Biology International The News Magazine of the International Union of Biological Sciences (IUBS)

EDITOR'S NOTE

In less than ten months we shall have an opportunity for a general review, discussion and evaluation of the IUBS scientific programmes at the 23rd General Assembly in Australia. Biology International through feature articles as well as "Special Issues", has kept national and scientific members of the Union regularly informed of the progress made and the constraints encountered in the implementation of these programmes. Activities such as the Decade of the Tropics, Biological Monitoring of the State of the Environment, Biological Education, Biological Oceanography, Biological Taxonomy and Biological Nomenclature have been reported on in previous issues.

In order to provide information on the remaining projects adopted at the 22nd General Assembly in Budapest, the present issue of Biology International, provides information on the two initial proposals on ((Reproduction Control» and ((Element Concentration Cadasters for Ecosystems», which were discussed by the IUBS Executive Cornmittee Meeting, in 1987. The next issue will include two other proposals related to « Biological Diversity » and « Biological Complexity » programmes.

In addition to promoting information on IUBS scientific programmes, Biology International promotes the exchange of information and communication among the many societies and bodies affiliated to the Union, as well as with the international governmental organizations concerned with the development of biological sciences and their use to promote a better life for humankind. Information concerning the work of these societies and organizations is always welcome.

Reproduction Control Proposa1 for an IUBS Project

by Baccio Baccetti University of Siena, Inst. di Zoologia, Via Mattioli 4,

53100 Siena, Italy.

Introduction The control of reproduction is being

intensively studied throughout the world. Why is i t so important? There are four distinct reasons : 1) The survival of Our species depends on Our

success in limiting population growth by the development of more effective, safer and cheaper contraceptive methods.

2) The happiness and health of millions of infertile couples depends on effective diagnosis and treatment of infertility, both female and male.

3) Supplies of animal protein to feed the increasing world population depends on increasing the fertility and fecundity of farm animals.

4) Preservation of the many animal species (both vertebrate and invertebrate) now threatened with extinction depends on being able to increase their reproductive potential, both in captivity and in the wild.

This research is being carried out in many different countries. It is funded by many different agencies, including WHO and FA0 as well as national agencies. Because it is directed towards such diverse goals, it is being carried out by a diversity of specialist groups - clinicians, biomedical scientists, agriculturalists, animal breeders, veterinarians, zoologists, ecologists. Yet the areas of research, the approaches used, the questions asked, the technology involved (both present and future), have much in common. I t is therefore crucial that coordination and communication between different countries and different groups be improved. We list below some of the research lines that are being actively pursued, where more studies are urgently needed and where increased communication would be of great value.

LINE 1- lnfertility in man and animals

Control of fertility and sterility in man and animals has been one of the major goals of biological science for a long time. Knowledge of the mechanisms underlying these processes is a prerequisite to any attempt to control them.

a) Environmental and infect ious causes

1) Man Exposure of workers to physical (radiation,

heat, noise), chemical (heavy metals, pesticides) and professional (night shift, sport competition stress) factors can affect fertility. The effect of such factors not only on the production and maturation of germinal cells but also on reproductive behaviour and the course of pregnancy in the exposed population, needs to be selectively evaluated. More attention also needs to be paid to the role of infectious agents (viral, bacterial, mycotic and protozoan) in the pathology of the genital tract, with the aim of designing differential diagnostic tests that are simple and reliable, as well as consequent therapeutic protocols.

2 ) Farm animals With regard to domestic animals of economic

interest there is the problem of infertility and reduced fertility due to environmental (including nutritional) conditions and infectious diseases, which weighs heavily on the economy of a breeding farm.

3) Endangered species

The poor reproductive performance of animals in captivity is a focus for physiological, pathological and behavioural investigations on the part of those concerned with the survival of endangered species.

b) Genetic and immunological causes

1) lnfertility from genetic causes

( 1 ) lnfertility from genetic causes in man : gamete maturation, genetics and physiology of early development, identif ication of gene mutat ions responsible for male and female infertility.

(II) lnfertility from genetic causes in animals of economic interest (correlation between artificial selection and lowering of fertility, gamete maturation).

(III) lnfertility due to a drastically reduced gene pool in endangered species (effects of inbreeding, optimal strategies for gene exchange between small populations).

2) lnfertility from immunological causes The production of antispermatozoon

antibodies, antibody-mediated (dyspermia) and cell-mediated (maturation arrest) auto-immunity in both man and animals.

6) PHYSIOLOGY OF INFERTILITY

Functional causes in man and animals Research into the physiological basis of

infertility is being carried on in clinical, veterinary, agricultural and zoological centres throughout the world. The following aspects are of particular importance :

a) Male reproductive system

1) Spermatozoon mobility. 2) Interaction between gametes.

3) Accessory (i.e. not gonadotropic) modulation systems for testicular function (with particular reference to varicocoel).

4) Interactions between tubular and interstitial structures, especially in steroidogenesis.

b) Female reproductive system 1) Control of follicular and selection of the

dominant follicle, with particular attention to the phenomena responsible both for follicular maturation and atresia.

2) Study of the biohumoral, mechanical and enzymatic mechanisms responsible for follicular rupture, and factors capable of interfering with this phenomenon.

3) Identification of peptide substances of follicular origin capable of inhibiting oocyte maturation.

4) Study of luteogenesis and local factors responsible for transformation of the cells of the granulosa.

5) Role of the metabolites of arachidonic acid on the control of the secretion of LHRH, gonadotropins and prolactin; follicular growth and maturation; ovulation; luteal function; oocyte transport; blastocyst implantation; the initial phases of embryo development.

6) Study of the relationships between the oocyte and the biological fluids (peritoneal, tubal and uterine) bathing it both before and after fertilization.

7) New biochemical and sonographic t:.chniques for the study of the ovarian cycle arid the identification of the exact moment of ovulation.

8) Development of sonographic instrumen- tation suitable for analyzing and integrating images of ovarian structures during folliculogenesis and luteogenesis.

9) Endocrinological investigations of defects in the luteal phase, including hyper- androgenism and hyperprolactinemia.

10) Embryo-uterine interactions, and the mechanism of implantation.

LlNE 2 - In vitro fertilization and embryo transfer

A) HUMAN

a) Superovulation techniques

The present procedure in most IVF centres is to induce superovulation in the woman and recover the oocytes, either for gamete transfer or for in vitro fertilization with transfer of the embryo. The various strategies are not, however, in agreement (clomiphene + HMG, clomiphene + HCG, clomiphene + HMG + HCG). There is also wide variability in the monitoring systems employed (estrogen and LH concentration measurements, ultrasound monitoring). Research is necessary to attain a correlation between the therapies and monitoring techniques, and the success rate both in terms of oocyte recovery ,and in terms of oocytes fertilized and pregnancies obtained.

b) Development of technologies, especially those involved in the isolation, conser- vation and transfer of oocytes and embryos

1) Recovery of the oocyte with laparoscopy or ultrasound; evaluation of the degree of maturity and of the quality of the oocyte; standardization of this evaluation (design of a score sheet).

2) In vitro fertilization of the oocyte with the partner's spermatozoa.

3) Development of the fertilized egg in culture medium; study of culture media, eventual correlations between the composition of the culture medium and the success rate of implantation; study of eventual products of the embryo left in the culture medium and correlations with the success rate of implantation (EDF, platelet activating factors and others); evaluation of the quality of the embryo (determined with a score sheet).

4) Implantation of the fertilized egg in the woman's uterus. From statistical analysis of results it has been deduced that the step limiting the success of this methodology may be that of embryo implantation. It is therefore necessary to guide research in this direction to better clarify the mechanisms that can influence embryo implantation, either at the immunological or at the hormonal level. To overcome this obstacle, an alternative to in vitro fertilization exists, namely in vivo fertilization of oocytes deposited in the Fallopian tube along with capacitated spermatozoa (GIFT - Gamete lntra Fallopian Transfer). Comparison of the two techniques in various clinical situations is essential.

C) Defec ts in fe r t i l i za t i on a n d ear ly development

With in vitro fertilization, it is possible, for the first time, to evaluate the incidence of phenomena such as polyspermy or irregular division of the first blastomeres, and to substantiate the apparently very high incidence of chromosomal abnormality in early human embryos.

d) Conservation, selection and utilization of the spermatozoa 1) Membrane receptors in gametes 2) Sperm motility 3) Capacitation

e ) P rena ta l d iagnosis, ana lys is a n d screening o f congenital defects

1) Many human genetic diseases can now be diagnosed prenatally, using DNA probes constructed by recombinant DNA technology.

2) Second trimester amniocentesis procedures are being increasingly replaced by first trimester chorionic villus sampling; in the future, preimplantation diagnosis of genetic and chromosomal defects may be possible.

3) Congenital defects of polygenic or non- genetic etiology such as neural tube defects, cleft palate, club foot, present an urgent problem for diagnosis and screening.

B) I N VITRO FERTILIZATION, ARTlFlClAL INSEMINATION AND EMBRYO TRANSFER I N ANIMALS

a) Biology and conservation o f semen

In the veterinary field the problem touches upon the important sector of instrumental insemination to which conservation of semen is strictly connected. Although for some species (bovine) this aspect has been practically resolved, for other no less important species (pig, horse) extensive and thorough investigation is still needed. The development of effective methods of obtaining and cryopreserving semen of endangered species is an urgent task.

b) Embryo transfer

1) ldentif ication and demonstration of superovulatory methods which would give a higher yield of viable embryos with a low index of variability. The methods should not compromise in any way the cyclic reproductive activity of the female donor.

2) ldentification of objective parameters for the selection of suitable recipients. The success of implantation and the subsequent development of the transferred embryo depends on the physiological condition of the recipient, which may be difficult to evaluate,

especially in the light of pharmacological treatment for cycle synchronization.

