The interactive effects of temperature and silicon limitation on the psychrophilic ice diatomPseudonitszchia seriata

Pseudonitzschia seriata, isolated from sea ice in the Canadian Arctic, was grown in silicon-limited batch and semi-continuous culture to determine the effects of temperature on its nutrient utilization. Resource-saturated growth rate (μ_max) increased significantly with temperature from -1.5 to 6°C with a Q₁₀ of 1.63. The efficiency of the algae in using exogenous silicic acid for growth had no significant monotonic relationship with temperature but was significantly (P<0.05) greater in cultures at >0°C than in those at lower temperatures. Silicic acid uptake kinetics did not differ between high and low temperatures. Silicon cell quotas were significantly higher at temperatures <0°C, indicating greater silicon demand at low temperatures.P. seriata should not suffer silicon limitation in its natural ice habitat based on the observed kinetics, but its behaviour provides some support for the suggestion that temperatures <0°C are associated with diminished efficiency of nutrient utilization by cold ocean microalgae.     

Evidence for an enhanced substrate requirement by marine mesophilic bacterial isolates at minimal growth temperatures

Bacterial isolates from the subtropical southeastern continental shelf were cultured in a matrix of temperature and substrate concentrations encompassing a range of temperature and substrate concentrations equal to and exceeding natural ones. At the annual minimum temperature, marine heterotrophic bacterial isolates required higher concentrations of dissolved substrates for active growth than are usually found in seawater. We show this to result from a nonlinear interaction of the combined effects of temperature and substrate concentration on bacterial growth and respiratory rate. As a result, bacterial and protozoan utilization of phytoplankton production during winter and early spring is low, permitting greater energy flow to zooplankton and benthic animals, while in late spring, summer, and fall, the microbial loop dominates energy flux and organic carbon utilization. Escherichia coli shows a similar nonlinear response to temperature at minimal substrate concentrations, albeit at a higher range of concentrations than were utilized by the marine isolates. Thus, bacteria from subtropical regions are shown to have a differential growth response near the minimum temperature for growth, depending on the concentration of available substrates. Offprint requests to: W.J. Wiebe.     

Regulation of the β-ketoadipate pathway in Rhizobium japonicum and bacteroids by succinate

Rhizobium japonicum 61-A-101 and its bacteroids catabolize phenol and p-hydroxybenzoate. With phenol as a carbon source, utilization started only after a prolonged lag phase while p-hydroxybenzoate was almost instantancously metabolized. Succinate, which supports rapid growth of Rhizobium japonicum, completely repressed respication of phenol; the oxidation of p-hydroxybenzoate was partially inhibited. Pyruvate, supporting slower growth than succinate, retarded the onset of phenol consumption but did not affect its maximum rate.Catabolite repression of phenol utilization by succinate appears to be a characteristic feature of rhizobia. In Pseudomonas putida which also actively metabolizes phenol, succinate had no effect on phenol utilization.     

Intracellular polysaccharide of an anaerobic psychrophile <Emphasis Type="Italic">Clostridium algoriphilum</Emphasis>

Polysaccharide was revealed in the cytoplasm of spore-forming Clostridium algoriphilum 14D1 = VKM B-2271 = DSM 16153 grown on glucose at 5°C. This polymer was isolated, purified, and identified as a glycogen-like compound based on analysis of its hydrolysis products. The ratio of the polysaccharide to the dry biomass weight did not change in the course of culture growth. Limitation of C. algoriphilum 14D1 growth by nitrogen resulted in a doubling of the polysaccharide/dry biomass ratio. The transition of C. algoriphilum 14D1 cells from optimal conditions into carbon-free medium resulted in utilization of intracellular polysaccharide. The amount of polysaccharide was shown to depend on glucose concentration, type of the carbon substrate, and growth temperature. Future investigations of polysaccharide functions in C. algoriphilum 14D1 cells are discussed.     

The impact of short-term fluctuations of temperature on the production indices of aquatic animals: <Emphasis Type="Italic">Oreochromis niloticus</Emphasis> (L.) and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pistia stratiotes</Emphasis> (L.)

Short-term small periodic fluctuations of temperature within the range of ecological valence are favorable for Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus L. and water lettuce Pistia stratiotes L. At alternate thermal regimes, the specific growth rate is higher, production and energetic indices are better, the efficiency of food utilization for growth is higher, and the expense of oxygen on gaining the mass unit of a fish body is lower when compared to the optimal for constant thermal regimes of growth. During temperature fluctuations, the mineralization rate of dissolved and suspended organic matter increases.     

