入侵植物加拿大一枝黄花根际解钾菌多样性及解钾活性

入侵植物加拿大一枝黄花(Solidago canadensis)具有较强的钾(K)富集能力, 这可能和其对土壤微生物群落的改变有关。根际解钾菌能够将植物难以利用的矿物态钾转化为植物可以利用的可溶性钾, 而加拿大一枝黄花如何影响根际解钾菌多样性和解钾活性尚未明了。该研究以浙江省杭州湾湿地围垦区内自然生长的加拿大一枝黄花和其伴生本地植物白茅(Imperata cylindrica)为研究对象, 比较了加拿大一枝黄花和白茅体内及土壤中的钾含量水平, 钾供给水平对生物量积累的影响, 以及根际解钾菌的数量、多样性和解钾活性的差异。结果表明, 加拿大一枝黄花茎、叶中的钾含量均显著高于白茅, 分别是白茅的1.59和7.33倍; 加拿大一枝黄花和白茅的土壤全钾含量差异不显著, 速效钾含量在0-10 cm土层中差异显著、在10-20 cm土层中差异不显著。随着钾供应水平提高, 加拿大一枝黄花和白茅的生物量均显著增加。利用解钾培养基计数培养后发现, 加拿大一枝黄花根际解钾菌的数量是白茅的3.51倍。分离培养后将出现解钾圈的菌株进行鉴定, 利用解钾液体培养实验测定其解钾量, 发现从加拿大一枝黄花根际土中分离得到的15个解钾菌株中, 有9个具有高效解钾能力, 其处理液中K ⁺含量较空白对照高出85.11%-192.54%, 其中菌株H2-20解钾能力最强, 解钾量为10.657 mg·L ^-1。加拿大一枝黄花根际解钾菌解钾作用显著高于白茅。经16S rDNA鉴定发现, 加拿大一枝黄花15个根际解钾菌株分属11个属, 其中有6个属已经被报道证实具有明显解钾能力。这些结果表明加拿大一枝黄花根际解钾菌数量较为丰富, 且大多具有较高解钾活性, 可能对其钾富集具有重要贡献。     

Effects of glyphosate on interspecific competition between Solidago canadensis and Imperata cylindrica

Aims The extensive use of herbicide to control invasive plants would change the relationship between alien and neighboring plants. In order to provide data for rational use of herbicide and a theoretical reference for further studies on the ecological effects of glyphosate, we explored the variation of the relationship between an invasive plant Solidago canadensis and a native plant Imperata cylindrica when they were sprayed glyphosate.
Methods A replacement series experiment was conducted from June to August 2016 in Wetland Ecosystem Research Station of Hangzhou Bay, State Forestry Administration, to examine the effects of glyphosate at seven concentration levels (0, 0.3, 0.6, 0.9, 1.2, 1.5, 1.8 mL·L^-1) on the growth and interspecific competition of S. canadensis and I. cylindrica.
Important findings (1) Glyphosate treatment significantly inhibited the growth of S. canadensis and I. cylindrica (p < 0.05). During the test, cumulative growth of height and leaf number of S. canadensis were apparently reduced with the increase of glyphosate concentration, but the leaf number of S. canadensis treated with 0.3- 1.5 mL·L^-1 glyphosate was re-growing with time, while the one treated with 1.8 mL·L^-1 was mostly dead. The withering rate of tiller and green leaf of I. cylindrica also significantly increased with the increase of glyphosate concentration, and the growth indices of this plant treated with 0.3-0.6 mL·L^-1 were also re-growing with time. (2) Glyphosate treatment significantly affected interspecific competition (p < 0.05), which diminished as the glyphosate concentration increased. (3) Interspecific competition has significant influence on the biomass allocation of S. canadensis (p < 0.05). When facing competition, S. canadensis would allocate more organic matter to root and thus increase the ratio of root to shoot. Competition only inhibited the tiller number and total biomass of I. cylindrica, but insignificantly affected its ratio of root to shoot. (4) The interaction between glyphosate treatment and S. canadensis-I. cylindrica interspecific relationship also significantly influenced the biomass of S. canadensis and I. cylindrica (p < 0.05), but insignificantly affected the root/shoot ratio of two plants. Different plants have different tolerance to glyphosate stress. Compared with native plant I. cylindrica, S. canadensis has stronger tolerance to glyphosate. Low-concentration glyphosate could decrease the competitive intensity between S. canadensis and I. cylindrica, which may disturb the structure and dynamics of plant communities.     

