Seasonal dynamic of the numbers of epiphytic yeasts

The numbers of epiphytic yeasts on the leaves and flowers of 25 plant species throughout their vegetation period was determined. The numbers of yeasts on the leaves were found to change regularly throughout the year. The average dynamics for all of the plant species investigated included an increase in yeast numbers during spring and summer with the maximum in late autumn and early winter. The character of the yeasts’ dynamics depends on the ecological characteristics of the plants and the duration of the ontogenesis of their leaves and flowers. Three types of dynamics of epiphytic yeasts were revealed: year-round with an increase in autumn-winter, year-round without visible changes, and seasonal with a terminal increase for annual plants.     

Growth of epiphytic and soil yeasts on wheat seedlings

Colonization of wheat seedlings by epiphytic (Rhodotorula glutinis) and soil (Lipomyces starkeyi) yeasts was studied by scanning electron microscopy. Epiphytic yeast cells dominated on the plant surface. Soil yeast cells were randomly distributed among both the zones of a seedling and the particles of an inorganic substrate. It has been found that epiphytic yeast strains can readily grow on the surface of a plant.     

Seasonal dynamics of the structure of epiphytic yeast communities

The seasonal dynamics of the species structure of epiphytic yeasts on the leaves and in the flowers of 25 plant species was studied throughout the period of their vegetation. It was shown that, on average for the vegetation period, the composition of epiphytic yeast communities was nonspecific. The same species of epiphytic yeasts dominated on different plant species, irrespective of their taxonomic identity and ecological peculiarities. However, different species of yeasts exhibited different types of seasonal dynamics of relative abundance. Therefore, a combination of the dynamics of yeast species and the ontogenetic cycles of plants creates a pattern of the dynamics of the epiphytic yeast population, which is unique for each plant species. The species diversity of yeasts on the leaves of a plant is determined by the duration of its ontogenetic cycle: the longer the vegetation of a plant, the higher the diversity of the epiphytic yeasts population. The greatest diversity of epiphytic yeasts was revealed on the leaves of perennial hygrophytes and mesophytes; the minimal diversity, on ephemeroids and annuals with a short ontogenetic cycle.     

Fatty acid makeup of the lipids in soil and epiphytic yeasts]

The fatty acid composition of lipids was compared among yeast cultures belonging to the genera Rhodotorula, Lipomyces, and Cryptococcus. These lipids contain C10--C26 fatty acids, mainly with the even number of carbon atoms. Palmitic acid (C16 : 0) and oleic acid (C18 : 0) predominate. In the majority of the strains, the sum of unsaturated acids exceeds the sum of saturated acids. The content of unsaturated acids in the lipids of the epiphytic yeast Rhodotorula is higher than in the soil yeast Lipomyces. Besides C12--C18 acids, C22--C26 acids were identified by GLC at preset temperatures. Lignoceric acid (C24 : 0) was found for the first time in the cultures of Rhodotorula, Lipomyces, and Cryptococcus, and cerotinic acid (C16 : 0) was also detected in the Rhodotorula yeast. Fatty acids with a long chain are registered in the strains of Rhodotorula more often than in the strains of Lipomyces and Cryptococcus.     

Seasonal migration by larvae of an epiphytic chironomid

1. A clear seasonal alternation of Endochiranomus albipennis larvae between submerged plants and the bottom sediment was observed in the littoral of a deep mesotrophic and a shallow eutrophic lake. The analysis of change in larval density and of occurrence of pupae suggests that larvae migrated from plants to the bottom sediment in early autumn and back to the plants, where they pupate, in spring. 2. Up to 95% of the third and fourth instar larvae overwintered in the bottom sediment in special cocoons. Larvae staying in the sediment without cocoons were also dormant. The timing of cocoon formation was different in the two lakes. 3. Migration may have a significant influence on the seasonal changes in dominance structure and density of epiphytic and benthic faunas.     

