Stem CO2 efflux in six co‐occurring tree species: underlying factors and ecological implications

Stem respiration plays a role in species coexistence and forest dynamics. Here we examined the intra‐ and inter‐specific variability of stem CO₂ efflux (E) in dominant and suppressed trees of six deciduous species in a mixed forest stand: Fagus sylvatica L., Quercus petraea [Matt.] Liebl, Quercus pyrenaica Willd., Prunus avium L., Sorbus aucuparia L. and Crataegus monogyna Jacq. We conducted measurements in late autumn. Within species, dominants had higher E per unit stem surface area (E_s) mainly because sapwood depth was higher than in suppressed trees. Across species, however, differences in E_s corresponded with differences in the proportion of living parenchyma in sapwood and concentration of non‐structural carbohydrates (NSC). Across species, E_s was strongly and NSC marginally positively related with an index of drought tolerance, suggesting that slow growth of drought‐tolerant trees is related to higher NSC concentration and E_s. We conclude that, during the leafless period, E is indicative of maintenance respiration and is related with some ecological characteristics of the species, such as drought resistance; that sapwood depth is the main factor explaining variability in E_s within species; and that the proportion of NSC in the sapwood is the main factor behind variability in E_s among species.     

Procrustean analysis of fluctuating asymmetry in the bulb mite Rhizoglyphus robini Claparede (Astigmata: Acaridae)

We studied fluctuating asymmetry (FA) in two generations of the bulb mite Rhizoglyphus robini . We used Procrustes analyses, which allow the comparison of dimensionless shapes of body sides. We found little (<4%) directional asymmetry in either sex. Of the two morphs occurring in this species, fighters, which possess a thickened third pair of legs, exhibited higher FA than did scramblers, the morph with unmodified legs; this may reflect the costliness of the fighter developmental pathway. There was a negative relationship between FA and female fecundity, but the regression slope of mid-offspring on mid-parent FA was not significantly greater than zero. We propose that heritability estimates can be biased downwards if highly asymmetric individuals produce fewer viable offspring. However, we found no significant association between parental FA and the proportion of viable embryos in their broods. Furthermore, we hypothesized that parental FA might indicate the presence of largely recessive mutations deleterious to developmental homeostasis that would cause increased embryo mortality under inbreeding. However, we found no significant association between FA of parents that were mated to their full sibs and the proportion of viable embryos in their inbred progeny.  © 2003 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society , 2003, 80 , 499–505.     

Limited mitochondrial DNA introgression in a Bombina hybrid zone

We analysed the variation at mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and six allozyme loci in two transects across a hybrid zone between the fire-bellied toads Bombina bombina and Bombina variegata in southern Poland. The mtDNA cline was narrower than allozyme clines in one transect (Przemyśl, β = 0.435, w  = 3.42 km) and shifted to the B .  bombina side in both (near Kraków by 1.32 km, α = 0.437, and near Przemyśl by 0.97 km, α = 0.319). Cytonuclear associations were weak. Narrowed mtDNA clines could be a by-product of female demography and lowered effective population size of mtDNA. Alternatively, restricted mtDNA introgression is a likely result of negative epistasis in recombinants augmented by environment-dependent selection because divergence of Bombina mitochondrial and nuclear genomes is large. The shift of the mtDNA cline, contrary to expectations from initial mating preferences and fecundity differences between the species, suggests that on the B .  bombina side of the zone hybrid females with B .  variegata mtDNA have a higher chance of leaving progeny.  © 2007 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society , 2007, 91 , 295–306.     

JURASSIC PALAEONTINIDAE FROM CHINA AND THE HIGHER SYSTEMATICS OF PALAEONTINOIDEA (INSECTA: HEMIPTERA: CICADOMORPHA)

