奥利万星中间体A82846B产生菌拟孢囊菌CCTCC M2020063全基因组序列分析与mbtH类基因的验证

[目的] 分析荒漠拟孢囊菌CCTCC M2020063中A82846B合成的代谢途径和关键基因。[方法] 使用Illumina二代测序和PacBio三代测序技术对荒漠拟孢囊菌CCTCC M2020063进行全基因组测序,利用Glimmer预测编码序列,使用HPLC和LCMS鉴定次级代谢产物,使用antiSMASH 5.0软件预测次级代谢产物合成基因簇。利用Geneious软件对A82846B合成相关基因进行分析,对其中的mbtH类基因着重分析。[结果] 本实验菌株鉴定为荒漠拟孢囊菌（Kibdelosporangium aridum）,基因组中有一条线性染色体,无质粒,序列全长12475688 bp,GC含量为66.27%,有11900个开放阅读框,共有47个基因簇。该菌株具有合成A82846B的能力,且生物合成相关基因位于Cluster32,包含33个基因,mbtH类基因gene07864的过表达促进A82846的合成,提升了26.42%,卤化酶基因为gene07859,与万古霉素、巴利霉素的卤化酶相似度较高。[结论] 本研究对荒漠拟孢囊菌CCTCC M2020063进行了基因组序列分析,获得了A82846B生物合成相关的功能基因信息,为A82846B的代谢途径和工程改造提供了强有力的基础。     

紫色非硫细菌的砷代谢机制

[目的]系统阐述紫色非硫细菌(PNSB)砷代谢机制和砷代谢基因簇的进化关系.[方法]通过生物信息学方法分析了PNSB砷代谢基因簇的分布、组成、排布方式.采用UV-Vis和HPLC-ICP-MS方法,研究了3个PNSB种类对砷的抗性、砷形态及价态的转化、砷在细胞中的积累和分布以及磷酸盐对As细胞毒性的影响.[结果]砷基因簇分析表明:已公布全基因组序列的17个PNSB菌株基因组中均含有以ars operon为核心的砷代谢基因簇,由1-4个操纵子组成,主要含有与细胞质砷还原和砷甲基化代谢相关的基因,但基因的组成和排列方式因种和菌株而异,尤其是arsM和两类进化来源不同的arsC.实验结果表明:光照厌氧条件下,3个PNSB种类对As(V)和As(Ⅲ)均具有抗性,As(V)和As(Ⅲ)均能进入细胞 ;在胞内As(V)能够还原为As(Ⅲ)并被排出胞外,但不能将As(Ⅲ)氧化为As(V),也未检测到甲基砷化物 ;磷酸盐浓度升高,能够抑制As(V)进入细胞,降低As(V)对细胞的毒性,而不能抑制As(Ⅲ)进入细胞.[结论]PNSB砷代谢机制主体为细胞质As(V)还原,也还有砷甲基化途径.通过对砷代谢基因簇结构多样性特点和进化方式分析,提出了与Rosen不同的ars operon进化途径.这对深入开展PNSB砷代谢和基因之间的相互作用研究奠定基础.     