Variable adhesion and diurnal population patterns of epiphytic yeasts on creeping bentgrass

Irrigation and an in vitro agitation assay were used to determine the percentage of the epiphytic yeast community (Cryptococcus, Pseudozyma, Rhodotorula, and Sporobolomyces) adhering to the phylloplane of creeping bentgrass (Agrostis palustris (Huds.) Pers.). Colony-forming units (cfu) of total epiphytic yeast populations (adherent and nonadherent cells) and of adherent populations (cells not removed by agitation) were determined by leaf washing and dilution plating. In an in vitro assay, 40.0% and 57.1% of the yeast adhered to the leaves, whereas, in initial field trials the percentage of adherent yeasts ranged from 40.0% to 71.9% of the total population. Adherent yeast cfu on leaves in the morning were significantly lower on bentgrass (8.0 x 103 to 3.1 x 104 cfu.cm(-2)) compared with total yeast cfu (1.4 x 104 to 4.7 x 104 cfu.cm(-2)) on the nonirrigated control. No differences in yeast populations were observed between irrigated and nonirrigated plots 2 h after the 0900 treatments. Yeast populations followed a diurnal pattern, with larger cfu recovered from bentgrass leaves in the morning and significantly lower populations recovered in the afternoon. At 1400 the adherent yeast were 83.1%-100% of the total yeast population recovered from the leaves. The relative adhesiveness of the epiphytic yeast community on bentgrass leaves is dynamic with nonadherent cells making up a larger percentage of the population in the mornings than the afternoons.     

Seasonal occurrence of yeasts and yeast-like organisms in the river Danube

One hundred and seventy yeast strains belonging to 14 genera and 29 species were isolated from 112 water samples of the river Danube in the area of Bratislava. The samples were collected through the year from April to March.Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Candida maltosa, Aureobasidium pullulans, Cystofilobasidium capitatum, Rhodotorula glutinis, Geotrichum candidum, and Candida krusei were the most frequent. The basidiomycetous yeasts and yeast-like organisms with oxidative metabolism were present in approximately equal numbers to those with fermentative metabolism. Saccharomyces cerevisiae was the dominant yeast and was isolated from 50% of all samples examined and represented approximately one quarter of the yeast community.Yeast densities ranged from 100 to 21,100 CFU per litre. The highest population density was observed in October. Cryptococcus albidus, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Rhodotorula glutinis, and Aureobasidium pullulans formed the main part of the yeast population in this month.     

The numbers of yeasts associated with wine grapes of Bordeaux

Summary A few days before vintage, yeasts were isolated quantitatively from three varieties of wine grape from three châteaux of the Graves region of the Gironde. There were about 10⁵ viable yeasts/g of grape, from which only Kloeckera apiculata, Metschnikowia pulcherrima and one or more species of Rhodotorula were isolated.     

Seasonal succession of planktonic and epiphytic algae in a canal in Southern England

The standing crop of phytoplankton in a canal in southern England remained low during 1973 and 1974, seldom exceeding 5 × 10⁴ cells/1. Since phosphorus, nitrogen and silicon occurred abundantly in the water, competition with higher plants for some other substance must have limited development. Although the standing crop of epiphytic algae associated withNasturtium officinale andGroenlandia densa seemed to be limited by the number of attachment sites, this factor was of little importance in the case of algae attached toCladophora glomerata. Achnanthes minutissima v.cryptocephala was always predominant in the epiphytic assemblages, representing 50–8o% by numbers of the flora. The limited pool of predominant epiphytic taxa may have restricted the communities' ability to adapt to fluctuations in environmental conditions. The grazing of isopods, amphipods and molluscs probably never limited algal densities.     

Screening and identification of epiphytic yeasts with potential for biological control of green mold of citrus fruits

Epiphytic yeasts isolated from the surface of citrus fruits, harvested in several orchards in the Souss-Massa-Draa Valley, Agadir, Morocco, were in vivo screened for antagonistic activity against Penicillium digitatum, the causal agent of green mold of citrus. From a total of 245 yeast strains assessed for their biocontrol activity against P. digitatum, fifteen reduced the incidence of disease to less than 50%. The effectiveness of the best selected yeast strains showed that Pichia anomala (YT73), Debaryomyces hansenii (YT22) and Hanseniaspora guilliermondii (YT13) were the most effective, with a reduction of green mold incidence from 65 to ~80%, compared to the control. The identification of the fifteen selected yeast strains was carried out through an integrated approach including phenotypic and genotypic (sequencing of D1/D2 domain of 26S rDNA encoding gene) methods. These 15 selected were identified as: H. guilliermondii, D. hansenii, H. uvarum and P. anomala. The study of the dynamics of two of the best strains, H. guilliermondii and D. hansenii, showed that these strains can grow rapidly, by approximately 2 log units, in citrus fruit wounds. Such rapid growth in wounds indicates that these antagonist yeasts are excellent colonizers of citrus wounds and can thrive on citrus fruits as a substrate.     

