scholarly journals Fertile Prototaxites taiti : a basal ascomycete with inoperculate, polysporous asci lacking croziers

2017 ◽  
Vol 373 (1739) ◽  
pp. 20170146 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rosmarie Honegger ◽  
Dianne Edwards ◽  
Lindsey Axe ◽  
Christine Strullu-Derrien

The affinities of Prototaxites have been debated ever since its fossils, some attaining tree-trunk proportions, were discovered in Canadian Lower Devonian rocks in 1859. Putative assignations include conifers, red and brown algae, liverworts and fungi (some lichenised). Detailed anatomical investigation led to the reconstruction of the type species, P. logani , as a giant sporophore (basidioma) of an agaricomycete (= holobasidiomycete), but evidence for its reproduction remained elusive. Tissues associated with P. taiti in the Rhynie chert plus charcoalified fragments from southern Britain are investigated here to describe the reproductive characters and hence affinities of Prototaxites . Thin sections and peels (Pragian Rhynie chert, Aberdeenshire) were examined using light and confocal microscopy; Přídolí and Lochkovian charcoalified samples (Welsh Borderland) were liberated from the rock and examined with scanning electron microscopy. Prototaxites taiti possessed a superficial hymenium comprising an epihymenial layer, delicate septate paraphyses, inoperculate polysporic asci lacking croziers and a subhymenial layer composed predominantly of thin-walled hyphae and occasional larger hyphae. Prototaxites taiti combines features of extant Taphrinomycotina (Neolectomycetes lacking croziers) and Pezizomycotina (epihymenial layer secreted by paraphyses) but is not an ancestor of the latter. Brief consideration is given to its nutrition and potential position in the phylogeny of the Ascomycota. This article is part of a discussion meeting issue ‘The Rhynie cherts: our earliest terrestrial ecosystem revisited’.

Author(s):  
Nakazo Watari ◽  
Yasuaki Hotta ◽  
Yoshio Mabuchi

It is very useful if we can observe the identical cell elements within the same sections by light microscopy (LM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and/or scanning electron microscopy (SEM) sequentially, because, the cell fine structure can not be indicated by LM, while the color is; on the other hand, the cell fine structure can be very easily observed by EM, although its color properties may not. However, there is one problem in that LM requires thick sections of over 1 μm, while EM needs very thin sections of under 100 nm. Recently, we have developed a new method to observe the same cell elements within the same plastic sections using both light and transmission (conventional or high-voltage) electron microscopes.In this paper, we have developed two new observation methods for the identical cell elements within the same sections, both plastic-embedded and paraffin-embedded, using light microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and/or scanning electron microscopy (Fig. 1).


Author(s):  
P.J. Lea ◽  
M.J. Hollenberg

Our current understanding of mitochondrial ultrastructure has been derived primarily from thin sections using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). This information has been extrapolated into three dimensions by artist's impressions (1) or serial sectioning techniques in combination with computer processing (2). The resolution of serial reconstruction methods is limited by section thickness whereas artist's impressions have obvious disadvantages.In contrast, the new techniques of HRSEM used in this study (3) offer the opportunity to view simultaneously both the internal and external structure of mitochondria directly in three dimensions and in detail.The tridimensional ultrastructure of mitochondria from rat hepatocytes, retinal (retinal pigment epithelium), renal (proximal convoluted tubule) and adrenal cortex cells were studied by HRSEM. The specimens were prepared by aldehyde-osmium fixation in combination with freeze cleavage followed by partial extraction of cytosol with a weak solution of osmium tetroxide (4). The specimens were examined with a Hitachi S-570 scanning electron microscope, resolution better than 30 nm, where the secondary electron detector is located in the column directly above the specimen inserted within the objective lens.


2018 ◽  
Vol 484 (1) ◽  
pp. 189-204 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. H. Worden ◽  
James E. P. Utley ◽  
Alan R. Butcher ◽  
J. Griffiths ◽  
L. J. Wooldridge ◽  
...  

