Rhizosphere strain of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pseudomonas chlororaphis</Emphasis> capable of degrading naphthalene in the presence of cobalt/nickel

Combination of genetic systems of degradation of polyaromatic hydrocarbons, resistance to heavy metals, and promotion of plant growth/protection is one of the approaches to the creation of polyfunctional strains for phytoremediation of soils after co-contamination with organic pollutants and heavy metals. A plant-growth-promoting rhizosphere strain Pseudomonas chlororaphis PCL1391 (pBS216^*, pBS501) has been obtained, in which the nah operon of plasmid pBS216 provides naphthalene biodegradation and the cnr-like operon of plasmid pBS501 provides resistance to cobalt and nickel due to the extrusion of heavy metal cations from the cells. In the presence of 100 μM of nickel, the viability, growth rate, and naphthalene biodegradation efficiency of the resistant strain PCL1391 (pBS216^*, pBS501) were much higher as compared with the sensitive PCL1391 (pBS216). During the growth of the resistant strain, in contrast to the sensitive strain, nickel (100 μM) had no inhibiting effect on the activity of the key enzymes of naphthalene biodegradation. Original Russian Text ? T.V. Siunova, T.O. Anokhina, A.V. Mashukova, V.V. Kochetkov, A.M. Boronin, 2007, published in Mikrobiologiya, 2007, Vol. 76, No. 2, pp. 212–218.     

苏北海滨湿地互花米草种子特征及实生苗生长

摘　要　在江苏盐城新洋港滩涂由海向陆建立样地：零星互花米草(Spartina alterniflora)斑块(SAP)?稳定互花米草滩下边缘(SAFI)?2003年互花米草定居处(SAF03)?1989年互花米草定居处(SAF89),对互花米草的种子特征及幼苗生长进行了研究。结果表明：(1) 各样地种子产量有极显著差异(p< 0.01),大小顺序为SAP > SAF03 > SAFI > SAF89,种子产量与植株结实率、穗长、单穗种子数成正比。(2) 4月份SAP、SAFI、SAF03和SAF89互花米草短暂土壤种子库分别为673.7 /m2、2328.7 /m2、5948.8 /m2和3990.4 /m2,种子保存率分别为0.5%、3.9%、6.9%和15.8%,且在各样地差异极显著(p< 0.01)。(3) 7月份SAP、SAFI、SAF03和SAF89实生苗数分别为72 /m2、5 /m2、0和0。SAP与SAFI种子萌发率显著高于SAF03与SAF89(p< 0.01)。(4)表层土壤水分含量和种群内部光照衰减是影响实生苗生长的关键因素。在表层土壤水分含量高和低光照衰减的生境中种子繁殖对互花米草种群延续和扩张贡献较大。     

Initiation of gametophytic callus and somatic embryogenesis in Laminaria japonica (Phaeophyta) exposed to mutagenic agents

Zoospores of Laminaria at the stage of zoospore germination fixed to glass slides were irradiated by γ-rays in doses of 50, 100, or 250 Gy; or treated with colchicine at a concentration of 4 × 10^?5% for 5 days. The cultivation was conducted in vessels with seawater at a temperature of 12°N and illumination of 4000 lux for one month. Once a day, from day 22 to day 30, the temperature was reduced to 0°N for 12 h. As a result, in experimental samples gametophytes appeared that did not form gametangia; these appeared by the third day of cultivation, as plaques up to 2 cm in diameter (1–2 plaques per slide). In the same culture we found structures (1–2 per slide) consisting of strictly radially arranged rows of somatic cells attached to the slides. Later, these disks transformed into cones up to 0.5 cm in diameter. We recorded the development of a single-layered sporophyte of Laminaria arising from the center of such a cone.     

