Spatial and temporal differences in the community structure of endophytic fungi in the carnivorous plant Pinguicula moranensis (Lentibulariaceae)

According to our hypothesis, temporal heterogeneity due to seasonality (summer rosette vs. winter rosette) instead of spatial heterogeneity, showed higher influence on both the community and the infection rate of endophytes present in the carnivorous plant Pinguicula moranensis. In addition, the infection rate of endophytic fungi isolated from roots was higher than that observed in leaves although the endophytic community was similar between both tissues. Overall, we isolated endophytic fungi members of Dothideomycetes, Leotimocyetes, Eurotiomycetes and Sordariomycetes. P. moranensis harbors at least 10 genera, seven of them (Astrocystis sp., Bipolaris sp., Cercospora sp., Coniochaeta sp., Ijuhya sp., Neomollisia sp. and Ochroconis sp.) reported for the first time in carnivorous plants. We advanced some implications about the role that these endophytes could be playing in this carnivorous plant, illustrating a certain level of specificity in the endophytic community of fungi present in leaves and roots.     

Impact of flooding on soil bacterial communities associated with poplar (Populus sp.) trees

Soil bacterial communities were analyzed in different habitats (bulk soil, rhizosphere, rhizoplane) of poplar tree microcosms (Populus tremulaxP. alba) using cultivation-independent methods. The roots of poplar trees regularly experience flooded and anoxic conditions. Therefore, we also determined the effect of flooding on microbial communities in microcosm experiments. Total community DNA was extracted and bacterial 16S rRNA genes were amplified by PCR and analyzed by terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism (T-RFLP) analysis, cloning and sequencing. Clone libraries were created from all three habitats under both unflooded and flooded conditions resulting in a total of 281 sequences. Numbers of different sequences (<97% similarity) in the different habitats represented 16-55% of total bacterial species richness determined from the nonparametric richness estimator Chao1. According to the number of different terminal restriction fragments (T-RFs), all of the different habitats contained approximately 20 different operational taxonomic units (OTUs), except the flooded rhizoplane habitat whose community contained less OTUs. Results of cloning and T-RFLP analysis generally supported each other. Correspondence analysis of T-RFLP patterns showed that the bacterial communities were different in bulk soil, rhizosphere and rhizoplane and changed upon flooding. For example OTUs representing Bacillus sp. were highest in the unflooded bulk soil and rhizosphere. Sequences related to Aquaspirillum, in contrast, were predominant on the poplar roots and in the rhizosphere of flooded microcosms but were rarely found in the other habitats.     

Insights into the functional expansion of the astacin peptidase family in parasitic helminths

Helminths secrete a plethora of proteins involved in parasitism-related processes such as tissue penetration, migration, feeding and immunoregulation. Astacins, a family of zinc metalloproteases belonging to the peptidase family M12, are one of the most abundantly represented protein families in the secretomes of helminths. Despite their involvement in virulence, very few studies have addressed the role of this loosely defined protein group in parasitic helminths. Herein, we have analysed the predicted proteomes from 154 helminth species and confirmed the expansion of the astacin family in several nematode taxa. The astacin domain associated with up to 110 other domains into 145 unique domain architectures, where CUB and ShK constitute the principal and nearly independent bi-domain frameworks. The presence of co-existing domains suggests promiscuous adaptable functions to several roles. These activities could be related either to substrate specificity or to higher-order functions, such as anti-angiogenesis and immunomodulation, where the astacin domain would play an accessory role. Furthermore, some phylogenetically restricted mutations in the astacin domain affected residues located at the active cleft and binding sub-pockets, suggesting adaptation to different substrate specificities. Altogether, these findings suggest the astacin domain is a highly adaptable module that fulfils multiple proteolytic needs of the parasitic lifestyle. This study contributes to the understanding of helminth-secreted astacins and, ultimately, provides the foundation to guide future investigations about the role of this diverse family of proteins in host–parasite interactions.     

