Genetic variation underlies temperature tolerance of embryos in the sea urchin Heliocidaris erythrogramma armigera

Ocean warming can alter natural selection on marine systems, and in many cases, the long‐term persistence of affected populations will depend on genetic adaptation. In this study, we assess the potential for adaptation in the sea urchin Heliocidaris erythrogramma armigera, an Australian endemic, that is experiencing unprecedented increases in ocean temperatures. We used a factorial breeding design to assess the level of heritable variation in larval hatching success at two temperatures. Fertilized eggs from each full‐sibling family were tested at 22 °C (current spawning temperature) and 25 °C (upper limit of predicted warming this century). Hatching success was significantly lower at higher temperatures, confirming that ocean warming is likely to exert selection on this life‐history stage. Our analyses revealed significant additive genetic variance and genotype‐by‐environment interactions underlying hatching success. Consistent with prior work, we detected significant nonadditive (sire‐by‐dam) variance in hatching success, but additionally found that these interactions were modified by temperature. Although these findings suggest the potential for genetic adaptation, any evolutionary responses are likely to be influenced (and possibly constrained) by complex genotype‐by‐environment and sire‐by‐dam interactions and will additionally depend on patterns of genetic covariation with other fitness traits.     

Seed‐enhancement combinations improve germination and handling in two dominant native grass species

The use of native grasses for both restoration and commercial purposes is becoming increasingly important globally. Many native grasses have limited success in seed‐based restoration (e.g. post‐mine rehabilitation) and commercial industries (e.g. agriculture) due to poor seed germination and handling. Seed‐enhancement technologies can assist in overcoming these barriers. This study aimed to use combinations of seed enhancements to overcome the germination and handling challenges in two dominant Australian native grass species with demand in restoration and commercial industries (Triodia wiseana C.A Gardner and Rytidosperma caespitosum [Gaudich.] Connor & Edgar). Selected enhancements included hydropriming (including inoculation with karrikinolide [KAR₁]), flash flaming, and seed coating. Combinations of these seed enhancements allowed improvements in both germination (by up to 55% and 18% for T. wiseana and R. caespitosum, respectively) and floret geometry (flowability, as measured through a mechanized seeder, improved by up to 6‐fold and 17‐fold for T. wiseana and R. caespitosum, respectively), with the order of enhancement application being important. The responses of each species to enhancements corresponded with key biological processes and ecological cues required for recruitment events in nature, such as fire and rainfall events. Triodia wiseana germination was driven by fire‐related cues (i.e. KAR₁, flaming), while R. caespitosum germination was highest in response to moisture‐related cues (i.e. hydro‐priming). Responses to seed enhancements (and combinations of) may have implications for the management and scaled use of the targeted species. This can assist in improving the restoration and commercial success of the study species, and potentially other grasses with germination and handling challenges, into the future.     

A deadly spread: cellular mechanisms of α-synuclein transfer

Classically, Parkinson's disease (PD) is linked to dopamine neuron death in the substantia nigra pars compacta. Intracytoplasmic protein inclusions named Lewy bodies, and corresponding Lewy neurites found in neuronal processes, are also key features of the degenerative process in the substantia nigra. The molecular mechanisms by which substantia nigra dopamine neurons die and whether the Lewy pathology is directly involved in the cell death pathway are open questions. More recently, it has become apparent that Lewy pathology gradually involves greater parts of the PD brain and is widespread in late stages. In this review, we first discuss the role of misfolded α-synuclein protein, which is the main constituent of Lewy bodies, in the pathogenesis of PD. We then describe recent evidence that α-synuclein might transfer between cells in PD brains. We discuss in detail the possible molecular mechanisms underlying the proposed propagation and the likely consequences for cells that take up α-synuclein. Finally, we focus on aspects of the pathogenic process that could be targeted with new pharmaceutical therapies or used to develop biomarkers for early PD detection.     

