Distribution and phenology of large branchiopods in Austria

In Austria, the distribution of Anostraca, Notostraca, and Conchostraca is mainly confined to the floodplains of the rivers Morava and Danube, and the shallow alkaline pans of the Seewinkel region in Burgenland province. Occasionally, large branchiopods can also be found in rain pools of the eastern and central Austrian lowlands, where topography and climate favour the existence of astatic water bodies. Differences in hydrology, temperature and water chemistry requirements may be reflected in local species compositions and species seasonal appearance. A survey conducted from 1994 through 1996 found that Chirocephalus shadini, Eubranchipusgrubii, and Lepidurus apus occurred in late winter and spring, while Branchinecta ferox, Branchinecta orientalis, Cyzicus tetracerus and Chirocephalus carnuntanus were found exclusively in spring. Streptocephalus torvicornis, Tanymastixstagnalis, and Eoleptestheria ticinensis were present in spring and summer. Branchipus schaefferi was found in summer and fall, whereas Imnadia yeyetta, Leptestheria dahalacensis, Limnadialenticularis, and Triops cancriformis occurred throughout spring, summer and fall. Streptocephalus torvicornis was documented for Austria for the first time since 1965. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Intra- and interspecific variation in the chitin content of some anostracans

Chitin was assayed in adults of nine anostracan species (Streptocephalus dichotomus, S. proboscideus, S. simplex, S. torvicornis, Thamnocephalus platyurus, Dendrocephalus brasiliensis, Chirocephalus diaphanus, Artemia salina and Branchipus schaefferi) using a highly specific enzymatic method. Cysts of A. salina, T. platyurus and larvae of A. salina and S. simplex were also analysed for their chitin content. The results demonstrated a weak interspecific variation in chitin content among the adults. On the whole, it ranged from 9 to 33 mg chitin (g dry mass)⁻¹. In most species, the chitin level was not significantly different between males and females. In contrast, chitin levels varied significantly between cysts, larvae and adults within species. Comparison of the chitin content of anostracans revealed a comparable or lower chitin level than other crustaceans. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

The status of Anostraca,Notostraca and Conchostraca (Crustacea: Branchiopoda) in Yugoslavia

The investigations of Anostraca, Notostraca and Conchostraca in Yugoslavia began after a great delay compared with other European countries. Intensive systematic investigations date back only to the 1970s.To date, 19 species have been recorded. All species, with the exception of Artemia salina, are faunal elements of the Pannonian region. Seven species, including Artemia salina, Branchinecta orientalis, Branchipus serbicus, Leptestheria dahalacensis, Limnadia lenticularis, Imnadia cristata and Imnadia panonica are known from single localities. Six species including Branchinecta ferox, Chirocephalus brevipalpis, Chirocephalus carnuntanus, Lepidurus apus, Eoleptestheria spinosa and Imnadia banatica have restricted distributions. Streptocephalus torvicornis and Cyzicus tetracerus are known from several localities, while Branchipus schaefferi, Chirocephalus diaphanus, Triops cancriformis and Leptestheria saetosaare common. Large branchiopods are mainly confined to anthropogenic landscapes, especially in the northern part of the country. Rare species inhabiting a single pond, or those with rather restricted distributions, are the most endangered and such species account for about 70% of the fauna. Limnadia lenticularis, Imnadia cristata and I. panonica have not been found for more than 20 years and they are probably extinct in Yugoslavia. Branchipus serbicus, Imnadia cristata and panonica have not been documented since being originally described. Eoleptestheria spinosa is currently the most endangered species since it only appears irregularly in small populations. At present, Branchinecta ferox, Chirocephalus carnuntanus and Imnadia banatica are the safest of the rare species as they regularly appear in large numbers. There are no large branchiopods on the List of protected animals in Yugoslavia. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Branchiopods (non-cladocerans) of the Maltese Islands (central Mediterranean)

Four branchiopod species occur on the Maltese Islands, viz. Branchipus schaefferi, B. visnyai, Cyzicus tetracerus and Triops cancriformis. All four live in freshwater pools, but it is noteworthy that, beside B. schaefferi, T. cancriformis was recorded from a mesohaline, coast-fringing habitat.     

