Seed dispersal of desert annuals

We quantified seed dispersal in a guild of Sonoran Desert winter desert annuals at a protected natural field site in Tucson, Arizona, USA. Seed production was suppressed under shrub canopies, in the open areas between shrubs, or both by applying an herbicide prior to seed set in large, randomly assigned removal plots (10-30 m diameter). Seedlings were censused along transects crossing the reproductive suppression borders shortly after germination. Dispersal kernels were estimated for Pectocarya recurvata and Schismus barbatus from the change in seedling densities with distance from these borders via inverse modeling. Estimated dispersal distances were short, with most seeds traveling less than a meter. The adhesive seeds of P. recurvata went farther than the small S. barbatus seeds, which have no obvious dispersal adaptation. Seeds dispersed farther downslope than upslope and farther when dispersing into open areas than when dispersing into shrubs. Dispersal distances were short relative to the pattern of spatial heterogeneity created by the shrub and open space mosaic. This suggests that dispersal could contribute to local population buildup, possibly facilitating species coexistence. Overall, these results support the hypothesis that escape in time via delayed germination is likely to be more important for desert annuals than escape in space.     

Seed dispersal by pulp consumers, not "legitimate" seed dispersers, increases Guettarda viburnoides population growth

We examined the effect of seed dispersal by Purplish Jays (Cyanocorax cyanomelas; pulp consumers) and the Chestnut-eared Ara?ari (Pteroglossus castanotis; "legitimate" seed dispersers) on population growth of the small tree Guettarda viburnoides (Rubiaceae) in northeastern Bolivian savannas. Because each bird species differs with respect to feeding and post-feeding behavior, we hypothesized that seed dispersal by each species will contribute differently to the rate of increase of G. viburnoides, but that seed dispersal by either species will increase population growth when compared to a scenario with no seed dispersal. To examine the effects of individual dispersers on the future population size of G. viburnoides, we projected population growth rate using demographic models for G. viburnoides that explicitly incorporate data on quantitative and qualitative aspects of seed dispersal by each frugivore species. Our model suggests that seed dispersal by C. cyanomelas leads to positive population growth of G. viburnoides, whereas seed dispersal by P. castanotis has a detrimental effect on the population growth of this species. To our knowledge, this is the first study to report negative effects of a "legitimate" seed disperser on the population dynamics of the plant it consumes. Our results stress the importance of incorporating frugivore effects into population projection matrices, to allow a comprehensive analysis of the effectiveness of different dispersers for plant population dynamics.     

Genetic Structure of a Mimosoid Tree Deprived of Its Seed Disperser, the Spider Monkey

Abstract: To assess the genetic consequences for a Neotropical tree of the loss of its main seed disperser, we compared the genetic structure of Inga ingoides in a site where the spider monkey (Ateles paniscus) was abundant and a site where it had been eliminated by subsistence hunting. Gene flow should be reduced in the site where the spider monkey is absent, and there should be a corresponding subpopulation differentiation of seedlings within the spatial range of the movements of these primates in the absence of between-site differences in allelic frequencies. At the microhabitat (  family) scale, seedlings growing under parent plants should be genetically more related in the absence of the spider monkey than in its presence. Subpopulation differentiation was smaller where the spider monkey was present (  four loci, F_ST = 0.011) than where it was absent (  four loci, F_ST = 0.053) for the first year of study, but not for the second year (three loci, F_ST = 0.005 vs. 0.003). The number of alleles in common among seedlings growing under parent plants was smaller in the presence of the spider monkey than in its absence, showing family genetic structure in the first generation for both years of study ( Mann-Whitney, z = −2.17, p = 0.03 and z = −2.72, p = 0.006 for 1996 and 1997, respectively). This family genetic structure in the first generation should accelerate the development of population genetic structure. Development of genetic structure might result in demographic changes, one of which would be a fitness reduction if the species were self-incompatible, as suggested for Inga by available evidence. Large birds and mammals are the main targets of subsistence hunting in the Neotropics. Extinction of seed-dispersing frugivores may result in pronounced changes in the demographic and genetic structure of tree species in Neotropical forests.     