3) ldentification of parameters for use in the objective evaluation of the viability of the embryo to be transferred.

4) Establishment of short - and long-term methods of embryo conservation, with particular regard to f reezing.

5) Sex identification of early blastocysts. The need to know the sex of the embryo to be transferred is particularly important in the bovine species. This is so when twin pregnancies are desired and the phenomenon of freemartinism is to be avoided, or, more generally, when the predominant interest is to propagate female genetic material. The techniques currently in use permit the determination of sex only in embryo of advanced age and are protected by patents.

6) For the preservation of endangered species, novel methods of embryo manipulation may be required, including interspecific embryo transfer, and blastocyst chimera formation.

C ) In vitro ferti l ization

Promising perspectives in the veterinary sector include the recovery of large numbers of eggs from immature follicles with the aid of laparoscopy, and fertilization of eggs in vitro with minimal quantities of sperm.

LlNE 3 - Endogenous rhythms and their control in man and animals

A ) M A N

1) Study of the mechanisms that regulate the maturation and activation o f the hypothalarriic-hypophyseal axis. Elucidation of the control systems of hypothalamic sensibility threshold to negative feedback of sex steroids, and the influence of the adrenal androgen function, may cast light on the pathogenesis of some disturbances of reproductive function and aid in the formulation of therapeutic measures.

21 Study of the controlling factors of the rythmic secretion of LHRH. Especially pressing is the evaluation of the importance of specific cerebral regions (limbic system, vascular organ of the terminal lamina) in this control, as well as th significance of cerebral mediators with particular attention to neurotransmitters, neuropeptides, icosanoids and intracellular mediators (e.g. cyclic nucleotides, calcium-calmodulin system), and the interaction between the different nervous centres and the dif ferent neurotransmitters on the one hand, and the hormonal feedback signals on the other.

3) Study of the effects on sexual behaviour of hypothalamic peptides (e.g. LHRH,

vasopressin), neuromodulators (eg endorphin, encephalin), hypophyseal hormones and sexual steroids.

4) In the human sector, evaluation of the role of neurotransmitters (dopamine, serotonin, noradrenalin) in the control of pulsatile secretion of GnRH and therefore gonadotropins, through the use of agonist and antagonist compounds. The final aim is to identify the interference in the central regulation of reproduction in order to avoid iatrogenic sterility or pathological conditions.

5) Use of currently available, sensitive methods to determine if in the adult male there exists a long hypophysis-testicular cycle, and if so how it functions during different life stages (puberty, senescence).

6) Study of the mechanisms that regulate the formation, maintenance, function and disappearance of receptors for hypothalamic peptides (particularly LHRH), hypophyseal hormones and sexual steroids. Such studies could bring about the establishment of computerized systems of infusion.

7) Analysis to determine if the different modes of administration of LHRH produce opposite effects in man and wornan (pulsatile administration = stimulation ; continuous administration = inhibition). The therapeutic implications of this study are evident both in the reproductive field (induction of ovulation, or on the contrary, contraception), or in the wider therapeutic field (treatment of gonad inhibition and cancer of the prostate and breast).

Recognition of the dynamics of follicle steroid elaboration by means of «in vitro» studies, i.e. the measurement of the steroid concentrations in the follicular liquid, the reflux blood of the ovary and in peripheral blood under gonadotropic stimuli. Both the normal and the rnicropolycystic ovary would be considered.

8) lmprovement in « ovarian stimulation » techniques. Evaluation of the effects of continuous and « pulsatile » stimulation with GN-LH, with different oligomenorrhea, or the induction of ovulation in amenorrhea.

The use of LRH in pulsatile form could substitute for the use of human gonadotropins in the treatment of ovulatory sterility, eliminating the risk of hyperstimulation and reducing the incidence of twin pregnancies and abortions.

9) Evaluation of cervical mucus as a function of the synchronization of ovulatory rhythms and the problem of sperm permeability.

The study of hormonal mucolytic substances capable of modifying canalization of cervical mucus could permit an optimal therapeutic approach in cases of otherwise unexplainable reproductive incapacity.

10) Evaluation of the various forms of transport of the sexual steroids. A better knowledge of the forms of transport of the steroids in physiological and pathological conditions would help clarify the unresolved dilernma of the fractions active at the level of the target organ (as well as through the study of the microcirculation of the organ).

11) Evaluation of the capacity of endometrial response to hormonal stimuli.

The recognition of estrogen and progesterone receptors in the endometrium, associated with evaluation of the levels of creatine-kinase 66 (a sensitive indicator of the endometrial capacity to respond to hormonal stimulation), could define tissue responsiveness in the human and animal uterus, an important factor in female sterility.

12) Further study of the endocrine functions of the endometrium (e.g. icosanids, prolactin), of their role in implantation of blastocysts and maintenance of pregnancy and their modifications in the pathology of the endometrium and the menstrual cycle ie.g. irregularity of the cycle, premenstrual tension, dysmenorrhea).

1) Synchronization of estrous cycles for the programming of fertilization procedures and embryo transfer.

2) lnduction of estrus in species with seasonal fertility (ovine, caprine) during periods of the year when ovulation and mating do not normally occur.

3) lnduction and delay of birth so as to optimize assistance by farm personnel.

LI NE 4 - Contraception

A) CONTRACEPTIVE STRATEGIES FOR WOMEN

1 ) Injectable and slow-release «implants» of steroids.

2) Use of LH-RH agonists and antagonists as inhibitors of ovulation, inductors of luteal insufficiency, luteolysis and early abortion.

3) Elaboration of new estrogen-progestagen associations with the adoption of new molecules or use of formulations at reduced dosage.

4) Chemical synthesis of prostaglandins; peptides (synthesis of LH-RH antagonists, HCG-derivatives); substances wi th an intercepting action (e.g. inhibin-enriched preparation); steroids (A-nor, D-nor, 19-nor analogues) in the delineation of post-coital drugs as an alternative to the pill; non-steroid inhibitors of steroidogenesis.

5) Practical and reliable methods for « predicting » ovulation.

6) Preparation of anti-HCG and anti-zona pellucida vaccines.

7) Utilization of antisperm antibodies.

8) Studies relative to new delivery systems for more efficient utilization of drugs for the control of fertility :

- biodegradable implants - intracervical devices - formulations for intranasal administration - monthly injectable administrations - vaginal suppositories of prostaglandins - formulation for oral administration of

prostaglandins - intrauterine applications - studies on individual evaluation of

bioavailability o f steroid hormones administered with contraceptive aims, so as to be able to further minimize the dosage.

9) IUD with alternative medications (e.g. clorexidin).

B) CONTRACEPTIVE STRATEGIES IN MEN

1)Ut i l izat ion of Gossypol as a male contraceptive and a study of its effects.

2) Suppression of spermiogenesis with anti- androgens or other compounds that interfere with sperm maturation.

3) Effects o f glucose analogues on spermiogenesis.

4) Use of LH-RH agonists and antagonists as inhibitors of spermiogenesis.

LlNE 5 - Fertility in non-traditional animal species of economic interest,

and endangered species

A ) RATlONALlZATlON OF AND INCREASE IN FERTlLlTY

1) Acquisition of techniques for sperm conservation, in particular, in species of salt and fresh water fish.

2) lmprovement of artificial fertilization in salt and fresh water fish species through morphological investigation of the gametes and their interaction.

3) l n modern aquaculture, experimental verification of the relationship between nutrition and fertility, especially for those valuable ichthyic species whose artificial production on an industrial scale has already been attained.

4) Endogenous production of releasing hormones (peptides containing 9-10 amino acids) that condition the liberation of gonadotropins with a short half-life at the level of the central nervous system. These GnRH are already employed in the therapy of ovarian cysts in the cow. Further research is needed in other species (e.g. poultry and fish), in order to find mechanisms of induction of more marked and prolonged endogenous production, or substances of similar chemical structure with a longer biological half-life, or substances with effects on other hormones of reproduction.

5) Higher fertility rate in useful or endangered species of Annelids and Molluscs achieved with the results of research on fertility and sperm function.

6) Control of mating in bees, by the elaboration of methods of artificial insemination. This method forms the basis of apiculture genetics programmes for improvement in the productive yield of this species.

B) FERTlLlTY CONTROL

1) Control of fertility in noxious insects (e.g. Dacus oleae, Ceratitis capitata) after treatment with sterilizing agents.

2) Consideration of modes of reproduction in Protozoa, and study of the physical and chemical agents that regulate this reproduction with application of their use.

3) In veterinary medicine, contraception for pets (dogs and cats) represents a pressing problem, especially in large urban centres. There is need of innocuous, efficient and inexpensive methods for the inhibition of fertilization and induction of early abortion.

4) The limitation of fertility in harmful vertebrate species (mice, rats, crows, pigeons and snakes) is another area requiring attention. Intelligent intervention in limiting fertility in these species could avoid the grave consequence associated with their elimination by means of toxic substances.

The Establishment of Element Concentration Cadasters for Ecosystems

(ECCE) in the Different Vegetation Zones of the Earth

by H. Lieth and B. Markert University of Osnabrück, FB5, post fach 4469, Barbarastrass 11,

D-4500 Osnabrück, FRG

1. Introduction and research topic

Until recently any quantitative determination of the concentration of al1 chemical elements in different matrices was feasible only for some reference material (like F.E. Bowen's « Kale powder). Nearly complete element cadasters for ecosystem parts in the form presented here did not exist. Attempts were made to analyse nutrients and toxic elements concentrations but never for the entire list of chemicals. This, however, seems necessary for advanced ecosystem analysis. Results of different investigations show (Markert 1985) that al1 elements occur in the earth's crust, in the soil, in water as well as in the animal and plant organisms. Every element or chemical compound may be of importance in one part of the ecosystem and with no effect in another. And it does not make any difference whether any particular element is needed for ecosystems functions, or whether by its sheer presence interferes with, or takes the place of other reacting agents. This may be true even at very low concentrations, since we know that many elements are effective at concentrations at which we have found a number of elements present in soils and plant organs.

