Small-scale spatial distribution of marine meiobenthos: the effects of decaying macrofauna

Summary To evaluate the effects of decaying animals on small-scale horizontal distribution of meiobenthos in muddy habitats, a laboratory experiment was performed at the Askö Laboratory in the northwestern Baltic Sea. A microcosm (35×55×28 cm) containing a ca. 7-cm thick layer of sieved (0.5 mm) sublittoral mud was established in June 1990. Three months later specimens of the bivalve Macoma balthica were collected and killed in boiling water. The sediment inside the microcosm was implanted with empty shell, empty shell and dead animal or left alone. At the end of the experiment (17 days) visual examination of the microcosm revealed black spots at the sediment surface where dead animals had been implanted. The densities of nematodes, the most abundant group (98%), were not significantly different between areas. However total non-nematode fauna was found in much lower numbers (P<0.01) in the black spot areas. A multivariate analysis (detrended correspondence ordination) of nematode species abundance data separated samples from the black spot areas from the others. Of the 25 nematode species recorded in the microcosm, there was a significant difference between areas for four species. The decaying animals clearly attracted Monhystera disjuncta which was almost 6 times as abundant in the black spot areas compared to control and shell areas. Both the overall dominant species, Leptolaimus elegans and Calomicrolaimus honestus were found in lower numbers in the areas of dead Macoma than in control and shell areas. Sabatieria pulchra was found in lower numbers in the control areas compared to shell and dead animal areas. The overall structure of the nematode assemblage indicated a shift to lower dominance in the dead animal areas and it is speculated that decomposing animal tissue may be of primary importance regarding spatial distribution of meiobenthos.     

Recruitment and year-to-year variability in a population of Macoma balthica (L.)

Because of methodological problems, macrobenthic studies usually neglect the juvenile stages of invertebrate communities, due to the fact that appearance of recruits in samples is only detected some weeks or even months after their true recruitment. During this period, the temporary meiobenthos undergoes high rates of mortality. From year to year, juvenile survival rate is thus responsible for temporal patterns observed in adult population densities.The results presented here relate to the population dynamics of the tellinid bivalve Macoma balthica (L.). A study of temporary meiobenthos was conducted over two consecutive years in an intertidal Macoma-community located at the mouth of the Gironde Estuary in southwest France. Sampling of juvenile stages required short intervals (2 weeks) between successive samplings and a fine sieving mesh size (63 µm). Other population parameters, such as temporal patterns in density, reproductive cycle, and individual growth, were recorded.Recruitment processes showed a year-to-year variability, with regard to settlement density, settlement period, and survival rate. In 1983, recruitment was moderate and protracted over several months. Only one main recruitment period was detected in 1984, resulting in a high juvenile density. In a previous study (1977), by contrast, recruitment was almost non-existent.This variability is discussed as a function of climatic and sedimentological conditions which prevailed in the estuary throughout the study period. However, none of these physical factors appeared to underlie the recruitment fluctuation in Macoma balthica. It is suggested that biological interactions are of prime importance in regulating population densities in this community.     

Meiobenthos in mangrove areas in eastern Africa with emphasis on assemblage structure of free-living marine nematodes

A survey was conducted to examine spatial variations in the population density of major meiofaunal taxa and the assemblage structure of free-living marine nematodes within 5 mangrove areas on the west and east coast of Zanzibar. Meiofauna densities in surface sediments (0–5 cm) ranged from 205 to 5263 ind. 10 cm², being on average 1493 ind. 10 cm². Of the 17 major taxa recorded, nematodes dominated (64–99%) in all samples while harpacticoid copepods were usually second most abundant. Within all areas the numbers of meiofauna were very variable and significant differences among areas were only detected for oligochaetes and turbellarians. Densities of nematodes, harpacticoids, polychaetes and turbellarians were, however, significantly (P<0.001) higher at low water stations compared with mid and high water stations. Harpacticoids were negatively correlated with the numbers of fiddler crab (Uca spp.) burrows. Other correlations between environmental factors (grain size, temperature, salinity, oxygen tension, prop root density, fiddler crab burrows) and major meiofaunal taxa were non-significant. A total of 94 nematode genera were recorded from four mangrove areas. The most abundant and frequent genera were Microlaimus and Spirinia, followed by Desmodora and Metachromadora. Representatives of the genera most common in current study are found all over the globe. There was a high variation in nematode assemblage structure within and between sampling areas indicating the absence of a well defined nematode assemblage confined to mangrove areas. In a hypersaline area diversity was much reduced and where salinity was over 100%. the fauna was restricted to 3 nematode genera, Microlaimus, Theristus and Bathylaimus. Multidimensional scaling ordination (MDS) of the nematode genera separated samples taken from low water stations from other stations, the assemblage structure being significantly different at the low water stations. Numbers of selective deposit feeders were negatively correlated with average grain size and positively correlated with silt content.     

