Nutritional factors influencing the distribution of the calcareous and acidic populations in Hypericum perforatum

Hypericum perforatum L. was found to have a wide range of distribution occurring on both calcareous and acidic sites. The two populations showed differential responses to macronutrients like calcium and phosphorus and micronutrients like aluminum and manganese. The acidic population showed better growth yield than the calcareous population at lower calcium levels in the medium, but at higher levels the reverse was true. The acidic population had higher uptake of calcium and phosphorus in all the different treatments and of magnesium, potassium, and sodium at low-calcium levels. The individuals of the calcareous population exhibited ‘phosphate toxicity’ at high phosphorus level in the medium while those of the acidic type gave better yield with increase in phosphorus level. Phosphorus uptake was consistently higher in the case of the acidic type compared to the calcareous population. The calcareous population was adversely affected at higher levels of aluminum and manganese and the individuals of this population exhibited severe toxicity symptoms. The acidic population gave good growth yield at both low and high levels of aluminum and manganese. The uptake of aluminum and manganese increased at higher levels of these nutrients in the media. These observations on the two populations have been discussed and it was concluded that besides the direct role of calcium, the differential response to phosphorus, aluminum, and manganese, the availability of which is determined by the pH of the soil, also control the restriction of the two ecotypes to their respective natural habitats.

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Divergence of a genomic island leads to the evolution of melanization in a halophyte root fungus

The ISME Journal ◽

10.1038/s41396-021-01023-8 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Zhilin Yuan ◽

Irina S. Druzhinina ◽

John G. Gibbons ◽

Zhenhui Zhong ◽

Yves Van de Peer ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Membrane Trafficking ◽

Molecular Mechanisms ◽

Genomic Island ◽

Population Genomics ◽

Growth Yield ◽

Fixation Index ◽

Nucleotide Polymorphisms ◽

Evolutionary Mechanisms ◽

Melanin Biosynthesis ◽

Two Populations

AbstractUnderstanding how organisms adapt to extreme living conditions is central to evolutionary biology. Dark septate endophytes (DSEs) constitute an important component of the root mycobiome and they are often able to alleviate host abiotic stresses. Here, we investigated the molecular mechanisms underlying the beneficial association between the DSE Laburnicola rhizohalophila and its host, the native halophyte Suaeda salsa, using population genomics. Based on genome-wide Fst (pairwise fixation index) and Vst analyses, which compared the variance in allele frequencies of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and copy number variants (CNVs), respectively, we found a high level of genetic differentiation between two populations. CNV patterns revealed population-specific expansions and contractions. Interestingly, we identified a ~20 kbp genomic island of high divergence with a strong sign of positive selection. This region contains a melanin-biosynthetic polyketide synthase gene cluster linked to six additional genes likely involved in biosynthesis, membrane trafficking, regulation, and localization of melanin. Differences in growth yield and melanin biosynthesis between the two populations grown under 2% NaCl stress suggested that this genomic island contributes to the observed differences in melanin accumulation. Our findings provide a better understanding of the genetic and evolutionary mechanisms underlying the adaptation to saline conditions of the L. rhizohalophila–S. salsa symbiosis.

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The effects of dietary calcium and phosphorus level, and feed form during rearing on growth performance, bone traits and egg production in brown egg-type pullets from 0 to 32 weeks of age

Poultry Science ◽

10.1016/j.psj.2021.101130 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 101130

Author(s):

M.A. Dijkslag ◽

R.P. Kwakkel ◽

E. Martin-Chaves ◽

C. Alfonso-Carrillo ◽

C. Walvoort ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Growth Performance ◽

Egg Production ◽

Dietary Calcium ◽

Phosphorus Level ◽

Feed Form ◽

Calcium And Phosphorus

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Genome analysis of Pseudomonas sp. OF001 and Rubrivivax sp. A210 suggests multicopper oxidases catalyze manganese oxidation required for cylindrospermopsin transformation

BMC Genomics ◽

10.1186/s12864-021-07766-0 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 22 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Erika Berenice Martínez-Ruiz ◽

