ALBERT

Notizen: The literature on the general subject of freezing and survival both in plants and in animals is briefly reviewed and a bibliography given. Insects representing three ecological groups, (1) the oak borers - exposed to temperature extremes normally; (2) stored-products insects representing supposedly a tropical or subtropical group, and, (3) aquatic insects never exposed to temperatures lower than 0°C., were chosen for this study. Determinations of the freezing and undercooling points were made during the yearly cycle.Both the stored-products insects and the aquatic insects studied showed no periodicity in freezing or undercooling. The oak borers showed marked periodicity. The freezing-point varies directly with the moisture content. Cold-hardiness was produced experimentally by, (1) exposure of insects to low temperatures and, (2) by dehydration. Loss of cold-hardiness was produced experimentally by combinations of high temperature, food, and high relative humidity. The freezing-point ordinarily found corresponds with that of the blood. Repeated freezings of the same insect or tissue showed no hysteresis. There exists in certain insects a secondary freezing-point below that ordinarily found. Oak borers in summer condition die at the first freezing-point; in fully hardened condition they die at the secondary freezingpoint.

Notizen: The ant Formica exsectoides F. builds mounds with some reference to sunlight, and measurements of internal temperatures have shown them higher in upper parts of the mound, but different in different faces of the mound - all higher than the earth outside the mound.Inside temperatures are not constant; they are due to the sunshine. The mound is so fabricated that the internal temperatures are conserved during the night. The ants make use of the differential internal temperatures for rearing broods.Some mounds show bilateral symmetry dependent upon sun exposure.Measurements of rate of running of these ants show a falling off with lower temperatures, and possibly this is one factor in the smaller development of northerly aspects of these mounds.

Notizen: In the early cleavage stages of Ascaris the homologous chromosomes are of unequal length. Measurements show that these homologues fall into two sharply defined groups suggesting their biparental origin. The shorter are considered to have come from the male.As the age of the embryo increases, these differences between the chromosome mates tend to become less, and it is suggested that at some later period in the history of the animal this difference will entirely disappear in response to the effect of continued existence in a common environment. The length of the chromosomes is very slightly shortened during the early cleavage divisions, while the area of the equatorial cross-section of the cells becomes enormously reduced.

Notizen: The rates of oxygen consumption of single pupae of blowflies (Phormia terraenovae, Phormia regina, Lucilia sericata), of the flesh fly (Sarcophaga sarracenioides Aldrich), of the Mediterranean flour moth (Ephestia kuehniella), and of the bee moth (Galleria mellonella) during metamorphosis, until emergence, have been determined. The record for each pupa, with the exception of those of blowflies, is practically continuous day and night during the period of pupal development which lasted from 140 to 300 hours, according to the species, at the temperatures used. During pupal development there is first a period of decrease in rate, which is later followed by a steady increase until a short time before emergence, when a sudden decrease occurs.The ‘oxygen curves’ of the blowfly pupae (Diptera) are quite different from those of the flour-moth and bee-moth pupae (Lepidoptera), although all are of the same general U-shaped type. There are strong indications of a specific difference in the curves of the blow-fly pupae. The flour-moth pupae curves differ slightly from those of the bee-moth pupae. During the major part of development the rates of O2 consumption of pupae of both sexes of bee moth and flour moth are about the same, but near the end of metamorphosis the females have higher rates than the males. No such sex difference appears among the dipterous pupae used.

Notizen: The history of investigations on the contractile vacuole is reviewed briefly and brought up to date.The study of the contractile vacuole in Amoeba proteus is considered from standpoints of origin, structure, behavior, and function. The results are obtained from a prolonged study of normal organisms and from their reactions when introduced into conductivity water.The origin of vacuoles is studied by means of dark-field illumination which reveals the vacuole to be formed from a fusion and coalescence of extremely minute droplets.The retaining ‘wall’ of the contractile vacuole is not a permanent structure, but is in the nature of a condensation membrane, totally disappearing with each contraction.The loci of the contractile vacuoles are not permanent, but vacuoles are formed more or less at random. It is unlikely that they are supported in gelated areas, for amoebae with a dozen vacuoles are quite active and there is no interference with amoeboid movement.Conductivity water increases the size, number, and rate of contraction of contractile vacuoles, which suggests that they may function in maintaining an osmotic gradient as well as in the elimination of metabolic waste.

Notizen: The eggs of Corella develop in the atrial chamber of the parent at a pH below that of normal sea-water (pH 7.4 ±). When removed to normal sea-water in early stages and under certain other experimental conditions, larval development is more or less inhibited, the tail being most inhibited, the dorsal region somewhat less. The free larval stage may be eliminated and later development and metamorphosis may proceed normally to an advanced stage in the chorion and give rise to normal ascidians. The region most inhibited are, in general, those which possess the highest reducing power, as indicated by KMnO4. Experiments made in the attempt to control development all agree in indicating that the early stages are adjusted to a certain CO2 concentration approximately that of the atrial chamber and presumably near that of the body. Solutions of the same pH may or may not inhibit development according to their CO2 content.The tail, the region of highest reducing power in the embryo during its development, is most inhibited; the dorsal region, the next most rapidly reducing region, is next in degree of inhibition. All differences in reducing power disappear when, or soon after, the animals are killed by other agents before treatment with KMnO4.

Notizen: Amoeba proteus was raised in a modified and diluted Ringer solution. When the pH of this culture medium became less than 6.0, the normal activities of the amoebae were interfered with; and when a still lower pH was attained, the amoebae died off. The same was true when the pH became greater than 8.0. At neutrality the activities were subnormal, very dark, and rounded. The rate of locomotion of amoebae raised in solutions with a pH less than 7.0 showed a maximum rate of locomotion at pH 6.6, which decreased as the pH changed in either direction, dropping to a very low rate at pH 7.0 and above and also below 6.0. For amoebae raised at a pH above 7.0 the rate was maximum at pH 7.6 and decreased as the pH changed in either direction; it was low at pH 7.0 and below and also above 8.0.On increasing the external osmotic pressure of the medium it was found that the effects caused varied somewhat with the hydrogen-ion concentration. Small increases in osmotic pressure decreased the rate from the normal at pH 6.0 and 8.0, increased it at pH 6.6 and 7.6, and did not affect it at pH 7.0. Osmotic pressures above that produced by M/20 lactose caused locomotion to cease in a short time at all pH values.

Notizen: The highly specialized cranial musculature of the toadfish is characterized by the following features: 1Absence of intermandibularis and branchiomandibularis muscles.2Presence of levator premaxillaris muscle.3Very large branchial chamber, the outer wall of which is formed by seven branchiostegal rays connected by a strong fascia provided with muscles (oblique levators and adductors).4Highly developed masticator muscles (adductor mandibularis and pterygoids).5The rectus abdominis, sternohyoid, and hyohyoid muscles are attached by a median aponeurosis to the hyoid and basibranchial elements and directly to the hypobranchial cartilages; this muscle complex depresses the buccal floor in opposition to the geniohyoid.6The pelvic fins are in the jugular position.7Two narrow muscles connect the cleithrum with the fourth ceratobranchial.8The cranial musculature is obviously adapted to a carnivorous habit and particularly for increasing respiratory capacity under asphyxial conditions.

Notizen: Blindfolded persons walk, run, swim, row, and drive automobiles in clock-spring spiral paths of greater or less regularity when attempting a straightaway. The spirals turn either right or left in one and the same individual, and may do so even in one experiment. But either right or left turns predominate in the great majority of individuals, often to a high degree. The paths show marked individuality, and there is some ground for thinking there exists a correlation between temperamental differences and general character of path.The mechanism which produces the spiral path is not located in the locomotor organs, but in the central nervous system and is probably identical essentially with the spiral mechanism in other motile organisms, all of which move in spiral paths when there are no guiding senses to direct the path. The clock-spring spiral in man is interpreted as the expression in two dimensions of space of a helical spiral mechanism which seems to exist in all motile organisms moving in three dimensions of space and in amebas which move in two dimensions. In a large number of lower organisms the number of body lengths per spiral turn is almost constant, being about 4.5. The smallest regular swimming spirals in man are very close to this value, but the smallest regular walking spirals are somewhat larger. The fundamental spiral mechanism seems to be of molecular dimensions, and there seems to exist a demonstrable locomotor bilateral asymmetry in very nearly, if not quite, all organisms.

