<Emphasis Type="Italic">Eisenia bicyclis</Emphasis> bed coverage off Oshika Peninsula,Japan, in relation to sporophyte survival and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Strongylocentrotus nudus</Emphasis> abundance

It has recently been reported that the Eisenia bicyclis beds on the coast of Tomarihama in the Oshika Peninsula in Miyagi Prefecture (northern part of Japan) have been progressively receding from the offshore side of the beds every year. In this study, to determine the factors causing the change in the distribution of E. bicyclis beds as well as the extent of the change, an ecological survey of E. bicyclis and grazing animals was conducted. A 150 m-long fixed line was set up in the rocky coastal area on the Oshika Peninsula in Miyagi Prefecture, and the number of E. bicyclis individuals inhabiting a 1-m width was then measured. In addition, the numbers of individuals of sea urchins (Strongylocentrotus nudus) and abalone (Haliotis discus hannai) were measured. Although the E. bicyclis bed extended to the 64-m point on the fixed line at the time of the survey in August 1999, by July 2001, its lower limit was at the 53-m point; thus, a retreat of the outer edge of the bed of 11 m was observed in 2 years. The density of adult E. bicyclis sporophytes in the bed was reduced from 1.08 to 1.80 individuals (ind.) m⁻², respectively. Juvenile sporophytes were also observed, but most of those that had settled near the lower limit of the bed failed to survive to become adult sporophytes. There were few sea urchins, the main grazing animal on the site, inside the E. bicyclis bed (3.5 ind. m⁻² in October 2001) while there were many near the bed lower limit and on the deep-site side (12.9 ind. m⁻² in October 2001). These results indicate that the high grazing pressure of sea urchins reduced the survival of juvenile sporophytes near the bed lower limit, thus impeding the recruitment of juvenile sporophytes to replace adult sporophytes that died due to senescence, storm action and/or grazing.     

两种生态类型蚯蚓几种消化酶活性比较研究

蚯蚓在有机残体转化和土壤养分循环中起着重要的作用,为明确不同生态类型蚯蚓的食性及其消化有机物质的能力,测定了表居型蚯蚓赤爱胜蚓（Eisenia fetida）和上食下居型蚯蚓威廉环毛蚓（Pheretima guillemi）肠道内纤维素酶、蛋白酶、酸性磷酸酶和碱性磷酸酶的活性;同时还对威廉环毛蚓排泄物中蛋白酶、磷酸酶以及CO2呼吸强度与原土进行了比较,结果表明,赤爱胜蚓肠道内纤维素酶活性远远高于威廉环毛蚓,而蛋白酶和酸性及碱性磷酸酶活性显著低于威廉环毛蚓;两种蝗 蚓肠道消化酶活化的差异与赤爱胜蚓直接以植物残体为食,而威廉环毛蚓以半分解的有机残体上的微生物为食有关。根据研究结果,提出了饲养环毛 时要注意增加饵料中微生物量的观点。     

Über die Neubildung von Mitochondrien: Elektronenmikroskopische Untersuchungen an Spermatiden von Eisenia foetida (Annelidae)

Zusammenfassung Elektronenmikroskopische Befunde sprechen für die de novo — Biogenese von Mitochondrien in den Spermatiden des Regenwurms (Eisenia foetida) zu Beginn der Spermiohistogenese. Es lassen sich zwei Entstehungsorte und -arten unterscheiden: An der Kernmembran — und zwar im Bereich des prospektiven Schwanzendes — bilden sich die künftigen sechs Mittelstücksmitochondrien aus, im Grundcytoplasmaohne erkennbare Bevorzugung bestimmter Regionen— differenzieren sich die übrigen Mitochondrien. Die Mitochondrienmatrix entsteht offenbar unter Mitwirkung eines granulären, aus dem Kernraum in das Cytoplasma gelangenden Materials. Hierbei löst sich die Kernmembran temporär und lokal begrenzt auf oder zerfällt in Fragmente. In einer diffus begrenzten, relativ elektronendichten Matrix, der Mitochondrien-Anlage, kommt es zur Neubildung von Mitochondrienmembranen, die eine Substruktur aus 45–60 Å messenden Untereinheiten erkennen lassen. Wider Erwarten treten zunächst die Membranen der Cristae und erst anschließend die der Hülle in Erscheinung. Eine Membransynthese aus einem vorgegebenen rimer wird diskutiert.

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On the de novo biogenesis of mitochondria: Electronmicroscopical observations on spermatids of Eisenia foetida (Annelidae)

Summary Electronmicroscopical observations on spermatids of Eisenia foetida demonstrate a de novo biogenesis of mitochondria in cytoplasm. There are two kinds of differentiation: The later mitochondria of the middlepiece originate in the prospective tailside attached to the outer nuclear membrane; the other mitochondria differentiate in the cytoplasm without obvious preference of particular regions. The mitochondrial matrix is formed in connection with a granular material, which is transferred from the nucleus to the cytoplasm. At the places of transference the nuclear membrane breaks up into fragments. In a matrix which is diffused in the beginning new membranes originate, in which a substructure of subunits of 45–60 Å can be discerned. The outer mitochondrial membrane is built up after the cristae. A synthesis of membrane in connection with a given primer is discussed.

