Infestation of Glycaspis brimblecombei (Hemiptera: Psyllidae) on three Eucalyptus species in selected ecological zones in Malawi

The study determined variations in incidence, severity and damage of Glycaspis brimblecombei among Eucalyptus species and ecological zones, and the interaction between Eucalyptus species and ecological zones. Additionally, the study determined variation in pest abundance between the upper, middle and lower parts of the tree crown. The study was conducted in six districts located in four ecological zones in Malawi. Eucalyptus stands established in 2014–2016 or coppices from trees cut in that period were sampled for G. brimblecombei infestation. A significant interaction was found between Eucalyptus species and ecological zones on G. brimblecombei infestation. Significant differences were observed between ecological zones in G. brimblecombei infestation with lowest incidence, severity and damage being found in the cooler ecological zone M. Eucalyptus camaldulensis and Eucalyptus tereticornis showed high susceptibility to G. brimblecombei compared to Eucalyptus grandis. There were no significant differences in abundance between the upper, middle and lower tree crown parts of each Eucalyptus species. Control efforts for this psyllid should focus on breeding and planting of resistant Eucalyptus varieties in specifically recommended sites. The uniform distribution of the pest on different tree crown parts implies that use of contact insecticides on a large scale would be tedious and expensive.     

环境因素对伞形科两种植物种子萌发的影响

种子萌发模式是植物生活史策略中的一个主要特征。研究了环境因素对伞形科濒危植物明党参 (Changium smyrnioidesWolff)和非濒危植物峨参 (Anthriscussylvestris Hoffm.)种子萌发特性的影响。结果表明 ,温度是影响明党参和峨参这类冬性植物种子萌发的主要因素。两物种的种子萌发温度范围是 5～ 15℃ ,明党参种子的最适萌发温度是 10℃ ,峨参是 5℃ ,两物种在15℃时萌发率均已受抑制 ,到 18℃时几乎不萌发。两种植物种子的萌发率与温度显著负相关。两种植物种子在光照和黑暗条件下萌发率差异很小 ,均是中性种子。明党参种子在干燥条件下比峨参种子更容易失去活力 ,其种子的适宜含水量 (5 .9%～6 .4 % )比峨参 (<3.7% )高。种子质量好、萌发率高但种子产量低也是濒危植物种群更新的一个薄弱环节。     

Effect of selected environmental and physico-chemical factors on bacterial cytoplasmic membranes

Membranes lipids are one of the most adaptable molecules in response to perturbations. Even subtle changes of the composition of acyl chains or head groups can alter the packing arrangements of lipids within the bilayer. This changes the balance between bilayer and nonbilayer lipids, serving to affect bilayer stability and fluidity, as well as altering lipid-protein interactions. External factors can also change membrane fluidity and lipid composition; including temperature, chemicals, ions, pressure, nutrients and the growth phase of the microbial culture. Various biophysical techniques have been used to monitor fluidity changes within the bacterial membrane. In this review, bacterial cytoplasmic membrane changes and related functional effects will be examined as well as the use of fluorescence polarization methods and examples of data obtained from research with bacteria.     

环境和扩散对草地群落构建的影响

植物群落构建机制是生态学研究的热点之一.长久以来这个难题并没有得到很好的解释,且争议较多.生态位理论或中性理论,或是二者的共同作用,这样的结论在不同的研究中都有印证.以黄土高原子午岭地区的草地群落为例,对3种不同的草地群落(5a的弃耕地、阴坡和阳坡的草地)进行了野外群落学调查,采用Mantel test和主轴邻距法(PCNM)分析方法,研究了空间地理距离和环境资源差异对于草本植物群落分布的影响,结果表明:地理距离和环境差异共同解释了群落组成相似性的79.3％,剔除环境因子的影响,地理距离解释了群落组成相似性的33.8％;而剔除地理距离的影响,环境因子解释了群落组成相似性的14.2％.无论是生态位理论还是中性理论,其在黄土高原草本群落构建过程中都有作用,但中性理论扮演了更为重要的角色.     

