PLANT SCIENCE BULLETIN
A Publication of the Botanical Society of America, Inc.
VOLUME 41, NUMBER 3, FALL 1995
The Botanical Society of America: The Society for ALL Plant Biologists
Table of Contents
News from the Society, the Sections and the Committees
BSA Concludes Annual Meeting in San Diego 38
Botany for the Next Millennium: A Note from the President 38
Young Botanist Awards - 1995 39
New Corresponding Members of the Society Elected 40
Botanical Society of America 1995 Dinner for All Botanists 40
Reports from the Committees 41
Reports from the Sections 42
Thanks for Helping! 44
Awards and Prizes at BSA Annual Meeting 45
Commentary
Usenet Newsgroups for Botany and Systematics 46
Announcements
Forum on Mentoring Graduate Students 47
Science and Biodiversity Policy Now Available from AIBS 47
Request for Botanical Literature 47
Back Issues of AJB 47
Personalia 47
In Memorium 47
Vernon Irvin Cheadle, 1910-1995 48
Educational Opportunities 49
Funding Opportunities 49
Positions Available 50
Symposia, Conferences, Meetings 51
Book Reviews 54
Books Received 66
BSA Logo Items Available from the Business Office 68
Volume 41, Number 3: Autumn 1995 ISSN 0032-0919
Editor: Joe Leverich
Department of Biology,
Saint Louis University
3507 Laclede Ave.,
Saint Louis MO 63103-2010
Telephone: (314) 977-3903
Fax: (314) 977-3658
e-mail: leverich@sluvca.slu.edu
PLANT SCIENCE BULLETIN
News from the Society, the Sections and the Committees
BSA Concludes August Meeting in San Diego
The annual meeting of the Botanical Society was held August 6-10 in San Diego, California, in conjunction with the AIBS meetings. All participants agreed the meeting was quite successful this year, encompassing a number of symposia and contributed paper sessions, in addition to the important business meetings of the Society and its various sections. There are a number of reports from this meeting in this issue of the PLANT SCIENCE BULLETIN, and additional reports will appear in future issues. One important topic will continue to be a theme of Society activity for the months ahead: moving forward with the Botany for the Next Millennium report. This document focused discussion at the Council and Executive Committee meetings, and all the sections have been invited to become involved in the coming year.
Looking to the future, the Botanical Society will be meeting again with AIBS in August, 1996, at the University of Washington in Seattle. The 1997 meeting will be in Montreal, Canada, with ALBS and CBA/ABC. BSA will meet in 1998 with AIBS in Baltimore, Maryland, and the 1999 meeting will be held in Saint Louis, Missouri in conjunction with the International Botanical Congress.
Botany for the Next Millennium:
A Note from the President
This next year will be pivotal for the BSA as it considers the Botany for the Next Millennium (BNM) report. The BNM report is the result many individuals' hard work to assess the present and future of Botany . The report outlines the challenges Botany will face in the coming years and makes very specific recommendations for action. At our annual meeting in San Diego the BSA began to consider the report; a major task of the Executive Committee this next year will be to develop a plan for response to the BNM report recommendations. Each section of the Society has been asked to chose an area of the report and devise a plan of action. Those of you that wish to respond on an individual basis please feel free to send your comments to me or any of the executive committee members.
— Barbara A. Schaal, BSA President
PLANT SCIENCE BULLETIN
ISSN 0032-0919
?ublished quarterly by Botanical Society of America, Inc., 1735 Neil Ave., Columbus, OH 43210
The yearly subscription rate of $15 is included in the membership dues of the Botanical Society
of America, Inc. Second class postage paid at Columbus, OH and additional mailing office.
POSTMASTER: Send address changes to
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Page 38
YOUNG BOTANISTS AWARDS - 1995
The young Botanist Award Program of the BSA recognizes the most outstanding graduating seniors in plant biology at each college or university. The achievements of the students selected for recognition were impressive both in and out of the formal classroom setting again this year. Botanists can he reassured that exceptionally motivated, talented, and interested students are pursuing plant studies across the U.S. and Canada.
The following individuals received recognition for Special Achievement as Young Botanists:
Natasha Bacheller (Tufts) Kristen McDonnell (Brown)
Matthew Aaron Booker (Purdue) Kevin Postma (Miami)
Joseph M. Craine (Ohio State) Sara Reeder (Miami)
Kathleen Lynn DeGroft (Miami) Krista Reutzel (Ohio U.)
Gordon T. Hill (James Madison) Laura Rose (Duke)
Laurie A. Krueger (U. Wisconsin, Stevens Pt.) Martha J. Sassone (UC Riverside)
Jennifer L. LaBundy (NE Missouri State) Noel K. Studer (Ohio U.)
Kristen A. Lennon (Conn. College) Mary Kathryn Whitson (U. Florida)
Laurel Leong (UC Davis) Chris Wolverton (Miami)
Carl E. Lewis (Conn. College) Sally Lizabeth Yost (Purdue) Satya Miliakal (Brown)
The following individuals received Recognition from the Young Botanists Program:
Scott Bagley (Miami) Matthew Allen Langdon (Purdue)
V. Christine Boryenace (Purdue) Brad W. Smith (Ohio U.)
Shannon Ruth Cox (Purdue) Janet Zeis (Miami) Megan Hanley (Ohio U.)
If your college or university is not represented and you have appropriate candidates, consider nominating your leading student or students (generally the top 6-8% of botany students) next year.
Each Young Botanist Awardee receives a letter of recognition and a certificate signed by the Past President. The BSA also sends letters, if requested, to the Dean of the appropriate college. A number of institutions cite the Young Botanist Award at graduation and some offer a year's membership in the Society to awardees.
PLANT SCIENCE BULLETIN
Editorial Committee for Volume 41
Donald S. Galitz (1995)
Dept. of Botany
North Dakota State University
Fargo NC 58103
Robert E. Wyatt (1996)
Institute of Ecology University of Georgia
Athens GA 30602
James D. Mauseth (1997)
Dept. of Botany
University of Texas
Austin TX 78713
Allison A. Snow (1998)
Dept. of Plant Biology
Ohio State University
Columbus OH 43210
Nickolas M. Waser (1999)
Dept. of Biology
University of California
Riverside CA 92521
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NEW CORRESPONDING MEMBERS OF THE SOCIETY ELECTED
Two distinguished scientists were elected to Corresponding Membership in the Botanical Society of America at the Annual Business Meeting on Tuesday, August 8, in San Diego. The Corresponding Members Committee was unanimous in recommending approval for Corresponding Membership for Dr. Mary Kalin Arroyo and Dr. David Lloyd.
Mary Kalin Arroyo, Professor of Biology at the Universidad de Chile, Santiago, has become well known for research on pollination ecology, first in the rain forests of Chile and more recently in the Mediterranean ecosystems of Chile. She was elected President of the Botanical Society of Chile in 1992, and has been very active in expediting botanical research in her role as Coordinator of the Latin American Plants Sciences Network.
David Lloyd, Professor of Plant Science at the University of Canterbury, New Zealand, is one of the world's leading researchers in plant reproductive biology. Among his many imaginative contributions to the field is a redefinition of sexual function in plants. He was elected Fellow of the Royal Society of New Zealand in 1984, and was a visiting Miller Professor at the University of California, Berkeley, in 1990.
Botanical Society of America 1995 Dinner for All Botanists
One of the high points of the 1995 Annual Meeting was the Dinner for All Botanists on Wednesday evening, August 9, at the Town and Country Hotel in San Diego. Overflow attendance necessitated setting up additonal tables, but all the botanists and their guests were able to enjoy the wonderful San Diego hospitality.
President Horner recognized those seated at the head table, which in addition to most of the Officers of the Society included AIBS President W. Hardy Eshbaugh, AIBS Executive Director Clifford Gabriel, and Meeting Director Donna Haegele. Horner extended special tnanks to the local representative, Lisa Baird of the University of San Diego.
Following dinner, President Horner presented a number of awards and prizes to Members of the Society. These are de-tailed later In this Issue of Plant Science Bulletin. President-Elect Barbara A. Schaal was then introduced for the evening's address. After focusing the audience's attention on the Society's recent Botany for the Next Millennium report, she illustrated many of her points with work from her own lab in the genus Manihot.
The dinner was brought to a close as outgoing President Horner turned over the reins of the BSA to incoming President Schaal.
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Reports from the Committees:
Corresponding Members Committee
The Corresponding Members Committee had two vacancies to fill for 1995. The three members of the committee were unanimous in approving for Corresponding Membership Dr. Mary Kalin Arroyo and Dr. David Lloyd. The committee noted that the election of both Dr. Arroyo and Dr. Lloyd as Corresponding Members is not only recognition of their achievements but also an indication of the vitality of the field of plant reproductive ecology. [See announcement of new Corresponding Members earlier in this issue of PSB for more details. -Ed.]
—Grady L. Webster, Chair
Darbaker Prize Committee
The committee this year consisted of myself (as Chair), Peter Siver (Department of Botany, P.B. 5604, Connecticut College, New London, CT 06320), and Jeff Johansen (Department of Biology, John Carroll University, University Heights, OH 441 18). In November we sent out notices for Darbaker Prize nominations that later appeared in newletters of the Phycological Society of America and the Botanical Society of America. The committee chose Dr. Daniel Wujek (Department of Biology, Central Michigan University) to receive the Prize this year, which consisted of a monetary award and a certificate. We are currently seeking a replacement for Peter Siver, who rotates off the commit-tee this year.
—Joby Marie Chesnick, Chair
Education Committee
During the past year, the Education Committee was involved with the following projects:
1. International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF). We continued our participation in this event that showcases the best scientific projects by pre-college students from all over the world. This year the fair was held in Hamilton, Ontario. BSA is a member of the organization and sponsors two Special Awards. An article on the winners will be forthcoming in PLANT SCIENCE BULLETIN.
2. Coalition for Education in the Life Sciences (CELS). The Education Committee participated in the 4th annual CELS conference that was held at the University of Wisconsin, Madison. CELS is an organization comprised of representatives from various professional scientific societies. The purpose of CELS is to help unite various professional societies to see how they can impact science education from K-undergraduate.
The Education Committee set several goals for 1995-96. These include (I) working closely as a committee, communicating, sharing ideas setting priorities and completing projects, and delegating tasks as necessary; (2) continuing with ISEF and to develop a checklist of "chores" to make it easy for a person to work on this project; (3) developing a BSA Home Page; (4) discussing/determining how the committee's role/response to Botany for the Next Millennium; (5) pursuing discussions with the Coalition for Education about Environment, Food, Agriculture and Renewable Resources (CEEFAR), a coalition of 36 scientific societies that is preparing a charter to help bring educators to enhance competency of teachers and education-al materials; and (6) pursuing projects such as inviting to the annual meeting State Science Fair winners and secondary teachers from the state where the meeting is held, distributing the Careers in Botany pamphlet at the meeting of NABT and other organization, and developing a workshop to offer at meetings of NABT.
—Stephen G. Saupe, Chair
Election Committee
The Election Committee for 1995 consisted of the Past President, Secretary, and 3 members appointed by the President. This year there were elections for the offices of President and Treasurer, with three candidates standing for each. The President-Elect, with a plurality out of 463 ballots, is Dan Crawford. The Treasurer, with a plurality out of 459 ballots, is Judy Jernstedt, who is declared reelected.
Also on the ballot this year were two proposed changes to the Bylaws. The first, to modify Article 4, Sect. 1 (c) read: "The Election Committee prepares a slate of two [not three] names for each office." On the basis of only 30 ballots, it passed by a bare margin of 76% (23 approve). The second proposed change, to specify the basis for awarding the M. F. Moseley Plant Anatomy/Morphology Award, passed with 29 approvals out of 31 ballots.
—Grady L. Webster, Chair
Membership and Appraisal Committee
A new poster and recruitment brochure were designed and readied for printing. We developed a more streamline format than the one used in previous years to make it easier and quicker to read. When these recruitment materials are completed, they will be sent to our 550 membership coordinators at individual institutions.
—Jim Hancock, Chair
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Esau Award Committee
Eleven papers were submitted to be evaluated for the Katherine Esau Award. These were presented in four sessions in the section: vegetative development, structure and function, reproductive development and wood anatomy/vascular development. These presentations reflected both the diversity as well as the high quality of current research activities in structural and developmental botany. All presentations reflected considerable effort on the part of the speakers. The award was presented to Stuart F. Baum for his paper co-authored with his advisor Thomas L. Rost, from the University of California at Davis, for their paper entitled "Analysis of Arabidopsis root development." Using a combination of traditional histological techniques and two-dimensional and three-dimensional modeling of cell division, Mr. l3aum demonstrated that root apical organization is appropriately interpreted as resulting from interconnected spirals of cells arising from apical initials. The committee was particularly impressed by the insights of the investigator, his very clear and logical presentation, and his professional presentation style.
Dr. Thomas informed Mr. Baum of his selection for the award prior to the banquet. A check in the amount of $500 was sent to Mr. Baum by the treasurer of the BSA. Announcement of the award was presented in the September 1994 issue of PLANT SCIENCE BULLETIN.
—Cynthia S. Jones, Chair
Moseley Award Committee
The number of papers to be judged for the Maynard F. Moseley Award in 1995 was twelve; nine from the Structural/Development Section, and three from the Paleobotanical Section, as determined by the Award Committee in conjunction with the Program Directors for the two sections. The 1995 award was $250 (non-invasive of principal).
— Ed Schneider, Chair
Pelton Award Committee
Elliot M. Mcyerowitz of the California Institute of Technology received the 1994 Jeanette Siron Pelton Award for sustained and imaginative work in the field of experimental plant morphology. No award is being made in 1995. A request for nominations for the 1996 award will be made in the next issue of PLANT SCIENCE BULLETIN.
— Nancy Dengler, Chair
Reports from the Sections
Bryological and Lichenological Section
The Bryological and Lichenological Section co-sponsored the ABLS meeting in Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada from July 29 - August 3rd, 1995. Organized by Chicita Culberson and Dale Vitt, this meeting entailed four days of field trips in the Rocky Mountains and one day of poster and paper presentation, including one symposium and 15 contributed papers. The half-day symposium, organized by Brent Mishler, was entitled "The Application of Modern Molecular Tools to Classic Bryological andLichenological Questions." The Botanical Society provided honoraria for the five invited speakers. The Bryological and Lichenological Section is sponsoring a single session with seven contributed papers at the San Diego AIBS meeting.
Jason Pass from East Tennessee State University received a $200 student travel award from the Bryological and Lichenological Section to attend and present a paper at the 1995 ALBS meeting.
The recipient of the 1994 A.J. Sharp Award for the most outstanding student presentation at the 1994 AIRS meeting was Alison Withey from Duke University. A $100 prize from the Section (plus $200 from ABLS) and complete set of The Bryologist accompanied this award.
