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Maximum protein accumulation (71%, w/w) and nutrient removal by a mutant strain of Spirulina maxima growing on sea water supplemented with anaerobically treated pig slurry was achieved at 30°C with constant illumination (60 to 70 μEm(-2)s(-1)), using a flow rate of 14.5 cm s(-1) (20 rev. min(-1) of a paddle wheel). Total phosphates were decreased by 99% and all ammonia-N was removed under these conditions.

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Cuticle information and epidermal characters have great potential in systematic studies. However, micromorphology and anatomical studies on cycads are relatively scarce in comparison to similar studies on other gymnosperms. In this study leaflet anatomy and cuticles in the genus Dioon have been investigated with bright field microscopy, epifluorescence, and scanning electron microscopy. Structures hitherto not completely studied for the genus are reported such as lignified hypodermis, girder sclerenchyma, especially G-fibers, and Florin ring-like structures associated with the stomatal apparatus. Key words: anatomy, cuticles, cycads, Cycadales, leaflets. Fibras-G y estructuras de anillo tipo Florin en Dioon (Zamiaceae) ResumenLa información de cutículas y caracteres epidérmicas tienen gran potencial para estudios sistemáticos. Sin embargo, la micromorfología y estudios anatómicos en las cícadas son relativamente escasos en comparación de estudios similares con otras gimnospermas. En este estudio se investigó la anatomía de foliolos y cutículas del género Dioon con técnicas de microscopia de campo claro, epifluorescencia y de microscopía electrónica de barrido y se reportan estructuras no completamente estudiadas antes para el género. Se observó hipodermis lignificada, presencia de esclerénquima de trabe y particularmente fibras gelatinosas y estructuras semejantes a anillos de Florin asociados con los aparatos estomáticos.

Background: Although pollen morphology has always been an important tool in plant systematics, the possibility of distinguishing between related taxa is still debated. A difficult case is the cycads, where their morphology and small size is very similar. Pollen morphology has been important in plant systematics and determination at the species level is possible depending on the group. Controversial cases are the cycads, where their small pollen and smooth sculpture when observed under light microscopy present few useful characters for separation at the species level. Question: Will cycad pollen morphometry be useful to distinguish taxa? Study species: 15 species within the genera Ceratozamia, Dioon and Zamia were investigated with five species of each genus. Methods: Pollen was obtained from both live specimens from the Clavijero Botanic Garden of the Instituto de Ecología, A.C., as well as herbarium specimens. Acetolyzed pollen was used for descriptions and morphometry, and non-acetolyzed pollen for SEM images. Results: The thickness of the exine and pollen sculpture of Dioon differed from that of Ceratozamia and Zamia thus allowing its identification. The pollen morphology of Ceratozamia and Zamia is very similar and therefore difficult to distinguish between species. Conclusions: The thicker exine of Dioon allows its pollen to be distinguished from the other two genera. Morphometric methods must be applied to distinguish pollen between species of Ceratozamia and Zamia.