档树叶片的角质蒸腾实验

折枝处理降低了叶片下表皮蒸腾速率，提高上表皮角质蒸腾占叶总蒸腾的比值，使角质蒸腾的上下振幅增大。２ｍ高度叶片低于１ｍ高度叶片的上表皮角质蒸腾。位于黑纸套内及阴处的叶片上表皮角质蒸腾占叶总蒸腾的比值均增大，而全日上表皮角质蒸腾的振幅却减少。     

桃树叶片的角质蒸腾实验

折枝处理降低了叶片下表皮蒸腾速率，提高了上表皮角质蒸腾占叶总蒸腾的比值，使角质蒸腾的上下振幅增大。２ ｍ 高度叶片低于１ ｍ 高度叶片的上表皮角质蒸腾。位于黑纸套内及阴处的叶片上表皮角质蒸腾占叶总蒸腾的比值均增大，而全日上表皮角质蒸腾的振幅却减少。     

桃树冠层蒸腾动态的数学模拟

将气孔导度公式、Penman—Monteith公式和土壤水分限制模型相结合,可以模拟出不同环境因子对植物蒸腾进程的影响。通过对盆栽桃树（Prunus persica var．nectadna Maxim．）数值模拟发现：影响桃树蒸腾速率的主要气象因子是太阳辐射、大气温度和湿度。植物通过气孔导度的改变来响应气象因子的变化,蒸腾的日变化主要是由气象因子的日变化引起的。土壤的水分状况也对气孔导度有显著的影响,进而影响植物的蒸腾大小。通过数值模拟还发现植物的蒸腾量并不总是随叶面积的增大而增大,对于桃树而言叶面积指数为4左右时日蒸腾量达到最大值。通过对气孔导度和蒸腾速率的模拟值和实测值进行检验发现,两者基本吻合,说明利用数学模拟的方法可以求出不同环境条件和不同叶面积桃树冠层的蒸腾速率。     

桃树叶片角质蒸腾的日变化

用ZHT蒸腾仪分别测定本校校园内栽植的碧桃（Amygdalpersica）成熟叶片（顶叶下第8～9片）和幼嫩叶片（顶叶下第3～4片）上下表皮蒸腾速率日变化,结果（表1）如下：（1）镜检可见桃树叶片上表皮元气孔,其蒸腾为角质蒸腾,下表皮为胶质和气孔蒸腾速率之和,总蒸腾为上下表皮蒸     

云南禄劝中泥盆世晚期角质残植煤中植物角质层的再研究

通过光学、扫描电子和透射电子显微镜观察,对云南禄劝中泥盆世晚期角质残植煤层中的植物角质层进行再研究。禄劝的植物角质层定为Orestoviacf.devonica Ergolskaya,1936,具有两种类型:类型Ⅰ,角质层具有规则分布的孔状结构,分布密度为40—45个/mm2,表皮细胞呈不规则多边形或长条形;类型Ⅱ,角质层规则分布似气孔结构,分布密度为50—60个/mm2,表皮细胞呈长方形。根据大植物化石研究,结合生物地层资料,云南禄劝的植物角质残植煤层的成煤时代为中泥盆世晚期(late Givetian)。基于对当时古地理和古气候分析,云南禄劝角质残植煤层的形成主要受控于当时区域古地理环境及其局部古气候条件。     

黄土丘陵沟壑区狼牙刺的蒸腾作用研究

对狼牙刺和柠条的蒸腾日变化、月变化作了动态测定,研究了狼牙刺的蒸腾特性及其同环境因子及土壤水分之间的关系。结果表明:(1)狼牙刺和柠条的蒸腾速率日变化基本是以单峰型曲线为主,少数为双峰型。在10:00~14:00时段是狼牙刺和柠条的高速蒸腾期;蒸腾极大值多出现在12:00。(2)从6~9月份,狼牙刺和柠条的蒸腾速率呈逐月下降趋势,不同林龄狼牙刺之间的蒸腾速率月均值差异不明显,但狼牙刺与柠条的蒸腾速率月均值的种间差异比较明显,即柠条的蒸腾作用略高于狼牙刺。(3)一天当中,狼牙刺的蒸腾速率与光合有效辐射、空气温度密切正相关,与大气湿度负相关;6~9月,狼牙刺蒸腾速率的日均值与土壤水分状况密切正相关。(4)在黄土丘陵沟壑区进行人工林草植被建设过程中,应该主要充分了解物种在6、7月份(林木生长旺盛期)的耗水特点及土壤供水能力,以保证植被的快速恢复。     

植物角质层内外蜡质的差异及其与抗逆性的关系

植物角质层是覆盖在植物地上部分的叶、花和非木质茎等器官表面的保护层,包括角质和蜡质。其中蜡质根据分布位置不同又分为表皮蜡质和内部蜡质。大量研究表明,表皮蜡质含量和结构在植物生长发育和抗逆性申发挥着重要作用。近年来有研究发现构成蜡质的成分在内外蜡质层中的分布存在差异,角质层蜡质成分影响植物抗逆性。本文针对角质层结构和内外蜡质差异性以及角质层结构和组成与植物抗逆性之间的关系进行了综述。     

