ALBERT

Description: Gesellschaftliche Blindheit nennt der Ökonom und Umweltforscher Hans-Jochen Luhmann es, wenn die Öffentlichkeit die Augen verschließt: vor den Situationen großen Schadensausmaßes, den drohenden Gefahren und den Vorboten von Umwelt- und Gesundheitskatastrophen. Überzeugt, dass die Gesellschaft systematisch das Katastrophale an den unvermeidlichen Risiken vermeiden kann, hat er die Strukturen des Nichtwissenwollens untersucht, um daraus Strategien für die Vermeidung von zukünftigen Katastrophen zu entwickeln. "Wir haben es nicht gewusst!" - diese Blindheit der Gesellschaft hat Methode. Sie dingfest zu machen, sie in detaillierten Fallstudien aus den Bereichen Produkte, Technik, Banken/Unternehmen und Umwelt nachzuweisen, ist die Voraussetzung für ein Risiko-Management, das diese Bezeichnung verdient. Hans-Jochen Luhmann hat in "Die Blindheit der Gesellschaft" die Entdeckung von Umweltrisiken als Geschichte einer verzögerten Wahrnehmung gedeutet. Die Auflösung von gesellschaftlicher Blindheit - so seine These - kann nur dann gelingen, wenn ein neuer Standort bezogen wird. Ein Standort, der auf Erfahrung beruht, der das Verhalten in der Vergangenheit als Blindheit gegenüber dem Raubbau am Ganzen erscheinen lässt. Eine neue, gesellschaftliche, sphärenübergreifende "Sicherheitskultur" ist zu schaffen.

Description: Numerical experiments with idealized OGCM are carried out to investigate the oceanic eastern boundary problems. The experimental results indicate that the eastward flow due to the north–south gradient of the surface density returns to the interior region through the lower half of the mixed layer, and this return flow generates a density jump just above the thermocline. Formulation for the mixed layer depth distribution at the eastern boundary is also presented, which is derived only from the geostrophy and no-normal flow condition. This formulation agrees well with the numerical experiment, and can be an appropriate eastern boundary condition for theoretical ventilated thermocline model with no deficiency of the mass balance on the boundary. Furthermore, the effects of such eastern boundary structure on the subtropical thermocline are studied. On the shallow thermocline in the subtropics, eastern boundary ventilated region emerges, which is identified as a region of high potential vorticity. In the deep thermocline, which does not outcrop in the subtropics, a cross-gyre ventilation occurs. This cross-gyre ventilation is caused by the density structure along the eastern boundary.

Description: The paper presents first results from the upper 54 m of a 723.91 m ice core drilled on Academy of Sciences Ice Cap in 1999-2001, supplemented by data from shallow ice cores. The glacier's peculiarity is the infiltration and refreezing of melting water thereby changing original isotopic and chemical signals. Therefore, stratigraphical observations in these ice cores are more difficult than in those from central Greenland or Antarctica. However, the 1963 maximum of artificial radioactivity from atmospheric nuclear tests is clearly detectable in the deep ice core and the d180 profile of a 12.82 m shallow core shows annual variations. Consequently, an almost seasonal time resolution of paleoclirnate record could be expected at least for the upper part of the main core. The Chemobyl layer was detected by increased 137 Cs activity in depths between 11.81 m and 12.51 m related to the 2000 surface. The resulting mean annual net mass balance is 53 ± 2 g cm-2 a- 1. Data from dielectric profiling (DEP) of the main core show considerable peaks in conductivity; one of them was interpreted as volcano event. According to the resulting chronology this part of the core represents approximately the last 100 years.

Description: Respiration, ammonia excretion and decompression tolerance were studied in several species of lysianassoid amphipods captured at four stations in the deep Arabian Sea with an isolated trap maintaining them at in situ temperature. The amphipods were decompressed from their ambient to atmospheric pressure during recovery. Six amphipods, belonging to the species Eurythenes gryllus, Paralicella caperesca and Abyssorchomene abyssorum, survived decompression from depths between 1920 and 4420 m. The physiological condition of these specimens was good inferred by the fact that their swimming and resting behaviour appeared normal, they reacted to disturbance by light and vibration, and were able to ingest food to maintain full guts. Most of the amphipods (421 individuals), however, were recovered dead, which allows information about their decompression tolerance and their vertical migration ability to be deduced. Weight-specific respiration rates of the deep-sea amphipods that were fed prior to the experiments were not lower than in shallow-water amphipods living at similar temperatures. Differences in respiration rates between the specimens are discussed with regard to body size, species specificity and food supply. Weight-specific ammonia excretion rates were extremely high when compared with shallow-water relatives, indicating a capability for rapid digestion. This may be an adaptation to the unpredictable food supply in the deep sea as it enables the amphipod to empty its digestive tract quickly, thus making it available for additional food. Rapid digestion also enables the animals to regain mobility soon after feeding, permitting them to move to new food sources.

Description: Studies of hexachlorocyclohexane-isomers (HCHs) and selected triazine herbicides in solution and suspension were carried out in the Pomeranian Bight in 1995. The concentrations of HCHs and triazines were determined by gas-liquid chromatography (GC) or by GC in connection with quadrupole mass spectrometry(GC/MS). Particulate and dissolved material were separated by means of an in-situ filtration/extraction system. The seasonal variability and regional distribution of the various components were investigated in January, April, July and September 1995. Their distribution in the western Pomeranian Bight is described. The concentrations of individual hexachlorocyclohexane-isomers were in the range of 100–1 000 pg l–1 in solution and 20 to 60 pg l–1 in suspension. The levels of the triazines in solution showed pronounced differences between the individual components (atrazine (2–20 ng l–1), simazine (5–30 ng l–1), terbuthylazine (〈 5 ng l–1)), but they were one order of magnitude higher compared with the hexachlorocyclohexane-isomers. The concentration of triazines in suspension was low, often below the limit of detection (25 pg l–1).

Description: This study addresses the decomposition of diatoms in different permeable North Sea sand beds. During three cruises in 2001 to the southern German Bight, the regeneration of nutrients was assessed after the experimental deposition of organic matter corresponding to a typical spring diatom bloom in in situ and on-board chamber experiments. The diatom pulse was followed by a high regeneration of nutrients during the first day: 5–10% d−1 of the added nitrogen was converted to NH4+ and up to 0.67% d−1 of the added biogenic silica was dissolved to Si(OH)4. These results are used to interpret the response of pore water nutrient concentrations in permeable North Sea sands to seasonal nutrient and phytoplankton dynamics in the water column. The rapid advective solute exchange in these permeable sediments reduces the accumulation of regenerated nutrients, and, thus pore water concentrations of Si(OH)4, PO43− and NH4+ decreased with increasing permeability. All sands were characterized by relatively high NO3− concentrations down to 10 cm sediment depth, indicating that the upper sediment layers are oxidized by advective flushing of the bed. Our results demonstrate that biogenic silica and organic matter are rapidly degraded in permeable coastal sands, revealing that these sediments are very active sites of nutrient recycling.