The present state of pollution through anthropogenic activities and its change in the course of time as well as the increasing control of analytical techniques regarding al1 chemical elements occurring in the ecosystems encourage the undertaking of advanced element concentration research in ecosystems. Today it is possible to investigate which elements are enriched in which plants, which of these

elements derive f rom the immediate environment (earth, water, air, dust, etc.) and which of them are transferred into the ecosystems over long distances (Lieth and Markert, 1985). It is furthermore necessary to establish threshold values for the individual elements in the different biological systems in which they are presently active.

For these reasons it is necessary to find out more about the global circulation of the elements. Since present research interest is directed more towards elements occurring in higher concentrations in the biosphere, future effort should also incorporate al1 trace elements (Markert and Lieth, 1984).

Following Our initial investigation, we intend to do comparative research on specially selected plants and soi1 substrates in different vegetation zones of the earth. By expanding Our investigation over al1 vegetation zones of the earth, we expect to obtain results concerning :

- the global circulation of al1 elements of the periodical system on earth,

- the element balance of different ecosystems under different climatic conditions,

- the impact of the different element concentrations on the evolutionary development of the different plant - and animal species,

- the effect of the dif ferent element concentrations on plant and soi1 structure of the different ecosystems,

- the frequency pattern of the individual elements in the plant - and animal organisms of the different species.

At last we hope that with Our research-results we will be able to deliver basic data for al1 abiotic portions of ecosystems models (Markert and Lieth, 1986).

We have therefore started to address a larger group of colleagues al1 over the world hoping to get them interested in a joint international project. The organization of such a project calls for the cooperation of ecologists and analytical chemists. Up to now we have worked mainly with analysts, since we had to first prove the practicability of the task. We were able to gain the active cooperation of 36 institutes of 19 nations. They al1 agreed to compare analytical data on samples collected by us with the aim to establish element concentration cadasters. They also promised their cooperation for future investigations.

2. The first working program

As major preparatory work towards Our final goal it is necessary to develop a basic sampling program for the collection of samples in different

parts of ecosystem types. We know from the International Biological Program that for the different ecosystems variable sample collection programs have to be outlined. Such sampling programs must satisfy the fo l lowing requirements :

1. They must satisfy the needs of presently available analytical methods.

2. They must provide the basis for mean value calculations for complete ecosystems.

3. They must enable us to discover the main fluxes of the element through the ecosystem.

4. They must help to pinpoint the location where the element is active under different temperatures, humidities, and multi-element concentrations.

We know from experience that the tasks mentioned under 1-2 can be mastered, however, little is known yet concerning tasks 3-4.

2.1 Ecosystems to be worked with

The first working program which aims at a future global measuring program should include at least the following 10 ecosystem types :

Ecosystem type

1. Deciduous forest in Germany*

2. Boreal coniferous forest

3. Tundra vegetation

4. Prairie or steppe

5. Dry desert vegetation

6. Salt desert vegetation*

7. Tropical rain forest

8. Mangrove vegetation*

9. Algae vegetation in the ocean

10. Lake vegetation*

Reason for selection

Reference basis for measurement

Forest in cold humid climate

Tree-less vegetation in cold climate

Grassland in semi-arid climate

Tree-less vegetation in dry climate

Herbaceous vegetation on salt rich soi1

Forest vegetation in hot humid climate

Forest vegetation in ocean water in hot humid climate

Tree-less vegetation in ocean

Vegetation in fresh water

For accurate sample collection in al1 these working groups to create projects in ecosystems vegetation types we expect the cooperation of near them (Jayasekera and Lieth, 1987). befriended working groups. Ecosystem types designated with (("D will either be worked on 2.2 for collection completely by Our working team in Osnabrück In the above mentioned ecosystems suitable or parallel with other working teams. While we locations are chosen to collect samples. From are elaborating element concentration cadasters these places the following sub-samples are to for the ecosystems listed, we encourage other be taken :

The catalogue of element concentration determination will make it possible to :

1. calculate mean concentration values of the different chemical elements,

2. estimate the transfer of elements along the food chain,

3. compare the values of points 1 - 2 with different environmental conditions,

4. find out possible effects of element concentrations upon evolutionary processes.

1. Environ- ment

2. Plants

3. Animals

4. Microbes

For terrestrial vegetation

From a 2 m deep soi1 profile samples each 10 cm are taken.

Precipitation

The 10 main endemic species are chosen.

Root

Trunk

Twigs

Leaves

Blossom

Fruit

Seed

The 10 main endemic species or groups are chosen.

lnsects

Worms

Birds : Bones Flesh Feathers Organs

Mammals : Bones Flesh Organs

Fungal mycelia

Fungal fruit bodies

sample size (DW)

1 k g

100 1

1 kg

1 kg

1 kg

1 kg

100 g

100 g

100 g

100 g

100 g

100 g

100 g

100 g

For aquatic vegetation

From the water column samples each 1 m are taken.

From the sediment one sample each 10 cm down to the base soit

Plankton Benthos

The IO main endemic species or groups are chosen.

Arthropods

Worms

Fish : Bones Flesh Organs

Mollusks

sample size (DW)

100 1

1 kg

1 kg 1 kg

100 g

100 g

100 g

100 g

3. Analvtical routine For herbacious ~ l a n t s such dots are ~referred,

By measuring element concentration cadasters in several peat bogs in Europe we gained first experience in collecting samples, their conservation, packing, and further handling before the actual analytical work. The whole procedure may still have to be perfected. The best working method will probably be developed after the investigation proposed in this paper is terminated. However, we would like to explain the method used by us until now in the following paragraph (Markert and Lieth, 1985).

3.1 Sample collection, conservation, packing, dispatch to the cooperating laboratories

Fig. 1 shows the work flow chart for multi- element analyses. If possible, such areas are chosen for sample collection, in which al1 plant species under investigation are well grown.

where the plants to be in"estigated are no; covered by other vegetation, thus excluding a possible interception of trace elements deriving from shrubs or tree crowns. Herbaceous plants are collected 2 cm above soi1 from rectangular plots of 10 x 10 m. Weather conditions permitting, the collected samples are pre-dried at the habitat for 3 days on plastic sheets and then dried again in a vacuum drying cabinet in the laboratory. Needle bearing twigs of, conifers and leaf bearing twigs of deciduous trees are cut approx. 1 rn before the end of the twig and are then also dried. After that sub-samples consisting of twigs, needles, and leaves are selected. Samples for rnercury determination are not dried but analysed in fresh state, since mercury volatilizes during the drying process. This sample material is kept in ultra pure

DRYING (vacuum drying at low temperature) Li

SAMPLING (random sampling)

HOMOGENIZING (Tungstencarbide

mill)

-

SAMPLE PREPARATION ENRlCHlNG etc. i

>

CONSERVATION (Thymol)

1

COMPARAISON (AAS, AES-ICP, EVALUATION

Fig. 1 : Flow chart for the multielementanalysis of ecological samples (Markert 1985). A t each stage any possible contamination is avoided.

STORING (PVC-Bottles,

at 20 C)

I I

- -.

ANALYSIS (NAA, PIXE, MA,

EA) DESICCATION SHlPPlNG -

Duran « Schott » bottles and for its conservation 1 g Thymol crystals per 250 ml per bottle is added. Thymol is analyzed separately, its value being negligible. Soil samples were taken from the upper 60 cm soi1 profile using a hard-PVC spade. The soi1 samples were passed through a plastic sieve (0.4 mm) in order to remove larger silicate material. The unwashed samples were kept in polyethylene bottles with screw tops and stored contamination free at room temperature. The dried samples were cut by hand and homogenized in a tungsten grinder. No elements contributed by the grinder could be detected. The analysis with AAS requires liquid samples. For this purpose an amount of 0,5 g sample material per analysis has to be dissolved in concentrated nitric acid (Merck, suprapur) and heated in quartz vesse1 up to a temperature of 170 OC with a pressure of 2-4 bar within an hour. The temperature has to remain constant for 2 hours and then cooled down slowly. After this, bi-distilled water is added till a volume of 50 ml is reached. The sample is then ready for the analysis.

Samples to be dispatched to cooperating laboratories have to be subdivided, packed individually into PVC bags, and sent to the analysts. The samples are dried once more in these laboratories and then analysed directly or after further processing depending on the analytical method applied.

3.2 Analytical techniques

Especially valuable for the analyses proved to be the Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS), the Atomic Emission Spectroscopy (AES), the Atomic Emission Spectroscopy with Inductive Coupled Plasma (AES-ICP), the Neutron Activat ion Analysis (NAA) , the Mass Spectroscopy (MAS), the Particle lnduced X- Ray Fluorescence Spectroscopy (PIXE), and the Element Analysis (EA).

We expect that analytical techniques will be even more refined in the near future. The few remaining elements not yet analysed will then also be included.

4. Evaluation and presentation of results

The analytical data can be quantified for each ecosystem, provided that, besides the element analyses, the amount of standing crop and net primary productivity are known. From the quantities of each ecosystem correlations to the species occurrence can be derived. The species- lists are written down for the analyses before sample collection. The evaluation of the quantities per species and soi1 or water show whether the species investigated enrich or reject certain elements. Such an analysis will presumptively broaden present knowledge about preferences or tolerances of plants and

animal species towards certain elements. If new preferences are detected, they will provide first hints towards the occurrance of these species in certain habitats for reasons not yet investigated (Pomeroy, 1974; Lieth and Whittaker, 1975).

