Molecular discrimination of Perna (Mollusca: Bivalvia) species using the polymerase chain reaction and species-specific mitochondrial primers

This work was prompted by the need to be able to identify the invasive mussel species, Perna viridis, in tropical Australian seas using techniques that do not rely solely on morphology. DNA-based molecular methods utilizing a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) approach were developed to distinguish unambiguously between the three species in the genus Perna. Target regions were portions of two mitochondrial genes, cox1 and nad4, and the intergenic spacer between these that occurs in at least two Perna species. Based on interspecific sequence comparisons of the nad4 gene, a conserved primer has been designed that can act as a forward primer in PCRs for any Perna species. Four reverse primers have also been designed, based on nad4 and intergenic spacer sequences, which yield species-specific products of different lengths when paired with the conserved forward primer. A further pair of primers has been designed that will amplify part of the cox1 gene of any Perna species, and possibly other molluscs, as a positive control to demonstrate that the PCR is working.

The distribution of Fasciola hepatica in Queensland, Australia, and the potential impact of introduced snail intermediate hosts

A survey was conducted to establish the distribution of the liver fluke, Fasciola hepatica, in the state of Queensland, Australia, and to evaluate the impact of the introduced snail intermediate hosts, Pseudosuccinia columella and Austropeplea viridis. Serum samples from a total of 5103 homebred cattle in 142 beef herds distributed throughout the state and 523 pooled milk samples from dairy herds from the state's major dairying regions were tested for antibodies to F. hepatica by ELISA. Snails were collected on infected properties around the limits of the F. hepatica distribution. F. hepatica infection was detected in 44 dairy herds and two beef herds. The distribution of infected herds indicates that F. hepatica is established only in southeast Queensland. The distribution there was patchy but the parasite was more widespread than suggested by an earlier survey. The predominant intermediate host species found along the northern limit of the distribution was P. columella. We conclude that the introduction of P. columella and A. viridis has not yet had a major impact on the distribution of F. hepatica in Queensland. However, the presence of P. columella, which is much more adaptable to tropical habitats than the native intermediate host, Austropeplea tomentosa, at the northern limit of the F. hepatica distribution suggests that there is potential for the parasite to expand its range.

Reproductive ecology of invasive Ochna serrulata (Ochnaceae) in south-eastern Queensland

We investigated aspects of the reproductive ecology of Ochna serrulata (Hochst.) Walp., an invasive plant in eastern Australia. O. serrulata drupes were similar in size to fleshy fruits of other local invasive plants, but showed some distinct differences in quality, with a very high pulp lipid content (32.8% of dry weight), and little sugar and water. Seeds were dispersed by figbirds, Sphecotheres viridis Vieillot, a locally abundant frugivore, and comprised between 10 and 50% of all non-Ficus spp. fruit consumed during October and November. The rate of removal of O. serrulata drupes was greater in bushland than suburban habitats, indicating that control in bushland habitats should be a priority, but also that suburban habitats are likely to act as significant seed sources for reinvasion of bushland. Germination occurred under all seed-processing treatments (with and without pulp, and figbird gut passage), suggesting that although frugivores are important for dispersal, they are not essential for germination. Recruitment of buried and surface-sown seed differed between greenhouse and field experiments, with minimal recruitment of surface-sown seed in the field. Seed persistence was low, particularly under field conditions, with 0.75% seed viability after 6 months and 0% at 12 months. This provides an opportunity to target control efforts in south-eastern Queensland in spring before fruit set, when there is predicted to be few viable seeds in the soil.

Comparative seed and dispersal ecology of three exotic subtropical Asparagus species