Digestion of Added Homologous Algae by Chlorella-Bearing Paramecium bursaria

SYNOPSIS. Endosymbiotic algae from Paramecium bursaria when added to the culture medium are ingested by Chlorella -bearing P. bursaria at a rate of 2,000 algae/organism/day. That the ingested algae are digested and assimilated by the ciliates is suggested by the more rapid growth of Paramecium when algae are added to the medium ( G = 40 hr with algae compared to 190 hr without). The digestion by the ciliates of exogenous algae contrasts with the survival of these algae under normal growth conditions. It is suggested that the protection of the endogenous algae is related to their location in peripheral perialgal vacuoles.     

Phagosome-lysosome fusion inhibited by algal symbionts of Hydra viridis

Certain species of Chlorella live within the digestive cells of the fresh water cnidarian Hydra viridis. When introduced into the hydra gut, these symbiotic algae are phagocytized by digestive cells but avoid host digestion and persist at relatively constant numbers within host cells. In contrast, heat-killed symbionts are rapidly degraded after phagocytosis. Live symbionts appear to persist because host lysosomes fail to fuse with phagosomes containing live symbionts. Neither acid phosphatase nor ferritin was delivered via lysosomes into phagosomes containing live symbionts, whereas these lysosomal markers were found in 50% of the vacuoles containing heat-killed symbionts 1 h after phagocytosis. Treatment of symbiotic algae before phagocytosis with polycationic polypeptides abolishes algal persistence and perturbs the ability of these algae to control the release of photosynthate in vitro. Similarly, inhibition of photosynthesis and hence of the release of photosynthetic products as a result of prolonged darkness and 3-(3,4- dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethyl urea (DCMU) treatment also abolishes persistence. Symbiotic algae are not only protected from host digestive attack but are also selectively transported within host cells, moving from the apical site of phagocytosis to a basal position of permanent residence. This process too is disrupted by polycationic polypeptides, DCMU and darkness. Both algal persistence and transport may, therefore, be a function of the release of products from living, photosynthesizing symbionts. Vinblastine treatment of host animals blocked the movement of algae within host cells but did not perturb algal persistence: algal persistence and the transport of algae may be initiated by the same signal, but they are not interdependent processes.     

Long-distance transport in non-vascular plants

Many macroalgae have significant spatial differentiation involving higher rate resource use at a site than of acquisition of that resource from the environment at that site. Long‐distance symplasmic transport of solutes occurs in some large green algae where the solutes are moved in streaming cytoplasm. In some large brown algae there is evidence of long‐distance symplasmic transport of organic C and other solutes. Structural and physiological data suggest that while the transport in ‘sieve tubes’ of Macrocystis might be by a Munch pressure flow mechanism the transport in many other brown algae is less likely to be by this mechanism. Less is known of long‐distance symplasmic transport in red algae. In terrestrial bryophytes transpiration occurs and in some liverworts and many mosses (but not in hornworts) there are files of dead cells in their tissues which may, and in some cases certainly, function in long‐distance apoplasmic water transport. The hydraulic conductivity of these conduits is poorly characterized. Long‐distance symplasmic transport in some mosses have been characterized both structurally and physiologically, but in other mosses and in liverworts the evidence is only structural. Most of these symplasmic transport pathways seem to have a high resistance to flow.     

Biofuels, facts, fantasy, and feasibility

It is frequently claimed that green algae are intrinsically more productive, often by orders of magnitude, than higher plants commonly grown as crops for food. There is no firm evidence for this belief. On the contrary, there is much experience which shows that algae are not more but less productive. Under optimal conditions, all green organisms photosynthesize at the same rate in low light and, whilst commonly cultivated ‘sun’ species show some differences in rate in full light, these do not translate into widely different rates of accumulation of biomass. Accordingly, irrespective of crop, one acre of land, pond or bioreactor, can annually yield about enough biomass to fuel one motor vehicle or meet the calorific requirement of several people. This amount of biomass is not sufficient to make other than a very small contribution to our present road transport requirements and yet contributes significantly to global food shortages and rising prices. Reliable evidence also suggests that, if all of the inputs are taken into account, the net energy gain of liquid biofuels, derived either from algae or terrestrial crops, is either very modest or non-existent and will therefore bring about little or no sparing of carbon dioxide emissions.     

