• ALGAE
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.363-368
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• 2005

The brown alga Ascophyllum nodosum and its mutualistic, ascomycete symbiont, Mycophycias ascophylli, form a complex ‘rganism’or symbiotum. Here we show the interaction of the symbiotum to the abundant brown algal epiphyte, Elachista fucicola. Microscopy of field-collected plants shows morphological responses of A. nodosum to the common epiphyte E. fucicola. When E. fucicola attaches to A. nodosum a bundle of several to dozens of rhizoids penetrates into the host. On the surface of the host, the cells proliferate to form a donut-shaped ring, 100-200 μm in height that surrounds the thallus of E. fucicola. A pit forms in advance of the rhizoids and the cells of A. nodosum break down. This leaves the network of fungal hyphae partially intact and intermingling with the epiphyte rhizoids and its lowermost cells. After the pit is formed, the cells of A. nodosum bordering the infection chamber redifferentiate an epidermal layer. Neither the host nor its mutualistic fungus, M. ascophylli appears to recognize E. fucicola as an invader and to prevent the attachment and growth of this epiphyte. Based on the physical damage to the host caused by invading rhizoids, we conclude that the relationship of E. fucicola to A. nodosum is that of a parasite and its host.

• Animal cells and systems
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.9-21
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• 2000

A taxonomic and floristic account for Korean Elachista is provided. All previously reported taxa from Korea are reappraised. Elachista in Korea consists of five species: E. falcata Lee sp. nov., E. nipponica Umezaki, E. okamurae Yoshida, E. orbicularis (Ohta) Skiner, and E. tenuis Yamada. Elachista fucicola (Vell.) Aresch. 1. typica Rosenvinge sensu Kang (1966) that was previously recorded in Korean flora was assigned to another taxon, E. okamurae Yoshida. Elachista taeniaeformis Yamada is transferred to the new genus, Proselachista Lee et Garbary. Elachista falcata is characterized by having a pseudoparenchymatous medulla, assimilatory filaments with equal diameter over their entire length and small projections on the lower portion, falcate paraphyses, and gourd-shaped unilocular sporangia.