中国云南色串孢科的新种苍山长喙孢和新记录露

本研究对中国滇西北地区淡水木腐真菌进行了调查,在云南省的苍山、怒江和澜沧江采集到3个菌株。根据形态学特征和多基因系统发育分析（ITS、LSU、SSU、TEF1-α和RPB2）描述了新种——苍山长喙孢Rostriconidium cangshanense。苍山长喙孢的特征是菌体形态与营养菌丝不同,分生孢子梗单生或者松散成束,光滑或粗糙;产孢细胞多芽、深褐色、具有黑色驼峰状的分生孢子脱落痕;分生孢子梭形至倒棒状、长喙状,6-8个横隔,有明显油滴状细胞内含物,有时具顶端粘膜鞘。露兜长喙孢Rostriconidium pandanicola报道为世界淡水环境的新记录。     

昆诺阿藜链格孢叶斑病病原及其生物学特性

为明确昆诺阿藜链格孢叶斑病病原,在山西省昆诺阿藜种植区采集典型症状的标本分离病原菌,选择代表性菌株LGB-b和LGB-h对其形态学、分子生物学、致病性及生物学特性进行了研究。综合形态学和多基因系统发育(Alt a 1、endoPG 和OPA10-2)分析,确定昆诺阿藜链格孢叶斑病病原为Alternaria alternata。致病性测定发现接种6 d后病斑呈灰绿至黄绿色,表面具有灰棕至灰褐色霉层,周围具黄绿色晕圈,与田间症状基本一致。菌株LGB-b和LGB-h均可侵染昆诺阿藜、藜和台湾藜。菌株LGB-b菌丝生长的最适培养基为V8 蔬菜汁琼脂培养基(V8)、温度为25-30 ℃、水活度≥0.98、pH为6-7;分生孢子萌发的最适水活度≥0.98、pH为6-7。菌株LGB-h菌丝生长的最适培养基为马铃薯胡萝卜琼脂培养基(PCA)、温度为20-25 ℃、水活度≥0.98、pH为6-7;分生孢子萌发的最适水活度≥0.98、pH为7-8。     

龙牙百合软腐病的病原菌

龙牙百合Lilium brownii var. viridulum是药食同源百合,为江西省主产百合。以采自江西省宜春市万载县龙牙百合生产基地的腐烂组培苗为研究对象,因发病时茎叶甚至整株组培苗腐烂,故定义该病为“软腐病”。本研究对其病原菌进行分离纯化、菌落生长状态、菌丝、分生孢子、产孢结构等形态学观察、致病性检测和多基因位点序列鉴定。根据形态学观察初步鉴定病原菌为Acremonium sclerotigenum。进一步对病原菌的rDNA-ITS、LSU、SSU和β-tubulin多基因位点进行序列分析,发现其与A. sclerotigenum同源性最高并聚为一支。综上所述,确定引起龙牙百合软腐病的病原菌为产核枝顶孢A. sclerotigenum。     

液泡分选蛋白CfVps17参与调控果生刺盘孢的生长发育和致病力

果生刺盘孢是油茶炭疽病的主要流行致病菌。本文研究果生刺盘孢中液泡分选蛋白CfVps17的生物学功能,为阐明该蛋白调控致病分子机制提供依据。采用over-lap方法构建CfVPS17基因敲除载体片段,使用PEG介导法将敲除载体片段转化至果生刺盘孢原生质体中,通过验证筛选获得突变体菌株ΔCfvps17。构建目的基因CfVPS17回补载体pYF11::CfVPS17,经转化获得ΔCfvps17-C回补菌株。测定野生型、突变体ΔCfvps17及回补菌株ΔCfvps17-C的生物学表型,结果表明,与野生型和回补菌株相比,突变体ΔCfvps17菌丝生长速率、产孢量和附着胞形成率显著降低,突变体菌丝中糖原积累减少,对氯化钠和刚果红胁迫耐受性增强;致病力测定结果表明,突变体ΔCfvps17丧失了对油茶叶片的致病力。液泡分选蛋白CfVps17参与调控果生刺盘孢糖原积累、生长发育、外界胁迫应答和致病力。     

