Mediterranean juvenile bluefin tuna: life history patterns

As there is a lack of information on the growth and migrations of bluefin tuna, information about them was gathered using the structural and chemical characteristics of their otoliths and mercury levels in body tissues as indicators of physiological and habitat characteristics. The otoliths of juvenile tuna caught in the Spanish Mediterranean littoral were studied. Otolith increments, assumed to be formed daily, were enumerated. Measurements by wavelength dispersive electron microprobe confirmed the presence of strontium in otolith tissue, and an inverse relationship between strontium/calcium (Sr/Ca) concentration ratio and temperature is suggested. Electron microprobe analyses combined with daily increment analyses of otoliths provided life history profiles for individual fish. Additional Sr/Ca concentration ratio data on fish supported the idea that Sr/Ca ratios can provide information on the environmental history of individual fish. Body concentrations of mercury were related to otolith analyses to suggest age structure, critical life history periods, growth environment, stock structure, food web position, and migration history. The techniques applied present an innovative approach to management-related problems, and the combination of chemical analyses with structural analyses promises to expand our knowledge of the life history of migratory fishes.     

Genetic tools for selective labeling of proteins with α-15N-amino acids

Summary A collection of genetic tools that can be used to manipulate amino acid metabolism in Escherichia coli is described. The set comprises 21 strains of bacteria, each containing a different genetic defect that is closely linked to a selectable transposon marker. These tools can be used to construct strains of E. coli with ideal genotypes for residue-specific, selective labeling of proteins with nearly any ¹⁵N-amino acid. By using strains which have been modified to contain the appropriate genetic lesions to control amino acid biosynthesis, dilution of the isotope by endogenous amino acid biosynthesis and scrambling of the label to other types of residues can be avoided.Abbreviations ¹⁵N-amino acid -¹⁵N-amino acid - Cam^R chloramphenicol-resistant - DPA diaminopimelic acid - Hfr high-frequency recombinant - LB Luria broth - Kan^R kanamycin resistant - P1 bacteriophage P1 - pfu plaque-forming units - Str^R streptomycin-resistant - Tet^R tetracycline-resistant     

Temporal and spatial variations in the oxygen-18 content of leaf water in different plant species

Temporal variations in the δ¹⁸ oxygen (δ¹⁸O) content of water transpired by leaves during a simulated diurnal cycle fluctuated around the δ¹⁸O content of the source water. Reconstructed variations in the δ¹⁸O values of leaf water differed markedly from those predicted by conventional models. Even when transpiring leaves were maintained under constant conditions for at least 3 h, strict isotopic steady-state conditions of leaf water (equality of the ¹⁸O/¹⁶O ratios in the input and transpired water) were rarely attained in a variety of plant species (Citrus reticu-lata, Citrus paradisi, Gossypium hirsutum, Helianthus annuns, Musa musaceae and Nicotinia tabacum). Isotopic analysis of water transpired by leaves indicated that leaves approach the isotopic steady state in two stages. The first stage takes 10 to 35 min (with a rate of change of about 3–3%h^?1), while in the second stage further approach to the isotopic steady state is asymptotic (with a rate of change of about 0–4% h^?1), and under conditions of low transpiration leaves can last for many hours. Substantial spatial isotopic heterogeneity was maintained even when leaves were at or near isotopic steady state. An underlying pattern in this isotopic heterogeneity is often discerned with increasing ¹⁸O/¹⁶O ratios from base to tip, and from the centre to the edges of the leaves. It is also shown that tissue water along these spatial isotopic gradients, as well as the average leaf water, can have ¹⁸O/¹⁶O ratios both lower and higher than those predicted by the conventional Craig and Gordon model. We concluded, first, that at any given time during the diurnal cycle of relative humidity the attainment of an isotopic steady state in leaf water cannot be assumed a priori and, secondly, that the isotopic enrichment pattern of leaf water reflects gradual enrichment along the water-flow pathway (e.g. as in a string of pools), rather than a single-step enrichment from source water, as is normally assumed.     