—Karen Renzaglia, Chair
Developmental and Structural Section
The section sponsored two symposia, "The Biology and Evolution of the Gnetales" (with the Paleobotanical Section); and "Morphological and Develop-mental Mutants of Maize" (with the Genetics and the Physiological Section). The Section also sponsored a special lecture, "The lost genius of WilhelmHofineister: the origin of causal-analytical research in plant development". In addition, section sessions this year consisted of 46 contributed papers and 13 posters. The section includes 438 members.
— Judy Verbeke, Chair
Ecological Section
At the San Diego Meetings the Ecological Section sponsored three symposia. A total of 44 contributed papers in four sessions and 13 posters were present-ed. There were 17 submissions for Best Student Paper Award. The award for Best Student Paper at the 1994 meeting was presented to Andrea L. Case at the 1995 BSA banquet in San Diego. The section currently has 570 members. New officers elected for the three year period, 1996-98, are Brenda Casper, Chair; Allison Snow, Vice-Chair and Rebecca Dolan, Secretary.
— Kathleen Shea, Chair
Page 42
Genetics Section
This year in San Diego, the Genetics Section is hosting two paper sessions and a poster session (20 contributed papers and four posters). The annual Margaret A. Menzel Award for most outstanding paper presentation in the Genetics Section paper session will be awarded at the Botanical Society banquet. Scott A. Hodges won the award in Knoxville last year. The section is sponsoring a symposium entitled, "Genetic Engineering and Conservation of Rare Plant Species" addressing both potential benefits and hazards of genetic engineering in preserving and protecting our rich heritage of plant genetic diversity. The section is also co-sponsoring a symposium on "Morphological and Developmental Mutants of Maize." The Plant Genetics News-letter continues to be the mainstay of the section through which members are able to share ideas and disseminate information.
— Donald P. Hauber, Vice-Chair
Mycological Section
This is the first year for the Mycological Section. Three papers were presented. Bylaws were established and officers were elected. The section cosponsored with the Mycological Society of America a symposium on Plant and Mycorrhizal Community Dynamics and a workshop on Cladistic Analysis of Fungi.
— Kenneth J. Curry, Chair
Paleobotanical Section
The Paleobotanical Section has a program for the San Diego meetings with thirty five contributed papers presented during one and one half days. The Section is also sponsoring a symposium, "Practical and Theoretical Aspects of Incorporating Fossils in Analyses of Modern Taxonomic Groups," organized by William L. Crepet and Kevin C. Nixon, and is co-sponsoring a symposium with Structure and Development entitled "Biology and Evolution of the Gnetales." A mixer and dinner are scheduled for Mon-day evening, August 7. The Annual business meeting will be held at 4:30 PM (a change from the published time of 4:I5) on Wednesday. August 9, 1995.
The Section currently has 230 members (164 regular members, 20 emeritus regular members, 22 affiliate members, 7 emeritus affiliate members, and 17 honorary members). This is a loss of 17 members since last year.
The Bibliography of American Paleobotany for 1994, edited by Steven R. Manchester of the University of Florida, is being distributed to members at these meetings and will be sent in September to non-attending members of the section who have paid their 1995 dues and to 38 institutional subscribers. Copies will be provided for the BSA archives and the editor of PLANT SCIENCE BULLETIN. Others may purchase copies for $18 each.
The International Organization of Paleobotany will be holding its periodic meeting next year in Santa Barbara, California, at about the same time as the Botanical Society meetings. It is likely that the Paleobotanical Section will vote to hold its annual meeting at the IOP meeting. As a result, there may be a reduced number of paleobotanical papers at the 1996 BSA meeting. The Section will vote on this matter at its business meeting.
— Charles P. Daghlian, Secretary-Treasurer
Phytochemical Section
The Phytochcmical section contributed to Botany for the Next Millennium, and is sponsoring its usual small contributed paper session at the 1995 meeting. The few active section members continue to explore the possibility and merits of merging with another section, but prefer to retain the Phytochemical Section, if participation continues to warrant it. Joint sponsorship of a symposium with another section has been suggested as a way to attract more attendance and participation.
— Susan S. Martin, Chair
Pteridological Section
As in previous years, the Pteridological Section continues to support the publication of the Annual Review of Pteridophyte Research now published by the International Association of Pteridologists. This year at the San Diego meeting the Pteridological Section is co-sponsoring with the American Fern Society a session of contributed papers with six papers scheduled for Mon-day and two full day field trips on Saturday and Sunday.
—David S. Conant, Secretary-Treasurer
Systematics Section
The activities of the section included the presentation of 200 papers, two symposia, and I l posters at the annual meeting in San Diego, and the compilation of data from the Botany for the Next Millennium report. As of July 1995, approximately 750 members of the BSA have affiliated with the Systematics Section, and our activities continue to be done in parallel with the American Society of Plant Taxonomists. At the annual business meeting, elections were held for Section Chair. Dr. Kathleen Kron (kronka@wfu.edu) of Wake Forest University was elected for the term 1995 to 1997. Dr. Wayne Elisens (Univ. Oklahoma) will continue as Section Secretary/Treasurer for one more year; Dr. Elisens also serves as the ASPT Program Chairman.
A proposal made by Rob Wallace to establish a student award from the Systematics Section was dis-
Page 43
cussed. The award would be made to the student (as defined by not yet having received the doctorate degree, undergraduates included) who was judged to have presented the best contributed paper in the BSA/ASPT jointly sponsored sessions at the annual meetings. Additionally, it was suggested that this student award be named the Arthur Cronquist Award, and that the winning student be presented with a certificate and a cash award of between $200 and $500 from the Section's annual allocation of $1,000 from the BSA. A general vote of support for the establishement of this award was made and approved; further details about the award, eligibility, judging, etc. will be presented in the next PLANT SCIENCE BULLEN. Dr. Richard Jensen has volunteered to assist in the development of this award; additional award committee volunteers and other suggestions are sought. Rob Wallace (rwallace@iastate.edu) will chair the student award committee; efforts will be made to have the award structure in place to present the first student award in 1996. The Section will likely be a co-sponsor for a symposium on the evolution of green plants being organized for the annual meetings in Seattle in 1996. Ideas for the implementation of the Botany for the Next Millennium report from members of the Section are sought; please contact the new Chair of the Section.
—Robert S. Wallace, Section Chair
Tropical Biology Section
This year the section has corresponded with the Association for Tropical Biology to dovetail sessions and cosponsor symposia. The meeting place in San Diego will permit greater participation by Mexican Col-leagues, but the price of the meetings may limit the same. At this August's business meeting, we will come up with a slate of candidates for section officers for elections to be held by mail this fall.
The goal of this relatively new section is to emphasize the importance of Tropical Biology in our current pursuit of the study of plants. If we are to preserve the bounty of the tropics for appreciation and potential use in the next millennium, every botanist must be aware of the need for basic research in taxonomy, ecology, morphology, anatomy, physiology, phytochemistry.— in short, every aspect of tropical plants and the organisms with which they interact.
—Suzanne Koptur, Chair
Mid-Continent Section
The Mid-Continent Section meet with the SWARM Division of AAAS in Norman, Oklahoma, May 21-25, 1995. The section held a contributed papers session. Sheryl A. Schake (Texas Tech) and Michael Zwick (Texas A&M) received outstanding graduate student paper awards. A symposium "Evolutionary mechanisms in plants: from genes to clades" was sponsored. The speakers were Timothy P. Holtsford, Robert K. Jansen, Pamela Diggle, and Jonathan F. Wendel.
A business meeting was conducted. At this meeting the members voted to revise the section's By-Laws so that the Secretary/Treasurer and Vice Secretary/Treasurer serve three-year terms staggered with the term of the Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson. Ralph Bertrand (Colorado College) and Kenneth Freiley (Univ. Central Arkansas) were elected Secretary/Treasurer and Vice-Secretary/ Treasurer, respectively.
—H. James Price, Chair
Southeastern Section
The Southeastern Section of the BSA held its 1995 annual meeting during the 56th Annual Meeting of the Association of Southeastern Biologists, 19-22 April, in Knoxville, Tennessee. At that meeting, which included nine affiliate biological societies, of the 277 and posters scheduled at least 182 directly related to Botany. The Section continued its support of "Teaching Updates in Botany" by the sponsorship of a four hour workshop on "The Use of Ceratopteris, the Rapid Cycling Fern in Teaching Plant Biology" which was conducted by Karen Renzaglia of East Tennessee State University and drew nineteen participants from eighteen different institutions. The annual business meeting of the section was during the traditional breakfast meeting with the South-ern Appalachian Botanical Society. Dr. David Hill, Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee, was elected Secretary-Treasurer for the 1995-98 term. A three page newsletter was sent to all section members in March of 1995 by outgoing Secretary-Treasurer Richard Carter.
—Joe E. Winstead, Chair
Thanks for Helping!
Thanks to the following individuals for their help in selling logo items at the BSA booth at the AIBS meetings: Joe Armstrong, Don Hauber, Suzanne Koptur, Carol Baskin, Judy Jernstedt, Greg Anderson, Marsh Sundberg, Dan Crawford, Kathy Shea, Sue Martin, Lee Kass, Bob Hunt, Jack Horner, Judy Thomas, Dave Hiser, Lisa Baird and Judy Verbeke and others who did not leave their names. Due to their efforts, over $2,000 was added to the Endowment fund from sales of t-shirts, totebags, lapel pins, posters and hats. The Endowment funds help support BSA activities such as travel to international botanical congresses, the Botany for the Next Millennium project and other initiatives. All members are invited to contribute to the Endowment and to volunteer at the BSA table at future AIBS meetings.
Kim Hiser, Business Manager
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Awards and Prizes at BSA Annual Meeting
The following awards and prizes were announced on 9 August 1995, at the Dinner for All Botanists given by the Botanical Society of America (BSA) at its Annual Meeting held in San Diego, California, in conjunction with the Annual Meeting of the American Institute of Biological Sciences.
The Botanical Society of America Merit Awards
These awards are made to persons judged to have made outstanding contributions to botanical science. The first awards were made in 1956 at the 50th anniversary of the Botanical Society, and one or more have been present each year since that time. This year Merit Awards went to two botanists. Awards were presented to Isabella A. Abbott, the first Hawaiian woman to receive a Ph.D., eminent phycologist, authority on algal diversity along the California coast; and ethnobotanist, authority on traditional uses of Hawaiian plants, and to James E. Canright, scholar on the Ranales, his systematic studies of primitive angiosperm groups contributed to the understanding of flowering plant evolution and his pioneering work in palynology established the significance of the discipline for both basic and applied research.
The Maynard F. Moseley Award
This year the BSA welcomed a new student award. The Maynard F. Moseley Award was established to honor a career of dedicated teaching, scholarship and service to the furtherance of the botanical sciences. The award recognizes a student paper that best advances our understanding of the plant anatomy and/or morphology of vascular plants within an evolutionary contest. This first award was given to Susana Magallon-Puebla from the University of Chicago and Field Museum of Natural History, for her paper entitled "Floral remains of Hamamelidaceae from Campanian strata of Georgia."
The Darbaker Prize
This award is made for meritorious work in the study of microscopical algae. The recipient is selected by a Committee of the Botanical Society which bases its judgment primarily on papers published during the last two calendar years. The award this year went to Daniel Wujek for his recent work on the chrysophytes and the chlorophytic algae.
The Michael A. Cichan Award
This award established by the Botanical Society of America is named in honor of Michael A. Cichan. It was instituted to encourage work by a young researcher at the interface of structural and evolutionary botany. The award is given to a scholar for a published paper in these areas. The Michael A. Cichan award for 1995 was presented to Dr. Steven R. Manchester, University of Florida, for his paper entitled "Fruits and Seeds of the Middle Eocene Nut Beds Flora, Clamo Formation, Oregon."
The Isabel C. Cookson Paleobotanical Award
Each year the Isabel C. Cookson Award recognizes the best paper presented at the annual meeting by a student or recent Ph.D. in the Paleobotanical Section. This year the award went to Georgia L. Hoffman from the University of Alberta, for the paper entitled "A Spirodela-like plant from the Paleocene Joffre Bridge locality."
The Margaret Menzel Award
This award is given by the Genetics Section for an outstanding paper presented in the contributed papers sessions of the annual meetings. This year's award went to Kelly Gallagher for the paper entitled "Allozyme evidence for hybridization and introgression between an introduced and a putative native species of Carpobrotus (Aizoaceae)."
The Ecological Section Award
Each year the Ecological Section of the Botanical Society offers an award for the best student paper presented at the annual meetings. A judging committee evaluates each student presentation and selects a winner based on the quality of the work and the presentation. 1994's best paper was given by Andrea L. Case of the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. The paper was entitled "Manipulation of grandparental temperature and parental flowering time." Co-authors were Elizabeth Lacy and Robin Hopkins.
The Distinguished Paper in Phycology Award
The Distinguished Paper in Phycology Award was initiated in 1991 to recognize the most outstanding manuscript published in the American Journal of Botany in a given year dealing with any aspect of algal research. This year's award went to Linda Graham, James Graham, William A. Russin, and Joby Chesnick for their paper "Occurrence and phylogenetic significance of glucose utilization by Charophycean algae: Glucose enhancement of growth in Coleochaete orbicularis."
The Katherine Esau Award
This award, established in 1985 with a gift from Dr. Esau, is given to the graduate student who presents the outstanding paper in developmental and structural botany at the annual meeting. This year's award went to C. John Runions from the University of Victoria for the paper entitled "Pollen scavenging in spruce and evolution of the conifer pollination drop." Co-author was John N. Owens.
(Awards continue on p. 46)
45
...more Awards from BSA Banquet
The Edgar T. Wherry Award
This award is given for the best paper presented during the contributed papers session of the Pteridological Section. This award is in honor of Dr. Wherry's many contributions to the floristics and patterns of evolution of ferns. This year's award went to Gerald Gastony and David Rollo from Indiana University for their paper entitled "Cheilanthoid fern phylogeny inferred from an enlarged database of rbch nucleotide sequences."
The George R. Cooley Award
This award is given annually by the American Society of Plant Taxonomists for the best contributed paper in plant systematics presented at the annual meeting. This year's award was given to Paul S. Manos from Duke University for the paper entitled "Evolutionary history of the southern beeches (Nothofagus): Evidence from molecules, morphology, and fossils."
The Harry Allan Gleason Award
This award is given annually by the New York Botanical Garden in recognition of an outstanding recent publication in the fields of plant taxonomy, plant ecology, or plant geography. This year the New York Botanical Garden presented two awards: one in cryptogamic botany, and one in phanerogamic botany. The first recipient was Richard H. Zander for his 1993 publication entitled "Genera of the Pottiaceae: Mosses of harsh environments." The second recipient was Peter K. Endress for his 1994 publication entitled "Diversity and evolutionary biology of tropical flowers."
The Jessie M. Greenman Award
The Jessie M. Greenman Award is presented each year by the Alumni Association of the Missouri Botanical Garden. It recognizes the paper judged best in vascular plant or bryophyte systematics based on a doctoral dissertation published during the previous year. This year's award went to Lynn Bohs for her publication "Cyphmandra (Solanaceae)" which was published as Monograph 63 of Flora Neotropica. This study was based on a Ph.D. dissertation from Harvard University under the direction of Dr. R. E. Schultes.
