Parasitoid-induced mortality of Araneus omnicolor (Araneae, Araneidae) by Hymenoepimecis sp. (Hymenoptera, Ichneumonidae) in southeastern Brazil

All species included in the Polysphincta genus-group develop as ectophagous parasitoids of active spiders, killing their hosts prior to pupation. However, little information regarding natural history and ovipositing behavior of most species are available. In this study we inspected 85 webs of Araneus omnicolor to evaluate the frequency of parasitism and host size preferences of the wasp Hymenoepimecis sp. We also described the web characteristics of normal and parasitized spiders and the wasp ovipositing behavior. About 41% of the adult females of A. omnicolor inspected were parasitized. The highest incidence of parasitism was observed among relatively small females while no egg or larva was found in large individuals. Araneus omnicolor builds a strong web composed of an orb and barrier threads, where the spider rests within a curled leaf. The parasitoid larva builds its cocoon within this refuge, and modified cocoon webs were not observed. The ovipositing behavior of Hymenoepimecis sp. was very similar to that of Hymenoepimecis argyraphaga parasitizing Leucauge argyra, including the position of the sting, the killing of a previously attached larva, and the expelling of the egg from the base of the ovipositor.     

嗜根寡养单胞菌DSM14405T对高浓度Cr(Ⅵ)的抗性及其还原特性分析

为了寻找植物-微生物联合治理Cr（VI）污染的合适微生物,分析了一株植物根际促生菌——嗜根寡养单胞菌DSM 14405^T（Stenotrophomonas rhizophila DSM 14405^T）对不同浓度Cr（VI）的还原能力、Cr（VI）还原最适培养条件、对连续投加Cr（VI）的还原能力及高浓度Cr（VI）处理不同时间的转录组变化.结果表明,嗜根寡养单胞菌DSM 14405^T在24 h内对10、50、200和500 mg·L^-1 Cr（VI）的还原率分别为100%、92.4%、26.2%和16.5%,且在30℃、pH=7.5、转速180 r·min^-1条件下培养能最经济、高效地还原Cr（VI）.该菌能在64 h内完全还原2次所投加的50 mg·L^-1的Cr（VI）,第3次投加后仅能还原55.2%左右.比较转录组学分析可得,200 mg·L^-1Cr（VI）作用下,嗜根寡养单胞菌DSM 14405^T细胞表现出显著的抗性.具体表现为：大幅度上调胞内消除有毒自由基的相关基因、DNA修复相关基因以防止DNA因自由基受损,同时下调细胞组分及蛋白代谢等与细胞抗性相关性低的通路.并且,随着Cr（VI）的还原和细胞对环境的适应,Cr（VI）抗性相关基因及通路的调节在长时暴露中明显少于短时暴露.本研究为Cr（VI）污染的原位植物-微生物联合治理提供了可选菌株和理论依据.     

Caps and gaps: a computer model for studies on brood incubation strategies in honeybees (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Apis mellifera carnica</Emphasis>)

In addition to heat production on the comb surface, honeybee workers frequently visit open cells (“gaps”) that are scattered throughout the sealed brood area, and enter them to incubate adjacent brood cells. We examined the efficiency of this heating strategy under different environmental conditions and for gap proportions from 0 to 50%. For gap proportions from 4 to 10%, which are common to healthy colonies, we find a significant reduction in the incubation time per brood cell to maintain the correct temperature. The savings make up 18 to 37% of the time, which would be required for this task in completely sealed brood areas without any gaps. For unnatural high proportions of gaps (>20%), which may be the result of inbreeding or indicate a poor condition of the colony, brood nest thermoregulation becomes less efficient, and the incubation time per brood cell has to increase to maintain breeding temperature. Although the presence of gaps is not essential to maintain an optimal brood nest temperature, a small number of gaps make heating more economical by reducing the time and energy that must be spent on this vital task. As the benefit depends on the availability, spatial distribution and usage of gaps by the bees, further studies need to show the extent to which these results apply to real colonies. M. Fehler and M. Kleinhenz contributed equally to this work.     