Description: The Western Antarctic Peninsula is one of the regions most affected by stratospheric ozone depletion and global climate warming, resulting in an increased UVB radiation and a fast glacier retreat. During the last 10 years intensive studies on the seaweed communities and the physiology of single species were conducted at Potter Cove. It was found that UVB radiation can decrease the diversity of the seaweed community by direct and indirect effects (exerting negative effects on the grazers). A higher sediment inflow into the water column due to the melting glaciers is decreasing the light availability for photosynthesis, changing the lower depth distribution of the seaweeds. Additional laboratory and field experiments on the physiological performance and recruitment success of seaweed spores showed a strong species specific susceptibility to UV and photosynthetically active radiation. Altogether the seaweed community at Potter Cove is strongly shaped by the changes of their abiotic environment.

Description: From temperature measurements down through the 3001 m deep borehole at the North Greenland Icecore Project (NorthGRIP) drill site, it is now clear that the ice at the base, 3080 m below the surface, is at the pressure-melting point. This is supported by the measurements on the ice core where the annual-layer thicknesses show there is bottom melting at the site and upstream from the borehole. Surface velocity measurements, internal radio-echo layers, borehole and ice-core data are used to constrain a time-dependent flow model simulating flow along the north-northwest-trending ice-ridge flow-line, leading to the NorthGRIP site. Also time-dependent melt rates along the flowline are calculated with a heat-flow model. The results show the geothermal heat flow varies from 50 to 200 mW m–2 along the 100km section of the modeled flowline. The melt rate at the NorthGRIP site is 0.75 cm a–1, but the deep ice in the NorthGRIP core originated 50 km upstream and has experienced melt rates as high as 1.1 cm a–1.

Description: In May 1999, drilling of a borehole through the entire ice strata (around 750 m) was initiated on the Akademiya Nauk glacier of Komsomolets Island, Severnaya Zemlya Archipelago. The Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute (AARI), St. Petersburg Mining Institute (SPMI) and Alfred Wegener Institute (AWI, Germany) take part in this venture. For undertaking drilling activities, a dismantling drilling complex was designed and manufactured at SPMI by request of AWI. It includes a drilling house, land drilling equipment and two sets of the electromechanical drill KEMS-127 that also allows drilling of subglacial mountain rocks. The core has a maximum length of 1.5 m and a diameter of 106 mm. Drilling started in spring of 1999 and 54 m was drilled. In April 2000, the borehole drilling was continued. Up to a depth of 109 m, a "dry" method was used. Then the borehole was filled with aviation kerosene TS-1. By the end of seasonal work (May 9, 2000), the borehole bottom reached a depth of 504.7 m. After the drilling was stopped, a complex of geophysical observations was carried out that included measurements of the borehole diameter, the axis deviation angle from the vertical, temperature at different depths and drilling fluid pressure. An analysis of the data obtained allows a conclusion about the reliability and stability of the drilling technology and equipment and developing recommendations to continue drilling that is planned to do during 2001 season.

Description: Sediment and water can potentially be altered, chemically, physically and biologically as they are sampled at the seafloor, brought to the surface, processed and analysed. As a result, in situ observations of relatively undisturbed systems have become the goal of a growing body of scientists. Our understanding of sediment biogeochemistry and exchange fluxes was revolutionized by the introduction of benthic chambers and in situ micro-electrode profilers that allow for the direct measurement of chemical fluxes between sediment and water at the sea floor and for porewater composition. Since then, rapid progress in the technology of in situ sensors and benthic chambers (such as the introduction of gel probes, voltammetric electrodes or one- and two-dimensional optodes) have yielded major breakthroughs in the scientific understanding of benthic biogeochemistry. This paper is a synthesis of discussions held during the workshop on sediment biogeochemistry at the “Benthic Dynamics: in situ surveillance of the sediment–water interface” international conference (Aberdeen, UK—March 25–29, 2002). We present a review of existing in situ technologies for the study of benthic biogeochemistry dynamics and related scientific applications. Limitations and possible improvement (e.g., technology coupling) of these technologies and future development of new sensors are discussed. There are countless important scientific and technical issues that lend themselves to investigation using in situ benthic biogeochemical assessment. While the increasing availability of these tools will lead research in yet unanticipated directions, a few emerging issues include greater insight into the controls on organic matter (OM) mineralization, better models for the understanding of benthic fluxes to reconcile microelectrode and larger-scale chamber measurements, insight into the impacts of redox changes on trace metal behavior, new insights into geochemical reaction pathways in surface sediments, and a better understanding of contaminant fate in nearshore sediments.

Description: Baited cameras and traps were deployed at four stations in the deep Arabian Sea to investigate the composition of the necrophagous fauna and to evaluate whether regional differences in trophic conditions are reflected by differing scavenger assemblages. The ophidiid fish Barathrites iris, the large lysianassoid amphipod Eurythenes gryllus, the aristeid prawn Plesiopenaeus armatus, and zoarcid fishes of the genus Pachycara were abundant at the bait at all stations. The ophidiid Holcomycteronus aequatorius, the liparid fish Paraliparis sp., and galatheid crabs of the genus Munidopsis occurred in considerable numbers at single sites. Trap catches further contained lysianassoid amphipods of the genera Paralicella, Abyssorchomene and Paracallisoma. In contrast to scavenger assemblages of the Atlantic and Pacific Ocean, macrourid fishes were virtually absent at the bait. E. gryllus and B. iris consumed the main proportion of the bait, while consumption was at most moderate in all other taxa. Feeding strategies of the respective taxa are inferred from their behavior at the bait and discussed with regard to the profit that can be drawn from food falls. Differences between stations were pronounced with respect to species dominating bait consumption. E. gryllus appeared in highest numbers at the bait in the productive northern and central Arabian Sea where a relatively high availability of food items is expected to sustain high population densities. High numbers of B. iris in the least productive southern part indicate their ability to persist under food-poor conditions and may correspond to a high dependency on food falls. E. gryllus and B. iris both occurred in smaller numbers in the particularly productive western Arabian Sea. This may reflect a reduced dependency on food falls, due to an access to alternative food sources, rather than small population densities. Smaller numbers of E. gryllus and B. iris resulted in slower bait consumption and gave Pachycara spp. the opportunity to contribute considerably to bait consumption. The relation between scavenger assemblages and trophic conditions is discussed with respect to results obtained under differing trophic regimes in the Atlantic and Pacific Ocean.