Notizen: A detailed study has been made of the anatomy of one of the fingernail shells, and preliminary observations on the life-history have been carried out. In its general organization Sphaerium notatum is very similar to the larger fresh-water lamellibranchs. A gastric shield, crystalline style, and style sac, very similar to those found in the stomach and intestine of Lampsilis, are present. A pair of slender muscles extending from the dorsal side of the body into the gills, and evidently not previously described, have been found. The nervous system consists of the typical three pairs of lamellibranchiate ganglia, with their connectives, accessory ganglia, and nerve fibers. Particular study was given to the statocysts and osphradia, and attention is called to the fact that the function commonly ascribed to the osphradia is incompatible with their position in the roof of the cloacal chamber.S. notatum, like all the Sphaeriidae, is hermaphroditic and viviparous. The gonads are paired racemose glands lying behind and below the stomach. The sperm-producing follicles form the anterior portion of each gonad and are somewhat smaller and more numerous than the ova-producing follicles which form the posterior portion. The young pass through the early stages of development in brood pouches in the gills and are expelled as relatively enormous individuals.Preliminary observations on the life-history indicate that reproduction reaches its height in the summer and that fertilization probably takes place during the late summer and fall.

Notizen: When Menidia eggs are fertilized with Prionotus sperm, the Prionotus chromosomes react in the Menidia cytoplasmic medium just as they do in the cytoplasm of Fundulus eggs. There is lagging, non-disjunction, and elimination of chromosomes during the early cell divisions. The mitotic behavior of the Prionotus sperm in the Menidia egg also resembles the behavior of the sperm of Ctenolabrus in the same medium. This behavior which was expected from what was known concerning the mitotic behavior of the reciprocal crosses between Menidia and Fundulus and between Ctenolabrus and Prionotus and other intercrosses between the members of these two groups is regarded as a function of the physical state of the egg cytoplasm during the division phase of mitosis. This physical character forms the earliest differential factor in the development of these hybrids and shows no correlation with the width of the cross.A comparison of nine teleost crosses, in which both the development and the early mitotic behavior are known, with a rough numerical estimate of the width of the cross brought out the fact that development is most successful in crosses between nearly related species if mitosis is normal and in distantly related crosses if mitosis is abnormal. This indicates that nuclear relationship is also a factor in the development of hybrids.

Notizen: Virulent hay-infusion cultures of Bacillus pyocyaneus are toxic to pure-line races of three species of paramecia, but these races may acquire a tolerance for this toxic agent. Races with acquired tolerance have been grown for long periods of time in toxic, pure cultures of B. pyocyaneus by means of the daily-isolation culture method, and here the average division rate is as high as, or higher than, in the chance-mixed bacterial cultures in which these protozoa are usually maintained in the laboratory. The tolerance is lost, however, when the paramecia are removed from the toxic cultures and grown for a number of generations in cultures of non-toxic bacteria.The toxic agent that is lethal to paramecía is probably the soluble toxin of B. pyocyaneus. The investigation shows that the agent is soluble and either thermolabile or volatile. It also shows that all deleterious substances, other than the soluble toxin, known to be produced in cultures of this bacillus, are non-lethal to paramecia.Hay-infusion cultures of Bacillus enteritidis were lethal to paramecia. All attempts to develop tolerance in paramecia for the toxic agent in these cultures failed.Under the experimental conditions that prevailed, diphtheria toxin was found to have no appreciable effect upon the division rate or death rate in three species of paramecia.

Notizen: The cupula of the supraorbital neuromast in the lateral line canal of the clown knifefish contains vertical columns. In the central region of the cupula overlying the macula, these columns are densely packed, are relatively constant in size, and run from the base of the cupula to the surface of the cupula which is exposed to canal fluid. There are two types of columns, dark and light, which form elliptical compartments in planes of section that cut across the columns; the cupula therefore has the appearance of mosaic tile in such sections. The dark compartments contain tubules that extend from the base of the cupula at the junction with the macula to the top of the cupula. Each tubule is associated with the kinocilium of a single hair cell. The lateral parts of the cupula, not overlying the macula, also contain compartments, but these compartments differ in size and structure from those in the central region. In addition to the compartments, the central region of the cupula also contains spherical aggregates of droplets. These small aggregates, termed mora, are found principally in a layer within the central region of the cupula, but are also found outside this layer. Because of their light-reflecting properties, the mora can be used for noninvasive optical measurements in vivo of the motion of the cupula.

Notizen: Light and electron microscopic examination demonstrated two types of non-endocrine agranular cells, cavity boundary cells and stellate cells, in the adenohypophysis of the South American lungfish, Lepidosiren paradoxa. The cavity boundary cells line the hypophyseal cleft and diverticulum and display few microvilli, occasional cilia, prominent junctional complexes, and many cytoplasmic microfilaments. The stellate cells are scattered in the glandular parenchyma and are devoid of microvilli and cilia. When adjacent, they are connected to one another by desmosomes. Pinocytotic vesicles or caveolae are frequently seen along the plasma membrane of the agranular cells adjoining the endocrine cells or abutting on the basement membrane. Possible roles of the agranular cells, physically and metabolically supportive functions, are discussed on the basis of their ultrastractural features.

Notizen: The paired organ of Bellonci protrudes from the optic lobe of the giant Antarctic isopod, Glyptonotus antarcticus. It is linked to the cortex by a broad peduncle. No connection to the cuticle or “sensory pore organ” was found. A cluster of sensory-like cells forms two outer ciliary segments branching into numerous microvilli with microtubules. The putative sensory somata are irregular in shape and contain a very high density of glycogen granules. The two outer segments sprout from two pits of the soma in different directions, forming a right angle. Glial cells wrap around the sensory cells and also delimit lacunae into which bundles of microvilli project. These lacunae contain electron-dense granules of small size and with species-specific patterns. Lacunae and dense granules show features typical of a degeneration process in the sensory cells.This general morphology corresponds to the unilobular type of organ of Bellonci, known in other isopods; it differs from the plurilobular type with onion bodies found in other Crustacea.

Notizen: Neuromast structure in Rana cancrivora larvae was observed by scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Neuromast units, each being composed of two or three neuromasts, are arranged in several well-defined lines in the head, body, and tail regions. The structure of neuromasts in these three regions is basically identical. The neuromast is composed of sensory, sustentacular, and mantle cells. The top of each neuromast has a hillocklike appearance, and is surrounded by four to six epidermal cells with tight intercellular junctions. Long kinocilia and many stereocilia occur in the apex of the neuromasts and are surrounded by numerous microvilli. Numerous granules are present on the apical portions of the mantle and the sustentacular cells. Four or five trapeziform mantle cells are connected closely with each other to form the shell of the neuromast. Large intercellular spaces occur between the mantle cells and the cells of the inner epidermal layers, and between the cells of the inner epidermal layer. Thus, at the apical parts of the neuromast intercellular junctions are tight and the intercellular spaces are more dilated in more basal areas. Morphologically the neuromasts of R. cancrivora larvae resemble those of generalized pond anurans, based on the grouping of Lannoo (Journal of Morphology 191:115-129, 1987a), although larvae of this species inhabit brackish water.

Notizen: Orbital gland structure of the Atlantic bottlenose dolphin, Tursiops truncatus, was examined at the macroscopic, light microscopic, and electron microscopic levels. The gland completely encircles the ocular globe in a belt-like fashion near the conjunctival fornix but is considerably more developed medially. Duct openings are scattered throughout the fornix and over the surface of the palpebral conjunctiva. Microscopically, the gland has a tubuloalveolar arrangement; alveolar cells contain numerous secretory vesicles which can be interpreted as two structural types by light and electron microscopy. Histochemical staining demonstrates that both types contain glycosaminoglycans. Lipid analysis of the glandular secretion (dolphin tears) shows them to be non-oily and to contain only negligible amounts of cholesterol, triglycerides, phospholipids, and free fatty acids. The secretion is clear, slippery, and viscoelastic and well-adapted to protecting the eye and to reducing frictional forces between the eye surface and surrounding seawater.

