The bark of trees: thermal properties,microclimate and fauna

Summary The thermal properties of four different types of bark were investigated on twentyfour central European tree species using thermocouples. Tree species with white bark avoid overheating of their surface by reflection of the radiation. Species with fissured and scaly barks shade inner parts of their bark. Some tree species with fissured barks show high insulation across the bark. Smooth and thin barks show no adaptation to avoid overheating. These tree species (in central Europe e.g. Fagus sylvatica) have to form closed stands and are not able to occur in open stands as tree species with structured or white bark types.The arthropod fauna of the same bark types was studied on six tree species using three collecting methods. The microclimate on the bark determines the number per cm² of some species, some are active during winter, and other tend to aptery and reproduce parthenogenetically. On smooth bark one species dominates, whereas a highly diverse fauna lives on fissured barks. The occurrence of species on bark is determined by the microstructure, microclimate and consistence of the epiphyts. If tree species alter within forest ecosystems the dominant species on bark will persist. Specialists of fissured barks will die out if tree species with smooth bark (Fagus sylvatica) form the central European forest.     

Study of endophytic fungal community from different parts of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Aegle marmelos</Emphasis> Correae (Rutaceae) from Varanasi (India)

Endophytic fungi were isolated from healthy, living, and symptomless tissues of inner bark, leaf, and roots of Aegle marmelos, a well-known medicinal plant, growing in different parts of India including Varanasi. A total of 79 isolates of endophytic fungi were isolated, representing 21 genera, adopting a standard isolation protocol. Members of the deuteromycotina were more prevalent than ascomycotina and others. The result was quite encouraging in terms of maximum isolates recovery from hyphomycetes (78.5%) followed by ascomycetes (8.9%) and coelomycetes (7.6%) respectively, which corroborates previous studies in same area. However, 5.1% isolates remained unidentified and were classified under Mycelia Sterilia. No isolate was obtained from either basidiomycotina or from zygomycotina. Fusarium spp. had maximum colonization frequency (8.00%) in this plant. The other dominant endophytic genera were Aspergillus spp., Alternaria sp., Drechslera sp., Rhizoctonia sp., Curvularia sp., Nigrospora sp., and Stenella sp. Only two ascomycetous members Chaetomium globosum and Emericella sp. (perfect state of Aspergillus sp.) were obtained from the bark sample. These results indicated that distribution of endophytic fungi within the A. marmelos is not even. Bark harbors more endophytic fungi than leaf and root.     

Genetic diversity and phylogenetic position of the subclass Astomatia (Ciliophora) based on a sampling of six genera from West African oligochaetes (Glossoscolecidae, Megascolecidae), including description of the new genus Paraclausilocola n. gen

To more confidently assess phylogenetic relationships among astome ciliates, we obtained small subunit (SSU) rRNA sequences from nine species distributed in six genera and three families: Almophrya bivacuolata, Eudrilophrya complanata, Metaracoelophrya sp. 1, Metaracoelophrya sp. 2, Metaracoelophrya intermedia, Metaradiophrya sp., Njinella prolifera, Paraclausilocola constricta n. gen., n. sp., and Paraclausilocola elongata n. sp. The two new species in the proposed new clausilocolid genus Paraclausilocola n. gen. are astomes with no attachment apparatus, two files of contractile vacuoles, and an arc-like anterior suture that has differentiations of thigmotactic ciliature on the anterior ends of the left kineties of the upper surface. Phylogenetic analyses were undertaken using neighbor-joining, Bayesian inference, maximum likelihood, and maximum parsimony. The nine species of astomes formed a strongly supported clade, showing the subclass Astomatia to be monophyletic and a weakly supported sister clade to the scuticociliates. There were two strongly supported clades within the astomes. However, genera assigned to the same family were found in different clades, and genera assigned to the same order were found in both clades. Thus, astome taxa appear to be paraphyletic when morphology is used to assign species to genera.     