氮添加对贝加尔针茅草原土壤线虫群落特征的影响

以内蒙古贝加尔针茅草原为研究对象,通过氮素添加(0、15、30、50、100、150、200、300 kg N hm~(-2)a~(-1))模拟氮沉降的控制实验,研究氮沉降对内蒙古贝加尔针茅草原土壤线虫的群落结构和多样性的影响。结果表明,在本实验所有样品中共鉴定出52个属,优势类群为螺旋属(Helicotylenchus)、丽突属(Acrobeles)和真滑刃属(Aphelenchus)。土壤线虫具有明显的表聚现象,相对密度变化不显著。从功能类群上看,随着氮素添加水平的增加,食细菌类群(Bacterivores)线虫和捕食类群/杂食类群(Predators/Omnivores)线虫氮素添加水平均成负相关。从生态指标来看,在N50施氮范围内对土壤线虫的丰富度(SR)、多样性(H')、均匀度(J')等生态指标有促进作用;通路指数在试验的所有处理中都小于0.75,表明土壤中的有机质分解途径是以真菌为主;瓦斯乐思卡指数表明,少量施氮可以改善土壤的环境状况,减少植物寄生类群(Plant parasites)线虫对植物群落及生产力的影响。当施氮量N100时,土壤pH值显著降低,硝态氮和铵态氮显著增加,土壤中生活史k对策者的线虫显著减少,r对策者显著增加,世代交替加快,土壤线虫群落结构显著变化。     

氮输入和水淹对短叶茳芏生长、养分及固碳的影响

外源氮输入显著改变河口湿地植物生长和固碳能力,进而影响河口湿地生态系统碳、氮循环过程。以闽江口湿地土著种短叶茳芏(Cyperus malaccensis)为研究对象,通过15个月的中型生态系实验,分析不同氮输入水平(CK,0 g N m~(-2)a~(-1);N8,8 g N m~(-2)a~(-1);N16,16 g N m~(-2)a~(-1))和2种水淹(T1,每天水淹时长2—3 h;T2,每天水淹时长11—12 h)处理对短叶茳芏生长、养分和固碳的影响,探讨短叶茳芏在环境变化下的生长、固碳特征。结果表明:T2处理株高极显著高于T1处理,N8、N16处理的植物株高显著高于CK处理,植物成熟季节的株高也极显著最高(P0.001)。水淹状况和植物生长期对短叶茳芏的密度有显著影响:T1处理密度极显著高于T2处理,植物成熟季节的密度也极显著最高(P0.001),但是氮输入没有显著提高植物密度。植物碳含量较为稳定,T2处理地上碳含量显著高于T1处理(P0.05),但是氮输入和植物生长期对地上碳含量影响不显著。氮输入水平、水淹状况和植物生长期则对植物地上氮含量都有显著影响(P0.05)。N8处理的植物地上生物量和固碳量极显著最高,CK处理极显著最低,植物成熟期的地上生物量和固碳量也极显著最大(P0.001),但是不同水淹处理植物生物量和固碳量无显著差异。闽江口湿地短叶茳芏具有较强的环境适应能力,在持续氮输入环境下,闽江口湿地的短叶茳芏可能向高潮滩拓展。     

Stimulation of the brown tide organism, Aureococcus anophagefferens, by selective nutrient additions to in situ mesocosms