Notizen: The muscle fibers of the feline biceps femoris have tapered ends, across which tension is transmitted to the endomysium. The angle of taper of 11 ends, measured on scanning electron micrographs, varied between 0.16° and 1.18°. The muscle fibers are highly variable in cross-sectional shape. The shape of the fibers has been quantified as the ratio (form factor [FF]) of the measured perimeter to the calculated circumference of a circle having an area equal to that contained by the fiber perimeter. The FF for 173 terminal portions of fibers varied between 1.06 and 1.85 and was found to have a highly significant negative correlation with sarcomere length. The slope of the regression line suggests that the fibers maintain both volume and surface area as they change length. These studies suggest that isovolumic muscle fibers maintain a constant surface area by changing shape as they change length.

Notizen: Salt glands of the domestic duck Anas platyrhynchos differ from those of the herring gull Larus argentatus and other birds. In ducks, each salt gland consists of distinct medial and lateral segments. Centrally located drainage ducts that extend along the entire length of these medial and lateral segments collect hypertonic fluid secreted by an array of lobules. Each lobule is formed by a single mass of branched tubules in which the direction of capillary blood flow is opposite to that of the secreted fluid. This fluid drains from the medial segment through an external duct that opens into the nasal cavity at the base of the vestibular fold. A duct from the lateral segment loops and opens onto the surface of the nasal septum. The structure and function of the secretory cells is reviewed briefly within the context of our study of the configuration of duck nasal salt glands.

Notizen: A contrast radiographic study of pelvic fin drainage in rays reveals considerable differences in patterns of drainage among the species studied. The “typical” shark pattern of drainage, to the lateral abdominal vein, is also found in rays with shark-like morphology. However, variation in the connections of pelvic fin veins to muscular and cutaneous vessels of the pectoral fin occurs in the more “derived” batoid groups, with marked differences between rays of similar external morphology and mode of locomotion. There is a positive association between the pattern of fin drainage and the number of radial cartilages in the posterior (metapterygial) lobe of the pectoral fin. Variation in shark pelvic fin drainage may also be related to differences in pectoral fin morphology.

Notizen: Dissections of Sudan black B stained specimens reveal that, of a complex of medial, intermediate, and lateral muscles of skates, presumed homologous to the cucullaris of sharks, only the lateral muscle is innervated by a branch or branches of the vagus and is inserted, in part, to the fused pharyngobranchials of the caudal visceral arches. The medial and intermediate muscles are supplied by separate branches of rostral spinal nerves and do not attach to the branchial skeleton. The lateral muscle therefore is the most likely homologue of the cucullaris (trapezius) of sharks and perhaps other fishes and tetrapods. The medial and intermediate muscles appear to be part of the axial musculature.

Notizen: An immunocytological study of four different parts of the gut of Helix aspersa clearly demonstrates the presence of many cells and fibers immunoreactive toward antibodies directed to vertebrate (α, β-endorphin, α, β-MSH, ACTH 1-24 and ACTH 17-39, met-enkephalin, somatostatin, insulin, glucagon, P.P., serotonin) or invertebrate (FMRF-amide) peptides.These results are evidence of the presence of different substances related to known peptides or amines in the epithelial and connective tissue cells and nerve fibers of the snail gut. Immunocytochemistry may help to elucidate the morpho-functional characteristics of the enteroendocrine cells of H. aspersa.

Notizen: A histochemical investigation of kidney and lower intestine of the European starling (Sturnus vulgaris) shows no carbonic anhydrase activity in proximal convoluted tubules, although activity is seen in similarly prepared sections of rat proximal tubules. Early distal tubule cells in the starling are stained throughout the cytoplasm and at the apical and highly infolded basolateral membranes. Late distal tubules lose apical activity and have reduced basolateral infolding, resulting in less intense staining. Darkly stained intercalated cells appear in the connecting tubules and cortical collecting ducts. Both of these segments also show intense basolateral staining. Medullary cones of the starling are highly organized, with central zones containing unstained thin descending limbs of loops of Henle, surrounded by both medullary collecting ducts with only scattered cells staining for enzyme, and by thick ascending limb segments. The latter contain many uniformly stained cells intermingled with occasional unstained cells. Scattered cells of the starling colonic villi demonstrate intense apical brush border membrane staining as well as cytoplasmic staining. Cells lining the cloaca stain less intensely. A biochemical assay for carbonic anhydrase was used to quantify enzyme activity in these tissues. Starling kidney contained 1.96 ± 0.33 (mean ± SEM) enzyme units/mg protein, less than half the activity seen in rat kidney. Stripped colonic epithelium contained 0.66 ± 0.15 enzyme units/mg protein. These quantitative results correlate well with the interpretations derived from the histochemical observations. The lack of proximal tubule carbonic anhydrase activity suggests that the avian kidney relies more on distal nephron segments to achieve net acidification of the urine.

Notizen: The orientation of the fibers in the dermis of the tiger salamander, Ambystoma tigrinum, undergoes a dramatic repatterning at metamorphosis. The pre-metamorphic, larval dermis is a tight layer composed of crossed fibers that wind helically around the trunk. This condition is retained by neotenic adults which do not undergo metamorphosis. In contrast, the metamorphosed adult dermis consists of a superficial, loose network of fibers invested with large multicellular glands - -the stratum spongiosum - and a deeper tight layer of fibers - the stratum densum. However, unlike the crossed fibers of the pre-metamorphic dermis, there is no preferred orientation to the fibers in either layer of the post-metamorphic dermis.In order to evaluate whether these two distinctly different fiber patterns are constructed from biochemically similar fibers, the collagen types present in the pre- and post-metamorphic dermis were determined using SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Type I collagen is the predominant collagen of the dermis and the same major collagen types are present for all individuals, whether preor post-metamorphic. Thus, the major types of collagen that compose the dermal fibers do not change during metamorphic repatterning of the dermis.

Notizen: In the first half of this century, several workers observed small, seemingly glandular structures attached to the ampullate glands of spiders. Hence, they were termed accessory ampullate glands. In juvenile Araneus cavaticus, two pairs of these structures are present (starting at least with third instars), one pair attached to the major ampullate (MaA) glands and the other pair attached to the minor ampullate (MiA) glands. In adults, two pairs of accessory MaA glands and two pairs of accessory MiA glands are present. The two latter-formed pairs of accessory ampullate glands are clearly the remnants of those ampullate glands which atrophy shortly after adulthood is reached. Morphological similarities between these accessory ampullate glands and those present in juveniles provide an indication that the latter also have their origin in functional ampullate glands.A reduction in the number of ampullate glands following the last molt occurs in many spiders. The reason(s) for these reductions is unknown. In penultimate spiders close to ecdysis, we have observed that while the larger pairs of MaA and MiA glands (those that are retained in the adult) are undergoing molt-related changes which apparently render them nonfunctional, their smaller counterparts are seemingly unaffected and functional. This raises the possibility that the principal role of the smaller ampullate glands may be to assume functions during the pre-ecdysial period which are normally in the domain of the larger ampullate glands. If true, then their degeneration after the last molt would make economic sense.The presence of cylindrical spigots in juvenile females starting with fourth instars is documented.

Notizen: Three basic types of cells are distinguished in the rat vomeronasal epithelium at birth: bipolar neurons, supporting cells, and basal cells. Neurons at this time include both immature and differentiated cells. By the end of the first postnatal week, all neurons show morphological signs of maturity in their cytoplasm, including abundant granular and smooth endoplasmic reticulum, neurotubules, dense lamellar bodies, apical centrioles, and tufts of microvilli. During the third week microvilli are more frequently encountered and appear to be longer and more branched. Supporting cells appear well-developed by the second day after birth. During the first ten days of life, supporting cells lose their centrioles and all of the complex associated with ciliary generation in the apical zone. Basal cells appear to be more numerous in newborns than in older animals. Protrusions projecting into the lumen are frequently observed in the epithelium of newborn animals, both on the dendrites of neurons and on supporting cells. After the third week, such protrusions are only observed in the transitional zone between the sensory and the non-sensory epithelia of the vomeronasal tubes. In this transitional zone, a fourth cell type showing apical protrusions with microvilli differentiates. Cytoplasm in this type resembles that of neighboring ciliated cells but has no cilia or centrioles. These transitional cells are considered to be cells in an intermediate state of differentiation, between that of the differentiated neurons and supporting cells of the sensory epithelium and that of the predominate ciliated cells of the non-sensory epithelium. The results suggest that by the end of the third week the vomeronasal epithelium is morphologically mature.

