Potential roles for recently discovered chytrid parasites in the dynamics of harmful algal blooms

Zoosporic true fungi belonging to the phylum Chytridiomycota, commonly referred to as chytrids, are ubiquitous in aquatic environments, however their role in phytoplankton population and eco-physiological dynamics is not fully understood. With the rising occurrence of harmful algal blooms (HABs) of phytoplankton worldwide, there is a growing need to investigate the factors affecting toxicity in algae, with a view to determining the significance of these factors in light of the current trends in global climate change. In this review we present current knowledge regarding the parasitism of phytoplankton by chytrids, including incidence of chytrid epidemics, methodologies used in their isolation and classification, their life cycles and infection strategies, and their potential role in toxin production in algae. We outline key areas in phytoplankton host–parasite dynamics that are poorly understood, discuss the potential roles of chytrids in these areas, and highlight future research directions for the furthering of our knowledge regarding algal ecophysiology. The synthesis of current knowledge in these fields will help researchers develop new hypotheses to further our understanding of primary production in aquatic ecology, and thus enhance our understanding of aquatic ecology, for more effective management of aquatic ecosystems.     

A look into the genetic diversity of Lecanosticta acicola in northern Europe

For northern Europe Lecanosticta acicola is an emerging pine needle pathogen. This study gives a first look into the population genetics of the pathogen in Estonia, the first population documented in that region. The main aim of this study was to investigate the genetic diversity and population structure of the pathogen in this new region for the fungus. For this purpose, 104 isolates from 2010 to 2017 were analysed with 11 microsatellite and mating type markers. The stand where the pathogen's jump from an exotic host to the native Scots pine was recorded was also involved in this analysis. The analysis revealed low genetic diversity and a high number of clones that indicated L. acicola is an invasive species in northern Europe. Results suggest that several separate introductions have taken place and anthropogenic activity has apparently affected the spread of the pathogen. Clonal reproduction is dominating and although sexual reproduction is possible, it probably takes place infrequently.     

Interactions of blue light and inorganic carbon supply in the control of light-saturated photosynthesis in brown algae

Photosynthetic capacities of five species of brown algae in red light were found to be strongly limited by the inorganic carbon supply of natural sea water. Under these conditions, pH 8·2 and dissolved inorganic carbon concentration (DIG) of 2·1 mol m^?3, a short pulse of blue light was found to increase the subsequent rate of photosynthesis in saturating red light. The degree of blue light stimulation varied between species, ranging from an increase of over 200% of the original rate in Colpomenia peregrins to only 10% in Dictyota dichotoma. Increasing the DIG concentration of sea water by bicarbonate addition resulted in carbon saturation of photosynthesis in all five species. Blue light stimulation was greatly reduced at these higher DIG concentrations. The response in Laminaria digitata was examined in more detail by manipulation of pH and DIG to produce solutions with different concentrations of dissolved CO₂. At a CO₂ concentration typical of normal sea water (12·4 mmol m^?3), blue light treatment increased photosynthetic rate by approximately 50%. Blue light stimulation was increased to over 150% at CO₂ concentrations below that of sea water, whereas at concentrations above that of sea water, the effect was diminished. Therefore, the effect of blue light on photosynthetic capacity appears to involve an increase in the rate of supply of carbon dioxide to the plant.     

洱海蓝藻水华暴发期浮游植物群落变化及影响因素

对洱海水质和浮游植物进行了调查, 分析了洱海藻类水华暴发季节水质营养水平及浮游植物多样性, 并探讨了洱海浮游植物种群演替的环境机制. 研究结果表明, 洱海蓝藻水华在6-10月份大量暴发, 蓝藻数量高达107 cells/L, 水华种类为微囊藻(Microcystis)属的一些种, 微囊藻在6-10月份占绝对优势, 最高可达90%以上. 分析5-11月洱海营养水平, 其中7月营养水平最高, 浮游植物生物量10月份最大(以叶绿素a表示). 使用SPSS里的pearson分析了浮游植物和各理化因子的关系, 结果表明相对于其他浮游植物种类, 总磷(TP)对微囊藻的影响比较大.       

Interactions between carbon dioxide and oxygen in the photosynthesis of three species of marine red macroalgae

Summary

Red algae have the highest known selectivity factor (S_rel) for CO₂ over O₂ of ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase-oxygenase (RUBISCO). This allows the prediction that a red alga relying on diffusive supply of CO₂ to RUBISCO from air-equilibrated solution should have less O₂ inhibition of photosynthesis than would an otherwise similar non-red alga with a lower S_rel of RUBISCO. Furthermore, RUBISCO shows an increased S_rel values at low temperatures. The prediction that O ₂inhibition of photosynthesis should be small for marine red algae relying on diffusive CO₂ entry growing in the North Sea with an annual temperature range of 4–16°C was tested in O₂ electrode experiments at 12°C. Phycodrys rubens and Plocamium cartilagineum, which rely on diffusive CO₂ entry showed, as predicted, only a small inhibition at lower inorganic C concentrations. Palmaria palmata, which has a CO₂ concentrating mechanism, had the expected negligible O ₂ inhibition of photosynthesis at any inorganic C concentration except (non-significantly) for saturating inorganic C.     

喀斯特高寒干旱区不同经济树种的碳氮磷钾生态化学计量特征

探讨喀斯特高寒干旱区不同经济树种碳(C)、氮(N)、磷(P)、钾(K)含量及生态化学计量特征,丰富对"内稳态理论"、"生长速率理论"和生态系统养分限制状况的理解,为改善喀斯特生态环境提供理论支撑。本文以毕节市七星关区撒拉溪示范区的刺梨(Rosa roxburghii)、核桃(Juglans regia)2种主要经济树种作为研究对象,分析比较不同经济树种的养分含量特征、生态化学计量特征以及"叶片-凋落物-土壤"C、N、P含量和计量比之间的关系。结果表明:(1)2种经济树种不同组分中,核桃叶片有机C含量最高(均值为436.73 mg/g),刺梨叶片全N、全P含量最大(均值为20.77、2.10 mg/g),全K含量则为核桃根区土壤中最丰富(均值为17.07 mg/g)。核桃根区土壤速效K含量高于刺梨,表明核桃具有较好的耐旱性。(2)刺梨N再吸收率(19.23%)显著高于核桃N再吸收率(4.05%),表明与核桃相比,刺梨根区土壤N元素匮乏。(3)生态化学计量特征总体呈现出凋落物叶片根区土壤的规律。刺梨叶片N∶P低于14,说明刺梨生长时主要受N限制。刺梨叶片C∶P、N∶P低于核桃,推测栽种年限相同时,刺梨树种生长速率高于核桃树种。凋落物N∶P表现为核桃刺梨,故核桃凋落物能保留更多养分。核桃根区土壤C∶N高于刺梨,说明核桃地保肥能力较好。(4)根区土壤全P与叶片全P呈极显著正相关,说明植物叶片中P主要来源于土壤。根区土壤全N与凋落物C∶N呈极显著正相关,可见根区土壤中N含量与凋落物分解密切相关。