角质层的生化特性及其结构和功能

角质层含角质和蜡。前者主要是由含16和18个碳原子的两类单体组成的多聚体,生物合成均需要引物,生物合成后的角质单体经酶催化形成多聚体。后者多为长碳链的烃、醛、醇、酸或酯类化合物。角质层的主要功能是控制植物与环境的水分交换、调节植物体温、防止机械损伤和抵御病菌侵染。     

植物角质膜及其渗透性与抗旱性研究进展

角质膜覆盖于陆生植物的地上部分,是植物与外部环境之间的第一道屏障,保护植物免遭各种生物和非生物胁迫。本文就植物角质膜的结构、成分、生物合成的途径及机理、渗透性及温度、湿度、活性剂对角质膜渗透性的影响,角质膜与植物抗旱性关系的研究进展做系统综述,并对植物角质膜研究中存在的问题进行了探讨。     

植物角质膜研究进展

植物的角质膜是植物与外界环境的交界面, 有利于植物减少蒸腾、抵抗紫外伤害和防止病虫害等。植物与外部环境相互作用的过程中, 其角质膜会构建自身的防御系统, 如通过自身结构、成分的改变及产生次生代谢产物来减轻外界不利环境因子的胁迫。因此, 植物角质膜与环境之间的密切关系对于植物生长有着重要意义。该文综述了植物角质膜的结构、成分、形成、功能及其与次生代谢和环境的关系, 同时对研究中存在的问题进行了讨论并展望了相关领域的研究前景。     

Phenotypic plasticity of desiccation resistance in Glossina puparia: are there ecotype constraints on acclimation responses?

Phenotypic plasticity allows organisms to cope with environmental variation and may aid in the evolution of novel traits. However, whether phenotypic plasticity is beneficial, or if acclimation responses might be constrained to particular ecotypes is generally poorly explored. Here we test the beneficial acclimation hypothesis (BAH) and its alternatives for desiccation resistance to atmospheric moisture in mesic‐ and xeric‐adapted Glossina species. Highly significant interactions among acclimation and test humidity were detected for water loss rates indicative of significant phenotypic plasticity. Ordered‐factor anova was unable to reject predictions of the ‘drier is better’ acclimation hypothesis in xeric Glossina morsitans and mesic G. austeni. Evidence for the ‘deleterious acclimation hypothesis’ was found for mesic G. palpalis as expected from the moist habitats it typically occupies. By contrast, support for the ‘optimal acclimation hypothesis’ was found in xeric G. pallidipes. Little support for BAH was obtained in the present study, although other hypotheses, which might enhance fitness within the environments these species are typically exposed to, were supported. However, acclimation responses were not necessarily constrained to xeric/mesic ecotypes which might be expected if adaptation to a particular environment arose as a trade‐off between plastic responses and living in a particular habitat. These results highlight the complexity of acclimation responses and suggest an important role for phenotypic plasticity in moderating environmental effects on evolutionary fitness in Glossina.     

Transpiration decline curves and stomatal characteristics of faba bean genotypes

Nine F1 crosses of faba bean (Vicia faba L.) and their parental genotypes were evaluated for transpiration decline curves (TDC) and stomatal characteristics. The most common type of TDC had one inflexion. One parent and three crosses were characterized by TDC of two inflexions, while one cross had TDC without inflexion. The genotypes which exhibited TDC with 2inflexions showed later time to stomatal closure (SC). Also stomatal and cuticular transpiration rates differ significantly among studied genotypes. A model for selecting genotypes with effective water retaining features was suggested. This model includes relative water content (RWC) at SC, stomatal density, guard cell length, stomatal pore width at both sides of the leaf, stomatal pore length at lower side and leaflet dry mass This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Changes in the mechanical properties of the extensible cuticle of Rhodnius through the fifth larval instar

The ultimate tensile strength (σ_UT) and the modulus of elasticity (E) of Rhodnius extensible cuticle are σ_UT = 2.20 × 10⁷ Nm^?2, E = 2.43 × 10⁸ Nm^?2 (unplasticised); σ_UT = 1.43 × 10⁷ Nm^?2, E = 9.45 × 10⁶ Nm^?2 (plasticised with 5HT) and σ_UT = 9.05 × 10⁶ Nm, E = 2.46 × 10⁶ Nm^?2 (plasticised in pH 5 buffer).The mechanical properties of cuticle from insects which have deposited additional layers of cuticle after they have been fed differ from those of cuticle from unfed insects. This is possibly due to the different composition of the additional cuticle: it is suggested that the post-feeding cuticle is providing protection and a template for the next instars cuticle.The maximum strain of extensible cuticle from starved insects is related to the amount of matrix protein present.     