Seed and seedling responses to inoculation with mycorrhizal fungi and root nodule bacteria: implications for restoration of degraded Mediterranean‐type Tuart woodlands

Inoculation with beneficial soil microorganisms has the potential to enhance success of restoration, particularly in harsh Mediterranean‐type ecosystems (MTEs). We investigated the effects of microorganisms (mycorrhizal fungi and root nodule bacteria) and planting material (seed and nursery‐raised seedlings) on early establishment and growth of two key postdisturbance colonizing species with different life histories, life forms and functional types (Eucalyptus gomphocephala and Acacia saligna) under field conditions. Establishment and growth were monitored at 13 months, following the first MTE drought period. For E. gomphocephala, establishment was higher for seedlings (81%) than for seeding (7.5%). Inoculation with ectomycorrhizal fungal spores was not beneficial. For A. saligna, establishment was also higher for seedlings (84%) than for seeding (42.5%). Mycorrhizal fungal inoculum had no effect on establishment or growth. This study has shown that in harsh MTE conditions, the use of seedlings is more effective than seeding in degraded woodlands even when attempting to reintroduce key colonizing species. The microorganism treatments tested did not result in significant improvement in establishment or growth.     

Description of Eucalyptodiplosis chionochloae sp. nov., a cecidomyiid feeding on inflorescences of Chionochloa (Poaceae) in New Zealand

Abstract

A cecidomyiid that feeds on developing seeds in the inflorescences of the New Zealand tussock grasses Chionochloa australis, C. conspicua, C. crassiuscula, C.flavescens, C. macra, C. oreophila, C. pallens, C. rigida, C. rubra, C. spiralis and C. teretifolia is formally described from C. pallens. The new species, named Eucalyptodiplosis chionochloae Kolesik, is the most ubiquitous of flower feeders of Chionochloa. Its larvae do not form galls but feed on the developing seeds in autumn, overwinter as diapausing larvae inside the floret, and pupate then rapidly eclose in summer, sometimes after extended diapause. Methods for rearing adults are described. Based on its morphological characters this species is most closely related to two described congeners that form galls on buds of Eucalyptus trees in Australia. Seed predation by Eucalyptodiplosis chionochloae larvae appears to be the primary driver of the extreme mast seeding (variation among years in flower crops) seen in the host Chionochloa species.     

核心通识课“微生物的世界”网课直播工具筛选

由于新型冠状病毒肺炎疫情的影响,本学期目前只能上网课。开学前作者测试了"微助教"、QQ群"分享屏幕"、QQ"群课堂"和"腾讯课堂"等四种直播授课工具,分析了每种直播工具的特点和利弊。本学期作者讲授核心通识课"微生物的世界",选课人数超过100人,根据本课程特点,最终选择"腾讯课堂"作为直播工具,并结合"微助教"平台授课,获得了较好的教学效果,为网课教学实践提供了参考。     

Characteristics of the optimum combination of synthetic soils by plant and soil properties used for rock slope restoration

Bare rock slopes often deteriorate microclimates and drive water erosion and landslides. Moreover, they impose hidden troubles on humans and have increasingly been brought to the attention of the public. In order to optimize synthetic soils (SS) for improving the outside soil spray seeding (OSSS) technique used for the restoration of rock slopes, we investigated physico-chemical properties and plant growth of a series of SS designed with orthogonal array OA₂₅ (5⁵). Five additive components, cement, inorganic compound fertilizers, peat soil, wood chip and water–absorbent polymers at five levels, were applied to optimize the synthetic soils. In the present study, we only investigated the effects of a single additive component on all the indicators measured. Primarily, results showed that the contributions of cement to plant biomass, pH and water holding content; the contributions of inorganic compound fertilizers to plant biomass and total nitrogen, available nitrogen, total phosphorus and available phosphorus; the contributions of both peat soil and wood chip to plant biomass, water holding content and organic carbon; and the contributions of water absorbent polymers to the plant biomass, water holding content and available nitrogen were all significant. According to the plant growth and physico-chemical properties of the synthetic soils, Treatment-12 consisting of 1.5% cement, 0.4% inorganic compound fertilizers, 1.5% peat soil, 0.3% water absorbent agent and 2.0% wood chip, was the optimum combination among the 25 treatments for the restoration of rock slopes. The properties of the optimized SS to support growth of plants and to resist erosion were verified by an experiment using an actual rock slope.     

