Biodiversity of Archaea and floral of two inland saltern ecosystems in the Alto Vinalopó Valley, Spain

Background. The extraction of salt from seawater by means of coastal solar salterns is a very well-described process. Moreover, the characterization of these environments from ecological, biochemical and microbiological perspectives has become a key focus for many research groups all over the world over the last 20 years. In countries such as Spain, there are several examples of coastal solar salterns (mainly on the Mediterranean coast) and inland solar salterns, from which sodium chloride is obtained for human consumption. However, studies focused on the characterization of inland solar salterns are scarce and both the archaeal diversity and the plant communities inhabiting these environments remain poorly described. Results. Two of the inland solar salterns (termed Redonda and Penalva), located in the Alto Vinalopó Valley (Alicante, Spain), were characterized regarding their geological and physico-chemical characteristics and their archaeal and botanical biodiversity. A preliminary eukaryotic diversity survey was also performed using saline water. The chemical characterization of the brine has revealed that the salted groundwater extracted to fill these inland solar salterns is thalassohaline. The plant communities living in this environment are dominated by Sarcocornia fruticosa (L.) A.J. Scott, Arthrocnemum macrostachyum (Moris) K. Koch, Suaeda vera Forsk. ex Gmelin (Amaranthaceae) and several species of Limonium (Mill) and Tamarix (L). Archaeal diversity was analyzed and compared by polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based molecular phylogenetic techniques. Most of the sequences recovered from environmental DNA samples are affiliated with haloarchaeal genera such as Haloarcula, Halorubrum, Haloquadratum and Halobacterium, and with an unclassified member of the Halobacteriaceae. The eukaryote Dunaliella was also present in the samples. Conclusions. To our knowledge, this study constitutes the first analysis centered on inland solar salterns located in the southeastern region of Spain. The results obtained revealed that the salt deposits of this region have marine origins. Plant communities typical of salt marshes are present in this ecosystem and members of the Halobacteriaceae family can be easily detected in the microbial populations of these habitats. Possible origins of the haloarchaea detected in this study are discussed.

Functional morphology and ontogeny of Keichousaurus hui (Reptilia, Sauropterygia) / Kebang Lin --, Olivier Rieppel --.

n.s. no.39(1998)

Morphometric measurements throughout ontogeny of selected planktic foraminiferal test species

Development plays an important part in shaping adult morphology and morphological disparity, yet its influence on evolutionary processes is seldom explored because of a lack of preservation of ontogenetic stages in the fossil record. By preserving their entire ontogenetic history within their test, and with the advent of high-resolution imaging techniques, planktic foraminifera allow us to investigate the influence of developmental constraints on disparity. Using Synchrotron radiation X-ray tomographic microscopy (SRXTM), we reconstruct the ontogenetic progression of seven species across several of the major morphotypic groups of planktic foraminifera, including morphotypes of a species exhibiting high phenotypic plasticity and closely related pseudo-cryptic sister-taxa. We show differences in growth patterns between the globigerinid species, which appear more tightly regulated within the framework of isometry from the neanic stage, and the globorotaliid species, whose adult stages present allometric trends. Morphological change through ontogeny results in a change in surface area to volume ratios. Different metabolic processes therefore dominate at different stages of ontogeny, changing the vulnerability of the organism to environmental influences over growth, from factors affecting diffusion rates in the juvenile to those affecting energy supply in the adult. These findings identify some of the parameters within which evolutionary mechanisms have to act.

Tragedia floral; poemita infantil.

Mode of access: Internet.

Tutankhamun's Embalming Cache (KV 54), excavated artifact, Floral Collar

Valley of the Kings (burial site), Egypt; 1 ft. 5 21/64 in.x 49 ft. 4 33/64 in.; papyrus, olive leaves, cornflowers, linen

Tutankhamun's Embalming Cache (KV 54), excavated artifact, Floral Collar

Valley of the Kings (burial site), Egypt; 1 ft. 3 3/4 in.x 6 11/16 in.; papyrus,olive & persea leaves, cornflowers,blue lotus petals Picris flowers, nightshade berries, faience & linen

Tutankhamun's Embalming Cache (KV 54), excavated artifact, Floral Collar: detail

Valley of the Kings (burial site), Egypt; papyrus, olive leaves, cornflowers, linen

Tutankhamun's Embalming Cache (KV 54), excavated artifact, Floral Collar: detail

Valley of the Kings (burial site), Egypt; papyrus, olive leaves, cornflowers, linen

Tutankhamun's Embalming Cache (KV 54), excavated artifact, Floral Collar: back

Valley of the Kings (burial site), Egypt; 1 ft. 5 21/64 in.x 49 ft. 4 33/64 in.; papyrus, olive leaves, cornflowers, linen

The art of floral design.

Mode of access: Internet.

Handbook of floral arts; a complete guide to the arranging of wired flowers.

"First published 1955; revised and reprinted 1957."

Basic floral design, an outline.

Mode of access: Internet.

The Technique of modern floristry, a comprehensive and practical course of training covering floral craftsmanship, merchandising of flowers, correct management and successful operation of flower stores. Lessons 1-29.

Mode of access: Internet.

Park's floral magazine.

No more published.