Inhibitory effects of different quantitative compositions of Hymenaea leaf resins on a generalist herbivore Spodoptera exigua

The hypotheses that quantitative variation in leaf resins in the leguminous genus Hymenaea may partially be a response to insect predation was tested in feeding experiments with the generalist herbivore, the beet armyworm, Spodoptera exigua Hübn (Noctuidae). Leaf resins of all Hymenaea species are comprised of essentially the same suite of sesquiterpene hydrocarbons, but discrete quantitative patterns have been classified as Compositional Types based on the amounts of major components. In this work pure extracts of leaf resins of Type I (high - and β-selinene), Type II (intermediate amounts of -and β-selinene and caryophyllene) and Type III (high caryophyllene) were incorporated into an artificial diet for the insects at 1 and 3.2% (dry wt). Resin Type treatments produced differential dose-dependent effects on growth rate (lower larval weights and increased time to pupation) and in mortality. More significant inhibitory effects occurred in Compositional Types with a predominance of a single compared (i.e. Types I and III). Significantly higher mortality occurring in Type III treatments suggests that caryophllene may have higher potential toxicity than - and β-selinene for S. exigua. These experiments indicate that feeding by generalist herbivores could be a factor determining quantitative compositional variation: (a) among populations; (b) during the development of leaves; (c) in the spatial distribution within the leaves; and (d) between parent tree and seedling progeny.     

Implications of variation in resin composition among organs, tissues and populations in the tropical legume Hymenaea

Variation in leaf blade, petiole and primary stem resins, composed of sesquiterpene hydrocarbons, is analysed in two contrasting species of the tropical legume Hymenaea. Five populations of the New World H. courbaril, spanning a wide range of ecosystems, are compared with a population of the disjunct African H. verrucosa. Resins in petiole and primary stem tissue are similar, but differ significantly in total composition from leaf blade tissues. The major components, caryophyllene, - and β-selinene and β-copaene vary most significantly among the tissues, but all compounds vary at highly significant levels among populations. The variation patterns in resin composition among the leaf blade and petiole/primary stem tissues are put into a larger context of comparison with the primarily diterpenoid patterns in secondary stem and pod tissues. Although the comparatively minor quantitative differences in the sesquiterpene systems could be attributed solely to developmental and physiological differences among the tissues and populations, the total weight of accumulating evidence regarding quantitative variation and demonstrated toxic and deterrent properties of sesquiterpene resins to insect herbivores leads us to hypothesize a possible role of differential predator pressures.     

Biosynthesis of sesquiterpenes in Hymenaea inferred from their quantitative co-occurrence

Leaf pocket resins of 11 species of the tropical arborescent genus Hymenaea are virtually identical qualitatively, but of widely varying quantitative proportions. Within this large range of variability, several strong positive quantitative correlations between resin constituents were found, especially between caryophyllene and β-humulene and between γ-muurolene and δ-cadinene. These data lead to clarification of sesquiterpene biosynthetic routes in Hymenaea. In addition, quantitative relationships found among caryophyllene, α- and β-selinene, γ-muurolene and δ-cadinene are explained only with difficulty by long accepted biosynthetic pathways, and the intermediacy of germacrenes is suggested.     

Intra- and interplant leaf sesquiterpene variability in Copaifera langsdorfii: relation to microlepidopteran herbivory

Oecophorid herbivory in Copaifera langsdorfii leaves along with sesquiterpene composition, concentration of most of the individual sesquiterpenes and total yield did not significantly differ between the lower and upper portions of tree canopies. Although sesquiterpene variation in leaves collected throughout individual tree canopies was less than variation among trees, leaves which were eaten by oecophorid larvae had slightly lower yields than those unattacked. Individual C. langsdorfii trees within the population were significantly different from one another in sesquiterpene yield, oecophorid herbivory and in the concentration of seven out of the 11 sesquiterpene compounds. Leaf sesquiterpenes appear to be more important in inhibiting herbivory by Stenoma aff. assignata than leaf moisture and nitrogen content and toughness.     

