Two hundred and fifteen individuals of the tiny abyssal scallop (Delectopecten vitreus macrocheiricolus) were collected at a depth of around 3,000 m on the bottom of the Japan Sea during a cruise of the Yokosuka/Shinkai 6500 YK 01-06. The scallop population included specimens of 4 sizes, i.e., very small, small, middle, and large, with mantle sizes of 1-2mm, 3-5mm, 6-9mm, and 10-12mm, respectiv...

Members of the plant type I MADS domain subfamily have been reported to be involved in reproductive development in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana). However, from the 61 type I genes in the Arabidopsis genome, only PHERES1, AGAMOUS-LIKE80 (AGL80), DIANA, AGL62, and AGL23 have been functionally characterized, which revealed important roles for these genes during female gametophyte and early se...

The sporophyte of the fern Pteris vittata is known to hyperaccumulate arsenic (As) in its fronds to >1% of its dry weight. Hyperaccumulation of As by plants has been identified as a valuable trait for the development of a practical phytoremediation processes for removal of this potentially toxic trace element from the environment. However, because the sporophyte of P. vittata is a slow growing ...

In Nicotiana tabacum, female gametophytes are not fully developed at anthesis, but flower buds pollinated 12 h before anthesis produce mature embryo sacs. We investigated several pollination-associated parameters in N. tabacum flower buds to determine the developmental timing of important events in preparation for successful fertilization. First, we performed hand pollinations in flowers from s...

The process of pollen germination and tube growth in the pistil involves a series of cell-cell interactions, some facilitating fertilization while others prohibiting pollen tube access to the female gametophyte, either because of incompatibility or as a result of mechanisms to avert polyspermy and to ensure reproductive success. Understanding pollen tube growth and guidance to the female gameto...