Inter-specific variation in the concentration of two iridoid glucosides in Avicennia L. (Avicenniaceae Endl.)

Concentrations of two iridoid glucosides (2′-cinnamoyl mussaenosidic acid and 2′-caffeoyl mussaenosidic acid) were measured in different populations of several Avicennia species. The results obtained for 2′-cinnamoyl mussaenosidic acid seem to confirm the recognition of infraspecific taxa in A. marina and also in A. germinans (africana (palaeotropic) and germinans (neotropic)).     

Patches of the ascidian Pyura stolonifera (Heller, 1878): structure of habitat and associated intertidal assemblages

Beds of the ascidian Pyura stolonifera on rocky shores around Sydney, Australia, provide an important habitat for many organisms, such as algae, chitons, limpets and snails. Fishermen collect Pyura for bait, which can change the structure of those beds. This may, in turn, cause changes in their associated biota. To predict the effects of such disturbances, it is necessary to understand the relationship between the structure of the habitat provided by beds of Pyura and their associated assemblages. Beds of Pyura can provide two types of habitat: Clumped, with >50% cover of closely packed individuals or Sparse, with <50% cover, where individuals are mostly isolated from contact with others. The spaces amongst the Pyura can be bare rock or rock covered by numerous species of algae and sessile animals. Nineteen algal species and 45 species of animals were identified in the field in Clumped and Sparse habitats. Assemblages differed significantly between patches of Clumped and Sparse habitat and much of the difference was attributable to relatively few species. In addition, a number of species of algae and animals live on the surface of the Pyura themselves. Eighty-four taxa were found at the scale of individual Pyura, many of which were relatively small and cryptic. Organisms on Pyura differed between individual ascidians that were isolated from other Pyura (i.e. a more common situation in Sparse habitat) and those that were surrounded by and in contact with other Pyura (i.e. more common in Clumped habitat). These differences were mostly attributed to a few families of small molluscs. It appears that changes in the structure of beds of Pyura have the potential to make significant alterations to intertidal assemblages at the scale of individual Pyura and at the scale of the habitats formed by beds of Pyura.     

Influence de la température sur les acides aminés libres de Palaemon serratus et P. squilla

Free amino acids concentrations were determined in the abdominal muscle of Palaemon serratus and P. squilla submitted to several temperatures. Only serine, alanine and proline show significant differences between the two species. Temperature variations mainly affect glycine, but do not act in a similar manner on all other amino acids. Differences in the influence of temperature upon the total free amino acids of P. serratus and P. squilla can be related with their migratory behaviour.     

Genetic diversity and population structure in Tunisian Lavandula stoechas L. and Lavandula multifida L. (Lamiaceae)

The genetic diversity and population structure of 20 Tunisian Lavandula stoechas L. and Lavandula multifida L. populations, from different bioclimates, were analysed by starch gel electrophoresis using seven isozymes. The genetic diversity within populations varied according to species. Variation in L. multifida was higher than that observed for L. stoechas, and exclusive alleles were detected for taxa.

A high differentiation among populations, for each species, estimated by Wright's F-statistics was revealed. The genetic structure of populations from the same bioclimate was substantial. Nei's, R. [1978. Estimation of average heterozygosity and genetic distance from a small number of individuals. Genetics 89, 583–590] genetic distance among pairs of populations was low. The UPGMA cluster analysis of genetic distance values revealed that populations for each species were not strictly clustered together according to bioclimate or geographic proximity.

For each species, the low genetic divergence among populations and their substantial structure indicate their recent fragmentation due to anthropic pressures. The dendrogram generated from pairwise genetic distance among all populations showed two distinct clusters each corresponding to one species. The high genetic divergence between the two species, based on isozymes, corroborates their taxonomic status, as previously reported using morphological traits. The strategy for the management and conservation of populations should be made for each taxa according to its level of diversity and bioclimate.     