黄土高原马栏林区辽东栎的种子产量

辽东栎种子产量对其种群更新和恢复具有重要意义.调查研究了黄土高原马栏林区天然辽东栎次生林的种子产量,结果表明.该区天然辽东栎次生林处于较成熟阶段,结实植株所占比例高且种子产量丰富.分析发现,辽东栎结实植株数目表现出密度依赖效应,即样地结实植株密度与辽东栎植株的大小呈极显著的负相关,而辽东栎结实植株比例与样地密度呈极显著的负相关.通过埘标准枝上发育良好种子和败育种子数目的分析发现,在植株水平受精胚珠数与其发育种子数呈极显著的正相关;单株理论种子产量与胸径呈极显著的线性关系,表明辽东栎个体大的植株产生更多的种子;而对不同结实枝条,其高度与受精胚珠数、败育种子数和发育种子数均呈饭显著的线性关系,表明传粉或光照可能起到重要作用.此外,阳坡辽东栎林结实植株比例显著低于阴坡,表明样地水平坡向对辽东栎林结实也有一定的影响.图5 表3 参19     

“Seed bank” of coastal planktonic diatoms in bottom sediments of Hiroshima Bay, Seto Inland Sea, Japan

Abundance and temporal distribution of viable (able to germinate) resting stage cells of planktonic diatoms in bottom sediments have been investigated almost monthly during 1989 to 1992 in Hiroshima Bay, western part of Seto Inland Sea, Japan. The abundance of viable resting stages in bottom sediments was enumerated with the extinction dilution method (most probable number method, MPN). In bottom sediments of Hiroshima Bay, dominantly distributed species and/ or genera of the diatom resting stages were Skeletonema costatum, Chaetoceros spp. and Thalassiosira spp. Viable resting stages of these diatoms were densely distributed on the orders of 10³ to 10⁶ (MPN g⁻¹ wet sediments), and persisted in bottom sediments throughout the investigation period. Conversely, vegetative cells of these diatoms fluctuated remarkably in the water column and disappeared sporadically. Survival of the resting stages in a collected sediment sample was also determined with the MPN method, at different storage temperatures (5, 10, 15, 20, 25 °C). The survival test demonstrated that the diatom resting stages could survive in the dark for several months or years in sediments. Resting stages survived longer at the lower storage temperature, and the order of longevity was consistent within three diatoms (Chaetoceros spp. > Thalassiosira spp. > S. costatum) at each storage temperature. The present study suggests that these diatom resting stages in the coastal bottom sediments could serve as a “seed bank”, analogous to those of terrestrial plants. The seed bank would ensure the survival of diatoms within highly fluctuating coastal environments, while it would also be the source of sporadic and autochthonous diatom blooms in coastal waters. Received: 29 November 1996 / Accepted: 16 December 1996     

Seed terminal velocity, wind turbulence, and demography drive the spread of an invasive tree in an analytical model

Little is known about the relative importance of mechanistic drivers of plant spread, particularly when long-distance dispersal (LDD) events occur. Most methods to date approach LDD phenomenologically, and all mechanistic models, with one exception, have been implemented through simulation. Furthermore, the few recent mechanistically derived spread models have examined the relative role of different dispersal parameters using simulations, and a formal analytical approach has not yet been implemented. Here we incorporate an analytical mechanistic wind dispersal model (WALD) into a demographic matrix model within an analytical integrodifference equation spread model. We carry out analytical perturbation analysis on the combined model to determine the relative effects of dispersal and demographic traits and wind statistics on the spread of an invasive tree. Models are parameterized using data collected in situ and tested using independent data on historical spread. Predicted spread rates and direction match well the two historical phases of observed spread. Seed terminal velocity has the greatest potential influence on spread rate, and three wind properties (turbulence coefficient, mean horizontal wind speed, and standard deviation of vertical wind speed) are also important. Fecundity has marginal importance for spread rate, but juvenile survival and establishment are consistently important. This coupled empirical/theoretical framework enables prediction of plant spread rate and direction using fundamental dispersal and demographic parameters and identifies the traits and environmental conditions that facilitate spread. The development of an analytical perturbation analysis for a mechanistic spread model will enable multispecies comparative studies to be easily implemented in the future.     

