Changes in production of lignin degrading enzymes during interactions between mycelia of the tropical decomposer basidiomycetes Marasmiellus troyanus and Marasmius pallescens

During the interaction of two tropical agaric fungi, Marasmius pallescens and Marasmiellus troyanus, on agar media, initial deadlock between the two mycelia was ultimately followed by take-over by M. troyanus. When shaken liquid cultures of these two fungi were mixed, a rapid increase in laccase and manganese peroxidase activity, but no lignin peroxidase, was detected in the culture supernatant. Even more rapid and elevated induction of laccase occurred when filter-sterilized supernatant of Marasmius pallescens was added to Marasmiellus troyanus cultures, but the reciprocal experiment (addition of M. troyanus supernatant to M. pallescens cultures), did not lead to any increase in laccase activity. Addition of autoclaved supernatant of M. pallescens also induced laccase activity from M. troyanus cultures, but over a period of days rather than hours. Although both M. troyanus, and to a lesser extent M. pallescens, are able to produce laccases in shaken liquid culture following addition of the inducer 2,5-dimethylalanine, these experiments suggest that the presence of heat-stable and heat-labile laccase inducers secreted by M. pallescens mycelia lead to induction of laccases by M. troyanus.     

Seed dispersal versus seed predation: an inter-site comparison of two related African monkeys

C. pogonias and C. wolfi plant diets were studied in two sites, in Gabon and Zaire and compared with fruit availabilities. Monkeys in Gabon were found to be mainly fruit pulp-eaters while monkeys in Zaire were alternately seed-eaters, aril-eaters or leaf-eaters. These differences were related to differences in the availability of fruit categories: fleshy fruits were found to be much more abundant in Gabon than in Zaire forests. As a result, monkeys in Gabon were found to be mainly seed-dispersers while monkeys in Zaire were found, to a large extent, to be seed-predators. Results are discussed in terms of phenotypic flexibility in monkey feeding behavior, diversity of plant-monkey interactions, geographic variability of keystone plant resources, and their implications for forest management practices. The low availability of fleshy fruit species in Zaire is hypothezized to result from the poor soil conditions.     

On the differences between Bryum creberrimum Tayl. and B. pallescens Schleich. ex Schwaegr

Abstract

The similarities and differences between Bryum creberrimum Tayl. and B. pallescens Schleich. ex Schwaegr. are discussed. The most reliable characters for distinguishing the two species are spore size, and shape of process perforations.     

Genetic control of fruit polymorphism in the GenusFedia (Valerianaceae) in the light of dimorphic and trimorphic populations ofF. pallescens

The genusFedia consists of three species (F. cornucopiae, F. graciliflora andF. pallescens) of winter annual herbs, endemic to the western Mediterranean Basin. The deciduous terminal fruits of these taxa are polymorphic in the development of their pericarp and/or calyx, and each population is dimorphic or more rarely trimorphic. The three main fruit types are dispersed in several manners, and are specialized for either epizoochory or myrmecochory. On the basis of our experimental study of dimorphic and trimorphic populations ofF. pallescens subsp.pallescens, a genetic model is presented in order to explain the control of this intrapopulational polymorphism. It is postulated that two diallelic loci are tightly linked on the same chromosome in a functional supergene. One allele of each locus displays a dominance effect in the heterozygous state. Within the four possible homologous allelic segments, only two are present in the dimorphic populations, three in the trimorphic ones, and are otherwise associated in diverse combinations in the remaining taxa of the genus. Similar examples of fruit polymorphism are already documented in the tribeValerianeae, subtribeFediinae. The hypothesis is put forward that this fruit polymorphism is a synapomorphy for the subtribe.     

