Knowledge of the complete genomic DNA sequence of an organism allows a systematic approach to defining its genetic components. The genomic sequence provides access to the complete structures of all genes, including those without known function, their control elements, and, by inference, the proteins they encode, as well as all other biologically important sequences. Furthermore, the sequence is a rich and permanent source of information for the design of further biological studies of the organism and for the study of evolution through cross-species sequence comparison. The power of this approach has been amply demonstrated by the determination of the sequences of a number of microbial and model organisms. The next step is to obtain the complete sequence of the entire human genome. Here we report the sequence of the euchromatic part of human chromosome 22. The sequence obtained consists of 12 contiguous segments spanning 33.4 megabases, contains at least 545 genes and 134 pseudogenes, and provides the first view of the complex chromosomal landscapes that will be found in the rest of the genome.

The cytological features of 84 species from 56 genera and 33 families from almost 200 collections of Australian mosses are described. A wide range of chromosome numbers is recorded: n = 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 16, 18, 20, 21, 22, 30, 48, and 52 ± 2. Variation in numbers occurred in both genera and species, and intraspecific polyploidy for 10 species and intraspecific aneuploidy for four species are reported. The investigations have shown that the same mechanisms of speciation, range of chromosome numbers, degrees of polyploidy and intraspecific variations occur here as in other parts of the world. The studies have contributed information on 62 species, 18 genera and five families not previously recorded and form the first survey of the cytology of Australian mosses.

The results of cytological investigations on 95 populations from 60 species of mosses are given. These results include studies of gametophyte mitoses from 26 of the species concerned. The technique for obtaining gametophyte mitotic preparations is described. Karyotype comparisons are made within the genera Polytrichum and Dicranum and the value of such comparisons is stressed. Where possible gametophytic mitotic observations have been correlated with sporo‐phytic meioses from the same gatherings.

A revision of the genus Isopterygium in Australia has resulted in recognition of only one species, I. albescens in Australia. Of the other species listed for the genus in this country, Isopterygium minutirameum, I. novae-valesiae and a number of other recorded names have been placed into synonymy with I. albescens. Isopterygium arachnoideum and I. subarachnoideum have been transferred to Isopterygiopsis pulchella. The presence of Isopterygiopsis pulchella (Schimp.) Z.Iwats. in Australia (considered doubtful by Streimann & Klazenga 2002) is confirmed and the types for Australian species of Isopterygium arachnoideum, and I. subarachnoideum are placed into synonymy with it. Isopterygium albescens is considered to be a member of the family Hypnaceae while Isopterygiopsis pulchella is in the Plagiotheciaceae.Pseudotaxiphyllum pohliicarpum (Hypnaceae) is recorded as a new species for Australia.