Morphological variations of Macrocystis pyrifera in the Falkland Islands in relation to environment and season

Some morphological characteristics of the giant kelp Macrocystis pyrifera in the Falkland Islands were studied from December 1985 until March 1987 in a shallow and relatively sheltered coastal zone and from December 1985 until January 1987 in a deeper offshore field exposed to swells. Seasonal fluctuations in lamina wet weight, density and form as well as pneumatocyst wet weight form and stipe density (i.e., wet weight per unit length) paralleled fluctuations in frond wet weight. Morphological differences between canopies of the giant kelp in the coastal zone and the offshore bed were probably mainly due to differences in water movement and depth between the two sites. Laminae and pneumatocysts of submersed-frond sites had different shapes than those of canopy-forming portions of fronds at the same sites, and their internodes were longer.     

Growth and utilization of internal nitrogen reserves by the giant kelp Macrocystis pyrifera in a low-nitrogen environment

An adult giant kelp plant (Macrocystis pyrifera), moved from an inshore kelp forest to an offshore, low-nitrogen environment near Santa Catalina Island, California (USA), maintained growth for 2 wk on internal nitrogen reserves. Frond elongation rates decreased significantly during the third week, and plant growth rate (wet wt) dropped from an initial inshore rate of 3.6 to 0.9% d^-1. During this 3 wk period, nitrogen contents and free amino acid concentrations decreased, while mannitol and dry contents increased in frond tissues. After depletion of internal nitrogen reserves, the nitrogen content of lamina and stipe tissues averaged 1.1 and 0.7% dry wt, respectively. The experimental plant was exposed to higher ambient nitrogen concentrations during the last 2 wk. Rates of frond elongation and plant growth increased, but nitrogen content and amino acids in frond tissues remained low. Of the total nitrogen contained in frond tissue of the plant before transplantation, 58% was used to support growth in the absence of significant external nitrogen supply. Amino acids constituted a small proportion of these internal nitrogen reserves. Net movement of nitrogen occurred within large fronds, but not between different frond size classes. The nitrogen content of holdfast tissue remained relatively constant at 2.4% dry wt and accounted for 18 to 29% of the total nitrogen. Holdfast nitrogen was not used to support growth of nitrogen-depleted fronds. In comparison to Laminaria longicruris, which is adapted to long seasonal periods of low nitrogen availability, M. pyrifera has small nitrogen-storage capacity. However, internal reserves of M. pyrifera appear adequate to make nitrogen starvation uncommon in southern California kelp forests.     

An annual carbon budget for the kelp Laminaria longicruris

Oxygen evolution and uptake by whole thalli of the large marine alga Laminaria longicruris de la Pylaie were measured for 24 h, once every 2 weeks for a year, using large chambers to incubate the plants on the sea bed. Diel rates of photosynthesis and respiration were calculated from these measurements and continuous light measurements were used to extrapolate the data between observation dates. The resulting estimates were combined with measurements of growth and carbon content to give an annual carbon budget for a typical mature plant. Annual net assimilation was 6.8 mgC per cm² of frond surface (71 cal cm^-2). Approximately 45% of this appeared in the production of new frond tissue, and a further 12% was accounted for by storage of carbon in mature frond tissue. About 8% was needed for stipe growth, and the remaining 35% was assumed to be lost as dissolved organic carbon. Diel net photosynthetic rates reached a maximum in June and July and were negative only in November, indicating an ability to produce a photosynthetic surplus throughout winter. In early winter the plants drew on stored reserves to supplement photosynthesis in providing carbon for growth, but from January onwards photosynthesis provided more than enough carbon for growth.     

