A scanning electron microscope study of normal and vitrified leaves from Datura insignis plantlets cultured in vitro

The surface anatomy of normal and vitreous leaves of plantlets obtained from Datura insignis Barb Rodr nodal segment cultures was compared using scanning electron microscopy. Normal and vitrified leaves are similar in several ways. They are both amphistomatic, and have similar distributions of glandular and non-glandular trichomes. Stomata have similar length, diameter and distribution in normal and vitreous plants. Immature stomata, which have closed pores, and plugged stomata, which contain an amorphous material between their guard cells, occur in both normal and vitrified leaves. Normal and vitreous leaves differ in the frequency of normal and abnormal stomata. Normal stomata have kidney-shaped guard cells and resemble closely those found in field-grown plants, whereas abnormal stomata have deformed guard cells. Normal stomata represent approximately 80% of the total number of stomata in normal leaves, but only 7% of the total number of stomata in vitreous leaves. Abnormal stomata represent 90% of the total number in vitreous leaves. The deformation of guard cells could possibly be a mechanical impediment to stomatal function.     

Biomass structure and dry matter dynamics of subtropical alluvial and exotic Ligustrum forests at the Río de la Plata,Argentina

Biomass, litterfall, litter standing crop, and decomposition was studied in a native subtropical alluvial forest locally known as Selva Marginal (SM) and an exotic Ligustrum lucidum forest (LF) at the Reserva Integral de Punta Lara, Buenos Aires Province, 34°47S and 58°1W. The alluvial forest site was at the southern limit of distribution of subtropical forests in South America. The Ligustrum forest was invading disturbed areas. Total biomass was 147.7 Mg/ha (86% aboveground and 14% belowground) in the SM, and 71.4 Mg/ha (93% and 7%, respectively) in the LF. Litterfall was 10.3 Mg/ha·yr and 13.8 Mg/ha·yr respectively. Annual leaf decomposition rate was greater for Ligustrum (k=4.07) than for SM species (k=1.48). The mean residence time of aboveground biomass was 12 yr for the SM and 5 yr for the LF. The k₁ values (litterfall/standing crop) were 1.9 and 2.0 for SM and LF respectively. The influence of coastal road and wall in the hydroperiod, native forested wetland ecosystem survival and exotic forest invasion is discussed.     

Culture of Hypnea musciformis (Rhodophyta,Gigartinales) on artificial substrates attached to linear ropes

Hypnea musciformis is the only species so far exploited in Brazil as raw material for the production of k-carrageenan. Due to the erratic production in space and time, increasing harvest and transportation costs, experiments have been performed in order to assess the viability of H. musciformis mariculture.In nature the species occurs as an epiphyte, and so mariculture using artificial substrates that simulated the natural host of the species was tried. These substrates were attached, at regular intervals, to linear ropes. In the sea, these ropes were stretched between cement blocks.Seeding occurs naturally, by means of spores, or detached pieces of H. musciformis scattered in the water column that get entangled on the ropes. The best yields (0.54 wet kg m^–1 month^–1) were obtained with unthreaded rope substrates maintained in a vertical position by small rafts. Production is highest in the first 18 m off the rocky shore (0–2.1 m deep), at the highest substrate density utilized (10 m^–1), 2–3 months after installing the ropes in seawater. The main factor controlling seasonal production is water movement.     

Life history and reproductive potential of the agarophyte Gelidium robustum in California

The reproductive potential of the tetrasporangial phase of Gelidium robustum was studied for 16 months at two sites off Santa Barbara, California. In all samples tetrasporangial thalli were always more abundant than gametangial ones. Tetratrasporangial sori were present throughout the duration of the study but relative fecundity was highest [300–400 sori g^–1 (w. wt)] in spring/summer samples of consecutive years, as a result of increasing numbers both of tetrasporangial branchlets per plant and of sori per branchlet. On the other hand, laboratory experiments showed that tetraspore release per sorus was highest (150–250 spores sorus^–1 d^–1) in winter. Inferring from these field and laboratory data plants released up to ± 34 000 tetraspores g^–1 (w. wt) d^–1 in the spring/summer of the second study year. Tetraspore germination, under defined culture conditions, also showed a marked seasonality increasing sharply from less than 10% in winter up to almost 60% in spring/summer, thus coinciding with the period of maximal spore output per plant. These results suggest that although relatively high numbers of tetraspores may be released by G. robustum plants all year round these might not always have the potential to germinate and recruit.     