The African rainforest: odd man out or megafaunal landscape? African and Amazonian forests compared

Africa has been called the ‘odd man out’ because the hectare‐scale tree diversity of African equatorial forests is lower than that of forests in other parts of the tropics. Low diversity has been attributed to the smaller area of the African forest and a history of drought, fire and contraction. Several facts shed doubt on this interpretation. The current area of the central African forest is roughly 2 million km². Even during periods of Pleistocene contraction, numerous moist refugia remained, including 6 posited for Gabon, a country the size of the U. S. state of Colorado. The gamma‐diversity of Gabon is high, implying higher alpha diversities. Finally, tree diversities on small islands in the Solomons and Fiji archipelagos are twice those prevalent in Gabonese forests, suggesting that historical contractions may not have been sufficient to reduce diversity to its current level. To place the African situation in perspective, we compared tree stands in Gabon and the Peruvian Amazon. Peruvian forests contained a mean of 618 trees ≥ 10 cm dbh per ha vs 377 for Gabon, or 64% more. Peruvian forests contained relatively more small trees (≥ 10, <20 cm dbh) and many fewer large trees (≥ 20 cm dbh) than Gabonese forests. These structural differences were consistent across 10 Gabonese and 10 Peruvian sites and transcended local gradients in climate and geology, suggesting that they are intrinsic to the two continents. Tree species diversity in Perú is concentrated in the small tree class (≥ 10, <20 cm dbh), whereas it is highest in the larger tree classes in Gabon. Alpha diversity is apparently lower relative to gamma diversity in Africa than it is in Amazonian Perú , implying higher beta diversity. The densities of small plants (<1 m tall) are similar in Gabonese and Peruvian forests; the observed structural differences develop later at the sapling and small tree stages. Explaining the low hectare‐scale diversity of African forests thus reduces to understanding why the density and diversity of small trees is so anomalously low.     

Connecting fruit production to seedling establishment in two co-occurring <Emphasis Type="Italic">Miconia</Emphasis> species: consequences of seed dispersal by birds in upper Amazonia

This study investigated links between seed production by two species of Miconia (Melastomataceae), whose seeds are dispersed by birds, and later stages of recruitment in lowland forests of eastern Ecuador. Seed dispersal and survival in later stages are crucial for understanding and predicting patterns of plant population dynamics as well as for understanding patterns of diversity in tropical forests. A major goal was to determine if the spatial template of seed deposition established by birds predicted probability of recruitment. We used observational and experimental approaches to compare patterns of recruitment in Miconia fosteri and M. serrulata. We calculated probabilities of transition between successive stages of recruitment for each species in three habitats. The number of plants with fruit, number of fruits removed, and, to a lesser extent, patterns of seed deposition varied between species and among habitats, whereas seed survival, germination, and establishment showed little variation among habitats. The location of seed deposition directly influenced the cumulative probabilities of survival. Among-habitat differences in the probabilities of recruitment set by seed deposition were not modified by later stages, although probability of recruitment was 2.5 times higher for M. serrulata than for M. fosteri after 1 year. The more critical stages for recruitment were seed removal and deposition. Our results from multiple life-cycle stages suggest that habitat associations among plants that reach reproductive maturity become established at early life stages and were mostly a consequence of seed dispersal by birds. These results differ from those obtained in temperate zones and suggest fundamental differences in the importance of recruitment processes. Dispersers, such as manakins, play significant roles in recruitment and population dynamics of M. fosteri, M. serrulata and numerous other understory plants of Neotropical forests. Their role in plant recruitment could be much greater than previously considered in megadiverse tropical forests. Thus, loss of dispersers could have long-term and far-reaching implications for maintenance of diversity.     

Chemical signals and habitat selection by three zooplankters in Andean Patagonian ponds