Myriel Cooper ◽

Jimena Barrero-Canosa ◽

Mindia A. S. Haryono ◽

Irina Bessarab ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Calvin Cycle ◽

Multicopper Oxidase ◽

Genomic Islands ◽

Biotechnological Applications ◽

High Similarity ◽

Multicopper Oxidases ◽

Metabolic Potential ◽

Natural Habitats ◽

Manganese Oxidation ◽

Wide Range

Abstract Background Cylindrospermopsin is a highly persistent cyanobacterial secondary metabolite toxic to humans and other living organisms. Strain OF001 and A210 are manganese-oxidizing bacteria (MOB) able to transform cylindrospermopsin during the oxidation of Mn2+. So far, the enzymes involved in manganese oxidation in strain OF001 and A210 are unknown. Therefore, we analyze the genomes of two cylindrospermopsin-transforming MOB, Pseudomonas sp. OF001 and Rubrivivax sp. A210, to identify enzymes that could catalyze the oxidation of Mn2+. We also investigated specific metabolic features related to pollutant degradation and explored the metabolic potential of these two MOB with respect to the role they may play in biotechnological applications and/or in the environment. Results Strain OF001 encodes two multicopper oxidases and one haem peroxidase potentially involved in Mn2+ oxidation, with a high similarity to manganese-oxidizing enzymes described for Pseudomonas putida GB-1 (80, 83 and 42% respectively). Strain A210 encodes one multicopper oxidase potentially involved in Mn2+ oxidation, with a high similarity (59%) to the manganese-oxidizing multicopper oxidase in Leptothrix discophora SS-1. Strain OF001 and A210 have genes that might confer them the ability to remove aromatic compounds via the catechol meta- and ortho-cleavage pathway, respectively. Based on the genomic content, both strains may grow over a wide range of O2 concentrations, including microaerophilic conditions, fix nitrogen, and reduce nitrate and sulfate in an assimilatory fashion. Moreover, the strain A210 encodes genes which may convey the ability to reduce nitrate in a dissimilatory manner, and fix carbon via the Calvin cycle. Both MOB encode CRISPR-Cas systems, several predicted genomic islands, and phage proteins, which likely contribute to their genome plasticity. Conclusions The genomes of Pseudomonas sp. OF001 and Rubrivivax sp. A210 encode sequences with high similarity to already described MCOs which may catalyze manganese oxidation required for cylindrospermopsin transformation. Furthermore, the analysis of the general metabolism of two MOB strains may contribute to a better understanding of the niches of cylindrospermopsin-removing MOB in natural habitats and their implementation in biotechnological applications to treat water.

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Improving Habitat Quality at the Local and Landscape Scales Increases Wild Bee Assemblages and Associated Pollination Services in Apple Orchards in China

Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution ◽

10.3389/fevo.2021.621469 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 ◽

Author(s):

Panlong Wu ◽

Piaopiao Dai ◽

Meina Wang ◽

Sijie Feng ◽

Aruhan Olhnuud ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Management Practices ◽

Ground Cover ◽

Agricultural Landscapes ◽

Wild Bees ◽

Natural Habitats ◽

Pollination Services ◽

Wild Bee ◽

Wide Range ◽

Bee Diversity ◽

Landscape Scales

Bees provide key pollination services for a wide range of crops. Accumulating evidence shows the effect of semi-natural habitats at the landscape level and local management practices on bee diversity in fields. However, most of the evidence is derived from studies in North America and Europe. Whether this paradigm is applicable in China, which is characterized by smallholder-dominated agricultural landscapes, has rarely been studied. In this study, we aimed to investigate how bee diversity affected apple production, and how landscape and local variables affected bee diversity and species composition on the Northern China Plain. The results showed that bees significantly increased apple fruit set compared to bagged controls. Wild bee diversity was positively related to apple seed numbers. Higher seed numbers reduced the proportion of deformed apples and thus increased fruit quality. Wild bee abundance was positively correlated with flowering ground cover, and both the abundance and species richness of wild bees were positively affected by the percentage of semi-natural habitats. We conclude that apple quality can benefit from ecological intensification comprising the augmentation of wild bees by semi-natural habitats and flowering ground cover. Future pollination management should therefore reduce the intensification level of management at both the local and landscape scales.