Description: This paper presents a new non-invasive technique for measuring sediment O2 uptake that, in its concept, differs fundamentally from other methods used to date. In almost all natural aquatic environments, the vertical transport of O2 through the water column toward the sediment surface is facilitated by turbulent motion. The new technique relies on measuring 2 parameters simultaneously and at the same point in the water above the sediment: the fluctuating vertical velocity using an acoustic Doppler velocimeter and the fluctuating O2 concentration using an O2 microelectrode. From these 2 parameters, which typically are measured 10 to 50 cm above the sediment surface for a period of 10 to 20 min and at a frequency of 15 to 25 Hz, the vertical flux of O2 toward the sediment surface is derived. Based on measurements performed under actual field conditions and comparisons with in situ flux-chamber measurements, we believe that this new technique is the optimal approach for determining O2 uptake by sediments. The technique is superior to conventional methods as measurements are done under true in situ conditions, i.e. without any disturbance of the sediment and under the natural hydrodynamic conditions. Furthermore, this technique can be used for bio-irrigated or highly permeable sediments, such as sands, where traditional methods often fail. While this paper only focuses on O2 uptake by sediments, the technique can also be applied to other solutes that can be measured at a sufficiently high temporal resolution.

Description: The bogs of S. E. Groningen are part of the great peat-marshes extending from S. E. Drente as far as N.W. Germany inclusive. So far as the territory of Westerwolde is concerned, people have begun digging off very early. According to the map by Krayenhoff in 1816 nearly the whole peat-marsh westward from the line Blijham—Termaarsch had already been reclaimed, only a few parts still being covered with the original peat-layer (cf. map, fig. 1). The digging off east of the above line commences at the beginning of the 19th century on the borderland of Groningen and Drente. Borings were performed in three places and the samples pollenanalytically and stratigraphically examined.

Description: E sectione Peltaea, Pavoniae speciosae H.B.K. proxima, sed forma folorium, indumento, involucri phyllis peltatis diversa. Suffrutex, caule minute stellato-piloso glabrescente, linea singula pilis simplicibus longioribus vestita in primo internodio ramulorum lateralium adaxiale notato. Folia breviter petiolata, petiolis tomentellis 2—4 mm longis, oblongo-elliptica, elliptica vel ellipticolanceolata, 3—5 cm longa, 1.25—1.5 cm lata trinervia basi acuta vel obtusa, superiora 5-nervia, basi subcordata, acutissima vel subacuminata, margine regulariter serrato-dentata, supra minute stellato-pilosa, oculo nudo glabra, infra dense sed minute stellatotomentella. Flores in axillis foliorum vel in apice ramulorum 2—3-glomeratis, bracteis ovato-triangularibus suffulti, plerumque subsessiles, interdum usque ad 4 mm pedicellati. Involucri phylla fere io linearia birta uniserialia, basi paullo connata, apice lamina foliacea peltata, id est supra basin affixa, anguste elliptica hirta, basi rotundata, apice acuta, appendiculata, 4 mm longa. Calyx cupuliformis, ultra medium incisus, 4—9 mm longus, lobis acutis hirtis, nervis trinis conspicuis, binis intermediis brevibus vel nullis. Petala 2.5—3 cm longa, teste collectore roseo-rubra, sicca rosea, basi atropurpurea. Stamina et styli more generis. Carpella 4 mm longa, mutica, dorso costa perpendiculari instructa, transverse nervosa, dense pubescentia.

Description: Culmi robusti, foliati. Folia lata, linearia, trinervia. Inflorescentia corymboso-paniculata, multispiculata. Spiculae (”spicae” multorum auctorum) parvae, multiflorae. Flores hermaphroditi (”spiculae androgynae” auctorum) perianthio utriculiformi, compresso, vix carinato, staminibus (”floribus masculinis monandris” auctorum) tribus, binis lateralibus tertio anteriore, ovario (”flore foemineo terminali nudo” auctorum) rostrato, basi angustato, haud stipitato, styli ramis ternis. Nux tri-costata, rugulosa. Generi Hypolytro L. C. Rich. proxima, a quo differt styli ramis tribus et nuce tri-costata. A Thoracostachyo et Paramapania, quibuscum stigmatum numero convenit, et structura florum et perianthio connato et nucis forma longe diversa, faciliter dignoscenda. Mapaniae potius affinis, sed ab omnibus speciebus huius generis inflorescentia a plerisque etiam perianthio connato discrepat.

Description: The genus Trymatococcus has been published in 1838 by Poeppig and Endlicher in Nova Genera ac Spec. Plant II. p. 30, and the genus was based on the species T. amazonicus. In 1876 Baillon added the species T. africanus to the genus. This gave a peculiar distribution for a genus with two species only: one in the Amazone region and one in West Africa. Later on several new species from Africa were described: three by Engler (T. kamerunianus, dorstenioides, and Conrauanus), one by De Wildeman (T. Gilletii) and one by Pellegrin (T. oligogyna). In 1922 (Archivos do Jardim Botanico Rio de Janeiro vol III. p. 22) Ducke described a second species from Amazonian Brazil (T. paraensis) and said in the notes to this new species that Lanessania turbinata Baill. should be transferred to the genus Trymatococcus and published a new combination (T. turbinatus Ducke). In 1925 (Archives IV. p. I) he emphasized his statements Trymatococcus and published a new combination (T. turbinatus as well as turbinatus and amazonicus have the stamens erect in the bud and not inflexed as was described in the former publications. He also emphasized that the place of Trymatococcus in the system has to be changed and the genus has to take the place taken up to this moment by Lanessania. Among the material of the Moraceae from Surinam which I am studying for the Flora of Surinam, I found also a Trymatococcus species. By the study of this genus I was struck by the peculiar geographic distribution of the genus, which fully supported my observations on the Euphorbiaceae (cf. Lanjouw, The Euphorbiaceae of Surinam pp. 70—84). For the preparation of a map of this distribution I studied the african species and after a careful examination I noted a number of important differences between the african species and the american ones. Part of these differences were never noticed before and no attention has ever been given to these facts. The first error in this case was made by Baillon. Most probably he had not seen T. amazonicus Poepp. et Endl. when he described his T. africanus. This is still more striking as he described in the same paper his genus Lanessania based on L. turbinata, which is a true Trymatococcus species. It is very curious that it was not possible for Baillonto observe his mistake because in his Histoire des Plantes (vol. VI. p. 199) he states „filamentis aestivatione inflexis vel nunc suberectis”. One can not understand why he did not observe that at least one of the species of Trymatococcus is the same as his genus Lanessania. After Baillon’s publication, we could say that we had got two type species, one american (Tr. amazonicus Poepp. et Endl.) and one african (Tr. africanus Baill.). Apparently Engler did not study exactly Tr. amazonicus Poepp. et Endl. when he described his new species though he states (Monogr. Afr. Pfl. fam. I. Morac. p. 28); ”Ein besonders auffallender Unterschied im Bau der Blüte und Frucht is nicht zu constatieren; bei der amerikanischen Art sind die männlichen Blüten dreimännig mit dreiteiliger Blütenhülle, bei den afrikanischen Arten sind sie zweimännig”. Likewise Ducke knew apparently only the american species when he pointed out the new place for this genus in the family. By these reasons only it is explained how confusion has crept into this genus. I have studied many specimens of Trymatococcus from the following herbaria: Berlin-Dahlem, British Museum (Natural History Museum), Kew, Leiden, Paris and Utrecht. I wish to express mv sincere thanks to the directors for their hospitality or fore sending the material on loan.

