Structural unit of xylans from sugi (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Cryptomeria japonica</Emphasis>) and hinoki (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Chamaecyparis obtusa</Emphasis>)

Arabinoglucuronoxylans (AGXs) isolated from the holocellulose of sugi (Cryptomeria japonica) and hinoki (Chamaecyparis obtusa) contained one 4-O-methyl-d-glucopyranosyluronic acid (4-O-Me-d-GlcAp) residue per 6.2 d-xylopyranose (d-Xylp) residues and one 4-O-Me-d-GlcAp residue per 3.8 d-Xylp residues. These AGXs were subjected to partial acid hydrolysis. Analyses by size exclusion chromatography and electrospray-ionization mass spectroscopy of the neutral sugar fractions in the hydrolysates showed the presence of xylooligosaccharides having a degree of polymerization of 2-8 in addition to d-Xyl, suggesting that the AGXs from sugi and hinoki contained unsubstituted chains consisting of at least eight d-Xyl residues. The acidic sugars in the hydrolysates were separated into two series of aldouronic acids composed of 4-O-Me-d-GlcAp and d-Xylp by ion-exchange chromatography. The first series included aldouronic acids from aldobiouronic acid (4-O-Me-d-GlcAp-Xyl) to aldopentaouronic acids (4-O-Me-d-GlcAp-Xyl₄). The second series were aldouronic acids composed of two 4-O-Me-d-GlcAp residues and 2-4 d-Xyl residues. In these acidic sugars, the uronic acid side chains were located on two contiguous d-Xyl residues. These facts indicated that AGXs from sugi and hinoki had a structural unit containing two 4-O-Me-d-GlcAp residues on two contiguous d-Xyl residues as well as AGXs from spruce and larch.     

Structure of xylan from culms of bamboo grass (Sasa senanensis Rehd.)

Xylan prepared from culms of kumaizasa (Sasa senanensis Rehd.), a representative species of bamboo grass, was hydrolyzed with-xylanase ofStreptomyces olivaceoviridis E-86. Four arabinoxylo-oligosaccharides and two glucuronoxylo-oligosaccharides were isolated from the enzymatic hydrolysate of the xylan by chromatography on a charcoal column, a Dowex 1-x8 column, a Toyo-pearl HW-40S column, and a LiChrospher 100 NH₂ column and on preparative paper chromatography. The results of the structural analyses of the saccharides showed that the isolated oligosaccharides had the structures of 3²--l-arabinofuranosyl-xylobiose, 3²--l-arabinofuranosyl-xylotriose, 3²--[-d-xylopyranosyl-(1 2)-l-arabinofuranosyl]-xylobiose, 3³--[-d-xylopyranosyl-(1 2)-l-arabinofuranosyl]-xylotriose, 2³--4-O-methyl-d-glucuronosyl-xylotriose, and 2³--d-glucuronosyl-xylotriose. From the structural analysis of the oligosaccharides derived from the xylan, kumaizasa xylan was concluded to be a kind of arabinoglucuronoxylan having not only stubs of singlel-arabinose and singled-glucuronic acid but also stubs of disaccharide units such as-d-xylopyranosyl-(1 2)-l-arabinofuranose.     

Stiffness and wood variation of 3-year old<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Pinus radiata</Emphasis> clones

The objective of this study was to explore wood variation, especially modulus of elasticity ( moe), density, and microfibril angle ( mfa), in a three-year old Pinus radiata tree clone trial. Moreover, the study examined the potential for genetic selection of radiata pine clones with high moe using current acoustic technology. The clone selection criteria were based on growth traits, basic density, and sound velocity indices to mirror the range in wood density and moe amongst c. 1000 clones. The selected 22 clones, represented by two trees each, were measured for moe, spiral grain, wood density, compression wood percentage, and mfa. Good agreement was found between static moe and dynamic moe. Both static and dynamic moe measurements were found to be primarily dependent on mfa (clonal range 28–39 degrees). Although wood density (clonal range 300–400 kg/m³) did not have a significant influence on moe alone, it was significant in combination with mfa. Compression wood tended to reduce moe and inflate wood density. The opportunities for genetic selection of radiata clones with high stiffness seem promising as the 22 selected clones exhibited a two-fold range of static moe (2.2–4.7 GPa) and the clonal heritabilities ( ) for moe, density and mfa were high.     

