Hyperaccumulation of nickel by Geissois species

Summary Herbarium specimens of 17 species of Geissois were analysed for nickel, cobalt, chromium and iron with a view to discovering further hyperaccumulators of nickel (>1000 g/g on a dry mass basis) in addition to the previously recordedG. pruinosa. A further six hyperaccumulators were discovered, all from New Caledonia. Unlike 90% of hyperaccumulators, Geissois is in Subclass Rosidae of the Magnioliate which it shares with three other hyperaccumulators (two species ofArgophyllum andPearsonia metallifera. The work highlights the remarkable concentration of hyperaccumulators in New Caledonia.     

Nickel hyperaccumulation as an anti-herbivore trait: considering the role of tolerance to damage

Metal hyperaccumulation is a striking trait exhibited by many plant species, but the evolutionary ecology of metal hyperaccumulation is poorly understood. It has been widely hypothesized that metal hyperaccumulation evolved to protect plants from herbivory. However, there is currently little evidence that metal hyperaccumulation enhances the fitness of plants in the presence of herbivory. In this study, we conducted a multi-factor greenhouse experiment to examine the effects of two soil nickel concentrations (unamended (0 μg/g) and nickel amended (600 μg/g)), and three levels of artificial damage (0, 10 and 50%) on the growth of plants from two populations of Thlaspi montanum var. montanum. We observed a significant interaction between soil nickel and artificial damage. An a posteriori analysis of this interaction revealed that the presence of nickel significantly improved the ability of T. montanum to tolerate the negative effects of intense damage. Our results indicate that metal hyperaccumulation could benefit T. montanum by increasing its tolerance to damage. This study suggests that there is a potential for the evolution of metal hyperaccumulation in response to intense herbivory on T. montanum.     

Cobalt and nickel in Rinorea species

Summary Some 181 small herbarium specimens of 70 species of Rinorea were analysed for cobalt and nickel, with a view to detecting further hyperaccumulators (> 1000 µg/g dry weight) following the previous discovery of this ability in R. bengalensis. Another hyperaccumulator of nickel (R. javanica) was detected and highly anomalous cobalt values were found in varieties of R. albersii from Tanzania. Further study on these two species is suggested, in order to establish their significance in the fields of mineral exploration and of phytochemistry. re]19761101     

Anatomical and nutlet differentiation between <Emphasis Type="Italic">Teucrium montanum</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">T. polium</Emphasis> from Turkey

Teucrium montanum L. and T. polium L. are the two closest Teucrium L. species from sect. Polium (Mill.) Schreb in Turkey. In addition, they are sympatric for some part of their range in Turkey. In this study, comparative anatomical and micromorphological studies of the two species are carried out. They have been investigated by their leaf and stem anatomical features, as well as nutlet micromorphological characteristics. The results of anatomical studies show that the anatomical characters of both taxa are observed to be similar to the general features of the family Lamiaceae anatomy, except for lacking rich collenchyma at the corners. Both taxa are similar in stem anatomy and their leaves exhibit xeromorphy. However, trichome morphology on the stems and the leaves appear to have a taxonomic value in segregation of the two taxa. Light and scanning electron microscope studies on the nutlets also show that nutlet shapes, measures and surface micromorphologies are different in the two species. Whereas nutlet surfaces are bireticulate in both species, the nutlets are larger and primary sculpturing is more distinct in T. polium than in T. montanum. Moreover, the nutlets are oblong to oblong-ovoid and larger in T. polium, but ovoid and smaller in T. montanum.     

