Protective systems of immunocompetent organs in fishes from different ecological and systematic groups

This article presents the results of analysis of parameters of the immune, antioxidant, and monooxygenase systems in the immunocompetent organs (pro- and mesonephros, spleen, and liver) of species belonging to different systematic and ecological groups, namely, northern pike Esox lucius, zander Sander lucioperca, and bream Abramis brama. Although having the same features in the functioning of homeostatic mechanisms in the species under study, significant differences were revealed between bream and another two species with respect to the parameters of the nonspecific immunity of tissues and enzyme systems that perform protective functions. In all the three species, the basic role in processes of immunopoesis and nonspecific protection is played by the kidneys and spleen, while the greatest values of the parameters of antioxidant defenses and ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase activity were recorded in the liver.     

Functional groups in piscivorous fishes

Piscivory is a key ecological function in aquatic ecosystems, mediating energy flow within trophic networks. However, our understanding of the nature of piscivory is limited; we currently lack an empirical assessment of the dynamics of prey capture and how this differs between piscivores. We therefore conducted aquarium‐based performance experiments, to test the feeding abilities of 19 piscivorous fish species. We quantified their feeding morphology, striking, capturing, and processing behavior. We identify two major functional groups: grabbers and engulfers. Grabbers are characterized by horizontal, long‐distance strikes, capturing their prey tailfirst and subsequently processing their prey using their oral jaw teeth. Engulfers strike from short distances, from high angles above or below their prey, engulfing their prey and swallowing their prey whole. Based on a meta‐analysis of 2,209 published in situ predator–prey relationships in marine and freshwater aquatic environments, we show resource partitioning between grabbers and engulfers. Our results provide a functional classification for piscivorous fishes delineating patterns, which transcend habitats, that may help explain size structures in fish communities.     

Activity of proteinases in fish of different ecological groups and their potential food items

The paper cites evidence on the activity of casein- and hemoglobinlytical proteinases of mucosa of the digestive tract of nine species of freshwater bony fish differing in their pattern of feeding, as well as in the whole organism of their potential prey. It was demonstrated that the ratio of proteinase activity with respect to casein and hemoglobin in the intestine mucosa of consumers and in the whole organism of their food items is different. In mucosa of fish intestine, the activity of caseinlytic proteinases is higher than the activity of hemoglobinlytic proteinases. In the whole organism of juvenile fish and invertebrates, on the other hand, the activity of hemoglobinlytic proteinases is higher.     

不同生态品种群桃果实糖酸及其组分含量分析

以涵盖我国6个生态品种群的118份桃地方品种为试验材料,对其糖酸组分进行全面分析,以明确不同桃区果实糖酸组分分布特性,为优异糖酸种质筛选提供依据。应用斐林试剂测定果实可溶性糖含量;应用Na OH测定果实可滴定酸含量;应用高效液相色谱(HPLC)技术测定果实糖组分,离子色谱技术测定果实酸组分。结果表明:西北高旱桃区的品种,主要以可滴定酸、柠檬酸、苹果酸、总酸表现出较高的分布水平,蔗糖、总糖、糖酸比、固酸比表现出较低的分布水平;华北平原及长江流域桃区的品种,主要以糖酸比、固酸比表现出较高的分布水平,可滴定酸、柠檬酸、苹果酸、总酸表现出较低的分布水平;云贵高原桃区的品种,主要以可溶性糖、蔗糖、总糖表现出较高的分布水平,糖酸比、固酸比表现出较低的分布水平;华南亚热带桃区的品种,主要以蔗糖、总糖、糖酸比、固酸比表现出较高的分布水平,可滴定酸、柠檬酸、苹果酸表现出较低的分布水平;东北高寒桃区的品种,主要以果糖表现出较高的分布水平,糖酸比、固酸比表现出较低的分布水平。6个生态品种群的品种,果糖所占比例以长江流域桃区最高,葡萄糖以西北高旱桃区最高,山梨醇以华南亚热带桃区最高,而东北高寒桃区最低,蔗糖所占比例在不同生态区无明显差别。柠檬酸所占比例以长江流域桃区最高,而华南亚热带桃区最低,奎宁酸所占比例以华南亚热带桃区最高,琥珀酸、苹果酸所占比例在不同生态品种群间无明显差异。     

