SSU rRNA-based phylogenetic position of the genera Amoeba and Chaos (Lobosea, Gymnamoebia): the origin of gymnamoebae revisited.

Naked lobose amoebae (gymnamoebae) are among the most abundant group of protists present in all aquatic and terrestrial biotopes. Yet, because of lack of informative morphological characters, the origin and evolutionary history of gymnamoebae are poorly known. The first molecular studies revealed multiple origins for the amoeboid lineages and an extraordinary diversity of amoebae species. Molecular data, however, exist only for a few species of the numerous taxa belonging to this group. Here, we present the small-subunit (SSU) rDNA sequences of four species of typical large gymnamoebae: Amoeba proteus, Amoeba leningradensis, Chaos nobile, and Chaos carolinense. Sequence analysis suggests that the four species are closely related to the species of genera Saccamoeba, Leptomyxa, Rhizamoeba, Paraflabellula, Hartmannella, and Echinamoeba. All of them form a relatively well-supported clade, which corresponds to the subclass Gymnamoebia, in agreement with morphology-based taxonomy. The other gymnamoebae cluster in small groups or branch separately. Their relationships change depending on the type of analysis and the model of nucleotide substitution. All gymnamoebae branch together in Neighbor-Joining analysis with corrections for among-site rate heterogeneity and proportion of invariable sites. This clade, however, is not statistically supported by SSU rRNA gene sequences and further analysis of protein sequence data will be necessary to test the monophyly of gymnamoebae.     

单宁酸对棕色田鼠和小鼠食物选择、日食量和蛋白质消化率的影响

目的用不同浓度单宁酸（tannic acid,TA）处理后的花生喂养棕色田鼠（Lasiopodomys mandarinus）和小鼠（Mus musculus）,研究单宁酸对两种鼠食物选择倾向、食物摄入量、蛋白质消化率的影响。方法本研究的设计如下：1）选择一批棕色田鼠和小鼠,单笼饲养,自由饮水。用正常花生饲喂二周实验用棕色田鼠和小鼠,使其适应这种食物;2）随机选出棕色田鼠和小鼠各10只（雌雄各半）,单笼饲养。用经0%、5%、10%TA处理的花生饲喂供试鼠一周,观察和记录两种鼠对TA处理后花生的选择和取食特征;3）随机选出18只棕色田鼠和18只小鼠,单笼饲养,并各分为3组（每组均为6只）,按两种鼠分别命名为对照组、低单宁酸组、高单宁酸组,并分别用经0%、5%和10%TA处理的花生饲喂一周,测定两种鼠的食物摄入量;同时收集粪便,用凯氏定氮仪测定粗蛋白含量,计算蛋白质消化率。结果1）棕色田鼠和小鼠均优先选择无TA食物（P〈0.001）,二者间差异达显著性水平（P〈0.001）;2）食物中的TA降低棕色田鼠和小鼠的相对日食量（P〈0.001）和食物中蛋白质的消化率,随TA含量的升高,棕色田鼠和小鼠的相对日食量和蛋白质消化率均显著下降。结论TA降低棕色田鼠和小鼠的食物摄入量和食物中蛋白质的消化率。TA对鼠类的食物摄入量和蛋白质消化率的影响有种间差异性,小鼠对TA的适应性更强。     

The cultivation of Blastocystis (Rhizopoda: Lobosea) from hens and ducks]

The method of cultivation of Blastocystis galli from hens and Blastocystis sp. from ducks was worked out. Blastocystis grow on nutrient medium at pH 7.0 to 7.2 in a wide range of temperatures from 30 to 45 C. Optimum temperatures for cultivation are 41 to 42 C. The growth of cultures was obtained on biphase egg medium. Solid phase of the medium presents coagulated contents of the hen's egg. Liquid phase can be made of Henk's solution with the addition of 30% of fresh or lyophilizinic hen serum or horse serum. Henk's solution can be replaced by medium 199 (we observed the growth of culture on medium 199 without addition of blood serum). In all variants of medium we added antibiotics on a per--1 ml of medium basis: ampicillini--4 thousand units, streptomycini--1 thousand units. After 2 to 3 passages antibiotics can be excluded from the medium. Optimum medium is that with the addition of 30% of fresh hen serum. Passages go well at the transfer of 15-20% culture after 72 to 96 hours. The size of cultural stages varied within the limits of 2.5-56.2 x 2.5-56.2 microns and 2.5-110 x 2.5-110 microns for Blastocystis sp. and B. galli, respectively, the number of nuclei in one individual varied from 1 to 64, seldom over 100.     