Description: Es handelt sich hier um ein grosses, zusammenhängendes Hochmoorgebiet, das sich nord-süd über 20 km, ost-west über 10 km ausdehnt. Im Süden und Westen ist es grösstenteils abgetorft. Die besonders im Zentrum und Osten noch erhaltenen Teile sind durch die intensive Trockenlegung meist verheidet; stellenweise, so in den „Engbertsdijkvenen”, wo grosse Flächen heute wenig entwässert sind, findet sich eine lebende Sphagnumdecke (Taf. III). (Lit. 5). Das Moor liegt auf pleistozänem Untergrunde (Fluvioglazial der Riss-Eiszeit und Niederterrasse der Würmeiszeit); im Osten und Westen stosst es an diluviale Rücken; im Nordwesten bildet die Niederterrasse der Vechte die Grenze. Im Südosten und Osten schliesst sich eine ausgedehnte Versumpfungszone an, während sich im Westen zwischen den Hügeln isolierte, ähnliche Bildungen vorfinden. Es handelt sich hier wahrscheinlich um ein Entwässerungsgebiet des Hochmoores. Ein prae-rissglazialer mit nördlichen Erratica bestreuter Rücken dringt vom Osten her, parallel dem Vechtetal, ungefähr bis in die Mitte, in das Moor vor. Für eine ausführliche Angabe der geologischen Verhältnisse verweisen wir auf die „Geologische Kaart van Nederland” vom „Rijks Geologische Dienst” (Blätter Almeloo I und II; Koevorden III und IV). Wir sammelten eine Anzahl Probenreihen. Die angeführten Analysen beziehen sich auf eine süd-nord gerichtete Profillinie im östlichen Teil des Gebietes (Paterswal 1 u. 2, Engbertsdijk, Bruine Haar) und ein Punktprofil im Nordwesten (Boerendijk), nahe dem Vechtetal.

Description: It is to be hoped, that the genus Pandanophyllum Hassk. never will revive, for it is based on a bad generic description and two nomina nuda, P. palustre Hassk. (Harassas tjaai) and P. humile Hassk., the first of which is supposed to indicate Mapania palustris (Steud.) Vill., while the other name has brought about much confusion, as it has been used for Hypolytrum humile (Steud.) Boeck. as well as for Mapania humilis (Miq., partly) Vill. The first validly published description of Pandanophyllum humile Hassk. nomen nudum in Cat. Pl. Hort. Bot. Bog. 1844, p. 297 has been given by Steudel in his Synopsis II (1855), p. 134 and is based upon a specimen collected in Java by Zollinger (n. 1511, Brit. Mus., Paris), belonging to the genus Hypolytrum. So this is the type-specimen of H. humile (Steud.) Boeck. in Linnaea XXXVII (1871—1873), p. 128. Bentham and Hooker, however, accepting the interpretation of Kurz in Journ. As. Soc. of Bengal XXXVIII, part 2 (1869), p. 82 and the revised opinion of Miquel in his Ill. Fl. Arch. Ind. (1871), p. 61, included both species in their section Pandanophyllum of Mapania (Gen. Pl. III, 1883, p. 1056). A quarter of a century later C. B. Clarke divided Benth. and Hooker’s section into two subgenera, viz. Pandanophyllum, including Mapania humilis Vill. and Halostemma (Wall.), including Mapania palustris (Steud.) Vill. Consequently our present section Pandanophyllum sensu Clarke probably excludes both species, which originally belonged to it. One might be inclined to rectify the mistake by changing the name of Halostemma into Pandanophyllum and coining a new name for the other subgenus, but the principal difficulty, caused by the ambiguity of Hasskarl’s generic description can not be solved in this manner. This description calls for a bifid style (perhaps referring to Hypolytrum humile Boeck.) and 3—5 spikelets (not appropriate to Mapania palustris Vill., highly improbable as to Mapania humilis Vill. and Hypolytrum humile Boeck.). The only way out of the difficulty is to reject the name Pandanophyllum as a nomen dubium in the sense of the rules of nomenclature (art. 63) and to rename the subgenus Pandanophyllum Benth. et Hook., sensu Clarke. I propose the name Pandanoscirpus.

Description: As Prof. Bremekamp has dealt with the genus Pleiocraterium from the taxonomic point of view, I intend to supplement his exposition here with some observations on the ecology of these remarkable additions to the Malaysian mountain flora. Some of these observations have been included already in a general report on the results of the Losir expedition published in Dutch. As a further illustration I am giving two photographs taken from one of the two Sumatran species in its natural habitat. Altitude. Both species were found on the highest parts of the mountains only, viz. Pl. gentianifolium just below the summit of Mt Goh Lembuh, and Pl. sumatranum between our camp at the base of the central Peak of Mt Losir at c. 3250 m. and the summit of the latter at 3460 m. These two mountains lie rather far apart: Mt Losir is the highest top of the Barisan Range proper, whereas Mt Goh Lembuh is a more isolated mountain, rising c. 50 km. NNE of Mt Losir and separated from the latter by a wide depression. The two mountains also differ geologically.

Description: La forme est le phénomène de la vie le plus important. Aussi on pourrait croire que toute étude biologique devait commencer par la forme. En effet aucune fonction n’est imaginable indépendante de la forme, tandis qu’on peut étudier la forme indépendemment de la fonction, par exemple à des objets morts. Cependant depuis Sachs le botaniste moderne est tellement possédé par les conceptions matérialistes et mécaniques, qu’il veut aussi expliquer causalement les formes organiques en oubliant que, même si toutes les formes sont matérielles, cela ne veut pas nécessairement dire que les lois physiques et chimiques qui dominent la matière sont capables d’expliquer la forme, c.à.d. l’organisation des êtres vivants. A l’aide de briques on peut bâtir des bâtiments les plus divers, mais on peut aussi bien construire ces mêmes bâtiments de bois ou de pierre naturelle: le matériel employé n’explique pas le projet de l’architecte. Ce n’est qu’en le contemplant et en le comparant à d’autres qu’on arrive à mieux le comprendre (von Veh, p. 139). La forme („type” ou „idée” dans la conception platonique) est indépendante de la matière. Elle est ce qui reste. C’est par la forme que passe le courant de la cause et de l’effet, comme l’eau passe par un endroit clair d’une rivière (Carus). La forme présente un des problèmes les plus difficiles de la biologie. Le physiologue et le morphologue (deux extrêmes psychologiques) commencent pour ainsi dire aux deux extrémités de la nature, chacun à sa manière (Troll, Meyer), l’un avec sa méthode physique et chimique, l’autre avec sa méthode comparative. Au domaine du premier appartient tout ce qui est dynamique: le métabolisme et la croissance, au domaine du second ce qui est statique: la forme. Que la feuille est la partie principale de la plante, sur cela les physiologues et les morphologues sont d’accord. Le premier la considère comme un organe qui a pour fonctions principales la CO2-assimilation et l’évaporation. Depuis Goethe le second considère tous les appendices de la tige, aussi bien les sépales que les pétales ainsi que les organes sexuels comme des feuilles métamorphosées. Même, sous l’impression de la phyllotaxie des frères Bravais, Nees d’Esenbeck croyait que „la plante n’est rien d’autre qu’une unité de feuilles reliées entre-elles par un ordre défini”. C’est pourquoi on peut aisément considérer la morphologie de la feuille comme le problème central de toute la morphologie. Il est intéressant de se rendre compte comment dans le courant des temps on a essayé d’approcher ce problème de divers côtés. Cela pourrait apporter quelque lumière sur les différentes tendances de l’étude scientifique et sur les manières de penser qui sont caractéristiques pour les différentes périodes.

