海滨沙滩单叶蔓荆对沙埋的生理响应特征

海滨沙滩单叶蔓荆(Vitex trifolia L.var.simplicifolia)是优良的抗沙埋地被植物.以烟台海岸沙地单叶蔓荆为材料,通过不同厚度沙埋过程中沙上和沙下叶片抗逆生理指标的测定以揭示其抗沙埋生理调控机制.结果表明,轻度和中度沙埋5d,成株和幼株整株叶片细胞膜透性增大、POD和SOD活力增高、MDA和脯氨酸含量和叶片相对含水量(RWC)增加、可溶性糖含量下降.但同株沙上叶片细胞膜透性、MDA含量、SOD和POD活力和可溶性糖含量均高于沙下,而沙上叶片脯氨酸含量低于沙下叶片.在轻度和中度沙埋lOd,沙上叶片细胞膜透性、MDA和可溶性糖含量、叶片POD活力降低,叶片SOD活力仍有小幅度增高,但脯氨酸含量增加,沙上叶片生长旺盛.研究表明,沙埋下叶片抗氧化酶活力和脯氨酸含量与细胞膜透性和膜脂过氧化成正相关.沙埋使植株上部叶片接近沙表面而经受干旱和地面热辐射胁迫引起细胞膜脂过氧化加剧和细胞膜透性加大.同时沙埋也使沙下叶片遭遇黑暗和缺氧胁迫诱导细胞内膜脂过氧化,但也激活了叶片抗氧化酶保护系统和叶片脯氨酸的积累抑制细胞膜脂过氧化维护细胞膜的稳定.因此在沙埋过程中,叶片快速响应沙埋胁迫激活叶片抗氧化酶系统抑制膜脂过氧化作用维持氧自由基和抗氧化酶系统的动态平衡在单叶蔓荆适应轻度和中度沙埋,维护沙上叶片旺盛生长中起重要作用,也是重度全埋下沙下植株茎顶端能快速延伸弯曲生长最后顶出沙面再生的主要生理保护原因.     

海滨沙地砂引草对沙埋的生长和生理适应对策

在2009和2010年春夏季通过对烟台海滨沙地自然生长的耐沙埋植物砂引草(Messerschmidia sibirica Linn)进行不同厚度(1/3株高-轻度沙埋、2/3株高-中度沙埋、3/3株高-重度沙埋)沙埋试验,并测定沙埋过程中土壤温度、土壤含水量、叶片鲜重(FW)、干重(DW)、植株相对高度(%)、叶片细胞膜透性、相对含水量、(丙二醛)MDA、抗氧化酶活力(过氧化物岐化酶(SOD)、过氧化物酶(POD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT))、脯氨酸、可溶性糖含量的变化以探讨砂引草抗沙埋的生长和生理调节策略,为未来砂引草的科学管理和应用提供理论指导。结果表明,在沙埋第5天、第10天,随着沙埋厚度的增加土壤温度下降,土壤含水量增加,植株相对高度和整株砂引草叶片FW和DW呈上升趋势,同一植株沙上叶片FW、DW不断增加,沙下叶片FW、DW则不断减少。在沙埋第5天,不同厚度沙埋处理的植株叶片细胞膜透性和MDA含量均较对照低,而整株植物叶片SOD、CAT活力和脯氨酸含量均较对照高。同一植株沙下叶片细胞膜透性、MDA、脯氨酸含量及SOD和CAT活力均低于沙上叶片。研究表明,轻度和中度沙埋使沙上叶片受到地面热辐射、干旱、高温胁迫影响,导致叶片内含水量下降,膜脂过氧化加强,膜受损。但同时叶片中快速激活的保护酶和积累的脯氨酸抑制膜脂过氧化可能是保护沙埋后沙上叶片能快速生长的重要生理调控机理。在重度全埋枝叶处于沙下时,沙下缺氧和黑暗抑制了叶片呼吸作用和光合作用,同时缺氧也抑制了叶片对营养物质的消耗使叶片成为茎尖生长的物质和能量供体,促使暗中茎顶端不断的延伸生长冲出沙土再生。砂引草耐全埋的再生能力进一步表明,砂引草在海岸沙丘固沙、保滩、护岸和植被恢复上将具有重要开发和应用前景。     

