南方红豆杉丛枝菌根(AM)的研究

研究了南方红豆杉根部丛枝菌根真菌(AMF)侵染情况、菌根形态结构以及根际土中AMF孢子的种类与数量.结果显示:南方红豆杉可与AMF形成典型的丛枝-泡囊型菌根,侵染率在71.2%~94.4%,但是历山、蟒河自然保护区的侵染强度优于人工栽培区;在南方红豆杉根际土中共分离鉴定出5种AMF,无梗囊霉属1种、球囊霉属4种,分别是:光壁无梗囊霉、地表球囊霉、地球囊霉、缩球囊霉、明球囊霉,其中光壁无梗囊霉为优势种;南方红豆杉的根由表皮、外皮层、内皮层、中柱组成,AMF只侵染表皮层、内皮层,不能侵染中柱.这为将来利用AMF接种技术进行南方红豆杉的繁殖、移植栽培以及紫杉醇的积累等研究提供了理论依据.     

A Clinico-Mycological Study of Dermatophytoses in Goa,India

The study was a clinico-mycological approach to find out the various clinical types of dermatophytoses and as well as the species of dermatophytes in Goa. Various socio-demographic and host factors were assessed to determine the predisposing factors for dermatophytoses. A detailed clinical history of the patients was recorded. Samples were collected aseptically in sterile black paper envelopes. The material was subjected to microscopy using potassium hydroxide mount. Culture was done by inoculating the material in Sabouraud’s peptone glucose agar slants. Tinea corporis was found to be the most common clinical presentation (44.2 %). Among the dermatophytes, Trichophyton rubrum predominated (38.2 %), followed by Trichophyton mentagrophytes (27.2 %). Dermatophytoses was more common among the lower and upper lower strata of society. Majority of the patients were in the 21–40 years age group (62 %) with males predominating women in ratio 2.4:1.     

Differences in endozoochorous dispersal between aquatic plant species, with reference to plant population persistence in rivers

Summary 1. In river ecosystems, populations are continuously subjected to unidirectional downstream currents resulting in a downstream movement of populations. To ensure long-term population persistence in rivers, organisms must have a mechanism for upstream dispersal, which allows them to re-colonise upstream areas.
2. In this study we assessed differences in the potential for endozoochorous seed dispersal of Sparganium emersum and Sagittaria sagittifolia , two aquatic plant species with different seed morphologies, by mallard ( Anas platyrhynchos ) and teal ( Anas crecca ), two duck species with different body weights.
3. We found no significant differences in seed retrieval (the proportion of ingested seeds retrieved after gut passage) and seed retention time (time between seed ingestion and retrieval), between mallard and teal, despite the difference in body weights. We did find a significantly higher germination (%) over retention time of S. emersum seeds retrieved from teal compared with mallard, most likely related to a more efficient removal of the seed coat during passage through the gut of teal.
4. There were large differences between S. emersum versus S. sagittifolia in: (i) seed retrieval (22.65 ± 20.8% versus 1.60 ± 2.4%, respectively); (ii) seed retention time in duck gut, with a maximum of 60 h versus 12 h; (iii) the effect of gut passage on seed germination, with an increase of approximately 35% versus a decrease of 25%; and (iv) the effect of gut passage on seed germination rate, with an acceleration of 10 days versus a delay of 3 days on average. The results show that S. emersum has a higher potential for endozoochorous dispersal by ducks and postdispersal establishment than S. sagittifolia .
5. We propose that, in rivers, bird-mediated seed dispersal may promote re-colonisation of upstream areas, enabling long-term plant population persistence.     

