Desert soil fungi isolated from Saudi Arabia: cultivable fungal community and biochemical production

Desert soils harbor fungi that have survived under highly stressed conditions of high temperature and little available moisture. This study was designed to survey the communities of cultivable fungi in the desert soils of the Arabian Peninsula and to screen the fungi for the potentially valuable antioxidants (flavonoids, phenols, saponins, steroids, tannins, terpenoids, and alkaloids) and enzymes (cellulase, laccase, lipase, protease, amylase, and chitinase). Desert soil was sampled at 30 localities representing different areas of Saudi Arabia and studied for physico-chemical soil properties. Five types of soil texture (sand, loamy sand, sandy loam, silty loam, and sandy clay loam) were observed. A total of 25 saprotrophic species was identified molecularly from 68 isolates. Our survey revealed 13 culturable fungal species that have not been reported previously from Arabian desert soils and six more species not reported from Saudi Arabian desert soils. The most commonly recorded genera were Aspergillus (isolated from 20 localities) and Penicillium (6 localities). The measurements of biochemicals revealed that antioxidants were produced by 49 and enzymes by 52 isolates; only six isolates did not produce any biochemicals. The highest biochemical activity was observed for the isolates Fusarium brachygibbosum and A. phoenicis. Other active isolates were A. proliferans and P. chrysogenum. The same species, for instance, A. niger had isolates of both high and low biochemical activities. Principal component analysis gave a tentative indication of a relationship between the biochemical activity of fungi isolated from soil and soil texture variables namely the content of silt, clay and sand. However, any generalizable relation between soil properties and fungal biochemical activities cannot be suggested. Each fungal isolate is probable to produce several antioxidants and enzymes, as shown by the correlation within the compound groups. Desert soil warrants further research as a promising source of biochemicals.     

荒漠短命植物不同生长期化学计量特征与生境土壤因子关系分析

深入了解荒漠短命植物的化学计量特征,有助于更好地理解生境土壤因子与植物生存策略的关系。以古尔班通古特沙漠广泛分布的尖喙牻牛儿苗（Erodium oxyrrhynchum）、假狼紫草（Nonea caspica）、琉苞菊（Hyalea pulchella）、飘带果（Lactuca undulata）为植物材料,测定不同深度（0~5、5~10、10~15 cm）的土壤理化性质,野外原位多时段采样比较分析4种植物化学计量特征与土壤因子的动态变化及其耦合关系。结果表明：①4种短命植物碳（C）、氮（N）、磷（P）含量普遍较低,化学计量特征存在物种间差异,但在不同生长期内变化规律大致相似。N、P含量从幼苗期到结实期逐渐减少,而C含量则长期趋于稳定。整个生长期内,P、C∶P的变异幅度较大,相反,C、N∶P的变异幅度较小。4种植物在不同生长期的化学计量特征差异与生长期、植物种类存在显著相关性。②0~5 cm土层有机碳（SOC）、总氮（TN）、总磷（TP）含量最高,且随土层的加深逐渐减少。随着植物的生长,0~5 cm土层中SOC和TN含量呈明显增加的趋势,而TP含量却呈现抛物线状变化趋势。在植物不同生长期内,土壤TP含量稳定性最强,SOC、TN的变异性较强,较低的N含量及TN∶TP比显示出该区域土壤属于N素缺乏类型。3个土层土壤在不同生长期的化学计量特征差异受土层、生长期的影响显著。③4种植物与各层次土壤化学计量特征的相关性无一致规律。植物化学计量指标仅与0~10 cm土层SOC、SOC∶TP相关性较强,而大部分化学计量特征间未显示出相关性。上述结果说明植物化学计量特征并非全部由土壤养分特征直接决定,其明显的种间差异显示了植物自身遗传特性在土壤—植物计量特征耦合关系的重要性。     