海滨沙地单叶蔓荆匍匐茎对沙埋适应的生长对策

单叶蔓荆(Vitex trifolia var.simplicifoli)是一种耐盐、耐旱固沙地被植物。依据海滨沙地自然沙埋特点对单叶蔓荆匍匐茎进行了不同厚度(半埋和全埋)和不同长度交叉沙埋处理,研究探讨了单叶蔓荆沙埋适应生长对策,为其开发利用、科学管理和海滨环境修复提供指导。结果表明,正常情况下,单叶蔓荆匍匐茎基部和中部生长缓慢,顶部生长快。轻度(沙埋匍匐茎基部)和中度(沙埋匍匐茎基部和中部)半埋和全埋使匍匐茎顶部生长加速,茎长增长量较对照高出1.5到3.1倍;但重度(沙埋整个匍匐茎)半埋和全埋使匍匐茎顶部净增长量减少12%和13%。在20d沙埋中,对照整个匍匐茎各段均无不定根长出,但不同程度半埋和全埋沙埋处理下沙下匍匐茎上均长出不定根,重度半埋使不定根生长受抑;同时匍匐茎上各段茎生物量上升,枝叶生物量下降,且随着沙埋程度的增加而增减幅度提高,在重度半埋和全埋达到最大。在轻度和中度半埋和全埋下,匍匐茎上未沙埋部位枝条生长加速。研究表明,在自然环境中,单叶蔓荆匍匐茎顶端是一个对环境变化反应敏感的部位,并与沙埋后单叶蔓荆茎延伸生长和植株能否生存密切相关。当匍匐茎顶部没被沙埋时,沙埋促进沙埋部位匍匐茎和枝叶中物质转移,加速匍匐茎顶部快速生长和物质积累以弥补沙埋带来的损伤维持物质和能量的代谢平衡。沙埋后,单叶蔓荆以茎顶端快速生长、形成不定根、枝条生长维持茎水分平衡和能量和物质代谢平衡,以快速生长摆脱沙埋影响的生长方式为其对沙埋环境的重要适应对策。因此,在海岸沙地单叶蔓荆种群管理和维护中,在强风移沙引起的重度沙埋后,及时剥离匍匐茎顶部沙子对维护单叶蔓荆种群的延续生存和扩散均有重要作用。     

海岸单叶蔓荆沙埋胁迫下碳水化合物变化与其耐沙埋的关系

选择烟台海岸沙地抗沙埋强的单叶蔓荆(Vitex trifolia var.simplicifolia)为试材,在自然环境条件下根据单叶蔓荆匍匐茎长度进行了轻度(1/3茎长)、中度(2/3茎长)和重度半埋以及全埋处理。在沙埋20d后,测定了不同沙埋处理下匍匐茎各段上匍匐茎长度、枝条高度、不定根长度,以及可溶性糖、淀粉、纤维素含量,以探讨单叶蔓荆碳水化合物变化和转化在其耐沙埋中作用。结果显示,在轻度、中度半埋和全埋下单叶蔓荆匍匐茎长度均显著大于对照,被沙埋匍匐茎处有大量不定根生成;同时,可溶性糖和淀粉含量增高和纤维素含量下降,尤其是生长最快的匍匐茎顶部(如轻度半埋),茎中可溶性糖较低、淀粉增加最多,纤维素最低。但是被重度半埋和全埋的匍匐茎生长较少,茎中纤维素含量较多、淀粉含量较少。研究表明,沙埋是一种胁迫,它损伤叶片、扰乱碳水化合物代谢平衡。但它又是胁迫信号使植物产生适应性反应,它使未遭沙埋的匍匐茎顶端通过加速碳水化合物转化、分解纤维素、提高淀粉和可溶性糖含量,为顶端生长提供能量和营养,以加速匍匐茎快速生长摆脱沙埋。同时沙埋部位枝叶通过分解其纤维素,产生更多的可溶性糖和淀粉为匍匐茎不定根生长提供能量。因此,沙埋后匍匐茎内碳水化合物的转化是其快速生长和摆脱沙埋的能量来源而在其适应沙埋生长中起重要作用。单叶蔓荆对沙埋的适应性反应表现了其具有表型可塑性特性,该特性是其沙埋后维护匍匐茎顶部快速生长、不定根形成、碳水化合物转化以及具有较高抗沙埋能力的关键。     