Plant nutrient dynamics and stoichiometric homeostasis of invasive species Spartina alterniflora and native Cyperus malaccensis var. brevifolius in the Minjiang River estuarine wetlands

Aims Stoichiometric homeostasis is an important mechanism in maintaining ecosystem structure, function, and stability. The invasion of exotic species, Spartina alterniflora, has largely threatened the structure and function of native ecosystems in the Minjiang River estuarine wetland. However, how S. alterniflora invasion affect plant stoichiometric homeostasis is largely unknown. This could enhance our understanding on wetland ecosystem stability and expand the applications of ecological stoichiometry theory.
Methods Nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) contents of plant organs and soils in the S. alterniflora, Cyperus malaccensis var. brevifolius, and S. alterniflora-C. malaccensis var. brevifolius mixture were measured, and the homeostatic index (H) was calculated according to the stoichiometric homeostasis theory.
Important findings Our results showed that the invasion of S. alterniflora significantly increased soil N:P ratio (p < 0.05), but did not affect soil N or P contents. The N and P contents of leaf and stem were the highest for S. alterniflora, and those of the stem were the highest for C. malaccensis var. brevifolius. At the ecosystem level, the average of homeostatic index (H) of N (H_N, 25.31) was larger than those of P (H_P, 10.33) and N:P (H_N:P, 2.50). At the organ level, root H_N was significantly larger than stem H_N (p < 0.05) and sheath H_N:P was greater than root H_N:P (p < 0.05), while there was no significant difference for H_P among root, stem, leaf, and sheath (p > 0.05). As for species, root H_N of S. alterniflora was significantly larger than that of C. malaccensis var. brevifolius in the mixture community (p < 0.05). In the monoculture, stem H_N:P of S. alterniflora was significantly higher than that of C. malaccensis var. brevifolius (p < 0.05). Furthermore, root H_N, leaf H_N and sheath H_N of S. alterniflora in the mixed community was significantly larger than that of S. alterniflora in the monoculture (p < 0.05), suggesting that S. alterniflora invasions increased their stoichiometric homeostasis. Meanwhile, the stoichiometric homeostasis of invasive and native plants were influenced by multiple factors, such as nutrients, organs, vegetation, and invasion. However, larger homeostasis was found in S. alterniflora than in C. malaccensis var. brevifolius in some particular organs either in mixture or monoculture communities. Therefore, the successful invasion of S. alterniflora may result from higher homeostatic index than the native species, C. malaccensis var. brevifolius.     

极小种群野生植物黄梅秤锤树群落结构与动态

本文以极小种群野生植物黄梅秤锤树(Sinojackia huangmeiensis)当前唯一的野生种群为依托建立了1 ha的固定样地, 研究了黄梅秤锤树野生植物群落的物种组成、优势种的径级结构、黄梅秤锤树的空间分布格局、种内与种间空间关联性和种群更新特征。样地内共记录到胸径 ≥ 1.0 cm的木本植物31种, 隶属于21科28属。群落更新良好, 样地中所有1,225株个体中小径木占比为67.18%。群落优势种为麻栎(Quercus acutissima)、枸骨(Ilex cornuta)、朴树(Celtis sinensis)和黄梅秤锤树。麻栎的径级结构呈单峰型, 为衰退型种群; 枸骨、朴树和黄梅秤锤树的径级结构呈倒“J”型或偏倒“J”型, 表明更新良好。黄梅秤锤树的空间分布格局在小尺度上呈聚集分布, 在大尺度上呈随机或均匀分布, 并且与其他3个优势种(麻栎、枸骨、朴树)在空间上主要呈负关联性。黄梅秤锤树的成树和幼苗、幼树和幼苗都是在小尺度上呈负关联性, 在大尺度上关联性不显著, 而成树和幼树在整体上关联性不显著。黄梅秤锤树的萌蘖现象非常明显, 萌蘖数与母株胸径具有极显著的正相关性(R² = 0.330, P < 0.001), 萌蘖率与相对幼苗密度具有极显著的负相关性(R² = 0.438, P < 0.001)。总体来说, 高比例的小径木和普遍的种间负关联均表明该群落处于演替的早中期, 物种组成和群落结构还未达到稳定阶段。作为长江中下游冲积平原区具有代表性的残存风水林, 该野生植物群落在生物多样性维持和珍稀植物保护方面具有重要的作用, 应加强保护和管理。     