两种荒漠豆科植物化学计量特征与生境土壤因子的关系

豆科植物是荒漠等干旱生态系统的重要先锋物种,也是生态系统中有效氮的主要来源。为了明确荒漠豆科植物与生境土壤因子之间的关系,该研究以古尔班通古特沙漠广泛分布的荒漠豆科植物弯花黄芪(Astragalus flexus)、镰荚黄芪(Astragalus arpilobus)为对象,测定不同土壤深度(0~5、5~10、10~15 cm)的理化性质,比较分析2种荒漠豆科植物化学计量特征与土壤因子的关系。结果表明:(1)弯花黄芪碳(C)、氮(N)、磷(P)含量分别为373.35、25.66、1.03 mg·g^-1,高于镰荚黄芪的331.53、19.59、0.66 mg·g^-1,且二者的N、P含量均差异显著(P<0.05);弯花黄芪的C∶P、N∶P分别为374.38、25.75,均极显著高于镰荚黄芪的166.09、10.12(P<0.01),而弯花黄芪的C∶N(14.62)低于镰荚黄芪(16.99),两种植物的C和C∶N均无显著差异。(2)豆科植物生境土壤在0~5 cm土层的有机碳(SOC)、全氮(TN)、全磷(TP)含量最高,且随土层的加深逐渐减少;土壤化学计量比SOC∶TN、SOC∶TP均随土层加深逐渐增大,而TN∶TP值随土层加深逐渐减少;较低的N含量及TN∶TP 显示该区域土壤属于N素缺乏类型。(3)2种荒漠豆科植物与各层次土壤化学计量特征的相关性无一致规律。其中,弯花黄芪立地0~10 cm土层的TN与N∶P间呈负相关关系,TP与P间呈极显著负相关关系,而TP与C∶N间呈正相关关系,SOC∶TN与N∶P间呈极显著正相关关系;在10~15 cm土层中,SOC∶TN与N∶P间呈正相关关系。镰荚黄芪中仅P含量与其立地0~5 cm土层的SOC∶TP具有极显著正相关关系,而大部分化学计量特征间未显示出相关性。(4)弯花黄芪的植物化学计量指标P含量与5~10 cm土层的电导率(EC)间呈极显著正相关关系,N含量与10~15 cm土层的速效钾(AK)间呈正相关关系;而镰荚黄芪N、AP与N∶P与0~5 cm土层的速效磷(AP)间均呈极显著负相关关系,与其他土层未出现相关关系。研究认为,古尔班通古特沙漠土壤N含量以及TN∶TP较低,土壤N元素贫瘠,且该区豆科植物立地土壤养分含量总体偏低;该区弯花黄芪生长的主要限制元素为P,而镰荚黄芪生长的主要限制元素为N和P;植物化学计量特征并非全部由土壤养分特征直接决定,其明显的种间差异显示植物自身遗传特性在土壤 植物计量特征耦合关系的重要性。     

Flow cytometric method for quantifying viable Mycoplasma agassizii,an agent of upper respiratory tract disease in the desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii)

Aims: Mycoplasma agassizii can cause upper respiratory tract disease in the threatened desert tortoise of the Southwestern United States. Two technical challenges have impeded critical microbiological studies of this microorganism: (i) its small size limits the use of light microscopy for cell counting and (ii) its extremely slow growth in broth and agar cultures impedes colony counting. Our aim was to develop a rapid and sensitive flow cytometric method using a vital fluorescent dye to enumerate viable M. agassizii cells. Methods and Results: Here, we demonstrate that the nonfluorescent molecule 5‐carboxyfluorescein (5‐CF) diacetate acetoxymethyl ester penetrates M. agassizii cell membranes and it is converted in the cytoplasm to the fluorescent molecule 5‐CF by the action of intracellular esterases. Labelled mycoplasma cells can be easily detected by flow cytometry, and cultures with as few as 100 viable mycoplasma cells ml^?1 can be labelled and counted in less than 1 h. Experiments using temperature‐induced cell death demonstrated that only viable M. agassizii cells are labelled with this procedure. Conclusions: A rapid and sensitive flow cytometric technique has been developed for enumerating viable M. agassizii cells. Significance and Impact of the Study: This technique should facilitate basic immunological, biochemical and pharmacological studies of this important pathogen which may lead to new diagnostic and therapeutic methods.     

鄂尔多斯高原库布齐沙地三趾跳鼠静止代谢率的季节变化

三趾跳鼠的代谢率存在季节性变化 ,春季的静止代谢率最低 (0 75mlO2 /h .g) ,仅为期望值的 6 4% ,热中性区最窄 (2 9～ 31℃ ) ;夏季的代谢率 (1 17mlO2 /h .g)与期望值一致 ,热中性区最宽 (2 8～ 37℃ ) ;秋季的代谢率 (1 31mlO2 /h .g)高于期望值 10 % ,热中性区向低温偏移 (2 6～ 30℃ )。三趾跳鼠各季节的体温从春季到秋季逐渐降低 ,并且在环境温度为 30℃以下时基本维持恒定 ,高温时动物以耐受一定程度的高体温和分泌唾液防止致死性过热。三趾跳鼠的能量代谢特征不仅与季节性食物和环境温度变化有关 ,而且与该鼠种的冬眠特性也有一定联系     

A preliminary study of the responsiveness to seasonal atmospheric and rainfall patterns of wash woodland species in the arid Richtersveld

