The species of Erysipelothrix

Summary The three speciesErysipelothrix rhusiopathiae, E. erysipeloidis, andE. muriseptica should be united into one, to which the oldest valid specific name should be applied. The correct name isErysipelothrix insidiosa.     

Utilization of Photosynthates for Growth, Respiration, and Storage in Tops and Roots of Lolium multiflorum

Lolium multiflorum L. was grown in pots in controlled environments. CO₂-exchange rates were continuously measured on two pots during 46 and 52 days, respectively, separating between tops and roots. After 20 days, the plants were entirely defoliated and the plants were then followed during the regrowth period. During the experiment, alternating 2–3 day periods of high and low irradiance were applied. Analogously treated plants were frequently harvested to obtain the distribution of assimilates between tops and roots. From integration of CO₂-exchange rates, diurnal photosynthesis and respiration were obtained, and utilization of assimilates was analysed. The respiration associated with the synthesis of new structural material (growth respiration) was dependent on assimilates originating from both the current and the preceding 24 h diurnal cycles. The amount of new structural material synthesized during the current 24 h diurnal cycle was estimated from the relative contribution of assimilates accumulated from the preceding and the current 24 h and diurnal cycles to growth respiration of the current 24 h. From this approximation, the respiratory components connected to synthesis of new structural material and to maintenance of already established material were found. Growth and maintenance respirations of the tops were alike during the predefoliation and the regrowth periods. For the roots, however, growth respiration was higher and maintenance respiration lower in the regrowth period. The difference between daily integrated CO₂-exchange and the amount converted into new structural material was assumed to be the daily change in assimilates stored. On the first day of a period of high irradiance, the assimilation per unit leaf weight was higher than on the following day of high irradiance, and an accumulation of storage material took place. On the first day of a period of low irradiance, the assimilation per unit leaf weight was lower than on the following day of low irradiance, and there was a depletion of assimilates stored. These effects were most pronounced during the regrowth period, indicating a change in the metabolic sink demand. This indicates a strong feedback mechanism between sources and sinks, in the sense that accumulation of products will inhibit assimilation.     

Diurnal variation of root respiration rates and nitrate uptake as influenced by nitrogen supply

Root respiration rates of Lolium multiflorum supplied with nitrate or ammonium were measured continuously during several days (Exp. A). Net uptake rate of nitrate was similarly measured by an ion selective nitrate electrode in a system of flowing nutrient solution (Exp. B). Diurnal variation of in vitro nitrate reductase activity and nitrate content of tops and roots were determined (Exp. C). Two levels of irradiance were applied throughout, with day:night of 16:8 h. Root respiration rates showed diurnal patterns, most pronounced in the nitrate treatment, with two peaks appearing about 6 and 16 h after commencement of the photoperiod. Respiration rates were highest in the nitrate treatment and at high irradiance. Respiration rates fell after removal of nitrogen, particularly in the nitrate supplied plant and at high irradiance. Net uptake rate of nitrate exhibited diurnal patterns, often with two peaks occurring at the same times as those of respiration rates. In vitro nitrate reductase activity of tops increased steeply 16 h after commencement of the photoperiod and remained at the high level during the following 8 h of darkness. Nitrate content of tops was highest during the 8 h dark period and fell at the start of the photoperiod. Possible controlling systems of the apparent coincidences of diurnal variation rates, net nitrate uptake and nitrate reduction are discussed.     

Phenology of high-arctic butterflies and their floral resources： Species-specific responses to climate change