干旱区植物叶片大小对叶表面蒸腾及叶温的影响

利用热及物质交换原理, 并结合前人研究成果, 在单叶尺度上建立了简单的叶温和水气蒸腾模型。模型通过预设值驱动, 预设值参照干旱区环境及植物叶片特征设置。模拟结果显示: 随气孔阻力的增加, 叶片蒸腾速率降低, 叶温升高; 同一环境下, 具有低辐射吸收率的叶片蒸腾速率和叶温更低, 并且气孔阻力越大, 这种差异越明显。另外, 叶片宽度及风速是影响叶片蒸腾及叶温的重要因子。干旱地区植物生长季节, 风速小于0.1 m·s ^-1、气孔阻力接近1000 s·m ^-1时, 降低叶片宽度不仅有利于降低叶片温度, 而且能够降低叶片蒸腾速率, 从而实现保持水分, 增强植物适应高温、干旱的能力。     

Vegetative growth and leaf resin composition in Hymenaea courbaril under photoperiodic extremes

Seedlings from five geographic populations of the widespread Hymenaea courbaril were grown for one year under two extremes of photoperiod. The short photoperiod treatment consisted of 8 hr of unsupplemented greenhouse daylight and the long photoperiod treatment of greenhouse daylight at the natural photoperiod of Santa Cruz, California (37° N) plus a 3-hr night interruption (0.25 mW/cm²). Growth was measured by total stem length and leaf resin sesquiterpene composition was quantitatively analyzed by GLC. Photoperiod had no significant effect on leaf resin chemistry but the longer photoperiod markedly promoted vegetative growth. Large population differences in overall vegetative growth and quantitative leaf resin composition were also evident. Growth patterns indicated that the low intensity night break had little or no effect on growth.     

青藏高原火绒草叶片生态化学计量特征随海拔的变化

地形对植物生存策略的权衡具有重要影响.研究叶片生态化学计量特征沿海拔梯度的分异规律,有助于加深理解植物对环境变化的响应及其生态适应性.对青藏高原东北缘不同海拔(4400～4700、4701～5000和5001～5300 m)火绒草叶片C、N、P含量及其化学计量比进行研究.结果表明: 3个海拔火绒草叶片C、N、P含量分别为405.36、18.42和0.94 g·kg^-1;C/N、C/P、N/P分别为22.67、467.61和20.3;火绒草叶片N、P含量表现出趋同的变化规律,随海拔升高而增加;火绒草叶片C、N、P含量及C/N、C/P、N/P的变异系数均≤30%,其大小依次为P(30%)>C/P(29%)>C/N(18%)>N(17%)>N/P(15%)>C(3%);火绒草植物生长主要受P的限制.     

leaf cuticular alkanes of cultivated Polyscias

Leaf cuticular alkane analysis of 34 cultivars of Polyscias generally supported morphological classifications of this genus, but variability within groups such as P. crispatum suggested that alkane data by itself is insufficient for classification of the various cultivars into species. Alkanes with 27–33 carbon atoms were present in most species, with C₃₁ predominating.     

15个杜鹃花品种叶片解剖结构与植株耐热性的关系

以15个杜鹃花品种为试材,利用扫描电镜观察叶片17项解剖结构,应用变异系数、相关分析和聚类分析对叶片解剖结构进行筛选,采用隶属函数对各品种的耐热性进行综合评价,探讨杜鹃花叶片解剖结构与植株耐热性的关系,为杜鹃花耐热品种选育、引种栽培及栽培区划分提供细胞学理论依据.结果表明: 杜鹃花叶片为典型的异面叶,表皮细胞垂周壁略呈波浪状,气孔为无规则形,仅分布于下表皮,品种之间有16项解剖结构指标差异达到极显著水平,仅下表皮厚度为显著水平;叶片角质层厚度、气孔密度、气孔宽度、栅栏组织厚度和组织结构疏松度是影响耐热性的主要叶片解剖结构性状,而叶片厚度、气孔长度、孔径、气孔开度、海绵组织厚度、栅海比、上下表皮细胞长度和厚度、组织结构疏松度、中脉厚度与植株耐热性的关系不大.15个品种杜鹃花耐热性存在一定差异,其强弱顺序为:松江大桃红>状元红>绿色光辉>粉珍珠>外国红>蓝茵>笔止>大和之春>国旗红>玉玲珑>红珊瑚>宁波红>套瓣朱砂>爱丁堡>琉球红.15个品种杜鹃花抗热性可划分为4类:松江大桃红、状元红和绿色光辉为抗热类型;粉珍珠、外国红、蓝茵、笔止、大和之春、国旗红和玉玲珑为中度抗热类型;红珊瑚、宁波红、套瓣朱砂和爱丁堡为低抗热类型;琉球红为不抗热类型.杜鹃花耐热性的准确评价需参考形态结构、生理生化、遗传等因素,以及杜鹃花高温受害及受害后恢复状况.     