Allocation of organic material and energy to the holdfast,stipe, and fronds inPostelsia palmaeformis (Phaeophyta: Laminariales) on the California coast

Postelsia palmaeformis were collected from the lower intertidal at Pigeon Point, California, USA, in May 1987, and the proximate composition and allocation of energy to the various body components were determined. The holdfast and stipe have a proximate composition (% dry weight) of ca. 40% ash, 5.3% protein, 1% lipid, 2% soluble carbohydrate, and 55% insoluble carbohydrate. The fronds have a proximate composition of ca. 25% ash, 6.5% protein, 2% lipid, 3% soluble carbohydrate, and 65% insoluble carbohydrate. The energetic level was ca. 12 kJ g^-1 dry wt and ca. 19 kJ g^-1 ash-free dry wt. The relative proportion of three plant components varied, comprising 26, 39, and 35% wet wt and 20, 42, and 38% kJ for the holdfast, stipe, and fronds, respectively. A plant with a basal stipe diameter of 33 mm contains 114 g wet wt and 266 kJ. The maximal density found in May 1987 was 826 plants, 49 301 g wet wt, and 106 157 kJ m^-2.P. palmaeformis differs in these characteristics from another intertidal pheophyte,Durvillaea antarctica, that is found in a high-energy intertidal zone.     

Clonal extent,apical dominance and networking features in the phalanx angiosperm <Emphasis Type="Italic">Zostera noltii</Emphasis> Hornem.

Disaggregating seagrass meadows and studying its components separately (clones, ramets, shoots) can provide us insights on meadow dynamics and growth patterns. The clonal growth, dependent upon clonal rules may regulate and impose constraints to plant architecture and, therefore, determine how individual clones evolve into the environment. In order to investigate the relationship between clonal growth rules and clone architecture, the belowground network architecture of single-clones of the seagrass Zostera noltii was studied. Networks were traced in situ after washing out the overlying sediment, and network characteristics were measured using digital analysis: area covered by clone, total rhizome length, type of rhizomatic axes (main, secondary, tertiary, quaternary), number and length of the internodes, branching angles and branching frequencies. This approach revealed that Z. noltii is able to develop into large clones integrating up to 300 internodes, 676 cm of rhizome, 208 shoots and 4,300 cm² of plant area. Internodal length depended on both, the distance to the apical shoot (time effect) and the axes type (apical dominance effect). However, average branching angle was independent of axis type (average 58.3 ± 0.75), but varied significantly depending on the distance from the apical shoot. This average branching angle allows Z. noltii maximize the rate of centrifugal expansion, maintaining a high density in colonized areas to produce close stands but also minimizing the investment in belowground biomass and ramets overlapping. The clonal architecture of Z. noltii seems to be regulated by the interaction of both, apical dominance strength and clonal integration distance. Moreover, clonal growth rules and growth pattern seem to constrain clonality through (clonal) plant architecture regulations (i.e. branching is restricted in secondary axes, similar average branching angles regardless the axes, the higher the distance to the apex the higher the number of internodes in secondary axes, shorter internodes in secondary and tertiary axes). Future research efforts should focus on how these complex relationships between apical dominance and clonal integration interact to elucidate the temporal (seasonal) and spatial scales of both processes and the outcome at the plant architectural level.     

Development and phenology of Ecklonia radiata at two depths in Goat Island Bay,New Zealand

Ecklonia radiata (C. Ag.) J. Ag. growing in Goat Island Bay, New Zealand produced up to 6 kg dry weight of tissue m^-2 yr^-1 in dense populations at 7-m depth. Half this tissue and an unknown amount of exudates were sloughed or torn off. Tissue production at 15 m was 0.3 to 0.5 kg m^-2 yr^-1. At this depth the plants grew only half as fast as in shallow water and the population density was decreased. Approximately 20% by weight of tissue produced at 7 m and 10% of that at 15 m was reproductive tissue. At both depths the elongation rate and percentage of water in stipes varied with stipe size. Initial sorus formation was related to plant size and not to age. Seasonal fluctuations in growth rate, haptera formation, frond size and sporulation were delayed in plants in deeper water.     

多环芳烃在水稻植株中的分布

采集了天津东丽区幼穗期、蜡熟期和枯熟期的水稻植株样品,研究了多环芳烃在其不同器官中的分布.研究结果表明,水稻根中PAH15含量在幼穗期之后不断增加,至枯熟期达到土壤浓度的3倍.茎叶中PAH15含量则从幼穗期到枯熟期呈现逐渐下降的一般趋势,且穗梗含量高于稻茎,第一叶含量高于下叶.水稻籽实成熟期间生物量迅速增加,其增速高于PAH15累积,这样的稀释作用造成表观浓度的下降.水稻地上部分各器官PAH15含量与脂含量之间具有显著的正相关关系.图5参12     

