Productivity: key factor affecting grazing exclusion effects on vegetation and soil

In this study, we inquire into the effects of short-term goat grazing abandonment on plant species and functional composition, bare ground and net primary productivity (NPP) in two traditionally grazed pastures located in the Canarian Network of Natural Protected Areas and the Natura 2000 Network. In addition, we analyse soil chemical properties, biomass tannin content and energetic value to find out how grazing abandonment affects soil fertility and forage quality of these agroecosystems. Grazing exclusion effects on plant species and functional composition, as well as on soil fertility depended on the productivity of the studied pasture. Erect forbs and shrubs (endemic to Macaronesian region and native) were favoured by grazing removal in the most productive pasture, while soil fertility decreased in the driest and least productive site. An increase in NPP after exclusion was consistent among study sites. Although we consider goat grazing as necessary for maintaining traditional agroecosystems, we also suggest controlling it over time, allowing some periods of rest to give endemic shrub species time to recover from near propagule sources.     

Early breeding protects anuran eggs from Saprolegnia infection

Here, we studied the ecological significance of Saprolegnia infections (‘saprolegniasis’) on the survival and development of two populations of the endemic Patagonian anuran Pleurodema thaul (Anura, Leiuperidae). We found that four different Saprolegnia species infected eggs and embryos of P. thaul, indicating that the infection by these ‘zoosporic fungi’ was different in each anuran population and among different cohorts. Late anuran cohorts generally showed a higher incidence of infection than early cohorts, but we observed no clear overall pattern between populations. In addition, in laboratory experiments, we determined that some of the Saprolegnia species induce early hatching, and that hatching timing was variable between populations. In summary, we found that early breeding (by underlying priority effects) could improve the survival of the earliest cohorts of P. thaul by allowing them to survive the stress imposed by epidemic events of Saprolegnia.     

Timing and intensity of bush cricket predation on egg batches of pine processionary moth: no evidence of population control

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Candida albicans stimulates in vivo differentiation of haematopoietic stem and progenitor cells towards macrophages by a TLR2‐dependent signalling

Toll‐like receptors (TLRs) are expressed by haematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs), and may play a role in haematopoiesis in response to pathogens during infection. We have previously demonstrated that (i) inactivated yeasts of Candida albicans induce in vitro differentiation of HSPCs towards the myeloid lineage, and (ii) soluble TLR agonists induce in vivo their differentiation towards macrophages. In this work, using an in vivo model of HSPCs transplantation, we report for the first time that HSPCs sense C. albicans in vivo and subsequently are directed to produce macrophages by a TLR2‐dependent signalling. Purified lineage‐negative cells (Lin^?) from bone marrow of C57BL/6 mice (CD45.2 alloantigen) were transplanted into B6Ly5.1 mice (CD45.1 alloantigen), which were then injected with viable or inactivated C. albicans yeasts. Transplanted cells were detected in the spleen and in the bone marrow of recipient mice, and they differentiate preferentially to macrophages, both in response to infection or in response to inactivated yeasts. The generation of macrophages was dependent on TLR2 but independent of TLR4, as transplanted Lin^? cells from TLR2^?/? mice did not give rise to macrophages, whereas Lin^? cells from TLR4^?/? mice generated macrophages similarly to control cells. Interestingly, the absence of TLR2, or in a minor extent TLR4, gives Lin^? cells an advantage in transplantation assays, as increases the percentage of transplanted recovered cells. Our results indicatethat TLR‐mediated recognition of C. albicans by HSPCs may help replace and/or increase cells that constitute the first line of defence against the fungus, and suggest that TLR‐mediated signalling may lead to reprogramming early progenitors to rapidly replenishing the innate immune system and generate the most necessary mature cells to deal with the pathogen.     

Life‐history costs associated with resistance to lambda‐cyhalothrin in the predatory ladybird beetle Eriopis connexa

• 1 The present study assessed the fitness of a lambda‐cyhalothrin‐resistant population of Eriopis connexa (Germar) with respect to development, reproduction, survival under prey scarcity and prey consumption.
• 2 Nontreated resistant females (R0) and females recovered after the topical application of 0.05, 0.10 and 0.25 mg active ingredient/mL of lambda‐cyhalothrin (R0.05, R0.10 and R0.25) produced, on average, 50% less eggs than susceptible females (S0), irrespective of the applied dose. All of the other traits evaluated remained similar. With respect to developmental characteristics, the larval viability and weight of adult male R0.25 progeny were statistically lower compared with the R0 and S0 progenies. Prey scarcity between days 3 and 13 of adulthood did not affect R0 and R0.25 survival, although egg production was significantly lower for R0 females, followed by R0.25 females, compared with S0 females.
• 3 The mean consumption of cotton aphids Aphis gossypii Glover over 5 consecutive days was significantly higher for S0, followed by R0 and R0.25, up to day 3 of observation. However, after day 4, prey consumption was similar among the three populations.
• 4 The results obtained in the present study show that resistant females have a lower reproductive output than susceptible females and that this is not related to the knockdown effect; however, the costs of recovering from knockdown interfere with the survival of offspring and also slightly with prey consumption. Thus, we conclude that the lambda‐cyhalothrin‐resistant E. connexa population exhibits an egg production disadvantage relative to the susceptible population and that this is increased when the population is subjected to prey scarcity.

