The viscin coating of seeds from Arceuthobium tsugense was analyzed histochemically. The results indicated that the viscin is composed of two components. The first is a muculagenous pectic compound which surrounds the entire seed and accounts for a number of observed phenomenon such as stickiness, water holding capacity and the ability to undergo repeated drying and rehydration. The second component is made up of a large number of cellulose strands which are attached to the endocarp and run throughout the pectic coating. Scanning electron micrographs show that they are thought to be important in maintaining the integrity of the pectic coating. The significance of these findings is discussed with respect to establishment of the parasite.

Dark respiration rates of the aerial shoots of Arceuthobium tsugense, obtained by manometric and IRGA techniques, show production of C02to range between 155-300 µl CO2 g-1h-1 with evidence of seasonal variation. Experiments with 14C02 indicate that the aerial shoots are capable of some photosynthetic CO2 fixation, with 10-15% of the available 14C incorporated by the plant tissue in one hour.The portions of the o aerial shoots which are most active in C02 fixation are the young terminal regions. Biochemical characterization of the products of photosynthesis reveals that 80-90% of the incorporated 14C is ethanol soluble. Ten percent of the ethanol fraction is lipoidal in nature, the rest is H20 soluble. Ion exchange separation of the H20 soluble portion shows that 16-25% of the 14C activity is cationic, about 25% anionic, with the balance neutral. Aspartic acid, glutamic acid, and valine are present in the cationic fraction, with additional free amino acids indicated. IRGA experiments indicate an apparent photosynthetic CO2 fixation capacity of 80-90 percent of the ethanol fraction is lipoidal in nature, the rest is H20 soluble. Ion exchange separation of the H20 soluble portion shows that 16-25% of the 14C activity is cationic, about 25% anionic, with the balance neutral. Aspartic acid, glutamic acid, and valine are present in the cationic fraction, with additional free amino acids indicated. IRGA experiments indicate an apparent photosynthetic CO2 fixation capacity of 80-90 µl CO2 g-1 h-1, or 25-30% of the amount of C02 produced by respiration. The significance of these findings is discussed with respect to nutrition of the parasite.

The goal of this investigation was to determine the potential of birds as vectors for the movement of dwarf mistletoe seeds and the means by which such movement could occur. Birds would greatly speed the rate at which these parasites move horizontally or vertically through the forest. Five areas in Oregon, heavily infected by six species of Arceuthobium were studied. Observations of avian behavior point to 13 species whose general behavior make them potential vectors in the distribution of these parasites. More specifically, the roosting and subsequent bathing behavior of most forest birds proves a very important means of potential seed transport. Additionally, an examination of nesting materials revealed that birds bring viable dwarf mistletoe seeds to infectible portions of host trees during the construction of their nests. Nesting, however, seems the least important of the vector mechanisms discussed. I observed no evidence of birds feeding on the seeds of dwarf mistletoe or of seeds being present in their droppings. The more probably means of seed transport is one of epizoochory.