Sexual dimorphism and intra-populational colour pattern variation in the aposematic frog Dendrobates tinctorius

Despite the predicted purifying role of stabilising selection against variation in warning signals, many aposematic species exhibit high variation in their colour patterns. The maintenance of such variation is not well understood, but it has been suggested to be the result of an interaction between sexual and natural selection. This interaction could also facilitate the evolution of sexual dichromatism. Here we analyse in detail the colour patterns of the poison frog Dendrobates tinctorius and evaluate the possible correlates of the variability in aposematic signals in a natural population. Against the theoretical predictions of aposematism, we found that there is enormous intra-populational variation in colour patterns and that these also differ between the sexes: males have a yellower dorsum and bluer limbs than females. We discuss the possible roles of natural and sexual selection in the maintenance of this sexual dimorphism in coloration and argue that parental care could work synergistically with aposematism to select for yellower males.     

Distribution,habitat disturbance and pollination of the endangered orchid Broughtonia cubensis (Epidendrae: Laeliinae)

The geographical distribution, population structure and pollination ecology are key aspects in the conservation and management of rare orchids. Here, we address these aspects and the main threats affecting the endangered Cuban orchid Broughtonia cubensis. This rewardless orchid is self‐compatible, but pollinator dependent. However, seed production can be negatively affected by insect‐mediated selfing. Three species of small bee (genera Ceratina and Lasioglossum) act as pollinators. As in the case of other nectarless orchids, we detected two species of plant producing large amounts of nectar in the area, the floral morphology of which closely resembles that of B. cubensis. The simultaneous flowering of these species could positively affect the reproductive success of B. cubensis. Nonetheless, the fitness of this orchid in natural conditions is low, possibly related to strong pollen limitation. To the problems arising from reduced fitness is added the fact that its historical distribution range has been greatly reduced in recent years. Throughout this study, we have detected dramatic reductions in the population sizes, in some cases as a result of human plundering, but also as a consequence of hurricanes. Based on the results of this study, we propose some guidelines to manage and conserve this orchid. © 2013 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2013, 172 , 345–357.     

Overexpression of Arabidopsis acyl‐CoA‐binding protein ACBP2 enhances drought tolerance

Arabidopsis thaliana acyl‐CoA‐binding protein 2 (ACBP2) is a stress‐responsive protein that is also important in embryogenesis. Here, we assign a role for ACBP2 in abscisic acid (ABA) signalling during seed germination, seedling development and the drought response. ACBP2 was induced by ABA and drought, and transgenic Arabidopsis overexpressing ACBP2 (ACBP2‐OXs) showed increased sensitivity to ABA treatment during germination and seedling development. ACBP2‐OXs also displayed improved drought tolerance and ABA‐mediated reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in guard cells, thereby promoting stomatal closure, reducing water loss and enhancing drought tolerance. In contrast, acbp2 mutant plants showed decreased sensitivity to ABA in root development and were more sensitive to drought stress. RNA analyses revealed that ACBP2 overexpression up‐regulated the expression of Respiratory Burst Oxidase Homolog D (AtrbohD) and AtrbohF, two NAD(P)H oxidases essential for ABA‐mediated ROS production, whereas the expression of Hypersensitive to ABA1 (HAB1), an important negative regulator in ABA signalling, was down‐regulated. In addition, transgenic plants expressing ACBP2pro:GUS showed beta‐glucuronidase (GUS) staining in guard cells, confirming a role for ACBP2 at the stomata. These observations support a positive role for ACBP2 in promoting ABA signalling in germination, seedling development and the drought response.     

About Bullockia gen. nov., Trichomycterus mendozensis n. sp. and revision of the family Trichomycteridae (Pisces,Siluriformes)

A new genus of the family Trichomycteridae, Bullockia, and a new species of Trichomycterus are described. Bullockia gen. nov. is a monospecific and relict genus in the freshwaters of Chile. Trichomycterus mendozensis n. sp. is a freshwater relict from Argentina. Preliminary diagnoses of the subfamilies Pygidiinae and Nematogenyinae and the genera Trichomycterus, Hatcheria and Nematogenys are given.     