Bacillus sp.ZJS3基因组测序及砷胁迫下相关基因表达分析

【背景】环境中高毒性As³⁺的微生物氧化在砷的生物地球化学循环中起重要作用,具有潜在的应用价值。【目的】Bacillus sp.ZJS3菌株是本实验室前期分离鉴定的一株As³⁺耐受菌株,而且对多种重金属具有耐受性,期望进一步明确该菌株在As³⁺胁迫下菌体形态变化及应对砷胁迫的遗传基础,为As³⁺耐受细菌的研究提供基础数据。【方法】使用单分子实时测序（single-molecule real-time sequencing,SMRT）及Illumina测序技术对Bacillus sp.ZJS3菌株进行全基因组测序,对其基因进行功能注释和生物信息学分析,并结合绝对定量PCR技术对砷抗性及砷代谢相关基因进行分析。【结果】Bacillus sp.ZJS3菌株基因组大小为5.82 Mb,GC含量为35.9%,包含染色体1个、质粒3个、CDS数量为5 981个、tRNA 104个、sRNA 136个、rRNA 42个、串联重复序列173个、基因岛13个、转运蛋白1 023个、跨膜蛋白1 717个和双组分调控基因160个。NR、Swiss-Prot、Pfam、COG、GO和KEGG数据库分别可注释Bacillus sp.ZJS3菌株基因组中97.66%、69.30%、78.52%、65.49%、67.65%和43.87%的基因。绝对定量PCR结果表明,arsC基因在砷处理条件下显著高于对照组,而arsB基因在砷处理条件下显著低于对照组。【结论】Bacillus sp.ZJS3菌株在As³⁺胁迫下可能导致细胞分裂无法正常进行,进而影响细胞形态。基因组中aqpZ、arsA、arsB、arsC等基因的存在表明该菌株具有As³⁺外排和还原As⁵⁺的能力,phoUpstBACS的存在表明菌株可以吸收As⁵⁺,但菌株受到外界环境As³⁺胁迫时arsB表达水平降低。     

肺囊康定产生菌Glarea lozoyensis线粒体基因组序列的再分析

[目的] Glarea lozoyensis是抗真菌药物卡泊芬净的产生菌,其突变菌株ATCC 74030的线粒体基因组已被报道。我们此前的研究发现诱变剂能引起该菌某些细胞核基因的突变,但诱变剂是否也能引起线粒体DNA序列的改变并不清楚。[方法] 组装野生型菌株ATCC 20868的线粒体基因组,并与发表的突变型菌株ATCC 74030的线粒体基因组进行比较。通过PCR验证野生和突变菌株线粒体基因组间表现差异之处,并利用正确的线粒体基因组序列进行新的分析。[结果] 我们成功组装出野生型菌株ATCC 20868的线粒体基因组,通过比较其与发表的ATCC 74030的线粒体基因组序列,发现存在6处单核苷酸变异位点和2处具有长度差异的区域。然而,随后的PCR验证和序列比较并没有发现2个菌株间存在这些差异。最初观察到的碱基差异是因为发表的ATCC 74030线粒体基因组存在序列错误。有趣的是,在Glarea lozoyensis的线粒体基因组中,我们发现存在3个具有内含子的tRNA基因和1个rnpB基因。同时,该菌线粒体基因组中存在多种重复序列,在其线粒体和细胞核基因组间也存在明显的DNA片段重复事件。[结论] 诱变剂没有引起G. lozoyensis线粒体DNA的任何改变;发表的ATCC 74030的线粒体基因组存在序列错误。我们报道G. lozoyensis正确的线粒体基因组序列,并且发现该菌线粒体和细胞核基因组间频繁的基因交流。     

一株嗜酸硫杆菌M4-422-6的分离及其全基因组测序和比较基因组学分析

【目的】开展具有硫氧化能力的嗜酸硫杆菌属(Acidithiobacillus)的分离及其比较基因组学分析,不仅可以丰富硫氧化细菌菌种资源,而且有助于加深理解嗜酸硫杆菌的分子进化与生态适应机制。【方法】利用以硫代硫酸钠为唯一能源的培养基分离具有硫氧化能力的细菌;利用Illumina HiSeq X和Oxford Nanopore测序平台对一株嗜酸硫杆菌M4-422-6进行全基因组测序;利用相关生物信息学分析软件对原始数据进行组装和基因组注释,并与一株亲缘关系最近的菌株Igneacidithiobacillus copahuensis VAN18-1进行比较基因组学分析。【结果】分离获得一株具有硫氧化能力的嗜酸硫杆菌M4-422-6。基因组注释结果显示,菌株M4-422-6基因组由1个染色体和2个质粒组成,基因组大小为2 917 823 bp,G+C含量为58.54%,共编码2 925个蛋白。16S rRNA基因和基因组系统发育树显示,菌株M4-422-6代表嗜酸硫杆菌属的一个潜在新种。功能基因注释结果显示,菌株Acidithiobacillus sp. M4-422-6拥有与菌株特性相关的众多基因,包括硫氧化相关基因、CO₂固定相关基因和耐酸相关基因。比较基因组学分析发现,虽然菌株M4-422-6与VAN18-1的亲缘关系最近,但两者仍拥有众多的差异基因,主要包括噬菌体抗性相关基因和移动元件编码基因。【结论】菌株M4-422-6代表嗜酸硫杆菌属的一个潜在新种,该菌株具有同种内菌株所不具有的特有基因,并据此推测嗜酸硫杆菌种内分化可归因于对特定生态位的适应。     