Seasonal carbon and water relations were compared among seven tree or shrub wash woodland species in the winter rainfall desert of the Richtersveld National Park, South Africa. Plants were generally aseasonal with respect to gas exchange, but responsive to rainfall events with respect to water relations and phenology. Relatively narrow annual ranges in potential evapotranspiration due to the maritime influence could explain why these plants respond more to fluctuations in water acquisition potential than to evaporative demand. Two species were summer-deciduous, but one of them (Ozoroa concolor) responded to aseasonal summer rainfall by leafing out and flowering. These two species had high shoot xylem water potentials when in leaf. All other species were sclerophyllous evergreens with low water potentials, particularly the shallow-rooted shrub Zygophyllum prismatocarpum, and Boscia albitrunca which may have a different rooting pattern to the other phreatophytes. The latter species was also unique due to its high leaf nitrogen contents, photosynthetic rates and stomatal conductances, despite very low leaf water potentials. Leaf stable carbon isotope composition C¹³C) varied between species (–22 to –27), but was lower than the mean for arid regions worldwide. The values indicated moderately high levels of water use efficiency, but a less conservative strategy in two species, including Boscia albitrunca. The affinities of these species to summer rainfall biomes, their apparent decline in the western arid regions in recent geological history following aridification, and their absence southwards in the winter rainfall regions, suggest that these wash species rely on sporadic summer rainfall events to some extent. They may be at risk if predicted increases in temperature and changes in rainfall patterns alter their effective moisture availability.     

Microbial populations and activities in the rhizoplane of rock-weathering desert plants. II. Growth promotion of cactus seedlings

Four bacterial species isolated from the rhizoplane of cacti growing in bare lava rocks were assessed for growth promotion of giant cardon cactus seedlings (Pachycereus pringlei). These bacteria fixed N(2), dissolved P, weathered extrusive igneous rock, marble, and limestone, and significantly mobilized useful minerals, such as P, K, Mg, Mn, Fe, Cu, and Zn in rock minerals. Cardon cactus seeds inoculated with these bacteria were able to sprout and grow normally without added nutrients for at least 12 months in pulverized extrusive igneous rock (ancient lava flows) mixed with perlite. Cacti that were not inoculated grew less vigorously and some died. The amount of useful minerals (P, K, Fe, Mg) for plant growth extracted from the pulverized lava, measured after cultivation of inoculated plants, was significant. This study shows that rhizoplane bacteria isolated from rock-growing cacti promote growth of a cactus species, and can help supply essential minerals for a prolonged period of time.     

A desert octodontid rodent,Tympanoctomys barrerae,uses modified hairs for stripping epidermal tissue from leaves of halophytic plants

Desert rodents that consume halophytic plants must have adaptations for coping with the high salt content of the leaves. A kidney capable of excreting very concentrated urine is one method. Another is removal of the hypersaline epidermis by means of chisel-like incisors prior to ingestion of the leaves. Tympanoctomys barrerae has evolved a unique refinement of the latter adaptation. It possesses two bundles of stiffened hairs on either side of the palate just caudal to the incisors. The bundles vibrate against the lower incisors, removing the epidermis from the leaves. The efficiency of the operation is significantly greater than with the use of incisors alone. Such a device has not been described in any other mammal. The facial muscles associated with the lips, the cheek vibrissae, and the oral cavity are described in T. barrerae and the nonhalophilic octodontid Octomys mimax. M. buccinatorius pars intermaxillaris is the only muscle in direct contact with the bristle bundles. Other anatomical features found in T. barrerae that may be associated with this feeding device are: 1) a much enlarged and mobile lower labial pad operated by Mm. buccinatorius pars orbicularis oris, pars longitudinalis profunda, and mandibularis cranialis profunda; 2) two oral glands not described in other rodents; and 3) a shortened tongue. Although, taken as a whole, this epidermal stripping device is unique to T. barrerae, most of its features have evolved by modification of structures present in the facial region of more generalized rodents.     

Island–matrix relationships in Nama Karoo inselberg landscapes Part II: Are some inselbergs better sources than others?

To answer the question whether some inselbergs are better sources thanothers, thus potentially affecting processes in inselberg landscapes,inselberg-matrix affinities and the influence of regional physicalenvironmental parameters (latitude, longitude, distance from coast andmainland)and parameters operating on landscape level (elevation and geology) wereinvestigated. All investigated environmental parameters affected the observedpatternsto some extend. Distance from mainland and geographic position were importantona regional level, while elevation only influenced the observed trends wheninvestigated at a local level. Parameters determining bettersources within the selected study areas and sites, here simply definedasshowing higher floristic affinities with the surrounding, appeared to beinselbergs: (a) in southern Namibia and thus in an inland position; (b) at adistancefrom other mountainous habitats; and (c) of low elevation. Although theimportanceof inselbergs for conservation and maintenanceof biodiversity is evident, this study points towards a complex situation,ruling out the sole effect of any one of the parameters investigated atregionaland landscape level. Further observations and analysis at a local level maygivesome pointers and assist in identifying critical aspects important forconservation and range management.