Notizen: The wall of the stomach of the tigerfish is described and compared with that of other vertebrates. Light microscopic and ultrastructural characteristics of the stomach wall correspond to a large extent to those of other vertebrates, although some differences are found. The mucosa contains (1) surface epithelium characterized by narrow columnar cells with abundant mucous granules; (2) gastric glands consisting of pepsinogenic cells of variable height, containing tubulovesicles and bearing microvilli; (3) five granulated cell types located basally in the epithelium (types 1-5); and (4) lamina propria and muscularis mucosae. Connective tissue separating smooth muscle fibers of the muscularis mucosae constitutes a stratum compactum. The submucosa contains a loose connective tissue, a tunica muscularis of inner circular and outer longitudinal layers, and a serosa of mesothelium and subjacent connective tissue. Immunocytochemical tests with antisera to five polypeptides show gastrin/cholecystokinin (CCK), vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) immunoreactivities in some cells of the gastric glands, and somatostatin in cells lying among epithelial cells lining the gastric luminal surface or gastric pits.

Notizen: Previous studies by Stephens and McNulty and Strecker and Stephens have demonstrated that foil barriers placed between the mesonephros and lateral plate at stages 12 to 15 inhibited limb development, but foil barriers placed between the neural tube and somites at stages 11 to 12 resulted in limbs with normal skeletal patterns. It was concluded that some influence present in the paraxial region of the embryo at stages 11 to 15 is necessary for normal limb development. The present study was undertaken to localize that influence more precisely. Foil barriers were placed in the lateral edge of the somites or segmental plate of stage 10 to 15 chick embryos. Barriers placed into stage 13 to 15 embryos resulted in chicks with normal limbs, but barriers placed into stage 10 to 11 embryos resulted in chicks with defective limbs. Barriers inserted just lateral to Hensen's node at stages 6 to 8 resulted in embryos with defective or absent wings. We also grafted stage 4 to 9 presumptive limb territories with and without Hensen's node. Explants without Hensen's node formed limb-like structures in 1% of the cases. Explants with Hensen's node formed limb-like structures in 27% of the cases. When barriers were implanted and a node was placed on the lateral side of the barrier, limbs formed in 40% of the cases. These data suggest a medial to lateral progression of some as yet unknown morphogenetic influence necessary for normal limb development and we hypothesized that the influence may initially emanate from Hensen's node.

Notizen: The limb bone skeleton of the moa, a family of extinct ratite birds endemic to New Zealand, is described with particular reference to the anatomical and functional significance of osteological landmark form variation. The results generally support the existing classification of moa. Four genera, Megalapteryx, Anomalopteryx, Dinornis, and Pachyornis, were found to be evolved within moa, with Emeus and Euryapteryx possibly being more primitive. Megalapteryx was found to be less mobile than other moa genera. The Dinornis species were found to be more cursorial and more mobile relative to other moa. They may also have had a different center of gravity. A marked development of the lower leg in Anomalopteryx suggested a digging habit associated with food procurement.

Notizen: A detailed description of muscular and skeletal features of the pelvi-cloacal region of the amphisbaenian Blanus cinereus reveals that the species has real hind limbs articulating with a real pelvic girdle. Arguments support this homology: 1) a link with the vertebral column; 2) a movable articulation, showing all the features of a diarthrosis, between the femur and the acetabulum; 3) all the long bone characteristics for the femur which distally bears a horny element. The morphological peculiarities of the amphisbaenian pelvic girdle are generally close to those of lizards, but the pubis seems to be more reduced. For the same number of precloacal vertebrae, the amphisbaenians have more appendicular elements than lizards have, and this composition recalls that of the Leptotyphlopidae, Aniliidae, and Boidae. The account provides more information concerning the aponeuro-tendinous system associated to the skeleton of the girdle and the hindlimb, the musculature, and the interrelations between the different structures of the pelvi-cloacal region.

Notizen: Programmed cell death is an integral and ubiquitous phenomenon of development that is responsible for the reduction of wing size in female moths of Orgyia leucostigma (Lymantriidae). Throughout larval and pupal life, cells of the wing epithelium proliferate and interact to form normal imaginal discs and pupal wings in both sexes. But at the onset of adult development, most cells in female O. leucostigma wings degenerate over a brief, 2-day period. Lysosomes and autophagic vacuoles appear in cells of the wing epithelium shortly after it retracts from the pupal cuticle. Hemocytes actively participate in removing the resulting cellular debris. By contrast, epithelial cells in wings of developing adult males of O. leucostigma do not undergo massive cell death. Wing epithelium of female pupae transferred to male pupal hosts behaves autonomously in this foreign environment. By pupation, cells of the female wing apparently are committed to self-destruct even in a male pupal environment. Normal interactions among epithelial cells within the plane of a wing monolayer as well as between the upper and lower monolayers of the wing are disrupted in female O. leucostigma by massive cell degeneration. Despite this disruption, the remaining cells of the wing contribute to the formation of a diminutive, but reasonably proportioned, adult wing with scales and veins.

Notizen: We describe the localization of lipids in the wall and superficial ooplasm of the largest avian ovarian follicles by the use of different fixatives and light and electron microscopy. We demonstrate that each yolk globule is always accompanied by one or more highly osmiophilic and sudanophilic alcohol insoluble yolk masses, which we have called satellite yolk. Together with the protein containing yolk globule it forms an integral morphological part of a compartmentalized, bipartite yolk system. Cytochemical, histoautoradiographic, biochemical, and light and electron microscopical aspects of satellite yolk were studied. At the start of satellite yolk formation in the 3-4 mm diameter follicle (when the oocyte begins to yellow) the distribution of the microcirculation of the follicle wall becomes printed on the underlying superficial ooplasm of the oocyte. The oocyte then presents so-called yolk mountains (containing satellite yolk), only localized below the thecal capillary sinus and not below the efferent and radially perforating thecal veins (black hole regions). We also describe the structural continuity between the thecal intercellular spaces and the microvilli-associated extracellular spaces of the granulosa cells via the basement membrane. The thecal cells present centripetal extensions into the basement membrane and the basement membrane material extends centripetally into the granulosa microvillar channels. Therefore, at least two cellular barriers are crossed when fat or fat precursors are transported from the thecal capillary sinus to the ooplasm.

Notizen: Embryos of the poeciliid Heterandria formosa develop to term in the ovarian follicle in which they establish a placental association with the follicle wall (follicular placenta) and undergo a 3,900% increase in embryonic dry weight. This study does not confirm the belief that the embryonic component of the follicular placenta is formed only by the surfaces of the pericardial and yolk sacs; early in development the entire embryonic surface functions in absorption. The pericardial sac expands to form a hood-like structure that covers the head of the embryo and together with the yolk sac is extensively vascularized by a portal plexus derived from the vitelline circulation. The hood-like pericardial sac is considered to be a pericardial amnion-serosa. Scanning and transmission electron microscopy reveal that during the early and middle phases of development (Tavolga's stages 10-18 for Xiphophorus maculatus) the entire embryo is covered by a bilaminar epithelium whose apical surface is characterized by numerous, elongate microvilli and coated pits and vesicles. Electron-lucent vesicles in the apical cytoplasm appear to be endosomes while a heterogeneous group of dense-staining vesicles display many features characteristic of lysosomes. As in the larvae of other teleosts, cells resembling chloride cells are also present in the surface epithelium. Endothelial cells of the portal plexus lie directly beneath the surface epithelium of the pericardial and yolk sacs and possess numerous transcytotic vesicles. The microvillous surface epithelium becomes restricted to the pericardial and yolk sacs late in development when elsewhere on the embryo the non-absorptive epidermis differentiates. We postulate that before the definitive epidermis differentiates, the entire embryonic surface constitutes the embryonic component of the follicular placenta. The absorptive surface epithelium appears to be the principle embryonic adaptation for maternal-embryonic nutrient uptake in H. formosa, suggesting that a change in the normal differentiation of the surface epithelium was of primary importance to the acquisition of matrotrophy in this species. In other species of viviparous poeciliid fishes in which there is little or no transfer of maternal nutrients, the embryonic surface epithelium is of the non-absorptive type.