1. Zooplankton may react differently to chemical signals produced by macrophytes in shallow systems. They may be attracted by macrophytes, as the plants may be used as a refuge against predators, or the plants may have a repellent effect (e.g. when the plants are a habitat for numerous invertebrate predators or fish). In fishless Patagonian ponds, the structural complexity provided by macrophytes modulates the rate of predation on zooplankton by the invertebrate predator Mesostoma ehrenbergii (Turbellaria). 2. We performed a field study to analyse the coexistence of M. ehrenbergii and three of its prey (two copepods, the calanoid Boeckella gracilis and the cyclopoid Acanthocyclops robustus, and the cladoceran Ceriodaphnia dubia) in four ponds. In two of the ponds, we carried out day and night sampling to evaluate the influence of macrophytes on the distribution of these zooplankters. 3. In laboratory experiments, we analysed the response of the zooplankters to the chemical signals produced by macrophytes (the emergent Juncus pallescens and the submerged Myriophyllum quitense), the predator M. ehrenbergii and the ‘alarm signal’ provided by a homogenate of conspecifics. 4. Our field studies demonstrated the coexistence of M. ehrenbergii and the selected prey in different seasons and that A. robustus and C. dubia choose the vegetated area (a mixed bed of J. pallescens and M. quitense) over the non‐vegetated area. The habitat choice experiments indicated that the presence of M. ehrenbergii may directly affect the habitat selection of B. gracilis, because this zooplankter swam away from the predator. In addition, Mesostoma may indirectly affect the habitat selection of the cyclopoid copepod A. robustus and the cladoceran C. dubia as both zooplankters exhibited a negative response to the alarm signal produced by crushed conspecifics. 5. The presence of the submerged M. quitense did not affect the horizontal movements of any of the zooplankters studied. In contrast, the emergent macrophyte J. pallescens elicited a positive response of B. gracilis, suggesting that this aquatic plant may act as a predation refuge. 6. Our results suggest that predator avoidance behaviour can occur in fishless environments in response to a tactile invertebrate predator like Mesostoma. In addition, the refuge effect of emergent macrophytes, enhancing the survival of pelagic zooplankters, may act as a key factor in stabilizing predator–prey interactions in fishless Patagonian ponds, as has been widely recorded in northern temperate lakes with fish.     

Enteromius pinnimaculatus sp. nov. (Cypriniformes: Cyprinidae) from southern Gabon

We present and describe a new species of Enteromius, adding to the 16 species of Enteromius currently recorded from Gabon, West Africa. This new species is distinguished from all other Gabonese Enteromius by the presence of several distinct spots on the dorsal fin in combination with three or four round spots on the flanks. In Africa, it is superficially similar to Enteromius walkeri and with which it shares an unusual allometry in that the proportional length of the barbels decreases as the fish grows. Nevertheless, one can distinguish these species by vertebral number, maximum standard length, the length of the anterior barbels, the length of the caudal peduncle and in most specimens, the number of lateral-line and circumpeduncular scales. These two species also inhabit widely separated drainages, with E. walkeri occurring in coastal drainages of Ghana including the Pra and Ankobra Rivers and the new species occurring in tributaries of the Louetsi and Bibaka Rivers of Gabon, which are part of the Ogowe and Nyanga drainages, respectively. Despite extensive collections in those drainages the new species is known from only two localities, suggesting the importance of conservation of its known habitat.     

Induction of buds in the moss Bryum pallescens Schleich. ex Schwaegr. by a metal chelate,Fe-EDTA

Abstract

Bryum pallescens remains bud-free on basal medium. Buds are induced in response to Fe-EDTA at all concentrations tested (10^?8 – 10^?4 M); 10^?4 Mbeing optimum. None of the other chelates (EDTA, Fe-EDDHA, SA) tried is effective in eliciting this response.     

Damage caused by mistletoe Misodendrum punctulatum Banks Ex Dc. on architecture and radial growth of Nothofagus pumilio (Poepp. et Endl.) Krasser forests of southern Chile

Parasitic plants rely completely or partially on host plant, namely holoparasitic or hemiparasitic, respectively. The effect of parasitism on host plants is not fully known. Misodendrum punctulatum (Misodendraceae) is the most common hemiparasite species in the southernmost forests of Chile and Argentina, and it has been identified as an important sanitary problem in forestry. In this study we evaluated the M. punctulatum effect on growth rates and architecture of pure Nothofagus pumilio (Nothofagaceae) forests in southern South America (52°10′S; 71°55′W). We established three plots of 30 × 30 m, and 10 cores were extracted from diameter at breast height (d.b.h. = 1.3 m) from living trees in each plot, using increment borers. Tree rings were measured, and anova was used to compare the annual growth rate of both infected and uninfected N. pumilio. The results showed that N. pumilio trees severely infected by M. punctulatum reduce growth rates in contrast with uninfected individuals (P < 0.05). Besides, trees with high‐infection levels evidenced deterioration in its architecture, showing asymmetric and suppressed canopies, according to ad hoc numerical indexes. This study provides a starting point to understand the parasite–host relationship in the Patagonian forests of southern Chile.     