Effect of different Agaricus species on the development of the mushroom sciarid fly Lycoriella ingenua

Isolates from eight species of Agaricus were investigated in laboratory experiments for their effect on the development of the mushroom sciarid fly, Lycoriella ingenua (Dufour) (Diptera: Sciaridae), which is an important pest of the white mushroom Agaricus bisporus (Lange) Imbach (Agaricaceae). The population levels of L. ingenua developing in compost inoculated with Agaricus mycelium varied with the Agaricus isolate used, with some isolates causing high levels of inhibition. The development of L. ingenua populations and the survival of larval instars were inversely proportional to the amount of Agaricus inoculum applied. There was also a negative relationship between L. ingenua survival and the extension rate of the Agaricus isolate in compost. The results suggest that inhibition of L. ingenua population development by Agaricus is linked to the rate at which compost is colonized by fungal mycelium. Therefore, on mushroom farms, sciarid fly control should focus on protection of the compost before it has become colonized by mycelium, as this is when it is most vulnerable to the pest.     

Effect of monensin on performance in growing ruminants reared under different environmental temperatures

To evaluate the effect of monensin on the performance of growing cattle under different environmental temperatures, 24 male calves (81.9 ± 7.7 kg mean weight and 100 days old) were distributed in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement, contrasting 0 or 85 mg monensin/animal per day at 24.3 or 33.2 °C (environmental temperatures). Monensin supplementation increased weight gain (P=0.036), improved feed efficiency (P=0.040), increased ruminal concentrations of volatile fatty acids (VFA; P=0.003) and decreased the molar proportion of butyrate (P=0.034); all effects irrespective of environmental temperatures. A temperature-dependent monensin effect was detected on nitrogen retention (P=0.018) and N retained:N absorbed ratio (P=0.012). Animals fed monensin retained higher N amounts than those of the non-supplemented ones when the environmental temperature was 33.2 °C. Environmental temperature and monensin supplementation showed an interaction effect on urine N concentration (P=0.003). Temperature did not affect N excretion in monensin-fed animals, but increased N excretion in the non-supplemented ones. Monensin increased the crude protein (CP) digestibility (P=0.094) for animals at both temperatures. In conclusion, monensin changes the metabolism of the heat-stressed animals by increasing rumen VFA concentration, digestibility and protein retention, thus improving food use and weight gain.     

Effect of different environmental factors on the brain during animal ontogenesis

The aim of the work was to follow in rats, mice and dogs effects of different environmental factors in certain postnatal periods on the weight indices of the brain. The following factors influenced the brain development: light deprivation, excess of nutrition during suckling period, excess of information. Changes in weight indices are more pronouned if the time of the effect coincides with that of intensive growth and maturation of the brain structure (N. I. Dmitrieva, 1966). Duration of the effects proportionally increases their influence.     

Effect of monensin on mineral balance in growing ruminants reared under different environmental temperatures

To test the effect of monensin on the mineral balance of growing cattle under different environmental temperatures, 24 male steers were assigned in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement, contrasting 0 and 85 mg monensin/animal per day at 24.3 and 33.2 °C (environmental temperatures). Monensin effect was directly modulated by the environmental temperature: it increased apparent retentions of P (P=0.066), Na (P=0.005) and K (P=0.003), at the higher temperature and decreased these apparent retentions at the lower temperature, as compared with non-supplemented animals. Monensin increased fecal Ca (P=0.037), and urinary P (P=0.002), Na (P=0.003), K (P=0.014), Mg (P=0.051) and Zn (P=0.091), with higher concentrations of these minerals in animals held at 24.3 °C and lower concentrations in those at 33.2 °C, as compared with non-supplemented animals. Monensin decreased serum Mg (P=0.001) and increased serum Zn (P=0.071) in animals at 33.2 °C and increased serum Mg and decreased serum Zn at 24.3 °C. Irrespective of temperature, monensin increased both apparent absorption (P=0.058) and apparent retention (P=0.093) of P, and also urine Cu (P=0.085). Environmental temperature modulated monensin effects on mineral balance. Monensin increased apparent retention of several minerals in animals under heat stress.     

