濒危植物海南龙血树种子休眠机理及其生态学意义

为明确濒危植物海南龙血树(Dracaena cambodiana)种子的休眠机理,该文对海南龙血树休眠类型及破解方法进行了系统研究,并结合海南龙血树的生境条件,对海南龙血树种子休眠的生态学意义进行了探讨。结果表明:海南龙血树种皮吸水性良好,40 h内达到萌发所需含水量;种胚发育完全,离体胚2 d开始萌发,萌发率达100%;去珠孔端组织种子的萌发情况与离体胚的一致,质密珠孔端组织的机械束缚是种子萌发障碍的直接原因;种子含有萌发抑制物质,其清水粗提物对白菜种子萌发率和幼苗根生长存在显著抑制作用;低温贮藏和快速脱水均能有效解除海南龙血树种子休眠,提高种子的萌发率和整齐度,萌发率可达到100%。分析认为抑制物质的存在致使种胚生长势弱而无法打破质密珠孔端组织的机械束缚,导致海南龙血树种子休眠,属生理休眠;海南龙血树种子休眠特性使其种子萌发或幼苗生长适应生境条件的季节变化,保证种群得以延续与更新。     

海南龙血树野生资源分布及其与水热关系的分析

在全面调查海南龙血树(Dracaena cambodiana)野生资源地理分布的基础上,用温度指数、湿度指数等气候指标分析了海南龙血树野生资源地理分布与气候因子间的关系。结果表明,海南龙血树野生资源在中国仅分布于海南岛西南部山区及南部沿海地区,水平分布于108°42′40.9″~110°27′36.8″E,18°14′27″~19°20′28.5″N,垂直分布范围为0~900 m,仅发现10个现存分布点;海南龙血树属于热带雨林、季雨林小乔木状植物,具有强耐旱、喜阳和喜钙等生态习性,其分布区的绝大部分水热因子是其分布的主要限制因子。主成分分析表明,影响海南龙血树地理分布的主要水热指标的排序为热量因子>降水因子>湿度因子。根据野生居群的生境特点,我们推测水分和光照强度可能是影响海南龙血树种子萌发率或幼苗成活率的重要因子。     

濒危植物海南龙血树的种群结构与动态

了解种群的生存现状与动态趋势对濒危植物的保护至关重要。为了更好地保护濒危海南龙血树种群,对海南岛不同生境的11个海南龙血树(Dracaena cambodiana)种群进行了调查;并利用个体基径数据建立各种群的年龄结构和静态生命表,得到种群年龄结构动态指数,绘制种群存活曲线和生存函数曲线,从而获得海南龙血树的种群结构与动态。结果表明:海南龙血树种群年龄结构与种群所处的生境关系密切,海边的NS和YL种群结构为衰退型,LN和CH居群为稳定型,而非海边种群为增长型,没有老龄个体;11个种群中,EXL种群显示出最高的增长趋势和最好的种群稳定性,NS和YL种群稳定性最差,种群抗干扰能力极低;11个种群的存活曲线均属于Deevey-Ⅰ型,但生存函数分析显示海南龙血树种群生活史早期和晚期脆弱,中期稳定,这表明海南龙血树种群所处的生境更适合成年个体生存,现有的生境对幼龄个体的环境筛作用较强。海南龙血树属于退偿物种,针对其种群的生存现状,应采取多种方法相结合的方式进行保护与复壮。     

海南龙血树种群生境及自然更新能力调查

对海南岛海南龙血树(Dracaena cambodiana Pierre ex Gagnep)生境、人为破坏情况和自然更新能力进行了调查与分析,探讨了其濒危原因。结果表明,海南龙血树属典型的岩石伴生型植物,主要分布在高温少雨地区,常生长在陡峭且裸露的花岗岩或石灰岩的石缝残积土中,或紧贴石壁生长于砂壤土中,其伴生树种以小乔木或灌木为主;由于无节制采挖和生境破坏,海南龙血树野生资源数量已十分有限。自然条件下海南龙血树的更新方式有种子更新、根蘖更新和桩蘖更新,但现有生境条件下无论何种更新方式均无法有效地实现种群的扩大和更新。可见,原生境破坏和无节制采挖是海南龙血树濒危的外因,"濒危生境"造成种子无法萌发或幼苗生长失败,导致种群无法实现自然更新是内因和主要原因。     