Nematodes associated with Ips cembrae (Coleoptera: Curculionidae): comparison of generations,sexes and sampling methods

A study of nematodes associated with the large larch bark beetle Ips cembrae (Heer 1836) was carried out at three locations in the Czech Republic. The proportion of beetles infested by endoparasitic nematodes (representatives of genera Contortylenchus, Parasitylenchus, Cryptaphelenchus and Parasitorhabditis) ranged from 29.9 to 50.9%. Significant differences were determined in nematode infestation levels among locations, generations and sampling methods. No differences were found in infestation rates between males and females. The percentage of bark beetles with phoretic nematodes ranged from 18 to 42.9%. Phoretic nematodes directly found under elytra, on wings and between body segments of the bark beetles belong to the genus Micoletzkya. However, adults and juveniles of other two phoretic species Laimaphelenchus penardi and Bursaphelenchus sp. were found in the gallery frass of I. cembrae. Infestation by phoretic nematodes positively correlated with the presence of mites under elytra.     

A comparative study on the phylogenetic diversity of culturable actinobacteria isolated from five marine sponge species

A cultivation-based approach was employed to compare the culturable actinobacterial diversity associated with five marine sponge species (Craniella australiensis, Halichondria rugosa, Reniochalina sp., Sponge sp., and Stelletta tenuis). The phylogenetic affiliation of the actinobacterial isolates was assessed by 16S rDNA-RFLP analysis. A total of 181 actinobacterial strains were isolated using five different culture media (denoted as M1–M5). The type of medium exhibited significant effects on the number of actinobacteria recovered, with the highest number of isolates on M3 (63 isolates) and the lowest on M1 (12 isolates). The genera isolated were also different, with the recovery of three genera on M2 and M3, and only a single genus on M1. The number of actinobacteria isolated from the five sponge species was significantly different, with a count of 83, 36, 30, 17, and 15 isolates from S. tenuis, H. rugosa, Sponge sp., Reniochalina sp., and C. australiensis, respectively. M3 was the best isolation medium for recovery of actinobacteria from S. tenuis, H. rugosa, and Sponge sp., while no specific medium preference was observed for the recovery of actinobacteria from Reniochalina sp., and C. australiensis. The RFLP fingerprinting of 16S rDNA genes digested with HhaI revealed six different patterns, in which 16 representative 16S rDNAs were fully sequenced. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that 12 strains belong to the group Streptomyces, three strains belong to Pseudonocardia, and one strain belongs to Nocardia. Two strains C14 (from C. australiensis) and N13 (from Sponge sp.) have only 96.26% and 96.27% similarity to earlier published sequences, and are therefore potential candidates for new species. The highest diversity of three actinobacteria genera was obtained from Sponge sp., though the number of isolates was low. Two genera of actinobacteria, Streptomyces, and Pseudonocardia, were isolated from both S. tenuis and C. australiensis. Only the genus of Streptomyces was isolated from H. rugosa and Reniochalina sp. Sponge species have been demonstrated here to vary as sources of culturable actinobacterial diversity, and the methods for sampling such diversity presented may be useful for improved sampling of such diversity.     

四种类型栓皮栎栲胶含量

为了阐明不同类型(薄皮深裂、薄皮浅裂、厚皮深裂、厚皮浅裂)栓皮栎各器官栲胶含量,系统采集了秦岭南坡商州区4种类型的栓皮栎不同径级植株根、主干木材、叶片、枝条和树皮样品,用紫外光分光光度法(UV Spectrophotometry)测定了4种类型栓皮栎不同器官栲胶含量,分析了林木生长与栲胶含量的关系。结果表明,(1)4种类型栓皮栎的根、主干木材、叶片、枝条和树皮单宁含量平均值分别为2.64%—3.02%、1.74%—2.02%、6.63%—7.21%、4.69%—5.10%、8.87%—9.46%,叶片、枝条和树皮均可以作为栲胶生产主要原材料。(2)不同类型各器官单宁含量存在极显著差异(P0.01),4种类型的树皮、叶片、枝条单宁含量均表现为:厚皮深裂型厚皮浅裂型薄皮深裂型薄皮浅裂型;根部和主干木材在4种类型间单宁含量表现为:薄皮深裂型薄皮浅裂型厚皮深裂型厚皮浅裂型;厚皮深裂类型的栓皮栎是提取栲胶的最佳类型。(3)4种类型栓皮栎各器官单宁含量与胸径呈显著正相关,各器官单宁含量随着栓皮栎胸径增大而增多,并最终趋于稳定,在第Ⅳ径级(胸径20.1—25cm)时,栲胶含量均值最大。因此,栲胶生产可以高效利用第Ⅳ径级及其以上径级的栓皮栎,并对第Ⅳ径级以下栓皮栎进行定向培育和重点保护。     