ASSESSMENT OF TEMPERATURE AND NUTRIENT LIMITATION ON SEASONAL DYNAMICS AMONG SPECIES OF SARGASSUM FROM A CORAL REEF IN SOUTHERN TAIWAN1

The effects of temperature and nutrient availability on seasonal abundance were compared among Sargassum berberifolium J. Ag., S. polycystum C. Ag., S. siliquosum J. Ag., and S. sandei from a reef in southern Taiwan. Growth temperature limits and optimum were variable between species and between developmental stages. Growth temperature ranges agree with Sargassum periodicity except S. sandei. Sargassum siliquosum can tolerate high temperature as indicated by higher optimum temperature and tolerance limits. Temporal changes in tissue nutrient content and alkaline phosphatase activity and the results from nutrient enrichment bioassay show that S. sandei, S. berberifolium, and S. polycystum are P limited in the early growth period and then N limited, whereas S. siliquosum showed a contrasting trend, reflecting the type of nutrient limitation is variable by time and between species. A smaller nutrient threshold for maximum growth in S. berberifolium, S. polycystum, and S. siliquosum than in S. sandei and higher growth rate in S. berberifolium and S. polycystum indicate the higher growth vigor and nutrient utilization efficiency, the higher abundance. High N reserves in S. berberifolium and S. polycystum exposed to elevated seawater N in the early growth period supported the subsequent growth. The multiple regression analysis indicates that percent cover of S. siliquosum increased with increasing water temperature and dissolved inorganic nitrogen concentrations, whereas that of S. polycystum decreased with increasing water temperature. In conclusion, seasonal dynamics of Sargassum spp. from southern Taiwan are attributable to species and temporal variations in temperature limitation and nutrient utilization strategy.     

Growth versus molting time of caterpillars as a function of temperature,nutrient concentration and the phenolic rutin

Summary A factorial experiment tested the effects of varying nutrient concentration (normal versus diluted), presence or absence of the phenolic allelochemical rutin and daytime temperature (20, 25 and 30° C) on growth, molting and food utilization efficiencies of tobacco hornworms (Manduca sexta). Two of the utilization efficiencies (approximate digestibility and efficiency of conversion of ingested food) were unaffected by temperature; the third one, efficiency of conversion of digested food, was affected by temperature but there was no consistent effect. Lower temperatures significantly increased the proportion of the stadium spent molting, with larvae at a daytime temperature of 20° C spending 9% more of the stadium in molting than larvae at 30° C. Growth time was not influenced by nutrient concentration. When temperature was low and rutin absent, molt time and the proportion of the stadium spent molting were affected by nutrient concentration. Addition of the phenolic rutin did not have an appreciable effect on growth time or digestive processes. However, it increased molting time by 7 to 14% and thus increased the duration of the stadium and reduced relative growth rate. These results indicate that the effect of food quality on growth rate is a function of the thermal conditions of insect herbivores. At cooler temperatures, a disproportionate increase in time spent molting, rather than altered food utilization efficiencies, contributed to lower growth rates. The consequences for larval growth of fluctuating temperatures due to diurnal cycles and the presence of predators forcing larvae into thermally suboptimal microhabitats are discussed.     

Mechanism of the plant community succession process in the Zhenjiang Waterfront Wetland

In this study, replacement of dominant populations (Phragmites australis and Phalaris arundinacea) in the plant community succession process in the Zhenjiang Waterfront Wetland was approached from three aspects: growth, photosynthesis, and specific competitive characteristics. The productivity of Phragmites, based on intrinsic rate of increase and environmental carrying capacity of the several chosen growth indices (plant length, sheath height, and biomass), was significantly higher than that of Phalaris. Phragmites had a higher photosynthetic rate than Phalaris. However, Phalaris had a markedly lower light compensation point, which suggested that it was capable of better utilization of weak light. This possibly might account for its survival beneath Phragmites. At three different coverage gradients, the relative yield total was greater than 1, indicating a certain degree of complementary resource utilization via niche separation between both species. Significant differences in the competition ratio of both species indicated a superiority of Phragmites over Phalaris in terms of competitive capability. Thus, the Phragmites population tended to exclude the Phalaris population and became the mono-dominant population in the community succession process. For Phalaris, traits such as its better utilization of weak light, its complementary resource utilization, and a partial separation of growth period compared to Phragmites prevented complete replacement of its population to some degree. In this particular study area in the Zhenjiang Waterfront Wetland, the hydrological conditions of the river beach determined by its elevation possibly acted as the dominant regulator of the plant succession process.     