Serine/threonine kinases and E2-ubiquitin conjugating enzymes in Planctomycetes: unexpected findings

The regulation of signal transduction by phosphorylation and ubiquitination is essential to ensure the correct behavior of eukaryotic cells. We searched for protein families involved in such signaling in several eukaryotic species and in a limited set of prokaryotes, where two members of the Planctomycetes phylum were included as they exhibit eukaryote-like features (Gemmata obscuriglobus and Pirellula staleyi). We identified sequences homologous to eukaryotic serine/threonine kinases (STKs) and E2-ubiquitin conjugating enzymes in the two Planctomycetes species. To extend these analyses to the Planctomycetes/Verrucomicrobia/Chlamydia super-phylum, we performed comparative analyses using domains from kinases, phosphatases and GTPases that serve as signaling signatures, and we analyzed their distributions. We found substantial differences in kinome densities with regards to other prokaryote clades and among the groups in the Planctomycetes/Verrucomicrobia/Chlamydia super-phylum. In addition, we identified the presence of classic eukaryotic E2-conjugating ubiquitin proteins in prokaryotes, these having previously believed to exist only in eukaryotes. Our phylogenetic analyses of the STKs signature domains and E2-enzymes suggest the existence of horizontal gene transfer.     

Atmospheric pollen in Santiago,Chile

In the city of Santiago (33°27'S70°38'W), Chile, an atmospheric pollen was monitored for three years using a volumetric Hirst-type pollen trap. The aims of the study were: to assess the pollen types present in the atmosphere, their actual concentrations and dynamics (means and maxima); to establish the pollen calendar for Santiago; and to analyze the aerobiologic characteristics distinguishing introduced and native taxa. Results show that atmospheric pollen mainly originates from the following taxa: Platanus , Poaceae, Acer , Cupressus , Chenopodiaceae, Urticaceae, Morus , Plantago and Oleaceae. For the most frequent pollen types graphs of their atmospheric presence constructed and a table with relevant yearly data for the three studied (July-June) is presented. It is concluded, that the airborne pollen is originating mainly from introduced taxa, many of which are considered allergenic. Native taxa showed no high concentrations. The highest aiborne pollen concentrations where observed in September, however, atmospheric pollen thought to be capable of causing pollinosis, where present during the whole year. The highest pollen concentrations are mostly from trees.     

Structural Basis for the Interaction of the Golgi-Associated Retrograde Protein Complex with the t-SNARE Syntaxin 6

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遮荫对桂南种植罗汉果净光合速率和品质的影响

通过大田栽培试验,探讨生育后期不同遮荫处理(遮荫率0、30%、50%和70%)对罗汉果净光合速率和罗汉果品质的影响。经过遮荫处理,罗汉果净光合速率日变化曲线由对照组(遮荫率为0)的双峰型转变为单峰型,曲线峰值出现在中午12:00时。遮荫率50%处理的曲线峰值、罗汉果苷Ⅴ含量和干果重比其它遮荫处理和对照组的高。结果表明,在桂南种植的罗汉果,生育后期给予遮荫率50%的处理对增加罗汉果的净光合速率,提高罗汉果苷Ⅴ含量和干果重较为有利。     

岩溶区和非岩溶区两种优势植物凋落叶分解的比较研究

应用野外分解网袋法对岩溶地区和非岩溶地区两种优势树种桂花和青冈栎凋落叶的分解速率和养分释放规律进行研究。结果表明:分解1年后,凋落叶失重率桂花大于青冈栎,同一物种岩溶区大于非岩溶区。凋落叶各元素浓度随分解时间变化也有一定差异,C含量均表现为初期上升,后下降,最后上升的趋势;N含量前半年呈波动状态,后半年逐渐上升;P含量处波动状态,总体呈上升趋势。N、P含量和凋落叶失重率均表现为极显著正相关,而C:N、C:P、N:P与凋落叶失重率呈极显著负相关(P<0.01),说明凋落叶分解过程中失重率与N、P含量及C:N、C:P、N:P关系密切。凋落叶桂花N、P含量比青冈栎高,分解速率也比较快。     

不同倍性香石竹杂交受精过程及胚胎发育研究

采用石蜡切片法对以四倍体香石竹品种‘紫蝴蝶’(2n=4x=60)为母本,单瓣中间材料‘NH6’(2n=2x=30)为父本杂交后受精过程及胚胎发育进行研究。结果表明:(1)授粉后17h,花粉管进入助细胞并释放内容物,精核进入极核细胞内,与二极核细胞融合形成初生胚乳核;授粉后1d,精核向卵核方向移动,贴伏于卵核核膜上;授粉后2d,形成合子及游离的胚乳核;随后,胚发育经过原胚、球形胚、心形胚、鱼雷形胚阶段。(2)杂交障碍发生在受精过程及胚胎发育的各个时期,表现为:精子与卵细胞不相融合或精子与二极核不相融合、合子未分裂或初生胚乳核未分裂及胚胎的败育。(3)胚败育虽能发生在原胚、球形胚、棒状形胚、三角形胚、心形胚、鱼雷形胚及子叶形胚阶段,但主要发生在球形胚阶段。