Two new calcicolous species of Pinguicula sect. Pinguicula (Lentibulariaceae) growing on rocky habitats of the Iberian Peninsula

Two new rupicolous species of Pinguicula are described from the limestone and dolomitic mountain ranges of central and southern Iberian Peninsula, which were previously identified as P. submediterranea, P. mundi or P. dertosensis. First, the name P. tejedensis sp. nov. is applied to populations concealed to the high elevation areas of Sierra de Tejeda and Sierra de Almijara, in Granada Province (Andalusia, southern Iberian Peninsula). They resemble P. submediterranea, a name here revived for the Subbetic populations of Jaen Province, but its floral features, fruits and seeds allow easy differentiation. Second, P. casperiana is proposed to name populations occurring in the medium to high elevation areas of Serranía de Cuenca, between Cuenca and Guadalajara Provinces (Castilla-La Mancha, central-eastern Iberian Peninsula). Members of the Castillian species are closer to P. dertosensis and also akin to P. mundi, but again their floral features, fruits and seeds allow safe recognition. Both species are significantly different to each other and with regard to their morphologically close relatives, and they also show molecular divergences that support recognition at species rank. Data on morphological traits, ecology, distribution, biogeography and phylogenetic relationships are also presented.

Revision of the family Carabodidae (Acari: Oribatida) XVII. Redescription of Diplobodes africanus Mahunka, 1987 from Kenia. Description of Diplobodes thailande sp. nov. from Thailand and Rwandabodes kayoveae gen. nov., sp. nov. from Rwanda

Diplobodes africanus Mahunka, 1987, is redescribed by using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) in order to complement optical microscopy. Diplobodes thailande sp. nov. from Thailand is described. For both species we include inclined views, to permit detailed analysis of ventral regions and to aid understanding of the complex relationships between elevated and depressed zones. Diplobodes thailande sp. nov. presents previously undescribed structures on legs III, which are involved in the leg folding process. Rwandabodes kayoveae gen. nov., sp. nov. presents a series of particular characteristics, such as: elevated interlamellar process on prodorsum, composed of a triangular structure, externally delimited by a low lamellar furrow; in setae inserted on elevated interlamellar process; large free lamellar tip; notogaster lacking ridges; anterior genital furrow extends into an oblique lateral depression; depressed area anterior to anal zone; both zones clearly delimited. These characteristics permit easy differentiation from related genera.

Properties and Reactivity of First and Second Row Hydrides. IV. Interactions Between Hydrides and Their Radical Ions

The energies and heats of ion-molecule reactions have been calculated (MP4/6-31G**//6-31G** or better level) and compared with the experimental values obtained from the heats of formation. Two main types of reactions have been studied: (i) AHn + AHn+• ↔ AHn+1+ + AHn-1• (A = C to F and Si to Cl), (ii) AHn + BHm+• ↔ AHn+1+ + BHm-1• or AHn-1+• + BHm+1+ (A and B = C to F). In contrast to (i), processes of type (ii) permit easy differentiation between the proton transfer and hydrogen atom abstraction mechanisms. A third type of interaction involves reactions with radical anions (A = Li to F); comparison was made with analogous processes with radical cations. A brief comment is made about the influence of the level of computational sophistication on the energies and heats of reaction, as well as on the stabilization energy of a hydrogen bonded intermediate, a structure which is similar to that of the reaction products.

Synthesis and separation by thin-layer chromatography of bilirubin-IX isomers. Their identification as tetrapyrroles and dipyrrolic ethyl anthranilate azo derivatives

Procedures for the synthesis, separation and determination of structure of the bilirubin-IX isomers are described. 1. The four biliverdin-IX isomers were prepared by oxidative cleavage of haemin and were separated as their dimethyl esters. The individual esters were reduced with NaBH4, and the bilirubin esters obtained were subjected to alkaline hydrolysis yielding the corresponding bilirubin-IX isomers. 2. The bilirubin-IX isomers were structurally characterized (a) at the tetrapyrrolic stage by mass spectrometry of their trimethylsilyl derivatives and (b) by formation and structural analysis of their dipyrrolic ethyl anthranilate azo derivatives. 3. The absorption spectrum of bilirubin-IX α differed strikingly from the spectra of the other isomers. The presence of a pronounced shoulder around 453 nm in the spectrum of bilirubin-IXβ allows easy differentiation from bilirubin-IXdelta. Methylation of the carboxyl groups largely eliminates the spectral differences between the IXα- and non-α isomers. 4. The bilirubin-IX isomers are conveniently separated by t.l.c. Detection and unequivocal identification is possible on a micro-scale by (a) t.l.c. with respect to reference compounds and (b) subsequent formation and t.l.c. of the more stable ethyl anthranilate azopigments. 5. Pronounced differences in polarity, i.e. solvent distribution, between the bilirubin-IX isomers indicate that a re-evaluation of conclusions reached previously with regard to the presence in, or absence from, biological fluids of some isomers and their relative amounts is needed.