The genus Asparagus includes at least six invasive species in Australia. Asparagus aethiopicus and A. africanus are invasive in subtropical Australia, and a third species, A. virgatus is naturalized and demonstrates localized spread in south east Queensland. To better understand how the attributes of these species contribute to their invasiveness, we compared fruit and seed traits, germination, seedling emergence, seed survival, and time-to-maturity. We further investigated dispersal ecology of A. africanus, examining the diet of a local frugivore, the figbird (Sphecotheres viridis) and the effect of gut passage on seedling emergence. Overall, A. aethiopicus was superior in germination and emergence, with the highest mean germination (98.8%) and emergence (94.5%) under optimal conditions and higher emergence (mean of 73.3%) across all treatments. In contrast, A. africanus had the lowest germination under optimal conditions (71.7%) and low mean seedling emergence (49.5%), but had fruits with the highest relative yield (ratio of dry pulp to fruit fresh weight) that were favored by a local frugivore. Figbirds consumed large numbers of A. africanus fruits (~30% of all non-Ficus fruits), and seedling germination was not significantly affected by gut passage compared to unprocessed fruits. Asparagus virgatus germinated poorly under cool, light conditions (1.4%) despite a high optimum mean (95.0%) and had low mean performance across emergence treatments (36.3%). The species also had fruits with a low pulp return for frugivores. For all species, seed survival declined rapidly in the first 12 mo and fell to < 3.2% viability at 36 mo. On the basis of the traits considered, A. virgatus is unlikely to have the invasive potential of its congeners. Uniformly short seed survival times suggest that weed managers do not have to contend with a substantial persistent soil-stored seed bank, but frugivore-mediated dispersal beyond existing infestations will present a considerable management challenge.

Photogenerated radical intermediates of vitamin K-1: a time-resolved resonance Raman study

Quinones play a vital role in the process of electron transfer in bacterial photosynthetic reaction centers. It is of interest to investigate the photochemical reactions involving quinones with a view to elucidating the structure-function relationships in the biological processes. Resonance Raman spectra of radical anions and the time-resolved resonance Raman spectra of vitamin K-1 (model compound for Q(A) in Rhodopseudomonas viridis, a bacterial photosynthetic reception center) are presented. The photochemical intermediates of vitamin K-1, viz. radical anion, ketyl radical and o-quinone methide have been identified. The vibrational assignments of all these intermediates are made on the basis of comparison with our earlier TR3 studies on radical anions of naphthoquinone and menaquinone. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

Prospección y caracterización preliminar in situ de tres especies de Pouteria en Nicaragua

Se colectaron Y caracterizaron 1,148 accesiones de Poutería Sapota Jacquin; Pouteria viridis Pittier y Poutería campechiana H.B.K. Provenientes de las cuatro regiones ecológicas en que se encuentra dividido el pa��s. El estudio se estableció a través del Programa de Recursos Genéticos Nicaragüenses (REGEN), de la Universidad Nacional Agraria (UNA), Managua. De todas las accesiones solo se procesaron 290, ya que el resto presentaban caracteres incompletos. De este total, 33 accesiones eran de Pouteria campechiana H.B.K., 34 accesiones de Pouteria viridis Pittier, y 223 accesiones de Pouteria sapota Jacquin. Se observaron 18 descriptores, entre los cuales 9 son cuantitativos y 9 son cualitativos. Los datos se sometieron al paquete estadístico SAS (sistema de análisis estadístico) el que determinó los caracteres que influyen mayormente en la variabilidad de las especies del género Poutería como son, diámetro del árbol, altura del árbol, peso del fruto, peso de la semilla, número de semillas por fruto, forma del fruto textura de la pulpa, color de la pulpa, color de la cáscara. Después se realizó el análisis e interpretación de los agrupamientos (cluster) por el método WARD mínima varianza, resultando tres fenogramas, uno para cada especie del género Pouteria. Los fenogramas de Pouteria virídis Píttier, Pouteria sapota Jacquin y Pouteria campechiana H.B.K. Están formados por 6 agrupamientos cada uno con sus respectivos grados de similitud. El fenograma de Pouteria sapota Jacquin presentaba una mayor variabilidad de agrupamiento con 44 grupos (cluster) Los efemogramas mostraron la gran diversidad de características particulares de cada grupo. La existencia de grupos de árboles con similares características de diferentes regiones que mostraron el origen materno de éstos árboles capaces de adaptarse a diferentes sitios, manteniendo la mínima diferencia en sus características morfológicas y fisiológicas

Aspectos bioecológicos de mosca blanca (Bemisia tabaci gennadius) y geminivirus con énfasis en el cultivo de tomate (Licopersicom esculentum Mill) en el Valle de Santa Lucía, Boaco, Nicaragua