Interactive effects of ozone and powdery mildew (Sphaerotheca fuliginea) on bottle gourd (Lagenaria siceraria)

Interacting effects of ozone at 0.05, 0.1 and 0.2 ppm and powdery mildew infection were studied with respect to the growth, flowering and fruit-setting of bottle gourd, and ozone injury, fungal colonization, conidia size and germination. Intermittent exposure in closed-top chambers to ozone at 0.1 or 0.2 ppm, and infection by Sphaerotheca fulginea, each caused significant suppressions of plant growth, flowering and fruit-setting. Fungal colonization was increased by exposures to 0.05 ppm ozone, but decreased by 0.2 ppm ozone. Less browning and necrosis (symptoms of ozone phytotoxicity) appeared on the leaves of mildew-inoculated plants exposed to ozone at 0.1 and 0.2 ppm. Conidia collected from plants exposed to 0.1 and 0.2 ppm were smaller, contained fewer fibrosin bodies and showed poor germination in-vitro. Fumigations with ozone at 0.05 ppm increased the germination of conidia collected from the exposed plants or of the conidia directly exposed to ozone on glass slides in microgas exposure cabinets. Distortion and wall rupturing of the conidia were induced by exposure to ozone at 0.2 ppm for 12 h. Ozone at 0.05 ppm and S. fuliginea jointly suppressed the root and shoot growth of bottle gourd significantly more than the sum of individual effects (synergistic interaction). The fungus infection partially protected the plants from injury by ozone at 0.2 ppm, and exposure to ozone at 0.2 ppm inhibited fungal development. Antagonistic reductions of damage to bottle gourd growth by simultaneous mildew infection and ozone at 0.2 ppm were observed. The study revealed that powdery mildew infection may become severe on bottle gourd grown in areas polluted with mild level of ozone (0.05 ppm) whereas, at 0.1 ppm O₃ or more, the disease will be suppressed.     

两种沉水植物附着生物种群特征对水深的响应研究

选取浅水湖泊中两种常见沉水植物上的附着生物作为研究对象,通过显微观测和16S rRNA高通量测序的方法,探究原位实验条件下水深(分别以T1、T2、T3、T4代表0.6、1.2、1.8和2.4 m)对狐尾藻(Myriophyllum spicatum)和马来眼子菜(Potamogeton malainus)附着藻类和附着细菌种群组成及其多样性特征的影响.结果表明,沉水植物附着生物种群特征与水深和生物种类有关,试验组中所有水深梯度下的狐尾藻附着生物群落的自养指数(AI)均大于马来眼子菜,且试验组中较小水深0.6~1.2 m的AI值较高,较大水深1.8~2.4 m的AI值较低.两种沉水植物表面附着藻类组成随水深变化差异显著(p0.05),绿藻门和硅藻门仍占种群绝对优势;附着细菌种群随水深梯度的变化差异也显著(p0.05),但主要包括有Proteobacteria、Firmicutes和Bacteroidetes等优势菌群,同种沉水植物或相似水层深度间的附着细菌组成和丰度有较高的相似性,并且试验组中较小水深0.6~1.2 m中拥有更多特有的细菌种类.研究发现,相同水深时狐尾藻附着藻类的多样性大于马来眼子菜,而马来眼子菜附着细菌多样性大于狐尾藻,且位于中等水深1.2~1.8 m时两种沉水植物附着藻类和附着细菌的多样性往往最高.通过水深对沉水植物附着生物种群特征影响的研究,可为揭示沉水植物表面微生态作用规律提供参考.     

农田土壤产二甲基硫醚(DMS)细菌的筛选及其特性分析

从农田土壤中筛选到4株能在改性基础培养基上以甲硫氨酸为唯一碳源和氮源生长代谢的产DMS细菌,分别命名为AQ1、BB1、BB2和BB3.通过对其形态特征、生理生化特性及16S rRNA序列分析,确定4株产DMS细菌分别为硝基还原假单胞菌AQ1(Pseudomonas nitroreducens)、恶臭假单胞菌BB1(Pseudomonas putida)、恶臭假单胞菌BB3(Pseudomonas putida)和附着剑菌BB2(Ensifer adhaerens).研究结果表明,BB3菌株产DMS的能力显著高于其它菌株(p0.05),该菌株在温度为35℃,pH为7.0时,产DMS的能力最强;添加淀粉、硝酸钾和氯化铵显著提高了BB3菌株产DMS的能力,而添加葡萄糖和蔗糖显著抑制了该菌株产DMS的能力(p0.05).     