Estimation of oxygen evolution by marine phytoplankton from measurement of the efficiency of Photosystem II electron flow

The relation between photosynthetic oxygen evolution and Photosystem II electron transport was investigated for the marine algae t Phaeodactylum tricornutum, Dunaliella tertiolecta, Tetraselmis sp., t Isochrysis sp. and t Rhodomonas sp.. The rate of Photosystem II electron transport was estimated from the incident photon flux density and the quantum efficiency of Photosystem II electron transport as determined by chlorophyll fluorescence. The relation between the estimated rate of Photosystem II electron transport and the rate of oxygen evolution was investigated by varying the ambient light intensity. At limiting light intensities a linear relation was found in all species. At intensities approaching light saturation, the relation was found to deviate from linearity. The slope of the line in the light-limited range is species dependent and related to differences in absorption cross-section of Photosystem II. The observed non-linearity at high irradiances is not caused by photorespiration but probably by a Mehler-type of oxygen reduction. The relationship could be modelled by including a redox-state dependent oxygen uptake. In the diatom t Phaeodactylum tricornutum, the photochemical efficiency of dark adapted open Photosystem II centers was found to be temperature-dependent with an optimum near 10°C.     

Ingestion and digestion of epilithic algae by larval insects in a heavily grazed montane stream

1. Epilithic algae grown on elevated or non-elevated ceramic tiles were exposed (to produce assemblages with different grazing histories) in a heavily grazed, montane stream in New Mexico, U.S.A. to Ameletus nymphs (Ephemeroptera) and Ecclisomyia larvae (Trichoptera) and the algal composition in insect faeces was compared to that on the tiles. Differences in grazing and digestion efficiency between grazers were then assessed and also differences in susceptibility to ingestion and digestibility among common algae. 2. Ordination of tile and faecal samples, using the relative abundance of common algae, revealed that: (i) algal assemblages on elevated vs. non-elevated tiles differed only slightly; (ii) the taxonomic composition of algae in faeces of both caddis and mayflies differed substantially from that on the tiles, indicating low grazing efficiency for some algal taxa; and (iii) the algal composition of faeces produced by caddis larvae and mayflies was similar, indicating little difference in grazing efficiency between them. However, some algal taxa were more susceptible to ingestion by caddisfly larvae when occurring on elevated tiles than on non-elevated tiles, suggesting that previous exposure to caddis grazing influenced assemblage attributes. 3. Although Ameletus and Ecclisomyia differed little in grazing efficiency, the percentage of diatoms that were dead after passage through the gut was greatest in the mayfly treatment, suggesting that mayflies digested diatoms more efficiently than the caddis. Analyses of differences in the condition of chloroplasts within diatoms in tile and faecal samples showed that losses of ’live‘ diatom cells (i.e. those containing full chloroplasts) during gut passage through mayflies equalled the increase, in faeces, of ’dead‘ (empty frustules) cells of all common diatoms. In contrast, some diatoms were digested inefficiently by caddis larvae. 4. Algae on elevated tiles contained a higher proportion of dead diatoms than those on non-elevated tiles, possibly because mayflies visited raised tiles more often and, consequently, ingested and defaecated cells at a higher rate in the absence of caddis larvae. Moreover, diatom taxa differed in the percentage of cells that were dead within tile assemblages, with populations of typically grazer-resistant taxa (e.g. Achnanthidium minutissimum, Planothidium lanceolatum and Cocconeis placentula var. euglypta) containing significantly more dead cells than grazer-susceptible taxa [e.g. small, chain-forming Fragilaria (= Staurosirella)]. This result suggests that a trade-off exists between ingestion vs. digestion resistance of microalgae. Both the ingestion and digestion efficiency of algivorous macroinvertebrates could influence the structure and function of algal assemblages. In heavily grazed systems, where algal cells are probably processed through grazer guts repeatedly, differential resistance to digestion among algae may be particularly important.     