小叶锦鸡儿抗沙埋生长与抗氧化酶及同工酶变化的关系

小叶锦鸡儿(Caraganas tenophylla L.)是广泛应用于流动沙丘治理的优良固沙植物。然而关于其抗沙埋生理机理目前尚不清楚。选择生长在科尔沁沙地的小叶锦儿为试验材料,依据株高对其进行不同程度沙埋(轻度、中度、重度沙埋), 并通过测定沙埋过程中植株高度、不同部位叶片丙二醛(MDA)含量、抗氧化酶活力、抗氧化酶同工酶谱变化, 以揭示其抗沙埋生理适应机理和基因调控机理。结果表明:沙埋6d,植株各部位生长加快,尤其是顶部和基部生长更快。叶片MDA含量降低、整株植物叶片平均过氧化氢酶(CAT)、过氧化物酶(POD)、过氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活力增加,但重度沙埋使抗氧化酶活力下降。沙埋12d,植株各部位生长继续加大, 沙下叶片凋落。与对照相比,沙上叶片MDA含量成倍增加,并与叶片POD、SOD和CAT活力的大幅度提高呈正相关,并与对照差异显著(P < 0.01)。同时,不同厚度沙埋6d,叶片CAT同工酶出现两新带CAT III和CATII;POD同工酶谱带(6条酶带)随沙埋厚度增加,叶片PODII区带加宽、色加深,POD I 和POD III酶带消失。但是,不同厚度沙埋下,沙上和沙下叶片CAT、SOD和POD酶谱带数和活力均相同。这表明在沙埋应激适应反应期(6d),叶片抗氧化酶活力的增强与抗氧化酶基因表达增强和基因启动有关。受到沙埋重力胁迫的成熟叶可能将胁迫信号传递给沙上没有沙埋的叶子及生长点,导致整株叶片产生整体适应性反应,激活抗氧化酶系统,以致加速生长。因此,小叶锦鸡儿萌蘖生物学特性和抗氧化酶对沙埋胁迫快速响应在维护氧自由基代谢平衡和植株快速恢复生长中起重要保护作用。     

平茬措施对天然沙冬青生理特性的影响

沙冬青(Ammopiptanthus mongolicus(Maxim.)Cheng f.)是我国二级珍稀濒危植物,由于自然条件的不断恶化使这一古老残遗物种种群受到威胁。本文以西鄂尔多斯国家级自然保护区内生长的天然沙冬青为材料,对平茬后经过3年恢复生长的萌蘖灌丛和未平茬的沙冬青灌丛的地上部生物量、叶片相对含水量(RWC)、叶水势(WPB)、净光合速率(Pn)、蒸腾速率(Tr)、水分利用效率(WUE)、气孔导度(Gs)和胞间CO2浓度(Ci)等指标进行了测定,并对平茬处理的各项生理指标变化进行了研究。结果显示:平茬后的沙冬青萌蘖灌丛经过3年的生长能恢复到平茬前的生物量;平茬与未平茬(对照)沙冬青叶片相对含水量差异不显著(P0.05),但平茬后的沙冬青叶水势日间(7∶00-19∶00)均显著高于对照(P0.05);平茬与未平茬沙冬青日间净光合速率、蒸腾速率均出现两个高峰值,且均有"午休"现象,平茬后的沙冬青萌蘖丛Pn日均值比对照升高了15.73%、Tr日均值比对照升高了15.57%、WUE日均值比对照升高了13.92%(P0.05);Gs日均值比对照也有所上升,且与Pn、Tr的变化趋势基本一致,但Ci的变化趋势与Gs、Pn和Tr相反。说明平茬处理对增加地上部生物量、提高其生理指标均有明显作用,能提高沙冬青潜在的生产力。     