共头霉的单孢孢子囊变种

我们从江苏、浙江两省采到的一些样品中分离得到六株毛霉菌种并鉴定为分别属于三个变种的同一个新种,即单孢共头霉原变种(Syncephalastrum monosporum Zheng et al.sp. nov. var. monosporum),单孢共头霉冠囊变种(Syncephalastrum monosporum Zheng et al. var. cristatum Zheng et al. var. nov.),以及单孢共头霉多重生变种(Syncephalastrum monosporum Zheng et al. var. pluriproliferum Zheng et al. var. nov.).它们与共头霉属的唯一已知种总状共头霉(Syncephalastrum racemosum Cohn ex Schroeter)的主要区别在于全部孢子囊都是单孢的小型孢子囊(柱孢囊)而不是像后者一样孢子成单行排列的多袍柱孢囊.我们把这些菌归人共头霉属而没有为它们专门成立一个新属的理由除因它们与总状共头霉有明显的亲缘关系外,主要还因我们认为在不具备其它重要区别特征的情况下,在毛霉目的分类中,无论在科级或属级的水平上,都不应过分强调单孢孢子囊的作用.尽管单孢共头霉是毛霉目内唯一具单孢子柱孢囊的种,我们仍然把它们归入共头霉属内.至于我们为什么要把这六株菌鉴定为一个种的三个变种而不是三个各自独立的种,则是由于我们承认共头霉属的唯一已知种总状共头霉是一个变异性很大的种而并没有把它分成许多不同的种,因此,我们对这个属的另外一个种,即单孢共头霉同样采用较大的种概念.     

HEAVY METAL ACCUMULATION AND THE NATURE OF EDAPHIC ENDEMISM IN THE GENUS CALOCHORTUS (LILIACEAE)

Bulb and leaf tissues from five species in the genus Calochortus and the soils from collection sites were analyzed for cation and trace element concentrations. All five species, only three of which are considered ultramafic endemics, possessed high concentrations of nickel and copper in both the bulbs and leaves, but not at levels high enough (> 1% dry wt) to be considered hyperaccumulators. Only moderate to trace amounts of cobalt and chromium were detected in both plant tissues. Calcium-magnesium ratios, typically low in ultramafic soils and plants, were low in bulb tissue, but two to 10 times higher in leaf tissue. The ability to tolerate excessively high levels of nickel and other heavy metals may be a physiological exaptation of the genus Calochortus and not necessarily an evolutionary response by several species to life on an ultramafic substrate. The nature of “serpentine” endemism is discussed in the context of heavy metal accumulation by various plant species.     

Nickel levels in arthropods associated with Ni hyperaccumulator plants from an ultramafic site in New Caledonia

Arthropods (mainly insects) were collected from a forest site that contained at least six species of Ni hyperaccumulators. Whole body Ni analysis was performed for 12 arthropod taxa, two of which were studied at different life cycle stages. We found two Nitolerant insects. The pentatomid heteropteran Utana viridipuncta, feeding on fruits of the Ni hyperaccumulator Hybanthus austrocaledonicus, contained a mean of 2 600 μNi/g in nymphs and 750 μNi/g in adults. The tephritid fly Bactrocera psidii, feeding on pulp of Sebertia acuminata fruits that contained 6 900 μNi/g, contained 420 μNi/g as larvae that had evacuated their guts and significantly less (65 μNi/g) as adults. European honeybees (Apis mellifera) visiting flowers of the Ni hyperaccumulator H. austrocaledonicus contained significantly more Ni (8‐fold more) than those collected from flowers of Myodocarpus fraxinifolius, a non‐hyperaccumulator. Our results show that some insects feed on Ni hyperaccumulator plants and that their feeding mobilizes Ni into local food webs.     

Nickel uptake by Flacourtiaceae of New Caledonia.