Elevated CO2 reduces the response of Sitobion avenae (Homoptera: Aphididae) to alarm pheromone

The aphid alarm pheromone (E)-β-farnesene (EβF) is an efficient signal that warns aphids of attack by natural enemies. In this field study, eight open-top chambers (OTCs) located in Beijing, China (40°11′N, 116°24′E) with spring wheat Triticum aestivum were used to examine the response of the grain aphid Sitobion avenae to CO₂ (ambient vs. double ambient) and EβF (applied zero, two, or five times each day). We experimentally tested the hypotheses that, depending on frequency of EβF release, elevated CO₂ reduces the response (in terms of population density) of S. avenae to EβF, and that lower activity of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) in S. avenae may be involved in its reduced sensitivity to EβF under elevated CO₂. Numbers of S. avenae declined with increased frequency of EβF application under ambient CO₂ but were unaffected by EβF application under elevated CO₂. Additionally, the mean relative growth rate (MRGR) and the dry material and amino acid content of S. avenae increased with elevated CO₂ but declined when with EβF application. Activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase were higher in S. avenae under elevated vs. ambient CO₂. Under elevated CO₂, however, AChE activity remained low when S. avenae was exposed to the lower EβF frequency, while the highest AChE activity occurred in aphids exposed to the higher EβF frequency. These results indicate that aphids become insensitive to EβF under elevated CO₂, perhaps because of decreased AChE activity.     

微囊藻毒素和温度对萼花臂尾轮虫热激蛋白Hsp70水平的影响

微囊藻毒素(MCs)是由有毒蓝藻(尤其是铜绿微囊藻)产生的一类藻毒素,可对水生生物和人类健康造成严重危害,然而目前有关浮游动物对MC-LR胁迫的应激响应研究较为少见.因此,本文探究了微囊藻毒素MC-LR和温度对采自青海西宁的萼花臂尾轮虫(Brachionus calyciflorus)热激蛋白Hsp70水平的影响.结果表明,温度、MC-LR及其交互作用对萼花臂尾轮虫Hsp70含量具有显著影响.在各温度条件下,MC-LR均诱导了轮虫Hsp70水平的上调;虽然Hsp70的表达水平在低剂量MC-LR处理下上调不显著,但在高剂量MC-LR(6 mg·L-1)处理下上调却极为显著;另外,以24℃处理为对照组,在20和28℃温度胁迫下各MC-LR处理组轮虫的Hsp70含量均显著增加,但16℃实验组与24℃对照组间未见显著差异,这可能与诱导轮虫Hsp70表达的环境温度阈值或机体对低温环境的长期适应性进化和调节机制有关.     

碳质纳米材料与枝孢菌KR14的相互影响研究

碳质纳米材料(Carbon Nanomaterials, CNMs)因具有独特的电学及光学等性质而引起了人们的广泛关注,从而被大量使用并释放到环境中,进而影响生态系统环境及生物化学过程,但目前有关CNMs与环境微生物相互作用的研究鲜见报道.因此,本文研究了枝孢菌KR14(Cladosporium sp.)与3种CNMs(单壁碳纳米管(SWCNTs)、石墨烯(Graphene)和氧化石墨烯(GO))的相互作用.结果表明,CNMs的加入促进了3种非特异性酶(漆酶、锰过氧化物酶和木质素过氧化物酶)活性增加,其中,对锰过氧化物酶(MnP)活性的促进作用最为显著,18 d最高增加26.1%.在3种类型的CNMs中,SWCNTs对MnP活性刺激最佳,GO最弱.木质素降解实验和电化学分析表明,CNMs可作为电子导体提高真菌胞外电子传递效率,进而提高KR14对木质素的降解.X射线光电子能谱(XPS)结果表明,除GO外,SWCNTs和石墨烯的氧碳比(O/C)均上升,二者表面发生变化.拉曼光谱(Raman)和傅立叶变换红外光谱(FTIR)结果表明,SWCNTs的I_D/I_G显著提高,无序性增加;石墨烯出现2D峰,即与KR14相互作用后有一定程度堆叠;KR14可引起CNMs结构转变.本研究结果有助于深入理解和评价环境中CNMs与真菌之间的相互作用关系及CNMs对真菌降解木质素和环境碳循环的影响.     

