Actinobacteria—An Ancient Phylum Active in Volcanic Rock Weathering

A molecular biological analysis of Icelandic volcanic rocks of different compositions and glassiness revealed the presence of Actinobacteria as an abundant phylum. In outcrops of basaltic glass they were the dominant bacterial phylum. A diversity of Actinobacteria were cultured from the rocks on rock-agar plates showing that they are capable of growing on rock-derived nutrient sources and that many of the taxa identified by molecular methods are viable, potentially active members of the community. Laboratory batch-culture experiments using a Streptomyces isolate showed that it was capable of enhancing the release of major elements from volcanic rocks, including weathered basaltic glass, crystalline basalt and komatiite, when provided with a carbon source. Actinobacteria of a variety of other sub-orders were also capable of enhancing volcanic rock weathering, measured as Si release. However, most strains did not significantly increase the weathering of the silica-rich rock, obsidian. These data show that Actinobacteria can contribute to volcanic rock weathering and, therefore, the carbonate-silicate cycle. Given their ancient lineage, it is likely they have played a role in rock weathering for over two billion years.     

Helminth infections of some invertebrates of the Georgia Bight

Dominant macroinvertebrates of the Georgia Bight were studied to evaluate the incidence of helminth infection and pathologies produced. Twenty-one stations along seven transects were sampled in February, May, August, and November 1977. Sicyonia brevirostris (rock shrimp) were heavily infected (83%) with cestode cysticercoids in the hepatopancreas and nerve tracts. Loligo pealeii (common squid) were lightly infected with cestodes (6%) throughout the year and with trematodes (<5%) during most of the year, but in the fall 33% were parasitized with trematode metacercarial. This study reemphasizes the high frequency of infection of marine invertebrates over large areas, the considerable pathology produced as well as the remarkable variability in infection patterns in local areas and with season.     

Transformation of rock phosphate during composting and the effect of humic acid

Summary Phosphorus from Mussoorie rock phosphate (MRP) was solubilized and transformed into available forms when MRP was incorporated during composting of organic wastes. Clusterbean and redgram utilized phosphorus efficiently from the phosphorus enriched compost containing 3.1% P when added in the soil of pH 7.6 to 7.8. The solubilization of phosphorus during composting has been attributed to the formation of humic substances.     

Coniosporium perforans and C. apollinis, two new rock-inhabiting fungi isolated from marble in the Sanctuary of Delos (Cyclades, Greece)

Coniosporium perforans and C. apollinis, orginating from marble in the Mediterranean basin, are described as new species of rock inhabiting microcolonial fungi. The morphologically similar species Monodictys castaneae (Wallr.) S. Hughes, Phaeosclera dematioides Sigler et al., and a Coniosporium-like strain are compared using 18S rDNA phylogeny and Restriction Length Fragment Polymorphism analysis of Internal Transcribed Spacer regions. Sarcinomyces crustaceus Lindner is additionally compared on the basis of 18S rDNA sequencing data. Phylogenetic analysis suggests that Phaeosclera dematioides is related to the ascomycetous order Dothideales and Monodictys castaneae to the Pleosporales, whereas the three Coniosporium species studied are a sister group to the Herpotrichiellaceae (Chaetothyriales). A similar affinity was suggested previously for the recently described meristematic rock-fungus Sarcinomyces petricola Wollenzien & de Hoog. Sarcinomyces crustaceus appears unrelated to this group, and hence the present new taxa cannot be described in this genus.     

Microhabitat effects on bryophyte species richness and community distribution on exposed rock outcrops in Portugal

Background: Rock outcrops have been shown to provide specific conditions for bryophyte communities, but no studies have focused on the importance of microhabitats on such communities.

Aim: To analyse the distribution pattern of bryophyte species from granite and schist outcrops in three microhabitats (rock surfaces, fissures and cavities) in Portugal.

Methods: Sample plots were established in fissures, cavities and on rock surfaces of rock outcrops in north and central Portugal. Micro-scale variables, such as exposure and slope were assessed for each microhabitat.