Since we are entering new territory with the multi-element-analysis in ecosystems, we cannot predict al1 results possible. But even before starting the work it is certain that such a project, executed as a joint international program, wil l substantially broaden Our knowledge of ecological chemistry, geoecology, and ecotoxicology.

The results are presented as tables and maps with different accuracy as it was done by Markert, 1985, in German, Swedish, and Austrian ecosystems.

Whether it is possible to produce regression equations or causal relations for the uptake of certain elements will be investigated thoroughly during the data analysis process. For this reason al1 data will be computerized and made available to any person for further use.

Literature BOWEN, H.J.M., 1979 : Environmental chernistry of the

elements. London, New York, Acadernic Press, 333 p.

JAYASEKERA, R., LIETH, H., 1987 : Distribution pattern of sorne chemical elements of the Mangrove Rhizophora mangle L. affected by different growth conditions. In prep. to be subrnitted to « Biotropica ».

LIETH, H., MARKERT, B, 1985 : Concentration cadasters of chemical elernents in contrasting ecosystems. Naturwis sensekaften, 78, 322-324.

LIETH, H., MARKERT, B., 1986 : Elementkonzentrationskataster für Boden und einige Pflanzen in Walchsee/Osterreich. Veroffentl. der Eidg. Techn. Hochschule, Zürich, in press.

MARKERT, B., 1985 : Aufstellung von Elementkonzentra- tions-katastern in unterschiegichen Pflanzenarten und Bodentypen in Deutschland, Osterreich und Schweden. Dissertation, Universitat Osnabrück.

MARKERT, B., LIETH, H., 1984 : Vergleichende Elernentbestimmung in einem ombrogenen und minerogenen System. Fresenius, Z. f . anal. Chern., 317,412.

MARKERT. B.. LIETH. H.. 1985 : ~lementkonzentratio?çkataster für einige Pflanzen in kontrastierenden Okosvstemen. Veroffentl. der Naturforschenden ~esellçchaft zu Emden von 1814, Band 5, Serie Jahresberichte, S. 27-56.

MARKERT, B.. LIETH, H., 1986 : Elernent concentration cadasters in a Swedish biotopeIReference standard for inorganic environrnental chemistry. Fresenius, Z. f. anal. Chemie, in press.

POMEROY, L.R. ied.), 1974 : Cycles of essential elernents. Benchmark Papers in Ecology, Vol. 1, Dowden, Hutchinson and Ross, jncl., Stroudsburg. Pennsylvania, 330 p.

Acknowledgement

We thank Mrs. U. McCallurn for translating the text into English and the Gesamtberband des deutschen Steinkohlenbergbaus, Essen, FRG, for their financial support.

Reproductive Ecology of Tropical Forest Plants

an International Workshop, Bangi, Malaysia 8-12 June 1987.

The last couple of decades have seen a fair number of innovative and meticulous studies on the reproductive ecology of tropical forest plants. These studies have highlighted some of the unique features of tropical forest plants. Pollination is almost exclusively made by animals. Seed dispersal in a vast majority of species involves a wide variety of birds and mammals as vectors. Seeds, before and after dispersal, suffer heavy mortality from animals and pathogens. Studies on the nature of the interactions between plants and their pollinators, seed dispersers and seed predators have shed light on the structure and dynamics of tropical forest ecosystems, as well as contributing to clarifying issues related to the regeneration, management and conservation of tropical forest resources. A t the same time, important differences have emerged in the seasonality of reproduction, as well as the nature of plant- animal interactions, in different parts of the world.

It was with this view to reviewing recent findings, that an international workshop on the reproductive ecology of tropical forest plants was held in Bangi, Malaysia, from 8-12 June 1987. The workshop brought together some 150 scientists and forest managers from over a score of countries and working in different parts of the tropics, for a pan-tropical review of recent development in the field. The workshop explored the implications of current findings to improved understanding of forest structure and functioning, and examined how insights gained from reproductive ecology can be helpful in the management and conservation of tropical forest resources. The future course of research was also discussed.

reproductive rhythms; plant-poll inator interactions, gene flow and sexual systems; seed and fruit dispersal; seed physiology, seed germination and seedling ecology; regeneration biology and its relations with the management of mixed tropical forest and tree improvement programmes.

Other workshop events included a picnic lunch visit to Bangi Forest Reserve, an informal session on field stations for long-term ecological research in the tropics, and a film session which included a 25 minute film on the pollination ecology of tropical figs. One day was devoted to a mid-symposium field trip, with participants having a choice of visits to a lowland dipterocarp forest at Pasoh Forest Reserve, to an upland dipterocarp forest in the Genting highlands, and to mangrove ecosystems near Kuala Lumpur. A three-day post-workshop field excursion centered on the Taman Negara National Park.

Three specific written oulputs of the workshop are envisaged. First, a 300-350 page book will be produced, based on invited review papers and the contributions of discussants, together with a selection of offered contributions (presented either orally or in poster form in Bangi) considered to be of general interregional interest. The lead editor is Kamal Bawa, head of the scientific programme committee for the workshop, and the intention is that this book will be published in 1988 as the fourth or fifth title in the "Man and Biosphere Book Series". Second, a selection of the remaining offered contributions will be produced in a separate supplementary volume, t o be published either through the Unesco Regional Office in Jakarta or the University Kebangsaan Malaysia. A third written output will be a 40-60 page "insights for

The workshop was organized as a joint managers" report, focusing on the policy and

venture of the MAB Programme of Unesco, the management implications of scientif ic

Decade of the Tropics of IUBS and the knowledge concerning the reproductive ecology

University Kebangsaan Malaysia. It was based of tropical forest plants.

on 20 invited papers and some 70 offered For further information on the workshop and contributions (in the form of both oral and poster its follow-up, contact Dr. Noraini Tamin, presentations). After two introductory papers Department of Biology, Universiti Kebangsaan which addressed the principal management and Malaysia, 43600 Bangi, Selangor (Malaysia) or research issues invoked by understanding of the the MAB Secretariat, Division of Ecological reproductive ecology of tropical forest plants, Sciences, Unesco, 7 place Fontenoy, 75700 presentations dealt with such issues as : Paris (France).

Biological Nomenclature and Biological Taxonomy

Since the last meeting of the Executive the meeting in Canberra. It is proposed that the Committee of IUBS at Syracuse, U.S.A., in meeting will be held in April 1988 and would be 1986, the following steps have been taken in this of more or less the same structure as the field in which IUBS has been involved. meeting that was held at Kew in preparation for

the lnternational Botanical Congress. 1. Section o n Botanical Nomenclature.

The Section met in the week preceding the lnternational Botanical Congress (20-24 July, 1987). Approximately two days of the Session were spent considering matters consequential upon the Resolution of the IUBS General Assembly, Helsinki, concerning the registration of biological names. While the Section was not prepared at this stage to adopt a decision that would be binding upon botanists through the Botanic Code, in consequence of general awareness that a solution must be found to overcome current difficulties, the Section resolved to

1. Establish a Special Committee on Registration to report to the next lnternational Botanical Congress.

2. To work through two sub-committees :

a) Publication - to explore a proposal to define authorized publications as a vehicle for effective publication of plant names.

b) Names - t o explore procedures and mechanisms through which names should be registered.

Drs. Greuter, McNeill and Ride, members of the IUBS Executive took part in the discussion.

2. Preliminary meeting with Officers o f Biosis t o explore registration o f animal names.

In preparation for the meeting of the Section on Zoological Nomenclature that will meet to discuss the IUBS Resolutions in Registration of Names, preliminary discussions between Dr. Ride and Dr. Ron Smith and Mr. Michael Dadd of Biosis took place in July 1987. It was agreed that a working party consisting of organizations currently involved in assembling zoological narne data bases should be invited to meet under the auspices of IUBS to prepare a statement of issues and options that could be presented to

3. Publication o f Off icial Lists o f Names i n Zoology.

In 1987, the lnternational Trust for Zoological Nomenclature has published a compendium of al1 animal names affected and otherwise verified by decisions of the lnternational Commission on Zoological Nomenclature since the beginning of its operation.

4. Impact o f developments in informat ion technology upon plant taxonomy.

Taking into account extensive developments in aspects of information technology in biotaxonomy as regarded at a symposium of the Systematic Association and the Royal Society, and at the lnternational Botanical Congress, it was considered desirable to hold a workshop of participants at the symposium on Systematic Botany : A key science for tropical research and documentation. Dr. Younès presented a discussion paper on the question as to whether there was a role for IUBS in this field along the lines proposed to the Executive Committee at Syracuse. Viewpoints were presented covering information systems (V. H. Heywood), computer programs for use in diagnosis and identification including interactive programs (R. Pankhurst), and publisher's viewpoints and CD-ROM technology (C. Baldwin, Pergamon Press).

5. Towards a unif ied system o f biological nomenclature.

lnternational concern for greater unity in biological nomenclature, and a discussion of factors creating instability, was presented by Dr. Ride at a Symposium held by the Systematics Association and the Royal Society of London in July 1987. IUBS programs have been instrumental in creating awareness of the needs for cooperation.

W.D.L. Ride

The IUBS Decade of the

Tropics Programme

1987, which is the fourth year of the Decade of the Tropics, has been one of consolidation of the programs and initiation or continuation of field work. The major highlights briefly for each of the groups are as follows.

1. Tropical Soil Biology and Fertility.

TSBF obtained a grant from ODA (U.K.) for the purpose of hiring a program officer. Dr. John lngram has been appointed to this position. The program also obtained a grant from the Swedish Foundation SAREC for the TSBF research being conducted in Zimbabwe. The U.S. Forest Service has also founded the TSBF research site in Puerto Rico, and TSBF work in Yurimaguas has been funded by the NSF. Other sites are still seeking funding, or are operating with present funding.