Abstract:  Genera of Palaeontinidae (Insecta, Hemiptera: Cicadomorpha) are reviewed based on some newly-discovered material. An updated list of palaeontinid genera is provided. The genus Palaeontinopsis Martynov is assigned to Palaeontinidae incertae sedis . A new genus and species, Ningchengia aspera gen. et sp. nov., is described based on forewings and hindwings from the Middle Jurassic of Daohugou, China. Fletcheriana colorata Wang, Zhang and Fang and F . minuta Wang, Zhang and Fang are transferred to Suljuktocossus and Ningchengia respectively, resulting in Suljuktocossus coloratus comb. nov. and Ningchengia minuta comb. nov. Papilioncossus Wang, Ren and Shih, 2007 syn. nov. is considered to be a junior synonym of Eoiocossus Wang and Zhang, 2006 and Quadraticossus Wang and Ren 2007 syn. nov. is a junior synonym of Sinopalaeocossus   Hong, 1983 . The genus Fletcheriana is believed to represent a transition between Dunstaniidae and Palaeontinidae. This result is consistent with the previous view that Dunstaniidae is ancestral to Palaeontinidae. Furthermore, Suljuktocossus is a transitional genus between Fletcheriana and Cretaceous palaeontinids. The fusion of veins RP and M₁ in the palaeontinid hindwings implies a change of the mechanism of flight and an improvement in flight ability. The presence of a reduced costal area and the rigid basal leading edge of the palaeontinid forewings suggest gain of lift.     

The Use of Free Vibrations to Measure Peduncle Stiffness in Triticale

The possibility of using the period of free vibrations to determineelastic modulus and flexural rigidity of plant material withcontrasting elasticity to viscosity ratios was tested. A simple,easy-to-operate method is described. Both the mature sectionsof Triticale peduncle as well as those sampled from the meristematiczone were found to behave like a lightly damped linear oscillator,providing that the excitements were of a very small amplitude.Elastic modulus calculated from the period of free vibrationsfor the meristematic zone was consistent with most data reportedin the literature for other growing tissues investigated bythe resonance technique. A high gradient of elastic modulus,from 33 MPa to 2·89 GPa per 8 cm was found within thezone of differentiation and development of strengthening tissues.The applicability of the free vibration technique to study plantrigidity as compared to other methods is discussed. Key words: Triticosecale, free vibrations, peduncle, stiffness measurement, Young's modulus     

Coupling of respiration, nitrogen, and sugars underlies convergent temperature acclimation in Pinus banksiana across wide-ranging sites and populations

Patterns and mechanisms of short‐term temperature acclimation and long‐term climatic adaptation of respiration among intraspecific populations are poorly understood, but both are potentially important in constraining respiratory carbon flux to climate warming across large geographic scales, as well as influencing the metabolic fitness of populations. Herein we report on leaf dark respiration of 33‐year‐old trees of jack pine (Pinus banksiana Lamb.) grown in three contrasting North American common gardens (0.9, 4.6, and 7.9 °C, mean annual temperature) comprised of identical populations of wide‐ranging geographic origins. We tested whether respiration rates in this evergreen conifer acclimate to prevailing ambient air temperatures and differ among populations. At each of the common gardens, observed population differences in respiration rates measured at a standard temperature (20 °C) were comparatively small and largely unrelated to climate of seed‐source origin. In contrast, respiration in all populations exhibited seasonal acclimation at all sites. Specific respiration rates at 20 °C inversely tracked seasonal variation in ambient air temperature, increasing with cooler temperatures in fall and declining with warmer temperatures in spring and summer. Such responses were similar among populations and sites, thus providing a general predictive equation regarding temperature acclimation of respiration for the species. Temperature acclimation was associated with variation in nitrogen (N) and soluble carbohydrate concentrations, supporting a joint enzyme and substrate‐based model of respiratory acclimation. Regression analyses revealed convergent relationships between respiration and the combination of needle N and soluble carbohydrate concentrations and between N‐based respiration (R_N, μmol mol N^{? 1} s^{? 1}) and soluble carbohydrate concentrations, providing evidence for general predictive relationships across geographically diverse populations, seasons, and sites. Overall, these findings demonstrate that seasonal acclimation of respiration modulates rates of foliar respiratory carbon flux in a widely distributed evergreen species, and does so in a predictable way. Genetic differences in specific respiration rate appear less important than temperature acclimation in downregulating respiratory carbon fluxes with climate warming across wide‐ranging sites.     