Schistosoma mansoni and Schistosoma japonicum: Utilization of amino acids

, , and 1972. Schistosoma mansoni and Schistosoma japonicum: utilization of amino acids. International Journal for Parasitology 2: 425–430. The production of ¹⁴CO₂ from 12 labeled amino acids by S. mansoni and S. japonicum was studied. No ¹⁴CO₂ was detected from incubations with glycine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine or phenylalanine. Differences were found between sexes and/or species for the other amino acids studied. Species related differences included a greater rate of metabolism of glutamic and aspartic acid by S. mansoni than by S. japonicum. Proline and histidine were utilized by S. mansoni males and females, respectively. S. japonicum male worms did not utilize proline, while histidine was not utilized by the female of this species. Major sex related differences included greater ¹⁴CO₂ production from glutamic acid, aspartic acid and arginine by S. mansoni males than by females, and the utilization of histidine by male S. japonicum but not by females. Incubation in tyrosine resulted in the release of only small amounts of ¹⁴CO₂ by female worms of both species but no ¹⁴CO₂ production by male worms.     

中国长芒草群系的群落特征

长芒草(Stipa bungeana)群系是欧亚大陆草原区东南部的主要针茅草原类型之一, 中国特有群系类型, 以黄土高原及其周边为集中分布区。由于农业开垦等人为活动, 其天然植被保存不多, 现有分布破碎化严重或处于不稳定的演替阶段。该文利用2013-2019年在全国范围内调查的108个样地的数据, 对长芒草群系的地理分布、物种组成、生态特征和群落分类做了详细的描述和研究。结果表明: 长芒草群系在陕北、宁南、陇东、陇中、晋北、阴山南部黄土丘陵和鄂尔多斯高原的分布较为集中, 通常发育在黄绵土或栗钙土上, 海拔高度在(1) 631-3 174 (4 098) m之间。108个样地内共记录到种子植物37科109属214种, 大多为偶见种或稀有种, 生活型组成以地面芽植物或多年生杂类草居多, 水分生态类型以旱生, 尤其是中旱生和典型旱生植物居多, 区系地理成分以东亚成分、东古北极成分和亚洲中部成分较多。群落的高度、盖度、生物量及物种丰富度变化幅度均较大, 这些与生境的湿润程度和干扰状况密切关联。长芒草群系划分为7个群丛组, 37个群丛。     

闽江河口互花米草不同入侵阶段湿地土壤nirK型反硝化微生物群落结构及多样性

为了明确闽江河口互花米草海向不同入侵阶段湿地土壤nirK型反硝化微生物的群落结构及多样性,在鳝鱼滩东部的互花米草分布区,由陆向海方向选择互花米草海向入侵前的光滩(MF)、入侵1～2年(SAN)和入侵6～7年的互花米草(SA)湿地为研究对象,基于高通量测序技术,测定并分析了不同互花米草入侵阶段湿地土壤nirK型反硝化微生物群落结构及多样性的差异。结果表明:互花米草海向入侵降低了土壤中nirK型反硝化微生物群落的多样性及丰富度。不同入侵阶段湿地土壤的nirK型反硝化微生物主要包括变形菌门和放线菌门,其中变形菌门占绝对优势地位。互花米草海向入侵整体改变了湿地土壤中nirK型反硝化菌属的组成特征,MF、SAN、SA湿地土壤中相对丰度最高的nirK基因菌属分别为慢生根瘤菌属、中慢生根瘤菌属和产碱杆菌属。互花米草海向入侵增加了土壤中nirK型反硝化微生物群落组成的空间异质性,尤其是在SAN样地,这主要与样地本身的环境扰动性较大及互花米草海向入侵加大了样地环境因子的空间异质性有关。互花米草海向入侵主要是通过显著改变土壤理化因子(粒度组成、pH值和含水量)和氮养分条件(全氮、NH₄⁺-N、NO₃^--N)来影响nirK型反硝化微生物的群落结构及多样性。本研究结果有助于揭示互花米草海向入侵对湿地土壤反硝化过程影响的微生物机制。     