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Commentary - Usenet Newsgroups for Botany and Systematics
Editor:
I am pleased to announce the recent creation of two Usenet newsgroups: sci.bio.botany and sci.bio.systematics. The creation of sci.bio.botany and sci.bio.systematics involved a public discussion and call for votes (CFV) via e-mail. Until recently, Usenet participants in the United States have dominated efforts to create new groups, but there are now clear signs of a rapidly emerging global community of Usenet readers, especially among biologists. This trend is evident in the distribution of responses to the CFV: 52% originated in 30 countries other than the United States.
Back in the early 1970's, when electronic mail was in its infancy, there evolved two distinct methods of sharing e-mail or news among many people. Today, these are known as electronic mailing lists and Usenet newsgroups. Since 1990, I have published in Usenet and the Internet a serial listing of these and other resources of special interest to biologists. This listing has grown into a 40-page guide (Smith 1993, 1994) that is widely used as an aid in learning how to make the most of the Internet and other electronic resources. The guide explains the basic mechanics of reading and contributing to electronic mailing lists and Usenet newsgroups.
It is my hope that many readers of PSB will want to participate in sci.bio.botany and/or sci.bio.systematics. To facilitate this, I have given brief directions (below) on how to obtain a copy of my guide.
— Una Smith
Department of Biology
Yale University
Smith, U.R. (1993) A Biologist's Guide to Internet Resources. Ver. 1.7. Available via anonymous FTP from sunsite.unc.edu in the directory pub/academic/biology/ ecology+evolution/bioguide. See the file README for details about currently available formats and foreign language translations.
Smith, U.R. (1994) A Biologist's Guide to Internet Resources. Ver. 1.8. This is an update of the section of 1.7 on electronic mailing lists. It is also available from sunsite.unc.edu.
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Announcements
Forum on Mentoring Graduate Students
A special session on the mentoring of graduate students is being organized for the 1996 AIBS/BSA meetings in Seattle. We are in the early stages of planning, and the hope is to have a breakfast or lunch session, with brief oral presentations and a student-faculty panel discussion. If you or your institution has written policies or guidelines on the duties, ethics and responsibilities of mentoring graduate students, or if you would be willing to make a 10-minute presentation on how you approach this critical aspect of training the next generation of botanists, please contact either of the organizers: Darlene Southworth, Dept. of Biology, Southern Oregon State College, Ashland, OR 97520, southworth @ sosc l . sosc.osshe.edu; Judy Jernstedt, Dept. of Agronomy and Range Science, UC Davis, Davis, CA 95616, jjernstedt@ucdavis.
Science & Biodiversity Policy - Now Available from AIBS
AIBS has announced the availability of the supplement to BioScience entitled Science & BiodiversityPolicy. Compiled from speeches given at the AIBS 1994 Annual Meeting, this 96 page stand-alone supplement contains important information about the many aspects of biodiversity and public policy. Authors include Hal Mooney, Thomas Lovejoy, Jane Lubchenco, Kent E. Holsinger, Quentin D Wheeler, Monica G. Turner, Frank W. Davis, W. Franklin Harris, Lance H. Gunderson, Jerry F. Franklin, Louisa Willcox, and H. Ronald Pulliam. An excellent teaching resource, topics covered include the role of science in formulating policy decisions and the public's understanding of biodiversity. Single copies are available for $10.50; bulk orders are available at a discount. For more information about the issue contact Dr. Julie Ann Miller, 202-628-1500 x243; to order contact Genevieve Clapp. 202-628-1500 x251.
Request for Botanical Literature
The Association of Systematics Collections (ASC) is embarking on a second round of obtaining biosystematic literature for the Biodiversity Information Exchange with Cuba Project. This time, literature acquired will be distributed to institutions outside of Havana. In trying to build biodiversity information re-sources, Cuban research institutions have a great need for current and back issues of botanical journals and other ecological and biosystematic literature. To donate and for more information, please contact Elizabeth Hathway, ASC, 730 11th Street, NW, Second Floor, Washington, D.C. 20001-4521, (202) 347-2850, fax: (202) 347-0072.
Back Issues of AJB
American Journal of Botany volumes 1949 through 1994 available as a donation to an institution or individual. Recipient to pay shipping costs Contact E. Steiner, Dept. of Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1048, or e-mail: esteiner@ biology.lsa.umich.edu.
Personalia
Patricia K. Holmgren Receives Sevice Award
The Association of Systematics Collections, in recognition of her outstanding contribution to systematics collections and the field of Botany, presented its 1995 Award for Service to Patricia K. Holmgren of the New York Botanical Garden.
In its award, the ASC cited her remarkable devotion to herbaria and their use in science and society worldwide, as the leading force behind Index Herbariorum, her inspirational leadership as Director of the New York Botanical Garden Herbarium, and service on the boards of ASC and major botanical societies, her dedicated work to support and preserve endangered herbaria, her yeoman's service to the botanical community as editor par excellence, and with her husband Noel, for sharing their love for and knowledge of the Intermountain Flora with the world through their seminal botanical publications.
In Memorium
Josef Poelt, Corresponding Member
The Botanical Society was notified that Prof. Dr. Josef Poelt passed away in early June, 1995. He was affiliated with the Department of Botany, University of Graz in Austria. The number of Corresponding Members, distinguished senior scientists who live and work outside the United States, is limited to 50. Prof. Poelt first joined the Society in 1988. He was the only current Corresponding Member from Austria.
The Botanical Society has been notified that the following members have passed away:
Earlene A. Rupert of the Department of Agronomy and Soils, Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina, a member since 1944.
Frederick T. Wolf of the Department of Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, a member since 1936.
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VERNON IRVIN CHEADLE 1910-1995
The botanical community and higher education have lost one of their strongest advocates and most distinguished citizens. Vernon Irvin Cheadle died on July 23 in Santa Barbara, California.
Vernon Cheadle was born in Salem, South Dakota on February 6, 1910, grew up on a farm in South Dakota, and attended South Dakota State College for one year before transferring to Miami University. He received a B.S. (magna cum laude) from Miami University in 1932, and an M.S. (1934) and a Ph.D. (1936) from Harvard University. His Ph.D. research was concerned with secondary growth in monocotyledons. His mentor at Harvard was Ralph H. Wetmore.
Dr. Cheadle joined the Department of Botany at Rhode Island State College in 1936, and served as Professor and Chairman of the department from 1942 to 1952. From 1942 to 1952, he also served as Director of the Graduate Division at Rhode Island, except for a commitment with the Navy in the Pacific Theatre of WW II from 1944 to 1946. His prodigious talent and ability as an administrator had already become evident to those around him. During that same period he was an enormously productive teacher and researcher. He continued his research on the vascular system in monocotyledons, with special emphasis on phylogcnetic specialization of the sieve tubes in the metaphloem and vessels in the metaxylem. Among other notable findings, his research revealed that, in monocotyledons, vessels appeared first in the root and later in stems, inflorescence axes, and leaves, in that order.
In 1950-51, Dr. Cheadle spent a sabbatical year at the University of California at Davis. His attraction to Davis was Katherine Esau, who shared his interest in vascular tissues, especially the phloem. During his sabbatical year at Davis, the botany department had an interim chairman, and upon his return to Rhode Island, Dr. Cheadle received an invitation to return to Davis as the department chairman there. While on sabbatical at Davis, the quality of the man shone through. The folks at Davis were impressed not only with his research, teaching, and administrative credentials, but also with his genuine interest in students and the warm response he received from students. Davis was a small institution at the time and the botany faculty, in particular, were uniquely concerned for their students. Vernon Cheadle was just right for the chairmanship.
While at Davis, Dr. Cheadle's collaboration with Dr. Esau resulted in a series of contributions on the comparative structure of secondary phloem in dicotyledons. These included a detailed investigation on the cellular organization of the secondary phloem studied primarily by an analysis of radial files of cells in serial transverse and tangential sections. In other studies, large numbers of species from many families were examined for specific features such as variations in cell wall thickness, the effect of cell division on the final length of sieve elements, and the size of sieve-plate pores. These studies were especially important in discussions of the evolutionary specialization of the phloem tissue in relation to function. In the late 1950s and early 60s, he and Dr. Esau undertook some of the first ultrastructural studies on phloem.
Dr. Cheadle served as President of the Botanical Society of America in 1961, and in 1963 he received the Merit Award of the Society. The Certificate of Merit read "for his deep and abiding interest in science, his service to biology through untiring efforts to promote scholarly teaching and research, and for his major contributions to the interpretation of the evolution of vascular tissue in the monocotyledons and of the structure of phloem in the dicotyledons." There was much more to come.
In 1962, Dr. Cheadle was appointed Chancellor of the University of California at Santa Barbara. Dr. Esau decided that she would also move to Santa Barbara so that she and Dr. Cheadle could continue their collaborative research. Although they continued to work together, Dr. Cheadle's major efforts during his 15 years as Chancellor were laying the foundation for a first-class research university. Under his leadership and vision, UCSB underwent remarkable growth and attracted a critical mass of distinguished scientists and scholars. As Chancellor, Dr. Cheadle's principal concern was students all aspects of their well-being. During his entire tenure, he held breakfast meetings (twice monthly) with student representatives at the Chancellor's residence on campus. He retired as Professor and Chancellor Emeritus in 1977.
Dr. Cheadle endured as Chancellor during the most tumultuous of times in the history of higher education in the United States. Nothing could deter him from
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achieving the goals he had set for the future ofUCSB. He is remembered today as one of the great leaders in the history of the University of California system. In 1979, the UC Board of Regents named UCSB's main administration building Vernon I. Cheadle Hall. A building could well he named also for Mary Cheadle, who has contributed so very much to UCSB. (A room in the Department of Special Collections of the University Library bears her name.) She and Vernon were an inseparable, dedicated team. They very naturally and unselfishly gave of themselves for the welfare of others.
Upon "retirement," Dr. Chcadlc returned to the laboratory full time, literally. He spent five days a week in the laboratory and often worked on weekends. He simply could not learn enough about the tracheary elements in monocotyledons: the kinds, their occurrence, and their taxonomic and phylogenetic implications. Collaborating with him on this research was Dr. Jennifer Thorsch. Most recently, they were working on the tracheary elements of the Bromeliaceae.
One of Dr. Cheadle's associates at UCSB characterized him as: "a Renaissance man, a mind-and body kind of guy." Dr. Cheadle was a track and field champion during his college years. In 1978, he was inducted into the Miami Athletic Hall of Fame. For 18 years and until recently, he competed in the Masters Track and Field Meets and held several Masters world records in the discus throw and shot-put. A distinguished botanist, educator, athlete, and human being, Vernon I. Cheadle was the personification of excellence and integrity. He was a member of Phi Beta Kappa, Phi Kappa Phi, and a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the California Academy of Science, and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.
Vernon Cheadle was a devoted and loving husband and father. A most caring and loyal person, he never neglected his family nor his friends, who were legion. He had an enormous, positive impact on all who knew him well, especially this writer during a very formative period in his life as he aspired to become a botanist. Dr. Cheadle expected his students to work hard and to strive for excellence. He cared, he shared, and he led by example. Vernon Cheadle never forgot his humble beginnings in South Dakota and had great respect for everyone from all walks of life. These values he also instilled in others. We are all wealthier for him having touched our lives. — Ray F. Evert
Educational Opportunities
Graduate Research Assistantships University of Hawaii
Graduate Research Assistantships (Ph.D. or M.S.). The University of Hawaii seeks outstanding candidates for its NSF Graduate Research Training assistantships in ecology, evolution and conservation biology. For application information and materials, contact Kenneth Kaneshiro (Chair) or Rosemary Gillespie (Associate Chair), CCRT, University of Hawaii, 3050 Maile Way, Gilmore 409, Honolulu, HI 96822. (808) 956 8884, e-mail: gillespi@uhunix.uhcc.hawaii.edu. Deadline: Feb. 1 1996. Assistantships commence August 1996.
Funding Opportunities
Michaux Fund Grants
The American Philosophical Society announces the 1996 competition for research grants in forest botany (specifically, dendrology), silviculture, and the history thereof. Grants range from $1,500 to ca. $5,000. Eligible expenses include travel, $65 per diem toward the cost of room and meals, and consumable supplies not available at the applicant's institution. Applicants are normally expected to have the doctorate, but proposals may be considered from graduate students who have completed all degree requirements but the dissertation. Deadline: February 1, for decision by May. When writing for application forms, briefly (100 words or less) describe the proposed research and budget. Foreign nationals must state why their research can only he carried out in the United States. No telephone requests, please. Contact: Michaux Fund Grants, American Philosophical Society, 104 S. 5th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106-3387
Bullard Fellowships in Forest Research
Each year Harvard University awards a limited number of Bullard Fellowships to individuals in biological, social, physical and political sciences to promote advanced study, research or integration of subjects pertaining to forested ecosystems. The fellow-ships, which include stipends up to $30,000, are intended to provide individuals in mid-career with an opportunity to utilize the resources and to interact with personnel in any department within Harvard University in order to develop their own scientific and professional growth. In recent years Bullard Fellows have been associated with the Harvard Forest, Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology and Kennedy School of Government and have worked in areas of ecology, forest management, policy and conservation. Fellowships are avail-able for periods ranging from four months to one year and can begin at any time in the year. Applications from international scientists, women and minorities are encouraged. Fellowships are not intended for graduate students or recent post-doctoral candidates. Further information may be obtained from: Committee on the Charles Bullard Fund for Forest Research, Harvard University, Harvard Forest, Petersham, MA 01366 USA. Annual deadline for applications is February 1.
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Travel/Host Grants for American Scientists
The Office for Central Europe and Eurasia of the National Research Council, the operating arm of the National Academy of Sciences, National Academy of Engineering, and Institute of Medicine, offers grants to individual American specialists who wish to collaborate with their colleagues from Central/Eastern Europe (CEE) and the Newly Independent States (NIS). To obtain information and application materials please contact: Office for Central Europe and Eurasia, National Re-search Council, 2101 Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20418, Telephone: 202-334-3680, Fax: 202-334-2614, E-mail: OCEE@NAS.EDU.
Positions Available
Manager of Scientific Collections University of Connecticut
The Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at the University of Connecticut seeks a full-time Collections Manager to maintain and curate collections of plants and vertebrates used in research and teaching. The principal responsibility will be to manage a herbarium collection with particular strength in the flora of New England and the Neotropics. The Collections Manager also will be responsible for collections of fishes, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals. The successful applicant will be expected to actively in-crease holdings in the herbarium through field collections and exchanges with other institutions. Other duties will include placing current specimens and new acquisitions for all collections into a computer data base, man-aging loans to and from all the collections, facilitating use of the collections by faculty and graduate students, supervising student volunteers and employees working in the collections, and carrying out other departmental duties as appropriate. Salary negotiable. Applicants should have an advanced degree (Master's or Ph.D.) in botany or a related field, experience in the management of natural history collections, knowledge of computer data-base management, and an interest in collection-based research. Please send a letter of application, curriculum vitae, reprints of relevant publications, and three Ietters of recommendation to Gregory J. Anderson, Head, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Connecticut, 75 N. Eagleville Road, Storrs, CT 06269-3043. Review of applications will begin September 15, 1995 and continue until the position is filled. We encourage applications from under-represented groups, including women, minorities, and people with disabilities.
