Streptomyces coelicolor A3(2)中新颖Ⅰ型羊毛硫肽的挖掘及异源表达

【目的】Ⅰ型羊毛硫肽通常具有广泛的生物活性,且抑菌机制独特,较少产生耐药性,因而在临床上具有很好的应用前景。本文对Streptomyces coelicolor A3(2)基因组上2个新颖的Ⅰ型羊毛硫肽生物合成基因簇进行研究,以实现目标羊毛硫肽的表达。【方法】首先,通过antiSMASH分析S. coelicolor A3(2)基因组序列,挖掘羊毛硫肽生物合成基因簇,使用BLAST进行基因功能注释,选择可能参与生物合成过程的基因;然后利用基因组装技术构建异源表达质粒,通过接合转移在链霉菌底盘细胞中进行异源表达;最后对发酵产物进行高效液相色谱、质谱及生物活性检测。【结果】通过添加启动子元件重构S. coelicolor A3(2)上基因簇3 (8.9 kb)和基因簇24 (9.0 kb),得到pYES-ColE1-SCO-cluster3和pYES-ColE1-SCO-cluster24。pYES-ColE1-SCO-cluster3在底盘细胞Streptomyces coelicolor M1152和Streptomycessp. A14中成功表达,得到潜在目标化合物coelin 3;pYES-ColE1-SCO-cluster24在底盘细胞Streptomyces sp. ZM13中成功表达,得到潜在目标化合物coelin 24。其中coelin 3对Bacillus subtilis 168和Escherichia coli ATCC 25922具有抑制作用,并且抑菌圈均达到28 mm。【结论】本研究成功使用启动子激活和异源表达策略实现了coelin 3和coelin 24的表达和活性测试,为后续新颖的羊毛硫肽结构解析和作用机制研究奠定了基础。     

Streptomyces aidingensis CGMCC 4.5739中环二肽氧化酶DmtD3_E3的体外生化功能

【背景】环二肽合酶(cyclodipeptide synthase, CDPS)途径中新颖后修饰酶的挖掘对获得结构新颖活性良好的二酮哌嗪类化合物具有重要意义。前期研究中发现来源于Streptomyces aidingensis CGMCC 4.5739的环二肽合酶基因簇dmt3中dmtA3B3C3可编码二酮哌嗪—萜类化合物drimentines (DMTs),推测其下游环二肽氧化酶基因dmtD3_E3也参与了DMTs的生物合成,但其功能一直未鉴定。【目的】对S.aidingensisCGMCC 4.5739中环二肽合酶基因簇dmt3内的环二肽氧化酶DmtD3_E3的功能进行表征,为增加二酮哌嗪类化合物结构多样性提供功能元件。【方法】从S.aidingensisCGMCC 4.5739的基因组中克隆环二肽氧化酶基因dmtD3_E3,构建重组表达质粒pWLI209,并在大肠杆菌BL21(DE3)中可溶性表达。通过建立体外酶促反应,运用液质联用(high performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry,HPLC-MS)和核磁共振(nuclear magnetic resonance,NMR)等方法确定催化产物结构。【结果】环二肽氧化酶DmtD3_E3可催化环二肽cyclo-(L-Trp-L-Leu) (cWL)的C14-C17位氧化脱氢形成cyclo-(L-Trp-L-ΔLeu) (cWΔL)。此外DmtD3_E3还可以催化环二肽cyclo-(L-Trp-L-Ala) (cWA)的C10-C11位脱氢生成cyclo-(L-Trp-L-ΔAla) (cΔWA),具有底物宽泛性。【结论】本研究通过对环二肽合酶生物合成途径中新颖环二肽氧化酶的挖掘和表征,为后续通过组合生物合成及合成生物学手段生成“非天然”二酮哌嗪类化合物衍生物奠定了基础。     

