Chemically defined media for growing anaerobic bacteria of the genus Veillonella

A chemically defined medium for Veillonella parvula and V. alcalescens is described. Some nutritional aspects of the two strains used were examined: the optimum concentration of reducing agents, the requirement for amino acids, diamines, vitamins and other growth factors, and the conditions needed for well balanced nutrition.No specific requirements for single amino acids were observed. A combination of l-cysteine, dl-aspartic acid, l-glutamic acid, l-serine and l-tyrosine, promoted growth. In V. alcalescens, serine could substitute both arginine and tryptophan (or histidine). No growth was obtained with ammonium salts as the sole N source.Decarboxylation of l-ornithine, l-lysine and l-arginine was not demonstrated in the Veillonella parvula strain, which required putrescine or cadaverine for growth. Spermine, spermidine, l-lysine, l-ornithine and l-arginine, could not substitute putrescine in Veillonella parvula. Veillonella alcalescens, which does not require putrescine in the medium, was able to decarboxylate l-ornithine while forming putrescine.     

Anti-inflammatory effect of l-cysteine (a semi-essential amino acid) on 5-FU-induced oral mucositis in hamsters

Oral mucositis is an inflammation of the oral mucosa mainly resulting from the cytotoxic effect of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU). The literature shows anti-inflammatory action of l-cysteine (l-cys) involving hydrogen sulfide (H₂S). In view of these properties, we investigate the effect of l-cys in oral mucositis induced by 5-FU in hamsters. The animals were divided into the following groups: saline 0.9%, mechanical trauma, 5-FU 60–40 mg/kg, l-cys 10/40 mg and NaHS 27 µg/kg. 5-FU was administered on days 1st to 2nd; 4th day excoriations were made on the mucosa; 5th–6th received l-cys and NaHS. For data analysis, histological analyses, mast cell count, inflammatory and antioxidants markers, and immunohistochemistry (cyclooxygenase-2(COX-2)/inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOs)/H₂S) were performed. Results showed that l-cys decreased levels of inflammatory markers, mast cells, levels of COX-2, iNOS and increased levels of antioxidants markers and H₂S when compared to the group 5-FU (p < 0.005). It is suggested that l-cys increases the H₂S production with anti-inflammatory action in the 5-FU lesion.

     

Chemical Characterization and Phytotoxic Effects of the Aerial Parts of Ruzigrass (Urochloa ruziziensis)

Studies of the phytotoxic effects between plants can be a crucial tool in the discovery of innovative compounds with herbicide potential. In this sense, we can highlight ruzigrass (Urochloa ruziziensis), which is traditionally used in the crop rotation system in order to reduce weed emergence. The aim of this work was to characterize the secondary metabolites of ruzigrass and to evaluate its phytotoxic effects. In total, eight compounds were isolated: friedelin, oleanolic acid, α‐amyrin, 1‐dehydrodiosgenone, sitosterol and stigmasterol glycosides, tricin and p‐coumaric acid. Phytotoxic effects of the crude methanolic extract and fractions of ruzigrass were assessed using germination rate, initial seedling growth, and biomass of Bidens pilosa, Euphorbia heterophylla and Ipomoea grandifolia. Chemometric analysis discriminated the weed species into three groups, and B. pilosa was the most affected by fractions of ruzigrass. The phytotoxic activities of 1‐dehydrodiosgenone, tricin, and p‐coumaric acid are also reported, and p‐coumaric acid and 1‐dehydrodiosgenone were active against B. pilosa.     

