Virulent strains of the soil bacterium Agrobacterium tumefaciens infect dicotyledonous plants and elicit a profound neoplastic response which results in crown gall formation (18). The inciting agent has been shown to be a high molecular weight plasmid (Ti) a section of which, the T-DNA, integrates into the host plant's genome (4, 28, 30). Although transformation of this kind was presumed to be limited to dicots, the detection of enzyme activities linked to the expression of T-DNA has been demonstrated in monocots from the families Liliaceae and Amaryllidaceae (10, 11).In this communication, we present evidence that a member of the commercially important Gramineae also is subject to A. tumefaciens directed transformation. This conclusion is based on two observations. First, seedlings of Zea mays that have had the bacteria introduced into wound sites defined by a region which includes the scutellar node and mesocotyl express the activity of enzymes whose synthesis is associated with the translation of T-DNA transcripts. Specifically, strain specific lysopine dehydrogenase activity has been detected in B6 infected material, whereas nopaline dehydrogenase activity is reported only in those plants inoculated with C58N. Second, the detection of either of these activities in extracts made from infected maize plants requires that the assaulting bacterial strain be competent with respect to the transfer of T-DNA. The vir (-) strains, JK195 and 238MX, are not, and transformation does not seem to occur. In this connection, the corresponding opine synthase activities are not observed.

Agrobacterium tumefaciens was capable of directing the transformation of Gladiolus sp., a monocot genus belonging to the family Iridaceae. Only strains capable of transferring T-DNA formed tumors, sections of which could be cultured in phytohormone-free media. Opine synthase activities were also observed in homogenates made from these tumors.

Cicindela hirticollis Say 1817 is associated with shoreline and riverine sand deposits and is widely distributed in North America. Geographic variation in this species was analyzed by multivariate analysis of size, elytral markings, and color data obtained from some 4000 specimens from 75 sites throughout the species distribution. Eleven subspecies are recognized and discussed: C.h. hirticollis Say, gravida LeC., ponderosa Thorns., abrupta Csy., rhodensis Calder, corpuscula Rumpp, shelfordi, athabascensis, coloradula, couleensis, and siuslawensis Graves. Possible Pleistocene réfugia, and redistribution of the species following continental glaciation are discussed. Theoretical advantages of certain variants in particular climates or on certain substrates, are considered. Cicindela hirticollis has been eliminated or is endangered in many of its former habitats due to human activities.Five new subspecies are described: C. h. shelfordi (type locality: Guthrie, OK) which inhabits the Great Plains region; C. h. athabascensis from the Lake Athabasca Sand Dunes of Saskatchewan and Alberta; C. h. coloradula from the Little Colorado River, AZ; C. h. couleensis (type locality: Vantage, WA) which is distributed in the Columbia–Snake river system of Washington, Oregon, and Idaho; and C. h. siuslawensis (type locality: Florence, OR) which inhabits the Pacific coast of Oregon and Washington.

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