Flavonoids in the leaves of twenty-eight polygonaceous plants

Flavonoids in the leaves of twenty-eight species belonging to the Polygonaceae were studied. Thirty-three kinds of flavonoids were isolated, and eighteen kinds were obtained as crystals. Quercetin glycosides were commonly found in the family. In the quercetin glycosides, 3-O-rhamnoside was most frequently found: 3-O-glucuronide is also distributed widely. Myricetin glycosides were rare. Methylated flavonols were found in some species of the sectionsEchinocaulon andPersicaria. Eleven kinds ofC-glycosylflavones were found in the present survey, andC-glycosylflavones were distributed in all species of the genusRheum and in almost all species of the section Tiniaria.Rumex Acetosella andPolygonum suffultum are exceptional, the former contains flavone glycoside and the latterC-glycosylflavones only, as main components.     

Biogeographic Patterns of Intertidal Macroinvertebrates and their Association with Macroalgae Distribution along the Portuguese Coast

Geographical patterns in the distribution of epifaunal crustaceans (Amphipoda, Isopoda and Tanaidacea) occurring with dominant macroalgal species were investigated along the Portuguese rocky coast. Three regions, each encompassing six shores, were studied. Algal species were selected according to their geographical distribution: Mastocarpusstellatus and Chondrus crispus (north); Bifurcariabifurcata (north-centre); Plocamiumcartilagineum and Cystoseiratamariscifolia (centre-south); Corallina spp. and Codiumtomentosum (entire coast). Multivariate techniques were used to test for differences in crustacean assemblage composition between sub-regions and host algal species. A clear gradient of species substitution was observed from north to south. Differences in abundance and diversity of epifaunal crustaceans were observed between southern locations and the remaining sites. Four species were recorded for the first time in the Portuguese coast. Among the 57 taxa identified, southern distribution limits were observed for three species and northern distribution limits were observed for four species. Interestingly, the observed geographical patterns in epifaunal abundance and diversity were not related with geographical changes in the indentity of the dominant algal species.     

5种相思树和尾巨桉人工林土壤养分和酶活性特征

为揭示固氮树种土壤养分转化的酶学机制,对固氮树种[厚荚相思(Acacia crassicarpa)、黑木相思(A. melanoxylon)、卷荚相思(A.cincinnata)、大叶相思(A.auriculiformis)和马占相思(A.mangium)]及非固氮树种尾巨桉(Eucalyptusurophylla×E.grandis)人工林的土壤养分含量、酶活性及其相关性进行研究。结果表明,相思林40～60cm土层的pH均高于尾巨桉林;5种相思林土壤各土层的TP、TK含量均低于尾巨桉林,而20～40 cm土层的TC、TN含量均高于尾巨桉林,黑木相思林和马占相思林各土层的有效养分均显著高于尾巨桉林(P0.05)。0～10 cm土层中,相思林的土壤酸性磷酸酶和纤维素酶活性均高于尾巨桉林,大叶相思林的土壤脲酶、蔗糖酶、纤维素酶和芳基硫酸酯酶活性显著高于尾巨桉林(P0.05),卷荚相思林的土壤脲酶、纤维素酶、几丁质酶和淀粉酶活性显著高于尾巨桉林(P0.05)。相关分析结果表明,土壤脲酶、蔗糖酶和几丁质酶活性与AP显著负相关(P0.05),蔗糖酶和纤维素酶活性与NH4+-N显著负相关(P 0.05),脲酶、纤维素酶、芳基硫酸酯酶与土壤TK显著负相关(P0.05),几丁质酶活性与TN含量呈显著正相关(P0.05),土壤淀粉酶活性与NH4+-N呈显著正相关(P 0.05),过氧化氢酶活性与土壤TK含量呈显著正相关。可见,与尾巨桉人工林相比,在我国南方退化山地引种相思树可提高土壤关键酶的活性,对土壤有效养分具有明显改良作用,有利于退化地土壤的生态修复及人工林长期生产力的维持。     