Factors affecting pathogenicity of NPV preparations to the corn earworm,Heliothis armigera

Pathogenicity ofHeliothis nuclear polyhedrosis virus (HSNPV) to the corn earworm,Heliothis armigera, was studied using 3 different inoculative methods. The LD50 values of 4^th-instar larvae inoculated with corn-fed, diet-fed and inoculum-imbiding method were 1.85×10⁶, 2.55×10⁵ and 1,22×10³ PIBs/larva, respectively. The inoculum-imbiding is more sensitive and convenient for inoculatingH. armigera with HSNPV. The HSNPV product, Elcar^®, was highly pathogenic toH. armigera, the LD50 values of 2^nd-, 3^rd- and 4^th-instar larvae being 27, 83 and 1,221 PIBs/larva, respectively, as measured by the inoculum-imbiding method. The mortality of 4^th-instar larvae caused by HSNPV was increased, but the incubation period was shortened with higher incubation temperatures. However, the high temperature at 35°C caused a lower mortality, and a prolongation of the median lethal time (LT50). Stability and persistence of HSNPV preparations were better in January–February and April–May than in June–July and October–November periods when sprayed on corn silks under field conditions. The HSNPV was inactivated by weak alkaline dew (pH 8.1) collected from soybean leaves, but it remained active on those from corn, tomato and asparagus with pH 7.2–7.3. The artificial heavy rainfall of 242 mm/h for 30 min did not wash off HSNPV preparations sprayed on the corn silks.     

Phytoplankton seasonal variation in a shallow stratified eutrophic reservoir (Garças Pond, Brazil)

This study aimed at describing the phytoplankton dynamics and structure in a shallow eutrophic reservoir, the Garças Pond, located in the Parque Estadual das Fontes do Ipiranga (23°38′40.6′′ S, 46°37′28.0′′ W), in the Municipality of São Paulo, southeast Brazil. Samples were collected monthly from January to December 1997 in five depths (subsurface, 1 m, 2 m, 3 m, and 20 cm above the bottom) in the pelagic zone (Z _max = 4.7 m). Abiotic variables studied were: water temperature, turbidity, transparency, conductivity, pH, dissolved oxygen, alkalinity, inorganic carbon, and N and P dissolved and total forms. Altogether 236 phytoplankton taxa distributed among 10 classes were identified. Phytoplankton seasonal and vertical variation was related to shifts in the water chemical features as a consequence of a warm-wet season with stratified water column (phase 1, January–March and September–December) alternating with a cool-dry season with mixed water column (phase 2, April–August). There were shifts in cyanobacterial dominance over the entire year. During phase 1, Raphidiopsis/Cylindrospermopsis was one of the most important taxon. During phase 2, Raphidiopsis/Cylindrospermopsis biomass decreased, whereas richness and diversity increased and diatoms were relatively abundant. In September, when the water column was markedly stratified, a cyanobacterial bloom (Sphaerocavum brasiliense) occurred. Changes in water chemical variables caused by the bloom allowed recognition of a phase 3, in which pH and chlorophyll a, TP and CO₃ ^2? concentration reached their highest values. According to Reynolds and collaborators’ functional groups approach, phase 1 was marked by groups S/W1/W2/H1/Y, phase 2 by groups K/L _M /L _O /D/P/X1/F, and phase 3 by group M. This sequence was corroborated by canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) results.     

Soil Organic Carbon is Increased in Mixed-Species Plantations of Eucalyptus and Nitrogen-Fixing Acacia

