Nitrate-Removal Activity of a Biofilm Attached to a Perlite Carrier under Continuous Aeration Conditions

The nitrate-removal activity of a biofilm attached to a perlite carrier from an aerobic bioreactor used for treating dairy farm wastewater was examined by batch experiments under continuous aeration conditions. Despite aeration, the biofilm removed nitrate at a rate of 114.4 mg-N/kg-perlite/h from wastewater containing cow milk and manure. In a clone library analysis of the biofilm, bacteria showing high similarity to the denitrifying bacteria Thauera spp. were detected.     

Effect of Short-Chain Fatty Acids and Soil Atmosphere on Tylenchorhynchus spp.

Short-chain fatty acids can be produced under anaerobic conditions by fermentative soil microbes and have nematicidal properties. We evaluated the effects of butyric and propionic acids on death and recovery of stunt nematodes (Tylenchorhynchus spp.), a common parasite of turfgrass. Nematodes in a sand-soil mix (80:20) were treated with butyric or propionic acid and incubated under air or N₂ for 7 days at 25 °C. Amendment of soil with 0.1 and 1.0 µmol (8.8 and 88 µg) butyric acid/g soil or 1.0 µmol (74 µg) propionic acid/g soil resulted in the death of all nematodes. The composition of the soil atmosphere had no effect on the nematicidal activity of the acids. Addition of hydrochloric acid to adjust soil pH to 4.4 and 3.5 resulted in nematode mortality relative to controls (41% to 86%) but to a lesser degree than short-chain fatty acids at the same pH. Nematodes did not recover after a 28-day period following addition of 10 µmol butyric acid/g soil under air or N₂. Carbon mineralization decreased during this period, whereas levels of inorganic N and microbial biomass-N remained constant. Short-chain fatty acids appear to be effective in killing Tylenchorhynchus spp. independent of atmospheric composition. Nematode mortality appears to be a function of the type and concentration of fatty acid and soil pH.     

Mate guarding in relation to seasonal changes in the energy reserves of two freshwater amphipods (Gammarus fossarum and G. pulex)

1. We assessed sex‐specific seasonal changes in major energy storage compounds (triglycerides, glycogen) in Gammarus fossarum and Gammarus pulex collected from the field, with respect to their reproductive activity. 2. The dynamics of stored energy followed a seasonal pattern in both species and sexes. Moreover, over a 4‐year period, these changes were independent of the year in which they were investigated. Stored energy reached a peak in late winter, but was depleted in late summer and early autumn, coinciding with the reproductive periods. 3. Triglyceride (annual mean ± SD) accounted for 79.7 ± 11.9% of the total stored energy and was responsible for the seasonal pattern. In contrast, glycogen contributed a lesser percentage (20.3 ± 11.9%). Over the study period, the amount of stored energy ranged between 0.39 and 4.08 kJ g^?1 dry mass (triglyceride: 0.19–3.69 kJ g^?1 dry mass; glycogen: 0.14–0.80 kJ g^?1 dry mass). 4. In both species, the energy reserves of males were drastically depleted shortly before the cessation of precopulatory mate guarding in the field, thus offering a bioenergetic explanation for the reproductive period in these two widespread species.     

