Temperature effects on forest herbs assessed by warming and transplant experiments along a latitudinal gradient

Slow‐colonizing forest understorey plants are probably not able to rapidly adjust their distribution range following large‐scale climate change. Therefore, the acclimation potential to climate change within their actual occupied habitats will likely be key for their short‐ and long‐term persistence. We combined transplant experiments along a latitudinal gradient with open‐top chambers to assess the effects of temperature on phenology, growth and reproductive performance of multiple populations of slow‐colonizing understorey plants, using the spring flowering geophytic forb Anemone nemorosa and the early summer flowering grass Milium effusum as study species. In both species, emergence time and start of flowering clearly advanced with increasing temperatures. Vegetative growth (plant height, aboveground biomass) and reproductive success (seed mass, seed germination and germinable seed output) of A. nemorosa benefited from higher temperatures. Climate warming may thus increase future competitive ability and colonization rates of this species. Apart from the effects on phenology, growth and reproductive performance of M. effusum generally decreased when transplanted southwards (e.g., plant size and number of individuals decreased towards the south) and was probably more limited by light availability in the south. Specific leaf area of both species increased when transplanted southwards, but decreased with open‐top chamber installation in A. nemorosa. In general, individuals of both species transplanted at the home site performed best, suggesting local adaptation. We conclude that contrasting understorey plants may display divergent plasticity in response to changing temperatures which may alter future understorey community dynamics.     

Differences in the location of subcotyledonary buds among Epilobium angustifolium L., E. dodonaei Vill. and E. fleischeri Hochst. (Onagraceae) and effects on architecture and population structure

STÖCKLIN, J., 1992. Differences in the location of subcotyledonary buds among Epilobium angustifolium L., E. dodonaei Vill. and E. fleischeri Hochst. (Onagraceae) and effects on architecture and population structure . Morphological and architectural features in the two closely related pioneer plant species Epilobium dodonaei and E. fleischeri are examined in cultivation and in the field and compared with E. angustifolium. In E. angustifolium , the aerial shoot system is renewed every year from buds on horizontal roots and results in a horizontal spread and a clonal growth form. In E. dodonaei , bud formation is restricted to the hypocotyl and in larger plants to the transitional region between root and shoot. Consequently this species shows no vegetative mobility and develops a shrub-like habit. The alpine E. fleischeri combines the habit of E. angustifolium and E. dodonaei and may either develop successive generations of shoots from the transitional region between root and shoot and/or exploit new areas by horizontal roots and the formation of shoots from root buds. The simple difference in the location of renewal buds is accentuated by cumulative growth. The study shows that E. dodonaei and E. fleischeri , which often are considered as subspecies, are separated by fundamental differences in their architectural models. The ecological and demographic implications of these differences are discussed.     

Soil water repellency and its implications for organic matter decomposition – is there a link to extreme climatic events?

Earth system models associate the ongoing global warming with increasing frequency and intensity of extreme events such as droughts and heat waves. The carbon balance of soils may be more sensitive to the impact of such extremes than to homogeneously distributed changes in soil temperature (T_s) or soil water content (θ_s). One parameter influenced by more pronounced drying/rewetting cycles or increases in T_s is the wettability of soils. Results from laboratory and field studies showed that low θ_s, particularly in combination with high T_s can increase soil water repellency (SWR). Recent studies have provided evidence that the stability of soil organic matter (SOM) against microbial decomposition is substantially enhanced in water repellent soils. This review hypothesizes that SWR is an important SOM stabilization mechanism that could become more important because of the increase in extreme events. We discuss wettability‐induced changes in soil moisture distribution and in soil aggregate turnover as the main mechanisms explaining the reduced mineralization of SOM with increasing SWR. The creation of preferential flow paths and subsequent uneven penetration of rainwater may cause a long‐term reduction of soil water availability, affecting both microorganisms and plants. We conclude that climate change‐induced SWR may intensify the effects of climatic drought and thus affects ecosystem processes such as SOM decomposition and plant productivity, as well as changes in vegetation and microbial community structure. Future research on biosphere–climate interactions should consider the effects of increasing SWR on soil moisture and subsequently on both microbial activity and plant productivity, which ultimately determine the overall carbon balance.     

The performance of fungal xylan-degrading enzyme preparations in elemental chlorine-free bleaching for Eucalyptus pulp

Cellulase-free xylan-degrading enzyme preparations from Acrophialophora nainiana, Humicola grisea var. thermoidea and two Trichoderma harzianum strains were used as bleaching agents for Eucalyptus kraft pulp, prior to a chlorine dioxide and alkaline bleaching sequence. In comparison to the control sequence (performed without xylanase pretreatment), the sequence incorporating enzyme treatment was more effective. Removal of residual lignin was indicated by a reduction in kappa number. Overall, enzyme preparations from T. harzianum were marginally more effective in reducing pulp viscosity and chlorine chemical consumption and improving the brightness of the kraft pulp. However, the highest reduction in pulp viscosity was mediated by the xylanase preparation from A. nainiana. Xylanase pretreatment compares very favorably with that of chemical pulping. Journal of Industrial Microbiology & Biotechnology (2002) 28, 204–206 DOI: 10.1038/sj/jim/7000227 Received 27 April 2001/ Accepted in revised form 03 November 2001     

The Upper Tremadocian (Ordovician) graptolite Bryograptus: taxonomy, biostratigraphy and biogeography

Abstract:  The taxonomy, biostratigraphical and palaeogeographical distribution of the Lower Ordovician graptolite genus Bryograptus is evaluated. Bryograptus is recognized as a distinct triradiate anisograptid with a multiramous, pendent rhabdosome. The species of the genus Bryograptus can be interpreted as shallow water faunal elements with a strongly limited biogeographical distribution to the Atlantic Faunal Realm. Bryograptus is restricted to a narrow interval in the Upper Tremadocian, the Bryograptus Biozone of Scandinavia and South America (Argentina), making it a taxon with a high potential for precise biostratigraphical correlations. The proximal end development can be used to differentiate the genus Bryograptus from other pendent multiramous graptoloid genera with a homoplastic rhabdosome development. Characteristics of the proximal end development and structure easily differentiate these genera in relief specimens, but not in flattened material.     

