Changes in niche differentiation and environmental filtering over a hydric stress gradient

群落的多样性取决于物种相互共存的能力,以及克服环境胁迫的能力,从而可能扮演一个环境过滤器的角色。生态位分化导致了比种间竞争更强的种内竞争,促进了物种共存。由于胁迫影响相互作用,生态位分化的强度可能沿胁迫作用的梯度发生变化。在有胁迫的栖息地,如沙漠和高山地区,植物的生长形式更加多样化,这表明在环境胁迫下植物具有更强的生态位分化。我们验证了生态位差异和环境过滤作用随着环境胁迫的增加而增强的假设。在墨西哥南部的半干旱草原上,我们沿着水分胁迫梯度在田间种植了6种一年生植物。植物进行三种种植处理：单独种植(没有相互作用),与同种植物为邻(种内相互作用)或与异种植物为邻(种间相互作用)。我们分析了种内与种间竞争的比值是如何沿水分胁迫梯度变化的,以评估水分如何决定生态位分化的强度。我们还测定了水分胁迫是否代表了一种环境过滤作用。我们发现了种内竞争比种间竞争更强,尤其是在水分胁迫更大的情况下。因此,我们的结果表明,除了一个物种外,所有物种至少在部分水分胁迫梯度下存在生态位分化。一些物种受到胁迫的阻碍,而另一些物种可能因为胁迫消除了土壤病原体而受到它的青睐。虽然高强度的生态位分化在环境胁迫下出现的频率略高,但由于我们的物种样本很小,而且这种通用的模式也存在例外,因此需要进一步的研究来确定这是否是自然界普遍存在的现象。     

From endosperm to triploid plants: a stepwise characterization of the de novo shoot organogenesis and morpho-agronomic aspects of an ornamental passion fruit (Passiflora foetida L.)

Plant Cell, Tissue and Organ Culture (PCTOC) - Somaclonal variation during in vitro culture is often an undesirable phenomenon but may also be a source of genetic variation useful for breeders. The...     

Reproductive biology of the white marlin (Kajikia albida) in the southwestern and equatorial Atlantic Ocean

The present work describes the reproductive biology of the white marlin (Kajikia albida) caught in the southwestern and equatorial Atlantic Ocean. The gonads of 924 fish were collected by observers on board Brazilian tuna longliners, between November 2004 and December 2006. The spawning season was assessed by the monthly frequency distribution of distinct stages of maturity and monthly mean female gonadosomatic index GSI. Sixty-one percent (n = 656) of the fish examined were female, with a Lower Jaw Fork Length (LJFL) between 83 and 236 cm (mean = 155.5 ± 16.63). The 268 males had a LJFL between 90 and 220 cm (mean = 152.3 ± 34.62). Although the northeastern region of Brazil does not appear to be a significant spawning area for the species, the results suggest a higher reproductive activity in the third quarter of the year. Using a Bayesian logistic model approach, length at 50% maturity was estimated at 145.04 cm (credibility interval of 95%, 143.94–146.09 cm), for females, and at 140.03 cm (credibility interval of 95%, 137.28–142.52 cm), for males.     

Transferability and characterization of microsatellite markers from Byrsonima cydoniifolia A. Juss. (MALPIGHIACEAE) in seven related taxa from Cerrado biome reveal genetic relationships

Byrsonima Rich. is one of the largest genera of the Malpighiaceae family with 97 species occurrence in Brazil and multiple potentialities, including pharmaceutical and food industries. In this study, 17 microsatellite markers characterized in Byrsonima cydoniifolia were tested for seven related taxa, all species are native to Brazil and four are endemic. Genomic DNA was extracted from leaves tissues and 17 microsatellite markers were used to cross-amplification of microsatellite regions. Polymorphism and genetic diversity were evaluated for B. intermedia, B. verbascifolia, B. laxiflora, B. subterranea, B. umbellata, B. linearifolia. from 16 individuals and for B. viminifolia from 14 individuals. Transferred microsatellite markers panels ranged from 11 (64.8%) in B. viminifolia to 6 (35.2%) in B. umbellata. The total number of alleles per locus ranged from 5 (B. linearifolia) to 8 (B. subterranea) alleles. B. umbellata showed lower values of observed and expected heterozygosity (H_O?=?0.312; H_E?=?0.436) and B. subterranea presented the highest values (H_O?=?0.687; H_E?=?0.778). A greater number of microsatellite markers should be developed for B. umbellata. The microsatellite marker panels transferred to the species B. intermedia, B. verbascifolia, B. laxiflora, B. subterranea, B. viminifolia and B. linearifolia are very informative, with a high combined probability of exclusion of paternity (Q?≥?0.976) and the low combined probability of identity (I?≤?9.91?×?10^–6), potentially suitable for future genetic-population studies, supporting strategies for maintaining the genetic diversity and for exploration of Byrsonima species as genetic resources.

     

Gamma-Decanolactone Alters the Expression of GluN2B,A1 Receptors,and COX-2 and Reduces DNA Damage in the PTZ-Induced Seizure Model After Subchronic Treatment in Mice

Neurochemical Research - Gamma-decanolactone (GD) has been shown to reduce epileptic behavior in different models, inflammatory decreasing, oxidative stress, and genotoxic parameters. This study...     

Optimization of the enzymatic synthesis of structured triacylglycerols rich in docosahexaenoic acid at sn-2 position by acidolysis of Aurantiochytrium limacinum SR21 oil and caprylic acid using response surface methodology

Journal of Applied Phycology - The thraustochytrid Aurantiochytrium limacinum SR21 is a promising source of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) for human consumption as dietary supplement, replacing...     

VCAM-1 as a predictor biomarker in cardiovascular disease

The vascular cellular adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) is a protein that canonically participates in the adhesion and transmigration of leukocytes to the interstitium during inflammation. VCAM-1 expression, together with soluble VCAM-1 (sVCAM-1) induced by the shedding of VCAM-1 by metalloproteinases, have been proposed as biomarkers in immunological diseases, cancer, autoimmune myocarditis, and as predictors of mortality and morbidity in patients with chronic heart failure (HF), endothelial injury in patients with coronary artery disease, and arrhythmias. This revision aims to discuss the role of sVCAM-1 as a biomarker to predict the occurrence, development, and preservation of cardiovascular disease.