海滨滨麦叶片和根对不同厚度沙埋的生理响应差异分析

以烟台海岸抗风沙植物滨麦为研究材料,通过对不同厚度沙埋下其叶片和根部抗氧化酶活力(超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化物酶(POD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT))、丙二醛(MDA)含量和渗透调节物含量变化的分析,探讨了叶片和根部对沙埋生理响应的差异。试验按滨麦成株株高(约40 cm)对其进行了轻度沙埋(在株高1/4处)、中度沙埋(2/4处)和重度沙埋(3/4处)。在沙埋第6天,分别测定了不同厚度沙埋处理下,植株各段叶片和根抗氧化酶活力、MDA和渗透调节物含量。结果表明,轻度和中度沙埋均加速植株生长。与对照相比,经轻度、中度沙埋处理6 d,叶片平均MDA含量增加,在重度沙埋下降低。不同厚度沙埋6 d,叶片平均SOD活力和脯氨酸含量增加,而CAT活力、可溶性糖和可溶性蛋白质含量下降。但不同厚度沙埋均使沙上叶片MDA、脯氨酸、可溶性蛋白质含量和SOD和CAT活力增加,尤其是叶片顶部增加最为明显,使沙下叶片MDA、可溶性糖、可溶性蛋白质含量和CAT活力下降,导致同株沙上和沙下叶片MDA、脯氨酸、可溶性糖、可溶性蛋白质含量和SOD和CAT活力差异显著(P0.05)。与叶片相比,根中MDA、可溶性蛋白质含量和SOD和CAT活力较低,而POD活力和可溶性糖含量较高并与叶片差异显著(P0.05)。不同厚度沙埋6 d,滨麦根中MDA和可溶性蛋白质含量变化较小,可溶性糖含量和CAT、POD、SOD活力略有降低。研究表明,滨麦根和叶片对不同厚度沙埋的生理响应不同。沙埋直接作用于叶片并诱发叶内氧自由基积累,但叶片通过快速激活的抗氧化酶保护系统(CAT、SOD)维持氧自由基代谢平衡,以及渗透调节物(脯氨酸、可溶性糖)的积累维护细胞水分代谢平衡,并满足能量的需求和快速生长。但在不同厚度沙埋下,由于根系不受沙埋直接影响而生理变化较小,并且还维持较低的膜脂过氧化水平,这可能是根能维持正常的吸水输水功能并在沙埋处理过程中和沙埋后地上叶片快速生长摆脱沙埋的重要物质基础。     

不同浓度Ni、Cu处理对骆驼蓬光合作用和叶绿素荧光特性的影响水

以骆驼蓬幼苗为材料,采用盆栽试验研究不同浓度(0、50、100、200、400 mg·kg-1)Ni、Cu处理对骆驼蓬叶片光合作用、叶绿素荧光特性及生长状况的影响.结果表明:随着Ni浓度的增加,骆驼蓬幼苗叶片的光合色素含量、净光合速率(Pn)、气孔导度(Gs)、蒸腾速率(Tr)、PS Ⅱ最大光化学效率(Fv/Fm)、PS Ⅱ电子传递量子产率(φpsⅡ)、光化学猝灭系数(qp)及各项生长指标均呈显著下降趋势,而细胞间隙CO2浓度(Ci)和非光化学猝灭系数(qn)呈显著增加趋势,其中Pn的下降主要是由非气孔限制所致;骆驼蓬幼苗叶片的光合色素含量、Pn、Gs、Tr、Ci、Fv/Fm、φpsⅡ、qp及各项生长指标均在50 mg·kg-1Cu处理时达到峰值,叶绿素a和b、Pn、Gs、Tr、Ci、Fv/Fm及各项生长指标值在100 mg·kg-1Cu处理时仍微高于对照,而后随Cu浓度的增加,光合色素含量、Pn、Gs、Tr、Ci、Fv/Fm、φpsⅡ、qp及各项生长指标均呈下降趋势,qN呈增加趋势,其中Pn的下降主要是由气孔限制所致.     

不同非生物胁迫对麻疯树幼苗光合速率等生理指标的影响

对麻疯树(Jatropha curcas L.)幼苗在不同非生物胁迫下的净光合速率(Pn)和蒸腾速率(Tr)等生理指标的变化进行了研究。结果表明,在缺磷处理中,麻疯树叶片Pn保持在对照的90%左右,气孔导度(Gs)和胞间CO2浓度(Ci)在处理2 d后显著增加,Gs上升20%～40%,Ci升高4%～16%,Tr变化不大;处理17 d时,麻疯树的P含量下降55%～85%,而干重只下降3%。缺氮处理9 d时麻疯树叶片的Pn下降到最低,之后维持在对照的64%左右,Gs在处理2～7 d显著高出对照15%～57%,处理9～16 d恢复到对照水平,Ci从第2天开始上升,高出对照4%～24%,Tr变化不大;处理17 d时组织中N含量显著下降47%～78%,植株干重下降23%。盐胁迫处理5 d后,麻疯树叶片Pn降低到对照的54%,之后维持在对照的48%左右,Gs、Ci和Tr与Pn的变化一致,均呈下降趋势;处理17 d,叶柄和茎中P含量增加37%～54%,组织中K+/Na+下降87%～96%,植株干重下降18%。干旱胁迫处理6 d,叶片Pn快速下降至29%,Gs、Ci和Tr与Pn整体变化趋势一致;处理第7天,叶片细胞膜透性增加67%,停止浇水17 d后植株干重下降55%,同时叶片卷曲下垂,老叶脱落。麻疯树植株Pn在缺磷胁迫过程中最早达到相对稳定状态,其次为盐胁迫和缺氮胁迫。这说明麻疯树植株对缺磷环境具有良好的适应性,而对缺氮环境适应性相对较差;耐盐类型可能属于逃避盐害中的聚盐植物,适应干旱环境的机制属于御旱性类型。     