Postdoctoral Research Associate-Molecular Phylogenetics, Montana State University
This position will research the evolution of wheat by cloning, sequencing, and conducting phylogenetic analysis of low-copy-DNA sequences from the nuclear genome. Experiments will address general aspects of molecular evolution and polyploid evolution in plants. Required: Ph.D. in Genetics, Phylogcnetics, Population Genetics, or related field. Experience in molecular biology and/or phylogenetic analysis of DNA sequence data. Preferred: A strong record of research productivity as evidenced by publication. Salary is $24,500 per year, and the position is funded for two years. Applicants should send 1) letter of application describing research activity, 2) transcripts of university work, 3) current curriculum vitae, and 4) names, ad-dresses, and telephone numbers of three references to: Luther Talbert, c/o Kathy Jennings, Dept. of Plant, Soil, and Environmental Sciences, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717-0312. Screening will begin October 1. ADA/AA/EO/Vet.Pref.
Plant Physiology, Stephen F. Austin State University
Tenure track position at the Assistant Professor level. Must have a Ph.D in plant physiology or plant biochemisty and be qualified to teach plant physiology, introductory botany, introductory biology and advanced courses in area of interest (ex., cell biology, ultrastructure, plant biochemisty, stress physiology, ecophysiology). Must participate in graduate program and establish a modest research program. Salary commensurate with training and experience. Review of applicants will begin immediately, with a deadline of October 9, 1995 or until position is filled. Starting date: August 1996. Applicants should request application form at address below. Send completed application, curriculum vita, transcripts, three letters of recommendation and a statement of teaching and research philosophies and career objectives to: Dr. Don A. Hay, Chairman, Department of Biology, Box 13003, Stephen F. Austin State University, Nacogdoches, TX 75962. (409) 468-3601. EO/AA Employer. Applications Subject to disclosure under Texas Open Records. Act.
Managing Editor, Flora of North America
Missouri Botanical Garden aggressively seeks a Managing Editor for the Flora of North America Organizational Center. Duties: FNA Managing Editor over-sees the entire scope of transforming the work of contributors and editors into the products of the FNA, participates in the application of informatics, supervises the daily work of the FNA central office (FNAC) at Missouri
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Botanical Garden, and integrates the flow of information among the off-campus participants and the FNAC. The successful candidate will also participate in the preparation and management of the budget, in fundraising, and in the reporting to the FNA Organization in general and to specific subgroups.
Organization: The FNA Managing Editor will report to the project's Convening Editor and will work closely with a newly-established Management Commit-tee. The Managing Editor will be a regular member of the Missouri Botanical Garden staff.
Requirements: An established track record in the field of systematic botany is required, including an earned doctorate in systematic botany or equivalent training, and a record of published accomplishment in floristics and/or monographic research writing and/or editing scientific literature, knowledge of botanical terminology, nomenclature, and familiarity with the protocols of keys, descriptions, maps, and ecological data. Experience in organizing complex projects and administering them, and a capacity for flexiblity are required, as are competence in writing and public speaking, and basic computer literacy.
Please submit c.v. and names and addresses of three references to Human Resource Division, Missouri Botanical Garden, P.O. Box 299, St. Louis, Missouri 63166-0299. Applications accepted until position filled. Equal Opportunity Employer.
Symposia, Conferences, Meetings
Harnessing Apomixis, 25–27 September 1995
College Station Hilton Hotel and Conference Center, College Station, Texas. Invited speakers and contributed posters will cover various genetic, molecular, physiological, cytological, and evolutionary aspects of asexual seed reproduction and its application to crop improvement. Related topics in plant sexual reproduction will also be presented. Some financial support for international attendees will be available. For further information and circulars, please contact Dr. David M. Stelly, Department of Soil and Crop Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843-2474. Phone: (409)-845-2745, fax: (409)-862-4733, E-MAIL: monosom@rigelAamu.edu.
Engineering Plants, 1 - 4 October 1995
International Symposium on "Engineering Plants for Commercial Products/Applications", University of Kentucky, Lexington KY, USA. Co-organizers: Glenn B. Collins and Robert J. Shepherd. To be added to the conference mailing list, send your name and ad- dress to: International Symposium on Engineering Plants, c/o Conferences and Institutes, 218 Peterson Service Building, Lexington KY 40506-00005, USA. Email: monica.stoch @ukwang.uky.edu, phone: 606/ 257-3929; FAX: 606/323-1053.
42nd Annual Systematics Symposium, 6-7 October 1995
The 42nd Annual Systematics Symposium will be held October 6 and 7, 1995 at the Missouri Botanical Garden, Saint Louis Missouri. The program is entitled "A National Biological Survey." For information, contact P. Mick Richardson, Missouri Botanical Garden, P.O. Box 299, St. Louis MO 63166-0299.
World Palm Symposium, 20-21 October 1995
The 1995 World Palm Symposium will be held October 20 and 21, 1995 at the Fairchild Tropical Garden, Miami, Florida. It will be sponsored by Fair-child Tropical Garden and The Palm Beach and Cycad Society. This will be a unique symposium featuring 13 of the top palm researchers in the world. It will be an unusual opportunity to learn about the current palm research and conservation projects being done.
There is very limited seating for this symposium and it is suggested that you register as early as possible. Registration is $80 until September 20, and $100 thereafter. Group rates are available at the Holiday Inn, 1350 South Dixie Hwy. Send registration to World Palm Symposium, 16652 Velazquez Blvd., Loxahatchce, FL 33470. For further information, call Paul Craft at (407) 793-9029 or send fax to (407) 790-0174.
International Alpine Garden Conference 5-10 Janaury 1996
The New Zealand Alpine Garden Society will host an international alpine gardening conference in Christchurch from 5-10 January, 1996. The conference will include special field trips to Mount Hutt and Arthurs Pass as well as presentations by sought after speakers. New Zealand's leading botanists and gardeners will be joined by international experts in a forum which is without precedent. The conference, "Southern Alpines '96" will focus on the alpine plants of the Southern Hemisphere - South Africa, South America, and of course Australia and New Zealand. For further information contact the Conference Secretary, Jane McArthur, 1/37 Augusta Street, Christchurch 8, New Zealand. Phone/Fax (03) 384 2170.
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8th International Lupin Conference, 11-16 May 1996
Scientists from throughout the world will be gathering May 11-16, 1996 for the 8th International Lupin Conference in the scenic Asilomar Conference Center near Monterey. The scientists convening at Asilomar in 1996 will report on a number of topics that will be of interest to scientists and growers alike—new crop development, human and animal food uses, nitrogen fixation, ecological importance, as well as the agronomic aspects of lupin.
A full agenda is planned for the conference, with three days of symposia scheduled in the mornings. Afternoons will be devoted to concurrent contributed papers and poster sessions in one of the following categories: agronomy, genetics, alkaloid chemistry, ecology, and utilization of lupin. A field trip is scheduled for Tuesday, May 14, and will include visits to field plots that demonstrate the diversity of lupin and other crops grown in California.
"California is an important gene center for native species of lupin," said Barbara Bentley, professor of Ecology at the State University of New York at Stony Brook. Bentley is also president of the international Lupin Association. "Of the 190 species of lupin world-wide, 120 occur in California. This conference is an exciting opportunity to foster cross-disciplinary discussion on the prospects for lupin as a crop, as well as its role in natural systems."
The registration fee is $250 if received by April 10, 1996. Housing at Asilomar starts at $48 per day, depending on the level of luxury and number of occupants per room. The housing fee includes all standard meals at Asilomar. This conference is being organized by the International Lupin Association and is co-sponsored by the Department of Agronomy and Range Science at the University of California, Davis and the North American Lupin Association. This is the first time the conference has been held in the United States. For further information or registration materials, write to Conference & Event Services (lupin), University of California, Davis, CA 95616-8766, USA or contact by phone at (916) 757-3331, FAX at (916-757-7943 or by e-mail at jcbarnes@ucdavis.edu. Please provide full name and address with appropriate postal codes, phone numbers, country and city codes and e-mail addresses.
Association of Systematics Collections Annual Meeting, 19-22 May 1996
"Global Genetic Resources: Access, Owner-ship and Intellectual Property Rights" will be the topic of the 1996 Annual meeting of the Association of Systematics Collections, held in conjunction with the Beltsville Symposium at the Beltsville, Md., Agricultural Re-search Center, May 19-22, 1996. Scientists worldwide will explore issues related to ownership of and access to genetic resources and biological specimens around the world. Among the subjects discussed will he access to collecting and collections; the international distribution of germplasm; the exchange of scientific information on biodiversity; and current policies and trends related to ownership and exchange of genetic and biological re-sources. International experts will address subjects related to biological resources for comparative taxonomic study, including food and fiber crops, insects that are natural enemies of crop pests and microorganisms like fungi, yeasts and parasites.
The Association of Systematics Collections will also sponsor a 1 1/2-day, presymposium-workshop on public affairs advocacy (May 18-19). For more information about the presymposium-workshop call Elaine Hoagland (202) 347-2850; fax (202) 347-0072; e-mail mnhasO01@sivm.si.edu. For more information about the symposium contact Amy Y. Rossman (301) 504-5364; fax (301) 504-5810; e-mail amy@fungi.arsgrin.gov.
Ecological Competitiveness in Migrations, 9-12 June 1996
That is the subject of a proposed symposium at the 6th North American Paleontological Convention, June 9-12, 1996, in Washington, D.C. Some aspects of the topic might be: Which plant and animal taxa have undergone long-distance migration and under what conditions? What properties did they possess that allowed them to migrate? How well did they do after they arrived at their destination; in that connection, what has been the ' durability of the migrants in their new region compared with their post-migration durability in their original region? Do new immigrant taxa become established by competitive replacement or by filling empty niches? Is there any correlation between the success of immigrant taxa and their inherent abilities to evolve?
The First Circular of NACP-96 has been distributed; if you didn't get one, write, call, or fax me and I will send you one. The Second Circular will be mailed this Fall, so I will be glad to put you on the mailing list or you can reply directly to the NACP-96 converners using the form in the First Circular. However, I would be pleased to hear from you if you are interested in giving a paper at the symposium described here. I hope to get a good mixture of plant and animal papers, based on material of various ages. It seems that enough is known about long-distance migrations of taxa in the distant past, and the profound effect some of them have had on evolution and changes in flora or fauna after their arrival, so that next year at NACP would be a good place and time to explore these questions. Contact: Norm Frederiksen-U.S. Geological Survey, mail stop 970, Reston, VA 22096; phone 703-648-5277; fax 703-648-5420.
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NAFBW - XlVth Meeting, 16-20 June 1996
The XIVth Meeting of the North American Forest Biology Workshop will be held from 16-20 June, 1996, at Laval University, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada. The theme will be "Forest Management Impacts on Ecosystem Processes." Contact: Ms. Dominique Houde, Agora Communication. 2600 boul. Laurier (#2680), Sainte-Foy (Qc) G1 V 4M6. Tel. (418) 658-6755. FAX. (418) 658-8850. Voluntary workshops, contact: Pierre Bernier, CFS. Tel. (418) 648-4524. More information at WWW site: http://forestgeomat.for.ulaval.ca/
In Vitro Biology, 22-26 June 1996
The 1996 World Congress on In Vitro Biology carries the title "Biotechnology: From Fundamental Concepts to Reality." It is scheduled to meet at the San Francisco Marriott, San Francisco, California, June 22-26, 1996. The abstract deadline is January 12, 1996. For further information, contact meeting coordinator Tiffany McMillan, tel. 410-992-0946, fax 410-992-0949.
IOPC-V, 30 June - 5 July 1996
The Fifth International Organization of Paleobotany Conference (IOPC-V) will take place on the campus of the University of California at Santa Barbara (UCSB), Santa Barbara, California, USA, from 30 June through 5 July 1996. The theme of the conference is floristic evolution and biogeographic interchange through geologic time. The program will include eight morning symposia and four afternoons of contributed papers and posters, followed by two optional 7-day field trips. The first circular, containing a detailed description and registration information, is available from Bruce H. Tiffney, Department of Geological Sciences, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93106. Fax: 805-893-2314, e-mail: tiffney@magic.ucsb.edu.
Extant and Fossil Charophytes, 7-13 July 1996
The 2nd International Symposium on extant and fossil Charophytes (Charales) at Madison, Wisconsin, will cover a wide scope of topics dealing with extant and fossil forms and fossil/extant relationships; a session will be devoted to the evolutionary position and taxonomic status of the Charophyta. For more information, please contact Dr. Linda Graham (Department of Botany, University of Wisconsin - Madison, 430 Lincoln Drive, Madison, Wisconsin 53706-1381, fax 608-262-7509, e-mail graham@macc.wisc.edu) or Dr. Monique Feist (Colloque Charophytes, Laboratoire de Paleobotanique, UM2, 34095 Montpellier cedex 05, France, fax 33.67.04.20.32, e-mail mofeist@isem.univ-montp2.fr).
Natural Science Collections Symposium 20-24 August 1996
The Geological Conservation Unit and the Department of Earth Sciences of the University of Cam-bridge are organizing the Second International Symposium and World Congress on the Preservation of Natural History Collections to occur August 20-24, 1996 at St. Johns College, Cambridge, U.K. The theme will be "Natural Science Collections - A Resource for the Future"
The second Congress will continue the work of the first Congress by bringing leading figures in industry, research, education and natural science museums together to discuss future developments and a joint cooperative approach towards the challenges presented by the preservation of natural science collections, and to look at the practical aspects of putting the strategies in place. The Congress is co-sponsored by several collections support organizations, including the Association of Systematics Collections and the Society for the Preservation of Natural History Collections.
For more information, please contact: Chris Collins, Natural Sciences Congress '96, Geological conservation Unit, Department of Earth Sciences, Downing Street, Cambridge, CB 2 3EQ, United Kingdom, tel: (0223) 62522, fax: (0223) 60779.
2nd Crop Science Congress, 17-23 November 1996
The second International Crop Science Congress (ICSC) is scheduled 17 to 23 Nov. 1996 at the Hotel Ashok, Chanakyapuri, in New Delhi, India. In-creasing population and declining assets of natural re-sources constitute a major challenge to global food security. This concern has led congress organizers to choose the theme: Crop Productivity and Sustainability: Shaping the Future. Three categories of presentations at the congress will be plenary, symposia, and posters. In addition, working groups will deliberate on topics of specific interests for framing policy documents. Popular lectures will also be organized on some evenings. Registration is US$300 by 1 June 1996, $400 thereafter. Accompanying members cost $100 each, as does a student registration without proceedings. For more information contact: Prof. S.K. Sinha, Secretary-General, 2nd ICSC, National Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi - 110 012, INDIA, Fax No.: 91-11-5753678, Telephone Nos.: 91-11-5753677 / 5753713.