AbstractChlorite is a key mineral in the control of reservoir quality in many siliciclastic rocks. In deeply buried reservoirs, chlorite coats on sand grains prevent the growth of quartz cements and lead to anomalously good reservoir quality. By contrast, an excess of chlorite – for example, in clay-rich siltstone and sandstone – leads to blocked pore throats and very low permeability. Determining which compositional type is present, how it occurs spatially, and quantifying the many and varied habits of chlorite that are of commercial importance remains a challenge. With the advent of automated techniques based on scanning electron microscopy (SEM), it is possible to provide instant phase identification and mapping of entire thin sections of rock. The resulting quantitative mineralogy and rock fabric data can be compared with well logs and core analysis data. We present here a completely novel Quantitative Evaluation of Minerals by SCANning electron microscopy (QEMSCAN®) SEM–energy-dispersive spectrometry (EDS) methodology to differentiate, quantify and image 11 different compositional types of chlorite based on Fe : Mg ratios using thin sections of rocks and grain mounts of cuttings or loose sediment. No other analytical technique, or combination of techniques, is capable of easily quantifying and imaging different compositional types of chlorite. Here we present examples of chlorite from seven different geological settings analysed using QEMSCAN® SEM–EDS. By illustrating the reliability of identification under automated analysis, and the ability to capture realistic textures in a fully digital format, we can clearly visualize the various forms of chlorite. This new approach has led to the creation of a digital chlorite library, in which we have co-registered optical and SEM-based images, and validated the mineral identification with complimentary techniques such as X-ray diffraction. This new methodology will be of interest and use to all those concerned with the identification and formation of chlorite in sandstones and the effects that diagenetic chlorite growth may have had on reservoir quality. The same approach may be adopted for other minerals (e.g. carbonates) with major element compositional variability that may influence the porosity and permeability of sandstone reservoirs.


2012 ◽  
Vol 49 (1) ◽  
pp. 43-48 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Schuster ◽  
G. Wibbelt

AbstractFive out of 15 free-ranging Northern shovelers (Anas clypeata Linneus) caught in Pakistan were infected with notocotylid trematodes. Out of the 31 flukes, 10 specimens were used morphological studies, 4 others were also examined by scanning electron microscopy and one remaining trematode was cut in serial semi-thin sections for histological evaluation in order to describe a new species. Like all species of this genus, Catatropis pakistanensis n. sp has a median ridge starting posterior to the basis of the cirrus sac and extends posterior to the ovary. Bilateral to this ridge there are two rows of 9–10 ventral papillae each. Metraterm and cirrus sac are equally in length. In contrast to most other Catatropis spp. the genital opening in C. pakistanensis is situated between the oral sucker and bifurcation of the caeca.


Parasitology ◽  
1973 ◽  
Vol 67 (3) ◽  
pp. 307-314 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. K. Barker

Duodenal mucosae of uninfected lambs and lambs inoculated at least 16 days earlier with 85000–140000 Trichostrongylus colubriformis larvae were examined with the scanning electron microscope. Normal duodenum had tall spatulate villi with surface folds upon which goblet cells and a regular pattern of hexagonal enterocytes were seen. Micro villi on normal enterocytes were closely packed and imparted a granular surface texture. In heavily infected areas of gut the villi were atrophic, the mucosa sometimes being composed of irregular masses and ridges, with crypt mouths, often surrounded by collars of cells, opening into the surface. More severely affected mucosae were flat, with protuberant collars of cells surrounding crypt mouths. There were rounded bodies, interpreted as sloughing enterocytes, or inflammatory cells, on the mucosal surface. Apices of enterocytes were domed and microvilli were sparse and irregular. Micro-organisms were numerous on cell surfaces. Nematodes were located in sinuous thin-walled tunnels in the epithelium. The mucosal microtopography is compared with that of coeliac disease of humans, nippostrongylosis in rats and with villus atrophy in pigs.


