In silico and empirical evaluation of twelve metabarcoding primer sets for insectivorous diet analyses

During the most recent decade, environmental DNA metabarcoding approaches have been both developed and improved to minimize the biological and technical biases in these protocols. However, challenges remain, notably those relating to primer design. In the current study, we comprehensively assessed the performance of ten COI and two 16S primer pairs for eDNA metabarcoding, including novel and previously published primers. We used a combined approach of in silico, in vivo‐mock community (33 arthropod taxa from 16 orders), and guano‐based analyses to identify primer sets that would maximize arthropod detection and taxonomic identification, successfully identify the predator (bat) species, and minimize the time and financial costs of the experiment. We focused on two insectivorous bat species that live together in mixed colonies: the greater horseshoe bat (Rhinolophus ferrumequinum) and Geoffroy's bat (Myotis emarginatus). We found that primer degeneracy is the main factor that influences arthropod detection in silico and mock community analyses, while amplicon length is critical for the detection of arthropods from degraded DNA samples. Our guano‐based results highlight the importance of detecting and identifying both predator and prey, as guano samples can be contaminated by other insectivorous species. Moreover, we demonstrate that amplifying bat DNA does not reduce the primers' capacity to detect arthropods. We therefore recommend the simultaneous identification of predator and prey. Finally, our results suggest that up to one‐third of prey occurrences may be unreliable and are probably not of primary interest in diet studies, which may decrease the relevance of combining several primer sets instead of using a single efficient one. In conclusion, this study provides a pragmatic framework for eDNA primer selection with respect to scientific and methodological constraints.     

High predictability of direct competition between marine diatoms under different temperatures and nutrient states

The distribution of marine phytoplankton will shift alongside changes in marine environments, leading to altered species frequencies and community composition. An understanding of the response of mixed populations to abiotic changes is required to adequately predict how environmental change may affect the future composition of phytoplankton communities. This study investigated the growth and competitive ability of two marine diatoms, Phaeodactylum tricornutum and Thalassiosira pseudonana, along a temperature gradient (9–35°C) spanning the thermal niches of both species under both high‐nitrogen nutrient‐replete and low‐nitrogen nutrient‐limited conditions. Across this temperature gradient, the competitive outcome under both nutrient conditions at any assay temperature, and the critical temperature at which competitive advantage shifted from one species to the other, was well predicted by the temperature dependencies of the growth rates of the two species measured in monocultures. The temperature at which the competitive advantage switched from P. tricornutum to T. pseudonana increased from 18.8°C under replete conditions to 25.3°C under nutrient‐limited conditions. Thus, P. tricornutum was a better competitor over a wider temperature range in a low N environment. Being able to determine the competitive outcomes from physiological responses of single species to environmental changes has the potential to significantly improve the predictive power of phytoplankton spatial distribution and community composition models.     

Physiological and metabolomic responses of bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon) to alkali stress

Bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon) is a widely used warm‐season turfgrass species with superior stress tolerance except for cold. In this study, a comparative analysis of the responses to alkali stress in bermudagrass at the physiological and metabolomic levels were performed. Mild alkali with relatively low pH slightly inhibited growth of bermudagrass as evidenced by lower electrolyte leakage, more rapid growth and higher survival rate when compared to moderate and severe alkali treatments. Moreover, the amount of 37 metabolites including amino acids, organic acids, sugars and sugar alcohols were modulated by the alkali treatments. Among them, 15 metabolites were involved in carbon and amino acid metabolic pathways. Under mild alkali stress, bermudagrass possibly slowed down metabolisms to maintain basic growth. However, moderate and severe alkali‐stressed plants accumulated significantly higher amount of carbohydrates which might result in carbon starvation. Taken together, alkali stress had severely inhibitory effect partially due to combined ionic stress and high pH stress. These results suggested that bermudagrass employed different strategies in response to alkali stresses with different pH and ionic values.     

Connecting the dots: from nanodomains to physiological functions of REMORINs

REMORINs (REMs) are a plant-specific protein family, proposed regulators of membrane-associated molecular assemblies and well-established markers of plasma membrane nanodomains. REMs play a diverse set of functions in plant interactions with pathogens and symbionts, responses to abiotic stresses, hormone signaling and cell-to-cell communication. In this review, we highlight the established and more putative roles of REMs throughout the literature. We discuss the physiological functions of REMs, the mechanisms underlying their nanodomain-organization and their putative role as regulators of nanodomain-associated molecular assemblies. Furthermore, we discuss how REM phosphorylation may regulate their functional versatility. Overall, through data-mining and comparative analysis of the literature, we suggest how to further study the molecular mechanisms underpinning the functions of REMs.     