一株糖降解噬糖菌FZY0027的多糖水解活性及基因组分析

【目的】潮间带海水中分离获得一株具有水解多糖能力的菌株FZY0027,分析其对不同多糖的水解能力和基因组特征。【方法】通过形态观察、16S rRNA基因测序和基于Illumina NovaSeq和OxfordNanopore PromethION测序技术全基因组测序对菌株FZY0027进行鉴定。使用dbCAN、EasyCGTree、BRIG和Easyfig等生物信息学软件将菌株FZY0027和降解糖噬糖菌(Saccharophagus degradans) 2-40^T进行比较。使用3,5-二硝基水杨酸(3,5-dinitrosalicylic acid, DNS)法测定多糖水解活性。【结果】菌株FZY0027与S. degradans 2-40^T的16S rRNA基因序列相似度达到99.9%,初步鉴定为降解糖噬糖菌(S. degradans) FZY0027。该菌株在水解淀粉、木聚糖和甘露聚糖时产生的还原糖浓度最高,分别为2.28、1.75和1.10 mg/mL。菌株FZY0027基因组全长5 178 381 bp,共编码4 156个基因,G+C含量为45.8%。菌株FZY0027与S. degradans 2-40^T的平均核苷酸一致性(average nucleotide identity, ANI)、平均氨基酸一致性(average amino acid identity, AAI)和DNA-DNA分子杂交(digital DNA-DNA hybridization, dDDH)值分别为96.5%、96.7%和70.0%。经碳水化合物活性酶数据库注释获得303个基因,其中,菌株FZY0027和S. degradans 2-40^T分别有糖苷水解酶(glycoside hydrolases, GHs)结构域的基因137个和130个。菌株FZY0027具有多个参与淀粉、木聚糖等多糖水解的基因,这与菌株FZY0027对淀粉和木聚糖的水解能力强的结果一致。然而,与S. degradans 2-40^T相比,菌株FZY0027在实验条件下只能水解少数多糖,这可能需要特定的诱导条件才能充分发挥其多糖水解能力。【结论】菌株FZY0027是一株多能型多糖水解菌,具有潜在开发价值。     

染色体DNA琼脂糖包埋法辅助的ExoCET技术克隆放线菌天然产物生物合成基因簇

【目的】本研究旨在通过将琼脂糖包埋染色体DNA的方法与ExoCET重组技术相结合,建立放线菌天然产物生物合成基因簇的捕获方法。然后将克隆基因簇导入通用底盘宿主中,实现目标生物合成基因簇的异源表达。【方法】首先,利用低熔点琼脂糖包埋技术制备菌株的染色体基因组总DNA,再用限制性内切酶消化含有染色体DNA的琼脂块,获得线性化的DNA样品;然后利用ExoCET重组技术,以p15A线性载体片段将目标基因簇线性片段进行捕获;再通过PCR-targeting的方法向目标质粒中引入所需的接合转移DNA元件。接着,将改造质粒通过接合转移导入到Streptomyces coelicolor M1252宿主中,获得不同的重组菌株。最后,对不同的菌株进行发酵并提取化合物,最后进行活性检测以及质谱检测。【结果】通过该方法,从菌株S.lincolnensisNRR2936中成功获得了林可霉素生物合成基因簇(lmb-BGC),从菌株Nonomuraea nitratireducens WYY166^T中克隆得到了2个核糖体肽类化合物的生物合成基因簇(nioblantin,niob-BGC和nitblantin,nitb-BGC),并实现了lmb-BGC在天蓝色链霉菌M1252中的成功表达。【结论】本研究通过将低熔点琼脂糖包埋技术与ExoCET重组技术进行合理整合,定向克隆得到了林可霉素以及2个新颖的羊毛硫肽类化合物的生物合成基因簇。然后,分别对重组质粒改造后,在天蓝色链霉菌M1252宿主中进行表达,分别获得重组菌株MJX01、MJX02和MJX04。最后,利用质谱以及活性测试的手段对发酵提取物进行了检测,确定了林可霉素生物合成基因簇在天蓝色链霉菌M1252中成功表达。本研究为通过基因簇克隆和异源表达发掘新化合物奠定了基础。     