Description: Notwithstanding the large amount of work spent by several botanists on this family, taxonomy does not appear very satisfactory, and a general agreement on generic limits has not yet been reached. The result has been a perplexing number of generic and sectional names. The present author apologizes for his adding to the number of interpretations. This study of American Sapotaceae, primarily undertaken in connection with the Flora of Surinam, could not have been completed without the generous loan of specimens by the herbaria at Brussels [B], Berlin—Dahlem [D], Kew [K], and Leyden [L]. In 1934 the author paid a short visit to the herbaria at Brussels [B] and at Paris [P]. The collections of this family at Paris are of special interest owing to the fact that they contain the material studied by Baillon, Pierre and Dubard, and bear numerous notes and analytical drawings, especially by Pierre, attached to the sheets. A number of British Guiana Sapotaceae from the Kew Herbarium was received for determination shortly afterwards. The author feels greatly indebted to the directors of the above mentioned Herbaria for their kind help, and particularly to Prof. Dr. A. Pulle, Utrecht, under whose direction this study was undertaken.

Description: The genus Pausandra Radlk. belongs to the Tribe Cluytieae of the Euphorbiaceae. It was described by Radlkofer in 1870 in Flora LIII pp. 79—95. The genus is based on Thouinia Morisiana of Casaretto. In his paper Radlkofer discussed at length that this species does not belong to the Sapindaceous genus Thouinia, but represents a new genus of the Euphorbiaceae. As at that time female flowers were unknown Radlkofer stated that the systematic position of the new genus was still doubtful, but that most probably it should belong to a new subtribe of the Jatropheae. Two new species were described in the genus in 1873 by Baillon, P. Trianae Baill. based on Pogonophora Trianae Müll. Arg. which was published in 1864, and P. Martinii Baill. based on very young material and erroneously described by Baillon as being 3-merous, as will be discussed below. He placed the genus in the affinity of Argithamnia Sw., which is certainly not right as this genus is quite different both in habit and in flowercharacters. A fourth species was added by Müller Arg. in 1874 in Flora Brasiliensis XI. II., where he inserted the genus in the same group as was suggested by Radlkofer. No more species had been described when Pax published in 1911 his monograph of the Tribe Cluytieae Pax in Engler, Das Pflanzenreich IV. 147. III. He inserted the genus Pausandra Radlk, with the genera Givotia Griff, and Ricinodendron Müll. Arg. in a new subtribe Ricinodendrinae Pax. I think that this is the right position for the genus, though it could be placed in a separate subtribe for its penninerved, glanduliferous leaves and the capsular fruits. It was a pity that Pax published this monograph without studying the original material. He now copied Baillon’s bad descriptions and the lack of a thorough study on the genus caused the publication of several superfluous species in recent years. P. quadriglandulosa Pax et K. Hoffm. and P. extorris Standley described in 1919 and 1929 are the same as P. Trianae (Müll. Arg.) Baill. P. flagellorhachis Lanj. is identic with P. Martinii Baill., while it was proved that the latter species is not trimerous. P. integrifolia Lanj. could not be maintained in the genus. Only the two new species published by Ducke in 1925 were truly new ones. Moreover three new species were recognized in the recent collections made by Krukoff in Brazil. It is for all these reasons that it seemed to me highly desirable to give a new treatment of this genus. Perhaps several of the old and new species can be united, as one can find often only small differences, but for the present I think it advisable to keep them separate. Pausandra Radlk, has been described to be dioecious, but recently it has been proved in some species that they are monoecious, so it is probable that most of them are under special cicumstances.

Description: Among the most remarkable finds made by Dr. van Steenis in the higher parts of the mountains of North Sumatra are a number of cushion plants. Two of these he recognized as Rubiaceae nearly related to Hedyotis verticillaris W. et A., a species occurring in similar habitats in the Nilgiri Hills, India, and in Ceylon. Hesitating, however, to express a definite opinion on their taxonomic position, he sent the material to me for further investigation. As I had occupied myself already for some time with the genus Hedyotis L. and its allies, this investigation offered me a Wellcome opportunity to test some of the principles which I had laid down for the subdivision of this group. Apart from the characters of the fruit I lay stress on the position of the inflorescence and on the form of the stipules. The name Hedyotis itself I wish to restrict to H. fruticosa L. and its nearest allies, i.e. to those species that are provided with terminal inflorescences, an ovary not distinctly produced beyond the insertion of the calyx, and fairly large drupes with apically and ventrally dehiscent pyrenes: to a group, therefore, which roughly agrees with Hedyotis section Diplophragma W. et A.

Description: Recent study of the copious material of Melastomaceae conserved in the Botanisch Museum en Herbarium at Utrecht has shown the existence of several undescribed species in Surinam and has given new ideas on the taxonomic status of a few other species. These results are presented below, in advance of the treatment of the family in the „Flora of Surinam”. Ernestia Pullei Gleason, sp. nov. Suffruticosa 4 dm. alta. Caulis purpureo-brunneus 4-angulatus dense glanduloso-pubescens, internodiis 10—15 mm. longis. Petioli graciles 5—10 mm. longi glanduloso-villosi. Laminae tenues ovatae usque ad 25 mm. longae 17 mm. latae acutae minutissime serrulatae basi cordulatae 5-nerviae, supra sparse minuteque glanduloso-pilosae, subtus dense cinereo-tomentellae. Paniculae magnae terminales ramosae 8—12 cm. longae multiflorae glanduloso-polisae, bracteis minimis oblongis. Florum 4- merorum non bene conservatorum structura difficiliter et fortasse non rite observanda. Hypanthium tubuloso-campanulatum 8-costatum dense glanduloso-pilosum. Sepala erecta triangularia acuta sparse glandulosa 1.6 mm. longa. Petala non visa. Stamina valde dimorpha. Filamenta glabra erecta gracilia 3-7 mm. longa. Antherae lineari-subulatae, staminum episepalorum horizontales 4.2 mm. longae, connectivo subtereti in semicirculum 1.5 mm. diam. curvato et supra insertionem filamenti in appendices 2 V-forme connatas dilatato, ad angulam externam appendicum inserto; appendicibus in angulo interno ad filamentum affixis, triangulari-subulatis 3.2 mm. longis, infra filamentum attenuatis in calcaria filiformia et interdum calcaribus similibus lateralibus 1 vel 2 ornatis; antherae staminum epipetalorum erectae 3.3 mm. longae, connectivo ad angulam 90° deflexo 1 mm. longo, infra insertionem filamenti calcaria 2 lineari-subulata erecta 1.7 mm. longa gerente. Ovarium superum, teste cl. Pulle in schedis 3-loculare, sed in uno dissecto distinctissime 4-loculare; stylo stigmateque non visis; seminibus cochleatis.