Photosynthetic light acclimation in two rainforest Piper species with different ecological amplitudes

Summary Piper auritum (H.B. & K.), a pioneer tree restricted to open sites and Piper hispidum (Swartz), a shrub common in sites ranging from recent clearings to shaded understory, both adjust photosynthetic characteristics in response to light availability during growth. The sensitivity of photosynthetic capacity to light availability during growth was indistinguishable for the two species growing in their natural habitat. Photosynthetic capacity was strongly correlated with leaf nitrogen in both species, and the relationship was similar between species. Dark respiration and leaf specific mass were more sensitive to light during growth in P. hispidum, the species with the broad habitat ange, than in P. auritum. In general, similarities between the species were more striking than differences between them. The differences in dark respiration could have important implications for carbon balance. The difference in the responsiveness of leaf specific mass to light indicates that the broad-ranging species maintains access to modes of response little utilized by the open-site specialist. We did not and, in the gas exchange characteristics, any evidence that the open site specialist is better suited than the generalist to high-light sites.This CIW DPB publication number 962     

Effect of pessimum of habitat on functional activity of liver mitochondria in two small mammalian species of different ecological specialization

Multidimensional factor analysis of liver mitochondrial activity was performed in two ecologically different species of voles from central regions and northern periphery of habitat. By example of mole vole Ellobius talpinus (a widely spread species), the key adaptive role of the system of oxidation of succinic acid was shown. Phenomena of minimization of mitochondrial activity are peculiar to a representative of the northern population of the mountain endemic flat-headed vole Alticola strelzovi. Differentiation of small mammals by liver bioenergetics parameters under conditions of pessimum of habitat is considered as manifestation of different strategy of energy supply of tissue adaptation, depending on species ecological plasticity.     

两种螺旋藻在不同生长阶段的硒胁迫和生物有机化效应

在极大螺旋藻(S.maxima)和钝顶螺旋藻(S.platensis)不同生长阶段进行硒胁迫处理,分别从接种后第1d至第5d开始添加硒,并不断增加硒含量,至第7d使硒的累计添加量为1000mg·L^-1,形成5种不同硒胁迫(硒胁迫Ⅰ～Ⅴ),观察各种硒胁迫下螺旋藻的生物量及对无机硒的生物有机化的影响。结果表明:硒胁迫Ⅰ～Ⅳ对两种螺旋藻的生长影响不明显,而硒胁迫Ⅴ对螺旋藻生长有明显促进作用;藻体含硒总量和螺旋藻对无机硒的有机化率按硒胁迫Ⅰ～Ⅴ依次增加。首次提出硒胁迫强度概念,并用此较好地解释了有关实验结果。     

Biomass allocation patterns in forests growing different climatic zones of China

Key message

Temperature generally explained variation in branch and leaf biomasses, whereas stem and root biomasses–temperature relationships restricted certain age stages may not hold at broader age ranges.

Abstract

In this study, biomass data for alpine temperate Larix forest, alpine Picea-Abies forest, temperate typical deciduous broadleaved forest, temperate Pinus tabulaeformis forest, temperate mixed coniferous-broadleaved forest, montane Populus-Betula deciduous forest, subtropical evergreen broadleaved forest, subtropical montane Cupressus and Sabina forest, subtropical Pinus massoniana forest and subtropical Cunninghamia lanceolata forest were used to examine the effect of temperature on biomass allocations between organs. The data of the ten forests were classified as ≤30, 31–60 and >60 years, to test whether biomass allocations of these age group forests vary systematically in their responses to temperature. With increasing mean annual temperature, branch and leaf biomasses significantly increased in ≤30, 31–60 and >60 years and all age groups; stem biomass significantly increased in ≤30-, 31–60- and >60-year groups, but no significant trend in all age groups; Root biomass significantly increased in 31–60, >60 years and all age groups, but had no response to mean annual temperature in the 30-year group, which suggest that root biomass allocation in response to temperature is dependent upon forest age. We conclude that temperature generally explained variation in branch and leaf biomasses, whereas stem and root biomasses–temperature relationships restricted certain age stages may not hold at broader age ranges.

