Fungal endophytes were isolated from 4 species of the carnivorous pitcher plant genus Sarracenia : S. minor , S. oreophila , S. purpurea , and S. psittacina . Twelve taxa of fungi, 8 within the Ascomycota and 4 within the Basidiomycota, were identified based on PCR amplification and sequencing of the internal transcribed spacer sequences of nuclear ribosomal DNA (ITS rDNA) with taxonomic identity assigned using the NCBI nucleotide megablast search tool. Endophytes are known to produce a large number of metabolites, some of which may contribute to the protection and survival of the host. We speculate that endophyte-infected Sarracenia may benefit from their fungal associates by their influence on nutrient availability from within pitchers and, possibly, by directly influencing the biota within pitchers.

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Retained yolk sacs are common in the domestic chicken and account for considerable morbidity and mortality during late embryonic development and within the first 10 days of life. What is believed to be the first recorded instance of a retained caseous yolk sac and its successful surgical removal from a Burmese python (Python molurus bivittatus) is reported. The snake experienced no post-operative complications and continues to be well 16 mo following surgery.

Protoplasts were isolated from the lamina of greenhouse grown Nepenthes ampullaria and the hybrid N. 'Rokko' Exotica in order to develop a protocol for protoplast isolation suitable for wild species of Nepenthes. Various molarities utilizing mannitol or sorbitol and different enzyme mixtures and concentrations as well as incubation times were evaluated to maximize protoplast yield and viability. The most effective treatment, a 4 hrs incubation at 40 rpm and 25°C in a solution consisting of 0.5 M sorbitol, 5% cellulase 'Onozuka' R-10, 0.5% macerozyme R-10, and 0.3% pectolyase Y-23, generated 4.35 × 10 6 protoplasts/ gfw of which 62.1% were viable. Culture was attempted in respect of regeneration of the cell wall, however, no cell division was observed.

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The Venus Flytrap (VFT) is fire adapted because it regenerates vegetatively from its rhizome after seasonal fires. Many fire-adapted plants have seed that germinate following smoke exposure. Mature VFT seed are quiescent and germinate almost immediately when exposed to appropriate physical environmental factors. Here we show that smoke exposure induces secondary dormancy in VFT seed. Smoke-exposed seed exhibit either complete inhibition or significant delays of germination; however, the secondary dormancy can be reversed by soaking the seed in hydrogen peroxide solution or stratifying the seed. Whereas the treatment with peroxide resulted in germination comparable to controls, stratification resulted in germination over a prolonged time period. We propose induced dormancy demonstrates a unique fire adaptation as dormancy would prevent summer germination under adverse conditions following fire and stagger germination later in the fall or spring following winter stratification, allowing germination over a wider and more favorable range of environmental conditions.