Growth-induced mass flows in fungal networks

Cord-forming fungi form extensive networks that continuously adapt to maintain an efficient transport system. As osmotically driven water uptake is often distal from the tips, and aqueous fluids are incompressible, we propose that growth induces mass flows across the mycelium, whether or not there are intrahyphal concentration gradients. We imaged the temporal evolution of networks formed by Phanerochaete velutina, and at each stage calculated the unique set of currents that account for the observed changes in cord volume, while minimizing the work required to overcome viscous drag. Predicted speeds were in reasonable agreement with experimental data, and the pressure gradients needed to produce these flows are small. Furthermore, cords that were predicted to carry fast-moving or large currents were significantly more likely to increase in size than cords with slow-moving or small currents. The incompressibility of the fluids within fungi means there is a rapid global response to local fluid movements. Hence velocity of fluid flow is a local signal that conveys quasi-global information about the role of a cord within the mycelium. We suggest that fluid incompressibility and the coupling of growth and mass flow are critical physical features that enable the development of efficient, adaptive biological transport networks.     

Phenolic and mineral content of leaves influences decomposition in European forest ecosystems

Summary Factors influencing decomposition in European forests growing on different soils were studied in stands dominated by the European beechFagus sylvatica L. Phenolic contents of freshly fallen leaves ofF. sylvatica growing on nutrient-poor soils (acid sandy soil) were higher than those of similar leaves on nutrient-rich soils (calcareous mull soil). Analysis of fallen leaves of different ages showed rapid decay of phenolics during the first winter on the ground. After 1 year the phenolic content of leaves ofF. sylvatica growing on nutrient-poor soils was still twice as high as in similar leaves on nutrient-rich soils. Field and laboratory experiments showed that a major decomposer (Oniscus asellus, Isopoda) preferred leaves from trees on nutrient-rich soils. Mineral contents of leaves ofF. sylvatica growing on different soils differed: on rich soils leaves had higher contents of Ca, Mg, Na, and K. These elements are important nutrients for decomposers. The distribution of major decomposers reflects the mineral content of their diet, which in turn reflects soil type. Different rates of leaf turnover and nutrient turnover in different forest ecosystems (even when the same tree species is dominant) are due to the decomposing system, which is influenced by the phenolic and mineral contents of the leaves.     

Reactions of the fauna on the bark of trees to the frequency of fires in a North American savanna

Summary The arthropod communities living on the bark of the oak species Quercus macrocarpa and Q. ellipsoidalis were investigated in a North American oak savanna. Differences were found in the community structure of the arthropods living on the bark of these two tree species, although they have the same fissured bark type. In the North American oak savanna ecosystem the most important disturbance factor is fire, which maintains species richness. Highest numbers of species and specimens were found at moderately disturbed sites. Three main ecological groups of arthropods living on the bark of trees can be distinguished in relation to the degree of disturbance: (1) Inhabitants of bark of trees restricted to undisturbed sites: they do not occur in fire-disturbed areas; (2) Inhabitants of bark of trees adapted to a moderate degree of disturbance: many species occur in high numbers only in moderately disturbed areas; and (3) Specialist inhabitants of bark of trees in heavily disturbed areas. The number of specimens of these species increases per trunk with the frequency of disturbance.     

Solitary Song and its inhibition in some Estrildidae

Summary In the species studied song appears to have two functions; an epigamic function = Display Song, and a contact function = Solitary Song. Solitary Song appears to be common to all the species studied. Its utterance indicates that the bird is unpaired or separated from another individual with which it has formed a bond. InUraeginthus bengalus, U. angolensis, andAmandava amandava Solitary Song is also uttered by the hen in similar circumstances. InLonchura punctulata, A. amandava, andEuodice malabarica song is usually but not completely inhibited by the presence of a mate, in whose absence Solitary Song will be uttered even when other individuals of the same species are present. In the species studied of the generaEstrilda, Lagonosticta, andUraeginthus Solitary Song is inhibited by the continued close proximity of another bird even though this may be of the same sex or of a different species and may elicit aggressive or fleeing reactions; but conditions of close association with a bird other than a suitable mate would presumably only occur under captive conditions. There appears to be a distance factor controlling such inhibition. There is evidence of the inhibition of song due to the presence of a mate in other passerine species.     

