Within-plant vertical distributions of the scale insect Nipponaclerda biwakoensis and its five parasitoids that exhibit frequent successful multiparasitism on the common reed

Within‐shoot vertical distributions of the scale insect Nipponaclerda biwakoensis, five species of gregarious parasitoid wasps attacking the scale, and successful multiparasitism (emergence of multiple parasitoid species from a single host) by the parasitoids on the common reed were investigated. Each reed shoot collected was longer than 2.0 m, and was divided into pieces of 0.5 m each from the base of the shoot. The mean number of adult female scales per 0.5 m of shoot increased with height, but the mean rate of overall parasitism of the female scales decreased with height. The five parasitoids showed species‐specific within‐shoot distribution patterns, with respect to the rate of parasitism: Astymachus japonicus, Boucekiella depressa and Encyrtidae sp. 2 showed the greatest rates of parasitism at heights of 0–0.5, 0.5–1.0 and 1.0–1.5 m, respectively. The parasitism rate by Aprostocetus sp. was higher at the lower half of the shoots, whereas that by Encyrtidae sp. 1 was higher at the central positions. The distribution of the five parasitoids largely overlapped with each other at the level of scale aggregations. Nevertheless, successful multiparasitism occurred frequently only in several types of species combinations that involved two parasitoid species showing similar within‐shoot distribution patterns. The rate of successful multiparasitism by B. depressa with A. japonicus or Aprostocetus sp., and that by Encyrtidae sp. 2 with Encyrtidae sp. 1 was constantly high at different vertical positions on the shoots. This may be because B. depressa and Encyrtidae sp. 2 preferentially oviposit into scales previously parasitized by these other species.     

Effect of oxygen availability and salinity on EARLY LIFE HISTORY STAGES OF SALT MARSH PLANTS. I. Different germination strategies of Spartina alterniflora and Phragmites australis (Poaceae)

Gradients in oxygen availability and salinity are among the most important environmental parameters influencing zonation in salt marsh communities. The combined effects of oxygen and salinity on the germination of two salt marsh grasses, Spartina alterniflora and Phragmites australis, were studied in growth chamber experiments. Germination of both species was initiated by emergence of the shoot and completed by root emergence. Percentage S. alterniflora germination was reduced at high salinity (40 g NaCl/L) and in decreased oxygen (5 and 2.5%). In 0% oxygen shoots emerged, but roots did not. P. australis germination was reduced at a lower salinity (25 g NaCl/L) than S. alterniflora, and inhibited at 40 g NaCl/L and in anoxia. However, a combination of hypoxia (10 and 5% O2) and moderate salinity (5 and 10 g NaCl/L) increased P. australis germination. When bare areas in the salt marsh are colonized, the different germination responses of these two species to combinations of oxygen and salt concentrations are important in establishing their initial zonation. In high salinity wetlands S. alterniflora populates the lower marsh and P. australis occupies the high marsh at the upland boundary.     

Characterizing fish–habitat associations in streams as the first step in ecological restoration

Abstract Habitat availability is often regarded as the primary factor that limits population and community recovery in degraded ecosystems, and physical habitat is thus often targeted in restoration. The identification of which habitat(s) to attempt to restore is a critical step in the restoration process, but one for which there is often a paucity of useful information. Here we examine the distribution of fish in three lowland streams in Victoria, Australia, that have been degraded by severe sedimentation. We aim to identify habitats that are associated with high abundances of native fish, and that thus might be appropriate to target in habitat restoration. Associations between native fish abundances and physical habitat characteristics were examined at three spatial scales (among streams, among sites and within sites) to determine the types of habitat to which fish respond, and the scales over which these responses occur. Of the four species of native fish found in the streams, three (Galaxias olidus Günther, Gadopsis marmoratus (Richardson) and Nanoperca australis Günther) showed significant habitat associations at small spatial scales (i.e. within sites). In particular, these species were generally found in deeper water, and in close proximity to cover (typically either coarse or fine woody debris or vegetation). Differences in habitat availability among sites and streams were less influential, except in the case of G. marmoratus, which was completely absent from both the ephemeral streams. Although our results suggest that these species collectively respond to habitat at several spatial scales, fish distributions were allied to the presence of habitat structure at the scale of metres, the smallest spatial scale examined. We hypothesize that fish abundances are currently limited by the low availability of habitat at these small spatial scales. It may therefore be possible to increase fish abundances in these creeks by augmenting the amount of available habitat via stream restoration.     