脓肿分枝杆菌MBT结构鉴定与比较演化分析

【背景】作为临床最常见的非结核条件致病分枝杆菌,脓肿分枝杆菌(Mycobacteroides abscessus)因其天然、多耐药等特性成为目前临床治疗的一大挑战。作为分枝杆菌限制性营养元素——铁摄取的关键系统,分枝杆菌素(mycobactin,MBT)、羧基分枝杆菌素(carboxymycobactin,cMBT)与病原分枝杆菌的毒力、耐药等密切相关。【目的】丰富分枝杆菌MBT、cMBT结构数据,探究MBT在致病分枝杆菌起源过程中的演化规律。【方法】在MALDI-TOF-MS与FT-MS/MS解析脓肿MBT、cMBT结构的基础上,进一步开展其活性分析与生物合成基因簇比较基因组分析。【结果】虽然脓肿分枝杆菌MBT、cMBT母核修饰模式与海洋分枝杆菌最相似,R1、R2、R3、R5等位置的修饰完全相同,而且脂肪酸链均位于R4位置;但脂肪酸链长度不同[C10-17 (MBT)、C4-8 (cMBT)],为新结构。Fe-cMBT不仅以浓度依赖方式促进脓肿分枝杆菌生长,而且利用效率显著高于FeCl₃,相关结果表明MBT-cMBT是脓肿分枝杆菌高效获取铁元素的关键系统。与MBT结构结果一致,mbt-1基因簇共线性分析及mbt-1、mbt-2系统发育分析结果均表明脓肿分枝杆菌与海洋分枝杆菌(M.marinum)亲缘关系最近,而非结核分枝杆菌(M.tuberculosis)或耻垢分枝杆菌(M.smegmatis) (基于16S rRNA基因序列分析)。进一步分析发现,M.marinum、M.tuberculosis、M.bovis等病原分枝杆菌脂肪酸链长度变化范围仅4 C,而M.abscessus、M.fortuitum、M.avium和M.smegmatis等条件致病与非致病菌的脂肪酸链长度变化范围为7-11 C,暗示MBT同系物脂肪酸链长度变化范围与分枝杆菌不同生活方式、环境之间可能存在关联。【结论】作为获取铁元素的关键系统,具有独特结构的脓肿分枝杆菌MBT-cMBT在致病、耐药等方面的作用及起源、演化规律值得深入研究。     

Nonomuraea candida HMC10T中新结构套索肽noncaromin生物合成基因簇的克隆及异源表达

【目的】本研究旨在通过定向克隆菌株Nonomuraea candida HMC10^T中一个新的Ⅱ型套索肽类生物合成基因簇,通过在放线菌底盘宿主中的异源表达,获得新结构套索肽noncaromin,并完成其抑菌活性分析。【方法】通过antiSMASH软件分析菌株N.candida HMC10^T全基因组序列,确定新的Ⅱ型套索肽noncaromin的生物合成基因簇(biosynthetic gene cluster of noncaromin,nonc-BGC)。然后,利用ExoCET重组技术(exonuclease combined with RecET recombination)获得完整的nonc-BGC,得到重组质粒pJQK652,并通过λ-Red重组技术改造得到整合型质粒pJQK653。采用接合转移方法,将该质粒分别导入白色链霉菌、2株变铅青链霉菌、2株天蓝色链霉菌和红色糖多孢菌宿主中进行异源表达,再通过发酵和分离纯化获得目标套索肽noncaromin。最后,利用QTOF-ESI-MS²完成套索肽noncaromin的结构鉴定,并通过抗菌活性检测确定该化合物的生物活性。【结果】本研究利用ExoCET技术成功获得了完整的nonc-BGC,在6种放线菌宿主中成功异源表达,完成了noncaromin的结构鉴定,确定了其具有微弱的抗枯草芽孢杆菌活性。【结论】本研究在克隆得到新结构套索肽nonc-BGC的基础上,实现了该基因簇在6个放线菌底盘宿主中的成功表达,获得了1个具有微弱抑制枯草芽孢杆菌活性的新结构Ⅱ型套索肽noncaromin。本研究结果为发掘菌株N.candida HMC10^T及其他放线菌中的新结构化合物提供了借鉴。     