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Book Reviews
In this Issue:
Ecological:
p. 54 Biological Diversity, The Coexistence of Species on Changing Environments M. A. Huston (1994) — A. M. Ellison
Economic Botany:
p. 56 Ethnobotany and the Search for New Drugs G.T. Prance, et al., eds. (1994) — M.J. Schlessman
p. 57 The Chocolate Tree: A Natural History of Cacao A. M. Young. (1994) — N. A. Harriman
Historical:
p. 58 Historical Perspectives in Plant Science K. J. Frey, ed. (1994) — S. Hammer
p. 59 The Correspondence of Charles Darwin. Vol. 9. 1861. F. Burkhardt, et al., eds. (1994) — V.B. Smocovitis
Physiological:
p. 60 A Whole Plant Perspective on Carbon-Nitrogen Interactions J. Roy & E. Garniers, eds. (1994) — M. Holbrook
Paleobotanical:
p. 61 The Enigma of Angiosperm Origins N.F. Hughes (1994) — D. Cantrill
Structural/Developmental:
p. 63 Plant Cell Biology: A Practical Approach N. Harris and K.J. Oparka, eds. (1994) — J. Z. Kiss
Systematics:
p. 63 The Palms of the Amazon. Andrew Henderson (1995) — P. Berry
p. 64 The Dicotyledonae of Ohio. Part 2. T.S. Cooperrider (1995) - D. J. Hicks
Biological Diversity: The Coexistence of Species on Changing Landscapes. Michael A. Huston. 1994. ISBN 0-521-36093-5 (cloth U.S. $100.00); 0-521-36930-4 (paper, U.S. $34.95), 681 pp. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge CB2 1 RP, UK — Nearly a quarter-century ago, Robert MacArthur predicted that ecologists would erect "a two-or three-way classification of organisms and their geometrical and temporal environments...[t]he future principles of the ecology of coexistence will then be of the form `for organisms of type A, in environments of structure B, such and such relations will hold— (Mac-Arthur 1972). Huston's magnum opus is a simultaneously enthralling and frustrating attempt to simplify and coherently explain the maintenance of species coexistence. Following MacArthur's lead, Huston erects a two-way classification of species: first, according to their ecological function, and second, grouped within functional types. Species diversity of a community then simply equals the total number of functional types multiplied by the average number of species per functional type. Two broad functional types encompass all others: 'structural' species that give form and shape to habitats (e.g., canopy trees, reef-forming corals); and 'interstitial' species that live within habitats created by structural species (including the structural species themselves).
Other functional types (e.g., trophic species) can fit within the structural-interstitial framework, and are useful in identifying more clearly within-habitat patterns of diversity. The problem of explaining species diversity then is reduced to one of explaining how different functional types coexist, and how many functionally analogous species coexist within a functional type. Historically, the latter problem has proven more difficult than the former, and thus explanation for the coexistence of functionally-equivalent species (e.g., plants) receives more attention in Biological Diversity than explanations for the coexistence of different functional types.
Although high-visibility efforts to protect and preserve the planet's biodiversity focus routinely on charismatic megafauna, it long has been appreciated that "the extraordinary diversity of the terrestrial fauna...is clearly due largely to the diversity provided by terrestrial plants...[o]n the whole, the problem [why are there so many kinds of animals] remains, but in the new form: why are there so many kinds of plants" (Hutchinson 1959). The bulk of this book, therefore, focuses on explaining patterns of plant species diversity. For any given system, Huston identifies the appropriate spatial and temporal scale at which to examine species diversity, because "a mowed lawn that is a homogeneous salad to a grazing sheep is a complex, heterogeneous universe
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to a small, flightless insect" (p. 94). By focusing attention on appropriate scales of observation, Huston illustrates clearly the confusion inherent in many other published models that address the maintenance of species diversity within habitats (e.g., Connell and Orias 1964, Connell 1978) or across successional sequences (re-viewed by Connell and Slatyer 1977).
Huston's environmental templet is based on a dynamic equilibrium engendered by varying growth rates of individual species, intensity of interspecific competition, and frequency and intensity of disturbance (Fig. 1). In essence, this book is a symphonic expansion on the themes first elaborated by Huston in 1979, and the theoretical core of the book (c. 4-10) extends this model spatially from the gene to the landscape and temporally to encompass the full range of successional dynamics. As a listener is enchanted by a fine musical composition, the reader of Biological Diversity is captivated by the simplicity of the model, the overt soundness of the conclusions, and the clarity of the writing,
The punch line of the book is that species diversity is highest where productivity, likelihood of competitive displacement, and frequency or intensity of disturbance are lowest. Dozens of case studies (c. 11-14) support this pattern: examples are drawn from the speciose floras of Mediterranean climates; Amazonian centers of endemism for plants, birds, and butterflies; the high invasibility of North American habitats and low invasibility of Eurasian habitats; marine habitats ranging from the abyssal depths through coral reefs to the rocky intertidal; and fire-dependent savannas. The denouement occurs in the penultimate chapter. Huston convincingly argues that in tropical wet forests, where plant species diversity reaches its apogee, productivity and disturbance frequency are lower than they are in temperate forests. This assertion may surprise most of the book's readers, but Huston reaches this conclusion by scaling plant production rates and disturbance frequency by length of growing season.
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The principal strength of this book is also its source of continual frustration. Huston takes a qualitative, comparative approach to identifying and explaining species diversity patterns. This enables him to compare and contrast patterns from habitats ranging from the ocean floor through tropical lowland forests to mountain tops. Huston's command of the literature is astonishing; the bibliography runs 100 pages, or 16% of the book. The references are deliberately biased in favor of older publications, a choice that highlights the wealth of natural-history information already available for most ecosystems, and contrasts strongly with the common ignorance in high-profile journals of anything published more than a decade ago that results frequently in faddism in ecology (see also Abrahamson et al. 1989 and McCoy 1995). Although the classical literature is rich in observational particulars, it is often short on quantification. Huston also eschews detail; axes of graphs are normally scaled from `low' to `high' (Fig. 1), and when, for example, species turnover through simulated succession is illustrated (e.g., c. 13), species-types are not identified. As Huston himself points out, the case studies presented in chapters 1 1-14 support his conceptual frame-work by weight of anecdote rather than through experimental rigor (p. 301). Thus, generating predictive hypotheses from the dynamic equilibrium model and subsequently testing them with published data currently are nearly impossible; developing and testing such hypothesis could occupy ecologists and biogeographers for decades.
Huston also follows in MacArthur's footsteps by generalizing broadly, adopting an uncompromising reductionist approach, critiquing strongly other models (for the maintenance of diversity), and emphasizing interspecific competition (Kingsland 1984). A few examples. Emergent properties of successional ecosystems (Clements 1916, Odum 1969) are seen as simple consequences of individuals' physiologies and life-histories, and local environmental conditions (Gleason 1926). The suggestion of emergent properties in any other situation, successional or not, is dismissed early on as resulting from ignorance about properties of individuals and their interactions with other organisms or their immediate abiotic environment. The intermediate disturbance hypothesis, which asserts that diversity is highest where disturbance frequency is neither too high nor too low (e.g., Connell 1978) is criticized because 'inter-mediate' rates were not defined independently of their effects on species diversity, and have no specific temporal or spatial scale. It is not clear, however, that the disturbance axis of Huston's dynamic equilibrium mod-el (Fig. 1) can be defined independently of its effects on species diversity. Appropriate temporal and spatial scales of disturbance are not defined a priori, either in the
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theoretical exposition or through the case studies. De-spite an early disclaimer that he is not searching for a single mechanism to explain patterns of biological diversity (p. 7), the bulk of the theoretical discussion and all of the case studies emphasize the importance of interspecific competition in structuring ecological communities. The critical determinant of species diversity within functional types is whether competition is strong or weak.
Despite these shortcomings, Huston's book should be read by anyone interested in learning more about patterns of diversity of organisms that share the Earth with humans, and by everyone concerned with their rapid disappearance. In the final chapter, Huston discusses the implications of his dynamic equilibrium model for the conservation and protection of our natural heritage. Homo sapiens has already appropriated areas of high agricultural productivity and relatively low disturbance for growing food and providing shelter. Fortunately, those areas appear to harbor much lower numbers of species than less productive, more frequently disturbed areas. In terms of preservation of biodiversity, it may turn out to be an unexpected blessing that parks and nature preserves are located in unproductive uplands, on dry infertile, hilly, or rocky sites, or in other areas unsuitable for agriculture or habitation (p. 566). Consequently, Huston argues briefly, albeit convincingly, that "there is no economic conflict between the preservation of biological diversity and the economic improvement of the human condition" (p. 560). By this point, it should come as no surprise, for example, that every effort to establish agricultural settlements in Amazonia has failed, given the low productivity of the region (p. 559). How-ever, the implication of this finding, in light of Huston's dynamic equilibrium model, is that increasing the standard of living of individuals Iiving in developing countries and preserving biodiversity in the tropics, where population numbers and density are highest and avail-able arable land is lowest, will require substantial transfers of wealth from, and hence increased development of higher productivity land in developed countries in the temperate zone where population density is lower and more arable land is available. Although this argument contains all the elements of environmental triage, humans unwittingly have been selecting areas for intensive land-use in this manner since the invention of agriculture, In Biological Diversity, Huston begins a discussion that could lead to informed policies for balancing preservation of diversity with human needs. — Aaron M. Ellison, Department of Biology, Mt. Holyoke College
References
Abrahamson,W.G., T. G. Whitman, and P. W. Price. 1989. Fads in ecology. BioScience 39: 321-325.
Clements, F. E. 1916. Plant succession: an analysis of the development of vegetation. Carnegie Inst. Wash., Pub. 242.
Connell, J. H. 1978. Diversity in tropical rain forests and coral reefs. Science 199: 1302-1309.
Connell, J. H., and E. Orias. 1964. The ecological regulation of species diversity. Am. Nat. 98: 399-414.
Connell, J. H., and R. O. Slatyer. Mechanisms of succession in natural communities and their role in community stability and organization. Am. Nat. 111: 1119-1144.
Gleason, H. A. 1926. The individualistic concept of the plant association. Bull. Torrey Bot. Club 53: 1-20.
Huston, M. A. 1979. A general hypothesis of species diversity. Am, Nat. 113: 81-101
Hutchinson, G. E. 1959. Homage to Santa Rosalia; or, why are there so many kinds of animals. Am. Nat. 93: 145-159.
Kingsland, S. E. 1984. Modeling nature: episodes in the history of population ecology. Univ. of Chicago Press, Chicago, IL. MacArthur, R. H. 1972. Coexistence of species. In J. Behnke [ed.], Challenging biological problems, 253-259. Oxford Univ. Press, New York, NY.
McCoy, E. D. 1995. The costs of ignorance. Cons. Biol. 9: 473-474.
Odom, E. P. 1969. The strategy of ecosystem development. Science 164: 262-270.
Ethnobotany and the Search for New Drugs. Ciba Foundation Symposium 185. G. T. Prance, D. J. Chadwick, & J. Marsh, eds. 1994. ISBN 0-471-95024-6 (cb US$76.00). John Wiley & Sons, 605 - 3rd Ave., New York, NY 10158. — This attractively produced, well-edited volume contains the proceedings of a symposium held in Brazil in late 1993. The 16 papers include overviews of ethnopharmaceutical re-search in large geopolitical areas, summaries of the activities of particular organizations and programs, and commentaries on legal and ethical issues raised by ethnobotanical drug prospecting. All of the papers are accessible to general botanists.
The review of strengths and limitations of the ethnobotanical approach to drug discovery by Paul Cox, and the report of the US NCI's work by Cragg et al. would make excellent readings for undergraduate ethnobotany, plant diversity, or economic botany courses. The summaries of ethnopharmacology in Africa (M. M. Iwu) China (P. G. Xio), India (S. K. Jain) and Mexico (X. Loyoza) offer the North American reader useful cultural perspectives as well as necessarily brief introductions to work in those regions. Although it is not always clear from their titles, many of the papers include descriptions of programs that attempt to integrate the goals of drug development, biodiversity conservation, and community reciprocity. Readers will especially enjoy the tran-
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scripts of discussions that followed each presentation. The inclusion of these discussions is a real strength, as they provide vivid illustrations of the vitality and complexity of contemporary ethnobotany. Sometimes the discussions revolve around a specific methodological issue, such as whether widespread use by common folks or limited but repeated use by specialized healers is the best indication the potential biological activity of a plant extract. But there is also a broader theme throughout, namely the role of indigenous peoples in use of their ethnobotanical knowledge and resources. The most spirited discussions center on this issue. For example, the comments by Loyoza, W. Balee, Jain and Iwu on the word primitive in Richard Schultes' definition of ethnobotany ("the study of the uses of plants in primitive societies in both modern and ancient times") make a point much more forcefully than formal statements possibly could.
Aside from its price, I found no fault with this volume. It belongs in the collections of individuals interested in ethnobotany and institutions where botany is taught.—Mark A. Schlessman, Department of Biology, Vassar College, Poughkeepsie, NY.
The Chocolate Tree: A Natural History of Cacao Allen M. Young. 1994 ISBN 1-56098-357-4, i-xv + 200 pp. (cloth US$24.95) Smithsonian Institution Press, 470 L'Enfant Plaza, Washington, D.C. 20560. — Theobroma cacao L., Sterculiaceae, is a tree of ancient cultivation. It is surely native to the New World tropics, its origin probably traceable to the Upper Orinoco River and the Amazon, whence it was later introduced into Central America. Or there may be truly wild populations of it in Central America and Mexico, not necessarily introduced by human agency. It was originally prized by human beings for the abundant white, mucilaginous pulp surrounding the seeds. The pulp is also sought by monkeys, squirrels, rats, and bats, who chew on the non-falling, indehiscent fruits.. The seeds contain bitter alkaloids like caffeine and theobromine; the seeds are therefore not chewed and are readily dispersed.
The author cites numerous lines of evidence that the use of the seeds, fermented in their own pulp, gently roasted, then ground to make a bitter paste, arose in Mesoamerica. Indigenous peoples mixed the paste with water, chili peppers, vanilla and other spices, and maize to prepare a beverage. One gathers that drinking this black, frothy mess is an acquired taste.
Chocolate, a beverage made from the ground seeds flavored with sugar and numerous spices, was invented by the Spaniards in the seventeenth century. Solid milk chocolate was invented by the Swiss in 1875 (or 1876; both dates are given on page 37). The seeds were once used as currency in Central America; the economic value of the chocolate trade today must be in the billions of dollars.
