Sterol production and phytosterol bioconversion in two species of heterotrophic protists, Oxyrrhis marina and Gyrodinium dominans

The kinetics and efficiency of sterol production and bioconversion of phytosterols in two heterotrophic protists Oxyrrhis marina and Gyrodinium dominans were examined by feeding them two different algal species (Rhodomonas salina and Dunaliella tertiolecta) differing in sterol profiles. R. salina contains predominantly brassicasterol (≅99%) and <2% cholesterol. The major sterols in D. tertiolecta are ergosterol (45–49%), 7-dehydroporiferasterol (29–31%) and fungisterol (21–26%). O. marina fed R. salina metabolized dietary brassicasterol to produce 22-dehydrocholesterol and cholesterol. O. marina fed D. tertiolecta metabolized dietary sterols to produce cholesterol, 22-dehydrocholesterol, brassicasterol and stigmasterol. G. dominans fed either R. salina or D. tertiolecta metabolized dietary sterols to make cholesterol, brassicasterol and a series of unknown sterols. When protists were fed R. salina, which contains cholesterol, the levels of cholesterol were increased to a magnitude of nearly 5- to 30-fold at the phytoplankton-heterotrophic protist interface, equivalent to a production of 172.5 ± 16.2 and 987.7 ± 377.7 ng cholesterol per mg R. salina carbon consumed by O. marina and G. dominans, respectively. When protists were fed D. tertiolecta, which contains no cholesterol, a net production of cholesterol by the protists ranged from 123.2 ± 30.6 to 871.8 ± 130.8 ng per mg algal C consumed. Cholesterol is not only the dominant sterol, but a critical precursor for many physiologically functional biochemicals in higher animal. As intermediates, these heterotrophic protists increase the amount of cholesterol at the phytoplankton–zooplankton interface available to higher trophic levels relative to zooplankton feeding on algae directly.     

Age and growth of co-occurring larvae of two flounder species,Rhombosolea tapirina and Ammotretis rostratus

Daily growth increments on otoliths were used to age larvae of the pleuronectid fluonders Rhombosolea tapirina Günther and Ammotretis rostratus Günther, collected from Port Phillip Bay, Victoria, Australia, in winter 1984. Daily formation of growth increments was confirmed for R. tapirina by examining the growth of the marginal increment on otoliths of larvae collected over two 24h periods in winter 1985. The first distinctive growth increment was laid down approximately 5 d after hatching, at the onset of external feeding. Growth of flounder larvae was exponential from an early feeding stage to notochord flexion at approximately 30 d after hatching. The specific growth rate was very similar for the two species, at slightly over 4% of standard length per day. Predicted absolute growth rate of R. tapirina larvae increased from approximately 0.10 mm d^-1 in early feeding larvae to approximately 0.23 mm d^-1 in flexion-stage larvae, compared with 0.12 to 0.28 mm d^-1 for A. rostratus larvae of equivalent ages. Exponential models did not adequately describe growth of first-feeding larvae, which was slower than predicted. Growth in the field was faster than that recorded for the same species in the laboratory at higher water temperatures and prey abundances. Otolith growth accelerated markedly in relation to growth in length at the beginning of metamorphosis, causing a significant alteration in the morphology of growth increments, and eventually leading to the cessation of production of visible increments.     

Methanotrophic symbiont location and fate of carbon incorporated from methane in a hydrocarbon seep mussel