不同底质和透明度下马来眼子菜的表型可塑性研究

马来眼子菜(Potamogeton malaianusMiq.)是目前太湖沉水植物优势种之一。文章比较分析了3种不同底质和透明度情况下马来眼子菜的生长特征,探索其在太湖不断扩展的原因及其适应性。分别选取粘土质粉砂、粉砂和下蜀黄土底质上生长的马来眼子菜进行观察试验。结果表明,这3种底质在粒度组成、营养盐和分布特征上具有显著差异。在太湖粘土质粉砂和粉砂底质上马来眼子菜的生物量比下蜀黄土底质上的马来眼子菜高,其生物量随着底质营养盐的增加而增加。马来眼子菜与觅光相关的形态指标,如高度、节间距、节数、叶数、叶长及叶面积均随着底质营养盐的增加而显著增加。马来眼子菜的冠层高度与水体的透明度呈显著负相关,表明其对剧烈变化的湖泊光环境具有很强的适应能力。马来眼子菜在不同底质上的形态可塑性是其优先占据湖泊资源成为优势种的重要原因。     

The effects of burial by sand on survival and growth of Pitcher’s thistle (Cirsium pitcheri) along lake huron

Greenhouse experiments were conducted to determine the effects of sand burial on survival and growth of seedlings ofCirsium pitcheri. In 1992–1993, seedlings were buried to depths of 0, 25, 50, 75, and 100% of their height while in 1993–1994, the seedlings were buried to depths of 0, 4 cm (single burial), 4 cm (repeated burial of 1 cm every 8 days), 8 cm (single burial) and 8 cm (repeated burial of 2 cm every 8 days). Several physiological traits, net photosynthetic rate, chlorophyll a∶b ratio, leaf area, number and length of leaves, number of internodes, amount of tillering, and biomass, were measured. The results showed that all seedlings died in the complete (100%) burial, 20% died in the 75% burial and none died in the 0, 25 and 50% burial treatments. Burial of seedlings to a depth of 25% stimulated their growth but 75% burial significantly decreased the total dry weight. Repeated burial treatments exhibited significantly greater stimulation of growth than single burial. Surviving seedlings grew through the sand deposit by elongating the stem and leaf petioles, increasing the number of nodes and the length of internodes. This elongation occurred at the expense of development of the root system indicating that available energy was re-allocated to above-ground parts.     

水位变化对三峡库区低位狗牙根种群的影响

2009年调查研究了三峡库区长寿段消落带的狗牙根（Cynodon dactylon L．）种群,探讨了库区水位变化对低位狗牙根种群的影响。结果表明,156m处狗牙根地下茎的总茎长、总茎节数和总茎节数／总茎长大于150m处的狗牙根,分别比后者多20．3％、30．1％、11．3％;而其地下茎的总芽数／总茎长、萌芽数和萌芽率分别比后者低7．5％、34．3％、74．9％。同时,156m处狗牙根分株的株数、茎长、叶宽、叶长低于150m处的狗牙根,分别比后者少了26．2％、10．8％、19．0％、37．9％;其茎节数、茎节数／茎长、叶片数、根长较大,分别比后者增加了18．7％、34．2％、10．0％、22．6％。156m处狗牙根植株分株的鲜质量、干质量、鲜质量／总鲜质量、干质量／总干质量分别比150m处的狗牙根低32．5％、13．2％、18．2％和14．2％;其地下茎的鲜质量、干质量、鲜质量／总鲜质量、干质量／总干质量分别比后者高5．8％、17．5％、27．2％、15．2％;且前者的分株、地下茎和根的干鲜质量比均分别比后者高29．6％、12．5％和17．6％。表明,库区水位变化显著促进了150m处狗牙根地下茎茎节伸长、芽形成、芽萌发和分株的生长。因而,低位狗牙根对库区水位变化具有较强的适应能力。     

Demographic variation in the kelp<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Laminaria hyperborea</Emphasis> along a latitudinal gradient