Frequency of occurrence of mangrove fungi from the east coast of India

This paper describes the frequency of occurrence and biodiversity of fungi from mangroves of the Godavari and Krishna deltas, on the east coast of India. Seventy three species were identified from Godavari and 67 from the Krishna mangroves. Fifty five species were common to both sites, 18 were found only at Godavari and 12 at Krishna mangroves. Verruculina enaliawas found to be very frequent at both sites with a higher frequency of occurrence at Godavari. Eutypa bathurstensis was very frequent at Godavari but only frequent at Krishna. Cirrenalia pygmea and Cryptosphaeria mangrovei were frequent at the Godavari mangrove, but were recorded occasionally at Krishna. Decaying samples of Rhizophora and Avicennia were studied in detail. Forty three species were common to both hosts, while 22 species were recorded only from Avicennia and 20 only from Rhizophora. Verruculina enalia was the only very frequent fungus recorded on both hosts with a lower percentage occurrence (14.8%) on R. apiculata as compared to Avicennia spp. (24.3%). Eutypa bathurstensis was the next most frequent fungus on Avicennia, while Rhizophila marina was next most frequent on Rhizophora. Dactylospora haliotrepha which was recorded frequently on Rhizophorawas infrequent on Avicennia.     

Natural and synthesized ectomycorrhizas of the alpine dwarf willow Salix herbacea

 A new approach for selecting sampling sites of ectomycorrhizal roots is presented in order to describe ectomycorrhizas of Salix herbacea. Based on sporocarp mapping and statistical evaluation of the mapping data, sites for ectomycorrhizal root sampling were chosen underneath sporocarps of ectomycorrhizal Cortinarius (Myxacium) favrei, Hebeloma repandum, Laccaria montana, Entoloma alpicola, and Russula norvegica. Only in the samples beneath C. favrei, E. alpicola, and L. montana were corresponding ectomycorrhizas predominant and therefore described. Cenococcum geophilum ectomycorrhizas occurred throughout most samples and were also described. Numerous carpophores of the five selected ectomycorrhizal fungi were sampled for isolation purposes. Pure cultures were obtained of H. repandum and C. favrei, but laboratory syntheses of ectomycorrhizas were successful only with H. repandum and seedlings or cuttings of S. herbacea. Accepted: 27 February 1996     

重楼属植物遗传多样性的SCOT标记

为评估重楼属植物的基因资源开发前景,初步探讨了SCOT标记技术在重楼属植物遗传多样性研究上的应用。采用目标起始密码子多态性(Start codon targeted polymorphism,SCOT)技术,对重楼属9个种40份材料进行基因组DNA多态性分析。结果表明:四川地区重楼属植物具有丰富的遗传多样性,40份供试材料可聚为4类:狭叶重楼单独聚为第一类;球药隔重楼、卵叶重楼、金线重楼及滇重楼聚为第二类;黑籽重楼与七叶一枝花聚为第三类;五指莲与毛重楼聚为第四类。说明SCOT标记能够对重楼属植物进行准确的分子鉴定,为重楼属植物的种类鉴定和种间的分类地位提供分子生物学依据,同时也为深入探究重楼皂苷合成关键酶基因定位研究提供重要参考。     

Characterization and Pathogenicity of Rhizoctonia spp. from Onion in Amasya, Turkey

Forty‐two isolates of Rhizoctonia spp. were obtained from onion in Amasya, Turkey. Of these, 29% were Rhizoctonia solani (AG‐4), 69% were Waitea circinata var. zeae (Rhizoctonia zeae) and 2% were binucleate Rhizoctonia (AG‐B). Most of the isolates were recovered from rhizosphere soil. In pathogenicity tests on onion, R. solani AG‐4 caused the greatest disease severity, those of W. circinata var. zeae were moderately virulent but binucleate Rhizoctonia isolates were of low virulence. This is the first report of binucleate Rhizoctonia AG‐B and W. circinata var. zeae occurring on onion in Turkey.     

Host plan preferences of Oscinella spp. (Diptera: Chloropidae) in the laboratory

The oviposition preferences of Oscinella frit, O. vastator, O. nitidissima, O. albiseta andO. nigerrima for differenct Gramineae were investigated in the laboratory. O. frit, laid most eggs on oats, Lolium multiflorum and Festuca rubra, relatively few eggs were laid on barley and virtually none on Dactylis glomerata None of the other Osinella species oviposted on cereals. Of the other species, O. vastator appeared to be the most polyphagous and the preferred hosts were L. multiflorum, Lolium perenne and Festuca pratensis; few eggs were laid on either F. rubra, Agrostis tenuis or Poa pratensis. The host ranges of the remaining species were much more limited. Although a few eggs were laid by O. nitidissima on Lolium, the preferred host was A. tenuis. Oscinella albiseta oviposited only on D. glomerata whilst nearly all the eggs laid by O. nigerrima were deposited on shoots of Arrhenatherum elatius. The distribution of eggs by O. frit on L. multiflorum and A. tenuis was different from that on oats; on grasses most eggs were laid inside withered leaf sheaths whereas on oats most were deposited inside the coleoptile. The oviposition sites of O. nitidissima, O. nigerrima and O. albiseta on their respective host grasses were similar to those of O. frit on grasses. O. frit laid most eggs on grasses which were at the five-leaf stage and tailoring.     