干旱区湿地芦苇各器官生态化学计量对土壤因子的响应

了解植物养分浓度及其化学计量对土壤因子的响应,对预测脆弱而敏感生态系统对环境变化的响应至关重要.以敦煌阳关湿地优势种芦苇(Phragmites australis)为对象,通过野外调查与实验分析,研究芦苇不同器官生态化学计量特征及其影响因素.结果 表明:芦苇各器官C、P含量为叶＞根＞茎,N含量及N∶P为叶＞茎＞根,C∶...     

Integrated control of apple pests in New Zealand

A technique is described whereby 5th‐instar larvae of the codling moth (Laspeyresia pomonella) which have finished feeding can be tagged externally with cobalt‐58 and released on apple trees, where they seek cocooning sites. Two μCi ⁵⁸Co per insect did not significantly affect larval survival in the field, or subsequent pupation, emergence, mating, and oviposition in the laboratory. Tagging was more efficient than whole‐tree scraping for the location of cocoons, and was non‐destructive of both the insects and their cocooning sites.

Relocation and observation of the tagged larvae in their cocoons permitted accurate estimation of mortality from when they left the fruit (= release) until adult emergence in the following spring. Natural mortality of larvae seeking cocooning sites was attributed mainly to insect predators, and varied significantly between trees and blocks, averaging 57% over 6 years. Avian predation by the silvereye (Zosterops lateralis) was the greatest hazard to cocooned larvae; this, too, varied significantly between blocks, and averaged 53% over the same period. Both mortalities appeared to be density‐related.     

芦苇与入侵植物互花米草的光合特性比较

以上海崇明东滩湿地外来入侵植物互花米草与本地种芦苇为研究对象,对它们的光合特性进行了比较研究,结果表明:(1)与芦苇相比,互花米草具有更高的表观量子效率(AQY)、CO2羟化效率(CE)和最大净光合速率(pmax);(2)生长季节初期,互花米草午间时段的光合、气孔导度和蒸腾速率均高于芦苇,各指标与光、温的变化基本一致;(3)互花米草的净光合速率曲线呈“单峰”型,测定指标在强光合辐射、高温条件下迅速上升,芦苇则表现出明显的“午休”现象;(4)在生长季节初期(5月份)和活跃期(9月份),互花米草的净光合速率显著高于芦苇,而在生长季节后期(11月份)则低于芦苇。该项研究有利于解释互花米草生长迅速,生产力高,竞争性强的生理生态学特性。     

Morphology and Genetic Diversity of Phragmites australis in Beijing

为探明北京地区芦苇(Phragmites australis)的资源状态和多样性, 实地考察北京主要河流、湿地和水库, 发现北京地区芦苇总生长面积已超过600 hm²。芦苇染色体倍性以八倍体为主, 四倍体次之。在面积较大的湿地内, 八倍体单一芦苇群落占据优势地位; 而在城市的浅河内有形态和遗传性多样的混合种群。研究表明, 植物性状和倍性水平之间无显著相关性。在小清河发现了6种形态各异的芦苇克隆, 均属于叶绿体DNA片段的P单倍型; 其单倍体基因组大小为(0.499±0.019) pg, 变异系数为3.8%。这表明表型与单倍型之间也不具相关性。此外, 发现1个具有变叶特性的芦苇, 将其命名为金条芦苇。北京地区芦苇形态和遗传多样性为研究芦苇基因型与环境适应性之间的关系提供了珍贵的资源。     

Phytotoxicity induced by Phragmites australis: an assessment of phenotypic and physiological parameters involved in germination process and growth of receptor plant