树兰原球茎内生细菌群落多样性及功能分析

【目的】通过分析树兰原球茎内生细菌群落组成、多样性特征和促生功能,探究树兰种子萌发相关的核心细菌类群及生物学功能。【方法】以树兰原球茎(树兰种子在树皮基质上共生萌发、在树叶基质上共生萌发、在MS1培养基上非共生萌发)和共生萌发基质(松树皮、腐熟树叶)共5个样本为研究材料,采用高通量测序技术分析不同萌发条件下原球茎内生细菌的16S rRNA基因多样性,比较分析细菌群落多样性和物种组成特征,通过传统的内生细菌分离方法获得共生萌发原球茎内生细菌菌株,并进行促生潜力评价。【结果】从5个研究样本中共获得2 735个可操作分类单元(operational taxonomic unit, OTU),属于41门453科876属,其中变形菌门(Proteobacteria)和放线菌门(Actinobacteria)为优势门。主坐标分析(principal coordinates analysis, PCoA)结果表明,树兰原球茎与萌发基质细菌群落结构存在差异,非共生萌发原球茎与在树皮基质上共生萌发原球茎内生细菌群落结构最为接近。功能预测表明,在树叶基质上共生萌发的原球茎内生细菌固氮功能显著高于其他萌发条件。通过分离培养,共获得内生细菌19株,分属12属16种,其中鞭毛膨胀芽孢杆菌(Tumebacillus flagellatus)、Bradyrhizobium cenepequi和人参腐殖土魏茨曼氏菌(Weizmannia ginsengihumi)为共生萌发原球茎共有种;韩国假单胞菌(Pseudomonaskoreensis)和 W. ginsengihumi兼具有溶磷、产吲哚乙酸(indole-3-acetic acid, IAA)和铁载体的潜在能力。【结论】在不同环境中萌发的树兰原球茎均有丰富的内生细菌群落定殖;从共生萌发原球茎中分离的内生细菌具有固氮、溶磷、产IAA和铁载体等促生功能。本研究为兰科植物种子萌发相关微生物资源挖掘及兰科植物与微生物互作研究提供科学依据。     

Changes in the population of seed bacteria of transgenerationally Cd‐exposed Arabidopsis thaliana

Plant‐associated bacteria can have beneficial effects on the growth and health of their host. Nevertheless, the role of endophytic bacteria present in seeds has not been investigated in depth. In this study, the cultivable endophytic population of seeds from Arabidopsis thaliana exposed to 2 μm cadmium for several generations (Cd seeds) was compared with a population isolated from seeds of plants that were never exposed to Cd (control seeds). We observed obvious differences between the two types of seed concerning genera present and phenotypic characteristics of the different isolates. Sinorhizobium sp. and Micrococcus sp. were only found in control seeds, while Pseudomonas sp., Bosea sp. and Paenibacillus sp. were only found in Cd seeds. Sphingomonas sp., Rhizobium sp., Acidovorax sp., Variovorax sp., Methylobacterium sp., Bacillus sp. and Staphylococcus sp. occurred in varying numbers in both types of seed. Metal tolerance and 1‐aminocyclopropane‐1‐carboxylate deaminase activity were predominantly found in strains isolated from Cd seeds, while the production of siderophores, indole‐3‐acetic acid and organic acids was more prevalent in endophytes isolated from control seeds. These data support the hypothesis that certain endophytes are selected for transfer to the next generation and that their presence might be important for subsequent germination and early seedling development.     