Specificity of an ant-lycaenid interaction

Summary Many lycaenid butterflies are believed to be mutualists of ants — the butterfly larvae secrete sugars and amino acids as rewards for the ants, and the ants protect the larvae from predation or parasitism. We examined the specificity of the relationship between the lycaenid Plebejus argus and ants in the genus Lasius. Eggs were not attractive to Lasius ants until the emerging larvae had broken through the chorion. First instar larvae were palpated and picked up by Lasius workers and taken to the nest. First instars were mostly ignored by Myrmica sabuleti ants and they were rarely detected by Formica fusca. Older larvae were more attractive to Lasius than to the other ant genera. Pupae were very attractive to Lasius, moderately so to Myrmica, and were ignored by Formica fusca. Teneral adults were palpated by Lasius, but were attacked by Myrmica and Formica workers. We conclude that P. argus is a specialist associate of Lasius ants. Two populations of Plebejus argus were compared: one is naturally associated with Lasius niger, and the other with Lasius alienus. In reciprocal trials, larvae were slightly more attractive to their natural host ant species. Since test larvae were reared on a single host plant species in captivity, this differentiation probably has a genetic basis.     

Prey selection by Chaoborus punctipennis under laboratory conditions

Equal numbers of Diaphanosoma leuchtenbergianum, Daphnia parvula, and Diaptomus pallidus were offered to individual, fourth-instar larvae of Chaoborus punctipennis. When the prey species were presented separately to the larvae, 100% of the Diaphanosoma, 67% of the Daphnia, and 57% of the Diaptomus were consumed. However, when the three species were offered to the predator concurrently, 90% of the Diaphanosoma, 10% of the Daphnia and < 1% of the Diaptomus were eaten. This strong selection for Diaphanosoma was consistent at three prey densities.     

Survey of indigenous bacterial endophytes from cotton and sweet corn

The genotypic diversity of indigenous bacterial endophytes within stems and roots of sweet corn (Zea mays L.) and cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) was determined in field trials throughout one growing season. Strains were isolated from surface-disinfested tissues and identified by fatty acid analysis. Gram-negative bacteria comprised 70.5% of the endophytic bacteria and 27 of the 36 genera identified. The most frequently isolated groups from sweet corn roots, were Burkholderia pickettii and Enterobacter spp.; from sweet corn stems, Bacillus megaterium. Bacterial genera present in sweet corn roots were also generally present in sweet corn stems. However, Burkholderia gladioli, Burkholderia solanacearum and Enterobacter cloacae were isolated much more frequently from sweet corn roots than stems, whereas Methylobacterium spp. were found more frequently in sweet corn stems than roots. Agrobacterium radiobacter, Serratia spp. and Burkholderia solanacearum, were the most frequently isolated groups from cotton roots; and Bacillus megaterium and Bacillus pumilus from cotton stems. Acinetobacter baumannii and Arthrobacter spp. were present in cotton stems but not in cotton roots. There were 14 taxonomic groups present in cotton roots that were not in cotton stems; all but one were Gram-negative. These included, Agrobacterium radiobacter, Bacillus megaterium, Bacillus pumilus, Enterobacter asburiae, Pseudomonas chlororaphis, Serratia spp. and Staphylococcus spp. Rhizobium japonicum and Variovorax paradoxus were isolated, almost exclusively, from the roots of both crops. Bacterial taxa present in both sweet corn and cotton early in the season were generally present late in the season. The diversity of bacteria was greater in roots than stems for each crop.     

Application of desmid diversity in assessing the water quality of 12 freshwater resources in Thailand

Desmids from 12 freshwater resources in the northern part of Thailand were investigated during 2002 to 2003. A total of 91 taxa were found. They belonged to 17 genera: Actinotaenium, Spirotaenia, Netrium, Gonatozygon, Pleurotaenium, Closterium, Euastrum, Micrasterias, Cosmarium, Cosmocladium, Stuarastrum, Staurodesmus, Xanthidium, Teilingia, Spondylosium, Hyalotheca and Desmidium. The water qualities in all the water resources were classified as oligotrophic to meso-eutrophic by trophic status. The taxa that could possibly be used as bioindicators of trophic state were Staurastrum gutwinskii, Spondylosium pandurifoemae, Cosmarium capitulum, C. mediosrobiculatum var. egranutum, S. tortum, Closterium gracile var. elongatum, C. kuetzingii and Closterium dianae var. dianae. The most frequently found taxa were Staurastrum limneticum var. burmense, S. tetracerum var. tetraerum, Pleurotaenium trabecula, Closterium ehrenbergii var. ehrenbergii and C. kuetzingii. The rare taxa in this study were Actinotaenium sp. Spirotaenia condensata, Pleurotaenium burmense var. dacchense and Micrasterias apiculata. Forty-one taxa of desmids were identified as new records for Thailand. Presented at the 6th Meeting of the Asian Pacific Society of Applied Phycology, Manila, Philippines.     