Herbarium and field specimens (over 300) of all of the Flacourtiaceae of New Caledonia were analysed for nickel in order to identify hyperaccumulators (greater than 1000 microgram/g dry mass) and to assess nickel accumulation in relation to the evolutionary status of 'nickel plants' of New Caledonia. One hyperaccumulator was identified in the genus Lasiochlamys, ten among Xylosoma, one among Casearia and seven among Homalium. Although these Homalium nickel plants had previously been recorded, fresh data for these and other Homalium are presented. The remarkable tolerance of Flacourticeae to ultrabasic rocks is shown by the fact that 75% of the species are found on such substrates. The number of hyperaccumulators was greatest in the genera Xylosoma and Homalium. The Flacourtiaceae are among the most primitive of all angiosperms and in common with other primitive hyperaccumulators, contain nickel as a complex with citric acid. The only advanced New Caledonian nickel plant (Psychotria douarrei) has most of its nickel bound with ligands other than citric acid, a feature of other advanced hyperaccumulators. It is postulated that nickel complexing with citric acid may be a primitive character. Most of the New Caledonian nickel plants belong to the order Violales of subclass Dilleniidae. It is suggested that hyperaccumulation of nickel is an evolutionary character which occurs in long-indisturbed floras such as that of New Caledonia.     

Localisation of nickel and mineral nutrients Ca,K, Fe,Mg by Scanning Electron Microscopy microanalysis in tissues of the nickel-hyperaccumulator Alyssum bertolonii Desv. and the non-accumulator Alyssum montanum L.

Plants of the nickel-hyperaccumulator Alyssum bertolonii Desv. and of the non-accumulator A. montanum L. growing on a serpentine site in Tuscany, Italy, and plants of A. montanum from a nearby non-serpentine site were analysed for metal concentration and localisation. The leaves of A. bertolonii contained 160 times more nickel than those of A. montanum from the same site, thus demonstrating its hyperaccumulation capacity towards this metal. On the other hand, both species showed an inversion of the Ca/Mg ratio in their organs relative to the soil. Nickel localisation in plant tissues was examined by Scanning Electron Microanalysis (SEM/EDX). In A. bertolonii, a specific pattern of nickel distribution was detected, with the highest concentrations present in parenchyma and sclerenchyma cells for the roots; in the shoots, the highest amounts of nickel were found in the stem epidermis, the leaf epidermal surface, and the leaf trichome base. This particular nickel tissue distribution pattern was not found in the non-accumulator A. montanum growing on serpentine soil. Other mineral nutrients, namely Mg, Ca, K, Fe, instead, had a similar distribution in the two species. The A. montanum plants from the non-serpentine site had very low nickel levels in their tissues, and these were of the same magnitude as those found in A. bertolonii plants grown in a greenhouse on commercial horticultural soil with low nickel concentration. In A. bertolonii plants, the tissue-specific allocation patterns appeared to depend on the degree of nickel hyperaccumulation, which is, in turn, directly linked to the soil characteristics.     

Transient Influx of Nickel in Root Mitochondria Modulates Organic Acid and Reactive Oxygen Species Production in Nickel Hyperaccumulator Alyssum murale

Mitochondria are important targets of metal toxicity and are also vital for maintaining metal homeostasis. Here, we examined the potential role of mitochondria in homeostasis of nickel in the roots of nickel hyperaccumulator plant Alyssum murale. We evaluated the biochemical basis of nickel tolerance by comparing the role of mitochondria in closely related nickel hyperaccumulator A. murale and non-accumulator Alyssum montanum. Evidence is presented for the rapid and transient influx of nickel in root mitochondria of nickel hyperaccumulator A. murale. In an early response to nickel treatment, substantial nickel influx was observed in mitochondria prior to sequestration in vacuoles in the roots of hyperaccumulator A. murale compared with non-accumulator A. montanum. In addition, the mitochondrial Krebs cycle was modulated to increase synthesis of malic acid and citric acid involvement in nickel hyperaccumulation. Furthermore, malic acid, which is reported to form a complex with nickel in hyperaccumulators, was also found to reduce the reactive oxygen species generation induced by nickel. We propose that the interaction of nickel with mitochondria is imperative in the early steps of nickel uptake in nickel hyperaccumulator plants. Initial uptake of nickel in roots results in biochemical responses in the root mitochondria indicating its vital role in homeostasis of nickel ions in hyperaccumulation.     