Ciliate Protozoa in the Rumen of Brazilian Water Buffalo,Bubalus bubalis Linnaeus*

SYNOPSIS Total numbers and distribution of genera, subgenera and species were determined for the ciliate protozoa in rumen contents of 4 Brazilian water buffalo Bubalus bubalis Linnaeus. The fauna of one animal, housed in close proximity to European and zebu-type cattle, differed considerably from that of the remaining animals, which were somewhat isolated on a large ranch. Several of the protozoan species observed in the semi-isolated animals were first described in rumen contents from humped Indian cattle, and their subsequent occurrence in other hosts and geographic locations has been limited or absent. In all, 49 different species of protozoa were found, 8 of which have not been previously described. Three of the new species belong to the genus Entodinium: E. ciculum sp. n., E. spinonucleatum sp. n. and E. triangulum sp. n.: 4 to Diplodinium (Ostracodinium): D. (O.) brazili sp. n., D. (O.) esalqum sp. n., D. (O.) nucleolobum sp. n., and D. (O.) tiete sp. n.; and one to Diplodinium (Eudiplodinium): D. (E.) bubalus sp. n.     

New Genera and Species of ‘Giant’ Ostracods (Crustacea: Cyprididae) from Australia

Two new genera of giant ostracods Lacrimicypris n. gen. and Repandocypris n. gen. from Australia are described and eight new species:L. kumbar n. sp., R. austinensis n. sp., R. gleneagles n. sp., Mytilocypris coolcalalaya n. sp., Australocypris bennetti n. sp., A. beaumonti n. sp., A. mongerensis n. sp. and Caboncypris kondininensis n. sp. The number of known Australian genera and species of giant ostracods are now 6 and 21, respectively. Keys to genera and species are provided: all species can be distinguished using the hemipenis and male first leg. The usefulness of the bursa copulatrix as a species-level taxonomic character is highlighted. Most of the species described in this paper occur in salt lakes and existing ecological information on Western Australian species, as well as the distributions of all species, are summarized. Western Australia has a particularly rich halobiont fauna but current explanations relating richness of the halobiont fauna to the widespread occurrence of salt lakes appear incomplete. Australocypris bennetti is unusual in that it is frequently found at pH < 4. Its morphology differs slightly in acidic and alkaline waters.     

New and little known crickets of the subfamily Phalangopsinae (Orthoptera,Gryllidae): 6. Neotropical taxa of the tribes Phalangopsini and Paragryllini

Two new genera, ten new species, and two new subspecies: Uvaroviella izerskyi sp. n., U. morona sp. n., U. ucayali sp. n., U. pastaza sp. n., U. affinis sp. n., U. bolivia sp. n., U. bora atalaya subsp. n., Kevanacla orientalis contraria subsp. n., Peruacla solitaria gen. et sp. n., Ecuadoracla propria gen. et sp. n., Adelosgryllus spurius sp. n., and A. phaeocephalus sp. n. are described. The tribe Paragryllini is divided into three subtribes: Paragryllina Desutter, 1988 stat. n., Neoaclina Desutter, 1988 stat. n., and Strogulomorphina Desutter 1988, stat. n. The composition of the genera Uvaroviella Chop. and Neoacla Desutter is discussed. The species from Costa Rica and the Antilles are supposed to belong to these genera and subgenera. New synonymy [U. trinidadi Gorochov, 2007 = U. enodos Otte et Perez-Gelabert, 2009, syn. n. and N. multivenosa (Chopard, 1937) = Selvacla choreutes Otte, 2006, syn. n.] is proposed.     

STUDIES ON THE TRIBE ALLANTINI (HYM: TENTHREDINIDAE) —NEW TAXA AND RECORDS OF ALLANTINI FROM CHINA*

Abstract Filixungulia gen. nov. belonging to Allantini and three new species, Filixungulia dbo-clypea sp. nov., F. crassitarsata sp. nov., and Macremphytus crasskornis sp. nov. are described from China. A synoptic key to the genera with three cubital cells in front wing of Allantini is proposed. The genera Tritobrachia Enderlein, Macremphytus MacGillivray and Linomorpha Malaise with Tritobrachia tenuicornis Enderlein are new records from China. Linamorpha flava (Takeuchi) is a new combination transferred from Emphytus Klug.     