Seep Mytilid Ia (SMIa), an undescribed mussel found at hydrocarbon seeps in the Gulf of Mexico, harbors intracellular methanotrophic symbionts. Two techniques were used to address the hypothesis that host digestion of symbionts is a significant mechanism of carbon transfer from symbiont to host in the SMIa association: lysosomal enzyme cytochemistry and ¹⁴C tissue autoradiography. Acid phosphatase activity was consistently localized in the Golgi apparatus and associated vesicles of gill cells, but was detected around bacteria in only three of approximately 50 bacteriocytes examined. These results indicate that the cellular equipment necessary for lysosomal digestion of symbionts is present in host bacteriocytes, but that acid phosphatase activity in symbiont vacuoles is rare at a given point in time. Tissue autoradiography was conducted with mussels collected in September 1992 to document carbon fixation by symbionts and follow the time course of transfer to host tissues. No asymbiotic host cell type showed a significant increase in relative grain density until at least 1 d after the end of incubation with ¹⁴C-methane. The ratio of label in the basal portion of bacteriocytes to total bacteriocyte label did not show a significant increase until 10 d after the end of the incubation period, indicating a slow increase of labeled carbon in the putative residual bodies, containing the remnants of lysosomal digestion. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that host digestion of symbionts is one route of nutrient acquisition in SMIa. Intracellular methanotrophic bacteria were found outside of the gill in SMIa juveniles, in mantle and foot epithelial tissues previously believed to be symbiont-free. These extra-gill symbionts and their host cells are morphologically similar to their gill counterparts and, like the gill symbionts, actively fix carbon from methane. Received: 29 March 1997 / Accepted: 12 May 1997     

黑斑蛙与非洲爪蟾蝌蚪急性毒性试验方法敏感性的比较

两栖动物蝌蚪急性毒性试验是评价化学品急性毒性的一种方法。以毒死蜱、乙草胺、重铬酸钾和全氟辛烷磺酸盐(PFOS)为测试物,比较了我国本土黑斑蛙(Rana nigromaculata)与国际通用种非洲爪蟾(Xenopus laevis)在蝌蚪急性毒性试验中的敏感性。结果发现：2类蝌蚪分别进行的11次试验中,空白对照组黑斑蛙蝌蚪死亡率(0.9%)远低于非洲爪蟾蝌蚪的死亡率(5.8%);重铬酸钾和PFOS对黑斑蛙蝌蚪的96 h-LC₅₀分别为34.0 mg·L^-1和81.0 mg·L^-1,而对非洲爪蟾蝌蚪的96 h-LC₅₀分别为51.6 mg·L^-1和92.1 mg·L^-1,显示黑斑蛙蝌蚪对这2种化学品的敏感性略高于非洲爪蟾蝌蚪;毒死蜱和乙草胺对黑斑蛙蝌蚪的96 h-LC₅₀分别为0.41 mg·L^-1和4.1 mg·L^-1,而对非洲爪蟾蝌蚪的96 h-LC₅₀分别为0.12 mg·L^-1和3.1 mg·L^-1,显示黑斑蛙蝌蚪对这2种化学品的敏感性略低于非洲爪蟾。鉴于2类蝌蚪对化学品的敏感性存在差异,且黑斑蛙蝌蚪的自然死亡率低,材料更易获得,笔者认为黑斑蛙蝌蚪比非洲爪蟾更适合作为蝌蚪急性毒性试验的材料,用于我国化学品环境管理中的毒性评价。     

食蚊鱼(Gambusia afinis)cat、gapdh和gst基因的克隆及其在生态毒理学中的应用

根据Ensembl、Genbank登录的鱼类cat、gapdh和gst基因的CDS序列设计普通PCR扩增引物,寻找食蚊鱼的cat、gapdh和gst基因的c DNA片段,并根据定量引物设计要求设计出相应的SYBR Green I荧光定量RT-q PCR引物,建立了食蚊鱼cat、gapdh和gst基因的SYBR Green I荧光定量RT-q PCR方法。该方法在104~108数量级范围内有良好线性关系(R=0.999~1.000);熔解曲线显示扩增产物特异性良好,均为单一峰值;质粒标准品最高浓度与最低浓度的批内试验变异系数与批间试验变异系数均低于2%。利用该方法监测和评价环境污染物对水生生物的影响,选择了水体中常见典型药物污染物——双氯芬酸,研究其对食蚊鱼抗氧化基因表达的影响。结果表明,雌性食蚊鱼暴露在不同浓度双氯芬酸钠(0.005、0.05、0.5和5 mg·L-1)24 h后,其肝脏cat、gapdh和gst的mRNA呈现显著变化,相对于对照组,在低浓度0.005 mg·L-1时,cat与gst mRNA的表达量均有极显著上升(p0.01),而其它浓度均极显著下降(p0.01)。试验表明该方法具有快速、精确、灵敏度高的优点,可为利用该类小型鱼类的原位污染物的生物监测和生态毒理评价提供有力的技术支持。     