Endophytic fungi from rhizomes of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Paris polyphylla</Emphasis> var. <Emphasis Type="Italic">yunnanensis</Emphasis>

About 63 fungal endophytic isolates were separated from rhizomes of Paris polyphylla var. yunnanensis, which is a traditional medicinal plant mainly distributed in China. The isolates were characterized and grouped based on the culture characteristics and the morphology of colony growth and conidia. Eleven representative ones were selected for further taxonomical identification. Five genera namely Fusarium, Gliocladiopsis, Gliomastix, Aspergillus and Cylindrocarpon were identified on the basis of their morphological characterizations. Of them, the most frequent genus was Fusarium (i.e. Ppf1, Ppf3 and Ppf14). Their ITS-rDNA sequences were compared with those available in the GeneBank databases to obtain the closest related species by BLAST analysis as well as to analyze their phylogenetic affiliation. The isolates were identified as Gliocladiopsis irregularis (Ppf2), Plectosphaerella cucumerina (Ppf4), Padospora sp. (Ppf6), Gliomastix murorum var. murorum (Ppf7), Aspergillus fumigatus (Ppf9), Pichia guilliermondii (Ppf10), Neonectria radicicola (anamorph: Cylindrocarpon) (Ppf12) and one uncultured mycorrhizal ascomycete (Ppf13) separately based on their morphological and molecular features. The molecular characters of the endophytic fungi were basically coincident with their morphology. The broad diversity and taxonomic spectrum were exhibited by the endophytic fungi from P. polyphylla var. yunnanensis.     

Isolation for bacteria and fungi for the hydrolysis of phthalate and terephthalate esters

Bacterial and fungal strains were isolated from enrichment cultures using diethylphthalate, diethylterephthalate, or ethylene glycol dibenzoate as sole carbon sources.Aureobacterium, Flavobacterium, andMicrococcus species were isolated from diethylphthalate enrichments;Rhodococcus andXanthomonas species were isolated from diethylterephthalate enrichments;Rhodococcus andFusarium species were isolated from ethylene glycol dibenzoate enrichments.     

Isolation and Analysis of Bacteria with Antimicrobial Activities from the Marine Sponge Haliclona simulans Collected from Irish Waters

Samples of the marine sponge Haliclona simulans were collected from Irish coastal waters, and bacteria were isolated from these samples. Phylogenetic analyses of the cultured isolates showed that four different bacterial phyla were represented; Bacteriodetes, Actinobacteria, Proteobacteria, and Firmicutes. The sponge bacterial isolates were assayed for the production of antimicrobial substances, and biological activities against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and fungi were demonstrated, with 50% of isolates showing antimicrobial activity against at least one of the test strains. Further testing showed that the antimicrobial activities extended to the important pathogens Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Clostridium difficile, multi-drug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, and pathogenic yeast strains. The Actinomycetes were numerically the most abundant producers of antimicrobial activities, although activities were also noted from Bacilli and Pseudovibrio isolates. Surveys for the presence of potential antibiotic encoding polyketide synthase and nonribosomal peptide synthetase genes also revealed that genes for the biosynthesis of these secondary metabolites were present in most bacterial phyla but were particularly prevalent among the Actinobacteria and Proteobacteria. This study demonstrates that the culturable fraction of bacteria from the sponge H. simulans is diverse and appears to possess much potential as a source for the discovery of new medically relevant biological active agents.     