Expansion of MIR482/2118 by a class‐II transposable element in cotton

Some plant microRNA (miRNA) families contain multiple members generating identical or highly similar mature miRNA variants. Mechanisms underlying the expansion of miRNA families remain elusive, although tandem and/or segmental duplications have been proposed. In this study of two tetraploid cottons, Gossypium hirsutum and Gossypium barbadense, and their extant diploid progenitors, Gossypium arboreum and Gossypium raimondii, we investigated the gain and loss of members of the miR482/2118 superfamily, which modulates the expression of nucleotide‐binding site leucine‐rich repeat (NBS‐LRR) disease resistance genes. We found significant expansion of MIR482/2118d in G. barbadense, G. hirsutum and G. raimondii, but not in G. arboreum. Several newly expanded MIR482/2118d loci have mutated to produce different miR482/2118 variants with altered target‐gene specificity. Based on detailed analysis of sequences flanking these MIR482/2118 loci, we found that this expansion of MIR482/2118d and its derivatives resulted from an initial capture of an MIR482/2118d by a class‐II DNA transposable element (TE) in G. raimondii prior to the tetraploidization event, followed by transposition to new genomic locations in G. barbadense, G. hirsutum and G. raimondii. The ‘GosTE’ involved in the capture and proliferation of MIR482/2118d and its derivatives belongs to the PIF/Harbinger superfamily, generating a 3‐bp target site duplication upon insertion at new locations. All orthologous MIR482/2118 loci in the two diploids were retained in the two tetraploids, but mutation(s) in miR482/2118 were observed across all four species as well as in different cultivars of both G. barbadense and G. hirsutum, suggesting a dynamic co‐evolution of miR482/2118 and its NBS‐LRR targets. Our results provide fresh insights into the mechanisms contributing to MIRNA proliferation and enrich our knowledge on TEs.     

Misannotations of the genes encoding sugar N‐formyltransferases

Tens of thousands of bacterial genome sequences are now known due to the development of rapid and inexpensive sequencing technologies. An important key in utilizing these vast amounts of data in a biologically meaningful way is to infer the function of the proteins encoded in the genomes via bioinformatics techniques. Whereas these approaches are absolutely critical to the annotation of gene function, there are still issues of misidentifications, which must be experimentally corrected. For example, many of the bacterial DNA sequences encoding sugar N‐formyltransferases have been annotated as l ‐methionyl‐tRNA transferases in the databases. These mistakes may be due in part to the fact that until recently the structures and functions of these enzymes were not well known. Herein we describe the misannotation of two genes, WP_088211966.1 and WP_096244125.1, from Shewanella spp. and Pseudomonas congelans, respectively. Although the proteins encoded by these genes were originally suggested to function as l ‐methionyl‐tRNA transferases, we demonstrate that they actually catalyze the conversion of dTDP‐4‐amino‐4,6‐dideoxy‐d ‐glucose to dTDP‐4‐formamido‐4,6‐dideoxy‐d ‐glucose utilizing N¹⁰‐formyltetrahydrofolate as the carbon source. For this analysis, the genes encoding these enzymes were cloned and the corresponding proteins purified. X‐ray structures of the two proteins were determined to high resolution and kinetic analyses were conducted. Both enzymes display classical Michaelis–Menten kinetics and adopt the characteristic three‐dimensional structural fold previously observed for other sugar N‐formyltransferases. The results presented herein will aid in the future annotation of these fascinating enzymes.     

Length-weight relationships of six Nemacheilid fish species (Teleostei: Cypriniformes) from different rivers of Manipur,India

The length-weight relationships (LWRs) of six Nemacheilid species (Schistura chindwinica, S. fasciata, S. khugae, S. minuta, S. reticulata and S. rubrimaculata) have been analyzed. Fish samples were collected on quarterly basis from March 2018 to February 2019. Sampling was performed using cast nets (mesh size 5–10 mm; about 50 sq m area covered each time and water depth was 4 ft approx.), and electrofishing (Ultrasonic Inverter Electro Fisher, 24 volts, 4 m) in the day time. The total length (TL) of individual fish was measured to 0.1 cm with a digital caliper and body weights (BW) were measured to 0.001 g with digital electronic balances. The parameters for the LWR equations were calculated, and the respective statistics such as the 95% confidence interval for parameters “a” and “b” are provided as well as the coefficient of correlation. For five species a new maximum total length has been documented.     

Genetic evidence for seasonal consumption of monkfish (Lophius spp.) and salmonids (Salmo spp.) by gray seals

Recoveries of gray seal (Halichoerus grypus) populations across their eastern Atlantic distribution have led to a steady increase in seal-fishery interactions. Fishers have estimated depredation of salmonids (Salmo spp.) and monkfish (Lophius spp.) as high as 40% and 59% respectively in Ireland. However, empirical evidence for the consumption of these species has been extremely limited due to diagnostic hard part remains not being found in scats or stomach samples. We applied species-specific primers and tested for the presence of monkfish and salmonids in gray seal diet genetically using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) on scats. Monkfish occurred in 29.7% of sampled scats, while salmonids occurred in 12.7%. Seasonal and regional variability in occurrence were noted for both species, likely related to the migratory behavior of the prey species and proximity of seal haul-outs to aquaculture sites. Traditional hard part analysis of scats, including scats that tested positive for monkfish and salmonid DNA, failed to find any evidence of either species. This study provides important empirical evidence for the consumption of these species in Ireland that can inform management.     