7种金属离子对中国林蛙和中华大蟾蜍蝌蚪的急性毒性比较研究

为评估Cu2+,Hg2+,Cr6+,Cd2+,Li+,Al3+和Co2+7种金属离子对中国林蛙(Rana Chensinensis)和中华大蟾蜍(Bufo gargarizans)蝌蚪的急性毒性效应,采用生物毒性试验方法对中国林蛙和中华大蟾蜍36期蝌蚪,进行上述7种金属离子的急性毒性试验,分别测定了这7种金属离子对中国林蛙蝌蚪和中华大蟾蜍蝌蚪的半数致死浓度(LC50)。此外,分析了中国林蛙和中华大蟾蜍36期蝌蚪的肥满度、肝指数等形态指标。结果显示,Cu2+、Hg2+、Cr6+、Cd2+、Li1+、Al3+、Co2+对中国林蛙蝌蚪的96h-LC50分别为0.270 mg·L-1、0.803 mg·L-1、2.375 mg·L-1、7.351 mg·L-1、11.273 mg·L-1、17.265 mg·L-1和20.973 mg·L-1。对中华大蟾蜍蝌蚪的96 h-LC50分别0.593 mg·L-1、0.593 mg·L-1、2.827 mg·L-1、2.592 mg·L-1、12.656 mg·L-1、14.020 mg·L-1和57.435 mg·L-1。中国林蛙蝌蚪对Cu2+、Cr6+、Li+、Co6+4种金属离子的敏感性相对较高,而中华大蟾蜍蝌蚪对Hg2+、Cd2+、Al3+3种金属离子的敏感性相对较高。形态指标的差异是中国林蛙与中华大蟾蜍蝌蚪对同一金属离子敏感性差异的原因之一。     

Interspecific comparisons of growth and diet among late larvae of three co-occurring clupeoid species in the Kii Channel,Japan

Growth and diet were compared among larvae of Japanese anchovy Engraulis japonicus, Japanese sardine Sardinops melanostictus and Pacific round herring Etrumeus teres. Compositions of prey items of the three species in the same month showed greater similarity than for the same species in different months. Prey size as well as prey taxa of the three species overlapped considerably with one another. Therefore, interspecific prey competition is likely in the case of limited food availability. The most abundant species tended to change from anchovy to round herring in early winter, from round herring to sardine in late winter and from sardine to anchovy in early spring, indicating a temporal segregation in use of the nursery grounds. Similar seasonal changes in growth rates were observed for the three species. Although interspecific prey competition is likely, the temporal segregation and similar temporal changes in growth rates could favor their coexistence.     

Subcellular distribution and chemical form of Pb in hyperaccumulator Arenaria orbiculata and response of root exudates to Pb addition

Solution culture was conducted in order to understand accumulation characteristics and chemical forms of Pb in Arenaria orbiculata (A. orbiculata) and the response of root exudates to Pb addition. The results showed that: 1) Pb contents in the shoot and root of A. orbiculata increased with increasing in Pb concentrations in solution. 2) The contents of Pb chemical forms under Pb addition followed as: HAc extractable fraction (F_HAC)>HCl extractable fraction (F_HCl)>NaCl extractable fraction (F_NaCl)>ethanol-extractable fraction (F_E)>water extractable fraction (F_W). 3) Increased Pb level in the medium caused increases in Pb contents in the four subcellular fractions of shoots and roots, with most accumulation in FIV (Fraction IV, soluble fraction) in shoots and FI (Fraction I, cell wall fraction) in roots. 4) Contents of soluble sugar and free amino acid of root exudates increased with increasing Pb concentration in solution. Significantly positive correlations between Pb and contents of soluble sugar and free amino acid were observed. 5) With Pb concentrations in solution, low molecular weight organic acids (LMWOAs) contents followed the tendency: tartaric acid>acetic acid>malic acid>citric acid. Significantly positive correlation was observed between Pb and citric acid contents. The results indicate that soluble sugars, free amino acid and citric acid in root exudates of A.orbiculata facilitate the absorption and accumulation of Pb, which exist in NaCl-, HCl- and HAc- extractable Pb forms, FI and FIV fractions, resulting in tolerance of A.orbiculata to Pb.     