Soil organic carbon (soil C) sequestration in forests is often higher under nitrogen (N₂)-fixing than under non-N₂-fixing tree species. Here, we examined whether soil C could be increased using mixed-species plantations compared to monocultures, which are less productive aboveground than mixtures. In addition, we compared soil C sequestration under N₂-fixing trees with non-N₂-fixing trees that received N fertilizer. Monocultures of Eucalyptus globulus (E) and the N₂-fixing Acacia mearnsii (A) and mixtures of these species were planted in a replacement series: 100%E, 75%E + 25%A, 50%E + 50%A, 25%E + 75%A and 100%A. Soil samples were also collected from fertilized monoculture treatments (100%EFer) of E. globulus (250 kg N ha^?1). Total organic C, N and phosphorus were determined at age 8 years at two soil depths (0–10 cm and 10–30 cm) and three density fractions of soil organic matter (SOM) were quantified for 0–5 cm depth. Soil C was highest in the 50%E + 50%A mixed stand and was highly correlated with aboveground biomass, not to the percentage of A. mearnsii in mixtures. This was largely due to soil C at 10–30 cm because there were no treatment effects on soil C at 0–10 cm. All density fractions of SOM at 0–5 cm increased with the percentage of A. mearnsii. In E. globulus monocultures, N fertilization did not increase soil C when compared with unfertilized stands. These results indicate that the inclusion of N₂-fixing trees into eucalypt plantations may increase soil C stocks through increased productivity.     

Hexamermis glossinae [Nematoda: Mermithidae] parasitizing tsetse [Diptera: Glossinidae] in Kenya

Glossina pallidipes Austen,G. brevipalpis Newstead andG. austeni Newstead were collected from 5 sites along the south Kenyan coast over a 2 year period. They were dissected and examined for nematodes. Three of the sites yielded tsetse parasitized by juvenile mermithids identified asHexamermis glossinae Poinar et al. Glossina pallidipes andG. brevipalpis are new host records for this parasite, whileG. austeni was captured infrequently and only at a site that failed to yield other parasitized tsetse. Parasite prevalence was low (0.16–0.61 %) and did not differ between male and female hosts. More tsetse than expected by chance harboured nematodes during the long rains season (April–August) than during the short rains (September–November) or dry season (December–March). Early juvenile stages (0.5–2.5 mm long) were recovered mainly from tsetse less than 50 days old, while late juvenile stages (35–85 mm long) were only found in flies older than 30 days. Late stages occurred singly while early ones usually occurred as two or more per host.     

Occurrence of the tuna nematode <Emphasis Type="Italic">Hysterothylacium cornutum</Emphasis> (Stossich, 1904) in farmed Atlantic cod <Emphasis Type="Italic">Gadus morhua</Emphasis> L. in North Norway

Adult and fourth-stage larval nematodes found in the stomachs of farmed cod in North Norway in October 2006 were identified as Hysterothylacium cornutum (Stossich, 1904), a nematode considered to be specific at the adult stage to tunas of the genus Thunnus. As far as we are aware, this is the first report of an adult form of this nematode from any host other than members of the genus Thunnus, and is also the first report from a polar region. The two infected cod, one with one large adult worm and another with six larvae, were in a sample of 17 that had been captured from the wild about 1 year before sampling and held in floating sea cages in Øksfjord, Finnmark County, North Norway, where the examinations took place. No further infections were found in any other samples of wild and farmed cod, totalling 261 fish, examined by us during the period 2006 and 2007 from five locations distributed along the coast of Norway from Øksfjord in the north to Ålesund in the south. Possible sources of this unusual infection are discussed, but no firm conclusion could be reached.     

Characterization and Detection of Endolysin Gene from Three Acinetobacter baumannii Bacteriophages Isolated from Sewage Water

Acinetobacter baumannii is an opportunistic pathogen that exists in hospital environments. The emergence of multidrug resistant A. baumannii (MDRAB) has been reported worldwide. It is necessary to find a novel and effective treatment for MDRAB infection. In this study, three bacteriophages, designated as ØABP-01, ØABP-02 and ØABP-04 were selected for analysis. Transmission electron microscopy showed that bacteriophage ØABP-01 belonged to the Podoviridae family and bacteriophage ØABP-02 and ØABP-04 are classified into the family Myoviridae. ØABP-01 had the widest host range. ØABP-01, ØABP-02 and ØABP-04 exhibited a latent period of 15, 20 and 20 min. The burst sizes of the three bacteriophages were 110, 120 and 150 PFU/cell. DNA restriction analysis using EcoRI, HindIII, PstI, SphI, BamHI and SmaI showed different DNA fragment patterns between the three bacteriophages. ØABP-01 and ØABP-04 was positive for the endolysin gene as determined by PCR. In conclusion, bacteriophage ØABP-01 showed broad host-specificity, good lytic activity and a short latency period, making it an appropriate candidate for studying the control and diagnosis associated with MDRAB infections.     