The influence of nutrient additions and sediment exchange on Aureococcus anophagefferens growth was studied using 200 l mesocosms deployed in situ at the Southampton College Marine Science Center in Long Island, New York. A. anophagefferens cell density increased in mesocosms with separate additions of the following materials: urea + glucose and desiccation-stressed Enteromorpha tissue. A decrease in A. anophagefferens cell density was observed in mesocosms with either no additions (control) or with added nitrate. A treatment containing a sediment layer exhibited an increase in average cell densities, but the increase was not statistically significant (P = 0.15). In the 9 day experiment, net growth of A. anophagefferens was only observed during the last 3 days, which corresponded to a period of high solar irradiation. Total chlorophyll concentration declined in all treatments during the first 6 days, which corresponded to relatively low daily irradiance, suggesting low-light stress on the phytoplankton assemblage during the initial phase of the experiment. During the ensuing sunny period, a 4–5-fold increase in chlorophyll concentration was observed in the nitrate and urea treatments with lesser increases in the other treatments. A. anophagefferens density increased relative to total phytoplankton biomass (Chl basis) in the urea + glucose and Enteromorpha treatments. Results are consistent with a prevailing hypothesis that organic nitrogen nutrients favor the growth of A. anophagefferens. Specifically, our evidence indicates that A. anophagefferens exhibited net population growth under organic N, but not inorganic N nutrient (specifically NO₃⁻) loading.     

Application of a formulation of the nematophagous fungus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Duddingtonia</Emphasis><Emphasis Type="Italic">flagrans</Emphasis> in the control of cattle gastrointestinal nematodiosis

The viability of a formulation of Duddingtonia flagrans was assessed in the control of parasite gastrointestinal nematodes of cattle. Two groups (A and B) of eight crossbred Holstein × Zebu cattle, approximately one year old, were placed in Brachiaria decumbens pasture. Each animal in group B (treated) received orally 20 g sodium alginate pellets containing mycelial mass of the D. flagrans fungus, while the animals in the group A (control) received pellets without fungus for seven months, starting in March 2005. The egg per gram of feces counting the gastrointestinal nematodes showed a difference (P < 0.05) in the treated group in June, July and August, with reductions of 58% (June), 47% (July) and 51% (August) compared to the control group. The infective larvae recovered in the pastures collected up to 20 cm from distance of the fecal dung in group B differed (P < 0.01) from the larvae recovered in group A. At the end of the experimental period, the animals in group B presented a greater weight gain (P < 0.01) compared to the untreated group (A). The treatment of cattle with pellets containing the D. flagrans nematophagous fungus, at the dose and duration used was effective in controlling the infective larvae of gastrointestinal nematodes of cattle.     

目标树经营初期对柏木人工林土壤线虫群落的影响

为研究目标树经营初期对柏木人工林土壤线虫群落的影响,对遂宁市安居区处于竞争生长阶段的柏木林进行3种不同密度目标树经营,共计样地12个(目标树密度为6株/667 m~2、9株/667 m~2、12株/667 m~2以及对照各3个)。在目标树经营1年后,采集春、夏、秋、冬4个季节样品共252个,采用改进的Baermann湿漏斗法分离土壤线虫,共鉴定出土壤线虫59科143属。其中Prionchulus为优势属,食细菌性线虫38属,食真菌性线虫12属,植食性线虫36属,杂食/捕食性线虫57属。土壤线虫生活史策略以c-p 4类群为主,占总数的44.33%,其中目标树密度为9株/667 m~2整个样地(9N)的c-p 4占比最大。目标树经营增加了土壤线虫的数量,目标树密度为9株/667 m~2的目标树单株(9C)线虫密度达到最大;目标树经营处理中均以杂食/捕食性线虫数量最多,其中9C杂食/捕食性线虫数量均高于其他处理;目标树经营提高了多样性指数(H′)、均匀度指数(J)、线虫营养多样性指数(TD)、线虫成熟度指数(MI),目标树经营改善了土壤线虫群落结构,其中目标树密度为9株/667 m~2样地的土壤线虫群落结构最优。研究结果表明,采用目标树经营有利于提升土壤线虫群落多样性,使柏木人工林生态系统向更稳定的方向发展,其中目标树密度为9株/667 m~2的效果最为显著。     