壬基酚在蛋白核小球藻和大型溞体内的富集与传递

为探究壬基酚(nonylphenol,NP)在水生生物中的富集传递效应,选择以蛋白核小球藻(Chlorella pyrenoidosa)和大型溞(Daphnia magna)为研究对象,开展蛋白核小球藻对NP的富集效应实验,及NP在蛋白核小球藻和大型溞体内的传递效应实验。研究结果表明,NP对蛋白核小球藻的96 h半数效应浓度(96 h-EC50)为3.13 mg·L~(-1),对蛋白核小球藻的生长和叶绿素含量的影响呈现明显的剂量-时间效应。NP对大型溞的48 h半数效应浓度(48 h-LC50)为37.41μg·L~(-1),属于高毒类化合物。蛋白核小球藻暴露于0.05 mg·L-1NP 4 h后,其生物富集系数(BCF)为5 144.93,富集量为252.2μg·g~(-1),在12 h内对NP的生物富集系数(BCF)最高达12 053.64,富集量为1 181.73μg·g~(-1)。以0.05 mg·L-1NP中暴露4 h后的蛋白核小球藻为饵料投喂大型溞7 d后,大型溞体内NP富集量最高达3.6μg·g~(-1)。0.05 mg·L~(-1)NP直接暴露组大型溞暴露10 d后,大型溞体内NP富集量最高达4.02μg·g~(-1)。蛋白核小球藻对NP具有较强的富集能力,能够通过摄食过程将NP传递到大型溞,经传递的NP能够显著抑制大型溞的生长、繁殖、摄食等生命活动。论文为评估NP在水生生态系统中的污染风险和富集传递效应提供了一定的参考依据。     

Enzyme activities and allozyme polymorphism in two genetic types (or sibling species) of the genus Marenzelleria (Polychaeta: Spionidae) in Europe

Two populations of Marenzelleria spp. from the North Sea and the Baltic Sea that had already been characterized by allozyme electrophoresis and found genetically different in 1994 were again examined in 1997. The genetic identity (I = 1.0) examined in 1994 and 1997 shows that the structures of the populations of genetic Type I in the North Sea (Ringkobing Fjord) and genetic Type II in the Baltic Sea (Darss–Zingst Bodden chain) are stable. Three diagnostic gene loci that were determined additionally (citrate synthase, one locus; alanine aminotransferase, two loci) support the hypothesis of the existence of two sibling species of the genus Marenzelleria in Europe. In addition, the activities of ten electrophoretically separated enzyme systems were measured in the worms immediately after removal from their habitat and after they had been kept in the laboratory for 2 months. Under both conditions four enzymes showed significant differences between genetic types. The higher activity of the alanine aminotransferase of the North Sea worms (Type I) is discussed in the context of the different preferred salinities of the two Marenzelleria sibling species. Received: 21 January 1999 / Accepted: 13 July 1999     