Sphenophyllum miravallis Vetter and Bowmanites cupulatus sp.n. from the “Illinger Flözzone” (“Heusweiler Schichten”, Lower Stephanian, Saar Basin, German Federal Republic)

This paper deals with a detailed study of Sphenophyllum miravallis Vetter, a member of the “Sphenophyllum thonii group”. New material from the Reisbach colliery, working the “Illinger Flözzone” of the “Heusweiler Schichten” (Lower Stephanian, Saar Basin, German Federal Republic), is described morphologically and anatomically, and the species is discussed. The new material enlarges the known range of variability of the normal aspect of the foliage, i.e. the foliage of the thinner branches. Thicker stems with their aberrant polymorphous foliage, and cellular details, are described for the first time. An emended diagnosis is given. Comparisons with other species are made.

The new species Bowmanites cupulatus is introduced to accommodate fructufications most probably belonging to Sphenophyllum miravallis.

S. crenulatum Knight ex Wagner is considered to be a heterotypic synonym of S. miravallis, the latter name having priority.     

The physiological ecology of haemocyanin in some selected crabs. II. The characteristics of haemocyanin in relation to terrestrialness

The haemocyanins of five crabs ranging in habit from aquatic to terrestrial have been investigated.

The mean P₅₀ values of the respiratory pigments were determined at 0 mm Hg CO₂ and 28 °C (the average environmental temperature of all the species). Comparison of these data adjusted to the individual mean physiological pH indicate an increase in P₅₀ with terrestrialization, perhaps related to the greater abundance of oxygen in the aerial than in some the aquatic habits, and the progressive elaboration of lung breathing with terrestrialization.

The Bohr shifts (Δ log P₅₀/ΔpH) were determined (using different P_CO2 values to vary pH) and were found to decrease with terrestrialization, perhaps in adaptation to an associated rise in internal P_CO2 (6–8-fold between the aquatic Callinectes sapidus Rathbun and the terrestrial Cardisoma guanhumi Latreille and probably resulting from progressive gill reduction.

The temperature shifts (ΔH cal/mol) of the haemoeyanins were found and it is suggested that they diminish with increasing evironmental temperature and temperature fluctuation accompanying terrestrialization.     

The heath-savannah problem: the effect of fertilizer on sand-heath vegetation of North Stradbroke Island,Queensland

A balanced fertilizer treatment - equivalent to that optimal for pasture development on the infertile sandy soils of the Coastal Lowlands of south-eastern Queensland - was applied to a heathland stand on North Stradbroke Island in 1968, 3 years after the vegetation had been razed by bushfire. The fertilized and control plots were examined in detail in 1968 (before application of fertilizer), in 1969 and in 1976. Eight years after fertilizer treatment the heath species have declined in density and/or biomass. The native grass, Themeda australis, responded to fertilizer and is expanding into gaps as the heath species die. A few composites and grasses are invading the fertilized plots.     