Luminous microflora associated with the fishes Mugil cephalus and Tachysurus arius

Abstract Luminous bacteria harboured in the skin, gill and gut of the fishes Mugil cephalus and Tachysurus arius were studies. Within the gut, the distribution of bacteria was studied regionwise, i.e., foregut, midgut and hindgut. In M. cephalus , maximum luminous bacterial population density was observed in the hindgut and minimum was found in the foregut. In T. arius , maximum luminous bacterial population density was recorded in the hindgut and minimum was found in the midgut. Luminous microflora associated with the host showed seasonal variation. Bacterial load of the surrounding medium and type of food governed the distribution of luminous microbiota in fish. Vibrio harveyi and V. fischeri were the two species identified, the former accounting for the majority of the isolates.     

Rethinking ecological inference: density dependence in reef fishes

We use a meta‐analysis of density dependence in reef fishes to evaluate how ecologists approach detection, inference, and estimation. We compared two groups of studies: those that detected effects of density on survival and those that did not. Distinctions between these groups have spawned heated debate about the processes that affect fish dynamics. Per capita effects of density were similar between the two groups, although total effects (and hence ambient density) were greater in studies that detected density effects. The majority of the variation in effects of density was not resolved by the classification of studies based on the authors' conclusions. These results suggest (1) that standard inferences based on null hypothesis tests may miss important sources of variation in effects and give rise to unnecessary debate; and (2) that estimation of effect sizes and model parameters (including their uncertainty) is a powerful alternative to detection of ecological processes.     

云南稻种核心种质不同生态群间分蘖初期耐热性鉴定

对1281份云南稻种核心种质分蘖初期耐热性鉴定结果表明(1)初步筛选出分蘖初期耐热品种283份,其中1级耐热品种2份,分别是矮子糯和团结糯,3级281份,两者共占22.1%.(2)明确云南不同生态群间耐热性的差异,其强弱依次为爪哇群＞晚籼群＞早中籼群＞冬籼群＞普通群＞光壳群.(3)耐热性强弱与籼粳、水陆、有无颖毛密切相关,而与粘糯关系不大.     

Some specific features of vaginal microflora depending on ecological factors

In 75 female residents of Vladikavkaz, aged 18-45 years, who had applied to the gynecological department with complaints of vaginal discharge, the qualitative and quantitative composition of vaginal microflora was studied. All these women were divided into 2 groups: group 1 including 38 women living in ecologically unfavorable districts of the city and group 2 including 37 women living under ecologically favorable conditions. The relationship between the ecological situation of the districts of residence and vaginal microflora in women of the reproductive age was established. Unfavorable exogenous factors were found to lead to the development of vaginal dysbacteriosis: a sharp decrease in the amount of lactoflora or its complete absence accompanied by increased amount of staphylococci, enterococci, Escherichia coli, Proteus, Klebsiella and yeast-like fungi of the genus Candida.     

Effect of temperature on proteinase activities in intestinal chyme and mucosa of fish of different ecological groups

Effect of temperature on activities of proteinases in intestinal chyme and mucosa was studied in three fish species (pike-perch, zope, roach) belonging to different ecological groups by their nutrition type. There was revealed a significant difference of dependence of enzyme activities in chyme on temperature in the benthophage, roach (a higher level of relative activity in the range of lower temperatures and a wider zone of temperature optimum) as well as of values of apparent energy of activation of the protein hydrolysis process as compared with that in planktoand ichtyophages, zope and pike-perch, which indicates a significant effect of the enteral microbiota proteinases and of nutrition objects on characteristics of hydrolases functioning in fish intestine.     