Arbuscular mycorrhiza in relation to management history,soil nutrients and plant species diversity

Thelow nutrient status of semi-natural grasslands, pastures and meadows,reflects a continuity of nutrient reduction by grazing and hay-making. Ithas been hypothesized that the nutrient depletion itself may reduce competitionbetween individuals, and that mycorrhiza smooths out differences in nutrientuptake and competitive ability, so that competition for nutrients is evenfurther reduced. This interaction between site history, nutrient status andmycorrhiza could thus be one explanation for a high species diversity usuallyfound in semi-natural grasslands. To determine variation in colonizationof arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AM), three species(Achillea millefolium L., Ranunculusacris L. and Anthriscus sylvestris L.) weresampled at sites with different management history. All three species hadmycorrhizal colonization. Correlations between species diversity patterns atdifferent spatial scales (0.04,1 and total species number in the site) andmycorrhizal colonization were examined. In addition, soil samples were analysedconcerning P, K, N and pH. When combining measures for the three speciestogether there were significantly higher AM colonization at sites with a longcontinuous management regime, compared to sites with short or interruptedmanagement regime. A significantly positive correlation was also found betweenplant species diversity and colonization of mycorrhiza. Soil nutrient status androot weight density did not differ among the sites with different managementregime. This indicates that increasing nutrient status, or root competition, arenot likely causal mechanisms behind a reduced AM colonization rate at sites withshort or interrupted management regime. The correlation with species diversityis more likely a result of management continuity itself. A long continuousmanagement is associated with an increasing likelihood of successful dispersalof plant species as well as of fungal species.     

Arbuscular mycorrhizal community composition associated with two plant species in a grassland ecosystem

Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi are biotrophic symbionts colonizing about two-thirds of land plant species and found in all ecosystems. They are of major importance in plant nutrient supply and their diversity is suggested to be an important determinant of plant community composition. The diversity of the AM fungal community composition in the roots of two plant species (Agrostis capillaris and Trifolium repens) that co-occurred in the same grassland ecosystem was characterized using molecular techniques. We analysed the small subunit (SSU) ribosomal RNA gene amplified from a total root DNA extract using AM fungal-specific primers. A total of 2001 cloned fragments from 47 root samples obtained on four dates were analysed by restriction fragment length polymorphism, and 121 of them were sequenced. The diversity found was high: a total of 24 different phylotypes (groups of phylogenetically related sequences) colonized the roots of the two host species. Phylogenetic analyses demonstrate that 19 of these phylotypes belonged to the Glomaceae, three to the Acaulosporaceae and two to the Gigasporaceae. Our study reveals clearly that the AM fungal community colonizing T. repens differed from that colonizing A. capillaris, providing evidence for AM fungal host preference. In addition, our results reveal dynamic changes in the AM fungal community through time.     

Distribution of sub-littoral meiobenthos off Goa coast,India

Vertical and horizontal distribution of meiofauna was studied off Goa coast. Bottom deposit included mainly fine sand and silt. Total number of animals ranged from 250 to 2925/10 cm². Highest faunal density was in the top 6 cm layer. The fauna consisted of two main groups, nematodes and foraminiferans which together formed 60 to 80% of the total meiofauna. Fine sand supported a rich fauna. Interstitial water and organic content of the sediment was found to be the limiting factor in the distribution of meiobenthos.     

Marine Actinobacteria Showing Phosphate-Solubilizing Efficiency in Chorao Island, Goa, India

The occurrence and distribution of an actinobacteria group of bacteria capable of dissolving insoluble phosphates were investigated in this study in marine environments, especially in sediments of Chorao Island, Goa Province, India. A total of 200 bacterial isolates of actinobacteria was isolated. All isolates were screened for phosphate-solubilizing activity on Pikovskaya’s agar. Thirteen different isolates exhibiting maximum formation of halos (zone of solubilization) around the bacterial colonies were selected for quantitative estimations of P-solubilization. Quantitative estimations for P-solubilization were analyzed for up to 10 days at intervals of 24 h. Maximum solubilization from 89.3 ± 3.1 to 164.1 ± 4.1 μg ml^?1 was observed after 6 days of incubation in six of all isolates, while the isolate NII-1020 showed maximum P-solubilization. The increase in solubilization coincided with the drop in pH. Many of these species showed wide range of tolerance to temperature, pH, and salt concentrations. Further, 16S rRNA gene sequence analyses were carried to identify the bacterial groups which are actively solubilized phosphate in vitro. Gene sequencing results reveal that all isolates were clustered into six different actinobacterial genera: Streptomyces, Microbacterium, Angustibacter, Kocuria, Isoptericola, and Agromyces. The presence of phosphate-solubilizing microorganisms and their ability to solubilize phosphate were indicative of the important role played by bacteria in the biogeochemical cycle of phosphorus and the plant growth in coastal ecosystems.     