The effects of nutrient enrichment on a freshwater meiofaunal assemblage

1. The effects of eutrophication on phytoplankton, zooplankton and fish in lakes are well known. By contrast, little is known about the response of the zoobenthos to nutrient enrichment, while smaller organisms, such as the meiofauna, have for the most part been neglected. 2. In a long‐term (16 months) microcosm experiment, we assessed the effects of five levels of nutrients [total phosphorus (TP), 7–250 μg L^?1; nitrate, 2–8 mg L^?1] on a freshwater meiofaunal assemblage and on nematode diversity in particular. 3. Within the first 8 months, meiofaunal succession was only weakly affected, whereas, during the last 4 months, nutrient addition influenced most of the main taxa, with a concomitant change in the assemblage structure. 4. The density of the numerically dominant nematodes decreased upon nutrient enrichment, whereas ostracods became more numerous. Other taxa, including copepods, reached a maximum at intermediate nutrient levels or, in case of oligochaetes, were almost unaffected by nutrient enrichment. However, the changes in the density of the main taxa were usually insufficient to alter their biomass. Consequently, meiofaunal biomass was remarkably unresponsive to nutrient addition, while meiofaunal density displayed a unimodal relationship, with a peak at a TP concentration of 30 μg L^?1. In addition, nematode species richness decreased significantly with increasing nutrient concentrations. 5. We hypothesise that the response of meiofaunal taxa to nutrients is attributable to the development of primary producers, which shifted with enrichment from low densities of edible diatoms and unicellular green algae to large standing stocks of inedible forms, such as Lemna minor and Cladophora spp.     

Effect of nematode Panagrellus redivivus density on growth, survival, feed consumption and carcass composition of bighead carp Aristichthys nobilis (Richardson) larvae

The study aimed to determine the optimum density of free‐living nematodes in feeding bighead carp, Aristichthys nobilis, larvae. In the first experiment, carp stocked at 25 larvae L^?1 were fed varying levels of nematodes (50, 75, 100, 125 and 150 per ml) twice a day for 21 days from the start of exogenous feeding. Final body weight was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in larvae fed 125 and 150 nematodes per ml than in those fed 50 and 75 per ml, but survival was low (61.8 and 63.6%, respectively). Survival rate was highest in larvae fed 100 nematodes ml^?1 (81.3%). Carcass analysis showed that larvae fed 125 and 150 nematodes ml^?1 had significantly lower body protein and higher body lipid than those fed other nematode densities. Carcass ash was similar for larvae fed 50–100 nematodes ml^?1 but it decreased significantly at the higher nematode densities. Carp larvae in a subsequent experiment were given 50, 75 and 100 nematodes ml^?1 per feeding. Newly hatched Artemia was the control feed. Nematode consumption and growth of the larvae were determined. Larvae were sampled at intervals of 2–4 days and the nematodes in the gut were counted and measured. At each nematode density, the number of nematodes present in the gut of the larvae increased significantly with time. At each sampling day, the number of nematodes in the gut did not differ significantly among treatments (P > 0.05) although it tended to increase with nematode density at day 2 and day 4 but decrease at day 7 onward. The carp larvae consumed significantly shorter nematodes on day 2 and day 4 than on the succeeding sampling days regardless of nematode density. However, the length of nematodes in the gut of the larvae did not differ significantly among the nematode densities. The final body weight of larvae increased with increasing nematode density. The body weight of larvae fed 100 nematodes ml^?1 did not differ significantly from that of larvae given Artemia nauplii. Results show that bighead carp larvae should be fed 100 free‐living nematodes per ml at each feeding time.     

Meiobenthos of hypersaline tropical mangrove sediment in relation to spring tide inundation

Tropical intertidal sediments often contain porewater of relatively high salinity, especially in areas exposed to longer periods without seawater inundation and high evaporation. Such an area exists on the west coast of Zanzibar: a high intertidal mangrove plateau, flooded only during spring high tides, with sediment porewater salinities commonly exceeding 100 ppt. A field survey was conducted in this area to examine variations in population density of major meiofaunal taxa and the assemblage structure of free-living marine nematodes during spring-neap tidal cycles. Samples were taken on seven occasions for two months, starting from the end of the rainy season. Porewater salinity remained high throughout the sampling period, ranging from 89 to 160 ppt. Neither spring tide inundation nor heavy rains lowered the salinity markedly. The meiofauna consisted only of four taxa, present on all sampling occasions: nematodes, harpacticoid copepods, plathyhelminthes and chironomids. Densities in surface sediments (0–5 cm) were low compared to other mangrove areas, ranging from 271 to 656 animals 10 cm^-2 with nematodes dominant on all sampling occasions (58–87%). Density fluctuations could not be explained by the effects of spring tide inundation, but the meiofauna showed significant correlations with grain size and organic material. Despite the wide range of salinity, only the numbers of chironomids were negatively correlated with increased salinity. Nematode species diversity was low in all samples, although altogether 28 species were recorded in the samples. Four species occurred in more than 50% of the samples (Microlaimus sp. (100%), Metalinhomoeus sp. (76%), Daptonema sp.l (56%), Chromadorina sp. (56%)) while 12 species were found only in one or two samples. Multidimensional scaling ordination (MDS) of the nematode species abundance data indicated little effects of spring tide inundation on the assemblage structure, but rather a successive change from wet to dry season with a reduction in species diversity and increased numbers of the dominant nematode species Microlaimus sp.     

