河南白云山温带落叶阔叶林萌生特征及萌生个体空间分布格局

以河南省白云山自然保护区温带落叶阔叶林5 hm2样地群落为研究对象,分析该样地木本植物的特征,同时利用点分布格局对样地内萌生能力较强的个体进行空间格局分析.结果显示:该样地内共有木本植物91种17369株;发生萌生现象的有62种2082株,萌生物种占总物种数的68.13％,萌生个体占总个体数的11.99％.样地内所有发...     

Comparison of tree sprouting in three regeneration stages of an evergreen broadleaved forest in a karst landscape, SW China

Little is known about the role of tree sprouting in the regeneration of karst forest communities. In Shilin Stone Forest Geographical Park, southwestern China, all genets with the largest stem ?3 cm DBH (diameter at breast height) and/or stumps ?3 cm BD (basal diameter) were identified and number of sprouts counted in 10 transects (10 m × 100 m) in each of three evergreen broadleaved forest stands representing three regeneration stages (about 10, 20, and 30 years old). Species with >10 genets accounted for 72.4% of the 76 species, and all of them showed evidence of sprouting. One-third to two-thirds of the genets in the three forests were sprouting, with an average of 4.0–5.7 sprouts per sprouting genet. Sprouting capability (sprouting genets/total genets) and intensity (sprouts per sprouting genet) differed significantly among the three forest stages. More than 90% of the damaged genets were sprouting. The number of sprouts in a non-damaged genet was determined by intrinsic sprouting ability, and the number of sprouts in damaged genets was determined by stump size. As the forest developed, percentage of damaged genets increased, the portion of shoots ≥3 cm DBH co-existing in a genet decreased, and the portion of shoots <3 cm DBH sprouted from damaged genet increased. Thus the role of sprouting changed from contributing recruitment in the young stage to persistence in the later stage.     

Expression levels of a LAR-like receptor protein tyrosine phosphatase correlate with neuronal branching and arbor density in the medicinal leech

LAR-like receptor protein tyrosine phosphatases (RPTPs), which are reported to be highly expressed in the nervous systems of most bilaterian animals, have been implicated in the regulation of critical developmental processes, such as neuronal pathfinding, cell adhesion and synaptogenesis. Here we report that two LAR-like RPTPs in the medicinal leech, HmLAR1 and HmLAR2, play roles in regulating the size and density of neuronal arbors within the developing nervous system and in the body wall. Employing single-cell RNAi knockdown and transgene expression techniques, we demonstrate that the expression level of HmLAR1 is directly correlated with the density of an identified neuron's arborization. Knocking down HmLAR1 mRNA levels in the mechanosensory pressure (P) neurons produces a reduced central arbor and a smaller arbor in the peripheral body wall, with fewer terminal branches. By contrast, overexpression of this receptor in a P cell leads to extensive neuronal sprouting, including many supernumerary neurites and terminal branches as well as, in some instances, the normal monopolar morphology of the P cell becoming multipolar. We also report that induced neuronal sprouting requires the expression of the receptor's membrane tethered ectodomain, including the NH₂-Ig domains, but not of the intracellular phosphatase domains of the receptor. Interestingly, sprouting could be elicited upon ectopic expression of HmLAR1 and the related RPTP, HmLAR2 in the P and other neurons, including those that do not normally express either RPTP, suggesting that the substrates involved in HmLAR-induced sprouting are present in most neurons irrespective of whether they normally express these LAR-like RPTPs. Our data are consistent with the hypothesis that the receptors’ ectodomains promote an adhesive interaction that enhances the maintenance of new processes.     

The effects of long-standing limb loss on anatomical reorganization of the somatosensory afferents in the brainstem and spinal cord

We examined the terminations of sensory afferents in the brainstem and spinal cord of squirrel monkeys and prosimian galagos 4-8 years after a therapeutic forelimb or hindlimb amputation within 2 months of birth. In each animal, the distributions of labeled sensory afferent terminations from remaining body parts proximal to the limb stump were much more extensive than in normal animals. These sprouted afferents extended into the portions of the dorsal horn of the spinal cord as well as the cuneate and external cuneate nuclei of the brainstem (forelimb amputees) or spinal Clarke's column (hindlimb amputee) related to the amputated limb. Such reorganization in sensory afferents along with reorganization of the motor efferents to muscles (Wu and Kaas, J Neurosci 19 : 7679-7697, 1999, Neuron 28 : 967-978, 2000) may provide a basis for mislocated phantom sensations of missing forelimb movements accompanying actual shoulder movements during cortical stimulation or movement imagery in patients with amputations.     