盐碱池塘细巧华哲水蚤对浮游植物的摄食生态研究

利用常规显微镜直接计数法和叶绿素 a法研究了盐碱池塘细巧华哲水蚤 ( Sinocalanustenellus)对浮游藻类的原位摄食率及其影响因素。测得该水蚤对水柱浮游植物的滤水率为 1 .73～ 1 5 5 .1 6μl/ ( ind.· h) ,摄食率为 92～ 2 5 38cell/( ind.· h)或 0 .7～ 2 7.7ng C/ ( ind.· h)。两种方法测定的滤水率和摄食率基本相符 ( p>0 .5 ,t检验 )。该水蚤可有选择地滤食诸如小色球藻、光甲藻、绿裸藻 ,单生卵囊藻和小环藻等 ,其选择性指数分别为 0 .81、0 .75、0 .72、0 .6 1和 0 .35。不同光处理下细巧华哲水蚤的滤食率多数情况是无光时摄食率高。在本实验的条件下该水蚤在饥饿后的滤水率和摄食率与正常情况相比均显著降低 ( P<0 .0 1 ,t检验 )。     

鹮嘴鹬越冬觅食地选择与食物资源调查

2010年1～3月在四川省稻城地区对有鹮嘴鹬(Ibidorhyncha struthersii)觅食的河段进行调查,发现鹮嘴鹬87只,密度为1.24只/km,集群平均个体数为(2.12±0.89)只/群。采用样方法调查其觅食地的生境特征,调查其觅食地样方41个,对照样方54个。逐步判别分析结果表明,影响鹮嘴鹬冬季觅食地选择的关键因子是:直径大于30 cm石头盖度、河心岛面积、干扰距离、水深、河滩的宽度。其觅食频率为(18.39±2.36)次/min(n=50),觅食成功率为29.39%±13.24%(n=50)。样方调查(n=50)发现9种食物资源,鹮嘴鹬觅食河段中石蛾(Trichoptera)幼虫(37.72%±12.96%)、石蝇(Plecoptera)幼虫(36.36%±6.06%)和甲壳类(17.76%±7.74%)比例较高,共占样方内食物数量91.84%。     

Behavioral Comparisons of Ingestion and Excretion by Selected Species of Pentatomids: Evidence of Feeding on Different Food Sources Supports Pest Status

Laboratory studies were conducted on food ingestion and excretion by selected species of pentatomids on different food sources to support their pest status. We compared the frequency and time of feeding on vegetative (stem) and reproductive (seed) structures of soybean, Glycine max (L.) Merrill and of maize, Zea mays L. by Piezodorus guildinii (Westwood), Dichelops melacanthus (Dallas), and Edessa meditabunda (F.); in addition, the amount of excreta (feces) produced were compared for D. melacanthus feeding on seed of soybean and stem of maize seedling. The feeding behavior of E. meditabunda and P. guildinii on soybean, and of D. melacanthus on maize was recorded using the electropenetrography (EPG) technique. Excretion was estimated using water sensitive paper recording number and area of fecal drops. Results indicated that E. meditabunda on soybean stem repeated events of ingestion (both xylem and phloem sap) over four times per bug during the 8 h of recording for ca. 53 min per event. Dichelops melacanthus on maize seedling repeated each ingestion event over three times per bug for ca. 24 min per event. Piezodorus guildinii feeding on soybean stem repeated each ingestion 1.2 times per bug for ca. 40 min per event; on seed endosperm, it fed for a longer time, ca. 80 min per event, each event repeated only 0.5 times per bug. Number of excretory drops was higher (9.9 drops per bug) when D. melacanthus fed on maize seedling than on soybean seed (1.4 drops per bug). A larger amount of saliva/regurgitate liquid food was expelled when bugs fed on the former than on the later food.     

Nitrogen Fixation by Thermophilic Blue-Green Algae (Cyanobacteria): Temperature Characteristics and Potential Use in Biophotolysis

Thermophilic, nitrogen-fixing, blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) were investigated for use in biophotolysis. Three strains of Mastigocladus laminosus were tested and were found to be equally effective in biophotolysis as judged by nitrogenase activity. The alga, M. laminosus NZ-86-m, which was chosen for further study, grew well in the temperature range from 35 to 50°C, with optimum growth at 45°C, at which temperature acetylene reduction activity was also greatest. The maximum tolerable temperature was 55°C. Acetylene reduction activity was saturated at a light intensity of 1 × 10⁴ ergs cm⁻² s⁻¹. Atmospheric oxygen tension was found to be slightly inhibitory to acetylene reduction of both slowly growing and exponentially growing cultures. Nonsterile continuous cultures, which were conducted to test problems of culture maintenance, could be operated for 2 months without any significant decrease in nitrogenase activity or contamination by other algae. Nitrogen-starved cultures of M. laminosus NZ-86-m produced hydrogen at comparable rates to Anabaena cylindrica. The conversion efficiency of light to hydrogen energy at maximum rates of hydrogen production was 2.7%.     