短头熊蜂肠道拮抗菌株的分离筛选鉴定及其生物特性评价

【背景】近年来,由于栖息地减少、农药的大量使用及病原菌侵染等综合因素,导致全世界的熊蜂种类与数量逐年减少,病原菌的侵染可通过微生物在自身生长过程中会产生的抑菌物质进行有效抑制或杀灭。【目的】短头熊蜂(Bombus breviceps)长期生存在野外环境中,其肠道内存在着大量微生物资源。从短头熊蜂肠道内筛选拮抗菌株,并对其抑菌特性进行研究。【方法】采用牛津杯双层法筛选拮抗菌株,测定抑菌活性最佳菌株发酵液的抑菌物质稳定性与抑菌广谱性等抑菌特性,并借助细胞膜通透性、流式细胞仪检测等试验探究其抑菌机制。【结果】得到了5株具有明显抑菌作用的拮抗菌株,其中果杆菌(Fructobacillus tropaeoli)CZ01对金黄色葡萄球菌(Staphylococcus aureus)、沙门氏菌(Salmonella choleraesuis)、大肠杆菌(Escherichia coli)、福氏志贺氏菌(Shigella flexneri)和无乳链球菌(Streptococcus agalactiae)这5种病原指示菌都具有高度抑菌效果。菌株CZ01对金黄色葡萄球菌的抑菌效果最佳,抑菌圈直径可达到(21.21±0.25) mm,在121 ℃处理后仍具有67.36%以上的抑菌活性,调整pH值为10.0时仍具有78.16%的抑菌活性。【结论】短头熊蜂肠道微生物资源较丰富,尤其是果杆菌(F.tropaeoli)CZ01具有抑菌活性高、稳定性好、抑菌谱广等特性,对金黄色葡萄球菌具有良好的杀灭效果,显示出良好的应用潜能。     

一种适用于链霉菌异源合成基因簇同框缺失的高效方法

【背景】对抗生素生物合成途径的阐明有助于提高目标化合物的产量并开发具有更高活性的新化合物。基因的同框缺失是天然产物生物合成研究的常规手段,通过分析突变菌株积累的中间产物,可以帮助推导天然产物的合成途径及相关基因的功能。天然产物生物合成基因簇的大小一般在20 kb以上,对每个基因进行同框缺失耗时耗力,因此,优化链霉菌来源的基因同框缺失的方法有重要的意义。【目的】基于PCR-targeting重新设计了一套在链霉菌柯斯文库质粒上进行基因同框缺失的方法,实现链霉菌基因在大肠杆菌中快速、高效的基因同框缺失的技术体系。【方法】使用氨苄青霉素抗性基因bla作为PCR-targeting DNA片段的筛选标记,同时使用体外的Pac I酶切和酶连系统代替体内的Flp/FRT系统来介导同框缺失的构建。【结果】利用这种方法,在6 d内完成了米多霉素生物合成基因簇中14个基因的同框缺失。【结论】此方法与传统的PCR-targeting方法相比,构建同框缺失载体的效率明显提高;Pac I识别序列在链霉菌基因组上的稀有性使得此方法在构建抗生素生物合成基因簇必需基因的同框缺失载体上具有普适性。     