Spatial partitioning of the soil water resource between grass and shrub components in a West African humid savanna

Most savanna water balance models assume water partitioning between grasses and shrubs in a two-layer hypothesis, but this hypothesis has not been tested for humid savanna environments. Spatial partitioning of soil water between grasses and shrubs was investigated in a West African humid savanna by comparing the isotopic composition (oxygen-18 and deuterium) of soil water and plant stem water during rainy and dry conditions. Both grass and shrub species acquire most of their water from the top soil layer during both rainy and dry periods. A shift of water uptake pattern towards deeper horizons was observed only at the end of the dry season after shrub defoliation. The mean depth of water uptake, as determined by the isotopic signature of stem water, was consistent with grass and shrub root profiles and with changes in soil water content profiles as surveyed by a neutron probe. This provides evidence for potentially strong competition between shrubs and grasses for soil water in these humid savannas. Limited nutrient availability may explain these competitive interactions. These results enhance our understanding of shrub-grass interactions, and will contribute to models of ecosystem functioning in humid savannas.     

Influence of rhizodeposition under elevated CO2 on plant nutrition and soil organic matter

Atmospheric CO₂ concentrations can influence ecosystem carbon storage through net primary production (NPP), soil carbon storage, or both. In assessing the potential for carbon storage in terrestrial ecosystems under elevated CO₂, both NPP and processing of soil organic matter (SOM), as well as the multiple links between them, must be examined. Within this context, both the quantity and quality of carbon flux from roots to soil are important, since roots produce specialized compounds that enhance nutrient acquisition (affecting NPP), and since the flux of organic compounds from roots to soil fuels soil microbial activity (affecting processing of SOM).From the perspective of root physiology, a technique is described which uses genetically engineered bacteria to detect the distribution and amount of flux of particular compounds from single roots to non-sterile soils. Other experiments from several labs are noted which explore effects of elevated CO₂ on root acid phosphatase, phosphomonoesterase, and citrate production, all associated with phosphorus nutrition. From a soil perspective, effects of elevated CO₂ on the processing of SOM developed under a C4 grassland but planted with C3 California grassland species were examined under low (unamended) and high (amended with 20 g m^–2 NPK) nutrients; measurements of soil atmosphere 13C combined with soil respiration rates show that during vegetative growth in February, elevated CO₂ decreased respiration of carbon from C4 SOM in high nutrient soils but not in unamended soils.This emphasis on the impacts of carbon loss from roots on both NPP and SOM processing will be essential to understanding terrestrial ecosystem carbon storage under changing atmospheric CO₂ concentrations.Abbreviations SOM soil organic matter - NPP net primary productivity - NEP net ecosystem productivity - PNPP p-nitrophenyl phosphate     

Uptake of 24Mg by excised pine roots: A preliminary study

Uptake of ²⁴Mg by excised roots of Pinus sylvestris L. during up to 4 h long incubations in 99.9 atom % ²⁴Mg (50 M) was measured by ICP-MS. A rapid initial uptake phase (30 min) was followed by a slower uptake. This was interpreted as a shift from a phase dominated by saturable ion exchange (free space uptake), to a non-saturable phase, during which the rate of uptake was 0.077±0.0.012 mol Mg g^–1 (d.wt.) h^–1. The metabolic uncoupler DNP (2,4-dinitrophenol) at 50 M decreased the Mg uptake rate by 35% only, but the effect of DNP was significant (p<0.01). Several problems related to a high variability in the experimental material were encountered, and further refinement of this approach in studies of plant Mg uptake is suggested.     

Stable carbon isotopes in tree rings of beech: climatic versus site-related influences

 Stable carbon isotopes in tree rings are a promising tool in palaeoclimate research, provided attempts are made to disentangle climatic from local effects (e.g. soil properties, competition, light). The ¹³C/¹²C variations in cellulose of tree rings of beech (Fagus sylvatica) were determined at several sites in the Swiss Central Plateau covering the last 50 years. We chose sites which differ in moisture conditions and sampled cores from four to six trees per site. The mean ¹³C/¹²C series from the different dry sites (distant by up to 40 km) are closely interrelated suggesting a common external cause. Correlation analysis with climate data proved the total precipitation in the months May, June and July to have the strongest effect on the carbon isotopes (r =  – 0.73). This result is in agreement with the commonly used model which relates the isotope discrimination to the water use efficiency. On the other hand, the isotope series of the wet sites are not as well correlated to the climate. At two of the sites (a dry and a humid) tree ring width suddenly increased. We used this effect as a test-case to study the influence of local growth conditions on the climate-isotope relationship. Received: 17 April 1996 / Accepted: 2 September 1996     