Description: Some months ago the first author published in his Studies in Moraceae II (Rec. trav. bot. néerl. XXXIII, 1936, pp. 254—276) a synopsis of the genus Clarisia R. & P. The second author traced in the Berlin Herbarium a specimen of this genus which had been described in 1821 as Excoecaria ilicifolia Spreng. As this species is identic with Clarisia strepitans (Fr. Allem.) Lanj., the name of the latter species has to be changed. As in addition some interesting specimens were kindly sent to Utrecht for determination by the Herbaria at Berlin-Dahlem (D), Geneva (G) and the Arnold Arboretum, Jamaica Plain (A), it seemed desirable to publish these notes.

Description: Endlicheria Nees (non Presl) in Linnaea 8 (1833), p. 37; id., Progr. (1833), p. 16; id., Syst. (1836), p. 365; Endl., Gen. (1837), p. 321; id., Ench. (1841), p. 197; Dietrich, Synops. Pl. 2 (1840), p. 1332, 1350; Spach, Hist. nat. Végét. X (1841), p. 473; Steudel, Nomencl. ed. 2 (1841), p. 554; Meissn., Gen. I (1836—43), p. 326, II, p. 238; Orbigny, Dict. univ. (1846), p. 259; Lindl., Veg. kgd. (1846), p. 537; Meissn. in D.C., Prodr. XV, 1 (1864), p. 172; id. in Fl. Bras. V, 2 (1866), p. 281; Baillon, Hist. II (1870), p. 480 in adnot.; Pfeiffer, Nomencl. (1873), p. 1201; Benth. in Benth. & Hook., Gen. III (1880), p. 153; Durand, Index Gen. (1888), p. 348 sub Aydendron; Mez in Jahrb. Bot. Gart. Berl. V (1889), p. 111; Pax in Engl.-Prantl, Pfl. Fam. III, 2 (1889), p. 122; dalla Torre & Harms, Gen. (1900—07), p. 178 sub Aniba; Post & Kuntze, Lexicon (1904), p. 197; Lemée, Dict. 2 (1929), p. 857; Benoist in Arch. Bot. V (1931), p. 63; Kostermans in Meded. Bot. Mus. Utrecht 25 (1936), p. 41; id. in Pulle, F1. Surin. 2 (1936), p. 327. – Goeppertia Nees, Syst, l.c., p. 354, 365 (non alibi nec aliis); Endl., Gen., l.c., p. 321, n. 2051; id., Ench., l.c., p. 197; Dietrich, l.c., p. 1332, 1350; Spach., l.c., p. 473; Steudel, l.c., p. 697; Reichb., Nomencl. (1861), p. 70, n. 2659; Meissn., Gen. I, p. 326, II, p. 238; Orbigny, l.c., p. 259; Lindl., l.c., p. 537; Meissn. in D.C., l.c., p. 172; id. in Fl. Bras., l.c., p. 281; Baillon, l.c., p. 480; Pfeiffer, l.c., p. 1473; Benth., l.c., p. 153; Durand, l.c., p. 348 sub Aydendron; Mez, l.c.; Pax, l.c., p. 122; dalla Torre & Harms, l.c., p. 178 sub Aniba; Post & Kuntze, l.c., p. 253; Kosterm. in Meded., l.c. – Schauera Nees in Lindley, Nat. Syst. ed. 2 (1836), p. 202 in adnot. (non aliis nec alibi); Endl., l.c., p. 321; id., Ench., p. 197; Meissn., Gen. II, l.c., p. 238; Orbigny, l.c., p. 259; Lindl., Veg. kgd., l.c., p. 537; Benth., l.c., p. 153; Durand, l.c., p. 348 sub Aydendron; Mez, l.c.; Pfeiffer, l.c., p. 1071; dalla Torre & Harms, l.c., p. 178 sub Aniba; Post & Kuntze, l.c., p. 503; Lemée, l.c., p. 1006. – Schaueria Nees ex Meissn. in D.C., l.c., p. 172; id. in Fl. Bras., l.c., p. 281 (non aliis); Baillon, l.c., p. 480; Pax, l.c., p. 122. – Ampelodaphne Meissn. in D.C., l.c., p. 81; id. in Fl. Bras, l.c., p. 167; Baillon, l.c., p. 473; Pfeiffer, l.c., p. 1071; Benth., l.c., p. 153; Durand, l.c., p. 348 sub Aydendron; Pax, l.c., p. 122; dalla Torre & Harms, l.c., p. 178 n. 2812; Post & Kuntze, l.c., p. 24; Lemée, Dict., l.c., p. 210; Kosterm. in Meded., l.c. – Aydendron Griseb. (non Nees), p.p. in Fl. Brit. W. Ind. isl. (1860), p. 284; Benth., l.c., p. 153; Mez, l.c. – Huberodaphne Ducke in Arch. Jard. Rio de Janeiro 4 (1925), p. 191; Lemèe, Dict., l.c., 3 (1931), p. 661. Type species: Endlicheria hirsuta Nees.

Description: Anaueria Kosterm. in Chronica Botanica IV, 1 (1938), p. 14. Arbores brasilienses foliis sub-oppositis. Flores hermaphroditi ex-involucrati paniculati; tepalis sex tribus exterioribus minoribus. Stamina novem quorum sex exteriora fertilia filamentis in annulum ovarium cingentem connatis antheris liberis bilocellatis sub-introrsis; tria interiora sterilia staminodialia sub-aequilonga. Ovarium subglobosum tubo planiusculo insertum, stylo obtuso brevi stigmate inconspicuo. Staminodia seriei quartae nulla. Bacca magna ellipsoidea pedicello vix elongate cylindrico tepalis non incrassatis persistentibus insidens.