Comparative analysis of the ligninolytic potential of basidiomycetes belonging to different taxonomic and ecological groups

Screening of the ligninolytic activity of basidiomycetes from the Komarov Botanical Institute Basidiomycetes Culture Collection (LE-BIN), Russian Academy of Sciences, belonging to different taxonomic and ecological groups was performed. The patterns of the position of taxa of active producers of ligninolytic enzymes in the modern system of fungi were identified. Cluster analysis showed that the group of fungi with the greatest ligninolytic and degradation potential includes representatives of the families Pleurotaceae, Polyporaceae, and Phanerochaetaceae, which perform the first stages of wood decomposition. As a result, species of interest for the further study of their oxidative potential and use in biotechnology were selected.     

Global ecological success of Thalassoma fishes in extreme coral reef habitats

Phenotypic adaptations can allow organisms to relax abiotic selection and facilitate their ecological success in challenging habitats, yet we have relatively little data for the prevalence of this phenomenon at macroecological scales. Using data on the relative abundance of coral reef wrasses and parrotfishes (f. Labridae) spread across three ocean basins and the Red Sea, we reveal the consistent global dominance of extreme wave‐swept habitats by fishes in the genus Thalassoma, with abundances up to 15 times higher than any other labrid. A key locomotor modification—a winged pectoral fin that facilitates efficient underwater flight in high‐flow environments—is likely to have underpinned this global success, as numerical dominance by Thalassoma was contingent upon the presence of high‐intensity wave energy. The ecological success of the most abundant species also varied with species richness and the presence of congeneric competitors. While several fish taxa have independently evolved winged pectoral fins, Thalassoma appears to have combined efficient high‐speed swimming (to relax abiotic selection) with trophic versatility (to maximize exploitation of rich resources) to exploit and dominate extreme coral reef habitats around the world.     

Symbiotic microorganisms, a key for ecological success and protection of plants

Plant-associated microbial diversity encompasses symbionts, protecting their host against various aggressions. Mycorrhizal and rhizospheric microorganisms buffer effects of soil toxic compounds and soil-borne pathogens. Endophytic bacteria and fungi, some of which are vertically inherited through seeds, take part in plant protection by acting directly on aggressive factors (mainly pathogens and herbivores) or by enhancing plant responses. Plant protective microbial symbionts determine the ecological success of plants; they drastically modify plant communities and related trophic webs. This review suggests approaches to improve the inventory of diversity and functions of in situ plant-associated microorganisms.     

Nitrate,nitrate reduction and organic nitrogen in plants from different ecological and taxonomic groups of Central Europe

Summary 48 plant species of the families Asteraceae, Chenopodiaceae, Ericaceae, Fabaceae, Lamiaceae, Polygonaceae and Urticaceae were investigated in 14 natural habitats of Central Europe having different nitrate supplies, with respect to their nitrate content, nitrate reductase activity (NRA) and organic nitrogen content. Plants that were flowering were selected where possible for analysis. The plants were subdivided into flowers, laminae, petioles+shoot axes and below-ground organs. Each organ was analyzed separately. Differences among species were found for the three variables investigated. Apart from the Fabaceae, which had particularly high concentrations of organic N, these differences reflect mainly the ecological behaviour, i.e. high nitrate and organic N contents and NRA values per g dry weight were found in species on sites rich in nitrate, and vice versa. Nitrate content, NRA and organic N content were correlated with nitrogen figures of Central European vascular plants defined by Ellenberg (1979). By use of regression equations this correlation was tested with species from other systematic groups. Some species were attributed with calculated N figures for the first time.     