The author's special research concern with the chocolate tree is its pollination ecology. From the title, you think you are getting a Botany book, and you are; but a large fraction of the book is devoted to Young's efforts to discover how the tree is pollinated by various small insects, and to find ways for the growers to manage their plantations to facilitate the reproduction of these vital insects. It is a first-rate science story, as the author (an entomologist) leads the reader through the process (over a number of years) of how he observed insect behavior and devised experiments to support or refute various hypotheses. No one with experience in the tropics will be surprised to learn that many of the insects he dealt with were new to science, including Forcipomyia youngi, a biting midge important in pollination of the tree.
Popularization of science, both pure and applied, is a necessary and difficult task. Young does it very, very well. Yes, there are a few slips on the Latin names of plants on page 176. Yes, I wish he had told us that the cited Humboldt title, Travels to the equinoctial regions of America, during the years 1799-1804, three volumes, 1884, is an English translation of the French original that appeared three-quarters of a century earlier. These trivial slips are more than atoned for by a lengthy bibliography free of maddening abbreviations and an unusually detailed index, with a great many context-sensitive entries: if you look up "cacao tree," you get "pests of," "pods of," "as sacred objects," "self-incompatiability of," and so on and on.
Theobroma, "food of the gods," is a Linnaean coinage (page 12), and a most felicitous one. Fittingly, this book is food for the mind, right down to its leaf-green and cocoa-brown cover. — Neil A. Harriman, Biology Department, University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh
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Historical Perspectives in Plant Science. Edited by Kenneth J. Frey. 1994. ISBN 0-8138-2284-X (cloth). Iowa State University Press, Ames, Iowa 50014 —When I was in graduate school I had to have surgery as the result of a careless accident. During my last moments of wakefulness, the assistant anesthesiologist asked me what I studied. "Plants." I told her. (Not everyone can translate the word botany). "Oh, she smiled. Are you a plant scientist?" "No, I'm a taxonomist," I replied. Her broad and comforting smile withered. I think she was concerned whether this living fossil would come out of surgery alive.
I have worried about the intellectual links between my field and the rest of biology ever since that exchange. I was therefore excited to pick up a volume that, considering the depth of its authors, would provide me with some breadth of view. Perhaps you agree with me, that historical perspectives ought to provide bridges from which scientists (or even non-scientists!) can approach each others' disciplines. You may also think that intellectual history should lay a rich groundwork of ideas into which travelers can foray. Travel broadens, after all, and we are Iikely to travel to a new place for its artifacts and curiosities, which tell a tale of human intrigue. We would like to know how a particular world has been put together, and we would like to learn about the attitudes and foibles of its makers. Dates we can look up in an almanac. Had you paid retail for this particular airplane ticket (a short flight, only 205 pages with index), or if this had been your one summer destination, you might have found yourself a little put out with the travel agent.
If you are looking for something broadening, something that you might discuss with students or col-leagues, consider the first essay, by G. Ledyard Stebbins, and the last essay written by Neal F. Jensen. Stebbins and Jensen, and to a lesser extent some of the other authors, write in a clear prose style. They see back beyond Darwin. They consider plant science within a much broader canvas that includes a cavalcade of intellectual and technological history. They inject humor. Consider the following sentence by Jensen.
In my view, human intellect, the power of reasoning, reaches back farther in time than is generally credited: humans have done remark-ably well responding to situations, operating within the constraints imposed upon them by the relevant environment.
Between my own work and the manuscripts I'm trying to review this summer, I appreciate Jensen's warm, inviting tone. I am led to believe that he under-stands the nature of his assignment here, that he is addressing a broad audience and that he is setting a benchmark (as we have been told in the preface) in intellectual history. Compare Jensen's style with the statement from another author.
Clearly, the advantage of the tetraploid lies in the delayed decay of the heterotic advantage when there is preferential autosyndetic meiotic chromosome pairing.
The sentence above may have relevance to germplasm manipulation but it just doesn't give me an historical perspective in plant science. Not enough to recommend this book to my librarian. Consider this tongue-in-cheek statement by John W. Dudley, which tells volumes about plant science and plant scientists.
Plant breeders are by nature optimistic. Given the obstacles they sometimes face in making progress, they must he optimistic to maintain their sanity!
Good. A sense of humor. I may read on. I'd like to learn more about this field. Then I read the following by another author, who enumerates a peculiar benefit to humankind brought about by biotechnology.
...one commercial application [of ice-nucleation active bacteria] has been the use of INA-positive bacteria in a patented product, Snow-max, which is being used to improve the snow depth on ski slopes.
Who says we can't adapt to global warming? And we'll have plant scientists to thank for it! The contributor I quoted above also devotes a paragraph to rewriting plant science history according to his own perspective in a critique of Jeremy Rivkin, "head of an environmental group," who led "a battle to prevent the introduction of any genetically modified organism into the environment" while "reporters were visible, drinking coffee in apparent unconcern about the presumed dangers..." Just a tad parochial.
Most of the "perspectives" in this book fall short of the vistas one might hope for. However, it would be unfair to say I was completely disappointed with this volume. In particular, the essays by Stebbins and Jensen reflect the wisdom of their authors, a wisdom that allows each author to step outside the confines of his discipline. Biology in both of these essays is served up as an historical process, and as we know, the process, for all its method is usually painfully constricted by external conditions, call them market forces or ideological bias-es. It behooves all of us scientists, funded and non-funded, teachers and researchers, chroniclers and critics, to understand these lessons, and to teach them. The lessons of intellectual struggle and scientific process go far beyond the "scientific method" that we try to impart to our introductory students. More, they are in the realm of mistakes, secrets, surprises, and psychology. It is to our advanced students that we should teach the lessons of science history, as they move on to make history themselves. One day, we may see a book to help us do that. — Samuel Hammer, College of General Studies, Boston University
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The Correspondence of Charles Darwin. Volume 9. 1861 Frederick Burkhardt, Duncan M. Porter, Joy Harvey, and Marsha Richmond, eds. 1994 ISBN 0-521-45156-6 (cloth US$59.95), 609 pp. Cambridge University Press, 40 West 20th Street, New York NY 10011-4211 — Although Charles Dar-win is generally regarded as a well rounded naturalist whose expertise included geology, embryology, and zoology, he has received little historical appreciation for his expertise in botany. This is surprising, because a significant number of the post-Origin years of Darwin's life were spent on exquisite studies on plants that led to some of Darwin's most interesting, creative, and important work. Given the extent of Darwin's contributions to botany, the lack of historical attention has resulted in an incomplete, if not skewed portrait of Darwin, and his extraordinary range of interest has not been properly noted.
The volume under review, the latest contribution from the "Darwin Industry," goes a long way to-wards redressing this imbalance. The complete known correspondence of Charles Darwin for the year 1861, the volume included letters now housed all over the world. Arranged chronologically, and with substantive footnoted annotations, the volume very clearly reveals Dar-win's scientific activities shortly after the publication of Origin, much of which takes on an increasingly botanical direction.
After the immediate criticism over Origin abated, Darwin turned to gathering evidence in support of his controversial theory of evolution by means of natural selection. As promised to his readers in Origin, Darwin was involved in a large-scale study of variation in both animals and plants with a view of supporting his theory. His botanical studies at this time were largely a pleasant pastime; but as the correspondence nicely demonstrates, during the year 1861 Darwin became convinced that more precise studies on plants would possibly lend the greatest support for his theory. Thus, as Darwin reflected on his observations on plants, and as he turned to the council of leading botanists of his day (some of whom like Joseph Hooker, and Asa Gray were powerful advocates of Darwin's theory), Darwin turned his energies to solving botanical problems full time. He became especially interested in exploring little-understood, but clearly fundamental phenomena in the plant world like sexuality, hybridization, and propagation. What had begun as an amusing pastime thus took the center stage of Dar-win's research as he immersed himself in a series of full-blown studies of the botanical world.
Dovetailing with the volume of correspondence for the year 1860, this volume demonstrates the transition to botany in Darwin's interests. Beginning with his initial interest in insectivorous plants like Drosera, Darwin turned to the study of dimorphism as ex-pressed by the length of stems of Primula. By 1861 his studies on dimorphism had become full-blown intensive investigations. The correspondence also reveals the extent of Darwin's growing fascination with orchids. Having increasing access to different and more exotic species (as the correspondence back and forth with suppliers demonstrates), Darwin became "half mad" about orchids. On October 18 he wrote to John Lindley: "Orchids have interested me more than almost anything in my life.: He was especially fascinated by the astonishing and "inexhaustible" contrivances that orchids had evolved to effect cross-pollination. By as early as June 15 he could claim that he had "...seen & carefully (inspected) every British orchid, which anyone can hope to see, except the lizard...", and then added with characteristic modesty, "I know little of Botany," (Letter to Bingham Sibthorpe Malden, 15-16 June 1861). As he indulged in their study, he grew more and more convinced that orchid biology could be used to support his theory of evolution by means of natural selection. Though he had originally intended to present his orchid work in the form of a paper he began to convert his project to a book-length manuscript by September of 1861, after John Murray expressed enthusiasm with publishing Darwin's orchid book. It appeared in 1862.
Understandably enough, Darwin's correspondence at this time is rich with the names of botanical luminaries of his day" George Bentham, Joseph Hooker, John Lindley, Hewett C. Watson, and or course, Asa Gray. While some of the correspondence with botanists is trite, concerning matters of specimens identified or requested, other letters include the fine details of Dar-win's observations and conceptual twists and turns. Many of the letters are so detailed, in fact, that they help to reveal the process by which Darwin so often derived his conclusions as well as lending an appreciation for Darwin's curious, observant scientific style. Some of the correspondence with Gray reveals how Gray served as an effective advocate of Darwin's work and influenced its reception profoundly.
Other developments of note to botanists in this critical year include the deteriorating health, and then death of Joseph Stevens Henslow, and the loss of Asa Gray's thumb (lost in a gardening accident). Henslow's decline in health was relayed to Darwin by Joseph Hooker, Darwin's close friend and Henslow's son-in-law. Darwin responded to the news of Henslow's death by saying "I fully believe a better man never walked on this earth." (Letter to J.D. Hooker, 18 May 1861); and to his other friend Thomas Henry Huxley he wrote: "So poor dear Henslow is at last gone; as good & true & noble a man has ever lived." (Letter to T.H. Huxley, 22 May 1861).
In addition to the development of his botanical work, the correspondence also includes the especially exciting exchange with Henry Walter Bates, newly re-turned form his own voyages in the Amazonian river basin, and eager to consult Darwin with his own evidence in support of natural selection, his now-famous mimicry studies in insects. The volume also includes discussions over Darwin's geological dispute over the
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"parallel roads" of Glen Roy, now Darwin's most famous public failure. Finally admitting defeat, Darwir surrendered to the young Scottish geologist, Thomas Francis Jamieson, stating: "I give up the ghost. My paper is one long gigantic blunder (Letter to T.F. Jamieson, ( September 1861); later he confided to Charles Lyell: "I am smashed to atoms about Glen Roy. My paper was one long gigantic blunder from beginning to end." (Letter to Charles Lycll, 6 September 1861). Yet still other topics include details over subsequent editions of Origin, which Darwin had revised to meet with criticism, and the reception by John Herschel and John Stuart Mill over the scientific methodology followed by Darwin in Origin.
On a personal front the correspondence reveals continuing familial stress over daughter Etty's (Henrietta's) health (she had most likely suffered from typhus). Also of concern to Darwin, was the choice of suitable vocations for his sons, especially his eldest, William Erasmus, who left Cambridge to embark on a banking career, which with some family aid, would make him "almost a rich man" (Letter to W.E. Darwin, 26 May 1861). The correspondence also reveals the consolidation of ties between Darwin's family and Thomas Henry Huxley's family, who had sought solace with the Darwins following the death of their first-born son, Noel.
In a yet wider, political context, Darwin's correspondence with Asa Gray for 1861 includes ex-changes over what would eventually become the American Civil War. Darwin's sympathies were clearly with the northern cause, despite his country's chilly demean-or toward it. His aversion to slavery, one reason for his sympathy, becomes apparent in this correspondence.
In addition to the letters, the completed volume also includes no less than 10 appendices of useful historical material, all for the year 1861. Of botanical note among these appendices is the "Presentation list for Asa Gray's pamphlet on Origin of Species," "Darwin's report on experiments with Drosera read before the Philosophical Club of the Royal Society, 21 February 1861," and "Darwin's memoir of John Stevens Hen-slow." Full-page portraits are also featured throughout the text of nine of the individuals important to Darwin in 1861; John Stevens Henslow, George Bentham, and John Lindley are among the botanists included. The volume closes with an especially helpful "Biographical Register and Index to Correspondents."
Overall, this volume is a splendid addition to the growing number of volumes (now nine) making Darwin's correspondence available to wide audiences. Readers who are not familiar with the preceding volumes of Darwin's edited correspondence may find this particular volume a good place to begin, as Darwin's botanical work, finally takes its position as a leading player on the historical center stage. — Vassiliki Betty Smocovitis, Department of History, University of Florida, Gainesville
A Whole Plant Perspective on Carbon-Nitrogen Interactions. J. Roy and E. Garnier, eds. 1994. SPB Academic Publishing bv, PO Box 97747, 2509 GC The Hague, The Netherlands. 313 pp. ISBN 90-5103-086-X.—The goal of this volume is to under-score the relevance and importance of extending physiological studies to the whole-plant level. The theme is carbon-nitrogen interactions and, in particular, the physiological integration necessary to coordinate the acquisition of carbon and energy from the atmosphere and minerals and water from the soil. The book is divided into three sections. The first deals with the inter-dependency of carbon and nitrogen that occurs during both uptake and metabolism. The second part addresses distribution patterns of carbon, nitrogen and nitrate reduction within plants and considers factors influencing their regulation. The final section considers carbon-nitrogen interactions that occur on longer time scales. The book is the outgrowth of a meeting held in Montpellier in 1991 which marked the inception of a Scientific Network on Whole Plant Physiology sponsored by the European Science Foundation.
The opening section focuses on coupling of nitrogen and carbon metabolisms. Touraine et al. (Chap-ter 2) discuss regulation of nitrate uptake. Their data show that when plants are well supplied with nitrogen, nitrate uptake rates are regulated by signals produced by the shoot such that N uptake is coordinated with whole-plant demand. They suggest that these signals may be products of nitrate assimilation (amino acids or organic acids) and that an intensive cycling of elements within the plant is essential for the integration of the nutritional status at the whole plant level. Two chapters contrast nitrogen metabolism of inherently fast- and slow-growing species. Pons et al. (Chapter 5) examine photosynthetic nitrogen-use-efficiency (PNUE) of four monocotyledonous species whose relative growth rate (RGR) is controlled by nitrate addition rates. They report a positive relationship between inherent RGR and whole plant PNUE at high nitrate supply, but not at low nitrate supply. PNUE also increased with decreasing nitrate supply in all species, with the trend being most pronounced in the slow-growing species. Van der Werf and colleagues (Chapter 7) examined the respiratory characteristics of roots and shoots of fast- and slow-growing monocots. They report that, when grown at near optimal-nitrate supply, root respiration of slow growing species is only slightly lower than that of fast-growing species. This suggests that the cost of ion uptake in slow-growing species may be larger than in fast-growing species.