Zur Biologie and Parasitierung der BlattwespeHemichroa crocea (Geoffr.)(Hymenopt., Nematinae), eines Schädlings der Grünerle in den Alpen

Zusammenfassung In der vorliegenden Arbeit wird die Verbreitung vonHemichroa crocea und ihr Auftreten an der Grünerle geschildert. In den Alpen pflegt diese Blattwespe in der Urgesteinzone anAlnus viridis zu leben; gelegentlich wurdenBetula verrucosa undAlnus incana angenommen. Die Angaben vonBaer undHopping (1937) konnten bestätigt werden. Weiters wurde beobachtet, daß in den Alpen typische Birkeninsekten auf die Grü nerle überzugehen pflegen. An Parasiten wurden die IchneumonidenCteniscus romani, Eduiaborus pedatorius, Mesoleius astutus, M. aulicus Hypamblys albopictus und an TachinenHyalurgus lucidus undMyxexoristops stolida gezogen.

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Summary The distribution ofHemichroa crosea in the Alps is described. There, the sawfly is to be found mainly in the Central-alpine chain on bushes ofAlnus viridis. The observations ofBaer andHopping (1937) have been confirmed. Further, it has been observed that in the Alps typical birch-insects are frequently changing over toAlnus viridis as host. The following parasites have been reared:Cteniscus romani, Eudiaborus pedatorius, Mesoleius astutus, M. aulicus and the two tachinidsHyalurgus lucidus andMyxexoristops stolida.

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Résumé L'auteur décrit la distribution géographique de l'Hemichora crocea dans les Alpes. On y trouve cette tenthrède principalement dans la chaîne centrale sur les buissons deAlnus viridis, ce qui confirme les observations deBaer et deHopping (1937). De plus, l'auteur a observé que les insectes qui vivent sur le bouleau passent fréquemment surAlnus viridis. Il a elevé à partier de l'Hemichroa crocea les parasites suivants:Cteniscus romani, Eudiaborus pedatorius, Mesoleius astutus, M. aulicus et les deux tachinairesHyalurgus lucidus etMyxexoristops stolida.

     

Balaustium murorum (Hermann, 1804) (Acarina,Erythraeidae) in Häusern. Eine wenig beachtete sommerliche Milbenplage

Zusammenfassung Fünf in der BRD erstmalig registrierte Fälle von mehr oder weniger starkem Auftreten vonBalaustium murorum (Hermann, 1804) in oder an Häusern, von denen Material der Verfasserin zur Untersuchung vorlag, werden aufgeführt. Ferner werden Beobachtungen von C. F.van de Bund in den Niederlanden und I. M.Newell in Nordamerika erwähnt. Bei letzteren ist wichtig, daß Vertreter der GattungBalaustium, von denen einige offensichtlich Pflanzenfresser sind, auch den Menschen angreifen und Bakterien übertragen können.

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Summary Five cases of more or less heavy appearance ofBalaustium murorum (Hermann, 1804) in or at houses are represented, at first observed in West Germany by the writer. Observations from the Netherlands and North America are mentioned. The latter ones are important because species ofBalaustium may feed on plants but also may attack man and transmit bacteria.

     

Unbemerkte Einbürgerung und Ausbreitung des nordamerikanischen Grubenhalsigen Splintholzkäfers,Lyctus cavicollis LeConte,in Mitteleuropa,nebst Anmerkungen zur möglichen Einschleppung zweier anderer nearktischer Lyctiden (Coleoptera,Lyctidae)

Undiscovered introduction and distribution of the North American Western Powder-post BeetleLyctus cavicollis LeConte in Central Europe, with remarks to possible importations of two other nearctic lyctids (Coleoptera; Lyctidae)The article analyses 30 reports on the occurrence ofLyctus cavicollis LeC. introduced from North America into southwest-central Europe since 1974 and considers the circumstances of the finds. 18 synanthropic occurrences are known, along with ten finds in the wild, at least three of which were in nearly natural established populations. BecauseL. cavicollis is already widely distributed and established in parts of Central Europe, it is impossible today to reconstruct even approximately the chronological history of its introduction.On the other hand, only two cases are known from the last forty years of the introduction into Central Europe of the closely-relatedLyctus planicollis LeC. The article also points out that reintroduction of the European speciesLyctus linearis Gze., which was brought to North America a long time ago, could also occur.Practical morphological distinctions between two species (L. cavicollis andL. planicollis) as well as between the typical European speciesL. linearis and its morphacrassicollis Lesne as described from North America, are given.