We compared populations of Laminaria hyperborea from different regions along the Norwegian coast (58–71°N). The aim of the study was to examine possible regional differences in population demography and to relate these to latitudinal gradients in ambient temperature and light. A number of population parameters were examined in understory and canopy kelp individuals. We found latitudinal differences in stipe growth rate and growth pattern, mortality, longevity, recruitment and density. Stipe growth rate was higher for young individuals in mid-Norway than in south and north Norway. Mean stipe length was related to temperature and light, and correlated significantly with indices combining temperature during the growth season and daylength in summer. Mortality decreased and longevity increased with increasing latitude, probably because of a temperature decrease with increasing latitude and a general reduction in metabolic rate. Greater longevity may also cause the observed decrease in recruitment rate with increasing latitude, since there are fewer opportunities for understory individuals to replace dead canopy individuals. The development of particularly large kelp in mid-Norway appears to be explained by high growth rates and not a particularly long life span, as earlier assumed. This has consequences for decisions of the optimal harvesting regime for the species in the region, with regard to yield and maintenance of associated biodiversity.Communicated by M. Kühl, Helsingør     

Seasonal variation in total and soluble tissue nitrogen of Pleurophycus gardneri (Phaeophyceae: Laminariales) in relation to environmental nitrate

Seasonal variations in tissue nitrogen (ethanol soluble nitrate and ninhydrin positive substances, as well as total nitrogen) of different thallus parts of Pleurophycus gardneri Setchell and Saunders were monitored simultaneously with ambient seawater nitrate from 1982 until 1984 in Bamfield, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada. A trend of low, nearly zero levels in ambient nitrate typical for the area in late spring and early summer normally contrasts with average nitrate concentrations of 10 mol NO₃ ^- l^-1 in late fall and winter. Total nitrogen content was greater in the perennial thallus parts, stipe and holdfast than in the annual blade and peaked in fall and early winter. The longitudinal thallus distribution of nitrate revealed a distinct and significant concentration of nitrate in the haptera reaching at maximum 8% nitrate-N of the internal total nitrogen. Internal nitrate concentration ranged from 20 to 5 000 times the ambient nitrate concentration in the midrib, and from 40 to 3 100 times in the wing, while the range was greatest with 400 to 14 000 times in the haptera. P. gardneri contained at most about 7 mol NO₃ ^- g fresh wt^-1 in the blade, which corresponds to about 6% of total tissue nitrogen. Ninhydrin positive substances comprised the major portion of the soluble N pool in P. gardneri and showed a pronounced seasonality. Concentrations of ninhydrin positive substances ranged from 20 to 800 g N g fresh wt^-1 in the midrib and in the wing. In the stipe, ninhydrin positive substances varied from 180 to 2 200 g N g fresh wt^-1, and from 250 to 1 200 g N g fresh wt^-1 in the haptera. Evidence is given that (1) the perennial parts, stipe and haptera of P. gardneri contain the majority of nitrogen products independent of season and ontogenetic stage; (2) ninhydrin positive substances are the most abundant internal nitrogen constituents; (3) the low N values in the blade in summer suggest a nitrogen limited growth; and (4) nitrate may not be the predominant external nitrogen source.     

Behaviour and distribution of the sand-beach amphipod Orchestoidea corniculata

The field distribution of Orchestoidea corniculata Stont a talitrid amphipod inhabiting the upper intertidal zone of sandy beaches, was measured by pitfall trap and subsurface core transects. Variations in the distribution of juveniles and adults were recorded. At Coal Oil Point (Goleta, California, USA), the population was concentrated on the leeward side of the Point and, with increasing distance from the Point, both the number and size of beachhoppers decreased. The amphipods burrowed in a 5 to 7 m wide band during the day, and were active over a 15 to 25 m area at night. When they emerged from their burrows, a net seaward movement of 3 m was observed for the population. Behavioural tests suggested that sand penetrability is an important factor determining the location of burrow sites. Diurnal orientation was investigated, and it was found that the amphipods oriented in a landward direction despite overcast sky conditions, beach slope, moisture gradients, or displacement to a new beach.     