微生物胞外长距离电子传递网络研究进展

[目的] 解析一株从黄河三角洲湿地甲烷氧化富集物中分离获得的甲烷氧化菌伴生菌的生理学及电化学特性,并探究该菌株对甲烷氧化过程的影响。[方法] 使用高通量测序技术解析甲烷氧化富集物的菌群结构,采用稀释涂布法、平板划线法分离甲烷氧化菌的伴生菌,通过16S rRNA基因测序技术进行菌株初步鉴定。利用扫描电子显微镜观察菌株形态,并通过气相色谱（gas chromatography,GC）检测伴生菌利用甲烷情况及对甲烷氧化菌氧化甲烷效率的影响。采用双室微生物燃料电池（microbial fuel cells,MFCs）及差分脉冲伏安法（differential pulse voltammetry,DPV）检测菌株的电化学活性。[结果] 黄河三角洲湿地土壤甲烷氧化富集物主要的好氧甲烷氧化菌为甲基杆菌属Methylobacter,同时还发现一些伴生菌。分离得到一株甲醇利用菌P7,其16S rRNA基因序列与恶臭假单胞菌Pseudomonasputida的相似性达99.79%。扫描电镜结果显示该菌株为杆状,长约1.5-2.5μm,宽度约为0.5μm。GC检测结果显示,该菌株不能利用甲烷,但与甲烷氧化菌共培养时,可以促进甲烷氧化（P<0.05）。双室MFCs检测结果显示该菌株具有电活性,最大电流输出密度为28 mA/m²,DPV检测结果显示该菌株主要的氧化峰和还原峰分别位于-0.17 V和-0.25 V。[结论] 本研究从黄河三角洲湿地甲烷氧化富集物中获得一株具有电活性的甲烷氧化菌的伴生菌恶臭假单胞菌Pseudomonas putida P7,该菌株可以促进甲烷氧化。本研究加深了对甲烷氧化过程中伴生菌的生理学特性及功能的认识。     

好客嗜酸两面菌W1寡营养酸性热泉环境的适应机制

【目的】从基因组水平揭示好客嗜酸两面菌(Acidianus hospitalis)W1对寡营养酸性热泉环境的适应机制。【方法】使用NCBI非冗余蛋白数据库、Uniport蛋白数据库以及Sulfolobus数据库对好客嗜酸两面菌W1基因组序列进行功能注释,使用KEGG数据库对基因组进行In slico代谢途径重构,在此基础之上,采用比较基因组学方法对代谢途径进行鉴定和完善。【结果】好客嗜酸两面菌W1具备多样化的代谢方式以适应寡营养酸性热泉环境。W1菌株通过3-羟基丙酸/4-羟基丁酸和乙二酸-4-羟基丁酸循环进行CO2固定、通过氧化还原型无机硫化物(Reduced inorganic sulfur compounds,RISCs)获取能量营自养型生长。但W1菌株与模式菌株Acidianus ambivalens的硫代谢方式不同,W1基因组中缺少编码亚硫酸-受体氧化还原酶(SAOR)、腺苷硫酸(APS)还原酶、硫酸腺苷酰转移酶(SAT)和腺苷硫酸:磷酸腺苷转移酶(APAT)的基因。此外,W1菌株可以通过非磷酸化的分支的ED途径和TCA循环进行葡萄糖代谢,糖类和氨基酸转运蛋白以及相应水解酶的存在表明W1能够利用部分有机物营兼性自养型生长。与A.ambivalens不同,W1菌株不能利用H2作为电子供体。【结论】多样化的代谢方式为好客嗜酸两面菌W1更好地适应寡营养酸性热泉环境提供了重要保障,对于W1菌株特有代谢方式的揭示也丰富了对于嗜酸两面菌(Acidianus)属物种代谢多样性的认知。     

