Variability of Lycopersicon hirsutum f. typicum and possible compounds involved in its resistance to Tuta absoluta

1 The resistance of Lycopersicon hirsutum f. typicum and L. esculentum to the leafminer Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) was investigated in two experiments. The first experiment assessed the resistance of L. hirsutum f. typicum (accession LA 1777) to T. absoluta, the second assessed the variability of the resistance among plants of this accession. 2 It was found that L. hirsutum f. typicum was resistant to the leafminer, which showed longer larval phase, higher larval mortality, smaller numbers of large mines and greater numbers of small mines/leaf than on L. esculentum. Seven plants of the accession LA 1777 showed lower number of small mines/leaf, but their results of larval mortality and length of larval and pupal phase were similar. Twenty-two peaks were observed in total ion chromatograms of L. hirsutum f. typicum hexane extracts of leaves subjected to a gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric analysis (CG-MS). However, the matches obtained between the peak spectra and the MS database were too low to justify even preliminary identification of the compounds.     

Some vicariating plant communities in Brazil,Malaysia and Singapore

Dune communities with dominant Ipomoea pes-caprae (coastal strand vegetation) and communities with dominant Gleicheiniaceae (fern communities of forest borderlines) were distinguished and comparatively studied in Brazil, Malaysia and Singapore, and compared with similar stands around the world. A total of 71 vegetation relevés was collected. In coastal dune vegetation, the new associations Ipomoeo pediscaprae-Sporoboletum virginicae was distinguished for Brazil, and the vicariant Wedelio biflorae-Ipomoeetum pedis-caprae is described from Malaysia and Singapore. The vegetation of forest borderlines is characterized in Brazil by the new association Lycopodio cernuui-Gleicheinietum bifidae, which was subdivided in two subassociations (droseretosum capillaris and typicum). A physiognomically similar community was detected and described in Malaysia and Singapore as the new association Lycopodio cernuui-Dicranopteridetum curranii with two subassociations (typicum and dicranopteridetosum linearis).     

New and little known planthoppers of the subfamily Ommatidiotinae (Homoptera,Fulgoroidea, Caliscelidae) from Madagascar and South Asia

Cano merinus gen. et sp. n., belonging to the tribe Augilini Baker, is described from Madagascar. Tubilustrium typicum Distant, 1916 is transferred from the tribe Ommatidiotini Fieber to the tribe Augilini. Lasonia kirkaldyi Melichar, 1903 is transferred from the family Issidae to the family Caliscelidae, tribe Adenissini Dlabola. A key to the tribes of the subfamily Ommatidiotinae is provided.     

Bioremoval capacity of three heavy metals by some microalgae species (Egyptian Isolates)

Three fresh water microalgal isolates [Phormidium ambiguum (Cyanobacterium), Pseudochlorococcum typicum and Scenedesmus quadricauda var quadrispina (Chlorophyta)] were tested for tolerance and removal of mercury (Hg²⁺), lead (Pb²⁺) and cadmium (Cd²⁺) in aqueous solutions as a single metal species at conc. 5–100 mg / L under controled laboratory conditions. The obtained results showed that Hg²⁺ was the most toxic of the three metal ions to the test algae even at low concentration (< 20 mg/L). While lower concentration of Pb²⁺ and Cd²⁺ (5–20 mg / L) enhanced the algal growth (chlorophyll a and protein), elevated concentrations (40–100 mg / L) were inhibitory to the growth. The results also revealed that Ph. ambiguum was the most sensitive alga to the three metal ions even at lower concentrations (5 and 10 mg / L) while P. typicum and S. quadricauda were more tolerant to high metal concentrations up to 100 mg / L. The bioremoval of heavy metal ions (Hg²⁺, Pb²⁺ and Cd²⁺) by P. typicum from aqueous solution showed that the highest percentage of metal bioremoval occurred in the first 30 min of contact recording 97% (Hg²⁺), 86% (Cd²⁺) and 70% (Pb²⁺). Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was used to study the interaction between heavy metal ions and P. typicum cells. At ultrastructural level, an electron dense layers were detected on the algal cell surfaces when exposed to Cd, Hg and Pb. At the same time, dark spherical electron dense bodies were accumulated in the vacuoles of the algal cells exposed to Pb. Excessive accumulation of starch around the pyrenoids were recorded as well as deteriorations of the algal cell organelles exposed to the three metal ions.     