光照和温度对望天树种子萌发的影响

在实验室内人工气候箱控制的条件下,研究了我国重要珍稀濒危植物望天树（Shorea wantianshuea,龙脑香科（Dipterocarpaceae））种子萌发对持续光照、14小时光照／10小时黑暗周期性光照的反应;同时研究了望天树种子的萌发对不同温度的反应和低温贮藏对种子活力的影响。结果表明,不论是持续光照还是周期性光照都不能提高望天树种子的萌发率,相反,持续光照和周期性光照都不同程度降低了种子萌发率。光照能通过加速或延迟种子萌发的进程、或改变幼苗活力指数和萌发指数而影响种子萌发的质量;持续光照延迟种子萌发的进程,而周期性光照加快种子萌发的进程。30℃是种子的最适萌发温度,虽然15℃和5℃的相对低温对幼苗活力指数影响不大,但大大延迟了种子萌发进程,并提高萌发率。望天树种子不能耐受5℃低温贮藏,但具有在15℃下短期贮藏的潜力和一定程度的生理性休眠。     

光照和温度对望天树种子萌发的影响

在实验室内人工气候箱控制的条件下, 研究了我国重要珍稀濒危植物望天树 (Shorea wantianshuea,龙脑香科 (Dipterocarpaceae)) 种子萌发对持续光照、14小时光照 / 10小时黑暗周期性光照的反应; 同时研究了望天树种子的萌发对不同温度的反应和低温贮藏对种子活力的影响。结果表明, 不论是持续光照还是周期性光照都不能提高望天树种子的萌发率, 相反, 持续光照和周期性光照都不同程度降低了种子萌发率。光照能通过加速或延迟种子萌发的进程、或改变幼苗活力指数和萌发指数而影响种子萌发的质量; 持续光照延迟种子萌发的进程, 而周期性光照加快种子萌发的进程。30℃是种子的最适萌发温度, 虽然15℃和5℃的相对低温对幼苗活力指数影响不大, 但大大延迟了种子萌发进程, 并提高萌发率。望天树种子不能耐受5℃低温贮藏, 但具有在15℃下短期贮藏的潜力和一定程度的生理性休眠。     

麻疯树种子的发育、萌发和脱水耐性的初步研究

研究了麻疯树种子的形态和萌发能力的变化,温度和光照对种子萌发的影响以及种子脱水耐性的变化.结果表明:麻疯树种子在开花后58 d达到生理成熟期,此时种子的萌发率达到最大值;生理成熟期种子的适宜萌发温度范围为25～30℃,对脱水不敏感,且光照对种子的萌发率无显著影响.因此麻疯树种子是一种光中性的正常性种子.     

海南龙血树种群的年龄结构及分布格局

通过调查石灰岩及花岗岩两种不同生境样地内海南龙血树分布和胸径/基径情况,分析其龄级结构,用相邻格子法对海南龙血树进行每木调查,并采用方差/均值比率法和丛生指数(I)、负二项参数(K)、平均拥挤度(m*)、聚块性指数(PAI)、聚集指数(Ca)等聚集强度指数对海南龙血树种群分布格局进行分析。结果表明:石灰岩及花岗岩样地内的海南龙血树种群皆呈衰退型,其中天安乡、江边乡两样地种群的幼苗储备不足,昌化镇及东澳镇两地的中龄级植株数量稀少,大小洞天样地的种群年龄结构不完整;石灰岩样地内的海南龙血树种群在不同尺度、不同阶段上主要表现为集群分布,花岗岩地区种群的不同组分在不同取样尺度上分布格局相同,幼龄树、中龄树、老龄树的分布格局分别为集群分布、均匀分布、集群分布。     

