Ornithogenic soils of the cape bird adelie penguin rookeries,Antarctica

Summary The activity of soil-forming processes in the ornithogenic soils under the adelie penguin rookeries at Cape Bird, Ross Island, Antarctica, is limited by low temperatures and aridity, and is dominated by the influence of organic input from the penguins. A study of soil chemistry, biochemistry and biology of ornithogenic soils was carried out during the austral summers of 1981/1982 and 1983/1984. For the study, five sites were used to represent a relative age sequence in biological activity, from a presently occupied colony, a recently (previous season) abandoned colony, a re-worked guano site, and a long abandoned (many years) colony, to compare with a site that apparently had never been occupied by penguins. The sites were selected by the apparent age of the guano based on its morphology. Characteristics of the soils and guanos within the sequence are now described and illustrated, to complement the chemistry, biochemistry and biology of these sites, results of which have been published previously in this journal. A conventional radiocarbon age of 8 080±160 years BP (14C No. 5990) was obtained from a penguin bone in the long abandoned colony guano. A few temperature records indicated that soil temperatures were higher from soils with guano cover than from adjacent soils without guano cover. This difference in temperature should contribute to the increased biological and biochemical activity in the guano soils.     

Cytidine monophosphatase (CMPase), a transport hydrolase of membrane-bound glycoconjugates

Membrane bound glycoconjugates (glycoproteins, -lipids and proteoglycans) of the plasmalemmaa and of the cytoplasmic membrane tube system are responsible for essential cell function. Accordingly it is necessary to keep them in a proper functional state. Our results indicate a possible involvement of cytidine monophosphatase (CMPase) in these events. Study is published by Novikoff (1967) and Clermont et al. (1981) the CMPase being a hydrolase which participates to a major part in the sequestration process and vesicular packaging from the GERL system. The enzyme is carried on towards the cell surface bound to the membrane of transport vesicles. Our observations suggest a possible incorporation of glycoconjugates in the plasmalemm by involvement of CMPase. In addition, the enzyme takes part in the endocytotic reuptake of glycoconjugates having lost their complete function with recycling and rebuilding in the GERL and Golgi apparatus. By using antigen provoked mononuclear and neutrophilic leucocytes the membrane bound response of CMPase is seen to be very distinct. The same is true for enterocytes exposed for a short-time ischemia. A strictly localized appearance of the CMPase in close vicinity to the couplings of short-time ischaemic muscle fibres in apparently of relevancy fr restructuring and availability of membrane bound glycoconjugates. This suggest a direct influence on the mechanism of excitation-contraction couplings of skeletal muscle fibres.     

Commentary on Coram et al. (2021) on the use of Facebook to understand marine mammal stranding issues in Southeast Asia

We reviewed Coram et al. (Biodivers Conserv 30:2341–2359, 2021, https://doi.org/10.1007/s10531-021-02196-6), a paper that highlights the use of social media data to understand marine litter and marine mammals in Southeast Asia. While we commend its intent, we find that the methodology used and conclusions drawn portray an incomplete and inaccurate perception of how strandings, stranding response, and analysis of stranding data have been conducted in the region. By focusing on investigative results revealed by a very limited search of one social media platform (Facebook), using only English keywords, and insufficient ground-truthing, Coram et al. (2021) have, unintentionally, given the perception that Southeast Asian scientists have not conducted even the bare minimum of investigation required to better understand the issue of marine litter and its impact on marine mammals. In this commentary we provide a more accurate account of strandings research in Asia and include recommendations to improve future studies using social media to assess conservation issues.

     

The effect of pretreatment on the invertase activity of gel-entrapped yeast biomass

Summary Gel-entrapped, non-viable yeast biomass with specific invertase activity has been produced by two different pretreatment protocols: a short-time thermal treatment and a brief contact with concentrated ethanol solutions. Four yeast strains were most promising:K. fragilis L-293,C. utilis L-282,S. cerevisiae L-170 and L-209. Of these, the ethanol-tolerant L-282 and the ethanol-tolerant and heat-resistant L-170 gave the most active gel-entrapped biocatalysts: around 2 mg of reducing sugars produced per mg dry yeast per min.