mean number of roots per shoot (4.33). Out planting of in vitro rooted shoots in shredded coconut husk as the substrate gave the highest percentage of survival (90%) during acclimatization in the greenhouse

New cryptic species of the ‘revolutum’ group of Echinostoma (Digenea: Echinostomatidae) revealed by molecular and morphological data

BACKGROUND: The digenean species of Echinostoma (Echinostomatidae) with 37 collar spines that comprise the so-called ‘revolutum’ species complex, qualify as cryptic due to the interspecific homogeneity of characters used to differentiate species. Only five species were considered valid in the most recent revision of the group but recent molecular studies have demonstrated a higher diversity within the group. In a study of the digeneans parasitising molluscs in central and northern Europe we found that Radix auricularia, R. peregra and Stagnicola palustris were infected with larval stages of two cryptic species of the ‘revolutum’ complex, one resembling E. revolutum and one undescribed species, Echinostoma sp. IG. This paper provides morphological and molecular evidence for their delimitation. METHODS: Totals of 2,030 R. auricularia, 357 R. peregra and 577 S. palustris were collected in seven reservoirs of the River Ruhr catchment area in Germany and a total of 573 R. peregra was collected in five lakes in Iceland. Cercariae were examined and identified live and fixed in molecular grade ethanol for DNA isolation and in hot/cold 4% formaldehyde solution for obtaining measurements from fixed materials. Partial fragments of the mitochondrial gene nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide dehydrogenase subunit 1 (nad1) were amplified for 14 isolates. RESULTS: Detailed examination of cercarial morphology allowed us to differentiate the cercariae of the two Echinostoma spp. of the ‘revolutum’ species complex. A total of 14 partial nad1 sequences was generated and aligned with selected published sequences for eight species of the ‘revolutum’ species complex. Both NJ and BI analyses resulted in consensus trees with similar topologies in which the isolates from Europe formed strongly supported reciprocally monophyletic lineages. The analyses also provided evidence that North American isolates identified as E. revolutum represent another cryptic species of the ‘revolutum’ species complex. CONCLUSION: Our findings highlight the need for further analyses of patterns of interspecific variation based on molecular and morphological evidence to enhance the re-evaluation of the species and advance our understanding of the relationships within the ‘revolutum’ group of Echinostoma

Influence of radiation on MHD flow of a Casson fluid and heat transfer over a stretched surface

The effects of radiation on MHD Casson liquid motion and heat transport past a stretchable layer are discussed in this paper. An appropriate transformation considers transforming the model partial differential equations (PDEs) into a system of nonlinear total differential equations (NODE) by using the fourth order Runge-Kutta along shooting approach (R-S method). A comprehensive analysis of different flow terms on velocity profiles and temperature plots are deliberated and accessible diagramatically

Metal Bioavailability in the Sava River Water

Metals present one of the major contamination problems for freshwater systems, such as the Sava River, due to their high toxicity, persistence, and tendency to accumulate in sediment and living organisms. The comprehensive assessment of the metal bioavailability in the Sava River encompassed the analyses of dissolved and DGT-labile metal species of nine metals (Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn) in the river water, as well as the evaluation of the accumulation of five metals (Cd, Cu, Fe, Mn, and Zn) in three organs (liver, gills, and gastrointestinal tissue) of the bioindicator organism, fish species European chub (Squalius cephalus L.).This survey was conducted mainly during the year 2006, in two sampling campaigns, in April/May and September, as periods representative for chub spawning and post-spawning. Additionally, metal concentrations were determined in the intestinal parasites acanthocephalans, which are known for their high affinity for metal accumulation. Metallothionein concentrations were also determined in three chub organs, as a commonly applied biomarker of metal exposure. Based on the metal concentrations in the river water, the Sava River was defined as weakly contaminated and mainly comparable with unpolluted rivers, which enabled the analyses of physiological variability of metal and metallothionein concentrations in the chub organs, as well as the establishment of their constitutive levels

Bioverfügbarkeit, Bioakkumulation und Toxizität der Platingruppenelemente Pt, Pd und Rh in aquatischen Organismen

Bioverfügbarkeit, Bioakkumulation und Toxizität der Platingruppenelemente Pt, Pd und Rh in aquatischen Organismen Förderkennzeichen (BWBÖ 99008) Bernd Sures, Sonja Zimmermann: Zoologisches Institut I, Ökologie-Parasitologie, Geb. 30.43, Universität Karlsruhe, 76128 Karlsruhe Zusammenfassung Seit Beginn der 80iger Jahre werden in Deutschland durch den Einsatz von Autoabgas-katalysatoren in zunehmendem Umfang die katalytisch wirksamen Platingruppenelemente (PGE) Platin, Palladium und Rhodium emittiert. Jedoch ist bisher unklar, ob diese Metalle für die aquatische Biosphäre verfügbar sind, folglich aufgenommen und akkumuliert werden können. Ziel des hier vorgestellten Forschungsvorhabens ist es, mit verschiedenen aquatischen Organismen zunächst die Frage der Bioverfügbarkeit der Kfz-bürtigen PGE zu klären. Im Rahmen dieses Projektes konnte nun erstmalig nachgewiesen werden, dass das bisher aufgrund der schwierigen Spurenanalytik kaum untersuchte Pd bioverfügbar ist. Nach nur vierwöchiger Exposition von Aalen in Hälterungswasser mit Straßensediment (10 kg/100 l) fand sich in der Leber exponierter Aale eine mittlere Pd-Konzentration von 0,18 ± 0,05 ng/g (FS). Sobald die z.Z. noch laufenden Expositionsversuche abgeschlossen sind, lässt sich auch für Pt und Rh die Frage der Bioverfügbarkeit quantifizieren und das Ausmaß der PGE Akkumulation einschätzen. Summary Following the introduction of automobile catalysts in the middle of the 80th there is an increasing emission of the platinum-group-elements (PGE) platinum, palladium and rhodium. Still, it remains unclear if these metals are bioavailable for aquatic organisms and to which extent they become accumulated by the biosphere. To answer these questions experimental studies were conducted with aquatic animals maintained in water containing road dust (10 kg/100 l). Results from a four weeks exposure study revealed for the first time an uptake of automobile catalyst emitted Pd by European eels which showed a mean liver Pd concentration of 0.18 ± 0.05 ng/g (wet weight). By the end of the present exposure studies also the bioavailability of Pt and Rh as well as the degree of the PGE accumulation will become clear