Growth Rates of Marine Phytoplankton: Correlation with Light Absorption by Cell Chlorophyll a

To better predict plant production in the sea, it would be desirable to be able to calculate, from easily obtainable measurements at one sampling, the growth rate of the prevailing stock of phytoplankton. To this end growth rates, pigment composition, cell volume and cell surface area data were collected for several species of marine phytoplankton in logarithmic growth at 20–21°C and 0.07 cal/cm². min light intensity. Similar data for one species, Dunaliella tertiolecta, are given for several combinations of light intensity and temperature, and for another species, Ditylum brightwellii, grown in nitrogen deficiency. The problem of estimating growth rates of phytoplankton was divided into three parts: 1) variation of growth rate among diverse species and its relationship to light absorption by cell chlorophyll a: 2) variation in growth rate with light intensity; 3) variation in growth rate with temperature. An equation has been formulated for calculating growth rate which provides a more precise fit of the data than do equations for growth rate based upon cell surface/volume ratios or cell volume. The formulation is based upon light absorption by chlorophyll a. It allows for variations in the efficiency of utilization of light absorbed by chlorophyll a and the changes in chlorophyll a content resulting from light intensity and temperature differences. We do not attempt to predict variations in growth rate with photoperiod or spectral distribution, nor do we allow for light effects upon growth rate not mediated by photosynthesis, so the model is, at best, a rough approximation of reality.     

Culturable bacteria in glacial meltwater at 6,350 m on the East Rongbuk Glacier, Mount Everest

Culturable bacteria in the glacial meltwater in the ablation zones of glacier at high altitude (6,350 m) on Mt Everest were isolated and identified by 16S rRNA amplification and sequencing. The obtained sequences revealed the presence of members of α, β, and γ-Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, and Firmicutes, with the Actinobacteria dominant in the studied habitat. All 16S rRNA sequences were similar to previously determined sequences, ranging from 97 to 99% identical values. The strains isolated from meltwater were distinctly different from those recovered from a cryoconite hole and under glacier habitat. The majority of the isolates’ nearest neighbors were from the permafrost, dust, soil, plant, and aqueous environments. The Biolog bioassay and growth test under different temperatures suggested that the culturable bacteria in glacial meltwater could be divided into three categories in terms of their survival strategies: Group I sensitive to temperature change but versatile in utilization of carbon substrates (capable of utilization of about 70% of the Biolog carbon substrates); Group II tolerant to variable temperature and less capable of carbon utilization (less than half of the Biolog carbon species can be used); Group III slow in growth and weak in carbon utilization (only a few Biolog carbon substrates can be used).     

Interactive effects of temperature and concentration of the flavonol rutin on growth, molt and food utilization of Manduca sexta caterpillars

A factorial experiment tested the effects of varying concentrations of the flavonol rutin and daytime temperatures of 20 and 30°C on growth, molting and food utilization efficiencies of third instar tobacco hornworms (Manduca sexta (L.)). Cool temperature prolonged both the growth (=feeding) and non-feeding periods and consequently the relative consumption rates (RCR) and relative growth rates (RGR). Temperature had no impact on the amount of food consumed and the utilization indices of efficiency of conversion of ingested food and efficiency of conversion of digested food to larval biomass. But rutin was more concentrated in the frass of the larvae at the warm temperature. With increasing levels of rutin in the diet, the efficiency of conversion of ingested food tended to decline. Rutin reduced RCR and RGR. At the cool temperature, rutin increased the time spent in the first portion of the non-feeding period disproportionately. Analysis of growth rate intervals within the growth period indicated that at the cool temperature rutin had no discernible impact over the first half of the growth period, during which developmental competence to molt is likely achieved. Overall, these results indicate an overlap in the growth and molting phases and suggest that rutin interferes with physiological processes at the time of molt initiation, with these effects magnified at a cool temperature.     

Isolation and characterization of sulfate-reducing bacteria from various marine environments

Summary Forty-one strains of non-sporulating sulfate-reducing bacteria were isolated from estuaries, deep sea and other saline environments. Their salinity requirements, utilization of significant carbon compounds, resistance against growth inhibition by Hibitane, optimal growth temperatures and growth temperature ranges were studied. The results include data on strains isolated from the Red Sea hot brine deep area. Basing on the determined characteristics the strains were identified as Desulfovibrio desulfuricans, D. vulgaris, D. salexigens, and D. desulfuricans var. aestuarii.     