Description: Zu meiner Bearbeitung des surinamischen Materials der Gentianaceae für die von Pulle herausgegebene „Flora of Surinam” gehören nog einige kritische Bemerkungen. Ich muszte z.B. in einigen Fällen von der von Gilg in Engler und Prantl, Nat. Pflanzenfamilien gegebenen Einteilung der Gattungen und deren Umgrenzung abweichen. Auch stellte es sich heraus, dasz sich unter dem Material eine neue Art befand, deren Beschreibung und Abbildung unten folgen.

Description: Juniperus macropoda Boiss. Fl. Orient. V (1884) p. 709; Hooker Fl. Br. Ind. V (1890) p. 647. Umlung (Thalam-buti valley) 4200 m, 28 July no. 58. Big shrubs.

Description: De in deze Jubileumserie van de „Mededeelingen van het Botanisch Museum en Herbarium te Utrecht” opgenomen artikelen zijn door de schrijvers ingezonden om Prof. Pulle, ter gelegenheid van zijn zilveren jubileum als hoogleeraar, hun waardeering te toonen. Een kort woord over den jubilaris moge hier als inleiding van deze bijdragen volgen. Op 10 Januari 1878, op den dag dat in verschillende plaatsen den Ioosten sterfdag van Linnaeus werd herdacht, werd August Adriaan Pulle te Arnhem geboren.

Description: Since the appearance of my „Notes on the Rubiaceae of Surinam” (in Rec. d. Trav. bot. néerl. XXXI, 1934, 248; also in Meded. Bot. Mus. Herb. Utrecht no. 11, 1934) a number of species and varieties new to the flora of that country have come to light. The majority have been collected by Mr. Rombouts during the 1935/36 expedition of the Boundary Commission who is surveying at present the border in the southern part of the colony; they were found along the River Corantyne and in the savannahs in the south-western part. One species was secured by Dr. Lanjouw, and has been mentioned already in his „Additions to Pulle’s Flora of Surinam I” (in Rec. d. Trav. bot. Néerl. XXXII, 1935, 258) and one, represented by a rather poor fruiting specimen collected years ago by the Forestry Bureau, was found among material provisionally consigned to another family. New to the flora of Surinam are the following twelve species: Alseis longifolia Ducke var. pentamera Brem. n. var., Sabicea cinerea Aubl., S. Romboutsii Brem. n. spec., S. surinamensis Brem. n. spec., Tocoyena surinamensis Brem. n. spec., Thieleodoxa nitidula Brem. n. spec., Guettarda Spruceana Müll. Arg., Psychotria Romboutsii Brem. n. spec., Declieuxia fruticosa (Willd. ex R. et S.) Kuntze, Diodia pulchristipula Brem. n. spec., Spermacoce guianensis Brem. n. spec, and Borreria verticillata (L.) G. F. W. Mey (the B. verticillata of the Flora of Surinam IV, 287 proved to be B. suaveolens G. F. W. Mey., under which name it had been recorded already by Miquel), and one variety: Sipanea pratensis Aubl. var. glaberrima Brem. n. var. Four of the ten genera to which these species belong, namely Alseis, Thieleodoxa, Declieuxia and Spermacoce, are also new to the flora of Surinam. Seven species and two varieties are entirely new, and will be described below. Before entering on this part of my task I will make a few remarks however on two of the species known already from elsewhere, namely on Guettarda Spruceana Müll. Arg. and on Borreria verticillata (L.) G. F. W. Mey, and on a third species, Coccocypselum guyanense (Aubl.) K. Sch., which is known since long from Surinam, but of which Mr. Rombouts collected a specimen differing somewhat from the older Surinam findings.

Description: The Tenasserim lutung Trachypithecus barbei was previously known from museum specimens and field observations only. We discovered a zoo specimen and present the first confirmed evidence for the continued existence of the species since 1967. We describe the cranial pelage and coloration characteristics of this species which were previously unknown. We present first molecular evidence for recognizing T. barbei as a distinct species and for assessing its phylogenetic affinities relative to other members of the genus Trachypithecus. We document the taxonomic history of T. barbei and present a distribution map based on a compilation of all known locality records.

Description: The morphology, function and distribution of exocrine glands of copepods have rarely been studied in detail and almost nothing is known about them in the sea lice species L. salmonis and C. elongatus. This study utilised a novel application of a light-microscopy staining technique to reveal a variety of glands m nauplius, copepodid, chalimus, preadult and adult stages. The stain, 3’,3-diaminobenzidine tetrahydrochloride (DAB), applied to fresh material, differentiated a population of exocrine glands and enabled a study of their distribution. The stain was successful in highlighting the ducts and pores associated with the larger glands. The locations of gland sub-populations were conserved in all life-stages, although glands in the swimming legs were found to be better represented in mobile and freeswimming stages i.e. copepodids, preadults and adults. Glands associated with the mouth-tube were also located. Other, nonglandular, peroxidase-positive regions were also highlighted by the stain. These regions were found mainly in preadult and adult stages where they formed characteristic bi-symmetrical patterns on the cuticle of the dorsal surface. A study of some calanoid copepods suggested that peroxidase-positive glands are a feature peculiar to caligid copepods. This staining technique has proven useful for elucidating the ontogeny of gland populations in caligids.

Description: Many papers on the taxonomy of fossil crustaceans are often based upon poorly preserved material and/or specimens that have been insufficiently prepared. The purpose of the present note is to outline some preparation methods that are applied in our (J.S.H. Collins and S.L.J.) ongoing studies of anomuran and brachyuran decapods from the Middle Danian limestones at Fakse quarry (Denmark), which have greatly enhanced the quality of our material. The techniques briefly outlined here involve: 1 – staining method; 2 – water blasting (as a cleaning tool in preparation of fossils); and 3 – negative preparation (with acid). Some of these techniques will have wide applications in other fields of paleontological research.

Description: To verify if and to what extent egg and nauplii development of the salmon lice take place during winter, the development from egg to the copepodid stage at 2,3,4,5 and 10°C was examined. Newly extruded egg strings from a winter population of salmon lice were individually placed in 6 ml stagnant hatching systems. Initially, no significant differences in egg development time were found between these and larger aerated systems, though a tendency for less synchronised hatching of the total egg string was detected in the stagnant systems (difference〈 12 h). In light versus dark conditions the time to hatching was significantly prolonged by darkness (10-15%). The use of small stagnant experimental units was a pronounced simplification of hatching methods used earlier. At low temperature all but one pair of egg strings hatched. Time to first hatching was found to be 45.1±0.5 days at 2°C, 35.2±0.4 days at 3°C, 27.6±0.2 days at 4°C, 21.6±0.1 days at 5°C and 8.7±0.1 days at 10°C. The developmental time to hatching correlated to temperature fitted the polynomial function: Days to first hatching=0.6638 T² – 12.492T + 67.116 (R²=0.99). A high proportion of the nauplii developed to the copepodid (infectious stage) stage at 4°C and higher but only a small proportion at 2 and 3°C. Total developmental time to copepodid ranged from 12.7 days at 10°C to 68.5 days at 2°C or to the polynomial function Days to first copepodid = 1.0236 Tˉ² – 19.129 T + 101.5 (R²=0.995). The «physiological age» at hatching, i.e. the product of days and the respective temperature, showed not to be linearly correlated to temperature, but showed a maximum at 4°C. Average age at hatching was 90°days at 2°C and 110° days at 4°C. Thus the egg strings of the winter population appeared to be adapted to very low temperature by reducing the time for egg development. The present results show that eggs of salmon lice can develop to the infectious stage during winter along the Norwegian west coast.