盐胁迫对高羊茅（Festuca arundinacea）幼苗生长和离子分布的影响

盐胁迫环境抑制植物的生长,影响植物组织的离子分布,不同的盐分组成对植物的抑制伤害存在差异,为了研究上海市临港新城滨海盐渍土的生态恢复和重建,模拟该地区的盐分组成,进行了高羊茅（Festuca arundinacea）幼苗的盐胁迫试验。高羊茅种子在非盐胁迫条件下萌发,出苗5d后,进行了不同浓度NaCl：0、50、100、150、200、300、400mmol/L处理,15d后测定生长情况、组织含水量和Na+、K+、Ca2+、Mg2+等离子含量。研究结果表明：盐分对高羊茅幼苗的抑制作用随NaCl浓度增加而加剧,低盐胁迫环境下,幼苗地上部分和根系的鲜重、干重和含水量都与对照没有显著性差异,但是高盐环境严重影响了高羊茅幼苗的生长,而且对地上部分的抑制作用大于根部;盐胁迫影响植物组织的离子分布,Na+浓度持续增加,Ca2+和K+浓度下降,Mg2+含量的影响不大;各组织中K/Na、Ca/Na和Mg/Na随盐胁迫增加而下降。     

阿拉善退化沙地飞播植物群落演替趋势研究

阿拉善沙地飞播植被的形成和发育与生长季中的降水量及其季节分配有关。调查结果表明,当播种时月降水量大于65mm时,植物群落中高或较高存在度的植物种是蒙古沙拐枣(Calligonum mongolicum)、沙鞭(Psammochloa villose)和白沙蒿(Artemisia sphaerocephala),重要值分别是64.9%、61.6%和23.7%,生物量2038.2kg·hm-2。飞播种时月降水量小于40mm时,植物群落中高的或较高存在度的种是白沙蒿、葡根骆驼蓬(Peganum nigellastrum),重要值依次是65.5%～66.6%、35.7%～46.1%,生物量1827.3～1834.7kg·hm-2。飞播植物群落种的数量随生长季节的变化而异,在6～9月,白沙蒿的重要值和生物量所占群落总量的比率逐月增多,种的存在度保持稳定,表现了较强的适应能力。蒙古沙拐枣的重要值和生物量在6～8月间表现出增长趋势,9月生物量有所减少,但其在植物群落中的表现相对比较稳定。沙鞭的重要值和生物量随季节变化而减少,表现出衰退趋势。以上结果表明,在沙地人工建植白沙蒿和蒙古沙拐枣是治理退化沙地的有效措施。     

不同基质中4种电网塔基地被植物种子发芽与幼苗生长研究

以宽叶雀稗(Paspalum wettsteinii)、百喜草(P. notatum)、狗牙根(Cynodon dactylon)和猪屎豆(Crotalaria pallida) 4种植物种子为材料,研究其在沙土、园土、红壤、建筑废弃土、碎石块等基质中萌发和幼苗生长情况,筛选4种植物最适栽培基质,以期为电网基塔下及四周裸露地面复绿提供指导。结果表明,沙土适于宽叶雀稗、百喜草、狗牙根种子发芽;猪屎豆在5种基质中均不发芽。宽叶雀稗适于红壤生长;百喜草、狗牙根适于园土生长;宽叶雀稗为沙土、建筑废弃土和碎石块上最适合栽种的植物。通过灰色关联度分析,3种植物苗期生长的综合排序为δ宽叶雀稗(0.553) > δ狗牙根(0.522) > δ百喜草(0.436),故在5种基质中,宽叶雀稗幼苗生长综合表现最佳。