Physiological ecology of the ciliated protozoon Loxodes

Loxodes faces special problems in living close to the oxic-anoxic boundary. In tightly-stratified ponds like Priest Pot its optimum environment may be quite narrow and it can be displaced by the slightest turbulence. Loxodes cannot sense an O sub(2) gradient directly but its ability to perceive gravity allows it to make relatively long vertical migrations. It is also sensitive to light and oxygen and it uses these environmental cues to modulate the parameters of its random motility: in the dark, it aggregates at a low O sub(2) tension and in bright light it aggregates in anoxic water. The oxic-anoxic boundary is also a zone where O sub(2) may be a scarce and transient resource, but Loxodes) can switch to nitrate respiration and exploit the pool of nitrate that often exists close to the base of the oxycline.

Physiological ecology of juvenile chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) at the southern end of their distribution, the San Francisco Estuary and Gulf of the Farallones, California

Juvenile chinook salmon, Oncorhynchus tshawytscha, from natal streams in California’s Central Valley demonstrated little estuarine dependency but grew rapidly once in coastal waters. We collected juvenile chinook salmon at locations spanning the San Francisco Estuary from the western side of the freshwater delta—at the confluence of the Sacramento and San Joaquin Rivers—to the estuary exit at the Golden Gate and in the coastal waters of the Gulf of the Farallones. Juveniles spent about 40 d migrating through the estuary at an estimated rate of 1.6 km/d or faster during their migration season (May and June 1997) toward the ocean. Mean growth in length (0.18 mm/d) and weight (0.02 g/d) was insignificant in young chinook salmon while in the estuary, but estimated daily growth of 0.6 mm/d and 0.5 g/d in the ocean was rapid (P≤0.001). Condition (K factor) declined in the estuary, but improved markedly in ocean fish. Total body protein, total lipid, triacylglycerols (TAG), polar lipids, cholesterol, and nonesterified fatty acids concentrations did not change in juveniles in the estuary, but total lipid and TAG were depleted in ocean juveniles. As young chinook migrated from freshwater to the ocean, their prey changed progressively in importance from invertebrates to fish larvae. Once in coastal waters, juvenile salmon appear to employ a strategy of rapid growth at the expense of energy reserves to increase survival potential. In 1997, environmental conditions did not impede development: freshwater discharge was above average and water temperatures were only slightly elevated, within the species’ tolerance. Data suggest that chinook salmon from California’s Central Valley have evolved a strong ecological propensity for a ocean-type life history. But unlike populations in the Pacific Northwest, they show little estuarine dependency and proceed to the ocean to benefit from the upwelling-driven, biologically productive coastal waters.

Physiological Ecology Of 2 Populations Of Mytilus-Edulis-L

Seasonal cycles in the rates of oxygen consumption, feeding, absorption efficiency and ammonia-nitrogen excretion in two populations of Mytilus edulis were measured in the field under ambient conditions and related to body size, the gametogenic cycle, the concentration of suspended particulate matter in the water and temperature. Relationships between the various physiological variables are also considered and protein and energy budgets estimated. Both the “scope for growth” and the “relative maintenance cost” were seasonally variable, demonstrating a minimum capacity for growth in the winter and a maximum capacity in the summer. In one population subjected to abnormally high temperatures in the winter the scope for growth was negative for four or five months between January and May. These population differences are discussed and the potential for using physiological integrations in intra-specific comparisons of fitness is identified.

Physiological Ecology and Reproductive Effort in a Migratory Seabird

Fluctuations of food availability, habitat quality, and environmental conditions throughout the year have been implicated in the breeding success and survival of migratory birds. Levels of circulating corticosterone, the hormone involved in energy balance and the stress response in birds, are also affected by fluctuations in these variables, and also play a role in self-maintenance and survival. In addition to changes in behaviors and resource allocation, the metabolic effects of corticosterone increase the amount of free radicals in the body, which can cause oxidative stress and damage lipids and DNA. In this thesis, I assessed if diet and physiology during the breeding and non-breeding seasons contributed to the reproductive success, survival, and oxidative stress of a long-lived migratory seabird, Leach’s storm-petrel (Oceanodroma leucorhoa). I tested the hypotheses that 1.) diet and physiology throughout the breeding and non-breeding seasons predict reproductive effort; and 2.) corticosterone affects telomere length, a measure of oxidative damage. Through analyses of stable isotopes, corticosterone, and antioxidant capacity, I found that although there was variation in these measures of diet and physiology within the population, none of these factors during the breeding or non-breeding seasons correlated with reproductive effort or success. I also found that feather and plasma corticosterone did not predict telomere length. The life history strategies of Leach’s storm-petrels appear to be complex, and many factors likely contribute to self-maintenance and the decision to breed. Long-term monitoring of these variables may help identify relationships between trends in oceanographic variables during both the breeding and non-breeding seasons with reproductive effort and success, and survival.