中国马兜铃属和关木通属(马兜铃科)概览

马兜铃属(广义) (Aristolochia sensu lato)具有花单被、花萼管状、合蕊柱、子房下位、中轴胎座、胚珠多数、蒴果等主要特征, 广布于全世界的热带、亚热带和温带地区, 约有600种, 是马兜铃科中种类最多的属。依据Flora of China, 我国有本属植物45种, 其中33种为中国特有。近些年, 国内大量的新类群被相继报道, 特别是云南、广西两地, 而另一些类群则得到了确认、恢复、重新发表或修订。最近, 基于形态和分子证据, 关木通属(Isotrema)因其花萼管急剧弯曲; 合蕊柱3裂; 雄蕊6, 成对与合蕊柱裂片对生; 蒴果由上而下开裂等区别特征而从广义马兜铃属中被分出独立成属。本文基于大量的野外调查、标本鉴定、数码照片考证和相关文献的仔细研究, 重新梳理了中国马兜铃属和关木通属的种类及分布情况, 确认现阶段中国马兜铃属17种和关木通属58种1亚种, 并一一记述同时编制了最新的检索表。其中, 柔叶关木通(I. mollis)、线叶关木通(I. neolongifolia)的种级地位得到重新确认, 并提供了图版。探讨了优贵马兜铃(A. gentilis)、川滇马兜铃(A. chuandianensis)和纤细马兜铃(A. gracillima)的关系, 昆明关木通(I. kunmingense)与波氏关木通(A. bonatii)的关系, 以及卵叶关木通(I. ovatifolium)、葫芦叶关木通(I. cucurbitoides)、西藏关木通(I. griffithii)、过石珠(I. versicolor)、大别山关木通(I. dabieshanensis)等复合群和袋形关木通(I. saccata)等物种存在的问题。     

Genomic variation patterns of subspecies defined by phenotypic criteria: Analyses of the mangrove species complex,Avicennia marina

Subspecies is used to designate taxa below species but above geographical populations. What patterns of genomic variation are expected if taxa are designated as subspecies? In this study, we carry out such a survey on the mangrove tree Avicennia marina (Forssk.) Vierh. of the Indo-West Pacific coasts. This species has three subspecies, distinguished by morphological traits and geographical distribution. We collected samples from 16 populations (577 individuals) covering all three subspecies and sequenced 94 nuclear genes. We reveal comprehensive genetic divergence among subspecies, generally higher than among geographical populations within subspecies. The level of genetic diversity differs among the three subspecies, possibly hinting at a degree of separation among their gene pools. We observed that divergence varies from locus to locus across the genome. A small portion of the genome is most informative about subspecies delineation, whereas the rest is undifferentiated or slightly differentiated, hinting at uneven gene flow and incomplete isolation. The three subspecies likely split simultaneously with gene flow among lineages. This reticulate evolution results in some discordance between morphology and genetics in areas of population contact. In short, A. marina subspecies show species-like patterns in some respects and population-like patterns in others. We propose that the subspecies designated in A. marina are informative in predicting genetic divergences and useful in making conservation decisions.     

Uptake kinetics of nitrogen and phosphorus by Zostera marina

Aims Nutrient availability is an external factor that affect the growth of seagrasses. However, the demand for and absorption of different forms of nitrogen and phosphorus by different tissues of seagrasses are unclear. In this study, the uptake of nitrogen and phosphorus by Zostera marina was studied to determine the nutrient uptake kinetics. The objectives of this research are to: 1) investigate the absorption characteristics of ammonia nitrogen, nitrate nitrogen and phosphorus in Z. marina; 2) evaluate the differences in absorption between the different forms of nitrogen; and 3) analyse the differences in absorption between the different tissues of Z. marina.Methods Equipment was used to separate the aboveground and belowground tissues of Z. marina. Six concentration levels of ammonia nitrogen, nitrate nitrogen and phosphorus were established to experimentally test the uptake kinetics of nutrients by Z. marina. The nutrient concentrations in different parts of seawater column were measured to determine the nutrient changes and calculate the kinetic characteristics of nutrient uptake.Important findings 1) The absorption of ammonia nitrogen, nitrate nitrogen and phosphorus by Z. marina was consistent with the characteristics of saturated absorption kinetics. The relationship between the absorption rate and the nutrient concentrations in water could be described by the Michaelis-Menten equation. 2) The maximum absorption rate (V_max) of ammonia nitrogen by Z. marina (52 μmol·g^-1·h^-1) was significantly higher than that of nitrate nitrogen (39 μmol·g^-1·h^-1). 3) Both aboveground and belowground tissues of Z. marina could absorb nutrient, but the V_max of leaves (aboveground tissues) for ammonia nitrogen, nitrate nitrogen and phosphorus absorption were 43.1, 30.5 and 15.6 μmol·g^-1·h^-1, respectively, which were 2.6-fold, 1.2-fold and 6-fold higher than the corresponding V_max of belowground tissues. The results show that the absorption capacity of Z. marina for ammonia nitrogen is higher than that for nitrate nitrogen, and the absorption of nitrogen and phosphorus may depend primarily on the aboveground tissues (leaves). The results provide a theoretical basis for the study of the mechanisms of nitrogen and phosphorus uptake and utilization by Z. marina and the evaluation of marine ecological impacts.     