Formulation of the Biocontrol FungusCladorrhinum foecundissimumto Reduce Damping-Off Diseases Caused byRhizoctonia solaniandPythium ultimum

Five isolates ofCladorrhinum foecundissimum, added to soilless mix as 10-day-old fresh bran preparations (1.0% w/w), significantly reduced (P≤ 0.05) damping-off of eggplant and pepper caused byRhizoctonia solanistrain R-23. After 4 weeks of growth, plant stands in the biocontrol-amended, pathogen-infested treatments (>80%) were comparable to those in the noninfested controls. Since plant stands were similar at 2 and 4 weeks, most of the disease was preemergence damping-off. The bran preparations also reduced saprophytic growth of the pathogen, and there was an inverse correlation (r²= −0.94) between saprophytic growth and eggplant stand. Added to soilless mix at a rate of 2.0% (w/w), alginate prill containing 20% fermentor-produced biomass of six biocontrol isolates ofC. foecundissimumreduced (P≤ 0.05) damping-off of eggplant caused byR. solani, but only the prill with biomass of isolates Cf-1 or Cf-2 yielded plant stands (>80%) comparable to that in the noninfested control. As with the bran preparations, there was also an inverse correlation (r²= −0.80) between saprophytic growth of R-23 and eggplant stand with the alginate prills. Alginate prill with biomass of Cf-1 or Cf-2 also reduced (P≤ 0.05) damping-off of eggplant and pepper caused by other isolates (195, NG-2, DPR-1) ofR. solani, but only the stands (>80%) of pepper were similar to that in the noninfested control. Alginate prill formulations ofC. foecundissimum(Cf-1, Cf-2, and Cf-3) also reduced (P≤ 0.05) populations of the pathogen and damping-off of eggplant and pepper caused byPythium ultimum(PuZ3). However, although the plant stands in the treatments were not as high as those in the noninfested controls, they were higher than those in the pathogen-infested controls. The treatments also reduced populations ofP. ultimumin the soilless mix so that there were inverse correlations between the pathogen population and eggplant stand (r²= −0.81) and pepper stand (r²= −0.78). Extruded flour/clay granules containing 5.0% biomass of Cf-1 and Cf-2, added toR. solani-infested soilless mix (2.0%), reduced (P≤ 0.05) damping-off of eggplant and pepper. However, only the Cf-2 treatments resulted in stands (>80%) equal to those in the noninfested controls for the crops after 4 weeks of growth. The influence of bran and alginate prill of Cf-1 or Cf-2 on the spatial spread ofR. solaniand its ability to incite damping-off of eggplant showed that prill with Cf-1 or Cf-2 and bran with Cf-2 were equally effective in reducing the spread of the pathogen from the point source of the inoculum to the center of the flats.     

冲天湖底泥表层微囊藻休眠体复苏与菌群动态

对频繁暴发微囊藻水华的西洞庭冲天湖表层底泥和上覆水取样,检测和分析了底泥表层微囊藻休眠体丰度和菌浓度、上覆水中微囊藻细胞丰度和菌浓度以及部分理化性质,结合室内模拟试验。结果表明:2—6月份冲天湖底泥表层和上覆水中总菌浓度均显著上升(P0.05),底泥表层总菌浓度显著高于上覆水(P0.05),优势菌群均为微小杆菌属(Exiguobacterium)、假单胞菌属(Pseudomonas)和芽孢杆菌属(Bacillus);4月份底泥表层微囊藻休眠体开始复苏且休眠体丰度下降,6月份休眠体丰度显著低于4—5月份(P0.05),而上覆水中微囊藻细胞丰度上升,6月份显著高于4—5月份(P0.05);复苏优势藻为铜绿微囊藻(Microcystis aeruginosa)、水华微囊藻(Microcystis flos-aqua)和惠氏微囊藻(Microcystis wesenbergii);复苏期间促休眠体复苏优势菌群浓度显著上升、"底泥-上覆水"界面溶解氧浓度与TN/TP比显著下降(P0.05)。说明冲天湖底泥表层和上覆水优势菌群可能通过改变底泥表层理化环境影响微囊藻休眠体复苏。     