Response of fungal endophyte communities within Andropogon gerardii (Big bluestem) to nutrient addition and herbivore exclusion

Fungal endophytes may alter plant responses to the environment, but how does the environment affect the communities of fungal symbionts within plants? We examined the impact of nutrient addition and herbivore exclusion on endophyte communities of the prairie grass Andropogon gerardii in a full factorial field experiment. Fungi were cultured from stems, young leaves, and mature leaves, ITS sequences obtained, and endophyte incidence, community richness, and composition analyzed. Results indicate that in plots where nutrient addition and herbivore exclusion treatments had been applied separately, fungal endophyte incidence, community composition or evenness did not differ, but that greater species richness was observed in plots with nutrient addition and herbivore exclusion treatments applied in combination, compared to other treatments. Further, although fungal community composition was significantly different in stem and leaf tissues, OTU richness was greater in all endophyte communities in nutrient addition plus herbivore exclusion treatments, regardless of tissue type. Our results indicate the distinct fungal endophyte communities found in different plant tissues respond similarly to environmental factors.     

Seasonal changes of root hydraulic conductance (KRL) in four forest trees: an ecological interpretation

This paper deals with the possibility of relating root hydraulic parameters to an ecological index describing the continentality/oceanicity of four forest trees. Root hydraulic conductance ($K_R$) of seedlings of Fagus sylvatica L., Quercus ilex L., Quercus suber L. and Quercus pubescens Willd. was measured in May, August and November 1996. $K_R$ was calculated in terms of the relation of the water flow through intact root systems in situ measured with the pressure chamber, and the pressure driving the flow. The sufficiency of the root system to supply the foliage was estimated by dividing $K_R$ by the seedlings leaf surface area ($A_L$) thus obtaining $K_RL$. In the spring, $K_RL$ was largest in F. sylvatica and smallest in Q. pubescens with intermediate values recorded in Q. ilex and Q. suber. All the species studied showed a large decline in $K_RL$ just prior to the winter rest except for Q. suber which mantained $K_RL$ approximately constant through the period of study. In most cases, $K_RL$ changed in accordance with analogous changes in the flow. When the total seedlings' leaf surface area ($A_L$) was plotted versus $K_RL$, it appeared that $K_RL$ of Q. pubescens increased with $A_L$, proportionally, while $K_RL$ of F. sylvatica was inversely related to $A_L$. This, together with the largest $K_RL$ recorded in the summer in Q. pubescens, was interpreted as advantageous to this species (which is adapted to semi-arid environments) in that: (a) roots could supply water to foliage efficiently even during the adverse season and (b) the foliage growth could be sustained even in summer.No statistically significant relation of $K_RL$ to the continentality index calculated for the four species studied on the basis of their European distribution, was found to exist. Nonetheless, our data appear to be encouraging for future research aimed at better interpreting the typical distribution areas of plant species.     

Naturally occurring bioactive Cyclobutane-containing (CBC) alkaloids in fungi,fungal endophytes,and plants

This article focuses on the occurrence and biological activities of cyclobutane-containing (CBC) alkaloids obtained from fungi, fungal endophytes, and plants. Naturally occurring CBC alkaloids are of particular interest because many of these compounds display important biological activities and possess antitumour, antibacterial, antimicrobial, antifungal, and immunosuppressive properties. Therefore, these compounds are of great interest in the fields of medicine, pharmacology, medicinal chemistry, and the pharmaceutical industry. Fermentation and production of CBC alkaloids by fungi and/or fungal endophytes is also discussed. This review presents the structures and describes the activities of 98 CBC alkaloids.     

Habitat of Osmoderma eremita Scop. (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae), a beetle living in hollow trees

The habitat of Osmoderma eremita, a vulnerable species in Europe restricted to tree cavities, was examined in southeastern Sweden. The occurrence of O. eremita larvae and fragments, larval frass and imagines were investigated in 135, 72 and 21 living oak trees with wood mould cavities, respectively. Living individuals and fragments were only found in hollows with frass. The correlation between different characteristics of the oaks and the occurrence of the beetle were examined by building multi-variate models with logistic regression. The frequency of O. eremita is higher in hollows with openings directed towards the sun (S or W) and in cavities with large amounts of wood mould. In one area the frequency was higher in trees which stand in an open or half open surrounding. The tendency to prefer sun exposed sites implies that the forestation of oak meadows, caused by cessation of traditional management, might be detrimental to the species.     