Notizen: The flagellum of the thysanopteran spermatozoon has been examined by electron microscopy and computer-aided image analysis. The flagellum consists of 27 microtubular elements that probably are formed as outgrowths from three separate basal bodies. Nine of the elements are normal microtubular doublets that carry dynein arms and nine are doublets without dynein arms. The remaining nine elements are microtubular singlets that apparently bear dynein arms and have the same appearance as A-subtubules of microtubular doublets. The 27 elements are arranged in a fixed pattern that consists of nine groups, each of which begins with a microtubular singlet and ends with an arm-less microtubular doublet. Computer-aided image analysis has shown that the A-subtubules of the doublets and the microtubular singlets have lumens with very similar patterns. The sperm tail is known to have some motility; it generates fast waves running along its length. The amalgamated axonemes hence act as a functional flagellum. The thysanopteran sperm tail is the only type of flagellum known to us that consists of microtubules in a highly asymmetric array.

Notizen: Many arachnids lack extensor muscles at the femoropatellar (knee) joint of their legs and extend this joint with hydraulic pressure during locomotion. Pressure is generated through compression of the prosoma, but there is disagreement about which muscles are involved in this process. Many arachhnologists consider contraction of the musculi laterales, a group of modified extrinsic leg muscles, as the cause of high prosomal pressure and regard hydraulic extension as a derived feature. However, integration of results from phylogenetic and comparative anatomical studies supports the view that hydraulic extension is primitive in Arachnida and that fluid pressure is generated by contraction of endosternal suspensor muscles.The functional predictions of the musculi laterales and endosternite hypotheses were tested by measuring muscle activity and prosomal pressure during unrestrained locomotion in a primitively “extensorless” arachnid, the giant whipscorpion. The results corroborate the endosternite model and refute the musculi laterales model. Changes in the prosomal pressure baseline were correlated with changes in endosternal muscle activity, while the musculi laterales fired in a step-coupled pattern of discrete bursts that appeared to be incapable of generating the pressure observed during locomotion. Step-coupled fluctuations in prosomal pressure were observed but were apparently caused by rapid flexing of the femoropatellar joints of the fourth leg pair rather than contraction of the musculi laterales.

Notizen: In the fungiform papilla of Rana esculenta (Anura Ranidae), the Ca++-ATPase is mainly distributed on the basolateral membrane of the sensory area cells (i.e., neuroepithelial, supporting, and mucous cells). Apical membranes of all cells facing the surface present a slight enzymatic activity. Lateral wall cells have a strong Ca++-ATPase activity on basolateral and apical membranes. Strong Na+, K+-ATPase activity occurs on the apical surface of neuroepithelial cells. Ca++-ATPase activity is absent on the surface of endothelial cells of the capillaries located under the sensory area. These observations lead us to conclude that the sensory area of fungiform papilla is the selective way for calcium influx. Furthermore the absence of ATPase activity on the surface of the endothelial cells indicates that there is no functional barrier to calcium influx into capillary, and that calcium can be removed by vessels from the sensory area.

Notizen: Spermatogenesis and sperm ultrastructure were studied by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) in the longidorid Xiphinema theresiae. All germ cell stages, except spermatogonia, are present in the testes of young adult males. The nonflagellated, slightly elongated sperm displays little intraspecific variation and, although never polarized into a head and tail region, has a remarkably precise form, with a high degree of internal organization. Incipient fingerlike pseudopodia appear in the young spermatid and increase to such an extent that the adult sperm has a conspicuous “woolly” appearance. Microfilament bundles encircle the perinuclear mitochondria in the spermatid, and seem to be closely associated with the evaginated plasma membrane, especially in the spermatozoon. A large nucleus with nuclear envelope is prominent in the spermatocyte, but the envelope is absent in the young spermatid. Mitochondria are present in all germ cell stages and undergo certain morphological changes (e.g., in size and number, presence or absence of cristae), as well as changes in intracellular movements during spermatogenesis. Membranous organelles are prominent in the spermatocyte, but disappear in the older spermatid. Annulate lamellae and a residual body (i.e., cytophore) are conspicuous in the spermatocyte and spermatid, respectively; the spermatozoon clearly lacks a refringent body (i.e., acrosome).

Notizen: The morphology and distribution of muscle spindles of jaw and tongue muscles in the mallard were examined in serial transverse sections of single muscles and in horizontal sections of a whole head. Our observations on spindle morphology are in agreement with previous descriptions of spindles in birds. Some spindles differ in their innervation and the pattern of intrafusal muscle fibers. The spindles of individual adductor and pterygoid muscles are distributed unevenly. Some adductor muscles lack spindles, whereas those of other muscles are confined to limited areas. Jaw opening muscles and extrinsic tongue muscles lack spindles. The stretch of extrafusal muscle fibers could be estimated from the difference in sarcomere length for birds with the beak open and closed. Not all muscle fiber groups are stretched evenly over the whole range of jaw opening. Only those fiber groups that are continuously stretched during jaw opening contain spindles.

Notizen: Living embryos of three species of South American annual fishes, Cynolebias constanciae, C. nigripinnis, and C. whitei, were observed from fertilization through the 10-somite stage. A description of normal stages of development applicable to all three species of Cynolebias is presented. Cleavage (stages 1-10) is meroblastic and produces a typical teleost blastoderm. Following cleavage (stages 11-13) blastomeres segregate into two populations, viz., (1) a population of deep blastomeres that will disperse as single motile cells, and (2) a hemispherical shell of outer blastomeres that flattens to form an enveloping cell layer (EVL). When epiboly of the EVL and the yolk syncytial layer (YSL) commences (stage 14), deep blastomeres clump together as a consolidation mass and then migrate outward as single cells on the YSL. When epiboly is concluded (stage 19), deep blastomeres have completely dispersed. If diapause does not intervene, the dispersed phase lasts only a few days. Subsequently, the dispersed cells come together to form a definitive aggregate (stage 27). Embryogenesis within the reaggregated mass of previously dispersed cells produces a typical teleost embryo.Early development in Cynolebias resembles that of other South American annual fishes, such as Austrofundulus, in that a phase of deep blastomere dispersion and reaggregation spatially and temporally separates epiboly from embryogenesis. Several features of development markedly differ from Austrofundulus. There are far fewer (250 vs. 2,500) deep blastomeres. Deep cells of Cynolebias are flattened rhomboids with filipodial extensions in contrast to the amoeboid cells of Austrofundulus. Blastomeres of dispersion and reaggregation stages in Cynolebias send out numerous cell surface extensions onto the YSL and in contact with one another, and often line up in rows as do some African annual fishes, e.g., Nothobranchius. During Dispersion II (stage 21), Reaggregation I (stage 22), and Reaggregation II (stage 23), deep cells move in an oriented pattern with respective mean velocities of 3.48 ± 0.91, 1.28 ± 0.46, and 1.31 ± 0.31 μm/minute. Cells move toward a granular mass of unknown composition, located at the YSL-yolk interface in the lower hemisphere of the egg. This mass appears to coincide with the site of cell reaggregation.