基因CfATG6和CfATG14参与调控果生刺盘孢细胞自噬和致病力

【目的】炭疽病是油茶的主要病害,由刺盘孢属的多种真菌引起,其中果生刺盘孢分布范围最广、分离率最高,是油茶炭疽病的主要致病菌。研究自噬相关蛋白CfAtg6和CfAtg14的生物学功能,为进一步揭示果生刺盘孢通过细胞自噬调控致病的分子机制,并为油茶炭疽病的防治提供理论基础。【方法】根据同源重组原理,通过聚乙二醇(polyethylene glycol, PEG)介导的方法,在果生刺盘孢中敲除基因CfATG6和CfATG14,并进一步获得回补菌株ΔCfatg6-C和ΔCfatg14-C。【结果】酵母双杂交试验结果显示,果生刺盘孢蛋白CfAtg6和CfAtg14可能存在互作关系。生物学表型测定结果表明,相较于野生型和回补菌株,突变体ΔCfatg6和ΔCfatg14均表现出营养生长速率显著减慢,附着胞形成率分别只有野生型的5%和18%;突变体ΔCfatg6和ΔCfatg14致病力均极显著减弱,造成的油茶叶片病斑面积少于野生型和回补菌株的1/3;CfATG6和CfATG14基因缺失突变体均丧失转运和降解CfAtg8蛋白的能力,并对细胞壁胁迫更敏感。突变体ΔCfatg6的分生孢子产量显著降低,仅为野生型的20%左右;氧化胁迫试验结果表明,相较于野生型和回补菌株,过氧化氢对突变体的生长抑制率升高10%左右。内质网压力胁迫试验表明,ΔCfatg14对二硫苏糖醇抑制率升高5%以上。【结论】自噬相关基因CfATG6和CfATG14参与调控了果生刺盘孢生长发育、细胞自噬和致病力。     

拮抗烟草疫霉的枝穗霉菌株筛选

【背景】烟草疫霉(Phytophthora nicotianae)引起的烟草黑胫病(tobacco black shank)是烤烟生产上重要的土传根茎病害之一,生产上防治困难。【目的】筛选对病原菌具有强拮抗能力的有益微生物菌株是开展生物防治的基础。【方法】采用平板对峙法筛选对烟草疫霉具有拮抗作用的枝穗霉菌株。根据枝穗霉在烟草疫霉菌落上的覆盖程度和产孢量,以及对烟草疫霉菌丝、孢囊梗和孢子囊的缠绕情况,将枝穗霉的拮抗能力划分为强、中等、弱和无4个等级。【结果】供试8种65株枝穗霉中,6株具有强拮抗能力、27株具有中等拮抗能力、22株具有弱拮抗能力、10株无拮抗能力;不同枝穗霉菌株对烟草疫霉的抑制率大小为20.0%-86.7%。【结论】粉红枝穗霉(Clonostachys rosea)菌株7901、11361和亚麻生枝穗霉(C. byssicola)5072、6729、7507及条孢枝穗霉(C. grammicospora)6730对烟草疫霉具有强拮抗能力,这为后续盆栽试验及作用机理研究等提供了种质资源。     

Foreign exploration for Scirtothrips perseae Nakahara (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) and associated natural enemies on avocado (Persea americana Miller)

Scirtothrips perseae Nakahara was discovered attacking avocados in California, USA, in 1996. Host plant surveys in California indicated that S. perseae has a highly restricted host range with larvae being found only on avocados, while adults were collected from 11 different plant species. As part of a management program for this pest, a “classical” biological control program was initiated and foreign exploration was conducted to delineate the home range of S. perseae, to survey for associated natural enemies and inventory other species of phytophagous thrips on avocados grown in Mexico, Guatemala, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Trinidad, and Brazil. Foreign exploration efforts indicate that S. perseae occurs on avocados grown at high altitudes (>1500 m) from Uruapan in Mexico south to areas around Guatemala City in Guatemala. In Costa Rica, S. perseae is replaced by an undescribed congener as the dominant phytophagous thrips on avocados grown at high altitudes (>1300 m). No species of Scirtothrips were found on avocados in the Dominican Republic, Trinidad, or Brazil. In total, 2136 phytophagous thrips were collected and identified, representing over 47 identified species from at least 19 genera. The significance of these species records is discussed. Of collected material 4% were potential thrips biological control agents. Natural enemies were dominated by six genera of predatory thrips (Aeolothrips, Aleurodothrips, Franklinothrips, Leptothrips, Scolothrips, and Karnyothrips). One genus each of parasitoid (Ceranisus) and predatory mite (Balaustium) were found. Based on the results of our sampling techniques, prospects for the importation of thrips natural enemies for use in a “classical” biological control program in California against S. perseae are not promising.     