7株野生虫草菌的鉴定及其菌丝体醇提取物对HepG2细胞的抑制活性

结合形态学与ITS序列分析对7株野生虫草真菌进行分类鉴定。MTT法分析它们的菌丝体醇提取物对肝癌HepG2细胞增殖的抑制活性。鉴定结果表明菌株MF7、MF9、MF14为细脚棒束孢Isaria tenuipes,菌株MF11、MF12、MF13为蝉棒束孢Isaria cicadae,菌株MF10为球孢白僵菌Beauveria bassiana;MTT结果显示分离到的3株细脚棒束孢和3株蝉棒束孢的菌丝体醇提取物对HepG2的抑制活性较差,IC₅₀均大于500μg/mL;球孢白僵菌MF10对HepG2细胞有一定抑制作用,IC₅₀值为221.6μg/mL,略强于蝙蝠蛾拟青霉发酵菌丝粉产品金水宝胶囊（IC₅₀=364μg/mL）和中华被毛孢发酵菌丝粉产品百令胶囊（IC₅₀=268.7μg/mL）。另外,发现供对比试验的3株蛹虫草菌株（MF1、MF5、MF15）对HepG2细胞均有较好的抑制作用,其中MF15的发酵菌丝体醇提取物活性最强,IC₅₀为55.56μg/mL,暗示蛹虫草发酵菌丝体具有重要的研究价值。     

多基因联合分析棒束孢属Isaria（Ascomycota,Cordycipitaceae）系统发育关系

对棒束孢属Isaria及近缘属物种开展5基因（nrSSU、nrLSU、tef-1α、rpb1和 rpb2）测序并联合分析,结合GenBank相关类群序列,探讨棒束孢属系统发育关系,最终获得95个菌株、58个明确分类群的2-5基因序列。利用MEGA和MrBayes软件进行多基因聚类分析,结果表明棒束孢属多系起源于虫草菌科中,分3个不同分支。A支主要由Isaria cicadae、I. teniupes、I. coleopterorum、I. fumosorosea和I. cateniannulata等组成;B支包括I. poprawkii、I. locustica、I. javanica、I. amoenerosea和I. cateniobliqua;C支仅有I. farinosa。分支间被Cordyceps militaris、C. ninchukispora、C. pruinosa等隔开。棒束孢在形态上,主要以瓶梗基部膨大、尖端变细及孢子呈链状等特征与其他类群分开,但同时也发现有棒状分生孢子梗和单孢子类型。基于节点的分歧时间预测分析,推测棒束孢属首次分化于70Mya,但棒束孢属主要物种形成却在60-55Mya,且3个分支的棒束孢物种为快速同时形成,而后大多数类群表现遗传稳定。同时发现,与Isaria Clade A较近一支有粉被玛利亚霉Mariannaea pruinosa（C. pruinosa无性型）和蛹草蚧霉Lecanicillium militaris（C. militaris无性型）;与粉棒束孢距离最近一支有Akanthomyces aculeatus（C. tuberculata无性型）和L. attenuatum（C. confragosa无性型）,是两个不同的属征分类群,且相互间遗传距离较近。根据棒束孢属及其近缘种属形态特征的复杂性推测,棒束孢属在快速物种形成中,其近缘类群存在一定程度的丢失和选择性演化。     

生于蓼科植物上的小帽壳孢属一新种

报道生于蓼科植物头花蓼Polygonum capitatum叶片上的小帽壳孢属Pilidiella一新种。对该种结合形态描述及分子系统学分析明晰其分类地位。其主要形态特征是分生孢子器球形或近球形,分生孢子梭形至长椭圆形,基部钝尖,27.9-34.2×5.4-7.6µm,长宽比4.7-5.8,明显区别于该属其他种,故将其定为新种,命名为贵州小帽壳孢Pilidiella guizhouensis。研究标本保藏于贵州大学农学院植物病理学实验室（HGUP）。     

蛛生真菌中一枝穗霉属新种

本文报道了采自于贵州省贵阳市黔灵山公园的一种寄生蜘蛛的枝穗霉属新种,蛛生枝穗霉Clonostachys aranearum。此新种具有两型产孢结构,A-型产孢结构：轮枝菌型,瓶梗散生,通常2-5个形成轮生体,圆柱形,至顶端略微变细,17.3-27×1.1-1.6μm。B-型产孢结构：帚状,5.4-16.2×1.1-2.2μm,窄楔形,渐细。大量产孢时,分生孢子叠瓦状排列。分生孢子表面光滑,透明,3.2-5.4×1.1-2.1μm,椭圆形,常弯曲。模式标本GZAC QLS0625保存在贵州大学菌种保藏中心。     