Tracing the Paleobiology of Paedotherium and Tremacyllus (Pachyrukhinae,Notoungulata), the Latest Sciuromorph South American Native Ungulates – Part I: Snout and Masticatory Apparatus

Inquiring into the paleoecology of extinct forms is always a challenge, particularly when the taxa under study correspond to derived ecomorphs of ancient and completely extinct clades. In this contribution, the configuration of the masticatory apparatus and associated features of the Neogene pachyrukhines Paedotherium and Tremacyllus are studied in a detailed, mainly qualitative, comparative analysis of 36 specimens. Tooth morphology and the reconstructed muscular configuration of pachyrukhines indicate an important mediolateral component during chewing, and predominant crushing over grinding, as well as anteroposterior movements for the coupling and action of stronger gnawing incisors. These actions are more compatible with hard and brittle or turgid fruit food consumption than specialized folivorous, and particularly grazing, habits. The infraorbital and palatal foramina morphology and other rostral features indicate increased touch sensibility for object recognition and are congruent with the presence of infoldings of the lips protecting the gingiva during gnawing on hard foods. Additionally, there was a morphological gradient between Tremacyllus and P. bonaerense, from high selection of relatively soft and small food items, to specialized hard item consumption and higher resistance for abrasion and masticatory efforts (e.g., in eventual association with digging habits), respectively. Paedotherium typicum presents intermediate characteristics, with incisors designed for better cropping action or poorer selectivity during feeding. This more profound understanding of the feeding habits of pachyrukhines further allows the suggestion of paleoecological factors that could have contributed to niche segregation between these long-term coexisting rodent-like taxa.

     

The development of bridge lines for interspecific gene transfer between Lycopersicon esculentum and L. peruvianum

Summary Using a modified embryo callus culture technique, hybrids between Lycopersicon esculentum and L. peruvianum were developed and their usefulness as bridge lines for facilitating interspecific gene transfer was evaluated. Four of these lines showed a high level of sexual compatibility with several other L. peruvianum var. typicum accessions, as well as with accessions of L. peruvianum var. humifusum and L. peruvianum var. glandulosum and L. esculentum. These bridge line x L. peruvianum hybrids could be crossed with L. esculentum to introgress genes from L. peruvianum into L. esculentum.     

Zur Sukzession der mediterranen vegetation auf der Insel Lokrum bei Dubrovnik

Through vegetation mapping in 1959 and 1979 of the eumediterranean Adriatic island of Lokrum (under nature conservation since 1948) a progressive succession could be indicated. Progression is most pronounced on former grasslands and garrigue, the latter still being assigned to the Orno-Quercetum ilicis myrtetosum. In the S part of the island an extension of the Orno-Quercetum ilicis typicum could be indicated on areas where the first map showed Orno-Quercetum ilicis myrtetosum.For further detailed quantitative investigations of dynamics and structure, permanent quadrats were established. Degradation phases, with typical own plant species, will be maintained through adaequate human interference, such as small-scale chopping and strictly controlled burning.

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Nomenklatur der Pflanzensippen nach Ehrendorfer (1973), Nomenklatur der Pflanzengesellschaften nach Horvatié (1963a).     

Die Ruderalvegetation des nördlichen Teils der Donau-Tiefebene 2. Gesellschaften des Dauco-Melilotion-Verbandes auf ruderalen Standorten

Die vorliegende Darstellung knüpft thematisch und inhaltlich an die Schilderung der Gesellschaften des Onopordion acanthii-Verbandes im nördlichen Teil der Donau-Tiefebene (Mucina 1981) an. Sie enthält die Bearbeitung subthermophiler Gesellschaften des Dauco-Melilotion-Verbandes auf ruderalen Standorten, wie: Melilotetum albae-officinalis, Berteroëtum incanae, Dauco-Picridetum, Dauco-Crepidetum rhoeadifoliae und der Erigeron annuus-Gesellschaft. Als neu wurden folgende Syntaxa beschrieben: Berteroëtum incanae typicum typische Variante und die Variante mit Salvia nemorosa, Dauco-Picridetum typicum typische Variante und die Variante mit Atriplex acuminata und Dauco-Picridetum crepidetosum biennidis. Die untersuchte Gesellschaften-Gruppe entspricht standörtlich der Gruppe der gleichfalls in den Rahmen des Dauco-Melilotion-Verbandes eingeordneten Gesellschaften-Gruppe natürlicher Standorte.     