Telomeres: Linking stress and survival, ecology and evolution.

Telomeres are protective structures at the ends of eukaryotic chromosomes. The loss of telomeres through cell division and oxidative stress is related to cellular aging, organismal growth and disease. In this way, telomeres link molecular and cellular mechanisms with organismal processes, and may explain variation in a number of important life-history traits. Here, we discuss how telomere biology relates to the study of physiological ecology and life history evolution. We emphasize current knowledge on how telomeres may relate to growth, survival and lifespan in natural populations. We finish by examining interesting new connections between telomeres and the glucocorticoid stress response. Glucocorticoids are often employed as indices of physiological condition, and there is evidence that the glucocorticoid stress response is adaptive. We suggest that one way that glucocorticoids impact organismal survival is through elevated oxidative stress and telomere loss. Future work needs to establish and explore the link between the glucocorticoid stress response and telomere shortening in natural populations. If a link is found, it provides an explanatory mechanism by which environmental perturbation impacts life history trajectories.

Ecology and physical condition of red deer in the Iberian Peninsula: implications for management

The red deer (Cervus elaphus) is currently one of the most widespread and abundant wild ungulates in the Iberian Peninsula and is extremely important both ecologically, as a key species for the functioning of the ecosystems, and economically, as a major game species. In Iberia, red deer populations are subjected to different management systems that may affect the physical condition of the individuals, with further consequences for population dynamics. Studies investigating the effects of management practices and environmental conditions on the performance of red deer are still rare regarding Mediterranean ecosystems. Much of the knowledge concerning the ecology of red deer and the impact of management on its physical condition is based on studies conducted in northern and central regions of Europe, where climatological features and management practices differ from those observed in the Mediterranean areas of Iberia. Studies on a biogeographical scale can provide important insights into the relationships between species and a particular environment and contribute to the development of more targeted and appropriate management practices. The optimisation of sampling procedures and the fine-tuning of pre-existing analytical techniques are also fundamental to a more cost-effective monitoring and, therefore, are of enormous value to wildlife managers. In this context, the main aims of this thesis were: 1) to optimise the procedures used to assess the physical condition of red deer; and 2) to identify relevant management and environmental factors affecting the nutritional condition and stress physiology of red deer in the Mediterranean ecosystems of Iberia, as well as any potential interactions between those factors. Two studies with a methodological focus, presented in the first part of the thesis, demonstrated that the physical condition of red deer can be evaluated more simply, using more cost- and time-effective procedures than those traditionally used: i) it was shown that only one kidney and its associated fat is enough to assess nutritional condition in red deer; and ii) the feasibility of using near infrared spectroscopy to predict the concentrations of stress hormone metabolites was demonstrated using faeces of red deer for the first time. Subsequently, two large-scale observational studies, conducted in representative red deer populations found in Mediterranean Iberia, highlighted the importance of considering seasonal environmental variations and variables related to hunting management practices to better understand the nutritional and physiological ecology of red deer. High population densities had adverse effects on the nutritional condition of the deer and were associated with increased stress levels in natural populations without supplementary feeding. Massive hunting events involving the use of hounds were also identified as a potential source of chronic stress in red deer. The research presented in this thesis has clear implications regarding the management and monitoring of red deer populations in Mediterranean environments and is intended to help wildlife managers to implement more effective monitoring programmes and sustainable management practices.

The efficiency of bounding vampires

Vampire bats, Desmodus rotundus, must maximize their feeding cycle of one blood meal per day by being efficient in the stalking and acquisition of their food. Riskin and Hermanson documented the running gait of the common vampire bat and observed they were efficient at running speeds, using longer stride lengths and thus decreased stride frequency. We obtained preliminary data on gait maintained for up to 10 minutes on a moving treadmill belt at speeds ranging from 0.23 to 0.74 m/s, which spanned a range from walking to running gaits. Bats tended to transition between gaits at about 0.40 m/s. Fourteen bats were studied and included four that were able to walk or run for 10 minutes. There was no significant change in either stride duration or frequency associated with an increase in speed. We estimated O2 consumption and CO2 production both before and 5 minutes after exercise, and found that O2 consumption increased 1 minute and 5 minutes after exercise. CO2 levels increased significantly 1 minute after exercise, but tended back towards pre-exercise level 5 minutes after exercise. Two bats were tested for blood O2, CO2 and pH levels. Interestingly, pH levels fell from 7.3 to about 7.0, indicating lactate accumulation.