El complejo mosca blanca (Bemisia tabaco Gennadius) – Geminivirus es la causa principal de la reducción en el rendimiento de los cultivos atacados por este insecto vector. Con el objetivo de determinar cuáles son las principales especies de plantas hospederas de mosca blanca y cuál es su papel como reservorios de geminivirus se realizó un estudio en época de postrera en dos comunidades de Valle de Santa Lucia, Boaco. Así mismo se llevaron a cabo prácticas MIP en el cultivo de Tomate (desinfección de suelo para semillero, uso de barreras vivas, trampas amarillas, distancia de siembra en semillero, muestreo de plagas, uso de insecticidas botánicos y químicos) y se evaluó el efecto de tres distancias de siembra sobre el rendimiento del cultivo. A través de muestreos se reconoció y contabilizó las especies de plantas hospederas de mosca blanca posibles reservorios de geminivirus, se registró el número de ninfas por hospedero, ninfas parasitadas, adultos de mosca blanca emergidos y parasitoides emergidos. Las muestras identificadas como posibles reservorios de geminivirus fueron procesadas y enviadas al Laboratorio de Biología Celular y Molecular de la Universidad de Costa Rica para determinar posibles geminivirus presente en ellas. Se encontraron 13 especies hospederas (cultivadas y silvestres) de mosca blanca en ambas comunidades, sobresaliendo Phaseolus vulgaris L., Agerantum Conyzoide, Bidens Amaranthus viridis. El aporte de las especies de plantas hospederas al crecimiento poblacional de Bemisia Tabaci fue variable en ambas fincas y en diferentes periodos de muestreo, alcanzando las poblaciones más altas en el mes de Octubre. Se identificó como único parasitoide de B. tabaco a Encarsia spp. No se detectó presencia de geminivirus en las muestras enviadas a Costa Rica. En el semillero de tomate la incidencia de mosca blanca fue mínima debido a las practicas MIP realizadas en esta etapa sin alcanzar el nivel de aplicación, una vez trasplantado, las poblaciones se mantuvieron bajo un promedio de 0.4 moscas blancas por planta mediante aplicaciones semanales de Nim 80 EC y por aplicaciones de THIONEX 35 EC cuando mosca blanca sobrepaso los promedios de 0.8 adultos por planta.

Prospección y caracterización preliminar in situ de cinco especies de sapotaceas en Nicaragua

Este trabajo consistió en una prospección (1994) y caracterización in situ (1995-1998) de cinco especies de la familia Sapotaceas en Nicaragua. Con fichas de inventario y fichas etnobotánicas se recopiló la información, obteniéndose 246 registros de Manilkara zapota L. (níspero), 287 de Chrysophyllum cainito L. (caimito), 508 de Pouteria sapota Jacquin (zapote rojo), 49 de Pouteria viridis Pittier (zapote verde) y 46 muestras de Pouteria campechialia H.B.K (zapote mico). Se determinaron estadísticos básicos, análisis Cluster y Componentes Principales. Estas especies tienen uso medicinal y se encuentran generalmente en huertos familiares y muy poco como plantaciones comerciales, los frutos se comercializan en mercados locales, excepto P. campechiana. P. sapota, P. viridis y M. zapota son las más apetecidas como fruta fresca, estos presentaron frutos con promedios de 323 y 95 gramos, algunos con peso superior a los 1000 gramos, sabor dulce, buen aroma, jugosidad y fácil desprendimiento de pulpa. Se muestrearon frutos de M. zapota de más de 500 gramos, el promedio fue 134 gramos, de forma redonda, alargada y ovalada, y sabor muy dulce. C. cainita presentó peso promedio de más de 100 gramos; los frutos son muy dulces, cáscara verde, blanca y morada. En Rivas e isla de Ometepe, Leon, Chinandega, Masaya y Granada se encontro la mayor diversidad fenotipica y frutos de mejor calidad (zapote y nispero). Este estudio demuestra que existe gran diversidad genetica en el pais que tiene gran potencial.