PHYSIOLOGICAL EVIDENCE OF HYBRIDIZATION AND RETICULATE EVOLUTION IN PHLOX MACULATA

A comparative physiological analysis was conducted on a hybrid swarm involving P. maculata subsp. maculata and P. glaberrima subsp. interior. The population contained an array of segregates and introgressants. Hybrids displayed a high degree of heterogeneity in their physiological attributes, some characters being intermediate to, similar to, or transgressing those of the parental taxa. For example, both net photosynthetic rates and net photosynthetic/dark respiratory ratios were enhanced in the hybrids, and the level of enhancement was associated with the level of morphological intermediacy. Conversely, no enhancement was noted in either respiration rates or foliar fresh weight/ovendry weight ratios of the hybrids. Because of physiological imbalance, about one-third of the hybrids were eliminated early in their development. Representatives of P. maculata subsp. pyramidalis, a putative stabilized derivative of hybridization between the above two parental species, were intermediate in most physiological features and closely resembled some natural hybrids. The data verify that the physiological features of subspecies pyramidalis can be assembled through recombination of the P. maculata and P. glaberrima genomes.     

Alnion forests in Lower Saxony (FRG), their ecological requirements,classification and position within Carici elongatae-Alnetum of Northern Central Europe

In the diluvial plain of Lower Saxony ( = Niedersachsen) two types of alder fen woods are found: alder swamp woods (alder carrs) with a more changing water table and inundations in winter, and alder spring woods without hibernal inundation and a more or less constant water table. While all alder swamp woods are Alnion forests, the alder spring woods can be devided into Alnion and Alno-Ulmion forests.All Alnion forests in the diluvial plain of Lower Saxony belong to the association Carici elongatae-Alnetum Schwick. 1933. This association can be devided into three subassociations, C. el.-Al. betuletosum Bodeux 1955, C. el.-Al. typicum Meijer Drees 1936 and C. el.-Al. cardaminetosum Meijer Drees 1936.Low pH-values and high C/N-ratios of the soil are good indicators to distinguish the Carici elongatae-Alnetum betuletosum from the other two subassociations. Humus contents has a tendency to decrease in the sequence C. el.-Al. betuletosum > C. el.-Al. typicum > C. el.-Al cardaminetosum, but is no reliable factor for classification of a single plot. Differences in annual groundwater level variations cause a floristical differentiation only within alderwoods of meso- to eutrophic sites. Here a nearly constant water table or at least no hibernal inundation leads to a Carici elongatae-Alnetum cardaminetosum, while sites which are inundated in winter carry the Carici elongatae-Alnetum typicum. On oligotrophic sites both, swamp and spring woods belong to the Carici elongatae-Alnetum betuletosum.The subdivision of the Carici elongatae-Alnetum for the whole lowlands of northern Central Europe is generally the same as for Lower Saxony. Source reference: This paper was presented as a poster with the title Alnion Forests in Lower Saxony (FRG)-Syntaxonomical position and ecological requirements on the IAVS-Symposium Forests of the World, Upsala 20.–27.8.1989.     

A root trait accounting for the extreme phosphorus sensitivity of Hakea prostrata (Proteaceae)

Proteaceae are adapted to acquire P from nutrient‐impoverished soils; many function at very low leaf P levels, but are killed by P fertilization. Phosphorus toxicity develops at a remarkably low external P concentration. Previous studies have described P toxicity in Proteaceae, but the physiological basis for it remained unclear. The aim of the present study was to elucidate the physiological basis of P toxicity in Hakea prostrata R. Br. (Proteaceae). Triticum aestivum L. (Gramineae), Medicago truncatula Gaertn., Lupinus albus L. (both Fabaceae) and Hakea prostrata R.Br. were grown in solution at a range of P concentrations (0–1000 mmol P m^?3), and determined net P‐uptake rates at 5 (all species) and 50 mmol P m^?3 (H. prostrata only). With the exception of H. prostrata, net P‐uptake rates were fastest for plants grown without added P. Down‐regulation occurred for T. aestivum, M. truncatula and L. albus when the P concentration during growth was increased from 0 to 0.8 mmol P m^?3, whereas in H. prostrata rates decreased only for plants grown at 10 mmol P m^?3 or more. The leaf [P] at which P toxicity occurred in H. prostrata exceeded 10 mg g^?1 dry matter, similar to that for crop species. The low capacity to reduce P uptake in response to increased supply offers a physiological explanation for the extreme sensitivity to P supply in H. prostrata, and possibly other Proteaceae.     