     

Analyses of Extracellular Carbohydrates in Oomycetes Unveil the Existence of Three Different Cell Wall Types

Some of the most devastating plant and animal pathogens belong to the oomycete class. The cell walls of these microorganisms represent an excellent target for disease control, but their carbohydrate composition is elusive. We have undertaken a detailed cell wall analysis in 10 species from 2 major oomycete orders, the Peronosporales and the Saprolegniales, thereby unveiling the existence of 3 clearly different cell wall types: type I is devoid of N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) but contains glucuronic acid and mannose; type II contains up to 5% GlcNAc and residues indicative of cross-links between cellulose and 1,3-β-glucans; type III is characterized by the highest GlcNAc content (>5%) and the occurrence of unusual carbohydrates that consist of 1,6-linked GlcNAc residues. These 3 cell wall types are also distinguishable by their cellulose content and the fine structure of their 1,3-β-glucans. We propose a cell wall paradigm for oomycetes that can serve as a basis for the establishment of cell wall architectural models and the further identification of cell wall subtypes. This paradigm is complementary to morphological and molecular criteria for taxonomic grouping and provides useful information for unraveling poorly understood cell wall carbohydrate biosynthetic pathways through the identification and characterization of the corresponding enzymes.     

Modulation of the Endocannabinoids N-Arachidonoylethanolamine (AEA) and 2-Arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) on Executive Functions in Humans

Animal studies point to an implication of the endocannabinoid system on executive functions. In humans, several studies have suggested an association between acute or chronic use of exogenous cannabinoids (Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol) and executive impairments. However, to date, no published reports establish the relationship between endocannabinoids, as biomarkers of the cannabinoid neurotransmission system, and executive functioning in humans. The aim of the present study was to explore the association between circulating levels of plasma endocannabinoids N-arachidonoylethanolamine (AEA) and 2-Arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) and executive functions (decision making, response inhibition and cognitive flexibility) in healthy subjects. One hundred and fifty seven subjects were included and assessed with the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test; Stroop Color and Word Test; and Iowa Gambling Task. All participants were female, aged between 18 and 60 years and spoke Spanish as their first language. Results showed a negative correlation between 2-AG and cognitive flexibility performance (r = −.37; p<.05). A positive correlation was found between AEA concentrations and both cognitive flexibility (r = .59; p<.05) and decision making performance (r = .23; P<.05). There was no significant correlation between either 2-AG (r = −.17) or AEA (r = −.08) concentrations and inhibition response. These results show, in humans, a relevant modulation of the endocannabinoid system on prefrontal-dependent cognitive functioning. The present study might have significant implications for the underlying executive alterations described in some psychiatric disorders currently associated with endocannabinoids deregulation (namely drug abuse/dependence, depression, obesity and eating disorders). Understanding the neurobiology of their dysexecutive profile might certainly contribute to the development of new treatments and pharmacological approaches.     

Structure-Function Features of a Mycoplasma Glycolipid Synthase Derived from Structural Data Integration,Molecular Simulations,and Mutational Analysis

Glycoglycerolipids are structural components of mycoplasma membranes with a fundamental role in membrane properties and stability. Their biosynthesis is mediated by glycosyltransferases (GT) that catalyze the transfer of glycosyl units from a sugar nucleotide donor to diacylglycerol. The essential function of glycolipid synthases in mycoplasma viability, and the absence of glycoglycerolipids in animal host cells make these GT enzymes a target for drug discovery by designing specific inhibitors. However, rational drug design has been hampered by the lack of structural information for any mycoplasma GT. Most of the annotated GTs in pathogenic mycoplasmas belong to family GT2. We had previously shown that MG517 in Mycoplasma genitalium is a GT-A family GT2 membrane-associated glycolipid synthase. We present here a series of structural models of MG517 obtained by homology modeling following a multiple-template approach. The models have been validated by mutational analysis and refined by long scale molecular dynamics simulations. Based on the models, key structure-function relationships have been identified: The N-terminal GT domain has a GT-A topology that includes a non-conserved variable region involved in acceptor substrate binding. Glu193 is proposed as the catalytic base in the GT mechanism, and Asp40, Tyr126, Tyr169, Ile170 and Tyr218 define the substrates binding site. Mutation Y169F increases the enzyme activity and significantly alters the processivity (or sequential transferase activity) of the enzyme. This is the first structural model of a GT-A glycoglycerolipid synthase and provides preliminary insights into structure and function relationships in this family of enzymes.