O Complexo Cliona celata Grant, 1826 (Porifera, Demospongiae) na América do Sul: uma abordagem molecular e morfológica

Este trabalho visou a averigua��ão do status taxonômico das esponjas bioerosivas do complexo Cliona celata da América do Sul por meio de técnicas moleculares, utilizando como marcadores a subunidade I da Citocromo c oxidase (cox1) e os Espa��adores Internos Transcritos do RNAr nuclear (ITS1 e ITS2), além de testar outros marcadores. Igualmente, avaliou o grau de variabilidade morfológica encontrado nessas espécies, principalmente por meio da morfometria dos tilóstilos, a fim de estabelecer uma diagnose para elas. Ainda, tentou determinar as rela��ões filogenéticas dessas espécies com as demais esponjas bioerosivas utilizando o gene 28S do RNAr nuclear. Foi possível determinar a existência de cinco clados de esponjas bioerosivas do complexo Cliona celata para a América do Sul, e dois outros clados não-sulamericanos, por meio dos marcadores moleculares utilizados. Embora seja discutida a validade desses clados como espécies distintas, continua impossível, por meio de caracteres morfológicos, distingui-los, e dessa forma, a proposição formal de novas espécies é evitada. Através da reconstrução filogenética do grupo, é possível verificar que as esponjas bioerosivas analisadas se apresentaram como um grupo monofilético, e se separa em três principais clados: Pione, Spirastrellidae, e Clionaidae. Por meio desta, é sugerida a aloca��ão das espécies do complexo C. viridis e C. schimidti dentro de Spirastrella, além de ser necessária a cria��ão de um novo gênero para alocar as espécies do novo complexo identificado aqui, o complexo C. delitrix.

Creation of temporary ponds for amphibians in northern and central Europe

More than 4000 ponds have been created or restored in Denmark since 1985 as part of a large-scale pond-digging programme to protect endangered amphibians in particular and pond flora and fauna in general. Most ponds are created on private land with public financing. The programme was triggered by, among other factors, a drastic decline in amphibian populations in Denmark between 1940 and 1980. However, in recent years there has been an increased awareness in Denmark that temporary ponds are important for the conservation of some of the most rare amphibian species, such as fire-bellied toad Bombina bombina, natterjack toad Bufo calamita and green toad Bufo viridis. Other rare species such as moor frog Rana arvalis and European tree frog Hyla arborea also benefit from temporary ponds. The last 15 years of work on the conservation of endangered species and their habitats has resulted in a last-minute rescue and a subsequent growth in the size of most Danish populations of fire-bellied toad and green toad; some populations of the relatively more common natterjack toad have also increased. The creation of temporary ponds plays an important role in the success of these three species. The creation of ponds to help restore viable populations of the most rare amphibians has not been easy. To study the conditions that may need to be created, Danish herpetologists searched for areas with temporary ponds that had good water quality, natural hydrological conditions and a management regime influenced by traditional agricultural methods. The paper gives an overview of pond creation and restoration projects in Denmark and Poland and their significance for amphibian diversity.

Some data on the predacious behaviour of tendipidae larvae [Translation from: C. R. Acad. Sci. U.R.S.S. 111, 466-4, 1956]

A study has been made primarily of the food of the chironomid Procladius nigriventris: this includes Alona affinis, Bosmina coregoni, Camptocercus, Eucyclops serrulatus, Paracyclops fimbriatus, Acanthocyclops viridis, Harpacticoida, Diaptomus graciloides, Ostracods, Chironomus sp, Polypedilum sp and Tanytarsus sp. Chironomus larvae usually found in the gut are in their 1st or 2nd instars , though occasional 3rd instars are present. The study summarises other findings on the feeding behaviour of Procladius nigriventris.

Farming experiments and transfer of technology of bivalve culture along the southwest coast of India

The Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) in India developed bivalve farming technologies in the 1970s, but these were not widely adopted at the time. In 1993, CMFRI undertook an action research program to encourage farming of edible oysters (Crassostrea madrasensis), mussels (Perna viridis and Perna indica), clams (Paphia malabarica) and pearls (Pinctada fucata) along the southwest coast of India. Successful demonstration of the viability of bivalve farming led to the initiation of commercial farming of mussels and generated interest among farmers and entrepreneurs in developing production of pearls and farming of edible oysters. Given the high potential for the mollusc aquaculture, both for the local and export market, issues such as demarcation and issuance of lease right on aquaculture zones in public waterbodies by the government, organization of marketing systems and provisions for technical and financial support to farmers need to be addressed.