城市公共绿地常见木本植物组成对鸟类群落的影响

快速城市化背景下, 城市公共绿地已经成为重要的鸟类栖息地, 其中的木本植物群落构成对鸟类群落结构有显著影响, 研究木本植物配置与鸟类多样性的关系对提升城市公共绿地作为鸟类栖息地的生态服务功能有重要的理论和应用价值。我们于2009–2010年间在上海市滨江森林公园就木本植物和鸟类群落的相互关系展开研究。样线法结合样点调查共记录到鸟类10目25科64种5,368只(次), 鸟类多度全年变化显著, 峰值分别出现在4月和11月。丰富度全年也呈现双峰型变化, 峰值出现在4月和12月。全年鸟类多样性(Simpson指数)差异显著, 10月最高, 8月最低。样方调查共记录到77种木本植物, 其中有14种(乔木9种、灌木5种)出现率超过5个样方, 定义为常见种, 其果期主要集中在9月到翌年2月, 其上常见林业致病害虫的发生盛期集中在5–11月。主成分分析显示, 常见木本植物上观察到的鸟类可划分为8个鸟类集团, Spearman秩相关检验显示秋冬季常见木本植物果期与植食性、肉食性、食虫性、杂食性等多个鸟类集团的多度均呈显著正相关。说明在秋冬季鸟类迁徙高峰期不同鸟类集团均能获得丰富的食物资源。就常见木本植物对鸟类群落的重要值进行排序, 结果显示, 大叶杨(Populus lasiocarpa)、枫杨(Pterocarya stenoptera)、香樟(Cinnamomum camphora)等乔木对鸟类重要值较高, 而灌木层对鸟类的重要性整体偏低, 说明滨江森林公园的灌木层作为鸟类栖息地的功能建设尚需加强。根据以上研究结果, 我们提出了提高上海城市公园鸟类多样性的植被配置建议。     

Differentiation of Staphylococcus spp. by terminal-restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis of glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase-encoding gene

Classical phenotypic and biochemical testing do not lead to correct identification of the distinct Staphylococcus species. Therefore, the aim of our study was to develop a method for the reliable and accurate determination of distinct Staphylococcus species.

In the present study, the 931–934-bp partial sequences of the glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase-encoding (gap) gene of 28 validly described Staphylococcus species were amplified and sequenced. By using the respective sequence information we performed a terminal-restriction fragment length polymorphism (T-RFLP) analysis. For T-RFLP the partial gap gene was amplified with double-fluorescently labelled primers and digested with the restriction enzymes DdeI, BspHI and TaqI. Distinctive T-RFLP patterns were rendered by the use of capillary electrophoresis with laser-induced fluorescence detection. This molecular method allowed us to identify all 28 Staphylococcus species with high specificity. This was validated by analysis of 34 Staphylococcus epidermidis and 28 Staphylococcus haemolyticus isolates.

These results demonstrate the feasibility and applicability of the T-RFLP method based on the partial gap gene sequences for rapid and accurate species identification.     

Estimating sensitivity and specificity of a faecal examination method for Schistosoma japonicum infection in cats, dogs, water buffaloes, pigs, and rats in Western Samar and Sorsogon Provinces, The Philippines

Schistosoma japonicum causes a chronic parasitic disease, which persists as a major public health concern in The Philippines, the People's Republic of China and Indonesia. This infection is unique among helminthic zoonoses because it can infect humans and more than 40 other mammals. The objective of this study was to estimate the sensitivity and specificity of the Danish Bilharziasis Laboratory technique in cats, dogs, pigs, water buffaloes and rats in the Philippines. Faecal samples from each animal were collected on up to five occasions on five consecutive days in four villages of Sorsogon and Western Samar Provinces between January and July 2003. The faecal samples were analysed with the filtration and sedimentation Danish Bilharziasis Laboratory technique. Sensitivity and specificity of one, two, three, four, and five faecal samples were estimated using a Bayesian latent class approach. A total of 59, 43, 74, and 80% of the censored cats, dogs, pigs, and water buffaloes in the four villages were sampled, respectively. For all species, the sensitivity estimates when using the results of only 1 day of sampling were less than 80%. However, the sensitivity improved to at least 96% in all species when three or more faecal samples were collected on three separate days. The specificity was estimated to be above 92% across all species, even if just a single sample is used. The prevalences and 95% credible intervals of S. japonicum, adjusted for imperfect sensitivity and specificity, in cats, dogs, pigs, rats, and water buffaloes were 11.9% (6.8–18.3%), 19.9% (15.1–25.2%), 2.9% (1.1–5.2%), 31.3% (18.3–45.6%) and 6.3% (2.1–12.6%), respectively. Our results suggest that the Danish Bilharziasis Laboratory technique is valid for the detection of infection with S. japonicum in animals, and that sensitivity estimates are excellent when faecal samples are collected on at least three different days. Monitoring S. japonicum infection in animal reservoirs with a valid test could contribute to more effective public health control programmes.     