Phylogeny of Orthotrichum s.l. and Ulota s.l. (Orthotrichaceae,Bryophyta): Insights into stomatal evolution

Orthotrichum Hedw. s.l. and Ulota Mohr s.l. are two of the most speciose genera of the xerophytic moss family Orthotrichaceae. We reconstructed the phylogeny of these two genera using three data matrices: (i) organellar genomes and 33 taxa; (ii) six loci from three genomes and 144 taxa; and (iii) two plastid loci and 163 taxa. The present phylogeny, based on the maximum sampling of genes or taxa to date, generally confirms the new classification of Orthotrichum and Ulota, and indicated that all Ulota species, except Ulota phyllantha Brid., form a clade and three lineages comprise the cryptoporous Orthotrichum clade. We provided new morphological characters that support the present division of the two genera. Ancestral state reconstruction of stoma indicates that superficial stomata in Orthotrichum represent a plesiomorphic character and semi-immersed stomata were derived from immersed stomata. The results also suggest that immersed stomata independently arose once in Orthotrichum, whereas semi-immersed stomata probably arose more than once. Molecular dating analysis reveals that the occurrence of immersed stomata is probably related to arid environments during the early Oligocene to late Miocene, whereas the appearance of semi-immersed stomata might be associated with the mesic–xeric or semiarid environments during the middle Miocene to Pliocene. Ancestral state reconstruction of habitat indicates that the saxicolous habitat is apomorphic and independently evolved multiple times in Orthotrichum and Ulota, which supports the former hypothesis. Considering morphological statistics, the development of the cryptopore in Orthotrichum could provide increased resilience to dry habitats, and might promote their habitat shift during evolution.     

湛江特呈岛红树植物群落结构特征

2008年6月,采用样方调查法对湛江特呈岛红树植物群落结构及白骨壤(Avicennia marina)的种群特征进行了全面调查.结果表明:该地区红树林是白骨壤纯林以及白骨壤为主,有红海榄(Rhizophora stylosa)、木榄(Bruguieragymnorrhiza)和桐花树(Aegiceras corniculatum)的混交林.白骨壤在潮滩上连续分布,红海榄、木榄和桐花树生长于近陆林缘及潮滩的中部,物种多样性指数由陆缘向海缘呈降低趋势.通过分析白骨壤种群的株高、地径在潮滩上的变化规律得出年幼的个体聚集于近陆林缘,近海林缘较少.白骨壤种群的年龄结构为增长型,但是根据生境条件及白骨壤种群在海滩上的分布格局,分析得出该红树林资源处于退化的状态.     

大叶藻对氮磷营养盐的吸收动力学特征

营养盐是影响海草生长的关键因子, 目前有关海草不同组织对不同形式氮和磷的吸收特征尚不明确。该研究通过利用海草地上和地下组织分隔培养装置, 设置不同的氨态氮、硝态氮和磷酸盐浓度, 探究了大叶藻(Zostera marina)植株及其地上和地下组织对氮磷营养盐的吸收动力学特征。结果显示: (1)大叶藻对氮磷的吸收符合饱和吸收动力学特征, 吸收速率和水体氮磷浓度可用米式方程描述; (2)大叶藻植株对NH₄⁺-N的最大吸收速率(V_max, 52 μmol·g^-1·h^-1)显著高于其对NO₃^--N的V_max (39 μmol·g^-1·h^-1); (3)大叶藻地上组织和地下组织均可吸收氮磷, 但地上组织对氨态氮、硝态氮、磷酸盐的V_max分别为43.1、30.5和15.6 μmol·g^-1·h^-1, 为地下组织的2.6、1.2和6倍。结果表明, 大叶藻对氨态氮的吸收能力高于硝态氮, 且对氮磷的吸收可能主要依赖地上组织(叶片)。结果为查明大叶藻对氮磷的吸收利用机制及评估大叶藻的海洋生态效应提供了理论依据。     

Animal associations with the dominant species of shallow water macrophytes along the coastline of the Vestfold Hills,Antarctica

Benthic grab samples, taken through core holes in sea-ice 1983, returned eight species of marine macrophytes which had associated fauna on at least one sample. A total of 24 animal taxa were found on these eight macrophytes. Phyllophora antarctica had a significantly greater biomass of attached fauna per unit of macrophyte biomass than any of the other seven species. It also had the greatest variety of epiphytic fauna (21 taxa). Phyllophora antarctica was the only macrophyte collected from comparatively protected Ellis Fjord, apart from filamentous algae, including Cladophora subsimplex and Geminocarpus austrogeorgiae, which were found in the most landward basin. It therefore played an important role in the ecology of the fjord. Palmaria decipiens was commonly collected at more exposed coastal sites and was dominant in Long Fjord, characterized here as intermediate in terms of water movement. Sixteen animal taxa were collected from this macrophyte with the greatest numbers being found in July and August. Only four animal taxa were collected from Iridaea cordata. The other five macrophyte species from which epiphytic animals were collected (Porphyra endiviifolium, Plocamium cartilagineum, Desmarestia menziesii, Himantothallus grandifolius and Cladophora subsimplex had animals associated with them on less than half the occasions when they were found.     