尖孢镰刀菌FoHeli转座元件的结构特征及功能验证

Helitron是一种广泛存在于真核生物中的可移动遗传元件。与其他转座子不同,自主Helitron元件可编码具有复制引发（Rep）和解旋酶（Hel）结构域的转座酶,并通过滚环复制的方式在基因组中进行扩张。本研究对9种尖孢镰刀菌中的自主Helitron元件进行系统分析,结果表明尖孢镰刀菌中存在两类自主Helitron元件FoHeli1与FoHeli2。其中FoHeli1成员间序列高度相似,并具有明晰的边界特征：3’端为保守的“TATTTT”序列,其上游可形成稳定的发夹结构,且发夹上游可与5’端形成12bp的反向互补结构。基于上述分析结果,从尖孢镰刀菌Fo4287菌株中克隆获得完整的FoHeli1元件,并通过构建双元转座系统及PEG介导的原生质体转化,证明尖孢镰刀菌中的FoHeli元件可在禾谷镰刀菌PH-1菌株的基因组中发生跳转。     

三峡库区消落带常见野生植物AM真菌

从三峡库区消落带3种常见野生植物的15个根际土壤样本中共分离鉴定出24种丛枝菌根真菌（Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi,AMF）,包括球囊霉属Glomus 15种、无梗囊霉属Acaulospora 3种、近明球囊霉属Claroideoglomus 2种和多样孢霉属Diversispora、内养囊霉属Entro phospora、巨孢囊霉属Gigaspora及类球囊霉属Paraglomus各1种。其中地表多样孢囊霉D. epigaea 和伯氏类球囊霉P. pernambucanum是我国的新记录种。研究发现这3种植物根际土壤中丛枝菌根真菌的优势属为球囊霉属,优势种为地球囊霉G. geosporum、单孢球囊霉G. monosporum、地表球囊霉G. versiforme、副冠球囊霉G. coronatum 和黄孢球囊霉G. flavisporum。研究还发现在这3种植物根际土壤中丛枝菌根真菌的孢子密度平均为839±170个/100g土,物种丰富度在14-22种之间,Shannon-Wiener多样性指数和均匀度分别在1.97-2.21、0.409-0.479之间波动。结果表明三峡库区消落带是一个AMF多样性研究的资源库。     

Flavonoids and isoflavonoids of chemotaxonomic significance from Glycyrrhiza pallidiflora (Leguminosae)

Chemical studies were carried out on the root of Glycyrrhiza pallidiflora (Leguminosae), a licorice of no medicinal or commercial value. Two isoflavone glycosides, wistin and ononin, were isolated as major constituents from the methanol extract. A series of chromatographic separations of the acetone extract yielded isoflavone aglycones (afromosin, 2′,7-dihydroxy-4′-methoxyisoflavone and formononetin), flavanones (liquiritigenin and 4′,7-dihydroxy-6,8-diprenylflavanone), an isoflavan [(-)-vestitol], a pterocarpan [(-)-medicarpin], chalcones (echinatin and isoliquiritigenin), dibenzoylmethanes (licodione and 2′-O-methyl-licodione), a flavone (4′,7-dihydroxyflavone), a 3-arylcoumarin (2′-7-dihydroxy-4′-methoxy-3-arylcoumarin), and a new isoflav-3-ene (2′-7-dihydroxy-4′-methoxyisoflav-3-ene). The co-occurrence of the retrochalcone echinatin and the biogenetically related licodione and 2′-O-methyl-licodione is of particular interest, and suggests that this species is closely related to G. echinata and G. inflata. The biogenesis of the retrochalcone is also discussed in relation to its significance in the chemotaxonomy of sects Echinatae and Bucharicae of the genus Glycyrrhiza.     