SOURCES OF INORGANIC CARBON FOR PHOTOSYNTHESIS BY THREE SPECIES OF MARINE DIATOM1

The utilization of inorganic carbon by three species of marine diatom, Skeletonema costatum (Grev.) Cleve. Ditylum brightwellii (West) Grun., and Chaetoceros calcitrans Paulsen was investigated using an inorganic carbon isotopic disequilibnum technique and inorganic carbon dose-response curves. Stable carbon isotope data of the diatoms are also presented. Observed rates of photosynthetic oxygen evolution were greater than could be accounted for by the theoretical rate of CO₂ supply from the uncatalyzed dehydration of HCO₃^? in the external medium, suggesting use of HCO₃^? as an inorganic carbon source. Data from the isotopic disequilibrium experiment demonstrate the use of both HCO₃^? and CO₂ for photosynthesis. Carbon isotope discrimination values support the use of HCO₃^? by the diatoms.     

Stable-isotope studies on the collagenic and hydroxylapatite components of fossils: Palaeoecological implications

Collagenic material has been extracted and analysed for stable carbon- and nitrogen-isotope ratios from Henschke Cave, a Late Pleistocene fossil locality, South Australia. The carnivore Thylacoleo carnifex most likely consumed omnivores ( Parameles spp.) with a palaeodiet of C₃ plant material under a forest canopy, which was also recorded in the herbivores analysed ( Macropus spp., Sthenurus spp. and Diprotodon spp.). A forested environment supports previous interpretations of extant fauna and their modern habitats. The presence of negative nitrogen-isotope ratios in herbivores has been interpreted as non-diagenetic on the basis of carbon/nitrogen ratios and amino acid spectra, and in fact may be indicative of acidic soils. Analyses on bone and enamel carbonate hydroxylapatite from the same species support the conclusion that bone is unreliable for palaeoecological and palaeoclimatological research. However, bone carbonate hydroxylapatite may prove valuable in assessing the extent of isotopic fractionation during diagenesis. A review of carbon-isotope analyses on fossil collagenic material and enamel carbonate hydroxylapatite suggests a carnivore-herbivore boundary. The application of this boundary in palaeoecological research requires further investigation. Future palaeoecological research on fossils needs to incorporate stable-isotope analyses on the carbonate hydroxylapatite and collagenic components of fossils.     

Foliar δ13C within a temperate deciduous forest: spatial,temporal, and species sources of variation

Summary Foliar ¹³C-abundance (¹³C) was analyzed in the dominant trees of a temperate deciduous forest in east Tennessee (Walker Branch Watershed) to investigate the variation in foliar ¹³C as a function of time (within-year and between years), space (canopy height, watershed topography and habitat) and species (deciduous and coniferous taxa). Various hypotheses were tested by analyzing (i) samples collected from the field during the growing season and (ii) foliar tissues maintained in an archived collection. The ¹³C-value for leaves from the tops of trees was 2 to 3%. more positive than for leaves sampled at lower heights in the canopy. Quercus prinus leaves sampled just prior to autumn leaf fall had significantly more negative ¹³C-values than those sampled during midsummer. On the more xeric ridges, needles of Pinus spp. had more positive ¹³C-values than leaves from deciduous species. Foliar ¹³C-values differed significantly as a function of topography. Deciduous leaves from xeric sites (ridges and slopes) had more positive ¹³C-values than those from mesic (riparian and cove) environments. On the more xeric sites, foliar ¹³C was significantly more positive in 1988 (a dry year) relative to that in 1989 (a year with above-normal precipitation). In contrast, leaf ¹³C in trees from mesic valley bottoms did not differ significantly among years with disparate precipitation. Patterns in foliar ¹³C indicated a higher ratio of net CO₂ assimilation to transpiration (A/E) for trees in more xeric versus mesic habitats, and for trees in xeric habitats during years of drought versus years of normal precipitation. However, A/E (units of mmol CO₂ fixed/mol H₂O transpired) calculated on the basis of ¹³C-values for leaves from the more xeric sites was higher in a wet year (6.6±1.2) versus a dry year (3.4±0.4). This difference was attributed to higher transpiration (and therefore lower A/E) in the year with lower relative humidity and higher average daily temperature. The calculated A/E values for the forest in 1988–89, based on ¹³C, were within ±55% of estimates made over a 17 day period at this site in 1984 using micrometeorological methods.