植物精油对草菇双额岩小粪蝇的产卵驱避效果及毒力测定

在室内采用选择性试验测定了14种植物精油单组分化合物对草菇双额岩小粪蝇Bifronsina bifrons(Stenhammar)的产卵驱避效果及在室外采用非选择试验测定了其中3种化合物的产卵驱避效果及毒力测定。结果表明:各精油浓度为10 000 mg/L时,α-松油醇、丁香酚和茴香醛表现出明显的产卵驱避效果,其选择性产卵驱避率分别是60.17%±9.57%、51.07%±2.63%和47.66%±7.10%,产卵量均显著低于对照;月桂烯、α-蒎烯、β-蒎烯和异松油烯产卵驱避作用效果不明显。α-松油醇、丁香酚和茴香醛对双额岩小粪蝇幼虫均具有一定的毒性,对幼虫的校正死亡率分别是5.11%±3.54%、42.68%±3.94%和14.47%±6.92%;丁香酚对双额岩小粪蝇幼虫的毒力最大,LC_(50)为16 965.159 mg/L。其次是茴香醛,LC_(50)为311 941.332 mg/L。α-松油醇毒力最差,LC_(50)为40 676 080.550 mg/L。进一步非选择性试验结果表明α-松油醇(1 250 mg/L～20 000 mg/L)、丁香酚(625 mg/L～20 000 mg/L)和茴香醛(2 500 mg/L～20 000 mg/L)对双额岩小粪蝇具有明显的产卵驱避效果,驱避效果随施用浓度的增加而显著增加。在浓度为20 000 mg/L时α-松油醇、丁香酚和茴香醛的非选择性产卵驱避率分别为69.75%±3.98%、60.75%±1.94%和57.23%±3.38%。本研究为草菇生产中双额岩小粪蝇的无公害防治及高效环保的植物源驱避剂的开发提供参考。     

A novel cellular automata approach: seed input/output of the alien species Leucaena leucocephala in the soil and the effects of climate changes

The potential impact of the soil seed bank of a given species and subsequent population persistence will depend on the robustness of the seeds against depletion. Invasiveness is frequently linked to this behavior and successful control of invasive species depends on reducing the size of their seed banks. We propose a hybrid model that simulates the seed bank dynamics in association with their physical dormancy (PD) based on experimental data on seed bank depletion of a Leucaena leucocephala population during the dispersal phase. The hybrid model uses cellular automata (CA) and Monte Carlo techniques. The sensitivity analysis revealed that the model delivers reproducible and reliable results. Then, we discuss the ability of the hybrid model to predict the effect of seasonal climate change. A 2.0 °C increase in temperature was enough to cause a considerable impact in the seed depletion curve, and after 1 year, ~?75% of the seeds had already disappeared from the seed bank. The proposed hybrid CA model can be used to study soil-stored seed banks with physical dormancy, and could be applied to other Fabaceae species with similar seed traits. We believe that this computational model contributes to a better understanding of seed bank dynamics and will aid in the control of invasive species and for testing different scenarios to reduce or eliminate seed banks that have already been formed.

     

Evolutionary history of the European free-tailed bat,a tropical affinity species spanning across the Mediterranean Basin

The Mediterranean Basin is a global biodiversity hotspot, hosting a number of native species belonging to families that are found almost exclusively in tropical climates. Yet, whether or not these taxa were able to survive in the Mediterranean region during the Quaternary climatic oscillations remains unknown. Focusing on the European free-tailed bat (Tadarida teniotis), we aimed to (a) identify potential ancient populations and glacial refugia; (b) determine the post-glacial colonization routes across the Mediterranean; and (c) evaluate current population structure and demography. Mitochondrial and nuclear markers were used to understand T. teniotis evolutionary and demographic history. We show that T. teniotis is likely restricted to the Western Palearctic, with mitochondrial phylogeny suggesting a split between an Anatolian/Middle East clade and a European clade. Nuclear data pointed to three genetic populations, one of which is an isolated and highly differentiated group in the Canary Islands, another distributed across Iberia, Morocco, and France, and a third stretching from Italy to the east, with admixture following a pattern of isolation by distance. Evolutionary and demographic reconstruction supports a pre-Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) colonization of Italy and the Anatolian/Middle East, while the remaining populations were colonized from Italy after the Younger Dryas. We also found support for demographic expansion following the Iberian colonization. The results show that during the LGM T. teniotis persisted in Mediterranean refugia and has subsequently expanded to its current circum-Mediterranean range. Our findings raise questions regarding the physiological and ecological traits that enabled species with tropical affinities to survive in colder climates.     