Changes in the auditory system of locusts (Locusta migratoria and Schistocerca gregaria) after deafferentation

Deafferentation experiments during postembryonic development show morphological and/or physiological changes of receptor fibers and of identified auditory interneurons in the CNS of the locusts Locusta migratoria and Schistocerca gregaria after unilateral ablation of one tympanic organ either in the larva or the adult animal.

临沂生生园复干银杏生长特性

产生复干是银杏个体发育过程中一个普遍现象。本研究以临沂生生园全国最大复干银杏群落为对象,采用每木检尺的方式对园内复干银杏进行调查。结果显示,生生园内银杏共385株,雌株379株,占98.41%;平均树高20.9m,总胸径0.93m,母干胸径0.33m,冠径在5.0-15.0m范围内,枝下高6.3m;17株无复干,复干率为98.58%,每株复干数平均为4.6个,最大复干高为12.5m,胸径0.18m,复干与母干距离为0.61m,复干与母干夹角为10.5?;34株无萌蘖,萌蘖平均株数为38株,萌蘖高1.11m,萌蘖与母干最大距离0.73m。该片银杏林原桩有240年历史,现存复干银杏系从原桩萌发形成,树龄53年。本文对生生园复干银杏的起源、性别比例、复干与银杏适应性的关系等进行了探讨。     

Species-specific sprouting pattern in two dioecious Lindera shrubs: The role of physiological integration

Sprouting is recognized as an important genet persistence strategy for clonal woody plants, but the role of sprouting may differ between species and between sexes, depending on physiological integration. We tested the effect of physiological integration on the mortality, recruitment and growth of the sprouting male and female ramets of two closely related dioecious shrubs of Lindera, in a field experiment using girdling manipulation. Although between-sex differences observed were obscure, we found between-species differences in the sprouting patterns. The rates of ramet mortality and recruitment were significantly lower for L. praecox than L. triloba. In L. praecox genets, the ramet production was low, and the main ramets might actively translocate assimilates towards the small sprouted ramets, which then facilitates high ramet growth and survival (sprout-nursing strategy). Meanwhile, in L. triloba genets, although many ramets were recruited, assimilate translocation from the main ramets to the sprouted ramets might be less abundant, which causes high ramet mortality (sprout-turnover strategy). For a more general knowledge of the various sprouting strategies in clonal plants, our study demonstrated that inter-specific comparisons using girdling experiments at the whole-plant level could reveal the role of physiological integration on the link between the sprouting pattern and above-ground structures of clonal plants.     

Gradients controlling vegetation in Alnus japonica forests in Kushiro mire, Hokkaido, Japan

This study examined factors controlling the vegetation in Kushiro mire, northern Japan, especially in the alder and reed communities. The alder community was classified into four types that were arranged by canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) as follows: Carex lasiocarpa type, Carex augustinowiczii type, Persicaria type, and Spiraea type. The four types exhibited differences in size (tree height) and in the ratio of sprouting stems. Although plants growing on the forest floor primarily determined the species composition of the community, shading by alder crowns had no marked effect on the community gradient. Therefore, hydrochemical variables could control the growth and occurrence of both the floor plants and alder tree size. The differences between reed community and the alder community sites were characterized as heavily eutrophic by the Kruskal–Wallis test. Overall, the chemical variables pH and P₂O₅ and the hydrochemical variables maximum and range of water level were positively correlated with the CCA axis, and effectively explained the community gradient in relation to alder growth. These variables could be controlled by the inflow of neutral and turbid water from river floods or run-off, which would increase pH by replacing the acidic mire water, ash content, and P₂O₅ by conveying suspended inorganic particles that adsorb phosphorus.     