Effect of fire on recruitment of two dominant perennial grasses with different palatability from semi-arid grasslands of NW Patagonia (Argentina)

Fire is a non-selective disturbance that impacts equally plant species that could be selected differentially by livestock. Post-fire recruitment dynamics is an important ecological process that has been barely studied in Patagonian grass species. This work analyzes the effect of fire on seed germination, seedling growth, and survival of Pappostipa speciosa (ex Stipa speciosa) and Festuca pallescens, two dominant perennial grasses from NW Patagonia that differ in palatability. We hypothesized that physical and chemical factors derived from fire differentially affect recruitment of these species. We performed experiments in the field and under laboratory and greenhouse conditions to study the integral effect of fire and of related abiotic factors (i.e., smoke, heat, charcoal, and ash) on different phases of recruitment of both species. Experimental burning promoted P. speciosa emergence over time, but they did not affect F. pallescens total emergence. Experimental burning decreased P. speciosa seedling growth (i.e., few leaves and small size), but they did not affect seedling survival. Smoke from laboratory experiments stimulated P. speciosa germination. Exposing F. pallescens seeds to 120°C decreased germination and seedling growth. Fire might act as a selective force on recruitment of both species, as well as changing competitive interactions during postfire regeneration. The effect of fire on the recruitment dynamics of the studied species depended strongly on both intrinsic species characteristics and meteorological conditions.     

Signal variation and its morphological correlates in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Paramormyrops kingsleyae</Emphasis> provide insight into the evolution of electrogenic signal diversity in mormyrid electric fish

We describe patterns of geographic variation in electric signal waveforms among populations of the mormyrid electric fish species Paramormyrops kingsleyae. This analysis includes study of electric organs and electric organ discharge (EOD) signals from 553 specimens collected from 12 localities in Gabon, West-Central Africa from 1998 to 2009. We measured time, slope, and voltage values from nine defined EOD “landmarks” and determined peak spectral frequencies from each waveform; these data were subjected to principal components analysis. The majority of variation in EODs is explained by two factors: the first related to EOD duration, the second related to the magnitude of the weak head-negative pre-potential, P0. Both factors varied clinally across Gabon. EODs are shorter in eastern Gabon and longer in western Gabon. Peak P0 is slightly larger in northern Gabon and smaller in southern Gabon. P0 in the EOD is due to the presence of penetrating-stalked (Pa) electrocytes in the electric organ while absence is due to the presence of non-penetrating stalked electrocytes (NPp). Across Gabon, the majority of P. kingsleyae populations surveyed have only individuals with P0-present EODs and Pa electrocytes. We discovered two geographically distinct populations, isolated from others by barriers to migration, where all individuals have P0-absent EODs with NPp electrocytes. At two sites along a boundary between P0-absent and P0-present populations, P0-absent and P0-present individuals were found in sympatry; specimens collected there had electric organs of intermediate morphology. This pattern of geographic variation in EODs is considered in the context of current phylogenetic work. Multiple independent paedomorphic losses of penetrating stalked electrocytes have occurred within five Paramormyrops species and seven genera of mormyrids. We suggest that this key anatomical feature in EOD signal evolution may be under a simple mechanism of genetic control, and may be easily influenced by selection or drift throughout the evolutionary history of mormyrids.     

Congruent phylogeographical patterns of eight tree species in Atlantic Central Africa provide insights into the past dynamics of forest cover

Cycles of Quaternary climatic change are assumed to be major drivers of African rainforest dynamics and evolution. However, most hypotheses on past vegetation dynamics relied on palaeobotanical records, an approach lacking spatial resolution, and on current patterns of species diversity and endemism, an approach confounding history and environmental determinism. In this context, a comparative phylogeographical study of rainforest species represents a complementary approach because Pleistocene climatic fluctuations may have left interpretable signatures in the patterns of genetic diversity within species. Using 1274 plastid DNA sequences from eight tree species (Afrostyrax kamerunensis, A. lepidophyllus, Erythrophleum suaveolens, Greenwayodendron suaveolens, Milicia excelsa, Santiria trimera, Scorodophloeus zenkeri and Symphonia globulifera) sampled in 50 populations of Atlantic Central Africa (ACA), we averaged divergence across species to produce the first map of the region synthesizing genetic distinctiveness and standardized divergence within and among localities. Significant congruence in divergence was detected mostly among five of the eight species and was stronger in the northern ACA. This pattern is compatible with a scenario of past forest fragmentation and recolonization whereby forests from eastern Cameroon and northeastern Gabon would have been more affected by past climatic change than those of western Cameroon (where one or more refugia would have occurred). By contrast, southern ACA (Gabon) displayed low congruence among species that may reflect less drastic past forest fragmentation or a more complex history of vegetation changes. Finally, we also highlight the potential impact of current environmental barriers on spatial genetic structures.     