Effects of Temperature on Bud-Sprouting and Early Growth of Cyperus esculentus in the Dark

Cyperus esculentus tubers and early growth of their sprouts. Percent sprouting increased with increasing temperature within the range of 12 to 38 C, while no sprouting occurred at 10 C and few tubers sprouted at 42 C. The rate of sprouting also increased with temperature up to 35 C. A base temperature of 11.4 C was determined for bud-sprouting of tubers in this species. Higher temperatures led to larger sprouts and greater survival rate. In particular, increased temperature favored root growth, and hence resulted in high root: shoot ratio of the sprouts. Larger tubers produced larger sprouts as a consequence of mobilizing a greater amount of their reserves, but they tended to utilize a smaller proportion of their reserves. The efficiency of reserve utilization significantly differed among the incubation temperatures, and its relation with temperature followed a quadratic pattern. This pattern is different from that documented for the bud-sprouting of rhizomes and stolons of other perennials. Our results demonstrate that temperature is crucial to the successful establishment of C. esculentus. Received 24 June 1999/ Accepted in revised form 14 December 1999     

Effects ofPseudomonas rathonis T cultivation conditions on the functional performance of a biosensor for anionic surfactants

The dependence of the sensitivity of a microbial biosensor of anionic surfactants (AS) on the growth phase ofPseudomonas rathonis T, a strain capable of degrading surfactants, was studied. Correlations were found between the optimum values of temperature and pH for microbial growth, substrate utilization, and functional performance of the microbial biosensor. These results allow the process of AS detection to be optimized.     

Failure to avoid rutin diets results in altered food utilization and reduced growth rate ofManduca sexta larvae

The possibility of avoidance of and dietary self-selection relative to the flavonol rutin was examined for third instarManduca sexta for two thermal regimes and for larvae previously reared on plain or rutin diet. Temperature affected all of the performance indices examined, except efficiency of conversion of digested food. Significant interactive effects between temperature and diet occurred for relative consumption rate, relative growth rate and the food utilization efficiencies. For example, at the warm daytime temperature, relative growth rate prior to head capsule slippage was lower for caterpillars previously reared on rutin diet compared to those reared on plain diet. In contrast, at the cool daytime temperature, the relative growth rates were similar for caterpillars reared on plain diet and on 6 μmoles rutin diet. Consequently, in some treatments (5 of 12), caterpillars with a history of rutin in their diet had lower relative growth rates than those experiencing rutin for the first time. Despite rutin's impact on food utilization indices and negative effect on relative growth rate, the caterpillars did not avoid rutin nor was there evidence of regulation of the intake of rutin. The lack of metabolic feedback is discussed.     

The influence of temperature on the growth of the European catfish (Silurus glanis L.)

The influence of temperature on growth, feed conversion, and protein and gross energy utilization was assessed in two experiments using the European catfish, Silurus glanis L. Animals of 55 g and 24 g were used in trials lasting 6 and 7 weeks, respectively. The optimum temperature for growth was within the range of 25 to 28°C, with the best results obtained at 27°C. Using à feed of low protein content (30.3%), a feed conversion of 1.67 was achieved at à specific growth rate of 1.78% of body weight/day.     

Effects of water temperature and initial weight on growth,digestion and energy budget of yellow catfish Pelteobagrus fulvidraco (Richardson, 1846)

The effects of water temperature and body weight on feeding, growth, and energy budget were inevitable in the yellow catfish Pelteobagrus fulvidraco (Richardson, 1846), an important fish cultivated in China. This study explores the interaction of water temperature and body weight on both energy utilization strategy and energy conversion efficiency to promote further healthy culture of yellow catfish. Fish with body weights of 6 g (Group S), 16 g (Group M) and 35 g (Group B) were reared in 15 circular glass steel cylinders 80 cm in diameter × 70 cm in height (180 L) at water temperatures of 21, 24, 27, 30 and 33°C (3 replicates for each temperature) for 42 days to investigate effects of water temperature and body weight on the feeding, growth, digestion and energy budget in yellow catfish. Results showed that the levels of dry matter, protein and energy in the body were significantly affected by water temperature (p < .05). Feeding, growth, feed conversion efficiency, digestion and energy allocation parameters were significantly related to both water temperature and body weight (p < .05). Yellow catfish had higher maximal food consumption (C_max), food intake rate, specific growth rate, food conversion efficiency, appear digestibility coefficient, and growth energy allocation (G) at 24–30°C, and optimal growth at a water temperature of 27°C. Two‐factor analysis of variance revealed that there was reciprocation of both water temperature and body weight on the above parameters. At the optimal temperature of 27°C, the value of energy for growth (G) was the highest, and the value of energy for feces (F) produced was the lowest. Yellow catfish with various body weights had energy budget equations of 100 A = 63.70 R + 36.30 G in Group S, 100 A = 62.54 R + 37.46 G in Group M, and 100 A = 67.47 R + 32.53 G in Group B if the equations were described as percentage of the proportion of the assimilation energy. Therefore, the optimal temperature was 27°C according to its feeding, growth and digestion.     