Species- and clone-specific responses to environmental stimuli in the cladocerans Bosmina cornuta and B. pellucida - a comparison with Daphnia

We studied the variation of small-scale swimming behaviour in eight Bosmina cornuta and ten B. pellucida clones in response to key environmental factors to test whether swimming behaviour and genotypes are linked in non-Daphnia cladocerans. We quantified (1) the short-term responses to changes in temperature, light intensity and pH, (2) the response to long-term temperature acclimation, and (3) the pH-related survival rates. Vertical swimming activity S was quantified in cuvette experiments as crossings of a line at 2 cm height per individual an hour. S differed significantly among species and conspecific clones. At any temperature, light intensity and pH tested, B. cornuta (clone variation: 40-58 crossings/ind.× h) showed a higher vertical swimming activity than B. pellucida (clone variation: 25-48 crossings/ind.× h). A short-term change of water temperature (range tested: 10-25°C) only affected S of B. cornuta, whereas that of B. pellucida remained unaltered. In contrast, S increased with rising temperature following long-term temperature acclimation (range tested: 10-20°C) in both species. Swimming activity was inversely related to the light intensity (range tested: 60-60,000 lux), but decrease of activity was stronger in B. pellucida (44 → 12 crossings/ind × h) than in B. cornuta (50 → 40 crossings/ind.× h). Short-term changes of pH (range tested: 4-6) did not influence swimming activity in any species, although a prolonged exposure (24 h) to pH 4 was lethal. Thus, Bosmina showed behavioural responses which permit to distinguish between the species and which are related to their seasonal succession and distribution pattern.     

Botryosphaeran, a new substrate for the production of β-1,3-glucanases by Botryosphaeria rhodina and Trichoderma harzianum Rifai

Botryosphaeria rhodina and Trichoderma harzianum Rifai were grown on botryosphaeran (an exopolysaccharide (EPS) of the β-1,3;1,6-d-glucan type produced by B. rhodina) as sole carbon source with the objective of producing β-glucanases of the 1,3-type. Conditions for β-1,3-glucanase production by T. harzianum were examined by a statistical response surface method, and showed maximal enzyme production at 5 days growth in media containing 1.5 g/l of EPS. Good agreement was obtained between the experimental values of β-1,3-glucanase activity and the corresponding values predicted by the mathematical model. The crude β-1,3-glucanase preparations were active towards a number of different β-1,3-glucans and β-glucosides. The mycelium of B. rhodina also proved to be a good substrate for β-1,3-glucanase production by both fungal species.     

Biotransformation of monoterpenoids, (−)- and menthols, terpinolene and carvotanacetone by Aspergillus species

Four monoterpenoids, (−)- and (+)-menthols, terpinolene and carvotanacetone were biotransformed by Aspergillus niger and several related species. Aspergillus niger converted (−)-menthol to 1-, 2-, 6-, 7-, and 9-hydroxymenthols and the mosquito repellent-active 8-hydroxymenthol. On the other hand, (+)-menthol was smoothly biotransformed by A. niger to give 7-hydroxymenthol. Aspergillus cellulosae biotransformed (−)-menthol specifically to 4-hydroxymenthol. Terpinolene and (−)-carvotanacetone were converted by A. niger to two , β-unsaturated ketones, a fenchane-type compound and diastereoisomeric p-menthane-2,9-diols and 8-hydroxycarvomenthol, respectively.     

Functional expression of cDNAs for bovine 11 beta-hydroxylase-aldosterone synthases, P450(11 beta)-2 and -3 and their chimeras.

Two molecular species of bovine P450(11β), P450(11β)-2 and P450(11β)-3 have been identified, in which the amino acid differences were found at the 6th, 36th and 82nd positions from the NH₂-termini of the mature proteins. They catalyzed the 11β-, 18- and 19-hydroxylation and aldosterone formation from 11-deoxycorticosterone, and the rate of production of 18-hydroxycorticosterone and aldosterone by P450(11β)-3 was greater than that by P450(11β)-2 [Morohashi et al., J. Biochem. 107 (1990) 635–640].

In this study, chimeric clones were constructed whose 6th, 36th and 82nd amino acid residues were exchanged with each other. Two original clones and six chimeric clones were expressed in COS-7 cells, and their steroidogenic activities studied. The ratio of aldosterone or 18-hydroxycorticosterone production to corticosterone production by one clone was compared with that of the other. The ratios for the four clones having Gly36 [P450(11β)-3 type] were 0.08–0.22, whereas those for the clones having Ser36 [P450(11β)-2 type] were 0.03–0.05, suggesting that the Gly36 structure is important for aldosterone production.     