Variation in life-history patterns of the grass shrimp Palaemonetes pugio in two South Carolina estuarine systems

A population of Palaemonetes pugio Holthuis 1949, inhabiting a fairly constant high salinity estuarine environment (North Inlet), exhibited more rapid growth, earlier first reproduction, a smaller clutch size, more fluctuating sex ratio, and shorter life span. A population in a less saline environment (Minim Creek) showed relatively slower growth, delayed first reproduction, larger clutch size, female-dominated sex ratio, and longer life span. Growth in both areas was rapid in summer and slower in winter, with the females growing much larger than the males. Summer generation females first reproduced at the age of 3.5 months in North Inlet and at 4.8 months in Minim Creek. Minim Creek females larger than 30-mm TL carried more eggs than North Inlet females of similar sizes. Life span in North Inlet was calculated to be 6–7 months for the summer generation and 9–10 months for the winter generation; in Minim Creek, the corresponding longevity estimates were 9–10 months and 12–13 months, respectively. Variations in life history patterns are hypothesized to be the results of numerous environmental factors acting differentially on the various life-stages of the organism. The results suggest that the reproductive flexibility of P. pugio enhances its ability to persist in a variety of environments.Contribution no. 426 of the Belle W. Baruch Institute for Marine Biology and Coastal Research     

PBS降解过程对植物发芽和生理特性的影响研究

采用青菜（Green vegetables）和生菜（Romaine lettuce）的种子发芽和室外盆栽实验,通过考察植物的种子发芽、生物量以及叶绿素质量浓度等指标,研究了可生物降解材料聚丁二酸丁二醇酯（PBS）对青菜和生菜发芽和生长过程中生理特性（植株地上鲜、干质量,地下鲜、干质量,株高,根长,叶片数,叶绿素质量浓度）的影响。研究结果表明：（1）土壤中加入PBS有利于青菜种子的发芽,较大幅度的提高了其发芽率、苗长、根长等,并且随着PBS质量分数的增加这种促进作用越发明显,PBS×100处理组的苗长和根长较空白对照组分别增长了12.9%和26.1%;（2）低质量分数的PBS对青菜和生菜的发芽、生长以及叶绿素的合成具有一定的促进作用,但是高质量分数的PBS则会产生轻微的抑制作用。     

Effect of temperature on laboratory growth,reproduction and life span of Octopus bimaculoides

Laboratory culture of 40 Octopus bimaculoides from April 1982 to August 1983 through the full life cycle at 18°C vs 23°C provided information on the growth, reproductive biology and life span of this California littoral octopus. At 18°C, the cephalopods grew from a hatchling size of 0.07 g to a mean of 619 g in 404 d; the largest individual was 872 g. Octopuses cultured at 23°C reached their highest mean weight of 597 g in 370 d; the largest individual grown at this temperature was 848 g after 404 d. Growth data revealed a two-phase growth pattern: a 5 mo exponential phase followed by a slower logarithmic (power function) phase until spawning. At 5 mo octopuses grown at 23°C were over three times larger than their 18°C siblings. However, beyond 6.5 mo, growth rates were no higher at 23°C than at 18°C. At 13.5 mo, the mean weight of the 18°C group surpassed that of the 23°C group. The slope of the length/weight (L/W) relationship was significantly different for the two temperature regimes, with the 23°C octopuses weighing 18% less than their 18°C siblings at a mantle length of 100 mm. Females weighed more than males at any given mantle length. Males grew slightly larger and matured before females. The L/W relationship indicated isometric body growth throughout the life cycle. Higher temperature accelerated all aspects of reproductive biology and shortened life span by as much as 20% (from approximately 16 to 13 mo). O. bimaculoides has one of the longest life cycles among species with large eggs and benthic hatchlings. Extrapolations to field growth are made, and the possible effects of temperature anomalies such as El Niño are discussed.     

Composition of the fish fauna of a permanently open estuary on the southern coast of Australia,and comparisons with a nearby seasonally closed estuary