Type I interferon genes in cattle: restriction fragment length polymorphisms,gene numbers and physical organization on bovine chromosome 8

Multiple, superimposed Type I interferon (IFN) restriction fragments were resolved following 72–92 h of horizontal electrophoresis. Restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs) for α IFN (IFNA), β IFN (IFNB), ωIFN (IFNW) and trophoblast IFN (IFNT) genes were identified in Hin dill, Eco RI and Taql digestions from 313 cattle. RFLPs with codominant segregation in cattle pedigrees were considered alleles, and 19 distinct polymorphic Type I IFN loci (5 IFNA, 4 IFNB, 8 IFNW and 2 IFNT) were identified. Allele frequencies and observed heterozygosity values were calculated for each locus and several loci were considered highly informative for linkage analysis. Bovine IFN gene numbers (10 IFNA, 6 IFNB, 20 IFNW and 6 IFNT) were estimated from the number of polymorphic loci plus additional monomorphic hybridizing bands present in Eco RI and Hindlll digestions. Physical linkage of the Type I IFN gene families on bovine chromosome 8 was demonstrated by pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). Hybridization of two or more IFN probes to similarly sized PFGE fragments suggested the tentative gene family order: IFNA/IFNW-IFNT-IFNB. These studies provide a basis for the development of more detailed genetic and physical maps of the bovine Type I IFNs.     

Epidemiology of bluetongue in Central America and the Caribbean: initial entomological findings

Abstract. Forty-four species of Culicoides (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) were caught in insect light traps during the first 2 years of studies on the epidemiology of bluetongue virus in the Caribbean and Central America. Traps were operated near sentinel ruminants which were bled monthly for serologic evaluation and then virus isolation. More than 570,000 individuals were identified. Culicoides insignis Lutz accounted for 90% of the catch, C.filarifer Hoffman/C.ocumarensis Ortiz 5%, C.furens Poey 3% and C.pusillus Lutz 2%. Other species accounted for less than 1% of the total catch. Sentinel ruminants became seropositive when C.insignis populations were high at many study sites. At a few sites C.pusillus and C.filarifer I C.ocumarensis were predominant or were present in large numbers during seroconversions of sentinels. Virus isolations were obtained from sentinel ruminants during times when these same species were present in large populations.     

碎米荠超氧化物歧化酶基因家族成员的鉴定和分析

为了解碎米荠(Cardamine hirsuta)的SOD基因特征,对SOD家族成员的基因结构、染色体定位、系统进化关系进行了分析,对顺式作用元件和蛋白结构进行了预测,并利用qRT-PCR技术检测各家族成员的组织表达模式。结果表明,碎米荠基因组中共有10个SOD基因(ChSODs),包括6个Cu/Zn-SOD、3个Fe-SOD和1个Mn-SOD。编码的ChSODs蛋白有57~ 324个氨基酸,分子量为6 419.41~34 659.01 kDa,理论等电点为4.92~9.60;系统进化树分析表明,碎米荠的ChSOD与拟南芥的AtSOD的同源性较高;ChSODs在根、茎、叶中均有表达,且在叶中高表达,其中CARHR085500和CARHR256690在叶和茎中表达量较高;顺式作用元件预测表明,碎米荠SOD响应多种非生物胁迫,其中对ABA和低温胁迫较为敏感; ChSODs蛋白质的二级和三级结构具有差异性。这表明碎米荠SOD基因在抗氧化过程中发挥重要作用。     

Phenological shift along an elevational gradient and dispersal of pollen and seeds maintain a hybrid zone between two cherry tree species

Hybrid zones between species with staggered reproductive phenology sometimes occur along elevational gradients. The maintenance of such hybrid zones may depend on elevational shift in phenology and vertical dispersal of pollen and seeds. In a hybrid zone of Cerasus leveilleana (Cl) and C. sargentii (Cs), 111 adults, 372 embryos of 65 mothers, and 133 juveniles were sampled across elevations of 900–1,400 m in central Japan. Using the hybrid index estimated from nuclear microsatellites, the samples were assigned to Cl, Cs or their hybrid taxon. Cs was in higher elevations than Cl with an overlapping range, and their hybrids were in intermediary elevations. Flowering periods were earlier in Cs than in Cl with little overlap at the same elevation and were intermediate in their hybrids. Flowering periods were delayed in higher elevations and overlapped between Cl and Cs in different elevations. Fruiting periods were slightly earlier in Cs than in Cl but were largely overlapped. Effective pollinators and seed dispersers were common among the taxa. Changes in the hybrid index from mothers to their embryos were larger in hybrid mothers than in Cl or Cs mothers, indicating mating of hybrids with diverse taxa. In Cs, juveniles were more abundant in lower elevations than embryos, indicating downhill seed dispersal. Proportions of hybrids were 19% in embryos, 17% in juveniles and 12% in adults. The findings suggest that the hybrid zone is maintained by interspecific pollination between different elevations, backcrossing with hybrids at similar elevations, vertical seed dispersal and mild selection against hybrids.