日粮添加褐藻糖胶对断奶仔猪抗炎能力和肠道微生物多样性的影响

【目的】本试验旨在研究日粮添加海带提取物褐藻糖胶对断奶仔猪生长性能、营养物质消化率、机体免疫力和肠道微生物多样性的影响。【方法】试验选用36头初始体重为(7.43±0.12) kg的健康仔猪,按照随机区组设计分为3组,每组12头。日粮处理组分别为不含抗生素的基础日粮组、抗生素组和褐藻糖胶组;试验期为28d。评价褐藻糖胶对仔猪生长性能和营养物质消化率的影响;通过比色法和酶联免疫吸附法检测血清中与免疫相关的指标;通过16S rRNA扩增子高通量测序检测试验第0、14和28天肠道微生物多样性。【结果】日粮添加褐藻糖胶可降低试验0–14 d仔猪耗料增重比(P0.05),但对试验全期仔猪平均日增重和平均日采量无显著影响(P0.05)。与对照组相比,饲喂褐藻糖胶日粮后,仔猪的中性洗涤纤维和酸性洗涤纤维表观消化率显著提高(P0.05);仔猪饲喂抗生素和褐藻糖胶日粮后,血清IL-22含量显著降低。试验第14天,抗生素组和褐藻糖胶处理组中Bacteroidetes数量呈上升趋势(P=0.07);试验第28天,抗生素组和褐藻糖胶处理组Actinobacteria丰度显著高于对照组(P0.05),且褐藻糖胶处理组Bacteroides属的菌群丰度显著高于对照组和抗生素组。【结论】日粮添加褐藻糖胶提高了断奶仔猪纤维养分消化率和拟杆菌属的丰富度和多样性,并且降低了促炎性细胞因子IL-22含量,这有助于缓解仔猪的断奶应激反应,建立稳定健康肠道菌群。     

Community structure and spatial variability of marine nematodes in tropical Australian pioneer seagrass meadows

The spatial variability in the community structure of infaunal free-living marine nematodes of pioneer seagrass (Halophilaand Halodule) meadows within a deltaic mangrove estuarine system and a bay mangrove system in tropical north-eastern Australia were examined. Nematode mean densities were intermediate ranging from 609 to 2744 inds./10 cm². A total of 152 putative species from 94 genera and 22 families were found across the four sites. The communities exhibited a high degree of dominance by Terschellingia longicaudata, Catanema sp 1, Terschellingia sp 2 and Metalinhomoeus insularis.Non-metric multi-dimensional scaling (nMDS) revealed that intra-site variability was low. This was reinforced by 1-way MANOVA, showing no significant inter-station differences between the six most dominant species at each site. The main system difference was reflected by a greater percentage of the Desmodoridae combined with a reduction of the Linhomoeidae in the bay system. At a species level system differences were manifested by a stenohaline, brackish water nematode assemblage in the deltaic system (M. insularis, Terschellingoidessp 1, Pseudolellasp 1) and, by a stenohaline, marine nematode assemblage in the bay system (Catanema sp 1, Spirinia parasitifera, Actinonemasp 1). These communities represent `hotspots' of diversity within a wider, mangrove-influenced depauperate fauna. The high degree of dominance found in each community was countered by moderate diversity and this, combined with the high number and speciation of deposit-feeding species, suggests that nematodes were more abundant in the meadows due to the abundance of microbial food. Notwithstanding the different salinity/CaCO₃ regimes, these communities exhibit both intra- and inter-site homogeneity with dominance by a conservative, deep-dwelling guild. The fact that this homogeneity exists suggests that these small-bladed seagrass species may play a greater role (sediment stability, fine particle settlement, organic detritus) in influencing the infaunal nematode community than was previously thought.     