Familientradition in der Gesangsentwicklung des Gimpels(Pyrrhula pyrrhula L.)

Zusammenfassung Der heranwachsende Junggimpel empfängt während seiner Nestlingszeit und den sich anschließenden Wochen bis zum Erlangen der Selbständigkeit von den Eltern Eindrücke, die sein späteres Geschlechtsverhalten und seine stimmliche Entwicklung entscheidend beeinflussen. Ein normales Geschlechtsverhalten entwickelt sich nur dann, wenn der Jungvogel von den eigenen Eltern oder Artgenossen aufgezogen wird. Erfolgt die Aufzucht durch andere Lebewesen (Kanarienvogel, Mensch), so tritt eine mehr oder weniger deutliche Prägung der sozialen und sexuellen Reaktion auf diese Arten ein. Mit dieser Prägung geht eine Fixation der Lautäußerungen (Lockruf, Gesang) an die der Eltern — vor allem des Vaters — Hand in Hand. Trägt der Vater normale Lockrufe und den arttypischen Gesang vor, so erfährt auch der Junggimpel eine ormale stimmliche Entwicklung. Sind aber Lockrufe und Gesang in Klangfarbe und Komposition abweichend, so lernt der Jungvogel selektiv alle diese Abweichungen und behält sie zeitlebens bei. Ein Jungmännchen, das von Kanarien aufgezogen wurde, erlernte unter einer Schar anderer Junggimpel den Gesang des einzigen anwesenden Kanarienmännchens und gab ihn an seine Söhne weiter. Vier Jahre später sangen die Urenkel dieses Vogels noch die Kanarienstrophen in unveränderter Form. — Von Menschen aufgezogene Gimpel konzentrieren ihren Lerneifer auf die Lautäußerungen des Pflegers; sie erlernen vorgepfiffene Melodien: bis zu drei kurze Volkslieder. Während die jungen Männchen ausschließlich dem Gesang des Vaters ihre Aufmerksamkeit zuwenden, nehmen die Weibchen nach ihrer Verpaarung neben den vom Vater erlernten Motiven auch solche aus dem Gesang des Gatten auf. Nur der erste Partner hat auf ihre Gesanganusbildung Einfluß.Die sensible Periode der stimmlichen Entwicklung fällt mit der Zeit zusammen, in der frühsexuelle Stimmungen den Junggimpel beherrschen. Sein Lerneifer ist auf dasjenige Lebewesen konzentriert, das ihn aufzog und dem er — aus dem daraus erwachsenen hohen Grade persönlicher Bindung heraus — seine ersten sexuellen Anträge machte.     

Identification of the pH-dependent membrane anchor of carboxypeptidase E (EC 3.4.17.10)

Carboxypeptidase E (CPE), a peptide hormone-processing enzyme, is present within secretory granules in both a soluble form and a form which is membrane-bound at pH 5.5 but soluble at neutral pH. Antisera raised against a peptide corresponding to the predicted COOH-terminus of CPE bind to the membrane-associated form of CPE but not to the soluble form. This COOH-terminal region is predicted to form an amphiphilic alpha-helix, containing several pairs of hydrophobic residues separated by hydrophilic residues. Synthetic COOH-terminal peptides 11-24 residues in length are able to bind to bovine pituitary membranes and can be extracted by conditions that extract the membrane-bound form of CPE. The influence of pH on the membrane binding of a 21-residue COOH-terminal peptide is similar to the membrane binding of CPE: at pH values less than 6 the majority of the peptide is membrane-bound, while at pH values above 8 less than 20% is membrane-bound. Both the 21-residue COOH-terminal peptide and the purified membrane form of CPE, but not the soluble form, partition into Triton X-114 only at low pH (pH less than 6). Combined polar and hydrophobic interactions of the COOH-terminal peptide appear to be responsible for the reversible, pH-dependent association of CPE with membranes.