Associations of ant species to land cover types and human disturbance in south‐west Gabon

We recorded ground‐foraging ant species in forest and savannah habitats along a 52‐km‐long road planned for upgrade in the buffer zone of the Moukalaba‐Doudou National Park in south‐west Gabon. Sixty stations were established with three sampling points on each side of the future road and baited with peanut butter to record the presence of invasive Wasmannia auropunctata (Roger, 1863). We documented 46 ant species including one genus and eight species not previously reported in Gabon, but no evidence of the presence of W. auropunctata. We also found species known to have an opportunistic behaviour such as Cardiocondyla emeryi (Forel, 1881), Tetramorium simillimum (Smith, 1851) and Trichomyrmex destructor (Jerdon, 1851). Species richness in forested stations was significantly higher than in savannah. Among the most common ant species in the area, we identified 13 associated with forests, eight associated with savannahs and one generalist. Four species were highly tolerant to human disturbance. Our study, even if biased towards stress‐tolerant species, provides new insights about ant species associations with habitats and contributes to the establishment of a reference system to classify African ant species that could be used to monitor the success of restoration of areas impacted by human activities.     

Phylogeography of Mus (Nannomys) minutoides (Rodentia,Muridae) in West Central African savannahs: singular vicariance in neighbouring populations

We studied the phylogeography of the strict savannah pygmy mice Mus (Nannomys) minutoides in West Central Africa. A total of 846 base pairs of the cytochrome b sequence were obtained for 66 individuals collected in Gabon, Cameroon, Republic of Congo and Central African Republic. These sequences were compared to those of M. minutoides from other African countries and to eight other species of the genus Mus. We performed maximum likelihood, Bayesian and nested clade analyses, as well as neutrality tests and time estimates. We show that M. minutoides is a well‐differentiated monophyletic species that separated from other pygmy mice 1.17 Myr ago. A distinct West Central African M. minutoides clade diverged early from the other African populations of the species, with a more recent common ancestor dating 0.14 Myr. West Central African populations are globally homogeneous, despite the present fragmentation of savannahs by the rain forest. However, our analyses show an unexpected vicariance between geographically close savannahs, embedded in the rain forest in Central Gabon. One of these populations is genetically more similar to very distant peripheral populations than to three closely neighbouring populations situated on both sides of the Ogooué River. A non‐river geographical barrier probably persisted in this area, durably isolating these local populations. This hypothesis about the history of the savannah landscape should be testable through the biogeographical analysis of other strict savannah small mammal species.     

Differentiation of floral color and odor in two fly pollinated species ofMetrodorea (Rutaceae) from Brazil

We investigated if differences in morphological characters in two species ofMetrodorea (Rutaceae) from Brazilian semideciduous forests correspond to some pollination divergence.M. nigra andM. stipularis are sympatric species, display a similar floral morphology, are protandrous, self-incompatible, their flower periods overlap, and both are pollinated by flies.M. nigra main pollinators arePseudoptiloleps nigripoda (Muscidae) andFannia sp. (Fanniidae);M. stipularis major pollinators arePhaenicia eximia (Calliphoridae),Palpada sp. andOrnidia obesa (Syrphidae). The distinct floral odor (disagreeable inM. nigra and sweet inM. stipularis) and color (brownish violet vs. pale yellow) determine the differences on type and number of floral visitors observed. Several species from semideciduous forests initially considered to be pollinated by diverse insects, present flies as main pollinators, stressing the importance of fly pollination in such habitats.     