Effects of tree species on soil organic carbon density: A common garden experiment of five temperate tree species

Aims Forest trees alter litter inputs, turnover and rhizospheric activities, modify soil physical, chemical and biological properties, and consequently affect soil organic carbon (SOC) storage and carbon sink strength. That how to select appropriate tree species in afforestation, reforestation and management practices is critical to enhancing forest carbon sequestration. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of tree species on SOC density and vertical distributions.Methods A common garden experiment with the same climate, soil, and management history was established in Maoershan Forest Ecosystem Station, Northeast China, in 2004. The experimental design was a completely randomized arrangement with twenty 25 m × 25 m plots, consisting of monocultures of five tree species, including white birch (Betula platyphylla), Manchurian walnut (Juglans mandshurica), Manchurian ash (Fraxinus mandshurica), Dahurian larch (Larix gmelinii), and Mongolian pine (Pinus sylvestris var. mongolica), each with four replicated plots. A decade after the establishment (2013-2014), we measured carbon density and related factors (i.e., bulk density, total nitrogen concentration, microbial biomass carbon, microbial biomass nitrogen, pH value) in soils of the 0-40 cm depth for these monocultures. Important findings Results showed that tree species significantly influenced the SOC density in the 0-40 cm depth (p < 0.05). SOC density in the 0-10 cm depth varied from 2.79 to 3.08 kg·m^-2, in the order of walnut > ash> birch > larch > pine, in the 10-20 cm depth from 1.56 to 2.19 kg·m^-2, in the order of pine > walnut > ash > birch > larch, in the 20-30 cm depth from 1.17 to 2.10 kg·m^-2, and in the 20-40 cm depth from 0.84 to 1.43 kg·m^-2. The greatest SOC density occurred in the birch stands in the 20-40 cm depth. The vertical distributions of SOC density varied with tree species. The percentage of SOC in the 0-10 cm depth over the total SOC in the soil profile was significantly higher in the walnut and larch stands than in others, while the percentage of SOC in the 20-40 cm depth over the total SOC was highest in the birch stands. SOC concentration and soil bulk density differed significantly among the stands of different tree species, and were negatively correlated. SOC density was positively correlated with soil microbial biomass and soil pH in the walnut, ash, and larch stands, and with total nitrogen density in all the stands. We conclude that tree species modifies soil properties and microbial activity, thereby influencing SOC density, and that different patterns of vertical distributions of SOC density among monocultures of different tree species may be attributed to varying SOC controls at each soil depth.     

小口盘菌属一新种及该属分种检索表

本文报道了采自内蒙古地区的肉杯菌科一新种：根小口盘菌Microstoma radicatum。提供了新种的详细描述、生态照片、线条图和ITS序列GenBank登录号,编制了小口盘菌属世界已知种的分种检索表。研究标本保存在赤峰学院菌物标本室（CFSZ）和中国科学院菌物标本馆（HMAS）。     

杭州湾内外海域秋季浮游动物群落的比较

本文比较了杭州湾湾外海域(122.10°-122.58° E, 30.54°-30.93° N)和湾内不同海域(北岸东侧: 121.67°- 121.87° E, 30.68°-30.83° N; 南岸东侧: 121.60°-121.85° E, 29.95°-30.24° N; 北岸西侧: 121.31°-121.56° E, 30.58°- 30.77° N)秋季浮游动物的群落组成、累积优势度曲线以及多样性指数(H')等群落结构特征, 并进行了差异性分析。结果表明: 湾外海域的群落组成与湾内海域的3个群落之间均有较大的差异。湾外海域的群落I是以中华假磷虾(Pseudeuphausia sinica)等近海种、背针胸刺水蚤(Centropages dorsispinatus)等沿岸低盐种为主, 其次是外海种。湾内南岸东侧海域的群落II主要以左突唇角水蚤(Labidocera sinilobata)等沿岸低盐种为主, 近海种次之。湾内北岸东侧海域的群落III是以真刺唇角水蚤(Labidocera euchaeta)等沿岸低盐种、虫肢歪水蚤(Tortanus vermiculus)等河口半咸水种组成的混合群落。湾内北岸西侧海域群落IV是以虫肢歪水蚤为代表的河口半咸水种为主的群落。总的说来, 这一水域向西和向北方向出现更低盐度适应性的群落。从累积优势度曲线来看, 湾外海域群落I与湾内北岸东侧群落III的累积优势度上升趋势均相对平缓, 但群落III的初始累积优势度略高于群落I; 而与群落I相比, 湾内南岸东侧的群落II与北岸西侧的群落IV的初始累积优势度均很高。湾外海域群落I的初始累积优势度较低, 显示出群落I的优势种较多, 而单一优势种优势度低于湾内3个群落。方差分析结果表明: 湾外海域的浮游动物多样性指数与湾内3个海域均有极显著差异(P < 0.01), 而湾内各海域之间均无显著性差异(P > 0.05)。说明湾外浮游动物群落的多样性高于湾内海域。湾内外海域浮游动物群落特征之间有较大差异, 其主要原因是影响各自群落的主导水团明显不同。     