NaCl胁迫对大米草光合·蒸腾等生理特性的影响

研究了NaCl胁迫下大米草净光合速率(Pn)、蒸腾速率(Tr),叶片气孔导度(Gs)、细胞问CO_2浓度(Ci)、株高、叶长、叶宽、茎粗、叶绿素含量、气孔限制值和水分利用效率.结果表明:当NaCl浓度高于300mmol/L时,大米草Pn、Tr、Gs、株高、叶长以及叶绿素含量受到显著抑制(P＜0.05),叶宽及茎粗则无显著性差异.NaCl胁迫下,大米革光合速率的降低是气孔因素和非气孔因素综合导致的结果,Pn、Tr、Gs、株高以及叶绿素含量的降低可作为大米草受NaCl胁迫的症状,而WUE则保持在较高的水平,因此在防治大米草蔓延时,排水处理不是最佳选择.     

Survival and cause-specific mortality rates of female sika deer in eastern Hokkaido, Japan

Survival and cause-specific mortality rates of female sika deer (Cervus nippon) were studied using radio telemetry in eastern Hokkaido, Japan. We captured and radio-collared 18 female deer, and monitored their survival from April 1993 to May 1996. Estimated annual survival rate for adult females was 0.779 (95% confidence interval was 0.609–0.997). The harvest mortality rate of adult females was higher than the natural mortality rate. Experimental female hunting during 1994–1996 contributed to an increase in the mortality rate for females and was useful in the control of the sika deer population.     

Predation rates,survivorship and development ofPodisus maculiventris (Het.: Pentatomidae) on larvae ofLeptinotarsa decemlineata (Col.: Chrysomelidae) andPieris brassicae (Lep.: Pieridae), under field conditions

The mean predation rate per day and the effect of the prey on the development and survival of the various nymphal stages ofPodisus maculiventris (Say) were studied under field-cage conditions. Third instar larvae of the Colorado potato beetleLeptinotarsa decemlineata (Say) and the large white butterflyPieris brassicae (Linnaeus) were used as the prey. The results show that under climatic conditions similar to those occurring in the Thessaloniki region (N. Greece), the 5^th instar nymphs and the adults of the predatorP. maculiventris would be promising agents for the biological control of larvae ofL. decemlineata andP. brassicae.

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Résumé Des recherches de terrain ont été menées afin d'étudier le degré de prédation journalier et l'effet de la proie sur le développement et la survie des différents stades nymphaux deProdisus maculiventris Say en présence de larves du 3^e stade deLeptinotarsa decemlineata (Say) et dePieris brassicae (Linnaeus). Les résultats obtenus montrent que les nymphes du 5^e stade et les adultes du prédateur ont une importante activité prédatrice avec un taux de survie élevé quand ils se nourrissent aux dépens de larves du doryphore ou de la Piéride du chou. Par conséquent, il est très probable quePodisus pourrait être utilisé contre ces ravageurs dans des zones où les conditions climatiques sont proches de celles de la région de Thessaloniki (Grèce du Nord).

     

Utility of Trigonelline as a Biochemical Market for Interspecific Competition between Soybean and the Weed Common Waterhemp

Interspecific competition between four soybean cultivars (PI471938, Stressland, Essex and Forrest) and the weed, common waterhemp was investigated under increasing weed densities (i.e. 0, 1, 4 and 16 plants per pot). Soybean height and leaflet number were measured over a 45-d period and used to calculate relative growth rates (RGR). Trigonelline (TRG) concentration was determined within the V1 leaf of 45-d-old soybean plants. Soybean leaflet number (P[lt ]0.05), soybean height (P[lt ]0.05) and soybean RGR_h (expressed in terms of height) differed significantly (P[lt ]0.05) according to waterhemp density. At each waterhemp density Stressland matured at a significantly faster rate whereas the maturation rate of Essex decreased in the presence of waterhemp. Final TRG concentrations were affected by the interaction between soybean cultivar and waterhemp density. Under no competition, TRG concentration was significantly lower in Forrest relative to PI471938, Stressland and Essex. TRG concentrations in Essex declined in higher waterhemp densities.     