Plant growth-promoting traits of epiphytic and endophytic yeasts isolated from rice and sugar cane leaves in Thailand

A total of 1035 yeast isolates, obtained from rice and sugar cane leaves, were screened primarily for indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) production. Thirteen isolates were selected, due to their IAA production ranging from 1.2 to 29.3 mg g⁻¹ DCW. These isolates were investigated for their capabilities of calcium phosphate and ZnO₃ solubilisation, and also for production of NH₃, polyamine, and siderophore. Their 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate (ACC) deaminase, catalase and fungal cell wall-degrading enzyme activities were assessed. Their antagonism against rice fungal pathogens was also evaluated. Strain identification, based on molecular taxonomy, of the thirteen yeast isolates revealed that four yeast species – i.e. Hannaella sinensis (DMKU-RP45), Cryptococcus flavus (DMKU-RE12, DMKU-RE19, DMKU-RE67, and DMKU-RP128), Rhodosporidium paludigenum (DMKU-RP301) and Torulaspora globosa (DMKU-RP31) – were capable of high IAA production. Catalase activity was detected in all yeast strains tested. The yeast R. paludigenum DMKU-RP301 was the best IAA producer, yielding 29.3 mg g⁻¹ DCW, and showed the ability to produce NH₃ and siderophore. Different levels of IAA production (7.2–9.7 mg g⁻¹ DCW) were found in four strains of C. flavus DMKU-RE12, DMKU-RE19, and DMKU-RE67, which are rice leaf endophytes, and strain DMKU-RP128, which is a rice leaf epiphyte. NH₃ production and carboxymethyl cellulase (CMCase) activity was also detected in these four strains. Antagonism to fungal plant pathogens and production of antifungal volatile compounds were exhibited in T. globosa DMKU-RP31, as well as a moderate level of IAA production (4.9 mg g⁻¹ DCW). The overall results indicated that T. globosa DMKU-RP31 might be used in two ways: enhancing plant growth and acting as a biocontrol agent. In addition, four C. flavus were also found to be strains of interest for optimal IAA production.     

Seasonal acclimation in the epiphytic lichen Parmelia sulcata is influenced by change in photobiont population density

CO₂ gas exchange, radial growth, chlorophyll (Chl) content and photobiont density of an epiphytic population of Parmelia sulcata were monitored every 2 months during 1 year in a temperate deciduous forest of Central Italy, to verify possible seasonal variations. Light response curves of south-exposed thalli, built up in the laboratory at 6 and 27°C at optimal thallus hydration, showed that CO₂ gas exchange changed significantly during the year, with a maximum for gross photosynthesis in December at both temperatures. Photoinhibition phenomena occurred in early spring, immediately before tree leaves sprouted. The principal component analysis of CO₂ gas exchange parameters clearly separated the months with from the months without tree canopy cover. Radial growth, measured on marginal lobes of north- and south-exposed thalli, was the highest in December, and the lowest in April. Photobiont density, measured in lobes of south- and north-exposed thalli with a sedimentation chamber, also changed during the year: the number of photobionts was highest in June and December, and lowest in April, although no significant change in cell size and Chl content per cell was evident throughout the year. South-exposed thalli had slightly, but constantly higher photobiont density both on a weight and an area basis. The acclimation of lichen photosynthesis and Chl content to seasonal temperature and light changes should partially be re-visited on the basis of the significant variation in photobiont population density. This phenomenon still awaits, however, a satisfactory explanation, although it is probably related to the seasonal change in nutrient availability.     

红树植物老鼠簕内生细菌数量的时空动态变化

【目的】了解红树植物老鼠簕内生细菌数量的时空动态变化。【方法】分别用荧光显微计数法和平板计数法对老鼠簕内生细菌总量和可培养内生细菌总量进行周年动态测定。【结果】老鼠簕根、茎、叶部内生细菌总量年平均分别为12.25×107、7.59×107和5.72×107 ind./g(FW);而可培养内生细菌总量年平均分别为3.98×103、3.70×103和2.18×103 CFU/g(FW)。【结论】老鼠簕植株体内含有大量的内生细菌,根部含量最高,茎部次之,叶部最少。但分离的可培养内生细菌占比极少(仅为0.000 2%-0.146 8%)。老鼠簕内生细菌总量及可培养内生细菌总量均随采样季节不同而呈现波动性变化,内生细菌总量最大值出现在夏季(7月),可培养内生细菌总量最大值出现在春季(3月)。     