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Mit 7 Tabellen und 4 Abbildungen     

Cryptococcus fagi Bärensp. und die Buchen-Rindennekrose

Zusammenfassung Im Hinblick auf die Veröffentlichung vonSchütt undLang (1980) über die Buchenrindennekrose, in der die Buchenwollschildlaus,Cryptococcus fagi Bär. als Primärursache genant ist, wird von eigenen, bereits 1960 in Norddeutschland durchgeführten Untersuchungen (unveröff). über den Zusammenhang zwischen der Schildlaus und dem Buchensterben berichtet. Die histologischen Untersuchungen zeigten damals deutliche Veränderungen des Rindengewebes durch das Saugen der Schildläuse, doch konnte ein klarer Zusammenhang mit dem Buchenrindensterben nicht bewiesen werden. Weitere Studien müssen die Rolle vonCr. fagi im Zusammenhang mit dieser Krankheit aufklären.

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On the relationship between Cryptococcus fagi Bär. and the beech bark disease

With regard to the publication ofSchütt andLang (1980) on the beech bark disease mentioning the scaleCryptococcus fagi to be a primary causing factor, a review is given of the results of studies made in 1960 in Northern Germany on this problem bySchimitschek andWienke (unpubl.). The bark tissue sucked by the scales showed distinct lesions and alterations but a relationship between scale attack and bark disease was'nt provable. Further studies must clear the role ofCr. fagi within the process of beech bark disease.

     

Contrasting rooting patterns of some arid-zone fruit tree species from Botswana – I. Fine root distribution

To assess the possible degree of root competition from fruit trees which could potentially be used in agroforestry systems, fine root density of fruit trees Strychnos cocculoides Bak., Strychnos spinosa Lam. (Loganiaceae) and Vangueria infausta Burch. (Rubiaceae), as well as from the shrubby species, Grewia flava DC. (Tiliaceae) was investigated. Vangueria infausta had the highest fine root densities in both vertical and horizontal extensions. In Vangueria infausta fine root density decreased with increasing soil depth. For the other species in the 80 cm soil profile investigated, no significant changes in fine root density with soil depth were found. For Strychnos cocculoides almost no fine roots were detected in the upper soil horizon (0–20 cm). Using fine root surface area densities, exploration and exploitation indices were calculated. Vangueria infausta had the highest value of the exploration index compared to the other species. For use in agroforestry systems Vangueria infausta was estimated to be the most competitive of the investigated species, whereas Strychnos cocculoides seems to be the less competitive. Strychnos cocculoides has additionally spatial arrangements of fine roots favourable for agroforestry, slowly increasing with depth and additionally low concentrations in upper soil layers.     

Beitrag zur Kenntnis natürlicher Feinde der Platanen-Netzwanze (Corythuca ciliata (Say), Tingidae,Heteroptera)

Studies on the predatory insects of the Sycamore lace bug (Corythuca ciliata (Say)) In our previous work (Maceljski, andBalarin, 1974) we presented some results of our first investigations of the new insect introduced in Europe from North America, the Sycamore lace bug (Corythuca ciliata [SAY]). There we concluded that it is necessary to bring this insect under control especially by biological means.In our recent work we established that some most usual predatory bugs in Yugoslavia, i. e.Nabis pseudoferus Rm.,Rhinocoris iracundus iracundus (Pd.) andHimacerus mirmicoides (O. C.) are in the laboratory very effective sucking on the Sycamore lace bugs. Therefore it is possible that these predators will have a negative influence on the population-dynamic of this new nuisible insects in Europe. The investigation added to the knowledge of the possible preys of these bugs too.

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Die Untersuchungen wurden von der Stadt Zagreb unterstutzt.     

Einschleppung vonAlphitobius laevigatus (F.) und Embiiden mit termitengeschädigten Ziertischen aus Indien (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae; Embioptera: Embiidae; Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae)

Summary Indian tablets attacked byCoptotermes heimi (Wasmann, 1902) were covered with withish gray faeces of termites. The rosewood(Dalbergia lalitolia) was not eaten by termites, only the bone intarsia bear short tunnels. There were dead solders only, mostly corroded heads. Below intarsia living Embioptera, perhapsPseudembia flava (Ross, 1943) were found in their webs. There were many larval exuvies ofAlphitobius laevigatus (Fabricius, 1781) and some living adults.