Seasonality Pattern of Biomass Accumulation in a Drifting Furcellaria Lumbricalis Community in the Waters of the West Estonian Archipelago, Baltic Sea

A free-floating, loose form of Furcellaria lumbricalis (Huds.) Lamour is rare in the Baltic Sea area. Kassari Bay, situated in the West Estonian Archipelago Sea area contains the largest known community of this kind. Here the free-floating mixed Furcellaria lumbricalis-Coccotylus truncatus (Paela) M. J. Wynne et J. N. Heine community inhabits sandy bottom, covering up to 120 km². Commercial exploitation of the community started in 1966 and has led to regular monitoring surveys for the quantification of the commercial resource. The aim of the present study was to determine the potential growth rates of the two community-forming species as well as to test different environmental factors affecting their growth. Results showed that the highest growth rates were measured in shallower depths (4 m) for both species. The seasonal growth pattern was also very similar for both species, showing the highest growth rates during the beginning of summer. Incubation of both species in another sea area with apparently similar basic environmental conditions (the northern part of the Gulf of Riga, Kõiguste Bay) resulted in significantly lower growth rates during the whole incubation period.     

Aquacultural characteristics of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Rhizoclonium</Emphasis><Emphasis Type="Italic">riparium</Emphasis> and an evaluation of its biomass growth potential

A study was made of environmental factors affecting the growth of Rhizoclonium riparium in order to evaluate its suitability for large-scale culturing. The results indicate that under the natural conditions prevailing at Taishi, Taiwan, this species can grow year-round, with a monthly biomass production (oven-dried) of 945–1540 kg ha⁻¹ pond surface (assuming a pond depth of 1 m). The specific growth rate ranged from –2.1 to 10.4% per day. Salinity and temperature, both influenced the rate significantly, with optimal values at 20% and 25 °C, respectively. Short (2-mm) lengths of filaments had a higher specific growth rate than longer (20 mm) filaments. Under rotational culturing conditions, the specific growth rate was reduced when flow was increased.     

Protein Evolutionary Rates Correlate with Expression Independently of Synonymous Substitutions in Helicobacter pylori

In free-living microorganisms, such as Escherichia coli and Saccharomyces cerevisiae, both synonymous and nonsynonymous substitution frequencies correlate with expression levels. Here, we have tested the hypothesis that the correlation between amino acid substitution rates and expression is a by-product of selection for codon bias and translational efficiency in highly expressed genes. To this end, we have examined the correlation between protein evolutionary rates and expression in the human gastric pathogen Helicobacter pylori, where the absence of selection on synonymous sites enables the two types of substitutions to be uncoupled. The results revealed a statistically significant negative correlation between expression levels and nonsynonymous substitutions in both H. pylori and E. coli. We also found that neighboring genes located on the same, but not on opposite strands, evolve at significantly more similar rates than random gene pairs, as expected by co-expression of genes located in the same operon. However, the two species differ in that synonymous substitutions show a strand-specific pattern in E. coli, whereas the weak similarity in synonymous substitutions for neighbors in H. pylori is independent of gene orientation. These results suggest a direct influence of expression levels on nonsynonymous substitution frequencies independent of codon bias and selective constraints on synonymous sites. Electronic Supplementary Material Electronic Supplementary material is available for this article at and accessible for authorised users. [Reviewing Editor: Dr. Nicolas Galtier]     

The field energetics and water fluxes of free-living wombats (Marsupialia: Vombatidae)

Wombats are large, fossorial, herbivorous marsupials exhibiting physical and behavioural characteristics indicative of extreme energy conservation. Previous energetics studies have been limited to their basal metabolism under laboratory conditions; little is known of the energetics of free-living wombats. We measured seasonal field metabolic rates (FMR) and water fluxes in the three species of free-living wombat using the doubly labelled water technique, to further investigate the extent of energy conservation in the Vombatidae. Measurements were taken during the wet and dry annual extremes of their characteristically harsh environments, which corresponded to seasonal extremes of food and water availability. Seasonal FMRs for all wombat species were lower than that recorded for other marsupials and well below that predicted for herbivorous mammals. Dry-season FMR of Lasiorhinus kreftii was 40% of that predicted for a mammal. Wombats maintained energy balance during the poor season by reducing FMR to about half that of the good season. Water flux rates during the dry season for the arid-adapted Lasiorhinus are amongst the lowest recorded for mammals, being only 25% of that predicted for a similarly sized herbivorous mammal. These low water flux rates enable wombats in semi-arid areas to maintain water balance without drinking. Estimated food and nitrogen intake rates were also low. We conclude that the energetically frugal lifestyle of the Vombatidae is amongst the most extreme for mammals.     

