Pollination by Sexual Mimicry in Mormolyca ringens: A Floral Chemistry that Remarkably Matches the Pheromones of Virgin Queens of Scaptotrigona sp

The chemical composition of some volatile (2-heptanol) and nonvolatile constituents (a homologous 9-alkene/alkane series) of Mormolyca ringens flowers and Scaptotrigona sp. queen waxes (homologous 9-alkene/alkane series) and cephalic extracts (homologous series of 2-alkanols, including 2-heptanol) involved with the pseudocopulation or sexual mimicry in Orchidaceae pollination is compared. The similarity in chemical composition of flowers and insects is assigned to the chemically induced copulatory activity in Scaptotrigona males.

Sexual mimicry in Mormolyca ringens (Lindl.) Schltr. (Orchidaceae: Maxillariinae)

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Pollination through sexual mimicry, also known as pseudocopulation, has been suggested to occur in some genera of the Neotropical orchid subtribe Maxillariinae. However, it has been demonstrated so far only for Trigonidium obtusum. This study reports and illustrates pollination through sexual mimicry in Mormolyca ringens.

METHODS

A total of 70 h were dedicated to the observation of flowers and pollinator behaviour, which was photographically recorded. Flower features involved in pollinator attraction were studied using a stereomicroscope and by SEM analyses. Preliminary observations on the plant breeding system were made by manually self-pollinating flowers. The chemical composition of the fragrance volatiles was determined by GC/MS analysis.

KEY RESULTS

The flower features of M. ringens parallel those of other pseudocopulatory flowers. The labellum shape and indument are reminiscent of an insect. Sexually excited drones of Nannotrigona testaceicornis and Scaptotrigona sp. (both in the Apidae: Meliponini) attempt copulation with the labellum and pollinate the flower in the process. In both bee species, the pollinarium is attached to the scutellum. Pollinator behaviour may promote some degree of self-pollination, but preliminary observations indicate that M. ringens flowers are self-incompatible. Flowers are produced all the year round, which ties in with the production of bee males several times a year. The phylogenetic relationships of M. ringens are discussed and a number of morphological and phenological features supporting them are reported.

CONCLUSIONS

It is expected that further research could bring to light whether other Maxillariinae species are also pollinated through sexual mimicry. When a definitive and robust phylogeny of this subtribe is available, it should be possible to determine how many times pseudocopulation evolved and its possible evolutionary history.

The Chemistry of Pollination in Selected Brazilian Maxillariinae Orchids: Floral Rewards and Fragrance

We report the chemical composition of the floral rewards and the fragrance of 10 Maxillariinae (Orchidaceae) species. The species that offer rewards (labellar secretions) are usually scentless, the rewards being collected by bees. Chemical analyses revealed that the major chemical class of compounds present in the labellar secretions are triterpenoids. The rewardless Maxillariinae flowers were usually scented, and chemical analyses of their volatiles revealed that they were composed of mono and sesquiterpenoids.

Chemical analysis and antifungal activity of the essential oil of Calea clematidea

The chemical composition of the essential oils of Calea clematidea Baker obtained by hydrodistillation of the leaves and flowers was analysed by GC and GC/MS and the oils were assayed for their antifungal activities. The essential oil of the leaves showed a high content of a new natural epoxy terpenoid, named clemateol (ca. 70 %), with minor amounts of o-vanillin (6.5 %), spathulenol (4.2 %), alpha-terpinene (4.0 %), germacrene B (2.9 %), yomogi alcohol (1.8 %), ( E)-caryophylene (1.7 %), m-cymenene (1.6 %), and alpha-gurjunene (1.5 %), while the essential oil of the flowers was characterized by a higher content of thymol methyl ether (ca. 80 %), with minor amounts of clemateol (4.8 %) and o-cymene (4.7 %). The antimicrobial activity of the oils was also evaluated against dermatophytes for their possible use in pharmaceutical preparations for topical applications. The oil of the leaves (MIC > 3.57 mg/ml), clemateol (MIC > 1.52 mg/ml), and the alcohol 2 (MIC > 2.82 mg/ml) showed a moderate antifungal activity against Trichophyton tonsurans, Trichophyton rubrum, Trichophyton menthagrophytes var. i nterdigitale, Epidermophyton floccosum, Microsporum gypseum, Microsporum canis and Microsporum nanum.