Notizen: Several surfperches (Embiotocidae), including the black surfperch, Embiotoca jacksoni, exhibit a specialized prey handling behavior known as winnowing, in which ingested food and non-nutritive debris are separated within the oropharyngeal cavity. Prey items are swallowed, and unpalatable material is ejected from the mouth. Winnowing is believed to play an important role in the partitioning of food resources among sympatric embiotocids. We present a mechanistic model for this separative prey processing based on high-speed video analysis, cineradiography, electromyography, and buccal and opercular cavity pressure transducer recording.Winnowing by embiotocids is characterized by premaxillary protrusions repeated cyclically with reduced oral gape. Protrusion is accompanied by depression of the hyoid apparatus and adduction of the opercula. Alternating expansion and contraction of the buccal and opercular cavities generate regular pressure waveforms that indicate bidirectional water flow during processing. Separation of food from debris by Embiotoca jacksoni occurs in three phases. The prey-debris bolus is transported anteriorly and posteriorly within the oropharyngeal cavity and is then sheared by the pharyngeal jaws. Mechanical processing is complemented by the rinsing action of water currents during hydraulic prey transport.The feeding apparatus of Embiotoca jacksoni is functionally versatile, although not obviously specialized relative to that of nonwinnowing surfperches. Protrusion of the premaxillae and depression of the hyoid apparatus are critical to both prey capture and subsequent prey processing. The pharyngeal jaws exhibit kinematic patterns during separation of food from debris distinct from those observed during mastication of uncontaminated prey. This behavioral flexibility facilitates resource partitioning and the coexistence of E. jacksoni in sympatric embiotocid assemblages.

Notizen: Quantifying shape is a broad problem in the morphological sciences. Most techniques for numerically describing shape abstract the shape into the most logical ideal Euclidean dimension. The fractional, or fractal, dimension is a simple computation that expresses shape in real, rather than ideal, space. The structured walk technique developed for the fractal analysis of rugged boundaries is applied here to the contour of the human sagittal suture in order to discriminate the separate morphological patterns of interfingering and interlocking. These attributes contribute differentially to the suture's “complexity,” a concept often used in biomechanical hypotheses. Previous techniques for estimating sutural complexity do not isolate small-scale from large-scale morphological patterns. Results indicate that despite the visual appearance of great variation, human sagittal sutures are remarkably consistent in the degree of complexity expressed separately by large-scale interfingering lateral excursions and small-scale interlocking ruggedness. There is no significant correlation between the absolute or bregma-lambda chord length of the human sagittal suture and its degree of complexity as determined by the structured walk technique.

Notizen: Spermatophores in a squid, Todarodes pacificus, were observed by light and electron microscopy and were further analyzed by X-ray microanalysis (XMA) of frozen thin sections. Each spermatophore consists of a sperm mass, a cement body, an ejaculatory apparatus, and some fluid materials, all of which are covered by an outer tunic. The outer tunic consists of about 20 membranous layers, each containing straight, parallel microgrooves. Each layer's microgroove pattern is roughly in an orthogonal arrangement with respect to the next layer's pattern. The sperm mass, which is the only cellular component, consists of a sperm rope which is coiled more than 500 times. Most of the spermatozoa in the rope are arranged regularly and are enveloped in materials which are well-stained by Alcian blue. The cement body is located between the sperm mass and ejaculatory apparatus and has a hard outer shell with an arrowhead-like structure, presumably for penetration into the tissue of the female. Calcium and phosphorus are present in the shell of the cement body, which also has an affinity for alizarin red. The ejaculatory apparatus consists of two tubes, designated as the inner tunic and the inner membrane.After the spermatophoric reaction, a sperm reservoir is formed at the anterior end of the extruded and inverted ejaculatory apparatus. The sperm reservoir, which encases the sperm mass, is composed of the cement body at the anterior end and the inner tunic of the ejaculatory apparatus at the posterior end.

Notizen: Spermiogenesis in the South American leptodactylid frog Odontophrynus cultripes was analyzed ultrastructurally. The spermatids undergo morphological modification while still enclosed in microtubule-rich processes of Sertoli cells. Electron-dense plates resembling junctional structures appear in regions at which the spermatids lie in close contact with the surface of Sertoli cell processes. Spermatid differentiation can be divided into five distinct stages based mainly on chromatin condensation. In the late stages, the densely compacted chromatin loses reactivity to ethanolic phosphotungstic acid (E-PTA). Helical arrangements of microtubules appear in the cytoplasm that surrounds the spermatid nucleus after the second stage. The acrosomal vesicle differentiates into a cone-shaped acrosome that caps the anterior region of the nucleus. The connecting piece, located in the flagellum implantation zone, has transverse striations, and is continuous with the axial rod. The tail is formed by a 9 + 2 axoneme, an undulating membrane, and an axial rod that is rich in basic proteins as demonstrated by E-PTA staining.

Notizen: Morphology of the chromaffin cells of Triturus cristatus during a complete annual cycle has been investigated. General ultrastructural characteristics are similar for all chromaffin cells, including numerous small mitochondria, well-developed Golgi apparatus and rough endoplasmic reticulum with short cisternae. The primary difference among cells is the type of the chromaffin granules they posses. These are of two kinds: adrenalin (A) and noradrenalin granules (NA). Both types are simultaneously present in the chromaffin cells but with different ratios during the year. During December-January and May-August, NA granules largely prevail, while in September-November and February-April, A and NA granules are present in about equal quantities. The total quantity of catecholamine granules, however, is relatively constant throughout the year. These findings suggest that T. cristatus has a single type of chromaffin cell, the granule content of which varies according to different functional states. The catecholamines are apparently discharged by exocytosis.

Notizen: The palatoquadrate and associated dermal bones have significant evolutionary transformations among teleostomes and provide numerous features that characterize teleostomian subgroups. The palatoquadrate forms the upper part of the mandibular arch and is present as a single cartilaginous element in the early ontogeny of teleostomes, except for some advanced teleosts such as siluroids where it is divided into pars autopalatina and pars pterygoquadrata. During ontogeny, the palatoquadrate may ossify as a unit, with a pars autopalatina (absent in Acanthodii), pars quadrata, and pars metapterygoidea in teleostomes (e.g., primitive acanthodians and actinopterygians, onychodonts, and rhipidistians). However, the palatoquadrate may remain cartilaginous (e.g., chondrosteans) or it may ossify as separate elements (e.g., autopalatine, metapterygoid, and quadrate) as occurs in advanced acanthodians, Polypterus and advanced actinopterygians, and advanced actinistians. From the single-unit pattern, separate autopalatine, metapterygoid, and quadrate evolve in parallel in the three teleostomian subgroups. Therefore, it is necessary to distinguish between actinopterygian and actinistian autopalatines and among acanthodian, actinopterygian, and actinistian metapterygoids and quadrates. A palatoquadrate fused with the neurocranium occurs in parallel in dipnoans.There are differences in the timing of ossification of the autopalatine, metapterygoid, and quadrate. The autopalatine ossifies late in ontogeny in Polypterus, Amia, and primitive teleosts (absent in lepisosteids and osteoglossmorphs), whereas both metapterygoid and quadrate ossify early in ontogeny. The early ossification of the autopalatine is characteristic of clupeocephalan teleosts. During ontogeny, tooth plates (not forming a separate dermometapterygoid) fuse with the metapterygoid in actinopterygians.Pars autopalatina, pars metapterygoidea, and pars quadrata are regions at the three corners of the single-unit palatoquadrate present in primitive teleostomes; there are no clear limits among these regions, but they may be identified by their processes, articular facets, and topographical relationships with surrounding bones and the orbit. Autopalatine, metapterygoid, and quadrate are chondral bones, perichondrally ossified. Dermal elements such as dermopalatine(s), entopterygoid, ectopterygoid, and tooth plates may cover the palatoquadrate medially. The predermopalatine that originates in front of pars autopalatina in Cladistia and the “dermopalatine” that lies medial to the ectopterygoid in Ginglymodi are specializations of these groups. A dermopalatine fused with the autopalatine is characteristic of clupeocephalan teleosts. Highly specialized tendon bone pterygoids are found in some teleosts (e.g., siluroids). The presence of both maxilla and lacrimal lateral to the pars autopalatina is synapomorphous of osteichthyans. The eye supported by the bony palatoquadrate is a teleostomian synapomorphy. Dermal elements support the eye in actinopterygians, the entopterygoid in advanced actinopterygians, but the ectopterygoid in lepisosteids.A quadratojugal is a synapomorphy of osteichthyans but exhibits a number of transformations in connection with the vertical pit-line and the preopercular canal; a quadratojugal bearing the vertical pit-line is the primitive condition for osteichthyans. Ontogenetic evidence does not support the homology of the membranous posterior process of the teleostean quadrate with the quadratojugal. The lack of a quadratojugal and the presence of the elongate posterior or posteroventral process of the quadrate is a synapomorphy of teleosts.