半干旱区典型植物对气候变化与C02浓度升高的响应与适应

1.羊草对土壤水分的响应与适应 羊草生物量随着土壤水分含量的降低逐渐降低，后期的降低幅度远远大于前期。干旱促进鞘分配增加，增加了在处理初期的根的分配，但到后期则使之减少，表明羊草在经历较长期的持续干旱后通过增加根部的比重来提高抗旱性的能力逐渐降低。轻度(LD)、中度干旱(MD)对羊草叶片相对含水量(RWC)、气孔密度、光合参数、荧光猝灭参数和群体日交换速率无显著影响，但严重土壤干旱使它们显著降低。 羊草叶片的可溶性蛋白质以中度干旱的最高，严重干旱(SD)特别是极严重干旱(VD)使之显著降低，游离氨基酸含量(FAA)的变化与之相似。随着土壤水分含量的降低硝酸还原酶(NR)活性逐渐下降，而谷氨酰胺酶合成酶(GS)的活性变化则是LD和MD使之分别增加了25.75%和12.22%，SD和VD则分别减少了8.21%和28.72%，说明了NR的活性变化对土壤干旱较敏感，而GS的活性则对适度的干旱有一定程度的适应性。LD处理没有增加天冬酰胺酶(AE)和内肽酶(EP)两种酶的活性，但MD、SD和VD使两种水解酶的活性显著增加，说明轻度土壤干旱对蛋白质和氨基酸的分解作用有稍降低作用，但随着土壤干旱程度的加剧，又极大地促进了这个分解过程。严重和极严重土壤干旱显著降低了叶片的总核酸含量和RNA的含量，暗示严重程度的土壤水分胁追限制了核酸的合成代谢，加强了其分解代谢，严重土壤干旱还显著增加了丙二醛(MDA)的含量，说明提高了羊草叶片叶肉细胞的膜质过氧化水平。 2.羊草对土壤干旱和复水的响应与适应 羊草受到适当的干旱驯化可促进生长，但过长时间的干旱处理，复水后未能补偿损失的生物量和叶面积。羊草叶片的气孔密度以中度干旱持续期(Mtd)处理的最高，其次是短期干旱持续期( Std)，二者分别比没有经过土壤干旱的处理（对照）增加了14.90%和3.61%，但长期干旱持续期(Ltd)却使之减少了27.19%，气孔指数亦有类似的趋势。复水增加羊草叶片的光合速率、气孔导度、蒸腾速率，近期复水的激发效应明显大于前期，而对夜晚的呼吸作用影响不显著。水分利用率( WUE)的日变化动态呈“M”字型曲线，以Mtd的WUE值的峰值最大，以三次曲线拟合WUE的24小时日进程最佳。叶绿素荧光动力学的分析结果表明，复水，特别是最近的复水可显著改善羊草叶片的PS II性能，增加叶绿素a，b的含量及其比值，提高碳酸酐酶的活性。 羊草含氮量以叶片的最高(4.40%)，根部的最低(1.99%)，枯叶、茎鞘和根茎的含量差异较小(2.26～4.40%)。所有器官的含氨量对土壤水分处理的响应基本一致，以对照处理的最低，Std的最高。各器官的碳氮比都是以对照的最高，而其它土壤水分处理相差不显著，给于一定时间的土壤干旱处理可使羊草获得较强的氨代谢能力。Std的氮素总拥有量最多，和对照相比，绿叶、枯叶、茎鞘、根茎和根分别提高了35.58、26.88、23.49、31.66、40.75%，而Ltd的含氨总量呈下降趋势，说明短时间的土壤水分干旱处理可明显促进羊草各器官和植株的氮素积累，而较长时间的土壤干旱则不利于氮素的积累。羊草各器官氮素绝对量占整株的百分比从大到小依次为：绿叶(42.42-44.00%)、根茎(20.13—23.69%)、根(15.43～17.18%)、枯叶(10.07～11.30%)和茎鞘(7.27～8.67%)，表明叶片的氮素存量占植株的一半以上。Mtd处理增加了叶片的氮素贡献率，减少了茎鞘和根茎的贡献率，有利于加强叶片的光合性能。 以中度干旱持续期(Mtd)处理的叶片可溶性蛋白质含量、谷氨酰胺合成酶(GS)活性、RNA含量为最高，但中长期的土壤干旱处理再复水后则显著降低了羊草叶片内肽酶(EP)的活性和MDA的含量，说明给于一定时间的土壤干旱处理可使羊草叶片保持较高的蛋白质代谢水平，降低膜脂过氧化水平。 