Chemotaxis of rhizoplane bacteria to amino acids comprising eelgrass (Zostera marina L.) root exudate

Scanning electron microscopy showed a large bacterial population on Zostera marina L. roots. The five dominant motile rhizoplane bacteria isolated were chemotactically attracted to Z. marina root exudate. Dansylation and thin-layer chromatography analysis of root exudate identified the presence of serine, threonine, glycine, alanine, and valine. When gentamicin sulfate was added during exudate collection, serine, and threonine were not detected. Exudate amino acids were shown to chemotactically attract motile rhizoplane isolates.     

Evaluation of heat shock protein 70 as a biomarker of environmental stress in Fucus serratus and Lemna minor

Heat shock proteins (Hsps) are known to be induced in response to short-term stress. The present study aimed to evaluate the potential of Hsp70 as a biomarker of stress produced by increased temperature, osmotic pressure, and exposure to cadmium and sodium chloride in marine macroalgae and fresh water plant species. An indirect competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (IC-ELISA) was developed with a working range of 0.025-10 μg ml^-1 using a monoclonal antibody raised against purified Hsp70 of Phaseolus aureus (mung bean). Fucus serratus (toothed wrack), Chondrus crispus (Stackhouse or Carrageen moss), Ulva lactuca (sea lettuce) and Lemna minor (common duckweed) sample extracts were stressed for up to 24 h and then tested in the IC-ELISA. The presence of Hsp70 and cross-reactivity of the monoclonal antibody was confirmed by Western blot. The heat shock response was confirmed in each species using a 2-h 42°C treatment. Following heat shock, Hsp70 concentrations increased to a peak at 2 h (F. serratus) or 4 h (L. minor), after which concentrations decreased. Osmotic and cadmium stresses also resulted in elevated Hsp70 concentrations in samples of F. serratus and L. minor when compared with unstressed controls. In both, osmotic and metal stress, the production of Hsp70 increased to a maximum and subsequently decreased as the stressor levels increased. Results suggest that Hsp70 IC-ELISA could potentially be applied to the detection of stress in these aquatic species, although it would probably be most effective when used in conjunction with other measurements to provide a stressor-specific biomarker profile or fingerprint.     

An experimental demonstration of trophic interactions affecting water quality of Rice Lake, Ontario (Canada)

Eight cylindrical enclosures (3 m diameter, 2.7 m long, V = 20m³) were installed in eutrophic Rice Lake (Ontario, Canada) in late spring of 1987. Fish (yearling yellow perch (Perca flavescens) and macrophytes (Potamogeton crispus) presence and absence were set at the beginning of the experiment to yield four combinations of duplicate treatments. The purpose of the experiment was to determine if the phytoplankton, zooplankton, macrophytes and fish species resident in the lake interact to influence water quality (major ions, phosphorus, algal densities and water clarity).The presence of fish was associated with: (1) decreased biomass of total zooplankton, (2) decreased number of species in the zooplankton, (3) decreased average size of several zooplankton taxa, (4) higher total phosphorus concentrations, (5) higher phytoplankton and chlorophyll a concentrations, (6) lower water clarity, (7) lower potassium levels during macrophyte die-back, (8) lower pH and higher conductivity in the presence of macrophytes. Biomass of large Daphnia species (but not total zooplankton) was highly correlated with the algal response (r ² = 0.995) and was associated with reduced biomass of several algal taxa including some large forms (Mougeotia, Oedogonium) and several colonial blue-green algae. However, no significant control of late summer growth of the bloom-forming blue-green alga Anabaena planctonica Brun. was achieved by the Daphnia presence-fish absence treatment. Release of phosphorus to the water column during the die-back of P. crispus was not an important phenomenon.     