Seed production and seed quality in a calcareous grassland in elevated CO2

In diverse plant communities the relative contribution of species to community biomass may change considerably in response to elevated CO₂. Along with species‐specific biomass responses, reproduction is likely to change as well with increasing CO₂ and might further accelerate shifts in species composition. Here, we ask if, after 5 years of CO₂ exposure, seed production and seed quality in natural nutrient‐poor calcareous grassland are affected by elevated CO₂ (650 μ L L^?1 vs 360 μ L L^?1) and how this might affect long‐term community dynamics. The effect of elevated CO₂ on the number of flowering shoots (+ 24%, P < 0.01) and seeds (+ 29%, P = 0.06) at the community level was similar to above ground biomass responses in this year, suggesting that the overall allocation to sexual reproduction remained unchanged. Compared among functional groups of species we found a 42% increase in seed number (P < 0.01) of graminoids, a 33% increase (P = 0.07) in forbs, and no significant change in legumes (? 38%, n.s.) under elevated CO₂. Large responses particularly of two graminoid species and smaller responses of many forb species summed up to the significant or marginally significant increase in seed number of graminoids and forbs, respectively. In several species the increase in seed number resulted both from an increase in flowering shoots and an increase in inflorescence size. In most species, seeds tended to be heavier (+ 12%, P < 0.01), and N‐concentration of seeds was significantly reduced in eight out of 13 species. The fraction of germinating seeds did not differ between seeds produced in ambient and elevated CO₂, but time to germination was significantly shortened in two species and prolonged in one species when seeds had been produced in elevated CO₂. Results suggest that species specific increases in seed number and changes in seed quality will exert substantial cumulative effects on community composition in the long run.     

Host genotype affects the relative success of competing lines of aphid parasitoids under superparasitism

1. In solitary parasitoids, only one individual can complete development in a given host. Therefore, solitary parasitoids tend to prefer unparasitised hosts for oviposition, yet under high parasitoid densities, superparasitism is frequent and results in fierce competition for the host's limited resources. This may lead to selection for the best intra‐host competitors. 2. Increased intra‐host competitive ability may evolve under a high risk of superparasitism if this trait exhibits genetic variation, and if competitive differences among parasitoid genotypes are consistent across environments, e.g. different host genotypes. 3. These assumptions were addressed in the aphid parasitoid Lysiphlebus fabarum (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Aphidiinae) and its main host, the black bean aphid, Aphis fabae (Scopoli) (Hemiptera: Aphididae). Three parthenogenetic lines of L. fabarum were allowed to parasitise three aphid clones singly and in all pairwise combinations (superparasitism). The winning parasitoid in superparasitised aphids was determined by microsatellite analysis. 4. The proportions of singly parasitised aphids that were mummified were similar for the three parasitoid lines and did not differ significantly among host clones. 5. Under superparasitism, significant biases in favour of one parasitoid line were observed for some combinations, indicating that there is genetic variation for intra‐host competitive ability. However, the outcome of superparasitism was inconsistent across aphid clones and thus influenced significantly by the host clone in which parasitoids competed. 6. Overall, this study shows that the fitness of aphid parasitoids under superparasitism is determined by complex interactions with competitors as well as hosts, possibly hampering the evolution of improved intra‐host competitive ability.     

The Antiapoptotic Effect of Galectin-3 in Human Endometrial Cells under the Regulation of Estrogen and Progesterone

Galectin-3 (Gal-3), a ubiquitously expressed gene involved in many cellular processes, has been recently recognized as a factor related to endometrial receptivity. However, the precise biological function of Gal-3 in the endometrium and its regulation is still unclear. In this study, we detected the antiapoptotic role of Gal-3 in endometrial cells and the expression of Gal-3 regulated by estrogen and progesterone. We found that expression of Gal-3 increased when exposed to the apoptosis inducer staurosporine. Gal-3-silenced endometrial cells were more sensitive to the apoptosis inducer. Estradiol (E2) and progesterone (P4) up-regulated Gal-3 expression, which in turn decreased the apoptotic rate of endometrial cells. Our results strongly suggested that hormonal activation of Gal-3 by E2 and P4 is involved in inhibiting endometrial cell apoptosis, playing key roles in embryo implantation.     

Genetic Analysis in Wood-Decaying Fungi I. Genetic Variation and Evidence for Allopatric Speciation in Pleurotus ostreatus using Phenoloxidase Zymograms and Morphological Criteria

Using electropherograms (zymograms) of the phenoloxidase laccase and characteristics of mycelial growth and fruit body production, a distinct morphological and biochemical differentiation of two geographically isolated (allopatric) populations of the wood-rotting basidiomycete Pleurotus ostreatus became evident. No limitation in their outbreeding ability was observed, however. A specific secretory mechanism for an extracellular laccase, genetically different in the two geographical races, could be detected. An approximately 1: 1 segregation of this laccase band in the F₁ generation indicates that specific secretion of this enzyme is controlled by one gene only, Different degrees of genetic variation as shown by differences in the respective laccase spectra were found in the two geographical races. Only one enzyme band out of nine multiple laccases was found to be specific for fruit bodies. The value of zymograms for chemotaxonomic purposes, for the understanding of microevolution and for determination of genetic variation in fungi is critically discussed.