3.羊草对昼夜温差与土壤水分交互作用响应与适应 昼夜温差减少使单株羊草的生物量降低21.3%，分蘖和根的生物量减少，而鞘的生物量稍增加，显著降低了严重和极严重条件下的生物量。温差缩小降低了分蘖和根的投资比例，减少植株的地下部分生物量，而增加新叶、鞘和分蘖光合产物的比例，表明温差的减少将抑制光台产物向地下部分的转移。温差减少对充足土壤水分和轻度干旱处理的放射性比强影响较小，但减少了其它3种干旱处理的放射性比强。其原因主要是减少了植株鞘、根和根茎的放射性比强，显著增加了饲喂叶和心叶的放射性比强，表明温差的缩小阻止了“源”的光合产物向“库”的转移，降低对分蘖和根的投资，不利于羊草对干旱逆境的适应。 昼夜温差缩小使羊草叶片的气孔密度降低4.01%，而且减少了土壤干旱对气孔密度的影响。较高的昼夜温差和较低的昼夜温差相比，羊草叶片的光合速率和WUE分别增加了7.37%和20.09%;而气孔导度、胞间CO2浓度和蒸腾速率分别降低了14.03%、2.57%和10.80%。昼夜温差减少降低了土壤干旱的δ13C值，说明可能减少处在干旱条件下的植株WUE，暗示减小昼夜温差不利于增大羊草叶片对土壤水分亏缺的耐性。昼夜温差的缩小主要影响了下午羊草群体的CO2交换速率，增加了对照、LD和MD处理的夜间呼吸速率，降低了尤其是显著降低了在土壤缺水条件下的CO2昼夜净交换量，而在两个昼夜温差条件下都是以LD的最高。 昼夜温差缩小影响氮素含量在羊草各器官中的氮素分配，降低了叶片和茎鞘中的氮素百分比含量，但增加了根茎和根中的氮素含量。在较小的昼夜温差条件下，LD显著增加了叶片的氮素含量，但其它土壤水分处理影响不显著，在较大的昼夜温差条件下，亦是LD显著增加了叶片的氮素含量，但MD也使其显著增加。昼夜温差缩小增加了叶片和茎鞘的碳氮比，降低了根茎和根的碳氮比，使叶片在中度和严重土壤水分胁迫时无变化，降低了响应于土壤水分变化的调节弹性。 昼夜温差缩小使羊草叶片可溶性蛋白质降低了16.14%。LD和MD显著促进叶片可溶性蛋白质含量增加，SD和VD都显著地降低了羊草叶片的可溶性蛋白质含量。昼夜温差缩小有使羊草叶片游离氨基酸降低的趋势，主要是降低土壤干旱条件下的游离氨基酸含量，虽然昼夜温差缩小稍增加了可溶性耱的含量(4.68%)，但使土壤干旱激发效应变得不显著，表明温差的缩小降低了叶片中渗透调节物质的积累，不利于羊草抗旱性的提高。昼夜温差缩小显著降低了羊草叶片的NR、GS和谷氨酸脱氢酶(GDH)的活性，在较小昼夜温差条件下几乎看不出土壤水分降低的激发效应，而在高温差下则明显看出LD的激发效应。昼夜温差减少加强土壤干旱对天冬酰胺酶和内肽酶活性的影响，加强了蛋白质和关键氨基酸的分解作用，提高了叶片的膜脂过氧化水平，不利于羊草对干旱的适应性响应。 在土壤水分充足条件下，昼夜温差缩减对羊草叶片气孔形态的影响不明显，但可以看出温差较大时有较多的星状蜡质覆于气孔表面及其周围，这可能是由于夜间温度升高后植物为了减少水分的散失而采取的一种适应性策略。在本实验条件下，中度和严重土壤水分胁迫使气孔变得更加凹陷，气孔更加坚挺，体现了对土壤干旱的适应性反应。对羊草叶片叶肉细胞超微结构的观察表明，昼夜温差对土壤水分充足时的超微结构影响不显著，但在严重土壤干旱条件下，昼夜温差缩减似乎减少了叶绿体中的淀粉粒，加速了叶绿体和线粒体膜的裂解，表明昼夜温差缩减加大了严重土壤干旱对羊草叶片叶肉细胞超微结构的负面影响。 4.羊草对温度和土壤水分交互作用的响应与适应 温度升高使羊草叶片气孔导度和蒸腾速率增加，使光合速率(A)和水分利用率( WUE)降低。土壤干旱和高温均导致最大光化学效率、量子产额和光化学荧光猝灭系数降低，使非光化学荧光猝灭系数升高。