The fish faunas of the outer basin (Nornalup Inlet), inner basin (Walpole Inlet) and saline region of the main tributary (Frankland River) of the permanently open Nornalup-Walpole Estuary on the southern coast of Western Australia, were sampled bimonthly for a year using seine and gill nets, and also during a further two months by the former method. Although the Nornalup-Walpole Estuary is permanently open, the catches of fish in its shallows were dominated (98.4%) by estuarine-spawning species, thereby paralleling the situation in the nearby and seasonally closed Wilson Inlet. In contrast, larger representatives of several marine species were present in appreciable numbers in the offshore, deeper waters of both of these estuaries. The delayed recruitment of marine species into these estuaries apparently reflects the distance that the juveniles of these species have to travel from the areas where they are believed predominantly to spawn. The larger representatives of marine species made a greater contribution to the fish faunas of the offshore, deeper waters in the Nornalup-Walpole Estuary than in Wilson Inlet (64.5 vs 36.9%) and, unlike the situation in the latter estuary, they included five species of elasmobranchs, two of which (Mustelus antarcticus and Myliobatis australis) were relatively abundant. Classification and ordination of the combined data for both estuaries demonstrated that the composition of the fish fauna in the offshore, deeper waters of the outer basin of the Nornalup-Walpole Estuary was particularly distinct, with some marine species being restricted to these waters. This is presumably related both to the presence of a permanently open entrance channel and the relatively deep waters found in Nornalup Inlet, which allow the ready exchange of water between the sea and estuary and the maintenance of high salinities in the deeper regions of the outer basin for much of the year. The fish faunas in Walpole Inlet and the tributaries of both the Nornalup-Walpole Estuary and Wilson Inlet were more similar to each other than they were to those in the more seawards end of either estuary. This similarity reflects the apparent preference of certain teleosts, such as the estuarine species Acanthopagrus butcheri and the marine species Mugil cephalus and Aldrichetta forsteri for reduced salinities and/or features associated with riverine environments.     

Limited evidence for increased cold-tolerance of invasive versus native <Emphasis Type="Italic">Caulerpa taxifolia</Emphasis>

Growth characteristics of native and invasive Caulerpa taxifolia from coastal eastern Australia were compared in warm (22–25°C) and cool (15–18°C) water in two laboratory experiments. Measurements of biomass, stolon length, mean frond length and numbers of fronds and stolon meristems, demonstrated that the growth of native and invasive C. taxifolia in warm water was up to ten times greater than in cool water. Growth rates differed substantially among locations over 9 weeks, but for most variables, the growth of native C. taxifolia was greater than the growth of invasive C. taxifolia in warm water. In cool water, there was little difference in growth of invasive versus native C. taxifolia. The morphology of C. taxifolia changed considerably in response to temperature, such that native and invasive samples that were morphologically distinct at the start of the experiment became indistinguishable after 69 days in warm water. We concluded there was little evidence that the C. taxifolia which recently invaded temperate estuaries in New South Wales could spread faster in cool water than could native C. taxifolia from Queensland. Native tropical C. taxifolia appears tolerant of a wide range of environmental conditions and seems capable of surviving and becoming invasive in temperate estuaries.     

基于复合节间组分关系的结缕草克隆植株形态可塑性特征分析

结缕草Zoysia japonica克隆植株的基本形态学单元是复合节间。分析复合节间组分关系,可以进一步揭示其形态可塑性的细微特征和资源传输与分配的差异,同时也可以为形态可塑性成因提供合理的生理生态学解释。本文对温室内、外两种环境条件下生长的结缕草克隆植株的复合节间组分进行测定和分析,结果表明：温室内、外植株主匍匐茎的长度和生物量的波动比一级分枝大,缩短节间长度比伸长节间长度稳定,但缩短节间生物量较伸长节间生物量变化幅度大。伸长、缩短节间长度、生物量分别与复合节序数呈二次函数关系。伸长、缩短节间生物量和分株生物量在一个生长季的生长方程亦均呈二次函数关系。主匍匐茎根数量、生物量随复合节数递增基本呈递增趋势。在两种环境下,A分株根数、生物量均大于B分株根数、生物量（在结缕草匍匐茎上,着生于每个复合节的基端和梢端缩短节间上的分株分别称为A、B分株）,且差异明显。温室内植株,在分株发育形成后,伸长、缩短节间的长度、生物量分别与匍匐茎根、A分株根数、B分株根数、生物量间相关性显著,温室外的相关性格局较复杂,且总体显著性低于温室内。结缕草克隆植株基本形态结构单元的复合节上的各个组成部分之间存在的密切相关关系,是导致结缕草克隆植物形成形态可塑性的细微特征格局的主要原因。