海南龙血树种群的年龄结构及分布格局

通过调查石灰岩及花岗岩两种不同生境样地内海南龙血树分布和胸径/基径情况,分析其龄级结构,用相邻格子法对海南龙血树进行每木调查,并采用方差/均值比率法和丛生指数(I)、负二项参数(K)、平均拥挤度(m*)、聚块性指数(PAI)、聚集指数(Ca)等聚集强度指数对海南龙血树种群分布格局进行分析。结果表明:石灰岩及花岗岩样地内的海南龙血树种群皆呈衰退型,其中天安乡、江边乡两样地种群的幼苗储备不足,昌化镇及东澳镇两地的中龄级植株数量稀少,大小洞天样地的种群年龄结构不完整;石灰岩样地内的海南龙血树种群在不同尺度、不同阶段上主要表现为集群分布,花岗岩地区种群的不同组分在不同取样尺度上分布格局相同,幼龄树、中龄树、老龄树的分布格局分别为集群分布、均匀分布、集群分布。     

不同光环境对海南龙血树幼苗表型可塑性及生存策略的影响

为了解光照对海南龙血树(Dracaena cambodiana)幼苗生长的影响,研究了不同光照环境下海南龙血树幼苗形态、生理特性和生物量分配的变化,并分析了其生态适应性。结果表明,海南龙血树幼苗的形态、生理和生物量分配指标在不同光照强度间存在显著差异,各指标的可塑性指数为0.08~0.86,其中根茎叶及总生物量的可塑性指数普遍较高(0.67~0.86),表明海南龙血树幼苗有较好的光照适应性,其策略主要是通过调整根茎叶生物量的分配来适应光照的变化。随着光照强度的降低,海南龙血树幼苗的比叶面积、叶根比呈现显著增大趋势,表明幼苗可通过增加单株叶面积比例,扩大光合作用面积,有效调节自身生物量配置。37.3%自然光照(L2)是海南龙血树幼苗生长的最佳光照强度。现存海南龙血树生境改变,生境缺少林荫以致光照强度过大,不利于幼苗根系生长,难以度过干旱季节,可能是海南龙血树自然更新失败的重要原因之一。     

Foreign exploration for Scirtothrips perseae Nakahara (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) and associated natural enemies on avocado (Persea americana Miller)

Scirtothrips perseae Nakahara was discovered attacking avocados in California, USA, in 1996. Host plant surveys in California indicated that S. perseae has a highly restricted host range with larvae being found only on avocados, while adults were collected from 11 different plant species. As part of a management program for this pest, a “classical” biological control program was initiated and foreign exploration was conducted to delineate the home range of S. perseae, to survey for associated natural enemies and inventory other species of phytophagous thrips on avocados grown in Mexico, Guatemala, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Trinidad, and Brazil. Foreign exploration efforts indicate that S. perseae occurs on avocados grown at high altitudes (>1500 m) from Uruapan in Mexico south to areas around Guatemala City in Guatemala. In Costa Rica, S. perseae is replaced by an undescribed congener as the dominant phytophagous thrips on avocados grown at high altitudes (>1300 m). No species of Scirtothrips were found on avocados in the Dominican Republic, Trinidad, or Brazil. In total, 2136 phytophagous thrips were collected and identified, representing over 47 identified species from at least 19 genera. The significance of these species records is discussed. Of collected material 4% were potential thrips biological control agents. Natural enemies were dominated by six genera of predatory thrips (Aeolothrips, Aleurodothrips, Franklinothrips, Leptothrips, Scolothrips, and Karnyothrips). One genus each of parasitoid (Ceranisus) and predatory mite (Balaustium) were found. Based on the results of our sampling techniques, prospects for the importation of thrips natural enemies for use in a “classical” biological control program in California against S. perseae are not promising.     