我国严重威胁性外来入侵植物入侵与扩散历史过程重建及其潜在分布区的预测

外来生物入侵已经在世界范围内造成严重的危害，它不仅导致生物多样性的减少和丧失而且威胁着全球的生态环境和经济发展。入侵种在入侵区域的种群扩散是入侵种带来风险的最根本问题，也是其造成危害的重要原因。研究入侵物种的扩散规律可以了解其在入侵地的入侵状况和扩散趋势，这对制定合理的控制措施具有重要意义。本研究选取14种在我国具有较强威胁性的外来入侵植物，通过对其入侵历史动态的分析，判断其在我国的入侵与扩散阶段，进而预测其在我国的潜在分布区。这14种外来植物为紫茎泽兰（Ageratina adenophora���、土荆芥 （Chenopodium ambrosioides.）、喜旱莲子草（Alternanthera philoxeroides）、反枝苋（Amaranthus retroflexus）、刺苋（Amaranthus spinosus）、皱果苋（Amaranthus viridis）、北美独行菜（Lepidium virginicum）、藿香蓟（Ageratum conyzoides）、钻形紫菀（Aster subulatus）、小蓬草（Conyza canadensis）、一年蓬（Erigeron annuus）、牛膝菊（Galinsoga paviflora���、飞机草（Eupatorium odorata���和北美商陆（Phytolacca americana���。 　　紫茎泽兰最早于20世纪40年代入侵我国，经过1940—1960年长达20年的时滞期，紫茎泽兰开始在云南及其临近的省份如四川、贵州和广西迅速扩散。其中，紫茎泽兰在南亚热带和中亚热带气候条件下的扩散速度为20公里/年，而在垂直地带性北亚热带地区的扩散速度为6.8公里/年。紫茎泽兰仍没有入侵到垂直地带性暖温带地区。尽管1990年后，紫茎泽兰在云南基本停止扩散，但其在邻近省（市）的快速传播表明紫茎泽兰在我国仍处在扩散阶段，还没有达到饱和阶段。生态位模型预测结果和紫茎泽兰在已经入侵地区扩散的地理生态式样基本相符。我国南部及中南部地区的气候条件十分适合紫茎泽兰生长。而在华中地区，由于环境条件不太适宜，其扩散速度会相对较慢。我国北部和西北部的气候条件完全不适合紫茎泽兰生存。因此，我国南部和中南部广大未入侵地区将会受到紫茎泽兰入侵和快速扩散的严重威胁，对此应该立即采取紧急措施。 　　自从紫茎泽兰于1978年首次入侵四川省以来，已经在四川、重庆和湖北大面积扩散。紫茎泽兰在此新近入侵区域主要沿河流、公路、铁路扩散。其中沿安宁河、108国道和成昆铁路向北扩散的平均速度为19公里/年，而沿金沙江－长江向东北扩散的平均速度为33公里/年。特别是2000年以后，紫茎泽兰沿金沙江－长江的扩散速度达到了88公里/年。紫茎泽兰得以如此迅速扩散是其本身生物学特性和当地地理生态特点多种因素之间一系列耦合关系共同作用的结果。人类活动和1998年金沙江－长江特大洪水也促进了紫茎泽兰在该地区的扩散。另一方面，紫茎泽兰在新近入侵地区的垂直分布范围说明随海拔高度上升所引起的垂直地带性气候变冷是紫茎泽兰入侵和扩散的自然限制条件。 　　此外，通过对其余13种外来入侵植物入侵历史过程重建发现，除了牛膝菊、反枝苋和皱果苋最早入侵地位于内陆地区以外，其余10种外来入侵植物的最早入侵地都位于我国的东部、南部沿海和西南边境地区。这13种外来植物通常不是通过单一途径传入，而是通过两种或多种途径传入不同的地点。相应地，入侵后也呈现不同的扩散模式。这13种外来植物在我国大体上包括5种入侵和扩散式样即1）从南部沿海和西南边境分别向内陆扩散，如霍香蓟、飞机草，北美商陆;2）从东部沿海向内陆扩散，例如钻形紫菀，小蓬草、北美独行菜和喜旱莲子草;3）从东部沿海、南部沿海和西南边境分别向内陆扩散，如刺苋;4）从南部沿海向内陆扩散，如土荆芥;5）从最早入侵的内陆地区向周边地区扩散，如反枝苋、牛膝菊和皱果苋。分布区动态分析显示当前这13种外来入侵植物在我国都还处在扩散阶段，而且有些外来植物还处在快速扩散阶段，如飞机草。 　　在上述研究基础上，我们对这13种外来入侵植物开展了生态位模型适生区预测和比较分析。并且结合其扩散动态和当前分布现状，我们对其潜在的分布区及扩散趋势进行了系统分析和预测。飞机草、土荆芥、霍香蓟、牛膝菊和北美商陆，这5种外来植物的现有分布区明显小于其在我国的适生区，因此它们在我国的潜在分布区很广，应给予足够的重视。喜旱莲子草、反枝苋、皱果苋、北美独行菜、一年蓬、钻行紫菀和北美商陆在我国的入侵范围与其适生区域之间基本重合，但在其入侵范围内仍存在大面积的未入侵区域。这些未入侵地区通常被已入侵区域所包围，因此也应当给予足够的重视。刺苋和小蓬草在我国的潜在的分布区相对较小，这些植物已经基本上完全入侵了其适生区。因此，这些植物在我国向临近区域继续扩散的可能性不大。 　　