The second section of the book examines the distribution of "functions, matter and signals" within plants with chapters addressing rootlshoot distribution of nitrate assimilation, carbon and nitrogen storage, and the role of hormonal and other signals in biomass partitioning. Cojon et al. (Chapter 9) discuss partitioning of nitrate reduction between roots and leaves. They con-
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elude that the general pattern of a higher fraction of nitrate reduction in roots of woody plants compared with herbaceous species is due to a lower capacity for nitrate uptake in woody plants rather than a greater nitrate reduction capacity of the roots themselves. Carbon and nitrogen storage are discussed by Heil meier and Monson (Chapter 10) in relation to the time scale over which their levels change within the plant, while KSrner (Chapter 11) proposes an alternative approach to separating plant compartments consisting of leaves, active fine roots, and the remaining material with primarily storage or support function. The problem of determining an appropriate denominator such that species or experimental treatments can be compared is particularly difficult at the whole plant level where measured pools of carbon and nitrogen cannot be easily separated into their functional components. In Chapter 12, Clarkson and Touraine propose that morphological responses to N-limitation may be related to root-produced ABA. However, in Chapter 13, van Bel and Visser suggest that modes of phloem loading could influence allocation patterns. In particular, they note a correlation between loading mechanism and inherent growth rate and speculate that differences in the speed and efficiency of assimilate transport could result in different allocation patterns and responsivity to changes in resource availability.
The final section of the book addresses developmental and ecological aspects of carbon-nitrogen interactions. Rooney (Chapter 14) conclude that while carbon and nitrogen availability have marked effects on plant development, there is little evidence that internal pools of carbon, nitrogen, or C/N ratio govern develop-mental transitions. The effects of increased atmospheric CO2 concentrations on plant growth are discussed by Stulen et al. (Chapter 15). Aerts (Chapter 16) presents an overview of patterns in the partitioning of biomass and nutrients in relation to nitrogen supply as illustrated with field studies of plants from heathlands and fens. Finally, three chapters (Pereira et al. [6], Aerts [16], and Gamier and Freijsen [17]) contrast measurements made on potted (and often juvenile) plants versus measurements made in the field. Substantial differences in what limits growth between the two environments indicate that care must be used in making ecological inferences from laboratory/greenhouse experiments.
Given that both evolutionary selection and plant productivity are processes best defined at the level of the individual, it may seem curious that the study of whole plant physiology is seen as in need of any sort of support or encouragement. Yet a mechanistic under-standing of physiological and metabolic processes is much easier at the level of individual plant organs. Roy (Chapter 18) points out that the majority of plant physiological parameters refer to activities that occur within specific organs, rather than the plant as a whole. Whole plants have evolved as highly buffered systems having an extraordinarily degree of plasticity and responsivity to their environment. This makes them hard to study. It also, at times, makes this book hard to read. As Lawlor (Chapter 4) points out, our understanding of the links between biochemical pathways and whole plant processes is insufficient for the task. Nevertheless, this volume is valuable for bringing into focus just how little we currently understand about the physiological organization of higher plants and how their many interwoven processes are integrated. — Missy Holbrook, Harvard University
The Enigma of Angiosperm Origins N.F. Hughes 1994. ISBN 0-521-41145-9 (cloth) 242 pp. Cam-bridge University Press, 40 West 20th St., New York NY 10011-4211 — Cambridge University Press has launched a new series of books, aimed at providing accessible and readable reviews of exciting topical aspects in paleobiology. This new book, the first in the series, is a sequel to Hughes' (1976) Paleobiology of Angiosperm Origins (Cambridge University Press, Cam-bridge). Since 1976, research into the fossil history of the angiosperms has elucidated trends in radiation from low to high paleolatitudes, patterns of radiation amongst pollen, leaf types, and to some degree, details of floral structure. In addition, studies on the comparative morphology of extant and fossil plants through cladistic methodologies have resulted in working hypotheses about the phylogenies of plant groups, including extant angiosperms (see Crane, P.R. NATURE 374: 27-33, 1995). This research provides a wealth of information, and Hughes uses it to examine afresh the whole problem of origins and early evolution of angiosperms. Aimed at advanced students, professional earth scientists, paleontologists and biologists, the publishers are bold enough to suggest that it will result in a rethink of current plant classifications. It does not.
The book is well produced and relatively free from typographical errors; however there are some, the most obvious being the consistent mis-spelling of the Baquero Formation as Baguero Formation. The plates, especially the scanning electron micrographs of Cretaceous pollen, are excellent, although not always sharp at higher magnifications. Unlike his earlier book (Hughes 1976), which had much to recommend it from a philosophical view (Doyle, J.A. PAI.EOnrOLOGY 2: 265-271, 1977), the views expressed in this book assume familiarity with both Paleobiology of Angiosperm Origins, and Fossils as Information (Cambridge University Press, 1989). As a result, the book does not stand in its own right but needs to be placed in the context of these earlier works.
Readers not familiar with Hughes' idiosyncratic style will find the book difficult to read. The text is liberally littered with various asides, often at the end of sections. These asides detract from the focus but provide some interesting ideas, and a few inflammatory and humorous statements. Hughes does not pull any punches in expressing his opinions about various scientific disciplines. For example, "Obsession is the only
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word for the determined stance on monophyletic origin of the angiosperms and of other groups; this has not been improved by recent cladisitic studies with their circular arguments based on necessarily restricted matrices of data" (Chapter 14, p. 235). In general, these statements do little to help the book succeed in its aims and will certainly alienate many readers.
The book is divided into three parts: the setting of the problem, the evidence for Cretaceous origins, the consequences and conclusions. In order to set the scene the first two chapters provide a brief historical introduction, outlining some of the authors favourite failures to solve the problem of angiosperm origins. These past failures are attributed to failure in methodology, and Hughes correctly points out that the classification of fossils into cxtant groups, especially for poorly documented records, and for material where only vegetative material is known, can lead to erroneous assumptions about the nature of the fossil. Much of this is valid; certainly classifying fossil organisms into a framework developed around extant plants restricts our ability to interpret morphological novelty. This has lead to the development of nebulous fossil groups such as Mesozoic seed-plants, Mesozoic pteridosperms or cycadophytes; examples of groups that are defined as everything that does not fit into our concepts of current extant plant groups. This leads to chapter four, where ten working principles are adopted that provide the intellectual basis for the book. Many biologists will disagree with some of the extreme views outlined in this chapter. For example, the dogmatic approach by botanists in considering the angiosperms as monophyletic is considered to hinder progress, and they are considered polyphyletic until proved otherwise. Other dogmas are that the stratigraphic succession of fossils is the only valid evidence of past evolutionary events, and that palynomorphs form the main record, as mesofossils are fragmentary, dispersed and relatively rare. Further statements assert that the use of Linnean taxonomy for fossils is flawed and should be replaced with Hughes' paleontologic code for data handling (PHDC).
The evidence for Cretaceous origin of the angiosperms begins with an overview of the diversity in Mesozoic seed plants, which in turn implicates a number of diverse groups as possible ancestors due to the apparent appearance of angiospermid-like features. Unfortunately, although the coverage of taxa is comprehensive, morphological detail is sparsely presented and morphological terminology is often uncritically applied. Botanists not familiar with the paleobotanical literature will find that the lack of detailed morphological information makes it difficult to evaluate the reproductive diversity present other than accepting the commentary at face value. Nevertheless, it does provide an overview of the morphological variation in reproductive structures that was present during the Mesozoic and valuable back-ground to the variation from which the early angiosperms evolved.
In contrast, the following chapter is the most valuable contribution in the whole book. For those interested in angiosperm origins, this is a summary of the last fifteen years palynologic research on the English Lower Cretaceous (Hauterivian to Aptian) successions. This chapter comprises the main part of the book, meticulously setting out the stratigraphic framework of the boreholes examined, and the occurrences of a diverse suite of small (less than 20 p.m long) monosulcate columellate-tectate (MCT) pollen. The power of scanning electron microscopy in resolving morphological differences of pollen grains that appear uniform at a light microscope level reveals a surprising diversity of forms, and highlights the richness of the presumed earliest angiosperm pollen record. Four phases of MCT development and radiation are recognized. Comparisons of the English succession with other known occurrences of Lower Cretaceous MCT pollen grains indicate that the English succession contains the most complete record of MCT pollen radiation.
The latter part of the hook concentrates on the fossil occurrences that can be attributed to the angiosperms. Firstly, reviewing the record of leaves and flowers, it is concluded that pre-Late Albian there is a dearth of information. This highlights an important gap in our knowledge of angiosperm radiation and indicates areas of further research. Consolidation of the angiosperms during the Late Cretaceous is also discussed (Chapter 1I). It is in this chapter that the origin of monocots, specifically palms, from the pteridophytes is suggested. Differences between the monocots and di-cots are highlighted and the monocot features arc suggested to be more similar to pteridophyte features. The diversification and radiation of ferns parallel to the angiosperms during the Cretaceous are used to imply that the ferns could have given rise to the monocots. A tenuous link between the ferns and the monocots is suggested to be via Tempskya, a tree-fern. Further suggestions include the one that the Cyclanthaceae are descended from Lycophytes and in particular Isoetes. Although favouring a polyphyletic origin for the angiosperms, this is the only evidence presented to support this thesis. Indeed Hughes states "The numerous Mesozoic Pollenifera groups believed to have been present at least as late as Aptian time cannot yet be satisfactorily connected or related to the clear presence of angiosperms even under polyphyletic speculation" (Chapter 10, p. 214).
The final three chapters deal with future directions for solving the problem of angiosperm origins. The continued search for mesofossils (flowers) to provide the link between MCT pollen and the plants producing it is emphasised, as is the elucidation of Aptian floras. Much is made of putting the fossil record before all other lines of evidence, and in particular, comparative morphology as practised by cladists. The development of Hughes's PHDC and period classification to do away with the perceived problems of the International Code of
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Botanical Nomenclature, thereby allowing a more rigorous and defined approach to various fossil groups, is emphasized. It is concluded that angiosperms are a grade of development attained by several mid-Cretaceous seed-plant groups (Pollenifera).
The book provides a useful overview on the Lower Cretaceous (Hauterivian to Aptian) succession of monosulcate columellate-tectate pollen types. Whether these turn out to belong to plants with other angiospermous features remains to be seen. As Hughes points out, finding the plants that produced this pollen will be an important step in understanding the early evolution of the angiosperms. Furthermore future research should concentrate on the time period between the occurrence of MCT pollen and the first confirmed angiosperm macrofossils. Discoveries from this time period will help advance the story of the origins of this enigmatic group. — David J. Cantrill, Geoscience Division, British Antarctic Survey, Madingley Road, High Cross, Cambridge, UK
Plant Cell Biology: A Practical Approach N. Harris and K.J. Oparka, eds. 1994 ISBN 0-19-963398-3 (cloth US$96) ISBN 0-19-963399-1 (pa-per US$52) Oxford University Press, 200 Madison Ave., New York NY 10016 — This book is part of the Practical Approach Series in which there are about 120 titles. Plant Cell Biology is edited by two well-known and distinguished cell biologists and is an excellent resource. This volume consists of fourteen chapters that are each written by experts in their fields. The emphasis is on light and electron microscopy while other selected methods are discussed (e.g. protoplast isolation, membrane isolation, and microelectrode techniques). There are chapters on new and exciting areas of light micros-copy such as in situ hybridization techniques and the use of fluorescent probes to study living plant cells. Molecular biology methods are not included since they are covered extensively in several other volumes in the series.
The typical chapter begins with general back-ground material and then has about a dozen step-by-step protocol boxes. The protocols are very detailed and are meant to serve as starting points. Many of the protocols included suggested alternatives and provide advice on troubleshooting. Each chapter also has numerous references (which are current to 1992) to both primary re-search papers and review articles. The editors and authors have done a good job on cross-referencing to other protocols and chapters as well as to outside references.
The authors are successful at getting new workers acquainted with techniques and in providing experienced scientists with new methods. There also is a balance between providing enough background information to get the readers started with a group of protocols and referring readers to more exhaustive works on a topic. Most of the chapter introductions are not dull (this can easily happen with this type of book) and are very readable.
While this book receives high overall marks, a few suggestions for improvement come to mind. A chapter on confocal microscopy would have been useful for the readers. Although an entire book could be written on this topic alone, I believe it is important enough to merit a chapter on the highlights of the technique. Inclusion of more figures that illustrate the results of the techniques discussed would have helpful, but this may not have been done to keep the cost of the book reason-able.
I enjoyed reading Plant Cell Biology and think that the hook lives up to its promise as part of a "practical approach" series. I would recommend this book to both graduate students and advanced researchers in the field of plant cell biology. It may be useful to undergraduates beginning independent research projects. The soft-bound version is priced reasonably to make it accessible to a wide audience, and the book also is a worthwhile purchase for any university library. — John Z. Kiss, Department of Botany, Miami University, Oxford, Ohio
The Palms of the Amazon Andrew Henderson 1995. ISBN 0-19-508311-3, 362 pp. (cloth US$95.00). Oxford University Press, 200 Madison Ave., New York, NY 10016.-The publication of Genera Palmarunt by N. Uhl and J. Dransfield in 1987 was a major step in improving the understanding of palm systematics worldwide. This new volume draws upon the taxonomic framework of that book and concentrates on the palms of Amazonia, an area unsurpassed in palm abundance and their importance to local peoples. Ironically, the palm flora of Amazonia is not particularly rich — there are only 34 native genera and 151 species out of 550 species that Henderson estimates to occur in the New World.
It should be noted that Henderson has chosen to recognize far fewer species and fewer genera than his predecessors. Although his taxonomy is still based on traditional morphological characters, it is supplemented by extensive field work in much of the Amazon region. He attributes much of the overdescription of taxa to both the lack of adequate sampling and to the wide morphological variation of many taxa. For instance, the economically important babassu palm in southern and eastern Amazonia was recently treated by A. Anderson as Orbygnia martiana and by Uhl and Dransfield as O. phalerata and O. oleifera; Henderson now treats all these names as synonyms of Attalea speciosa. As yet unresolved taxonomic problems are pointed out, such as some of the complicated species complexes in Bactris and Geonoma. Clearly palm taxonomy has not yet stabilized, but Henderson's broad species and generic concepts will undoubtedly simplify the task of identifying Amazonian palms.
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As identification aids to the Amazonian palms, there are keys and descriptions of the genera, species, and varieties. More importantly, each species and even some of the varieties are illustrated by line drawings of the plant's habit and fruit characters. There are four pages of color photographs (four photos each of habits, flowers, fruits, and spines), but I certainly would have liked to see more. The distribution maps are unduly restrictive because they show only dots of specimens the author has seen rather than the taxon's actual distribution, so I found the narrative descriptions of distributions far more informative than the maps. The map for Mauritia camna, a species of the upper Rio Negro basin, does not even show it to occur in Venezuela even though the text places it there and cites common names and synonyms from that country. Likewise, the map of the extremely common and widespread Mauritia flexuosa shows a deceivingly spotty distribution. A better approach to the maps would be to simply shade in and overlay the entire known or presumed distribution of the species.