     

体外法探究不同氨基酸形式酪蛋白水解物对猪小肠微生物的影响

【目的】通过体外法探究猪小肠不同肠段肠腔微生物和肠壁微生物对两种不同氨基酸形式的酪蛋白水解物的发酵特性。【方法】以生长猪的十二指肠、空肠、回肠肠腔食糜或者肠壁微生物为接种物,分别以酸水解酪蛋白(以游离氨基酸为主)和酶水解酪蛋白(以小肽为主)为底物,37°C厌氧培养发酵,于0、3、6、12 h采样,测定微生物蛋白(MCP)以及用real time-PCR进行菌群分析。【结果】(1)肠腔微生物发酵不同酪蛋白水解物:十二指肠和回肠酶水解酪蛋白组MCP的含量显著高于酸水解酪蛋白组(P0.05)。十二指肠酶水解酪蛋白组总菌、Firmicutes数量显著高于酸水解酪蛋白组(P0.05)。回肠发酵6 h后,酶水解酪蛋白组Escherichia coli和Firmicutes的数量显著高于酸水解酪蛋白组(P0.05);发酵12 h后,酶水解酪蛋白组总菌、Lactobacillus、E.coli的数量均显著高于酸水解酪蛋白组(P0.05)。(2)肠壁微生物发酵不同酪蛋白水解物:发酵12 h后,十二指肠和回肠酶水解酪蛋白组MCP含量显著高于酸水解酪蛋白组(P0.05)。十二指肠酶水解酪蛋白组Lactobacillus、Firmicutes数量分别极显著、显著高于酸水解酪蛋白组;回肠Firmicutes数量在酶水解酪蛋白组显著高于酸水解酪蛋白组(P0.05)。【结论】十二指肠和回肠的肠腔和肠壁微生物都能够利用小肽,且在一定程度上对小肽的利用更具优势。     

Effect of medium acidity on growth and rooting of different plant species growing in vitro

Micropropagated Choisya, Daphne, Delphinium, Hemerocallis, Hosta, Iris and Photinia were found to adjust the pH of Murashige and Skoog's plant tissue culture medium (initial pH 5.6 or 3.5) to different values depending on the species. When plant growth and rooting rates were determined after plants had been grown on media initially adjusted or buffered to values between 2.6 and 5.7 the different plant species were also found to have distinct pH requirements for optimal growth and/or rooting rates.Abbreviations MS Murashige & Skoog's (1962) medium - MS19 MS with additionally 10 g l^–1 sucrose - 80 mg l^–1 adenine sulphate and 130.9 mg l^–1 NaH₂PO₄ - BA 6-benzyladenine - NAA 1-naphthyl-acetic acid - IBA 3-indole-butyric acid - IAA 3-indole-acetic acid - 2iP N₆(2-isopentyl) adenine     

Serum trace mineral variations in Nili-Ravi buffaloes suffering with prepartum vaginal prolapse in two different agro-ecological zones of Punjab, Pakistan