A Manual of the Methods for TSBF was published in mimeographed form. It has been circulated to al1 members for comments. The intention is that once it has been field tested that it will be published in more permanent form.

2. Responses of Savannas t o Stress and Disturbance.

The Savanna program has also initiated research at four different sites, and six others are being organized. The sites are : 1) Nylsvley (South Africa) - Research at this site has been going on for ten years, but new experiments following the RSSD guidelines have been set up; 2) Venezuela - an RSSD site has been set up in the Estacion Experimental de los Llanos in Calabozo, involving Venezuelan and U.S. scientists; 3) Two RSSD sites, one at Darwin, the other at St. Lucia are in full operation; both of these involve CSlRO personnal and are sites where research has been conducted previously. In addition, research sites in Kenya, Uganda, Nigeria, ~imbabwe, Brazil, Argentina and southern U.S. (Texas) have been established or soon will be. As in al1 Decade of the Tropics programs, funding for research comes from a variety of local agencies and does not involve IUBS funds.

A Monograph « Determinants of Tropical Savannas)), edited by B. Walker was published early in the year; a second publication, the report of the Sophia-Antipolis workshop on ((Savanna Methodology » will go to press in January, 1988.

A symposium on « Ecology and Management of Neotropical Savannas)) was held in Guanare, Venezuela, 4-9 October, 1987, with the attendance of over 120 perçons from Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Venezuela, U.S., France, South Africa and Australia. The proceedings are being edited for publication.

3. Mountain Ecosystems.

The Mountain Program has set up research sites in Chile, Argentina, Bolivia, Peru, Colombia, Venezuela, Kenya and Hawaii, which are at various stages of development. There were no meetings held in 1987 but two are planned for 1988, one in Spain in April-May and another in Buenos Aires in June. A report ((Comparative Studies in Tropical Mountains, Planning for Researchn appeared as a supplement for Biology International.

4. Human Biology.

There has been reasonable progress in the Human Section of the Decade Program. The volume on « Working Capacity » has gone to press, and will be published by Cambridge University Press for the end of 1987. The meeting in February of the working party to develop a methodology for working capacity investigations was also very profitable. The members clearly saw a need for a handbook of methods, and the tasks of writing different sections were allocated. There was so much enthusiasm for this that many of the sections have already been completed. The idea is to have the handbook published in the IUBS Monograph Series, to match the Savannas volume.

O.T. Solbrig

Resolutions of the XIV International Botanical Congress

The XlVth lnternational Botanical Congress, held on 24 July-

1 August 1987, in Berlin, FRG, adopted at its final plenary session

the following resolutions :

Resolution 1 that in some instances the process is temporary

Whereas the whole world has a real stake in the survival of biological diversity; Whereas local expertise, involvement and dedication will be the safeguard for the preservation of the world's biological resources, especially in the tropics, which the population of the countries concerned will inherit; the XIV lnternational Botanical Congress urges botanical institutions of the world to render assistance to institutions in other countries, where appropriate, to train local experts and so to enable local biologists to take leadership roles in efforts to maintain their biological patrimony, not only for their own benefit, but for that of the whole world.

andlor natural, but in other cases is certainly due to the complex interaction of a number of anthropogenic factors, including air pollution; and whereas the problems of air pollution and the symptoms of forest decline are international in scope ; the XIV lnternational Botanical Congress urges the lnternational Union of Biological Sciences and other appropriate organizations to facilitate international standardization in describing symptoms of the decline and in gathering pertinent biotic and abiotic data, and to prornote the exchange of information between research groups dealing with these problems.

Resolution 5 Resolution 2

Recognizing the severe threat t o life on earth through the global degradation and destruction of forests and other ecosystems; the XIV lnternational Botanical Congress urges the governments of al1 countries and the appropriate non-governmental organizations to work toward the conservation of natural resources and the diversity of life through the preservation of natural habitats, and to support the maintenance and development of systems of human land use on a sustainable basis.

Resolution 3

Mindful of the world-wide unabated decline in natural vegetation, particularly forests, and of the consequent threat to global resources; recognizing the need for factual information for the development of meaningful conservation strategies ; the XIV lnternational Botanical Congress urges that universities and other appropriate centres maintain and develop strong teaching and research programmes in systematic and ecological biology.

Resolution 4

Whereas there is an increasing concern among the scientific community and the general public regarding world-wide forest decline; Whereas the symptoms of this decline suggest

Noting the great importance of botanical gardens as cultural and scientific centres with great educational value; recognizing their importance for the conservation of plants through living collections; the XIV lnternational Botanical Congress urges authorities in al1 countries to maintain, develop, and, where appropriate, create such gardens, and to ensure their adequate financial support.

Resolution 6

Not ing the resolution adopted by the lnternational Union of Biological Sciences General Assembly in support of the lnternational Programme for the Study of Global Change, and the resolution adopted by the XII lnternational Botanical Congress on global mapping of the vegetation of the earth; recognizing that advances in space technology and computer sciences open new horizons in the observation of the earth from space; the XIV lnternational Botanical Congress requests the lnternational Union of Biological Sciences to institute, with the lnternational Council of Scientific Unions, the preparation of a vegetation map of the earth.

Resolution 7

Considering the great importance of a stable system of scientific names of plants for al1 users

in the pure and applied sciences and in rnany Resolution 8 other domains of public life and econorny; recognizing the frequent difficulties arising in the The XIV lnternational Botanical Congres resolves c-,oice of the correct names under the that the decisions of its Nomenclature Section International Code of Botanical Nomenclature; "th respect t0 the international Code of Botanical the XIV lnternational Botanical Congress urges Nomenclature, as well as the appointment of the lnternational Union of Biological Sciences officers and n ~ m b e r s of the r-~ornenclature to prornote the study of the development of a cornmittees, made by that Section during its systern for the registration of plant names. meeting July 20 to 24, be accepted.

Nomination and Election Procedures for the International Union

of Biological Sciences

The IUBS Executive Cornrnittee Meeting, held 16-17 October, 1987, at Paris, France, discussed the procedures to norninate and elect the Officers and Executive Comrnittee Members for the Union's General Assemblies, and agreed that in addition to the procedures stated in the Statutes and By-laws, the following modus operandi should be adopted :

Appointment o f a Nominating Cornrnittee :

1) The appointment of the Norninating Committee has been stated in the IUBS Statutes Art. 8 a) as follows - ((The General Assernbly elects the Executive Committee of the Union, taking into account the recornmendations of a Nominations Cornrnittee of seven consisting of the Past President and six narned by the officers frorn arnong the members presentn.

2) No candidate for election can be a Mernber of the Nomination Cornmittee.

Nominations fo r Executive

3) Before any General Assembly the Executive Secretary shall cal1 for nominations for election to the Executive; at that time, the Executive Secretary shall notify the closing date and tirne for nominations that, ordinarily, shall not be later than 8p.m. of the day before the date set for the Opening Session of the General Assembly.

4) A t the Opening Session of the General Assembly, the Executive Secretary shall notify the Assembly of the names of al1 persons nominated.

5) The representative delegates of Ordinary Mernbers may consult with the Nominating Cornmittee.

Election o f the Executive

6) Following the period allocated by the Nominating Committee for consultation with delegates, the Nominating Committee shall prepare a final slate of nominations to the Executive consisting of one candidate for each position. The slate shall be made public.

7) The Ordinary Members of the General Assernbly voting in Plenary Session may accept or reject the slate. If the slate is rejected by the rnajority of a General Assembly, the Norninating Cornmittee shall reconvene and shall prepare and present a fresh slale.

International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature

(ICZN) The ICZN produces three publications : the

ln ternat iona l Code o f Zoological Nomenclature, the quarterly Bulletin o f Zoological Nomenclature, and The Official Lists and lndexes of Names and Works in Zoology. Following a new Edition of the Code in 1985 (of which 3000 further copies had to be printed in 19861, the past year has been particularly active with regard to the Bulletin and the Official Lists.

(a) The Bul le t in o f Zoological Nomenclature has appeared from 1987 in a new and attractive format. There have been two other innovations : a short explanatory Abstract, prepared by the Secretariat, precedes each published application, and general articles on

subjects with nomenclatural implications are actively welcomed. The Secretariat itself now handles the distribution of the Bulletin, which as a result proceeds much more smoothly (and econornically).

(b) The Official Lists and lndexes of Names and Works in Zoology record al1 the decisions (Opinions) of the ICZN since its estab- lishment in 1895. For the first time, these were published in a single volume in May 1987. There are about 9,900 entries in this volume, which summarizes each Opinion and provides bibliographic references and, where relevant, such details as the type species of genera. It is hoped that it will be a most useful zoological reference work.

P. K. Tubbs, Executive Secretary.

Commission on the Nomenclature of Plants

The General Cornmittee on Botanical Nomenclature, which represents the Nomenclature Section between lnternational Botanical Congresses continued to process proposals to conserve plant names and other matters placed before it 1986-1987. Most of the special committees appointed by the General Committee following the Xlll lnternational Botanical Congress (Sydney, 1981) to study specific issues were able to present reports at the XIV lnternational Botanical Congress in Berlin (West) in July of 1987 - at which time several new committees were authorized to

study issues before the next Congress (Tokyo, 1993). A full account will appear shortly in the Report of the Nomenclature Section, which met July 20-24. Prof. Frans Stafleu was re-elected chairman of the General Committee, and Dr. Dan H. Nicolson (Department of Botany, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C. 20560, U.S.A.) was elected as the new Secretary.