多齿马先蒿与刺齿马先蒿花部形态、昆虫访花频率及种子产量比较研究

若尔盖高原的马先蒿属植物花部形态多样化,为探讨花冠差异是否与不同的繁殖对策相联系,在该区四川红原县分别对短管无喙的多齿马先蒿(Pedicularis polyodonta)和长管具喙的刺齿马先蒿(P.armata)的花部形态、昆虫访花频率和种子产出进行了比较研究.多齿马先蒿的花冠呈"鸟头"状,多个花的集合与鸟群相似,因此特别检测了这种拟态是否具有规避鸟类和蝗虫或吸引蜂类传粉的功能.研究发现,与刺齿马先蒿相比,多齿马先蒿的花冠较小、数量较少,但花蜜含量较高,因此蜂类访问频率较高,结实率高.两种马先蒿的单花种子产量没有显著差异;多齿马先蒿单个个体的种子数量较多,但种子较小.研究表明,为提高繁殖成功率,多齿马先蒿倾向于依赖花质量(如花蜜含量所指示)和种子数量,而刺齿马先蒿倾向于依赖花数量.蝗虫对两种马先蒿的危害没有显著差异,说明多齿马先蒿的"鸟头"拟态不具有规避蝗虫的功能;在具有"鸟头"花冠的多齿马先蒿的样地,鸟类的拜访频率较刺齿马先蒿显著较少,但蜂类的访问频率显著较高,说明"鸟头"拟态可能与规避鸟类、保护传粉者有关,其拟态功能需要进一步实验验证.图2表1参37     

Effects of Population Size on Seed Production and Germinability in an Endangered, Fragmented Grassland Plant

Abstract: Fragmentation and isolation of plant populations are thought to affect demographic processes such as seed production and cause reductions in fitness. I followed seed set over a 3-year period in eight populations of the endangered Rutidosis leptorrhynchoides (Asteraceae) that differed in population size from 13 to over 5000 flowering plants. Germinability of the resultant seed was also examined to determine whether small populations had lower fitness than large populations. Seed set was significantly associated with population size in 2 of the 3 years. Small populations (<30 flowering plants) produced significantly fewer seeds per head in 1994 and 1995 than did large populations (500 to over 5000 flowering plants), which did not differ significantly from one another. There was, however, substantial variation within populations. In 1993 seed production did not follow any simple relationship with population size, possibly because environmental stress from low rainfall had an overriding impact. Differences in seed germinability between populations were largely not evident, suggesting that this aspect of fitness has not declined substantially in small populations relative to large populations. This study suggests that nongenetic, demographic factors are of immediate importance to the persistence of small populations of R. leptorrhynchoides because of their potential impacts on seedling recruitment.     

同源四倍体水稻亲本材料的结实研究

研究了2份二倍体水稻和29份同源四倍体水稻(2n=4x=48)亲本(其中4份低代材料、25份高代材料)在2004年和2005年的结实情况.与二倍体对照相比,同源四倍体材料的花粉育性、结实率均不同程度下降,尤其低代材料的花粉育性(59.6%～65.3%)和结实率(26.8%～33.5%)大幅度降低;但经过选择改良,大多数材料的花粉育性和结实率均不同程度提高.F检验表明,同源四倍体不同品种间各性状均差异显著,说明同源四倍体材料具有很大的改良潜力.从1996年到2005年对部分同源四倍体水稻进行了连续选择改良,并对其结实率进行T检验,结果表明经过9a的选择改良,同源四倍体水稻结实率显著提高.本文还对同源四倍体水稻各性状间的相关性进行了分析,结果表明,结实率与花粉育性、穗着粒数、穗实粒数极显著相关,理论产量与花粉育性、有效穗数、穗着粒数、穗实粒数、结实率及千粒重极显著相关.表3图1参18     

黄河源区退化高寒草地土壤种子库:种子萌发的数量和动态

对青藏高原黄河源区不同退化程度高寒草地的土壤种子库土样用土壤分析筛进行浓缩,并以萌发法分析土壤种子库萌发种子数量和动态.结果表明,孔径0.25~2 mm的土壤分析筛分离土样中萌发种子可达萌发种子总量的85%~97%,而小于0.25 mm的土样中未发现种子.因此,用0.25 mm孔径大小的土壤筛对高寒草地土壤种子库土样进行大规模浓缩是一种方便、可靠的方法.4种不同退化程度高寒草地(A:未退化草甸;B:轻度退化草甸;C:中度退化草甸;D:重度退化草甸)的土壤种子库在实验室条件下萌发的种子数量分别为:A 1 194~3 744粒/m2,平均2 421.3粒/m2;B 5 376~1 0912粒/m2,平均7 786.7粒/m2;C 2 304~1 3216粒/m2,平均8 695.5粒/m2;D 4 768~12 352粒/m2,平均8 125.9粒/m2.除样地A外,其它3个样地的可萌发种子数量差异不大.单子叶植物种子在培养到d 10左右开始萌发,双子叶植物在5~7 d内开始萌发,前者3 wk后基本不再萌发,后者5 wk左右停止萌发.4个样地土壤种子库种子萌发主要集中在第2~3周,并表现出近似单峰型格局.图1表3参39     