三峡库区不同消落带下中华蚊母树群落特征及其与土壤环境因子的关系

中华蚊母树(Distylium chinense)是华中地区特有种, 在三峡库区局部地段占优势形成群落。对三峡库区不同生境下中华蚊母树群落特征及其与土壤环境因子的关系进行研究可为其保护及消落带植被恢复提供科学依据。运用数据分类和排序等方法, 对中华蚊母树群落物种组成、植物区系、物种多样性及其与土壤环境因子的关系进行研究。结果表明, 共发现维管植物56种, 隶属于36科54属, 植物区系以世界分布、泛热带分布和北温带分布为主, 生活型以草本和灌木为主。自然消落带灌木层重要值最大的是中华蚊母树, 草本层重要值最大的是藤本植物地果(Ficus tikoua), 主要伴生种为具有一定水淹耐受性的灌木和多年生草本, 如小梾木(Swida paucinervis)、白茅(Imperata cylindrica)等; 反季节消落带灌木层仅中华蚊母树一种, 草本层重要值最大的物种是狗牙根(Cynodon dactylon), 主要伴生种为苍耳(Xanthium sibiricum)、苘麻(Abutilon theophrastic)等一年生草本。双向聚类分析将调查的6个样地分为四大类群: 中华蚊母树+小梾木群落、中华蚊母树+地果群落、中华蚊母树+细叶水团花(Adina rubella)群落、中华蚊母树+狗牙根群落。典范对应分析表明, 海拔高度和土壤pH是影响中华蚊母树群落物种分布的主要环境因子, 土壤有机质、全氮、全磷和速效钾含量是次要因素, 但它们是影响群落物种多样性指数的主要因子, 其中土壤氮是群落的限制因子。因此, 在反季节消落带植被重建中, 对中华蚊母树群落进行构建时, 除考虑细叶水团花、小梾木等作为高海拔消落带伴生物种外, 还应增加土壤氮和钾的供给, 使中华蚊母树群落保持较高的物种多样性, 维持消落带生态系统稳定。     

Further studies on the involvement of the circadian system in photoperiodic control of antifreeze protein production in the beetle Dendroides canadensis

The role of circadian rhythmicity in the photoperiodic time measuring processes regulating antifreeze protein production in the beetle Dendroides canadensis was further investigated. Using “T” experiments larvae were exposed to environmental light cycle periods close to the period length of the endogenous circadian oscillator. The following light cycles were employed: light/dark 8/13, 8/14, 8/16, 8/18 and 8/19 corresponding to period lengths of 21, 22, 24, 26 and 27 h. Larvae maintained in cycles equal to or less than 24 h displayed a characteristic short-day response, showing significantly (P < 0.01) greater antifreeze protein activity than did those measured on the day of collection in late summer. In contrast, a long-day response was observed in larvae maintained under a 26- or 27-h light cycle in that antifreeze protein activity did not differ from that measured on the initial collection date.

The role of photoperiod and temperature in influencing the photoperiodic timing processes were examined with a series of resonance experiments. The first group consisted of a 24, 36, 48, 60 or 72-h light cycle, each with an 8-h photophase at temperatures of 20 or 17°C. Rhythmic increases in antifreeze protein levels at intervals of 24 h occurred under both temperatures. However, the lower temperature displaced the resonance curve in the vertical direction (i.e. increasing % population response) and reduced the difference between peaks and troughs on the resonance curve. Resonance experiments incorporating a 14-h photophase resulted in low antifreeze protein activity under all conditions except a 36-h light cycle in which a 67% induction was observed.

Eight hour resonance experiments were also conducted with D. canadensis collected in early spring to determine whether the circadian system participates in the photoperiodic timing processes influencing the spring termination of antifreeze protein production. Positive resonance results were obtained in that only larvae maintained in cycles of 36 and 60 h displayed significantly (P < 0.01) lower antifreeze activity when compared to animals on the initial collection date.

The combined results emphasize the involvement of the circadian system in the photoperiodic control of antifreeze protein production by D. canadensis during the fall and spring. Furthermore, the induction of antifreeze protein production is a function of light cycle and its waveform (photoperiod). Temperature appears to modify the photoperiodic response in some manner involving the photoperiodic time measuring processes. It is concluded that the photoperiodic response of antifreeze protein production by D. canadensis is dependent upon the entrainment of the circadian system by the light cycle.     