Geosmin As an Odorous Metabolite In Cultures of A Free-Living Amoeba, Vannella Species (Gymnamoebia, Vannellidae)

ABSTRACT Geosim was identified as the cause of a distinct earthy/grassy odour detected in cultures of a free-living amoeba, Vannella species. Volatile components of cell lysates were isolated and concentrated by the Closed Loop Stripping method. Capillary, gas chromatography/mass spectrometry was used to identify odorous compounds. Bacterial symbionts observed in the cytoplasm of the amoebae may be responsible for production of the geosmin. This appears to be the first report of odorous compounds associated with a free-living protozoan and suggests that in some circumstances, Vannella sp. may contribute to taste and odour problems in drinking water.     

Two new species of Phyllonema (Rivulariaceae,Cyanobacteria) with an emendation of the genus

Two untapered, heterocytous species were observed and collected from the intertidal and supratidal zones of the Mexican coastline of the Pacific Ocean near Oaxaca and from the Gulf of Mexico. These populations were highly similar in morphology to the freshwater taxon Petalonema incrustans in the Scytonemataceae. However, 16S rRNA sequence data and phylogenetic analysis indicated that they were sister taxa to the epiphyllic, Brazilian species Phyllonema aveceniicola in the Rivulariaceae, described from culture material. While genetic identity between the two new species was high, they differed significantly in morphology, 16S rRNA gene sequence identity, and sequence and structure of the 16S–23S ITS region. Their morphology differed markedly from the generitype of the previously monotypic Phyllonema, which has tapered, heteropolar, single‐false branched trichomes with very thin or absent sheath. The two new species, Phyllonema ansata and Phyllonema tangolundensis, described from both culture and environmental material, have untapered, isopolar, geminately false branched trichomes with thick, lamellated sheaths, differences so significant that the species would not be placed in Phyllonema without molecular corroboration. The morphological differences are so significant that a formal emendation of the genus is required. These taxa provide a challenge to algal taxonomy because the morphological differences are such that one would logically conclude that they represent different genera, but the phylogenetic evidence for including them all in the same genus is conclusive. This conclusion is counter to the current trend in algal taxonomy in which taxa with minor morphological differences have been repeatedly placed in separate genera based primarily upon DNA sequence evidence.     

Diet Selection by the Fossorial Rodent Ctenomys mendocinus Inhabiting an Environment with Low Food Availability (Mendoza,Argentina)

The seasonal diet of Ctenomys mendocinus was determined in a habitat of the Andean Precordillera, through microhistological analyses of stomach contents and in relation to food availability. Diet included 23 genera of plants and only 6 of them were consumed with frequencies higher than 4%. The grasses Stipa and Elymus comprised about 80% of the diet. A high proportion of aerial plant material was registered throughout the year suggesting a tendency to forage on the surface. Dietary selectivity was evidenced by a preferential consumption of grasses and avoidance of shrubs. Moreover, most dietary items frequently used were eaten in proportions that differed from their availabilities. This non-opportunistic feeding behavior, specialized in a few dietary items, did not agree with the one expected for a subterranean rodent inhabiting an environment with severe climatic conditions, low food availability and patchy distribution of food resources.     

The Food and Feeding Chronology of Yellow Perch (Perca flavescens) in Lake Washington

The food habits of yellow perch (Perca flavescens) in Lake Washington, Seattle, U.S.A. were studied over a period of nine months. Altogether 549 yellow perch were examined for the stomach contents. The daily activity pattern of the yellow perch in Lake Washington appears to correspond roughly with the feeding pattern. The maximum numbers of perch caught by the nets during 24 hour study periods correspond well with degree of fullness of stomachs noted for the different times of the day. The food consisted mainly of cottids, mysid shrimps (Acanthomysis awatchensis) and chironomid pupae and larvae. There was no difference in the food consumed between the different sexes and between the different size groups. Maximum feeding by perch during the day was observed just before dark and the daily ration was calculated to be about 1.4% of their wet body weight.     