Estimation of dispersal ability responding to environmental conditions: larval dispersal of the flightless firefly,Luciola parvula (Coleoptera: Lampyridae)

We provided an extensional method for diffusion equation models so far presented to cover cases where diffusion coefficients temporally change. We applied this method to data sampled from mark recapture surveys to estimate the natural mean dispersal distance and diffusion coefficients of terrestrial firefly larvae, Luciola parvula Kiesenwetter (Coleoptera: Lampyridae: Luciolinae). The surveys were conducted twice (December 2009 and March–April 2010) on a Cryptomeria plantation where 100 traps were placed in a lattice pattern at 30 cm intervals (10 × 10). Marked larvae were released at the center of the lattice, and the number of recaptures was recorded. Larval dispersal became remarkably active on the first night with rainfall as well as on the following day. The estimated natural mean dispersal distances (±SE) were 100.7 (±18.4) cm (December) and 245.4 (±700.0) cm (March–April). The diffusion coefficients just after rainfall were estimated to increase by 14.2 (±6.1) times (December) and 106.0 (±55.9) times (March–April) (±SE). Larvae were expected to disperse no further from where their eggs were laid. Most of their dispersing activity took place just after rainfall. Our extensional method was able to effectively illustrate that larval dispersal was affected by rainfall. This method can be usefully applied to any other species that disperses according to environmental conditions.     

柠条细根的空间分布特征及其季节动态

以晋西北黄土区30年生柠条(Caragana korshinskii Kom.)人工林为研究对象,2007年应用Minirhizotron技术,分别在距茎干水平距离0、50、100 cm处设点,对林地0-100 cm土层深度范围内的柠条细根空间分布及其生长季的动态进行了研究。结果表明:(1)生长季柠条细根根长密度(RLD)总平均值为1.3423 mm/cm²。在水平方向上,距茎干水平距离50 cm处分布最多(1.5369 mm/cm²),其次为0 cm处(1.3855 mm/cm²), 100cm处分布最少(1.1044 mm/cm²)。在垂直深度上,各土层RLD平均值大小顺序为40-60 cm>60-80 cm>20-40 cm>0-20 cm>80-100 cm;(2)在0-100 cm土层范围内,月平均RLD在生长季的波动范围为0.4405 2.1040 mm/cm²,其中9月份最多,4月份最少;RLD在5个土层深度3个水平距离处随季节变化均表现先增加后减少的趋势,且不同空间位置RLD峰值变化均在秋季(8 10月份)波动。细根的这种时空分布差异,可能主要受林下土壤资源空间异质性及其季节性变化的影响,但也不排除其它因素的影响(如真菌,植食性昆虫)。     

Hyporheic biofilms — a potential food source for interstitial animals

Glass-beads (diam. = 250 μm) were buried 10 cm deep in the sediment of a stream. After an exposure of eight weeks, bacterial densities on the beads varied between 2.7 × 10⁵ and 2.4 × 10⁷/cm², and the length of the fungal mycelium between 0.2 and 5.3 mm/cm². Bacterial densities did not show any correlation with the DOC content of the water, but were positively correlated with respiration on the beads. Fungal mycelium was negatively correlated with water temperature. Acid hydrolysis of stream-exposed beads released sugars and amino acids, whose combined carbon content exceeded that of the microbial cells by a factor of at least 4. Gut extracts of Gammarus tigrinus and Tipula caloptera released amino acids and sugars from stream-exposed beads.     