Population studies in Artemisia tridentata ssp. vaseyana: Chromosome numbers and sesquiterpene lactone races

The sesquiterpene lactones and chromosome numbers for three chemical races of Artemisia tridentata ssp. vaseyana have been examined from four populations in western Montana. TLC analysis of the sesquiterpene lactones in the seeds and seed producing parents demonstrated that genetic exchange does occur between sympatric sesquiterpene lactone chemical races. However, other evidence suggests that introgression between these races is restricted to zones of sympatry. There appears to be no correlation between chromosome numbers and sesquiterpene lactone races.     

Chemical composition and anticancer activity of leaf essential oil of Myrica gale L.

Myrica gale L. (Myricaceae), a native plant from Canada used in traditional medicine, was extracted by hydrodistillation and the oil was collected after 30 and 60 min. The chemical composition of these two extracts was determined using GC-MS analysis. We identified 53 components and myrcene (23.18-12.14%), limonene (11.20-6.75%), alpha-phellandrene (9.90-6.49%) and beta-caryophyllene (9.31-10.97%) were the major components in the 30- and 60-min fractions, respectively, whereas higher caryophyllene oxide content was detected in the 60-min fraction (9.94%) than in the 30-min fraction (3.47%). The anticancer activities of these extracts were assessed against human lung carcinoma cell line A-549 and human colon adenocarcinoma cell line, DLD-1. The 60-min fraction showed higher anticancer activity against both tumor cell lines with an IC50 value of 88 +/- 1 microg/ml. The 30-min fraction had an IC50 value of 184 +/- 4 microg/ml for A-549 and 160 +/- 3 microg/ml for DLD-1. The higher cell growth inhibition induced by the 60-min fraction, as compared to the 30-min fraction, could be due to sesquiterpene enrichment.     

Sesquiterpene Deterrence of a Leaf-Tying Lepidopteran, Stenoma ferrocanella, on Hymenaea stigonocarpa in Central Brazil

Study of two populations of Hymenaea stigonocarpa in the central Brazilian cerrado (savanna/woodland) shows attack by a leaf-tying lepidopteran, Steoma ferrocanella, occurred after inferred peak concentration (% of leaf dry wt) of sesquiterpene leaf resins during leaf development. Also a highly statistically significant relationship existed between leaf-tier attack and level of caryophyllene in one population and γ-muurolene in the other population. The data from one population are consistent with laboratory experiments demonstrating highly significant dose-dependent effects of caryophyllene in Hymenaea leaf resin on mortaility of the lepidopteren Spodoptera exigua. Results from both populations support other evidence that changes in the amount of single terpenes in the mixture constituting the resin may have significant antiherbivore effects and, concomitantly, that herbivory may be a source of some of the leaf resin variation.     

Insect allelochemic effects of sesquiterpene lactones from Melampodium

The crude syrups of Melampodium americanum L. and Melampodium leucanthum Torr. and Gray and their principal sesquiterpene lactones, melampodin A and melampodinin A, significantly inhibit growth and deter feeding of the fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith). Melampodin A and melampodinin A caused 2.3 × and 5.5 × greater S. frugiperda larval mortality, respectively, than glaucolide A, a sesquiterpene lactone with previously demonstrated insect allelochemic effects.     

植物叶缘形态的发育调控机理

生物多样性研究的关键问题之一是表型多样性的形成和演化机制, 因为表型多样性与物种多样性密切相关, 同时又承载着遗传和环境的变异信息。植物的叶具有丰富的形态多样性, 而叶形多样性很大程度上体现在叶边缘形态的变异。叶边缘的形态可从全缘、锯齿状到具有不同程度(深浅)和不同式样(羽状或掌状、回数等)的裂片(在发育研究中复叶的小叶也描述为裂片)。关于叶缘齿/裂的发育调控机制, 在拟南芥(Arabidopsis thaliana)、碎米荠(Cardamine hirsuta)、番茄(Solanum lycopersicum)等模式植物中已有较深入的探讨。研究发现, 很多转录因子、小分子RNA及植物激素对叶齿/裂或小叶的形成具有调控作用, 其中生长素输出途径中的转录因子NAM/CUC、miR164以及高浓度生长素的反馈调控可能起到核心作用, 而且该调控模块在真双子叶植物中较为保守; TCP类、SPL类转录因子和其他一些miRNA也在生长素输出途径中发挥作用; 关于KNOX家族转录因子的作用, 虽然多数研究是围绕复叶的形态建成, 但也有数据显示其在叶裂发育中发挥作用。此外, 对拟南芥和碎米荠等十字花科植物的研究还发现, 调控基因RCO通过抑制小叶/裂片之间的细胞增殖而对小叶/叶裂的发育发挥作用。本文综述上述多角度的研究进展, 并尝试概括叶边缘形态的发育调控网络, 为关于叶缘形态多样性形成机制的研究提供可参考的切入点。     