冀东铁矿2种恢复模式植被演替过程中群落结构及生物多样性比较研究

油松（Pinus tabulaeformis）耐低温、干旱和贫瘠,是我国北方温性针叶林中分布最广的森林群落,也是我国北方广大地区最主要的本土造林树种之一,火炬（Rhus typhina Linn.）根萌蘖力强,耐寒、耐旱、耐盐碱,是一种适应周围环境能力极强的外来引入种树种。采用空间代替时间的方法,以冀东铁矿不同年份种植的人工火炬林和人工油松林群落为研究对象,采用样方法进行调查取样,分析了2种恢复模式不同演替阶段群落结构的变化,群落动态,同时采用Pielou均匀度指数、Margalef丰富度指数、Shannon-Wiener多样性指数分析了物种多样性在群落演替过程中的动态变化,在此基础上,对比分析了2种恢复模式在生态效益方面的优劣。主要结果如下：1）短期来看,火炬可以迅速提高植被盖度,增加生物量,但是,长期来看,随着火炬的快速萌集繁殖和林分的郁闭,林下草本急剧减少,形成火炬单优群落,而不能形成稳定的顶级群落。2）短期来看,油松生长缓慢,其生态效益远小于火炬群落,但是油松群落经过11年的演替形成了乔-灌-草3层结构,群落结构逐渐完善。3）演替初期火炬群落优势种以猪毛蒿（Artemisia scoparia）、狗尾草（Setaria viridis）等耐干旱的植物为主,演替后期林下物种迅速减少以至大量消失;油松群落经过11年的恢复,群落草本层植物种数逐渐增大,从一年生先锋植物占优势过渡到以白羊草（Bothriochloa ischaemun）和硬质早熟禾（Poa sphondylodes）为建群种,并出现了黄刺玫（Rosa xanthina）和胡枝子（Lespedeza bicolor）等多年生灌木。4）演替初期Margalef丰富度指数、Pielou均匀度指数和Shannon-Wiener指数表现为：火炬群落﹥油松群落,演替后期则相反,这主要是由群落内种间竞争关系和水热环境的差异造成。4）综合植物群落盖度、物种多样性和群落未来的演替趋势,火炬长期的生态效益远不及油松树种。     

Characteristics of two transferable aminoglycoside resistance plasmids in Escherichia coli isolated from pig and chicken manure

pRKZ3 is a non-conjugative IncQ plasmid, while pKANJ7 is a conjugative IncX plasmid. The optimal mating time of pKANJ7 varied under different conditions. Both of the two transferable ARPs had little impact on the growth of their hosts. A relatively high level of fitness cost was observed for pKANJ7. The fitness cost of ARPs depended on their hosts. Plasmid-mediated antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) have recently become a more prominent concern in the global environment. However, the prevalence of aminoglycoside resistance plasmids in the livestock industry is under reported. In this study, two transferable aminoglycoside resistance plasmids, pRKZ3 and pKANJ7, isolated from pig and chicken manure, were characterized. Results showed that pRKZ3 (8236 bp) is a non-conjugative IncQ plasmid and contains genes encoding for plasmid replication and stabilization (repA, repB and repC), mobilization (mob), and antibiotic resistance (arr-3 and aacA). pKANJ7 (30142 bp) is a conjugative IncX plasmid which codes for a type IV secretion system (T4SS). Conjugative transfer experiments showed that the optimal mating time of pKANJ7 was 8 h under the starvation condition, but the number of tranconjugants increased with time under the nutrient condition. Statistical analysis indicated that the two plasmids had little impact on the growth of their hosts, but a relatively high level of fitness cost due to pKANJ7 was observed. We also found that the fitness cost of plasmids depended on their hosts. Compared with pKANJ7, the relative fitness cost index of pRKZ3 varied within a narrow range during the 10 days of competition. The low level of fitness cost of pRKZ3 might contribute to the persistence of the plasmid in the environment. Our study provides new information for understanding the characterizations of antibiotic resistance plasmids (ARPs) in manure sources and helps to clarify the transfer and persistence of ARPs in the environment following the application of manure.     

北京市大气PM2.5中四种水溶性阴离子的水平变化比较

了解北京市城区和郊区大气细颗粒物中的四种水溶性阴离子F-、Cl-、SO42-、NO3-的浓度水平,并分析影响其水平高低的因素。使用聚四氟乙烯滤膜分别采集北京市城区和郊区大气中的PM2.5,用纯水提取后采用离子色谱法测定水溶性阴离子质量浓度。采样期间北京市大气PM2.5、F-、Cl-、SO42-和NO3-质量浓度几何均数分别为55.36、0.02、0.46、6.72和1.09μg·m-3,四种水溶性阴离子质量浓度总和占PM2.5质量浓度的19.14%;同一季节(春季)郊区监测点大气PM2.5、SO42-和NO3-质量浓度显著高于城区监测点;城区大气PM2.5与四种水溶性阴离子质量浓度秋季高于春季,但差异无统计学意义;大气PM2.5与Cl-、SO42-和NO3-质量浓度均高度相关。Cl-、SO42-、NO3-是北京市大气PM2.5的重要组成成分。     