In his foreword to the book, Ghillean Prance states that, "It is hard to go into any Amazon habitat and not find a species of palm present." However, Henderson shows that for nearly a third of the entire Amazon region (which he breaks down into squares of 12,000 km2 on a map on p. 23) not a single botanical specimen of palms has yet been made. Thus the paradox of palm systematics is that everybody knows they are there, but because they are so tall or spiny or bulky, few have bothered to collect or properly document their presence. Henderson has done an admirable job of reconciling this disparity, especially by providing succinct information on the habitats and ecology of each taxon as well as their common names and uses throughout the region.
Preceding the systematic treatment, there are five chapters that highlight the physical setting of the Amazon, general information on palms, and more specific information on the biogeography, ecology, and collecting history of Amazonian palms. This is very useful in interpreting the systematic accounts and also points out some of the promising avenues of future field research in demographics and reproductive biology of palms. Only rarely did I feel there were incongruities such as including the Guayana Highlands (with extensive areas above 1000 m elevation) within the Amazon region in Chapter 1, although the author did exclude the exclusively high elevation Guayanan palm taxa from the systematic treatment. I also balked at the author's statement at the end of his discussion of pollination in Amazonian palms (p. 39), namely, "It also seems likely that in the future many palms, at least those in the understory, will be found to have asexual reproduction rather than sexual reproduction." I saw no particular evidence to support this and would be interested in knowing the basis for the statement.
Overall, this is a splendid contribution that synthesizes in one place our knowledge of Amazonian palms. It will likely be instrumental in stimulating both more rigorous systematic studies in palms as well as making them more accessible to ecologists who have long been puzzled by the complicated taxonomy of the group. If this book does not satiate your interest in neotropical palms, let me recommend another book coauthored by Henderson and just hot off the presses, Field Guide to the Palms of the Americas, published by Princeton University Press. In several ways, this book is more user-friendly than The Palms of the Amazon. The distribution maps use shading to more accurately depict where the species occur, the key to the genera comes with miniature illustrations of the characters used, and there is a substantial section of color photographs (apparently in lieu of the line drawings). True palm aficionados will want both of these books, but for just identifying palms I find the Field Guide more useful, whereas The Palms of the Amazon provides more comprehensive background information even though its geographical coverage is more restricted.— Paul E. Berry, Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis
The Dicotyledonae of Ohio. Part 2. Linaceae through Campanulaceae T.S. Cooperrider 1995. ISBN 0-8142-0446-5, xvii + 656 pp. (cloth, US$65.00) Ohio State University Press, 180 Pressey Hall, 1070 Carmack Road, Columbus, OH 43210 — Floristic studies in the Midwest have benefitted from a number of long-running publication projects. R.H. Mohlenbrock's The Illustrated Flora of Illinois (Southern Illinois University Press) began publication in 1967, and included twelve volumes as of 1992. The first volume of E.G. Voss's Michigan Flora (Cranbrook Institute of Science) was published in 1972. F.A. Swink' s Plants of the Chicago Region, first published in 1969, recently reached its fourth edition, with G. Wilhelm as coauthor (Indiana Academy of Science).
The flora of Ohio project, of which the volume under review constitutes the third part published, pre-dates even the works mentioned above. Work began in 1950, inspired by the then-recent publication of the eighth edition of Gray's Manual of Botany. Planning was undertaken by a committee of the Ohio Academy of Science, chaired by E. Lucy Braun (Cooperrider, T.S. 1984. Ohio J. Sci. 84: 189-196.). The finished product will be a manual of the state's flora, including keys, descriptions, distribution maps, and illustrations.
The first volume to be published was Braun's treatment of the monocots, published in 1967 (The Monocotyledonae, Ohio State University Press). R.T. Fi shercovered the Astcraceae in part 3 of the dicot series (1988. Ohio State University Press). The manual will be completed by part 1 of the dicots, which is to cover the remaining groups, and will include keys to families. No treatment of the conifers or pteridophytes is planned.
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The current volume comprises part 2 of the dicots and includes, roughly, Cronquist's subclass Asteridae (less the Asteraceae), and hefty chunks of his Dilleniidae and Rosidae. The family sequence follows the order in Gray's eighth edition, with some bows made to more recent family concepts.
This book is well-produced and edited, with no typographic errors noted. Layout on the page is clean. The binding is sturdy and looks as though it will hold up to the many years of use that it is likely to receive. This volume matches the format of part 2. (However, the monocot volume has a larger page size and different internal layout.)
For each native or naturalized species, a brief description is given. Each such species is illustrated with a drawing, most rendered by Michael A. Lewis. The clear and uncluttered drawings typically focus on diagnostic structures, with habit shown for one to a few species per genus. Distribution maps, located in the wide margins of most pages, are included for native and naturalized species. Introduced species not definitely known to be naturalized are mentioned in the generic or familial treatments, and may be included in the keys, but are not mapped or illustrated.
For many users of manuals, the keys are crucial. The keys here are indented. I found them a bit harder to work through than bracketed style, since op-posing leads may be separated by a page, and the same letters were used repeatedly for different couplets. How-ever, it is easier to backtrack through the indented style when necessary. Generally, several characters are contrasted in each couplet, making it easier to identify incomplete material.
I ran several specimens through the keys starting at the family level (species of Solantan, Euphorbia, Hypericum, Scutellaria and Arunella). I found the keys to be accurate and not difficult to use. There were some apparent discrepancies, though. For instance, in the Lamiaceae family key, lead a reads "Corolla actinomorphic or nearly so ...", and aa "Corolla zygomorphic ...". However, the zygomorphic vs. actinomorphic choice reoccurs following lead aa.
Because the area covered is relatively small, Cooperrider was able to include more detailed information than is typical of multistate or national floras. For example, methods are provided to separate species that are easily confused when vegetative (e.g. Diospyros virginiana vs. Nyssa sylvatica). Information on intraspecific variation within Ohio is frequently provided. Where classifications are controversial, a reference is provided to the treatment chosen. Many other references, mostly related to reproductive or population biology, are also included; the "Literature Cited" section is unusually large for a flora.
I found the distribution maps to be one of the most interesting features. As with previous volumes in the series, the maps are based strictly on herbarium specimens, some 80,000 of them in this case. Although the Midwest may appear two-dimensional to the casual traveller, environmental variation and glacial-era migrations have produced a flora that includes taxa typical of distant parts of North America. For example, northern taxa (e.g. Gaultheria hispidula) barely make it into the northeast corner of Ohio, many southern taxa range only into the Ohio Valley and nearby Appalachian plateau (Rhamnus caroliniana), and a few coastal species occur only along the Lake Erie shore (Euphorbia polygonifolia). A considerable number of species are found only in the northern and southern counties, avoiding the less acid soils of central Ohio.
I could find only a few suggestions for improvement of this series. Distribution information is typically limited to Ohio, making the hook less useful regionally than it could be. In a few families, added information would make the book more friendly to nonbotanists. For example, students would have an easier time with the Euphorbia and Asclepias keys if diagrams of the inflorescences and flowers, respectively, were included. Finally, information on conservation status might be provided; Ohio has an excellent volume on rare and endangered plants, also courtesy of the flora project.
In summary, the flora of Ohio series is a fine addition to the publications mentioned in the first paragraph. One might wonder whether state-level floristic works constitute an endangered species with the Flora of North America in the works. However, it is clear that manuals covering a smaller area can provide detailed information impossible to give in a national flora. Botanists, naturalists, resource managers and other "consumers" of taxonomic information in the Midwest have a rich and enviable data base from which to work. — David J. Hicks, Biology Department, Manchester College, North Manchester, Indiana
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Books Received
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If you would like to review a book or books for PSB, contact the Editor, stating the book of interest and the date by which it would be reviewed (15 February, 15 May, 15 August or 15 November of the appropriate year). Send E-MAIL, call or write as soon as you notice the book of interest in this list, because they go quickly!—Ed.
* = book in review or declined for review ** = book reviewed in this issue
Ecological
A Primer of Ecology Gotelli, Nicholas J. 1995. ISBN 0-87893-270-4 (paper) 206 pp. Sinauer Associates, 23 Plumtree Rd., Sunderland MA 01375-0407
Species Diversity in Space and Time Rosenzweig, Michael L. 1995. ISBN 0-521-49952-6 (paper US$27.95/cloth US$74.95) 436 pp. Cambridge University Press, 40 W 20th St., New York NY 10011-4211
Forest Canopies Lowman, Margaret D. & Nalini M. Nadkarni, eds. 1995, ISBN 0-12-457650-8 (cloth US$69.95) 624 pp. Academic Press, 525 B Street, Suit 1900, San Diego CA 92101-4495
Historical
Botany in India: History and Progress, Vol. 1 Johri, B.M., ed. 1994 ISBN 1-886106-04-5 (cloth US$85.00) 521 pp. Science Publishers, 52 La Bombard Rd North, Lebanon, NH 03766
Horticultural
In Vitro Culture and its Applications in Horticulture Vidalie, H., ed. 1995. ISBN 1-886-106-07-X (cloth US$69.95) 231 pp. Science Publishers, 52 LaBombard Rd. N Lebanon NH 03766
Alpines: The Illustrated Dictionary Innes, Clive 1995 ISBN 0-88192-290-0 (cloth US$39.95) pp. 192 Timber Press, 133 SW 2nd Ave., Suite 450, Portland OR 97204-3527
Manual of Climbers and Wall Plants Burras, J.K. 1995. ISBN 0-88192-299-4 (cloth US$39.95) 304 pp. Timber Press, 133 SW 2nd Ave., Suite 450, Portland OR 97204-3527
Manual of Grasses Darke, Rick 1995. ISBN 0-88192-300-1 (cloth US$39.95) 217 pp. Timber Press, 133 SW 2nd Ave., Suite 450, Portland OR 97204-3527
*The Pruning of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers Brown, George E. 1995. ISBN 0-88192-319-2 (cloth US$29.95) 354 pp. Timber Press, 133 SW 2nd Ave., Suite 450, Portland OR 97204-3527
*Gardening With Roses Taylor, Patrick 1995. ISBN 1-85793-420-2 (paper US$17.95) 256 pp. Timber Press, 133 SW 2nd Ave., Suite 450, Port-land OR 97204-3527
*The Gardener's Guide to Growing Lilies Jefferson-Brown, Michael & Harris Howland 1995. ISBN 0-88192-315-X (cloth US$29.95) 160 pp. Timber Press, 133 SW 2nd Ave., Suite 450, Port-land OR 97204-3527
*Plants for Problem Places Rice, Graham 1995. ISBN 0-88192-314-1 (paper US$19.95) 184 pp. Timber Press, 133 SW 2nd Ave., Suite 450, Port-land OR 97204-3527
Wisterias: A Comprehensive Guide Valder, Peter 1995. ISBN 0-88192-318-4 (cloth US$32.95) 160 pp. Timber Press, 133 SW 2nd Ave., Suite 450, Portland OR 97204-3527
Phycological
Chrysophyte Algae Sandgren, Craig D., John P. Smol, & Jorgen Kristiansen, eds. 1995. ISBN 0-521-46260-6 (cloth US$79.95) 399 pp. Cam-bridge University Press, 40 W 20th St., New York NY 10011-4211
Physiological
Plant Lipid Metabolism Kader, Jean Claude & Paul Mazliak, eds. 1995. ISBN 0-79233250-4 (cloth US$241.00/Dfl365.00/UK£109.00) 588 pp. Kluwer Academic Publishers Group, P.O. Box 989, 3300 AZ Dordrecht, The Netherlands
The Physiology of Fungal Nutrition Jennings, D.H. 1995 ISBN 0-521-35524-9 (cloth US$150.00) 622 pp. Cambridge University Press, 40 W 20th St., New York, NY 10011-4211
Iron Nutrition in Soils and Plants Abadia, Javier, ed. 1995. ISBN 0-7923-2900-7 (cloth US$264.00/Dfl$400.00/UK£164.00) 397 pp. Kluwer Academic Publishers Group, P.O. Box 989, 3300 AZ Dordrecht, The Netherlands
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Experiments in Plant Tissue Culture Dodds, John H. & Lorin W. Roberts 1995 ISBN 0-521-47313-6(cb US$59.95)/0-521-47892-8 (paper US$24.95) 256 pp. Cambridge University Press, 40 W 20th St., New York NY 10011-4211
Molecular Biology
Signals and Signal Transduction Pathways in Plants Palme, Klaus, ed. 1995 ISBN 0-7923-3364-0 (cloth US$ 165.00/Df1250.00/UK£ 102.50) 552 pp. Kluwer Academic Publishers Group, P.O. Box 989, 3300 AZ Dordrecht, The Netherlands
Molecular and Cellular Aspects of Plant Reproduction Scott, R.J., & A.D. Stead, eds. 1995 ISBN 0-521-45525-1 (cloth US$69.95) 315 pp. Cam-bridge University Press, 40 W 20th St., New York, NY 10011-4211
Transformation of Plants and Soil Microorganisms Wang, Herrera-Estrella & Van Montagu, eds. 1995 ISBN 0-521-45089-6 (cloth US$84.95) 176 pp. Cambridge University Press, 40 W 20th St., New York, NY 10011-4211
Structural/Developmental
*The Vascular Cambium Larson, Philip R. 1994. ISBN 3-540-57165-5 (cloth) 725 pp.Springer-Verlag, New York, Inc., 175 Fifth Ave., New York, NY 10010.
Systematics
The Book of Rhododendrons Kneller, Marianna 1995. ISBN 0-88192-322-2 (cloth US$45) 160 pp. Timber Press, 133 SW 2nd Ave., Suite 450, Portland OR 97204-3527
The Botany of Mangroves Tomlinson, P.B. 1995 ISBN 0-521-46675-X (paper US$29.95) 419 pp. Cambridge University Press, 40 W 20th St., New York, NY 10011-4211
Plants of the Rio Grande Delta Richardson, Alfred 1995 ISBN 0-292-77070-7 (pb US$24.95)/0-292-77068-5 (cloth US$45.00) 440 pp. University of Texas Press, PO Box 7819, Austin TX 78713-7819
The Manuleae Hilliard, O.M. 1995. ISBN 0-7486-0489-8 (cloth US$120.00) 579 pp. Columbia University Press, 562 W. 113th Street, New York NY 10025
Experimental and Molecular Approaches to Plant Biosystematics Hoch, Peter C. & A.G. Stephen-son, eds. 1995. ISBN 0-915279-30-4 (cloth US$62.00) 391 pp. Missouri Botanical Garden, P.O. Box 299, St. Louis MO 63166-0299
Plants And Their Names: A Concise Dictionary Hyam, Roger & Richard Pankhurst 1995. ISBN 0-19-866189-4 (cloth US$29.95) 545 pp. Oxford University Press, 200 Madison Ave., New York, NY 10016
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