Ecology of Testate Amoebae from Oligotrophic Peatlands: Specific Features of Polytypic and Polymorphic Species

Relationships between species abundance and water table depth and soil moisture have been modeled using weighted averaging and species niches have been calculated as optima and tolerance for these parameters. Niche separation of closely related taxa has been examined in detail and it has been shown that there is often a gradient of hydrological preference within each taxon. Wet to dry gradients include those found in the Trigonopyxis arcula group (T. arcula var. major > T. arcula > T. minuta), Assulina–Valkanovia group (A. seminulum > A. muscorum > V. elegans), and Trinema lineare group (T. lineare var. truncatum > T. lineare > T. lineare var. terricola), all of which are associated with a large to small size gradient. In addition, spined forms within the Euglypha and Placocista genera have been shown to consistently occur in wetter habitats than glabrous forms of those with shorter spines. A conclusion has been drawn that palaeoecological studies should cover the lowest taxa possible within these groups to maximize the ecological indicator value of the assemblages recorded.     

Within and between population variation for zinc and nickel accumulation in two species of Thlaspi (Brassicaceae)

In this study, the differences in zinc (Zn) and nickel (Ni) hyperaccumulation were investigated between three populations of Thlaspi pindicum together with genetic variation within populations of T. pindicum and Thlaspi alpinum var. sylvium, both serpentine endemics. Three experiments were conducted under standard conditions in hydroponic assay. Each experiment contained three treatments of metal: 100 microm Zn, 100 microm Ni, and combined 100/100 microm Zn/Ni. Genetic variation within populations was determined using maternal families. No genetic variation within populations was found for either Zn or Ni hyperaccumulation for both T. pindicum and T. alpinum var. sylvium, but differences were observed for both Zn and Ni hyperaccumulation between populations of T. pindicum. In combined Zn/Ni treatments, Zn inhibited Ni translocation in both species, which is unexpected considering that these species are serpentine endemics and well known Ni hyperaccumulators. The lack of genetic variation for metal hyperaccumulation is possibly due to inbreeding. Since Zn hyperaccumulation is not manifested in the field, inadvertent uptake of Zn is a plausible hypothesis for its preferential uptake.     

Effect of Zinc Nutrition on Photosynthesis and Carbonic Anhydrase Activity in Cotton

Photosynthesis, respiration, carbonic anhydrase activity and chlorophyll concentrations were correlated with zinc nutrition in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.). The critical zinc level during early plant growth was 13 μg/g dry weight in recently matured leaves (blade three). Photosynthesis and chlorophyll concentration required a minimum Zn of 13 and 14 μg/g dry weight, respectively, in blade three for maximum activity and synthesis. Respiration was not influenced by zinc status. Carbonic anhydrase activity increased curvilinearly as zinc status improved from deficiency to adequacy.     

Hyperaccumulation of nickel by Alyssum Linnaeus (Cruciferae).

Herbarium specimens of all except one of the 168 recognized species of Alyssum Linnaeus have been analysed for their nickel content in order to identify hyperaccumulators (greater than 1000 microgram per g dry mass) of nickel. A further 31 hyperaccumulators (all in section Odontarrhena) were discovered in addition to the 14 European species reported earlier. Pot trials on the non-accumulator A. serpyllifolium Desfontaines and the hyperaccumulator A. pintodasilvae Dudley in ed. involving addition of nickel to the medium in which the plants were growing, showed that not all species of of section Odontarrhena were able to act as hyperaccumulators of nickel. Hyperaccumulation occurred almost exclusively in the eastern Mediterranean area and Turkey. There appeared to be a definite correlation between species diversity, proliferation and endemism on the one hand, and extremely high nickel concentrations (greater than 1%) on the other. The data have been used to assess the evidence for promoting section Odontarrhena to generic rank.     