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Building clone-consistent ecosystem models

PLoS Computational Biology ◽

10.1371/journal.pcbi.1008635 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 17 (2) ◽

pp. e1008635

Author(s):

Gerrit Ansmann ◽

Tobias Bollenbach

Keyword(s):

Functional Analysis ◽

Building Blocks ◽

Data Driven ◽

Ecological Studies ◽

Ecosystem Models ◽

Linear Combinations ◽

Model Consistency ◽

Wide Range ◽

Critical Requirement ◽

Two Populations

Many ecological studies employ general models that can feature an arbitrary number of populations. A critical requirement imposed on such models is clone consistency: If the individuals from two populations are indistinguishable, joining these populations into one shall not affect the outcome of the model. Otherwise a model produces different outcomes for the same scenario. Using functional analysis, we comprehensively characterize all clone-consistent models: We prove that they are necessarily composed from basic building blocks, namely linear combinations of parameters and abundances. These strong constraints enable a straightforward validation of model consistency. Although clone consistency can always be achieved with sufficient assumptions, we argue that it is important to explicitly name and consider the assumptions made: They may not be justified or limit the applicability of models and the generality of the results obtained with them. Moreover, our insights facilitate building new clone-consistent models, which we illustrate for a data-driven model of microbial communities. Finally, our insights point to new relevant forms of general models for theoretical ecology. Our framework thus provides a systematic way of comprehending ecological models, which can guide a wide range of studies.

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Embryonic and larval development of the caridean shrimp Palaemon argentinus (Decapoda, Caridea): effects of salinity and diet

Crustaceana ◽

10.1163/15685403-bja10041 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 94 (1) ◽

pp. 45-62

Author(s):

Carolina Tropea ◽

Liane Stumpf ◽

Laura S. López Greco

Keyword(s):

Larval Development ◽

Artemia Salina ◽

Culture Conditions ◽

Nutritional Requirements ◽

Larval Performance ◽

Larval Rearing ◽

Caridean Shrimp ◽

Natural Habitats ◽

Larval Stages ◽

Wide Range

Abstract The caridean shrimp Palaemon argentinus is a species of commercial and ecological interest. Its numerous larval stages, the lack of knowledge on their nutritional requirements, and their ability to survive in a wide range of salinities raise questions on the optimum conditions for larval rearing in captivity. The present study was aimed at evaluating embryonic development under different salinities and larval development under different combinations of salinities and diet regimes, in order to define alternative, cheaper culture conditions. We tested salinities usually encountered by the species in natural habitats (0.1, 1 and 5 ppt) and a highly protein-inert diet (Tetracolor®) as a potential replacement for live food (nauplii of Artemia salina). The incubation period and fecundity were similar among salinity treatments. Overall, the number of survival days and percentage of zoeae that moulted two, three and four times were higher when embryogenesis occurred at 5 ppt and when larvae were exposed to 5 ppt. These results suggest that the conditions experienced by embryos affect the performance of the first larval stages, and probably reflect the lower energetic requirements of zoeae to osmoregulate as water and haemolymph osmolarity become closer. On the other hand, larval performance was better when fed A. salina nauplii than Tetracolor®. The latter may not cover the nutritional requirements of zoeae or may have low digestibility due to insufficient enzymes in the undeveloped larval digestive system. Based on the present results, we conclude that a salinity of 5 ppt combined with a diet consisting of Artemia sp. nauplii is optimal for larval culture at early stages.