一株氯霉素降解细菌的分离鉴定与代谢特性研究

微生物是介导环境中氯霉素降解转化的主要驱动者,但高效降解矿化菌株资源匮乏,氧化反应介导的代谢途径不清。为研究微生物介导下氯霉素的环境归趋过程,为氯霉素污染环境强化修复提供菌株资源,文中以受氯霉素污染的活性污泥为接种源,首先富集获得一个由红球菌Rhodococcus主导 (相对丰度>70%) 的氯霉素高效降解菌群,并从中分离获得一株能够高效降解氯霉素的菌株CAP-2,通过16S rRNA基因分析鉴定为红球菌Rhodococcus sp.。菌株CAP-2能在不同营养条件下高效降解氯霉素。基于菌株CAP-2对检测到的代谢产物对硝基苯甲酸和已报道的代谢产物对硝基苯甲醛和原儿茶酸的生物转化特征,提出其降解途径是由氯霉素侧链氧化断裂生成对硝基苯甲醛,进一步氧化为对硝基苯甲酸的新型氧化降解途径。该菌株对于氯霉素分解代谢的分子机制研究以及受氯霉素污染环境的原位生物修复应用具有巨大潜力。     

Distribution of Competition Potential Between Native Ungulates and Free-Roaming Equids on Western Rangelands

Free-roaming equids (i.e., feral horses [Equus caballus] and burros [Equus asinus]) are widely distributed and locally abundant across the rangelands of the western United States. The 1971 Wild Free Roaming Horse and Burro Act (WFRHBA) gave the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and United States Forest Service (USFS) the legal authority to manage these animals on designated public lands. To fulfill this responsibility, federal agencies established an Appropriate Management Level (AML), defined as the number of horses or burros that can be sustained on a given management unit under prevailing environmental conditions and land uses. Although the WFRHBA specifies that feral equids must be managed in ecological balance with other land uses, including conservation of native wildlife, population control measures such as gathers, contraception, and adoptions have failed to keep pace with intrinsic growth rates. Over 80% of federally managed herds currently exceed prescribed population levels, making the potential for competition between native ungulates and feral equids a growing concern among state wildlife agencies. Mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus), pronghorn (Antilocapra americana), elk (Cervus canadensis), and bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis) are of ecological and economic value to the states where they occur, and all exhibit some degree of distributional, habitat, or dietary overlap with horses or burros. Notwithstanding the scale of the problem, to date there have been no range-wide assessments of competition potential among native and feral ungulates for space, forage, or water. To address this need, we compiled demographic, jurisdictional, and species occurrence data collected from 2010–2019 by federal and state agencies. We used these data to map the distributions of 4 native ungulate species across federal equid management units (FEMUS) in 10 western states (n = 174). We then made within-state rankings of the 50 units that were ≥2 times over AML and encompassed ≥3 native ungulates. Collectively, FEMUs covered approximately 225,000 km², representing 18% of all BLM and USFS lands in affected states. Each FEMU supported ≥1 native ungulate and 14% contained all 4. The degree of overlap between native and feral species varied by state, ranging from <1% for mule deer in Montana, to 40% for bighorn sheep in Nevada. Oregon had the largest proportion of units that supported all 4 native ungulates (58%), whereas Montana and New Mexico had the fewest equids, but all populations were over target densities. Despite the perception that the problem of equid abundance is limited to the Great Basin states, high intrinsic growth rates and social constraints on management practices suggest all affected states should monitor range conditions and native ungulate demography in areas where forage and water resources are limited and expanding equid populations are a concern. © 2021 The Wildlife Society.