崇明东滩南部盐沼植被空间分布及影响因素分析

崇明东滩南部滩面高程、土壤盐度在空间上呈明显的梯度变化规律。高程整体西高东低、北高南低, 盐度东北高、西南低, 两者共同限制着盐沼植物在空间上的分布。该文围绕崇明东滩南部主要植被类群及其空间分布, 探讨了土壤盐度、潮滩高程两大环境因子与植物种群分布的对应关系。基于2013年夏、秋季植被空间网格采样和空间插值, 分析了东滩南部植物的空间分布现状, 发现不同植物类群在高程和土壤盐度上存在极显著的差异(p < 0.01)。高程差异: 莎草科类群主要分布于高程区间2.93-4.07 m的低潮滩, 禾本科主要集中分布在高程3.13-4.31 m的中、高潮滩; 盐度差异: 海三棱藨草(Scirpus mariqueter)和互花米草(Spartina alterniflora)优势种群植被覆盖区表层30 cm的平均土壤盐度为(3.2 ± 0.6) g·kg^-1, 显著高于其他类群植物分布区的平均土壤盐度(2.0 ± 0.3) g·kg^-1 (p < 0.01)。崇明东滩湿地生态系统的关键种兼先锋种——海三棱藨草, 分布高程介于2.53-3.97 m, 而互花米草能适应海三棱藨草80%的高程区间, 两者在高程上存在竞争关系。统计数据显示, 研究区域中近90%的海三棱藨草分布在研究区东北部, 土壤盐度范围为1.6-4.5 g·kg^-1, 海三棱藨草、互花米草能较好地适应该空间内的盐度胁迫, 两种植物在此交替出现。但是在高程和土壤盐度的综合作用下, 互花米草的生长状况更好, 因此该区的海三棱藨草很可能会被互花米草逐步取代。对各类群植被分布和优势面积的研究发现, 海三棱藨草总分布面积为294 hm², 优势群落面积120 hm², 海三棱藨草仅占莎草科植物总优势面积的15.7%, 占研究区总面积的6.9%, 在6种主要植物(芦苇(Phragmites australis)、白茅(Imperata cylindrica)、互花米草、糙叶薹草(Carex scabrifolia)、藨草(Scirpus triqueter)、海三棱藨草)中比重最小, 这给保护区内海三棱藨草种群的恢复和保护带来极大的挑战。     

Expression and evolution of delta9 and delta11 desaturase genes in the moth Spodoptera littoralis

Desaturation of fatty acids is a key reaction in the biosynthesis of moth sex pheromones. The main component of Spodoptera littoralis sex pheromone blend is produced by the action of Δ¹¹ and Δ⁹ desaturases. In this article, we report on the cloning of four desaturase-like genes in this species: one from the fat body (Sls-FL1) and three (Sls-FL2, Sls-FL3 and Sls-FL4) from the pheromone gland. By means of a computational/phylogenetic method, as well as functional assays, the desaturase gene products have been characterized. The fat body gene expressed a Δ⁹ desaturase that produced (Z)-9-hexadecenoic and (Z)-9-octadecenoic acids in a (1:4.5) ratio, whereas the pheromone gland Sls-FL2 expressed a Δ⁹ desaturase that produced (Z)-9-hexadecenoic and (Z)-9-octadecenoic acids in a (1.5:1) ratio. Although both Δ⁹ desaturases produced (Z)-9-tetradecenoic acid from myristic acid, transformed yeast grown in the presence of a mixture of myristic and (E)-11-tetradecenoic acids produced (Z,E)-9,11-tetradecadienoic acid, but not (Z)-9-tetradecenoic acid. The Sls-FL3 gene expressed a protein that produced a mixture of (E)-11-tetradecenoic, (Z)-11-tetradecenoic, (Z)-11-hexadecenoic and (Z)-11-octadecenoic acids in a 5:4:60:31 ratio. Despite having all the characteristics of a desaturase gene, no function could be found for Sls-FL4.