Notizen: The investigation is based upon hemal nodes of dog, man, and sheep. The material can be arranged in a regressive series leading from a typical lymph node, except for the occurrence of blood in parenchyma and sinuses, to a lymphoid structure at a late stage of involution. These structures uniformly lack lymphatics. There is no evidence of direct luminal connection between the blood-vascular supply and the sinuses. The observation that certain cervical and subcutaneous lymph nodes of the rabbit undergo a myeloid metaplasia following atrophy and disjunction of their lymphatics is used as an explanatory key of hemal nodes. According to our view, hemal nodes represent stages in the involution of transient lymph nodes. Disjunction of the lymphatics leaves the sinuses filled with entrapped lymphocytes. These differentiate into erythrocytes. These red blood cells may disintegrate and pass into solution or be removed either by giant cells or mononuclear phagocytes. Late stages in this process are represented by small irregular masses of lymphocytes, with wide sinuses practically free of blood.

Notizen: A description is given of the cytoplasmic alterations in the ovarian egg of Limulus polyphemus leading to the formation of yolk. The nucleolus is found to arise by the confluence of substance which passes from the cytosome into the nucleus, and it is suggested that the chondriosomes, and possibly also the dictyosomes, are derived from an excess of this substance which accumulates in the cytosome. Chondriosomes and dictyosomes are not present in the oogonia, but appear first in oocytes after the formation of the nucleolus is completed.During oogenesis the nucleolus is very active and the greater part of its substance is passed back to the cytosome. By the application of the method of Bell and Doisy for the determination of phosphate in body fluids, the nucleolus is found to be richer in phosphorus than are the other constituents of the cell. The nucleolar emissions effect the transport of phosphorus from the nucleus to the cytosome, where it is used in the synthesis of yolk. The definitive yolk arises by the interaction of nucleolar emissions, chondriosomes, dictyosomes, and ground cytoplasm.

Notizen: Conjugating individuals of Metopus sigmoides fuse at the anterior end, the pair presenting the appearance of an inverted letter U. The micronucleus of each conjugant by two successive divisions forms four micronuclei. Three of each four degenerate and the fourth by division forms the pronuclei. Cytoplasm and pronuclei from one conjugant pass over into the other, leaving the old macronucleus and a minimum of cytoplasm behind in the shrunken pellicle of the smaller conjugant, which then separates from the larger one. In the larger exconjugant two pronuclei fuse, forming the functional synkaryon; the two residual pronuclei degenerate and disappear. The synkaryon divides. One of the daughter nuclei condenses into the new micronucleus, the other grows into the new macronucleus. The old macronucleus liquefies and is absorbed. The larger exconjugant, after losing its cilia, secretes a cyst wall about itself and becomes dormant. The whole process requires at least six days for its consummation.

Notizen: In conjugation fusion occurs along the entire oral surfaces of the proboscides of Dileptus gigas. Two size-reducing divisions occur in rapid succession immediately preceding conjugation. Only one of the many micronuclei takes part in the process of nuclear reorganization. All other chromatic material is massed at this time in the posterior portions of the conjugants. The pronuclei are derived from the single active micronucleus, and interchange occurs immediately preceding the separation of the mating individuals. The fertilization nucleus divides to form two nuclei of diverse size. The smaller one produces thirty-two or sixty-four micronuclei, while the larger one divides to produce a like number of macronuclei, each of which finally breaks up into many chromatic granules which form the numerous densely staining nuclear derivatives which are characteristic of the vegetative stage of Dileptus gigas.In the early stages of this reorganization process specimens are frequently found with from two to eight distinct nuclei often arranged in a series as in a beaded nucleus. This condition probably explains the frequent references in literature regarding such a nuclear condition in Dileptus.Dileptus gigas has, accordingly, in the vegetative stage, a multinucleate condition with reference to the micronucleus and a fragmented or distributed condition with reference to the macronucleus.

Notizen: By the use of a satisfactory technique, excellently preserved spermatogenetic tissue was had both for Rattus rattus and Rattus norvegicus. The careful examination of twelve spermatogonial cells of the former species and of twenty in the latter species shows that R. rattus has forty diploid chromosomes and R. norvegicus, forty-two. A careful examination of the haploid cells of both species, both in the first and in the second spermatocyte divisions, confirms the diploid determinations.Both species have an unequal pair in the spermatogonial divisions and the finding of a similar unequal pair in the first spermatocyte division constitutes the evidence for an X-Y mechanism in each. A comparison of the morphology of the first spermatocyte tetrads in the two species reveals the presence of a large K-shaped chromosome in R. norvegicus which is not present in R. rattus. Furthermore, a comparison of the X-Y complex in both the spermatogonial and first spermatocyte divisions shows that these are morphologically different in the two species, the Y in particular being markedly dissimilar in size. A short discussion as to the bearing of these findings on the questions of the origins of the two species and their known intersterility is presented. The marked similarity of the tetrads of the black rat to those described for the mouse is noted.

Notizen: The anlage of the abducens musculature appears first at 24-25 somites as a condensation situated dorsal to the mandibular arch.The anlage of the superior oblique grows forward from a mesodermal condensation situated in the maxillomandibular region, termed for convenience the maxillomandibular condensation. This last consists of three parts: (1) the anlage of the superior oblique: (2) the anlage of the abducens musculature, and, (3) an intermediate region.The intermediate portion of the maxillomandibular mass forms a condensation with which the anlage of the abducens musculature fuses. Its fate is, therefore, similar to that of the so-called ‘muscle E’ of elasmobranchs, which has been described as fusing with the lateral rectus. How much muscle is formed from the intermediate condensation in the chick has not been determined.The development of the pyramidalis and quadratus nictitans muscles, derivatives of the abducens complex, is described.The premandibular head cavities are replaced by solid mesodermal condensations, on the surface of which the anlagen of the oculomotor muscles appear. The premandibular mass expands laterally and anteriorly over the bulbus, carrying the oculomotor muscles to their respective positions on the bulbus.Portions of the premandibular and maxillomandibular condensations not involved in eye-muscle formation take part in the formation of choroid and sclera.The growth shiftings of the eye muscles are analyzed. The order of their appearance is commented upon.

Notizen: This study represents the first critical investigation on the development of the embryonic skull of the porcupine. A complete series of stages makes it possible to trace the developing chondrocranium from its first formation in precartilage to its later transformation into cartilage bone. Concurrent with this growth is the investment of the cartilaginous cranium by membrane bone.The very primitive nature of the chondrocranium offers an excellent opportunity to discuss the existing problems of the embryonic skull from a new angle. Evidence is presented in support of the assumption that the ala temporalis is the homologue of the cynodont epipterygoid. The lamina parietalis develops from a single chondrifying center, thus producing a different arrangement of parietal elements from that found in most mammals. New evidence as to the relationship of the dens epistrophei and basal plate is presented. The position of the internal carotid artery on entering the cranium is different from the condition found in most mammals and throws new light on the interpretation of surrounding structures. The presence of a structure comparable with the crista longitudinalis of Lacerta shows close affinity to the solum nasi of more primitive forms.The great specialization of the face is seen in the early and rapid growth of the membrane bones. The chondrocranium is long persistent and cartilage bone appears late in embryonic life.

Notizen: Observations indicate that this Balantidium from the guinea-pig is Balantidium coli, the form found in the pig and man. The lengths and breadths of this Balantidium and the ratios of length to breadth are very close to the measurements and ratios given by McDonald for B. coli. When plotted, the body lengths of the guinea-pig parasites appear in two groups, the smaller individuals being the exconjugants. Many of these exconjugants resemble Neiva's B. caviae. The structure of the Balantidium from the guinea-pig is essentially identical with that of B. coli as given by McDonald.Fission and conjugation of this ciliate follow the general course found in a number of other ciliates. During fission the micronucleus divides and the daughter micronuclei migrate to each end of the macronucleus before the latter divides. In conjugation there are two divisions of the micronucleus, one of these nuclei dividing to form the pronuclei. Pronuclear exchange and fusion are followed by a heteropolar division of the synkaryon, resulting in the formation of the new macronuclear and micronuclear anlagen.The parasite was found in the intestinal tissue of the host. No reproductive stages were found in the cysts. New hosts are invaded through contamination of the food and drink with the cysts.