Growth-rate adaptation of Phycomyces sporangiophores to partial depletion of oxygen

The growth rate of Phycomyces blakesleeanus sporangiophores was found to be very sensitive to sudden changes in the oxygen concentration. A change from 20% to 15% oxygen elicits a transient decrease in the growth rate which returns to normal 10 min after altering the concentration. After a step change to 10% oxygen, the growth rate shows two minima at 6–8 and 30–35 min and it reaches about 80% of its original value 50 min after this change. A threshold curve for this negative growth response shows that sporangiophores begin to sense a decrease in the oxygen concentration from 20% to 17%. Seven phototropically abnormal mutants with defects in the genes madA to madG were tested for the oxygen response. Two strains, C149madD120 and C316madF48, were found to have recoveries different from those of the wild type after step changes from 20% to 10% oxygen.     

Responses of four succession tree species in low subtropics to enhanced UV-B radiation in the field

The tested tree species included pioneer species Acacia mangium, early succession stage species Schima superba, mesophyte intermediate-succession species Machilus chinensis, and shade-tolerant plant or late-succession species Cryptocarya concinna which occur in the lower subtropical forest community. A comparison with the current ambient level of UV-B radiation (UV-B) showed the leaf net photosynthetic rate (P _N), transpiration rate (E), and stomatal conductance (g _s) of the four species ranged from significantly decreased to no significant change. Additionally, the thickness of palisade and mesophyll in leaves of four tree species were decreased sharply by enhanced UV-B. The thickness of spongy parenchyma in leaves was also decreased except for M. chinensis. UV-B increased the leaf width of A. mangium but its leaf length, leaf thickness, and dry mass per unit area were not affected. Significantly increased stomata width was observed in A. mangium leaf epidermis in response to UV-B. Significantly decreased stomata width and significantly increased stomata density of leaf abaxial epidermis in M. chinensis were also observed. The stomata density of abaxial epidermis of C. concinna was remarkably increased by enhanced UV-B. The height and branch biomass of A. mangium and the height of S. superba were reduced visibly by enhanced UV-B. The four plant species could be classified into three groups of UV-B sensitiveness by hierarchical cluster analysis. A. mangium was sensitive to enhanced UV-B, while C. concinna showed more tolerance.     

Gas Exchange Responses to CO2 Concentration Instantaneously Elevated in Flag Leaves of Winter Wheat Cultivars Released in Different Years

Three winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars, representatives of those widely cultivated in Beijing over the past six decades, were grown in the same environmental conditions. Net photosynthetic rate (P _N) per unit leaf area and instantaneous water use efficiency (WUE) of flag leaves increased with elevated CO₂ concentration. With an increase in CO₂ concentration from 360 to 720 µmol mol^–1, P _N and WUE of Jingdong 8 (released in 1990s and having the highest yield) increased by 173 and 81 %, while those of Nongda 139 (released in 1970s) increased by 88 and 66 %, and Yanda 1817 (released in 1945, with lowest yield) by 76 and 65 %. Jingdong 8 had the highest P _N and WUE values under high CO₂ concentration, but Yanda 1817 showed the lowest P _N. Stomatal conductance (g _s) of Nongda 139 and Yanda 1817 declined with increasing CO₂ concentration, but g _s of Jingdong 8 firstly went down and then up as the CO₂ concentration further increased. Intercellular CO₂ concentration (C _i) of Jingdong 8 and Nongda 139 increased when CO₂ concentration elevated, while that of Yanda 139 increased at the first stage and then declined. Jingdong 8 had the lowest C _i of the three wheat cultivars, and Yanda 1817 had the highest C _i value under lower CO₂ concentrations. However, Jingdong 8 had the highest P _N and lowest C _i at the highest CO₂ concentration which indicates that its photosynthetic potential may be high.