中国西北针茅草原的基本群落特征

西北针茅(Stipa sareptana var. krylovii)群系是亚洲中部地区特有的典型草原之一, 也是生态适应性最广的草原类型, 向东可以在呼伦贝尔高原与草甸草原重叠分布, 向西可以在乌兰察布高原、天山等地区与荒漠草原形成复合分布, 向南可分布至黄土高原与暖温带草原镶嵌分布, 还可在青藏高原的东缘与高寒草原混生。该研究调查了中国西北针茅群系的主要植被类型, 通过对117个样地的调查数据分析, 量化描述了该群系的基本群落特征。结果表明, 中国西北针茅群系共有种子植物336种, 分属于36科131属, 物种数大于15的科有禾本科、菊科、豆科、蔷薇科、藜科和百合科; 物种存在度等级划分中, I级(0-20%)植物占比91.67%, 多为群落中的偶见种或稀有种, 最为常见的植物除西北针茅外, 也有糙隐子草(Cleistogenes squarrosa)、阿尔泰狗娃花(Heteropappus altaicus)、冰草(Agropyron cristatum)、 草(Koeleria cristata)、二裂委陵菜(Potentilla bifurca)、猪毛菜(Salsola collina)、细叶韭(Allium tenuissimum)和羊草(Leymus chinensis)等; 生活型组成上以地面芽植物最多, 占66.37%; 水分生态类型以旱生植物最多, 占61.19%; 区系地理成分以东古北极植物占优势, 占33.33%。基于群落学-生态学分类原则, 将西北针茅群系划分为6个群丛组, 45个群丛。     

New observations on the tontoniid ciliate Spirotontonia grandis (Suzuki and Han, 2000) Agatha, 2004 (Ciliophora, Oligotrichida, Tontoniidae); comparison with the similar Laboea strobila

Spirotontonia grandis (Suzuki and Han, 2000) Agatha, 2004 belongs to the family Tontoniidae Agatha, 2004 because it has a contractile tail. It is the type of the genus Spirotontonia Agatha, 2004, which is characterized by a sinistrally spiralled girdle kinety. Supplementary observations on protargol-impregnated and, especially, live specimens of S. grandis from the Irish Sea are provided. These new findings are included in an improved species diagnosis. Furthermore, they contribute to a better separation of the tontoniid S. grandis from the strombidiid Laboea strobila, which also has a screw-like appearance, a sinistrally spiralled girdle kinety, and multiple macronuclear nodules, but lacks the tontoniid tail. Since the tail of S. grandis, the main distinguishing feature between the two species, is highly contractile and easily lost, further differences are emphasized, e.g., the lower number of girdle kinety whorls (3.0–3.5 vs. 4.5–5.0), the larger cell size (110–170×55–80 μm vs. 80–110×40–60 μm after protargol impregnation), the relatively larger size of the ventral portion of the membranellar zone (51% vs. 40% of body length), and the overlapping cortical platelets (present vs. absent). The record of S. grandis from the Irish Sea is the first record outside the East China Sea and the second worldwide.     

Climatic warming changes plant photosynthesis and its temperature dependence in a temperate steppe of northern China

Warming responses of photosynthesis and its temperature dependence in two C₃ grass (Agropyron cristatum, Stipa krylovii), one C₄ grass (Pennisetum centrasiaticum), and two C₃ forb (Artemisia capillaris, Potentilla acaulis) species in a temperate steppe of northern China were investigated in a field experiment. Experimental warming with infrared heater significantly increased daily mean assimilation rate (A) in P. centrasiaticum and A. capillaris by 30 and 43%, respectively, but had no effects on other three species. Seasonal mean A was 13, 15, and 19% higher in the warmed than control plants for P. centrasiaticum, A. capillaries, and S. krylovii, respectively. The mean assimilation rate in A. cristatum and P. acaulis was not impacted by experimental warming. All the five species showed photosynthetic acclimation to temperature. The optimum temperature for photosynthesis (T_opt) and the assimilation rate at T_opt in the five species increased by 0.33–0.78 °C and 4–27%, respectively, under experimental warming. Elevated temperature tended to increase the maximum rate of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate (RuBP) carboxylation (V_cmax) and the RuBP regeneration capacity (J_max) in the C₃ plants and carboxylation efficiency and the CO₂-saturated photosynthetic rate in the C₄ plant at higher leaf temperature, as well as the optimum temperatures for the four parameters. Our results indicated that photosynthetic responses to warming were species-specific and that most of the species in the temperate steppe of northern China could acclimate to a warmer environment. The changes in the temperature dependence of V_cmax and J_max, as well as the balance of these two processes altered the temperature dependence of photosynthesis under climatic warming.     

