The Sphagnum microbiome supports bog ecosystem functioning under extreme conditions

Sphagnum‐dominated bogs represent a unique yet widely distributed type of terrestrial ecosystem and strongly contribute to global biosphere functioning. Sphagnum is colonized by highly diverse microbial communities, but less is known about their function. We identified a high functional diversity within the Sphagnum microbiome applying an Illumina‐based metagenomic approach followed by de novo assembly and MG‐RAST annotation. An interenvironmental comparison revealed that the Sphagnum microbiome harbours specific genetic features that distinguish it significantly from microbiomes of higher plants and peat soils. The differential traits especially support ecosystem functioning by a symbiotic lifestyle under poikilohydric and ombrotrophic conditions. To realise a plasticity–stability balance, we found abundant subsystems responsible to cope with oxidative and drought stresses, to exchange (mobile) genetic elements, and genes that encode for resistance to detrimental environmental factors, repair and self‐controlling mechanisms. Multiple microbe–microbe and plant–microbe interactions were also found to play a crucial role as indicated by diverse genes necessary for biofilm formation, interaction via quorum sensing and nutrient exchange. A high proportion of genes involved in nitrogen cycle and recycling of organic material supported the role of bacteria for nutrient supply. 16S rDNA analysis indicated a higher structural diversity than that which had been previously detected using PCR‐dependent techniques. Altogether, the diverse Sphagnum microbiome has the ability to support the life of the host plant and the entire ecosystem under changing environmental conditions. Beyond this, the moss microbiome presents a promising bio‐resource for environmental biotechnology – with respect to novel enzymes or stress‐protecting bacteria.     

中国新疆柳叶藓科、青藓科和灰藓科植物区系研究

通过对新疆柳叶藓科(Amblystegiaceae)、青藓科(Brachytheciaceae)和灰藓科(Hypnaceae)植物标本的野外采集和室内鉴定,报道了中国新疆地区柳叶藓科15属33种,青藓科12属51种,灰藓科11属30种,共计38属114种。其中,中国青藓科新记录种2种,新疆新记录4属37种。优势属10个,且以青藓属(Brachythecium BrushSchimp.)为代表的北温带成分为主;单种属19个,体现了新疆藓类植物区系的古老性和多样性。新疆3科藓类植物区系成分可划分为9种类型,其中北温带成分居主导地位,占中国新疆3科藓类植物总种数的52.08%,东亚成分次之,占25.01%,热带成分甚微。对中国新疆与中国内蒙古、中国西藏以及俄罗斯、蒙古、哈萨克斯坦、巴基斯坦和印度7个邻近地区的区系比较发现,印度物种丰富度最高,俄罗斯和中国新疆次之;中国新疆与中国内蒙古、俄罗斯在物种组成上相似度最高。地理成分区系谱及聚类分析结果表明,中国新疆与中国内蒙古地区的植物区系关系最为接近,而且与俄罗斯密切相关。     

微生境对耐旱石生毛尖紫萼藓水分保持与散失特性的影响

毛尖紫萼藓(Grimmia pilifera)是典型石生耐旱藓类,水分是其生存繁衍的关键影响因素。为探究微生境对毛尖紫萼藓水分生理的影响,在安徽省大龙山国家森林公园低山丘陵区选择3种典型微生境(竹林遮蔽S-1,向阳裸岩E,薜荔灌丛遮蔽S-2),对比研究毛尖紫萼藓个体大小、饱和含水量及脱水过程中的含水量指标在不同微生境间的差异性,综合判断微生境对苔藓水分胁迫耐受性的影响及其权衡特征。结果表明:3种微生境毛尖紫萼藓个体大小及饱和含水量差异显著,其中竹林遮蔽生境毛尖紫萼藓具有较小的个体但拥有较高的内、外含水量。向阳裸岩和薜荔灌丛遮蔽生境植株大小及外吸水量接近,但前者内含水量更高。两荫蔽生境苔藓外吸水量是内吸水量的7倍,显著高于向阳裸岩生境的5.8倍。脱水过程中相同时间点向阳裸岩生境苔藓各含水量指标均高于两遮蔽生境,且达到相同含水量的时间差也随脱水进程持续而逐渐增大,这为向阳裸岩生境苔藓的有效光合作用(即相对含水量不低于35%时)及脱水后期的生理和结构调整赢得更多时间。综合而言,向阳裸岩生境毛尖紫萼藓比荫蔽生境具有更强的脱水耐受性,但后者可以通过增加外部吸水量来弥补失水过快的缺陷,这可能是不同微生境毛尖紫萼藓对水分吸收和保持的权衡策略。     