Phylogeny of cardinalfishes (Teleostei: Gobiiformes: Apogonidae) and the evolution of visceral bioluminescence

The cardinalfishes (Apogonidae) are a diverse clade of small, mostly reef-dwelling fishes, for which a variety of morphological data have not yielded a consistent phylogeny. We use DNA sequence to hypothesize phylogenetic relationships within Apogonidae and among apogonids and other acanthomorph families, to examine patterns of evolution including the distribution of a visceral bioluminescence system. In conformance with previous studies, Apogonidae is placed in a clade with Pempheridae, Kurtidae, Leiognathidae, and Gobioidei. The apogonid genus Pseudamia is recovered outside the remainder of the family, not as sister to the superficially similar genus Gymnapogon. Species sampled from the Caribbean and Western Atlantic (Phaeoptyx, Astrapogon, and some Apogon species) form a clade, as do the larger-bodied Glossamia and Cheilodipterus. Incidence of visceral bioluminescence is found scattered throughout the phylogeny, independently for each group in which it is present. Examination of the fine structure of the visceral bioluminescence system through histology shows that light organs exhibit a range of morphologies, with some composed of complex masses of tubules (Siphamia, Pempheris, Parapriacanthus) and others lacking tubules but containing chambers formed by folds of the visceral epithelium (Acropoma, Archamia, Jaydia, and Rhabdamia). Light organs in Siphamia, Acropoma, Pempheris and Parapriacanthus are distinct from but connected to the gut; those in Archamia, Jaydia, and Rhabdamia are simply portions of the intestinal tract, and are little differentiated from the surrounding tissues. The presence or absence of symbiotic luminescent bacteria does not correlate with light organ structure; the tubular light organs of Siphamia and chambered tubes of Acropoma house bacteria, those in Pempheridae and the other Apogonidae do not.     

Biological control of three floating water weeds,<Emphasis Type="Italic">Eichhornia crassipes,Pistia stratiotes</Emphasis>, and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Salviniamolesta</Emphasis> in the Republic of Congo

Since 1999, four specific weevils (Coleoptera, Curculionidae) were released in the Republic of Congo against three exotic floating water weeds: Neochetina eichhorniae Warner and N. bruchi Hustache against water hyacinth, Neohydronomus affinis Hustache against water lettuce, and Cyrtobagous salviniae Calder and Sands against water fern. Recoveries of exotic weevils were made from all 24 release sites except one, and all four species have established and spread (up to 800 km for water hyacinth weevils). Within a few years of releases, control of water fern and water lettuce was such that fishing and navigation could be resumed, while reductions of water hyacinth populations were only beginning.     