岩溶石山台湾桤木生长表现及根瘤生物量特征

了解台湾桤木(Alnus formosana)在岩溶石山的生长表现以及根瘤生物量的特征,对石山植被的恢复与重建具有重要意义。该文采用典型样地调查方法对岩溶石山4.5年生台湾桤木与速生乡土树种任豆(Zenia insignis)、顶果木(Acrocarpus fraxinifolius)进行了调查研究,并用方差分析方法进行统计和评价。结果表明:台湾桤木平均胸径、树高、材积和冠幅分别为8.39 cm、7.72 m、0.0271 m3和3.18 m,均大于任豆和顶果木,且差异达到极显著水平;台湾桤木冠长达6.01 m,分别比任豆和顶果木增加106.53%和70.25%;台湾桤木在岩溶石山表现出速生的特性。对台湾桤木样株的根瘤生长状况进行深入调查分析发现,台湾桤木根瘤生物量平均每株达52.77 g,根瘤在水平方向分布从树干基部至树冠投影范围均有生长,离树干50 cm与离树干50～100 cm范围的根瘤生物量相近,离树干100 cm至树冠投影范围的根瘤生物量最多,三个地段的根瘤分别占整株根瘤生物量的15.7%、16.9%、67.4%;大根瘤(直径≥1 cm)在离树干100 cm至树冠投影范围分布最多;根瘤在垂直方向主要分布在0～20 cm土层,20～40 cm土层少有根瘤出现;台湾桤木在岩溶石山表现出良好的结瘤固氮特性。该研究结果可为台湾桤木在岩溶石山的推广发展提供科学依据。     

地被植物对广东常绿阔叶林土壤养分的指示作用

为了解地被植物群落对土壤养分的响应和指示作用,利用指示种分析(ISA)法研究了广东常绿阔叶林地被植物与土壤养分的关系。结果表明,速效氮(AN)、速效磷(AP)、速效钾(AK)和有机质(OM)的综合作用对地被植物分布有显著影响(P0.05),且以速效磷有机质速效钾速效氮。地被植物的组成与分布在不同AP和OM梯度中均有显著差异(P 0.05),但在不同AK和AN梯度中差异不显著。土壤AN≤270 mg/kg的指示种是广东蛇葡萄(Ampelopsis cantoniensis)和油点草(Tricyrtis macropoda),270～360 mg/kg的指示种是狗骨柴(Tricalysia dubia);AP≤2 mg/kg的指示种是华山姜(Alpinia chinensis);AK≤100mg/kg的指示种是赤楠蒲桃(Syzygiumbuxifolium),AK为100～150mg/kg的指示种是十字苔草(Carexcruciate),AK150 mg/kg的指示种是金钗凤尾蕨(Pterisfauriei);OM 0.8%的指示种是箬竹(Indocalamustessellatus),OM≤0.6%的指示种是华山姜(Alpinia chinensis)和蔓胡颓子(Elaeagnus glabra),OM为0.6%～0.8%的指示种是豆腐柴(Premna microphlla)。利用有效的地被植物调查方式来监测森林的土壤状况为森林经营管理及土壤健康评价带来方便。地被植物指示种对土壤养分的响应不但能为研究地的立地条件提供理论支撑,还能为该物种的人工栽培提供理论依据,这对于生物多样性保育、生境恢复的引种栽培有重要意义。     

Ecological specialization and niche overlap of subterranean rodents inferred from DNA metabarcoding diet analysis

Knowledge of how animal species use food resources available in the environment can increase our understanding of many ecological processes. However, obtaining this information using traditional methods is difficult for species feeding on a large variety of food items in highly diverse environments. We amplified the DNA of plants for 306 scat and 40 soil samples, and applied an environmental DNA metabarcoding approach to investigate food preferences, degree of diet specialization and diet overlap of seven herbivore rodent species of the genus Ctenomys distributed in southern and midwestern Brazil. The metabarcoding approach revealed that these species consume more than 60% of the plant families recovered in soil samples, indicating generalist feeding habits of ctenomyids. The family Poaceae was the most common food resource retrieved in scats of all species as well in soil samples. Niche overlap analysis indicated high overlap in the plant families and molecular operational taxonomic units consumed, mainly among the southern species. Interspecific differences in diet composition were influenced, among other factors, by the availability of resources in the environment. In addition, our results provide support for the hypothesis that the allopatric distributions of ctenomyids allow them to exploit the same range of resources when available, possibly because of the absence of interspecific competition.     

土著入侵种黄帚橐吾的替代防控展望

黄帚橐吾是青藏高原高寒草场中分布最广、危害极大的优势毒草,严重影响了该地区群落结构和草地畜牧业的发展。在介绍土著入侵种和替代防控概念及相关研究进展的基础上,针对黄帚橐吾目前缺乏高效经济生态防控措施的现状,结合国内外对入侵植物进行替代防控的经验与原则,提出了对黄帚橐吾进行替代防控的生态防控设想和黄帚橐吾替代植物选用的基本原则,初步划定了防控黄帚橐吾的替代植物范围。通过引种或者驯化乡土草种,在青藏高原培育禾本科、豆科植物或者建植禾豆混播人工草地,使其具备替代防控黄帚橐吾的潜力。