The present study was conducted during 2005 and 2006 on 200 Nili-Ravi buffaloes kept in two agroecological zones (irrigated [zone 1] and rain-fed [zone-2]) of Punjab, Pakistan, with the objective to determine the level of trace minerals (Cu, Fe, Zn, Se) in serum of the buffaloes suffering from vaginal prolapse and to compare them with their healthy counterparts. In each zone 50 buffaloes suffering from prepartum vaginal prolapse during their seventh month of gestation were identified through survey. Vaginal prolapse-affected buffaloes belonging to zone 1 were identified as group VPB1 (N = 50), whereas buffaloes belonging to zone 2 were recognized as VPB2 (N = 50). The buffaloes of control group in zone 1 and zone 2 were identified as NCB1 and NCB2, respectively. The blood samples in all four groups of buffaloes were collected three times, i.e., first when these animals were in the eighth month of gestation, second during the eighth to ninth month of gestation, and finally when these animals were in the ninth or later month of gestation. The mean serum copper concentrations in buffaloes of group VPB1 were significantly lower (P < 0.05) in comparison with NCB1 and NCB2, whereas there were nonsignificant differences (P > 0.05) in copper concentrations between VPB1 and VPB2. There was a significant difference (P < 0.05) of iron concentration in VPB1 compared with NCB1 and NCB2. Similarly, VPB2 also had significantly lower (P < 0.05) iron concentrations compared with NCB1 and NCB2. Serum zinc concentrations were significantly lower (P < 0.05) in animals of the VPB1 group when compared with NCB1 and NCB2. Similarly, lower zinc concentrations were observed in VPB2 in comparison with NCB1 and NCB2. There was significantly lower (P < 0.05) zinc concentration in affected buffaloes (VPB1 and VPB2) from the ninth month of gestation to term when compared with those in the eighth to ninth mo of gestation, and with those not yet in the eighth month of gestation. Serum selenium concentration were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in control group buffaloes (NCB1 and NCB2) in comparison with vaginal prolapse-affected buffaloes (VPB1 and VPB2). During different stages of gestation, mean serum selenium concentrations varied nonsignificantly (P > 0.05) within each group of buffalo. Based on information obtained from this study, it was concluded that the low serum concentration of copper and selenium are linked to increased incidence of vaginal prolapse in buffaloes during the last trimester of gestation.     

环境因子对桂西南蚬木林下植被物种多样性变异的解释

探索林下植被分布格局及其影响因素, 对于天然林保护和森林生物多样性维持机制研究具有重要意义。本文以桂西南喀斯特地区不同蚬木(Excentrodendron tonkinense)天然成熟林为研究对象, 采用植物群落样方调查、单因素方差分析、Pearson相关分析和冗余分析(RDA)等方法, 研究了8个县市蚬木天然成熟林林下植被物种多样性的变异及其对土壤、地形和光照等环境因子的响应。结果表明, 林下植被中灌木层优势种主要有越南槐(Sophora tonkinensis)、鹅掌柴(Schefflera heptaphylla)、毛果翼核果(Ventilago calyculata), 以及乔木层幼苗如蚬木、广西澄广花(Orophea anceps)、岩樟(Cinnamomum saxatile)、金丝李(Garcinia paucinervis)等, 主要来自豆科、五加科、鼠李科、椴树科、番荔枝科、樟科、藤黄科和大戟科等; 草本层优势种主要有肾蕨(Nephrolepis cordifolia)、石山棕(Guihaia argyrata)、崖姜(Pseudodrynaria coronans)、柔枝莠竹(Microstegium vimineum)、水蔗草(Apluda mutica)、沿阶草(Ophiopogon bodinieri)等, 主要来自肾蕨科、棕榈科、槲蕨科、禾本科、百合科、铁角蕨科和鳞毛蕨科等。土壤pH值、土壤含水量(SWC)、土壤全钾(TK)、土壤全磷(TP)和坡度(SLO)是林下植被物种多样性的主要影响因素, 它们分别解释了林下植被物种多样性32.3%、16.1%、9.7%、8.6%和8.6%的变异。灌木丰富度、灌木多样性指数与TK、SWC、土壤pH值和TP显著负相关, 而草本丰富度、草本多样性指数则与TK显著正相关; 灌木密度、灌木盖度与土壤pH值显著正相关, 草本密度与SWC和TK显著正相关, 草本盖度与TP、TK显著正相关, 与坡度显著负相关。土壤和地形因素是影响林下植被物种多样性变异的最主要因素, 而林分冠层结构的影响较小, 土壤各因素对林下植被物种多样性的影响高于地形因素。