Morphology of Gambierdiscus scabrosus sp. nov. (Gonyaulacales): a new epiphytic toxic dinoflagellate from coastal areas of Japan

A new epiphytic dinoflagellate is described, G ambierdiscus scabrosus sp. nov., from tidal pools and rocky shores along the coastal areas of Japan. Cells are 63.2 ± 5.7 μm in depth, 58.2 ± 5.7 μm in width, and 37.3 ± 3.5 μm in length. The plate formula of G . scabrosus is Po, 4′, 0a, 6′′, 6c, ?s, 5′′′, 0p, and 2′′′′. Morphologically, G . scabrosus resembles G . belizeanus as follows: anterioposteriorly compressed cell shape, narrow 2′′′′ plate, and areolated surface. Despite this similarity, the cells of G . scabrosus can be distinguishable by the presence of the asymmetric shaped 3′′ plate and the rectangular shaped 2′ plate.     

Chloroplasts require glutathione reductase to balance reactive oxygen species and maintain efficient photosynthesis

Thiol‐based redox‐regulation is vital for coordinating chloroplast functions depending on illumination and has been throroughly investigated for thioredoxin‐dependent processes. In parallel, glutathione reductase (GR) maintains a highly reduced glutathione pool, enabling glutathione‐mediated redox buffering. Yet, how the redox cascades of the thioredoxin and glutathione redox machineries integrate metabolic regulation and detoxification of reactive oxygen species remains largely unresolved because null mutants of plastid/mitochondrial GR are embryo‐lethal in Arabidopsis thaliana. To investigate whether maintaining a highly reducing stromal glutathione redox potential (E_GSH) via GR is necessary for functional photosynthesis and plant growth, we created knockout lines of the homologous enzyme in the model moss Physcomitrella patens. In these viable mutant lines, we found decreasing photosynthetic performance and plant growth with increasing light intensities, whereas ascorbate and zeaxanthin/antheraxanthin levels were elevated. By in vivo monitoring stromal E_GSH dynamics, we show that stromal E_GSH is highly reducing in wild‐type and clearly responsive to light, whereas an absence of GR leads to a partial glutathione oxidation, which is not rescued by light. By metabolic labelling, we reveal changing protein abundances in the GR knockout plants, pinpointing the adjustment of chloroplast proteostasis and the induction of plastid protein repair and degradation machineries. Our results indicate that the plastid thioredoxin system is not a functional backup for the plastid glutathione redox systems, whereas GR plays a critical role in maintaining efficient photosynthesis.     

Genetic diversity and dispersal of the moss Sarconeurum glaciale on Ross Island, East Antarctica

The extent of genetic variation and dispersal mechanisms were investigated over short distances of 1–100 m, and up to 3 km, by the random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) technique, for the moss Sarconeurum glaciale , at three locations on Ross Island, Antarctica. At Arrival Heights, genetic variation occurred within single colonies, and the relationships between clumps indicated that they were dispersed down small, meltwater drainage channels by water. The genetic similarities between the colonies from Arrival Heights and others from Scott Base and Crater Hill, a few km away, together with the prevailing wind direction and absence of this moss in the intervening snow-covered area, suggested longer-distance dispersal by wind. Overall, the Ross Island samples appeared to form a single, polymorphic population that was distinct from another population at Canada Glacier, 110 km distant. Somatic mutation, rather than immigration of genetically different propagules from elsewhere, appeared to be the most probable cause of genetic variability in these haploid, vegetatively reproducing Antarctic moss populations. Initiation of recolonization of S. glaciale across a dirt track at Arrival Heights was also investigated by RAPDs, to investigate how regrowth of mosses in disturbed areas occurred in the extreme environment of Antarctica.     

