Initial Upper Palaeolithic Homo sapiens from Bacho Kiro Cave, Bulgaria

The Middle to Upper Palaeolithic transition in Europe witnessed the replacement and partial absorption of local Neanderthal populations by Homo sapiens populations of African origin. However, this process probably varied across regions and its details remain largely unknown. In particular, the duration of chronological overlap between the two groups is much debated, as are the implications of this overlap for the nature of the biological and cultural interactions between Neanderthals and H. sapiens. Here we report the discovery and direct dating of human remains found in association with Initial Upper Palaeolithic artefacts, from excavations at Bacho Kiro Cave (Bulgaria). Morphological analysis of a tooth and mitochondrial DNA from several hominin bone fragments, identified through proteomic screening, assign these finds to H. sapiens and link the expansion of Initial Upper Palaeolithic technologies with the spread of H. sapiens into the mid-latitudes of Eurasia before 45 thousand years ago. The excavations yielded a wealth of bone artefacts, including pendants manufactured from cave bear teeth that are reminiscent of those later produced by the last Neanderthals of western Europe. These finds are consistent with models based on the arrival of multiple waves of H. sapiens into Europe coming into contact with declining Neanderthal populations

Micropropagation of juvenile tissue of Eucalyptus erythronema x Eucalyptus stricklandii cv. 'Urrbrae Gem'

Micropropagation via enhanced axillary shoot proliferation was investigated in the ornamental Eucalyptus cv. 'Urrbrae Gem' using in vitro germinated seedlings and was successfully achieved using woody plant medium (WPM) supplemented with 2.2 μM benzylaminopurine, 1.0 μM α- naphthaleneacetic acid, and 1.5 mu;M gibberellic acid (GA3), gelled with 5 g l-1 Phytagel®. Shoot proliferation was greater on WPM and QL media with GA3 compared to B5, AP, and TK media with or without GA3. GA3 was required for shoot elongation as the internodes were otherwise very short and unsuitable for multiplication or root initiation. Root initiation was improved using (1/2)WPM supplemented with 20 μM indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) over a 7 d pulse, followed by subculture to IBA-free medium, compared to placing shoots on low levels of IBA for 4-6 wk. Plantlets were successfully hardened off to the natural environment via a fogger at 67% relative humidity at 21°C for 3 d and continued to thrive as potted plants. This is the first report of successful micropropagation in an ornamental eucalypt (subgenus Symphyomyrtus) from seedling explants. © 2006 Society for In Vitro Biology

Micropropagation of juvenile tissue of Eucalyptus erythronema x eucalyptus stricklandii cv. 'urrbrae gem'

Micropropagation via enhanced axillary shoot proliferation was investigated in the ornamental Eucalyptus cv. 'Urrbrae Gem' using in vitro germinated seedlings and was successfully achieved using woody plant medium (WPM) supplemented with 2.2 μM benzylaminopurine, 1.0 μM α-naphthaleneacetic acid, and 1.5 μM gibberellic acid (GA₃), gelled with 5 g l−1 Phytagel®. Shoot proliferation was greater on WPM and QL media with GA3 compared to B5, AP, and TK media with or without GA3. GA3 was required for shoot elongation as the internodes were otherwise very short and unsuitable for multiplication or root initiation. Root initiation was improved using (1/2) WPM supplemented with 20 μM indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) over a 7 d pulse, followed by subculture to IBA-free medium, compared to placing shoots on low levels of IBA for 4–6 wk. Plantlets were successfully hardened off to the natural environment via a fogger at 67% relative, humidity at 21°C for 3 d and continued to thrive as potted plants. This is the first report of successful, micropropagation in an ornamental eucalypt (subgenus Symphyomyrtus) from seedling explants

Micropropagation of selected ornamental hybrids of 'Eucalyptus erythronema' x 'E. stricklandii'

The genus 'Eucalyptus' contains many species suitable for the floriculture and amenity horticulture industries in Australia. A development program has been underway at the University of Adelaide, with the aim of producing new and novel hybrid eucalypt varieties for these industries through controlled pollination between selected ornamental species. As each new hybrid plant reaches reproductive maturity, it is assessed for desirable characters and the very best plants selected for further development, including response to production systems and vegetative propagation. Plants that perform well in cultivation and can be propagated vegetatively will be registered with Plant Breeders Rights and made available through commercial nurseries