Results: The microhabitats most different in species composition were surfaces versus cavities and surfaces versus fissures, both on granite and schist. Short-lived shuttle species tended to be associated with surfaces, and perennial species were more frequent in cavities and fissures. Both on granite and schist, the number of species found in each microhabitat was highest in cavities, followed by fissures and rock surfaces. The most relevant predictors of bryophyte richness were microhabitat type, exposure and rock type.

Conclusions: This investigation confirmed that rock microhabitats play an important role in bryophyte diversity by promoting habitat heterogeneity. In addition, our results clearly suggest local explanations for variation in bryophyte species richness and communities.     

条石鲷检出的虹彩病毒特性研究

2009年8月份辽宁地区某网箱养殖场出现条石鲷大量死亡病情,对病鱼组织切片观察,在脾脏和肾脏等器官内发现许多形态异常肿大的嗜碱性粒细胞。病鱼组织匀浆液感染GF细胞出现了明显的细胞病变效应(CPE)。经透射电镜观察发现,脾脏、肾脏、肝脏及肠组织细胞质内存在大量呈六边形的病毒粒子,该病毒由核衣壳(100~110nm)和囊膜构成,直径150~180nm,似虹彩病毒。使用真鲷虹彩病毒(RSIV)959bp PstI片段特异性引物对病鱼各脏器组织进行PCR扩增,在脾脏、肾脏、鳃、肠、心脏和脑扩增出570bp大小的目的片段。同时,针对虹彩病毒主衣壳蛋白序列进行PCR扩增后得到1 400 bp大小的基因片段。病毒主衣壳蛋白序列系统进化分析显示,该病毒与真鲷虹彩病毒(RSIV-U1)等几株病毒位于同一进化分枝内。根据上述实验结果,作者认为引发条石鲷大批死亡的病原为真鲷虹彩病毒(Red sea bream iridovirus,RSIV)。     

Speciation on a local geographic scale: the evolution of a rare rock outcrop specialist in Mimulus

Speciation can occur on both large and small geographical scales. In plants, local speciation, where small populations split off from a large-ranged progenitor species, is thought to be the dominant mode, yet there are still few examples to verify speciation has occurred in this manner. A recently described morphological species in the yellow monkey flowers, Mimulus filicifolius, is an excellent candidate for local speciation because of its highly restricted geographical range. Mimulus filicifolius was formerly identified as a population of M. laciniatus due to similar lobed leaf morphology and rocky outcrop habitat. To investigate whether M. filicifolius is genetically divergent and reproductively isolated from M. laciniatus, we examined patterns of genetic diversity in ten nuclear and eight microsatellite loci, and hybrid fertility in M. filicifolius and its purported close relatives: M. laciniatus, M. guttatus and M. nasutus. We found that M. filicifolius is genetically divergent from the other species and strongly reproductively isolated from M. laciniatus. We conclude that M. filicifolius is an independent rock outcrop specialist despite being morphologically and ecologically similar to M. laciniatus, and that its small geographical range nested within other wide-ranging members of the M. guttatus species complex is consistent with local speciation.     

A Long-Term Field Study of In Situ Bioremediation in a Fractured Conglomerate Trichloroethene Source Zone

ABSTRACT An 8-year bioremediation field study was conducted in a trichloroethene (TCE)-contaminated, highly indurated (i.e., hard), recharge-limited (i.e., contains little water) conglomerate where common remediation strategies, such as groundwater recirculation and direct push installation of a large well network, could not be used. A tracer test using isotopically distinct water from the Hetch Hetchy Reservoir indicated that remediation fluids mainly flowed through fractures and sand lenses in the conglomerate. This was confirmed during in situ bioremediation of the site, in which Dehalococcoides (from a bioaugmentation culture) and volatile fatty acids (from injection of lactate) were the most accurate indicators of transport between wells. Some contaminants were also displaced out of the area due to injection of tracer water. Despite these difficulties, dissolved contaminant mass decreased by an estimated 80% by the end of the test, reaching the lowest values ever recorded at this site. Furthermore, the persistence of ethene 4 years after bioaugmentation suggests that the dechlorinating capacity of the remaining microbial community is comparable to the matrix diffusion of TCE into the dissolved phase.