Estimating Arundo donax ramet recruitment using degree-day based equations

Arundo donax is a tall perennial reed. Once established, it spreads by producing new shoots (ramets) from rhizomes. We performed two separate experiments to test the hypotheses that temperature (7, 8, 14, 16, or 20 °C) and combinations of temperature and nitrate concentration (0, 0.3, 0.6,1.2, 2.4, 3.6, 4.8, and 6.0 mg/l nitrate) regulated the initiation of ramet production. No ramets emerged from rhizome sections at 7 or 8 °C, but ramets emerged at 14, 16, and 20 °C. Neither time to ramet emergence nor the number of ramets that emerged was influenced by nitrate level in the watering solution. We used the above results in combination with ramet emergence data from plants grown outdoors at Davis, California to develop degree-day equations for three separate ramet cohorts. When compared to ramet emergence from different plants in different years, there was very good agreement between predicted and actual ramet emergence indicating that these equations provide a realistic representation of processes involved in ramet emergence. This is an important step in developing integrated management plans for this species.     

木本植物萌枝生态学研究进展

综述了萌枝的生物学特征、个体生活史策略、生物地理学特征,以及对种群和群落特征的影响.已有的研究虽然在干扰与萌枝关系、萌枝生活史策略等领域取得了众多成果,但生态学意义远未揭示清楚,尤其是萌枝对种群、群落结构和动态的影响还需要深入探索.我国在重视萌枝生态理论研究的基础上,应加强理论和植被恢复及生态系统管理实践相结合的研究.     

Key factors controlling the size, biomass, and sprouting of Japanese alder swamp forest in Kushiro Mire, Hokkaido, Japan

The interrelation among size, biomass, and sprouting of alder trees was studied to extract the most important hydrochemistrical factors controlling the growth of alder forest in Kushiro Mire, northern Japan. The gradient was mostly explained by chemical variables such as pH, ash content, and P₂O₅, which showed strong positive correlation with each other, and secondarily by fluctuation of the water table (WL, i.e., water level range). These variables are more important than other hydrochemical ones, because neutral and turbid flood water replaces acidic mire water and conveys fine sediment with adsorbed phosphorus, which in turn could regulate the pH and amount of phosphorus. Also, the number of sprouts showed negative correlation mainly with tree size and redox potential (Eh), which suggested a flooded environment. Because of this, the size of alder was suppressed by hydrochemical variables; however, alder individuals producing new sprouts were maintained. We conclude that variation in size, biomass, and sprouting of alder was mainly controlled by acidity and phosphorus availability, and was significantly influenced by water fluctuation.     

Regeneration processes of a boreal forest in Kamchatka with special reference to the contribution of sprouting to population maintenance

We studied regeneration patterns of three tree species Picea ajanensis, Betula platyphylla and Populus tremula from 1998 to 2000 in the Central Depression of the Kamchatka Peninsula. We paid special attention to the contribution of sprouting to their regeneration. P. ajanensis was the only species that regenerated by seedling. In a 40 × 40 m study plot, the density of P. ajanensis saplings < 2.0 cm in diameter at basal area (DBH) was 1132, and this was the highest among the three species studied. The number of saplings 2 cm in DBH declined sharply with size class. The spatial distribution of P. ajanensis saplings (< 2 cm in DBH) showed a significant positive correlation with that of adult trees and a negative correlation with that of gaps. These trends were not changed after re-measurement in 2000, although nearly half of the juveniles had died or been injured during the two years. These results suggest that small Picea saplings prefer habitats under the canopy of adult trees rather than in gaps for establishment. Most small individuals of B. platyphylla were produced from sprouts. The number of saplings in the smallest size class (< 2 cm in DBH) was much less than that of P. ajanensis, although the number of larger individuals did not decrease remarkably. The spatial distribution of B. platyphylla saplings showed a positive correlation with that of adult trunks and a negative correlation with that of canopy trees of P. ajanensis. These results suggest an effective contribution of sprouts to the regeneration of B. platyphylla. P. tremula was the only species that could invade big gaps and produce many root suckers efficiently. There were 181 suckers of P. tremula in the smallest size class (< 2 cm in DBH) in the study plot, although the number of saplings 2 cm in DBH declined abruptly. The spatial distribution of saplings of this species showed a slight positive correlation with that of gaps, and negative correlation with that of adult trees of B. platyphylla, P. ajanensis, and P. tremula. The root suckering strategy of P. tremula might be adaptive under severe conditions in high-latitude regions. Our data suggest, however, that it does not necessarily contribute to regeneration in mature forests. The three component species in this forest did not seem to utilize canopy gaps for regeneration; we suggest that gap dynamics do not work in this forest. The sparse canopy, which is a typical character of forests in high-latitude regions, might be a consequence of high mortalities of seedlings and root suckers inside gaps.     