Secondary metabolites from Centaurea grisebachii ssp. grisebachii

The aerial parts of Centaurea grisebachii ssp. grisebachii, a Greek endemic species belonging to section Acrolophus (Cass.) DC., were investigated for the occurrence of sesquiterpene lactones. The eudesmanolide, 4-epi-malacitenolide was the major compound. In addition to the sesquiterpene lactones, five flavonoid aglycons, two lignans, one nor-isoprenoid and one sterol were found.     

Saprotrophy of Conidiobolus and Basidiobolus in leaf litter

This study of the putative saprotrophs of Conidiobolus and Basidiobolus aids the understanding of their ecological roles in litter, and their relationship with the entomogenous fungi of the Entomophthorales. A total of 47 isolates (ten spp.) were screened for their ability to utilise pure compounds, arthropod cadavers, and plant leaf fragments as substrates. Isolates co-occurred in a larch plantation (Larix sp.) or were from adjacent habitats. Of the 21 isolates (nine spp.) tested on potential prime carbon sources, none could utilise common plant structural polymers. Conidiobolus adiaeretus, C. iuxtagenitus, and B. ranarum from litter and some soil isolates of C. heterosporus, C. pumilus, and C. firmipilleus could use starches and glycogen. In marked contrast, all could utilise animal chitin, gelatine, casein, N-acetyl glucosamine, and trehalose. The lipids tributyrin and sunflower oil also supported growth. Conidia on cadavers usually led to high levels of colonisation as was the case for 30 isolates (ten species). Collembola were more frequently and rapidly colonised than mites. Cadavers of many other arthropods were also internally colonised. The ability to utilise cadavers of diverse arthropods indicates that trophic competition between co-occurring test species may be minimal. Niche differentiation may depend more on non-trophic features of their life history. Negative correlation of performance with the presence of naturally occurring, non-test fungi suggests competition with (or antibiosis from) at least some of the other fungi. In washed or unwashed plant fragments of larch litter (F-layer) only occasional local growth and resting spore formation occurred. Extra nutrients did not facilitate colonisation. Alternative forms of repetitional conidia showed a strong association with plant fragments but not with cadavers.     

植物比叶质量研究进展

比叶质量(LMA)是叶片经济型谱中最基础的叶功能性状, 也是重要的复合型结构参数。LMA不仅与植物的许多生理反应密切相关, 而且能定量测定光合产物在单位叶面积的投入, 因而被认为是反映植物生态策略的重要指标。目前, 有关LMA的深入研究已在植物生态学、农学、林学、植物生理学领域全面展开。该文系统阐述了LMA在叶片整体、组织、细胞三个水平的结构解析和计算方法; 重点分析了LMA对光合作用的影响; 讨论了LMA的内在遗传差异以及外部的环境胁迫因子(温度、水分、光照)对LMA的影响, 以期梳理比叶质量研究的思路、策略和方法, 为今后的研究提供借鉴和参考。     

Essential oil composition of two endemic Centaurea species from Turkey, Centaurea mucronifera and Centaurea chrysantha, collected in the same habitat

The essential oils of two endemic Centaurea species from Turkey, C. mucronifera and C. chrysantha, collected in the same habitat, have been studied. The main compounds of the former were germacrene D (29.3%), β-eudesmol (17.4%) and β-caryophyllene (7.3%), while in the latter germacrene D (27.4%), caryophyllene oxide (9.5%) and bicyclogermacrene (5.4%) were detected among its major constituents. The two species produced many similar compounds in their essential oils that could be justified by the similar ecological conditions of their habitat, but also many differences were found that could confirm their taxonomic separation.     