Edward G. Voss, Past-Secretary

International Paleontological Association

IPA activities relate to service and coordination within the profession. Most important are : 1) Support of symposia and conferences on paleontological themes, mostly organized by Our lnternational Research Groups; 2) Coordination of paleontological activities at the quadrennial lnternational Geological Congresses (IGC) and 3) Publication and distribution of information that is of service to the profession.

1. During 1986-87, IPA sponsored or co- sponsored the following specialist meetings; al1 three were given financial support to help keep participation fees at lower levels : - Vllth lnternational Bryozoology Conference,

Aug. 4-9, 1986, Bellingham, Washington, USA.

- Ilnd lnternational Symposium ((Shallow Tethys », Sept. 15-23, 1986, Wagga Wagga, NSW, Australia.

- 4th lnternational Symposium on Fossil Algae, July 6-11, 1987, Cardiff, Wales, U.K.

We also supported the following meetings in 1987 :

- llnd World Basque Conference, Section : Paleontology and Evolution; Extinction Events, October 19-23, Bilbao, Spain.

- IV Congresso Latinamericano de Paleontologia, Santa Cruz, Bolivia.

2. Planning for the 1989 lnternational Geological Congress (Washington, D.C., U.S.A.) continues. IPA is represented on the IGC Program Committee by President A.J. Boucot. A strong paleontological prograrn with several topical invitational symposia seerns assured. 3. The 5th edition of the « Directory of Palaeontologists of the World» is in the data gathering stage. Editor Rex Doescher (Dept. of Paleobiology, U.S. National Museum of Natural History, Srnithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C., 20560, U.S.A.) has distributed thousands of questionaires; with secondary distribution through Our mernber and affiliated organizations, we hope to produce the most complete directory to date. Publication is scheduled for 1989. The 4th edition was published during 1984 and is available from the IPA Treasurer at US $10.

A « World Directory of Palaeontological Collections» is also in the data gathering stage. The official journal of IPA is Lethaia, published quarterly by Universitetsforlaget, Oslo. The latest revision of the IPA Constitution was published in Lethaia, v. 19, p. 187-191, 1986. A history of IPA was published in the IUGS newmagazine Episodes for Decernber, 1985.

William A. Oliver Jr., Secretary-General

Section of Mammalogy (Theriology - ITC)

The IUBS Section of Mammalogy (Theriology) is about midway between Congresses. Notices for ITC V are now in the mail, and the Rome organizing committee is active.

The Commission on Collections is carrying on its work which is related to preservation, maintenance, management, and curation of collections of mammalian material in repositories everywhere in the world.

The Historianlarchivist has arranged for the Smithsonian Institution to be a repository for the Archives of the Section. Materials for ITC IV have been sent to the Srnithsonian, and we are trying to assemble materials for the earlier Congresses.

The Steering Committee is in process of forming an ad hoc committee on Mammal Names, which will serve in an advisory role to the lnternational Commission on Zoological Nomenclature. The Comrnittee will be active before the next ITC, at which tirne it will become a permanent committee.

The Statutes of the Section are being reviewed by the Steering Committee. This is necessarily a slow process because it is being done by correspondence. It is anticipated that the revised Statutes will be approved at the next Congress.

Consideration is being given to methods of financing the activities of the Section.

W.A. Fuller, President

International Congresses Entomology The Entomology Section of IUBS is provided for by the Council for lnternational Congresses

of Entomology which holds formal meetings only during the quadrennial Congresses. The next meetings will be at Vancouver in July 1988, routine business during the past year having been conducted by the Honorary SecretaryITreasurer.

The Council decided when it met at Hamburg in 1984 to institute a second series of Congresses, specifically concerned with insects in the tropics.The first of these Congresses, intended primarily to facilitate communication between younger entomologists in tropical countries, was held at Nairobi from 31 August t o 5 September 1986. More than 300 entomologists attended from a wide range of countries, but the emphasis was primarily on the damaging effect of insects on crop production in tropical Africa. Other aspects of entomological science, from physiology to ecological diversity, were overshadowed by this emphasis on the war in Africa between man and insects. The Congress was an undoubted success, due to the efforts of Professor Thomas Odhiambo and his colleagues at ICIPE, Nairobi. The Council will therefore consider in Vancouver the possibility of arranging a series of such meetings to alternate quadrenially with major Congresses.

B. Baccetti President

International Union for the Study of Social Insects (I.U.S.S.I.)

The IUSSl continues its development into a worldwide scientif ic organization, now comprising 11 regional sections. Apart from the 5 European linguistic sections, the British, French, German, ltalian and Polish section, there are now sections functioning in North America, the Spanish speaking area of Central and South America, Brazil, lndia and Japan. Each section promotes a lively contact between its members; several sections have a newsletter and some issue the proceedings of the scientific meetings that are held annually.

A major event has been the 10 th lnternational Congress of IUSSI, organized by the German language section at the Max-Planck-lnstitute for Biochemistry at Munich, 18-22 August, 1986. The organization was greatly facilitated by a loan of US $ 5 000, by IUBS to the organizing cornmittee. About 50 % of the congress budget, totalling DM. 200,000 - came from grants offered by German governmental institutions. The congress became a great success, both socially and scientifically. The attendance came frorn 34 different nations; 26 symposia were organized and 19 plenary introductory lectures were delivered. Together with poster presentations the 380 participants contributed over 350 papers, covering the whole field of pure and applied biology of the social insects. The congress papers were published by J. Eder €t H. Rembold, Eds, (1987) : Chemistry and biology of social insects. Verlag J. Peperny, München, ISBN 3-925995-01 -3 approx. 800 p.

The journal of the Union, Insectes Sociaux, published by Masson, Paris, is back on a sound economic basis. The number of pages increased from 400 to 490 in 1986 and the journal achieved higher standards. A 15 % increase in the number of subscriptions was realized and the journal has no longer a deficit. The French ((Centre National de Recherches Scientifiques)), C.N.R.S., which supported the journal considerably in the past, no longer needs to assist in its publication.

At the forthcoming lnternational Congress of Entomology in Vancouver, 3-8 July, 1988, IUSSl will foster a symposium. In early 1989 an international scientific meeting will be organized by the Brazilian section of IUSSI.

The lnternational Cornmittee of IUSSl convened in Munich on the 21st of August, 1986. I t was decided to seek official registration of the Union in Paris. In connection to that modifications of the Statutes will be necessary, which will transform the present confederation of sections into an international body having a regional subdivision.

Prof. H. Rembold (FRG) resigned as the President of the Union; Prof. G.K. Veeresh (India) was elected in his place for the next 4 years. Dr. H. Velthuis (The Netherlands) succeeded Dr. P. Howse (U.K.) as the Secretary-General of IUSSI. The Scientific Editor, Prof. P. Jaisson (France) was re-elected.

H. H .W. Velthuis Secretarv-General

International Polychaetology Association

The lnternational Polychaetology Association held its 2nd lnternational Polychaete Conference in Copenhagen, 18-23 August 1986.

150 scientists from 21 countries participated in the meetings, where 74 lectures were given and 34 posters were shown. On the Wednesday most people joined an excursion to North Zealand, and on the Saturday some participated in two excursions to two marine laboratoires at the lisefford and at Elsinore. A t a business meeting on Tuesday evening Dr. J.B. Kirkegaard was elected President of the Association and Professor Dr. Donald J. Reish, California State University was elected Secretary-Treasurer. An advisory Council was

also elected consisting of eleven scientists from different countries.

Proceedings from the Conference will be published, hopefully by the end of 1987. It will contain 70 papers, read as lectures at the Conference or shown on posters.

I t was decided to hold the 3rd lnternational Polychaete Conference at the California State University, Long Beach, California, U.S.A. at the beginning of August, 1989. Invitations will be sent out in the fall of 1987.

J.B. Kirkegaard President

International Organization for Biological Control (IOBC)

1. Scientific and technical meetings. Research in IOBC is mainly carried out

through worldwide Working Groups. The following meetings were held in 1986-87 :

a - lnternational Meeting on Quality Control of Mass-Reared Arthropods, September 1986, Guatemala City (Guatemala). b - lnternational Meeting on Ostrinia nubilalis, September 1986, Beijing (China).

c - lnternational Symposium on Trichogramma, November 1986, Guangzhou (China). d - lnternational Symposium on Fruit Flies of Economic Importance, April 1987, Rome (Italy).

2. Scientific Working Groups. A t this stage, six global Working Groups

(each of 30 to 400 participants) are actively involved on different topics. They have been outstanding in providing a link between scientists of different continents and rapidly disseminating relevant information between colleagues. A number of proposals have recently been made that requested the initiation of three additional Working Groups.

3. Regional Sections. There are 4 Regional Sections of IOBC, each

covering one biogeographic region. The possibility of creating two new Sections, one in Africa and one in Latin America, is being investigated.

Each Regional Section has its own scientific activities, which have resulted in the publication of 10-12 Bulletins each year, dealing with individual Pest problems.

Both the Neartic and the West Palaearctic Regional Sections have gone through in-depth revision of their Statutes during 1986-87.

4. Publications The scientific journal ENTOMOPHAGA is

published regularly on behalf of IOBC, with over 450 pages (4-5 issues) and some 60 articles every year.

The global body, as well as each Regional Section and each Working Group also release regular information carriers, and Newsletters for distribution to their members.

5. Meeting of Statutory Bodies A Council meeting of the global IOBC was

held in September 1986 at Delémont (Swizerland).

The next General Assembly of the global body is being prepared,,due to be held at Vancouver (Canada) in 1988.

