Variation of carbon isotope fractionation in hydrogenotrophic methanogenic microbial cultures and environmental samples at different energy status

Methane is a major product of anaerobic degradation of organic matter and an important greenhouse gas. Its stable carbon isotope composition can be used to reveal active methanogenic pathways, if associated isotope fractionation factors are known. To clarify the causes that lead to the wide variation of fractionation factors of methanogenesis from H₂ plus CO₂ (), pure cultures and various cocultures were grown under different thermodynamic conditions. In syntrophic and obligate syntrophic cocultures thriving on different carbohydrate substrates, fermentative bacteria were coupled to three different species of hydrogenotrophic methanogens of the families Methanobacteriaceae and Methanomicrobiaceae. We found that C‐isotope fractionation was correlated to the Gibbs free energy change (ΔG) of CH₄ formation from H₂ plus CO₂ and that the relation can be described by a semi‐Gauss curve. The derived relationship was used to quantify the average ΔG that is available to hydrogenotrophic methanogenic archaea in their habitat, thus avoiding the problems encountered with measurement of low H₂ concentrations on a microscale. Boreal peat, rice field soil, and rumen fluid, which represent major sources of atmospheric CH₄, exhibited increasingly smaller , indicating that thermodynamic conditions for hydrogenotrophic methanogens became increasingly more favourable. Vice versa, we hypothesize that environments with similar energetic conditions will also exhibit similar isotope fractionation. Our results, thus, provide a mechanistic constraint for modelling the ¹³C flux from microbial sources of atmospheric CH₄.     

Genome size rather than content might affect call properties in toads of three ploidy levels (Anura: Bufonidae: Bufo viridis subgroup)

In vertebrates, genome size has been shown to correlate with nuclear and cell sizes, and influences phenotypic features, such as brain complexity. In three different anuran families, advertisement calls of polyploids exhibit longer notes and intervals than diploids, and difference in cellular dimensions have been hypothesized to cause these modifications. We investigated this phenomenon in green toads (Bufo viridis subgroup) of three ploidy levels, in a different call type (release calls) that may evolve independently from advertisement calls, examining 1205 calls, from ten species, subspecies, and hybrid forms. Significant differences between pulse rates of six diploid and four polyploid (3n, 4n) green toad forms across a range of temperatures from 7 to 27 °C were found. Laboratory data supported differences in pulse rates of triploids vs. tetraploids, but failed to reach significance when including field recordings. This study supports the idea that genome size, irrespective of call type, phylogenetic context, and geographical background, might affect call properties in anurans and suggests a common principle governing this relationship. The nuclear‐cell size ratio, affected by genome size, seems the most plausible explanation. However, we cannot rule out hypotheses under which call‐influencing genes from an unexamined diploid ancestral species might also affect call properties in the hybrid‐origin polyploids. © 2012 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2012, 105 , 584–590.     

Mechanical properties of very young bone in the axis deer (Axis axis) and humans

The mechanical properties of bone from a pregnant axis deer, her full-term foetus, three young children, and an adult man, were compared. The properties of the bone of the foetal deer were more similar to those of the man than to those of the children, and corresponded to the high degree of mineralization of the foetal bone. These properties accord with the different habits and selective pressures acting on children, and on neonatal deer.     

Faunal distribution and colonization strategy in a Middle Ordovician hardground community

The attached fauna of one of the many hardgrounds from the Galena Group (Trentonian Substage) of the Upper Mississippi Valley is described. The fauna is composed of three principal elements, viz. (1) borers, including Cicatricula retiformis ichnogen. et ichnosp. nov., (2) pelmatozoans with encrusting holdfasts, and (3) bryozoans. Analysis of the distribution of members of each population on the hardground shows that most are strongly aggregated. The nature of, and reasons for, such aggregations are considered in the light of comparable Recent shallow-water marine populations. The community on this hardground, and those on other Galena Group hardgrounds, are immature. This is a consequence of frequent and damaging scour, which these organisms were poorly adapted to resist.     

Delineation of the European Armillaria species based on the sequences of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) of ribosomal DNA

Variation within the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) of the ribosomal RNA gene of 15 isolates representing seven European Armillaria species, was examined by sequencing of the PCR-amplified products. The analysis of an 744-bp region showed that the 5.8S gene appeared to be highly conserved in the 15 isolates and in other Basidiomycetes and Ascomycetes, whereas ITS1 and especially ITS2 spacers exhibited polymorphisms due to base substitutions, insertions or deletions of up to eight nucleotides. An initial dendrogram for the full sequence was drawn using cluster analysis (UPGMA), and a tree was constructed using the maximum parsimony method. Both methods indicated that the isolates could be divided into four major groups. One group, consisting of A. ectypa , was distinct from all the other species. Examination of the other groups indicated that A. tabescens and A. mellea were in a separated cluster, with a significant variation between the two isolates of the latter species. A. gallica and A. cepistipes constituted another closely related group distinguishable from A. ostoyae and A. borealis , these latter two species exhibiting the highest similarity. The results are consistent with, and discussed in regard to, the relationships estimated previously by pairing tests, morphological and physiological comparisons, as well as by restriction fragment length polymorphism of the rDNA.     