Tracking Cryptosporidium in urban wastewater treatment plants in a cold region: Occurrence,species and infectivity

• Cryptosporidium in WWTPs in a cold region was investigated in different seasons. • The overall removal efficiency of Cryptosporidium in WWTPs was over 84%. • The infectivity rate declined below 53% in effluents mainly due to disinfection. • The infectivity of Cryptosporidium increased with a seasonal drop in temperature. • Low temperature promotes binding protein retention and virulence genes expression. This study investigated the occurrence, species, infectivity and removal efficiency of Cryptosporidium spp. across typical wastewater treatment train. Samples from different process units were collected seasonally and synchronously from four wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) in Northeastern China. Live Cryptosporidium oocysts were identified in most samples from both influent (97.50%) and effluent (90.00%) wastewaters of the four WWTPs, at an average density of 26.34 and 4.15 oocysts/L, respectively. The overall removal efficiency was 84.25%, and oocysts were mainly removed (62.01%) by the modified secondary sedimentation process. Ten Cryptosporidium species were identified in the effluent samples. C. andersoni, C. bovis, and C. ryanae were the three most prevalent species. Oocyst viability assays indicated no reduction of excystation rate during the primary and secondary wastewater treatments (varied in the range of 63.08%–68.50%), but the excystation rate declined to 52.21% in the effluent after disinfection. Notably, the Cryptosporidium oocysts showed higher infection intensity in the cold season (winter and spring) than that in summer and autumn. The influences of environmental temperature on virulence factors of Cryptosporidium were further examined. It was observed that more extracellular secretory proteins were bound on the oocyst surface and several virulence genes were expressed relatively strongly at low temperatures, both of which could facilitate oocyst adhesion, invasion, and host immune evasion. This research is of considerable interest since it serves as an important step towards more accurate panoramic recognition of Cryptosporidium risk reduction in WWTPs, and especially highlights the potential health risk associated with Cryptosporidium in cold regions/seasons.     

Levels of plasma B-esterases and glutathione-S-transferase activities in three South American toad species

We determined the normal levels of butyrylcholinesterase (BChE), carboxylesterase (CbE), and glutathione S-transferases (GST) activities in three South American toad species in order to establish reference values for field pesticide monitoring purposes. Interspecies variations in B-esterase and GST activities were examined according to body mass. In addition, comparative inhibition of BChE and CbE activities using malaoxon, and chemical reactivation of malaoxon-inhibited BChE activity using pyridine-2-aldoxime methochloride (2-PAM) were investigated. Bufo fernandezae had average activity values for BChE: 17.31 mmol min^?1 ml^?1; CbE: 621.49 nmol min^?1 ml^?1 and GST: 1.94 mmol min^?1 ml^?1 while B. arenarum enzymatic average activities were BChE: 9.51 mmol min^?1 ml^?1; CbE: 270.07 nmol min^?1 ml^?1, and GST: 1.59 mmol min^?1 ml^?1; finally Bufo schneideri had enzymatic mean values of BChE: 2.08 mmol min^?1 ml^?1; CbE: 301.95 nmol min^?1 ml^?1, and GST: 1.60 mmol min^?1 ml^?1. Moreover, we found an allometric relationship between plasma BChE and CbE activities and body size for the three toad species. We suggest that B. fernandezae would be the species with a higher tolerance capacity to organophosphorous insecticides compared to the other toad species, while B. schneideri may be the most vulnerable toad species to field pesticide exposure, although some other factors (e.g., brain AChE sensitivity or pesticide metabolism by phosphotriesterases) should be also taken into account. The malaoxon-inhibited BChE activity of the three toad species was reactivated in the presence of 2-PAM, and it is recommended as a specific and sensitive methodology in the assessment of field exposure to OP insecticides together to compare BChE activity levels between OP-exposed and nonexposed individuals.     