J.P. Aeschlimann Secretary-General

European Society for Comparative Endocrinologists (ESCE) The 13th lnternational Conference of the level over control of physiological processes to

European Society for Comparative practical applications of hormones. Not less than Endocrinologists was organized by Prof. V. 110 new members joined the Society. Pantic in Beograd, Yugoslavia, from 7-12 It was decided that the next ESCE Meeting September, 1986. It was attended by 230 will be organized in Salzburg, Austria, from 4-9 participants. The topics covered ranged from the September, 1988 by Prof. H. Adam. mode of action of hormones at the molecular A. de Loot, Secretary-General

International Bryozoology Association

The world's bryozoan scientists meet once every three years, most recently in 1986 at Bellingham, Washington, U.S.A., and next in 1989 in Paris, France. About 100-200 scientists and students attend each meeting, which centers around oral and poster presentations, includes local and regional field trips, and results in publication of a sizeable volume consisting of papers prepared for the meeting. 1986 was dominated by activities connected with the Bellingham conference, and much of 1987's effort was devoted to publishing the volume

resulting from that meeting. Additionally, the association periodically updates its comprehensive list of the world's bryozoan scientists, and prepares newsletters and bibliographies of current bryozoan publications, timed to be distributed in each of the years between meetings. And, planning is already well underway for preparing the Paris meeting.

Roger J. Cuffey President

International Association of Botanical Gardens (IABG)

Regional group development in I.A.B.G. continued with consolidation of European- Mediterranean, and Australasian-South Pacific newsletter activity, and the formation of Chinese, Latin American and lberian groups. These changes were discussed at the 10th General Meeting of I.A.B.G. held at the Palmengarten, Frankfurt from 2-7 August, 1987, where a new constitution was also discussed.

The Fifth Edition of the "lnternational Directory of Botanical Gardens" was

completed in late 1987 following liaison bet- ween I.A.B.G., I.U.C.N. and A.A.B.G.A. Confirmed close liaison with I.U.C.N. will occur in respect of a Botanical Gardens Conservation Strategy.

The future activity of I.A.B.G. will focus on improving financial viability and providing improved communications between partici- pating organizations.

B.D. Morley Secretary-General

International Association for Plant Taxonomy (IAPT)

The activities of the Section are identical with those of the lnternational Association for Plant Taxonomy ([APT). The publications of this periode include E.R. Farr el al., lndex nominum genericorum, Supplement 1, 125 p., dealing with some 3800 generic names of plants, lndex herbariorum vol. 2, Collectors, part 6, letter S, p. 805-985, by 1. H. Vegter, Taxonomic literature vol. 6, Sti-Vuy, 926 p. as well as volume 35 (for 1986) of Taxon (992 p.) and the first two issues

so far of volume 36 of Taxon vol. 36, 1987. The Section sponsored and organized a "Symposium on Tropical Botany" at Utrecht, 26 September-2 October, 1986 and did the preliminary work for and the organizing of the Section of Nomenlature of the XlVth lnternational Botanical Congress in Berlin, July 1987.

F.A. Stafleu President

Commission for Biological Education During the period 1986-87, the IUBS Comrr

cooperation with Unesco

1) Biotechnology in Education This project investigates possibilities and

constraints of teaching biotechnology in biology lessons. As the syllabi generally are already overloaded with subject matter, biotechnology should not be added as an additional topic, but the project has to find out ways how to integrate this new field in those subject matters already existent in the syllabi. Another difficulty will be the controversial approaches biology and technology normally have towards an understanding of Our world, the first more tending to an attitude of ((letting grow)) (cautiousness in changing things), the latter more tending to the attitude of « making things)) (management). Biotechnology, from this point of view, has to cope with an inborn educational conflict, and the project has to develop proposals to teachers on how to solve this problem.

2) The Use of Computers in Biology Education

Whereas computers in biological research are rnainly used for measurement, calculaiion and storage purposes, in school the value of these machines seems to be predominantly in the field of simulation. Commercial programmes simulating bio-systems are generally very poor in their intellectual demand, and there is a strong vote coming from educators to enable students to develop own programs by themselves. The project has to check recent existing programs, to advise teachers, and to introduce thern into the method of their own program development. In addition, attitudinal problems have to be solved, as still today many biology teachers are reluctant to use computers, and instead of reasonable judgement rather follow old prejudices. In particular, they have to be convinced that there is no real alternative between « primary biological experience i ) on one side and ((secondary experience by computer simulation)) on the other, but that both are complementary to each other. but to a growing extent also in schools. Here the same argument is valid as for project 1 : bioethics should not be taught as an additional subject, but should be integrated in the normal teaching contents wherever it rnight be appropriate or even necessary. Two main questions have to be examined in this project and have to be demonstrated to teachers : a) Which are the ethical issues around the

management of biosystems, and how can teachers help the students orientate themselves in a world of conflicting ethical rules ?

iission for Biological Education initiated in the following projects :

b) Is it possible to trace back ethical rules to biological ones, and if so, are such rules then obligatory for the whole of mankind ? This project is in line with similar endeavours

in the IUBS.

4) Tropical Biology as a World-Wide Topic in Biology Teaching

Also this project parallels a research project of IUBS, the (( Decade of the Tropics)) project. According to a special grant given by UNESCO the first step is the development of a teacher training manual for outdoor biology in tropical countries. Different ecological areas of the tropics are investigated for their educational impact and methods of outdoor biological experiments in these areas are reviewed. The manual has been conceived and discussed in a special working group which met in Bangsaen Marine Biological Institute, Thailand, in January 1987. It will hopefully be published in beginning 1 988.

The next step of this project will be the application of the experiences made with the production of the manual to biology teaching al1 over the world; in particular the demonstration of the need to teach tropical topics also in non- tropical countries, as their economic welfare will depend to a great extent from the ecological welfare of the tropical zones in future years.

5) Biology Education and Future Human Needs

This project has been decided in the Helsinki meeting 1986, but has been set out for technical reasons to the next meeting which will be in Sidney, Australia, 1988. The project is a follow- up activity of the ICSU-CTS Bangalore conference 1985 in which the special contribution of biology to future human needs was not particularly thematized beyond the topics of « health )) and « environment >). There is a strong demand to investigate the general question of «human needs)) : Which are prirnary, secondary and tertiary needs ? Which of them rnay be different in future from the past ? Which contribution can biology education make to clarify the global pattern of human needs ? Furthermore, there is the old educational demand to help young people either fulfill or overcome their own needs in order to find a satisfying and healthy balance. During the Australian meeting in 1988 the project group will be established.

It will also pick up some issues discussed in other workshops of the Bangalore conference like « industry », «food », « energy », « ethics and social responsibility)) in order to investigate human needs involved with them under the special perspective of biological education.

G. Schaeffer, Chairman

World Federation for Culture Collections The World Federation for Culture Collections

(WFCC) had an active year especially through the work of its committees.

The Executive Board met at Manchester during Microbe 86 on 6 September 1986. An open meeting organised by WFCC on "Future developments in Culture Collections" was held which included a presentation by Prof. J. Postgate, a showing of the WFCC Video and the announcement of the Skerman Prize for systematic microbiology. A symposium on " Cryo-injury in microorganisms; freeze-induced selection and mutation", dedicated to Ronald Greaves was also held during the Manchester meeting.

The next meeting of the EB is planned during the conference on Taxonomy and Automatic identification of Bacteria to be held at Prague, Czechoslovakia - July 1987.

The WFCC became official sponsors to two international databases, the WDC (World Data Centre) and MSDN (Microbial Strain Data Network). WDC was successfully relocated to Riken, Japan following the retirement of Prof. W.B.D. Skerman, the previous director. A WFCC steering committee was set up to support and advise the WDC. The first meeting was held in March 1987 at Tokyo where strategies, immediate activities and funding were discussed; publicity material prepared and distributed. The relationship with other international databases was clarified.

MSDN sponsorship by WFCC was confirmed.

The funding of WDC, MSDN and the work of the Endangered Collections Committee has been channelled through WFCC.

The Education Cornmittee consolidated many of the activities previously started. The training video was completed, translated into French and Spanish and produced in PAL, SECAM and NTSC. It was publicized, viewed, sold and has been well received. The book series "Living Resources for Biotechnology" is progressing well and the first two volumes on yeasts and filamentous fungi are with the Cambridge University Press for sub-editing. They should be available in early 1988. The next two volumes are well advanced. The first advisory sheets have been prepared and data for the database on teachers and courses is being collated.

The Endangered Collections Committee has prepared a questionnaire for al1 collections who report a risk of closure. So far, al1 collections have been maintained either by retention of the original body or by transfer to other bodies. Hence, the success of the ECC has been excellent, in simply bringing attention to the resource and therefore preventing loss. Plans are underway for determining a formal procedure for evaluating collections which face closure in the future. Funds for the work are being given by UNEP, UNESCO and IUMS.

A symposium has been organized to be held during the conference in Prague, on the topic, " Rescue of endangered culture collections". The symposium proceedings will be published as a manual for rescuing endangered culture collections.

The publicity committee has been active and a newsletter is at the press. Contacts have been made with COBIOTECH, and the United Nations University. Visits have been made, or are planned to Brazil, Japan, USSR for discussions on WFCC programmes and international

collaboration. A. Onions, Secretary-General

Committee on Microbial Ecology The new executive took over following the

very successful 4th International Microbial Ecology Symposium held in Yugoslavia in August 1986. Over 700 participants from 40 countries attended this meeting. Professor France Megusar was Chairman of the Organizing Comrnittee and he and his committee are to be congratulated on the excellent organization.

Now plans are underway for the 5th International Symposium to be held in Kyoto, Japan from the 27th August to the 1st September, 1989. The Chairman of the organizing committee is Professor Hajime Kadota of Kinki University. He and a committee of distinguished Japanese scientists have produced the first circular which lists 29 very interesting symposia. In addition they plan to hold verbal and poster paper sessions and round table sessions.