Reproductive biology of albacore Thunnus alalunga

Reproductive variables in albacore Thunnus alalunga were evaluated by gonad histology in samples of 132 males (58–118 cm fork length, L_F) and 112 females (59–101 cm L_F) that were collected from the western North Pacific Ocean from 2001 to 2006. In the sex ratio examination, males greatly outnumbered females in large adult fish (L_F > 100 cm). Thunnus alalunga exhibited a protracted spawning period from March to September in the waters off eastern Taiwan and the Philippines, and the peak spawning activity occurred in March and April. Minimum sizes associated with the classification of mature fish were 78 and 83 cm L_F for males and females, respectively. In addition, the largest L_F of immature fish were 93 cm for males and 94 cm for females. The spawning frequency estimate in April was 1·7 days. Batch‐fecundity estimates of 21 females (89–99 cm L_F) ranged between 0·17 and 1·66 million eggs (mean ±s.d . = 0·94 ± 0·43). The relative fecundity estimates of the 21 females ranged between 9·2 and 92·4 oocytes g^?1 body mass (mean ±s.d . = 50·5 ± 22·8). The results presented in this study provide increased information regarding this species' reproductive‐related characteristics than are currently available in stock status determinations.     

Density dynamics of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Notholca squamula salina</Emphasis> Focke (Rotifera) in Lake Wujka,a freshwater Antarctic lake

The Antarctic Lake Wujka (62°09′28.3″S, 58°27′56.3″W), a shallow water body (Z _m  = 1.38 m), situated at c.15 m from the seashore was sampled at two points (Sp 1 and Sp 2) at 3-day intervals from December 2003 to June 2004. The two sampling points differing in location and depth: Sp 1 (Z _m  = 0.50 m) was the shallowest site, located near the lake outlet, while Sp 2 (Z _m  = 1.38 m) was the deepest spot of the lake. The population density of Notholca squamula salina peaked in June (at 114 ind. l^?1) at Sp 1, while at Sp 2 peaked in January (80 ind. l^?1) and May (150 ind. l^?1). Spearman non-parametric correlations with temperature, salinity, total dissolved solids, conductivity and pH revealed effects that characterize N. squamula salina as a species capable of surviving in a range of aquatic environments, but with a preference for high salinity, food and low temperature. It occurred in highest numbers when the diatom Achnanthes lanceolata var. rostrata (Øestrup) Hust., normally a benthic species, was stirred up into the water during storms that also raised the lake’s salinity to above 20 psu.     

New Karyotypes and Some Considerations about the Chromosomal Diversification of Ctenomys minutus (Rodentia: Ctenomyidae) on the Coastal Plain of the Brazilian State of Rio Grande do Sul

The dominant mammals occupying the subterranean niche in South America are rodents of the genus Ctenomys, which form a large group of 56 species with chromosome numbers ranging from 2n= 10 to 70. In southern Brazil, Ctenomys minutus is the species with the widest geographic distribution, inhabiting sandy fields and dunes extending from Jaguaruna beach in the state of Santa Catarina to the town of São José do Norte in the state of Rio Grande do Sul. Eleven karyotypes (2n= 42; 2n= 46a; 2n= 46b; 2n= 47a; 2n= 47b; 2n= 48a; 2n= 48b; 2n= 49a; 2n= 49b; 2n= 50a and 2n= 50b) were described for this species and zones of hybridization are also known. A sample of 51 C. minutus specimens was collected from five sampling sites about 20 km apart along the coastal plain of Rio Grande do Sul between the municipalities of Tavares (31°23′S 51°09′W) and São José do Norte (31°52′S 51°54′W). We were able to extend the known geographic distribution of C. minutus by 90 km, from Tavares southwards to São José do Norte. During our study we found five karyotypes (2n= 46b, 47b, 48b, 49b and 50b), four of which (2n= 47b, 48b, 49b and 50b) have not previously been described for this species.     