Differential Effects of Glial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic Factor and Neurturin on Developing and Adult Substantia Nigra Dopaminergic Neurons

Neurturin (NTN) and glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), two members of the GDNF family of growth factors, exert very similar biological activities in different systems, including the substantia nigra. Our goal in the present work was to compare their function and define whether nonoverlapping biological activities on midbrain dopaminergic neurons exist. We first found that NTN and GDNF are differentially regulated during postnatal development. NTN mRNA progressively decreased in the ventral mesencephalon and progressively increased in the striatum, coincident with a decrease in GDNF mRNA expression. This finding suggested distinct physiological roles for each factor in the nigrostriatal system. We therefore examined their function in ventral mesencephalon cultures and found that NTN promoted survival comparable with GDNF, but only GDNF induced sprouting and hypertrophy of developing dopaminergic neurons. We subsequently examined the ability of NTN to prevent the 6-hydroxydopamine-induced degeneration of adult dopaminergic neurons in vivo. Fibroblasts genetically engineered to deliver high levels of GDNF or NTN were grafted supranigrally. NTN was found to be as potent as GDNF at preventing the death of nigral dopaminergic neurons, but only GDNF induced tyrosine hydroxylase staining, sprouting, or hypertrophy of dopaminergic neurons. In conclusion, our results show selective survival-promoting effects of NTN over wider survival, neuritogenic, and hypertrophic effects of GDNF on dopaminergic neurons in vitro and in vivo. Such differences are likely to underlie unique roles for each factor in postnatal development and may ultimately be exploited in the treatment of Parkinson's disease.     

Sprouting as a survival strategy for non-coniferous trees: Relation to population structure and spatial pattern of Emmenopterys henryi (Rubiales)

To improve the management and protection strategies of Emmenopterys henryi, the effect of sprouting on the population and spatial distribution pattern was explored. Environmental conditions of the community, tree diameter at breast height (DBH), and height of each individual tree were obtained using a contiguous grid quadrate method in four plots of deciduous and evergreen broad-leaved forests in Dapan Mountain National Nature Research in Zhejiang, China with the largest distribution area of E. henryi. The principal components analysis (PCA) showed that the sprouting ability of E. henryi is strongly related to the degrees of rock bareness, altitude, and slope. The analysis of the population structures showed that the population of group A only with parental trees was in decline due to a lack of seedlings and saplings, whereas the population of group B with both parental trees and sprouts (group B) was increasing. Groups A and B differed in their spatial distribution patterns in the plot 2, with group A showing a random distribution and group B displaying an aggregated distribution. Because the optimum block scale was between 16?m² and 32?m², analyses of the spatial pattern and dynamics of the spatial pattern at 25?m² could accurately reflect the true distribution. The population of E. henryi is small, and the spatial patterns of the population indicated an aggregated distribution with the exception of plot 2 of group A. Plot 2 showed significant environmental deterioration from nearby rocks and ravines, and as a result, a number of small trees died from root exposure, which led to a random distribution of plot 2. The effects of sprouting should be considered when studying the population and spatial patterns of plants.     