Territory quality and territorial behavior in two sympatric species of hummingbirds

Summary Changes in territorial behavior of blackchinned hummingbirds (Archilochus alexandri) in response to experimental changes in territory quality were investigated using artificial feeders and simultaneous, pair-wise observations of owners. Some of the responses of A. alexandri were similar to those documented by a previous study of the Anna's hummingbird (Calypte anna): A. alexandri defending rich territories spent more time on their territories, encountered a greater percentage of intruders, and chased more intruders than did A. alexandri defending poor territories. In contrast to C. anna, A. alexandri supplemented chases with energetically inexpensive threat vocalizations more extensively when territory quality was increased. This difference may be related to A. alexandri's more tenuous control of rich territories. When both species were observed on very poor territories, A. alexandri chased a greater percentage of intruders, consumed a greater proportion of available food, and obtained a greater net energy gain from their territories. When observed simultaneously on territories with ad lib food, both species defended highly exclusive territories but A. alexandri suffered higher intrusion pressure and spent more time and energy in defense. These interspecific differences in territorial behavior may facilitate sympatric coexistence of the two species through aggressive partitioning of flower patches according to productivity: the greater payoff received by C. anna on rich territories and A. alexandri on poor territories should favor a corresponding monopolization of rich areas by C. anna and poor areas by A. alexandri.     

不同大气污染区林木根区土壤重金属和酶活性研究

黄埔区是广州市污染较严重的地区,其中林木也受到了大气等污染物的危害。林木根区的土壤重金属和酶活性是探讨污染对林木影响机制和反映污染程度的重要指标。作者分别在该区的石化厂、硫酸厂附近林地和非污染的华南农业大学校园(对照)共3个区选择了台湾相思、马尾松、尾叶桉和荔枝4个树种、11个采样点,共采集了33个供试土壤样品,分析了林木根区土壤重金属(Cu、Zn、Pb、Cd)全量、有效量和土壤酶(脲酶、过氧化氢酶、酸性磷酸酶和蛋白酶)活性。结果表明,(1)石化厂重金属含量总体上与对照区差异不大,而硫酸厂区重金属含量则显著地高于对照区,污染严重。(2)不同调查区根区土壤酶活性存在显著差异,各调查区平均土壤酶活性大小顺序基本上表现为:对照区>石化厂区>硫酸厂区,尤其是硫酸厂区显著地低于对照区;而同一调查区不同树种之间的酶活性也存在差异,台湾相思根区土壤脲酶的活性均比其它树种高;从酶活性看,在硫酸厂严重污染胁迫下,台湾相思比尾叶桉更耐污染。(3)对土壤重金属含量和酶活性进行典型相关分析得出:根区土壤有效Zn含量对过氧化氢酶和酸性磷酸酶活性有明显的刺激作用,但抑制了蛋白酶活性;有效Cd则抑制了过氧化氢酶和酸性磷酸酶活性,但刺激了蛋白酶活性。     

A comparison of strike and prey capture kinematics of three species of piscivorous fishes: Florida gar ( Lepisosteus platyrhincus), redfin needlefish ( Strongylura notata), and great barracuda ( Sphyraena barracuda)

Ram feeding is the process by which a predatory fish uses a high-velocity lunge or chase to overtake its prey. This study compares the strike and prey capture behaviors and kinematics of three species of ram-feeding fishes: Florida gar Lepisosteus platyrhincus, redfin needlefish Strongylura notata, and great barracuda Sphyraena barracuda. These ram-feeding piscivores are morphologically similar with fusiform bodies, posteriorly placed dorsal and anal fins, and large, conical teeth. Strike and prey capture kinematics for five individuals of each species were recorded with high-speed video. Pre-strike behavior in L. platyrhincus consists of a slow stalk, resulting in the close, lateral positioning of the predators head relative to the prey. Lepisosteus employ a sideways lunge of the head during the strike, which lasts only 25–40 ms and is the most rapid strike among these three species. Strongylura notata and Sphyraena barracuda exhibit longitudinal orientation to the prey before the strike, followed by a high velocity, head-on lunge, initiated by an s-start in Sphyraena barracuda. Prey capture in adult L. platyrhincus and Strongylura notata is characterized by the jaws closing on the prey, with the prey held orthogonal to the jaws. This is followed by manipulation using the inertia of the prey to reposition the prey head first, and then suction transport into the buccal cavity. Prey capture in juvenile Sphyraena is accomplished by closing the jaws after the prey has entered the buccal cavity, resulting in possible ram transport of the prey with no oral manipulation under these experimental conditions. Although these three species all employ ram feeding for prey capture of elusive prey, each species has a unique repertoire that appears to minimize hydrodynamic constraints and prey response, utilize locomotory capabilities, and may be suited to each species specific habitat.Communicated by P.W. Sammarco, Chauvin     