Differential effects of sugar-mimic alkaloids in mulberry latex on sugar metabolism and disaccharidases of Eri and domesticated silkworms: enzymatic adaptation of Bombyx mori to mulberry defense

Mulberry leaves (Morus spp.) exude latex rich in sugar-mimic alkaloids, 1,4-dideoxy-1,4-imino-d-arabinitol (d-AB1) and 1-deoxynojirimycin (DNJ), as a defense against herbivorous insects. Sugar-mimic alkaloids are inhibitors of sugar-metabolizing enzymes, and are toxic to the Eri silkworm, Samia ricini, a generalist herbivore, but not at all to the domesticated silkworm, Bombyx mori, a mulberry specialist. To address the phenomena, we fed both larvae diets containing different sugar sources (sucrose, glucose or none) with or without sugar-mimic alkaloids from mulberry latex. In S. ricini, addition of sugar-mimic alkaloids to the sucrose (the major sugar in mulberry leaves) diet reduced both growth and the absorption ratio of sugar, but it reduced neither in B. mori. The midgut soluble sucrase activity of S. ricini was low and inhibited by very low concentrations of sugar-mimic alkaloids (IC₅₀=0.9–8.2 μM), but that of B. mori was high and not inhibited even by very high concentrations (IC₅₀>1000 μM) of sugar-mimic alkaloids. In S. ricini, the addition of sugar-mimic alkaloids to the glucose diet still had considerable negative effects on growth, although it did not reduce the absorption ratio of glucose. The hemolymph of S. ricini fed sugar-mimic alkaloids contained sugar-mimic alkaloids. The trehalose concentration in the hemolymph increased significantly in S. ricini fed sugar-mimic alkaloids, but not in B. mori. The trehalase activities of S. ricini were lower and inhibited by lower concentrations of sugar-mimic alkaloids than those of B. mori. These results suggest that sugar-mimic alkaloids in mulberry latex exert toxicity to S. ricini larvae first by inhibiting midgut sucrase and digestion of sucrose, and secondly, after being absorbed into hemolymph, by inhibiting trehalase and utilization of trehalose, the major blood sugar. Further, our results reveal that B. mori larvae evolved enzymatic adaptation to mulberry defense by developing sucrase and trehalase that are insensitive to sugar-mimic alkaloids.     

The investigation of Staphylococcus aureus and coagulase-negative staphylococci nasal carriage among patients undergoing haemodialysis

The frequency of nasal staphylococcal colonization among haemodialysed patients was investigated. The swabs were collected in 1998 and 2004 from 28 and 43 patients, respectively.

Staphylococcus aureus colonization rates were 57.1% and 27.9% in 1998 and 2004, respectively. Twenty-six coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS) isolates were cultured: S. epidermidis (21), S. lugdunensis (2), single S. haemolyticus, S. warneri, and S. capitits isolates. One S. aureus and 10 CNS isolates were methicillin resistant. The methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) was resistant to β-lactams, tetracycline, and harbored the pvl gene encoding the Panton-Valentine leukocidin.

The decrease in S. aureus colonization at 6-year interval was observed. The presence of the pvl gene and a favorable antibiotic susceptibility pattern of the MRSA suggest that the isolate was a member of community-acquired MRSA (CA-MRSA). Concluding, screening of haemodialysed patients for staphylococcal colonization accompanied by characterization of cultured isolates is important to understand its epidemiology and to develop infection prevention measures and treatment strategies.