土壤干旱减少了羊草幼苗的生物量，却显著增加了根的贡献率和根冠比，而高温使二者显著地降低。在本实验条件下，直到极端干旱才显著降低了羊草叶片的A和WUE，而其他的水分处理影响不显著。土壤干旱使得叶片中的含氮量显著降低：温度对叶片氮含量无显著影响，但却显著地降低了根中的氮含量，尤其显著增加根与叶片氮含量的比率。高温加强了干旱对光合性能的影响，表明高温降低了羊草对干旱的适应能力。 温度过低或过高都对叶片保持高水平的可溶性蛋白质不利，温度过高还削弱了土壤水分亏缺对叶片中游离氨基酸的激发作用。水分梯度对20℃时的GS活性无显著影响，但LD促使26℃和29'C下的GS活性增加，MD以上强度的土壤干旱都显著降低了23℃以上温度尤其是29℃和32℃时的GS活性，表明高温和干旱的协同效应对谷氨酰胺的合成不利。高温增加了AE和EP的活性，加强了土壤干旱对羊草叶片蛋白质和氨基酸分解的促进作用，在一定的土壤水分条件下，高温对RNA的合成作用增强，认为这是对高温胁迫的一种适应性响应。 随着温度的升高羊草叶片中的可溶性糖含量逐渐增加，土壤干旱亦增加了其可溶性糖的含量，但至极端干旱时则使之降低。在20℃下，土壤水分对羊草叶片的可溶性糖的含量无显著影响，在23—32℃温度条件下则是土壤干旱增加了其值，但至VD时则使之显著降低。不同温度条件下，土壤水分对羊草叶片的MDA影响不同，在20℃下，无显著影响，在23和26℃下，SD和VD使MDA稍升高，但在29和32℃条件下使之显著增加，说明温度升高加强了土壤干旱所引发的增加叶片膜质过氧化水平的负面影响。 5.柠条和杨柴对CO2浓度倍增和土壤水分交互作用的响应与适应 土壤干旱使拧条和杨柴的生物量在倍增CO2浓度条件下比在正常浓度条件下降低幅度更大。CO2浓度倍增较大地促进了充足水分条件下的植物生长，而对干旱条件下的生长促进作用则较小。无论在中度条件下还是在严重干旱条件下，两种优势植物均是在倍增CO2浓度条件下增加的根冠比幅度较大;无论在中度条件下还是在严重干旱条件下，且无论正常CO2浓度条件下还是在倍增CO2浓度条件下均是杨柴增加的幅度大。CO2浓度倍增主要增加了水分充足和MD的单位叶面积质量(LMA)，但反而降低了严重干旱的LMA。 CO2倍增使δ13C降低，但土壤干旱使之增加。用“库”（根）中的δ13C值对“源”（叶片）中的δ13C作图，可以用以评价碳分配以及“库”中新增生物量，两种沙生灌木叶片与根部的δ13C值呈极显著线性关系，杨柴的斜率大于柠条的，表明前者叶片与根部在光合产物分配上具有较高的可塑性，这和干旱条件下杨柴的根冠比增加相关联。杨柴的“源库”调节特性反映了对逆境具有较高的耐性。 CO2倍增使柠条和杨柴叶片含氮量分别降低了10.40%和5.06%，土壤干旱有使柠条叶片含氮量增加的趋势，但中度干旱没有增加羊柴叶片的含氮量。CO2倍增使叶片的碳氮比显著增加，而干旱使之降低。CO2浓度倍增降低叶肉细胞质膜的过氧化产物MDA的含量，干旱亦使叶片的MDA含量增加。叶片含氮量与MDA呈显著正相关，表明CO2倍增有保护叶片免受土壤干旱的作用，但干旱的负面影响是CO2倍增效应所难以弥补的。 CO2倍增降低了柠条叶片的可溶性蛋白质的含量，但在干旱条件下降低幅度较小，说明CO2浓度升高条件下可减轻干旱影响叶片中可溶性蛋白质的强度，体现了CO2浓度倍增对植物的抗旱性有利的一面。CO2浓度倍增使土壤水分充足条件下的柠条叶片中游离氨基酸含量降低17.24%，却使SD条件下增加10.78%，表明土壤干旱导致的叶片游离氨基酸含量的增加平衡了CO2升高造成的降低。在充足土壤水分和MD条件下，CO2浓度倍增对核酸总含量和RNA含量有稀释效应，但严重干旱条件下，CO2倍增提高了核酸总含量和RNA的含量。