CO2倍增对禾本科植物幼苗形态结构的影响

本论文为国家自然科学基金重大项目“中国陆地生态系统对全球变化的反应模式研究”的部分研究内容。 本文对C02正常浓度(350ppm)和C02倍增(700ppm)条件下，小麦（Triticum, aestivum）、半野生小麦(Triticum aestivum spp．tibeticumShao)、大麦（Hordeum vulgare）、野大麦（Hordeum brevisubulalum）、水稻（Oryza sativa,）、野生稻（Or7za sativa ssp．）、谷子（Setaria italica���、狗尾草（Setaria viridis）、高粱（Sorghum vulgare）、玉米（Zea mays）、旱雀麦（Bromus tectorum）、旱麦草（Eremopyrum triticeum）等12种禾本科植物幼苗的叶片厚度、叶肉细胞密度、维管束鞘细胞中的叶绿体数、叶肉细胞中的叶绿体数、表皮细胞密度、气孔密度、气孔指数、气孔长度、气孔阻抗及平均株高、鲜重、茎秆直径、根的直径、种子的萌发率及叶绿体超微结构等进行了比较研究。 结果表明，C02倍增使不同种类、不同测试项目反应不一。总体上看，CO2浓度倍增，使10种禾本科植物（野大麦、玉米外）的吐片厚度普遍增加。除个别种类外，C4种类的平均株高、鲜重、根直径倍增组比对照组减小;气孔平均密度增加，而C3种类则呈相反趋势o C4种类比C3种类的叶片气孔开度对C02倍增反应更为敏感。在高浓度C02条件下，C4种类的叶绿体超微结构变化较明显，淀粉粒显著增加。野生种类的表皮细胞密度，叶肉细胞密度，维管束鞘细胞中的叶绿体数及茎秆直径，C02倍增组比对照组减少，栽培种类则显著增加。气孔密度与气孔指数基本呈正相关;而气孔长度与气孔密度则大体上呈负相关。 文中对高浓度C02条件下，供试植物形态结构的变化和规律，及全球大气变化对未来农业可能产生的影响进行了讨论。

Recent advances in the hatchery production of seed of some commercial bivalves in India

The Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute has established a shellfish hatchery laboratory at its Tuticorin Research Centre with the objective of developing appropriate technology for the production of seed of commercial bivalves. A viable technology was developed for the mass production of the seed of Pinctada fucata, P. margaretifera, Crassostrea madrasensis, Perna indica, P. viridis, Anadara granosa and Meretrix meretrix. The hatchery facility and the technology, comprising brood stock conditioning, induced spawning, larval rearing and seed production are described. In the light of these developments the future outlook is appraised.