ABSTRACT
Chromosome numbers, morphology, and nucleolus organizer region (NOR) locations are useful cytological characters for taxonomic and evolutionary studies. In this study, we provide the first cytogenetic analysis of Phyllomedusa bahiana and Phasmahyla spectabilis, and report new cytogenetic data on variation in NOR numbers and positions in Phyllomedusa rohdei and Phyllomedusa nordestina using conventional staining, AgNOR-banding, and 45S rDNA fluorescence in situ hybridization. All 4 species showed 2n = 26 chromosomes. P. spectabilis and P. bahiana had only 1 pair of NOR-carrying chromosomes. P. bahiana showed an NOR length polymorphism, and a rare homomorphic self-compatibility for both NOR lengths in anurans. Variation in the number of NOR-bearing chromosomes was found between the sampled populations of P. nordestina, ranging from 3 to 4. This study also clarified previous conflicting results concerning the occurrence of inter- and intra-population NOR variation in P. rohdei. The variation, confirmed by 45S rDNA fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis, was congruent with results obtained from AgNOR-banding in all species.
Subject(s)
Anura/genetics , Nucleolus Organizer Region/genetics , Animals , Anura/classification , In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence , Karyotype , Phylogeny , Polymorphism, Genetic , Population/geneticsABSTRACT
The larval morphology of Hypsiboas leptolineatus was studied. The tadpole has an ovoid body in lateral view, wider than deep; snout rounded with dorsal reniform nostrils; spiracle sinistral with lateral wall attached to body; anal tube dextral; tail fins convex with acuminate tip; oral disc ventral; labial tooth row formula is 2(2)/3(1); moderately developed beaks with serrated jaw sheaths. These external oral features are compared with those of the known tadpoles in the Hypsiboas polytaenius clade. The oral cavity was studied using an electron microscope. Life history aspects are commented.
Subject(s)
Anura/anatomy & histology , Metamorphosis, Biological/physiology , Animals , Anura/classification , Anura/growth & development , Brazil , Larva/anatomy & histology , Larva/growth & development , Larva/ultrastructureABSTRACT
The larval morphology of Hypsiboas leptolineatus was studied. The tadpole has an ovoid body in lateral view, wider than deep; snout rounded with dorsal reniform nostrils; spiracle sinistral with lateral wall attached to body; anal tube dextral; tail fins convex with acuminate tip; oral disc ventral; labial tooth row formula is 2(2)/3(1); moderately developed beaks with serrated jaw sheaths. These external oral features are compared with those of the known tadpoles in the Hypsiboas polytaenius clade. The oral cavity was studied using an electron microscope. Life history aspects are commented.
A morfologia larval de Hypsiboas leptolineatus foi estudada. O girino possui corpo ovóide em vista lateral, mais largo que alto; focinho redondo com narinas dorsais; espiráculo esquerdo, com parede lateral junto ao corpo; tubo anal destro; nadadeiras convexas, com ponta acuminada; disco oral ventral; fórmula dentária 2(2)/3(1); bico córneo moderadamente desenvolvido serrilhado. Estas características externas são comparadas com as dos outros girinos conhecidos do clado Hypsiboas polytaenius. A cavidade oral foi estudada usando microscopia eletrônica. Aspectos de história natural são comentados.
Subject(s)
Animals , Anura/anatomy & histology , Larva/anatomy & histology , Metamorphosis, Biological/physiology , Anura/classification , Anura/growth & development , Brazil , Larva/growth & development , Larva/ultrastructureABSTRACT
The larval morphology of Hypsiboas leptolineatus was studied. The tadpole has an ovoid body in lateral view, wider than deep; snout rounded with dorsal reniform nostrils; spiracle sinistral with lateral wall attached to body; anal tube dextral; tail fins convex with acuminate tip; oral disc ventral; labial tooth row formula is 2(2)/3(1); moderately developed beaks with serrated jaw sheaths. These external oral features are compared with those of the known tadpoles in the Hypsiboas polytaenius clade. The oral cavity was studied using an electron microscope. Life history aspects are commented.
A morfologia larval de Hypsiboas leptolineatus foi estudada. O girino possui corpo ovóide em vista lateral, mais largo que alto; focinho redondo com narinas dorsais; espiráculo esquerdo, com parede lateral junto ao corpo; tubo anal destro; nadadeiras convexas, com ponta acuminada; disco oral ventral; fórmula dentária 2(2)/3(1); bico córneo moderadamente desenvolvido serrilhado. Estas características externas são comparadas com as dos outros girinos conhecidos do clado Hypsiboas polytaenius. A cavidade oral foi estudada usando microscopia eletrônica. Aspectos de história natural são comentados.