西藏特有灌木砂生槐繁殖生长对海拔和沙埋的响应

砂生槐是西藏特有植物,主要分布在雅鲁藏布江中游地区及拉萨河,年楚河等主要支流宽谷区,为评价高原海拔引起的水热条件变化对砂生槐繁殖和生长的影响,沿雅鲁藏布江河谷600多公里海拔从3139m到3925m的样带上,对砂生板天然种群进行了调查,结果表明：沿着高原河谷海拔升市制 梯度,降水量由600mm下降到400mm,年平均气温由8.2℃下降到5.8℃,砂生槐的种群密度趋与增加,其径趋于减小,但植株高度和新枝长度并未随海拔升高呈明显升降变化。种子库密度,种子千粒重,实生苗密度,萌蘖苗密度也没有随海拔高度的变化而呈明显的升降变化。砂生板适应海拔引起的水热条件的变化在生殖方面并为作出大的调整,但在适应风沙干扰方面表现了繁殖方式的调整,即在未受沙埋时,种子繁殖趋于占主导地位,在生境受到沙埋时,营养繁殖趋于占主导地位,繁殖方式的调整可能是砂生槐适应风沙干扰的最主要对策。     

Sprouting success of shrubs after fire: height-dependent relationships for different strategies

The sprouting success of co-occurring populations of shrub species in a temperate woodland of semi-arid Australia was investigated and related to population survival strategies. Straw was added to 21 × 15 m plots in the woodland, burnt and the pre-fire characteristics of shrubs were used to determine the basis for sprouting success. Species differed widely (4–94%) in sprouting success; a high percentage of established seedlings of all species were killed by fire but survival increased with height reaching a maximum at 25–60 cm (depending on the species). Thickness of bark at stem bases increased with height growth but sprouting success was not related to bark thickness; sprouting success of shrubs at similar thickness varied greatly between species. All species were able to initiate sprouts after cutting through their basal stems, so lack of active meristems was not a limitation. Species differed in the height at which shrubs began flowering but this was always after maximum sprouting success was reached. It is proposed that differences between individual shrubs in supply of nutrients, carbohydrates, and/or water to activated meristems would account for patterns of in ter- and intra-specific sprouting success. The data are consistent with recognised fire survival strategies. `Sprouters', the species relying more on sprouting than recruitment for population persistence, maintained maximum sprouting success with height growth and gained sprouting ability along stems once they reached 1 m in height. In contrast, `non-sprouters', the species largely relying on recruitment from seed to maintain populations, were either not able to sprout after seedling establishment or steadily lost the ability to maintain sprouts with growth beyond 60 cm and did not develop axillary buds along stems at any height. Received: 19 July 1997 / Accepted: 8 February 1998     

Diameter class structure and sprouting characteristics of a northernmost Euptelea pleiosperma population in China: Implications for conservation

Euptelea pleiosperma (Eupteleaceae) is a class III threatened tree species in China. Investigations on structure, regeneration and population dynamics is of great scientific significance to properly conserve, develop and use the resources of this species. This study targeted a small and isolated northernmost E. pleiosperma population in China, which is distributed in Meidigou of Taikuanhe Nature Reserve in Shanxi province. The study aimed at seeking the answers: (1) is the E. pleiosperma population growing or declining? (2) what is the implications of sprouting for the E. pleiosperma population? It is shown through this study that sprouting is a main trait of the population with 49.4% of main stems having sprouted stems. The population is growing rather than declining thanks to the outstanding sprouting trait of E. pleiosperma. The population occurs only in a small shady and moisture valley area most likely because a moist environment is necessary for E. pleiosperma to survive, develop and regenerate. Mainly by rapid producing abundant sprouted stems, E. pleiosperma forms itself as an edifying species and demonstrates strong competition ability with other coexistent canopy species in the limited area. The sprouting characteristics of E. pleiosperma provide a mechanism for the expansion and maintenance of its population.     