Structural Peculiarities of Na+,K+-ATPase Isozymes from the Calf Brain

Functionally active preparations of Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase isozymes from calf brain that contain catalytic subunits of three types (1, 2, and 3) were obtained using two approaches: a selective removal of contaminating proteins by the Jorgensen method and a selective solubilization of the enzyme with subsequent reconstitution of their membrane structure by the Esmann method. The ouabain inhibition constants were determined for the isozymes. The real isozyme composition of the Na⁺ pump from the grey matter containing glial cells and the brain stem containing neurons was determined. The plasma membranes of glial cells were shown to contain mainly Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase of the 11 type and minor amounts of isozymes of the 22(1) and the 31(2) type. The axolemma contains 21 and 31 isozymes. A carbohydrate analysis indicated that 11 enzyme preparations from the brain grey matter substantially differ from the renal enzymes of the same composition in the glycosylation of the 1 isoform. An enhanced sensitivity of the 3 catalytic subunit of Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase from neurons to endogenous proteolysis was found. A point of specific proteolysis in the amino acid sequence PNDNR⁴⁹² Y⁴⁹³ was localized (residue numbering is that of the human 3 subunit). This sequence corresponds to one of the regions of the greatest variability in 1-, 2-, 3-, and 4-subunits, but at the same time, it is characteristic of the 3 isoforms of various species. The presence of the 3 isoform of tubulin (cytoskeletal protein) was found for the first time in the high-molecular-mass Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase 31 isozyme complex isolated from the axolemma of brain stem neurons, and its binding to the 3 catalytic subunit was shown.     

1H and13C-NMR analysis of four pentasaccharides from urine of blood-group A and B,Leb adults. Confirmation of the structure of two new oligosaccharides: Fuc(α1–2)[GalNAc(α1–3)]Gal(β1–3)[Fuc(α1–4)]Glc and Fuc(α1–2)[Gal(α1–3)]Gal(β1–3)[Fuc(α1–4)]Glc

The major pentasaccharides Fuc(1-2)[GalNAc(1-3)]Gal(1-4)[Fuc(1-3)]Glc and Fuc(1-2) [Gal(1-3)]Gal(1-4)[Fuc(1-3)]Glc, which are normally present in the urine of bloodgroup A Le^b and B Le^b healthy subjects, were each found to be contaminated by a minor component when analysed by¹H-NMR. The determination of these structures, Fuc(1-2) [GalNAc(1-3)]Gal(1-3)[Fuc(1-4)]Glc and Fuc(1-2) [Gal(1-3)]Gal(1-3)[Fuc(1-4)]Glc, was based on the results of methylation analysis and¹H/¹³C-NMR spectroscopy.Abbreviations HPLC high performance liquid chromatography - GLC gas liquid chromatography - NMR nuclear magnetic resonance - COSY correlation spectroscopy - Gal d-galactopyranose - GalNAc 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-d-galactopyranose - Glc d-glucopyranose - Fuc l-fucopyranose - LNDFH I lacto-N-difucohexaose I (Le^b determinant     

Characterization of SSEA-1 glycolipids from the brain of a patient with fucosidosis

Neutral glycolipids from the brain of a patient with Fucosidosis were analyzed and two complex glycolipids containing five and eight sugars were isolated from the cortical grey matter. These two glycolipids reacted with antibodies recognizing the SSEA-1 [Le^x(X)] carbohydrate determinant. SSEA-1 glycolipids are normally expressed in human embryonic brain but are found in only small amounts in postnatal human brain. The accumulation of the two SSEA-1 glycolipids in Fucosidosis brain thus represents a defect which affects the normal developmentally regulated decrease in postnatal, expression of these glycolipids, and may be a contributing factor in the abnormal brain development associated with the disease. Chemical characterization of the two isolated glycolipids by gas chromatographic and mass spectrometric analyses has identified the two glycolipids as lacto-N-fucopentaosylceramide (III) and difucosyl-neolactonorhexaosylceramide.Abbreviations DCl direct chemical ionization - FAB tastatiom bombardment - GC gas chromatography - GSLs glycosphingolipids - MS mass spectrometry - SSEA-1 stage specific embryonic antigen-1 - TLC thin layer chromatographys     

Phylogeny of cardinalfishes (Teleostei: Gobiiformes: Apogonidae) and the evolution of visceral bioluminescence