ABSTRACT
Inocula from organic-rich black muds immediately underlying intertidal laminated microbial mats dominated by Microcoleus chthonoplastes yielded large, variable diameter spirochetes. These unusual spirochetes, previously reported only from the Alfacs Peninsula at the delta of the Ebro river in northeast Spain, contain striking arrays of cytoplasmic granules packed into their protoplasmic cylinders. On several occasions, both in summer and winter, the huge spirochetes were recognized in samples from mats growing in the Sippewissett salt marsh at Woods Hole Massachusetts. They were also seen in similar samples from microbial mats at North Pond, Laguna Figueroa, Baja California Norte, Mexico. The identity of these spirochetes was confirmed by electron microscopy: number and disposition of flagella, composite structure, measurements of their distinctive cytoplasmic granules. The granules, larger, more conspicuous and present in addition to ribosomes, are hypothesized to contain ATPases. As culture conditions worsen, these spirochetes retract into membrane-bounded round bodies in which they form refractile inclusions. From morphology and behavior we conclude the North American spirochetes from both Atlantic and Pacific intertidal microbial mats are indistinguishable from those at the delta of the Ebro river. We conclude a cosmopolitan distribution for Spirosymplokos deltaeiberi.
Subject(s)
Soil Microbiology , Spirochaetales/isolation & purification , Massachusetts , Mexico , Microscopy, Electron , Seasons , Spirochaetales/classification , Spirochaetales/ultrastructureABSTRACT
Large (up to 100 micrometers long), loosely coiled, free-living spirochetes with variable diameters (from 0.4 to 3 micrometers in the same cell) were seen at least 40 times between August 1990 and January 1993. These spirochetes were observed in mud water and enrichment media from highly specific habitats in intertidal evaporite flats at three disjunct localities, one in Spain and two in Mexico. All three are sites of commercial saltworks. Associated with Microcoleus chthonoplastes the large spirochetes from Spain display phototaxis and a composite organization. Shorter and smaller-diameter spirochetes are seen inside both healthy and spent periplasm of larger ones. Small spirochetes attached to large ones have been observed live. From two to twelve spirochete protoplasmic cylinders were seen inside a single common outer membrane. A distinctive granulated cytoplasm in which the granules are of similar diameter (20-32 nanometers) to that of the flagella (26 nanometers) was present. Granule diameters were measured in thin section and in negatively-stained whole-mount preparations. Based on their ultrastructure, large size, variable diameter, number of flagella (3 to 6), and phototactic behavior these unique spirochetes are formally named Spirosymplokos deltaeiberi. Under anoxic (or low oxygen) conditions they formed blooms in mixed culture in media selective for spirochetes. Cellobiose was the major carbon source in 80% seawater, the antibiotic rifampicin was added, mat from the original field site was present and tubes were incubated in the light at from 18-31 degrees C. Within 1-2 weeks populations of the large spirochete developed at 25 degrees C but they could not be transferred to fresh medium.
Subject(s)
Geologic Sediments/microbiology , Spirochaetales/classification , Environmental Microbiology , Mexico , Microscopy, Electron , Seawater , Spain , Spirochaetales/physiology , Spirochaetales/ultrastructure , Water MicrobiologyABSTRACT
Se estudió a un niño de 19 meses de edad con un cuadro clínico sugestivo de gangliosidosis GM2: facies peculiar, retardo psicomotor severo, espasticidad generalizada, crisis convulsivas tónicas, macrocefalia, pérdida de la función visual y auditiva, reflejos osteotendinosos exaltados y primer dedo de ambos pies en flexión sostenida; manchas rojo cereza en fondo de ojo y atrofia cerebral demostrada por EEG y TAC. Mediante cromatografía de capa fina se identificaron oligosacáridos en diferentes muestras de orina con un patrón cromatográfico característico. La actividad de las hexosaminidasas A y B en el paciente y sus padre fueron compatibles con homocigocidad y heterocigocidad respectivamente, para la deficiencia de ambas enzimas. Estos resultados permitieron precisar el diagnóstico de gangliosidosis GM2 tipo 2 (Enfermedad de Sandhoff). Se señala la importancia de la identificación de la oligosacariduria