利巴韦林对4种作物种子发芽的影响

利巴韦林作为一种强效抗病毒药物在畜禽养殖业中应用广泛,有着较高的生态环境风险。采用室内培养箱培养的方法,研究了利巴韦林对4种作物(小麦、白菜、萝卜和番茄)的种子发芽、根伸长和芽伸长的影响。结果表明,利巴韦林对4种作物的种子发芽率影响不大,但其浓度与4种作物的根伸长及芽伸长抑制率显著相关(P<0.01或P<0.05),作物的根伸长比芽伸长对利巴韦林的胁迫更敏感。土壤中利巴韦林浓度与4种作物根伸长抑制率之间呈现正相关关系。根伸长的抑制率达到10%所对应的利巴韦林浓度(IC10)分别为:IC10(白菜)=4.25mg·kg-1,IC10(番茄)=29.7mg·kg-1,IC10(萝卜)=33.2mg·kg-1,IC10(小麦)=49.4mg·kg-1。可以看出,4种作物对土壤中利巴韦林胁迫的敏感性依次是:白菜>番茄>萝卜>小麦。从利巴韦林对4种作物的根伸长和芽伸长抑制率综合来看,小麦对利巴韦林的耐受性最强,而白菜对利巴韦林最敏感。     

芒苞草（芒苞草科）种子的无菌萌发研究

选取野外采回的芒苞草种子为材料,研究无菌水和不同状态Ms培养基以及不同激素种类和浓度对芒苞草种子萌发的影响,并初步探讨了芒苞草幼苗的生长情况.结果表明:经4℃的低温春化处理2 mo后,播种在无菌水中的芒苞草种子萌发率可达95%,比同样条件下MS液体(25.1%)和固体(10.4%)培养基中的萌发率高;在有关激素影响的实验中,无菌水中6-BA和GA,对种子萌发没有促进作用,液体MS培养基中的1.0 mg/L GA,明显促进种子萌发,而固体MS培养基中0.5 mg/L 6-BA对种子萌发的促进作用较明显,1.0 mg/L 6.BA有利于从生芽的诱导.将无菌水和液体MS培养基中已发芽的芒苞草种子转移至固体MS培养基中培养可长成小植株.     

Seed germination of three provenances of Pinus brutia (Ten.) as influenced by stratification, temperature and water stress

Seeds from three provenances of Pinus brutia were stratified for 0 or 45 d (days) at 4 +/- 1 degrees C and then germinated at 15 degrees C or 20 degrees C on filter paper saturated with polyethylene glycol solutions to provide water potentials of 0, -0.2 and -0.4 MPa (mega Pascal). Regardless of stratification, germination was lower at 15 degrees C than 20 degrees C for seeds of all provenances. Stratification significantly increased germination percentage at all water potentials regardless of the germination temperatures. Lowering the water potential to -0.4 MPa reduced germination for all three provenances in unstratified and stratified seeds when averaged for two temperatures, but reaction to the increased water stress was different among the provenances. Combined over two temperatures, stratified or unstratified seeds from the highest elevation (Cehennemdere) had the lowest germination performance at all water potentials, and stratified and nonstratified seeds from a coastal elevation (Silifke) had the highest germination parameters at the lowest water potential (-0.4 MPa). It might be concluded that seed germination and resistance to water stress vary according to provenance and stratification.     

油松种子醇溶蛋白提取剂比较

采用乙醇、尿素、2氯乙醇、2巯基乙醇等配成的不同浓度和成分的提取剂提取了山西太岳龙门口、陕西洛南、辽宁千山和河北雾灵山4个不同油松种群的种子醇溶蛋白;用酸性聚丙烯酰胺凝胶电泳(APAGE)对蛋白提取液进行分析.条带数目反映所提取醇溶蛋白的数量,谱带颜色深浅反映不同提取剂得到的某种醇溶蛋白的量.结果表明,不同提取剂提取的醇溶蛋白图谱存在明显差异.由1%2巯基乙醇和12%尿素组成的复合提取剂提取效果最佳,其次是由20%2氯乙醇、1%2巯基乙醇和12%尿素组成的复合提取剂.提取的醇溶蛋白的电泳图谱可以用于油松种群的遗传多样性分析和系统演化的研究.图1表2参11     