32P uptake in three submerged aquatic plant species

Summary Highest uptake of³²P by young shoots of three plant species was observed and lowest by old ones. The uptake of³²P was highest inHydrilla shoots, followed byVallisneria andPotamogeton.Kinetin (0.23 mM) pretreatment (24 h) increased the uptake of³²P, while 0.69 mM ethrel or 0.075 mM ABA decreased it in all species.³²P was transported to the largest extent to the young shoots of the submerged plants and to the smallest extent to the old ones by kinetin pretreatment. Kinetin enhanced the uptake of³²P most inHydrilla shoots, followed byVallisneria andPotamogeton. Ethrel diminished³²P uptake most inPotamogeton shoots and to the smallest extent inHydrilla, while ABA lowered it most inHydrilla shoots and to the smallest extent inPotamogeton. Kinetin, ethrel and ABA can modify the uptake of³²P of these aquatic plants.     

Geographical patterns of species turnover in aquatic plant communities

1. A classic theory in biogeography predicts that high latitude communities are unstable. This may be because of decreased species richness or decreased environmental predictability and productivity towards the poles.
2. We studied latitudinal patterns in long-term community persistence of aquatic vascular plants in 112 Finnish lakes, situated within a 1000-km range from the northernmost to the southernmost lake.
3. Contrary to theoretical predictions, we found that the turnover rate of plant species in 45 years was inversely related to latitude. That is, plant communities in northern lakes were more persistent than communities in southern lakes. When we used multiple regression to find the best predictors of species turnover rate (TR), latitude was the only variable that was highly significantly related to species turnover rate. Area, species number, water transparency, pH and change in transparency did not notably explain the gradient observed.
4. The latitudinal trend was mainly because of lower species immigration rates at higher latitudes, whereas extinction rate did not so strongly decrease with increasing latitude. Immigrations and extinctions in the lakes were not in balance: the species numbers between the 1930s and 1980s increased more strongly in the southern than northern lakes.
5. We suggest that the inverse relationship between latitude and plant species TR in Finland is most probably caused by human influence on lakes, especially eutrophication and immigration of new species in southern latitudes. In addition, although species richness per lake did not decrease towards the north, the total species pool probably does, which means that in the north there are fewer species that can actually immigrate.     

丛枝菌根养分吸收和转运机制的研究历史与进展

丛枝菌根真菌(AMF)在土壤生态系统中分布最广且在农业生态系统中作用最大,是颇受研究人员关注的一类菌根真菌。多年来,人们尝试着用各种技术和方法从不同角度、不同层次对AMF与植物的互惠机制进行研究并取得了较大进展。近年来分子技术在该领域得以广泛应用,使得人们对这一共生体的互惠机制有了更为详尽的了解。从营养学角度入手,综述了国内外关于丛枝菌根(AM)真菌对土壤中养分吸收和转运机制的研究进展,并在概括当前AMF促生机制研究热点的基础上对其发展前景作了展望。     

金沙江干热河谷宾川、永胜段的丛枝菌根

用碱解离、酸性品红染色法对金沙江干热河谷宾川、永胜段 6 5种植物的丛枝菌根状况进行了调查 ,结果发现干热河谷不同河段植物根系的丛枝菌根真菌感染率、感染程度有一定的差异 ;干热河谷中大多数常见植物在不同河段中都形成丛枝菌根 ,同种植物在不同河段中的丛枝菌根状况可能与植物对丛枝菌根的依赖性有关。     