嗜酸硫杆菌属物种的比较基因组学分析

[目的]对喜温嗜酸硫杆菌和氧化亚铁嗜酸硫杆菌菌株的基因组数据进行比较分析和数据挖掘。[方法]采用Blast程序、MUMmer软件以及Artemis比对软件对4株嗜酸硫杆菌的基因组序列和蛋白质组序列进行同源比对分析以及可视化呈现,并通过RT-PCR对缺失基因进行验证。[结果]与喜温嗜酸硫杆菌相比,氧化亚铁嗜酸硫杆菌不含有鞭毛编码基因,并且含有较少的转座元件(26和41个);喜温嗜酸硫杆菌主要采用SOX系统(clusterⅠ和clusterⅡ)进行无机硫化合物的氧化;除硝酸盐还原外,氧化亚铁嗜酸硫杆菌还可以通过固氮酶(AFE1522-1515和Lferr_1240-1233)固定氮气获得氮源。此外,插入序列造成硫氧化还原酶基因的缺失以及7个功能基因失活等现象表明冶金微生物基因组存在不稳定性。[结论]比较基因组学为更好地挖掘嗜酸硫杆菌属物种的基因组数据信息、揭示其基因组结构特征以及冶金性状等差异提供了重要支持。     

茎瘤固氮根瘤菌ORS571中motA基因的功能分析

[目的] MotA是细菌的鞭毛马达蛋白,是跨膜质子通道的重要组成结构之一,在调控鞭毛运动中具有至关重要的作用。本研究探究了Azorhizobium caulinodans ORS571中鞭毛马达基因motA对菌株表型和植物互作的影响。[方法] 通过同源重组原理和三亲接合转移方法构建突变菌株∆motA,测定野生型与突变体在菌体生长、运动、固氮、胞外多糖合成、生物膜形成及根系定殖能力的差异。[结果] 与野生型相比,突变体菌体生长没有明显差异,但其运动能力完全丧失,固氮、胞外多糖合成、生物膜形成及根系定殖能力减弱。[结论] MotA鞭毛马达蛋白对A.caulinodans ORS571的运动、固氮、胞外多糖合成、生物膜形成及根系定殖能力均有调控作用。     

Streptomyces sp.NO1W98中杀黑星菌素的分离和生物合成基因簇的鉴定

[目的] 分离Streptomyces sp.NO1W98中的杀黑星菌素并鉴定其生物合成基因簇。[方法] 利用有机溶剂萃取法对Streptomyces sp.NO1W98放大规模发酵产物进行提取;以正向、反向色谱柱层析进行化合物的分离纯化;借助波谱学手段进行单体化合物的结构鉴定;采用Illumina Hiseq技术进行基因组序列测定,对得到的序列进行生物信息学分析、注释并定位杀黑星菌素的生物合成基因簇vtd,利用基于PCR-targeting的遗传操作系统构建vtd内相关基因的阻断突变株,同时利用pSET152AKE进行基因回补,并分析与野生菌株的发酵产物差异。[结果] 从NO1W98发酵产物提取物中初步分离鉴定了2个大环内酯类化合物杀黑星菌素A（1）和B（2）;NO1W98的基因组大小约为11.6 Mb,蕴涵49个次级代谢产物生物合成基因簇,其中scaffold 3上的Region 3.3可能负责杀黑星菌素的生物合成;基因阻断和回补实验初步鉴定了杀黑星菌素的生物合成基因簇,包含6个骨架基因、5个转运基因、2个调控基因以及9个后修饰基因。[结论] 杀黑星菌素的分离、结构鉴定和基因簇的鉴定以及生物合成途径的推导为其遗传改造和工程菌株的构建奠定了分子基础。     