Gynoecium, fruit and seed structure of Paullinieae (Sapindaceae)

Despite an emphasis on fruit characters in Paullinieae taxonomy, few detailed morphological and anatomical studies of the gynoecia, fruits and seeds exist. The aims of the present study were (1) to provide a detailed documentation of gynoecium, fruit and seed structure and ontogeny in selected Paullinieae taxa; (2) to determine whether the gynoecium, seed and seedling provide additional characters of systematic value within the tribe; and (3) to relate the structural findings to mechanisms of fruit dehiscence and dispersal within these taxa. Newly described characters of systematic value within Paullinieae are shape and surface of the obturator, type of pollen tube transmitting tract, indumentum of the inner and outer surface of the carpels, ovary wall anatomy, aril anatomy, pseudo-hilum form, seedling germination mode and structure of first leaves. The fruits of Paullinia are septifragal, and conspicuous colour contrasts between the pericarp, aril and seed in most species of this genus are suggestive of a bird dispersal syndrome. Interestingly, it appears that relatively minor structural changes are associated with switches to rodent dispersal in Paullinia sphaerocarpa and water dispersal in P. clathrata and P. hystrix. Anemochorous fruits are septifragal ( Cardiospermum and Urvillea ) or schizocarpic ( Houssayanthus , Lophostigma , Serjania ). They are structurally similar and Cardiospermum with septifragal capsules may also show septicidal dehiscence.  © 2005 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2005, 147 , 159–189.     

Water stress vulnerability of four Banksia species in contrasting ecohydrological habitats on the Gnangara Mound, Western Australia

This study investigated the interspecific differences in vulnerability to xylem embolism of four phreatophytes – two facultative phreatophytes ( Banksia attenuata and B. menziesii ) and two obligate phreatophytes ( B. ilicifolia and B. littoralis ). Species differences at the same position along an ecohydrological gradient on the Gnangara Groundwater Mound, Western Australia were determined in addition to intraspecific differences to water stress between populations in contrasting ecohydrological habitats. Stem- and leaf-specific hydraulic conductivity, as well as Huber values (ratio of stem to leaf area), were also determined to support these findings. We found that where water is readily accessible, there were no interspecific differences in vulnerability to water stress. In contrast both facultative phreatophyte species were more resistant to xylem embolism at the more xeric dune crest site than at the wetter bottom slope site. B. ilicifolia did not differ in vulnerability to embolism, supporting its classification as an obligate phreatophyte. Other measured hydraulic traits ( K _S, K _L and Huber value) showed no adaptive responses, although there was a tendency for plants at the wetter site to have higher K _S and K _L. This study highlights the influence site hydrological attributes can have on plant hydraulic architecture across species and environmental gradients.     

Wolf Predation Among Reintroduced Przewalski Horses in Hustai National Park,Mongolia

ABSTRACT Depredation by wolves (Canis lupus) could threaten survival of reintroduced wild Przewalski horses (Equus ferus przewalskii) in Hustai National Park (HNP), Mongolia. We conducted scat analysis, spatial analyses of kills, and interviews to study prey species selection and temporal and spatial factors that characterize prey choices of wolves. Diet of wolves in HNP was comprised of >50% of livestock. Diet composition varied during the year, with more livestock taken in winter. Wildlife species were selected over livestock species. From available livestock species domestic horses were predated most, whereas red deer (Cervus elaphus) and marmot (Marmota sibirica) were the preferred wildlife species. Our spatial analyses showed an unexpected significant positive relation between number of domestic horses killed and distance to the park, as well as a significant negative relation with number of gers (tents) in the area. Compared to randomly selected comparison sites (n = 36), we found Przewalski foal kills (n = 36) at sites that were closer to the forest, at higher altitudes, with lower shrub cover, higher forest cover, and higher red deer density. If the negative trend of deer numbers continues and if herdsmen protect their livestock more vigorously, depredation of wild Przewalski horses by wolves will rise. Therefore, a large red deer population could be pivotal in improving the conservation status of Przewalski horses.