黄土丘陵区3种典型天然草地群落土壤呼吸对模拟降雨的响应

土壤呼吸是影响陆地生态系统碳循环的关键生态学过程之一,降雨是土壤呼吸变化的重要驱动因子.为探明黄土丘陵区退耕草地群落土壤呼吸对降雨的短期响应规律,选择白羊草(Bothriochloa ischaemum)、达乌里胡枝子(Lespedeza davurica)、铁杆蒿(Artemisia gmelinii)为优势种的3种草地群落为研究对象,于2014年6月和7月,以未降雨群落为对照,对比测定了2种模拟降雨量(15 mm和50 mm)下连续8 d的土壤呼吸速率及土壤水分和土壤温度等.结果表明:2种模拟降雨量对3种草地群落土壤温度和土壤含水量均具有显著影响(p0.05).50 mm降雨下群落土壤呼吸速率增加量高于15 mm降雨.3种群落土壤呼吸对降雨的响应程度存在明显差异,其中,土壤呼吸速率峰值高低顺序为:白羊草(1.75 g·m~(-2)·h~(-1))铁杆蒿(1.69 g·m~(-2)·h~(-1))达乌里胡枝子(1.12 g·m~(-2)·h~(-1)).0~10 cm土壤含水量与土壤呼吸速率呈显著对数函数关系.3种群落土壤呼吸温度敏感性系数Q_(10)值变化范围是1.31~2.01,且月份和降雨量处理间均存在差异.研究表明,准确评估降雨格局改变背景下退耕草地生态系统碳收支需考虑群落类型的差异.     

人工纳米材料富勒烯（C60）低剂量长期暴露对鲫鱼的氧化伤害

为更好地判断人工纳米材料(富勒烯,C60)对水生生物的潜在健康危害,以鲫鱼(Carassius auratus)幼鱼为受试生物,研究了低剂量C60(0.04～1.0 mg·L-1)长期(32 d)暴露对鲫鱼的氧化伤害.结果表明,各实验组中鲫鱼幼鱼脑、肝脏、鳃组织中的还原型谷胱甘肽(GSH)含量都发生显著降低(p＜0.05),其中1 mg·L-1 nC60,aq的暴露对鳃组织GSH含量的抑制率为14.3%,高于对鱼脑、肝脏组织中的抑制率;肝脏组织中过氧化氢酶(CAT)和超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性,以及鳃组织中Na -K -ATP酶活性均被显著激活,其最大活性分别是对照的121.34%(0.04 mg·L-1暴露组)、114.80%(0.04 mg·L-1暴露组)和348.59%(0.20mg·L-1暴露组).实验结果揭示,长期暴露引起机体组织的氧化应激可能是水环境中C60的致毒机制之一.     

Transient expression of protein tyrosine phosphatases encoded in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cotesia plutellae</Emphasis> bracovirus inhibits insect cellular immune responses

Several immunosuppressive factors are associated with parasitism of an endoparasitoid wasp, Cotesia plutellae, on the diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella. C. plutellae bracovirus (CpBV) encodes a large number of putative protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPs), which may play a role in inhibiting host cellular immunity. To address this inhibitory hypothesis of CpBV-PTPs, we performed transient expression of individual CpBV-PTPs in hemocytes of the beet armyworm, Spodoptera exigua, and analyzed their cellular immune responses. Two different forms of CpBV-PTPs were chosen and cloned into a eukaryotic expression vector under the control of the p10 promoter of baculovirus: one with the normal cysteine active site (CpBV-PTP1) and the other with a mutated active site (CpBV-PTP5). The hemocytes transfected with CpBV-PTP1 significantly increased in PTP activity compared to control hemocytes, but those with CpBV-PTP5 exhibited a significant decrease in the PTP activity. All transfected hemocytes exhibited a significant reduction in both cell spreading and encapsulation activities compared to control hemocytes. Co-transfection of CpBV-PTP1 together with its double-stranded RNA reduced the messenger RNA (mRNA) level of CpBV-PTP1 and resulted in recovery of both hemocyte behaviors. This is the first report demonstrating that the polydnaviral PTPs can manipulate PTP activity of the hemocytes to interrupt cellular immune responses.     