Chemical Diversity of Volatiles of Teucrium orientale L. var. orientale,var. puberulens,and var. glabrescens Determined by Simultaneous GC‐FID and GC/MS Techniques

In the present work, three varieties of Teucrium orientale, var. orientale, var. puberulens, and var. glabrescens, were collected and investigated for chemical composition of the oils. Subsequent gas chromatography (GC‐FID) and gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC/MS) revealed high abundance of sesquiterpenes in the essential oils analyzed. All the oils contained β‐caryophyllene (22.6, 8.5, and 6.3%, resp.) and hexadecanoic acid (7.9, 12.8, and 13.1%). Germacrene D (24.6 and 33.4%) and bicyclogermacrene (6.7 and 8.5%) were found to be the main constituents of var. orientale and var. puberulens, respectively. The high percentages of β‐cubebene (26.9%), α‐cubebene (9.0%), and α‐copaene (7.2%) established the diversity of var. glabrescens. The qualitative difference between the essential oils allowed the differentiation between the varieties in agreement with the morphological observations described in Flora of Turkey for each variety studied. In addition, a cluster analysis of twelve Teucrium taxa based on the essential‐oil composition has been carried out. Hovewer, the analysis did not clearly reflect the infrageneric classification of the genus, it largely confirmed the relationships between the infraspecific taxa of Teucrium orientale and T. chamaedrys.     

Using tree leaves and barks collected from contaminated and uncontaminated areas as indicators of air metallic pollution

Abstract

The aim of this study was to show the usefulness of woody species in assessing air pollution by cadmium, copper, lead, and zinc. For this, washed leaves, unwashed leaves, and barks of a coniferous species (Cupressus sempervirens var. fastigiata) and a broadleaved one (Eucalyptus cladocalyx F. Muell) were analyzed for cadmium, copper, lead and zinc contents. A transect sampling approach was carried out during spring 2016. Fifty stations were selected along an intensive traffic road, and three in a control area. The results showed that the highest concentrations were recorded in barks for copper (21.86?µg/g, 23.33?µg/g) and lead (14.53?µg/g, 63.33?µg/g), and in unwashed leaves for cadmium (0.57?µg/g, 1.19?µg/g) and zinc (48.94?µg/g, 47.6?µg/g) for E. cladocalyx F. Muell, and C. sempervirens var. fastigiata, respectively. Lead and zinc are the most accumulated metals compared to cadmium and copper in all samples. The studied metal contents in urban area were significantly higher than that of the control one. This represents that traffic road has influenced the metals contamination of the surrounding area. Results of the bioconcentration factor (BCF) for both species indicate that the studied species could be used as biomonitors to identify ecological problems and to predict effect on wildlife habitats. The highest values of metal accumulation index (MAI) indicate the effectiveness of these trees for controlling the air metals in the polluted areas. Result shows too that the studied species could be used for phytoextraction of heavy metals from the polluted soils and/or air.     

Trace Metal Contents of Selected Seeds and Vegetables from Oil Producing Areas of Nigeria

The concentrations of accumulated trace metals in selected seeds and vegetables collected in the oil producing Rivers State of Nigeria were investigated. The values were compared with those of seeds and vegetables cultivated in Owerri, a less industrialized area in Nigeria. The lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) contents of the seeds obtained from Rivers State ranged between 0.10 and 0.23 μg/g dry weight, while those of the seeds cultivated in Owerri fell below the detection limit of 0.01 μg/g dry weight. The highest manganese (Mn) level (902 μg/g dry weight) was found in Irvingia garbonesis seeds cultivated in Rivers State. Similarly, the highest nickel (Ni) value (199 μg/g dry weight) was also obtained in I. garbonesis, however, in the seeds sampled in Owerri. The highest copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), and iron (Fe) levels (16.8, 5.27, and 26.2 μg/g dry weight, resp.) were detected in seeds collected in Rivers State. With the exception of Talinum triangulae, Ocinum gratissimum, and Piper guineese, with Pb levels of 0.09, 0.10, and 0.11 μg/g dry weight, respectively, the Pb and Cd levels in the vegetables grown in Owerri fell below the detection limit of 0.01 μg/g dry weight. The trace metal with the highest levels in all the vegetables studied was Mn, followed by Fe. The highest concentrations of Ni and Cu occurred in vegetables collected from Rivers State, while the highest level of Zn was observed in Piper guineese collected in Owerri, with a value of 21.4 μg/g dry weight. Although the trace metal concentrations of the seeds and vegetables collected in Rivers State tended to be higher than those of the seeds and vegetables grown in Owerri, the average levels of trace metals obtained in this study fell far below the WHO specifications for metals in foods.     