Low leaf N and P resorption contributes to nutrient limitation in two desert shrubs

Both water and nutrients are limiting in arid environments, and desert plants have adapted to these limitations through numerous developmental and physiological mechanisms. In the Mono Basin, California, USA, co-dominant Sarcobatus vermiculatus and Chrysothamnus nauseosus ssp. consimilis are differentially N and P limited. We hypothesized that low leaf N resorption contributes to N-limitation in Sarcobatus and that low leaf P resorption contributes to P-limitation in Chrysothamnus. As predicted, Sarcobatus resorbed proportionally 1.7-fold less N than Chrysothamnus, but reduced leaf P in senescent leaves to lower levels than Chrysothamnus (8.0–10.8-fold lower based on leaf area or mass, respectively), consistent with N, but not P limitations in Sarcobatus. Again, as predicted, Chrysothamnus resorbed proportionally 2.0-fold less P than Sarcobatus yet reduced leaf N in senescent leaves to lower levels than Sarcobatus (1.8–1.3-fold lower based on leaf area or mass, respectively), consistent with P, but not N limitations in Chrysothamnus. Leaf N and P pools were approximately 50% of aboveground pools in both species during the growing season, suggesting leaf resorption can contribute significantly to whole plant nutrient retention. This was consistent with changes in leaf N vs. P concentration as plants grew from seedlings to adults. Our results support the conclusion that N-limitation in Sarcobatus and P-limitation in Chrysothamnus are in part caused by physiological (or other) constraints that prevent more efficient resorption of N or P, respectively. For these species, differential nutrient resorption may be a key physiological component contributing to their coexistence in this saline, low resource habitat.     

Ecological studies ofSargassum thunbergii (Mertens) O. Kuntze in Maizuru Bay,Japan Sea

Sargassum thunbergii growing on the sheltered coast of Maizuru Bay, which faces the Japan Sea, has been ecologically studied. The alga is perennial, its basal part (holdfast and stem) persisting even after its primary laterals have decayed. The alga forms a conspicuous zone especially in the summer. In the winter the plant is small and its growth is very slow. After that, with the rising of both temperature and tidal levels the alga grows progressively both in length and weight, and also forms numerous lateral branches. In summer (July to August) when the tidal levels are high (+21 cm to +43 cm), the alga is always submerged. At this time, the water temperature reaches the highest in the year (27–29 C), and the alga attains its maximum length and weight. Simultaneously, maturation occurs, and soon afterwards its primary laterals rapidly decay away, while young primary laterals beging to grow. Formae ofSargassum thunbergii (f.typicum, f.latifolia, f.nipponicum and f.swartzianum), which were established by Yendo (1907) and by Okamura (1923) are also discussed in terms of their ecology.     

Marine Isopoda of The Snares islands,New Zealand — 1. Gnathiidea,Valvifera, Anthuridea,and Flabellifera

Abstract

Twenty-four species of shallow-water marine non-asellote isopods are described or noted from collections made by University of Canterbury workers at The Snares islands (asterisks denote new records): Gnathia akaroensis* (Gnathiidae); Neastacilla antipadea n.sp., N. tuberculata* (Arcturidae); Crabyzos elongatus*, Euidotea peronii*, Idotea metallica* (ldoteidae); Mesanthura sp. (Anthuridae); Colanthura rima n.sp., Paranthura flagellata* (Paranthuridae); Cirolana rossi*, Cirolana sp. (Cirolanidae); Lironeca raynaudii* (Cymothoidae); Limnoria quadripunctata* (Limnoriidae); Plakarthrium typicum* (Plakarthriidae); Amphoroidea falcifer, A. longipes*, Dynamenella condita, D. huttoni, Scutuloidea maculata, Ciliacaea caniculata, Cymodoce allegra, Exosphaeroma obtusum, Isocladus calcareus, and Pseudosphaeroma campbellensis (Sphaeromatidae). Cymodoce australis has been recorded from The Snares but was not represented in the material examined. The genus Paradynamenopsis from Chile is made a junior synonym of Pseudosphaeroma.     

Comparative physiological and proteomic responses to drought stress in two poplar species originating from different altitudes

Cuttings of Populus kangdingensis C. Wang et Tung and Populus cathayana Rehder were examined during a single growing season in a greenhouse for comparative analysis of their physiological and proteomic responses to drought stress. The said species originate from high and low altitudes, respectively, of the eastern Himalaya. Results revealed that the adaptive responses to drought stress vary between the two poplar species. As a consequence of drought stress, the stem height increment and leaf number increment are more significantly inhibited in P. cathayana compared with P. kangdingensis. On the other hand, in response to drought stress, more significant cellular damages such as reduction in leaf relative water content and CO₂ assimilation rate, increments in the contents of malondialdehyde and hydrogen peroxide and downregulation or degradation of proteins related to photosynthesis occur in P. cathayana compared with P. kangdingensis. On the other hand, P. kangdingensis can cope better with the negative impact on the entire regulatory network. This includes more efficient increases in content of solute sugar, soluble protein and free proline and activities of antioxidant enzymes, as well as specific expressions of certain proteins related to protein processing, redox homeostasis and sugar metabolism. Morphological consequences as well as physiological and proteomic responses to drought stress between species revealed that P. kangdingensis originating from a high altitude manifest stronger drought adaptation than did P. cathayana originating from a low altitude. Functions of various proteins identified by proteomic experiment are related with physiological phenomena. Physiological and proteomic responses to drought stress in poplar may work cooperatively to establish a new cellular homeostasis, allowing poplar to develop a certain level of drought tolerance.     