Recognition of foreign oviposition-marking pheromone in a multi-trophic context

Both phytophagous and parasitic insects deposit oviposition-marking pheromones (OMPs) following oviposition that function to inform conspecifics of a previously utilized host of reduced suitability. The blueberry maggot fly, Rhagoletis mendax Curran (Diptera: Tephritidae), deposits eggs individually into blueberries and then marks the fruit surface with an OMP which reduces acceptance of fruit for oviposition by conspecifics. Diachasma alloeum (Muesebeck) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) is a parasitic wasp attacking larval R. mendax which also deposits an OMP, signaling conspecifics of a wasp-occupied host. Behavioral studies were conducted testing the hypothesis that the OMP of the parasitic wasp modifies the oviposition behavior of its host fly. In this study, we show that the OMP of D. alloeum is recognized by R. mendax, and female flies will reject wasp-marked fruit for oviposition. Thus, we present a rare demonstration of pheromonal recognition between animals occupying different taxonomic orders and trophic levels. This chemical eavesdropping may enhance the ability of the fly to avoid fruit unsuitable for larval development.     

Quantification of viable bacteria in wastewater treatment plants by using propidium monoazide combined with quantitative PCR (PMA-qPCR)

The detection of viable bacteria in wastewater treatment plants(WWTPs) is very important for public health, as WWTPs are a medium with a high potential for waterborne disease transmission. The aim of this study was to use propidium monoazide(PMA) combined with the quantitative polymerase chain reaction(PMA-qPCR) to selectively detect and quantify viable bacteria cells in full-scale WWTPs in China. PMA was added to the concentrated WWTP samples at a final concentration of 100 μmol/L and the samples were incubated in the dark for 5 min, and then lighted for 4 min prior to DNA extraction and qPCR with specific primers for Escherichia coli and Enterococci, respectively. The results showed that PMA treatment removed more than 99% of DNA from non-viable cells in all the WWTP samples, while matrices in sludge samples markedly reduced the effectiveness of PMA treatment. Compared to qPCR, PMA-qPCR results were similar and highly linearly correlated to those obtained by culture assay, indicating that DNA from non-viable cells present in WWTP samples can be eliminated by PMA treatment, and that PMA-qPCR is a reliable method for detection of viable bacteria in environmental samples. This study demonstrated that PMA-qPCR is a rapid and selective detection method for viable bacteria in WWTP samples, and that WWTPs have an obvious function in removing both viable and non-viable bacteria. The results proved that PMA-qPCR is a promising detection method that has a high potential for application as a complementary method to the standard culture-based method in the future.     

长期施用氮肥对土壤细菌硝化基因多样性及组成的影响

以中国科学院桃源农业生态试验站水稻长期定位试验为平台(28°55′49.8″N,111°26′25.7″E),运用PCR、克隆文库构建等分子生物学技术研究长期单施氮肥(尿素)对亚硝化基因(amoA和hao)多样性及其群落结构的影响.结果表明,长期单施氮肥使amoA基因多样性降低(Shannon指数减少了11%),而ha...     

A GFP-based bacterial biosensor with chromosomally integrated sensing cassette for quantitative detection of Hg(II) in environment

A mercury biosensor was constructed by integrating biosensor genetic elements into E. coli JM109 chromosome in a single copy number, using the attP/attB recombination mechanism of λphage. The genetic elements used include a regulatory protein gene (merR) along with operator/promoter (O/P) derived from the mercury resistance operon from pDU1358 plasmid of Serratia marcescens. The expression of reporter gene gfp is also controlled by merR/O/P. Integration of the construct into the chromosome was done to increase the stability and precision of the biosensor. This biosensor could detect Hg(II) ions in the concentration range of 100-1700 nmol/L, and manifest the result as the expression of GFP. The GFP expression was significantly different (P ≤ 0.05) for each concentration of inducing Hg(II) ions in the detection range, which reduces the chances of misinterpretation of results. A model using regression method was also derived for the quantification of the concentration of Hg(II) in water samples.     

Intrageneric differences in the four stereoisomers of stenusine in the rove beetle genus, Stenus (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae)

Most species of the rove beetle genus Stenus employ the spreading alkaloid stenusine as an escape mechanism on water surfaces. In the case of danger, they emit stenusine from their pygidial glands, and it propels them over the water very quickly. Stenusine is a chiral molecule with four stereoisomers: (2′R,3R)-, (2′S,3R)-, (2′S,3S)-, and (2′R,3S)-stenusine. The percentile ratio of these four isomers is only known for the most common species of the genus: Stenus comma. With the intention of determining the stereoisomer ratios of five additional species from the two subgenera, Stenus and Hypostenus, we used GC/mass spectrometry measurements with a chiral phase. The results showed that the ratio differs among the genus. These findings can be a basis for chemotaxonomy. It is also possible that the biological function of stenusine, e.g., as antibiotic or fungicide, varies with changing stereoisomer composition.