Comparative study of genotoxicity and antimutagenicity of methanolic extracts from Teucrium chamaedrys and Teucrium montanum in human lymphocytes using micronucleus assay

Since Teucrium chamaedrys and Teucrium montanum are the most popular plants used in the treatment of many diseases, we evaluated genotoxic potential of their methanolic extracts on cultured human peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs) using cytokinesis-block micronucleus (MN) assay. Cultures were treated with four concentrations of both plants (125, 250, 500 and 1,000 μg/ml), both separately and in combination with mitomycin C (MMC). The results revealed that extract of T. chamaedrys administered at the tested concentrations did not significantly affect the mean MN frequency in comparison to untreated cells. Methanolic extract of T. montanum increased the mean MN frequency in PBL at the tested concentrations, but significantly only at the concentration of 1,000 μg/ml. In all tested concentrations, the extract of T. chamaedrys significantly reduced the MMC-induced MN frequency, in a dose dependent manner (r = − 0.687, p < 0.01). The extract of T. montanum decreased the MMC-induced MN frequency at the tested concentrations, but statistically only at 125 μg/ml. Both extracts administered alone did not significantly affect the nuclear division index (NDI) at the tested concentrations. In the combined treatments with MMC, the extract obtained from T. chamaedrys in the concentrations of 500 and 1,000 μg/ml significantly decreased NDI values in comparison to MMC-treated cells alone, while the extract of T. montanum significantly decreased NDI at all tested concentrations. Both extracts nonsignificantly decreased NDI at all tested concentrations in comparison to untreated cells. Our results suggest the important function of T. chamaedrys extract in cancer therapy, this methanolic extract may prevent genotoxic effects of chemotherapy in PBLs.     

9. The algal flora of the Primorsky Region, Russian Far East

A survey of the freshwater algal flora of the Primorsky Region, Russian Far East, is presented. During more than 70 years of investigations 1659 species (including varieties and forms 2276 taxa) belonging to 346 genera of different groups of algae have been recorded from this territory. The Primorsky Region is rich in habitats attractive to algae-rivers, lakes, reservoirs, and ponds. The details of the distribution of algae in different types of waterbodies have been examined. The algal flora of the region is comparable to the areas, and its taxonomical structure is typical for Eurasia. From this territory some new species and varieties have been described — Achnanthes chankensis, Cymbella ventricosa var. hankensis, Surirella alisoviana, and others. The flora includes some rare species — Fragilaria magocsyi, Perone dimorpha, and Heterothrix monochloron, and some endemics of Asia — Navicula scutelloides var. baicalensis, N. globulifera var. nipponica, Gomphonema sphaerophorum, and Surirella tientsinensis.     

Notes on the genus Inocybe of Japan: III

Six Inocybes are described and illustrated as new taxa or new records from Japan. A new species, Inocybe magnicarpa, is a member of section Marginatae. Two new varieties, I. malenconii var. cylindrata, a member of section Dulcamarae, and I. brunneorufa var. angusta, a representative of section Marginatae. Inocybe reisneri (section Rimosae) and I. fuscidula (section Tardae), are recorded as new to Japan. Inocybe pseudodestricta (section Tardae) is redescribed from a new locality (Chiba Prefecture). They are compared with similar taxa.