天津市“城-郊-乡”样带土壤种子库特征分析

为了解天津市不同地理位置土壤种子库物种组成和群落结构的变化,沿天津市设置＂城区—城郊—远郊＂的生态样带,在6个典型样地选取20个样方进行土壤种子库的采样工作并进行萌发试验。结果表明：土壤种子库的密度、物种组成及群落结构差异性明显,除趋势对应分析后分异出典型的城市土壤种子库、城郊土壤种子库、远郊土壤种子库3种类型。从远郊到城区,土壤种子库的密度递增,相似性指数也递增,而物种丰富度却递减。相比远郊地区,城区、城郊区土壤种子库物种丰富度损失率分别为66.67%、45.23%。城区因城市化水平较高及频繁的人为干扰致使土壤种子库物种呈现匀质化特点,物种多为一年生的耐踩踏草本。城郊区的多样性指数、生态优势度指数、均匀度指数最低,但是种子库密度较大,物种丰富,萌发种子中木本植物可观,适合用于进行植被恢复的试验研究。     

Seed arrival and ecological filters interact to assemble high-diversity plant communities

Two prominent mechanisms proposed to structure biodiversity are niche-based ecological filtering and chance arrival of propagules from the species pool. Seed arrival is hypothesized to play a particularly strong role in high-diversity plant communities with large potential species pools and many rare species, but few studies have explored how seed arrival and local ecological filters interactively assemble species-rich communities in space and time. We experimentally manipulated seed arrival and multiple ecological filters in high-diversity, herbaceous-dominated groundcover communities in longleaf pine savannas, which contain the highest small-scale species richness in North America (up to > 40 species/m2). We tested three hypotheses: (1) local communities constitute relatively open-membership assemblages, in which increased seed arrival from the species pool strongly increases species richness; (2) ecological filters imposed by local fire intensity and soil moisture influence recruitment and richness of immigrating species; and (3) ecological filters increase similarity in the composition of immigrating species. In a two-year factorial field experiment, we manipulated local fire intensity by increasing pre-fire fuel loads, soil moisture using rain shelters and irrigation, and seed arrival by adding seeds from the local species pool. Seed arrival increased species richness regardless of fire intensity and soil moisture but interacted with both ecological filters to influence community assembly. High-intensity fire decreased richness of resident species, suggesting an important abiotic filter. In contrast, high-intensity fire increased recruitment and richness of immigrating species, presumably by decreasing effects of other ecological filters (competition and resource limitation) in postfire environments. Drought decreased recruitment and richness of immigrating species, whereas wet soil conditions increased recruitment but decreased or had little effect on richness. Moreover, some ecological filters (wet soil conditions and, to a lesser extent, high-intensity fire) increased similarity in the composition of immigrating species, illustrating conditions that influence deterministic community assembly in species-rich communities. Our experiment provides insights into how dispersal-assembly mechanisms may interact with niche-assembly mechanisms in space (spatial variation in disturbance) and time (temporal variation in resource availability) to structure high-diversity communities and can help guide conservation of threatened longleaf pine ecosystems in the face of habitat fragmentation and environmental change.     

同源四倍体水稻变异胚囊分类及结实性影响因素

以秋水仙素加倍的同源四倍体水稻三系株系具有高比率的变异胚囊.各种胚囊变异类型在抽穗前1～2 d的主穗和第一分蘖穗中出现频繁,造成正常胚囊的比率大幅降低.按变异胚囊的结构特点和形成方式,变异胚囊分为4种类型:退化型、结构变异型、无融合生殖型和反足细胞增殖型.退化型胚囊包括小胚囊和完全退化胚囊,前者仍有较小的胚囊腔而后者胚囊腔缺失;结构变异包括八核七细胞结构的缺失、重复和位置异常,反映了蓼型胚囊典型结构不同形式的变异;无融合生殖胚囊发生比率极低,主要包括反足胚和卵细胞胚;反足细胞的增殖比较频繁,这导致四倍体胚囊的多样性进一步增加,也对结实性带来一定影响.相关分析表明,同源四倍体水稻结实主要来自3部分:正常胚囊、正常型小胚囊和反足细胞增殖型胚囊.这3种胚囊可能具有较好的育性,其对结实率的贡献程度分别为正常蓼型胚囊的72.44%,正常型小胚囊的15.12%,反足细胞增殖型胚囊的12.44%;完全退化型胚囊和位置异常型胚囊对结实率分别表现出显著和极显著的负相关,表明二者可能是结实性的抑制因素.图2表2参24