黔西水城晚二叠世长兴期钙藻和有孔虫及其古环境意义

在黔西水城地区的K576井长兴组共鉴定钙藻3属3种,包括Gymnocodium bellerophontis、Permocalculus sp.和Tauridiumkurdistanensis;有孔虫8属10种,其中(虫筳)类2属2种,有孔虫动物群主要由Reichelinasp.indet.、Nankinella sp.、Pachyphloia schwageri、Pachyphloia sp.、Geinitzina sp.、Nestellorella sp. indet.、Howchinella sp.、Hemigordius aff. saranensis、Hemigordius sp.和Midiella sp. indet.组成。将本井按照生物特征分为有孔虫-钙藻-介形虫组合、有孔虫-腕足类-介形虫组合、介形虫-双壳类-腹足类组合、有孔虫-钙藻-双壳类组合、有孔虫-腕足类-介形虫组合、有孔虫-钙藻-双壳类组合和介形虫组合等7个组合。按照层序地层划分、垂向沉积序列特征和测井资料的分析,有孔虫-钙藻-介形虫组合(SQ3-3)和有孔虫-腕足类-介形虫组合(SQ3-4)时期地层为三角洲前...     

Production of Industrial Enzymes (Amylase,Carboxymethylcellulase and Protease) by Bacteria Isolated from Marine Sedentary Organisms

The abilities of bacteria isolated from eight marine sedentary organisms, six marine sponges (Spirastrella sp., Phyllospongia sp., Ircinia sp., Aaptos sp., Azorica sp. and Axinella sp.), one soft coral (Lobophytum sp.) and one alga (Sargassum sp.) to produce industrial enzymes (amylase, carboxymethylcellulase and protease) were examined. The mean total viable counts of the bacterial isolates ranged from 8.7 × 10⁴ to 8.4 × 10⁵ cfu/g wet weight of the organism. All eight organisms harboured amylase (0.05–0.5 IU/ml), carboxymethylcellulase (0.05–0.5 IU/ml) and protease (0.1–0.5 IU/ml) producing bacteria. Of 56 bacterial strains tested, as many as 60 to 83% of the strains produced at least one of the three enzymes, and 47% of strains were able to produce all three enzymes. High activities (> 0.5 IU/ml) of the three enzymes were recorded in bacterial strains belonging to the genera Alcaligenes and Bacillus. From the results of this study, it appears that bacteria associated with marine sedentary organisms are the novel source of industrial enzymes for possible commercial applications and may play an important role in enzyme‐catalysed organic matter cycling in marine environments.     

New species and new data on Protrinemuridae and Nicoletiidae (Zygentoma) from Eastern Asia and Pacific islands

Four new genera and eleven new species of Zygentoma thysanurans (families Protrinemuridae and Nicoletiidae) are described and some faunistic novelties reported from Oriental and Australian Regions, viz.: Protrinemura leclerci n. sp., from northern Thailand, Protrinemurella allacrotelsoides n. gen. n. sp., from southern Thailand, and Protrinemuroides celebensis n. gen. n. sp., from the Celebes islands (Protrinemuridae), Lepidospora (L.) digitata n. sp., from northern Thailand, L. (L.) deharvengi n. sp., from the Celebes, and Pseudobrinckina anempodiata n. gen. n. sp., from northern Thailand (Nicoletiidae: Coletiniinae), Gastrotheus (G.) papuanus n. sp., from Papua-New Guinea (Nicoletiidae: Atelurinae), and Metrinura celebensis n. sp., from the Celebes, Trinemurodes anomalocoxa n. sp., from southern Thailand, T. bedosae n. sp., from northern Thailand, and Allotrinemurodes thai n.gen. n. sp., from northern Thailand (Nicoletiidae: Subnicoletiinae). Bharatatelura malabarica Mendes is reported for the first time off the Indian sub-continent (in Suva). Proatelura jacobsoni Silvestri is recorded in Macao (southern China) and in the Moluccas islands and notes are presented on its male sex. Gastrotheus (Lasiotheus) nanus (Escherich) is found for the very first time in Macao, in Cook islands and in Niue. Identification keys are provided to Protrinemuridae genera and to species of Trinemurodes, and modifications are suggested to previously presented keys to Nicoletiidae genera and to Lepidospora and Metrinura species.     