Foreign exploration for Scirtothrips perseae Nakahara (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) and associated natural enemies on avocado (Persea americana Miller)

Scirtothrips perseae Nakahara was discovered attacking avocados in California, USA, in 1996. Host plant surveys in California indicated that S. perseae has a highly restricted host range with larvae being found only on avocados, while adults were collected from 11 different plant species. As part of a management program for this pest, a “classical” biological control program was initiated and foreign exploration was conducted to delineate the home range of S. perseae, to survey for associated natural enemies and inventory other species of phytophagous thrips on avocados grown in Mexico, Guatemala, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Trinidad, and Brazil. Foreign exploration efforts indicate that S. perseae occurs on avocados grown at high altitudes (>1500 m) from Uruapan in Mexico south to areas around Guatemala City in Guatemala. In Costa Rica, S. perseae is replaced by an undescribed congener as the dominant phytophagous thrips on avocados grown at high altitudes (>1300 m). No species of Scirtothrips were found on avocados in the Dominican Republic, Trinidad, or Brazil. In total, 2136 phytophagous thrips were collected and identified, representing over 47 identified species from at least 19 genera. The significance of these species records is discussed. Of collected material 4% were potential thrips biological control agents. Natural enemies were dominated by six genera of predatory thrips (Aeolothrips, Aleurodothrips, Franklinothrips, Leptothrips, Scolothrips, and Karnyothrips). One genus each of parasitoid (Ceranisus) and predatory mite (Balaustium) were found. Based on the results of our sampling techniques, prospects for the importation of thrips natural enemies for use in a “classical” biological control program in California against S. perseae are not promising.     

Phylogeny of cardinalfishes (Teleostei: Gobiiformes: Apogonidae) and the evolution of visceral bioluminescence

The cardinalfishes (Apogonidae) are a diverse clade of small, mostly reef-dwelling fishes, for which a variety of morphological data have not yielded a consistent phylogeny. We use DNA sequence to hypothesize phylogenetic relationships within Apogonidae and among apogonids and other acanthomorph families, to examine patterns of evolution including the distribution of a visceral bioluminescence system. In conformance with previous studies, Apogonidae is placed in a clade with Pempheridae, Kurtidae, Leiognathidae, and Gobioidei. The apogonid genus Pseudamia is recovered outside the remainder of the family, not as sister to the superficially similar genus Gymnapogon. Species sampled from the Caribbean and Western Atlantic (Phaeoptyx, Astrapogon, and some Apogon species) form a clade, as do the larger-bodied Glossamia and Cheilodipterus. Incidence of visceral bioluminescence is found scattered throughout the phylogeny, independently for each group in which it is present. Examination of the fine structure of the visceral bioluminescence system through histology shows that light organs exhibit a range of morphologies, with some composed of complex masses of tubules (Siphamia, Pempheris, Parapriacanthus) and others lacking tubules but containing chambers formed by folds of the visceral epithelium (Acropoma, Archamia, Jaydia, and Rhabdamia). Light organs in Siphamia, Acropoma, Pempheris and Parapriacanthus are distinct from but connected to the gut; those in Archamia, Jaydia, and Rhabdamia are simply portions of the intestinal tract, and are little differentiated from the surrounding tissues. The presence or absence of symbiotic luminescent bacteria does not correlate with light organ structure; the tubular light organs of Siphamia and chambered tubes of Acropoma house bacteria, those in Pempheridae and the other Apogonidae do not.     