氮添加对山西太岳山天然油松林主要植物叶片性状的影响

为探讨植物性状对大气氮沉降的响应与适应机制, 该文以中国特有的、在北方温性针叶林中广泛分布的天然油松(Pinus tabuliformis)林为研究对象, 在2009-2013年开展了氮添加对植物叶片性状影响的野外控制试验, 4个氮添加浓度分别为0 kg·hm^-2·a^-1 (CK)、50 kg·hm^-2·a^-1 (低氮)、100 kg·hm^-2·a^-1 (中氮)和150 kg·hm^-2·a^-1 (高氮)。试验过程中分别测定了油松、蒙古栎(Quercus mongolica)、茶条槭(Acer ginnala)、毛榛(Corylus mandshurica)、沙梾(Cornus bretschneideri)、绣线菊(Spiraea salicifolia)、金银忍冬(Lonicera maackii)、羊须草(Carex callitrichos)、龙常草(Diarrhena mandshurica)、大火草(Anemone tomentosa)和玉竹(Polygonatum odoratum)等11种主要植物的9种叶片性状, 包括叶厚度(LT)、比叶面积(SLA)、干物质含量(LDMC)、叶氮含量(LNC)、叶磷含量(LPC)等。结果表明: 1)在氮添加影响下, 玉竹等个别物种的LT和SLA、绣线菊等部分物种的叶面积(LA)和LDMC差异显著, 上述所有物种的LNC与大多数物种的叶绿素含量(CC)、LPC显著增加, 油松等9种植物叶片N:P发生显著变化, 不同年龄、不同类型的植物叶片对氮添加的响应不同。2)叶性状之间普遍存在显著相关性, 如SLA与LNC和LPC极显著正相关, LT与LNC和LPC极显著负相关, 且相关性随氮添加强度变化。3) 11种植物的叶片特征空间分布规律与叶经济谱的描述一致, 氮添加使植物在特征空间中的位置向叶片薄、生长快、叶寿命短的“快速投资-收益型”一端发生移动; 在垂直方向上, 阔叶乔木、灌木及草本的位置与针叶乔木的移动方向相反。当环境改变时, 植物会改变生存策略, 调整资源分配, 从而保证物种间相对位置和群落整体结构的稳定性。叶经济谱的形成不依赖于环境的变化, 而是植物一种固有的属性。     

Effects of nitrogen addition on leaf traits of common species in natural Pinus tabuliformis forests in Taiyue Mountain,Shanxi Province,China

Aims Our objectives were to explore the effects of simulated nitrogen deposition on leaf traits and ecological stoichiometry characteristics of common species in natural Pinus tabuliformis forests.
Methods We conducted the experiment of nitrogen (N) addition from 2009 to 2013 in the natural Pinus tabuliformis forests in Taiyue Mountain, Shanxi, China. The levels of N addition were 0 (control), 50 (low-N), 100 (medium-N) and 150 (high-N) kg·hm^-2·a^-1, respectively. Eleven common plant species in 12 20 m × 20 m plots were selected, including Pinus tabuliformis, Quercus mongolica, Acer ginnala, Corylus mandshurica, Cornus bretschneideri, Spiraea salicifolia, Lonicera maackii, Carex callitrichos, Diarrhena mandshurica, Anemone tomentosa, and Polygonatum odoratum. Nine leaf traits were measured, including leaf thickness (LT), specific leaf area (SLA), leaf dry matter content (LDMC), leaf nitrogen content (LNC), leaf phosphorus content (LPC), and other four.
Important findings We found that: 1) LT and SLA of Polygonatum odoratum significantly differed among four levels of N addition. Leaf area (LA) and LDMC of several species, such as Spiraea salicifolia, had significant difference among the N addition concentration. LNC of all species, chlorophyll content (CC) and LPC of most species increased significantly with the addition of N. Leaf N:P of 9 species varied significantly, and leaves with different types and ages showed different responses to N addition. 2) Leaf traits were significantly correlated with each other. For instance, SLA was significantly positively correlated with LNC and LPC. In contrast LT was negatively connected with LNC and LPC. In addition, the degree of correlation changed with the level of N addition. 3) The pattern of species distribution in leaf trait space was consistent with the prediction from the theory of Leaf Economic Spectrum (LES). N addition drove species moving along axis 1 in the trait space, and propelled them towards different directions along axis 2, which indicated that these species tended to take the “fast investment-return” strategy. These results suggested that with the change of environmental conditions, plants changed their survival strategy and adjusted resource allocation to maintain the stability of communities. This is the inherent characteristic of plants, thus the formation of LES did not depend on the environment change.