Endosymbiosis in Hydra and the Evolution of Internal Defense System

Certain species of Chlorella have exploited an intracellularhabitat and occur naturally as cytobionts in Hydra viridissima.The algae evoke phagocytosis by Hydra digestive cells and aresequestered in individual phagosomes that migrate to the baseof the host cells and resist fusion with lysosomes. The abilityto resist digestion is closely correlated with release of extracellularcarbohydrate (maltose) by the algae. The established populationof algae grows at an average rate equal to or greater than thatof the host and a constant population density is maintained.The host regulates algal population density by expelling ordigesting excess algae, or by controlling algal cell division.The control mechanism is unknown but can be breached by additionof inorganic ions to the Hydra culture medium with the resultthat the algae overgrow the Hydra. The Hydra-Chlorella symbiosis is probably mutually beneficial,but conditions such as prolonged darkness (with or without feeding)can reduce the competitive fitness of the host since this conditionresults in heterotrophy by the algae at the expense of selectedhost substrates. The evolution of selective permeability toorganic substrates is a major feature of the successful colonizationof the intracellular habitat by symbiotic Chlorella.     

温度变化对藻类光合电子传递与光合放氧关系的影响

由于直接测定藻类的光合速率耗时且不方便,研究者们常通过测定藻类光合电子传递速率的方式来间接反映其光合速率,理论上,以氧气产生来度量的总光合速率（PGross）与电子传递速率(ETR)之间应该存在很好的线性关系。然而,由于温度的变化会影响藻类的光呼吸等耗氧的生理过程从而影响光合作用中的氧气释放,因此温度可能会对PGross与ETR之间的线性关系产生影响。研究了温度变化对蛋白核小球藻（Cholorella pyrenoidosa）、菱形藻（Nitzschia sp.）和水生集胞藻（Synechocystis aquetilis Sauv.）的总光合放氧速率（PGross）与电子传递速率(ETR)之间比率的影响,结果表明PGross/ETR随温度的升高而降低,低温条件下PGross/ETR比值较高,说明在相同的电子传递速率的情况下水的光裂解产生的氧有更多的可以释放出来;在高温条件下PGross/ETR比值相对较低,说明高温条件下可能有相对更多的水光裂解产生的氧被用于耗氧的生理过程而没有释放出来。研究表明当温度发生变化时,光合放氧与电子传递之间并不呈线性关系,这说明将ETR作为实际光合生产的评价指标时要谨慎,不能不加分析地直接应用。     

Anaerobic Co-digestion of Swine Manure and Microalgae <Emphasis Type="Italic">Chlorella</Emphasis> sp.: Experimental Studies and Energy Analysis

Integration of algae production with livestock waste management has the potential to recover energy and nutrients from animal manure, while reducing discharges of organic matter, pathogens, and nutrients to the environment. In this study, microalgae Chlorella sp. were grown on centrate from anaerobically digested swine manure. The algae were harvested for mesophilic anaerobic digestion (AD) with swine manure for bioenergy production. Low biogas yields were observed in batch AD studies with algae alone, or when algae were co-digested with swine manure at ≥43 % algae (based on volatile solids [VS]). However, co-digestion of 6–16 % algae with swine manure produced similar biogas yields as digestion of swine manure alone. An average methane yield of 190 mL/g VS_fed was achieved in long-term semi-continuous co-digestion studies with 10?±?3 % algae with swine manure. Data from the experimental studies were used in an energy analysis assuming the process was scaled up to a concentrated animal feeding operation (CAFO) with 7000 pigs with integrated algae-based treatment of centrate and co-digestion of manure and the harvested algae. The average net energy production for the system was estimated at 1027 kWh per day. A mass balance indicated that 58 % of nitrogen (N) and 98 % of phosphorus (P) in the system were removed in the biosolids. A major advantage of the proposed process is the reduction in nutrient discharges compared with AD of swine waste without algae production.     