The cardinalfishes (Apogonidae) are a diverse clade of small, mostly reef-dwelling fishes, for which a variety of morphological data have not yielded a consistent phylogeny. We use DNA sequence to hypothesize phylogenetic relationships within Apogonidae and among apogonids and other acanthomorph families, to examine patterns of evolution including the distribution of a visceral bioluminescence system. In conformance with previous studies, Apogonidae is placed in a clade with Pempheridae, Kurtidae, Leiognathidae, and Gobioidei. The apogonid genus Pseudamia is recovered outside the remainder of the family, not as sister to the superficially similar genus Gymnapogon. Species sampled from the Caribbean and Western Atlantic (Phaeoptyx, Astrapogon, and some Apogon species) form a clade, as do the larger-bodied Glossamia and Cheilodipterus. Incidence of visceral bioluminescence is found scattered throughout the phylogeny, independently for each group in which it is present. Examination of the fine structure of the visceral bioluminescence system through histology shows that light organs exhibit a range of morphologies, with some composed of complex masses of tubules (Siphamia, Pempheris, Parapriacanthus) and others lacking tubules but containing chambers formed by folds of the visceral epithelium (Acropoma, Archamia, Jaydia, and Rhabdamia). Light organs in Siphamia, Acropoma, Pempheris and Parapriacanthus are distinct from but connected to the gut; those in Archamia, Jaydia, and Rhabdamia are simply portions of the intestinal tract, and are little differentiated from the surrounding tissues. The presence or absence of symbiotic luminescent bacteria does not correlate with light organ structure; the tubular light organs of Siphamia and chambered tubes of Acropoma house bacteria, those in Pempheridae and the other Apogonidae do not.     

N-andO-glycosylation of glycoprotein C synthesized by Herpes simplex virus type 1-infected ricin resistant cells

The progeny of Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) grown in ricin-resistant 14 cells (Ric^R14) lackingN-acetylglucosaminyltransferase I was released in the extracellular medium at a very low rate. By using a monoclonal antibody immobilized on Sepharose we purified from HSV-1-infected Ric^R14 cells a viral glycoprotein (gC), which carries bothN-andO-linked oligosaccharides. Glycopeptides obtained from [³H]mannoselabeled gC by Pronase digestion were entirely susceptible to endo--N-acetylglucosaminidase H, and the major oligosaccharide released was Man₄GlcNAc. The accumulation of this high-mannose species was related to the enzymic defect of the host cells and to the long retention of the viral glycoprotein within the cells. The extent ofO-glycosylation evaluated in [¹⁴C]glucosamine-labeled gC from Ric^R14 cells as compared to that of gC from wild type cells did not appear to be significantly modified.Abbreviations Con A concanavalin A - BHK cells baby hamster kidney cells - HSV Herpes simplex virus     

The evolution of the Hox cluster: insights from outgroups

Two burgeoning research trends are helping to reconstruct the evolution of the Hox cluster with greater detail and clarity. First, Hox genes are being studied in a broader phylogenetic sampling of taxa: the past year has witnessed important new data from teleost fishes, onychophorans, myriapods, polychaetes, glossiphoniid leeches, ribbon worms, and sea anemones. Second, commonly accepted notions of animal relationships are being challenged by alternative phylogenetic hypotheses that are causing us to rethink the evolutionary relationships of important metazoan lineages, especially arthropods, annelids, nematodes, and platyhelminthes.     

Elucidation of Structure of Lipid A from the Marine Gram-Negative Bacterium Pseudoalteromonas haloplanktis ATCC 14393T

The chemical structure of lipid A, from the marine -proteobacterium Pseudoalteromonas haloplanktis 14393, a main product of lipopolysaccharide hydrolysis (1% AcOH), was determined using chemical methods and NMR spectroscopy. The lipid A was shown to be -1,6-glucosaminobiose 1,4-diphosphate acylated with two (R)-3-hydroxyalkanoic acid residues at C3 and C3 and amidated with one (R)-3-hydroxydodecanoyl and one (R)-3-dodecanoyloxydodecanoyl residue at N2 and N2, respectively.     

Biological control of three floating water weeds,<Emphasis Type="Italic">Eichhornia crassipes,Pistia stratiotes</Emphasis>, and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Salviniamolesta</Emphasis> in the Republic of Congo

Since 1999, four specific weevils (Coleoptera, Curculionidae) were released in the Republic of Congo against three exotic floating water weeds: Neochetina eichhorniae Warner and N. bruchi Hustache against water hyacinth, Neohydronomus affinis Hustache against water lettuce, and Cyrtobagous salviniae Calder and Sands against water fern. Recoveries of exotic weevils were made from all 24 release sites except one, and all four species have established and spread (up to 800 km for water hyacinth weevils). Within a few years of releases, control of water fern and water lettuce was such that fishing and navigation could be resumed, while reductions of water hyacinth populations were only beginning.