PGM18 in two German families
PGMl-isoenzymes with a mobil i ty slower than a seem to be very rare (Hopkinson and Harris, 1966; Giblett, 1969; Yunis, 1969). Fami ly studies were impossible till now. We observed two not related German families with the allele PGM~ (Fig. 1). The pedigrees are shown in Fig. 2. The compilation of all findings in these families (Table) gives no evidence for linkage. We found these two families within al together 2200 PGMl-investigations. Our observation confirms the suggestion, t ha t PGM~ is a rare allele of the phosphoglueomntase.
PGM-Varianten in der Berliner Bevölkerung
SummaryThe rare phosphoglucomutase phenotypes found during studies of the last three years are reported, their frequencies and importance in paternity cases are discussed. Pecularities of the variant PGM patterns are demonstrated on photographs.ZusammenfassungBericht über die beobachteten seltenen PGM-Phänotypen, ihre Häufigkeit und Bedeutung für die Vaterschaftsbegutachtung. Es wird auf die Besonderheiten, die bei der Beurteilung der Pherogramme zu beachten sind, an Hand von Abbildungen hingewiesen.
Indian Fig Cactus (Opuntia Ficus-Indica (L.) Miller) in the Americas: an Uncertain History
Abstract: 
 Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Miller is a globally important cactus species with a long history of human use. In addition to the importance of O. ficus-indica as a food for humans and livestock, it also has long served a role in the production of cochineal, a once important textile dye. This cactus also is intimately interwoven into the story of Cactoblastis cactorum (Berg) (South American cactus moth), one of the best-known examples of biological weed control. In this regard, O. ficus-indica has been a target weed as well as an unintended host in C. cactorum invasion. Although the distribution and human-assisted movement of this cactus throughout much of the world is well documented, surprisingly little has been written about its history and movement within the Americas. Literature associated with Opuntia and their phytophagous pests in North and South America was examined in an attempt to determine the history of O. ficus-indica in the Americas. Available information suggests with some certainty that O. ficus-indica originated in present-day Mexico, but the timing of its introduction to South America is much less clear. Taxonomic difficulties associated with distinguishing among Opuntia species and the long pre-Columbian history of exchange between South American and Mesoamerican cultures are two primary complicating factors associated with dating the dispersal of this species to South America. Additionally, previous evidence in support of a pre-Columbian introduction to South America relied on questionable identification of insect-based textile dyes. These uncertainties are significant because clearer knowledge of the history of O. ficus-indica introduction to South America could provide a more complete biological and ecological context to efforts at managing this species in its native and introduced ranges, particularly with respect to the threat posed by C. cactorum in North American and Argentinean plantations.