海洋卡盾藻(香港株)溶血毒素的提取和分离

海洋卡盾藻(Chattonella marina)是我国南方沿海主要的鱼毒性赤潮生物,近年来由该藻形成的赤成已造成多起近岸养殖鱼类大量死亡的事件。为了弄清该藻毒素的基本成分特征,本文研究了室内培养条件下海洋卡盾藻(香港株)溶血毒素的提取方法,观察了溶血毒素对红细胞的溶血过程,采用薄层色谱法对溶血成分进行了初步分析。结果表明:海洋卡盾藻藻细胞的超声波破碎最适条件为功率400W,4℃下处理15min;通过显微镜观察,证实提取的毒素对血红细胞膜具破坏作用;海洋卡盾藻合成的溶血毒素至少含有4种组分,其中1种可能为为脂类,3种为糖脂类。该研究成果有助于我国今后进一步开展鱼毒性赤潮生物毒素的研究。     

球状绿藻的隐性生物多样性及其分类学进展

球状绿藻主要指绿藻门中多为单细胞, 形状为球形、近球形, 或由球形衍生出来的其他形状的藻类。球状绿藻分布广泛, 遍布全球, 生活于淡水、海水和亚气生等生境中, 其相似的简单形态下隐藏着复杂的物种多样性。球状绿藻分类学上主要位于绿藻门的两纲四目及其一些独立支系的类群。球状绿藻分类学正由传统的基于形态特征向基于分子信息的复合分类方法转变。球状绿藻隐性的物种多样性涉及约40属, 其中15属是依据新标本材料而建立的新属, 12个属是依据新证据建立的新组合。本文重点介绍了1998年以后在共球藻纲和绿藻纲中新发现和命名的单细胞球状绿藻, 介绍了它们的形态特征、分类学迁移及理由, 特别对常见的小球藻属和栅藻属的分类学概念变迁作了详细介绍, 对一些尚没有中文名的拉丁学名给出了中文命名。另外, 本文讨论了基于DNA的分类学方法在球状绿藻分类学中的应用, 目前系统发育位置的不同已经成为球状绿藻分类的主要依据。目前球状绿藻分类面临的问题是大多分类位置未用分子系统发育方法的验证。 未来, 球状绿藻分类学家应用系统发育研究结合形态学研究探索单细胞球状绿藻的生物多样性。     

The ecology of south-east tasmanian phytal animal communities. IV. Factors affecting the distribution of ampithoid amphipods among algae

Adults of four abundant species of phytal ampithoid amphipod which occur sympatrically at Fancy Point, Tasmania, were found to partition the environment by size and plant species. A series of motility, predation, and algal selection experiments was carried out to help explain the observed distribution and life-history patterns of these animals. The restricted distributions among algae of two of these amphipods were exceptional for animals within the phytal community but followed a general pattern of increasing specialization of amphipods as the number of co-occurring congeneric species increased.

Sampling over a 24-h period indicated that a large proportion of the total amphipod population moved away from Zonaria turneriana J. Ag. at night but that no noticeable changes were evident in the densities of animals collected from Sargassum verruculosum (Mert.) C. Ag. Recolonization experiments, however, showed that some movement of animals occurred between S. verruculosum plants and also, presumably, between the other erect algae.

Selection experiments showed that large Cymadusa sp. 1 preferred Zonaria to the other algae but were forced onto Sargassum bracteolosum J. Ag. and then the more filamentous S. verruculosum and Cystophora retroflexa (Labill.) J. Ag. as crowding increased. Juveniles preferred Cystophora and Sargassum verruculosum to Zonaria and Sargassum bracteolosum.

The omnivorous fish Acanthaluteres spilomelanurus Quoy & Gaimard was found to capture significantly more amphipods from among the open branches of Cystophora than from the more compact Zonaria in the laboratory. The fish were also found to consume more large than small amphipods residing on Cystophora over a 2-h feeding period.

An analysis of the size-frequency distributions of the four amphipod species, in conjunction with the results of the laboratory experiments, provided circumstantial evidence that the ampithoid guild was structured by competitive constraints and differing predation pressures at two size levels.     

On the embryology and mode of reproduction of selected diploid species of Hieracium s.l. (Asteraceae) from Bulgaria

Three diploid taxa – Hieracium transylvanicum (subgenus Hieracium), Hieracium caespitosum subsp. brevipilum and Hieracium pavichii (subgenus Pilosella) – from five natural Bulgarian populations were investigated embryologically. The peculiarities of the male and female gametophytes, embryo- and endospermogenesis were established in each species. The results suggest that the species propagate sexually as expected from their diploid chromosome number. However, some forms of apomixis have also been observed, e.g. somatic apospory and integumental embryony in H. pavichii. The presence of apomixis in a diploid taxon shows that polyploidy is not an obligatory prerequisite for apomixis and the two phenomena are independent. The embryological plasticity detected in H. pavichii and H. transylvanicum suggests they may have higher opportunities for adaptation and successful reproduction.