雪被厚度对色季拉山急尖长苞冷杉林土壤线虫群落的影响

为了解雪被覆盖对青藏高原高寒森林土壤线虫群落的影响,选取藏东南色季拉山急尖长苞冷杉林为研究区,采用高通量测序技术分析不同雪被厚度0、10、20、30 cm下土壤线虫群落特征。结果表明：随着雪被增厚,有机质和全氮含量显著降低(P<0.05),全钾含量显著升高(P<0.05)。雪被增厚对线虫群落Shannon指数、Simpson指数、Pielou指数以及成熟度指数、线虫通路比值(NCR)均未产生显著影响,但NCR值有升高的趋势。雪被增厚使刺嘴纲(Enoplea)及食细菌性线虫的相对丰度增多,同时使20 cm和30 cm雪被下土壤线虫群落结构发生显著变化(P<0.05)。土壤有机质、全氮和全钾含量是影响土壤线虫群落的最关键的3个土壤环境因子。研究表明雪被厚度会对青藏高原色季拉山急尖长苞冷杉林土壤线虫群落产生影响,雪被增厚意味着较为稳定和温暖的土壤环境,利于土壤细菌数量增加,继而利于土壤有机质分解及钾的释放,为刺嘴纲及食细菌性线虫的增多提供了资源与环境条件。目前仍需对青藏高原地区土壤进行系统调查,以更深入的了解该生态脆弱区土壤线虫分布及其响应环境变化的规律。     

Influence of cell density and phase variants of bacterial symbionts (Xenorhabdus spp.) on dauer juvenile recovery and development of biocontrol nematodes Steinernema carpocapsae and S. feltiae (Nematoda: Rhabditida)

The rhabditid nematodes Steinernema carpocapsae and Steinernema feltiae are used in biological control of insect pests. Mass production is done in liquid culture media pre-incubated with their bacterial symbionts Xenorhabdus nematophila and Xenorhabdus bovienii, respectively, before nematode dauer juveniles (DJs) are inoculated. As a response to food signals produced by the bacterial symbionts, the DJs exit from the developmentally arrested dauer stage (they recover development) and grow to adults, which produce DJ offspring. Variable DJ recovery after inoculation often causes process failure due to non-synchronous population development and low numbers of adult nematodes. This contribution investigated the influence of the bacterial cell density on DJ recovery and development to adults. At higher density of 10¹⁰ bacterial cells ml⁻¹, a higher percentage of DJ recovery was induced, and adults occurred earlier in both Steinernema spp. than at lower density of 10⁹ and 10⁸ cells ml⁻¹. Xenorhabdus symbionts produce phase variants. Recovery in bacteria-free supernatants was lower than in supernatants containing bacterial cells for both primary and secondary phase Xenorhabdus spp. and lower in secondary than in primary phase supernatants or cell suspensions. In general, recovery was lower for Steinernema feltiae and the time at which 50% of the population had recovered after exposure to the food signal was longer (RT₅₀ = 17.1 h) than for Steinernema carpocapsae (RT₅₀ = 6.6 h). Whereas >90% S. carpocapsae DJs recovered in hemolymph serum of the lepidopteran insect Galleria mellonella, recovery of S. feltiae only reached 31%. Penetration into a host insect prior to exposure to the insect’s food signal did not enhance DJ recovery. Consequences for liquid culture mass production of the nematodes and differences between species of the genera Steinernema and Heterorhabditis are discussed.     

Synergistic effect of soil pathogenic fungi and nematodes reducing bioprotection of Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi on the grass Leymus arenarius