Genetic variation in photosynthetic characteristics among invasive and native populations of reed canarygrass (Phalaris arundinacea)

With the extensive spread of invasive species throughout North America and Europe there is an urgent need to better understand the morphological and physiological characteristics of successful invasive plants and the evolutionary mechanisms that allow introduced species to become invasive. Most ecological studies have focused on morphological differences and changes in community dynamics, and physiological studies have typically explored the differences between native and invasive species. In this study, 15 different genotypes of Phalaris arundinacea from both its native (European) and invasive (North American) range were grown in a common garden experiment to monitor the physiological differences between native and invasive genotypes. Here we present data that suggests high variability exists in the physiological traits among genotypes of P. arundinacea, yet genotypes from the native range are not necessarily physiologically inferior to the hybridized invasive genotypes. Previous work has shown that multiple introductions of P. arundinacea from various European locations to the United States resulted in numerous hybridization events, yielding more genetic variability and phenotypic plasticity in the invasive range. Of the genotypes studied, both morphological and physiological traits of genotypes with French origin were significantly different from the plants from the Czech Republic, North Carolina, and Vermont. The lack of clear differences between native and invasive genotypes indicates that physiological traits may be highly conserved in P. arundinacea and enhanced photosynthetic rates are not indicative of successful invasive genotypes. Instead, morphological traits and defensive secondary compound metabolism may play a more important role in the success of P. arundinacea within its invasive range, and patterns of genetic variation in physiological traits between invasive and native range may be more important than the mean traits of each region when explaining reed canarygrass’ invasive potential in North America.     

Physiological integration impacts nutrient use and stoichiometry in three clonal plants under heterogeneous habitats

Physiological integration facilitates clonal plants to deal with heterogeneous resources. However, little is known about how nutrient patchiness affects its use and stoichiometry in clonal plants. We conducted an experiment with Cynodon dactylon, Glechoma longituba, and Potentilla reptans to address the effects of physiological integration on nutrient use efficiency and N:P ratios. For C. dactylon, the effects of nutrient patchiness on N use efficiency (NUE), P use efficiency (PUE), and N:P ratio were stronger in daughter ramets than in parent ramets; for G. longituba, nutrient patchiness affected PUE and N:P ratio of parent and daughter ramets, but not NUE; for P. reptans, nutrient patchiness decreased NUE, PUE, and N:P ratio, regardless of parent or daughter ramets. PUE was associated with N:P ratios in three clonal plants and this association of NUE with N:P ratios varied with species. Our findings suggest that physiological integration alters nutrient use efficiency and N:P ratios of clonal plants under patchy nutrients and that these effects are linked to clonal species identity.     

Phosphorus inputs unmask negative effects of ultraviolet radiation on algae in a high mountain lake

Ultraviolet solar radiation (UVR) and atmospheric nutrient loads to pristine ecosystems are global climate change phenomena that simultaneously affect aquatic organisms in ways not easily predicted by single factor studies. Plankton in a high mountain lake was exposed in situ to increasing phosphorus (P) concentrations (mimicking atmospheric pulses) in absence or presence of UVR in order to identify their interactive effect on functional [primary production, organic carbon (C) release (EOC), and percentage of C released (%EOC)], growth rate, structural–physiological (algal biomass, sestonic C, P content, chlorophyll a (Chl a), and Chl a : C ratio, P cell quota, cell‐specific Chl a), and stoichiometric (autotroph C : P ratio) traits. The availability of P after the pulse determined the intensity of responses by primary producers to UVR stress. All structural–physiological and functional variables significantly increased by up to two orders of magnitude in response to P enrichment. UV radiation, over a long‐term scale, exerted significant deleterious effects on most structural–physiological variables when inorganic P was added at high levels (≥30 μg P L^?1). The subsequent unexpected negative synergistic UVR × P effect on algal development did not support our initial hypothesis that P input might buffer the harmful UVR effect. UVR exerted a weak negative effect on primary production but strongly enhanced the absolute and percentage excretion of C (up to 60%), mechanism responsible of a significant reduction in autotroph C : P ratios. We propose that low sestonic C : P ratios are the outcome of an adaptive strategy of algae in environments with high UVR exposure and extreme nutrient limitation and have important implications for C flux through grazing vs. microbial food webs in oligotrophic systems.