Current global warming is particularly pronounced in the Arctic and arthropods are expected to respond rapidly to these changes. Long-term studies of individual arthropod species from the Arctic are, however, virtually absent. We examined butterfly specimens collected from yellow pitfall traps over 14 years （1996-2009） at Zackenberg in high-arctic, north-east Greenland. Specimens were previously sorted to the family level. We identified them to the species level and examined long-term species-specific phenological responses to recent summer wanning. Two species were rare in the samples （Polaris fritillary Boloria polaris and Arctic blue Plebejus glandon） and statistical analyses of phenological responses were therefore restricted to the two most abundant species （Arctic fritillary, B. chariclea and Northern clouded yellow Colias hecla）. Our analyses demonstrated a trend towards earlier flight seasons in B. chariclea, but not in C. hecla. The timing of onset, peak and end of the flight season in B. chariclea were closely related to snowmelt, July temperature and their interaction, whereas onset, peak and end of the flight season in C. hecla were only related to timing of snowmelt. The duration of the butterfly flight season was significantly positively related to the temporal overlap with floral resources in both butterfly species. We further demonstrate that yellow pitfall traps are a useful alternative to transect walks for butterfly recording in tundra habitats. More phenological studies of Arctic arthropods should be carded out at the species level and ideally be analysed in context with interacting species to assess how ongoing climate change will affect Arctic biodiversity in the near future [Current Zoology 60 （2）： 243-251, 2014].     

BIOACOUSTIC PUBLICATIONS, 1988

ABSTRACT

We examined vocalisations of a solitary subterranean rodent, the Silvery Mole-rat Heliophobius argenteocinereus (Bathyergidae). Seven true vocalisations and one mechanical vocalisation were identified. The main frequencies of the analysed sounds (0.34–13.17 kHz) match to a great extent the frequency range suitable for transmission in underground burrows. Due to the narrow frequency range of vocalisations, motivation is predominantly expressed by the rate of tonality rather than by frequency changes. The vocal repertoire of the Silvery Mole-rat perfectly matches to Morton's MS rules, i.e. that low-frequency and harsh vocalisations indicate hostility whereas high tonal calls signalise appeasement or fear. In comparison with social species, this solitary bathyergid produces fewer calls. It lacks contact and alarm calls, but has a rich repertoire of mating calls (mating ends with duet vocalization of male and female). Acoustic signals seem to play a major role in lowering natural aggressiveness during the mating period.     

Isolated remnant or recent introduction? Estimating the provenance of Yellingbo Leadbeater's possums by genetic analysis and bottleneck simulation

Effective conservation management requires that genetically divergent populations potentially harbouring important local adaptations be identified and maintained as separate management units. In the case of the endangered Australian Leadbeater's possum (Gymnobelideus leadbeateri), an arboreal marsupial endemic to Victoria, uncertainty over the evolutionary origin of a potentially important extant wild population recently discovered in atypical habitat (lowland swamp) at Yellingbo is hampering such efforts. The population is rumoured to be a recent introduction. Microsatellite allele frequencies at Yellingbo differed substantially from those in sampled populations in montane ash forest (F_ST between 0.23 and 0.36), and Bayesian clustering analyses of genotypes strongly separated them (K = 2). We conducted a suite of bottlenecking tests which all indicated that Yellingbo had undergone a recent reduction in size. The extent to which the distinctiveness of Yellingbo animals might be expected solely through bottlenecking associated with a recent introduction, was tested by simulating population–history scenarios seeded with genotypes from candidate wild and captive sources. No bottleneck scenario reproduced anything approaching the genetic distinction of the Yellingbo population, with all structure analyses placing Yellingbo in a separate cluster to simulated populations (K = 2, minimum F_ST = 0.13). These results suggest that Yellingbo does not share recent ancestry with other extant populations and instead may be a remnant of an otherwise extinct gene pool. Importantly, this may include genes involved in adaptation to a lowland swamp environment, substantially adding to the conservation importance of this population, and suggesting that separate management may be prudent until evidence suggests otherwise.     

TWO NEW PARROTS (PSITTACIFORMES) FROM THE LOWER EOCENE FUR FORMATION OF DENMARK

Abstract:  Two new fossil psittaciform birds from the Lower Eocene 'Mo Clay' (Fur Formation) of Denmark ( c . 54 Ma) are described. An unnamed specimen is assigned to the extinct avian family of stem-group parrots, Pseudasturidae (genus and species incertae sedis ), while a second ( Mopsitta tanta gen. et sp. nov.) is the largest fossil parrot yet known. Both specimens are the first fossil records of these birds from Denmark. Although the phylogenetic position of Mopsitta is unclear (it is classified as family incertae sedis ), this form is phylogenetically closer to Recent Pstittacidae than to other known Palaeogene psittaciforms and may, therefore, represent the oldest known crown-group parrot.