Description: In a collection of terrestrial isopods from Venezuela, a distinct species was identified which does not fit any of the known genera. Therefore, a new taxon Metaprosekia gen.n. is instituted to accomodate the new species. An analysis of its morphological characters revealed a close relationship to the genus Prosekia Vandel, 1968 and allied genera. The phylogeny of this group is discussed and one of its poorly known representatives, Xiphoniscus mirabilis Vandel, 1968 is redescribed on the basis of the type material.

Description: Various fossil lungfish taxa preserve distinct depressions on the smooth postbranchial lamina of the dermal pectoral girdle. These depressions are largely unknown in other sarcopterygian fishes, but are present in the rhizodont sarcopterygian Strepsodus. Comparisons with extant actinopterygian fishes suggest these depressions mark the point of origin for the clavobranchialis musculature, extending anterodorsally into the gill chamber to insert on the ventral surface of the ceratobranchial(s). Studios examining feeding and respiratory mechanisms of bony fishes (Osteichthyes) have emphasised the role of mandibular depression in generating negative pressures within the oral cavity to draw in water/air/food via suction. However, phylogenetically basal actinopterygians, fossil lungfish and other fossil sarcoptcrygians (such as Strepsodus) lack the apomorphies that increase suction among bony fishes. In these taxa the clavobranchialis muscles may serve to augment this negative pressure by retracting the ceratobranchials and increasing the size of the oral/ oropharyngeal cavity. A comparable action is performed by the chondrichthyan coracobranchiales muscles, particularly during feeding, and the function of these ventral gill arch muscles is likely to be a synapomorphy of jawed vertebrates (Gnathostomata). This musculature is absent from jawless vertebrates such as the Osteostraci.

Description: The case described here analyses morphological change at the boundary between ecological and evolutionary scales. The size and shape of 8 populations of two sibling species of tenebrionid beetles (Asida planipennis and A. moraguesi) are analysed using landmark-based methods. The two species differ in size, shape and in allometric trajectory. Thin-Plate Spline Analysis (TPSA) combined with Canonical Variate Analysis (CVA) reveal the specific shape changes that allow the best inter-species discrimination. These changes involve the outline of the posterior margin of the pronotum. Moreover, the landmarkbased method provides useful tools for interpreting the intraspecies variability of some continuously varying morphological characters. In the case of A. planipennis, size and shape are correlated at the inter-population level, but are independent at the intra-population level. Moreover, size and shape do not reflect any spatial (i.e., geographical) structure or phylogenetic inertia at the inter-population level. These facts favour sitespecific environmental conditions as the main cause of shape and size variability in this species. One environmental variable is suggested to be the cause of the inter-population morphological differences detected.

Description: We studied reproductive characters of a population of the tortoise Testudo h. hermanni in the Plaine des Maures (Var), and compared these to another population in southern France and to T. h. boettgeri in Greece. Clutch characters, which are measures of total reproductive investment, showed no differences between subspecies or sites after body size correction by ANCOVA. Egg characters, which measure the division of this investment among offspring, did vary significantly among both subspecies and sites after correcting for body mass. The presence of such local variation should discourage relocation of the threatened T. h. hermanni even between populations of the same subspecies.

Description: We review the Goneplacidae and review the various alternative hypotheses concerning membership within the family. We offer a new cladistic based hypothesis of phylogenetic relationships within the group.

Description: This paper reviews the quantitative morphological variation published for Sagitta setosa Müller, 1847 and two other species described within the S. serosa-complex, viz., S. euxina Moltschanoff, 1909 from the Black Sea, and S. batava Biersteker & Van der Spoel, 1966 from the Scheldt Estuary (Netherlands). Data on total (body) length, caudal length, numbers of teeth and hooks, ovary length, and dimensions of fins are compared between these three taxa. Additionally, samples from the North Sea, Mediterranean, and Black Sea are compared to look for geographic differences. Specimens from the Mediterranean were smallest with relatively long caudal segments, and few teeth and hooks, whereas specimens from the Black Sea were largest with relatively short caudal segments and many teeth and hooks. Specimens from the North Sea were intermediate with regards to these characters, but ranges overlapped and there were no obvious differences in allometry. These differences may be ecophenotypic, as the warm and salty Mediterranean Sea and cool and brackish Black Sea are at opposite ends of the environmental spectrum. The dimensions related to the fins showed clearer distinction between samples from different geographical areas, and slight differences in allometry. However, few data were available and little is known about the variance within each geographical area. We found more variation in quantitative characters within S. setosa from different parts of its range than between S. setosa and either S. hatava, or S. euxina. Sagitta batava conformed to S. setosa in terms of all the morphological characters considered. The data for S. setosa derived from Biersteker & Van der Spoel (1966) were atypical and were found to be based on misidentifications of S. elegans. Therefore, we concluded that S. batava cannot be considered a separate taxon. For S. euxina, the data were inconclusive. Quantitative data completely overlapped between S. setosa from the Black Sea and S. euxina, but few data of S. setosa from the Black Sea were available. Because samples were either composed entirely of S. setosa or S. euxina (depending on sampling season and depth) and there was a large variation in body lengths and relative ovary lengths, we consider it possible that these samples represent seasonal variants of one and the same species.

Description: The analysis of consecutive ontogenetic stages, or events, introduces a new class of data to phylogenetic systematics that are distinctly different from traditional morphological characters and molecular sequence data. Ontogenetic event sequences are distinguished by varying degrees of both a collective and linear type of dependence and, therefore, violate the criterion of character independence. We applied different methods of phylogenetic reconstruction to ontogenetic data including maximum parsimony and distance (cluster) analyses. Two different data sets were investigated: (1) four simulated ontogenies with defined phylogenies of six hypothetical taxa, and (2) a set of “real” data comprising sequences of 29 ontogenetic events from 11 vertebrate taxa. We confirm that heterochronic event sequences do contain a phylogenetic signal. However, based on our results we argue that maximum parsimony is a biased method to analyze such developmental sequence data. Ontogenetic events require a special analytical algorithm that would not neglect instances of chronological (horizontal) dependence of this type of data. One coding method, “event-pairing”, appeared to fulfill this requirement in the vertebrate analyses. However, to accurately analyze ontogenetic sequence data, a more sophisticated coding method and algorithm are needed, for example, measuring distances of dependent events.