洞庭湖水系(湖南地区)主要防护型经济树种草种生态类型区选择研究

为了减少或避免在农林业生产中因土壤、气候不适宜造成的冻害或其它自然灾害造成的不必要的损失,最大限度地利用洞庭湖水系(湖南地区)区域内的气候资源、水热资源以及土壤资源,本文依据洞庭湖水系(湖南地区)区域内89个样本县(市)气象台(站)30年的气候资料及其地貌、土壤等生态环境特性值,采用主分量(PCA)分析的方法,并结合定性分桥,对洞庭湖水系(湖南地区)进行了生态类型区划分的研究,其结果将该区域划分成5个生态类型区,并结合26个主要经济树种草种分布的气候、水热条件、地貌和土壤等生态环境的差异性,对26个树种草种进行了最适宜、适宜、较适宜栽培的生态类型区的选择研究,相应地对各生态类型区进行了主栽树种和辅栽树种的分析。     

Measurement of prestrain in trees: implications for the determination of safety factors

1. It has long been known that wood in trees is under internally generated tensile or compressive forces, known as 'prestrains'. These prestrains are thought to limit compressive loading at points of high strain within the tree to counteract the mechanical anisotropy of wood. Prestrains can be relieved by making cuts in wood, allowing it to recover to an unstrained state.
2. Recently, electrical resistance strain gauges have been used to measure surface strains on the trunk, roots and branches of trees. We have found that, by making a shallow cut above and below gauges, the prestrain can be measured as an apparent residual negative strain. This negative strain, after prestrain relief, is indicative of a tensile prestrain having been present in the wood before cutting.
3. It is a simple procedure to determine prestrain magnitude at the site of gauge attachment. By knowing the prestrain state of wood at the measurement site of strain determination, a more reliable estimate of surface stress and safety factors in tree design can be made.     

Differential homogenization and amplification of two satellite DNAs in the genus Cucurbita (Cucurbitaceae)

Two different satellite DNAs exist in the genus Cucurbita which are different with respect to repeat length (350 by and 170 bp), array size, and sequence homogenization. Whereas the 350-bp satellite DNA is prominent and very homogeneous in all species investigated except for C. maxima and C. lundelliana, the 170-bp satellite is rather evenly distributed in all species. In C. maxima and C. lundelliana the 350-bp satellite is present only in small amounts, but detectable by the sensitive PCR method. These repeats are also very homogeneous, reflecting a silent stage of satellite DNA. In contrast, the 170-bp satellite DNA is intra- and interspecifically heterogeneous. It is striking that the species with no detectable amount of 350-bp satellite contain 170-bp satellite DNA clusters with the highest degree of homogeneity. The evolution of satellite DNA repeats within cultivated and wild species in the genus Cucurbita is elucidated using the sequence data of both satellite DNAs from all species investigated. The value of satellite DNA for phylogenetic analysis between closely related species is discussed. Correspondence to: V. Hemleben     

Detection of a root-associated group of Hyaloscyphaceae (Helotiales) species that commonly colonizes Fagaceae roots and description of three new species in genus Glutinomyces

We used a culture-dependent approach to investigate root-associated fungal communities in Fagaceae roots at four fagaceous species-dominant forests in Japan. In total 1029 isolates were collected and classified, based on colony morphological features and molecular information. Species of order Helotiales (Ascomycota) were dominantly isolated at all four sites, in which a globally-distributed putative endophytic group in Hyaloscyphaceae predominated. This group of fungi was morphologically and phylogenetically investigated using these isolates as well as additional isolates collected from 8 different sites in Japan. Among the Hyaloscyphaceae, Glutinomyces species were frequently detected, and three novel species, G. inflatus, G. vulgaris, and G. takaragaikensis spp. nov. were identified and described according to their morphology and genealogical concordance.     

Tree killing by Ips typographus (Coleoptera: Scolytidae) at stand edges with and without colonized felled spruce trees

Abstract 1 To maintain biodiversity in managed spruce forests in Sweden more wind‐felled trees must be retained. However, there is concern among forest owners that this may result in higher tree mortality caused by the spruce bark beetle, Ips typographus (L.) (Col. Scolytidae). 2 To simulate wind‐felled trees, living spruce trees were cut at spruce stand edges bordering fresh clear‐cuttings. Treatments comprised edges with zero, one or five cut trees colonized by I. typographus. Edges with naturally wind‐felled trees colonized by I. typographus were also included in the analyses. 3 During the two following summers, the number of trees killed by I. typographus did not differ between edges with and without felled trees, or between edges with one or five felled trees. 4 Within edges with felled trees, there were more killed trees close to the felled trees than at other parts of the edges. Thus, felled trees provided focal points for attacks within edges. 5 It is concluded that small numbers of wind‐felled trees colonized by I. typographus may be left near spruce stand edges without increasing the risk of beetle‐induced tree mortality.     