Co-permeability of 3H-labelled water and 14C-labelled organic acids across isolated Prunus laurocerasus cuticles: effect of temperature on cuticular paths of diffusion

Co‐permeability of ³H‐labelled water and ¹⁴C‐labelled benzoic acid or 2,4‐dichlorophenoxyacetic acid across isolated cuticular membranes of Prunus laurocerasus L. was measured at temperatures ranging from 15 to 50 °C. The water and benzoic acid permeances were highly correlated over the whole temperature range investigated, whereas water and 2,4‐dichlorophenoxyacetic acid permeances were only correlated between 15 and 30 °C. The activation energies of cuticular permeability calculated from Arrhenius plots were 40 kJ mol^?1 for water and benzoic acid and 115 kJ mol^?1 for 2,4‐dichlorophenoxyacetic acid. The slopes of the Arrhenius plots of 2,4‐dichlorophenoxyacetic acid were linear between 15 and 50 °C, whereas pronounced phase transitions around 30 °C were observed for water and benzoic acid permeability. However, with isolated polymer matrix membranes, where cuticular waxes forming the transport‐limiting barrier of cuticles have been extracted, phase transitions were not observed for water and benzoic acid. It is concluded that temperatures above 30 °C caused structural changes in the transport‐limiting barrier of the cuticles leading to additional paths of diffusion for water and benzoic acid but not for 2,4‐dichlorophenoxyacetic acid.     

Cuticular hydrocarbon profiles as a taxonomic tool: advantages,limitations and technical aspects

Cuticular hydrocarbons (CHCs) are expressed on an insect's cuticle and are one of the major factors allowing insects to identify members of their own species, colony and gender. As a result of their species‐specificity, CHCs are increasingly used to delimit species in addition to more conventional methods, such as morphology or genetic markers, and so play an important role in chemotaxonomy. Species vary in the type of CHCs that they produce, as well as in the relative quantities of shared compounds. This review summarizes not only how taxonomists may differentiate between species based on CHC profiles, but also the incentive for using CHC composition as taxonomic tool. Benefits regarding the identification of cryptic species and early signs of reproductive isolation are then discussed, giving examples from studies of taxonomy, behaviour and biosynthesis. For taxonomic characters to reliably indicate species boundaries, their limitations need to be known. Potential problems caused by environmental effects, intra‐species variation in profiles and other technical issues are highlighted, and suggestions are made regarding their avoidance. It remains a challenge to determine the variation beyond which two species can be called independent; a problem shared by most methods of delimitation. Recently, there has been a shift towards using a combination of different taxonomic tools, both molecular and non‐molecular, to test observed species differences.     

The chemical basis for sex recognition in Drosophila melanogaster

Chemical cues were recognized to play a predominant role in initiating male courtship behaviour in Drosophila melanogaster as measured by the number and duration of wing-vibration responses elicited in test males. The effect was associated with compounds specific to the female cuticle, for which we describe a simple extraction procedure. Female active extracts were compared with behaviourally non-active extracts from males, using gas-liquid and thin-layer chromatography. Using these preparative methods, long-chain hydrocarbons were isolated and activity was found only among unsaturated molecules. One, heptacosadiene, inducing the highest level of courtship, appears to be the main aphrodisiac pheromone of the female D. melanogaster. This compound is specific to females of the species and is the most abundant of their cuticular hydrocarbons.     

Water loss through the integument in the desiccation-sensitive mutant, Parched, of Drosophila melanogaster

Two desiccation-sensitive mutants of Drosophila melanogaster were isolated. Genetic analysis showed that the phenotype is controlled by a recessive gene parched located in 1A1-8 of the X-chromosome. In a desiccated environment without any water supply, the survival time of the mutant flies was considerably shorter than that of the wild-type flies. The rate of water loss in the mutant flies was significantly higher than that of the wild-type flies, whether dead or alive. The survival time of the mosaic flies, which have the mutant and wild-type cuticle, was prolonged in proportion to the amount of wild-type cuticle which they possessed. These results suggest that the mutant has a defect in some waterproofing mechanism of the integument. The mutant flies drank much more water than the wild-type flies, to compensate for the rapid water loss. The hydrocarbons, which are the predominant constituent of cuticular lipids, were analyzed by gas-liquid chromatography, but there were no significant quantitative nor qualitative differences between the wild-type and the mutant flies.     

The cuticular scales of Lynx spiders (Araneae,Oxyopidae)

An examination of the cuticular scales of the lynx spiders Oxyopes aglossus, O. salticus, and Peucetia viridans using scanning electron microscopy revealed that scales in these spiders are morphologically distinct, yet similar to the scales of the jumping spiders Eris militaris and Hentzia mitrata. Like the cuticular scales of jumping spiders, the cuticular scales of lynx spiders exhibit morphological differentiation in regard to location of occurrence on the body, with scales near the eyes tending to have more numerous and larger spines on the superior surface than scales on other regions of the prosoma and opisthosoma. The functional significance of this differentiation in scale morphology is unknown. Sexual dimorphism and ontogenetic variation in scale morphology and color were observed in the genus Oxyopes,but not in Peucetia. In addition, the scales of P. viridans were distinguishable from the scales of Oxyopes spp. on the basis of the number of apical spines (1 in P. viridans instead of 3–7 in Oxyopesspp.) and on the presence of spines on the inferior surface (many in P. viridans and none in Oxyopesspp.). J. Morphol. 236:223-231, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.