Gut characteristics and assimilation efficiencies in two species of herbivorous damselfishes (Pomacentridae: Stegastes dorsopunicans and S. planifrons)

The morphological and physiological mechanisms by which marine herbivores assimilate energy and nutrients from primary producers and transfer them to higher trophic levels of reef ecosystems are poorly understood. Two wide-ranging Caribbean fishes, the dusky damselfish, Stegastes dorsopunicans, and the threespot damselfish, S. planifrons, defend territories on patch reefs in the Archipelago de San Blas, Republic of Panama. We examined how relative intestine length and retention time influence digestion and absorption of energy and nutrients in these fishes. The dusky damselfish has a relative intestine length (RIL=intestine length/standard length) of 1.2 and a Zihler index {ZI=intestine length (mm)/10[mass(g)^1/3]} of 3.4. These values are significantly lower (P_RIL=P_ZI<0.0001) than those for the threespot damselfish (3.0 and 8.2, respectively). Both RIL and ZI for both species fall well below previously published values for other herbivorous pomacentrids, and may reflect their primary food resource at San Blas (diatoms). Energy-rich diatoms may be easier to digest than refractory macroalgae characteristic of diets of many herbivorous fishes (RIL range: 2-20). Despite differences in RIL and ZI between these two species, gut retention time is the same (P>0.05) for both dusky (6.6 h) and threespot damselfish (6.5 h). Thus, food travels the length of the threespot damselfish intestine ~2.5 times faster than it does in the dusky damselfish intestine. Levels of protein, carbohydrate, and lipid are significantly (0.003<P<0.030) higher in the feces of dusky damselfish than in the feces of threespot damselfish, when both species were fed a natural diet of benthic diatoms collected from damselfish territories. This indicates threespot damselfish have a greater nutrient-specific and total assimilation efficiency than do dusky damselfish. Furthermore, when fed an artificial pellet diet, protein absorption efficiency differed significantly (P=0.014) between species; threespot damselfish absorbed 98.3% of dietary protein, whereas dusky damselfish absorbed 96.4% of dietary protein.     

Brooding behaviour and reproductive success in two species of free-living simultaneous hermaphrodites

Although polyclads are amongst the most structurally simple of the triploblastic metazoans, they adopt a wide range of reproductive strategies. Parental care behaviour in this group is yet to be quantified for any species. We assessed the significance of brooding behaviour to the reproductive success of two free-living marine flatworms. Echinoplana celerrima and Stylochus pygmaeus were collected from the field and placed in pairs in containers of filtered seawater where they laid batches of eggs. Both parents were then removed from half of the containers and the brooding behaviour and hatching success of eggs were quantified. There were interspecific differences in brooding behaviour. Egg masses were covered by one E. celerrima parent for 12 ± 2% of time, whereas egg masses of S. pygmaeus were covered by one or both parents simultaneously for 85 ± 8% of time. Egg batches were abandoned by both species immediately prior to the onset of hatching (10–12 days). Hatching success was generally high (~90%) and brooding did not enhance the hatching success of eggs. We assessed the significance of parental care to hatching success of E. celerrima egg masses in the presence of three potential egg predators; in the presence of other organisms. E. celerrima devoted less time to brooding; however, hatching success was not affected. The amount of time spent brooding eggs differed greatly between the two polyclad species but was not essential to their reproductive success under benign conditions. Parental care may be of adaptive value under more stressful environmental conditions commonly experienced in estuarine environments such as lowered salinity, increased hypoxia or turbidity. Covering egg batches may play an additional role of advertising sexual status and a willingness to care for eggs.