A predictive model for freshwater bioassessment (Mondego River,Portugal)

We sampled macroinvertebrates at 75 locations in the Mondego river catchment, Central Portugal, and developed a predictive model for water quality assessment of this basin, based on the Reference Condition Approach. Sampling was done from June to September 2001. Fifty-five sites were identified as “Reference sites” and 20 sites were used as “Test sites” to test the model. At each site we also measured 40 habitat variables to characterize water physics and chemistry, habitat type, land use, stream hydrology and geographic location. Macroinvertebrates were generally identified to species or genus level; a total of 207 taxa were found. By Unweighted Pair Group Method with Arithmetic mean (UPGMA) clustering and analysis of species contribution to similarities percentage (SIMPER), two groups of reference sites were established. Using Discriminant Analysis (stepwise forward), four variables correctly predicted 78% of the reference sites to the appropriate group: stream order, pool quality, substrate quality and current velocity. Test sites’ environmental quality was established from their relative distance to reference sites, in MDS ordination space, using a series of bands (BEAST methodology). The model performed well at upstream sites, but at downstream sites it was compromised by the lack of reference sites. As with the English RIVPACS predictive model, the Mondego model should be continually improved with the addition of new reference sites. The adaptation of the Mondego model methodology to the Water Framework Directive is possible and would consist mainly of the integration of the WFD typology and increasing the number of ellipses that define quality bands. Handling editor: K. Martens     

Fine root distribution of trees and understory in mature stands of maritime pine (Pinus pinaster) on dry and humid sites

Maritime pine (Pinus pinaster) is the main tree cropping species in the Landes of Gascogne forest range in south western France. Soils are nutrient poor, sandy podzosols and site fertility is determined essentially by organic matter content and depth of water table, which is known to limit root growth. We hypothesised, with an ultimate goal of constructing a nutrient uptake model applicable to this region, that the organic top horizons together with the depth of the water table should be the most important parameters related to fine root distribution and presence of associated mycorrhiza. To test this hypothesis, we compared two adult Pinus pinaster stands, contrasting in depth of water table and soil fertility and evaluated fine roots (diameter ≤2 mm) of understory species and fine roots and ectomycorrhizal morphotypes of Pinus pinaster down to 1.2 m, using a soil corer approach. Total fine root biomass of Pinus pinaster was not significantly different between both sites (3.6 and 4.5 t ha⁻¹ for the humid, respectively, dry site), but root distribution was significantly shallower and root diameter increased more with depth at the humid site, presumably due to more adverse soil conditions as related to the presence of a hardpan, higher amount of aluminium oxides and / or anoxia. Fine roots of Pinus pinaster represented only about 30% of total fine root biomass and 15% of total fine root length, suggesting that the understory species cannot be ignored with regards to competition for mineral nutrients and water. A comparison of the ectomycorrhizal morphotypes showed that the humid site could be characterised by a very large proportion of contact exploration types, thought to be more relevant in accessing organic nutrient sources, whereas the dry site had a significantly higher proportion of both long-distance and short-distance exploration types, the latter of which was thought to be more resistant to short-term drought periods. These results partly confirm our hypothesis on root distribution as related to the presence of soil mineral nutrients (i.e. in organic matter), point out the potential role of understory plant species and ectomycorrhizal symbiosis and are a valuable step in building a site-specific nutrient uptake model.     

Isaria cretacea van Beyma

Riassunto E' una breve nota descrittiva diIsaria cretacea van Beyma isolata da terreno di bosco ad Eucalipto.Trattasi di un Ifomicete non ancora segnalato presente in Italia e forse non ancora rinvenuto nel terreno.E' specie auxo-eterotrofa e presenta attività antagonista verso altre specie di funghi.

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Summary The present note deals briefly withIsaria cretacea van Beyma, isolated from Eucaliptus soil. The fungus is a Hyphomycete whose presence in Italy was never noticed before and perhaps it is the first time the it is found in soil. ThisIsaria is an auxo-heterotrophic species and shows a certain antagonistic activity against some fungi.

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Resumo O presente trabalho é uma nota breve descritiva deIsaria cretacea van Beyma, isolada de terreno de um bosque de Eucaliptos. Tratase de um Ifomicete cuja presença na Italia não foi ainda assinalada e talvez seja a primeira vez que é isolada de terreno.E' uma especie auxo-heterotrofica e apresenta uma certa atividade antagonista sobre outros fungos.

     

Ultrastructure and division behaviour of dinoflagellate chromosomes

Chromosomes of Prorocentrum triestinum and P. micans have similar substructural and morphometrical values as revealed by electron microscopy of thin sections. However, differences were found between the species in mean length, volume and numerical density of chromosomes, and the volume of the chromosome complement, the nuclear volume and the chromosome number. When examined by a whole-mount procedure both Prorocentrum species have left-handed screw-like chromosomes which end in differentiated telomeres. The chromosomes divide sequentially from one telomere towards the other, presenting a Y and finally a V configuration. At the region where each chromosome divides nascent sister chromatids are connected by two bridges. Sister chromatids have similar quantitative values when compared with each other and with the still undivided chromosome, which suggests that both replication and division take place as coupled events.Supported by CAICYT, grant 2409/83     

Relationship between respiratory pauses and heart rate during sleep in normal premature and full-term newborns

To investigate the relationship between central respiratory pauses and heart rate, we performed polygraphic recordings in 23 normal newborns (35 to 41 weeks conceptional age). We monitored the electroencephalogram, rapid eye movements, movements of the upper and lower limbs, chin and diaphragmatic electromyogram, electrocardiogram, thoracic and abdominal respiratory movements, air flow and transcutaneous PO2. Heart rate changes were analysed by computer measurement of R-R intervals and by cardiotachography. Respiratory pauses occurring after body movements and those not preceded by movements were studied separately. We analysed 1128 respiratory pauses greater than 3 s duration. No respiratory pause lasted more than 12 s. Independently of age, sleep state and respiratory pause duration, heart rate was significantly lower at the onset of respiratory pause, compared to control periods (selected away from the pause: 10 s before its onset and 20 s after its end). Heart rate slowed still further through the respiratory pause and reverted toward the baseline level after its end. When no movements preceded the respiratory pause, heart rate just before the pause was lower compared to control periods. These findings suggest the existence of simultaneous central commands responsible for both respiratory pause and heart rate deceleration.     

Studies on light absorption and photochemical activity changes in chloroplast suspensions and leaves due to light scattering and light filtration across chloroplast and vegetation layers

An experimental analysis is presented concerning the effect on relative light absorption by the two photosystems caused by (a) a highly light scattering environment (the detour effect) and (b) light filtration across successive chloroplast layers (the light attenuation effect). Both suspensions of isolated chloroplasts and leaves were employed.It is concluded that within a single spinach leaf these phenomena are likely to lead to only rather small increases in relative photosystem I absorption and activity with respect to photosystem II and will thus not exert a significant effect on non cyclic electron transport. On the contrary when light is filtrated across successive vegetation layers (shade light) significant increases in the relative PSI absorption and activity may be encountered.It is determined that the detour effect in mature leaves from a variety of plants increases overall photosynthetically useful light absorption by 35–40%.Abbreviations F_M maximal fluorescence - LHCP₂ light-harvesting chlorophyl a/b protein complex II - Q_A-primary quinone acceptor of photosystem II