Biological control of three floating water weeds,<Emphasis Type="Italic">Eichhornia crassipes,Pistia stratiotes</Emphasis>, and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Salviniamolesta</Emphasis> in the Republic of Congo

Since 1999, four specific weevils (Coleoptera, Curculionidae) were released in the Republic of Congo against three exotic floating water weeds: Neochetina eichhorniae Warner and N. bruchi Hustache against water hyacinth, Neohydronomus affinis Hustache against water lettuce, and Cyrtobagous salviniae Calder and Sands against water fern. Recoveries of exotic weevils were made from all 24 release sites except one, and all four species have established and spread (up to 800 km for water hyacinth weevils). Within a few years of releases, control of water fern and water lettuce was such that fishing and navigation could be resumed, while reductions of water hyacinth populations were only beginning.     

Taxonomic status of the species of the green algal genusNeochloris

Komárek has recently reviewed the various species assigned to the green algal genusNeochloris Starr (Chlorococcales, Chlorococcaceae) and removed those with uninucleate vegetative cells to a new genus,Ettlia. Watanabe & Floyd, unaware ofKomárek's work, also reviewed the species ofNeochloris and distributed them among three genera—Neochloris, Chlorococcopsis gen. nov., andParietochloris gen. nov.—on the basis of details of the covering of the zoospore and the arrangement of the basal bodies of the flagellar apparatus. This paper reconciles these two treatments and makes additional recommendations at the ranks of genus, family, order, and class.     

A molecular phylogeny of Hebeloma species from Europe

In order to widen the scope of existing phylogenies of the ectomycorrhizal agaric genus Hebeloma a total of 53 new rDNA ITS sequences from that genus was generated, augmented by sequences retrieved from GenBank, and analysed using Bayesian, strict consensus and neighbour joining methods. The lignicolous Hebelomina neerlandica, Gymnopilus penetrans, and two species of Galerina served as outgroup taxa. Anamika indica, as well as representatives of the genera Hymenogaster and Naucoria, were included to test the monophyly of Hebeloma, which is confirmed by the results. Hebeloma, Naucoria, Hymenogaster and Anamika indica cluster in a strongly supported monophyletic hebelomatoid clade. All trees largely reflect the current infrageneric classification within Hebeloma, and divide the genus into mostly well-supported monophyletic groups surrounding H. crustuliniforme, H. velutipes, H. sacchariolens, H. sinapizans, and H. radicosum, with H. sarcophyllum being shown at an independent position; however this is not well supported. The section Indusiata divides with strong support into three groups, the position of the pleurocystidiate Hebeloma cistophilum suggests the possible existence of a third subsection within sect. Indusiata. Subsection Sacchariolentia is raised to the rank of section.     

Die GattungKarschia — Bindeglied zwischen bitunicaten Ascomyceten und lecanoralen Flechtenpilzen?

The genusKarschia, in the earlier sense, including saprophytes and parasites on lichens, has been thought to be a non-lichenized parallel genus of the lichen genusBuellia. Modern workers included it on the one hand inBuellia, on the other hand combined it with bitunicate ascomycetes. It is now proved thatKarschia is heterogeneous and contains but superficially similar members both of the genusBuellia of theLecanorales and of typical or masked bitunicateAscomycetes. Therefore, it can not be regarded as a link betweenLecanorales andDothideales. The type species ofKarschia belongs to theDothideales.