Notizen: The development of the thigh musculature in a series of chick embryos is described and figured. In the earliest the muscular tissue is in the form of two distinct masses lying on opposite surfaces of the limb. Later, both divide into proximal and distal portions at the knee. The proximal portions, by a series of divisions, gradually attain the condition found in the adult thigh.The embryological findings tend to support the theory of the derivation of tetrapod limb musculature from the two opposed (dorsal and ventral) muscle masses of the paired fins of bony fish.The reptilian homologies of the ilio-trochanterici cannot be definitely ascertained from embryological evidence.The ischio-femoralis (= ischio-trochantericus), Previously regarded as dorsal, and the coccygeo-femorales, previously classed as incertae sedis, are in reality members of the ventral group.The distinction between ‘intrinsic’ and ‘extrinsic’ muscles inserting on the free limb appears to have no embryological or phylogenetic basis in fact.Double innervation (motor) is a primitive condition in tetrapods.Rotation of the avian pubis is correlated with an improved functioning of the obturator in the rotated position coupled with a lack of interference with the other musculature concerned.

Notizen: The diploid number of chromosomes obtained from counts of anaphases of the first somatic mitosis is found to be forty-four. Of these, seven have terminal, thirty-seven non-terminal attachment, giving a distribution of seven rods, thirteen V's, and twenty-four J's. The number is constant in all the fertilized eggs counted, indicating an XX-XY arrangement of the sex chromosomes.

Notizen: Technique. This work is based not only on the fixed preparations, but also on fresh cover-slip preparations treated with neutral red or 2 per cent osmic acid for a short time.Golgi elements and fatty yolk. The Golgi elements are hollow vesicular bodies with a distinct osmiophilic rim and a central osmiophobic substance. In the youngest oocyte they form a circumnuclear ring. Gradually the vesicles spread out, grow in size, store up fat in their interior, and give rise to the fatty yolk. On account of their higher refractive index, due to the presence of fat, the Golgi vesicles can be occasionally seen even in the young oocytes without any treatment.Mitochondria. The mitochondrial granules also form a circumnuclear ring and are later distributed uniformly.Albuminous yolk. The albuminous yolk is nucleolar in origin. Early in oogenesis, the nucleous buds off small, homogeneous, and highly chromatic particles in the cytoplasm, which sooner or later disappear. Subsequently, the nucleolus becomes less chromatic and develops vacuolar bodies in its interior, which, becoming vacuolated exactly like the parent nucleolus, migrate into the the cytoplasm. These bodies become more and more chromatic and travel toward the periphery of the egg, where they grow in size. Ultimately they break down into small, homogeneous, and highly chromatic bodies which are the definitive albuminous yolk spheres and which subsequently grow enormously in size.

Notizen: Maturation of the male germ cells in the rat shows some slight modifications of the typical procedure in sex cells, a distinct and rather prolonged synapsis occurring before synizesis and a confused stage immediately after it. The clumping in synizesis is not extreme. In the mixed strain of rats both twenty-one and thirty-one tetrads appear in the late diakinesis. This procedure in the male resembles the maturation of the oocytes in only two points, the beginning of the process, the deutobroch nuclei, and the end of it when the haploid number of chromosomes take their places on the spindle.

Notizen: The cells of the blastoderm which are to form the serosa are two- to four-nucleate; the smaller cells of the embryonic rudiment, uninucleate. The band-like embryonic rudiment encircles the yolk at the equator of the egg. The amnion does not begin to form until after the serosa completely covers embryo and yolk. The epithelium of the midgut arises from cells situated at the tips of stomodaeum and proctodaeum. These cells, though not differentiated from adjacent ectoderm at the time of the invagination, are nevertheless interpreted as part of the preprimordium of the endoderm. In the eighty-four-hour stage a fold of amnion grows over the dorsal side of the embryo, entirely covering it in the course of the next few hours. A portion of the amnion thus forms the dorsal wall of the embryo. At the completion of the amnion the embryo rotates so that its ventral side is directed toward the egg center. The amnion raptures just before the larva begins to feed on the yolk which still remains around it. The serosa is consumed before hatching, which takes place about five and one-half days after deposition.

Notizen: The caeca of fourteen bantam fowls have been studied. These fowls ranged in age from six days' incubation to three years after hatching. Between the fifth and sixth days of incubation rectal caeca arise as evaginations from the intestine at the junction of the ileum with the colon. The develoing caeca closely resemble histologically the intestine to which they are attached.The caeca are essentially devoid of content until about the nineteenth day of incubation, but during the remaining days of incubation are gorged with a bluish-gray material similar to that found in the colon. Thus, an early defecatory function is indicated.In general, the proximal third of the caeca remains histologically similar to the intestine, but the distal two-thirds undergoes regression. The latter involves the atrophy of the epithelium and glands, accompanied by the appearance of lymphoid tissue. Much of the lymphoid tissue eventually disappears, to a large extent by atrophy and dissolution of the leukocytes. However, to some extent, lymphocytes develop into granulocytes which escape with other leukocytes into the lumina of the caeca and there disintegrate.Lymph nodules begin to appear in the caeca about one week after the chick hatches. The leukocytes, at least in part, arise in situ from the reticular stroma. Eosinophils arise in certain areas of the tunica propria, and in the earlier stages of their development resemble large lymphocytes, in the cytoplasm of which basophilic, amphophilic, and acidophilic granules are intermingled.

Notizen: In the ovary of the rat the ova arise by proliferations from the germinal epithelium, all cells of which are potential ova. This proliferation begins with the differentiation of the gonad, and may last as long as 369 days postpartum. The embryonic ovary is filled with ova which pass through the typical maturation phases. This continues until five days after parturition. These ova degenerate, none being found in the ovary of the twenty-day rat. After the fifth day postpartum, nuclear development in the ova changes until, by the twentieth day, no typical maturation phases are present. With the degeneration of the embryonic ova the ovary takes on the adult structure.The ovary of the adult female rat shows a modified type of meiosis in the germ cells, while that of the embryo shows the typical phases, indicating that this is the primitive type, with the modified form an acquired characteristic.Ova in a single rat may show both twenty-one and thirty-one chromosomes.Follicle cells are formed from the cells of the germinal epithelium and, like the sex cells, may have both forty-two and sixty-two chromosomes in a single follicle. The lutein cells also show both forty-two and sixty-two chromosomes in a single corpus luteum. The chromosomes of the lutein cells enlarge with the expansion of the cell to a size greatly in excess of the chromosomes of the somatic cells. The theca interna is derived from the tunica albuginea.

Notizen: Rickettsiae-like structures were found in the salivary gland cells of Drosophila auraria during different larval and prepupal developmental stages, from the early 3rd instar up to 14 hr after spiracle inversion. These microorganisms are surrounded by a membrane, are constantly intracellular, and occur singly or in groups. Their widespread occurrence in various tissues of other Drosophila species indicates that they can be considered as symbionts, but their actual functional significance (if any) is unknown.

Notizen: Histology of each of the five segments of the oviduct of the female turtle Chrysemys picta was described for successive intervals throughout their annual cycle. Uterine and glandular segments showed marked seasonal variations in the extent and content of the submucosal and epithelial glands. Submucosal glands were most prominent in preovulatory and postovulatory animals (May to June), regressing in late summer (oviposited animals) and recrudescing the following spring. These changes correlated with variations in the muscularis layer, the number of uterine epithelial blebs, oviductal vascularity, and the presence of eosinophils in cervical segment cross-sections. These cyclic seasonal changes are discussed in relationship to reported seasonal changes in gonadal steroids in this species. Hormonal control was corroborated by oviductal response to estradiol-17β injected (1 mg/kg daily for 2 weeks) into mature, reproductively inactive (winter) animals. This treatment induced increases in glandular activity, vascularity, and distribution of eosinophils comparable to those of reproductively active (summer) animals.