Microbial ecology is well established as an important independent discipline and Our three yearly symposia are exciting lively affairs. New techniques and new approaches to studying aspects of microbial ecology emerge at each meeting.

In addition to supporting the organization of these three yearly symposia ICOME is also responsible for « Advances in Microbial Ecology)) which is published by Plenum. Professor Kevin Marshall of the University of New South Wales, Australia is the current Editor-in-Chief and the high standard of the publication reflects the care and effort which is put into its preparation.

Margaret W. Loutit Secretary-General

International Association for Biological Oceanography (IABO)

Since the time of the 1986 IUBS Executive Committee meeting, IABO has been active on several fronts. The IABOIUNESCO Working Group on " High Diversity Marine Ecosystems" held its first meeting in Syracuse, New York in August 1986, and dealt with three of the five terms of reference. The report of the meeting has now been circulated and contains a detailed examination of the value and use of diversity measurements in the marine environment. Detailed illustrations of diversity analysis are provided. Programs and experiments were discussed which would characterize differences in processes among communities and thus develop new thresholds of understanding in the context of species diversity and its implications for communities and their management. A second meeting has been arranged in November 1987 at which the remaining terms of reference were addressed and a pilot program developed.

The papers from the workshop which concluded the SCORIIABO Working Group on "Coastal and Offshore Ecosystem Relationships" have now been refereed and publication in book form is imminent.

Among other matters of relevance may be noted the publication in early 1987 of the pro-

ceedings of the lnternational Conference on Pelagic Biogeography 1985, an IABO-supported activity; the meeting in November 1987 of the IABO CO-sponsored lnternational Symposium on Red Tides, in Japan; the continued activity of working groups on "Traditional Knowledge and Management of Coastal Ecosystems", "Determination of Photosynthetic Pigments in .Sea Water ", " Ecology of the Deep Sea Floor" and of the Coral Reef Association and the lnternational Seaweed Association; and finally the formation of a new working group on " Experimental Ecosystems" which was proposed by IABO.

During 1986-87, IABO continued to provide assistance to a number of international agencies, in particular being involved with the planning of the Joint Oceanographic Assembly to be held in Mexico in 1988.

It has been a particularly active year for IABO's in-house administration. A Newsletter has just been completed and circulated to members and correspondents.

P. Lasserre President

International Association for Ecology (INTECOL)

The purpose of the lnternational Association for Ecology (INTECOL) is to promote the development of the science of ecology and to apply ecological principles to global needs through worldwide cooperation of ecologists. The 1982-1986 Executive Committee of INTECOL undertook a program to revitalite the Association (in decline for several reasons) to meet these goals. Four essential functions were reorganized or re-instituted: the bi-monthly INTECOL Newsletter, the INTECOL Bulletin, the 4th lnternational Congress of Ecology, and the INTECOL Secretariat. New programs were initiated: special topic workshops, and a global research project. Because of these efforts, dues- paying memberships doubled during the first year of the term. However, dues alone did not finance the year's achievements. Essential contributions were provided by volunteer labor, private funds, a subsidy from the Institute of

Ecology, University of Georgia, and funds solicited through over 25 grant proposals. Because these contributions were not expected to continue in future years, INTECOL solicited and received support from the National Science Foundation (NSF) for the salary of a Faculty Associate, to serve as staff officer t o the Secretary-General and editor of INTECOL publications; for the salary of a secretary- bookkeeper for the INTECOL Secretariat; and for supplies for the Secretariat. This funding was considered necessary to continue the program of INTECOL until the Association could achieve self-sufficiency through membership dues and other, more permanent sources of funding. During the period 1 April, 1984, t o present, INTECOL was able to achieve fully the functions and program outlined above.

F.B. Golley President

The International Association of Environmental Mutagen Societies (IAEMS)

Year 1986 was the 13th activity term of the Society which was founded in Asilomar, California in 1973.

A major objective of IAEMS is to encourage research in genetic toxicology and stimulate collaboration between scientists in different countries. During 1986, IAEMS was following these objectives by cosponsoring the organization of an International Symposium on " Short-Term Tests for Genotoxicity, Legislative Aspects and Selection of Appropriate Tests for the Control of the Genotoxic Potential of Chernicals" in April 1986, in Pisa, Italy. IAEMS was represented in the meeting by its president, Prof. F.H. Sobels.

A special goal for IAEMS is the stimulation of research in genetic toxicology in the developing countries. The secretary of IAEMS, Dr. Marja Sorsa, participated in the conference on " Health and Environment in Developing Countries", held in Finland27-30 August, 1986. Various aspects of strategies of studies and efforts associated with environmental problems were cornrnunicated.

As a concrete effort to stimulate activity in topics of environmental mutagenesis, IAEMS cosponsored a training course on " Health Monitoring of Human Populations Exposed to Mutagens and Carcinogens", organized together with two WHO bodies, IARC and IPCS, in Bombay, India, 3-14 November, 1986. The Secretary General of IAEMS, Dr. Marja Sorsa, was a member of the faculty.

Activities planned for 1987 follow these same general objectives; IAEMS cosponsored a conference on "Structure - Activity Relationships in Genetic Toxicology" in Pisa, Italy. The Secretary General, Dr. M. Sorsa, represented IAEMS in the 8th Latin American

1) to create a greater sense of awareness in the countries of Central and South Arnerica to the potentially harrnful effects of hurnan exposure to those environmental chemicals that possess rnutagenic and carcinogenic activity;

2) to bring together : a) scientists in those countries working in environmental mutagenesis and related topics; b) people interested in the field of genetic toxicology; c) people frorn industries; d) politicians responsible for environmental protection ;

3) to analyse the regional situation from the point of view of environmental rnutagens (sources, incidence, etc.) and available scientific solutions in the region and to organize collaborative studies between scientists from different Latin American countries;

4) to plan for future strategies in order to increase the activity in the region to arrange training courses, workshops, and scientific meetings in the field of genetic toxicology.

Furthermore, concerning the year 1988, a special symposium will be arranged in collaboration with Dr. Y. Kuroda on "Antimutageris and Anticarcinogens", in Mishima, Japan, 16-21 October, 1988.

The main activity of 1989 will, of course, be the 5th ICEM, Our international conference scheduled from 10-15 July 1989 in Cleveland, Ohio, by invitation of Prof. H. Rosenkranz on behalf of the North American EMS and with IAEMS Vice President, Dr. F.J. de Serres as Chairrnan of the National Organizing Committee. For the same year a training course is planned to be held in Bangkok, Thailand by IAEMS Treasurer, Dr. T. Matsushima, as the main organizer, 6-17 February, 1989.

Genetics Congress b~ chairing a s~ecial With these activities lAEMS iç endeavouring s~rnposium on Genetic Toxicolog~ in Cuba, to encourage research and education in 13-16 October, 1987. environmental mutagenesis and in a broader

Plans have been launched for a conference sense, genetic toxicology. on "Genetic Monitoring for Protection of Human Health and the Environment", to be held in San José, Costa Rica in the spring of 1988. The main objectives of .this Latin American M. Sorsa Symposium, are : Secretary-General

Request for Arachnological Material

The growing interest of people in arachnids in Switzerland and probably other countries is evident by many reasons. However, true and efficient information is difficult to obtain and as a result, prejudice and misinformation is still the rule. To eliminate these, ARACHNO- DATA has been founded, the first Arachnological Biodata and Information Center in Zurich, Switzerland.

ARACHNODATA is a completely privately, run, non-profitable organization without any institutional or governmental financial background or support.

ARACHNODATA aims to provide interested people from zoologists to amateurs, from students to the public with data and information covering al1 aspects of arachnology (taxonomy, biology, ecology, toxicology, prevention and first-aid, maintenance in captivity, etc.).

ARACHNODATA must now establish and continously maintain a representative and best equipped arachnological

library of literature (books, papers, reprints, bulletins, etc.)

phototheque with photographs, slides, films, videos, etc.

collection of preserved arachnid specimens (also molts, egg-sacs, etc).

l ivestock of preferably arachnids of the orders : Orthognatha - Scorpionida -Amblyp ygi - Urop ygi - Solpugida for

biological studies and exhibitions.

ARACHNODATA therefore is kindly asking you to generously support its tasks : Please check your arachnid literature, phototheque, collection and livestock. Is there any material you can spare or you don't need anymore ? Or has your topic of interest left the field of arachnology and you are indecisive as to whom to donate your entire literature and specimen collection ?

ARACHNODATA is indebted to you for any kind of free contribution and donation of above mentioned subjects and sincerely appreciates al1 advice, sug- gestions and voluntary collaboration in compiling this requested arach- nological material.

ARACHNODATA is convinced to be able to provide its informative services soon, and expresses its thanks for your spontaneous help and support.

ARACHNODATA, Frauentalweg 97, CH-8045 Zurich, Switzerland.

International Society of Biometeorology This entire period is dedicated to preparing the b) Relation between El Nino and agricultural

1 l t h Conaress of Biometeoroloav to be held in ~roduction. West ~ a f i y e t t e (Purdue ~nivergify) from 13 to 18 Çeptember, 1987. Preliminary works are well C) Impacts of urbanization on ~ e o ~ l e s ' health in

advanced, and this is a promise for an quivalent zones, especially on the elder people

success to those of the 10 previous congresses. (ga'loping and uncontrol'ed demOgraphyf

A short report will be sent after the event. aged population).

Besides, we followed very closely the evolution of the research works on biometeorology worldwide. Five particular aspects have had Our special attention :

a) Impacts of the possible modifications of climate in sub-tropical zones on the possibilities of food cultivation (struggle against hunger, desertification).

d) Implications of the weather evolution on human welfare.

e) Weather evolution during the last 15 years and its possible impact on the forest perishing in temperate zones of the Northern hemisphere.

B. Primault Secretary-General