This study investigated the possible phytotoxicity induced by Phargmites australis on phenotypic and physiological parameters of recipient plants with identification of major inhibitors in the donor plant. This was achieved using aqueous extracts of different organs and root exudates of P. australis in laboratory and greenhouse experiments with Lactuca sativa as the model test plant. The observed reduced liquid imbibition and altered resource mobilization in seeds of L. sativa, in particular an insufficient carbohydrate supply, demonstrated that the onset of germination might be negatively affected by phytotoxicity. Dose-response studies pointed out that oxidative stress through reactive oxygen species production could potentially cause the observed germination and seedling growth reductions. The osmotic effects by mannitol solution on germination as well as growth and physiology at a level of ?0.57 and ?0.45 bar, respectively, demonstrated that the results from aqueous plant extracts were partially induced by the osmotic potential on and above those levels. Overall, the relative strength of inhibition on measured parameters was the highest in leaf extract, followed by rhizome, root, stem, and inflorescence. Root exudates of P. australis also had negative impacts by reducing germination and growth of plant. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis revealed gallic acid, a potent phytotoxin, as a major compound with an order of leaf >inflorescence>rhizome>root>stem.     

Rhizome phyllosphere oxygenation in Phragmites and other species in relation to redox potential, convective gas flow, submergence and aeration pathways

Underground rhizomes of emergent aquatic macrophytes are important for perennation, vegetative spread, competition and anchorage. In four species we examined the potential for the development of oxidized phyllospheres around rhizome apical buds, similar to the protective oxygenated rhizospheres around roots. Redox potentials and polarographic measurements of radial oxygen loss were recorded using platinum cathodes around the apical buds. The aeration pathway from atmosphere to phyllosphere was investigated anatomically and by applied pressurized gas flow. Redox potentials increased by +400, +45, +200 and +340 mV around rhizome apices of Phragmites australis, Oryza rhizomatis, Carex rostrata and Glyceria maxima, respectively. Radial oxygen loss from rhizome apices of Phragmites was increased by convective gas flow through the rhizome and by shoot de-submergence, and decreased by resistances applied within the aeration pathway and by shoot submergence. We conclude that oxygen passes via internal gas-space connections between aerial shoot, rhizome and underground buds and into the phyllosphere regions via scale-leaf stomata and surfaces on the buds. We suggest that oxidized phyllospheres may protect rhizome apices against phytotoxins in waterlogged soils, just as oxidized rhizospheres protect roots.     

Genetic structure in aquatic bladderworts: clonal propagation and hybrid perpetuation

• Background and Aims The free-floating aquatic bladderwort Utricularia australis f. australis is a sterile F₁ hybrid of U. australis f. tenuicaulis and U. macrorhiza. However, co-existence of the hybrids and parental species has not been observed. In the present study, the following questions are addressed. (a) Does the capacity of the two parental species to reproduce sexually contribute to higher genotypic diversity than that of sterile F₁ hybrid? (b) Are there any populations where two parental species and their hybrid co-exist? (c) If not, where and how do hybrids originate?• Methods The presence and absence of Utricularia was thoroughly investigated in two regions in Japan. An amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) analysis was conducted for 397 individuals collected from all populations (33 in total) where Utricularia was observed.• Key Results The mean number of genotypes per population (G) and genotypic diversity (D) were extremely low irrespective of the capacity to reproduce sexually: G was 1·1–1·2 and D was 0·02–0·04. The hybrid rarely co-existed with either parental species, and the co-existence of two parental species was not observed. Several AFLP bands observed in the hybrid are absent in both parental genotypes, and parent and hybrid genotypes in the same region do not show greater genetic similarity than those in distant regions.• Conclusions The capacity to reproduce sexually in parental species plays no role in increasing genotypic diversity within populations. The observed genotypes of the hybrid could not have originated from hybridization between the extant parental genotypes within the study regions. Considering the distribution ranges of three investigated taxa, it is clear that the hybrid originated in the past, and hybrid populations have been maintained exclusively by clonal propagation, which may be ensured by both hybrid vigor and long-distance dispersal of clonal offspring.