We examined the role ofarbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) in thebioprotection of the sand dune grass Leymus arenarius against soil fungi andnematodes. Six soil fungi (Fusariumnivale, Fusarium sp., Cladosporiumherbarum, Cladosporium sp., Phomasp., Sporothrix sp.) and four species ofnematodes (Pratylenchoidesmagnicauda, Paratylenchusmicrodorus, Rotylenchus goodeyi, Merlinius joctus) were isolated from a coastalsand dune in Iceland where a population of L. arenarius was declining in vigour. Acommercial AMF inoculum (Microbio Ltd. England)containing Glomus caledonium, G.fasciculatum, and G. mossae was used.Seedlings of L. arenarius were grownunder controlled conditions in sterile sand andsubjected to the following treatments: (1)control, (2) + AMF, (3) + AMF + soil fungi, (4)+ AMF + nematodes, (5) + AMF + nematodes + soilfungi, (6) + soil fungi, (7) + soil fungi +nematodes, (8) + nematodes. Mycorrhizal plantshad significantly the highest root dry weightof all treatments. Mycorrhizal plants hadsignificantly higher leaf dry weight thanplants in other treatments, with the exceptionof AMF inoculated plants exposed to nematodes. Mycorrhizal plants exposed to soil fungi andnematodes had significantly higher growthparameters except total number of leaves thanAMF inoculated plants exposed to both soilfungi and nematodes. Mycorrhizal plantssubjected to a dual application of soil fungiand nematodes did not vary significantly in anygrowth parameters from plants without AMF thatwere exposed to a dual application of soilfungi and nematodes. This suggests asynergistic effect of soil fungi and nematodesthat break down the protection of AMF againstpathogens. The results are discussed inrelation to plant dynamics of sand duneecosystems.     

The significance of Cognettia sphagnetorum(Enchytraeidae) on nitrogen availability and plant growth in wood ash-treated humus soil

A laboratory microcosm experiment was established to study whether the role of Cognettia sphagnetorum (Enchytraeidae) in affecting Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) seedling growth is influenced by wood ash-amendment, i.e., neutralisation of the raw humus soil. Coniferous forest soil, inoculated with soil microbes and nematodes, was either treated with wood ash or left as ash-free control. Wood ash (corresponding to an amount of 5000 kg ha^–1) was either spread on the soil surface or mixed into the soil. Enchytraeid and pine seedling biomass, abundance of nematodes, and water leachable NH₄ ⁺-N and NO₃ ^–-N were measured 26 and 51 weeks after initiation of the experiment and root length and N concentration of needles were measured 51 weeks after initiation of the experiment. Wood ash when mixed into the soil, reduced the biomass of C. sphagnetorum. Nematodes were unaffected by the treatments. In the ash-free soils C. sphagnetorum had little influence on pine growth, but it did decrease root length and root to shoot ratio. In the absence of enchytraeids wood ash decreased pine biomass production and root length. However, the presence of enchytraeids in the ash-treated soil compensated the ash-induced negative effects on the pine performance. Enchytraeids increased and wood ash decreased water leachable NH₄ ⁺-N in the presence but not in the absence of enchytraeids, while water leachable NO₃ ^–-N was not affected by the treatments. It was concluded that C. sphagnetorum can be important in ensuring nutrient cycling and plant growth in situations when an ecosystem encounters disturbances.     

Studies on the ability of two isolates of Bacillus thuringiensis,an isolate of Clonostachys rosea f. rosea and a diatomaceous earth product to control gastrointestinal nematodes of sheep

Abstract

Nematode parasites have developed resistance to anthelmintics. Biological control of gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN) in sheep is a promising non-chemical control method. Two experiments were done using Merino sheep. In each experiment, gender, initial egg count per gram (EPG) and initial body weight (BW) aided in placing animals into four groups, each of which was randomly fed with one of four treatments. Experiment 1 evaluated anthelmintic effects of Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner (Bt), Clonostachys rosea f. rosea Schroers (C. rosea) and diatomaceous earth (DE) in sheep. Bacillus thuringiensis and C. rosea were fed to sheep at a rate of 1 g kg^?1 BW, and DE was fed at 2% of sheep diet. Relative to the control, treatments had no effect (P>0.05) on EPG, but reduced (P<0.001) larvae per gram (LPG) in faecal culture. Efficacy varied with time (P<0.001). On Day 7, Bt, C. rosea and DE had efficacies of 76, 87 and 61%, respectively. In experiment 2, efficacy of feeding 1 g kg^?1 BW of C. rosea chlamydospores to sheep every day, every second day and every third day was tested. Daily feeding of fungal chlamydospores had no effect on EPG (P>0.05), but reduced (P<0.001) LPG (12±1.67) more than every second day (39±0.77) or third day (58±1.77). On Day 12, feeding daily, every second day and every third day had efficacies of 90, 63 and 49%, respectively. These studies suggest that each of Bt, C. rosea isolates and DE products has a potential to affect nematode larvae, and daily use of C. rosea had the highest effect as a biological control of nematodes in this study.