A critique of traditional approaches to seaweed distribution in light of the development of vicariance biogeography
An overview of the primary approaches to seaweed biogeography is provided in light of the development of vicariance biogeography. Each approach is discussed with particular regard to the extent to which the methods and objectives are compatible with vicariance. Ecological biogeography is considered an offshoot of ecology and physiology and is more appropriate in determining current distributions of organisms and aspects of physiological ecology rather than the speciation history of monophyletic groups. The R/P quotient of Feldmann and distribution of algal life-forms do not fall within the aegis of vicariance and are considered useful only in a descriptive sense. The examination of seaweed spans propounded by Pielou is considered flawed because of the lack of dependence on monophyletic groups. The floristic school of analysis of many seaweed biogeographers is analagous to the panbiogeography of Croizat, and provides the basis for the more concrete phylogenetic hypotheses that are the basis for vicariance analysis. The latter is considered the best methodology for studying the relationship between patterns of cladogenesis and the distribution of constituent taxa.
The Biogeography of the South African Marine Red Algae: A Model
The floristic relationships of the South African red algae have been evaluated by analyzing the distribution of more than 300 species found in Namibia, the West Cape, the East Cape and Natal in comparison with the species of other climatically determined biogeographic regions. Determinations of species' affmities are based primarily on an assessment of shared advanced morphological traits. Over 60% of the red algal species of Namibia and the West Cape have their closest relationships with species occurring in the temperate floras i of southern Australia, Tasmania and New Zealand or South America. The primary affmity of the East Cape and Natal floras is with the tropical flora of the Indian Ocean, but this region also includes major components related to species occurring in west and south Australia or Japan. It is concluded that the Rhodophytan flora of South Africa was assembled in response to paleoceanographic events and associated climatic changes that took place in the latter half of the Cenozoic and that the flora reached its present structure and species composition in late Oligocene and Miocene.
Mechanism of the depressor response to dopamine in the rat treated with phenoxybenzamine.
Alterations of hypotensive responses to dopamine by antagonists were characterized in alpha-blocked, anaesthetized rats. Responses were not affected by d-propranolol (0.1 mg/kg) whereas d,1-propranolol (0.1 mg/kg) or haloperidol (1.0 mg/kg) attenuated them; higher doses of inhibitors (1.0 mg/kg; 5.0 mg/kg, respectively) failed to produce a higher inhibition, but combinations of low doses abolished the depressor responses. In adrenalectomized rats, hypotensive responses decreased; haloperidol always attenuated the responses while d,1-propranolol became ineffective. Dopamine produced an enhancement of plasma adrenaline and noradrenaline levels, which was decreased by d,1-propranolol and increased by haloperidol. The data suggest that in rats the depressor component of dopamine is due to activation of both dopaminergic and beta-adrenoceptors. The beta component appears to be due to the release of adrenaline. The results also support the concept of the existence in sympathetic nerve endings and adrenal glands of stimulatory beta-adrenergic and inhibitory dopaminergic prejunctional receptors.