Gene Flow,Recombination, and Selection in Cyanobacteria: Population Structure of Geographically Related Planktothrix Freshwater Strains

Several Planktothrix strains, each producing a distinct oligopeptide profile, have been shown to coexist within Lake Steinsfjorden (Norway). Using nonribosomal peptide synthetase (NRPS) genes as markers, it has been shown that the Planktothrix community comprises distinct genetic variants displaying differences in bloom dynamics, suggesting a Planktothrix subpopulation structure. Here, we investigate the Planktothrix variants inhabiting four lakes in southeast of Norway utilizing both NRPS and non-NRPS genes. Phylogenetic analyses showed similar topologies for both NRPS and non-NRPS genes, and the lakes appear to have similar structuring of Planktothrix genetic variants. The structure of distinct variants was also supported by very low genetic diversity within variants compared to the between-variant diversity. Incongruent topologies and split decomposition revealed recombination events between Planktothrix variants. In several strains the gene variants seem to be a result of recombination. Both NRPS and non-NRPS genes are dominated by purifying selection; however, sites subjected to positive selection were also detected. The presence of similar and well-separated Planktothrix variants with low internal genetic diversity indicates gene flow within Planktothrix populations. Further, the low genetic diversity found between lakes (similar range as within lakes) indicates gene flow also between Planktothrix populations and suggests recent, or recurrent, dispersals. Our data also indicate that recombination has resulted in new genetic variants. Stability within variants and the development of new variants are likely to be influenced by selection patterns and within-variant homologous recombination.     

Biology of Clupeichthys aesarnensis (Clupeidae) in Ubolratana Reservoir,Thailand, with Special Reference to Food and Feeding Habits

The freshwater sardine Clupeichthys aesarnensis is a zooplanktivore like many clupeids. In Ubolratana reservoir, Thailand, it feeds selectively on larger zooplankters, especially Cladocera and to a lesser extent on Copepoda. Other zooplankters are also consumed together with both living and dead insects and occasionally its own young. It feeds during the day. Our results indicate that the slight seasonal differences in food consumed probably reflects differences in availability at different seasons and sites. The fish grows in weight, as expected, at a higher rate than the cube of its length. The condition factor is the same for males and females and shows some seasonal variation. Data on fecundity and gonadosomatic index mark this fish as highly fecund and a year-round spawner. Its short life span, favourable growth and high fecundity make it a valuable source of cheap protein. In 1990, 17% (about 300 tons) of the fish catch from Ubolratana came from this fish.     

Feeding Characteristics of Deep-Sea Acorn Worm (Hemichordata,Enteropneusta, Torquaratoridae) from the Bering Sea

Doklady Biological Sciences - Deep-sea hemichordates Torquaratoridae gen. sp. reach high abundance up to 12 spec. m–2 at the depths of 1830–2130 m on the slope of the Volcanologists...     

Seven new species of Oculatella (Pseudanabaenales,Cyanobacteria): taxonomically recognizing cryptic diversification

A total of 27 strains of Oculatella were isolated, characterized and sequenced, and analysed phylogenetically with an additional environmental clone from the Atacama Desert and 10 strains isolated and sequenced by others. The strains were clearly separated based upon phylogenetic analyses conducted with a concatenated alignment of the 16S rRNA and 16S-23S ITS region of the ribosomal operons in the genus Oculatella. Differences in secondary structure of the conserved domains of the ITS region, as well as comparative analysis of P-distance among ITS regions, served to separate the strains into distinct taxonomic units. Seven new species of Oculatella were described, including four from arid to semi-arid soils (O. atacamensis, O. mojaviensis, O. coburnii, O. neakameniensis) and three from more mesic habitats, including a temperate lake (O. hafneriensis), a desert waterfall (O. cataractarum) and a Hawaiian sea cave (O. kauaiensis). The soil forms show statistically significant morphological differences, but the ranges overlap to a degree that they are not diagnosable by morphology, and these four cryptic species are characterized here using molecular characters. The more mesic species, including the type species from Mediterranean hypogea, O. subterranea, are all morphologically distinct from each other and from all four soil taxa. This report is the first to use solely molecular criteria to distinguish cryptic species of cyanobacteria.     

Spatial distribution of gymnamoebae (Rhizopoda, Lobosea) in brackish-water sediments at the scale of centimeters and millimeters

In order to study micro-spatial distribution of amoebae, an intact slice of sandy sediment from the brackish-water Nivå Bay (Baltic Sea, The Sound), 40 × 24 mm in size and 2 mm in thickness was gently sectioned into cubes, 2 × 2 × 2 mm in size. Each cube was inoculated into enrichment media to reveal the biodiversity of amoebae. Seventeen species of amoebae were recovered. The 2-D map of amoebae species distribution in the slice, consisting of 240 2 × 2 mm cells was drawn and analyzed. Results show heterogeneous distribution of amoebae at the scale of centimeters and millimeters and confirm the idea of the presence of microhabitats, selectively occupied by amoebae species. Three types of distribution patterns were found: random, aggregated and equally spaced. Microelectrode studies indicated that amoebae distribution was not related to the dissolved oxygen content in the sediment. The studied slice of sediment contained several pronounced “hotspots” of amoebae biodiversity, where up to four species co-occur in the same area. Seven species of amoebae numbered 1–4 specimens in the studied slice (i.e. there was 0.5–2 cell ml^–1). Analysis of the amoebae distribution map shows the high probability of undersampling rare amoebae species during faunistic studies.     