Epidemiology and Pathogenesis of Staphylococcus Bloodstream Infections in Humans: a Review

Staphylococci are among the most frequent human microbiota components associated with the high level of bloodstream infection (BSI) episodes. In predisposed patients, there is a high risk of transformation of BSI episodes to sepsis. Both bacterial and host factors are crucial for the outcomes of BSI and sepsis. The highest rates of BSI episodes were reported in Africa, where these infections were up to twice as high as the European rates. However, there remains a great need to analyze African data for comprehensive quantification of staphylococcal BSI prevalence. The lowest rates of BSI exist in Australia. Asian, European, and North American data showed similar frequency values. Worldwide analysis indicated that both Staphylococcus aureus and coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) are the most frequent BSI agents. In the second group, the most prevalent species was Staphylococcus epidermidis, although CoNS were not identified at the species level in many studies. The lack of a significant worldwide decrease in BSI episodes indicates a great need to implement standardized diagnostic methods and research etiological factors using advanced genetic methods.     

Testing Tropiduchini Stål 1866 (Hemiptera: Tropiduchidae) monophyly,a young inter‐tropical taxon of mainly insular species: taxonomy,distribution patterns and phylogeny,with the description of a new genus from Papua New Guinea

A morphological phylogenetic analysis of the tribe Tropiduchini (Hemiptera: Tropiduchidae) is provided for 21 genera among the 26 recognized, including the new genus Oechalinella Wang gen.n. , with a new species Oechalinella bifasciata Wang sp.n. Monophyly of the tribe is well supported by synapomorphies derived from the male genitalia. The strict consensus supports two subclades: ((Montrouzierana + Thymbra) + Thaumantia⁺) as sister to the clade (Leptovanua + (Vanua + Varma⁺) + Daradacella⁺). In the first subclade, the clade (Montrouzierana + Thymbra), distributed in New Caledonia and Papua New Guinea, is well supported by three synapomorphies based on the tegmina, while the Thaumantia⁺ group is characterized by the conformation of the anal tube and male gonostyli, and distributed from Malesia to Papuasia and in Central Africa. The second subclade is largely distributed from China to Malesia, Papuasia, Southwestern and the Northwestern Pacific islands. The position of the genus Leptovanua remains uncertain. The Varma⁺ clade is recovered in all analyses. Implied weighting analysis placed the Varma⁺ lineage as sister to all other genera forming a new group (Leptovanua⁺ + ((Montrouzierana + Thymbra) + Thaumantia⁺)). Fennah's definition of Tropiduchini is reviewed according to the phylogenetic results and an identification key to all genera is provided with a referenced synopsis of their distribution. Globally, Tropiduchini exhibits an inter‐tropical latitudinal distribution and a paradoxical bimodal longitudinal distribution pattern in continental Africa, South‐east Asia and the Pacific islands. Distribution data concern nearly 80% of insular taxa. The phylogenetical results suggest that: (i) the tribe originates from continental China; (ii) it evolved mainly from Papuasia by stepping‐stone colonization events, promoting subsequent insular speciation; and (iii) its evolution has mainly been directed by dispersion versus vicariance.     

Population fragmentation and major histocompatibility complex variation in the spotted suslik,Spermophilus suslicus

The fragmentation of populations typically enhances depletion of genetic variation, but highly polymorphic major histocompatibility complex (MHC) genes are thought to be under balancing selection and therefore retain polymorphism despite population bottlenecks. In this study, we investigate MHC DRB (class II) exon 2 variation in 14 spotted suslik populations from two regions differing in their degree of habitat fragmentation and gene flow. We found 16 alleles that segregated in a sample of 248 individuals. The alleles were highly divergent and revealed the hallmark signs of positive selection acting on them in the past, showing a significant excess of nonsynonymous substitutions. This excess was concentrated in putative antigen‐binding sites, which suggests that past selection was driven by pathogens. MHC diversity was significantly lower in fragmented western populations than in the eastern populations, characterized by significant gene flow. In contrast to neutral variation, amova did not reveal genetic differentiation between the two regions. This may indicate similar selective pressures shaping MHC variation in both regions until the recent past. However, MHC allelic richness within a population was correlated with that for microsatellites. F_ST outlier analyses have shown that population differentiation at DRB was neither higher nor lower than expected under neutrality. The results suggest that selection on MHC is not strong enough to counteract drift that results from recent fragmentation of spotted suslik populations.