版纳微型猪近交系SRY基因编码区序列克隆及生物信息学分析

目的获得版纳微型猪近交系(BMI)SRY基因编码区序列并进行分子系统进化研究。方法以看家基因GAPDH为内参,对BMI猪的SRY基因编码区序列进行PCR扩增、克隆和序列分析,并应用Lasergene、Bi-oEdit、ClustalX、MEGA等生物信息学软件同鲸鱼、海豚、鹿、绵羊、牛、海豹、马、海象、熊猫、人、驴、熊、猫、虎和美洲豹等15个物种相应SRY编码区核苷酸序列和氨基酸序列进行了比对分析,在此基础上采用NJ和ME法对其编码区氨基酸序列构建了分子系统进化树。结果 BMI猪SRY基因编码区序列长711 bp,编码236个氨基酸,GenBank登录号为GU991615。BMI猪与鲸鱼、海豚、鹿、绵羊、牛、海豹、马、海象、熊猫、人、驴、熊、猫、虎和美洲豹的SRY基因编码区核苷酸序列相似性分别为83.7%、82.8%、78.4%、78.0%、76.9%、73.3%、73.1%、73.0%、72.9%、72.7%、72.7%、72.2%、71.6%、71.3%、70.8%,相应的氨基酸序列相似性分别为72.8%、54.5%、67.3%、64.5%、61.5%、61.9%、59.5%、61.4%、62.0%、59.1%、59.0%、62.0%、59.6%、59.6%、59.2%。结论 BMI猪同鲸鱼等15个物种的SRY基因编码区核苷酸和相应氨基酸序列具有较高的保守性。NJ和ME方法聚类构建的分子系统进化树表明,BMI猪与牛、绵羊、鹿聚为一个分支,符合分类学地位,它们分别为偶蹄目下的猪科、牛科和鹿科动物。     

Variation in guenon skulls (I): species divergence, ecological and genetic differences

Guenons are the most diverse clade of African monkeys. They have varied ecologies, include arboreal and terrestrial species, and can be found in nearly every region of sub-Saharan Africa. Species boundaries are often uncertain, with a variable number of species and subspecies mostly recognised on the basis of their geographic distribution and pelage. If guenon soft tissue patterns show high variability, the same does not seem to hold for skull morphology. Guenon skulls are traditionally considered relatively undifferentiated and homogeneous. However, patterns of variation in skulls have never been examined using a large number of specimens sampled across the breadth of species diversity. Thus, in the present study, skulls of adult guenons and two outgroup species are analysed using three-dimensional geometric morphometrics. Three-dimensional coordinates of 86 anatomical landmarks were measured on 1,315 adult specimens belonging to all living guenon species except Cercopithecus dryas. Species are well-discriminated using shape but the best discrimination occurs when species have either a long evolutionary history (e.g., Allenopithecus nigroviridis) or represent extremes of size variation (Miopithecus sp. and Erythrocebus patas). Interspecific phenetic relationships reflect size differences. Four main clusters are found that mainly correspond to four size groups: the smallest species (Miopithecus sp.), the largest species (E. patas plus the study outgroups), a group of medium-small arboreal guenons, and a group of medium-large arboreal and terrestrial guenons. Correlations between interspecific shape distances and interspecific differences in size are higher than between shape distances and genetic distances. However, if only the component of interspecific shape variation which is not correlated to evolutionary allometry is used in the comparison with genetic distances, correlations are up to 1.4 times larger than those including allometric shape. The smallest correlations are those between shape and ecological distances, which is consistent with the lack of clusters clearly reflecting broad ecological specialisations (e.g., arboreality versus terrestriality). Thus, size, which is generally considered more evolutionarily labile than shape, seems to have played a major role in the evolution of the guenons. The incongruence between interspecific shape differences and phylogeny might be explained by a large proportion of shape changes having occurred along allometric trajectories that tend to be conserved within this clade.     