A τ Fragment Containing a Repetitive Sequence Induces Bundling of Actin Filaments

Abstract: Much indirect evidence suggests that the interconnections of actin microfilaments with the microtubule system are mediated by microtubule-associated proteins (MAPs). In this study we provide new data to support the interaction of a specific tubulin-binding domain on τ with actin in vitro. In actin polymerization assays, the synthetic peptide VRSKIGSTENLKHQPGGG, corresponding to the first repetitive sequence of τ protein, increased turbidity at 320 nm in a dose-dependent fashion. A salient feature of the τ peptide-induced assembly process is the formation of a large amount of actin filament bundles, as revealed by electron microscopic analysis. An increase in the τ peptide concentration resulted in a proportional increase in the bundling of actin filaments. It is interesting that a gradual decrease of pH within the range 7.6–4.7 resulted in a higher effect of τ peptide in promoting bundles of actin filaments. A similar pH-dependent effect was observed for τ protein-induced bundling. An analysis of the mechanisms that operate in the peptide induction of actin filament bundles suggests the involvement of electrostatic forces, because the neutralization of ɛ-aminolysyl residues by selective carbamoylation resulted in a complete loss of the peptide induction of actin bundles. The data suggest that a τ repetitive sequence (also found in MAP-2 and MAP-4) containing a common tubulin binding motif may constitute a functional domain on τ for the dynamics of the interconnections between actin filaments and microtu-bules.     

Immunocytochemical localization of DNA in synaptonemal complexes of rat and mouse spermatocytes,and of chick oocytes

The distribution of DNA in synaptonemal complexes of rat and mouse spermatocytes, and of chick oocytes was investigated by immunogold electron microscopy. Except for a few specific sites, DNA was not immunolocalized in the space between lateral elements of the complex. Some labeled fibrils connecting the lateral elements with the central element were observed associated with recombination nodules or near them. However, other labeled fibrils in the space between lateral elements did not appear to present any relationship to recombination nodules. The immunocytochemical approaches used here confirmed the presence of significant amounts of DNA in the lateral elements as previously indicated by preferential DNA staining methods. Furthermore, our findings support the view that recombination nodules are the site of chiasma formation.     

In vitro oxidative inactivation of glutathione S-transferase from a freeze tolerant reptile

We have previously reported that when garter snakesThamnophis sirtalis parietalis, a freeze tolerant species, were exposed to 5 h freezing at –2.5° C organs showed increases in the activities of anti-oxidant enzymes, especially catalase in skeletal muscle. This was interpreted to be an adaptation to deal with the potentially injurious postischemic situation of thawing. The present work analyzesin vitro oxidative inactivation of a possible target of postischemic-induced free radical damage, the secondary anti-oxidant defense glutathione-S transferase, and the protective role of endogenous catalase. Approximately 50% of GST activity from snake muscle homogenates was lost within 2 min after addition of H₂O₂ plus Fe(II) (0.4–2 mM) in media containing azide whereas addition of iron alone resulted in no damaging effects. The opposing effects of dimethyl sulfoxide and EDTA in modifying this process strongly suggested the involvement of ·OH radicals in the GST inactivation. A partial recovery of the activity was promoted by mercaptoethanol, indicating that sulphydryl groups oxidation participate in the mechanism of GST inactivation. Pre-incubation of the reaction media containing H₂O₂ caused protection of the GST activity only in the absence of azide, indicating that endogenous catalase modulates the extent of oxyradical damage. The protective pre-incubation effect was more efficacious when employing homogenates from lung and liver, organs that have higher catalase activities, as well as homogenates from freezing-exposed muscle (that show an 80% increase in catalase activity, compared with control). The protection against GST inactivation observed in muscle from frozen snakes demonstrates that increased anti-oxidant defenses during freezing exposure can be a key factor in controllingin vitro oxyradical damage. The implications for natural freeze tolerance are discussed.     

Metabarcoding reveals seasonal and spatial patterns of arthropod community assemblages in two contrasting habitats: Desert and oasis of the Baja California Peninsula,Mexico

Aim

Desert springs or oases are the only permanent mesic environments in highly water-limited arid regions. Oases have immense cultural, evolutionary and ecological importance for people and a high number of endemic and relic species. Nevertheless, they are also highly vulnerable ecosystems, with invasive species, overexploitation and climate change being the primary threats. We used the arthropod communities' spatiotemporal diversity and distribution patterns as a proxy to understand biodiversity dynamics in two geographically close but ecologically contrasting and highly threatened ecosystems: deserts and oases.

Location

Baja California Peninsula, Mexico.

Methods

Arthropod communities at five oases and surrounding desert scrub areas were sampled in two seasons. Using DNA metabarcoding and traditional taxonomic surveys, we tried to identify what biotic and abiotic characteristics of the habitat are important drivers of arthropod diversity and how these characteristics can change across spatial and temporal scales.

Results

Over 6200 individuals representing 23 orders were collected. In oasis samples, the community composition fluctuated more in space (i.e. among sites) than in time (i.e. seasons). Thus, seasonal changes did not affect oasis community diversity and composition, but the dissimilarity among sites increased with geographic distance. Moreover, anthropic activities negatively correlated with arthropod diversity in oases. On the other hand, the season, geography (e.g. latitude) and biotic characteristics of the habitat (e.g. sampled scrub species) significantly affected the diversity and composition of the desert arthropod communities.

Main Conclusions

Neutral dynamics (e.g. historical climatic events, dispersal limitation and spatial component) and human impact significantly influenced the biodiversity patterns of each oasis. In contrast, the habitat's seasonal variation and biotic characteristics were the most important variables influencing the diversity of the desert communities. Baja California oases harbour distinct invertebrate communities; therefore, each oasis should be conserved individually to preserve these unique assemblages.