Netrin-1 inhibits sprouting angiogenesis in developing avian embryos

Netrin-1 is a bifunctional axonal guidance cue, capable of attracting or repelling developing axons via activation of receptors of the deleted in colorectal cancer (DCC) and uncoordinated 5 (UNC5) families, respectively. In addition to its role in axon guidance, Netrin-1 has been implicated in angiogenesis, where it may also act as a bifunctional cue. Attractive effects of Netrin-1 on endothelial cells appear to be mediated by an as yet unknown receptor, while repulsion of developing blood vessels in mouse embryos is mediated by the UNC5B receptor. To explore evolutionary conservation of vascular UNC5B expression and function, we have cloned the chick unc5b homologue. Chick and quail embryos showed unc5b expression in arterial EC and sprouting angiogenic capillaries. To test if Netrin-1 displayed pro- or anti-angiogenic activities in the avian embryo, we grafted cell lines expressing recombinant chick or human Netrin-1 at different stages of development. Netrin-1 expressing cells inhibited angiogenic sprouting of unc5b expressing blood vessels, but had no pro-angiogenic activity at any stage of development examined. Netrin-1 also had no effect on the recruitment of circulating endothelial precursor cells. Taken together, these data indicate that vascular unc5b expression and function is conserved between chick and mice.     

The role of sensory input in motor neuron sprouting control

Primary sensory neurons project to motor neurons directly or through interneurons and affect their activity. In our previous paper we showed that intramuscular sprouting can be affected by changing the sensory synaptic input to motor neurons. In this work, motor axon sprouting within a peripheral nerve (extramuscular sprouting) was induced by nerve injury at such a distance from muscle so as not to allow nerve-muscle trophic interactions. Two different procedures were carried out: (1) sciatic nerve crush and (2) sciatic nerve crush with homosegmental ipsilateral L3-L5 dorsal rhizotomy. The number of regenerating motor axons innervating extensor digitorum longus muscle was determined by in vivo muscle tension recordings and an index of their individual conduction rate was obtained by in vitro intracellular recordings of excitatory postsynaptic end-plate potentials in muscle fibers. The main findings were: (1) there are more regenerated axons distally from the lesion than parent axons proximally to the lesion (sprouting at the lesion); (2) sprouting at the lesion was negatively affected by homosegmental ipsilateral dorsal rhizotomy; (3) the number of motor axons innervating extensor digitorum longus muscle extrafusal fibers counted proximally to the lesion increased following nerve injury and regeneration but this did not occur when sensory input was lost. A transient innervation of extrafusal fibers by &#110 motor neurons may explain the increase of motor axons counted proximally to the lesion.     

Elicitation with abiotic stresses improves pro-health constituents,antioxidant potential and nutritional quality of lentil sprouts

Phenolic content and antioxidant potential of lentil sprouts may be enhanced by treatment of seedlings in abiotic stress conditions without any negative influence on nutritional quality.The health-relevant and nutritional quality of sprouts was improved by elicitation of 2-day-old sprouts with oxidative, osmotic, ion-osmotic and temperature stresses. Among the sprouts studied, those obtained by elicitation with osmotic (600 mM mannitol) and ion-osmotic (300 mM NaCl) shocks had the highest total phenolic content levels: 6.52 and 6.56 mg/g flour, respectively. Oxidative stress significantly enhanced the levels of (+)-catechin and p-coumaric acid. A marked elevation of the chlorogenic and gallic acid contents was also determined for sprouts induced at 4 °C and 40 °C. The elevated phenolic content was translated into the antioxidant potential of sprouts, especially the ability to reduce lipid oxidation. A marked elevation of this ability was determined for seedlings treated with 20 mM, 200 mM H₂O₂ (oxidative stress) and 600 mM mannitol (osmotic stress); about a 12-fold, 8-fold and 9.5-fold increase in respect to control sprouts. The highest ability to quench free radicals was observed in sprouts induced by osmotic stress (IC₅₀- 4.91 and 5.12 mg/ml for 200 mM and 600 mM mannitol, respectively). The highest total antioxidant activity indexes were determined for sprouts elicited with 20 mM H₂O₂ and 600 mM mannitol: 4.0 and 3.4, respectively. All studied growth conditions, except induction at 40 °C, caused a significant elevation of resistant starch levels which was also affected in a subsequent reduction of starch digestibility.Improvement of sprout quality by elicitation with abiotic stresses is a cheap and easy biotechnology and it seems to be an alternative to conventional techniques applied to improve the health promoting phytochemical levels and bioactivity of low-processed food.