铁限制条件下东海原甲藻分泌铁载体

在铁限制条件下,进行东海原甲藻分泌铁载体的动态研究。对藻类在富铁与缺铁条件下生长状况、生长过程中分泌铁载体的情况以及海藻接种量对铁载体分泌的影响进行了连续观测,结果表明:东海原甲藻在缺铁条件下生长状况远不如在富铁条件下;随着藻类的生长,分泌铁载体不断增多,达指数生长期时,其分泌量也达到了最大值,之后藻类的生长和铁载体分泌都呈现下降趋势;高接种量东海原甲藻能分泌较多的铁载体,并在较短时间到达峰值。     

Observations on phagocytosis of Coccomyxa parasitica (Coccomyxaceae; Chlorococcales) in Placopecten magellanicus

Phagocytosis of Coccomyxa parasitica in Placopecten magellanicus is described. Host phagocytosis occurs throughout the infective process and can also be demonstrated experimentally using cultured algae. Agranular and granular leukocytes of various types are responsible, and the algae are highly resistant to digestion. The greatest concentration of algae occurs in the scallop's mantle region and appears to be related to the circulatory system. The indications are that C. parasitica might enter P. magellanicus via the normal feeding and digestion processes and that host phagocytosis contributes to the spread of the algal cells.     

The effects of nutrient,pH and herbicide levels on algal growth

Growth inhibition of algae increased as herbicide concentrations increased, particularly with prometryn and fluometuron. However, picloram had no effect on algal growth while dinoseb inhibited only Lyngbya. There were no differences in growth rate of algae treated with different levels of potassium or phosphorus. High levels of calcium or magnesium increased growth rate of the algae tested. High levels of nitrogen or pH increased growth rates except when combined with prometryn or fluometuron.     

The anostraca of the republic of Belarus

A survey of temporary freshwaters in the Republic of Belarus revealed the presence of two anostracan species (Chirocephalus josephinae and Drepanosurus hankoi). The two species co-occur in a majority of pools. Their life cycle partly overlaps, with D. hankoi the first to disappear. Morphological variability in Bielorussian populations is briefly discussed and compared with existing information. Two further species were found in Museum collections (Chirocephalus shadini and Streptocephalus torvicornis). This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Revival of the biological sunlight‐to‐biogas energy conversion system

In the quest for renewable resources, algae are increasingly receiving attention. Their high growth rate, high CO₂ fixation and their lack of requirement for fertile soil surface represent several advantages as compared to conventional (energy) crops. Through their ability to store large amounts of oils, they qualify as a source for biodiesel. Algal biomass, however, can also be used as such, namely as a substrate for anaerobic digestion. In the present research, we investigated the use of algae for energy generation in a stand‐alone, closed‐loop system. The system encompasses an algal growth unit for biomass production, an anaerobic digestion unit to convert the biomass to biogas and a microbial fuel cell to polish the effluent of the digester. Nutrients set free during digestion can accordingly be returned to the algal growth unit for a sustained algal growth. Hence, a system is presented that continuously transforms solar energy into energy‐rich biogas and electricity. Algal productivities of 24–30 ton VS ha^?1 year^?1 were reached, while 0.5 N m³ biogas could be produced kg^?1 algal VS. The system described resulted in a power plant with a potential capacity of about 9 kW ha^?1 of solar algal panel, with prospects of 23 kW ha^?1. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2009;103: 296–304. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Evolution of Protein Targeting into “Complex” Plastids: The “Secretory Transport Hypothesis”

Abstract: In algae different types of plastids are known, which vary in pigment content and ultrastructure, providing an opportunity to study their evolutionary origin. One interesting feature is the number of envelope membranes surrounding the plastids. Red algae, green algae and glaucophytes have plastids with two membranes. They are thought to originate from a primary endocytobiosis event, a process in which a prokaryotic cyanobacterium was engulfed by a eukaryotic host cell and transformed into a plastid. Several other algal groups, like euglenophytes and heterokont algae (diatoms, brown algae, etc.), have plastids with three or four surrounding membranes, respectively, probably reflecting the evolution of these organisms by so‐called secondary endocytobiosis, which is the uptake of a eukaryotic alga by a eukaryotic host cell. A prerequisite for the successful establishment of primary or secondary endocytobiosis must be the development of suitable protein targeting machineries to allow the transport of nucleus‐encoded plastid proteins across the various plastid envelope membranes. Here, we discuss the possible evolution of such protein transport systems. We propose that the secretory system of the respective host cell might have been the essential tool to establish protein transport into primary as well as into secondary plastids.