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, Collembola and plant growth

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi are ubiquitous in field soils, as are mycophagous animals such as Collembola. It has been suggested that these animals reduce the functioning of the mycorrhiza and are thus detrimental to plant growth. However, recent choice experiments suggest that Collembola preferentially feed on nonmycorrhizal fungi in the rhizosphere. If these preferences also occur in field soils, then Collembola might indirectly benefit plants through an enhancement of mycorrhizal functioning and indirect multitrophic links to foliar-feeding insect herbivores.     

Arbuscular Mycorrhizae in the Dry hot Valley of Jinsha River(Binchuan and Yongsheng)

The arbuscular mycorrhizal status of 65 plant species growing in the dry hot valley of Jinsha River (Binchuan and Yongsheng Counties) was surveyed by means of acid stain after the roots were lysised in alkaline solution.It was found that plants growing in different areas of the dry hot valley of Jinsha River shown a different arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal infection and infection intensity.Most of common plant species growing in the dry hot valley of Jinsha River usually formed arbuscular mycorrhizae.The arbuscular mycorrhizal status of a definite plant species in different parts of the river may be relative to its mycorrhizal dependency.     

Arbuscular mycorrhizal relations of mangrove plant community at the Ganges river estuary in India

Mangroves are climax formation of hydrohalophytes inhabiting estuarine or marine salt marshes in the tropics and subtropics. As a terrestrial plant community inhabiting tidally inundated estuarine or marine sediments, mangroves show considerable adaptation to salinity, water-logging and nutrient stress. Thirty-one species of mangrove and mangrove associates and 23 species of transported flora, belonging to 25 families at four physiographic stages of succession of the mangrove plant community at the terminal part of the Ganges river estuary in India were examined for arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) root association. Dominant members of the mangrove plant community were all AM, mostly with 'Paris' type structures. Many of the known non-mycotrophic plant families, except the Cyperaceae, also showed AM association, with intracellular hyphae and vesicles as the most discernible endophyte structures. Intensity of AM colonization varied both with the species and situations of their occurrence, being more intense and also more extensive in less saline dry ridge mangroves than in more saline formative and developed swamp mangroves. Introduced exotic trees on the ridges and embankments were infected by AM, but less than the declining mangroves in the same location. Seven species of AM fungi in common with those of the upstream mesophytic plants were isolated from root-free rhizosphere soils of the mangroves, three of which predominated in root association. These species, individually and as mixtures, infected roots of salinity tolerant herbs and trees in both locational silt and upstream alluvial soil with obvious improvements in their biomass yield and phosphorus nutrition. AM infective potential of root-free rhizosphere soils of the dominant members of the mangrove community were negatively related to salinity level of the sediment soil of the successional stages. The evidences of AM association of mangroves and other salt marsh plants obtained here and those reported elsewhere are discussed.     

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi reduce the differences in competitiveness between dominant and subordinate plant species

In grassland communities, plants can be classified as dominants or subordinates according to their relative abundances, but the factors controlling such distributions remain unclear. Here, we test whether the presence of the arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungus Glomus intraradices affects the competitiveness of two dominant (Taraxacum officinale and Agrostis capillaris) and two subordinate species (Prunella vulgaris and Achillea millefolium). Plants were grown in pots in the presence or absence of the fungus, in monoculture and in mixtures of both species groups with two and four species. In the absence of G. intraradices, dominants were clearly more competitive than subordinates. In inoculated pots, the fungus acted towards the parasitic end of the mutualism–parasitism continuum and had an overall negative effect on the growth of the plant species. However, the negative effects of the AM fungus were more pronounced on dominant species reducing the differences in competitiveness between dominant and subordinate species. The effects of G. intraradices varied with species composition highlighting the importance of plant community to mediate the effects of AM fungi. Dominant species were negatively affected from the AM fungus in mixtures, while subordinates grew identically with and without the fungus. Therefore, our findings predict that the plant dominance hierarchy may flatten out when dominant species are more reduced than subordinate species in an unfavourable AM fungal relationship (parasitism).     