共培养体系中石莼和江蓠对赤潮异弯藻生长的影响

研究共培养体系中2种大型海藻石莼(Ulva pertusa)和江蓠(Gracilaria lemaneiformis)的鲜组织和培养液滤液对赤潮异弯藻(Heterosigma akashiwo)生长的影响.结果发现:①石莼和江蓠均能明显影响赤潮异弯藻生长,鲜组织的作用更明显,能在短时间内完全灭杀共培养的赤潮异弯藻;石莼对微藻的影响强于江蓠的作用.②除菌作用和补充充足的碳酸盐不能消除或缓解石莼和江蓠对赤潮异弯藻生长的影响,说明细菌和碳限制不是导致大藻对微藻作用的原因.③对共培养体系中硝酸盐和磷酸盐的跟踪测定结果显示,营养盐限制不是造成石莼对赤潮异弯藻影响的原因,但却在江蓠的作用中起重要作用.当向江蓠体系中补充f/2营养盐后发现,充足的营养盐能够减轻但不能完全消除江蓠对赤潮异弯藻生长的影响.另一方面,石莼的起始浓度与其对赤潮异弯藻的生长影响之间存在明显的相关性,石莼的起始浓度越高,对赤潮异弯藻的影响越明显.④实验初步说明,石莼可能通过相生相克作用影响共培养体系中赤潮异弯藻的生长,而相生相克和营养竞争的共同作用是导致江蓠作用的根本原因.     

Pre-oxidation with KMnO4 changes extra-cellular organic matter's secretion characteristics to improve algal removal by coagulation with a low dosage of polyaluminium chloride

Microcystis aeruginosa was used to study the effect of KMnO4 pre-oxidation on algal removal through coagulation with polyaluminium chloride (PAC).KMnO4 pre-oxidation improved the coagulation efficiency of algal at a low dosage of PAC.The optimal KMnO4 feeding period was in the stationary growth phase of Microcystis aeruginosa.KMnO4 traumatized the algal cells and stimulated cellular release of organic matter,contributing to the pool of extra-cellular organic matter (EOM).KMnO4 also decomposed EOM,especially small molecular weight EOM.Lower concentrations of KMnO4,such as 2 mg/L,induced algae cells to produce moderate amounts of new EOM with molecular weights of 11,280,and 1500 kDa.These relatively large molecules combined easily with PAC,promoting coagulation and removal of algae.High concentrations of KMnO4 lysed algae cells and produced much high-molecular-weight EOM that did not enhance flocculation by PAC at lower dosages.     

Spatial heterogeneity of cyanobacterial communities and genetic variation of Microcystis populations within large, shallow eutrophic lakes (Lake Taihu and Lake Chaohu, China)

Cyanobacteria, specifically Microcystis, usually form massive blooms in eutrophic freshwater lakes. Cyanobacterial samples were collected from eight sites of both Lake Taihu and Lake Chaohu in late summer to determine the diversity and distribution pattern of cyanobacteria and Microcystis in large, shallow, entropic lakes with significant spatial heterogeneity and long-term Microcystis bloom. Molecular methods based on denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis and clone library analysis were used. A similar heterogeneous distribution pattern of cyanobacteria in both lakes was observed. Most parts of these two lakes with high trophic level were dominated by Microcystis. However, in the regions with low trophic levels as well as low concentrations of chlorophyll a, Synechococcus occupied a considerable percentage. Different morphospecies and genotypes dominated the bloom-forming Microcystis populations in these two lakes. Microcystis viridis and Microcystis novacekii were dominant in Lake Chaohu, whereas Microcystis flos-aquae was dominant in Lake Taihu. Only 2 of the13 Microcystis operational taxonomic units were shared between these two lakes. Analysis of molecular variance based on 16S to 23S internal transcribed spacer sequences indicated the significant genetic differentiation of Microcystis between these two lakes (F_st = 0.19, p < 0.001). However, only 19.46% of the genetic variability was explained by the population variation between lakes, whereas most (80.54%) of the genetic variability occurred within the lakes. Phylogenetic analysis revealed no phylogeographic structure of Microcystis population in these two lakes, as illustrated by their cosmopolitan nature. Our results revealed that spatial heterogeneity within lakes has more impact on the cyanobacterial diversity than geographical isolation in a local scale.