Seasonal changes in neuron numbers in the hippocampal formation of a food-hoarding bird: the black-capped chickadee

The volume of the hippocampal formation (HF) in black-capped chickadees (Poecile atricapillus) varies across the seasons, in parallel with the seasonal cycle in food hoarding. In this study, we estimate cell density and total cell number in the HF across seasons in both juveniles and adults. We find that the seasonal variation in volume is due to an increase in the number of small and large cells (principally neurons) in the fall. Adults also have lower neuron densities than juveniles. Both juveniles and adults show an increase in cell density in the rostral part of the HF in August and a subsequent decrease toward October. This suggests that the net cell addition to the HF may already start in August. We discuss the implications of this early start with respect to the possibility that the seasonal change in HF volume is driven by the experience of food hoarding. We also speculate on the functional significance of the addition of neurons to the HF in the fall.     

Seasonal variation in the response of Hagberg falling and liquefaciton numbers to propiconazole fungicide in wheat

The hypothesis was tested that seasonal differences in the response to propiconazole fungicide of hagberg failling and liquefaction numbers are related to grain drying rate, as indicated by potential evaportranspiration. The response of Hagberg failling and liquefaciton numbers to late-season applicaitions of propiconazole was calculated using data from a field experiments in each of the years 1981 to 1990 on winter wheat (Triticum aestivum) cv. Agalong grown with similar husbandry at one site. Cumulative potential evapotranspiration was calculated over seven different periods during grain ripening. No visible sprouting occurred in any experiment and Hagberg falling number was above 250 s in nine of the 10 years. Disease severity on the flag leaf was less than 7% in nine of the 10 years, and diseases were generally controlled well by propiconazole. There were no significant relationships between the response of Hagberg falling number and any of the potential evapotranspiration variables. The response of liquefaction number was exponentially related to each of three cumulative potential evapotranspiration variables which covered periods before the estimated date of 40% moisture content. Years with lower cumulative potential evapotranspiration gave the greater responses, but the relationships were considerably influenced by the two lowest potential evapotranspiration years. It was concluded that these data provide indirect evidence that the response of Hagberg falling number (when transformed to liquefaction number) to fungicide is mediated through grain drying rate, and furthermore that the results are compatible with the hypothesis that pre-maturity alpha-amylase activity is stimulated by slow grain drying.     

Seasonal dynamic shifts in patch exploitation by parasitic wasps

We developed and tested predictions of a dynamic life historymodel that is concerned with how temperate-zone parasitic waspsadjust patch residence time and tendency to superparasitizewhen expectation of life and habitat quality varies. The theorypredicts that wasps with short life expectancy should continueto search longer and superparasitize more frequently than similarwasps with long life expectancy. Similarly, wasps with longlife expectancy that forage in habitats where patches are alreadyheavily exploited should continue to search longer and superparasitizemore frequently than similar wasps foraging in habitats wherepatches are relatively unexploited. In contrast, the theorypredicts that wasps with short life expectancy will be insensitiveto habitat quality. We tested the predictions on Drosophilaparasitoids (Lep-topilina heterotoma) by (1) rearing wasps underfall and summer photoperiod (i.e., short versus long life expectancy)and (2) giving wasps foraging experience on different qualitypatches (i.e., exploited versus unexploited habitats). Resultsof the experiments corroborated our predictions. We discusshow parasitic wasp behavior can be shaped by globally predictableand locally unpredictable events.     

Seasonal variation in a low shore Fucus serratus (Fucales,Phaeophyta) population and its epiphytic fauna

Seasonal variation in a Fucus serratus assemblage was studied on the Isle of Man, UK over a 13-month period. Algal cover varied greatly, related to shedding reproductive fronds and winter storms. Peak reproduction was recorded in the autumn. There was little change in density of plants, the population was dominated by a bank of germlings (<20 cm) and an adult mode between 50–70 cm. An indistinct third component of recruiting juveniles was present when gaps in the canopy formed. Seasonal variation in the algae was reflected in the population dynamics of the mobile epiphytes such as Littorina mariae and Lacuna pallidula, which exhibited annual life histories. Sessile species (such as bryozoans) utilized the algae year round, dominating the perennial stipes and lower fronds, which were not shed. Other species utilized the algae in a transient fashion: some feeding on the algae (e.g. Idotea), or other epiphytic animals (e.g. Nucella). Fucus serratus, therefore, provides a variety of spatially and temporally variable niches that explain the diversity of epiphytic animal species that exploit this alga.