Chlorophyll fluorescence in the leaves of Tradescantia species of different ecological groups: Induction events at different intensities of actinic light

Chlorophyll fluorescence analysis is one of the most convenient and widespread techniques used to monitor photosynthesis performance in plants. In this work, after a brief overview of the mechanisms of regulation of photosynthetic electron transport and protection of photosynthetic apparatus against photodamage, we describe results of our study of the effects of actinic light intensity on photosynthetic performance in Tradescantia species of different ecological groups. Using the chlorophyll fluorescence as a probe of photosynthetic activity, we have found that the shade-tolerant species Tradescantia fluminensis shows a higher sensitivity to short-term illumination (≤20 min) with low and moderate light (≤200 μE m⁻² s⁻¹) as compared with the light-resistant species Tradescantia sillamontana. In T. fluminensis, non-photochemical quenching of chlorophyll fluorescence (NPQ) and photosystem II operational efficiency (parameter Φ_PSII) saturate as soon as actinic light reaches ≈200 μE m⁻² s⁻¹. Otherwise, T. sillamontana revealed a higher capacity for NPQ at strong light (≥800 μE m⁻² s⁻¹). The post-illumination adaptation of shade-tolerant plants occurs slower than in the light-resistant species. The data obtained are discussed in terms of reactivity of photosynthetic apparatus to short-term variations of the environment light.     

Effect of new antimicrobial agents on the ecological balance of human microflora

The human normal microflora is relatively stable at each ecological habitat under normal circumstances and acts as a barrier against colonization by potentially pathogenic microorganisms and against overgrowth of already present opportunistic microorganisms. Administration of antimicrobial agents causes disturbances in the ecological balance between the host and the normal microflora. The risk of emergence and spread of resistant strains between patients and dissemination of resistant determinants between microorganisms is reduced if colonization resistance is not disturbed by antimicrobial agents. In this article, the potential ecological effects of administration of new antimicrobial agents on the intestinal and oropharyngeal microflora are summarized. The review is based on clinical studies published during the past 10 years.     

Inadequacy of species-level designations for ecological studies of coastal migratory fishes

Synopsis The species is not always appropriate as a unit of measure when used in quantitative ecological studies. Analyses of fish trophic relationships in coastal areas indicate that, in many instances, more substantial ecological differences exist among life stages of a given species than among similar trophic units of different species. The use of a species in quantitative ecological studies can lead to problems of interpretation concerning the relationships of coastal fishes to complex habitats. Use of the species as a convenient unit of measure substitutes a basically taxonomic entity for more relevant life-history stages in ecological determinations. Niche breadth of a given species can be so extensive that quantitative determinations of significant ecological processes are difficult to make. Migratory coastal fishes undergo diverse ontogenetic trophic transformations. Without adequate recognition of the complex ecological stages that characterize such fishes, the oversimplification that characterizes many ecological studies in coastal areas will continue. This simplification, and the attendant overgeneralization that follows, tends to add to the continuing problem of unverified models and the inability to identify causal relationships in estuarine and coastal systems. Quantitative ecological studies would benefit from an approach that includes the use of identifiable, ontological trophic entities.     

Parallel ecological diversification in Antarctic notothenioid fishes as evidence for adaptive radiation

Antarctic notothenioid fishes represent a rare example of a marine species flock. They evolved special adaptations to the extreme environment of the Southern Ocean including antifreeze glycoproteins. Although lacking a swim bladder, notothenioids have diversified from their benthic ancestor into a wide array of water column niches, such as epibenthic, semipelagic, cryopelagic and pelagic habitats. Applying stable carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) isotope analyses to gain information on feeding ecology and foraging habitats, we tested whether ecological diversification along the benthic–pelagic axis followed a single directional trend in notothenioids, or whether it evolved independently in several lineages. Population samples of 25 different notothenioid species were collected around the Antarctic Peninsula, the South Orkneys and the South Sandwich Islands. The C and N stable isotope signatures span a broad range (mean δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N values between ?25.4‰ and ?21.9‰ and between 8.5‰ and 13.8‰, respectively), and pairwise niche overlap between four notothenioid families was highly significant. Analysis of isotopic disparity‐through‐time on the basis of Bayesian inference and maximum‐likelihood phylogenies, performed on a concatenated mitochondrial (cyt b) and nuclear gene (myh6, Ptr and tbr1) data set (3148 bp), showed that ecological diversification into overlapping feeding niches has occurred multiple times in parallel in different notothenioid families. This convergent diversification in habitat and trophic ecology is a sign of interspecific competition and characteristic for adaptive radiations.