Anaerobic denitrification in fungi from the coastal marine sediments off Goa, India

Denitrification is a microbial process during which nitrate or nitrite is reduced under anaerobic condition to gaseous nitrogen. The Arabian Sea contains one of the major pelagic denitrification zones and in addition to this, denitrification also takes places along the continental shelf. Prokaryotic microorganisms were considered to be the only players in this process. However recent studies have shown that higher microeukaryotes such as fungi can also adapt to anaerobic mode of respiration and reduce nitrate to harmful green house gases such as NO and N₂O. In this study we examined the distribution and biomass of fungi in the sediments of the seasonal anoxic region off Goa from two stations. The sampling was carried out in five different periods from October 2005, when dissolved oxygen levels were near zero in bottom waters to March 2006. We isolated mycelial fungi, thraustochytrids and yeasts. Species of Aspergillus and thraustochytrids were dominant. Fungi were isolated under aerobic, as well as anaerobic conditions from different seasons. Four isolates were examined for their denitrification activity. Two cultures obtained from the anoxic sediments showed better growth under anaerobic condition than the other two cultures that were isolated from oxic sediments. Our preliminary results suggest that several species of fungi can grow under oxygen deficient conditions and participate in denitrification processes.     

Risk assessment for invasiveness differs for aquatic and terrestrial plant species

Predictive tools for preventing introduction of new species with high probability of becoming invasive in the U.S. must effectively distinguish non-invasive from invasive species. The Australian Weed Risk Assessment system (WRA) has been demonstrated to meet this requirement for terrestrial vascular plants. However, this system weights aquatic plants heavily toward the conclusion of invasiveness. We evaluated the accuracy of the WRA for 149 non-native aquatic species in the U.S., of which 33 are major invaders, 32 are minor invaders and 84 are non-invaders. The WRA predicted that all of the major invaders would be invasive, but also predicted that 83% of the non-invaders would be invasive. Only 1% of the non-invaders were correctly identified and 16% needed further evaluation. The resulting overall accuracy was 33%, dominated by scores for invaders. While the overall accuracy increased to 57% when the points assigned to aquatic life forms were removed, 57% of the non-invaders required further evaluation rather than were identified as having low probability of naturalizing. Discrimination between non-invaders and invaders would require an increase in the threshold score from the standard of 6 for this system to 19. That higher threshold resulted in accurate identification of 89% of the non-invaders and over 75% of the major invaders. Either further testing for definition of the optimal threshold or a separate screening system will be necessary for accurately predicting which freshwater aquatic plants are high risks for becoming invasive.     

Effect of domestic sewage on sand beach meiofauna at Goa,India

Meiofauna of a sewage-polluted sandy beach, where sand alone constituted > 90%, was surveyed. Nematodes dominated the fauna numerically at all stations, followed by harpacticoid copepods. Most of the animals were confined to the top 5 cm of the sediment. A seasonal pattern was observed in the distribution of the fauna. There were significant spatial and temporal variations in mean meiofauna density, attributed to organic discharge via sewage and prevailing environmental conditions in the study area.     

中国水生高等植物受危种的研究

本文根据国际自然和自然资源保护联盟有关受危种类型的划分标准,并参考国内外部分受危种类型的划分原则,试将中国(包括台湾和港澳地区)海域和内陆水体所产水生高等植物受危种划分为7个类型,其中属于灭绝种的有2种,濒危种16种,易危种31种,稀有种22种,未定种44种,脱险种21种和外来种11种。对上述受危种的受危现状与致危因素也进行了初步分析。