2004 ◽  
Vol 36 (1) ◽  
pp. 607 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. Vakalas ◽  
G. Ananiadis ◽  
A. Zelilidis ◽  
N. Kontopoulos ◽  
B. Tsikouras

A number of polished thin sections from two cross sections within the Pindos foreland deposits were petrographically examined while microanalyses on certain minerals were carried out. Chemistry of these minerals is compared to analogous phases occurring in several formations in the neighbourhood of the studied areas which can stand as source areas. Our results reveal that the most probable source materials include the Pindos, Koziakas (and probably and Vourinos) ophiolite complexes, as well as metamorphic sequences of the Pelagonian Zone


2013 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 420-424 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alessandro Croce ◽  
Maya Musa ◽  
Mario Allegrina ◽  
Paolo Trivero ◽  
Caterina Rinaudo

AbstractFerruginous bodies observed in lungs of patients affected by mesothelioma, asbestosis, and pulmonary carcinoma are important to relate the illness to exposure, environmental or occupational, to asbestos. Identification of the inorganic phase constituting the core of the ferruginous bodies, formed around asbestos but also around phases different from asbestos, is essential for legal purposes. Environmental scanning electron microscopy/energy dispersive spectroscopy was used to identify the fibrous mineral phase in the core of ferruginous bodies observed directly in thin sections of tissue, without digestion of the biological matrix. Spectra were taken with sequential analyses along a line crossing the core of the ferruginous bodies. By comparing the spectra taken near to and far from the core, the chemical elements that make up the core could be identified.


2000 ◽  
Vol 6 (S2) ◽  
pp. 872-873
Author(s):  
James R. Rosowski ◽  
Terry L. Bartels ◽  
James F. Colburn ◽  
Jannell L. Colton ◽  
Denton Belk ◽  
...  

Tadpole shrimp inhabit temporary freshwater pools and ponds where their occurrence is largely regulated by rainfall events and water temperature. When dry basins are flooded, cysts of Triops imbibe water and hatch to produce rapidly growing, carapaced larvae. While previous studies show anostracan (fairy shrimp) cyst-surface morphology often species specific, few studies illustrate shell ultrastructure of Triops and none has considered T. longicaudatus. Here we examine the shell of T. longicaudatus (Notostraca) and compare its fine structure to other species of Triops and to that of Artemiafranciscana(Anostraca), which we previously studied.Cysts, produced in culture from Utah broodstock, were purchased from Triops, Inc., 1924 Creighton Rd., Pensacola, FL 32504. Thin sections of cysts were prepared for transmission electron microscopy (TEM) as previously described (Fig. 1). Cysts were also examined with scanning electron microscopy (SEM), dry, whole or fractured (Figs. 2,3), or after imbibition and/or hatching in oxygen saturated, double-distilled water, at 25 ° C.


1986 ◽  
Vol 64 (12) ◽  
pp. 3075-3078 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. Sahashi ◽  
J. Ueno

Morphological studies on pollen grains of Ginkgo biloba L. and Cycas revoluta Thunb. were carried out by scanning electron microscopy. The pollen grains of both species are generally oblong with 1-sulcate apertures which are shrunken as a result of dryness. However, the swollen grains show an almost spherical form with a large and rounded germinal aperture. This aperture may not correspond to any aperture type so far known, although the term "anaporate" can be fitted to the swollen pollen grains. Auricular projections, which may be derived from protrusions of the ectosexine, can be seen sometimes on the surface of the pollen grains. These projections remind us of degraded versions of the bladders that may have been present on the pollen grains of the fossil ancestor. The inner side of the exine, which can be seen in thin sections obtained with the freezing microtome, is ornamented with reticulumlike sculptures. These endosculptures may be the first reported among gymnosperm pollen grains.


Blood ◽  
1987 ◽  
Vol 69 (2) ◽  
pp. 677-681 ◽  
Author(s):  
DN Podell ◽  
CH Packman ◽  
J Maniloff ◽  
GN Abraham

Abstract The morphology of the amorphous, gelatinous, and crystalline varieties of monoclonal IgG cryoglobulins was analyzed by light and transmission and scanning electron microscopy. Each cryoglobulin had a characteristic fine structure that correlated with its gross morphology. Transmission electron microscopy showed that the amorphous precipitates were random and disorganized molecular clumps. In contrast, cryogels were thin-walled, well-organized, and hydrated strawlike clusters, whereas cryocrystals formed tightly compacted, highly structured molecular clusters. Crystals that formed in blood produced rouleaux, and analysis by scanning electron microscopy indicated that the crystals could form thick-walled, branching, macromolecular nets that could physically trap cells. The morphological properties provided visual impressions by which cryoglobulins could cause clinical disease secondary to vascular occlusion produced by self- associated IgG cryoglobulin molecules.


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