Light limitation creates patchy distribution of an invasive grass in eastern deciduous forests

Species interactions and their indirect effects on the availability and distribution of resources have been considered strong determinants of community structure in many different ecological systems. In deciduous forests, the presence of overstory trees and shrubs creates a shifting mosaic of resources for understory plants, with implications for their distribution and abundance. Determination of the ultimate resource constraints on understory vegetation may aid management of these systems that have become increasingly susceptible to invasions by non-native plants. Microstegium vimineum (Japanese grass) is an invasive annual grass that has spread rapidly throughout the understory of forests across the eastern United States since it was first observed in Tennessee in 1919. M. vimineum occurs as extensive, dense patches in the understory of eastern deciduous forests, yet these patches often exhibit sharp boundaries and distinct gaps in cover. One example of this distributional pattern was observed relative to the native midstory tree Asimina triloba (pawpaw), whereby dense M. vimineum cover stopped abruptly at the drip line of the A. triloba patch and was absent beneath the A. triloba canopy. We conducted field and greenhouse experiments to test several hypotheses regarding the causes of this observed pattern of M. vimineum distribution, including allelopathy, seed dispersal, light limitations, and soil moisture, texture, and nutrient content. We concluded that light reduction by the A. triloba canopy was the environmental constraint that prevented establishment of M. vimineum beneath this tree. Whereas overstory tree canopy apparently facilitates the establishment of this shade-tolerant grass, the interaction of overstory canopy with midstory canopy interferes with M. vimineum by reducing the availability of sunflecks at the ground layer. It is likely that other midstory species influence the distribution and abundance of other herb-layer species, with implications for management of understory invasive plant species.     

Maranta rugosa sp. nov. (Marantaceae) from central Brazil

Maranta is a neotropical genus usually found in moist and shaded habitats in pluvial to semideciduous forests and Cerrado, with diversity center in central Brazil. A new species from Mato Grosso, M. rugosa J. M. A. Braga & S. Vieira, is described and illustrated. The new species is somewhat similar to M. parvifolia Petersen with which it is compared.     

Alternative pathways of liana communities in the forests of northwestern Argentina

Liana dynamics in secondary and mature forests are well known in tropical areas dominated by native tree species. Outside the tropics and in secondary forests invaded by exotic species, knowledge is scarce. In this study, we compare liana communities between secondary and mature forests dominated by native species in a subtropical montane area of Sierra de San Javier, Tucuman, Argentina. Additionally, we evaluate changes of liana communities in secondary forests with increasing densities of Ligustrum lucidum and Morus alba, two of the most invasive exotic trees of the area. We surveyed liana species richness and density in three 30-year secondary patches, four 60-year secondary patches, and four mature patches dominated by native tree species, to analyze changes in liana communities with forest age. Within each patch, we sampled 10–25 20 × 20 m quadrats. Additionally, we surveyed liana density and species richness in secondary forest patches with different densities of L. lucidum and M. alba. In native-dominated forests, liana species richness increased and showed a tendency of increasing basal area from 30-year secondary forests to mature forests. Liana density was highly variable, and most of the species were shared between native-dominated secondary and mature forests. Liana density and species richness decreased with L. lucidum density, whereas in secondary forests highly dominated by M. alba, lianas increased in density. Overall, lianas followed different pathways influenced by native forest succession and exotic tree invasions.     

海南典型有害植物的入侵扩散机理研究进展

有害植物成灾会对农林业生态系统、经济和环境造成巨大影响。本文对海南典型入侵植物薇甘菊、假臭草及土著灾变植物金钟藤的成灾扩散机理研究做一综述,以期为海南有害植物的研究和管理提供依据。自然及人为干扰造成的薇甘菊匍匐茎克隆片段有较高的再生能力,其再生能力和生长与储存在节间和叶子中的资源呈正相关。假臭草随土壤养分条件的改善比本地种获利更多,说明农田施肥等干扰因素可能促进假臭草相对于本地种的种群优势。金钟藤已扩散至海南五指山有旅游活动的自然林;调查和移栽试验发现,其可能是先在受干扰严重的林缘和旅游小径边定植,之后通过匍匐和攀爬生长扩散至附近的自然林。这些结果强调了人类活动、高养分条件及物种自身性状等在有害植物成灾中的作用。未来仍需系统、深入地研究有害植物成灾扩散的机理及其控制对策,为减弱有害植物的扩散和危害提供参考,并为海南国际旅游岛的建设提供安全保证。