Jodmangel bei Wiederkäuern

Effects of a supplemental Aspergillus niger‐phytase on digestibility and utilization of dietary phosphorus (P) were studied in three experiments with rainbow trout. P concentration in the diets was 4.8 and 5.8 g/kg DM, respectively. The P contained in the diet originated solely from plants, mainly soy‐products. Digestibility of P was studied using the stripping method and hydrochloride insoluble ash as marker. Utilization was studied in growth trials by use of the comparative body analysis.

At a water temperature of 15°C, both digestibility and utilization of P were increased from 25 to 57% and from 17 to 49%, respectively when 1000 U/kg phytase were supplemented. Feed consumption and gain of trout were significantly increased. At a water temperature of 10°C, utilization of P was also increased from 6 to 25%. However, feed consumption and gain of trout were very low at this water temperature and not influenced by the supplemental phytase.     

大气增温对滇西北高原典型湿地湖滨带优势植物的光和CO2利用能力的影响

大气增温对湿地植物光合作用的影响及其作用机制是近年来生态学界关注的热点。采用开顶式生长室(Open-top chambers,OTCs)模拟大气增温((2.0±0.5)℃,(3.5±0.5)℃),研究增温对滇西北高原典型湿地纳帕海湖滨带2种优势植物(茭草Zizania caduciflora,黑三棱Sparganium stoloniferum)的光和CO_2利用以及光合碳同化速率的影响。结果表明,(1)增温对不同植物的光和CO_2利用能力以及碳同化速率的影响存在种间差异。增温显著降低了茭草的光饱和点(LSP)、光补偿点(LCP)、光能利用幅(LSP-LCP)、CO_2饱和点(CSP)、CO_2利用幅(CSP-CCP)以及最大净光合速率(P_(max)),却显著增加了其CO_2补偿点(CCP);相反,增温显著提高了黑三棱的LSP、(LSP-LCP)以及最大净光合速率(P_(nmax)),而显著降低了其LCP,但对其CO_2利用参数无显著影响。(2)2种植物的光和CO_2利用能力对增温的响应存在季节性差异。不同温度处理下,茭草在6、8月的LSP和(LSP-LCP)均显著高于10月的对应值,其P_(nmax)也随生长期的增加而降低;黑三棱的光响应参数在不同生长季间无显著差异,其P_(nmax)在8月最高,而在6月和10月相对较低。(3)温度因子与茭草的光能利用参数均呈负相关,而与黑三棱的光能利用参数均呈正相关。本研究的温度因子中,日间积温对P_(nmax)和(LSP-LCP),年均温和最低温对(CSP-CCP)值的影响最为显著。本研究进一步表明,气候变暖对滇西北高原湿地湖滨带优势植物光合作用存在影响,但不同物种间存在差异响应,这种差异响应可能导致湿地生态系统植被结构的改变,其有关生态过程有待于进一步研究。     

LIGHT,TEMPERATURE AND SALINITY EFFECTS ON GROWTH,LEAF ANATOMY AND PHOTOSYNTHESIS OF DISTICHLIS SPICATA (L.) GREENE

The effects of light, temperature, and salinity on growth, net CO₂ exchange and leaf anatomy of Distichlis spicata were investigated in controlled environment chambers. When plants were grown at low light, growth rates were significantly reduced by high substrate salinity or low temperature. However, when plants were grown at high light, growth rates were not significantly affected by temperature or salinity. The capacity for high light to overcome depressed growth at high salinity cannot be explained completely by rates of net photosynthesis, since high salinity caused decreases in net photosynthesis at all environmental conditions. This salinity-induced decrease in net photosynthesis was caused largely by stomatal closure, although plants grown at low temperature and low light showed significant increases in internal leaf resistance to CO₂ exchange. Increased salinity resulted in generally thicker leaves with lower stomatal density but no significant differences in the ratio of mesophyll cell surface area to leaf area. Salinity and light during growth did not significantly affect rates of dark respiration. The mechanisms by which Distichlis spicata tolerates salt appear to be closely coulpled to the utilization of light energy. Salt-induced leaf succulence is of questionable importance to gas exchange at high salinity in this C₄ species.