Omemeea maxbassiensis n. gen., n. sp. (Nematoda: Aphelenchoididae) from Galleries of the Bark Beetle Lepersinus californicus Sw. (Coleoptera: Scolytidae) in North Dakota

Omemeea maxbassiensis n. gen., n. sp. was found inhabiting galleries of a bark beetle, Lepersinus californicus Sw., in green ash, Fraxinus pennsylvanica Marsh. The genus differs from all other genera in the subfamily in its uniquely shaped umbrella-like head, distinctive stylet, and location of excretory pore.     

Composition of the microflora of witloof chicory seeds

The bacterial microflora of nine varieties of witloof chicory (Cichorium intybus L. var.foliosum Hegi) seeds was studied. The 184 isolates were characterized by protein profiles determined by SDS-protein polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of the total cell proteins. Isolates with identical protein profiles were grouped into one fingerprint type. Sixty-seven fingerprint types were distinguished. Two quantitatively major fingerprint types,Erwinia herbicola and an arthrobacter, represented 52% of the total number of isolates and were found on different chicory varieties. The latter organism was inhibited at seed germination. Other isolates, i.e.,Xanthomonas maltophilia, Pseudomonas paucimobilis, Agrobacterium radiobacter, Pseudomonas syringae, and a fluorescentPseudomonas, were only occasionally found. A minority were gram-positive isolates, i.e.,Bacillus sp.,Streptomyces sp., and coryneforms. In vitro activity of the isolates was tested against five fungi. Isolates with strong antifungal activity were found amongErwinia herbicola andBacillus sp.     

Three new species ofCrinipellis found in Iriomote Island, southwestern Japan, and central Honshu, Japan

Three new species ofCrinipellis (Agaricales, Basidiomycetes) in Japan are described and illustrated:Crinipellis canescens sp. nov., forming small, canescent basidiomata, was found on a dead fallen twig in the subtropical laurelleaved forest of Iriomote Island (southwestern Japan);Crinipellis corvina sp. nov., forming fibrillose-strigose, puriplish black hairs enveloping the whole basidioma, was found on bark ofTorreya nucifera in Mt. Takao, Tokyo;Crinipellis nigricaulis sp. nov., having a reddish brown pileus with a minute, black papilla and a blackish stipe accompanied by blackish, branched rhizomorphs, was found on leaf litter in the lowland forest of Kanagawa.     

Plant parasitic nematodes associated with ornamental plant Pseuderanthemum atropurpureum in Aligarh district of western Uttar Pradesh

A survey was conducted to determine the nematodes associated with the soil, substratum and roots of the ornamental plant, Pseuderanthemum atropurpureum, grown in the Aligarh district of western Uttar Pradesh, India. Ten genera of plant parasitic nematodes, viz. Meloidogyne spp., Helicotylenchus sp., Hemicriconemoides sp., Hoplolaimus sp., Xiphinema sp., Pratylenchus sp., Trichodorus sp., Tylenchorhynchus sp., Aphelenchoides sp. and Rotylenchus sp., were isolated from 345 soil samples collected from 15 different localities. Our study indicates that among the 10 genera of the plant parasitic nematodes, Meloidogyne spp. was widely spread in all the examined localities of Aligarh district, except at Khair. It was observed that the population density and diversity of nematodes in all the soil samples was not uniform. Meloidogyne spp. showed the highest absolute frequency and relative frequency followed by Helicotylenchus sp., Hemicriconemoides sp., Xiphinema sp., Hoplolaimus sp., Pratylenchus sp., Trichodorus sp., Tylenchorhynchus sp., Aphelenchoides sp. and Rotylenchus sp. Since no records are available in the literature related to the association of root-knot nematode in P. atropurpureum, it is worthy to note that this study may be considered as a new hope towards further study of the interaction between the root-knot nematode and ornamental plant P. atropurpureum if any.