[Late results following partial and total colectomy in infancy]

26 children were investigated on an average 11.5 years after partial (n = 13) and total (n = 13) colonic resection. Total colectomy was followed by an increased frequency of gastrointestinal symptoms such as recurrent abdominal pain, flatulence, attacks of diarrhoea, frequent and pasty or liquid stools with strange smell. An increased salt or fluid intake was observed in one half of these patients. Their height and bone age was slightly but significantly reduced. Laboratory investigations revealed no significant deficiencies of electrolyts, vitamins or trace elements. However Renin (mean and 2s-range = 5.2; 2.7-6.8 ng/ml.h, normal values (NV) 1.3; 0.5-4.0 ng/ml.h, p less than 0.02), aldosterone (242.1; 168.4-357.8 pg/ml, NV 78.9; 39.4-168.4 pg/ml, *p less than 0.02), conjugated bile acids (11.3; 5.2-20.0 mumol/1, NV 4.2; 1.5-7.0 mumol/1, p less than 0.01) and serum urea concentration (32.5; 20.8-48.7 mg/dl, NV 14.6; 6.0-22.5 mg/dl, p less than 0.01) were significantly elevated. Three postprandial plasma levels of gastrin, VIP and neurotensin were within normal limits. In patients with partial large bowel resection all signs were less pronounced. According to our results a special diet in children years after colectomy seems not to be required.

Family characteristics of 105 patients with bulimia

The authors compared 105 patients who met DSM-III criteria for bulimia with 86 control subjects on measures of family environment and presence of eating disorders. Bulimic patients' perceptions of their families included low cohesiveness, a lack of emphasis on independent and assertive behavior, and a high level of conflict coupled with a low emphasis on open expression of feelings. Families of bulimic subjects had achievement expectations comparable to those of control families, but the former placed less emphasis on intellectual and recreational activities. The high disorganization of the families of bulimic subjects was associated with severity of symptoms.

[Long-term results of the treatment of juvenile bone cysts]

38 children between 5 and 14 years of age with juvenile bone cysts were followed up to a maximum of 20 years. In two-thirds of the cases the diagnosis was made on the occasion of a fracture in the cyst region. One child received conservative treatment, 37 children were operated on. The roentgenological diagnosis of all children operated on was confirmed histologically. The operative procedure consisted in milling out the cysts and filling the cavities with autogenous, allogenous or xenogenous spongiosa. Because of the high recurrence rate (10-40% in the literature and 19% from our own experience) we suggest a modified surgical procedure assuring complete recovery. Subtotal diaphysectomy with interposition of a corticospongious splinter and allogenous spongiosa using a stable osteosynthesis in the case of large primary cysts in metadiaphyseal position is discussed.

[Value of scintigraphic examination methods with 99mTechnetium in injuries of the epiphyseal cartilage (author's transl)]

The value of scintigraphic examinations of injuries involving the epiphyseal plate is to be seen to ensure the correct diagnosis of the lesions type I and type V according to Salter and Harris. Further on the results of these scintigraphic examinations allow a better planning of the therapeutic procedure. Experimental findings in rabbits succeeded to predict the seriousness and an early prognosis. The disturbances of the epiphyseal blood flow can be diagnosed by 99m Tc-O4 labeled erythrocytes and 99m Tc-O4 labeled albumin microspheres. 99m Tc-MDP skeletal scintigraphy gives the information at which time the repair is done and full weight bearing is possible.

[Complete correction in cases of malrotation (author's transl)]

The features of malrotation of the intestine, include the incomplete fixation of the mesentery which may lead to torsion in association with abnormal positioning of the cranial mesenteric vessels. There are also abnormal strangulated peritoneal bands extending from the large bowel across the duodenum. These anomalies can either lead to duodenal obstruction or to volvulus. The operative procedure described by Ladd has the advantage that it is brief but requires relatively frequent repeat laparotomies. Complete correction with the attempted construction of normal anatomy has the disadvantage that it is a difficult and time-consuming procedure, but the incidence of repeat laparotomy is significantly lower. It is therefore suggested that "at risk" children may be preferably treated by the Ladd procedure and this should always be used if there are anaesthetic problems.

[Solitary nonparasitic cysts of the liver in childhood (author's transl)]

3 patients with solitary, non-parasitic cysts of the liver are reported. 2 of these were seen in infants and one in a 7 year old child. The clinical presentation, diagnosis and treatment are discussed. Complete excision of the cyst is the treatment of choice and the various operative procedures described in the literature are discussed. The macroscopic and microscopic findings of these cysts are described.

Photosensitivity to sulfisoxazole ointment

A 35-year-old man demonstrated sulfisoxazole diolamine-induced photosensitivity during treatment for staphylococcal blepharitis. This reaction was easily avoided by applying the ointment at bedtime and covering the eyelids during sun-bathing while in therapy. A drug-induced photosensitivity reaction should be considered in cases of staphylococcal blepharitis resistant to or aggravated by eyelid-margin therapy with sulfonamides.