Parasites ofEctomyelois ceratoniae with biological studies onApanteles sp.Group ultor in Iraq

Apanteles sp.group ultor [Hym.: Braconidae] is the dominant and most widely distributed parasite ofEctomyelois ceratoniae (Zeller). The parasitization percent was increased from 10 % during April to 35 % at the end of the pomegranate fruiting season at October. Female parasite preferred to infest the host larvae at the age of, 2–3 days than 7 day old. The average number of host larvae parasitized by single female parasite was 58 under the rearing conditions of 27±2 °C., 55±10% RH and photoperiod of 16 h light per day. Parasites other thanA. spgroup ultor were:Bracon hebetor Say.,Ascogaster sp., andPhanerotoma sp. [Braconidae];Nemeritis canescens Grav. [Ichneumonidae];Brachymeria sp., andB. aegyptiaca Masi [Chalcididae]; and the secondary parasitePerilampus tristis Mayr [Perilampidae].     

柠条人工林幼林与成林细根动态比较研究

以晋西北黄土高原区柠条(Caragana korshinskii)人工林幼林和成林为研究对象,应用微根管技术(Minirhizotron technique)对林地0-100 cm土壤剖面的柠条细根生长动态进行了观测.以2007年生长季(4-9月)观测数据为基础,对两林地的柠条细根生长速率(G,mm cm-3 d-1)和细根死亡速率(M,mm cm-3 d-1)的时空变化格局及其与气温、降水、土壤温度和土壤水分等环境因子的关系进行了研究.结果表明,在年生长季,幼林的G(0.1264 mm cm-3 d-1)和M(0.0354 mm cm-3 d-1)均高于成林(分别为0.0914 mm cm-3 d-1和0.0220 mm cm-3 d-1).在垂直分布上,幼林G出现最大值的土层深度(70-80 cm)较成林(50-60 cm)为深.两林地的G和M具有相似的季节变化特点,即G在4月到7月之间缓慢增大,8月迅速达到峰值,之后迅速减小;M自4月至9月M呈持续增高趋势.配对数据t检验结果显示,幼林与成林的C没有显著差异(P＞0.05),而幼林的M显著高于成林(P＜0.05).Pearson相关系数表明,幼林和成林G的垂直分布与土壤温度和土壤水分的垂直变化没有显著相关性;但是幼林和成林M的垂直分布与土壤温度的相关性显著(幼林地P＜0.01;成林地P＜0.05).在年生长季,幼林G与气温和土壤温度具有显著正相关性(与气温的P＜0.01;与土壤温度的P＜0.05);而成林G与各环境因子的相关性则均不显著(P＞0.05).两林地的M与各环境因子的相关性均不显著(P＞0.05).     

Environmental factors controlling seed germination and seedling recruitment of Stipa bungeana on the Loess Plateau of northwestern China

Germination studies are important for collecting information on field seedling recruitment, plant conservation and restoration. This study investigated the role of light, temperature, nitrogen, water stress and burial depth in controlling germination of Stipa bungeana seeds. S. bungeana seeds are photo-inhibited; light significantly decreased seed germination regardless of temperature and water conditions. Seeds germinated at 10–30° C, and the highest germination was 72 % and 88 % at 20° C in light and dark, respectively. Thermal model analysis showed that presence of light significantly increased average thermal requirement [θ _T (50)] from 105°Cd to 186°Cd at sub-optimal temperature, implying that light delays seed germination. Hydrotime model analysis showed that presence of light caused a shift in the median base water potential [Ψ _b(50)] from ?0.68 to ?0.26 MPa, which partly explains why light decreased both percentage and speed of germination, even at optimal conditions. As burial depth increased, seedling emergence initially increased and then decreased; the highest seedling emergence recruitment was 43 %, for seeds buried at a depth of 1 cm. Field observations showed that seedling emergence occurred primarily from July to September, and scarcely occurred from April to June. These results suggest that the light inhibitory effect is an adaptive mechanism that prevents S. bungeana seeds from germinating on the soil surface. To attain highest seedling establishment, seeds of S. bungeana should be sown at a soil depth of 1 cm prior to the rainy season, using seeds stored for 1 year.