Relationships of reproductive performance indicators in black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis michaeli) with plant available moisture,plant available nutrients and woody cover

Plant available moisture and plant available nutrients in soils influence forage quality and availability and subsequently affect reproductive performance in herbivores. However, the relationship of soil moisture, soil nutrients and woody forage with reproductive performance indicators is not well understood in mega‐browsers yet these three are important in selecting suitable areas for conservation of mega‐browsers. Here, the eastern black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis michaeli), a mega‐browser, was studied in seven geographically distinct populations in Kenya to understand the relationships between its reproductive performance indicators and plant available moisture, plant available nutrients and woody cover. Reproductive parameters showed a complex relationship with plant available moisture and plant available nutrients. We found an increase in the predicted yearly percentage of females calving as plant available nutrients decreased in areas of high levels of plant available moisture but no relationship with plant available nutrients in areas of low plant available moisture. Age at first calving was earlier, inter‐calving interval was longer and yearly percentage of females calving was higher at higher woody cover. Woody plant cover contributes positively to black rhino reproduction performance indicators, whereas plant available moisture and plant available nutrients add to the selection of conservation areas, in more subtle ways.     

Effect of a Bacillus subtilis strain on flax protection against Fusarium oxysporum and its impact on the root and stem cell walls

In Normandy, flax is a plant of important economic interest because of its fibres. Fusarium oxysporum, a telluric fungus, is responsible for the major losses in crop yield and fibre quality. Several methods are currently used to limit the use of phytochemicals on crops. One of them is the use of plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) occurring naturally in the rhizosphere. PGPR are known to act as local antagonists to soil‐borne pathogens and to enhance plant resistance by eliciting the induced systemic resistance (ISR). In this study, we first investigated the cell wall modifications occurring in roots and stems after inoculation with the fungus in two flax varieties. First, we showed that both varieties displayed different cell wall organization and that rapid modifications occurred in roots and stems after inoculation. Then, we demonstrated the efficiency of a Bacillus subtilis strain to limit Fusarium wilt on both varieties with a better efficiency for one of them. Finally, thermo‐gravimetry was used to highlight that B. subtilis induced modifications of the stem properties, supporting a reinforcement of the cell walls. Our findings suggest that the efficiency and the mode of action of the PGPR B. subtilis is likely to be flax variety dependent.     

Wildfires in the Eastern Arc Mountains of Tanzania: Burned areas,underlying causes and management challenges

The Eastern Arc Mountains are one of the most important ecosystems that conserve biodiversity in the world. These ecosystems are threatened by the increasing occurrence of wildfires. Nevertheless, there is inadequate information useful for the development of effective strategies to prevent or respond to future fires. This paper analyses the current extent of dry season fires, underlying causes and the effectiveness of the fire management strategy being implemented in and around the Uluguru Nature Forest Reserve (UNFR) between 2016 and 2021. Differenced Normalised Burn Ratio derived from Landsat satellite images was applied to determine the extent of burned areas, and focus group discussions were held to determine the underlying causes of fires and the extent of implementation of fire management strategies. About 2% (472 ha) of reserved UNFR and 5% (2,854 ha) of unreserved forests were burned in 2017. Some of the fires impacted on 60% (370 ha) of the grassy Lukwangule plateau, which is home to a fire‐sensitive endemic species. The underlying causes of fires varied spatially across the mountains but generally, fire escaping from farm preparation and hunting activities were found to be the most prevalent. On average, survey participants perceived that fire management strategy objectives were achieved by only 29% mainly constrained by a shortage of financial and human resources. Our findings suggest that ignitions and fire spread in UNFR could be prevented or controlled through sustainable funding of fire management activities and the effective engagement of local communities in the management of the reserve.     

GeSUT4 mediates sucrose import at the symbiotic interface for carbon allocation of heterotrophic Gastrodia elata (Orchidaceae)

Gastrodia elata, a fully mycoheterotrophic orchid without photosynthetic ability, only grows symbiotically with the fungus Armillaria. The mechanism of carbon distribution in this mycoheterotrophy is unknown. We detected high sucrose concentrations in all stages of Gastrodia tubers, suggesting sucrose may be the major sugar transported between fungus and orchid. Thick symplasm‐isolated wall interfaces in colonized and adjacent large cells implied involvement of sucrose importers. Two sucrose transporter (SUT)‐like genes, GeSUT4 and GeSUT3, were identified that were highly expressed in young Armillaria‐colonized tubers. Yeast complementation and isotope tracer experiments confirmed that GeSUT4 functioned as a high‐affinity sucrose‐specific proton‐dependent importer. Plasma‐membrane/tonoplast localization of GeSUT4‐GFP fusions and high RNA expression of GeSUT4 in symbiotic and large cells indicated that GeSUT4 likely functions in active sucrose transport for intercellular allocation and intracellular homeostasis. Transgenic Arabidopsis overexpressing GeSUT4 had larger leaves but were sensitive to excess sucrose and roots were colonized with fewer mutualistic Bacillus, supporting the role of GeSUT4 in regulating sugar allocation. This is not only the first documented carbon import system in a mycoheterotrophic interaction but also highlights the evolutionary importance of sucrose transporters for regulation of carbon flow in all types of plant‐microbe interactions.