基于Cyt b基因探讨羚羊亚科原羚属系统发生关系

原羚属物种在羚羊亚科中的分类地位尚存在很多争议。本文测定了原羚属的黄羊和藏原羚细胞色素b基因全序列(1140bp),并与牛科其它属31个种的同源序列进行比较,对其碱基组成变异情况及核苷酸序列差异进行了分析。基于细胞色素b基因全序列,用简约法(MP)、邻接法(NJ)和似然法(ML)构建了系统进化树。结果表明：黄羊和藏原羚的序列差异为3．78％,颠换数目近乎为0,其突变远未饱和;原羚属内黄羊和藏原羚为不同种,单系发生;原羚属与赛加羚羊属、犬羚属及跳羚属等并系发生,原羚属隶属于羚羊亚科,应为独立属;羚羊亚科组成属间多为并系起源。根据序列差异值2％／百万年的细胞色素6分子钟,推测黄羊和藏原羚分歧时间大约为1～2百万年;原羚属与羚羊亚科其它属分歧时间大约在5．7～8百万年。     

Wood anatomy of Penaeaceae (Myrtales): comparative, phylogenetic, and ecological implications

Wood samples of stems, lignotubers, and roots of the majority of species of Penaeaceae were analyzed with respect to qualitative and quantitative features. Virtually no data have hitherto been presented on xylem features of this family, restricted to Cape Province, South Africa. Presence of vestured pits in vessels, septate crystalliferous parenchyma in wood, intraxylary phloem, predominantly erect ray cells in the typically narrow, multiseriate rays and in the uniseriate rays, and amorphous deposits in ray cells place Penaeaceae securely in Myrtales and help to define that order. By comparison of ecological preferences of the species, as observed during field work, with quantitative analysis of conductive tissue, close correspondence of the wood structure to habit and habitat is demonstrated.     

The complete mitochondrial genome of Diaphorina citri (Hemiptera: Psyllidae) and phylogenetic analysis

The Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (Hemiptera: Psyllidae) is the most serious pest of citrus as the vector of Huanglongbing (HLB), the citrus greening disease. In this study, the complete mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) of D. citri has been sequenced and annotated, and a comparative analysis is provided with known Psylloidea species. The mitogenome of D. citri is a typical circular molecular of 15,038 bp in length with an A + T content of 74.56%, contains the typical 37 genes and the gene order is identical to the other Psylloidea mitogenomes. The nucleotide composition and codon usage of D. citri are similar to the four Psylloidea species. All protein-coding genes (PCGs) use standard initiation codons (TAN), stop with TAA and TAG except ND2 and ND5 which stop with incomplete termination codon T. All tRNAs have the typical clover-leaf structure, with the exception of trnS1 lacking the dihydrouridine (DHU) arm. The control region is located between rrnL and the trnI gene with the highest A + T content among the five Psylloidea species. Phylogenetic analysis is conducted based on the 13 PCGs or/and 2 rRNAs of 23 Sternorrhycha mitogenomes. Both maximum likelihood (ML) and Bayesian inference (BI) analysis suggest a clear relationship of Psylloidea, Aleyrodoidea and Aphidoidea within Sternorrhycha, which support the traditional morphological classification.     

High-resolution time series of vessel density in Kenyan mangrove trees reveal a link with climate

Tropical trees are often excluded from dendrochronological investigations because of a lack of distinct growth ring boundaries, causing a gap in paleoclimate reconstructions from tropical regions. The potential use of time series of vessel features (density, diameter, surface area and hydraulic conductivity) combined with spectral analysis as a proxy for environmental conditions in the mangrove Rhizophora mucronata was investigated. Intra-annual differences in the vessel features revealed a trade-off between hydraulic efficiency (large vessels) during the rainy season and hydraulic safety (small, more numerous vessels) during the dry season. In addition to the earlywood-latewood variations, a semiannual signal was discovered in the vessel density and diameters after Fourier transformation. The similarity in the Fourier spectra of the vessel features and the climate data, in particular mean relative humidity and precipitation, provides strong evidence for a climatic driving force for the intra-annual variability of the vessel features. The high-resolution approach used in this study, in combination with spectral analysis, may have great potential for the study of climate variability in tropical regions.