     

Entwicklungsgeschichte und Ultrastruktur von Pollenkitt und Exine bei nahe verwandten entomophilen und anemophilen Angiospermensippen derAlismataceae,Liliaceae, Juncaceae,Cyperaceae, Poaceae undAraceae

Some closely related members of the monocotyledonous familiesAlismataceae, Liliaceae, Juncaceae, Cyperaceae, Poaceae andAraceae with variable modes of pollination (insect- and wind-pollination) were studied in relation to the ultrastructure of pollenkitt and exine (amount, consistency and distribution of pollenkitt on the surface of pollen grains). The character syndromes of pollen cementing in entomophilous, anemophilous and intermediate (ambophilous or amphiphilous) monocotyledons are the same in principal as in dicotyledons. Comparing present with former results one can summarize: 1) The pollenkitt is always produced in the same manner by the anther tapetum in all angiosperm sub-classes. 2) The variable stickiness of entomophilous and anemophilous pollen always depends on the particular distribution and consistency of the pollenkitt, but not its amount on the pollen surface. 3) The mostly dry and powdery pollen of anemophilous plants always contains a variable amount of inactive pollenkitt in its exine cavities. 4) A step-by step change of the pollen cementing syndrome can be observed from entomophily towards anemophily. 5) From the omnipresence of pollenkitt in all wind-pollinated angiosperms studied one can conclude that the ancestors of anemophilous angiosperms probably have been zoophilous (i.e. entomophilous) throughout.

     

Demographic characteristics of an intertidal bay goby (Lepidogobius lepidus)

Synopsis In a fourteen month study (May 1976 – June 1977) I examined the following characteristics of an intertidal bay goby (Lepidogobius lepidus) in Morro Bay, California, U.S.A.: annual and seasonal patterns of abundance, age composition and growth rates, survivorship and mortality patterns, and the reproductive cycle for female gobies. Fishes were collected with the aid of quinaldine and otoliths and ovaries removed. Age and growth rates were estimated from otolith annuli using a back calculation formula and a Brody-Bertalanffy growth curve. Mortality rates were derived using the methods of Heincke (1913), Robson & Chapman (1960), mean age, and a catch curve (Ricker 1975). A gonad index was used to describe the annual reproductive cycle. Results indicated that abundance fluctuated seasonally and that these fluctuations appeared to be caused by reproductive emigrations. Bay gobies reached an age of 7+ and a standard length of 87 mm. Growth was relatively constant (6 mm yr⁻¹) until age 5, at which point it began to decline. The mean rates of survivorship, mortality, and instantaneous mortality were 0.75, 0.25, and 0.29 respectively. Mortality rates for individual age classes ranged from 0.13 to 0.51 and increased with age. This stock appears to reproduce mainly during the winter.     

Changes of dung beetle communities from rainforests towards agroforestry systems and annual cultures in Sulawesi (Indonesia)

Little is known about how tropical land-use systems contribute to the conservation of functionally important insect groups, including dung beetles. In a study at the margin of Lore Lindu National Park (a biodiversity hotspot in Central Sulawesi, Indonesia) dung-beetle communities were sampled in natural forest, young secondary forest, agroforestry systems (cacao plantations with shade trees) and annual cultures (maize fields), each with four replicates (n = 16 sites). At each site we used 10 pitfall traps, baited with cattle dung, along a 100 m transect for six 3-day periods. The number of trapped specimens and species richness at the natural forest sites was higher than in all land-use systems, which did not significantly differ. Each land-use system contained, on average, 75% of the species richness of the natural forest, thereby indicating their importance for conservation. However, a two-dimensional scaling plot based on NESS indices (m = 6) indicated distinct dung beetle communities for both forest types, while agroforestry systems and annual cultures exhibited a pronounced overlap. Mean body size of dung beetles was not significantly influenced by land-use intensity. Five of the six most abundant dung beetle species were recorded in all habitats, whereas the abundance of five other species was significantly related to habitat type. Mean local abundance and number of occupied sites were closely correlated, further indicating little habitat specialisation. The low dung beetle diversity (total of 18 recorded species) may be due to the absence of larger mammals in Sulawesi during historical times, even though Sulawesi is the largest island of Wallacea. In conclusion, the dung beetle fauna of the lower montane forest zone in Central Sulawesi appears to be relatively robust to man-made habitat changes and the majority of species did not exhibit strong habitat preferences.