长白山地区曲尾藓属植物生态分化的排序研究

曲尾藓属(ＤｉｃｒａｎｕｍＨｅｄｗ.)属于顶蒴藓类植物,在长白山地区主要分布于苔原、森林林下和沼泽地中[1,2]。分析曲尾藓属植物对不同生态环境的适应特点和种间生态关系,对揭示该属植物物种分化的生态学机制,有一定学术价值。排序是分析植物群落分布与环境关系的常用方法,以往人们主要是应用ＤＣＡ、ＰＣＡ等方法,因而不同种类与环境关系的解释带有较大的主观性。典范对应分析能够在同一排序图上展示植物种类与环境因子的关系,是当前最有效的排序方法,其结果的生态学解释比较客观。Ｓｌａｃｋ指出应用排序也能够研究植物种间的生态位分…     

Ultrastructure and chemistry of the cell wall of the moss Rhacocarpus purpurascens (Rhacocarpaceae): a puzzling architecture among plants

The architectural, compositional and functional characteristics of the cell walls of the leaves of the moss Rhacocarpus purpurascens (Brid.) Par. have been analysed by scanning and transmission electron microscopy, wall-extraction methods, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, and water-retention experiments. Four-layered cell walls with a peculiar architecture which, so far, appears to be unique among plants were apparent. The architecture of the walls was not affected by sequential wall-extraction procedures. Subsequent analysis of the residual pre-extracted walls by classical spectro-photometrical methods revealed that the walls are composed of mainly lignin, hemicellulose and cellulose in a ratio of about 9:8:5, determining their integrity. This was supported by NMR spectroscopy. The resonance spectrum showed various characteristics typical of lignin; however, some specific peaks associated with lignin were missing. The walls exhibited no particular properties for external water conduction but seem to be adapted to rapid absorption of fog, dew, or rain. Received: 3 June 1997 / Accepted: 25 February 1998     

Growth,Net Production,Litter Decomposition,and Net Nitrogen Accumulation by Epiphytic Bryophytes in a Tropical Montane Forest1

To understand the ecological roles of epiphytic bryophytes in the carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) cycles of a tropical montane forest, we used samples in enclosures to estimate rates of growth, net production, and N accumulation by shoots in the canopy, and litterbags, to estimate rates of decomposition and N dynamics of epiphytic bryophyte litter in the canopy and on the forest floor in Monteverde, Costa Rica. Growth of epiphytic bryophytes was estimated at 30.0–49.9 percent/yr, net production at 122–203 g/m²/yr, and N accumulation at 1.8–3.0 g N/m²/yr. Cumulative mass loss from litterbags after one and two years in the canopy was 17 ± 2 and 19 ± 2 percent (mean ± 1 SE) of initial sample mass, respectively, and mass loss from litter and green shoots in litterbags after one year on the forest floor was 29 ± 2 and 45 ± 3 percent, respectively. Approximately 30 percent of the initial N mass was released rapidly from litter in both locations. Nitrogen loss from green shoots on the forest floor was greater; about 47 percent of the initial N mass was lost within the first three months. There was no evidence for net N immobilization by litter or green shoots, but the remaining N in litter was apparently recalcitrant. Annual net accumulation of C and N by epiphytic bryophytes was estimated at 37–64 g C/m²/yr and 0.8–1.3 g N/m²/yr, respectively. Previous research at this site indicated that epiphytic bryophytes retain inorganic N from atmospheric deposition to the canopy. Therefore, they play a major role in transforming N from mobile to highly recalcitrant forms in this ecosystem.     

COMPARISON OF ATTACHED DIATOM COMMUNITIES ON NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL SUBSTRATES1

A study of attached diatom communities on artificial and natural substrates was conducted in Wheelwright Pond, New Hampshire, during 1975. There were differences in the species composition growing on artificial glass slides and natural substrates. The slides favored the accumulation of Achnanthes minutissima Kütz. and decreased the relative abundance of Eunotia incisa W. Sm. ex. Greg. and Cocconeis placentula v. euglypta (Ehr.) Cleve. Large growths of planktonic species were also noted on the slides. Compositional differences between slides positioned at 15–30 cm (upper) and 1 m (lower) from the surface of the water were minimal. A similar community composition of periphytic diatoms was found on five aquatic macrophytes.