     

An NMR-based metabonomic investigation of the toxic effects of 3-trifluoromethyl-aniline on the earthworm Eisenia veneta

¹H NMR spectra of earthworms Eisenia veneta treated with 3-trifluoromethyl-aniline in a 72-h contact filter paper test have been analysed using pattern recognition techniques to determine the biochemical response. Various strategies for data reduction of the metabolite profile, and illustration by principal components analysis are applied and discussed. The use of mean principal components plots in simplifying group data representation and highlighting the dose-response function is demonstrated. Hierarchical cluster analysis, and cluster significance analysis of the principal components were also used to examine the relative distribution of dose groups. Identification and assignment of metabolite responses to toxicity were found via correlation coefficient-shift plots. As measured by the correlation coefficients alanine was the most significant metabolite, but increased levels of other amino acids such as glycine and asparagine were also observed. Further, elevated levels of glucose, and the citric acid cycle intermediates citrate and succinate were noted as potential biomarkers of toxicity. This work provides a basis for examining the biochemical response of invertebrates to toxins. This should provide a framework to examine toxicity effects of other halogenated aromatic pollutants to earthworms used as environmental monitors.     

赤子爱胜蚓5个Dmrt基因的序列分析

本文采用简并PCR技术,扩增了赤子爱胜蚓Dmrt基因的DM结构域,经序列分析,获得了Dmrt基因家族的5个成员EfDmrt2、EfDmrt3、EfDmrt4a、EfDmrt4b、EfDmrt4c.与其他动物相关的Dmrt基因进行聚类分析,结果表明,不同进化地位动物的Dmrt基因DM域编码序列存在高度的同源性,显示Dmrt基因在系统进化上高度保守,序列上的相似性可能暗示它们在功能上的保守性.     

Changes in microbial community structure and function during vermicomposting of pig slurry

Most studies investigating the effects of earthworms on microorganisms have focused on the changes before and after vermicomposting rather than those that occur throughout the process. In the present study, we designed continuous feeding reactors in which new layers of pig slurry (1.5 and 3 kg) were added sequentially to form an age gradient inside the reactors in order to evaluate the impact of the earthworm species Eisenia fetida on microbial community structure and function. The activity of earthworms greatly reduced the bacterial and fungal biomass and microbial diversity relative to the control values. However, the pronounced presence of earthworms in the younger layers stimulated microbial activity and as such increased carbon mineralization probably due to the fact that the microorganisms may have been less resource-limited as a result of earthworm activity, as indicated by the ratio of monounsaturated to saturated PLFAs.     

Vermicomposting--An effective tool for the management of invasive weed Parthenium hysterophorus

This study reports the results of vermicomposting with Eisenia fetida of Parthenium hysterophorus mixed with cow dung in different ratios (25%, 50% and 75%) in a 18 weeks experiment. In all the treatments, a decrease in pH, OC_total and C:N ratio, but increase in EC, N_total, P_aval, Ca_total, K_total and heavy metals was recorded. The cocoons production and growth rate (biomass gain worm⁻¹ day⁻¹) were maximum in 100% cow dung. The results indicated that parthenium can be a raw material for vermicomposting if mix with cow dung in appropriate quantity.     

Species-specific differences in biomarker responses in two ecologically different earthworms exposed to the insecticide dimethoate

Earthworms ingest large amounts of soil and therefore are continuously exposed to contaminants through their alimentary surfaces. Additionally, several studies have shown that earthworm skin is a significant route of contaminant uptake as well. In order to determine effects of dimethoate, a broad-spectrum organophosphorous insecticide, two ecologically different earthworm species were used - Eisenia andrei and Octolasion lacteum. Although several studies used soil organisms to investigate the effects of dimethoate, none of these studies included investigations of dimethoate effects on biochemical biomarkers in earthworms. Earthworms were exposed to 0.001, 0.005, 0.01, 0.5 and 1 μg/cm(2) of dimethoate for 24 h, and the activities of acetylcholinesterase, carboxylesterase, catalase and efflux pump were measured. In both earthworm species dimethoate caused significant inhibition of acetylcholinesterase and carboxylesterase activities, however in E. andrei an hormetic effect was evident. Efflux pump activity was inhibited only in E. andrei, and catalase activity was significantly inhibited in both earthworm species. Additionally, responses of earthworm acetylcholinesterase, carboxylesterase and catalase activity to dimethoate were examined through in vitro experiments. Comparison of responses between E. andrei and O. lacteum has shown significant differences, and E. andrei has proved to be less susceptible to dimethoate exposure.     

9种农药对家蚕和蚯蚓的急性毒性

【背景】当前农药品种及其使用量日益增多,测试农药对环境生物的急性毒性成为农药环境安全监测的重要途径。【方法】采用食下毒叶法和药土法分别测定了甲氨基阿维菌素苯甲酸盐、阿维菌素、氰氟虫腙、螺螨酯、螺虫乙脂、嘧菌酯、苯醚甲环唑、戊唑醇、2,4-D二甲胺盐等9种农药对家蚕和蚯蚓的急性毒性,并根据其毒性等级划分标准进行分级,评价其对环境的安全性。【结果】甲氨基阿维菌素苯甲酸盐、阿维菌素、氰氟虫腙、螺螨酯、螺虫乙脂、嘧菌酯、苯醚甲环唑、戊唑醇和2,4-D二甲胺盐对家蚕的LC50(96 h)分别为2.05×10-3、8.59×10-4、2.79、250.48、11.52、272.18、2.50、1.93×10-2和534.47 a.i.mg·L-1,对蚯蚓的LC50(14 d)分别为11.05、6.29、100、100、100、100、99.13、115.31和100 a.i.mg·kg-1干土。其中,甲氨基阿维菌素苯甲酸盐、阿维菌素和戊唑醇对家蚕"剧毒",氰氟虫腙、螺虫乙脂和苯醚甲环唑对家蚕"高毒",其余农药对家蚕均为"低毒";阿维菌素对蚯蚓为"中毒",其余农药对蚯蚓均为"低毒"。【结论与意义】9种农药对家蚕和蚯蚓的急性毒性存在差异,为农药的合理使用和环境保护提供了依据。