srRNA evolution and phylogenetic relationships of the genus Naegleria (Protista: Rhizopoda)

A rapid RNA sequencing technique was used to partially sequence the small-subunit ribosomal RNA (srRNA) of four species of the amoeboid genus Naegleria. The extent of nucleotide sequence divergence between the two most divergent species was roughly similar to that found between mammals and frogs. However, the pattern of variation among the Naegleria species was quite different from that found for those species of tetrapods characterized to date. A phylogenetic analysis of the consensus Naegleria sequence showed that Naegleria was not monophyletic with either Acanthamoeba castellanii or Dictyostelium discoideum, two other amoebas for which sequences were available. It was shown that the semiconserved regions of the srRNA molecule evolve in a clocklike fashion and that the clock is time dependent rather than generation dependent.     

Geosiphon pyriforme,an Endosymbiotic Association of Fungus and Cyanobacteria: the Spore Structure Resembles that of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal (AM) Fungi

The zygomycete Geosiphon pyriforme is the only known endocyanosis of a fungus. The Nostoc spp. filaments are included in photosynthetically active and nitrogen fixing, multinucleated bladders, which grow on the soil surface. The spores of the fungus are white or slightly brownish. They are about 250 μm in diameter and develop singly on hyphal ends or, less frequently, intercalarly. The wall of the spores consists of a thin innermost layer, a laminated inner layer with a thickness of about 10–13 μm, and an evanescent outer layer. The laminated layer is composed of helicoidally arranged microfibrils, and is separated from the evanescent outer layer by a thin electron-dense sublayer. Polarisation microscopy indicates the occurrence of chitin. Shape and wall ultrastructure of the Geosiphon spores and their cytoplasm resemble that of Glomus spores, but are different from that of other genera of the Glomales and Endogonales. Germination occurs by a single thick hyphal outgrowth directly through the spore wall. Like various AM forming fungi, Geosiphon pyriforme contains endocytic bacteria-like organisms, which are not surrounded by a host membrane. Our observations indicate that Geosiphon is a potential AM fungus.     

A Dinoflagellate Amylax triacantha with Plastids of the Cryptophyte Origin: Phylogeny,Feeding Mechanism,and Growth and Grazing Responses

The gonyaulacalean dinoflagellates Amylax spp. were recently found to contain plastids of the cryptophyte origin, more specifically of Teleaulax amphioxeia. However, not only how the dinoflagellates get the plastids of the cryptophyte origin is unknown but also their ecophysiology, including growth and feeding responses as functions of both light and prey concentration, remain unknown. Here, we report the establishment of Amylax triacantha in culture, its feeding mechanism, and its growth rate using the ciliate prey Mesodinium rubrum (= Myrionecta rubra) in light and dark, and growth and grazing responses to prey concentration and light intensity. The strain established in culture in this study was assigned to A. triacantha, based on morphological characteristics (particularly, a prominent apical horn and three antapical spines) and nuclear SSU and LSU rDNA sequences. Amylax triacantha grew well in laboratory culture when supplied with the marine mixotrophic ciliate M. rubrum as prey, reaching densities of over 7.5 × 10³ cells/ml. Amylax triacantha captured its prey using a tow filament, and then ingested the whole prey by direct engulfment through the sulcus. The dinoflagellate was able to grow heterotrophically in the dark, but the growth rate was approximately two times lower than in the light. Although mixotrophic growth rates of A. triacantha increased sharply with mean prey concentrations, with maximum growth rate being 0.68/d, phototrophic growth (i.e. growth in the absence of prey) was ?0.08/d. The maximum ingestion rate was 2.54 ng C/Amylax/d (5.9 cells/Amylax/d). Growth rate also increased with increasing light intensity, but the effect was evident only when prey was supplied. Increased growth with increasing light intensity was accompanied by a corresponding increase in ingestion. In mixed cultures of two predators, A. triacantha and Dinophysis acuminata, with M. rubrum as prey, A. triacantha outgrew D. acuminata due to its approximately three times higher growth rate, suggesting that it can outcompete D. acuminata. Our results would help better understand the ecophysiology of dinoflagellates retaining foreign plastids.