A molecular phylogeny of Hebeloma species from Europe

In order to widen the scope of existing phylogenies of the ectomycorrhizal agaric genus Hebeloma a total of 53 new rDNA ITS sequences from that genus was generated, augmented by sequences retrieved from GenBank, and analysed using Bayesian, strict consensus and neighbour joining methods. The lignicolous Hebelomina neerlandica, Gymnopilus penetrans, and two species of Galerina served as outgroup taxa. Anamika indica, as well as representatives of the genera Hymenogaster and Naucoria, were included to test the monophyly of Hebeloma, which is confirmed by the results. Hebeloma, Naucoria, Hymenogaster and Anamika indica cluster in a strongly supported monophyletic hebelomatoid clade. All trees largely reflect the current infrageneric classification within Hebeloma, and divide the genus into mostly well-supported monophyletic groups surrounding H. crustuliniforme, H. velutipes, H. sacchariolens, H. sinapizans, and H. radicosum, with H. sarcophyllum being shown at an independent position; however this is not well supported. The section Indusiata divides with strong support into three groups, the position of the pleurocystidiate Hebeloma cistophilum suggests the possible existence of a third subsection within sect. Indusiata. Subsection Sacchariolentia is raised to the rank of section.     

Taxonomic status of the species of the green algal genusNeochloris

Komárek has recently reviewed the various species assigned to the green algal genusNeochloris Starr (Chlorococcales, Chlorococcaceae) and removed those with uninucleate vegetative cells to a new genus,Ettlia. Watanabe & Floyd, unaware ofKomárek's work, also reviewed the species ofNeochloris and distributed them among three genera—Neochloris, Chlorococcopsis gen. nov., andParietochloris gen. nov.—on the basis of details of the covering of the zoospore and the arrangement of the basal bodies of the flagellar apparatus. This paper reconciles these two treatments and makes additional recommendations at the ranks of genus, family, order, and class.     

Die GattungKarschia — Bindeglied zwischen bitunicaten Ascomyceten und lecanoralen Flechtenpilzen?

The genusKarschia, in the earlier sense, including saprophytes and parasites on lichens, has been thought to be a non-lichenized parallel genus of the lichen genusBuellia. Modern workers included it on the one hand inBuellia, on the other hand combined it with bitunicate ascomycetes. It is now proved thatKarschia is heterogeneous and contains but superficially similar members both of the genusBuellia of theLecanorales and of typical or masked bitunicateAscomycetes. Therefore, it can not be regarded as a link betweenLecanorales andDothideales. The type species ofKarschia belongs to theDothideales.

     

Demographic characteristics of an intertidal bay goby (Lepidogobius lepidus)

Synopsis In a fourteen month study (May 1976 – June 1977) I examined the following characteristics of an intertidal bay goby (Lepidogobius lepidus) in Morro Bay, California, U.S.A.: annual and seasonal patterns of abundance, age composition and growth rates, survivorship and mortality patterns, and the reproductive cycle for female gobies. Fishes were collected with the aid of quinaldine and otoliths and ovaries removed. Age and growth rates were estimated from otolith annuli using a back calculation formula and a Brody-Bertalanffy growth curve. Mortality rates were derived using the methods of Heincke (1913), Robson & Chapman (1960), mean age, and a catch curve (Ricker 1975). A gonad index was used to describe the annual reproductive cycle. Results indicated that abundance fluctuated seasonally and that these fluctuations appeared to be caused by reproductive emigrations. Bay gobies reached an age of 7+ and a standard length of 87 mm. Growth was relatively constant (6 mm yr⁻¹) until age 5, at which point it began to decline. The mean rates of survivorship, mortality, and instantaneous mortality were 0.75, 0.25, and 0.29 respectively. Mortality rates for individual age classes ranged from 0.13 to 0.51 and increased with age. This stock appears to reproduce mainly during the winter.     

Systematic significance of mature embryo of bamboos

The mature embryo of seven species belonging to five genera of Indian bamboos is described. In all these the basic pattern of embryo organisation is same: the scutellar and coleoptilar bundles are not separated by an internode, the epiblast is absent, the lower portion of the scutellum and the coleorhiza are separated by a cleft and the margins of embryonic leaves overlap. The features unique to fleshy fruited bamboos are: presence of a massive scutellum, the juxtaposition of plumule and radicle and the occurrence of a bud in the axil of the coleoptile. The fleshy fruit bearing bamboos should be classified into one group, the tribeMelocanneae. Evidence is provided to recognise additional groups in the subfamilyBambusoideae.