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Effects of DPX PE350 on Cotton (Gossypium Hirsutum) Growth, Yield, and Fiber Quality

Weed Technology ◽

10.1017/s0890037x00038021 ◽

1993 ◽

Vol 7 (4) ◽

pp. 930-933 ◽

Cited By ~ 16

Author(s):

J. Wayne Keeling ◽

C. Gary Henniger ◽

John R. Abernathy

Keyword(s):

Gossypium Hirsutum ◽

Fiber Quality ◽

Growth Yield ◽

Wide Range

DPX PE350, an experimental herbicide, has shown excellent potential for controlling a wide range of problem broadleaf weeds in cotton. PPI, PRE, and POST applications of DPX PE350 at 0.1 and 0.2 kg ai/ha were evaluated under weedfree conditions in 1991 and 1992 for effects on ‘Paymaster HS26’ cotton growth, yield, and fiber quality. In 1991, DPX PE350 applied PPI, PRE, or POST did not affect cotton population, height, yield, or fiber quality. In 1992, DPX PE350 applied PPI at 0.1 or 0.2 kg/ha or PRE at 0.2 kg/ha injured the cotton and reduced yield and micronaire value.

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Is the Asian house gecko, Hemidactylus frenatus, really a threat to Australia’s biodiversity?

Australian Journal of Zoology ◽

10.1071/zo12077 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 60 (6) ◽

pp. 361 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

E. P. Vanderduys ◽

A. S. Kutt

Keyword(s):

Current Evidence ◽

Human Influence ◽

Natural Habitats ◽

Natural Systems ◽

Wide Range ◽

Hemidactylus Frenatus

Invasive animals can have a wide range of impacts in natural systems. The introduced Asian house gecko Hemidactylus frenatus has invaded widely in Australia, but is largely restricted to human-altered landscapes. Hoskin (2011) has argued that H. frenatus has the potential to negatively impact Australian ecosystems by invading natural habitats. We examine this contention by reviewing an extensive standardised fauna survey dataset collected in northern and central Queensland during the key period of H. frenatus expansion from the 1990s to 2012. In light of these data we also re-examine data from other areas that suggest H. frenatus is a benign threat and is unlikely to become an environmental pest within Australia. On current evidence, we conclude that H. frenatus is unlikely to spread much beyond areas of human influence.

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Plastics recycling: challenges and opportunities

Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences ◽

10.1098/rstb.2008.0311 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 364 (1526) ◽

pp. 2115-2126 ◽

Cited By ~ 814

Author(s):

Jefferson Hopewell ◽

Robert Dvorak ◽

Edward Kosior

Keyword(s):

Carbon Dioxide Emissions ◽

Oil And Gas ◽

Renewable Resource ◽

Gas Production ◽

Rapid Expansion ◽

Natural Habitats ◽

Oil And Gas Production ◽

Wide Range ◽

Challenges And Opportunities ◽

Product Reuse

Plastics are inexpensive, lightweight and durable materials, which can readily be moulded into a variety of products that find use in a wide range of applications. As a consequence, the production of plastics has increased markedly over the last 60 years. However, current levels of their usage and disposal generate several environmental problems. Around 4 per cent of world oil and gas production, a non-renewable resource, is used as feedstock for plastics and a further 3–4% is expended to provide energy for their manufacture. A major portion of plastic produced each year is used to make disposable items of packaging or other short-lived products that are discarded within a year of manufacture. These two observations alone indicate that our current use of plastics is not sustainable. In addition, because of the durability of the polymers involved, substantial quantities of discarded end-of-life plastics are accumulating as debris in landfills and in natural habitats worldwide. Recycling is one of the most important actions currently available to reduce these impacts and represents one of the most dynamic areas in the plastics industry today. Recycling provides opportunities to reduce oil usage, carbon dioxide emissions and the quantities of waste requiring disposal. Here, we briefly set recycling into context against other waste-reduction strategies, namely reduction in material use through downgauging or product reuse, the use of alternative biodegradable materials and energy recovery as fuel. While plastics have been recycled since the 1970s, the quantities that are recycled vary geographically, according to plastic type and application. Recycling of packaging materials has seen rapid expansion over the last decades in a number of countries. Advances in technologies and systems for the collection, sorting and reprocessing of recyclable plastics are creating new opportunities for recycling, and with the combined actions of the public, industry and governments it may be possible to divert the majority of plastic waste from landfills to recycling over the next decades.

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